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WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Homeland Security Department is closer to solving the mystery about why the state of Georgia believed the federal government was trying to hack its election systems.

An official involved in the investigation said Friday that a DHS employee in part of the department far removed from cybersecurity operations visited the Georgia secretary of state's website for his work. But the employee's system was configured in a way that caused Georgia's security vendor to misinterpret the visit as a scan of its systems.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because this person was not authorized to discuss preliminary findings.

In a letter Thursday, Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp said a computer traced back to DHS tried unsuccessfully to penetrate the state office's firewall on Nov. 15.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - HGTVs Flip or Flop stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa announced they're separating, this coming just months after facing a backlash from some students of their real estate seminars, including one in Havana Florida who said the classes were misleading.

On Monday, the El Moussa's revealed the news to People Magazine, saying that they were evaluating how to handle moving forward but have ultimately decided to separate for the time being.

Several incidents could have led up to the announcement including an alleged altercation at their home.

According to TMZ, police responded to the couples Orange County home in May after receiving a call of a possibly suicidal male with a gun.

In the statement to People, the El Moussa's said, "We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution. There was no violence and no charges were filed.

Following that incident, the couple went through another peroid

Back in October, former Havana Florida student Doug Stephens, told ABC News that he attended one of the couple's seminars in the state after seeing an online advertisement featuring their photo.

But he said when he attended the class, the couple were nowhere to be seen.

He said on ABC's Good Morning America, that El Moussa's were not at any of the sessions, and that he was "aggressively pushed" to continue purchasing classes, spending nearly $3,000.

But, Christina El Moussa told ABC News that she and Tarek are proud of their program.

"I stand by our product," she said. "It's our tools, it's our system. It's what Tarek and I do. I've only heard very minimal complaints."

ABC News found more than 150 complaints online about the El Moussas' program with the BBB of St. Louis. But Zurixx said statistically, 150 complaints out from more than 374,000 students, is extremely low.
Scenes from the Womans Century Club Holiday Tea event at the Donald House in Yakima, Wash., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. Almost 70 people attended the event. The proceeds from the party will go to the clubs student music competition, Rods House, the Donald House and the YWCA.

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Universities are a liberal habitat. The air that education breathes is the absolute freedom to express oneself and say everything.

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The other day, I visited such a university in the United States. The buildings are enormous and impressive, the facilities are state-of-the-art, and the students are very young and impressionable. Those seeking the reason why Zionism is having hard time on American campuses, while the pro-Palestinian movements are successful, will find that the main cause is imagination. The freedom to imagine and fantasize. To weave plots with a simple ending. To solve conflicts in the classroom with pen, paper and a map on a computer.

Breaking the Silence event. There is room for such an organization in the Israeli discourse, but why in the educational system? (Photo: Louise Green)

There is something encouraging about this freedom. It is only in universities that professors can analyze religious manuscripts without being terrorized by priests, rabbis or imams. It is only there that subversive ideas can be raised. But alongside this freedom, there is also a lot of hypocrisy. In the name of freedom, its hard to hear the ordinary and the simple. The old patriotism is erased, the voices of people who believe in good are disregarded, and there is a difficulty to hear about complicated problems and about dark cultures.

In recent years, I have visited American campuses several times in order to lecture about Israel. And each time, I am surprised to discover the ignorance. They are the finest minds, yet they find it difficult to deal with a complicated picture. They are the finest young people, yet they are so easy to influence with demagogy. Even students from Jewish homes, with a pro-Israel background, are finding it difficult to cope.

Im telling you all of this because of the ongoing dispute in Israel over the exposure of high school students to Breaking the Silence representatives. The main argument made by principals who wish to let the organizations representatives speak to their students is the freedom to listen to different opinions. Thats an important argument, but it has never existed in the world of basic education.

People educate their children according to a certain way. The French educate them on the values of the republic; the Japanese  on obedience, discipline and diligence; and the Israelis  those who still study in the state educational system  on Zionism. Can we educate them both on Zionism and on anti-Zionism? Can we encourage army enlistment and, at the same time, bring an organization which presents the IDF as the source of all evil? The answer is no.

We cannot educate for tolerance and then allow lessons about the values of Bentzi Gopstein and the Lehava organization . We cannot educate on the values of a Jewish and democratic nation state and, at the same time, teach the need for a state of all its nations. Why? Because before learning about complicated things, one must learn about simple things. Before talking about bridges and rafters, foundations must be laid. When I send my kids to school, I want a Zionist education which encourages them to join the army, contribute, be good citizens, and mainly to feel that they are right.

Breaking the Silence, with all my criticism against them, have a right to express themselves in the State of Israel. There has not been a single event in which I was invited to present my stance against theirs and refused. I dont boycott them, although their actions encourage boycotts against me, but argue with what I see as losing ones way. There is room for them in the Israeli discourse, but not in the educational system.

Whoever is interested in Breaking the Silence-style political activity will find room for it in higher education. Post-modernism in which one can philosophize about how good the evil is and how evil the good is; to what extent have irregularities in the IDFs combat values become a norm, as Breaking the Silence claims  and recently the extreme right too, and to what extent is it politically-directed slander.

Everything is possible in a democratic state with full freedom of speech, but why in the educational system? Are high school students deeply familiar with the Zionist story? Do they understand what the pioneers sought to create here? Do they know the meaning of an exemplary society, of the orchards planted by the pioneers, which created thousands of jobs for the Arabs in the area? Do they know about the Zionist effort at co-existence and about the bloody response on the Arab side?

There is no reason to be afraid of getting to know claims against Israel and its policy. Everyone here will know and meet and cope, and some of the Israelis  like the Americans  will find it difficult to perceive the complexity. In the meantime, let them grow up in peace; let them be right. This is a right which is as important as the freedom of political organizations like Breaking the Silence to criticize us all over the place.
Britain said on Monday it would become one of the first countries to adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism to clamp down on hate crime after an increase in the number of reported incidents targeting Jews.

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Adopting the definition formulated in May by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is meant to make it harder for people to get away with discriminatory or prejudiced behavior due to unclear or differing definitions of what anti-Semitism actually is.

"It means there will be one definition of anti-Semitismin essence, language or behavior that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jewsand anyone guilty of that will be called out on it," Prime Minister Theresa May said in pre-released extracts from a speech she was due to deliver.

London demonstration against anti-Semitism (Photo: AFP)

No details were immediately available as to where the speech would be made.

The government is due to publish its response on Tuesday to an inquiry into anti-Semitism conducted by a committee of lawmakers and another report published in 2015.

The IHRA definition adopted by the group's 31 member countries, including Britain, reads:

Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Tackling anti-Semitism has risen up the political agenda in Britain, home to the world's fifth largest Jewish population, as those incidents rose over the last two years

In the first half of this year, the number of incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST), which provides security advice to Britain's 270,000 Jews, rose by 11 percent.

The CST said most of the anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of the year took place in April, May and June when the issue of discrimination against Jews was in the news.

Politicians have warned about rising levels of hate crimes due to the Brexit vote, but it is difficult to establish the exact reason behind any increase and whether better relations between police and minorities account for more reporting.

One Labour Jewish lawmaker, Luciana Berger, reported in April she had received thousands of online abusive messages including threats to rape her.

Last week, a man was jailed for subjecting Berger to what Britain's Crown Prosecution Service described as "highly offensive, hateful and racist articles" in 2014 and 2015.

The opposition Labour party has launched an inquiry into whether the party had a problem in its ranks with anti-Semitism because of statements by former London mayor Ken Livingstone to Oxford University students.
ALEPPO - The Syrian army and its allies captured Sheikh Saeed district in Aleppo in overnight fighting, a war monitor and a Syrian official said early on Monday, amid the most intense bombardment in days, leaving insurgents in only a tiny pocket of the city.

Sheikh Saeed lies in the south of the rebels' east Aleppo enclave, which has shrunk by more than three quarters in two weeks of government advances. It has been the site of intense fighting for days as insurgents tried to resist an army attack.

Rebel groups in Aleppo received a US-Russian proposal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the city's opposition areas, but Moscow said no agreement had been reached yet in talks in Geneva to resolve the crisis .
Former president Moshe Katsav, a convicted rapist, told the parole board on Sunday that the treatment he underwent in prison has helped him to reach new understandings concerning his crimes.

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Katsav is serving a seven-year sentence for rape and indecent acts committed against women working under him and is now seeking early release for the third time

The 72-year-old felon, who underwent treatment for "guilt deniers" in prison, asked for forgiveness from anyone who was hurt by him and said he understood his victims' feelings.

Katsav going on furlough (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Despite this, the State Attorney's Office remains opposed to early release, saying Katsav has failed to take responsibility for his actions or ask for his victims' forgiveness.

The State Attorney's Office noted that the treatment the disgraced former president underwent in prison was insufficient and that it would reconsider its position if Katsav goes through a more significant treatment.

The Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority has already recommended granting Katsav early release. The authority prepared a detailed rehabilitation plan for Katsav to follow upon his release, which includes daily Torah lessons as well as regular meetings with a social worker and a psychologist who will help him reenter society. As part of his rehabilitation, Katsav will have to refrain from defaming his victims.

The parole board is due to decide whether to release Katsav or not on December 18.

As Katsav has already served five yearsmore than two thirds of his seven-year sentenceif his application for parole is granted, he will be immediately released from prison.

At the end of the four-hour hearing, Katsav returned to his cell, telling family and friends, "I believe and hope for the best."

His lawyer Shani Illouz said following the hearing, "Katsav has come a long way, especially after the latest treatment he underwent in prison, and should be released immediately."

Daniel Sarur, who represents one of Katsav's victims, A. from the Tourism Ministry, said that "Until he asks for forgiveness from his victims, in his own voice, there must be no considerations of early release."
Thirty-five percent of all children in Israel (1,024,000) are living in poverty, according to statistics collated for the 2016 Alternative Poverty Report produced by the non-profit organization Latet (To Give).

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The report is based on the relative shortage of essential goods required for the most basic lifestyle of every citizen.

The National Insurance Institution is expected to publish its official Report of Poverty and Social Gaps, which determines the number of people living in poverty in Israel, later this month.

Thirty-five percent of children living in poverty, according to alternative poverty index report (Photo: Doron Golan)

According to Latet's index, which was compiled by private research company ERI and is published for a third year, 29% of the Israeli population, including both children and adults (2,436,000), live in poverty. If the figures are accurate, the alarming percentage equates to an adult poverty rate of 1.4 millionconstituting a quarter of all adults.

The Latet report drew on information collected in a survey questioning 501 people from the general public along with another survey of 657 people supported by various assistance organization.

Despite the high figures, the new statistics indicate that poverty rates are on the decline when compared to the figures from the 2015 index, which showed that the number of children living in poverty stood at around 998,000 while the number of adults stood at 1.626 million. The overall figure, therefore, came out at 2.624 million.

Latet's alternative poverty index will be published during a conference on Monday at The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo and will illustrate five fundamental shortages required to lead a basic standard lifestyle: property, education, health, food security and the ability to meet the costs of living.

While poverty may have been marginally on the decline since 2015 according to Latet's report, when the latest report is compared with the official equivalent published by the National Insurance Institute last year for 2014, a stark deterioration of the situation can be discerned with the latter illustrating that 22% of Israeli citizens were recorded as living in poverty, amounting to 1,709,300 people, out of whom are 444,900 families and 776,500 children.

Searching for food in the garbage (Photo: Ido Erez)

The statistics also suggest an exacerbation in the situation of the poorest people in the country, who receive succor from various aid groups. Indeed, 63% of those supported by such groups either work or are not at a working age but still remain impoverished nonetheless. The reported figure marks and increase of 11% when compared with the previous year.

The generally bleak outlook was encapsulated in the response provided by most of those questioned when asked what were the chances of falling into poverty, with 81% positing that a person can easily fall prey to its cruelty within just one year and that it can be caused simply by redundancy, an illness or a crisis.

Sixty-six percent of those receiving supportive aid were found to be in debt of some sortalmost double that of the general population (31.5%). Furthermore, the situation for children was no less grim with 54% of those supported by the groups were lacking basic learning stationery and required study material, signaling an 11% increase of children left wanting despite being supported.

Commenting on the findings, Latet Chairman Gilles Darmon and Director General Eran Weintrob said that this is the third consecutive year that our poverty report shows that the poverty index is far higher than those published by the National Insurance Institute, which stretches the definition of the virtual 'poverty line' while relying only on the income parameter."

Darmon and Weintrob then accused the government of failing to shoulder the responsibility. The government still refuses to take responsibility and is frightened of adopting conclusions of the committee to fight poverty.

Minister of Welfare and Social Services Haim Katz's office responded to the criticism levelled against the government citing the marking of approximately NIS 224 million for food security.

As part of the effort to eradicate the shameful phenomenon of queues for food, in the coming weeks we will provide a national food security project which will be given in its first stage to 10,400 families which will receive monthly cards of NIS 375 that can be used in supermarket chains at an annual cost of NIS 40 million, the ministrys office said in a statement.

In general, we doubt the accuracy of the facts presented by (Latet) which are mainly intended for public relations purposes and to draw bigger financial contributions for the salaries of its leaders," the statement concluded.
Despite being a member of one of Israel's ultra-Orthodox political parties, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has called on the public not to eat the traditional Hanukkah treatsufganiyah.

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A sufganiyah is a deep-fried round doughnut traditionally covered with powdered sugar and filled with strawberry jelly. Israeli bakeries offer a plethora of variations, which include different types of coatings and fillings.

"I call on the public to avoid eating sufganiyot, which are rich in fats," Litzman said at the conference in Herzliya to promot healthy eating. "You can find alternatives for everything nowadays and there is no need for us to fatten our children with sufaganiyot, which are not in line with the principles of health and proper nutrition."

Photos: Alex Kolomoisky, Hagit Goren

Earlier this year, the Health Ministry launched a campaign to encourage the public to choose healthy food over junk food.

In April, Litzman attacked the junk food giant McDonalds . "We need to educate our children not to eat junk food. McDonalds out. Not in our country," he said.

On Sunday, the health minister added "If I had to say this today, I'd say: Sufganiyot out. You can eat them, of course, because it is part of the holiday's customs, but there are alternatives."

Litzman said that while his statements have been met with anger by big companies, "I have a secret for you. I don't have to deal with primaries. I chose the Health Ministry because I thought this was the place where lives can be saved."

In August, he declared at the Israel Medical Convention: "I intend to take the healthy eating campaign all the way. You can't go out on the street with a rifle and stop people from eating junk food, but you have to sort out the food and the way to do it is in educationstart at schools. Along with the education minister, we are working to ban the sale of sweets inside schools."

Three weeks ago, a committee entrusted with promoting healthy eating in Israel submitted its recommendations to Litzman. It recommended to decrease sugar, salt and saturated fat in food products and to mark harmful products in red while healthy products will be marked in green. The percentage of sugar in each food product, the committee recommended, should be indicated on the packaging, while calories, salt and saturated fat should receive prominence on the packaging as well.

The committee further recommended to prevent the marketing of unhealthy food to children and to limit advertising for such food, while at the same time making healthy food more accessibleamong other things by subsidizing whole grain bread.

The implementation of these recommendations will begin at the earliest in January 2018 and at the latest in June of that year, pending the health minister's approval. This, in order to allow manufacturers enough time to redevelop products and packaging.
The arrival of the two F-35 stealth multirole fighter aircraft to Israel was delayed on Monday morning because of the weather conditions in Italy, where the planes landed for a stopover.

"Due to weather conditions that don't allow for the departure of planes from Italy, the planes' takeoff will be delayed for a short time," the IDF Spokesman's Office said.
A leading rabbi in Scotland was violently set upon in a recent anti-Semitic attack while walking with his children and wife in Edinburgh.

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Rabbi Yossi Bodenheim, the Jewish Chaplain for Scottish universities, was with his family when a woman suddenly pushed his wife and snatched his kippah (skullcap) off his head, throwing it on the ground.

The incident took place in central Edinburgh under a mile away from the Scottish parliament.

Rabbi Yossi Bodenheim

My wife and I took our four young children for a walk in this beautiful city, Bodenheim told members of the Scottish parliament shortly after the ordeal. But as we were walking, a woman pushed my wife aside, grabbed my kippah, threw it on the ground and ran away. That took place less than a mile from here. Right in front of my young children. You can imagine the kind of distress they were in.

One month ago, a study funded by the Scottish government was published showing that one in six Jews in Scotland choose to conceal the fact that they are Jewish, while many fear for their lives. The study also found that many Jews are considering leaving Scotland due to anti-Semitism.

Rabbi Bodenheim went on to share his experiences as a Jewish Chaplain for Scottish universities, noting that it was his responsibility to ensure that Jewish students felt comfortable on campus.

Nicola Livingston, Chair of the Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland, said that the incident highlights the increase in anti-Semitism in Scotland.

"I know the family were quite traumatized, its quite a difficult thing to speak about publicly, you dont want to be seen as too vulnerable," she said. The Scottish Government needs to condemn such incidents when they happen, and thats why Yossi used the opportunity to speak to MSPs.
The Israeli government has decided it couldnt care less about the American administration, governments in Europe and the public opinion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that the Regulation Bill is dangerous and could lead Israel to The Hague, but he once again a puppet in the hands of Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett.

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One of the illusions is we not only have the new American administration by our side, but the public opinion as well. Different surveys do point to significant differences between Americans and Europeans. A BBC poll, for example, found that 52 percent of Americans have a positive attitude towards Israel compared to 36 percent who have a positive attitude. In Britain, only 19 percent have a positive attitude and 72 percent have a negative attitude.

Is the fact that the Palestinians are rejecting the two-state formula lead to the conclusion that we should create one big state? (Archive photo: Reuters)

But American sympathy is towards Israel, not towards the Greater Land of Israel. Its not certain that the Yesha Council has the new Trump administration in its pocket. It is certain that contrary to what too many people in Israel believe, the American public is becoming less and less tolerant of the ongoing expansion of settlements. In November 2015, 37 percent of them were in favor of imposing economic sanctions on Israel for the ongoing construction in the settlements. A year later, that view is already shared by 47 percent. The American public supports Israel, but it is making it clear that on the most controversial issue  among the Israeli public and between Israel and the United States  it is changing its stance.

Some will argue, following the US elections, that polls are worthless. Thats complete nonsense. The polls and pollsters error was within the standard deviation. Hillary Clinton, it should be mentioned, beat Donald Trump in the popular vote by more than two million votes. So even if the survey is slightly wrong, it points to the direction.

The poll was conducted by the Brookings Institution, one of the most important research and consultancy groups in Washington. It shows that the support for sanctions has gone up from 49 percent a year ago to 60 percent in the current survey among Democrats, and from 26 to 31 percent among Republicans.

If the Israeli government insists on continuing its current policy, this trend will continue. Its unclear whether we will lose the administrations support, but it is clear that Israel is losing support in the public opinion, at least in terms of expanding the settlements.

Its not the anti-Israel propaganda and its not the BDS campaign. There is no need to give them an honor they dont deserve. Its the Israeli government. Even pronounced supporters of Israel, who are waging an adamant battle against the BDS, are far from supporting ongoing construction outside the settlement blocs. But the Israeli government is insisting.

The Israeli Right has a lot of correct and justified arguments regarding the Palestinian rejectionism, the fear of Hamas taking over the West Bank as well, the Palestinian incitement and the mistakes made in the Oslo process and in the disengagement. But these correct claims do not lead to the conclusion that the construction outside the blocs should be expanded.

Is the fact that the Palestinians are rejecting the two-states-for-two-people formula lead to the conclusion that we should create one big state? Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman is not the only one who understands that. So do many right-wing voters. Its not the Likud voters who have been dragged to the right, its the Likuds Knesset members and ministers who are becoming more rightist than the Bayit Yehudi party.

The growing support in the US for sanctions against Israel is setting off alarm bells, but the government doesnt hear a thing.
NEW YORK - US President-elect Donald Trump is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over US relations with Russia, as lawmakers seek to investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election and issue warnings over the incoming president's potential pick for secretary of state.

Trump said Sunday the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was "ridiculous," and he praised ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

But two key Senate RepublicansJohn McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump criticjoined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlin's activities during the election. And McCain, the party's 2008 presidential nominee, questioned whether Trump should nominate Tillerson, citing the executive's longstanding business ties with Moscow.

"It's a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin," McCain said of Tillerson. "And obviously they've done enormous deals together." In an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation," McCain said, "That would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat."
MOSCOW - The Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday Syrian government forces control over 95 percent of Aleppo, once Syria's largest city, Russian agencies quoted an official statement.

The Defense Ministry told reporters that since the start of the battle over 2,200 rebels have surrendered and 100,000 civilians left eastern Aleppo, previously controlled by militants.
Turkeys new Ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem submitted his credentials to President Reuven Rivlin on Monday morning during a ceremony which took place in the Presidential Residence marking the inauguration of a Turkish envoy to the country after six frosty years.

Okem, who was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife and two children, told Rivlin: I present to you, with great appreciation, my letter of appointment as the Turkish ambassador to Israel.

Responding to Okems statement, Rivlin said, I am honored to accept him. Welcome to Israel before adding that The friendship between our countries had a rich history and I hope that the reconciliation and the new appointments will turn a new leaf and secure our relations.
Eight youths aged 17-18 from Sur Baher and Isawiya in east Jerusalem were indicted on Monday for conspiring to commit a crime, rioting, assaulting an officer, and other offenses.

They hurled stones at passing vehicles at the entrance to East Talpiot three years ago, leading to the injury of a two-year-old girl.

They also allegedly planned to commit attacks against Jews and continue throwing stones and Molotov cocktail at security forces.
Turkish media reported on Monday that the air force is pounding Islamic State targets in northern Syria and has dropped leaflets calling on residents to leave a militant stronghold there.

The private Dogan news agency said the armed forces had dropped leaflets on al-Bab, the next target of a campaign by Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces.

The leaflets urge civilians to flee to secure areas, saying "God willing, victory is near." They urge residents to "not let the Daesh terror, which serves the devil, exploit you," referring to ISIS by an Arabic acronym.

Images of the Arabic and Turkish language pamphlets were also circulated on social media. There was no comment from the army.
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says the unwillingness of the United States to work with Moscow in Syria contributed to the loss of the ancient city of Palmyra to the Islamic State group.

Dmitry Peskov told journalists Monday that "the US does not want to cooperate," adding that "cooperation would have probably allowed us to more effectively avoid such attacks from terrorists."
IDF soldiers are refusing to carry out orders to evacuate the Amona outpost, expressing their protest on a new controversial Facebook page entitled "I am also refusing to evacuate Amona."

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The page calls on soldiers serving in both mandatory and reserve duty to send pictures to their units in which they appear with their friends declaring their refusal to remove the residents from the outpost.

IDF soldier holds sign reading: 'I won't assist in the evacuation of Amona'

In November, the High Court of Justice upheld a decision to evacuate Amona which is scheduled to take place by December 25.

Following a fierce political debate on the issue, the opposing factions in the coalition eventually accepted the fate of the outpost and agreed to comply with the orders.

Battalion 9 joins the calls against the Amona evacuation, one post reads on the page. Good morning! We are starting the morning today with the 605th Battalion of the Combat Engineers Unit refusing to cooperate with the evacuation of Amona, reads another.

Sign reads: 'Battalion 9 is also against the Amona evacuation.'

So far, the Facebook page has attracted almost 1,000 followers and soldiers who have tagged the posts for their friends to view.

One follower wrote, Before Amona they should have evacuated one thousand Bedouins from state land.

Another response read: Those who obey the order are the same soldiers who are children of minorities drafted into the Jewish army, and they are are extremely cruel. I have seen how they hit Jewish youths who want to go on the Temple Mount. This is how the cruel government of Israel will carry out things in Amona.

One soldier from the Givati Brigade wrote a post saying: Despite the fact that I am not sure we will indeed be evacuating (Amona) but rather just guarding the place, a Jew does not expel a Jew. And for as long as we can, we will protect civilians because that is why we enlisted.

Givati brigade soldier against evacuation

At the end of the day, we are in the army to defend Israel and not in Hitlers SS or SA during the 1930s. I hope we dont see more difficult sights of violent eviction through the use of riot dispersal methods, which we dont dare employ against our enemies, one anonymous soldier added.

However, not all the expressions on the page were in unison with one another. One follower wrote, for example, I am the last person that people would call left wing, but this post and these open calls to disobey an order are totally illegal. There is the rule of law in this country, and there is a government and a Knesset. The courts hold double standards, but if we dont protect the lawwe will be ruined.

Soldier from combat engineers 605th battalion states his opposition

The page even managed to get the attention of the IDF itself, with its spokespersons unit issuing a statement in an effort to quell the online rebellion and warn of the consequences of disobeying orders.

The IDF condemns and prohibits all demonstration of disobedience of any kind, and it will be strictly dealt with. The very nature of the IDF in a democratic state, which operates and will operate subject to the political ranks, is to carry out all orders imposed upon it in accordance with the law, the post read.
Egypt's president says a suicide bomber caused the explosion that killed 24 Christians during Sunday Mass at a Cairo chapel.

President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Monday identified the bomber as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa.

He says three men and a woman have been arrested in connection with the attack at a chapel adjacent to Cairo's St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The president spoke after Health Ministry officials revised down the number of victims to 24, suggesting that the 25th body belonged to the bomber.
BEIRUT - A Syrian rebel official accused Russia on Monday of backtracking from a US-backed proposal for rebel fighters and civilians to leave eastern Aleppo with Moscow guaranteeing them safe passage.

US and Russian officials met in Geneva over the weekend to discuss the crisis in Aleppo, where rebels are being squeezed out of their territory by a rapid Syrian army advance which has displaced thousands of civilians. No announcement was made after the meetings.

Zakaria Malahifji, an official in the Aleppo-based Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters from Turkey on Monday the United States and Russia had come up with the draft proposal offering rebels an "honorable" exit, but Russia then backtracked from it.

The Fastaqim group is part of the nationalist opposition Free Syrian Army alliance which has received military aid from countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad, notably Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Naftali Bennett announced a new solution to the Amona evacuation on Monday afternoon, formulated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would require the residents to relocate while remaining on the mountain.

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According to the new solution, which was presided over during the last few days in a bid to quash the risk of matters escalating out of control as authorities prepare to implement court orders to remove the residents, homes belonging to 40 families will be transferred to available land in a different area in the outpost on condition that their owners acquiesce in the evacuation of their original location.

Naftali Bennett (Photo: Daniel Elior)

The solution is set to be put before the residents who will be required to approve the newest development. Politicians have said that a pragmatic solution to the debacle now hinges upon the decision of the residents. If they agree, we will go with this solution, one official said.

After a lot of effort we succeeded in formulating a good plan to use absentee landowners land and we stuck to the targets we set for ourselvesto keep Amona on the mountain, Bennett delighted. This is a new plan with greater longevity on a massive space, with huge potential for the future, he added.

Last week, the government considered a solution in which the forty families from the outpost would be transferred to temporary caravans in the adjacent settlement of Ofra and perhaps relocated to a new settlement.

As part of the old proposed solution, a new settlement was set to be established for the evacuated residents near Shvut Rachel in the Binyamin region.

If the latest solution is countenanced by the residents however, they will be enabled to maintain their presence on the Amona mountain, albeit in new location on its peaks.

Amona residents (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The Bayit Yehudi party leader promised that the solution would be put before the residents for their consideration. I believe that we will obtain their approval for the new land on the mountain of Amona in the way of peace, he optimistically continued. This way we can appeal to the High Court to grant an extension.

Reiterating remarks made last week as he praised the passing of the first Knesset reading of the Regulation Bill, Bennett implored Amona residents or supporters to refrain from resorting to violence.

Amona (Photo: Eli Mandelbaum)

Most importantly I want to state unequivocallyit is totally forbidden, in any situation, under any condition, to act violently for any purpose, he said.

According to initial evaluations, the new solution will implement a project by which Area 30 containing some 25 dunams of available space will be freed up in the outpost making way for the transfer of the homes while remaining on the mountain. If the residents agree to the proposal, Bayit Yehudi, the chief advocates of the Amona outpost, will request a 30 day extension.
US President-elect Donald Trump wrote on Twitter earlier on Monday that the F-35 program and cost is "out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

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The F-35the most technologically advanced fighter jets in the world, is currently on its ways to Israel to augment its already formidable air force.

Trump against the F-35 (Photo: AP and MCT)

Lockheed Martin has invested large sums of money to reduce the price of the F-35 stealth fighter program, a company executive said in Israel on Monday, responding to Trump's criticism about costs.

"Since the beginning, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce the price of the airplane by about 70 percent since its original costing, and we project it to be about 85 million dollars in the 2019 or 2020 time frame", said Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin's F-35 programme leader.

Babione was in Israel for the arrival of the first F-35s ordered by the Israeli air force.
Police said they had arrested six people in anti-terrorism raids across central England and London on Monday, with bomb disposal officers later dispatched as officers carried out searches.

Detectives detained four men from Derby and another in Burton upon Trent in central England while a woman was also arrested in London on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Police said the arrests were linked to "international related terrorism". Six properties were being searched as part of the investigation and an Army bomb disposal team had been sent as a precaution to the Normanton area of Derby. No houses were evacuated, police said.

Britain is on its second highest threat level, meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely. Last week Britain's foreign intelligence chief said Islamic State militants were using turmoil in Syria to plot attacks against the United Kingdom and her allies.
The installation of Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem as Turkeys ambassador to Israel Monday is another step of the reconciliation process between Israel and Turkey that began last summer when Prime Minister Netanyahu and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to mend ties after a six-year frost.

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Erdogan has been a frequent critic of Israel, and ties between Ankara and Jerusalem reached a nadir in June, 2009, when 10 Turkish citizens died in a clash with Israeli Navy on board the Mavi Marmara floatilla during an attempt to break through Israels naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. Erdogan recalled Turkeys ambassador and expelled Israels representative to Turkey in response.

Okem (L) shakes hands with Rivlin (Photo: Mark Neiman/GPO)

In accepting Okems credentials, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said, Mr. Ambassador, today is an honor, and a real moment in history. I want to express my appreciation to President Erdogan, and I thank him again for Turkeys help in fighting the fires across Israel last month.

Our friendship goes back in history, and I hope that the reconciliation and the appointment of new ambassadors will open a new and promising page in this relationship. We must work together to promote our economic relations, trade and energy cooperation, as a real engine of growth for our friendship, Rivlin added.

Okems appointment follows the November nomination of Eitan Naeh as his Israeli counterpart to Ankara , also as part of the reconciliation deal, which was ratified by the Turkish parliament in August.

The deal also paves the way for future cooperation to exploit natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. In October, Energy and Water Resources Minister Yuval Steinitz me with Turkish counterpart Berat Albayrak to discuss the idea of building a pipeline to supply Turkey with Israeli natural gas.

Rivlin also emphasized the importance of these efforts in providing an example of peaceful coexistence and added that the two countries had to cooperate in strengthening their common ground.

When I spoke to President Erdogan, we spoke about the situation in Gaza. I want to thank him for his commitment to help return the bodies of our soldiers held by Hamas. Israel, like Turkey, places great importance in rebuilding the lives of the civilians in Gaza; in infrastructure, economy, energy, water, and more. This must be with the cooperation of the Palestinian Authority, he said. .

In July, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a petition by bereaved families of terror victims who sought to overturn the cabinet decision to normalize ties with Turkey, deploring the absence of Turkish engagement to help Israel retrieve the bodies from Hamas hands within the agreement.

Okem also marked the occasion, saying Our region has more than its share of challenges but also of big opportunities. As before, Turkey and Israel will work together to make sure that these opportunities are fully utilized and challenges are met.

I will explore all opportunities for cooperation in every field to the mutual benefit of our two nations. As ambassador, I will do my best to enhance our relations in every fieldregardless of any difficulties that we may face, we will be able to overcome together with our partners and friends Israel, he claimed.

Okem has previously served at the Turkish embassies in London and Riyadh, and was serving as the Turkish Prime Ministers advisor on foreign affairs at the time of his appointment as ambassador to Israel.

Dr. Gallia Lindenstrauss, Research Fellow at the Institute for National and Security Studies (INSS) and Turkish foreign policy specialist, said that the decision to exchange the ambassadors was a positive sign of the determination of both sides to move ahead with the normalization process.
Israel's first two F-35s landed in Israel at the Netavim Air Force Base in the South on Monday afternoon to a celebration that had been delayed five hours by fog in Italy that prevented the stealth jets from taking off.

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Israel became the first country after the US to receive the American-built jets, which will increase its ability to attack distant targets, including Iran.





The much-hyped arrival of the first two fighter jets was overshadowed by US President-elect Donald Trump's tweet that Lockheed Martin's whole F-35 project was too expensive, which came out while the planes were delayed in Italy.

Benjamin Netanyahu inspects the F-35 (Photo: AP)

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump said on Twitter, sending Lockheed Martin's shares down 4 percent.

Jeff Babione on the F-35 (:  )

X

The guests included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and his American counterpart, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, in addition to senior IDF officers, MKs, businessmen and other officials.

Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin's F-35 programme leader, said the company understood concerns about affordability and had invested millions of dollars to try to reduce its price.

Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Netanyahu said, ""Our long arm has now become longer and mightier."

The prime minister stopped to personally thank the American secretary of defense for having come, saying, "I want to thank you, Secretary Carter, for coming here with your wife to mark this milestone with us."

Netanyahu commented, "It's a sign of your personal commitment to Israel's security on many fronts." He extended his gratitude to the entire US administration, saying, "And I wish to thank as well, along with all the people of Israel, President Obama. Israel is your best and most reliable ally in the Middle Eastin my opinion beyond the Middle East. We will always remain so. Thank you, Secretary Carter."





Dusk at the venue (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Carter appreciated that Israel, which began by flying "leftover World War II aircraft," would now be flying the advanced F-35. Calling the plane by its Hebrew nomination of "Adir," ("The Mighty One") he lauded Israel as being the first US ally in the region to receive the stealth fighter.

Ashton Carter (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The defense secretary assured the crowd, "We're more committed to Israel's security today than ever before."





Amir Eshel and Reuven Rivlin affix a Star of David to an F-35 (Photo: Reuters)

Nevatim Air Force Base (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Israel, which finalised a 10-year, $38 billion arms deal from the United States this year, plans to maintain two F-35 squadrons.

Critics of the plane say it can carry a smaller weapons payload and has a shorter range than Israel's current squadrons of US-built F-15s and F-16s.

Spectators earlier in the day (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

But some experts say the F-35's stealth capabilities make up for this because it can be more accurate and fly a more direct route to its target. Israel's air force mostly flies missions close to home, in the Gaza Strip and against arms shipments to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.

Nimrod Shefer, a retired Israeli air force major general, said the new aircraft were a welcome addition.

"(There are) very low- to very high-altitude missiles ... and targets that are becoming more and more difficult to detect and to destroy," he said

Spectators filing out after ceremony delayed (Photo: Yoav Zitun)

Hundreds of spectators also came to the ceremony, which was supposed to begin at 2:30pm originally. When it was uncertain if the event would take place, a great many left. It was only announced shortly after 16:00 that the planes had left Italy and that the ceremony would indeed take place at 7:30pm.
Though he has refrained from making many public statements on the matter since his election, US President-elect Donald Trump's senior aide Kellyanne Conway reiterated his plan to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

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Speaking to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt about moving the embassy to Jerusalem on Monday, Conway said, "That is very big priority for this president-elect, Donald Trump. He made it very clear during the campaign, Hugh, and as president-elect I've heard him repeat it several times privately, if not publicly.

Kellyanne Conway (Photo: EPA)

While former US presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush reneged on their own statements to move the embassy to Israel's capital after they had become presidents, Conway believes Trump will follow through on his promise.

It is something that our friend in Israel, a great friend in the Middle East, would appreciate and something that a lot of Jewish-Americans have expressed their preference for," she said. "It is a great move. It is an easy move to do based on how much he talked about that in the debates and in the sound bites.

Trump sat down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last September to discuss US-Israel relations. During the meeting, he reportedly told Netanyahu that he intends to have Jerusalem officially seen by his administration as Israel's capital. "Mr. Trump acknowledged that Jerusalem has been the eternal capital of the Jewish People for over 3000 years, and that the United States, under a Trump administration, will finally accept the long-standing Congressional mandate to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the State of Israel," his campaign stated following their discussion.

The United Nations and most Western countries do not recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. All embassies to Israel are currently in the Tel Aviv area.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairperson John McCain backed President-elect Donald Trump's criticism of the cost of the F-35 fighter jet from Lockheed Martin on Monday.

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Back in April, McCain commented on the F-35's cost, schedule and performance , all of which he said has been "a scandal and a tragedy." The chairperson of the Senate Armed Services Committee told senior Pentagon officials Tuesday during a withering critique of the most expensive weapons program in US military history.

John McCain (Photo: AP)

McCain stated during an oversight hearing held by the committee that the aircraft's development schedule has stretched to 15 years, deliveries of the F-35 have been delayed, and costs have skyrocketed.

"It's been a scandal and the cost overruns have been disgraceful," McCain said. "And it's a textbook example of why this Committee has placed such a high priority on reforming the broken defense acquisition system."

The Pentagon has stated that it plans to spend close to $400 billion to buy nearly 2,500 F-35s for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The budget request for fiscal year 2017 includes $8.3 billion to purchase 63 aircraft. The F-35, which is being designed to meet the specific requirements of each of the services, cost over $100 million each. Bogdan said he anticipates reducing the per-unit cost of the Air Force's version to under $85 million by 2019.

That said, McCain also stated that Trump will not have the authority to cancel the F-35 program, since funds have already been appropriated for it. He can, however, gradually "reduce buy" the F-35 jets over time.
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Mingora, Pakistan: When Pakistani shopkeeper Abdur Rahim`s phone rang in mid-October, he was shocked to hear the voice of a senior militant commander demanding protection money from him and his fellow traders in the Swat Valley.

The menacing call was taken seriously in a northern pocket of the country where Pakistani Taliban insurgents took partial control in 2007, before being ousted two years later in a major military operation hailed as a telling blow against Islamist violence.

Locals fear that recent threats of extortion and a spate of targeted killings earlier this year mark an attempt by the Taliban to regain a foothold in the picturesque, mountainous area they once ruled with an iron fist.

Western powers, including the United States which has thousands of troops fighting other militant groups across the nearby border in Afghanistan, want to see jihadi networks along the frontier crushed.

During the Oct. 19 conversation, Mullah Akhtar, a commander close to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah, ordered Rahim to collect money from 15,000 members of the Swat Traders` Federation, of which he is president.

But in a tense exchange, Rahim refused to cooperate, and told Akhtar militants were not welcome in Swat.

According to Rahim, Akhtar boiled over with rage: "I will blow you up, so that even the doctors won`t be able to find the pieces."

Since the call, Rahim`s life has changed.

Speaking to Reuters in Swat`s main town of Mingora, he stood flanked by two armed policemen, while plainclothed officers keep a watchful eye in the background. CCTV cameras monitor his home.

Representatives of the militant movement could not be reached for comment on their tactics in Swat Valley; some residents believe demands for money and a rise in attacks in the first half of the year are signs of desperation.

Attacks have been a part of life there since 2010, including the attempted assassination of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012, but in recent months the murders have stopped after a series of arrests by police.

The Taliban have also struggled to build ideological support after their bloody two-year rule that saw them impose a harsh version of Islamic law on the valley`s 2 million residents.

The group remains active elsewhere, however, particularly in southern Baluchistan province, where a faction of the Taliban and Islamic State have claimed responsibility for a series of bomb and gun attacks that have killed more than 180 people.

The Pakistani military will be desperate to keep the Taliban out of Swat, the first sizeable region outside lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan to fall to the militants.

The army`s publicity wing did not respond to requests for comment on the situation in the area.

The military has been on alert for signs of a Taliban resurgence as it seeks to rebuild civilian institutions and win over the local population as a bulwark against radical ideology.

A force of more than 4,000 Pakistani soldiers is stationed in Swat, and last month the army began constructing a permanent garrison.

"It (Swat) was always shown as the example of a successful military operation," said Zahid Hussain, a security analyst. "But the main challenge is to hold that area, and to now establish a civilian authority."

While officials tout the recent drop in assassinations by the Taliban as progress, locals on the group`s hit-list are less sanguine.

Powerful tribal leaders, especially those who worked with anti-Taliban peace committees, say they are in danger.

Fazal Wahab, for example, walks through Mingora`s bustling market hiding a pistol under his coat and wearing a black anti-pollution face mask to hide his identity.

"I have received no support of any kind from the army," said Wahab, who has faced Taliban death threats for years due to his work.

But local officials say security has improved.

More than 2,000 Taliban fighters from Swat have been driven into mountainous areas on the Afghan side of the border nearby, according to officials.

Police in Swat said TTP assassins used little-trodden mountain passes between Afghanistan`s Nuristan and Pakistan`s Chitral regions to sneak into the valley.

"It`s not difficult for one or two people to slip through," said Akhtar Hayat Khan, Swat`s police chief.

Khan said several intelligence-led swoops on local facilitators had disrupted the Taliban`s support network and limited the threat. In July, police arrested at least 12 people across the valley suspected of aiding attacks.
Aleppo: In a significant victory against the rebels, the Syrian government forces on Monday 0recaptured a major district of Aleppo, leaving rebellions cornered in a small pocket as the battle for the city entered its "final phase".

According to a monitor and military official, President Bashar al-Assad's forces held more than 90 percent of the onetime opposition stronghold of east Aleppo and appeared on the verge of retaking the entire city.

A Syrian military official in Aleppo was quoted as saying by AFP the "operation in eastern neighbourhoods is entering its final phase", as fierce clashes were reported in the few districts of the city left under rebel control.

The fall of Aleppo would deal the rebels their worst defeat since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported early today that the army had captured the large Sheikh Saeed district in southeast Aleppo.

Syrian official media later confirmed the recapturing of Sheikh Saeed, with state television showing what it said was live footage from the neighbourhood.

Only the districts of Mashhad and Sukkari now remain under opposition control, said the Britain-based Observatory, with others divided between the opposition and advancing troops.

Overnight and into Monday morning, government warplanes and artillery pounded the remaining rebel-held territory in the east of the city.

However, as bombardment in the region continues, another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left - mostly to government-held territory - to 130,000, according to the Syrian Observatory.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, and over half the country displaced.

With AFP inputs
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata party leader Sambit Patra on Monday said all acts of corruption, scams and scandals took during the time of UPA regime (2004-2014).

"In the two and a half years of the Modi government, we haven`t heard of a single scam or scandal, not even an act of corruption. Today also, if an act of corruption or a scam or a scandal is being discussed, it is of the tenure of Mr.Manmohan Singh, tenure of the UPA. That was a humongous act of corruption during the Congress rule," he told ANI.

Patra`s statement comes in the backdrop of AugustaWestland chopper scam, involving former Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi.

"As far as AgustaWestland is concerned the law is taking its own course and it should take its own course," said Patra.

"The premise of this whole investigation is that bribe givers have been punished and are behind bars. We should be reminded of the fact that the then defence minister Mr. A.K. Antony had conceded to the fact that bribe had been received by India. Investigation is on" he added.

Air Chief Marshal Tyagi was arrested on Friday over committing alleged irregularities in the Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestland deal to acquire a dozen VVIP choppers, such as changing the specifications of the helicopters, and stating that the decision was taken at the behest of the PMO.

Tyagi, who headed the Indian Air Force between 2005 and 2007, has been accused by investigators in Italy and India of abusing his official position to swing the contract in favour of Finnmeccanica tender, the parent company of the UK-based helicopter maker AgustaWestland, by tailor.
Bhopal: Stockholm Water Prize winner Rajendra Singh has cautioned that if honest effort is not made to preserve the Narmada, the river will soon be counted among the polluted rivers in India.

Expressing concern over the reducing water level in the Narmada, Singh said the reduced water at the river`s origin at Amarkantak is an ill omen for the future.

Singh, known as the `Waterman of India`, was in Amarkantak to participate in the Madhya Pradesh government`s `Namami Devi Narmada Seva Yatra`, which started on Sunday to prevent further pollution of the river.

The well known water conservationist from Alwar district of Rajasthan told IANS that though it is a good step taken by the government, the campaign is not easy.

"The campaign will face many challenges, which will be difficult for the government to deal with. For example, in Amarkantak itself, influential people have violated rules. Whether the government will be able to deal with them is the big question," he said.

Amarkantak is a pilgrim town in Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh. The region is a meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges. The Narmada, the Son and Johila rivers originate here.

Singh said much had changed in Amarkantak which he was revisiting after 12 years.

"Violations of law have increased and the river flow has decreased. I don`t understand why nothing has been done to stop these violations."

Inaugurating the campaign, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that shops and houses situated near the river will be removed and owners allotted new places to live and operate from.

Lauding Chouhan`s as a "good step", Rajendra Singh said the Chief Minister had failed to comment on influential people who have encroached huge land to build `ashrams` beside the river.

Singh said the campaign will go on for 144 days, adding that there is a tendency among the governments to start campaigns and then forget them. "I sincerely hope this will not happen with this campaign."
Bhopal: In a noble gesture, the government of Madhya Pradesh led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan bore all expenses of Bhopal jailbreak martyr's daughter's wedding recently.

By playing the role of girl's father, the Chief Minister also fulfilled a promise which he had made earlier that his government will bear expenses of marriages in families of all the police officials who die in the line of duty.

"If any police personnel dies in the line of duty, then the state government will bear all the expenses of their daughter's marriage and these girls will be treated as the state's daughter," an official release from the state government had said.

According to reports, Chouhan attended the marriage ceremony of slain jail head constable Ramashankar Yadav's daughter Sonia on Friday, during which he donned the role of the bride's father.

Not only this, CM Chouhan also welcomed the guests at the entry gate.

Yadav was allegedly killed by eight SIMI activists on the intervening nights of October 30-31 before they escaped from the high security jail by scaling its walls with the help of bedsheets.

The activists were later gunned down by Bhopal Police in an alleged encounter.

Chouhan had then promised that the government will not only offer job to any family member but will also make all arrangements for the marriage of Sonia.

The chief minister also handed over an appointment letter for the post of Assistant Grade-III to Sonia as her marriage gift on the occasion.

Chouhan stayed at the wedding till all rituals were done and said that Sonia is a daughter of Madhya Pradesh. He conveyed greetings to both the families on the occasion.

Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Cooperatives (independent charge) Vishwas Sarang was among others present at the function.
Paris: French police on Monday arrested 11 persons suspected of being involved in a truck attack in which 86 people were killed in southern city of Nice last July, local radio reported.

An anti-terror unit arrested 10 suspects in Nice and another in Nantes, west France over suspected links with Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, Xinhua news agency quoted state-run Radio France Info as saying.

In July this year, Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove a heavy truck into crowds during French national day celebrations in Nice, and killed scores in an attack claimed by the Islamic State.

Investigators suspect them of providing logistical help to the Nice attacker, according to the report.


Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday that the Cairo church blast that killed 25 persons on Sunday was carried out by a suicide bomber.

Speaking to mourners during the funeral of those killed, Sisi said that a 22-year-old man called Mahmoud Shafiq blew himself up inside Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in Cairo`s Abassiya neighbourhood, Xinhua news agency reported.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack that also left 49 others injured.

The bombing came one day after a top Egyptian court confirmed a death sentence on leading Islamist extremist Adel Habbara for an anti-military attack.

Sisi also revealed that four people, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the attack and that security forces are searching for two more suspects.

"We will avenge this church blast. The attack is a sign of terrorists` frustration," Sisi said.

In 2013, angry Islamist protesters attacked a number of churches and homes of Coptic Christians across the North African country for their support to the military`s removal of then Islamist Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.
Cairo: Mourners packed an Egyptian church on Monday for a funeral service for 24 people killed in the bombing of Cairo`s main Coptic cathedral, while angry survivors accused authorities of security lapses.

Tearful Christians gathered at the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius Church in Cairo where Coptic Pope Tawadros II prayed over the wooden coffins of the victims of Sunday`s bombing, one the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in recent memory.

On the walls hung banners bearing the names of the dead, many of them women.

Several hundred people gathered in the Madinat Nasr area furious at being denied entry to the church, where admittance was by invitation only for the families of victims.

There was also anger at hospitals treating the wounded.

Five survivors at Dar al-Shefa hospital said police did not conduct the usual checks as the cathedral was particularly busy for Sunday`s mass.

"There were large numbers so people entered without being searched," said Mina Francis, who was in the cathedral with his mother who was killed in the blast.

At least 24 people died and 49 were wounded when a bomb exploded in a chapel adjoining St Mark`s Cathedral, Cairo`s largest church and seat of the pope.

Security sources said at least six children were among the dead, with a bomb containing at least 12 kg (26 pounds) of TNT detonating on the side of the church used by women.

The chapel`s floor was covered in debris from shattered windows, its wooden pews blasted apart, its pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and patches of blood.

"God protect Egypt from evil and protect all Egyptians," Pope Tawadros told state television on Sunday, after cutting short a visit to Greece. "In times like this we lean on each other, stand together and offer condolences to each other. This grief we will share together."

Christian Anger:

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who announced three days of mourning and vowed justice, is to attend a public ceremony later on Monday.

Sisi is fighting battles on several fronts.

His economic reforms have angered the poor, a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has seen thousands jailed and an insurgency rages in Northern Sinai, led by Islamic State`s Egyptian branch.

The group has also claimed attacks in Cairo and urged its supporters in recent weeks to launch attacks around the world as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but exiled Brotherhood officials and other militant groups joined the international community in condemning the attack.

The United States said it would work with its partners to "defeat such terrorist acts". The UN Security Council urged all states to cooperate with investigators to find the culprits.

But Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. "God bless the person who did this blessed act," wrote one supporter on Telegram.



Though Copts have traditionally supported the government, crowds gathered outside the cathedral on Sunday demanding revenge for the attack that took place on a Muslim holiday marking Prophet Mohammad`s birthday and weeks before Christmas.

Scuffles broke out as protesters accused police of security failures and demanded Sisi sack the interior minister. Some chanted "the people demand the fall of the regime", the rallying cry of the 2011 revolt that ended Hosni Mubarak`s 30-year rule.

At Demerdash hospital, relatives sat outside the operating theatres dressed in black, tears streaming down their cheeks.

The Health Ministry revised down the death toll from 25 overnight, but doctors said it was likely to rise as many people had suffered serious injuries and hospitals lacked drugs and equipment.

Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt`s 90 million people, are the Middle East`s biggest Christian community.

They face regular attack by Muslim neighbours, who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or church construction.

The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a New Year`s service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising.

At least 21 people were killed.

The circumstances remain a mystery and no one was punished.

Egypt`s Christian community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities.

In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State.

"There were police cars stationed in front of the church gates .. Ill tell you what they were doing, they were too busy eating breakfast and drinking tea and soda. They werent doing their job, they werent asking people going in and coming out," said Hani Gaballah, 43, a retired military officer.

"We have an incompetent government, look at the economy, we are surviving only because God is supporting us."
Tokyo: Japan has lashed out at China over claims its fighter jets obstructed Beijing`s military aircraft, saying the allegation was "clearly untrue".

China`s defence ministry said two Japanese F-15s launched "decoy flares" in international airspace over the East China Sea on Saturday, actions it called "dangerous and unprofessional".

Tokyo denied anything was fired during the encounter, and said it had protested to Beijing over the allegation.

"It is extremely regrettable that the Chinese defence ministry one-sidedly made a clearly untrue announcement," Japan`s top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Sunday.

The two countries intermittently spar over claims of air and sea misconduct in and above the waters of the East China Sea, where they are engaged in a row over the ownership of uninhabited islands.

China did not give details about its manoeuvres, but said its aircraft had been carrying out "routine far seas training" when they passed through the Miyako Strait in the Okinawan chain.

The strait is a pinch point in Japan-China relations because it is one of the few egresses into the Pacific Ocean for Chinese ships and aircraft that avoid Japanese airspace.

Beijing`s growing military is keen to flex its muscles and push further afield as it develops a "blue seas" navy capable of operating far from home waters, but is hemmed in by the Japanese archipelago.
Washington: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China," questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.

Trump`s comments on "Fox News Sunday" came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan`s president on Dec. 2.

"I fully understand the `one China` policy, but I don`t know why we have to be bound by a `one China` policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox.

Trump`s call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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."

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump`s remarks.

After Trump`s phone conversation with Taiwan`s president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washingtons one China policy remained intact.

The administration also warned that progress made in the U.S. relationship with China could be undermined by a "flaring up" of the Taiwan issue.

Following Trump`s latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea.

He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan`s leader.

"I don`t want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can`t take a call?"

"I think it actually would`ve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump added.

Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China.

But Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next U.S. president should take bolder steps to halt China` military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.

Bolton said Washington should consider using a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.

In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China that he emphasized during his presidential campaign.

"We`re being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don`t tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn`t be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they`re not helping us at all."

Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed China`s efforts to prop up the yuan`s value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.

Raising `Likelihood of Misunderstanding`

The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party`s official People`s Daily, said in an editorial that Trump was "naive like a child on diplomacy" and that the `one China` policy "could not be bought or sold".

When the time comes, the Chinese mainland will launch a series of "decisive new policies toward Taiwan", the paper said.

"We will prove that all along the United States has been unable to dominate the Taiwan Strait and Trump`s desire to sell the `one China` policy for commercial interests is a childish urge," it said.

Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at Beijing`s elite Renmin University, said Trump was possibly using the Taiwan issue to try and strike a bargain with the United States over trade.

"He wants to get the best possible trade deal with China he can so that he can boost the U.S. economy," Wang said.

Some U.S. analysts warned that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far.

"China is more likely to let the whole relationship with the United States deteriorate in order to show its resolve on the Taiwan issue," said Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert in Chinese nationalism.

"When the decision to end a decades-long practice is made with so little warning and clear communication, it raises the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation and sets the stage for a crisis between the United States and China over Taiwan," Chen Weiss said.

Mike Green, a former top adviser on Asia to former President George W. Bush, said ending the "one China" policy would be a mistake because it would throw the U.S.-China relationship into turmoil and jeopardize Beijing`s cooperation on issues such as North Korea.

But Green, who is now with the CSIS think tank, said he did not believe that Trump intended to go that far and there was "logic to serving Beijing notice that he will not be dictated to on issues like Taiwan."

"President Obama was too accommodating to Beijing early on and it reduced his leverage as China asserted itself on issues like the East and South China Seas later," Green said.

On Sunday, China`s top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi was traveling to U.S. neighbor Mexico, according to the official news agency Xinhua, but Mexican officials could not offer details.

Mexico has been deepening ties with China, which is partly funding a multi-billion dollar wholesale mobile network while China Offshore Oil Corporation took two of the eight blocks of deep water oil fields offered in a historic auction this month.
Cairo: Egypt said Monday it had arrested four people suspected of involvement in a devastating bombing of a Cairo Coptic church, as grief-stricken mourners gathered for the funeral of the dead.

The health ministry said 25 people had been killed in the bombing at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church on Sunday.

It was the deadliest attack in recent memory on the Christian minority, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt`s population.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, speaking at the funeral, said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who had been identified as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa.

One of the four people arrested was a woman, Sisi said, and authorities were looking for two other suspects he did not identify.

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark`s Cathedral, the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing, but Coptic Christians have been previously targeted in Egypt.

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the country`s flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in the Nasr City district on Monday.

A woman who lost two daughters in the attack cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins as other mourners prayed silently.In the streets of Nasr City, Sisi and Tawadros led black-clad mourners behind soldiers carrying the coffins of the victims.

Troops marched to the sound of military music.

"This blow has caused us a lot of pain, but never will we let it break us," Sisi said.

Pope Tawadros II said: "We are hurting from this evil."

Sunday`s blast was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

The health ministry said in a statement late Monday the death toll had risen to 25 after a 40-year-old woman died of extensive injuries.

Copts have faced persecution and discrimination dating back to the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

After the 2013 ouster of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi, his Islamist supporters accused the Christian community of supporting his overthrow.

They pointed to the appearance of Tawadros next to Sisi in July 2013, when the then army chief -- also surrounded by Muslim and opposition figures -- announced Morsi`s removal on television.

Following the deadly dispersal by security forces of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo in August 2013, at least 42 churches were attacked, as well as dozens of schools, houses and businesses belonging to Copts, according to Human Rights Watch.

"Egypt`s authorities have for many years failed to protect the personal safety or basic rights of Coptic citizens," HRW said on Monday.Analysts said Sunday`s bombing revealed the weaknesses of the government, which human rights groups have slammed for its brutal crackdown on Islamists.

Victor Salama, a politics professor at Cairo University, said the attack could be in retaliation for the church`s perceived support for Sisi`s administration.

The Islamists "could be saying they`re making the Copts pay for their support for the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood," said Salama.

"It`s a slap for the government. The Coptic church is Christian of course, but it`s also an Egyptian institution that was easily destroyed with just 12 kilogrammes of explosives," said Salama.

Abdalla al-Sennawi, a columnist at the privately owned Al-Shorouk newspaper, agreed that the attack could be seen as "a sort of revenge" against the Copts.

But the bombing also "reveals the absence of any real strategy to fight terrorism and the carelessness of the security services", he said.

"Such attacks may repeat themselves if the role of security services is not reviewed."

Egypt is fighting a jihadist insurgency that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers.

On Friday, two bombings killed six policemen in Cairo and a civilian north of the capital in attacks claimed by the Hassam militant group.

Hazem Hosni, a politics professor at Cairo university, said: "The objective of this attack will be truly known only if the perpetrators of the attack are identified or if they claim it."

Sunday`s bombing "will have great international impact because those targeted are Christians", he said.

Egypt has jailed thousands and sentenced hundreds of Islamists to death since Morsi`s ouster.
Cairo: Coptic community of Egypt held a funeral service on Monday for 25 Christians killed in a bombing on Sunday at a church next to the main cathedral in Cairo one of the deadliest attacks targeting the country's religious minority in recent memory.

The bomb went off during Sunday Mass at a chapel adjacent to St Mark's Cathedral, seat of the ancient Coptic Christian church.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

The coffins of the victims were laid in front of the altar, with their names displayed on the side facing the congregation.

The spiritual leader of Egypt's Orthodox Christians, Pope Tawadros II, led the service.

At one point, he leaned on his staff and quietly prayed in front of the coffins.

He had cut short a visit to Greece and flew home yesterday after the bombing.

Only victims' relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City.

Some of them screamed out in grief, while the rest quietly sobbed or sat somberly during the service.

Scores of black-clad monks, bishops and priests of the Orthodox Church attended today's service, which was carried live by state television and private TV networks.

Previously, the deadliest attack against Egypt's Christians was a New Year's Day bombing in 2011 in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, for centuries the seat of the Orthodox Coptic church.

At least 21 were killed in that attack.

A state funeral was due later Monday at a parade ground also in Nasr City, with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in attendance.

Egypt has seen a wave of attacks by Islamic militants since 2013, when the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi, a freely elected leader and a senior Muslim Brotherhood official. Many of his supporters blamed Christians for supporting his ouster, and scores of churches and other Christian-owned properties in southern Egypt were ransacked that year.

Since 2013, authorities have waged a sweeping crackdown, outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood, jailing thousands of mostly Islamist dissidents and killing hundreds in street clashes.

Egypt's Christians have long complained of discrimination, saying they are denied top jobs in many fields, including academia and security forces.

The church and many Christians have rallied behind el-Sissi, although there have been growing voices of dissent in the community. They say little has changed under his rule, with authorities failing to halt attacks on their churches and property.
Brussels: The European Union (EU) on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack at a Coptic church in Cairo which claimed 25 lives and wounded 49 others.

"Today`s terrorist bombing at Cairo`s Coptic cathedral during Sunday mass has exacted a terrible toll of civilian deaths and injuries," Xinhua news agency quoted spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) as saying.

"Our thoughts now are with the victims and their families. The EU expresses its condolences to the bereaved and stands side by side with Egypt in the efforts to defeat terrorism in their country," the spokesperson added.

Earlier in the day, a bomb went off inside the al-Botrossiya Coptic Church in Cairo`s Abassiya neighbourhood that was full of worshippers attending Sunday mass, leaving 25 people dead and 49 injured, ten of them in critical condition, according to the Health Ministry.

Security sources told state-run MENA news agency that initial inspections revealed the blast was caused by a 12 kilogram highly-explosive TNT bomb.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, fingers are pointed at the Islamic State-affiliated Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) group which operates in the country`s restive North Sinai province.


Rome: Newly appointed Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni unveiled his government on Monday, keeping almost all the outgoing ministers in place in a sign of continuity aimed at reassuring financial markets.

However, a small centre-right party that had supported the previous premier Matteo Renzi, said it might not back the new government, raising doubts over whether Gentiloni will have the numbers in parliament to form a majority.

In a rapid transfer of power from Renzi, who quit last week after losing a Dec. 4 referendum on constitutional reform, Gentiloni took just a day to put together his team of ministers.

Among those reconfirmed in their post was Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who is overseeing Treasury efforts to prevent Italy`s third largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, from collapsing under the weight of bad loans.

Many other key ministers, including those overseeing the defence, industry, health and justice portfolios, remained unchanged, with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) maintaining the lions` share of positions.

Gentiloni was foreign minister in the last administration and he passed the job over to Angelino Alfano, previously interior minister.

The new cabinet is due to be sworn in later in the day, opening the way for confidence votes in both houses of parliament this week, formally allowing Gentiloni to take office at the head of Italy`s 64th government in just 70 years.

However, the vote in the highly fragmented upper house Senate was thrown into doubt when Denis Verdini, head of the small Liberal-Popular Alliance for Autonomies party (ALA), said his group would not back Gentiloni in parliament if his group was not sufficiently represented in the new cabinet.

Renzi relied upon the support of Verdini, who used to be one of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi`s closest advisers.

ALA and its sister party Civic Choice, have 18 senators. They might deprive Gentiloni of a majority if they all vote against him. If, however they abstain, the new government should be able to take office.

Assuming he passes this hurdle, one of Gentiloni`s main tasks will be to draw up a new electoral law. If this reform is completed quickly it could open the way to an election in the first half of 2017, a year ahead of schedule.

Italy has different electoral laws for its two chambers and the president has said they need to be harmonised to try to make sure a solid government can emerge from the next ballot.

The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement is pushing for a rapid reform and a vote as soon as possible. Renzi also wants an early election, hoping to steam-roller critics within his PD and present himself as the party`s prime ministerial candidate.

"The next election, presumably in June, will be held with a proportional voting system," Renzi said in an interview with Quotidiano.net.
Rome: Italy`s new government line-up brings a few fresh faces to some of its key seats while retaining most political figures from the previous cabinet in a bid to ensure political stability.

Here are some of those from the centre left-right coalition tasked with key roles in managing a potential banking crisis in the eurozone`s third largest economy as well as reforming a key electoral law.

A trusted ally of his predecessor Matteo Renzi. This silver-haired former foreign minister, 62, is a former student radical who comes from a well-to-do Roman family with aristocratic roots.

He is widely seen as having done a good job as foreign minister as Italy has played an unusually proactive role on the world stage, notably in relation to Libya, and in building bridges with Iran after the lifting of international sanctions.

He was interior minister and deputy prime minister under Renzi, and heads up the New Centre Right (NCD) party, the government`s coalition partner.

Born in 1970, he was the right-hand man to billionaire former PM Silvio Berlusconi for many years. He made his name as the architect of a law intended to shield Berlusconi from prosecution, but broke all ties with the media magnate in 2013.

A former chief economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the 66-year old also served as the Italian executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

As finance minister under Renzi, he has been working flat out on a plan to save Italy`s third-biggest bank, troubled lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS), should it fail to raise the necessary funds to stay afloat. His reappointment is likely to soothe investors worried about contagion.

The 60-year old was the state secretary with responsibility for the security services in the outgoing administration and the one before that.

He was deputy interior minister in the Romano Prodi government of 2006 to 2008.

The 47-year old, who does not have a university degree, held the post of environment minister under Enrico Letta (2013 to 2014).

When he was appointed justice minister by Renzi, Italian media reports said he was chosen as part of a deal made between Renzi and Berlusconi, because he presented little threat to the media magnate, whose legal troubles were hindering his political career.

The 55-year-old former schoolteacher, who stays on in defence, was the first woman to hold the position of president of the Defence Commission in the lower house of parliament.

The 67-year old is a former trade unionist and deputy speaker in the senate who has campaigned hard to fight violence against women.

Boschi was the minister in charge of constitutional reforms under Renzi, and therefore of the very reform that was put to a referendum, and led to his downfall.

The 35-year old is a die-hard Renzi ally and is expected to ensure the former PM`s voice is still heard in the new administration.
Bangkok: Thailand`s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued a mass prisoner pardon, a first act of "mercy" as monarch as he reaches out to his subjects following the death of his beloved father.

Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October aged 88 after a seven-decade reign, leaving the politically febrile nation without its unifying figure.

His only son, 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, was proclaimed king in early December.

But the thrice-divorced monarch is yet to draw the same level of devotion from a public well-versed in rumours over his private life.

The prisoner pardon was Vajiralongkorn`s "first chance since he succeeded the throne to show the king`s mercy", according to a statement published Sunday in palace mouthpiece the Royal Gazette.

Pardons were annual events under Bhumibol.

Women jailed for first offences, some inmates who have served one third of their sentences, and prisoners with disabilities or serious illness were among those pardoned.

The decree did not say how many prisoners will be freed.

Ritual, propaganda and law underpin the status of Thailand`s monarchy.

Thai schoolchildren are taught the primacy of the institution, while huge portraits of key royals adorn virtually every main street.

Like his father, Vajiralongkorn is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law that carries up to 15 years in jail per charge.

That has embedded a culture of self-censorship across the media, academia and the arts.

The prisoner pardons follow a slew of public appearances by the new king, whose four decades as designated heir were characterised by publicity-shyness and long trips overseas.

Since he was proclaimed King Rama X, the new monarch has offered flood relief, opened a town hall and been honoured in a video tribute played in cinemas.
Tokyo: Russia has reportedly ignored Japan by not accepting a dog as a diplomatic gift for President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a summit on 15 and 16 December.

According to reports, Abe's government wanted to gift a male Akita to Putin, which is a large breed of dogs originating from the mountainous northern regions of Japan.

Japan apparently thought Akita would be a great companion to a female dog of the same breed that Tokyo had gifted Putin in 2012.

However, Moscow reportedly turned down the diplomatic offer, a Japanese politician in Abe's cabinet said in a blog post of Friday.

"Unfortunately, we received a reply on Sunday that they will not take him as the bridegroom," one of Abe's close aides, said in a blog on Friday.

Putin has famously shown his love for animals and has a female Akita named Yume  meaning dream in Japanese.

He has received dogs as gifts from other country leaders too including the Bulgarian prime minister in 2010, who presented him with a male Bulgarian Shepherd.

Abe and Putin are scheduled to meet in Japan next week and are expected to work towards reviving talks over the decades-old territorial dispute between the two countries.

The two sides are looking at signing trade deals.

Relationship between Russia and Japan have been exhausted for the decades over territorial dispute that began after Moscow seized Hokkaido, which Japan calls as its Northern Territories, while it is known as Southern Kurils in Russia.

Since then, both countries have not signed a peace treaty that ratifies the end of the war.

Tokyo has long been saying it would sign the treaty only after Moscow resolves the territorial dispute.

The territorial dispute is likely to be discussed when the two leaders meet.

They are also expected to revive joint naval rescue training drills that halted after Kremlin's annexure of Crimea in 2014.

While Abe said he was positive about progressing with peace talks, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had recently said that it would be difficult to close the gaps in positions over the disputes.

(with inputs-IANS)
Diyarbakir: A Turkish fighter jet crashed near an airport in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir on Monday, the military said, but the pilot was able to safely eject from the plane.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known but the government said an investigation had been launched.

The F-16 warplane was on its way to an air base in Diyarbakir during a training mission when it fell in a village nearby, the armed forces said on its website.

Before the crash, the pilot escaped using the ejector seat, the military added.

The armed forces said the pilot was in "good health" after the crash at 7.30pm (1630 GMT).

The warplane crashed five kilometres (3.1 miles) from the air base next to the airport, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters in Ankara late Monday.

He said the cause would be known "shortly" after an investigation but did not want to speculate.

Diyabakir is Turkey`s biggest Kurdish-majority city and has seen regular clashes between Kurdish militants and security forces since the collapse of a two-and-a-half year ceasefire in the conflict in July 2015.

The base has been used previously for air raids on Islamic State jihadist targets inside Syria and against outlawed Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK) bases in northern Iraq.

The PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is proscribed as a terror group by Ankara, the United States and the European Union, but not by the United Nations.
Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China," questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.

Trump`s comments on "Fox News Sunday" came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan`s president on Dec. 2.

"I fully understand the `one China` policy, but I don`t know why we have to be bound by a `one China` policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox.

Trump`s call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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."

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump`s remarks.

After Trump`s phone conversation with Taiwan`s president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that

Washingtons one China policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the US relationship with China could be undermined by a "flaring up" of the Taiwan issue.

Following Trump`s latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan`s leader.

"I don`t want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can`t take a call?"

"I think it actually would`ve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump added.

Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next US ambassador to China.

But Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the US State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next US president should take bolder steps to halt China` military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.

Bolton said Washington should consider using a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.

In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China that he emphasized during his presidential campaign.

"We`re being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don`t tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the

South China Sea, which they shouldn`t be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they`re not helping us at all."

Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed China`s efforts to prop up the yuan`s value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.
My first emotion after passing the high security gates and several rounds of thorough frisking into the confines of the former Prime Minister V P Singhs residence was, well, one of shock. The entire complex, outside and inside the expansive walls, was so spartan. Something close to a government run guest house. The nearly bare rooms, the creaky brown printed sofas, mismatched blue vases did not befit as dwellings for a former Prime Minister, especially one of royal lineage. There was a strange sort of synthesis in the way the man appeared to me at the first glance and the place where he resided. Both looked gaunt. Obviously, the man, who had once been one of the most controversial personalities of the country, was not keeping very good health. It was showing. And his casual attire illustrated that he nearly didnt care. His white kuta-pajama was blanketed by loosely fitted woolen pheren and along with it he wore his typical cap, with which we had become all so familiar when he held the countrys reins for about a year in 1989-90. He took all questions, soft, hard, and sometimes blistering, with the same type of monotone, a strange cadence in elocution that betrayed no emotion, though his face was not entirely expressionless. The former Raja of Manda was nonchalant about his accidental entry into Uttar Pradesh politics as Chief Minister: If I was imposed on UP, then UP was equally forced on me. He did though derive some advantage from this association of serendipity. He admitted his years in the state brought him closer to people and prepared him for the big stage. Extremely earnest to prove his record of unblemished and rare rectitude in politics, V P Singh did not mince words when describing his years with the Congress in general and Rajiv Gandhi in specific. <b>On Corruption: HDW/Bofors</b> The assassination of Indira Gandhi, he felt, was the turning point after which stumbled out skeletons of financial irregularities. The trend he suspected continued till much after. The former Congressman attributed his exit from the countrys oldest party not to the shrill issue of Bofors, as media had misconstrued it to be, but the HDW submarine deal. When as the Defence Minister in Rajiv Gandhis cabinet, he asked the German Prime Minister why they couldnt reduce the prices for the aquatic vessels, he is believed to have told Singh that a 7% commission was to be paid to an Indian agent. However, when V P Singh reported the matter to Rajiv Gandhi, he alleged he could not evince much response from him for an investigation, and so the deal became the main thorn in their relations. Unremorseful about his actions and dissevering of his 26-year association with the Congress, he continued, When I had made up my mind to leave, I thought I may as well pull down some curtains. Bofors, he said, came to light much later and exposed the government completely. Thus he stood vindicated. <b>On Rajiv Gandhi assassination and Jain inquiry</b> V P Singh refused to be drawn into the argument that it may have been his vindictiveness that finally cost Rajiv Gandhi his life. He refuted completely the findings of the Jain Commission report into the assassination of the former PM that pointed to the inadequate security cover around the young leader before falling victim to the human bomb Dhanu. Rajiv Gandhi enjoyed full security during my regime. He went to Tamil Nadu eight times when I was the Prime Minister, and he never received even a scratch. It was when the state was under Presidents Rule and the security was under the Governor, who was a Congressman, that the incident took place.  In fact it was a Congress worker who had escorted Dhanu to Rajiv Gandhi, he clarified refusing to take onus for even a speck of the peccadillo. <b>On Mandal</b> V P Singh remained as unruffled and unapologetic when we came to the most contentious Mandal issue. Rejecting it to be a case of political opportunism, he said that because the issue shook the foundations of the Indian society, he faced all kinds of criticism. But that Mandal reflected real change that brought about the empowerment of Dalits. Not once did he mention that he regretted the loss of some lives or the disappointment among a vast many, who felt this to be a sort of regressive methodology in addressing a long standing problem of inequality. <b>On Third Front</b> V P Singh also kept faith in the Third Alternative as it represented unity in diversity and felt the national parties were but artificial monoliths. He felt that just because regional parties had joined hands to stake claim at the national level, it did not mean that they were too trapped in the vicissitudes of provincial politics to have a national vision. Hinting at the fate his own government had met, he said that the regional parties had in fact shown greater vision in providing greater stability to governments at the Centre unlike the main parties which believed in pulling the rug if it suited their interests. <b>On his irrelevance</b> All through the interview V P Singh spoke with only semi-detached engagement, as if at pains to find his place in the annals of India. Despite our pressing, he never really announced that he planned to retire. But everything around him spoke of it to be so. The media stopped speaking of him; there were more incendiaries to report about. His own disposition seemed almost reconciled to the bitter truth. The reclusive Raja had invited me to visit his painting studio. He was keeping himself occupied penning poetry or experimenting with the brush. He displayed some delight as he exhibited his creations to me. Some made of water colours, others with oil, and yet many more with natural ingredients like flower petals and grains. There was almost a subtle childlike excitement when he shoved aside his shoes and squatted on the bare, cold floor displaying his tools like a child shows his toys. So when the cruel question came: whether he felt himself to be irrelevant today; I discerned a tinge of hurt in his eye. But he recovered fast. I dont see and aspireor even want to be relevant. If I can today be relevant in another sense, through my art and paintings, it will give me much greater satisfaction, he concluded bravely. He had once written about his own state and life: The visual always fascinated me. As I grew up, I slowly realized that we not only see through our eyes, but also from the heart. Feeling is living. Beauty is understanding. I was overwhelmed by the harmony of creation. My youth was one rapturous communion with nature. The ecstasy is gone but fragments of its memory, still, at times, shimmer, to give a sudden insight. My paintings are such fragments. Yes, they are fragments because my life is so. - V P Singh I felt, if anything, he spoke the truth here. And when his last remains would have merged with the elements of nature, he would have at last found completeness, which he so earnestly searched for nearing the end of his life.
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Another feather in the progressive cap.Basic Income Coming To P.E.I.? Legislature Passes Motion UnanimouslyCanada is rapidly becoming a world leader in experimentation on the concept of a basic income.Prince Edward Islands legislature unanimously passed a motion on Tuesday to get started on developing a basic income pilot project, making it the second province to move forward with the idea.The motion, introduced by provincial Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker and supported by the Liberal government and opposition parties, calls on the province to form a partnership with the federal government to design a basic income.Bevan-Baker told CBC News he feels the small province of 150,000 people is the ideal place to try out something like a guaranteed minimum income.This is exactly why we need a pilot project  so we can evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the costs.Even the provinces Progressive Conservatives agreed, saying that a basic income fits with conservative values because it would reduce government bureaucracy.P.E.I.s move follows Ontarios move earlier this year to launch a similar pilot project.Ontarios point man on the basic income, former senator Hugh Segal, recently released a report on the options available for a basic income system in Ontario.One suggestion would see the government dispense $1,320 a month to residents. It would replace the existing Ontario Works (welfare) program and the Ontario Disability Support Program.Ontario is expected to announce the specifics of a basic income pilot project  including where and for how long  next year.
Finance minister Philip Hammond campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU and, while backing the government's promise to implement the June referendum vote to leave, is widely viewed as pressing for a "soft" Brexit

Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond said Monday that a transitional arrangement could be "helpful" to smooth the country's exit from the European Union.

The government intends to begin the formal exit process by the end of March, starting the clock ticking on a two-year deadline to negotiate its departure and future relationship with the bloc.

Hammond said there was an "emerging view" that "having a longer period to manage the adjustment between where we are now, as full members of the European Union, and where we get to in the future... would be generally helpful".

It "would tend towards a smoother transition and would run less risks of disruption including, crucially, risks to financial stability which must be a fairly real concern", he told parliament's Treasury committee.

This view was held by businesses, regulators, "thoughtful politicians" and civil servants on both sides of the English Channel, he said.

The European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, warned last week: "As we don't know what the UK wants and is waiting for, it's difficult to imagine a transitional period."

Hammond conceded: "We can only get to a situation where we have a transition if there is a genuine meeting of minds on both sides of this negotiation."

The CBI business lobby group warned last month of a "cliff-edge" where Britain leaves the EU after two years without a new trading arrangement in place.

Hammond said: "It's not just the business sector, it's the government sector that has had to think about how long it takes to make changes, hire people, train people, introduce IT changes."

He noted that the possible reintroduction of border and customs checks would require many more officials to be trained, a process that would cost money and time.

- Government split on approach to Brexit -

Hammond campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU and, while backing the government's promise to implement the June referendum vote to leave, is widely viewed as pressing for a "soft" Brexit.

Story continues

Others in Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet, such as international trade secretary Liam Fox, want a swift, decisive break with Brussels.

Brexit minister David Davis said last week that Britain would seek to agree both its withdrawal and a future trade deal with the EU within the two-year timeframe.

However, that goal is under pressure after Barnier said that the negotiations must be completed within 18 months to allow time for ratification.

Hammond's comments came ahead of a House of Lords report released on Tuesday, which said Britain needs to draw up transitional arrangements to carry on trading with the EU after Brexit while they negotiate a long-term trade deal.

"Although this would require clarity on the principles of what the UK is transitioning to, it would not delay the UK's withdrawal.

"But it would safeguard current trade and provide adequate time for negotiations," the joint report by the House of Lords' EU Internal Market and External Affairs Sub-committees said.

Negotiating a comprehensive free trade agreement with Brussels would not be possible within the two-year period set out for Brexit talks, the report said.
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A former director of Brazilian engineering firm Odebrecht SA told prosecutors that the company made several illegal contributions to politicians from the ruling PMDB party including President Michel Temer, according to a report aired Friday night by Globo TV. If prosecutors prove the accusations, Temer could face an impeachment trial that could destabilize his six-month-old government, which already lost several ministers after similar accusations from other construction firms embroiled in wide-ranging corruption probe. Claudio Melo Filho, a former institutional relations director at Odebrecht, said according to the report, that he took part in a dinner at Temer's official residency in Brasilia in 2014 where company executives agreed to transfer 10 million reais ($2.95 million) to finance PMDB campaigns that year. The director said he and other Odebrecht officials received indications from PMDB politicians who took part in their meetings that the company would be favored in votes in Congress that affected the engineering group. Reuters was not able to verify the report. Temer's press office released a statement denying the accusations. "The donations made by Odebrecht to PMDB were all through bank transfers and were declared to the electoral court," the statement said. Besides Temer, the director said several key ministers in the government also received donations. Melo Filho is just one of more than 70 executives from Odebrecht, including the former Chief Executive Officer Marcelo Odebrecht, who agreed to a plea deal with the Justice last week. (Reporting by Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Japanese and Russian state flags are seen on top of the cockpit of an airplane carrying Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a day before the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg, September 4, 2013. REUTERS/Konastantin Salomatin/RIA Novosti/Pool/Files

By Kiyoshi Takenaka

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's trade minister on Monday ruled out any economic cooperation with Russia that would undermine Group of Seven (G7) unity on sanctions imposed after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014.

The minister, Hiroshige Seko, who holds the portfolio for economic cooperation with Russia, spelt out Japan's position ahead of summit meetings on Thursday and Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The two leaders will meet in Japan to discuss economic cooperation and a decades-old territorial dispute.

"We will never hurt G7 solidarity over the Ukraine issue. That's a prerequisite," Seko told a news conference.

"We are making sure each item in the current cooperation plan is not infringing on sanctions."

The two sides have been working on about 30 projects, from medical technology to energy, but some Japanese companies have expressed concern about running afoul of the sanctions as well as Russia's uncertain investment environment.

The United States, the European Union and Japan imposed the sanctions to punish Russia it after its 2014 annexation of Crimea, and some Western countries have been worried about Japan breaking ranks.

With the Russian economy hit hard by low oil prices and the sanctions, Abe is betting the lure of Japanese investment and his close ties with Putin could help advance talks on a territorial row that has soured relations between Japan and Russia since the end of World War Two.

The dispute over a string of windswept western Pacific islands, seized by Soviet troops at the end of the war, has precluded a formal peace treaty between the two countries.

Officials on both sides, however, have recently played down expectations of a breakthrough on the dispute this week.

Abe told a representative of elderly Japanese former residents of the islands on Monday that he was determined to resolve the issue.

"I will make an all-out effort to make progress on the territorial issue, even if it is just a step closer toward a solution," he added, according to Kyodo news agency.

An opinion poll conducted by NHK public television on the weekend found that 74 percent of respondents said they did not expect progress on the issue at the meeting, while 11 percent said they did.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Writing by Linda Sieg; Editing by Robert Birsel)
More than 205 billion litres of raw sewage and untreated waste water spewed into Canada's rivers and oceans last year, CBC News has learned, despite federal regulations introduced in 2012 to try to solve the problem.

Toilet paper washes up on beaches near small towns in Newfoundland and Labrador. In Victoria, B.C., divers report sick kelp and polluted scallops near sewage discharge pipes.

In fact, the amount of untreated waste water, which includes raw sewage and rain and snow runoff, that flowed into Canadian rivers and oceans last year would fill 82,255 Olympic-size swimming pools  an increase of 1.9 per cent over 2014.

The volume was supposed to drop as cities and towns move to comply with the standards the Conservative government adopted four years ago.

The rules require municipalities to do secondary treatment to remove not just solid waste but also dissolved organic material. The worst offenders have until 2020 to comply. Municipalities that were doing some water treatment but didn't meet the new standards, have until 2030 or 2040.

Municipalities that don't meet the deadlines face the prospect of charges and stiff fines.

'Alarming' numbers

But figures obtained from Environment Canada show that after a small improvement between 2013 and 2014, the amount of untreated waste water actually increased last year.

Elaine MacDonald, an environmental engineer with Ecojustice, said a lack of funding and the long timeline for compliance are contributing to the problem.

"These numbers are still really alarming. There's obviously a lot of untreated waste water that's still entering the environment."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said it will get worse as climate change brings more strong rainfalls that overtax older combined stormwater and sanitary sewage systems.

"Our aging waste water infrastructure was designed for a different climate, and for many municipalities across Canada, when you have a deluge rain event your sewage treatment bypasses the sewage plant and goes right downstream."

Story continues

Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said untreated waste water is one of the largest sources of pollution in Canadian rivers and oceans.

"My answer is that it's not OK," said McKenna, whose mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau includes protecting freshwater resources and investing in waste water treatment.

"The regulations were brought in by the previous government. There weren't the investments required for municipalities to update their waste water systems. So that's why we are seeing these dumps."

The Liberal government has already earmarked money for sewage treatment systems and McKenna said it's prepared to spend more.

"Our government has committed to investing $2 billion specifically for waste water upgrades. We have already seen 500 projects and that's just Phase 1 of our infrastructure plan."

'Drop in the bucket'

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) welcomes the funding but says it's a drop in the bucket compared with the $18 billion it estimates it will take to comply with the federal standards.

"For our small province of 500,000 people, it is estimated to cost $500 million," said Karen Oldford, mayor of Labrador City and chair of the FCM's Atlantic regional caucus.

"That's just for the waste water. So communities want to do that but they really don't have the money to move forward with it."

In the case of one small town of 4,000 people, it would cost $22 million to build a sewage treatment plant, she said.

Raw sewage and untreated waste water flowing into Canada's rivers and oceans has been a problem for years, particularly in coastal communities that often found it easier  and cheaper  to simply flush raw sewage into the sea.

Untreated municipal waste water can take two forms. The first is sewage pumped directly into waterways with little or no attempt to clean it up. The second comes from older systems that combine sanitary and storm sewers. The filthy mix is normally treated before it's discharged, but if the city is hit with a deluge of rain or rapidly melting snow, the system must release the untreated water  sewage and all  into waterways to prevent it from backing up into homes.

Following years of lobbying by environmental groups, Peter Kent brought in the regulations as environment minister in 2012 to address what he calls "the completely unacceptable reality that 25 per cent of Canadian communities, large and small, have inadequate treatment or management of the waste water that they generate every day."

While some cities and towns have invested in proper sewage treatment, others "have neglected investment in their waste water management for decades," he said in an interview with CBC News.

He says the Conservatives did make money available for infrastructure projects, but many municipalities opted to build roads rather than sewage treatment plants.

- B.C.: Victoria-area sewage treatment plant approved

"It's not very sexy to see a budget line item in city council that says waste water management or waste water infrastructure and too many municipalities have not given it the priority and the investment that it really deserves," Kent said.

With the exception of cases like Montreal's decision last year to dump raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River while badly needed repairs were carried out, attention to sewage treatment across the country appeared to ebb once the regulations were adopted.

Four years later, the results have been mixed.

Several provinces have done worse:

-

In Newfoundland and Labrador, 10.6 billion litres of raw sewage was flushed into rivers or the ocean in 2015, more than double the amount in 2013.

-

In B.C., the province that dumps the most untreated waste water into rivers and oceans, the amount rose to 82.3 billion litres in 2015, a 32.7 per cent increase from 2013. From November to December 2015 alone, an estimated 24.8 billion litres of raw sewage were flushed into the Juan de Fuca Strait near Victoria, which recently voted to build a sewage treatment plant.

-

In Manitoba, which has mainly combined sanitary/storm sewer systems, discharges of untreated waste water increased 70.9 per cent to 12.5 billion litres in 2015.

-

In Nova Scotia, the percentage of untreated waste water dropped by half in 2014, to 9.4 per cent, but then jumped back up to 24 per cent in 2015.

Other provinces have improved:

-

Alberta's untreated waste water dropped from eight billion litres in 2013 to just under four billion in 2015.

-

Saskatchewan, which has the lowest percentage of untreated waste water, went from 601,600 litres in 2013 to just 244,600 in 2015.

-

Ontario, which produces more waste water than any other province, is also one of the best at treating it. Its proportion of untreated waste water dropped to less than one per cent in 2015.

-

New Brunswick has also shown steady improvement, although the percentage of untreated waste water there was still nearly 13 per cent in 2015.

A discrepancy in the figures provided for Quebec for 2013 makes analysis there difficult, and Environment Canada could only speculate about the cause of the discrepancy. However, from 2014 to 2015, the percentage of untreated waste water in Quebec rose from 0.97 per cent to 1.3 per cent.

Snapshot of untreated waste water discharges, Nov.-Dec. 2015

Data provided in government response to an Opposition order paper question tabled in the House of Commons. Click on a pin to see how much untreated sewage (brown pins) or combined untreated sewage and waste water (blue) was released in that area in November and December, 2015.

Environment Canada says in some cases, the increases between 2014 and 2015 can be partly explained by better reporting. In other cases, sudden heavy rainfalls may have contributed to the increase.

May said the regulations were a start, but the Liberal government needs to monitor the results and help municipalities that don't have the money to meet them.

- MAP| Gatineau to finally track sewer overflows

"Without the investment to be able to meet those regulations, without the monitoring, without capacity at a number of levels, you just have a toothless paper regulation and people hoping that no one looks to see what's going downstream."

McKenna, who had to approve Montreal's sewage dump shortly after she was sworn in, promises to work with provinces and territories to clean up Canada's rivers and oceans.

"Canadians love the water. They love it to swim, to drink (it), to fish. It's very important to our economy and so we certainly need to be doing better."

Elizabeth Thompson can be reached at elizabeth.thompson@cbc.ca
Pension delays contribute to putting more veterans into financial crisis

The federal government's inability to get pension cheques into the hands of retiring soldiers in a timely manner is one of the factors contributing to a sharp increase in calls to an organization that deals with veterans in crisis, says a leading member of the group.

Walter Semianiw, a retired lieutenant-general and a driving force behind VETS Canada in Ottawa, says it is not widely appreciated that many military members, while still in uniform, live paycheque to paycheque.

They are not financially prepared to wait weeks  sometimes months  for their money when they retire from active service, he said in an interview with CBC News.

This year alone VETS Canada, which has a contract with the federal government for outreach to veterans and homeless veterans, has received 650 calls from ex-soldiers in crisis across Canada.

Fifty of them have come within the last month alone, said Semianiw, who also did a stint as a senior official at veterans affairs.

"The question is: What is the issue? Why can't the government of Canada get cheques into people's hands  men and women in uniform  when they release (from the military)?" he said

"At the end of the day, in very simple terms: It is their money."

Homeless veteran leaves the shelter

The onset of winter has made the issue more pressing.

There was, however, one small victory for VETS Canada volunteers, many of them servicemen and RCMP officers, during an outreach walk on the streets of Ottawa.

Robert Praet, an older veteran, was living in an Ottawa shelter until Saturday when members of the organization, which has hundreds of volunteers and thousands of supporters across the country, contacted him.

Unable to afford housing in Alberta, Praet moved to the Ottawa area recently and found himself without a place to live.

"So many of the vets  particularly the younger ones, the newer ones  ones that need the help the medical help, both physically and mentally, they could use some support like this," he said.

Story continues

"This is great to see and like I said, what a Christmas for me, what a Christmas present! I'm having a roof over my head."

But for groups like VETS Canada, it is urgent to deal with some of the root causes of homelessness, such as financial instability.

Pension processing delays

Last spring, the country's military ombudsman blasted the pension processing delays, saying both full-time and part-time members wait an unacceptable amount of time for their first payments.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, at the time of the complaints, called the backlog "absolutely unacceptable" and pledged to do something about it, but warned a solution "won't happen overnight."

But successive federal governments have struggled with the same issue.

In 2011, the auditor general specifically examined the plight of reservists and a found significant backlog in the handling of retirement pensions for part-time soldiers  something the former Conservative government promised to fix.

"To my understanding, it is a capacity issue and they don't have enough people to deal with the backlog of claims at National Defence," Semianiw said.

It is unclear how much progress has been made since the spring on dealing with the stockpile of claims, but an increase in calls that cite the issue of delayed cheques is a matter of growing concern, he added.

How many vets are homeless?

There is not much in the way of data, in this country, about homelessness among veterans  the causes or the possible remedies.

A 2015 federal shelter study, released earlier this year, estimated about 2,250 veterans use shelters annually, but cautioned the actual number may be much higher.

The report by Employment and Social Development Canada was the first of its kind.

Point-in-time counts of homeless populations in cities across the country show veterans form between five and seven per cent of the homeless population, which would put their number as high as 11,000.

"There are still a lot there and we're finding a lot of them," said Jeff Murphy, the local chapter lead for VETS Canada.

Two homeless veterans were spotted in November, on top of six others identified in late September.

Waiting for action

That was just in the Ottawa area alone.

"A lot of them are nervous," Murphy said. "We come on to them very gently, for lack of a better word. We'll talk with them and ask those questions that only a military person would know. And as we break down that wall, they realize that there are brothers and sisters out there looking for them."

A proposed federal strategy to deal with homelessness among veterans is under consideration and the minister responsible, Kent Hehr, has said he's committed to implementing it in a timely manner.

Last summer, a draft report recommended changing the vets benefits system to make it easier to hand out housing subsidies. Federal officials also seem keen to build affordable housing units dedicated to veterans.

It can't come fast enough for ex-military members who've spent time on the streets.

'Nobody...should be on the street'

Richard MacCallum, a former member of the navy who was homeless and now volunteers for VETS Canada, says many lose their homes and livelihoods through no fault of their own.

"I hate to see anybody who served this country the way I did, and the way these gentlemen did, on the street," he told CBC News in an interview.

Reaching out a finding one veteran at time has become a mission for MacCallum since he was helped out of a shelter.

But there is a still a lingering sense of frustration.

"It's not fair," said MacCallum, whose post-military career in business was cut short by the economic downturn.

"No veteran should be on the street. Actually no one  I'll change that. Nobody, be it veteran or civilian, should be on the street in Canada. There's no reason for it."
With a very few exceptions,

In addition, according to Section 5(g)(2)(D) of the Act, all records in the Kennedy Collection will be opened by 2017 unless certified as justifiably closed by the President of the United States.

virtually all of the records identified as belonging to the Kennedy Collection have been opened in part or in full. Those documents that are closed in full or in part were done so in accordance with the Kennedy Act, mentioned above. According to the Act, no record could be withheld in part or in full, without the agreement of the ARRB. The guidelines for withholding records are outlined in the provisions in Section 6 of the Act. The full report of the ARRB is available online. A copy of the Act is in Appendix C of the ARRB Report mentioned above. In all cases where the ARRB agreed to withhold a record or information in a record, they stipulated a specific release date for the document.
Theres only one smart way to take all the heavy breathing since Donald Trumps 10-minute telephone conversation last Friday with Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans president. Ignore it: Most of whats been ricocheting around the press last week misses the point by miles.

There might have been grounds for panic in Washingtons foreign policy circles had Trump signaled his intention to recognize Taiwans independence from China. Since Nixon and Mao signed the Shanghai Communique in 1972, the U.S. is committed to accepting Beijings One China policy. Its the Chinese leaderships hottest button.

Related: Trumps Vow to Abandon the TPP Hands China a Huge Victory

But repudiating so fundamental a feature of the U.S.-China relationship isnt remotely an entry in Trumps playbook. By the evidence, and theres plenty, geopolitics of this kind doesnt actually interest the President-elect.

Put simply, Trump wants a new deal with China on the trade and investment side. He has made this clear in bold-faced capitals more or less every day since he announced his run for the White House in mid-2015.

How all the diplomats and think-tank denizens could so thoroughly misunderstand this is hard to fathom. The takeaway here, and its not reassuring, is that those responsible for Washingtons China policy are a jumpy, uncertain lotless than confident that what theyve put in place is sturdy.

Yes, Trump knew there were political and diplomatic implications when he took Tsais call. Lets dispense with the thought that hes not smart enough to figure that out beforehandthe bull-in-a-China-shop thesis.

Related: Why China May Soon Decide What Movies You See

But with Trumps constant complaints about the trade imbalance, exchange rates, and other such matters in mind, that telephone call looks a lot different. Its the dealmaker as diplomat: That brief chat is Trumps opening movethe intent being to throw Beijing a touch off balance at the start of what could well be four years of very steady, intense renegotiation of the economic relationship.

Story continues

Sino-American relations, lets not forget, are no monument to clever diplomacy. Theyre a muddle, to put the point bluntly, and have been for fully several decades.

On one hand, we have two huge economies that are densely interdependent on multiple levels. On the other, Beijing and Washington are sharply at odds on every military and security question lying between thempolicing the South China Sea currently the most prominent among them.

President Obama didnt create this two-headed beast, but hell dump it in Trumps lap come January 20. And lets admit it: Theres more asymmetry and mess across the Pacific now than there was in 2008the legacy of Obamas all-too-fancy pivot to Asia.

The Pentagon has turned the South China Sea into a flashpoint over the past several yearsthis quite beyond necessity. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, Obamas over-ambitious trade alliance, pointedly excludes the Chinesedrawing a line where there doesnt have to be one. And Chinas now developing its own alternative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. (Funny how those smart diplomats didnt anticipate this perfectly predictable outcome.)

Related: As Trump Gets Tough With China, Facebook Plays Their Game

Lets look briefly at the two sides of China policy Trump will either have to leave as is or refashion.

 The security relationship. Trump inherits a security policy with a fatal flaw. Chinas emergence as a regional power has left the Pentagon, which has outsized influence on Washingtons Asia policies, in a time warp. Pretending in the 21st century that its the 1950s and the Pacific is an American lake is preposterous as a strategic frameworka recipe for conflict.

The question for Trump, and its a very good one, is whether hell see and address this 800-pound error or carry on with the Pentagons indulgence in nostalgia.

No clear signals yet. Trump may not be interested in strategic questions, but a lot of the people around him are. The New York Times reported Wednesday that Bob Dole, long close to the Taiwan lobby, had been advising Trump while the Tsai call was in the planning stage.

Last month a group of Chinese scholars issued a report forecasting that Trumpwhom the Chinese leadership subtly favored over Hillary Clintonwill sustain Washingtons tough stance in the South China Sea. No change, with James Mad Dog Mattis, Trumps defense secretary-designate, running the shop.

Maybe, maybe not. Mattis is a tough Marine, but his record indicates he knows the militarys limits.

Related: No Price Like Home: Big Spenders Reappear in China



Heres Andrew Nathan, a distinguished sinologist at Columbia, in a Foreign Policy forum published just after the election:

Trump was the practitioner of the art of the deal. If he takes office, he will look for an economic and strategic grand bargain with China, some version of a regional condominium that reduces American resistance to the spread of Chinese military and political influence in Asia in exchange for greater opening of the Chinese economy to U.S. exports and investment, Chinese investment in U.S. infrastructure  and perhaps a few permits for Trump hotels and towers thrown in as side payments.

Im with Nathan. Whatever else Trump may be, hes neither an ideologue nor a saber-rattler. Hes a realist who wants to know what time it is. As backup evidence, Trumps taking the same approach to Russia, if you think about it: Were great, youre great, lets deal.

 The economic relationship. Trump has a problem here, and a big part of it is of his own making. His take on U.S.-China economic ties is far too simplistic. Chinas phenomenal growth doesnt compute to a big loss the White House needs to remedy.

Related: Chinese Trade Data Shows Signs of Industrial Recovery

American businesses have put more than $5 trillion into plant and equipment on the mainland since the turn of this century. Some of the resulting production goes into the Chinese market and a lot is exported back to the U.S. There are supply chains to think aboutU.S.-based manufacturers sourcing components in China. Now theres Chinese investment in American assets, too: Its growing leaps and bounds.

There are bound to be imbalances to negotiate in so complex a relationship, but Trump risks a shoot-in-the-foot problem if he thinks its time to bust up a party because only half the people there are having fun.

A 45 percent import tariff on Chinese goods, as Trump promised on the campaign trail is thoroughly unrealistic. This was Dennis A. Muilenburgs point when the Boeing CEO warned Trump that China could easily retaliate by shifting its formidable order book to Airbus.

Trump needs some tutoring. First order of business is dropping the shrill charge that Beijing manipulates the yuan to its advantage. That problem was resolved years ago. Harping on it makes Trump seem stupid, and thats not the way he wants to come across with the Chinese.

Bottom line: Consider those jobs Trump got Carrier to keep in Indiana a good cue. Trump will manage some impressive gestures in his dealings with China on the economic side, but its unlikely hell get far if he tries to reform a very formidable political and economic structure in which both sides have big interests.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
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PRESS RELEASE

Paris, December 12th, 2016

Amundi reinforces its European leadership position with the acquisition of Pioneer Investments from UniCredit

Amundi announces that it has signed a binding agreement with UniCredit in order to acquire Pioneer Investments for an all-cash consideration of 3,545 million. As part of the transaction, Amundi will form a long term strategic partnership with UniCredit for the distribution of asset management products.

Pioneer Investments is a world class asset manager that has a highly complementary business and geographic profile with Amundi. With 222 billion of assets under management, a majority being retail assets, Pioneer Investments has a unique franchise with a global and proven product expertise.

This transforming acquisition will strengthen significantly Amundi's industrial project and reinforce its position as the European leader in asset management. It will create the 8th largest asset manager globally with 1,2761 billion of assets under management, and will allow Amundi to:

- Reinforce its leadership in key European markets. The combined entity will be number 1 in France, in a top 3 position in Italy and in Austria, and in a strong position in Germany. Italy will become Amundi's second domestic market with 160bn under management, and Milan will become one of the Group's investment "hubs". The number of staff in Milan will therefore significantly increase.

- Benefit from a leading US platform in terms of management and distribution.

- Bolster its leadership in serving retail networks and improve its customer mix by increasing the proportion of higher-margin retail customers from 27% currently to 35% post transaction. The partnership with UniCredit, secured by a 10-year distribution agreement for Italy, Germany and Austria, will allow Amundi to further strengthen its position as preferred provider of savings solutions to retail clients in Europe. In parallel, UniCredit networks will benefit from Amundi's expertise of combining an industrial platform with tailor-made and local approaches, so as to maximise value for both partners.

- Expand its institutional client base thanks to an increased presence in Europe as well as a broader product expertise.

- Enhance and diversify its global product offering. Pioneer will reinforce Amundi's know-how in various asset classes such as European, US and Emerging Markets equities, multi-asset and US fixed income. Pioneer and UniCredit retail and private banking clients will benefit from the recognized and custom-designed services of Amundi such as Smart Beta, ETF, real and alternative assets, structured and guaranteed solutions, discretionary asset management, global fixed income, global equities as well as money market funds.

The transaction is expected to create significant value for Amundi shareholders thanks to an important synergy potential. The acquisition is consistent with the disciplined approach announced by Amundi at the time of its IPO to deploy its excess capital.

The transaction should result in full-year pre-tax synergies of approximately c.180 million, fully phased within 3 years: c.150 million of costs synergies are expected to be realised by merging investment platforms, streamlining IT services and by rationalizing administrative and back-office costs; 30 million of revenue synergies are expected from potential cross selling and other revenue optimization (brokerage.). Total integration costs are estimated at c.190m pre-tax and are expected to be phased-in in 2017 and 2018.

The acquisition of Pioneer is expected to be accretive to Amundi Earnings Per Share by c.30%, taking into account the full-year effect of synergies and excluding restructuring costs. The return on investment of this acquisition within 3 years is in line with Amundi's 10% target.

The price of the acquisition is 3,545 million. The net tangible equity of Pioneer Investments at the closing of the transaction will equate c.500m, which is c.300m above regulatory requirements. The transaction will be financed by c.1.5 billion of excess capital, a c.1.4bn capital increase (rights issue), and c.0.6bn of senior and subordinated debt. The rights issue will be launched in H1 2017 and will be underwritten by Credit Agricole Group. Credit Agricole Group will support the offering and shall keep a minimum pro forma ownership of 66.7%.

The transaction, which has received the support of both Amundi's and UniCredit's Boards of Directors, is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory and antitrust approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2017.

Commenting on the acquisition, Xavier Musca, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amundi, said "This acquisition is fully in line with the selective acquisition strategy announced at the time of the IPO: Pioneer Investments will reinforce Amundi's product expertise, broaden its distribution channels and networks, and generate significant synergies. It confirms Amundi's position as a clear European leader in asset management, in terms of size and profitability."

Yves Perrier, Chief Executive Officer of Amundi, added "The acquisition of Pioneer Investments is a major step to anchor Amundi as the European leader in asset management. This acquisition will reinforce Amundi's industrial model and will benefit our clients whilst creating significant value for our shareholders. Pioneer Investments is a world class asset manager that has a highly complementary business and geographic profile. At Amundi we are all excited to welcome soon our new colleagues who will join us in a leading asset management group fully dedicated to serve its retail and institutional clients."

***

A presentation is available on Amundi's website http://about.amundi.com

Goldman Sachs International, Mediobanca and Credit Agricole CIB acted as financial advisers on this transaction. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Veil Jourde acted as legal advisers.

About Pioneer

Pioneer is a leading global asset manager with a presence in 27 countries and an experienced team of approximately 1,900 employees. Pioneer is known internationally as one of the leading fixed income managers across all strategies, and offers strong capabilities in multi-asset as well as European, US and global equities. Pioneer manages 222 billion in assets as of September 30th, 2016, evenly split between proprietary distribution via UniCredit on one side (approx. 5,350 branches across Italy, Austria, Germany and CEE), and intermediary and institutional clients globally on the other side. In 2015, Pioneer had 875 million of net revenues, 327 million of EBITDA and 227 million of net profit on a normalised basis.

About Amundi

Publicly traded since November 2015, Amundi is the largest European Asset Manager in terms of AUM(*), with over 1,000 billion euros worldwide. Headquartered in Paris, France, Amundi has six investment hubs located in the world's key financial centres, and offers a combination of research depth and market experience that has earned the confidence of its clients. Amundi is the trusted partner of 100 million retail clients, 1,000 institutional clients and 1,000 distributors in more than 30 countries, and designs innovative, high-performing products and services for these types of clients tailored specifically to their needs and risk profile.

Go to www.amundi.com for more information or to find an Amundi office near you.

Amundi figures as of 30 September 2016. (*) No.1 European asset manager based on global assets under management (AUM) and the main headquarters being based in Continental Europe - Source IPE "Top 400 asset managers" published in June 2016 and based on AUM as at December 2015.

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Amundi figures as of 30 June 2016. (*) No.1 European asset manager based on global assets under management (AUM) and the main headquarters being based in Continental Europe - Source IPE "Top 400 asset managers" published in June 2016 and based on AUM as at December 2015.

Press contacts: Natacha Sharp Tel. +33 (0)1 76 37 86 05 natacha.sharp@amundi.com

Investor contacts:

Anthony Mellor

Tel. +33 (0)1 76 32 17 16

anthony.mellor@amundi.com





Annabelle Wiriath

Tel. +33 (0)1 76 32 59 84

annabelle.wiriath@amundi.com

Disclaimer

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute either an offer to sell or purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase securities of Amundi.No communication or information relating to the contemplated capital increase may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction in which registration or approval is required. No action has been (or will be) undertaken in any jurisdiction outside of France where such steps would be required. The subscription for or purchase of securities of Amundi may be subject to legal or statutory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Amundi assumes no responsibility for any violation of such restrictions by any person. The distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This press release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities.

European Economic Area

This press release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC as amended (the "Prospectus Directive").The rights issue will be open to the public in France only pursuant to a prospectus having received the visa of the French Autorite des marches financiers (the "AMF") and prepared in accordance with the Prospectus Directive.

With respect to each Member State of the European Economic Area other than France which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (the "Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of securities requiring a publication of a prospectus in any Member State. As a result, the securities of Amundi may only be offered in the Member States (i) to qualified investors, as defined by the Prospectus Directive; or (ii) in any other circumstances, not requiring Amundi to publish a prospectus as provided under Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.For the purposes of this paragraph, "securities offered to the public" in a given Member State, means, any communication in any form and by any means, of sufficient information about the terms and conditions of the offer and the securities, so as to enable an investor to decide to buy or subscribe for the securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State.This selling restriction applies in addition to any other selling restrictions which may be applicable in the Member States who have implemented the Prospectus Directive.

United Kingdom

The distribution of this press release is directed only at (i) persons outside the United Kingdom, subject to applicable laws, or (ii) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 as amended (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The rights issue is only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such rights will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on, this press release or any information contained herein.

United States

This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or purchase, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any securities of Amundi in the United States of America. Securities may not be offered, subscribed or sold in the United States of America absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof. The securities of Amundi have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and Amundi does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States of America.

Forward-looking statements

This press release includes information about the objectives of the Group and forward-looking statements. These statements are sometimes identified by the use of the future or conditional tense, as well as terms such as "estimate", "believe", "have the objective of", "intend to", "expect", "result in", "should" and other similar expressions. It should be noted that the realization of these objectives and forward-looking statements is dependent on the circumstances and facts that arise in the future. Forward-looking statements and information about objectives may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may significantly alter the future results, performance and accomplishments planned or expected by the Company. These factors may include changes in the economic and commercial situation, regulations and the risk factors described in Amundi's Registration Document (section 5.2) registered with the AMF under number R.16-025 on April 20, 2016.
Swedish English

For further information:

Roberto Gerosa, President International Division +41 56 483 12 04

Marta Tiberg, Head of Communication and Brand +46 73 072 70 48

Through the acquisition of Edy Toscano AG, a leading engineering consulting firm in Switzerland, AF continues to deliver on its growth strategy.



The rapid growth of the AF Group continues. With the acquisition of Edy Toscano in Switzerland, AF takes another important step in the implementation of its growth strategy. AF's Swiss operations have until now been focused on the energy sector. Through the acquisition of Edy Toscano, AF adds infrastructure in Switzerland. When the acquisition is completed, AF will be one of the three largest engineering consulting firm in Switzerland with more than 600 employees.



Edy Toscano AG is a leading engineering consulting firm within infrastructure in Switzerland. The company has a revenue of MSEK 430 (2015) and more than 370 employees in 20 locations in Switzerland and three in Germany. The services provided include planning, engineering and consulting services for tunnels, roads, railways, traffic planning and environment, and more.

"Edy Toscano will increase our Swiss based business by 150 percent, making AF a leading engineering consulting company in the Swiss market. We are very pleased to achieve this position and to enter the important Swiss infrastructure sector. Our infrastructure business has so far focused on Scandinavia and this acquisition is part of our strategy to expand these operations to our other markets," says Jonas Wistrom, President and CEO of AF.

The acquisition will be finalised at the end of December 2016 and Edy Toscano AG will be consolidated by the AF Group as of 31 December 2016. It is a condition for completion of the acquisition that owners representing 90 percent of the shares approve the transaction.



Corporate Communication

AF AB (publ)



AF is an engineering and consulting company for the energy, industrial and infrastructure markets, creating progress for our clients since 1895. By connecting technologies, we provide profitable, innovative and sustainable solutions to shape the future and improve people's lives. Building on our strong base in Europe, our business and clients are found all over the world.

AF - Innovation by experience

Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4400cf77-e6bd-4dbc-a641-1c7b6bad8f30
Last week President-elect Donald Trump called out Boeing for what he claimed to be an excessive price for two new 747-8s the Air Force has ordered to replace Air Force One. Trumps tweet followed a comment from Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg calling for a renewed charter for the U.S. Export-Import Bank or face the loss of sales to foreign countries. The President-elect called for elimination of the bank when he was campaigning for office.In September Boeing received a license from the Treasury Department to sell up to 109 new airplanes to Iran, the 80 included in Sundays announcement plus 29 others that Boeing will acquire from leasing companies. That license enables Boeing to assist Iran in lining up U.S. bank financing for the sale.Will Congressional Republicans push more chips onto the metaphorical poker table? With the inauguration of President-elect Trump just a few weeks away the likely tactic will be to make some noise now but to wait until Trump is safely in office before tackling the Iran deal again.One thing Sundays agreement will do is allow Boeing to add the 80 planes to its order book. That will lift the companys total sales for the year from 468 to 548, still well short of the companys goal of a 1:1 book-to-bill ratio. Boeing expects to deliver around 745 to 750 new planes in 2016.
NEWTOWN, Conn., Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rolls-Royce will dominate the naval gas turbine market during the 2016-2030 period, according to data contained within Forecast International's Platinum Forecast System version 3.1. During this time, manufacturers of marine gas turbines are forecast to produce some 1,020 engines worth $8.5 billion. Rolls-Royce will hold 31.4 percent of the marine gas turbine market in terms of market value, followed by Zorya-Mashproekt of Ukraine with 29.1 percent and GE Power with 28.9 percent. Together, these three companies will account for almost 90 percent of marine gas turbine sales for the next 15 years.

Zorya's UGT gas turbines remain largely confined to the home markets represented by the parent company and its licensees in India and China. As a result, the gas turbine propulsion market continues to be largely driven by the GE LM2500 and the RollsRoyce MT30, with the Rolls- Royce MT7 now having a near-monopoly on known demand for smaller turbines.

Stuart Slade, senior analyst for FI's Industrial & Marine Turbine Forecast, says that fully integrated electric drive is becoming the powertrain configuration of choice for future naval vessels. "Gas turbine-powered electric drive offers significant anticipated benefits for warships in terms of reducing ship life-cycle costs and increasing ship stealthiness, payload, survivability, and the amount of power available for non-propulsion uses," said Slade.

While marine gas turbines now dominate naval warship construction, they have failed to make a significant impact on the civilian sector, where the cost-efficiency of diesels is paramount. One exception is the cruise ship market, where GE Marine Engines' GE LM2500+ COGES (combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive system) plant powers Royal Caribbean International's Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship. Gas turbines have a significant advantage in this sector, Slade says, since "the LM2500+ COGES ships operate on clean distillate fuel to significantly reduce emissions of most airborne pollutants and other particulates, as compared to a diesel-electric power system operating on distillate fuel oil. This is important inshore, where cruise ships spend much of their time."

About Forecast International

Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. The firm also maintains a high posture of situational awareness and geopolitical analysis. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide. Forecast International's resources and extensive base of experience can also be readily adapted and efficiently focused to fulfill a broad spectrum of civil and military consulting and special research requirements.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cuba Ventures Corp. (TSX-V:CUV) (OTCBB:MPSFF) (the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has engaged Think Tank Labs to overhaul 166 of the companys websites to modernize their design, technology and SEO specifications. The aim is to make the websites more visually appealing while ensuring a superior user experience. Further, Cuba Ventures CEO, Steve Marshall has also been interviewed by the US media giant Fox News at both their San Francisco and Sacramento studios.



Update of 96 Cuban City, Town, Province and Destination Websites:

Travelucion Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cuba Ventures Corp, will use Think Tank Labs Inc. of Vancouver, Canada, to update 96 of its Cuban City, Town, Province and Destination websites. This major update will conclude by January 31st, 2017. These websites have served for over two decades as informational portals for specific popular destinations in Cuba following the strategy of one-website-one-destination. These specific destination websites are a unique and notable source of information for travelers visiting Cuba and generate significant web traffic, which is currently channeled to the Companys e-commerce websites and revenue generating online sales divisions. The strategy, which commenced in the 1990s, was to create a self-sustaining lead generation network to engender proprietary web traffic, negating the need for expensive pay-per-click (PPC) marketing, and thus, preserving high gross profit margins. This is the first major update of these immensely popular websites in over a decade which should increase visitor numbers and exceed the current significant volumes of highly targeted Cuba focused web visitors. The website update will be undertaken by Canadas preeminent Think Tank Labs Inc. A large increase in traffic is expected to be one of the most visited sources of information concerning Cuba on the web. Visitors to these websites, from United States based IP addresses, rose from 6% in 2014 to 38.6% in 2016 and continues to grow.

Furthermore, in the second round of updates beginning in February 2017, the aforementioned websites will also be upgraded to e-commerce, revenue generating websites, permitting direct sales of specific hotels, services and tours for each city or destination directly from the homepage of each site. This secondary update will closely follow the content and design update of all cited websites, thus converting each destination website into a powerful, destination specific, e-commerce revenue generating booking platform.

A complete list of websites currently being updated by Think Tank Labs Inc. is:

http://www.travelucion.com/world-news/travelucion-cuba-ventures-corp-announces-think-tank-labs-to-update-96-websites/

Update of 68 E-Commerce and Booking Websites:

Cuba Ventures owns and operates 68 online travel booking and e-commerce websites focused on Cuba. Each website is focused on a specific geographic market and published in 6 languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese). These legacy websites built in the late 1990s and early 2000s are the current sources of Cuba travel-related, e-commerce revenue for the company. A major overhaul is underway of the entire booking platform and visual aspects of these websites to bring them in-line with current market trends. Beyond a highly superior design, the booking platform is being overhauled to include numerous worldwide currencies, extra hotel properties, bespoke services and travel packages, as well as over 4,000 private residences that cover the length and breadth of the island. The Company currently offers 350 private homes and B&Bs only in Havana. This is the first major update of these websites in over a decade and is expected to increase revenues while creating a booking process which is consistent with current trends and visual appeal.

A complete list of Cuba Ventures e-commerce websites can be found here:

https://www.cubaventures.com/assets/docs/travelucion-web-properties.pdf

Anyone wishing to monitor the update of the e-commerce websites in real-time may contact our investor relations team for the live link.

Launch of CubaHavana.com and CubaLaHabana.com:

Havana is the epicenter of interest for World Travelers and North American visitors to Cuba. These valuable domain names will be put to work to educate people looking to travel to Havana. Beyond offering information on places to see, things to do and weekly events in Havana, these websites will become the central source of information about this enthralling Caribbean city. As with our other city websites, these are to be upgraded to become fully operational booking websites offering Havana-specific hotel accommodation, car rentals, classic car rides, private residences / B&Bs and other services in Havana.

Cuba Ventures in the News:

Cuba Ventures has been showcased in the mainstream media as of late, especially in regards to travel relations between the US and Cuba. Last week, Cuba Ventures CEO, Steve Marshall sat down with Fox News in both San Francisco and Sacramento.

Cuba Ventures CEO Steve Marshall appears on Fox News San Francisco:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjNdYWWyN68

Cuba Ventures CEO Steve Marshall appears on Fox News Sacramento:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a322Vf3Idhw&feature=youtu.be

About Cuba Ventures Corp.:

Cuba Ventures Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company capitalizing on the growth and unique opportunities in the USD $3.5 billion per year Cuban travel and tourism industry. Travelucion, a wholly owned subsidiary, is a digital media and marketing company which owns a vast portfolio of Cuba related websites and online portals providing travel information, featuring individual web assets for Cuba's popular cities and towns, online booking solutions and online reservations through proprietary software, catering to international visitors to Cuba. Travelucion's online travel division is a duly licensed retail travel supplier handling millions of dollars in sales annually.

Travelucion's 432 Cuba focused multilingual websites generate over 30 million page-views per year, directing traffic to the company's online booking and e-commerce sites. These online websites cover all facets of Cuba including over 80 travel destinations, hotels & resorts, bed & breakfast, tours, car rentals, restaurants, as well as Cuban culture, history, music, celebrities, sports, medical treatments and more.

Travelucion's revenues have been rapidly growing in the wake of the notable shift in American policy towards Cuba. With diplomatic relations now normalized and restrictions on qualified American travel to Cuba relaxed, opening of the multi-billion dollar travel market to the Caribbean nation is becoming a reality. Travelucion's continued media dominance over the past two decades has provided Cuba Ventures with a competitive advantage in the burgeoning Cuba travel and online media space. With the relaxing of rules for American travelers to Cuba and the potential of further easing, growth and investment opportunities are on the rise in Cuba.

For further information on Cuba Ventures Corp. (TSX-V:CUV) or Travelucion visit the Companys website at www.cubaventures.com or www.travelucion.com. Cuba Ventures Corp. has approx. 62.6 million shares issued and outstanding.

CUBA VENTURES CORP.

STEVE MARSHALL

______________________________

Steve Marshall

CEO

For further information contact myself or:

Nick Findler

Cuba Ventures Corp.

Telephone: 604-639-3850

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@cubaventures.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information.
LYNNFIELD, Mass., Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Power Group Corporation (OTCQB:APGI) announced that its subsidiary, American Power Group, Inc. (APG), has received follow-on orders to convert additional stationary generators to APGs S4000 Turbocharged Natural Gas Technology for a prominent drill rig customer. The customer whose name is being withheld for competitive reasons has already converted several hundred drilling rig engines to APGs dual fuel solution and has expressed interest in additional conversions in fiscal 2017. The orders are scheduled to be shipped during the November through January 2017 timeframe.



Lyle Jensen, American Power Groups President and Chief Executive Officer stated, It is very encouraging to see signs that the oil and gas industry is putting drill rigs back to work and beginning to place orders for additional conversion of existing rigs as well selecting APGs dual fuel technology to be incorporated into their newest drill rig designs. Recent quotations and order activity in multiple shale regions in the United States and Canada indicate 2017 will be a much more active year than 2016 for APG.

Mr. Jensen added, APGs dual fuel designs continue to be noted for its high up-time and ease of operation resulting in significant net savings at the lowest total cost of ownership. We are pleased to see leaders of the drill rig community select APG over other competitive offerings due to our reliability, flexibility, and consistent field performance.

About American Power Group Corporation

American Power Groups subsidiary, American Power Group, Inc. provides cost effective sustainability products and services that promote the economic and environmental benefits of our alternative fuel and emission reduction technologies. Our patented Turbocharged Natural Gas Dual Fuel Conversion Technology is a unique non-invasive software driven solution that converts existing vehicular and stationary diesel engines to run concurrently on diesel and various forms of natural gas including compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, conditioned well-head/ditch gas or bio-methane gas with the flexibility to return to 100% diesel fuel operation at any time. Depending on the fuel source and operating profile, our EPA and CARB approved dual fuel conversions seamlessly displace 45% - 65% of diesel fuel with cleaner burning natural gas resulting in measurable reductions in nitrous oxides (NOx) and other diesel-related emissions. Through our Trident Associated Gas Capture and Recovery Technology, we provide oil and gas producers a flare capture service solution for associated gases produced at their remote and stranded well sites. These producers are under tightening regulatory pressure to capture and liquefy the flared gases at their remote and stranded well sites or face significant oil output reductions. With our proprietary Flare to Fuel process technology we can convert these captured gases into natural gas liquids (NGL) which can be sold as heating fluids, emulsifiers, or be further processed by refiners. Given pending federal methane capture regulations, we anticipate our next generation NGL processing systems will have the capability to convert the residual flared methane into pipeline quality natural gas that can be sold for a variety of dedicated and dual fuel vehicular, stationary, industrial and household uses. See additional information at: www.americanpowergroupinc.com



Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Opinions

With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements and opinions, including, but not limited to, statements relating to new markets, development and introduction of new products, and financial and operating projections. These forward-looking statements and opinions are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein, and cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from such forward-looking statements and opinions. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the fact that, our dual fuel conversion business has lost money in the last seven consecutive fiscal years and our flare gas capture and recovery business has yet to generate measurable revenues, the risk that we may require additional financing to grow our business, the fact that we rely on third parties to manufacture, distribute and install our products, we may encounter difficulties or delays in developing or introducing new products and keeping them on the market, we may encounter lack of product demand and market acceptance for current and future products, we may encounter adverse events economic conditions, we operate in a competitive market and may experience pricing and other competitive pressures, we are dependent on governmental regulations with respect to emissions, including whether EPA approval will be obtained for future products and additional applications, the risk that we may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights, factors affecting the Company's future income and resulting ability to utilize its NOLs, the fact that our stock is thinly traded and our stock price may be volatile, the fact that we have preferred stock outstanding with substantial preferences over our common stock, the fact that the conversion of the preferred stock and the exercise of stock options and warrants will cause dilution to our shareholders, the fact that we incur substantial costs to operate as a public reporting company and other factors that are detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015 and the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and opinions, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements and opinions that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
English Lithuanian

Siauliai, Lithuania, 2016-12-12 15:08 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Siauliu Bankas AB, company code 112025254, address of the head office Tilzes str. 149, Siauliai, Lithuania.

Siauliu Bankas shall publish the information to investors in 2017 in accordance with the following calendar:

28/02/2017 - Interim information for 12 months of 2016;

09/03/2017 - Notice on convocation of the Ordinary General Shareholder Meeting (GSM), draft resolutions for the convened GSM;

30/03/2017 - Resolutions of the General Shareholder Meeting;

30/03/2017 - Audited annual information for 2016;

08/05/2017 - Interim information for 3 months of 2017;

07/08/2017 - Semi-annual interim information of 2017;

06/11/2017 - Interim information for 9 months of 2017.

Chief Executive Officer Vytautas Sinius
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cypress Development Corp. (TSX-V:CYP) (OTCBB:CYDVF) (Frankfurt:C1Z1) (Cypress or the Company) announces that it has increased the non-brokered private placement announced Dec. 2nd from 3,000,000 units to 5,000,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $500,000. All other terms of the private placement remain the same.



The Company intends to utilize the proceeds of this private placement to continue to advance its lithium projects in Clayton Valley, Nevada and for general working purposes.

Cypress Clayton Valley Lithium Project, Nevada location map:

http://www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com/i/maps/CYP-Clayton-topo-satalite-small.jpg

The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

About Cypress Development Corp.:

Cypress development Corp is a publicly traded lithium and zinc exploration company that continues to acquire and develop potentially viable mineral projects in the State of Nevada, U.S.A.

Cypress is very active in Clayton Valley, Nevada with its team committed to systematically exploring its properties for both a lithium-brine resource and expanding exploration relating to the potential for lithium that exists within the recently discovered non-hectorite claystones, that has seen recent high lithium assays recovered from these same claystones.

Cypress Development Corp. has approx. 27.9 million shares issued and outstanding.

To find out more about Cypress Development Corp. (TSX-V: CYP), visit our website at www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com.

CYPRESS DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Don Huston



DONALD C. HUSTON

President

For further information contact myself or:

Don Myers

Director

Cypress Development Corp.

Telephone: 604-687-3376

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@cypressdevelopmentcorp.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information.
NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Rio Tinto plc (Rio Tinto or the Company) (NYSE:RIO) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and docketed under 16-cv-09572, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Rio Tinto American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) between March 16, 2012 and November 14, 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 Rio Tinto ADRs during the Class Period, you have until February 10, 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]

Rio Tinto, a mining and metals company, finds, mines, and processes mineral resources. The Company mines and produces aluminum products, including bauxite, alumina, and aluminum; copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum, as well as nickel; diamonds, titanium dioxide feedstocks, borates, and salt, as well as high purity iron, metal powders, zircon, and rutile; uranium; iron ore; and thermal coal, and coking or metallurgical coal. Rio Tinto has operations in Australia, North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. At all relevant times, Rio Tinto has held a significant stake in the Simandou iron mine, located in southern Guinea.

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 Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Rio Tinto violated anti-corruption laws in connection with its operations with respect to the Simandou project; (ii) the foregoing violations would expose the Company to significant scrutiny and large fines; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, Rio Tintos public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On November 9, 2016, Rio Tinto announced that on August 29, 2016, Rio Tinto became aware of email correspondence from 2011 relating to contractual payments totalling US$10.5 million made to a consultant providing advisory services on the Simandou project in Guinea, that the Company had suspended Energy & Minerals chief executive Alan Davies, and that the Companys Legal & Regulatory Affairs group executive Debra Valentine had resigned from her role.

On November 14, 2016, post-market, Bloomberg News published an article entitled Rio CEO Says Staff Shocked by Probe That May Take Years. On this news, as the market processed the significance and scope of the investigation that the Company faced, Rio Tintos ADR price fell $1.52, or 3.83%, to close at $38.13 on November 15, 2016, the following trading day.

On November 15, 2016, post-market, Rio Tinto announced the termination of Mr. Davies and Ms. Valentine. On this news, Rio Tintos ADR price fell $0.77, or 2.02%, to close at $37.36 on November 16, 2016.

On November 18, 2016, pre-market, Bloomberg News reported that Guineas Mines and Geology Minister, Abdoulaye Magassouba, had written a letter to Rio Tintos Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Sebastian Jacques, asking him to provide details of the internal inquiry. On November 18, 2016, pre-market, Bloomberg News also published an article entitled Rio Tinto Offered Bribe for Mine, Ex-Guinea Minister Says, reporting that the head of Rio Tintos Guinea operation had offered the countrys former mining minister a bribe in connection with the Simandou project.

On these disclosures, Rio Tintos ADR price fell $1.01, or 2.69%, to close at $36.55 on November 18, 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
why on earth would he do something like this? oh wait.The charging instrument stated that Gary Nathaniel Moore started a fire with the intent to destroy and damage a place of worship  the Savoy Masjid Mosque in Houston. Moore said he attended the mosque every day up to five times a day for five years. The Houston Fire Department (HFD) responded to the fire about 2:47 p.m. on Christmas Day.Breitbart News reported that up in smoke is the DC Medias hoped-for anti-GOP Narrative. Before any facts were known, numerous DC Media outlets immediately exploited the tragedy to place the blame on Donald Trump. As reported by Breitbart Texas, Breitbart News accurately predicted that the DC media would lose interest in the story Now that a devout Muslim has been charged.Moore had an examining trial to determine if there was enough evidence to hold him in jail or on bond. On December 31, 2015, a Harris County criminal court judge heard evidence presented by prosecutors and found probable cause to hold Moore, as reported by Breitbart Texas. The evidence against Moore as reported was compelling.An HFD investigator determined that the fire had five separate and distinct points of origin. A container of charcoal lighter was recovered at or near one of the points of origin.A HFD fire investigator interviewed the Imam who said the mosque was kept unlocked from 7 am  7 pm every day. The Imam said he did not know how the fire started, and said there should not have been any ignitable liquids inside the mosque.Moore told a Houston fire investigator on the day of the fire that he learned of the fire at the mosque from another member of the mosque who called him at home and brought him back to the mosque.Surveillance video from a business close-by showed a bald headed dark skinned male walk quickly away from the mosque at 2:39 pm.He was wearing long dark shorts, a white t-shirt, and had a backpack. The video also showed that three minutes later at 2:42 p.m., smoke could be seen coming from the cameras viewing angle. Video footage also shows the same person walking towards the mosque at 12:54 p.m.The fire investigator who interviewed Moore looked at surveillance video from another location and positively identified the man leaving the mosque as the same person he spoke to at the scene of the fire on December 25. On December 28, another investigator showed Saleem Memon, a member of the mosque for eleven years, a surveillance photo of the man leaving the mosque. He positively identified the man as Gary Nathaniel Moore.On December 29, a search warrant was executed for Moores residence, and officials found a backpack and clothing that appeared to be the same as Moore had on when at the mosque.A container of charcoal lighter was also found at Moores residence that was like the charcoal lighter recovered from Moores residence.According to court documents obtained by Breitbart Texas, Judge Jan Krocker of the 184th District Court in Harris County, Texas sentenced Gary Nathaniel Moore to four years in prison with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The criminal court judge ordered that his sentence start on the day he pleaded guilty  December 9, 2016.Moore was facing up to 99 years in prison or life. Arson is normally a second degree felony punishable by two to twenty years in prison. When it is elevated to a first degree felony as it has been in this case, it is punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison if a person sets fire to a place of worship.The 38-year-old defendant is presently at the Harris County jail in Houston. He was booked in the jail in Houston on December 30, 2015 and has been there on a $100,000 bond.A search of records in Harris County, Texas, showed no other criminal history.
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
And go on Provincial welfare because it's 2016.



Since last November, more than 22,000 government-supported Syrian refugees have settled in Canada. Promised financial support for a year from the federal government, thousands of families are now about to be cut off, leaving provinces to pick up the tab.



Mohamad Bakhash arrived in Canada a year ago and is still struggling to become independent.



There was a lot of help we got from the government, Bakhash told CTV News through an interpreter. But, as well, we had a lot of things that we were trying to do but we were struggling with."



Such things include learning English and finding a job. In Syria, Bakhash supported his family of seven as a real estate agent. In Canada, he lacks the language skills to find work, leaving his family to rely on government assistance -- potentially for years to come.



According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 22,009 government-supported Syrian refugees moved to the country between Nov. 4, 2015 and Nov. 20, 2016.



However, statistics show that only about 10 per cent of refugees find employment in their first year in Canada.



About 800 of the Syrian refugees are now living in Manitoba. Some have found work in restaurants and in the agricultural sector, but its expected that most will continue to need financial help into the foreseeable future. For those who have been in Canada for more than a year, that responsibility now falls to the province.



It comes at a cost -- theres no two ways about that, Ian Wishart, Manitobas Minister of Education and Training, told CTV News.



Moving into month 13 in Canada means that refugee families who once relied on federal aid will now need to apply for provincial social assistance. For the Bakhash family, that amounts to about $1,700 each month. Provincial government are also responsible for housing costs, likely ballooning their budgets by millions of dollars each year.



The longer theyre on income assistance, you know, its not good from a provincial economics point of view, Wishart said. Its not good for their families either, but they have to be ready to go to the workplace.



Thats where support from the federal government will continue, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship John McCallum says.



The language training goes on, the preparation for jobs goes on, McCallum told CTV News. The only thing that is transferred to provincial responsibility is the income support.



Although many refugee families are still looking forward to becoming independent, they are still thankful for the chance at having a war-free future.



Its a really beautiful country, Bakhash 19-year-old son Basal told CTV news. I feel safe here.



With files from CTVs Manitoba Bureau Chief Jill Macyshon
Trump risks war by turning the One China question into a bargaining chipA ministry spokesman warned that if the policy is interfered with, cooperation between the two nations is "out of the question. (Video: Reuters / Photo: AP)President-elect Donald Trump has just said that he considers Americas One China policy a bargaining chip, to be traded off against other things that the United States wants from China. In his description:I dont know why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.  I mean, look  were being hurt very badly by China with devaluation; with taxing us heavy at the borders when we dont tax them; with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldnt be doing; and, frankly, with not helping us at all with North Korea.In other words, the One China policy isnt a big deal  its a bargaining issue, like many other issues. So is Trump right?No. The big deal is this: The relationship between the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan is an ambiguous one, where the Peoples Republic claims Taiwan as part of its national territory but is prepared for the present to let Taiwan continue in existence, while Taiwan also has an interest in not clarifying its relationship with the Peoples Republic too precisely. Both the PRC and the United States adhere to the notion of One China, but they mean very different things by it. Undermining the status quo could lead to full-scale military conflict between the United States and China over an island that both see as vital to their national interests and whose unique status they have managed well up to this point.One China means one thing to ChinaWhat does One China actually mean?For China, it means the one China principle. From the very beginning of the PRC, its leaders have maintained that historically and according to the terms of the Japanese surrender in 1945, Taiwan was a part of the sovereign state of China ruled from its capital on the mainland. The government on Taiwan  which was founded by the side that was defeated in Chinas civil war  is seen as an illegal occupation by the remnants of a defeated regime. Chinas leaders view the recovery of Taiwan as close to being a sacred task that would accomplish the restoration of the Chinese nation, the final victory of the Communist Party, and the end of the countrys exploitation by foreign powers that began in the 19th century.Subtle diplomatic nuances can have big consequencesThe United States has made it clear that it does not consider the political entity on Taiwan (whether it is called Taiwan or the ROC) to be a state within the international community. Here it agrees with the PRC. However, it does not accept Beijings contention that the island of Taiwan, or its government and people, are parts of China. The formal U.S. legal position is that the islands status is undetermined. This means, remarkably, that since 1979, the United States has conducted a relationship with a government it does not officially recognize, that rules a state it does not acknowledge exists, on an island the status of which is undetermined. Such are the subtleties of international diplomacy.On the one hand, the United States respects Beijings position that the ROC is not a state for international purposes. On the other, it does not accept Beijings sovereignty over the people and government of Taiwan.This complicated diplomatic dance has crucial real-world consequences. It means that U.S. policy toward Taiwan has been guided by Americas interests in the relationship with Taiwan, the PRC and Asia as a whole, rather than being constrained by Chinese charges of foreign interference in the nations domestic affairs. Since 1979, under the United States One China policy a broad and varied relationship has developed with the island. For example, the U.S. and Taiwan have presences in each others countries that have diplomatic privileges and immunities. The laws of the United States apply with respect to Taiwan, in the manner that the laws of the United States applied with respect to Taiwan before the breaking of relations and the terms of most pre-1979 treaties have been maintained. There is a significant amount of mutual trade and investment; and according to the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is mandated to make available defensive arms to Taiwan, to maintain Taiwans capacity to resist any use of force or other coercion that would jeopardize its security and well-being, and after consultation between the president and Congress to determine  appropriate action by the United States if there is any such threat. There is extensive consultation between military and civilian officials; Taiwans president is permitted to make transit stops in the United States on the way to other destinations under agreed rules; and officials at the Cabinet level have visited Taiwan. Finally, while the United States accepts the position that Taiwan is not a sovereign state, it supports the ROCs meaningful participation (rather than membership) in international organizations where statehood is a requirement.In short, the United States has built a much closer relationship with Taiwan than with many acknowledged nation-states, and it has done so despite the Chinese claim that both China and Taiwan come under one China. After all, one country doesnt sell arms to or maintain quasi-diplomatic relations with a subdivision (think California) of another nation state.Since 1979, the United States has looked to maintain the status quo between the PRC and Taiwan by saying that it will intervene if either side takes unilateral action to change the status quo (e.g. if the mainland tries to coerce Taiwan into unification, or Taiwan declares independence). It is officially neutral as to how the PRC and Taiwan ultimately resolve their differences, simply insisting that it has to involve a mutually agreed upon peaceful settlement.While the U.S. position is driven by a variety of political interests, Chinas position is driven by a desire for national unity that Chinas leadership has defined as existential and nonnegotiable. This means that the U.S. approach flouts essential elements of the Chinese position. Moreover, not only is Washington maintaining a relationship that contravenes Chinas One China policy, but it has apparently put itself in a position of setting the conditions for the resolution of the conflict. The reason this has not led to overt hostilities is because all sides have behaved with restraint to maintain a very fragile peace. They know full well how sensitive these differences are.This is why Trumps suggestion that One China is another bargaining chip, which the United States can play or not play as it likes, is both misleading and risky. On the one hand, it apparently misses the subtle, but extremely significant, differences between the American one China policy and the Chinese one China principle. On the other, it endangers the central tenet of American policy in the area  the maintenance of the status quo. The Trump transition team has already referred to Tsai Ing-wen as President of Taiwan. This publicly undermines the only aspect of the One China issue where the United States and China actually agree  that Taiwan is not a state, while starkly exposing the reality of the quasi state-to-state relationship that the American One China policy obscures. By using Taiwans status as a negotiating ploy, Trump is doubling down on this dangerous strategy. Chinas vital national interests are in conflict with U.S. policy, and stable relations are fragile, because all the parties are unhappy with the present situation. If the incoming administration persists in its apparent careless indifference, it runs the risk of grossly destabilizing U.S.-China relations, and even risks war.
But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something

over there only because I am here . But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past

as past
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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
You know what's really good and relatively basic? The sandwich at the subject of my Magazine column this week: BLT Prime by David Burke.

Yeah, yeah, it's inside the most controversial hotel in town, but the burger is a beaut. The beef is dry-aged, the sesame seed bun is prime and the accompanying French fries are thin, crisp and delicious.

More approachable are the mini-burgers at the sundry Matchbox restaurants around the area. They're made decadent with onion straws. Readers, feel free to weigh in with other ideas.

Good morning, everyone. I'm still recovering from my 15-plus-hour return flight from India on Sunday, so forgive the typos and any response that doesn't seem to make sense today. I've been up since 3 a.m.

While I was away, a bunch of my colleagues went to the just-opened MGM Casino in National Harbor and ate their way through the possibilities. Here's their dispatch. Also, the Sunday Magazine devoted an issue to luxury, in which I served up five different culinary splurges.

Let's get started. Tell me what's on your mind.
The Sunday Times has published its Rich List for 2016, revealing the richest people in South Africa and the executives with the highest pay packages.

The biggest salary packages in South Africa went to Richemont joint-CEOs Bernard Fornas and Richard Lepeu, who received packages of R103 million and R96 million respectively.

Investec executive director Hendrik du Toit ranked third with a pay package of R86 million.

The top-earning telecommunications executive was Datatec CEO Jens Montanana, with a salary package of R42 million.

Former MTN CEO Raymond (Sifiso) Dabengwa, who left the company following the Nigerian fine debacle, received R41 million in salary and bonuses.

The table below provides an overview of the top IT executive salaries in South Africa.

Sunday Times Rich List Rank Person Company Total Pay Package 1 Bernard Fornas Richemont R103 million 2 Richard Lepeu Richemont R96 million 3 Hendrik du Toit Investec R86 million 19 Jens Montanana Datatec R42 million 21 Sifiso Dabengwa MTN R41 million 47 Mark Sorour Naspers R23 million 57 Bob van Dijk Naspers R21 million 70 Jacques Schindehutte Telkom R19 million

Best-paid telecoms bosses in South Africa

Telkoms latest annual report showed that CEO Sipho Maseko received a total pay package of R14.51 million for the financial year ended 2016.

Group CFO Deon Fredericks earned R9.5 million  up from R8.67 million in 2015.

While Maseko and Fredericks enjoyed big salary packages, they are not the best-paid telecommunications executives in South Africa.

Dabengwa  whose package included a compensation for loss of office bonus of R24 million  earned R41 million.

Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub also did not do badly over the past year, with a pay package of over R20 million.

The table below shows the salary packages of South Africas top telecommunications executives.

Telecom Executives Pay Packages Executive Position Total Pay Package Sifiso Dabengwa Former MTN CEO R40,581,000 Brett Goschen MTN CFO R9,256,000 Shameel Joosub Vodacom CEO R21,796,600 Ivan Dittrich Former Vodacom CFO R7,712,433 Sipho Maseko Telkom CEO R14,510,729 Deon Fredericks Telkom CFO R9,456,765 Brett Levy Blue Label Telecoms CEO R14,122,000 Mark Levy Blue Label Telecoms CEO R14,122,000 Mark Pamensky Former Blue Label Telecoms COO R9,476,000

Now read: Biggest IT salary packages in South Africa
President Jacob Zuma plans to be the mayor of Nkandla after retirement, he said at the funeral of late struggle veteran Riot Mkhwanazi on Sunday.

When I say to people [that] when Im going to take my pension, I am going to contest to be a councilor in my ward, people laugh, Zuma said, prompting laughter from the crowd.

I was saying [to] someone yesterday my ambition is to be mayor of Nkandla one day.

Mkwanazi, 83, passed away last Sunday and was laid to rest in special provincial funeral in Kwa-Dlangezwa, KwaZulu-Natal.

Speaking at the funeral, Zuma went into great detail about the role Mkwanazi played to bring freedom in South Africa. Zuma and Mkwanazi spent 10 years together on Robben island.

We are laying to rest one of the best of our movement. He is part of a generation that is sadly leaving us now, because age will always catch up with anyone.

[They] delivered a freedom that looked far beyond our reach. They were prepared to give it all  even their lives.[Mkwanazi] taught us that leadership is all about service to your people  a passion to make a difference in our society and commitment to realise such aspirations.

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Charles III travels with teddy bear and toilet seat

EU plans to finance programs in Armenia for AMD 55 billion 747 mln

Economy minister: Armenia and Iran are making efforts to jointly sell goods to third countries

Storm in Philippines leaves 150 people killed

Inflation in Turkey is up to 85.51% in October

Borrell thanks UN and Turkey for facilitating Russia's return to the grain deal

Foreign direct investments in Armenia last year totals AMD 129.2bln

Minister: Examination of Armenian soldiers' bodies continues

Jaguar station wagon from Elizabeth II fleet to be sold at auction

IMF plans to provide more than $165 million to Armenia

Minister of Economy: Armenia's role in Eurasian Economic Union grows

Biden says U.S. troops will stay in Europe for a long time

Vahan Hunanyan: Yerevan and Tehran have no disagreements on most issues

Armenia, Russia to collaborate in information security

Artsakh State Minister: There are many principal disagreements with Armenian authorities

Public TV Company of Armenia to make purchase worth AMD 2 698.6mln for Junior Eurovision 2022

Armenian-Russian trade turnover up by 71.7%, Economy Minister

Secretaries of CIS Security Councils to discuss nuclear security

Economy minister: Armenia exports to other EEU countries increased 2 times

Outgoing Artsakh Minister Artak Beglaryan to take position in state government system

Japan Coast Guard reports 3 North Korean missile launches in a day

Pashinyan says Armenian government did a lot for revival of Armenian aviation

Oil falls in price

Patrushev comments on Zelenskiy's statement about preventive nuclear strike

WSJ: Americans favor Republicans over Democrats

Turkey announces normalization of grain corridor

Gold prices are down

Putin calls on CIS countries security councils to use all their security capabilities

SPRING PR founders were awarded the 'Global PR Leader of the year'

Copper prices are rising

State Duma member proposes to extend term of military service in Russia

Iranian MPs: Powerful Iran will never tolerate changing of its borders

Turkey to complete construction of pipeline in Black Sea in November

Newspaper: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty to be signed in Georgia

US delivers more than 200 artillery systems to Ukraine since February

Secretary of Armenian Security Council to visit Moscow

Switzerland to direct $100 million to repair energy infrastructure in Ukraine

Study: Blue whales eat 10 million particles of microplastics a day

Microsoft president warns of shortage of staff to fight climate change

Latvia extends state of emergency on Belarus border

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

Regnum Agency suspends its work

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

National interest: Why China fears the emerging Turkic alliance

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

Russian Foreign Ministry issues statement on prevention of nuclear war

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

Danish Prime Minister resigns

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
STEPANAKERT.  The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces around 30 times, from late Sunday night to early Monday morning.

During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired more than 400 shots toward the Armenian position-holders, and by way of various caliber rifle weapons, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) Defense Army informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In addition, the adversary fired 14 mortar shells toward Armenian positions, from its outposts that are located in a southerly direction (Horadiz settlement of the NKR) of the contact line.

But the NKR Defense Army vanguard units primarily refrained from taking actions in response, and took retaliatory actions solely when absolutely necessary.

At present, the situation is relatively calm all through the line of contact.
STEPANAKERT.  President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), Bako Sahakyan, convened an enlarged consultation devoted to constitutional reforms in the country.

The President gave a satisfactory rating to the respective hard work carried out by the Professional Commission on Constitutional Reforms, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. He added that, overall, the submitted draft provides answers to the questions that are circulating among public and political thinking.

Sahakyan stressed that constitutional reforms are a demand of the times, and they aim at further strengthening human rights and freedoms as well as rule of democracy and law, improving the balance of powers, and raising the efficiency of state governance in the country.

After carrying out some editorial work pursuant to the current Constitution and laws, the draft of the new Constitution will be sent to the National Assembly for getting the Parliaments approval, Bako Sahakyan noted in his remarks. Only after this will it be possible to speak about the date for putting it to a referendum.
During recent meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE), a decision was passed regarding Azerbaijan, whereby the latters authorities were urged to fully comply with judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

One of these judgments concerns activist Ilgar Mammadov, whom the Azerbaijan authorities refuse to release, despite the ECtHR decision that his detention was unlawful.

In addition, the CoE Committee of Ministers expressed its concern in connection with not-fulfillment of its verdict on the case into Azerbaijani journalists Rovshan Mahmudov and Yasar Agazad. Even though they were sentenced to 2.5 years in prison, they were released under an Azerbaijani presidential amnesty. The ECtHR, however, believes that free speech was violated during their cases.
Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan, Elmira Suleymanova, admitted her mistake, and confirmed that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had not issued a statement regarding the case of Azerbaijani citizens Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who are imprisoned in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh).

The Azerbaijan ombudswomans staff informed that the ICRC does not express a view on the reasons for arrests, legal domain for being in custody, and legality of the sentence, reported APA news agency of Azerbaijan.

On December 9, the Azerbaijan ombudswoman had issued a scandalous statement, and attributed to the ICRC president an utterly incorrect statement regarding the case of Asgarov and Guliyev.

They [i.e. the ICRC] told us that the punishment against Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev does not comply with the norms of international law and runs contrary to it, Suleymanova had said.

In response, however, the ICRC issued a clarification, and dismissed this statement by the Azerbaijan ombudswoman.

And after thinking for a while, Elmira Suleymanova confirmed this clarification.

The ICRC never expresses an opinion on the reasons for arrests, legal domain for being in custody, and legality of the sentence, she noted.

Azerbaijani citizens Shahbaz Guliyev (born in 1968), Dilgam Asgarov (born in 1960), and Hasan Hasanovwho was killed by the Armenian armed forces while rendering these saboteurs ineffectivehad illegally crossed the NKR state border on June 29, 2014, and they were armed with weapons and ammunition. The three had entered the territory of the Shahumyan Region of Karabakh, and as spies, to collect information and carry out espionage.

On July 4, 2014, they had kidnapped and subsequently murdered Karabakh citizen Smbat Tsakanyan, 17, whose body was found on July 15, 2014, and with gunshot wounds, in a forest at the Shahumyan Region.

In addition, on the evening of July 11, 2014, Hasanov had killed Armenia capital city Yerevan resident Sargis Abrahamyan (born in 1971), and severely wounded Armenias Dzoraghbyur village resident Karine Davtyan, on the Vardenis-Karvachar Highway. Hasanov was armed and he resisted arrest; as a result, he was neutralized by the NKR special forces. Guliyev and Asgarov, on the other hand, were detained, and they faced trial in the NKR.

Asgarov was charged with espionage; unauthorized border trespass; kidnapping and violence against a minor, committed by an organized group; murder committed by an organized group motivated by ethnic hatred; and attempt of murder of two persons, committed by an organized group, motivated by ethnic hatred.

Guliyev was charged with espionage; unauthorized border trespass; kidnapping and violence against a minor, committed by an organized group; and murder committed by an organized group motivated by ethnic hatred.

And on December 29, 2014, the First Instance General Jurisdiction Court of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic sentenced Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev to life and 22 years, respectively, in prison.
YEREVAN.  Independent Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) shall sit at the negotiating table with the Azerbaijanis, and it, not Armenia, shall determine its destiny.

Former deputy chief of the National Security Service of Armenia, Gurgen Yeghiazaryan, stated the above-said at a press conference on Monday.

He hailed the recent statement by US ex-Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, who had maintained that Nagorno-Karabakh has long been ready to conduct an independent policy.

Its the first time that we hear such a statement that Karabakh must definitely participate in the [peace] process, as an independent party, added Yeghiazaryan.

In his words, there is solely one way: Artsakhs recognition as a state, and it shall decide what is next.

Azerbaijanis expect that we [i.e. the Armenian side] attack first; they always cause damage to the Armenian sides, with snipers and other means, noted Gurgen Yeghiazaryan. But I welcome [the fact] that we are not the first to attack.
SOUTH BEND  Members of Cass County fire departments spend most of their time preventing flames from spreading at each of their emergency calls.

They spent Saturday afternoon spreading a large amount of goodwill to children of area veterans.

Members of seven local departments donated their time and resources to help provide dozens of children with Christmas presents. Firefighters from Murdock, Avoca, Manley, Weeping Water, Murray, Plattsmouth and Greenwood dropped off scores of toys at Round the Bend Steakhouse for the program, which was sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. Children of disabled or financially-struggling military veterans will receive the toys this coming weekend in Lincoln.

Shon Olson, Commandant of the Department of Nebraska Marine Corps League, said he was grateful for the generosity of the local fire departments.

The response that weve received from all of the volunteers has been amazing, Olson said. I think this is one of the biggest programs weve ever done. Its been quite something to see all of the toys around the tree. Im very appreciative of all of the donations.

Murdock Fire Chief Alan Brockhoff said he and other fire department members heard about Olsons efforts to help children of veterans earlier this fall. Brockhoff brought information to the Cass County Mutual Aid Association and asked department members if they would be willing to buy toys. Brockhoff said they responded with enthusiasm to the proposal.

It seemed like the right thing to do, Brockhoff said.

Olson worked with local Veterans Administration officials to select 26 families for the program. He said the toys would boost the morale of many adults and children living in local communities.

These are families who were having to decide whether to pay an electric bill or buy their children Christmas presents, Olson said. These toys are going to go to children who may not have had any presents if these firefighters and other community members had not stepped up. These toys are guaranteed to go to homes where they will be appreciated and cherished.

Each one of the participating Cass County departments purchased items ranging from Barbies to board games and saved them for Saturdays occasion. Multiple fire trucks arrived at Round the Bend Steakhouses parking lot and firefighters transported the items from the vehicles to a Christmas tree inside the restaurant. The toys were stacked up to the midway point of the tree by the end of the event.

Olson and other Department of Nebraska Marine Corps League members will distribute the toys to families at the Legacy Estates building at 7200 Van Dorn Street in Lincoln on the afternoon of Dec. 17. Each child will receive at least one item that they mentioned on wish lists to VA employees. The large number of toys that came Saturday means children will be able to take home extra items as well.

Brockhoff said local firefighters were happy to help create happy memories for children over the holidays.

Its a great feeling to know that well be able to help children this Christmas, Brockhoff said.
Terror attacks in Istanbul are extremely unfavorable to the Kurdistan Workers Party, which is not interested in continuing its confrontation with the Turkish Government.

Fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Victor Nadein-Rayevsk, who is also a political analyst and turkologist, told the aforementioned to Armenian News  NEWS.am, touching on the recent blasts in Istanbul.

In his words, the responsibility of the Kurdistan Workers Party for the terror attacks in Istanbul is extremely dubious.

Yes, this resembles a Kurdish signature, because they are against the servicemen, that is, the Kurds dont fight against civilians. However, ISIS chooses more crowded places, since it is necessary to frighten, bring to knees, etc.

The Kurds have quite different tasks: as a rule, they fight against servicemen, gendarmerie and police. But the thing is that according to not so verified data, the so-called Kurdistan Freedom Falcons organization has claimed responsibility [for the attacks], Viktor Nadein-Rayevski noted.

According to him, this organization, which once used to be a youth one, then slightly grew up and separated from the Kurdistan Workers Party. It has nothing common with the Kurdistan Workers Party. For them, Abdullah Ocalan and Kurdish partisans are betrayers of the nation. It is unknown who is included in this organization and who leads it, but, as a rule, their actions (one of which was held this February, when the bus with aviators was blown up not far from the General Staff in Ankara) take place at a time which is rather convenient for the authorities. This time the terror attack happened again at a time convenient for the authorities, since immediately after this the ruling parties came up with initiatives on widening the scope of presidential powers and turning the country from a parliamentary republic into a presidential one, the analyst said. In this case this was a very convenient time for a terror attack exactly for the authorities.

Actually, Ocalan, who has been long trying to resume the ties with the Government and return to the talks, is not interested in the terror attacks. Secondly, Kurdistan Workers Party doesnt fight in large cities: it organizes nothing like that in large cities. They have quite a different signature, Nadein-Rayevsky stressed.

There are suspicions that the organization Kurdistan Freedom Falcons was established by the Turkish authorities themselves. But to reach a final conclusions on this matter one should, of course, watch who will officially claim responsibility [for the attacks], the analyst concluded.

Two terror attacks took place near Vodafone Arena stadium in Istanbul in the evening of December 10.
YEREVAN. - The turnover of the IT sphere in Armenia amounted to $500 million in 2016, growing by 20 percent as compared to last year and impacting the GDP by 6 percent.

Director of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), Bagrat Yengibaryan, told the aforementioned to reporters on Monday.

According to him, Armenia has 540 IT companies, which employ 16,000 workers. This year was outstanding in terms of the opening of an unprecedented number of new enterprises, Yengibaryan noted, adding that currently a shift is made from the IT sphere to the engineering one, the most vivid example of this being the Armenian national engineering laboratories and the project of establishing an engineering town in Jrvezh.

Yengibaryan also noted that 50 percent of the IT specialists have been and continue being trained by the EIF, the number of the educational program beneficiaries exceeding 20,000.

The Foundation also supports the governments of a number of countries in developing the IT sphere through introducing its own model. The list of these countries includes Moldova, Montenegro, Bahrain, Jamaica, as well as a number of Latin American countries and Taiwan. One of the key achievements of the EIF is the establishment of technology centers in the provinces.
PLATTSMOUTH  A Florida man will spend time in state prison for leading authorities on a high-speed car chase that ended near the Plattsmouth city limits.

Donnell J. Johnson Jr., 30, appeared in Cass County District Court Monday morning for sentencing on two charges. The Sunrise, Fla., resident reached a plea deal last week with prosecutors. He pled guilty to one Class IV felony charge of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and one Class I misdemeanor count of attempted theft by taking-$1,500 to $5,000. The state agreed to dismiss two additional charges in exchange for the guilty pleas.

The Aug. 11 chase began just before 2:30 p.m. in northeastern Kansas. Johnson drove away after the Kansas Highway Patrol attempted to pull over his sport-utility vehicle on a stretch of Highway 75. Johnson crossed the state line into Nebraska and ignored commands from the Nebraska State Patrol to stop.

The car chase moved through Richardson County and approached dangerous speeds in Nemaha County. The pursuit lasted approximately nine minutes before troopers called it off for public safety reasons south of Auburn. The chase reached speeds of more than 100 mph on that section of Highway 75.

Johnson continued driving north on Highway 75 through Otoe County and much of Cass County. Aircraft from both the Nebraska State Patrol and Kansas Highway Patrol monitored the vehicle as it moved towards Plattsmouth. Local authorities diverted traffic and installed a series of spike strips on the highway south of town.

The spike strips flattened the cars tires near the Plattsmouth city limits. The vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of Highway 75 and Osage Ranch Boulevard near the Woodhouse Ford South car dealership.

Johnson fled the vehicle on foot and tried to break into several cars on the Woodhouse lot in order to escape the scene. He then ran into the dealership building after he was unable to get into any cars. Authorities arrested him inside the building and transported him to Cass County Jail.

Deputy County Attorney Steven Sunde told the court Monday that a prison sentence was appropriate. He said Johnson could have injured or killed people with his decisions during the chase. He said a head-on collision with a semi on the highway was only avoided because of quick-thinking actions by the driver of the semi.

The main point of emphasis here is the number of lives he put in jeopardy, Sunde said. I know there was more than one near-accident during this chase.

Sunde said he felt Johnsons criminal record also warranted a prison sentence. He said Johnson was convicted of resisting arrest in both 2010 and 2011 and was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer in Florida in 2013. Johnsons record also includes convictions for possession of cocaine in 2007, distribution of marijuana in 2008 and driving under suspension with a habitual offender designation in 2011.

Defense attorney Michael Ziskey asked the court to follow terms of the plea deal. He said the agreement was a fair one given the circumstances of the case.

Judge Michael A. Smith said he would follow the sentencing recommendations from both sides. He ordered Johnson to serve 480 days in the Nebraska Department of Corrections on the felony charge and 180 days on the misdemeanor count. Johnson will serve both charges at the same time and will be given credit for 124 days already spent in jail.

Smith also ruled Johnson would serve nine months of post-release supervision after he completes his prison sentence. Post-release supervision includes many of the same requirements as a traditional probation sentence.

Johnson declined to sign the post-release supervision order form because he questioned some of the terms. Smith entered the order without Johnsons signature in the courtroom. Authorities then led Johnson out of the courtroom to begin serving the sentence.
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to support Kiev to achieve visa liberation as soon as possible, she said in a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

The Ukrainian presidential press service informed that "the parties expressed a concern over the continuous ceasefire violations by the Russian fighters." Poroshenko also evaluated blocking the process of releasing Ukrainian prisoners by Russia as inadmissible.

Poroshenko expressed a hope, that the decision on the extension of the EU sanctions against Russia will soon be adopted. Merkel said, that she will support Ukraine to complete the process of receiving visa liberation as soon as possible. The interlocutors also touched upon the issue of energy security of Ukraine and the EU.
Head of Alaska's Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office Resigning

Alaska's voters legalized commercial marijuana in November 2015; the Marijuana Control Board was created in the summer of 2015.

Cynthia Franklin, the director of Alaska's Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office who has overseen the rollout of legal pot in the state, is resigning, Alaska Dispatch Publishing's Laurel Andrews reported last week, writing that Franklin announced her resignation to members of the Alcohol and Marijuana control boards on Dec. 7 Wednesday afternoon in an email forwarded to Alaska Dispatch News.

Franklin wrote that her final day as director will be Jan. 6, and that she will become an assistant attorney general in the Consumer Protection Unit.

There are two state boards involved: the Marijuana Control Board, which was established as a regulatory and quasi-judicial agency for the control of the cultivation, manufacture and sale of marijuana in the state, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, established as a regulatory and quasi-judicial agency for control of the manufacture, barter, possession, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the state.

Alaska's voters legalized commercial marijuana in November 2015; the Marijuana Control Board was created in the summer of 2015.
What Wellness Can Learn from Occupational Safety

Many of us are familiar with the saying, "Iif you can't measure it, you can't manage it." This is difficult for corporate wellness program providers, considering they can't actually manage an employee's personal health.

While the industry could argue for value on investment, which is an intangible asset that contributes a great deal to the performance of an organization, most companies continue to seek out return on investment (ROI). How can the wellness industry best handle this expectation?

One approach is to examine the parallel field of occupational health and safety, which is also concerned with the health, safety, and welfare of employees. Sixty years ago, health and safety programs were rare. Today, they're embedded in many businesses. What is interesting about these programs is that they don't focus on ROI, but instead what actions have been taken to make the program successful.

Can you imagine a leader saying, "We lost an employee last year to an accident. Let's get rid of the health and safety program. It isn't working"? Of course not. What you would hear instead in this situation is: "Where did our health and safety program go wrong? How will we improve it?"

The International Labor Organization has published a set of guidelines to help organizations run successful safety programs, including recommendations that they operate based on a strong policy and planning framework as well as "checking and corrective action, management review and continual improvement." These are also applicable for wellness programs. While you can't "manage" an employee's personal health you can try to influence it, which in the long run will result in positive ROI.

According to Dee Edington, known in the industry as the "godfather of health risk-management," wellness and safety have "synergistic objectives" to help employees and employers achieve healthy and safe individuals and places to work. "It is clear to me that what they can do together far exceeds what can be accomplished separately," says Edington, professor emeritus at the University of Michigan. He notes that Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the global independent safety science company, recently created the Integrated Health and Safety Institute, a not-for-profit institute dedicated to advancing the integration of health and safety programs within corporations around the world.

To be successful, wellness programs require management buy-in and leadership, as well as having the right systems in place to make them work.

A compelling tool is one that keeps executives informed and engaged on internal wellness programs. One example is CoreHealth Technologies' Executive Dashboard, which includes a communication forum that prompts questions and conversation around continuous improvement while also providing reportable metrics for presentation at the senior executive and board level.

Visibility and metrics into employee satisfaction and the development of a high performance company culture is an improvement mechanism that is often lacking in wellness programs. This is a key component in the successful implementation of most strategic planning and management systems.

It's time for wellness to take a page from occupational health and safety and focus on the factors that improve wellness program success, rather than zooming in on outcomes.

Anne-Marie Kirby, Founder and CEO of CoreHealth Technologies, is at the forefront of health and wellness innovation, and develops a sophisticated corporate wellness technology platform for organizations. The company is located in Kelowna, BC, Canada.
Nigerias president, Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that the yet to be presented 2017 budget would take Nigeria out of economic recession.

President Buhari says the 2017 budget will end economic recession in the country .

Mr Buhari stated this in his Eid-el Maulud message to Muslims and Nigerians.

The President said with collective dedication and hard work, Nigerians would in 2017 overcome the economic difficulties, and return the country to the path of prosperity.

Again, the calendar of life has brought us into another period of celebration, and deep reflection. Celebration, because we are marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), and deep reflection, because it is another opportunity of pausing, taking a deep breath and reflecting on the current realities before us.

First of all, I wish all Muslims a happy and memorable celebration of the birth of the great Prophet, through whose teachings, particularly on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice and honesty, and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely in building a harmonious and prosperous society. The universal truths of the Prophets values remain unchanged.

READ ALSO: Buhari under MASSIVE fire over Nigerias economic recession

Against all odds, we have used these pillars of strength in securing a just and fair society, and our efforts are beginning to yield dividends in curbing terrorism, militancy, corruption and other crimes that devalue our humanity.

As we use the memorable occasion of this celebration to reflect on our current challenges, I urge you not to lose faith in the ability of this administration to make a difference in the lives of our people.

The reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us; rather it should remind us of why we need to stay together, fight together and succeed together.

We all share a vision of a better Nigeria, and we will all share in the responsibility of building the country of our dreams.

Mr Buhari said the challenges should remind Nigerians why they needed to remain united.

Meanwhile, the US Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr John Bray, is advising President Muhammadu Buhari on how he can move the country out of the problem that has brought hardship on the citizens.

Bray said Nigeria must start attracting more foreign direct investments if it wants to leave recession.

Source: Legit.ng
LINCOLN - Beginning Thursday, Dec. 15 and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, Nebraska State Patrol will take part in the national You Drink & Drive You Lose campaign in an effort to remove Impaired drivers from our roadways.

Impaired driving spells holiday heartache, not holiday cheer, said Colonel Brad Rice, Superintendent

of the Nebraska State Patrol. We are asking all motorists to partner with us to keep the holidays safe

and happy. Through voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws you can help keep our roadways safe.

Troopers and Communications Specialists will work overtime hours during the special You Drink & Drive You Lose campaign, which encompasses both the Christmas and New Years holidays. A $27,375 grant from the Nebraska Department of Roads - Highway Safety Office will help pay for the extra enforcement.

Motorists are reminded to always wear their seat belt, never drive impaired or distracted, obey the posted speed limit, and dont travel faster than conditions allow.

Travelers can keep up to date with the latest weather and road conditions by utilizing 511, Nebraskas

Advanced Traveler Information System. Dial 511 or check online at < www.511.nebraska.gov >. A Nebraska 511 mobile app is also available to download at no cost for smartphone users. Simply search your app provider for Nebraska 511.

To report reckless or impaired drivers, or if you need non-emergency roadside assistance, call the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline when safe to do so, at (star) *55 from your cell phone or 1-800-525-5555 from any landline. Emergencies should be reported to 911.

We want everyone to be home for the holidays - and every day, Rice said.
Airbus delegates have arrived in Tehran for talks aimed at finalising a deal to sell around 100 planes, an Iranian official said Monday.

The representatives of the European aerospace giant arrived on Sunday just hours after national carrier Iran Air concluded a $16.6 billion deal with US firm Boeing to buy 80 planes.

"An Airbus delegation has arrived in Tehran," said Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, deputy minister for transport.

"We have started negotiations and if there are no problems, we will sign the agreement within a week for the purchase of around 100 planes," he told AFP.

Meanwhile, some conservatives in Iran reacted angrily to news of the deal with Boeing, which comes at a time when lawmakers in Washington have recently voted for renewed sanctions on the country.

Iran says the renewal of sanctions, which President Barack Obama is expected to approve in the coming days, is a breach of the nuclear deal it signed with world powers last year.

"60 trillion tomans: Iran's gift to the US for violating the JCPOA (nuclear deal)", read Monday's headline on the hardline Javan newspaper.

But Iran has been desperate to access new planes and parts after decades of economic isolation has left it with one of the world's worst aviation safety records.

Both Boeing and Airbus, which manufactures some of its parts in the United States, were granted special permission from the US Treasury in September to go ahead with deals in Iran.

sgh/er/dv
Construction projects in at least six Latin American countries have been impacted by a major Brazilian corruption scandal that saw companies pay bribes for contracts, a regional investigation showed Sunday. Progress in "Operation Car Wash" -- a massive probe into embezzlement and bribery at the Brazilian state oil firm Petrobras -- led the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) to suspend the disbursement of $3.6 billion for 16 projects in Argentina, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Honduras and Guatemala, according to a report by the Latin American press consortium Diarios America (GDA) published in Brazil's O Globo newspaper. Grants were awarded between 2003 and 2015 under the governments of left-wing presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff. In Venezuela, which received $3.1 billion for six construction projects, the expansion of the Caracas metro is now compromised. In the Dominican Republic, which received $2.5 billion, the completion of road works and the construction of a thermoelectric plant are at stake. Projects in the African countries of Angola, Ghana and Mozambique are also under review. The GDA report said the projects were all under the charge of Brazil's largest construction companies now embroiled in Operation Car Wash: Odebrecht, Andrade Gutierrez Camargo Correa, Queiroz Galvao and OAS. The investigation indicated that seven countries -- Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Peru and Uruguay -- requested information from Brazilian prosecutors in order to investigate contracts under suspension. Petrobras is accused of giving inflated contracts to big construction firms in exchange for hefty bribes, with high-ranking politicians taking a cut of the proceeds. Dozens of politicians and some of Brazil's richest businessmen have been charged or convicted. Brazilian President Michel Temer on Saturday "vehemently" denied asking Odebrecht for nearly $3 million in campaign funds for a party candidate, a new twist in the scandal. GDA is a consortium of 11 Latin American newspapers, including O Globo, Argentina's La Nacion and Chile's El Mercurio.
Qatar Airways is renegotiating with Airbus to change an order for up to 80 A320 neo planes to the larger A321 neos, the Gulf carrier's chief executive said on Monday.

The switch to the larger planes is an option after Qatar Airways refused to accept four A320 neos earlier this year over issues with the aircraft's engines.

"Yes, we have cancelled a few deliveries," said the airline's chief executive, Akbar Al-Baker, speaking in Doha.

"We are in negotiation with Airbus, how we can continue our relationship and keep our order on track, minus the ones that we cancelled."

Baker said Qatar Airways was "renegotiating" the contract to change the A320s to A321s and for the newly ordered aircraft to have engines from a different manufacturer.

"We are looking at substituting 320s with 321s and substituting those aeroplanes with CFM," he said, referring to engines produced by CFM International, a venture between GE of the United States and France's Safran.

The engines on the cancelled planes were made by Pratt and Whitney.

Baker said that deliveries of the new planes would begin in 2018.

In October, the airline announced an order worth up to $6.9 billion (6.5 billion euros) with Boeing for up to 100 aeroplanes.

dh/dv
Its important to understand what kind of data you are collecting, and how easy it is to access

Lawyer Jeremiah Chew shared practical tips for Startups and SMEs on the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) during a Facebook Live Q&A with AsiaLawNetwork and our partners e27 and General Assembly.

Below are the edited excerpts.

Lets talk about the history of the PDPA and some of the core rules around it

The PDPA stands for the Personal Data Protection Act which was passed in parliament in 2012. The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) is the agency that enforces the PDPA in Singapore.

The PDPA is a complaint-based regime. The PDPC will investigate into any potential breach after somebody has made a complaint. Customer management is therefore important. Firms who inform the customers about the type of data they are collecting and the ways in which they are going to use the data are less likely to receive complaints.

The PDPC recently released a number of decisions relating to breaches of the PDPA by businesses. Some of the organizations received a fine while others got a warning. All these decisions are published on the PDPC website and are public.

Why is the PDPA important?

We are living in an increasingly interdependent world. Every organization will come into contact with personal data at some point in time.

For example, one of the recent decisions by the PDPC relates to the security measures of a condominium.

The security guards at the condominium had a log book that guests are required to fill in. The log book contained personal data about names, contact details and car plate numbers.

It was left unattended at certain periods of time. After a resident complained to the PDPC, the PDPC investigated and issued a warning to the managing agent. This just emphasizes the importance of personal data protection for all types of organizations

If I am a consumer facing company, but I work with many freelance contractors and a fully own subsidiary, what is the exposure if the subsidiary commits a breach on personal data with customers of the main company?

The PDPA provides for a certain class of organization as data intermediaries, who process personal data on behalf of another organization. In this case, the subsidiary or the contractors are likely data intermediaries of the company.

Story continues

The PDPA states that a company remains responsible for acts carried out by data intermediaries. You are advised to put measures in place to make sure that any personal data you transfer to them is going to be well-protected. You should at least have a contract with the subsidiary and freelance contractors that obliges those parties to comply with the PDPA.

A practical example of data intermediary management involved the SGX and a printing company.

Also Read: This Indonesian novel can also be enjoyed as VR content

The printing company was a data intermediary of SGX and printed wrong details in the statements, which were then also disclosed to the wrong customers. Although the PDPC found that the printing company was in breach of the PDPA, SGX was not found to be guilty.

This was because SGX had a secure structure and had clear contractual clauses obliging its intermediary to abide by the PDPA.

What are some practical tips for companies putting information on the cloud?

You should be very careful of the information placed on the cloud. If you create a Google document with a shareable URL, it is technically a public document since anyone who knows the actual url will be able to access the document.

I suggest that you should put an additional level of security to such documents. This could be in the form of encryption or password-protection.

The PDPC has taken action against organizations for such cases of public documents. For example, one organization had a membership system where members could access their membership details and personal data.

A customer from the organization found that by changing the string of numbers at the end of the URL, he could access another persons data. The organization was eventually given a warning.

If I set up a Singapore company but my operations are in another country, how does the PDPA affect my company?

As long as you are collecting some sort of personal data from Singapore, you are required to follow the PDPA. The only exception is if you are not collecting, using or disclosing personal data from anybody in Singapore.

Different countries may have different data privacy rules. If you operate in different jurisdictions, you are required to comply with these different data protection laws.

What are the countries in Asia that are more stringent when it comes to Personal Data Protection?

In Southeast Asia, Singapore is one of the frontrunners and one of the first to implement data privacy law. Hong Kong has also recently come up with their own data protection law.

Do we need to use a server or something that is located in Singapore if we are collecting personal data in Singapore?

There is no need to use a server in Singapore. However, if you do want to store personal data from people in Singapore in a server overseas, you will be required to comply with the storage requirements of the PDPA.

Also Read: Indias Hyperloop experiment is a victory for moonshots across Asia

The PDPA has a transfer limitation obligation and you need to make sure that data transferred to another country is protected to standard required by the PDPA. A good practice is to actually tell your customers where you are planning to store the data (e.g. on the server in X, Y, Z country).

How should companies structure their terms of use and privacy policy?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to having a privacy policy. It is important to consider the following things when crafting your privacy policy

What types of personal data are you collecting

What purposes are you collecting this personal data for?

How are you going to treat this personal data?

In the privacy policy, you are required to put in the contact of a representative that people approach if they have questions about the PDPA. This representative is known as the data protection officer.

In my article, I mentioned in greater detail some other practices that companies can adopt.

How often should companies update their privacy policy?

My preference is to do it once and do it good. Take for example, my own firm Lee & Lee. I crafted the privacy policy for the website and it has been there for the past 3 years and weve seen no need to change it.

However, if there is a change in circumstances of the kind of activities you are undertaking or the types of data you are collecting, you are advised to change your privacy policy to reflect those changes.

Lets talk about Push Notifications and how they relate to PDPA

It is important to get consent from your customers before you send them push notifications. This should be done from the very start when customers download the app. Under the PDPA, you must also allow customers to withdraw their consent.

The easier it is to facilitate the withdrawal of consent, I think the less likely that somebody is going to lodge a complaint against your company.

Is creating a Whatsapp or social media group where phone numbers are exposed a breach of the PDPA?

It depends on who is creating the Whatsapp or social media group. The PDPA does not apply to people acting in a personal or domestic capacity.

Also Read: Startupbootcamp sets foot in China to make it more e-healthy

But if you are organization and you are creating a Whatsapp or social media group for a related purposes, you should definitely seek your customers consent before adding them to a group.

Can my company store NRIC numbers of students for attendance-taking purposes?

There are sector-specific guidelines published by the PDPC. You should take a look at the guidelines for the education sector for more details.

The PDPA mentions that you should only collect personal data for purposes that are reasonable in the circumstances. You should also consider if you really need to have the NRIC numbers for attendance-purposes or if the name of the students will suffice.



You can watch this Facebook Live interview HERE on YouTube and learn more about Jeremiah HERE.

The post Pro Bono: Practical legal advice for navigating Singapores data privacy laws appeared first on e27.
Along with the change of season comes new beginnings at Keep Fremont Beautiful. After spending nearly five years in the Main Street Collective
AFP News

Denmark's left-wing Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday kicked off the process of forming a new, broader government one day after scoring a narrow election victory. The Social Democrats, the largest party in parliament with 50 of 179 seats and accustomed to leading minority governments, now want to govern across the political divide after Frederiksen secured their best election win since 2001. "It will be very, very difficult. We don't know if it will be possible, but we will try our utmost", she told a party debate on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the prime minister formally presented the resignation of her outgoing government to Queen Margrethe. The leaders of Denmark's 11 other parties in parliament were each meeting the queen individually on Wednesday before the monarch formally tasks Frederiksen with trying to form a new government. Frederiksen will then "enter into negotiations to form a broader government and that will probably take a while," political scientist Rune Stubager, a professor at Aarhus University, told AFP. Her left-wing bloc, which includes five parties plus three seats from the autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands, won a majority of 90 seats, compared to 73 for the right and far-right, and 16 for the centre. It was the Social Democrats' best election outcome in two decades, gaining two seats and securing over 27 percent of the vote, and allows Frederiksen to enter negotiations from a position of strength. Frederiksen's photo-finish win scuppered hopes of former two-time prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who founded a new Moderates party just months earlier, of becoming kingmaker in the new administration. - Broken dreams - The Moderates won more than nine percent of votes and Lokke Rasmussen insisted he wanted to be "the bridge" between the left and right, but daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten concluded that "in theory, Mette can do without Lars Lokke". While the Moderates will be part of negotiations, Stubager expressed doubt that they would be willing to "compromise sufficiently" to secure posts in the cabinet. A "more realistic" plan for Frederiksen would be a coalition government with various parties on the left, he said. While Frederiksen's government was largely hailed for handling the Covid-19 pandemic, the election was triggered by the country's so-called mink crisis. The affair erupted after the government decided in November 2020 to cull the country's 15 million minks over fears of a mutated strain of the novel coronavirus. The decision turned out to be illegal, and the Social Liberal party propping up Frederiksen's minority government threatened to topple it unless she called early elections to regain voters' confidence. The Social Liberals paid a price for the gamble, losing nine of their 16 seats and on Wednesday their party leader resigned. - 'Zero refugees' - To rule, the Social Democrats will still need to depend on support from the Social Liberals, which has made clear it will not support another minority one-party government. Broad consensus for Denmark's restrictive migration policy left the issue largely absent from the election campaign, but it could resurge in government negotiations. Advocating a "zero refugee" policy, the outgoing government had worked on setting up a centre to house asylum seekers in Rwanda while their applications are processed. The Social Liberals oppose the plan. "It will be very difficult for the Social Democrats to turn soft or to the left on immigration, because that has been a very pivotal point in their strategy over the past five, six years," Stubager said. "To give up on that would have dramatic consequences for them." The far-right has heavily influenced Danish politics in recent decades, but three populist parties together won just 14.4 percent of votes and are not expected to play a key role in the upcoming negotiations. The anti-immigration Danish People's Party, which hovered above 20 percent a few years ago, fell to 2.6 percent, its worst result since entering parliament in 1998. A new party founded by former immigration minister Inger Stojberg, the Denmark Democrats, instead won 8.1 percent, on a platform of less centralisation, less influence from Europe and fewer immigrants. cbw-jll/po/jm
Your next airline flight could feature a whole new set of annoyances. U.S. aviation regulators are considering allowing passengers to make voice calls over Wifi on flights.

Though nothing has been officially announced, this could be a major change in the flight experience. Currently, most cellular calling is banned on flights. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation did say that it would be up to airlines whether or not they actually want to allow the calls.

This leaves airlines with an interesting decision. On one hand, people love the ability to be connected. And not allowing them to do so for a flight of several hours, after regulators have declared the practice safe, might not go over so well.

On the other hand, it could only take one loud talker telling an uncomfortable story over the phone to ruin a flight for a lot of people. And though airlines cant always control what other passengers do, that behavior goes toward shaping the customer experience for everyone else.

The Lesson of This Customer Experience Example

In the end, airlines will need to decide whether giving passengers the right to make voice calls outweighs the possible annoyance this may cause. In your small business too you must always decide how to create the best customer experience. To be sure, you wont be able to please everyone. The key is to discover what your core customer really wants and focus on delivering that experience first.
When youre launching a business, it can be confusing to understand all the legal obligations involved. Do you need a small business license or permit? How do you register your new business?

Most small business owners want to operate legally, but it can be tricky to know exactly whats required. All businesses are required to have some form of license or permit, but the specific requirements depend on your location and business type. In this article, well break down some of the specific business permit and license types so you can get a better understanding of what you might need.

As were closing out the year, this is a good time to revisit your legal standing and make sure that youre operating to the letter of the law. The good news is that if you discover you need a permit or small business license, getting those new permits is a relatively simple and inexpensive process.

Are My Small Business License and Permits in Order?

Register Your Business

Before you can do anything else, you need to register your new business with the state. This step provides the legal foundation for everything else to come. I like to think of it this way. Registering a business provides the legal foundation and a business license(s) gives you the right to operate your business (just as a drivers license gives you the right to drive a car).

You can register your business in two ways: either by forming an LLC/corporation or filing a DBA (Doing Business As). Both are equally valid ways to register. The LLC/corporation will cost more and be a little more involved to operate than a DBA, but provides the key advantage of separating you from the business to help protect your personal assets from things that happen in the business.

Business Permits and Licenses

After youve registered your business with the state, you can move on to figuring out your small business license and permit requirements. As I mentioned before, every business will need some kind of permit or license. This is true whether you work from home or have some kind of office or store. The main reason is that the government needs to track your business revenue for taxation purposes. And in some cases, licenses are required to protect the public.

Specific permit requirements vary by business type. As expected, a home contractor or daycare center will have stricter permit requirements than a web designer. The best way to make sure you have all your bases covered is to have a service research what you need for your business type/location. You can also visit the SBA.gov website, or contact your board of equalization offices directly.

So, what are some of the potential permits and licenses your business might need? Heres an overview:

General Business Licenses: Most businesses will typically need to get a general business license. This is basically an annual license issued by your local city or county that lets them track the businesses operating in their area.

Professional License: Some professionals will need a license to demonstrate their proficiency. This is required to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who might be using your services. For example, dentists, accountants, hair dressers, doctors, and contractors must have professional licenses.

Sales Tax License: If your business sells goods or services (and you operate in a state that charges sales tax), you will need to get a state sales tax license. Check with your state revenue agent to determine if your products or services are considered taxable or not. Keep in mind that sales tax can apply to services, not just retail items.

Health Permits: You will need to get a local health permit if your business sells products that are consumed (food) or touch the human body (i.e. a nail salon). Health permits typically require an annual inspection. Examples of businesses that need health permits are: restaurants, cafes, food trucks and wholesale food manufacturers.

Signage Permits: Some county/city zoning departments require a permit in order to put a sign up for your business.

Fire Permit: If you operate a physical space thats open to the public, you will need to get a permit from the fire department. This is also true if you will be using any flammable materials in your business.

Home Occupation Permits: If you work from home, you may need to get a permit for a home-based business. This is true even if youre just a freelancer or consultant. Keep in mind that if you operate a business from your home like a childcare facility or food production business, you will need additional permits as well.

If youre just launching your business, youll want to get all your small business license and permit paperwork in before you officially launch to the public and start taking in revenue. If your business is already going, you should try to take care of any overlooked licenses as quickly as possible.

Operating without the right permits and licenses can result in fines and tax problems. In some cases, your business could even be shut down.

And, once you have all your licenses and permits in order, youll need to manage them throughout the course of your business. Keep track of renewal dates and maintain a copy of all the applications/permits in your business records. In some cases, you may need to display your permits prominently so customers can see them.

Find some time before the year ends to review your business permit and licensing requirements. This way, you can start the new year knowing that all your legal ducks are in a row!

License Folder Photo via Shutterstock

CorpNet offers business formations, filings, state tax registrations, and corporate compliance services in all 50 states. Express and 24 hour rush filing services available upon request. Click here to learn more.
Small businesses are not exempt from crimes that take place on their premises. Some businesses, such as convenience stores, retail outlets and banks, are prime targets for theft, but any business can be the victim of illegal activity. Sporting events, festivals or any occasion where a large number of people gather are also subject to disorder and lawlessness, particularly when alcohol is present

Employing the services of a reputable, licensed security agency can help offset the potential for loss and ensure public safety. But how does a small business know when it should hire such a company? What signs point to the need for protection?

For the answers, Small Business Trends turned to Greg Kuhn, founder and CEO of Omega Protective Services, LLC, a full-service security firm based in Pennsylvanias Lehigh Valley. In an interview with Small Business Trends, he shared the following 10 indicators based on his expertise gained from years in the security industry.

Why Hire a Security Guard

1. You Have Parking Lot Safety Concerns

Employees or customers may feel unsafe walking to their cars at night, particularly if the parking lot is not well lit.

Their concerns are justified, Kuhn says, as unattended parking lots can be a breeding ground for vandalism, theft and muggings. A security guard patrolling parking lots can ensure the safety of people and property.

2. Your Facilities are Located in a High Crime Area

Businesses located in high crime areas mandate the need for a security guard.

High crime doesnt necessarily mean a bad neighborhood, Kuhn said. It could also include a warehouse located in a sparsely-populated rural area, for instance. There is a potential for a higher number of break-ins in that case as well.

3. Youre Experiencing Retail Theft and Shrinkage

National Retail Federation data revealed that retailers lost nearly $44 billion from theft in 2014, with 34 percent of that number coming from employees. As such, practically any retail setting would benefit from the presence of a security guard.

A well-trained, licensed guard will take steps to limit liability and reduce shrinkage, saving the business money, Kuhn said. Thats a fact the small business owner shouldnt miss when considering hiring a security company.

4. Youre Concerned About Liability Issues

If a business has experienced losses on their workers comp or general liability policies, the insurance company may require a correction action plan that includes a security companys services, Kuhn said. Having such a plan in place can also lead to a break in premiums.

5. You Have Record Keeping Concerns

One task routinely assigned to guards is to keep a record of day-to-day activities regarding safety, personnel and property.

For example, if a door keeps opening by accident, it creates a pattern, and the guard will pick up on that and maintain a record, he said. It may be that the door doesnt lock properly or an employee is leaving it open intentionally to sneak back in after hours.

Because the guard works for the security company and not the business, he can serve as objective third-party in the event an employee faces termination due to some illegal activity. That also includes testifying in court in more severe instances.

Another reason to keep records regards liability.

Records for emergency incidents, such as where someone gets hurt, protects the business from liability, Kuhn said. It also saves the business owner or employee from having to keep records.

6. You Have Concern Over Safety Issues

If you think you have one or two safety issues, in reality, you probably have dozens, Kuhn said. Having someone dedicated to safety, who knows what to look for, who can pick apart whats safe and unsafe and needs to be improved upon is very useful. A security guard would know what to look for.

7. You Serve Alcohol on the Premises

Anywhere alcohol is served, especially in excess, is a good place to have a security guard present. A businesss liability can get expensive if a fight breaks out resulting in injury to persons or property.

The guards presence acts as a deterrent, Kuhn said. He can move quickly to prevent incidents before they escalate.

8. You Have Building Traffic Concerns

Businesses that have a lot of people entering and exiting a building can utilize guards to monitor traffic, check people in and out and give out IDs or name tags.

The physical presence of a professional, courteous guard puts the public at ease and creates a safer environment that criminals will be less inclined to target, Kuhn said. It also sends a signal that you care about public safety and are taking steps to protect your customers or visitors.

See Also: GoDaddy Introduces New Small Business Security Features

9. Your Safety Program is Stretched Thin

Security guards can help with a companys safety program.

Industrial or construction companies, for example, will often have a safety officer, Kuhn said. In smaller businesses, that person could also be the job foreman who puts the priority on performing his foreman duties rather than addressing safety concerns. In cases like that, a security guard can serve the role of safety officer, sit in on safety meetings or chair the safety committee.

10. You Need Help in Emergency Situations

Security guards are equipped to manage a range of emergencies, including physical altercations, medical emergencies or criminal incidents. They will have the presence of mind to act responsibly and sensibly regardless of the circumstance.

For that reason and more its smart to have a well-trained, licensed guard from a reputable company protecting your business, Kuhn said.
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Monte dei Paschi di Siena

Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

The Italian government is ready and willing to step in to help stricken lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena if a private recapitalisation plan fails, according to a source within the country's Treasury, as first reported by Reuters.

Efforts to ensure that a 5 billion (4.2 billion, $5.2 billion) recapitalisation plan for the bank accelerated over the weekend, after the European Central Bank rejected Monte dei Paschi's request for an extension

The bank's deadline to raise new capital is the end of the year, but if it does not reach that target, the Italian Treasury is now ready to step in.

"There is confidence at the economy ministry that Monte dei Paschi's cash call can succeed. If the operation failed, the state would carry out a precautionary recapitalisation," a Treasury source told Reuters on Monday morning.

"The bank's existence and its clients' savings will be preserved under any circumstances," the source added.

Technically speaking, if the Italian Treasury did end up stepping in, it would be breaking EU-mandated rules surrounding government interventions in banks, and the Italian government could face sanctions from Brussels.

Some certainty returned to the Italian political climate on Sunday, after President Sergio Mattarella appointed foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni to be the country's next prime minister and tasked him with forming a technocratic government. Pier Carlo Padoan, the country's finance minister, was the favourite to become PM, but he has been left in his position, ostensibly to help deal more directly with the Monte dei Paschi issue.

Paolo Gentiloni

Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

The already difficult problem of Monte dei Paschi looked to be made even more complicated last week when Matteo Renzi stepped down as prime minister after his referendum loss. After his resignation, fears hit the markets that a long period of instability could occur in the Italy, but the swift resolution of the prime minister issue could boost confidence.

Story continues

Reuters reports that with a new government in place Qatar's sovereign wealth fund could invest 1 billion in Monte dei Paschi, something that would have been unlikely if the political vacuum remained.

The bank will look to raise more capital by reopening a so-called debt-to-equity swap offer  where shareholders are given the chance to exchange their stock for a predetermined amount of debt  that raised 1 billion last week. The upper limit on the new swap will be 2.4 billion.

Monte dei Paschi is the world's oldest bank, but has hit trouble in recent years thanks to the huge amount of bad debt on its books. There are 360 billion in impaired loans in the entire Italian system, according to the Bank of Italy, of which 200 billion are of the worst sort, non-performing "sofferenze." Monte dei Paschi holds a disproportionately high number of those loans.

NOW WATCH: The US is $19.9 trillion in debt  here are the countries we owe the most

See Also:

SEE ALSO: Monte dei Paschi is 'threatening the solvency of the Italian state itself'
Sometimes the simplest questions are the hardest to answer. And sometimes, when courts try to clarify the law, they muddy things up. Both tendencies are on display in a recent Court of Appeals opinion called Enduro Operating LLC v. Echo Production Inc.

As the names of the parties imply, its an oil and gas case.

The simple question is: What does it mean to commence a drilling operation? Its a question the Court of Appeals has addressed twice in the past 17 years, giving two completely different answers.

Back in 1999, in a case called Johnson v. Yates Petroleum Corp., the court construed an oil and gas lease that would expire after three years unless the operator engaged in drilling. In the 36th month, Yates Petroleum staked the location of the well, applied for a permit to drill, and arranged for a bulldozer to begin clearing the brush and leveling the ground.

But the drilling rig itself didnt arrive at the site until several weeks after the deadline had passed. The well proved a productive one  otherwise there would have been no lawsuit about dividing the profits.

The court held that, by preparing the site and obtaining the permit, Yates was engaged in drilling within the meaning of the contract. After examining cases from other oil-producing states, the court announced this general rule: it appears that any activities in preparation for, or incidental to, drilling a well are sufficient to qualify as the commencement of drilling. It didnt matter that the drill bit didnt touch the ground until the term was up.

Boiled down, Johnson held that the time-consuming, expensive, heavily regulated and frequently frustrating activity of drilling commences when the operator demonstrates by concrete actions its commitment to proceed. That general holding captured the intent of the parties while providing a flexible, easily administered rule.

But that was then. The new case, decided just last month, involved a joint operating agreement rather than a lease. As with most oil and gas disputes, the details were Byzantine (Im sparing you most of them), but the point of contention was straightforward: Which of the signatories to the agreement was entitled to profit from a successful well?

The legal question was whether the operator, Echo Production, had actually commence[d] operations before the expiration of a certain 120-day period.

The list of things Echo did before the deadline closely paralleled the things Yates Petroleum had done. First, Echo surveyed and staked the site. Second, it hired a contractor to drill the well.

Third, it applied for a drilling permit. However, it didnt bulldoze the brush or level the site before time expired.

Under the standard announced in Johnson  any activities in preparation for, or incidental to, drilling a well  Echo had plainly commenced drilling operations. The trial court duly entered summary judgment in Echos favor. But on appeal, the Court of Appeals held that the trial court erred when it followed Johnson.

Echos act of applying for a drilling permit cut no ice, the Court of Appeals held, because, while it submitted the application on time, the states Oil Conservation Division didnt grant the permit until after the deadline. In the earlier case, the division granted the permit in three days, while in the later case, it took 13 days. The Court of Appeals made Echo responsible for the extra days.

The contract didnt say that Echo was required to submit its application two weeks before the deadline. But that requirement was effectively imposed by the Court of Appeals as a supplementary, unwritten contract clause.

Echos site preparation, all that staking and surveying, didnt count as evidence of commencement, either, according to the Court of Appeals.

The court pointed out that Echo completed the work on Nov. 30, while the 120-day period began on Dec. 1. If Echo had waited just one day longer, the opinion implies, the result might have been different. Unfortunately, the opinion doesnt explain why site work counts only if it starts one day rather than another.

Nor does it point to any language in the contract drawing that all-important distinction.

The Court of Appeals equally found no significance in the fact that Echo contracted with a driller, without explaining why not. The opinion repeatedly emphasizes the lack of on-site activity during the 120-day period, seemingly imposing an inflexible requirement that someone actually go to the site and start bothering the chamisa and sagebrush. Yet signing a contract to drill seems like a more definitive commitment to drilling than hacking down bushes.

It seems highly desirable that a standard-form contract used in an industry central to New Mexicos economy should be given a definite meaning by our courts. But the Court of Appeals replaced the relatively clear-cut rule of Johnson with the bland statement that each case requires an individual analysis of the actions taken by the proposed driller  without providing standards to guide the analysis. Thats the embrace of uncertainty as a principle. But why?

One of Echos lawyers told me the company plans to ask the state Supreme Court to review the decision. So, while its case is on life support, its not dead yet.

One other feature of the opinion deserves comment. It uses 27 paragraphs to cover ground Johnson covered in 13.

It provides half a dozen statements of its holding, none of which entirely agrees with any of the others. Such wandering verbosity makes it unfortunately typical of recent New Mexico appellate opinions. Our Supreme Court routinely rattles on at even greater length. All writers know how difficult it is to achieve both concision and precision. Sometimes it seems our judges have stopped trying.

Joel Jacobsen is an author and has recently retired from a 29-year legal career. If there are topics you would like to see covered in future columns, please write him at legal.column.tips@gmail.com
The Imperial Building led the way at this years annual NAIOP New Mexico Awards of Excellence.

The commercial real estate associations chapter, which includes developers, architectural, engineering, leasing and lending professionals, handed out awards in nine categories, as well as special accolades awarded to several recipients.

This is the 20th anniversary of the Awards of Excellence and more than 60 projects were entered in this years competition.

The Imperial Building, a mixed-use development, was singled out with the Chairmans Award, which is given to a project that has had the most impact on the physical and economic environment of the state, according to judges. The project was chosen because it was a long-sought catalyst to provide essential services in Downtown Albuquerque, such as a grocery store and more affordable housing, helping to create jobs.

The Imperial Building has implemented a progressive step toward the vision for the citys urban core, according to the Chairmans Award to the $19 million project, which is located at 205 Silver SW.

Geltmore LLC co-developed the building with YES Housing Inc., though the Imperial Building is part of a public-private partnership years in the making that includes the city of Albuquerque, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, and other real estate professionals and community leaders.

Crews remediated soils on the site, once the home of a theater, a bus depot and The Imperial Laundry Co., the inspiration of the buildings name. Construction teams created an underground garage, retail and restaurant spaces, and 74 units of mixed-income housing serving a range of low-income families with special needs, and a rooftop terrace with an urban farm  the first of its kind in the market. The five-story structure has achieved certification under Energy Star for New Homes where all units are, on average, 40 percent more energy efficient than typical new-home construction.

The Imperials project team included Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, the architect of record; Anderson|Kim, the design architect firm; Walla Engineering; and general contractor Jaynes Corp.

The new Del Webb community at Mirehaven was recognized with this years Vision Award from NAIOP. Mirehaven is bordered by Petroglyph National Monument, north of the 98th Street and Interstate 40 interchange. Phase one included 360 Pulte-branded homes and its Del Webb phase includes a 550-home, 55-and-older neighborhood and a 10,000-square-foot amenity center with outdoor resort pool and activities. While its PulteGroups first Del Webb community in New Mexico, its likely not the last. This was a visionary project. In fact, the investment began when the residential development and home building industry was at its lowest ebb in decades, the award presentation said.

The Chuck Gara Community Leader Award was given to the principals of Titan Development Co., an Albuquerque-based company that broke ground on an estimated $150 million in projects this year. The 45-employee firm has operations in New Mexico, Texas and Florida, and a particular emphasis on senior living. Titans executive team comprises Kurt Browning, Drew Dolan, Kevin Reid and Ben Spencer. They have been involved in more than $1.2 billion of real estate development, including industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, office and retail buildings.

NAIOPs Eagle Awards are given each year to the top real estate projects by category. There were ties in two of them: multifamily and retail. Judging teams toured projects and evaluated them for project development, architectural integrity, challenges, market feasibility, sustainable attributes and overall success.

Judges werent looking at whether it was a pretty building, but at other measures of success, such as getting past hurdles and staying on budget, said outgoing Chairman Kevin Yearout. In the end, they want to see if the project (either new construction or remodels) is something that enhances the built environment.

He said there is a lot of pride among NAIOP members in being able to build businesses, careers and the larger economy.

These award recipients represent the execution of real estate or individual achievement at the highest level, he said. Each of the nominated entries helped positively shape the real estate landscape in the New Mexico region.

NAIOP also paid tribute to Yearout, who owns multiple businesses in the construction industry. Among the achievements under his tenure, NAIOP specifically noted bringing its membership totals to the highest in the its 35-year history and winning national NAIOP Awards in February for Chapter of the Year, and for its legislative/government affairs and developing leaders programs.
An inmate at a state prison in Guadalupe County has filed a lawsuit against two nurses and a prison health care provider alleging they provided inadequate exams after he was attacked by fellow inmates and suffered a jaw fracture. The delayed treatment, he says, left him permanently disfigured.

Jeffrey Campbell argues that he was assaulted in November 2013 by other inmates at the Guadalupe County Correctional Facility and was seen by medical staff based on obvious trauma to his head and facial area. He says in the lawsuit filed in state court last month that a Corizon Health registered nurse failed to perform an adequate medical exam, despite the fact that Campbell lost consciousness and could not remember what happened.

He had injuries to his head and face, including a cut over his right eye, but was returned to his cell on the same night of the fight. The next day he asked for ice in the morning and evening, but was never examined for a concussion or a fracture.

The next afternoon, he was given an anti-inflammatory medication and sent to the local hospitals emergency room. When he was admitted, according to the lawsuit, he was unable to open his jaw, had raccoon eyes and a bleed in the left ear canal.

Its important to recognize that the existence of a lawsuit is not necessarily indicative of quality of care or any wrongdoing, Martha Habin, Corizon Health spokeswoman, said in a statement. But due to patient privacy and pending litigation, we are unable to provide information that would provide a balanced perspective of this case.

According to the companys website, Corizon Health is the leading provider of correctional healthcare services in the United States.

Campbell says a CT scan revealed fractures of the jaw, and he was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment.

As a result of the delay in treatment, (Campbell) suffered severe infections and later required a mandible fracture repair, according to the lawsuit. That repair included two surgeries and a bone graft, which left Campbell with permanent disfigurement.

He is seeking compensatory damages. Campbells attorney did not return requests for comment.

The lawsuit, which does not give his age, says Campbell is currently an inmate in the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas. It does not give the reason for his incarceration.
Bolstered by support from GOP heavyweights, Ryan Cangiolosi was elected Sunday by New Mexico Republican Party activists as the partys next chairman.

Cangiolosi, an executive at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, told reporters he would reach out to county-level party leaders around the state in the coming days and hopes to fix intra-party fissures.

I want to talk about how we heal some of those divides, Cangiolosi said.

He also said he planned to convene a meeting of top elected GOP officials, after the party suffered heavy state-level defeats in last months election.

A former executive director of the state party, Cangiolosi also vowed to increase the GOPs base, ramp up fundraising, and convince Democratic and independent voters to register as Republicans.

In a speech to fellow Republicans, he accused Democrats, who won back control of the state House in last months election and expanded their majority in the Senate, of fostering a culture of corruption in the state.

Cangiolosi won the two-year, state party chairmanship over Albuquerque businessman John Rockwell via a 251-156 vote by party central committee members. Those members include all elected Republican officials, as well as community- and precinct-level party officials.

He replaces Debbie Maestas, who did not seek re-election.

In the run-up to Sundays election, Cangiolosi faced questions about the appearance  and appropriateness  of simultaneously holding a high-paying job at UNM Health Sciences Center and the state party chairmanship.

But he insisted the two positions would be kept separate, and the Health Sciences Center said it would develop a conflict of interest management plan if Cangiolosi won to avoid the potential for perceived risks.

Past chairmen have had full-time jobs and I have a full-time job, Cangiolosi said after Sundays meeting, which was held on the campus of Sandia Preparatory School in Albuquerque.

Meanwhile, Cangiolosi had the backing of several prominent Republican officials, including U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce.

Pearce, who attended Sundays meeting, told those in attendance that negative intra-party attacks and criticism would not help the incoming party chairman.

He also touted the victory of President-elect Donald Trump, saying, This nation is center-right and dont let anybody tell you its not.

Gov. Susana Martinez, a two-term Republican, was attending an out-of-state conference and was not at Sundays meeting.

Other Republican Party of New Mexico leadership elected included: first vice chair Rick Lopez, second vice chair Phil Archuletta, secretary Bernadette Granger, and treasurer Deniece Cornett.

New Mexico Democrats will elect their new party leaders in April 2017.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

When a southeast New Mexico nuclear waste repository reopens in the coming weeks following a nearly three-year hiatus, the drums of nuclear waste at Los Alamos wont be in line for shipment.

Thats because the Los Alamos National Laboratory is still recovering from its own problems that led to the accident that shut down the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in 2014  when LANL drum No. 68660 overheated and burst underground at WIPP, releasing radiation into the salt mine repository and in small amounts into the atmosphere.

Since then, some 60 other drums also containing a potentially combustible mix of an organic cat litter absorbent and nitrate salts have been under 24-hour surveillance at LANL.

Nitrate salts were known to be reactive when mixed with a cellulosic material like organic cat litter; a LANL subcontractor mistakenly switched to the organic version from an inorganic, clay-based absorbent that had caused no problems.

LANL has been spending nearly half its roughly $185 million annual environmental management budget on recovering from the mistakes that led to the WIPP accident, according to Santa Fe-based Nuclear Watch New Mexico, a group that advocates for the cleanup of nuclear waste at LANL.

With its waste treatment building in cold standby, experts say it could be months to more than a year before LANL is ready to ship to WIPP, while the U.S. Department of Energy said last week that WIPP is on track to reopen by year-end.

Looking at it optimistically, LANL is 18 months or more away from that happening, said Don Hancock of the Southwest Research and Information Center in Albuquerque, a longtime WIPP watchdog. I know they cant ship anything in this fiscal year, nor do they have any plans to do so.

DOEs Environmental Management field office at Los Alamos says only that it will be months before LANL is ready to ship again, according to an emailed response to Journal questions.

EM expects the lab will begin treating the 60 problem drums in the spring of 2017; another 29 drums containing nitrate salts are slated for processing in the summer. Nitrate salts are a byproduct of nuclear weapons production.

The field office, which provides oversight, and contractor LANS have been testing equipment and processes to re-treat the drum contents, while LANS has also been making modifications to the facilities where the waste will be treated, according to an EM newsletter.

We are continually monitoring these drums to ensure safe storage while we evaluate and test treatment methods to render them safe for long-term storage and disposal, said EM Field Officer Manager Doug Hintze in the newsletter.

Once they remediate the drums, the 60 drums, theyll be safe, said Scott Kovac, director of research and operations at Nuclear Watch New Mexico. Everybody can quit sweating that something is going to happen to them.

Before that work can get underway, LANL faces a series of federal readiness assessments, including at the Waste Characterization Reduction and Repackaging Facility  the official name for the building where drum No. 68660 was improperly treated, packed and shipped to WIPP several years ago.

That building cannot be transitioned to warm standby  in a timely manner due to a lack of qualified operations personnel and the current operability status of facility equipment, according to a Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board report earlier this month.

A spokesman in the EM office said the issues in the DNFSB report have either been addressed or are in the process of being addressed.

LANS is operating under a one-year bridge contract after DOE  following investigations that faulted LANS and a subcontractor for inadvertently packing waste drums with combustible ingredients  decided to end the relationship.

DOE had a call out for bids to run LANL and is expected to select a new contractor in July.

Meanwhile, other sites around the country are ready and waiting to ship to WIPP, particularly Idaho National Laboratory, with more than 600 shipments in the queue, Hancock said.
When domestic violence victims advocates heard that murder-suicide suspect George Daniel Wechsler had threatened at least two other ex-girlfriends, they were not surprised.

Wechsler, who police say shot and killed three children and critically injured their mother last week, has a history of stalking and harassing his exes, according to court documents.

And even though these incidents are often documented in police reports and court documents, some advocates say there should be a better coordinated effort in New Mexico  as there is in some other states  to try to prevent domestic violence from escalating or to warn potential victims of an offenders previous actions.

One ex-girlfriend told the Journal that Wechsler was fine during their relationship. It was only after the breakup in 2007 that he may have tried to kill her.

We decided to call it quits, but stayed friends, the woman said. The breakup wasnt bad. It was only when I started dating somebody else that he went crazy.

She said he told her he wanted her back and couldnt live without her, and then she discovered the brake lines of her car were partly severed.

Advocates say it is all too common for abuse to start, or get worse, after someone has left the relationship.

The leaving usually feels to the abusive person like something that is out of their control, said Pam Wiseman, executive director for the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It could be humiliating, it could be even terrifying for some people.

Thats apparently what happened this week when, police say, Wechsler, 45, broke into his ex-girlfriends Four Hills home and lay in wait for her to return with her three children, ages 5 to 9. His ex-girlfriend, Cheryl Mascarenas, had recently broken up with him and asked him not to contact her or her children.

Police say Wechsler shot them, killing the children and critically wounding Mascarenas. Then he turned the gun on himself.

There is no indication of violence between Wechsler and Mascarenas before the shooting, according to police. They say officers were never called to the house before or to any other incidents between the two.

It is the second case of a domestic violence murder-suicide involving a child in a little over three months. In late August, police say, Trinh Tran Van, 45, shot and killed his wife and 11-year-old stepdaughter, Nhi Nguyen, before killing himself.

Wiseman said that, although it is often clear when looking at an abusers history that the violence is escalating, the system as a whole consistently fails to protect victims.

Some states have coordinated efforts among police, probation and parole, and prosecutors to make sure they catch escalating domestic violence early on. New Mexico does not have this kind of response, Wiseman said.

If you want to find out if someone is abusive, look at if theyve done this before, Wiseman said. Somehow we have to get better at identifying these people, containing them, assessing them.

Although Wiseman didnt provide specifics about what she feels could be done, she said more money could be spent identifying the 20 percent of offenders who commit the majority of domestic violence crimes.

If we had a strategy to identify and appropriately deal with that 20 percent, we would see our rates of domestic violence go down, she said. Dealing with that 20 percent would be time and money well spent.

In 2002, Wechsler was arrested for stalking another ex-girlfriend when police found him in front of her workplace armed with a gun and binoculars. He told officers he was obsessed with her, couldnt let her go and had been following her all week.

That and the brake line incident are huge red flags, Wiseman said.

It should not necessarily have been a surprise that this guy is dangerous, she said. He stalked someone. That is a strong predictor of lethal risk. So is cutting someones brake lines. He could have killed that person.

Wechsler was sentenced to 1 years of probation for misdemeanor stalking and petty misdemeanor assault against a household member, according to online court records.

He was not charged for allegedly cutting his other ex-girlfriends brake line because there were no witnesses or surveillance footage, she said. But the incident was enough for her to get a restraining order.

Wiseman said she worries that the judicial system doesnt send a strong enough message about the severity of domestic violence or do enough to protect victims.

When people commit acts of abuse and there are no consequences, they are emboldened to do more, she said. One of the worst things our system can do, and its something our system does all the time, is act like its no big deal.

Helpline info

Victims of domestic violence can call a 24-hour helpline at 505-248-3165.
For months, nine members of the La Cueva High School Class of 2016 and their parents waited for their chance to sit down with the school powers that be to talk about what had happened to them and nine of their fellow graduates that horrible, humiliating day.

They wanted to talk about how to assure that what had happened to them as they practiced for one of the biggest days of their young lives would not happen to the Class of 2017 and the classes that came after that.

They wanted an explanation as to why the 18 of them had been rounded up seemingly at random during rehearsal for graduation, lined up in front of their classmates, herded under armed guard and held captive in a crowded office without being told why and then forced to undergo a drug screening  which all of them passed.

They wanted an apology.

If that was not to be, they wanted a lawyer.

That is where we left it Aug. 19 when I wrote about their experience in the school gym that May 10 when they said they were wrongly targeted and publicly shamed in front of their peers for reasons they still dont know. It had already been three months by the time my column ran and they had been unable to convince officials at La Cueva and Albuquerque Public Schools to talk to them.

So they hired attorney Greg Payne to help them break through.

Payne filed a tort claims notice on behalf of nine of the 18 students, but he made it clear that what the students and their parents really wanted was a chance to talk things over with Superintendent Raquel Reedy and to hear from La Cueva Principal Dana Lee, among others.

APS officials had declined comment then.

After the column ran, APS appeared to come around. Payne said he was asked to postpone filing the lawsuit so a meeting could take place.

But, in late October, Payne said that APS legal counsel Art Melendres told him there would be no meeting. Principal Lee, he said he was told, would rather be deposed by me than offer an apology to the students that were pulled illegally.

So Payne prepared to file the lawsuit.

But the students had one last idea to try before heading to federal court: If they couldnt get APS to listen, maybe they could get the APS school board to listen.

Last Wednesday, five of the nine grads  the others are attending college out of state or were at work  stood up one by one during the public comment portion of the school board meeting and spoke.

We tried to do things amicably, but APS hasnt come to terms with us or talked to us, Luke Constand told them.

Were trying to fight for our rights, Andrew Lopez-Mackaness said.

Weve asked for answers and they wont give it to us, Kyler Padilla said.

All we really wanted was an apology, James Encinias said.

And finally came Valerie Wing, who put it best: Theyre handling it all wrong.

The school board listened.

Strongly, sympathetically, each board members offered their own apology and promised to encourage the meeting the grads wanted.

I dont know why they did this to you and I am so, so sorry, board member Peggy Muller-Aragon said.

Board member Steven Michael Quezada also called for an apology to the grads from Principal Lee and anyone who was involved in that.

Reedy, who was at the meeting, said nothing.

Still, the grads  all of whom are doing well in college and careers  had reason to feel proud. They had not buckled under. They were hopeful that their words would lead to more words, a conversation  and, yes, maybe even an apology.

These kids are not going away, Payne said afterward. They are determined. They have handled themselves better than the adults involved.

But, he said, if APS officials still wont budge, the lawsuit will be filed.

That night and for the next couple of days, I tried to get a comment from APS. Finally, as I started to write this column Friday, came this short response emailed by Reedy: We will be setting up a meeting with the students.

Its a hopeful sign.

What happened to these young adults was nothing short of a public shaming, inexplicable, irresponsible and indicative of something rotten at the school they had once loved. A discussion, explanation and apology is little enough to ask for these graduates who have taught us how to be more adult than some of the adults involved.

The kids are all right, Superintendent Reedy. Just listen to them.

UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to ABQjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.

Last call for Angels More information

Deadline is Tuesday to nominate an unsung someone who deserves recognition for doing good deeds for the community.Two winners will receive a Nambe angel and will be featured at Christmastime in our eighth annual Angels Among Us tribute.
LOS ANGELES  A 29-year-old California man has been arrested and booked on suspicion of committing a hate crime after he stabbed an apparent worshiper near a mosque, authorities say.

About 11:15 p.m. Saturday, police in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, received reports of people fighting in a shopping center parking lot, said Sgt. Adam Darough. The shopping center is adjacent to a mosque, Darough said.

After officers arrived and separated those involved in the fight, police discovered that a man had been stabbed, Darough said.

During their investigation, (officers) discovered a suspect had confronted a worshiper from the mosque, and after a verbal altercation, they began to fight, Darough said. During the fight, (the suspect) stabbed the victim.

Police found the suspected assailant, John Matteson of Simi Valley, nearby, Darough said. Matteson was taken into custody and booked into Ventura County Main Jail on suspicion of a hate crime, Darough said.

Jail records show that Mattesons bail was set at $25,000. He was booked on suspicion of making felony criminal threats, performing a felony violation of civil rights and disturbing the peace by fighting, the records show.

Matteson is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to jail records. Its unclear if he was being represented by an attorney.

The Simi Valley Police Department has investigated a man with the same name and birth date as Matteson in connection with several incidents in recent years, according to Ventura County Superior Court records.

He pleaded no contest in October to disturbing the peace by loud noise, an infraction. In July, Matteson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of public intoxication from a June 30 incident, according to court records. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace stemming from a Nov. 9, 2015, incident.

Last year, he also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of making terrorist threats.

Authorities did not provide additional details about the victim. They said he was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition.

Were investigating whether or not this was instigated by (the victims) appearance and the association with the mosque, Darough said. Were quite concerned that this occurred. We want to keep people of all faiths safe in the city.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Sunday that he had spoken with several Muslims in Simi Valley and that they were heartbroken.

Members of the community told Ayloush that the stabbing had occurred near a prayer area where locals had gathered  but he said he did not know the exact address or type of building where the gathering took place.

Since Election Day, CAIR has received almost 200 reports of hate incidents directed at Muslims in America, Ayloush said.

Its hard to believe that in this day and age we still have to deal with such hate and violence in our country, and especially in a place as diverse as Southern California, Ayloush said.

The stabbing comes amid a national surge in anti-Muslim crimes, which jumped 67 percent in 2015, according to FBI statistics.

Researchers at California State University, San Bernardino have said the rise in anti-Muslim crimes accelerated after the San Bernardino terror attack in December 2015 and was fanned by Donald Trumps call to bar Muslims from entering the U.S. during his successful campaign for the presidency.

In recent weeks, mosques across California have received letters threatening genocide and referring to Muslims as vile and filthy people.

Officials note the difference between a hate crime and cruel comments, the latter of which are often protected by the First Amendment. The law prohibits physically harming someone based on his or her race, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation, among other characteristics.



2016 Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
PHOENIX  State officials say they need more time to sort through complicated issues before adopting a new system for grading Arizona public schools.

The Board of Education will go over a draft plan during a Dec. 19 meeting instead of voting on the new system as expected, reported the Arizona Republic (http://bit.ly/2gwEgLK).

Arizona held off on awarding schools grades A through F in 2014 as a new standardized test, AzMERIT, took effect and replaced AIMS.

State law says the new process for grading schools needs to be in place by next fall.

A group working on the grading system intends to discuss a possible extension with board members.

School officials have said rushing the process wouldnt solve issues seen in the previous system, like the high correlation between student poverty and low letter grades.

Thats easier said than done, said Tim Carter, Yavapai County superintendent and vice president of the Education Board.

Carter oversees the boards working group.

There was some controversy between the board and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.

Board members have been working at repairing that relationship.

The boards president resigned in August.

I think that for some time the controversy  distracted folks, Carter said. And I think that once those issues were resolved, it allowed us to pivot back to policy.  So I just think that had we started this process in January, it would obviously be better than having started the discussion in September.

___

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
PHOENIX  Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting meetings and open houses in Phoenix and Tucson this upcoming week.

In Tucson on Monday, VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson is scheduled to meet with employees, veterans groups and congressional delegates to discuss care access.

On Tuesday, Phoenix VA Health Care System director Rima Ann Nelson and regional director Chris Norton will host an open house in the Valley to educate veterans on health care and benefit options and new initiatives and opportunities within the VA.

Gibson will also be in Arizona for his fourth visit to Phoenix in four months.

The Arizona Republic reported this week that a federal watchdog agency found the Phoenix Department of Veterans Affairs hospital wasnt properly caring for suicidal patients.
PHOENIX  Arizonas U.S. senators says a provision in defense legislation approved by Congress would require Federal Aviation Administration to review flight path changes like those over Phoenix and take steps to mitigate negative effects on the community.

Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake say the provision in the legislation sent to President Barack Obama helps ensure that Phoenix residents impacted by noise from Sky Harbor International Airport flight path changes are heard.

Many residents complained about increased aircraft noise after the FAA implemented new flight paths in 2014 as part of an effort to streamline aircraft routing for safety and fuel efficiency.

Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor called the legislation a promising step to help affected residents, while Councilman Michael Nowakowski said it will hold the FAA accountable.
FARMINGTON  San Juan College faculty members expressed disapproval of the college president and the Board of Trustees during a vote of no confidence that took place Thursday.

In an email sent to faculty members Thursday evening, Lance Myler, the faculty association president, reported they had voted in favor of the measure of no confidence regarding President Toni Pendergrass by an 82-16 margin, and the measure of no confidence regarding the Board of Trustees was approved by an 84-15 margin.

This is the first time since 2007 when Carol Spencer was the chief executive that there has been a vote of no confidence regarding the college president.

I am disappointed about the vote, Pendergrass said in an emailed statement. The board and I are committed to the success of our students and to the needs of our community.

Ed DesPlas, the colleges vice president of administrative services, said the vote of no confidence is faculty expressing their extreme displeasure with the leadership of the college. Days before the vote, the board approved layoffs of a dozen employees as part of an approximate $1.14 million budget cut.

I know that (Pendergrass) commitment to San Juan County and the college has not waned, DesPlas said. Dr. Pendergrass is in it for the long haul.

Myler said the layoffs and budget cuts did not prompt the vote. He said the process to have a vote began in October long before the college considered the recent layoffs.

Myler said he did not know if the layoffs and budget cuts affected the way faculty members voted on Thursday.

He said in October, faculty members saw improvements in their communication with Pendergrass and the board. They hoped that improved communication would continue when they began the process of taking the no-confidence vote, Myler said.

We hope that, over time, that this turns out to be a good thing, he said.

Myler said faculty members are frustrated with communication involving the colleges finances. He said many faculty members are interested in being more involved in finding funding and optimizing resources for the school. Myler said the economy will likely not improve soon, and the college will have to find ways of stretching the money it has.

The faculty would like to be involved in those conversations, he said.

In her statement, Pendergrass said the college lost 5 percent of its state funding following a special legislative session earlier this year.

This week, we notified the 12 employees affected by the reduction in force, she said in her statement. We reduced our workforce by 1.2 percent. On Thursday, over 80 of the nearly 160 faculty cast their ballots against me and the board. Unfortunately, this is the downside of making the hard decisions required to keep the college on track. We are not immune to the economic challenges that have caused similar reductions in workforce by our local employers.

DesPlas also talked about the decision to lay off employees, which was caused by a reduction in state funds. DesPlas attributed the decreased funds to the decline in oil and gas development in the state.

He said the positions that were cut were eliminated in areas where the administration believed it would have minimal impact.

For example, four faculty members from the School of Energys commercial drivers license program were laid off. DesPlas said the once very large and prosperous program has seen a decrease in student interest as a result of the loss of jobs in the local area.

In her statement, Pendergrass praised the progress San Juan College has made in the past five years.

I am proud of the fact that we have increased the number of San Juan College graduates by 143 percent during the past five years, she said in her statement. We will continue on our path to keep San Juan College vibrant and financially sustainable. We truly care about the employees at this college. I believe that together we will resolve these issues, grow stronger from this adversity, and move forward.

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652.



2016 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
LAS CRUCES  The Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office is warning residents about a new fundraising scam related to a non-existent fund for fallen officers.

The sheriffs office has fielded several phone calls from concerned, would-be victims who wanted to verify the legitimacy of the calls, according to a news release issued Friday.

Residents were reportedly asked to donate money over the phone to Patrolmans NPF, the National Patrolmans Foundation, or the National Police Foundation.

Callers are reportedly trying to solicit donations for local law enforcement agencies to help widows and orphans of police officers who have died in the line of duty.

These calls are not associated with any legitimate charity and are not associated or endorsed by the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office or Sheriff Enrique Kiki Vigil.

According to the release, calls originate from a 402 area code, but they could be from anywhere if thieves are using ghosting software, which masks the true origination of the call. Such software prevents anyone from accurately tracing the call.

Many of these self-proclaimed police service organizations are paid professional fundraisers who prey on the generosity of the public by falsely claiming to be tied to fallen officers families and departments, Capt. Michael Kinney said in a statement. Just because a telemarketer uses an organizations name does not mean that contributions will be used locally, or even for public safety personnel or their families at all.

Kinney warns that anyone who suspects they have been contacted by a fraudulent organization to not give out any personal information over the phone, and do not divulge any sensitive financial information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers.

In 2016, two southern New Mexico police officers  Hatch police Officer Jose Chavez and Alamogordo police Officer Clint Corvinus  were killed in the line of duty.

Donations to the families of either officer can be made by contacting their agencies directly or on behalf of their names to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Concerns of Police Survivors, the National Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police, or the International Association of Chiefs of Police.



2016 the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.)

Visit the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) at www.lcsun-news.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
LAS CRUCES  The 30-year-old man shot in the abdomen Thursday during a road rage incident remained in critical condition Friday at an El Paso hospital, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.

Police said the man had been in a pickup before he was shot at least once near the intersection of Rinconada Boulevard and Settlers Pass. The name of the gunshot victim has not been released.

It remains unclear how many times the man was struck, but police said the gunfire came from a second automobile.

Preliminary information from LCPD suggests the pickup and automobile were engaged in aggressive driving while in the East Mesa area.

The incident began to unfold sometime after 5 p.m. Thursday, police said, and escalated a short time later when someone in the automobile produced a handgun and fired at least one round, striking the 30-year-old man.

The man was shot in the abdomen, police said, and was airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso, where he remained in critical condition on Friday.

LCPD spokesman Dan Trujillo said police have identified all parties involved in the incident, including the possible shooter. He said interviews were conducted Friday and that charges may be pending.

No arrests had been made as of Friday.

Police swarmed the area shortly after the shooting was reported at 5:16 p.m. As part of the investigation, police temporarily blocked traffic in and out of the Rinconada subdivision along Rinconada Boulevard, and between Roma Drive and Settlers Pass.

Trujillo said police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with relevant information to call 575-526-0795.



2016 the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.)

Visit the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) at www.lcsun-news.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
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WASHINGTON  The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST):

11:45 p.m.

Donald Trump says he is leaving his businesses before Jan. 20 so he can focus full time on being president.

He says on Twitter that his sons Don and Eric, along with other executives, will manage the companies, and adds, No new deals will be done during my term(s) in office.

Trump had been scheduled to hold a news conference this week on the future of his business empire, but it was postponed until next month. Sean Spicer, a Trump transition team spokesman, said the legal team needs more time to work out the plan for the Trump Organization.

Trump is promising to hold a news conference soon to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times!

___

10:30 p.m.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to lead the State Department.

Thats according to two people close to Trumps transition team.

The decision caps a lengthy process that often played out In public and exposed rifts within Trumps transition team. But Tillersons close ties to Russia could still complicate his Senate confirmation hearings.

Trump was set to formally announce Tillersons nomination Tuesday morning. The people close to Trumps transition insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the pick ahead of that announcement.

___

10 p.m.

Mitt Romney appears to be out of the running for secretary of state, writing on Facebook that it was an honor to have been considered for the job in Donald Trumps Cabinet.

Romney writes: My discussions with President-elect Trump have been both enjoyable and enlightening. I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace.

Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, was a vocal critic of Trump during the election. Some of Trumps senior advisers warned that tapping Romney for the job at State would anger the president-elects loyal supporters.

Trump plans to announce his secretary of state pick Tuesday. Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson has emerged as the leading candidate.

___

7:40 p.m.

President-elect Donald Trump says hell announce his pick for secretary of state Tuesday morning.

Trump revealed his plans Monday night on Twitter. His search for the countrys top diplomat has stretched out in a highly public fashion for weeks.

Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson has emerged as the leading candidate. He has met twice with Trump during the past week.

In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump pointed to Tillersons deep relations with Moscow as a selling point. As Exxon Mobils head, Tillerson maintained close ties with Russia and was awarded by President Vladimir Putin with the Order of Friendship, an honor for foreign citizens.

Other candidates considered by Trump include former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, once a vocal Trump critic, and Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who leads the Foreign Relations Committee.

___

7:30 p.m.

A federal judge has rejected an attempt to suspend a Colorado law requiring the states nine electors to vote for the state winner of the presidential election.

The move delivers a severe setback to a longshot plan by a handful of electors to deny Donald Trump the presidency. Hillary Clinton won Colorado, but some of the states Democratic electors hoped to join with Republican ones elsewhere to choose another Republican rather than Trump.

Two of the Colorado electors sued to suspend the state law that requires them to vote for the state winner. They argued it violates their First Amendment rights.

An attorney for Trump filed papers contending the litigation would undermine the electoral college.

___

6:40 p.m.

Donald Trump is postponing this weeks planned news conference on the future of his business empire until next month because he wants to ensure that proper protocols are put in place.

Sean Spicer, a Trump transition team spokesman, says the legal team needs more time to work out the plan for the Trump Organization. In an interview over the weekend, the president-elect said he would not participate in management nor would he do deals for his international company, but instead would leave management to his children and company executives.

Trump had said on Twitter last month that he would hold a major news conference Dec. 15 to discuss how the company would move forward once he takes office in January.

But Spicer said in an email Monday, With so many iconic properties and successful entities, moving the announcement to January ensures the legal team has ample time to ensure the proper protocols are put in place so his sole focus will remain on the country and achieving his ambitious agenda with the help of the world-class cabinet he has built.

Trump takes office Jan. 20.

___

6:20 p.m.

President-elect Donald Trump is postponing until next month a planned announcement on the future of his business empire.

Trump had said on Twitter that he would discuss his business Thursday. But Trump spokesman Sean Spicer and spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in emails Monday that the event has been rescheduled for January. They did not provide details.

Trump briefly addressed business conflicts in an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News. He said he would not manage the Trump Organization but left open retaining his ownership stake. He said his children and company executives would run the international business while he is in the White House.

___

5 p.m.

Future first lady Melania Trump has attended a hearing in a courthouse in Maryland as part of legal proceedings in a defamation suit.

Trump lawyer Charles J. Harder says in a statement that Trump attended the 24-minute hearing Monday morning in Montgomery County, Maryland, circuit court. Trump filed the suit in September, alleging that a Maryland blogger and the Daily Mail Online falsely accused her of being involved with an escort agency during her modeling career.

Harder says Trump was not required to attending the scheduling conference, but did so to show her commitment to the case.

The Washington Post reports that lawyers for the Daily Mail Online and blogger Webster Tarpley were present.

___

3:05 p.m.

President-elect Donald Trump has formally tapped Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn for a top White House economic post.

Cohn will serve as director of the National Economic Council, heading a department with a key role in policymaking. The post does not require Senate confirmation.

In a statement, Trump says Cohn will put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people.

Trump was critical of Goldman Sachs during the presidential campaign and lambasted Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for giving paid speeches to the Wall Street giant. But hes now chosen three people with ties to the bank for his administration, including Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary nominee, and Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist and senior counselor.

__

2:40 p.m.

The White House is shooting down the notion floated by one of President-elect Donald Trumps potential State Department picks that the Obama administration may have framed Russia with false hacking allegations.

Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton said over the weekend that the cyber interference in the election might have been a false flag and left open the possibility it was done by the Obama administration. A false flag is an operation designed to look like it was perpetrated by someone else.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says he can rule out that possibility. He says a wide range of irresponsible conspiracy theorists have floated the theory.

Bolton has been on Trumps list of potential candidates for secretary of state. Trumps transition team says Bolton is also being considered for another State Department role.

___

1:50 p.m.

The White House says the U.S. relationship with Taiwan should not be used as a bargaining chip to increase leverage with China over trade and other issues.

Over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump told Fox News Sunday that he wouldnt feel bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says that adhering to a policy of one China has allowed for a close trading partner in Taiwan and a constructive relationship with China.

Earnest says efforts to curb global warming and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon could not have occurred without Chinas help.

Earnest says progress benefiting the American people and the Chinese is much more difficult if tensions are heightened around our one-China policy.

__

1:42 p.m.

Hillary Clintons campaign is backing an effort by members of the Electoral College to request an intelligence briefing on foreign interference in the presidential election.

Top political aide John Podesta says electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and should have their questions answered.

Her campaign is also calling on the Obama administration to declassify information around Russias role in the election.

Weekend reports found that some in the intelligence community believe Russia released hacked emails to aide President-elect Donald Trump. A bipartisan group in the Senate is calling for an investigation.

___

1:40 p.m.

The White House says it supports an investigation by Congress into the role that Russia played in last months president election.

GOP leaders in both chambers say that committees will be looking into cyber threats, even as President-elect Donald Trump has said the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was ridiculous.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says that one of the goals of an intelligence review ordered by President Barack Obama is to compile information that can be presented to Congress.

Earnest says the congressional review is certainly warranted when you consider the stakes and the consequences.

Earnest is also praising intelligence officials, saying the men and women in the intelligence community are patriots and that the president has benefited enormously from their expertise.

___

1:18 p.m.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says the House Intelligence Committee will look into cyber threats such as hacking by Russia of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons presidential campaign.

But the Wisconsin Republican says any investigation should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election. He also chided those who would exploit the work of the U.S. intelligence community for partisan purposes.

Ryan said that Russian interference into the election is especially problematic since President Vladimir Putins Russia is an aggressor that undermines U.S. interests.

Ryans statement came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also called for a continuing probe into charges that the Russian government hacked into the DNC and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podestas email account.

___

12:15 p.m.

Former technology executive Carly Fiorina says she has discussed foreign policy and hacking threats with President-elect Donald Trump.

Fiorina met with her former rival for the GOP presidential nomination Monday in Trump Tower. She said they discussed China as probably our most important adversary and hacking, whether its Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking.

Fiorina said Trump has a ripe opportunity to literally reset things and said he is getting fantastic people in his administration. She did not respond to questions about whether she is up for a role in his Cabinet.

During the Republican primary, Fiorina won applause from women on both sides of the aisle when she pushed back on Trump after he suggested her face is unattractive.

___

12:04 p.m.

A senior Lockheed Martin official is defending the price tag of the F-35 stealth fighter and said he is ready to answer any questions Donald Trump may have regarding the price tag.

Jeff Babione, executive vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. said it is the most affordable plane of its kind.

He spoke Monday after Trump tweeted hell cut the costs of the Pentagons most expensive weapons program after he takes office.

Babione is in Israel as it prepares to receive the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets.

___

11:48 a.m.

A handful of members of the Electoral College are demanding an intelligence briefing on whether the government is investigating links between Trumps campaign and Russia.

Ten electors released an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper requesting information about ongoing investigations on ties between Trump and any Russian government interference in the election. One is a rogue Republican who says he wont vote for president-elect Donald Trump.

The letter released on the social media site Medium was written by Christine Pelosi, the daughter of top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California. Also signing the letter is Chris Suprun, a Texas Republican who says he wont vote for Trump, citing a Federalist paper by Alexander Hamilton that says electors must determine that the president is qualified and independent from foreign influence.

___

11:40 a.m.

Donald Trump has spoken with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

A statement from Rajoys office said the prime minister congratulated Trump personally for winning the U.S. election. Rajoy had previously only sent a telegram, shortly after the vote.

They talked about strengthening bilateral relations and touched on international issues, especially the partnership in fighting jihadism. They also spoke about the consequences of Brexit and the global economic situation.

Trumps transition team gave no readout on the call.

___

10:05 a.m.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has strongly condemned any foreign meddling to influence the U.S. election. McConnell spoke to reporters Monday, a day after President-elect Donald Trump said the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was ridiculous.

McConnell says that the Russians are not our friends and condemned Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other U.S. political organizations.

The Kentucky Republican says the Senate Intelligence Committee will investigate. He made his remarks as Trump continues to downplay the CIAs confidential assessment that the Russian government hacked into the DNC and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podestas email account.

__

8:55 a.m.

Donald Trump says hell reduce the costs of the Pentagons most expensive weapons program  Lockheed Martins F-35 Joint Strike Fighter  after he takes office.

The president-elect tweeted Monday that the F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.

The tweet comes the same day Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Israel as it prepared to receive the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets intended to help preserve the countrys military edge in the volatile Mideast.

The F-35 program has an estimated cost of nearly $400 billion. Israel is among a small number of allies to get the plane.

___

8:40 a.m.

President-elect Donald Trump is trying to cast new doubt on the CIAs conclusion that Russia tried to interfere in the U.S. presidential election.

Hes tweeting Monday that its very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. He adds that if his campaign had lost the election and we tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!

That there was hacking in 2016 and previous elections is not in dispute, nor is it a newly-discussed revelation. Theres broad agreement from President Barack Obama and lawmakers of both parties on investigations into which countries were responsible, including, but not limited to, Russia.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, who joined Senate Democrats Sunday to call for an immediate bipartisan investigation, said Monday on CBS This Morning that probes are essential because hacking could be a new form of warfare.

__

7:30 a.m.

A top adviser to Donald Trump says the CEO of Exxon Mobil is an attractive candidate for secretary of state in part because hes done business deals with Russia.

Kellyanne Conway told two television network morning shows Monday that Rex Tillerson has long and appropriate ties with top Russian officials. She says, Its not like Vladimir Putin and Rex Tillerson are pounding down vodka at the local bar. Theyre not intimate friends, but they deal with each other through business interests.

Trump has said that Tillersons relationships in Russia are part of his appeal as a finalist for secretary of state. Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate have said those ties are a concern. Those comments have raised questions about whether Tillerson can be confirmed.

Trump has said he expects to make public his choice for the high-profile Cabinet post later this week.

___

3:18 a.m.

President-elect Donald Trump is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over U.S. relations with Russia. Lawmakers are seeking to investigate purported Russian interference in the November election and question the incoming presidents potential pick for secretary of state.

Trump said Sunday that a recent CIA assessment that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was ridiculous. And he praised ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

But two key Senate Republicans  John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump critic  joined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlins activities during the election. And McCain questions the possible choice of Tillerson because of close ties with Moscow.
After 35 years on the job, Michael Stuban was minutes away from retiring from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

Only one thing stood in his way: Emailing his exit questionanaire to the human resources department.

Stuban had already decided to use the questionnaire to get a few things off his chest, penning a brutally frank assessment of his colleagues and bosses and how they functioned inside the state-run agency.

Now, the 58-year-old stood at a crossroads.

To the left was the nicely paved road to the human resources department, to which Stuban could quietly send his scathing critique, like a good rule-following employee to the very end.

To the right was a rockier, but far more adventurous path known as the reply all button. On this route, Stuban could live out the fantasy of disgruntled workers everywhere, ending his career in a blaze of glory, essentially yelling Sayanora, suckers! at the top of his lungs  his name forever infamous.

Did Stubans finger linger over his mouse as he decided which route to take and which man to become as he entered the next phase in his life? Perhaps well never know.

What we do know is that Stuban boldly chose the road less traveled.

Seconds later, his sharp-tongued missive landed in the inboxes of 2,000 fellow employees.

Weeks later, during an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News, Stuban, who retired on Thanksgiving, seemed to be at peace with his decision.

When they asked for an honest exit interview, I gave them one, Stuban told the Daily News. I sent it minutes before I officially retired.

Calls to Stuban and his former employer were not immediately returned.

In his questionnaire, Stuban said, rather surprisingly, that he actually enjoyed his job, according to a copy of the questionnaire published by PennLive.

I really didnt want to retire yet, he wrote. I like my job. The first 30 years were great but the last 5 years are terrible. (10 years as a toll collector, during which I served a few years as a union officer, 25 years in management).

Asked in the questionnaire what the most upsetting part of the job was, Stuban unloaded.

The phoneyness, he wrote.

Giving us classes where we are being told we are not political, he wrote. Thats b. Jobs/Promotions are filled by the politicians, its who you know, not what you know. Positions created for people who are not qualified. Hiring people off the street when we have qualified personal in our ranks.

Stuban also claimed commission employees have no morale and that executive-level management is out of touch with the average employees and only looking out for themselves.

Everything is a state secret, no input is asked from the filed until after decisions are made, he added. Employees are kept in the dark.

The message was not well received by Sean Logan, chairman of the Turnpike Commission. Logan, a former state senator, decided to fire back at the outgoing employee and also hit the reply-all button, writing: Mr. Stuban . . . I dont believe we ever met, and after reading your Exit Questionnaire, I am grateful that we didnt.

He added that the commission couldnt be to [sic] bad of a place considering you stayed for 35 years. Best of luck in your retirement.

Stuban told the Daily News he found out about Logans reply from his former colleagues.

He did miss the point, Stuban said. If it was an effective company and someone told you there are problems and no morale, you dont have to believe me, but maybe someone should check into it.

They hire a lot of people that are dumb as rocks, he added.

Logan told PennLive that the message was the first time hed been made aware of Stubans frustration and said he didnt appreciate the means of delivery.

I thought it was a very disingenuous way to communicate your issues, Logan said. If he really wanted to be constructive with his criticisms and suggestions, theres a whole other way to do it.

But he did lend some credence to several of Stubans criticism, such as the idea that employees are kept in the dark about management decisions.

Were running a billion-dollar, with a B, organization here, Logan told PennLive. We cant put everything out there.

But he pushed back against the idea that his executives are out of touch, noting that Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton and its chief operating officer, Craig Shuey, communicate very, very well with our employees and are out there in the field.

I would love to have received that criticism in a more constructive way because it does make you think, Logan told PennLive. Should I have communicated more frequently? Thats a valid point.

Stuban rose up through the commission ranks over several decades.

He retired as a midlevel manager, but he told the Daily News that he began his career working in a tollbooth.

Stuban told the Daily News he lives along the Ohio River in western Pennsylvania and he plans to travel and volunteer at his church now that hes retired.

Im staying active in the community, he told the paper.

pennsylvania-retire
If just three Senate Republicans defect, Rex Tillersons nomination as secretary of state would be dead.

And the three Republicans, who all have run for president, fired shots across the bow, making their doubts about the ExxonMobil chief executive known over the weekend when news of his likely nomination broke.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tweeted: Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryofState.

From Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C.: I dont know the man much at all, but lets put it this way: If you received an award from the Kremlin, [an] Order of Friendship, then were gonna have to do some talkin. Well have some questions. I dont want to prejudge the guy, but thats a bit unnerving.

And this from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): Its a matter of concern to me that he has such a close relationship with Vladimir Putin . . . that would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat.

This is terrible timing for Tillersons nomination. It comes just days after The Washington Post revealed that the CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election in an effort to help Donald Trump win.

In case you missed it, here is some background on Tillersons ties to Putin and his cronies: In the 1990s, Tillerson oversaw an Exxon project on Russias Sakhalin island and developed a working relationship with Putin. In 2011, Exxon signed an agreement with the state-controlled oil company, Rosneft, to work jointly on oil exploration and development in the Arctic and Siberia. After inking the deal in New York, Tillerson and Rosneft chairman and Putin confidant Igor Sechin dined on caviar at the luxury Manhattan restaurant Per Se, The Posts Steven Mufson and Philip Rucker reported. Two years later, the Kremlin awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, an honor reserved for foreigners.

This confirmation fight could become the proxy for a broader debate about Russian interference in the U.S. election. That is a debate Trump does not want to have.

No Senate Republican has come out as a hard no yet. Even McCain is leaving himself some wiggle room to capitulate.

Trump is testing congressional Republicans to see whether they are really the big pushovers that he told voters they were. Thats plainly what he was doing with his talk about tariffs last week. He will keep pushing the boundaries further and further until conservatives get the backbone to oppose him. If the GOP ultimately falls in line on Tillerson, Trumps takeaway will be that he doesnt need to worry about being constrained by his adopted party. This is how he thinks about the world.

Republicans are testing Trump, too. Does he back off at the first sign of pressure or double down?

Rubios skeptical tweet is especially significant because he is one of 10 GOP members on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which must clear Tillerson before he can get an up-or-down vote on the floor. Republicans only have one more committee member than Democrats, so Rubio could single-handedly torpedo Tillerson if he chose.

A no vote would be a good way for Rubio, who probably wants to run again for president in 2024, to show movement conservatives that hes still principled. He constantly promised to be a check on Trump as he sought reelection this year. Recall that, back in October, the senator also warned Republicans not to talk about the hacked emails of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman.

I will not discuss any issue that has become public solely on the basis of WikiLeaks, Rubio said. As our intelligence agencies have said, these leaks are an effort by a foreign government to interfere with our electoral process and I will not indulge it. I want to warn my fellow Republicans who may want to capitalize politically on these leaks. Today it is the Democrats. Tomorrow it could be us.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is also on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Tillerson is the kind of globalist that libertarians are so uncomfortable with. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., another member of the committee, is up for reelection in 2018. If McCain broke against Tillerson, he could follow suit.

What about the other seven Republicans on the committee? Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who was a secretary of state finalist, said in a tweet that Tillerson is a very impressive individual.

The rest are party loyalists who can be counted on to do whatever they are told by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Democratic leadership aides feel pretty good about keeping their members in line. Theyre always going to have to worry about someone like Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., caving, especially now that hes in a reelection cycle. But the liberal base badly wants at least one scalp for cathartic reasons. Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis was theoretically the best Trump pick to target because of his need for a waiver to become defense secretary, but a lot of Democrats respect him and think hes independent enough to stand up to Trump. Hes also publicly against torture, which works bigly in his favor.

Tillerson needs only 50 votes to take over Foggy Bottom. The GOP has 52 seats, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence would provide the tiebreaking vote.

If he ultimately makes it through, Tillersons confirmation hearings at the very least could be brutal. All of Exxons deals would come under the microscope, especially the ones that have been adversely affected by U.S. sanctions on Russia after its illegal annexation of Crimea. Exxon claims these sanctions cost it $1 billion a year.

Tillersons personal stake in Exxon is more than $150 million. Because much of this is via stock options that do not mature for a while, he cannot easily divest or put everything in a blind trust. How will he not think of his companys interests in 50 countries and on six continents as he negotiates on behalf of the United States?

The bigger issue, though, would be questions about where Tillersons true loyalties lie. The CEO is a major character in Steve Colls excellent 2012 book on Exxon, Private Empire. Coll, the dean of the Columbia Journalism School, described Tillersons selection as astonishing on many levels in the New Yorker. As an exercise of public diplomacy, it will certainly confirm the assumption of many people around the world that American power is best understood as a raw, neocolonial exercise in securing resources, he wrote. . . . it is hard to imagine, after four decades at ExxonMobil and a decade leading the corporation, how Tillerson will suddenly develop respect and affection for the American diplomatic service he will now lead.

The main theme of Colls book is that ExxonMobil sees itself as a transnational corporate sovereign, with power independent of the U.S. government, and that it is firmly devoted to shareholder interests. Exxons foreign policy sometimes had more impact on the countries where it operated than did the State Department, he explained. Take, for example, Chad, one of the poorest countries in Africa. During the [mid-2000s], the entirety of U.S. aid and military spending . . . amounted to less than [$20 million] annually, whereas the royalty payments Exxon made to the government as part of an oil-production agreement were north of $500 million.

tillerson-202-1stld-writethru
AUSTIN, Texas  Under pressure from the state, some Texas school districts are reducing the number of special education students by shutting out thousands of English-language learners in a move critics call clear discrimination against immigrant families.

In one school district alone, in the South Texas city of Victoria, just 39 of nearly 1,000 English-language learners receive services such as tutoring and speech therapy, which amounts to a 70 percent drop from a decade ago, according to a review by the Houston Chronicle (http://bit.ly/2gx5h3k ).

The newspaper has found that while many districts are warning teachers that English learners are overidentified in special education, statistics show the opposite is true.

Among the tactics districts use to decline services, some have refused to conduct eligibility evaluations in languages other than English and have rejected medical records from other countries, according to data and dozens of interviews with current and former educators. There are districts that have eliminated special education for international students altogether at some schools.

Its almost impossible to get my kids into special ed, said Arlene De Los Santos, a middle school teacher in Victoria. They have to have very, very severe needs for the school to even consider it.

The Texas Education Agency says ideally just 8.5 percent of the student population should be in special education, and has audited school districts for exceeding the benchmark and penalized districts for over-identification of minorities.

In defending the benchmark to federal regulators last month, agency officials acknowledged some possible under-representation of English learners. They declined to answer the newspapers questions about the restrictions.

Even if the policy was not meant to be discriminatory, it has clearly had that effect, said Gary Orfield, a social scientist and co-founder of The Civil Rights Project while at Harvard University, who called it the most outrageous education policy hes seen. If schools are creating systems in which students are not getting services simply because of the language they speak, thats discrimination.

Many educators say immigrants often dont understand how special ed works. Part of the reason for the drop in English learners, they said, is that parents are unable to fight the hurdles that the state agency target has introduced for families seeking special education.

These parents dont understand the system, said Iliana Benitez, a social worker at Baylor College of Medicine. Culturally, theyre not inclined to speak up  and nobody tells them they have rights.

___

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com
BEIRUT  Syrian forces in the northern city of Aleppo pinned down rebel fighters to a sliver of territory on Monday as President Bashar al-Assads troops appeared close to capturing their biggest battlefield prize and delivering a crushing loss to the opposition.

Taking full control of Aleppo  whose eastern districts were among the last urban strongholds of the rebels  would not end the more than five-year-long conflict that has ravaged Syria and scattered millions of war refugees across the Middle East and Europe.

But Aleppos fall would mark a major setback for rebel factions and leave them  and their Western and Arab allies  struggling for ways to keep the anti-Assad rebellion alive.

On social media, some people in the last few rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo wondered whether they were posting their final words.

I am waiting to die or be captured by the Assad regime, wrote Ameen al-Halabi, a photographer. Pray for me and always remember us.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was alarmed by reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children.

Rebel officials said their fighters were pulling out of district after district in the face of overwhelming force by Syrian ground troops backed by Russian air power. By nightfall, rebels controlled no more than a tenth of the eastern Aleppo neighborhoods they had once hoped to use as a seat of power to rival the capital, Damascus.

The battle of Aleppo has reached its end. It is just a matter of a small period of time, no more, no less . . . its a total collapse, said Rami Abdulrahman, the pseudonym of the director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

He said rebel forces had withdrawn from all districts on the eastern side of the Aleppo River after losing a key area, Sheikh Said, in overnight fighting.

After repeated attempts to take back Aleppo, a pro-government offensive has smashed rebel defenses there and left armed opposition groups ready to surrender. But while rebel officials say they are willing to evacuate the city, pro-Assad forces have continued their seemingly unstoppable march through what remains of the rebel enclave.

Defeat of the rebels in this strategic city, once Syrias economic powerhouse, would be devastating for the broader fight against Assads rule.

It also would give the government an important morale boost a day after the Islamic State militant groups recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra underscored the Syrian armys deep manpower shortages.

More than 100,000 people are thought to have fled the fighting in eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks, often arriving in government- or Kurdish-held areas with nothing. But those who remain have said they cannot leave.

Some fear getting caught and even disappearing in the dragnet of government detentions. The United Nations has received reports that the rebels have stopped people from leaving.

They have been killing us for so long, why would they have mercy? asked one resident, who gave his name as Ahmed al-Shaer.

Inside the last pockets of rebel territory in eastern Aleppo, most residents sheltered in their houses Monday as bombs rained down and government troops came closer. The area has been shattered, and monitoring groups say hundreds have been killed there in the latest offensive.

Residents said Monday that roads in the rebel-held districts were filled with civilians camped out and huddling in the winter cold.

Life in Aleppo has become a slow death, Shaer said. You watch everything and everyone dear to you disappear.

And on Monday night, the phones of most civilians contacted by The Washington Post appeared to have fallen silent. Their fate remains unknown.

  

The Washington Posts Liz Sly in Beirut, Heba Habib in Stockholm and Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.

syria-2ndld-writethru
Stansbury draws out-of-town backing

2022 election

But Garcia Holmes says lawmaker from ...
At first, the parents try to ignore the screaming man at the mall telling their children theyve been lied to about Santa Claus.

Then it becomes clear hes not going to stop.

Kids, I want to tell you today that there is no such thing as Santa Claus, the man tells people waiting in line for Christmas photos at the Westgate Mall in Amarillo, Texas. Santa Claus does not exist. The Christmas season is about Jesus.

The man youre going to see today is just a man in a suit dressed up like Santa.

The shouting man is David Grisham, an evangelical street preacher from Anchorage, Alaska, who has shouted his sermons at people across the country for nearly a decade, whether they want to hear them or not.

On Saturday, his unwilling audience was a group of families snaked around Westgates seasonal Christmas village at the food court near the Hot Topic and the Gap.

Grisham paid no heed to calls to chill out from parents  and as his sermon picked up momentum, things were about to get ugly.

Dont lie to your children and tell them theres such a thing as Santa, when you know in reality that there are no flying reindeer, there is no workshop at the North Pole. . . that you buy all the gifts and put them under the tree.

A girl in a Santa hat stared, wide-eyed. Other children shot confused looks at their moms and dads. And a few parents decided to take action.

A man in a blue T-shirt approaches. Hes so close to Grisham that the pastors cellphone camera captures only his torso.

Stop, the man says, speaking over Grisham.

Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.

Quit talking this mess, you understand me, the father says. I got my kids over there, we dont need you coming over here blabbing whatever the hell youre blabbing.

Other parents approach, diverting Grishams attention from his message as tensions rise.

This kind of conflict is not foreign to Grisham, the founder of Last Frontier Evangelism. He travels the country with his wife, spreading the gospel to people who are, for the most part, minding their own business.

He told The Washington Post that God spoke to him a decade ago while he and his wife were on vacation in Mexico. Hes been street-preaching most weekends ever since.

On Saturday, he whipped out his cellphone camera to record his Santa truther episode, hoping a viral video would help spread the gospel.

Hes claiming victory. The video has been seen more than 2 million times. As an added bonus, mall officials say hes not banned from the mall, per se, though theyre on the lookout for future inappropriate behavior.

Grisham said hes planning to do the same thing at other malls before Christmas.

Usually, Grisham and his wife carry large signs that quote scripture and let people know that God isnt fond of whatever they happen to be doing.

Most of the unsaved people are not going to church, he said. My wife and I, we go to gay bars, we go to porn shops. If youre going to be a fisher of men, youve got to go where the fish are.

In August, they struck up conversations with people outside a strip club, The Great Alaskan Bush Company, carrying a large sign that said THE WAGES SIN PAYS IS DEATH.

They spoke at the Pittsburgh homosexual pride parade, according to a Facebook picture, and at the Republican and Democratic national conventions, venues where people have come to expect a clash of opinions.

The Grishams have also directed their messages at people who have good reason to say theyre not actively sinning, like Catholics who traveled to Philadelphia to see the Pope.

But Grisham told The Post that his biggest beef this time of year is with Kris Kringle.

If Santa Claus was a cartoon caricature like Mickey Mouse and everybody knew that it was fake, and no one thought it was real, Id be fine with it, he said. But when you start telling kids that Santa Claus is real, it now becomes idolatry. Im going after it because its idolatry.

Hes not just going after Santa Claus metaphorically.

In 2010, he videotaped a mock execution of a Santa Claus pinata, complete with sound effects and a coup de grace to the Santa pinata.

What you cant see, he told his listeners, is that we shot Santa in the face.

He realizes the tactics strike emotional chords. So at the mall on Wednesday he wasnt surprised when he found himself surrounded by angry parents.

One started pushing him, he said, and on the video he tells the man to stop assaulting him. Nearby, he could see mall employees on their radios, asking for security guards to come.

It was time to go.

But first, in case anyone hadnt been listening for the past three minutes, he offered a parting shot:

Kids, there is no Santa. Santas not real. Your parents are lying to you. Dont believe it.

Yall have a nice day.

santa-truther
Besides doing extraordinary things to benefit their community  with no expectation of reward  Rudolfo Anaya, Ed Goodman, Kyla and Roger Thompson, Elizabeth Whitefield, Al and Linda Vigil, and Victor Lopez now have one more thing in common: They will be honored Tuesday with either a 2016 Spirit of New Mexico award or the Harry Kinney Good Samaritan award.

The awards, presented annually by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Albuquerque Journal since 2009, recognize exceptional groups and individuals who selflessly give of themselves for the simple joy of serving fellow New Mexicans.

Theyre a particularly diverse group this year  an author, a lawyer, a couple that assists veterans, a judge, a couple that helps those affected by suicide and a chess enthusiast. But each has gone the extra mile to make New Mexico the extraordinary place it is.

The recipients will be honored Tuesday at a luncheon and awards ceremony set for 11 a.m. at Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, 1901 University NE. Tickets are available at www.abqchamber.com by clicking on the calendar, or call 764-3731.

Anaya, considered the dean of Chicano literature, is turning his iconic coming-of-age novel Bless me, Ultima, into an opera.

Goodman helps find homes for sightless dogs, and Whitefield is noted for her work as a Family Court judge. The Vigils help families cope with the suicide of a loved one, and Lopez helps kids learn mental discipline and strategic thinking through chess.

The Thompsons, who will receive this years Harry Kinney Good Samaritan Award, work tirelessly for veterans. The Kinney award is named for the former mayor known for his generosity and leadership.

Congratulations to each recipient.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
CAIRO  President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Monday that a suicide bomber was responsible for an attack that killed 24 worshipers at Cairos Coptic cathedral complex during Sunday Mass as outrage grew among Egypts Christian minority.

Speaking to hundreds of mourners at a state funeral, Sissi said that the bomber wore a vest packed with explosives and that four people suspected of aiding him had been arrested. Security forces were looking for two people with possible links to the attack, he said.

The countrys interior ministry described the alleged bomber as a 22-year-old man from the town of Fayoum, 60 miles south of the capital, Cairo. It also released a picture of what it said was the bombers head.

At least 49 people were wounded in the explosion at the Botrosiya Church, which is also known as the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The church is adjacent to St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

The attack was the deadliest on Christians since a suicide bomber killed 23 congregants at a church in Alexandria on Jan. 1, 2011.

Health Ministry officials lowered the death toll by one, to 24, suggesting that the bomber had initially been counted among the victims. Many of the dead were women and children.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, and Sissi did not name any suspected organizations as being involved. But the attack bore the hallmarks of Islamic extremists, including Egypts Islamic State affiliate, who have been behind numerous attacks on soldiers, policemen and government officials, as well as Christians, across the country this year.

The attack brought us great pain, but we will never be torn apart, Sissi told the mourners. God willing, we will win this war.

Sissi, along with Pope Tawadros, led a procession in which soldiers carried the coffins, draped in the national flag, to the state funeral. Earlier, a service was held at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius Church in Cairo.

After praying over the coffins, Pope Tawadros sought to defuse the mounting anger among Christians, who make up 10 percent of the population. The community has long felt discriminated against by the countrys Muslims, and successive authoritarian governments.

Attacks against Christians have spiked since the 2011 populist revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, and especially after the military overthrew an elected Islamist government in 2013.

After the bombing Sunday, a crowd of Christians outside the cathedral angrily denounced the police and the government for not protecting them.

This calamity is not against the church but against the homeland, against all of Egypt, Pope Tawadros told the mourners. Those who commit acts such as this do not belong to Egypt at all, even if they are on its land.

On Monday, Sissi called for stricter anti-terrorism laws but dismissed public accusations that Egypts security forces had not adequately protected the church.

Human rights activists urged the government to conduct a proper investigation of the bombing and to protect the Christian community as the holiday season approaches.

Egypts government needs to ensure immediate protection for the Coptic community, especially during the upcoming Christmas holiday, Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. The victims deserve a credible, transparent investigation that brings the perpetrators to justice and is crucial for ending such attacks.

egypt
NEVATIM AIR FORCE BASE, Israel  It was supposed to be a public relations bonanza. A pair of new F-35 fighter jets were scheduled to streak across the sunny desert sky here on Monday afternoon and land to rapturous applause by Israeli and American leaders and military brass.

But first fog socked in an Italian air force base outside Milan, delaying for hours the take-off of the F-35s on the last leg of their journey from Texas to Israel.

Tired of the long wait, many of the invited guests departed, a reverse parade of military attaches heading back to their embassies, followed by television news crews who didnt think footage of airplanes landing in the dark would be terribly gripping.

Then, out of nowhere, President-elect Donald Trump decided to strafe the F-35 in a tweet on Monday.

The F-35 program and cost is out of control, Trump wrote. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th, the date of his inauguration.

Trump didnt mention any defense companies by name, but the lead F-35 contractor, Lockheed Martin, saw its share price fall by 2.6 percent.

Finally, the two F-35s landed here at 8:16 p.m. local time. It was dark.

The two aircraft were flown by U.S. pilots, and they were greeted by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

Carter said there was no better symbol of the relationship between the United States and Israel than the F-35.

Together, we will dominate the skies, he said. With the turmoil in the region, were more dedicated to Israels security today than ever before.

Netanyahu said, Our goal is to obtain supremacy in every theater: in the air, in the sea, on the ground and cyber.

The arrival of the first F-35s should serve as a warning to Israels opponents, the prime minister said.

I want to be clear: Anyone who thinks of attacking us will be attacked. History has taught us that only strength brings deterrence, only strength brings peace and respect, Netanyahu said, according to a translation by the Jerusalem Post.

The two stealthy fighter jets cost Israel around $110 million each. Israel announced that it would acquire 50 of the aircraft, which are designed to evade detection by sophisticated surface-to-air missiles and top-flight fighter planes.

In September, after months of negotiation, the Obama administration signed an unprecedented pact with Israel that will provide the Jewish state with the largest amount of military aid ever awarded, $38 billion over 10 years, with promises of the latest in missile defense systems, cutting-edge technology and fighter jets such as the F-35.

Israel is the first country to receive the F-35s. The Israeli air force hopes to have them mission ready within a year.

The deputy commander of the Nevatim Air Force Base called the F-35 more than a flying machine.

Its a war system, said Col. Asaf, who because of security protocols would only be identified by his first name and rank.

The colonel described the airplane as a lethal combination of technology and stealth, which will be mostly invisible to enemy aircraft and ground-based anti-air batteries.

Israeli air force officers say the fifth generation F-35s will allow it to penetrate enemy airspace without detection.

Its a completely different ball game, said another Israeli air force commander, who briefed reporters on the condition he would not be named.

The officer said the F-35 is not faster or more agile than the F-16s and F-15s the Israelis currently fly. Nor can it carry more weapons.

The difference is they cant see you, he said. And by the time they do see you, they are in trouble.

Russia recently delivered advanced anti-aircraft batteries to Iran. As far as we know nobody has flown the F-35 against the S-300s, the Russian-made surface to air missiles. But we dont see this as a big challenge for the F-35, the air force commander said.

Jack Crisler, a Lockheed Martin vice president for business development, was on hand at Nevatim air base for the landing ceremony.

He said the F-35 was designed specifically to best the latest anti-aircraft missiles. In addition to its ability to jam enemy radar and penetrate undetected into adversarys air space, Crisler said the airplane collects and processes reams of data about the battlefield. The pilot is offered a 360-degree view, which is shown on an Israeli-designed helmet visor.

Crisler said the cost of the F-35 in 2019 will be $85 million, making it highly competitive.

He chaffed at the suggestion that his plane cant fly in the fog.

Crisler explained that was the Italian authorities who put a halt on takeoffs during the afternoons bout of bad weather.

The Israeli deputy commander said four Israeli pilots have been training on simulators in the United States and on Tuesday will take the two F-35s for their first flights here.

Israeli officials say the F-35 will be used for all its missions, in possible future confrontations with Iran, and the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

This means that if Hamas and Israel fight a fourth war in Gaza, the worlds most advanced fighter jet will go against an enemy who makes homemade rockets out of repurposed sewer pipes.

israel-f35
WASHINGTON  Heather Wilson, a former Republican congresswoman from New Mexico, is under consideration for a top national security job in President-elect Donald Trumps administration.

Wilson, who has been serving as president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City since 2013, met with Trump transition officials Monday at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Its not clear if she met with Trump himself.

Fin Gomez of FOX News first reported the meeting Monday morning, tweeting that Wilson was under consideration for the critical director of national intelligence position. The job requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment about Trumps interest in Wilson on Monday.

Wilson forwarded a Journal email inquiring about her meeting with Trump officials to the public affairs office at her South Dakota college.

President Wilson was contacted by the President-elects transition team late Friday afternoon, Fran R. LeFort, the schools communications manager, replied in an email. They asked her to come to New York on Monday to talk to them about a senior national security position. She will have no further comment at this time.

Although Wilson has been out of public office since 2009, its not surprising that Trump officials are considering her for a national security job. She has a deep well of experience in the field.

In 1989, she was named director for European defense policy and arms control on National Security Council staff and she remained active in national security matters as a member of Congress.

Wilson, who is also a Rhodes scholar and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, represented New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009, serving on the Armed Forces and Intelligence committees. She lost a bid for the U.S. Senate to Democrat Martin Heinrich in the 2012 general election.

Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who mounted a losing bid for the GOP presidential nomination, is also reportedly under consideration for the director of national intelligence post in the Trump administration.
WASHINGTON  President-elect Trump is looking at former Texas governor Rick Perry, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Texas businessman Ray Washburne to head the Energy Department, according to individuals briefed on the matter.

While Trump has not made a final decision, those three are now the finalists for the post, according to these individuals. They asked for anonymity because a formal announcement or decision has not yet been made.

All three men are supporters of expanding fossil fuel production, and would likely shift the priorities of a department that has promoted renewable energy and curbs on greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change during President Barack Obamas time in office. While both Perry and Manchin are veteran politicians, Washburne is a successful restaurant and real estate magnate who would represent an unorthodox pick for the Cabinet post.

Manchin, who arrived at Trump Tower Monday afternoon to meet with the president-elect, told reporters, Im very anxious to have a good conversation but did not elaborate beyond that. The West Virginian, a moderate who has served as a bridge between the two parties while in the Senate, spent six years as his home states governor before winning a special election in 2010 for the seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd.

Manchin is a staunch supporter of coal mining, and has frequently criticized the Obama administrations efforts to impose limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants as well as stricter environmental regulations on coal mining operations. While he has expressed frustration in the past about congressional gridlock, he announced last spring he would run for reelection in 2018.

Theyre looking for somebody in the middle, he said in an interview on MSNBC at the time. They need six of me to make something work.

If he were tapped that would open a vacancy in a state where Republicans have a widening advantage over Democrats, though the states Democratic governor would initially appoint Manchins successor.

Perry  who is slated to meet with Trump Monday evening  focused more on oil and gas production during his 14 years as Texas governor, given the rich resources the state boasts. Ironically, the Energy Department was central to the 2012 gaffe that ended his first presidential bid: after declaring that he wanted to eliminate three federal agencies during a presidential debate in Michigan, he froze after mentioning the Commerce and Education Department. The third one, I cant. Sorry. Oops, he said.

Later during the debate, Perry offered, By the way, that was the Department of Energy I was reaching for a while ago.

Speaking to reporters once the event was over, he said, The bottom line is I may have forgotten Energy, but I havent forgotten my conservative principles, and thats what this campaign is really going to be about.

Washburne, a GOP fundraiser who served as vice chair of the Trump Victory Committee, is both the co-founder of MCrowd Restaurant Group and CEO of Charter Holdings, a real estate investment company. A former chair of the Republican National Committee, Washburne met with Trump in New York last month and chairs the transitions Commerce Department landing team.

Despite its name, most of the Energy Departments budget is devoted to maintaining the nations stockpile of nuclear warheads and to cleaning up nuclear waste at sites left by military weapons programs. The department runs the nations national laboratories, sets appliance standards and hands out grants and loan guarantees for everything from basic research to solar cells to capturing carbon dioxide from coal combustion.

  

The Washington Posts Steven Mufson contributed to this report.

transition-energy
INDIANAPOLIS  The yellow roses arrived just after lunch, and the daughter-in-law of the union leader worried his cigarette smoke would wilt them. Maybe these should go in the kitchen, she told him.

But Chuck Jones wanted to keep them in the union halls war room.

First time in my life someone has sent me flowers, he said gruffly, taking another drag on a Marlboro Red. The bouquet came from a stranger  another Chuck  along with a note: God bless unions. Thank you for your courage.

Jones, 65, is the president of the United Steelworkers 1999, which represents the Carrier factory jobs in Indianapolis that president-elect Donald Trump has vowed to save. Hes also adjusting to a new role, one surreal to a Midwestern man who uses a flip phone: Internet star.

Jones became famous overnight after pointing out Trump had overstated the deal he struck last month with United Technologies, Carriers parent company, to stop the plants jobs from moving to Mexico.Chuck Jones . . . has done a terrible job representing workers, Trump tweeted in apparent response Wednesday. No wonder companies flee the country!

The next day, as #StandWithChuck trended on social media, Jones huddled with friends and family in the squat, brick building, picking through care packages from people in Ohio, Kansas and California. They took turns answering the phone, scrawling tally marks on a dry erase board for every good and bad call.

By Thursday night, good was winning, 85 to 22.

A lawyer in Seattle rang, volunteering to represent Jones for free if he wanted to sue Trump for slander. (He did not.) The county prosecutor rang, offering to send security guards. (He said no.) A man who wouldnt give his name rang, telling Jones to just shut up. (He would not.)

What does a man do when the next leader of the free world bashes him on Twitter? Jones wasnt sure, so he kept working. The United Steelworkers were supposed to host a toy drive the following afternoon for poor children. Jones needed to buy Bud Light for the factory employees coming to wrap the presents.

He also agreed to talk to CNNs Anderson Cooper, whose crew built a temporary set in the unions meeting space, a cafeteria-sized room with checkered floors and a defunct Dr. Pepper machine.

Jones sat under the portable television lights and fixed his blue eyes on the camera, unsmiling. Viewers nationwide would see a man who didnt think hed live past 55, thanks to decades of smoking and drinking  but there he was, three months or so away from retirement, wearing jeans, steel-toed boots and a purple button-down. Hed combed his gray hair and his gray mustache. He told himself not to cuss.

From a New York City studio, Cooper asked Jones about the bad calls.

Nobodys said theyre going to kill me or nothing, Jones replied. They make statements like We know where you live. We know what type of car you drive.'



The attention started after Jones told The Washington Post on Tuesday that Trump had lied his a off.

He said the president-elect was taking credit for rescuing 1,100 of the Carrier factory jobs, when, by the companys figures, only 800 of the positions slated to leave will stay on American soil. Five hundred and fifty of his members, he said, are still preparing to lose their livelihoods. I had to break the bad news to some of them, Jones said. Trump said all would stay, but it turns out only some will stay.

Carrier, meanwhile, will collect $7 million in state tax breaks. The company also said it would pour $16 million into updating the plant  a process that will lead to more automation and some job loss, United Technologies chief executive Greg Hayes said in a CNBC interview.

Joness words splashed across the Internet and landed him on television with CNNs Erin Burnett. About twenty minutes later, Trump, known to watch the news and then slam his critics, insulted Jones on Twitter, adding, If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana. Spend more time working-less time talking.

Jones says he plead with Carrier over the last year to keep the jobs in Indianapolis and attempted to negotiate severance packages. But he couldnt match the $65 million that Carrier stood to save by moving to Mexico.

Then Trump visited the plant on Dec. 1, announcing he had convinced United Technologies not to close the Indianapolis plant.

Companies are not going to leave the United States any more without consequences, Trump told the crowd of factory workers. Not going to happen. Its not going to happen, Ill tell you right now. Jones, seated toward the back, wondered why the president-elect didnt mention the 550 jobs still scheduled to leave.



A sign in Jones office reads: The life of a union official: If they talk on a subject, they are trying to run things. If they are silent, they have lost interest in the organization.

He was born in Indianapolis to a mother who stayed home and a father who ran machines at a factory for 30 years. He has been divorced twice and is separated from his third wife. He has four adult children and step-children.

When he was 17, Jones started working at Rexnord, a bearings plant about a mile away from the Carrier factory. He repaired machines, making $29 an hour at his earnings peak. At 32, he realized hed been complaining for years about how the place operated and decided to run for union president.

Jones ended up winning, and he said he has won every election since  except for one in 1991, when someone spread a rumor that he had turned the union hall into a tavern.

He now acts as foul-mouthed advocate for his 3,000 members, all in Indiana, resolving conflicts between workers and bosses, sometimes calling them fheads. He watches over 12 plants, down from 32 since 1998  casualties of trade and technology.

Next year, the Rexnord plant where Jones first worked will add to the tally of shuttered factories in his jurisdiction. The industrial supplier plans to move nearly 300 jobs to Mexico.

He also worries about losing more workers at Vertellus, a chemical company that shuttled at least 40 jobs to China last year.

He led a strike for seven weeks in 1985 when a company tried to downgrade its workers health insurance plan. He learned how important health insurance was, Jones said, when he developed colon cancer six years ago and beat it with chemotherapy and illicit marijuana joints.



On Friday morning, the phone rang again. This time, Jones picked it up. He frowned and switched on the speaker.

Some whackjob in Las Vegas, he threatened our local, a United Steelworkers representative in Michigan said, his voice filling the war room. He threatened me. He threatened my family.

Thats kind of over the top, Jones replied.

Id say so, the representative said. We filed a police report.

The threat came, the Michigan man said, after hed posted support for Jones on Facebook. This news worried the union leader. He wasnt sure if hed heard from the whackjob in Las Vegas.

Hell, he told his friends, seated around the union halls wooden table for the second straight day. Weve had so many.

He lit another Marlboro  this was a four-pack day  and wondered what to do. He said he didnt care if people threatened him, but he hated to hear about others getting scared. He joked about clobbering attackers with a stapler.

Im tired of being the hard guy, he said, the closest he had come to expressing concern about all this attention. I cant whip nobody any more. Im too old. I smoke too much. I cant breathe.

That night, as Jones settled in to watch Gold Rush, a show about miners on the Discovery Channel, his friends daughter searched his name on Twitter. She noticed that someone had created a fake account, one that had garnered 10,400 followers. She let him know.

How can I get that off? Jones asked. He didnt intend to build a web presence. He didnt want someone muddying his name, either.

Im new here, the imposter wrote, but wanted to let Donald Trump know Im not scared of him.

The daughter didnt know how to stop it. The Internet felt out of their control.



Video: Meet the union leader who took on Trump

URL: http://wapo.st/2gs60Tv

Embed code:

trump-union
Nearly 600,000 people in America will die of various forms of cancer this year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Millions more will be affected by the disease as they, or people close to them, undergo treatment.

On Dec. 6, The Washington Post hosted scientists, policymakers and patient advocates for Chasing Cancer, an in-depth discussion of advances in cancer detection, treatment and care. The speakers talked about how genetic tests are being used to determine cancer risk, and they debated the effectiveness of  and the difficulties posed by  some new therapies. Lawmakers also reviewed efforts to craft policies that may change how, and at what cost, patients receive care. Participants also discussed the impact that cancer and its treatment have on patients. Excerpts from the discussion are presented here, and videos of the full event can be found at wapo.st/chasingcancer.

  

GENETIC TESTING

Theodora Ross

Director of UT Southwestern Medical Center Cancer Genetics Program

We dont have enough genetic counselors. We dont have enough doctors who understand genetics. So when people get genetic tests, they think, Oh, its done. Ive done it. Im fine. But its not. Its not a single event.

I think the cost of the [genetic] test has definitely gotten into a realm of where it can be democratized. But the cost of care is different. Youve got your genetic test results. How do you act on that? . . . [People] need to have several doctors to guide them through all the steps that they need to take to keep themselves healthy. Thats a harder problem.

One of the big discoveries in tumor sequencing is that a lot of people with tumors have genetic, or inherited, defects. In fact, thats one of the biggest discoveries. Its not anything about the tumor that were targeting, and thats surprising. I think it still goes back to the fundamental of what are you predisposed to and discovering that. Again, were missing the genetic counselors and the genetic care. I do worry that were going to miss some very important opportunities genetically when were just sequencing tumors without having good genetic care.

  

Robert Nussbaum

Chief medical officer, Invitae

In terms of screening, we know that from the work weve done that only half of the people who end up with a positive genetic test indicating theres a strong predisposition for cancer would have been tested under current, fairly narrow guidelines. I think the guidelines need to be broadened. Thats quite different from saying the entire population should be screened. But I do think that genetic testing is not being offered as widely as probably it should be.

I think the major limitation right now is we dont know how to interpret the vast majority of variation in the human genome. There are millions of differences between any two individuals, and even in the parts of the 2 percent of the genome that contains the coding, there are tens of thousands of differences. We dont know how to interpret the vast majority of them. Thats a part of the current thrust to make the data available so that we can do research and really understand it.

Im very passionate about the point that we are not going to make great progress if we dont free up all the data thats being generated both in genetic testing companies and on the research side.

  

21ST CENTURY CURES ACT

Gregory Simon

Executive Directive, White House Cancer Task Force

Nixon declared war on cancer in 71. I dont say this often: You really have to admire him because he had no army, he had no weapons, he had no strategy. But he said, Were going to do this. And now, 45 years later, we have millions of patients who are willing to help, thousands of trained doctors, brand-new therapies like immunotherapy, better radiation and less harmful [chemotherapy].

We needed a new strategy, and that means our government has to operate differently as well, which has been one of the focuses of the Cancer Moonshot. How do we redesign our systems to live in the world we are actually in, rather than the one we got after World War II, when the government took over university funding?

The money for the cures, for the Cancer Moonshot, the money for precision medicine, the money for the brain initiative by themselves will not be nearly as valuable if they werent accompanied by all the other systemic changes that were in the [21st Century Cures Act].

The money in the bill will allow the National Cancer Institute to screen people who get colorectal cancer in their 30s  and all of their family members  for something called Lynch syndrome, which causes people in their 30s to get endometrial or colorectal cancer. You can identify those people and have them start getting checked for those cancers much sooner and save thousands, if not millions, of lives. Its a huge, huge benefit.

  

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Democratic Representative from Florida

Theres no question in my mind that the most significant gap in [the 21st Century Cures Act] is that it did not take on the astronomical and soaring prescription-drug-price crisis. We are really being priced out of the ability to afford drugs. Our health-care system is being priced out of the ability to do that.

While that is a glaring omission, I know Democrats are committed to aggressively pressing for making sure that we can take this on, and hopefully well be joined by our Republican colleagues as well. [Im] not sure if well take similar approaches, but we do need to take it on.

Speaking as both a legislator and as a cancer survivor: Whether it is drug therapies or treatments or devices  and having really heard the angst of constituents so many times who, through a very bureaucratic and years-long process, were still not able to get access to drugs that could potentially have saved their lives or added to their life  a balance needs to be struck.

You dont want to put things out into the market that could harm people, but at the same time you dont want to keep drugs and therapy and devices from people that could help them. It is a legitimate concern that we not want to have a process that is expedited so much that it harms people, and thats something that were going to have to continue to monitor, which is our goal as members of Congress.

  

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Representative from Tennessee

We knew that technology was leading us toward precision medicine and personalized medicine. We knew that, as the governmental entities that create the environment for the delivery systems or for the research, we had to make some changes in how we were approaching things. Our goal in all of this is to make certain that everyone has access to affordable health care.

As we looked at it, we decided to break [the 21st Century Cures Act] apart. Instead of doing a series of hearings, like many times you do when youre working through a committee process, what we did was to work in task forces and to drill down a little bit deeper into what 21st-century cures would look like.

What would be the deliverables? Where should we put some incentives? What did NIH need? What did the FDA need? And subsequently, how would CMS need to adjust their reimbursements and their approach? We really did begin this project of 21st-century cures with the end in mind, where we would want to go.

It was really a collaborative effort. As we go forward and look at the insurance side and also health-care delivery and health-care access, I hope that we keep that collaborative nature of working in a task force and finding where we can agree, and using that as a foundation to move forward.

  

YOUNG-ADULT CANCERS

Gregory Aune

Assisant professor of cancer research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, who as a teenager was treated for Hodgkin lymphoma

When I finished, I very much thought it was going to be all over and life would return to normal. What Ive learned over the last 27 years as a survivor [of Hodgkins lymphoma] is its really never over. There are consequences of the treatments that we take.

Cancer is a lifelong disease, whether or not youre actively treating it or dealing with the consequences. Its really important that we take that into account when we educate patients and talk about developing new drugs, because the future for our patients is to push the bar. What I want for them is to have my outcome of survivorship but not necessarily have my overall outcome, which is kind of riddled with some of these late health consequences.

  

Matthew Zachary

Founder, Stupid cancer, who was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer when he was 21.

The perception is: Just get over it. Youre done, right? And that could be any age. But when youre younger it has a deeper meaning because youre here, just supposed to be taking 10 steps forward every day like anyone else is in their 20s, and you just cant do that.

  

Ariella Chivil

Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in college and treated in an immunotherapy clinical trial

One of the key components that helped me was figuring out what made sense for me as a patient. Yes, there are the core drugs. I made a decision matrix. When I had four drugs to choose from at these different institutions and they were comparable in terms of the early research around them but [there were] things like convenience: How easy is it to get to this outside institution? Whats the drug-delivery mechanism? Whats the provider like? What will my relationship be like with them? These were all components that I had not considered prior to going down the rabbit hole of all of the different clinical trials you can get involved with, and theyre really important.

Whether its [someones] initial diagnosis when they first sign up for a trial . . . we need to put it in the hands of patients and their caregivers so they can make an informed decision no matter what route they take. Its crucial. Flying blind is not an option.

  

CELEBRITY PLATFORMS FOR PATIENT ADVOCACY

Fran Drescher

Actress, Founder and Visionary, Cancer Schmancer Foundation

It took me two years and eight doctors to get a proper diagnosis with uterine cancer. I got in the stirrups more times than Roy Rogers.

The reason was because uterine cancer typically hits women who are post-menopausal or obese. Since I was neither, I kept slipping through the cracks. I realized that we have a medical community that kind of subscribes to the philosophy of If you hear hooves galloping, dont look for a zebra, its probably a horse. But if you happen to be a zebra, youre going to slip through the cracks. By the grace of God, I was still in Stage 1 because I was lucky that cancer happened to be very slow-growing. And [I was helped by] my persistence to keep trying to recognize what was really wrong.

I feel like I got famous, I got cancer and I lived to talk about it. So, Im talking about it. Life hands you blows, and what you do with it and how you grow through it and what becomes of you as a result is what makes all the difference. It can be an opportunity for you to have a more purposeful life. Sometimes the best gifts come in the ugliest packages.

  

Taboo

Rapper, the Black Eyed Peas; global ambassador, American Cancer Society

When I recovered from [testicular cancer], I wanted to heal first before I told the world. I didnt want this to be a tweet, I didnt want this to be an Instagram, I didnt want this to be just a little impulsive reaction to what I was going through because I knew that I wanted to fight [for] a bigger purpose.

Why just focus on selling records and videos and all that stuff when I could channel all that energy and help millions of people that are going through the same fight that I went through . . . that will allow people to say, You know what? There is hope. There is inspiration. Were not going to curl up in a ball, were going to stand up and were going to fight.

[Its important] we have people like Fran [Drescher] and myself that are able to speak to not just the elders but also connect with the youth and talk about the ways of prevention and the ways that we could educate and inform.

I want to focus on the Latino communities because I am Mexican and Native American. Its very important for me to speak to my own communities because a lot of the time, our communities will not go to the doctor to get checked. The elders will say, Ill just use old remedies and traditional treatments. 

  

COST VS. VALUE OF CANCER DRUGS

Sarah Donovan

Vice President, Avalere Health

The purest demonstration of value is that patients are willing to pay for these drugs for themselves, for their families. There are a bunch of different factors that go into these decisions. But at times we even see patients willing to enter bankruptcy in order to pay for their therapies.

I think really understanding patients perspectives as they are going through their cancer journey is so important because a patient that maybe has a terminal diagnosis or has a set period of time that they are likely to live may be willing to endure really difficult side effects if it gives them more time with their family. These are those difficult things that you have to consider as a patient that you may not be considering if you are making decisions on a population basis. Its very sensitive.

  

Leonard Lance

Republican Representative from New Jersey, a member of the Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers

Im involved in legislation that would require parity for oral medicines for cancers. That does not exist at the moment in this country. [These are] medicines that are taken orally and are much more convenient and cheaper. There should be the same [insurance] coverage as exists for more-traditional forms of [infusion-type] therapy.

I dont think there should be discrimination between the types of treatments. I think it would be less expensive and certainly I think it would be easier for patients.

  

William Hearl

Founder and chief executive, Immunomic Therapeutics

My perspective on it has always been that if we figure out a way to cure a cancer, any cancer, we dont have to worry about finding the money. The money will find us. The issue for us is making sure that were pursuing sound scientific principles that dont endanger patients, and looking for ways to make peoples lives better.

  

IMMUNOTHERAPY, TARGETED THERAPIES

AND THE ROLE OF CLINICAL TRIALS

Vinay Prasad

Assisant Professor of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University

Theres a debate in oncology, as in all fields of medicine, which is that if something is highly promising, is it unethical to test that? I would say that if you look at the history of medicine, there have been many things people thought were sure things. Remember the 90s autologous stem cell transplant for breast cancer? That was not tested in randomized studies. Insurers were vilified for not covering it. But by the early 2000s we finally did do randomized studies and that turned out not to work.

The history of oncology is a history of missteps, missteps made by very thoughtful people, good people, on the basis of uncontrolled data. I would argue and others argue that its unethical not to do those studies, to continue to subject thousands and thousands of people to treatments that we really dont know are better than alternatives.

  

Elaine Mardis

Co-executive director, Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio

Targeted therapies come from this general notion that cancer is a disease of the genome. There are changes that go on at the level of DNA that ultimately translate to proteins going wildly out of control so cells lose their capability to control their own growth and division. This is a basic definition of cancer.

Through large-scale efforts to sequence the genome, weve identified many new targets for targeted therapy. This has been a bonanza, if you will, for pharmaceutical companies that are interested in pursuing the design of specific small chemicals that will shut down these modified proteins that are causing the cells to lose their ability to control their own growth and division.

. . . Were now coming up with rational approaches based on the genomics of individual tumors that combine a targeted therapy, a small-molecule inhibitor, with a checkpoint blockade so that you can have cell-killing from the targeted therapy followed by the immune checkpoint blockade coming in to bring up, again, a sensible, durable response. These are early trials, so we dont know how successful theyre going to be. But some of the early reports are that these combination therapies are actually going to be quite effective.

  

Drew Pardoll

Professor of oncology, medicine, pathology and molecular biology and genetics,

John Hopkins University

I like to think of [immunotherapy] like a car. To get from Point A to B with a car, you need three things: You need the gas pedal to go, but you also need the brakes, and it also helps to have a steering wheel. The immune system can steer itself very carefully and in a very focused way. In fact, its the genetic signatures in a cancer cell that the immune system can use to distinguish a cancer cell from a normal cell. . . . What we learned on the platform of basic immunology is that the problem was the parking brake was thrown on so you push on the gas and the car still doesnt go.

The revolution with checkpoint inhibition was mostly antibodies, but some drugs as well, [that] basically disabled the parking brake. With about 20 percent of all cancers  its much higher in melanoma, its much lower in pancreatic cancer, but across the board its probably about 20 percent of cancers  its like the car is sort of facing down the hill. All you have to do is disable one parking brake and the immune system goes after that tumor.

There are two parking brakes for which there are FDA approvals. There are probably about 25 or 30 parking brakes and probably 25 or 30 accelerators. We think of precision immunotherapy as figuring out, for each of the patients, which of the parking brakes and which of the accelerators to combine. Almost all of the clinical trials, of which there are probably about a thousand that test combinations of immunotherapies, have a checkpoint inhibitor as part of that combination.

Video link: Celebrity advocates

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cancer
CHICAGO  Some food industry titans worry President-elect Donald Trumps tough talk on trade could eventually hurt business in numerous ways, including limiting food and agriculture exports.

Others in agriculture see Trumps election as an opportunity to improve the viability of family farming.

In other words, anticipation of Trumps policy actions is prompting the same type of anxiety and hope found elsewhere throughout the American economy.

In an interview, Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan said he hoped Trumps pick for secretary of agriculture would carry forward the same pro-trade policies of outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Trade is good for the world and good for our economy. And in the world today, theres not a lot of warm and fuzzy sentiment about ... open trade and open borders, MacLennan said. So thats probably an area at the top of our list (of concerns), how this new administration implements some of the anti-trade rhetoric we saw from both candidates.

Cargill  a privately held livestock processor and grain producer thats headquartered in Minnesota and operates in 70 countries  was a staunch supporter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-country trade pact thats considered dead in the water after Republican gains in the Nov. 8 election. Trump has vowed to withdraw from the trade agreement, which hasnt yet been ratified.

When Mel Coleman sees the large swaths of the country that supported Trump, he doesnt see Trump Country, per se. Coleman, vice president of strategic partners for Perdue-owned Niman Ranch, sees rejection of the status quo.

And so I think theres this window of opportunity we have. If I can put it in agricultural terms, we can narrow the rows between what some people call factory farming and small local farming. We need to narrow that row and getting us going in one place, Coleman said.

More specifically, Coleman said he hopes the new secretary of agriculture will ease the tax burden on farmers and reform the farm subsidy program to benefit more smaller and environmentally minded operations.

Kenneth Quinn, president of the Iowa-based World Food Prize Foundation, said agriculture has long served to bridge disagreements between political parties and nations. Quinn said he hoped the next agriculture secretary can carry that torch.

But he also acknowledged unknowns regarding Trumps campaign promises to ease environmental regulations on farmers.

I think people are still going to be concerned about water, and nitrate runoff is a big issue in Iowa. And the question is, how do you work it out? Quinn said. The (Environmental Protection Agency) had a very forward-leaning role, maybe now that wont be quite the same way. But I think there will still be that focus. The environmental issues, they cant go away.
The UKs information commissioner has said that the Freedom of Information Act should apply to any body, including a charity, which delivers a public service.

In a speech at an event to mark 250 years of freedom of information last week, Elizabeth Denham said: We should extend the right to know about public services so that it is independent of the service provider.

Whether public, private or third sector organisations are delivering a service, the publics right to know should stand unchallenged.

She said the ICO will publish a report next year urging Parliament to take action on outsourcing and transparency.

Legal status of provider irrelevant to public

Denham said that the legal structure of organisations delivering services is irrelevant to the public.

If a council runs a swimming pool, information about the pool falls clearly under FoI legislation, she said. If a council pays a company to run that pool why should the same information not be available?

Does the water quality become less important? Do the pool usage figures suddenly have less of an impact on the obesity crisis?

Should the public accountability of an official running a public service become less when they are a member of a board of directors rather than a member of a council? I say that the answers to these questions should all be a clear no.

Previous calls

The ICO is the latest body to suggest that FoI should be extended.

Earlier this year the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information, which had been set up to review the Freedom of Information Act, recommended extending it to organisations that deliver public services.

Then-Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock also led calls for extending the FoI to cover charities.
Last week, the Information Commissioners Office handed down an extremely damaging judgement against charities, and more household name organisations are likely to face criticism. David Ainsworth asks how it happened.

Last week, the Information Commissioners Office dropped a bombshell. For well over a decade, charities have been unlawfully sharing data with one another and wealth screening agencies. Charities had abused trust and exploited donors.

It was a huge shock. Fines of 25,000 and 18,000 respectively for the RSPCA and the British Heart Foundation do not fully reflect the magnitude of the ICO ruling against them. This is a massive breach of the Data Protection Act, described in colourful terms by the commissioner, Elizabeth Denham.

Nor is this the end of the story. There are likely to be many similar reports. We know that at least 15 charities have faced scrutiny just as a result of newspaper articles. We know that many more used services which the ICO has just declared unlawful.

After two years in which the sectors reputation has been severely tarnished, another round of damaging headlines is almost certain.

It has to be asked how this happened. How did fundraisers and charities get the law so wrong? How much damage has it done? And what happens next?

How did we get here?

It appears that the charity sector has never really understood the requirements of the Data Protection Act, even though it dates back to 1998. Perhaps the main solace to the sector is that the full implications of it have not been widely understood by other bodies either.

As with many pieces of legislation, understanding about the breadth of its scope and the implications involved has percolated out only gradually, with time. The ICOs role here is growing massively. In recent years our obsession with data has grown considerably, as more and more of our personal information has fallen into the hands of marketing organisations.

Its easy to forget how different the world was when the DPA was made law. A good number of people had only recently heard of the internet. Anyone wanting to share a list of names would likely have done so via hardcopy. Or fax.

In the middle of the decade, charity list brokers were openly advertising the ability to buy strangers names by the thousand. Over the next few years, the process seems to have exploded. It never seems to have crossed anyones mind that it might be against the rules. No one had really expressed the idea that your personal information had a value and should not lightly be given away.

But by 2010, the Institute of Fundraising was thinking seriously about its rules on the use of donor data. A conversation with an ICO official led them to believe  wrongly, I think  that the ICO planned a soft touch regime specifically for charities, and the sector could get away with not paying too much attention. At a point when their guidance should have been tightened, it was loosened.

To be fair to the IoF, they checked their guidance with the ICO, and it was not rejected, which it probably should have been. It left fundraisers feeling they had freedom to take a liberal approach  a belief that doesnt seem to have been questioned for four or five years. ICO issued some robust guidance a couple of years later, but no one paid attention to that. Fundraisers were listening to the IoF standards committee, not the ICO.

It was at this point that fundraisers use of lists seems to really have exploded. Data collected by the FRSB shows a sixfold rise in complaints from donors between 2009 and 2015. The Fundraising Standards Board was collecting tens of thousands of complaints, which is a massive figure.

All of this suggests the ICO should have spotted the problem and stepped in far earlier. But a data protection consultant who used to work at the ICO tells me that the organisation has historically taken a pretty soft-touch approach to enforcement. Basically it assumed that if no one was complaining, nothing was going wrong.

In fact, the FRSB was harvesting complaints like billy-o. But they werent going any further. They werent reaching the ICO. Inadvertently the FRSB had become a sin eater for the sector.

The ICO is obviously culpable in this instance. It should have read the FRSB reports and figured out what was going on. But that doesnt seem to have been the organisational culture. They never went looking for wrongdoing, even if it was really easy to find. Unless the FRSB brought its complaints to the ICOs door, they meant nothing.

Fundraisers at big charities, meanwhile, were buoyed by this permissive culture, and started trading data faster and faster. The fundraising sector has traditionally been quite isolated, and a bunker mentality seems to have seeped in, driven by ever more improbable demands from trustees, and a clubbable atmosphere in which the profession sets its own rules.

Agencies, regulated by no one, were employed by multiple charities to target the same people, and no one did much to monitor them. The sector was in an arms race, in which those who asked most got most, and the result was that if you were a giver, and a bit lax with your data, you got spammed.

The FRSB itself was keen to take action. It could see that complaints were rising, and it wanted to tighten the Code of Fundraising Practice. That was in the hands of the IoF though, and it was set by fundraisers. They felt the number of complaints was pretty reasonable, and werent minded to kill the goose which laid the golden egg. The sector brushed under the carpet a number of reports warning them that their conduct was unacceptable, from various government departments and independent consultants. Their reaction was to shoot the messenger and get back to work. The gravy train was speeding.

Then, one day, Olive Cooke died, and the train came off the tracks.

Regulation by the Daily Mail

FRSB findings later discovered that more than 100 charities were sending direct mail to Olive Cooke and she got anything up to 3,000 mailings a year. Charities may not have killed her, but it is unlikely they made her last years better. At least 24 charities traded her data themselves. Many more procured it from commercial suppliers. None considered whether she had consented to them sharing that information. The sector had been acting unlawfully for a very long time.

The newspapers, smelling a soft underbelly, piled into the story, and wrote expose after expose. Suddenly the ICO looked very bad indeed. How had it failed to spot this?

Since then it appears that the ICO has adopted a fairly proactive communications strategy to shift the blame onto the sector. The language of recent reports certainly reads that way.

So perhaps the ICO has been grandstanding, and certainly the Daily Mail has not knowingly underestimated the scope of the situation. But that doesnt change the root problem. And its not regulation or the newspapers.

It is all very well to blame the Daily Mail here, but the truth is that poor practice was easy to find. Charities, as an industry, simply had no knowledge of the proper handling of data and in many cases  perhaps most  no one even knew that what they were doing had been forbidden by law for almost two decades.

When we found out  and for sure, I didnt really understand it either, before this scandal broke  the sector itself did not react well. The bunker mentality of fundraisers came to the fore, and many charities tried to portray themselves as victims. There was also a lot of talk about the need to protect beneficiaries.

But it ignores the reality of the situation. What charities were doing was against the rules, and the sector got caught, and the result has been new legislation, a new regulator, and at least 15 ICO investigations  possibly many more.

So yes, the sector has been subject to a bit of a legal lynching. But it was one the sector had brought on itself.

The problem is that its led to stories not just about fundraising but about all sorts of elements of the sector. Some of the other pieces have also exposed wrongdoing, but most have been fairly thin stuff, playing on prejudices. The charity sector as a whole is now fair game.

What happens now?

The ICO is now onto charities, and that means a massive change in attitude. Charities face a much stricter regime. The telephone and mail preference services are being strictly enforced. The selling of donor data is effectively forbidden. Most charities are likely to be very circumscribed in their use of lists. A lot of data brokers are going to have a thin time of it.

The charity sector itself needs to adopt very different processes and attitudes  ones which are much more focused on long-term relationship building. It also needs to hire a lot of data protection officers, and give them some real powers. This is no bad thing.

There is an alternative, of course: to fight back. Refuse to follow new rules. Organise a PR campaign. Lobby for changes and exemptions. Issue robust counter-statements.

Some of this might be useful, to be honest. The sectors communication in the face of criticism has been woeful. Perhaps this is because chief executives and trustees have felt unable to adequately defend their positions. But more likely it is because the sector is like the dodo. Charities have never previously needed a defence mechanism, and have never evolved one. Hopefully the sector will be quicker on the uptake than the worlds most famous pigeon.

In any case, while a better communications strategy would not go amiss, its not the main answer really. What charities really need is to change fundraising strategy.

This process is already taking place, and fast. But one problem is an old guard  a group of individuals who have used the pile em high method of fundraising their whole lives. Change will really come when these individuals come to the end of their careers, and cease to throw sand in the wheels. The sooner some are ushered off, the better.

For all the pain the sectors been through, though, the good news is that negative headlines probably havent done much long-term reputational damage. The public are famously obtuse about this sort of thing, and will go back to their historic attitude to charities with only minimal opportunity. Things that seem incredibly important now will probably be utterly forgotten in a year or two. Who remembers the Cup Trust now, for example?

If charities just behave themselves assiduously and follow the law  not much to ask, surely, from those who exist to do good  then gradually, the sectors reputation will recover.
Charles Juska, former president/CEO of the $22.2 million Tazewell County School Employees Credit Union in Pekin, Ill., was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for bank fraud.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Shadid in Peoria, Ill., also ordered the former 17-year chief executive to serve five years of supervised release. Judge Shadid said he would issue a ruling over the disputed restitution amount in March 2017.

Juska is scheduled to begin his sentence on April 4, 2017.

His fraudulent scheme led to a substantial financial hardship for the credit union that serves 1,614 members. According to court documents, Tazewell County School Employees CU lost about 1,000 accounts while loans dropped by 75%. Whats more, the cooperative has not turned a profit in five years. While the credit union continued to post net losses in the first and second quarter of this year totaling $9,523, it posted a net income gain of $119,767, at the end of the third quarter.
Talking Points:

The Canadian Dollar and the Norwegian Krone outperformed in overnight trade, bolstered surging crude oil prices. The WTI benchmark shot up to the highest level in 17 months after a number of large non-OPEC producers agreed to participate in an OPEC-led output cut scheme at a meeting over the weekend.

The British Pound edged narrowly higher as UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond prepares to testify about last months Autumn Statement budget update before a House of Commons committee. The likely severity of any Brexit-linked slowdown and the fiscal help on offer to counter it will be in focus.

Sterlings gains presumably imply that investors foresee a boost in government spending as likely to reduce the scope for further easing on the monetary side of the equation. Mr Hammond will surely try to put on a brave face. The degree to which this looks convincing may test such this rosy outlook.

See the schedule of upcoming webinars and join us LIVE to follow the financial markets!

Asia Session

GMT CCY EVENT ACT EXP PREV 19:30 NZD REINZ House Sales (YoY) (NOV) -6.0% - -14.2% 21:45 NZD Net Migration SA (OCT) 6240 - 6340 23:50 JPY Machine Orders (MoM) (OCT) 4.1% 1.1% -3.3% 23:50 JPY Machine Orders (YoY) (OCT) -5.6% -4.9% 4.3% 23:50 JPY PPI (MoM) (NOV) 0.4% 0.3% -0.1% 23:50 JPY PPI (YoY) (NOV) -2.2% -2.3% -2.7% 0:01 GBP Rightmove House Prices (MoM) (DEC) -2.1% - -1.1% 0:01 GBP Rightmove House Prices (YoY) (DEC) 3.4% - 4.5% 0:30 AUD Credit Card Purchases (OCT) A$25.6b - A$25.3b 0:30 AUD Credit Card Balances (OCT) A$51.4b - A$51.4b 4:30 JPY Tertiary Industry Index (MoM) (OCT) 0.3% -0.1% 6:00 JPY Machine Tool Orders (YoY) (NOV P) - -8.9%

European Session

GMT CCY EVENT EXP PREV IMPACT 9:00 CHF Total Sight Deposits - 527.5b Low 9:00 CHF Domestic Sight Deposits - 457.6b Low 11:15 GBP UKs Hammond Questioned on Autumn Statement - - Medium

Critical Levels

CCY Supp 3 Supp 2 Supp 1 Pivot Point Res 1 Res 2 Res 3 EUR/USD 1.0376 1.0475 1.0518 1.0574 1.0617 1.0673 1.0772 GBP/USD 1.2446 1.2514 1.2543 1.2582 1.2611 1.2650 1.2718

--- Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com

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Contact and follow Ilya on Twitter: @IlyaSpivak
New research led by the American Museum of Natural History suggests that there are about 18,000 bird species in the world--nearly twice as many as previously thought. The work focuses on "hidden" avian diversity--birds that look similar to one another, or were thought to interbreed, but are actually different species. Recently published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study has serious implications for conservation practices.

"We are proposing a major change to how we count diversity," said Joel Cracraft, an author of the study and a curator in the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Ornithology. "This new number says that we haven't been counting and conserving species in the ways we want."

Birds are traditionally thought of as a well-studied group, with more than 95 percent of their global species diversity estimated to have been described. Most checklists used by bird watchers as well as by scientists say that there are roughly between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds. But those numbers are based on what's known as the "biological species concept," which defines species in terms of what animals can breed together.

"It's really an outdated point of view, and it's a concept that is hardly used in taxonomy outside of birds," said lead author George Barrowclough, an associate curator in the Museum's Department of Ornithology.

For the new work, Cracraft, Barrowclough, and their colleagues at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and the University of Washington examined a random sample of 200 bird species through the lens of morphology--the study of the physical characteristics like plumage pattern and color, which can be used to highlight birds with separate evolutionary histories. This method turned up, on average, nearly two different species for each of the 200 birds studied. This suggests that bird biodiversity is severely underestimated, and is likely closer to 18,000 species worldwide.

The researchers also surveyed existing genetic studies of birds, which revealed that there could be upwards of 20,000 species. But because the birds in this body of work were not selected randomly--and, in fact, many were likely chosen for study because they were already thought to have interesting genetic variation--this could be an overestimate. The authors argue that future taxonomy efforts in ornithology should be based on both methods.

"It was not our intent to propose new names for each of the more than 600 new species we identified in the research sample," Cracraft said. "However, our study provides a glimpse of what a future taxonomy should encompass."

Increasing the number of species has implications for preserving biodiversity and other conservation efforts.

"We have decided societally that the target for conservation is the species," said Robert Zink, a co-author of the study and a biologist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. "So it follows then that we really need to be clear about what a species is, how many there are, and where they're found."

John Klicka, from the University of Washington, Seattle, also was a co-author on this study.

###

This work was funded, in part, by the U.S. National Science Foundation, grant #s 1241066 and 1146423.

PLOS ONE paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166307

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. It is home to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, New York State's official memorial to its 33rd governor and the nation's 26th president, and a tribute to Roosevelt's enduring legacy of conservation. The Museum's five active research divisions and three cross-disciplinary centers support approximately 200 scientists, whose work draws on a world-class permanent collection of more than 33 million specimens and artifacts, as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, and one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, it is the only American museum authorized to grant the Ph.D. degree and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Annual attendance has grown to approximately 5 million, and the Museum's exhibitions and Space Shows can be seen in venues on five continents. The Museum's website and collection of apps for mobile devices extend its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions more beyond its walls. Visit amnh.org for more information.

Follow

Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook at facebook.com/naturalhistory, and follow us on Instagram at @AMNH, Tumblr at amnhnyc, or Twitter at twitter.com/AMNH.
Amid reports that Russian-backed cyberattacks sought to influence the U.S. election, Iowas two senators supported investigations into the matter Monday. Still, neither would say whether they believed that such attacks were aimed at benefiting President-elect Donald Trump.

The Washington Post, citing officials it did not identify, reported last Friday that the CIA had concluded Russian intervention was aimed at helping Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump has dismissed the notion that the Russians intervened on his behalf. The Post also reported the FBI was ambiguous about the Russians' intent.

The allegations have roiled Washington and sparked calls for investigations.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Monday he backed an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Both he and incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, have said any inquiry should steer clear of partisanship.

"Any threat to our nation's cybersecurity is totally unacceptable and must be fully investigated, which includes bipartisan congressional investigations," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a statement Monday.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he already has been asking questions of intelligence officials. But in a separate statement, he turned to criticism of the Obama administration and Democrats.

"We need to get to the bottom of the Obama administration's failure to stop these attacks and determine accountability," Grassley said.

Iowa's senior senator also added that cyberattacks shouldn't be confused with influence.

"Did exposing inappropriate and unethical actions on the part of Democratic officials actually change votes, let alone change the election?" Grassley asked. "Congressional oversight can be an effective tool to understand what may or may not have occurred by Russian hackers."

Neither said whether they believed reports that the CIA concluded the Russian actions were aimed at helping Trump win.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, said a bipartisan commission should be formed to look into the matter.

"This issue is paramount and should not fall victim to the partisan games that normally consume Washington," Loebsack said in a statement. "Congress must act swiftly and hold accountable any actor who played a role in influencing or otherwise compromising the recent election."

Loebsack also did not say whether he believed whether Russia was seeking to help Trump.
Johns Hopkins researchers report that implementing a checklist-style set of procedures appears to cut almost in half the number of potentially unnecessary blood culture draws in critically ill children without endangering doctors' ability to diagnose and treat life-threatening blood infections.

In a description of their two-year-long project, published in JAMA Pediatrics, the investigators say that safely reducing the frequency of blood draws in hospitalized children with fevers has historically not been a hospital priority despite the stress, pain and high rate of false positives associated with the procedure.

The researchers found that fostering cross-departmental collaboration and offering guidelines to clinicians helped reduce the number of unnecessary blood draws on some of the smallest and most vulnerable patients at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Clinicians were able to accomplish an immediate reduction in unnecessary blood draws using the newly designed checklist protocols, and they were able to sustain the reduction over time.

"Our work focuses on the prevention of infections, in this case blood infections, in hospitalized patients," says Aaron Milstone, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and associate hospital epidemiologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. "We have found that blood cultures are a really challenging test to go after because the perceived risks are pretty low, which leads to overuse." There are currently no existing guidelines that help clinicians decide if a blood culture is needed, but the researchers say the common protocol is to order a blood draw whenever a fever is present because fever can indicate sepsis. This practice can lead to unnecessary blood draws.

In addition to the stress and pain associated with this procedure in young patients, the risk from blood cultures comes from the unintended consequences of false-positive results. Treating these pseudo-infections leads to longer hospitals stays, which can lead to more hospital-borne infections and an increased risk of antibiotic-resistant diseases due to the overuse of antibiotics. "It is common for children in the ICU to have a fever and get a blood culture. Sometimes, the culture is positive, but before the clinician can order treatment, the child clears the fever on his or her own," says Charlotte Woods-Hill, M.D., attending physician in the Division of Critical Care Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "The clinicians are left with the decision of what to do with that information, so to be safe, they to treat them. We have had a number of kids who are ready to go home and the next thing you know, they are spending two more weeks in the hospital getting IV antibiotics because a blood culture was positive."

The team's concern grew from the high rate of false-positive results. In general, only 5 to 15 percent of blood cultures drawn because of fevers test positive, and as many as 50 percent of those positive results can be false positives. Despite the inaccuracies of this type of screen, many doctors still order blood cultures for most patients presenting a fever because of the fear surrounding the risk of sepsis. However, sepsis is only one among a long list of conditions that can cause a fever. For example, withdrawal from narcotics, adverse reactions to medications or being too physically hot for too long can all cause a fever, necessitating the use of precision medicine to evaluate the risk of sepsis individually for each patient. These factors combined made blood cultures a natural target for the team in their efforts to implement high-value care in the Johns Hopkins pediatric ICU.

Drawing on clinical experience and data, a collaborative team of nurses, vascular access specialists and physicians across specialties developed a checklist-style protocol. The checklist and an accompanying decision-making flow chart were created to guide caregivers before deciding to draw blood. Factors such as unexplained tachycardia, fever and immune deficiency are conditions that may warrant a blood culture, while caregivers were advised that drug withdrawal and recent negative blood cultures with no clinical change may not warrant drawing blood.

These tools were subsequently posted in the pediatric ICU at The Johns Hopkins Hospital with instructions to be completed at the bedside by nurses and physicians. Each week, the team would meet to evaluate the data gathered, review how many cultures were sent from the unit and discuss in detail individual cases where blood draws were necessary.

The researchers compared patient length of stay, mortality, readmission and the number of episodes of suspected septic shock at the hospital before and after intervention. In the year before the team introduced the tools, there were 2,204 patient visits to the pediatric ICU and 1,807 blood cultures drawn. After intervention, that number was decreased to 984 blood cultures drawn for 2,356 patient visits, almost halving the number of blood cultures per patient day.

Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods, there was no statistical difference in the occurrence of septic shock, hospital mortality or hospital readmission, which, according to Milstone, means that patients experienced no increased risk of a missed sepsis diagnosis because of the intervention.

"I really believe that this constant feedback and discussion about why action was taken was key in driving change," says Milstone. By assessing other potential causes of each patient's fever using the tools, clinicians were able to appropriately treat patients based on their individual risk.

The checklist approach also showed the potential to be used in improving the use of antibiotics in hospitals. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a prevalent problem in the medical community, leading to increased rates of microbial resistance and the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. "People often immediately link infection with antibiotics, but using the checklists seemed to help physicians critically analyze whether or not the patient was really infected, reassuring them in some cases that there was no need for antibiotic treatment," says Milstone.

"While our study was promising, there are limitations," says James Fackler, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Primarily, clinicians are uneasy when asked to do less, especially when facing an acute condition like sepsis. We hope that the tools developed by our team will ease these concerns by offering guidelines for a clear and effective path to diagnosis." The future directions of this study include further exploring the implications this process may have for antibiotic use as well as working to implement these tools in other ICUs. The tools are already being tried at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in Florida and in the pediatric ICU at the University of Virginia.

###

Additional authors of this paper include Kristen Nelson McMillan, Annie Voskertchian and Sybil Ann Klaus of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Judith Ascenzi of Johns Hopkins nursing; Elizabeth Colantuoni of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Diego A. Martinez, Matthew Toerper and Scott Levin of The Johns Hopkins University.

This work was funded in part by the MITRE Corporation.

Milstone, Fackler and Klaus receive grant support from the MITRE Corporation. Milstone receives grant support from Sage Products Inc. Fackler receives grant support from OBS Medical. Woods-Hill, Nelson, Colantuoni, Martinez, Ascenzi, Voskertchian, Toerper and Levin have no disclosures.

This press release is accompanied by a video and an infographic. Please click here to view or download the additional material.
In a bid to improve mental health screening of Latino children from immigrant families, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report they have identified a culturally sensitive set of tools that are freely available to pediatricians, take less than 10 minutes to use, are in easy-to-read Spanish, and assess a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems.

In a summary of their work, published on Nov. 22 in Clinical Pediatrics, the investigators encourage primary care pediatricians who would like to screen patients for mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or aggression, to consider utilizing any of four specific mental health symptom screening tools. These four screening tools are available in Spanish, and one includes pictorial cues. The four are the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC)-17-question version, the PSC-35-question version, the pictorial PSC-35, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which consists of 25 questions.

"The Latino population in this nation will only keep growing, and with that reality, physicians need to be aware of the population-specific barriers to health care. Latinos statistically have a poorer health status compared to whites due to lack of access to health care, fear of going to the doctor if they're undocumented and an inability to communicate health needs due to language barriers," says Tania Caballero, M.D., a pediatrics research and clinical fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the paper's first author. Caballero says she and her team examined what culturally sensitive and efficient tools for mental health screening currently exist for Spanish-speaking parents with children 5 to 18 years old. "The goals were to increase primary care pediatricians' capacity to conduct effective mental health screening in Latino families, understand culture-specific barriers to screening and create opportunities to address mental health in the pediatric medical home," she says.

According to the a study by the Pew Research Center, more than 90 percent of U.S. Latino children, defined as those whose origins can be traced to Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America, are born in the U.S., and half of those children have immigrant parents.

To identify ideal mental health screening tools, she says, the research team first combed published scientific literature in English and Spanish for screening tools supported by Bright Futures, an initiative by the American Academy of Pediatrics to support primary care physicians in providing holistic well-child and adolescent care. The team examined all studies published between 2005 and 2015 that explicitly included and reported the results of mental health screening with a Latino or Spanish-speaking sample. Overall, out of total of seven screening instruments they assessed, they identified four that fit their criteria for breaking down barriers to understanding.

"While we are pleased to share some mental health screening tools freely available for immediate use, our literature review made very apparent the limited inclusion of U.S. Latino children in immigrant families in research and the urgent need for further research on this important topic," says Sarah Polk, M.D., Sc.M., an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the paper's senior author.

The meta-analysis showed that limited reading ability in both English and Spanish served as a key barrier in the use of any screening tool. For example, in one study with the PSC-35, nearly all participants requested verbal administration of the screener, even when offered a printed version in Spanish.

The analysis also showed that pictorial approaches, similar to illustrations used in furniture assembly instructions from Ikea, reduced the likelihood of having mental health descriptions get lost in translation due to language differences among Latinos. The researchers found that Spanish translations that offer alternative words or descriptions of mental health symptoms and behaviors may also help.

Caballero says the need for routine mental health screening for Latino children is especially important because mental health symptoms may arise from unique, culturally driven stressors. A child's assimilation into American culture may clash with traditional expectations at home, there may be daily stress from living with a parent with illegal status, or the journey of cultural self-identity can cause mental health problems. That means, she says, that parents are often more reluctant to report behavioral problems to their doctors or seek treatment.

"It's important to remember that in younger children, the screener is completed by the parent, not the child. Parents answer these questions about their children, which adds an extra layer of complexity because parents have different definitions of what counts as regular behavior and what constitutes a mental health problem," notes Caballero.

"At the very least, screening starts the conversation about mental health issues, which is a critical first step."

###

Other researchers on this paper include Lisa Ross DeCamp, Rheanna E. Platt, Harita Shah, Sara B. Johnson and Erica M.S. Sibinga of The Johns Hopkins University.

The study was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA T32HP10004).
PISCATAWAY, NJ - Although alcohol is believed to play a role in college sexual assaults, a new study finds no evidence that male students' binge drinking per se boosts their odds of becoming a perpetrator.

On the other hand, researchers found, male students who frequently went to bars or college parties were more likely than others to have ever sexually assaulted a woman over the first 5 semesters of college. What's more, an individual student's likelihood of being a perpetrator increased during semesters in which he attended parties or bars more than his usual amount.

The findings, reported in the January 2017 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, suggest that "drinking setting"--rather than drinking, per se--might be key.

"People drawn to these settings may be at higher risk," said lead researcher Maria Testa, Ph.D., of the Research Institute on Addictions at the University at Buffalo.

That is, a student who heads to a bar or party might be more interested in sex than one who is content staying in the dorm and watching television, she said.

However, she pointed out, the study did not ask men about the specifics of any sexual assault--so it's not clear whether assaults stemmed directly from a night out at a bar or party.

The findings are based on surveys of nearly 1,000 U.S. college men. They were first surveyed as freshmen and then again at the end of each of the next five semesters.

Overall, almost 18 percent admitted to sexually assaulting a woman at some point during the study period. That included forced intercourse, "attempted" intercourse, and "unwanted contact."

The students were also asked about binge drinking, defined as having five or more drinks in a row. At first, it looked like men who binge drank more often were more likely to have sexually assaulted a woman.

However, that link disappeared once the researchers accounted for certain personality factors that the survey measured--such as problems with self-control, antisocial behavior and "impersonal" attitudes toward sex.

But men who frequently went to bars or parties were more likely to be perpetrators, even when personality traits were taken into account.

According to Testa, the findings could have some practical implications. If college parties and bars around campus do provide the context for some sexual assaults, then making those settings "safer" could be helpful.

Testa pointed to "bystander intervention" programs as an example. Many U.S. colleges have already begun using the programs, which train people in how to recognize and intervene in situations where a potential perpetrator may be zeroing in on a potential victim.

Also, most of the students in the study were underage and, technically, should not have gotten into any bars. If laws were enforced, Testa said, that might help address one context related to sexual assault.

###

Testa, M., & Cleveland, M. J. (January 2017). Does alcohol contribute to college men's sexual assault perpetration? Between- and within-person effects over five semesters. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(1), 5-13. doi:10.15288/jsad.2017.78.5

Commentaries

Abbey, A. (January 2017). Moving beyond simple answers to complex questions: How does context affect alcohol's role in sexual assault perpetration? A commentary on Testa and Cleveland (2017). Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(1), 14-15. doi:10.15288/jsad.2017.78.14

George, W. H., & Davis, K. C. (January 2017). Does alcohol really contribute to college men's sexual assault perpetration? A commentary on Testa and Cleveland (2017). Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(1), 16-17. doi:10.15288/jsad.2017.78.16

Testa, M., & Cleveland, M. J. (January 2017). It depends on how you look at it: The role of alcohol in men's sexual aggression perpetration. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(1), 18-19. doi:10.15288/jsad.2017.78.18

To arrange an interview with Maria Testa, Ph.D., please contact Cathy Wilde at cwilde@ria.buffalo.edu or (716) 887-3365.

The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs is published by the Center of Alcohol Studies at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It is the oldest substance-related journal published in the United States.

To learn about education and training opportunities for addiction counselors and others at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies, please visit AlcoholStudiesEd.rutgers.edu.
Members of the TET family of proteins help protect against cancer by regulating the chemical state of DNA --and thus turning growth-promoting genes on or off. The latest findings reported by researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology illustrate just how important TET proteins are in controlling cell proliferation and cell fate.

For the study, published in the December 20, 2016, edition of Nature Immunology, Anjana Rao, PhD, a professor at the La Jolla Institute, genetically engineered mice to lack both TET2 and TET3 in T cells. The mice developed a lethal disease resembling lymphoma within weeks of birth, their spleens and livers bloated with iNKT cells, a normally rare kind of T cell. This finding recapitulated the features of many human blood cancers, including those involving T cells, in which TET2 is often mutated or lost.

"We knew that TET proteins were involved in human cancer but we didn't know how they regulated T cell development," says Angeliki Tsagaratou, Ph.D., an instructor in the Rao lab and the study's first author. "In the new study we saw huge increases in the proliferation of the special iNKT cells in TET2/3 mutant mice. Once growth control was lost, those cells underwent the kind of malignant transformation that gives rise to T cell lymphoma in humans." The results demonstrate how TET proteins serve as anti-cancer factors called tumor suppressors and suggest ways to block malignancy in cancers marked by TET mutations.

Members of the TET family of enzymes help rewrite the epigenome, the regulatory layer of chemical modifications that sits atop the genome and helps determine gene activity without changing the letters of DNA. In addition to the four letters or bases in DNA - A, C, G and T - there is a "fifth base" with a very important role. This base is formed from the DNA base cytosine (C) by addition of a methyl group, and so is called mC (m for methyl). The levels of mC are altered in cancer cells and during the development of embryos.

However, until the discovery of TET proteins in 2009 in the laboratory of Rao, then at Harvard Medical School, it was not known how mC could be converted back to regain C. Dr. Rao's team showed that TET proteins were able to convert 5mC to a sixth base, known as 5hmC. 5hmC is indirectly converted back to C, thus restoring the status quo.

DNA modifications of this type in part govern how compressed and "expressible" a strand is: in general, DNA methylation coils up genes to silence them, while less methylated DNA strands, or strands that possess 5hmC, are more accessible and more likely to be expressed, which means they are directing the synthesis of a particular protein. "When TET proteins are lost, iNKT cells that lack them apparently become trapped in an immature, highly proliferative state," explains Tsagaratou. "Unlike normal cells, they can't switch off growth-promoting genes: they just keep dividing."

DNA sequencing followed by bioinformatic data-crunching revealed the kinds of abnormal DNA methylation patterns typically seen after TET protein loss. That suggested that improper DNA modifications in the TET2/3 mutant T cells allowed unchecked expression of cancer- and inflammation-associated genes. Edahi Gonzalez-Avalos, one of the two second authors of the study, conducted most of that analysis.

"Without computer analysis of sequencing results, we would not have been able to determine relationships between DNA methylation, how accessible regions of the genome were, global gene expression, or the emergence of cancer cells," says Gonzalez-Avalos, a graduate student in UCSD's Bioinformatics Graduate Program. "Without computational tools, this study could have taken many, many years!"

A critical test reported in the paper demonstrates how insidious even a few perpetually immature iNKT cells can be. In it, the team transferred a small number of iNKT cells lacking Tet2/3 from mutant mice into adult mice with a robust immune system. But even those mice soon developed lymphoproliferative disease as lethal as that seen in TET2/3 mutant mice.

"We weren't expecting this," says Tsagaratou. "When we transferred mutant cells we thought healthy mice would control their expansion. But in three months mutant cells took over the mouse's immune system and rapidly gave rise to tumors." The lesson of this story? That a functional immune system is no defense against malignancy once deregulated, pro-inflammatory iNKT cells gain a foothold.

In a 2015 Nature Communications paper, Rao, who heads LJI's Division of Signaling and Gene Expression, reported that TET2/3 mutations caused myeloid disease resembling acute myeloid leukemia in mice. The new study extends these findings to a different class of hematological cancers, namely lymphoid cancer, which is caused by abnormal activity of immune T or B cells.

"Right now we don't know how TET mutations specifically contribute to either T cell lymphomas or leukemias. But we think these mutations are early events in both," says Tsagaratou. Thus the search is on is to discover additional cancer-causing genes "downstream" of TET mutations that drive uncontrolled cell division in either context. "Identification of additional factors would give us a broad idea of all steps in pathway and provide multiple targets to hit."

###

In addition to Tsagaratou and Gonzalez-Avalos, Sini Rautio of Aalto University School of Science, in Aalto, Finland, was a co-second author of the paper, contributing significantly to the bioinformatic analysis of genome-wide sequencing data. Also contributing were James Scott Browne, Ph.D., Susan Togher, and William A. Pastor, Ph.D., all from LJI; Ellen V. Rothenberg, Ph.D., of Caltech; and bioinformaticians Lukas Chavez Ph.D., of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg and Harri Lahdesmaki, Ph.D., of Aalto University School of Science, the PhD thesis supervisor of Sini Rautio.

The study was funded by the NIH (R01 grants AI44432, CA151535 and R35CA210043); a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society grant (6187-12, to A.R.); and an Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Molecular Systems Immunology and Physiology Research grant (to H.L.). Other funding was from the Cancer Research Institute, the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Molecular Systems, Immunology and Physiology Research program, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (DRG-2069-11), and the National Science Foundation. doi:10.1038/ni.3630

About La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology

The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology is dedicated to understanding the intricacies and power of the immune system so that we may apply that knowledge to promote human health and prevent a wide range of diseases. Since its founding in 1988 as an independent, nonprofit research organization, the Institute has made numerous advances leading toward its goal: life without disease.
The evidence of increased unhealthy alcohol use among older adults cannot be ignored

Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among older adults, and this group can have unique risks associated with alcohol consumption -- in even lower amounts -- compared to younger persons.

"Older adults have particular vulnerabilities to alcohol due to physiological changes during aging, including increasing chronic disease burden and medication use," said Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, a geriatrician and health services researcher at the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) and in the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care at NYU Langone Medical Center (NYU Langone). "However, no recent studies have estimated trends in alcohol use, including binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorders among older adults."

To address the lack of research, Dr. Han and his team examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (years 2005 to 2014) in a paper published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Trends of self-reported past-month binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorder were examined among adults age 50 and older. The researchers found significant increases in past-year alcohol use, past-month alcohol use, past-month binge drinking, and alcohol use disorders. The paper, "Demographic trends of binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorders among older adults in the United States, 2005-2014." Published on-line 12 December 2016.

Results also suggest that while men had a higher prevalence of binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorders than women, binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorder increased among women in this nationally representative sample.

"As females age, they tend to experience a larger impact of physiological changes in lean body mass compared to men," commented Dr. Han. "Thus, they may experience the adverse effects associated with consuming alcohol even in lower amounts."

"The increase in binge drinking among older women is particularly alarming" said Dr. Palamar, PhD, MPH, a CDUHR affiliated researcher and an assistant professor of Population Health at NYU Langone. "Both men and women are at risk for getting themselves into risky sexual situations while drinking, but women are at particularly high risk." Dr. Palamar also stated that "heavy drinking can not only have unintended health consequences, but it can also lead to socially embarrassing or regretful behavior."

For the researchers, the results also raise public health concerns, given the significant increases in binge alcohol use among older adults who reported "fair/poor" health and/or multiple chronic conditions. This population is particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol as it can impact chronic disease management or increase the risk of injury.

"Health care providers need to be made aware of this increasing trend of unhealthy alcohol use, particularly among older females, and ensure that screening for unhealthy alcohol use is part of regular medical care for this population" said Dr. Han.

###

Researcher Affiliations: Benjamin H. Han1,2, Alison A. Moore3, Scott Sherman1,4, Katherine M. Keyes5, Joseph J. Palamar2,4

1. New York University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, 550 First Avenue, BCD 615, New York, NY 10016

2. Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University Rory College of Nursing, 433 First Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010.

3. University of California, San Diego, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, 9500Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093

4. New York University Langone Medical Center, Department of Population Health, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016

5. Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032

This project was funded, in part, by the NIH (K01 DA-038800, PI: Palamar).

About NYU Langone Medical Center:

NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated academic medical center, is one of the nation's premier centers for excellence in clinical care, biomedical research, and medical education. Located in the heart of Manhattan, NYU Langone is composed of five hospitals--Tisch Hospital, its flagship acute care facility; Rusk Rehabilitation; the Hospital for Joint Diseases, the Medical Center's dedicated inpatient orthopaedic hospital; NYU Lutheran Medical Center, a full-service, 450-bed teaching hospital located in Brooklyn, and Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, a comprehensive pediatric hospital supporting a full array of children's health services across the Medical Center. Also part of NYU Langone is NYU School of Medicine, which since 1841 has trained thousands of physicians and scientists who have helped to shape the course of medical history, and the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. The Medical Center's trifold mission to serve, teach, and discover is achieved 365 days a year through the seamless integration of a culture devoted to excellence in patient care, education, and research. For more information, go to http://www.NYULangone.org

About the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing

NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice. It offers a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing, a Master of Science and Post-Master's Certificate Programs, a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing research and theory development.

About CDUHR

The mission of the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) is to end the HIV and HCV epidemics in drug using populations and their communities by conducting transdisciplinary research and disseminating its findings to inform programmatic, policy, and grass roots initiatives at the local, state, national and global levels. CDUHR is a Core Center of Excellence funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Grant #P30 DA011041). It is the first center for the socio-behavioral study of substance use and HIV in the United States and is located at the New York University College of Nursing. For more information, visit http://www.cduhr.org.
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Scientists have known for decades that small changes in climate can have significant impacts on the massive Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Now a new study suggests the opposite also is true. An international team of researchers has concluded that the Antarctic Ice Sheet actually plays a major role in regional and global climate variability - a discovery that may also help explain why sea ice in the Southern Hemisphere has been increasing despite the warming of the rest of the Earth.

Results of the study are being published this week in the journal Nature.

Global climate models that look at the last several thousand years have failed to account for the amount of climate variability captured in the paleoclimate record, according to lead author Pepijn Bakker, a former post-doctoral researcher at Oregon State University now with the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Studies at the University of Bremen in Germany.

The research team's hypothesis was that climate modelers were overlooking one crucial element in the overall climate system - an aspect of the ocean, atmosphere, biosphere or ice sheets - that might affect all parts of the system.

"One thing we determined right off the bat was that virtually all of the climate models had the Antarctic Ice Sheet as a constant entity," Bakker said. "It was a static blob of ice, just sitting there. What we discovered, however, is that the ice sheet has undergone numerous pulses of variability that have had a cascading effect on the entire climate system."

The Antarctic Ice Sheet, in fact, has demonstrated dynamic behavior over the past 8,000 years, according to Andreas Schmittner, a climate scientist in Oregon State's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and co-author on the study.

"There is a natural variability in the deeper part of the ocean adjacent to the Antarctic Ice Sheet - similar to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or El Nino/La Nina but on a time scale of centuries - that causes small but significant changes in temperatures," Schmittner said. "When the ocean temperatures warm, it causes more direct melting of the ice sheet below the surface, and it increases the number of icebergs that calve off the ice sheet."

Those two factors combine to provide an influx of fresh water into the Southern Ocean during these warm regimes, according to Peter Clark, a paleoclimatologist in OSU's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and co-author on the study.

"The introduction of that cold, fresh water lessens the salinity and cools the surface temperatures, at the same time, stratifying the layers of water," Clark said. "The cold, fresh water freezes more easily, creating additional sea ice despite warmer temperatures that are down hundreds of meters below the surface."

The discovery may help explain why sea ice has expanded in the Southern Ocean despite global warming, the researchers say. The same phenomenon doesn't occur in the Northern Hemisphere with the Greenland Ice Sheet because it is more landlocked and not subject to the same current shifts that affect the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"One message that comes out of this study is that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is very sensitive to small changes in ocean temperatures, and humans are making the Earth a lot warmer than it has been," Bakker said.

Sediment cores from the sea floor around Antarctica contain sand grains delivered there by icebergs calving off the ice sheet. The researchers analyzed sediments from the last 8,000 years, which showed evidence that many more icebergs calved off the ice sheet in some centuries than in others. Using sophisticated computer modeling, the researchers traced the variability in iceberg calving to small changes in ocean temperatures.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet covers an area of more than 5 million square miles and is estimated to hold some 60 percent of all the fresh water on Earth. The east part of the ice sheet rests on a major land mass, but in West Antarctica, the ice sheet rests on bedrock that extends into the ocean at depths of more than 2,500 meters, or more than 8,000 feet, making it vulnerable to disintegration.

Scientists estimate that if the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt, global sea levels would rise some 200 feet.

###

Other authors on the study include Nicholas Golledge of Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and Michael Weber of the University of Bonn in Germany.
SAN FRANCISCO--Scientists have found good strategies for curbing the toxic algae blooms that have threatened some of the nation's water supplies. Farmers are willing to adopt these strategies. The American public is willing to help pay for them.

Problem solved? Not exactly.

A collaboration of universities and government agencies has identified three key agricultural management plans for curtailing harmful algal blooms.

They have also identified a looming funding gap for enacting those plans.

Researchers announced their first results this week, both at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting and in a special issue of the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

Jay Martin, director of the Field to Faucet water quality program at The Ohio State University, leads the unusual project, which maps both the physical causes of toxic algae and the social landscape around the problem.

He and his team took as their starting point the recent binational agreement between the United States and Canada to cut phosphorus discharge into Lake Erie by 40 percent. They surveyed farmers and the public and built watershed models to explore different ways to keep phosphorus from reaching the lake, where it feeds toxic algae.

"The big question now is, can we reach our goal of 40 percent reduction, and how do we do it?" Martin said. "The hopeful news that we have found is that there are multiple ways to get there, and farmers are already adopting the very same agricultural practices that we found to be most promising. If they can continue to adopt these practices and even accelerate their adoption, we can reach the 40 percent reduction we need to have safe levels of algal blooms in Lake Erie, while preserving agricultural production."

The researchers have identified three key farming practices that could reduce algae levels: subsurface application of fertilizer and the use of cover crops and buffer strips. Cover crops are grown in fields that would otherwise go fallow to keep rain from washing phosphorus-laden fertilizer into the lake. Buffer strips are non-crop plants that surround fields and serve the same kind of purpose.

In their surveys of farmers in the Lake Erie watershed, the researchers found that 39 percent were already applying fertilizer below the soil surface; 22 percent were already growing cover crops; and 35 percent were already using buffer strips.

Each of those numbers, while encouraging, falls at least 20 percent short of where they need to be to reach phosphorus reduction goals, the study found.

Also encouraging: researchers found that Ohio residents were willing to help farmers pay for these practices. In the first survey of its kind, they asked residents to put a monetary value on reducing toxic algae in Lake Erie.

For example, they asked people how much reducing algae by 10 percent was worth. The answer that came back was quite specific: $150 million. And the answer was consistent, in that when researchers asked about reducing algae by 20 percent or 30 percent, respondents placed a $150 million value on every additional 10 percent. A 20 percent reduction was worth $300 million, and so on. People said they were willing to pay slightly higher food prices, or even a special income tax or sales tax that would benefit farmers to make the changes happen.

Reducing algae would likely carry a higher price tag, however: "While it looks like the reduction is possible, it will be a heavy lift," Martin said.

In fact, $150 million was the preliminary estimate that Ohio State researchers made in a study with the Nature Conservancy earlier this year--but for annual mitigation of phosphorus runoff in only the most critical areas. That project was led by Stuart Ludsin, an associate professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology and co-director of Ohio State's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory.

Still, the payoff for reducing phosphorus goes beyond Lake Erie, Ludsin said.

"If done correctly, agricultural conservation practices aimed at improving water quality in Lake Erie can also boost the health of stream-fish communities throughout the watershed," he added.

Lake Erie is at the center of toxic algae research today, because it contains 50 percent of all the fish in the Great Lakes, supports a $1.7 billion tourism industry and provides drinking water for 11 million people. But the same problems are beginning to plague areas of the Mississippi Valley and coastal Florida, as well as coastlines around the world.

Martin and his team are presenting their findings at the AGU session "New Frontiers in Water Resources: Achieving Water Resource Security in Times of Climate Change, Urbanization, and Agricultural Expansion" co-organized by Noel Aloysius, who is also involved in the study. The session also highlights some of the promising strategies being used elsewhere.

Among them: Michele Reba, a hydrologist with USDA, is testing ways for farmers in the Mississippi Valley to capture and reuse their irrigation water, which keeps fertilizer nutrients on the farm.

Restoring lost wetlands--or creating new ones--is another strategy that is proving successful in the Florida Everglades. There, William Mitsch, director of Everglades Wetland Research Park at Florida Gulf Coast University, has found that tuning the plant and soil composition of wetlands can nearly eliminate all phosphorus runoff into surrounding waters.

In its special issue on Lake Erie, the Journal of Great Lakes Research explores these and other topics, including the roles of sediment, plankton, and climate change in promoting algae. More than a dozen papers are available as open access content online.

###

Co-authors of the AGU presentation include Aloysius, Margaret Kalcic, Robyn S. Wilson and Brian Roe of Ohio State; Donald Scavia of the University of Michigan and Gregory Howard of East Carolina University. The research project on mitigating phosphorus in Lake Erie is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service funded the Ohio State-Nature Conservancy project.

Contacts:

Jay Martin, 614-247-6133; Martin.1130@osu.edu

Noel Aloysius; Aloysius.1@osu.edu

Stuart Ludsin, 614-292-1613; Ludsin.1@osu.edu

Michele Reba, 870-819-2708; michele.reba@ars.usda.gov

William Mitsch, 239-325-1365; wmitsch@fgcu.edu

Written by Pam Frost Gorder, 614-292-9475; Gorder.1@osu.edu

Editor's note: for information about the Journal of Great Lakes Research, contact editor Robert Hecky at 204-582-0288 or rhecky@gmail.com.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Food stamp participants who participated in a supplemental nutrition education program were able to improve their food security by 25 percent, according to a study by Purdue University.

"Food assistance is very important and this shows that nutrition education is an effective part of improving food security as the lessons focused on practical ways to stretch food dollars while eating nutritiously," said Heather Eicher-Miller, an assistant professor of nutrition science. "In Indiana, Snap Ed is making a significant impact, and it is amazing that an education program that is shared with just one person in a household has the power to change how an entire family is eating for one year. What these families learn can last longer than the food assistance they receive."

These findings are published in The Journal of Nutrition. During 2013, 19.5 percent of U. S. households with children experienced food insecurity at some time during the year, and children can suffer from psychological, behavioral and physical problems if they do not consume enough food.

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, serves millions of low-income individuals and families. SNAP is a part of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP-Ed programs can vary from state to state. The direct education provided through SNAP-Ed programs in Indiana are hands on, and all lessons combine maximizing the food budget while focusing on nutritional components, such as consuming lean meats and vegetables and fruits. One lesson includes visiting a grocery story to compare prices while studying items' nutritional labels. These lessons are provided through local Purdue Extension offices.

In this randomized controlled study, 575 individuals from low-income Indiana households, each with at least one child, participated in the first four Indiana SNAP-Ed curriculum lessons. The lessons were taught by 41 SNAP-Ed educators from 38 Indiana counties. The individuals were interviewed before they started the education program and a year later.

"The fact that what they learned made a difference months later is remarkable," said Eicher-Miller, who also is director of Indiana's Emergency Food Resource Network. "This educational program is voluntary for SNAP participants. We may not see such a large increase in food security over time if the program was required for the population it serves."

###

This research was supported by a grant from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research through funding by the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service.
HOUSTON - (Dec. 12, 2016) - Rice University astronomers and their colleagues have for the first time mapped gases in three dark rings around a distant star. The rings mark spaces where planets are thought to have formed from dust and gas around the star.

All the rings around HD 163296 are devoid of dust, and the international team of researchers led by Rice astronomer Andrea Isella is sure that planets, probably gas giants with masses comparable to Saturn, are responsible for clearing the outermost ones. But the inner ring has far more carbon monoxide than the other two, leading them to believe no planet exists there. That remains unexplained, he said.

"The inner gap is mysterious," Isella said. "Whatever is creating the structure is removing the dust but there's still a lot of gas."

The work appears this week in Physical Review Letters.

Only 20 years after the first exoplanet was spotted, astronomers are beginning to learn how planets form. Thousands of planets are now in the database, and scientists continue to improve their ability to analyze them for life-supporting characteristics.

One aim of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, the world's largest radio telescope used in the research, is to study protoplanetary systems. Their mechanics will help scientists understand how the planets like Earth formed. (Radio telescopes detect the unique electromagnetic waves emitted by elements and compounds in space, allowing them to be identified and measured.)

The Rice-led team's target star, nearly 400 light years away and best observed from the Southern hemisphere, is one of many known to have a large disk of dust and gas, Isella said.

"Of the material that formed this disk, about 1 percent is dust particles and 99 percent is gas," Isella said. "So if you only see the dust, you cannot tell if a ring was formed by a planet or another phenomenon. In order to distinguish and really tell if there are planets or not, you need to see what the gas is doing, and in this study, for the first time, we can see both the dust and the gas."

The outer rings are 100 and 160 astronomical units from HD 163296. (One unit is the distance from the center of the sun to Earth.) That's much farther from the star than previously thought possible for planet formation. The star is too far from Earth for direct observation of the planets, yet evidence from the new study shows they are likely to be there, clearing dust and gas from the outer rings much like orbiting asteroids called shepherd satellites clear space between the rings around Saturn, Isella said.

The inner ring, 60 astronomical units from its star, showed a much greater concentration of the three carbon monoxide isotopes measured relative to dust.

"Theoreticians have proposed other phenomena that can form dark rings without planets," Isella said. The researchers suspect one in particular: a lack of turbulence among non-ionized gas molecules in a magnetorotational instability "dead zone" that allows gas and dust to condense into a Saturn-like ring at the edge of the dark zone rather than a planet. The ring may also appear at the carbon monoxide frost line where the gas becomes cold enough to condense.

The results laid the foundation for a new round of observations just starting at ALMA. Isella's initiative to study 20 stars with protoplanetary disks is one of two "large programs" (from 24 proposals) accepted by the telescope. "'Large program' means that you ask for a lot of telescope time, more than 50 hours," Isella said. "The other one they accepted will look at the emissions from a galaxy at the beginning of the universe.

"It means our topic is considered by the astronomical community to be one of its highest priorities," he said.

Isella said the researchers will also return to HD 163296 to learn what other elements are in the disk and rings. Taking inventory will help them determine what kind of a planet might form from material that's readily available.

"If we know the chemistry of the material forming a planet, we can understand the chemistry of the planet," he said. Proximity to the star is also important. For example, water has to be far enough from a star to freeze around grains and allow them to aggregate.

There is a chance that systems like HD 163296 and HL Tauri, two of the first three (with TW Hydrae) observed by ALMA to show protoplanetary rings, are anomalies, he said. "Now the question is whether all the protoplanetary disks are like this. Do they all have this structure? There is the concern that this object and HL Tauri are freaks," Isella said.

Answers should come when the 20-star survey is completed. "We won't begin to get the data until next September, but it will tell us a lot," he said.

###

Co-authors are Greta Guidi of the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory in Firenze, Italy; Leonardo Testi of the Arcetri Observatory and the European Southern Observatory, Munich; Shangfei Liu of Rice and Los Alamos National Laboratory; Hui Li and Shengtai Li of Los Alamos; Erik Weaver and Yann Boehler of Rice; John Carperter and Itziar De Gregorio-Monsalvo of the Joint ALMA Observatory; Carlo Manara of the European Space Research and Technology Center, Noordwijk, The Netherlands; Antonella Natta of Arcetri and the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Ireland; Laura Perez of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn, Germany; Luca Ricci of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass.; Anneila Sargent of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif.; Marco Tazzari of the European Southern Observatory, and Neal Turner of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology.

The National Science Foundation, NASA, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the European Space Agency and Los Alamos National Laboratory supported the research.

Read the abstract at http://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.251101

This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2016/12/12/rings-around-young-star-suggest-planet-formation-in-progress/

NRAO press release: ALMA Finds Compelling Evidence for Pair of Infant Planets around Young Star

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews

Video:

https://vimeo.com/194830594

Related materials:

Planet Formation and Circumstellar Disks: http://planetformation.rice.edu

ALMA Observatory: http://www.almaobservatory.org

Rice Department of Physics and Astronomy: http://www.physics.rice.edu

Wiess School of Natural Sciences: http://natsci.rice.edu

Images for download:

http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_RINGS-1-web-zwthcl.jpg

Rice University researchers led the first mapping of gases in rings around a distant star with the powerful ALMA radio telescope. Clockwise from upper left: Yann Boehler, Shanfei Liu, Andrea Isella, Luca Ricci and Erik Weaver. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_RINGS-2-web-t3zwz2.jpg

An ALMA image of the star HD 163296 and its protoplanetary disk as seen in dust. New observations suggested that two planets, each about the size of Saturn, are in orbit around the star. These planets, which are not yet fully formed, revealed themselves in the dual imprint they left in both the dust and the gas portions of the star's protoplanetary disk. (Credit: ALMA [ESO/NAOJ/NRAO]/Andrea Isella/B. Saxton [NRAO/AUI/NSF])

http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_RINGS-3-web-qoec1c.jpg

A composite image of the star HD 163296. The inner red area shows the dust of the protoplanetary disk. The broader blue disk is the carbon monoxide gas in the system. ALMA observed that in the outer two gaps in the dust, there was a significant dip in the concentration of carbon monoxide, suggesting two planets are forming there. (Credit: ALMA [ESO/NAOJ/NRAO]/Andrea Isella/B. Saxton [NRAO/AUI/NSF])

http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_RINGS-4-web-1g62uy8.jpg

An artist's impression of the protoplanetary disk surrounding the young star HD 163296. By studying the dust (ruddy brown) and carbon monoxide gas (light blue) profiles of the disk, astronomers led by Rice University's Andrea Isella discovered tantalizing evidence that two planets are forming in the outer two dust gaps in the disk. (Credit: B. Saxton/NRAO/AUI/NSF)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,910 undergraduates and 2,809 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
A suPAR Root of Kidney Disease:

Discovery may aid search for kidney disease treatment and prevent recurrence after transplant

A protein known as suPAR has been identified in recent years as both a reliable marker for chronic kidney disease and a pathogen of the often deadly condition. Its place of origin in the human body, however, has been a mystery -- until now.

In study results published Dec. 12 in the journal Nature Medicine, a research team announced they have identified a type of immature myeloid cell, located in the bone marrow, as the source of abnormal levels of suPAR.

"These immature myeloid cells appear as a main source of circulating suPAR," says Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, principal investigator and senior author of the study presented in Nature Medicine, who has been working on solving the mysteries of suPAR for more than a decade. Reiser is Ralph C. Brown, MD, Professor and chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush University Medical Center.

At least 10 percent of adults in the United States -- about 25 million people -- have chronic kidney disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 48,000 of them die every year, and Medicare alone spends about $49 billion on medical care for its patients with chronic and end-stage kidney disease every year. Because kidney disease tends to have no early symptoms, most people who have the disease don't know it until serious damage has been done, and may go untreated.

Elevated levels of creatinine in the blood -- which indicates how well the kidneys are filtering waste - and high protein levels in urine - a condition called proteinuria -- can alert clinicians that an individual is suffering from chronic kidney disease. However, by the time those biomarkers show up, the disease is underway and the kidneys have being damaged.

The discovery that elevated suPAR levels are a reliable predictor of future chronic kidney disease therefore was exciting news , because it signaled the approach of a day when clinicians will be able to track their patients' suPAR levels just as they now track cholesterol levels -- and to intervene to control impending kidney disease when suPAR levels rise.

Everyone has urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a healthy molecule "tethered" in place to various types of cells. It's the soluble variety, circulating in the blood stream, suPAR, that damages the kidneys.

Establishing suPAR as a marker of kidney disease was just the beginning, though.

One of Reiser's particular focuses in kidney research is a chronic, serious condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which scars the kidneys and eventually destroys them. The disease often comes back after transplantation of a kidney, a condition called recurrence. His research with FSGS has expanded into more general findings about kidney disease more than once.

In two papers published in Nature Medicine in 2008 and 2011, Reiser's team showed that uPAR and its soluble form suPAR may be causative for FSGS. In 2015, Reiser and colleagues published work in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed that circulating suPAR associates with future chronic kidney disease in general, likely by delivering a "systemic insult" to these workhorse organs.

"SuPAR is not just a biomarker; it may also be a cause of the disease," Reiser says. That finding was "a game changer. You could predict new disease in people that by any available test still had normal kidney function."

At that point, identifying suPAR's cellular origins became critical. This knowledge, the Nature Medicine paper states, is "one essential step" toward developing an effective treatment for this devastating disease - "hopefully sooner than later," says Eunsil Hahm, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Rush and first author on the study.

Myeloid cells are one of three main types of blood cells. The role of bone marrow immature myeloid cells in the manufacture of suPAR was surprising, because "these cells were not known to be doing anything except maturing," and because bone marrow had not previously been linked to kidney function, Reiser explains.

Nevertheless, Hahm adds, it appears that "these cells are producing high amounts of suPAR, which becomes the mediator that communicates between the immune system and the kidney. At high levels, suPAR travels to the kidneys, causes a reaction, and takes the kidney down."

Researchers had deduced that circulating suPAR likely originates from outside the kidneys because clinicians see high levels of the molecule in patients that have received a new kidney after their own kidneys have been damaged by FSGS disease. Recurrence of FSGS can be as high as 30 percent in adults and even higher in children.

Not everyone develops kidney disease -- not in the course of a life, nor after the receipt of a transplanted organ. In both cases, Reiser says, "The question was, what triggers the changes in the cells?" suPAR provides an answer and serves as the first identified bona fide circulating factor.

Reiser's team used a "humanized" mouse model that utilizes patients' peripheral blood stem cells to communicate signals to mouse bone marrow immature myeloid cells. These genetically modified animals serve as a transfer study system of human kidney disease and thus as a study aid to investigate the production and action of suPAR.

Early discoveries led researchers to home in on the hematopoietic system, the organs that produce the two kinds of blood cells, lymphoid and myeloid cells. Using mice bred to lack some types of lymphoid cells, among other features, researchers were able to show that those mice still had high levels of suPAR and proteinuria, indicating that lymphoid cells were not the perpetrators of kidney disease. At that point, the team began to focus on the myeloid cells, leading to their new findings.

Further research will be necessary to establish solid connections between the suPAR production site in mice and the human cell types, Reiser says. It also might be possible to establish a genetic link to the process that unleashes suPAR on a person's system. FSGS rates are high in the black population, for example, Hahm adds.

As for treatments, the paper states, "Stem cell transplantation may prove to be a viable approach to treat diseases such as suPAR-associated kidney disease."

"The benefit of knowing what we know about suPAR is that it will allow for much better risk stratification," Reiser says. "If a company has a new medicine for kidney disease they would want to test for suPAR, because it will tell you which patients are most vulnerable to the disease."

There is a lifestyle aspect to suPAR, Reiser notes; smoking and weight gain, for example, can contribute to elevated suPAR levels. "Bad habits increase the risk of kidney disease," he says.

While smoking cessation and losing weight can help bring suPAR levels down, as with cholesterol levels, adopting good habits has only limited benefits. SuPAR levels will likely require pharmacological intervention because "suPAR still won't go down to completely normal levels just because of a better lifestyle," Reiser says.

As to those immature myeloid cells that arise in bone marrow, they are more developed than stem cells, but have not grown into their final function as, for example, neutrophil white blood cells. The specific type of cells the researchers in the new Nature Medicine paper looked at, and identified as giving rise to suPAR, are bone marrow GR-1lo, Sca1+ immature myeloid cells.

In the Nature Medicine paper, titled, Bone marrow-derived immature myeloid cells are a main source of circulating suPAR contributing to proteinuric kidney disease, the suPAR researchers suggested that their discovery and their investigative approach owed much to the work of other investigators and might prove useful for researchers investigating other diseases that appear to arise spontaneously in certain individuals for no discernible reason.

###

The study included multiple researchers at Rush, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Emory University School of Medicine, the University of Michigan Department of Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provided funding for this research.
FARIBAULT, Minn. | Faribault police say investigators believe the deaths of a 33-year-old man and a girl were a murder-suicide.

Authorities discovered the bodies inside a home Sunday after someone reported seeing the man lying in the entryway in the city of approximately 23,000.

Located along Interstate 35, Faribault is about 80 miles north of Clear Lake.

Police on Monday identified the man as Ryan Perrizo, who lived at the home. Authorities are waiting for an autopsy to confirm the girl's identity.

According to Faribault police, both the man and the girl were shot. A handgun was found next to Perrizo's body.

Investigators are still trying to determine how Perrizo and the girl were related. Their bodies were sent to the Hennepin County medical examiner's office for autopsies.
JUPITER, FL - Dec. 12, 2016 - Scientists on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed broad methods to design precision medicines against currently incurable diseases caused by RNA. RNA carries out thousands of essential functions in cells, but many RNAs can act in uncontrolled ways and cause disease.

For decades, scientists have tried to develop drug candidates that target human RNAs, but they have been hampered by an inability to achieve sufficient selectivity (to reduce the potential of side effects) and potency (ensuring effectiveness).

In a study published today online ahead of press in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, researchers -- led by TSRI Professor Matthew Disney and Research Associate Suzanne Rzuczek, with important contributions from Professor Ryohei Yasuda and Research Associate Lesley Colgan of the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience--have disclosed several approaches to overcome these hurdles.

"This study reads like science fiction," Disney said. "We present for the first time multiple solutions to this long-standing problem. With the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, we have shown that small molecules can be designed to seek out and destroy only disease-causing RNAs. Further, we developed novel chemical approaches to use a disease-causing RNA to help make its own drug by using that RNA as a catalyst for drug synthesis at the needed site. It is like having your physician place a drug at the right place without exposing healthy cells."

Although these studies have broad implications for RNA diseases in general, they were demonstrated on myotonic dystrophy type 1, an incurable inherited disorder that involves progressive muscle wasting and weakness.

It is caused by an RNA defect known as a "triplet repeat," a series of three nucleotides repeated more times than normal in an individual's genetic code, in this case, a cytosine-uracil-guanine (CUG) triplet.

In many genetic diseases, there are two copies of the problem gene--a mutant copy that causes a disease and a normal copy that a cell needs to survive. Selective recognition of the diseased gene product has not been possible before.

This new study demonstrates that designer small molecules can selectively recognize larger, disease-associated repeats (alleles) over shorter, normal ones.

"We developed several approaches to create allele-selective small molecules that seek out only the disease-causing gene product, including covalent binding, cleavage and imaging," said TSRI Research Associate Suzanne G. Rzuczek, first author of the study.

"All approaches show precise recognition of toxic r(CUG) repeats and, more importantly, they showed that the mutant repeat is the sole target." The work also offers an innovative way to track the movement of RNA in a diseased cell via imaging.

"We have brought RNAs out of the darkness and into the light by developing a chemical flare that goes off when a drug targets the RNA in a diseased cell and then continues to track the RNA's movement," Disney added.

"We probed disease-causing RNA using a technique called fluorescence lifetime imaging--a sensitive technique to measure fluorophore binding," said Max Planck's Ryohei Yasuda. "We were very excited when we observed a huge difference in signal from their probes between disease cells and normal cells under our microscope technique."

Max Planck's Lesley Colgan added, "The combination of cutting-edge chemistry and microscopy techniques developed in Florida is a powerful approach to identify new methods to probe and manipulate (and kill) disease-causing RNA in cells."

###

Both Disney and Yasuda were 2015 recipients of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Pioneer Award, which supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative approaches with high-impact potential.

In addition to Disney, Rzuczek, Colgan and Yasuda, other authors of the study, "Precise Small Molecule Recognition of a Toxic RNA Repeat Expansion," include Yoshio Nakai and Michael D. Cameron of TSRI and Denis Furling of Sorbonne Universites (Paris).

The study was supported by the NIH (grants DP1NS096898 and DP1NS096787), the Muscular Dystrophy Association (grant 380467) and the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists--including two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academy of Science, Engineering or Medicine--work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu.
In 1969, 60 to 100 peacock bass imported from Buga, Colombia, were introduced into a pond in Panama for sport fishing. Several individuals escaped. By the early 1970s, they colonized Gatun Lake, the reservoir forming the main channel of the Panama Canal. Forty-five years later, native fish populations in the lake still have not recovered according to a new Smithsonian report.

Peacock bass, Cichla monoculus, originally from the Amazon River and its tributaries, are voracious predators. They are considered delicious game fish and have been intentionally stocked for recreational and commercial fishing around the world.

In 1973, Thomas Zaret and Robert Paine, working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) field station on Barro Colorado Island, published a study in Science magazine showing that 60 percent of the native freshwater fish in Gatun Lake were extirpated after the accidental release. Their study was one of the first to demonstrate how devastating predator introductions can be and remains as one of the most highly cited studies on this subject.

"Very few studies have examined the long-term outcome of an invasion by a predatory fish," said Diana Sharpe, postdoctoral fellow in staff scientist Mark Torchin's lab at STRI and at Canada's McGill University. "This is the perfect place to test Zaret and Paine's prediction that certain species would never return to the lake by repeating their study 45 years later."

"Bob Paine passed away earlier this year, in his 80s," Sharpe said. "I had the opportunity to correspond with him just a few months before his death, and he was very excited that someone was finally doing a follow-up. He kindly Fed-Exed a huge stack of unpublished data related to their original work...all the way to Panama!"

Sharpe teamed up with two Panamanian scientists, Luis Fernando De Leon, assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts and research associate at INDICASAT-AIP in Panama, and Rigoberto Gonzalez of STRI to capture fish in gill nets and beach seines. They photographed, weighed, measured and released most of the fish. Several fish of each species were preserved for reference.

"Seining was very tricky because it involves wading through the shallows dragging a heavy net," Sharpe said. "The crocodile population in Gatun Lake has increased sharply since the 1970s. We had to abort our seining on more than one occasion after spotting crocs basking in the shallows. At one point, we actually caught a small croc and had to cut the net to release it."

"Zaret and Paine recorded 12 native fish species in the Trinidad arm of Gatun Lake in 1972 before the peacock bass invasion reached that region of the lake," Sharpe said. "We recaptured only three of those species after extensive seining. Our study shows that despite the appeal of peacock bass as a sport fish, the introduction of a novel apex predator can have dramatic and long-lasting impacts on native communities, even in diverse tropical communities, which are sometimes thought to be more resistant to invasion."

Of the 1471 fish they netted in Gatun Lake, 25 were native freshwater species and 10 were freshwater-tolerant marine species, which must have migrated into the lakes through the canal locks. Several other exotic fish have also increased over time, including the Jaguar Cichlid, Parachromis managuesis, the Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, and the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, not present in the lake in 1972.

As an additional way to test for predator effects, they also compared the fish communities in two invaded lakes, Gatun and Alajuela, with fish communities in Lake Bayano, where there are no peacock bass. Gatun and Alajuela were also invaded by the jaguar cichlid, sometime between 2004 and 2013. The abundance of native fish was much greater in Lake Bayano than in the lakes containing peacock bass, corroborating the pattern observed in Gatun Lake through time.

This is not the first case of an introduced fish doing away with the natives. Nile perch, Lates niloticus, released into Lake Victoria in Africa caused the presumed extinction of 250 endemic cichlid fish in the 1980s.

"This study illustrates the value of historical and long-term data collected at the Smithsonian in Panama," Torchin said. "The comparison would not have been possible without Zaret and Paine's work 45 years ago around Barro Colorado. We never know when we're going to go back and use data from studies in the past, but in Panama we are lucky to have data on fish populations that goes back to Hildebrand and Meek's studies as part of the Smithsonian's Panama Biological Survey in 1910."

###

Support for this study comes from a Fonds de Recherche Nature et Technologies, Quebec, postdoctoral research scholarship, STRI, the National Geographic Society, Panama's SENACYT and the Sistema Nacional de Investigadores de Panama.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. The institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. Website: http://www.stri.si.edu
Profiling the genes of lung-tumor cells from patient blood samples may be a cheap, noninvasive way to help doctors choose the right treatments, according to a study led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The new findings strengthen the hope that evaluating the genetic profiles of tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream could transform cancer care: first, by indicating the next chemotherapy or targeted therapy to use when tumors evolve resistance to previous drugs; and, second, by providing a way to study how tumors change over time. The new blood test is safer, cheaper, faster and more effective than alternative diagnostic approaches, according to the study.

The researchers created a system for isolating circulating tumor cells from the blood of cancer patients and reading a handful of genes from inside each tumor cell. Thus, they were able to obtain genetic information about the original cancer tumor that resides deep in the lungs without doing a biopsy, which can be dangerous for the patient.

"We are trying to make minimally invasive technology that allows us to continuously monitor one person's health over time," said radiology instructor Seung-min Park, PhD, a lead author of the new study, which will be published online Dec. 12 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Park shares lead authorship of the study with former Stanford graduate students Dawson Wong, PhD, and Chin Chun Ooi.

Tumor changes

It's common for cancer therapies to fail after a few months, often because the cancer evolves resistance to the treatment. At that point, it's important to understand how the patient's tumor is changing. "Without a biopsy and genetic profiling, we are flying blind, trying to select a second or third option for therapy and hoping it works," Park said. But repeated lung biopsies are too hard on patients. Even CT scans, performed to see whether a tumor is shrinking or growing, increase the body's exposure to damaging X-rays. "Blood-based monitoring would allow us to select the right second and third therapies instead of flying blind," he said.

Finding a way to look at circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, in the blood has been a goal of oncologists for years. When people die of cancer, it's usually from metastasis, the spread of tumors throughout the body. Part of metastasis is the entry of tumor cells into the bloodstream, where they circulate along with normal blood cells, eventually landing in other organs and initiating tumors there. In general, the presence of CTCs in the blood of cancer patients predicts patients will live for a shorter time.

"This work fits well into our bigger vision of using blood-based diagnostics to detect and manage disease, including cancer," said Sanjiv "Sam" Gambhir, MD, PhD professor and chair of radiology and the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research. "By being able to characterize single CTCs, we believe cancer management, including predicting response to therapy, will be much better optimized."

Gambhir shares senior authorship of the study with Shan Wang, PhD, professor of materials science and engineering and of electrical engineering, and Viswam Nair, MD, clinical assistant professor of medicine and of radiology.

How it's done

The blood typically contains very few CTCs, so one of the challenges for oncologists has been to separate them from ordinary blood cells. The new technique involves taking blood from lung cancer patients and then attaching antibodies to circulating tumor cells. Once the cancer cells are labeled, the team introduces magnetic nanoparticles designed to attach to the antibodies labeling the cancer cells. With each individual cancer cell labeled with a magnetic nanoparticle, the researchers can then use a device called a magnetic sifter, or MagSifter, previously developed by Wang.

The MagSifter is an electromagnetic sieve that can be turned on and off. When the MagSifter is on, it pulls the nanoparticle-labeled CTCs from the blood sample and allows the rest of the blood to flow through the sifter. The CTCs pulled from the blood are then deposited into a flat array of tiny wells, each large enough for only one cell. Now the tumor cells are ready for genetic analysis. Each flat of 25,600 wells looks like a miniature muffin tin, with room for a lot of tiny muffins.

The new technique serves as a proof of concept for collecting and analyzing lung cancer cells from blood samples. If the technique receives approval from the Food and Drug Administration, it could be used to tell how cancer cells have evolved in response to chemotherapy and which drug is the best to use next in individual patients.

In principle, the technique should work just as well with other kinds of cancers, Wong said. "We validated our device on lung cancer because of the difficulties of doing lung biopsies," he said. "But the technology is not limited to profiling lung cancer. We could swap out markers and adapt the technique to other types of cancers."

Cost of less than $30

The approach that the team developed could be used to look at mutations in three or four genes, and it requires no more than 2 milliliters of blood -- about half a teaspoon. The test can be completed in about five hours, the researcher said, and costs less than $30. For comparison, a single state-of-the art biopsy of lung tissue with DNA sequencing costs about $18,000 and takes as long as three weeks to furnish results. Johnson & Johnson's CellSearch -- another blood test, already approved by the FDA -- costs about $900 and takes a week to deliver results.

"We feel that we have solved a lot of the technical hurdles," said Wong. "The blood draw is cheap enough and noninvasive enough that it could be done on a weekly basis throughout treatment."

The team's work is an example of Stanford Medicine's focus on precision health, the goal of which is to anticipate and prevent disease in the healthy and precisely diagnose and treat disease in the ill.

###

Other Stanford co-authors are graduate students David Kurtz, MD, Amin Aalipour and Jacob Chabon; postdoctoral scholar Ophir Vermesh, MD, PhD; research assistants Kelsey Pian and Justin Carter; former research assistant Susie Suh; instructor of radiology Mehran Jamali, MD; clinical research associate Carmen Say; professor of medicine Ware Kuschner, MD; professor of medicine Erich Schwartz, MD; professor of cardiothoracic surgery Joseph Shrager, MD; assistant professor of medicine Joel Neal, MD, PhD; associate professor of medicine Heather Wakelee, MD; and assistant professor of radiation oncology Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD.

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants U54CA151459 and R21CA185804), the Canary Foundation, and the LUNGevity Foundation.

Stanford's Department of Medicine also supported the work.

Stanford University has filed for patents on the technology used in connection with this work.

The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://med.stanford.edu/school.html. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children's Health. For information about all three, please visit http://med.stanford.edu.
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Dec. 12, 2016 -- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded a 5-year, $1.125 million grant to continue an innovative and unique oncology training program for newly minted physicians developed and overseen by Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, Distinguished Professor and Physician-In-Chief at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

Convened by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) -- the world's leading cancer professional organizations -- Dr. Von Hoff's Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop is a one-week boot camp for new oncologists, which has been conducted each summer for the past 21 years.

The program's nearly 2,100 graduates now populate leading cancer centers throughout the nation.

The workshop draws on the expertise of 40 of the nation's leading oncologists, patient advocates and biostatisticians to provide intensive cancer care instruction each summer to 100 students -- 75 of whom are 2nd- and 3rd-year post-doctoral oncology fellows, and 25 are new faculty members at clinical centers.

"Through a rigorous process, we select doctors who appear to have promise. It's a big deal. It's rough. It's one of the most effective courses ever," said Dr. Von Hoff, who also is Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Chief Scientific Officer for the HonorHealth Research Institute, and past director of the Arizona Cancer Center. He also is a past board member and president of AACR, a Fellow of the AACR, and recipient of the distinguished 1997 AACR Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Memorial Award. In addition, he is a past board member of ASCO and winner of its prestigious David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to patient care and treatment.

The course teaches the essentials of effective clinical trial design for therapeutic interventions in the treatment of all cancers.

Working around the clock, each summer's class is divided into 12 groups. Each student must write a protocol for a new cancer clinical trial of sufficient quality to pass an Institutional Review Board, a critical step in receiving FDA approval to pursue such a study. Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies that evaluate promising new drugs, while giving patients access to potentially lifesaving therapeutics.

One of the first to take the Methods course when it began in 1996 is Dr. Ramesh K. Ramanathan, Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic with a joint appointment at TGen; he is now a gastrointestinal cancer specialist involved in early drug development at Mayo Clinic in Arizona: "This program helped me start a career in academic medicine and prepare me for the exacting work required to design and execute clinical trials that will make a substantial difference in the lives of our patients."

Dr. Glen Weiss, a graduate of the 2006 Methods workshop and a Clinical Associate Professor at TGen, is now the Director of all Phase I and II clinical trials at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center near Phoenix: "This unique training course, under the meticulous watch of Dr. Von Hoff, helped me understand how to design top-flight cancer clinical trials, demanding enough to be approved by the nation's leading oncology experts. It was an invaluable experience."

Poor design and conduct of a clinical trial can make it impossible for a study to provide definitive answers about the effectiveness of a new approach. They also can lead to the abandonment of promising avenues of research, even those based on sound basic scientific work, as well as to delays in the introduction of new treatments into the practice of oncology.

"On behalf of the American Association for Cancer Research, I would like to thank Dr. Von Hoff for conceptualizing the idea for this course and for his tireless commitment to securing continued financial support for the Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop," said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. "The Workshop has a proven track record of training early-career clinical researchers who have gone on to become world-renowned leaders in clinical trial design and conduct. We are thrilled to be able to continue this rich tradition, which will increase the number of therapeutic interventions that can be tested and made available in a timely manner to improve the care and treatment of cancer patients worldwide."

AACR and ASCO have helped design the Methods workshop to increase the reliability and effectiveness of clinical trials by:

Introducing principles of good clinical trial design, providing the tools needed to conduct studies that yield clear results and have the potential to impact patient care.

Exposing the full spectrum of challenges in clinical research -- including patients' and their families' perspectives -- through surgery, radiotherapy, conventional and investigational agents, multidisciplinary treatment regimens, multimodality and combination treatments, and the integration of biomarkers in clinical trials.

Developing a cadre of well-trained, experienced clinical researchers whose expertise will foster better clinical trial design and hasten the introduction of improved approaches for cancer therapy and prevention into everyday medical practice and patient care.

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About TGen

Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is allied with City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and cancer and diabetes treatment center. This precision medicine alliance enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. For more information, visit: http://www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.

Media Contact:

Steve Yozwiak

TGen Senior Science Writer

602-343-8704

syozwiak@tgen.org
James Webber took up barefoot running 12 years ago. He needed to find a new passion after deciding his planned career in computer-aided drafting wasn't a good fit. Eventually, his shoeless feet led him to the University of Arizona, where he enrolled as a doctoral student in the School of Anthropology.

Webber was interested in studying the mechanics of running, but as the saying goes, one must learn to walk before they can run, and that -- so to speak -- is what Webber has been doing in his research.

His most recent study on walking, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, specifically explores why humans walk with a heel-to-toe stride, while many other animals -- such as dogs and cats -- get around on the balls of their feet.

It was an especially interesting question from Webber's perspective, because those who do barefoot running, or "natural running," land on the middle or balls of their feet instead of the heels when they run -- a stride that would feel unnatural when walking.

Indeed, humans are pretty set in our ways with how we walk, but our heel-first style could be considered somewhat curious.

"Humans are very efficient walkers, and a key component of being an efficient walker in all kind of mammals is having long legs," Webber said. "Cats and dogs are up on the balls of their feet, with their heel elevated up in the air, so they've adapted to have a longer leg, but humans have done something different. We've dropped our heels down on the ground, which physically makes our legs shorter than they could be if were up on our toes, and this was a conundrum to us (scientists)."

Webber's study, however, offers an explanation for why our heel-strike stride works so well, and it still comes down to limb length: Heel-first walking creates longer "virtual legs," he says.

We Move Like a Human Pendulum

When humans walk, Webber says, they move like an inverted swinging pendulum, with the body essentially pivoting above the point where the foot meets the ground below. As we take a step, the center of pressure slides across the length of the foot, from heel to toe, with the true pivot point for the inverted pendulum occurring midfoot and effectively several centimeters below the ground. This, in essence, extends the length of our "virtual legs" below the ground, making them longer than our true physical legs.

As Webber explains: "Humans land on their heel and push off on their toes. You land at one point, and then you push off from another point eight to 10 inches away from where you started. If you connect those points to make a pivot point, it happens underneath the ground, basically, and you end up with a new kind of limb length that you can understand. Mechanically, it's like we have a much longer leg than you would expect."

Webber and his adviser and co-author, UA anthropologist David Raichlen, came to the conclusion after monitoring study participants on a treadmill in the University's Evolutionary Biomechanics Lab. They looked at the differences between those asked to walk normally and those asked to walk toe-first. They found that toe-first walkers moved slower and had to work 10 percent harder than those walking with a conventional stride, and that conventional walkers' limbs were, in essence, 15 centimeters longer than toe-first walkers.

"The extra 'virtual limb' length is longer than if we had just had them stand on their toes, so it seems humans have found a novel way of increasing our limb length and becoming more efficient walkers than just standing on our toes," Webber said. "It still all comes down to limb length, but there's more to it than how far our hip is from the ground. Our feet play an important role, and that's often something that's been overlooked."

When the researchers sped up the treadmill to look at the transition from walking to running, they also found that toe-first walkers switched to running at lower speeds than regular walkers, further showing that toe-first walking is less efficient for humans.

Ancient Human Ancestors Had Extra-Long Feet

It's no wonder humans are so set in our ways when it comes to walking heel-first -- we've been doing it for a long time. Scientists know from footprints found preserved in volcanic ash in Latoli, Tanzania, that ancient hominins practiced heel-to-toe walking as early as 3.6 million years ago.

Our feet have changed over the years, however. Early bipeds (animals that walk on two feet) appear to have had rigid feet that were proportionally much longer than ours today -- about 70 percent the length of their femur, compared to 54 percent in modern humans. This likely helped them to be very fast and efficient walkers. While modern humans held on to the heel-first style of walking, Webber suggests our toes and feet may have gotten shorter, proportionally, as we became better runners in order to pursue prey.

"When you're running, if you have a really long foot and you need to push off really hard way out at the end of your foot, that adds a lot of torque and bending," Webber said. "So the idea is that as we shifted into running activities, our feet started to shrink because it maybe it wasn't as important to be super-fast walkers. Maybe it became important to be really good runners."

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An international team of researchers has found that the Antarctic Ice Sheet plays a major role in regional and global climate variability - a discovery that may also help explain why sea ice in the Southern Hemisphere has been increasing despite the warming of the rest of the Earth.

Results of the study, co-authored by Michael Weber, a paleoclimatologist and visiting scientist at the University of Cambridge, along with colleagues from the USA, New Zealand and Germany, are published this week in the journal Nature.

Global climate models that look at the last several thousand years have failed to account for the amount of climate variability captured in the paleoclimate record, according to lead author Pepijn Bakker, a climate modeller from the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Studies at the University of Bremen in Germany.

The researchers first turned their attention to the Scotia Sea. "Most icebergs calving off the Antarctic Ice Sheet travel through this region because of the atmospheric and oceanic circulation," explained Weber. "The icebergs contain gravel that drop into the sediment on the ocean floor - and analysis and dating of such deposits shows that for the last 8,000 years, there were centuries with more gravel and those with less."

The research team's hypothesis is that climate modellers have historically overlooked one crucial element in the overall climate system. They discovered that the centuries-long phases of enhanced and reduced Antarctic ice mass loss documented over the past 8,000 years have had a cascading effect on the entire climate system.

Using sophisticated computer modelling, the researchers traced the variability in iceberg calving (ice that breaks away from glaciers) to small changes in ocean temperatures.

"There is a natural variability in the deeper part of the ocean adjacent to the Antarctic Ice Sheet that causes small but significant changes in temperatures," said co-author Andreas Schmittner, a climate modeller from Oregon State University. "When the ocean temperatures warm, it causes more direct melting of the ice sheet below the surface, and it increases the number of icebergs that calve off the ice sheet."

Those two factors combine to provide an influx of fresh water into the Southern Ocean during these warm regimes, according to Peter Clark, a paleoclimatologist from Oregon State University, and co-author on the study.

"The introduction of that cold, fresh water lessens the salinity and cools the surface temperatures, at the same time, stratifying the layers of water," he said. "The cold, fresh water freezes more easily, creating additional sea ice despite warmer temperatures that are down hundreds of meters below the surface."

The discovery may help explain why sea ice is currently expanding in the Southern Ocean despite global warming, the researchers say.

"This response is well-known, but what is less-known is that the input of fresh water also leads to changes far away in the northern hemisphere, because it disrupts part of the global ocean circulation," explained Nick Golledge from the University of Wellington, New Zealand, an ice-sheet modeller and study co-author. "Meltwater from the Antarctic won't just raise global sea level, but might also amplify climate changes around the world. Some parts of the North Atlantic may end up with warmer temperatures as a consequence of part of Antarctica melting."

Golledge used a computer model to simulate how the Antarctic Ice Sheet changed as it came out of the last ice age and into the present, warm period.

"The integration of data and models provides further evidence that the Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced much greater natural variability in the past than previously anticipated," added Weber. "We should therefore be concerned that it will possibly act very dynamically in the future, too, specifically when it comes to projecting future sea-level rise."

Two years ago Weber led another study, also published in Nature, which found that the Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed repeatedly and abruptly at the end of the Last Ice Age to 19,000 to 9,000 years ago.

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Empowering local governments with forestry decisions can help combat deforestation, but is most effective when local users are actively engaging with their representatives, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder-led study.

Using a combination of survey data, census info and satellite images dating back to 2000, the researchers meticulously compared deforestation results from Bolivia and Peru, two countries with differing approaches to forest governance.

The study, which was published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finds that a local, ground-up approach can yield better results than national, top-down policy so long as local forest users are working closely with their officials.

Such interactions might include a one-on-one meeting with a town mayor or attending an open planning forum, the two methods that the researchers found to be the most common forms of interactions between community members and local government officials.

"Natural resource use is, by nature, local in character. You need buy-in from local politicians in order to make forest governance work," said Krister Andersson, director of CU Boulder's Center for the Governance of Natural Resources and lead author of the new study.

Deforestation remains a major global environmental challenge, with the United Nations estimating that 18 million acres of trees are lost each year worldwide. Forests are complex systems that have historically proven difficult to govern due to contradictory user groups and long-term recovery trends that tend to outlast political regimes.

Since the 1990s, several countries (with encouragement from international aid organizations) have shifted from a national, top-down forestry policy to a more decentralized approach in which more decision-making power is given to local municipalities. To date, however, there have been few comprehensive studies of the overall effectiveness of this approach.

"For every theoretical advantage of decentralization, you can come up with a disadvantage. The results are often so conditional that 'it depends' had become the de facto conclusion on this subject," said Andersson, who is also a professor in CU Boulder's Department of Political Science and a research associate in the Institute of Behavioral Science.

Andersson and his co-authors aimed to provide more conclusive data by comparing 100 municipalities apiece from Bolivia and Peru, two countries with similar forestry and culture whose policies had diverged sharply after 1996. Bolivia embraced decentralization reforms while Peru did not.

"Bolivia received more political commitments to decentralize governance, made it part of election debates, tied reform to other issues like education and health and thus got a mandate from voters," said Andersson. "We find here that that has led to a substantive change in how forests are governed in the two countries. Peru, on the other hand, excluded forestry from its local government mandate and it seems to have backfired."

The result of the long-term study was a unique, longitudinal data set that examined policy implementation at a grassroots level across multiple decades.

"We asked how community members were interacting with their municipal government authorities in these areas," said Andersson. "Our idea is to continue to monitor these interactions over time so that we can develop new and better knowledge about the factors that drive local decision makers to care about the environment."

The researchers note that while deforestation is far from eliminated in either country, the results suggest that Bolivia's forest loss would have been far worse in recent years had it not been for the country's decentralized approach forest governance.

"The lesson is that all levels of government - municipal, state and federal - have a role to play when it comes to addressing a complex problem like deforestation," said Andersson. "The mandate of local governments to work on forestry issues really does seem to matter."

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Co-authors of the new study include Tom Evans of Indiana University; Clark Gibson of the University of California at San Diego; and Glenn Wright of the University of Alaska, Southeast.

The National Science Foundation supported the research.
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver challenges portrayals of identity theft in workplaces dominated by undocumented immigrants.

Research published by anthropology researcher Sarah Horton, PhD, this month in Political and Legal Anthropology Review shows that many employers furnish workers with invented or borrowed work authorization documents, a practice she has termed "identity loan."

Horton suggests that many employers encourage workers to use the work documents of others. In fact, some even supply workers with documents belonging to their friends and family. Then they divert the deductions from the undocumented worker's check to the unemployment payments and retirement accounts of the employer's acquaintances.

Attention to identity theft amongst undocumented workers is likely to increase in the coming months given President-elect Donald Trump's stated plans to deport millions of "criminal aliens" in his first term.

Yet Horton's research questions the practice of charging undocumented immigrants with identity theft prior to deporting them--a practice common during the Bush administration.

"My research illustrates that charging undocumented workers with identity theft neglects the active role employers play in subverting immigration law," Horton said. "In industries reliant on undocumented immigrants, it's common for employers to turn a blind eye to employees who use fake documents or to even provide the illegitimate documents themselves."

Horton shows that employers differ in their attitudes towards invented and borrowed documents depending on company size and fear of audits. Large agricultural companies are more commonly targets of federal audits and often have explicit policies of only hiring workers with valid documents.

Smaller contractors have less fear of federal audits and often openly condone and accept documents that do not match the employee's face.

Horton has found that some employers take advantage of prospective workers and make loaned documents a condition of their employment. The most frequent targets of these "forcible identity loans" are the most vulnerable--recent undocumented arrivals and teens.

In workplace raids during the Bush administration, undocumented immigrants were routinely arrested and imprisoned for document-related charges prior to deportation.

During a 2008 raid of a meatpacking plant in Iowa, federal prosecutors charged more than 389 undocumented workers with identity theft, meaning that they knowingly and intentionally used a third party's documents to work.

However, several supervisors and human resource employees at the company were later convicted of supplying employees with documents purchased from legal workers.

Horton's research provides an important warning in light of President-elect Trump's plans to depart from the Obama Administration's policy of engaging in I-9 audits and to instead reinstate workplace raids.

"As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy has saddled undocumented immigrants apprehended in workplace raids with criminal charges, it's important to have an informed perspective on what actually occurs on the ground in immigrant-dominated workplaces," said Horton. "Efforts to prosecute immigrants as "criminals" simply makes undocumented workers more vulnerable to exploitation while doing nothing to address employers' appetite for undocumented immigrant labor in sectors like agriculture."

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Lincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 12, 2016 - Maximizing cereal crops yields in sub-Saharan Africa would still fail to meet the region's skyrocketing grain demand by 2050, according to a new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wageningen University and multiple African institutions.

Sub-Saharan Africa produces about 80 percent of the grain it now consumes. But that consumption could triple if its population rises an expected 250 percent by 2050. Presently, cereal crops account for about half of sub-Saharan Africa's food and farmland.

Even if sub-Saharan yields continue rising at the rate they have over the last quarter-century, the region's existing farmland would still produce only between a third and half of the grain needed in 2050, researchers reported Dec. 12 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"The status quo is simply not acceptable," said co-author Ken Cassman, professor emeritus at Nebraska and fellow of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. "Complacency is the enemy. This is a clarion call for action."To maintain even 80 percent of its self-sufficiency in 2050, sub-Saharan Africa must reach the realistic yield thresholds of corn, millet, rice, sorghum and wheat, the study found. The region currently grows about a quarter of the cereal crops it could by optimizing its plant and soil management, the authors said. Closing this gap would require what the study called a "large, abrupt acceleration" in yield trajectories similar to the Green Revolution that transformed North American, European and Asian agriculture in the mid-20th century.

"But our analysis shows that even closing the gap between potential yields using modern farming practices and current farm yields, with traditional crop varieties and little fertilizer, still leaves the area at a deficit with regard to cereals," Cassman said. "That's quite eye-opening, because my guess is that most people in the agricultural development community might have thought sub-Saharan Africa could be self-sufficient, or even produce excess cereal, if it were able to close existing yield gaps."The authors analyzed 10 sub-Saharan countries using the Global Yield Gap Atlas, which estimates the disparity between actual and potential yields while accounting for differences in soil types and climate. After assembling location-specific data and assessments from agronomists in each of the 10 countries, the team used a novel upscaling technique to estimate yield gaps at national and sub-continental levels.

Meeting future cereal demands could depend on expanding responsible irrigation use to raise yield ceilings and stabilize cereal production, said Kindie Tesfaye, agronomist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre in Ethiopia. Recent analyses have documented regional aquifers that could become sources of sustainable irrigation, though the authors emphasized the importance of withdrawing only what can be replenished by rainfall and recharge.

Tesfaye said irrigation could ramp up yield thresholds by allowing farmers to annually grow a crop multiple times in the same field or introduce new cereals into yearly planting schedules.

Patricio Grassini, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture at Nebraska, stressed that these efforts will require "massive and strategic investments in agricultural development on an unprecedented level." Combining the yield gap findings with socioeconomic and other data, Grassini said, could inform essential upgrades to infrastructure that might include roads and water pipelines; publicly financed research and development; and farmer access to credit, state-of-the-art equipment and pest-management resources.

A failure to upgrade could force sub-Saharan Africa to transform savannahs, rainforests or other natural ecosystems into farmland - a process, the study noted, that would produce massive amounts of greenhouse gases while shrinking the habitats of native plant and animal species.

If yield growth and cropland distribution remained constant across the 10 countries, seven would lack the land area to accommodate such expansion, said Abdullahi Bala, professor at Nigeria's Federal University of Technology, Minna. And the newly converted land would very likely prove less fertile than the region's current farmland, Cassman said.

Though the region might also resort to importing cereal crops, the authors cautioned that many of the developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa could struggle to do so. The price spikes that often accompany drought-driven market shortages could further complicate matters.

"If it is true that sub-Saharan Africa will depend more heavily on food imports," Grassini said, "the next question is: What would be the infrastructure networks needed to alleviate food shortages in the most vulnerable areas?"

The researchers said several sub-Saharan countries may produce surpluses that could be shared among neighbors. Though the projected surpluses would fall short of compensating for neighboring deficits,this represents one of several opportunities the region might seize to contend with the profound challenges ahead.

"To reach those goals is going to take very strategic, careful prioritization and adequate resources to do the job," Cassman said. "Having a strategic vision of what to invest in - to fund those things that can give greatest payoff - is critical. What this work does is allow for a much more surgical look at how to do that, which just wasn't possible before."

###

The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID and the university supported the development of the Global Yield Gap Atlas, which agronomists at Nebraska and Wageningen created in 2011. The new study was co-authored by agronomists at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Kenya); International Food Policy Research Institute; Africa Rice Center (Benin); Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya); International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (Ghana); AGRHYMET Regional Centre (Niger); Federal University of Technology, Minna (Nigeria); University of Zimbabwe; National Agricultural Research Laboratories (Uganda); Institute of Rural Economy (Mali); Ministry of Agriculture Food and Cooperatives (Tanzania); Environmental and Agricultural Research Institute (Burkina Faso); and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (Ethiopia).
CHARLES CITY | A Charles City man accused of harboring a runaway was jailed without bond for authorities in Ohio.

Mark Lynch, 34, was charged with one misdemeanor count harboring a runaway child.

He was arrested Saturday in Charles City after police found a 14-year-old Ohio girl who was listed as a runaway or missing child, according to a Charles City Police Department statement.

Police from Pickerington, Ohio, a city southeast of Columbus, had notified Charles City investigators that the girl and Lynch might be in the Charles City area.

They were found Saturday morning in the 500 block of Clinton Street.

Police say additional charges are pending.

Floyd County sheriff's deputies assisted with the case.

An official at the Floyd County Jail said Lynch was being held Monday for authorities in Ohio.

There is no bond allowed on the hold.

-- Molly Montag
Engineering research at The University of Nottingham, UK and Ningbo, China (UNNC) has found laser scanning is a new and viable structural safety technique to detect the damaging effects of fire on concrete.

Concrete is the most extensively used construction material worldwide with an average global yearly consumption of 1m3 per person. Fire is one of the most serious potential risks to many concrete structures such as bridges, tunnels and buildings.

While concrete is known to be a material with high fire-resistance, capable of retaining much of its load-bearing capacity; its physical, chemical and mechanical properties do undergo severe modifications when subjected to high temperatures. A significant loss in strength occurs when concrete is heated above 300C.

A structural safety assessment provides information needed to evaluate the residual bearing capacity and durability of fire-damaged concrete structures. They are also used to propose the appropriate repair methods or to decide if demolition is needed.

There are several conventional on-site and off-site techniques for assessing fire-damaged concrete. Some on-site methods include visual inspections of colour change and physical features whereas off-site methods involve invasive tests such as core drilling or lab-based techniques, however all methods have their merits and drawbacks.

Wallace Mukupa, PhD student at the Nottingham Geospatial Institute at UNNC, Reader in Geospatial Engineering at The University of Nottingham, Gethin Roberts and Assistant Professor of Geospatial Engineering at UNNC, Craig Hancock studied the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TSL) as a non-destructive way to assess and detect fire-damaged concrete in a structural safety appraisal.

Wallace said: "Scanning can be done at a distance, which improves site safety. Scanning is also quick, with millions of points measured in a few seconds and spatial resolution acquired in short time. This is advantageous for engineering structures considering their scale or magnitude."

'A non-destructive technique for health assessment of fire-damaged concrete elements using terrestrial laser scanning' was published in the Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring.

The study investigated the influences of scanning incidence angle and distance on the laser intensity returns. Concrete colour change was also studied. Data was collected and interpreted on unheated and heated concrete to establish the baseline condition of the material.

Study experiments were carried out in a controlled laboratory and used two-phase shift terrestrial laser scanners (Leica HDS7000 and FARO Focus 120) to scan the concrete specimens before heating and then after they were cooled again.

The concrete specimens were heated in a furnace to elevated temperatures of up to 1,000C as the temperature attained is an important factor in assessing fire-damaged concrete.

To assess colour change in the heated concrete, specimen images were captured using the M-Cam attached to the Leica HDS7000 laser scanner. A flatbed scanner (HP Scanjet G2410) was also used to scan heated concrete surfaces and capture images. It is these images that were used for analysis due to their better resolution.

During the experiments, the measurement of the incidence angles for the concrete blocks was found to vary with distance. As the scanning distance increased, the incidence angle decreased and both scanners used showed the same trend.

"The measurement of the scanning incidence angles from the various distances was found to be wavelength independent for both scanners and this is a promising factor in terms of developing standardised analysis tools for the incidence angle although several scanners need to be tested," said Dr Roberts.

Wallace said: "A comparative analysis of the laser intensity for heated and unheated concrete showed that the recorded intensity values for heated concrete are higher than those of unheated concrete. In fact, the laser intensity values of heated concrete showed a remarkable increase in the concrete exposure temperatures from 250C to 1,000C.

"Such a correlation between the intensity and the exposure temperature is of cardinal importance in assessing the condition and extent of damage to concrete. This finding implies it could be possible to use laser intensity to detect the state of concrete whether it has been heated or not."

The study has also shown that RGB data improves the visual identification of features and provides a rough idea of the concrete condition after a fire. Laser scanners have an advantage in that most of them have either an internal or external camera that can be used to capture concrete images if good resolution can be achieved.

"Although the laser scanners used have different wavelengths, the results demonstrated the feasibility of using TLS as an approach to assessing levels of fire-damaged concrete and provide an understanding of the condition of concrete in relation to the strength changes of concrete when it is heated to elevated temperatures," said Wallace.

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PITTSBURGH (December 12, 2016) ... Additive manufacturing (AM) researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering and simulation software company ANSYS, Inc. are among 13 university-led proposals to capture an Early Stage Innovations (ESI) grant from NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program. ESI grants promote innovative, early stage technologies that address high priority needs of America's space program.

The Pitt team's three-year, $500,000 award, "Prediction of Microstructure Evolution in DMLM (Direct Material Laser Melting) processed Inconel 718 with Part Scale Simulation" was funded in the Modeling and Simulation-Based Certification of Additive Manufacturing Processing Parameters category. Principal investigator is Albert To, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and director of the ANSYS Additive Manufacturing Research Laboratory. Co-PI is Wei Xiong, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and co-investigator is David Conover, chief technologist for mechanical products at ANSYS.

"Additive manufacturing now allows us to produce complex metal components that are strong enough to replace machined parts in mechanical applications. However, because of the process parameters and materials used in AM, the microstructure within a part or between different parts can vary widely," Dr. To said. "Thanks to NASA, our research will focus on developing a new simulation tool to predict the microstructure evolution and stability of Inconel 718, a common nickel superalloy used in laser-based AM in industry."

The research team's proposal noted that NASA is keenly interested in improving the performance of structural components for high-temperature applications such as jet engine parts, where both creep and strength are critical and need to be anticipated. "Currently, the only way to certify an AM part for space missions is to perform extensive microstructure and property characterization experiments on it, which is both time-consuming and expensive," Mr. Conover said. "The outcome of this research will potentially enable simulation-based certification of both AM parts and substantially lower the expense of certification."

According to NASA, the goal of the Space Technology Research Grants program is to accelerate the development of space technologies in their earliest stages to enable future systems capabilities and missions for NASA, other government agencies and the commercial space sector. The program is funded by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is responsible for developing the cross-cutting, pioneering, new technologies and capabilities needed by the agency to achieve its current and future missions.

"NASA's Early Stage Innovations grants provide U.S. universities the opportunity to conduct research and technology development to advance NASA's scientific discovery and exploration goals," said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, in the grant announcement. "Partnering with academia in advancing these critical areas of research ensures we are engaging the best and brightest minds in enabling the agency's future robotic and human space flight missions."

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Cigarette warning labels that show real people harmed by smoking proved twice as effective in motivating quit attempts than the current US text-only labels

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Cigarette packaging has required textual warning labels about the health risks of smoking since 1966. Yet, 15 percent of U.S. adults -- 36.5 million Americans -- currently smoke cigarettes. How can warning labels be improved to encourage smokers to quit?

A new study by researchers at the Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) at the Annenberg School for Communication found that warning labels featuring photos of real smokers who were harmed by their habit are more effective in getting smokers to quit than the text-only labels currently in use.

At least 77 nations around the world use images as a part of their cigarette warning labels. The United States does not. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was poised to roll out a series of pictorial warning labels for use on tobacco products as mandated by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA).

However, a legal challenge by the tobacco industry led to these labels being rejected in large part because they were emotional rather than factual. These images showed things like fictional photographs of smokers and simulations of diseased body parts. In response, the FDA withdrew their original labels and began a research campaign to rethink and redesign the labels.

In an effort to support this research, this study, "Potential Effectiveness of Pictorial Warning Labels That Feature the Images and Personal Details of Real People," which will be published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, tested images that graphically showed real people who had been harmed by smoking -- an appeal that is both factual and emotional.

"Our aim in this study was to find out how smokers respond to cigarette pack warning labels that use photographs of real people whose health has been affected by their own, or by someone else's, smoking," says the lead author Emily Brennan, Ph.D., David Hill Research Fellow at the Cancer Council Victoria in Australia.

In the study, adult smokers viewed several labels from one of three categories: labels that showed a photograph of a real person who had been harmed by smoking, some of which were accompanied by a short text description of the person; the FDA's previous image-based warning labels; or the text-only warning labels currently in use in the United States.

Participants were then asked to report their initial response to the labels and their intentions to quit smoking. Five weeks later, the researchers followed up to see if the smokers had made any attempts to quit, and if so, how successful they had been.

The researchers found that warning labels containing images consistently outperformed text-only labels.

Among the smokers who viewed the text-only labels, 7.4% of smokers attempted to quit in the subsequent five weeks. Those who viewed the testimonial photos from real smokers, however, had a quit attempt rate of 15.4% -- roughly double -- and were four times as likely to have been successful.

There was no additional advantage of supplementing the testimonial photos with a caption - for example, "Terrie: Died from cancer at age 53."

"There's a stickiness to the testimonial photos - the suffering of real people in real contexts - and they increased the likelihood that people would attempt to quit and stay quit," says senior author Joseph N. Cappella, Ph.D., Gerard R. Miller Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School, suggesting that people are more engaged with facts when those facts are imbued with the emotions of real life.

In addition, the study also showed that these new testimonial images were equally as effective as the FDA's previous photo-based labels.

The research team hopes that the data from this study, along with findings from similar studies (for example, the evaluation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Tips From Former Smokers campaign), will lead to the adoption of more effective warning labels.

"The use of testimonial images," they write in the study, "may help to minimize how vulnerable the next iteration of warning labels in the United States are to legal challenges based on the factual nature of the messages."

###

In addition to Brennan and Cappella, the research team included Erin Maloney, Ph.D., TCORS Research Director at the Annenberg School, and Yotam Ophir, a doctoral candidate at the Annenberg School. The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health and the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (P50CA179546). The views presented are those of the authors alone.
PHILADELPHIA--Genes known to be essential to life--the ones humans need to survive and thrive in the womb--also play a critical role in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggests a new study from Penn Medicine geneticists published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. An analysis of genetic samples of over 1,700 families from a repository revealed that elevated levels of mutations in the "essential genes" was significantly associated with an increased risk for ASD and decreased social skills.

Because brain function may be particularly sensitive to mutation accumulation, identifying specific sets of genes in which mutations have a behavioral effect will assist in understanding how such an accumulation within a person can result in diseases, such as ASD, the authors said.

The work validates previous large-scale mouse model studies from the authors revealing that one third of genes are essential to life and likely related to human disease. The new study shows that siblings with ASD had much higher levels of damaging mutations in essential genes compared to their non-affected siblings. Essential genes also constituted a significant fraction of known ASD risk genes.

"This makes our jobs harder, with respect to treatment, but these findings are absolutely critical for our understanding of the disease," said senior author Maja Bucan, PhD, a professor of Genetics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "We know it's not one gene that's causing autism spectrum disorders; it's a background of mutations, which we know is important. Here, we show what this background is."

The findings suggest that ASD stems from an aggregate effect of many damaged essential genes that "work" together during the early stages of development in the womb, as soon as eight weeks after conception. ASD is what's known as a polygenic disease, the authors said, where many small gene effects contribute to a disorder.

Hundreds of mutated genes have been previously implicated as the cause of this highly heritable, complex disease, but their importance, relationship with each other, and function have not been entirely clear. Today, nearly 1 in 68 children between the ages of three and 17, mostly boys, are diagnosed with autism, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S

Researchers analyzed almost 4,000 essential genes and 5,000 non-essential genes in 2,013 males with ASD and 317 females with ASD, as well as their siblings who did not have ASD, for known exonic de novo (began in the child) and inherited mutations. The team pulled data from the Simons Simplex Collection, a repository of genetic samples from 2,500 families with ASD under the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative.

They found that those with ASD had statistically significant elevated levels of mutatiions in essential genes compared to their siblings. The essential gene mutations were associated with a higher risk of ASD and disruption in normal social behavior, the authors report. On average, those with ASD had 44 percent more early-in-childhood mutations and 1.3 percent more inherited mutations in essential genes than their non-affected siblings.

Using RNA-sequencing data from 16 regions in the developing brain (from the BrainSpan database), the team also showed that three co-expressed gene "modules" enriched for essential genes are also implicated in ASD.

The researchers, including first author Xiao Ji, a doctoral student in Bucan's lab, called out a list of 29 "high-priority" essential genes that are co-expressed in the developing human brain with previously identified ASD-associated genes. Such genes could serve as targets for future functional and behavioral studies that could not only add to the growing body of knowledge on the disease but also potentially impactful treatments.

"We provided another way to prioritize autism genes," Ji said. "We now see that essential genes are much more likely to be associated with autism than non-essential genes. Focusing in on this group of genes will help shed more light on the complex genetic architecture of this disorder."

"The next step is to dig deeper to better understand the specific combinations of mutations within the gene groups we have identified here," Bucan said. "Moreover, our study will help scientists working on model organisms - mice, fish, flies - to interpret their findings and relate them to complex neurodevelopmental disorders."

###

Penn co-authors also include Rachel L. Kember and Christopher D. Brown. The study was supported by grants from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Grant and the National Institutes of Health (R01MH101822 and R01MHH093415).

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania(founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $5.3 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 18 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $373 million awarded in the 2015 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2015, Penn Medicine provided $253.3 million to benefit our community.
KNOXVILLE--Spectral bats, also called false vampire bats for their imposing size--with a wingspan of over three feet--are the largest bats in the Americas and typically roost in trees in lowland forests.

Vladimir Dinets, research assistant professor of psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has discovered evidence that the species also can live in caves and is more adaptable than previously thought, thanks to personal observation and information gleaned from social media accounts of tourists.

The study was recently published in the journal Mammalia.

Dinets initially came upon a spectral bat in 2008 while exploring bat caves in Utila, a small island off the coast of Honduras populated by descendants of 16th-century British pirates. He found the bat in one of the caves, hanging from the ceiling. Underneath it was a pile of bones and feathers, which were leftovers of the bat's meals.

He photographed the bat and moved on. He didn't realize how unusual his find was until a few years later, when he read a book on Central American bats and learned that spectral bats had never before been found in caves.

Dinets began looking for more information and found that the bat he photographed had become a tourist attraction. Utila is a popular scuba diving destination, and a local tour company advertised trips to the cave to see the predator. Dinets combed through tourists' online photos of the animal and concluded that the bat was the same one he had photographed, based on the distinctive pattern of spots on the bat's ears. This gave him data on its longevity, and he knew the spectral bat had been roosting in exactly the same spot for eight years.

"This is the first bit of data on this species' longevity in the wild," Dinets said. "All photos are from February, March or April, suggesting that for the rest of the year the bat migrates elsewhere. Until now spectral bats were believed to be sedentary. Nobody has ever seen another spectral bat on Utila -- so it is possible that only one animal visits the island, because normally spectral bats are found in family groups."

Spectral bats are typically found in undisturbed primary rainforests. Yet Utila contains only secondary forests, plantations and pastures.

"It looks like this species is more adaptable than previously thought, which is a good thing because much of its rainforest habitat is being destroyed," Dinets said.

He added that because so many people today visit remote locations and take countless photos, their accounts become more and more useful to scientists.

"Browsing social networks might be almost as productive for a scientist as traveling," Dinets said. "Although I'd rather travel myself."

###

CONTACT:

Lola Alapo (865-974-3993, lalapo@utk.edu)

Vladimir Dinets (vdinets@utk.edu)
The news caught him by surprise: Jorg Vogel was busy preparing an urgent grant proposal he wants to submit with Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). Just at this moment, an e-mail from the DFG arrived in his inbox, informing him that he would receive one of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prizes 2017 worth 2.5 million euros.

"I was flabbergasted," recalls the Wurzburg professor for infection biology who was in Greifswald when he learned about the good news. On Thursday afternoon he held two lectures there: one at the university and the other at the Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg. So there where probably enough people present to congratulate him after the news of his top-notch recognition had made the rounds.

Since 2009, Professor Vogel has been the director of the Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB) of the Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg in Bavaria, Germany, and spokesman of the Research Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF). Moreover, he is the founding director of the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) which the Helmholtz Association will establish at the JMU.

Vogel's research focuses on bacteria

The Leibniz laureate studies small regulatory RNA molecules of bacterial pathogens such as salmonella. He and his team are determined to get to the bottom of how these molecules work and act. His work could show new ways to fight pathogens.

"With Jorg Vogel, the award recognizes one of the world's leading researchers in the field of RNA biology," as a DFG press release puts it, stating further that he is given the prize for his seminal contribution to understanding regulatory RNA molecules in infection biology. According to the DFG, Vogel detected the importance of RNA biochemistry very early on. Moreover, he has done pioneering work in the field of RNA analysis with the application and development of high-throughput sequencing methods.

CV of Jorg Vogel

Jorg Vogel was born in Cottbus in 1967. He studied biochemistry at the Humboldt University in Berlin and at the Imperial College in London where he received his PhD in 1999. Following time in Sweden and Israel as a postdoc, he returned to Berlin in 2004 to lead a research group at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology. In 2009, he relocated to the University of Wurzburg to become a Professor for Molecular Infection Biology.

Vogel has already received numerous awards for his research activities. Among others, he is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization EMBO, the National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina) and both the American and European Academy of Microbiology.

Facts about the Leibniz Prize

The Leibniz Prize will be handed to Vogel during a festive ceremony in Berlin on 15 March 2017. He can use the prize money for his research as he sees fit. In the 2017 awarding process, the DFG picked 10 scientists out of 134 proposed candidates. Vogel is one of two winners from Bavaria.

Since 1986, the DFG has awarded the Leibniz Prize to scientists who, at an early stage of their careers, have demonstrated superior achievements in their research areas and who show exceptional promise for future top-level accomplishments that will have a sustainable impact on the German research landscape.

The Wurzburg winners of the Leibniz Prize

So far, eleven scientists from the University of Wurzburg have won one of the coveted Leibniz Prizes: Otto Ludwig Lange and Ulrich Heber (ecology/biochemistry/1986), Hans-Peter Zenner (ear, nose and throat medicine and cell biology/1987), Ingrid Grummt and Bert Holldobler (molecular biology/zoology/1990), Martin Lohse (pharmacology/1999), Ulrich Konrad (musical sciences/2001), Thomas Mussweiler (psychology/2006), Holger Braunschweig (chemistry/2009), Laurens Molenkamp (physics/2014) and Dag Nikolaus Hasse (Philosophy/2016).

###
Ethiopian maternal health researcher Hagos Godefay at Umea University in Sweden has created a locally feasible method to estimate maternal mortality rates with a bottom-up measurement approach. Providing insights into the effectiveness of local interventions to reduce maternal mortality, the approach will be important for health sector planning and decision-making on local-, regional- and state levels.

Hagos Godefay at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health Unit has researched current efforts to reduce maternal mortality in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. He has set out to quantify overall mortality levels, identify specific causes and evaluate local interventions. By using methods that can also be scaled at national level, Hagos Godefay's results provide a strong empirical basis for decision-making by the Tigray Regional Health Bureau.

"We see encouraging results of improved reproductive health and reduced pregnancy-related deaths in the Tigray region. A key reason for this has been the creation of small local women's groups of volunteers who act as ambassadors for the benefits of utilizing the existing health services," says Hagos Godefay.

Women recruited to join the Health Development Army

In the Tigray region, the government have created the Health Development Army, an initiative that seeks to integrate and strengthen the linkages between the community, politicians and the health sector. The overall goals are improved sustainability of health programs and community empowerment. To achieve these goals, the initiative brings together community action, as represented by Women's Development Groups, and the commitment of the regional political leadership and the health sector itself, represented by the health workforce.

A key aspect of the Health Development Army is the focus on community and social mobilization in Women's Development Groups. The initiative encourages women in neighboring households to volunteer and organize in so called "1-to-5 networks", which then form larger networks of 25-30 members. The groups set out to create demand for and increase utilization of existing maternal health services. This is in part accomplished by tackling behavioral barriers and potentially unhealthy traditional practices through community dialogue. The groups also encourage facility-based delivery by preparing cultural porridges and Ethiopian coffee for postnatal mothers at health facilities.

"The goal is to reinforce positive behaviors and locally initiated good practices by celebrating women's achievements. Creating a conducive environment, where women living in the rural areas can meet and discuss together based on their own agenda, can make a big difference in reducing maternal mortality. This has been one of the more challenging goals, but achieving it demonstrates that women can work together to save the lives of other women," says Hagos Godefay.

Evaluating a free ambulance services program

In research findings published earlier this year in the Journal of Global Health, Hagos Godefay and his colleagues showed that transport and communication innovations in Tigray and other rural areas of Ethiopia correlated with appreciably reduced maternal mortality. The study showed that a national program providing free-of-charge ambulances, which can be ordered on a 24/7 basis via mobile phones, coincided with a reduction of maternal mortality rates by about 50 percent.

"Despite noticeable achievements in the Tigray region, major challenges remain in many settings in terms of both measuring and reducing maternal mortality effectively," concludes Hagos Godefay.

###

Hagos Godefay is a Global Health Epidemologist who has been studying the epidemiology of maternal health in Tigray region of northern Ethiopia for several years. Hagos completed his Master's Degree in Public Health at Gondar University in Ethiopia, and his PhD Degree in Epidemology and Public Health at Umea University in Sweden. His research interest focuses on the condition of maternal health in rural Ethiopia. He currently heads the Tigray Regional Health Bureau, where he is committed to using his findings to implement several immediate actions and to influence policy making to further reduce pregnancy-related deaths on a regional and national level.

For more information, please contact:

Hagos Godefay, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University

Telephone: +251914707866 (in Ethiopia); +46764071796 (in Sweden)

E-mail: hgodefay@yahoo.com
The University of Virginia-Virginia Tech Carilion Neuroscience Research Collaboration today announced more than a half-million dollars in grant funding will be awarded to nine research teams to tackle pressing problems in brain development and function in health and disease.

Investigators received the awards through a competitive review process and were notified this week by Michael J. Friedlander, vice president for health sciences and technology and professor at Virginia Tech, where he is also the executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and the senior dean for research at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; and Margaret Shupnik, senior associate dean for research and a professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where she is also the Gerald D. Aurbach Professor of Endocrinology.

"We are planting seeds that will bring additional research funding to the commonwealth from government agencies, private organizations, industry, and foundations," said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. "We continue to pursue partnerships with people and organizations who want to join us in solving some of the most pressing problems in health care."

The leadership of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute provided financing for the program and issued an open call for proposals with a submission deadline of Oct. 10 through the University of Virginia - Virginia Tech Carilion Neuroscience Research Collaboration.

In all, $550,000 will be awarded to nine projects with each receiving between $50,000 and $70,000.

"We are taking full advantage of the combined talent of our faculty and encouraging lasting brain research collaborations between the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech Carilion," Friedlander said. "The pilot funding will serve as a catalyst to form new teams to tackle important questions, perform transformative work, obtain new extramural research funding in neuroscience for each of the partner institutions, and to develop new applications."

Organizers believe that the dialogues and the new collaborations stimulated by the program ultimately will generate significant, meaningful knowledge to benefit society, Shupnik said.

"The proposals speak to the scientific strength at our institutions and the synergies that these collaborations will create: studies of the causes of and means of diagnosing neurological diseases; new methods for understanding brain development, normal function, and dysfunction; models of neural circuitry; and potential interventions to restore function to the diseased nervous system," Shupnik said.

Carilion Clinic President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee said, "Research leads to better health care outcomes and better lives for our patients."

"These projects will provide a strong foundation for future research collaborations and funding opportunities, with the ultimate goal of benefiting our patients," Agee added.

Funded grants address major questions and health challenges, including:
Biocompatible nanocapsules, loaded with an amino acid and equipped with an enzyme now combine two anti-tumor strategies into a synergistic treatment concept. Researchers hope this increases effectiveness and decreases side effects. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, the scientists explain the concept: tumor cells are deprived of their nutrient glucose as this is converted to toxic nitrogen monoxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

NO is a toxic gas that causes smog. However, in low concentrations in the body it is an important messenger molecule that regulates such things as circulation and libido. It is also an important physiological defense weapon against fungi and bacteria. In higher concentrations, NO is capable of killing tumor cells and increasing the effectiveness of photodynamic and radiological treatments. For clinical use, NO needs to be released in the target area from a biocompatible precursor.

The natural amino acid L-arginine (L-Arg) may be useful in such a system, because the native enzyme inducible NO synthase (iNOS) makes NO from L-Arg. NO is also formed when L-Arg is oxidized by H2O2. This is interesting because the microenvironment around tumors is rich in H2O2. This approach to NO gas therapy is being pursued by researchers at Shenzhen University (China), the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, USA), and the University of Maryland (College Park, USA). Their special twist is to combine this gas therapy with a method for starving cancer cells in a synergistic treatment.

Instead of starving a tumor by blocking the blood vessels that feed it, the researchers intend to remove the glucose that the tumor needs for nutrition by consuming it in a metabolic reaction: the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) converts the glucose into gluconic acid and H2O2. The increased H2O2 concentration is a useful side effect, because H2O2 is both cytotoxic and accelerates the release of NO from L-Arg. Another useful side effect is that H2O2 and NO react to form highly toxic peroxynitrites that damage the tumor cells.

The research team led by Peng Huang, Tianfu Wang, and Xiaoyuan Chen has now reached an important milestone in the development of this concept. They have developed biocompatible, biodegradable, porous nanocapsules made of organosilicates that transport GOx and L-Arg into tumor cells simultaneously. GOx is bound to the surface; L-Arg is stored inside the capsule. While the GOx is active immediately after injection of the nanocapsules into the tumor, L-Arg is released little by little, first through the capsule pores, then as the capsule disintegrates. Their large cavity also allows the capsules to serve as an ultrasound contrast material for better localization of the tumor.

Experiments with both cell cultures and mice have demonstrated the significant synergistic effect of this combination therapy, which successfully inhibits cell growth, initiates cell death, and shrinks the tumors in mice.

###

About the Author

Dr. Xiaoyuan (Shawn) Chen is a senior investigator and chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine (LOMIN), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institutes of Health (NIH). He received the ACS Bioconjugate Chemistry Lecturer Award (2016), NIH Director's Award (2014) and NIBIB Mentor Award (2012).

https://www.nibib.nih.gov/about-nibib/staff/xiaoyuan-chen
Oneview Healthcare PLChas announced it has signed an Enterprise Agreement with BJC HealthCare in Missouri for its patient engagement solution.At this stage the agreement does not commit BJC to any specific orders from Oneview.Oneview is currently developing a proof of concept solution at a BJC member hospital in St Louis, which if successful could pave the way for future orders.CEO Mark Mcloskey has indicated securing a contract with an institution of BJCs reputation is an important milestone for Oneview.Oneview Healthcare Limited reported a net loss of $8.84 million at 30 June 2016.
MASON CITY | A Mason City man was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison Monday for a string of North Iowa burglaries.

Johnny L. Baugh, 52, was sentenced to up to five years in prison each on five counts of felony third-degree burglary.

Four of the counts are to be served concurrently but consecutive to the fifth count. A $750 fine was suspended, but he is to pay a $125 surcharge on each count.

An additional felony charge of ongoing criminal conduct was dismissed.

Baugh pleaded guilty last month.

Investigators say Baugh broke into Country Landscapes in Clear Lake, Dairy Queen in Clear Lake and Authentic Mexican Food & Breakfast in Ventura on Aug. 12, according to court documents.

They also say he stole cash during a break-in on July 27 at District 619 restaurant in Clear Lake and broke into Tailgaters Bar, 627 S. Federal Ave., Mason City, on Sept. 2.

He was ordered to pay $6,420 restitution to District 619. The state is to submit a restitution request on behalf of the other victims within 30 days.

-- Mary Pieper




Haiti - Religion : Mass of consecration at the Cathedral of Sainte Anne of Anse-a-Veau





Saturday, de facto President Jocelerme Privert participated in the Mass of Consecration of the Diocese at the Sacred Heart of Jesus and at the Immaculate Heart of Mary, held at the parish of the Cathedral of St. Anne of Anse-a-Veau (Nippes). The religious ceremony took place in the presence of notables, national and regional politicians as well as a foreign delegation and several hundred Catholic faithful.



In his homily for teh occasion, the chief celebrant, Archbishop Pierre Andre Dumas, preached "mercy, peace, love and joy among the Catholic faithful in particular and the Haitians in general." He called them to put love at the center of their lives "Because love is this vocation that God has given us", also advocating "a culture of solidarity and concord" between them.



In his prayer of consecration, Jocelerme Privert handed over "the Government, public officials and all citizens to the protection of Almighty God". He also offered to the Lord the decisions of the public administration, so that they would always be taken "for the good of the people and inspired by the values of the Gospel."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















* CDA approves plot measuring four kanals for the community

Islamabad: After waiting for almost five decades, finally, the Hindu community living in the capital city is quite close to get a worship and cremation place as the civic bodys board has formally approved a plot measuring four-kanals in sector H-9 to facilitate the minority on Friday.

The meeting of the Board of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was held in the chair of the Chairman CDA and the Mayor of Islamabad Shaikh Ansar Aziz, in which the approval was granted for allocation of the aforementioned land.

Currently, around 800 Hindus are living in Islamabad, who have been celebrating festivals inside their homes, and in case of a death in their community, they take the bodies either to Rawalpindi or to their native towns for cremation.

Raj Kumar Gujar, a young activist originally hailing from interior Sindh, while sharing his experience said: We were facing several problems due to the unavailability of a worship place and a community centre and we have to organise our religious or cultural functions in halls and arts galleries like the PNCA.

He lauded the decision taken by the civic body and considered it an important achievement for the community and also expressed his gratitude to the Mayor of Islamabad for this decision.

Todays decision of the board is an outcome of a petition filed by the Hindu Community in the National Commission for Human Rights, which had directed the CDA to provide land to the Hindu community.

While talking to Daily Times, Member Planning of the CDA, confirmed the decision and said: Hindus are also the citizens of Pakistan and the land would be handed over to this community through the Auqaf Department.

An officer of the Authority has briefed that the said land would be allotted free of cost to the minority community, which they can use for worship, cremation and also to build a community centre.

The National Coordinator of an Islamabad-based Hindu welfare society, Dr. Ajay Matlani, said: We demanded for the construction of a worship place also in addition to a piece of land but it is fair enough, if provision of funds is not in the policy of the civic body.

He added: We will request the Evacuee Trust Property Board to help us in the construction as we dont have the funds for this purpose.

It is pertinent to mention here that Hindu community is also struggling for the restoration of their old Ram Mandir (Rams Temple), in Saidpur village, which was abandoned in 1947.

The Mandir is said to have been built by Raja Man Singh during time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, but has not been used as a place of worship since partition.

PTI lawmaker Lal Chand Malhi is leading a campaign for the restoration of the said temple and demanded several times the immediate restoration of this temple.

Meanwhile, the board has also approved to align the wedges of the daily wedge staff with the government policy as currently they are receiving less salaries as compared to the minimum wedge set by the federal government which is Rs.14000.

It was quite unfortunate that a 10-point agenda was circulated before the meeting, but the board has decided only on half the items.

A well-placed source briefed that it had become a routine that the concerned directorates had been sending half-backed summaries to the CDA board or even in some cases irrelevant things for approval to just shift their burden on board.

When contacted, the Secretary CDA Board, Asif Shahjahan, said: I have placed summaries at the Board meeting after cross-checking and sometimes returned back the summaries for further deliberations, but it is the discretion of the Board to defer or return any case.

Source : Daily Times
The First bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar gave the direction on a miscallenous petition filed by Elephant Rajendran that came up on Friday.

The Madras High Court has directed the state Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to examine a grievance on renting out space in the four mandapams in the corners of the tank of Kumbakonam temple and take a decision on the matter. The First bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar gave the direction on a miscallenous petition filed by Elephant Rajendran that came up on Friday.

The petitioner submitted that the four mandapams in four corners of the tank of Kumbakonam temple are intended only for performing pooja and holy rituals. But the department had let out the space in the tank for commercial purposes, he said. Stating that the space should not be rented out to anyone, the petitioner sought a direction to remove those shops from the four Mandapams. He also claimed that a public convenience building being constructed on the western side of the temple was also allowed by the HR and CE department.

If the construction was allowed, then the department would construct such buildings in all 44 tanks in Kumbakonam. Disposing of the miscellaneous petition, the bench directed the HR&CE department to examine the grievance and take a decision on the same and intimate it to the petitioner.

In another petition, seeking a direction to appoint a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to go into expenditure of the allocated fund of Rs 120 crore by the Tamil Nadu government for Kumbakonam Mahamaham festival, the bench had said though the festival was over, it was not an end and all encroachments have to be removed.

Source : The Indian Express
Sharon Moran is on a mission to raise 10,000 for the National Council for the Blind Ireland (NCBI).

Her sons Adam, aged 12, and Nathan, 10, were diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a slow degenerative disease with no known cure. Its literally like its a little black hole coming in and closing in until they become blind.

Both boys are already showing signs of the blindness. Its a gradual development of blindness so they both have night blindness and colour blindness setting in already.

At the moment both Adam and Nathan have good central vision but their peripheral vision is deteriorating. By the time the boys reach their late 30s or early 40s, they could be blind.

Both Adam and Nathan were diagnosed with myopia when they were three years old. Two years ago, an ophthalmologist discovered Nathan had RP. His brother was then brought in for similar tests and found to have the disease.

It was a huge blow, said Sharon from Headford, Co Galway. The family had a tough couple of months but sought help from the NCBI in Galway, who were a huge comfort.

Hoping to raise money for the charity by climbing the 5,895-metre high Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at the end of January, she is currently working with a personal trainer twice a week.

The climb will take seven days going up and one day coming down. On the summit night, we climb for 17 hours so we leave about 11.30 at night and we will climb to the summit for sunrise. You can only stay on the top for about 15 minutes and then you leave again, she said.

Sharon has already climbed Croagh Patrick in Mayo and Glendalough in Wicklow. In early January, she will climb Croagh Patrick three times, as well as Carrauntoohil with other Kilimanjaro-planned trekkers.

See Sharon Morans NCBI fundraising page on Facebook.
There will only be about 250 people in the congregation at the Our Lady Star of the Sea church in Kilcrohane, in the parish of Muintir Bhaire on Christmas morning. But their ranks will be swelled by large crowds expected to log on remotely from all over the world, once the Mass goes out live on Youtube from about 11.30am.

Viewers from as far away as Tasmania in Australia, Singapore, the United States, Britain, Belgium, France and all over Ireland are expected to join in the candle-lit ceremony taking place in what is believed to be one of Irelands most remote churches, built in the 1890s on the remote Sheeps Head peninsula.

The entire Mass will be streamed live on the internet, said Fr Gerard Galvin, parish priest of Muintir Bhaire.

He said the village choir, attired in festive red cloaks and supported by children from the local schools, will sing a range of traditional carols as well as a gospel version of Go Tell It On The Mountain.

The candle-lit church will be festively decorated with papier mache lanterns, garlands and Christmas bunting and, at the end of the hour-long ceremony, worshippers can speak directly to camera by microphone to give their Christmas messages to loved ones far away.

We did this last year for the first time and we reached people all over the world  we got hits from Tasmania, Australia, Singapore, the US and the UK and all over Ireland as well as Belgium and France and probably also many more!

Most of the people who logged on for the Mass were emigrants,  said Fr Galvin, adding that others were the owners of holiday homes locally.

Some of the remote viewers would be getting up in the early hours of the morning in their part of the world, in order to log in to the special Christmas Mass he said.

Part of the fabric of rural communities is the ritual of going to Mass on Christmas Day and this system affords people who may be away, an opportunity to be there both in spirit and visually on the day.

Its about reaching out across the oceans to loved ones who are far away and sharing this special Christmas celebration with them, despite the thousands of miles that separate us.

The Mass can be accessed on Youtube by typing in Kilcrohane Church or by visiting www.streamingservices.ie
In updated guidelines for those entering the priesthood entitled The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, it says of those with homosexual tendencies: The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture.

Such persons, in fact find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women. One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies.
If the bee disappeared from the surface of the globe, man would have only four years of life left; no more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.

THIS remark is attributed to Albert Einstein, who died in 1955, but when or where did he make it?

Alice Calaprice, in The Ultimate Quotable Einstein, traces the statement to an edition of The Irish Beekeeper published in 1966.

This forerunner of An Beachaire, the voice of Irish beekeeping, cited a French periodical as its source; Abeilles et Fleurs had carried the statement the previous year.

But if Einstein said this, was he right? Not quite, according to the experts, but his heart was in the right place. Many of the food crops we depend on worldwide are pollinated by the wind.

The impact of collapsing bee populations on human health and welfare would be catastrophic for us, and for many other creatures, but our species would survive.

Speakers quoted the pollination remark at the Bee Week conference in Brussels last June and a paper, just published in Nature, examines the wide range of benefits to society pollinators provide worldwide.

While not endorsing Einsteins alleged claim, the paper laments the well-documented declines in some wild and managed pollinators in several regions of the world.

Europe has 632,000 beekeepers, amateur and professional, hundreds of whom attended the European Parliament conference.

Focusing on the plight of the domestic honey bee, the feminists dream creature, and the environment sustaining her, the proceedings were laced with memorable statements.

Three-quarters of food production, worldwide, depends on pollination. A queen bee produces 2,000 eggs per day, four times her bodyweight.

Bees must fly 35,000km to produce a jar of honey, a speaker claimed. However, another thought that the distance travelled to produce a kilo of honey was the equivalent of a hundred circumnavigations of the Earth.

Slovenia has its own, legally protected, carniolan bee, a distinct race of the species. Foreign bees are barred from entry to Slovenia.

Most un-European!

Monocultures, virtually unknown in the natural environment, are not bee-friendly.

Vast plantings of rape-seed are a prime example.

There is abundant pollen while the plants are flowering but, afterwards, with few wildflowers or traditional hedgerow plants available, the bees starve, resulting in a pollinator deficit in the following years.

The one-party system ends in tears declared bee expert Lucas Garibaldi.

Precision farming is recommended; holistic relationships with farmers, bee-friendly habitat management, minimal use of pesticides, and enlightened harvesting methods all pay dividends.

The 11 experts, writing in Nature, review the wide range of benefits to society pollinators provide; contributing to food security, farmer and beekeeper livelihoods, social and cultural values...

The authors are concerned not just with bees but with pollination by wasps, flies, moths, butterflies, beetles, bats and birds.

Nor are the services these creatures provide confined to food provision, there are wide-ranging socio-economic benefits as well.

Pollinators ensure biodiversity and ecosystem stability, vital to human well-being.

Our health and welfare, and that of wild creatures generally, ultimately depend on them.

The pollination deficit is increasing worldwide; threats to insects now are unprecedented. Habitat destruction, land-use changes, pesticides, fires, genetically modified crops, climate change and invasive aliens such as the varroa mite, are taking their toll on invertebrate populations.

Declines have been documented in several regions of the world.

But all is not lost; management measures can be taken to safeguard pollinators. Two billion people live on small farms. Coaxing bees and beetles to buzz around small fields could boost crop yields by 25%, a Brussels speaker claimed.

Bees can flourish even in urban environments given the right conditions.

Experts think that food production could even be doubled by 2050.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 12, 2016) - Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation (TSX:TNX)(NYSE MKT:TRX) ("TRX") was granted and obtained from the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy and Minerals a renewal of our mining license for our Buckreef Project for a period of ten (10) years. This milestone was accomplished after much hard work, which involved the preparation of a comprehensive application, which included our financial statements, a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 technical report and environmental studies, all of which were prepared in order to ensure government Ministry compliance. This renewal of our license was not only approved prior to its due date, but for a ten (10) year term for us to mine gold. This ten year term speaks to Tanzania's expectations of our performance. This is significant since the renewal of the license was reviewed in depth by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals who thereafter determined the 10 year term for the license based on their independent assessment of the viability of our mine. This is, in our opinion, wonderful news since this grant of renewal of our license demonstrates the government's opinion of the company and the information it required for such renewal.

Perhaps even more significant is the fact the Special Mining License (SML) granted for Buckreef was granted for Non-Superficial deposits. This is an acknowledgment of the expectations by the Ministry that our Special Mining License is issued for significant recovery.

Investment, Finance and Sovereign Guarantees:

Earlier this year we successfully obtained financing in the amount of $5,000,000 with the highly respected firm of Wellington Shields. Our financial opportunities have continued to expand and grow as our accomplishments and achievements progress at a robust pace. In the present and shifting landscape of the gold market, we are producing results and achievements and have opportunities which are rarely available to other miners in our industry since all our differences with the government and it agencies have been resolved. We are very pleased and proud to provide this information.

Investor interest and financial opportunities continue to materialize based on our solid progress and substantial mining license achievements. Most interestingly and favorable to us, the Canadian government has a loan guarantee program available, if you qualify, which guarantees the repayment of loans of lenders to Canadian companies. The mandate of the agency which administers this guarantee program is to help make Canadian industry more productive and competitive in the global economy. They guarantee loan repayment to commercial lenders of qualified loans anywhere in the globe. This opportunity, assuming we qualify, is very exciting for us and for our financial planning. Pursuant to this loan guarantee program, a Canadian corporation is required to source materials, to the extent possible from Canadian suppliers. The field of financiers prepared to invest in TRX is expected to increase, due to this repayment guarantee, to the arena of commercial banks. We are very excited by this opportunity and we are prepared to move forward. When these loan guarantees are obtained by qualified lenders, anywhere in the globe, they are backed and guaranteed by the sovereign government of Canada.

Due to our current and anticipated financing prospects we are presently undertaking an updated feasibility study in accordance with NI 43-101 that is project plan specific.

This updated feasibility study will be made available to our investors so they can conclude their due diligence. We will thereafter do our utmost to close a financing on a straight loan basis. The updated feasibility study is presently in progress and when this study is concluded it will represent the last document for review by the Canadian agency lender guarantee entity. The purpose of the loan we seek from a commercial lender is for the reconditioning and or construction of new modules for our planned modern Gravity/CIL plant. We are putting into place and actively pursuing the final refinements for our new plant from which an efficiency rate of 90% or higher in the recovery of gold is anticipated according to tests carried out in the republic of South Africa that have been previously announced.

Moving Forward:

Earlier this year we had numerous staffing changes which have allowed us to put TRX on a solid foundation. Good management has replaced those who were let go early this year. We have improved internal operations company wide, which make us more efficient as we move forward. Our goals and objectives have been re-framed to place our focus on four (4) mines and prospects, and concentrate our efforts accordingly. The core projects we will focus on are two (2) properties with mining licenses already in place - Buckreef and Kigosi, with a third project Itetamia whose mining license application submission is currently under review by the Ministry. Accordingly the core projects we will focus on are Buckreef, Kigosi, Itetamia and Luhaha, respectively. We plan to move these projects forward and will provide a Power Point Presentation for our plans at our annual general meeting that is being held on February 16, 2017. We take our accountability seriously, and aim to keep you informed.

We retained the Investor Relations firm of Porter, Levay and Rose LLP to assist us with our investor relations which allows management to focus on our corporate goals and objectives and which permitted us to achieve the milestones of the past several months. Since we were declared a gold producer earlier this year by the government of Tanzania, investor relations needed to move to the forefront so that our investors could obtain up to the minute reliable and understandable information.

A Brief Look Back At Our Achievements Earlier This Year:

Earlier this year was challenging for TRX, yet we removed obstacles, overcame road blocks and achieved our present and significant accomplishments. TRX smelted gold bars and was thereafter officially declared a commercial gold producer by the Government agencies responsible. We declared Force Majeure in order to protect our assets from invasion and, in working through the process, we forged a better relationship with the government of Tanzania at the conclusion of the Force Majeure. We amicably resolved substantive issues with our Tanzanian partner Stamico which now improves our partnership relations. For further information, please visit our website at www.tanzanianroyalty.com.

We are very happy to provide this exciting news as this holiday season approaches. We move forward with great enthusiasm and eagerness in our endeavors for the New Year.

We want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a healthy, happy and prosperous holiday season and New Year. Thank you for your continued support of our company.

Respectfully submitted,

James E. Sinclair, CEO

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation

The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE AmexEquities have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this letter.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - The United States Securities and Exchange Commission limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in our public disclosure, such as "reserves", "resources", "geologic resources", "proven", "probable", "measured", "indicated", or "inferred" which may not be consistent with the reserve definitions established by the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures in our SEC filings. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
In this altered image, Rep. Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, places Lee's right hand into the pot containing burning coals. / Captured from the Internet



By Park Si-soo



Will ruling Saenuri Party leader Lee Jung-hyun really have his fingers burned?

He is under increasing pressure to keep his "promise" after President Park Geun-hye was impeached on Friday with the overwhelming support of opposition lawmakers and defiant members of the ruling party.

Lee, a Park loyalist, had gone to great lengths to derail the opposition-led impeachment drive. On Nov. 30, he told reporters, "I will put my hands into a pot of boiling sauce if the impeachment motion (against Park) is passed."

He made the comment to highlight his commitment to fending off Park's impeachment and to encourage fellow lawmakers of the ruling party to stand behind the idea of the President's voluntary resignation in April.












Floor leaders of the rival parties  from left, Rep. Park Jie-won of the minor opposition People's Party, Rep. Chung Jin-suk of the ruling Saenuri Party and Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)  shake hands before holding a meeting at the National Assembly, Monday, to deal with the aftermath of the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. / Yonhap



Committee to discuss possibilities of constitutional revision



By Kim Hyo-jin

The floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties agreed Monday to set up a tripartite consultative body including the government to manage state affairs following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

The move reflects the lack of confidence among opposition parties in the administration being led by acting president, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, and their ambition to set up a post-impeachment roadmap until a new president is elected.

The floor leaders also agreed to set up a special National Assembly committee to discuss the possibility of a constitutional revision to change the current single-term, five-year presidency.

The agreements were reached by Rep. Chung Jin-suk of the ruling Saenuri Party, Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Rep. Park Jie-won of the minor opposition People's Party. The meeting was arranged to discuss ways to normalize state affairs after Park's impeachment Friday.

A consensus in political circles is being built about the need to revise the Constitution to change the presidential term. Many politicians have blamed the current Constitution which allows for an imperial presidency, calling it a major cause of the ongoing high-profile political scandal.

"In order to minimize the vacuum in state affairs, the parties decided to form a political consultative body between the government and rival parties," Rep. Ki Dong-min of the DPK said in a joint press briefing, adding potential participants will be decided in a follow-up meeting.

"We will also establish a special committee to discuss a constitutional revision, which will be led by the ruling Saenuri Party. The plan for its operation will be dealt with in a plenary session Dec. 29."

The three parties also agreed to hold an extraordinary session from Dec. 12 to 31, with two days, 20 and 21, set aside for interpellation sessions to question ministers on government policies. Prime Minister Hwang will participate in these.

After the impeachment vote passed with support of anti-Park lawmakers from the Saenuri party, the opposition parties called on the ruling party to include them in talks with the government.
MASON CITY  A Mason City man completing a prison sentence for sexual exploitation of a minor will be tried next month to determine if he is a sexually violent predator.

If a Cerro Gordo County civil jury decides 32-year-old Andrew Henry Martin should receive that designation, court records indicate he will be confined in a secure facility for treatment until it is safe for him to be at large in the community.

Martin was arrested in 2011 after he sold a computer with a CD in it containing child pornography.

He pleaded guilty in 2012 to a misdemeanor charge of sexual exploitation of a minor. He was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, placed on probation and ordered to stay at a residential correctional facility for six months.

After his regular probation term was completed in 2014, he began serving a 10-year term of parole which is required under Iowa law for certain sex offenses.

His parole was revoked and he was sent to the Newton Correctional Facility in February 2015.

His discharge date from prison was scheduled for Dec. 3, 2016, but last month the Iowa Attorney General's Office filed a petition alleging Martin is a sexually violent predator.

Court documents allege Martin admitted he viewed and downloaded child pornography over a five-year period and became aroused when children sat on his lap.

Martin has a mental abnormality that "predisposes him to commit sexually violent offenses to a degree that causes him serious difficulty in controlling his dangerous behavior," court records state.

On Nov. 29 District Court Judge James Drew found probable cause for Martin's being a sexually violent predator and ordered him to remain at the Newton Correctional Facility and be evaluated there before his trial.

A trial date of Jan. 31 was set last week.

Martin also has a hearing set on March 9 in district court on an appeal of his sexual exploitation of ax minor conviction.

Martin is asking for a new trial, alleging his conviction and sentence violated his Constitutional rights and that he received ineffective assistance from counsel.

Court documents allege Martin's lawyer made misstatements to him before he pleaded guilty regarding the 10-year parole to follow the completion of his probation and refused to seek a deferred judgment rather than a suspended prison sentence.
By Yi Whan-woo

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Seoul, Monday, to discuss the denuclearization of North Korea in line with latest sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) and the three allies against Pyongyang.

Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, invited U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun and Japan's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Kenji Kanasugi for a dinner meeting.

They will meet again, Tuesday, to share their thoughts on how they can successfully implement UNSC Resolution 2321. This was imposed Nov. 30 to close loopholes of the previous nuclear sanctions against the North after it carried out its fifth nuclear test, Sept. 9.

The three negotiators also will discuss their respective sanctions that were introduced as follow-up measures to Resolution 2321.

They will especially pay attention to the roles of China and Russia, the UNSC's two veto-wielding members and two of North Korea's remaining allies, according to diplomatic sources.

Resolution 2321 mainly deals with curbing North Korea's exports of coal. Diplomatic sources have speculated that its success depends on China because Beijing accounts for the majority of Pyongyang's coal earnings.

China has imported 18.6 million tons of coal from North Korea over the first 10 months of this year, up almost 13 percent from 2015.

"South Korea, the U.S. and Japan have been regularly braining storming over how to press North Korea since this year after previously only discussing counter measures when Pyongyang committed a provocative act," a foreign ministry official said. "We have been restless this year because of North Korea's cycle of military provocations from January. And this month is when our efforts will reach a peak."
LifeStyle

The best LifeStyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel LifeStyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Deb Hutton and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand.

Get Foxtel
MASON CITY | Firefighters on Monday released the name of a 3-year-old boy killed in a house fire this weekend.

Vicente Gonzalez was in a bedroom of 118 13th St. N.E. when the fire broke out in the living room around 10:55 p.m. Saturday, firefighters say.

A man who was in the living room when the fire started was able to escape, officials say.

Assistant Fire Marshal Tom Wollner said heavy damage from the flames prevented investigators from pinpointing the exact cause of the blaze.

The fire has been ruled an accident.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.

Update: State fire marshal assisting in fatal fire investigation in Mason City

10:15 a.m. Update

MASON CITY | Officials on Monday continued to investigate a fire that killed a child Saturday night in Mason City.

A neighbor spotted the fire about 10:55 p.m. in a single-story white house at 118 13th St. N.E.

Officials say a child died in the blaze.

The child's name hasn't been released.

Firefighters also have not released the cause of the fire.

The Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting with the investigation, which was still underway on Monday morning, said Mason City Assistant Fire Marshal Tom Wollner.

He expected more information to be released later today.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.
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Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets.

Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details.


The 2016 edition of Tuumatu Festival will on Friday, December 16 open at various venues in James Town, a sprawling suburb of Accra.

On the bill is an amazing dance performance choreographed by Christina Chan (Singapore) and Aymeric Bichon (France), which is an exploration of a series of physical and psychological states. It presents a changing landscape of energies, wildness, intimacy and joy.

Guitarist Fatua Keita whose exciting musical mix blends traditional Dagamba music like 'Simpaa' with highlife and takes inspiration from stars like Salif Keita, Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo and Fela Kuti will engage fans during the festival with some of his recent compositions.

An all female band, Les Femmes Ghana, who has taken Accra's music scene to a high level and has been inspiring the next generation of female artistes in Ghana and across the globe will equally mount the stage during the festival.

Originally choreographed by Lucky Lartey and Unik Afro Dance Company, in collaboration with the School of the Deaf, Lartey and Unik Afro will come together with students from the School of the Deaf to create an original choreography based on sign language, vibration of sounds and communication.

Tuumatu was founded and launched in December 2014 in Accra by the independent dancer and choreographer, Lucky Lartey. It aims at bringing people together across the generations to reinvigorate the learning and playing of childhood games and reconnect them to their history and culture.

The festival which ends on Sunday, December 18 also showcases the vibrant local talent of the James Town community by collaborating with local independent and international artists, choreographers as well as dance and music companies.
Teddy Osei arrived home last week to promote a compilation album of Osibisa and to celebrate his birthday with his family, music fans and friends.

He is well-known around the world since 1969 as the leader of the Osibisa band which got massive recognition with the release of its self-titled album in April 1971.

The album was a top 10 hit in Britain, climbed high into the American music charts and also made the charts in over a dozen other countries in Europe and Asia.

The management of the saxophonist, flutist, percussionist and vocalist who turns 81 on Saturday, December 17, told BEATWAVES that some friends and industry stakeholders are planning to host a big party in his honour in Accra.

The party, according the management, will be attended by a number of personalities, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scratch Studios, Kofi Amoakohene.

The management disclosed that Teddy's 80th birthday was celebrated last year with a concert held at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra.

The concert featured several artistes such as Ebo Taylor, Paulina Oduro, Ben Brako, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Kwame Yeboah, Nana Yaa, Pat Thomas, among others.

Born in Kumasi, Teddy went to live in England in 1962, where he led a couple of bands and later won a scholarship to study at the London School of Music.

Osibisa was formed together with his late brother, trumpeter Mac Tontoh, drummer Sol Amarfio and other musicians from Nigeria and the Carribbean.

The band's line-up changed from time-to-time though the three Ghanaian founder members were always there to add bite to the group's vibrant sound.

Osibisa Band consist of Teddy Osei on Atumpan drums, Sol Amarfio on drums, Bessa Simon on keyboard, Alfred Karri Bannerman on lead guitar, Nii Pappoe on flugelhorn, Kpakpo Addo on trumpet, Bernard Gyamfi on trombone, Richmond Laryea on percussion, Samuel on bass guitar.

By George Clifford Owusu
Cairo (AFP) - Egypt said Monday it had arrested four people suspected of involvement in a devastating bombing of a Cairo Coptic church, as grief-stricken mourners gathered for the funeral of the 24 dead.

The bombing at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church on Sunday was the deadliest attack in recent memory on the Christian minority, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, speaking at the funeral, said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who had been identified as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offers his condolences to Coptic Pope Tawadros II after a funeral for the victims of a church bombing in Cairo, on December 12, 2016

One of the four people arrested was a woman, Sisi said, and authorities were looking for two other suspects he did not identify.

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing, but Coptic Christians have been previously targeted in Egypt.

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the country's flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in the Nasr City district on Monday.

A woman who lost two daughters in the attack cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins as other mourners prayed silently.

Sisi leads mourning

In the streets of Nasr City, Sisi and Tawadros led mourners dressed in black behind soldiers carrying the coffins of the victims.

Damage following a bomb explosion at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on December 11, 2016

Troops marched to the sound of military music.

"This blow has caused us a lot of pain, but never will we let it break us," Sisi said.

Pope Tawadros II said: "We are hurting from this evil."

Sunday's blast was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

Copts have faced persecution and discrimination dating back to the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

Mourners gathered in Cairo for the funeral of 24 people killed when a blast tore through a Coptic church

After the 2013 ouster of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi, his Islamist supporters accused the Christian community of supporting his overthrow.

They pointed to the appearance of Tawadros next to Sisi in July 2013, when the then army chief -- also surrounded by Muslim and opposition figures -- announced Morsi's removal on television.

Following the deadly dispersal by security forces of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo in August 2013, at least 42 churches were attacked, as well as dozens of schools, houses and businesses belonging to Copts, according to Human Rights Watch.

"Egypt's authorities have for many years failed to protect the personal safety or basic rights of Coptic citizens," HRW said on Monday.

'Slap for the government'

Analysts said Sunday's bombing revealed the weaknesses of the government, which human rights groups have slammed for its brutal crackdown on Islamists.

Damage is visible following a bomb blast at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on December 11, 2016

Victor Salama, a politics professor at Cairo University, said the attack could be in retaliation for the church's perceived support for Sisi's administration.

The Islamists "could be saying they're making the Copts pay for their support for the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood," said Salama.

"It's a slap for the government. The Coptic church is Christian of course, but it's also an Egyptian institution that was easily destroyed with just 12 kilogrammes of explosives," said Salama.

Abdalla al-Sennawi, a columnist at the privately owned Al-Shorouk newspaper, agreed that the attack could be seen as "a sort of revenge" against the Copts.

But the bombing also "reveals the absence of any real strategy to fight terrorism and the carelessness of the security services", he said.

"Such attacks may repeat themselves if the role of security services is not reviewed."

Egypt is fighting a jihadist insurgency that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers.

On Friday, two bombings killed six policemen in Cairo and a civilian north of the capital in attacks claimed by the Hassam militant group.

Hazem Hosni, a politics professor at Cairo university, said: "The objective of this attack will be truly known only if the perpetrators of the attack are identified or if they claim it."

Sunday's bombing "will have great international impact because those targeted are Christians", he said.

Egypt has jailed thousands and sentenced hundreds of Islamists to death since Morsi's ouster.
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Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Two journalists working for the Arabic-language service of international news organisation Al-Jazeera were held by security forces in The Gambia and deported, Gambian and Mauritanian sources told AFP on Monday.

The channel's Mauritania bureau chief Zeinebou Mint Erebih and cameraman Mohamed Ould Beidar were taken away from their upmarket hotel by plainclothes officers and detained on Sunday night, sources close to the journalists said.

They were quickly released and transported to Banjul airport where they were deported to neighbouring Senegal, according to Mauritanian sources.

The pair are believed to have entered the country on Tuesday, five days after a contested presidential election was held.

Al-Jazeera journalists were refused accreditation prior to the December 1 vote won by opposition leader Adama Barrow after 22 years of rule by President Yahya Jammeh, who is now challenging the result.

The network is well known in The Gambia for broadcasting several hard-hitting reports including of street protests in April that led to the jailing of dozens of opposition figures.

Separate sources close to the Gambian communications ministry said the journalists had recently requested an interview with minister Sheriff Bojang, but were told Al-Jazeera was "banned" in the country.

Erebih and Beidar succeeded in interviewing president-elect Barrow, however, with the meeting also published in English and posted online.
Kigali (AFP) - In a church in Rwanda, sobs ring out and candles flicker as refugees from neighbouring Burundi mark a year since one of the deadliest episodes of violence in their crisis-wracked country.

Darcy, 32, is one of about 200 Burundians who gathered to commemorate those killed when an attack on military installations by gunmen opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza lead to a violent crackdown by security forces against those seen as "enemies" of the state.

"They entered homes, killing anything that moved inside. They raped the women they found inside, even though they were state police, soldiers who should have protected the population," said Darcy, who fled Burundi two weeks after the violence of December 11 and 12 last year.

The rampage of violence in which several witnesses described door-to-door killings in opposition strongholds of the capital Bujumbura, left 87 dead according to the government.

The United Nations estimates the figure could be as high as 200.

Burundi was plunged into crisis in April 2015 when Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term in office, sparking a failed coup attempt and months of protests that led to a government crackdown, armed attacks and assassinations.

"When you see someone you know dead, it is like a nightmare," a sobbing Carmel, 19, told those congregated in the church. Her brother was killed in the crackdown.

The UN estimates that more than 500 people have been killed and some 300,000 have fled since the crisis began.

A September report by UN rights experts recounted spine-chilling cases of torture and horrific sexual violence, mass arrests and disappearances and warned that "the crime of genocide also looms large".

Burundi has a long history of violence between its Hutu and Tutsi communities, which led to a 12-year civil war that ended in 2006.

Bujumbura has reacted to the mounting criticism by cutting ties with the UN's main human rights body and pulling out of the International Criminal Court (ICC), while slamming a "foreign plot" to destabilise the country.

'Forgotten'

The latest effort to get peace talks off the ground ran into trouble on Friday when mediator Benjamin Mkapa -- a former Tanzanian president -- urged the opposition to focus on 2020 polls and not those in 2015, which he said had come to a "legitimate conclusion".

The main umbrella opposition movement, the National Council for the Restoration of Arusha Agreement and Rule of Law (CNARED) -- which is exiled in Brussels -- was furious and asked the United Nations to take over as mediator.

"It really hurts me. I think that the international community, the region, has forgotten Burundi," said former bank employee Serge Barahinduka, 52.

A Burundian journalist -- one of many forced into exile -- told AFP she fears that desperation may force some of her countrymen "to go and fight instead of dying of hunger here".
Introduction

As was communicated to the nation in the pre-election statement on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) employed the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology to observe the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, just as it did in 2008 and 2012. CODEO employed the PVT to independently verify the accuracy of the presidential election results as declared by the Electoral Commission (EC). As of midnight on Election Day, Wednesday December 7, 2016, CODEO was in the position to verify if the presidential results reflected the ballots cast at polling stations.

The PVT Methodology

The PVT is an advanced and scientific election observation technique that employs well- established statistical principles and utilizes Information Communication Technology (ICT) to observe elections. The PVT involves deploying trained accredited observers to a representative random sample of polling stations starting at 6:00AM. Throughout the day they observed the process and transmitted reports in real-time about the conduct of voting and counting as well as the official vote count to a central election observation point using text messaging.

The PVT technique has been deployed successfully around the world to promote electoral integrity and help defend the rights of citizens to vote and to protect such rights when exercised. The first PVT was conducted in the Philippines in 1986. Since then, the methodology has been deployed in election observation in Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Guyana, Indonesia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Ukraine. In Africa, the methodology has been deployed successfully in Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya and Tunisia.

Unlike pre-election surveys (which tracks intentions) or exit polls (which tracks recollections), the PVT is based on the actual behavior of electorates in an election. In other words, PVT Observers do not speak to voters about the choices they made at the polls to predict the outcome of an election. Rather after watching the entire voting and counting process, PVT Observers simply record the official vote count as announced by election officials at polling stations and rapidly transmit this information to an observation center via coded text message. Consequently, the PVT data is collected directly from polling stations.

The 2016 PVT Findings

The findings presented in this statement are based on information received from 1,491 PVT Observers located in all the 275 constituencies (including Jaman North constituency) by midnight on Thursday December 8, 2016. All PVT data was thoroughly checked for accuracy and internal consistency. A total of 553,872 Ghanaians cast their ballots at sampled PVT polling stations. The Election Commission's official results are based on 271 constituencies that had been announced as of Friday December 9, 2016.

The percentages of the valid votes garnered by each of the seven presidential candidates as announced by the Electoral Commission compared to the PVT estimates are as follows:

Ivor Kobina Greenstreet (CPP): EC Official Result = 0.24%; PVT Estimate = 0.27%; Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (NDP): EC Official Result = 0.16%; PVT Estimate = 0.18%; John Dramani Mahama (NDC): EC Official Result = 44.40%; PVT Estimate = 44.32%; Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom (PPP): Official Result = 1.00%; PVT Estimate = 1.07%; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP): Official Result = 53.85%; PVT Estimate = 53.75%; Dr. Edward Nasigre Mahama (PNC): Official Results = 0.21%; PVT Estimate = 0.26%; and Jacob Osei Yeboah (Independent): Official Results = 0.15%; PVT Estimate = 0.15%.

For each candidate the official result closely match the PVT estimates. In general, the PVT ranking of the presidential candidates based on their share of the votes is largely similar to what was put out by the Electoral Commission.

Voter turnout rate as estimated by the PVT is 69.33% with a 0.48% margin of error. This is very close to the 68.62% announced by the Electoral Commission. The official turnout is slightly outside the PVT estimate, but the turnout figures are consistent.

Finally, the PVT estimated rejected ballots stood at 1.60%, with a 0.09% margin of error, is also quite close to the Electoral Commission's figure of 1.54%.

Table 1: EC Official Results and CODEO PVT Estimates for the 2016 Presidential Election

Candidate Party EC Official Result CODEO PVT Estimate Margin of Error Range Match Ivor Kobina Greenstreet CPP 0.24% 0.27% 0.04% 0.23% to 0.32% u Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings NDP 0.16% 0.18% 0.04% 0.14% to 0.21% u John Dramani Mahama NDC 44.40% 44.32% 1.25% 43.07% to 45.57% u Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom PPP 1.00% 1.07% 0.16% 0.91% to 1.22% u Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo NPP 53.85% 53.75% 1.29% 52.47% to 55.04% u Dr. Edward Mahama PNC 0.21% 0.26% 0.10% 0.16% to 0.36% u Jacob Osei Yeboah IND. 0.15% 0.15% 0.03% 0.11% to 0.18% u Note (1): 1,491 of 1,500 PVT sample polling stations reporting. Note (2): Margin of Error and Range based on 95% Confidence Level.

Conclusions

Given that the official result announced by the Electoral Commission for each candidate falls within their respective PVT estimated confidence ranges, CODEO can confidently confirm that its PVT estimates are consistent with the official presidential results.

Not only do CODEO's PVT estimates match the official results of the EC, our observers also reported that the main two parties, NDC and NPP, had party agents at over 99% of polling stations and that at over 99% of polling stations, both NDC and NPP party agents signed the official declaration of polls and were given copies of that document.

Further, evidence from CODEO's PVT Observers showed that voting and counting were conducted in accordance with CI.94, the electoral laws, and the Constitution.

Thus, CODEO is confident that the results of the 2016 presidential polls declared by the Electoral Commission are the accurate reflection of how Ghanaians voted in the December 7 polls. Accordingly, CODEO advises the contestants in the presidential election, their supporters and the general public to place confidence in the official presidential election results as declared by the Electoral Commission.

CODEO also commends, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, and all other contestants for the presidential elections for conceding defeat, and congratulating the president elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo for his victory.

CODEO further commends the maturity Ghanaians have shown by remaining calm and peaceful throughout the voting, counting and collating processes.

CODEO reiterates its earlier call for the need for political parties, their leaders and the entire political class to take adequate measures to bridge political polarization that characterized the 2016 election campaign, especially between the NDC and the NPP, and to reduce the winner- takes-all tendencies in our politics. We need to do this for the sake of peace, unity, good governance and sustained socio-economic development of our dear country.

On behalf of the Advisory Board of CODEO and all its member organizations, we would like to thank the thousands of Ghanaians across the country that volunteered to serve as nonpartisan election observers and worked tirelessly to protect the integrity of the December 7, 2016 polls.

CODEO also commends the security agencies for their professionalism in maintaining peace during the period of voting, counting and collation of results.

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) would also like to acknowledge the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, which made it possible for the Coalition to observe the December 7, 2016 presidential and general elections.

In this election, it is Ghana and Ghanaians who have WON. It is not an exclusive victory for any political party or candidate.

GOD BLESS OUR HOME LAND GHANA

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat

Saturday December 10, 2016

ANNEX

2016 PARALLEL VOTE TABULATION SAMPLING METHODOLOGY

Introduction

In 2016 PVT, CODEO employed a nationally representative sample of 1,500 polling stations drawn from the official list of polling stations provided by the Electoral Commission. The sampled polling stations are spread across the 275 constituencies located with the ten regions of the country. To ensure national representativeness, the sample was stratified at the regional and constituency levels.

Stratification at regional level: At the regional level, the percentage shares of regions in the total number of polling stations in the country were used to distribute the 1,500 PVT polling stations across the regions. This ensured that each region's percentage share in the 1,500 PVT sampled polling stations closely matches its percentage share in the total number of polling stations in the country (Compare percentage shares of regions in columns 3 and 5 in Table 1).

Table 1: Distribution of sampled polling stations across regions in Ghana

Polling Station % Polling Station PVT Polling Station % PVT Polling Station Western 2,941 10.1% 152 10.1% Central 2,482 8.6% 128 8.5% Greater Accra 4,762 16.4% 246 16.4% Volta 2,506 8.6% 130 8.7% Eastern 3,243 11.2% 168 11.2% Ashanti 5,190 17.9% 269 17.9% Brong Ahafo 2,963 10.2% 153 10.2% Northern 2,688 9.3% 139 9.3% Upper East 1,226 4.2% 64 4.3% Upper West 991 3.4% 51 3.4% Total 28,992 100.0% 1,500 100.0%

Stratification at regional level: The constituency level stratification ensured that the percentage share of a constituency within a particular region in the number of PVT polling stations allocated to that region closely matches its percentage share in the total number of polling stations in that region (Compare percentage shares of constituencies in columns 3 and 5 in Table 2).

Table 2: Distribution of sampled polling stations across constituencies in Upper West Region

Polling Station % Polling Station PVT Polling Station % PVT Polling Station Wa Central 150 15.1 8 15.7 Wa West 118 11.9 6 11.8 Wa East 104 10.5 5 9.8 Nadowli/Kaleo 93 9.4 5 9.8 Daffiama/Bussie/Issa 46 4.6 2 3.9 Jirapa 115 11.6 6 11.8 Lambussie-Karni 70 7.1 4 7.8 Lawra 80 8.1 4 7.8 Nandom 68 6.9 3 5.9 Sissala West 67 6.8 4 7.8 Sissala East 80 8.1 4 7.8 Total 991 100.0 51 100.0

Training of CODEO observers (including PVT observers)

All CODEO observers were given extensive training and were provided with a manual on their role and responsibilities as observers, and particularly, the dos and don'ts of a CODEO observer prior to their deployment. As a pledge of neutrality, non-partisanship and transparency in their election observation work, all CODEO observers were made to sign an undertaking at the end of the training. Furthermore, all CODEO observers participated in 2 full simulation exercises on December 3 and 5, 2016, respectively, to test all aspects of the communication system ahead of the elections on December 7, 2016. During the exercise, all CODEO observers sent text messages to the CODEO National Information Center (CNIC) at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

CODEO observers (including PVT observers) work on Election Day

Data for the PVT was collected by 1,500 well-qualified, reliable and experienced Rapid Response Observers (RROs) out of 7,000 stationary CODEO observers deployed on the Election Day. CODEO observers (including those in PVT polling stations) sent reports, including vote count figures from their assigned polling stations using specially coded text messages. These were received directly into the computer database at the CODEO National Information Center (CNIC) at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). Upon receipt of text messages from observers, CODEO trained Data Entry Clerks at the CNIC at KAIPTC called observers to verify and confirm the information received. The vote count figures received into the database were used to estimate candidates' share of the valid vote count to determine the winner of the presidential election.
Indeed the role played by the Women Situation Room in Ghana's 2016 General election invaluably contributed to the country's transparent and peaceful election and must be applauded by all Ghanaians. The Women took the bull by the horn and Campaigned heavily to draw the attention of Ghanaians to the horrendous consequences of electoral violence. The goal of the Womens Situation Room (WSR) is to eliminate obstacles to womens participation in electoral processes, especially violence against women in all its forms, which has been identified as a major obstacle to womens involvement in political affairs.

On 17 November 2016, the Womens Situation Room Ghana was launched in Accra to set up a Women Situation Room in Ghana to ensure a Peaceful electoral process in Ghana's Presidential and Parliamentary election. The Women Situation Room led by the Eminent Ghanaian Women including Ms Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, Prof Ama Ata Aidoo, Ms Afi Yakubu, Hajia Safuratu M. Andabi, Naa Koteitsoo Afrasomanaso I, Ms Sabina Ofori Boateng and Prof Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu employed several Peace Building mechanisms and diverse activities across the 10 Regions of Ghana.

The National Coordinator Ms. Adwoa Bame and the host of able regional Coordinators of WSR undertook series of Peace Building dialogues with several key stakeholders including the security agencies, Electoral Commission, Peace Council, NCCE, Religious and Traditional leaders, Political Party leaders, Media, Youth groups, civil society groups among others who have direct or indirect roles to play to ensure Peace before, during and after Ghana's December 7 general election.

In order to enhance the active involvement of women in mitigating the incidence of violence, WSR organized a special workshop for the Women Organizers of the 6 main Political Parties (thus NPP, NDC, PPP, CPP, NDP and PNC) to highlight the role they must play to ensure Peace in the electioneering process and to pledge their commitment to contribute to Peace Building.

Again, WSR organized a nationwide 1000 Women Peace March in all the 10 regional capitals of Ghana consisting of several Women groups who openly displayed their unfaltering call for Peace before, during and after the election hence, demanded the commitment of the major political parties to commit to Peace irrespective of the outcome of the election.

Moreover, WSR challenged the Youth of Ghana to pledge their readiness to commit to Peace by passing a Youth Peace Torch through all the 90 identified hotspots and across the 10 regional capitals. The Youth Peace Torch Program immensely trumpeted the need for the youth to act peacefully before, during and after the December 7 election on radio and on social media platforms coupled with the Youth Peace Torch Float through the principal streets of selected towns and cities.

Unarguably, the role played by the 400 women observers at various polling stations during the election day yielded its intended purpose of deliberately involving women in the Electoral process in an impartial and non partisan manner.

WSR again deployed 120 Focal Persons to 90 hotspots to identify and report early warning signs which have the potential of actuating election related violence especially against women. The activities of the focal persons was beefed up by the introduction of a Toll Free number which allowed all persons to report any incidence of violence to the physical situation room set up by WSR.

The Women Situation Room since its inception in Africa in 2011 in Liberia has contributed immensely to the realization of Peaceful elections in many other countries across Africa  in Senegal and Sierra Leone in 2012, Kenya in 2013, Mali in 2013, Guinea Bissau in 2014, Nigeria in 2015, and Uganda on 2016.

The WSR as initiated by Councilor Yvette Chesson-Wureh, has once again proved to be a powerful peacebuilding platform that rallies women, youth, media, stakeholders, professionals, religious and traditional personalities and institutions to ensure a transparent and peaceful electoral process.

The Womens Situation Room in Ghana is supported by the Government of Norway and Canada, UN Women, the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and UNDP
So its here. You have finally won the presidential elections. You couldnt be more proud of yourself. Your childhood dream is now a reality. Four years of Ghanas destiny is in your hands. Congratulations, Sir!

I believe the eight years wait with tough lessons has been worth it. I say so having observed your campaign activities leading up to your famous and historic victory! In comparison to 2008 and 2012, I saw in you an ever-passionate, unrelentingly determined, and extremely committed candidate who was in control of every little detail of his campaign. I saw a man who was highly circumspect in his response to questions, even the feisty ones. Like a gifted teacher, you successfully made the citizenry understand and connect with your ideas and vision for Ghana. Not even an astute marketer could match how you branded your ideas and sold them to undecided minds. You were vociferous, persistent, and smart! You have learned a lot and have applied the lessons well. Truly, you have endeared yourself to many like me.

And, oh, for your slanderers, you have proven to them that you are not a wuss after all. Its difficult to understand your haters, who still see you as a warmonger, even though you demonstrated uncommon valour after you lost the 2012 elections and the infamous election petition thereon. Your detractors couldnt get under your skin in spite of career-threatening salvos against you, as well as integrity-ripping attacks on your person. You have triumphed in all these. Kudos!

Sir, truthfully, all these no longer matter; at least for the next four years! You are now the bearer of the gavel and the torch bearer of Ghanas future. In 2008, you got is very right when you clearly indicated that our ATTITUDE is the cause of our challenges in Ghana. Yes! Unfortunately, it still is! How do you intend to morph Ghanaians to develop positive attitudes and reap the manifest and latent benefits associated with it? Respectfully, I think it starts with you. You are now the headmaster, and we wait to see the various heads you appoint to transform Ghana. It is my hope that those you choose do understand the components of attitudinal change.

In the same way you have tolerated your critics over the years, it is my hope that you and your appointees will tolerate our views when we constructively criticize government deeds and actions. We do not expect you or any of your appointees to release on us babies with sharp teeth to insult, attack, destroy, and seek to rip to shreds the integrity and intelligence of those that provide such critique. We are already exhausted from such posturing; we have had enough this past eight years. In fact, we do not want any of your appointees to have sharp teeth. Rather, intelligent and smart women and men who are open-minded, willing to engage fellow citizens on policies and issues and, above all, do so in a respectful way.

Sir, when things are not going well as planned, let the country know, please. After all, there is more political capital to be gained for being truthful than shamelessly lying to us. I think you know better. On the contrary, if you wish to not tell us what really is going on in the country, please let it remain so; however, please and please, do not send to us your communications team to defend the indefensible or justify wrongs that are happening in the country. I suggest you take a cue from the outgoing governments handling of issues related to judgement debts and the many looting scandals. I know that there are tough times ahead, the road will not be as easy as eloquently delivering those campaign promises. Sorry, Sir, but we couldnt care less about these tough times; we will hold you to your promises. The jobs, factories, dams, million dollars, riding the country off corruption, to name but a few.

I sincerely wish you well for the next four years. Together with many Ghanaians, we will support you with prayer and play our various roles effectively, so we see the Ghana we all hope for, now and posterity. As you enjoy this victory, please do remember these five key things I have said in this note:

Congratulations on winning!

Be transparent in your actions and dealings!

Be guided by events in the past eight years!

Do not renege on the big promises you have made!

Always respect us the citizens who have offered you this opportunity, no matter what!

Thank you, Sir!

Anderson Assuah

Natural Resources Institute,

University of Manitoba, Canada

([email protected])
Under the moonlit skies victory smelled like Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male. The euphoria had spread her antennae bouncing around. It was all over the placenorth, south, east and west as thousands thronged the streets of Ghanas capital Accra to celebrate the election of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday the 9th of December 2016.

It was a victory that had come after long hibernation in Siberia for members and supporters of the largest opposition party in Ghana --the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its flagbearer. And its the Elephants second victory in 24 years since the Fourth Republic reports author Gordon Offin-Amaniampong.

Nana Akufo-Addo won more than 53% of the votes cast on Wednesday the 7th of December to defeat the incumbent President John Dramani Mahama who becomes the first one-term president in the Fourth Republic.

Mr. Mahama also leaves the presidency as the second youngest-- at age 58. Former president John Rawlings left office as the youngest at 53 and the oldest was John Kufuor at 70 in the republic. Late president John Mills died on the 24th of July2012 at age 68, while in office.

In his victory speech two days after the election, the President-elect who is also a consummate lawyer said: There have never been a more humbling moments in my life and I thank you, the good people of Ghana, for this massive show of support and the confidence you have reposed in me and my party. I make this solemn pledge to you today- I will not let you down and will do all in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations.

You are to be commended for the mature, peaceful and orderly manner in which you, once again exercised your democratic franchise. The democratic credentials of our nation have been further enhanced by your conduct, he stated.

Who is Mr. Akufo-Addo?

He was born on the 29th of March 1944, the son of former president Edward Akufo-Addo. The President-elect had his primary education first at the Government Boys School, Adabraka (a suburb of Accra) and later at the Rowe Road School (now Kimbu) also in Accra. He left for England to pursue his O-level and A-Level education at Lancing College, Sussex.

In 1964, upon his return to Ghana, he went to the University of Ghana, Legon to read Economics where he earned a BSc (Econ) degree in 1967. He subsequently studied law in the UK and was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in July 1971.

Indeed he has an impeccable resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Hes a lawyer by occupation, a career politician, a legislator, freedom fighter, a father, a husband and proud citizen of Ghana.

Mr. Akufo-Addo was elected three times between 1996 and 2008 as Member of Parliament (MP) for the Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana. From 2001 to 2007 as a cabinet ministerfirst as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for two years and later as Foreign Minister for five years

In the historic 2016 presidential election, he polled 5,341,143 votes (53.51%) as against Mr. Mahamas 4,457,672 (44.56%), the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana announced.

His election is significant as it culminates the rule of the Johns in the Fourth Republic of Ghana. For nearly four decades (spanning from the 31st December 1981 to the 7th of January 2017 inauguration of the President-elect) the West African nation has been ruled by four Johns. The first was flight Lieutenant John Rawlings, John Kufour (2nd), John Evens Mills (3rd) and John Mahama (4th) the out-going president.

Father and son President

Another remarkable thing about this election is that, the second president of the second republic of Ghana Mr. Edward Akufo Addo was the father of the fifth president-elect of the fourth republic (and the 14th since independence) Nana Akufo-Addo.

This happens to be first in Ghanas political history and the second in the ECOWAS sub-region. Tiny Togo, Ghanas neighbour to the east was the first to elect a presidents sonPresident Faure Gnassingbe (in May 2005) the son of General Gnassingbe Eyadema who ruled the francophone country for nearly 40years.

Mr. Edward Akufo Addo who ruled Ghana under the second republic from the 31st of August 1970 to 13 January 1972 was overthrown by the Supreme Military Council (1) led by Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. Under the second republic Ghana practised the Westminster system or the parliamentary system of governmentwhich had Prime Minister Dr. Abrefa Busia as the head of government or business and Mr. Edward Akufo-Addo the President who performed ceremonial functions.

The President-elect (the 72-year-old politician) had failed in his two attempts at the presidency (in 2008 and 20012) against presidents John Mills and John Mahama respectively. But fate knew what he was doing. Destiny had a purpose for him and on Friday the 9th December 2016 (third time lucky) he realised his childhood dream.

Transition Team

In furtherance to the provisions of the Transition Act 2012 (Act 845), a day or two after his concession call President Mahama appointed seven members from the government side to help facilitate a smooth transition. The Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Attorney-General & Minister of Justice Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong and Finance Minister Seth Terkper made up the seven-member list.

The President-elect side included Mr. Yaw Osafo Marfo (fmr. finance minister), Mr. Albert Ken Dapaah (fmr. interior minister) and Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey responsible for foreign Affairs that represented a nine-member team.

The team had a meeting on Sunday 11 December evening and was co-chaired by the out-going president and the in-coming president. And its believed theyd a successful deliberation.

During his concession speech Mr. Mahama said: A few minutes ago, I made the most difficult phone call I have ever made in my life. I called the President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party to congratulate him on his well-fought and well-deserved victory in Wednesdays election.

The win has been emphatic. If anybody has reason to doubt the presidential results, the sheer magnitude of the defeat, which our parliamentary candidates have suffered is the clearest indication that we have outlived our welcome, he underscored.

And I must add the president couldnt state it better than that. Out of the 275 parliamentary seats the NPP bagged a total of 171, while the NDC had 104 seats.

The Daunting Task ahead

Perhaps former president Jerry John Rawlings drilled the message down or stated it better. While congratulating the President-elect he noted: Your victory is a manifestation of the peoples desire for new leadership and it comes with enormous responsibilities including a commitment to pursue an anti-corruption drive across-the-board.

Ghana faces huge challenges, many of which you promised to tackle during your campaign tours, Mr. Rawlings wrote.

Public expectation of the yet to-be inaugurated administration is huge. They want the Akufo-Addo-led government to reduce the high level of unemployment in the country, fight corruption, help defray unprecedented public debts, retrieve an amount of GHc51.2m from NDC bankroller and businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome, and revive the dying social intervention programmes the Kufuor-administration introduced ---National Insurance Health Scheme, School Feeding Programme among and many more.

The in-coming administration has other ambitious programmes lined up in its manifest vizthe one district one factory and to build one dam for all the villages in the north, reduce corporate tax to 20%, charge a flat rate of 3.5 per cent from small scale medium enterprises (SMEs), removing import duties on raw materials and machinery for production, abolish the 17.5% VAT on domestic airline tickets etc.

It remains to be observed if the administration would live up to expectation. With due diligence, honesty and accountability a political observer told me, the astute politician would be able to accomplish the task by end of his tenure.

Mr. Akufo-Addos government will be doing business from the Flagstaff House--- an edifice former president John ushered in (days after he left office in 09) late president Mills after his inauguration on the 7th of January in 2009. He lost by an insignificant margin to his former classmate and learned friend prof. John Mills 49.77% and 50.23% respectively in a runoff election on the 28th of December 2012.

It was the closest election ever in Ghanas history.

On the 7th December 2012 election, then NPP candidate Akufo-Addo came top with 49.135 and 47.92% for NDC John Mills.

Indeed Mr. Akufo-Addo will be steering the nations affairs from this beautiful edifice and also ensure that he guides his party the NPP to equal the NDCs 16 out of the 24 years amassed since the inception of the fourth republic in 1992.

But above all, he cant throw caution to the windGhanaians voted for a positive change. And they expect nothing less than that--to see a real change in their lives. Change in their pockets and change in their social status. They expect a do-something government and not a do-nothing one, they expect a listening government and not an insensitive leadership. And like Oliver Twist theyre asking for more... not just more but more in its qualitative sense.

They said no to mediocrity, no to sycophancy, no to nepotism and cronyism, and they said no to corruption and pillage. Obviously, there are moles in every party. Every political party has its stubborn guys, and gold-diggers its my hope that the President-elect will sharpen his scalpel and nip such characters in the bud. Dont let them grow sharp teethhad I known is always at last.

I cant conclude without congratulating all Ghanaians, the EC, the media, civil society groups, the security agencies, Peace Council, religious and traditional leaders and the NDC for making the 2016 general election another success story. Thank you to president Mahama for serving our country and congratulations to President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo.

I wish you well (Nana) and I pray the good Lord will give you the discernment and understanding to discharge your duties effectively and efficiently. We all look forward to seeing your administration put the country back on track.

Good luck and Good Evening!!!
Outgoing President John Dramani Mahama has revealed his plans after vacating office on January 7, 2017, when he will officially hand over to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

President Mahama is getting ready to leave office following results of the 2016 elections, which saw the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leader beat the sitting president, a first in Ghanas history.

Speaking in a thanksgiving service at the Ringway Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, December 11, President Mahama said he wants to take a leave to rest after handing over.

I have no immediate plans, he stressed. He said he has not gone on leave for the past three years and this will be an opportunity to embark on one.

I have been working continuously for three years now, he told the congregation, and so I want to take a leave [and] take a rest.

He added: I know God himself will show me what he wants me to do.

I blame both sides

President Mahama expressed frustration at pessimist in national building, blaming the situation on extreme partisanship. He advised Ghanaians to eschew such attitude as it slows down the wheels of development.

As long as I dont belong to this group, I dont want it to work, he said about the extremists in this regard.

So, while we are going forward, some others are looking backward. Because of that, the speed at which the country should grow is not going as fastand I dont blame one side.

I blame both sides.

He prayed against the likely repetition of such attitude now that the tables have turned. There will be a group of people who will wish this government doesnt succeed.
Senator Danjuma Laah, the Senator representing the good people of Southern Kaduna continued.

He said that according to the Leadership Newspaper of 4th December, 2016 under the headline: Foreigners Behind Southern Kaduna Massacre", Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated that some of them (Killer Fulani) were from Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Senegal, adding,

"Many of these people were killed, cattle lost and they organised themselves and came back to revenge.

We got a group of people that were going round, trying to trace some of these people in Cameroon, Niger Republic and so on to tell them that there is a new governor who is Fulani like them and has no problem paying compensations for lives lost and he is begging you to stop the killing.

In most of the communities, once that appeal was made to them, they said they have forgiven. There are one or two that asked for monetary compensation. They said they have forgiven the death of human beings, but want compensation for cattle. We said no problem, some we paid.

Senator Laah maintained that there was never in a time in 2011 that Fulani from Mali, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Mali and Senegal were killed in Southern Kaduna with their cattle.

He added, This is a silly and an absurd lie. Southern Kaduna is not a junction of these countries. So how could they have all converged on Southern Kaduna on their usual migration back home?

The Governor just invented this lie to make excuse for his imported murderous Fulani kindred to continue their extermination of our people and the occupation of our lands.

As the main political leader and representative of Southern Kaduna at the Federal level, despite many overtures of trying to meet with the Governor over the insecurity in my zone with no success, he has never deem it fit to inform me of these actions so as to seek my views and that of my constituency over the matter.

This is a very curious development, especially as I was able to make the Senate to pass a resolution asking the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on Security in Southern Kaduna last month.

I expected him to cash on that, using his connection with the President and Commander-in-Chief. But, he was obviously not concerned.

In the light of the above, the Federal Government, especially the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, NIA, the Directorate of State Services, SSS, the Directorate of Military Intelligence, DMI and sundry agencies should look no further for the solution to the unrelenting killings in Southern Kaduna.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai should also state how much of Kaduna State scarce resources have been moved to these killers and whether he has the authority of the law to so spend the money on enemies of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria.

El-Rufai should also be investigated to find out if these moneys were not further put into the buying of more arms and the recruitments of more killers, who we strongly believe, are also jihadists.

Though he has ferried much undisclosed amounts of money to murderers, I am pleading with Kaduna State indigenes and residents to ask why he has stubbornly refused to render basic assistance of rebuilding of even a home, or any form of monetary assistance to the surviving victims in Southern Kaduna. Most are still left without food and shelter despite the modest assistance that some of us, churches, NGOs etc have continued to render from time to time.

I am constrained to add that Nasir el-Rufai with his lack of will to show commitment to the insecurity in Southern Kaduna, and his resolve to carry on with over six Cattle Grazing Reserves in Southern Kaduna, he is actually creating new, permanent conquered settlements for his Fulani kinsmen.

I said this because his Fulani brothers have killed people and chased them out from their communities and are now fully settled with their families and cattle in several villages in Kaura, Sanga and Jemaa Local Government Areas, while the governor turns his eyes the other way round.

The statement therefore called on the people of Southern Kaduna to use every available legitimate means to defend their lives, properties and communities.

It reads, History will not forgive our generation if we succumb to threats and blackmail and fail to defend ourselves and get wiped out. As Senator of the beleaguered area, l cannot support that we become sitting ducks each time they come killing. Again, if El-Rufai will not defend us, let us defend ourselves.

I can feel the deep hurt and pain behind the words of Senator La'ah and I wholehearedly concur with his submissions. The people of Southern Kaduna are going through hell and they certainly deserve better.

The sheer disdain and utter contempt that Governor El Rufai has for them can also be reflected in a television interview that he gave a while back in which he described the massive Christian population of Kaduna state of being only 30 per cent whilst he claimed that the Muslims were 70 per cent. This is false.

The fact of the matter is that at least 50 per cent, if not more, of the people of Kaduna state are Christian but it does not serve the Governor's purpose to acknowledge or publicly admit that.

What a tragedy this is for both him and the good people of Kaduna. His continuos resort to the use of religion in order to divide and rule the people of his state and to supress and subvert the religious faith and legitimate aspirations of the Christian community and the minority Shiite Muslims will lead to nothing but even more division and chaos.

Let us hope that my friend and brother Governor Nasir El Rufai listens and that he retraces his steps rather than issue threats and go on the offensive against those that have found the courage to tell him the bitter truth.

Let us hope that he remembers that real friends always speak truth, no matter how unpalatable that truth may be, to those that they care about and love and they do not tolerate or condone their vainglorious excesses or treat them like infallible demi-gods.

Permit me to conclude this contribution by qouting a large portion of my dear friend and brother Chief Yinka Odumakin's latest column titled 'El Rufai: An Accesory After The Fact To Murder' (Vanguard Newspaper, 6th December 2016).

As brilliant, courageous and forthright as ever, after qouting El Rufai's exact words and his entire interview verbatim Odumakin wrote inter alia:

"You would have thought this was Mallam Ibrahim Shekau (the leader of Boko Haram) talking and not a governor who swore to protect the lives of the citizens of his state .

The statements credited to the governor can only be fully appreciated when situated within the complaints of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, about the palpable indifference of the Federal and Kaduna State governments to their plight in the hands of Fulani killers.

The Leadership Newspaper of of 17th October 2016 quoted the group as saying through its President , Barr. Solomon Musa that the killings in Godo Godo, Jamaa and Sanga local government areas were successfully carried out by terrorist herdsmen because the government has abandoned the entire people of Southern Kaduna to be maimed, raped, brutalised, killed, slaughtered and destroyed.

Godo Godo communities once again came under very fierce, terrifying, brutal, savage and barbarous attack by Fulani herdsmen without provocation of any nature from Saturday 15th October, 2016 to Sunday afternoon. This is despite the frantic calls for help from the beleaguered villagers to those constitutionally saddled with the task of safeguarding their citizens.

According to SOKAPU, the barbarians wreaked maximum havoc and destruction by killing uncountable number of lives of our people is unacceptable.

So far, the locals have been able to identify not less than 40 corpses aside from the several other corpses burnt beyond recognition. Virtually all houses have been burnt in Godo Godo.

Property worth hundreds of millions destroyed while crops have been grazed by cattle and the rest destroyed by the invaders. The savagery and barbarity of the attack is beyond belief. Yet, governments at the Federal and State levels appear quiet and noncommittal. We have been abandoned, deserted and neglected, he said.

The SOKAPU President who likened the killings in southen Kaduna to that of the Rwandan genocide, said the Tutsis were abandoned, deserted and neglected during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 until over 800,000 Tutsis were brutally massacred by the Hutus. This is the scenario that is taking place in Southern Kaduna. We are being killed, slaughtered and decimated by Fulani Herdsmen, yet it will appear to our people that the government has failed, refused or neglected to intervene decisively to end the carriage.

As a peaceful people we have spoken, we have carried out peaceful protests, we have appealed and pleaded for intervention by the authorities, yet our appeal and plea have appeared to have fallen on deaf ears. It will appear to our people that government is not concerned, moved or bothered by the carnage and pogrom in Southern Kaduna, he said.

SOKAPU further regard it a national shame and an indictment of the state governments commitment to security issues in Southern Kaduna that about seven villages in Godo Godo chiefdom are now completely deserted after being ransacked, burnt and the people killed.

More nauseating is the added fact that in villages like Ninte, Akwa, Ungwan Anjo, and Antang  where the people had been sacked from their villages, the armed herdsmen have permanently taken over the villages and boldly grazing their herds on the farms of the villagers. With thousands of people who have been displaced, the current attacks can only add to that number if the State Government does not muster up the will to urgently address the ongoing genocide in our zone.

It will appear that Southern Kaduna does not deserve the attention, sympathy or intervention of government. It will appear that we have been abandoned, deserted and neglected. We do not deserve the intervention or sympathy of the Federal or State Governments.

Security personnel are posted to the main highways only; from April to date, there does not appear to be any form of intelligence gathering, any form of surveillance, any form of proactive measures to forestall future occurrences; any form of intervention by government.

From April to date, neither NEMA nor SEMA has not seen it fit to rehabilitate, resettle or to bring any kind of relief materials to the victims of the attacks in the area. No relief materials, no IDP camps; no protection for our villages. What have we done to deserve this? Is it because of who we are? Why have we been abandoned, deserted and neglected? Will this have happened if it is elsewhere? Are we part of Kaduna State? Are we part of Nigeria? If we are not, we then deserve our state and our nation. We can stand on our own, they asked.

In view of the fact that Boko Haram has been degraded; cattle rustling was brought to an end in Kamuku forest and Zamfara State by the joint action of several states and the Federal Government, we call on both the State Government and Federal Government to place greater premium on human lives by carrying out decisive and combined operation to halt the genocide immediately in order to assure the people that we are indeed part of Kaduna State and Nigeria, they said.

Can anyone fault SOKAPU with the insensitive, bigoted and reckless comments of the state governor?

Some critical issues came out of El-Rufai's incendiary remarks. The first is that the official lie that the Fulani herdsmen who have been terrorising Middle Belt and Southern communities are from without Nigeria has been repeated.

This is to give the nauseating impression that government is helpless as if Nigerians who commit crimes in other lands are not punished outside Nigeria.

The second issue is that of the clash of civilisations which makes the Nigerian crisis unresolvable unless we embrace cultural democracy. El-Rufai says because he is Fulani like the herdsmen, he had no difficulty in cutting deals with them by paying bribes to people he should be dragging before the law.

It was from that mindset he also revealed he had compensated them for their cattle killed five years ago while he cannot even clean the fresh wounds of Southern Kaduna who are not his ethnic stock.

Perhaps, the greatest revelation from this leakage is a subtle reminder of the warning El-Rufai gave on his Twitter account four years ago on the killing of any Fulani We will write this for all to read.Anyone,soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes(11:51 am,15 July,2012).

He must have been grinning from ear to ear as he signed the cheque to the herdsmen when he was satisfied they have taken enough revenge.

Will the people of Southern Kaduna not proceed to the International Criminal Court now that there is an Accessory who has confessed to knowing the murderers and exchanging money with them? Victims of these Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna should follow suit!".

Chief Odumakin and SOKAPU have said it all. I need say no more.

May the souls of all those that were cut short in the bloodfest that took place in the killing fields of southern Kaduna and indeed throughout our nation by these rampaging foreign monsters and alien beasts rest in peace.

May the Lord of Hosts, the Ancient of Days, the God of the Armies of israel and He that answereth by fire avenge them speedily and comfort their families and loved ones. (CONCLUDED).
Unlike certain past or present leaders or Presidents who claimed to be father for all but noticeably became father for only the members of their political parties and tribes, Nana Akufo Addo will indeed be a father for all Ghanaians irrespective of ones political inclination or tribal extraction.

Had President Mahama not once said he was the President of the NDC faithful hence sought to favour only the NDC party members and the people of certain tribal extractions? This attitudinal lack of political farsightedness but little-mindedness coupled with political bigotry on the part of President Mahama led to the practice of selective justice in Ghana where the NDC members committed various acts of crimes with impunity.

The mere fact that the President overlooked the rampant crimes being committed by the NDC government and party, each Tom, Dick and Harry within the party felt they could use that golden but lopsided opportunity to enrich themselves illegally hence the sad state of Ghanas economy today.

The President-elect has assured all Ghanaians in his acknowledgment letter to the congratulatory message sent to him by former President Rawlings that he will not pursue any policy of witch hunt. He believes he had better tackle the more serious economic problems besetting the nation in order to alleviate the Ghanaian masses of their economic hardships.

What is a witch hunt at all, one may want to know? It is defined as an attempt to find and punish people whose opinions are unpopular and who are said to be a danger to society

For Ghana to move forward and for the people of Ghana to prosper under the presidency of God-fearing Nana Akufo Addo, there should absolutely be no instances of divisiveness, nepotism, cronyism and overlooking of acts of lawlessness committed by certain group of people or by his NPP party members and supporters. No, such acts of favouritism practiced under President Mahama have brought the economy, the safety and the security of Ghanaians to the ebb as we witness today. Subsequently, President-elect Nana Akufo Addo will not go down that path.

However, there should be a policy for anti-corruption that will not only seek to dissuade and punish would-be perpetrators of corruption but also, directed at retrieving almost all, or part of, the ill-gotten wealth, by our politicians who have come to see politics as an arena of amassing illegal wealth.

When such a policy is introduced to recoup the money blatantly stolen by any Ghanaian politician or person, please, do not see that as a witch hunt. It is not hence the reason why I took pains to define what constitutes a witch hunt.

All those politicians who have illegally amassed wealth, abusing their positions, right from DCEs through to the office of the President should please start making arrangements to pay some or all of the money back. This is my personal opinion as a citizen of Ghana. There is absolutely no correlation between my expressed opinion as you read now and President-elect Nana Akufo Addos formulation of anti-corruption policies.

He knows best and I have absolute confidence in him to do a better job to bring smiles back to our faces.

The God that he believes in, in Whom he entrusted all his political aspirations and surrendered himself wholeheartedly, that God, will guide and redirect his steps so that he does not fail.

Please, if you are a politician and know very well that you have misused your position to acquire illegal wealth, I advise you to dig deeper into your conscience and start make reparations. Dont wait for a policy to be made or for someone to approach you before you start taking initiatives to refund part, or all, of the money to the State.

The stubborn ones who may decide to resort to crafty ways to conceal their illegally-acquired wealth thinking Ghanaians are that dumb not to be able to detect their tricks may probably live to regret their actions. Such people may themselves be living in the fools paradise or may be tickling themselves and laughing.

The resolve by Ghanaians through legal means to assist President-elect Nana Akufo Addo to better the conditions of living of the entire Ghanaian population cannot be underestimated. Nonetheless, they will not do anything to undermine him but to help him.

Rockson Adofo
Guwahati: Chennai based cardiologist from Apollo Hospitals, Dr KN Srinivasan conducted the last Guwahati Press Club (GPC) evening clinic on 1O December , where over 25 media persons along with their dependents participated and received free consultation on various heart related ailments. The attending doctor appreciated the level of health awareness of the participants and advised one third of them for further course of treatments.

Two Apollo hospital executives namely Roopjyoti Baruah and Kamalesh Chakrabarty assisted in organizing the camp under the Evening with a Doctor programs at the press club premises.

The next evening OPD on 17 December will be attended by a group of physicians from the Government Ayurvedic College, Jalukbari (Assam). Led by Dr Jayanta Sarmah, the group of doctors including Dr Chiranjib Mahanta , Dr Ajay Barman, Dr Susmita Pegu and Dr Purnima Deori will examine the health status of the participants with random blood sugar, blood pressure and BMI tests. The camp will begin on 3.30 pm and continue till 6 pm.

It may be noted that Assam's well known Dispur Hospitals Pvt Ltd, under the leadership of Dr Jayanta Bardoloi, supported the initiative to raise a doctor's chamber at the press club premises, which was inaugurated by young citizens namely Dhiman, Kristi, Shantanava, Arya, Shambhavi, Nistha and Arunava on the occasion of 70th Independence Day.

Till date, practicing physicians from Dispur Hospitals, Down Town Hospitals, GNRC Group of Hospitals, Narayana Super-Specialty Hospitals, Swagat Super-Surgical Institute, Wintrobe Hospital, Nemcare Hospital, Sun Valley Hospital etc have conducted the health camps in the press club.

Similarly, Medanta-The Medicity Hospital Gurgaon, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya Guwahati, Gauhati Medical College, Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad, Barthakur Clinic etc have shown interest in conducting the weekly healthcare consultation programs in the coming days. "Besides personal health, the initiative is expected to help the scribes to understand various aspects of preventive healthcare in a better way that should encourage them to cover the sector with more authenticity & credibility," said GPC secretary Nava Thakuria adding that though the initiative was formulated primarily for the benefit of its members, anyone related to the profession is welcome to participate in the program.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned instances of post-election violence being perpetrated against opponents of the party.

A statement signed by the party's Acting General Secretary John Boadu, claimed, The attention of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been drawn to reports of alleged acts of violence and vandalism being perpetrated allegedly against some political opponents of the NPP in the aftermath of the announcements of the results of the 2016 election.

The party has condemned the acts of indiscipline. We condemn in no uncertain terms these distasteful occurrences, if true, and wish to state that NPP will not condone or sanction such actions.

The party has urged the Ghana Police Service to enforce the laws of the land, and bring to book any person, irrespective of their political affiliations, found to be perpetrating acts of violence against any person.

Whilst the occasion of the NPP's victory has understandably led to widespread jubilation amongst party supporters, sympathisers and, indeed, members of the general public, the party's leadership stated, We appeal to our supporters and everybody else to be guided by the statement made by the President-Elect of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his acceptance speech on 9th December, where he entreated supporters 'to respect the peace and the property and lives of everybody, especially those of our political opponents.'

We are the party of the rule of law, and we should act accordingly, with magnanimity in our moment of victory.

Party supporters, the statement noted, have a responsibility to ensure that the dignified, peaceful exercise of their sovereign power that the Ghanaian people manifested on 7th December, which it said has enhanced significantly the image of the country, be protected in this period of transition from one government to another.

Mahama Complains

President John Dramani Mahama had earlier expressed disappointment at the inability or unwillingness of the leadership of the NPP to call its rampaging supporters to order, following a series of attacks on innocent citizens and supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He also alleged that some supporters of the party had attacked government installations across the country.

He has therefor, directed the security agencies to deploy across the country and arrest any person(s) caught vandalising government property or attacking innocent Ghanaians, according to a statement signed by Dr. Edward K. Boamah, Minister of Communications.

Northern Regional Denial

The NPP Northern Regional secretariat has denied claims that its supporters have been involved in acts of vandalism. Our supporters have conducted themselves very well before, during and even after the electionsw, the regional secretary of the party, Sule Salifu, has said in a statement.

The alleged acts of indiscipline being attributed to the party in the Northern Region he said, are lies.

We therefore expect some commendation from the general public and not deliberate lies, he charged.

Following the allegation that the offices of Zoomlion were attacked, the Regional Secretariat visited the offices of the company where the Human Relations Officer, one Andani Dasana, said the watchman said two men came to steal and were chased away.

Those behind the thievery, he said, resorted to the spreading of this falsehood to cover their criminality.

By A.R. Gomda


The death of Cubas revolutionary leader Commandante Fidel Castro, continues to send vibrations across the world, with Ghana marking his death in a special way.

The leadership of the Trade Union Congress, members of the Cuba Medical Brigade and hundreds of Ghanaians, have held an hour long march through the principal streets of Accra, in solidarity with the government and people of Cuba in memory of the iconic leader who passed on November 25, 2016 at the age of 90.

Carrying flags of Cuba and Ghana, with images of Fidel, the march organised under the banner Ghana loves Fidel started from the forecourt of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and along the road in front of the Flagstaff House, the seat of Government to the 37 Military Hospital, ending at the residence of the Cuban ambassador.

In an address, His Excellency Pedro Luis Gonzalez, the Cuba Ambassador to Ghana, who took part in the march, expressed satisfaction at the bond of friendship between the people and governments of Ghana and Cuba and the explicit show of solidarity with Cuba, following the death of its former leader, Fidel Castro.

Fidel Castro loved Africa very much and so does all of Cuba; Ghana has made a very bold statement today that Ghana-Cuba relations will grow in strength to the benefit of our peoples and for all of humanity. Fidel has taught us that poverty, disease and illiteracy are not natural and can be eradicated.

Brother Alexander Nyarko Opoku, First Vice Chairperson of the TUC, recalled that the triumph of the Cuban revolution in 1959 served as a source of motivation to all people across the world, who sought to bring about meaningful development in their societies.

He said Fidel Castro placed much relevance on the essence of workers unions and the creation of a critical mass of revolutionary professionals, imbibed with love for country and humanity, and with the willingness to render the utmost sacrifice.

He added that Fidel had proven in deed that poverty and disease and oppression were not given and that it was possible to change all that militated against the suffering people of the world.

A message of solidarity read by Nana Yaa Gyanfuah of the All African Peoples Revolutionary Party read:

Revolutionary Cuba and Comrade Fidel, in addition to liberating the small island nation of Cuba from the web of imperialist domination and building a self-reliant democratic state, has also developed and institutionalized a culture of international solidarity with the struggling masses throughout the world.

Cuba has opened its arms to African youth both born in Africa and the diaspora, training thousands of African doctors free of charge so that they could return to their communities and serve the health needs of their people. Cuba has deployed even more doctors and health workers throughout Africa and the world, embedded themselves not just in the large cities but in the villages and provided day-to-day health care services in addition to addressing tragic events such as the earthquake in Haiti and the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Cuba has built and maintains factories in Africa developing products pushing for the eradication of malaria. The people of Africa have come to know the greatness of Revolutionary Cuba and Comrade Fidel through the principled development of human relationships based on mutual respect. No amount of reactionary propaganda against the Cuban Revolution will mute this reality.

Nii Aryertey Aryeh, Co-ordinator of the Ghana Loves Fidel march in a press release before the march said that Fidel Castro is a colossal testament to social achievement and human endeavour to change the lives of the poor.

He said the Cuban revolution led by Commander Fidel fought for human lives in poor countries and in areas of the world submerged by natural disasters and fought with courage and dignity with respect and kindness.

According to the release, Ghana-Cuba friendship began in January 1959 when Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah became the first head of state to recognise the Cuban revolution and further revealed that Nkrumah in a secret pact, allowed Che Guevarra and other Cuban internationalists to use Accra as a transit to Congo, to launch a revolutionary intervention in support of forces loyal to Patrice Lumumba.

Nii Ayertey added that: in July and August 1983, seven hundred (700) Ghanaian students accompanied by seven (7) Ghanaian teachers left Accra for Escbec 22 on the Isle of Youth in Cuba for their secondary education up to the university to specialize in various professions in Medicine, Agriculture, Engineering etc.

The ashes of the conquerer and liberator, Commadante Fidel Castro, wasburied at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba on the 4th of December, leaving behind a new society based on the principles of social justice and equality for all of humanity.


The Paramount Chief of the Kpembe Traditional Area, Kpembe Wura Babanye Ndefosu II, who predicted that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will not secure less than 53 percent of the total valid votes cast, has been vindicated.

The Kpembe Wura made this known on Thursday, September 1, 2016 when Nana Akufo-Addo, together with national and regional party stalwarts, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace at Kpembe in the Salaga South Constituency of the Northern Region.

The chief urged the people of Kpembe and the Ghanaian electorate to turn out in their numbers on election day and vote massively, stressing that I predict nothing less than 53% victory for you.

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) Charlotte Osei, on Friday, declared the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, the winner of the 2016 elections, securing 53.85 percent to beat President John Mahama.

President Mahama, who contested the elections on the ticket of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured 44.40 of valid votes cast.

During the visit, the Gonja Chief, who was enskinned in August, this year, said when I look into the crystal ball, I can see victory for the NPP. I want to assure you that I am still a friend, and you can always depend on me. As I said, if God wants to do something, He begins from one. He has done it for me and He will do it for you.

Kpembe Wura Babanye Ndefosu advised Nana Akufo-Addo not to depart from his issues-based campaign and urged him to continue to tell the people of Ghana what you will do for them.

The people of Ghana are ready to hear from you, and I hope the next time we meet like this, you will be His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Kpembe Wura Babanye Ndefosu said that the Lord, God is listening to what we are telling Him today. There isn't so much talk. God has done it. I have seen it (an NPP victory) in my dreams. Shaking hands with you this evening, I have seen something you haven't seen.

The Kpembe Wura asked Nana Akufo-Addo to examine the possibility of carving out another region from the Northern Region to enable the equitable distribution of the natural resources of the region, as well as the rapid improvement in the livelihoods of the citizenry.

Nana Akufo-Addo, on his part, thanked Kpembe Wura Babanye Ndefosu for the warm reception accorded him, as well as the prediction that he would emerge victorious in this year's election.

I am so happy to be here, and to be able to congratulate you personally on your ascension to this famous skin of your ancestors, since I was unable to be present at the ceremony of enskinment. I know from our long years of personal friendship what you have been through in order to get here. I pray for wisdom and God's guidance for you, and I am sure that by God's grace, your reign will bring prosperity and progress to the people of Kpembe, he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo assured the Kpembe Wura that even though I am not a blood brother of the Gonja people, I know I am coming to do a lot of good for the Gonja people. We are doing exactly what you have advised us to do. We are telling the people of Ghana the things we will do if, by the grace of God, they give us the opportunity.

He continued, I have been telling the people of Ghana that I will never get up and make a promise I know I cannot fulfill. I have too much respect and love for the Ghanaian people to lie to them. That is the message we have been taking around.

During the visit, Nana Addo promised to deliver on his promises and stay in constant touch with traditional rulers who are custodians of the land, to give him direction.

By Daniel Bampoe
Libreville (AFP) - Anomalies during Gabon's disputed presidential election "call into question" the outcome of the August vote which saw Ali Bongo reelected, a final report by EU observers said on Monday.

The criticisms were not as stinging as defeated opposition chief Jean Ping, who disputes the result and styles himself "president-elect", would have hoped.

But the observers' 11 recommendations will likely put pressure on Bongo to ensure that forthcoming legislative elections, originally scheduled for this month but now delayed until July 2017, are seen to have greater integrity.

Bongo won by a slim margin of around 6,000 votes, sparking two days of rioting and protests. The government say that at least three people were killed in the violence but the opposition put the toll at 26.

More than 800 people were arrested following the disorder in the oil-rich central African nation.

Ping demanded a recount in a move blocked by Gabon's top court.

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, the EU mission said it had observed "anomalies" during the vote count, notably in Bongo's stronghold of Haut-Ogooue, and those doubts were echoed in the observers' report.

"These anomalies call into question the integrity of the process of consolidating the results and the final result of the election," said the investigation conducted by the European Union's Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) in Gabon.

'Questions about the integrity'

Ping, a career diplomat and a former top official at the African Union, had asked for a recount in Haut-Ogooue where Bongo was reported by authorities to have won more than 95 percent of the vote on a turnout of more than 99 percent.

"It must be stated that the results of this province reversed the trend noted by the mission," the observers said.

Raising questions about the turnout, the report noted that the nationwide turnout figure, excluding Haut-Ogooue, was 54.24 percent.

"The number of abstentions, blank ballots and spoilt ballots in just one of this province's 15 local elections committees was higher than the figure for the whole province," it said.

"This observation raises questions about the integrity of the results from the province" and thus for the overall result of the election, it added.

The mission again expressed regret over the verdict reached by Gabon's top court in September which dismissed Ping's appeal for a recount based on anomalies in Haut-Ogooue, officially confirming Bongo's victory.

An initial report by the observers expressing concern about the vote sparked an angry reaction from the Gabonese government, with a spokesman saying the mission was "neither neutral nor impartial".

In October, a French newspaper published a report saying the 73-strong European observer team had been wiretapped by Gabonese intelligence.
Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Bruce Wharton will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 1112, to lead the U.S. Delegation attending the 4th High Level Dialogue with the African Union Commission, which will take place on December 12.

The High Level Dialogue is an important opportunity to deepen the U.S. Governments relationship with Africa, and to discuss our common commitments and concerns.

During his visit, Acting Under Secretary Wharton will meet with Mandela Washington Fellows from the Presidents Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), as well as other alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. He will also tour the newly-opened Africa Surveillance and Response Unit at the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC).

For updates on the trip, please follow Acting Under Secretary Wharton on Twitter at @BruceWharton and on Instagram at @PDatState. For more information about Under Secretary Wharton, please visit our website .
Some motor riders in the Ho Municipality have told DAILY GUIDE that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region hired them to create a jubilant mood in Ho, the regional capital.

The rider who declined mentioning his identity disclosed that they were promised some cash and fuel to lead a convoy through the Ho township amidst the tooting of horns and clad in NDC paraphernalia to create a vibrant mood in the capital.

The entire Volta Region has been engulfed in a silent mood ever since election results started trickling in from other parts of the country. The silence is so deafening that even a drop of a needle can be heard.

Business Slows

Apart from the silence, business activities have been sluggish throughout the regional capital.

Restaurants and other food vendors have also suffered some sluggishness in the flow of business. Taxi drivers have also been worried about patronage, as they are complaining about the sharp decline in passengers in town. But where are the human beings? The entire town is quiet like a cemetery and we can't even make sales, one of them, Bright Semabia, wondered.

To this end, some passengers are finding it difficult to access taxis, as there has been a sharp decline in taxi operations.

The NDC in the Volta Region has, however, urged its supporters to be in white and not to hesitate to jubilate.

To this end, they have organised some motor riders and a Kia trucks with loud speakers tooting horns and playing songs through the principal streets of Ho, thereby, creating a seeming vibrant atmosphere.

In a press conference held prior to the jubilation, the Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, John Kwadwo Gyapong announced that we believe our presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, is likely to win this election but we will wait for the Electoral Commission to declare the winner as we always do as a party.

From Fred Duodu, Ho ([email protected])
It was prophesied, predicted, forecast, fought for, awaited and long sought. Finally, it has arrived. Change has been pronounced that the next pilot for the motherland plane, captain of the motherland ship of state and driver of the motherland automobile, shall be Osono.

Congress is thereby directed (ordered) to pack baggage, umbrella and the 'create, loot and share' mentality along with its instruments and leave Flagstaff House, built as Jubilee House.

Indeed, the old order of incompetence, greed and avarice with chop-chop procurement as the only business of government must yield to promises of competence and value-for-money government business.

Expectations are that the promises encapsulated in that efficient, compassionate and empathetic governance will be fulfilled.

Change is response to stimulus. Thus, change has come with challenges without solutions to which there can be no progress.

That is, because progress is the successful resolution of challenges, it should be the target of a government that works to address the challenge of citizens' welfare.

Businesses, small, medium and big, are crying for stable electricity supply to be able to stay in business. Meanwhile, consumers seek relief in utility high tariff reduction.

Poor parents of high school students expect their children to go to school. Training nursing and teacher students expect their allowances to be restored. Patients expect their insurance to work. Pregnant mothers expect free medical services.

Public sector workers expect regular and timely payment of their salaries.

Some would want their salary issues to be addressed. Compatriots expect Kufuor projects that were abandoned by congress would be completed soon. Others look forward to the completion of uncompleted Mahama projects.

Change threats mean righting wrongs.

The teeming volunteers, especially young women in their late twenties, thirties and forties, including mothers, in search of a future for self and children, also seek inspiration and support. They are looking for work, decent work, that would enable them and their partners build a future for their offspring born already or yet to be born. Many belong to the Loyal Ladies volunteer group.

She, the shrew, is yet to be tamed. We all had to be subjected to tortuous waiting.

Kayayei, young unemployed graduates, some with second degrees and mothers twenty to-forty something had sleepless nights over some small results. Speed and accuracy go together; that's why they are not pronounced in alphabetical order.

I presume a lawyer knows that justice delayed is justice denied. Linking speed and accuracy is a balancing act, making sure you get it fast and right. It's a cardinal news production and sharing principle.

Any attempt at decoupling the two, speed and accuracy, easily leads to trouble.

Indeed, madam couldn't have been ignorant of a fragile cedi suffering fast depreciation because of her inaction of 'forget speed; what matters is accuracy.'

You work assiduously to achieve both in tandem without sacrificing one for the other.

Madam was probably, like me, not around to live under congress curfew restrictions. Otherwise she would not cast that spell that caged, quarantined or sequestered an entire motherland population into bondage. She had projected a power vacuum that would last some 72 hours.

Congresspeople live by 'earning a livelihood is stealing from state coffers.' Now that their hands are idle, they would turn those hands to the rented and container presses.

Those would be revamped into cacophony of media content. The osono governing hands can, thus, be expected to spend valuable public service time to manage abuse of media content. The devil in idle hands syndrome would manifest in congress permanent propaganda.

There are osono negatives in 'se oba a omma yennidi' (he won't condone chop chop) Whatever the case, we need independent disability schools funding. Osono's work is cut out; jobs, jobs for the jobless.

Jobs created are likely to have positive domino effect in increased tax revenue and consumption.

The reason for not doubting the promises was, as said by the economy prophet and source of 170 economic questions was that we are in a motherland sitting on gold (both litearally and figuratively) and yet suffering poverty.

Kufuor had performed wonders without oil money while with oil money we have been borrowing unwisely for grandiose economically less rewarding projects.

I don't want IMANI Franklin Cudjoe to descend on me and tell me to eat my unpleasant words because any of the one district one factory, one village one dam or free high school education has failed.

I wasn't very kind to him with my words when he said those promises could not be redeemed.

I am sure droba Addo wouldn't want that to happen to me either.

I don't know what Oko Abodwese can do or will be willing to do about reversing his name changing charge as mayor. Please give us back our Jubilee House, Ohene Djan Stadium and Accra International Airport.

By Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh




THE WHOLE Tema Metropolis has exploded into wild jubilation, moments after the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei declared the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the President-elect of the country.

Though the jubilation started the moment President John Dramani Mahama was reported to have conceded defeat, the euphoria hit a crescendo long before the Electoral Commissioner made the official announcement.

Nana Akufo-Addo defeated the incumbent President John Dramani Mahama and five other candidates in his third attempt at the presidency.

Out of 10,781609 total valid votes cast, Nana Akufo-Addo, according to the EC, polled 5,716,226 (53.85 per cent), while closest challenger, President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) polled 4,713,277 (44.40 per cent).

Flags of the NPP were visible at every corner of the three constituencies in Tema namely Tema West, East and Central as supporters of the party went to town with their excitement running across the streets of the central business district; Community One, Tema Newtown, Sakumono, Lashibi, Community 7, Community 4 among others, dancing to the partys campaign songs.

Interestingly, some other supporters were seen in the buckets of pick-up vehicles and motorcycles tooting their horns and blowing vuvuzela to mark the victory which had been long in coming.

Some excited supporters of NPP on the street to express their joy over the declaration.

NPP paraphernalia had completely become a hot cake as the party supporters rush to purchase them.

In Ashaiman, an NDC dominated area, scores of NPP supporters were seen openly jubilating after the declaration of Nana Akufo Addo's victory.

Some of the teeming supporters who spoke with the DAILY GUIDE noted that the victory was anticipated hence their over-excitement.

They indicated that though their Parliamentary Candidate Alhaji Labaran Yakubu Barry, was not able to recapture the seat from the NDC, they were enthused about the votes that the party polled.

Evaluating the overjoyed mood within the municipality, the jubilants claimed though they were sure of Nana's victory, they least expected President Mahama to concede defeat.

Prior to the declaration, party supporters in the metropolis were gripped with serious apprehension, waiting for almost 48 hours for the declaration of results of the presidential polls in the general election.

The delay saw many people staying glued to their radio and television sets waiting for the announcement from the EC Chairman.

While some people were monitoring the declaration of the election results on radio sets or their mobile phones, others could not take their eyes off their television sets in their homes and offices.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema
12.12.2016 LISTEN

Research and education think tank, Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) has called on Gambian President Mr. Yahya Jammeh to hand over power to President-Elect, Mr. Adama Barrow, when his term of office expires next month.

President Jammeh lost the election to Mr. Barrow last week and he accepted the results of the election and called Mr. Barrow to congratulate him on his victory. Barely one week after accepting the results, Mr. Jammeh backtracked saying he totally rejects the results of the election, and called for a new election.

Both the UN Security Council and African Union have called on Mr. Jammeh to hand over power to Mr. Barrow, with the UN Security Council saying that the transfer of power to Mr. Barrow should be unconditional. The African Union said Mr. Jammehs call for a fresh election is null and void.

A statement signed Mr. William Nyarko, Executive Director of ACILA said that Mr. Jammeh should respect the sovereign will of the people of Gambia as expressed in their vote rejecting a continuation of the 22-year rule of Mr. Jammeh.

He said that at this time, President Jammeh should focus his attention on helping to establish a transitional team to transfer power to Mr. Barrow in accordance with the Constitution of Gambia.

According to Mr. Nyarko, President Jammeh is welcome to go to court to challenge the results of the election if he believes that the election was allegedly rigged.

He said that Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia provides that any candidate who disputes the result of a presidential election should file a petition at the Supreme Court of the Gambia within ten days of the declaration of the result of the election for a determination, adding that Mr. Jammeh should follow the rule of law and file his petition at the Supreme Court.

Any registered political party which has participated in the Presidential election or an independent candidate who has participated in such an election may apply to the Supreme Court to determine the validity of the election of a President by filing a petition within ten days of the declaration of the result of the election, Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia.
The Secretary-General congratulates Nana Akufo-Addo on his election as President of Ghana. He thanks outgoing President John Dramani Mahama for his role in defusing tensions and preserving peace during the election period.

The Secretary-General congratulates the Ghanaian people, who turned out in large numbers to participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December. He also commends the Electoral Commission for the successful organisation of the elections.

The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue assisting the Government of Ghana in consolidating democratic and development achievements.
MASON CITY | The Mason City School Board has selected Dave Versteeg as the district's superintendent.

Versteeg, who has 30 years of experience in education, has been superintendent of Montezuma Schools since 2007. The 500-student district is located in southeastern Iowa.

The School Board during a 6:45 a.m. open meeting Thursday approved his appointment and contract for the 2017-18 academic year.

"I'm tremendously honored and humbled this board has given me the opportunity to lead Mason City Schools, which is an excellent school district," Versteeg said Thursday morning.

Versteeg will receive a salary of $172,500 his first year of employment, according to his contract, which begins July 1, 2017. The contract states the salary for his second year will be "mutually agreed upon."

His contract  two years, non-rolling  is typical of that offered to superintendents new to a district.

Versteeg's appointment and contract was approved 5-2, with board members Paul DeRoy and Scott Warren voting against the motions.

After the meeting, Warren said he voted the way he did because he was pleased with Interim Superintendent Mike Penca's performance.

"I thought Mike was a known commodity and felt very comfortable with him," Warren said. "I thought his performance was good enough."

DeRoy did not respond to two phone messages left by the Globe Gazette Thursday.

Board member Brent Seaton, who voted to approve Versteeg's appointment, said during the meeting he thought Penca's performance had been exemplary.

"Mr. Penca has done an excellent job through his time serving as superintendent," he said.

Other board members said during the meeting choosing between Versteeg and Penca was a difficult decision.

"This was not an easy thing for any of us," Board Vice President Lorrie Lala said, noting she based her decision on what she thought was best for Mason City Schools.

"In the end, I liked the experience Mr. Versteeg would bring to the district," she said.

Board President Janna Arndt said she was impressed with Versteeg turning around a district that was struggling financially and academically, while board member Jodi Draper said input from community stakeholder groups was her deciding factor.

Both candidates interviewed with two groups of community members, students, staff and administrators on Monday, who filled out evaluation forms.

"Versteeg seems like a very solid candidate," Arndt said after the meeting. "He's proven he can change things around at a school, and we're excited to work with him."

Penca will continue his position through June 30, 2017. It is unclear if his employment with Mason City Schools will continue after that date, as Arndt had no comment regarding his future with the district.

His previous position, executive director of learning supports and elementary programs, was filled after Penca became the district's interim leader in June 2016.

He has been with the district since 1995, working as a teacher, principal and district administrator. His wife, Kristine, is a longtime district educator who currently teaches fifth grade at Lincoln Intermediate.

In remarks he shared with district staff members later Thursday, Penca said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the Board's decision, that he would assist with the transition over the next six months, and that he'd be looking for another opportunity outside of Mason City Schools.

"When I review the qualities the Board, staff and community desired in a superintendent ... and when I reflect about the feedback I have received from the Board, staff and community during my six months as superintendent , it is challenging to accept the explanation of the decision coming down to responses to interview questions and years of experience as a superintendent," he said.

"I wish more focus had been given to how I have demonstrated those desired qualities and my leadership experience for many years right here in Mason City. I respect the Boards decision, understand it was not an easy one to make, and know they have the best interests of our students and community in mind."
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "I congratulate Nana Akufo-Addo on his election as President-elect of Ghana. I also pay tribute to John Dramani Mahama and the other Presidential candidates for their statesmanship in accepting the result and respecting the will of the Ghanaian people.

Through their peaceful conduct during the election, the people of Ghana have written the next chapter in Ghanas democracy, a democracy that continues to inspire people across the region and the continent.

The UK values the excellent partnership it has with Ghana and I look forward to working with the new President and his government."
Cairo (AFP) - Grief-stricken mourners gathered in Cairo on Monday for the funeral of 24 people killed when a blast tore through a Coptic church, in the deadliest attack on Egypt's Christian minority.

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the Egyptian flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Nasr City district a day after Sunday's tragedy.

A woman who lost two daughters in the bombing cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins while other mourners prayed silently.

Mourners gathered in Cairo for the funeral of 24 people killed when a blast tore through a Coptic church

The health ministry on Monday released a new toll saying that 24 people were killed in the bombing of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church, one more fatality than what was reported the previous day.

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The blast also wounded 45 people and 21 of them were still hospitalised, the ministry said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing but Coptic Christians who make up 10 percent of Egypt's mostly Muslim population of 90 million have been previously targeted by jihadists.

The blast shattered windows and scattered pews through the interior of the church, scorching its marble pillars.

Ball-bearing-sized shrapnel peppered the walls covered in icons of saints and destroyed a box that contained a saint's relics. Pools of blood congealed on the floor.

Damage following a bomb explosion at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on December 11, 2016

Security officials said they believed a bomb containing 12 kilos (26 pounds) of TNT appeared to have been the cause of the explosion.

"I was leaving the church and then I heard a loud explosion and there was a lot of smoke and people started running and screaming," Jackline Abdel Shahid, one of the survivors, said on Sunday.

"The ambulances started coming, and they kept bringing out body parts," she told AFP.

It was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi led a chorus of local and international condemnations, denouncing what he described as "the abhorrent terrorist attack".

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the head of Egypt's top Sunni Muslim authority Al-Azhar, condemned "a great crime against all Egyptians".

The European Union and Israel also offered their condolences and called for unity against "terrorism".
The Volta Association of Washington DC Inc. an association made up of Ewe speaking people from Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Southwest Nigeria held its end of year get together at the spacious Sligo Adventist school gym on Saturday December 10 2016.

This event also doubled as the investiture of the new administration to run the association for another two years.

In his speech to members, the outgoing president, Mr. Chris Nuworsoo, thanked all those who assisted him in his six years in leadership position in the association. He believes with the acquisition of a bus, the association should be challenged to look for a place of its own in the very near future. He charged the new administration to dream and think big in order to achieve set goals. Even though out of office, the president pledged his support when called upon at any time to work for the association.

The president, Dr. Faustina Quist, was sworn into office by Rev. Kennedy Odzafi while Rev. Dr. Peter Agbelie swore in the vice president, Kafui Agboh. The swearing in of the treasurer, Percy Amoah, was done by Pastor Newman Artcher.

In her inaugural address, the president thanked and praised the association for making it possible for women to occupy the high office since she is the second female president following in the foot steps of Dr. Doris Dzameshie the first female president. She acknowledged that the outgoing administration has really raised the bar and it is a challenge that her administration will handle to move the association to a higher level. Her goal is to engage in fundraising activities in order to get a Volta Association owned resource and youth center.

The president promised to raise fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more in her first year. She promised to start the fund raising activities from within the Volta Association before venturing out to the outside world.

Some members who dedicated their time to the works of the association were recognized and given plaques for efforts.

The get together was sponsored by Dr. Russell Jaffe, a philanthropist who has in the past contributed funds to help the association in her charity works. The MCs for the occasion were Edwin Agbonyitor, a past president, and Melba Dogbe-Folly, the outgoing vice president.
Minister of Health Alex Segbefia has said that though the health sector is faced with some challenges, government's transformational plan to reposition it for better service delivery is on course and remains intact.

I will not hide the fact that the health service in the country is beset with problems, but government's vision to transform this sector into one capable of fulfilling its mandate is intact, he said.

We have had a series of setbacks as a result of dissatisfaction with salaries and allowances, he said during the induction ceremony of 252 newly-qualified doctors and dentists by the Medical & Dental Council.

Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that we are where we are because we have had to respond to threats to industrial actions from health workers. And if we have to learn from the past, then we should learn to solve problem systematically and to ensure that we plug all loop holes as we define these solutions, he said.

He expressed hope that with the commitment from government and health workers, issues of strike actions would become a thing of the past.

Mr Segbefia expressed regret that preventable and curative childhood and communicable diseases were still available, while maternal mortality continues to pose a major problem.

Another area of concern is the upsurge of non-communicable diseases, road traffic injuries which are or have come to take up the top five positions of common causes of mortality, he said.

The government is pursuing regenerative health and nutrition programmes, creating change agents within communities to support healthier lifestyles, good eating habits and improved sanitation.

We have adopted this approach simply because as a developing country we have started feeling the effect of a silent epidemic of non-communicable disease, in addition to the communicable ones, Mr Segbefia mentioned.

He warned that if action was not taken now we may get to a situation where our entire health budget will be swallowed by the treatment of lifestyle diseases which could have been avoided at no cost.

He said the ministry was concerned with the growing health service gap between urban and rural communities, estimating that about 52 percent of doctors were in the Greater Accra Region.

The figure escalates to around 78 percent when Ashanti, Eastern and Central regions are added.

It is sad to state that there are only six Ghanaian doctors serving a population of about a million in the Upper West Region, he said.

In order to bridge the gap, he said the Tamale Teaching Hospital would serve as a base for health workforce who will, in turn, serve the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.

He commended the College of Physicians & Surgeons and the West Africa Postgraduate Colleges for their role in the retention of health professions in the country.

Because of the well-structured programmes of these colleges, a good number of doctors have as at now been attracted to stay and undertake their specialisations in Ghana, he said.

Dr Eli Kwasi, Registrar of the Medical & Dental Council, said the inductees qualified after years of training and have gone through a programme on ethics, law and medical jurisprudence organised by the council.

The inductees will be issued with provisional registration certificates to enable them to undertake their two year's housemanship in accredited institutions, a prerequisite for permanent registration.

The 252 inductees bring the number of doctors released this year by the council to about 600. The figure excludes hundreds of physician assistants trained in the health sector.

GNA
The streets of London is no exception from the wild jubilation across Ghana following the overwhelming victory of Ghana's President-Elect, William Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after a successful third attempt to securing power at last week's General Elections

The UK NPP today took to the streets of London to celebrate the victory of the President elect and the NPP.

Speaking to Omegahause TV, the leadership and the members expressed so much happiness about the victory amidst the tension and the fear which preceded the declaration of the results by the Electoral Commission Chair, Madam Charlotte Osei.

The NPP groups admonished the incoming president to stay faithful to his promises and pledged their full support for the big cause ahead of Ghana.
The Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu congratulating the President and Vice President-Elect

The Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has called on the President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to direct all supporters of the New Patriotic Party to stop the attacks on NDC members.

There are reports of widespread attacks on members of the ruling NDC across the country following the defeat of the party in the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections.

The Police has subsequently called on the jubilant members of the NPP to cease the attacks, while President John Mahama has ordered the security agencies to arrest the hooligan supporters.

Reports on Monday indicated that another NDC member has been killed in the Western region by an NPP supporter after an argument.

Congratulating the President-elect at his Nima residence Monday, Sheikh Aremeyaw who read the Chief Imams message on his behalf urged Nana Addo to speak and call his supporters to order.

Your Excellency, the current president has expressed concern about some things ongoing across the country and in the interest of our country we also want to add a voice that if such things are going on then we want you to add a voice so that such things are stopped.

The Chief Imam also assured the President-elect of his utmost support and prayers throughout his presidency.

Mr. Akufo-Addo defeated President John Mahama in last week's election with a landslide victory securing 53.85% of the votes while his main rival got 44.40%. Turnout was at 68.62%, according to the Electoral Commission.

-Starrfmonline
The President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has indicated one of his initial priorities would be to establish the Office of a Special Prosecutor as part of measures to deal with corruption.

The move, according to him was intended to separate politics from criminal investigations.

Nana Addo won last week's Presidential Elections convincingly by a 54 per cent margin as against incumbent President John Mahama's 44 percent, a first time a President has failed to win re-election in Ghana.

In his first media interview with the BBC's Akwasi Sarpong which was monitored by Graphic Online, Nana Addo talked about his top priorities as President.

Tackling corruption

A big part of Nana Addo's presidential campaign was about uprooting corruption and when Akwasi Sarpong asked him how he intends to deal with that and does he intend to prosecute people from the previous administration, Nana Addo said: We have decided that as much as possible we want to take the politics out of it.

He said they have put out a number of ideas which were in their [NPP] manifesto and in the things that I'm saying about institutional reforms, personal examples that myself and leaders of our party and government have to give, it's a mix of ideas that we believe will go a long way to reducing the incidents of corruption in our national life.

Special Prosecutor

This, according to Nana Addo was to ensure that, screams of witch-hunting etc. don't arise by establishing an Office of Special Prosecutor of somebody who will be independent of the Executive and somebody whose remits will be to investigate and tackle issues of corruption.

 and hopefully that person is going to be somebody who commands respect of the society and at the same time has an independent mind to make the decisions.

What we have to be careful of in our situation is, one, to witch-hunt, but at the same time, we ought not to give the impression that those of us in political life are somewhat have some sort of immunity from investigation merely because we are politicians, I don't think that will be right, we are citizens of Ghana first and foremost, he noted.

Economy

Nana Addo also indicated his plans to tackle the economy saying turning around the economy would be his top priority.

When asked how he felt about winning the elections, he said, First of all I was grateful to Ghanaians for giving me the opportunity and also for the fact that the issues that I thought were the issues facing our people have been endorsed by them, that I was right in my analysis of where we are and what we needed to do and what the problems were.

I don't want to sound smart but it is a certain satisfaction for a politician when your analysis is proven right by events.

When asked what were his top priorities, Nana Addo said, It has to be to get our economy moving again. The Ghanaian economy has been in a nose-dive for the last five years, low growth, widespread unemployment, huge debts, that's the reality of our situation in Ghana, and especially the unemployment among the youth has reached alarming proportions and if we don't find a method of dealing with it, our country will  be running towards all kinds of problems along the line.

Appointees

Giving hints of who was likely to be part of his government, Nana Addo said his appointees have to have the fundamental connect to the group of ideas that are set out in the manifesto.

Secondly of court, their competence, their capacity to master the briefs that are going to be given to them and carry them out.

Thirdly the commitment to the Ghana Project, the loyalty to Ghana, you are coming to work for the people of Ghana and not for yourself.

-Daily Graphic
Accra, Monday December 13, 2016 The Young Diplomats of Ghana (YDG) congratulates all Ghanaians both home and abroad for another peaceful and successful election in the countrys 4th Republic. This is a strong indication of Ghanas growth and commitment to democracy and sustainable development. This also raises the countrys credentials as a matured democracy on the international stage.

We congratulate President - elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo - Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for emerging as the peoples choice to run the affairs of the country for the next four years. We hope to see Ghana maximizing the potentials of its foreign policy and diplomatic relations for the sustainable development of the country.

YDG also congratulates President John Mahama for accepting and respecting the outcome of the elections. We are humbled by his congratulatory call to the President elect even before the official announcement of the winner by the Electoral Commission. This is the hallmark of a 21st century leader and an inspiration to us, as young leaders.

We commend the Electoral Commission for living up to its constitutional mandate. We further acknowledge and applaud the media, civil society organizations, the numerous foreign observer and diplomatic missions, and all others who contributed to a successful and transparent election.

We look forward to working with the President - elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo - Addo and the government on building and implementing policies that reflect the viewpoint and aspiration of young Ghanaians.

The Young Diplomats of Ghana (YDG) is a non-governmental and non-profit network that seeks to advance the development of a new generation of aspiring leaders and diplomats in Ghana, and to build their advocacy experience.
Ghanaians have chosen their leaders on the 7th of December, 2016 in yet another peaceful elections worthy of emulation by many other countries around the World particularly in Africa. Indeed, democracy has come to stay and we believe that unorthodox methods of ascending to power belong to history as far as Ghana is concerned. AASU is very proud of Ghana and Ghanaians for yet another milestone in Africa success story.

Ghana is for sure going to attain new heights with lot more successes that will contribute immensely in propelling the African continent on the path of peace, democracy and sustainable development. Africans expected successful elections in Ghana and it has made it! Congratulations!

The election of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is not a surprise because his efforts and dedications have been manifested in years of struggle for democracy, human rights, peace and justice to prevail, and for Ghana to be a pacesetter for other African countries.

AASU would like to use this opportunity, to express our heartfelt congratulations to him on his ascension to the highest seat of the presidency of Ghana. We believe that his profound experiences in politics locally and internationally and commitments to Africas advancement will positively impact on the efforts geared towards the integration of the African continent, and particularly the west African sub-region.

Lets celebrate Ghanas success!

Continue breaking your own records! Congrats!

Awaah Fred

(Secretary General)

[email protected]/[email protected] ; +233(0)243101626
The police administration says it has deployed more of its men to guard public places as the post-election violence in certain parts of the country continues.

The Service is appalled at the destruction of these public properties and wants to do everything possible to protect them.

Director of Public Affairs of the Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur told Joy News Seth Kwame Boateng in an interview it is interesting that the very facilities that we have been craving for and our leaders provide us with, when we get the opportunity we try to destroy them.

We have personnel of the police deployed all over and they are patrolling and providing protection for all these facilities, he added.

The aftermath of the announcement of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo as president elect has been characterized by clashes and destruction of public properties.

As of Monday morning, the toll booth at the Ashaiman end of the Accra, Tema Motorway was allegedly raided by members of the vigilante group linked to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Also, two incidents in Ekumfi and Upper Denkyira have led to the death of one person and several others injured after clashes in the area between supporters of the NDC and the NPP.

But the police say they will have none of that. Sup. Arthur said they will leave no stone unturned and anyone found culpable will be duly punished.

He however noted that their presence does not mean total absence of crime, insisting, security means that cutting down on crime drastically and where crimes occur, action is taken to bring perpetrators to book.

He noted that according to their intelligence, most of the incidents have supporters of the NPP masterminding the violence but it is a two-way affair.

He said the Service will hold a meeting and discuss the occurrences and further actions will be taken where necessary.

He urged members of the public who feel threatened to report to the police for personal protection.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | NSA
Silly me.

As I write this, I can already hear the clamor of righteous indignation.

In this most unusual year, a group that started out ranting about special interests has now become one.

Opponents of the proposed Prestage pork processing plant began as a loose-knit set of individuals passionate in their belief that the plant was a bad idea, to put it mildly.

They vowed to fight what they considered the special interests that backed the plan  the North Iowa Corridor EDC, the Chamber of Commerce, city officials.

As time went on, they became more organized, helped locally by the likes of former councilman Max Weaver who rallied them prior to council meetings and provided guidance on what to expect. They got help from outside individuals and organizations too, such as the Des Moines-based Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

Before long, a People versus Prestage element launched on Facebook, providing educational information on environmental issues and publicizing local events.

There is nothing about any of this that is immoral, illegal or fattening. In fact, the movement they created is impressive. And it got results. The 3-3 City Council decision May 3 that killed the Prestage project was buoyed at least in part by the public uprising.

Councilman Bill Schickel, who voted against it, said he saw a lot of merit to the project but it needed the support of the community to make it work  and it didnt have it.

But something interesting has occurred after the council vote. Many of the anti-Prestage people have set their sights on changing the political makeup of the City Council.

Not long after the vote, CCI personnel went on social media, urging their followers in Mason City to come up with good candidates for the next city elections. With the untimely death of Alex Kuhn in July, an election came up sooner than expected.

Eight candidates ran in September, including Weaver. Seven opposed Prestage  all except for Andy OBrien.

The anti-Prestage people painted OBrien as a pawn of the special interests who favored the Prestage proposal. OBrien tip-toed around on the issue while Adams said he was firmly against it.

Adams won with 70 percent of the vote, an indication his support was wide and not attributed solely to his opposition to Prestage. But it was certainly a factor and the anti-Prestage people are jubilant, judging from their Facebook posts.

Now they have set their sights on the city elections next year in which the terms of Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and Councilpersons Janet Solberg, Travis Hickey and Bill Schickel are up.

Some of them treat Bookmeyer, Solberg and Hickey, supporters of the Prestage plan, as evil people who must be replaced  all based on the one issue which is over and done with.

This is their right. They have shown their clout and they are flexing their muscles which, in politics, is nothing new.

But I think Paul Adams knows Prestage is behind us and there are a whole range of issues ahead of us that require bringing people together, not sniping at them.

In the meantime, a hearty group of individuals who once disdained special interests has become one.

Silly me.
The National Peace Council has condemned in strong terms acts of vandalism reported across the country following the victory of New Patriotic Party (NPP) in last Wednesdays polls.

The Council has wondered why supporters of both the victorious party and governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) will disturb the stability of the country, despite the peace that characterised the election process.

Council Chairman, Professor Reverend Emmanuel Asante said such acts are barbaric that should not be encouraged in the country.

Hours after the Electoral Commission (EC) announced NPP's Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the President-Elect for the country, there were reports of assaults and vandalism allegedly perpetuated by NPP supporters.

Government properties such as power installations and buildings were destroyed. The toll booth on the Tema Motorway was set ablaze on Monday.

NPP supporters were said to have taken over public toilets, district Youth Employment Agencies (YEA) as well as the Youth Enterprise Support (YES) offices.

President John Mahama in his speech at the Transition meeting on Sunday expressed his disappointment with the act, directing the police administration to arrest individuals who are found assaulting innocent Ghanaians.

The NPP leadership has also condemned the acts urging its supporters to desist from behaviors that will destabilise the peace the country is enjoying.

But Prof Rev. Asante does not see why NPP supporters will also do their own Transition by seizing government offices in the various districts and Regions.

"This is contrary to the law," he said, adding Ghanaians need to outgrow from such acts that do not help the general peace of the country.

"We need to go forward. Please respect other people and in your jubilation do not create the situation we seem to be hearing," he said.

He, however, did not rule out acts of mischief spearheaded by supporters of the governing party to paint the NPP as a violent party.

"There are people who will deliberately want to create a situation by 'give the dog a bad name and hang it' which they know it is not true," he said.

He urged supporters of both the NPP and NDC to protect the peace of the country. "The dust must prevail," he said, adding, "Ghanaians must work together to build the country."

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers
The Finland branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) convey the warmest congratulations to the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Vice President-elect, Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, for their victory and election to the highest offices of the Republic of Ghana in the just-ended general elections on 7 December 2016.

NPP-Finland also congratulates all NPP candidates who got voted into the next parliament. To those who were not successful, we wish them better luck next time.

Similarly, NPP Finland applauds all the Executives, from the national to the local level, groups, ordinary members of NPP as well as all sympathizers for their support, hard work and vigilance which has ensured this historic victory.

We would like to thank all Ghanaians for reposing their confidence in Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP by voting massively for our great Elephant party to initiate the processes for the much-needed positive change, progress and development in Ghana.

Ghana and Ghanaians deserve better. NPP Finland is confident that an NPP government under the able and competent leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo and his team will deliver. We in NPP Finland express our readiness to work with the President-elect and the leadership of NPP.

Our President-elect is an incorruptible person and we know he will select capable peoplemen and women who fear God/Allah, and who hate dishonest gains. Nana Addo and the NPP have the men and women to move Ghana forward from the doldrums that the heartless National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has plunged the nation into.

We applaud our sister Diaspora NPP branches across the globe for their unflinching support to ensure this rewarding electoral victory.

We commend the Electoral Commission, its staff, and all who worked to conduct this peaceful election in Ghana.

In the same vein, we applaud the support and diligence of the election observers, both national and international, for their vigilance in ensuring a peaceful process.

Finally, while people have every right to celebrate this sweet electoral victory we appeal to them to do so with circumspect.

Long live Nana Akufo-Addo, the President-elect! Long live the NPP!! Long live Ghana!!!

NPP Finland Branch

Helsinki, Finland
Cairo (AFP) - Egypt said Monday it had arrested four people suspected of involvement in a devastating bombing on a Cairo Coptic church, as grief-stricken mourners gathered for the funeral of the 24 dead.

The bombing at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church on Sunday was the deadliest attack in recent memory on the Christian minority, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, speaking at the funeral for those killed, said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who had been identified as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offers his condolences to Coptic Pope Tawadros II after a funeral for the victims of a church bombing in Cairo, on December 12, 2016

"He blew himself up inside the church" with an explosive belt, Sisi said.

One of the four people arrested was a woman, Sisi said, and authorities were looking for two other suspects he did not identify.

Speaking to the Coptic Church's pope, Tawadros II, during the funeral, Sisi said: "We would not have been able to come to you today, your holiness, before getting some information."

The health ministry on Monday released a new death toll of 24 killed in the bombing of the church, one more fatality than what was reported the previous day.

Damage following a bomb explosion at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on December 11, 2016

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing but Coptic Christians have been previously targeted in Egypt.

Sisi leads mourners

Mourners gathered in Cairo for the funeral of 24 people killed when a blast tore through a Coptic church

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the Egyptian flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Nasr City district on Monday.

A woman who lost two daughters in the bombing cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins while other mourners prayed silently.

In the streets of Nasr City, Sisi and Tawadros led mourners dressed in black behind soldiers carrying the coffins of the victims.

Troops marched in unison to the sound of military music.

Damage is visible following a bomb blast at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on December 11, 2016

"This blow has caused us a lot of pain, but never will we let it break us," Sisi said.

Sunday's blast shattered windows and scattered pews through the interior of the church, scorching its marble pillars.

Security officials said they believed a bomb containing 12 kilos (26 pounds) of TNT appeared to have been the cause of the explosion.

It was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

Copts have faced persecution and discrimination dating back to the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

Islamists in August 2013 attacked churches and homes of Copts in retaliation for the dispersal by security forces of Cairo protest camps set up by supporters of Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist president deposed by then-army chief Sisi.

In October 2011, almost 30 people -- mostly Coptic Christians -- were killed after the army charged at a protest in Cairo to denounce the torching of a church in southern Egypt.
The Honourable Stephane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement regarding the presidential election in Ghana:

Canada congratulates Nana Akufo-Addo on his election to the presidency of Ghana and congratulates all Ghanaians for holding transparent and democratic elections in a calm and respectful manner on December 7.

Canada also thanks President John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to democracy, prosperity and development in Ghana and in the Economic Community of West African States and for fostering Ghanas close partnership with Canada.

We look forward to working with the newly elected president of Ghana to continue to advance our shared democratic values and commitment to multilateralism and inclusion, as well as to create opportunities for, and partnerships between, Ghanaians and Canadians.
President Jacob Zumas long-overdue announcement that the government is ready to pay compensation to the victims of the 2012 Marikana tragedy is an important development towards achieving justice for the victims and their families, Amnesty International said today.

The President also announced that some members of the South African Police Service are facing criminal charges for their role in the killings of 44 people during the wage dispute between Lonmin mine and its striking employees in August 2012.

While the compensation for the loss of life and livelihoods for the tragic events of that fateful week in August 2012 is a welcome step forward, four years was much too long for the survivors and their families to wait, said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty Internationals Director for Southern Africa.

The government must act swiftly to finalize the payment and ensure effective remedies and justice for the 44 lives lost.

The announcement is in line with the recommendations of the Farlam Commission which was set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the killing of 44 people in Marikana between 13 and 16 August 2012.

President Zuma has also threatened to suspend the mining license of Lonmin Plc if it fails to comply with its Social Labour Plans, as it has promised, to deliver housing for its workforce as it has done in the past.

Almost four months ago, Amnesty International revealed that Lonmin broke its own promise to deliver 5,500 houses for its workforce. Its high time the government held the company to account for failing to uphold its decade-old commitment to its Social Labour Plans.

Background

On 16 August 2012 the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) fatally shot 34 men at Marikana.

Ten other men died in the days leading up to the killings.

More than 70 others sustained serious injuries. The men were Lonmins employees and had been engaged in strike and protest action over low pay and poor conditions at the mine.

On 15 August 2016, Amnesty International released a report, Smoke and mirrors: Lonmins failure to address housing conditions at Marikana , detailing how approximately 20,000 miners working for Lonmin at Marikana are living in squalor in spite of legally binding commitments made by the company to build more houses.
The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Shaributu, has urged President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo to call his New Patriotic Party (NPP), supporters to order, following reported cases of violent conduct after the partys election victory.

He contends that the recent cases of alleged intimidation and attacks on supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) could disturb the peaceful transition of power in the country.

Sheikh Shaibu, Spokesperson to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, spoke on behalf of the Chief Imam when he paid a courtesy call on President-Elect Nana Akufo Addo at his residence in Nima earlier today [Monday].

He said that; Such things, if they are truly going on, then probably your [Nana Akufo-Addos] voice could also help to ameliorate the problem so we can have a very peaceful transition in the interest of our country.

The Chief Imam also hailed the NPP Flagbearer for the conciliatory tone of his victory speech, which he said gave ample testimony of Nana Akufo-Addos commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

This election victory did not come out of nothing. It was the outcome of strong determination, faith in God, tenacity of purpose and good planning throughout the long period of you struggled to assume the leadership of our great nation.

Whilst rejoicing with you and your party, we equally wish to assure you of our continuous prayers and support throughout your entire tenure as the president of our dear land, Sheikh Shaibu added on behalf of the Chief Imam.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Council adopted conclusions on South Sudan, in light of the profoundly disturbing developments in the country. The Council called on all parties to lay down their arms and to take decisive steps to end violence, as a last chance for political and military leaders to avoid the resumption of war, to spare their people further suffering and to find a just and inclusive political settlement of their differences.

The Council called upon the transitional government to uphold its responsibility for the protection of civilians and on all parties to put an end to violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law.
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (11 December) on the bombing in the Somali capital Mogadishu that claimed many lives:

"We were shocked to hear of another deadly bombing in the Somali capital Mogadishu for which the Islamist terror militia al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility.

The German Government condemns this new attack in the strongest possible terms. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

The frequent attacks by al-Shabaab, primarily against civilian targets, are nothing but a cynical war against its own people. Al-Shabaab is crippling the countrys economic development and humanitarian relief for the population.

At the same time, it has so far not succeeded in blocking Somalias continued stabilisation or sabotaging its current electoral process.

The German Government is supporting Somalias development in a wide range of ways. It is conducting development cooperation; providing humanitarian aid; supporting the establishment of a federal system, the constitutional process and the police force; and working to foster the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of fighters."
The Council prolonged the mandate of its two CSDP missions in Somalia, the civilian mission of capacity building EUCAP and the military training mission EUTM, both until 31 December 2018. The Council renamed the capacity building mission EUCAP Nestor "EUCAP Somalia".

The objective of EUCAP Somalia is to assist this country in strengthening its maritime security capacity, so that maritime law is enforced more effectively. The EU military mission EUTM Somalia contributes to the capacity building of Somali National Army (SNA).

The EU has a comprehensive approach in Somalia based on active diplomacy and support to the political process, security support, development assistance and humanitarian aid. It aims to tackle both the symptoms and root causes of piracy. The EU support includes the two missions prolonged today, as well as EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta, the EU military operation countering piracy off the coast of Somalia. The operation was prolonged on 28 November 2016 until 31 December 2018.

EUCAP Somalia

The Council prolonged the mission until 31 December 2018. The mission is tasked with enhancing Somalia's maritimecivilian law enforcement capacity, for example, reinforcing the Somali capacity to carry out fisheries inspections, counter smuggling and fight piracy, supporting Somali authorities in developing the necessary legislation and strengthening the criminal justice chain in the maritime domain, and providing training and equipment.

EUCAP Nestor (now EUCAP Somalia) was launched in July 2012. Its mandate was to assist countries from the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean regions developaself-sustaining capacity for continued enhancement of maritime security, including counter-piracy and maritime governance. It was decided that the mission should focus on Somalia, which is now reflected in the renaming of the mission. The head of the mission is Maria-Cristina Stepanescu (Romania). EUTM Somalia

The EU military mission contributes to the capacity building of Somali National Army with the three pillar approach, training, mentoring and advising.EUTM Somalia was also prolonged until 31 December 2018, with a budget of close to 23 million for the period from 1 January 2017 until 31 December 2018. It aims to contribute to strengthening the transitional federal government and the defence and security institutions of this country. The mission commander is Brigadier General Maurizio Morena (Italy).
A terrorist attack that hit Mogadishu seaport in Somalia yesterday has left dozens of casualties and many more wounded.

The EU expresses its condolences to the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

Al-Shabaab has targeted the civilian population who have already paid a heavy price in a country affected by decades of war.

These actions come at a moment that Somalia shows hope: the electoral process Somalia has embarked upon is a step towards a future to benefit the Somali population as a whole. The EU, a long-term partner to Somalia, stands ready to accompany the country on this road.
President-elect Donald Trumps decision to name Terry Branstad as the U.S. ambassador to China makes sense on many levels, and should be a plus for Iowa, the nation and hopefully international relations, as well as a terrific honor for the man.

We havent always agreed with Iowas long-serving governor. Through the years we have at various times endorsed him and at other times endorsed his opponents, depending on who he was running against and what the issues were at the moment. We havent always agreed with his policies and proposals while hes been in office, either. One of our strongest disagreements recently has been in his support for Trump for president.

But we have never doubted Branstads sincerity, or his belief that he was acting in what he believed was the best interests of Iowans. Nor have we ever doubted his skills as a politician.

And we have always considered him one of our own. Branstad was born and raised in Leland and graduated from Forest City High School. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, serving a stint in the Army then receiving his law degree from Drake, he returned to North Iowa to start a law practice in Lake Mills before beginning his political career.

Branstad is an Iowa boy through and through, and has excelled at every level of state politics. Now we will see if he can transfer the talents and skills he has developed leading a small, rural agricultural state, to the world stage where his new home will be in Beijing, one of the worlds largest cities, situated in the planets most populous nation. Talk about culture shock.

Although he has had some experience with national politics, including a term as chairman of the National Governors Association and service on various national boards, its hard to imagine the change in responsibilities and focus that the job of ambassador to China will require.

Everything we know about our governor leads us to hope he will be up to the task. He is a pragmatist and a problem-solver, and is at his best one-on-one or with small groups. Hes smart and hes focused.

Trumps decision to appoint Branstad may surprise some, but its logical to those who see the bigger picture. Many of the reasons have been widely reported already, starting with Branstads long and real friendship with the man who is now president of China, Xi Jinping.

Xi and Branstad first met in 1985 when Branstad was in his first term as governor and Xi was a rising star in Chinese politics, at that time involved in agriculture and looking for ways to increase production in his region.

He met Branstad while visiting Iowa on a sister-state friendship visit and ag tour. The two shared a love of agriculture and hit it off. When Xi returned to the U.S. in 2012 as Chinas vice president and presumptive presidential successor, he made it a point to return to Iowa between visits to the east and west coasts. He was effusive in his praise of Iowa hospitality and his warm memories of his first visit here, and Branstad hosted and toasted Xi in an elaborate state dinner.

In addition to Xis visits here, Branstad has made several trade mission trips to China, including a visit later in 2012 at Xis invitation.

Beyond that personal friendship, Iowa has very real financial ties to China, selling more than $2 billion in goods and $273 million in services to that country in 2015, including $1.4 billion in crops, principally soybeans and corn.

Trump has shown himself to value loyalty above all other traits, and Branstad jumped on the Trump bandwagon early and whole-heartedly. His son Eric led the Trump campaign effort in Iowa, helping turn a state that had supported Barack Obama twice into the largest Republican majority since Ronald Reagan.

So the appointment isnt such a surprise after all.

In addition to being a nice exclamation point to an already impressive career for Branstad, the appointment also performs the not insignificant task of giving Iowa its first female chief executive.

While widely expected to try to follow in Branstads footsteps when he decided to quit running for re-election, this appointment will give Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds a direct path to the governors office, and likely a boost if she decides to run for the office on her own.

(Reynolds will become the third women recently to break new ground in the state, following the election of Joni Ernst as Iowas first female U.S. senator and North Iowas own Rep. Linda Upmeyer as the states first female speaker of the House  a trend that should cause Democrats who would like to claim the gender high ground no small amount of soul-searching.)

The relationship between the United States and the worlds second most powerful country is immensely important  politically, economically and militarily, as well as in the crucial areas of human rights and climate change. Managing that relationship will need steadiness and thoughtfulness, especially now with a new president who appears eager to re-examine its boundaries.

As Branstad put it, Chinese bilateral relationship is at a critical point. Ensuring the countries with the two largest economies and two largest militaries in the world maintain a collaborative and cooperative relationship is needed more now than ever.

He said the "respect and admiration built over a decades-old friendship" between President Xi and him would give him "an opportunity to help the President-elect and serve Iowa, the United States and the world for the better.

Were proud that the governor of Iowa has been tabbed for such an important role. Were confident he has the potential to perform admirably, and we sincerely wish him success and happiness in this new chapter of his life.
The Hague (AFP) - The European Union on Sunday reached an agreement with the Malian government aimed at enabling the return of migrants who have reached Europe's shores, and whose asylum requests have been refused.

"It is the first time the EU establishes such a precise mechanism with an African country with regards to returning failed asylum seekers," said a statement from the Dutch foreign ministry, which signed a joint declaration on the EU's behalf.

The declaration seeks to fight "the root causes of illegal migration" and to "enable the return from Europe of Malian migrants", the statement said.

The agreement came after a summit in the Maltese capital Valletta in November 2015, when EU leaders agreed with their African counterparts to set up a 1.8-billion-euro ($1.9-billion) fund to help address the root causes of migration.

In return, African countries would step up border controls and accept the repatriation of those who make it to Europe but are judged to have no right to remain.

The EU-Mali declaration lays the foundations for schemes to help young people find work, and seeks to strengthen the country's security forces.

In addition, Mali and neighbouring states are expected to step up the fight against people-smugglers while improving their border security.

A total of nine projects, with a budget of 145.1 million euros, were adopted.

Under the declaration, "Malian civil servants will travel to EU member states to help determine the identity of migrants, in order to accelerate their return," the statement said.

The number of migrants from African nations -- including Mali, Nigeria and The Gambia -- who risk their lives at sea in a desperate bid to reach Europe has increased considerably in recent years, official figures show.

The EU-Mali agreement, which will be presented in Brussels on Monday, is "necessary", according to Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country held the EU's rotating presidency earlier this year.

"Young Malians have so much to give to their country. We must help stop Malians travelling to North Africa or Europe from losing their lives or falling into the hands of people smugglers," he added.
12.12.2016 LISTEN

At the end of the day it is our wish that neither major political party gets a nodding largess from popular sovereignty, for Ghanaians deserve a non-establishment political party which has been free from the seismic scandals of public corruption commonly associated with their duopolistic system.

Looking at the gargantuan scale of public corruption recorded thus far in the contemporary political inventories of both the NPP and the NDC, Ghanaians will be best advised to look elsewhere for salvation.

This is never about the devil you know is better than the angel you dont know. Rather, it is about the Woyomenomics you know is not better than the Cocainenomics you know!" (Francis Kwarteng, Will Kufuor Vote for Akufo-Addo, Ghanaweb, Dec. 7, 2016).

THE MORAL AND POLITICAL CHALLENGE FOR GHANAIANS

Do Ghanaians Really Want Change?

This titular question is as important as ever. It is important because it represents an insightful vista of the stock-still political psychology of the Ghanaian electorate.

In other words, why Ghanaians keep returning the same political criminals to power is difficult to explain.

From the exclusive perspective of the Fourth Republic, which of the two major political parties has added value to the standard of living and quality of life of Ghanaians citizens? Of the state?

Absolutely none.

The Fourth Republic has been plagued by the politics of the belly, prebendalism, crony capitalism, public corruption, idiocracy, technocratic mediocrity, political ethnocentrism, and kleptomaniacal democracy among others.

These elements, in fact, constitute the underlying thrusts of the political philosophies of the two major parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Party (NDC), regardless of their always laying claim to neo-liberalism and democratic socialism, respectively.

Neo-liberalism and democratic socialism in the Ghanaian body politic are merely different labels for the same idea of political economykleptomaniacal democracy. The neocolonial leadership of the Fourth Republic has consistently failed to make any significant impact in the life of the average Ghanaian.

The NPP and the NDC are known for playing political games with the feeble minds of Ghanaians, through their respective ideological manufacture of such tendentiously convenient, although empty, labels and rhetoric.

As a matter of fact, neither of these two parties cares for national development or the living conditions of the masses.

From Rawlings, to Kufuor, to Mills, and to Mahama, none did anything worthwhile for the nation and its citizens.

Akufo-Addo will be no different. More particularly so too we have not produced a single progressive, visionary leadership since the birth of the Fourth Republic.

Akufo-Addo is cut from the same stale, morally unimpressionable and dirty cloth of ruling elites. So we will not jubilate as others are doing now! We will wait for four or eight more years for this jubilation assessment. Significantly, until then we see this new day as a day to mourn the future of Ghana.

We know for a fact that Akufo-Addo cannot make Ghana a developed country in a million years because his party, the NPP, and his colleagues in the other party, the NDC, have managed to squander every available opportunity and the vast wealth of the state to the detriment of national development.

The government of which he was an influential member, and a founding member, too, the NPP for that matter, had all the money in the world as well as incontinent Western-Asian patronage, the men and the women, and relatively low debt burden, yet this corrupt government failed to deliver in terms of national development. Not even the standard of life and quality of life of the masses significantly improved.

We are not saying Akufo-Addo is Kufuor or will be Kufuorfar from it, yet it is this same degenerately corrupt NPP-driven government that Akufo-Addo is definitely going to draw philosophical inspiration and political leadership from, not forgetting that the offices of the Attorney General/Foreign Ministry which he, Akufo-Addo, occupied as part of the corrupt Kufuor administration perhaps also happened to qualify as one of the most corrupt in the nations political history.

At the end of the day we will not congratulate Akufo-Addo on his landslide victory. We have never done this before for any elected leader in the Fourth Republic and will not break this cherished tradition for the sake of Akufo-Addo. We shall therefore defer any congratulatory message to the enlightened wisdom of the future where, possibly, four or eight years hence, the benefit of hindsight will offer us a wider window into the balance sheet of his legacy.

For now, it is the substance of his political stewardship during the tenure of his presidency and what he can do to improve the living conditions of the masses that should be of utmost interest to us. After all what has congratulatory messages done to improve the standard of living and quality of life of the masses? It is mostly thosehis inner circle of family members, political patrons, close friendswho stand to gain from his presidency who should be congratulating him.

Our shameful schadenfreude duopoly has not inured to the benefit of the average Ghanaian.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

You can fool some people sometimes, but you cant fool all the people all the time (Bob Marley, Get Up, Stand Up).

The rejection of the Mahama administration after just one term in office may not necessarily have everything to do with the Ghanaian elector being a discerning political animal.

In other words the electoral coup detat against the NDC is a subtle or nuanced celebration of the status quo.

For instance, what policy measures are Akufo-Addo and Bawumia going to put in place to prevent the underground cocaine economy from propping the national economy as it did under the Kufuor presidency?

What are Bawumia and Akufo-Addo going to put in place to completely eliminate or minimize cronyism and nepotism from their government, different from or unlike corrupt Kufuors government, a government that never counted amongst the best in the world?

The second question is of utmost importance to us because the booming underground cocaine economy under the Kufuor presidency eventually came to play some quantitative and qualitative role in reclassifying Ghana as a Middle Income polity and also as one of the worlds fastest growing economies.

Are they going to continue to rebase GDP figures with cooked-up statistical data as happened under both the presidencies of Kufuor and Mahama, just to give the impression that the economy is doing well when it is actually not?

Are they going to move past the cosmetic and grossly unsustainable achievements chalked under the Kufuor presidency, of which Bawumia and Akufo-Addo played their parts?

Are Akufo-Addo and Bawumia willing to create a special office for an independent prosecutor who will investigate them, the two of them, investigate and prosecute all those believed to have been involved in serious allegations of political corruption committed during the Kufuor Mahama presidencies?

What specific roles did Akufo-Addo and the leadership of the NPP on the one hand and on the other, President Mahama and the leadership of the NDC actually play in giving away our wealth to foreigners? And if so, finally, how are they going to renegotiate the mineral wealth and gas/oil resources which both the NDC and the NPP have signed away to foreign interest on the cheap?

Akufo-Addo and Bawumia need just 18 months to fulfill their dystopian campaign promises and to turn the Ghanaian economy around, as well as the country into a land flowing with milk and honey, a feat none of his Fourth Republics predecessors could ever achieve in a billion years.

Not even Moses could have achieved this feat. God did it in his behalf though he never tasted this land flowing with milk and honey with his naked eyes.

Nkrumah thought if the masses wanted milk and sardines he would not have wasted resources on laying the industrial foundation of Ghana.

There is a noble place in the Guinness World Records for Akufo-Addo nonetheless, if he and Bawamia finally succeed in actualizing this feat, a Sisyphean feat probably unparalleled in the annals of human history.

Unlike most Ghanaians, some of us have eidetic memory. We are not naive, and we are closely watching! In fact we are cautiously deliberate in intellectual and philosophical outlook as rashness or foolhardiness is not our forte, more so because we do not want to be part of that crumbling world of dystopian non-existence. Campaign promises are far from political realism!

Sadly, the NPP has not even been ushered into political office let alone start implementing its grandiose political campaign promises, and already, as expected, its excited, bloodthirsty members and the disgruntled members of the NDC are fighting amongst themselves and seriously injuring each other. Exacting revenge on each other is a harbinger of worst things to come.

Then again if we seriously think these two wayward, neocolonial parties and their leaderships of schadenfreude bovarists will save Ghana then we better think twice! Our duopolistic dictatorship is an unnecessary drag on national development and social cohesion.

If we truly want to move ahead as a nation on a progressive to industrial revolution, then we must look for a way to circumnavigate this stifling specter of duopolistic parochialism!

CLOSING REMARKS

The length of a frog can only be determined after its death (A Ghanaian proverb).

The average Ghanaian elector is not as creatively discerning as some misguided commentators would have some of us believe.

This is largely because he has consistently failed to see beyond the deceptive political plumage of both the NDC and the NPPspitting images of each other with their translucent political colors.

Then again the so-called discerning Ghanaian elector has consistently failed to see the NDC as unprofessionally incompetent, the NPP as professionally incompetent.

This is seen in the fact that they have all proved to be equally bad managers of the state and of the national economy, since they have never even bothered to stake a claim to the bargaining power of comparative advantage and pragmatic nationalism as part of the motive engine of the development economics of Ghana.

All the fiscal policiesif they even have had anythey have put in place have been operationally cosmetic at best and at worst, unsustainable.

These fiscal policies have mostly revolved around kleptomaniacal neo-liberalism in, kleptomaniacal democratic socialism out, then kleptomaniacal democratic socialism in, kleptomaniacal neo-liberalism outsort of an unbroken continuum of political and economic leadership which rears its ugly head every four or eight years.

One important question we always want ask is simply this:

Is kleptomaniacal democracy the only contribution that the so-called discerning Ghanaian elector can make to this challenging yet enlightened dispensation of political civilizationof human civilization for that matter?

The Ghanaian election is a mere formality, the rest borders on the seriousness of political corruption. Akufo-Addo and Bawumia know this because their political parties have not been exempt from itpublic corruption.

Public corruption is the oxygen Ghanaian politicians breathe in and out on a daily basis. We strongly believe this proverbial narrative is not going to change with the NPP in power.

NPP is the NDC, and vice versaspitting images of corruption!

It is too premature to acknowledge this change. We do not know yet if this change is positive or negative since we view both parties, neither of which has demonstrated any capacity for moral agency, as being necessarily the same diabolical enemies of the state, of the masses, of the national interest, and of national development.

Thus we are not expecting to hear a different political tune from these political criminals. We already know how this political tune sounds likeit is a stale tune based on pretentiousness or moral sanctimony.

Time Will Tell, sang Bob Marley.

RECOMMENDATION

If Akufo-Addo (and his incoming government) is really serious about developing the country and taking it to the level of industrialization as we see in the special case of China today, say, then he must as well move far away from the intellectual, philosophical, technocratic, and bureaucratic mediocrity of the Kufuor era. This era was an era of unproductive intellectual and philosophical simplicity.

The Kufuor dispensation was a stagnant one in terms of creative ideas, namely one that did not produce scientifically, politically and economically sustainable ideas. That dispensation was a cosmetic onein other words. Moreover, the 2016 NPP manifesto itself is technocratically anorexic, ideologically anorexic in terms of the implemental fortitude of scientific, technological actuation.

Akufo-Addo (and the likes of Fredie Blay and Kweku Baako, Jr.) cut his teeth on Nkrumahism, perhaps the profoundest scientific philosophy ever produced in the annals of modern ideas. It is the only system of scientific and political thought that can produce the kind of industrial revolution we associate with the West and the emerging economies of the Far East (see David Simons Fifty Key Thinkers on Development and Robert Woodes Third World to First WorldBy One Touch: Repercussions of the Overthrow of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah).

No leader in Ghana and Africa today can do without Nkrumah and his progressive ideas as those sustainable ideas of his are, in fact, the very same ideas the sham neo-liberalism of the NPP and the questionable democratic socialism of the NDC have tried to emulate but always failed along the way. Busia could not, so too were/are all those who came after him right up to President Mahama.

We have seen how the NDC and the NDC have sold off Nkrumah-built state assets to sustain the nation. In fact, the minor achievements of both the NDC and the NPP have been mere extensions of the solid foundation Nkrumah laid for Ghana. We are lagging behind the rest of the world because we have simply failed to understand the beautiful mind of the worlds Africas Man of the Millennium.

The NPP should therefore get its brightest minds together to pore over the following works of monumental scientific, philosophical, mathematical and political profundity (courtesy of Dr. Kofi Kissi Dompere):

The Theory of Philosophical Consciencism: Practice Foundations of Nkrumaism

The Theory of Categorial Conversion: Rational Foundations of Nkrumai

Polyrhythmicity: Foundations of African Philosophy

African Union: Pan-African Analytical Foundations

Africentricity and African Nationalism

Dr. Dompere makes liberal use of some of the profoundest ideas discovered in modern science, economic theory, the science of logic, mathematics, logic, sociology, political science, operations research/management science and so on.

In fine, his rather large corpus of sophisticated economic-cum-mathematical texts and of highly technical peer-reviewed papers has a lot to teach Bawumia and the incoming administration.

We shall return with Part 2.
The Inspector General of Police John Kudalor has called on the president elect Nana Akufo-Addo to congratulate him on his election victory.

John Kudalor also pledged his support, loyalty and that of the Police Service to the president elect who will be sworn into office on January 7, 2017.

Nana Akufo-Addo polled over 53% of the votes cast to secure a one touch victory in the presidential election.

The party also had an overwhelming majority in Parliament with 171 seats and is looking to hit the ground running.

Key on the agenda for the incoming government will be how to maintain peace after post election violence.

Violence between the supporters of the NPP and the NDC led to death of one person in Cape Coast and the destruction of properties across the country.

The Nana Addo- led government will have to get a handle on the matter and must strategise with the police to solve the matter.

On his first visit to the president elect, the IGP assured Nana Akufo-Addo of the police's commitment to ensure law and order in the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo also promised to work together with the Police Service when he is finally sworn into office.

"I am confident what I know about the Ghana Police Service we are going to have very good relationship."

"In opposition there are many things you say about the way the state is being run. I have made some comments some of you may have found it difficult to stomach. It was not done out of malice. It was done out of my understanding of what the national interest required.

The important thing is to put everything in perspective and work together," he stated.

Recounting his tenure as Foreign Minister under the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Nana Akufo-Addo referred to the reputation of Ghana's security forces across the world in the peace keeping operations.

"That reputation is something that has kept me going," he said, adding "we have to work together to enhance it and ensure that our people can live in an orderly and peaceful environment.

"I have no agenda to prosecute as far as the security personnel in our country is concerned. My agenda is that we deliver for the people of Ghana an efficient service.

"I bear no grudge against anybody," Nana Addo said.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
12.12.2016 LISTEN

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, fellow Ghanaians,

A few minutes ago, at 7:51pm precisely, the President of the Republic and the NDC presidential candidate, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, called me on the phone to congratulate me on my victory in the presidential election of 7th December 2016. He wished me the best of luck and God's blessings, and assured me of his full co-operation in organizing the transition from his administration to mine. I thanked him for this graceful gesture, which is in the finest traditions of Ghanaian statesmanship and, on my part, assured him of my cooperation for a successful transition. I also thanked him for his service to our nation and said that I felt sure that his contribution to the welfare of our Republic was by no means over. I have also received words of congratulation from my other competitors, Mr. Ivor Greenstreet, our former 1st Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Dr. Edward Mahama, and Mr. Jacob Osei Yeboah. I am grateful to them.

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, who is the returning officer for presidential elections, in fulfilment of her constitutional obligations, has tonight, at 8:54pm, declared me the winner of the 2016 presidential election, with 5,716,026 votes, representing 53.85% of the valid votes cast. I am grateful to her for the announcement and her words of congratulation.

I thank Almighty God for His grace and favour in granting victory to the NPP and myself in this election. As His Word says in the Book of Holy Scripture in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 11, He has made everything beautiful in its time.

There has never been a more humbling moment in my life, and I thank you, the good people of Ghana, for this massive show of support and the confidence you have reposed in me and my party. I make this solemn pledge to you today  I will not let you down and will do all in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations. You are to be commended for the mature, peaceful and orderly manner in which you, once again, exercised your democratic franchise. The democratic credentials of our nation have been further enhanced by your conduct.

The Electoral Commission, under its new leadership, with Charlotte Osei in the Chair, is to be congratulated for organising this credible election. She and the Commission have allayed the fears of many about their capacity to conduct a good election. This election has contributed to strengthening the principles of democratic accountability in our body politic and the Commission will take a considerable part of the credit for that welcome outcome.

Our security services are to be commended for ensuring a generally peaceful conduct of the poll, and doing so in a professional manner. That is what the nation expects of them.

To members and sympathisers of the great Elephant family, to our illustrious former President of the Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, to our founding members, leading figures, members of Party organs, parliamentary candidates and Members of Parliament, current and past national officers, regional, constituency, electoral area and polling station executives, thousands and thousands of volunteers, polling station agents, Kufuor-era appointees, campaign officials and staff, so ably led by Campaign Manager Peter Mac Manu, and to my running mate, the next Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and his dynamic wife, Samira, I say a big thank you to each and every one of you for your hardwork, commitment and encouragement, and for your belief in me and in my leadership of our party over the last 8 years. Whilst this occasion would understandably lead to widespread jubilation amongst party supporters, I entreat them to respect the peace and the property and lives of everybody, especially those of our political opponents. We are the party of the rule of law, and we should act accordingly with magnanimity in our moment of victory.

To the senior citizens of our country who have given me invaluable advice over the years, amongst them, the former President of the Republic, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, the former Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Kofi Annan, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. J.B. Danquah, the Chairman of the NPP's National Council of Elders, the veteran statesman, C.K. Tedam, and Captain Kojo Tsikata, erstwhile PNDC member responsible for National Security, I thank you for your counsel and for sharing your wisdom with me, and hope I can continue to count on you during the challenging period ahead of me.

To the numerous priests and imams who have prayed for my soul and who have taken the trouble to intercede with the Almighty on my behalf, amongst them, Cardinal Emeritus Peter Akwasi Sarpong, Rt. Rev. Asante Antwi, Most. Rev. Dr. Justice Akrofi, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Martey, Apostle Opoku Nyinah, Bishop Yinka Sarfo, Pastor Mensa Otabil, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, Venerable Hansen Addy, Venerable Joseph Lamptey, Canon Noah Mensah, Canon Antonio Nelson, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ayittey-Mensah, Very Reverend Emmanuel Kwabena Aryee, the Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the Ashanti Region Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul Mumin Haroun, Rev. Anthony Kwadwo Boakye, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, Rev. Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, Rev. Kofi Amponsah and Prophet Gideon Danso, I am deeply grateful for your spiritual solidarity of which I shall avail myself continuously, now and in the future.

I take this opportunity to thank you, members of the Ghanaian media, for your continuing engagement in the public interest of our country. Your vigilance and activism are now by-words in the consistent efforts our people are making to carve a secure, democratic future for themselves. Senior journalists like Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Gina Blay, Egbert Faibille, Ebo Quansah, Ken Kuranchi, Kwami Sefa Kayi, Samuel Atta Mensah and Kwabena Kwakye, amongst others, have set admirable standards of professionalism and ethical conduct which should guide the younger generation.

I want to thank the various observer missions who have assisted us to ensure a credible process for our election. I thank the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), under the chairmanship of the venerable former Supreme Court judge, Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, for their important work, and that of the observer mission of our regional body, ECOWAS, led by the distinguished Liberian statesman, Dr. Amos Sawyerr, the observer mission of our continental body, the AU, led by the respected former President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, and the observer mission of the Commonwealth led by the eminent African, the former President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, as well as the strong observer mission from our friends of the European Union, and the National Democratic Institute of the United States of America, led by the former U.S Assistant Secretary of State, the well-known diplomat, Ambassador Johnnie Carson. They have assured us of the great importance the international community attaches to the growth of Ghanaian democracy.

And to my beautiful wife, my beloved Rebecca, who waged such a great campaign in her own right, my daughters, Gyankroma, Valerie, Dokua, my sister Marigold, my brother Edward, and my entire family, I, firstly, must apologise for taking you on this rollercoaster ride. I am, however, very grateful for the love and support you have given me, and for standing shoulder to shoulder with me through the years till now. Long may it so continue.

Let me pause to remember colleagues who fell in the course of our campaign  Adams Mahama, Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, J.B Danquah Adu, Peter Wiafe Peprah, Abubakar Saddique, Kwabena Boadu, and others. May their souls continue to rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Almighty until the last day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen.

Fellow Ghanaians, you have not elected me to serve one party, but to serve the entire nation. The President of Ghana is President for every single Ghanaian, without discrimination, malice or ill-will to any ethnic group or political or religious affiliation. Whether you supported me or not, whether you campaigned for me or not, whether you voted for me or not, I can promise you one thing. I will do my best to serve your interests, and put our country back on the path of progress and prosperity. God did not put us on this rich land, a land blessed with an abundance of human and natural resources, to be poor.

I am confident, and I have faith that, with Gods guidance and your active help and hardwork, we will move our country forward. Together, we will change Ghana, and use all the blessings that the Almighty has bestowed on us to bring prosperity to our people and nation in our time. Together, we will fulfil the destiny of Ghana, the destiny of freedom, justice and prosperity that the ancestors and founders of our nation defined for us.

God bless our homeland Ghana, and make our nation great and strong.

The battle is still the Lord's.

Onyankopon nhyira mu nyinaa

Nym aj ny f

Mawu n yira mi

Allah i saa muku Albarka

Thank you.




([email protected])

President-elect Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has charged members of the newly-constituted presidential transition team to be guided by the principle of transparency, as they carry out their task for the smooth transfer of power.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the inauguration of the team in Accra yesterday, Nana Addo also asked them to work swiftly to give him an understanding of the current state of the country, so his government could get to work.

According to him, the Ghanaian people were expectant, as they reflected on the litany of promises he had made to them during the period of campaigning. He, however, remained hopeful to deliver on those pledges, saying, Well not disappoint them.

The transition team was formed in line with the provisions of the Presidential Transition Act 2012 (Act 845), following Nana Addos landslide defeat of President John Dramani Mahama in last weeks elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who contested on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), thanked the outgoing-President for the full cooperation he had received from him since he was declared the winner of the election.

President Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in the just-ended polls, called on his people to wrap up with their various roles and say farewell, while he advised the NPP to come out of its celebration mood and prepare to assume the reins of power.

In my address on the 6th of December, I made it clear that Ghana will pass this test with distinction, and that is where we are today, about to witness the transfer of power to the next government, he said.

President Mahama revealed that one of the issues he discussed with the president-elect was to collaborate with him to ensure the safety of all citizens. He was, however, worried about recent attacks on members of the NDC and other innocent citizens, because, to him, they marred the beauty of the countrys democracy before the international community.

The Presidential Transition Team

A statement by the outgoing Minister for Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, stated that further to the provisions of the Presidential Transition Act 2012 (Act 845), President John Dramani Mahama had appointed Mr. Julius Debrah (Chief of Staff), Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah Oppong (Attorney General & Minister for Justice), Mr. Seth E. Terkper (Minister for Finance) and Mr. Prosper Bani, Minister for the Interior, as part of his team.

The rest of the members, he mentioned, were Dr. Benjamin Kunbour (Minister for Defence), Ms Hanna S. Tetteh (Minister for Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration) and Alhaji Collins Dauda (Minister for Local Government & Rural Development).

Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, the statement explained, would lead the transition team on the part of the President-elect. Ms Frema Osei Opare (Head of the Staff of Office of the President-elect), Mrs. Gloria Akuffo (Member responsible for Legal Affairs), Ken Ofori- Atta (Member responsible for Finance) and Mr. Ambrose Dery (Member responsible for the Interior) made the list.

The rest were Mr. Dominic Nitiwul (Member responsible for Defence), Mrs. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (Member responsible for Foreign Affairs), Hajia Alima Mahama (Member responsible for Local Government) and Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah (Member responsible for National Security).

In accordance with the provisions of the Presidential Transition Act 2012 (Act 845), the following are statutory members of the Transition Team: Head of the Civil Service, Head of the Local Government Service, Secretary to the Cabinet and National Security Coordinator, the statement also said.

The Transition Team would be co-chaired by President John Dramani Mahama and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The election

Nana Akufo-Addo is the President-elect of Ghana, following a historic landslide victory in last Wednesdays elections. He polled 5,716,026 votes, representing 53.85%, to give him an edge over the ruling NDCs John Mahama, who garnered 4,713,277 votes, representing 44.40% of the total votes.

Total valid votes cast, according to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Charlotte Osei, stood at 10,615,361, while rejected votes were 1.54%. 10,782,609 represented the total number of people who voted out of the more than 15,000,000 registered voters. Turnout was 68.62%.




Brussels (AFP) - The United States and the EU on Monday imposed sanctions on top DR Congo officials after clashes with protesters against President Joseph Kabila in September left more than 50 people dead.

DR Congo -- once ruled from Brussels as a Belgian colony -- immediately slammed the EU move as an "illegal" throw-back to imperial days, warning it would take unspecified action against them.

Washington had previously targeted several senior figures close to the president and on Monday added Deputy Prime Minister Evariste Boshab and Kalev Mutondo, head of the national intelligence agency, for rights abuses.

"The Congolese government continues to undermine democratic processes in the DRC and to repress the political rights and freedoms of the Congolese people, putting the long-term stability and prosperity of the country at risk," the US Treasury said in a statement.

European Union foreign ministers had made clear in October they would go ahead with sanctions if Kabila showed no sign of leaving office when his term ends on December 19.

The 28-nation bloc accordingly hit seven officials with travel bans and asset freezes for their role in the September deaths when the security apparatus "exercised a disproportionate use of force," a statement said.

The seven included army commander Major General Gabriel Amisi Kumba, former inspector of police General John Numbi, and Celestin Kayama, chief of police, who were previously sanctioned by the United States.

'Imperial law'

The bloc also listed Ilunga Kampete, head of the president's Republican Guard; Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, commander of the anti-riot squad; Roger Kibelisa, in charge of internal security and Delphin Kaimbi, alias Kahimbi, who ran military intelligence.

The EU said it would follow developments in DR Congo very closely and further sanctions "may be considered in the event of further violence or the political process being impeded".

It also called on the government to cooperate with a "transparent and independent investigation" to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.

Last week, the Catholic Church launched "reconciliation talks" in an effort to broker a deal between the opposition and Kabila on holding new elections.

The EU wants polls and a new government to ensure stability in DR Congo, a mineral-rich and strife-torn former Belgian colony which sits astride Africa's strategic crossroads.

Kabila first took office in 2001 after the assassination of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila and a 2006 constitutional provision limited the presidency to two terms.

Kinshasa immediately condemned the move.

"(These sanctions) are illegal because they are a sort of imperial law that is at odds with international law. The DRC, a non-European country, condemns them and intends to take action against them," said government spokesman Lambert Mende.


The Inspector General of Police John Kudalor has called on the president elect Nana Akufo-Addo to congratulate him on his election victory.

John Kudalor also pledged his support, loyalty and that of the Police Service to the president elect who will be sworn into office on January 7, 2017.

Nana Akufo-Addo polled over 53% of the votes cast to secure a one touch victory in the presidential election.

The party also had an overwhelming majority in Parliament with 171 seats and is looking to hit the ground running.

Key on the agenda for the incoming government will be how to maintain peace after post election violence.

Violence between the supporters of the NPP and the NDC led to death of one person in Cape Coast and the destruction of properties across the country.

The Nana Addo- led government will have to get a handle on the matter and must strategise with the police to solve the matter.

On his first visit to the president elect, the IGP assured Nana Akufo-Addo of the polices commitment to ensure law and order in the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo also promised to work together with the Police Service when he is finally sworn into office.

I am confident what I know about the Ghana Police Service we are going to have very good relationship.

In opposition there are many things you say about the way the state is being run. I have made some comments some of you may have found it difficult to stomach. It was not done out of malice. It was done out of my understanding of what the national interest required.

The important thing is to put everything in perspective and work together, he stated.

Recounting his tenure as Foreign Minister under the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Nana Akufo-Addo referred to the reputation of Ghanas security forces across the world in the peace keeping operations.

That reputation is something that has kept me going, he said, adding we have to work together to enhance it and ensure that our people can live in an orderly and peaceful environment.

I have no agenda to prosecute as far as the security personnel in our country is concerned. My agenda is that we deliver for the people of Ghana an efficient service.

I bear no grudge against anybody, Nana Addo said.

-Myjoyonline
12.12.2016 LISTEN

That 2016 has been a year of political surprises and turbulence is as true as the sun will rise from the East every morning.

In Europe the United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union in a not too surprising move, but brought with it some shocks and disappointments all the same.

At the other side of the Atlantic, a certain Donald Trump was making waves in the most controversial and unconventional ways, as he strolled gradually to the White House.

The third shock was in nearby The Gambia, where Yahya Jammeh, with twenty-two years' experience as president, was defeated in an election which was tailor-made for him to win.

In Ghana it was, once again, a straight fight between the Elephants and the Brollies. With wealth and power on the side of the Brollies, it seemed records were going to be shattered. The old order of the US GOP winning, and automatically the NPP will win, was going to be set aside. And the traditional eight-year period for a party was going to be extended.

The ruling party candidate was in a fight of his life against an opponent who is, perhaps, the most vilified in the country in recent times. In almost every department there was something bad to say about him. At one point in time, he was called Trump, and indeed, he is, because, at the end of the day, he set new political records which may never be equaled in this millennium.

The first time an incumbent president lost in his bid to seek re-election; the first time a ruling party was ousted through the ballot box without going for a run-off.

The first time a son followed his father's footsteps to be president.

The first time a political party saddled with lots of independent candidates from within, won majority seats in Parliament, and a huge majority as such.

When a party in opposition rises from 122 seats (44%) in 2012 to 170 seats (62%), and counting in 2016, then it gives cause for deep reflections. This feat practically indicates a rejection of the ruling NDC, and even clearer, was President Mahama getting 861,484 less votes in 271 constituencies in 2016 than he did in 275 seats in 2012 (4,713,277-5,574,761). His figure could appreciate after the last four constituencies fall in, but it looks certain that he would not get anywhere close to 200,000 extra votes. Nana Addo, on the other hand, increased his by 467,128 over the 2012 votes (5,716,026-5,248,898). Seriously, either there is a mass rejection of Mahama or there is a need to seriously probe the 2012 General Elections.

Whatever it may be, no incumbent president in Ghana has ever lost an election, and so what happened to Mahama should be a lesson to all politicians. For an incumbent president to lose an election could indicate that the electorate must not be taken for granted.

Infrastructural developments could be said to be unprecedented this time round, and within a short space of time, monumental projects were commissioned all over the place. But was this what the electorate really wants? Yes, however, these are secondary to him. The electorate wants social security, jobs, food, water, accommodation, health, stable electricity and currency, affordable tax regime, and protection from vices.

With high taxes, levies and commissions, high unemployment rates, poor wages and salaries among others, the beautiful infrastructures went unnoticed. What would someone feel after working for a year without a salary, gets his/her pay with only three months back pay, and told to sacrifice the other nine months?

The electorate is not bothered about this eight-year circle for each party, once their social security is not assured, you are guaranteed that they would show you their backs.

Humility is also one thing the electorate appreciates. While Nana Addo humbly pleaded to people to give him the mandate this time, he was mocked by his opponents. Well, we know of Jerry Rawlings kneeling before a crowd at a rally somewhere in Brong Ahafo and appealing for votes for the NDC, yet today that event has been forgotten.

For the NDC proverbial World Bank, the Volta Region, this time round, not to churn in the magic figures, even though it gave the region to the NDC, indicates that one should never take the electorate for granted. If it is true that the Voltarians did not come out in their numbers for the NDC, then it means that it is high time politicians not consider treating people in their strongholds as an automatic source of votes.

If, however, such huge numbers had not really been there, then, again, we have to probe previous elections.

When lots of NPP members went independent in at least thirty constituencies, I was crestfallen, with 2008 vividly in mind. I was one of those wrote off the NPPs chances in such constituencies and had harsh words about the conduct of the primaries in Ablekuma West. I must eat humble bofrot and congratulate Ursula Owusu Ekuful and apologise for my words if they hurt her feelings.

I have come to the conclusion that the electorate is now of age and can think independently and even differently from the politician.

Thanks to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for opening a new chapter in the relationship between the politician and the electorate. GoNanaGo and break new grounds in politics.

I hear those men and women of God who prophesised that Nana would lose the elections are saying they were referring to Nana Konadu. We hear, but who did they say will win? Fear the demons and live long, but fear the electorate and live forever.

Hon. Daniel Dugan.


The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) has blamed his initial disqualification by the EC and electoral irregularities for the abysmal performance of his party.

Dr Edward Mahama who made his fifth attempt at the presidency but failed to obtain one percent of the votes cast in last Wednesday's elections believes his performance could have been better but for the irregularities witnessed, among others.

In an interview on Joy News, he said his initial disqualification to contest by the Electoral Commission (EC) was also responsible for his poor showing at the polls.

More soon...

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
12.12.2016 LISTEN



The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has commended the media practitioners in the country for the roles they played in ensuring the success of the presidential and Parliamentary elections. A statement signed by the president of association, Mr Affail Monney and released in Accra yesterday said: Indeed, the level of preparation by all media outlets and their staff reflected in the scope and standard of coverage unprecedented and unparalleled in the history of Ghana.

The following is the full press statement;

Another electoral cycle has ended successfully and peacefully by Gods grace. The Ghana Journalists Association congratulates profusely media practitioners across the country for their invaluable contribution and indispensable role in putting Ghana firmly on the path of democratic consolidation.

Resource persons, discussants, student journalists and volunteers also deserve special mention in the success story.

Experience shows that the key to quality electoral journalism is preparation. Indeed, the level of preparation by all media outlets and their staff reflected in the scope and standard of coverage unprecedented and unparalleled in the history of Ghana.

The reportorial skills, rhetorical dexterity, analytical acumen, innovative surge and editorial craftsmanship showcased by the Ghanaian media make us exceedingly proud in the eyes of readers, listeners, viewers, international observers and even our critics.

Surely, history holds a unique place for the present generation of editors, reporters and their media houses for their extraordinary passion, inestimable sacrifice and manifest addiction to excel.

The GJA particularly commends TV3, GH One, Joy FM, Citi FM, Peace FM, Adom FM, Asempa FM, UTV, GTV, Radio Ghana, Radio Gold, Oman FM, Daily Graphic, the Mirror, Ghanaian Times, Daily Guide, Ghanaian Chronicle, the Statesman, New Crusading Guide, the Enquirer and others, for their distinctive coverage of the election.

We are also grateful to the spiritual community for their prayers, as well as the general public for their immense support and patronage.

May God Almighty cause the media to ceaselessly flourish and our democracy to endlessly blossom.
ALTICE N.V. TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF MINORITY INTEREST IN ALTICE USA





AMSTERDAM, December 8, 2016 - Altice N.V. (Euronext: ATC NA, ATCB NA) today announces that it is exploring the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO) of a minority interest in its U.S. operations, Altice USA. No decisions have been taken at this point on the structure or timing of any IPO, and no assurance can be given that an IPO will be pursued.

About Altice

Founded by telecom entrepreneur, Patrick Drahi, Altice is a multinational cable, fiber, telecommunications, contents and media company with presence in four regions - Western Europe (comprising France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland), the United States, Israel, and the Overseas Territories (currently comprising the French Caribbean, the Indian Ocean regions and the Dominican Republic). Altice provides very high speed based services (high quality pay television, fast broadband Internet and fixed line telephony) and, in certain countries, mobile telephony services to residential and corporate customers. Altice is also active in the media space with a portfolio of channels (News, Sports, Lifestyle etc.) as well as providing Premium content on nonlinear platforms; it also produces its own original content (Series, Movies etc.).

Altice (ATCA & ATCB) is listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.



Contacts

Chief Communications Officer, Altice Group

Arthur Dreyfuss +41 79 946 4931 / arthur.dreyfuss@altice.net

Chief Investor Relations Officer, Altice Group

Nick Brown +41 79 720 1503 / nick.brown@altice.net



Head of Communications Altice USA

Lisa Anselmo +1 516 803 2362 / lisa.anselmo@alticeusa.com

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release is being made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Rule 135 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b864aec0-eaf8-4c52-bdad-412f1911c4e6
12.12.2016 LISTEN

Ghana's President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo has said that he will set up a special team to investigate corruption but said it would be independent "to take the politics out of it".

The BBCs Akwasi Sarpong started by asking Mr Akufo-Addo what his top priorities are.

Watch the video below:


12.12.2016 LISTEN

By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA

Tarkwa (W/R), Dec. 12, GNA - The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old driver, to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for robbing his employer of more than GH70,000.00.

The convict, Kwadwo Asare, pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea.

Prosecuting Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew, that the complainant is a Chinese national and a small scale miner.

Inspector Amponsah said on November 2 this year, around 0600 hrs, the complainant travelled to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region with the convict, who is his driver.

He said while in Kumasi, the complainant withdrew GH70,000.00 from the bank to enable him pay his workers and use the rest to transact business.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said the convict on seeing the money called one Kwabena Yeboah in Obuasi and arranged with him to follow them to Asankrangwa so they could rob the complainant and share the money.

He said Yeboah also recruited two others and they left Obuasi to the destination to lay ambush at an area near the complainant's mining site.

Inspector Amponsah said the moment the convict drove to the spot, he slowed down the vehicle and Yeboah and his accomplices attacked the complainant with two locally manufactured pistols and made away with the money, four mobile phones worth GH10,000.00 and the keys to the vehicle.

He said Asare, who pretended to be frightened intentionally abandoned the vehicle and hid himself in the bush and after the robbery, he came around and met the complainant and his brothers still waiting at the scene.

He said on November 3 the convict led the complainant to the Asankrangwa police station and made a report and the vehicle was towed.

Inspector Amponsah said both the complainant and Asare were later invited by the police for questioning and during interrogation the complainant explained that while they embarked on the journey Asare made several phone calls and was mentioning Obuasi and Asankrangwa respectively.

He said when Asare was probed further by the police he confessed to have masterminded the robbery and led the police to Obuasi to enable them arrest Yeboah and his accomplices, but they were not able to trace them.

The court has, however, issued a bench warrant for the arrested of Kwabena Yeboah, who is an illegal miner. GNA
Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - Alhaji Yussif Ibrahim, the Zongo Chief of Abokobi-Pantang, has appealed to the Government to close the Abokobi-Pantang Landfill Site in the Ga East Municipal Assembly.

That, he said, would save the residents from contracting diseases and save them from other health-related hazards that would reduce productivity.

Alhaji Ibrahim made the appeal in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Pantang-Abokobi in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on Monday.

He said several appeals and demonstrations by the residents of the area to the Municipal Assembly to close the site had fallen on deaf ears.

Alhaji Ibrahim said smoke emanating from the burning of the refuse at the site posed serious health-hazards to the people, adding that because of the revenue the assembly generated it felt reluctant to close it.

The Zongo Chief, who is a resident, said the assembly charged every vehicle a fee for dumping refuse collected from other jurisdictions including Accra and Tema to the site.

Alhaji Ibrahim said the use of the area as a dumping ground had attracted a lot of undesirable elements such armed robbers, scrap dealers, narcotic drug dealers and smokers to the area.

He said even though successive governments promised to close the site which had been operating for more than 20 years they had not gathered the political will to adhere to the call of the residents.

The Zongo Chief called on the Environmental Protection Agency to visit the area, assess the site and determine the wisdom in operating such facility close to the community and the Pantang Hospital, which is losing its patronage because of the site.

He said apart from the bad odour emanating from the site, refuse trucks littered the area and polluted the underground water, thus, making it unsafe for use.

Some residents the GNA spoke to threatened not to participate in any communal activity in the area if the site was not closed. GNA
12.12.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - The Mole National Park could become a World Heritage Site by July next year if Ghana passes the evaluation test to list it.

Mrs Johanna Odonkor Svanikier, Ghana's permanent Delegate to UNESCO, who announced this, said the country's prospects to achieve the status were bright when the evaluation committee presents its report in Poland in July 2017.

She was speaking at the opening of a two-week National Exhibition on Nature Conservation in Ghana at the Accra City Hotel.

The exhibition is in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and aimed at sensitizing stakeholders on the economic potentials in conserving the environment.

Already, the country has made significant strides to list Lake Bosomtwe as a World Biosphere Reserve.

'In the meantime we have achieved listing Lake Bosomtwe as a World Biosphere Reserve. The present focus is on the Mole National Park adding that the listing of the Akwamu Gorge as a world heritage site is the next,' Mrs Svanikier, who is also Ghana's Ambassador to France, said.

She said the exhibition was meant to garner support for the government's bid to have Mole National Park listed as a World Heritage Site.

'Mole National Park has been on the tentative list for listing as World Heritage Site and we thought to bring attention to Ghanaian because we need the collaboration of Ghanaians to be able to get it ready to be listed. When it is listed, it becomes not only a Ghanaian park but an international one as well,' she said.

Opening the exhibition, Nii Osae Mills, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, called for partnership among all stakeholders to harness the potential of the numerous tourists attractions to enhance the economy.

He said apart from the nature reserves, there were waterfalls that presented beautiful scenes that attract both local and foreign tourists.

Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), said GIPC was more interested in attracting investment into nature conservation related sites to enhance domestic and foreign tourists visit.

'Nature conservation is becoming a very important topic globally and having the opportunity to showcase rare plants and animal species and inviting both the Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian tourist communities means that more services will be required, more auxiliary services which create economic opportunities for the local communities,' she said.

She said communities with tourist attractions could achieve poverty reduction through investments and proper conservation management.

GNA
By Kodjo Adams/William Fiabu, GNA

Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - Management of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) has organised a health walk for its staff to create awareness of the importance of exercising and healthy living.

The walk, which started from the Ministries through the Black Star Square to the Parliament House and back to the Ministries, brought together staff from the various banks in the nation's capital.

Mrs Abiola Bawuah, the Chief Executive Officer of UBA, said the walk was to bring to the fore the importance of exercising and healthy living among the staff to work hard and achieve the vision of the bank.

She said the physical well-being of the staff was critical to the bank and

urged them to take their health issues seriously and work hard to meet the company's target and deliver good services to its clients.

Mrs Bawuah implored on the staff to iron out their differences, be united and let the success of the bank be their priority.

UBA is one of Africa's resilient banking groups operating since 1949 with branches in 19 African countries and offices in three global financial centres: London, Paris and New York.

UBA Ghana was established in 2005 and has 24 branches and 32 Automated Teller Machines.

GNA
By Patience Gbeze, GNA

Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - The Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed concern about attacks on some of its members and called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to intervene.

Mr Sidii Abubakar, the NDC National Youth Organiser, addressing the media in Accra on Monday, said he NPP should rather celebrate the electoral victory instead of the attacks.

'If the NPP leadership cannot stop their supporters from attacking NDC supporters, no one should attempt to stop the NDC youth from defending themselves,' he said.

Mr Abubakar asked the International Observers and the International Press to also step in to stop the attacks.

'We are also calling on the Ghanaian media to condemn what a section of the NPP supporters are doing,' Mr Abubakar added.

He cited the attack on Wofa K, a popular actor who featured in most of NDC advertisements, the Dunkwa-On-Offin alleged attack in which one supporter was killed, the setting ablaze of a toll booth at Fiapre in the Brong Ahafo Region and the stabbing of a youth activist of the NDC at the Circle Interchange as some of the examples.

'Enough of the NPP's violence on NDC supporters. We the NDC youth will not fold our arms whiles our people are attacked without any provocation. We shall, henceforth, reply in equal measure whenever we are attacked by NPP supporters,' he said.

GNA
Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ghana has congratulated Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his election to the high office of the Presidency.

The Church, consequently, pledged to support him and his government through prayers so as to help him in the smooth execution of his administrative duties as the President of the Republic.

'The church shall support him as he takes up the responsibility of administering the affairs of our dear nation,' a statement signed by Mr Solace Asafo-Hlordzi, the Public Affairs Director of Southern Ghana Union Conference, said on Sunday.

The Church has also lauded all electoral stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission, Security forces, the media and all the political parties and their presidential candidates for working hard to ensure a violence-free election. Meanwhile, the Adventist Church applauded the exiting President, John Dramani Mahama, for exhibiting good statesmanship by conceding defeat and assuring the nation of a peaceful transition. 'We wish him, his family and the National Democratic Congress Party God's guidance and blessing in all their future endeavours,' the SDA stated.

GNA
12.12.2016 LISTEN

By Mohammed Abdul Rashid

Accra, Dec 12, GNA - The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers has said it is confident that the results of the 2016 Presidential polls declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) are the accurate reflection of how Ghanaians voted in the December 7 polls.

In a statement signed by Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe, joint Chairpersons for and on behalf of the Advisory Board, CODEO stated that: 'The official result announced by the Electoral Commission for each candidate falls within their respective Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) confidence ranges.'

Professor Miranda Greenstreet stated that CODEO could confidently confirm that their PVT estimates were consistent with the official presidential results as declared by the EC.

She noted that their findings estimated a 44.32% of the total ballot cast for the NDC and 57.75% for the NPP, while the official result of the EC showed 44.40% and 53.85% for the two political parties respectively, leaving a slight margin of 1.25% and 1.29% respectively.

She added that their 'observers also reported that the main two [political] parties, NDC and NPP, had party agents at over 99% of polling stations and that at over 99% of polling stations,' both of the two 'party agents signed the official declaration of polls.'

She indicated that, the PVT technique, which was first used in the Philippines in 1986, had been deployed successfully in many other countries around the world to promote electoral integrity and it helped to guard the rights of citizens to vote and to protect such right when exercised.

She stated that the technique involved the transmission of reports about the conduct of voting and counting as well as 'the official vote count as announced by election officials at polling stations' to a 'central election observation point using text messages.'

She said that this technique was employed to 'independently verify the accuracy of the presidential election results as declared' by the EC.

Also the PVT of CODEO had a voter turnout estimated rate of 69.33% with a plus or negative 0.48% margin of error, which was very close to the 68.62% declared by the EC, she said.

The organisation also commended President John Dramani Mahama and all the other presidential contestants for conceding defeat and called on all the political parties to 'reduce the winner-takes all tendencies' in our politics.

GNA
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. and LUGANO, Switzerland, Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black & Veatch and Casale SA today announced the signing of a global licensing and cooperation agreement that designates Black & Veatch as a licensee for Casales innovative fertilizers, melamine, methanol and related chemical technologies. The companies are focused on addressing significant demand worldwide for chemical, fertilizer and industrial plant development. Demand is being driven primarily by global population growth and lower natural gas prices.



The licensing agreement builds on the successful joint execution of multiple projects by Black & Veatch and Casale during the past 30 years. Under the terms of the agreement, Black & Veatch is granted a global license to engineer and build chemical (i.e. methanol and melamine) and fertilizer (i.e. ammonia, urea, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate, superphosphates and complex fertilizers) plants that use Casale technologies.

Black & Veatch and Casale now offer a global one-stop engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solution for pursuing and participating in the proposal and execution of projects. Services also include start-up, operation and maintenance activities while leveraging Casales technologies.

Black & Veatch has more than 50 years of experience in successful plant development in commercial fertilizer process technologies and project execution, said Doug Miller, Vice President & Managing Director of Technology for Black & Veatchs Oil & Gas business. Casale brings its global leadership in fertilizers, melamine, methanol and related technologies. This agreement offers integrated innovative low-cost solutions for all of our clients needs across the life of a project from conception to plant start-up and ongoing maintenance and operation support. 

Casale has 95 years of experience in developing technologies in the fields of fertilizer, melamine, methanol and syngas generation, and in the design of the related plants, and currently holds a leading presence in such fields, said Ermanno Filippi CTO of Casale SA. This agreement allows us to further expand our offering in the global EPC marketplace by building on our longstanding and successful relationship with Black & Veatch.

Editors Notes:

Casale is an engineering leader in chemical, petrochemical, fertilizer and other industrial plants and has extensive proprietary technology for the production of ammonia, urea, methanol, melamine and nitric acid, among other products.

Black & Veatch has completed more than 50 projects involving fertilizer plants with production ranging from 50 to 2,500 metric tons per day. The companys projects have involved planning studies, revamps, and ammonia storage and terminal facilities. Black & Veatch also has nitric acid, urea and urea ammonium experience.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2015 were US$3.0 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.

Media Contact Information:

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About Casale SA

Casale SA is a privately owned Swiss Company, wholly owned by CASALE HOLDING, with headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland. Casale, the Swiss global leader in ammonia, urea, methanol, melamine, nitric acid, nitrate and phosphate technologies is, since 1921, a global provider of integrated solutions for the production of fertilizers and chemicals from syngas. For more information, visit www.casale.ch

Media Contact Information:

Casale SA | Lorenzo Pennino, head of sales department | Tel. +41 91 6419237 | e-mail: l.pennino@casale.ch




GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced that Health Canada has approved the companys New Drug Submission (NDS) for its botulism antitoxin, BAT [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) - (Equine)]. BAT is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic botulism following documented or suspected exposure to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B, C, D, E, F, or G in adults and pediatric patients. BAT was approved under the Extraordinary Use New Drug (EUND) Regulations, which provide a regulatory pathway for products for which collecting clinical information for its intended use in humans is logistically or ethically not possible.



Emergent is pleased that Health Canada has approved this critical countermeasure against botulinum toxin, which has been identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Public Health Agency of Canada as one of the more likely biological threat agents, said Adam Havey, executive vice president and president, biodefense division at Emergent BioSolutions. As a leading global provider of medical countermeasures that address CBRNE threats and emerging infectious diseases, Emergent is committed to helping allied governments fulfill their preparedness needs. We expect to expand upon our longstanding relationship with the Canadian government and develop similar relations outside of North America as a key strategic objective for the organization.

Emergent has an existing ten-year contract, executed in 2012, to supply BAT to the Canadian Department of National Defense as well as the Public Health Agency of Canada and individual provincial health authorities. In addition, Emergent has been supplying BAT to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile as part of a $450 million contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. BAT, which was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013, is the only botulism antitoxin available in the U.S. for treating naturally occurring, non-infant botulism, and for administering to patients under emergency conditions.

About Emergent BioSolutions

Emergent BioSolutions is a global specialty biopharmaceutical company dedicated to one simple missionto protect and enhance life. We develop, manufacture, and deliver a portfolio of medical countermeasures for biological and chemical threats as well as emerging infectious diseases. Through our work, we envision protecting and enhancing 50 million lives with our products by 2025. Additional information about the company may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com. Follow us @emergentbiosolu.
Gmal89 wrote:

I would appreciate a review of my profile as mentioned below. I havent started applying yet but I am hoping that my aims are not set too high.

Finances are not a crippling factor, but I would need some level of scholarships to manage.



My Profile



Nationality : Indian

Age : 27 years

Gender : Male

GMAT score : 760



Work experience : 6 years

Industry : Software Industry. I joined an Indian MNC (TCS) at the end of 2010. I was trained to work on the Oracle E business application suite and worked with 4 clients including an American healthcare giant and three telecom players (2 Indian and one from the Middle East). I was also, for a short duration, deputed as an instructor in a training program for fresh recruits. I then switched to another Indian MNC (Infosys) in early 2015 where I have been working as an analyst for Oracle customization ever since.

Certifications : Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate



Undergrad school/ Major : Local College/ Bachelor of technology (Electronics and communications)

Undergrad percentage : 60.3 (had to retake a paper once but cleared it in first attempt).



Extracurricular activities : Participated and won prizes in several literary events in school and college.

Regularly leadership roles since my youth as can be demonstrated by below points:

 Member of school council for two years in a row in high school.

 Member of hostel students union in college.

 Helped organize a national level technical symposium in my final year of college.

 Member of several committees which organized recreational events when I worked for my first employer.

 Currently working for a CSR initiative run by my present employer.



Target career stream : Strategy/ Operations management

Target schools : LBS, INSEAD, TUCK





Thanks in advance!

GM

Thanks for sharing.Your GMAT score helps show your academic capacity, holding leadership/elected position help show habit of leadership. For the essays, you would need to share and substantiate achievements, and show scale of responsibilities. It would help how your career has progressed and the skills you have gained along the way through responsibilities and challenges.It would also help to play up international exposure or collaborating with a multi-cultural team. It would help demonstrate an open-mind and ability to adapt. Also, identify how specifics at the target programs would help you towards your career goals.All the best!_________________
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Dec. 12, 2016)  Federally insured credit unions saw continued improvement in nearly every category during the third quarter of 2016, according to state-level data compiled by the National Credit Union Administration and released today.

Nationally, median loan growth in federally insured credit unions was 3.9 percent during the year ending in the third quarter. In the same period, median asset growth was 4.2 percent; the median rate of growth in deposits and shares was 4.5 percent; and the median loans-to-shares ratio rose to 63 percent.

The NCUA Quarterly U.S. Map Review, available online here, tracks performance indicators for federally insured credit unions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The review also includes information on two important state-level economic indicators: unemployment rates and home price changes.

Every State Shows Positive Median Loan Growth

Nationally, median growth in loans outstanding was 3.9 percent over the year ending in the third quarter of 2016, down slightly from 4.1 percent the previous year. The highest median growth rates for loans were in Washington (9.7 percent) and Oregon (8.1 percent). Median loan growth was lowest in Pennsylvania (0.1 percent) and Connecticut (0.8 percent).

Oregon Reports Highest Median Asset Growth Rate

Median asset growth was 4.2 percent nationally in the year ending in the third quarter of 2016, up from 2.4 percent a year earlier. Median asset growth was fastest in Oregon (8.7 percent), followed by Washington and Arizona (both 7.5 percent). Median asset growth was lowest in the District of Columbia (0.6 percent) and Arkansas (1.8 percent).

Shares and Deposits Rise in Every State

At the median, shares and deposits rose in every state over the year ending in the third quarter. Nationally, the median growth rate in shares and deposits was 4.5 percent, up from 2.3 percent a year earlier.

The median growth rate in shares and deposits was highest in Oregon (8.5 percent) and Arizona (8.2 percent). The median growth rate in shares and deposits was lowest in the District of Columbia (0.2 percent) and Arkansas (2.0 percent).

80 Percent of Credit Unions Report Positive Net Income

Nationally, 80 percent of federally insured credit unions had positive net income during the first three quarters of 2016, up from 78 percent in the first three quarters of 2015.

At least half of credit unions in every state had positive net income during the first three quarters of this year. The share of credit unions with positive net income was highest in Nevada (100 percent) and Iowa (94 percent). The share was lowest in Delaware (58 percent), followed by Arkansas, the District of Columbia and Wyoming (all 66 percent).

Nevada, Vermont Lead on Annualized Returns on Average Assets

Nationally, the median annualized return on average assets at federally insured credit unions was 37 basis points over the first three quarters of 2016, up from 35 basis points in the first three quarters of 2015.

Nevada (81 basis points) had the highest median return on average assets in the first three quarters of the year, followed by Vermont (79 basis points). Delaware (11 basis points) reported the lowest median return, followed by the District of Columbia (15 basis points).

Alaska, Idaho Pace Nation in Highest Median Loans-to-Shares Ratios

Nationally, the median ratio of loans outstanding to total shares and deposits was 63 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2016, compared to 62 percent a year earlier. The median loans-to-shares ratio was highest among credit unions in Alaska (87 percent) and Idaho (86 percent). The median loans-to-shares ratio was lowest in Delaware (43 percent) and Hawaii (46 percent).

Median Total Delinquency Rate Down From a Year Earlier

The median total delinquency rate at federally insured credit unions was 0.7 percent nationally in the third quarter of 2016, down slightly from 0.8 percent a year earlier. At the end of the third quarter, the median delinquency rate was lowest in New Hampshire and Nevada (both 0.3 percent) and highest in New Jersey (1.7 percent), followed by Delaware and Louisiana (both 1.3 percent).

Larger Credit Unions Still Leading Membership Growth

Overall, credit union membership continued its growth during the year ending in the third quarter of 2016; however, at the median, membership declined 0.1 percent.

The median membership growth rate was negative 0.2 percent over the previous year. Overall, 51 percent of federally insured credit unions had fewer members at the end of the third quarter of 2016 than a year earlier.

Approximately 75 percent of credit unions with declining membership had assets of less than $50 million.

Idaho (2.3 percent) had the highest median membership growth rate over the year ending in the third quarter of 2016, followed by Alaska (2.1 percent). Median membership growth was negative in 22 states. At the median, membership declined the most in Pennsylvania (-1.6 percent) and Oklahoma (-1.3 percent).
Sunday Briefing: Marc Ladouceur Wins the Super-Sized Sunday

December 12, 2016 Matthew Pitt Editor

Canadas Marc FrenchDawg Ladouceur enjoyed a profitable Sunday this week thanks to taking down the $700 Super-Sized Sunday at PokerStars. Ladouceur came out on top of a field of 644 players in the progressive bounty tournament, netting $37,170.35 in prize money and an additional $23,142.95 in bounty payments.

Although impressive, Ladouceurs haul was not the largest of the weekend, that honor went to Austrias WestCliff21 who triumphed in the Sunday Million, outlasting 4,914 opponents to get his hands on a massive $144,335.70 score.

Some of the other notable cashes from the PokerStars tournaments on Dec. 11 included:

S Hawking - winner of the $109 Sunday Kickoff for $19,757.46

- winner of the for $19,757.46 fish_san - winner of the Hot $162 for $6,569.63

- winner of the for $6,569.63 Sand0-85 - winner of the $215 Bounty Builder for $13,195.95

- winner of the for $13,195.95 Graftekkel - winner of the $215 Sunday Warm-Up for $52,421.58

- winner of the for $52,421.58 Carlos Carloss86 Saguier - winner of the $215 Weekender for $8,777.26

- winner of the for $8,777.26 Lazarrev - winner of the Big $109 for $23,752.26

- winner of the for $23,752.26 cardinals970 - winner of the Hot $162 for $11,015.82

- winner of the for $11,015.82 Noah dirty.brasil Vaillancourt - winner of the $109 Bounty Builder for $15,350.65

- winner of the for $15,350.65 Dumitrascu renalikes Renaldo - winner of the $109 Bubble Rush for $9,312

- winner of the for $9,312 Faraz The-Toilet 0 Jaka - winner of the Hot $109 for $17,686.82

- winner of the for $17,686.82 Seth Setherson2 Davies - winner of the $1,050 Sunday Grand NLHE for $48,071.86

- winner of the for $48,071.86 Dmitry yurasov1990 Yurasov - winner of the $1,050 Sunday Grand PLO for $22,032.84

- winner of the for $22,032.84 Daris DEX888 Pedes - winner of the Big $215 for $24,329.85

- winner of the for $24,329.85 crossthervr - winner of the $109 Sunday Cooldown for $21,219.95

- winner of the for $21,219.95 Turbofluen - winner of the $215 Sunday Supersonic for $33,225.41

- winner of the for $33,225.41 bigegypt - winner of the Hot $215 for $16,837.99

- winner of the for $16,837.99 Peter Belabasci Traply - winner of the $109 Sunday Wrap-Up for $9,275.04

The tournaments at partypoker produced some big winners again this weekend, one of them being Marc railthe23price Wright who secured the $7,848.83 first-place prize of the $40,000 Gtd Drago only a couple of weeks after taking down the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour Grand Final in the live arena.

A larger prize, one worth $10,653.21, was enjoyed by stultotoa10 who emerged victorious in the $50,000 Gtd Weigh-In tournament, while Pablo Brito Britz1 Silva took down the $150,000 Gtd Main Event, turning $109 into $24,150.15.

In the $200,000 Gtd High Roller, Afghaneren walked away with the $39,000 top prize with Simon HellmuthTheGr8 Mattsson banking $42,550 by winning the $100,000 Gtd Super High Roller, partypokers $2,600 buy in event.

Lastly for the partypoker results is the impressive $41,971.50 score that Ewald Mahr NOT_AGGRO Olivera walked away with when he won the $250,000 Gtd Title Fight tournament.

Over at 888poker, Swedens Madeon1994 walked away with the $26,112.60 first-place prize of the $100,000 Whale, a similar cash to the $21,068.72 won by Lukas suk12cz Soucek in the $100,000 Mega Deep.

A field of 375 turned out for the $160 buy in $50,000 Sunday Crocodile this week and the last player standing was thegrindler who banked a cool $10,794.37. Germanys iCrushu556 turned $90 into $15,298.87 by winning the $70,000 Sunday Challenge.
KTMs partner and stake holder Bajaj manufactures the 125 cc, 200 cc, 250 cc and 390 cc variants of Duke and RC series under the KTM nameplate at their facility in Pune. It is from here that these eight variants are exported to the world.

Now, at the 2016 EICMA last year, KTM the new RC 390. Apart from a refreshed paint scheme, the new KTM RC 390 is also more responsive and sharper in handling. It also gets new adjustable brake and clutch lever, wider mirrors, larger 320 mm brake rotor and a new seat, which makes long rides more comfortable.

Additional updates on offer with 2017 KTM RC 390 include slipper clutch, ride-by-wire, always on headlight (headlamp on-off switch no longer there since 2016 variants), plastic flaps on front fork, revised NOK seal, improved seat cushion, improved alloy wheels, new ECU mounts, adjustable handle bar levers, improved radiator fans for better cooling, and much more.

Unlike the previous edition, which had received under-belly exhaust, the new 2017 KTM RC 390 features a side-mounted exhaust system. Now this was done so as to meet the stricter emission norms in developed countries, especially in Europe.

New KTM RC 390  10 Things No One Told You

With inputs from Rahul Mazumder (Ride With Rahul) we bring you 10 features about the new 2017 KTM RC390 which no one told you. Offered in colors of Orange, Jet Black and White, the RC390 receives a 373.2 cc 1 cylinder liquid cooled engine offering 43.5 PS power and 36 Nm torque.

1

Front Disc  KTM RC390 receives larger 320mm front disc brakes. These larger disc brakes offer better stopping power and being made with aluminum ensures lighter weight even as these new brakes also result in better heat dissipation.

2

Oil Seal  2017 KTM RC390 receives imported oil seal from a reputed Japanese company.

3

Throttle by Wire  This ride-by-wire throttle with adjustable levers also makes its way onto the new RC390 replacing the electronic system seen on its earlier counterpart. This in turn offers better response and is more beginners friendly.

4

White and Orange Paint Scheme  A new paint scheme seen on 2017 KTM RC390 is glossy and UV resistant which means that the strong summer sun does not damage the paint in any way. Its paint scheme is further accentuated by new graphics seen across the bike.

5

A new belly pan design  is narrower and positioned higher than was seen on the earlier model

6

Side mounted Exhaust  The new aluminum silencer now complies with Euro 4 standards. Sounds are smoother and it also offers better idling. This new exhaust system is a combination of stainless steel underbelly pre muffler and aluminum absorption type final exhaust.

7

Shock Absorbers  2017 KTM RC390 gets separate oil and gas canisters which enhances performance. It is internal so is not visible.

8

New Tyre Rating  Seen with H rating which is good for 180-200 kms, the RC390 tyres are also cheaper and available on Amazon at INR 30,000. Front tyres measure 110/70 ZR 17 while at the rear are 150/60 ZR 17.

9

Frame and Chassis  RC390 sits on a tubular space frame made of steel and powder coated. It comes in with 12mm extra padding on seats for added rider and pillion comforts while grab handles for pillion is also evident. It is now 4 kgs heavier than its earlier counterpart, weighing a total of 164.5 kgs.

10

ECU Upgrade  This feature is also noted on the new RC390 with a safety feature which ensures that the bike cannot be started without a key and a security system that cannot be hacked.

Watch the video below, for a detailed understanding.
Maruti Suzuki India launched their premium hatchback Baleno in India back in 2015. One of the best selling cars in the country, Baleno sits above the Swift in the company line-up and rivals with the likes of Hyundai Elite i20, VW Polo, Fiat Punto, Honda Jazz and the likes.

Until now, the Baleno was only offered with a petrol 1.2 liter and diesel 1.3 liter engine option. Now, it will also be offered with a more powerful and efficient 1.0 liter petrol three cylinder engine with the Baleno RS nameplate. With only variant on offer, price starts from INR 8.69 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. This means it is about over INR 1 lakh more expensive than the top end petrol manual variant and about INR 6,000 cheaper than the diesel manual top end variant.

Engine & Transmission

Maruti Baleno RS was showcased as a concept earlier last year at the 2016 Auto Expo. This is a sportier and premium variant of existing Baleno. Power to the Baleno RS comes from 1.0-liter BoosterJet engine which delivers 75 kW (101 hp) at 5500 rpm and 150 Nm at 1700-4500 rpm.

This means that the new Baleno RS delivers 20% more powerful and 30% more torque as compared to the existing 1.2 liter petrol engine. Transmission option on offer is a 5 speed manual gearbox. No automatic or CVT is on offer. Claimed fuel efficiency stands at 21.1 kmpl.

Below is a video explaining the functioning of the new petrol engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdwhlhfew7I

Exteriors & Interiors

As far as exteriors are concerned, it carries forward the same design language as seen on the standard Baleno. Based on the Liquid Flow design philosophy, some of the exterior features are  projector headlamps, LED DRLs, 16 inch alloy with wider 195/55 rubber, LED tail lamps, chrome slat at the rear, V shaped grille, wider air dams in the front, new exterior colour options, new alloys, side skirts, black mesh in front grille, etc.

Interior design remains same. It will get all-black interiors with Smartplay touchscreen infotainment system, steering mounted controls, Auto AC, airbags, ABS, keyless entry, start/stop, power windows, etc. Surprisingly, weight has been increased by 60 kgs.

Specs

Length 3995 Width (mm) 1745 Height (mm) 1510 Wheelbase (mm) 2520 Ground clearance (mm) 170* Boot space (l) 339 liters Seating capacity 5 Engine Capacity (cc) 998 Max Power (kW@rpm) 75/5500 Max. Torque (Nm@rpm) 150/1700-4500 Fuel tank capacity (l) 37 Fuel Type Petrol Camshaft DOHC No. of Cylinders 3 Transmission 5MT Min. turning radius (m) 4.9 Power steering type Electric, Rack & Pinion type Kerb Weight (kg) 950 Gross Vehicle Weight (kg) 1360 Front Brakes Disc Rear Brakes Disc Front Suspension McPherson Strut Rear Suspension Torsion Beam Tyre Size* 195/55 R16

Exterior Features

Chrome door handles

Body coloured ORVMs

Body coloured bumpers

Chrome accent front grille

Turn indicators on ORVMs

Back door spoiler

Alloy Wheels (Black)

Daytime Running Lamps with LED

Rear Combination Lamps with LED

Projector headlamps

A+B+C Pillar blackout

UV Cut Glass (Front doors + Rear doors + Qtr glass)

Interior Features

Metal finish inside door handles

Metal finish tipped parking brake

Glove box illumination

Luggage room illumination

Front footwell illumination

Multi Information Speedometer Display (with colour TFT)

Leather wrapped steering wheel

Safety & Security

Anti-theft security system

Front disc brakes

Rear disc brakes

Dual horn

Headlamp levelling

Front fog lamps

Auto headlamps

Pinch guard power window (Driver)

Child seat tether anchorages

Auto diming IRVM

Driver side seat belt reminder

Rev. parking sensors

Rev. parking camera

Rear wiper & washer

Rear defogger

Entertainment

SmartPlay Infotainment System

Bluetooth

AUX & USB

Steering mounted audio control

Navigation system

Voice command

Smartphone Connect/Apple CarPlay

Remote Control through Smartphone App.

Comfort & Convenience

Central locking

Remote keyless entry

Front power windows

Rear power windows

Auto-up power window (Driver)

Electrically foldable ORVMs

Telescopic steering

Tilt steering

Front seat adjustable headrest

Rear seat adjustable headrest

Auto AC

Follow me home/lead to vehicle

Front centre armrest with storage

60:40 Split seat (Rear)

Height adjustable driver seat

Front and rear accessory socket

Push start/stop with smart key

Colour Options

Fire Red

Premium Urban Blue

Premium Silver

Autumn Orange

Ray Blue

Pearl Arctic White

Granite Gray

NEXA

New Maruti Baleno RS will be retailed exclusively via NEXA outlets. In fact, it will be the marquee product on sale at NEXA dealerships across India. With bookings already open, deliveries are set to start within a few days. Just like Baleno, the RS variant will also be produced at both, Manesar as well as Gujarat plant facility.

News Release
Cedars-Sinai neurosurgeons have begun using a high-definition imaging device to see inside the brain during surgery, allowing them to map safer pathways to reach and remove tumors.

The device, called Brightmatter Guide, works like a GPS, providing real-time, brightly colored 3-D images that guide surgeons through the brain's tiny neural connections while avoiding healthy tissue. Until now, neurosurgeons have relied largely on conventional MRI scans that provide flat, two-dimensional renderings of the brain.

"This technology allows for us to more safely enter the brain without disturbing the important pathways connecting the brain's critical areas of operation," said Keith Black, MD, chair of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery and director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute. "An estimated 62,000 primary brain tumors and 150,000 metastatic brain tumors are diagnosed annually in the U.S. This new tool offers us a tremendous amount of hope for better outcomes for many of our patients."

Cedars-Sinai is the first medical center in California to employ the new system. The device includes a camera that tracks the physician's tools and shows a detailed image of the patient's brain on a nearby screen. The tool can be used by surgeons operating on brain tumors, aneurysms, vascular lesions, skull-based issues and the spine.

Cedars-Sinai neurosurgeons perform approximately 600 brain surgeries a year. Going forward, about one-third of those procedures will be performed with the new device.
The recent suicide of Brandy Vela, a teen in Texas City, Texas, was a potent reminder of the sometimes tragic consequences of bullying. According to Vela's parents, the teen fatally shot herself Nov. 29 following months of bullying and sexual harassment, perpetrated in part through text messages and social media.

Sexual harassment is a prevalent form of victimization that most antibullying programs ignore and teachers and school officials often fail to recognize, said bullying and youth violence expert Dorothy L. Espelage.

Espelage recently led a five-year study that examined links between bullying and sexual harassment among schoolchildren in Illinois. Nearly half -- 43 percent -- of middle school students surveyed for the study reported they had been the victims of verbal sexual harassment such as sexual comments, jokes or gestures during the prior year.

The study followed 1,300 Illinois youths from middle school to high school, examining the risk factors associated with bullying and sexual harassment and the characteristics of the perpetrators. Students from four middle schools completed the surveys, and some of the youths and their teachers also were interviewed by the researchers.

Espelage, who conducted the research while on the faculty of the University of Illinois, is a professor of psychology at the University of Florida.

While verbal harassment was more common than physical sexual harassment or sexual assault, 21 percent of students reported having been touched, grabbed or pinched in a sexual way, and 18 percent said peers had brushed up against them in a suggestive manner.

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Students also reported being forced to kiss the perpetrators, having their private areas touched without consent and being "pantsed" -- having their pants or shorts jerked down by someone else in public.

About 14 percent of the students in the study reported having been the target of sexual rumors, and 9 percent had been victimized with sexually explicit graffiti in school locker rooms or bathrooms.

According to Espelage, "sexual harassment among adolescents is directly related to bullying," particularly homophobic bullying.

Homophobic name-calling emerges among fifth- and sixth-grade bullies as a means of asserting power over other students, Espelage said. Youths who are the targets of homosexual name-calling and jokes then feel compelled to demonstrate they are not gay or lesbian by sexually harassing peers of the opposite sex.

About 16 percent of students in the study reported that they had been the targets of homophobic name-calling or jokes, and nearly 5 percent of youths reported that this harassment happened to them often.

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On the surveys, youths were asked an open-ended question about their most upsetting experience of sexual harassment. Fourteen percent of students who reported being victimized negated their experiences by writing that their peers' behaviors were "not really sexual harassment" because the incidents were "meaningless" or intended as jokes.

"What was most surprising and concerning was that these young people were dismissive of these experiences, even though they described them as very upsetting," Espelage said. "Students failed to recognize the seriousness of these behaviors -- in part because teachers and school officials failed to address them. Prevention programs need to address what is driving this dismissiveness."

Youths who were dismissive of sexual harassment experiences also were more likely to perpetrate homophobic name-calling, the researchers found.

While students reported that large proportions of these sexual harassment incidents occurred in places such as school hallways, classrooms, gym locker rooms or gym classes where faculty and staff members ostensibly might witness them, the researchers found that many teachers, school officials and staff members failed to acknowledge that sexual harassment occurred in their schools.

Many of these adults also were unaware that they were mandated by school district or federal policies to protect students from sexual harassment, Espelage said.

"These findings highlight the importance of making sexual harassment prevention efforts a priority in U.S. school districts, and that will require the efforts of students, faculty and staff members, school administrators and practitioners such as school psychologists," Espelage said. "Schools need to have a consistently enforced policy that clearly defines sexual harassment and establishes regulations against engaging in such behavior. School officials also must provide guidelines for faculty and staff members on how to address these incidents and how to respond appropriately to student reports of sexual harassment."

Sexual harassment experiences varied across socio-demographic groups, depending on students' age, race and sex. For example, females were at greatest risk of sexual harassment, while African-American girls and boys were at greatest risk of being victimized by romantic partners, the researchers found.

Counseling techniques, interventions and prevention programs for students need to consider these socio-demographic differences and address relevant factors that contribute to sexual harassment in racially diverse school populations, Espelage said.

Co-authors of the study were Illinois alumni Jun Sung Hong, currently a professor of social work at Wayne State University; Sarah Rinehart and Namrata Doshi.

The paper was published recently in the journal Children and Youth Services Review.
Certain type 2 diabetes drugs promote weight loss, but how they do this remains poorly understood. Insight into how these drugs work in the body -- and especially the brain -- could help create new drugs that effectively control body weight. In an important advance on that front, a new study from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) shows that these drugs, called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), reduce body mass by targeting a different part of the brain than previously thought.

"GLP-1RAs cause people to eat less, and their weight loss effects were thought to rely on the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls appetite," says Julio Ayala, Ph.D., associate professor at SBP and senior author of the study, published in the journal Diabetes. "There was some evidence to support this notion, but it hadn't been directly tested. In this study, we show that it's not the case -- other regions of the brain must be involved in weight loss caused by GLP-1RAs."

Though the search for weight loss drugs has been intense, there are very few effective drugs on the market. One GLP-1RA has been recently approved to treat obesity in non-diabetics, but patients generally only lose a small percentage of their body weight. Another drawback of GLP-1RAs is that they are given by injection twice a day, and some studies suggest that they increase the risk of pancreatitis.

"Better treatments for obesity would make a huge impact on public health," adds Ayala. "GLP-1RAs are a tool towards that end -- if we can understand how they lead to weight loss, we may be able to design drugs that act on just the right parts of the brain, or modify GLP-1RAs to be more effective."

GLP-1RAs include liraglutide (brand name Victoza), exenatide (Byetta), and albiglutide (Tanzeum). They mimic the hormone GLP-1, which is normally released from the intestine following a meal. GLP-1 acts on the pancreas to trigger release of insulin and lower blood sugar, on the stomach to slow digestion, and on the brain to reduce food consumption, among other effects.

Ayala's team examined whether actions in the hypothalamus were essential for GLP-1RAs to induce weight loss using mice lacking GLP-1 receptors in that region of the brain. In these mice, GLP-1RAs still reduce food intake and lower body mass, indicating that the hypothalamus is not the only part of the brain required for the drugs' effects on weight.

"Our findings show that we still have work to do to understand what GLP-1RAs are doing in the brain," commented Ayala. "But we know where to start. We're already looking at their effects on brain regions that are involved in the reward associated with eating, such as the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens."

"Though the idea that the hypothalamus was central to GLP-1RAs' effects on eating had become accepted in the field, in a way it's not surprising that it turns out to be more complicated," Ayala added. "Feeding is a complex behavior that's controlled by a complex organ, so these drugs likely modulate more than just one brain region -- they probably impact entire circuits. That's where our research is headed."

This research was performed in collaboration with scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan Health System, and the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at the University of Toronto. Funding was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Often portrayed as pulling Santa's sleigh, reindeer are a Christmas staple. Now, ecologists have found that reindeer are shrinking due to the impact of climate change on their food supplies.

Speaking at the British Ecological Society annual meeting in Liverpool this week, researchers will reveal that over the past 20 years -- during a period of noticeable summer and winter warming in the Arctic -- reindeer on Svalbard have got smaller and lighter.

Ecologists from the James Hutton Institute, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and Norwegian University of Life Sciences have worked in the high Arctic since 1994, measuring and weighing the reindeer. Each winter they catch, mark and measure 10-month-old calves, returning each year to recapture them and track their size and weight as adults.

The survey shows that over 16 years, the adult reindeers' weight declined by 12% -- from 55kg for those born in 1994 to just over 48kg for those born in 2010.

Professor Steve Albon who led the study believes that three factors -- all influenced by climate change -- are responsible for the shrinking reindeer.

"In Svalbard, snow covers the ground for eight months of the year, and low temperatures typically limit grass growth to June and July. But as summer temperatures have increased by 1.5C, pastures have become more productive, allowing female reindeer to gain more weight by the autumn and therefore conceive more calves," he explains.

Warmer winters, however, mean more rain. The rain falls on snow, where it freezes, thus locking-out the reindeer from the food beneath the snow. As a result, the reindeer starve, aborting their calves or giving birth to much lighter young.

The third factor at play is that over the past 20 years, reindeer numbers have doubled, so greater competition for food in winter could also help explain the shrinking reindeer.

All of which could spell disaster for this iconic Christmas species, Albon warns: "The implications are that there may well be more smaller reindeer in the Arctic in the coming decades but possibly at risk of catastrophic die-offs because of increased ice on the ground."

Professor Albon will discuss the study at the British Ecological Society annual meeting in Liverpool on Monday 12 December 2016.
Although North Atlantic right whales, humpback whales and bowhead whales-all species of baleen whales-are some of the largest animals on Earth, they are also among the most critically endangered. These whales were hunted nearly to extinction over the last 300 years for their blubber, which was used to produce oil. Fortunately, these species are repopulating, but because they reproduce slowly, their numbers are more vulnerable to dangers such as collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing lines.

By understanding more about the female whales' breeding habits-including how often they breed, the length of their gestation and where they give birth-scientists can work with environmental groups and government agencies to find ways to better protect them. But because of their size and speed, and the vast expanse of ocean that is their habitat, they're extremely difficult animals for scientists to study.

Methods used to study other animals, such as obtaining blood samples, are literally impossible when it comes to these giant marine mammals. Even the most basic physiological information about these species remains unknown or uncertain among the scientific community.

That's why Kathleen Hunt, wildlife endocrinologist and research professor in Northern Arizona University's Department of Biological Sciences, has pioneered some novel ways to analyze the hormone levels present in unusual sample types. According to Hunt, who joined NAU in 2016, hormones produced by the endocrine glands-including the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the ovaries and testes-can reveal important clues about an animal such as its levels of stress and reproductive health.

Hunt's work includes developing a method for collecting and testing individual whale respiratory vapor droplet samples, or "whale blow," using hand-held poles outfitted with polypropylene tubes covered with mesh fabric. But Hunt believes the most promising area of study has been developing new ways to test the endocrinological information stored in whale baleen-the hairy, fringed plates that hang down from their upper jaws and filter zooplankton and other small crustaceans from the water. Hunt has found that baleen, which has not been previously used to study whale physiology, stores a wide range of hormonal data that can help chart a female whale's reproductive history.

The baleen on a North Atlantic right whale can grow to more than eight feet long and show more than ten years' worth of data. Hunt can analyze pulverized baleen for the presence of hormones such as cortisol and progesterone, which reveal startlingly clear information about the whale's levels of stress and reproductive physiology. For example, she can determine how often a female whale has been pregnant from the progesterone levels present at different growth points in the baleen-data that is critical to advancing understanding of how often the whales reproduce.

Hunt's research, which has been published in several scientific journals, including Conservation Physiology, as well as in mainstream publications such as the New York Times and NewsWorks, is gaining attention from the international marine biology community because it's giving scientists more ways to study the animals and collect meaningful data about them.

Most of Hunt's baleen specimens were collected from stranded whale carcasses. She works in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Network to collect and study these specimens and hopes to use them to illuminate the stressful health effects of chronic entanglement in fishing gear, a serious issue for whales today and a common cause of death. She has recently begun working with several natural history museums as well, many of which have collections of whale baleen that date back centuries.

Even NAU has some baleen -- the Mammalogy laboratory has a large piece of bowhead whale baleen that has been in Flagstaff since at least 1991. Hunt hopes to be able to determine this whale's sex and reproductive history from the detailed study of this single baleen piece. She believes this will be the first attempt to study reproductive cycles from a several-decades-old specimen of whale baleen.

A zoologist by training, Hunt has studied a variety of animals all over the world, including tundra-nesting birds, sea turtles, African and Asian elephants, bear, elk and sea lions. Hunt is currently conducting field projects on gray whales off the Oregon coast and humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine. She has grant proposals pending for two other whale projects, one to study southern right whale calves who are being attacked by kelp gulls off the coast of Argentina, and a second on reproductive cycles in male whales.

Hunt also plans to study tortoises, antelope and birds while at NAU. She has two publications out on the baleen hormone technique, two more in progress and she will be presenting her most recent data at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in New Orleans in January 2017.
Scientists have known for decades that small changes in climate can have significant impacts on the massive Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Now a new study suggests the opposite also is true. An international team of researchers has concluded that the Antarctic Ice Sheet actually plays a major role in regional and global climate variability -- a discovery that may also help explain why sea ice in the Southern Hemisphere has been increasing despite the warming of the rest of the Earth.

Results of the study are being published this week in the journal Nature.

Global climate models that look at the last several thousand years have failed to account for the amount of climate variability captured in the paleoclimate record, according to lead author Pepijn Bakker, a former post-doctoral researcher at Oregon State University now with the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Studies at the University of Bremen in Germany.

The research team's hypothesis was that climate modelers were overlooking one crucial element in the overall climate system -- an aspect of the ocean, atmosphere, biosphere or ice sheets -- that might affect all parts of the system.

"One thing we determined right off the bat was that virtually all of the climate models had the Antarctic Ice Sheet as a constant entity," Bakker said. "It was a static blob of ice, just sitting there. What we discovered, however, is that the ice sheet has undergone numerous pulses of variability that have had a cascading effect on the entire climate system."

The Antarctic Ice Sheet, in fact, has demonstrated dynamic behavior over the past 8,000 years, according to Andreas Schmittner, a climate scientist in Oregon State's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and co-author on the study.

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"There is a natural variability in the deeper part of the ocean adjacent to the Antarctic Ice Sheet -- similar to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or El Nino/La Nina but on a time scale of centuries -- that causes small but significant changes in temperatures," Schmittner said. "When the ocean temperatures warm, it causes more direct melting of the ice sheet below the surface, and it increases the number of icebergs that calve off the ice sheet."

Those two factors combine to provide an influx of fresh water into the Southern Ocean during these warm regimes, according to Peter Clark, a paleoclimatologist in OSU's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and co-author on the study.

"The introduction of that cold, fresh water lessens the salinity and cools the surface temperatures, at the same time, stratifying the layers of water," Clark said. "The cold, fresh water freezes more easily, creating additional sea ice despite warmer temperatures that are down hundreds of meters below the surface."

The discovery may help explain why sea ice has expanded in the Southern Ocean despite global warming, the researchers say. The same phenomenon doesn't occur in the Northern Hemisphere with the Greenland Ice Sheet because it is more landlocked and not subject to the same current shifts that affect the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

"One message that comes out of this study is that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is very sensitive to small changes in ocean temperatures, and humans are making the Earth a lot warmer than it has been," Bakker said.

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Sediment cores from the sea floor around Antarctica contain sand grains delivered there by icebergs calving off the ice sheet. The researchers analyzed sediments from the last 8,000 years, which showed evidence that many more icebergs calved off the ice sheet in some centuries than in others. Using sophisticated computer modeling, the researchers traced the variability in iceberg calving to small changes in ocean temperatures.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet covers an area of more than 5 million square miles and is estimated to hold some 60 percent of all the fresh water on Earth. The east part of the ice sheet rests on a major land mass, but in West Antarctica, the ice sheet rests on bedrock that extends into the ocean at depths of more than 2,500 meters, or more than 8,000 feet, making it vulnerable to disintegration.

Scientists estimate that if the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt, global sea levels would rise some 200 feet.

Other authors on the study include Nicholas Golledge of Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and Michael Weber of the University of Bonn in Germany.
Scientists have found good strategies for curbing the toxic algae blooms that have threatened some of the nation's water supplies. Farmers are willing to adopt these strategies. The American public is willing to help pay for them.

Problem solved? Not exactly.

A collaboration of universities and government agencies has identified three key agricultural management plans for curtailing harmful algal blooms.

They have also identified a looming funding gap for enacting those plans.

Researchers announced their first results this week, both at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting and in a special issue of the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

Jay Martin, director of the Field to Faucet water quality program at The Ohio State University, leads the unusual project, which maps both the physical causes of toxic algae and the social landscape around the problem.

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He and his team took as their starting point the recent binational agreement between the United States and Canada to cut phosphorus discharge into Lake Erie by 40 percent. They surveyed farmers and the public and built watershed models to explore different ways to keep phosphorus from reaching the lake, where it feeds toxic algae.

"The big question now is, can we reach our goal of 40 percent reduction, and how do we do it?" Martin said. "The hopeful news that we have found is that there are multiple ways to get there, and farmers are already adopting the very same agricultural practices that we found to be most promising. If they can continue to adopt these practices and even accelerate their adoption, we can reach the 40 percent reduction we need to have safe levels of algal blooms in Lake Erie, while preserving agricultural production."

The researchers have identified three key farming practices that could reduce algae levels: subsurface application of fertilizer and the use of cover crops and buffer strips. Cover crops are grown in fields that would otherwise go fallow to keep rain from washing phosphorus-laden fertilizer into the lake. Buffer strips are non-crop plants that surround fields and serve the same kind of purpose.

In their surveys of farmers in the Lake Erie watershed, the researchers found that 39 percent were already applying fertilizer below the soil surface; 22 percent were already growing cover crops; and 35 percent were already using buffer strips.

Each of those numbers, while encouraging, falls at least 20 percent short of where they need to be to reach phosphorus reduction goals, the study found.

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Also encouraging: researchers found that Ohio residents were willing to help farmers pay for these practices. In the first survey of its kind, they asked residents to put a monetary value on reducing toxic algae in Lake Erie.

For example, they asked people how much reducing algae by 10 percent was worth. The answer that came back was quite specific: $150 million. And the answer was consistent, in that when researchers asked about reducing algae by 20 percent or 30 percent, respondents placed a $150 million value on every additional 10 percent. A 20 percent reduction was worth $300 million, and so on. People said they were willing to pay slightly higher food prices, or even a special income tax or sales tax that would benefit farmers to make the changes happen.

Reducing algae would likely carry a higher price tag, however: "While it looks like the reduction is possible, it will be a heavy lift," Martin said.

In fact, $150 million was the preliminary estimate that Ohio State researchers made in a study with the Nature Conservancy earlier this year -- but for annual mitigation of phosphorus runoff in only the most critical areas. That project was led by Stuart Ludsin, an associate professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology and co-director of Ohio State's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory.

Still, the payoff for reducing phosphorus goes beyond Lake Erie, Ludsin said.

"If done correctly, agricultural conservation practices aimed at improving water quality in Lake Erie can also boost the health of stream-fish communities throughout the watershed," he added.

Lake Erie is at the center of toxic algae research today, because it contains 50 percent of all the fish in the Great Lakes, supports a $1.7 billion tourism industry and provides drinking water for 11 million people. But the same problems are beginning to plague areas of the Mississippi Valley and coastal Florida, as well as coastlines around the world.

Martin and his team are presenting their findings at the AGU session "New Frontiers in Water Resources: Achieving Water Resource Security in Times of Climate Change, Urbanization, and Agricultural Expansion" co-organized by Noel Aloysius, who is also involved in the study. The session also highlights some of the promising strategies being used elsewhere.

Among them: Michele Reba, a hydrologist with USDA, is testing ways for farmers in the Mississippi Valley to capture and reuse their irrigation water, which keeps fertilizer nutrients on the farm.

Restoring lost wetlands -- or creating new ones -- is another strategy that is proving successful in the Florida Everglades. There, William Mitsch, director of Everglades Wetland Research Park at Florida Gulf Coast University, has found that tuning the plant and soil composition of wetlands can nearly eliminate all phosphorus runoff into surrounding waters.

In its special issue on Lake Erie, the Journal of Great Lakes Research explores these and other topics, including the roles of sediment, plankton, and climate change in promoting algae. More than a dozen papers are available as open access content online.
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Professor Bruce Aronson (Hitotsubashi University)

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Abstract

Is Japan unique? Even now we regularly encounter efforts by both academic generalists and popular writers to find the essence of Japan. Popular perceptions of Japan tend to include a preoccupation with cultural explanations and a violent swing of exaggerated views concerning Japans early postwar success and subsequent failure.



Stereotypes about Japan cause real harm. In the academic world, extensive research by specialists has generally failed to dispel the popular notion that a harmonious Japanese culture opposes the use of legal means to settle disputes. Business-related examples include exaggerated notions of cultural aspects of commercial relationships with Japanese companies and evaluation of Japans reform efforts such as the Big Bang financial deregulation and Abenomics. Stereotypes overwhelming careful analysis lead to both misunderstandings and lost opportunities.



To avoid such harmful stereotypes, this lecture instead proposes that we treat Japan as a normal countryi.e., use the same research and analytical methodologies that are utilized for any country without resorting to essentialist cultural arguments. Of course, Japan, like every country, has distinguishing local features and context; those with expertise and experience in Japan can contribute to the understanding of Japan by supplying the context within which society operates.



As Professor Beasley often emphasized, it is incumbent upon academics and other experts on Japan to communicate regularly with the general public to contribute to a deeper understanding of Japan.

Speaker Biography

Professor Aronson was a corporate partner at the law firm of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP in New York, and has been Professor of Business Law at Hitotsubashi University since 2013. He has also engaged in research and teaching at a number of U.S. law schools including Columbia University, the University of Michigan, Boston University, the University of Washington at Seattle, and Georgetown University. His experience in Japan includes research at the University of Tokyo (Fulbright, 2000-2002, 2004), the Bank of Japan (2010), and Waseda University (Fulbright, 2011-2013). His main area of research is comparative corporate governance with a focus on Japan. He also acts as an advisor to the law firm of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. Professor Aronson is admitted to practice in New York.

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Contact email: centres@soas.ac.uk

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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. 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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. 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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. 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Setting budget priorities is a key responsibility as your governor. The upcoming legislative session will require tough choices to address a revenue gap which has grown in recent months. In Midwestern states, lower prices for our major ag commodities like corn and beef have resulted in a downturn in tax revenue.

When Nebraska families face tough financial times, they reduce their spending. Government should be no different. In my last budget, the Legislature and I reduced the rate of growth in state spending by almost half from 6.5 percent to 3.6 percent. Instituting restraint over the last two sessions was the right thing to do, and it laid the foundation for balancing this next budget with reductions in spending.

While cutting back during tough budget times is a common sense step for Nebraska families and business owners, the State Capitol is full of various groups and special interests opposed to budget cuts. Already, senators and their staff are being lobbied to raise taxes instead of cutting government spending. Rolling back previous tax reductions, raiding the property tax credit relief fund, and raising the sales tax rate are just a few of the proposals being pushed by special interests. All of these proposals would be bad for Nebraska families and businesses and bad for our economy.

When the Legislature returns in January, I will take a different approach by recommending the Legislature make immediate reductions to close the states budget gap in the current year. Additionally, I will propose a new two-year budget that continues to rein in the growth of government without a tax increase.

Three principles must guide our next budget. First, the budget must be balanced. Second, the revenue gap must be addressed without tax increases. Third, the budget must reduce government spending.

State law requires Nebraska to balance our state budget. To achieve this, my administration has taken proactive steps to begin reducing state spending. At my direction, state agencies instituted a hiring freeze for non-mission critical positions and a ban on non-essential out-of-state travel. We reduced the amount of money state agencies receive quarterly in preparation for the needed spending reductions to the current budget.

In preparation for the next state budget, state agencies identified ways to cut back. Agency directors proposed targeted reductions, and I have been combing through the proposals with my budget office as we prepare the budget I recommend to the Legislature.

As we work to reduce spending, we are also developing legislative initiatives to reduce spending and identifying tax reforms that fit in a flat budget. The only way to have sustainable tax relief is to control spending. Any opportunity for tax relief is fundamentally the difference between spending restraint and revenue. Our need to grow the economy will also sharpen our focus to reduce unnecessary regulations and ensure economic incentive programs create good-paying jobs all across Nebraska.

As your governor, my focus is on representing Nebraska families and their interests in state government. This year, I hosted over 30 town halls across the state, and everywhere I travel Nebraskans tell me our taxes are too high.

This reality is reflected in national rankings. USA today ranks Nebraska 5th in the 10 worst states for property taxes while the Fiscal Times ranks Nebraska seventh highest for property taxes. According to Bloomberg, Nebraska ranks 16th highest for income taxes. High taxes are a major barrier to growing our state. I oppose tax increases and will continue to do everything I can to pave the way for future tax relief by reducing state spending.

I hope you will contact your state senator before January to express opposition to tax increases and support for spending restraint. You can find contact information for your senator at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov.

In Nebraska, the people are the second house, and I value your input.
The Car: 1968 Dodge Charger. The only surviving Charger from the 1997 film remake of the 1971 car chase classic, Vanishing Point.

The Owner: Mark Hurd

The Story: You could say Ive always had a thing for Dodge Chargers. I bought my first Charger, a 1968 model, when I was 18 years old for $500. I later sold this and purchased a 1971 Charger.

My wife and I had our first daughter, and as often happens, I had to trade my Charger for a more family-oriented vehicle. For years and from sedans to (groan) minivans, every car selection was a lacklustre but rational choice for a growing family.

Although the trade-off was worth it initially, as two more daughters arrived and all entered into the hormonal teenage years, amidst arguments over nail polish and tears over, well  everything and anything  I decided that it was time for me to make another trade-off.

Like all good stories, this one took time  more time than expected  and it wasnt until 2012 that I fell into deep pursuit of purchasing the Utah Beast  the 1968 Dodge Charger that was driven by Steve Railsback in the role of vengeful State Trooper Sgt. Preston, in the 1997 remake of the car cult classic Vanishing Point movie.

Do you think were going to nail him in that dogpile Chevy? Preston asks his deputy, adding: It takes a Mopar to catch a Mopar.

Staring Viggo Mortensen as James Kowalski, on the run in a white supercharged 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, the movie is best known for the Monument Valley chase. Jason Priestley has a special appearance as The Voice, who broadcasts the chase through on-air commentary to his radio listeners, exemplifying the speed, the pursuit and the dust of the Utah desert beneath the wheels of the two Dodge Mopars.

The chase is astounding and embodies the velocity and momentum of both cars, but especially demonstrates the intensity of the Charger as it reached the speed of 140 miles per hour.

The filming of this chase was what led to the destruction of one of the two Chargers used in the movie. I saw an advertisement for the car previously owned by the writer and director of the movie, Charles Robert Carner, in Las Vegas, Nev.

The pursuit was on, and two days later, I left a cool Canadian November and walked off a plane into the dry Nevada heat. I met with Motorcars of Las Vegas, purchased the car and had it shipped back to Canada. It took until December to arrive, and when I saw the flatbed pull up, I knew the pursuit was over.

I had caught my Mopar  the Utah Beast. The black R/T 2-door hardtop with black interior and a 440 Magnum V8 engine rated at 525 horsepower came with some documentation as well as paraphernalia from the movie.

The history of the cars ownership went back as far as Carner, however, I wanted to research even further. As the car entered numerous garages at the AutoDream group here in Niagara Falls for minor modifications, I hired Western Limited, a private investigation firm located in California in pursuit of obtaining research of the history of the vehicle.

They were able to obtain all documents, including the 1996 title. This investigative report also put me into contact with Jeff Dines, from Glendale Ariz., the owner of the Charger who sold it to the movie director in 1996.

The car became Charger 1 in the movie, and Jeff was fortunate enough to visit the film set and see his old car in action. I was fortunate enough to speak with Jeff in May 2013. We talked Chargers, and I was able to tell him about his old car while he sent me old photographs, including some from the film set.

In the years since purchasing the Utah Beast, I have done very little to the car, however, fresh paint, Cragar rims and some new vinyl have definitely updated the look. The car is the prize in my collection of Chargers that includes the addition of a 1971 and 1972.

I love driving the Utah Beast, and my wife and I cruise vociferously, though no longer through the dust of the Utah desert, opting instead for the soft serene forgiving tranquility of the Niagara Boulevard.

Although past the wobbly teenage years and now driving rational vehicles for their own growing families, I have never permitted any of my girls to drive the Utah Beast. I am, however, highly regarded as the cool Papa in the loud race car when I pick my grandson up from school. My two other grandkids are little yet, but they too will be able to come along soon.

We may not all be criminals as Jason Priestley, The Voice exclaims, but flying in my Utah Beast, I most undoubtedly feel free. It was a trade-off worth waiting for.

Show us your candy: Got a cool custom or vintage car? Send us high-res pictures (at least 1 MB) of you and your family with your beauty, and your story. We like photos  the more the better  of the interior, trim, wheels, emblems. Email wheels@thestar.ca and type Eye Candy in the subject line. Google Toronto Star Eye Candy to see past classic car confections.

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SAN FRANCISCO  Mike Zimmerman likes to shock his guests by using a hammer to drive a nail through a solid polymer lithium metal battery.

Nothing happens  and thats a good thing.

Zimmermans battery is a new spin on lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in products from smartphones to cars. Todays lithium-ion batteries, as anyone who has followed Samsungs recent problems with flammable smartphones may know, can be ticking time bombs. The liquids in them can burst into flames if there is a short circuit of some sort. And driving a nail into one of them is definitely not recommended.

With that in mind, Zimmermans demonstration commands attention.

His Woburn, Mass., startup, Ionic Materials, is at the cutting edge of an effort to design safer batteries. The company is working on solid lithium polymer batteries that greatly reduce their combustible nature.

A solid lithium polymer metal battery  when it arrives commercially  will also allow electronics designers to be more creative, because they will be able to use a plasticlike material (the polymer) that allows smaller and more flexible packaging and requires fewer complex safety mechanisms.

My dream is to create the Holy Grail of solid batteries, Zimmerman said.

After four years of development, he believes he is nearly there and hopes to begin manufacturing within the next two years. Ionic Materials is one of a new wave of academic and commercial research efforts in the United States, Europe and Asia to find safer battery technologies as consumers demand more performance from phones and cars.

In the last year, Seeo and Sakti, rival U.S. solid polymer battery makers, have been acquired by German industrial firm Bosch and British vacuum maker Dyson.

The interest in solid batteries was highlighted in September when the U.S. Department of Energys agency for supporting research in next-generation energy technology announced 16 awards aimed at accelerating development of solid battery technologies, including a $3-million (U.S.) contract to Ionic Materials.

There is growing evidence that after decades of excruciatingly slow development, batteries are on the verge of yielding to a new generation of material science.

Historically, batteries have been a glaring exception to the exponential progress of made-by-computer processing and storage. In the last 150 years, in fact, only a handful of rechargeable battery chemistries have reached mass adoption.

Its a huge challenge, said Ilan Gur, director of Cyclotron Road, a project for funding energy-related startups at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif. The improvements in batteries happen very slowly, and the improvement of battery chemistry is very hard.

He points to disappointments with batteries going back more than a century.

Thomas Edison voiced his frustration at the technology in an interview in 1883: The storage battery is one of those peculiar things which appeal to the imagination, and no more perfect thing could be desired by stock swindlers than that very selfsame thing.

Modern consumer electronics designers are not a great deal more optimistic.

The only real breakthrough battery technology Ive seen during my career was lithium-ion batteries, 18-plus years ago, said Tony Fadell, an electrical engineer who led the design of the iPod and original iPhone at Apple before founding Nest, the maker of home thermostats. Sometimes it feels like a Captain Ahab-like quest.

Lithium-ion batteries, introduced commercially in 1991 by Sony, offered a significant advantage over existing nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries in terms of compactness and rechargeability.

But they also have the potential for failures that on two occasions have forced the consumer electronics industry into broad recalls. Sony had a series of problems with battery fires beginning in 2000, culminating in the recall of 4.2 million laptop batteries in 2006  at the time the largest consumer electronics recall.

This fall, the recall of Samsungs Galaxy Note 7, a high-end smartphone, brought flammable batteries back into the news. Customers around the world reported that the phones were catching fire. Why it was happening is still unclear. A Samsung spokeswoman said that the company had not completed its evaluation of what led to the battery failures.

Many battery specialists say they believe that the failure lies in the South Korean electronics companies desire to create a thinner battery package, leading to the design of an ultrathin separator, a safety feature intended to prevent battery electrodes from contacting each other directly. That could create a short circuit, leading to fire or explosion.

This use of liquid electrolytes is an inherent, potential flaw in lithium-ion batteries. They are based on liquid electrolytes, a material used to ensure the movement of ions, or charged particles, between the electrodes as the batteries are charged and discharged.

For more than a decade, a hunt has been underway for an alternative solid material that would be less volatile. There has been optimism about new solid polymers that might replace liquid electrolytes, but they have not moved to commercialization  with the exception of a lithium polymer battery being used by Bollore, the French electric carmaker.

But that technology is aimed at electric car batteries and it does not operate at room temperature  it requires preheating to roughly 192 degrees  something that has been true for virtually all of the lithium metal polymer batteries to date.

Room temperature operation is just one of the potential advantages claimed by Ionic Materials. Its new polymer also has the ability to shuttle ions between a battery cathode and electrode as efficiently as is currently achieved by liquid electrolytes, or even more efficiently.

Zimmermans background is in the world of semiconductors; he worked at Bell Labs and then a company called Quantum Leap Packaging. Several university researchers who have worked with the company believe that has lead him to a technology that will be more manufacturable than competing polymer and ceramic battery technologies being explored.

What is so intriguing about Mike and his folks is they are using known production techniques borrowed from the semiconductor packaging industry, said Jay Whitacre, a Carnegie Mellon University physicist who was involved with Ionic Materials when it first started and who now is chief scientist at Aquion Energy, a maker of home storage and industrial batteries based in Mt. Pleasant, Penn.

The new progress has led a number of technologists in the field to believe that batteries may finally be getting out of their rut.

Were in a golden age of new chemistry development which probably hasnt been seen in 30 or 40 years, since the last energy crisis, said Paul Albertus, a program manager at the Department of Energys Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. Its a pretty exciting time to be developing energy storage technology.

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A boom in electric vehicles made by the likes of Tesla Motors Inc. could erode as much as 10 per cent of global gasoline demand by 2035, according to the oil industry consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd.

While battery-powered cars and trucks now represent less than 1 per cent of total vehicle sales, they are expected to take off after 2025 as governments move to tackle pollution and costs fall, the Houston-based analyst said. By 2035 so-called EVs may remove one million to two million barrels a day of oil demand from the market  in the range of the production cut OPEC and its allies recently agreed upon in order to end a three-year crude surplus.

Anything that reduces the demand for transportation has an impact on the oil market, Alan Gelder, vice-president of refining, chemicals and oils markets at Wood Mackenzie, said in an interview in London. The question is how big is it going to be and whats the time frame.

Wood Mackenzies view echoes the International Energy Agency, which last month forecast global gasoline demand has all but peaked because of more efficient cars and the spread of EVs. The agency expects total oil demand to keep growing for decades, driven by shipping, trucking, aviation and petrochemical industries.

Thats more conservative than Bloomberg New Energy Finances forecast for EVs to displace about eight million barrels a day of demand by 2035. That will rise to 13 million barrels a day by 2040, which amounts of about 14 per cent of estimated crude oil demand in 2016, the London-based researcher said. Electric cars are displacing about 50,000 barrels a day of demand now, Wood Mackenzie said.

On Friday Athens, Madrid, Mexico City and Paris pledged to phase out diesel vehicles by 2025 in a battle against pollution, a move that could further stimulate demand for EVs that have zero tailpipe emissions.

Regulation and government subsidies alone wont be enough to spark a boom in EVs, Gelder said. If theres a technology revolution, so battery technology gets cheaper and EVs dont need a subsidy, then it comes down to consumer preference. If the consumers like something, itll switch far faster.

Tesla alone wont be able to supply enough EVs if demand really takes off, Gelder said. Major automakers including Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. will need to produce them on a larger scale. At the moment they cant, and changing manufacturing lines takes time.

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With two decades of deal-making in Russias vital oil industry under his belt, Rex Tillerson is Vladimir Putins kind of man.

The Exxon Mobil Corp. chief is also in Donald Trumps sights for secretary of state, fuelling optimism in Moscow that a longed-for thaw in relations is near.

If nominated and confirmed, Tillerson would join another supporter of closer co-operation with Russia at the top of Americas policy-making apparatus, Michael Flynn, the president-elects national security adviser. Add in Trumps nominee for defence secretary, retired General James Mattis, whos viewed in Moscow as more pragmatic than his predecessors, and the Kremlin couldnt ask for much more, according to Sergei Markov, a consultant to Putins staff.

This is a fantastic team, Markov said by phone from the Russian capital on Sunday. These are people that Russia can do business with.

Russia is banking on better relations with the incoming Trump administration to help it end a stretch of international isolation and emerge from its longest recession in two decades. The downturn was triggered by a collapse in oil prices and made worse by the sanctions the U.S. and EU imposed over Putins support for the insurgency in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

For years, Putin has railed against the U.S. for criticizing him on issues like Ukraine and limits on democracy, which is 25 years old in Russia this year, and not battling terrorism together. Trump, whos pledged to work with Russia to defeat Daesh, also know as ISIS or ISIL, in Syria and Iraq, represents the best chance Putin has had as president to forge a productive partnership with his Cold War foe.

While Tillersons foreign policy positions are largely a mystery, he criticized the Russian sanctions in 2014 for being ineffective. On Sunday, Trump said the 64-year-old Exxon bosss experience overseeing operations in dozens of countries is just what the U.S. needs in negotiating with world leaders.

Flynn, who was paid to speak at an event for RT state television that Putin attended in Moscow last year, is vocal in his view that Islamic extremism is the greatest threat to the U.S. and advocates joining forces with Russia. Mattis is more hawkish on Putin, but hes also criticized President Barack Obama for not doing more to recruit allies to fight terrorist groups in the Middle East.

The three appointments taken together would constitute a dream team for U.S.-Russia relations, according to Carter Page, a former foreign policy adviser to Trump whos come under criticism himself for his ties to Russia.

These future senior officials represent a veritable American siloviki, Page said, referring to the group of men around Putin with influence over the spy agencies and the military. The chances of them meshing well is very high.

Trump, whos doubted Obama administration claims that Putin tried to tilt the election for the billionaire through hacking and propaganda, has said hed be more respectful of Russias sphere of influence than Obama and consider lifting sanctions. A former senior National Security Council official predicted Trump would lift those penalties within weeks of taking office.

Should Putin be pleased? Yes, said Cliff Kupchan, chairman of Eurasia Group, a New York-based political consultancy. It beats the heck out of Obama going after him all day.

But Tillersons popularity in Moscow is being seen as a liability by a growing chorus of lawmakers in Washington.

Leading members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed alarm at the possibility of Tillerson, who has no experience in government, vaulting into a position that ranks fourth in line to the presidency.

Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for, tweeted Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who would consider a Tillerson nomination as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In what may mean the president-elect is still evaluating reaction to the choice, Trump said Sunday on Twitter: Whether I choose him or not for State  Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!

Dmitri Trenin, who runs the Carnegie Moscow Center, said a Secretary of State Tillerson would signify the greatest discontinuity in U.S. foreign policy since the end of the Cold War and be applauded in Russia.

Tillerson, who helped establish the biggest U.S. oil companys presence in Russia in the 1990s, met then-premier Putin for the first time in 1999 on the remote Far East island of Sakhalin, where Exxon has a major project.

In 2011, Putin personally presided over the signing of a deal between Exxon and state-owned Rosneft that gave the U.S. company access to potentially tens of billions of barrels of oil in Arctic deposits. Two years later, he awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, one of the highest honours for foreigners.

Tillersons possible elevation would be a sensation, said Alexei Pushkov, a member of the defence and security committee of parliaments upper house.

Putin and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, who have worked together since the 1990s, both consider Tillerson a quintessential no-nonsense Texan with a very businesslike attitude, said Konstantin Von Eggert, a former Exxon vice president in Russia.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, played down any personal ties between the Russian president and the Exxon CEO, saying only that they know one another and have met a various business events.

But Putin has publicly expressed admiration and respect for the American, a rarity for the Russian president.

Mr. Tillerson, I am very happy to see you, Putin said at the beginning of talks in 2012, according to a Kremlin transcript. This is already our second meeting in a short span of time and there is a good explanation for this: increasingly close relations are being forged between your company and Russian market players.

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Keith Bundock isnt sure when his life started falling apart.

He mightve been 35, or maybe 40. During that time, his marriage was breaking down and his church was closing up. His support network was suddenly gone, and he was having odd, unsettling feelings of fogginess and confusion.

Even stranger, though, was that Bundock often didnt feel much at all.

It wasnt until a suicide attempt left him in a psychiatric ward that the east-end resident learned what was really going on: He was coping with severe chronic depression.

Looking back, I can see little flashes of it throughout life  I didnt understand it, Bundock, now 53, recalls. I didnt associate what I was feeling with a mental illness.

Once Bundock was diagnosed, he faced a new challenge: To get the treatment he needed, he had to navigate Ontarios complex mental health care system.

With long wait times and an array of services available from different types of care providers, figuring out where to turn  and where to start  can be tricky when it comes to mental health care, experts say. Theres also a cost element, and determining how to pay for care is often another challenge for people coping with mental health issues, says the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Indeed, people often dont know how to navigate Ontarios bewildering mental health care system, says psychiatrist Dr. David S. Goldbloom, senior medical adviser at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. And its probably a misnomer to call it a system, because that would suggest an organization of networks, and thats not the case.

Bundock agrees.

Entry into the system can be, at best, a bit of a shock, he says recalling his experience. Its not smooth and its not clear  we dont know what our own needs are when we enter.

For Bundock, being put into contact with a social worker at CMHA was a huge help.

She was able to walk with me and explore things and was one of those people that would bring things to me that I didnt know were out there, he said.

The social worker helped Bundock access disability support as he underwent treatment with a physician.

It took several years before I could get by without medication, he says. I learned the signs of what was leading me to depression.

That support from his social worker was integral as Bundock began to rebuild his life. He moved into a rooming house and eventually took out a student loan to obtain a culinary degree from George Brown College.

Hes now working full-time running a food program, and volunteers at CMHA  his way of giving back to the organization that helped him stay afloat during one of the darkest times of his life.

I volunteer to help people who are in the same place I was, he says.

HOW TO GET HELP

Family doctor: A majority of people connect with mental health services through their family doctor but there are other ways to get mental health care.

Family physicians are a common door 60 per cent of the time for people appearing with mental health issues, says Steve Lurie, executive director with the Toronto branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

OHIP covers any care provided by a family physician. If the family doctor is part of a family health team, working alongside psychiatrists, social workers or other professionals, any services provided by professionals on the team would also be covered, Lurie adds.

Family health teams and community health centres are based on rostering patients in a given area, so once you qualify to be served by that family health team ... you shouldnt face waits, Lurie says.

Specialists:

If your family doctor isnt on a health team, or you need specialized mental health care beyond what they can provide, you might need your doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist. Or, if you can afford it, you can go through a private clinician like a psychologist or therapist.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication, and their services are covered by OHIP. A referral is required from your family physician, and Lurie says there may be significant wait times.

Psychologists arent physicians and cant prescribe medication, so they arent covered by OHIP. But they are registered health professionals, and private health insurance often covers at least a portion of their services.

There are also counsellors and therapists, who may have a background in social work. Again, they cant provide medication, and people pay for their services out-of-pocket.

When it comes to services that arent covered by OHIP, Goldbloom says there is a huge spectrum of costs, since clinicians may have a sliding scale.

Some people may get charged $10 an hour for counselling, because thats all they can afford, while other people may be paying $300 an hour, says Goldbloom. For many people, costs of $100 an hour or more are simply unaffordable.

Hospital:

Going through a hospital is another way to access care, if you cant get it through a family doctor and dont have benefits to pay for private treatment, Goldbloom says.

Every hospital has a psychiatry department, and its not exclusively for hospitalized patients; outpatient services are also typically covered by the umbrella funding of hospitals.

Lurie says you can call an ambulance to take you to the hospital if youre having a severe mental health crisis, but he recommends contacting a specialized mental health crisis centre, like Torontos Gerstein Crisis Centre, instead.

Community organizations:

There are also free community resources available to help people navigate the mental health system and find affordable care.

These are complex systems, and so having somebody to navigate and to advocate is always a help, says Goldbloom.

Connex Ontario operates three help lines that provide health services information for people experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, mental illness, or gambling.

There are also mental health organizations  such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, and Schizophrenia Society of Ontario  that direct people to the right path for treatment.

How to access affordable mental health care in Ontario

Talk to your doctor about what youre experiencing  and they can either treat you directly or get you a referral to a psychiatrist, both of which are covered by OHIP.

Go through your workplace employee assistance program if you have one. Check what types of counselling or other services are covered by your benefits plan. This could get faster access to services.

There is a community organization for just about any mental health issue in Ontario. These are all resources for finding affordable care. More broadly, there is a mental health helpline available through Connex Ontario (1-866-531-2600), and various services are provided by the Toronto branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

If youre having an urgent mental health crisis, dont wait. Call Torontos 408 Help Line at 416-408-HELP (4357) or the Gerstein Crisis Centre at 416-929-5200 24 hours a day.

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OTTAWAAs the Dutch government prepared to deploy its military to Mali in late 2013, parliamentarians in that country were given an extraordinary document.

In a 14-page letter presented to Parliament, the ministers of defence, foreign affairs, security and justice set out in detail the risks, costs and strategy for the mission.

It acknowledged the challenges, offered a blunt assessment of its partners  concluding the Malian military was barely capable and that some regional security partnerships were relatively ineffective  and laid out the strategy for what it called a comprehensive approach to help resolve the conflict.

Now, as Justin Trudeaus Liberal government prepares to announce the deployment of up to 600 Canadian soldiers on a peace mission, there are calls for cabinet ministers to be equally upfront with politicians and Canadians.

Theres no more serious decision of a government than to put the lives of our brave women and men in uniform on the line, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said last week.

They have the obligation to bring that into Parliament with full disclosure and have a debate and allow people to vote, Mulcair said.

Its extremely dangerous, and we have to know that its not window dressing, that it has an objective, it has a beginning, it has an end and whats going to be done exactly by those Canadian troops, he said.

The Senate committee on national security and defence reproduced the Dutch letter in its recent report that examined UN deployments, saying it was revealing for its clarity and transparency.

The clarity of the letter and the willingness to define the challenges, including the end date for the mission, contributed to the government earning the trust of all parties in support of the deployment on the most dangerous of all UN missions to Mali, the defence committee said in its report.

The Star has reported that the deployment is likely headed to Mali though cabinet has yet to make a final decision.

With such a sizable troop deployment, Sen. Daniel Lang, chair of the Senate defence committee, said the Liberal government has an obligation to bring it before Parliament for a full discussion.

He said the government must be open and transparent on the missions objectives, the scope of the commitment and the time frame. Unlike Afghanistan, where we just kind of slid into a situation that we were not prepared for and became involved in the longest war that Canada has ever gotten involved with, Lang said.

The Senate committee report recommended that the federal government table a statement of justification outlining the size of the mission, its goals, risks, costs and rules of engagement and its term.

The Dutch letter set out the national interest in deploying the force to Mali, something Lang said the Liberals must make clear with their coming announcement.

What is the objective . . . We better fully understand why were there, Lang said.

When they send those men and women over there, the sons and the daughters, they better do it in the context (of) would they do it to their own son or daughter, Lang said.

The Dutch letter is remarkable for the details it provided about the mission. And it was more than a courtesy. Such notification about military deployments is required under that countrys constitution.

It set out the rationale for the deployment, outlining the strategic interests of the Netherlands to deploy to the African nation. Under the title grounds for participation, the letter notes how regions of Mali are a breeding ground for extremism and a sanctuary for terrorist training camps. Mali is also an important staging post for human trafficking

It did not sugar-coat the challenges. For example, it offered this damning assessment of the Malian military  its combat capacity is minimal; morale and discipline are wanting; leadership is poor and in some cases the command structure has broken down.

It offered the same damning assessment of the police and justice sector, concluding that corruption and nepotism are rife.

It set out Dutch ambitions for the mission, to help tackle the root cases of the conflict, an ambition that required a comprehensive approach. It explained how the Dutch would work with the United Nations mission, along with the French who are also active in Mali.

It provided a breakdown of the troop commitment and said the size of the contingent was determined by the wish to make a coherent contribution and the proper robustness for self-protection, the letter stated.

Surprisingly, it described in detail the responsibilities of various elements of the mission. The letter highlighted, for example, how helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and the work of 90 special forces soldiers doing long-range patrols would come together to provide intelligence.

It explained, too, how senior Dutch officers would retain command of troops, a procedure adopted in part as a result of lessons learned from previous missions.

It judged improvised explosive devices to only a moderate threat, warned that health risks were high and said if Dutch units came under attack, they would be able to protect themselves and, if needed, could call on UN or French forces for backup.

Operations will be co-ordinated daily to take account of the latest threat assessment, the letter states.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said last week that his government will be upfront to explain its reasoning around the upcoming Canadian deployment.

Its about informing Canadians to making sure that they understand why were making a decision and then how were also looking to do it as well, Sajjan said.

Any time we send our troops, its extremely important to me and to the prime minister . . . we will thoroughly explain this, he said.

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The Canadian government wants a United States court to throw out a lawsuit that accuses it of ruining the life and multimillion-dollar business of a British Columbia woman after it wrongly branded her a terrorist.

A document filed in a Washington state court says the legal dispute has no place being heard outside Canada because it was filed by the woman against Canadian defendants.

Perienne de Jaray, formerly a Washington-based executive with electronics maker Apex USA, alleges that she endured years of baseless investigation on both sides of the border.

She contends in a court document that the Canadian government was motivated to please the U.S. administration by appearing tough on terrorism in order to gain access to lucrative American defence contracts.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

A complaint for damages filed earlier this year says the subsidiary of parent company Apex Canada was forced to fold after the Canadian government passed along information to the FBI alleging an illegal shipment of weapons-grade electronics from Apex, which later turned out to be false.

De Jarays lawyer says an American court is the proper venue to hear the grievance because much of the harassment took place on U.S. soil and ultimately resulted in her no longer being allowed to live in the country.

The lawsuit names the Canada Border Services Agency, Foreign Affairs and several bureaucrats.

The federal government declined to comment on behalf of all the agencies and the named individuals mentioned in the lawsuit, saying it does not comment on matters before a court.

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OTTAWAA week that should have kicked the Liberals pledge to overhaul Canadas election system into gear instead saw the government skidding along on the defensive, calling into question the Liberals commitment to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus election promise.

And with roughly six months left for the Liberals to make good on that promise, the government does not appear to have an answer for how theyll move reforms forward.

Over the past 10 days, the Liberals have attacked an all-party committee, quickly apologized for that attack, recommitted to electoral reform, launched a widely-criticized online survey on the issue, dug-in against that criticism, and fumbled more than one response on the file under repeated opposition questioning.

In the process, the government has transformed the issue into a major millstone around their neck and threatened the credibility of a young cabinet minister.

While the Liberals handling of the electoral reform file over the past week and a half seemed to come out of nowhere, theres a case to be made that it has its roots in Trudeaus original promise to reform the system in the first place.

So how did we get here?

The promise

Trudeau pledged in the lead up to the 2015 campaign, which his party entered in third place, that the fall election would be Canadas last under first-past-the-post.

Critics of first-past-the-post, which has governed Canadas elections for 149 years, argue it skews the popular vote, meaning parties can form majority governments with less than 40 per cent of the vote. Whether you agree with the criticisms or not, Trudeaus promise was unambiguous.

The problem was he didnt say what hed replace first-past-the-post with.

Trudeau mused that he liked the idea of ranked ballots  where voters rank candidates by their preference. The newly-elected prime minister quickly backed away from stating a preference, in no small part due to criticism that ranked ballots would benefit the Liberals.

The Conservatives, while not explicitly championing the status quo, demanded that any reform be put to Canadians in a nationwide referendum.

The New Democrats, still licking their wounds from a devastating elections loss, poured their energy into pushing for a proportional representation system  where seats in the House of Commons would more closely reflect the popular vote.

The committee

Six months after the election, Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef had still not made any moves on electoral reform.

When Monsef finally did strike a committee in May, she was immediately criticized for basing it on the first-past-the-post system Trudeau had pledged to change  with a false majority, the Liberals would retain final say on the committees recommendations.

At the time, the Liberals were taking a beating. Former House Leader Dominic Leblanc had just introduced Motion 6, which would have given the Liberals near-complete control over the House. Ottawa was in the midst of a highly-emotional debate over assisted dying. Two weeks later, Trudeau was forced to apologize after grabbing a Conservative MP in an attempt to speed up votes and elbowing an NDP MP in the process.

The Liberals were losing the Sunny Ways narrative, and Ottawa was tense.

Against that backdrop, the Liberals relented to pressure and adopted a model for the electoral reform committee put forward by NDP MP Nathan Cullen  the opposition parties, including the Greens and the Bloc Quebecois, had a majority of seats.

The thinking was that the Liberals would need the support of at least one other party, likely the NDP, to get their recommendations through. But it didnt quite turn out that way.

The report

The committees 333-page report, released Dec. 1, appeared to come to a consensus: the government should proceed with electoral reform, and Canadians should be given a vote between first-past-the-post and a new proportional system of the Liberals own design.

Despite the appearance of consensus, though, it turned out that the Liberals, NDP, and Green MPs on the committee didnt exactly agree with those recommendations.

The Liberal MPs, in a supplemental report, recommended the government shelve the whole idea because Canadians werent sufficiently engaged on the issue.

The NDP and Greens said they didnt think a referendum was necessary at all  despite at least one of those parties, likely both of them, supporting that recommendation in the main report.

The very bad week

Monsef blasted the committee in the House of Commons later that day, saying they hadnt done the hard work of coming up with a new system  which she never asked them to do in the first place. Opposition parties were at first confused and then apoplectic, accusing her of outright lying.

The following day, Monsef apologized for her comments. Speaking to the Stars editorial board, Trudeau called the episode an outburst and was forced to recommit to his electoral reform promise.

The Liberals turned their attention to a new online survey, mydemocracy.ca, to give them more guidance on how to move forward. But when the survey went live on Monday, critics were quick to point out that it didnt explicitly mention alternative systems at all  instead focusing on Canadians values and how theyd like parliament to function.

Whatever the results of the survey, it wont give the Liberals a clear alternative to first-past-the-post  the exact problem Monsef had with the committees report.

Where do we go from here?

Monsef still hopes to bring forward legislation early next year  the rough deadline for Elections Canada to prepare for whatever the Liberals ultimately recommend.

But she also wants to wait for the results of the mydemocracy.ca survey, which remains open until the end of December.

That puts us, at least, in January before the government moves. The Star asked on Monday if the Privy Council Office, the department that supports Monsef and Trudeau, is working on alternative systems in the meantime. Monsefs office could not say by Friday.

The Liberals have very little time to build an entirely new electoral system, draft legislation, introduce a bill and shepherd it through the House of Commons and the Senate by June  the rough deadline needed by Elections Canada to prepare for a new system by 2019.

With the holidays fast approaching, the Liberals can expect some breathing room to regroup. But their choices seem to be holding a referendum, which they dont seem to want, cutting a deal with the NDP, which would drive the Conservatives wild, and abandoning their promise. Politically, abandoning their promise might be easiest, but will no doubt carry a price.

Whatever their ultimate decision, theyll have to avoid weeks like we just saw  where opposition parties seem more interested in making good on the Liberals own election promise, and the Liberals seem to have no plan whatsoever.

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A Toronto man who was arrested in a human-trafficking investigation in the summer is now facing 18 more charges after a second victim came forward, police announced Monday.

The man was arrested and charged with 16 human-trafficking offences in August for allegedly forcing women to enter the sex trade and brand themselves with his full name, police said.

Investigators now allege that Mathew Maxwell, 27, continued to procure women from inside a correctional facility until Nov. 30.

Toronto police also allege that victims were forced to take various narcotics and their families were threatened.

Maxwell faces a total of 34 charges. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

Meaghan Gray, spokesperson for the Toronto police, said Monday evening that Maxwell is still in custody.

Toronto police also announced charges in two other human-trafficking investigations Monday.

A Montreal man was also charged after a 21-year-old woman was allegedly forced into the sex trade for six months, Toronto police say.

When the woman wanted to stop, she and her family were threatened, alleged the Toronto Police Service. The woman was continuously assaulted and all of her earnings were taken away, investigators said.

The man was arrested on Dec. 8 after a passerby saw a physical altercation between the man and woman and called 911, Toronto police said.

Reda Ho-Bourmaki, a 26-year-old man from Montreal, faces a series of charges, including human trafficking, three counts of assault and uttering threats.

His first court appearance was scheduled for last Friday at Old City Hall.

Three others were also charged in another, separate human trafficking investigation, Toronto police announced Monday.

Police say an 18-year-old girl was recruited and forced into the sex trade in September due to the efforts of three people.

According to investigators, the girl was taken to various hotels in Toronto, and photos of her in various degrees of undress were posted on Backpage.com, a classifieds website where escort ads are often posted.

Two men allegedly used threats to control the 18-year-old. However, she managed to escape and contact police.

On Nov. 17, police arrested three people: Chibuike Nwagwu, 31, Justin Ferguson, 25, and 18-year-old Jocelyn Martinez. All are from Toronto.

Nwagwu and Martinez made their first court appearances on Nov. 18. Ferguson appeared by video on Dec. 2.

Toronto police say theyre concerned that there may be more victims in all three investigations, and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

With files from Brennan Doherty

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I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission.

A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it.

Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Womens Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy.
Toronto schools should be good, well-maintained and local. At the moment they are in a kind of chaos, partly caused by the Toronto District School Boards 1999 optional attendance policy that lets parents opt out of a local school and choose another anywhere in the city. Let the market decide.

Some schools are packed to the gills with students from elsewhere in Toronto. Others are set to close because parents perceived them as insufficient, pulled their kids out, and the school population withered.

Why not improve local schools instead of closing them?

The board has a $3.5-billion capital repair backlog and is finding the money via clumsy cost-cutting. And yes, the reluctance of Torontonians to pay the taxes needed for the good things they want is at the root of this.

Jason Kunin, a longtime teacher, recently wrote a fine column in the Stars op-ed pages, referring to the right-wing Harris government thinking that led to this destruction. Parents have been offered that magical thing, choice.

But parents dont really want more choice, they want nicer things, as in local schools so good that their children can get an excellent education and walk to school, forming a warm welcoming community where they make friendships for life.

And yes, I approve of streaming in high schools as long as it is sensible and fair. Not everyone is alike and needs the same teaching. There should be some exceptions for special education and perhaps alternative schools.

But everyone should share in the life of a school, just as everyone shares in the life of Toronto when they become adults.

As weve seen in the U.S., abandoned public education ceases to be a pillar of democracy. It no longer protects against the election of tyrants like Trump. A well-taught person will think logically, will not believe fake news and will understand the concept of the common good. He will not vote for the Trumps.

Americans trashed public education and look what they wrought. Under Trump, the school system will be privatized, although it has been argued that parents, schools, boards and states will fight back. Can anyone defeat Trump, though? I dont know.

In England, Prime Minister Theresa May wants independent schools (fee-paying schools for the wealthy) to offer 10,000 free places a year to low-income students who would otherwise go to shabbier state schools. May has threatened the charitable status of fee-paying schools, and they have mysteriously turned helpful.

Its all about class, the concept that bedevils Britain, or Little England, as it shall be after Brexit. Lynsey Hanleys 2016 book, Respectable: The Experience of Class, is instructive about schooling being at the core of the class war.

Hanley was smart and worked hard in schools where the other students clung together, reinforcing stupidity and laziness  it was a requirement of their social class to do this  and she made it out, with pangs of regret.

In Britain, education is a stage where class gladiators fight it out. In the U.S., parents have power equivalent to their bank account. Its all about money. So there are two nations that self-destructed this year.

But Canada didnt elect a tyrant. Neither did Germany, with a sensible school system that offers vocational training. (U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden thinks Canada and Germany can lead the remaining international liberal order.) We believe in the public school system, and all the local Toronto battles are over how to make schools better, not unevenly bad and good.

I do see an effort by the Kellie Leitches and Brad Trosts of this world to stoke what they hope is an under-educated underclass and win the Conservative leadership, which they wont. Their mangled semi-French in this weeks debate was risible. Most of the 14 candidates were incomprehensible in both languages. Did they not learn French in public school?

But Canada doesnt feel rage, just a tremendous need for jobs. In Alberta especially, people are in pain. Chris Alexander, by urging Edmontonians to keep chanting Lock her up, was making them look like Trump dupes, and theyre not. They want work. They want good schools for their children.

Kunins right. The TDSB should change the rule, and make parents return to sending children to their local schools. The repair backlog should not have happened. Please raise my income taxes to pay for it.

For the next four years  maybe less, maybe more  I have a threat to wield. Its orange, has a yellow bouffant, works part-time producing a reality show while presidenting, and is surrounded by generals. If you dont do as I recommend, ill-educated Toronto might become the core of a new Trumpland.

I do hope you find this frightening. I shall mention it again.

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Thirty Grade 7 students stare silently at the haunting history lesson unfolding before their eyes. Light from the giant video screen reflects off their sombre faces. So does shock, at the sights and sounds from some of mankinds  and Canadas  darkest moments.

They see black-and-white footage of gaunt prisoners behind the barbed wire of concentration camps. Images of a crowded ship carrying 900 Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis, turned away by the Canadian government. Anti-Japanese signs from the Second World War. Indigenous children lined up in residential schools they were forced to attend after being ripped away from their families.

Behind the students seated in rows of folding seats, the words hope, respect and dignity line the wall above portraits of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank  because horror can also bring hope when ordinary people fight against it.

Its going to take awhile for me to take in everything I saw, says Cassandra Collura, 12, after the hour-long Tour for Humanity session held in a one-of-a-kind mobile classroom. I had never imagined it to be that bad.

But Cassandra believes its important for students to know about the bleakest parts of history.

I think the main message is to not discriminate and why we should stand up to it.

The refurbished RV that Cassandra and her classmates from St. Mary Catholic School in Nobleton climbed aboard in November is an unlikely place for a searing history lesson on human rights and tolerance.

But the vehicle, which converts into a state-of-the-art theatre when parked, is how the Toronto non-profit Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies is taking its social-justice message to schools across Ontario.

The mobile classroom, accommodating up to 180 students a day from Kenora to Windsor, is much more than a travelling classroom.

Its also a safe space away from the normal routine, says Daniella Lurion, who facilitated the sessions at St. Mary and has been teaching the programs for more than two years.

Amid blaring headlines about hate, bigotry and terrorism, the tour is in huge demand as a way to tackle complex subject matter and to show kids how they can use their voices to fight back.

Tour for Humanity runs five days a week from September through June.

The bottom line is everybody faces discrimination in their own way or has been targeted for who they are, says Lurion. Thats something any kid understands whether they are 8 or 18.

Since it was launched three years ago, the tour has delivered its interactive programs, tailored to age, to more than 50,000 students at 315 schools. Schools typically pay $500 for the day  covering half the organizations costs  for up to six classes.

Kids arrive on the bus with a huge range of knowledge, says Lurion, but the session is only meant to be a starting point and provide a foundation. Teachers are provided with preparation and debriefing material.

The sweeping journey through history and incorporating contemporary issues such as online bullying and racism via social media, has an impact.

Even when theyre quiet, you can see it in their eyes, says Lurion.

Whats going on in the news shows up on the bus. She and her teaching colleague have noticed a shift in kids fears in the last three months of intensive U.S. election coverage.

Is World War Three going to happen? is a common question. And from some newcomer students, are we going to be deported?

The effect of the news underlines why its so critical to teach youth how to stand up for what they believe in and that change is possible, starting in their own backyard, she says.

Almost two of every three hate crimes based on race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation are committed by people ages 12 to 24, she tells the Grade 7 students.

These are your peers, which is why its so important to talk about this.

Leaders such as Nelson Mandela or Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai werent born heroes. They saw something worth fighting for.

Students from St. Mary said that while troubling, the experience was eye-opening.

Domenic Ruso had no idea that in 1939, Canada was among countries that refused entry to Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis aboard the transatlantic liner St. Louis.

Lauren Ceolin was taken aback to hear the last residential school in Canada didnt close until 20 years ago. And Nicolas Simone was shocked Japanese-Canadians were sent to internment camps during the Second World War.

I never knew my home country would do that to people, said Nicolas, 12. I thought Canada was a warm place to stay . . . just hearing how they discriminated against Japanese people, I couldnt believe it.

But the students also agreed its something everyone needs to learn.

As kids you have to learn from what you do wrong, says Nicolas. Youve got to learn from it and not do it again. Thats what I think Canada is trying to do as we grow.

Lurion wants kids to start thinking critically.

I hope that even one student leaves the bus and either does something positive, or questions something they see or hear, she adds. Thats where it begins. Thats the first step to change.

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The Friday after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, London, Ont.-based Javeed Sukhera  a Muslim  was driving to Seattle with his family.

At the border, his 8-year-old daughter looked petrified. Then his 6-year-old son spoke up. Are they going to put us in jail? Are they going to shoot us?

As a child and adult psychiatrist, Sukhera had been dealing with children of refugees and immigrants who were struggling with trauma, but this experience hit home. This is something thats much more powerful than anything Id imagined.

Sukhera grew up in Toronto where he says he had very little negative experiences for the most part.

Yet I see through the eyes of my children that theyre internalizing some very negative information about being brown and being Muslim.

Forget Darth Vader or the Joker or Cruella de Vil. Kids now have a real-life embodiment of terror in a man whose rhetoric gets him stamped on the flip side of the Daesh (ISIS) coin because he scapegoats entire communities for the actions of a few. Books such as Where the Wild Things Are help children learn to navigate fear because of the distance between reality and fiction. Trump and his gallery of rogues offer no such buffer.

Parents and teachers usually expose their children to U.S. election campaigns as a resource for learning. This time, though, as the campaign unfolded, many scrambled to shield their children from the intimidation that reached their homes after shortsighted politicians used a teaching tool to scar the adults of tomorrow.

South of the border, The Trump Effect  the name of a survey of 2,000 teachers by the Southern Poverty Law Center in April  shed light on the disturbing increase in bullying in schools against vulnerable students including Muslims and immigrants.

In Canada, where hate crime reports across the country have increased in the past few weeks, there is no research yet to quantify the effect of racial and ethnic alienation on children. Sukheras clinical experience shows two vulnerable groups are hurting from the hate  younger North American-born Muslim children and newcomer youth with pre-existing mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety or resettlement trauma.

These are not children of recent immigrants and refugees  for them everything is still new and exciting  but of those who have been here a few years.

With Syrian immigrants  I found that specific to post-Nov. 9, there is an increased fear, Sukhera says. So you feel more on edge, your fight or flight response becomes more exaggerated and a sense of fear that becomes hyperactive, for example, in cases of full blown post-traumatic stress. People become more hyper vigilant.

Psychiatrists on both sides of the border are saying Trumps election was a trigger that destabilized those who had found stability.

You have a huge burden of trauma, on top of that, you have the intimidation of being harassed as a minority because the POTUS-elect made it okay to say those things on TV and (in) public, Boston-based, Harvard-educated child and adolescent psychiatrist Othman Mohammad says. This is too much stress for anyone to handle  let alone be struggling patients with mental illnesses.

In the past few years, American and Canadian public figures  themselves bathed in privilege  have dehumanized Muslims with a casualness that is breathtakingly myopic and inconsiderate of the world they will leave to children of the 99 per cent.

How do children who are targeted deal with their vulnerability when faced with sneering hostility?

Teenagers have a higher capacity to process the world in times of conflict. They can rationalize, talk to friends, read online to see whats being talked about, says Mohammad, who is also a school psychiatrist.

With elementary school age children, the way they read the world is highly, highly dependent on how the parents are actually reading the world.

That functions at the level of what is being said but also at the level of (what is) being felt, Mohammad says. Even if the parents were saying Were going to be OK, but they look scared and worried, the children can read that worry on their parents faces.

So they might misread, they might exaggerate, they might think they will get deported.

If Muslims are bad, Are we bad? Sukheras daughter once asked him. Am I bad?

Remember Sophia, the 8-year-old Texan, who began packing her belongings in a suitcase in December lest the U.S. army came to throw her family out of America?

This child does not have the power or knowledge to say, OK, but this is a country with institutions. Nobody can just leave like that, Mohammad says.

At least Sophias story elicited the graceful #IWillProtectYou from U.S. army vets who let her know that if anyone came to take her away, they would protect her. Most children dont get that societal reassurance.

Also at risk are kids, age 13 or 14, who are at a phase where they are trying to figure out who they are, where they fit in. The Trump Effect is such that all of a sudden youre questioning not so much whether you belong, but whether the people who welcomed you and work alongside you believe that you do belong, Sukhera says.

Thats what Ive seen people struggle with the most.

Shree Paradkar tackles issues of race and gender. You can follow her @shreeparadkar

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It is a commitment like no other when refugee sponsors take on the responsibility of bringing over a family, giving them shelter and guiding them to self-sufficiency and success.

At times, theyre like overprotective parents trying to give their kids the best. At other times, they try to restrain themselves and let the newcomers make mistakes and to learn to be independent.

The journey of sponsorship encompasses many sleepless nights, personal sacrifices and challenges, but ultimately, community groups said the means to the end has made it the most rewarding experience theyve ever had.

A personal lesson and professional development event is how Colleen Colman described her experience in the past year working with a group of volunteers in Uxbridge who connected through social media to bring in a family of five  the Alkhalifehs  from Turkey.

I was a tad naive when I took it on. It was a difficult year. You work with a group of people with different personalities who may have different views, said Colman, a human resources professional, whose family arrived Oct. 4.

We had challenges that we did not foresee, but everybody wanted to get involved. Its a big project, but we were all driven with the same goal. It gives you such a strong sense of community.

Wendy Foster, also a member of Colmans Uxbridge group, said there was a lot of work in the process and once the family got here, it took a lot of co-ordination to support them, from taking them grocery shopping to driving the adults to English classes across town in Stouffville.

There have been so many special moments: A seven-second video taken on a cellphone showing the Alkhalifeh kids jumping up and down upon receiving their visa to Canada; the surreal feelings of greeting and hugging the family at the airport; their first tour of downtown Uxbridge; Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Its a lifetime of memories, said Foster, a veterinary internist.

Alyssa Esparaz of the Meeting House Church sponsorship group admitted there had been moments of self-doubt when members wondered what if we just dont see it through and things dont happen the way we hoped.

For her, it was so rewarding to see the family from Homs that they sponsored  Fadel Al-Zoabi, wife Sawsan, and their kids, Talal, 6, and Soha, 4  joining the fun of trick-or-treating.

Talal said he didnt have Halloween costumes. He said it all in English. Hes comfortable in expressing himself and dressing up in school, just being a normal kid. Its so great to see how fast hes adapting, said Esparaz, 19, a University of Toronto student.

Rebecca Davies of the Ripple Refugee Project in Toronto said resettlement is as much a journey for the Syrians as for Canadians.

These are moments of human connections. It is about sharing our experiences. Its really a journey for all of us, said Davies, whose sponsored family of eight arrived from Beirut last December.

They love, they hate, and they fear as we do. They are every bit important to Canada, to me, my family and our sponsorship group.

Being in her mothers company, Davies 5-year-old daughter, Beatrix, already has the words refugee and newcomer in her vocabulary.

Canada has given its citizens the trust, the opportunity and the power to save lives through the private sponsorship program, said Davies, whose group has spoken at events and launched a blog to share their experience with other Canadians.

Our family asked if were going away on Month 13. Of course, we are not. We did it together and will do it again.

Davies group is already working on the sponsorship of a second family.

Correction - December 14, 2016: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled Alyssa and Aimee Esparaz's surname in the photo caption.



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Taghreed Alzoubi misses the cows, chickens and sheep at the back of her familys farmhouse in Daraa. But what the little girl misses most are the grandparents and cousins she left behind in Syria four years ago.

The 10-year-old also regrets not saying goodbye to the new friends she met in Jordan when her family was selected by the United Nations refugee agency and flown to Toronto via Montreal as government-assisted refugees on Jan. 22. She now realizes it was a journey of no return.

I miss our country, our house, our family and friends, Taghreed says in fluent English. When I left Jordan, I thought we would come back again. It is really difficult to talk to my cousins in Syria because the power and the internet are not great.

Apart from that, I like Canada because everyone smiles and they come to play with me.

What Taghreed doesnt know is that things in Canada have not been rosy for her family. They have been on the brink of being evicted because some of their rent cheques bounced and their government child benefits were delayed for eight months over a mistake in their address.

The family had been living off $1,600 in monthly refugee resettlement assistance  an amount just enough to pay the rent.

We got three eviction notices. It was very difficult. I was too stressed to focus on anything else. That feeling of fear never happened in my life, said Taghreeds father, Abdulwahab Alzoubi, 36. It was a small mistake to solve that turned into a big problem for us.

Everyone in the Alzoubi family has been in school since they moved into their permanent home in Brampton in March, after spending more than a month sharing a single room at the Toronto Plaza Hotel, arranged by the federal government.

Both Alzoubi, and his wife, Methaq Kassem, 35, are in English classes; Ammar, 13, is in Grade 9; Mohammad, 11, in Grade 7, Taghreed in Grade 5; and Sham, 5, in senior kindergarten.

We are very happy and grateful to Canada for giving my kids the path for a better future, said Alzoubi, who used to own a dry-cleaning business.

I have memorable moments of feeling welcomed in Canada. Its like having left home for a long time and youre welcomed by your parents with smiles on their faces.

Since moving into the community, they have made friends in their building and at the mosque who have helped them explore the neighbourhood, get their kids enrolled in school and connected them with a family doctor.

Alzoubi is already looking for a part-time job but said he plans to continue to study English till he reaches a level he feels comfortable with.

Syrians are hard-working people. We dont want to sign up for welfare, he said. We want Canada to become our country.

Bedrettin Al Muhamad is enrolled in level 3 English classes but the Aleppo native just couldnt wait to explore Canada and help other Syrian newcomers settle into their new home in Toronto.

Nine months after he came here with his family, Al Muhamad and seven Syrians he met in the GTA who became friends launched Albayt Alsouri, or Syrian House, in October with their own money to help their compatriots sign up their kids for schools, take them to doctors and to get groceries, and guide them to services.

We were so touched by Canadians good welcome and good heart. Its so amazing that we just wanted to give others the same feeling, said Al Muhamad, 37, who was a distributor for a British oil company in Syria before fleeing the civil war for Turkey in 2011.

We dont offer technical help. We just meet up with them and take them out to tea and the mall. It helps because these guys are going crazy sitting in the shelter.

Since moving into their apartment in Mississauga, the Al Muhamads have settled in comfortably and actively explored what Toronto has to offer.

With limited English, Al Muhamad said it was intimidating to travel across the city, trying to get to Casa Loma, figure out how to purchase tickets to the Toronto Island for a picnic or drive to Niagara Falls and follow the parking instructions.

We couldnt imagine all these things when we were in the refugee camp in Jordan because we didnt have time to imagine things like that living in our tent, he said.

While everyone in the family quickly fell in love with Canada, English has remained a challenge in school for the three boys  Hasan, 11, Azzam, 9, and Mohammad, 8  and two girls  Hanan, 13, and Rahaf, 6.

Theres a lot of pressure on them because their English is weak and they are left behind, said Al Muhamads wife, Mariam Basher, 36, who was an elementary school teacher back home. Things are not the same as it works in Syria.

Hassan, she said, was called into the principals office once for getting into a fight with another Syrian boy in school, and Azzam got a warning letter for mistakenly using an emergency exit.

Al Muhamad said he and his wife would like to find jobs as soon as possible, as their resettlement assistance ends in a couple of months.

We dream of buying a house and we want to start saving for the down payment, he said, before he hopping into a used 2006 Toyota Sienna van  one he bought in the summer  to greet some new Syrian arrivals staying at a downtown Toronto hotel.

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After more than a year of receiving unwanted, sexually harassing texts from a fellow jail guard, Camille Pouli complained to the institutions management.

There was an internal investigation and the guard was reprimanded. Yet Pouli remained off work for 15 months  waiting, she said, for management at the Toronto South Detention Centre to guarantee her a position where she didnt have to interact with the man who sexually harassed her.

She exhausted her sick days and had to sell her house just to get by.

Her harasser, meanwhile, was promoted to sergeant full-time.

From the beginning, all I was asking is Please dont make me work with this individual,  Pouli said.

Then they had the nerve to promote him. Its just a slap in the face.

Pouli, who in October was finally given a new post at a different Toronto-area detention centre, has filed a grievance seeking back pay for the time she was off.

She is also demanding accountability for the way her case was handled, accusing the jails management of coddling the man who harassed her while they kept her in the dark.

They treated him better than they treated me  the victim, she said.

A spokesman from the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services said the government does not comment on internal human resources matters.

All correctional officers must contribute to and maintain a workplace that is fair, inclusive and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment, the spokesman said in a statement, adding that these principles are covered as part of the officers training program.

Pouli started her career as a correctional officer in 2007. Two years later, she was transferred to the now-shuttered Old Don Jail, where she met Sydney Walters.

The two were friendly, and remained that way as they were both moved to the Toronto South superjail when it opened in 2014. That year, following a Super Bowl party, they spent the night together.

According to an internal investigative report, their relationship became uncomfortable and Pouli said she asked Walters to no longer contact her.

But Walters continued to send her instant messages, 69 times over the next 13 months, many of them while he was scheduled to be working, all appended to the investigation report.

Why are you being so difficult? Walters messaged her one May night after Pouli did not respond to a text complimenting her hair.

Anyhow, it was great seeing you today even on camera. Goodnight hon.

Pouli said the text was in reference to seeing her through a prison security camera.

She ignored many of the texts and responded to others with often terse one- or two-word answers.

One day, after Walters sent her another note commenting on her looks  Goodnight hon love the hair  she fired back a response.

Do me a favor please. My name is Camille or Pouli. Use the appropriate one, she wrote.

He responded, Lol as you wish miss Pouli.

In June 2015, Walters was working on temporary assignment as sergeant  a supervisory role. He sent a picture of the backside of a woman, her skirt riding up to reveal she is wearing no underwear. The text June 22, no panty day was imposed on top of the image.

Pouli complained, prompting a five-month internal investigation that concluded Walters sent unwelcome and unwanted text messages to Pouli after she had repeatedly told him that she did not want him to contact her.

In an email to another prison official, the investigator called the conduct sexual harassment.

Walters told the Star, The only thing Im guilty of, sir, is of trying to get in contact with a friend.

During the investigation, Walters described Pouli as a friend who had grown distant, which he attributed to him not staying in touch.

The no panty text was meant to be a joke, Walters told the ministry investigator, adding that he had sent the same image to three other friends.

He told the investigator that none of the texts he sent Pouli were harassing and that he routinely calls friends hon and sweetheart. He also said Pouli never told him to stop contacting her until a few days after he sent the no panty image, to which he texted: Will do my best but I do worry about you from time to time and I cant promise that I will not message you to see if youre okay.

He did not message her again after that, according to the investigative report.

Walters told the Star he was promoted to sergeant in May, before the complaint against him was filed.

In August 2015, while he was under investigation for harassing his colleague, his temporary assignment ended and he became sergeant full-time, according to the investigative report. That year, he earned more than $115,000.

In an April 2016 letter to Walters, a deputy superintendent at the Toronto South Detention Centre called his misconduct a clear breach of policies that cannot be tolerated.

As a manager, Walters is in a position of trust, the letter continued.

Although you expressed some remorse for your actions . . . it was unclear that you fully comprehended the seriousness of your misconduct.

His punishment: a letter of reprimand, one of the more lenient forms of discipline.

In a letter sent to Pouli, a prison official called the penalty commensurate with the nature of the findings from the investigation.

Pouli went on stress leave in late June 2015, just over a week before she filed her complaint. She was denied compensation by Ontarios Workplace Safety and Insurance Board because her case did not meet the criteria for a sudden and unexpected traumatic event.

So she was put on the sick-leave program, which covered only 66 per cent of her pay, according to records included in the investigation report. She said she exhausted her sick-day credits in January. The paycheques stopped. With no income, she said she had to sell her home, a newly built townhouse in Stoney Creek.

It hurt. I was so proud of that house. I had all of my family come see it, she said.

Pouli said she would gladly have returned to work sooner if the ministry had ensured she would have no contact with Walters.

In letters reviewed by the Star, prison management told her that it is impossible to provide you with a guarantee that you will never be required to work with Walters, and that arrangements would be made to minimize workplace contact.

I wanted to work, Pouli said. It feels like they punished me for speaking out.

In October, after being off work for more than 15 months, Pouli was given a position at Vanier, a detention centre for women in Milton. She has filed a grievance for back pay but said the process has stalled.

She has repeatedly reached out to Premier Kathleen Wynnes office about the ministrys handling of her case. Wynne recently unveiled an action plan to, in part, make workplaces safer from sexual violence and harassment.

A government representative told Pouli they could not comment or get involved in the case, first because it was under investigation and then because she is pursuing a grievance. The representative directed her back to her manager at the Correctional Services ministry.

I went for help and I wasnt helped at all, she said. The whole process  I just felt victimized all over again.

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Car accident or car crash? Pedestrian or vulnerable road user? Traffic collision or a case of road violence?

As safety advocates push for physical changes to Torontos roads to combat a rising tide of pedestrian deaths, theyre also waging a parallel, more abstract struggle to change the way news media, the police and the public talk about traffic collisions.

This year, the city is talking about traffic deaths more than usual. As of Dec. 2, there had been more than 40 pedestrian deaths in 2016, the most in a calendar year since at least 2005.

The language used to describe these incidents has extraordinary power, said Maureen Coyle, of Walk Toronto. It contextualizes. It politicizes or depoliticizes.

Coyle said she bristles when she reads reports about collisions that dont mention the driver. As an example, she cites the phrase a white Subaru struck a woman in an intersection.

Well, the white Subaru did no such thing. It was the driver of the Subaru, she said. If somebody took a hammer to a person, we wouldnt say the hammer hit the individual. We dont say the gun shot the person. We talk about the chain of responsibility.

At a rally earlier this year, Coyle and other advocates with the Friends and Family for Safe Streets stood outside city hall with signs demanding an end to road violence.

The term evokes parallels to other societal scourges like gun violence (which so far this year has killed 36 people), and may sound like a radical way to describe a daily occurrence on our roads. But according to Vision Zero Canada director Graham Larkin, the phrase isnt new. It dates back to the dawn of the automobile age in North America, when drivers killing pedestrians was still a novel and alarming phenomenon.

To Larkin, the fact that the term has faded from popular use since the early 20th century is a troubling sign that society has come to accept people dying on our roads. We lost. It got naturalized, it got normalized, he said.

He said that advocates who are bringing back the term are declaring the fight is on again.

Theres a new sense of awareness... that we have the right to safe mobility, he said.

Like most road safety advocates, Larkin objects to the term accident to describe collisions. Its inherently presumptuous if you dont even know the circumstances to describe it as an accident, he said.

The term accident could be taken to mean that no one was at fault. But in Toronto, the majority of pedestrian injuries appear to involve driver error. A 2015 Toronto Public Health report found that in 67 per cent of cases where pedestrians were hurt in a crash, the pedestrian had the right of way.

Earlier this year The Associated Press amended its style guide to state that its best to avoid the word accident in cases where negligence is claimed or proven in a collision.

Kathy English, the Toronto Stars public editor, said the newspaper has no specific policy about reporting traffic collisions, but given the growing public concern about the issue its a matter thats worth giving serious consideration.

But while she said conventional ways of writing about collisions may need to be re-examined, she also pointed out there can be valid concerns behind the decision to leave drivers actions out of reports.

For legal reasons, we cant write something that convicts somebody, that says they did it. So we have to be really careful, she said.

Const. Clint Stibbe, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service traffic services, said he always uses collision in his news releases.

The exception is when he announces charges against drivers and quotes the provincial Highway Traffic Act or the Criminal Code of Canada. Both use the word accident to describe car crashes.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM

Most pedestrian deaths occurring outside Torontos road safety plan: Analysis

A dangerous month on the roads led to 70 collisions with pedestrians, cyclists

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Every morning when she visited her family in North York, Foroughalsadat Abtahi  Fufu to her grandchildren  went for a walk. On Oct. 11, just minutes into her daily stroll, the 81-year-old woman was struck by a Toyota Corolla that jumped the curb, and she was killed.

It was a tragic shock to her family, both here and in her native Iran, as Abtahi joined the list of seniors who represent the largest age-group killed each year while walking the streets of Toronto.

You never expect it to happen, said Abtahis grandson, Ryon Dalir, an 18-year-old student at Ryerson University.

It was devastating, he said. (Seniors) are probably the most cautious people out there Its saddening.

In Canadas biggest city, the words elderly pedestrian struck are familiar terms in police press releases. On Nov. 28, a 72-year-old man died after he was hit by a car on Bathurst St, according to police. In October, three seniors were killed in separate collisions over just three days along a single street: Eglinton Ave.

Shortly after, Abtahi was killed.

Const. Clint Stibbe, the Toronto Police Services traffic specialist, said people 65 and older account for roughly 60 per cent of pedestrian traffic deaths in the city each year  80 per cent if you include people who are at least 55. That is a staggering number for one demographic, Stibbe said.

More from the Deadly Streets series

Older people are also more susceptible to injuries sustained from being hit by a car. A broken bone can take longer to heal, for example, and as Stibbe pointed out, for elderly pedestrians who are struck, quite often the original injury is not what results in the persons death, but the complications that arise from that injury.

In response to a coroners report in 2012 on pedestrian deaths, the Liberal government at Queens Park brought in a new law to increase fines for drivers that dont stop and yield the entire roadway to pedestrians when there is a crossing guard. That report found that 36 per cent of pedestrians killed in Ontario in 2010 were seniors, even though they account for just 13 per cent of the provincial population.

Marie Smith, a former president of the United Senior Citizens of Ontario, has appealed to the province and municipalities for further changes, including increasing the period of time given to pedestrians when they cross at intersections.

The lights arent long enough for older people with walkers or even someone in a wheelchair, Smith said.

Everybodys in such a rush that nobody stops to be careful anymore, she added. And theyre also on their cellphone or their iPad or whatever it is theyre doing, and theyre just not paying attention.

Albert Koehl, a Toronto lawyer who pushed for the 2012 report and consulted with Smiths group and several others, said hed like to see the province push harder to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. He said the vulnerability of seniors is an obvious problem that could be addressed by lower speed limits in the short term and better designed streets in the years to come.

Its shameful that so many seniors are dying without their being outrage at the city council and provincial level, Koehl said.

Koehl pointed out that the 2012 coroners report recommended lower default speed limits on residential and arterial roads, while Torontos medical officer of health called for the same thing that year. He said hed like to see the city follow Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and others that have lowered speed limits and set up photo radar to deter those driving too fast. A University of Alberta study from 2014, for example, clocked a 32.1 per cent decrease in fatal and injury collisions after the introduction of photo radar.

Its not something that should catch us by surprise, Koehl said. The default speed should be the safe speed.

Meanwhile, Dalir said he hopes some lesson can come from his grandmothers sudden and unexpected death.

I dont trust the drivers on our streets anymore. Maybe when I was younger but not anymore, he said.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM

Most pedestrian deaths occurring outside Torontos road safety plan: Analysis

A dangerous month on the roads led to 70 collisions with pedestrians, cyclists

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JERUSALEMIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes U.S. president-elect Donald Trump will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran.

I know Donald Trump, Netanyahu told CBSs 60 Minutes in an interview scheduled to air Sunday night. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. Theres no question about that.

Netanyahus remarks are significant in part because critics have accused Trump of tolerating anti-Semitism among some of his supporters.

While the two countries are close allies, relations were sometimes tense between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama because of their vastly different world views on the Iran deal and other issues. And there is sentiment in the nationalist Israeli right wing that Trumps election could usher in a new era of relations with the United States.

Netanyahu said in the interview he had differences of opinion with Obama and the most well-known, of course, is Iran.

The Israeli prime minister has been one of the fiercest critics of the nuclear deal. During the campaign, Trump also spoke harshly about it.

Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israels destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map. Israel fears that Irans nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence.

Netanyahu said there are various ways of undoing the 2015 deal, in which Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances.

I have about five things in my mind, Netanyahu said, declining to go into further detail.

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BLOCKHOUSE, N.S.A grandmother in Nova Scotia has invited nine strangers to her dinner table this Christmas for a festive get together for those who cant spend the holidays with their families.

Patty McGill worried that most of her homemade Yuletide delicacies would go to waste this season. Her children and grandchildren are in Quebec 1,300 kilometres away as she looks after her farm in the Lunenburg area on Nova Scotias South Shore.

On a whim, McGill decided to share her turkey dinner with six people she had never met in person. A friend posted an invitation on social media and the guest list soon grew as word spread about her gathering for those without a place to go for the holidays.

Theyre really interesting people, every single one of them, said McGill. Its like a network was created from this idea ... Its really to break down barriers about who we are.

It looks to be a diverse crowd, said McGill, including a falconer from British Columbia, a retired medical writer who worked in the United States, a cancer survivor and the mother of an infant who recently split with a man who she moved to the province to be with.

McGill runs a therapeutic horseback riding program in Blockhouse for children with disabilities. With no one around to feed but animals, the 63-year-old matriarch is excited to share her familys famed McGill stuffing and sample other guests holiday customs, like a Jewish university student who plans to bring a menorah.

She joked that even her livestock will share in the festivities with kids unwrapping gifts on behalf of hoofed and pawed guests.

Ingredients for the meal will be supplied by a local grocer and McGill has been receiving cheques from people who have been touched by her generous holiday spirit.

Others are following McGills example by reviewing their guest lists to see if anyone has been overlooked or perhaps crossed off too hastily. McGill said people have contacted her saying theyve invited estranged family members to their celebrations as an opportunity to reconnect over the holidays.

Thats what this is about for me. To be with people who want to be with people, said McGill. I cant be with the people that I want to be with ... but theres no denying me being with people.

McGill has only interacted with her guests on the phone or by email, mostly to co-ordinate travel arrangements. On the day of the feast, however, McGill is asking that cellphones be left in a basket at the door, so people can engage with each other rather than their screens.

It wasnt that long ago that it didnt matter who came down the road past your house, you were responsible for making sure that traveller was comfortable and fed, said McGill. Now, people live in whole communities where they dont even know who their neighbours that live around them. Its not the way were meant to be.

She said she hopes the gathering will mark the start of a new tradition that embodies what the holidays are truly about  being together, loving thy neighbour and eating yule logs until youre more stuffed than the turkey.

Its a joy for me to do all this stuff, said McGill. Everybodys family is bigger than they think.

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... 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.
WASHINGTONDonald Trump has suggested hell move quickly on Keystone XL after taking office, with the incoming president expected to reverse his predecessors ban on the Alberta-to-Texas oil pipeline.

The president-elect made the comments in a lengthy interview with Fox News on Sunday.

It was just one remark on a news-filled weekend replete with stories about election-tampering from Russia, potential major changes to U.S. policy on China, fights over cabinet picks and the U.S. Congress passing a law that could reduce congestion at the Canada-U.S. border.

Trump brought up the pipeline himself during the interview with Fox News, while being pressed on whether his fossil-fuel-friendly administration would remain in the Paris climate agreement.

Trump said he would make a decision soon on Paris  then raised the pipeline.

The Keystone pipeline, youre going to have a decision fairly quickly, Trump said.

And youll see that.

After years of political wrangling, President Barack Obama announced hed denied a licence for the pipeline to cross the border. The pipeline would have carried almost one-quarter of Canadas oil exports to the U.S. It was delayed by protests and court fights, which could be rekindled by any attempt to revive the project.

Its little surprise that Trump would favour the project  it was part of his platform. Hes also reportedly considering naming the CEO of Exxon Mobil as his secretary of state, who would be in charge of the file.

Oil man Rex Tillerson has long supported the project. Hes also expressed a preference for carbon taxes as his favoured form of climate policy, over cap-and-trade systems.

But thats not the main reason his rumoured appointment drew so much controversy over the weekend. The source of that consternation was Tillersons years-long personal relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Marco Rubio suggested the Senate might resist the appointment: Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState, tweeted the senator, who sits on the foreign relations committee that would run the confirmation hearing.

The rumoured nomination lands in a frenzy of news about Russian interference in the U.S. election.

Several media have reported that intelligence agencies informed lawmakers that hackers, affiliated with the Russian government, worked specifically to get Trump elected by stealing emails from Democrats and sending them to WikiLeaks.

The conclusion of a pro-Trump effort was based, partly, on intelligence findings that Russia also hacked into Republicans computers  but held onto that material.

The chairman of the Republican party, Reince Priebus, vigorously denied that the national partys computers were hacked. In an interview with NBCs Meet The Press, however, he did not confirm or deny the possibility Russians might have material from people linked to the Republican campaign.

Trumps reaction to the news shocked many in Washington: He blasted U.S. intelligence officials, deriding them as the people who provided faulty intelligence on Saddam Husseins weapons of mass destruction.

Several lawmakers from both parties have vowed an in-depth investigation of what happened in the election. Thats in addition to a quick study being conducted in the final weeks of the Obama investigation.

Vladimir Putin is a thug, and a murderer, and a killer, and a KGB agent, John McCain told CBSs Face The Nation.

Its going to require in-depth (investigation). ... You cant make this issue partisan. Its just too important. The fundamental of a democracy is a free and fair election. Theyre doing this in other countries  not just this one.

Trump has brushed off the issue.

He has suggested its being cooked up by his political opponents to undermine his presidency.

They have no idea if its Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place. I mean, they have no idea, he said.

Trump made other newsworthy remarks in the Fox interview.

He suggested the U.S.s long-standing one-China policy, favouring the national unity of that growing powerhouse, could be revisited. He indicated it might become leverage in negotiations with China on other issues.

I dont know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump said, listing currency devaluation, border taxes and hostile behaviour in the South China Sea as irritants.

He also made remarks that might interest U.S. military allies  disparaging the F-35 fighter-jet program. As countries like Canada debate their part in the program, the incoming commander-in-chief blasted it as an example of wasteful Washington cronyism.

Look at the F-35 program with the money, the hundreds of billions of dollars, Trump said.

Its out of control. And the people that are making these deals for the government, they should never be allowed to go to work for these companies. You know, they make a deal like that and two or three years later, you see them working for these companies that made the deal.

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BEIJINGUniversities must be strongholds for the Communist Party, while schools are on the front line of the battle against the infiltration of hostile foreign forces and their subversive ideas.

Thats the message coming from Chinas top leadership in the past few days, as President Xi Jinping steadily expands the ideological clampdown that has marked his rule.

Journalists, opinion leaders on social media and civil society groups were among the first in the firing line, then came lawyers, with many of the most troublesome now behind bars.

Writers and artists have been told their work must serve the Communist Party and the masses, and now, finally, academics and educators are also in the crosshairs.

China must build colleges into strongholds that adhere to Party leadership, Xi told a two-day meeting on ideological and political work in higher education last week, while teachers must be disseminators of advanced ideology and culture, and staunch supporters of governance by the Party.

The Peoples Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece, explained what that meant in a commentary piece over the weekend.

Students intellectual, ideological, emotional and psychological makeup have not matured, the paper said, and they need guidance: on where to put their efforts in life, who to love, how to appreciate things and what kind of person to be.

In an essay, Chinas Education Minister, Chen Baosheng, wrote that schools were the main target of hostile foreign forces that seek to infiltrate the county, while also complaining of historic nihilism code for attempts to question the Communist Partys rewriting of history.

There are intense battles being fought at our education front line now, he said.

In the short-term, the clampdown will be felt most strongly in the social sciences, experts say, but it has potentially broad and damaging implications for the nations intellectual and economic advance.

It is going to stifle much-needed debate on a whole variety of areas about where China is going, said Rana Mitter, a professor of modern China at the University of Oxford, who argues that the country needs open discussion at its top universities about the challenges it faces.

Zhou Dake, an expert on Chinese cultural history at Tongji University in Shanghai, called the news a severe problem and a detrimental blow to academia and the idea of cultivating independent thought.

Before, there were some spaces for academics to express what they believe, he said. Now it is highly possible that universities wont have any space for independent speech.

Chinese universities were given broad freedom to pursue academic excellence since the country began opening to the outside world in the late 1970s, experts say.

In recent years, China has been investing heavily in higher education, recognizing its role in fostering the innovation its economy needs to continue growing. Chinese scholars who left China to pursue their careers overseas have been lured back home, while partnerships with top foreign universities have been encouraged.

All this has helped push Chinese universities steadily up international rankings, said Phil Baty, at Times Higher Education, with Peking University and Tsinghua in the top 35 globally. But the largest gains have tended to be focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects, investment has been highest and where restrictions on academic freedom may not have as strong an impact, said Baty.

Graduates in these subjects have spearheaded Chinas drive into IT innovation, and the party clearly values their work.

When Xi took over, however, the suspicion returned, and there has been a crackdown.

Last year, a previous education minister told universities to shun textbooks that promote Western values, while a small number of outspoken academics have been sacked or  in the case of ethnic Uighur professor Ilham Tohti  jailed for separatism.

The chill winds are felt most strongly in the social sciences and humanities, but Oxfords Mitter said in the longer-term they could put off foreign academics from coming to the country, slowing the process of internationalization that has helped Chinas universities join the ranks of the worlds best.

Edward Vickers, an expert in Chinese education at Japans Kyushu University who visits the country and speaks to academics here regularly, said the clampdown appears to be having some impact both on what is taught in classes, and what scholars feel empowered to publish.

But implementation of the latest directive is likely to be inconsistent, he said.

Party committees in any university or college are made up of locals, he said. Once these messages are filtered down through several layers to the local level, they might not mean that much.

Zhou, at Tongji University, said tighter restrictions on accessing the global Internet have already hit scholars across all disciplines. Last year, a group of scientists appealed to the government to lift restrictions on accessing research over the Internet, but were denied.

Zhou said his own research into comparative Chinese cultural history has stalled because he can no longer freely access international material, and he now plans to finish his work in the United States.

The Chinese government says it wants to strengthen Chinas soft power and influence in the world. But to be honest, with this kind of intrusion, and the closing down of free academic thought and global interconnectedness, I dont know how they are going to realize this great destiny to revive the China Dream, he said.

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CAIROThe young man suspected of blowing himself up inside a Cairo chapel during Sunday Mass, killing at least 25 people, had been arrested and beaten by police two years ago after allegedly taking part in an Islamist demonstration, his lawyer said Monday.

If independently confirmed, Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa would be the latest Egyptian to be radicalized after being subjected to police abuse, a practice that was common for decades and has become rampant after a crackdown on dissent following the militarys 2013 ouster of an Islamist president.

Speaking after a state funeral for the victims, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said the suspect detonated a belt of explosives inside a chapel adjacent to St. Marks Cathedral, seat of Egypts ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. The over 100-year-old chapel was packed with worshippers.

The dead included more than 20 women and children. Forty-nine others were injured, according to the latest figures released by the Health Ministry.

Mahmoud Hassan, one of Musafas lawyers, said his client, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, was tortured until he confessed to the possession of weapons and explosions. He also faced charges of membership in an illegal organization, Egyptian parlance for the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group of which former president Mohammed Morsi was a senior official.

Musafa was released on bail after nearly two months in detention, and a court later convicted him in absentia, according to the lawyer. Traumatized by the torture, he told his lawyer not to appeal, fearing he would be abused again if detained.

A police photo of Mustafa and a friend arrested on the same day showed the pair, clearly in their teens, with bleeding noses and bruised faces. Placed atop a coffee table in front of them was a rifle, ammunition and what appeared to be a homemade bomb.

Hassan insisted that Mustafa was not a member of the Brotherhood, but the young Egyptian student from the oasis province of Fayoum appears to have been radicalized by his experience in detention, a danger many Egyptian rights activists warn the government against. The activists seek freedom for anyone not involved in acts of violence.

Two local news websites on Monday quoted Mustafas mother as saying he had not been home in two years.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for Sundays bombing. Two active militant groups believed to have links to the Muslim Brotherhood group  Hasm and Liwa el-Thawra  distanced themselves from the attack. The local affiliate of the Daesh group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has so far remained silent.

Sundays bombing was among the deadliest attacks in recent memory to target Egypts Coptic minority, which makes up around 10 per cent of the countrys population and strongly supported the el-Sissi-led military overthrow of Morsi, Egypts first freely elected president whose one year in office proved to be divisive.

Since then, Islamic militants have carried out scores of attacks, mainly targeting the security forces, while the government has waged a wide-scale crackdown on dissent.

Mustafa raised suspicions when, according to footage from a security camera, he hurriedly entered the chapel wearing a bulgy jacket, prompting one security guard to follow him. About 10 seconds later, Mustafa blew himself up.

The guard who followed him was killed, said Khaled Diaa-Eldeen, who leads a team of prosecutors investigating Sundays attack.

Three men and a woman were arrested in connection with Sundays attack and other suspects were on the run, el-Sissi said.

The president did not link the bomber to any militant groups, but a top Interior Ministry official appeared to confirm a key part of the account given by Mustafas lawyer. Police Maj. Gen. Tarek Attia told The Associated Press the suspected bomber was arrested in Fayoum in 2014 and charged with membership in the Brotherhood.

This strike really hurt us and caused us much pain, but it will not break us, el-Sissi said.

He also called on the government and parliament to introduce legislation that would allow more decisive methods of dealing with militants. He did not elaborate. Lawmakers and pro-government media have been promoting the referral of terrorism-related cases to military tribunals, which are notorious for their swift and harsh sentences.

During the funeral, coffins were wrapped in Egyptian flags and carried by military policemen. The service was attended by top government and military officials and guarded by hundreds of soldiers. Earlier on Monday, the Coptic community held its own funeral service at a suburban church.

God, protect us and your people from the conspiracies of the evil ones, Pope Tawadros II, spiritual leader of Egypts Orthodox Christians, prayed after waving incense over coffins lined up in front of the altar along with crosses made of white roses. It is the destiny of our church to offer martyrs.

Only victims relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City.

Outside the church, a crowd of several hundred protesters scuffled with security forces when they were barred from attending the service.

People have a volcano of anger inside their chests, said Nora Sedki, a Christian government employee who joined the demonstration.

The blood of our brothers is dear, chanted the protesters, who carried Egyptian flags and crosses made of tree branches.

Soon after Morsis 2013 ouster, his supporters lashed out at Christians, ransacking and destroying scores of churches and Christian-owned properties in southern Egypt, where sectarian tensions are more pronounced.

Successive Egyptian governments insist that Christians are not discriminated against, but many claim they have been denied top jobs, including in academia and in security and diplomatic services. They say it is the result of deeply rooted bias by the countrys Muslim majority.

Christians have also accused the security forces of failing to do enough to protect them from Muslim extremists, a complaint that has persisted under el-Sissis rule.

The pope must take stronger action, said Amal Saad, one of the protesters, whose aunt was among the victims. We cant keep weeping and burying the dead then nothing happens.

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WASHINGTONCongress top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIAs belief that Russia meddled in last months election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.

Meanwhile, Trump said he would announce his choice for secretary of state Tuesday morning. Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson has emerged as the leading candidate, while 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared to be out of the running, writing on Facebook that it was an honour to have been considered.

Congressional GOP leaders steered toward a path contrasting starkly with the president-elects belittling dismissal of the CIA and his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russians are not our friends, declared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Senates intelligence panel, led by Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct a bipartisan inquiry, according to McConnell, who also expressed support for a related probe by the Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Though declining to say whether he believes Russia tried tilting the election toward Trump, McConnell said, I hope that those who are going to be in positions of responsibility in the new administration share my view about Moscow.

Shortly afterward, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a statement backing an investigation the House Intelligence Committee has already started on cyber threats posed by foreign countries and extremist groups. He called any Russian intervention especially problematic because under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests.

Underscoring the possible collisions ahead between Trump and the men leading his party in Congress, McConnell and Ryan struck tones markedly more confrontational toward Russia than he has.

Trump on Sunday called the CIAs contention ridiculous and blamed the disclosures concerning its assessment on Democrats who he said were embarrassed over losing last months election.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., released a letter Monday to National Intelligence Director James Clapper complaining that recent reports of the CIAs conclusion clashed with Clappers prior statement that he lacked good insight about the connection between Russian hacking of Democratic campaign documents and their release by WikiLeaks. Nunes requested a briefing on the subject for this week.

The GOP leaders expressed their views after a weekend in which Trump also said he would not need daily intelligence briefings, a staple of presidents days for decades and a flouting of a convention common for presidential transitions.

The president-elect continued his cavalcade of meetings in his Trump Tower offices in New York on Monday with potential appointees for his new administration and other leading GOP, congressional and corporate figures. Among them was Carly Fiorina, who unsuccessfully vied with Trump this year for their partys nomination.

Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, was there to discuss national security issues and is seen by some Trump advisers as a candidate to be director of national intelligence, overseeing the governments 17 intelligence agencies. She chaired an external CIA advisory board under President George W. Bush but has not worked for the federal government.

Fiorina said her conversation with Trump included hacking, whether its Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking.

Others meeting with Trump included moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, No. 3 House GOP leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another GOP presidential contender whom Trump defeated.

The campaign chairman for defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged the Obama administration Monday to reveal what it knows about any Russian efforts to help Trump win. John Podesta, whose emails were stolen and posted online, said the administration owes it to the American people to release details of the intrusions, which included the hacking of Democratic Party files.

Podesta said the Clinton campaign also supports a call by 10 of the 538 members of the Electoral College for Clapper to provide information that intelligence agencies have gathered on the subject.

All 10 are unlikely to vote for Trump when the Electoral College meets next Monday. Nine are Democrats, and Texas Republican Chris Suprun has said he wont vote for Trump.

Other Democrats calling for congressional investigations of Russias role in the elections include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence communitys conclusion about Russias actions, she said.

McConnell said he has the highest confidence in U.S. intelligence agencies and said it defies belief that Senate Republicans would be reluctant to scrutinize Russian tactics. He recounted Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, said Baltic nation leaders are nervous about Moscow and pointedly praised NATO, the alliance that Trump criticized repeatedly during his campaign.

I think we ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well, McConnell said.

In a nod to the Trump assertion about Democrats motives, Ryan said the congressional inquiries should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election.

As expected, Trumps transition team formally announced he would name Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, 56, to head the White House National Economic Council. The council provides policy advice to the president.

Trumps team also said hed picked Gen. John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly is a former commander of U.S. Southern Command.

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BEIJINGChina said Monday that it had serious concern about U.S. president-elect Donald Trumps most recent comments about Taiwan, and warned that any changes to how America deals with the self-governing island could damage diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing.

Chinas comments came a day after Trump said in a television interview that he didnt feel bound by a one-China policy.

Geng Shuang, a spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry, said that established policy is the political foundation of any diplomatic relationship between China and the U.S., and that any damage to it could render co-operation out of the question.

We urge the new U.S. leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy, Geng said.

Since recognizing the Peoples Republic of China in 1979, the U.S. has adhered to the one-China policy, recognizing Beijing as the capital of China and maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan. American law, however, requires the U.S. to ensure that Taiwan has the means to defend itself and to treat all threats to the island as matters of serious concern.

China split from Taiwan amid civil war in 1949 and continues to regard the island as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Gengs comments are the strongest public condemnation China has made of Trumps criticisms of current American policy toward Taiwan.

Beijing was already angered by Trumps Dec. 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades. China considers any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Trump followed the call with two tweets accusing China of manipulating its currency, unfairly taxing American imports and provoking tensions in the South China Sea.

Over the weekend, he told Fox News Sunday that he wouldnt feel bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

Trump said his call with Tsai was very nice and strictly meant to congratulate the Republican on winning the election.

Why should some other nation be able to say I cant take a call? he said. I think it actually wouldve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it.

Hours after the interview aired, Chinas Communist Party-controlled Global Times published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: Trump, please listen clearly: One China cannot be traded.

China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him, the editorial said. Only after hes hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception.

Many people might be surprised at how the new U.S. leader is truly a businessman through-and-through, the paper said, referring to Trumps suggestion of using the one-China policy as a bargaining chip. But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child.

The Global Times, which is published by the party mouthpiece Peoples Daily, often runs commentaries that target nationalistic sentiment with provocative language.

Chinese officials have been more restrained so far. They may be still trying to learn how to make their positions clear to Trump without feeding a vicious cycle of insults and heightened tensions, said Dali Yang, a political science professor at the University of Chicago.

However, Trumps suggestion that he could negotiate on Taiwan likely went too far for China, Yang said.

He expected for China to bargain again for the one-China position, perhaps by giving up something on trade or something of that nature, Yang said. This is actually the foundation of the U.S.-China relationship, rather than something to be bargained over.

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DALLAS A month after Twitter suspended Richard Spencers account, it has given the megaphone back.

Spencer, a self-professed founder of the alt-right movement advocating for a whites-only state, seems to want to make up for lost time, spawning tweet after tweet since his return Saturday.

The alt-right movement is not well defined, but it has attracted people who identify themselves as white nationalists or white supremacists and who spouse anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments.

America, at the end of the day, belongs to white men, Spencer said at an event at Texas A&M University last week as some attendees booed and hissed at him.

Spencers Twitter page was one of several accounts by alt-right personalities that Twitter suspended a week after the presidential election, USA Today reported. Twitter also unplugged other accounts tied to Spencer, such as the one for his think tank, National Policy Institute, and his magazine, Radix Journal.

Another high-profile casualty came months earlier, when Twitter permanently banned Milo Yiannopoulos, a journalist for far-right news outlet Breitbart. Though Twitter didnt specify the reason for the ban, it happened right after Yiannopoulos encouraged his followers to hurl racist and misogynistic attacks against Saturday Night Live comedian Leslie Jones. She left the social media network in the aftermath.

The suspensions appeared to be a crackdown on the alt-right movement as Twitter announced it was going to combat online abuse with new tools. One of those features allows users to mute notifications about tweets directed at them that include certain words and hashtags.

But a Twitter representative told The Washington Post that Spencer was barred from Twitter for having multiple accounts with overlapping uses. The accounts for his think tank and magazine were not restored.

Spencer lives in a Montana resort town, but he was born and raised in Dallas. He told The Dallas Morning News last month that Donald Trumps victory in the election was like a dream come true.

That is something major, Spencer said. Hes not your fathers conservative. Hes not in this to promote free markets or neo-conservative foreign politics or to protect Israel, for that matter. Hes in this to protect his people. Hes in this to protect the historic American nation.

At a recent white nationalist conference in Washington, D.C., Spencers call to Hail Trump! got a crowd to stiffen their arms in a Nazi salute.

Trump, who launched his presidential campaign by calling Mexican immigrants rapists and who has retweeted white supremacists, disavowed the alt-right movement in an interview with The New York Times.

Im not looking to energize them, he said.

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An open letter on Bill C-51 to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale from leading innovators and entrepreneurs:

Canadas future depends on its ability to compete on the world stage. As business leaders and tech entrepreneurs, we hope to play an important role in that future.

We were buoyed by your governments promise to introduce much-needed parliamentary oversight of security services, but are deeply troubled that the initial concerns with Bill C-51 from the business community remain largely unaddressed. We appreciate the opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in regarding your public consultation on Bill C-51 but the process to date has raised additional concerns.

Many of us were among the more than 150 business leaders who wrote to the previous government to articulate our concerns about Bill C-51. The diverse signatories were affiliated with companies worth billions of dollars, including several start-ups that are planning IPOs, Canadas largest software company, and one of Canadas largest institutional investors.

That letter outlined a series of concerns the business community has with Bill C-51, including:

By undermining international trust, the legislation stifles Canadas businesses and damages the overall economy.

By criminalizing free expression and allowing for the takedown of websites, the legislation harms Canadians online services and the ability of Canadian businesses to conduct commerce online.

By granting the Communications Security Establishment a mandate to conduct domestic spying, Bill C-51 undermines Canadas reputation as a trustworthy international partner.

By making it easier to place people on a no-fly list, Bill C-51 exacerbates problems with false positives, harming international travel and commerce.

By undermining Canadas reputation for data security, Bill C-51 incentivizes many businesses to host their online presence elsewhere, such as in the European Union which has stronger data security safeguards.

Far from mitigating the above concerns, the language from your governments National Security Consultation further undermines international trust in Canadas technology and other sectors. In fact, many of the proposals set out in your consultation will further undermine Canada's reputation and change our business climate for the worse.

In particular we find the following elements from the national security consultation extremely concerning:

1. It appears to favour the undermining or breaking of the encryption that many of our businesses and workers rely on.

2. It floats and positively frames mandatory interception powers to access our sensitive business and customer data.

3. It suggests that mandatory access to subscriber data such as an IP address without a warrant is akin to looking up a number in a phone book. This is an appalling and incorrect analogy for a piece of data that can unlock the highly intimate details of the lives of law-abiding Canadians.

4. It raises the idea of forced customer data retention and suggests practices such as purging user data as problematic when such practices actually strengthen data security and customer privacy.

Frankly, it comes as an unwelcome surprise to us to see your government float proposals that, far from addressing the serious problems with Bill C-51, will in fact dramatically exacerbate those problems. We hope you will not proceed with any of these dangerous ideas.

All of the above points relate to data security and wed like to reiterate a key part of the letter that many of us signed onto last year:

The data disclosures on innocent Canadians and those traveling to Canada for business or recreation could make our clients leave us for European shores, where privacy is valued. Duplicated data flowing between multiple unsecured federal government and foreign government databases leaves Canadians and Canadian businesses even more open to being victimized by data breaches, cyber criminals and identity theft.

Even without the increasingly permissive data disclosure practices enabled by C-51, federal government agencies have seen over 3000 breaches of the highly sensitive private information of an estimated 750,000 innocent Canadians in recent years. More than 200 Canadians have come forward in recent months to say their personal or professional lives have been ruined, due to information disclosures, despite never having broken the law. As it is we have a privacy deficit in Canada that erodes trust in both commerce and trade. Bill C-51 deepens that deficit.

We agree with the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who have called on the government to fully scrap this reckless, dangerous and ineffective legislation through OpenMedia and the many other groups working on this issue. We hope your government will listen to Canadians, the business community and experts by starting over with new legislation that respects our collective desire for security overall. Privacy and data integrity safeguards represent security in its most clear and basic sense. Lets start with this understanding and work from there.

We have attached an appendix that includes more detailed answers to some of the high-level questions put to Canadians in the governments online consultation on this matter. We hope you find our answers instructive.

We hope for a quick response that addresses these serious economic and data security concerns. We are hopeful that common sense will prevail on this file.

Sincerely,

Laura Tribe, Executive Director, OpenMedia

Julia Fournier, President & CEO, HCMWorks

Wyle Baoween, CEO, HRx Technology

Sara Blenkhorn, Director of collaboration, Leverage Lab

Tim Bray, co-founder, Open Text Corporation

Mark Buell, Director, Internet Society (ISOC), North American Bureau

Matt Buie, Financial Planning Advisor, Assante Capital Management

Graeme Bunton, Manager, Public Policy, Tucows

Jason Collinge, VP Technology, Payfirma

Jennifer Cutbill, Executive Director, Vancouver Design Week

Mo Dhaliwal, Director of Strategy, Skyrocket

Phillip Djwa, President/CEO, Agentic Communications, Inc.

Ryan Dochuk, Co-founder, TunnelBear Inc.

Kat Dodds, Founder/Director, Hello Cool World Media

Bryce Evans, Founder, The One Project

Rachel Forbes, Principal & Legal Eagle, Sharp Six Services

Benjamin Fox, Founder, Tapstream

Martha Fusca, President,The Storyz Network

Mehrdad Gharib, President, FEED Engineering Inc

Frederick Ghahramani, Founder/CEO, airG

Mike Gifford, President, OpenConcept Consulting Inc.

John F. Gray, Co-founder, Mentionmapp

Michael Goodman, Chairman, Tri City Group of Companies

Mack Hardy, President, Affinity Bridge Consulting Ltd.

Daryl Hatton, CEO, ConnectionPoint

Kelsey Heikoop, Owner, Adion Systems

Raynard von Hahn, Lawyer, Genesis Law Corporation

Peter Henry, CEO, GrowthLogic Inc.

Keith Ippel, CEO, Spring Activator Inc.

Gary Isberg, President, AGI by Design

Andrew Jung, Information Architect, Skipping Rock Communication Arts

Alex Krohn, CEO, Gossamer Threads Inc.

Christopher Larsen, Owner, DeadRatGames Inc.

Jordan Lewin, CEO, Digital Sparks Media

Urszula Lipsztajn CEO and founder, WorkBrite

Campbell Macdonald, CEO, Proxxi

Monika Marcovici, Director, Board of Change

Tara Mahoney, Founder/Creative Director, GenWhy Media

Susan McLennan, President, Reimagine PR

Frank Michlick, Founder, DomainCocoon Inc.

Adam Millard, Chair, 3Fold Partners

Chris Nissen, President, Nissen Fasteners

Philip Neves, President/CEO, Neves Software Inc.

Ken Nickerson, CEO, iBinary LLC

Sandra Nomoto, President, Conscious Public Relations Inc.

Andrei Odeski, CEO & Founder, Fortify Communications Inc

Meredith J Powell, Advisor, Finn.ai

Shamus Reid, Co-Founder/COO, New/Mode Inc.

Vanessa Richards, Director, Creative Together

Michael Richardson, Chief Scientist, Sandelman Software Works

Steve Rio, CEO, Briteweb

Thomas Savundra, CEO, Sync.com

Joel Solomon, Chairman, Renewal Funds

Josh Stuart, President, cStreet Campaigns Inc.

Marten Sims, European operations lead, Happy City

Steven Tannock, Founder & CTO, Codegnostic

Michael Tippett, CEO, Wantoo

Matt Toner, President, Zeros 2 Heroes

Andrew Wyllie, Founder and CTO, NU Frontier Communications

Zaid Zawaideh, COO, Sandglaz

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Waters fouled by sewage, shores littered with household waste, flora and fauna in rivers and oceans made sick by effluence. Such scenarios are disturbingly common in Canada due in large part to wastewater rules that were too lax for too long and to antiquated treatment plants cities cant afford to fix.

Recent statistics from Environment Canada, obtained by CBC News, suggest new federal regulations have done little to ease the problem. And if Ottawa doesnt do more  and quickly  this already serious situation is bound to get worse.

Until recently, the noxious cleaning liquids, spoiled drinks and old medications Canadians poured down their drains were allowed to flow untreated into our waterways. Federal regulations required municipal wastewater plants to clean so-called floatables, but not to address the liquid pollution that tainted so much of our water.

In 2012, the Harper government rightly introduced a higher standard, bringing in rules similar to those that had been in place in the United States for more than 40 years. But with the new regulations came no new money. At the time, municipalities warned that the high cost of upgrading wastewater plants was well beyond the means of most city governments.

Environmentalists also feared that the deadlines for cities to comply with the new rules  between 2020 and 2040, depending on how primitive their systems  would give coastal municipalities too much leeway to continue saving money by simply dumping waste rather than treating it.

Sadly, four years later, it seems these concerns had merit.

Last year, more than 205 billion litres of sewage and wastewater poured into Canadian rivers and oceans  a 1.9-per-cent uptick from the previous year. The volume of contamination is likely to continue to rise until the federal government finds a way to help cities fix or replace anachronistic wastewater treatment plants.

Thats because, as Green Party Leader Elizabeth May told CBC News, Our aging wastewater infrastructure was designed for a different climate. The many municipalities that continue to combine sanitary and storm sewers, for instance, are doing particular damage. To avoid flooding, such cities must release the untreated wastewater whenever they are hit by heavy precipitation, something climate change is making increasingly common.

The Trudeau government has acknowledged the problem and vowed to invest some $2 billion in helping cities update their systems. But that contribution, while welcome, will only go so far. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities puts the likely cost of bringing wastewater systems in line with the new federal rules at around $18 billion.

The regulations the Conservatives introduced were a prerequisite for protecting our waterways. But those rules wont mean much until Ottawa establishes timelines and makes investments that reflect the urgency of the threat.

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This is the age of rage. Or hate. Wait, no, its the age of anti-intellectualism. The thoughtful essayist Pankaj Mishra merely calls it the age of anger but I think hes letting humans off the hook. We are irrational and it is destroying us.

When Stefanie MacWilliams, a hapless Belleville, Ont., self-styled journalist  her sad blog is a dead ringer for Jean Teasdales A Room of Jeans Own in The Onion  is able to send out fake news that ends in gunshots being fired by a citizen journalist in the capital of a foreign country, something larger is at work.

MacWilliams blogged that her goals for 2016 were to Start excercising [sic] again and Get married! She did not write help inspire a journalist-gunman to go to a family restaurant which is funny because that happened.

She told reporters that she didnt believe or disbelieve the allegation that Hillary Clinton was keeping child sex slaves in tunnels beneath a Washington pizza restaurant. So why did MacWilliams spread it so casually and heartlessly?

Is this a micro story about silly people or a macro story of worldwide intellectual incapacity and moral descent? Yes, it is possible that the witterings of the dim are ultimately irrelevant but they vote, and they also become U.S. president.

Our dominant intellectual concepts and categories seem unable to process an explosion of uncontrolled forces, Mishra wrote rather helplessly in a Guardian essay. We used to accept categories of opposites: progressive vs. reactionary, open vs. closed, liberalism vs. fascism, rational vs. irrational.

But he suggests that humans were never rational in the first place. The engine of capitalism was this: people are motivated by furthering their own interests, busily pursuing happiness. I found this harsh but sensible. But what if pursuing the wild desire for chaos trumps capitalistic rationality?

Reason over passion, Pierre Elliott Trudeau used to say. But what if inchoate, red-faced, brutish passion rolls over quiet, sane, carefully argued reason like an armoured tank?

An age of irrationality would be worse than an age of rage. There are as many ways to dilute or distract citizen rage as there are ways to provoke it. But what is to be done with Irrational Man?

Mishra says that in the 19th century Fyodor Dostoyevsky was one of the first modern writers to suspect that rational thinking didnt influence human behaviour. In Notes from Underground, Dostoyevskys Underground Man, the quintessential loser dreaming of revenge against societys winners was up against modern rationalists and they won, for awhile.

Now there are so many irrationalists online, Im imagining them as a mass of Lee Harvey Oswalds voting a clown into power.

Women and minorities are always the first to feel the tremors. In Canada, the U.S. and other countries, Muslim women are being attacked on the street, and Jews, even Jewish MPs, get extreme anti-Semitic hate.

In Britain, anti-Brexit MP Jo Cox was stabbed and shot to death by a white supremacist, his bullets passing through her hands as she tried to protect herself.

In Toronto, a student allegedly planned to mark the 27th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre of 14 women by attacking his school. Luckily, a good-hearted American noticed his online threat and called police. Salvation was that random.

In Ohio, a new Trump-era bill passed, prohibiting abortion after a fetal heartbeat is heard, which may be six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. So women may die or be jailed and unwanted children will be born.

Women appear little in Mishras essay. He quotes 26 intellectuals, but only one is female (hey, Hannah Arendt) and the particular sufferings of women dont appear to rate with him. But we women are pragmatic rationalists. Under irrational rule, our first question is always what violence will be applied to our bodies.

Irrational bodily regulation  abortion prevention and physical jailing  is Job 1 for tyrants. The Handmaids Tale may become real. Meanwhile, Scotland will help the abortion-seeking women of Northern Ireland, and Canada will help desperate American women.

This is a rational response. Canadians will assist, the Washington police handled the gunman, smart Toronto police took action, Coxs killer is in court.

But what if those rational responses become outliers and the normal becomes unusual? Will rationality become a stranger in this new world?

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Re: All genocides should be commemorated, Dec. 8

All genocides should be commemorated, Dec. 8

One would expect a more intelligent, well-researched denunciation of those opposed to BDS than that provided by emeritus professor of sociology, Peter Eglin. His description of the merciless oppression of Palestinians by Israel is quite unreasonable in light of Palestinian Israeli citizens access to a free press, educational facilities, elected representatives to government, hospital and medicare, and business opportunity.

Merciless oppression usually results in the mass exodus of those so tyrannized. Israel has no law against emigration, yet Palestinians have not seen fit to remove themselves from the victimization explicit in the professors comments.

Perhaps the learned professor has not had the opportunity to attend BDS reactions to university-invited Israeli medical researchers, or scholars, where anti-Semitic rants are often in evidence.

Morley S. Wolfe, Brampton

While I agree that studying current, and past, genocides might help save thousands of lives, Karin Brothers Dec. 8 letter wrongfully conflates the idea of Holocaust week with Zionism. Acknowledging and remembering victims of the Holocaust does not in any way carry an implicit support of the State of Israel.

Additionally, Brothers falsely claims that Israel has been carrying out a slow genocide against the two million Palestinians under its military occupation of Gaza. Israel returned the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians in the summer of 2005. Palestinians then chose Hamas as their leaders. Since then, Hamas has shown that it will use anything and everything it possibly can as weapons against Israel and, more disturbingly, against its own people. They knowingly hide behind their own people.

It is not Israel that is committing the genocide here. It is Hamas.

Shulamit Heisler, Toronto

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Re: Brampton man guilty of sex assault flees to Pakistan, Dec. 9 r

Brampton man guilty of sex assault flees to Pakistan, Dec. 9 r

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that when the same convict is granted bail and manages to flee to his native Pakistan on two separate occasions in 2010 and 2016, then a few changes to our justice system should become an immediate priority.

Moazzam Tariqs ability to escape justice might be easily traced to a system-wide failure involving the Canadian Police Information Centres (CPIC) failure to update its database and a breakdown in communications between two separate jurisdictions in Peel region and Toronto.

Although there are a few other twists to this story involving fake passports, we do know that the rape victim has been deniedw her right to justice. How many other convicted criminals have fled to other countries while being on bail, parole, or probation?

The integrity of our justice system is at stake and it is incumbent on our leaders to ensure that it be held in high esteem.

Robert Ariano, Scarborough

We are repeatedly reminded that our criminal justice system is incapable of countering a level of acceptance of violent sexual assault crime that is astonishingly high. The video surveillance footage that helped convict Mr. Tariq of sexual assault wasnt shocking enough evidence to keep him in jail. The judges decision to convict was heralded because usually there is insufficient evidence to convict sexual assault offenders and victims credibility is what is questioned in court. There is already plenty wrong with this picture.

Now, not only does the convicted offender get out on bail pending sentencing and leaves the country, but the police are blamed for failure to update the information database that police services share.

Come on. We have a system that does not hold violent sexual offenders and does not make sureties who put up bail money accountable? For Crown Attorneys to even be in the position to debate whether Tariqs father should forfeit the $10,000 bail seems ridiculous. What should be determined is how to hold suspected and convicted sexual assault offenders and hold sureties accountable.

Instead of blaming police for failing to update a database, what should be examined and changed is an entire system that evidently does not have the mechanisms to take sexual violence incidents seriously.

Susan Turner, associate scholar, Centre for Womens Studies in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

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Re: B.C. real estate tax pushes buyers to Toronto, Seattle, Dec. 7

B.C. real estate tax pushes buyers to Toronto, Seattle, Dec. 7

The province of Ontario says it is concerned with escalating prices for real estate in the City of Toronto. It appears, however, it is more concerned with making sure it does not offend its major political contributors in the real estate and development industry than protecting the interests of the average Ontario resident who would like to own their own home someday.

Tinkering with the Land Transfer Tax and changing mortgage eligibility rules will not resolve this problem, which is poised to get even worse. The only solution is the one that has successfully cooled the Vancouver market: a 15 per cent tax on offshore homebuyers.

It is time for the province to stop catering to special interests on this issue and put the public interest first.

Greg Sheehan, Mississauga

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Re: They came to bury Castro, not praise him, Dec. 5

Re: Fidel Castros death provokes amnesia, hypocrisy, Dec. 3

They came to bury Castro, not praise him, Dec. 5

Canada has maintained diplomatic relations with Cuba since 1945. We continued doing so through the years 1952 through 1958 when Cuba was ruled by Fulgencio Batista, a military person who overthrew a democratically elected government. When Fidel Castro overthrew Batista, Canada did not hesitate to recognize the new government.

Diplomatic relations represent a mutual symbolic respect of the peoples of the two countries. From 1945 to the present, Canadians have had no cause to find fault with Cubans, and the reverse is true. The facts that Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau developed a friendship with President Fidel Castro and that President Castro was a pallbearer at Prime Minister Trudeaus funeral are interesting, but the key element in diplomatic relations is the mutual respect of the two peoples.

This story was an opinion piece by Rosie DiManno, a very long piece that carried on to the second page under the headline, Fidels dark legacy survives and which ended with the phrase And damn his eternal soul.

The Star is Canadas largest circulation newspaper. As such, it comes very close to speaking for Canadians. Ms DiManno is welcome to her opinions, but I believe the Star has insulted the Cuban people by putting her opinions on the front page at a time when they have just lost their leader of over 50 years. Sovereign countries have a right to determine their own path. And each countrys people have a natural tendency to admire and even love their leaders, especially at the time of their death.

To allow one non-Cuban person to tell Canada what the Cubans who live in Cuba  and they are the overwhelming majority of Cubansare thinking about Fidel Castro is incredibly presumptuous, and simply not right.

Wayne Robbins, Toronto

With some exception, your coverage of Cuba surprises for its lack of substance and facile Cold War rhetoric.

Rosie DiMannos columns are an example. Long is the list of shortcomings, and few the nods of recognition for gains made against all odds. Adult literacy, education, and health made available to Cubas poor majority post-1959, and recognized as exemplary by the United Nations, is a singular achievement in social rights.

Among the greatest beneficiaries have been Afro-Cubans  children and grandchildren of slaves  who in that deeply racist country had been pushed to the margins. The children of once marginalized poor Cubans, and their children, are the professionals now clamoring for change.

These lessons in social justice are more relevant than ever given persistent racism, poverty, inequality and exclusioncertainly no longer exclusively for Latin America. And, echoing DiMannos stridency, while many North Americans flocked to San Francisco to join flower power, we in Latin America were inspired by the Cuban example to fight for a more just and inclusive society. Let us not minimize or trivialize this.

Veronica Schild, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.

How courageous of miss DiManno to devote her recent columns to demonizing the late Fidel Castro. The CIA spent years trying to assassinate him while Ms DiManno waits for his demise to character-assassinate him.

I wonder, if following a U.S. presidents death, she would eulogize him/her for their obligatory Nobel Peace Prize or would she have the courage to talk about their incessant bombing and drone assassination campaigns.

Brien Young, Toronto

Having visited Cuba at least 15 times, I have nothing but utmost respect for the Cubans and their system. Fidel Castro achieved what no other leader in the Caribbean achievedfree medicare and education (including university).

My GP in Toronto was trained by Cuban doctors; their reputation world wide is phenomenal. I am outraged that so few people have acknowledged this. Whenever I have visited other Caribbean countries I have never felt as safe as I do in Cuba.

Ingrid Nicholson, Toronto

While I wont object to Rosie DiMannos drinking to Fidel Castros demise, I have a slight issue with her final invocation against him, And damn his eternal soul.

I would rather have his own boastful words damn him: Si salgo, llego; si llego, entro; si entro, triunfo (If I leave, I arrive; if I arrive, I enter; if I enter, I triumph) in an eternal battle among tyrants.

Jaime Oksemberg, Toronto

Fidel Castros death provokes amnesia, hypocrisy, Dec. 3

At last an article about Cuba from Tony Burman who actually knows something about Cuba and the people. I was lucky enough to work in Cuba for three weeks, and I found the people hard working, honest, educated and enterprising.

I am not surprised there are hypocrites around. The Cubans have achieved so much with so little. If I was capable of starting up a business, I would not do it in the U.S. or Mexico, but Cuba.

John Bennett, Collingwood

Ms DiManno actually wrote this, And damn his eternal soul? Really? And you published it? Really?

Our Prime Minister was castigated widely for saying a few kind words about Fidel. What will the assembled pundits and columnists say and write about her now?

If anything.

Ted Turner, Toronto

Rosie DiManno wrote quotes from Marco Rubio, as per the following parts of it. Seized power and promised to bring peace and security. Turned it into an impoverished nation. It will remember him as an evil, murderous dictator who inflicted misery.

If Castro name was not mentioned I swear he would have been talking about George W. Bush. A man who should be tried for war crimes for all the deaths and misery he has caused in the world and continued the embargo to starve the poor people of Cuba. As usual it will carry on, now that the nut job racist Trump will be in charge.

W. Arsenault, Napanee

Your editorial states that Canada can help Cuba along a new path. This is such typical Canadian superiority and arrogance. It would be far better for Canadians if Cuba were to help Canada along a new path.

I would be willing to trade voting every four years for the same corporate bootlickers, for a country where homelessness, child malnutrition and poverty dont exist, where everyone has access to free education.

But no, keep promoting the idea that human rights violations only exist in Cuba while ignoring the plight of first nations here, black Torontonians who can be stopped by police for no reason, and I could go on.

Edson Castilho, Halifax, N.S.

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Alibaba's (BABA) Executive Chairman Jack Ma recently signed an agreement with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to help the country's small- and medium-sized businesses succeed in e-commerce.

The meeting marks the third time that a top Thai official has directly interacted with Ma since Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked Alibaba's founder to help Thailand's small- and medium-sized enterprises develop their e-commerce business while he was attending the G20 Summit back in September in Hangzhou.

"E-commerce in many emerging markets is still at very early stages, which means the lead by Amazon (AMZN) , eBay (EBAY) or any local incumbent is surmountable. Alibaba is focused on those emerging markets, especially in Asia, and is well positioned to be successful there," said Gil Luria, managing director at Wedbush Securities. "Alibaba was able to crack the code on the formula that works in China, especially in regards to logistics, so any market where they can find an equivalent solution could be a big market for them."

Within one year, Alibaba has managed to build a footprint all over Southeast Asia. The Chinese e-commerce giant is eyeing the region's 620 million population and in particular, 250 million smartphone users who are digital-savvy and eager to use mobile technology to shop online. And, according to experts, the company is well-positioned to do so.

"Southeast Asia region includes several countries with different government and culture, which could make Amazon's direct sales business model facing more challenge," said Marie Sun, analyst at Morningstar Investment Service. "Comparing Amazon to Alibaba, I think Alibaba's marketplace business model may be more suitable to Southeast Asia market, which is more fragmented and in early growth stage."

Another characteristic that sets Southeast Asian shoppers apart from online shoppers in other markets is their penchant for shopping via social media sites such as Action Alerts PLUS portfolio holding Facebook's (FB) Instagram or Japan-based Line (LINE) . Especially in Thailand, consumers prefer to interact with sellers on social platforms prior to purchasing and operate on a touch-and-feel, cash-on-delivery basis.

A study by Bain finds that Southeast Asia lacks a solid regional payment and logistics infrastructure which have been main factors for China's astounding growth in digital retail. In a move to claim traditional e-commerce market in the region, Alibaba's latest agreement with the Thai government promises training to 30,000 small- and medium-sized Thai enterprises and 10,000 Thai individuals in digital technology.

The agreement with Thailand was reached over three months of discussions but Alibaba's intention to expand into Thailand and moreover, Southeast Asia, a fragmented e-commerce market with huge prospects, had started months prior.

In April, Alibaba made its largest overseas investment with a $1 billion deal for a majority control of Singapore-headquartered Lazada, which operates in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, six of Southeast Asia's biggest e-commerce markets.

Last month, Alibaba's digital payment arm Ant Financial made an investment in Thailand's Ascend Money, which offers e-payment services and micro-loans to customers who are under-served by big financial firms. Bangkok-based Ascend Money operates in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia and is a subsidiary of Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand, owned by the Chearavanont family, the richest family in Thailand and the second richest family in Asia, according to Forbes.

While Alibaba is betting on the online marketplace in Southeast Asia to live up to its full potential, a host of challenges stemming from the region's diverse languages and cultures might obstruct the company from achieving the same level of success as it has done in its home market China.

But analysts believe that Alibaba's business model still puts it in an advantageous position to claim the market compared to long-time rivals Amazon and JD.com (JD) .

Alibaba's commitment to helping develop the Thailand's logistics and supply chain might end up serving itself later and help the company stay ahead. But still competitors are catching up as JD.com set up shop in Indonesia and Japan's Softbank invested $100 million in Singapore's largest online marketplace Tokopedia.

"Alibaba's expansion in Southeast Asia area is mainly through Aliexpress and Lazada, while the payment business in that region is still in early stage, in my view. I think it is still too early to say Alibaba is going to win," said Sun, the analyst at Morningstar.
French startup Navya debuted its Arma driverless shuttle van to the U.S. market in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Friday, inaugurating a research partnership with the University of Michigan.

The 11-person vehicle, which travels at speeds of up to 28 mph, will be tested at the university's 34-acre Mcity test track and may eventually be operated as a shuttle on campus, according to Jack Hu, vice president of research and development.

Christophe Sapet, chief executive, said the company has sold 30 Armas to date in various countries at a price of $250,000 each. Purchase of the vehicle includes induction charging equipment that brings Arma to full charge -- providing about 10 hours of operation -- in about five hours.

Navya announced an investment in October of about $34 million from two strategic investors, public transportation provider Keolis and French automotive parts group Valeo (VLEEY) , along with Qatar-based holding Group8. Currently, the vehicles are built in Lyons, France, though Sapet said Navya intends to manufacture in the U.S.

"We are thinking of ways to integrate Arma into our transportation grid," said Hu. "In the meantime, it will help people understand the technology," perhaps averting or defusing nervousness about vehicles that are controlled by software or artificial intelligence rather than human drivers.

Sapet said his firm is concentrating on so-called "first mile/last mile" solutions for advanced mobility solutions such as how to move passengers from a train depot to their destinations or from a large parking lot to an amusement park or shopping mall. He mentioned two Navya competitors in the "first mile/last mile" space, without referencing a name.

In August, Delphi Automotive (DLPH) said it was selected by the Singapore Land Transport Authority "to develop and test a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles and a cloud-based mobility-on-demand software (AMoD) suite." Densely populated urban areas are particularly interested in advanced mobility solutions that can help ease crowding and pollution.

Arma is equipped with sensors to detect pedestrians and other obstacles, which bring it to a safe stop. The course it follows is mapped and pre-determined, so it wouldn't be able to find a destination on a public roadway -- at least not yet. The vehicle can communicate with traffic signals.

University officials said Arma will undergo further testing at the American Center for Mobility, which is under construction in nearby Ypsilanti, Mich., at the site of the former Willow Run plant that produced B-24 bombers in World War II and later was transformed to a General Motors transmission plant.

Doron Levin is the host of "In the Driver Seat," broadcast on SiriusXM Insight 121, Saturday at noon, encore Sunday at 9 a.m.

This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.
Sky (SKYAY) stock fell Monday amid speculation of opposition from minority shareholders over the latest bid for the U.K. television and media firm from a Rupert Murdoch-led vehicle, Twenty-First Century Fox (FOX) .

Reuters reported Sunday that a major shareholder is planning to vote against the deal out of concern that the price offered by Fox is too low. Sky shares fell by around 0.65% by 09:30 GMT to trade at 991 pence nearly 10% below Fox's offer price of 10.75 each.

Fox unveiled its play for Sky Friday with a bid that valued the satellite television provider at 18.4 billion ($23.22 billion), lifting shares some 30% in late afternoon trading.

"Our view is that Fox may make a relatively modest increase in its cash bid to make it look as though it has listened to other shareholders but there is unlikely to be a major revision upwards," said Liberum Capital analyst Ian Whittaker.

Whittaker wrote that any revised bid from Fox is likely to be as good as things get for minority shareholders in Sky, reasoning that the 39% ownership stake the suitor already has will mean a rival bidder is unlikely to emerge to drive the price higher.

Friday's offer comes six years after another takeover attempt of Sky failed due to a combination of concerns over regulatory approvals and the political fallout from a phone hacking scandal that ultimately led to the closure of one of Murdoch's most coveted print titles in July 2011: the News of the World.

Shareholder opposition is not the only risk that the latest deal might face - as its size is likely to mean that it is referred to regulator OFCOM within days.

News Corp, a different company but one that was still ultimately controlled by the Murdoch family, attempted a 2010 takeover of Sky at a price of 700 pence per share, which prompted concerns over the likely dominance of the combined entity in U.K. news media. The bid was ultimately rejected by Sky and withdrawn the following year.

This time around, the bidder has less of a presence in the U.K. news media, although analysts have not ruled out the regulator asking for some concessions on the deal.

"We suspect that similar conditions might be placed on Fox/Sky, even if it is News Corp, not Fox, that publishes newspapers: the reality is that both companies are controlled by the same family," said Berenberg analyst Sarah Simon.
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate ExxonMobil (XOM) CEO Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State soon, a move that highlights the veteran oil executive's board connections and concerns about his cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow-controlled oil giant Rosneft.

"The biggest conflict concerns are his close business and personal Russia and Putin connections," said Norman Eisen, a former special assistant and counsel to President Barack Obama for ethics and government. "Those will need to be very thoroughly explored by the Senate."

Tillerson, 64, has deep ties to Putin and in 2013 was awarded the "Order of Friendship" award by the Kremlin, a top honor for civilians. Tillerson had previously said that he has had a close relationship with Putin since 1999.

Critics of the nomination have raised questions about whether the U.S. with Tillerson as head of the State Department would press to dismantle sanctions on Russian companies that were installed in the wake of the country's intervention in Ukraine and its seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia under President Obama between 2012 and 2014, told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, that he was concerned about what might happen to Obama administration sanctions on Igor Sechin, CEO of Russian oil giant Rosneft, and a former ExxonMobil's partner, with Tillerson as Secretary of State. McFaul said that the Obama administration "rightly" sanctioned Russian companies and Sechin, adding that "we can't just reverse those sanctions in the name of economic interests now, unless Russia changes its behavior."

Exxon struck a 2011 deal, worth up to $500 billion, to operate a joint venture with Rosneft, but the deal was never consummated after the United States imposed sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Crimea.

Despite the sanctions there remain ties between ExxonMobil, Rosneft, Russia and Tillerson that will likely cause lawmakers raise questions about his suitability to run the State Department. According to relationship mapping service BoardEx, a service of TheStreet, Donald Humphreys, a former top manager of financial operations at ExxonMobil between 2006 and 2013 has been on Rosneft's board since 2013. Humphreys worked as a senior financial executive at ExxonMobil at the same time that Tillerson was CEO so they would have worked closely together. Tillerson is a lifetime ExxonMobil employee who rose up in part because of his management of the oil giant's Russia business.

Eisen, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said it was possible that senators at a Tillerson confirmation hearing could ask whether he dispatched Humphreys as a sort of ExxonMobil ambassador to Rosneft as U.S.-Russian relations deteriorated in 2013. Eisen suggested senators could ask whether Humphreys left ExxonMobil the same year he was joining the Rosneft board and if so why. Other questions, Eisen said, could include whether Tillerson had spoken or engaged in written communications with Humphreys since he joined Rosneft's board and whether they talked about the U.S. sanction regime and how to address it. ExxonMobil did not return calls.

In addition, BoardEx notes that Tillerson has been a member of the U.S.-Russia Business Council and he is also is currently is a member of the Emergency Committee for American Trade and the Business Roundtable, a lobby group for CEOs.

In his role as president of several ExxonMobil divisions in the 1990s, Tillerson "was responsible for Exxon's holdings in Russia and the Caspian Sea as well as the Sakhalin I consortium operations offshore Sakhalin Island, Russia," according to his biography on Exxon's website.

On Sunday, Trump said Tillerson is a "world-class player" who has made "massive deals." However, he did not confirm whether he would nominate Tillerson yet.

If Tillerson is nominated and confirmed, he will need to sever all financial connections to Exxon, experts agree. Otherwise, he will need to recuse himself from everything related to the Irving, Texas-based oil and gas behemoth as well as any related industries. "That would be a very far ranging set of recusals, and some may be necessary even if he completely divests," said Eisen.

Tillerson would need to sell his substantial equity stake in ExxonMobil stock or place shares in a blind trust to avoid conflicts. According to pay research firm Equilar, Tillerson owned $141 million worth of ExxonMobil stock as of the end of fiscal year 2015.

Eisen said he hoped Tillerson's nomination hearings will allow for a comprehensive review of all financial records, including the president-elect's tax documents to "understand how Tillerson's conflicts might interlock with those of Trump."

It's unclear whether Tillerson, if nominated, would be able to obtain the votes needed to be confirmed as Secretary of State. It is possible that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would follow the lead of Democrats who, when in control of the Senate in 2013, approved rules allowing presidential nominees for agencies and federal judgeships to be confirmed by a simple majority vote, rather than the filibuster-proof 60 votes needed previously. However, with the Senate split, its unclear whether the GOP would have enough votes to approve Tillerson even with a simple majority. Republicans will have only a slim 52 to 48 control of the chamber vote and it is possible that at least two Republican Sens., John McCain and Lindsey Graham, could join Democrats in opposing Tillerson's confirmation.

McCain has said previously that Putin is a "thug and a bully and murderer," adding that the relationship between Tillerson and Putin "needs to be examined." In addition, Graham has called Trump's Tillerson pick "unnerving." The two Republicans on Sunday joined two Democrat lawmakers in calling for an investigation into a U.S. intelligence community conclusion that Russian hacking helped Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the November presidential elections. Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to oppose Tillerson at the same time that they seek to rake him over the coals over allegations that ExxonMobil, which has a $370 billion market cap, covered up its own research indicating a link between fossil fuel use and climate change.
Italy's President Sergio Mattarella asked the country's foreign minister, Paolo Gentiloni, to form a government and replace Matteo Renzi as Prime Minister over the weekend. Renzi stepped down from the position last week after losing a referendum on constitutional reform.

Mattarella would be the fourth unelected Prime Minister of Italy. BloombergTV's Jonathan Ferro noted an email he received from a viewer asking if it would have made a difference had Italy had four elections over the last four years. "Will anything change in the coming years?" Ferro asked JPMorgan Asset Management's Bob Michele, a guest on Monday's Bloomberg Daybreak: Americas.

"I don't think so, I think the bigger issue for Italy is the amount of debt that's been extended over the last several years," Michele responded. "How it's piled up in the banking system and for investors like us, we're concerned about the quality of the banks, how they'll perform going forward, how those bad loans will be worked out, and what the effect to the government will be."

Following Gentiloni's nomination the market settled somewhat. Italian lenders were declining last week when the ECB was said to have refused to give struggling bank Monte dei Paschi more time to recapitalize.

Speaking at a news conference in Vienna today, ECB policy maker Ewald Nowotny said there is no reason to "delay things for too long," Reuters reported. The ECB is holding a non-monetary policy meeting in Frankfurt on Wednesday.

"Having some sort of transition government, particularly with EU meetings coming up this week is critical" for Italy, Michele said.

BloombergTV anchor David Westin asked Michele if Italy can dig itself out of this hole.

"They can, you need a source of aggregate final demand, you need consumption to pick up and you need for companies to borrow again and have the abilities to pay back the banks," he responded. "Now interestingly enough, some of that may come from the U.S. if Trump-onomics does kick in."
Bayer AG and health care investment firm Versant Ventures are investing $225 million to launch stem cell therapy company BlueRock Therapeutics, marking one of the largest-ever series A financings for a biotech firm, according to a Monday announcement.

BlueRock's initial areas of focus will be on cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. The company will have research and development operations in Toronto, New York and Boston.

The Series A financing is projected to give BlueRock enough cash for four years of operation and will enable the company to advance a number of programs into the clinic.

"Accessing cell-based therapies is part of Bayer's strategy," said Kemal Malik, a member of Bayer's board of management and is responsible for innovation, in a statement. "We are launching this enterprise to develop transformative and curative therapies for patients based on the latest stem cell technology."

Dr. Jerel Davis, managing director at Versant Ventures, said in the announcement that his firm has been closely following the field of regenerative medicine for the past five years "and believe the time is right to invest in stem cell therapies given recent breakthroughs in cell differentiation, manufacturing and engineering."

Besides Davis, the BlueRock board will initially be composed of Versant's Dr. Brad Bolzon and Bayer's Dr. Juergen Eckhardt and Dr. Axel Bouchon.

Bayer and Versant are no strangers to each other. In December of last year, Bayer Lifescience Center created a joint venture called Casebia Therapeutics with CRISPR Therapeutics, a gene editing company co-founded by Versant.

Among BlueRock's initial programs is to regenerate heart muscle in patients who have had a heart attack or are suffering from chronic heart failure. BlueRock is collaborating with Toronto-based McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine and University Health Network, including Dr. Gordon Keller and Dr. Michael A. Laflamme.

BlueRock also has a partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Lorenz Studer and Viviane Tabar to advance stem cell therapy programs that address neurological diseases.

BlueRock's manufacturing platform will be enabled by a partnership with Toronto-based CCRM, which develops and commercializes regenerative medicine technologies, and cell and gene therapies. The basis for BlueRock's overall approach is induced pluripotent stem cell, or iPSC, intellectual property that was invented by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University and licensed from iPS Academia Japan. Pluripotent stem cells are immature cells capable of developing into several different cell types.
Honda (HMC) , a maker of cars and motorcycles known for bucking industry trends, has joined a group that's investing $750 million into GrabTaxi Holdings, the largest ride-hailing venture in Southeast Asia.

The Japanese automaker in September invested an amount that remains undisclosed, said Ming Maa, president of Singapore-based Grab -- as it is commonly known -- which provides ride-hailing, car-pooling, delivery and mobile payment services. The investment values Grab at about $3 billion.

Honda's investment is part of an initial plan to expand motorbike-hailing services.

"We are in the planning stages on exactly what a full partnership will look like, and there are many different prongs of that. One prong would obviously include selling Honda motorbikes within the region," Maa told Reuters.

Maa recently joined the company from Japan's Softbank, which controls U.S. carrier Sprint, where he was a mergers and acquisitions specialist. Softbank led the latest investment round for Grab.

As rival automakers acquire competitors to achieve greater global scale, Honda has remained more conservative, steadily growing on an organic basis. It is the only major automaker never to have posted an annual loss and once was widely criticized for sidestepping development of V8 engines.

But, like other automakers, Honda appears determined to stay abreast of fast-moving technology -- such as the development of autonomous and driverless functionality - that could disrupt the classic model of automakers selling cars mainly to individuals.

Grab is the biggest rival to Uber in the region. Honda's action follows a string of investments by automakers from General Motors (GM) and Ford (F) to Volkswagen (VLKAY) meant to comprehend and to participate in mobility systems based on software and smartphones.

Toyota (TM) , Honda's chief Japanese rival, has invested in Uber. GM has invested in Lyft, an Uber rival, while VW has bought a stake in Gett, an Israeli taxi-hailing concern.

Other investors in Grab include China Investment Corp., Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing and Vertex Ventures, which belongs to Temasek Holdings, Singapore's state investment arm.

Uber, after earlier this year selling its Chinese operations to Didi Chuxing, has said it now has more resources to deploy in other areas of the world, especially Southeast Asia.

"We've always been focused on winning in Southeast Asia. China was expensive for both of us and our competitors," Andrew MacDonald, an Uber regional manager, told The Wall Street Journal.

Doron Levin is the host of "In the Driver Seat," broadcast on SiriusXM Insight 121, Saturday at noon, encore Sunday at 9 a.m.

This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.
Banc of California, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Banc of California, National Association that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, retirement, and interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing demand accounts, as well as certificate of deposits. It also provides various commercial and consumer loan products, such as commercial and industrial loans; commercial real estate and multifamily loans; construction loans; single family residential mortgage loans; warehouse and indirect/direct leveraged lending; home equity lines of credit; small business administration loans; and other consumer loans. In addition, the company offers automated bill payment, cash and treasury management, foreign exchange, card payment, remote and mobile deposit capture, automated clearing house origination, wire transfer, direct deposit, and internet banking services; and master demand accounts, interest rate swaps, and safe deposit boxes. Further, it invests in collateralized loan obligations, agency securities, municipal bonds, agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and corporate debt securities. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 29 full-service branches in Southern California. The company was formerly known as First PacTrust Bancorp, Inc. and changed its name to Banc of California, Inc. in July 2013. Banc of California, Inc. was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.
The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

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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 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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Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Technical Solutions. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. It also provides nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and overhaul, and inactivation services of ships. In addition, the company offers naval nuclear support services, including fleet services comprising design, construction, maintenance, and disposal activities for in-service the U.S. Navy nuclear ships; and maintenance services on nuclear reactor prototypes. Further, it provides life-cycle sustainment services to the U.S. Navy fleet and other maritime customers; high-end information technology and mission-based solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence, and federal civilian customers; nuclear management and operations and environmental management services for the Department of Energy, DoD, state and local governments, and private sector companies; defense and federal solutions; and unmanned systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia.
The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries.

Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet.

The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range.

The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines.

The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers.

Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles.
EMCOR Group, Inc. provides electrical and mechanical construction, and facilities services primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. It offers design, integration, installation, starts-up, operation, and maintenance services related to electrical power transmission, distribution, and generation systems; energy solutions; premises electrical and lighting systems; process instrumentation in the refining, chemical processing, and food processing industries; low-voltage systems, such as fire alarm, security, and process control systems; voice and data communications systems; roadway and transit lighting, signaling, and fiber optic lines; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and geothermal solutions; clean-room process ventilation systems; fire protection and suppression systems; plumbing, process, and high-purity piping systems; controls and filtration systems; water and wastewater treatment systems; central plant heating and cooling systems; crane and rigging services; millwright services; and steel fabrication, erection, and welding services. The company also provides building services that cover commercial and government site-based operations and maintenance; facility management, maintenance, and services; outage services to utilities and industrial plants; military base operations support services; mobile mechanical maintenance and services; services for indoor air quality; floor care and janitorial services; landscaping, lot sweeping, and snow removal services; vendor management and call center services; installation and support for building systems; program development, management, and maintenance for energy systems; technical consulting and diagnostic services; infrastructure and building projects; small modification and retrofit projects; and other building services. It offers industrial services to oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. EMCOR Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.
The following companies are subsidiares of Johnson & Johnson: 3Dintegrated ApS, ALZA Corporation, AMO (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AMO (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd Beijing Branch, AMO (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd Guangzhou Branch, AMO (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd., AMO ASIA LIMITED, AMO Asia Limited (Korea Branch), AMO Asia Limited Taiwan Branch (Hong Kong), AMO Australia Pty Limited, AMO Australia Pty Limited (New Zealand Branch), AMO Canada Company, AMO Denmark ApS, AMO Development LLC, AMO France, AMO Germany GmbH, AMO Groningen B.V., AMO International Holdings Unlimited Company, AMO Ireland, AMO Ireland Ireland Branch, AMO Italy SRL, AMO Japan K.K., AMO Manufacturing USA LLC, AMO Netherlands BV, AMO Nominee Holdings LLC, AMO Norway AS, AMO Puerto Rico Manufacturing Inc., AMO Sales and Service Inc., AMO Singapore Pte. Ltd., AMO Spain Holdings LLC, AMO Switzerland GmbH, AMO U.K. Holdings LLC, AMO United Kingdom Ltd., AMO Uppsala AB, AUB Holdings LLC, Abott Medical Optics, Acclarent Inc., Actelion Ltd, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Actelion Pharmaceuticals US Inc., Actelion Treasury Unlimited Company, Akros Medical Inc., Albany Street LLC, Alios BioPharma, Alza Land Management Inc., Anakuria Therapeutics Inc., Animas Diabetes Care LLC, Animas LLC, Animas Technologies LLC, AorTx Inc., Apsis, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Aragon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Asia Pacific Holdings LLC, Atrionix Inc., Auris Health, Auris Health Inc., Backsvalan 2 Aktiebolag, Backsvalan 6 Handelsbolag, Beijing Dabao Cosmetics Co. Ltd., BeneVir BioPharm Inc., Berna Rhein B.V., BioMedical Enterprises Inc., Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd., Biosense Webster Inc., Branch of Johnson & Johnson LLC (RU) in Kazakhstan, C Consumer Products Denmark ApS, CSATS Inc., Calibra Medical LLC, Campus-Foyer Apotheke GmbH, Carlo Erba OTC S.r.l., Centocor Biologics LLC, Centocor Research & Development Inc., Cerenovus Inc., ChromaGenics B.V., Ci:Labo Customer Marketing Co. Ltd., Ci:Labo USA Inc., Ci:z Holdings, Ci:z. Labo Co. Ltd., Cilag AG, Cilag GmbH International, Cilag Holding AG, Cilag Holding Treasury Unlimited Company, Cilag-Biotech S.L., CoTherix Inc., Coherex Medical Inc., ColBar LifeScience Ltd., Company Store.com Inc., Conor MedSystems, Cordis International Corporation, Cordis de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Corimmun GmbH, DePuy Hellas SA, DePuy International Limited, DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company, DePuy Mexico S.A. de C.V., DePuy Mitek LLC, DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., DePuy Products Inc., DePuy Spine LLC, DePuy Synthes Gorgan Limited, DePuy Synthes Inc., DePuy Synthes Institute LLC, DePuy Synthes Leto SARL, DePuy Synthes Products Inc., DePuy Synthes Sales Inc., Debs-Vogue Corporation (Proprietary) Limited, Dutch Holding LLC, ECL7 LLC, EES Holdings de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EES S.A. de C.V., EIT Emerging Implant Technologies GmbH, Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Europe) GmbH, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC, Ethicon Inc., Ethicon LLC, Ethicon PR Holdings Unlimited Company, Ethicon Sarl, Ethicon US LLC, Ethicon Women's Health & Urology Sarl, Ethnor (Proprietary) Limited, Ethnor Farmaceutica S.A., Ethnor del Istmo S.A., FMS Future Medical System SA, Finsbury (Development) Limited, Finsbury (Instruments) Limited, Finsbury Medical Limited, Finsbury Orthopaedics International Limited, Finsbury Orthopaedics Limited, GH Biotech Holdings Limited, GMED Healthcare BV, GMED Healthcare BV (Branch), Global Investment Participation B.V., Guangzhou Bioseal Biotech Co. Ltd., Hansen Medical Deutschland GmbH, Hansen Medical Inc., Hansen Medical International Inc., Hansen Medical UK Limited, Healthcare Services (Shanghai) Ltd., Hickory Merger Sub Inc., I.D. Acquisition Corp., Innomedic Gesellschaft fur innovative Medizintechnik und Informatik mbH, Innovative Surgical Solutions LLC, J & J Company West Africa Limited, J&J Pension Trustees Limited, J-C Health Care Ltd., J.C. General Services BV, JJ Surgical Vision Spain S.L., JJC Acquisition Company B.V., JJHC LLC, JJSV Belgium BV, JJSV Manufacturing Malaysia SDN. BHD., JJSV Norden AB, JJSV Produtos Oticos Ltda., JNJ Global Business Services s.r.o., JNJ Holding EMEA B.V., JNJ International Investment LLC, JOM Pharmaceutical Services Inc., Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy (Holding) Limited, Janssen BioPharma LLC, Janssen Biologics (Ireland) Limited, Janssen Biologics B.V., Janssen Biotech Inc., Janssen Cilag C.A., Janssen Cilag Farmaceutica S.A., Janssen Cilag S.p.A., Janssen Cilag SPA, Janssen Development Finance Unlimited Company, Janssen Diagnostics LLC, Janssen Egypt LLC, Janssen Farmaceutica Portugal Lda, Janssen Global Services LLC, Janssen Holding GmbH, Janssen Inc., Janssen Irish Finance Unlimited Company, Janssen Korea Ltd., Janssen Oncology Inc., Janssen Ortho LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutica (Proprietary) Limited, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen Pharmaceutica S.A., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences Unlimited Company, Janssen Pharmaceutical Unlimited Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. Japan Branch, Janssen Products LP, Janssen R&D Ireland Unlimited Company, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Janssen Sciences Ireland Unlimited Company, Janssen Scientific Affairs LLC, Janssen Supply Group LLC, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V., Janssen Vaccines Branch of Cilag GmbH International, Janssen Vaccines Corp., Janssen-Cilag, Janssen-Cilag (New Zealand) Limited, Janssen-Cilag A/S, Janssen-Cilag AG, Janssen-Cilag AS, Janssen-Cilag Aktiebolag, Janssen-Cilag B.V., Janssen-Cilag Farmaceutica Lda., Janssen-Cilag Farmaceutica Ltda., Janssen-Cilag GmbH, Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen-Cilag Kft., Janssen-Cilag Kft. Branch Office, Janssen-Cilag Limited, Janssen-Cilag Manufacturing LLC, Janssen-Cilag NV, Janssen-Cilag OY, Janssen-Cilag Pharma GmbH, Janssen-Cilag Pharmaceutical S.A.C.I., Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o., Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd, Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd (Branch), Janssen-Cilag S.A., Janssen-Cilag S.A., Janssen-Cilag S.A. de C.V., Janssen-Cilag de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Janssen-Cilag s.r.o., Janssen-Pharma S.L., Jevco Holding Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson (Angola) Limitada, Johnson & Johnson (China) Investment Ltd., Johnson & Johnson (China) Investment Ltd. Beijing Branch, Johnson & Johnson (Egypt) S.A.E., Johnson & Johnson (Hong Kong) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Ireland) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Jamaica) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Kenya) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc., Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc. (DHCC Branch), Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc. (JAFZA Branch), Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc. Service Center (DAFZA Branch), Johnson & Johnson (Mozambique) Limitada, Johnson & Johnson (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (New Zealand) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Inc., Johnson & Johnson (Private) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Thailand) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson (Trinidad) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Vietnam) Co. Ltd, Johnson & Johnson - Societa' Per Azioni, Johnson & Johnson AB, Johnson & Johnson AB Eesti filiaal (Branch), Johnson & Johnson AG, Johnson & Johnson AG (Zuchwil Branch), Johnson & Johnson Belgium Finance Company BV, Johnson & Johnson Bulgaria EOOD, Johnson & Johnson China Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Consumer (Hong Kong) Limited, Johnson & Johnson Consumer (Thailand) Limited, Johnson & Johnson Consumer B.V., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Care Switzerland Branch of Janssen-Cilag AG, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Holdings France, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Dominican Republic Branch), Johnson & Johnson Consumer NV, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Saudi Arabia Limited, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Services EAME Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Del Paraguay S.A., Johnson & Johnson Dominicana S.A.S., Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc., Johnson & Johnson European Treasury Unlimited Company, Johnson & Johnson Finance Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Finance Limited, Johnson & Johnson Financial Services GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Financial Services GmbH (Branch Office), Johnson & Johnson Gateway LLC, Johnson & Johnson Gesellschaft m.b.H., Johnson & Johnson GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Guatemala S.A., Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc., Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions Inc., Johnson & Johnson Hellas Commercial and Industrial S.A., Johnson & Johnson Hellas Consumer Products Commercial Societe Anonyme, Johnson & Johnson Hemisferica S.A., Johnson & Johnson Holding GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Inc., Johnson & Johnson Industrial Ltda., Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC Inc., Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC, Johnson & Johnson Innovation Limited, Johnson & Johnson International, Johnson & Johnson International (Belgian Branch) (European Logistics Center), Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (Branch), Johnson & Johnson International Financial Services Unlimited Company, Johnson & Johnson K.K., Johnson & Johnson Kft., Johnson & Johnson Korea Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Korea Selling & Distribution LLC, Johnson & Johnson LLC, Johnson & Johnson Lda, Johnson & Johnson Limited, Johnson & Johnson Limited (Sri Lanka Branch), Johnson & Johnson Luxembourg Finance Company Sarl, Johnson & Johnson Management Limited, Johnson & Johnson Medical (China) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical (Proprietary) Ltd, Johnson & Johnson Medical (Shanghai) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical (Shanghai) Ltd. Beijing Branch, Johnson & Johnson Medical (Suzhou) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical B.V., Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices & Diagnostics Group - Latin America L.L.C., Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Medical Korea Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited, Johnson & Johnson Medical Mexico S.A. de C.V., Johnson & Johnson Medical NV, Johnson & Johnson Medical Products GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd, Johnson & Johnson Medical S.A., Johnson & Johnson Medical S.C.S., Johnson & Johnson Medical S.p.A., Johnson & Johnson Medical SAS, Johnson & Johnson Medical Saudi Arabia Limited, Johnson & Johnson Medical Taiwan Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medikal Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Johnson & Johnson Medikal Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Ankara Branch), Johnson & Johnson Medikal Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Izmir Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East - Scientific Office, Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ - LLC (Lebanese Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC, Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC (Ghana Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC (Kenya Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC Branch (TSO) (Saudi Arabia Branch), Johnson & Johnson Morocco Societe Anonyme, Johnson & Johnson NCB (Belgian Branch), Johnson & Johnson Nordic AB, Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Limited, Johnson & Johnson Pakistan (Private) Limited, Johnson & Johnson Panama S.A., Johnson & Johnson Personal Care (Chile) S.A., Johnson & Johnson Poland Sp. z o.o., Johnson & Johnson Poland sp. z o.o. oddzial w Warszawie "Consumer", Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Johnson & Johnson Pte. Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Pte. Ltd. Korea Branch, Johnson & Johnson Pty. Limited, Johnson & Johnson Romania S.R.L., Johnson & Johnson S.A., Johnson & Johnson S.A. de C.V., Johnson & Johnson S.E. Inc., Johnson & Johnson S.E. d.o.o., Johnson & Johnson SDN. BHD., Johnson & Johnson Sante Beaute France, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision Inc., Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision India Private Limited, Johnson & Johnson Taiwan Ltd., Johnson & Johnson UK Treasury Company Limited, Johnson & Johnson Ukraine LLC, Johnson & Johnson Urban Renewal Associates, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Shanghai) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Ireland Unlimited Company, Johnson & Johnson d.o.o., Johnson & Johnson de Argentina S.A.C. e. I., Johnson & Johnson de Chile Limitada, Johnson & Johnson de Chile S.A., Johnson & Johnson de Colombia S.A., Johnson & Johnson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Johnson & Johnson de Uruguay S.A., Johnson & Johnson de Venezuela S.A., Johnson & Johnson del Ecuador S.A., Johnson & Johnson del Peru S.A., Johnson & Johnson do Brasil Industria E Comercio de Produtos Para Saude Ltda., Johnson & Johnson for Export and Import LLC, Johnson & Johnson s.r.o., Johnson Y Johnson de Costa Rica S.A., Johnson and Johnson (Proprietary) Limited, Johnson and Johnson Sihhi Malzeme Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, LTL Management LLC, La Concha Land Investment Corporation, Latam International Investment Company Unlimited Company, Legal Entity Name, MDS Co. Ltd., McNEIL MMP LLC, McNeil AB, McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co., McNeil Denmark ApS, McNeil Healthcare (Ireland) Limited, McNeil Healthcare (UK) Limited, McNeil Healthcare LLC, McNeil Iberica S.L.U., McNeil LA LLC, McNeil Nutritionals LLC, McNeil Panama LLC, McNeil Products Limited, McNeil Sweden AB, Medical Device Business Services Inc., Medical Devices & Diagnostics Global Services LLC, Medical Devices International LLC, Medos International Sarl, Medos International Sarl succursale de Neuchatel (Branch), Medos Sarl, MegaDyne Medical Products Inc., Menlo Care De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Mentor B.V., Mentor Deutschland GmbH, Mentor Medical Systems B.V., Mentor Partnership Holding Company I LLC, Mentor Texas GP LLC, Mentor Texas L.P., Mentor Worldwide LLC, Micrus Endovascular LLC, Middlesex Assurance Company Limited, Momenta Ireland Limited, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc., NeoStrata Company Inc., NeoStrata UG (haftungsbeschrankt), Netherlands Holding Company, NeuWave Medical Inc., Neuravi Limited, Novira Therapeutics, Novira Therapeutics LLC, NuVera Medical Inc., OBTECH Medical Sarl, OGX Beauty Limited, OMJ Holding GmbH, OMJ Ireland Unlimited Company, OMJ Pharmaceuticals Inc., Obtech Medical Mexico S.A. de C.V., Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Omrix Biopharmaceuticals NV, Ortho Biologics LLC, Ortho Biotech Holding LLC, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical LLC, Orthospin Ltd., Orthotaxy, PT Integrated Healthcare Indonesia, PT. Johnson & Johnson Indonesia, Patriot Pharmaceuticals LLC, Peninsula Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pharmadirect Ltd., Pharmedica Laboratories (Proprietary) Limited, Princeton Laboratories Inc., Productos de Cuidado Personal y de La Salud de Bolivia S.R.L., Proleader S.A., Pulsar Vascular Inc., Regency Urban Renewal Associates, RespiVert Ltd., RoC International, Royalty A&M LLC, Rutan Realty LLC, SYNTHES Medical Immobilien GmbH, Scios LLC, Sedona Singapore International Pte. Ltd., Sedona Thai International Co. Ltd., Serhum S.A. de C.V., Shanghai Elsker For Mother & Baby Co. Ltd, Shanghai Elsker Mother & Baby Co. Ltd Minghang Branch, Shanghai Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Shanghai Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Sightbox LLC, Sodiac ESV, Spectrum Vision Limited Liability Company, Spectrum Vision Limited Liability Partnership, SterilMed, SterilMed Inc., Surgical Process Institute Deutschland GmbH, Synthes Costa Rica S.C.R. 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The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides online, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 954 branches and approximately 3,766 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,300 branches and a network of contact and support center internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.
After living through the worst outbreak of yellow fever in decades, Angola is celebrating the absence of any confirmed cases since late June. But the battle is far from over. UNICEF and partners continue to support vaccination and prevention initiatives.



LUANDA / CACUSO / CUANHAMA, Angola, 31 October 2016  At the Lombe health centre in the town of Cacuso, Isabel, 10, sits slightly removed from a group of people who are waiting to be vaccinated for yellow fever. Shy and alone, she looks at the team of vaccinators not knowing what to do.

When one of the staff approaches her, Isabel explains that she had come to get her vaccine, but had not been accepted because she was unaccompanied. My dad is working and my mom went to the square to sell food, she says. She told me to come here because my five brothers already have the vaccine.

A short time later, a social mobilization team travels to Isabels house where they meet her family, who confirm her story. Isabels mother authorizes her vaccination, and also promises to go to the health centre herself the next day. Neither she nor Isabels father have had the vaccine.

While many children cry when they receive the vaccine, Isabel grins from ear to ear. She returns home happy, with the yellow card that certifies she is vaccinated, as well as some informational brochures to share in her neighbourhood.


First lady Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Three weeks after Inauguration Day in 2009 and still a long way from crafting an agenda, Michelle Obama climbed into her motorcade and paid a visit to Marys Center, a Latino community services agency a few miles north of the White House. She read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to the young children and met with teenagers who asked why she had come.

The first reason, she said, was that Washington was now the Obamas home and they had always been taught to listen and not just pass on by. The second reason identified the audience and framed the approach that would define this most uncommon first ladys agenda for the next eight years.

I think its real important for young kids, particularly kids who come from communities without resources, to see me, not the first lady, she said. To see that there is no magic to me sitting here. There are no miracles that happen. There is no magic dust.

With the 13 teenagers seated in a semicircle, Obama shared the setbacks and self-doubt she faced as the daughter of black working-class parents in Chicago. When people told her she couldnt achieve something, she set out to prove them wrong. One step at a time, she climbed, and now she felt an obligation to share.

When you get, you give back, she said.

Obama would give much bigger speeches on much bigger stages as she became one of the most famous people in the world. For many Democrats, she was the moral voice of the 2016 presidential campaign, calling out Republican Donald Trump for trafficking in prejudice, fears and lies. For other fans, she was simply the first lady who went viral, making them smile with her eclectic fashion choices and her energetic, sometimes goofy pitches for healthier eating.

The heart of Obamas efforts, however, was a message about the persistent inequities of race, class and gender in America. In scores of speeches and projects, she turned again and again to the stacked deck. These were the themes and conundrums that animated her work before she reached the White House and now seem certain to shape her choices after she departs.

For all the grief she took from critics who conjured radicalism, grievance or, bizarrely, racism from her finely tuned remarks, Obamas antidotes were fundamentally timeless and conservative. More than anything, she used the strength of her own Chicago-to-Princeton-to-the-White-House narrative to urge kids to believe in themselves and never quit. She mastered the levers of popular culture and harnessed the convening power of her office and her carefully curated brand to establish partnerships with the private sector.



Children hug Michelle Obama as she visits Marys Center, a D.C. nonprofit organization that helps people with limited access to health services, in 2009. (Nicholas Kamm/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images)

Obama addressed obesity, which disproportionately affects low-income families and children of color. She worked to increase arts education in poorly performing schools and ease the path for aspiring first-generation college students. She dispensed hugs to thousands of children, saying in a simple embrace that she believed in them. At a BET special, she called out, Black girls rock!

A straight-talker by temperament, she modulated her tone in deference to the role. Eternally disciplined and pragmatic, she never swung for the fences. Critics on the left chided her for not being bold enough, as she acknowledged last year. Her answer: These were my choices, my issues, and I decided to tackle them in the way that felt most authentic to me  in a way that was both substantive and strategic, but also fun and, hopefully, inspiring.

When Obama took up her unpaid job three days after her 45th birthday, she faced vast and conflicting expectations. She was the first African American first lady in a country that was anything but post-racial. She was the magnetic campaigner who told audiences that power concedes nothing without a struggle. She was the highly educated, professionally accomplished mother of two young daughters who smilingly adopted the moniker of mom in chief.

From the moment we walked in the door, people have wanted to get inside her head and figure her out. Is she in this box or that box? Why isnt she doing this or doing that?  said Jocelyn Frye, a Harvard Law School friend who became Obamas first policy adviser. Shes not a person who lives in boxes. Its just not that simple.

Her road to the White House

The personal story that Obama carried into the White House in January 2009 was enough to etch her name in the history books even if she did not accomplish anything more. She called herself the little black girl from the South Side of Chicago. As she would say later, her ancestors had arrived in the United States in chains and now she and Barack Obama were living in a home that slaves helped build.

But in other ways, too, Obama brought a set of experiences markedly different from her modern-day predecessors. Of the previous eight presidents, four had been governors, four had been vice presidents. Their wives had lived in the public eye. Obama was a young Chicago professional, a working mother in a big city who spoke openly about juggling jobs, chores and child-rearing with her increasingly famous and preoccupied husband.

By upbringing, she was urban and attuned to issues of prejudice, hardship and inequality. She adored her father, Fraser C. Robinson III, a gregarious aspiring artist who spent his working life as a shift worker in the city water plant. A swimmer, boxer and soldier as a young man, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his 30s. His health deteriorated, and he went from one crutch to two to a motorized cart. He died in 1991 at age 55, still working at the plant.

Both of Obamas grandfathers had come north in the Great Migration, and many members of the Robinson and Shields families lived nearby. Purnell Shields, a talented carpenter and Obamas maternal grandfather, was barred as an African American from the labor unions that claimed the highest-paying jobs. Fraser C. Robinson Jr. spent much of his career as a postal worker. If he had been born white, Obama once said, he would have been a banker.

Obama spent time with this extended family. She knew them all, from those who were prospering to those who were ailing or just getting by. She also knew countless schoolmates who seemed hardly different from her, yet had fallen short of their ambitions. When Barack Obama met her in 1989, he detected a sense of vulnerability that he traced to Michelles sense that life was terrifyingly random. She called herself a statistical anomaly.

After ditching the prosperous law firm, where she found the work soulless and many colleagues narrow, she spent two years doing economic development work at City Hall with future White House adviser Valerie Jarrett. Next, in what she described as the happiest phase of her working life, she built the Chicago office of Public Allies, a nonprofit leadership training program with roots in community organizing.

Next, she spent a dozen years as an administrator at the University of Chicago, where she elevated the interests of neighboring African American communities. Much as she would in the White House, she searched for ways to connect a powerful and often remote institution with communities where it could do some good. Comfortable and connected in both worlds, she saw herself as a bridge.

In 2001, protesters seeking more construction jobs for African Americans at the university medical center said she should be fired. One said Obama and her colleagues were looking out for themselves and did not have the best interests of blacks at heart. Obama persisted. In the next seven years, 42.9 percent of the hospitals spending on new construction, or $48.8 million, went to firms run by minorities or women, according to university figures.

The focus was not new. At Harvard Law School, where the tenured faculty was 96 percent white and 92 percent male, Obama spoke up for greater diversity. Charles Ogletree, a mentor and professor, pinpointed her passions early.

Everything she wrote, the things that she was involved in, the things that she thought about, he recalled of her law school years in the mid-1980s, were in effect reflections on race and gender. And how she had to keep the doors open for women and men going forward.

A portfolio of passions



Michelle Obama exercises with children from Orr Elementary School in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 6, 2013. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

One of Obamas signatures was the push for a seat at the table  or in the room where it happens, to borrow from Hamilton, the Broadway musical the Obamas admire. A few years ago, she told a gathering of White House interns that if they were not prepared to risk their power when they claimed that seat, they needed to make room for someone who would.

In reaching the most rarefied of tables, she figured she had four years, maybe eight, to make something happen, to move the needle, as she put it. As the media made a fuss over a new hairstyle, she once explained how she saw the role of first lady: We take our bangs and we stand in front of important things that the world needs to see. And, eventually, people stop looking at the bangs and they start looking at what were standing in front of.

Obama saw early that she could connect with disadvantaged young people by describing her South Side upbringing and the choices she made in her life. Even as the Obamas set out unambiguously to be the president and first lady for the entire country, they were determined to look out for people who historically have not had people looking out for them, Valerie Jarrett said in an interview. Certainly, African American women and girls see themselves in her in a unique way.

The White House portfolio included Lets Move, her childhood obesity project, and efforts to open the White House and its grounds to kids who barely knew where it was and never imagined stepping inside. She established Joining Forces to help the military and their families with jobs and workplace issues and started a small mentoring program that became a personal cause.

She worked on homelessness among veterans and pushed Reach Higher, seeking to increase post-secondary education for low-income adolescents. Finally, she launched Let Girls Learn, an international initiative designed to improve access to secondary school for millions of girls around the world who found themselves on the outside looking in.

Throughout, Obama made clear to her staff that she favored coherent projects backed by creative but realistic thinking. She sought buy-in from federal agencies, state governments and private partners, and she wanted to make use of every opportunity. She told her aides, Dont just put me on a plane, send me someplace and have me smile.

She never looked at things esoterically or theoretically. It was practical and real, said Democratic strategist Stephanie Cutter, who advised her at key moments. Her focus was never How do I move Washington? It was much bigger than that. It was How do you mobilize a country? How are real people outside of Washington going to see things? 

At the White House, she staged arts events, from dance, music and spoken word to food and design workshops. She made sure that artists who were performing for well-heeled East Room audiences at night were teaching children at the White House or local schools during the day. Her tastes tilted to designers, artists, playwrights and directors of color, choices that alerted millions of Obama-watchers to work they might not have seen or heard.

In 2011, she helped launch Turnaround Arts, a program designed to deliver arts teaching, inspiration and supplies to some of the worst-performing schools in the country  often in places where arts programming was a budget casualty. From eight pilot programs in 2011, the project now reaches 68 schools, with 20 to be added in 2017.

She knows the power of the arts. Its visceral and its who she is, said Megan Beyer, executive director of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Every time we do an event, shell look at the audience and shell say, This is not a fluke. This is what happens when you invest in these kids. 

To critics on the right, including former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who mocked or denounced new science-based standards for school lunches as overly intrusive, Obama urged them to look more closely. She pointed to the millions of low-income children who depend on those meals and the federal governments help in paying for them.

We simply cant afford to say, Oh, well, its too hard, so lets not do it,  Obama said in 2014. When lobbyists persuaded Congress to count one-eighth of a cup of tomato paste in pizza sauce as the equivalent of a half-cup of vegetables, she wrote dismissively in the New York Times, You dont have to be a nutritionist to know that this doesnt make much sense.

Preserving normalcy



President Obama and the first lady, along with their guests, wear 3-D glasses at a Super Bowl party at the White House in 2009. (Pete Souza/The White House)

Inside the East Wing, Obama commanded intense loyalty from her staff and set her own agenda, down to the number of public days on her schedule  two at first, while Malia and Sasha were getting settled, and later three. She stayed closer to home than Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, who each traveled abroad more than twice as much, and put limits on her campaign trips, especially when not campaigning for her husband.

She tightly controlled her message. In eight years, she never gave a news conference, although she held a select few roundtables with reporters. She rarely granted interviews to the beat reporters who knew her work the best. More often, and more strategically, she granted face time to grateful personalities and comedians, along with media outlets carefully chosen for the audiences they reached.

Aides and friends were barely more accessible. When reporters called, former chief of staff Jackie Norris once said, Obama expected her friends to check in and have conversations and make sure that its good for her. Mostly, the friends did.



The first family prepares to board Air Force One on Aug. 21, 2016, after their vacation on Martha's Vineyard, in Massachusetts. (Steven Senne/Associated Press)

Since the beginning of the first presidential campaign nearly 10 years ago, Obama has credited her girlfriends with keeping her grounded amid the maelstrom. When youre isolated, thats when you need your girls. They can keep you together when no one else can, said Angela Kennedy, a D.C. public defender and former Princeton roommate who sees Obama regularly. Shes smart. She recognized that.

Not trailed by the presidential press pool, Obama escaped to the gym, restaurants, theaters and her friends houses, as well as the occasional trip to the presidential retreat at Camp David. It helped to have her mother, Marian Robinson, now 79, living on the third floor of the White House. I can always go up to her room and cry, complain, argue, Obama said. And she just says, go on down there and do what youre supposed to do.

Obama spoke often of what it meant to have normal family dinners and activities with Malia and Sasha, talking about the girls doings and keeping things light. She has always been able to stay above the fray, said Frye, her Harvard friend, in part by meeting with real people and talking about real-world problems. At the end of the day, she has kept her head.

Obamas ascendance  as mother, mentor, leader and critic  carries many meanings in American culture, particularly as an African American woman, said Nell Irvin Painter, an emeritus professor of American history at Princeton.

Her power is a symbolic power, Painter said, noting the way Obama has conducted herself as first lady. She has grace, there is no question, but I would add elegance. Its a kind of assurance that is also something new for a black woman in public life. She is the symbol of what an American can be. Michelle Obama has presented a universal American identity.

A voice on race and racism



Michelle Obama blows kisses to graduates after delivering the commencement address for Bowie State University, a historically black university, in Maryland in May 2013. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

On May 9, 2015, Obama took the stage at Tuskegee University in Alabama and delivered the most thorough and personal speech about race and racism of her tenure. As a speechmaker, said author Garry Wills, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his study of Lincolns Gettysburg Address, I dont know that she has any competitors in womens history. She wowed millions of fans with keynote addresses at three successive Democratic National Conventions, but she also had a serious body of work that received less attention in mainstream circles.

Many times before her Tuskegee appearance, she had spoken about the countrys history of violence and discrimination against African Americans. She did it in Orangeburg, S.C., in 2007 to woo black support for her husbands candidacy. She did it in Nashville during the 2012 reelection campaign, and in Topeka, Kan., in 2014 to mark the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. And she did it at other historically black universities, including Bowie State, Jackson State and North Carolina A&T.

Together, the talks reflected a lifetime of thinking about the shifting landscape of racism, the advances and the setbacks. At Tuskegee, she spoke of slights and hurdles while suggesting strategies  tested by her own experience, as always  to block out the noise and navigate a path forward.

Heres the thing: The road ahead is not going to be easy, she told the graduates in an address that tracked the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, a storied black flying squadron in World War II. It never is, especially for folks like you and me. Because while weve come so far, the truth is that those age-old problems are stubborn and they havent fully gone away. So there will be times, just like for those Airmen, when you feel like folks look right past you or they see just a fraction of who you are.

Too many folks feel frustrated and invisible, Obama said. She cited worries about being pulled over for absolutely no reason, or being overlooked for a job because of the way your name sounds, or sending children to schools that may no longer be separate, but are far from equal. Above all, she said, there is the realization that no matter how far you rise in life, how hard you work to be a good person, a good parent, a good citizen, for some folks, it will never be enough.

The Obamas were not immune, despite their efforts, their achievements, their conduct. For years, Donald Trump sowed doubts about Barack Obamas birth and citizenship, while talk show host Rush Limbaugh told his millions of followers that Michelle suffered from uppity-ism and called her Michelle My Butt. Foes likened her to a character from Planet of the Apes, a Star Wars Wookiee and a gorilla, a racist slur with a particularly long and ugly history. They challenged her patriotism and even questioned her gender.

But no matter how grim the outlook and how significant the structural challenges, Obama said at Tuskegee, despair and anger are not an excuse to just throw up our hands and give up. Instead, she proposed the measured, practical, traditional responses that had worked for her. Study, organize, band together, be a mentor, help a cousin fill out a financial aid form and vote, vote, vote.

You have got everything you need to do this. Youve got it in you, she said in her best I-believe-in-you tone. Most of all, youve got yourselves and all of the heart, grit and smarts that got you to this day.

It was never Obamas style to summon people to the barricades. She drew criticism from some African American intellectuals and activists for perpetuating a bootstraps narrative that said black people must be twice as good to do just as well as whites. Painter recognized the critique but saw Obamas message differently.

She also says you can figure it out. Thats a crucial part, Painter said. Her commentary to black kids is, You can do it. Its not just lecturing and shaking her finger in their faces, but an encouragement. Its pragmatic, but the way she phrases it, it is full of empathy and I think there is still a lack of empathy in the way the United States speaks to black people.

The response to Obamas remarks provided proof aplenty. Conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham saw a litany of victimization. Media comment boards filled with talk of a tirade and an America-hater and an angry woman who has no appreciation for the many gifts our country has bestowed on her. Someone wrote, Can she or her husband ever just be Americans? Why do they always have to focus on their skin color? Repulsive.

But also, Michelle for President!  something that Obama, whose favorability ratings routinely topped 60 percent, has said will never happen. No. Nope. Not going to do it, she said earlier this year.

Assessing America



Michelle Obama campaigns with Hillary Clinton in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Oct. 27, 2016. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Michelle Obama was dismayed by the rise of Donald Trump. She perceived danger in the candidacy of an unstudied Republican who lied with abandon and routinely mocked and disparaged rivals, critics and entire swathes of the American populace, all the while vowing to wreck much of what the Obama administration spent eight years building.

This is not normal. This is not politics as usual, Obama declared at an October rally in New Hampshire after a tape surfaced of Trump boasting about grabbing women by the genitals. A growing number of women said they had been accosted. I know its a campaign, but this isnt about politics. Its about human decency. Its about right and wrong.

Obama said repeatedly during the campaign that Trump was dangerous, undeserving and lacking any idea what this job takes. In Philadelphia, she pointedly recalled Trumps leadership of the birther movement, referring to the hurtful, deceitful questions deliberately designed to undermine her husbands presidency.

The attacks on Trump were the strongest, sharpest words Obama uttered in public during the White House years. Whatever her anger or dismay, she never said she was surprised, for these were the regressive forces that she had seen in action her entire life.

On a weekday morning, with not many people watching, Obama delivered her take on the political moment. To a rapt church audience  men and women, white and black  she said in a tone more suited to a seminar than a rally, My fear is that we dont know what truth looks like anymore. She spoke of her hard-won understanding of the world, drawing on her Chicago life, where persistence and good intentions came with no guarantees.

Politicians had become expert at turning doubt into fear, she said, as life got harder, progressively harder, for regular people.

Were still a nation thats a little too mean, Obama said. I wish mean worked, because were good at it. Our tone is bad and weve grown to believe that, somehow, mean talk is tough talk . . . and we reward it. Not just in politics, but we reward it in every sliver of our culture. We look on people who are tough and say, Thats what we need. 

Obama spoke those words in South Carolina in January 2008. As Trump makes his way to Washington with his gilded pitchfork, her assessment rings true for more than 62 million Americans who supported him and millions more who didnt care enough to vote. She is leaving the White House with work unfinished and fresh troubles brewing. She was right that day at Marys Center, in her first weeks on the job, when she offered a verdict that applied as much to the nation as to herself. There are no miracles, no magic dust.

What Obama offered was something else. To audiences great and small, she presented conviction, savvy, a dose of inspiration and a certain faith that the battles were worth waging and the effort would pay off in the end.

Peter Slevin, a former Post national correspondent, is the author of Michelle Obama: A Life.
A feather duster. A ladder. A curtain rod. Amazing how the most humdrum of household items can be transformed into instruments of enchantment  exactly the way the droll magicians of Fiasco Theater make this happen in their delightfully unfussy take on the fractured fairy-tale musical Into the Woods.

Into the Kennedy Centers Eisenhower Theater the little New York-based company brings these ordinary elements and presto!  theyre objects that help transport us into the wounded world of this Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical, in which characters puzzle out their places in the land of make-believe as if they were graduate students in philosophy.

The feather duster is a goose that lays golden eggs; the ladder, the tower from which Rapunzel lets down her hair; the curtain rod, a support for the dresses worn by Cinderellas hardhearted Stepsisters. Fiasco, last represented in these parts by the witty world premiere of its version of Shakespeares The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Folger Theatre, wants to activate audiences imaginative instincts in much the way Sondheim and Lapine compel Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack of beanstalk fame to wander outside the boundaries of their stories to reflect on the riddles of modern life.

What if he knew/Who you were when you know/That youre not what he thinks/That he wants? Cinderella (Laurie Veldheer) sings about the Prince (Anthony Chatmon II) from whom she flees. Though scary is exciting/Nice is different than good, concludes Little Red Riding Hood (Lisa Helmi Johanson) after being rescued from the stomach of the Wolf (Chatmon again). You think of all of the things youve seen/And you wish that you could live in between, warbles Jack (Philippe Arroyo) after escaping the Giants lair. And youre back again/Only different, than before.

With a mere 11 actors, all of them doubling as musicians and one of them, Evan Rees, playing a piano that remains for much of the evening at center stage, the company offers as poignant a treatment of the 1987 musical as youll ever come across. It turns out that the overburdened exposition of Into the Woods  the weaving together of four major plots and several subplots over the course of two hours and 45 minutes  gets some relief when the visual distractions are kept to a minimum. And in cases in which a production can place its focus squarely on the musicals emotionality, rather than on its penchant for sardonic commentary, the show becomes childs play in the optimal sense. How much more enjoyable is Fiascos approach than was the rather pedestrian path followed by the lumbering, star-filled vehicle that was the 2014 movie adaptation.

Lisa Helmi Johanson and Anthony Chatmon II in Into the Woods. (Joan Marcus)

Not that every moment of Into the Woods is kid-friendly. The violent episodes aside  what happens to the Wolf, the Stepsisters and the lady Giant isnt very nice  the fairy-tale characters who wander into the woods, in search of adventure or loved ones or the granting of a fondest wish, end up confronting adult, existential crises. (In the Eisenhower, I watched as a few of the littlest theatergoers squirmed.) Still, the resourceful conjuring by directors Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld infuses so much heart, and richness of imagination, into the piece that this Into the Woods offers pleasure at virtually every reading level.

The productions aesthetic is a match for a musical that says, essentially, that our world doesnt yield up easy answers for every question; the riddles in which some characters speak, such as the furtive, aptly named Mysterious Man (Fred Rose), seem confoundingly opaque. But so, sometimes, is life. Set designer Derek McLane picks up this idea in the messy-beautiful physical domain he devises. Its a world that in the minds eye might, in fact, be going on inside that piano: The woods are framed by giant strands of piano wire, verdantly illuminated by lighting designer Christopher Akerlind. High above the stage, a cluster of chandeliers suggests the elegance of the Princes palace, while the dull sticks of furniture below betoken the humbler dwelling of the dolefully childless Baker (Evan Harrington) and his wife (Eleasha Gamble).

When this production started three years ago at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, N.J., and went on to runs in New York and London, the cast was made up largely of Fiascos own roster of regular players. For this touring version, the show has been recast, an advantage being that these actors have stronger voices for a musical with a palette of Sondheim songs funny (Agony), touching (No More), soaring (Giants in the Sky) and elegiac (No One Is Alone) that come across with exuberance (and acoustic clarity) in the Eisenhower.

Youll enjoy every one of these performers. Harringtons Baker, Veldheers Cinderella, Gambles Bakers Wife and Chatmons Prince and Wolf convey all of the required qualities of affability, charisma, warmth, charm and menace, while Vanessa Reselands Witch and Johansons Little Red Riding Hood inject the evening with a helpful zest. Arroyo and Bonnie Kramer, as an impressionable Jack and his beleaguered mother, offer up an endearing portrait of a folkloric child and parent at loggerheads. And an extra ring of a cowbell to Darick Pead, who executes a splendid act of anthropomorphism in herding a character by the name of Milky White into the spotlight.

Children will listen, or so Sondheim reminds us, in one of the melodic admonitions in a musical filled with them. Fiascos sophisticated and accessible style ensures that grown-ups do so, too  even if theres no guarantee of happily ever after.

Into the Woods, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; book by James Lapine. Directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld. Choreography, Lisa Shriver; music supervision, Matt Castle; set, Derek McLane; costumes, Whitney Locher; lighting, Christopher Akerlind; sound, Darron L. West and Charles Coes; orchestrations, Frank Galgano and Castle. About 2 hours and 50 minutes. Tickets: $69-$139. Through Jan. 8 at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.
On The Show About Science podcast, Nate Butkus interviews experts in a subject hes loved since he was 3 years old. (Eric Butkus)

Nate Butkus isnt afraid to ask the tough questions.

Have you ever met a space shark or space dolphin?

What type of heat does Rudolphs nose give out?

When do ants start to hibernate?

These are just a few the 6-year-old has asked on The Show About Science, a podcast hes hosted since July 2015.

The recorded audio show  which can be listened to on a computer, cellphone or other streaming devices  features the Wilmette, Illinois, first-grader talking with experts in the subject hes loved for half his life.

Back when I was 3, I mixed water, salt and food coloring, and I made red salt water, he says. Ive been interested in science ever since.

Yet it was when Nate visited the office of his dad, Eric, who works as a digital-media producer at the Journal of the American Medical Association, that Nate had a eureka moment.

I said, Dad, I want to make a podcast. So my dad said, Okay, we make podcasts here. So then he said, What do you want to call it? I said, The Show About Science. 

His first interview? My mom.

Since then, The Show About Science has had a variety of guests on its 23 episodes, which range in length from three to 16 minutes. Nate has chatted with YouTube personalities the Amoeba Sisters about DNA, the bodys genetic code. Hes quizzed Clifford Tabin, chairman of the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, about evolution.

The podcast episodes, which are free, have been listened to more than 71,000 times.

Nate conducts the interviews, and his dad edits and produces the show during his 30-minute train ride to work.

Nate makes himself familiar with the topic hell be discussing by watching videos on the subject. (Hes a big fan of TED-Ed educational videos.) He says he comes up with his interview questions out of the blue.

Future show topics include the Environmental Protection Agency and climate change. Hes in the middle of setting up a chat with Coyote Peterson, host of Discovery Digitals Brave Wilderness Channel.

He stung himself with a tarantula hawk, Nate says. The second most painful sting in the insect kingdom.

Nate guesses that his listeners are ages 4 to 69. Its an audience that includes his classmates after his teacher recently played his episode about bats during a biology lesson. Now, says Nate, theres a little girl who runs around every morning and says: The science show! The Show About Science!  My first kid fan.

When hes not in school or recording the show, Nate also likes to act in plays  he was recently the young Simba in The Lion King  and practice taekwondo.

As for when hell stop making The Show About Science, he says theres no end in sight. As long as Im having fun, Ill keep going.
Mayor Muriel E. Bowser is struggling to stand up to an aggressively liberal D.C. Council, which in the past six weeks alone has legalized assisted suicide in the nations capital and guaranteed new parents two months of paid time off.

A moderate Democrat whose roots are in the middle-class African American neighborhoods of Northeast Washington, Bowser increasingly finds herself at odds with a council infused with the leftist tendencies of the Districts millennial newcomers.

Heading into her third year in office, the mayor appears to be losing ground, sidelined as lawmakers advance a wish list of progressive policies without her cooperation, and sometimes despite her opposition.

The outcome could determine whether the city focuses on the national priorities of the political left  such as social-welfare programs and business regulation  or Bowsers more conventional urban agenda of schools, crime and homelessness.

The latest display of the mayors predicament came last week, as council members gave preliminary approval to a $250 million-a-year program that will tax local businesses to provide private-sector workers with some of the nations most expansive family- and medical-leave benefits.

[D.C. Council passes expansive family and medical leave, one of the most generous nationwide]

Citing its expense and disproportionate benefits to commuters from Virginia and Maryland, Bowser has repeatedly said she does not want to carry out the plan, which creates a new agency with a budget larger than that of the Department of Public Works.

But in a sign of her waning stature at city hall, it seems she will have little choice: The bill passed the council on its first reading with the supermajority necessary to override a veto.

The dynamics are different, because the entire shape and political bent of the council have changed dramatically in just two election cycles, said Adams Morgan neighborhood activist and former council candidate Bryan Weaver. This really does sort of show its a new era. It will be tough for the mayor.

Bowsers defeat on paid leave could portend other struggles as she tries to counteract what some criticize as the free-spending ways of the councils ascendant newer members.

Even in overwhelmingly Democratic big cities, mayors  whose duties include fighting crime and fiscal stewardship  sometimes act as a check on expensive or provocative impulses from legislators.

But Bowser will have few immediate tactical advantages as she tries to fulfill that role. When newly elected council members are seated next month, the bloc of four allies she relied on when she took office last year will shrink to one  Brandon T. Todd, her chosen successor for her old Ward 4 seat.

Some fear that the combination of a weakened mayor and an inexperienced, left-leaning council could mean trouble as the city seeks to preserve its hard-earned fiscal stability, with major investments in its transit system required over the next several years and questions about the future of federal funding under President-elect Donald Trump.

With so many new people on the council, theres a lot to learn about our unique fiscal situation, said longtime District political activist Marie Drissel. At present, she added, the mayor really doesnt have the kind of support she would need to put the brakes on fiscally reckless legislation.

[The changing D.C. Council is reflecting the citys new millenial residents]

City halls political equilibrium will be further unsettled by the return of former mayor Vincent Gray, who continues to command respect and influence despite a 2010 campaign-finance scandal that threatened to end his career.

Gray, a relatively centrist Democrat who was elected to the council in November to represent Ward 7, is a potential ally for the mayor from an ideological standpoint. But many question whether they can overcome the ill will that took root during the bruising 2014 mayoral campaign, which Gray lost to Bowser.

In an interview, Gray said he hoped to work constructively with the mayor despite their history, particularly on issues important to his constituents in the citys poor easternmost neighborhoods. I would hope that she and I can find common ground, he said.

Gray will join a group of legislators whose relationships with the mayor and her staff have frayed, most recently in the conflict over family leave.

Council member David Grosso (I-At Large) attacked the mayor in a news release Dec. 5, the eve of the vote, saying she cannot summon the courage to take a position on paid leave herself and was instead working to gut the bill through Council member LaRuby May (D-Ward 8), one of her outgoing allies.

Such barbs are not particularly sharp by the standards set in recent showdowns at the John A. Wilson Building. In May, during a debate over city homeless shelters, a livid Bowser called Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) a f------ liar during a tense exchange that found its way into news reports.

I dont think thats helpful, said former council member Sekou Biddle. Especially when a politician does not command natural allegiance from colleagues, he said, it is crucial to leach the venom from personal relationships in city hall.

Its important to have a generosity of spirit, Biddle said. You have to, as much as possible, assume a positive intent from other people.

Bowser declined an interview request. Her spokesman, Kevin Harris, said the mayor had been incredibly effective at moving her agenda through the council.

One vote on one issue doesnt change an extensive track record of passing legislation and budgets that have put the District in much better standing then when she took office, Harris said.

Council member Elissa Silverman (I-At Large), a progressive who has served on the council since last year, said the mayor had done little to find common ground with opponents in areas where there is broader agreement, such as homelessness and education.

My hope is the mayor looks to do more coalition-building with the council in the future, Silverman said. I think these past two years has been more of an all-or-nothing, if youre not with me youre against me approach, which has limited our ability to work together in areas where we naturally agree.

Silverman disputed what she said was a caricature of a runaway D.C. Council squandering taxpayer money. She said the councils priorities have been similar to those in cities with similar demographics  such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York  and largely within the bounds of Democratic Party orthodoxy.

Paid leave is in the Democratic Party platform, she said. Were not being crazy leftist radicals here.

There are many nuances to the political roles and power dynamics inside D.C. city hall. One of the Districts progressive coups this year  a plan to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15  was led by Bowser, not the council.

Nor has the mayor been wholly ineffective in combating the leftward drift of city policy. Bowser has defended the Districts legalization of marijuana, enacted through a 2014 ballot measure by the same voters who put her in office.

But she drew the line early this year when the council sought to allow clubs where pot smokers could gather. Responding to her appeals, council members dropped the idea.

Even on the landmark family leave bill, the extent of victory for the progressive council members is not clear. The bill is scheduled for a final vote Dec. 20, leaving Bowser time to lobby for amendments before it passes.

The council has a vested interest in securing even grudging support from the mayor, who will be responsible for the programs implementation.

Meanwhile, the breakneck pace of the citys progressive agenda could be slowed somewhat by Mendelson, who is advocating a two-year moratorium on further workplace regulations to ease the effects of the paid-leave laws tax on businesses.

Veteran D.C. activist and government watchdog Dorothy Brizill said the mayor and council could be forced to take up an all-consuming common cause if the District faces meddling from the Republican-dominated federal government that will assume power in about a month.

The new Congress and presidential administration  which have final authority over the citys budget and legislation  could take aim at local laws and policies over which the Districts elected officials have no disagreement, such as gun control or health-care funding under the Affordable Care Act.

No one knows what a Republican in the White House, in the form of Trump, is going to mean for the District of Columbia, Brizill said. I think the mayor and the council are going to have a number of issues on their hands.
Early-childhood education programs that start at birth and care for children until age 5 have a greater economic benefit to society than preschool programs that start later, according to a new study. (iStock )

Nobel Prize winner James Heckmans research has played an important role in establishing that high-quality public preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds can more than pay for itself over the long term, as low-income children who attend are more likely to live productive lives. Its an economic argument that has persuaded lawmakers from both parties to support early education initiatives.

Now Heckman has released new research showing that the return on investment is even higher for high-quality programs that care for low-income children from infancy to age 5. Children in such zero-to-five programs are more likely to graduate from high school, less likely to be incarcerated than their counterparts who stayed home or enrolled in low-quality programs, had higher IQs and were healthier during the course of their lives, according to the study released Monday.

All of that taken together leads to a significant savings to society, the study found.

The rate of return on the public investment in zero-to-five programs is 13 percent per year, Heckman and his colleagues estimate, up from an estimate of 7 percent to 10 percent per year for preschool programs that start at age 3.

The more comprehensive zero-to-five programs cost about $18,500 per year for each child enrolled  more than the average public school district spends per pupil in grades K through 12. But for every dollar invested, the program generated a societal benefit of $6.30, according to Heckman.

[James Heckman: In early-childhood education, quality really matters]

He said the findings suggest that policymakers could make a bigger difference in the lives of poor children with early-childhood education programs that begin far earlier in their lives, when children are just eight weeks old.

As an economist, I always find it very odd that people only focus on the costs of a program rather than the benefits, Heckman said. This is very strong evidence for supporting this kind of program going forward.

Some analysts have challenged the notion that modern public policy should be built around studies of the effects of small, costly programs that cared for children four decades ago, pointing to studies of Head Start and other early education initiatives that have found no lasting impact.

And not everyone is on board with extending taxpayer-provided education to children younger than kindergarten. Speaking earlier this month in the District, Bill Bennett, former U.S. education secretary under Ronald Reagan, said hes inclined to focus on fixing K-12 education first.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed tax credits to help working parents pay for day care, but his program is focused on easing families financial burden rather than on providing high-quality education for babies and toddlers. He has said little about early childhood initiatives, other than to express skepticism about the cost to taxpayers of the universal preschool programs his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton favored.

[We have no idea if universal preschool actually helps kids]

Heckmans new research is based on results from two North Carolina programs that began in the 1970s and then tracked their graduates lives through age 35. The two programs  the Carolina Abecedarian Project and the Carolina Approach to Responsive Education  were very similar, enrolling low-income African American infants when they were eight weeks old and caring for them five days a week, 50 weeks a year, until age 5.

Children enrolled in the programs got regular medical checkups, giving their families a better chance of addressing problems early. And because the children were cared for full-time, their mothers  most of whom were single parents  were more likely to get further education and advance at work, boosting their income.

It has two generations impact, Heckman said.

Graduates of the zero-to-five programs also had higher IQs than their counterparts who did not enroll, Heckman said. Preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds have not been shown to have any such effect on IQ.

The two programs initially enrolled about 200 children, a number that diminished as some moved or dropped out for other reasons. Their lives and outcomes were compared to the lives and outcomes of a control group of children, including some who stayed home with their mothers and others who attended low-quality day care.

[How education children early and well creates a ripple effect for us all]

How to define and measure quality has been a matter of debate among early childhood educators. Heckman said the defining characteristic of a high-quality program, more than a certain staffing ratio or training regimen, is empathetic adults who engage meaningfully with their young charges, giving them personalized attention as they grow and develop.

Boys who received low-quality care had significantly worse life outcomes, including in health, than boys who stayed home with their mothers, according to the study. Girls did not suffer in the same way from spending time in low-quality arrangements.

Heckman said that might be due to the fact that young boys are, in general, slower than girls to develop skills such as self-control, making them more vulnerable to chaotic environments.

Quality is probably more of an issue for boys than for girls, Heckman said. Theres no question about it that certain kinds of warehouse activity for children  not locking them up in a closet or putting them into Romanian orphanages, but putting them into large groups of children, not even interacting  can lead to harmful consequences, he said.

He said that boys and girls could benefit from early-childhood policies tailored to their differences, but acknowledged that might be a hard sell: People dont want to talk about these gender differences, he said.

The new research has not yet been submitted to a journal for peer review. It received funding from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund; the Pritzker Childrens Initiative; the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics; the National Institutes of Health; the Hymen Milgrom Supporting Organization; the Institute for New Economic Thinking; and the American Bar Foundation.
national education Civil rights officials look to tough times A celebration of the Education Departments civil rights work morphed into a pep rally last week to bolster federal workers and advocates who are expecting difficult years ahead under President-elect Donald Trump. Weve got some tough times ahead, but we are up to it, Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Childrens Defense Fund, told the audience at the departments D.C. headquarters. You might as well hunker down, do your crying at nights and on the weekends. We are not going backwards. Under President Obama, the departments Office for Civil Rights has aggressively stepped up its investigation and enforcement efforts, handling a skyrocketing number of complaints even as the size of its staff has declined. The office also has issued guidance documents that have reshaped expectations for how schools and colleges handle sexual assault, deal with discipline and accommodate transgender students. But school districts, colleges and Republican lawmakers have accused the Obama administration of creating burdensome requirements and of legal overreach, and Trump surrogates have suggested that OCR should be stripped of much of its authority.  Emma Brown

GLOBAL EDUCATION

Finland, once the envy of world, is slipping

Finland has long been judged one of the worlds top education performers by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), a study administered every three years that tests the reading, math and science literacy of 15-year-olds.

But in 2015, Finland continued a slide that began in 2012, when the countrys math score dropped out of the top 10 for the first time. In 2015, Finlands scores dropped in all three categories: 11 points in science, 5 points in reading and 10 points in math. Finland is now ranked 12th in math, fifth in science and fourth in reading.

All are still well ahead of the United States, which ranks 40th, 25th and 24th, respectively.

 Joe Heim
Teachers unions have  predictably  attacked President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, a conservative Michigan power broker who has pushed to expand taxpayer-funded vouchers for private and religious schools, moves that some teachers see as a threat to public education.

Perhaps less predictably, the Trump-DeVos team also has divided those who consider themselves part of the education reform movement: Some are cheering what they see as an extraordinary opportunity to bolster alternatives to traditional public schools, while others fear that the duo could split the bipartisan alliance that has helped vouchers and charters expand quickly during the past two decades.

Some worry that Trumps rhetoric about immigrants, inner cities and women  and the support he has won from those who promote racism and anti-Semitism  could drive Democrats and people of color away from any education policies he embraces. Others are concerned that, based on her record in Michigan, DeVos will push for a rapid expansion of school choice  via vouchers and charters  without concern for school quality, leaving families with more, but not necessarily better, options and undermining the argument for choice.

Will the new administration love school choice to death? Robin Lake, a charter school supporter at the University of Washingtons Center on Reinventing Public Education, asked last month in the journal Education Next.

School-choice advocates believe that giving parents options beyond their traditional school systems allows them to have control over their childrens education and can force public schools to improve. There always have been disagreements among those advocates about how to design and promote choice, but those differences were often played down in the interest of presenting a unified front.

DeVos, a conservative Michigan power broker, has been an influential force in the push for voucher programs that send public dollars to private and religious schools. (JIM LO SCALZO/EFE)

With an incoming administration that appears hostile to unions and friendly to choice, the intramural battles have intensified.

Its a little like the transition from the Cold War, said Greg Forster, a senior fellow at EdChoice, a pro-voucher advocacy group. Two sides have now become this fragmented landscape.

[Trump picks billionaire Betsy DeVos, school voucher advocate, for education secretary]

One division is over Trump himself. The president-elect has associated himself more with school choice than with any other education policy, pledging a new $20 billion federal program to expand vouchers and charters nationwide.

Forster, a Republican until he left the party this year, favors a free-market approach to education that could get a big boost from the Trump administration. But Forster said he doesnt want school choice to be identified with Trump, whom he views as divisive and racist.

We in the school choice movement have spent a generation building bridges between the conservatives and libertarians traditionally associated with the issue and progressives and ethnic minority communities, Forster wrote in a recent blog post. We cant afford to throw all that away.

In an interview, Forster said that there must be a bipartisan coalition if were serious about this as the future of American education.

Howard Fuller, a founding father of the voucher and charter-school movements  and an African American who voted for Hillary Clinton  said he does not believe that Trumps embrace of charters and vouchers will make him the face of parent choice, as Forster fears.

But clearly theres going to be a lot of antagonism, Fuller said. People who oppose parent choice will seek everything they can find to say that this is not a policy that can be pursued.

The other major point of departure is the degree to which government should regulate and oversee voucher programs and charter schools. Under Trump and DeVos, the main fight in education might no longer be about whether vouchers and charters should expand, but under what conditions.

Free-market purists believe that parents know best, that they can choose the best schools for their children without intervention, something that could force poor-quality schools to close. On the other end of the spectrum are those who believe that intensive oversight and regulation are necessary to ensure that the schools from which parents are choosing are high-quality.

The disagreement between these two poles has focused on DeVos, who has played a key role in pushing state legislatures to pass laws that allow parents to use public dollars for private and religious schools.

DeVos also has played a key role in shaping the charter laws and landscape in her home state of Michigan through the Great Lakes Education Project, a lobbying group that she founded and funded.

For choice advocates on the left, Michigan is a prime example of how not to promote school choice. There is no limit on the number of charter schools; there are dozens of entities with legal power to approve new charters, with varying levels of oversight; and there are too many poor-performing charters, they argue.

There also is no central source of information about charter school performance or enrollment, so parents often face a confusing maze of options. And in Detroit  where more than 9 in 10 children are not proficient in math and reading, according to national exams  about half of charters are no better than their traditional-school counterparts, according to a 2013 study by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes, or CREDO.

Michigan is in many ways a poster child for what can happen when you have too many authorizers that dont have good oversight, said Scott Pearson, a former Obama administration official who now heads the D.C. Public Charter School Board, which oversees charters in the nations capital.

[Major probe of Michigan charters finds wasteful spending, little accountability]

Pearson said that with strong accountability, charter schools can be genuine alternatives to traditional public schools, serving all students equitably. But without strong accountability, he said, schools find ways to institute illegal admissions requirements, discourage children with disabilities from enrolling and push out difficult students, he said. That kind of school choice is not good for kids, and its certainly not good for the school-choice movement, he said.

A spokeswoman for Trumps transition team declined to make DeVos available for an interview or respond to questions on her behalf.

Proponents of the Michigan model point to the same 2013 CREDO study on Michigan charters as evidence that things are not as broken as critics claim: The states charter school students gain an additional two months of learning in reading and math, compared with their counterparts in traditional public schools.

Gary Naeyaert, executive director of the Great Lakes Education Project, acknowledged that progress in Michigan has not been as fast as anyone would like. And he said that the true north that guides DeVos and the organization she founded is the notion that every state and federal dollar should follow a child to the public or private school of their choice.

But he disputed the charge that she advocates against accountability for charter schools. Naeyaert said GLEP  and, by extension, DeVos  believe in accountability for charter schools, as long as traditional public schools have to live by the same rules. What we bristle at is a double standard where failing charters are closed and failing traditional schools get more money, he said.

Naeyaert said his organization sees Florida, not Michigan, as a model for the nation. Under former governor Jeb Bush (R), Florida expanded vouchers, charter schools and virtual schools; instituted an A through F grading system; and passed a law requiring students to be retained in the third grade if they arent reading proficiently.

GLEP has been working to pass similar reforms in Michigan but has also focused on protecting charters from what the organization sees as harmful government intrusion.

DeVos opposed an effort, during debate this year about the states bailout of Detroit Public Schools, to create a new commission that would have overseen charter and traditional schools in the Motor City. Advocates for that commission, including many charter supporters, said it was needed to bring some order because too many schools  with up to 30,000 unfilled seats  compete fiercely for students.

DeVos successfully lobbied against the commission, arguing that it would have unacceptably favored traditional schools. GLEP supported two other provisions that increased accountability: one requiring authorizers of new charter schools to be accredited, and another requiring the closure of any school that ranks in the bottom 5 percent statewide for three years running.

Accountability hawks see that as an exceedingly low standard.

How DeVoss work in Michigan translates into proposals for federal education policy remains to be seen. But it is clear that the debate about the governments role in boosting school quality amid efforts to expand school choice  a debate that has largely taken place at the state level  is about to get much more attention.

Maybe it felt to casual observers like there was no disagreement among fans of school choice, said Frederick M. Hess of the American Enterprise Institute. But the deck just got reshuffled, and some of these honest, good-faith disagreements are now more out in the open than theyve been for a number of years.
Dylan Shively, 4, of Middletown, Md., explores the James Bond section of the International Spy Museum on Autism Access Day. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Katie and Bobby Whalen stood fixated on a gleaming Aston Martin as the rotating license plate clicked into place: JB 007.

Mom, Dad, come on, shouted Katie, 14, ushering her parents to the gadget-loaded DB5, James Bonds most famous set of wheels.

I hope its not gonna shoot me, said Bobby, 17. Well, it makes some noises so prepare, replied his mother, Molly Whalen, 49.

Suddenly, two blasters popped out from under the headlights, barrels glowing orange, unloading a hail of fake gunshots before a small crowd.

It runs through all of its tricks, said Jackie Eyl, youth education director at the International Spy Museum. The headlights open up and rifles come out and they shoot . . . but it is a little loud, so we turned it down as much as we could.

Sebastian Del Toro, 8, of Arlington tests himself to see how long he can hang onto a bar inside the museums James Bond section. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

But the car is still the car, she said.

It was the Spy Museums first Autism Access Day, as the museum opened its doors Sunday to 450 select guests  people with autism spectrum disorders and sensory-processing differences  and their families. And the museum, brimming with secrets and surprises about the shadowy underworld of spying, embarked on what it called Mission Possible to get ready for the big event.

The tweaks included lowering the volume at some exhibits, dimming lights in others and eliminating stimuli that might disturb people on the autism spectrum. Quiet areas were mapped out across multiple floors.

But its still exciting, said Molly Whalen, whose children have autism and sometimes become reserved in response to crowds, loud noises and other stimuli. Its just the sensory-feeling opportunities are so awesome. . . . It allows you to do something like a family.

Families raved about the lighter-than-usual crowds, welcoming environment and the learning opportunities for their children. Meanwhile, children soaked in the excitement of their surroundings.

[International Spy Museum moving to LEnfant Plaza in 2018]

Niiinjaaaas, bellowed 10-year-old Vaughan Walkosak, rushing over to an exhibit. He had dressed up as a Lego ninja for Halloween.

His mother, Trigie Ealey of Arlington, said the last time Vaughan visited the museum with his father, they called in advance to learn which exhibits they might have to avoid. Now, it seemed, almost nothing was off-limits  including the atomic spies light show they were instructed to bypass last time. In that exhibit, where the museum simulates an atomic explosion with a strobe light, the effect was eliminated so the select crowd could experience it, too.

Hes just gonna go where he wants to go, said Ealey, 46. Wherever hes comfortable, and see what he wants to see.

Sunday, Vaughans curiosity led him to a display on Minox miniature cameras, the essential spy camera for a half-century, according to a museum placard. Vaughans vast knowledge of spy gear immediately became evident.

I really love Minox cameras, he said. It can take so many pictures without reloading. If youre walking around with a regular-sized camera and take 50 pictures, people will get suspicious.

There was, however, a moment of discomfort as Vaughan felt unsure about riding up the Spy Museum elevator, which features flashing neon-colored light strips. Museum staff members offered an alternate route, but Vaughan decided he could handle it.

Stepping off the elevator, visitors were given the opportunity to go undercover. It was the Spy Museum, after all.

Hollie Robinsons son, Riley, chose Billy Henderson, 14, as his alias.

I really like eavesdropping, the 10-year-old said.

[My son with autism: Oh the places you, too, will go]

For Sundays event, families were given pre-visit materials, so they knew what to expect. One packet, called The social story, told visitors where to anticipate crowds, bright lights, loud noises and other stimuli. And a sensory map noted the quiet areas, hands-on exhibits and surprise areas where there might be environmental stimuli.

Roger Ideishi, director of the occupational therapy program at Temple University, who served as a consultant for the initiative, said the museum wanted to be sensitive to the families. One thing thats really important is creating a social environment that is supportive of these families, he said. These families often feel scrutinized when they come out in the public. And so they wanna be in a space that they feel safe and supported with the different needs that they have.

Comfort was the main draw for Karrin Lukacs, 47, husband Michael, 42, and their 12-year-old son, also named Michael.

When theyre out in public, she said, they will sometimes feel uncomfortable because of how people react when their son makes noises in response to stimuli. For example, they became uneasy on a family trip to Universal Orlando, where they saw the Blue Man Group.

People were shooting us looks, she said. She thought, Oh, my God, should we leave?

But not at Sundays screening of the Spy Museums introductory film, even as son Michael reacted out loud.

[Want to know what its really like to have a child with autism?]

Not one person turned to give us a dirty look, Karrin Lukacs said. Theres no judgment.

Its a safe space, all understanding folks here, said Joshua Taylor, a training associate for Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Autism Center for Excellence who served as a consultant for the event.

Funding from Northwest Federal Credit Union supported Sundays complimentary access day, organizers said. The museum hopes to make it a twice-a-year and, eventually, quarterly offering.

As the walk-throughs wound down and visitors had passed the Aston Martin and the ninja exhibit and seen the atomic reaction, they were surprised to find even more to take in.

What spy museum is complete without James Bond? Sasha Dayringer, 28, said to no one in particular as she stepped into the first-floor Bond exhibit with her brother Christopher. Did he like spies, she was asked.

Im not sure, she said, as the 12-year-old slinked around a corner, keenly exploring the spy gear. Its his first time.
Returning to society after a stint behind bars can be difficult, but those coming back to the District after doing time face particularly long odds, according to a report released Monday.

The report by the Council for Court Excellence, a nonprofit that advocates for improvements to the citys criminal justice system, indicates that 1 in 22 adults in the District are under some form of correctional control, including jail or probation. Prisoners are often housed in federal facilities as far away as the West Coast, the report notes, and most of the struggles resulting from a criminal record are borne by the citys black residents.

D.C.s returning citizens face a variety of challenges that returning citizens elsewhere simply do not confront, the report says, noting the citys status as a federal district rather than a state. It does not have to be this way.

[How a murder convict facing a life sentence became a D.C. mayoral appointee]

The report, titled Beyond Second Chances and running more than 100 pages long, paints a bleak picture of those with criminal records searching for housing and work in an expensive city where many jobs require a college education.

Kevin Donahue, the citys deputy mayor for public safety and justice, said in a statement that the District continues to identify opportunities to improve our supports for our inmate population and returning citizens in an effort to reduce recidivism, particularly as the city will soon choose a new Department of Corrections director.

Our focus will be on ensuring quality programming and support is provided to inmates to make their release and reentry a positive and successful experience, he said.

Some recommendations in the report are specific, such as urging the Federal Bureau of Prisons to establish an ombudsman position focused on D.C. correctional issues. It also suggests that halfway houses stop charging residents 25 percent of their income for subsistence fees.

Its authors found that more than 1 in 5 employed returning citizens lack stable housing when they return to the community, and those who were unemployed were even more likely to stay in homeless shelters or on the street.

Correctional facilities should have returning citizens apply for housing up to 90 days before release, according to the report, which also urges the D.C. Council to approve legislation preventing landlords from discriminating against those with criminal records.

The Districts ban the box law, which prevents employers from screening out job applicants based on criminal convictions, isnt sufficient, the report says.

In D.C., you can Ban the Box, but you cant ban Google, said returning citizen Taylar Nuevelle, according to the report.

The report praises nonprofits that offer job training, such as D.C. Central Kitchen, but says more training opportunities are needed. It also takes aim at Hope Village in Southeast Washington, a halfway house run by a private company long criticized for security problems and failing to help residents secure employment, as a 2013 report by a District agency noted.

They just dont care about us  us coming home, trying to reacclimate ourselves into society, said Robert Davis, 40, who recently spent time at Hope Village after serving 21 years on a murder charge.

[To some, D.C. halfway house is more like Hopeless Village]

The report suggests that the Bureau of Prisons shouldnt renew its contracts with Hope Village to house D.C. offenders, the last of which expire next year. Hope Village didnt respond to a request for comment.

The report also says the Mayors Office on Returning Citizen Affairs, which was criticized last year in an audit by the D.C. inspector general, needs more funding and staff to coordinate services for ex-offenders.

Brian Ferguson, who was appointed director of the office in September, reviewed the report before its release and praised its findings.

I value the research, data and recommendations that CCE put forward because they share MORCAs goal of creating the best possible environment for returning citizens in the District, Ferguson said in a statement.

Other recommendations include ensuring inmates have health and mental health coverage when released and that women, juveniles and LGBTQ inmates get appropriate services.

The report reveals that the District of Columbia sets up our returning citizens to fail, Emily MacLeod, a legal fellow at D.C. Prisoners Project, said in a statement. It is important that the stories highlighted in the report motivate us to ensure that every returning citizen has a meaningful opportunity for a second chance.

As President Obamas attempts to address mass incarceration give way to uncertain policies under President-elect Donald Trump, the report says the District could become a place where returning citizens can move beyond second chances and fulfill their full potential.

This is a moment when we can really rethink how people are returning from prison and jail, said Emily Tatro, a CCE policy analyst.
BLOOD DONATIONS

Blood drives Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., First Potomac Realty Trust, 45610 Woodland Rd., Sterling, 800-733-2767; Dec. 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Leesburg Public Safety Center, 65 Plaza St. NE, Leesburg, 800-733-2767; Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton, 540-316-3588; Dec. 20, 3-7 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd., Leesburg, 866-256-6372; Dec. 30, 1:30-6 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St., Leesburg, 800-733-2767; Jan. 3, 3-8 p.m., Ashburn Farm Association, 21400 Windmill Dr., Ashburn, 800-733-2767; Jan. 3, 2:30-7:30 p.m., Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 800-733-2767.

Inova Blood Donor Center Mondays noon-8 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays 6 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m. Dulles Town Center, 45745 Nokes Blvd., Sterling. 866-256-6372 or inova.org/donateblood.

FIRST AID

First aid/adult, infant and child CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Fauquier Hospital Medical Office Building, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Call for schedule. 540-316-3588. $85. Registration required.

HEARING

Disability Resource Center Technical assistance through the state Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and presentations to businesses, groups and schools. Third Tuesdays 2-5 p.m., Workplace, 205 Keith St., Warrenton. Call for an appointment, 800-648-6324; TDD, 540-373-5890. Free.

Free hearing tests Age 18 and older. Mondays-Thursdays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center, 19465 Deerfield Ave., Suite 201, Lansdowne. 703-858-7620. Registration required.

Hearing loss, tinnitus and Menieres syndrome support For all ages, including parents of children with hearing loss. First Fridays at 2 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 703-430-2906.

Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Age 18 and older. Second Tuesdays 10 a.m., Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 571-258-3400.

Hearing loss outreach Free referrals. Fourth Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Loudoun County Workforce Center, 102 Heritage Way, Leesburg; third Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. Free appointments: 703-430-2906 or nvrcloudoun@aol.com .

MENTAL HEALTH

Counseling for sexual violence survivors Provided by Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice. 703-771-9020.

Crisis Intervention Treatment and Assessment Center Provides emergency mental-health, substance-use and developmental services to individuals in the Loudoun community. Daily from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. 102 Heritage Way NE, Suite 102, Leesburg. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 703-777-0320.

Crisislink Suicide and crisis intervention. Community education, a volunteer crisis response team and CareRing, a telephone outreach program for the elderly and disabled. 703-527-6016, volunteer@crisislink.org or crisislink.org.

Piedmont Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness Serves Fauquier, Orange, Madison and Rappahannock counties. Support group, education classes and events for people living with mental illness and their family members. First Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. Fauquier Hospital, 500 Hospital Dr., Sycamore Room A, Warrenton. 571-426-8213.

Mental health first-aid A public education program offered by the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services that can help communities understand mental illness, seek intervention and save lives. Go to loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid.

Northern Virginia Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness A support group, classes and programs for people living with mental illness and their family members. naminorthernvirginia.org.

PREGNANCY, PARENTING

Adoptive family preservation Adoptive families discuss common experiences; registration required. Third Tuesdays 12:30-2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd. Call 703-941-9008, Ext. 23, or email jmellario@umfs.org .

Birthright of Loudoun County Free pregnancy tests, baby clothing, transportation and support throughout pregnancy, 823 S. King St., Leesburg. 703-777-7272.

Bond Between Us A nonprofit organization that offers support to birth parents when children have been placed for adoption. Fourth Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. Call for location. 703-771-7844.

Breastfeeding support Mondays 9:30-10:30 a.m., Fauquier Hospital Family Birthing Center, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588.

Dad support New and expectant fathers share ideas. First Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. 703-858-6360.

For the Childrens Sake A group for separating or divorcing parents to share advice. Four-hour session weekly. Information: 703-391-8599 or fitsfoundation.org.

La Leche League Mother-to-mother support and breastfeeding information. 10 a.m. second Wednesdays in Warrenton, 540-351-6103. Third Fridays 10:15-11:45 a.m., call for location, 703-444-7386. Second Fridays 10:15 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd., 703-829-0349; Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon, Panera Bread, 43670 Greenway Corp. Dr., Ashburn, email lllashburn@gmail.com. Third Fridays 10:15 a.m., Christ the Redeemer Church, 46833 Harry F. Byrd. Hwy., Sterling, 540-338-4637.

Loudoun Fatherhood Program Fathers discuss the joys and challenges of being a parent. Meets every other Saturday for two hours for four months; sponsored by Northern Virginia Family Service. 571-748-2796. Free.

Loudoun Nurturing Parenting Program Positive parenting techniques; children attend with parents. Registration required. Call 703-771-3973, Ext. 27, or email nurturingprogram@lcsj.org. Free.

Mothernet/Healthy Families Loudoun Program links first-time parents with medical, social and educational resources to give children a socially and physically healthy start in life. Family support workers meet with participants in homes. English-Spanish translation provided. 703-444-4477, Ext. 217 , or inmed.org.

New mother support Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. Inova Loudoun Medical Pavilion, 224 Cornwall St., Leesburg. Babies welcome. 703-858-6360.

Young parent services Support for teenage parents. Loudoun County Department of Family Social Services, 52 Sycolin Rd., Leesburg. Call for times. 703-771-5375.

Online childbirth education program Inova Loudoun Hospitals Web-based program uses animation, videos and interactive activities to guide users through the basics of childbirth, breastfeeding and caring for newborns. 703-858-6360 or thebirthinginn.org/classes.

Parenting Alone group For parents of school-age children who have lost a spouse or partner to cancer. Second Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call 703-698-2536 or email jennifer.eckert@inova.org .

Pregnancy and childbirth support Childbirth Solutions Resource Center, 8393 W. Main St., Marshall. 571-344-0438.

SENIORS

Exercise equipment Weights, treadmills, bikes and a cardio-glide. Instruction provided. Age 55 and older. Weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Fitness for people 55 and older Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1-1:45 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 571-258-3400. $36, 12-visit card.

Eye care LensCrafters staff members will clean glasses and make minor repairs. Second Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 703-430-2397. Free.

Inova Loudoun mobile van Blood pressure checks. Second and fourth Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling, 571-258-3280; first Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-noon, Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039.

Laughing yoga for seniors I mprove flexibility and balance. Thursdays 9:30-10 :30 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Loudoun Adult Day Centers For seniors with physical limitations or memory loss, a safe and social environment, therapeutic activities, individualized care and respite for caregivers. Limited transportation. Sliding-scale fees. Weekdays in Leesburg, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 703-771-5334; Purcellville, 571-258-3402; and Ashburn-Sterling, 571-258-3232.

Senior Outreach Services Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging case manager. Call for an appointment or sign up at the Senior Center at Cascades. First and third Wednesdays 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 571-258-3280.

Senior Outreach Services Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging Elder case manager. Sign up in the Leesburg Senior Center lobby. Second and fourth Thursdays 11 a.m.-noon and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Senior Outreach Services Free and confidential assistance from an Area Agency on Aging Elder case manager. Call for an appointment or sign up at the Carver Center. First and third Mondays, 12:30-5 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 703-737-8741. Free.

Tai chi Stretching and strengthening movements. Mondays 11 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039. Free.

Zumba gold class Age 55 and older. Wear rubber-soled shoes and comfortable clothing; bring water and a towel. Tuesdays 11 a.m., Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. Senior Center of Leesburg, 102 North St. NW, Leesburg. 703-737-8039. $24 per month.

Zumba For people 55 and older who are learning Zumba for the first time, or those who prefer a lower-impact version. The fitness program combines Latin and international music with dance.Thursdays 11 a.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. 571-258-3280. $12.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Al-Anon Service Center of Northern Virginia A volunteer is available 24 hours with information for spouses, family members and friends of problem drinkers. 703-534-4357 or 877-339-8350. Mondays 8 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 125 W. Washington St., Middleburg, 540-554-2747; Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg, 877-339-8350; Fridays 8:30 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 6507 Main St., The Plains, 800-344-2666; Tuesdays 12:15 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, Route 29 N., 540-347-7448; Tuesdays 7 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 p.m. Warrenton Presbyterian Church, 91 Main St., 800-344-2666.

Alcoholics Anonymous Various meeting times and locations in Loudoun County. 800-208-8649 or 703-876-6166. nvintergroup.org.

Alzheimers caregiver support For those who care for people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Fourth Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m. The Villa at Suffield Meadows, 6735 Suffield Lane, Warrenton. 540-316-3800.

Alzheimers caregivers support For those caring for people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Second Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling. 703-430-9229. galileeumc.org.

Alzheimers caregivers support Emotional, educational and social support for family members and friends of people with the disease. Third Saturdays 10 a.m. Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging, 20145 Ashbrook Pl., Ashburn. Call 703-771-5407 or email lesley.katz@loudoun.gov.

Alzheimers caregiver support group Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 540-903-6831 or alz.org.

Alzheimers support First Tuesdays 10-11 a.m. Spring Arbor Assisted Living, 237 Fairview St. NW, Leesburg. 540-338-6520.

Alzheimers support First Wednesdays 4 p.m. Leesburg Adult Day Center, 16501 Meadowview Ct., Leesburg. 703-771-5334.

Alzheimers support Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 571-258-3400.

Talk About Curing Autism A nonprofit organization educating and supporting families affected by autism. tacanow.org.

Autoimmune support Last Thursdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jackson Building, 209 Gibson St., Leesburg. autoimmunesupport@hotmail.com.

Bereaved parent support One-on-one counseling is available. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. scsm.tv.

Bereavement support For those experiencing loss because of the death of a loved one. Age 18 and older. Third Mondays 1 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Sponsored by Capital Caring. 703-957-1800.

Breast cancer support Fourth Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Tower, Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-349-0588.

Breast cancer support For those with new diagnoses or starting treatment. Register if attending for the first time. Fourth Mondays 5-6:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8857.

Breast cancer support For those who have finished treatment, have had a recurrence or metastatic breast cancer. Register if attending for the first time. Fourth Mondays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8857. Free.

Breast Cancer Support Assistance Fund Loudoun County residents who have received a diagnosis or have undergone treatment in the past 12 months are eligible to apply for financial assistance. Areas included are wigs, bras, puffs and prostheses, mammograms and medical bills, food and help with utilities, rent or mortgage, and transportation costs. The Pink Assistance Fund has been established by the Loudoun Breast Health Network. lbhn.org.

Cancer support Oncology nurses, social workers and spiritual-care providers offer education and support to patients, families and caregivers. Second Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-2273.

Cancer support Life with Cancer, for patients, family members and friends. Second Thursdays 7 p.m. Ashburn Presbyterian Church, Room 202, 20962 Ashburn Rd. 703-729-2012 or ashburnpresbyterian.org.

Caregiver support Emotional, educational and social support. Encourages caregivers to maintain their physical and emotional health while caring for people with dementia or other chronic illness. Fourth Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. 540-903-6831.

Caregiver support and resource group Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.-noon (no meeting first Wednesdays), Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. scsm.tv.

Caring for Aging Parents Support group. Confidential. Fourth Wednesdays 7:30 p.m., Family Focus Counseling Service, 20-B John Marshall St., Warrenton. 540-349-4537.

Chadd parents support For parents of children with ADD/ADHD. Fourth Sundays 3 p.m. KinderCare, 44051 Ashburn Village Shopping Plaza. chadd.nova loudoun@gmail.com .

Chronic illness support Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministries, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814 or scsm.tv.

Coffee and Conversation Support for those discouraged because of illness, bereavement, caregiving or a loved one in the military. Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814.

Compassionate Friends For parents who have experienced the death of a child. First Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg. 540-882-9707.

Creating and Connecting Two-hour art therapy and relaxation workshop for cancer patients. Every other month, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call for dates. 703-858-8850.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Western Loudoun Saturdays 3 p.m. Purcellville Library, 220 E. Main St., Carruthers Room. Call 703-431-7160 or email kathy@dbsanca.org.

Drop-in grief support Second and fourth Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. St. Davids Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn. Sponsored by Capital Caring. 703-597-1781.

Families Overcoming Drug Addiction Support group. First and third Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. myfodafamily@gmail.com or 540-316-9221.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth and parent support A group in partnership with Metro DC PFLAG. Fourth Sundays 4-6 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 22135 Davis Dr., Sterling. 703-328-6518.

Griefshare Open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Tuesdays through Dec. 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. Purcellville Baptist Church, 601 Yaxley Dr., Purcellville. Call 540-338-0918 or email caring@purbap.org . Workbook, $15.

Griefshare Nondenominational seminar and support group. Tuesdays 7:30-9 p.m., and Wednesdays, 1-2:30 p.m. Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814. Free.

Grief support Sponsored by Hospice Support of Fauquier County. Individual counseling available. First and third Thursdays 3:30-5 p.m. Hospice Support Office, 42 N. Fifth St., Warrenton. Registration required. Email hospicesupport@verizon.net or call 540-347-5922.

Grief support Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Spiritual Care Support Ministry Center, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton. 540-349-5814.

Hospice support Free medical-equipment loan facility for Fauquier County residents. Especially needed are donations of wheelchairs, bedside commodes, rolling walkers, electric hospital beds, shower benches and chairs, adult diapers, lift chairs, Ensure and hospital bed mattresses. 540-347-5922.

Look Good, Feel Better For women undergoing or emerging from cancer treatment. Every other month, 6:45 to 9 p.m. ,Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Call for dates. 703-776-2820. Free.

Loudoun CHADD support Led by Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Third Thursdays 7 p.m. Leesburg Town Hall, lower-level conference room, 25 W. Market St. 703-669-2445.

Lyme disease support Fourth Sundays 2-4 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Conference Room A and B, Leesburg. Go to natcaplyme.org or email loudounlymeadvocates@gmail.com.

Lyme disease support Third Thursdays at 7 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, 6398 Lee Hwy. Access Road, Warrenton. 540-347-7265 or email lymeinfauquier@gmail.com.

Lyme disease support Third Thursdays at 7 p.m. Warrenton Church of Christ, 6398 Lee Hwy. Access Road, Warrenton. 540-347-7265 or email lymeinfauquier@gmail.com.

Lyme disease support Age 18 and older. First Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m. Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville. Email charphealy@yahoo.com.

MADD Loudoun victim support For those who have been affected by drunken driving. Third Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. 210 Wirt St., Leesburg. 540-338-6491.

Man-to-Man Cancer Support Sponsored by Loudoun Cancer Care Center, for prostate cancer patients and their families. Second Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. Call 703-858-8857 or email karen.archer@inova.org.

Menopause support Third Thursdays 6:30-9 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg (second floor, Patient Education Room). 703-858-8060.

Multiple sclerosis support Saturdays 10:30 a.m. Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-349-2826.

Multiple sclerosis support Last Sundays 2-4 p.m. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Pl., Potomac Falls. 703-771-4256.

Nar-anon family support For those affected by loved ones with addiction. Meaningful Mondays, 7-8 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling. 703-203-9792; Wisdom Wednesdays 7-8 p.m., St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 37730 St. Francis Ct., Purcellville, 703-606-7125; Serenity Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. Leesburg Presbyterian Church, 207 W. Market St., Leesburg, 703-606-7125.

Overeaters Anonymous For fellowship and support. For locations and times, call oa.org.

Parkinsons support Open to those with Parkinsons disease, their family members and caregivers. First Tuesdays 1:30-3 p.m. Call for Ashburn location. 571-442-8851.

Post-partum support Second and fourth Wednesdays 1-2:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Cornwall Campus, 224 Cornwall St., Leesburg. Call 703-909-9877 or email lamckeough@gmail.com. Registration required.

Reach to Recovery Home visit program for mastectomy and lumpectomy patients. Temporary prostheses, exercise instruction and encouragement. 703-938-5550.

Sexual assault and incest survivors group counseling Services provided by Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice and the Loudoun Abused Womens Shelter are free and confidential. 703-771-9020.

Sexual assault survivors empowerment support Sponsored by Sexual Assault Victims Volunteer Initiative. Child care available with 48 hours notice. Mondays; call for times and locations. 540-349-7720.

Spiritual support group For cancer patients, family members and friends. Third Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. 703-858-8850.

Stroke survivors and caregivers support Second Wednesdays 11 a.m.-noon, Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, second floor, Patient Education Room. 703-858-6199 or jill.lieb@inova.org.

Suicide counseling Third Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Office, Conference Room 2, lower level, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. 703-587-1618 or survivorsofsuicidelossleesburg@gmail.com.

Womens support Sponsored by Services to Abused Families. Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Confidential location. 540-825-8876.

Widows and widowers support Third Mondays 11 a.m. Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St. NW. 703-737-8039.

Womens cancer support Woman to Woman, first Wednesdays 6:30-8 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. Registration required. 703-858-8850.

MISCELLANEOUS

Brain trauma survivors brown bag lunch For survivors and caregivers. First Tuesdays, noon-1:30 p.m., Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg, second-floor Patient Education Room. Call 703-737-3150 or email jberg@braininjurysvcs.org. Free.

Child developmental screenings For ages 2-5. Children may not be kindergarten-age-eligible. Sponsored by the Loudoun County public schools Child Find Center. 571-252- - 2180.

Cholesterol screenings Weekdays from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Fauquier Health LIFE Center, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-2640. Registration required. $35.

Emergency food supplies Loudoun County residents in need can receive a free three-day supply of groceries. Supplies are distributed Mondays through Saturdays by Loudoun Hunger Relief. Call 703-777-5911 or go to loudounhunger.org .

Fauquier free walk-in medical clinic Patients must call Thursdays from 12:30 to 1 p.m. to register for the clinic, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Patients are also seen by appointment Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fauquier and Rappahannock residents only. Bring proof of address for the first visit. Patients cannot have Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Information: 540-347-0394 Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fauquier Hospital Bistro Senior Supper Club Nutritious meals and fellowship for people 55 and older. Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fauquier Hospital Bistro on the Hill, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. 540-316-3588. $5.49.

HEROES (Hometown Enabling Relationships, Opportunities and Empowerment through Support) is a program for military families. A trained volunteer provides support to military members and their families, from pre-deployment up to two years post-deployment. Assistance includes financial help, job placement, family care and mental-health services. caring@purbap.org or heroescare.org.

Inova Loudoun Hospital Mobile Health Services Blood pressure screenings, Tuesday 9 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling; Thursday 11 a.m.-noon, Lovettsville Community Center, 57 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville; Dec. 19, 9-11 a.m. William Watters House, 22365 Enterprise St., Sterling; Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-noon, Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville; Dec. 27, 9 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. For information, call 703-858-8818 or go to inova.org/mobilehealth. Free.

Loudoun Cares information and referral help line Call 703-669-4636 for help in finding resources for county residents who are dealing with rent eviction, utility cut-offs, needed health care and employment.

Medicare and Medicaid benefits counseling Thursday 1-3 p.m., Fauquier Hospital Chestnut Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Registration required. 540-316-3588. Free.

Motor skill screenings Birth to 21 months. First Thursdays, Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center, 19465 Deerfield Ave., Suite 201, Lansdowne. Call for an appointment. 703-858-7620. Free.

Northern Virginia long-term care ombudsman Call 703-324-5861 for help in resolving complaints related to long-term-care facilities.

Road to Recovery For cancer patients who need rides to appointments. Call 410-781-6909 or email jen.burdette@cancer.org. Free.

Safe sitter classes For girls and boys ages 11-14. First Saturdays except for holiday weekends. 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. To receive a Safe Sitter Certificate, students must pass practical and written tests on babysitting concepts and handling an emergency. Bring a lunch or buy lunch in the cafeteria. $70, includes handbook and snacks during the day. Registration required. 703-858-8818 or charlene.martin@inova.org.

Seven Loaves Food Pantry Individuals and families can receive a three-day supply of food, distributed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon. Go to sevenloavesmiddleburg.org or call 540-687-3489.

Tree of Life Food Pantry Serving western Loudoun County. Food is delivered Wednesdays and Saturdays. 703-554-3595.

 Compiled by Sandy Mauck

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Loudoun County and Fauquier County health calendar

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When the calendar turns to 2017, Manassas Park will have a new mayor for the first time in more than a decade.

Councilwoman Jeanette Rishell (D) defeated 12-year incumbent Frank Jones (I) on Nov. 8, and she said last week that winning the mayors post was welcome gratification after a grueling campaign.

Rishell, who took 61.9 percent of the vote to Joness 37.1 percent, was elected to City Council in 2012 after previous unsuccessful bids for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. She attributed her victories on the local level to being able to connect more easily with voters.

I love getting out and walking on every single street in the city, Rishell, 67, said.

She said that she knocked on the door of almost every registered voter in Manassas Park this year and that its easier to build relationships with residents in a city measuring 2.5 square miles than in a legislative district that could span multiple jurisdictions.

Also, she said, the people who live in the city simply have a fondness for one another that reaches across party lines.

We have a very close-knit sense of community, said Rishell, who has lived in Manassas Park since 1994.

Properly serving city constituents, however, will require attracting new businesses, Rishell said.

I want the city to have more of a focus on business development, as opposed to residential development, she said.

Rishell noted that, at about 16,000 residents, Manassas Parks population is larger than that of another small Northern Virginia city, Falls Church.

However, Manassas Park lacks a strong tax base, she said. Recruiting companies to the city would mean an increase in the commercial tax base, which would help generate revenue to pay for core government services such as education.

Manassas Park also has about $120 million in debt from building projects, Rishell said, and the need to service that debt will at least partially shape how the next city budget comes together.

The mayor-elect will craft that spending plan  and make other decisions  with a City Council that will include three new faces. Elected with Rishell last month were fellow Democrats Donald Shuemaker, Hector Cendejas and Miriam Machado.

Rishell said shes not concerned about having three new people on the seven-member council.

I know these folks have been following what the council is doing, she said.

Next years council will consist of five Democrats and two Republicans. But one of the GOP members, Preston Banks, who was not up for reelection in November, said the council members can work well together no matter what their party affiliation is.

The campaign season in Manassas Park ended on a healthy note after a slow start. Shuemaker was the only council hopeful who qualified to have his name on the ballot, but then seven write-in candidates, including Cendejas and Machado, came forward.

Banks put together a candidates forum in October. About 150 people attended, which Banks said was a large turnout for such an event.

To be hospitable, he put cookies and water at the seat of each audience member. But those refreshments were scarce by the time the politicians finished making their pitches.

We had so many people, I ran out of cookies and water, Banks said.
Chairman of the University System of Maryland James Brady (L) and Chancellor Robert Caret under scrutiny over the chancellors compensation package at a legislative hearing in Annapolis, MD on August 25, 2016. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Maryland university regents scrapped a performance bonus for the system chancellor that was criticized by lawmakers, but also restructured Chancellor Robert L. Carets compensation so the he can take home just as much money.

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents on Friday approved the compensation changes for Caret, who has a base salary of $630,000 in addition to a personal driver and free housing at the Hidden Waters mansion.

To make up for cutting an annual performance bonus worth up to 15 percent of Carets salary, the regents approved deferred compensation packages that serve as an incentive for him to stay on through the end of his five-year term.

The university will set aside $150,000 for Caret in 2017, and $250,000 for him in 2018. He is eligible to take that money after two years if he hasnt been fired or left for a new position.

Caret stands to make an additional $400,000 through 2020, compared with an additional $407,307 had he received the maximum bonuses. He also will continue receiving annual 5 percent raises.

Unlike a performance bonus, the deferred compensation package payments do not depend on Caret meeting or exceeding goals for leadership of the 12-institution system.

The incentive to perform well is not a concern of mine, said James T. Brady, chair of the board of regents. I work very closely with him, and he is very committed to the system.

The board wasnt trying to give Caret a pay cut, Brady said, but rather get rid of a performance bonus that became a political distraction.

Democratic lawmakers criticized the regents for awarding Caret a $75,000 bonus, short of the maximum $90,000 available, in a June closed-door meeting at the end of his first year on the job.

During a legislative hearing on the matter in August, lawmakers questioned the standards for awarding the bonus in an era of tuition hikes and asked why the decision wasnt better publicized.

Brady defended Carets compensation as necessary to lure him from a similarly paying job leading the smaller University of Massachusetts system.
Meeting on opening of Haymarket interchange

A public meeting on the opening of Northern Virginias first diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 66 and Route 15 will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Bull Run Middle School, 6308 Catharpin Rd., Gainesville.

The Virginia Department of Transportation meeting will include a brief presentation and an interactive walk-through.

According to a news release, the bow-tie design shifts vehicles to the opposite side of the road and eliminates left turns that cross oncoming traffic. Two-phase traffic signals at each end of the interchange reduce time spent at red lights and move twice the number of vehicles as traditional diamond interchanges do.

For information, visit virginiadot.org.

Free SoberRide taxis during holiday season

The Washington Regional Alcohol Programs annual Holiday SoberRide service will be available Friday through Jan. 1 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Residents can call 800-200-TAXI (8294) to get a free ride home. The service is valid for fares up to $30.

SoberRide is offered in Virginia in Prince William, Arlington, Fairfax and eastern Loudoun counties, as well as in Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax City, Manassas and Manassas Park. It is also offered in the District and in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in Maryland.

Taxi companies will provide the service to residents 21 and older.

For information, go to soberride.com.

No-cost mulching for wreaths and trees

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative will accept evergreen Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands Dec. 26 to Jan. 9 at 5399 Wellington Branch Rd., Gainesville.

Greenery may be left in the front parking lot in the area designated by orange safety cones. Greens must be free of decorations, ornament hooks and light strings.

NOVEC tree crews will chop greens into wood chips and deliver the mulch to interested co-op members at no charge when the right-of-way crews are working in their neighborhoods. Members interested in free mulch should complete the request form at novec.com/mulch.
A 16-year-old boy is being charged as an adult after authorities said he severely wounded a cabdriver in Alexandria, Va., earlier this year.

Authorities say Troy Vann shot a cabdriver at a gas station in the citys Foxchase neighborhood early on Sept. 22, in what was most likely an attempted robbery. The driver spent several days in the hospital with critical wounds.

Vann, a city resident, was arrested 14 hours later. He was indicted Monday on charges of aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of that crime and possession of a firearm by a person with a felony record. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

The driver, who police have identified only as a 47-year-old man, drove for the Alexandria Yellow Cab company. Company President Spencer Kimball said in a statement at the time that the company was shocked and saddened by the attack.
Members of Jamycheal Mitchell's family, wearing shirts with his photograph, posed in 2015 for a picture at the home of his aunt in Chesapeake, Va. (Timothy C. Wright/For The Washington Post)

The Hampton Roads jail, where a mentally ill young man died last year awaiting a psychiatric hospital bed, is under investigation by the Justice Department.

Jamycheal Mitchell, 24, was accused of stealing $5.05 worth of snacks from a 7-Eleven near his familys home in Portsmouth, Va., in April 2015. A judge ordered Mitchell, who had stopped taking his schizophrenia medication, sent to a psychiatric hospital.

But Mitchell stayed in the Virginia jail while waiting for an open bed. Five months later, he was dead, having lost 36 pounds. Mark Krudys, an attorney for Mitchells family, said Mitchells cell was soaked with urine when his body was found.

The federal probe is focused on whether the jail violates the rights of the mentally ill by putting them in isolation and denying them proper services.

All prisoners, including those with mental illness, have a constitutional right to receive necessary medical care, treatment and services, Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the departments Civil Rights Division, said in a statement Monday.

Prosecutors in the Eastern District of Alexandria are working with the Civil Rights Division on the investigation.

Prisoners with mental illness are a particularly vulnerable population, and their rights must be safeguarded, U.S. Attorney Dana Boente said in a statement on Monday.

After Mitchells death, officials at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail told The Washington Post that Mitchell received proper treatment and had not alerted jail staff members to health problems. Food was delivered to his cell, said Lt. Col. Eugene Taylor, assistant superintendent at the jail. He could have flushed meals.

Taylor said the jail could not say for sure that Mitchell was eating, but he also said Mitchell did not complain that he was losing weight.

An audit by the Virginia Office of the Inspector General found that nurses at the jail did not treat severe edema in one of Mitchells legs, failed to note his alarming weight loss and relied on the acutely psychotic inmate to report health problems or suicidal thoughts himself.

Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) requested a Justice Department investigation in September, noting Mitchells death and that of 60-year-old Henry Stewart in the same jail this August. The Virginian-Pilot reported Stewarts repeated requests for medical treatment were denied; he died of a perforated ulcer.

Since then, Taylor and the jails superintendent have stepped down and procedures at the jail have been changed so that a central medical staff member rather than jail staff is responsible for care requests.

Mark Krudys, who represents the Mitchell and Stewart families, said he has heard many more complaints about the jail from inmates and their relatives.

We do believe that the problems at that jail are systemic, Krudys said. Its really necessary for somebody like DOJ to come in and do a thorough investigation.

Robert J. McCabe, interim superintendent of the jail, said, We expected to hear from DOJ and look forward to cooperating with the DOJ investigation going forward.

He added: The Hampton Roads Regional Jail staff has been working tirelessly to improve jail operations and delivery of services. We are confident that DOJ will recognize the positive efforts being made.
Melania Trump, shown in November, appeared in Maryland for a status hearing Monday in her defamation case against a blogger and a British tabloid. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Incoming first lady Melania Trump appeared in a Maryland courtroom Monday for a scheduling conference as legal proceedings geared up in her defamation suit against a Montgomery County blogger and a British tabloid.

Mrs. Trump was not required to attend the court conference but chose to do so to meet the judge, meet opposing counsel and show her commitment to the case, said her attorney, Charles J. Harder.

He said Trump looks forward to seeing the case to a successful conclusion.

The 24-minute hearing covered standard scheduling matters for civil litigation. The hearing was held in a regular courtroom. Deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, who are charged with security at the courthouse in downtown Rockville, were present, as were members of the Secret Service.

Trump arrived and departed without using a public entrance, which is not uncommon for high-profile plaintiffs or defendants.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's wife, Melania, gave a speech in Berwyn, Pa., Nov. 3, in which she said as first lady, she would fight online bullying and press for the advancement of U.S. women. (The Washington Post)

There were no incidents, Montgomery Sheriff Darren Popkin said. She was brought into the building. The court business that was supposed to occur happened. And she was escorted out.

Montgomery Circuit Judge Sharon Burrell scheduled trial for Nov. 6 through 22, 2017.

Trump did not speak other than to politely respond to Burrells greeting.

On Sept. 1, in Montgomery Court, Trump sued blogger Webster Tarpley, 70, and the Daily Mail for defamation. Her attorneys cited published allegations, including those made in Tarpleys blog post, according to court records.

[Earlier: Melania Trump says Maryland blogger held reckless disregard for the truth]

In the lawsuit, Trump alleged Tarpley and the Daily Mail had published false assertions that, earlier in her life, she had worked as a high-end escort. Both publications retracted their stories.

Tarpley has said that he did not libel Melania Trump, and was passing on unfounded rumors and innuendo that had appeared on the Internet.

None of the claims or defenses were discussed at Mondays hearing.

The blogger was not there. Attorneys for him and for the Daily Mail were present.

Plaintiffs often do not appear in court for scheduling matters because the sessions amount to a judge and attorneys working out dates for document deadlines and hearings.

At 8:59 a.m., court was called into session, according to an official recording of the hearing. All of the parties stood.

One of Trumps attorneys addressed Burrell, the judge.

Good morning, your honor, Donna McBride and Charles Harder on behalf of the plaintiff, Melania Trump, who is here with us this morning, she said.

Good morning, Burrell said.

Good morning, the incoming first lady responded. She took her seat at a table with McBride and Harder. From there, the attorneys discussed deadlines and dates.

Trump has said that as first lady she would focus on the damage done by cyberbullying, particularly of children.

Perry Stein contributed to this report.
Five people were shot in Baltimore early Sunday when a man who had been removed from a bar came back, stood in a doorway and opened fire, the police said.

They said three women and two men received non-life-threatening wounds in the incident, which occurred about 1 a.m. The incident occurred near Baltimores Brooklyn neighborhood, south of the Harbor Tunnel Thruway and east of the Patapsco River.

Police said the shooting followed a dispute at an establishment they identified as the Maynard Bar on Hanover Street. A man was removed by security before the gunfire broke out, police said.

They said they were trying to find the assailant.
Anyone would have found the sight unusual. It was early Saturday morning, at a major highway intersection in Maryland. A pickup truck was resting on its roof. Nobody was in it. Strewn about were all sorts of power tools and farming implements, the state police said.

The items included chain and circular saws, nail guns, a sander and an air compressor, among other pieces of equipment, according to the state police.

It made for an uncommon sight, and after investigation, state police said they had determined what it was: the aftermath of a theft and a burglary on the Eastern Shore.

The truck had been stolen from an owner in St. Michaels, Md., the state police said in a statement issued over the weekend. They also said the mans garage had been burglarized. Police said the owner told them that the tools came from the truck and from the garage., about 80 miles from where they were found.

State police became involved about 2:45 a.m. Saturday, when a trooper tried to stop a pickup truck for an alleged speed violation, police said. It was not known how fast the truck was going. The vehicle was described by police as a white 1996 Dodge Ram.

The attempt to stop the truck occurred on Route 10 at Route 170 in Anne Arundel County. After getting out of his patrol car, the trooper approached the pickup.

But it sped off, the police said.

The trooper ran back to his car, and a chase was on.

The truck continued north on Route 10, and then turned onto Interstate 695, the police said. From 695, the driver of the truck tried to use the ramp leading to northbound Route 295, which is in the Linthicum area.

But, according to police, the truck swerved as it made its approach, and struck a guardrail. It flipped over, police said, turned upside down and came to rest on its roof.

The tools were thrown from the vehicle, police said.

Two people left the truck, police said. Splitting up, they fled in different directions, the police said.

Police said two people were taken into custody a short distance from the scene. Both were examined at medical facilities, and both were released, police said. They were taken to the Glen Burnie state police barrack, to be processed, according to police.

On Saturday police said Aaron Logan Jordan, 27, of Easton, Md and Daniel Dylan Hicks, 23, of St. Michaels, Md. were arrested. They were charged with second degree burglary and with theft, police said.

According to police, at the hour on time Saturday morning when the owners truck rested on its roof in Anne Arundel, with his tools strewn nearby, the man knew nothing of what had happened. He had not realized his possessions were gone, the police said.
A U.S. citizen born in Iran whose federal prosecution helped expose the secret, decades-long collection of Americans outbound overseas calls was sentenced Monday to one year in prison for violating a U.S. ban on exports to Iran.

Shantia Hassanshahi, 61, pleaded guilty Sept. 14 in federal court in Washington to one count of unlawfully conspiring to ship $1 million worth of electromechanical relay devices to protect Irans civilian power grid.

Hassanshahis attorneys, John P. Pierce of Washington and Saied Kashani of Los Angeles, sought a sentence of time served  64 days in jail and 37 months under strict supervision  saying Hassanshahis crime involved purely nonmilitary and non-nuclear electrical equipment. They said that by pleading guilty, Hassanshahi did the U.S. government a favor, sparing it the risk that an appeals court might someday throw out not only his case but also other convictions that prosecutors won using the secret database of billions of calls.

I accept full responsibility for my part in the conspiracy, and I am truly sorry for my conduct, said Hassanshahi, a California businessman who immigrated in 1976. I have tried to contribute to this country in every way I could.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras said that the Iranian trade embargo was a pillar of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and that one of the most immediate ways to erode a regimes legitimacy with its public is to disrupt power supplies. This offense is serious, the judge said. A significant sentence is necessary to deter others who may be tempted by this lucrative trade.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick W. Yette had sought a three-year prison sentence, less than recommended under federal guidelines but in line with similar cases since a 2015 deal with Iran that lifted most sanctions in exchange for Irans mothballing its nuclear program.

[Assessing the Iran nuclear deal one year after it was reached]

Hassanshahi was arrested in 2013 in Los Angeles after agents said they used the database to link his phone to a call made to Iran. Hassanshahi admitted using his company, Hasston Inc., to purchase devices from a Canadian manufacturer and to ship them for end users in Iran.

[U.S. kept secret law enforcement database of Americans calls overseas until 2013]

Under Contrerass order, a Drug Enforcement Administration official submitted an affidavit in the case in 2015 acknowledging that until 2013 U.S. law enforcement periodically asked U.S. telecommunications service providers, which were not identified, for phone metadata  but not the actual conversations  on outbound overseas calls to a list of countries that also were not identified.

Civil liberties groups called the database a disturbing overreach of a 1988 anti-drugs law. They said authorities used a statute designed to allow limited subpoenas for information about drug trafficking and money laundering to carry out bulk collection of records about Americans calls overseas for more than 20 years, share such information with other government agencies, and investigate non-drug-related crimes.

The result was the first known effort to gather data on Americans in bulk without a warrant, a model for the massive terrorist phone surveillance effort the National Security Agency launched after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, although the Justice Department version was run with less oversight from Congress and the inspector general for the Justice Department.

The Justice Department said the system was ultimately terminated after September 2013, a few months after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden disclosed the NSAs more-sweeping collection efforts, triggering a national debate about the scope of government surveillance.
Lewis and Clark County is one of five awardees in the nation of a community wildfire planning grant program.

The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program offers technical support, bringing in a team of consultants to collaborate with local officials on land-use planning, firefighting capacity, forestry and wildfire risk-mapping. The program is provided by Bozeman-based Headwaters Economics in partnership with national consultants Wildfire Planning International.

The grant will help county officials as they look at future growth and reflect on wildfires such as the 2012 Corral fire, which threatened the western Helena Valley, said George Thebarge, director of Lewis and Clark County Community Development and Planning. As the county recently updated its growth policy, rural fire protection was seen as a key constraint.

What we see here is an opportunity to bring in some national experts, that along with the local firefighting community will try to explore the existing situation in terms of what is being done as well as what other communities across the West are trying, he said.

With bountiful forests around Helena and throughout the county, the potential for wildfire in the wildland urban interface is a reality for many residents. Fuel loading and climate change are two major concerns, Thebarge said, leading to local education for homeowners and regulations on development.

The existing fire community is very well organized and focused on fuel mitigation, clearing defensible space around homes and coordinating with other agencies to assist on fires, he said. Outside experts will help ask if the current resources will suffice in the future.

Pat McKelvey with Tri-County FireSafe Group agreed that the local wildfire emphasis has largely focused on education and mitigation. As homes continue to be built in the wildland urban interface, working with the planning-grant experts may help with clearer risk identification, firefighting capacity or potential regulations, although exact topics would still be determined, he said.

Thebarge noted that everything is on the table, including examining current development regulations and potential for new regulations.

Were hoping this project will help us do a more effective job but were also hoping the lessons learned here will be translated across the state and across the nation, he said.

An exciting aspect of winning the grant will be communicating with one of the other recipients, Park County, Montana, he said.

Along with the two Montana counties, Ashland, Oregon, Bemidji, Minnesota, Chelan County, Washington. and Huerfano County, Colorado, also received 2017 grants. Missoula County was among the 2016 recipients.

The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program came out of conversations with the U.S. Forest Service about a need for wildfire land-use planning, said Kimiko Barrett, project lead with Headwater Economics.

In 2014, Headwaters and Wildfire Planning International worked in Summit County, Colorado, using private funding. After finding success there, it has returned the past three years in multiple counties and cities with a mix of federal and private grant dollars.

The program builds towards more fire adaptive communities using a proactive approach of risk analysis and planning. Technical experts will develop a list of recommendations with follow up assistance to facilitate them, but communities are under no obligation.

Each place is different and what sets this process apart for others is that this process works on a local scale with community stakeholders -- its not a one-size-fits-all approach, Barrett said. Its a bottom-up approach and were by no means coming in and telling communities what to do.

The grant comes strictly via the cost of the experts, she said -- a value of up to $150,000.

Work in Lewis and Clark, Park and Missoula counties also opens up the opportunity for comparative studies across Montana of wildfire in land use planning, Barrett said.
Two years after the District made it harder for private employers to reject job applicants with criminal histories, the D.C. Council wants to put similar restrictions on landlords, barring them from automatically denying housing to ex-offenders whose conviction records date back more than seven years.

The legislation, given initial approval by the council Tuesday night, also would prohibit rental-property owners from summarily rejecting prospective tenants who have more recent criminal backgrounds.

In those cases, often involving newly released prisoners, landlords would have to base decisions on guidelines that are included in the statute. And housing applicants who think they have been illegally turned down could appeal to the citys Office of Human Rights, possibly resulting in financial penalties for property owners.

At a time of growing gentrification in Washington, supporters said, the bill is partly intended to help reduce recidivism by making it easier for ex-offenders to find places to live in an increasingly tight and expensive rental market.

Finding affordable housing is a challenge for everyone in the District, and even more so for returning citizens, said council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), a co-sponsor of the legislation, which is set for a final council vote this month.

D.C. Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5) is a co-sponsor of the housing legislation. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

About 60,000 people in the District, or nearly 10 percent of the population, have criminal records, according to a council report, and roughly 8,000 residents are freed from incarceration annually. This bill levels the playing field so they have a chance to compete for an already scarce resource, McDuffie said.

The employment law, enacted in 2014, has the same goal of easing the transition of convicted criminals into normal society. Most private employers and the District government are barred from inquiring into a job applicants possible criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Then, if it turns out the applicant has a conviction record, the job offer can be withdrawn only for legitimate business reasons, based on a half-dozen factors specified in the legislation. The statute  commonly called ban the box, for the box on a job application that asks about a criminal record  prohibits employers from considering or even inquiring about criminal charges that did not lead to convictions.

The proposed housing law, which has a similar framework, is unique in the Washington area, the council report says. But it resembles statutes in several jurisdictions across the country, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The councils judiciary committee approved the legislation this month despite opposition from the D.C. Association of Realtors, which represents nearly 2,700 real estate professionals in Washington, including rental-property managers.

In written comments to the committee, the association said the law would be costly, cumbersome and confusing for landlords to implement. Violations could result in fines of up to $5,000, depending on the circumstances.

The group said it understands successful reentry for the Districts returning residents has been a serious problem for many years. However, while we entirely support the intent of the legislation, it is critical for our Association to make sure the rental community is abundantly clear on their obligations . . . and does not run into dangerous liability situations in which they were trying to act in a fair and reasonable manner.

Like the employment law, the housing bill would forbid consideration of criminal allegations that did not result in convictions.

Many individuals with . . . arrest records but no convictions face hardships in securing housing, the council report says.

Moreover, it adds, African Americans and Hispanics are arrested, convicted and incarcerated at disproportionate rates compared to their share of the U.S. population, and as a result, housing procedures that utilize criminal records in the application process likely disproportionately negatively impact home-seekers of color.

The bill would not apply to the D.C. Housing Authority, which operates several dozen public housing complexes and is governed by federal rules concerning tenant applications. It also exempts landlords who reside in their buildings and have fewer than four rental units, such as a homeowner with boarders or a basement tenant.

Otherwise, the law would be applicable throughout the Districts rental market, McDuffies office said, including at privately owned apartment complexes for low-income tenants who receive government rent subsidies.

Initially, when reviewing a rental application, a landlord would not be allowed to ask about the prospective tenants possible criminal history or do a criminal-background check. Those issues would come up only later, if the property owner, based on all other information, gives the applicant conditional approval.

After that, the landlord could inquire into criminal history. If the applicant has a conviction that is more than seven years old, it would not have to be disclosed, regardless of what type of crime was committed, and the property owner could not legally use it as a basis for rescinding the rental approval.

As for apartment-seekers with more recent convictions or pending charges, the bill specifies 45 offenses that might be disqualifying, in the categories of homicide, burglary, assault (including sexual assault), arson, prostitution, fraud, kidnapping, robbery and crimes involving terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

However, to legally reject a rental application based on those crimes, a landlord would have to fairly determine that the withdrawal achieves a substantial, legitimate and nondiscriminatory interest, the bill says. The legislation lists factors that the property owner would have to consider in making that decision.

The rejected applicant could then appeal to the Office of Human Rights, which would investigate and possibly mediate the dispute or impose penalties.
Dominion Virginia Power is offering to pay the costs of connecting residents who live near its Possum Point power plant to Prince William Countys public water system, after tests in nearby wells showed elevated levels of nickel, boron and other contaminants.

The utility, which has been working to rid the power station of coal ash pollution inside five retention ponds, plans to meet with county officials this week about the offer, company spokesman Robert Richardson said Monday.

Richardson said Dominion sent letters last week to 35 properties along the edge of the Possum Point plant that provided details about the contamination inside company-owned wells located near the retention ponds.

[Dominion wins permit to discharge treated coal-ash water into Va. creek]

Most of those residents are already connected to the county water system, he said. But between eight and 11 homes along Possum Point Road rely on their own wells for drinking water.

Richardson said the water was tested in September at the behest of the state Department of Environmental Quality, which is preparing to hold public hearings in January on an application by Dominion to seal the coal ash at Possum Point instead of carting it away.

The company has faced legal challenges to its cleanup efforts, but those efforts have gone nowhere.

Richardson said the elevated levels of contaminants inside the plants wells still fall below state standards for safe drinking water. But, he added, the company wants to erase any concerns about public safety.

We want people to feel good about their drinking water, he said.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), left, detailed his proposals to improve the Virginia Economic Development Partnership as Virginia Secretary of Commerce Todd Haymore listens at the Capitol in Richmond on Monday. (Steve Helber/AP)

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) on Monday proposed reforms for Virginias economic development arm, a move that follows a scathing government audit of the public-private agency that is central to his administrations top priority.

McAuliffe announced that he will introduce legislation in the General Assembly session that convenes next month to strengthen oversight, accountability and management of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

The legislation we are announcing today will strengthen weaknesses in the management of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and put the organization on the path to become the economic driver for our Commonwealth we know it can be, McAuliffe said in a written statement.

Presently, VEDP is run by a volunteer board that is responsible for making decisions about the organizations future, including hiring its CEO, he said. That situation can lead to a lack of accountability when difficulties arise, like those we have seen presented in a recent report by the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission.

McAuliffe said that while leaders at the agency have made some recent changes aimed at better protecting taxpayer dollars, more structural changes are needed.

In November, the legislative commission found many faults with the agency, which is funded almost entirely with taxpayer funds. Established in 1995 to boost economic development in the commonwealth, the VEDP markets Virginia to prospective businesses, promotes international trade and administers economic development grants.

VEDP is not an efficiently or effectively managed organization, the audit said. VEDP lacks many of the fundamental components of organizational management needed to operate efficiently and effectively and to coordinate well with external entities.

The audit found that the agency lacks key elements, including a deliberate strategy to meet its statutory responsibilities, adequate operational guidance for staff to carry out their job responsibilities, effective accountability mechanisms, useful performance measures, reliable data upon which to evaluate performance, and effective coordination with external partners.

One bright spot: The audit praised the VEDPs success in promoting international exports, saying its programs in that area are held in high regard. McAuliffe has played a hands-on role in that realm, leading a string of overseas trade missions to Europe, Asia and other important markets. He frequently says he is Virginias best-traveled governor.

[McAuliffe embarks on whirlwind European tour]

While the problems at the agency were not unique to the McAuliffe administration, they were an embarrassment to the governor because he has made economic development the cornerstone of his governorship.

The findings have provided Republicans with fodder to criticize the governor and the Democrat running to succeed him next year, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam.

Northam joined McAuliffe in Richmond on Monday to announce legislation intended to address the problems. One would restructure the VEDP board to increase oversight by making the states commerce secretary its chairman.

In addition to building a strategic plan and better coordinating economic development across state agencies, we need to create a culture of accountability, Northam said.

It also would give governors a majority of board appointments within the first two years of their terms and give them more flexibility in appointments by scrapping a requirement that every congressional district be represented.

Another proposed bill would require the VEDPs chief executive to work with the governor at the start of his or her term to develop a comprehensive economic development policy.

Ed Gillespie, one of Northams GOP rivals in the 2017 governors race, criticized the proposals.

The McAuliffe-Northam proposal is too little, too late, Gillespie said. Their reforms tinker around the edges of VEDP operations and fail to address the more fundamental issues with the administrations approach to economic development. And these modest changes come three years into the administration and only after an embarrassing public report. This legislative package, like most of the McAuliffe-Northam economic strategy, was designed to be a press release, not a solution.

McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy dismissed Gillespies criticism.

Empty political rhetoric and vague promises to have a plan later are not a replacement for actual leadership, Coy said. As the commission report states, VEDP has been in need of reform since it was created five governors and 21 General Assembly sessions ago. Governor McAuliffe is determined not to let another one go by without fixing it.
Laura Cantor Zelman with a display of photos of her father, Milton Cantor, a physician who served in Europe during World War II. Zelmans book is a compilation of letters Cantor wrote to his wife. (Jim Barnes/For The Washington Post)

Milton Cantor hoped to write a book someday based on the letters he sent home to his wife while he was serving as a U.S. Army doctor during World War II. The correspondence describes his wartime experiences in Britain, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia, as well as at several Army bases in the United States.

He never did get around to writing that book. After the war, he devoted himself to his medical practice and his family, which grew to include four daughters. He continued to practice medicine until his death at age 74.

This year, Cantors oldest daughter, Laura Cantor Zelman, fulfilled her fathers dream by writing and publishing In My Fathers Words: The World War II Letters of an Army Doctor, which draws from more than 500 letters he wrote to his wife, Rose, between 1941 and 1945.

Zelman and her sisters discovered the bags of letters in a closet after their mother died in 1990. She took them home and stored them until 2014, when she began to read and sort through them.

She found that, in a letter dated Jan. 7, 1942, Cantor had asked his wife to keep the letters and treat them with care, because he hoped to complete a book (in diary form) about my experiences.

Zelman, 75, of Sterling, spent the next two years on a labor of love. She pulled excerpts from the letters  which she described as a time capsule of his Army service years  and compiled them into her book, which she self-published.

On Wednesday, in a program marking the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Zelman talked about her book to a group of residents at Ashby Ponds, a senior citizens community in Ashburn. She highlighted several themes in the letters: patriotism, medicine, the Nazis and her fathers thoughts about life.

Milton Cantor was an unabashed patriot, she said. He believed that he was part of something greater than himself, doing his part to free the world from Nazi tyranny.

He also wryly acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife, who was raising their daughter alone.

I have often remarked that I have given the best years of my wife to the Army, he wrote.

Cantor provided care in a mobile evacuation hospital in Europe, where he treated and stabilized wounded soldiers until they could be evacuated. His unit also treated German prisoners of war with the same care they gave U.S. soldiers, even giving them the new wonder drug, penicillin, to treat infection, Zelman said.

Its rather ironical, when only a few hours ago, Americans and Germans were killing each other, and then lie side by side in our ambulances and wards, Cantor wrote.

Cantor, who was fluent in German, was occasionally called upon to interrogate German prisoners, even as he treated them. Some described atrocities the Nazis had committed.

Zelman said she often wondered how her father, who was Jewish, had been able to put aside his hatred of the Nazis and give the German soldiers the medical care they needed.

In the letters, Cantor described the harsh conditions his unit faced  setting up, tearing down and moving the evacuation hospital in the cold, rain and mud amid the perils of war. Zelman said she concluded that several factors helped him survive the war: camaraderie, humor, his Jewish faith community, food packages from home and his conviction that the war would soon be over.

My father was a hero to me, but he would not have viewed himself as such, Zelman said, adding that he thought of himself as an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary war. Maybe heroes are those who quietly go about doing their best under difficult circumstances.

She concluded her presentation with a quote from an October 1944 letter: A new day is dawning, Cantor wrote. It may perhaps not appear too near, yet it surely is not far off. When that day will break, it will find us hand in hand, facing people proudly. When well look into the free and happy faces of children, well think: our sacrifices were worth all this.

His four daughters were his pride and joy, Zelman said. He would probably say that his proudest achievement was that he played a small part in helping to make a better world for them.
BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO REPUBLICANS

They won a U.S. Senate seat in Louisiana. Republican John Kennedy crushed his Democratic opponent, Foster Campbell, in a runoff Saturday for the open Senate seat. Kennedy was expected to win, but Senate Republicans are not taking any victory for granted. Democrats picked up two Senate seats in November, narrowing Republicans majority in the chamber to 52 to 48, eight votes shy of a filibuster-proof supermajority. To approve Trumps more controversial nominees, repeal the Affordable Care Act or confirm a Supreme Court justice, Republicans are going to need all the help they can get.

BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO DEMOCRATS

Republicans are in an impossible situation when it comes to Trump and Russia. Evidence is piling up that Russia intervened in the U.S. presidential election to try to help Trump win, and Republicans in Congress are under pressure to do something about it  launch investigations, hold public hearings, even slap sanctions on Russia. But doing any of that sets them on a direct collision course with the president, who has repeatedly said he is going to give Russia the benefit of the doubt. A fractured Republican Party gives Democrats an opportunity to seize the narrative, on Russia and other issues.

 Amber Phillips
Connecticut

Court to rule on validity of cell tower evidence

An appeal before the Connecticut Supreme Court is contributing to the divided legal landscape nationwide surrounding the validity of cellphone tower evidence used in criminal trials.

Eugene Edwards Jr. is serving a 20-year prison sentence for robbing an 82-year-old woman in her home in Wethersfield, Conn., in 2012. Part of his appeal says the trial court judge should not have admitted evidence that his cellphone pinged, or connected with, a cell tower near the crime scene around the same time as the robbery.

The state Supreme Court is set to hear his appeal Monday.

 Associated Press

Town honors Sandy Hook anniversary with silence: Newtown, Conn., plans to mark the fourth anniversary of the Sandy Hook school massacre with 15 minutes of reflective silence. Town official Pat Llodra asked Newtown employees to refrain from all work, including answering phones, between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. The town also will lower its flags to half-staff to honor the 20 children and six educators shot to death when a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. The gunman, who had earlier killed his mother in their home, also killed himself. It is our mutual commitment that this event will never be forgotten and that we will honor those lost children and educators each and every year, Llodra wrote in a memo to town employees.

Pilot in hot-air balloon crash had drugs in system: The man piloting a hot-air balloon that crashed in Texas in July, killing him and 15 others, tested positive for opioids and had a history of drug- and alcohol-related traffic offenses, federal investigative records show. The documents released last week by the National Transportation Safety Board showed that Alfred Skip Nichols, 49, had oxycodone in his system, as well as medications for an array of conditions such as attention-deficit disorder and depression. The balloon hit a power line the morning of July 30 and plummeted in flames into a pasture near Lockhart.

 From news services
Though Helena Civic Television has agreed to provide video coverage of Montana's 2017 legislative session, a bill is being drafted that would give state officials control of the cameras in future years.

In August, the nonprofit HCTV halted its TV broadcast and online video coverage of the Capitol during the legislative interim. Although Montana law requires programming to cover each branch of government as thoroughly as possible, HCTV was not contractually obligated to provide coverage outside of the biennium. When HCTV requested $21,000 for the work it did outside of its contract, state officials offered to pay $11,000. An agreement could not be reached, and HCTV vacated its office in the Capitol.

Stephen Maly, the special projects director at HCTV, said the station signed a contract for the 2017 legislative session and resumed coverage on Nov. 14. He declined to say how the conflict was resolved, but said the contract is straightforward and will ensure coverage of the legislature is as reliable and comprehensive as in the past.

Montana law requires the provider to be a private, 501(c) nonprofit organization, which strictly limits who is eligible to bid. The bill will amend the law to say if a qualified operator is not found, the division may become the operator and operate within the existing appropriation.

Despite Legislative Services being a nonpartisan agency for the Montana Legislature, Helena Civic Television said the bill, if passed, will philosophically change how the session is covered, and worries that Legislative Services wont provide the same independent coverage that HCTV has provided since 2001.

Essentially theyre in charge of their own transparency, Kirsten Faubion, executive director at HCTV, said. I see them as part of the state of Montana, so theyre an agency within that. I dont think that makes them independent as far as operating at arms length.

Faubions definition of operating at arms length comes from a set of best practices released by the National Alliance for Public Affairs Network, a nonprofit supporting the independence of State Civic Networks. To operate free of political influence, NAPAN recommends a structure with an independent governing body.

But Susan Fox, executive director of Legislative Services, said her agency is independent and nonpartisan. Legislative Services is responsible for supervising the state-funded public affairs broadcasting program that makes sure the public is connected to state government proceedings. When the contract dispute with HCTV threatened the publics access to legislative proceedings, Fox said she decided to draft a bill to change the law.

When we were in contract negotiations this summer, we werent able to come to an agreement, Fox said. The council felt that it was in our best interest that if a qualified operator could not be found, we were able to operate ourselves.

The Legislative Services Division is also the agency that determines whether a proposal is acceptable, but Fox said the law would still prevent coverage from being influenced.

I think the statutes are pretty clear that it would be transparent, Fox said. The preferred thing is to find a qualified operator.

In addition to allowing Legislative Services to provide its own coverage, the draft bill would allow a public or private Montana institution of higher education that has a program related to video production or broadcast or a related field to bid.

Gene Rose, a NAPAN spokesperson, said each state has its own model of providing legislative coverage. He said its not unusual for a state to contract coverage to an independent agency, but some states do monitor themselves.

Having independence is ideal, but not having any proceedings is not acceptable, he said. There are very few examples of where the Legislature has tried to influence broadcast. Most legislatures allow broadcast so that the public has greater access to them.
Stan DeSerano cleans snow off his camper at his home on Coachman Drive, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Waterloo, Iowa. (Matthew Putney/The Courier via AP)

A blanket of snow will cover the Great Lakes and the Northeast ahead of an expected dip into Arctic-cold temperatures.

The wintry weather mostly moved out of the Plains on Saturday night, leaving parts of Minnesota with up to a foot of snow, and pushed into Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

Its a slap of reality after a mild November, said Dave Schmidt, a National Weather Service meteorologist in La Crosse, Wis.

The Chicago area received three to four inches of snow as of Sunday morning, and was expecting an additional three to five inches Sunday. The citys aviation website said that more than 1,200 flights had been canceled at OHare International Airport and 175 at Midway International Airport as of late Sunday morning.

Michigan could see the heaviest snowfall, up to 10 inches. It caused problems Sunday when a Delta plane with 70 passengers and crew members landed at Detroit Metropolitan Airport but then ended up in snowy grass while it was turning from the runway to a taxiway. No injuries were reported.

To the east, Cleveland could receive up to six inches of snow, while parts of Vermont could get up to a foot.

The Ohio River Valley and Mid-Atlantic region will have a mix of snow, freezing rain and rain.

For the rest of the day, the best advice is just to stay off the road if you can, and otherwise go slow and give yourself more time to reach your destination, National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Steinwedel said. If you dont have to drive or go somewhere, stay home.

Temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below average will follow the cold rain and snow in the coming days through much of the Midwest and the East.
TURKEY

Police arrest 235 after weekend twin bombing

Turkish authorities arrested more than 200 people Monday after suicide bombings near an Istanbul stadium that killed 44 people. The arrests primarily targeted members of a Kurdish political party that already was a focus of a broader crackdown.

The Saturday twin bombing was the deadliest to hit Istanbul this year.

Authorities blamed the carnage on the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. A shadowy offshoot of the movement, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the state, asserted responsibility for the attack.

Turkey is locked in conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast. It is also militarily active across the border in Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile, Turkeys security forces and courts remain preoccupied with purging state institutions of the supporters of an exiled Islamist cleric whom Ankara accuses of staging a coup attempt in July.

Turkeys Interior Ministry on Monday announced the detention of more than 235 people across 11 cities. The statement alleged that those detained were affiliated with the PKK and with a Kurdish umbrella organization.

It did not clarify whether the detainees were suspected of direct involvement in the twin bombing.

 Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS

Guterres sworn in

as secretary general

Former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres was sworn in Monday as secretary general of the United Nations, becoming the ninth U.N. chief in the bodys 71-year history. He takes over from Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 1.

After his swearing-in, Guterres addressed the member nations, saying the world body must work to simplify, decentralize and make more flexible its sprawling bureaucracy.

Guterres also said he would send a clear signal that gender parity from top to bottom within the organization would be among his first priorities.

The swearing-in came after the 193 General Assembly members paid tribute to Ban, ending with a standing ovation for the native South Korean.

 Associated Press

France detains 11 in Bastille Day truck attack: French police have detained 11 people suspected of providing logistical support, including arms, to the Tunisian who drove his 19-ton truck into a crowd of revelers in Nice on Bastille Day, killing 86. A judicial official said that 10 of the arrests were made in the southeastern city and that an 11th suspect was arrested in Nantes, in western France. More than a dozen people have previously been arrested.

Cyclone kills at least 2, forces evacuations in India: A cyclone slammed into Indias southeastern coast, killing at least two people and causing authorities to evacuate more than 15,000 people from low-lying areas. Schools and offices were closed, and authorities were on alert in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states. The head of the meteorological department said Cyclone Vardah had made landfall with heavy rain and winds of up to 75 mph.

2 sentenced in Britain in terror case: Two men who provided cash to a key terrorism suspect have received prison sentences in Britain. Mohammed Ali Ahmed was sentenced to eight years in prison and Zakaria Boufassil to three. They gave $3,700 to Mohamed Abrini last year. Abrini is the man in the hat caught on video shortly before the deadly March bombings at the Brussels airport. He also is a suspect in the November 2015 Paris attacks. He is in custody in Belgium.

 From news services
History suggests the MGM National Harbor casino will reap a bonanza simply from clientele in Northern Virginia [With MGM opening, is gambling glut in cards? front page, Dec. 8]. In the 1950s, slot-machine casinos had a prosperous run along the Virginia side of the Potomac River thanks to their legality in Maryland and Marylands ownership of the river up to the low-water mark on the Virginia shore. Northern Virginia sanctioned neither gambling nor publicly serving hard liquor. Casino entrepreneurs brought these enticements closer, building piers from the Virginia river bank out into Maryland territory and housing on them hundreds of slot machines, bars, lounges and restaurants.

Maryland counties happily licensed the Virginia operations for the revenue they brought. A summer weekend could see 20,000 players jammed onto the floors of the Reno, Monte Carlo and Jackpot casinos. They waited in lines up to six deep to toss their coins. The Virginia operations ceased when Maryland, under pressure from its neighbor, passed a law revoking licenses for gambling houses not reachable by foot from the Old Line State.

Other diversions available today may dampen enthusiasm for the MGM. And Virginia bars and restaurants commonly serve hard liquor. Still, its hard to match the energy of a casino. In the 1950s, Northern Virginians could drink and play poker with their pals at home, but if they wanted more action, they headed to the river.

Allen Blakey, Bethesda
Last week, two top leaders of the Syrian civilian opposition quietly visited Washington to meet with lawmakers and experts with connections to the Trump transition team. Their mission was as simple as it was urgent: to convince Donald Trump that he needs Syrias rebels as much as they need him.

Before the election, Trump often railed against the U.S.-backed resistance to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, suggesting the United States did not understand its true nature and questioning whether the success of the Syrian revolution would be better than the preservation of the Assad regime. Trump pledged to join with Moscow to fight the terrorists without defining who they were. He even declared that the city of Aleppo had fallen although rebels and civilians there are still fighting for survival.

The aim of opposition leaders is to convince the next president that the Syrian civil war, and the threat it poses to vital U.S. interests, cannot be ended without their collaboration. In an interview, they told me that they want to help the Trump administration work with Russia and against the terrorists.

Our message to him is this: The opposition that he describes, that he does not know, is the Syrian nation, is the Syrian civilization, said Jawad Abu Hatab, prime minister of the opposition Syrian Interim Government. He should make an effort to know us more.

The interim government is one branch of the Syrian opposition leadership. It is located inside Syria and has links to civilian councils in rebel-controlled areas. If the Trump administration is serious about taking territory from the Islamic State in northern and western Syria, these political bodies will be needed to help stabilize and govern those areas after the war.

The Sunni Arab troops who are fighting the Islamic State in northern Syria are also connected to the civilian opposition. Thousands of them are part of a Turkish government-organized mission called Euphrates Shield, which has taken large amounts of territory from the terrorists. Unless he wants to depend on Syrian Kurds, whom Turkey considers terrorists and enemies, these are the Syrian troops Trump will need to capture the Islamic States capital of Raqqa.

Abdul Ilah Fahad, secretary general of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, told me that the Syrian opposition has no problem with Trumps plan to work with Russia in Syria. In fact, he said, the opposition has already been meeting with the Russian government, without the Obama administration in the room. Turkish-supervised negotiations in Ankara for a cease-fire in Aleppo broke down last week, he told me.

Though they have brutally assaulted the opposition-held side of Aleppo, the Russians are deeply involved in Syria and therefore must be part of any negotiation or solution going forward, Fahad said. But he said Trump must distinguish between working with Russia and helping Iran.

Russian and Iranian interests are not the same in Syria, Fahad pointed out. The Russian government has told Syrian opposition leaders it is less wedded than Iran to the idea of keeping Assad in power. Working with Russia while isolating Iran would also benefit Americas allies in the region, including Israel and the Gulf Arab states, he said.

It is good that Trump works with Russia. There must be some sort of U.S.-Russian understanding to solve the issues in the Middle East but without Bashar Assad as a partner, Fahad said. If Trump does partner up with Assad, that would directly empower Iran in a major way.

The Syrian opposition feels betrayed by the Obama administration. Despite years of work to build ties, those representing the opposition are convinced that President Obama overpromised and underdelivered. The change of government in Washington gives them a chance for a reset but also carries risks.

Trump might decide to ignore the main opposition groups and turn to a small segment of the opposition that Moscow favors. But those figures have no credibility on the ground, and any deal struck with them could never be implemented.

The authentic, non-extremist opposition has some allies in the Trump administration. Incoming national security adviser Michael T. Flynn wants to work with Russia but also with Sunni Arab opposition groups and Turkey. Incoming CIA director Mike Pompeo has consistently advocated working with Syrian rebels to both fight terrorists and put pressure on Assad.

The Syrian opposition has a chance to convince the incoming president that working with them is in the United States national security interest. And if Trump rejects them? Hatab and Fahad say they and the Syrian people they represent will keep on resisting, just without the United States on their side.

Read more from Josh Roginss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Donald Trump is about to lead the West into the third and darkest phase of its 15-year quest to neutralize the threat of Islamic extremism. The first was George W. Bushs freedom initiative, which posited that political liberalization in the Middle Easts rotting autocracies would dry up terrorist recruiting. The second was the engagement policy of Barack Obama, who bet that respectful dialogue and attention to Muslim demands for justice  above all for the Palestinians  would make the West a less compelling target.

Both were widely judged to be failures. Now the new president will embrace the approach that both Bush and Obama explicitly ruled out as morally wrong and practically counterproductive: civilizational conflict.

The outlines of what might well be called the Trump crusade are easily located in the rhetoric of Stephen K. Bannon, Michael T. Flynn, Jeff Sessions and other Trump appointees. They describe a long history of the Judeo-Christian West struggle against Islam, as Bannon put it, or a world war against a messianic mass movement of evil people, as Flynn, the incoming national security adviser, has written.

Bush and Obama were careful to distinguish the terrorists of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State from Islam itself, which they described as a great religion worthy of respect. Not Flynn. Islam, he has said, is a cancer, a political movement masquerading as a religion and the product of an inferior culture. I dont believe that all cultures are morally equivalent, and I think the West, and especially America, is far more civilized, far more ethical and moral, he argued in a book published this year.

What might this mean in practice? On the battlefields of the Middle East, very little. Trumps team is certain to continue the ongoing offensives against the Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Given that they appear to be slowly succeeding, Flynn and incoming defense secretary James N. Mattis are unlikely to alter Obamas approach of backing local forces rather than committing large numbers of U.S. troops. The new administration will look for showy ways to challenge Iran, but it is unlikely to do so in the place where it would matter most: Syria.

President-elect Donald Trump named retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn his national security adviser on Nov. 18, but Flynn has a history of making incendiary and Islamophobic statements that have drawn criticism from his military peers. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

Trumps civilizational conflict will be experienced not by Shiite militias or Sunni terrorists  who will surely welcome it  but by average citizens across the Muslim world. They will see it in the extreme vetting, if not an outright ban, they will be subjected to in seeking to enter the United States. And they will feel it in the ramping up of U.S. support for dictators and monarchs who are judged by Trump to be tactical allies in the civilizational war.

First among these will be Egypts Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, who has been lionized by Trump and his aides for supposedly battling jihadists while seeking the reform of Islam. In three years of the harshest rule his country has known in at least half a century, Sissi has wrecked the economy and all but destroyed a once-vibrant secular civil society. Yet the increasingly unpopular dictator is quickly emerging as the foremost Trump ally in the region, already invited for the White House visit that Obama denied him.

Other autocratic regimes may quietly fall in behind Trumps strategy, despite its anti-Islamic cast. Saudi Arabia and other monarchies will welcome heightened U.S. hostility to Iran as well as to the Muslim Brotherhood; Bahrain, the base for the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf, quickly signaled its obeisance by staging a national day celebration in Trumps new Pennsylvania Avenue hotel.

Europeans, too, will follow along. Rightist governments in Hungary and Poland are already cheering Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric; the more moderate of the two leading candidates to become Frances next president, Francois Fillon, authored a book titled Conquering Islamic Totalitarianism. Even Germanys Angela Merkel, the most prominent remaining defender of liberal democratic values, felt obliged to strike an anti-Islamic pose last week, proposing a crackdown on the minuscule number of German women who wear a burqa.

Its not hard to foresee the consequences of this movement. Muslims who despise jihadists and long to modernize their countries with free markets and democratic institutions will be alienated from their potential Western partners. The Islamic State and al-Qaeda, which all along have promoted the idea of civilizational war with the West, will gain new recruits, both in the Middle East and among Western Muslims. Sissis regime will eventually crumble from corruption and incompetence, if it avoids a popular rebellion.

Bush and Obama tried to transform the Muslim Middle East, or U.S. relations with it, and failed. Trumps aim will be to quarantine and repress the region and its religion. The worst foreseeable outcome is that he will succeed.

Read more from Jackson Diehls archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
MISSOULA -- Dave Keehner addressed his wifes killer directly in court on Monday morning, his voice wavering between anger and sadness.

He looked directly at Scott Austin Price, who was about to be sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for murdering 56-year-old Lonette Keehner last Dec. 21 in a Missoula motel room.

In just nine days it will be one year since Lonette took her final breath in life,'' Dave Keehner said. Lonette had all the Christmas decorations out and our home had the holiday look. It was her favorite time of year. But before the day is over, she is dead, lying in a pool of blood.

Keehner said he has been trying to control his anger over what happened to his wife.

The manner in which she lost her life, what must have been her final thoughts when you stabbed her over and over and over, those last few seconds of life, what a horrible way to die, Keehner said.

"Never again will the family get to enjoy the holidays with Lonette. You had the car keys and could have left. But no. You had to murder her just in a very violent way just like you did to the elderly man in Miles City the week before.

"Hopefully you will get life in prison, but this will never end the pain and suffering our family is going through. But hopefully tomorrow will be a little easier than today. And this year for Christmas we will think of all the lovely memories that Lonette has left us with. 

In handing down a life sentence without parole a few moments later, Missoula County District Court Judge Robert Dusty Deschamps told Price, 38, that he was a "bad, evil man'' who appeared to show no remorse during the emotional testimony of Lonette Keehners family members.

Youre sitting there as cold and cool as anybody Ive ever seen, Deschamps said. I heard what people were saying to you, and Im not sure you really do regret this. Im not convinced that youre not proud of yourself for your accomplishments and that youll do just fine in prison. Youve spent most of your life there and you have 10 felonies under your belt.''

Price and his accomplice, Sarah Rae McKnight, both pleaded guilty to five felonies earlier this year, including deliberate homicide. They admitted to police that they were high on meth when they found Keehner in the Super 8 motel where she worked. Price attacked Keehner, forcing her into a bathtub and stabbing her even after she handed over her car keys.

They were arrested in Idaho shortly after. In early December, Price was given another life sentence for murdering his 78-year-old landlord, Ed Martin, in Miles City the week before Keehners death.

On Monday, Deschamps also handed down a pair of consecutive life sentences to McKnight, but left open the possibility of parole, meaning she could be eligible to be released in 60 years. Her lawyer argued that she suffered from severe mental health problems and drug addiction.

Price and McKnight pleaded guilty to all of their charges earlier this year without any agreement from prosecutors, leaving Deschamps authority to sentence them however he chose. Since May, McKnight has been at the Montana State Womens Prison, where she is serving a sentence for a 2014 burglary from Powell County.

Before the sentencing, Missoula police detective Jamie Merifield testified that McKnight told her that she believed Price had killed Keehner because she was an Indian. Price has white supremacist ties, including swastika tattoos.

Merifield also said she found notes in the couples Idaho motel room written by McKnight referring to herself as an Aryan Queen and referring to them both as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde.

Merifield testified that the couple had spent all their money on gambling and drugs, and they had slept in a car in Missoula for the two nights before Keehner was killed. She also said that they both had been using massive amounts of meth. The couple had duct tape and zip ties, and had planned on kidnapping someone and forcing them to withdraw money at a cash machine.

They did not like the car they had purchased, because it kept getting stuck in the snow, Merifield said.

Price showed little emotion when he was allowed to address the court.

I would do anything to make it right, he said. It wasnt a hate crime. It had nothing to do with her being Native. It was just a meth-fueled, bad deal. I apologize and I also agree that I should probably have a life sentence with no possibility of parole. Im not disputing any of that.

McKnight also apologized, saying that her life had come crashing down around her in the weeks before Price picked her up in Great Falls.

Lonelle Lytle, Keehners twin sister, broke down in tears as she addressed Price and McKnight.

You had no reason to kill my twin sister Lonette, she said. It was a senseless and selfish act.

"I struggle with Lonette being gone every day,'' Lytle said. Ive gone through the various stages of grief. She did not deserve to be taken away in such a brutal and heartless manner. Lonette was loved and respected by her family, friends and coworkers. She was taken away -- a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother.

Lytle said one day she will forgive her sister's killers because she refuses to hold on to the anger and hate they caused.

Your intentions were to kidnap, harm and kill and get what you wanted, she said. Was it really worth it? I hope you never go a day without forgetting why you dont have your freedom. The people that you have harmed never did anything to you.

Nash Sangsland, one of Keehners daughters, first addressed McKnight.

You deserve to lie in the bed you have made for the hearts you have broken, she said. You are a mouse in the shadow of such despicable acts and know you deserve the loneliness and sadness you feel.

She then turned to Price.

You are so despicable, she said. I can hardly stand to be in your presence. You have utter disregard for human life. You stole a woman from this planet with your selfish intentions. Lonette was a wonderful woman with a heart and a soul that I had the privilege of calling my mother and the grandmother to my son. She taught me strength and love like I have never experienced. She taught me that darkness also existed, and always tried to draw me into safety and happiness. I know that darkness exists inside of you.

Sangsland went on to say that both Price and McKnight will think about the damage they caused for the rest of their lives.

I pity the reality that you face everyday: The mirror you looked in while you were a nobody, and now the mirror you look in as a killer, she told Price. Its the empty spaces like you that never consider the empty spaces you leave behind.

Jayden Sangsland, Keehners 10-year-old grandson, addressed his grandmothers killer directly.

Sometimes, I feel like you are a broken soul inside of your heart, he said. You brought sadness to others and affected a lot of people. You have hurt my grandmother and you made my Grandpa really sad and my great aunt really sad. You deserve to be in jail for life.

Nicole Walksalong, Keehners daughter, said explaining what happened to her four children was the hardest thing shes ever done.

I had to explain that there are evil people in this world, she said. The day of the funeral, my 6-year-old daughter laid her head on my mothers arm, and rubbed her arm. As parents, thats a great feeling. But that was the last interaction my daughter had with her grandmother. You are empty people. You are evil.

Walksalong said despite them being responsible for her mothers murder, she has found a way to forgive Price and McKnight.

I forgive you guys, she said. I have to forgive you for my children, my husband and myself. I cannot live with anger in my heart like you live with anger in your heart.

Susan Ledger, the Missoula woman who was stabbed by Price in a botched attempt to steal her car in a grocery store parking lot before he killed Keehner, also testified.

I am the lucky one, Ledger said. I survived your attempts to kill me. My family did not have to plan a funeral or figure out how to live without me or have their lives forever changed.

Before McKnight was sentenced, a clinical/forensic psychologist testified that she exhibited bipolar disorder symptoms and extensive drug addiction.

A presentence report prepared by a probation officer recommended two consecutive life sentences for McKnight. Deputy County Attorney Jason Marks asked for the judge to impose that, but wanted the sentences to also be without the possibility of parole.

I certainly do not think a lesser sentence would be appropriate, he said, adding that despite the drug use, she had been responsible for her actions. Ms. McKnight could say no when she wanted to. This isnt a helpless woman under the thrall of an evil man.

McKnights lawyer, Lisa Kauffman, asked for an exception to mandatory minimum sentencing laws for McKnight due to her impaired mental state and drug use, and requested a 40-year sentence with 30 years suspended in the Department of Corrections. That sentence, Kauffman said, would allow McKnight to receive drug and mental health treatment she wouldnt have access to at the prison, and serve the interest of justice and fairness.

Kauffman pushed back against the idea of a life sentence, saying the country shouldnt be in the practice of warehousing people in cages like animals and that a criminal sentence shouldnt be given out of revenge.

Your client maybe picked a bad country to commit her crime in, Deschamps answered, suggesting that McKnight should move to Canada where maximum sentences are more lenient.

In answer to a question from Kauffman, Deschamps said he wasnt taking connections between McKnight and the white supremacy movement into account in his sentence.

Your role in this was definitely not minor, Deschamps told McKnight.

Both McKnight and Price were also given 356 days of credit for time already served in custody, and must repay $4,214 in restitution to the victims.
Any reporter whos written about the federal budget knows that theres a surefire solution to every problem. Its called fraud, waste and abuse. You want to end budget deficits? Just eliminate all the fraud, waste and abuse in the $4 trillion budget. The same is true for cutting taxes or raising spending. Attacking fraud and waste is virtuous and dispenses with the hard political work of making unpopular choices.

Its a fantasy, of course. There isnt enough fraud, waste and abuse  or we cant get at it  to evade the difficult choices. But we cling to the mythology because it makes us seem responsible and reduces the budget problem to purging sloth and policing misdeeds.

I was reminded of this last week when The Post published a fascinating front-page story headlined Pentagon hid study revealing $125 billion in waste. The article, meticulously reported by Bob Woodward and Craig Whitlock, disclosed that a Defense Department study had found that the Pentagon was spending almost a quarter of its $580 billion budget on overhead and core business operations such as accounting, human resources, logistics and property management.

These jobs need doing, but it seems that the generals are being overwhelmed by accountants and property managers. If we could squeeze $125 billion out of the Pentagons annual budget, thered be plenty of money to spend on true military needs. Indeed, the report asserts that the savings could cover the costs for 50 Army brigades. It sounds straightforward.

It isnt. On inspection, it turns out that the estimated savings of $125 billon are spread over five years, from fiscal 2016 to 2020. This changes the numbers dramatically. Instead of annual savings of 22 percent of the defense budget ($125 billion out of $580 billion), the plausible cuts are closer to 4 percent ($125 billion out of the roughly $3 trillion projected in defense spending from now until 2020).

The Pentagon has buried an internal study that exposed $125 billion in administrative waste, according to findings by The Washington Post. (Victoria Walker/The Washington Post)

The confusion over whether the estimated savings apply to one year or five is the weak spot in an otherwise excellent piece of reporting. Whitlock and Woodward do say that the savings occur over five years, but they dont emphasize the point. Moreover, there are mixed messages. Much of their discussion of costs focuses on the annual budget. A prominent graphic shows the annual defense budget and then claims that the Pentagon report identified a way to save $125 billion.

What would a reasonable reader conclude from the muddled evidence? By reasonable, I mean curious and intelligent readers who are not experts and are somewhat casual in their reading. These people, I think, might get the wrong idea. Theyd come away thinking that the potential annual savings are enormous and that reducing waste would ensure an adequate military.

Of course, we should do everything possible to reduce waste, and the incoming Trump administration should take a second look at the report. But some outside budget experts are unimpressed. Its a somewhat speculative study, says Michael OHanlon of the Brookings Institution. The targets for savings are more back-of-the-envelope calculations than detailed road maps for change.

Some waste reflects complexity. A few years ago, the Army tried to replace its Bradley Fighting Vehicle; it abandoned the project as too complicated, after spending $18 billion, recalls Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The new study complains that the Pentagon has more than 700,000 civilian and contract workers to support 1.3 million active-duty troops. But these workers, says Harrison, are often the cheapest way to get a job done.

Like OHanlon, Harrison doubts that the studys full savings can be achieved. Many proposals would founder on congressional opposition and management practicality. Can you do the same work with fewer people? he asks. If so, who should be cut? The study doesnt answer that.

These questions are obviously more than academic. The Pentagon says it needs more spending than the existing budget ceilings allow. Some experts agree. OHanlon argues that defense spending should increase by nearly $50 billion annually over existing levels. How should we respond to the various threats: terrorism, cyberwarfare, Russia, China?

Whatever the answer, we shouldnt fool ourselves into thinking that the contradiction can be resolved by eliminating vast amounts of waste. If we wish to reduce defense spending, we have to cut the militarys size and capabilities. If we wish to expand the military, we need to pay for it.

The underlying struggle pits the Pentagon against the welfare state. Over the decades, national priorities have shifted dramatically. As late as 1990, defense spending constituted 24 percent of the federal budget and 5 percent of the economy (gross domestic product). In 2015, defense was 16 percent of the budget and 3 percent of GDP  and these figures were declining. This is one war the Pentagon is clearly losing.

Read more from Robert Samuelsons archive.
The Dec. 8 Metro article Hogan 5-day plan sets up possible clash over sick leave in Md. reported that Democratic legislators in Maryland likely will have a standoff with Gov. Larry Hogan (R) over his proposed sick-leave plan. Why would the Democrats prefer a standoff to working together?

Since 1969, except for the four years from 2004 to 2007, Maryland had Democratic governors until Mr. Hogan was elected in 2015. In all those years with Democratic governors and Democratic- controlled legislatures, there was no such sick-leave bill passed for employees. Now that a Republican attempts to give employees more rights and benefits, Democrats response is to oppose it because the proposal is not what the Democrats favor.

They should negotiate a compromise for the betterment of Maryland. Why go into aggressive attack mode and a standoff? Our legislators should be civil and end the automatic, divisive responses, for the sake of Maryland citizens and, indeed, for the whole country.

Ronald Sheinson, Silver Spring
The grand opening party for the MGM Casino in the National Harbor on Dec. 8. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Regarding the Dec. 9 Metro article MGM resort starts a new era:

I suppose that the casino is . . . a point of progress and pride for [some] county residents who have long complained of being snubbed. But to Prince Georges County residents who live downstream from this behemoth, it is a traffic, environmental and civic nightmare. It will clog our only, already-crowded route north; send its megatons of sewage down the river to an already-overtaxed treatment plant to overflow into Piscataway Bay, where tundra swans winter; and attract the crime that goes hand in hand with gambling while diverting a large chunk of our police force from responding to our community needs. Our community associations opposed it.

Gee, thanks, County Executive Rushern L. Baker III. Keep playing that $1.4 billion fiddle while Rome burns.

Katie Fisher, Accokeek, Md.
The arrest in Washington of the Pizzagate shooter  the North Carolina man who stormed the Comet Ping Pong restaurant in the District in hopes of exposing a child-abuse cabal that fortunately didnt exist  has put fake news near the top of things to panic about in the strange new age of Donald Trump. Fake news is the name many journalists now use for fabricated Internet-based news stories, many of them generated from sites in Eastern Europe and Russia, and the pizzeria scare has encouraged many of them to conclude that Web-based rumor-peddling is a threat to the republic.

First (the thinking seems to be) this new and creative form of disinformation gave us Trump: All those Facebook stories about Hillary Clinton having Parkinsons disease and Barack Obamas closet Islamism poisoned enough minds to turn a presidential election. Now, as if that werent bad enough, its sending armed lunatics into kid-friendly pizzerias. Worries about lies in our political life arent baseless, to be sure. The Internet teems with these idiotic inventions, especially during election years  boxes of fraudulent Clinton votes found in an Ohio warehouse! White House tells Pearl Harbor vets to get over it!  and they introduce mental havoc into the lives of well-meaning people.

Fake news is real, yes, but the anxiety it has occasioned in the news media often seems motivated by something other than mere concern for the truth. By agonizing over fake news, journalists often appear to blame nameless others for the failings of the widely distrusted news industry. Its not our fault, some in the media seem to be saying, its the fault of some teenage hoaxers in Romania. That modifier fake, to put the point slightly differently, suggests that non-fake news must be conversely genuine, truthful, factual.

But of course it isnt. All of us, whatever our political attitude, have read what we regard as essentially false or inaccurate or wrongheaded stories in mainstream news sources. Does that make the reporters of these stories perpetrators of fake news? Surely not, as they were trying, however imperfectly, to report the truth. Thats not much comfort to the people and institutions these false or inaccurate stories damaged, however, and indeed they are entitled to regard this new term fake news with a degree of derision.

Comet Ping Pong customers came out to support the restaurant after a gunman entered it with an assault rifle, firing it at least once. Several other businesses on the block have received other threats as well. (Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

Lets get at the problem by asking this question: Which is more dangerous  the entirely fabricated story your ornery uncle links to on Facebook, or the story we read in a respectable news source containing an important and substantially false claim? The fabricated story that exercises your uncle is dangerous in its way, but its unlikely to sway anyones opinion about the subject. The only people inclined to believe the hoax headline FBI Agent Suspected in Hillary Email Leaks Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide are those who already loathe Clinton. The story may intensify hatred, but it doesnt alter opinion or allegiance.

The false or inaccurate story published in a mainstream venue, by contrast, does the opposite. Maybe the story consists of mostly true statements, but its built on an egregiously false premise. Or maybe it includes a key line that infers far more than the facts allow. Or it presents a tendentious interpretation of the facts. Take this sentence, published last week in the New York Times about House Republicans breaking with Trump over the latters trade policies: He [Trump] repeatedly insisted that trade deals had displaced American workers and harmed the economy, upending two centuries of American economic policies that held trade up as a good thing, a position that Republicans have pushed in recent decades. The latter half of the sentence (a) implies that Trump opposes not just disadvantageous trade deals but trade itself; and (b) suggests that American policy has unswervingly favored free trade for 200 years. Both are false, but the uncareful reader may easily imbibe one or both without realizing it, so subtle is the misinformation and so authoritative the source.

I dont know the reporters views, but the articles tone leads me to suspect that a dislike of Trump gave her license to interpret his pronouncements in the worst possible light, even at the cost of sense and factual truth. And that  the ever-present danger of allowing our likes and dislikes to dictate our interpretations of facts  may be what mainstream journalists preoccupied with fake news havent yet appreciated. The facile and stark distinction between real and fake, fact and invention, truth and lie suggests a failure on the part of mainstream American journalists to grasp the importance of interpretation. There is no such thing as an uninterpreted fact, and journalists are just as much interpreters as reporters of facts. Indeed I suspect one of the chief reasons so many Americans prefer harrowing Internet rumors to mainstream news is that theyve grown impatient with journalists pretense that their assertions involve only truth, only facts unmediated by opinion or partiality. These Americans may have their gullible moments, but they know better than that.

The rise of fake news, if its anything, is an indictment of Americas newsrooms. Yet somehow I doubt the newsrooms will interpret it that way.
Watch what we do, not what we say.

At the beginning of Richard Nixons presidency, thats how Attorney General John Mitchell explained the way reporters could best understand what the country was about to experience.

Its also good advice for understanding the administration of the billionaire phony populist who will assume the presidency next month. Donald Trump cast himself as the champion of a besieged American working class and a defender of its interests. His early decisions tell us something very different: This could be the most anti-worker, anti-union crowd to run our government since the Gilded Age.

Theres an irony here, in that Mitchell was trying to reassure journalists that despite Nixons 1968 law-and-order campaign, he would stay true to enforcing civil rights laws. In Trumps case, were learning that rhetoric out of labor songbooks meant less than nothing. He was covering up an agenda focused on undercutting legal protections for workers and weakening their already-beleaguered organizations.

How else to understand Trumps decision to nominate Andrew Puzder, a fast-food executive, as secretary of labor? Perhaps, in the interests of transparency, the incoming Republican Congress can rename the part of our government historically devoted to workers interests the Department of Low-Wage Labor.

President-elect Donald Trump is nominating fast-food executive Andrew Puzder as secretary of labor. Here's what you need to know about him. (Sarah Parnass,Osman Malik,Danielle Kunitz,Adriana Usero/The Washington Post)

The contradictions abound. One of Trumps core promises was to restore well-paying jobs in the factories and the mines. But hes putting at the helm of the Labor Department the chief executive of the company that franchises Hardees and Carls Jr. Their workers tend to be at the bottom end of the pay scale. Puzders passions have been invested in cutting wage costs. If Trump wanted a corporate type at Labor, might he at least have tried to pick someone from the manufacturing sphere?

Ah, but Trumpworld is also a land of cronies. Trump and the Republican Party could not say enough about the corrupt intersection of donors to the Clinton Foundation and the policies that Hillary Clinton would pursue as president. Yet here comes Puzder  joining a Cabinet of working stiffs with a net worth so far of $14.5 billion, according to NBC News  who will no doubt feel well rewarded for his own financial support of the Trump campaign.

A rule of thumb for the next four years: With Trump, everything that Republicans said about corruption and conflicts of interest where Clinton was concerned is now, to use the Nixon-era word, inoperative.

The labor secretary is responsible for enforcing laws that protect employees. But as New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman noted, the fact that Mr. Puzder has now reportedly been selected to lead the same agency that uncovered wage theft at his restaurants is a cruel and baffling decision by President-elect Trump. How closely will the Republican-led Senate look into this issue?

And you get a clear sense of how anti-union Trump threatens to be when you combine the Puzder pick with Trumps attack on Chuck Jones. Hes the president of the United Steelworkers Local 1999, which represents workers at the Carrier plant in Indiana where Trump claimed he saved 1,100 jobs. Jones used colorful language to say that Trump had lied about the number of jobs protected and had given Carrier workers false hope. The real jobs number was closer to 800, and layoffs are expected in 2017.

Jones was quickly assailed by Trump (on Twitter, of course) for having done a terrible job representing workers. Further, Trump blamed the union for the job losses. If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana. Trump likes to talk about workers but hates it when they talk back.

Jones, tougher than Trump when it comes to absorbing criticism, shrugged off the president-elects tantrum, saying Trump didnt know what in the hell hes talking about.

But the rest of us  and particularly workers who cast ballots for Trump in the hope of better days  ignore the Tweeter-in-Chiefs behavior at our peril.

Fake populism is an old story, and it often involves dividing workers against each other along the lines of race, religion, ethnicity or immigration status. Trump has already proved himself a master of this sort of manipulation.

Over the long run, though, workers will rely on the content of their paychecks and the quality of their living standards to help them decide whether Trumps word to them was any better than his promises to the students he fleeced at Trump University. They wont need John Mitchell to tell them to keep a close eye on what this man actually does.

Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen.

Which political leader made these compassionate remarks about the dreamers  the roughly 1.8 million children who were brought to this country illegally by their parents and know no other home than the United States?

President Obama? Hillary Clinton?

No, it was Donald Trump.

Trump told Time magazine during his Person of the Year interview that while he was not backing off his pledge to rescind Obamas executive amnesty, when it comes to the dreamers, Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud.

President-elect Donald Trump told reporters on Nov. 10 that his administrations priorities will include immigration, health care and big league jobs. (The Washington Post)

Trumps latest comments have dismayed immigration hard-liners, who see the president-elect softening his position. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) blasted Trump, declaring somebodys heart got a little softer than it was before the election.

Actually, for those who were paying attention, Trumps heart has always been soft on immigration  not just for dreamers but for most illegal immigrants. During the presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly said that he wanted to find a way for the vast majority of illegal immigrants (the good ones, as he called them) to get right with the law and secure legal status. The mainstream media ignored this, because this did not fit with the medias narrative of a heartless Trump who wanted to break up families and send all 11 million illegal immigrants permanently back to their countries of origin.

Dont believe me? Lets review what Trump actually said.

In a July 2015 interview with Sean Hannity, Trump declared: Some of these [illegal immigrants] are fantastic people. Ive been to the border. I was there a few days ago. I met some people. These are fantastic people, and they have great reputations within their community. . . . The bad ones, theyre gone. They never come back. Theyll never get back into this country. But, the good ones, of which there are many, I want to expedite it so they can come back in legally.

When he was pressed in an interview by CNNs Dana Bash about the dreamers, he said: I actually have a big heart. Something that nobody knows. A lot of people dont understand that. But the dreamers, its a tough situation. Were going to do something. . . . I would get people out and then have an expedited way of getting them back into the country so they can be legal. . . . A lot of these people are helping us . . . and sometimes its jobs a citizen of the United States doesnt even want to do. . . . I want to move them out. I want to move them back in and let them be legal.

Indeed, his son Eric expressed frustration at the medias inability to get this: The point isnt just deporting them, its deporting them and letting them back in legally. Hes been so clear about that and I know the liberal media wants to misconstrue it, but its deporting them and letting them back legally.

As I have pointed out, what Trump is describing here is a policy called touchback. Championed by then-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.) in 2007, the idea is that illegal immigrants must return briefly to their countries of origin, where they can apply for a special visa that would allow them to reenter the United States in an expedited manner and work here indefinitely. The policy was endorsed by none other than the New York Times, which declared in a 2007 editorial that its not ideal, but if a touchback provision is manageable and reassures people that illegal immigrants are indeed going to the back of the line, then it will be defensible.

The touchback plan lost narrowly in the Senate by a vote of 53-45. Among those who voted for it are two vulnerable Democrats who are up for reelection in 2018: Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri (a state Trump won by 19 points) and Sen. Jon Tester of Montana (where Trump won by 21 points). So any touchback plan Trump proposes is likely to get at least some bipartisan support.

If Trump implements a proposal like this, he wont need a deportation force. The vast majority of illegal immigrants would voluntarily cooperate. A 2007 Los Angeles Times poll of illegal immigrants found that 63 percent would leave voluntarily if they were promised a chance to return, and 85 percent would do so if they were promised a path to citizenship. No need for the lefts imagined jackbooted thugs or Hillary Clintons revolting allusion to boxcars.

Trump is not likely to pursue touchback legislation in Congress anytime soon. He knows he needs to secure the border first before he can do anything to settle the status of those here illegally. As he explained in August: That discussion can take place only in an atmosphere in which illegal immigration is a memory of the past, no longer with us, allowing us to weigh the different options available based on the new circumstances at the time.

Since Democrats are unlikely to approve border security measures without amnesty, Trump will have to focus at the outset on vigorously enforcing current immigration law and use existing authorities to build a wall, deport criminal aliens and crack down on sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate. Only when the bad ones are gone and the border is secured can he turn to resolving the status of the good ones.

But make no mistake: Trump intends to give permanent legal status to the vast majority of those here illegally. And he may be the only president who could do so. Just as only Richard Nixon could go to China, it may be that only Donald Trump has the credibility to enact a plan that secures the border and gives legal status to illegal immigrants.

That is his plan. He has said so repeatedly, even if his critics  and some of his supporters  were not listening.

Read more from Marc Thiessens archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
The Rust Belt is not made up of hillbillies who that think they are victims or a subculture clinging to destructive traditions. I grew up in the area. These are proud people with great dignity. Their fathers and mothers built the endless supply of arms that won World War II. It was bad enough that they were jobless long before their retirement age, but even more depressing was seeing Made in China on products they once made.

For many years as the industries left and jobs were lost the political parties did nothing. The Republican Party, so-called champions of capitalism, did nothing. The union-supporting Democrats cleared out as soon as the industries fell. So much for their social ideas.

Even though they were abandoned, they stayed with political parties  until Donald Trump. The president-elect pointed out that the government had forgotten about the Rust Belt and pledged he would not. That is why he won.

James Heidish, Arlington
After post-truth comes all-fake.

The election of Donald Trump has seen the flowering of the post-truth landscape. Emotion outranks fact; believing makes it so. We are all Tinker Bell now. Clap if you believe in voter fraud. Clap if you doubt a human role in climate change.

So when the president-elect claims, with no basis in reality, that he would have won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, the customary burden of proof is flipped: Where, his minions ask, with no hint of embarrassment, is the evidence that the assertion is untrue?

I dont know that that is a false statement, George, and neither do you, Vice President-elect Mike Pence told George Stephanopoulos on ABCs This Week. Incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus took a similar true-until-proven-otherwise stance toward Trumps outlandish assertion: I dont know if thats not true.

In this post-truth universe, institutions  news media, the intelligence community  are drained of all credibility. Thus Trump, speaking to Fox Newss Chris Wallace on Sunday, summarily rejected not only the CIAs conclusion that Russia intervened in the election on Trumps behalf, but even the less controversial assessment that Russia was behind the hacking.

CIA officials told senators it is now quite clear that electing Donald Trump was Russias goal. In an interview on Fox News Sunday on Dec. 11, President-elect Trump denied the CIA's assessment. (Victoria Walker/The Washington Post)

Personally, it could be Russia. I dont really think it is, Trump told Wallace. But who knows? I dont know either. They dont know, and I dont know. Yes, intelligence can be wrong, a point the Trump transition team seized on Friday in a written response to The Posts report: These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

But appropriate skepticism about intelligence is one thing  summary, self-interested dismissal without engaging in this inquiry is quite another. This behavior was shocking enough coming from a major-party nominee.

From a president-elect, it is appallingly irresponsible. No president-elect would want to hear the assessment that a foreign power intervened to boost his campaign. A responsible president-elect would want to hear the evidence and consider his options. How much easier, in the post-truth universe, to believe it all away, to blame it on some guy in his home in New Jersey.

With facts passe, the next, inexorable move is to reduce all news to the same level of distrust and disbelief. If nothing is true, then everything can be false. So Pizzagate, the dangerously false accusation of a child sex ring run by Hillary Clinton operatives, occupies the same diminished rung as a news report that fails to toe the official line.

Trump is not responsible for the explosion of fake news, but he and his advisers seem delighted to exploit it. Reports by @CNN that I will be working on The Apprentice during my Presidency, even part time, are ridiculous & untrue  FAKE NEWS! Trump tweeted Saturday morning.

Similarly, transition spokesman Sean Spicer, disputing a New York Times report that Russia hacked the Republican National Committees computer system, tweeted that the story was Exhibit #1 in the fake news. And Trump adviser Newt Gingrich made the connection even more explicit: The idea of the New York Times being worried about fake news is really weird, he told a chuckling Sean Hannity on Fox News last week. The New York Times is fake news.

Journalism is an inherently imperfect profession. We write the first rough draft of history  as best we can, subject to correction and revision. But there is a difference between inevitably flawed and intentionally false. To deliberately blur this distinction is to seek to undermine the central role of media in a free society.

This is where Trump has gone beyond the norm and beyond the pale. All politicians chafe at their coverage. In 1992, George H.W. Bushs campaign passed out bumper stickers proclaiming, Annoy the media, re-elect Bush. But the tone of Trumps unrelenting assault on the dishonest media and his zeal in inciting the mob against them  these people are the lowest form of life  are more menacing than what any president since Richard M. Nixon has done.

Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that he would prefer to have newspapers without a government than a government without newspapers. The Trump team would clearly make a different choice, at least when it comes to his government.

If that is not within his reach, Trump is going for second best: a society in which all truth is malleable and all news suspect. Whose voice, whose vision, whose authority will then be trusted? Trump doesnt say, but it is not hard to guess.

Read more from Ruth Marcuss archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.
Correction: An earlier version of this column stated incorrectly that Donald Trump's electoral college victory was the seventh largest of the past 10 presidential elections. It ranked eighth of the past 10 elections. This version has been updated.

The president-elect has gone to Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina and Ohio, and saluted workers at an Indiana plant where he says he saved more than 1,000 jobs.

The president-elect has gone to Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina and Ohio, and saluted workers at an Indiana plant where he says he saved more than 1,000 jobs.

The CIAs finding that Vladimir Putins Russia actively intervened in our election to help Donald Trump explains why many of us are not simply disappointed or unhappy that Trump won. We are genuinely alarmed. And Trumps cavalier response to these fears only deepens them.

When The Post revealed the CIAs conclusions about Russia, Trumps response was to insult the CIA, tell a lie about the size of his victory and act as if an election still very fresh in our minds were some sort of historical event dating back to the Pilgrims.

The statement put out by Trumps transition team, so obtuse and so arrogant, needs to be cited in full: These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. Its time to move on and Make America Great Again.

That Trump would happily trash our own CIA to get Putin off the hook is disturbing enough  and, by the way, there were dissenters in the CIA on Iraq. That he would ignore the risks our intelligence agents take on so many fronts to protect us is outrageous.

CIA officials told senators it is now quite clear that electing Donald Trump was Russias goal. In an interview on Fox News Sunday on Dec. 11, President-elect Trump denied the CIA's assessment. (Victoria Walker/The Washington Post)

[Lets get the facts right on foreign involvement in our elections]

Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, was genuinely disturbed over how a pampered and privileged man so readily threw our intelligence officers under the bus to make a political point. Perhaps, once he has taken office, Schiff said, Mr. Trump will go to CIA and look at the rows of memorial stars in the lobby  each representing a fallen officer  and reflect on his disparagement of the intelligence communitys work.

Oh, yes, and about his having won one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history? In the past 10 elections, Trumps electoral college take ranks eighth.

The CIA finding is all the more worrisome because of how Trump has willingly served as a Putin apologist. On NBC in September, for example, Trump sounded very impressed with Putins power when he declared: The man has very strong control over a country. Well, yes, an autocrat whose opponents often turn up dead does exercise very strong control. Trump went on to declare that Putin had been a leader far more than our president has been a leader. I dont know about Trump, but I think most Americans would rather live under Barack Obama.

A further cause for concern: Trump and his top lieutenant Stephen K. Bannon have openly allied themselves with the far-right forces in Europe that Putin has championed. In a timely article for the Atlantic, Russia and the Threat to Liberal Democracy, Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, speaks of a romance between far-right, anti-immigrant European parties and Putin. A Trump romance with Putin fits neatly into this narrative  which is precisely why Trump should want to dispel our fears rather than aggravate them. Diamond declared: We stand now at the most dangerous moment for liberal democracy since the end of World War II. Why are we afraid? Because Trump gives us reason to worry he will not be on the right side of this fight.

[Lessons learned about Russia]

Nor was it reassuring that a day after the story about the CIAs finding broke, Trumps inner circle leaked that his likely choice as secretary of state was Rex Tillerson, the ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive who had negotiated oil deals with Putin. For Tillersons efforts, Putin awarded him Russias Order of Friendship. Friends and associates said few U.S. citizens are closer to Mr. Putin than Mr. Tillerson, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Is it paranoid to want to know whether Tillersons ties to Putin are why he is at the top of Trumps list to be our top diplomat? Is it out of line to wonder, given Trumps lack of transparency about his finances, what role Russia has played in his business empire? After all, his son Donald Trump Jr. said in 2008 that Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets and added: We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia. Now more than ever, we need to know exactly what he was talking about.

Trumps circle will deride Democrats who ask such questions, but it will not be so easy for them to dismiss Republicans such as Sens. John McCain and Lindsey O. Graham. Those of us profoundly worried about a Trump presidency would be a little less anxious if more Republicans joined them in responding to this challenge not as partisans but as patriots.

Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Mike Lee, a Republican, represents Utah in the Senate.

President Obama and I havent always seen eye to eye on public policy. But what many dont know is that weve also agreed, and worked together, on several issues  including ending the warrantless surveillance of Americans and forging a compromise bill to reform unfair federal sentencing laws.

We also share a concern for our nations founding document and the health of the institutions it created. For instance, the president and I both prefer that major policy changes be made, as the Constitution requires, through the legislative process by which Congress writes and passes legislation and the president either vetoes or signs it.

As Obama told New York Magazine before the election, If theres one wish that I have for future presidents, its not an imperial presidency, it is a functional, sensible majority-and-opposition being able to make decisions based on facts and policy and compromise. That would have been my preference for the majority of my presidency. It was an option that wasnt always available. But I hope the American people continue to understand that thats how the system should work.

I share this hope.

The framers of the Constitution made Congress the most powerful branch of the federal government, giving it the exclusive authority to make and change federal laws, because they knew it would be the most accountable to the people. They believed that a consent-based government such as ours would cease to function if Americans came to see it as illegitimate, so they put Congress in charge of federal lawmaking and then they put the people in charge of Congress.

That is why it would be a mistake for the president to listen to those urging him to unilaterally declare a Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah. Any such declaration would short-circuit an ongoing healthy debate, further sow distrust in government among the American public and push us another step closer to an imperial presidency.

There is so much common ground when it comes to protecting the million-plus acres of public lands in southeast Utah. Above all, everyone involved wants to ensure that the vast stretch of land in the Bears Ears region, which contains tens of thousands of Native American cultural sites and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, is preserved for future generations.

But there are also some honest disagreements about how exactly the land should be protected. Most Native Americans who live around Bears Ears and use the land on a daily basis fear that a monument designation will strictly limit their access to it. Other Utahns in the region worry that they will no longer be able to use the land for grazing and mineral development, which is exactly what happened after President Bill Clinton unilaterally designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante a national monument in 1996. Even advocates for a national monument worry that current law does not provide tribes with a meaningful role in management of a monument.

Supporters of a monument designation cite the 1906 Antiquities Act, but that law was specifically written to protect archaeological sites from looting and vandalism. That is why the act requires designated monuments to be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and a management of the objects to be protected. The Obama administration has used the law to set aside 548 million acres of land and water, more than double any other administration. The act was never intended to give a president the unilateral power to dictate land-use management wherever he saw fit.

The administration recently blocked the Dakota Access Pipeline due to strong opposition from local residents. I urge it to give the same respect to the residents of San Juan County, Utah. They do not want this monument. They do not want outside interests from coastal urban areas dictating to them how to live their lives and manage their lands.

This does not have to be a divisive issue. The House recently moved a bill through the Natural Resources Committee that could better protect these lands. The existing legislation is not perfect, but if it is allowed to work its way through the legislative process, subject to amendments in both the House and the Senate, it can produce a consensual outcome.

We can settle this issue through democracy and compromise  unless Obama decides to cut short this debate by declaring a national monument via executive fiat. Undoubtedly, such an action would make many Democrats and special-interest groups happy. But at what cost? As one of his final acts as president, is Obama willing to take our great nation one step closer to the imperial presidency that he, most Americans and I rightly fear?
At a news conference, Dec. 12, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) slammed Republican lawmakers who "are reluctant to either review Russian tactics or ignore them." "The Russians are not our friends," McConnell told reporters. (The Washington Post)

At a news conference, Dec. 12, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) slammed Republican lawmakers who "are reluctant to either review Russian tactics or ignore them." "The Russians are not our friends," McConnell told reporters. (The Washington Post)

Republican lawmakers are increasingly at odds with Donald Trump on a number of high-profile domestic and national security issues, an early sign that the GOP-led Congress might resist some elements of the president-elects unorthodox agenda.

Although Trump maintains enthusiastic backing in many corners of the party, key members of the Senate and House have been outspoken in challenging his views of Russia and its interference in the U.S. election, warning of potential conflicts of interest arising from Trumps far-flung business interests if he does not fully divest from his company, and criticizing the tough approach that he has taken to some companies, including his threat to impose a stiff tariff on firms that move jobs overseas.

There is also friction over Trumps selection of ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state  with GOP advisers warning that a growing number of Republican senators may be unwilling to vote to confirm Tillerson because of his ties to Russia.

No other issue has so clearly divided Trump and top Republicans lawmakers as has his dismissal of U.S. intelligence agencies that attributed the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other political targets to Russian operatives. The tensions were exposed over the weekend: Trump belittled the CIA after a Washington Post report that the agency believed that Moscow favored Trump in the election, and several Republicans, including Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), joined with Democrats to call for an investigation into the matter.

President-elect Donald Trump as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Dec. 11 reacted to the CIAs assessment that Russia intervened to help Trump win the election. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

The Russians are not our friends, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters Monday, voicing his support for an inquiry.

McConnell stopped short of endorsing a special select committee investigation, as some lawmakers have suggested, but said that the Senate Intelligence Committee is equipped to take on the matter.

This simply cannot be a partisan issue, he said.

McConnell also appeared to break with Trump in his assessment of the CIA, saying that he has the highest confidence in the intelligence community and that the CIA is filled with selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people.

McConnell, meanwhile, declined to defend Tillerson against accusations that he is too close with Russia, telling reporters that he would not comment on a hypothetical phantom nominee.

McConnells reluctance to engage on Tillerson came after some of his allies on national security issues, including Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), raised doubts about the ExxonMobil chiefs background.

On Tuesday, Rubio expressed serious concerns about Tillersons nomination, noting that Americas top diplomat must be free of potential conflicts of interest. Rubio, however, left open room for compromise, saying he looked forward to learning more about [Tillersons] record and his views.

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Tillerson received the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013, two years after ExxonMobil won a contract to explore for oil in a Russian-controlled area of the Arctic Ocean. The agreement has been frozen since the United States imposed sanctions on Moscow after Russias 2014 incursion into Ukraine.

Some senior GOP advisers fear that the Tillerson-Putin relationship will make Republicans reluctant to support the nomination. One adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said as many as seven might now be unwilling to vote to confirm him as the nations top diplomat.

McCain said he would give Tillerson a fair hearing if the oil executive is nominated, but on Monday the senator questioned his judgment for being close to the Russian president. Putin is a thug and a murderer, McCain said on CNN, and I dont see how anybody could be a friend of this old-time KGB agent.

D.J. Jordan, a spokesman for Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), said Monday that the lawmaker has a lot of questions about Mr. Tillerson and his ties to Russia, though he added that Lankford is hopeful that those questions will be addressed in the days ahead.

A big test for Republicans

Taken together, the tensions between the president-elect and fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill reflect a major test for how the GOP congressional majorities will handle the unusual circumstances of the Trump era. Republicans, many of whom opposed Trump during the presidential primaries, want to work with him in many areas and avoid alienating his enthusiastic voter base. Yet some in the GOP are also assessing how to fulfill their constitutional duties as a check on a businessman-president who is unaccustomed to the public scrutiny inherent to a democratic system and unconcerned with past traditions of transparency, particularly when it comes to his personal finances. They also must prepare for the potential that Trump, who has effectively harnessed Twitter to skewer his critics, could turn his ire toward them.

Democrats, for their part, have little power to investigate Trump or thwart his nominations. In 2013, Democrats  angered by what they described as years of Republican obstruction  voted to scrap the rule requiring at least 60 senators to overcome a procedural hurdle and move to a final confirmation vote. Now, all of Trumps nominees for the executive and judicial branches, with the exception of picks for the Supreme Court, can be confirmed on a simple majority vote.

With 48 seats in the Senate, Democrats in that chamber need to win over only a handful of Republicans to block a nominee, though doing so requires a degree of Democratic unity. That could be difficult, with 10 of the partys senators facing reelection in two years in states that Trump won.

Incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his leadership team have urged senators set to serve as ranking Democrats on top national security, financial and domestic-policy committees to focus on hiring professional investigators able to quickly dive into the personal and financial backgrounds of Trumps nominees, according to a senior Democratic aide. The hope is that Democrats will be able to dig up dirt on Trumps nominees just as Republicans did to some of President Obamas high-profile nominees in the early days of his administration.

The larger drama is likely to take place among congressional Republicans, who will face pressure to help Trump. So far, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) has demonstrated a reluctance to challenge the president-elect on some of the issues that have animated his GOP colleagues.

On Monday, Ryan dismissed calls for a probe into Russian meddling in the election, saying the House Intelligence Committee is working diligently on the cyber threats posed by foreign governments and terrorist organizations. He also appeared to criticize suggestions that Russia favored Trump, saying in a statement that exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professionals and potentially jeopardizes national security, and we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election.

Ryan also has waved off concerns about Trumps potential conflicts of interest related to his global real estate and branding empire. Asked last week by a CNBC interviewer how he hoped the president-elect would handle his business after he takes office, Ryan said, However he wants to.

This is not what Im concerned about in Congress, he said.

Trump had planned a news conference Thursday to reveal how he will handle the business while he is in office, but his transition team said Monday that he will do it next month. Trump has hinted that he will retain an ownership stake while putting his adult children in charge of the companys operations, telling Fox News Sunday that essentially Im not going to have anything to do with the management.

Late Friday night,Trump tweeted that he will hand over control of his businesses to his two adult sons before Jan. 20.

Ethics experts and lawmakers in both parties have warned that if Trump retains his stake, he will face congressional hearings and, potentially, investigations into whether he has a direct and personal financial stake in the decisions he is supposed to be making in the public interest. They say that Trumps refusal to release his tax returns has left the public largely in the dark about the full extent of the potential conflicts.

Turning it over to his family and him still being a recipient of fruits of their labor does create conflicts in my mind, said Graham, the GOP senator from South Carolina. It will cloud his presidency if he doesnt find a solution that puts it behind him.

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), a member of the House Oversight Committee and the new chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus, told The Post last week that he expects Trump to divorce himself from the business as much as you can have a blind trust and fully divest.

He has more counselors around him, with plenty of law degrees, that will give him great counsel on how to stay out of trouble, Meadows said. He added that he expected Trump to build the proper firewall, but that we have an oversight function that would be appropriate, and from my standpoint I think its incumbent upon the Oversight Committee to look at everything without a partisan lens.

Vigorous oversight

The chairman of the oversight panel, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), said it was premature to consider any sort of investigation, but he said the committee would provide vigorous oversight of the new president.

Hes still a private citizen at this point, though he needs to get his affairs in order, Chaffetz said. Give him a little breathing space, I think thats fair.

Ethics experts have called for Trump to appoint an independent trustee, unconnected to his family, to lead an effort to sell his assets and reinvest the proceeds without his knowledge. Trump has appeared to brush off concerns about conflicts, noting that there is no legal requirement that he separate.

When I ran, everybody knew that I was a very big owner of real estate all over the world, Trump told Fox Newss Chris Wallace in an interview that aired Sunday. I mean, Im not going to have anything to do with the management of the company. You know, when you sell real estate thats not like going out and selling a stock. That takes a long time. . . . Im going to have nothing to with it. And Ill be honest with you  I dont care about it anymore.

Trump said he was turning down billions of dollars of deals as he prepares to take office. Im not going to be doing deals at all, he said. Now that would be  I dont even know if thats a conflict. I mean, I have the right to do it. You know, under the law, I have the right to do it. I just dont want to do it. I dont want to do deals, because I want to focus on this.

Several lawmakers who would be responsible for probing potential conflicts of interest said in recent interviews they are willing to give the incoming president time and space to figure out how he will deal with the situation.

We havent even started the next Congress and we havent seen exactly how President-elect Trump is going to handle all this, said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who leads the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee with jurisdiction over investigations. Im going to give him and his administration time to figure out what, quite honestly, is a very difficult situation.

In other corners of the GOP, lawmakers say the calls to investigate Trump are coming primarily from his political opponents.

There are going to be detractors from Trump [who] are going to try to make it sound like all the conflict of interest and all of that, and I dont think people are really concerned about that except just the activists you run into on the Hill, said Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.).

If its going to be those who just hate Trump and are looking for something to do him in or lessen his effectiveness  thats not going to happen, he added.

Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this report.
When it launched in 2012, the GOP email list company Conservative Connector found steady business, collecting $500,000 from various congressional campaigns and several million as a subcontractor to Mitt Romneys presidential campaign.

But the small Michigan-based firms revenue exploded after it was tapped last year to be the email list broker for the Republican National Committee, which was pouring money into beefing up its online fundraising operation for the 2016 presidential race.

By the end of last month, Conservative Connector had been paid more than $27 million to acquire and rent email lists by the RNC and a joint fundraising committee with Donald Trumps campaign, Federal Election Commission reports show.

List brokers typically pass along a share of the money they are paid to other companies for access to their lists, pocketing a commission in the process, according to people familiar with the industry.

The gusher of cash that flowed to Conservative Connector illustrates the large sums at stake in the burgeoning email list rental industry, which is driving much of the online fundraising on the right.

In landing the RNC contract, Conservative Connector had a distinct advantage over its competitors: One of the heads of the firm, Ethan Eilon, provided consulting services to the party committee from mid-2015 to mid-2016, helping the RNC build its email fundraising, according to multiple people familiar with his role.

Reached by phone, Eilon referred a Washington Post reporter to the RNC press office. Another consultant tied to Conservative Connector, veteran Michigan strategist John Yob, declined to answer specific questions about the companys contract with the RNC.

We are proud of the hundreds of millions of dollars we have helped raise for Republicans across the country in recent years, including the RNC and President-elect, Yob said in a statement.

Yob and Eilon, who were both involved in a contentious power struggle this year over which delegates would represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Republican National Convention, are not identified in Conservative Connectors corporate filings. But several people with knowledge of the company said they are both involved in running the enterprise.

RNC officials, who spoke to The Post about the partys online fundraising strategies in general, did not respond to later requests for comment about how the firm was selected.

[Trump donors continued to give millions after his election victory]

Hungry for new supporters, candidates and party committees are lavishing money on vendors who promise access to potential donors. The treasure trove: fresh email addresses of people who have recently given to political campaigns or signed up on conservative news sites. Such data can be rented or sold without a donors knowledge.

The profits are absolutely enormous, said Steven Castleton, a New York consultant who is one of the pioneers in the business. If you are a list owner with a good list, you stand to make a lot, a lot of money.

Thats in large part because email is the engine that continues to drives the bulk of online fundraising. Its still the killer app, said Gerrit Lansing, the RNCs chief digital officer. The party sent out 2.5 billion emails to potential supporters this year, officials said, and almost two-thirds of the Trump campaigns haul  which totaled $329 million by the end of November  came from donors who responded to contribution requests via email.

Digital strategist Patrick Ruffini said the RNCs heavy investments in renting and acquiring new email addresses proved fortuitous because Trump had virtually no online fundraising operation when he secured the nomination. But in the long run, he warned, the GOPs reliance on list rentals could burn out the donor pool, alienating people with a cascade of unsolicited appeals.

Eventually, the money is going to dry up, because people are going to get tired of getting endless streams of messages from people they have no prior relationship with, Ruffini said.

Kurt Luidhardt, an Indiana-based digital consultant who was one of the original founders of Conservative Connector, said the intense prospecting for new donors has opened the door to vendors hawking bad lists.

You have to do a lot of vetting, he said, calling the industry enormous and a little out of control.

Democratic digital strategists, for the most part, have taken a different tack, hunting for new donors through online ads. Its more expensive than renting emails but guarantees that a candidate is appealing to a committed group of supporters, they said.

The ideal is to build something organic where people understand what theyre opting into, and where you can have a relationship with them that can persist, said Joe Rospars, who founded the firm Blue State Digital and was chief digital strategist for President Obamas campaigns.

[New pro-Trump group takes form, with Kellyanne Conway possibly at the helm]

In this years presidential race, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party spent less than $3,000 on list rentals, according to federal filings. Her main challenger, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, also eschewed them.

I dont think people like spam, and I consider that spam, said Keegan Goudiss, a partner at Revolution Messaging who served as Sanderss director of digital advertising.

Clintons campaign ended up with more than 3.1 million individual donors, while 2.8 million people gave to Sanders, according to campaign officials.

Proponents of list rentals argue they are a more cost-efficient way to help a candidate rapidly tap into a small donor base.

It actually can save a campaign money, said Becki Donatelli, a top GOP digital strategist.

At the RNC, the party used rented email lists as one of the primary tools to expand its donor file this cycle. Together, the national party and one of its joint fundraising committees with the Trump campaign shelled out almost $32 million to 26 firms to rent email lists, FEC reports show. Another $8.7 million went to run online ads, many aimed at finding new donors.

Email list rentals can be incredibly effective  mostly because youre contacting known donors and it can scale very big, very fast, Lansing said. If you can spend a dollar on any channel  whether its ads or email  and get more than a dollar back, you should never stop doing that. Ever.

Conservative Connector, which rents email lists that it owns and serves as a broker for other list vendors, was in hot demand this cycle. In the GOP primaries, it was hired directly by former Florida governor Jeb Bushs campaign, a pro-Bush super PAC, former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorinas campaign, a pro-Fiorina super PAC and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies campaign, finance reports show.

The RNC first paid Conservative Connector in July 2015  a month after Eilon began getting paid by the party as a fundraising consultant through his other firm, Vertical Strategies, filings show. Several people familiar with his role said he helped build and organize the RNCs email fundraising operation.

Payments to Conservative Connector ballooned as Election Day neared. Over two days in late October, the company collected $6.6 million from the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, according to campaign finance reports. Another payment for $4.7 million came Nov. 10, two days after the election.

RNC officials and Yob declined to say how much commission the firm received. Typically, email brokers charge between 15 and 25 percent, but the fee for such a large account may have been closer to 10 percent, according to people familiar with the industry.

Conservative Connectors website and public filings give little insight into the ownership or corporate structure of the firm.

Luidhardt said he and his wife, who co-founded the firm in February 2012, sold their share in early 2015. He declined to name who the other owners were at the time.

That December, a lawyer filed new incorporation papers for Conservative Connector in Michigan, listing as its agent David Dishaw, who is also a registered agent for Vertical Strategies. On corporate disclosures, Conservative Connector lists the same Grand Rapids address as several companies run by Yob and Eilon.

Yob is a well-known strategist in GOP circles. He served as deputy political director for Sen. John McCains 2008 White House campaign, ran Michigan Gov. Rick Snyders successful campaigns in 2010 and 2014 and was national political director for Sen. Rand Pauls presidential bid this cycle.

He and Eilon have worked together on a number of campaigns, including former representative Pete Hoekstras 2012 Senate bid in Michigan and Ben Sasses 2014 Senate run in Nebraska.

In late 2015, both Yob and Eilon relocated with their families to the U.S. Virgin Islands, voter registration records show. There, Yob used a limited-liability company to purchase a $4 million villa on St. John, according to property records. The expansive estate features an indoor and outdoor pool, a waterfall and sunset views of the St. Thomas and Cruz Bay harbors.

The two men drew headlines this spring when they and their wives sought to run as the territorys delegates to the Republican National Convention, setting off an ugly fight within the local party.

Yobs faction ultimately prevailed this summer when the partys contests committee determined that his slate should be seated. His victory was touted in blog post on Conservative Intel, a website run by Conservative Connector that collects emails through a weekly newsletter offered to subscribers and a political merchandise store. The website also promoted a book called Chaos that Yob wrote about how a contested convention would work.

By the end of the November, Conservative Connector had collected more than $30 million from its political clients for the cycle, FEC filings show.

The RNC, which headed into the general election with a list of less than 5 million supporters, amassed a pool of more than 10 million email addresses with the Trump campaign  including those of more than 2.5 million individual donors, officials said. The vast majority were obtained through the joint fundraising committee, which directs 20 percent of its proceeds to the national party.

After Trumps victory, that list is already paying dividends. After Nov. 8, donors gave millions more to his campaign and the party as they were peppered with emails offering merchandise such as Make America Great Again Christmas tree ornaments and an official Trump Presidential Cap.

The Trump-RNC email list could be a potent tool for a group being formed to support the new presidents agenda that may be run by one of his top advisers, Kellyanne Conway.

Whatever the Trump team wants to do in terms of legislation, helping candidates, raising money  the sky is the limit, Lansing said. Theres a ton of potential with this size of a list.

Correction: Ethan Eilons name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story. It has been corrected.

Alice Crites and Anu Narayanswamy contributed to this report.


Id like to do it [repeal Obamacare] tomorrow, but reality is another matter sometimes, said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), left, with Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) last week in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Republicans on Capitol Hill are already laying the groundwork for a rapid repeal of President Obamas signature health-care law beginning on the first day of the new Congress, before President-elect Donald Trump is even sworn in.

But the urgent efforts to make good on a Republican campaign promise six years in the making obscure major GOP divisions over what exactly to replace Obamacare with and how to go about it, and how long a transition period to allow before the laws insurance would go away.

Hard-liners are pushing to move as fast as possible, bolstered by a GOP base eager to see lawmakers follow through on years of promises. But key congressional leaders are keenly concerned about potentially throwing millions off their insurance plans and repeating what they have long decried as Democratic missteps eight years ago, sparking a fierce political backlash by moving too far, too fast.

While Trump could sign legislation gutting the Affordable Care Act before the spring bloom, a full replacement could take months, if not years.

Id like to do it tomorrow, but reality is another matter sometimes, said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which will help lead the repeal and replace efforts. We have to live with the real world. And the real world right now is that the Democrats wont help with anything.

Donald Trump has campaigned to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, once he gets into office. Now that he's won the presidency with a majority Republican House and Senate, that feat might not prove to be too easy. Wonkblog's Max Ehrenfreund explains. (Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

Hatch and other high-ranking Republican senators are pushing for an extended transition period that could keep large portions of Obamacare in effect until 2019 or beyond, allowing time to carefully craft a replacement and push the final debate past the midterm elections.

Many of them, such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), have been chastened by conversations with insurers and state regulators who are warning of chaos in the market for individual insurance if Congress moves rashly.

I dont want to leave the 84,000 people in Maine who are buying insurance on the exchange uninsured because, all of a sudden, two-thirds of them who have subsidies have lost that subsidy, Collins said.

But those Republicans are clashing with GOP colleagues  many of them sent to Congress in the midterm, anti-Obama waves of 2010 and 2014  who see little reason to dawdle.

The history of this place is, the longer it takes, the more exponentially the probability grows that itll never get done, said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), elected recently as the new chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. Republicans have been saying they have a replacement plan for over two years, so why do we need three years?

Part of the problem is that Republicans have never been able to agree on a replacement plan, despite railing against Obamacare for nearly eight years now. Their foot-dragging is a function of internal divisions and the political peril of floating a detailed alternative that would be closely evaluated for costs and benefits. Trump has also been vague, promising a terrific replacement that will provide great health care at a fraction of the cost.

[Getting rid of Obamacare may take longer than Trump plans]



Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has announced plans to put an Obamacare repeal on the Senate floor on Jan. 3. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

The current battle centers on when exactly to schedule Obamacares sunset. But other fights loom  over what precisely a replacement plan should look like, whether Obamacares Medicaid expansion will continue, whether lawmakers should also now tackle the future of Medicare and how Congress should assist insurers during the transition.

The battle lines, however, are familiar, with establishment Republicans on one side and conservative insurgents, mainly in the House, on the other. Those dynamics pushed GOP leaders into increasingly dramatic confrontations with Obama and last year helped force House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) to retire.

Come Jan. 20, Obama will no longer serve as a foil for Republicans, and while Senate Democrats could block parts of a health-care overhaul, the real fight will occur inside the GOP.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has announced plans to put an Obamacare repeal on the Senate floor come Jan. 3. But that will only set the stage for a future repeal bill that will have to tackle major decisions such as a sunset date and interim measures to stabilize insurance markets.

So far, Trump and key GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have shied away from taking firm positions on repeal and replace, but they have done little to tamp down the expectations of conservatives expecting a swift and wholesale substitute.

Were going to repeal Obamacare lock, stock and barrel, Vice President-elect Mike Pence told donors to the conservative Heritage Foundation recently. The number one priority of this administration is to keep that promise to the American people.

Hard-liners on Capitol Hill see Pence and Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), Trumps pick for health and human services secretary, as allies in their push for quick and decisive action. Pence called on Congress to pass a repeal bill with all deliberate speed but pledged only to then set into motion a process to replace it.

[Meet Tom Price, the man who could reshape Obamacare under President Trump]

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said Thursday that Republicans would move as well and as fast as we can but make sure that the transition does not pull the rug out from under people.

Transition spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that Obamacare replacement strategy has been part of discussions Trump and Pence are having with top congressional leaders and that the talks are ongoing.

The idea is to really figure out the sequencing on both the repeal and the replace, he said.

Conservative activists who pushed a take-no-prisoners approach toward the Obama administration say their patience is limited.

When Republicans have the House, the Senate and the White House, you dont wait, said Adam Brandon, president and chief executive of FreedomWorks, a conservative advocacy group. Im a Cleveland Indians fan. I only get a shot at a World Series every couple decades. When you have a shot to do it, you do it. Thats it.

Democrats and many health-care experts are warning that a swift repeal could lead insurers to stop selling policies to individuals on federally mandated exchanges. More than 12 million Americans are covered under those policies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell briefed Senate Democrats on Thursday on the expected unraveling of Obamacares insurance exchanges, according to people familiar with her remarks inside the closed-door meeting.

Delayed replacement is a situation where it is basically repeal and chaos in terms of what will ensue, because of the uncertainty that will get presented to insurers, providers, consumers and states, Burwell told reporters after the meeting.

Republicans want to end Obamacares system of penalties and subsidies. But many  including Trump  want to continue to ban insurers from denying coverage or sharply increasing rates for the sick.

Experts warn that repeal and delay under those conditions would prompt insurers to flee the individual market. Linda J. Blumberg, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, said insurers could face as much as $3 billion in losses if healthy individuals leave the market once the subsidies and penalties are eliminated.

That $3 billion is the tip of the iceberg, Blumberg said. With all of these changes and the uncertainty, it is hard to predict how bad the risk is going to get.

Keeping insurers in the market during the transition could require Congress to step in with bailout payments, something that would be deeply unpopular among conservative lawmakers.

The insurance industry should understand that theres a new sheriff in town, said Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), a Freedom Caucus member. They signed up for Obamacare, and if they want to make a profit, theyre going to have to figure out how to make a profit in a free-market insurance industry.

The strategy of repealing Obamacare without first replacing it reflects not only the wishes of the GOP base, but also Senate arithmetic.

There will be a slim 52-to-48 Republican majority come January, and while Republicans can gut Obamacare with a simple majority using arcane budget rules, passing a complete replacement will require 60 votes.

Only by dismantling Obamacare first, Republicans say, will they have a chance to persuade enough Democrats to support a replacement plan  and Democrats have already signaled that they will not do so.

We all know we have to repeal it to get them to even settle down and work with us at all, Hatch said.

Incoming Senate Democratic leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), however, has rejected that strategy. Were not going to do a replacement. If they repeal without a replacement, they will own it, he told The Washington Post recently.

But the Republican base, prodded by conservative media outlets and well-organized activist groups, has been loath to accept Democratic obstruction as an excuse for inaction.

One prominent activist, Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, suggested that Trump could goose the repeal-and-replace efforts by reversing an administrative ruling that gave financial assistance to 11,000 congressional members and staff who were forced onto the Obamacare exchanges under a compromise included in the original law.

I dont think anyone thinks that youre going to flip a switch . . . but the replacement for it needs to happen quickly, she said. We want it done as quickly as it possibly can be done.

Brandon was even blunter: This is going to be a hard thing for Republicans, but tough [cookies], he said. Theyre going to have to push this through using parliamentary maneuvers, and guess what? Its hard.

The political risk in doing nothing is why you got Donald Trump in the first place, he added. The old excuses of having divided government, theyre gone.

A few strident Obamacare critics are urging activists to soften a bit. They have to look at the complexity of the problem here, and hopefully theyll recognize that its not quite so simple, said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who was first elected in the 2010 tea party wave.

But many others are not.

Literally every Republican member has made this part of their platform in running for Congress, said Rep. Mark Walker (N.C.), a first-termer who will chair the conservative Republican Study Committee next year. Weve got to act on it.

John Wagner and Amy Goldstein contributed to this report.
Police special forces stand guard to secure the area around the St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral complex after an explosion there Sunday in Cairo.

Dec. 11, 2016 Police special forces stand guard to secure the area around the St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral complex after an explosion there Sunday in Cairo. Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters

An explosion ripped through Cairos Coptic cathedral complex, killing at least 25 people and injuring 49, Egypts health ministry said. Activists and mourners gathered outside the church in protest.

An explosion ripped through Cairos Coptic cathedral complex, killing at least 25 people and injuring 49, Egypts health ministry said. Activists and mourners gathered outside the church in protest.

An explosion ripped through Cairos Coptic cathedral complex, killing at least 25 people and injuring 49, Egypts health ministry said. Activists and mourners gathered outside the church in protest.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi said Monday that a suicide bomber was responsible for an attack that killed 24 worshipers at Cairos Coptic cathedral complex during Sunday Mass, as outrage grew among Egypts Christian minority.

Speaking to hundreds of mourners at a state funeral, Sissi said that the bomber wore a vest packed with explosives and that four people suspected of aiding him had been arrested. Security forces were looking for two people with possible links to the attack, he said.

The countrys Interior Ministry described the bomber as a 22-year-old man from the town of Fayoum, 60 miles south of the capital, Cairo. It also released a picture of what it said was the bombers head.

At least 49 people were wounded in the explosion at the Botrosiya Church, which is also known as the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The church is adjacent to St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope, Tawadros II.

The attack was the deadliest on Christians since a suicide bomber killed 23 congregants at a church in Alexandria on Jan. 1, 2011.

[In post-Arab Spring Egypt, Muslim attacks on Christians are rising]

Health Ministry officials lowered the death toll by one, to 24, suggesting that the bomber had initially been counted among the victims. Many of the dead were women and children.

No group has asserted responsibility for the bombing, and Sissi did not name any suspected organizations as being involved. But the attack bore the hallmarks of Islamic extremists  including Egypts Islamic State affiliate  who have been behind numerous attacks on soldiers, police and government officials, as well as Christians, across the country this year.

The attack brought us great pain, but we will never be torn apart, Sissi told the mourners. God willing, we will win this war.

Sissi, along with Pope Tawadros, led a procession in which soldiers carried the victims coffins, draped in the national flag, to the state funeral. Earlier, a service was held at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius Church in Cairo.

After praying over the coffins, Tawadros sought to defuse the mounting anger among Christians, who make up 10 percent of the population. The community has long felt discriminated against by the countrys Muslims and successive authoritarian governments.

Attacks against Christians have spiked since the 2011 populist revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, and especially after the military overthrew an elected Islamist government in 2013.

After the bombing Sunday, a crowd of Christians outside the cathedral angrily denounced the police and the government for not protecting them.

This calamity is not against the church but against the homeland, against all of Egypt, Tawadros told the mourners. Those who commit acts such as this do not belong to Egypt at all, even if they are on its land.

On Monday, Sissi called for stricter anti-terrorism laws but dismissed public accusations that Egypts security forces had not adequately protected the church.

Human rights activists urged the government to conduct a proper investigation of the bombing and to protect the Christian community as the holiday season approaches.

Egypts government needs to ensure immediate protection for the Coptic community, especially during the upcoming Christmas holiday, Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. The victims deserve a credible, transparent investigation that brings the perpetrators to justice and is crucial for ending such attacks.

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Explosion kills 6 Egyptian police officers, wounds others in Cairo

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China is pushing for greater ideological conformity in schools and universities. Shown here, students before wushu practice at the Tagou martial arts school in Dengfeng in October. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Universities must be strongholds for the Communist Party, President Xi Jinping says, while schools are on the front line of the battle against the infiltration of hostile foreign forces and their subversive ideas.

Journalists, opinion leaders on social media and civil society groups were among the first in the firing line, then came lawyers, with many of the most troublesome now behind bars. Writers and artists have been warned that their work must serve the Communist Party and the masses.

Now academics and educators are in the crosshairs.

China must build colleges into strongholds that adhere to Party leadership, Xi said at a two-day meeting last week on ideological and political work in higher education, while teachers must be disseminators of advanced ideology and culture and staunch supporters of governance by the Party.

The Peoples Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece, explained what that meant in a commentary piece over the weekend.

Students intellectual, ideological, emotional and psychological makeup have not matured, the paper said, and they need guidance: on where to channel their efforts in life, whom to love, how to appreciate things and what kind of person to be.

In an essay, Education Minister Chen Baosheng wrote that schools were the main target of hostile foreign forces that seek to infiltrate the country, while also complaining of historic nihilism  code for attempts to question the Communist Partys rewriting of history.

There are intense battles being fought at our education front line now, he said.

In the short term, the clampdown will be felt most strongly in the social sciences, experts say, but it has potentially broad and damaging implications for the nations intellectual and economic advance.

It is going to stifle much-needed debate on a whole variety of areas about where China is going, said Rana Mitter, a professor of modern China at the University of Oxford, who argues that the country needs open discussion at its top universities about the challenges it faces.

Zhu Dake, an expert on Chinese cultural history at Tongji University in Shanghai, called the news a severe blow to academia and independent thought.

Before, there were some spaces for academics to express what they believe, he said. Now it is highly possible that universities wont have any space for independent speech.

Chinese universities were given broad freedom to pursue academic excellence since the country began opening to the outside world in the late 1970s, experts say.

In recent years, China has been investing heavily in higher education, recognizing its role in fostering the innovation its economy needs to continue growing. Chinese scholars who left to pursue their careers overseas have been lured back home, while partnerships with top foreign universities have been encouraged.

All this has helped push Chinese universities steadily up international rankings, said Phil Baty at Times Higher Education, with Peking University and Tsinghua in the top 35 globally. But the largest gains have tended to be focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, where investment has been highest and where restrictions on academic freedom may not have as strong an impact, Baty said.

Graduates in these subjects have spearheaded Chinas drive into IT innovation, and the party clearly values their work.

When Xi took over, however, the suspicion returned, and there has been a crackdown.

Last year, universities were told to shun textbooks that promote Western values, while a small number of outspoken academics have been sacked or  in the case of ethnic Uighur professor Ilham Tohti  jailed for alleged separatist activity.

The chill winds are felt most strongly in the social sciences and humanities.

Both foreign students and Chinese students in the social sciences have come under much stricter supervision since Xi came to power, said Anne-Marie Brady, a global fellow at the Wilson Center, who has taught in China for many years. Chinese teachers are much more cautious about what they will say about the current political situation  even off the record.

In the longer term, they could put off foreign academics from a variety of disciplines from coming to the country, Oxfords Mitter argued, slowing the process of internationalization that has helped Chinas universities join the ranks of the worlds best.



Edward Vickers, an expert in Chinese education at Japans Kyushu University, said the clampdown appears to be having some effect both on what is taught in classes and what scholars feel empowered to publish.

But implementation of the latest directive is likely to be inconsistent, he said.

Party committees in any university or college are made up of locals, he said. Once these messages are filtered down through several layers to the local level, they might not mean that much.

Brady made a similar point.

Now more than ever, the political atmosphere at each university is very dependent on the attitude of the top leaders and whether or not they support an atmosphere of academic freedom, she said. So a few universities are operating relatively normally, while many are slowly imposing stricter controls on academics and students, too.



Zhu, at Tongji University, said tighter restrictions on accessing the global Internet have hit scholars across all disciplines. Last year, a group of scientists appealed to the government to lift restrictions on accessing research over the Internet, but their request was denied.

Zhu said his research into comparative Chinese cultural history has stalled because he can no longer freely access international material. He plans to finish his work in the United States.

The Chinese government says it wants to strengthen Chinas soft power and influence in the world. But to be honest, with this kind of intrusion, and the closing down of free academic thought and global interconnectedness, I dont know how they are going to realize this great destiny to revive the China Dream,  he said.

Congcong Zhang contributed to this report.

Read more:

Is Hong Kongs academic freedom under Chinese attack?

Hong Kong protests spur renewed debate over patriotic education

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BILLINGS  Two men escaped serious injury Sunday when the semi-truck they were traveling in jackknifed and slid down a 25 foot embankment on Interstate 90 east of Billings.

The Freightliner was westbound on I-90 near the interchange with Interstate 94 and traveling too fast for conditions when the wreck occurred just before noon, according to Montana Highway Patrol.

The truck was driven by a 34-year-old man from Manitoba, Canada. Neither he nor the co-driver who was riding in the trucks sleeper were taken to the hospital.

The Freightliner was hauling steel pipes on a flatbed trailer and the pipes came loose during the crash. They collided with the cabs sleeper causing extensive damage to the fiberglass. The trucks passenger reported minor shoulder pain but did not immediately seek medical attention.
It was supposed to be a public relations bonanza. A pair of new F-35 fighter jets were scheduled to streak across the sunny desert sky here on Monday afternoon and land to rapturous applause by Israeli and American leaders and military brass.

But first, fog socked in an Italian air force base outside Milan, delaying for hours the takeoff of the F-35s on the last leg of their journey from Texas to Israel.

Tired of the long wait, many of the guests departed, a reverse parade of military attaches heading back to their embassies, followed by television news crews who didnt think footage of airplanes landing in the dark would be terribly gripping.

Then, out of nowhere, President-elect Donald Trump decided to strafe the F-35 in a tweet.

The F-35 program and cost is out of control, Trump wrote Monday. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th, the date of his inauguration.

[Trump takes aim at Pentagons and Lockheed Martins $400 billion F-35 program]

Trump didnt mention any defense companies by name, but share prices of the lead F-35 contractor, Lockheed Martin, closed 2.47 percent lower Monday.

Finally, the two F-35s landed here at 8:16 p.m. It was dark.

The two aircraft were flown by U.S. pilots, and they were greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter.

Carter said there was no better symbol of the relationship between the United States and Israel than the F-35.

Together, we will dominate the skies, he said. With the turmoil in the region, were more dedicated to Israels security today than ever before.

Netanyahu said, Our goal is to obtain supremacy in every theater: in the air, in the sea, on the ground and cyber.

The arrival of the first F-35s should serve as a warning to Israels opponents, the prime minister said.

I want to be clear: Anyone who thinks of attacking us will be attacked. History has taught us that only strength brings deterrence, only strength brings peace and respect, Netanyahu said, according to a translation by the Jerusalem Post.

The two stealthy fighter jets cost Israel around $110 million each. Israel announced that it would acquire 50 of the aircraft, which are designed to evade detection by sophisticated surface-to-air missiles and top-flight fighter planes.

In September, after months of negotiation, the Obama administration signed an unprecedented pact with Israel that will provide the Jewish state with the largest amount of military aid ever awarded, $38 billion over 10 years, with promises of the latest in missile defense systems, cutting-edge technology and fighter jets such as the F-35.

Israel is the first country outside the United States to receive the F-35s. The Israeli Air Force hopes to have them mission-ready within a year.

[Some Israelis see $38 billion U.S. military aid offer as a failure]

The deputy commander of Nevatim air base called the F-35 more than a flying machine.

Its a war system, said Col. Asaf, who because of security protocols agreed to be identified only by his first name and rank.

The colonel described the airplane as a lethal combination of technology and stealth. It will be mostly invisible to enemy aircraft and ground-based antiaircraft batteries.

Israeli Air Force officers say the fifth-generation F-35s will allow the penetration of enemy airspace without detection.

Its a completely different ballgame, said another Israeli Air Force commander, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity.

The officer said the F-35 is not faster or more agile than the F-16s and F-15s the Israelis currently fly. Nor can it carry more weapons.

The difference is they cant see you, he said. And by the time they do see you, they are in trouble.

Russia recently delivered advanced antiaircraft batteries to Iran. As far as we know, nobody has flown the F-35 against the S-300s, the Russian-made surface-to-air missiles. But we dont see this as a big challenge for the F-35, the commander said.

Jack Crisler, a Lockheed Martin vice president for business development, was on hand at Nevatim for the landing ceremony.

He said the F-35 was designed specifically to best the latest antiaircraft missiles. In addition to its ability to jam enemy radar and penetrate undetected into an adversarys airspace, Crisler said the airplane collects and processes reams of data about the battlefield. The pilot is offered a 360-

degree view, which is shown on an Israeli-designed helmet visor.

Crisler said the cost of the F-35 in 2019 will be $85 million, making it highly competitive.

He chafed at the suggestion that the plane cant fly in the fog.

Crisler said that it was Italian authorities who put a halt to takeoffs during the afternoons bout of bad weather.

The Israeli deputy commander said four Israeli pilots have been training on simulators in the United States and on Tuesday will take the two F-35s for their first flights here.

Israeli officials say the F-35 will be used for all its air force missions, including in possible future confrontations with Iran and the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

This means that if Hamas and Israel fight a fourth war in Gaza, the worlds most advanced fighter jet will go against an enemy that makes homemade rockets out of repurposed sewer pipes.

Read more:

Israel, Hamas and Egypt form unlikely alliance against Islamic State affiliate

Ten years after last Lebanon war, Israel warns next one will be far worse

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The bills proponents describe the so-called Muezzin Law as necessary, not to clip religious freedom, but to muzzle excessive noise. The sponsors say their goal is to safeguard quality of life. The Muslims say their sacred tradition can't be compared to a rowdy party to be shut down by police. (William Booth,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

The bills proponents describe the so-called Muezzin Law as necessary, not to clip religious freedom, but to muzzle excessive noise. The sponsors say their goal is to safeguard quality of life. The Muslims say their sacred tradition can't be compared to a rowdy party to be shut down by police. (William Booth,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

When the call to prayer begins in the Palestinian neighborhoods here, the Muslim faithful hear a song beautiful and sublime. Hour by hour, five times a day, it is the soundtrack of their lives. And it stirs deep emotions.

Across the walls, across the lines that separate Arabs from Jews, the Muslims call to prayer means something very different.

The Jews hear noise, they say. And worse.

During periods of heightened violence, when the Jews who live near Palestinians hear the Arabs proclaim that God is great! in a broadcast that travels far from the mosques loudspeakers, they say they do not think of God.

They hear a threat.

An Israeli flag waves in front of the minaret of a mosque in the Arab quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

Israeli lawmakers now are pushing legislation to ban mosques in Israel and East Jerusalem from using loudspeakers to issue the call to prayer, especially in the early morning, when the summons begins as early as 4. The bill is being debated, and its sponsors hope to pass it in coming weeks.

One might think that after centuries of Jews and Muslims living side by side, in war and peace, these issues would be settled  but that would be naive.

The bills proponents describe the so-called muezzin law as necessary, not to clip religious freedom but to muzzle excessive noise. The sponsors say their goal is to safeguard quality of life.

As might be expected, a proposed ban on amplified calls to prayer has touched a raw nerve .

The Muslims say their sacred tradition cannot be compared to a rowdy party to be shut down by police.

In Pisgat Zeev, a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem, Yael Antebi lives in a sunny apartment with a terrace overlooking a dry desert riverbed. In the distance is a refugee camp for Palestinians in Shuafat, which today does not resemble the camp it was generations ago but rather a city with high-rise apartments, a mall and narrow, twisting streets.

In tense times, the call feels threatening, said Antebi, who sits on the Jerusalem city council and is a deputy mayor.

Protesters in the Israeli-Arab town of Umm el-Fahm rally against a bill to enforce lowering the volume of mosque loudspeakers calling worshipers to prayer. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

To her visiting grandchildren, who do not live near Arab villages, the sound is frightening.

Antebi said the mosques crank up the volume during conflicts. The prayer calls were especially loud in the summer of 2014, during the Gaza war.

Its like theyre trying to get inside your head, she said.

Motti Yogev, a member of parliament from the pro-settler Jewish Home party, introduced the bill after hearing from frustrated Jewish residents who live in so-called mixed cities of Arabs and Jews in Lod, Acre, Haifa, Ramle and Jerusalem.

People came to me to complain about the sound from the muezzin all day, but especially in the early morning, he said. The mosques would put their speakers right up near the homes of Jewish people and wake them up.

He said some of those grumbling were Muslims, too. Arabs make up about 20 percent of the Israeli population, and most are Muslim.

Yogev said that years ago when there were no public-address systems or electricity, Muslims would knock on doors to let people know it was time for prayer. Or they would sing from the minaret without amplification. That was old-school.

Now they can put it on the phone or an alarm clock, he said. They dont need to broadcast it on speakers.

In the Palestinian neighborhoods, residents see the threats, too. In Shuafat, locals said the muezzin bill is nothing more than power politics, the strong against the weak.

This call doesnt hurt anybody, said Kamal Abdul Khader, a former boxer who works as a bus dispatcher in Shuafat.

You know what the call is? The call is to come and pray to God, he said. The Jews dont want to hear this? Tell me why.

Told it wakes people up, Khader laughed and pointed at the chaotic street scene with its cacophony of honking horns, cellphone rings and pop music blasting from shops.

Listen, this is Jerusalem. We Muslims dont complain when the Christians ring their church bells. We dont complain about the Jews with their ram horns. This is religion, he said. No one should interfere.

Men attending Shuafats main mosque agreed. One recalled that he had heard the muezzin bill was changed to protect Jewish customs. In the deeply Orthodox communities of Israel, sirens often wail on Friday afternoons to mark the beginning of the Sabbath. Sometimes a trumpet or rams horn is sounded.

After the bill was first introduced, it was criticized by ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers worried that it could apply to the customs of their constituents.

Proponents agreed to amend the bill to protect the Sabbath sirens.

The bill has broad support in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. I cannot tell you how many times people of all faiths are bothered by this, Netanyahu said recently.

The prime minister pointed to ordinances in Europe and the Middle East that control the volume or hours of the muezzins call. Israel is committed to freedom of religion, but it must also protect citizens from the noise, he said.

There are some who ask why such a divisive topic needs the blunt force of legislation and a ban.

In the ancient port city of Jaffa, the mosques in a mixed neighborhood of Jews and Muslims in the Tel Aviv municipality agreed to reduce the volume.

In two neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, members of the Jewish settlement of Gilo and their Palestinian counterparts in Beit Safafa were brought together by police to seek a compromise. There is a preliminary agreement to experiment with the placement of loudspeakers.

Israels president, Reuven Rivlin, hosted a meeting of Muslim and Jewish clerics last month to seek a middle way, without a new law.

I am the son of someone who translated the Koran and observed the Jewish commandments, and I recognize the need to tread a fine line, the president said.

In Pisgat Zeev, the deputy mayor said she thought the legislation was a political stunt designed to do nothing more than incite the public. Its cheap populism, Antebi said. There are already laws on the books to control noise between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. They can enforce them.

At the mosque in Shuafat, the muezzin, who asked to be referred to as Abu Mohammad, said he has sung the call to prayer for 35 years. He was sorry to hear about all the complaints. He said he thought there was nothing more moving than hearing the call in the quiet of the dawn as it echoes across the desert where the prophets walked.

If there is a more beautiful voice than mine? he said. They can do the call.

Sufian Taha contributed to this report.

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1 of 41 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Scenes from Aleppo View Photos Images from inside the Syrian city. Caption Images from inside the Syrian city. Dec. 19, 2016 Syrians evacuated from Fuaa and Kafraya, two Shiite villages under rebel siege, are welcomed by pro-government forces as they arrive in Jibrin, on the eastern outskirts of Aleppo. George Ourfalian/AFP/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue.

Syrian forces in the northern city of Aleppo pinned down rebel fighters to a sliver of territory on Monday as President Bashar al-Assads troops appeared close to capturing their biggest battlefield prize and delivering a crushing loss to the opposition.

Taking full control of Aleppo  whose eastern districts were among the last urban strongholds of the rebels  would not end the more than five-year-long conflict that has ravaged Syria and scattered millions of war refugees across the Middle East and Europe.

But Aleppos fall would mark a major setback for rebel factions and leave them  and their Western and Arab allies  struggling for ways to keep the anti-

Assad rebellion alive.

On social media, some people in the last few rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo wondered whether they were posting their final words.

I am waiting to die or be captured by the Assad regime, wrote Ameen al-Halabi, a photographer. Pray for me and always remember us.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was alarmed by reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children.

[U.N. official: Men rounded up in flight from rebel zones]

Rebel officials said their fighters were pulling out of district after district in the face of overwhelming force by Syrian ground troops backed by Russian air power. By nightfall, rebels controlled no more than a tenth of the eastern Aleppo neighborhoods they had once hoped to use as a seat of power to rival the capital, Damascus.

The battle of Aleppo has reached its end. It is just a matter of a small period of time, no more, no less . . . its a total collapse, said Rami Abdulrahman, the pseudonym of the director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

He said rebel forces had withdrawn from all districts on the eastern side of the Aleppo River after losing a key area, Sheikh Said, in overnight fighting.

After repeated attempts to take back Aleppo, a pro-government offensive has smashed rebel defenses there and left armed opposition groups ready to surrender. But while rebel officials say they are willing to evacuate the city, pro-Assad forces have continued their seemingly unstoppable march through what remains of the rebel enclave.

Defeat of the rebels in this strategic city, once Syrias economic powerhouse, would be devastating for the broader fight against Assads rule.

It also would give the government an important morale boost a day after the Islamic State militant groups recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra underscored the Syrian armys deep manpower shortages.

[In Aleppo, theres no way of counting the dead]

More than 100,000 people are thought to have fled the fighting in eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks, often arriving in government- or Kurdish-held areas with nothing. But those who remain have said they cannot leave.

Some fear getting caught and even disappearing in the dragnet of government detentions. The United Nations has received reports that the rebels have stopped people from leaving.

They have been killing us for so long, why would they have mercy? asked one resident, who gave his name as Ahmed al-Shaer.



The Syrian army is in the "final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse, a Syrian general said. ( / Reuters)

Inside the last pockets of rebel territory in eastern Aleppo, most residents sheltered in their houses Monday as bombs rained down and government troops came closer. The area has been shattered, and monitoring groups say hundreds have been killed there in the latest offensive.

Residents said Monday that roads in the rebel-held districts were filled with civilians camped out and huddling in the winter cold.

Life in Aleppo has become a slow death, Shaer said. You watch everything and everyone dear to you disappear.

And on Monday night, the phones of most civilians contacted by The Washington Post appeared to have fallen silent. Their fate remains unknown.

Liz Sly in Beirut, Heba Habib in Stockholm and Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.

Read more:

Fearing abandonment by Trump, CIA-backed rebels in Syria mull alternatives

In Aleppo, theres no way of counting the dead

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Yemens leader said Saturday that he personally approves every U.S. drone strike in his country and described the remotely piloted aircraft as a technical marvel that has helped reverse al-Qaedas gains.

President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi also provided new details about the monitoring of counterterrorism missions from a joint operations center in Yemen that he said is staffed by military and intelligence personnel from the United States, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Hadis comments mark the first time he has publicly acknowledged his direct role in a campaign of strikes by U.S. drones and conventional aircraft targeting an al-Qaeda franchise that is seen as the most potent terrorist threat to the United States.

Every operation, before taking place, they take permission from the president, Hadi said in an interview with reporters and editors from The Washington Post in his hotel suite in the District. Praising the accuracy of the remotely operated aircraft, he added, The drone technologically is more advanced than the human brain.

Hadis enthusiasm helps to explain how, since taking office in February after a popular revolt ended President Ali Abdullah Salehs 33-year rule, he has come to be regarded by Obama administration officials as one of the United States staunchest counterterrorism allies.

1 of 25 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Images from around the world View Photos Here is a look at some of the weeks best photographs from around the globe. Caption Here is a look at some of the weeks best photographs from around the globe. Sept. 28, 2012 A new portrait of Mao Zedong is hung from a truck onto Tiananmen Gate in Beijing ahead of China's 63rd National Day on Oct. 1. Jason Lee/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue.

In a sign of Hadis standing, he was greeted by President Obama during meetings at the United Nations in New York last week and has met with a parade of top administration officials in Washington, including Vice President Biden, White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

The pace of U.S. drone strikes in Yemen has surged in the past year, as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula gained territory in the southern part of the country and continued to mount attacks against the United States, according to U.S. officials who said they disrupted an airline bomb plot earlier this year that originated in Yemen.

The U.S. Joint Special Operations Command and the CIA have carried out 33 airstrikes in Yemen this year, compared with 10 in 2011, according to the Long War Journal Web site, which tracks drone attacks.

In the interview, Hadi alluded to civilian casualties and errant strikes earlier in the campaign, which began in December 2009, but he said that the United States and Yemen have taken multiple measures to avoid mistakes of the past.

He also described a joint operations facility near Sanaa, the capital, that serves as an intelligence nerve center for operations against AQAP, as the terrorist groups Yemeni affiliate is known. You go to the operations center and see operations taking place step by step, Hadi said.

AQAP exploited political chaos in Yemen in the past year, seizing territory in southern provinces and control of several cities, including Jaar and Zinjibar. Hadi said that the Yemeni militarys recovery of that southern territory marks the beginning of the total defeat of al-Qaeda on the Peninsula and that foreign AQAP fighters have fled to other countries including Mali and Mauritania.

AQAP has been linked to a string of plots against U.S. targets, including an attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airplane on Christmas Day 2009. An American-born cleric who became an alleged operational leader in the organization, Anwar al-Awlaki, was killed in a drone strike last year.

Hadi emphasized that the toll in Yemen goes beyond the countrys casualties in its fight against al-Qaeda. He said the country has seen dozens of oil exploration companies abandon projects in Yemen and that tourism has evaporated, exacerbating the countrys economic problems.

U.S. Special Operations drones patrol Yemen from a base in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa. The CIA aircraft are flown from a separate facility on the Arabian Peninsula whose location has not been publicly disclosed.
By Elizabeth Siegel. Photos: Getty Images.

You're looking very (a+b)/a = a/b = 1.618... =  today. That's a compliment...and an actual, if ancient, equation for calculating beautyin art, in architecture, in human faces. And you can thank the Greek mathematician Euclid for the formula, often called the Golden Ratio. Recently, Amber Heard and Kim Kardashian were deemed the most beautifulsorry, the most women in the world by a London-based plastic surgeon who funneled the size of their lips, cheeks, and eyebrows into that exact equation.

Of course, it's odd when beauty becomes that reductive. It's unsettling. It's disconcerting. And it's for sale. Provided you don't have a fear of needles, it's never been more possibleor popularto inject your way to Euclid's ideal proportions. Arched eyebrows, pronounced cheekbones, Instagrammable lips...Patients ask me for more symmetrical features all the time, says Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Boston, who points out that a little asymmetry usually looks more natural. The problem is you can't take textbook pretty features and put them on everyone's face.

Meaning the problem is that you can. And we are. In other words, welcome to Stepford, people.

There they are on Bravo, the plumped lips. And on Instagram, the rounded cheeks. And at your local Starbucks, the frozen foreheads. It's manipulating your own features and creating this weird new look in the process, says Amy Wechsler, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York City. Wechsler is also an adjunct assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. And on that front, well: This manipulation is messing with our minds. You walk into a room and you're not sure how old anyone is anymoreno one necessarily looks younger, but everyone looks the same.

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons across the country are seeing it happenyes, in many cases, they're also making it happenand everyone we spoke with agreed: It's a little freaky.

Story continues

Now, if you'll forgive an editorial aside: It's our idiosyncrasies that make us unique, our imperfections that make us interesting. Our flaws, our stumbles, our smile lines, our split endsthese are part of who we are, and to some extent, part of the human condition. And what's recently been happening between patients and needles is an affront to so-called imperfections everywhere. It's Lauren Hutton without the gap in her teeth. It's Barbra Streisand without a bump on her nose. It's Cindy Crawford without the mole above her lip. It's what Doris Day, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, ominously calls "the new sameness."

Don't believe it? Last year alone, we were injected more than 6.6 million times, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Let's try that again. 6.6 MILLION TIMES. That's a nearly 40 percent increase from just five years ago. The more you see this lookwhich is all over social mediathe more accepted it becomes and the more people are OK with it, says Jessica Wu, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. That is to say, the baseline has shifted. What looked uncomfortably taut and full a few years ago barely merits a second glance today. And it begs the question: What level of intervention will be unremarkable by 2020? When enough people do something, it's amazingly easy to let it go unchallenged. Lemmings on a precipice.

Technically, injectables are supposed to make you look younger, says Wechsler. And they certainly can. They smooth lines. They restore contours that flatten with age. They lift droopy brows and slackening jawlines. But when injectables are doing every one of those things, on one face, to the nth degree? Well, think of these innovations like red winein small doses they can be a very good thing, but if you overindulge, the binge can lead to bad decisions and potentially a puffy, not-quite-right-looking face.

So how exactly did we get here? There's no one answer, but doctors put a big chunk of the blame on a paint-by-numbers approach to needle work. When dermatologists are trained to do Botox, they often start with a diagram, explains Wu. When I first learned, I had the diagram in front of me, too. It read, Do this amount in this location. I did it on myself, and my friend told me I looked a little crazy. Why? Well, those diagrams are FDA-approved injection sites based on a bell curve. If you're rusty on probability theory: People who fall on either side of the curve will get too little or, worse, too much and look frozen for the next three months. And the charts don't take into account that the left and right sides of a face are often different from one another, so some patients are going to come out looking uneven, says Day.

At med-spas, injectables can be even more like shapewearone size for all! Sex appeal for none! There, physician assistants, nurses, and doctors who may have only a passing knowledge of dermatology and facial anatomy are far more likely to take diagrams and general guidelines as gospel.

So for anyone who is thinking of going under the syringe and doesn't want to look a little crazy, Wu has some advice: If a dermatologist's office won't tell you how many injections they do in a week, that's your first red flag. You don't want to be someone's 5th patient or their 500th, says Wu. You want to be their 5,000th. And if the filling still goes too far, there is yet another injection that may be able to reverse those injections. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers in a matter of days, says Day.

You should also be reassured if your doctor really chats you up. The best injectors try to get you talkingabout what, it doesn't really matter. The point is to see how your face moves, where your asymmetry lies, how your cheeks plump when you smile, and all the other things that make your face uniquely yours.

Because as promising as modern medical injections can be, we also have to question whether there is anonymity in uniformityand whether that's a good thing.

It's your expressions and quirks that make you beautifulI fundamentally accept that God is better at creating faces than I am, says Hirsch, pausing for a moment. I'm just here to tweak.

This story originally appeared on Allure.

More from Allure:

10 Celebrity Hairstyles That Make You Look 10 Years Younger

Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape

The 9 Prettiest Date-Night Makeup Looks

7 Weird Tricks Stars Use for Looking Great in Photos

The 6 Prettiest Haircuts for Long Hair

The 10 Best Mascaras Under $20
As a model, Alessandra Ambrosio is used to changing up her look. Now the 16-year Victorias Secret Fashion Show veteran is jumping on the bang bandwagon. However, unlike many stars who have rocked faux fringe this year  from Lea Michele to Karlie Kloss  the model really made the cut.

Hairstylist Frankie Foye shared a photo of the model mid-haircut with the caption, Lets cut bangs!

Ambrosio was clearly feeling her bold new look, showing off a picture of herself post-haircut on Instagram. She captioned the shot, Private Island . Bahamas.

The Brazilian beauty escaped to the Caribbean with fellow models, including many who also participated in the Victorias Secret Fashion Show in Paris a couple weeks ago. Although Ambrosio didnt appear in the shots, Elsa Hosk, Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajowski and more showed off their modeling skills on Instagram with the Bahamas beach as their set.

Although Ambrosio rocked long flowy locks for this years fashion show, many other models opted to go with shorter dos. Last year, model Maria Borges made headlines for being only the second VS model to walk in the show with her short, natural hair. This year, Borges was joined by models Jourdana Phillips and Herieth Paul in embracing their short, natural curls, calling themselves the Buzzcut Angels.

Other models eschewed the typical long, loose waves, opting to wear their hair as they normally do, including Alana Arrington and Dilone, who kept their hair short.




BILLINGS  One of the most elusive predators in Montana is on the verge of leaping into the digital age  mountain lions.

Jay Kolbe, a Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist based in White Sulphur Springs, is writing the states first mountain lion management plan. But to do that he first had to assure the department and the public that there is a way to accurately estimate the wily cats population.

Thats always been the holy grail, Kolbe said. The greatest challenge in lion management is simply counting lions.

Whats more, the count has to be objective and provide population estimates in real time to allow game managers the ability to set lion hunting quotas. The counts also have to be repeatable  like the annual flights over winter ranges to count deer and elk  to show population trends.

I think we have a system to do both, Kolbe said.

New ways

To put the new system into effect, the state will be broken up into "eco-regions"  four large areas home to mountain lions. Since 1971 when Montana classified lions a game animal  up until 1962 there was a state bounty on cougars  mountain lion hunting has been based on quotas for many individual hunting districts across the state.

The new way to estimate the mountain lion populations in these larger regions is based on a study in the Bitterroot Valley. FWP biologist Kelly Proffitt was the lead author of a 2015 peer-reviewed article about the study, along with seven other scientists who hailed from, among other places, the University of Montanas Wildlife Biology program to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Proffitt said the counting techniques have proven fairly accurate.

Theres no alternative method to allow an agency such as ours to have a routine monitoring program thats time- and cost-effective, she said.

When some of the studys lion population estimates, which were based on the new methods, first came out in 2014, the higher count caused alarm among some lion hunters.

The numbers they came up with in that study werent even realistic, said Grover Hedrick, a veteran Boulder houndsman who has helped FWP and other agencies with lion studies.

Kolbe said the department could have explained the new numbers better, to emphasize that were discussing the population in a different way. Proffitt noted that using the same method in other places, like Granite County and along the Blackfoot River drainage, produced population numbers that werent as controversial among houndsmen.

Certainly all estimates come with confidence errors, she said. But its still a metric of the populations numbers that allow you to track trends over time.

She said the techniques used for the study are now used in Washington and California as an accepted way to track populations.

In 2014 the perception was that it was something new and crazy, Proffitt said. Thats not the case anymore.

How it works

To develop trend data for lion populations in the state plan, FWP will incorporate genetic sampling from lions  capturing DNA using darts so the lions aren't handled or collared  as well as spatial capture-recapture models. Spatial capture-recapture models provide a flexible framework  for studying spatial processes such as individual movement, resource selection, space usage, population dynamics, and density, according to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Another tool FWP will be using is an integrated population model  developed with assistance from the University of Montana  that uses all of the field research data, demographics and past harvest data.

The model will allow wildlife managers to plug in proposed harvest quotas to see how they might affect a specific population over the next three years, Kolbe said.

It allows us to better manage lions to whatever objective, Kolbe said. All of these tools work together to inform a management program to ensure lions are conserved here and meet individual objectives. Before, we were really flying blind.

FWP support

Kolbe has praised FWP for committing resources to the work. That commitment was partly motivated by the concern that anti-hunting groups might be able to halt lion hunting because population data was scarce.

This is a good tool to help biologists across the state set seasons, said John Vore, FWP Game Management Bureau chief. We want to use the best available science for managing mountain lion populations.

A draft of the state mountain lion management plan is expected to be released for public comment in soon. Kolbe hopes to have the tool available by next springs season-setting. Even then, Vore said the initial document will be a draft and open to change.

People shouldnt say, This is the way its going to be, he said.

Criticisms of FWPs mountain lion quota setting have sometimes driven a wedge between the department and hunters, breeding distrust of the agency. Kolbe said he is optimistic that the new plan will reassure lion hunters and nonhunters that Montana is committed to protecting cougar populations and cougar hunting.

I hope this gives them more confidence in our ability  to protect the resource, he said. Id like to rebuild some trust.
Moonlight has been named best film of the year by Boston Online Film Critics Association.

The film - which earned six Golden Globe nominations Monday morning - also won best supporting actor honors for Mahershala Ali and best ensemble for the cast in weekend voting. The movie also was named best picture over the weekend by the African American Film Critics Association and by the San Francisco Film Critics Circle.

Meanwhile, Damien Chazelle was tapped as best director for La La Land. Best actor and actress honors went to Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea) and Isabelle Huppert (Elle), while Michelle Williams was named best supporting actress (Manchester by the Sea).

Read more: Golden Globes 2017: The Complete List of Nominations

A complete list of winners follows.

Best Picture

Moonlight

Best Director

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Best Actor

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Best Supporting Actress

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Best Ensemble

Moonlight

Best Screenplay

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Foreign-Language Film

The Handmaiden

Best Documentary

Cameraperson

Best Animated Film

Kubo and the Two Strings

Best Cinematography

Natasha Braier, The Neon Demon

Best Editing

Nels Bangerter, Cameraperson

Best Original Score

Mica Levi, Jackie

Read more: Critics' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List

The 10 best films of the year, as voted on by the BOFCA:

Moonlight

Manchester by the Sea

La La Land

Paterson

Hell or High Water

Green Room

Silence

Certain Women

The Handmaiden

Elle
Yesterday was the 2016 Nobel Prize Award Ceremony, where Bob Dylan was awarded his Nobel Prize in Literature. Dylan was unfortunately unable to attend the event in person, but to commemorate the honor, he prepared an acceptance speech which was delivered by Azita Raji, the United States Ambassador to Sweden.

"From an early age, I've been familiar with and reading and absorbing the works of those who were deemed worthy of such a distinction: Kipling, Shaw, Thomas Mann, Pearl Buck, Albert Camus, Hemingway," he writes. "These giants of literature whose works are taught in the schoolroom, housed in libraries around the world and spoken of in reverent tones have always made a deep impression. That I now join the names on such a list is truly beyond words."

Dylan goes on to discuss how important the stories in his songs are to him and to his listeners. "Well, I've been doing what I set out to do for a long time, now. I've made dozens of records and played thousands of concerts all around the world. But it's my songs that are at the vital center of almost everything I do. They seemed to have found a place in the lives of many people throughout many different cultures and I'm grateful for that."

In his place, Patti Smith performed at the ceremony. You can watch the whole thing here, and read his letter in full here.

Continue Reading On PigeonsandPlanes

More from PigeonsandPlanes
One of the big questions hanging over Trump Tower has been whether Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson will be nominated for secretary of state. Amid growing concerns about Tillersons reported close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway recently downplayed the oil executives relationship with the Russian leader.

Related: Tillerson Raises Questions of Corporate vs. National Interest

On CBS This Morning, Conway said: "It's not like Vladimir Putin and Rex Tillerson are pounding down vodka at the local bar. They're not intimate friends, but they deal with each other through business interests."

However, with American intelligence agencies saying with high confidence that Russian hackers tried to disrupt the U.S. presidential election -- and allegations that their intent was to tilt the outcome to Trump  the widely predicted nomination of Tillerson is getting intense scrutiny in the media and on Capitol Hill. Even some Republican senators are expressing reservations.

Also in the spotlight is Exxon Mobil itself, a corporation with a $379 billion market cap (as of Dec. 12) that operates around the globe as almost a nation-state unto itself, or as Steve Coll wrote in The New Yorker online yesterday, an independent, transnational corporate sovereign  a power independent of the American government, one devoted firmly to shareholder interests and possessed of its own foreign policy.

Coll, now dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism, wrote a 2012 book about ExxonMobil, Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power, in which Tillerson plays a prominent role.

Related: The Russia Hacking Scandal Could Cost Trump His Pick for Secretary of State

What is known about Tillerson, who for the chief executive of the biggest energy company on the planet speaks to the press only rarely, is this:

At 64, he is a 41-year veteran of ExxonMobil and worked his way up through the ranks. He joined the company after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a civil engineering degree.





Contrary to Conways claims, Coll describes Tillerson as having close relations with both President Vladimir Putin and Igor Sechin, the close Putin ally who runs Rosneft, one of Russias oil-and-gas giants.





In 2013, Putin awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, an honor given to foreigners who have been of service to Russia.



While ExxonMobil operates across the globe and Tillerson has negotiated with many heads of state, he has no direct foreign policy experience.





He supports free trade.





His net worth is around $300 million, The Washington Post estimates.





Tillerson is a believer in climate change, according to Coll.





A major supporter and former president of the Boy Scouts of America, he pushed to allow gay youths to join.





Coll calls Tillerson a devotee of Abraham Lincoln.





Like Trumps nominee for labor secretary, fast-food CEO Andy Puzder, Tillerson is reportedly a fan of libertarian writer Ayn Rand. He once listed his favorite book as Atlas Shrugged , Coll says.





Coll also says Tillersons Exxon Mobil has defied state department policy in places such as Kurdistan.





Three Republican senators have expressed concern about Tillersons ties to Putin: Marco Rubio of Florida, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina. And Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky says he will reserve judgment.

Story continues



Both Paul and Rubio are on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would first consider the nomination. On Sunday, Rubio tweeted: Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState.

A secretary of state linked to the Kremlin, which for decades propped up Fidel Castros Cuba, would likely not sit well with Rubio backers in the old-line Cuban-American community in South Florida.

McCain, who along with Graham and Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Jack Reed of Rhode Island has called for a bipartisan probe into Russian hacking, was even more forceful. He told Fox that while Tillerson deserves a fair hearing, "I am concerned about his relationship with Vladimir Putin. [Putin] is a thug, a murderer, a KGB guy who only wants to restore the Russian empire."

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
17 streaming movies everyone needs to watch before they turn 30

There are so many streaming movies out there it can feel overwhelming. The best you can do is choose which genre you feel like diving into, and then pick the one that got the most stars. Every now and then, though, you know you want to sink your teeth into a hearty film, something that will either reflect the most basic struggles of everyday life, or dazzle us so much that we forget what universe we currently live in. And the movies that fall into either one of these categories are definitely worth seeing before you turn 30.

In a lot of ways, the old adage is true: Age is just a number. But thats not always the case. Your age is a pretty good indicator of where youre at in life, and it can play a big role in how you relate to the world and the people around you. For example, your 21-year-old self probably doesnt find the dating montages of Sex and the City nearly as funny as your 30-year-old soul does, because youre pretty much a dating pro after all those years of experience. The movies below should be seen before you hit the third decade of your life because they make you reflect on the experiences youve had or imagine your future will look like. Of course, there are some on the list that are just such classic films, youd be crazy not to see them before you hit 30. Whip out your laptops, because every last one of these is available to stream at this very moment.

Here are 17 streaming movies everyone needs to watch before they turn 30.

1. Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantinos dark comedy film is hard to explain if youve never seen it. All you need to know is that there several really interesting, really wacky storylines to follow, with a near-perfect script and gripping characters. Some might even call it Pulp Fiction one of the best films of all time. Watch it on Netflix.

2. Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles is a classic 80s coming of age film, starring Molly Ringwald obviously. Shes just trying to get through her 16th birthday, and we cant help but sigh with her along the way. Okay, so turning 16 isnt that dramatic in the long run, but its fun to remember those days when you thought the world was going to end over the smallest embarrassment. See it on Netflix.

Story continues

3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Getting your memory erased probably isnt the best idea to deal with a tough breakup, but dont lie. Youve considered it before, because weve all been that heartbroken at some point in our lives. Watch Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet win you over on Netflix.

4. 10 Things I Hate About You

Um, duh. You have to see this movie. Youve probably already seen it 10 times. But you might as well watch it again on Netflix, and this time just try not to bawl your eyes out when Julia Stiles reads her poem to Heath Ledger, may he forever rest in peace.

5. Good Will Hunting

It was the movie the propelled Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to fame, and its a real tear jerker (mostly thanks to the ever brilliant Robin Williams). Its got a wonderful script that makes you think about all the best things in life: love, friendship, forgiveness, trust, and staying true to yourself. Watch it on Hulu.

6. Boyhood

Weve never seen anything quite like Boyhood, which was filmed over the course of 11 years. Watch a young boy grow up as a regular kid in America, experiencing all the normal things you probably went through yourself. Theres nothing fancy about the story, but thats why its so magical. You really feel like it could be anybodys story being told on screen. See it on Netflix.

7. When Harry Met Sally

This touching, hilarious tale of two best friends, played brilliantly by Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, is a must-watch for anyone who has ever dated and wondered whether men and women can ever actually just be friends. See it on Hulu.

8. Gladiator

Russell Crowe plays the ultimate hero in Gladiator, and you can watch him defend his familys honor on Netflix. Be prepared to cry and cheer and be sufficiently creeped out by Joaquin Phoenix.

9. Love Actually

Its one of the most-watched Christmas movies of all time (or at least one of them). It makes us laugh until we cry, especially the part where the Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) gets caught snogging his girlfriend at a school musical. There are all kind of different love stories in this movie that will tug at your heart somehow and make you grateful for all the love youve got in your own life. Enjoy it on Netflix.

10. Whats Eating Gilbert Grape

This movie will remind you how important it is to love your family, no matter how they may appear to the people around you. Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Juliette Lewis will have you glued to the screen with their stunning performances. See it on Netflix.

11. Saturday Night Fever

Its got a timeless soundtrack that will please anyone, but this movie is about so much more than dancing. John Travolta plays a teenager on the cusp of adulthood who is trying to find his way. He deals with racism in his neighborhood and tension at home with his squabbling parents, and he tries to win over a pretty girl, naturally. Watch it on Netflix.

17. Boy

If youve never seen any of Taika Waititis movies (The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do In the Shadows), youre seriously missing out. This movie is about a young boy growing up on a small farm in New Zealand, when his dad is released from prison and comes home to take care of a few things. Its hilarious, if youre open to the kiwi humor, and it will make you feel things. Watch it on Netflix.

13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

You dont have to come from a Greek family to enjoy the hilarious embarrassment that ensues in this movie. Its an especially heartfelt story for anyone whose family emigrated to America. Get ready to laugh! See it on HBO Go.

14. The Imitation Game

Its a true story about Alan Turing, the man who decrypted German codes to help the British in WWII. Hes a determined man who isnt exactly the most social, and he has to hide the fact that hes gay. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Turing with such tenacity and authenticity, you cant help but cry your eyes out for the suffering real-life Turing went through in his time. See it on Netflix.

15. Frida

Salma Hayek plays Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter and one of the most influential women to have ever lived. Watch her dysfunctional relationship play out with her husband, played by Alfred Molino. Her strength and resilience will inspire you and make you want to be the most badass version of yourself. See it on Netflix.

16. Forrest Gump

Do we really need to say much at all? Forrest Gump is one of the most classic movies of all time. Just make sure youve got a box of tissues handy. See it on Netflix.

17. Clueless

Its got a cult following for a reason. Alicia Silverstone is a teenager in Beverly Hills, and shes just about to turn 16. Clueless is another one of those coming-of-age tales that hilarious, memorable, and so very quotable. See it on Netflix.

The post 17 streaming movies everyone needs to watch before they turn 30 appeared first on HelloGiggles.
It's almost a new year, so it's time to add some new accounts to your Twitter timeline. But with more than 313 million users, you may feel overwhelmed by the options. There are meme accounts, politics profiles, parodies, celebrities and more.

Stay calm and load up TweetDeck  we've compiled 17 of the best Twitter accounts for you to follow in 2017.

@realDonaldTrump: United States President-elect has made a habit of taking to Twitter with his thoughts on everything from Robert Pattinson to Russia's involvement in the election.

@nytimes (or @CNN. Or @AP. Or all three) : In an era of fake news, it's important to read and watch media you can trust.

@jonnysun: Jonathan Sun shares relatable, misspelled messages that will make you smile when you scroll past.

@chrissyteigen: John Legend's wife is a Twitter legend in her own right. The model never holds back her opinions or details of her life, making her honesty  and profanity  refreshing to read.

@MerriamWebster: With humor, sarcasm and etymological info, the dictionary is ridiculously fun to follow on Twitter.

@dog_rates: This account is Twitter at its purest. People submit photos of their dogs, and the photos get rated. (Spoiler: Most ratings exceed 10/10. They're good dogs, Brant.)

@joshgondelman: A Brooklyn comedian, Josh Gondelman writes for "Last Week Tonight" and is famous for his brief Twitter pep talks.

@emrgencykittens: Enough said.

@kenjennings: Ken Jennings, who won 74 games of "Jeopardy!" in a row, is ridiculously wry (and full of good trivia) on Twitter.

@EveryTweet_Ever: When Twitter jokes get trite, Every Tweet Ever is there with a parody.

@theOnion: This satirical publication's articles on politics and culture will make you laugh. And then cry.

@IAM_SHAKESPEARE: Willy Shakes, as the Bard has nicknamed himself on Twitter, is tweeting his plays line by line.

@neiltyson: Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson regularly gets sassy on social media, but he's allowed to  he has the facts to back it up.

Story continues

@katyperry: Katy Perry has more than 94 million followers, so you should track her tweets just to stay hip.

@DiGiornoPizza: This is a brand account for pizza, yes. But the tweets are wide-ranging and eloquent and, at times, just plain hilarious.

@WesleyLowery: Wesley Lowery, the ace Washington Post journalist covering social justice and law enforcement, gives you a behind-the-scenes look at reporting on the Black Lives Matter movement.

@Pontifex: Whether you're religious or not, the fact that a 79-year-old from Argentina is on Twitter is pretty impressive.

Related Articles
Elyse Hollanders Blond Ambition screenplay about Madonnas first album led the 2016 version of the Black List  an annual ranking of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood.

Hollanders script received 49 votes from among the 250 executives voting. The project details Madonnas efforts in the early 1980s to get her first album released while navigating fame, romance, and the dismissive attitude of the music industry at the time. Blond Ambition is set up with Brett Ratners Ratpac and Michael De Luca.

Three projects tied for second place with 35 votes each: Dan Fogelmans multi-generational story Life Itself, set in New York and the Spanish countryside, with Rhode Island Avenue and Temple Hill producing; Tony Tosts The Olympian, about an underdog rower trying to compete at the 1984 Olympics, set up at Management 360; and Liz Hannahs The Post, about how Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham and editor Ben Bradlee overcame their differences to publish the story about the Pentagon Papers, set up with Amy Pascal and Star Thrower Entertainment.

One of the first scripts announced was Flint Wainess Linda and Monica, described as the true story of Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripps relationship. Mindy Kaling made the list with her Untitled Late Night Comedy script as did The Imitation Game screenwriter Graham Moore with The Last Days of Night, a story centered on the legal battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse.

Dan Gilroy, who received an Oscar nomination for Nightcrawler, made the list with Inner City. Drew Pearces near-future thriller Hotel Artemis, which recently attached Jodie Foster to star, was also on the list.

Steve Rogers screenplay I, Tonya made the list for the Tonya Harding biopic, which is starring Margot Robbie as the ice skater. Mike Makowsky scored two spots on the list with Bad Education and I Think Were Alone Now.

The annual lineup consists of the years 73 best unproduced scripts in Hollywood as voted on by more than 250 studio execs. Previous alumni of the list include Slumdog Millionaire, Argo, The Kings Speech, Foxcatcher, Whiplash, and The Imitation Game.

Story continues

Stars such as Peter Dinklage, David Benioff, Armie Hammer, Eva Longoria, and Domhnall Gleeson began announcing the selected scripts through social media videos on Monday at 9 a.m. Josh Singer, who won an Oscar for the Spotlight screenplay, made one of the announcements as did Writers Guild of America West President Howard Rodman.

The entire list is on the Black List web site. Heres the list with rankings:

Blond Ambition by Elyse Hollander (48)

Life Itself by Dan Fogelman (35)

The Olympian by Tony Tost (35)

The Post by Liz Hannah (35)

Voyagers by Zach Dean (28)

In the Blink of an Eye by Colby Day (25)

O2 by Christie LeBlan (22)

Untitled Lax Mandis Project by Seth Spector (22)

Dark Money by Matt Fruchtman (21)

Letters from Rosemary Kennedy by Nick Yarborough (21)

Linda and Monica by Flint Wainess (20)

Hala by Minhal Baig (19)

The Miserable Adventures of Burt Squire by Ben Bolea (18)

The Time Travelers La Ronde by Tom Dean (18)

Revolver by Kate Trefry (17)

Fairy Godmother by Chiara Atik (15)

Free Guy by Matt Lieberman (15)

The Kings of Maine by Kathy Charles (15)

Laylaand Other Love Songs by Derek Weissbein (15)

Maximum King! by Shay Hatten (15)

Battle of Alcatraz by Neil Widener, Gavin James (14)

I Think Were Alone Now by Mike Makowsky (14)

Man Alive by Joe Greenberg (14)

Mother by Michael Lloyd Green (14)

Untitled Late Night Comedy by Mindy Kaling (14)

King of LA by Chris Bremner (13)

Let the Evil Go West by Carlos Rios (13)

Villains by Dan Berk, Robert Olsen (13)

Hart You by Zoe McCarthy (12)

James Camerons Titanic by Kate DAngelo (12)

Northeast Kingdom by Alex R Johnson (12)

Barbarian by Rosalind Ross (11)

The Builder by Tom Cartier (11)

Untitled Fairy Tale by Cat Vasko (11)

Adrift by Aaron and Jordan Kandell (10)

Kings Canyon by Paul Hilborn, Evan Parter (10)

The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore (10)

Lee by Chris Urch (10)

Liberty by Jayson Rothwell (10)

Saving Charlie Chaplin by Justin Shady (10)

Two Butterflies by Evan Dodson (10)

The Woman With the Red Hair by Michael Schatz (10)

American Rebel by Christopher Cosmos (9)

Rugged by April Prosser (9)

Turned On by Charlie Kesslering (9)

Boyfriend Material by Mackenzie Dohr (8)

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Many investors like to look for value in stocks, but this can be very tough to define. There is great debate regarding which metrics are the best to focus on in this regard, and which are not really quality indicators of future performance. Fortunately, with our new style score system we have identified the key statistics to pay close attention to and thus which stocks might be the best for value investors in the near term.

This method discovered several great candidates for value-oriented investors, but today lets focus on Hitachi, Ltd. HTHIY as this stock is looking especially impressive right now. And while there are numerous reasons why this is the case, we have highlighted three of the most vital reasons for HTHIYs status as a solid value stock below:

Forward PE for Hitachi

Easily one of the most popular readings for value investors, the forward PE ratio shows us the current price of a stock divided by the full year earnings. Generally speaking, value investors like to see this ratio below 20, though it can vary by industry.

Right now, HTHIY has a forward PE of just 14.20, which means that investors are paying $14.20 for each dollar in expected Hitachi earnings this year. Compared to the industry at large this is pretty favorable as the overall space has an average PE of 18.84 in comparison.

PEG Ratio for HTHIY

While earnings are definitely important, it is vital to know how much you are paying for the growth of earnings as well. One can easily do that with the PEG ratio as this metric looks to show investors how much they are paying for each unit of earnings growth.

HTHIY manages to impress on this front as well, as the companys PEG is just 1.09, suggesting that Hitachi is trading as a relative bargain right now. This is particularly the case when you compare this PEG to the industry, as the broader segment has an average PEG of 1.94 in comparison.

HTHIY Earnings Estimate Revisions Moving in the Right Direction

The solid value ratios outlined in the preceding paragraphs might be enough for some investors, but we should also note that the earnings estimate revisions have been trending in a positive direction as well. Analysts who follow HTHIY stock have been raising their estimates for the company lately, meaning that the EPS picture is looking a bit more favorably for Hitachi now.

Story continues

Over the past 60 days, 1 earnings estimates have gone higher compared to none lower for the full year, while we are also seeing that 1 estimate has move upwards with no downward revision for the next year time frame too. These revisions have helped to boost the consensus estimate as 60 days ago HTHIY was expected to post earnings of $3.96 per share for the full year though today it looks to have EPS of $4.05 for the full year.

Bottom Line

For the reasons detailed above, investors shouldnt be surprised to read that we have HTHIY as a stock with a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can seethe complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

So if you are a value investor, definitely keep HTHIY on your short list as this looks to be a stock that is very well-positioned for gains in the near term.

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- By Sangara Narayanan





The U.S. retail industry and, as a result the global retail trade, is undergoing a sea of transformation thanks to the growth of e-commerce spearheaded by Amazon (AMZN). The industry will never be the same again.

The growth of e-commerce is already drastically transforming the competitive landscape, and the heightened competition between the top players will make things harder for smaller players who will see their margins get tighter as the big get bigger.





The growth of e-commerce is what has ushered in a new era of retail trade all around the world. A quick look at the forecast of transport and logistics company UPS (UPS) shows clearly where the world is moving towards.

ETTuONV3cDMbOPrawvHXQoJ4bPNYtAn3QYzu7WiU

Much of the shift to online ordering is inevitable. With payment systems now prolifically available to mobile devices as well as traditional desktops, the growth of online retail is likely to mirror the growth of mobile payments.

During the Thanksgiving holiday this year, more than 30% of online orders were paid for using mobile devices, according to PayPal (PYPL). These mobile orders are only going to grow year over year as mobile wallets become more popular. Apple Pay has already showed the way for device makers to leverage their user base, and PayPal's own Venmo is one of the main beneficiaries of this shift towards pure-play mobile payments - not merely transactions done on mobile browsers. Does that mean physical retail is on its way out? Not quite.

The fact that Amazon wants to open 2,000 physical stores and is already testing the Amazon Go cashier-less concept is testament to the fact that brick and mortar retail sales still dominate the retail market.

Two years ago a study by Ripen eCommerce showed that 92% of consumer spending in retail still happened offline. In the first quarter of 2016, The Wall Street Journal published this data:

Story continues

"While total online spending comprised 7.8% of all retail purchases in the first quarter, according to the Commerce Department, more than half the population, or about 190 million U.S. consumers, will shop online this year, according to Forrester."

Despite rapid growth, the e-commerce share of retail is still less than 10% of the overall retail market. Of course, this is not just for consumer spending but all segments of the retail industry, but it does show how much room online retail has for growth. It also shows the continued dominance of physical retail.

Take Amazon as the perfect example. The company recorded $79.27 billion from product sales (excluding marketplace seller commissions) in North America for fiscal 2015, while the entire North American retail market was worth more than $5 trillion last year. Despite being the largest e-commerce player in this part of the world, Amazon is still scratching the surface, which makes it obvious that physical retail is where the money is. That's why Amazon is itching to sink its teeth into that market.

As it stands, I believe there are three companies that will grow stronger as the power balance between physical retail and online retail gradually shifts in favor of the latter - over a period of several more decades. Those three are Walmart (WMT), Costco (COST) and Amazon.

Walmart will continue to grow bigger not only because of its massive presence, but also because it is now finally tasting success in the online world. In addition, its newer format of Neighborhood stores will form the ideal foil to its Supercenters, acting as urban touch points for their massive customer base. The model hasn't been fully leveraged yet, which is where the upside lies.

Amazon is the exact opposite. Having become the dominant online player, it wants to see even more success in the physical space. Amazon now knows that it needs a physical network as big as Walmart's if it wants to reach the size and scale comparable to the house that Sam Walton built.

Meanwhile, Costco has proven that its membership model can withstand even the toughest onslaught from e-commerce. Even without a significant online presence of its own, Costco is able to hold its ground year after year.

Of course, other major retailers and smaller ones alike will survive, and some might even end up growing bigger. But these three companies are where your money should ideally be if you are a long-term investor.

Disclosure: I have no positions in the stock mentioned above and no intention to initiate a position in the next 72 hours.

Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






U.S. high schoolers aren't the best at science among their international peers, but many of the country's teens want to pursue a career in the field, according to a new report.

Thirty-eight percent of 15-year-olds in the U.S. who took the Program for International Student Assessment, a reading, science and math exam given to students globally every three years, expect to work in a science-related career at 30.

[Check out the 2016 Best High Schools for STEM.]

However, U.S. students only scored about average in science among their global peers and didn't improve since the exam was last given in 2012, the report says.

High school science teachers and parents can use the following three tips to help teens interested in science and struggling academically beef up their skills.

1. Give students an outlet to explore science outside of class: Sometimes, students aren't given the opportunity in science class to explore real data or to practice science in a hands-on or meaningful way, says Jessica Anderson, a science teacher at Powell County High School in Montana.

It's helpful for students to have opportunities outside of class to explore their passion, such as in a science club or by conducting research with a mentor, says Anderson, who is also the 2016 Montana Teacher of the Year.

Parents and teachers should help students find these opportunities and make sure teens take advantage of them, she says.

Students probably won't do these activities if parents and teachers just recommend them, Anderson says.

"They'd be like, 'Oh, thanks. Maybe I'll do that.' But they need that extra push," she says. That's especially important since students might lose confidence once they see a low score on an exam, she says.

2. Help students work on their literacy skills: There are so many technical terms students will encounter in science, such as those related to cell reproduction, that science can become challenging for students, says Chris Ludwig, a science teacher at La Junta High School in Colorado.

Story continues

Families can help students beef up their comprehension skills by reading short news articles together, not even necessarily about science, and talk about what happened in the story afterward, he says.

[Get tips from Bill Nye the Science Guy on keeping teens interested in STEM.]

3. Expose students to all kinds of careers in science: Many students don't know about the various science-related careers available, says Anderson.

"They may think, 'Oh, I have to be an astronomer or I have to be a marine biologist,'" says Doug Hodum, a biology teacher at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Maine.

But there are many other careers available in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math -- that require different types of skills, Hodum says, including lab technicians and primary investigators.

And parents and teachers should be careful when giving feedback. "It's really easy to instantly to turn a kid off if you even suggest that, 'Well, science might not be for you,'" says Ludwig, the Colorado teacher.

"You should never discourage a student from pursuing something they are interested in," says Hodum.

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.

Alexandra Pannoni is an education digital producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at apannoni@usnews.com.
The Daily Beast

GettyRussia announced Wednesday that it views Norways work with other countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as provocative, warning that Norways efforts to bolster its military in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine this year will likely be the death knell for Oslo-Moscow relations moving forward.Oslo is now among the most active supporters of NATO's involvement in the Arctic, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Wednesday, according to TASS. We cons
BILLINGS  Montana's lone congressman Ryan Zinke met with President-elect Donald Trump today in New York City.

Zinke is in the mix for a handful of cabinet positions, including Department of the Interior, Veterans Affairs or Energy, Fox News has reported.

"President-elect Donald Trump and I had a very positive meeting where we discussed a wide range of Montana priorities," Zinke said afterward in message to The Gazette. "We are both very hopeful for the future."

Zinke and Trump discussed sportsmen's rights, land use and ownership, Native American affairs, national security and veterans affairs.

In the Trump transition team's morning call with reporters, Jason Miller, communications director, described Zinke as an early Trump supporter and mentioned the congressman's 22 years as a Navy SEAL and Zinke's experience as a former state legislator.

"Congressman Zinke is a strong advocate for American energy independence. And he supports an all-encompassing energy policy that includes renewable, fossil fuels and alternative energy," Miller said. "Additionally, Congressman Zinke believes we need to find a way to cut through bureaucracy to ensure our nation's parks, forests, and other public areas are properly maintained and used effectively."

Zinke is a member of the House Natural Resources and Armed Services committees.

Montana Republican Chairman Jeff Essmann received the news with enthusiasm.

"This country is lucky to have people like Ryan Zinke, who have always answered the call of duty, in his case in the military," Essmann said. "I'm sure he'd do a great job in whatever position the Trump administration feels they would need him."

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers, R-Wash., was also on Trump's schedule for another interview Monday. She is believed to be the leading candidate for the Interior position. Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, was also set to interview today.

The last U.S. representative from Montana to leave office for a presidential appointment was Rep. James Battin, a Republican from Billings, appointed to the U.S. District Court in Montana by President Richard M. Nixon in 1969.

Democratic Sen. Max Baucus left his Senate seat to become Pres. Barack Obama's ambassador to China.

Zinke, a Republican, won a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating outgoing Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.

If Zinke were selected for a job in the administration, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock would appoint a replacement congressman from a list of three nominees selected by the Republican Party. A special election would then be scheduled in 85 to 100 days of Zinke's departure.

Essmann said it wouldn't be a good idea for the Montana GOP to select a replacement nominee interested in being a candidate for the special election. The short campaign before a special election might make it difficult for an interim representative to compete.

In 2014 when Gov. Steve Bullock appointed then Lt. Gov. John Walsh to replace U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, Republicans blasted the governor for seating a replacement who was also a candidate in the upcoming Senate election.

Zinke and his wife, Lola, were early Trump supporters. Zinke endorsed Trump in May and was among a dozen Montana delegates the Trump campaign endorsed for the Republican National Convention.

Zinke introduced Trump at a May campaign rally in Billings, but it was Lola Zinke who was identified by Trump as an early supporter.

"Where the hell is he? My man!" Trump shouted from the stage while scanning the back of Rimrock Auto Arena for Montana's lone congressman. "He's supported me from the very beginning, but it's more his wife, right?"

Lola Zinke, campaigned for Trump as part of the "Women for Trump" speaking tour. She manages and owns a second-generation family property business in California.

In November, Lola Zinke was appointed to Trump's Veterans Affairs landing team. The team will look for ways to overhaul the VA during the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.
Four additional teens have been charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of David Grunwald, the 16-year-old whose remains were found on Dec. 2 after he went missing in November, bringing the number of teens charged to five.

Devin Peterson, 18, Austin Barrett, 19, and two minor teens were all taken into custody for allegedly playing a role in Davids death, according to a news release from the Alaska State Troopers obtained by PEOPLE.

Peterson, of Wasilla, is charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution in the first degree. Barrett, 19, of Palmer, is charged with murder in the first degree, kidnapping, and murder in the second degree. The two youngest suspects, both 16 and from Wasilla, are charged with murder in the first degree, kidnapping, murder in the second degree, and evidence tampering. It is unclear if the two minor suspects will be charged as adults.

Last week, 16-year-old Erick Almandinger allegedly confessed to involvement in the killing, saying he was a friend of Davids, according to the state troopers. He was charged with murder in the first degree, kidnapping, murder in the second degree and evidence tampering. He has been charged as an adult.

David GrunwaldSource: Justice for David Grunwald Palmer, AK/Facebook

 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.

David was reported missing on Nov. 13, after he didnt come home from hanging out with friends. His father, worried, called Alaska State Troopers and the following day, Davids 1995 Ford Bronco was found torched on a forest trail, according to the state troopers.

On Dec. 2, the same day Davids remains were discovered, Almandinger allegedly confessed, court documents obtained by PEOPLE state. Almandinger allegedly told investigators David came over to hang out, drink and smoke with two friends when things turned violent.

Story continues

The only motive that Almandinger indicated was present during the event was that had smoked all his weed, the documents state.

The 16-year-old was allegedly struck with a handgun until he was knocked unconscious, driven to a remote location in the woods and fatally shot after pleading for his life, the court documents state. It is still unclear who pulled the trigger, authorities say.

Almandinger has not entered a plea. He will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 13, Palmer County Court officials tell PEOPLE. He remains in custody and has not yet retained an attorney.

It is unclear whether Peterson, Barrett and the two others have entered a plea, retained attorneys, or remain in custody. All four will also appear in court on Dec. 13, according to Palmer County Court officials.

Remembering David

Since his death was announced, classmates and friends have come together to honor David.

At Mat-Su Career & Tech, Davids high school, one classroom plans to keep his chair empty until the end of the semester.

Its one thing I can do in my classroom as a tribute and an honor to his life, the impact he had in our classroom and the impact this has had on our community, Zack Lanphier, Davids former teacher, tells PEOPLE.

David was an amazing person, his mother, Edie Grunwald, tells PEOPLE. He the love of our life. He had hopes and dreams.

On Saturday, the Palmer County community held a candlelight vigil for David, his mother says. Friends, family and community leaders shared memories and stories.

 was quite special, Edie says. He has become Palmers child.

Parents Say Death Penalty Should Be Considered

In an interview with KTVA, Davids parents called his death unconscionable and said Alaska should consider implementing the death penalty, which has not existed in Alaska since it became a state in 1959.

My son doesnt get to breathe anymore. Hes gone, Edie Grunwald told the station. These kids  or these people  they get to breathe.

Added Davids father, Ben Grunwald, Would we take that wild animal, catch it, put it in a pen, feed it three times a day, give it medical attention when it got a sore paw? What would we do?




Looks like the oil price rout will take a breather for a while. After an output cut deal signed on November 30, non-OPEC members too decided over the weekend to join to the output cut move in order to tighten supplies and put an end to a two-and-half year long oil price upheaval.

This has given a boost to both WTI and Brent futures by about 5% and poised oil-related investments for gains in the coming sessions (read: Top ETF Stories of November: Spotlight on Election & OPEC).

As per Bloomberg, the OPEC and non-OPEC pact will likely control over 60% of the worlds oil output. However, the move does not include major producers like the U.S., China, Canada, Norway and Brazil.

Already crude oil price was headed toward $55-level at the time of writing. In fact, as per Bernstein, assuming reasonable compliance levels, these cuts will be enough to push the market into deficit and lead to $60/bbl Brent crude price in the near term.

If this $50$55 becomes a reality and stays for long, it will definitely put some country stocks and ETFs in focus. These are the key oil producing and exporting countries with revenues earned from oil accounting for a major share of their GDP. These country ETFs bled when oil slid but could be on high gear if oil prices stage a sustained recovery.



As we all know, ETFs offer a great opportunity while it comes to playing a particular nation. In light of this, we have highlighted five country ETFs that could shoot up in the days ahead should oil price cross the $50 mark on its way above.

Market Vectors Russia ETF (RSX)



The Russian economy contracted 0.4% year over year in Q3, marking the minimum shrinkage in seven quarters. Stubbornly low oil prices were mainly behind this prolonged downturn in the economy. Oil  seemingly the main commodity of the nation  posed huge risks to the nation.

About half of Russias exports in terms of value come from oil and natural gas as the country has the third-largest oil reserve in the world and the biggestnatural gas reserve. This makes it clear why Russias economy is highly dependent on the oil price movement.

Story continues

RSX is the most popular and liquid option in the space with an asset base of $2.30 billion and average trading volume of more than 9 million shares a day. The energy sector accounts for about 40% of RSX, which charges 67 basis points as expenses (read: Will Russia ETFs Prosper Under Trump Presidency?).

The Global X MSCI Norway ETF NORW

Norway is among the top 10 nations famous for oil exports and with its comparatively low population, oil forms the key part of the countrys GDP. As per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Norway is the biggest oil driller in Europe.



The most popular way to play the country is with NORW. The product tracks the MSCI Norway IMI 25/50 Index, a charging investors 50 basis points a year in fees (read Nordic ETF Investing 101).



The ETF is concentrated on energy stocks, as these make up for nearly 28% of the portfolio. In fact, Norwegian oil giant Statoil accounts for 17% of the portfolio alone, suggesting heavy concentration. Thanks to a surge in oil prices, NORW may see solid trading ahead.



iShares MSCI Canada ETF EWC



Canada is also among the worlds top 10 oil producers. The oil, gas and mining sector makes up for about over a quarter of the Canadas economy. Its currency gained about 1.8% as of December 11, since the OPEC output cut deal was signed on November 30.



The best way to invest in Canada is through iShares MSCI Canada ETF, a product that has nearly $3.59 billion in assets. The fund holds just under 100 stocks in its basket. Energy makes up a huge chunk of assets accounting for over one-fifth of the total.

Global X MSCI Colombia ETF GXG

Oil exports in Colombia account for about 20% of government revenue. Oil sales were estimated to come around $1.1 billion in 2016 due to persistently low oil prices against $6.7 billion in 2014. As a result, a spike in oil prices will definitely ease some revenue pressure (read: After FARC Vote, Where Is the Colombia ETF Headed For?)

Though the Colombia ETF GXG is heavy on Financials (45.38%), the energy sector has about 9.5% exposure. The fund charges about 61 bps in fees overall.

Global X MSCI Nigeria ETF (NGE)



Nigeria  an OPEC member  is one of the biggest net crude exporters in the world. An option to invest in Nigeria is a Global X ETF, NGE. This fund give exposure to about 20 companies and charges investors 93 basis points a year in fees.



Though consumer staples and financials mainly regulate the fund, making up about 82% of the holdings, energy has about 6% exposure. That is why, it is important to see how the fund fared during the recent oil price uptrend.

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Growth at a reasonable price or GARP is speculated to offer investors a chance to get hold of stocks that are undervalued but have impressive growth potential. One who seeks to follow this strategy is expected to invest in stocks that are available at a discounted price and boast strong earnings growth. While this appears similar to the blend strategy, there is a thin line of difference. While the blend strategy helps to identify value and growth stocks, GARP investing strategy helps to choose stocks that provide the best of both value and growth investing.

Key Features of GARP

The GARP strategy seeks to offer an ideal investment by borrowing the best features of both value and growth investing. While investors following the GARP strategy give precedence to value ratios such as price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-book value (P/B) ratio, they also use earnings per share (EPS) growth rates and return on equity (ROE) like growth investors to identify potential stocks. However, the range of the values of metrics that are considered by GARP investing may differ from those that are considered by value or growth investors.

While value investors look for an extremely low P/E ratio to choose a company, the GARP strategy focuses on acquiring stocks that have relatively higher ratios but less than their respective industry average. Meanwhile, GARP investing chooses stocks with P/B ratios lower than their industries similar to value investors.

Separately, investors following the GARP strategy give priority to stocks with an impressive EPS growth track record over those with extremely high growth rates. Companies that qualify GARP investing are believed to have past as well as expected growth rates over the next few years between 10% and 20%.

Another metric, which is borrowed by GARP investors from growth investing, is return on equity (ROE). Like growth investors, the GARP strategy looks for stocks with higher ROE than their industry average.

Story continues

Screening Parameters

Along with the criteria we discussed in the above section, we have also considered favorable Zacks Rank  Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy)  to make the strategy more profitable.

 Zacks Rank less than or equal to #2

(Only Strong Buy and Buy rated stocks can get through.)

 Last 5-year EPS & projected 35 year EPS growth rates between 10% and 20%

(Strong EPS growth history and prospects ensure improving business.)

 ROE (over the past 12 months) greater than the industry average

(Higher ROE compared to the industry average indicates superior stocks.)

 P/E and P/B ratios less than X-industry average

(P/E and P/B ratios less than that of the industry indicate that the stocks are undervalued.)

Just these few criteria have narrowed down the universe of over 7,700 stocks to only seven.

Here are the five stocks from the seven that made it through the screen:

Arch Capital Group Ltd. ACGL is a diversified financial services holding company, with an emphasis on the insurance sector. This Zacks Rank #1 stock has an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 9.3%.

NICE Ltd. NICE provides enterprise software solutions. This Zacks Rank #1 stock has an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 7.2%.

First American Financial Corporation FAF provides financial services through its Title Insurance and Services segment and its Specialty Insurance segment. This Zacks Rank #1 stock has an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 14.3%. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Silicon Motion Technology Corp. SIMO designs, develops and markets universally compatible and low-power semiconductor solutions. This Zacks Rank #2 stock has an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 12.9%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. TMO provides analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software, and services for research, manufacturing, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics. This Zacks Rank #2 stock has an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 2.1%.

Get the rest of the stocks on the list and start putting this and other ideas to the test. It can all be done with the Research Wizard stock picking and back-testing software.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.

Zacks Restaurant Recommendations: In addition to dining at these special places, you can feast on their stock shares. A Zacks Special Report spotlights 5 recent IPOs to watch plus 2 stocks that offer immediate promise in a booming sector. Download it free 



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As 2016 draws to a close, we can look back and say that the U.S. restaurant space has not been too enticing to investors. In fact, same-store sales growth has been rather dull in a difficult sales environment.



Despite economic growth, somewhat lower energy prices and higher income, consumers have increased their spending only modestly on dining out, which resulted in low consumption over the last few months. The situation has turned worse, thanks to higher health care costs and tightened credit availability in the U.S.



Moreover, unfavorable currency, a cooling Chinese economy and a tightening labor market have compounded restaurateurs woes. Traffic has also been weak.



Hence, while slowing sales is posing challenges to restaurateurs top-line growth, rising labor costs is turning out to be a headwind to their bottom-line improvement.

Retail - Restaurants Industry Price Index

Retail - Restaurants Industry Price Index

What Do the Numbers Say?



The restaurant industry has clearly struggled this year, which is being touted as its worst since the recession. Whats even worse is that the industry metrics also point to a not-so-rosy outlook.



In fact, per a report by TDn2Ks Black Box Intelligence, the third quarter of 2016 marked the third consecutive quarter of negative comparable sales for the restaurant industry as a whole.



Moreover, as per NPD Group, traffic at U.S. fast-food restaurants fell 1% in the third quarter, marking the sectors first traffic decline in five years and continuing the somber mood at the restaurant industry.



In fact, the Zacks categorized Retail-Restaurants industry had gained a mere 2.5% year to date. Also, the industry currently stands at the bottom 42% of the over 250 Zacks categorized industries.



Thus, given the dwindling prospects of the restaurant industry, it is unlikely that things will change for some of its players in the near term. Thus, it would be wise for investors to reshuffle their portfolio, and get rid of stocks that may hurt returns.



Steer Clear of These 5 Stocks in 2017



With the help of the Zacks Stock Screener, we have zeroed in on five stocks in the Retail-Restaurants industry with an unfavorable Zacks Rank. Notably, these stocks are also witnessing downward revisions in estimates, hinting at analysts' skepticism about their future performance.



BJ's Restaurants, Inc. BJRI owns and operates a chain of high-end casual dining restaurants in the U.S., which serve its signature deep-dish pizzas, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pastas, steaks and hand-crafted beers. Notably, the stock has declined 8.3% year to date.



Moreover, this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company expects sales headwinds in the near term because of social and political issues, increasing global uncertainty and weakening consumer confidence which is resulting in continued decline in traffic. Besides, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the companys 2016 and 2017 earnings declined 4.9% and 8.5%, respectively, over the last 60 days.



Founded in 1969 in Seattle, WA, and made public in 2002, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. RRGB is a full-service casual dining restaurant chain that serves an assorted range of burgers. Notably, the company has been witnessing rising costs and expenses since the beginning of 2016, mainly due to higher labor costs. Moreover, the stock has lost 12.9% value year to date.



In addition, as the operating environment has become increasingly challenging, the decline in sales volumes has started to impact the returns from new restaurant openings. As a result, Red Robin is slowing down its development plan significantly for 2017 and 2018. Further, this Zacks Rank #4 company has been seeing a downward trend in earnings estimates. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 and 2017 earnings decreased 8% and 8.7%, respectively.



Headquartered in Miami, FL, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. FRGI owns and operates quick-casual restaurants under the Pollo Tropical(R) and Taco Cabana(R) brand names in the U.S. Notably, the company missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings and revenues in the past three trailing quarters and its stock has witnessed a decline of 11.8% year to date.



Moreover, this Zacks Rank #4 company had lowered its full-year 2016 comps guidance for the Pollo Tropical brand previously and plans to close 10 company-owned Pollo Tropical restaurants. Further, over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate decreased 4.5% and 5.3% for 2016 and 2017 earnings, respectively.



Based in Broomfield, CO, Noodles & Company NDLS is a fast casual restaurant offering lunch and dinner. It serves noodles, pastas, salads, soups, sandwiches, cheese, meatballs and beverages. In fact, the stock has plunged 48.9% on a year-to date basis.



Notably, this Zacks Rank #4 company had lowered its full-year 2016 outlook earlier. Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the companys 2016 and 2017 earnings declined 3.4% and 11.4%, respectively, over the last 60 days, adding to its troubles.



Based in Vancouver, WA, Papa Murphy's Holdings, Inc. FRSH operates as a franchisor and operator of the Take 'N' Bake pizza chain in the United States. The company operates in three segments: Domestic Company Stores, Domestic Franchise and International. Notably, the companys shares have tumbled a significant 58.2% year to date.



Aggressive competition in the pizza segment remains a potent headwind and thus this Zacks Rank #4 company had earlier slashed its Domestic system-wide comps outlook for full-year 2016. And if these werent enough, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the companys 2016 and 2017 earnings slumped 63% and 73.3%, respectively, over the last 60 days.



You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



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You are welcome to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buy"" stocks free of charge. There is no better place to start your own stock search. Plus you can access the full list of must-avoid Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells"" and other private research. See the stocks free >>



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BJ'S RESTAURANT (BJRI): Free Stock Analysis Report



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PAPA MURPHYS HL (FRSH): Free Stock Analysis Report



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7 important organizations that help immigrants that you can donate to right now

The United States is a nation of immigrants. Unity is what we stand for as a country. When we help new immigrants become part of our culture, we make America a better place to live for everyone.

There are hundreds of organizations across the country that can help individuals and families with their immigration issues. In addition, these organizations can educate the public about the plights facing immigrants and their families. From answering basic questions about legal rights or status information, to helping people find an immigration attorney, these organizations connect people to important resources such as housing, health, education, and social services.

But, like all non-profit organizations, they need the help of citizens, both monetarily and physically, to make an impact. Thats where you can be of great service. Take a look at some of these important organizations and the work they do, and get involved.



The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) protects and defends our Constitutional rights and individual rights. Donate or volunteer here.

#knowyourrights #immigration #immigrant A photo posted by ACLU (@aclu_nationwide) on Nov 27, 2016 at 7:53am PST

American Friends Service Committee (Immigrants Rights in the U.S.)



The American Friends Service Committee supports immigrant and refugee communities across the U.S. while advocating in Washington, D.C. for humane policy reform. Donate or volunteer here.



The American Immigration Council stands up for sensible and humane immigration policies that reflect fundamental American values. Get involved here.

#americanimmigrationcouncil @officialCBC @immigrationreform #immigrationreform A photo posted by Allen Orr (@allenorrjr) on Nov 7, 2014 at 11:22am PST



The Anti-Defamation League speaks out against discrimination and bigotry and advocates a meaningful and substantive policy that honors Americas promise as a nation of immigrants. Donate or volunteer here.

Story continues

Israeli Prime Minister @netanyahu at #UNGA today. A photo posted by Anti-Defamation League (@adl_national) on Sep 22, 2016 at 10:44am PDT



The Immigrant Solidarity Network is a coalition of immigrant rights, labor, human rights, religious, and student activist organizations from across the country. Get involved here.



Immigration Voice is a national non-profit organization that petitions the legislative and executive branches of the US Federal government to find solutions to high-skilled green card backlogs. Donate or volunteer here.



The National Immigration Law Center is one of the foremost legal advocacy organizations specifically protecting low-income immigrants. Donate or get involved here.

The post 7 important organizations that help immigrants that you can donate to right now appeared first on HelloGiggles.
President-elect Donald Trump has found himself surrounded by controversy on the foreign policy front after declaring that the United States does not have to abide by the one-China policy, which has been the cornerstone of diplomatic relations between the two countries for decades.

I fully understand the one China policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump said in an interview aired on Fox News Sunday.

Here is all you need to know about the president-elects stand on China since he won the Nov. 8 election:

One China Policy

The policy holds that there is only one China and that Taiwan or Republic of China is part of it. While insisting that their respective government is legitimate, leaders of both the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan have agreed to the one-China policy.

After talks between President Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao Tse-tung of the PRC in 1972, the U.S. endorsed the policy at the Shanghai communique, in a joint statement that said all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and Taiwan is a part of China. The United States does not challenge that position.

Endorsing the PRC, President Jimmy Carter formally recognized Beijing as the sole government of China in 1978, going on to close its embassy in Taiwan the following year.

Trumps Taiwan Call

The president-elect accepted a congratulatory telephone call from Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen on Dec. 2, the first such contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Carter cut off the island nations diplomatic recognition in 1979.

According to Chinas state-run news agency Xinhua, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Saturday China had lodged a formal complaint over the call between the two leaders.

Trumps Tweets Against China

The Tsai phone call was followed by two tweets by Trump that accused China of attempting to manipulate its currency, while taxing American imports. The tweets also took a dig at Chinas involvement in the South China Sea.

Story continues

Trumps Reaction to the Complaint

I dont want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me, Trump said in the Fox interview. It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?

I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it, Trump added, in the interview that followed a series of clarifications by his transition team and future cabinet regarding the president-elects stand on China.

White House Reaction

Following the controversial phone call, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to assure them that the U.S. had not changed its one China policy. The administration also added that progress made in U.S.-China relations could be damaged by the flaring up of the Taiwan issue, Reuters reported.

A White House aide maintained that the administration had no reaction to Trumps latest comments, beyond the already-stated policy positions.

Chinas Reaction

While Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trumps latest remarks, according to Reuters, the Global Times, a tabloid published by the Communist Partys official Peoples Daily, said that Trump was naive like a child on diplomacy, adding that the one China policy could not be bought or sold.

We will prove that all along the United States has been unable to dominate the Taiwan Strait and Trumps desire to sell the one China policy for commercial interests is a childish urge, the editorial said, adding that the mainland will launch a number of decisive new policies toward Taiwan.

Climate Change as a Chinese Hoax

In the past, Trump has referred to the threat of climate change as a hoax devised by China to secure an unfair trade advantage over the U.S., blaming the Obama administration for falling for it. China has repeatedly denied any such claim and called on the U.S. to lead the campaign in tackling climate change.

U.S. Ambassador to China

Trump on Wednesday announced his decision to appoint Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, an attempt to allay fears regarding his stand on China by nominating a long-time friend of Beijing.

I look forward to building on our long friendship to cultivate and strengthen the relationship between our two countries and to benefit our economy, Branstad said in a statement following the nomination, an example of Trumps hot and cold approach towards the Asian giant.

Related Articles
The Obama years are coming to a close, and nothing drives that home more than the release of the final Obama White House Christmas card  and its a totally different approach to the first seven seasons greetings. For the first time ever, the Obama family is pictured on the front of the card. Its a photo taken at the state dinner for Canada in March, and the family looks radiant. Heres a look back at the Obama Christmas cards through the years.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Added Capital Inc. (AAD.V) ("Added" or the "Company") today announced the closing of a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing"). The Company issued 4,400,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $220,000. Each Unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.05 per share and expires on December 12, 2021.

Proceeds of the Financing have been used to repay and settle the Company's last interest-bearing loan of approximately $222,000 by the payment of $200,000 and for working capital purposes. In connection with the Financing, the Company paid commissions of $1,600.

Vic Alboini, Chairman and CEO of Added stated: "we are pleased that the payment of $200,000 to settle a debt of $222,000 results in the Company not having any interest- bearing debt."

Stature Inc. ("Stature"), a company wholly owned by Vic Alboini, acquired in the Financing 4,000,000 Units of Added. The total issued shares of the Company after completion of the Financing is 17,027,933 shares.

After completion of the Financing Stature and Vic Alboini owned 10,838,672 common shares. 250,000 stock options and 5,500,000 warrants of the Company, representing approximately 63.7% of the Company on an undiluted basis and 72.8% of the total common shares outstanding assuming the exercise of warrants and options by Stature and Vic Alboini.

Stature and Mr. Alboini may, directly or indirectly, depending on market and other conditions, acquire beneficial ownership of, control or direction over, additional common shares, through market transactions, private agreements or otherwise. Stature and Mr. Alboini may, depending on market and other conditions, sell any or all of their securities in Added.

The Financing is subject to final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. All Units issued will be subject to a four-month hold period ending April 12, 2016.

Story continues

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 release.

About Added Capital Inc.

Added Capital Inc. is a financial advisory firm and merchant bank, with a specialization in mergers and acquisitions, merchant banking investments, risk arbitrage merger and acquisition investments, financial restructurings, proxy solicitation and information agent services.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Andrew Hilton

Chief Financial Officer

416-606- 8833

SOURCE: Added Capital Inc.
Photo credit: undefined

From Popular Mechanics

As anyone who was ever a kid knows, silly putty is awesome. It bounces, it melts, and if you leave it on the carpet it gets stuck in there forever. Silly putty is a simple invention, made of boric acid and rubber. Scientists who invented it 70 years ago were looking for an alternative to rubber. But the new material became a toy, and hasn't found other uses.

Now, scientists in Ireland may be changing that. "It's got these strange properties but it never really found an application. So we thought, if we could make it do something, that would be cool," Jonathan Coleman, a physicist at Trinity College in Dublin, told NPR.

Coleman's main work is with the hyped up substance graphene, a one atom thick layer of carbon known to possess all kinds of astonishing properties. In his experiment, Coleman combined graphene with silly putty. Graphene is known as a good conductor of electricity, and it turns out that by combining it with silly putty, you get a material that is incredibly sensitive to pressure. A small glob of it could measure heart beat and even blood pressure with great accuracy. The study has since been published in Science. Pretty amazing to think that pink goo your kid is playing with may one day be used in your own heart monitor, thanks to graphene.

Source: Science via NPR

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WASHINGTON (AP)  After eight years as first lady, what Michelle Obama does next will be one of the most talked-about questions when the Obamas leave the White House.

She'll have a variety of options after being a high-profile advocate against childhood obesity, a sought-after talk-show guest, a Democratic power player and a fashion maven.

Just as the first lady's role is undefined, with each woman molding it to her personality, interests and comfort level, there is no script for what comes after the first lady finishes the job.

The widowed Jacqueline Kennedy remarried and became a New York book editor. Laura Bush continues her advocacy for literacy and women in Afghanistan. Hillary Clinton launched her political career with her bid for the U.S. Senate, even before her family left the White House.

Here's a look at what Mrs. Obama is likely to do, or not do, when at 53 years old she returns to "private" life on Jan. 20.

LIKELY TO DO:

R&R

President Barack Obama says he's taking his wife on a "really nice vacation, because she deserves it. She's been putting up with me for quite some time." (Twenty-four years of marriage, to be exact.)

WRITE A MEMOIR

Practically all first ladies do. Book publishers would offer millions for the rights to Mrs. Obama's insider account as the first black woman in the role and as someone who has said little publicly about her private life in the White House. Clinton got an $8 million advance for her 2003 memoir, "Living History."

SET UP HER FAMILY'S NEW HOME

Breaking from post-presidential tradition, the Obamas plan to stay in Washington so their 15-year-old daughter, Sasha, can finish high school. Presidents usually leave Washington when they leave office, but the Obamas are renting a home in the wealthy Kalorama neighborhood, near what will be the official residence of Vice President-elect Mike Pence. The Obamas also still own a home in Chicago.

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STICK WITH HER INITIATIVES

Mrs. Obama has said she'll stay engaged in public service and will keep working on the issues she focused on during her tenure. They included childhood obesity and education for girls around the world.

"I've always felt very alive using my gifts and talents to help other people. I sleep better at night. I'm happier," she told Vogue for an interview in the fashion magazine's December issue. "So we'll look back at the issues that I've been working on. The question is: How do I engage in those issues from a new platform? I can't say right now, because we can't spend that much time really doing the hard work of vetting offers or ideas or options because we're still closing things out here."

COULD DO:

JOIN SPEAKER'S CIRCUIT

Mrs. Obama put her oratory on display with a well-received speech on opening night of the Democratic National Convention. She followed with a series of campaign speeches criticizing Republican Donald Trump, now the president-elect, as unsuitable for the nation's highest office. Her friend, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, said the first lady will be "one of the most in-demand speakers" as a result of her convention performance. "That speaking fee just quadrupled," Winfrey said during an interview with The Associated Press.

Clinton earned millions of dollars giving paid speeches after she stepped down as secretary of state in 2013. Laura Bush also keeps a robust public speaking schedule.

HOST A TELEVISION TALK SHOW

Mrs. Obama has demonstrated a knack for talk-show banter, and an ease in front of TV cameras. She co-hosted "The View" before the 2008 election and recently co-hosted Ellen DeGeneres' hourlong gabfest. Roy Ashton, head of television at the Gersh Agency in Los Angeles, says Mrs. Obama would be a "no-brainer" to have a show of her own.

"She could pick up where Oprah left off, or something else," Ashton said. "I think Michelle Obama has a ton to say."

SERVE ON CORPORATE BOARDS

She has some experience with corporate America, but she'll want to choose carefully. Mrs. Obama resigned from the board of a food supplier for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in 2007, shortly after her husband announced his presidential bid. He had been a critic of the retail giant. Mrs. Obama cited the increased demands of the campaign for leaving the board of Illinois-based TreeHouse Foods Inc.

"It will be fun to see what she actually does," said Kimberly Archer, head of the Washington office of Russell Reynolds Associates, an executive search and assessment firm. "Wherever she does decide to focus, I would say, 'Lucky them.'"

LIKELY WON'T DO:

RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

Both Obamas repeatedly have said she will not run for president  despite pressure from Democrats wowed by her campaign speeches against Trump.

Obama has said she doesn't have "the patience or the inclination" to be a candidate and is "too sensible to want to be in politics." Mrs. Obama said: "No, no. Not going to do it," when asked earlier this year about following in her husband's footsteps.

RESUME PRACTICING LAW

Mrs. Obama, a Harvard law school graduate, practiced at a Chicago firm but abandoned a legal career after the deaths of her father and a close friend. She entered public service, working for the city of Chicago and running an AmeriCorps service program before she joined the University of Chicago Medical Center as a vice president for community and external affairs. It was the last paid position she held before become first lady.

Dr. Kurt Newman, president and CEO of Children's National Health System in Washington, noted the first lady's past hospital experience during her annual Christmastime appearance at the facility and said he looked forward to having her back.

"I can always put her to work," Newman said.

___

Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap
C-3PO may know over 6 million languages, but Alan Tudyk, who plays new droid K-2SO, is fluent in Star Wars impressions. Tudyk, who also loaned his voice talents to this years Zootopia and Moana, steals his Rogue One: A Star Wars Story scenes with a motion-capture performance as a gruff security droid. So Yahoo Movies decided to see how hed fare with other famous Star Wars characters. In this video, Tudyk and co-star Riz Ahmed (who plays Rebellion pilot Bodhi Rook) accept our challenge, giving us such never-before-scene moments as Yoda doing his taxes and Darth Vader having an asthma attack. Watch it above.

Related: Inside the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story World Premiere, From Red Carpet to Afterparty

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, Tudyk said he had no trouble making K-2SO distinct from past Star Wars sidekicks.

Hes very different from the other [droids] because he comes from the Empire, Tudyk explained. Hes a security droid, so he can be an intimidating force and can be enforcing.

The actor also expressed hope that he could continue to play the character in future adventures, pointing out that playing a droid also gives you the possibility to pop up in other Star Wars films since they dont age like the human characters.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters on Friday.

Watch the Rogue One cast critique their action figures, below.
Dec 12 (Reuters) - Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc said on Monday that Chief Executive David Hallal had resigned, effective immediately, and named board member David Brennan as interim CEO.

The company also said Chief Financial Officer Vikas Sinha left to pursue other opportunities, effective immediately, and would be succeeded by David Anderson, who was earlier CFO at Honeywell International Inc.

Alexion had disclosed last month that it was investigating allegations made by a former employee regarding sales practices involving its flagship and costly blood disorder drug Soliris.

The company said on Monday the investigation had not identified any facts that require Alexion to update its previously reported historical results at this point in time.

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos plans to attend President-elect Donald Trumps meeting of tech-industry executives this Wednesday in New York, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Amazons (AMZN) chief executive is expected to join other tech heavyweights already planning on attending, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Oracle co-CEO Safra Catz, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, as well as Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, CEO and chairman of Google parent Alphabet, respectively.

Previous reports indicate the meeting on Wednesday will take place at Trump Tower in Manhattan, the same building where the president-elect has lived for the past three decades and apparently plans on living part-time following his inauguration this January.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is planning on attending Trumps meeting with tech executives in New York on Wednesday, Yahoo Finance has learned. Source: CNBC

The press are currently not invited to attend. CBS News reported Catz, who previously met with Trump in November, plans to discuss solutions for reforming the tax code, reducing regulation, and negotiating better trade deals.

Not everyone, however, may be as eager to break bread with the president-elect, given that many tech leaders have publicly clashed with Trump. Cook and Page, for example, participated in a discussion back in May at the American Enterprise Institutes annual World Forum around how to stop Trumps nomination.

Trump has publicly criticized Apple (AAPL) for manufacturing its phones in China and refusing to provide security backdoors to law enforcement. Meanwhile, Trump and Bezos locked horns when the president-elect temporarily blacklisted The Washington Post, which Bezos bought in 2013, from campaign events, and described Bezos ownership of the Post as a tax dodge.

The president-elect has also come down hard on issues considered vital to the tech industrys interests, including immigration and trade. Indeed, a Trump administration would possibly restrict the number of workers who enter the country with an H-1B visa  a type of visa employed by some tech workers and the same kind of visa Trumps wife Melania received in 1996 to legally work in the U.S.

Story continues



JP Mangalindan is a senior correspondent for Yahoo Finance covering the intersection of tech and business. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

More from JP Mangalindan:

Trump victory bursts Silicon Valley bubble

Why Trump might not be a disaster for tech

Obamas chief tech boss explains the shortage of women in tech

Top Priceline exec says virtual travel agents are the future of travel

Shaquille ONeal explains why he missed the boat on investing in Starbucks

Michael Phelps is trying to be the Michael Jordan of ex-swimmers
On Dec 8, we issued an updated research report on Baton Rouge, LA-based Amedisys Inc. AMED. The company provides home health and hospice services throughout the U.S. to a growing chronic, co-morbid and aging population.

Over the past three months, Amedisys underperformed the Zacks categorized Medical-Outpatient/Home Care industry with respect to price performance. Of late, the stocks share price return worsened further when Amedisys released unimpressive third-quarter 2016 numbers.

Escalation in operating expenses and margin contractions continue to raise concern. Further, CMS recently proposed Home Health rule in 2017 proved grossly unfavorable for Amedisys, indicating gloomy reimbursement scenario ahead. Per the last trading price, overall the company lost 12.9%, as against 4.8% gain of the broader industry over the last three months.

Estimate revision trend also remains strictly negative for the full-year 2016 with all six downward revisions over the past couple of months. Earnings estimates for the current year accordingly dropped a significant 12.3% to $1.50 per share. In absence of any positive catalyst to revive growth, we expect slim chances of recovery any time soon.

We are also concerned about Amedisys intensifying competition from local privately and publicly-owned and hospital-owned health care providers. Since the market for home health and hospice is fragmented with a number of small local providers, there are only a few barriers to entry in this market. The competition is based on the availability of personnel, the quality of services, expertise of visiting staff and the price of services.

On a positive note, in Home Health, the company witnessed strong organic growth in Medicare and non-Medicare revenues. We are also upbeat about the companys initiative for strategically fit merger and acquisition activities.

In line with this strategy, the company has closed the acquisition of Professional Profiles in Massachusetts. Currently, the company is working on additional opportunities for personal care tuck-in acquisitions in the Massachusetts and Southern New England markets and is also aiming to expand this platform in other states, particularly Florida, Tennessee and Pennsylvania where it has a strong Home Health and Hospice presence. The companys strong cash balance position further bolsters our confidence in the stock.

Story continues

The company is also expected to benefit from the aging demographics of the U.S. population and the need for higher acuity patients to be taken care of in a home nursing environment. In addition, with rising demand of healthcare services in the U.S., we believe Amedisys will continue to benefit from increased volume shift from higher-cost institutional settings to a lower-cost environment such as home health.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Amedisys currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked medical stocks include NxStage Medical Inc. NXTM, Baxter International Inc. BAX and Bovie Medical Corporation BVX. NxStage Medical and Baxter International sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Bovie Medical carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

NxStage Medical surged 33.8% over the last one year compared with the S&P 500s 12.3% growth over the same period. The company has a four-quarter average positive earnings surprise of 46.3%.

Baxter International rallied 21.7% over one year, much higher than the S&P 500. It has a trailing four-quarter average positive earnings surprise of 27%.

Bovie Medical recorded a 125.5% gain in the past one year, way better than the S&P 500. The company has a trailing four-quarter positive average earnings surprise of 28.7%.

The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search

Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks  absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



BAXTER INTL (BAX): Free Stock Analysis Report



NXSTAGE MEDICAL (NXTM): Free Stock Analysis Report



AMEDISYS INC (AMED): Free Stock Analysis Report



BOVIE MEDICAL (BVX): Free Stock Analysis Report



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It has long been an axiom in politics that Social Security is politically radioactive, and that politicians court political disaster by pressing for major changes in the nations premier retirement program.

Former President George W. Bush suffered a sharp decline in popularity following his 2004 reelection by promoting an ill-fated plan to partially privatize the system by allowing Americans to invest their benefits in private accounts. The more Bush talked about his Social Security proposal, the more unpopular it became. The Gallup organization recorded that disapproval as it grew from 48 percent to 64 percent during the first six months of his second term.

Related: Heres a First Draft of the GOPs Plan to Overhaul Social Security

Veteran Republican Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas, the chair of the House Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee, may have touched the so-called Third Rail of Politics last week. He introduced legislation to assure the long-term solvency of the retirement trust fund by  among other things  raising the retirement age to 69, raising payroll tax revenues, means testing the system for wealthier retirees and adopting a less generous cost-of-living formula.

Although the trust fund isnt in imminent danger, the Social Security trustees warned that absent congressional action, it will be exhausted in 2033. Thereafter, the benefits for 61 million retirees and their families would have to be cut by 23 percent. Johnsons proposal immediately drew sharp attacks from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other liberal Democrats, who portrayed it as an assault on the 75-year-old retirement system that could lead to cuts in benefits for average beneficiaries of a third or more.

However, a comprehensive survey by the University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation released shortly before the election found that two-thirds or more of Republican and Democratic registered voters agreed on steps along the lines of Johnsons proposal that would cover at least two-thirds of the projected shortfalls in the trust fund. A slightly smaller majority of voters (59 percent) said they would back even more stringent measures to wipe out the shortfall entirely.

Story continues

Related: A New Plan to Save Social Security for Another 75 Years

Perhaps the most popular measure, according to the survey, would be raising the cap on income subject to the federal payroll tax from $117,000 to $215,000 per year. Some 88 percent of the GOP and Democratic respondents said they would favor that approach. Another idea with widespread appeal is raising the retirement age for full benefits to 68, which garnered 79 percent approval. The retirement age is currently 66 and is scheduled to rise to 67 by 2027 under current law.

Another revenue measure with high voter appeal, according to the survey, is raising the federal payroll tax from 6.2 percent to 6.6 percent. That idea drew an overall approval rating of 76 percent. Meanwhile, proposed cuts in benefits for those in the top 25 percent income levels drew support from more than seven in ten voters.

Another popular idea  but one that would add to the long-term Social Security shortfall  is raising the minimum monthly benefit for those who have worked 30 years or more, from $800 to $1,216. The current minimum benefit is below the federal poverty line. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and numerous liberal Democrats have clamored for an increased benefit, especially for widows struggling to make ends meet. Some 58 percent of those interviewed for the project favored increasing the minimum benefit, although Democrats were far more in favor of that than Republicans.

Other ideas fell flat with voters interviewed for the project, including changing the way the Labor Department calculates the cost of living adjustment. Less than a third of voters supported the so-called Chained CPI method that would likely slow the rate of increase, an idea that has been advanced by a number of Republicans and President Obama as well to slow the rate of growth in Social Security spending.

Meanwhile, just three in ten say they would go along with basing the COLA primarily on what elderly people tend to buy, an approach that would accelerate the rate of increase in spending and add to the trust funds financial woes.

Related: How the Democratic and GOP Platforms Clash Over Social Security Reform

Its hard to exaggerate the importance of the Social Security system, created in 1935 during the Great Depression, to tens of millions of seniors and retirees. Among elderly Social Security beneficiaries today, 53 percent of married couples and 74 percent of unmarried persons receive half or more of their income from Social Security, according to the study. Whats more, 22 percent of married couples and 47 percent of unmarried people depend on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income, the study says.

Much of the previous polling by Gallup and other organizations suggest that many Americans are highly concerned about the future of Social Security  including many who doubt there will be anything left in the trust fund by the time they retire. However, they are dubious about specific proposals for assuring the programs long-term solvency. Many of the polls asked voters specifically whether they would approve or disapprove of a major change in Social Security without providing much background, and the result was frequently for voters to say no.

Yet the responses were quite different in the survey results released in mid-October by the non-partisan, non-profit Program for Public Consultation which over the years has embraced a more sophisticated approach. Rather than simply responding to a series of yes or no questions about their attitudes on Social Security and other entitlement reform, the PPC technique requires voters to play the role of policy makers and consider the pros and cons of a set of proposals for assuring the long-term solvency of Social Security.

The significance of these findings are that if leaders wanted to engage the public in a way that says, okay, we have this problem, lets think about the solutions, here are the possibilities, what do you think . . . they could get engaged, said Steven Kull, a political psychologist and director of PPC who wrote the report. In the end, the voters can come to terms with some hard choices.

Related: Medicare and Social Security Worse than They Look

Kull noted that in 1983, the last time the retirement trust fund faced a financial crisis, a bipartisan commission headed by Alan Greenspan and key members of Congress worked out a compromise that largely satisfied the public. We didnt have rioting in the streets and Im not aware of anybody who lost their seat because of a vote on that. So if there is the political will in Congress, what I think the survey shows is that the public can get on board with it.

In all, 8,697 registered voters across the country randomly selected by Nielsen-Scarborough, a public opinion and consulting operation, took part in the study. The research project specifically targeted or oversampled large, politically and demographically diverse states including California, Ohio, Florida, Texas, New York, Oklahoma and Virginia. GOP and Democratic congressional staff members and experts at the National Academy of Social Insurance and the American Enterprise Institute reviewed the explanatory material used in the simulation for accuracy and balance.

For example, on raising the retirement age  arguably one of the more controversial proposals  voters were told that the strongest case to be made is that people are now healthier and generally have physically less demanding jobs than in the past. They should be able to remain on their jobs for a longer period of time. Moreover, they were told, there would be nothing to prevent people from taking an early retirement at 62 if they so choose, although they would receive roughly 20 percent smaller benefits than if they waited for full retirement.

But the argument used against raising the retirement was that it actually would be unfair to workers in their 60s who continue to hold physically demanding jobs, such as in nursing or construction, that require them to be on their feet all day or undertake physically exhausting tasks. Even having to wait until just 67 to qualify for full retirement would be difficult for some.

Related: GOP Cuts in Medicare May Be Next After Dismantling Obamacare

After weighing these and other factors, 79 percent of the voters interviewed favored gradually raising the retirement age to at least 68, with Republicans and Democrats in virtual agreement.

Members of the so called Citizen Cabinet gradually embraced policies for addressing the problem rather than voicing strong opposition or outrage. In short, the exercise was far from touching the third rail of politics, according to Kull.

What we see in this study is that voters want to see some increases in revenue, they want to see the higher earners paying more, theyre up for diminishing the benefits of the top 25 percent (income earners) but not the top 50 percent, theyre up for raising the payroll tax rate, but not by a lot, and theyre up for raising the retirement age to 68  but not 69, as Sam Johnson has proposed.

The University of Maryland- based research program is primarily funded by The Democracy Fund, a bipartisan foundation established by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, and the Hewlett Foundation, a nonpartisan, private charitable organization. Both foundations say they seek to promote strengthening democratic institutions.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
MUNICH -- Uli Henkel had always been a longtime supporter of Angela Merkel, the three-term chancellor of Germany. That was before Merkel opened the country's doors to what are now 1.4 million asylum seekers receiving social benefits. Henkel, a 61-year-old attorney in Munich, says he believes those refugees are mostly economic migrants.

"She made her oath on our constitution and said 'I will serve my people and my country,'" Henkel says of Merkel. "But in reality she tries to be a good person to the world, while forgetting about her own citizens."

Such attitudes have Merkel's coalition government worried as it prepares for national elections next year. Views like Henkel's also explain the rapid rise in popularity of the far-right populist party, Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

[SURVEY: Concerns About Muslims Ruffle Eastern and Southern Europeans]

In a nation that has eschewed nationalist politics since the end of World War II, the AfD has experienced a sharp rise in popularity since its recent, humble beginnings. The reasons, analysts say, echo those that led to the victory of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

"Many people didn't feel represented by any of the established parties," says Carsten Koschmieder, a political scientist at the Free University of Berlin. "Now they feel that they've finally found a party that represents their views."

During this year of global populism, the ascent of far-right politicians across Europe has received widespread coverage in recent weeks. But the speed at which the AfD has risen, coupled with the country's tragic history with nationalist politics, place Germany in an entirely unique space.

The AfD was established in 2013. Its founders were economists, preaching reform of the eurozone in the wake of a debt crisis that led to the bailouts of several European countries, costing Germany billions.

By 2015, the party had shifted decidedly right, making opposition to immigration its primary issue in the heat of Europe's refugee crisis. Nearly 1 million asylum seekers flocked to Germany that year alone, following Chancellor Merkel's proclamation that her country would provide refuge to anyone coming from Syria, and to others seeking protection from war and violence.

Story continues

Germany soon became the most popular destination for refugees in Europe. Merkel's open-door policy made her the darling of both domestic and international media. Yet that praise masked a growing wave of anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic resentment brewing among German citizens who felt betrayed by their government.

The AfD was the only party to embrace that resentment, leading its original founder and other leaders to leave the party over what they considered a move toward xenophobia and populism. Some of the more eyebrow-raising statements from AfD chairwoman Frauke Petry -- for instance, she suggested that German police should be able to shoot migrants who try to enter the country illegally -- have earned her the nickname "Adolfina."

[READ: Angela Merkel: The Steady Hand That Is Popular]

Such views are increasingly common in Europe. A study released earlier this month that focused on European Union countries found that as the proportion of a nation's immigrant population rises, so do populist political views.

The transformation of the AfD into an ultra-nationalist party is exactly what has led so many former non-voters and former supporters of Angela Merkel and her coalition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), into the arms of the AfD.

Three years since its founding, the AfD now holds seats in 10 of Germany's 16 state parliaments, up from five one year ago. The party will seek its first national seats in next year's federal elections, to be held by next autumn. The latest polls predict the AfD securing 16 percent of the national vote. Analysts say they will likely become Germany's third-largest party.

The increasing popularity of the AfD, and its newfound support from so many Germans who used to favor Merkel and her party, has led the chancellor to shift to the right, analysts say.

Merkel's proposal last week to ban the burqa is just the latest example of this rightward trend.

"We have refugees being sent back to Afghanistan, and we have the deal with Turkey," says Koschmieder, referring to an agreement designed to stem the flow of refugees. "Merkel's basically established that we have no more refugees coming here. So she's definitely changed since last autumn [when she issued her initial refugee policy]. That absolutely has something to do with the rise of the AfD."

While there are major differences, there are strong parallels between AfD supporters and the people who supported Donald Trump, whose popularity shocked the U.S. establishment and the media.

"I see this country being close to the edge," says Henkel, echoing a theme of Trump's campaign. Referring to Trump's election, he said, "Of course it helps us, because a lot of people will not be so afraid anymore of doing something unusual. We have the silent majority here too, and I'm quite sure that a lot of people are thinking now that if the Americans can do it, we can do it, too."

Yardena Schwartz is a freelance international journalist and Emmy-nominated producer.
Paris (AFP) - East Antarcticas massive ice sheet may be more exposed to global warming than long assumed, according to a study Monday that shows how strong winds can erode ice shelves that help hold it in place.

There is enough frozen water sitting on top of the world's polar continent to raise sea level by dozens of metres and redraw the world map if it melts.

But understanding the dynamics of the region -- which includes the much smaller West Antarctica ice sheet -- has proven difficult.

Up to now, scientists have focused on the threat of West Antarctica.

Recent studies have suggested that climate change may already have condemned large chunks of its ice sheet to disintegration, whether on a time scale of centuries or millennia.

In contrast, ice covering East Antarctica was seen as far more stable, even gaining mass.

The floating, cliff-like ice shelves straddling land and ocean that prevent inland ice from slipping into the sea, it was thought, were solidly anchored.

That remains largely true. But a mysterious crater on the King Baudoin ice shelf, due south from the tip of Africa, prompted a team of researchers from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to challenge that assumption.

"Our research has shown that East Antarctica is also vulnerable to climate change," said Jan Lenaerts, lead author of the study and a researcher at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Some reports had attributed the crater to a meteorite impact, but when Lenaerts and his team arrived in January they realised the water-filled cavity had other origins.

Combining climate models, satellite data and on-site measurements, they concluded that strong winds carrying warm air were blowing away reflective snow, allowing the Sun's rays to be absorbed into the darker ice rather than bounced back into space.

- Dress rehearsal -

The main vulnerability of ice shelves to climate change remains warming ocean water that erodes their underbelly.

Story continues

Normally, that erosion is compensated by the accumulation of fresh snow and ice from above.

But oceans in recent decades have absorbed much of the excess heat generated by global warming, which has lifted average global air temperatures by one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit).

When combined with erosion from above, the impact on ice sheet stability may be larger than previously understood.

"These processes -- previously unseen in East Antarctica -- indicate that further warming may amplify the risk of ice shelf collapse," said Martin Siegert of Imperial College London, commenting on the study.

A dress rehearsal of what might happen more broadly occurred in 2002, when West Antarctica's Larsen B ice shelf underwent a "rapid and catastrophic mechanical failure," falling into the sea, he noted.

There, too, meltwater had collected on the surface in hundreds of lakes, and when they quickly drained the buoyancy caused the shelf to rupture.

"Larsen B tells us that surface melting can be critical to the structural integrity of ice shelves," Siegert wrote in a commentary, also in Nature Climate Change.
The Spanish actor is set to play Gianni Versace, the famous Italian fashion designer who was shot dead in 1997, in a movie directed by Danish filmmaker Bille August.

The Scandinavian director talked about his latest project at the Marrakech International Film Festival, where he is a jury member this year. His feature film about the Versace family is due to start filming in March 2017.

The family saga will begin at the end of the 1970s, when Gianni, Santo and Donatella Versace created their own fashion house in Milan. It was an immediate hit, and the brand quickly became a prestigious label in the world of luxury clothing, accessories (bags, glasses, watches) and beauty products.

Bille August promises a spectacular cast, likely to be announced early in 2017. The director has, however, already named Antonio Banderas for the role of Gianni Versace, who was assassinated at the height of his career July 15, 1997. The designer was shot dead by the American serial killer, Andrew Cunanan.

The biopic will reunite the actor with the Danish filmmaker more than 20 years since "The House of the Spirits."

Bille August is one of the very few directors to have won two of the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or awards, for "Pelle the Conqueror" (1988) and "The Best Intentions" (1992). But he isn't the only filmmaker focusing on the fashion world. Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai is working on a Gucci family biopic with Margot Robbie. Plus, British director Andrew Haigh ("45 Years") will be telling the story of Alexander McQueen, the British fashion designer who committed suicide in 2010, with Jack O'Connel ("Invincible," "Money Monster") in the lead role.

The small screen is set to delve into fashion history too. After the O.J. Simpson affair and Hurricane Katrina, FX TV series "American Crime Story" will also be looking at the death of Gianni Versace. Lady Gaga, who has previously starred in "American Horror Story," is signed up to play his sister, Donatella.
Last week, president-elect Donald Trump claimed credit for a promise by a Japanese mogul to invest $50 billion in US companies, bringing 50,000 jobs to the country.

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son later revealed that the job-creating investment would come from a new $100 billion fund it launched in October.

As it turns out, one of the investors in that fund could end up being Apple. Apple was once in talks to invest up to $1 billion in Softbank's latest fund, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

That would be, at most, 1% of the money invested in the fund. Saudi Arabia's government fund is pitching in at least $45 billion.

The rationale for Apple's interest in investing, according to the Journal's sources, is that Apple would gain "insight on emerging technologies."

Apple is unusual among tech giants in that it doesn't run its own venture capital wing. It has invested in companies in the past, though.

Most recently, Apple invested $1 billion in Didi Chuxing, the Uber of China. Before that, Apple mostly invested in complementary companies like ARM, which designs the chips used in the iPhone, although it divested its stake when ARM was sold to Softbank for over $30 billion earlier this year.

Cook will be one of a group of tech executives headed to Trump Tower later this week to chat with the president elect.

NOW WATCH: How to supercharge your iPhone in 5 minutes





More From Business Insider
The election is over. Trump and Clinton are both winners in finishing the race. Trump got the prize, part being his aging a year and a half for each year lived with fast-graying hair. His sacrifice for a nation that only half cares for him.

One greater than him sacrificed His flesh and blood, crucified for this world in which many ignore Him.

Perhaps God called this election so pay attention. Look around, notice the growing number of mosques and temples of foreign religions, and many empty Christian churches with people in and attending them.

When one becomes empty on the inside, it shows outwardly. A Muslim woman on CNN News said religions are a gift from God. Not so, for God has given us one perfect gift, unblemished and holy. It is His only son, Jesus Christ, the only way to our Father and eternal life.

Muslims entering our Christian country should hear, be told the Gospel news. To fail to listen, they should be ignored. Sadly to listen their own religion would persecute them harshly.

God expects nations to uphold themselves, so let the Middle East nations remain the Middle East, let America remain America.

We can trade corn for oil and they oil for corn. But you don't trade religions. Ours being the true religion of God and His Christ; we can share it but not trade it.

God has given us a chance to resecure the foundation of charity (love). To love God, one another and husbands love your wives as yourself, etc. Apostle Paul said he can heal the sick, raise the dead, move mountains, but to lack charity he is credited for nothing.

So for our sake we should become more charitable.

Ford Lewis, Decatur
(Updates sourcing, adds details)

Dec 12 (Reuters) - Apple Inc has held talks to invest up to $1 billion in a new $100 billion tech fund being set up by Japan's SoftBank Group Corp, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

SoftBank is investing at least $25 billion in the fund and has been in talks with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) for an investment that could go up to $45 billion.

SoftBank has said it plans to make future large-scale investments via the tech fund, rather than on its own.

Some of SoftBank's moves have caused concern among analysts, as the firm wrestles with a 13.7 trillion-yen ($119 billion) debt pile.

SoftBank and Apple were not immediately available for comment.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.

Through the investment, Apple would hope to gain insight on emerging technologies, the Journal said, adding that the status of the talks could not be learned. ($1 = 115 yen) (Reporting by Liana Baker in San Francisco and Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Savio D'Souza)
Ariel Winter just got the perfect bangs, and changed up her whole look

Oh boy do we love a fresh chop right before the holidays. Ariel Winter just got bangs and we couldnt be more thrilled  because nothing says new year, new you quite like a new do!

The Modern Family actress attended the Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night wearing a stunning (illusion) back-baring gown and rocking choppy new fringe by stylist Jonathan Colombini. With her hair pulled back in a simple, loose top knot, Ariel was really able to show off her new bangs  what Colombini called a 60s vibe. We love!

The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards - Arrivals

Ariel teased her new do on her Instagram story yesterday, sharing a cute video with fellow Modern Family cast member Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

And, of course, she sparkled on the red carpet in a gown by Uel Camilo.

Check out the front

and the back!

So. Gorge.

When we spotted Ariels new bangs, they instantly reminded us of the fringe Kendall Jenner was rocking back in September. Though Ariels bangs are a bit fuller, both dos have the same choppy, rocker vibe going on  and incidentally, they share a hair stylist!

Target Event - September 2016 New York Fashion Week: The Shows

Gotta love that 90s realness.

Many members of the Modern Family cast were on hand at the awards show last night, including Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Noel Gould. The show was nominated for Best Comedy Series for the third time, though sadly it lost out to Silicon Valley.

At least we can say for sure that Ariel won the award for Best Hair!

The post Ariel Winter just got the perfect bangs, and changed up her whole look appeared first on HelloGiggles.
There was a Kanye-esque moment at the 22nd Annual Critics Choice Awards Sunday night when Atlanta star, Lakeith Stanfield, went up to accept an award he did not win. The HBO series, Silicon Valley, won Best Comedy Series, but when Executive Producer Tom Lassally went onstage to accept his award from Christian Slater and Leslie Mann, he had a bit of a surprise. As Tom was making his way to the stage, Lakeith can be seen in the background also making his way to the stage. Everyone in the audience was looking toward Lakeith as he headed straight to the microphone. Once he got there, Lakeith just started talking like he had won. The Atlanta star said, I want to thank everybody for honoring us in this way. We worked very hard on Silicon Valley... and here we are. Thank you, and then he just walked off the stage. Tom was clearly a little confused as he took the award from Leslie and took his turn at the mic. Tom started his acceptance speech by saying, No idea who that was, um wow.
The 2016 Critics Choice Awards on Sunday were anything but predictable. The cast of HBOs original comedy series Silicon Valley took home the award for best comedy series, but it seems not everyone in the audience agreed with that judgement.

After stealing what should have been the shows executive producer Tom Lassallys moment in the spotlight, Atlanta star Keith Stanfield took to Twitter to defend his actions. In a series of bizarre tweets, the California native assured fans that he was not crazy, though his behavior during the show may suggest otherwise. He then congratulated Donald Duck  Donald Glover  on winning best actor in a comedy series.

Before Lassally took the stage, Stanfield hopped on the microphone to say a few words. He delivered a quick and confusing speech, thanking fans for honoring us in this way. He went on to say, we worked very hard on Silicon Valley  a show on which he does not star. Lassally awkwardly paced behind him, saying a few quick thank yous after Standfield exited the stage.

I have no idea who that was, Lassally said. Unfortunately, Alec Berg was sick tonight so he and I are both last minute substitutions for this. So on behalf of Alex and Mike Judge and the cast, just want to thank the critics for supporting the show again and thank all of our friends and partners at HBO.

Silicon Valley was nominated for one other award during the 2016 CCAs. The show faced off against Baskets star Louie Anderson; Andre Braugher of Brooklyn Nine-Nine; Unbreakable Kimmy Shmidt star Titus Burgess; Ty Burrell from Modern Family; and Veep star Tony Hale for best supporting actor in a comedy series. Anderson ultimately took home the title.

Critics Choice Awards 2016

Photo: Getty Images

Related Articles
(Reuters) - Thousands of giant panda fans from around the world have chosen the names Ya Lun and Xi Lun for the new female twins at the Atlanta zoo, officials said on Monday. Ya means "elegant," Xi means "happy," and Lun refers to the fluffy black-and-white bears' mother, Lun Lun. The names were announced on the 100th day after their Sept. 3 births, in line with Chinese tradition, Zoo Atlanta said in a statement. The names were the winning combination from among seven sets supplied by the zoo's partners in China. Ya Lun and Xi Lun earned just over 11,000 of the more than 23,400 votes cast by panda fans globally from Nov. 21 to Dec. 4. "As we wish Ya Lun and Xi Lun well today, we celebrate the future of their species together," Zoo Atlanta Chief Executive Officer Raymond King said. Although the International Union for the Conservation of Nature downgraded the giant panda's status to "vulnerable" from "endangered" in September, the species still relies heavily on conservation programs, the zoo said. Fewer than 1,900 giant pandas are estimated to remain in the wild in Chinas Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. They are threatened by habitat fragmentation and loss as a result of deforestation and other human activities, the zoo said. Ya Lun and Xi Lun are the second set of twins for Lun Lun and male Yang Yang, and the pair's sixth and seventh offspring. Their older brothers and sisters, male Mei Lan, male Xi Lan, female Po and female twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan, live at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. The pandas did not attend a ceremony announcing their names since they are still learning to walk. Ya Lun and Xi Lun are expected to make their debut in late December or in January. (Reporting by Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Lisa Von Ahn)
SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Australian government approved a second international airport for Sydney on Monday, opening the way for construction to begin in Australia's largest city on a project mired in political squabbling for 70 years.

Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (SYD.AX) has first right of refusal to build the A$5 billion ($3.7 billion) airport, which the government hopes will boost inbound air passenger numbers to Sydney by about a quarter, or 10 million people per year.

The new airport is the centrepiece of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's A$30 billion national public works drive designed to keep Australia's economy ticking over as a decade-long resources spending boom unwinds.

Its location, at Badgery's Creek in Sydney's western outskirts, was first mooted in 1946 as the limits of the first airport - hemmed in by suburbs and the sea in the city's east - became clear.

The project has been bogged down in partisan debate over aircraft noise, funding and alternative sites ever since.

"The need for an airport in western Sydney has been screamingly obvious for many years," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

"We are getting on with the job, and this airport will be built ... it will become a catalyst for investment and industry in western Sydney. That is where Sydney's growth is," he said.

The airport's proposed 3,700-metre (2.3 miles) runway will be able to accommodate large Airbus A380 aeroplanes, said Australian Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher.

A spokeswoman for Sydney Airport, Joeley Pettit, had no comment on whether the company would opt to build the new project or contribute an anticipated A$1 billion toward its construction.

The company must exercise its option within four months of receiving formal notice from the government, which Fletcher said would happen before Dec. 31.

The project is set for completion in the mid-2020s, with Sydney's existing airport approaching maximum capacity, the government said in a statement.

(Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Paul Tait)
* Zurich bids A$1.95/shr, 48 pct premium to last close

* Investor says premium reasonable, counter-bid possible

* Australian insurance assets attracting global interest (Adds CEO comments, market share details)

By Jamie Freed

SYDNEY, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Switzerland's Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to buy Australia's biggest travel insurance provider, Cover-More Group, for A$741 million ($551 million), stepping up its investment in the Australian market.

Global buyers have been drawn to the broader Australian insurance sector, where returns on equity are healthy and banks have been selling insurance assets due in part to regulatory changes requiring them to hold more capital.

Zurich had already bolstered its presence in Australia in March through the purchase Macquarie Group's life insurance division for an undisclosed sum.

Other recent transactions include National Australia Bank's sale of 80 percent its life insurance division to Nippon Life for A$2.4 billion in October.

Cover-More shares surged 43 percent to A$1.875 on Monday after Zurich's A$1.95 cash a share offer, a 48 percent premium to the target's last closing price of A$1.32 on Friday.

The company floated by private equity firm Crescent Capital in December 2013 at A$2 a share.

Noel Webster, a senior portfolio manager at BT Investment Management, which owns 5.7 percent of Cover-More, said the premium appeared reasonable but there was potential for a counter-bid.

"Maybe this draws attention to the fact that there is quite good market share and global positioning," Webster told Reuters.

Cover-More Chief Executive Officer Mike Emmett said the company had not run an auction process after receiving an unsolicited approach from Zurich.

The Swiss insurer had been able to access confidential information when competing for a separate underwriting contract won last week by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc , he added.

"From now until closing  by definition anyone else can come forward with a bid," Emmett told Reuters. "The board has a fiduciary responsibility to evaluate every bid."

Story continues

Bell Potter analyst John O'Shea said Cover-More was appealing as a growth business given increasing outbound travel volumes in Australia, driven in part by low airfares.

The company has a 40 percent share of the Australian travel insurance market, and as of the end of September, outbound travel was growing by 4.8 percent a year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australia's second largest travel insurer, Allianz , has a 25 percent share of the market, according to research firm IBISWorld, while Suncorp and QBE Insurance Group each hold around 6 percent.

Cover-More Chairman Louis Carroll said Zurich planned to operate Cover-More as a discrete business and retain the existing management team.

The deal will be executed via a scheme of arrangement requiring the approval of 75 percent of Cover-More shareholders at a meeting the insurer said was expected to be held by early April 2017. Zurich has the right to match any competing offers and will receive a 1 percent break fee if the deal does not proceed.

The five-year underwriting deal with Berkshire Hathaway contains a change of control clause that would allow the U.S. giant to exit the contract in the event the Zurich bid is successful, a Cover-More spokesman said. Zurich would become the underwriter if that occurred, he added. ($1 = 1.3444 Australian dollars) (Editing by Lincoln Feast)
BRUSSELS (AP)  The nation that will take on the European Union presidency at the end of the month held out a diplomatic hand to Turkey on Monday and insisted the bloc needed to "give some positive signals" if it wanted to get more cooperation from Ankara.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Malta Foreign Minister George Vella said the 28-nation EU needed to make more efforts toward visa liberalization for Turkey, a sign Malta wants to keep the EU's important neighbor as a close partner.

Highlighting the differences within the bloc over how to deal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vella's remarks came shortly after Austria demanded that the EU freeze membership talks with Turkey over Ankara's massive crackdown on alleged sympathizers after a failed coup attempt in July.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said "it is wrong to continue accession negotiations as if nothing negative has happened in Turkey."

Instead, Vella stressed the need to keep diplomatic channels open, even though the EU said only last week that Turkey has made virtually no progress on meeting conditions to earn visa-free travel for its citizens. Such visa liberalization is a key part of the EU-Turkey deal to prevent migrants from reaching Europe.

"The Turks say they stuck to their side of the bargain, which is true and we know that migration has practically stopped across the Aegean but at the same time what did we give them in return? This is the point," Vella said. "We have to give some positive signals if we want to see more cooperation from the other side."

Vella said Turkey should be enticed step by step.

"I don't see difficulties in talking about visa liberalization, you know on a gradual basis  for example opening up for diplomatic passports, opening up for special passports, opening up for businessmen who regularly visit Europe, young people," he said.

Malta takes over the EU presidency from Slovakia on Jan. 1, and will be in an ideal position to help shape the agenda and act as a go-between on contentious issues like relations with Turkey, and with Britain, which has voted to leave the EU.

Story continues

EU leaders will discuss the EU-Turkey refugee deal Thursday.

Erdogan threatened to open border gates after the European Parliament called last month for a freeze on membership talks. Since the coup attempt, Turkish authorities have arrested almost 38,000 people and purged more than 100,000 others from government jobs.

Vella acknowledged "excessive measures being taken by the administration" in Ankara but guarded against tough language that could be seen as a provocation.

"The more we speak about it, the more we see Erdogan becoming more obstinate. It is very sad because I strongly believe we should try and do all we can to keep the best communication open," he said.

___

Associated Press Writer Lorne Cook contributed to this story.
AUSTIN, Texas  Lee Millers cluttered workspace in a small wooden structure behind his south Austin home could serve as a time capsule preserving the art and craft of his trade: custom-made cowboy boots.

Scraps of leather, old hand tools and glue pots compete for space on work tables with curls of thread, coffee cups and boots in various stages of progress. Wooden and plastic foot molds, or lasts, hang from the ceiling like roosting bats.

The scent of leather fills the room, along with the sound of a hammer tapping. From a speaker comes a medley of tunes by the likes of Neil Young and Lyle Lovett.

This is the life Miller has made for himself for four decades since hitching on with an old, itinerant bootmaker who agreed to pass along his craft. And now, at 62, Miller sees it as his turn  his duty  to do the same.

This shop was started with the intention of training people to where (the craft) will continue, Miller said. And now Ive been doing it for 42 years. And I need to pass it on.

The man who makes cowboy boots for such quintessential Texans as Lovett, Tommy Lee Jones and Willie Nelson is actually a Yankee.

Lee Miller grew up in Rutland, Vt., an archetypal New England town known not so much for Western wear as for maple syrup, snowshoes and the Green Mountains.

His grandfather had a clothing store, and Miller started helping out in the shoe department. In school, he gravitated toward art classes. Outside of school, he liked rock n roll and wearing cowboy boots. It was, after all, the 60s. Boots and jeans were part of the counterculture look.

As a teenager, he took a job with a shoe and boot repair shop. He tried to make a pair of boots but kept failing. He finally concluded that he had to attend a bootmaking school.

His father, dubious about young Lees dreams of becoming a bootmaker, implored his son to look for a steady job in the shipyard in Groton, Conn. He also brought his son to speak with his boss  the general manager of a local ski area  to get his advice about working as a bootmaker.

The businessman didnt mince words: No one is ever going to want handmade cowboy boots. Nobody makes footwear. You just buy it from the store.

Just to be clear, he added: Youll never have any work. No one will ever want what you do.

Miller wasnt deterred.

A search for a bootmaking school led him to a technical college in Tulsa, Okla., where he learned more than just how to make a pair of boots.

He worked for about a year at a shop in Utah, making boots and hiking shoes. But he lost that job after arguing with a pushy customer, who happened to be the local sheriff and a friend of the owners.

Just as he was beginning to despair about what to do next, he got a call from a friend hed made in Tulsa who was working in Austin for an old bootmaker named Charlie Dunn.

A few years earlier, a Jerry Jeff Walker song called Charlie Dunn had brought national fame to the bootmaker, whod been a local legend in Austin for many years while working for Capitol Saddlery.

Not long after the song came out, Dunn retired to Mesquite. But he was soon lured back to work by two local businessmen promising him his own shop if he would train a new generation of bootmakers.

Millers friend told him Charlie Dunn needed a new apprentice.

Charlie Dunn? The one from the song? Miller couldnt believe his good fortune.

He wasnt sure what to expect when he showed up in Austin in November 1977. He was a skinny, nervous 22-year-old with long hair and John Lennon-style, wire-frame glasses. He had a chance to work with one of the greatest living bootmakers and didnt want to blow it.

Dunn was nearly 80 at the time.

Small in stature, with a wizened face, a full-body apron and an ever-present beret perched on his head, he looked like one of Santas elves. An elf with a short fuse, colorful vocabulary and mischievous sense of humor.

A World War I veteran, Dunn had attended art school, and then toiled through the Great Depression, chasing work from town to town, surviving by fierce determination. He realized that if he was going to be an artist, his artistry was going to be in his boots, so he wouldnt starve, Miller said.

The old master taught Miller every aspect of making a cowboy boot. How to measure the foot, how to set up the last, how to draw the patterns, how to cut up the leather and trim it, how to do decorative stitching, how to do inlays, how to sew on the toe flower, on and on. Hundreds and hundreds of operations that go into making a boot.

It was really a wonderful education, Miller said. Here was this man, my grandfathers age, who was an artist. Truly an artist. Very gifted. I was in awe.

In 1986, Dunn retired and Miller bought the shop.

When Dunn died in 1993, Miller brought his guitar to the memorial service and played the old Jerry Jeff Walker song in tribute.

Nearly a quarter century later, Miller remains in awe of the old bootmaker. He was a self-determined man right up to the end of his life, he said.

Like his old boss, Miller has always taken in apprentices as long as they show a serious interest in learning the craft.

Sometimes they come under a formal arrangement, as with a young student who came to Miller as part of a German governments apprenticeship program. Others arrive with little more than talent and desire, including a young man from Japan, who appeared one day at the door. No phone call, no email, he just showed up and stayed here for five years, Miller said.

He likes to learn from his apprentices, too. We had a guy from France who stayed with us for nine months  a shoemaker. And I learned a lot from him, Miller said. Theres a real exchange of knowledge. I learn from them and they learn from me.
SINGAPORE, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian ride-hailing service Grab said on Monday it had secured an investment from Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co as part of a deal to collaborate on its motorbike-hailing service, in the latest auto industry tie-up of its type.

Grab said Honda had agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in the firm, and the two companies would form a partnership to develop the ride-sharing technology and related driver education programmes.

Automakers such as Volkswagen, Toyota Motor Corp and General Motors also have tie-ups with ride-sharing firms to hedge against a shift in the vehicle market away from private ownership.

Grab, the biggest rival to ride-sharing service Uber Technologies Inc in Southeast Asia, raised $750 million in a funding round in September. A source familiar with the matter said the round valued Grab at more than $3 billion.

Earlier this month, Grab, whose services include taxi and motorbike-hailing, car-pooling, delivery and mobile payments, announced that Japanese financial services company Tokyo Century Corp had made a strategic investment in the firm for an undisclosed amount.

(Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan; Editing by Stephen Coates)
MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India on Monday denied a media report that authorities were preparing to cancel the licence of Axis Bank Ltd over irregularities in transactions relating to the exchange of high-value bank notes.

"The clarification comes in the background of rumours in a segment of the media that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence," the RBI said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last month that 500-rupee and 1,000-rupee bank notes worth a total of 15.44 trillion rupees ($229 billion) were to be scrapped in a bid to crack down on the shadow or "black" economy and prevent counterfeiting.

People have scrambled to exchange and deposit the old bank notes since then, leading to long queues at banks. Tax officials and law enforcement agencies have unearthed malpractice and breach of rules in some cases.

Axis Bank, the country's third-biggest private sector lender by assets, earlier on Monday dismissed a report in local Hindi newspaper "Dopahar" that suggested the bank could lose its licence over alleged money laundering activities, calling it "false and malafide".

"We firmly believe that said news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the bank," the lender said in a stock exchange filing.

Axis Bank, which says it has suspended 24 employees so far over alleged wrongdoing, has appointed KPMG to conduct a forensic audit. Senior bank officials were also conducting a parallel probe, it said last week.

Shares in Axis closed 2.5 percent lower at 445.10 rupees a share in a Mumbai market that fell 1.1 percent.

($1 = 67.4333 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Tom Hogue, Greg Mahlich)
(Adds quotes, background)

BAKU, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Azerbaijan plans to fully float its currency, the manat, starting next year, the head of the country's central bank told reporters on Monday.

Azerbaijan adopted a managed float earlier this year as the price of oil slumped, to ease pressure on its foreign exchange reserves.

That policy established a range within which banks could buy and sell manats of 4 percent on either side of its official rate . At times this year, it has suspended sales of foreign exchange.

The main reason for floating the currency now, said Elman Rustamov, the head of central bank, "is the achievement of macroeconomic stability."

Foreign exchange trading had ended before Rustamov spoke. Even so, the manat traded at 1.7430 per dollar on Monday, a new low.

Some banks, where the rate stood at 1.85 per dollar, had halted or limited sales of hard currency to $100 per person in recent weeks, raising fears of another devaluation.

"Switching to full floating rate requires serious preparation, very tight macroeconomic coordination and solution of some structural problems," Rustamov said. A concrete plan for the new policy will be submitted soon, he said.

The central bank has not been selling foreign currency on the market since February.

"There is a disproportion on the currency market now, when demand exceeds an offer," Rustamov said.

The central bank raised its refinancing rate to 15 percent from 9.5 percent on Sept. 9. Azerbaijan's current account deficit is expected to reach $5 billion by the end of 2016.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; writing by Maria Tsvetkova and Margarita Antidze; editing by Larry King)
Dubai (AFP) - Bahrain's appeals court on Monday upheld a nine-year jail sentence against opposition chief Sheikh Ali Salman, a judicial source said, the latest move in a crackdown on the Shiite majority.

The sentence against Salman, for inciting hatred and calling for regime change by force, had been overturned by the court of cassation in October.

Amnesty International said the verdict was "shocking" and "another blow to freedom of expression in the country."

Salman, 51, is considered a moderate who has pushed for a constitutional monarchy in Bahrain, unlike hardline groups who have demanded the toppling of the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty.

His arrest in December 2014, in connection with speeches he had given, sparked protests in Shiite-majority Bahrain.

Human Rights Watch said he was arrested and charged "despite the fact Salman renounced violence and called for peaceful protest in his speeches".

The charismatic Shiite cleric was sentenced in July 2015 to four years in jail after being convicted of inciting hatred in the Gulf kingdom.

But the appeals court in May more than doubled his jail term to nine years after reversing an earlier acquittal on charges of calling for regime change by force.

The court of cassation overturned that sentence on October 17 and ordered a retrial before the appeals court.

It also rejected a request to release the cleric.

In July, a court ordered the dissolution of Salman's Al-Wefaq movement for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife.

The decision drew strong criticism from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, Bahrain's allies in Washington and London, and Shiite-dominated Iran.

Al-Wefaq had the largest bloc in parliament before lawmakers walked out in February 2011 in protest over a deadly crackdown on Arab Spring-inspired protests.

- Jails 'filled' -

Bahrain has harshly cracked down over the past five years on dissent by the Shiite majority, which they accuse of being manipulated by Iran.

Story continues

The number of arrests and trials have spiralled.

The kingdom stripped 31 Shiite activists of their nationality in October 2012 for breaching state security, and Human Rights Watch says most of them have been left stateless.

"Todays shocking verdict is another example of Bahrains flagrant disregard for the right to freedom of expression," said Amnesty International's regional director Samah Hadid.

"Instead of punishing him for peaceful criticism the Bahraini authorities must order his immediate and unconditional release," added Hadid.

Bahrain has repeatedly arrested and detained other opposition leaders, including Nabil Rajab, the founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Rajab was most recently arrested on June 13 for comments on his Twitter account that criticised the kingdom's role in Saudi Arabia-led military operations in Yemen, according to HRW.

The New York-based rights watchdog on Monday issued a statement calling for Rajab's immediate release, saying the charges against him "inherently violate the right to free expression".

It has in the past criticised the silence of Bahrain's Western allies as the kingdom has "filled its jails with the people who hold the key to the political solution the UK and US claim to support".

Salman holds a bachelors degree in mathematics from Saudi Arabia and in 1987 headed to Iran's holy city of Qom to undertake Islamic Studies at the Shiite school of clerics.

He was widely considered one of the leaders of an uprising in the 1990s and he was arrested several times by the authorities.

After six years in exile, he returned to Bahrain in 2001 under a general amnesty.

Upon his return home, Salman set up Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society with other Shiite opposition figures and was elected secretary general in 2006.

Al-Wefaq boycotted elections in 2002 but ran in 2006, winning almost half the seats of the 40-member parliament.

It held onto its seats in the next polls in 2010, but Al-Wefaq lawmakers withdrew in 2011 in protest at the "repression" of the Shiite-led protests.

The movement is appealing against its dissolution.
Dhaka [Bangladesh], Dec. 12 (ANI): A group of Bangladeshi Americans has staged demonstration in front of the White House seeking help from United States President Barack Obama for protecting the rights of minorities back home. At a rally in front of the White House, they said the minorities in Bangladesh were facing "serious militant threats", reports the Dhaka Tribune. After the rally, the activists also submitted a memorandum at the White House seeking the US President's intervention. This comes as on October 30, over a 100 people were injured when a mob of around 3,000 local Muslims demolished at least 10 temples and vandalised hundreds of houses of the Hindu community. The two-hour mayhem followed a Facebook post from the account of a local Hindu youth, which the attackers said did "hurt the religious sentiment" of the Muslims. Minorities have frequently been attacked in Bangladesh raising concerns that the authorities are not taking steps to curb the rising religious tensions. (ANI)
For the most part, homeowners across the U.S. are sitting pretty these days. Home prices are going up, up, upin the countrys hottest markets, its a full-throttle sellers market. But not everywhere, or for every home. In fact, you can even find homes in the nations biggest metropolitan areas that have sat on the market for weeks, whose price has been reduced, then reduced again, whose owners are tearing out their hair, wondering why in creation their home wont sell.

For sellers, this is a bummer. For buyers, not so much.

So we put our data team on the case to find those metros where the biggest percentage of price-slashed houses can be found. Bargain hunters, get ready!

Despite the fact that home prices are now setting new records in most of the country, price reductions on listed homes are quite common, says Jonathan Smoke, realtor.coms chief economist. A price reduction can happen for lots of reasons, including adjusting an unrealistic initial price, a new sense of urgency, or motivation by a seller, or declining market trends.

Dont forget that 86% of sellers are also buyers. Some of them would rather close faster than wait for the maximum price so they can snag their next home. And many are willing to lower the list price in the winter because they dont want to risk waiting until spring.

For buyers, the prevalence of reduced-price homes is a signal to get more aggressive in their negotiations and to avoid getting emotionally attached to a property if its overpriced.

To pinpoint the markets with the best discount opportunities, our data team ranked the 300 largest metropolitan areas by the share of homes for sale that saw price reductions in the past year. A listing is considered to have a price reduction if its listing price of any given month is lower than the previous month.

The resulting list, which includes some of the countrys hottest real estate markets, shows how tricky it can be to predict the rise and fall of the market, and how local forces can outweigh national trends.

Story continues

price-cuts-graphic

Median home price: $233,000

Share of homes with price cuts: 34.9%

Midland, TX realtor.com

In summer 2014, crude oil was selling for $100 a barrel, then $80, then $50. In Midland, a Western Texas city that sits on the most prolific oil-producing formation in the U.S., well drillers pulled out and workers who had flocked to the city during its up-cycle were laid off. A proposed 53-story condo building in downtown was never built. The median home price in Midland, which topped $317,500 in mid-2014, fell to $233,000 last month. This former home of the Bush clan has been feeling the full pain of the oil crash.

The oil and gas industry is such a large part of Midlands economy that it impacts employment, housing, retail spending, says Karr Ingham, a Texas economist who prepares a monthly Midland-Odessa Regional Economic Index. Now we are waiting for the petroleum economy to bottom out and start to grow againthats when housing will start doing better, hopefully in the first half of 2017.

Median home price: $299,900

Share of homes with price cuts: 34.3%

Once a poster city for the housing crash, Phoenix is on a slow path to recovery. 2015 showed promising progressthe price increase rate surpassed 20% all summer. But the frantic pace didnt last, and the market soon went back to normal. For most of 2016, the growth rate was contained at about 3%. Those sellers who had bumped up their asking price during the temporary boom were left to deal with a harsh reality.

Buyers started rejecting the high prices by not making offers. And sellers, who were not seeing the reaction they expected, had to cut their price, says Jeff Barchi, a Re/Max Realtor.

Despite this relapse, Phoenix is poised for big potential in 2017. Our own analysis projects a 5.94% price increase and 7.24% sales increase, putting Phoenix at the top of our list for best housing markets of 2017.

Median home price: $301,900

Share of homes with price cuts: 33.3%

Anchorage, AK realtor.com

More listings, declining sales, and sliding prices summarize the housing market in Alaskas largest city in 2016. With the oil industry depressed and the state struggling with an enormous budget deficit, potential buyers may feel too anxious to plunk down a down payment. A study by the University of Alaska Anchorage warned that Alaskas economy is heading for a crash, with the potential for a long-term economic downturn.

At least four oil companies, including Shell and ConocoPhillips, have walked away from dreams of offshore oil in the Chukchi Sea, after disappointing test results. When executives and employees leave their homes behind, housing supply piles up, creating stiffer competition among sellers. In some cases, relocation companies will assume ownership and sell the homes. As their corporate clients are eager to get the properties off their balance sheets, some homes are sold at a loss, according to Alaska Dispatch News.

Median home price: $386,600

Share of homes with price cuts: 31.5%

In recent years, Austin has basked in the glow of its burgeoning tech industry as well as its hipster vibe. But the regions supercharged expansion is losing steam, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Growth in business activity has continued to slow down since late 2014, and jobs decline as the manufacturing and construction sectors fall.

Home prices are hitting a plateau. The double-digit increase in 2014 and 2015 came to an end in 2016, according to Aaron Farmer, president of the Austin Board of Realtors, in what he calls market normalization. In November, the median home price was only 3% higher than a year ago. Sellers who were not aware of the slowdown were left to find that their aggressive pricing strategy didnt work anymore.

In suburbs like Round Rock and Dripping Springs, individual sellers also have to compete with a slew of newly built homes, says Farmeralways a tough position.

Median home price: $141,000

Share of homes with price cuts: 30.6%

An 18-month impasse over the state budget has cast a deep shadow over Springfield, Illinois capital city, where many work for the state government. Higher education institutions, including the University of Illinois at Springfield, and cash-strapped social service agencies have been the hardest hit. The housing market felt a ripple effect, tooa state of economic limbo always makes buyers concerned about their homes value. For most of 2016, home prices in Springfield have stayed flat after rapid growth in 2015.

The market activity wont go back to 2015 levels until the government gives us the stability we need, says John Klemm, president of Capital Area Association of Realtors. The current stopgap budget will expire on Dec. 31, leaving the fate of 2017 in the dark.

Homes that are priced above $400,000 have seen significant slowdown and subsequent price adjustments, Klemm says, but the entry-level tier, generally under $200,000, has been relatively unscathed.

Median home price: $490,500

Share of homes with price cuts: 29.5%

Denver, CO realtor.com

Denver is one of the nations hottest markets, but gains in home prices seem to have plateaued as buyers price fatigue sets in. The median list price rose 6% in November from a year earlier. While thats still one of the top increases in the country, its down from a whopping 36% surge in the same month from 2013 to 2014.

Denver is still largely a sellers market, as homes in hot neighborhoods like Washington Park and Highland Park generate multiple offers. But disappointment may be hitting more and more sellers who saw their neighbors homes sold in lucrative deals and want to chase the rainbow themselves.

Everybody wants to believe their home is the best home. But the truth is, your neighbor may have an extra garage, an extra bathroom, and a granite counter that you dont have, says Jeff Plous, a broker associate at ONE Realty. A good home will move very fast, but a junk home in Denver is still a junk home. And it will sit on the market.

Median home price: $419,100

Share of homes with price cuts: 29.3%

About 30 miles west of San Francisco, Vallejo is one of the last parts of the San Francisco Bay Area that still boasts affordability. From 2011 to mid-2015, formerly downtrodden Vallejo went through a white-hot period when there were multiple offers for most homes, according to Ron Lee from Re/Max Gold.

Some people went into the mentality that, Oh, I sold my house too cheap. And then theres the other side of the swing, that people went for higher than market price and hope to score big, Lee says.

But even in a blazing market, this start high and come down later strategy can backfire. When sellers try to get more than their home is worth, their home will sit on the market longer, says Debbie Raynor from Re/Max Gold.

Since this summer, the Bay Areas housing market has been showing signs of finally cooling offa bit, anyway. But with prices still meteoric, Vallejo may continue to appeal to priced-out buyers.

Median home price: $282,400

Share of homes with price cuts: 29.2%

For the past five years, home prices in long-troubled Baltimore have been climbing steadily but slowly. Buyers arent quite ready to ramp up their offer prices yet as they can jump over a neighborhood and find what they want. Places like waterfront Riverside and suburban Hampden are fetching good money, but in many parts of the city, homes seen as overpriced are not received well.

Baltimore is not a city for multiple offers. If you price your home right, you will sell your home for just a little less than your asking price, and you should be happy with that, says Realtor John Keller with Blue Star Realty.

No, Baltimore is not the next San Francisco. And doesnt intend to be.

In a way, [the price cuts] indicate the Baltimore market is a very practical market. Thats good for buyers, says Steven Gondol, executive director of Live Baltimore, a nonprofit that tracks Baltimore housing data. I would say its a more balanced market. Theres give and take from both sellers and buyers.

Median home price: $261,500

Share of homes with price cuts: 27.9%

Floridas housing market is renowned for its perennial boom-and-bust cycles, and Palm Bay is no exception. Just four years ago, Palm Bay led the nation with its foreclosure rate, as one in 158 homes had a foreclosure filing in November 2012, according to ATTOM Data Solutions. As the city pulled itself out of the bogthanks to its recovering job marketit quickly entered a frenzied boom. 2015 was marked by a record seven-month streak of year-over-year growth that exceeded 30%.

Good news, right? Hold on. Just when sellers were jacking up prices and ready to make a fortune, the growth momentum dwindled. One reason is the waning international interest. Upon last check, homes are taking seven days longer to sell than in last November. Any overpriced homes will fall behind in the competition, and need a price reduction.

Anyone have a crystal ball? Itll come in handy when trying to assess how to price a home in this market next year!

Median home price: $619,000

Share of homes with price cuts: 27.6%

San Diego real estate prices are through the roof, but the upper reaches of the market seem to be returning to Earth. The median days on market for million-dollar homes crept up from 70 to 74 since last year, and available homes grew 7%. Consequently, buyers are more likely to encounter a discount on those homes.

Luxury homes in inland neighborhoods like Rancho Santa Fe are having the hardest time, according to Seth OByrne of Pacific Sothebys International Realty. Amid Californias ongoing drought, buyers often shrug their shoulders at rolling hills of grass on 3-acre lots. Both baby boomers and millennials are shifting to simpler homes in coastal communities, OByrne says.

Inland neighborhoods see more markdowns among modestly priced homes, too. Some of the highest concentration of price cuts are found far from the coast, like Santee, Carmel Mountain, and Spring Valley.

The post Bargain Hunters Special: Top 10 U.S. Markets for Real Estate Discounts appeared first on Real Estate News & Advice | realtor.com.
Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

From Cosmopolitan

In the latest issue of Us Weekly, Melania Trump, the future first lady of the United States, gave an ~inside look~ into her day-to-day life, including her responsibilities as mom to 10-year-old Barron.

Photo credit: Getty

Melania told Us Weekly that shes very involved and is almost always at Barons school, the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, for drop-offs, pick-ups, and school events. Locals say shes very nice and she arrives in full hair and makeup.



In February, she told MSNBC that she likes to keep life as normal as possible for my son Barron, and while that seems kind of impossible when your father is President-elect Donald Trump and your mom arrives to school in a chauffeured Cadillac Escalade, it's still a nice sentiment.



Melania has decided that she and Barron will not be moving to the White House along with Donald Trump after he is inaugurated. Instead, shell remain in New York City so Barron can finish up his school year. Melania has been searching for a social secretary to help organize dinners and oversee domestic employees at the White House.

Photo credit: Getty

Melania also revealed that when Donald is around, the three have dinner together - prepared by a private chef - and catch up on their daily life. "When you're together and you have great conversation, it's priceless," she said.

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donald trump

If Donald Trump maxes out his time in the White House, he'll leave office in 2024.

By that time, economists predict robotics and artificial intelligence will have begun their unstoppable march into American factories. People will start losing their jobs en masse, and it'll be up to President Trump and his cabinet to devise an economic escape plan.

A growing band of advocates argue it doesn't have to turn out this way if Trump embraces a radical form of wealth distribution known as basic income.

Trump's preparations (or lack thereof) for a future of robotic automation will begin with how he addresses the current concerns of middle America, where manufacturing jobs are already dying and people are desperate for change. Their demands aren't unreasonable. Plenty of people just want work that generates enough money to keep their family safe and healthy.

So far, Trump's solution has mostly involved penalizing companies that leave the US through higher taxes (his latest tweetstorm being the shining example of the strategy). The problem is that Trump can't stem the tide of automation no matter how many jobs he keeps within American borders  businesses simply have too many reasons to capitalize on it.

What makes the most sense, according to some advocates, is for Trump to embrace this sea change  to take advantage of automation's economic benefits by laying the groundwork for universal basic income.

Robots can be a force for good

According to the latest forecasts, jobs in America are poised to disappear much faster than new ones will get created.

A 2015 McKinsey report found that current technologies could feasibly replace 45% of American jobs right now. Two years prior to that, a report from Oxford University estimated half of all American jobs would fall to automation somewhere between 2023 and 2033. That's unsettling stuff when you consider unemployment rates would blow past those of the Great Depression.

Story continues

That's why many basic income proponents say the system isn't just the most viable solution, but the only one. As more and more workers lose their jobs, advocates say it'll be up to federal and state governments to implement policies and reorganize tax codes that favor the out-of-work.

"There's a pretty good chance we end up with a universal basic income, or something like that, due to automation," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a November 4 interview with CNBC.

Robots can create far more wealth than humans ever could. Robots make more stuff, increasing the supply of those goods and thereby driving costs down.

tesla factory robots

In the future, society could have a surplus of wealth and millions of people out of a job. Basic income advocates like Musk say the way to reconcile those two outcomes is obvious: Spread the surplus equally.

"I'm not sure what else one would do," he said to CNBC. "That's what I think would happen."

Each month, every citizen would receive a check to cover basic expenses like food, clothing, and shelter. They'd still have the option to work, but it wouldn't entirely be necessary.

To dispel the idea that basic income is a form of socialism, advocates point out there is no ceiling on how wealthy people can get. A basic income is a floor that helps ensure people don't slip into poverty.

No one expects all that to transpire within a Trump administration. But many proponents of basic income agree Trump is in a unique position to get it on people's minds, and perhaps on paper.

One of Trump's hallmarks is his penchant for radical ideas, however unfeasible or discriminatory they may be. Writer and basic income advocate Scott Santens says there are a host of programs Trump could launch that move toward a full basic income. Perhaps a new version of the earned income tax credit (EITC) that gives poor people a big tax refund, or maybe just a policy of helicopter money  cash that gets produced solely to stimulate the economy.

Cost of money thumbnails 06

Whatever the case, Santens says Trump's loose-cannon approach to governance could play in basic income's favor. Trump is "no incrementalist," he says.

"I think this outcome is potentially better than had Hillary won," Santens tells Business Insider. "Hillary was already on record as perceiving basic income as 'giving up on people,' like somehow providing basic economic security is a sad thing to avoid if at all possible."

Not all advocates believe Trump will help their cause. Shortly after the election, Rutger Bregman, Dutch basic income expert and author of "Utopia for Realists," told Business Insider that "the election of Trump as president is probably no good news for the basic income movement," given that Trump has fought so hard already to preserve manufacturing jobs.

The biggest hurdle for Trump will be convincing his supporters, and others, that basic income doesn't require a shift in their politics  that it's already American by nature. That might seem counter-intuitive, since Americans devote more time and energy to their work than just about anything else. But according to advocates, the system grants something even more precious than work: freedom.

"If you talk to lots of Americans, they feel very trapped  whether it's in their job or a relationship they feel unable to get out of," Jim Pugh, a San Francisco-based basic income expert, told Business Insider back in June. "If you have a basic income, this is something that's going to provide you the freedom to look for new options."

If Trump gets middle-class Americans to cozy up to basic income, he'll get them to see that work and financial security are growing apart, and  crucially for basic income supporters  that that can be a good thing.

People like Santens, Bregman, and Pugh emphasize that work should be a choice. They see labor less as a prequisite to paying your bills on time than as a way to find deep, existential satisfaction. So long as government officials recognize that value, they say, the impending AI revolution won't need to be a disruptive force, but a liberating one.

NOW WATCH: Here's how much it costs to produce money in the U.S.





More From Business Insider


By Solarina Ho and Matt Scuffham TORONTO (Reuters) - German healthcare group Bayer said on Monday it has set up a joint venture with U.S. life sciences venture capital firm Versant Ventures to invest $225 million in a stem cell therapy firm based in Toronto. The companies said the financing, one of the largest ever for an initial round of venture capital funding for a biotech company and the biggest of its kind in Canada, will allow scientists to focus on research and development of treatments for cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders over the next four years. "The scientists can really focus for four years on bringing this a huge step forward, instead of struggling for financing every other year," said Axel Bouchon, who heads the Bayer Life Science Center. The venture, BlueRock Therapeutics, is expected to initially employ 30 to 40 people in Toronto, and 70 to 80 people worldwide. It will be based primarily out of Toronto's MaRS Discovery District, one of the world's largest innovation hubs. BlueRock is partnering with the Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicines (CCRM), also based at MaRS, to help scale production of various stem cells, one of the key elements that executives say sets the venture apart. "We continue to be more and more bullish on Canada because of the early successes we've seen," said Jerel Davis, a managing director at Versant Ventures, which has invested in 7 new firms since entering the Canadian market three years ago. "We go where the science is best. We believe Toronto is emerging as a center of excellence for regenerative medicine." Toronto, where stem cells were first identified, has one of the highest numbers of stem cell researchers in the world within its scientific community. BlueRock will develop a number of projects with an initial focus on cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in the world, according to the World Health Organization, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. "(You have) something that is actually chronically treated at general hospitals and so on, versus you have something that is a true, let's hope, once-off treatment and then it's cured," said Bouchon. "The whole paradigm will shift." The company, which will also have research and development operations in New York and Boston, hopes to launch its first clinical trial by 2018, executives said. (Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alan Crosby)
Staff at Central United Methodist Church, 269 W. Eldorado St., told officers the sanctuary was entered sometime between Tuesday and Saturday morning, when the burglary was reported. Items taken included a Peavey brand soundboard, unknown value, and two large Behringer monitors worth $150 each.
BURNABY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Bayhorse Silver Inc. (TSXV: BHS) (the "Company" or "Bayhorse") is pleased to report on the results from its Annual & General Meeting, held on December 8, 2016 in Vancouver.

Messrs Graeme O'Neill, Clay Conway, John Cerenzia and Corey Klassen were re-elected as directors of the Company with 99.4% of the voted shares in favor of their re-election. Charlton & Company Accountants were re-appointed as the Company's auditors and the Company's Rolling Stock Option Plan was approved for the coming year.

Due to the increasing number of U.S. shareholders in the Company, the Directors have considered, and approved, proceeding with listing Bayhorse shares on the OTCQB. An OTCQB listing gives the Company exposure to a broader international audience, primarily U.S. investors, and a platform for current and future U.S. shareholders to trade and access Bayhorse' common shares.

The Company will be participating in the Cambridgehouse Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in January, 2017.

This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its contents On Behalf of the Board.

Graeme O'Neill, President

Ph: 604 684 3394

Email: company@bayhorsesilver.com

Bayhorse Silver Inc., a junior exploration company, is earning a 75% interest in the past producing Bridging the Gap Project, consisting of ASARCO's historic Crown Point, Silver King, Ranger, Wyoming, Curlew, and Blackhawk silver/lead/zinc mines in Idaho's Silver Valley. Bayhorse is also earning an 80% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine, Oregon, USA. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive exploration expertise.

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 release.

SOURCE: Bayhorse Silver Inc.
Beijing issued its first clear warning Monday over Donald Trump's fiery rhetoric, as state media said the Asian giant could back "forces hostile to the US" if the president-elect follows through with threats to drop Washington's One China policy.

It was the strongest signal yet from Chinese authorities that abandoning the One China policy, which guides relations with self-ruling Taiwan, would upset decades of carefully managed Sino-US relations and end cooperation between the world's top two economies.

Beijing has not controlled Taiwan for more than 60 years but foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said it considered the island a "core interest" that affected China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The One China policy was the "political bedrock" for relations with the US, he added, and if it was "compromised or disrupted", sound and steady growth in China-US relations and cooperation in major fields would be "out of the question", he told reporters.

The comments came in response to Trump's remarks in an interview Sunday that he did not see why Washington must "be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade".

He vehemently defended taking a call earlier this month from Tsai Ing-wen, the democratically elected president of Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a rogue province awaiting unification.

Although the United States is Taiwan's main ally and arms supplier, Washington has not had official diplomatic relations with Taipei since 1979, when it switched recognition to Beijing.

Trump's decision to take the call broke with protocol, and seemed to catch China's Communist Party leadership by surprise.

The official response was initially muted, and state media largely blamed Taiwan for the phone call and advocated a wait-and-see response.

But the remarks on Monday were more pointed, and a commentary in the nationalistic Global Times offered a more menacing warning to Trump, calling him "as ignorant of diplomacy as a child", in its Chinese-language version.

Story continues

If the US openly supports Taiwan's independence and ramps up arms sales to the island, it threatened, China could aid "forces hostile to the US".

"In response to Trump's provocations, Beijing could offer support, even military assistance to US foes," it said.

"China would introduce a series of new Taiwan polices, and may not prioritise peaceful reunification over a military takeover."

- 'Novice' -

Despite the escalation in official rhetoric, many Chinese analysts still offer a note of restraint, emphasising Trump's background in business, not politics, and the possibility his actions in office will take a softer line.

"I think this could be his negotiating technique because he knows the Taiwan issue is an extremely sensitive issue, an issue China is very concerned about," Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, told AFP.

Trump was playing the card in hopes of winning concessions on trade, he said, adding that China should not be "too nervous" nor should it react "too fiercely".

"We have to wait until after he takes office, then look again at his concrete actions."

Trump last week appointed Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is personally acquainted with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as ambassador to Beijing, which hailed the nominee as a "friend of China".

A commentary on the official Xinhua news service on Monday compared the two countries' relations to people who "want to be close friends".

The US must know "where to draw the line", it said, noting that previous presidents have set good examples and "now the ball is in President-elect Donald Trump's court".
Sing Street Weinstein Company

Part of the fun of finding out the Golden Globe nominations, which were announced on Monday, is seeing what kind of surprises the Hollywood Foreign Press Association throws at us. And we're quite happy with one of them: The movie "Sing Street," directed by John Carney, was nominated for best comedy or musical movie.

Unless you're really steeped in the world of independent film, you likely missed this one when it was in theaters in April. But the word of mouth around it will certainly kick up, thanks to the nomination.

This isn't Carney's first time delivering a cult hit. He directed the 2007 movie "Once," which won an Oscar for best song and became a hit Broadway show.

If you've seen that and you liked it, then you have to check out "Sing Street." Like "Once," it's powered by original songs, which are used to delve into the characters' feelings.

"Once" looks at the loneliness of two people who find each other in Dublin and begin to write love songs together. "Sing Street" is much more playful. It's set in 1980s Dublin and follows a boy who starts a rock band to impress a girl.

Here, Carney takes the usual beats of a teen comedy and combines that form with songs influenced by the bands the main character, Conor, admires, like Duran Duran and The Cure. We follow Conor as he recruits his band and uses some DIY tricks to pull off a music video, which features the girl he's trying to impress.

You can watch the whole movie on Netflix now  we highly recommend it. But in the meantime, check out one of the songs featured in the movie:

NOW WATCH: Watch the trailer for the new Martin Scorsese film that took over 20 years to make





More From Business Insider


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On the same day that President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his doubts about climate change, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates countered with an announcement of a $1 billion fund dedicated clean energy innovation.

SEE ALSO: Trump falsely claims that nobody knows if global warming is real

Although an official announcement from Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) has yet to appear on the organization's website, Gates took to Twitter on Sunday to point the public to an early discussion of the fund.

"People think you can just put $50 million in and wait two years and then you know what you got. In this energy space, thats not true at all," Gates told Quartz. "Anything that leads to cheap, clean, reliable energy were open-minded to."

Among the board members of BEV are Gates, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, and renowned tech investors John Doerr and Vinod Khosla.

And as if those names weren't enough in terms of drumming up innovation firepower, BEV's list of investors also includes Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Masayoshi Son (Softbank), Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), just to name a few.

Collectively, the members of the group are worth about $170 billion, according to the report. And while just a fraction of that wealth will be devoted to the clean energy innovation project, compared to most investment funds, BEV's war chest is massive.

As for Trump, who is said to be considering an Exxon veteran for a top post in his administration, Gates sounds like he is ready for the challenge.

"The dialogue with the new administration as it comes in about how they see energy research will be important," said Gates, just days before Trump is scheduled to meet with some of the biggest leaders in tech and innovation. "The general idea that research is a good deal fortunately is not a partisan thing."

BONUS: Leo DiCaprio and President Obama on "race against time" to curb climate change
It looks like Bob Dylan isnt going to completely stiff the Swedish Academy. After opting not to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony on December 10  Patti Smith played in his stead  Dylan has scheduled several tour dates in Sweden next spring.

One of the few requirements that the Nobel Prize has of its winners is to hold a lecture within six months of their prize being awarded. These three April dates would fall within that timeframe. Tellingly, two of the dates are back to back in Stockholm on April 1 and 2. Though the lecture does not have to be delivered in Stockholm, it is traditionally where the lectures are given, as its the home of the prize ceremony.

For a bit of a preview of what Dylans Nobel lecture might sound like, check out the speech that he sent to the ceremony this weekend. Though he decided not to show up to the banquet, Dylans words made him seemed humbled by the honor.

If someone had ever told me that I had the slightest chance of winning the Nobel Prize, I would have to think that Id have about the same odds as standing on the moon, he wrote. In fact, during the year I was born and for a few years after, there wasnt anyone in the world who was considered good enough to win this Nobel Prize. So, I recognize that I am in very rare company, to say the least.

According to Swedish Academy Secretary Sara Danius, who spoke to Reuters, no details about the lecture have been confirmed.
In a bid to expand its international presence, The Boeing Company BA inked a high-value deal with Iran Air yesterday for 80 jetliners. Valued at $16.6 billion, this marks the first-of-its-kind transaction between a U.S. company and the Islamic Republic.

Interestingly, this deal was finalized less than a month after the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation prohibiting the Treasury Department from issuing commercial aircraft sales licenses to Iran.

So, although the deal received a nod from the acting U.S. government, its fate looms in uncertainty. Chances are high that the Congress will strongly oppose it and President-elect Trump will pose serious impediments to its execution.

Details of the Deal

The aforementioned deal was first disclosed in Jun 2016 by Boeing, when it announced its plans to sell 100 jets to Irans national airline. However, financial details of the agreement were kept under wraps then.

In Jan 2016, Iran Air had inked a similar deal for 118 jets, worth $27 billion, with Airbus Group SE EADSY, Boeings direct rival in the commercial airlines space. However, given the huge amount of U.S.-built aircraft parts involved in the deal, it is subject to extensive regulatory approvals by the U.S. government. In fact, it was finally in September that the Obama administration approved the deals.

Coming back to the latest deal, now its Boeings turn to deliver 50 737 Max 8, 15 777-300 ER and 15 777-9 models to Iran.

Notably, the 737 MAX, which is 14% more fuel efficient than the next-generation 737, has the capability to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

On the other hand, the 777-300ER model is the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world with the highest cargo capacity of any passenger airplane. Meanwhile, the 777X builds on the passenger-preferred and market-leading 777 model and brings on board technologies used by Boeings most successful aircraft to date, the 787 Dreamliner. The 737 Max is scheduled to begin service in 2017, while the 777X will start operating in 2020.

Story continues

Benefits of the Iran-Boeing Deal

According to Boeings management, the deal will create employment opportunities for 10,000 U.S. citizens directly in relation with the production and delivery of the 777-300ER models. Going forward, the company expects to create another 100,000 jobs in the U.S. aerospace value stream for the full course of deliveries of these planes. Therefore, upon successful execution, the deal will significantly improve the employment scenario in the country and in turn, contribute to the economys overall GDP.

Besides its economic advantages, the deal is projected to bolster Boeings international business mix and fuel margin expansion, once the company begins rolling out deliveries in 2018, thereby boosting shareholder value either through dividend hikes or a higher share price.

Our View

Note that Trump has all along criticized the Jan 2016 Iran nuclear deal, which curbed the Islamic Republics participation in nuclear activities in exchange for relaxing trade restrictions, in particular on the export of crude oil from Tehran. However, it is courtesy of this agreement that Boeing received such a huge order from Iran.

Nevertheless, last months legislation is preventing the Treasury Department from authorizing U.S. bank transactions for the sale and even barring the Export-Import Bank from helping Iran financially. Since Iran is not economically well positioned, this could prove to be a serious headwind for the successful closure of this deal.

Considering this, Trumps expected focus on economic growth stands against Congressional opposition. Moreover, given that he has not yet made any comment on this deal, it is uncertain as to how exactly he will react once he steps into the Oval Office next month.

However, Trumps reaction to the finalization of the deal is even harder to predict, given that he recently slammed Boeing for its out of control Air Force One expenses and subsequently called for cancellation of all orders last week.

On the bright side, if the deal is indeed successfully closed, it will bolster the companys growth trajectory and consolidate its leadership position in the aerospace industry.

However, budget volatility, uncertainties related to high-cost programs, risks associated with key project executions and order cancellations have all plagued this aerospace major for quite some time now. That could be why, on a year-to-date basis, Boeings stock has climbed 8.23%, underperforming the Zacks categorized Aerospace-Defense industrys gain of 12.83%. The company has also put up a weak show in comparison to other major players in the same space like Northrop Grumman Corp NOC and Lockheed Martin Corp LMT, both of which outperformed the industry.

Zacks Rank

Boeing currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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- By Sydnee Gatewood





Boeing (BA) announced the finalization of a $16.6 billion agreement with Iran Air for 80 aircraft.

The deal was first announced in June and officially sealed on Sunday. The announcement comes at an interesting time as the Chicago-based aerospace company's relationship with President-elect Donald Trump was tested last week when he questioned the cost of replacing Air Force One jets.





Trump Tweeted, "Boeing is building a brand-new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!"

The Defense Department indicated it could spend nearly $3 billion over five years for the replacement jets. Boeing said in a statement that it was currently under a $170 million contract to determine the capabilities of the aircraft. Boeing stock declined after the Tweet but has since rebounded.

Boeing said it is willing to work with Trump on the cost of the Air Force One deal.

Company representatives declined to comment on whether the incoming administration had been informed about the development of the deal with Iran. However, according to Boeing, the deal will support thousands of U.S. jobs. The agreement includes widebody and single-aisle aircraft and will consist of a mix of 737 MAX 8s, 777-300ERs and 777-9s. The first planes are scheduled for delivery in 2018. Airbus (AIR.PA) has a deal in place with Iran as well, valued at $25 billion for 118 aircraft.

According to Iranian news agency IRNA, Abbas Khoundi, Iran's transport minister, said the agreement was "the first step for the renovation of the country's aviation fleet." Replacing planes is a priority for Iran Air because it operates some of the world's oldest airliners due to years of sanctions.

For financial reasons and because it involves a state-owned airline, the deal must be approved by the U.S. Treasury, State Department and Congress. The Obama administration has encouraged the Boeing-Iran deal, but with Trump entering the White House new potential roadblocks could arise since he has been openly critical of it.

Story continues

According to a financial disclosure statement filed in May, Trump held $50,000 to $100,000 worth of company stock. However, a spokesman revealed that Trump sold out in June. Trump's personal jet is a Boeing 757.

T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) holds the largest position in Boeing among the gurus with 0.5% of outstanding shares. This represents 1.95% of its total assets managed. In all, 19 gurus hold a position.

Disclosure: I do not own stock in any companies mentioned in the article.

Start a free 7-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






Washington (AFP) - Aviation giant Boeing on Monday said it was cutting production of its 777 aircraft to five a month from seven due to slackening demand, in a move that will impact jobs.

The announcement followed the manufacturers clinching of a $17 billion dollar deal on Sunday to sell 80 jetliners, including the 777, to Iran, the first such agreement between a major US company and the Islamic Republic.

In a message sent Monday to all employees working on the 777, Vice President and General Manager Elizabeth Lund said orders for the aircraft had slowed in some regions.

While the agreement with Iran was "good news," with deliveries to Iran Air expected to start in 2018, the decision to slow production had already factored in the deal, she said.

"The 777 program does expect some impact on employment next year," Lund said in the message. "While the exact number of affected positions has not been determined, we will do our best to lessen the impact."

Boeing in October reported that commercial deliveries had slowed in the third quarter, with 188 planes delivered, down 5.5 percent from the same period of last year. The company delivered 22 of the 777 planes, five fewer than during the same quarter of 2015.

Boeing's relations with President-elect Donald Trump took hit last week when he called for cancellation of the Boeing project to build a new Air Force One, saying costs were out of control.

It was unclear how the incoming Trump administration could handle renewed commercial ties between Iran and Western countries following the lifting of international sanctions this year. The Financial Times earlier this month said the Trump transition team was considering new non-nuclear sanctions for Iran.

Prior to the Boeing announcement, the company's share price had risen 0.4 percent in New York and it was up 0.7 percent toward 2130 GMT in after-hours trading.
John Bolton suggested this weekend that a CIA report alleging Russian interference in the 2016 election aimed at getting President-elect Donald Trump elected could actually be a "false flag" perpetrated by the Obama administration. Bolton is reportedly a candidate for a top role in the incoming administration.

The term "false flag" is common among conspiracy theorists and suggests the government has carried out an event for some nefarious purpose, but faked that another entity or government did the act. The terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2001, for instance, are often deemed a false flag by so-called "truthers."

Bolton, who made his comments Sunday in an interview with Eric Shawn on Fox News, suggested the Obama administration politicized an apparent Russian hacking of DNC computers and questioned why the FBI didn't see the same kind of evidence on the personal server of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"It is not at all clear to me just viewing this from the outside, that this hacking into the DNC and the RNC computers was not a false flag," Bolton said. "So the question has to be asked, why did the Russians run their smart intelligence service against Hillary's server, but their dumb intelligence service against the election?"

The CIA assessed that Russian hackers, who flooded WikiLeaks with thousands of stolen emails related to Clinton, interfered with the U.S. election with the distinct purpose of helping Trump get elected, the Washington Post reported last week.

Trump, who has skipped intelligence meetings, saying it's OK because he's smart, has denied Russian meddled in the election, despite the CIA's assessment. He wrote on Twitter Monday that it would be called a "conspiracy theory" if he said the same had he lost, and that unless "you catch 'hackers' in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking."

Story continues

A number of people close to Trump have trafficked in conspiracy theories, including his choice for national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who has shared on social media fake, conspiracy-laden stories about Obama and Clinton. Trump has also appeared on a radio show hosted by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who, among other claims, has said the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Connecticut  during which 20 children and 6 adults were killed  was a staged, and "completely fake with actors."

Jones said Trump called him after he won the presidency, which the campaign neither confirmed nor denied. In an interview with Jones last December Trump told Jones, "your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down."

Related Articles
RICHMOND, Va.  Virginia prison officials have paid a secret compounding pharmacy $66,000 to obtain lethal injection drugs for its next two executions  63 times last year's going price for the state's three-drug lethal injection package.

Like other states, Virginia has struggled to obtain these chemicals as pharmaceutical companies block their sale for executions to avoid being publicly accused of violating medical ethics. But under a new law, the state can have the drugs made at a compounding pharmacy and shield its identity from the public.

Virginia's lethal injection protocol calls for the use of a sedative  pentobarbital or midazolam  followed by rocuronium bromide to halt breathing, and potassium chloride to stop the heart.

The Virginia Department of Corrections has paid this pharmacy $66,000 since September for vials of midazolam and potassium chloride, according to receipts provided to The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request after the pharmacy's identifying information was redacted.

Virginia also recently purchased about $340 worth of rocuronium bromide from Cardinal Health, an Ohio-based pharmaceutical wholesaler, invoices show.

This gives the state enough drugs to execute two inmates, according to Lisa Kinney, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Corrections, as long as legal appeals don't continue beyond the drugs' early-2017 expiration dates.

Virginia added midazolam to its drug protocol in 2014 but has not yet used it. Megan McCracken, a lethal injection expert at the University of California, Berkeley law school, said Virginia would be the first state she knows of to use compounded midazolam to execute an inmate.

Death penalty opponents have objected to midazolam after problematic executions elsewhere. An Alabama inmate coughed repeatedly and his body heaved for 13 minutes after he was supposed to be sedated during his execution on Thursday.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in September that the state had agreed to pay the compounding pharmacy $16,500 per drug per execution. The documents obtained by the AP show the state went ahead with those purchases.

The drugs for Virginia's last execution, carried out in 2015, came cheap by comparison: Serial killer Alfredo Prieto was put to death using compounded pentobarbital provided by the state of Texas, along with other drugs Virginia had in store. The going price for a supply of the three drugs needed for a single execution early last year was about $525, Kinney said.

The costs have shot up nationwide since opponents of the death penalty threatened to shame any conventional pharmaceutical company supplying these drugs.

"When fewer suppliers are willing to participate, the law of supply and demand says that the price will go up," said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, which advocates against capital punishment. "And when there are business risks of becoming known as a pharmacy that kills rather than preserves life, the pharmacy will charge more."

Virginia got its latest supply of rocuronium bromide at a bargain price, apparently unbeknownst to its manufacturer.

"We don't really want any part of this issue from a public standpoint," said Jeff Granger, vice president of business strategies for X-GEN Pharmaceuticals.

Granger told the AP he was surprised and concerned to learn that X-GEN's rocuronium bromide had been resold by a wholesaler to Virginia's prison system. He said X-GEN had tried to put controls in place to prevent its products from being used in executions.

A spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe  who signed the law allowing Virginia to obtain lethal injection drugs from the secret compounding pharmacy  declined to comment. Brian Coy told the Times-Dispatch in September that in the "modern atmosphere, with respect to lethal injections, this is the cost of enforcing the law."

An execution date of Jan. 18 has been set for Ricky Gray, who was convicted of slaying a well-known family of four in Richmond on New Year's Day in 2006.

The U.S. Supreme Court also recently rejected an appeal by another Virginia inmate  Ivan Teleguz  who was convicted in 2006 of hiring a man to kill his ex-girlfriend. Teleguz has another appeal pending in the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
ALEPPO, Syria (Reuters) - The bombardment of rebel-held Aleppo as heard from the government-held zone of the Syrian city is the most intense for days, a Reuters journalist in government-held Aleppo said on Monday. "The bombardment did not stop for a moment overnight," the journalist said, describing it as the heaviest heard since arriving in the government-held sector several days ago. (Reporting by Laila Bassam in Aleppo; Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Susan Olsen, radio host and former child actor, was fired from her radio hosting gig after attacking a guest on Facebook.

Olsen, best known for playing Cindy Brady on 70s family sitcom The Brady Bunch, got into a heated discussion last week with openly gay actor Leon Acord-Whiting, on the show she co-hosted called Two Chicks Talkin Politics, which airs on the Internet-based network, LA Talk Radio.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Acord-Whiting criticized the host online after his appearance, accusing her of spreading outrageous misinformation given her support for Donald Trump.

It is wildly irresponsible for LA Talk Radio to allow a Trump fanatic to co-host one of their programs, where she can spew her idiotic lies unchecked, Acord-Whiting wrote, Us Weekly reports. This isnt just disagreeing on, say, tax plans or foreign policy. Susan Olsen spreads outrageous misinformation and it is dangerous and unprofessional.

Olsen fired back sharply, using an anti-gay slur. Acord-Whiting posted screenshots of messages he says the former host sent him, and New York Magazine reports the rant included: What a true piece of st you are! Lying f-t! I hope you meet your karma SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY.

On Friday, LA Talk Radio responded to the incident on its Facebook page where it also said that it had fired Olsen.

We will not tolerate hateful speech by anyone associated with our radio station and have severed our ties with a host that veered off the direction in which we are going, the statement reads.
(Changes dateline to RIO DE JANEIRO, adds details on FIA Societe actions, background)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Brazilian telecommunications industry watchdog Anatel is slated to decide on changes to the structure of carrier Oi SA's board in the coming days, a senior government official said on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Rio de Janeiro, Communications Minister Gilberto Kassab told reporters that, once the changes are approved, the watchdog will keep an observer at the board of Oi, which is currently under bankruptcy protection proceedings. He did not elaborate on those changes.

On Nov. 8, Anatel suspended two board members appointed by minority investor FIA Societe Mondiale, on suspicion they participated in meetings and influenced decisions affecting the carrier without the watchdog's permission.

A person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters recently that Nelson Tanure, the main investor in Societe Mondiale, pressured Oi's management to hire his lawyers to negotiate directly with creditors.

According to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Tanure asked to be informed of any Oi board decisions. He also presented Helio Costa, his pick for an Oi board seat, as head of the carrier's institutional relations while allegedly promoting board initiatives as if they were his own, the person said.

A spokesman for Tanure and Societe Mondiale did not have an immediate comment. Tanure's Societe Mondiale and Pharol SA SGPS, Oi's largest shareholder, agreed to end their boardroom dispute in September, after it drew mounting government scrutiny.

Oi's 65.4 billion-real ($19 billion) bankruptcy protection case, Brazil's biggest ever, has been complicated by rifts between different groups of creditors and shareholders.

Oi's preferred shares, its most widely traded class of stock, rose 6.2 percent to 2.56 reais in afternoon trading in Sao Paulo. They have risen 31 percent so far this year.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier and Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Writing by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Paul Simao)
(Adds reports on plan for direct elections)

SAO PAULO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso ruled out a return to the top job in an interview published on Monday, amid speculation he could lead an interim administration if the current incumbent is forced to step down.

Cardoso told O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper that politicians needed to take action to address voters' anger over corruption scandals and a struggling economy. In the interview, which was done last week, he said any move to hold elections before current President Michel Temer's term ends in December 2018 "would do no good for the country".

"I am not a candidate," Cardoso, who presided over Latin America's biggest economy from 1995 to 2002 and is credited with seeing the country through a severe economic crisis at the time, told Estado.

Speculation over a possible early vote has risen amid Brazil's harshest recession in eight decades and fallout from a massive corruption scandal involving political kickbacks centered on huge contracts at state firms.

Just short of two-thirds of voters think Temer, who has been linked to corruption in leaked state's witness testimony, should resign by the end of the year, according to a survey released by pollster DataFolha on Sunday.

Temer took over after the impeachment of leftist Dilma Rousseff earlier this year. He pledged to return Brazil to growth by cutting spending and curbing debt growth. Yet, the economy plunged deeper into recession in the third quarter.

Brazil's constitution states that indirect elections are held and Congress determines who becomes president if the office is vacated after two years of a presidential term. Rousseff took office with Temer as vice president on Jan. 1, 2015.

Yet with a sweeping corruption scandal enveloping scores of members of Congress, citizens and some politicians are pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow for direct elections even after the two-year mark in a presidential term.

Story continues

Miro Teixeira, a congressional deputy of the leftwing REDE party, proposed such an amendment in June. He said he would push hard for its passage, O Globo newspaper reported him as saying its Monday edition.

Yet any constitutional changes require the approval of three-fifths of deputies and senators in two votes in each chamber. Teixeira's amendment would have trouble passing - and could not be taken up until after Congress' recess, which begins Dec. 19 and lasts until Feb. 1.

But with the extreme political turbulence and corruption scandal reaching into Congress, some analysts say such a measure could gain traction, especially if Brazilian protesters took to the streets in large numbers to demand it.

Cardoso told Estado that scenario would deeply harm Brazil.

"You just don't keep a democracy running without dialogue, without negotiating," Cardoso said. "The pressure has to ease a little," he noted, referring to rifts among politicians.

Calls to Cardoso's office to confirm his comments went unanswered.

(Reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Brad Brooks; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Paul Simao)
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso ruled out a return to the top job in an interview published on Monday, amid speculation he could lead an interim administration if the current incumbent is forced to step down. Cardoso told O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper that politicians needed to take action to address voters' anger over corruption scandals and a struggling economy. In the interview, which was done last week, he said any move to hold elections before current President Michel Temer's term ends in December 2018 "would do no good for the country". "I am not a candidate," Cardoso, who presided over Latin America's biggest economy from 1995 to 2002 and is credited with seeing the country through a severe economic crisis at the time, told Estado. Speculation over a possible early vote has risen amid Brazil's harshest recession in eight decades and fallout from a massive corruption scandal involving political kickbacks centered on huge contracts at state firms. Just short of two-thirds of voters think Temer, who has been linked to corruption in leaked state's witness testimony, should resign by the end of the year, according to a survey released by pollster DataFolha on Sunday. Temer took over after the impeachment of leftist Dilma Rousseff earlier this year. He pledged to return Brazil to growth by cutting spending and curbing debt growth. Yet, the economy plunged deeper into recession in the third quarter. Brazil's constitution states that indirect elections are held and Congress determines who becomes president if the office is vacated after two years of a presidential term. Rousseff took office with Temer as vice president on Jan. 1, 2015. Yet with a sweeping corruption scandal enveloping scores of members of Congress, citizens and some politicians are pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow for direct elections even after the two-year mark in a presidential term. Miro Teixeira, a congressional deputy of the leftwing REDE party, proposed such an amendment in June. He said he would push hard for its passage, O Globo newspaper reported him as saying its Monday edition. Yet any constitutional changes require the approval of three-fifths of deputies and senators in two votes in each chamber. Teixeira's amendment would have trouble passing - and could not be taken up until after Congress' recess, which begins Dec. 19 and lasts until Feb. 1. But with the extreme political turbulence and corruption scandal reaching into Congress, some analysts say such a measure could gain traction, especially if Brazilian protesters took to the streets in large numbers to demand it. Cardoso told Estado that scenario would deeply harm Brazil. "You just don't keep a democracy running without dialogue, without negotiating," Cardoso said. "The pressure has to ease a little," he noted, referring to rifts among politicians. Calls to Cardoso's office to confirm his comments went unanswered. (Reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Brad Brooks; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Paul Simao)
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it would become one of the first countries to adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism to clamp down on hate crime after an increase in the number of reported incidents targeting Jews. Adopting the definition formulated in May by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is meant to make it harder for people to get away with discriminatory or prejudiced behaviour due to unclear or differing definitions of what anti-Semitism actually is. "It means there will be one definition of anti-Semitism  in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews  and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it," Prime Minister Theresa May said in pre-released extracts from a speech she was due to deliver. No details were immediately available as to where the speech would be made. The government is due to publish its response on Tuesday to an inquiry into anti-Semitism conducted by a committee of lawmakers and another report published in 2015. The IHRA definition adopted by the group's 31 member countries, including Britain, reads: Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. Tackling anti-Semitism has risen up the political agenda in Britain, home to the world's fifth largest Jewish population, as those incidents rose over the last two years. In the first half of this year, the number of incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST), which provides security advice to Britain's 270,000 Jews, rose by 11 percent. The CST said most of the anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of the year took place in April, May and June when the issue of discrimination against Jews was in the news. Politicians have warned about rising levels of hate crimes due to the Brexit vote, but it is difficult to establish the exact reason behind any increase and whether better relations between police and minorities account for more reporting. One Labour Jewish lawmaker, Luciana Berger, reported in April she had received thousands of online abusive messages including threats to rape her. Last week, a man was jailed for subjecting Berger to what Britain's Crown Prosecution Service described as "highly offensive, hateful and racist articles" in 2014 and 2015. The opposition Labour party has launched an inquiry into whether the party had a problem in its ranks with anti-Semitism because of statements by former London mayor Ken Livingstone to Oxford University students. (Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
ALGIERS (Reuters) - A British-Algerian journalist had died six months after staging a hunger strike in Algiers over his detention for publishing articles seen as offensive to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, prison authorities and his lawyer said. Rights groups called for an investigation into Mohamed Tamalt's death - Reporters Without Borders said the news was a "hammer blow to all those who defend freedom of information in Algeria". The 42-year-old blogger and freelance reporter succumbed to a lung infection in hospital in Algiers on Sunday, the prison service said in a statement. "I can confirm the death of the journalist Mohamed Tamalt in Bab el-Oued hospital after a hunger strike of more than three months and a three-month coma," lawyer Amine Sidhoum said on Facebook. Tamalt, who was based in London, was arrested in Algeria in June for posts he had shared on Facebook that were seen as critical of Algerian authorities. Placed in pre-trial detention for "offending the president" and "defaming a public authority", he was later given a two-year sentence for offence against a public official, according to Human Rights Watch. "It is urgent that lawyers are allowed access to the journalist's medical dossier," Yasmine Kacha, North Africa director of Reporters Without Borders, said. "A public apology should be presented to the journalist's family and an investigation immediately opened," she said in a statement." Algeria's prison service said the hospital had been treating Tamalt for his lung infection, and he had been receiving daily treatment since beginning his hunger strike in late June. (Reporting by Lamine Chikhi; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Andrew Heavens)
LONDON (Reuters) - Two Britons were jailed on Monday for funding terrorism by handing cash to Brussels bombing suspect Mohamed Abrini, "the man in the hat". Abrini, 31, was arrested in Belgium in April in connection with a suicide bombing at Brussels' Zaventem Airport and a blast at a metro station in which 32 people died. Abrini has been charged with being part of a terrorist organisation and is awaiting trial. Zakaria Boufassil, 26, was found guilty by a jury which heard that he and another man arranged a meeting with Abrini in a park in Small Heath, Birmingham, eight months before the Brussels attacks. Mohammed Ali Ahmed pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. On Monday Boufassil was sentenced to three years in jail and Ahmed received eight years, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Ahmed withdrew 3,000 pounds from an account set up by a third man and the pair handed over the cash to Abrini, the CPS said. Abrini became known as the man in the hat from CCTV pictures of him pushing a trolley through Brussels airport before the blast. (Reporting by Costas Pitas and Jan Strupczewski; editing by Andrew Roche)
Major producer and distributor of premium alcoholic beverages, Brown-Forman Corporation BF.B commands a strong portfolio of globally recognized brands. However, owing to its global operations, the company remains exposed to currency movements, which have been hurting its results for quite sometime now.



In fact, the company also expects currency headwinds to continue in fiscal 2017, which is expected to bear about 5 cents per share negative impact on its earnings for the fiscal. Given these currency woes, Brown-Forman has underperformed the Zacks categorized ConsumerStaples sector, with its shares falling 7.6% year to date, compared with the industrys 1.3% increase.







Nonetheless, a book should not be judged by its cover. So, lets delve deeper into Brown-Formans inside story and long-term prospects.



The producer of high-quality spirits like Jack Daniels, Brown-Forman has been focused on expanding operations to enhance performance. This is well evident from its efforts to expand Jack Daniel's market share in the developed markets, such as France and the U.S., and in emerging markets like Russia, Poland, and Mexico, where the whiskey category is in the early stages of development.



Further, the company is looking to enter the fastest-growing spirit category  the Irish Whiskey with the purchase of all the shares of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Limited in Ireland. In another development, the company acquired two historic properties at West Main Street in Louisville, KY to boost its Old Forester brand. Further, as part of its portfolio management, the company concluded the sale of its Southern Comfort and Tuaca trademarks.



Moreover, we expect Brown-Formans continued focus on pricing, product innovation and expansion in emerging markets to boost its operational performance, and further improve its market position. The company also has a consistent record of returning cash to its shareholders through regular dividend payouts and share repurchases. This demonstrates Brown-Formans ability to boost earnings and cash flows over the long term, alongside underscoring its commitment toward shareholders.

Story continues

BROWN FORMAN B Price and Consensus



BROWN FORMAN B Price and Consensus | BROWN FORMAN B Quote

Finally, lets take a sneak peek into this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stocks earnings history, which shows that it has outperformed estimates by an average of 2.8% in the trailing four quarters. In the most recently reported second-quarter fiscal 2017, the company posted in-line earnings, which also increased year over year.



Though the company anticipates the perils of currency headwinds and unstable emerging market conditions along with an uncertain global economic and geopolitical environment, it remains confident of persistent growth in underlying net sales and operating income in fiscal 2017. Brown-Forman expects to grow on the back of robust worldwide demand for its authentic American whiskey brands, consumer interest in flavored whiskey and a growing trend in premium spirits.



Stocks to Consider



Better-ranked stocks in the broader Consumer Staples sector include Dean Foods Company DF, with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Ingredion Incorporated INGR and Lancaster Colony Corporation LANC, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



Dean Foodss earnings have outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 5.4% in the trailing four quarters. Moreover, its long-term EPS growth rate of 12% and positive estimate revisions over the past 60 days bode well.



Ingredion Incorporated, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 11%, has seen positive estimate revisions for 2016, over the past 60 days. The company also flaunts a solid earnings surprise history.



Lancaster Colony has posted positive earnings surprises consistently for three quarters now. Also, the company has seen its estimates move north in the past 30 days.



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Photo credit: Bugatti

From Road & Track

Bugatti designer and big Metallica fan Alexander 'Sasha' Selipanov recently left the company, but didn't say where he'd end up next. We'd thought it would be another supercar maker, but we were very wrong: Selipanov is joining Hyundai's new Genesis luxury brand.

He went to the Art College of Design in California, and moved to Germany when he was hired by Volkswagen after he graduated. After working on various VW products, he joined Lamborghini in 2010, just in time for the Huracan. At Bugatti, his first major project as Head of Exterior Design was the Vision Gran Turismo Concept, the car previewing the Chiron.

What you see above is Selipanov's original design for the Chiron's front. While the giant front intakes didn't fly with the board, the rest of his ideas were pretty much bang on when they had to cook up the Veyron's successor. Let's hope he will be equally good at dreaming up European-inspired Korean luxury.

Photo credit: Genesis

The world's most famous Georgian-born car designer will report directly to Genesis design boss Luc Donckerwolke (who also worked at the VW Group at Lamborghini and Bentley) starting in January, and had this to say about his new gig:

"I am sincerely excited about this opportunity, because it will be a new chapter in my career. As I have been working with well-established brands so far, Genesis is a new and refreshing challenge to me. In addition, I am also honored to join this exciting journey, as it is a very rare chance to launch a luxury automotive brand and be part of its history. With growing expectations and curiosity around Genesis, I cannot wait to contribute my expertise and passion to the brand."

His team will have to come up with more cars than at Bugatti, that's for sure.

Photo credit: Mate Petrany/Road&Track

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The cuts are the first part of a three-phase, five-year recovery plan. The schools's financial consultant, Tom Ponto, says the goal is to return the private Catholic liberal arts university to "financial equilibrium." Ponto says "more positions will be impacted." He says all areas of the university will be impacted including sports, academics and administration. Ponto is a consultant. The school hired him Oct. 1.
Reports from Burmas northern Arakan state, where violence against the countrys Rohingya Muslim minority has forced tens of thousands to flee for their lives, suggest the situation there is getting very close to what we would all agree are crimes against humanity, the U.N.s top human-rights investigator for the country has said.

I am getting reports from inside the country and from neighboring places too that things are not as they are being portrayed by the government. We are seeing a lot of very graphic and very disturbing photos and video clips, Yanghee Lee, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the country, tells TIME.

Burma has imposed a lockdown on the affected areas, as it conducts what it calls clearance operations following an attack on three border guard posts in early October. Nine policemen were killed in the attack, which the Burmese authorities blamed on Islamist militants.

Read More: Something Shocking Is Happening to Burmas Rohingya People. Take a Look at This Timeline

But fears have been growing for the million-strong Rohingya people who live in the area, amid allegations of rape, extrajudicial killings and the torching of Rohingya villages by the Burmese military, which denies the claims.

Seen as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh and denied citizenship rights, the Rohingya have long been marginalized in Burma. In 2012, some 125,000 people were displaced amid communal fighting between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, with rights groups accusing security forces of either standing aside or actively participating in the violence.

Read More: Aung San Suu Kyi Cant, or Wont, Rein In Burmas Army

As Arakan burns again, with around 21,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh in recent months, Lee called on the Burmese authorities to allow full humanitarian access to the northern section of the state that is also known as Rakhine. She also expressed her dissatisfaction with a government-supervised trip to some of the affected areas by a group of foreign diplomats and a U.N. official in early November. No one should be satisfied with the trip, she says. This was a guided tour. Even though there was a heavy security presence there, people started to come out and try to speak to this delegation. And of course, afterwards, weve also heard that there were reprisals. These people were hunted down.

On Dec. 9, 14 diplomatic missions, including the embassies of the U.S. and France, also called on Burma to give humanitarian agencies full and unfettered access to northern Arakan, noting that tens of thousands of people who need humanitarian aid, including children with acute malnutrition, have been without it now for nearly two months.
Kigali (AFP) - In a church in Rwanda, sobs ring out and candles flicker as refugees from neighbouring Burundi mark a year since one of the deadliest episodes of violence in their crisis-wracked country.

Darcy, 32, is one of about 200 Burundians who gathered to commemorate those killed when an attack on military installations by gunmen opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza lead to a violent crackdown by security forces against those seen as "enemies" of the state.

"They entered homes, killing anything that moved inside. They raped the women they found inside, even though they were state police, soldiers who should have protected the population," said Darcy, who fled Burundi two weeks after the violence of December 11 and 12 last year.

In the church, a weeping woman recounts how her brother was killed in the crackdown.

The rampage of violence in which several witnesses described door-to-door killings in opposition strongholds of the capital Bujumbura, left 87 dead according to the government.

The United Nations estimates the figure could be as high as 200.

"When you see someone you know dead, it is like a nightmare," said Carmel, 19, who fled Burundi with her family in October 2015.

Burundi was plunged into crisis in April 2015 when Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term in office, sparking a failed coup attempt and months of protests that led to a government crackdown, armed attacks and assassinations.

The UN estimates that more than 500 people have been killed and some 300,000 have fled since the crisis began.

A September report by UN rights experts recounted spine-chilling cases of torture and horrific sexual violence, mass arrests and disappearances and warned that "the crime of genocide also looms large".

Burundi has a long history of violence between its Hutu and Tutsi communities, which led to a 12-year civil war that ended in 2006.

Bujumbura has reacted to the mounting criticism by cutting ties with the UN's main human rights body and pulling out of the International Criminal Court (ICC), while slamming a "foreign plot" to destabilise the country.

Story continues

-'Forgotten' -

The latest effort to get peace talks off the ground ran into trouble on Friday when mediator Benjamin Mkapa -- a former Tanzanian president -- urged the opposition to focus on 2020 polls and not those in 2015, which he said had come to a "legitimate conclusion".

The main umbrella opposition movement, the National Council for the Restoration of Arusha Agreement and Rule of Law (CNARED) -- which is exiled in Brussels -- was furious and asked the United Nations to take over as mediator.

"It really hurts me. I think that the international community, the region, has forgotten Burundi," said former bank employee Serge Barahinduka, 52.

A Burundian journalist -- one of many forced into exile -- told AFP she fears that desperation may force some of her countrymen "to go and fight instead of dying of hunger here".
By Ahmed Mohammed Hassan and Ali Abdelaty CAIRO (Reuters) - A bombing at Cairo's largest Coptic cathedral killed at least 25 people and wounded 49, many of them women and children attending Sunday mass, in the deadliest attack on Egypt's Christian minority in years. The attack comes as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi fights battles on several fronts. His economic reforms have angered the poor, a bloody crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has seen thousands jailed, whilst an insurgency rages in Northern Sinai, led by the Egyptian branch of Islamic State. The militant group has also carried out deadly attacks in Cairo and has urged its supporters to launch attacks around the world in recent weeks as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but exiled Brotherhood officials and home-grown militant groups condemned the attack. Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. "God bless the person who did this blessed act," wrote one supporter on Telegram. The explosion took place in a chapel, which adjoins St Mark's, Cairo's main cathedral and the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II, where security is normally tight. The United States said it "will continue to work with its partners to defeat such terrorist acts" and that it was committed to Egypt's security, according to a White House statement on Sunday. The UN Security Council urged "all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities" to hold those responsible accountable. At the Vatican, Pope Francis condemned what he called the latest in a series of "brutal terrorist attacks" and said he was praying for the dead and wounded. The chapel's floor was covered in debris from shattered windows, its wooden pews blasted apart, its pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and sticky patches of blood. "As soon as the priest called us to prepare for prayer, the explosion happened," Emad Shoukry, who was inside when the blast took place, told Reuters. "The explosion shook the place ... the dust covered the hall and I was looking for the door, although I couldn't see anything ... I managed to leave in the middle of screams and there were a lot of people thrown on the ground." Security sources told Reuters at least six children were among the dead, with the blast detonating on the side of the church normally used by women. They said the explosion was caused by a device containing at least 12 kg (26 pounds) of TNT. Police and armoured vehicles rushed to the area, as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the compound demanding revenge for the attack that took place on a Muslim holiday marking the Prophet Mohammad's birthday and weeks before Christmas. Scuffles broke out with police. A woman sitting near the cathedral in traditional long robes shouted, "kill them, kill the terrorists, what are you waiting for? ... Why are you leaving them to bomb our homes?" "EGYPTIAN BLOOD IS CHEAP" Though Egypt's Coptic Christians have traditionally been supporters of the government, angry crowds turned their ire against Sisi, saying his government had failed to protect them. "As long as Egyptian blood is cheap, down, down with any president," they chanted. Others chanted "the people demand the fall of the regime", the rallying cry of the 2011 uprising that helped end Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. Sisi's office condemned what it described as a terrorist attack, declaring three days of mourning and promising justice. Al-Azhar, Egypt's main Islamic centre of learning, also denounced the attacks. Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, are the Middle East's biggest Christian community. Copts face regular attack by Muslim neighbours, who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or the construction of church. The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a New Year's service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising. At least 21 people were killed. Egypt's Christian community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities. In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State. The attack came two days after six police were killed in two bomb attacks, one of them claimed by Hasm, a recently-emerged group the government says is linked to the Brotherhood, which has been banned under Sisi as a terrorist organisation. The Brotherhood says it is peaceful. Several exiled Brotherhood officials condemned the bombing, as did Hasm and Liwaa' al-Thawra, another local militant group. Coptic Pope Tawadros II cut short a visit to Greece after learning of the attack. In a speech aired on state television, he said "the whole situation needs us all to be disciplined as much as possible ... strong unity is the most important thing." Church officials said earlier on sunday they would not allow the bombing to create sectarian differences. But Christians, convinced attacks on them are not seriously investigated, say this time they want justice. "Where was the security? There were five or six security cars stationed outside so where were they when 12 kg of TNT was carried inside?" said Mena Samir, 25, standing at the church's metal gate. "They keep telling us national unity, the crescent with the cross ... This time we will not shut up." (Additional reporting by Arwa Gaballa, Amr Abdallah, Mohamed Abdel Ghany, Amina Ismail, Mostafa Hashem in Cairo, Philip Pullella in Rome, Michelle Nichols in New York and; Yara Bayoumy in Washington; writing by Amina Ismail and Lin Noueihed; editing by Ros Russell and Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing an anti-Muslim hate crime and another was being sought by authorities after the weekend stabbing of a worshiper near a Southern California mosque, police said on Monday.

Coming amid a nationwide surge in harassment and intimidation of Muslims reported by the FBI, the incident occurred late Saturday night in the town of Simi Valley, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, according to police Commander Robert Brill.

The confrontation began as a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical fight between the two suspects and the victim, who had attended prayer services at the Masjid Al-Rasool mosque that evening, and a number of his friends, Brill said.

Officers responding to the incident found the victim suffering from non-life-threatening stab wounds, but the two suspects had fled, Brill said.

One, identified as John Matteson, 29, was soon located and taken into custody. He was treated at an area hospital for injuries from the fight and later booked into the Ventura County jail on felony charges of committing a hate crime and making criminal threats, as well as a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, Brill said.

"The preliminary investigation indicated the victim was targeted because of his appearance and association with the mosque," police said in a statement.

The second man, also in his late 20s, was still at large, Brill said.

Investigators were told the incident began when Matteson approached the mosque asking to use the restroom and was turned away with the explanation that the bathroom was not open to the public, according to a police spokesman, Sergeant Travis Coffey.

The suspect, who reportedly smelled of alcohol, returned with another man and began insulting members of the mosque with racial slurs, sparking a fight in which the suspect stabbed another worshiper, Coffey told Reuters.

Ventura County court records show Matteson has had several run-ins with the law - convicted on three occasions during the past year of disturbing the peace or of public intoxication, and in 2015 of making terrorist threats. None were charged as hate crimes.

Story continues

Civil rights groups have voiced alarm at what they say has been a spike in attacks targeting Muslims, Hispanics, blacks and other minorities since the Nov. 8 presidential election victory of Republican Donald Trump.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported last month that 2015 saw a 67 percent increase from the previous year in hate crimes against Muslims. The Council on American-Islamic Relations of Greater Los Angeles said it has received a number of reports of hate incidents against Muslims in Southern California in recent weeks.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman; Editing by Andrew Hay and Tom Brown)
(Adds reaction from defense source, procurement expert)

By David Ljunggren and Leah Schnurr

OTTAWA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Canada will still consider Lockheed Martin Inc's F-35 in an open competition for fighter jets, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday, despite domestic and foreign criticism about the program's cost.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the cost of Lockheed's F-35 program was "out of control."

A source familiar with the fighter jet replacement effort said Canadian officials found Trump's remark interesting but were not drawing too many conclusions.

"Because the president-elect sends a tweet, is the price a couple of years from now of an F-35 really going to be dramatically different?" said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Canada's ruling Liberals won an election last year on a promise not to buy F-35s because the planes were too expensive. Trudeau told Parliament that the former Conservative government had "clung to a plane that does not work and is far from being able to work."

But the Liberal government has since softened its position and said this year that all suppliers could bid to replace its aging fighter CF-18 jet fleet.

Still, Canada snubbed Lockheed last month when it unveiled plans to buy 18 Boeing Corp Super Hornets as a stop-gap measure while it started the fighter jet competition over again. Officials said the contest could take five years.

"It's an open and transparent competition we're going to be engaged in and the various aircraft and aircraft producers will have an opportunity to make their best case," Trudeau told a news conference when asked whether Canada might be more likely to opt for the F-35 if the costs fell.

Pressed as to how vindicated he felt by Trump's comments, Trudeau declined to answer directly.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, asked about the potential impact of the F-35 becoming cheaper, told reporters on Monday that "we are going to be making sure that we get the right aircraft and making sure it's the right price."

Story continues

The previous Conservative government announced in 2010 it would buy 65 F-35s but reversed itself after an official probe savaged the way the decision had been made.

Kim Richard Nossal, a Queen's University political studies professor and author of a 2016 book on Canadian defense procurement, said it was likely Ottawa would still buy the F-35 in five years' time because of concerns around future production of the Super Hornet.

Lockheed Martin said it understood concerns about affordability, noting its goal was to reduce the price of the F-35 by 60 percent from original estimates.

Canada is staying in the nine-nation consortium that helped fund development of the F-35. Lockheed Martin said in June it was studying whether to shift work on the plane away from Canadian firms amid uncertainty over Ottawa's intentions.

Canadian firms will account for development and production work on the F-35 program worth about US$1 billion by the end of 2016, the company said.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Leah Schnurr; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Grant McCool)
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQB: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7N) ("CanAlaska or the Company") is pleased to announce that, under its Agreement to sell one of its three Waterbury claims to Cameco Corporation (TSX: CCO) (NYSE: CCJ), and the condition for a program of work to drill at least one hole on the project targets within three years, AREVA Resources Canada Inc "AREVA" in partnership with Cameco will commence the program and drill at least one hole on the property in the first quarter of 2017. CanAlaska retains an un-encumbered 2% uranium royalty on future production.

CanAlaska Uranium Limited Waterbury Project

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: http://www.accesswire.com/uploads/CanAlaskaUranium121216.jpg

The Waterbury West property is 3,764 hectares in size, and is located over the central portion of Waterbury Lake, immediately north east of the Cigar Lake mine. CanAlaska as former operator identified an interesting target characterised by an east-west flexure in the underlying stratigraphy, hosting a moderate sandstone resistivity anomaly at the point of flexure. This is thought to represent a hydrothermal alteration chimney above a classic unconformity uranium target. Additional targets exist in what are thought to be metasedimentary horizons in the southern portion of the property near additional Cameco and AREVA claims.

CanAlaska president Peter Dasler comments, "We are very pleased to have AREVA and Cameco carry out the current drill program, as that completes the purchase option for the property, and gives us a very interesting opportunity for a discovery, on which we would hold a significant royalty."

On December 6, 2016, CanAlaska announced that Denison Mines Corp. had resumed exploration on the Company's Moon South property "Moon". Denison proposes to drill on the Moon next summer to follow up last year's initial hole that encountered 0.102% U3O8 over 0.5 metres. Like Waterbury West, the property is on the eastern side of the Athabasca Basin which has the highest-grade uranium deposits in the Basin and the best mining infrastructure.

Story continues

The qualified technical person for this news release is Dr Karl Schimann, P. Geo., CanAlaska director, and Vice President, Exploration.

About CanAlaska Uranium

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (CVV.V) (CVVUF) (DH7N.F) holds interests in approximately 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres), one of the largest land positions in Canada's Athabasca Basin region - the "Saudi Arabia of Uranium." CanAlaska's strategic holdings has attracted major international mining companies Cameco, Denison, KORES, KEPCO, and the De Beers Group of Companies. CanAlaska is a project generator and is positioned for discovery success in the world's richest uranium district. For further information visit www.canalaska.com.

The qualified technical person for this news release is Dr Karl Schimann, P. Geo, VP Exploration, for CanAlaska.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Peter Dasler"

Peter Dasler, M.Sc., P.Geo.

President & CEO

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.

Contacts:

Peter Dasler

President

Tel: +1.604.688.3211 x 138

Email: info@canalaska.com

John Gomez

Corporate Development

Tel: +1.604.484.7118

Email: jgomez@canalaska.com

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.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

SOURCE: CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.
The average person, looking around the world today, might say things are very grim. Its understandable. Headlines from Syria reveal devastation and human tragedy on an unimaginable scale. Billions of people suffer with too little, lacking basic necessities such as access to food, water, sanitation, or electricity. Terrorists wage their asymmetric wars not just against states but within our psyches. In the United States and Europe, right-wing leaders sell a tale of decline and civilizations at riskand plenty of voters are buying it. Look no further than Donald Trumps ascent to the White House on a wave of hateful sentiment.

It is the worst of times. And yet, reflecting on the 2016 campaign in his newest bookand in many ways his most personal and provocative yetNew York Times columnist and 2013 Global Thinker Thomas Friedman begins with a quote from Marie Curie: Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

Friedman, who is a friend, goes further. His book is titled Thank You for Being Late: An Optimists Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations. So here is a guy who has covered the Middle East and the tribulations of the world for 30 years, and three Pulitzer Prizes later, he is embracing optimism. Why?

The title of the book gives a clue. Thank you for being late refers to the degree to which Friedman found himself grateful for the quiet moments each day that he was granted when people with whom he was to meet were delayed by the press of daily life, giving him time to reflect. The book represents an effort to look at what has happened in the world and, in particular, on the accelerations that have transformed it and left so many people run ragged, bewildered, and unable to process the meaning of recent changes. Those accelerationsin technological advancement, climate change, and globalizationhave reordered the planet from top to bottom, and Friedman spent three and a half years exploring how and looking for meaning. The search brings him back to his hometown in Minnesota to contemplate how the shifting tectonics of modern civilization have altered that which seemed most familiar to him as a child.

The book is written with Friedmans typically probing search for greater meaning, for big ideas, and for organizing principles. And, in the end, it leaves one with the feeling that while the changes that are remaking the planet pose great challengesnotably in the area of climate changethey really do offer even greater opportunities for the lives of everyone in virtually every corner of the world.

This raises a couple of questions. First, do the facts bear out the idea that things are really improving broadly and not just in terms of the gadgets or technologies we have at our disposal? Second, does history offer any clues about the nature and sustainability of step changes of the type Friedmans book so engagingly focuses on?

To answer those questions, consider that Friedman is not the first to embrace optimism. Indeed, while declinists of every stripe sometimes seem to have greater access to the media, there has been a bit of a groundswell recently of people making the case that the present has a lot to recommend it and that the future looks even better. Furthermore, the current crop of optimists has not based views on the age-old triumph of hope over experience. Rather, to the contrary, their views are arrived at the old-fashioned waythrough research, based on data. In fact, I count myself among them because, in my view, optimism is the most logical, sound, and defensible position to arrive at after a rigorous study of history.

We do not live in a perfect world. But we live in a perfectible one. History shows that, over the long run, we collectively have made progress work.

Steven Pinker of Harvard University blindsided a world weary of war stories and the fear of terrorism in 2011 with the publication of his book, The Better Angels of Our Nature. In it, he argued and demonstrated through an analysis of available data that violence in human societies has dropped markedly throughout history and that we live in one of the most peaceful and safe times ever.

Pinker writes, Believe it or not  violence has declined over long stretches of time, and today we may be living in the most peaceable era of our species existence. If you lived in what he described as the pre-state era, you had a 1-in-6 chance of dying in conflict. In the last century, for all its horrific violence, that number fell to just a 3 percent chance. And the current period is the most violence-free in history. Pinker offers six major civilizing factors, ranging from the rise of institutions and the rule of law to our current respite from global conflicts, to help explain why.

Other data support this. Between 500,000 and 900,000 people died in battle in 1950. By 2008, according to PolitiFact, this number was down to 30,000. Independent researchers associated with the Human Security Project at Simon Fraser University have concluded, Today there is broad agreement within the research community that the number and deadliness of interstate wars has declined dramatically since the end of World War II, and the incidence of civil wars has declined substantially since the end of the Cold War. They conclude that the average number of interstate wars falling from six per year in the 1950s to just one per year now is significant because such conflicts usually are deadlier than civil wars. It also does not take a very sophisticated analysis to conclude that the threats we face today from the likes of the Islamic State, while real, are much, much smaller than the risk of global thermonuclear war or of world wars.

Other positive changes are equally clear. Nothing is more basic to quality of life than its duration. In the pre-modern world, life expectancy was about 30 years. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, with its huge leaps forward in public health and scientific progress, life expectancy has increased substantially, aided most notably by declines in child mortality rates. Average expectancy worldwide has more than doubled since 1900, and no country in the world today has a lower life expectancy than the countries in the world with the highest life expectancies in 1800.

The Industrial Revolution produced other massive changes in quality of life. Modern indoor plumbing was introduced to the rich in the United States only in the mid-19th century. Today, virtually every U.S. home has it. Worldwide, only 76 percent of people had access to improved water sources in 1990; that number is now around 91 percent. Only 1 percent of U.S. homes had indoor plumbing and electricity in 1920. Today, almost all do. Worldwide, while no one had access to electricity before the late 19th century, around 83 percent of the population does today.

In 1850, almost everyone in the world lived in an autocracy or a colony. Even the few democracies around were very unrepresentative. Today, the majority of the worlds people live in countries ruled by democratic regimesmore than 4.1 billion peopleand only 1.7 billion live in autocracies.

Real gross domestic product per capita held steady at around $400 to $600 a year for most people in most places for most of the last millennium. It started to change in the developed world as the Industrial Revolution hit. But the real breakthrough came about as globalization gained traction about 50 years ago. According to the World Bank, it rose from a global adjusted average of $449.63 in 1960 to over $10,000 in 2015. The result is that the share of the worlds population living in poverty has fallen from 94 percent in 1820 to under 10 percent today.

In 1800, almost nine out of 10 people were illiterate. Today, almost the same proportion can read. In 1970, only 6 percent of the worlds people had a landline phone. In 2014, we passed the point where there were more cellular devices than people on the planet. According to the World Bank, by the following year, the average rate of cellular subscriptions per 100 people was 98.6.

History, then, offers an encouraging story. It is one of the reasons that those who study it and analyze current change anticipate that, while huge tests confront us now, great progress will continue. Dislocations of workers by new technologies pose a real challenge, note Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson in their important works, Race Against the Machine and The Second Machine Age. But they also point to the prospect of less backbreaking labor, shorter workweeks, and longer work lives. AARP has analyzed this in the United Sates and sees a change few could have expected or gleaned from the tenor of public debate just a few years ago: The older members of society, rather than being a burden, are likely to become a boon. Retirement is a concept that will have to be rethought as companies are able to tap into their most experienced workers for much longer, thanks to information technologies that enable them to remain relevant, active, and engaged in creating value. (AARP, it should be noted, is among several sponsors of Foreign Policys 2016 Global Thinkers issue and event.)

Estimates today are that, effectively, the entire world will have internet accessbe linked together in a man-made system for the very first time in historysometime between 2020 and 2030. We are beating cancer, with deaths down 23 percent in a generation. A cure may be far off, but as Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, has acknowledged, its possible that more people are going to live [for a] prolonged high-quality time in peaceful coexistence with their disease.

Progress like this has made benchmarks such as the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted in 2015, seem not only achievable, but achievable in the near term. These include ending poverty, eradicating hunger, ensuring that, within a decade and a half, all girls and boys can complete primary and secondary education for free, ensuring clean water for all, and guaranteeing that everyone has access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy.

Perhaps this is why a recent study among 26,000 millennials by the World Economic Forum reveals something quite different from the snark and cynicism of political debates, which is often erroneously associated with young people. When they look at the world around them, 70 percent see it as full of opportunities, versus only 30 percent who see it as full of struggles; 86 percent see technology creating jobs, while only 14 percent see it destroying them.

Millennials are hopeful. They are hopeful for the same reason that Friedman and Pinker and the technolophiliacs of Silicon Valley are hopeful. They are hopeful because the story of human history is one of continuous progress, and we dont just live in a moment in which this is ongoingwe live in a moment when progress is inexorably accelerating. Indeed, when you consider that living in one global community and in one single cultural ecosystem promises better understanding of one another, ubiquitous sensing, unlimited data storage, big-data analytics, and the ever-increasing capacity to connect the worlds best and most creative minds, the prospect of seeing the world in detail as it is and as it might be seems possible for the very first time. Optimism is not outlandishit is required. Realism equals optimism.
mark douglas

Mark Douglas was addressing his employees at a recent team-wide meeting when, out of nowhere, he began to go off-script.

Douglas, the CEO of the marketing and advertising company SteelHouse, began reading off the list of company holidays for 2017.

"I'm sure everyone was wondering, where's he going with this?" Douglas tells Business Insider. (Wouldn't the holidays be the same they always were?)

"And then I said March 17th is SteelHouse Day," Douglas says, and people's eyebrows started to go up. "And then I said April 14th is SteelHouse Day." A few more eyebrows. "And then I announced it."

Douglas was announcing SteelHouse had adopted a new policy: Effective January 1, 2017, the company will observe one three-day weekend each month that doesn't already come with a company holiday. In addition to the existing ones, there will now be SteelHouse Days in March, April, June, August, October, and December.

SteelHouse Days aren't the product of careful cost-benefit analyses tracking people's work habits, Douglas says. They're part of the company's mission to trust its employees to the greatest extents possible. Since 2011, SteelHouse has also paid its employees $2,000 a year to go on any vacation they choose.

In Douglas' eyes, three-day weekends are the next logical step in making SteelHouse a great place to work. In the last three years, only five people out of 250 have left the company, three of whom left for reasons unrelated to the job itself. "We have virtually zero turnover," he said back in September.

Douglas says he's wanted to implement the idea since the end of the summer. He's read innumerable news articles about the benefits of time off, many of which criticize the American obsession with work.

When he brought it up to his management staff there was complete, automatic support.

Eventually, Douglas hopes to make three-day weekends the norm by shifting to a four-day workweek. For that, he and his team would need to look more closely at how the time off affects sales. In the meantime, SteelHouse Days will offer a glimpse.

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Still, he's not taking the company's pulse every five minutes.

"It doesn't take a lot of science" to see that an extra day off each month makes people happier when they come in to work, he says. "It's just a matter of having the courage to do something different and believing that there will be a net gain from it."

The first SteelHouse Day is Friday, March 17th  St. Patrick's Day. Something tells us the SteelHouse staff will be celebrating a little extra this time around.

NOW WATCH: This gorgeous time lapse of Paris is like a virtual vacation

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Media researcher Louise Lief was in Armenia from December 6-8 at the invitation of the American University of Armenias School of Communications to attend the Digital Investigation conference organized by the Media Initiatives Center. During a discussion at the session entitled We are the Media, Lief talked about cooperative models to include citizens in the process, noting that the American media came up short when it came to covering the U.S. presidential primaries because they were cut off from the public and did not grasp the mood of the electorate. After the conference, Hetq talked to Lief regarding the role of the media and social websites in the primaries and the future of the media.

Your conclusion is that Trump's primary win was the failure of media coverage in the United States.

Yes, in essence the media failed to see how powerful his message was in certain places and with certain people... They didn't think it would resonate as much as it did. So, the interesting question is why?

What was the base of that position of media? Did they rely on sociological surveys?

Polling surveys all showed that Clinton had a big advantage. No one was predicting that Trump would win. Trump himself didn't think he would win. So, it really shows that again, as someone who's interested in the information landscape and where we use journalists to fit in, it shows how much that landscape has changed and how unpredictable it is, and how it's harder to get information about the entire society. All the predictions were wrong.

Does it mean that traditional methods of surveying public opinion aren't useful now? Do we need to find new models of surveying?

I think the polling organizations that were not correct are going to look at the data and see what happened. And there's a whole issue now with people having cell phones and some people not having landlines. The question is how polling is being done. Do they really get an accurate picture or are people self-selecting? So, I think there's a whole reassessment of what happened. And then, based on what they find or what they think happened, then they must rethink and redo it. Americans love polling surveys, and theyre considered to be the absolute predictor that are very reliable as they have their margins of error.

I have just read an article published by a Swiss newspaper Das Magazin describing how big data helped Trump to win. It is about Cambridge Analytica, which analyzes data collected from social media to measure the behaviors of people. Trump was their client, so he created his speeches based on the demands of the public.

Well, I don't know if that was the case, but I know it's a new era and a lot of Facebook is a new phenomenon. People really started to use it in 2006 so it's something very new and people are trying to figure out how it works and one thing the investigative organization called Pro Publica which is one of the most prominent in the US and they have a very interesting project looking at how Facebook works, their algorithms, how they decide what to show to which person. So, this is a whole new field of study. Trump's election, and I think Brexit, are two examples of the societal consequences and a big complicated messy question about how do you address this. There are no answers yet.

It's obvious that the informational revolution brought many positive opportunities for journalism but it has also had some negative impact. What do you think about this?

What I think and what I'm very preoccupied with is where the public sees the media in this new landscape, where do we fit in; what is the value that we're bringing to people. I think we must ask the question why should people trust us? They don't know you, so why should they trust you and your information? How can you build a relationship of trust with the public so when you do have an investigation, not just on national politics but on anything, they trust your information and they feel they have some way to act on that. This is a very big open question. When you only had, at least in the United States, one or two newspapers in your community and your local television, you didn't really have any other options and that became the news the community worked on to understand what was going on in the community. That model is gone. The community can find information in lots of different places. Doing an investigation, you need to think about the whole picture and find ways to build that foundation, to establish that trust. So, for example when you do an investigation people should say ah, I trust Hetq because I know they've done this, I know they care about people like me.

Is investigative journalism in demand in the US? For example, in Armenia, although we have a good reputation, we cannot compete with news websites in terms of visits' ranking.

It's my impression that investigative reporters are a smaller community in the media because the work is challenging. I think a lot of people don't understand how journalists weigh the information, the ethical issues that come into play. Some news organizations are not responsible. There have been a couple of court cases that have gone against journalists with very big financial penalties and the public was angry about what they were doing. There are good news organizations in every country and some that aren't responsible that have a political agenda, and they will not write about anything that doesn't fit in their agenda, and people are confused. I think it's a lot to expect the public to be able to understand this universe.

Is there work to do regarding media literacy in the United States?

In every country I've written about, something that's even more basic than media literacy, is the information literacy that you receive from any kind of information from anywhere. What are the questions that you should ask? This is something that's now being taught at universities. In American universities, they have a whole course on it. The librarians who deal with information teach information literacy. Back to the media. It's a larger question than the media can do on their own, they need allies in society that care about good information. For me, if you can establish that trust then you can do lots of investigations, you can have a big impact, you can contribute to reform efforts for better government. But if you don't have that trust, this is what I worry about in the United States.

What are the trends of media development in your opinion? Whats going to happen in the future?

The model I've talked about yesterday, the Texas Tribune, is very small, and they are in a very heavily Republican state, and they have chosen a very careful course of keeping the door open to everyone and being a neutral place where citizens and politicians can talk about policy issues. And they do look at money, they do look at politics, they do investigations. What I like about it is the new model, they invite the public in. What do you think? What are you interested in? That's something new, that's not the way traditional newsrooms were, with the editors usually sitting around a table and saying, well what story should we do, what do we think the public needs to know or wants to know". And one of the founders of that new model said that there's a better question than asking what they need to know, what they want. Ask them.

In the presidential debates, I always found the questions from the audience, in the town hall meetings, to be much more interesting than those of the professional moderators. Why? Because they're asking ordinary questions of things that they care about.

Photo by Narek Aleksanyan
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  The Cherokee Nation's attorney general legalized gay marriage for the country's second-largest Native American tribe, saying its same-sex marriage ban violates a tribal requirement for all of its citizens to be treated equally.

Attorney General Todd Hembree's opinion, which was issued Friday, says parts of a 2004 tribal law that defined marriage as "a civil contract between one man and one woman" and prohibited marriage between two persons of the same sex violate the Cherokee Constitution, which requires the equal treatment of tribal citizens.

"The right to marry without the freedom to marry the person of one's choice is no right at all," Hembree wrote in his opinion.

Tribal Assistant Attorney General Chrissi Nimmo said Monday that the opinion carries the force of law and legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples who are members of the Oklahoma-based tribe, which has about 300,000 members.

The Cherokee Nation was among 11 of the nation's 567 federally recognized tribes that had explicit bans on gay marriage.

Nimmo said the sovereign laws of the Cherokee Nation and other tribes were not directly affected by last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage and that Indian tribes are the only remaining governments in the U.S. that can prohibit or legalize same-sex marriage. But the Cherokee Nation Constitution contains similar due process and equal protection guarantees as the U.S. Constitution, rights that are reflected in the tribal opinion, she said.

"It's a very similar decision to that of the United States Supreme Court," she said.

The tribe's same-sex marriage ban was part of the Cherokee Nation Marriage and Family Act that was approved unanimously by the tribal council. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker, who was a member of the tribal council at the time and voted for the measure, did not immediately respond to a phone message Monday seeking comment.

Story continues

Hembree's opinion was requested by the director of the tribe's tax commission, who had asked whether the tribe could issue a vehicle tag to a same-sex couple married outside the tribe's jurisdiction. The couple is not identified in the opinion.

The matter arose when a person who was recently married outside the tribe's jurisdiction offered a marriage certificate issued to her and another woman as proof of her identity, according to the ruling. The commission was unsure whether it could accept the same-sex marriage certificate in light of the tribe's prohibition of same-sex marriage.

"We were having to deal with this kind of thing on a daily basis," Nimmo said. "Administratively and practically, it makes things easier."
China reportedly staged a flyover near Taiwan and Japan and sent ships in around the hotly contested South China Sea over the weekend, the Associated Press reported Sunday. The show of force came amid increased tensions regarding President-elect Donald Trumps recent slights against China's economy and foreign policies.

Though the Chinese government issued statements saying the acts were a routine exercise, the timing of such military displays against Taiwan, which it doesnt recognize as independent, and oldest rival Japan comes following Trumps call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-win earlier this month.

The report said China flew 10 planes Saturday over the Miyako Strat, which sits between Miyako Island and Okinawa Island in the Pacific Ocean and directly over Japanese airspace, and four other planes went over the Bashi Channel that rests beside Taiwan, a statement from Taiwans defense ministry read.

That was followed Sunday by three ships patrolling the Senkaku islands, located in the East China Sea but controlled by Japan, a claim disputed by China.

Through his Twitter account, Trump called out China for what he considers unfair trade policies and currency manipulation after stating Tsai had reached out to him and not the other way around. Trump continued to poke China during an interview with Fox News Sunday.

"I fully understand the one-China policy, Trump said, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."

In kind, China said it has serious concern regarding his latest comments and said relations with the U.S. could be strained.

We urge the new U.S. leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy, a spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, said according to the AP.

Related Articles
BEIJING (Reuters) - Those who seek to damage the "one China" principle and harm China's core interests are "lifting a rock only to drop it on their feet", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday, in comments carried on the Foreign Ministry's website. The ministry said he make the remark in Switzerland when asked by a reporter about a telephone call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard, editing by John Stonestreet)
Chinese and Japanese military aircraft had a tense encounter Saturday, with the latter scrambling its fighter jets after six Chinese warplanes passed through the Miyako Strait  located between Japan's Miyako and Okinawa islands. Beijing slammed Tokyo for the move, calling it dangerous and unprofessional.

Two Su-30 fighters, two H-6 bombers, one Tu-154 surveillance plane and one Y-8 surveillance plane from China flew through the strategically important Miyako Strait, according to Japanese defense ministrys Joint Staff Office. While the Su-30 fighters passed through the strait and turned back to head toward the East China Sea, the surveillance planes and bombers went toward the Bashi Channel near south of Taiwan, the Japan Times reported Sunday.

According to the Chinese defense ministry, its aircraft were performing routine training in the Western Pacific when two F-15 fighter jets belonging to Japans Self-Defense Force shadowed the planes. The ministry further said its warplanes were in international airspace at the time of the encounter.

Senior Col. Yang Yujun, the ministrys spokesman, said in a statement Saturday the Japanese fighter jets came in close range of the Chinese warplanes and even launched jamming shells, which endangered the safety of Chinese aircraft and crew. Japanese militarys actions destroyed the freedom of navigation and over-flight endowed by international laws, he added.

However, the Japanese defense ministry called the Chinese account factually inaccurate. It further said its jets scrambled against Beijings planes to prevent violation of Japanese airspace and the move adhered to international law, Jiji Press reported. However, violation of Japanese airspace did not occur, according to Japanese media.

Chinas military exercises Saturday lasted about four hours, reports said quoting Taiwans defense ministry. They were the first such drills since a telephone call between Taiwans leader Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump angered China, which has become more assertive in the western Pacific and South China Sea in recent years.

Story continues

Chinas state-run Global Times published an op-ed Sunday warning Japan it would have to bear the fallout, if any, from the Miyako Strait incident.

 The tension over the East China Sea has astonished us all. It seems that Beijing and Tokyo are only one step away from an aerial exchange of fire  Tokyo has been boosting its military forces on both sides of the Miyako Strait, including deploying missiles aimed at passing Chinese warships, the op-ed read.

Given Chinas strength in the air, much stronger than that of Japan, Tokyo wont gain anything from conflicts with Beijing. In terms of crisis prevention and crisis control, the current mechanism between China and Japan is much worse than that between China and the U.S., Global Times added.

Beijing has performed similar drills in the western Pacific since September. Both Beijing and Tokyo have been involved in territorial disputes in the East China Sea. Tensions between the two countries are over uninhabited islands which are administered by Japan and are also claimed by China.

Related Articles
Chinas state media is not happy with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Government-controlled publications have hit back at Trumps recent Tweets about China and called Americas next leader naive, immature and superficial.

The Global Times, an English-language tabloid paper that is often among the most vehement and populist Chinese publications, said in an editorial that Trump is as as ignorant as a child in terms of foreign policy.

The reference was in direct response to Trumps recent comment: I dont know why we have to be bound by a One China policy, unless we make a deal with China having to do other things , including trade, in an interview with Fox News, and to his acceptance of an incoming phone call from Taiwans president Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949. Mainland China (properly known as the Peoples Republic of China) regards Taiwan (known as the Republic of China) as a rebel province with which it will ultimately be reunited, by force if necessary.

China refuses to have diplomatic relations with any country that officially recognizes Taiwan. The U.S. has diplomatic relations only with the PRC, but is bound by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to defend the island.

The Global Times said that there will be no negotiation over the One China policy. (Beijing would have no reason to) put peace above using force to take back Taiwan, it said.

The Peoples Daily was slightly more measured.

For China, the One China principle is one of the foremost preconditions for building formal ties with other countries, it said on Monday.

The inappropriate rhetoric came just days after Trump had a phone call with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen, breaking decades of U.S. diplomatic policy.

It wrapped up its leader: The new U.S. administration needs to be rational and respectful, rather than impulsive.

Trumps tweeting last week on Chinas military strategy and on the Chinese currency prompted similarly robust responses.

Story continues

The U.S. cannot (and should not) try to dictate the policy of another sovereign state. Sovereignty means that China, for example, is not always going to do what the U.S. wants. Furthermore, China will never bow to U.S. pressure. International relations 101: China is an independent, sovereign state with its own national interests. As a sovereign state, China sets its own policy and can retaliate if necessary, the Peoples Daily intoned on Dec. 5.

Retaliation and bluff calling are also entering U.S.-Chinese trade relations.

This weekend Wang Jianlin, the chairman of Chinas Dalian Wanda group showed his displeasure over the growing possibility of a U.S. congressional probe into Wanda acquisitions in Hollywood.

Ive invested over $10 billion in the U.S., employing over 20,000 people. If something goes wrong, these 20,000-plus people might be out of jobs, Wang said after a speech about the need to export Chinese culture.

On Monday that earned a response from anti-China lobby group, the Center for American Scrutiny.

Wang Jianlins aggressive posturing that President-elect Trump should be advised that he has invested in companies that employ 20,000 people is meaningless. While Wanda has clearly grown more influential in the U.S. movie industry, all of his acquisitions had employees before he engaged in buying them. These are not new jobs nor are they dependent on his ownership. In fact, the profits from these acquisitions will flow to Communist China, not to U.S. interests or stockholders, the CASs executive director Richard Berman, said in an email.

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Trump to Meet With Tech CEOs This Week

China Box Office: 'Your Name' and 'Hacksaw Ridge' Dispute Top Spot

Donald Trump Dismisses Allegations of Russian Impact on Election as 'Ridiculous'
Here is Chris Jericho being a special guest ring announcer at IWC. Because why not. pic.twitter.com/eRbLcLLDrQ  Rex (@rextycoon) December 11, 2016

2016 in pro wrestling is a world of possibilities. There are no boundaries anymore, no limits on what wrestlers can do or accomplish or where they can appear, regardless of whether theyre under contract tonight. Pretty much the only thing still off-limits to WWE Superstars these days is literally appearing on TNA weekly television. But we still keep running into situations where a WWE wrestler can show up on a UK indie show to attack a TNA wrestler, or a WWE-partnered promotion can host a WWE vs. TNA war without actually saying those words.

And with the biggest wrestling company looking to spread its tendrils even further into the international independent scene in 2017, and with NXT basically functioning as a modern-day, ongoing King of the Indies, you can expect those boundaries to be even more fluid going forward.

This is all a very longwinded way of saying that the above video features Chris Jericho popping up in Pennsylvania to grab the microphone as an impromptu guest wring announcer at an IWC show this past weekend.

I mean, hes Chris Jericho, so he can pretty much do whatever the hell he wants anyway, but this kind of thing would have been unthinkable even a few years ago. In 2016, we cant help but wonder if The New Day will have a cameo in Tag Team Apocalypto this week. Stranger things have happened. Well  okay, maybe not THAT strange.

Go to your local indie shows, everyone. Maybe Roman Reigns will be there wrestling Drew Blood or whatever.
Jeison Aristizabal has dedicated the past decade-and-a-half to helping Colombians with disabilities. For his work, Aristizabal was named the 2016 CNN Hero of Year on Sunday.

The 33-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, launched a foundation out of his parents' garage and has since helped young people in Colombia with disabilities gain access to educational and medical resources. Aristizabal received a $100,000 prize from CNN to continue that work.

"I can't believe it," Aristizabal said through a translator at an event announcing the award, via a press release. "Hello to Colombia, hello to all the families who have a child with a disability. I want to tell you that yes you can. You can dream and you can achieve your dreams."

CNN has named a hero of the year for the past 10 years, and it honors everyday people who are doing extraordinary work. Aristizabal's nonprofit group called ASODISVALLE, an acronym that translates to Association of Disabled People of the Valley, provides free services to some 1,000 young people and their families. What started in his parents' garage grew into an entire center, a school and meal services.

"This place has become the second home for thousands of children and their families," Aristizabal told CNN. "The most special thing about the foundation is the love and care that we give to the children. We fight for their happiness."

The advocate said he is now in law school in the hopes of changing laws and "the way in which the government treats people with disabilities." It's a concrete way to effect the changes he wants to see with how people view those with disabilities.

"Around the world, when families have a kid with a disability, they think that child won't be capable of much," he said in an interview with CNN. "We have to change that idea completely. We have to tell these families that their child may have a disability, but that doesn't mean that person doesn't have talents that will enable them to succeed in life."

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Cologne (Germany) (AFP) - The German city of Cologne Monday announced a ramped-up police presence, more CCTV and a fireworks-free zone at upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations to avoid a repeat of last year's mass sexual assaults.

Hundreds of women that night described being mugged and groped in a crowd of men of mainly Arab and north African appearance, incidents that shocked Germany and fuelled criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal refugee policy.

Cologne police chief Juergen Mathies said 1,500 officers would be deployed on the streets of the western city this year, up from some 140 last year, when police came under fire for failing to properly respond to the chaotic events.

Mathies told reporters he regretted that officers last year were "not there for people when they needed the police".

"This must never happen again," he said at a presentation of the city's security plan for New Year's Eve.

The city will also be stepping up its video surveillance, with hundreds more CCTV cameras and more officers wearing bodycams, Mathies said.

Much of the increased security will focus on the square between the city's iconic Dom cathedral and the train station where most of the assaults took place.

Cologne mayor Henriette Reker said access to the square this year would be tightly controlled, with no firecrackers or other pyrotechnics allowed in the safety zone.

The square will also be flooded with light as part of a video and light installation by German artist Philipp Geist that will be projected onto the Dom.

Of the roughly 1,200 criminal complaints filed about last year's New Year's Eve incidents, more than 500 were for sexual assault, Cologne police reports showed.

The majority of the perpetrators were never caught. Of the suspects who were identified, many were migrants from Morocco and Algeria.

Similar assaults were reported during end-of-year festivities in other German cities.

The ugly scenes in Cologne made global headlines and deepened concerns about how to integrate the nearly 900,000 newcomers who arrived in Germany last year.
A bipartisan initiative to create learning standards for American school kids is creating an unlikely resistance to two of President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet choices: Betsy DeVos for education secretary and Rex Tillerson for state.

Notably, the right-wing news site Breitbart, which was until recently run by Trumps top adviser Stephen Bannon, ran a story over the weekend calling out Tillerson for his past support for Common Core. Trump announced that Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil, is his pick to run state in a tweet praising him as one of the truly great business leaders of the world Tuesday morning.

Breitbart dug up the oil magnates 2013 Wall Street Journal op-ed calling Common Core, an initiative launched by the National Governors Association, a path to renewed competitiveness for the U.S.

Tillerson has a history of supporting policies opposite to many of the themes the president-elect highlighted during his campaign, including on Common Core education standards, Breitbart reporter Matthew Boyle wrote.

Opposing Common Core was one of the few education issues Trump consistently touted on the campaign trail. He repeatedly promised to end Common Core if elected president. (He cant  states that voted to adopt the standards would have to individually repeal them.) The standards set guidelines for what concepts and skills students should know in math and language by the end of each grade, allowing each state that adopts them to determine the lesson plans and curriculum to reach that goal.

The Obama administration poured funds into helping states create standardized tests aligned with Common Core; the administration also incentivized states to adopt the standards by making it easier for them to receive federal funds if they did.

Some conservatives see the standards as a federal overreach into local control over education. Many homeschool advocates in particular are vehemently opposed to the standards.

But Tillerson argued that Common Core would help the American workforce learn crucial math and technology skills they are currently lacking. He chided his home state of Texas for refusing to join the 45 states that adopted the Common Core standards in a speech in 2014. Tillerson said he was extraordinarily disappointed in Texas for refusing to adopt the standards.

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I dont think the [K-12] schools realize that were their customer, Tillerson said at a Business Roundtable meeting. They need to produce students with skills that allow them to get a job. If they dont, they are essentially producing a defective product. And in this case, the product is a human being. Its tragic. He also chided Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett for delaying the implementation of the program in his state in 2013.

Common Core may matter to many of Trumps supporters, but its unlikely to be an issue in Tillersons Senate confirmation. Some Republican senators, including Sen. Marco Rubio, have expressed reservations about Tillersons friendship with Russian leader Vladmir Putin, signaling he may face a tough path to nomination on entirely different grounds.

President-elect Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey last month. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Common Core has also been a flashpoint for Betsey DeVos, a Michigan billionaire who is Trumps Cabinet pick for education.

DeVos is an advocate for private school vouchers and charter schools, and served as a board member for Jeb Bushs Foundation for Excellence in Education, a nonprofit that backs Common Core standards.

After Trump announced his decision to appoint her to his Cabinet, Devos quickly disavowed any affiliation with the standards on Twitter and linked to a personal website explaining her views.

Many of you are asking about Common Core. To clarify, I am not a supporterperiod. Read my full stance, here: https://t.co/qB2nAXvX0B  Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVos) November 23, 2016

Have organizations that I have been a part of supported Common Core? she wrote. Of course. But thats not my position. Sometimes its not just students who need to do their homework.

Earlier this month, she appeared at Trumps thank-you rally in Michigan, again assuring Trumps supporters that she would put an end to federalized Common Core. DeVos also criticized the media for spreading false news about her, without specifying which claims she believed were untrue.

Karen Braun, an anti-Common Core activist, was unconvinced. She told Breitbart she was not fooled by DeVos words. We know the truth, Braun said. We experienced it first hand.


VALLEY CENTER, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Concierge Technologies, Inc. (CNCG) (the "Company"), today announced the closing of the acquisition of Wainwright Holdings, Inc. ("Wainwright"), a Delaware corporation, in a stock-for-stock exchange valued at approximately $85 million. Wainwright will continue to operate its businesses as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

David Neibert, CFO, of Concierge Technologies commented, "We couldn't be more pleased with this successful transaction and we look forward to the continued growth of Wainwright and Concierge in the coming new year. Anyone looking at Concierge just 18 months ago would never recognize it today. For all those former shareholders of Wainwright who are now shareholders of Concierge, as well as our long-term stakeholders, we pledge our resolve to work hard on your behalf."

About Concierge Technologies, Inc.

Concierge Technologies, Inc. operates through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Gourmet Foods, Ltd. in Tauranga, New Zealand, (acquired August 11, 2015) a commercial-scale manufacturer and distributor of New Zealand gourmet meat pies marketed under brand names "Pat's Pantry" and "Ponsonby Pies" throughout area supermarkets and convenience stores; Brigadier Security Systems, (acquired on June 2, 2016) an alarm installation and monitoring firm in Saskatoon Canada; and Kahnalytics, Inc. (launched in 2015) a US based provider of live streaming mobile video, vehicle tracking and driver behavior data. Management is actively seeking the acquisition of established enterprises with a high likelihood of profitability to add to its growing, diverse portfolio of operating businesses.

This release may contain "forward-looking statements" that include information relating to future events and future financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.

Story continues

For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Concierge Technologies or its subsidiary companies, please refer to the Company's recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available at the Company's website or at www.sec.gov.

For more information about Concierge Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries:

Concierge Technologies, Inc.: www.conciergetechnology.net

Nicholas Gerber, CEO: ngerber@conciergetechnology.net

David Neibert, CFO: dneibert@conciergetechnology.net

Tel: 866.800.2978 ext. 3

SOURCE: Concierge Technologies, Inc.
The mining company Lydian Armenia and the Armenian Minister of Nature Protection Artzvik Minasyan signed a Memo of Understanding to create a national park called Jermouk in Armenia.

Lydian Armenia, 100% owned by Lydian International Limited, is in the process of launching the Amulsar gold mine 170 kilometers south of Yerevan on the border between the provinces of Vayots Dzor and Syunik.

The mine is opposed by local environmental groups.

Minister Minasyan ruled out any behind the scenes tacit understanding reached by the company and the ministry that Lydian would receive favorable treatment for participating in the creation of the national park.

Photo (from left): Lydian Armenia Executive Director Hayk Aloyan, Minister Minasyan
(Reuters) - British construction company Morgan Sindall Group Plc (MGNS.L) said it had won three major infrastructure contracts worth about 750 million pounds ($943 million).

The contracts include extensions to its agreements for the Sellafield site in Cumbria and one with Heathrow Airport, the company said.

Morgan Sindall said last month that orders for rail and urban regeneration projects and shop-fitting work had been strong since July, and Britain's vote to leave the EU had not impacted its business.

That outlook contrasted with companies such as British outsourcing services firm Mitie Group (MTO.L), which has complained of a slowdown in new business since the Brexit vote and issued two profit warnings since September. Outsourcing group Capita (CPI.L) said it would sell its asset management services arm alongside a second profit warning in three months.

Both the firms have government and local authority customers similar to Morgan Sindall, which last month reported a 3 percent rise in order book since June 30, and said it was on track to deliver annual results in line with its expectations.

Growth in Britain's construction industry unexpectedly touched an eight-month high in November, the Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index showed.

($1 = 0.7948 pounds)

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)
(Updates with McCain quote to Reuters on Tillerson)

By Doina Chiacu and Gina Cherelus

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The front-runner for secretary of state in President-elect Donald Trump's administration, Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, faces a struggle getting confirmed by U.S. senators concerned about his close ties to Russia.

Lawmakers from both major parties also raised questions on Monday about former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, who has been mentioned as a possible No. 2 State Department official and has voiced hawkish views on Iraq and Iran.

Republicans and Democrats said Tillerson, who is also president of Exxon Mobil Corp, would be asked about his ties to Russia, having met President Vladimir Putin several times and won fresh praise from Moscow on Monday.

In 2013, Putin bestowed a Russian state honor, the Order of Friendship, upon Tillerson, citing his work "strengthening cooperation in the energy sector."

In television interviews, Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said Tillerson is a "leading candidate" for the top diplomat job and a decision may come this week.

Senator John McCain, a leading foreign policy voice and 2008 Republican candidate for president, told Reuters in an interview: "I have concerns. It's very well known that he has a very close relationship with Vladimir Putin."

Calling Putin "a KGB agent who is bent on restoring the Russian Empire," McCain said he would await confirmation hearings if Tillerson is nominated before making a judgment on the nomination.

Another Republican, Senator Marco Rubio, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would review a Tillerson nomination, has voiced similar worries.

Renewed allegations of Russian hackers meddling in the Nov. 8 election, coupled with Trump's stated admiration of Putin, have stoked concern. Washington is at odds with Moscow over a range of issues that include Syria, Ukraine and NATO's presence in eastern Europe.

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Trump is due to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. During Trump's presidential campaign, Democrats and longtime government officials voiced alarm when Trump repeatedly praised Putin.

BOLTON ALSO A CONCERN

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he was optimistic Trump's nominees would be confirmed by the Senate, but he declined to comment on any future nominees such as Tillerson.

McConnell called all of Trump's choices so far "pretty impressive."

Senator Charles Schumer, the incoming Senate Democratic leader, told CBS "This Morning" that "The bottom line is, every one of these nominees, particularly a guy like Tillerson, needs a thorough, thorough hearing."

"Talks about his closeness with Putin will come forward," Schumer said.

Bolton also has drawn bipartisan concern. On Sunday, Republican Senator Rand Paul said he would work to stop Bolton from being confirmed to any Trump administration post.

"His worldview is naive," Paul said on ABC's "This Week." "He still believes in regime change. He's still a big cheerleader for the Iraq war. He's promoted a nuclear attack by Israel on Iran. He wants to do regime change in Iran."

In 2005, then-President George W. Bush installed Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in a temporary "recess appointment" that sidestepped U.S. Senate confirmation. He took that step after Democrats used procedural rules in place at the time to block the nomination.

Bolton left the job at the end of 2006 when the temporary appointment was ending.

Since then, Senate rules have changed, making it harder for a minority of senators to stop judicial and executive branch nominations. Republicans will hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate session that begins on Jan. 3.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Matt Spetalnick and Jonathan Landay in Washington and Gina Cherelus in New York; Writing by Richard Cowan; Editing by Howard Goller and Jonathan Oatis)
By Doina Chiacu and Gina Cherelus WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The front-runner for secretary of state in President-elect Donald Trump's administration, Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, faces a struggle getting confirmed by U.S. senators concerned about his close ties to Russia. Lawmakers from both major parties also raised questions on Monday about former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, who has been mentioned as a possible No. 2 State Department official and has voiced hawkish views on Iraq and Iran. Republicans and Democrats said Tillerson, who is also president of Exxon Mobil Corp, would be asked about his ties to Russia, having met President Vladimir Putin several times and won fresh praise from Moscow on Monday. In 2013, Putin bestowed a Russian state honor, the Order of Friendship, upon Tillerson, citing his work "strengthening cooperation in the energy sector." In television interviews, Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said Tillerson is a "leading candidate" for the top diplomat job and a decision may come this week. Senator John McCain, a leading foreign policy voice and 2008 Republican candidate for president, told Reuters in an interview: I have concerns. Its very well known that he has a very close relationship with Vladimir Putin. Calling Putin "a KGB agent who is bent on restoring the Russian Empire, McCain said he would await confirmation hearings if Tillerson is nominated before making a judgment on the nomination. Another Republican, Senator Marco Rubio, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would review a Tillerson nomination, has voiced similar worries. Renewed allegations of Russian hackers meddling in the Nov. 8 election, coupled with Trump's stated admiration of Putin, have stoked concern. Washington is at odds with Moscow over a range of issues that include Syria, Ukraine and NATO's presence in eastern Europe. Trump is due to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. During Trump's presidential campaign, Democrats and longtime government officials voiced alarm when Trump repeatedly praised Putin. BOLTON ALSO A CONCERN Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he was optimistic Trump's nominees would be confirmed by the Senate, but he declined to comment on any future nominees such as Tillerson. McConnell called all of Trump's choices so far "pretty impressive." Senator Charles Schumer, the incoming Senate Democratic leader, told CBS "This Morning" that "The bottom line is, every one of these nominees, particularly a guy like Tillerson, needs a thorough, thorough hearing." "Talks about his closeness with Putin will come forward," Schumer said. Bolton also has drawn bipartisan concern. On Sunday, Republican Senator Rand Paul said he would work to stop Bolton from being confirmed to any Trump administration post. "His worldview is naive," Paul said on ABCs This Week. "He still believes in regime change. He's still a big cheerleader for the Iraq war. He's promoted a nuclear attack by Israel on Iran. He wants to do regime change in Iran." In 2005, then-President George W. Bush installed Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in a temporary "recess appointment" that sidestepped U.S. Senate confirmation. He took that step after Democrats used procedural rules in place at the time to block the nomination. Bolton left the job at the end of 2006 when the temporary appointment was ending. Since then, Senate rules have changed, making it harder for a minority of senators to stop judicial and executive branch nominations. Republicans will hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate session that begins on Jan. 3. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Matt Spetalnick and Jonathan Landay in Washington and Gina Cherelus in New York; Writing by Richard Cowan; Editing by Howard Goller and Jonathan Oatis)
Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated CORT announced encouraging efficacy data from a phase I/II study on Korlym (mifepristone) in patients suffering from metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Data were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Corcepts year-to-date share price movement shows that the stock has outperformed the Zacks classified Medical-Drugs industry. Specifically, the stock has surged 66.2% so far this year, while the industry tumbled 26.2%.

The open-label study was conducted to evaluate if the addition of Korlym increases the effect of Halaven in patients with TNBC, whose tumors express the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), one of the receptors to which Korlym binds. The study enrolled 21 patients with GR-positive tumors, one with a GR-negative tumor and one with an unknown GR status. Out of these patients, 4 patients showed a partial response, defined as a 30% or greater reduction in tumor size, 8 had stable disease and 11 had progressive disease.

While 6 patients maintained progression-free survival (PFS) longer than the upper bound for PFS (15 weeks) in patients receiving Halaven monotherapy in a comparable population, median PFS in the study was 11.1 weeks compared to 7.2 weeks in the Halaven monotherapy study. Meanwhile, the company continues to collect overall survival data.

The latest reported study results are impressive. Per Corcepts press release, TNBC is a form of solid-tumor cancer with a particularly poor prognosis. About 40,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year and more than 75% of these womens tumor cells are estimated to express GR.

Currently, there is no FDA-approved treatment and neither a targeted treatment nor an approved standard chemotherapy regimen for relapsed TNBC patients, representing significant unmet medical need.

We note that Korlym, a first-generation cortisol modulator, is already approved for the once-daily oral treatment of hyperglycemia secondary to endogenous Cushing's syndrome in adult patients with glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus type II who have failed surgery or are not candidates for surgery. A potential label expansion of the drug will boost its sales.

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Meanwhile, the University of Chicago is conducting a phase II study on Korlym, in combination with Celgene Corporations CELG Abraxane, for the treatment of advanced TNBC. It is also conducting a phase II study on Korlym, in combination with Xtandi, for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Meanwhile, Corcept continues to progress with its oncology program. A phase I/II study on CORT125134 is currently underway. Next year, the company plans to study the candidates efficacy, in combination with Abraxane, for the treatment of TNBC and ovarian cancer.

Corcept currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

CORCEPT THERAPT Price and Consensus

CORCEPT THERAPT Price and Consensus | CORCEPT THERAPT Quote

Key Picks in the Sector

A couple of better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. SCMP and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. VNDA. Both the stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Vandas loss estimates narrowed from 62 cents to 52 cents for 2016, while its earnings estimates increased from 13 cents to 22 cents for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 56.65%. Its share price has surged almost 71% year to date.

Sucampos earnings estimates increased from $1.03 to $1.22 for 2016 and from $1.30 to $1.58 for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive surprise in all of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 35.55%.

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Photo credit: Netflix

From Harper's BAZAAR

Though showrunner Peter Morgan called the budget reports surrounding production of The Crown "absolute nonsense," the series' costumes look like they could have cost $130 million easily. Costume designer Michele Clapton, of Game of Thrones fame, filled the world of Queen Elizabeth II, her family and contemporaries with sumptuous party dresses in rich, colorful fabrics, copious jewels and, for the men, crisp tailored suits. Clapton blended research from photographs and footage of the royal family in action during those early years with her own idea of what they would've worn. "Ultimately, it's a drama, not a historical documentary," she says. "We have artistic license, to some extent, and so we use that when we can." Clapton also collaborated with the cast to bring their characters to life, with the actors bringing their own research on the real-life figures to brainstorming sessions. "I love actors being involved in their character," says Clapton. "It's a partnership. It's not a case of, 'Put this on and get on.'" Below, Clapton discusses designing for the characters' story arcs, balancing private versus public personas and recreating the crown jewels.

Harper's Bazaar: How was this different from other projects you've worked on in the past?

Michele Clapton: What was lovely is that I knew about it quite a long way in advance. I actually had to finish a job and do another job before I started, so I had "thought time" and time discussing with [producers] Stephen Daldry and Philip Martin and Martin Childs, the production designer, about how we'd like to tone it. Then I went away and did another job and came back, but [the show] had always been in my mind. It's rare that you get that opportunity to give the creative that forethought. [That discussion] held up pretty much throughout the filming; we always had those first two discussions in our minds. On a piece that busy, you sometimes lose each other a bit and you don't connect, but because we had that time, I think it was very cohesive.

HB: What sort of research did you do? Were you researching while working on your other projects?

MC: Yes, I was collecting images. I read little anecdotes and collected a lot of visual references and colors. I looked up a lot about the Queen and about her life. I tried to look at the different stages of her through that period. I thought her look was created by what was going on around her. I started late because I was finishing another project, so I had a historian and an assistant designer and another designer who researched the jewelry and which pieces were available and what she would have worn and what the sentiment behind certain pieces were. On a project that size, there's no way I could cover all that research. It was like, "Would she have worn it? Could she wear this if she was feeling emotional? Could we use that to say this?" Between us all, we referenced as much as we could.

Photo credit: Netflix

The actors also tend to research their characters very thoroughly, so I loved talking to them and developing [through] their discussions. I'm one of the first people that spends time with the actors once they're cast. It's a partnership. We mold and talk and discuss and move forward. We didn't have a lot of prep time once we started-I had about 10 weeks-so you have to move quite quickly and you have to have an amount of background information. Ultimately it's a drama, it's not a historical documentary. We have artistic license, to some extent, and so we use that when we can.

HB: Were there any surprises you came upon in your research that then informed your work?

Photo credit: Netflix

MC: It was interesting to discover a little bit more about their personalities, their backstories. I thought I knew Queen Elizabeth and I thought I knew the Queen Mother, but I was surprised about the pieces I didn't know about, [Elizabeth's] time in Malta with the Navy, the fact that she was a Naval wife. She actually was quite simple in her taste. And from reading about Margaret, I discovered I have huge sympathy for her in many ways. After what happened with her sister, it left a void. She was the sister of the Queen but she had no role and her personality was such that she needed something. The Queen Mother at some point said "Give her something. Give her some responsibility." I felt a lot of her trouble came from that time. I truly do think she was in love with Townsend and I think it was devastating for her and I found that quite moving.

It's looking at them as a family. How do you respond to something like that? Yes, Elizabeth knew she would be queen later, but having it thrust on you at 25 and the repercussions of that throughout all your relatives, how you have to shift your behavior, you can't have an opinion and your marriage completely changes; it was an interesting study of a family hit by something and the repercussions of that.

HB: Is there any pressure that comes with creating for such iconic characters? How much of your designs were exact replicas and how much was your take on what they would have worn?

MC: The only exact replicas were those that are so well-known, that we thought we might match the footage, so obviously the coronation, the wedding, the tour of Ireland. There were very few exact and that's what attracted me to the project, really. It was taking the essence of the character and trying to describe them by what they chose to wear, the colors they chose to wear, the informality of the private life versus being "on show."

I loved the journey; we see Elizabeth and Margaret start off in a sort of similar place and, through circumstance and personality, their costumes move apart. Their lifestyle, how they wore particular costumes, the choice of color; I thought they were really important. I wanted Margaret to be more sophisticated and complicated and thought about, because I believe she did think about how she looked and it was important to her.

Photo credit: Netflix

I think the Queen tended to wear things because that's what she had to do. I think a lot of her [outfits] were just uniforms. Even if they were beautiful dresses, they were something she had to wear because it was her job to do so. She was representing Britain after the war and it was this new thing, she was a new queen, she was young and it was time to focus on Britain. [London] was a city of rubble and suddenly this new shining girl [comes along] She was obliged to be this person. It was interesting to underscore the story with the costumes and the looks-the men's looks were very important-and to actually play it as a game. [Elizabeth] was surrounded by men and they were often very entrenched in the way the palace had always run. It was this young couple absorbing this and trying to find a way through this. It was fascinating to do.

HB: Can you walk me through the overall aesthetic you were envisioning for the main characters-Elizabeth, Margaret, Wallis, the Queen Mother?

Photo credit: Netflix

MC: Elizabeth and Margaret, [their looks are] very much the journey of two sisters. [They start as] carefree young women. When we first see [Elizabeth], she's in a dress I feel was influenced by her mother; it was pretty and sweet. After the wedding she goes to Malta and has this free time and there's this sense of family. Then when her father is ill she goes on tour and we see her coming to grips with the idea that she has to wear these costumes that she wouldn't have thought about wearing before. Then with his death and the black [mourning clothes], I wanted this uniform, this defense; it's almost like an armor. We contrast it with Balmoral, where she's obviously very comfortable and happy in her jodhpurs with her horses and her relationship with Porchy-that's how her life might've been. As we see her growing in confidence, she starts wearing brighter and stronger colors.

Contrast that with Margaret. I wanted her to slightly relate to the outside world and have a little bit of input from Paris, from fashion. She's a young girl but slightly on the darker side, playful. So we see her wearing her trousers. There's a sense of wildness in her, with her long coats. There was one poignant thing I wanted to do; when the Queen came back [from the death of her father] she put together [her look] without thought, it was grief. When we see Margaret coming back after she found out that Elizabeth had sent Townsend away, and she is full of grief, it's a stylized grief. It's like, "Look at me. I'm in grief." So it was the two ways the sisters show their grief. One without thinking about it, the other in a way that draws attention to the fact.

The Queen Mother, she's from a slightly different age; she dresses in sort of strange pale colors. My favorite actually was a big, splodgy flower wrap when she's sitting on the sofa watching TV. It's very funny, that was one of my favorites. I wanted to do more like that but there weren't scenes to do it.

Photo credit: Netflix

HB: It seemed like she was stuck in the '20s.

MC: I think that's right, I think everyone gets stuck in a time when they thought they were at their most glamorous. She always had quite large shoulders on her costumes. I'm sure someone had told her that it narrows her waist if her shoulders were big.

HB: What about Wallis?

HB: Wallis, again, I didn't particularly want to copy her costumes; I wanted the essence. I did copy one which had a corsage of lilies. Lots of pieces of Wallis's were Schiaparelli costumes, but I wanted to do it slightly differently. I used a different color palette for her and I printed leaves-it was actually a spring leaf-on her dress. I wanted to remove her very completely from everything English. I had such a short time to show her-there were so few scenes with her-so I had to sketch her character as quickly as I could but in an original way.

Photo credit: Netflix

HB: Did you design all the jewelry and the crowns? Was that another moment where you tried to get as close as possible, or did you take more artistic liberty?

MC: No, this was one place we didn't really take artistic liberty because they're such recognizable pieces. On a couple of occasions, we couldn't get permission to use the actual, exact piece and I had to redesign it, changing 25% so the lawyers agreed that I could use it. There were lots of conversations early in the morning [with me] going, "But I need to use this!" Because they were so iconic, they were so necessary. Nothing else would do. But for the Queen's jewelry, we actually managed to use a lot of pieces because they're in the public domain, so there's a particular, pretty [pin of a] little bouquet of flowers she wears even now [that was given to her] by her parents.

HB: What was your favorite costume out of the 350 that you made?

MC: Oh God, that is so hard. I mean, personally, I love Wallis's because it's a style I like, but I guess I also loved the dress that Margaret gives the speech in. It was a duchesse satin dress that we hand-painted and beaded. I particularly liked the pockets and the belt because although it was a ball gown, it was so different from anything Elizabeth would have worn and it just shows, so distinctly in this dress, the differences between the two of them.

Photo credit: Netflix

HB: What was the most challenging piece to work on?

MC: The wedding dress. I thought it was so important that it was as close as we could possibly make it. That whole procession with the bridesmaids and the train and everything was something which I though, "If we don't get that right, then we don't actually have the right to make anything else up." So that was the piece that we had to do. And the coronation as well-although we actually rented the dress, which luckily had been made for an exhibition-and she wears so many pieces, the velvet cape and the gold dress [that we made]; it was those really official occasions that were so much work. And the Queen Mother, Queen Mary and all those extras had to be exact because we have pictures; you can't put them in something else. We filmed that quite early on in filming so it was really this race to get it ready. And we had a lot of people working on it; we had to bring in more and more people to work on the team to finish the embroidery and create all the different panels and the applique. It was a tough number.

HB: How many people worked on the wedding pieces and for how long?

Photo credit: Netflix

MC: For the train, there was six people working across six or seven weeks just embroidering and making the train. We had another girl who just embroidered the bodice, which took three weeks. Then we had another team embroidering the dress. It was funny because you would embroider a panel then pop it in and then you would go work on another bit of embroidery. It was done in stages so it's really hard to say exactly how long it took with each person, but it did go on for weeks and weeks. We had fittings as well and Claire [Foy] had just had a baby, so that was quite difficult because her shape was changing; we had to continue to adjust and embroider over seams sometimes. It was a constant adjustment really, to make it. It's hard just having a baby and being in every day!

HB: I spoke to Vanessa Kirby and she said she loved having input into her wardrobe. Did anybody else get involved with discussing their wardrobe with you?

MC: Yeah, it is so essential. Lia Williams was absolutely dedicated to making herself into the shape that we thought Wallis should be. If it was a 25-inch waist, we were pulling [and she was like], "We will get this on! I don't mind if it hurts! It's fine, I want to be her." And the men as well! Matt [Smith] was like, "Oh, I really love this fabric!" They were such lovely conversations we had, and we worked together for so long that it became a shorthand. Sometimes he would be like, "Philip wouldn't do that, Philip would wear this," and I would be like, "I think you're right!" In the end I'm very grateful for having a wardrobe of costumes where we can go with this shirt or this tie. Sometimes it's a discussion, like, "I think the mauve, but what do you think?" I'm really open to that. I love actors being involved in their character. It's a partnership. It's not a case of, "Put this on and get on." It's, "How do we feel about this?" I have to say, John Lithgow was wonderful. We had to create this whole shape and he changed as well. As he progressed into the character, his stature changed and we were constantly having to shape his back and reshape it because he was doing more and more of the shaping himself, with the way he stood. It's a lovely bond that you have with people.

HB: Do you have a favorite memory from set?

MC: Because it was the the first thing we shot, the party they arranged to watch the coronation. I loved that cream outfit [on Wallis]. It was so exciting, everyone being on set, it was a beautiful room that Martin [Childs] created. All the crew just stopped and were like, "Wow, this is amazing." And I think in that moment we all just went, "Oh! This could be really great." It was such a lovely reception and a lovely way to start. The other one was in Malta when she's in the plum dress with the flowers. I love the splashy colors, the color palette and the lightness and freshness of it.

Photo credit: Netflix

HB: Are you working on Season 2?

MC: No I'm not, I'm actually on Game of Thrones again at the moment. It was a really hard decision and I loved The Crown more than anything but I just need to see Game of Thrones out. I tried to leave but then I had to go back [laughs].

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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We are still a little over a month away from the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, but one thing about his administration already appears clear: this will not be a traditional presidency. With virtually no political experience, Trump is an unconventional president that promises an unconventional leadership style.

One area that really highlights the non-traditional nature of President-elect Trump is his stance on diplomacy. Trump ran an America first campaign, but he always has plenty of things to say about our allies and enemies.

Over the past week, weve begun to see what happens when Trump puts his own spin on long-standing diplomatic traditions as the government of China has protested the president-elects questioning of the One China policy that America has supported for nearly four decades.

If Trump goes on to fully reject the One China policy once he takes office, the decision will certainly initiate a massive change in our relationship with China, which could go on to have severe economic consequences for the Asian powerhouses already-volatile economy.

What Is One China?

The One China policy encompasses the U.S. governments recognition that the island of Taiwan is actually part of mainland China. As it stands today, Taiwan is under the control of the Republic of Chinas government, which fled to the island in 1949 after the Communist Party of China won the Chinese Civil War.

Nevertheless, Chinas ruling Communist Party maintains that Taiwan is a renegade province and claims that the territory still belongs to China. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter changed Americas diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China and initiated the One China policy.

This diplomatic tradition remains an incredibly important point of focus for the Chinese government, and Donald Trumps recent comments about the policy have spurred a loud reaction from the country.

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Trumps Stance

Chinas objection to Trumps stance on the One China policy first manifested after the president-elect accepted a congratulatory phone call from Taiwans president on Dec. 2. The conversation between the soon-to-be president and Taiwans leader was the first of its kind since President Carter first established the policy.

Trump defended the phone call and further targeted Chinas existing policies over the weekend during an appearance on Fox News Sunday.

I fully understand the 'One China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump told Fox.

Trump would go on to question several other Chinese policies, including the nations relationship with North Korea and military posturing in the South China Sea.

The Global Times, a Chinese publication produced by the countrys Communist Party, called Trump naive like a child in regards to diplomacy.

Economic Implications

It seems relatively obvious that Trump will attempt to use the One China policy as leverage to strike a new trade deal with China, but it seems unlikely that the Chinese government well respond well to this type of bargaining. However, a full-on rejection of One China and a dissolution of U.S. and Chinese diplomatic relations would almost certainly cause dangerous economic consequences for the Asian nation.

Chinas stock markets and currency valuations have already proven to be heavily manipulated by the Chinese government, which indicates a certain level of uncertainty and risk. Without a strong diplomatic relations with America, that uncertainty and risk would be further exacerbated.

The first two tickers that investors need to keep their eyes on are the iShares China Large-Cap ETF FXI and the Deutsche X-trackers A-Shares ETF ASHR. These tickers remain the two largest China-focused ETFs, and its safe to assume that economic uncertainty could send both Chinas large cap stocks and A-share market crashing.

Of course, new risk in the Chinese economy will also affect the countrys real estate market, which is tracked by the Guggenheim China Real Estate ETF TAO, as well as American companies like Caterpillar CAT that get a lot of business from the development of China and its infrastructure.

Other stocks that could potentially feel some pain from this type of uncertainty include Yum China Holdings YUMC, the Global X China Consumer ETF CHIQ, and the Guggenheim China Small Cap ETF HAO.

Investors should also stay pay attention to the iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF EWT and the iShares Hong Kong MSCI Hong Kong ETF EWH.

Bottom Line

Of course, China has plenty of bargaining chips in this game too. There are several American companies that would be impacted by China pulling back on their business dealings with the U.S. For example, Boeing BA is expected to deliver $11 billion worth of planes to China, but the same outcome could be achieved through its European rival, Airbus EADSY. Other vehicle manufactures, such as General Motors GM and Ford F could be threatened.

The most hopeful outcome from all of this is that Trump and China find a middle ground that allows both parties to benefit. While China will be reluctant to sacrifice traditional diplomatic practices, a new trade deal could positively impact its economy.

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Some investors may not have seen the post-market close announcement from Credit Suisse and therefore had an unnecessarily uneasy weekend, contemplating the fact that they were possibly stuck holding shares of the VelocityShares 3x Long Crude Oil ETN (UWTI) and the VelocityShares 3x Inverse Crude Oil ETN (DWTI).

The unprecedented closure of the immensely successful exchange-traded notes caught many investors by surprise, and others did not understand the implications of a product delisting to trade over-the-counter. The ETNs had nearly $600 million in assets still at the close of trading on Friday, Dec. 9, after seeing their last day of trading on Thursday, Dec. 8.

And with no arbitrage from a market maker and the lack of liquidity in the OTC environment, wide trading spreads were already opening up. Being stuck in such a product without liquidity to exit ones position is particularly alarming given the volatile nature of leveraged and inverse vehicles.

Significant Decrease

However, Credit Suisse said late Friday in a press release that it was reducing the size of redemption blocks of the ETN from 25,000 notes to just 500.

That means instead of needing to cobble together a group of 25,000 shares of either ETN to redeem it directly from the issuer, a broker just needs to bundle 500 shares to redeem them and get the indicative value minus transaction costs.

The move makes it much easier for investors to exit the shares without taking too big of a hit. Investors will be charged a 0.05% early redemption fee when they redeem shares; further, investors need to go through a broker, according to the release, and cannot implement this action themselves.

Although unexpected, the closure of the ETNs, despite their profitability, does make sense if Credit Suisse is trying to clean up its balance sheets and reduce liabilities by removing the counterparty risk associated with DWTI and UWTI from its ledger.

Contact Heather Bell at hbell@etf.com.

Story continues

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Permalink |  Copyright 2016 ETF.com. All rights reserved
No, he didnt. After two false starts promising to address the elephant in the room, Critics Choice Awards host T.J. Miller did not mention the arrest that kicked off his weekend.

Miller, hosting the 22nd annual Critics Choice Awards live on A&E, interrupted his opening monologue jokes to address the first elephant: Yes, he said, the election was hacked by the Russians. Then, continuing on with more jokes, he stopped and said, OK, lets talk about the real elephant in the room  everyones been asking me about it. The big news? That tonight is the 31st anniversary of A Chorus Line.

Millers opening bit, an odd affair with tuxedoed dancers mimicking his every move and gesture, managed to take some swipes at President-elect Donald Trump  the topic that reportedly led to his dispute with a hired driver in the wee Friday morning hours, landing him briefly in police custody. Remarking that this was a big year for trolls, he explained not the movie, but dudes on the Internet; one of them got elected.

Then literally standing on a soapbox, Miller said, Were not a nation divided, were a nation broken, and anything broken can be fixed.

Earlier today, Miller tweeted that he would address the elephant in the room, raising the possibility that hed talk about his arrest. The Silicon Valley and Office Christmas Party star was arrested in Los Angeles around 1 AM Friday after a car service driver accused him of battery. Citing unnamed law enforcement sources, TMZ later reported that Miller slapped the driver following an argument about Trump.

The actor was released on his own recognizance and was ordered to appear in court January 9.

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Critics' Choice Awards: 'Atlanta' Star Keith Stanfield Runs Onstage During 'Silicon Valley' Acceptance Speech

Story continues

2016 Critics' Choice Awards: 'La La Land' Leads With 8 Wins Including Best Picture; Donald Glover Unveils Lando Calrissian 'Stache

'Fantastic Beasts' Conjures $680M WW; 'Christmas Party' & 'Sing' Swing; 'Hacksaw' Wows In China Bow - Intl Box Office
Critics' Choice Awards host T.J. Miller, who was busted Friday morning after he allegedly assaulted a cab driver in an altercation about Donald Trump, was mum on the subject during Sunday's show.

Read: Musical 'La La Land' Leads Golden Globe Nominations as Major Stars Snubbed

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said the Silicon Valley actor was released on his own recognizance and will appear in court January 9.

He did not address his bust during the broadcast, but continued to poke fun at the president-elect.

Its been in the news all weekend, and its really affected me  the election was definitely hacked by the Russians, he said. So luckily, were doing an awards show here in an airplane hangar in Santa Monica, so were safe  what are they going to hack, the teleprompter?

The musical La La Land nabbed eight Critics' Choice Awards including Best Director and Best Picture.

Read: Natalie Portman Films JFK Funeral Scene for 'Jackie'

A pregnant Natalie Portman was named Best Actress for her portrayal of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie.

Two-time Oscar Winner Mel Gibson returned to his winning ways as the 60-year-old took home the Best Action Movie award for his World War II epic, Hacksaw Ridge.

The ceremony didn't go off without a hitch though, as there appeared to be a little confusion about one winner.

When This Is Us co-stars Milo Ventimiglia and Sterling K. Brown opened the envelope to reveal Best Actress in a Limited Series, the envelope said "Courtney B. Vance," who had already won for Best Actor in a Limited Series.

The two appeared extremely befuddled before the correct card was rushed onstage that announced the proper winner, Vance's People v. O.J. Simpson co-star Sarah Paulson.

As usual, the stars dazzled  and some left little to the imagination with their red carpet frocks.

Story continues

Emma Stone stunned in a sexy black cut out while Nicole Kidman showed off her midriff and lots of leg in her gown.

Amy Adams was glamorous in a white off-the-shoulder Versace gown.

Watch: Bill Murray Honored with Mark Twain Award: 'Not Really Excited to See People Talk About Me'

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Netflixs British royalty drama The Crown scored an impressive three Golden Globes nominations  and deserved them all. If you hadnt paid much attention to the series before the Golden Globes recognition, here are seven reasons its worth watching.

The surprises

If you think of the royals as old and fusty, youll be delighted to meet them when they were young and confused. The first shock: Queen Elizabeth II (Golden Globe-nominated Claire Foy) has little to no desire to be queen. Her father, King George VI (Jared Harris) takes the job only out of obligation. And his brother, Edward VIII (Alex Jennings) abdicated the thrones altogether.

The guilty pleasures

When Princess Margaret sneaks a drink  or a kiss from a married man  youll delight in her flouting of propriety as much as she does. And every word out of the mouth of the former king Edward VIII (Alex Jennings) is a giddy delight. The mix of high obligation and base humanity makes The Crown an obvious choice for its Outstanding Drama Series nomination.

Its lavish to watch

You see the money that went into this, not just in the costumes, sweeping locales and parties, but in the attention to detail it took to make Buckingham Palace and other famed locales look lived in, and even musty and worn. This is the rare show about royalty that wont make you envy the royals.

The acting is stellar

From Winston Churchill (John Lithgow) to Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) to Prince Philip (Matt Smith) to Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), the cast is uniformly, compulsively watchable.

The mix of history and family drama

The Crown gloriously mixes events that actually happened  like Churchills resignation  with conversations we can only imagine, like one in which Elizabeth asks Philip is hes cheated in her very proper, British way.

The sweep

The first episode makes a hunting expedition feel like a journey to Mars, but more dramatic. Jared Harris imbues King George VI with an aching humanity.

Story continues

Winston

We all know the never-give-up Winston Churchill of World War II. But The Crown introduces to the Churchill who doesnt know when to let go. Its heartbreaking. John Lithgow received another Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Once youve watched the show, check out this list of The Crown characters, ranked.
Havana (AFP) - Cuba signed a deal with Google Monday to enable faster access to content from the US tech giant on the communist island, where internet service is notoriously limited and slow.

Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google parent company Alphabet, signed the deal in Havana alongside the head of Cuban state telecommunications company Etecsa, Mayra Arevich.

Under the deal, Cuba will gain access to a network called Google Global Cache, which stores content from Google sites such as Gmail and YouTube on local servers, accelerating users' access, Google said in a statement.

"This agreement will enable users in Cuba to reduce access time for Google internet content, bringing better speed and quality," Etecsa said.

No questions from journalists were allowed at the press conference announcing the deal. The signatories posed for photographs -- Schmidt at one point posing alongside a large photo of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Cuba has one of the lowest internet access rates in the world.

Last year, just one-third of Cubans went online, according to official statistics.

The island has some 900 state-run internet cafes and 200 wifi hotspots. But connecting costs $2 an hour, a fortune in a country where the average monthly income is $29.

Only restricted professions such as journalists and doctors are allowed internet service at home.

The government has allowed Cubans to access some Google content since 2014, but connection times can be extremely slow.

Currently, all data arrives via fiber optic cable from Venezuela.

Expanding Cubans' internet access was one of the stated goals of US President Barack Obama's rapprochement with the island, announced in December 2014.

The Google deal comes as the historic thaw between the old Cold War foes faces an uncertain future under President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump, who takes office on January 20, has criticized Obama for not extracting more concessions from Cuba on democracy, human rights and the economy.
Former Center for Public Integrity data editor David Donald, a pioneer and leader in the development of modern computer-assisted reporting worldwide, died Saturday at Reston Hospital Center in Virginia after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 64.

Donald was one of the early and most successful practitioners of data-based, investigative journalism that relied on computer analysis. He became a passionate Pied Piper for such reporting, crisscrossing the United States and indeed the globe, training dozens of other journalists who then helped spread and develop the craft even further. Donald was also known for his calming influence, his sage advice on matters both journalistic and personal, his dry wit, nutty professor appearance and love of a good glass  or two or three  of red wine.

David was as kind as he was brilliant, said Center CEO John Dunbar. He was an evangelist for database investigative reporting and touched so many lives. I learned so much from him. He was my friend, and I will miss him.

Donald joined the Center for Public Integrity as data editor in 2008 and worked with a variety of teams on some of the Centers most ground-breaking projects  they included an investigation into the top subprime lenders behind the financial meltdown to the under-reporting of campus sexual assault to the methods Medicare providers used to overcharge the government.

Donalds work with senior investigative reporter Fred Schulte on Medicare billing was twice (in 2012 and 2014) honored with the Philip Meyer Award, widely considered the most prestigious annual award in the world of computer-assisted reporting. Judges called the 2014 entry superb, adding that despite the challenges of dealing with complex and voluminous government data the Center aptly dissected the shocking shortcomings of the Medicare Advantage program.

Over the course of his career, Donald was also honored with the James K. Batten Award, the Dart Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Award and a Peabody Award.

Story continues

This story is part of Inside Publici. Stories were working on, the impact of our investigations, news about our fundraising efforts, and other issues that shape our work. Click here to read more stories in this topic.

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Prior to joining the Center, Donald served as training director for Investigative Reporters and Editors; it was in that capacity that he spread what he considered the gospel of data-powered reporting, conducting training sessions both domestically and internationally.

Former IRE executive director Brant Houston told the IRE news blog that Donald was a talented trainer not only of how to use data in journalism, but of how to conduct oneself with kindness, grace, humor and civility in the often rough and irascible world of journalism.

Donald left the Center for Public Integrity in 2014, and he most recently worked as data editor at the Investigative Reporting Workshop and as data journalist in residence at American Universitys School of Communications.

Earlier in his career, Donald was research and project editor at the Savannah Morning News in Georgia. He also taught as an adjunct professor at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism and at Savannah State University. Donald earned a bachelors degree in English from Miami University in Ohio and a masters degree in journalism from Kent State University.

No funeral is planned. Preliminary planning is underway for an event to honor Donalds life in January at the Investigative Reporting Workshop. The family has asked that donations in Donalds memory be sent to IRE, where a special fund will be established in his name to further data journalism.

This story is part of Inside Publici. Stories were working on, the impact of our investigations, news about our fundraising efforts, and other issues that shape our work. Click here to read more stories in this topic.

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Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
White lights or colored lights? Turkey or ham? With the holiday season comes many decisions that need to be made, such as choosing between an artificial tree and a real Christmas tree. It often boils down to tradition, but real and fake trees are significantly different and each is better-suited to certain needs. Here are seven facts about both to help gauge which is better for a Christmas celebration.

1. Real trees are biodegradable. Because real trees are natural, theyre 100 percent biodegradable. They can easily be reused or converted into mulch or other recycled products. Most artificial trees, on the other hand, are made with non-biodegradable materials.

2. Fake Christmas trees can benefit the environment, also. While theyre not biodegradable, artificial trees can help the environment if theyre used for long enough. If a household makes use of a fake tree for at least four years, its carbon footprint will actually be smaller than that of a home with a real tree, according to the American Christmas Tree Association.

3. Real trees require constant upkeep. Natural trees come with an additional risk of fire. Its necessary to keep them in water at all times and maintain their moisture levels. If theyre not properly cared for, they can dry out and become increasingly flammable.

RTX1XS9S

Photo: Reuters

4. Real trees cost less. According to a poll taken by the National Christmas Tree Association, real trees averaged around $50 each in 2015, while artificial trees cost around $69 each. The actual cost depends on the characteristics of the tree and the place it's purchased.

5. Artificial trees last longer. An artificial tree can typically last for ten years, according to Christmas Lights, Etc. A real tree replaced every year ends up costing at least three times the amount of a fake tree purchased once.

Story continues

6. Real trees are not usually cut down from wild forests. Only a very small number of Christmas trees are taken from wild forests, according to the American Christmas Tree Association. Most come from specially designated farms, bred specifically for the purpose of becoming Christmas trees. There are about one million acres of Christmas tree farms in the U.S. and each provides the daily oxygen requirements of around 18 people.

7. Fake Christmas trees are traditional, too. Born in Germany, Christmas trees only became part of American tradition in the late 1700s to early 1800s. Around that time, as people began to worry about the effects of mass tree deforestation, reusable feather trees were created, paving the way for the modern artificial Christmas tree.

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To keep up with Democracy Lab in real time, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

As the toll from this weekends bombing at a Coptic cathedral in Cairo becomes clear, Johannes Makar explains why Egypts Christians no longer trust their government to protect them.

Robert Looney warns that Mexicos failures of governance will cripple the countrys ability to deal with any Trump-induced economic shocks.

This weeks recommended reads:

In the Washington Post, Margaret Sullivan profiles Chris Arnade, a Wall Street trader-turned-journalist whose coverage of Donald Trump supporters has turned heads.

For Politico Europe, Jakub Goda shows that the far-right shenanigans on Facebook are not limited to the United States.

The Washington Posts editorial board warns that the independence of Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is in danger under the Trump administration.

In a post on Medium, Emily Parker and Charlton Mcilwain show how #BlackLivesMatter s use of social media resonates with other social movements around the world.

In FT, David Pilling explains why the ideals of democracy still resonate in Africa even as sentiment appears to be changing in the rest of the world.

In Time, Feliz Solomon asks whether Aung San Suu Kyi is willing to rein in the Burmese armys abuses.

In the Conversation, Luis Gomez Romero takes stock of Mexicos brutal 10-year-old war on drugs.

For the Middle East Institute, Antoun Issa describes the surprisingly diverse media landscape developing in Syria.

In the photo, Egyptians gather outside the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo, where a terrorist bomb blast killed at least 25 on December 11.

Photo credit: MOHAMED METEAB/AFP/Getty Images
Rumors are once again swirling that Nicki Minaj broke up with boyfriend Meek Mill after the Black Barbies rapper posted a picture on Instagram.

On Sunday, Nicki posted a photo of Chanel sandals with a caption that read: Thank God u blew it. Thank God I dodged the bullet. Im so over u. Baby good lookin out. #BestThingYouNeverHad thank u for this epic gift @sincerearmani.

As the hashtag suggests, part of the caption includes lyrics from Beyonces Best Thing I Never Had, a song about getting out of a bad relationship. Following Minajs post, Meek Mills Instagram page went missing once again, as the rapper deleted his account which led to fans of the rappers wondering if they split.

Its not the first time the couple has been involved in breakup rumors, which seems to happen often when Minaj makes a cryptic post on social media. But while neither of the rappers have commented on the latest rumors, Minaj has discussed her relationship in the past.

In a 2015 interview with Nylon, Nicki was asked about marriage plans with Meek. Im not engaged yet, she said. He said that my third ring would be my engagement ring. But sometimes he calls me his his fiancee, and Im always trying to stop him, like, Nope! I aint got that third ring yet!

The Pinkprint rapper went on to say, Were just taking it one step at a time. And, you know, if that happens, if I get married, then Ill have a child, and thatll be fun, because I cant wait to hold my baby.

Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj

Photo: Getty Iamges/Mitchell Leff

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Lucasfilm

Trying to argue Star Wars isnt political is like arguing it doesnt take place in space. You cant remove one from the other. But thanks to a recent boycott movement, Disneys CEO Robert Iger had to comment on the supposed political statements in the soon-to-be-released Rogue One. The Hollywood Reporter asked Iger about the recent ridiculous boycott from deplorable-types dubbed #DumpStarWars. He rightly called it silly and that the story itself was overblown. Iger also added that the diversity of the film, praised by many, was not a political statement in and of itself but went a bit further. Frankly, this is a film that the world should enjoy. It is not a film that is, in any way, a political film, he told THR. There are no political statements in it, at all.

I would have to disagree with that part. Star Wars is inherently political and was designed as such by George Lucas. Democracy and dictatorships are prominent themes. The first film alone centers on a fear-mongering regime trying to conquer the universe and a band of rebels trying to free everyone from its grip. In the commentary track to Empire Strikes Back, Lucas says The Nazis are basically the same costume as we used in the first film and they are designed to be very authoritarian, very empire-like. And costume designer John Mollo spoke of the creators directives, First of all, he wanted the Imperial people to look efficient, totalitarian, fascist; and the Rebels, the goodies, to look like something out of a Western or the U.S. Marines.

We knew a Galactic Senate existed but a large portion of the prequels literally took place in the Senate building watching political choices being made. Watching the rise of the Empire, how it happened despite the intentions of some good people, has clear allegorical parallels to our world history. The Supreme Chancellor was elected! That is politics. Lucas himself has said very plainly, While the psychological basis of Star Wars is mythological, the political and social bases are historical. Its what makes this boycott so strange. The lessons were meant to take from Star Wars are pretty obvious.

Story continues

Post our latest U.S. election, Rogue One writers Chris Weitz and Gary Whitta tweeted sentiments comparing Star Wars to our current political landscape. Being a creator doesnt mean being apolitical and ones personal beliefs and experiences influence their work without a doubt. But perhaps Iger is trying to be more literal with his statements for the sake of dousing an already blazing fire. He could simply be trying to get across that Rogue One has no political statements because it doesnt reference liberals, conservatives, or Donald Trump. Which, of course it doesnt, but that wont stop some from seeing similarities.

Matt Miller at Esquire puts it quite well, [Star Wars is] a vague battle of good and evil, where the evil side is led by a violent, totalitarian overlord that was originally modeled after the Third Reich in 1930s Germany. If this image happens to resemble our current militaristic and xenophobic president-elect, then thats a fault of his movement rather than writers who used a cliche for evil thats been around since the mid-20th century.

So is Rogue One political? Yes, thats how its always been intended to come across. Its not promoting an agenda but rather common sense.
Photo: HBO

The first season of Divorce wasnt exactly a pop-culture phenomenon  indeed, I may have to remind you that this is the Sunday-night HBO sitcom thats not Issa Raes Insecure, but rather the one from Sarah Jessica Parker  and its a show that elicits strong feelings. As in, some people find it unfunny and depressing, while others identify with it intensely. Me, I probably wouldnt have watched every single episode after the first few had my wife not gotten hooked on it, but by the end  Sunday nights finale, titled Detente  I was glad I had stuck with it, because this season-ender contained more of what the whole series should have had, and pointed Divorce in a new direction for Season 2.

The slow, painful process of the dissolution of the marriage of Frances (Parker) and Robert (Thomas Haden Church) reached a turning point  a twisty, turny turning point. Id been startled by Francess late-in-the-season switch in divorce lawyers  from Jeffrey DeMunns stroke-impaired eccentric to the ferocious, no-nonsense type played by Rectifys J. Smith-Cameron. It almost seemed as though show creator Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) decided to do some hasty, last-minute rearranging of the cast and narrative.

In any case, Francess new lawyer (as wonderful an actor as DeMunn is, Smith-Cameron is just as great) froze Roberts assets, putting in peril the launch of Fun Space, his new business. We expected Robert to go ballistic on Frances when he arrived at the party for the opening of her gallery, but instead they shared a quiet, tender moment together  they even kissed. He wanted to give her a chance to own up to this new tactic in their divorce proceedings, but she lets the affection of the moment play out.

Which, in turn, played out poorly for Frances. In the closing moments of the episode, while Frances is driving their two children to a ski weekend, Robert makes a call that puts the police on Francess tail. Shes pulled over for taking the children on a weekend that was supposed to be Roberts, according to their custody agreement  we know Robert had said that was OK, but it doesnt carry legal weight, and this is his small revenge. She screwed him over on Fun Space; now hes going to screw her over on the terms of custody, to the point of possible arrest.

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This hardball tactic gives Divorce some much-needed oomph as it wraps up its first season and rolls forward into its second. The show has suffered in comparison to Insecure, from the now-Golden-Globe-nominated Rae, because the latters show, funnier and edgier, feels like, as some have noted, the new Sex and the City.

Creator Horgan, writer-producer Paul Simms, and star-producer Parker took a bold chance in making Frances and Robert so disdainfully well-to-do, so self-absorbed, so glum. Divorce worked better if you thought of it as a half-hour drama rather than a curdled comedy. The finale set up a potentially more exciting second season: a show in which the emotional stakes will be higher, and with more opportunities for the kind of savage humor the series clearly wants to deliver. Best of luck to all in making that happen when Divorce returns.

Divorce Season 1 can be streamed now on HBOGo or HBO on Demand.
From Country Living

Hospitals are not generally animal-friendly places, but this one made a special exception to allow Mollie the dog to bid a tender farewell to her dying owner, Ryan Jessen. Ryan was hospitalized last month after suffering from a brain hemorrhage, and doctors had to tragically inform his friends and family that there was no hope for recovery.

Knowing how much his best friend meant to him, the hospital allowed Mollie one final visit, which his sister, Michelle Jessen, captured on video and posted on Facebook. The video went wildly viral, and currently has over 11 million views, 177,000 likes, and almost 100,000 shares.

Sadly, Ryan Jessen passed away on November 30, 2016.

He was an organ donor, and his heart has gone on to a 17-year-old boy in California whose birthday is on Christmas.

Michelle Jessen was also sure to emphasize that Mollie would be staying on with them as she is "part of the family."

Our hearts go out to the Jessen family during this difficult time.

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Willie Sutton purportedly said that he robbed banks because thats where the money is. President-elect Donald Trump took the same approach Monday, saying the cost of the Pentagons $379 billion F-35 fighter programthe most expensive weapon system in the history of the worldis out of control and will be a prime target in his effort to save billions of dollars.

It marked Trumps second broadside at a major U.S. defense contractor. Last week, he criticized the cost of a pair of new Air Force Ones built by the Boeing Co., the nations second-largest defense contractor. On Monday, he drew a bead on the F-35, built by the Lockheed Martin Corp., the nations No. 1 defense contractor. The companys shares dropped by about 5% following Trumps tweet.

I am heartened, if not overly impressed, by Mr. Trumps recent zingers about Air Force One and, more importantly, the F-35, says ex-Pentagon top weapons-tester Tom Christie. This is where the real waste, fraud and abuse and big dollar savings arethe hundreds of billions in misconceived and faltering modernization programs.

screen-shot-2016-12-12-at-9-49-04-am

But Air Force boosters pushed backed. Today, over three-quarters of the current Air Force fighter fleet is comprised of 1960-70s-era designs that average well over a quarter of a century old, says David Deptula, a retired Air Force lieutenant general and fighter pilot. The only thing more costly than a first-rate Air Force is a second-rate Air Force.

While the F-35s costs have stabilized recently, the Government Accountability Office says the cost of the program has jumped by $111 billionnearly 50%since it began 14 years ago. This is one of the benefits of having an outside perspective on these matters, says Dan Grazier, a former Marine officer who now monitors the military at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight. President-elect Trump is right to be skeptical about the runaway costs of the F-35 and many other weapon programs.

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A Lockheed spokesman said the company has been working to drive down the planes cost. Since the beginning, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce the price of the airplane more than 60% since its original costing, said Jeff Babione, the companys F-35 chief.

While Trump may have picked the biggest bullseye painted on the Pentagon, his opening salvo is going to meet stiff resistance. All of the military services except the Army are buying the plane, giving it boosters in the Air Force, Navy and Marines. Lockheed has spread contractors for its construction among 45 states and eight foreign nations, giving the program advocates at home and abroad.

The Pentagons plan to buy 2,457 of the jets has long been controversial. In an effort to save money, the Defense Department pushed the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines to buy the same jet. But after more than a decade in development, the three variants are so different from one another that most of the hoped-for shared savings have disappeared. With about 200 F-35s already delivered to the Pentagon, its too late to stop it before production. But Pentagon officials have known for years that buying all 2,457 jets is unlikely. The problem with cutting production, of course, is that each jet costs more as economies of scale shrink.

The Marines have the most complex F-35, because it needs the ability to land and take off from small Marine ships nearly vertically. The Navys version is beefed up for punishing use aboard aircraft carriers. The Air Force version, designed for long runways on land, doesnt require such costly modifications.

Pentagon auditors pegged the cost of each F-35 at $154.3 million in its last annual cost report a year ago, down from its $159.2 million the year before. It is true that the F-35 has had major cost overruns in the past, but it has stabilized in recent years, says Todd Harrison, a defense-budget expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The real question facing the new Trump administration is whether or not to buy the full quantity of 2,457 aircraft as currently planned.

Beyond forcing the three services to share an aircraft, the Pentagon also rushed the plane into production before its blueprints had been finalized. There was little logic for the haste, given that the Pentagons pre-F-35 warplanes remain the best in the world. Due to concurrency, the practice of producing operational aircraft before the program has completed development and finalized the aircraft design, the services must send the current fleet of F-35 aircraft to depot facilities to receive modifications that have been designed since they were originally manufactured, the Pentagons top weapons-tester recently noted. Some of these modifications are driven by faults in the original design that were not discovered until after production had started, such as major structural components that break due to fatigue before their intended lifespan.

Merrill McPeak, retired fighter pilot, was the four-star general running the Air Force when the Pentagon ordered the services to share the same airplane. No comment, he said Monday when asked about Trumps tweet taking aim at the F-35. I know too much.

But he didnt hesitate to tell TIME what he saw as the planes shortfalls in 2013. This is a jobs program for Marine aviation, he said. The idea that we could produce a committee design that is good for everybody is fundamentally wrong. He scoffed at the Marine demand for a plane that can land vertically, saying, The idea of landing on a beach and supporting your troops close up from some improvised airfield, a la Guadalcanal, is not going to happen.

Then again, the whole notion of sending manned aircraft over heavily-defended enemy territory is increasingly dubious. First of all, no President wants to risk a pilot getting shot down and falling into enemy hands. When ISIS captured the pilot of a Jordanian F-16 last yearand burned him to death inside a cagethere wasnt a lot the Jordanian military could do to retaliate. If that pilot had been American, the President would have been forced to decide between escalating the war or looking impotenta choice no President wants to have to make.

And aerial dogfightsone of the original justifications for fighter aircraftno longer happen: beyond-visual-range missiles and improved ground-based anti-aircraft weapons have rendered them obsolete. Every day, the U.S. militarys expanding fleet of drones is eclipsing the value of short-legged warplanes like the F-35.
President-elect Donald Trump is going to war with the U.S. intelligence community, doubting their conclusions about Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential race and taunting them with criticism about the Iraq War. The comments come as a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including the top Senate Republican, have endorsed a congressional investigation into Russias meddling. What this is is an attempt to delegitimize President-elect Trumps win, spokesman Jason Miller said Monday morning, dealing a rebuke to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Sens. John McCain, Marco Rubio, and Lindsey Graham. Beyond the historic rift already emerging between the intelligence community and a future president, there are also practical political concerns for Trump, who has floated Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson to be his Secretary of State. Each of Trumps nominees will be called to testify under oath before the U.S. Senate where questions about this precise issue will undoubtedly arise. Trumps continued efforts to deny the Russian hacks could push Republican senators to declare open season on the president-elects picks. If they, like Trump, break with the intelligence community, their paths to the administration may turn rocky fast. The Republican majority is slim, and if even a few lawmakers refuse to vote for a Trump pick, they may well lose their confirmation fight.

Democrats try to win back Rust Belt voters. Trumps wartime counsel. And Trump rewrites the U.S. One-China policy.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

The Downside of Donald Trumps Fight With the Intelligence Community

TIMEs Massimo Calabresi on the president-elects war with the CIA

Donald Trump Mulls Exxon Mobil CEO as Secretary of State

Close ties to Russia will make for tough confirmation fight [TIME]

Inside Democrats Plan to Beat Donald Trump at His Own Game

The fight is on for Rust Belt working class voters [TIME]

Story continues

In Donald McGahn, Donald Trump Gets a Combative White House Counsel

And hell likely need it [New York Times]

China says Trumps Taiwan comments cause serious concern

Complaints after the president-elect seemingly rewrites U.S. foreign policy [Associated Press]

Top Tech Leaders to Meet With Trump

Possible topics for discussion are jobs, tax reform, antitrust laws and immigration rules [Wall Street Journal]

Sound Off

These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. Its now time to move on and Make America Great Again. Trumps transition in an unsigned statement released Friday on reports that the intelligence community believes Russias hacks were designed to help the president-elect.

I fully understand the one-China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy. President-elect Trump to Fox News Sunday.

Bits and Bites

Donald Trumps Transition Team Is Asking the Energy Department to List Employees Who Worked on Climate Change [Associated Press]

Senators Want to Investigate Russias Interference in 2016 Election: This Cannot Become a Partisan Issue [TIME]

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will attend Trumps tech summit [Yahoo]

Donald Trumps Transition Team Dismisses Report on Russian Interference in U.S. Election [TIME]

Donald Trump Shuts Down Companies Tied to Saudi Arabia [Associated Press]

Potential Trump pick Bolton: Russian hacks could actually have been by Obama administration [Politico]
Intelligence officials have fired back at Donald Trump in a statement Monday morning that pits the CIA and the president-elect in an extraordinary war of words.

Read: Kellyanne Conway Defends Trump in 'Celebrity Apprentice' Role: He Can Do What He Wants in His Spare Time

"The inclination to ignore such intelligence and impugn the integrity of U.S. intelligence officials is contrary to all that is sacred to national security professionals who work day and night to protect this country, the CIA said in a statement to Reuters.

The real estate mogul is in a standoff with the U.S. intelligence community after he called the recent CIA report that Russian hackers interfered in the American election ridiculous.

Trump told Fox News Sunday that the report is sour grapes from Hillary Clinton supporters.

I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country, he said.

On Monday morning, he unleashed against the CIA on Twitter.

Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

Unless you catch "hackers" in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

On Friday, Trump released a statement slamming the CIA saying: "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," the transition said in a terse, unsigned statement. The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again.'"

Story continues

Russian officials have denied any involvement in rigging the U.S. president election.

Also on Sunday, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway defended the president-elect.

Read: Sinister Design or Pure Coincidence? Trump Appears to Have Devil Horns on 'TIME' Cover

She called the notion that Russia helped the billionaire seize the election laughable and ridiculous on CBS Face the Nation.

Journalist Carl Bernstein of Watergate scandal fame made an explosive comment about Trump on CNN Sunday, saying: No president, including Richard Nixon, has been so ignorant of fact and disdains fact in the way this president-elect does.

He added: And it has something to do with the growing sense of authoritarianism he and his presidency are projecting. The danger of it is obvious and he's trying to make the conduct of the press the issue, not his own conduct."

Watch: LeBoycott: Hoops Superstar LeBron James Refusing to Stay at Trump Hotels

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Milan (AFP) - Roma's Radja Nainggolan hit a second-half scorcher to secure a 1-0 win over AC Milan, who saw M'Baye Niang miss a first-half penalty, to close to within four points of leaders Juventus on Monday.

Roma and Milan had both dropped to seven points behind Juventus after Gonzalo Higuain scored twice on Sunday to seal a precious 2-1 derby win at Torino.

AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella was welcomed back to the stadium where he played many memorable games as a forward for the Giallorossi, celebrating his goals doing the 'Aeroplanino' (Little Airplane).

But it was Luciano Spalletti's hosts who were left celebrating following an entertaining clash, Nainggolan beating Milan's teenaged 'keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 62nd minute to make it three wins in succession.

Roma remain second, four points off the lead with Milan seven adrift in third, with a one-point lead on both Napoli and Lazio.

"It was a difficult game tonight because Milan have quality throughout the squad," Spalletti told Mediaset.

"What they say about this team and their coach is true. They're up there with the best and they'll be fighting to the end.

"We did well to take the three points."

After just 20 minutes Gianluca Lapadula earned Milan's chance when he tempted Wojciech Szczesny into a rash tackle.

But when Niang stepped up to take it, fans had reason for concern.

Last week the Frenchman was involved in an on-field spat with Lapadula after his fellow forward had won a penalty at Crotone. Niang won the argument, but missed the penalty and it was thanks to Lapadula's late winner that Milan took the points from a 2-1 win.

This time these was no spat, but Niang's tame shot was well covered by Szczesny, who dived to his left to parry it to safety.

Montella later said: "They say Milan get lucky sometimes. Well, not tonight.

"But there were a lot of positives tonight, it wouldn't be fair to focus on just one incident."

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Later Szczesny laughed off his heroics: "I was just doing my job. I'd made an error so was trying to remedy it."

After the miss, Roma took the initiative, striker Edin Dzeko firing an angled drive inches past Donnarumma's post, but Spalletti was left concerned when Bruno Peres was stretchered off in tears to be replaced by former Milan star Stephan El Shaarawy.

Milan resumed in far more positive fashion after the break, but Mario Pasalic was off target from Andrea Bertolacci's delivery.

And after Diego Perotti blasted over from a corner for the hosts, Nainggolan cut in from the right to unleash a left-foot drive from outside the area that left Donnarumma clutching at thin air.

Roma could have doubled their lead but Donnarumma did well to stop Dzeko's drive at the near post after the Bosnian robbed Gabriel Paletta, while at the other end Mati Fernandez failed to trouble Szczesny with a shot at the neat post.

- Kalinic double -

Earlier, Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic struck a stunning first-half brace as Fiorentina held off a spirited fightback from Sassuolo to prevail 2-1 and move up to seventh.

La Viola settled quickly at their Artemio Franchi stadium and after Josip Ilicic curled an early free kick inches past the top corner, they had a 10th minute lead.

Ilicic was involved again with another free kick, but after it hit the wall to bounce up into the air Kalinic stole the glory with a spectacular volley to beat Andrea Consigli in the Sassuolo net.

Remarkably, it was Kalinic's first goal at home since against Juventus last April, the Croatian scoring all six of his previous goals this term away.

Five minutes before the interval, Kalinic produced another sparkler, the striker meeting Federico Chiesa's low cross with a cheeky back-heel flick from the edge of the box that bounced in off the inside of the upright.

Sassuolo reduced arrears three minutes later, Acerbi firing home from a crowded area as the hosts failed to deal with a corner on 75 minutes.
Donald Trumps war against the U.S. intelligence community might look, at first, like just another convention-breaking move designed to bring a disruptive, reality TV ethos to the world of politics and government. But intelligence officials and members of Congress say Trumps decision to contest his own governments high confidence conclusion that Russia meddled in the presidential election is a huge gamble that could cause harm to both his own presidency and the security of the country.

Take North Korea where, some U.S. intelligence officials have concluded, dictator Kim Jong Un is on his way to being able mount a nuclear weapon atop a missile that can reach the United States. Trump may need to rally support at home and abroad for action against Pyongyang, and will need to cite the work of the intelligence community to do so. And there are no shortage of other crises facing the U.S. around the globe that require similar credibility.

Theres going to come a time during a national security crisis where we need to believe the president, and the things that hes saying and doing right now are going to lead everyone to question whether they can rely on anything he says, says the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, who has been critical of Trumps denials.

Trump may find himself personally vulnerable, too. The same kind of Russian hacking attacks he now dismisses as unprovable, may be turned on him if he breaks with Russian president Vladimir Putin on one of the many areas of potential policy disagreement between the two countries. If the time comes when the Russians feel they need to use hacked information against President Trump, the President-elect wont have much credibility on the issue having denied the Russians were even involved, Schiff says.

On Sunday, Trump stepped up his attacks on the intelligence community for its assessment that Russia had hacked state voter rolls and the email accounts of officials in the Clinton campaign and the Democratic party as part of a large scale effort to get him elected President. They have no idea if its Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place, Trump said on Fox News. His campaign previously released a statement that said, These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

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Partially in response to Trumps decision to contest the conclusions about Russian involvement, President Obama has ordered the intelligence community to produce a full review of Russias malicious cyber-activity. The purpose of the review, says one source close to it, is not just to assess the effect of the Russian operation, but to establish a record of the intelligence communitys findings before Trump takes over command of the sprawling national security agencies. The administration has said it intends to make a declassified version of the report public before Obama steps down from office.

This is a major priority for the President of the United States, deputy White House press secretary Eric Schultz said Friday. He directed his intelligence community and national security officials to take this on. He expects that report to be issued to him before he leaves office.

Trump will also face pressure from Congress, where Republicans have long been the most aggressive opponents of the Putin regime. On Sunday, Sen. John McCain, who heads the Armed Services Committee, issued a statement with other Republicans and Democrats saying, recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American. McCain intends to hold hearings on Russian cyber-activity next year.

The House intelligence services may also look into the hacking. The Republican Chairman, Devin Nunes, is in a difficult position. He has long been critical of Russia, but is also helping Trump with the transition. On Dec. 8, he told the Washington Post, [Russia]s always been a priority for me, and it will remain a priority for me. Then on Dec. 9, he told the paper, Ill be the first one to come out and point at Russia if theres clear evidence, but there is no clear evidence  even now.

As Nunes Democratic counterpart on the House intelligence committee, Schiff says Trump is also vulnerable to coercion over his businesses. Theres still a lot we dont know about the Presidents economic interests, he says. We simply dont know what economic interests he has in Russia or Russias neighbors.

On Sunday Trump also said he was frequently skipping the daily intelligence briefing and letting Vice President-elect Mike Pence go in his stead because Im, like, a smart person, I dont have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day. But come a national, or political, crisis, Trump may find publicly undermining the credibility of the intelligence community wasnt such a great long-term play.
Dr. Fred Rouse will team up with Brian Tracy and several of the premier business minds to release the new book, Cracking the Code to Success

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Dr. Fred Rouse, CFP, The REAL Money Doctor and international best selling author has joined best-selling author Brian Tracy along with a selected group of experts and professionals, to co-write the forthcoming book titled, Cracking the Code to Success. Nick Nanton, Esq., as well as business partner, JW Dicks, Esq., the leading agents to Celebrity Experts worldwide, recently signed a publishing deal with Dr. Rouse to contribute his expertise to the book, which will be released under their CelebrityPress imprint.

Cracking the Code to Success is tentatively scheduled for release in early 2017.

A portion of the royalties earned from Cracking the Code to Success will be donated to Entrepreneur's International Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to creating unique launch campaigns to raise money and awareness for charitable causes.

About Dr. Fred Rouse:

Dr. Fred Rouse, CFP (aka: The REAL Money Doctor & Quiet Trader) started as the son of a blue-collar carpet installer in South Philadelphia. His entrepreneurial spirit soon emerged as he started painting handrails at age 10. After five years in the US Coast Guard at the tail end of the Vietnam War and ten years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist working the critical care units of an inner city hospital he thought there had to be a better way and started his in-depth study of money and people.

Becoming a Certified Financial Planner was not enough for him. He went on to graduate studies and now holds a PhD in Taxation, Doctorate in Business Administration and even did a year in law school just for some additional background.

He teamed with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul fame) to write the international best seller The Soul of Success. He is now the top Certified Financial Planner, Money Expert and International Best-Selling Author that has received several national awards for his writing and money expertise.

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He works with selected individuals and a variety of small businesses that earn in excess of 7 figures a year, to improve their lives, cut taxes, make money, protect their assets and help them gain the personal time to enjoy the Iconic Lifestyle they want and deserve.

He's developed The REAL Money Doctor's Business Rx, 6 Essentials for a Healthy Business to Make Money with the legendary Brian Tracy that helps aspiring as well as seasoned entrepreneurs take control of their business, cut their taxes and make more money while still having the time to enjoy a personal life.

Dr. Rouse also helps serious people who are 50 and older with a simple blueprint to find 63% More Money for their Ultimate Secure Retirement in less than 20 minutes a day even if they have zero business or investment experience so they can be financially independent and retire at an age young enough to enjoy it.

His passion for helping others is shared through his books, courses, special reports and webinars which are found on his website. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Rouse and how he can help you and or your business, please contact him directly via his website: DrFredRouse.com.

Dr. Rouse and his work have been featured on FOX News, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, A&E, BRAVO, USA Today, Newswire Network, Forbes, Wall Street Business, Hollywood Live, The Money Show, Investing Daily and more.

About Financial Management Press, UBO

Financial Management Press, UBO is the premier publisher of of unique and timely books and courses with a primary focus in three areas: 1. Personal & Business Success, 2. MONEY; Personal FINANCIAL PLANNING, Asset Protection, Wealth Building and Trading, 3.. EDUCATION; General Education, Special Education, Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS), complementary alternative activities and Disability Advocacy

Financial Management Press, UBO

New York, NY 10001

United States

c.parker@financialmanagementpress.com

http://financialmanagementpress.com/

SOURCE: Dr. Fred Rouse
Widely respected as a top Arab cinema expert, Dubai Film Festival artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali has been instrumental to creating the top platform for local pics in the Arab world. He spoke to Variety about how the event has helped foster a film industry from scratch in the Gulf and some of the main challenges faced by Arab cinema at large. Excerpts:

Why did you pick Miss Sloane as the opening movie?

Its topical, its recent. It talks about whats happening in the U.S. and how this can affect the world. Also the female character is very strong. All of these elements played into it. We have lots of female directors in the Arab world, maybe more than in the West. This year for the first time we have three films from Qatar by female filmmakers. We also have three from Saudi Arabia. I just came from a press conference [for Lebanese film Solitaire] where the only male on the panel was the moderator. So Miss Sloane connects with everything we are doing.

There are six Emirati feature films at the festival, which is a first. And there is also one [Rashid & Rajab] currently shooting in Dubai. How did the Gulf industry come such a long way?

I think the festivals in the Gulf  especially the first festival I started in Abu Dhabi a while back just dedicated to Emirati directors  started a movement. When Dubai began, in the first edition we had a small section with five shorts called Emerging Emiratis. Today we have the Muhr section dedicated to Emirati cinema which has feature films besides short films. I think festivals played a big role in helping the filmmakers find a way by creating an environment where we not only showcased films, but also pushed the industry with our funds and co-production market.

The biggest obstacle Arab cinema at large faces today is getting Arab movies to play on local screens. The Dubai Film Market has addressed this by creating a distribution prize. But what else can be done?

The Arab world doesnt have a [film industry] system. Its all a bit chaotic. When it comes to distribution, there is really a missing link. The efforts [marketing and distribution company] Mad Solutions is doing [in micro distribution, driven by social media] can help. And there are also other new distributors doing a great job. Now there is now a plan to launch Arab film awards [like the Oscars]. But a lot remains to be fixed.

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The awards you just mentioned and the new Arab Film Institute which will launch them, have just been announced. How do you feel about this initiative?

We certainly need more industry initiatives, and something like this can help to provide more exposure for Arab cinema. The shuttering [two years ago] of the Abu Dhabi Film festival was a loss, and then subsequently losing their Sanad film fund was a further loss. We [at the festival] are doing new things to promote Arab cinema internationally. This year we started promoting two Arab films for Golden Globes consideration. Paradoxically when Arab movies do well outside the Arab world sometimes that provides the path for them to find a home in their own region.

What about the Oscars? In 2013 the Dubai Film Festival joined the ranks of festivals qualifying for the Oscar short film competition. But does the UAE have a national film entity that can submit an Emirati feature film for Oscar consideration?

Not yet. But we are in the process of setting that up. Until recently we didnt have any movies to submit, but now we do. So we are working on establishing a national motion picture association.

Related stories

Egyptian Director Sherif El Bendary on his 'Ali, The Goat And Ibrahim'

Dubai Film Connection Announces Arab Projects Prizewinners

Arab Film Industry Execs To Launch First Regional Film Awards in Dubai
Edie Falco in Roksanda Ilincic. (Photo: Getty Images)

Edie Falco took a fashion cue from the future first lady on Sunday night. At the CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute gala at the American Museum of Natural History, in New York City, the Horace and Pete actress wore a black version of the puffy sleeve dress that Melania Trump donned for the Republican National Convention in July.

Melania Trump arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention. (Photo: Brooks Kraft/ Getty Images)

The future first lady took the stage in Cleveland this summer wearing a white version of the dress, made by U.K.-based designer (and fellow Serbian native) Roksanda Ilincic, that she purchased herself on Net-a-Porter because she liked it, according to a spokeswoman, and she was not alone in the sentiment. Shortly after Melania made her appearance in the white Margot, which Net-a Porter describes as a beautiful option for the modern bride, the garment sold out across the Internet. Last month, however, the piece was restocked exclusively for net-a-porter.com in three colors: ivory, pink, and black. (It was initially sold across a bevy of competitor sites including Matches, mytheresa.com, and Saks Fifth Avenue.)

Falco opted for the sophisticated and playful black crepe version, paired with classic black shoes and swept-back short hair. But while Trumps choice of dress had plenty of hidden meaning, youll have to decide for yourself whether or not Falcos dress is meant to be a contrasting political statement  she did donate to the Clinton campaign  or just a sophisticated red carpet turn.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




CAIRO (AP)  The young man suspected of blowing himself up inside a Cairo chapel during Sunday Mass, killing at least 25 people, had been arrested and beaten by police two years ago after allegedly taking part in an Islamist demonstration, his lawyer said Monday.

If independently confirmed, Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa would be the latest Egyptian to be radicalized after being subjected to police abuse, a practice that was common for decades and has become rampant after a crackdown on dissent following the military's 2013 ouster of an Islamist president.

Speaking after a state funeral for the victims, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said the suspect detonated a belt of explosives inside a chapel adjacent to St. Mark's Cathedral, seat of Egypt's ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. The over 100-year-old chapel was packed with worshippers.

The dead included more than 20 women and children. Forty-nine others were injured, according to the latest figures from the Health Ministry.

Mahmoud Hassan, one of Musafa's lawyers, said his client, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, was tortured until he confessed to the possession of weapons and explosions. He also faced charges of membership in an "illegal organization," Egyptian parlance for the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group of which former President Mohammed Morsi was a senior official.

The Interior Ministry said late Monday that Mustafa belonged to a terrorist cell founded by an Egyptian doctor and funded by Muslim Brotherhood leaders living in exile in Qatar, long accused by Egypt of supporting militants groups. It said the cell was tasked with staging attacks that would lead to sectarian Muslim-Christian strife.

After his arrest, Musafa spent nearly two months in detention before being released on bail. A court later convicted him in absentia, according to the lawyer. Traumatized by the torture, he told his lawyer not to appeal, fearing he would be abused again if detained.

Story continues

A police photo of Mustafa and a friend arrested on the same day showed the pair, clearly in their teens, with bleeding noses and bruised faces. Placed atop a coffee table in front of them was a rifle, ammunition and what appeared to be a homemade bomb.

Hassan insisted that Mustafa was not a member of the Brotherhood, but the young Egyptian student from the oasis province of Fayoum appears to have been radicalized by his experience in detention, a danger many Egyptian rights activists warn the government against. The activists seek freedom for anyone not involved in acts of violence.

Two local news websites on Monday quoted Mustafa's mother as saying he had not been home in two years.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for Sunday's bombing. Two active militant groups believed to have links to the Muslim Brotherhood  Hasm and Liwa el-Thawra  distanced themselves from the attack. The local affiliate of the Islamic State group has so far remained silent.

Sunday's bombing was among the deadliest attacks in recent memory to target Egypt's Coptic minority, which makes up around 10 percent of the country's population and strongly supported the el-Sissi-led military overthrow of Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president whose one year in office proved to be divisive.

Since then, Islamic militants have carried out scores of attacks, mainly targeting the security forces, while the government has waged a wide-scale crackdown on dissent.

Mustafa raised suspicions when, according to footage from a security camera, he hurriedly entered the chapel wearing a bulging jacket, prompting one security guard to follow him. About 10 seconds later, Mustafa blew himself up.

The guard who followed him was killed, said Khaled Diaa-Eldeen, who leads a team of prosecutors investigating Sunday's attack.

Three men and a woman were arrested in connection with Sunday's attack and other suspects were on the run, el-Sissi said.

The president did not link the bomber to any militant groups, but a top Interior Ministry official appeared to confirm a key part of the account given by Mustafa's lawyer. Police Maj. Gen. Tarek Attia told The Associated Press the suspected bomber was arrested in Fayoum in 2014 and charged with membership in the Brotherhood.

"This strike really hurt us and caused us much pain, but it will not break us," el-Sissi said.

He also called on the government and parliament to introduce legislation that would allow more "decisive" methods of dealing with militants. He did not elaborate. Lawmakers and pro-government media have been promoting the referral of terrorism-related cases to military tribunals, which are notorious for their swift and harsh sentences.

During the funeral, coffins were wrapped in Egyptian flags and carried by military policemen. The service was attended by top government and military officials and guarded by hundreds of soldiers. Earlier on Monday, the Coptic community held its own funeral service at a suburban church.

"God, protect us and your people from the conspiracies of the evil ones," Pope Tawadros II, spiritual leader of Egypt's Orthodox Christians, prayed after waving incense over coffins lined up in front of the altar along with crosses made of white roses. "It is the destiny of our church to offer martyrs."

Only victims' relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius Church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City. Outside the church, a crowd of several hundred protesters scuffled with security forces when they were barred from attending the service.

"People have a volcano of anger inside their chests," said Nora Sedki, a Christian government employee who joined the demonstration.

"The blood of our brothers is dear," chanted the protesters, who carried Egyptian flags and crosses made of tree branches.

Soon after Morsi's 2013 ouster, his supporters lashed out at Christians, ransacking and destroying scores of churches and Christian-owned properties in southern Egypt, where sectarian tensions are more pronounced.

Successive Egyptian governments insist that Christians are not discriminated against, but many claim they have been denied top jobs, including in academia and in security and diplomatic services. They say it is the result of deeply rooted bias by the country's Muslim majority.

Christians have also accused the security forces of failing to do enough to protect them from Muslim extremists.

___

Associated Press Writer Mariam Fam contributed to this report.
By Amina Ismail and Lin Noueihed CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday a suicide bomber carried out the attack that killed 25 people at Cairo's Coptic cathedral, the deadliest on the Christian minority in years. Speaking at a state funeral for the victims, Sisi said four people had been detained, including a woman, and security forces were seeking two more people believed to be involved. The bomber was a man wearing a suicide vest, he added "The attack brought us great pain but we will never be torn apart," he said. "We will only be much stronger. We will hold steadfast and, God willing, we will succeed." At least 25 people were killed and 49 wounded when a bomb exploded in a chapel adjoining St Mark's Cathedral, Cairo's largest church and seat of the Coptic papacy, where security is normally tight.(Map: http://tmsnrt.rs/2hEe6V1) Security sources said a bomb containing at least 12 kg (26 pounds) of TNT exploded on a side of the church normally used by women. Sisi did not name the organization the attackers were believed to belong to. No group has claimed responsibility, but exiled Muslim Brotherhood officials and local militant groups have joined the international community in condemnation. Only Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. The group has also claimed attacks in Cairo and urged its supporters to launch attacks around the world as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds. The Interior Ministry released a picture of the bomber it identified as Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa, 22, whose nom de guerre was Abu Dajjana al-Kanani. It also released an image of what it said was the battered head of the dead bomber, who hailed from the town of Fayyoum south of Cairo. State news agency MENA reported that three of those arrested are also from Fayyoum while a fourth is from the Cairo suburb of Matariya. Both are areas typically associated with strong support for the Muslim Brotherhood. CHRISTIAN ANGER Sisi and Coptic Pope Tawadros II led the funeral procession and the coffins were draped in the national flag. Earlier, mourners had packed Cairo's Virgin Mary and St Athanasius Church where Tawadros prayed over the wooden coffins. On the walls hung banners with the names of the dead, many of them women. Tawadros sought to heal any sectarian friction caused by the attack, saying it "is not just a disaster for the Church but a disaster for the whole nation." He also condemned attacks against the security forces. "Those who commit acts such as this do not belong to Egypt at all, even if they are on its land," he said. At the chapel where the bombing took place, the floor was covered in debris from shattered windows, wooden pews blasted apart and pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and patches of blood. At the burial, families arrayed in black queued as a priest called out the names of their deceased relatives before they were interred. A church chorus sung hymns over the cries of those grieving. Ayman Nosyeh described the shock of seeing his cousin's remains. "Only her mouth was left from her face, her head was empty, like an empty watermelon. I'm the one who put her in the bag. It was a very difficult scene," he said. Though Christians traditionally support the government, the attack provoked anger among survivors and families of the dead, who said police had failed to protect them. Five survivors at Dar al-Shefa hospital said police did not conduct the usual checks as the cathedral was particularly busy for Sunday's mass. CALLS FOR REVENGE Crowds outside the cathedral on Sunday demanded revenge. Some chanted "the people demand the fall of the regime", the rallying cry of the 2011 revolt that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. "There were police cars stationed in front of the church gates ... they were too busy eating breakfast and drinking tea and soda. They weren't doing their job," said Hani Gaballah, 43, a retired military officer. Sisi dismissed accusations of a security failure and called for tighter anti-terrorism laws to help crush militants. "We will not let this go even after we have arrested them," he said. Parliament speaker Ali Abdelaal said the constitution would be amended if needed to create tougher laws on terrorism. Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, are the Middle East's largest Christian community. They face regular attack by Muslim neighbors, who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or church construction. The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a New Year's service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising. At least 21 people were killed but no one has been punished. Middle Eastern Christians have felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, systematically targeting religious minorities. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Ali Abdelaty in Cairo; Writing by Lin Noueihed and Eric Knecht; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday that a suicide bomber carried out an attack that killed 24 people at Cairo's main cathedral and security forces had arrested three men and a woman in connection with the bombing. Speaking at a state funeral for the victims, Sisi identified the suicide bomber as 22-year-old Shafik Mahmoud Mohamed Mostafa. He said security forces were seeking another two fugitives believed to be involved in the attack. He called for tighter laws to help deter future attacks. (Reporting by Lin Noueihed and Ali Abdelaty, editing by Eric Knecht)
Supporters of Macedonias nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party celebrated in the capital, Skopje, in the early hours of Monday, December 12.

The ruling conservative party won the 10th victory in a row in Sundays snap elections, declared leader Nikola Gruevski.

However, the opposition leader, Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev, also claimed to have won the elections.

VMRO-DPMNE won 38.3 percent of the votes as of 1 am local time, while rival Social Democrat SDSM got 36.3 percent, according to the state electoral commission.

Gruevski is set to return to office less than a year after stepping down as prime minister in an agreement with the EU to end government corruption. He denied accusations from Zaev, who said the government wiretapped thousands of people and obtained recordings related to the graft scandal. Credit: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network via Storyful
A Rhode Island congressman says the Electoral College should consider revelations that Russia tried to influence the outcome of the U.S. election when votes are cast next week.

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., told Politico Saturday the 538 electors have the right to consider whether foreign interference in the United States presidential elections may have influenced the final result.

The comment comes as a group calling itself the Hamilton Electors tries to influence 37 GOP electors to vote for a Republican other than Donald Trump Dec. 19 to deny him the presidency.

Documentarian Michael Moore last week described the Electoral College as a stopgap meant to keep a madman from the White House. He speculated something crazy might happen before the Jan. 20 inauguration that would keep Trump from becoming president.

In an interview on Late Night With Seth Meyers Wednesday, Moore pleaded with Trump to stop his tweeting and attend daily national security briefings instead  something Trump told Fox News Sunday he doesnt need because hes too smart for them.

"On our behalf, you have to pay attention. You have to attend these briefings, Moore pleaded. This is our country, this is our security, this is our safety  you're horsing around with all this nonsense. And you're not doing your No. 1 job, and the No. 1 job of the president is to make sure that the country is safe."

The liberal website PoliticsUSA said Trumps refusal to attend the daily briefings is grounds for the Electoral College to nullify the election because it indicates Trump intends to violate his oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Trump currently leads Hillary Clinton 306 electoral votes to 232 but trails Clinton by 2.8 million popular votes.

Ten states and the District of Columbia have signed onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to award all of their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote  no matter who won their states. The only problem with that is that the states subscribing to the proposal  California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Vermont and the District of Columbia  already were committed to Clinton.

Story continues

Two lawsuits have been filed to try to block Trumps path to the presidency, the most recent one Friday in California, by nullifying state law requiring electors to vote for the most popular candidate in their state. Twenty-nine states have such laws.

David Cicilline

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

One Republican in Texas last week said he does not intend to vote for Trump.

The most electors in history to buck their states votes were six Democratic-Republicans in 1808 who voted against James Madison. So far, 10 electors this cycle have said they will break ranks.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said last week Clinton has accepted the outcome of the election.

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While much of the U.S. was battling freezing winter weather over the weekend, the Eli Young Band and country newcomer Tucker Beathard were enjoying the Bahamas. The two acts performed at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort in Nassau as part of the Stories Behind the Songs series on Friday (Dec. 9), which launched in September. CMT's Cody Alan hosted the show at the Royal Theater, which was attended by key radio programmers and contest winners as well as Sandals guests.

"This is a neat deal to be able to sit up there and play acoustic and play these songs in a different environment. But they had to twist our arms to come play the Bahamas in December," lead vocalist Mike Eli told Billboard wearing a big grin.

In an extremely apropos setting, the Eli Young Band performed their new single "Saltwater Gospel." "We fell in love with 'Saltwater Gospel.' It captures a feeling that's almost indescribable. It was a no-brainer for all four of us," Eli says of the consensus shared by EYB guitarist James Young, drummer Chris Thompson and bassist Jon Jones.

Young concurs. "Sometimes you get those songs you hear at first listen and it's 'Yes!' when all four of us agree. That was undeniable. It reminds me of when we heard 'Crazy Girl.' Thirty seconds in and we knew it was a great song," says Young, referencing 'Crazy Girl," which was Billboard's 2011 Country Song of the Year.

Young says the band has always wanted to do a beach song and "Saltwater Gospel" came from a unique perspective that was appealing. "It puts a different spin on it, more about feeling humble in nature," Young shares. "You can find spirituality in everything in nature. We fell in love with the sentiment."

The band recently finished recording their new album for the Valory Music Co. Produced by Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover, the release is due sometime next year. "I feel like we came full circle with this record," Eli says, noting that the band wrote all but three songs on the new set. "We went back to a lot of sounds that worked so well for us on some of our earlier records and really focused on that."

Story continues

As the touring year winds down, the band was happy to play a gig that focused specifically on songs and songwriting. "It opens up the freedom to get a little deeper into explaining the songs and talking about where they came from, what inspired them and how they relate to us," says Thompson. "If you do that in your regular, big loud show, it changes things. It definitely changes the dynamic. This is definitely the right place and right time to get into it and the audience is expecting that."

Jones says vacationing audiences, in general, are a different crowd. "When you play a show in someone's hometown, they are only 20 minutes removed from their regular life," Jones says. "So it's still in the back of their head what they have to go home to, what they are doing the next day, whatever that might be. But when you're out here, people are in a different mindset. They are ready to have fun. They can put all their worries behind them and just enjoy the night."

Beathard was excited about opening for the Eli Young Band, especially in the tropical setting. "I couldn't ask for a better way to end the year," says Beathard, a Big Machine Label Group newcomer whose Friday night set included his debut hit, "Rock On," and new single "Momma and Jesus." "I've been wanting to come to the Bahamas for a while. I've never been but I've seen pictures. I looked forward to coming. I brought a couple friends with me and we've been enjoying the resort and soaking it up."

Beathard admits since the show was at an all-inclusive resort he thought it might be difficult to get the audience to listen. "They are on vacation with a free bar, I thought it would be tough to get their attention, but they were a good group," he says. "It's tough to beat having a full band and be rockin' out, but I do love the stripped down acoustic songwriter stuff too. Both are fun."

Beathard is the son of hit Nashville songwriter Casey Beathard, whose cuts include Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" and Eric Church's "Homeboy." The younger Beathard's debut EP, Fight Like Hell, came out this fall and he hit the road after that, headlining his Rock On College Tour with special guest Aubrie Sellers. Beathard co-wrote all six songs on his debut EP including "Momma and Jesus." "It talks about thanking God that Momma and Jesus haven't given up on me because I don't know where I'd be if they did," he says. "It's a pretty relatable thing. Everybody has done things in their life, stupid stuff, but two people have your back. It's really cool to see people connect with a song like that. I get messages on social media. To write a song and have it impact somebody's life is really cool. It's the whole reason I love music and do it."

Though the Sandals visit was a first for Beathard, the Eli Young Band have been Sandals Resort guests before. "I actually got married at Sandals in Jamaica," says Jones. "I drug these guys out and they stood up for me at my wedding six years ago. Sandals does a good job of showcasing acts like us, but also taking care of the communities, which is very important. They do a lot of good charity work."

"Sandals Resorts Foundation brought some kids in that sang one of our songs to us, which was incredible," Eli says, noting it was one of the highlights of their weekend. "They are doing a lot of work with families that were hit by the last hurricane."

The Resort held a toy drive during the event. Media and radio guests were encouraged to bring gifts for Bahamian children affected by the most recent hurricane. "They also do a lot with building schools and libraries and restoring the beaches," says Jones. "They do a lot for the islands."

The Eli Young Band/Tucker Beathard show was the second in the Stories Behind the Songs series. Radio stations from around the country broadcast live from the event during the weekend. "We want to keep things interesting and exciting for our guests," says Sandals rep Lazar DeLorenzo Charlton. "It's really cool to get country music down here in the Bahamas. A lot of our guests enjoy country music."

The first Stories Behind the Songs event was held in Turks and Caicos Sept. 23-26 featuring Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann and Dylan Scott. "The Story Behind the Songs concert series has not only been hugely successful but also served as a platform for a major initiative we're rolling out at our resorts across the Caribbean called LIV + Events," says Debbie-Ann White, senior vp of public relations and promotions for Unique Vacations Inc.

Though details are still in the works, Sandals plans to initiate other events next year. "Based on the results we've seen from our first two Story Behind the Songs LIV+ vacation packages, there's definitely a demand for more events like these," White says. "The feedback has been tremendous and we're busy planning a number of exclusive experiences for 2017."
f 35b

President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Monday that the "F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

His comments promptly put a dent in the stock of Lockheed Martin, the defense giant that leads the F-35 program, and led to immediate questions over its future.

The F-35 program, officially launched on October 6, 2001, represents a revolutionary attempt by all branches of the US military to replace a fleet of more than 2,000 aging Cold War-era aircraft.

The total cost for the three varieties of the F-35 will likely reach $1 trillion dollars over the lifetime of the program. But a single Air Force F-35 costs less than Trump's own plane, a Boeing 757, argued Dr. Loren Thompson, chief operating officer of the Lexington Institute, a nonprofit that writes about defense spending and acquisition. The group receives contributions from Lockheed Martin.

"I think the president-elect doesnt realize how far this program has come in terms of reducing risk and cost," Thompson said in an interview with Business Insider on Monday.



"Were looking at a price for the Air Force version F-35 that will be well below $100 million. It's not uncommon for wide-body jets to go for multiples of that amount," Thompson said, adding that jetliner's like Trump's "dont have to survive being shot at."

The F-35 program did suffer frequent and costly setbacks during its development, but the project's failures are mostly in the rearview. Recent news on the F-35 has seen the program turning a corner, as pilots finally start to test the new plane's abilities, which have provided game-changing potential in combat aviation.

"Trump is apparently operating on the basis of old information and doesnt know the history of the program," said Thompson.

f35 variants

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Thompson argued that the F-35, a single program that will provide new planes for the Air Force, Marines, and Navy despite the staggering price tag, was actually a smart move.

"If we had tried to replace aging Cold-War era planes with separate aircraft for each service, it would have cost much, much more." He estimated it could have cost up to four times as much to produce three different planes for each service instead of just one.

While the F-35 program dealt with cost and time overruns during development, the issues likely owed as much to the ambition of the project as to mismanagement by defense officials.

Should Trump move, at this point, to alter or cancel the F-35 program, which has only just begun to ramp up production, Trump would "waste billions of dollars and destroy thousands of jobs," Thompson said.

Said Thompson: "This program is in good shape, and the entire military is counting on it."

Trump hit on a larger point while asserting that billions of dollars go to waste in defense acquisition. In 2015, Sen. John McCain issued a blistering report entitled "America's most wasted" about the "Army's costly misfire," or the services attempt to source a new handgun.

LCS littoral combat ship USS Freedom Pacific.JPG

The report went into scathing details on how the Army put forth a "350-page requirements document micromanaging extremely small unimportant details and byzantine rules and processes the Army wants followed, many of which are unnecessary or anticompetitive."

Additionally, the Navy's new Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), while innovative and promising, have met difficulties and setbacks throughout their development, resulting in billions of dollars in overruns.

Paul Francis, managing director of acquisition and sourcing management at the Government Accountability Office, described systematic issues in military spending while discussing the LCS program at a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month.

"Once the money wheel starts to turn, the business imperatives of budgets and contracts and ship construction take precedence over acquisition and oversight principles," he said.

NOW WATCH: America's B-2 stealth bomber is unlike any military aircraft in the world





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Brussels (AFP) - The European Union and Cuba on Monday signed a deal to normalise ties that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.

Cuba was the only Latin American country not to have a "dialogue and cooperation" deal with the 28-nation EU covering issues such as trade, human rights and migration.

But EU ministers last week dropped a policy in place since 1996 which stated that Cuba first had to improve its human rights record before getting closer links with the bloc.

Monday's accord was signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and representatives from the EU member states at a Brussels ceremony capping years of difficult negotiations.

Mogherini offered condolences on Castro's death, telling reporters it was "only natural that we are closer to Cuba as it undergoes profound change."

She said she was also "very encouraged" by dialogue with Havana on human rights and the accord would help foster Cuba's social and political modernisation.

Castro died last month after more than 50 years at the helm of a self-styled Socialist paradise reviled by the West, with Cuba gradually opening up to the world, including bitter foe Washington.

In 2003, the EU imposed sanctions on Cuba and suspended cooperation over a crackdown on journalists and activists and it took until 2008 to get talks going again.

- Trump election, no impact -

Rodriguez Parrilla said "we have had a few differences on the way but the removal of the (1996 EU) common position re-establishes normal relations based on mutual respect."

Asked what impact Donald Trump's election might have on US policy, he noted angrily that despite easing tensions, Washington had kept its economic embargo against Cuba.

"EU-Cuba relations do not go via Washington," he added.

Mogherini said she saw no reason for concern although Trump's shock election victory has stoked doubts in Europe about Washington's global stance and its crucial security guarantee.

Story continues

"Developments in Washington will not affect in any way relations between the EU and Cuba," she said, stressing Brussels had and would continue to raise concerns about the impact of the US economic blockade on other countries.

She also highlighted Europe's wider ties with the region as a whole.

"We are talking about a transatlantic link not only with the United States, but also with Cuba and Latin America."

On the campaign trail, Trump had threatened to end the thaw in US ties backed by President Barack Obama unless Havana made concessions on human rights and opened up its still largely state-run economy to private business.

"Economic links with Europe will continue to be a priority for Cuba as we build a socialist economy," Rodriguez Parrilla said at the signing ceremony.

He recalled a speech in 2003 in which Castro hailed the historical importance of the EU as a counterweight to the United States which imposed the trade embargo and other sanctions on Cuba after it sided with Moscow in the Cold War.
Brussels (AFP) - EU leaders will agree at a summit this week to launch Brexit talks "as quickly as possible" after Britain triggers its divorce, European sources said Monday.

The 27 leaders meeting without British Prime Minister Theresa May at dinner on Thursday will issue a statement setting out key principles of the negotiations, one source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The leaders will say they are "ready to negotiate" as soon as May triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which sets a two-year clock running until Britain's exit from the bloc, the source quoted the text as saying, which is still in draft form.

May -- who will attend the first part of the EU summit but then leave before dinner -- has promised to start the divorce by the end of March 2017.

The 27 states will agree that they should then "adopt the negotiating lines" that will govern the talks with Britain -- something neither side has set out in detail yet, the source said.

They will also reaffirm their commitment to their statement immediately after Britain's shock referendum vote to leave, in which they said Britain could not expect access to the EU's single market without keeping freedom of movement for EU citizens.

Finally, the EU leaders will seek a "decision authorising the opening of negotiations as quickly as possible" after setting out their negotiating lines, the source said.

The European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator, former French minister Michel Barnier, "will be in the front line, in coordination with the member states" for the duration of the talks, the source said.

Barnier warned Britain last week that it had only about 18 months for negotiations that should be wrapped up by October 2018, in time for the European and British parliaments to approve the deal by March 2019.

The leaders will hold a summit around six weeks after Britain triggers Article 50 to set the negotiating lines, another European source said, although that timeline may have to be adapted to fit in with the second round of France's presidential elections due in May 2017.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Monday it had fined three Japanese makers of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries 166 million euros ($176.2 million) for their involvement in a price-fixing cartel from 2004 to 2007.

The Commission said that the companies, along with Korea's Samsung SDI, had agreed on temporary price increases and exchanged commercially sensitive information, such as forecasts or plans concerning bids for manufacturers of phones, laptops or power tools.

Their actions were designed to avoid aggressive market competition.

Sony received a fine of 29.8 million euros, Panasonic of 38.9 million euros and Sanyo [MATEIH.UL] 97.1 million euros. Samsung SDI escaped a fine because it revealed the existence of the cartel to the Commission.

The Commission said that all the companies had acknowledged their involvement in the cartel and had agreed to settle the case.

"Today's decision sanctions four rechargeable battery producers whose collusion affected the prices of a number of goods sold to European consumers," European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

"It also sends an important signal to companies: if European consumers are affected by a cartel, the Commission will investigate it even if the anticompetitive contacts took place outside Europe."

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of rechargeable batteries used in laptops and power tools and smaller devices such as smartphones and tablets.

(Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop, editing by Julia Fioretti)
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union has imposed travel bans and asset freezes on seven senior security officials in Congo.

EU foreign ministers said in a statement Monday that the seven "hold positions of authority in the chain of command over the Congolese security forces which have exercised a disproportionate use of force."

President Joseph Kabila's second term in office expires on Dec. 19, but Congo's courts have ruled the election can be delayed and Kabila can stay in power until a new leader is chosen.

Anger over the delay has sparked violence including street clashes in September that killed dozens.

The ministers said that the EU would monitor the "crucial political developments" and could impose additional sanctions if there is more violence or interference with the political process.
By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union imposed sanctions on seven Congolese officials it says illegally suppressed anti-government protests in September, when dozens of demonstrators were killed, and warned it would target more senior figures if violence persists. The travel bans and asset freezes on members of the Republican Guard, army, police and other senior figures were agreed by EU foreign ministers and follow sanctions imposed by the United States. "Additional restrictive measures may be considered in the event of further violence or the political process being impeded," the EU said in a statement. It listed Commander of the Republican Guard Ilunga Kampete and six others that included Kinshasa's police commissioner and intelligence officials. The Democratic Republic of Congo's government was not immediately available for comment. At least 50 people were killed by security forces in protests in September against President Joseph Kabila's plan to stay in power after his mandate expires on Dec. 19, the EU said, citing "serious violations of human rights." International powers fear demonstrations this month could lead to wider violence in the vast central African nation, where millions died in regional conflicts between 1998 and 2003 and that has never had a peaceful transition of power. The tough line from the United States and the European Union is also an attempt to arrest a broader trend among regional leaders clinging to power, after heads of state in Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi extended their mandates. "We call for the respect of the constitution," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, referring to the ban on Kabila seeking another term after being in power since 2001. "President Kabila can no longer run for election and the end to his mandate is quickly approaching," he told reporters. EU foreign ministers are seeking to break the deadlock over whether Kabila should step down before an election which, due to slow voter registration, has been delayed until at least April 2018. Kabila has vowed to stay on until the poll goes ahead, but the opposition accuse him of manipulating the process to cling to power, a charge his supporters deny. The European Union now wants elections next year. (Editing by Louise Ireland)
By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union and Cuba signed a political accord on Monday that the EU hopes will position its companies for Cuba's transition to a more open economy and allow it to press for political freedoms on the island. In the biggest diplomatic breakthrough since the EU lifted sanctions on the communist-ruled island in 2008, the so-called political dialogue and cooperation agreement is the first accord between Cuba and the 28-nation bloc. Although modest in scope, it follows more two decades of EU diplomacy to set out a framework for stronger ties and comes two weeks after the death of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, whose imprisonment of dissidents long hampered better relations. "We are starting to write a new chapter together," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said at signing ceremony with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla in Brussels, along with EU foreign ministers and ambassadors. Offering condolences for Castro's death, Mogherini said the European Union was moving closer to Cuba as it underwent "profound change". EU officials say the deal gives European diplomats and officials the right to raise human rights issues directly with Cuba and to gently press for reforms. She said the bloc also repealed its "common position" policy on Cuba dating from 1996 that set human rights and democracy as conditions on improved economic relations and which Cuba saw as interference in its internal affairs. Rodriguez said the agreement would develop commercial, cultural, financial and scientific links across the Atlantic, saying the accord the proof both sides could "rise above our differences" and return to "mutual respect". Normalization of relations has been tortuous partly because of resistance from the EU's eastern members due to their own communist past, while Havana's arrest of dissidents in 2003 led the bloc to impose diplomatic sanctions, limiting contacts. The EU's strategy has been less trumpeted that Barack Obama's push for better ties with Havana, which culminated in his historic visit this year, the first by a U.S. president to Cuba in 88 years. But EU officials say that given the United States economic embargo on Cuba since 1962 remains in place, Europe's new accord may do far more to end the island's isolation, with the EU already the top foreign investor in Cuba. Rodriguez and Mogherini, at a joint news conference, dismissed any risk to the agreement following the U.S. election victory of Donald Trump, who has threatened to reverse Obama's easing of travel and other restrictions on Cuba. "EU-Cuba relations do not go via Washington," Rodriguez said. (Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
MILAN (Reuters) - European shares were little changed in early trading on Monday, with gains in oil stocks to near 17-month highs offset by weaker pharma stocks.

Shares in Swiss pharmaceutical firm Lonza (LONN.S) fell 2.7 percent after it said it was in advanced talks to buy U.S. drugs capsule maker Capsugel. Sources earlier told Reuters the deal could be worth more than $5 billion.

The STOXX Europe 600 was 0.07 percent lower, steadying after a rally last week brought the index to 11 month highs.

The STOXX Oil & Gas index (.SXEP) surged more than 2 percent after hitting its highest level since July 2015. Oil prices shot higher after OPEC and other producers reached their first deal since 2001 to jointly reduce output.

Italy's FTSE MIB (.FTMIB) rose 1.1 percent, outperforming the rest of Europe thanks to gains among its banks.

(Reporting by Danilo Masoni; editing by John Stonestreet)
PARIS (Reuters) - Italy is not facing the threat of a banking crisis as the country and Europe have the means to prevent that from happening, EU Economics Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Monday.

"There is not and there will not be a banking crisis in Italy, there will not be a European financial crisis coming from Italy," Moscovici said on France Info radio. "We have the capacity to deal with the situation and it will be dealt with from both in Italy and at the European level."

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
Donald Trump should not discount the value of presidential intelligence briefings even though agencies should be held accountable for the information they provide, former Obama Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told CNBC on Monday.

"That's obviously up to President-elect Trump, but I think he would be well-served if he would take those briefings, because there's never enough time to know as much as you need to know in any of these jobs," Hagel told CNBC's " Squawk Box ."

Hagel, who headed the Pentagon during President Barack Obama's second term and earlier served on the Senate intelligence and foreign relations committees, said he understands Trump's wariness of agency reports.

"I understand that President-elect Trump has questions about the veracity, about the depth, the quality of the report," Hagel said. "I think those need to be asked in any government agency, including our intelligence agencies."

Hagel said that recent developments in a CIA investigation that cited Russia's involvement in swaying election results in Trump's favor should be taken with a grain of salt.

"That may be right, that may not be right," Hagel said. "I don't think it's just the Russians we need to be focused on here.  There are other countries with tremendous capability and cyber is a tricky business."

Hagel said that China, Iran, North Korea and nongovernment entities like ISIS also have the capability and potential to attack the United States, and that intelligence agencies must remain careful and judicious in their inquiries.

The former Defense secretary said that Trump's rumored Secretary of state appointment Rex Tillerson , who reportedly has ties to Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin , could be a positive for the incoming administration.

Hagel said that he was not sure that there was much truth to reports of Tillerson and Putin being friends.

"Obviously he's done business and does business with Putin in Russia. I don't see that as a downside," Hagel said.

"I believe Mr. Tillerson is smart enough to understand that  the objective and responsibility for the secretary of State, like any Cabinet member, is the interest of the United States," the former secretary added.




(Reuters) - A former U.S. representative whose lavish Washington office raised questions about use of taxpayer money pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of defrauding the federal government and campaign committees then attempting to cover it up. Aaron Schock, a 35-year-old former Republican congressman from Illinois, was indicted in November by the U.S. Department of Justice on 24 counts, including wire fraud, theft of government funds and filing false federal income tax returns. "I look forward to the truth and all the facts coming out in this case. I have complete faith in my legal team, the good people of this community, and that justice will ultimately prevail," Schock said in an emailed statement. Schock, elected to the, U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 at the age of 27, gained a following by posting flashy photos on social media of himself traveling around the world. But he was hounded with questions after The Washington Post reported last year about lavish decorations in his Capitol Hill office based on the PBS period melodrama "Downton Abbey." Although staff told the Post that the interior design work had been done for free, the story prompted more investigations into Schock's spending habits, with several media outlets reporting he failed to disclose some expenditures and had to repay others after improperly using taxpayer funds. (Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Once Spidey, always Spidey.

ET's Cameron Mathison caught up with Andrew Garfield on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, where he shared his thoughts on the new Spider-Man reboot starring Tom Holland.

"I watched [the trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming] and it's great! I think it looks great," he revealed. "I'm really excited to see it, I can't wait."

WATCH: Andrew Garfield Admits He Still Loves Emma Stone

There's clearly no hard feelings for Garfield, who played Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man films from 2012 to 2014. In fact, the 33-year-old actor said he's a "big fan" of the new Spidey, Tom Holland.

"I'm a big fan of Tom and that character, so I'm just really excited to see it," he said.

Though Garfield has moved on from Spider-Man, he's still playing action heroes. The British actor is nominated for a Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor for his new film, Hacksaw Ridge, which also won the award for Best Action Movie as Garfield arrived on the red carpet.

"It's a story about a guy who's a new kind of action hero. He's a guy that doesn't want to do harm to his fellow man. He wants to be kind of the most violent nurse that you've ever seen. He's a healer," Garfield said of his character in the Mel Gibson-directed film, before reacting to the movie's big win. "It's lovely."

RELATED: Andrew Garfield Shares Mel Gibson's Terrifying Halloween Tradition

ET spoke more with Garfield about passing the Spider-Man torch to Holland last year.

"I'm just really excited to just be a fan again as opposed to bearing the weight of it," he confessed.

See more in the video below.

Related Articles
By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) - Some Bangladesh central bank officials deliberately exposed its computer systems and enabled hackers to steal $81 million (63.8 million) from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February, a top investigator in Dhaka told Reuters on Monday.

The comments by Mohammad Shah Alam of the Dhaka police are the first sign that investigators have got a firm lead in one of the world's biggest cyber heists, which had prompted months of international finger-pointing. Arrests are soon likely, he said.

On Thursday, the head of a Bangladesh government panel that investigated the heist said five bank officials were guilty of negligence but that they were only unwitting accomplices.

Alam told Reuters his investigations had discovered that some bank officials had knowingly created vulnerabilities in the bank's connection to the SWIFT global messaging and payments system.

"Bangladesh Bank's SWIFT network was made insecure by some bank employees in connivance with some foreign people," he said. "They knew what they were doing."

He said investigators were now trying to find out how the mid-ranking officials were connected to the hackers and whether they benefited financially from the heist. Asked if the officials would be arrested, Alam said: "We are very close to it."

The apparent momentum comes after months of trading blame among Bangladesh Bank, the New York Fed, SWIFT, and a Philippine lender that received much of the stolen funds before they disappeared. The heist prompted an international probe headed by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Separately SWIFT, or the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, told Reuters its messaging system has been targeted in a "meaningful" number of other attacks this year using a similar approach as the Bangladesh incident.

Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha declined to comment on Alam's comments. A New York Fed spokeswoman also declined comment.

Story continues

Another investigator, who declined to be named, said more than 100 Bangladesh Bank employees had been interviewed in connection with the heist, and some were barred from leaving the country.

In early February, the hackers used the SWIFT network to send fake orders requesting the transfer of nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank's account at the New York Fed.

Many of the transfer orders were blocked or reversed but, after a series of oversights and miscommunications, the New York Fed ultimately sent $81 million to four fake accounts in a branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) (RCB.PS) in the Philippines. Most of the funds then disappeared into Manila's loosely regulated casino industry.

(Additional reporting and writing by Krishna N. Das and Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Phil Berlowitz)
By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) - Some Bangladesh central bank officials deliberately exposed its computer systems and enabled hackers to steal $81 million from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February, a top investigator in Dhaka told Reuters on Monday.

The comments by Mohammad Shah Alam of the Dhaka police are the first sign that investigators have got a firm lead in one of the world's biggest cyber heists, which had prompted months of international finger-pointing. Arrests are soon likely, he said.

On Thursday, the head of a Bangladesh government panel that investigated the heist said five bank officials were guilty of negligence but that they were only unwitting accomplices.

Alam told Reuters his investigations had discovered that some bank officials had knowingly created vulnerabilities in the bank's connection to the SWIFT global messaging and payments system.

"Bangladesh Bank's SWIFT network was made insecure by some bank employees in connivance with some foreign people," he said. "They knew what they were doing."

He said investigators were now trying to find out how the mid-ranking officials were connected to the hackers and whether they benefited financially from the heist. Asked if the officials would be arrested, Alam said: "We are very close to it."

The apparent momentum comes after months of trading blame among Bangladesh Bank, the New York Fed, SWIFT, and a Philippine lender that received much of the stolen funds before they disappeared. The heist prompted an international probe headed by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Separately SWIFT, or the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, told Reuters its messaging system has been targeted in a "meaningful" number of other attacks this year using a similar approach as the Bangladesh incident.

Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha declined to comment on Alam's comments. A New York Fed spokeswoman also declined comment.

Story continues

Another investigator, who declined to be named, said more than 100 Bangladesh Bank employees had been interviewed in connection with the heist, and some were barred from leaving the country.

In early February, the hackers used the SWIFT network to send fake orders requesting the transfer of nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank's account at the New York Fed.

Many of the transfer orders were blocked or reversed but, after a series of oversights and miscommunications, the New York Fed ultimately sent $81 million to four fake accounts in a branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) (RCB.PS) in the Philippines. Most of the funds then disappeared into Manila's loosely regulated casino industry.

(Additional reporting and writing by Krishna N. Das and Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Phil Berlowitz)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John McCain said on Monday that he personally backs Washingtons decades-old one China policy and that no one should leap to conclusions" that President-elect Donald Trump would abandon it. I do not respond to every comment by the president-elect because it may be reversed the next day, McCain told Reuters when asked about Trumps statement over the weekend that the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its position that Taiwan is part of one China. But McCain said that somebody should hold China responsible for its behavior with regard to Taiwan, Hong Kong, island building in the South China Sea and propping up North Korea. Trump has drawn an angry response from Beijing for his comments as well as his recent telephone call with the president of Taiwan. (Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
(This Dec. 9 story corrects to remove Blackstone from headline and explains in paragraph 2 that Blackstone seeded the fund and is no longer invested.)

By Michael Flaherty

(Reuters) - A major shareholder of NorthStar Realty Europe Corp (NRE.N) has offered to buy the company for $13 per share and is demanding that the real estate investment trust (REIT) pursue a new asset management contract, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Bow Street LLC said in the letter dated on Friday that its $728 million offer is fully financed. Bow Street owns a 6.7 percent stake in the company. Blackstone Group (BX.N) provided seed capital to Bow Street when it first launched and no longer has money invested with the hedge fund.

Bow Street is also demanding that NorthStar Realty Europe sever its asset management contract with NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc (NSAM.N).

Shares of NorthStar Realty Europe jumped 5 percent to $12.39 after the Reuters report on the offer, after earlier trading flat.

NorthStar is a network of inter-connected real estate investment trusts, which have all come under attack from activist investors in the last year.

NorthStar Asset Management (NSAM.N), its former parent NorthStar Realty Finance Corp (NRF.N) and Colony Capital agreed to merge into a single REIT in June.

NorthStar Asset Management manages the assets of NorthStar Realty Finance and NorthStar Realty Europe. NorthStar Europe focuses on office properties in the European market.

In the letter, addressed to Chairman David Hamamoto, Bow Street also took issue with the company's corporate governance, pointing out that only one of the board's eight directors is independent of NSAM and its affiliates.

Hamamoto is the chairman of NSAM, NRF and NorthStar Realty Europe.

"We strongly encourage you and the Board to actively solicit feedback from other NRE shareholders regarding our all cash offer as well as the rejection of the Asset Management Contract," the letter said, signed by Bow Street Managing Partners Akiva Katz and Howard Shainker.

Story continues

Shainker previously worked at hedge fund Third Point, while Katz worked at Brahman Capital.

The hedge fund said it has previously offered to pay $12 per share for the company.

Bow Street was also involved in the sale of online jeweller Blue Nile Inc (NILE.O), which agreed last month to be taken private by an investor group that included Bain Capital.

(Reporting by Michael Flaherty in New York; Editing by Tom Brown and Meredith Mazzilli)
When it comes to the accolades for Amazon's Transparent, especially for Jeffrey Tambor's role as a transgender matriarch, the actor says it's bigger than him.

"I'm excited as I've ever been because it's more than me," Tambor told ET over the phone shortly after it was announced on Monday that he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series  Comedy, his third for playing Maura Pfefferman. (The show was also nominated for Best TV Series  Musical or Comedy.)

The nomination follows his Emmy win in September for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. While accepting his award, Tambor called on Hollywood to embrace diversity and cast more transgender entertainers in roles, including his own, often played by cisgender people. "I'm not going to say this beautifully: to you people out there please give transgender talent a chance," he said. "Give them auditions. Give them their story."

Tambor then added: "One last thing: I would be happy if I were the last cisgender male to play a transgender female."

GOLDEN GLOBES: The 2017 Nominations Revealed!

While not directly addressing it, Tambor's comments followed the controversy surrounding Matt Bomer's casting as a transgender sex worker in the upcoming film Anything. Jen Richards, a transgender producer and actor who was Emmy-nominated in the short form category this year for Her Story, said on Twitter, "It denies actual trans women opportunities, jobs, resources, which hurts [an] entire community." Richards has since been cast on Nashville in the show's first transgender role.

Later, when Laverne Cox, who is the only transgender actor to be nominated for an acting Emmy and will become the first transgender series regular on TV when Doubt premieres on CBS, took the stage at during the Emmys, she echoed Tambor's sentiment. "Give trans talent a shot," she said. "I would not be here tonight if I was not given that chance."

Story continues

While it's only been three months since his speech, Tambor told ET there has been some progress behind the scenes. "Since I said that, things have changed," he noted. "Castings have changed."

In particular, he pointed to co-star Trace Lysette, who plays Maura's friend, Shea, and has received praise for her performance this season. "She's being honored left and right," he said, adding: "Things are changing."

MORE: While the Emmys Award More Diversity, Winners Call for More Representation

In fact, it was time spent at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he taught an acting class to transgender and gender nonconforming people that inspired Tambor's Emmy acceptance speech. "It was unbelievable," Tambor shared. "The talent in that room and the stories in that room were incredible. It just knocked me upside the head. I've never seen acting like that."

The LGBT Center is also where Transparent creator Jill Soloway discovered newcomer Alexandra Grey, who appears in season three's first episode, "Elizah," and has since been cast on Drunk History and opposite Cox on Doubt.

"That was one of the best gifts that's ever come my way," Tambor added, explaining it was an opportunity for him to learn more about the transgender community. "And that's why I said it at the Emmys. I want more casting chances for this community because there's such a wealth of talent."

The 74th Golden Globes, hosted Jimmy Fallon, will be handed out live on Sunday, Jan. 8, starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Justin Hartley considers himself a very lucky man.

ET's Cameron Mathison caught up with the This Is Us star on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, where Hartley opened up about landing the role of Kevin Pearson after years of acting in Hollywood.

EXCLUSIVE: 'This Is Us' Star Justin Hartley Teases Toby's Fate and Hints 'No One's Safe'

"When I read the pilot and was lucky enough to get the role, and we shot the pilot and we saw the pilot, I thought, 'I was moved, and I just hope people respond to it the way I have,'" he shared of his first reaction to the series.

"It was one of those perfect storms -- the right time and the right show, and it's been wonderful," he added.

The emotional NBC drama definitely knows how to pull at fans' heartstrings, and Hartley said filming the series has affected him as well.

"We're talking about things that actually happen in real life and emotional things that couples go through," the 39-year-old actor explained. "There's death and there's loss, but there's also celebrations, right? I think any time you have a show that after you watch it, it sort of sits with you for a while and you take pause and you talk about it, yeah, it affects your life."

"I'm a fan of the show as well," he added.

EXCLUSIVE: Sterling K. Brown Reveals the Moment He Felt 'Accepted' in Hollywood

The family-centered series is nominated for Critics Choice Award for Best Drama. Hartley admitted that "it would be great" if the show won, but at the same time, he's simply just grateful for the recognition.

"Any time you're recognized for the work you're doing [is great], and I work with these actors, and they're phenomenal at their jobs," he said.

Hartley's on-screen parents, Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, also spoke to ET on the red carpet about the show's emotional aspect, and they revealed just how much the cast has bonded while filming.

Story continues

"We love each other. It's very mutual," Moore gushed. "I think being a part of a show that's so emotionally connected to what's fundamentally important in life definitely spills out into our life with our families."

WATCH: 'This Is Us': 19 Heartbreaking Moments That Made Us Cry This Season (So Far)

Hear more from Moore and Venitmiglia in the video below.

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By Greg Roumeliotis

(Reuters) - Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer Lonza Group AG (LONN.S) is in advanced talks to acquire Capsugel, a U.S. maker of capsule products and other drug delivery systems, for more than $5 billion (3.97 billion pounds), according to people familiar with the matter.

The deal would come as Lonza seeks to boost its life sciences capabilities and produce a wider range of molecules used in active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug delivery. It held unsuccessful talks to acquire U.S. drug delivery technology company Catalent Inc (CTLT.N) earlier this year.

Discussions between Lonza and Capsugel's owner, private equity firm KKR & Co LP (KKR.N), could lead to a deal as early this week, the people said on Sunday, cautioning that it was still possible for the negotiations to fall through.

The sources asked not to be identified because the negotiations are confidential. Capsugel, Lonza and KKR did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Based in Morristown, New Jersey, Capsugel manufacturers empty two-piece hard capsules as well as finished dosage forms for drug delivery. It serves more than 4,000 corporate customers in over 100 countries.

Reuters reported in March that KKR was preparing to run a sale process for Capsugel this year, and also explore the possibility of an initial public offering of the company as an alternative to an outright sale.

KKR acquired Capsugel from Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) for $2.4 billion in 2011.

Lonza has been expanding its presence in the United States in recent years, buying up small biopharmaceutical companies and, in 2011, acquiring chemical maker Arch Chemicals for $1.4 billion. Lonza has a market capitalisation of 9.4 billion Swiss francs (7.35 billion pounds).

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr and Alan Crosby)
Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia really love each other -- professionally, that is.

ET's Cameron Mathison caught up with the TV spouses on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, where their show, This Is Us, is nominated for Best Drama Series.

EXCLUSIVE: 'This is Us' Star Milo Ventimiglia Gives Major Clue About Jack's Death

"It's incredible!" Ventimiglia said of the NBC series' nomination. "We just show up to work! We like going to work!"

"We're lucky to have the jobs that we have," Moore added. "We're so lucky to be a part of this show in particular."

This Is Us quickly charmed fans with its emotionally-charged episodes, incredible cast, and unbelievable chemistry -- which Ventimiglia and Moore agreed has rubbed off on their relationships, both within and outside of the series.

"I love Mandy!" Ventimiglia gushed.

"We love each other. It's very mutual," Moore reiterated. "I think being a part of a show that's so emotionally connected to what's fundamentally important in life definitely spills out into our life with our families."

"The most recent episode made me call my parents and just say 'I love you guys, and thank you so much for being incredible parents and doing such a good job with my brothers,'" she shared. "I think playing parents on screen now, you mainly sort of understand that it's not easy and no one is perfect."

RELATED: 'This Is Us' Family Photo Is The Cutest Thing Ever -- But See Who's Missing

Ventimiglia and Moore have definitely developed some parental instincts. The two made headlines earlier this week for an adorable family photo with their kids on the show.

"We were on set and we had a day [where] we were working with the 8-year-old Big Three and the teenage Big Three, and the actual Big Three, they were on another location," Ventimiglia explained of how the epic pic came to be. "We like to take photos and just kind of make sure we are keeping a record of what is happening on the show, because we are enjoying ourselves so much."

Story continues

Of course, we couldn't let Ventimiglia go without grilling him about Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which left fans with quite a few questions after its finale.

"I think there were still a lot of questions up in the air with Jess. It looks like there are still some feelings he is feeling for Rory," he confessed, adding that he would "be happy" to film more episodes of the Netflix reboot. "It's funny, I never really thought too much about what was happening beyond when I left the show, so for Jess to be still wondering, [it is] fascinating."

EXCLUSIVE: 'This Is Us' Star on 'Shocking' Fall Finale Cliffhanger: 'It's Going to Keep People on Their Toes'

But back to This Is Us -- the heartwarming series definitely knows how to tug at our heartstrings.

See the most gut-wrenching moments from this fall's debut below.

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Sterling K. Brown has had a pretty good year -- and he knows it!

ET's Cameron Mathison caught up with the 40-year-old actor on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, where he opened up about the moment he truly felt "accepted" in Hollywood.

EXCLUSIVE: Sterling K. Brown Talks Emotional Storylines on 'This is Us': 'It's Been Strangely Therapeutic'

Brown is nominated for two Critics' Choice Awards -- individually for Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries for his role in The People v. O.J. Simpson, and with the cast of This Is Us for Best Drama Series -- but revealed it was another awards show moment that boosted his confidence.

"When I walked up on stage at the Emmys and when people stood up, it was a really sort of emotional overwhelming moment. It was like I had been accepted," he confessed. "Like, people I'd been watching for years and appreciated their work for years, like they appreciated me. That was a cool moment."

Brown won his Best Supporting Actor Emmy for his role as Christopher Darden in The People v. O.J. Simpson, but says he still hasn't spoken to the former O.J. prosecutor.

EXCLUSIVE: Sterling K. Brown Reaps the Rewards of 'American Crime Story'

"I know he said something, but I feel like [it would have to happen] organically [for me to] look forward to it. At this point in time, it would be kind of forced and awkward," he revealed. "Hopefully we'll just bump into each other in Culver City, something random like that, like chatting it up. If that happens I look forward to it."

"I'd say hi. I'd talk to him," Brown continued. "I would tell him the level of empathy that I had for him during the course of that trial after sort of walking through in his shoe prints a little bit, [and] say thank you for staying the course."

Brown expressed similar sentiments when ET spoke to him just after his Emmy win in September.

Story continues

"I called him. I called him before, and he respectfully declined," he revealed. "I don't think it would be right to call him again. He's a grown man living his life. He's gotta go with God, Mr. Darden. He's gotta do what he feels like doing."

EXCLUSIVE: Christopher Darden Is 'Happy' for Sterling K. Brown's Emmy Win and Finally Ready to Talk to Him

See more in the video below.

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ExxonMobil Corporations XOM Chief Executive, Rex Tillerson, is expected to be named as the secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump.



Trumps selection would be outside the traditional foreign policy establishment to promote a global business deal-maker. Though no final decision has yet been made, Trump was reported to have said that, Hes more than a business executive; hes a world-class player. The President-elect is also reported to have said, Hes in charge of I guess the largest company in the world when referring to Tillerson.



Several people with knowledge regarding the matter believe that Tillersons relations with Russia has put him advantageously for the post. This has once again brought Trumps plans regarding Russia in the limelight with controversy escalating over reports that the Central Intelligence Agency has established that a Russia-led hacking effort of U.S. email accounts was intended to increase Trumps chances in the Presidential elections.



Among those considered for the post, Tillerson has possibly the closest ties to Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Notably, Tillerson had negotiated a 2011 energy partnership deal with Russia that Putin said could be worth about $500 billion in due course. In 2012, the Kremlin conferred the countrys Order of Friendship honour on Tillerson. The possible selection of a secretary of state with pre-existing relationship with Putin further emphasizes Trumps drive to advance U.S.-Russia ties.



Since Trump began screening candidates for the aforesaid administrative position, Tillerson has been a frontrunner. He moved ahead of better-known contenders with well-known political credentials,including 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who had numerous conversations with Trump about the post. Tillerson is regarded by some of Trumps advisers as an ice-breaker, who would bring an executives experience to the diplomatic role.



A formal announcement about Trumps State Department pick is expected in the coming days. No details were disclosed by ExxonMobil.



Trump had issued a statement last week mentioning that the former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, withdrew his nomination for the diplomatic job and other administrative posts late last month.



As Trump has not made any formal decision, other competitors in the running, apart from Romney, are former Central Intelligence Agency director David Petraeus, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, and Senator Bob Corker



If Trump picks Tillerson, it would add a veteran business executive to a team that already comprises three retired generals. As ExxonMobils CEO since 2006, Tillerson could influence existing relationships with numerous world leaders.



ExxonMobil explores for oil and gas on six of the worlds continents and has operations in over 50 countries. Tillerson, who is scheduled to retire next year, has retirement funds worth tens of millions of dollars  a value that could possibly be impacted by State Department activities. For instance, he could gain from such potential department actions as the lifting of sanctions on Russia. There could also be conflicts of interest on his selection as the secretary of state.



As ExxonMobils CEO, Tillerson does not favour the sanctions on Russia. We note that Tillersons work in the country dates to when Putin rose to power after Boris Yeltsins resignation.



Tillerson grew up in Texas and joined ExxonMobil in 1975 and has been with the company ever since. He has long been closely linked with Republican politicians and the Boy Scouts of America, but he has never worked in the government.



Though unusual, the choice of a corporate leader as secretary of state would not be exceptional. George Shultz was the executive vice president of engineering giant Bechtel before he became secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan. Shultz, however, had been in the government during a prior administration.



Per the sources, Trump is also likely to rope in Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R. Wash) to lead the Interior Department. If approved by the Senate, she would lead Trumps efforts to excavate federal lands and waters for fossil-fuel development and reverse that environmental policies that the Obama administration had implemented.



Since her first election to Congress in 2004, McMorris Rodgers has risen in ranks and is now the fourth-highest-ranking Republican in the House and the highest-ranking GOP woman in Congress. She also serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.



Story continues



Year to date, ExxonMobils price chart reveals that its shares have risen by 14.2%, while the broader market has increased by 16%. The impact of this news on the stock price is yet to be seen.



ExxonMobil currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked players in the same sector include SunCoke Energy Inc. SXC, Suncor Energy, Inc. SU and Futurefuel Corp. FF. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



SunCoke Energy posted a positive earnings surprise of 177.78% in the last reported quarter. It reported a positive earnings surprise in three of the four preceding quarters.



Suncor Energy posted a positive earnings surprise of 300.00% in the preceding quarter. It reported an average earnings surprise of 40.55% for the four preceding quarters.



Futurefuel Corp. posted a positive earnings surprise of 20.83% in the last reported quarter. It reported a positive earnings surprise in all of the four preceding quarters.



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Stock of ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM) was up on Monday as controversy emerged over CEO Rex Tillerson's connections to Russia as the oil executive emerged as a front-runner for secretary of state in President-elect Donald Trump new administration.

Tillerson has spent his career at Exxon, reports CNN Money, and grew with the company as he took the helm of its Russia account. A book by journalist Steve Coll, "Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power," points to Tillerson's CEO appointment in 2006 as a result of his Russia connection.

As CEO, Tillerson partnered Exxon with Russian oil company Rosneft, and Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, even went to the signing of the deal in 2011. Both companies wanted to drill for oil in the Arctic, Black Sea deep waters and Siberia. Exxon and Rosneft have made 10 joint ventures.

"It cannot be anything but helpful to broadening the relationship between the American people and the Russian people," Tillerson had said.

Putin also previously gave Tillerson the Order of Friendship, which is given to foreign citizens who earn "special merits in strengthening peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between peoples."

Igor Sechin, the chairman of Rosneft and at the time the deputy prime minister of Russia, touted the deal as "more ambitious than man's first walk in space or sending a man to the moon" in 2012. He also said Rosneft's valuation rose $7 billion in five days following the deal signing.

When speaking to industry analysts earlier this year, Tillerson answered a question about the company's interest in a rekindled Rosneft partnership. "We are very anxious to get back to work there," he said.

As secretary of state, Tillerson would have a significant voice in a government that has recently imposed sanctions on Moscow. For instance, penalties imposed by the U.S. and the European Union after Russia annexed Crimea and intervened in the Ukraine in 2014 cost Exxon up to $1 billion in potential losses.

Story continues

Trump's interest in Tillerson and the CEO's emergency as a front-runner as the nation's top diplomat comes as a CIA report blamed Russia for meddling in the U.S. election. Trump has also been scrutinized for his Russian business dealings and his public admiration of the Russian leader.

Back in 2013, Trump tweeted: "Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow -- if so, will he become my new best friend?"

Trump returned to Twitter Monday morning to discount the CIA report. "Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!"

Arizona Sen. John McCain, a Republican, criticized the potential pick in a Fox News interview, notes The Hill.

"I don't know what Mr. Tillerson's relationship with Vladimir Putin was, but I'll tell you it is a matter of concern to me," McCain said.

"You want to give the president of the United States the benefit of the doubt because the people have spoken," McCain added. "But Vladimir Putin is a thug, bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying."

Senior Democrat and Republican senators have also spoken up, as has Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who ran against Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, reports Reuters. He tweeted, "Being a 'friend of Vladimir' is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState."

Alexey Pushkov, who serves in the lower house of Russian parliament leading the foreign affairs committee, tweeted his support of Tillerson, calling the pick a "sensation."

The Best Energy Stocks to Buy for 2017

The 25 Best Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy for 2017





More From US News & World Report


By Ernest Scheyder

HOUSTON (Reuters) - As the front-runner for U.S. secretary of state, Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) Chief Executive Rex Tillerson would bring a global business savvy seldom seen in a Cabinet member, let alone the country's top diplomat.

While he may be a "world-class player" - in President-elect Donald Trump's words - the financial metrics of his time as Exxon's CEO reveal some less than stellar results compared with peers.

Exxon's shares are way up under his leadership, but lag behind competitors, oil (CLc1) and gas output is down 14 percent and, while making deals abroad, analysts believe he missed out on some important growth opportunities at home.

Exxon's stock is up 59 percent since Tillerson took the helm in 2006, compared with 104 percent for rival Chevron Corp (CVX.N) and a 78 percent jump in the S&P 500 (.SPX).

And while Exxon's dividend has more than doubled during that period, it has grown less in value than Chevron's.

Exxon under Tillerson continued a strategy of his predecessors, signing deals in remote, oil-rich regions including Russia, which Trump has touted as a sign of the executive's global connections which would serve him well in the top U.S. diplomatic role. [nL5N1E72HT]

While Tillerson has ties to Russia, he partly missed a key energy development back home in the United States by ceding growth potential in the shale oil industry to smaller, more nimble rivals, including Continental Resources Inc (CLR.N).

That has pushed down the company's production of oil and natural gas about 14 percent since Tillerson took office.

Exxon's operating margin has also plunged, from 15.1 percent when Tillerson assumed the CEO role to 2.5 percent in the most recent quarter. The industry average is 6.8 percent, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Those factors partly help explain why Exxon is now seen by Wall Street as a less-desirable investment than Chevron, which has several large oil and gas projects coming online by the end of the decade, offering far-stronger growth potential than Exxon.

Story continues

Exxon did not respond to a request for comment.

ILL-TIMED DEAL

One of his biggest deals - the $41 billion buyout of XTO Energy in 2009 - was called by Tillerson himself ill-timed because it was done before natural gas prices (NGc1) bottomed out. Those gas prices have still not returned to pre-recession levels, keeping the deal from boosting Exxon's growth prospects as expected.

Exxon's $2.5 billion buyout of InterOil Corp (IOC.N), a major Asian liquefied natural gas producer, is no longer a foregone conclusion due to legal opposition, threatening Exxon's growth potential in that crucial region.[nL1N1D51P5]

Of the 26 analysts covering Exxon's stock, only seven advise buying it. By contrast, none of those 26 analysts advise selling Chevron shares and 17 advise buying Chevron stock.

Oil analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co, who encourage Exxon shareholders to sell, said in a note to clients on Monday that Tillerson's experience could be a benefit to the incoming Trump administration.

"A global oil and gas executive should have a pretty good idea about how the world works," TPH analysts said.

Tillerson, who must step down as CEO after he turns 65 next March due to Exxon's mandatory retirement rules, is likely to be replaced by the head of the company's refining unit, a less-glamorous but more financially stable unit. [nL1N1432AO]

Darren Woods, who has worked at Exxon for more than 20 years, has helped expand the refining business at a time when the company's core exploration and production business has been rocked by low commodity prices.

An appointment of Woods to the top Exxon job could signal the company's board wants to continue to focus on cash generation in order to keep boosting shareholder payouts, rather than focus on pricey development projects, analysts have said.

(Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Facebook Inc FB has again found a couple of more miscalculations/discrepancies in its advertisement metrics.

In a blog post, Facebook admitted that it misallocated the extra reactions per user, during live broadcasts, in the Reactions on Post section, instead of Reactions from Shares of Post section. Moreover, Graph API has helped it locate discrepancy between Like and Share counts on the mobile app.

Facebook added that it is not only working on fixing these glitches, but is also improving the way for reporting metrics. Were improving our methodology for sampling and extrapolating potential audience sizes. This will help to provide a more accurate estimate for a given target audience and to better account for audiences across multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Audience Network). The company has assured advertisers not more than 10% changes in their audience size due to these errors.

In Sep 2016, Facebook first revealed that it has found a mistake in it ads metrics. It realized that it had been miscalculating the average time spent by users watching videos. The company only took into account the video with views greater than three seconds, excluding the ones with the views of lesser time, thereby leading to greater than actual average view metrics. Following this, in Nov 2016, Facebook again said that it found discrepancies in calculation in four more metrics.

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Facebooks disclosures sent advertisers and publishers into a tizzy. A couple of ad buying companies, Publicis Media and GroupM, a unit of WPP plc WPPGY , who were notified about the error by the company itself, openly expressed their discontent on the issue. Publicis Media was quoted saying, This once again illuminates the absolute need to have 3rd party tagging and verification on Facebooks platform. Two years of reporting inflated performance numbers is unacceptable.

Story continues

To alleviate the anxiety of advertisers and publishers, Facebook has increased third-party verification. The viewership of Facebook videos and Facebook Live has been incorporated in Nielsen Holdings Plc NLSN Digital Content Ratings. Also, the company said that it is collaborating with other partners like comScore, Inc. SCOR, Moat and IAS for enabling advertisers and publishers to verify data through the third party.

WSJ points out advertisers dont like margin of error much. This is a concern as advertising is the mainstay of Facebooks total revenues, with over 90% contribution.

At present Facebook carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Year to date, Facebook has vastly outperformed the broader market. Shares of Facebook have grown over 14.3% compared with Zacks Internet Service Industrys gain of 2.1%.

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BEIRUT (Reuters) - The battle for Aleppo, for months the focal point of Syria's multi-sided civil war, is approaching a bloody end as the army and its allies swept through rebel-held areas in recent days. The historic city of Aleppo had for years been divided into a government-held west and rebel-held east, with the army leaning heavily on foreign militias and the rebels divided among an array of factions. Finally taking Aleppo will give Syrian President Bashar al-Assad his biggest battlefield victory yet after nearly six years of conflict. Here are the main combatants fighting in the city: REBEL GROUPS -JABHA SHAMIYA (LEVANT FRONT): One of the main rebel groups fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in east Aleppo. Jabha Shamiya has received support from Turkey and other states. There are numerous FSA groups, also including the Fastaqim faction, fighting in northern Syria as part of the nationalist opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Many have received military aid from countries opposed to Assad, notably Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The faction's Aleppo commander led a new military alliance that rebel groups formed this month in an attempt to better organize their defences against the government's attack. But he was seriously injured soon after. -AHRAR AL-SHAM: A hardline Islamist group widely believed to have received backing from Turkey and some Gulf states. It is an important component of Jaish al-Fatah, an alliance of disparate Islamist groups that made big gains against government forces last year. Ahrar al-Sham is an influential rebel force, with a strong presence in northwestern Syria around Aleppo and Idlib. -NOUR AL-DIN AL-ZINKI MOVEMENT: A rebel group that counts itself part of the FSA umbrella, but has also recently participated in an operations room with the Islamist Jaish al-Fatah coalition. It has received military support, channeled through Turkey, from states opposed to Assad, including U.S.-made TOW missiles. In July the group said it was conducting an internal investigation after the publication of a video that appeared to show its fighters beheading a child. -JABHAT FATEH AL-SHAM: Formerly known as the Nusra Front, the powerful group changed its name to Fateh al-Sham in July and said it was breaking its formal allegiance to al-Qaeda. It is estimated to have many thousands of fighters in Syria, including foreign jihadists, but the actual number in Aleppo is the subject of great controversy. Rebel groups have always said Fateh al-Sham has little to no significance inside east Aleppo. Fateh al-Sham and other jihadist groups based outside the city attacked the southern Aleppo outskirts in October, taking part in a failed rebel offensive aimed at breaking the siege on the east in October. SYRIAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS AND ALLIED FORCES -SYRIAN ARMY: The Syrian army is supported by Russian air strikes, local pro-government militias and mostly Shi'ite foreign militias. Throughout the war, its air force has given it a big advantage over opponents, and the Russian intervention in Syria last year turned the tide in Assad's favor. Military experts think the army numbered around 300,000 personnel pre-war, but after almost six years of conflict, desertions and defections, its current size is not known. The army has launched several major campaigns to encourage recruitment, and formed a new corps of volunteers in November to fight alongside its regular soldiers. -TIGER FORCE: Pro-Damascus sources say this elite unit of the Syrian army has played a leading role in the ground assaults in rebel-held eastern Aleppo. It is led by Suheil al-Hassan, an army officer who has risen to unusual prominence in the Syrian military. -HEZBOLLAH: The Lebanese Shi'ite movement gives allegiance to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Its armed forces have long experience of military action after fighting numerous wars against Israel. Hezbollah's entry into the Syrian war in 2013 helped stem rebel advances and it has played a significant role in the fighting around Aleppo. More than 1,500 of its fighters have died in Syria since the start of the war. - OTHER MILITIAS: Iranian-sponsored Shi'ite militias have come to Syria from countries including Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, to fight on the government's side. Their manpower has played a critical role in the Aleppo battle and has helped fill the gap in the Syrian army's capacities. Harakat al-Nujaba, an Iraqi Shi'ite militia fighting in Syria, sent more than 1,000 extra fighters to southern parts of Aleppo in September to reinforce its positions, the group's spokesman said. A non-Shi'ite militia, the Liwa al-Quds, is made up of Palestinian refugees living in Syria. It took part in some of the army's recent advances in Aleppo. KURDISH PEOPLE'S PROTECTION UNITS (YPG): The Kurdish YPG militia is at the heart of a U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State and it controls swathes of the north, where Kurdish groups associated with the militia have set up local government councils since the start of the war. In and around Aleppo, the YPG has clashed with nationalist Syrian Arab rebels, which have accused it of collaborating with the government. The YPG has denied this accusation. The YPG has mostly avoided conflict with the Syrian government, despite tensions flaring at some points. It controls the Sheikh Maqsoud district in northeast Aleppo. (Writing by Ellen Francis; Editing by Angus McDowall and Peter Millership)
(Reuters) - True stories, small independent movies and blockbusters picked up Golden Globe nominations on Monday in a list that recognized fresh faces as well as established stars. Following are some reactions to the nominations, which are chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, through statements, phone and social media. Natalie Portman, best actress nominee for "Jackie" "I had such a beautiful experience making this film with the most wonderful cast and crew, and particularly with our great director, Pablo Larrain, that it feels like icing on the cake to be nominated." Emma Stone, best actress nominee for "La La Land" "Wow! What a great way to start a Monday. I am so honored to be a part of this incredible film." Matt Damon, producer of best drama nominee "Manchester by the Sea" "Congratulations to our incredible crew and a deep thank you to (writer and director) Kenny Lonergan and the entire cast who poured their hearts and souls into this, and thank you as well to the HFPA for championing a little movie like ours." Nicole Kidman, best supporting actress nominee for "Lion" "This nomination is even more emotional, and Im more grateful than ever before." Ryan Reynolds, best actor nominee for "Deadpool" As we speak, the entire Deadpool team is engaged in a grotesque, early morning tickle-fight. Naomie Harris, best supporting actress nominee for "Moonlight" "I am so over the moon. It's fantastic. 'Moonlight' was a tiny little movie made for a very small budget. I don't think anyone thought when making it that it would get this kind of attention." Hugh Grant, best actor nominee for "Florence Foster Jenkins" "It's extremely nice of the HFPA to nominate me, and I'm very grateful and touched. I'm forever indebted to Stephen Frears for offering me such a juicy role in such a classy film. I'm also thrilled to see that my co-stars - up-and-comer Meryl Streep and the always peerless Simon Helberg - have also been nominated." Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Angie Fielder, producers of best drama nominee "Lion" "We are so pleased and humbled by the nominations this morning. Its been a privilege to tell this extraordinary true story about unconditional love of family and its ability to transcend decades and oceans. We are overjoyed that the HFPA share in the triumph of Saroos emotional journey to find home." Amy Adams, best actress nominee for "Arrival" "I'm really honored to be recognized for "Arrival," a film I so deeply loved working on." Octavia Spencer, best supporting actress nominee for "Hidden Figures" "I am deeply humbled to be nominated for a Golden Globe for playing this particular role. The women of the 'Hidden Figures' story are hidden no more." Ruth Negga, best actress nominee for "Loving" "I am humbled to be in the company of all of these extraordinary, talented, and powerful women. It has been such a gift to share Mildred and Richard Lovings important story with the world." Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best TV comedy actress nominee for "Veep" Huge thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Russian hackers that made our nominations possible. Lin-Manuel Miranda, best original song nominee for "How Far I'll Go" from "Moana" Gracias. Merci. Grazie. Danke sehr. Mahalo... How Far Ill Go not only embodies the spirit of our heroine but the central lesson from the film  dream big, listen to your gut, dont give up, never forget where you came from, and one day you might just save the world." Lily Collins, best actress nominee for "Rules Don't Apply" "I've never felt so shocked, honored, and proud. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my fearless leader and mentor Warren Beatty, the Hollywood foreign press, and to all those involved with 'Rules Don't Apply.' Sharing this moment with my mom sitting on our couch in the dark is something I'll never forget. It's a complete dream come true. I still can't breathe." Hailee Steinfeld, best actress nominee for "The Edge of Seventeen" "I am overcome with excitement and joy to be nominated for 'The Edge of Seventeen' ... Contrary to the reality that I face as a young actress on a daily basis, Eo17 isn't a film about a teenage girl wrestling with her identity and self-worth because of the influence of social media defining her popularity. Instead, it's an anthem for self-acceptance." Dan Fogelman, creator of best TV drama nominee "This Is Us" "What a morning. The last time my phone started ringing like that at 5:30 a.m., I think my grandfather had died. This continues to be the wildest, craziest, and most rewarding ride for all of us." Jill Soloway, creator of best TV comedy nominee "Transparent" "The Globes always lead the industry in recognizing the new, the subversive, the wild front-runners. What an honor it was for me to wake up and see that 'Transparent' continues to be part an important and lauded part of our culture. How thrilling, also that Jeffrey Tambor's marvelous and gorgeous portrayal of Maura Pfefferman is getting love." Directors Ron Clements and John Musker, and producer Osnat Shurer for best animated movie nominee "Moana." "In our 40-year careers, no film has been such a labor of love or more satisfying than 'Moana,' about a young girl who saves the world. Were so deeply honored that the hard work of the artists and cast is recognized by the HFPA. Garth Jennings, writer and director of best animated movie "Sing" "It is absolutely thrilling to hear 'Sing' is nominated for a Golden Globe, and on behalf of everyone who worked on the movie, I'd like to give a huge thanks to the wonderful folks of the HFPA, a massive high five to our fellow nominees." Taylor Sheridan, writer of best screenplay and best drama nominee "Hell or High Water" "I am so grateful to the Hollywood foreign press for recognizing 'Hell or High Water' ... (It) is such a celebration of every person involved. I am equally grateful to the cast, David Mackenzie, Carla Hacken, Peter Berg, and all the people who believed in me and fought to tell this story." Directors Rich Moore and Byron Howard, producer Clark Spencer for best animated movie nominee "Zootopia." "It means so much to every single person who worked so hard to make 'Zootopia' and to make it a film that we hoped would not only entertain, but say something meaningful as well. Pablo Larrain, director of best foreign language film "Neruda", and "Jackie" "We are thrilled by 'Neruda's nomination and the recognition for Natalie in 'Jackie.' Natalie's performance is fearless as a window into one woman who united a grieving nation.... Pablo Neruda is a great figure in Chile's history, which makes this recognition for our culture especially meaningful. Neruda tried to change his country through his art, and Jackie's strength helped her nation to heal. I am moved and inspired by the courage of people - like Neruda and Jackie - whose vision and leadership feel more important than ever." Rami Malek, best TV actor nominee for "Mr. Robot" "I'm thrilled to be sharing this moment with my co-star and fellow nominee Christian Slater. I am so thankful for the brilliant mind of Sam Esmail, USA Network, Universal Cable Productions, and the exceptionally gifted cast, crew, and writers of 'Mr. Robot.'" (Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named Goldman Sachs Group Inc executive Gary Cohn on Monday to head his White House National Economic Council, a group tasked with coordinating economic policy across federal agencies. The following is a list of Republican Trump's selections for top jobs in his administration. All the posts but that of national security adviser, the White House chief of staff, White House director of the National Economic Council and White House strategist require Senate confirmation: U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: JEFF SESSIONS Sessions, 69, was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump's presidential bid and has been a close ally since. Son of a country-store owner, the Alabama senator and former federal prosecutor has long taken a tough stance on illegal immigration, opposing any path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. CIA DIRECTOR: MIKE POMPEO U.S. Representative Pompeo, 52, is a third-term congressman from Kansas who serves on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, which oversees the CIA, National Security Agency and cyber security. A retired Army officer and Harvard Law School graduate, Pompeo supports the U.S. government's sweeping collection of Americans' communications data and wants to scrap the nuclear deal with Iran. COMMERCE SECRETARY: WILBUR ROSS Ross, 78, heads the private equity firm W.L. Ross & Co. His net worth was pegged by Forbes at about $2.9 billion. A staunch supporter of Trump and an economic adviser, Ross helped shape the Trump campaign's views on trade policy. He blames the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, which went into force in 1994, and the 2001 entry of China into the World Trade Organization for causing massive U.S. factory job losses. DEFENSE SECRETARY: JAMES MATTIS Mattis is a retired Marine general known for his tough talk, distrust of Iran and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. A former leader of Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East and South Asia, Mattis, 66, is known by many U.S. forces by his nickname "Mad Dog." He was once rebuked for saying in 2005: "It's fun to shoot some people." EDUCATION SECRETARY: BETSY DEVOS DeVos, 58, is a billionaire Republican donor, a former chair of the Michigan Republican Party and an advocate for the privatization of education. As chair of the American Federation for Children, she has pushed at the state level for vouchers that families can use to send their children to private schools and for the expansion of charter schools. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR: SCOTT PRUITT An ardent opponent of President Barack Obama's measures to stem climate change, Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt, 48, has enraged environmental activists. But he fits with the president-elect's promise to cut the agency back and eliminate regulation that he says is stifling oil and gas drilling. Pruitt became the top state prosecutor for Oklahoma, which has extensive oil reserves, in 2011, and has challenged the EPA multiple times since. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: TOM PRICE U.S. Representative Price, 62, is an orthopedic surgeon who heads the House Budget Committee. A representative from Georgia since 2005, Price has criticized Obamacare and has championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts and lawsuit reforms to replace it. He is opposed to abortion. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: JOHN KELLY The final leadership role of Kelly's 45-year career was head of the U.S. Southern Command, responsible for U.S. military activities and relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. The 66-year-old retired Marine general differed with Democratic President Barack Obama on key issues and has warned of vulnerabilities along the United States' southern border with Mexico. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY: BEN CARSON Carson, 65, is a retired neurosurgeon who dropped out of the Republican presidential nominating race in March and threw his support to Trump. A popular writer and speaker in conservative circles, Carson previously indicated reluctance to take a position in the incoming administration because of his lack of experience in the federal government. Carson is the first African-American picked for a Cabinet spot by Trump. INTERIOR SECRETARY: CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS McMorris Rodgers, a 47-year-old U.S. congresswoman from Washington state, is the fourth most senior member of the House of Representatives leadership. A member of the House Energy Committee, she has supported efforts to expand the U.S. energy industry such as the recent repeal of the decades-old ban on oil exports and efforts to reject the Environmental Protection Agency's Waters of the United States Act. She has also expressed skepticism about climate change. Before joining Congress in 2004, McMorris Rodgers served for a decades in the Washington state legislature, eventually becoming the first woman there to serve as minority leader. NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL DIRECTOR: GARY COHN Cohn, 56, president and chief operating officer of investment bank Goldman Sachs, had widely been considered heir apparent to Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of the Wall Street firm. Trump hammered Goldman and Blankfein during the presidential campaign, releasing a television ad that called Blankfein part of a "global power structure" that had robbed America's working class. LABOR SECRETARY: ANDREW PUZDER Puzder, chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, which runs the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's fast-food chains, has been a vociferous critic of government regulation of the workplace and the National Labor Relations Board. Puzder, 66, has argued that higher minimum wages would hurt workers by forcing restaurants to close, and praises the benefits of automation, so his appointment is likely to antagonize organized labor. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: MICHAEL FLYNN Retired Lieutenant General Flynn, 57, was an early Trump supporter and serves as vice chairman on his transition team. He began his Army career in 1981 and was deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Flynn became head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2012 under President Barack Obama but retired a year earlier than expected, according to media reports, and became a fierce critic of Obama's foreign policy. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR: LINDA MCMAHON McMahon, 68, is a co-founder and former chief executive of the professional wrestling franchise WWE, which is based in Stamford, Connecticut. She ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012, and was an early supporter of Trump's presidential campaign. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: ELAINE CHAO Chao, 63, was labor secretary under President George W. Bush for eight years and the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position. She is a director at Ingersoll Rand, News Corp and Vulcan Materials Company. She is married to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky. TREASURY SECRETARY: STEVEN MNUCHIN Mnuchin, 53, is a successful private equity investor, hedge fund manager and Hollywood financier who spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs before leaving in 2002. He assembled an investor group to buy a failed California mortgage lender in 2009, rebranded it as OneWest Bank and built it into Southern California's largest bank. Housing advocacy groups criticized the bank for its foreclosure practices, accusing it of being too quick to foreclose on struggling homeowners. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: NIKKI HALEY Haley, 44, has been the Republican governor of South Carolina since 2011 and has little experience in foreign policy or the federal government. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she led a successful push last year to remove the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol after the killing of nine black churchgoers in Charleston by a white gunman. WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: REINCE PRIEBUS Recently re-elected to serve as Republican National Committee chairman, Priebus will give up his party post to join Trump in the White House, where the low-key Washington operative could help forge ties with Congress to advance Trump's agenda. The 44-year-old was a steadfast supporter of Trump during the presidential campaign even as the party fractured amid the choice. CHIEF WHITE HOUSE STRATEGIST, SENIOR COUNSELOR: STEVE BANNON, The former head of the conservative website Breitbart News came aboard as Trump's campaign chairman in August. A rabble-rousing conservative media figure, he helped shift Breitbart's into a forum for the alt-right, a loose confederation of those who reject mainstream politics and includes neo-Nazis, white supremacists and anti-Semites. His hiring signals Trump's dedication to operating outside the norms of Washington. As White House chief of staff, Bannon, 63, will serve as Trump's gatekeeper and agenda-setter. (Reporting by Washington Newsroom; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jonathan Oatis)
(Reuters) - In the more than four decades since President Richard Nixons historic trip to China, the United States has become Chinas largest export and China is one of the largest markets for U.S. exporters and a source of supply for everything from smartphones to spark plugs.

The following are some examples of the deep economic ties between China and U.S. corporations:

* General Motors Co - More than one-third of the 9.96 million vehicles GM sold globally in 2015 were delivered to Chinese customers. Profits from Chinese operations, including joint ventures, accounted for about 20 percent of GMs global net income of $9.7 billion in 2015.

* Caterpillar Inc - Asia, including China, accounts for 20 percent of the heavy equipment makers revenue.

* Wal-Mart Stores Inc  The retail giant has 432 stores in China, and has invested in online properties there. CEO Doug McMillon calls China "clearly a strategic market for us."

* Starbucks  The coffee chain has 2,500 stores in China, and outgoing CEO Howard Schultz told investors China will one day be a bigger market for Starbucks than the United States.

* Boeing  The Chicago aircraft maker plans to build a "completion" factory in China, anticipating that the country will need 6,800 new jetliners worth $1 trillion over the next 20 years.

* Macy's - It said last year that it expects sales of about $50 million from China in 2016, and holds a 65 percent stake in an online retailing venture with Hong Kongs Fung Retailing Limited.

(Compiled by Siddharth Cavale; editing by Joseph White and Grant McCool)
The presidential election is over but the aftershocks are still reverberating throughout Washington and the rest of the country. Case in point: Sen. Harry Reid accused FBI Director James Comey of covering up Russian involvement in the election and called for his resignation Monday.

I am saying the FBI did nothing  did nothing. All the information that weve heard in the last couple weeks, it was available to the FBI, Reid told CNNs Manu Raju. He just ignored it. He did not make it public. We asked him to more than once and he didnt do it.

Reid said Democrats would have taken both the Senate and the presidency had Comey not interfered.

Its obvious he was a partisan in all this, said Reid. Theres information out there. He had it, Im confident. And he ignored it.

Comey played a prominent role in the 2016 election as the FBI investigated Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state.

The FBI does not get involved in politics, said Reid. Except Comey did.

RTSPV61

Photo: Reuters

Comey came to the forefront of the political arena beginning in March 2015 when the New York Times reported Clintons use of a private server. The Justice Department was then asked to review the situation to assess whether classified information was shared through the emails. In July, Comey announced his decision not to prosecute Clinton, testifying for more than four hours before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Months later and just days before the Election Day, Comey announced his decision to revisit the probe into Clintons email server after potentially finding new evidence while investigating Anthony Weiner in late October. Just two days before the election, Comey announced that hed stand by his previous decision to not prosecute the Democratic candidate, but many felt the damage had already been done.

Story continues

I do think there is a norm, that, when there are investigations, we dont operate on innuendo, we dont operate [on] incomplete information, we dont operate on leaks, President Barack Obama said in an interview with NowThis. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

Since then, repeated calls have been made for Comeys resignation. Comey, 55, has led the FBI since September 2013.

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So heres the problem: About 10 billion people are expected to show up for dinner in 2050, and were already struggling to feed the 7 billion people at the table today. How can we realistically produce and distribute enough nutritious foods without further depleting our soils, poisoning our water, choking our landfills, overusing resources, and otherwise harming our environment?

With just 34 years to go, food experts seem united on only one point: The solutions are about as diverse as the challenges.

I heard this years agoThere is no silver bullet, just a lot of silver BBs,  said Kai Robertson, an independent consultant for corporate food sustainability issues based in Washington, D.C. This will require a collective effort of multiple actors, from large corporations to small companies to governments and individuals. Everyone has a role to play.

We talked to a sampling of academics and experts about what techniques and trends can realistically help make sure everyone gets a share at the table. Heres what they had to say.

Higher Yields, Not More Farmland

The consequences are too dire if we continue to convert natural lands to agricultural lands, said David Still, a plant geneticist at Cal Poly Pomona. Cutting down forests and other natural areas worsens climate change, threatens watersheds, and further endangers wildlife.

Weve already created a loss of biodiversity, Still said. The best lands are being lived on and farmed on right now. If we expand, well have to move to marginal lands, which makes it harder to produce crops.

Thus, were much better off improving yields, said Kent Bradford, a plant scientist and director of the Seed Biotechnology Center at UC Davis. In developing regions like Africa, that means providing more fertilizer and bringing in irrigation and mechanization, he said.

It also means embracing technology, and that includes genetic modification. Is it harmful? Youll never get a scientist to say never, but is it safe? Most scientists will tell you yes, Bradford said. Weve had genetically modified grain for 20 years now, and weve had billions of chickens and cows fed almost entirely on these foods, with not a hint of change in their health. I dont know how to do a bigger experiment. Theres no rationale for it to be considered a health problem.

Story continues

Too Much Meat

As developing nations become wealthier, people clamor for more poultry, beef, and pork. But livestock production already accounts for 70 percent of all agricultural land, and 30 percent of the land surface of the world, according to Livestocks Long Shadow, a report from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

Livestock are also one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, and their waste is a major pollutant of freshwater. Most of the 90 million acres of corn grown in the United States goes to feeding animals, according to the USDAs Economic Research Service. You might ask, How is that feeding the world right now? asked Stephen Jones, a professor at Washington State UniversityMount Vernon and a researcher at the schools Bread Lab.

If you take the four biggest global cropscorn, soy, rice, and wheatwe already produce all the calories and essential amino acids the world needs to be healthy in 2050; we just dont produce them in a way people like to eat them, said Nick Halla, chief strategy officer for Impossible Foods, which is one of several companies aiming to create mass-market, plant-based products meant to satisfy meat eaters. Tyson Foods, the countrys largest meat processor, just took a 5 percent stake in another such company, Beyond Meat.

Animals are a very inefficient conversion system [for nutrients]. We have to fundamentally rethink how we understand foods and create a much more sustainable global food system, Halla said.

Shopping Local Not the Answer

Relying on only locally grown food is a nice idea for people who can afford it but not a practical solution for feeding the world, said Bradford. I wish someone would just sit down and do the math. I did it just for San Francisco, and youd have to turn all the land around the city into subscription farms, he said. Half the people in the entire world live in cities now, and the idea we can provide enough food around cities and get it to them through some direct farmer-consumer method is crazy.

Many citizens of developing countries are forced to shop local because they dont have the roads, storage, and other infrastructure to transport food in or out of their region, Bradford said. We dont experience it here because we have a transportation system that allows you to get your food from someplace else if we have a local drought. But in those countries, if youre dependent on local food, you have a drought, you get hungry, and you die.

This is not to say those small, local farms should go away, said Jones. Its going to take all kinds of farming to get everyone fed. If you have a couple in their 20s who are growing 10 acres of organic or whatever, they are helping to feed their community, he said.

The Big Picture

The vast majority of scientists dont believe its possible to feed the world organically because yields are about 20 percent less than those resulting from conventional practices, said Bradford.

But that doesnt mean theres no benefit. Dave Hedlin, a farmer in Washingtons fertile Skagit Valley who uses organic methods on half of his 500 acres, warns against blanket dismissals of organic practices.

We cant feed the world if were not good stewards of our soil, Hedlin said. Can we feed the whole world organically? A far better question is, Can we be better stewards of the worlds soils and still feed the world? My wife, Serena, and I are much better conventional farmers because of our organic certification. You have to take care of the soil. You have to take care of the water. If youre not doing those things, youre just mining anyway. You can do that for a year or two, but you cant do it forever.

RELATED: Grocery of the Future: The Right Food at the Right Moment on Aisle 4

Wasted Food

The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly a third of all the food produced in the world gets lost or wasted. Every year consumers in rich countries waste almost as much food (222 million tons) as the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa (230 million tons), according to the FAO. Using all the ugly bits as well as buying only what we eat would have enormous impact.

Food waste takes a different form in developing countries, where farmers lack cold storage, grain bins, or adequate roads to bring in fertilizers or take their crops to market. The answers are simple, said Jones. Its not like we dont know how to make a grain bin. Were going to have to make changes. But fixing such problems in poor countries is challenging. The problem is, we tolerate misery on the planet right now.

The Right Incentives

Obesity and malnutrition are on the rise and creating expensive health problems all over the world. Educational programs have failed in getting people to change what they eat, said Jack Winkler, a nutrition policy expert formerly with London Metropolitan University.

He advocates a two-pronged approach: getting corporations to quietly reduce the sugar, salt, and fat in their processed foods and getting governments to change the crops that get subsidies to boost healthy foods and make crops like sugar more expensive and scarce.

Hedlin agrees. If we were doing our job, it would be cheaper to buy a carrot than a Twinkie, he said. Im not suggesting that the government should get into everybodys face and tell them what to eat, but we shouldnt be subsidizing things that arent good for us.

Roles for Everyone

The scale of these issues can make them seem overwhelming, but there are several things people can do to make a difference, these experts say.

Some are relatively simple, such as planting vegetables and choosing foods that have less impact on the earth and our health. For instance, said Bradford, we could cut our animal consumption back to only eating animals that graze on grasslands, freeing up farmlands to grow more food for people.

Governments could stop working at cross purposes, subsidizing and discouraging consumption of the same crops. We all could be smarter. Consumers are a little schizophrenic, Robertson said. They claim to want healthy food choices but tend to purchase the processed, empty-calorie foods that are pushing up obesity rates around the world.

We can also be open to new science in agriculture and at least listen to all sides of new ideas and controversial technologies, said Still. Thats the part of science the public does not understandscientists actually love calling other scientists out, he said. Scientists are trained to be skeptical, and if you are wrong, they do not hesitate to show you that youre wrong.

Finally, Robertson said, individuals need to remember the power we wield as consumers.

Companies can reduce the amount of sugar and salt in their productswe have a public health crisis, and they really need to do thatbut at the end of the day, the companies do what the customer asks for, she said. We have to take personal responsibility to be as healthy as we can be. If people speak up and push, the companies will respond.

Take the Pledge: Pledge to Create a Better World for Everyone

Related stories on TakePart:





 Nutrition Policy Isnt Working. Lets Try Something Different

 Obesity and Hunger Are Twin Crises

Original article from TakePart
By now, James Franco has been cast as more flakes, stoners, and smiley scoundrels than you can count, and theres a reason: Hes peerless at playing them. In Why Him?, a state-of-the-art case of a dumb, obvious concept comedy made in a smart, clever way, Bryan Cranston is the fuddy-duddy dad who learns that his beloved daughter, who is nearing the end of her four years at Stanford, is dating a dude whos a vintage Franco prankster of outrage. Except that in this case, hes not just another neer-do-well with a blissed-out idiot grin. Hes a Silicon Valley whiz kid  a wealthy and famous video-game inventor. So even though his personality is a goof, the joke carries a satirical kick. Franco gets more than a few chuckles out of playing a narcissist bro of the moment.

When Ned Fleming (Cranston) and his wife, Barb (Megan Mullally), show up at the isolated wood-and-glass Palo Alto mansion where theyve been asked to spend Christmas with their daughter, Stephanie (Zoey Deutch), and her new boyfriend, Francos Laird Mayhew, theyre met by their worst nightmare: Franco greets them as a shirtless tattooed party boy who cant stop dropping F-bombs. On top of that, hes so unctuously friendly that he acts like hes been part of their family for 10 years. He has tattooed their Christmas-card photo across his back and, in Neds honor, has built them a bowling alley; he flirts with Barb so intently (and effectively) that you start to think he means it. Hes a moonstruck manipulator whos going to swaddle them in good vibes even if it kills them.

Right away, we recognize that were in the pest-who-can-do-no-wrong genre, that time-honored situational comedy form in which a flagrantly annoying character seems to have been placed on earth to torment an uptight straight-arrow (in this case, Cranstons Middle American patriarch geek). The key annoyance, of course, is that everyone else just seems to love the guy. The genre goes back to the 60s sitcom Green Acres (where a whole town of fruitcakes addled poor Mr. Douglas) and to movies like What About Bob?, which gave Bill Murray one of his catchiest roles.

The hook of Why Him? is that, as Laird himself might put it, hes not just clownin. Yes, hes a doof with no filter, and his mansion is stocked with preposterous works of art, most of which depict animals fornicating (theres also an aquarium with a dead moose suspended in its own urine). But hes also a scamp who talks in a hilariously glib brand of corporate hip-hop bro-speak. Franco makes Laird a huggy New Age explorer, a frat-house jester, and a digital-age dick all at the same time. He may be a walking cartoon, but hes not too ridiculous to possess a major ego. Laird tells Ned that he wants to marry Stephanie, and the joke is that Laird, like Francos flipped-out gangsta sociopath in Spring Breakers, is a takeoff on the world thats coming (or is maybe already here).

Thats the reason he drives Cranstons character nuts. Ned is in the printing business; hes literally a paper-pusher. Hes a stodgy analog dinosaur whose company is doing a slow-motion crash and burn, a fact that hes trying to keep hidden from his wife, and the days that he spends at Lairds house are his introduction to the new world  which Laird, of course, nudges to extremes. Its a paperless house, which means that Ned must negotiate an electronic Japanese toilet basin with a built-in spritzer: an excruciatingly extended bit of scatological farce that wouldnt be out of place in an Adam Sandler comedy, except that Cranston acts the holy hell out of it. Some may say that he took a movie like this one for the paycheck, but I prefer to think that he also took it for the acting challenge: Could he humanize a concept-comedy stooge?

Thats the challenge Robert De Niro set for himself, and rose to, in the Meet the Parents films (though he, in effect, was playing the pest), and Why Him?, directed by the gifted John Hamburg (I Love You, Man), is a comedy on about that level of execution. Its bluntly cheeky, it goes on for too long, but the concept keeps on giving. There are good nasty gags (about bukkake porn and motor-boating), the movie finds a nice place in its pop-nostalgia cosmos for a running homage to Kiss, and its hard to resist such gambits as Lairds Austrian servant/therapist  played by Keegan-Michael Key as a cross between Cato and Dr. Ruth Westheimer  treating him as a borderline mental case, or his celebrity chef serving up nauseating dishes like edible soil and plankton foam, or Cranstons priceless fumbling of the shorthand for tattoo. Its Franco, though, with his crackpot deviousness, who holds the movie in the palm buzzer of his hand.

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London (AFP) - Global funds are signalling plans to pull out of fossil fuel investments at a significant pace, a study showed Monday, one year on from the Paris Agreement to tackle global warming.

"Pension funds and insurance companies now represent the largest sectors committing to divestment, reflecting increased financial and fiduciary risks of holding fossil fuels," according to legal group Arabella Advisors, which carried out the report on behalf of global movement DivestInvest.

Over the past 15 months, total assets held by institutions and individuals committed to divesting from fossil fuel companies has doubled to $5 trillion, the report said.

It noted that since Paris, Dutch insurer Aegon has pledged to divest from coal, while Amalgamated became the first US bank to divest from fossil fuels.

The study noted however that some groups have chosen to divest from only one type of fossil fuel, for example coal over oil and gas.

"Other institutions have opted for a sector-based approach: divesting from companies that derive a significant portion of their revenue from coal and/or tar sands companies," it added.

Publication of the report comes as President-elect Donald Trump looks to withdraw the United States, the world's second-largest greenhouse-gas polluter after China, from the Paris global climate accord signed by 192 countries in December 2015.

"While... Trump has said he will seek to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, sustained divestment advocacy can help maintain this pressure on US investors," said Monday's report.

Welcoming the findings, Christian Aid's head of private sector engagement, Ken Boyce, said it was "encouraging to see that organisations which want to be responsible members of a future society are recognising this fact and refusing to invest their assets in projects which endanger the safety of our planetary home".

The Paris Agreement seeks to beat back the threat of global warming, caused mainly by the burning of coal, oil and gas.

The pact calls for the rapid decarbonisation of the world economy -- essentially a switch from carbon-intensive to clean energy, especially solar and wind.
Firefighters inched out onto the frozen Shediac River in Canadas New Brunswick province on Saturday, December 10, to rescue a moose that had become trapped in the ice.

CBC reported that the volunteer firefighters broke up the ice to create a path back to the shore for the moose. Credit: YouTube/Shediac Fire Department via Storyful
Production has wrapped on indie psychological thriller Impossible Monsters, starring Santino Fontana, who voiced Hans in Frozen and played Greg on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Here, The Hollywood Reporter provides a first look at the movie, from first-time filmmaker Nathan Catucci, via two exclusive images.

The film follows Fontana's psychology professor Dr. Rich Freeman, who conducts an intense sleep study that could result in a lucrative grant. But when one of the participants is found dead, homicide detectives begin investigating and the professor makes a frightening discovery.

"Through the characters' dreams and reality, the film explores how quickly aspiration and ambition, gone unchecked, can spiral out of control," Catucci said in a statement. "I was thrilled to work with such a talented and amazing cast and production team on my first film. I can't wait for audiences to experience the carefully crafted story that is wrapped in a cloud of fantasy."

Catucci - who wrote, directed and produced Impossible Monsters - won the 2016 Panavision new filmmaker grant, giving him the opportunity to work with professional-grade equipment on his first feature.

Read more: First Look: Freya Mavor Relives Relationship Highs in 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' (Exclusive Image)

Impossible Monsters also stars Natalie Knepp (The Last Five Years) and Devika Bhise (The Man Who Knew Infinity). Jonathan Burkhart and Dorottya Mathe also produced the movie, production on which took place throughout New York and New Jersey.

The movie also features Laila Robins (Homeland; Planes, Trains & Automobiles); Geoffrey Owens (Divorce, The Cosby Show); Dennis Boutsikaris (Better Call Saul, The Bourne Legacy); and Donall O Healai.

Check out a first look at Fontana, staring at his reflection in the mirror and sitting at a table, in Impossible Monsters, below.
Floss Gloss founders talk about running a nail polish empire, creating cruelty-free products and how beauty and art arent so different

In the past several years, nail polish companies have blown up due to the nail art trend and the accessibility of social media. Indie polish brand Floss Gloss has stood out as a unique and important player in the vast nail scene. Not only were they one of the first brands to focus on cruelty-free and toxin-free formulas before any of the more mainstream brands did, but anytime one of their vibrant shades is released, it is accompanied by a creative, artistic, and oftentimes hilarious campaign.

Its no surprise that Floss Gloss manages to highlight the commonalities between the world of beauty and visual art. In fact, it was a deep knowledge of painting, color theory, and the visual art world in general that inspired the founders of Floss Gloss.

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Sep 28, 2016 at 7:32am PDT

Floss Gloss co-founders Aretha Sack and Janine Lee first got the idea to start their own eco-friendly nail polish line after meeting in college where they discovered a shared love for color and the ritual of doing nails.

We were lucky enough to chat with them about everything from their beginnings as a brand, nail polish being a fashion accessory, and their process of creating new lacquer hues.

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Dec 4, 2016 at 5:30pm PST

HelloGiggles: When did you first feel inspired to start your own line of nail polish?

Aretha Sack: We started working on the actual brand concept in 2011 and Janine and I officially launched in 2012. We met in college where I had been doing nails with and selling Janine a custom color I had been mixing since I was 10.

Janine Lee: I think the first time I started thinking we should start a real line was in college after Aretha and my roommates and I would hang and paint nails in all of Arethas Ri-mixes. That was in 2008 to 2010. We used to live one block from each other in SF and we would always hang and paint nails. We both used to buy tons of polish and just had lots of unsatisfactory purchases and just wanted to put something better out there. I saw a void in the market and I believed we could turn it out. We were only in our very early twenties.

Story continues

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Oct 27, 2016 at 7:44pm PDT

HG: Do both of you have different roles in the company?

AS: Yes we do. I deal more with the creative/color end.

JL: Yes, we both have different roles, even though we do a lot of the same work. I am more back office, operations, and sales. Although, because until very recently it was just the two of us, we really both wear a lot of hats.

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Nov 2, 2016 at 7:17am PDT

HG: Whats your process for creating the colors?

AS: Mix a sample to be matched by our manufacturer, they match and we either approve or keep trying and have the color produced for us in quantity.

JL: Omg the process. Its a lot of back and forth. Aretha mixes up what were feeling and what we want. We edit, then we send it to the factory to be sampled and tweaked until its what we envision. Its a lot of subjectivity because everyone sees color a little differently.

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Nov 12, 2016 at 8:48pm PST

What are both of your current favorite shades?

AS: My current fave color is Palazzo Pleasures. I wore it for three weeks straight!

JL: Current fave shade? So hard! We released the hottest mauve shades this year and I am currently wearing Palazzo Pleasures  a dusty lilac gray. But we just restocked Neon Nacho and it is seriously one of my all-time faves. I love neon orange and Im going to change my nails at my desk right now lol (after I pack all these orders! I promise).

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Dec 5, 2016 at 8:52am PST

HG: I love looking at all the nail art you feature on your Instagram! Do you think theres a difference between casual nail polish and nail polish as a wearable art form?

AS: No, its all just wearable paint color. Its truly the smallest accessory, even just a chipped black [nail] is wearable art in my opinion.

JL: Thank you! I dont think there is a difference in the two. I think it depends on the person wearing it and it really depends on what you want to put out there. I think its all wearable art, to be honest. Its all wearable color. Like, you could just have a couple dots on each bare nail and its totally minimalist art. And thats super casual!

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Nov 14, 2016 at 9:52am PST

HG: I read that you both met in art school. What were you both focusing on and how does that inform your approach to Floss Gloss?

AS: I was in the painting and drawing department. Now I mix and sell paint for a living.

JL: I was in the fashion program and have a BFA in design. Although, I am not making garments, the whole design process definitely informs how I approach making Floss Gloss in product and marketing. Because nail polish is now, more than ever, in the beauty-as-an-accessory category, its essentially just like designing a fashion collection. We conceptualize on mood and aesthetic, color and product, and then shoot an editorial (and sometimes conceptual) photoshoot campaign to connect our buyers and retailers to that color visually.

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Nov 17, 2016 at 3:55pm PST

HG: Have you found it more challenging making nail polish formula that is vegan and cruelty free? Do you hope to influence other brands to be more ethical?

AS: Yes its harder, but we wouldnt have it any other way since we are our own market. We wouldnt sell something that we wouldnt use personally. I always hope to see less awful ingredients in everything really, from cosmetics to food.

JL: No, it was not more challenging, it was a no-brainer. Consumers are shopping so much more consciously going forward and it was like duh, if I dont want those yuck chemicals on my nails, why would other babes? We were like, This has to be at least free of harmful toxic chemicals and not tested on animals or use any animal by-products. We had to make sure our manufacturers also upheld those brand values. (We were founded in the Bay Area!  cant not be aware of eco-conscious norms!)

I hope we can influence more consumers and brands to be more ethical. It just makes the most sense. Its a conscious decision to be as connected and sustainable as possible.

A photo posted by Floss Gloss LtdNail Lacquer (@flossgloss) on Nov 21, 2016 at 2:11pm PST

You can check out their lovely selection of nail polish on the Floss Gloss website.

The post Floss Gloss founders talk about running a nail polish empire, creating cruelty-free products and how beauty and art arent so different appeared first on HelloGiggles.
- By Ben Reynolds





As investors, it is prudent to purchase shares in businesses that have long-term staying power. This provides the sleep-well-at-night level of comfort that comes from knowing your stock will still be doing well five,10 or even 20 years from now.

Flowers Foods (FLO) definitely fits this bill. A bakery business with a market capitalization of ~$4 billion, this company is a darling for dividend growth investors.





It is not hard to see why - with a dividend yield of greater than 3% and 29 years of steady or increasing dividends, this company has a proven track record of growing income for shareholders.

Flowers Foods is a member of the Dividend Achievers Index, a group of elite companies with at least 10 years of consecutive dividend increases. You can see all 273 Dividend Achievers here.

On Nov. 9, Flower Foods reported earnings for the 12-week period ending Oct. 8. This article will cover that earnings release in detail and discuss the investment prospects of this company.

On Dec. 9, Flowers Foods also announced some very favorable news for investors. Namely, they have settled a class-action lawsuit filed in 2013 in North Carolina that has had investors worried for years. The settlement was much smaller than expected and the favorable economic conditions that led to this lawsuit are permitted to stay intact. This announcement will also be discussed.

Business overview

Key Stats:

Stock Price: $19.30

Market Capitalization: $4.12 billion

Price-Earnings Ratio: 23.0 using adjusted earnings

Dividend Yield: 3.3%







The origin of Flowers Foods can be traced back to 1919 when two brothers, William Howard and Joseph Hampton Flowers, opened the Flowers Baking Company in Thomasville, Georgia. The company grew rapidly through serial acquisitions until, in 1968, the company went public as Flowers Industries.

Story continues

After a 10-year transformational period starting in the mid-1990s, Flowers Industries became Flowers Foods and is now a force to be reckoned with in the baked goods industry. Their flagship product, Nature's Own, is the number one bread brand in the U.S.

Flowers Foods does a fantastic job outlining their business operations with the following summary from their 2016 investor fact sheet.

flo-business-overview

Source: Flowers Foods Investor Fact Sheet

One of the major selling points of Flowers Foods is the brand equity that their company owns. Their portfolio of products contains many household names, as illustrated in the following picture.

flo-primary-brands

Source: Flowers Foods Investor Fact Sheet

Historically speaking, Flowers Foods has allocated a lot of their capital towards financing acquisitions. Similar to Alimentation Couche-Tard, Flowers operates in an extremely fragmented industry that lends itself very well to acquisition-based growth.

flo-uses-of-cash

Source: Flowers Foods Investor Fact Sheet

Now that we have a sense of the operations of this company, let's dive into their third quarter financial performance.

Financial performance

As already mentioned, Flowers Foods reported third quarter financial results on Nov. 9 for the 12-week period ending Oct. 8. Here are a few financial performance metrics highlighted in their press release.

Sales increased 3.8% to $918.8 million. Acquisitions of Dave's Killer and Alpine Valley Bread contributed 4.4% to the overall sales increase.

Diluted EPS decreased 9.5% to 19 cents.

Adjusted diluted EPS decreased 8.7% to 21 cents.

Net income decreased 8.2% to $40.2 million, adjusted net income decreased 10.0% to $43.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 3.0% to $101.7 million.

The company continues to expect for the year ending Dec. 31, 2016:

Sales range of $3.930 billion to $3.986 billion. Diluted EPS range of 88 cents to 93 cents. Adjusted diluted EPS range of 90 cents to 95 cents.



Continued execution of Project Centennial, a comprehensive business and operational review.

Recorded a legal settlement charge of $1.25 million related to an agreement that was entered into subsequent to quarter end to settle a class-action misclassification lawsuit in Connecticut.







Source: Flowers Foods Press Release

As you can see, the company experienced declines in essentially every major financial metric. The company's stock reacted accordingly, opening much lower than the previous close - though it recovered quickly through the course of the week.

The financial results of this company for the third quarter are concerning because diluted EPS declined (by 9.5%) even though sales actually increased (by 3.8%, though acquisitions actually boosted that number by 4.4%, suggesting that sales declined on a pre-acquisition basis). Since EPS declined while sales increased, this suggests poor cost management - something I will be watching closely moving forward.

CEO's remarks and ongoing litigation problems

Flowers Foods President and CEO Allen Shiver said the following about the quarter's financial performance:





"... our results in the third quarter were affected by challenging category dynamics and elevated marketing and legal costs.We remain acutely focused on driving growth and increasing efficiencies, including our Project Centennial efforts. The initial diagnostic phase is complete, and we are now finalizing our plans to implement strategies intended to grow sales and improve margins."







I have included this quote to point out one thing. The company was affected by increased legal costs - this is largely due to various class-action lawsuits that challenged the classification of the distributors of Flowers Foods as "independent contractors."

The company was being sued by 190 of its 5,100 independent distributors for being classified as independent contractors rather than employees. The company settled the lawsuit. The settlement is very small for a company as large as Flowers - only $9 million dollars.

Here is what was announced in the Dec. 9 press release:





"The settlement provides for payment of $9.0 million, comprised of $5.2 million in settlement funds and $3.8 million in attorneys' fees. The settlement also contains certain non-economic terms that are intended to strengthen and enhance the independent contractor model, which remains in place. This agreement, which covers approximately 270 distributor territories, is subject to court approval."







For investors, this is fantastic news. The stock price reflected that by jumping 13% the day of the announcement. One thing to point out is that the settlement contains "non-economic terms that are intended to strengthen the independent contractor model, which remains in place." The continuation of this independent contractor model is a highlight from a great press release for Flowers Foods.

This was the single biggest concern investors had about Flowers Foods, so the investment prospects of this company just became even better.

An update on Project Centennial

When the company released their second quarter earnings earlier this year, they announced a new initiative called Project Centennial will run through fiscal year 2019 (marking the company's 100th anniversary, hence the name). The project, done in conjunction with consulting firm Accenture and aimed at reducing operating costs, is seen as a key driver of future earnings growth.

In their earnings release, the company provided the following update on Project Centennial:





"During the quarter, Flowers progressed towards the completion of the first phase of Project Centennial, which included a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of opportunities to drive growth, reduce costs and make investments intended to strengthen the company's competitive position and improve margins over the long term.

In mid-October, Flowers began the second phase, which entails formulating and executing new strategies to capture growth opportunities. To fund these initiatives, the company is currently finalizing the specific actions necessary to achieve savings through identified operational improvements that include further use of the company's shared services capabilities, network optimization, and better leveraging the company's expenditures on goods and services."







The company has admittedly been quite vague about the inner workings of Project Centennial. However, as a business that has historically driven growth through acquisitions, I suspect that Project Centennial is focused on identifying cost synergies related to recent acquisitions (like Dave's Killer Bread and Alpine Valley Bread).

I am excited to see how Project Centennial unfolds over the next few years.

Investment thesis & valuation analysis

My investment thesis is mostly centered around the stock's attractive valuation and great dividend.

Recent years have not been kind to the stock price of Flowers Foods, with the stock price experiencing a distinct downturn. After the announcement of the lawsuit settlement, the stock price increased noticeably but is still trading below normal levels.

flo-stock-price

Source: Yahoo! Finance

Now that investors' largest fear has been addressed, I believe that Flowers' prospects look better than ever. The underlying business remains quite strong and I believe this continued price downturn presents a buying opportunity rather than a reason to be fearful.

Based on this quarter's adjusted diluted EPS of 21 cents (which corresponds to a run-rate of 81 cents), the company trades at a multiple of 23.0 times adjusted diluted earnings. This compares favorably to the overall stock market - as the S&P 500 currently trades at a price-earnings ratio of around 25. So the company is attractively valued based on earnings.

Based on assets, the same trend holds. Flowers reported $1,177.22 million of total equity on their balance sheet for the most recent quarter, with no preferred equity outstanding and total common stock outstanding of 207.63 million. This means that Flowers Foods has a book value per common share of $5.67.

Based on their current stock price of $19.30, the company is trading at a price-to-book value of 3.4. This is well below the company's historical average - for example, the company traded as high as 4.5 times book value towards the end of 2015.

Based on either earnings or assets, Flowers Foods trades at an attractive valuation.

Dividend prospects

As mentioned earlier, Flowers Foods has a incredible 29-year record of steady or rising dividends. There are very few companies that can match this kind of dividend longevity, particularly companies that are this small in size (less than $4 billion market capitalization).

The dividend growth has not been slow, either - dividend payment growth from nine cents in 2004 to 57 cents in 2015 represents a cumulative annualized growth rate of 18%.

Due to the recent price drop, the company's dividend yield is at a high level compared to historical levels. Based on their $19.30 stock price and their current annualized dividend payment of 64 cents, the company pays a forward dividend yield of 3.3%.

Lastly, Flowers' dividend is safe. As mentioned, their adjusted diluted earnings per share this quarter was 21 cents. Given their quarterly dividend of 16 cents per share, this means the bakery company has a payout ratio of 76%. Keep in mind that this comes during a year that has seen the company's earnings decrease - the ratio will reduce as earnings growth resumes.

Their dividend is sustainable and should continuing growing along with a recovery in earnings.

The bottom line

While I maintain that investors should not pay too much attention to quarterly results, there is no denying that the third quarter was not the most impressive quarter for Flowers Foods.

However, the underlying business remains strong. They continue to operate in a recession-resistant industry (people will always buy bread), and they are a source of consistent, reliable dividends for shareholders.

The concerns surrounding the litigation made the stock price drop to irrational levels, and though the stock still trades below historical averages, this does not worry me. Now that the litigation is over, this stock should return to a level more closely resembling fair value.

This presents a buying opportunity rather than a reason to avoid this stock. Warren Buffett said it best:





"The best thing that happens to us is when a great company gets into temporary trouble...We want to buy them when they're on the operating table."







Disclosure: I am long Flowers Foods.

Start a free 7-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






With only two weeks left in 2016, one former oil executive has a hefty prediction regarding the price of black gold by the time the New Year arrives.

Recently, oil has been trading above $50 a barrel on optimism that an OPEC production cut will reduce the global supply glut.

Joe Petrowski, the former CEO of Gulf Oil and a self-proclaimed bull on oil, is forecasting that oil prices will rise even higherto $75 per barrel by the end of the year.

Demand is back in the U.S. rather strongly. World demand is up. There are supply problems, apart from the OPEC agreement, he explained to FOX Business Networks Neil Cavuto. Venezuela is a basket case. Mexicos production is falling off the cliff. Russia is struggling to meet production quotas. Chinas demand is strong and their industry needs a lot of capital to develop their shale formations, especially in the South China Sea.

Petrowski expressed concern about the state of independent refiners in the United States, which he says have been negatively impacted by renewable fuel mandates.

Most of the refiners have gotten out of their downstream distribution, so the small and independent refinerslike Philadelphia Energy, PBF, Western Refining are all in trouble, he said. And we need more refining capacity in the United States. So I think that will have its effect on refining margins and on refined products, which would be stronger.

The former oil exec also commented on speculation ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson could be President-elect Trumps choice for Secretary of State. Tillerson has come under fire from both liberals and conservatives for his reported ties to Russia.

Yes, hes met with the Russians a lot and hes dealt with them, but I find that to be a positive, Petrowski said. I know Rex and he will take on Russia. I think, unfortunately, hes in a difficult position because Im sure the left will kill him no matter what he does.

He added: If he takes sanctions off of Russia [then] they will accuse him of trying to benefit Exxon. If he leaves sanctions on, Russian production will collapse in a few years. Its already on a slippery slope because of the sanctions, and they need lots of capital to keep their industry going I think hell do whats in the interest of the American people.

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From Cosmopolitan

A former university and Air Force chaplain bought a shotgun after completing treatment for substance abuse and drove to the home of his estranged family, where he killed his adult daughter and then himself, police said Friday.

A neighbor discovered the bodies of Daniel Randall, 56, and Claire Randall, 27, on Thursday in Hebron. Police said Daniel Randall shot and killed Claire Randall in the bathroom. They believe he then killed himself. His body was found on a porch with a shotgun nearby.

Daniel Randall had broken into the house through a garage door, police said. They said he had just completed substance abuse treatment in Portland when he left Thursday, bought a shotgun, drove to the home and committed the shootings.

Police said Randall spray-painted messages to his family on the walls of five rooms of the house before shooting himself. They did not immediately disclose what the messages said.

Claire Randall had recently moved from Rhode Island to stay with her mother and teenage brother. Neither the mother nor brother was home at the time of the shootings, police said.

From 2009 to 2012, Roger Williams University paid Daniel Randall as a vendor to be an affiliated chaplain. Randallwas also a former pastor at First Congregational Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, WJAR-TV reported.

Police in Maine said Randall also once served as a chaplain in the Air Force.

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More than 20 years after she was convicted of murdering Adrianne Jones, Diane Zamora tears up thinking about her teenage victim.

It wasnt her fault, but she wouldnt have been in that position had I not lost my temper, Zamora tells People Magazine Investigates from behind bars. Monday nights episode of the Investigation Discovery series will focus on the case.

Zamora still maintains her innocence in Adriannes December 1995 slaying, which stunned their Texas community and made national news. But Zamora doesnt deny her complicity: She admits that she witnessed her fiance, David Graham, kill the 16-year-old, and then helped hide it. But she insists she never killed anyone or set out to do so.

(Graham has struck a similarly remorseful tone in past interviews, telling the Dallas Morning News in 2008 that Zamora was the motivator.)

I think I remember seeing one time, just noticing her, Zamora says on PMIs upcoming episode. I have a vague recollection, but Id never heard her name, anything about her. Id never seen a picture.  I didnt know anything of her at all.

But authorities say what Zamora learned about Adrianne from Graham was enough to send her into a murderous rage: According to a confession Graham later gave police, Zamora became inconsolable shortly before the murder when she learned Graham had had sex with Adrianne.

 Watch our new true crime show, People Magazine Investigates, which continues with an episode on Adrianne Jones murder on Monday at 10 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery.

The only thing that could satisfy her womanly vengeance was the life of the one that had, for an instant, taken her place, Graham said.

In her own statement, Zamora reportedly told Graham that the purity of their love could only be restored by killing Adrianne, one law enforcement source told PEOPLE at the time.

Now  decades after the killing and with years before either Graham or Zamora is eligible for parole following their murder convictions  Zamora is opening up about what she says happened to the exuberant and well-liked Adrianne.

Story continues

I think I deserved something, she says, because I dont just sit here and say, Oh, I bear no responsibility. 

People Magazine Investigates airs Monday (10 p.m. ET) on Investigation Discovery.




Brasilia (AFP) - Fresh corruption allegations hit the president of Brazil's Senate on Monday, with prosecutors linking him to a mega-scandal over the state oil firm Petrobras.

They are the latest in a series of accusations threatening to destabilize the country's President Michel Temer as he seeks to fix Latin America's biggest economy.

Senate speaker Renan Calheiros, 61, Brazil's third-most powerful official, already faces trial on embezzlement charges in a case that nearly saw him suspended from his post last week.

In a new case, state prosecutors said Monday that they suspect him and another lawmaker of receiving bribes worth some $242,000 from the construction firm Serveng in return for helping it win contracts.

The prosecutors suspect Serveng made donations to the ruling PMDB party that ended up going into Calheiros's pocket, they said in a statement.

Calheiros denied the allegation in his own statement.

He is considered Temer's most powerful ally. Together they led impeachment procedures that ended in the removal of Temer's predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, from office in August.

The Supreme Court this month ordered Calheiros to face trial on separate embezzlement charges.

He has denied accusations in that case that he used public money to make child support payments to a woman with whom he had a baby.

Temer himself was forced on Saturday to deny allegations implicating him in the Petrobras scandal.

He denied asking the construction firm Odebrecht for nearly $3 million in campaign funds for a party candidate, as suspects reportedly told investigators.

Current and former executives of the company have signed plea deals and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in return for lighter sentences.

The Petrobras scandal has implicated numerous top politicians.

Prosecutors believe a network of executives, politicians and contractors such as Odebrecht systematically plundered the state oil company.
Libreville (AFP) - Anomalies during Gabon's disputed presidential election "call into question" the outcome of the August vote which saw Ali Bongo reelected, a final report by EU observers said on Monday.

The criticisms were not as stinging as defeated opposition chief Jean Ping, who disputes the result and styles himself as "president-elect", might have hoped, but he hailed the report as proof he had won.

"This report... shows unquestionably that it is I, Jean Ping, who am the winner of the presidential election," Ping told reporters on Monday after meeting the EU's chief observer for the poll Mariya Gabriel.

He has demanded a recount but that move was blocked by Gabon's top court.

The observers' 11 recommendations will likely put pressure on Bongo to ensure that forthcoming legislative elections, originally scheduled for this month but now delayed until July 2017, are seen to have greater integrity.

Bongo won by a slim margin of around 6,000 votes, sparking two days of rioting and protests. The government say that at least three people were killed in the violence but the opposition put the toll at 26.

More than 800 people were arrested following the disorder in the oil-rich central African nation.

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, the EU mission said it had observed "anomalies" during the vote count, notably in Bongo's stronghold of Haut-Ogooue, one of Gabon's nine provinces, and those doubts were echoed in the observers' report.

"These anomalies call into question the integrity of the process of consolidating the results and the final result of the election," said the investigation conducted by the European Union's Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) in Gabon.

- Integrity questioned -

Ping, a career diplomat and a former top official at the African Union, had asked for a recount in Haut-Ogooue where Bongo was reported by authorities to have won more than 95 percent of the vote on a turnout of more than 99 percent.

Story continues

But the report noted that the nationwide turnout figure, excluding Haut-Ogooue, was just 54.24 percent.

"It must be stated that the results of this province reversed the trend noted by the mission," the observers said.

What's more, individual tallies from the province's local committees were inconsistent with the overall figures.

"The number of abstentions, blank ballots and spoilt ballots in just one of this province's 15 local elections committees was higher than the figure for the whole province," the report said.

"This observation raises questions about the integrity of the results from the province" and thus for the overall result of the election, it added.

The mission again expressed regret over the verdict reached by Gabon's top court in September, which dismissed Ping's appeal for a recount, officially confirming Bongo's victory.

An initial report by the observers expressing concern about the vote sparked an angry reaction from the Gabonese government, with a spokesman saying the mission was "neither neutral nor impartial".

In October, a French newspaper published a report saying the 73-strong European observer team had been wiretapped by Gabonese intelligence.
The Gambias bar association joined other opposition groups in opposing President Yahya Jammeh and his partys attempts to annul the December 1 president vote, which saw Adama Barrow narrowly defeat the incumbent.

Jammeh initially conceded the election but later declared there were abnormalities and called for a new vote. The countrys electoral commission has declared the results valid.

In this video, Gambia Bar Association interim president Sheriff M. Tambadou called on the judiciary to reject Jammehs petition to annul the results and for Jammeh to hand over power to Barrow. Credit: YouTube/Alhagie Manka via Storyful
By Edward McAllister BANJUL (Reuters) - Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will lead a mission to Gambia on Tuesday to mediate in a crisis brought on by long-ruling President Yahya Jammeh's refusal to step down, president-elect Adama Barrow said. Jammeh had quickly conceded defeat to Barrow after a presidential election on Dec. 1. But in an about-face on Friday that drew international condemnation, he denounced the results. He plans to contest the result at the Supreme Court, raising the prospect that a shock opposition victory that was poised to end 22 years of autocratic rule will be overturned. Barrow told Reuters on Monday that Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel peace laureate and current chair of the West African regional organisation ECOWAS, would head a delegation representing the bloc as well as the United Nations and the African Union. Neither the Liberian president's office nor Gambian officials could be reached for comment. The mission will meet with both Jammeh and the president-elect and include regional heads of state, Barrow said, though he declined to name which ones. "With the statement from Jammeh (challenging the poll results) which shocked the world, he made a mistake, and they have to advise him," Barrow told Reuters at a hotel in the capital Banjul. Asked what he expected the delegation's visit to accomplish, Barrow said he wanted to see an "expedited transitional period" that would lead to Jammeh handing over power. "We are not talking about a military option. We want to safeguard our democracy and we want peace," he said, but added that he was concerned for his own security. "I have no official security. As president-elect, I should not be exposed in the way I am today," he said. Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 when he was an army lieutenant and has ruled ever since, wining four elections that were criticised by rights monitors and surviving several coup attempts. International human rights groups accuse him of widespread violations and repression. He declared Gambia an Islamic Republic last year. A statement from the opposition coalition read to reporters in Barrow's presence on Monday called for Jammeh to step down immediately. Before his surprise change of mind, he had pledged to hand over power to Barrow in January following the transitional period dictated by Gambian law. However, Gambia has no sitting Supreme Court. In order to hear Jammeh's complaint, legal experts believe at least four judges must be hired. "We do not recognise that the outgoing president has the constitutional authority in the last days of his presidency, to appoint any Supreme Court judges in the Gambia for the purpose of receiving his petition," opposition figure Mai Fatty said. (Reporting by Edward McAllister; Writing by Joe Bavier, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
A spokesman for the opposition coalition backing Adama Barrow, Gambias president-elect, on Monday, December 12, called on the incumbent, President Yahya Jammeh, to step down.

We demand that outgoing President Jammeh immediately step down and hand over power, opposition coalition representative Mai Ahmad Fatty said.

On Friday, a week after accepting the outcome of the December 1 election, Jammeh rejected the results citing voting "abnormalities and called for a new election. Fatty accused Jammeh of undermining the transition process. He said the opposition would not recognize Jammehs proposal to appoint new supreme court justices to hear a court action against the election results. Credit: YouTube/Alhagie Manka via Storyful
By Edward McAllister BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh will challenge the results of a Dec. 1 election at the Supreme Court, the ruling party said, raising the prospect that a shock opposition victory that was poised to end 22 years of autocratic rule will be overturned. Celebrations erupted across the tiny West African nation last week when Jammeh unexpectedly conceded defeat after the elections commission announced the victory of opposition candidate Adama Barrow. However, in a dramatic about-face that drew international condemnation, the mercurial former coup leader on Friday decried "serious and unacceptable abnormalities" and called for fresh polls. In a statement broadcast on state television late on Saturday, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) said it was preparing a petition "against the flawed decision of the Independent Elections Commission". The deadline for submitting a challenge to the court is Tuesday. There is no sitting Supreme Court in Gambia, though there is currently a chief justice, who is Nigerian. In order to hear Jammeh's complaint, legal experts believe at least four other judges must be hired. Rights groups say Jammeh exerts strong influence over the court. Three chief justices served between 2013 and 2015. The first, a Nigerian, was fired five weeks after his appointment then arrested and jailed. His Ghanaian successor lasted six months before his dismissal. Ali Nawaz Chowhan from Pakistan served for three months before abruptly leaving Gambia after acquitting the former navy chief in a treason case. He later told a Pakistani newspaper that he left because the decision displeased the government. The last two Gambian judges left the court a year and a half ago. "Either you do what Jammeh wants you to, or you lose your job or even go to jail," said Bubacarr Drammeh, a former state prosecutor who fled into exile in the United States earlier this year. "NOTHING MORE THAN A COUP D'ETAT" "The election results were correct, nothing will change that," elections commission head Alieu Momarr Njai told Reuters on Sunday. "If it goes to court, we can prove every vote cast. The results are there for everyone to see." Barrow, who has pledged to serve as a transitional leader and step down after three years, said on Saturday that Jammeh had no constitutional authority to reject the poll results. The residence in the capital Banjul where Barrow was staying on Sunday was surrounded by around 30 unarmed supporters who said they were providing security after the police and military declined to protect him. Banjul was calm though armed soldiers were visible in the streets and manning checkpoints on some roads in the city. The head of the Gambian army pledged allegiance to Barrow last week, however a regional diplomatic source who said he had spoken to the president-elect told Reuters he did not feel safe. "He asks that the international community ensure his security because he feels threatened," said the source, who asked not to be named. Barrow declined to speak to Reuters on Sunday, but Omar Jallow, head of the People's Progressive Party which backed Barrow in the election, said Jammeh's actions were "nothing more than a coup d'etat." "We will not accept anything less than Adama Barrow being sworn in ... We will not take this lying down," Jallow said. Jammeh has long had a troubled relationship with the international community due to accusations of human rights violations including the repression of political opposition and threats of violence and death against homosexuals. His U-turn on Friday drew condemnation from the United Nations, African Union, European Union and the United States. "The will of the Gambian people, freely expressed in exercise of their franchise, must be respected by all without precondition," said Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who currently chairs the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. (Additional reporting by Diadie Ba in Dakar and Joe Bavier in Abidjan; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Ros Russell)
New York (AFP) - Gary Cohn, tapped Monday by President-elect Donald Trump to head the White House's National Economic Council, is second-in-command at investment banking giant Goldman Sachs, which he once hoped to lead.

Cohn, 56, has worked on Wall Street since the 1990s and is one the firm's best known public faces. He makes frequent television appearances to talk about the health of financial markets and the global economy.

Before joining the Wall Street powerhouse, the married father of three -- who comes from a humble family background and struggled with dyslexia in his youth -- started out selling windows and worked in the steel industry.

At Goldman, Cohn was in charge of some of the firm's cash-cow businesses, including the division overseeing fixed income, currency and commodities. As president and chief operating officer, he has been heir apparent to CEO Lloyd Blankfein since 2006.

But after it became clear that Blankfein, who announced early this year he was "probably cured" of lymphoma, would not hand over the reins any time soon, senior figures in the bank began to consider Cohn's future there, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

- A Goldman government? -

Cohn's selection for the Trump administration will require a new line of succession within Goldman, and the bank could take advantage of the opportunity to promote a new generation of leaders.

It doubtless also will fuel criticism that Trump's inner circle is packed with Goldman alumni, with Cohn being the fourth to join.

Trump already had picked Steven Mnuchin to lead the Treasury Department, and Steve Bannon as chief strategist in the White House, while Anthony Scaramucci is a member of Trump's transition team, all former Goldman bankers.

The nominations fly in the face of Trump's attitude toward the bank on the campaign trail, when he attacked rival Hillary Clinton's ties to it.

In the campaign's closing moments, Trump went as far as to use Blankfein's face in a TV spot accusing elites of illegitimately holding the "levers of power," drawing outraged accusations of anti-Semitism.

Story continues

But the bank's shares have soared more than 32 percent since Trump's shock triumph at the polls last month over Clinton -- a $24 billion capital gain in about a month.

Two former Treasury secretaries were Goldman alumni: Robert Rubin and Henry Paulson, under the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

- Top economic advisor -

Clinton established the National Economic Council in 1993 to advise the president on domestic and global economic policy, and named Rubin to head the body. Larry Summers and Larry Lindsey were subsequent leaders.

President Barack Obama's NEC director is Jeffrey Zients.

Trump has promised tax cuts, boosts to infrastructure spending and the return of industrial jobs to the United States, all while dismantling the post-crisis financial reforms of the Obama administration and calling US trade agreements into serious doubt.

He said Cohn will be his key advisor.

"As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people," Trump said in a statement.

"He will help craft economic policies that will grow wages for our workers, stop the exodus of jobs overseas and create many great new opportunities for Americans who have been struggling."

Cohn, who during the campaign had been a supporter of Florida Senator Marco Rubio, but who also contributed to Democrats in the past, said he was honored to be chosen.

"I share President-elect Trump's vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth and prosperity," Cohn said.
At the center of the largest gathering of Native American representatives in a century is David Archambault II. The Standing Rock Sioux chairman has been key in leading protests against the development of the $3.7 billion, 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline, whichif it ruptures or even leakswould threaten his reservations access to clean water. From meetings with North Dakotas senators to an op-ed in the New York Times, Archambault has made the pipeline a national issue, highlighting the dangers to the reservation, as well as to the surrounding region, of pumping approximately 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily. In September, demonstrators pressured the federal government to suspend construction, but building resumed a month lateralongside protest camps that show no signs of dispersing despite clashes with militarized police. In early December, federal authorities halted construction on the pipeline, announcing plans to conduct a study on the environmental effects and consider alternative routes for the pipeline. Although the fight isnt necessarily over, in a statement Archambault praised the governments effort to take steps to correct the course of history and to do the right thing.

Illustration by Leonardo Gonzalez
Miami (AFP) - Global warming is responsible for the melting of mountain glaciers around the world in the last century, scientists said Monday.

Since glaciers respond slowly to climate change and are susceptible to yearly weather changes, there has been some debate in the scientific community about whether climate change was entirely to blame for their ice melt.

For instance, the last report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded only that it was "likely" that a "substantial" part of mountain glacier retreat is due to human-induced climate change.

The latest study in Nature Geoscience uses statistical techniques to analyze 37 mountain glaciers around the world.

For most of them the observed retreat is more than 99 percent likely due to climate change, said the report, meaning scientists are "virtually certain" of this cause-and-effect over the past century.

"Because of their decades-long response times, we found that glaciers are actually among the purest signals of climate change," said co-author Gerard Roe, a University of Washington professor of Earth and space sciences.

The findings were presented at the American Geophysical Union's annual fall meeting in San Francisco.

For instance, researchers determined that the Hintereisferner Glacier in Austria has retreated 1.75 miles (2.8 kilometers) since 1880, and that climate change is extremely likely to be responsible, with the probability that the changes are natural variations being less than 0.001 percent, or one in 100,000.

For the well-known Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand, there is a less than one percent chance that natural variations could explain the overall two-mile retreat in the last 130 years, it said.

Among the glaciers with the least certainty that global warming is to blame were Rabots Glacier in northern Sweden and South Cascade Glacier in the US northwestern state of Washington.

For those the probability that their retreats might be due to natural variability in weather patterns ranged between six and 11 percent.

"South Cascade is at the end of the Pacific storm track, and it experiences a high degree of wintertime variability. Average wintertime snowfall generates about 10 feet of ice per year, whereas for glaciers in desert Asia, ice accumulation might be as low as four inches per year," Roe said.

"So they're experiencing very different climate settings. As a result, their variability, and also their sensitivity to climate change, varies from place to place."
Photo credit: Getty

From Cosmopolitan

Photo credit: Getty

At a panel discussion in New York City on Thursday evening, feminist leader and icon Gloria Steinem, 82, made it clear that she has no intention of slowing down, or giving up her position as a generational leader of the feminist movement  especially not under a Donald Trump presidency. "I'm not giving up my torch, thank you very much, I'm hanging onto my torch," she said in response to question about who the next feminist leaders are. "But I am using it to light other people's torches, and noticing that they've lit their own - they don't need me at all."



Throughout the presidential election, Steinem - a feminist activist and founder of Ms. Magazine - was a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton and vocal opponent of Donald Trump. Born in 1934, Steinem has lived through 13 different presidents, and 20 presidential elections. But on Thursday evening, she told Cosmopolitan.com that never before has she seen a president like Trump.

"We'll have to be in full-out rebellion. This guy is a sexual predator, he is a racist, he and his father were both convicted of massive race discrimination in their housing projects," Steinem said. "I've never, in my lifetime, seen a president who was so ... how shall I say this? Such an egotist, such an extremist, and so unrepresentative of what this country is supposed to be about."

But rather than be discouraged by the trajectory of the next four years, Steinem is hopeful of what can be accomplished by feminists, despite the odds seemingly stacked against them. She thinks the energy that exploded in the days and weeks following Trump's victory can last and that, if anything good can come out of the election results, it's that people are "taking power unto themselves" to fight back in ways like never before.

"We have elected, for the first time, a completely impossible president," Steinem said."What I see in the streets, and online, and in all kinds of ways is that people are taking power unto themselves, and understanding that if we stop looking up and feeling alone, we start looking at each other - we have a lot of strength."

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Asked if she was disappointed by women who voted for Trump - based on exit polls, we know that about 41 percent of women voted for him - Steinem said no. She drew attention to the fact that women of color overwhelmingly voted against him, as did young and unmarried women. As for white women, who did vote for Trump by a small majority, Steinem said having conversations with them is key - but also that a white female vote, especially among white married women, is nothing new.

"I think there were a variety of reasons [they voted for Trump]," Steinem said. "One is they're in economic trouble and they're just voting for change for the sake of change, one is I have to vote my husband's interests because I'm dependent on his identity and his income. In that case, we have to talk to each other, and find out the why, and communicate."

But to be clear, Steinem sees no point in empathizing with those Trump voters she recognizes as white supremacists - or, as many prefer to be called, the alt-right. "It's inappropriate to be empathetic with a racist," she said. "It's inappropriate to be empathetic with a sexual predator who enjoys Trump's predation on women."

What gives Steinem hope is knowing that more women and men alike identify as feminists today than when she was first spearheading the movement in the 1960s. She mentioned that, on Wednesday, she gathered with a group of 30-or-so young feminist women outside a Manhattan branch of Citi Bank, urging people to pull funds from the bank that is the largest supplier of money to the DAPL - an underground oil pipeline that would threaten the water supply for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota.

"They're all younger than my blue jeans," Steinem said. "Here's the best way I can say it: I had to wait for some of my friends to be born, but they're there."

Follow Hannah on Twitter.



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This mornings nominations for the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards had some good news (yay, Stranger Things!) and bad news (boo, no Silicon Valley!) for everyone. Though the ceremony is still almost a month away, it wouldnt be a nomination day without a few instant predictions. Yahoo TV Editor-in-Chief Kristen Baldwin and Deputy Editor Mandi Bierly sat down to discuss who they think will take home the trophies on Hollywoods booziest night. Will it be Game of Thrones or Stranger Things for best drama? Is it Bob Odenkirks year for Better Call Saul? And can anything stop The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story for Best Limited Series?

Related: What the Golden Globes Nominations Tell Us About the State of TV

Of course, it also wouldnt be a nomination day without some people complaining about the stars and shows that didnt get any love from the voters.

Not one nod for Gilmore Girls? For shame, Hollywood Foreign Press Association. What was the TV snub that hurt you the most? Let us know in the comments. And stay tuned to Yahoo TV and Yahoo Movies for complete Golden Globes coverage.

The 74th Golden Globe Awards air Sunday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Related: Golden Globes 2017: The Complete List of Nominees

Related: Golden Globes 2017: All the Snubs and Surprises
The nominations for the 74th annual Golden Globes danced to a lighthearted beat, as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association bestowed a total of seven nominations Monday morning on the modern-day musical La Land Land. To borrow from the film's opening song-and-dance number, it enjoyed "Another Day of Sun."

On the moodier, dramatic side of the street, the coming-of-age drama Moonlight, with six noms, edged out the grief-stricken family drama Manchester by the Sea, which was recognized with five nominations.

Mel Gibson was welcomed back into the Hollywood fold with a directing nomination for his World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, and thanks to films like Moonlight, Fences, Hidden Figures, Loving and Lion, there were seven performers of color among the 30 acting nominees.

In addition to its best musical or comedy citation, La La Land saw its two stars, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, who play showbiz hopefuls, both score nominations; its creator, Damien Chazelle, take noms for both directing and screenplay; and its score, by Justin Hurwitz, and its song "City of Stars," by Hurwitz, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, get additional noms.

Read more: Golden Globes 2017: The Complete List of Nominations

Moonlight, a best drama nominee, which utilizes an ensemble cast over the three time periods the film covers, didn't place in the top drama acting categories, but secured supporting acting nominations for both Mahershala Ali, who plays a humane drug-dealer, and Naomie Harris, who appears as a mother on crack. It also racked up writing and directing nominations for Barry Jenkins and a best score nom for Nicholas Britell.

Manchester, also nominated in the best drama category, appeared in the best dramatic actor list, where Casey Affleck earned a nomination for playing a man adrift facing up to his responsibilities; best supporting actress, where Michelle Williams was nominated for playing a mother struggling to overcome past tragedy; and writing and directing, where Kenneth Lonergan collected two noms.

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Joining Moonlight and Manchester in the best drama circle were Hacksaw Ridge, the Texas-set crime saga Hell or High Water, and Lion, about a young man's search for his birth mother in India.

Read more: Golden Globes: What the Nominees Are Saying

In the best musical-comedy line-up, La La Land was surrounded by 20th Century Women, Deadpool, Florence Foster Jenkins and Sing Street.

While Gibson, who won a Golden Globe for directing 1995's Braveheart and was last nominated by the HFPA for his comedy performance in 2000's What Women Want, lent star appeal to the best director nominations list, the group was otherwise dominated by writer/directors. In addition to La La Land's Chazelle, Moonlight's Jenkins and Manchester's Lonergan, the nominees included fashion designer-turned-director Tom Ford, who was nominated for both writing and directing the psychological thriller Nocturnal Animals. Although Nocturnal didn't get a best drama nomination and its star Amy Adams didn't get a best actress nom for the movie - she was nominated instead for the sci-fi drama Arrival - it did take home a supporting actor nomination for Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who plays a dangerous kidnapper.

While Denzel Washington didn't pick up a directing nom, he was nominated in the drama actors category for his turn as a blue-collar dad in '50s Pittsburgh in Fences - and Viola Davis, who plays his wife, was rewarded with a supporting actress nomination. Other acting duos that prevailed included best drama actor and actress Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga, who play husband and wife in the true-life story Loving; comedy actress and actor Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, who play another husband-and-wife in Florence Foster Jenkins; and the previously mentioned star-crosssed lovers Gosling and Stone in La La Land.

In addition to Affleck, Edgerton and Washington, the men vying for best dramatic actor honors incudes Andrew Garfield, who stars as a pacifist soldier in Hacksaw Ridge, and Viggo Mortensen, who heads up an off-the-grid family in Captain Fantastic.

And along with Adams and Negga, the best dramatic actress circle includes Jessica Chastain, who plays a D.C. lobbyist in Miss Sloane, Isabelle Huppert, who stars a woman who confronts her assailant in Elle, and Natalie Portman, who portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in the wake of her husband's assassination in Jackie.

Streep was already guaranteed a seat at the Globes' Jan. 8 ceremony, since she's been selected to be this year's recipient of the HFPA's life achievement Cecil B. De Mille Award. Still, she guaranteed herself front-and-center placement by earning her 30th Globes nomination - but who's counting? - in the best actress comedy category for her performance as an off-key, would-be opera singer in Florence Foster Jenkins. Her competition will include Stone; Annette Bening, who plays a bohemian '70s matriarch in 20th Century Women; Lily Collins, who is seen as a Hollywood hopeful in Rules Don't Apply and Hailee Steinfeld, who essays a moody teen in The Edge of Seventeen.

Read more: Golden Globes: 'Silence,' Tom Hanks' 'Sully' Snubbed in Film Categories

The best comic actor crowd consists of La La Land's Gosling and Jenkins' Grant as well as Colin Farrell, cast as a single man looking for a connection in The Lobster; Jonah Hill, who stars as an arms dealer in War Dogs; and Ryan Reynolds, who dons a superhero costume in Deadpool.

Rounding out the acting nominees are supporting actresses Davis (Fences), Harris (Moonlight), Nicole Kidman (Lion), Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) and Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea) and supporting actors Ali (Moonlight), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), Simon Helberg (Florence Foster Jenkins), Dev Patel (Lion) and Taylor-Johnson (Nocturnal Animals).

With the writer/director's Chazelle, Ford, Jenkins and Lonergan dominating the best screenplay category, that left room for just one more screenplay to squeeze in and that went to the modern-day crime tale Hell or High Water, written by Taylor Sheridan.

Joining La La Land and Moonlight as nominees for best motion picture score were Arrival, by Johann Johannsson; Lion, by Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka; and Hidden Figures, by Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams and Benjamin Wallfisch.

When it came to best original song, the HFPA surrounded the La La Land team that penned "City of Stars" with a line-up that includes a number of more famous names. "Can't Stop the Feeling," the hit song from the animated Trolls, has music and lyrics by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Shellback; "Faith," from the animated Sing, boasts Stevie Wonder, Ryan Tedder and Francis Farewell Starlight; "Gold," the title tune from the adventure movie Gold, was written by Iggy Pop, Brian Burton, Stephen Gaghan and Daniel Pemberton; and "How Far I'll Go," from the animated Moana, has music and lyrics by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The animated motion picture nominees represented a mix of studio fare and more indie offerings: Battling it out are Disney Animation's Zootopia and Moana and Illumination/Universal's Sing with two stop-motion entries, Kubo and the Two Strings, from Laika and distributed by Focus, and My Life as a Zucchini, which is also the Swiss foreign-language entry for Academy Awards consideration, and which is being distributed in the U.S. by GKIDS.

France claimed two slots in the Globes' foreign-language category: One went to Elle, which is also the official French Oscar entry, and the other to Divines, about a young girl headed toward a life of crime. The other nominees are all their respective country's Oscar submissions: Chile's Neruda, Iran's The Salesman and Germany's Toni Erdmann.

In terms of distributor bragging rights, Lionsgate laid a claim to 13 film nominations, thanks to La La Land, Hacksaw Ridge and Hell or High Water, which it distributed for partner CBS Films, which handled marketing on the film. A24 collected nine - from Moonlight, 20th Century Women and The Lobster. Paramount Pictures scored eight - from Florence Foster Jenkins, Arrival and Fences. Amazon made the list with six nominations - five from Manchester, which it distributed theatrically through Roadside Attractions, and one from The Salesman, which will be distributed by Cohen Media Group. Focus Features also had six - from Nocturnal, Loving and Kubo. And Fox had six - from Hidden Figures, Deadpool, Rules and Trolls.
After a decade in Hollywood purgatory, Mel Gibson is officially back this awards season.

The Hacksaw Ridge director landed a Golden Globe nomination for best director, while the film was hailed in the best motion picture drama category. The film's star Andrew Garfield also scored a best actor mention for the film about a conscientious objector in World War II, a coup for Gibson given that the actor also was being considered for the same category for his role in Martin Scorsese's Silence.

Gibson had become a Hollywood pariah following a DUI arrest in July 2006, when the Oscar-winning Braveheart director hurled statements about "f - ing Jews" at an officer. Within hours, the arrest report was leaked, and the industry turned a cold shoulder on Gibson's awards-season contender Apocalypto.

Read more: Golden Globes 2017: The Complete List of Nominations

But Hacksaw Ridge has been garnering Oscar-level praise (THR's David Rooney called the movie a "forceful comeback ... that succeeds in combining horror with grace"), and the once-embattled star is poised for a resurgence.

At the time of the arrest, Gibson publicly denounced his words and asked for forgiveness. Hacksaw Ridge marks his first foray behind the camera since Apocalypto.

Gibson, who this year beat out veteran directors for the nom including Scorsese and Clint Eastwood (Sully), will compete for the best director Golden Globe against La La Land's Damien Chazelle, Nocturnal Animals' Tom Ford, Moonlight's Barry Jenkins and Manchester by the Sea's Kenneth Lonergan.

Gibson last nabbed a Golden Globe director nomination in 1996 for Braveheart, which he went on to win. He received actor nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in 1997 (Ransom) and 2001 (What Women Want).

Hacksaw Ridge is making waves at the box office as well, having earned $83 million worldwide to date.
Sarah Paulson secured a Critics Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination within hours of each other, but the People v. O.J. Simpson star is equally as excited about another actresss Globes nomination.

I heard the announcements happening in the background and I heard Chrissy Metzs name from This Is Us and I got really excited because shes an actress I really admire and someone I work with on American Horror Story,' Paulson told TheWrap. I was thrilled for her because I know what a first-time nomination feels like, and its exciting and gratifying and very validating and its the first time the industry really recognizes you in that way.

Metz was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, while Paulson is competing in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television category for her role as Marcia Clark in FXs dramatic interpretation of the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

See Video: Sarah Paulson Apologizes to Emmys Date Marcia Clark for 'Superficial Judgement' During OJ Simpson Trial

The show secured five nominations on Monday morning, including Best TV Limited Series and Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, and has been critically acclaimed since its debut in February. And Paulson said she knew People v. O.J. Simpson was something special right away.

I didnt know it was something special in terms of the reaction to it, but I knew it was something special in the way I was engaged by playing it, she said. There was a collective sense of excitement and well wishes for each other and goodwill and it was an exciting feeling of everyone being so for each other. Its like youre walking on a tight rope and you have a giant net under you  it was everybodys hands linked together. I knew that that was special and you dont always have that. You dont always get to work together and we were always all together, it felt very special and very unique. It was something I had never experienced before.

Story continues

The actress brought Clark to the Emmys earlier this year, where she won the award for Outstanding Lead actress in a Limited Series. But will she bring Clark to the Golden Globes ceremony on Jan. 8?

Also Read: Sarah Paulson Brings OJ Simpson Prosecutor Marcia Clark to Emmys as Date

I havent thought about it  it just happened a few minutes ago! she said. I am barely awake. I have thought about it, but havent decided what to do and havent spoken to her yet.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Sarah Paulson Turns Hillary Clinton Emails Into One-Woman Show on 'Full Frontal' (Video)

Sarah Paulson Is Circling Role In 'Ocean's Eight'

Sarah Paulson Joins New Ryan Murphy FX Series 'Feud'
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Golden Share Mining Corporation (GSH.V) ("Golden Share") is pleased to report results of orientation ground IP/magnetic and soil sampling programs at the Berens River Project in northwestern Ontario. Sandy Lake First Nation gave consent and provided assistance. The work was done safely, successfully and within budget. The company honored and appreciated the Blessing given by the elders of Sandy Lake First Nation.

Highlights

Nine prioritized IP targets were delineated (T1 to T9; Table 1 and Figure 1) and warrant follow-up prospecting, mapping and diamond drilling if warranted. All of nine IP targets are located north of Vein 3. There is no record of historic drilling at or near these IP targets.

Coincident or near coincident shallow, clear and well-formed IP anomalies occur over portions of Berens River Vein 3, Vein 11 and Vein 12

Locally high background chargeabilities mean no clear IP expression of Veins 2, 4, 5, 10, 19, and the western portions of Veins 3 and 12. In most cases, the target vein appears to be in a more chargeable host or is too close to a nearby strong bedrock conductor.

Vein 20 and the eastern part of Vein 3 have no IP expression despite low background chargeabilities.

The MMI analysis has identified a number of weak to strong multi-element anomalies in the vicinity of the surface exposures of Veins 3, 4, 19 and 12. These anomalies warrant infill/bracketing sample lines to confirm the orientation of the MMI responses and their potential for lateral extension.

A multi-sample, gold/multi-element B-horizon and MMI 10-20cm anomaly occurring at the north end Line 1+50E is of interest and warrants follow-up prospecting and sampling.

These geophysical and geochemical results demonstrate the continued exploration potential of the Berens River Project. The Company intends to conduct more detailed follow up of these orientation survey results and plan the next phase exploration program cautiously and systemically, so as to advance the project in line with market conditions.

Orientation Ground Time Domain I nduced P olarization and Magnetic Surveys

Golden Share retained Abitibi Geophysics to conduct an orientation Induced Polarization (IP) and magnetic survey over known historic gold zones in the vicinity of the historic Berens River Mine during the period of September 8 to 13, 2016. The purpose of the survey was to define and confirm the geophysical expression and setting of these gold zones and, by extension, to suggest new targets and/or more IP possibly the need for additional IP surveys. The total survey was 12.725km of IP/resistivity and 11km of magnetics.

The IP survey was done in time domain with an IRIS Elrec Pro receiver using a pole-dipole array - with 'a' = 25m, n=1-6. Select line segments were re-surveyed with 'a' = 12.5m, n=1-6. The magnetic survey was done with a Gem Systems GSM-19-GW magnetometer operating in walking mode with time, UTMe, UTMn and TMI collected every 2 seconds.

Golden Share's consulting geophysicist has reviewed the IP data and provided the following findings:

The IP/resistivity results show a wide range of response types and amplitudes, from areas of very high resistivity/low chargeability to areas of very low resistivity/high chargeability. Thick, conductive overburden that might seriously limit IP is not seen.

The 'a' = 25m survey successfully mapped resistivity and chargeability variations in the top 50m. The 'a' = 12.5m re-survey provided no significant additional information.

Mineralized veins or parts thereof that have a coincident or near coincident shallow, clear and well-formed IP anomaly are the center section of Vein 3, Vein 11 and Vein 12 (east end).

Mineralized Veins 2, 3 (western part), 4, 5, 10 and 19 have no clear IP expression. In most cases, the target vein appears to be in a more chargeable host or is too close to a strong bedrock conductor - any IP anomaly from the target is lost in the larger IP effect of its host or neighbour.

Mineralized Veins 3 (eastern part) and 20 have no IP expression despite low background chargeability. The eastern part of Vein 3 is thought to have limited thickness at shallow to moderate depths and Vein 20 is between survey lines.

High background chargeability affects most of the survey results south and west of Vein 3.

Golden Share's consulting geophysicist has delineated nine prioritized IP targets for follow-up (T1 to T9; Table 1 and Figure 1). All of these targets are located north of Vein 3. There is no record of historic drilling at or near these targets. The IP targets warrant follow-up ground-truthing by prospecting, mapping and diamond drilling if warranted.

Table 1: Prioritized IP targets with associated n=1 resistivity and chargeability.

Target Priority Line Station rho1 m1 UTMe UTMn T1 2 400W 440N 459 9.0 457065 5855715 T2 1 350W 365N 1138 25 457045 5855625 T3 1 250W 365N 2729 18 457110 5855555 T4 1 300W 215N 2582 38 456975 5855480 T5 2 200W 275N 1500 14 457085 5855455 T6 1 200W 190N 3741 31 457025 5855395 T7 2 100W 350N 5000 27 457210 5855435 T8 3 200E 365N 19K 16 457420 5855235 T9 3 300E 640N 8-28K 23 457685 5855365

The ground magnetics survey results show north-south trends which reflect primary stratigraphy. These trends are interrupted by WNW-ESE trending low magnetic breaks which are subparallel to the trend of the Berens' Veins. Further interpretation should be considered. Additional detailed ground magnetics may be warranted to confirm and extend these trends, to establish any relationship with the Berens River vein structures.

Orientation Soil Sampling

Golden Share retained Mount Morgan Resources Ltd. to undertake a Mobile Metal Ions Technology ("MMI") soil geochemical orientation survey on the IP grid. The survey was undertaken between October 5 and 10, 2016. The purpose of the orientation survey was to assess MMI analysis for its ability to define a characteristic geochemical signature of known Au-Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization associated with the historic Berens River vein structures and provide guidance for the optimum depth of sample collection, diagnostic indicator elements and spacing for soil samples in subsequent MMI-based exploration. In addition, pH was determined on all MMI soil samples. A suite of B-horizon soil samples was collected at each MMI site for direct comparison with MMI results.

A total of 214 MMI orientation samples were collected from 59 sites along two sampling lines spaced 350m apart (2+00W and 1+50W; Figure 1). Distance between sample sites varied from 12.5m to 25m. Four samples were collected at each site as 10cm vertical plugs starting below the zero datum (the contact between organic soil and inorganic soil; intervals of 0-10cm, 10-20cm, 20-30cm and 30-40cm). Incomplete sample profiles were collected at several sites where only the upper profiles were available for sampling due to boulder alluvium. All samples were collected with a combination of a Dutch auger and a shovel from a hand dug pit. Samples averaged approximately 400 grams and, were sealed into plastic sample bags for shipment to the Vancouver laboratory of SGS Mineral Services. Analyses included method codes: GE MMI-M (53 element; 50g sample; MMI leach, ICP-MS finish); GE_ISE15V (soil pH using pH meter) and; GE_ARM 133 (B-horizon soils: Au plus 49 element; 25g sample; aqua regia digest, ICP-MS finish).

Both MMI and B-horizon soil geochemical data is positively skewed reflecting a wide range in concentrations for the important commodity elements Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sb and Mo. The higher concentration "tails" of these elements are signatures of a separate data population considered as possibly "anomalous".

The MMI orientation soil geochemical survey delineated well developed, high-contrast, multi-sample anomalous responses at different depths in the 40cm sampling profile. The most distinctive responses delineated for precious and base metals occur at the 30-40cm sampling depth.

The B-horizon sample results are more complicated and less reliable than the MMI results in the orientation area due to possible anomaly masking by glacially reworked transported materials and/or contamination by either windblown or hydromorphic dispersion from tailings or historic mine workings.

Based on the results of this orientation survey, future exploration using MMI Technology at the Property would be optimized on 50m-spaced grid lines with 25m sample spacing and an optimum sampling depth of 30-40cm to detect a significant Au anomaly over target areas.

MMI has identified weak to strong multi-element anomalies proximal to the Berens River veins with surface or near surface exposures on line 2+00W (Veins 3, 19 and 12). On line 1+50E MMI appears to have identified weak multi-element anomalies at Vein 4 in the 30-40cm samples. Vein 3 MMI response at line 1+50E was weak in only Zn +/- Pb; possibly reflecting the greater depth of the higher grade mineralization at this part of the vein. These anomalies warrant infill/bracketing sample lines to confirm the orientation MMI responses and their potential for lateral extension.

A multi-sample, gold/multi-element B-horizon and MMI 10-20cm anomaly is present at the north end of Line 1+50E is of interest and warrants follow-up prospecting and sampling. This anomaly is not in an area of known mineralized veins and appears to be isolated from potential contamination. This anomaly occurs approximately 200m west-southwest from IP Target 9.

Future Exploration Plans

Golden Share will now proceed with planning for an airborne VTEM survey over the whole Berens River Project. The VTEM survey will test for potential base metal massive sulphide conductors within the volcanic rock sequence in the eastern and southern parts of the project. The magnetic component of the VTEM survey will assist in delineating stratigraphic and structural trends within the project.

Figure 1: Orientation geophysical grid showing location of known vein trends, MMI / B-horizon soil sample sites (blue circles) and IP targets T1 to T9.



To view an enhanced version of the Orientation Geophysical Grid, please visit: [http://www.accesswire.com/uploads/24029_a1481552013064_75.jpg]

The technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed by Wes Roberts M.Sc., P.Eng., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

About Golden Share

Golden Share Mining Corporation is a Canadian junior mining company focusing on exploration in the province of Ontario, a politically stable jurisdiction with a long history mineral exploration and development.

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONSULT www.goldenshare.ca OR CONTACT:

Golden Share Mining Corporation

Nick Zeng, President & CEO

Tel: (905) 968-1199

E-mail: info@goldenshare.ca

SOURCE: Golden Share Mining Corporation
(Reuters) - Goldman Sachs said the formal agreement by non-OPEC oil producers this weekend in Vienna to help curb output was reached with a goal of "normalization" of inventories and not necessarily just at raising oil prices.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had previously agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd), and on Saturday, 11 non-OPEC producers agreed to join the effort and reduce output by 558,000 bpd.

The cut was short of an initial target of 600,000 bpd but still the first OPEC/non-OPEC output deal since 2001 and the largest contribution by non-OPEC producers ever.

"Despite the smaller-than-preannounced cut, the agreement is nonetheless noteworthy as it lifts the uncertainty on the potential participation of non-OPEC producers to the OPEC cut," the bank said in a note on Sunday.

The agreement was followed by comments from top exporter Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid Al-Falih saying that the kingdom may be willing to cut output to below 10 million bpd.

The world's top oil exporter told OPEC it pumped a record 10.72 million bpd last month, an OPEC source said, up from 10.625 million bpd in October.

Goldman said an announced production cut from Russia was likely to remain short of the 300,000 bpd promised, noting that Russia's participation was important.

Goldman said implementation of the coordinated OPEC and non-OPEC production cuts was required to support spot oil prices at its H1 2017 price forecast of $55/bbl for West Texas Intermediate crude (CLc1). [O/R]

A better-than-expected compliance would initially lead to higher prices, "with full compliance worth an additional $6/bbl to our price forecast," it said.

The bank warned, however, that as WTI prices neared $55 a barrel, that producers, especially in the United States, might begin to raise their output.

"Ultimately, this remains a short duration cut in our view, targeting excess inventories and not high oil prices," Goldman said.

(Reporting by Apeksha Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue)
By Marc Frank

HAVANA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Google signed an agreement with the Cuban government on Monday granting internet users on the Communist-run island quicker access to its branded content.

Eric Schmidt, chairman of Google's parent company Alphabet Inc, signed the deal with Mayra Arevich Marin, president of state telecommunications monopoly ETECSA. It grants Cubans speedy access to the Google Global Cache network, which stores content from sites like Gmail and YouTube on servers located closer to end users.

In a country where public internet access is limited to slow and expensive Wi-Fi hot spots, it was not clear how the deal would actually impact service in the short term.

"This deal allows ETECSA to use our technology to reduce latency by caching some of our most popular high bandwidth content like YouTube videos at a local level," a Google statement said.

"This may improve reception of cached materials, but not for example email which depends on local bandwidth," a local telecommunications technician said, requesting anonymity for fear of losing his job.

Google and ETECSA were not immediately available for comment.

President Barack Obama has made improved internet access a central part of his efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, first announced two years ago.

However, Cuba to date has balked at allowing U.S. companies to participate in wiring the country, citing national security concerns.

Whether because of a lack of investment or concerns about the flow of information in a Communist state that monopolizes the media, Cuba has lagged behind in internet usage. Only 3.4 percent of Cuban homes had either intranet or internet access last year, according to a U.N. agency.

The Google deal comes as officials in Havana and Washington are working to wrap up pending commercial accords before President Barack Obama leaves office next month.

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to scrap detente between the Cold War foes unless Cuba makes political and other concessions.

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Improved bilateral relations have been accomplished through executive orders circumventing trade embargo laws and can easily be reversed by Trump.

The Obama administration has said it hopes increased commercial links between the two countries will make it difficult for future administrations to undo the recent warming in U.S.-Cuba relations.

(Reporting by Marc Frank; Editing by Tom Brown)
joe scarborough

Joe Scarborough knocked President-elect Donald Trump on Monday over his dismissal of the CIA's reported assessment that Russian hackers leaked private emails of top Democrats to help Trump win the election.

Over the weekend, Trump repeatedly said he did not believe reports indicating that the CIA told top lawmakers that evidence suggested Russia hacked and subsequently leaked the emails of top Democratic officials specifically to sow discord in a way that would benefit the Republican nominee.

Scarborough described Trump's criticism of the CIA as "unprecedented" and advised that it was "not a wise thing to do."

"The last agency I would tweak would be the CIA," Scarborough said.

The MSNBC host continued: "That's just got to stop, and it's got to stop immediately. It's bad for the president, it's bad for the agency, especially in 2017. You talk about the tip of the spear  the CIA is the tip of the spear. We do not march out 300,000 people to European battlefields and say 'Charge' anymore. It is the CIA that is basically on the forefront, and putting their lives on the line. That is the last agency you cross when you're the incoming president of the United States."

Following the election, Scarborough has appeared to use his show to informally counsel the president-elect on potential Cabinet selections.

Scarborough repeatedly warned Trump last month against selecting Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, as secretary of state.

Watch a clip below, via MSNBC:

.@IgnatiusPost on Trumps attack against the CIA: Running against the CIA isnt a wise thing for a president to do https://t.co/6VgVvF6Jxp  Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) December 12, 2016

NOW WATCH: Why Ivanka can't serve in a Trump cabinet





More From Business Insider


BERLIN (AP)  The German government says Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will travel to Berlin this week to discuss the migrant situation, Cyprus and Greece's financial issues with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said Monday that the meeting will take place on Friday.

She said that major issues would include negotiations on the future of Cyprus; migrants and relations between the European Union and Greece's eastern neighbor, Turkey; and "on the margins," the financial and economic situation.

The International Monetary Fund has argued strongly in favor of big debt relief measures for Greece. Germany in particular has been hesitant to offer anything substantial until Greece has delivered on reforms demanded by its international creditors.
On Saturday, the annual New York City SantaCon took place with a very special guest in attendance. Every year, a group of New Yorkers parade around the city in Santa Claus costumes, showing up to bars and clubs to celebrate the holiday season. This weekend, Gucci Mane partook in the festivities ahead of the upcoming release of his album The Return of East Atlanta Santa.

Wearing a custom Santa hat, Gucci greeted fans at a New York City club, handing out custom East Atlanta Santa Styrofoam cups as souvenirs. His fiancee Keyshia Kaoir, who wore a matching Santa hat, was by his side the whole night as he partied with fans and fellow SantaCon participants.

Gucci will share his new album The Return of East Atlanta Santa on December 16, and it will be his third project since being released from jail in 2016. The album serves as a follow-up to 2014's East Atlanta Santa and 2015's East Atlanta Santa 2: The Night GuWop Stole X-Mas.

Watch Gucci steal the show at SantaCon below.

Continue Reading On PigeonsandPlanes

More from PigeonsandPlanes
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  Officials in Haiti say a rookie police officer was fatally attacked at his home by gang members wielding machetes.

Police spokesman Garry Desrosiers says the young officer was attacked Sunday at his home in Petionville, a hillside district above the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive, but Desrosiers says an alleged leader of the gang has been arrested. He also says a group of vigilantes tried to attack the suspect at the police station where he is being held.
There was a time, years ago, when Richard Holdman knew exactly which holiday song was playing outside his Pleasant Grove, Utah home without hearing a note. Was it a Christmas miracle? Nope  the lights inside his house were flickering to the music.

For several years, Holdman, like many people overflowing with the holiday cheer, turned his house into an epic Christmas lighting display. Not merely content with decking the halls, these extreme revelers Griswold their houses in all manner of lights, blow-ups, animatronics, garland and holly. Requiring plenty of advance planning and causing holiday headaches aplenty, being a hardcore holiday home decorator isnt for the faint of Christmas spirit. But in return, theyre guaranteed to have days (well, nights) that are merry and bright.

Christmas Lights in July

I started it really small, actually, and throughout the years it got bigger and bigger, says Holdman, who lit up his home from 2006 to 2010. Small, by the way, was 1,000 bulbs. Bigger was 40,000 lights. And ultimately, he topped out at 120,000 twinkling LEDs  all choreographed to music.

Theres a chance youve actually seen Holdmans setup. In Dec. 2009, he posted a YouTube video of his animated lights flickering to Amazing Grace. To date, its gotten 40 million views and counting:

Holdman would begin setting up his lights just after Halloween. Because he did it himself after work and on weekends, it took the entire month of November just to get them up. But thats not the half of it. Hed actually start planning the next years displays after Christmas, buying lights during post-holiday sales. Then in January hed sketch out his ideas. Over the summer, hed start testing out new setups.

One year, while testing displays inside his home, a neighbor came by, worried that the house was on fire. It was the middle of the summer, and the windows were glowing all red and white, Holdman says.

Story continues

Another hardcore Christmas light enthusiast, Michelle Cairo of Portland, Ore., also makes her holiday plans year-round. A strip of high-peaked Tudors known as Peacock Lane, her street has put up lights going back to the 1940s. More than a quarter-million people come to visit the area every year.

The neighbors meet year round to coordinate the streets mass lighting display. A committee president conducts the meetings. They have a free hot cocoa booth, which each house must take turns staffing. They also hang candy canes on trees and swap out the streetlight covers so the lamps dont overpower the houses displays. And they have to decorate their homes, too.

Everything is covered in lights, says Cairo. The hardest thing is hitting the houses peaks.

You Would Even Say It Glows

For all the ladders, gutter clips, wreaths, and bows a massive light display involves, its also a technical challenge. And choosing between old-school incandescent bulbs and new-wave LEDs strands is no frivolous decision.

When Holdman first started, he used incandescent C9 bulbs. Hes since made the leap to LEDs. While the old-school bulbs are bigger and emit a warmer, more natural light, theyre energy hogs, driving up electrical bills and stressing the grid. LEDs use much less energy, which means you can plug in more strands without overloading a circuit.

But their light quality can vary wildly, so you have to be particular about what you buy. When LEDs first came out, they would put a really small LED in there, and sure enough, its going to look not nearly as bright, says Holdman. But now that they make C9 LED bulbs, and they actually put five LEDs in that one bulb, so you can get just as bright or brighter with LEDs.

Holdman also notes that theres two kinds of LEDs: half-wave and full-wave. Full-wave LEDs are twice as bright as half-wave. If Im buying the cheapest lights at Wal-Mart, those are usually going to be half-wave lights, and they will not be as bright, he says.

Prior to changing to LEDs, Holdman had to install 17 dedicated 20-amp circuits just to power his light show  and even then it would gobble up to about 75% of his houses electrical capacity. When the show was going, you couldnt use the oven and you had to make sure no one turned on the dryer, he says. Holdman sets the lights to music using a Light-o-rama controller, which links all the strands to choreographic software.

Cairo, meanwhile, has two dedicated circuits with built-in timers installed by the homes previous owner. While she doesnt put up anywhere near the amount of lights that Holdman did, her homes electrical system does waiver a bit every day around 6 p.m., when her neighborhoods lights turn on every night. The neighbors have a lights-off policy that begins at 11 p.m. If we left the lights on all night long, people would be coming all night long, she says.

Everything is traditional on Peacock Lane; you wont find laser light shows here. As a result, the street has stuck largely with the C9s, partly out of aesthetics and partly out of convenience. One neighbor who has a more modern taste opted for the new bulbs. They regret the decision, says Cairo. Hes had a ton of issues and everyones been watching that happen with him, and well never do LED lights.

After nine years of scaling ladders to set up her lights  an effort that can take up to three days, with another three for teardown  Cairo now pays a local painter to get the job done. He handles the high installations, as well as putting lights on the trees and everywhere else, for $700. Its a busy time of year, so its worth it, she says.

Getting in the Spirit

Down on Candy Cane Lane in Des Moines, Iowas Beaverdale neighborhood, Matt Dore is hoping this is his year. Every year, the 50-or-so homes in the neighborhood try to outdo each other in a friendly neighborhood contest. Were the Susan Lucci of the Christmas light competition, Dore says. I think we won third prize in the entryway category one year, but weve never won the whole thing.

Well, thats not entirely true. According to Dore, his house did win the Des Moines Christmas light competition  in 1931. The house appeared on the front page of the paper all lit up, but its been dark on the awards front ever since.

Still, for Dore and his neighbors, the real reward is in lighting up other peoples nights. The streets became known as Candy Cane Lane after they lined the road with red-striped PVC pipe decorations. To head off the cold weather, the neighbors tend to put their lights up early in the year. Dore says he did it on election weekend this year.

And the only downside is traffic. You can get out of your driveway, but you may have to wait a while, he says. But if youre trying to get home and you cant get to your house, theres no way around that  youre stuck in a line, because people will turn off their lights and go five miles an hour.

Traffic is also what eventually snuffed out Holdmans epic lighting display. After one too many cold pizza deliveries, his homeowners association voted that he had to take his lights down. That year, in the front yard, I put up an inflatable Grinch  and that was my only Christmas display, says Holdman. Those who supported me, they thought it was hilarious; it was all done in good humor.

Holdmans been laughing about it all the way to the bank. After posting the YouTube video, people reached out and started asking him to set up lighting displays for them professionally. My first jobs were for like local malls, little small businesses, he says. From there, more people started seeing it, international people, so then they started contacting me. To date, hes done light shows in Argentina, Peru, Moscow, and South Korea, as well as all over the U.S. He also recently opened a business called Christmas In Color, which sets up 1-million-light driving displays, all synced to music. And despite putting up 10 times more lights, the setup is similar.

I actually use the same stuff now as I did back then, he says. Well, theres a little bit different stuff, but Its the same concept just on much a bigger scale.
Photo credit: (Lauren Cierzan)

From LennyLetter

The Ohio State legislature passed a bill earlier this week that would outlaw all abortions after a heartbeat was detected, and it does not allow exceptions for rape or incest. If Ohio governor John Kasich signs this bill into law, it would effectively make abortion illegal in his state, since most women don't even know they're pregnant at six weeks. And it would also have unintended consequences that should give even the staunchest pro-lifer a pause: it would make life much harder, and possibly kill, some women who are having miscarriages.

Dr. Tamara Mann Tweel is one of those women whose lives could have been put in jeopardy by a heartbeat law. What happened to her in Ohio in 2012 is bad enough: Her doctors were in unanimous agreement that her fetus would not survive outside the womb because its organs were outside its body. But because the baby still had a heartbeat, the procedure she needed to have for her own health was categorized as an "optional abortion," and it was very nearly not covered by insurance. She had to wait 24 hours and sign an "informed consent" form before she could have her D&C (dilation and curettage, a process that clears out the uterine lining). Having to go through this extra step when she was already crushed is something she describes as "unusually cruel and totally absurd."

If you think that women like Dr. Mann Tweel would be allowed to have therapeutic abortions, even with a heartbeat law - the story of Savita Halappanavar is instructive. She lived in Ireland, where abortion is technically allowed for the life of the mother, though it's otherwise illegal. But because her baby still had a heartbeat, she was denied the care she needed, and her life was lost, too.

Dr. Mann Tweel, who is the director of strategic development at Hillel International's Office of Innovation and an instructor in the Freedom and Citizenship program at Columbia University (and a mom of two), was kind enough to answer my questions even though it's such a hard thing to talk about.

Story continues

The saddest part of this story, in a way, is that Dr. Mann Tweel already spoke about her experience to Ohio legislators considering an earlier version of this heartbeat bill - she testified before the Health and Aging Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014. And they were unmoved. As she put it: At times she felt "that they were willing to sacrifice me, to sacrifice women like me, for what they claimed was a significant moral gain."

If you live in Ohio and you do not want this cruel bill passed, call Governor John Kasich at (614) 466-3555. If you can't get through, email him here. If you live outside of Ohio and want to help, donate to Planned Parenthood's Action Fund or to the ACLU.

Jessica Grose: What was the medical diagnosis your baby received and how far along was the pregnancy when you got this diagnosis?

Tamara Mann Tweel: At my 13-week sonogram, I found out that something was terribly wrong with my baby. The doctor pointed at the image and explained that the organs were outside the body, the hands and feet were misshapen, the neck was abnormal, and one of the limbs was either missing or stunted.

I left that room terrified and desperately sad. I wanted to have a baby. I wanted to have this baby. Later that day, I received a phone call from my OBGYN, who told me that he had looked at the images, shown them to the doctors in his practice, and that there was unanimous agreement that my fetus was not compatible with life. It would not survive outside the womb. I should have it removed immediately. Waiting was not an option. I was told that any delay would seriously increase my health risks, as the fetus could die in the womb and cause a life-threatening infection.

JG: After that diagnosis, what did your doctor recommend as the safest course of action?

TMT: He wanted me to have a D&C as soon as possible.

JG: You had trouble getting your D&C covered by insurance. Why?

TMT: I was told by my doctor's office that because the fetus still had a heartbeat, insurance companies in Ohio would not cover the costs of the operation. They considered it an optional abortion. They suggested that I go to Planned Parenthood, which would cost me $800. At the hospital it would be over $10,000. With the extraordinary help of my family and doctors, we fought to get this covered by insurance. I found out later how lucky I was, and that another woman in my practice with the same medical prognosis dangerously gave birth to a stillborn because her insurance would not cover the D&C.

JG: Once your procedure was declared an "optional abortion," what state-mandated hoops did you have to jump through to get it?

TMT: A few days before the procedure, I received a call from the office of the OBGYN performing the procedure. They told me that I had to come in 24 hours in advance to sign a consent form because I was having an optional abortion. I told them that I wanted a child, that I didn't want to have an abortion, and that this procedure was necessary for my health. They responded that unless I was raped, I would have to sign the agreement, watch a video about the abortion, and read a pamphlet.

JG: How did it feel to have to sign an informed-consent form?

TMT: It felt unusually cruel and totally absurd. I had extraordinary health-care providers who were doing everything in their power to preserve my fertility so that I could create life. And here, the government, with no knowledge of my particular case, no knowledge of the years I had spent trying to have a child, was telling me that this horrible outcome was my fault; that I was actually choosing this desperately sad reality.

JG: What does your faith say about when life begins?

TMT: People practice my faith differently, so I wouldn't want to speak for anyone but myself. In my case, I felt that it was important to reach out to a rabbi. He explained to me that in Judaism, the dominant metaphor for life is not the heartbeat - it is the breath. In Genesis 2:7, God breathes life into man: "Then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Even that final word, soul, nefesh, can be translated as breath. Life, he explained, personhood, is marked when the baby takes its first breath.

Jewish law acknowledges a continuum between potential and actual life, which guides, among other considerations, including the health of the mother, abortion rulings. According to my rabbi, the presence of a heartbeat in itself is not a Jewish legal marker of life in utero. Even in the strictest ruling, he related to me, the fetus has to be able to live for a day outside of the mother's womb to be considered a viable life. The definition of potential life, he said, "is fully dependent on its being able to be born." My rabbi told me that in this case, I was required to take care of my health and that I should have the D&C immediately.

JG: What do you want our readers to know about why you're opposed to Ohio's heartbeat legislation?

TMT: A few months after I had my D&C, a woman named Savita Halappanavar died in a hospital in Galway, Ireland, due to fetal-heartbeat laws. She was having medical complications during her first, and very wanted, pregnancy. The doctors would not terminate the pregnancy despite her obvious medical distress, and she died in the hospital never receiving the proper care. That law killed Savita and every future child she might have had. Ohio's heartbeat legislation has the real possibility of causing the death of mothers across the state of Ohio. It should not pass. It denies different religions the opportunity to draw on their rich traditions of both defining life and weighing the complex ethical concerns that come up between a mother and her fetus. It denies doctors and patients the right to make health-care decisions. This is a crass and blunt oversimplification of the complexities of trying to determine and honor life. It is an awful, awful law. Everyone should oppose it. Everyone who honors life, from the pro-life movement to the pro-choice movement, should oppose this bill together, with one unified and loud voice.

JG: I know you spoke to the Ohio legislature about previous iterations of this heartbeat legislation. What was that experience like?

TMT: I was proud to be in the room. Proud to show up when I was still vulnerable, when the pain was still raw. I felt that it mattered to enter this conversation as a nuanced thinker and reframe the debate with different language. My metaphors for life were different, the breath instead of the heartbeat. My respect for religion was different; I cared immensely that the representatives in front of me believed that a fetus was a life, and I tried to explain that my faith had language that truly understands the value of potential life but also values actual life, that of the women. I do believe that my tone and my words were heard. But I will also tell you that I felt dismissed. That they understood in my case I needed a D&C but that they were willing to sacrifice me, to sacrifice women like me, for what they claimed was a significant moral gain. I will also admit that at times I felt the sincerity of their moral argument and at others I felt the shrill ring of politics, the crass desire to win a point rather than to govern a polity.

JG: Do you have any advice for women who may be going through what you went through?

TMT: I have come to believe that life is not instantaneous. It is an arduous, miraculous process, and you, dear friend, are engaged in the magnificent and challenging work of bringing life into this world. Try to stay strong and remember that this is a process, not a single act. Remember that you are not alone and that even when it feels like there are systems that have stopped caring about you, about your body, and about your challenges, there are women across this country that are sending you love and support; there are doctors, nurses, religious leaders, and citizens who are out there fighting for you. And that there are individuals across this country who want you to be treated with dignity and believe in your extraordinary goodness.

Jessica Grose is the editor in chief of Lenny.
Theres more to being Santa Claus than eating milk and cookies. Thats what Eric Schmitt-Matzen learned after a little boy died in his arms.

The jolly world that the 61-year-old engineer from a small town in Tennessee had created for kids for almost a decade nearly came crashing down a few weeks ago at a hospital where he consoled a terminally ill 5-year-old, before the child died as Schmitt-Matzen held him.

Moments before he died, the young boy sat up in his bed and asked Santa: Can you help me?

They always ask you the same question, Schmitt-Matzen told TIME on Monday as he broke down in tears. That kills you. It really kills you. I usually tell the kids, Thats just not something that Santa can do. But I didnt get that far.

The child was gone before Schmitt-Matzen could explain the limits of his powers, and the man with the voluminous 12-inch white beard and signature Santa suspenders bolted from the room and made his way to his car before the boys family could see him fall apart. I was crying so hard I couldnt see anything. I pulled over and cried some more, he said.

That heartrending moment is just one of many Santas may face when they don the red suit and shoulder the accompanying responsibilities. Veteran Santas who spoke to TIME this week said the job is mostly joyfuluntil the instant a child asks to be granted an impossible wish.

The deathbed visit Schmitt-Matzen made recently was his fourth in his nine years serving as Santa.

Its something you wish you never have to go do, he said. I know he had a smile on his face. Thats all I can say. Its all I can do. Its a tough job to do. Id rather his last smile have gone to his mom and dad, but some things we dont have control over.

I was real close to getting some psychiatric help, Schmitt-Matzen said, adding that he may still seek counseling.

Story continues

For Timothy Connaghan, who is known as the National Santa, the toughest part of the job is addressing children who sit on his lap and reveal family hardships instead of asking for gifts.

Those are the most difficult things, said Connaghan, 67, who has been playing Santa for nearly 50 years. A child comes up to you and says, Mom and dad arent working or Somebody in the family is ill. Can you cure them?

Even worse is when children say somebodys hurting them, Connaghan said. We cant just get up and run and do something, he said. We tell the children to make sure they tell their teachers, who he says are better trained to address serious issues.

Its also important for Santa not to make promises he cant keep, due to potential legal issues. Thats one of many topics Connaghan covers at his International University of Santa Claus, one of a handful of St. Nicks schools scattered across the country that offer brief seminars teaching the basics of spreading holiday cheer, along with how to respond to the thornier moments that arise.

Still, the dark times are rare and the time spent in a Santa suit is mostly rewarding, the Santas say. Its a tough job to do, but the rest of the time is a blast, Schmitt-Matzen said, adding that it was the wonderment and joy he saw afterward in childrens eyes that kept him going. The kids are smiling and theyre happy to see you, he said.

Ray Lindsey, 63, who portrays Santa in Alabama, says the Santas play an important role in society by keeping the centuries-old tradition alive each year. We all need something to look up to, something that will keep our souls alive, he said. We all need to have heroes, somebody we can look up to. Santa fits that mold.

Connaghan agrees, beginning to cry as he describes being Santa as one of the most fulfilling jobs anyone could ever have. To know that youve been bringing so much joy to the children and their families, its a magical, magical life, he said.
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f30628%2fscreen_shot_2016-12-12_at_12.04.59_pm

By now, you've almost certainly seen the video of one extraordinarily lit Christmas parade featuring children's characters pulling some fantastic dance moves.

SEE ALSO: Watch children try to do #MannequinChallenge and adorably fail

From Twitter to The Shade Room, footage of these hype kid's favorites has gone super-viral, and reactions to the party have been extremely mixed.

The video was taken at the Scotland County Christmas Parade in Laurinberg, North Carolina, where the characters danced down Main Street to energize the local crowd.

The dancers are from company TandL-Characters, who provide their spirited performers for a range of celebratory events.

"We perform skits and dance because no one wants to go to a party [where] the characters only wave and take pictures," the company's founder, Lavonda McLaughlin, told Mashable, "Our skits and music pieces are part of the company."

While some viewers sounded off about finding the dancing inappropriate in the comments section of an article in The Laurinburg Exchange, McLaughlin defends her company's approach.

"Children love to dance - especially to the top songs that are played on the radio," she continued. "There is nothing wrong with clean fun."

Negative comments on the original video also prompted its poster (and hilarious commentator) to post this:

Upon receiving negative comments, "The kids [who work for the company] were not happy," McLaughlin said. "We have never had any negativity until we did the parade in Laurinburg, North Carolina."

"We are a family business," McLaughlin explained, revealing she runs the company with husband, Travis. "We started because [our son] liked to dance, and he was good at it."

Along with McLaughlin's own three children, the company consists of kids from Durham and Laurinburg, North Carolina, who are all close friends.

"Our team loves to dance and is very talented," she explained, "They don't just see it as a job, they love entertaining and dancing too."

Story continues

Here is the company's own video of the event:

Honestly, we think this Christmas parade looks fun AF. (Go Minnie!)

BONUS: Adorable parade of Santa penguins is the best gift you'll get this holiday
Billboard's annual Women in Music event was packed with performances, impassioned acceptance speeches and so much more. While most of the celebration was captured on camera and will air on Lifetime Monday (Dec. 12), here are some behind-the-scenes moments -- everything from rising stars praising Billboard's Women of the Year Madonna, to upcoming album reveals.

After Madonna's fiery Woman of the Year acceptance speech, Halsey went backstage to thank the icon who has paved the way for so many women, saying, "Everything you said, I feel like I needed to hear."

captured this insane moment between @iamhalsey and @madonna backstage at #womeninmusic ----

A photo posted by Alexa Shouneyia (@ashouneyia) on Dec 9, 2016 at 12:53pm PST

Republic Group president Charlie Walk sang Hailee Steinfeld's praises at the start of the luncheon (she hosted the event). "I never had her audition -- we just signed her because we believed in her," he told Billboard. "And she has overdelivered and is growing immensely in the music space."

Executive of the Year Bozoma Saint John revealed that her form-fitting Discount Universe bodysuit used to belong to rapper Eve, who wore the outfit on tour this summer and auctioned it off to benefit Malaika DRC (for which she's an ambassador).

Why would I want to be serious on the red carpet when I'm having so much fun?? The credit for my look goes to: -- by @vjollcabroja ---- by @negar_ali_kline -- by @therealeve 's closet (like for real. The real E.V.E ----) -- by @stuartweitzman Belt by @alexandermcqueen ---- by @mayvennhair ---- by moi #executiveoftheyear #womeninmusic

A photo posted by Bozoma Saint John (@badassboz) on Dec 10, 2016 at 7:12pm PST

Def Jam CEO Steve Bartels recalled his early days as a DJ in New York City. "Madonna is one of the first artists where I remember people swarming the DJ booth and requesting her all the time," he told Billboard.

Story continues

Halsey sang along to every word of "Scars to Your Beautiful," which honoree Alessia Cara performed before accepting the Rule Breaker award.

"That's MY look!" Charli XCX said jokingly while standing in the back of the crowd and watching a montage honoring Billboard''s Icon Award recipient Shania Twain flash across the screen. Charli was pointing to the hooded leopard skin outfit that Twain made famous in the "That Don't Impress Me Much" video from 1998 -- back when Charli was just 6 six years old.

Rock icons Joan Jett and Debbie Harry hugged and caught up during a commercial break.

Regina Spektor, who attended as a guest of Loeb & Loeb lawyer Debbie White, beamed with pride when telling Billboard that the video for her song "Bleeding Heart," an ode to youth, was directed by her husband Jack Dishel.

Madonna's BFF Debi Mazar yelled "We love you!" to her friend when she had to pause for an emotional moment during her acceptance speech.

Billboard's Breakthrough Star Maren Morris revealed she's already planning to begin the follow-up to her debut album, HERO, in early 2017 -- despite just releasing the record six months ago. "We're planning a few weeks for me to just sit down and have a month to reflect on what's happened and write," the Best New Artist Grammy nominee said on the red carpet. "So that will be happening in the next few months."

After presenting Kesha with the Trailblazer honor, Charli XCX walked her backstage to their dressing area, as they had their publicists exchange info, promising to "get in touch." "It will never happen if we don't," Kesha said, before her publicist passed her card to Charli's. Perhaps a songwriting collaboration is in the stars?

-- shout out Kesha --

A photo posted by CHARLI XCX (@charli_xcx) on Dec 9, 2016 at 4:58pm PST

Andra Day stuck around to take photos with fans after the show. A fan thanked her for her contributions to the Hillary Clinton campaign, to which she said that she wished she had done more, given the election results.
Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump stuck to one simple story  he was going to make America great again because everything he had ever touched was great. Could it be that even today, in the age of the internet and social media, that the knack for telling simple stories is crucial?
donald trump move to mars spacex nasa getty shutterstock business insider illustration

When Donald Trump is sworn in on January 20, there's a good chance he could scrap one of President Obama's boldest visions for NASA: the asteroid redirect mission, or ARM.

ARM would ostensibly launch a robotic probe to an asteroid in 2023, capture the space rock, and tow it near the moon. Next, astronauts would ride NASA's shiny new Space Launch System and Orion space capsule (which aren't finished yet) to visit and dig into the asteroid sometime in 2025.

But ARM's slipping deadlines, ballooning costs, redundancy with the recently launched asteroid-sampling OSIRIS-REx probe, and seeming incongruence with the space agency's larger ambitions to send people to Mars will almost certainly doom the mission, Eric Berger reported for Ars Technica in February. (The Trump-friendly House Committee on Science, Space and Technology also recently sent an unfriendly letter about ARM to NASA, and it appears to be yet another presumed nail in ARM's coffin.)

So what could a Trump-controlled NASA replace it with?

Physicist and former astronaut John Grunsfeld, who recently retired as the leader of NASA's science mission directorate, is pitching a popular idea involving a retrieving a sample of Martian soil, as Berger reported on Monday.

Grunsfeld's Mars mission would send a satellite into Martian orbit and an uncrewed space capsule to the surface. Though it stops short of involving astronauts, it could check all sorts of boxes required to send people to the red planet in the future, including:

mapping all of Mars' hidden water reservoirs

further test solar electric propulsion (SEP), a highly efficient technology that can vastly reduce the launch weight of a spacecraft (and help create supply lines to Mars)

establish high-speed data connectivity around Mars (with the new satellite)

pick up soil samples collected by NASA's upcoming nuclear-powered Mars 2020 rover mission

prove a round-trip to the red planet is possible and survivable

Story continues

...and, importantly and ultimately:

open a destination for astronauts that's actually a priority for NASA at large (and Trump)

spacex

What's more, Grunsfeld's presumed mission would line up with the plans of SpaceX and its founder, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is hellbent on colonizing Mars  and sooner rather than later.

Musk has said he'll initially land Red Dragon space capsules on the Martian surface. Although those spacecraft are being designed for people, Musk noted there's plenty of room for a rover and other science experiments.

That's probably why Grunsfeld envisions contracting the company to send a small rover and sample-returning rocket. His rover would grab Mars 2020's samples, put them onto a small rocket, launch them up to his satellite's SEP-powered module in Martian orbit, and bring the rocks and dirt home for analysis by 2025.

Will Trump go for it? Business Insider contacted a representative of his transition team to ask as much, but we did not immediately receive a response.

However, Trump said during the election that a crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s would be "wonderful" and, per a Nov. 14 Forbes article by Bruce Dorminey, his transition team is currently looking at (and beyond) the red planet:

"'The specifics of missions will be determined within the overall goal of human exploration of the solar system, but clearly, the long-term, overall goal of Trump space policy anticipates human exploration far beyond low-Earth orbit and even beyond Mars,' former Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Robert Walker and a senior advisor to the Trump campaign, told [Dorminey]."

Gunsfeld's roadmap could be just the kind of no-nonsense plan Trump's NASA is looking for.

Read the full story about Grunsfeld's Mars mission idea at Ars Technica.

NOW WATCH: Scientists just discovered a massive reserve of frozen water that could help astronauts survive on Mars





More From Business Insider


"We don't have parades for mathematicians; we have parades for astronauts - but tonight is a parade for mathematicians," director Theodore Melfi told the SVA Theatre audience of premiering Hidden Figures, the historical drama sharing the untold stories of three African-American women who were vital in launching astronaut John Glenn into space in 1962.

"I hope this film shows kids of all races and sexes that there's more opportunity and success to be had than in a Kardashian kind of world," Melfi told The Hollywood Reporter before the screening Saturday night. "To see a different dream about their mind is so desperately needed."

The Fox film zooms in on Katherine Goble, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, whose families attended the New York City screening and after-party at the Altman building. "It didn't feel like work - it was a moment to go to work and bond with two sisters that I always admired from afar," Taraji P. Henson told reporters of working with Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer. Monae added that she was honored to be part of the cast, and Spencer stated, "I love these women - sisterhood is the only way to go."

Read more: 'Hidden Figures': Film Review

Jim Parsons further added that the ensemble film "is truly one of the most rewarding things I've ever gotten to be a part of. In a bigger way, this is a story about very human hurdles about our interactions with one another - lessons that, for whatever reason, we need to learn again and again and again. Some of the specifics and the people ostracized change, but the energy, you can smell it in the air now," he explained. "Let's treat each other better and realize we can do some amazing, amazing stuff if we work together."

Melfi ultimately agreed - after giving a brief tribute to the late astronaut Glenn, and shoutouts those who worked on the film, the director shared "the real meaning of the film, [which] came out to me just recently." Melfi then recalled an observation from traveling for a recent screening - inside the airport's first-class lounge, Spencer was not helped by any wait staff over a 10-minute period, but when Melfi entered, he was offered coffee immediately.

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"I could've cried at that moment," he said. "I want to dedicate this film to everyone in the world who has ever experienced that, who has sat through unconscious bias their whole lives, who has not gotten a cup of coffee or a promotion or been paid properly because of the color of their skin or their gender. I hope to god this movie is just one small chink in that bad armor."

Hidden Figures hits theaters Dec. 25.

Michael Stewart/Getty
Hillary Clintons campaign chairman is joining calls to have U.S. intelligence officials share with the Electoral College electors just what they know about foreign governments efforts to shape the presidential race.

John Podesta on Monday released a statement saying the electors, who will meet to formally elect the next President of the United States this month, should know what American spies know, including just how much Russia put its thumb on the scale to help Donald Trump win. Podestas email account was among those hacked and its contents published on WikiLeaks.

Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed, Podesta said.

So far, 10 electors have asked for an intelligence briefing before the Electoral College meets on Dec. 19. Trump won 306 electoral votes, clearing the 270 he needed to prevail. Some liberals are clinging to the hopes that the electors would choose to set aside the results of Novembers presidential race. Such a move has never been taken before in modern American history. Then again, an American election has never been a battlefield for foreign governments, either.

Trumps willingness to disregard conclusions made by the intelligence community and his continuing defense of Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin demand close scrutiny and deliberation from the Electoral College, the electors wrote to the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Among them: the daughter of House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.

Trump and his team have maintained that its not clear Russia interfered with the election. On Monday, former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina met with Trump at his Manhattan offices and told reporters after that they discussed both China and Russia as aggressors. Trump a day earlier said no one really knows if it was Russia behind the hacks of Podesta and the Democratic National Committee, and his campaign glibly pointed out that U.S. intelligence officials also got wrong their assessment of Iraqs weapons program ahead of the American invasion.

But the intelligence professionals have been less than subtle in naming and shaming Russia for publishing embarrassing information about Democrats. And Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, told reporters on Monday that the Russians are not our friends as he announced his chambers spy panel would investigate foreign hands in the ballot box.

If Clapper gives the electors a briefing on what the intelligence community knows  and does not know  about Russias role in the election, it would trigger allegations that spies are trying to undermine an election already ripe with interference from government arms, most notably the FBIs decision to revisit Clintons email practices just day before the election. With confidence in government already at bottom-of-the-barrel levels, starting Trumps presidency like this would only erode it further  especially with so many of his supporters already doubting the intelligence communitys findings.
Photo credit: The Hofstra Chronicle

From Cosmopolitan

The woman who owns the house formerly rented by Hofstra Universitys Sigma Pi fraternity told the New York Post the brothers destroyed the house while they lived there. Leaked photos allegedly from the fraternitys horrific 2014 and 2015 hazing process went viral Thursday, and they do show ample damage to the house theyre in, though its unconfirmed if the photos were taken in the Sigma Pi basement.



Never mind what they did to each other, you should see what they did to my house, Rosa Taveras told the Post, referring to the photos where pledges appeared to be covered in hot sauce, put in dog cages, and forced to vomit on each other. They totally destroyed the place. They set a fire in the back, they dumped garbage everywhere, they broke the sinks and destroyed the plumbing. They were animals.

Taveras said she had no idea the house, which is about half a mile from campus, was so wrecked until the fraternitys charter was revoked in the spring and the men were forced to move out. Sigma Pi had previously been leasing the five-bedroom house for $3,900 a month.

Similarly, Hofstra said they were unaware of any incidents of alleged hazing until the schools paper obtained the photos and video, and published them. The school and former Sigma Pi brothers are now cooperating with police during an ongoing investigation.

Follow Tess on Twitter.

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Just how does Hollywood Medium Tyler Henrys amazing abilities work? The star joins The Doctors to explain how hes able to look into peoples lives like no one else.

In a reading, I communicate what I see, what I hear and what I feel. Its as simple as that. What I do isnt like The Sixth Sense, I dont see dead people walking around when Im sitting and looking at an audience of people. I just basically sit with a person and scribble, and I have to be aware of the impressions that Im picking up on. It could be a vision, it could be a voice, and it could be a physical sensation that corresponds with how someone passed, he tells The Doctors.

He says his abilities first came about when he was 10 years old and he had a strong feeling that his grandmother was about to die. He told his parents the family should say goodbye to her, and that same night she passed. I didnt pick this, I think this really pick me, he says.

Watch: Runaway Bride Due to Psychic?

In addition to sensing intimate details about other peoples lives, he has an uncanny insight into his own, including a past serious health scare when he was 18 years old. After experiencing a headache which lasted for days, he went to his mother and told her that he was convinced his brain was swelling. Sure enough, after being checked out, doctors found he had hydrocephalus (a swelling of the brain) due to an arachnoid brain cyst. He underwent emergency brain surgery and successfully recovered.

The medium continues to use his skills to help others with health concerns.

Watch: Manhattan Medium Reconnects Vicki Gunvalson With Deceased Loved One

I never want to scare anyone. I always encourage people to go to a doctor, a doctor knows best in most cases. I also think that people have to go with their intuition. Often people know something is wrong with them before they even go to a doctor, he says. I tell people basically what I feel they intuitively have a susceptibility to and I give them that information in the hopes [that] if this is something that they do develop and show symptoms that they will go to their doctor and get medical advice.

For more from Tyler, check out his new book, Between Two Worlds and watch his E! series, which returns in 2017.
When you compile your list of must-haves in a home and compare it with what's on the market, a finished basement is almost always a big plus. You get additional square footage for living, entertaining and storage without having to put up the effort and money to finish the space yourself.

But before you fall in love with that finished-basement abode, approach the space with a critical eye. The basement, after all, houses most of your home's key functioning systems, from plumbing to electrical and gas. A poorly constructed or maintained space might lead not only to costly repairs, but also cause damage elsewhere in your home.

Consider the consequences of taking on a troubled basement. If the finished below-grade space lacks permits or proper waterproofing or contains amateur craftsmanship, you could face municipal fines or risk sickness-causing mold and future fire hazards.

When it comes time to negotiate with a seller on purchase conditions, consider these basement red flags a bargaining chip to ensure you're getting a well-maintained home. "I would make sure it got resolved before they actually purchase the home," says David Schrock owner and founder of Basement Spaces Inc. in Aurora, Illinois.

[See: 12 Home Improvement Shortcuts That Are a Bad Idea.]

When you tour the finished basement of any home on the market, keep an eye out for signs of problems beneath the surface, and don't let these seven potential issues be swept aside during the negotiation process.

Water outside. Your evaluation begins even before you step inside the home. Look for telltale signs of problems -- or the potential for problems -- by searching for indicators that water buildup around the foundation is likely.

"The outside of the home is just as important as the inside. Check grades [for] clear gutters [and] downspout extensions," says Jack H. Milne Jr., president of Tri-County Inspection Company, based in southern Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey.

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If the house is set lower than the surrounding ground, the gutters are clogged or downspouts lead water runoff directly into the ground at the foundation, there's a good chance the basement will have moisture problems, mold or even regular flooding.

Musty smell. Once you're in the basement, your nose is one of the best tools for finding a moisture problem. "When you open that basement door and your nostrils start flaring, chances are you have a wet basement," Milne says.

A recently finished basement can hide mold, moisture and cracks where water can easily seep in behind drywall and new flooring, but that problem will rear its ugly head in just a matter of time. If the basement smells musty or feels particularly humid, there's likely unaddressed moisture.

Keep an eye out for an abundance of air fresheners or electric deodorizers, which could be used to mask a musty smell. While a dehumidifier is common in basements and could be all a basement needs to address a mild moisture issue, if you're seeing air fresheners in every outlet, "there's typically an issue," Milne says.

If you don't detect moisture from the smell or feel, it's still possible that unaddressed moisture issues can be revealed in a professional inspection. But be sure to discuss any concerns about the basement with the home inspector first to ensure he or she is looking out for potential problems.

[Read: 7 Things You Should Know About Finishing Your Basement DIY Project.]

Wet carpet. If the outside conditions and musty smell don't give it away, consider a wet carpet to be the brightest red flag possible for a finished basement.

"If water's coming out on your carpeting, then it's also behind the wall and not evaporating as easily, and it also provides food for mold ... like the back of drywall, which is paper," says Nick Gromicko, founder of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

Malfunctioning light switch. Overhead lights in a finished basement are typically connected to a switch plate at the top of the stairs, with at least one more located elsewhere in the basement.

When a two-way switch doesn't work properly, one switch has to remain in the same position in order for the other one to successfully turn lights on and off. Gromicko says this is an indicator the electrical work was done by an amateur.

"That's probably a dead giveaway," he adds, noting improper electrical wiring can be a serious fire hazard and likely isn't permitted.

Unfinished stairs. Another telltale sign of shoddy basement craftsmanship can be found with a quick check under the stairs. Often, there's a closet under the basement stairs. Open up the closet and see whether the outline of each step is visible, rather than finished drywall covering the stairs.

"One of the first things I do is go look under the stairs. ... If the stairs are not finished on that underneath side, then more than likely, that basement was done without a permit," Schrock says.

Anything unsightly behind the scenes. Once you've checked in the closet under the stairs, Milne recommends searching in every other nook and cranny of the basement. A finished basement will likely be unfinished in the furnace room and inside other closets, giving you insight into the original basement structure's condition.

"Don't be afraid to open doors," Milne says. Look for evidence of fireproofing, mold and questionable wiring or plumbing work.

[See: The Best Apps for House Hunting.]

No permits. Just like any previous renovations or additions done on a home you're thinking about purchasing, always inquire about permits and certification to prove the work was done properly.

Lack of permits on any part of the home that underwent significant construction is a major liability to the owner, regardless of who did the original work. If you willingly purchase a home with an unpermitted basement, you will be liable for the fines and cost of having work redone and approved by the proper authorities.

"The good thing about the permit is that it takes the liability off of me the contractor and you the homeowner and puts it on the city," Schrock says. Be sure all work on a basement is permitted prior to closing on the home to avoid a big bill or potential safety hazard.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. HMC has signed a memorandum of understanding with ride-hailing platform, Grab Inc., for a possible collaboration in the field of mobility services. The two companies are planning to team up for motorcycle sharing services in Southeast Asia. Grab Inc. provides a platform for sharing automobiles and motorcycles.

The collaboration is aimed at reducing traffic congestion in urban areas. The final details of the collaboration are not certain yet. However, reportedly Honda will make an investment in Grab Inc. as part of the deal.

Due to a rising demand for mobility services, many automakers are collaborating with ride sharing service providers. In Jan 2016, General Motors Company GM entered into a partnership with ride-hailing company Lyft Inc. and invested $500 million in the latter to support the growth of ridesharing service. In Oct 2016, General Motors announced that it has invested in Chinas Yi Wei Xing (Beijing) Technology Co. Ltd., a leading car-sharing technology solution provider.

In Oct 2016, Toyota Motor Corporation TM announced that it will establish a Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) to take advantage of the rising popularity of mobility services. The company will collaborate with various service providers, including a pilot program with U.S. car-sharing company, Getaround.

Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company F signed an agreement to acquire a San Francisco-based crowd-sourced shuttle service called Chariot and teamed up with bike-sharing provider Motivate. Through the acquisition of Chariot, Ford is planning to venture into the global shuttle services business. Meanwhile, the bike-sharing service Motivate is planning to work with Ford and San Francisco city officials to add new stations and increase the number of bikes to 7,000 in the Bay Area by 2018-end.

HONDA MOTOR Price

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Hong Kong's finance chief resigned Monday ahead of what is widely expected to be a tilt at the city leadership.

John Tsang -- nicknamed "Mr Pringles" by local media for his resemblance to the crisp brand's mascot -- is seen as a more moderate alternative to current leader Leung Chun-ying, who said Friday he would step down in July.

The city has become sharply divided under Leung, whose term has been marked by anti-Beijing protests. Opponents cast him as a puppet of the Chinese government squeezing the semi-autonomous city's freedoms.

Tsang confirmed to reporters Monday evening that he had resigned after more than nine years, but stopped short of announcing he would run for the leadership.

"I shall think through this in the coming days and make an announcement," he said.

He used the opportunity to thank the Chinese government for their "support and encouragement" as well as the people of Hong Kong.

Tsang recapped how he had witnessed the city returned to "our motherland" -- referring to the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997.

He also said that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy had been "successfully implemented".

The finance secretary's resignation is being seen as a signal that he will stand in the leadership elections in March. Candidates are not allowed to hold a government office if they want to stand for chief executive.

- Skewed system -

Although Tsang has a better public image than Leung, he is still an establishment figure.

Pro-democracy campaigners have warned the next city leader will simply be another Beijing yes-man as the vote system is skewed.

The chief executive is chosen by an electoral committee made up of representatives of special interest groups, weighted towards Beijing.

Mass rallies in 2014 called for fully free leadership elections, but failed to win concessions on reform.

Special interest groups voted for members of the election committee on Sunday -- of almost 1,200 only around a quarter come from the pro-democracy camp.

Story continues

Speculation that Tsang would run for office intensified last year after China's President Xi Jinping shook his hand during a meeting in Beijing.

There was another handshake between the two in September at the G20 in Hangzhou.

Former security minister and current senior lawmaker Regina Ip is also expected to announce her candidacy this week.

Ip is hated by the pro-democracy camp for supporting controversial anti-subversion law Article 23 when she was minister in 2003. It was dropped after hundreds of thousands of residents protested.

However, she has a strong support group in the establishment camp -- in recent legislative elections Ip was one of the most popular candidates receiving 60,000 votes.

Current government number two Carrie Lam has also said she will consider running.

Only one candidate has declared they are running for the leadership so far -- retired judge Woo Kwok-hing who has said he wants to help Hong Kong overcome its divisions.

Analysts say Tsang would stand the best chance.

"John Tsang is accepted by many pan-democratic supporters and the business circle in the pro-establishment camp," said Edmund Cheng, professor of government and international studies at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Cheng added that Tsang had outranked all other potential candidates in opinion polls.
The Madison Jazz Society has awarded grants from its School Grant Fund to music programs in 13 Wisconsin schools. Area recipients include: Belleville High School, $350 to purchase jazz charts; Beloit Memorial High School, $475 to underwrite the Jeff Hamilton Clinical Master Class/Performance; DeForest Area High School, $475 to underwrite student participation in the UW-Stevens Point Jazz Festival; Jefferson Middle School, $200 to purchase charts for the schools jazz library; Jefferson High School, $500 to purchase vocal jazz charts; Juda Schools, $500 to help purchase a mixing console to replace one that is broken; Sauk Trail Elementary School, Middleton, $250 to underwrite the Making Jazz Music Childs Play program; Prairie View Middle School, Sun Prairie, $450 to underwrite a drum/rhythm section instructor; and Wisconsin Dells High School, $450 to help refurbish jazz band instruments. The grants fund jazz centered programs designed to help students learn about and perform jazz.
By Venus Wu HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang resigned on Monday, the city's government said, and is widely expected to announce his intention to run for the city's top job in March. There has been months of speculation that 65-year-old Tsang, who tops popularity polls, would step down and enter the race to become the financial hub's chief executive. Hong Kong's unpopular incumbent chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, announced last Friday that he would not stand for a second five-year term. The city government said Leung had already submitted Tsang's resignation to China's central government and the secretary for financial services and the treasury, Chan Ka-keung, would be acting financial secretary. Cable News reported earlier on Monday that Tsang may not make an announcement on standing for the top job immediately. Tsang was not immediately available for comment. Tsang, known as "Uncle Pringles" for a mustache similar to one worn by a character on a potato crisp brand's packaging, is a U.S.-educated fencing and martial arts enthusiast who has been the former British colony's finance minister since July 2007. Candidates running for chief executive have to be vetted by a 1,200-strong Election Committee, which was selected on Sunday. The same committee will decide who will lead the city of 7.2 million people in late March. Tens of thousands of protesters clogged city streets for weeks in 2014 to demand a one-man-one-vote election for chief executive but they failed to win any concessions from Beijing. Hong Kong's next leader faces a host of challenges with concern growing over the influence of Beijing in city affairs as well as a fledging independence movement that has alarmed China's Communist Party leadership. Hong Kong's economy generally grew at a stable pace under Tsang and the government recorded surpluses every year. Last year's surplus was HK$14.4 billion (US$1.86 billion). But critics say Tsang has failed to use the government's HK$842.9 billion (US$110 billion) in reserves to fund long-term social welfare policies, instead announcing one-off "sweeteners" in his annual budget addresses. Compared with Leung, who is generally seen as a dour, hardliner, Tsang has tried to present a more gentle persona, more in touch with the public. Tsang is also less closely identified with Beijing's Communist Party leadership than Leung. Retired judge Woo Kwok-hing became the first person to enter the race and announced his campaign in October. Hong Kong's chief secretary, Carrie Lam, and a legislator and former security chief, Regina Ip, have also expressed an interest in running. (Reporting By Venus Wu; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel)
REYKJAVIK, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Iceland's anti-establishment Pirate Party, the Left Greens and three other parties have called off talks on forming a centre-left coalition, Icelandic media reported on Monday.

Pirate Party leader Birgitta Jonsdottir had been asked by the president to try to form a government, after the two largest parties - the Independence Party and the Left Greens - each failed to cobble together a governing coalition.

The third failure to negotiate a coalition since the Oct. 29 snap election raises the spectre of a new vote.

Daily Morgunbladid cited Jonsdottir as saying the parties involved in the latest round of talks had not been able to agree on fisheries policies and on government spending, and she would hand back her mandate to the president later on Monday.

The Pirate Party could not be reached for comment.

One of the big tasks for a new government will be to continue the lifting of capital controls that were put in place after the 2008 financial crisis. Parties on both sides have pledged no major changes to the removal process.

(Reporting by Ragnhildur Sigurdardottir; Writing by Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Louise Ireland)
[Photo: IKEA]

Ah IKEA. Its no secret that we all have a love/hate relationship with the Swedish furniture retailer. Traipsing around the maze of madness isnt our favourite thing in the world, but stocking up on the brands famous meatballs and taking home a whole host of bargain goods makes it worth the trek.

A new campaign is another point for the pro IKEA column. The store has teamed up with Swedish agency Akestam Hols in order to change the way we search for products. The brands gone and renamed their products to match the most commonly Googled real life relationship problems. It is without a doubt utterly genius, and all to make life at home easier for you.

Pay a visit to IKEAs new Retail Therapy site and youll see that a pack of six champagne flutes now has the witty moniker, When Children Leave Home.

[Photo: IKEA]

[Photo: IKEA]

[Photo: IKEA]

The site literally has a solution for any possible matter from My Partner Annoys Me to Talk About The Birds And The Bees With Kids and our personal favourite Ate Too Many Swedish Meatballs (spoiler alert: the product is a bike).

Seriously, why hasnt this been thought of before?

Could this be the future of online shopping? We really hope so.

How to deal with relatives during the festive season

Asking our other halves for permission before going out: Why do we do it?
Washington (AFP) - The world's smallest countries are highly vulnerable to climate change and should work to adapt as sea levels rise and storms grow more frequent, according to an IMF report released Monday.

However, the needs of such states -- those with the lowest populations and least land mass -- are underfunded by as much as $1 billion annually, the International Monetary Fund report said, calling on both the fund and smaller member states to help prepare for life on a warmer, more disaster-prone planet.

Unlike larger countries that can absorb catastrophic damages from natural disasters more easily, small states are more likely to see entire populations and economies affected, said IMF Assistant Director for strategy and policy Peter Allum -- who coordinated the project -- during a call with reporters.

"This magnifies the size of the disaster relative to the size of the economy and its resource base," he said.

The study examined 34 developing IMF member countries with populations of fewer than 1.5 million in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and elsewhere.

It found that around one in 10 natural disasters in such countries resulted in damages greater than 30 percent of GDP. In others, the figure drops to one in a hundred natural disasters.

The annual costs to small states' economies averaged two percent of GDP, four times higher than for other countries, Allum said.

The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, with a population of fewer than 300,000, tapped IMF emergency financing tools after it was devastated by Cyclone Pam last year, one of the worst natural disasters in the archipelago's history, he said.

The Category 5 cyclone caused the country's economy to contract by 0.8 percent in 2015, when it had previously been forecast to grow by 3.5 percent, the fund said. The IMF board approved about $24 million in emergency funds, helping the country meet balance of payments needs and also encouraging support from other aid donors.

Story continues

But since small states have benefited far less than larger countries from recent reforms to such financing, the IMF is now considering raising limits on access to emergency financing.

Although a variety of policy proposals may be appropriate for member countries in preparing for and reducing risks, the report said, the fund itself should change its risk assessments to include natural disasters and encourage economic policies that reflect the dangers facing small states.

Allum said the IMF board of directors may be presented with policy proposals by early next year.
By Rajendra Jadhav and Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Axis Bank Ltd, India's top importer of gold, has suspended the bank accounts of some bullion dealers and jewellers after two of its executives at a branch were arrested over alleged money laundering.

The move is likely to curtail imports by the world's second-biggest gold consumer this month and could weigh on global prices already near their lowest level in ten months.

"We have temporarily suspended transactions in a few current accounts as a part of a larger enhanced due diligence exercise being conducted on transactions post-demonetisation," the bank said in an e-mailed reply to questions from Reuters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrapped 500-rupee and 1,000-rupee banknotes on Nov. 8 in a bid to flush out cash earned through illegal activities, or earned legally but never disclosed to tax authorities.

There have also been reports of people rushing to buy gold by paying as much as a 50 percent premium above official prices using their unaccounted money to skirt the note ban.

Axis did not directly comment on the arrests. Last week the Enforcement Directorate, a government agency that fights financial crime, said it had arrested two Axis bank employees for allegedly helping launderers to buy gold with the help of scrapped notes.

The bank said the suspended gold dealers' accounts will be restored over the next few days after an "enhanced due diligence process".

A Chennai-based bullion dealer, who declined to be named, said the bank had frozen his account without giving a reason.

Half a dozen other dealers in Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmadabad and New Delhi also confirmed the freezing of their Axis accounts.

The move has brought bullion trading to a standstill, with jewellers fearing attention from government agencies if they make large purchases, said Harshad Ajmera, the proprietor of JJ Gold House, a wholesaler in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.

It is estimated that one-third of India's annual demand of around 800 tonnes is paid for in "black money" - the local term for untaxed funds held in cash by citizens that do not appear in any official accounts.

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Jewellers and bullion dealers are deferring purchases and gold imports in December could fall to 30 tonnes, down from 107 tones in the same month a year ago, said a Mumbai-based dealer.

In November the country's gold imports jumped to around 100 tonnes, the highest in 11 months.

Axis, India's third-biggest private sector bank, said last week it had suspended 19 employees over alleged breaches at one of its branches in implementing a government-ordered exchange of high-value bank notes.

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav and Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Jakarta (AFP) - Jakarta's Christian governor will stand trial on Tuesday accused of blasphemy in a high-profile case that has emboldened hardline groups and stoked fears of growing intolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -- the first Christian to govern Jakarta in more than 50 years -- will defend allegations that he insulted the Koran and fight calls for his imprisonment under Indonesia's tough blasphemy laws.

Purnama, known for his outspoken style, outraged Muslims when he controversially quoted a passage from the Islamic holy text while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship.

His remarks ignited a protest movement by hardliners, who have long railed against a non-Muslim in city hall but failed to dent the governor's popularity.

But their rallying cry to defend Islam and punish "the blasphemer" attracted unprecedented support from Muslims both moderate and conservative, who marched against the governor in numbers not seen in many years.

The case is being viewed in part as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where a spike in attacks on minorities has eroded a reputation for diversity and inclusiveness.

"If he's found guilty, this could be the biggest setback for pluralism in Indonesia's history," said Tobias Basuki from the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

- Race a factor -

Purnama fell foul of Indonesias archaic blasphemy laws when he insinuated that his opponents had used a Koranic verse to trick people into voting against him.

An edited version of his speech went viral online, sparking outrage far beyond Jakarta, where Purnama has ruled since his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in late 2014.

The governor apologised but Indonesia's highest clerical body, and a slew of radical groups, declared the remarks blasphemous and urged authorities to bring charges.

Critics want the country's blasphemy laws overhauled. The legislation was rarely used during the 32-year rule of strongman Suharto, but in recent years it has been exploited to persecute minorities, rights groups say.

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Purnama is not only Christian but ethnic Chinese, a community long mistrusted in Indonesia, and his race made pinning him for blasphemy easier, political expert Syamsudin Haris told AFP.

"Ahok's 'Chinese-ness' is a factor," he added, using the governor's popular nickname.

Religious freedom is protected by law in Indonesia but moralising thugs often enforce their own rules, preventing Islamic minorities like Shias and Ahmadis from worshipping and opposing the construction of churches.

The most prominent of these groups, the Islamic Defenders Front, has used the blasphemy scandal to burnish its credentials, staging high-profile events alongside political leaders including President Joko Widodo.

"A group that used to hound the public and the government has now been legitimised, and even accommodated, by the government, said Hendardi, the chairman of the rights group Setara Institute, who goes by one name.

- 'Trial by mob' -

Widodo -- like presidents before him -- has been accused of ignoring the rising influence of intolerant hardline groups, which have flourished in the nearly two decades of democracy since Suhartos downfall.

The president "did not have the courage" to stand up to these firebrand Muslims, Haris said, fearing a backlash from the electorate, around 90 percent of which follows Islam.

The populist backlash against Purnama -- an ally of Widodo -- backed the president even further into a corner.

His efforts at playing peacemaker ahead of a huge rally in November failed, with mobs burning police cars and clashing with riot officers outside the presidential palace.

Widodo was forced to cancel a long-planned visit to Australia to confront the crisis, sparking rumours of a coup. Later, arrests were made over an alleged plot to topple the government.

"The case shows that the government has an enormous task to address political Islam," Basuki said.

Critics say the controversy is as much about politics as the governor's foes whip up anger to reduce his support ahead of the hotly-contested February poll.

Purnama was on track to win in February but has been watching his lead crumble as his two opponents -- both politically-connected Muslims -- have gained ground.

Purnama has refused to bow out of the race, but risks haemorrhaging more support if the blasphemy scandal drags on, Djayadi Hanan from pollster SMRC told AFP.

The trial - which Widodo and the police have vowed to resolved quickly -- will have long-lasting ramifications, analysts say, especially if Purnama is sentenced to five years prison as allowed by law.

"The government can't let this become a trial by mob, because it will set a terrible precedent for our democracy," said Hendardi.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police said on Monday they would deploy plainclothes officers to oversee security at the blasphemy trial of Jakartas Christian governor, seen by many as a test of religious freedom in the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation. Members of Islamic groups are expected to rally outside the courthouse in central Jakarta on Tuesday, demanding that governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, who they claim insulted the Koran, be taken immediately into custody under arrest. The court has requested security for the judges, attendees and for the area in general, said senior police official Martinus Sitompul. Among them will be (plainclothes) personnel who will mingle in with attendees. Purnamas comments, made in late September, on his opponents use of the Koran in political campaigning has incensed many Muslim groups. Tens of thousands of Muslims, led by hardliners, took to the streets in December and November, to call for Purnamas arrest and urge voters not to reelect him in an election for governor in February. The rallies, with over 150,000 participants each, were the biggest Jakarta has seen in nearly two decades. President Joko Widodo, seen as an ally to Purnama, has blamed political actors for fueling the protests, but declined to elaborate. Widodo has faced widespread criticism for not doing enough to protect the countrys religious minorities. Indonesia has the worlds largest Muslim population, but the country of 250 million also has sizeable Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities and dozens of groups that adhere to traditional beliefs. Purnama, if found guilty of blasphemy, faces up to five years in prison. Almost all blasphemy cases in recent years have ended in conviction. As Jakartas first ethnic Chinese governor, Purnama won kudos for shaking up the citys sleepy bureaucracy and for taking steps to ease the citys notorious traffic. But his abrasive language and insistence on clearing the citys slums has alienated many voters. Recent opinion polls showed Purnama, once the frontrunner in the race to lead Jakarta, has now slipped to second place, behind Agus Yudhoyono, the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (Reporting by Nilufar Rizki; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; editing by Ralph Boulton)
Three masked men, with at least two armed with handguns, pushed their way into an East Side home Sunday, with the resident fleeing to a neighbor's home to call 911.

The suspects then ransacked a bedroom but it wasn't known if anything was stolen, Madison police said.

The incident happened at about 3:10 p.m. in the 800 block of Fairmont Avenue.

The 23-year-old man at home at the time answered a knock at the door.

"Three men wearing winter facemasks pushed their way in," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. "The victim believed at least two were armed with handguns."

The bedroom targeted by the intruders was that of a resident not at home at the time.

"The preliminary investigation suggests this was not a random burglary," DeSpain said.

No description of the suspects was given.
Wall Street seems to be shrugging off a big jump in oil prices. Stocks started the day mixed with the Dow Industrials closing in on the 20,000 mark as investors turn their attention to the Federal Reserves policy meeting this week.

Here are some of the other stories the Yahoo Finance team is covering for you today.

Exxon, Putin and Trump

Donald Trumps reported choice to run the State Department, ExxonMobil (XOM) CEO Rex Tillerson is raising concerns among lawmakers including Senators John McCain and Marco Rubio. Tillerson has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump praised Tillerson in a Tweet on Sunday. Will Tillersons potential conflicts of interest stop Trump from selecting him to run State?

Boeings Iran spin

Boeing (BA) signed a deal worth about $17 billion with Iran to supply the countrys airline carrier with 80 passenger jets. This comes after last years landmark nuclear agreement and is also Irans first pact with a Western company since the Islamic Revolution 37 years ago. Boeings press release touted that the deal will support nearly 100,000 US jobs. Will this appease Donald Trump, who opposed the Iran nuclear deal and criticized Boeing last week?

Bezos at Trump Tower

Yahoo Finance is reporting that Amazon (AMZN) CEO Jeff Bezos will be among the tech executives meeting with President-elect Trump on Wednesday in New York. The Trump campaign has attacked Amazon for monopolistic tendencies and Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post. What will Trump hear from Bezos and other executives who are reportedly attending, including Tesla (TSLA) chief Elon Musk?


By Rania El Gamal

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iraq is committed to cutting its production to comply with a global pact to support prices, the country's oil minister said, adding he was nevertheless confident OPEC's No. 2 producer has the potential to boost its output in coming years.

Iraq is reviewing several options to implement the reduction, including cuts from Kirkuk oilfield, southern fields being developed by oil majors or other state-run areas, Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi said in an interview.

"The cuts will aim at the figures we agreed with OPEC definitely, but (for) the areas of the cuts there are many options on the table," Luaibi told Reuters on Saturday.

Last month, OPEC agreed to cut output by 1.2 million bpd from January 2017. Baghdad, which has called to be exempted from OPEC restrictions as it needs the income to fight Islamic State, would reduce its output by around 200,000 barrels per day to 4.351 million bpd.

Luaibi said his ministry was in discussions with foreign companies operating Iraq's giant southern fields to implement some cuts during scheduled maintenance.

"Some IOCs will have maintenance requirements in some limited places in some fields... so this is a good opportunity to do them," he said.

Iraq's production in December will be slightly higher than November's, Luaibi said.

"I can assure you that our production, I am talking with confidence, has reached the level of 4.8 million bpd."

Iraq has accepted a lower production reference level as part of the OPEC deal that estimated its output at 4.561 million bpd.

Luaibi said Baghdad has agreed to a lower level estimate because "We want OPEC to unite, so the oil price and the global market balance and improve."

"But at the back of our minds, we are confident that this was not (the) real production level, however, we hope this would be compensated with the improvement of the prices," he said.

BUILDING CAPACITY

Iraq has signed deals with majors such as Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell to develop its fields. Production has almost doubled to around 4.7 million bpd this year, from 2.4 million bpd at the start of the decade.

Story continues

But the growth has lagged the initial forecasts of production at 9 million bpd by 2018, rivaling Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter and OPEC's biggest producer.

Held back by red tape, infrastructure constraints and difficult contract terms, Iraq is now targeting a more modest 5.5 million to 6 million bpd by 2020.

Oil companies operate in the southern oilfields under service contracts, whereby they are paid a fixed dollar fee for additional volumes produced. Iraq has been in talks with the companies to link the fees they receive to crude prices.

Luaibi said some companies are asking for revisions in some clauses of the contracts and his ministry was working with a consultancy in Finland over the revised contracts.

"We will see something new happening in 2017 that would please the IOCs and safeguard our interests," he said.

Luaibi, who became oil minister earlier this year and has served previously as director general of South Oil Company which produces most of the nation's oil, has made boosting Iraq's production a priority.

He said Iraq's target was to boost its output potential to 6 million by 2020. "I think the 9 million bpd will be sort of appropriate after 2030," he said.

To help Iraq reach that target, it needs water injection to enhance oil recovery, and a crucial multi-billion-dollar water project that has been delayed for years is now being revived with a capacity of 5 million bpd of water.

"We put it on a fast-track," Luaibi said, adding there will be a tender "within this month, if not, then next month."

(Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Rania El Gamal

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iraq is committed to cutting its production to comply with a global pact to support prices, the country's oil minister said, adding he was nevertheless confident OPEC's No. 2 producer has the potential to boost its output in coming years.

Iraq is reviewing several options to implement the reduction, including cuts from Kirkuk oilfield, southern fields being developed by oil majors or other state-run areas, Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi said in an interview.

"The cuts will aim at the figures we agreed with OPEC definitely, but (for) the areas of the cuts there are many options on the table," Luaibi told Reuters on Saturday.

Last month, OPEC agreed to cut output by 1.2 million bpd from January 2017. Baghdad, which has called to be exempted from OPEC restrictions as it needs the income to fight Islamic State, would reduce its output by around 200,000 barrels per day to 4.351 million bpd.

Luaibi said his ministry was in discussions with foreign companies operating Iraq's giant southern fields to implement some cuts during scheduled maintenance.

"Some IOCs will have maintenance requirements in some limited places in some fields... so this is a good opportunity to do them," he said.

Iraq's production in December will be slightly higher than November's, Luaibi said.

"I can assure you that our production, I am talking with confidence, has reached the level of 4.8 million bpd."

Iraq has accepted a lower production reference level as part of the OPEC deal that estimated its output at 4.561 million bpd.

Luaibi said Baghdad has agreed to a lower level estimate because "We want OPEC to unite, so the oil price and the global market balance and improve."

"But at the back of our minds, we are confident that this was not (the) real production level, however, we hope this would be compensated with the improvement of the prices," he said.

BUILDING CAPACITY

Iraq has signed deals with majors such as Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell to develop its fields. Production has almost doubled to around 4.7 million bpd this year, from 2.4 million bpd at the start of the decade.

Story continues

But the growth has lagged the initial forecasts of production at 9 million bpd by 2018, rivalling Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter and OPEC's biggest producer.

Held back by red tape, infrastructure constraints and difficult contract terms, Iraq is now targeting a more modest 5.5 million to 6 million bpd by 2020.

Oil companies operate in the southern oilfields under service contracts, whereby they are paid a fixed dollar fee for additional volumes produced. Iraq has been in talks with the companies to link the fees they receive to crude prices.

Luaibi said some companies are asking for revisions in some clauses of the contracts and his ministry was working with a consultancy in Finland over the revised contracts.

"We will see something new happening in 2017 that would please the IOCs and safeguard our interests," he said.

Luaibi, who became oil minister earlier this year and has served previously as director general of South Oil Company which produces most of the nation's oil, has made boosting Iraq's production a priority.

He said Iraq's target was to boost its output potential to 6 million by 2020. "I think the 9 million bpd will be sort of appropriate after 2030," he said.

To help Iraq reach that target, it needs water injection to enhance oil recovery, and a crucial multi-billion-dollar water project that has been delayed for years is now being revived with a capacity of 5 million bpd of water.

"We put it on a fast-track," Luaibi said, adding there will be a tender "within this month, if not, then next month."

(Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Ahmed Rasheed and Dominic Evans BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Several thousand Iraqi federal police are ready to join the assault against Islamic State in east Mosul, a spokesman said on Monday, reinforcing troops who have faced weeks of fierce counter-attacks from the militants. The extra forces are being deployed as the grueling U.S.-backed campaign to crush Islamic State in its Iraqi stronghold enters its ninth week. Elite army troops have retaken a quarter of the city, but their advance has been slow and punishing. The federal police units, around 4,000 strong, have been moved to an area southeast of the city, near where an army tank division last week made the deepest incursion into Mosul so far, briefly seizing a hospital used as a base by the militants. The troops were forced to pull back from the Salam hospital, less than a mile (about 1 km) from the Tigris river which runs through the center of Mosul, when they were attacked by suicide car bombs, mortar volleys and machine gun fire. A spokesman for Iraq's federal police commander, Lieutenant-General Raed Shakir Jawdat, said the police units were near Qaraqosh, about 15 km (10 miles) from the southeast edge of Mosul, and were ready to mobilize. However, he said they were waiting for advances elsewhere on the eastern front, where elite Counter Terrorism Services (CTS) have made steady street-by-street progress, unlike last week's dramatic push by the armored division towards the hospital. "We are waiting for orders from the supreme commanders to start the offensive to defeat Daesh (Islamic State) and clear the eastern part (of Mosul)," he said. The CTS forces said on Sunday they had captured another district of east Mosul, al-Nour neighborhood. Accounts from Mosul are difficult to confirm since authorities have increasingly restricted international media access to the battlefronts and areas retaken from Islamic State in and around the city. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi tried to play down concerns over the slow pace of progress, saying the recapture of cities such as Ramadi and Baiji from Islamic State had taken four times longer than the Mosul campaign so far. Visiting commanders near Mosul on Monday, a day after a trip by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Abadi also said the United States and other allies must continue to support Iraq's battle against what he said was a global threat posed by the militants. Defeating Islamic State "requires cooperation with all countries... and this is why we appeal to the new U.S. presidency to take this into consideration," Abadi said. The prime minister, who spoke to Donald Trump last month, said the president-elect promised "not just to continue American support but to increase it". Carter told reporters on Sunday the battle for Mosul "hasn't been an easy fight (and) won't be an easy fight", but said it was going to plan. He was speaking to reporters after meeting U.S. Lieutenant-General Steve Townsend, commander of the U.S.-led coalition supporting Iraqi forces in Mosul, who said that more than 2,000 Islamic State fighters had been killed or badly wounded. POLICE DIVERTED The police and CTS troops are part of a 100,000-strong Iraqi alliance which launched the campaign to retake Mosul on Oct. 17. It includes soldiers, security forces, Kurdish peshmerga fighters and mainly Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation forces. Defeating Islamic State in Mosul, the biggest city it controls in Iraq or Syria, would be a crushing blow to the self-styled caliphate it declared in large parts of both countries two years ago, and might see it revert to more covert militant operations in Iraq. Iraqi commanders say progress has been slowed by the fierce defence waged by the jihadists, who they say have used a network of tunnels under the eastern half of the city and exploited more than 1 million civilians as human shields. The fight in crowded residential areas has also restricted the use of heavy weapons and air strikes from the coalition. For weeks, commanders have talked about opening a new front in southwest Mosul to stretch Islamic State defences. But the despatch of the units to the southeast may delay that plan. The forces in Qaraqosh had been due to join other police units who have reached within 3 or 4 km (2 or 3 miles) of the airport on Mosul's southwestern edge, and were expected to open the new front inside the city on the west bank of the Tigris. Nearly two months into the campaign, the United Nations says 91,000 people have been registered as displaced from Mosul and nearby towns and villages. That figure excludes thousands more forced as human shields back into Mosul by retreating militants. Most people though have stayed put, and 1 million are likely to be still living in remaining Islamic State-held areas of the city. With the militants largely sealed off, civilians are enduring increasingly siege-like conditions, with shortages of fuel, food and water as winter sets in. (Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Mark Trevelyan)
Airstrike campaigns in Iraq and Syria have pitted the violent Islamic State group against the U.S. and other global leaders. But more than two years after ISIS announced it's so-called caliphate in the Middle East, the civilian death toll in the region has soared and it's unclear when the fighting will end.

In Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced in October a mission to win back Mosul, the last remaining ISIS stronghold in Iraq and the nation's second largest city. Iraqi federal police were preparing Monday to join the war and shore up troops who have fended off fierce counter-attacks from the militants in recent weeks.

In Syria, the death toll from an ongoing civil war has passed 300,000 victims, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in September. Syrian government forces made significant gains in east Aleppo Monday, with the shelling causing a large number of civilian casualties, CNN reported.

"The Secretary-General is alarmed over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children, in recent hours in Aleppo. While stressing that the United Nations is not able to independently verify these reports, the Secretary-General is conveying his grave concern to the relevant parties. He has instructed his Special Envoy for Syria to follow up urgently with the parties concerned," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement Monday. "The United Nations underlines the obligation of all parties on the ground to protect civilians and abide by international humanitarian and human rights law. This is particularly the responsibility of the Syrian Government and its allies."

Unsure about why the militant group is so determined to hold on to its territory? Here are eight facts about ISIS in Syria and Iraq:

1. ISIS was originally known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and was formed in April 2013 as a branch of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).

Story continues

2. ISIS' leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is an Iraqi native.

3. ISIS follows a strict Sharia Law rooted in eighth century Islam and is known for carrying out public executions, crucifixions and other violent acts against its victims accused of violating its rules.

4. During the height of its insurgency n 2014, ISIS seized more than 34,000 square miles in Syria and Iraq, sprawling from the Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad.

5. ISIS considers Syria a holy land. Dabiq, for example, is the site where the Prophet Mohammed predicted a final battle resulting in the triumph of true Islam would unfold between the armies of Islam and "Rome."

6. ISIS has stayed in power for so long in part because of revenue from oil production and smuggling, taxes, ransoms from kidnappings, selling stolen artifacts, extortion and controlling crops.

7. The force fighting ISIS in Mosul includes about 54,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, 40,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, 14,000 members of paramilitary units and roughly 500 U.S. service members.

8. An estimated 5,000 ISIS fighters remain in Mosul.

Related Articles
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Islamic State captured the ancient city of Palmyra on Sunday despite dozens of Russian airstrikes to push back the militants a day after they briefly seized the city in eastern Syria, a war monitor and the militants said. In the government's first official admission that Palmyra had fallen once again to the militants, state media quoted the governor of the province of Homs, where the city is located, as saying the army had pulled out of the city. The collapse of the city's defenses despite the heavy bombing and reinforcements sent by the Syrian army has exposed the limitations of the Russian backing that has turned the tide of the conflict in President Bashar al-Assad's favor. "The army is using all means to prevent the terrorists from staying in Palmyra," Homs Governor Talal Barazi was quoted as saying, hours after IS and a Britain-based monitoring group both said the militants had full control of the city. Barazi later said militants had brought in reinforcements from their de facto capital of Raqqa and from Deir Zor province in eastern Syria bordering Iraq. Rebels said the focus of Syria's overstretched army on defeating insurgents in their last urban stronghold of Aleppo may have diverted much needed resources to defend the city, where Moscow had in recent months beefed up its defenses. The recapture of Palmyra is a major reversal for Syria's government and its Russian backer, which hailed the city's capture in March, sent troops to protect it and even staged a concert there. Earlier on Sunday, Russia said its jets had helped force the militants out of the city center overnight while Syria's army only acknowledged there was a large offensive by the militants from several fronts near a major grain silo 10 km (6 miles) east of the city. Amaq, a news agency linked to Islamic State, said the militants had captured the ancient Crusader Castle that overlooks the city and were back in control of Palmyra, an account backed by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict. Palmyra, the site of a Roman-era city and spectacular ruins in the center of Syria, has become an emblematic battleground in a civil war now in its sixth year. Forces allied to Syria's government first recaptured the city from Islamic State in March, a victory held up as a major turning point in the war and the biggest reversal for the militants since Russia's intervention to support Damascus. But Islamic State militants launched a surprise advance on the city on Thursday, taking control of nearby oil and gas fields and pushing toward the T4 airbase, one of Syria's largest, which is used by Russian forces, the Observatory said. Russia's defense ministry said its jets had launched 64 strikes and killed more than 300 militants overnight, helping the Syrian army push the main force back. More than 4,000 Islamic State militants had since regrouped and launched a second attack on Sunday, Russian news agencies cited Moscow's monitoring center in Syria as saying. Amaq said the group had expanded its control of areas around the desert city on Sunday and seized al-Bayarat, the Tadmur triangle area to its west, and took control of the nearby Hayan gas field They claimed Islamic State militants had seized 30 Russian tanks, large quantities of surface-to-surface Grad missiles, ammunitions and tanks shells and killed around 120 Syrian troops, a figure that corresponds to the toll cited by the Observatory. (Additional reporting by Jack Stubbs in Moscow; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Monday the arrival of high-tech F-35 stealth fighter jets in Israel, the first country other than the U.S. to receive the advanced warplanes, as President-elect Donald Trump slammed the expensive and oft-delayed Pentagon jet program, Reuters reported.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter joined Netanyahu and a number of Israel's top military brass at the ceremony for the first two planes that arrived at the Nevatim air base, located in the country's southern Negev Desert. Carter said that the jets were necessary for maintaining Israeli military dominance in the region, while Netanyahu told those in attendance that the F-35 jets would expand the effective sphere of his country's already powerful air force.

"Our long arm has now become longer and mightier," Netanyahu said.

The planes were the first of 50, each estimated at around $100 million dollars, expected to be flown to Israel by U.S. pilots. The program is part of a costly and controversial Pentagon initiative to put the F-35 into service, with delays and problems pushing costs up to $400 billion. Apparent weather-related delays in getting the planes from Italy to Israel and a harsh Tweet from President-elect Donald Trump brought further heat on the program.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20," Trump wrote, reportedly sending the shares of the jet's developer, Lockheed Martin, down at least 5 percent.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who once supported the jet and has criticized Trump, backed the president-elect's criticism of the F-35. Back in April, he called the Pentagon's effort "both a scandal and a tragedy with respect to cost, schedule and performance."

Political opponent Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) fired back against Trump's comments, calling the President-elect "just plain wrong" and urged him to "learn more about the facts" before taking action office next month. Lockheed Martin's F-35 program head Jeff Babione also defended the project, saying the company took as many cost-saving measures as possible. As president, Trump cannot cancel the deal with Israel but he can scale it down.

Story continues

Earlier this year, the U.S. signed a record $38 billion military aid deal with Israel, vowing protection for the next decade. Although Israel is not engaged in any declared wars, it occasionally bombs groups it deems threatening in neighboring Palestine, Syria and Lebanon such as the Lebanese-based Shiite paramilitary movement Hezbollah, who enjoys backing from Iran. Israel considers Iran a threat to its existence and the two have vowed military action against one another should the situation escalate.

Related Articles
* Economy minister stays in place to deal with banks

* New government to seek parliamentary confidence votes this week

* Small centre-right party threatens to pull support (Adds Gentiloni quotes, background)

By Crispian Balmer and Antonella Cinelli

ROME, Dec 12 (Reuters) - New Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni unveiled his government on Monday, keeping almost all former ministers in place in a move aimed at reassuring financial markets.

But a small centre-right party that had supported the previous premier, Matteo Renzi, said it might not back the new government, raising doubts over whether Gentiloni will have the numbers in parliament to form a majority.

In a rapid transfer of power from Renzi, who quit last week after losing a Dec. 4 referendum on constitutional reform, Gentiloni took just a day to put his team together.

"I've done my best to form this government as quickly as possible," Gentiloni, 62, told reporters after presenting his list of ministers to President Sergio Mattarella.

Gentiloni, who was Renzi's foreign minister, said he would follow policies similar to those of his predecessor and urge the European Union to be more "growth-oriented".

He also pledged particular attention to the under-developed south which voted overwhelmingly against Renzi in the referendum, creating a minister for the region.

Among those reconfirmed in their post was Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who is overseeing Treasury efforts to prevent Italy's third largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, from collapsing under its bad loans.

Many other key ministers, including for defence, industry, health and justice, remained unchanged, with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) maintaining the lions' share of positions.

Gentiloni passed his former job of foreign minister to Angelino Alfano, who was previously interior minister.

The new cabinet will face confidence votes in both houses of parliament this week before Gentiloni can formally take office at the head of Italy's 64th government in just 70 years.

Story continues

However, the vote in the highly fragmented upper house, the Senate, was thrown into doubt when Denis Verdini, head of the small Liberal-Popular Alliance for Autonomies party (ALA), said it would not back Gentiloni if it was not sufficiently represented in the cabinet.

Renzi relied on the support of Verdini, a seasoned parliamentary wheeler-dealer, who used to be the right-hand-man of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

ALA and its sister party, Civic Choice, founded by former prime minister Mario Monti, have 18 senators. They could deprive Gentiloni of a majority if they all vote against him. If they take no part in the vote, the new government should be able to take office.

Assuming he passes this hurdle, one of Gentiloni's main tasks will be to draw up a new electoral law. If this reform is completed quickly it could open the way to an election in the first half of 2017, a year ahead of schedule.

Italy has different electoral laws for its two chambers and the president has said they need to be harmonised to try to make sure a solid government can emerge from the next ballot.

The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement is pushing for a rapid reform and a vote as soon as possible. Renzi also wants an early election, hoping to steam-roller critics within his PD and present himself as the party's prime ministerial candidate.

"The next election, presumably in June, will be held with a proportional voting system," Renzi said in an interview with Quotidiano.net.

(Additional reporting by Isla Binnie, Steve Scherer and Gavin Jones; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
* State can step in if market solution fails - source

* Bank needs to raise 5 billion euros by year-end

* Any state aid would entail losses for junior debt holders (Adds sources on targeted timing for bond swap offer, placement in paragraphs 18-19, updates shares)

By Giuseppe Fonte

ROME, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Italy is ready to pump capital into Monte dei Paschi di Siena if the ailing bank fails to get the 5 billion euros ($5.3 billion) it needs to remain in business from private investors, a Treasury source said on Monday.

Italy's third-biggest bank is pressing ahead with a last-ditch attempt to raise the cash on the market this year despite a government crisis triggered by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's resignation following his defeat in a Dec. 4 constitutional referendum.

However, its chances of success are slim and the state is likely to have to step in to make up for the shortfall, bankers say.

A failure of the world's oldest bank would threaten the savings of thousands of Italians and could have repercussions on Italy's wider banking sector, which is saddled with 360 billion euros of bad loans - a third of the euro zone's total.

"If the operation failed, the state would carry out a precautionary recapitalisation," the Treasury source said. "The bank's existence and its clients' savings will be preserved under any circumstances."

However, the source said that any injection of public money would involve the mandatory conversion of subordinated bonds into shares, including for 40,000 retail investors, in line with European rules for dealing with bank crises.

The government, well aware of the unpopularity of such a move, is looking at ways to compensate ordinary Italians who invested their savings in the bank's junior debt.

Monte dei Paschi shares closed up 3.7 percent, with traders saying the prospect that the state might act as an investor of last resort was helping the stock.

DECREE

Rome is fearful of triggering a so-called precautionary recapitalisation after retail investors at four small banks had their money wiped out in a government-led rescue scheme last year, leading to protests and at least one suicide.

Story continues

New Italian Prime Minister, Renzi loyalist Paolo Gentiloni, unveiled his government on Monday, keeping almost all former ministers in place in a move aimed at reassuring financial markets.

The new government may then be asked to sign off on the emergency decree needed to authorise a bailout of the bank.

Even so, Renzi said on Monday that elections should be held as quickly as possible. The opposition, anti-establishment Five-Star movement, which is ahead in opinion polls, has accused Renzi of dragging his feet on a nationalisation of Monte dei Paschi it says should have taken place months ago.

The bank had sought a three-week extension to Jan. 20 from the European Central Bank of a deadline for completing its capital raising plan, citing the political turmoil. However, this was rejected on the grounds that a delay would be of no use and it was time for Rome to step in, according to a source.

With little left to lose, the bank is pressing ahead with an eleventh-hour privately-funded scheme that includes the reopening of a voluntary debt swap offer to retail investors this week.

The initial offer, which has so far raised 1 billion euros from institutional investors, had been deemed too risky for ordinary investors.

"It seems a reckless operation," said consumer group Aduc. "How is it conceivable that in two weeks, with Christmas in the middle, 40,000 people can be called in and given all the information they need to make a considered decision?"

Another 1 billion euros should come from Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, a source close to the bank's board said on Sunday, while a consortium of banks led by JPMorgan and Mediobanca would try to sell shares for the remainder in the market, but without underwriting the issue.

The bank aims to launch the private placement and the new debt swap offer on Thursday, a source close to the matter said.

However, another source added that as of Monday evening market watchdog Consob, which needs to approve the reopening of the conversion offer to retail investors, had only received "preliminary and generic" information regarding the bank's plans and it seems unlikely that the offer could start on Thursday.

"A public intervention is becoming more and more probable as conditions worsen and time lessens," Kepler Cheuvreux said in a note. "This will be one of the new government's first priorities." ($1 = 0.9423 euros) (aditional reporting by Stefano Bernabei, writing by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by David Stamp and Philippa Fletcher)
A Madison man who killed his girlfriend by stabbing her with scissors at their apartment, then tried to kill himself by setting her car on fire at a city park, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser homicide charge.

Jose L. Vazquez-Garcia, 40, faces 22 years in prison if Dane County Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara accepts a sentencing recommendation made jointly by prosecutors and lawyers for Vazquez-Garcia.

Through a Spanish interpreter, Vazquez-Garcia pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide, a lesser charge than the first-degree intentional homicide charge he originally faced for the Feb. 23 death of his fiancee, Christina A. Hatcher, 24.

According to a criminal complaint, Vazquez-Garcia told a doctor that he had poked his girlfriend in the neck with scissors and thinks he killed her.

Sentencing was set for Jan. 30. First-degree reckless homicide carries up to 40 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision. Deputy District Attorney Matthew Moeser and Vazquez-Garcias lawyers, Dorothea Watson and Catherine Dorl, did not request a pre-sentence investigation by the state Department of Corrections, which is often ordered to provide sentencing judges with more information about defendants, victims and the crime itself.

Watson added that Vazquez-Garcia has no criminal history, other than a traffic ticket.

The complaint states that Hatcher died from two stab wounds to her neck, though an autopsy also found numerous other injuries on her body that included blunt-force injuries to her torso, arms, legs, hands, fingers and eye.

Hatchers body was found on Feb. 24, a day after Vazquez- Garcia tried to burn himself to death in her car at Reindahl Park on Madisons Far East Side. Police went to the couples apartment at 2501 Calypso Road after her mother, Angela Hatcher, said she was concerned because she hadnt heard from her daughter.

Vazquez-Garcia spent two weeks at UW Hospital recovering from severe burns. While there, the complaint states, he told a doctor about having a fight with his girlfriend, during which he said he choked her with his hands and poked her with the scissors. Vazquez-Garcia told the doctor that he stayed with her for three or four hours, but she was unresponsive, and thats when he left to decide where to kill himself, according to the complaint.

A co-worker at Applebees restaurant, where both Hatcher and Vazquez-Garcia worked, said the couple argued a lot at work and outside work, mostly about Vazquez-Garcias gambling. Another co-worker told police that she saw Vazquez-Garcia choking her inside Applebees, the complaint states.
(Correct headline to read "burden sharing" instead of "bail in")

ROME, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Italy prefers a market solution to save Monte dei Paschi di Siena, but should it fail a state rescue would require a forced conversion of the bank's bonds into shares, Treasury sources said on Monday.

Italy indicated last week it was ready to pass an emergency decree if the banking system needed support, but the lender, Italy's third-biggest, said on Sunday it would make a last-ditch push to raise 5 billion euros ($5.30 billion) privately.

Any state intervention would require the approval of the European Commission and would have to be done according to European rules, which would involve a conversion of the bank's bonds into shares, sources said.

The state could still compensate retail bondholders who lose money, but the details would have to be negotiated with Brussels, sources said. ($1 = 0.9442 euros) (Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Steve Scherer; editing by John Stonestreet)
Rome (AFP) - Italy's premier-designate Paolo Gentiloni raced to put together a cabinet team Monday as the market welcomed the apparent rapid resolution of the country's political and banking crises.

Gentiloni, 62, was asked by President Sergio Mattarella on Sunday to form a new centre-left government that will guide Italy to elections due by February 2018, following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Opposition parties slammed the softly spoken former foreign minister as little more than a Renzi puppet, but Milan's FTSE Mib saluted the move, up 1.04 percent at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT).

It was also buoyed by relief over the news the Italian government would intervene to recapitalise Italy's Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank (BMPS), should it fail to raise the money from private investors needed to stay afloat.

Silver-haired Gentiloni, a one-time student radical from an aristocratic family, is expected to keep the cabinet largely untouched and present his final list to the president by the close of play Monday.

He will then seek parliamentary approval of his new government on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The biggest cabinet seat to fill is the one left vacant by Gentiloni himself, that of foreign minister.

- Reshuffle -

Political watchers say it could go to Piero Fassino, a member of Renzi's centre-left Democratic Party (PD) who has previously held the justice and foreign commerce portfolios.

Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, who was Renzi's deputy and heads the New Centre-Right (NCD) party, is also tipped for the post.

Should it go to Alfano, the interior portfolio could be handed to Domenico Minniti, the state secretary with responsibility for the security services under Renzi.

Analysts say Gentiloni could also keep the foreign minister job for himself, at least in the short term.

Pier Carlo Padoan is expected to stay on as finance minister to reassure Europe that the eurozone's third-largest economy is on solid ground.

Story continues

Among the most pressing issues facing the new government is the fate of the troubled BMPS.

The institution, the third largest in Italy, had requested extra time from Europe to plug a gaping hole in its finances, but reports on Friday that the European Central Bank had refused spooked the markets.

- 'Super speed' -

But just hours after Gentiloni was named as prime minister, the bank said it could avoid appealing for a government bailout, with BMPS shares up 6.46 percent in early afternoon trading on Monday.

Oanda analyst Craig Erlam said investors were "more optimistic" the bank could raise the 5 billion euros ($5.29 billion) needed to avoid a handout and were relieved political uncertainty had been removed in the short term at least.

Gentiloni is now rushing to resolve the political crisis sparked by Renzi's crushing referendum defeat and downfall in time for Italy to attend the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday, where the pressing issue of migration is on the table.

Italy is on the frontlines of the migrant crisis, with a record 175,000 people landing on its shores this year alone.

"The Gentiloni-Padoan government is coming together at a super speed to prevent the implosion of the Siena bank (BMPS) and to make sure Italy does not turn up at the European Council with an incomplete government," La Stampa daily said.

Renzi may be down and out for now, but analysts said he had tapped Gentiloni to replace him because he trusts him to keep his seat warm for the next general elections, which could be brought forward to early next year.
MILAN (AP) -- Shares are up in Italy's banks amid hopes that a new government will provide the political stability needed for them to raise billions in cash from investors.

The most troubled lender, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, saw its stock price rise over 7 percent on Monday after it said over the weekend that it is moving ahead with a plan to raise 5 billion euros ($5.2 billion) from private investors by the end of the year.

There were concerns when the government collapsed last week that it would become difficult to find that money as long as there was uncertainty over who would lead the next administration. If the bank can't find the money, it could need a state bailout.

The political uncertainty has eased somewhat after outgoing foreign minister, Paolo Gentiloni, was this weekend asked to become premier and form a government. Analysts expect him to confirm the key posts, including that of finance minister, to provide continuity in the handling of the banking problems.

A bailout for Monte dei Paschi could be politically explosive because European Union rules could mean that bank bondholders, many of them small-time investors, must take losses as a condition of pouring in taxpayer money.

Losses for small savers could fuel discontent and support for the populist opposition 5-Star Movement, which wants a non-binding referendum on Italy leaving the shared euro currency.

Yet letting banks limp along with weak finances also has its costs. Italy's banks are struggling under the burden of 360 billion euros in loans that aren't being repaid due to Italy's slow economy. Bank woes then hold back the economy even more, because that is where most businesses get the credit they need to operate.

In another positive sign for the sector on Monday, Italy's largest bank, UniCredit, said it had agreed to sell one of its units for 3.8 billion euros ($4 billion) to bolster its cash buffers.

UniCredit, is due to announce a new business plan Tuesday, said it will sell asset management business Pioneer Investments to investment fund Amundi, based in Paris.

The bank said the deal will generate net capital of 2.2 billion euros.

Shares in UniCredit were up 1.4 percent while the wider Milan stock index was 1.2 percent higher.
Ivanka Trump wearing a dress of her own design at the Republican National Convention. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ivanka Trumps role as the placeholder for those who take issue with her fathers policy stances and public sentiments continues. First there was the letter from the jewelry designers who told the mother and businesswoman that the proceeds from her purchase with them were being donated to support organizations that do work that is threatened by her fathers stances. Next came the #DearIvanka vigil (and sardonic Instagram posts).

The latest form of peaceful protest? Amazon reviews.

And around Ivanka Trump brand boots, especially.

Reads one review, titled, You get what you ask for. Boots edition.:

These boots are perfectly designed to trample on fellow Americans Civil Rights Day or Night. Your legs will be enclosed in a tight, made-somewhere-that-is-not-America material that will squeeze all the blood from your brain, resulting in blind admiration of demagoguery. All the while, your feet will continue to atrophy as they are are squeezed into a fetishized version of the female body which likely will not include making decisions on its behalf. That said, you get what you ask for.

Says another review, titled Too restrictive, tight, Not enough room for growth, will only fit the 1%:

These are really really restrictive and tight  no wiggle room for any kind of freedom of thought. Can you get sued for writing a bad review of a product? Anyway, these boots might fit a person that is male, straight, white and Christian but if you dont fit all these criteria, they are NOT the boots for you! They are made in a sweatshop by child labor in a foreign country because thats called being smart. I heard they are going to move manufacturing to Taiwan, which may make them better but who knows. Everyone keeps telling me to wait and see. They are certainly not comfortable enough to stand in for four years.

A review titled These ill-fitting boots are a perfect reminder that I should be seen reads:

I was feeling way over confident and I needed to be put in my place. These ill-fitting boots are a perfect reminder that I should be seen, admired for my womanly virtues, rated in a scale from 1-10, and occasionally grabbed by my kitty cat. With these boots I feel like I am closer to the beautiful glass ceilings that allow natural light in to our offices  but certainly not close enough to break them.

Story continues

A friend of mine posted a link on Facebook to the review she had just written on [a pair of Ivanka Trump label] boots. I thought it was a hilarious way to poke fun at Ivankas hypocrisy. I had to join in, Laurel Wells Thompson of Atlanta tells Yahoo Style. Thompson is but one of many individuals embracing the well-loved tradition of the ironic Amazon review, and shes taking it to a whole other postelection level.

Amy Finkel of New York has also posted her own reviews on Ivanka-designed goods on Amazon.

I know what kind of criticism it might receive, but Im angry at Ivanka, not simply Trump or his henchmen, and this is my way of protesting her behavior, Finkel tells Yahoo Style. I believe shes painfully culpable in all of this madness. FIrst, Ivanka hasnt made any public statements repudiating the hate speech and hate crimes that weve seen as of late She has normalized her fathers predatory sexual behavior Shes no friend to women who do not fit into the all-too-obvious role she thinks they deserve. She pretends to be a champion of women, but then she undermines them. Shes a hypocrite.

Finkel says she in particular takes issue with President-elect Trumps parental leave policy, which he says was influenced by Ivanka, that only offers benefits to those who birth babies out of their actual vaginas. She adds that as a woman with endometriosis, she is unable to conceive on her own  and though she plans to one day adopt, she recognizes that she will not be seen as a parent in the same way as someone who has physically given birth in the eyes of the Trump administration.

And as to why so many are focusing their efforts on reviewing Ivanka Trump-brand boots in particular?

I feel particularly betrayed by Ivanka as a Trump surrogate, says Thompson. I expect more from a fellow woman and working mother. When I first saw the boots review, Nancy Sinatras tune These Boots Are Made for Walking immediately popped into my head. Boots for stomping on the patriarchy! I am pretty sure Ivanka is beyond hope, but it would be nice if potential boot-buyers were made aware of their problematic purchase.

Thompson adds that for her, Ivankas stances on women who work are not just troublesome, but representative of much of what she is strongly opposed to when it comes to the values of the incoming Trump administration. She says, I wish that Ivanka understood that women will never truly be liberated until we have full agency over our bodies, our careers, and futures. I wish that she acknowledged that childcare is most important for the working poor, not just a taxpayers. I wish she wouldnt stand behind a guy who refers to his own daughter as a piece of ass.

Finkel also makes sure to emphasize that her Amazon reviews are not an isolated political action.

Im not just procrastinating from work to write reviews on Ivanka Trumps clothing line rather than rising to other more important calls to action. I logged in many hours phone banking for [Hillary Clinton] before the election. Ive protested. Ive written and called my U.S. and state senators, Congress people, police commissioner, mayor, governor, and assemblywoman.  My partner and I started a petition on change.org about Trump not repudiating the hate crimes/hate speech weve witnessed as of late.  So I guess it makes me feel better and it acts as a creative outlet for my anger and pain.

Furthermore, Finkel notes, she feels that Ivanka is a public figure due to the highly visible role she played during her fathers campaign and continues to play with his transition team. She believes that the future first daughter invited such forms of criticism and protest, especially after she tried to promote what she was wearing on the 60 Minutes first family interview immediately after it aired.

And the reviews arent all for jest. Says Finkel, Nothing like reminding the true materialists among us of their conscience. Our dollar is still a very powerful vote. To that end, others have staged mass boycotts of all Trump products.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




TOKYO (AP)  Japan's trade minister said Monday his country's economic relations with Russia have grown more smoothly than political ties, with about 30 joint projects ready to be signed regardless of a breakthrough in territorial issues.

Trade minister Hiroshige Seko said a final decision on the projects is up to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Japan later this week.

A dispute over the southern Kuril islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories, has kept the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their World War II hostilities. The Soviet Union seized them in the war's final days.

Although Abe has been pushing for progress, many believe a breakthrough is unlikely during the talks on Thursday and Friday. Seko said closer economic ties that benefit both sides will help foster trust.

Seko said economic cooperation is progressing well, with preparations for the projects drawing together officials from the trade ministry as well as other areas such as agriculture, health, land and infrastructure.

Stronger economic ties could improve the political relationship, creating a positive cycle that eventually leads to a breakthrough in the dispute between the two sides, he said.

"We will have a win-win situation, at least in economic relations. We are not just giving things away to Russia," Seko said. "Our projects are not for Russia to just eat and run."

Japan would provide advanced medical, health and environmental technology and help with the industrialization of Russia's Far East, while receiving expertise from Moscow in decommissioning nuclear plants, energy and cyber security, he said.

None of the planned projects involve the disputed islands, apparently to separate business from politics.

Seko said the outcome of Abe's talks with Putin is unpredictable. Abe has invited Putin to a secluded hot springs resort in Yamaguchi prefecture, his home state in western Japan, for talks in a quiet atmosphere on Thursday. They will move to Tokyo on Friday for more talks.

Story continues

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said recently that Moscow sees progress in economic ties as a key condition for success in talks on the disputed islands.

Russia has pledged adherence to a 1956 declaration in which the Soviet Union said it was ready to hand over two of the four islands to Japan. The sparsely inhabited islands, which lie just north of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, are surrounded by rich natural and marine resources. They also serve as a strategic vantage point for the Russian military.

___

Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at twitter.com/mariyamaguchi

Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/mari-yamaguchi
Joan Carroll, a former child star who appeared in Meet Me in St. Louis opposite Judy Garland and The Bells of St. Mary's with Bing Crosby, has died. She was 85.

Carroll died Nov. 16 near her home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, her son, Joe Krack, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Carroll played Garland's younger sister Agnes, who pulls a dangerous prank with the youngest sister, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). The actress was sidelined for a few days during filming after she needed an emergency appendectomy.

Carroll then portrayed the struggling eighth-grade parish student Patsy who at first doesn't get any sympathy from Ingrid Bergman in The Bells of St. Mary's (1945).

Carroll made quite the impression as Ginger Rogers' younger sister Honeybell in Primrose Path (1940), then was loaned by RKO so she could appear on Broadway as Geraldine in Panama Hattie, a Cole Porter musical comedy about sailors in the Panama Canal Zone that starred Ethel Merman and ran from October 1940 to January 1942. (Shirley Temple had turned down the part.)

"For sunshine and sentiment, little Joan Carroll, who is now fully 8 years old, is wholly captivating," Brooks Atkinson wrote in his review for The New York Times. "She and Miss Merman get along together beautifully, and gruff old codgers are going to choke a little this Winter when tot and temptress sing 'Let's Be Buddies' and bring the house down."

Carroll also appeared opposite Ruth Warrick in two films: Obliging Young Lady (1942), in which she played the daughter of wealthy divorcing parents, and Petticoat Larceny (1943), where she was a young radio star who goes undercover to better understand her roles (and then gets kidnapped).

The Bells of St. Mary's was her last film. She continued to live in Beverly Hills, got married and then moved with her family to Colorado, her son said.

Born Joan Marie Felt in Elizabeth, N.J., Carroll and her folks came to California in 1936 when she was 5. She made her film debut in One Mile From Heaven (1937) opposite Claire Trevor and later appeared in Mr. Moto's Last Warning (1939), Basil Rathbone's Tower of London (1939), Anne of Windy Poplars (1940) and Tomorrow, the World! (1944).

Survivors include her other children Ann Marie, Mary Anne and James; her brother James; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. A donation in her name may be made to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, P.O. Box 128, Los Gatos, CA 95031.

Read more: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2016
New York socialite Jocelyn Wildensteins boyfriend Lloyd Klein is ready to put the couples 14-year relationship in the past following their recent arrests for allegedly assaulting each other, his rep said in a statement to PEOPLE.

Klein, 49, is facing multiple charges stemming from an alleged Sunday incident in the Trump World Tower apartment they shared. Kleins rep, Melanie A. Bonvicino, tells PEOPLE the alleged physical altercation took place when he attempted to remove his personal affects from the apartment.

Mr. Klein is quite clear this evening that a chapter in his life has drawn to a close, Bonvicino said in a statement to PEOPLE. He bids Mrs. Wildenstein the best in all of her future endeavors and especially in her quest for inner peace.

Klein is charged with robbery, assault with intent to cause physical injury, grand larceny for taking a credit card and mischief with intent to damage property, a New York Police Department spokesman previously told PEOPLE.

He was arraigned on Sunday. He is expected to appear in court on Jan. 30.

 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.

Bonvicino said then that Klein expects to be cleared of the allegations, noting the couple has shared the Trump World Tower apartment for more than a decade.

His profound sentiments for their 14-year union include his desire for her to be reunited with her son Alec and daughter Dianne in her twilight years, Bonvicino says.

Wildenstein claimed that Klein pushed her to the ground, causing pain and bruising to her hands, according to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. She said Klein then took a credit card, a cell phone and a cell phone case from her apartment without her permission.

The incident came just days after Wildenstein, 71, was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly clawing Kleins face and attacking him with a pair of scissors early Wednesday morning, PEOPLE previously confirmed.

Story continues

She is facing both a second- and third-degree assault charge for allegedly attacking him during an argument early Wednesday at the Trump World Tower apartment. Wildenstein is known for her extensive plastic surgery and is sometimes called Catwoman by the tabloids.

Both Klein and Wildenstein now have restraining orders against each other, according to a district attorneys office spokesperson.

Wildensteins attorney Alan Kachalsky did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE regarding Kleins statement. However, after Wildensteins arrest, Kachalsky told PEOPLE that there are two sides to each story.

Neither Klein nor Wildenstein have entered a plea to the charges against them.

 Reporting by LIZ MCNEIL




Washington (AFP) - John Kelly, the retired Marine Corps general picked Monday by Donald Trump to be Homeland Security secretary, will take the lead in the new administration's promised fight against Islamic extremists and illegal immigration.

The third former general chosen for President-elect Trump's cabinet, Kelly capped a 45-year military career as head of the US Southern Command, an assignment that immersed him in border security issues, migrant flows and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

That experience -- and his record running large organizations -- will be useful if he is confirmed by Congress to take charge of the Department of Homeland Security, a sprawling bureaucracy responsible for border protection and internal security.

With 240,000 civil servants, Homeland Security includes the Secret Service, the Coast Guard, immigration and customs enforcement, and the agency that protects airports.

It also has an intelligence arm and an office dedicated to preventing nuclear terrorism.

Those functions would make Kelly a pivotal figure in carrying out Trump's election promises to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport undocumented immigrants and tighten legal immigration processes to screen out potential extremists.

The blunt-talking Kelly is close to retired general James Mattis, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. Kelly served as Mattis's top aide in the 2003 assault on Baghdad that crushed Saddam Hussein's army.

He is also shaped by the experience of having his own son, also a Marine, die in battle. First Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.

A native of Boston, Kelly, 66, enlisted in the Marines when he was 20, spent two years in an infantry company, and then left to go to university.

After graduating he rejoined the Corps as a second lieutenant and rose steadily through a number of positions, including company and battalion commands.

Story continues

In the late 1990s, he was the Marine Corps commandant's liaison to Congress, the first of two such stints that exposed him to the political give-and-take between the military and legislators.

In 1999, he began a two-year stint as special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in Mons, Belgium.

In 2002-3, as a colonel and then brigadier general, Kelly returned to the 1st Marine Division, serving under then major general Mattis in the successful assault on Baghdad.

Five years later he was back in Iraq for the US occupation, holding two posts over the 2008-2011 period. He earned his fourth star when he was named to head the US Southern Command in 2012, a position he held until retiring in January 2016.

Besides contending with violent drug gangs operating across the region and deep inside the United States, Kelly also was responsible for the prison for war on terror detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The facility still houses 59 men, including the alleged masterminds of the September 11, 2001 attacks, despite President Barack Obama unfulfilled pledge to shut it down.

- Massive security bureaucracy -

Managing the Department of Homeland Security, which was established after the 9/11 attacks, will be a massive task in itself.

Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, recently said it needs a sweeping overhaul.

"It's time to undertake wholesale reform at DHS, including eliminating bureaucratic bloat, scrapping failing offices, and cutting through the red tape," he said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation conservative think tank.

"We must make sure DHS stays ahead of our enemies and that it leverages private sector innovation to deal with emerging threats from drones, IEDs, and beyond."
President-elect Donald Trump tweeted himself into yet another stock-price-rocking fight with a federal contractor on Monday, this time blasting a costly fighter-jet program Wisconsin leaders are hoping will benefit the state.

Trump said on Twitter that F-35 fighter jets being purchased by the Pentagon are too costly, and he promised to cut billions from the price.

The Air Force announced less than a week ago that Madisons Truax Field was one of five finalists to join a growing number of military bases that are home to the new generation of warplanes.

Trumps Republican allies in Wisconsin have joined Democrats in pushing for deployment of the jets to Truax as a way of securing the bases economic benefits to the region.

On Monday, state Republicans responded to Trump with measured statements, maintaining support for bringing the F-35 here without criticizing the president-elect.

The Air Force plans next year to select two of the five finalist locations. Becoming a home for 18 F-35s is seen as protection for Truax when the military re-evaluates its needs and ponders base closures.

Trump didnt threaten to cancel production of the F-35  as he did last week with manufacture of new presidential aircraft  and there was no immediate word on how his comments on Twitter and on a Fox News program Sunday might affect F-35 base selection.

But the stock price of the aircrafts manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, plunged in the hours following the tweet. Sales of the F-35 accounted for 20 percent of Lockheeds revenue last year.

The aircraft has been criticized previously by Trump and others over cost overruns, delays in complex software for its navigation and weapons systems, and optimistic Pentagon projections for when problems will be fixed.

The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th, Trump tweeted.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who won re-election in November while allying himself more closely to Trump than many Republicans did, responded by issuing a statement emphasizing the role of Congress.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in the next Congress to ensure that the costs of the F-35 remain under control, Johnson said.

A spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker praised Trumps criticism of the F-35s $400 billion cost while repeating his support for deploying the jets in Madison.

The 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field would be an outstanding location for the Air Forces F-35s, and program costs dont change that, Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said. The governor is also pleased to see President-elect Trump fighting to put taxpayers first.

The president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, which also is pushing for Truax, avoided any mention of Trump.

The United States Air Forces current plan is to select two National Guard sites for the F-35A aircraft, and as long as that process continues to move forward, the Chamber and our partners will make the case that the 115th Fighter Wing is uniquely positioned to be the future home of these next-generation jets, chamber president Zach Brandon said.

The F-35A is the Air Force version of the jet. Other models are being produced for the Navy and the Marines.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said she would continue to push for basing the jets at Truax while also demanding progress and strong congressional oversight of the program.

Two other Truax boosters in Congress  Reps. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, and Sean Duffy, R-Wausau  didnt respond to requests for comment.

Members of Wisconsins Congressional delegation lined up months ago to urge the Air Force to place F-35s at the state Air National Guard base at Truax.

They argued that basing F-35s at Truax would create cost savings because the state has other military airfields and training bases nearby, including a high-technology bombing range at Volk Field a few minutes northwest of Madison by jet.

Wisconsin is competing against Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama; Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho; Jacksonville Air National Guard Base in Florida; and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Detroit.

Congress sees jobs

in defense spending

Roughly 200 of the 2,443 jets the Pentagon expects to buy in the next 20 years have already been deployed or are in the pipeline.

It was the second time in a week that Trump blasted a federal aircraft contractor. Last week, Trump tweeted Cancel order! about out of control costs for new presidential planes being built by Boeing Corp.

Congressional Republicans and Democrats, aware of the tens of thousands of jobs the aircraft generates in 45 states, will be wary of any plans by Trump to cut the program despite its nearly $400 billion cost.

The F-35 is the Pentagons most expensive weapons acquisition ever. Despite the huge cost, the program has strong bipartisan support in Congress, where lawmakers view the aircraft as essential to national security.

Despite massive budget overruns early on, the per-airplane cost has decreased as production picked up, said Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Pentagon office overseeing F-35 procurement.

The 2014 price tag of $108 million per plane was $4 million lower than in the previous year, and the cost is on a glide path toward $85 million per plane by 2019, DellaVedova said.

But the projection appears to omit the price of the engine and the cost of development, according to Todd Harrison, a defense budget expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. When those elements are added in, the cost in current-year dollars is closer to $138 million, Harrison said.

Companies from 45 states are involved in F-35 production, with Texas, Georgia, California, Arizona and Florida playing lead roles in testing and manufacture. More than 1,250 domestic suppliers produce thousands of components, according to Lockheed.

Harrison said the 2014 price drop followed tough negotiations between the Pentagon and Lockheed.

Trump is unlikely to squeeze more blood out of this rock, Harrison said.

Lockheed shares fell more than 7 percent at one point Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An effort to recount presidential election ballots in Pennsylvania was rejected as there "is no credible evidence" that the election process was compromised from being hacked, a federal judge ruled in Philadelphia Monday morning.

Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein had launched efforts for paper ballot recounts in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well, but both those efforts were also rejected. She has led the charge that Russia launched a cyber-attack that helped swayed the contest for the White House in favor of President-elect Donald Trump.

U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond issued his 31-page ruling based on six reasons why a potential election hack "borders on the irrational," the Associated Press reported. Chief among them was "there is no credible evidence that any 'hack' occurred, and compelling evidence that Pennsylvania's voting system was not in any way compromised," Diamond wrote.

The theory of Russia hacking the election is one that has been mocked by Trump, especially on Twitter. The president-elect suggested that the claim falls along party lines and that Democrats had floated the theory out of anger their party's presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, fell short on Election Day.

President Barack Obama ordered an official investigation into the possibility of Russia hacking the election, the White House announced Friday.

"The President has directed the Intelligence Community to conduct a full review of what happened during the 2016 election process. It is to capture lessons learned from that and to report to a range of stakeholders," White House Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser Lisa Monaco said during a media briefing. "This is consistent with the work that we did over the summer to engage Congress on the threats that we were seeing."

Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer echoed the president's call for a probe and emphasized the investigation should be of a bipartisan nature and not come across as only Democrats versus Republicans, Politico reported.

Story continues

"Senate Democrats will join with our Republican colleagues next year to demand a congressional investigation and hearings to get to the bottom of this," Schumer said in part. "Its imperative that our intelligence community turns over any relevant information so that Congress can conduct a full investigation."

Powerful Republican and Arizona Sen. John McCain has previously said matter-of-factly that "the Russians have interfered with this election."

Related Articles
More holiday shoppers than ever will go online this year to search for the perfect Christmas gift. According to the National Retail Federation, about 57 percent of consumers will turn to their computers and smartphones to shop, just a tad more than the number of consumers who will shop at walk-in stores.

But as more people take to online shopping to buy holiday gifts, shoppers have to take more precautions: Cybercrime is rising. "More transactions certainly open up consumers to more opportunity for fraud," says Raymond Pucci, associate director of research services at the Mercator Advisory Group consulting firm.

When shopping online, be sure to take steps to safeguard your credit cards and bank accounts. Here are four ways to protect yourself:

Pay with a mobile wallet. If you're using a mobile device to shop, pay for your purchases with a mobile wallet such as Android Pay or Apple Pay. In general, mobile wallets are more secure than physical payment cards because they encrypt the transaction data and use tokens, or substitute numbers, in place of the real debit or credit card numbers stored in the wallet app.

The smartphone itself also adds another layer of security, by authenticating your identity with its fingerprint reader, by tracking the device's location relative to your usual travel patterns, and even by assessing the normal manner and speed of your keystrokes, Pucci says.

Take advantage of credit card security features. There are all kinds of security features you can register for as well. Bank of America, for example, offers a program called Bank of America ShopSafe, and Citibank offers something similar known as Citi Virtual Account Numbers.



Here's how they work: Before you go shopping online, you can log on to your credit card account and get a temporary credit card number. The credit card company knows that number is linked to your card, so when you give it to a merchant online, your transaction will go through. But your card is safer because the merchant never sees the real account number, and if hackers steal the online retailer's data, they'll only get the temporary number, which at that point will be useless to them.

Story continues

Another great security feature: Turn your card off when you're not using it. Capital One and Discover credit cards, for example, allow you to disable your cards when you're not using them by using an app on your smartphone.



You can also beef up your credit card's security by registering it with American Express SafeKey, MasterCard SecureCode, or Verified by Visa. After you've done that, you can create a personal identification number that only you know. When you're shopping online, you'll be asked to punch the code in before the credit card will authorize the transaction.

Avoid paying with a bank debit card. If you pay for online purchases with a debit card and there is a data breach, a crook could access your card's underlying checking account. Although your bank deposits are protected against unauthorized withdrawals, there might be a period where you don't have access to those funds while the theft is being investigated, Pucci says.

A better option: Pay with a credit card, which provides better consumer protections and allows you to reverse a charge if the goods are not delivered as promised. Or, if you don't want to risk running up a credit balance, consider a prepaid card, which doesn't offer credit, is not connected to your bank account, and provides zero loss liability protection for unauthorized charges (if you register the card).

Stick to legitimate shopping websites. Shop only at websites with a web address (URL) that begins with "shttp" or "https." The "s" indicates that the site is encrypted, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit security education group.

Pucci also advises online shoppers to let secured sites keep your credit card account number on file, which actually can improve the security of the card. By giving them your card number, online retailers can use software algorithms to compare each transaction made to your normal spending habits. That makes it easier for them to detect a transaction that may be fraudulent.





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.
Kelli Ffrench-Parker, better known by her Twitter handle Kelli Amirah, became a viral sensation after she penned a series of 140-character tweets last week about hitting on an attractive Uber driver. She gained thousands of Twitter followers and wants the chance to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Ffrench-Parker, 19, is a student at Howard University who writes on occasion. My parents are journalists so I think their writing prowess was passed down to me, she told International Business Times in an email Monday.

Even though she might seem like a professional, her story about the Uber driver is the first one she wrote. I may shoot off a tweet or two like any person, but this is my first time writing and entire twitter story thread, she said.

It finally reaches like midnight on Sunday and I still have heard nothing back. At this point, I'm ready to take the L pic.twitter.com/aJD3WTQOdT  Nocturnal HoHoHo_ (@KelliAmirah) December 6, 2016

The sudden social media fame shocked her. It's been crazy. I've had a tweet or two go viral in the past before, but never something quite like this, the Washington, D.C.-based student said. My followers have basically doubled an drew my direct messages and notifications are off the wall. I honestly don't know how actual celebrities manage it.

Now that she has a little notoriety, Ffrench-Parker considered making a YouTube channel. But what she wanted most was a to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The comedian has hosted viral internet celebrities in the past.

Ffrench-Parker might continue to write. Her next endeavor, though, might be longer than 140-characters. Who knows, maybe there's a book deal in my future, she mused.





For anyone who possibly doubts the authenticity of Ffrench-Parkers story, she verified that its real. I honestly couldn't make it up if I tried, she said. The reason why my friends find my stories entertaining is because they're 100-percent true, which makes it even funnier. Its my real life and they know it.

Story continues

Kelli Ffrench-Parker

Photo: Courtesy of Kelli Ffrench-Parker

Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella

Related Articles
Kendall Jenner and A$AP Rocky have been spending a lot of time together lately.

The 21-year-old model and the rapper, 28, were spotted out on Sunday at Nobu Malibu enjoying dinner at the famous Japanese restaurant.

A few of the rappers friends were seen at the restaurant too. But Jenner and Rocky left the celebrity hot spot together in Jenners Ferrari.

The model wore a camouflage jacket along with black pants, a black shirt and black booties. Meanwhile, the Wild for the Night rapper opted for a red and white club jacket with dark pants and white sneakers.

This is the latest in a series of outings the pair have been on, prompting many to question if Jenner and Rocky are an item.

Earlier this month, after a successful stint on the Victorias Secret Paris runway, Jenner spent quite a bit of quality time with Rocky in Miami, clubbing until the wee hours of the morning and acting very flirty, according to a source.

In October, the pair met up at a Los Angeles hotel. One month earlier, the two were spotted out in Paris.

RELATED VIDEO: Watch Kendall Jenner Get Her Hair Curled Backstage at the Victorias Secret Fashion Show

Although the pair has not publicly spoken about the romance rumors, Jenner was most recently linked to Lakers player Jordan Clarkson.

Theyre both more private, a source close to Jenner told PEOPLE after the model and Clarkson celebrated the Fourth of July together in Malibu. When theyre out in public, they are never all over each other.

Theyre very openly affectionate when theyre comfortable  with friends or alone on a date, added the source. They enjoy low-key dates like quiet dinners where they wont be bothered.




SANTA BARBARA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Property expert and Founder of Investec Real Estate Companies, Kenny Slaught has formerly served on the board of the Santa Barbara Hospice Foundation and is a dedicated supported of Hospice of Santa Barbara. The avid philanthropist has recently expressed his enthusiastic approval of the organization's 'I Have a Friend Program' by promoting it on his blog at KennySlaught.com.

Hospice of Santa Barbara endeavours to meet the needs of all individuals in the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Understanding that children and adolescents often have the hardest time adapting to loss, the organization has focused much of its programming on their unique needs. One of the most important programs that Hospice of Santa Barbara maintains is I Have a Friend, which pairs young individuals struggling with grief with a trained adult volunteer who has also experienced the loss of a parent at a young age.

https://www.facebook.com/KennethSlaught

When children experience the loss of a parent, they often feel that their lives will never again be the same. They can feel lost and abandoned. As noted by Kenny Slaught, "The I Have a Friend mentor program allows these young people to share their feelings with someone who has experienced something very similar." The child will have a companion for as long as he or she needs one. The mentee can explore some of the most sensitive subjects in an open and supportive environment with the mentor, who in turn offers support and practical guidance on the hurdles that will come.

Research has shown that unaddressed grief among children and teenagers can seriously impact their functioning and personality. When these young people do not have the coping skills they need to process grief, they may turn to violence, drugs, or alcohol. I Have a Friend offers a healthy outlet for these children and the opportunity to form a real bond with someone who has experienced the same deep loss. Understanding the significance of this program, Kenny Slaught writes, "Recognizing that the childs life will never be the same, the mentor offers a positive example for how to process and deal with the pain of loss. The mentor serves as a symbol that happiness and wholeness can be achieved no matter how the child may feel in the years immediately following a major loss."

Story continues

Founder of Investec Real Estate Companies, Kenny Slaught has been in the industry for more than four decades. A dedicated investment strategist, he manages more than 3 million square feet of property throughout California. With total transactions valued above $1.2 billion, Investec has grown to become one of Santa Barbara's leading real estate firms. An avid philanthropist, Mr. Slaught is involved with many non-profit and community organizations, including Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation and the Music Academy of the West. Contributing to the benefit of youth in the area, he dedicates considerable time to these and other worthy causes.

Kenny Slaught - Founder & President of Investec Real Estate Companies: http://kennyslaughtnews.com

Kenny Slaught - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennethSlaught

Kenny Slaught  Kenny Slaught's blog: https://kennyslaught.wordpress.com

Contact Information:

KennySlaughtNews.com

Kenny@kennyslaughtnews.com

SOURCE: Kenny Slaught
It was trouble in paradise again for Kenya Moore and boyfriend Matt Jordan.

On Sundays Real Housewives of Atlanta, the two found themselves at odds again  trying to piece their relationship back together after Jordan angrily kicked Moores garage-door window in.

The couple, who met while Moore was filming the shows eighth season, had been on the outs after Jordan became jealous with Moore over an Instagram photo she posted with Jay Z.

I need a man thats confident, Moore told pal Cynthia Bailey. I know Im not perfect. But I want a successful relationship. I want to be completely vulnerable with someone  be loved in every single way possible. Am I going to go left and be with Matt and have this happily ever after life? Have the baby? Or am I going to go right?

Sometimes I just wonder, am I ever going to get to the point where I have it all, an emotional Moore added. Because every time I get so far, it feels like its just not in my reach.

Bailey, who is going through a divorce from her husband Peter Thomas, understood.

You need a strong man because you are a strong woman she told Moore. And he has to be strong enough to let you be you. If Matt just cannot do that, I would really reevaluate whether you want to move forward in the relationship with him.

Jordan and Moore attempted to meet to discuss their problems. But when he arrived at Moores Atlanta home around 2 a.m. after flying back from Los Angeles, he was drunk and angry. After Moore refused to let him in, Jordan kicked in the window of the garage door in anger.

I dont know what to do, Moore told Bailey. He just gets angry. Hes acting out. Hes a child.

Well if hes a child, then he needs to go home to his mother, Bailey responded. Thats the craziest thing Ive heard. Acting out? What kind of s is that. Im sorry if Im speaking out of turn, but Im really nervous about the way he is behaving.

This is out of control, Bailey continued. I know youre trying with this guy, but I just dont have a very good feeling about it. You may have to think about taking some time away from this guy.

Story continues

While Moore said shes not afraid Jordan would hurt her, viewers could tell this wasnt as black and white of an issue as Bailey made it out to be. Just thinking about it caused Moore to break down in tears  and turn to the RHOA producers for advice.

REAL HOUSEWIVES REWIND: Kenya Moores a Size Queen

I feel like hes a good person, but hes just so f up, she told her producer. He just has demons. He feels like hes not really supposed to be with me and it just messes with him because hes just a regular guy that came out of nowhere and I just wasnt the nicest person to him in the beginning. And he holds on to all of that and resents me for all of that. And at this point, I dont know what to do.

I really love him but sometimes I dont want to be fighting with him all the time, she said. In the beginning of our relationship, Matt and I had the best time. We were always laughing. He was just really happy to be in my presence. I really love Matt but its becoming increasingly hard to ignore his immaturity.

Jordans immaturity was on full display when he finally met up with Moore to talk things through at her house. And though he had promised to change  and asked her to forgive him one more time and take him back  he said he felt ambushed by the RHOA camera crew and refused to get out of the car.

Were either in this together or were not, Moore said. This is who I am. You can look me in the eye and you can tell me what were gonna do or what were not.

You have me lookin like a f crazy person, she said.  Youre making me look bad because I go to bat for you every time. I f- have your back every time. I dont call the police. I dont make reports. If I wanted to f bury you, I could and you know it.

But Jordan wouldnt take all the blame for their problems. You treat me like Im disposable  I keep telling you that, he said, explaining Moore verbally abuses him for weeks until he snaps.

Im not justifying that or my actions with what youve done, Jordan said. But you always make it seem like I just act out all of a sudden out of nowhere and youve done nothing to it. Im a young man. I get upset. I might break something. but youre disrespectful almost constantly with your mouth and that causes things to escalate.

RELATED VIDEO: What Did RHOAs Kenya Moore Think About Porsha Crashing Her Housewarming Party?

You talk to me like a farm animal on the daily, he told Moore. Youre manipulative and fundamentally deceptive.

Moore wouldnt take the blame for Jordans actions. What youre trying to tell me is Kenya, youre responsible for kicking in your garage. The next thing youll say is Kenya, youre responsible cause I whipped your ass. 

Soon thereafter, Jordan sped off. But considering the two are still together, this clearly isnt the end.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays (8 p.m. ET) on Bravo.




NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Monday the country will have to think seriously about its membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), signalling another African country may quit the embattled court. Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have both faced charges at the ICC over their alleged roles in the deadly inter-ethnic violence after Kenya's 2007 elections in which about 1,200 people died. Both cases collapsed due to insufficient evidence. His announcement put new pressure on the world's first permanent war crimes court, which has had to fight off allegations of pursuing a neo-colonial agenda in Africa. South Africa, Burundi and Gambia have officially notified the United Nations of their intent to pull out of the Rome Statute, the 1998 treaty establishing The Hague-based court. Those withdrawals will take effect in 2017. In a televised speech to mark the establishment of Kenya as a republic in 1964, Kenyatta said the ICC had become a "tool of global power politics" and not an institution to dispense international justice. "We have sought the changes that will align the ICC to respect national sovereignty. Those changes have not been forthcoming. We will therefore need to give serious thought to our membership," he said. Kenya's parliament has already passed two resolutions since 2010 calling for the country to withdrawal from the court. Kenyatta, who is standing for re-election in elections scheduled for August next year, cautioned against foreign interference, citing unnamed foreign actors whom he said were already bringing money into the country to influence the vote. "There's already money coming into Kenya from abroad ... its true intention is to influence our electoral choices," he said. Investors are keen to see whether Kenya, East Africa's dominant economy, can avoid violence in the next election. Political tensions rose early this year over a disagreement on replacing electoral officials who the opposition said were incompetent and biased against them. After multiple violent protests, the government eventually agreed to remove all senior officials of the poll body. Namibia's President Hage Geingob told Reuters in London this month that his feeling was that Namibia would go ahead with a plan to exit the ICC as it was mainly targeting African leaders. Opened in July 2002, the ICC, which has 124 member states, is the first legal body with permanent international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by James Macharia and Tom Heneghan)
By Thomas Mukoya KIMANA, Kenya (Reuters) - Under the shadow of a snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, hundreds of Maasai boys brave the morning chill to take part in a ritual that marks their coming of age. But those vying to become a 'moran', or warrior, in the biennial 'Maasai Olympics' were not there to hurl their spears at lions as their ancestors did. Instead, the would-be morans, their cheeks smeared with ochre, hurled their javelins deep into the veldt in the Sidai Oleng Wildlife Sanctuary in Kenya's southern Rift Valley. With a throw of 55.7 meters, the competition was won by 20-year-old Tipape Lekatoo from Mbirikani Manyatta village. "The prize money won't pay for my tourism management education, but I am grateful that (efforts to raise awareness) of negative vices within the community are bearing fruit," said Lekatoo. For Maasai boys on the cusp of manhood, killing lions was a rite of passage that turned them into warriors. Launched in 2012, the event is held to encourage communities to stop the killing, as hunting has brought lions to the brink of extinction in this territory at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Across Africa, the lion population has shrunk from 100,000 a few decades ago to less than 25,000 today, conservation groups say. David Rudisha, a two-time 800 metres Olympic gold medalist and arguably the most famous Maasai, said the tournament was an important step in the battle to save Kenya's dwindling lion population. "We have already seen a lot of responses. Every year, big numbers of lions were being killed but because of this event the numbers have dropped and that is a great achievement," he said. "We are looking forward to continuing until there is zero killing of wildlife." (Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Ros Russell)
- By Mayank Marwah





Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) reported its first quarter fiscal 2017 earnings, registering earnings of $1.17 and top line of $28.09 billion. The better-than-expected quarterly profit came in on the back of improved store traffic and strong sales of fresh food. In fact fresh food was among the best-performing categories of the warehouse club retailer.





The company has been witnessing its own set of challenges recently, but it managed to satisfy its investors by posting gains in earnings and revenue. Let's take a closer look at the warehouse specialist's performance in the latest quarter.

Quarter at a glance

Costco Wholesale posted quarterly net income of $545 million, which translates to $1.24 per share, an improvement of 13% compared with $480 million registered in the year-ago quarter. The retailer's net sales experienced a growth of 3% year-over-year to $27.47 billion. The company's revenue increase was supported by the $37 million rise in membership fees and the incremental sales from the eight new stores opened during the quarter. In the U.S., comparable store sales rose 1% over a year earlier.

Costco operates through membership warehouses. The company has a strategy of keeping prices lower on a selection of items belonging to branded categories that sell in massive volumes and generate high inventory turnover. The low price does not earn high margins for the company; Costco earns through high volumes.

Improving comparable sales and rising membership fees

The positive news about Costco's latest results is that the retailer's comparable-store sales have been showing improvement over the last few quarters. The company's overall same-store sales for the quarter rose 1%. The metric would have been better had Costco not suffered from the impact of a strong dollar. While Canada experienced same-store sales growth of 4%, other international markets saw flat performance.

Story continues

In the domestic market, Costco reported same-store sales gain of 1%. Barring the impact of fuel prices and foreign currency translation adjustment, same-store sales grew 1%, 5% and 3% in the U.S., Canada and the rest of the world, thereby registering an overall comp sales gain of 2%.

In addition to focusing on improving its comp sales, Costco has also been stressing expansion of its network in order to support its revenue growth. During the first quarter, the company opened stores in eight locations, five of which were opened in the U.S. and the rest in Canada. This brings the total numbers of stores to 94 in Canada.

Costco now runs 723 warehouses across nine countries. The company also has its ecommerce website in North America, the U.K. and Taiwan and Korea.

Costco's long-term success formula is to drive revenue growth through increasing membership fees and gaining from the sales volume of merchandise. While margins earned are thin on its merchandise items, membership fees almost entirely add to the profits of the company. For the first quarter, revenue from fees went up 6% to $630 million. This helped the company compensate for the rise in overhead expenses.

Costco has not given any guidance for the upcoming quarters. However, as per consensus estimate, second quarter earnings is expected to grow 10% and come in around $1.36 per share and the top line is expected to rise 6% and touch $29.8 billion.

Disclosure: I do not hold any position in the stock mentioned in this article.

Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






Emotions ran high the day after the presidential election, prompting Madison East High School teacher Kate Brien to find a way to turn students concerns about the future into something positive.

The day after the election was a very powerful day here, said Brien, who teaches sophomores and is a coordinator in the AVID/TOPS program. The biggest sentiment was the overwhelming belief that we are together in this.

AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program. In the Madison School District, AVID is partnered with the Teens of Promise (TOPS) program through the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. TOPS provides full-time student coordinators, summer internships, after-school mentors, funding for tutors and college and career field trips.

Many of the students concerns centered on President-elect Donald Trumps threats during his campaign to deport undocumented immigrants.

As the 10th-graders taught by Brien worked through their feelings, she suggested the idea of AVID/TOPS students designing and selling a T-shirt that would celebrate the strength in the students diversity, as well as collective solidarity in fighting against intolerance.

We wanted something to show we were united and we will be strong through these four years, sophomore Javier Zarate said.

All profits will go toward creating scholarships for undocumented AVID students, and its hoped that the fund can be sustained beyond this year, perhaps through other fundraisers.

Sophomore Meghan Mayfield said students worked together to come up with a design signifying diversity and unity and to include a strong message through words.

The design of the black T-shirt is a fist symbol forming the trunk of a tree with roots and rainbow-colored leaves. The design also incorporates a slogan, They try to bury us but they dont know we are seeds, that it attributes to a Mexican proverb.

The group, which expected to sell around 200 T-shirts, has been overwhelmed by the response, which has included purchases from around the country due to social media efforts. The group has sold about 900 shirts and now has set 1,000 as its new goal.

The shirts are being printed by Underground Printing of Madison and sell for $15 for short-sleeved and $20 for long-sleeved. Some have been sold at school and they can be ordered online through Friday at go.madison.com/easthightee.

Im buying one for everyone in my family, said sophomore Phoebe Kimes, who has helped design and sell the T shirt. Its just a great message to spread.
Khizr Khan speaks to the crowd outside Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clintons election night rally at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, Nov. 8, 2016. (Photo: Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters)

Khizr Khan is stepping back out into the spotlight.

Its been about five months since Khan first gained national attention for calling out Donald Trumps caustic campaign rhetoric and policy proposals at the Democratic National Convention.

Khan, a Pakistani immigrant and Gold Star father of a fallen Muslim American soldier, quickly became a key figure in the presidential election, campaigning on behalf of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton as he continued to speak out against Trump. Now that Trump has been elected, Khan is encouraging young Muslim Americans to do the same.

Never feel afraid, never feel disheartened, Khan told a crowd of students and other young people at the annual Muslim Public Affairs Council conference in Southern California over the weekend.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the council is one of about 24 American Muslim and South Asian groups that Khan has met with since the election, and he has several more such visits on his schedule. His message, the Times reports, is fighting back against the politics of fear.

During his hour-long speech Sunday, Khan acknowledged the Muslim communitys anxiety over some of Trumps campaign vows, including his plan to bar Muslims from entering the U.S. and to halt the Syrian refugee program. He also pointed to recent reports of anti-Muslim hate crimes across the country. According to the Times, Khan assured his audience that Muslim Americans arent the only ones feeling so discouraged or so concerned right now, and argued that because of Congress, it will take years before anything is changed or implemented.

Still, while Khan insisted that nobody will take away your rights, he also urged Muslim Americans to play a more active role in the political process. Nobody is going to put your rights on a plate and say, Here, citizen, here [are] your rights, enjoy them, he said.

Amid speaking engagements, the 65-year-old lawyer is also reportedly working on a memoir thats slated to be published next year.
* Exxon CEO Tillerson has long ties to Russia

* He worked closely with Russian oil tsar Sechin

* Sanctions tested Tillerson's relations with Russia (Recasts, updates throughout)

By Denis Pinchuk and Olesya Astakhova

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Soon after the United States imposed sanctions on Moscow in 2014, Russian oil tsar Igor Sechin told a Reuters reporter he would miss three things: exploring U.S. culture, the chance to show his children American landscapes, and riding motor-bikes with Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson.

Tillerson is now front-runner to be Secretary of State in the cabinet of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and Russian officials are relishing the prospect of having someone with long-standing ties to Russia as the chief U.S. diplomat.

Those same ties -- Tillerson has met Russian President Vladimir Putin several times and even received a medal from him -- are causing disquiet among some policymakers in Washington, who see the relationships as a potential liability.

Few people in Moscow expect that the bitter rifts with Washington, over Syria, Ukraine, and NATO's presence in eastern Europe, will be healed overnight with Tillerson at the State Department.

But his emergence as front-runner for the job was seen in Moscow as confirmation the Trump administration would put aside old enmity and do deals with the Kremlin.

Trump is expected to name Tillerson, a 64-year-old Texan, as Secretary of State, a source familiar with the situation said on Saturday. Tillerson would join other figures with Russia ties already in the Trump cabinet.

"The choice of Tillerson is a sensation," said Alexei Pushkov, a pro-Kremlin lawmaker in the upper house of the Russian parliament. "This is a businessmen, by definition a pragmatist, who also has lots of experience working with Russia."

"Judging by the appointments to the key posts in the administration, Trump wants to see a decisive and strong America, but does not see reasons for conflicts with Russia," Pushkov wrote on Twitter.

Story continues

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was cautious on Tillerson's cabinet prospects, saying the appointment had not been confirmed. But he praised his personal qualities.

"As part of his duties as head of one of the biggest oil companies, he had contacts with our representatives," Peskov, said on a conference call with reporters. "He carries out his duties in a highly professional way."

Asked about how close Tillerson is to Putin, Peskov said: "They had working meetings. Indeed, the president received Mr. Tillerson several times."

CLOSE COOPERATION

Though he and Putin know each other, the most important relationship Tillerson forged in Russia is with Sechin, one of Putin's closest lieutenants.

Tillerson started coming into regular contact with Russian officials when, in January 1998, he was made vice president of an Exxon unit involved in exploration projects in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

The flagship project was the Sakhalin 1 offshore project in the Pacific Ocean. Exxon was the operator and Rosneft, the Russian state oil giant headed by Sechin, was a major shareholder.

"He knows this whole sphere excellently," said an oil executive close to Rosneft and Exxon, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "He was involved in the negotiations and the implementation of Sakhalin 1.. From the start. And he knows the peculiarities of the Russian mind-set very well."

In 2012, Rosneft and Exxon deepened their cooperation, signing an agreement on joint development of oil fields in Western Siberia. Putin, Tillerson and Sechin came together for the signing ceremony.

Later the same year Zeljko Runje, who until then had been vice president of Exxon's Russian operations, moved to Rosneft to take up the post of vice president and member of the management board.

Their next big joint project was launched in June 2013, when they set up a joint venture to explore for oil in the Kara Sea, in the Arctic, and in the Black Sea. Sechin and Tillerson both attended the signing ceremony.

In the same month, Putin awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, a Russian state honour. The citation said it was for his "significant contribution to strengthening cooperation in the energy sector."

TIES TESTED

Then the Ukraine conflict intervened in 2014, testing Tillerson's relations with his Russian partners.

After Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region and backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, the United States started several rounds of sanctions.

Tillerson, like other U.S. energy CEOs under pressure from the White House, stayed away from an annual investors' meeting with Putin in St Petersburg in June. He sent a senior Exxon executive in his place.

By August 2014, Exxon was poised to start drilling on the Kara Sea's Universitetskaya exploratory well but an imminent fresh round of sanctions could have halted work.

According to two offshore drilling sources familiar with the Kara Sea project, Tillerson and his team went into crisis mode. They managed to sign the contract to supply a drilling rig just before one round of sanctions was imposed, giving them some legal breathing space.

The Exxon managers then pushed through the drilling programme in two months before a further round of sanctions eventually knocked it off course, the sources said. They found large reserves of crude.

An Exxon representative was not immediately available for comment.

Soon after, obstacles arising from the sanctions forced Exxon to suspend its cooperation with Rosneft in the Kara Sea. The project has since been idling. But Exxon's Russian partners remember its effort to get the well drilled.

"I think his appointment is favourable for Russia," one of the two sources said about Tillerson being lined up for Secretary of State.

(Additional reporting by Maria Tsvetkova in MOSCOW and Ernest Scheyde in HOUSTON; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that losing the Syrian town of Palmyra to Islamists shows how serious the Islamic State threat remains. The ancient town of Palmyra was taken by Russian and Syrian forces earlier this year but recaptured by Islamic State militants over the weekend. "The threat of losing Palmyra is a loss for all civilized humankind, not just for Russia," Peskov said. (Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; editing by Christian Lowe)
Universal critical acclaim and one Oscar later, life is good for editor Tom Cross, as he takes a break from his full days editing Scott Coopers upcoming Hostiles. On the press circuit for Damien Chazelles La La Land, a December musical release starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone which has generated tremendous awards season chatter, Cross takes a moment to reflect on his collaborative relationship with Chazelle, which dates back to Whiplashthe 2013 Sundance Jury Prize-winning short, followed by the feature of the same name.

And while the scale of the projects hes editing has increased greatly post-Oscar, per Cross, little else has changedat least when it comes to the La La Land auteur. Below, Cross discusses Chazelles vision for the films editing, cutting against a jazz backdrop, and some of the biggest adjustments to the film undertaken in the meticulous editing process.

You have a history with Damien Chazelle, but what were the opportunities you saw in this project that made you want to sign on?

First of all, Damien sent me the script and I thought it was fantastic. It was inspiring, it was heart-breaking, it was full of all sorts of aspects of the Hollywood dream. That interested meIt was clear that this was a script written by someone who loves movies.

The other thing is that Damien worked with composer Justin Hurwitz early on to develop music, so as time went on, as they were preparing, Damien would send me little pieces of musicdemos that I would listen toand I started to fall in love with the music and the sound that they were envisioning for the film, as well.

The third thing is that Damien always sends me lists of films that are inspirations for the movie, and are references. I instantly got inspired by that, also. He was inspired by Singing in the Rain, Its Always Fair Weather, West Side Story, amongst many other Hollywood musicals from the 50s and 60s. As well as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and Young Girls of Rochefort.  Im a fan of all of those films, so I instantly got inspired by that aspect, as well.

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Having worked with Damien since Whiplashthe Sundance Jury Prize-winning short film versionhow was the experience different this time around, post-Oscar?

I can remember sitting in the editing room with Damien when we were working on the Whiplash short, and our hope was that people would see the film; our hope was that it would get into the Sundance Film Festival. Some of those similar dreams carried on when we worked on the Whiplash feature film. One of the big differences now is that there seems to be more of a chance that more people will see the work.

In a lot of ways, Damiens art has not changedat least, the voice of him as an artist has not changed. Its always been kind of the same. What has changed is the size and scope of the project. Also, the ability to share that project with more people. That is wonderful, to be able to know that the work is going to play more festivals and more people are going to see it. Thats something thats wonderful, in terms of where we started and where we are coming to.

In terms of all the success and accolades that happened with Whiplash, that has been, of course, a dream come true. Mainly, a dream come true because its enabled Damien to go on to make more films. On a more personal level, its enabled me to get more opportunities to work on projects that I could only dream of working on. For example, I went from La La Land, one old Hollywood genre, to what Im working on now, which is Scott Coopers western, Hostiles. Thats a project that I am having a wonderful time doing, and its a project that I could only dream of getting the opportunity to work on.

Damien was credited as editing his early films. Id imagine he was pretty specific in his vision for the editing of La La Land.

He is very good at describing what he wants; hes very good at preparing his vision to hit the screen. In the case of Whiplash, we storyboarded every scene. He had even created rough animatics with music, the musical scene. He didnt do that for La La Land, but he was very prepared, in how he wanted certain emotional moments to hit certain beats with the music. Very, very prepared. In that way, it really helps me as an editor to put the movie into the first cut.

The other thing that is so great about Damien, as a director, is that he is a true believer in what film editing can do. He gets very excited about solving problems, whether they be story problems or a character problems. I shouldnt really say problems, but issues. He gets very excited about solving certain issues through editing. To his credit, hes a brilliant writer and a visionary director, but he also is not afraid to change something in his script, whether it be dialogue or action, in order to fit what the film has to be.

Thats something that we found on Whiplash, and something we found on La La Landwe had to further and further distill from what he captured in-camera. That meant that certain scenes got lifted out, certain elements got moved around, and sometimes scenes were compressed or truncated, or consolidated. Hes very excited about doing that through editing.

Is editing against the rhythmic backdrop of on-screen jazz the editors dream, in a sense?

It is an editors dream, in a lot of ways, because you have music, which is creating certain rhythm, and people have certain expectations about how that sound is going to relate to picture. Its fun to be able to play with that. In the case of Whiplash, the directive was to tell a story, a lot of the story, at a break neck pace, and with a certain amount of precision. As if the character of Fletcher was editing the movie itself.

In the case of La La Land, Damien had similar directives for the editing. They were kind of different. He had different styles that he wanted to do scenes. For La La Land, he used certain romantic scenes that would play out at a slower pace, and maybe less cuts. He knew that in order for that to really work and have the right emotional impact, he would have to offset that in other scenes. Other scenes have quick cutting, or fast cutting, or are told with dissolve, or other optical techniques. I think that something that excites me about Damiens work is that he really looks at how editing can help tell the story. Hes a real believer in varying the pace and varying the speed of the cuts in order to accentuate moments when he wants to have something play slower and more romantically.

With those old-fashioned wipes, was the idea to get into the grammar of those classic films you mentioned previously?

Damien always envisioned his movie being told through the language of dreams. Heres a story with the two characters who are big dreamers, and they have big Hollywood dreams. For Damien, the language of dreams is the language of old cinema. In that way, he wanted to tell the story through irises and fade-ins and fade-outs and bold montages and other optical techniques, because he saw those things as an expression of what was going on in the hearts and minds of the two characters.

With Damien, it was really important to support their fantasy through the editing styles and cinematic techniques. In some cases, he wanted to tell a story almost like a silent film. He wanted to tell them through montages with no dialogue, but with music underneath. There is a scene where Sebastian is playing City of Stars on the piano and Mia comes into the apartment, and they start singing with one another. Then she sits down next to him at the piano, and they start looking at each other, and singing, and talking about their dreams coming true.

Then, we transition to a very old style Hollywood montage, with no dialogue. Its done with sweeping camera moves, but very specifically placed dissolves and transitions between each moment. The montage, basically, shows the slow deterioration of their relationship. It shows how the characters are coming apart, and that is something Damien always envisioned being told purely visually, and with a musical. That is something that he wanted to do in other places in the movie as well.

In that way, he definitely relied on old Hollywood techniques. That scene is inspired by the breakfast scene from Citizen Kane, when Citizen Kane is having breakfast with his wife. The beginning part of the montage, they are deeply in love and by the end, theyre sitting at opposite ends of the table.

Supposedly, cinematographer Linus Sandgren storyboarded La La Land in fulldid storyboards come in handy for you, as on Whiplash?

In the case of Whiplash, storyboards figured in heavily. In La La Land, not so much. It was usually pretty obvious how he wanted to start something and how he wanted to end something. I had a pretty good idea of how he wanted things put together. When he came in the editing room, there were things that were right on, and there were a lot of things that were different. When he and I worked together, a lot of creative work happened and a lot of changes happened. There were some drastic changes while we were editing.

How much was left on the cutting room floor? Reportedly, there were only a handful of takes shot for some key scenes.

Hes very precise. For scenes like the opening traffic number, it was designed to be a handful of shots that would interlock together. In that way, there was not a lot of coverage. Similarly, the scene on the hilltop in Griffith Park where Mia and Sebastian have their first dance together, that was shot in one [take] as well, with no cutting.

At the same time, there were a lot of other scenes where there was an enormous amount of coverage. One scene that comes to mind is the concert scene with John Legend, which was designed to operate in a different way. That was a scene that had a large amount of coverage, including a large amount of insert photography.

Theres one scene that was very interesting because it was a scene that was originally intended to be a handful of shots stitched together and there wasnt a lot of conventional coverage. The scene of Mia and her roommates going out for a night on the town and going into that Hollywood party was originally designed by Damien and Linus to be very fluid and unbroken. When they entered the party, originally, we were to follow the characters into the party, and one character would hand off to another character in this very voluptuous I Am Cuba type of photography.

What we found, when we got into the editing room, was that these shots were spectacular, but that we were losing the character of Mia in the party. We had to figure out a way to cut into these unbroken shots and to get back to our character. One thing that really helped us was a Hollywood device that we were already using at the beginning of the scene, which was this layered, kaleidoscopic montage at the beginning of the night, which was inspired by the Hollywood montages of Slavko Vorkapic. This was a layered montage where we see dancing feet, and overflowing glasses of champagne, and neon signs at night. Damien always intended that to be more of a transitional device, and a shorter section.

What we eventually decided to do was take some of the party and fold it into the Slavko Vorkapic montage. We were able to do it because Damien had set up this device that allows for a certain amount of compression of time. We were able to repurpose things and edit them in such a way because of this old optical device we were using. Now, when you look at that scene, you see Mia and her roommates go out for a night on the town, and in that montage, you start to see Mia at the party, you see her sit down, and you see her feeling like a fish out of water. A man sits down next to her on the couch and shes clearly uncomfortable. Then, she winds up going to the bathroom, and we then transition into the aftermath of the party, where she feels rejected and out of place.

The important thing about that montage is that it couldnt just be graphic, it couldnt nearly be visualit also had to be emotional. It had to carry Mias emotions. We tried a lot of different versions, and some of the versions had Mia very small in the frame, and we had several things going on at the same time. That looked great graphically, but we still did not get Mia; we still did not understand how shes feeling. It was only after we calibrated it a certain way, and made her larger in the frame, that you really follow the emotional thread, which enabled us to then go in the bathroom and have her look in the mirror and start singing to herself, and realize that she feels out of place.

Per producer Marc Platt, the film references the classics, while providing something for a new generation. What does that mean to you, in editing terms?

That was something that was very exciting about La La Land. Damien never wanted to make a film that was strictly going to hang on a wall in a museum. He didnt want to make merely an homage film: He wanted to make a contemporary film, a contemporary story, with grounded real-life characters. Characters who dream big and see their world through technicolor glasses, and widescreen CinemaScope. With that in mind, he knew that it would be a combination of different styles and tones. That was something that was very challenging.

In a lot of ways, besides feeling the musical element, the technical musical element, that was probably the other biggest challenge, which was trying to find the right style and tone for the film. On one end, we wanted the performances to be very naturalistic. We wanted the setting to be naturalistic. That meant that there were items where the editing would have to take a back seat and be very invisible. That could be seen in the dinner scene where they break up. It was directed to me as an editor to use these four shot unitswe had a medium shot of Sebastian, a medium of Mia, a close of Mia, and a close of Sebastian. Thats all you have. For that scene, its about them breaking up, its about the music for the scene. Its about being stripped down to record until its just basically dialogue. The music that we are hearing is literally just a record playing in the background.

By the end of the scene, the record reaches the end and the music stops. That was a scene that we wanted to play very naturally. Damien, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone worked very hard on trying to keep the performance very naturalistic. That was a challenge, to have a movie that contained scenes like that, as well as scenes of them floating into the stars at the planetarium. Thats what made the movie so fun to do.

Related stories

Golden Globes Movies: Despite Surprises, Nominations Keep The Race Exactly Where We Thought It Would Be

Golden Globe Nominations: 'La La Land', 'Moonlight' Lead Films; 'People Vs. OJ' Tops TV

2016 Critics' Choice Awards: 'La La Land' Leads With 8 Wins Including Best Picture; Donald Glover Unveils Lando Calrissian 'Stache
(SANTA MONICA, Calif.)  The host of the 22nd Critics Choice Awards chose not to discuss his legal troubles and instead focused on President-Elect Donald Trump and the controversies surrounding his election, the Los Angeles Times reports.

T.J. Miller, a star of the TV series Silicon Valley, was arrested Friday after he police say he slapped a car service driver on the head after remarks about Trump.

The Times say that on Sunday night at the awards show, Miller joked about possible hacking of the election by Russia and the automation of jobs.

The big winners at the show include:

In the film categories

 La La Land for best picture.

 Casey Affleck for best actor for his lead role in Manchester by the Sea.

 Natalie Portman for best actress for her lead role in Jackie.

 Mahershala Ali for his supporting role in Moonlight.

 Viola Davis for her supporting role in Fences

In the television categories

 Courtney B. Vance for his The People v. O. J. Simpson role as Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran.

 Donald Glover as lead actor in a comedy series for his role in Atlanta.

 Thandie Newton as supporting actress in a drama series for her role in the Westworld.
Washington (AFP) - The threat from the Islamic State group will likely endure for years to come, even if it loses all the territory it once held under its so-called "caliphate," experts warned Monday.

In a report, 20 experts on the Middle East and jihadism also described how organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the group formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front are adapting methods and continuing to expand.

A US-led coalition has since 2014 been striking IS targets in Iraq and Syria, pushing the extremist group out of vast areas and forcing it try to cling to two remaining power centers, Mosul in Iraq and Raqa in Syria.

Operations have already cost more than $10 billion and coalition aircraft have dropped more than 16,500 bombs.

Coordinated by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the report highlights how the relatively narrow military focus overlooks broader issues that enabled the rise of groups like IS.

"Eliminating an extremist group physically does not defang its ideology or change the underlying circumstances that allowed the group to gain traction in the first place," the report states.

"Reconstruction, rehabilitation and particularly reconciliation are just as important as any military counterterrorism campaign in building societal resilience against the appeal of extremism. Failure to carry out these steps has been a recurrent problem."

The report highlights regional youth unemployment, with the rate of jobless youths in Gaza and the West Bank now 43 percent, 35 percent in Iraq, and 42 percent in Egypt.

As the coalition chips away at IS, the group retains appeal for would-be jihadists, the report notes, saying IS will likely endure for "years to come as a pure insurgency using terrorist tactics."

"It revolutionized mobilization of supporters and sympathizers in the West, a lasting legacy as well as a future threat," it adds.

Meanwhile, another extremist group has grown rapidly in Syria.

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Fateh al-Sham, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as Al-Nusra Front, now has about 10,000 fighters, with nearly a third of its ranks coming from Russia, Europe and elsewhere in the Middle East, the report states.

Additionally, Al-Qaeda has persisted despite the 2011 death of its leader Osama bin Laden.

The report describes how the organization has become an increasingly savvy political operator, while IS relies on ruthlessness and brutal coercion to hold power.

Al-Qaeda "has demonstrated an ability to evolve and adapt to shifting political trends," the report states.

"In the future, Al-Qaeda has the potential to be a greater jihadist threat than" IS, it says.

President-elect Donald Trump has claimed he would "bomb the shit" out of the IS group, though he offered few details.

Such rhetoric is unlikely to help matters, the report notes.

"The jihadist agenda is likely to be heavily defined by where and how -- and how much -- the outside world intrudes. The larger the intervention, especially by the West, the greater the reaction," it states.

The USIP report is available at: http://u.afp.com/4wHk
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  The Latest on the arraignment of former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, on charges he used government and campaign money for personal use:

4:15 p.m.

Former Congressman Aaron Schock has pleaded not guilty in federal court to misusing government and campaign money for personal use.

Schock appeared Monday in U.S. District Court in Springfield to be arraigned on a 24-count indictment. It includes allegations of wire and mail fraud and theft of government funds.

U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough set a trial date for Feb. 7.

The Republican from Peoria was a formidable fundraiser and a rising star in the GOP before news reports questioned his lavish spending to renovate his Capitol Hill office in the style of the PBS TV series "Downton Abbey" and scrutiny over travel and real estate deals.

The indictment includes nine counts of wire fraud, five of falsification of election commission filings, six of filing false federal income tax returns, two of making false statements, and one each of mail fraud and theft of government funds. A conviction on just one count of wire fraud carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

___

8:30 a.m.

Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois is to be arraigned Monday afternoon on federal corruption charges.

The 35-year-old Republican is accused of using government and campaign money to subsidize a lavish lifestyle, as well as pocketing thousands of constituents' dollars. Prosecutors say he hosted Washington tours and meet-and-greets, charged a fee and kept some of the cash.

Proceedings will be in U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough's courtroom in Springfield, Illinois. Schock is from Peoria and had asked for the case to be moved there. Prosecutors didn't want the case moved. The judge ruled that proceedings should remain in Springfield.

Schock was indicted on 24 counts last month. He resigned in March 2015 amid intensifying scrutiny over real estate deals, extensive travel and other spending.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST):

10:05 a.m.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has strongly condemned any foreign meddling to influence the U.S. election. McConnell spoke to reporters Monday, a day after President-elect Donald Trump said the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was "ridiculous."

McConnell says that the "Russians are not our friends" and condemned Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other "U.S. political organizations."

The Kentucky Republican says the Senate Intelligence Committee will investigate. He made his remarks as Trump continues to downplay the CIA's confidential assessment that the Russian government hacked into the DNC and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta's email account.

__

8:55 a.m.

Donald Trump says he'll reduce the costs of the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program  Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter  after he takes office.

The president-elect tweeted Monday that the "F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

The tweet comes the same day Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Israel as it prepared to receive the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets intended to help preserve the country's military edge in the volatile Mideast.

The F-35 program has an estimated cost of nearly $400 billion. Israel is among a small number of allies to get the plane.

___

8:40 a.m.

President-elect Donald Trump is trying to cast new doubt on the CIA's conclusion that Russia tried to interfere in the U.S. presidential election.

He's tweeting Monday that "it's very hard to determine who was doing the hacking." He adds that if his campaign had lost the election and "we tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!"

Story continues

That there was hacking in 2016 and previous elections is not in dispute, nor is it a newly-discussed revelation. There's broad agreement from President Barack Obama and lawmakers of both parties on investigations into which countries were responsible, including, but not limited to, Russia.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, who joined Senate Democrats Sunday to call for an immediate bipartisan investigation, said Monday on "CBS This Morning" that probes are essential because hacking could be a new form of warfare.

__

7:30 a.m.

A top adviser to Donald Trump says the CEO of Exxon Mobil is an attractive candidate for secretary of state in part because he's done business deals with Russia.

Kellyanne Conway told two television network morning shows Monday that Rex Tillerson has long and appropriate ties with top Russian officials. She says, "It's not like Vladimir Putin and Rex Tillerson are pounding down vodka at the local bar. They're not intimate friends, but they deal with each other through business interests."

Trump has said that Tillerson's relationships in Russia are part of his appeal as a finalist for secretary of state. Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate have said those ties are a concern. Those comments have raised questions about whether Tillerson can be confirmed.

Trump has said he expects to make public his choice for the high-profile Cabinet post later this week.

___

3:18 a.m.

President-elect Donald Trump is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over U.S. relations with Russia. Lawmakers are seeking to investigate purported Russian interference in the November election and question the incoming president's potential pick for secretary of state.

Trump said Sunday that a recent CIA assessment that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was "ridiculous." And he praised ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

But two key Senate Republicans  John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump critic  joined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlin's activities during the election. And McCain questions the possible choice of Tillerson because of close ties with Moscow.
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. announces that a lawsuit was for certain purchasers of (DPLO) shares against Diplomat Pharmacy over alleged Securities Laws Violations.

Investors who purchased shares of Diplomat Pharmacy Inc (DPLO) have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554.

On November 2, 2016, Diplomat Pharmacy Inc reported third quarter 2016 results. Diplomat Pharmacy Inc also lowered full year 2016 guidance, with the CEO and Chairman commenting, "We are disappointed with our third quarter results, which were significantly impacted by the softness in the hepatitis C business nationwide, as well as by DIR fees. The methodology and transparency around how PBMs are applying these DIR fees changed materially in 2016, and while we cannot reverse the impact they had on this quarter, we are working with our partners in the specialty pharmacy industry and with legislators to achieve an amicable solution to this problem."

The plaintiff alleges that the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that Diplomat Pharmacy Inc lacked adequate internal controls over its financial reporting, that as a result Diplomat Pharmacy Inc could not adequately calculate DIR fees, that the Company's hepatitis C segment was not performing as previously disclosed to investors, that and therefore, Diplomat Pharmacy Inc had overstated its full-year 2016 guidance, and that that, as a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements about Diplomat Pharmacy Inc's business, operations, and prospects, were false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Those who purchased Diplomat Pharmacy Inc (DPLO) shares should contact the Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is a professional portfolio legal monitoring and a settlement claim filing service, which does research related to shareholder issues and informs investors of securities class actions, settlements, judgments, and other legal related news to the stock/financial market. The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is not a law firm. The information is provided as a public service. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon.

Story continues

CONTACT:

Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

Michael Daniels

+1 (858) 779-1554

mail@shareholdersfoundation.com

3111 Camino Del Rio North

Suite 423

San Diego, CA 92108

SOURCE: Shareholders Foundation, Inc.
Gov. Scott Walker on Monday compared possible Russian influence to help Donald Trump win the presidential election to a Scottish leader endorsing Hillary Clinton.

I dont think we want any foreign government trying to influence our election, Walker told reporters during a briefing about his trip to the Middle East last week.

Walker was responding to a recent Washington Post report that a senior CIA official said there was a consensus in the U.S. intelligence community that individuals with connections to the Russian government gave hacked documents from the Democratic National Committee to WikiLeaks to help Trump win.

Conversely you had the leader of Scotland endorsing Hillary Clinton, and I dont think leaders from other countries one way or the other, whether its for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or any other candidate  I think its best left to Americans to make those decisions, Walker said.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon broke with international protocol when she wrote days before the election that she hoped Clinton would win. Trump is projected to win 306 Electoral College votes compared to Clintons 232.

Trump has criticized the suggestion of Russian influence in the U.S. election.

Jenni Dye, research director for liberal group One Wisconsin Now, called Walkers comparing the two scenarios simply jaw-dropping.

Declaring one of these actions was not dramatically more serious than the other is either incredibly naive or the most disturbing example yet of Gov. Walkers blind partisanship, Dye said.

Walker also voiced support for keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan, noting the number of troops still stationed in Germany decades after World War II. He noted that the 8,400 troops expected to remain after President Barack Obama leaves office is higher than the 5,500 Obama said would remain in October. Obama, who won election amid widespread opposition to the Iraq War and on promises of ending the war in Afghanistan, had talked about reducing U.S. presence to only an embassy.

Walker said those he talked to in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan were encouraged by Trumps pick of Gen. James Mattis for defense secretary, because it signaled that he would be making decisions based on military needs and not politics.

One of the observations you get by being over there is you realize more troops doesnt necessarily mean more people in danger, in fact in some ways it might mean the opposite, Walker said. If you want to minimize the risk, having a higher force capacity is actually a better thing.

Walker said the benefit of his trip to several Air Force bases and hospitals was building morale among Wisconsin National Guard and Reserve troops and showing that the people who represent them are willing to come and see them and understand what theyre going through.

He said it also gave him a greater appreciation of how Wisconsins servicemen and servicewomen are integrated into the U.S. foreign deployment.
Connecticut rapper Lonny X has continued to step things up from release to release, employing a number of incredibly talented producers along the way. His most recent drops have seen him polishing off his sound gradually, and he hits a high point on his latest Tibe-produced single, "Drama." Intended as a teaser before the full album drops next year, "Drama" features a strong display of Lonny's undeniable energy put to good use.

Over email, Lonny said, "Been working hard on painting the perfect picture to my audience through words and heaviness." He added, "I hope people hear it and feel a way. Whether they get hyped and wanna fight someone or if they just sit and get spaced out. I just hope to create an experience more than a song." There's definitely a sort of infectious energy to the track, which leans towards violence without being defined by it. As far as no fucks given music goes, a lot of care has seemingly gone into "Drama." The bouncy and tense production works remarkably well with Lonny's ever-improving flow.

Listen to the premiere "Drama" below.

Continue Reading On PigeonsandPlanes

More from PigeonsandPlanes
LONDON (Reuters) - Fewer than a tenth of the no-frills bank accounts provided by Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) conform to new guidelines requiring such accounts to be fee-free, data from Britain's finance ministry showed on Monday.

The data are the first official study of banks' provision of these basic bank accounts in Britain since the Treasury department and nine biggest lenders agreed new guidelines in 2014 stipulating that such accounts should not charge any fees.

The rules, which came into force on Jan. 1 this year, are designed to widen access to banking and help vulnerable customers avoid running up huge fees by requiring banks to provide simple accounts that do not charge for basic services.

Lloyds provides half of the just under 8 million basic bank accounts in use in Britain, the data show. Fewer than 250,000 of the bank's nearly 4 million accounts are fee-free according to the terms of the 2014 agreement, although all new accounts opened with the bank since the start of the year are.

"We welcome (the) data which shows that Lloyds Banking Group is opening 36% of the new basic bank accounts, demonstrating our commitment to support banking for all," a spokesman for Lloyds said in an email to Reuters.

Seven of the nine participating banks said all of their basic accounts are fee-free and consistent with the terms of the agreement, the Treasury reported.

The data, which cover the first six months of this year, show that nearly half a million new basic bank accounts consistent with the new rules were opened in Britain this year, with Lloyds opening the most.

Basic bank accounts have been available in Britain for more than 10 years, but only since the voluntary agreement between the nine biggest lenders and the Treasury in 2014 have they been required to be fee-free.

The accounts are available to customers who do not have a bank account or are ineligible for a given bank's standard current account.

Banks have said that providing such accounts to the financially vulnerable is a loss-making business for them, and larger lenders including Barclays and Co-Operative Bank have called on smaller lenders to share the burden.

(Reporting By Lawrence White)
An F-35 Lightning II fighter jet prepares to land. (U.S. Air Force Photo / Alex R. Lloyd)

Today it was Lockheed Martins turn to feel the Twitter burn from President-elect Donald Trump over the cost of the F-35 fighter jet program: Its stock dropped by as much as 5 percent after Trumps complaint.

Share prices for other aerospace companies such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman went through twists and turns as well.

Trump set the stage for criticizing the $400 billion program on Friday when he complained about the cost of some of the fighter jets that are being built. Then, in todays tweet, he specifically called out the F-35:

The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

The programs cost overruns have been the subject of sharp criticism for years. The development phase for the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, was plagued by design problems and delays. But Lockheed Martin says many of those issues have been ironed out.

More than 180 of the planes have been sold to the U.S. armed forces and allies around the world. Japans first F-35 was officially delivered last month.

Lockheed Martins F-35 program leader, Jeff Babione, said his company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce the planes price more than 60 percent from original estimates. We project the price of the aircraft will be $85 million in the 2019-2020 time frame, he said in remarks delivered to reporters in Israel.

We welcome the opportunity to address any questions the president-elect has about the program, Babione said.

The scenario fit the pattern seen last week with Boeing: Last Tuesday, Trump complained that the multibillion-dollar cost of building two new Air Force One planes was too high and that the deal should be canceled. Boeings share price dipped, then recovered. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg had a talk with Trump about the issue, and afterward the president-elect said were going to work it out.

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Since then, Boeings shares have posted an additional rise of more than 2 percent.

Analysts said repeated controversies could complicate matters for defense contractors. Even if Trump only launches a bombastic shout-out, this more aggressive approach to contractor relations could impact the stocks, Cowen & Co. analyst Cai Von Rumohr said last week in a note to investors.

CNBC commentator Jim Cramer said Trumps approach is not typical.

I mean, the president  does he have the ability to say, Listen, were going to take fewer product? He does, Cramer said. Does he have the ability to say, Listen, we dont like these prices? Historically, thats not what the president has done. People within the Pentagon have negotiated, but very high level.

There is precedent for canceling contracts, however. Shortly after taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama expressed concern about a plan for new Marine One helicopters  and the program ended up being canceled as the result of a Pentagon review. A downsized contract was awarded in 2014.

The original version of this report quoted a different figure from Lockheed Martins Jeff Babione for F-35 cost reduction, based on a report from Reuters.

More from GeekWire:
F-35

Another stock is reeling into the red after a tweet by President-elect Donald Trump.

This time around, Trump turned his gaze to Lockheed Martin's F-35 program in a tweet early Monday morning.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump tweeted. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

The next-generation fighter jet has overrun costs  overshooting the original budget by 50%  but is near completion. In total, the military has spent roughly $1.5 trillion on the development of the F-35.

Following the tweet, Lockheed Martin's fell by 5% as of 12:45 a.m. ET. Based on the number of shares outstanding, the tweet has shaved just over $3.8 billion from Lockheed's market cap.

In response to the tweet, Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President and General Manager Jeff Babione said the company welcomes "the opportunity to address any questions the president-elect has about the program" during a speech in Israel.

Trump previously went after the F-35 program on the campaign trail as an example of wasteful government spending, and he reiterated his opinion in an interview on Fox News on Sunday.

The tweet came just one week after Trump took aim at Boeing over costs for the replacement Air Force One. Boeing stock fell by 1.5% after the tweet but ended the trading day positive.

After the Boeing tweet, Trump argued that part of his role as president would be to "negotiate" prices.

Here's the full statement from Babione, provided by Lockheed Martin:

"This is a great day for the Israeli people. Its exciting to bring this airplane and its capabilities to the country.

We welcome the opportunity to address any questions the president-elect has about the program. Its a great program. Lockheed Martin and its industry partners understand the importance of affordability for the F-35 program.

Story continues

Since the beginning, weve invested hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce the price of the airplane more than 70% from the original LRIP [Note: Lockheed later clarified to Business Insider that this figure should be 60%]. We project the price of the aircraft will be $85 million in the 2019 -2020 timeframe. When we get to $85 million, the F-35 will be less expensive than any fourth-generation fighter in the world. And it will be the premiere fifth-generation fighter. Thats an incredible value for anyone operating the airplane.

We understand its not just the acquisition price. Lockheed Martin and its industry partners are also investing in reducing the sustainment costs of the aircraft recognizing that much of the cost of owning and operating an aircraft is after its delivered. We plan to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in an effort to reduce the cost of sustaining the airplane over its 30-40 year lifespan. We understand the importance of affordability and thats what the F-35 has been about.

But more importantly, its the amazing technology. For the air forces that get this airplane, its not an evolution in technology, its a step function in capability. Whoever has it will have the most advanced air force in the world, and thats why were building the F-35. Thats why its important that the U.S. and our partners, like the Israeli Air Force, have this aircraft. Its a great value and we look forward to any questions the president-elect may have."

NOW WATCH: Watch the Marines' F-35 fire an 80-round burst from its gun pod for the first time

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More From Business Insider
By Hideyuki Sano

TOKYO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Long-dated Japanese government bond prices tumbled on Monday, driving the benchmark 10-year yield to its highest in 10 months, on the back of continuing gains in U.S. bond yields and Japanese shares.

The longest end of the yield curve came under strongest pressure on growing perception that the Bank of Japan is more tolerant of rises in yields on those maturities than it is on shorter yields.

The 30-year yield rose 8.5 basis points from its previous close to 0.785 percent, now more than 25 basis points above its levels in September when the central bank said it would guide the yield curve where it was then.

"The market is broken. The brokerages who bought a large amount in the previous 30-year bond auction last week are selling them at a discount to investors," said a trader at a Japanese brokerage.

The 40-year JGB yield rose 6.0 basis points to 0.885 percent , now about 30 basis points above its levels just before the BOJ introduced the new policy framework.

While the BOJ's official policy is dubbed as the "yield curve control", the central bank's inaction to the rises in maturities over 10 years in the recent sessions is fanning the view that the BOJ's pain thresholds may be much higher.

Lack of action from the BOJ contrasted with the steps it took in mid-November, when it offered to buy an unlimited amount of short-term bonds, including five-year JGBs at a yield of minus 0.04 percent and two-year JGBs at minus 0.09 percent, to stop rises in those yields.

Since then, shorter yields have stabilised, with the five-year yield standing flat on Monday at minus 0.090 percent, below its 9-1/2-month high of minus 0.040 percent touched last month.

Investors were also cautious in selling 10-year bonds, which they believe the BOJ will have a tighter grip on. It is the only maturity in which the central bank has an explicit policy target, of around zero percent.

Yet, the impact of big rises in 20- to 40-year yields filtered through to the 10-year debt. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield rose 1.5 basis points to 0.065 percent, at one point, climbing to 0.070 percent, its highest since mid-February.

"The market is nervous because the BOJ could come in to stem rises in the yields. So they are testing the water, little by little," said Hideaki Chida, chief fixed income strategist at NLI Research Institute.

(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa-focused platinum miner Lonmin is confident of submitting a plan to build workers' housing that meets government requirements, it said on Monday, after President Jacob Zuma threatened to revoke its mining permit if it failed to do so. Zuma's warning on Sunday piles pressure on the company to spend more on workers' housing at a time when it is cutting costs after being saved from the brink of collapse last year by a deeply discounted $400 million equity cash call. To secure a mining licence, mining companies must submit a plan for housing and living conditions for their workers, many of whom come from former "homelands", far from the mines, where blacks were forced to live in South Africa's racist past. An inquiry into the death of 34 striking miners, shot by South African police outside Lonmin's Marikana mine in 2012, criticised Lonmin in 2015 for failing to comply with its social and housing obligations. The 2015 report, chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, said the mines department should take steps to enforce the rules. After South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources asked for revisions to Lonmin's housing plan in September, "the company is currently reviewing its plan and is confident that it will submit a plan that is compliant," Lonmin said in a statement. Lonmin's employee housing plan includes building apartments and converting crowded men-only hostels on mine property into bachelor apartments and family units. Lonmin said in the statement it had completed the conversion of all hostels into 1,908 single and 776 family units. Zuma said on Sunday his government would consider taking sterner measures that include revoking or suspending Lonmin's mining permit if the company failed to present a housing plan with clear timelines. "A compliant housing plan will be requested from Lonmin, failing which immediate action in the form of suspension or cancellation of the mining right will be taken," Zuma said in statement. Last month, Lonmin reported earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $7 million for the year ended Sept. 30 versus a loss of $134 million a year earlier and said it would continue closing inefficient production in 2017 to cut costs. Shares in the company, which are also listed in London, closed 1.7 percent lower at 24.28 rand in Johannesburg, largely in line with peers. ($1 = 13.6436 rand) (Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by Adrian Croft)
By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has resumed his attacks on a nuclear deal with Iran, seeking Donald Trump's help to smash a cornerstone of the Obama administration's foreign policy legacy. Following up on remarks he made this month to a Washington think tank, the conservative Israeli prime minister said on CBS's "60 Minutes" on Sunday "there are ways, various ways of undoing" last year's accord. The Republican president-elect is also no fan of the deal between Iran and six world powers under which Tehran agreed to suspend a suspected drive to develop atomic weapons in return for a lifting of most sanctions against it. During the U.S. election campaign, Trump called the pact - against which Netanyahu lobbied long and hard - a "disaster" and "the worst deal ever negotiated". But he has also said it would be hard to overturn an agreement enshrined in a U.N. resolution. Asked if he had any ideas on how to unravel the deal, Netanyahu said on the television program: "Yeah, I have about five things in my mind". Pressed for specifics, he said: "I'll talk about it with President Trump." That discussion will likely take place soon after Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. Shortly after the election, Netanyahu said he and Trump had agreed to meet at the first opportunity. Scrapping the deal would, at the very least, be complicated. "It's difficult to see the advantage for the U.S. in abrogating the deal at this stage," said Jacob Parakilas, an expert on U.S. foreign policy at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. "It would be nearly impossible to convince Europe, Russia and China to restore their sanctions on Iran in the absence of clear evidence of Iranian violations of the deal. So any sanctions the U.S. restored would have much less impact on the Iranian economy," he said. Yair Lapid, an Israeli opposition leader, said he doubted whether the deal could be undone given "the Chinese, Russians and Europeans are already in Iran signing deals", and he said any discussion on it should take place "behind closed doors". In the run-up to Trump's inauguration, Netanyahu has been laying the groundwork for a closer relationship with Trump. The two met in September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, when the Israeli leader also held talks with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. A week after the election, Netanyahu sent his U.S. ambassador, Ron Dermer, to see the president-elect and his transition team. Dermer hailed Trump as "a true friend of Israel". CHEMISTRY Netanyahu has used similar language to describe Obama, but the superlatives have done little to mask a lack of personal chemistry and a relationship strained by policy differences over Iran and Jewish settlement on occupied land. In recent months, however, Netanyahu had largely refrained from attacking the Iran deal as Israel finalised a 10-year, $38 billion military aid package with the Obama administration. Nearly a year ago, the commander of Israel's armed forces, Lieutenant-General Gadi Eisenkot, offered a nuanced view of a deal that Netanyahu had dubbed a historic mistake. The agreement, Eisenkot said in a speech, presented many risks but also "many opportunities". Trump, himself, could also face opposition from within his new administration to cancelling the Iran deal. James Mattis, the former general who Trump said he intends to nominate as secretary of defence, has called for strict enforcement of the agreement but stopped short of calling for its abrogation. "It may be possible in time to build up support for a multilateral restoration of sanctions," Parakilas said. "But at the moment that's just not really the case - and ending U.S. participation in the deal right now would make it more, not less, difficult." Last year, before the agreement was signed, Netanyahu angered the White House by addressing the U.S. Congress, where he argued that the deal would pave Iran's path to nuclear arms. Three years earlier, he famously held up a cartoon bomb at the United Nations, drawing a red line just below a label reading "final stage" to a nuclear device. But Netanyahu seemed to backtrack in the interview. Asked if Iran, which has denied seeking atomic weapons, would move quickly towards a bomb if the agreement was undone, Netanyahu said that was not the case prior to its signing. "I think Iran didn't rush to the bomb before there was a deal," he said. "Really?" his questioner asked. "No, because they were afraid of retribution," Netanyahu said. (Editing by Luke Baker and Alison Williams)
Swift on Demands girlfriend Asia might want to stay as far away from Cardi B as possible. On Monday nights episode 4 of Love & Hip Hop: New York, Cardi tells Swift that if she runs into his girlfriend while shes visiting the Big Apple, theres going to be a major problem.

At the Love & Hip Hop: New York Season 7 viewing party in the Bronx, International Business Times spoke to new cast member Swift about the drama involving Cardi, as well as veteran Peter Gunz, about his relationships with Amina Buddafly and Tara Wallace.

Swift explained that he and Cardi met after her manager contacted him about a song. I dropped a record, and her manager reached out to me. I didnt even know that was her manager so he told me afterwards, Hey, Im Cardi Bs manager I want to work with you, I want you to work with her, he said. But the whole Love & Hip Hop thing came into play afterwards. They offered the idea to me and I was like, alright, cool. I always liked the show.

According to the producer, hes just friends with Cardi, although they shared a kiss on a previous episode. Stay tuned, he told IBT. You guys will see whats going on. Its a lot.  Me and Cardi B though were really good friends, we make a lot of money together, we make good music together. Thats all it is.

Swift definitely wont be the only cast member this season going through some drama. Peter told IBT at the viewing party that hes on good terms with his estranged wife Amina and cool with his ex-girlfriend Tara, but there are a lot of ups and down for him. Things change in my life, so youll see. I got the new baby, I got some trouble on the Creep Squad, he said. But me and Amina are good. Im good with all of my kids and all of their moms.

He added: This season is gonna be interesting, you got a lot of new people. You gonna see hot and colds, but just like the rest of yall, I dont know whats going on. And I promise you with me, its gonna be a lot of ups and down, a rollercoaster so hold on.

Story continues

Love & Hip Hop: New York airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on VH1.

Peter Gunz Love & Hip Hop

Photo: Getty Images

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A Democratic appointee to the state Ethics Commission announced Monday he was resigning from the fledgling watchdog agency, criticizing what he described as improper secrecy and a failure to enforce ethics requirements for lobbyists and public officials.

Robert Kinney, a state reserve judge from Rhinelander, announced his resignation in a statement to the Wisconsin State Journal on Monday.

His departure, and the scathing statement announcing it, strike a blow to an agency made up of partisan appointees already facing deep skepticism from Democrats who fought its creation. Gov. Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers created the agency last year to replace the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board.

Kinneys statement describes the commission as paralyzed by gridlock and by rules that require it to hide much of its operations from the public.

It says the agency isnt following its stated mission: enforcing ethics, campaign finance and lobbying laws that apply to public officials and lobbyists. In a phone interview, Kinney took issue with the commissions handling of a complaint by state Assembly Democrats alleging a campaign finance law violation by their Republican counterparts.

There exists among several of the commissioners an observable lack of commitment to the underlying purposes of the agency, Kinney said in the statement, which did not name those commissioners.

Kinney, one of three Democratic appointees to the commission, said that at a time when public confidence in elected officials has been deeply eroded, Wisconsin should ramp up enforcement of ethics requirements for public officials.

Sadly, it appears we have created a system which almost guarantees that this will not occur, Kinney said.

Walker appointed Kinney to the commission in June, picking him from a pool of candidates provided by Democrats. Walker told reporters Monday morning he hasnt spoken with Kinney about his resignation.

Id actually probably want more than just a letter; Id love to sit down and talk to him about it, Walker said.

Kinney told the State Journal he was frustrated by the commissions handling of a complaint by the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee against its GOP counterpart, the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee. The complaint alleged RACC violated campaign finance law when it did not report its financial activities in September, as did other legislative campaign committees.

State law requires the commission to debate and act on such complaints in closed session. The commission dismissed the ADCC complaint in last weeks closed session, according to ADCC executive director George Aldrich.

Kinney, a former Oneida County circuit judge, told the State Journal the commissions actions are a very bad omen.

Being unable to function in the enforcement realm, it was just extremely frustrating, Kinney said.

In August the commission thwarted a push by Kinney to restrict ethics commissioners from contributing to partisan political campaigns. By a 4-2 vote, with Kinney and commissioner Pat Strachota, a former Republican Assemblywoman, opposed, the commission shelved a motion to do so.

In retrospect, Kinney said in his statement, his fears about the commission were foreshadowed when three commissioners  half of the body  voted in October to strike from their mission statement that the commission seeks to enhance representative democracy by furthering Wisconsins tradition of clean and open government.

The handwriting was on the wall, Kinney said.

Commission chairwoman Peg Lautenschlager told the State Journal Kinney discussed his likely intention to resign with members of the commission at its meeting last week.

Governor must

name replacement

In a joint statement Monday, Lautenschlager and commission vice chairwoman Katie McCallum thanked Kinney for his service and explained the process for naming his successor.

We have no further comment at this time, Lautenschlager and McCallum said.

Kinney praised nonpartisan staffers of the Ethics Commission as competent and dedicated civil servants. But Kinney said staff have faced many obstacles in doing their jobs fairly, including overbearing nit-picking from commissioners at commission meetings.

Over time (if it hasnt already happened) this disrespectful treatment will erode staff morale and we will lose these talented people, Kinney said. Perhaps that is the goal.

State law says the governor must nominate a replacement for Kinney and submit the pick to the state Senate for confirmation no later than 45 days after the date of the vacancy.

The six-member Ethics Commission is made up of three Democratic appointees and three Republicans. The Government Accountability Board that it replaced was nonpartisan.

Wisconsin Democrats were sharply critical of Republicans for creating ethics and elections commissions to replace the Accountability Board. They predicted the new commissions will operate less effectively and  because theyre evenly split between partisan appointees  will frequently deadlock on key decisions.

Common Cause in Wisconsin, a nonpartisan group that advocates for government transparency, said Kinneys departure underscores that the new commission was designed to fail.

It is very sad and unfortunate for Wisconsin to be losing Kinneys voice of integrity and impartiality, but not surprising, Common Cause director Jay Heck said in a statement.

Republican appointees to the commission are McCallum, Strachota and former Waukesha County Judge Mac Davis.

The other Democratic appointees are Lautenschlager and attorney David Halbrooks.
Sao Paulo (AFP) - Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva currently leads the country's 2018 presidential race despite facing corruption charges, but would lose the runoff, a poll found Monday.

The leftist leader (2003-2011), who presided over an economic boom that has now gone bust, has 25 percent of the vote, found polling firm Datafolha.

Environmentalist Marina Silva was polling in second place with 15 percent, and center-right social democrat Aecio Neves in third with 11 percent, it said.

But Silva would beat either man in the ensuing runoff race, Datafolha found.

Silva, a former maid who has said she wants to be Brazil's first "poor, black" president, finished third in the last election in 2014, behind Neves and Lula's handpicked successor, Dilma Rousseff, who narrowly won re-election.

The poll further muddies the waters in a Brazil rocked by months of political upheaval that culminated with Rousseff's impeachment in August.

Her center-right replacement, former vice president Michel Temer, has an approval rating of just 10 percent, the poll found.

Sixty-three percent of Brazilians meanwhile want Temer to resign to allow early elections, Datafolha said.

Lula, the co-founder of the powerful Workers' Party, stepped down with an 80 percent approval rating after serving the maximum of two consecutive terms.

He has since become a hugely divisive figure, and is facing charges in an investigation into a massive corruption scheme that pilfered billions of dollars from state oil company Petrobras.

Temer, who is seeking to revive Brazil's economy from a deep recession, has also been caught up in the scandal.

Although he himself has not been formally investigated, it has forced the resignation of several of his ministers and ensnared top allies in Congress.
Luxembourg (AFP) - Two whistleblowers and an investigative reporter in the "LuxLeaks" tax scandal returned to court on Monday for leaking thousands of documents that exposed Luxembourg's huge tax breaks for major international companies.

Around 200 protestors, some waving banners "Stop Tax Evasion," gathered outside the court in Luxembourg as the three men began the appeal to a verdict that saw two of the defendants receive jail sentences last June.

The LuxLeaks scandal sparked a major global push against generous deals handed to multinationals, which grew even stronger after the Panama Papers revelations earlier this year.

Former PricewaterhouseCoopers employees Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet in June received 12-month and nine-month sentences, respectively.

Journalist Edouard Perrin was acquitted of all charges, but was added to the appeal after the Luxembourg prosecutor argued that his case was indelibly linked to the others.

The trial, following an appeal by Deltour and Halet, is due to last from Monday until December 21.

In his June ruling, Judge Marc Thill recognised the defendants' "undeniable contribution... to greater transparency" on tax matters.

But the two men were still found guilty, angering activists who have launched petitions and raised money for legal fees.

"The original sentences of Mr Deltour and Mr Halet were a total disgrace, and we want this injustice to stop," said Tove Ryding, a tax justice coordinator at the European Network on Debt and Development.

"You shouldn't have to go to court for exposing the fact that multinational corporations are dodging taxes," she added.

The blockbuster leak revealed the huge tax breaks that tiny EU nation Luxembourg offered international firms including Apple, IKEA and Pepsi, at a time when Jean-Claude Juncker, now head of the European Commission, was prime minister.

The revelations ended up prompting the EU to take urgent steps to stop global firms avoiding tax in Europe, including anti-trust inquiries into firms like Apple, McDonald's and Amazon.

Story continues

The scandal also pressured Luxembourg into accepting a new law that requires EU member states to share tax deal information with its bloc partners.

Deltour and Halet had faced a maximum penalty of 10 years on charges which included stealing documents, revealing business secrets and violation of professional secrets.

The documents were originally used for a 2012 report by reporter Perrin on French public television but really exploded onto the world stage two years later with the huge "LuxLeaks" release of all 30,000 pages into the public domain.
Skopje (AFP) - Macedonia's ruling conservatives edged a narrow victory against the opposition in a weekend election aimed at ending the Balkan country's instability, results showed on Monday.

With votes counted at nearly 100 percent of polling stations the VMRO-DPMNE party of longtime ruler Nikola Gruevski had a narrow lead of 1.37 percent over the Social Democrats (SDSM).

Late on Monday the electoral commission announced that the VMRO-DPMNE would have 51 MPs, two more than the SDSM.

With the result so close, the political uncertainty that has plagued the nation looks set to continue, particularly as both the VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM had claimed victory on Sunday night.

The main ethnic Albanian political force, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), which has long been the junior coalition partner of the rulers, came third with 10 seats and could provide the VMRO-DPMNE a very fragile parliamentary majority.

Three more minor ethnic Albanian parties share remaining 10 seats.

"This neck-and-neck situation proves one thing for sure, that the political crisis is far from over," Marko Troshanovski, head of the Institute for Democracy think-tank, said before the distribution of seats was known.

"After the election we can expect another political crisis ... that will have to be solved in new parliamentary elections sooner or later," he told AFP.

- Wiretapping scandal -

Sunday's vote was called as part of a European Union-brokered deal between Macedonia's four main political parties after a mass wiretapping scandal erupted in February 2015 and sparked street protests.

The turnout was higher than at previous elections, nearly 67 percent.

Observers warned of some irregularities but no political party has complained about the electoral process or results so far.

Wiretapping allegations led Gruevski of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party to step down from the premiership in January after nearly 10 years in power.

Story continues

The vote, which was twice delayed owing to international concerns over fraud, pitched the former prime minister against Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev.

It was Zaev who released tapes last year that appeared to show the government had wiretapped thousands, including journalists and religious officials, as well as alleging high-level corruption.

Gruevski denied the claims and accused Zaev of planning a coup with foreign support.

Zaev, 42, has pitched the vote as a choice between "doom or life" and pledged to stop an exodus of young people from the former Yugoslav republic, which remains one of Europe's poorest countries.

"Whoever wins the election will have huge challenges and issues to solve," Zaneta Trajkoska, director at the Institute of Communication Studies, told AFP.

- Albanian kingmakers -

Following the neck-and-neck results for the VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, ethnic Albanian parties will likely play a key role as kingmakers, in a country where a quarter of the population is Albanian.

Albanian insurgents fought Macedonian forces in an uprising 15 years ago, leading to an agreement giving the minority group more rights.

Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and NATO but accession has been blocked by Athens owing to a dispute over the country's name -- Greece has a northern region also called Macedonia.

The latest EU progress report on Macedonia said democracy and rule of law had been "constantly challenged" in particular by "state capture", referring to the considerable influence of private interests on state decisions.

Analysts however suggest Europe has brushed aside concerns because of Gruevski's role as a "gatekeeper" in the refugee crisis -- hundreds of thousands of migrants have entered landlocked Macedonia from Greece on their way to western Europe.

The refugee wave has put added pressure on the public purse in Macedonia, where the average net wage is around 360 euros ($380) a month and unemployment stands at nearly 24 percent.
FORT ATKINSON  When officials in this Jefferson County city saw that many ambulance, fire and police calls were going to assisted living facilities, they took action.

In September 2015, they adopted a temporary moratorium on new facilities or expansions, which remains in effect. The City Council is expected soon to consider an ordinance to establish $1,000 fines for preventable calls to assisted living centers.

In any given month, 5 percent to 20 percent of emergency calls in the city of 12,400 people go to assisted living facilities, which have a total of about 500 beds, said Andy Selle, city engineer.

Were spending a fairly significant amount of time on a very small segment of the population, Selle said. Theres concern (emergency services) cant respond adequately to the needs of the community.

The growth of assisted living in Wisconsin has come with growing pains, including the impact on community services. The number of assisted living beds in Wisconsin has increased by 41 percent since 2008, when the beds first outnumbered nursing home beds.

As the number of assisted living facilities and the frailty of residents increase, many operators are relying on municipalities to handle difficult situations because the facilities dont have staff equipped to address them, said Kim Marheine, ombudsman supervisor for the state Board on Aging and Long Term Care.

A decade ago, Marheine said, many of the residents would have been placed in nursing homes, which have around-the-clock nursing staff available.

So calls are on the rise when somebody falls, she said.

After Fort Atkinson approved three assisted living projects in August 2015, city officials decided to look at the effect on emergency services.

Were devoting a lot of our time to problem solving at these homes, Fort Atkinson Police Chief Adrian Bump said.

Bump said the calls prevent officers from enforcing traffic violations, stopping theft and doing outreach. It takes away from our ability to be proactive in the community, he said.

City officials and assisted living representatives formed the Fort Atkinson Adult Care Consortium this year to work on solutions. An ordinance has been drafted to fine facilities $1,000 per preventable call, but facilities active in the consortium would get three preventable calls a year before facing a fine.

Selle said preventable calls include reports of missing people, assistance lifting someone, false alarms and keys locked in cars. They account for more than half of the fire calls, 9 percent to 20 percent of police calls and 3 percent to 19 percent of the ambulance calls to assisted living facilities in recent years, he said.

Karen Harden, regional director of REM Wisconsin, which has two assisted living facilities in Fort Atkinson, said some calls that seem preventable are not.

Facilities cant prevent residents from using their cellphones to call police, for example, Harden said. Thats a right the clients have, to use their own cellphone, she said.

Harden said the city should tax all businesses for emergency calls, not target assisted living facilities.

As a provider, we feel like we are being discriminated against, she said. Most of our calls are legitimate.

Troy Hansen, program director at Abilities, one of the largest assisted living providers in the city, told the City Council last month that to reduce calls, Abilities has stopped taking residents with significant behavioral problems and those with dementia who might wander outside.

It leaves residents without options in Fort Atkinson, Hansen said. At any point, a loved one can become a person in need ... It could end up being yourself.

Selle said the city doesnt want to discourage calls for emergencies and acknowledges that assisted living brings jobs to the community. But emergency officials want to serve all residents, he said.
By Ivana Sekularac and Kole Casule SKOPJE (Reuters) - Macedonia's nationalist VMRO-DPMNE and opposition Social Democrats were virtually tied in a Sunday election aimed at ending a two-year-long crisis that brought down the previous government, state election commission preliminary results showed. The center-right VMRO-DPMNE of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski won 37.96 percent of the vote, while the Social Democrats, or SDSM, of Zoran Zaev won 36.65 percent, the commission showed on its website. Results were based on the counting of nearly 98 percent of the votes. A final result is expected around midday on Monday. The Association Most election monitor said the race was too close to estimate each party's number of seats in parliament, based on a representative sample it had identified. "The two leading parties according to the number of votes won are too close to each other, and this difference in the number of votes won influences the deployment of the seats, depending on the margin of error," Most said in a statement early on Monday. The parliamentary elections came almost a year after Gruevski stepped down as prime minister in a European Union-brokered deal to end a crisis over a corruption scandal in the landlocked nation of 2.1 million people. Gruevski's main challenger, Zaev, accused the government last year of wiretapping tens of thousands of citizens and released recordings appearing to implicate the government in corruption. Gruevski has denied any wrongdoing. The VMRO-DPMNE party had ruled on its own or as the major coalition party since 2006 until the installation of a caretaker government and the calling of early elections last January. The SDSM was celebrating what it said was its victory in bigger cities on Sunday night. "The regime fell. The entire world should understand that we wrote history today," Zaev told supporters in front of the government building in Skopje. Gruevski claimed victory for his party. "VMRO-DPMNE is the winner of these elections. Today, VMRO-DPMNE won, but also Macedonia won," he told supporters in Skopje. Whoever forms the government will have to seek a coalition partner among parties representing ethnic Albanians, who account for one-third of the population. In Romania, the leftist Social Democrats, also seeking re-election after stepping down a year ago amid street protests over its failure to address corruption, were in position to form a coalition government again on Sunday. IRREGULARITIES Early elections were postponed twice in Macedonia after the opposition boycotted them, demanding measures to ensure voting would be free and fair. "I am hoping that this madness will stop after the election. I hope a better party will win," said unemployed 52-year-old Orde Serafimovski, casting his vote earlier in the day. The European Union had long criticized Gruevski's record on democracy and the rule of law, but also needs Macedonia's cooperation to help contain the bloc's migration crisis. The country sits on a major migration route into the bloc. Macedonia is a candidate to join the European Union but has never begun accession talks, partly because of criticism of its reform record and an entrenched dispute with neighboring EU member Greece over the name Macedonia, which also belongs to a northern Greek province. Eleven parties and coalitions ran for election, including four representing the ethnic Albanian community. Traditionally, an Albanian party joins a coalition government as junior partner. (Writing by Georgina Prodhan; Editing by Will Dunham and Peter Cooney)
By Ivana Sekularac and Kole Casule SKOPJE (Reuters) - Veteran leader Nikola Gruevski's nationalist VMRO-DPMNE won 51 out of 120 seats in Macedonia's parliament in a snap poll on Sunday that is expected to end a two-year long crisis that brought his government down. The nationalists are now in a good position to form a government with their old partner, the Albanian DUI despite their losses. Overall, Albanian ethnic minority parties lost out to the social democrats, suggesting an easing of ethnic strains. Preliminary results issued by the State Election Commission showed opposition Social Democrats had won 49 seats in the election, brought about by Gruevski's resignation over a wiretapping scandal. Albanian voters in Macedonia shifted toward the Social Democrats in significant numbers for the first time since a 2001 interethnic conflict. The provisional result suggested ethnic factors were playing a lesser role in politics, reducing the dangers of nationalist frictions that have beset Macedonia in the past. Albanians make up about a third of the 2.1 million population of the landlocked former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, and have traditionally voted for ethnic Albanian parties, one of whom then becomes the junior party in a coalition government. This time, the Albanian DUI party, which formed the last coalition government with Gruevski won 10 seats in parliament - a half of what it had in last election. A new, anti-establishment Albanian party, Besa, picked up 5 seats, while the Democratic Party of Albanians got 2 seats, while Alliance for Albanians recorded 3 seats. "With anger, I say the Albanians lost their mandate," DUI leader Ali Ahmeti said after the vote on Sunday. ETHNIC TENSIONS Sunday's snap election was called after Gruevski stepped down and handed over to a caretaker government in January to end a national crisis caused by opposition allegations that he and his counter-intelligence chief had wiretapped the phones of more than 20,000 people. Zoran Zaev released recordings that appeared to show abuses of power by senior government figures. Gruevski denied wrongdoing. Both Gruevski and Zaev proclaimed victory on Sunday evening and their supporters celebrated on the streets of Skopje. International observers called on Monday for national unity to give Macedonia a chance of resuming stalled talks to join the European Union and put years of conflict behind it. "The country is at a new crossroads, which opens a path toward normality in political life," said Stefan Schennach, head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. "Now the entire country must replace ethnic separation with nation-building co-operation." Victories of the Social Democrats in towns such as Aracinovo and Brest clearly show that Albanians voted for it, said Artan Sadiku of Skopje's Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities. "It is clearly a significant shift and a departure from an ethnically determined vote," he told Reuters, adding that political parties might no longer be able to use nationalism to generate further instability. Ethnic tensions over regional autonomy, political representation and Albanian-language schooling brought Macedonia to the brink of war in 2001. It was ended by the so-called Ohrid Accord, brokered by NATO and the European Union, which gave Albanians greater rights. Parties will have 20 days to constitute the parliament, once the state election commission comes out with results. (Editing by Georgina Prodhan and Ralph Boulton)
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f314751%2fa81580fea1ad48da9bb7244410be925f

One of the world's biggest and most prestigious museums says it has cut its holdings in fossil fuel companies.

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) on Monday said it had reduced its financial exposure to coal, oil and natural gas companies. The New York City institution said the move aligns with its longstanding efforts to help protect the fragile planet.

SEE ALSO: Dramatic NatGeo photos show how climate change is transforming the world

"We hope we can achieve our collective goal of global sustainability while maximizing the resources each of our institutions brings to bear on this vital issue," Daniel Stoddard, AMNH's chief investment officer, wrote in a letter to environmental groups.

The museum's announcement was celebrated by climate groups calling on institutions to divest from fossil fuels, although the museum said its efforts were not divestment.

NYC Light Brigade demonstrates on the steps of the American Natural History Museum in New York City.

Image: EriK mcgregor

Hundreds of institutions in dozens of countries have made commitments to shed their holdings in fossil fuel stocks. The institutions represent a combined $5 trillion in assets under management, up from $2.6 trillion in total assets last year, Arabella Advisors, a sustainable investment firm, reported Monday.

Divestment proponents say their goal is not necessarily to bankrupt energy companies. Instead, the idea is that by eliminating holdings in fossil fuels, investors send a signal that those energy companies are undesirable and morally incompatible with a low-carbon future.

Museums in particular are facing pressure to divest because they play such an influential role in shaping the public's understanding of science and natural history. In the U.S., museums are also among the most trusted institutions, according to the American Alliance of Museums.

Live now - announcing more than $5 trillion in assets committed to #divestinvest https://t.co/em2gVQUyQh pic.twitter.com/IOaDVXNmcx  Divest Invest (@divestinvestorg) December 12, 2016

"We look at these institutions as powerful spaces to communicate science and natural history and to help people understand our relationship to nature," said Beka Economopoulos, who directs the Natural History Museum, a mobile museum that champions climate action.

Story continues

"We want to activate these dusty dioramas and help make science and natural history more relevant to people's day to day lives and pressing contemporary concerns," she told Mashable.

Economopoulos and members of the grassroots activist group 350.org are leading the campaign to get museums to reevaluate their fossil fuel holdings.

The organizers argue that since museums are largely considered beacons of scientific truth, it doesn't make sense for museums to maintain ties to companies or individuals that profit from fossil fuels or fund lobbying groups that spread false information on climate science.

Since March 2015, around 150 climate scientists have signed a letter warning museum directors that their fossil fuel connections could "undermine public confidence in the validity of these institutions."

Visitors check out an elephant near the main entrance of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., June 9, 2014.

Image: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via ap images

Anne Canty, a spokeswoman for AMNH, said the natural history museum began reviewing its fossil fuel exposure in 2014. "It's such a broad issue in society that we thought it warranted this kind of review," Canty told Mashable.

The museum's $650 million endowment doesn't include any direct investments in fossil fuels, according to Stoddard's letter to environmentalists. But a small percentage of indirect holdings are connected to oil, coal and natural gas companies through pooled investment funds.

In June 2015, the museum asked all its investment managers to "take environmental and climate change issues into account" when reviewing existing investments and when making new investments.

The American Museum of Natural History's iconic whale.

Image: Nano Calvo / VWPics via AP Images

As a result, AMNH's fossil fuel investments have declined from about 4 percent of its endowment in 2014 to less than 2 percent today. The museum is also looking for portfolio managers who prioritize investments in renewable energy, according to the letter.

Monday's news was a major boost for climate groups working to get museums to distance themselves from fossil fuels, activists said.

So far, only about seven other science and natural history museums have divulged their plans to reduce investments in fossil fuels, and most have done so with little fanfare.

The Field Museum in Chicago first announced its divestment decision in November 2015, in response to a tweet from 350.org's Chicago branch. A spokesperson for the Field Museum confirmed via email that the institution had "divested from direct holdings in fossil fuels in 2015" but did not elaborate.

@chicago_350 We've already divested from fossil fuels awhile ago  The Field Museum (@FieldMuseum) November 13, 2015

Other institutions have so far resisted activists' calls to break their ties to fossil fuels.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., told Mashable it did not have a formal policy on fossil fuel companies and was not involved in any organized divestment campaigns.

Economopoulos said she hoped AMNH's announcement would encourage the Smithsonian and other institutions to reconsider their connections to fossil fuels  particularly at a time when President-elect Donald Trump is vowing to undermine climate change policy at the federal level.

"This is precisely a time when we need to stand up for science," she said.

Correction, Dec. 12, 2016: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the American Museum of Natural History was divesting from fossil fuel companies. The museum said it is "reducing its exposure" to fossil fuels.

BONUS: Powerful image of Michelle Obama embracing George W. Bush at museum opening goes viral
Aleppo (Syria) (AFP) - Syrian troops were poised to recapture all of second city Aleppo on Tuesday, in what would be the biggest blow to rebels since they launched their uprising in 2011.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon voiced alarm at reports of atrocities against civilians in Aleppo, where entire districts are in ruins and unclaimed bodies lie in the streets.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have said the battle for the city is in its "final phase" after they seized more than 90 percent of the eastern districts which had been held by the rebels since 2012.

The turnaround in the government's fortunes has come through decisive support from its allies Iran and Russia, which has waged a bombing campaign in support of Assad since September last year.

Early on Tuesday, troops were conducting searches in newly recaptured neighbourhoods around Aleppo's Old City, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"The regime is combing the districts of Bustan al-Qasr, Kalasseh, Fardaws, and other neighbourhoods it seized yesterday (Monday)," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

He said the regime was consolidating its control over those areas but had not made any fresh advances on Tuesday morning.

The fall of Aleppo would be the rebel's worst defeat of the civil war and put the government in control of all five of Syria's main cities.

An AFP correspondent in government-held west Aleppo said bombardment was heard overnight but had quietened by morning, when thick fog shrouded the city.

Residents of the sector gathered in the streets late into the night despite the rain, launching celebratory gunfire in a show of support for the army.

- 'Last chance' -

UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed alarm over reports of atrocities against "a large number of civilians, including women and children" in Aleppo, his spokesman Stephan Dujarric said Monday.

"While stressing that the United Nations is not able to independently verify these reports, the secretary general is conveying his grave concern to the relevant parties."

Story continues

The east of the city had been under army siege almost continuously since July.

On November 15, the army launched a blistering offensive to retake it with the support of Iran-backed militias.

A Syrian military official in Aleppo said late Monday: "We're living the final moments before victory. "

Rebel fighters withdrew from six residential districts on Monday after government forces overran the key Sheikh Saeed neighbourhood on the city's southeastern outskirts.

The pullout leaves the rebels confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in the southeast of the city, including Mashhad and part of Sukkari.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned Tuesday that thousands of civilians were at risk "as front lines close in around them in eastern Aleppo."

"As the battle reaches new peaks and the area is plunged into chaos, thousands with no part in the violence have literally nowhere safe to run.

"This may be the last chance to save lives," it said.

- 'It's hell' -

The government assault on east Aleppo has killed at least 415 civilians since mid-November, the Observatory says. Another 130 civilians have been killed by rebel fire on the west.

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have repeatedly failed, and weekend talks between Russia and the United States on a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of civilians made no breakthrough.

The White Helmets emergency service, which operates in rebel-held areas across Syria, said it had been unable to pull bodies out from under collapsed buildings because of the ferocity of the bombardment.

"It's hell," it said on Twitter on Tuesday.

According to the Observatory, an estimated 130,000 people have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army has advanced.

In the rebel-held Mashhad neighbourhood, residents fleeing the army advance crowded the streets on Monday, witnesses said.

Displaced civilians -- many hungry after fleeing without food -- sat on pavements or lay on the street with nowhere else to go.

The government's lightning advance in Aleppo has not come without cost.

While the army's firepower has been focused on recapturing it, the Islamic State group has retaken the ancient city of Palmyra from which it was driven out in a high-profile Russian-backed offensive in March.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in nearly six years of civil war. Millions more have fled their homes.
A man has been arrested following an altercation outside a California mosque that ended with a stabbing, one police believe may have been motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment.

Police in Ventura County have named John Matteson as a suspect in the stabbing, which occurred sometime before noon on Saturday near the mosque in Simi Valley.

Read: Dylann Roof's Mom Suffers Courtroom Heart Attack as Attorneys Describe Massacre Plan

According to police, a fight ensued around 11:30 a.m. and one person was stabbed. Matteson, 29, was booked on Sunday after being treated for his own injuries at a local hospital.

Matteson was reportedly arrested near the place of worship. He was charged with violation of civil rights and with making criminal threats based on remarks he allegedly made, authorities said.

"Were investigating whether or not this was instigated by [the victims] appearance and the association with the mosque," Simi Valley Police Department Sgt. Adam Darough told the Los Angeles Times. "Were quite concerned that this occurred. We want to keep people of all faiths safe in the city."

The victim, who police say was stabbed in the abdomen, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to recover.

Another suspect is reportedly still at large.

Read: Boy, 11, Charged With Hate Crime After Torching Jewish-Owned School Bus: Cops

The attack comes after a report from the FBI last month indicated a marked increase in 2015 hate crimes over the previous year, most of them against Muslims.

Civil rights groups nationwide have also cited an increase in hate-related incidents in the weeks since the presidential election.

Watch: Orlando Gunman Omar Mateen Was Caught On Hidden Camera in 2012 Documentary

Related Articles:
London (AFP) - A man was stabbed at a London suburban train station on Monday by an attacker said by eyewitnesses to have shouted that he wanted to kill Muslims.

Police said they had arrested a 38-year-old man following the attack on a train which left the victim, who is in his forties, in serious condition in hospital.

An eyewitness, 36-year-old Miguel Oliveira, told the Press Association news agency that he came face-to-face with the attacker, who was "shouting uncontrollably".

"He was walking towards me and he was shouting stuff like 'Death to Muslims' and 'Go back to Syria'," he said.

Local resident Shellby Curry, 24, told the agency that she saw a man waving what looked like a knife and screaming "Muslims fucking hate them, kill them all".

British Transport Police said it had received reports that a man had been assaulted on a train at Forest Hill station in southeast London at 1:18pm (1318 GMT).

"The man, who is in his forties, was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with having been stabbed. He remains in hospital in a serious, but not life threatening, condition," it said in a statement.

"A 38-year-old man from London was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. He remains in police custody.

"The circumstances are being investigated but the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related at this time."
A man has been charged with a hate crime for stabbing a worshipper near a mosque in Simi Valley, Calif. on Saturday night.

John Matteson, 29, allegedly confronted the man at a shopping center next to Masjid Al-Rasool mosque and started an argument before attacking him after 11 p.m. Saturday.

During their investigation, [officers] discovered a suspect had confronted a worshiper from the mosque, and after a verbal altercation, they began to fight, Sgt. Adam Darough told the Los Angeles Times. During the fight, [the suspect] stabbed the victim.

The 36-year-old victim was hospitalized and is in stable condition with a perforated bowel, the Washington Post reports.

Officers booked Matteson for making criminal threats and violating the civil rights code, which are both felonies, and also charged him with the misdemeanor of disturbing the peace by fighting. For the felony charge of violating civil rights, records show Matteson was charged under California Penal Code section 422.7, which is part of Californias hate crime laws.

Were investigating whether or not this was instigated by [the victims] appearance and the association with the mosque, Darough told the LA Times. Were quite concerned that this occurred. We want to keep people of all faiths safe in the city.

Bail was set at $25,000. Matteson will appear in court on Tuesday, the LA Times reports, though it was unclear whether he had a lawyer. A second suspect who fled the scene is still at large, the Post reports.
LONDON (Reuters) - A man stabbed a passenger on a train at a south London station and then chased people shouting: "I want to kill a Muslim", the Daily Mirror reported on Monday, in an incident police said was not "terrorism-related." Shoppers and other travelers ran away as the man roamed the streets for up to 15 minutes, the newspaper reported. "A man has been arrested after a man was seriously assaulted at Forest Hill station this afternoon," British Transport Police said in a statement on their website. "We are investigating the circumstances of the Forest Hill incident, but at this time we are not treating it as terrorism-related." (Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 11, 2016 / The surrounding land of Central Park has some of the highest real estate values in not only New York, but also in the entire world. In June of 2016, with a listing price of $250 million, a property at 220 Central Park South became Manhattan's most expensive condo. Present-day analysts estimate that land bordering or near a park is worth up to 20 percent more than a comparable property on a typical city block. Texas developer Marcus HIles, the CEO of Western Rim Property Services, discusses the impact of one of the newest open urban spaces that follows the Central Park design trend, Uptown Dallas' Klyde Warren Park.

https://www.crunchbase.com/person/marcus-hiles

As Americans' conceptions of what cities are for and how they ought to be used changes, so does their urban design. From Atlanta's BeltLine to Philadelphia's Rail Park and Chicago's Bloomingdale Trail, unused railways and abandoned infrastructure are being revitalized in the form of converted trails, parks and promenades. The movement, referred to as landscape urbanism, follows the model of design which traces back to Frederick Law Olmsted, Central Park's famed architect. "Capping," or building green spaces over freeways, has become one of the hallmark innovations spurring from this trend, transforming expansive expressways into vital links among communities. In 2012, Klyde Warren Park capped the Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas, connecting the Uptown and Downtown neighborhoods and allowing pedestrians to walk across the majority of the city, a previously impossible feat.

Almost immediately following the commencement ceremony of Klyde Warren Park, the area surrounding the deck park began changing dramatically, recalls Marcus Hiles. Since late 2012, lease rates on adjacent streets have more than doubled, and several new high-rises that will overlook the open space aim to drive prices even higher. In the neighboring Arts District, prices have climbed from $19 to $25 per square foot, and on the north side of the park rates have increased a staggering 64 percent, from $22 to $36 per square foot. At 5.4 acres, the influence of the park is especially impressive when compared to the size of Chicago's Millenium Park (24.5 acres) and New York City's Central Park (843 acres). "I don't think anyone could have predicted the impact," said Phil Puckett, the executive vice president of CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate firm. "Having worked in the downtown and uptown markets for 25 years, I have never seen anything like it. Klyde Warren Park has become the city's epicenter."

Marcus Hiles is a renowned Texas real estate developer and the Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services with over two decades of experience creating affordable and sustainable luxury properties. Hiles' communities often utilize a Central Park style design, setting aside a minimum of five acres for open green areas, secluded jogging trails, scenic waterways, and comprehensive play areas.

Marcus Hiles - Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services: http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com

Western Rim Property Services- Marcus Hiles - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Western-Rim-Property-Services-Marcus-Hiles-1013270532051763/

Marcus Hiles (@marcus_hiles) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcus_hiles

Marcus Hiles - New Luxury Apartments in Frisco, TX - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmsJNbfOh-g

Contact Information:

MarcusHiles-News.com

marcus@marcushiles-news.com

SOURCE: Marcus Hiles
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP)  The owners of a New Hampshire Nativity scene have a message for whoever stole Mary from their yard last week.

A handwritten cardboard sign next to the Nativity in Manchester reads: "Please help! Mary Missing, Joseph Doesn't Want to be a Single Dad!"

Shirl Kula says she and her husband have put up the set almost every Christmas in the 16 years they've lived in their home and consider it a gift to the neighborhood. She says they've never tied down the figures because the Nativity scene "belongs to the neighborhood."

Kula says she's not looking to punish whoever took Mary. She simply wants Mary back.

Jesus isn't in his cradle but hasn't been stolen. Kula and her husband wait until midnight each Christmas to put him out.

___

This story has been corrected to show Mary was stolen last week, not Sunday.
Abidjan (AFP) - A mother from a working-class district of Abidjan watches fearfully while the physiotherapist presses down on the thorax and abdomen of her crying, struggling baby to help him breathe.

Under the health worker's expert hands, the infant gradually expels the secretions clogging up his lungs through his nose and mouth. His mother looks astonished and the therapist keeps working until her child's airways are completely clear.

Respiratory physiotherapy is critically needed in Ivory Coast where pneumonia is second only to malaria as a killer of babies and toddlers.

The charity Agis (Association Graine d'Ivoire et Sante), founded in 2010 by Aboubakar Sylla, a physiotherapist himself, trains volunteer staff in the massage techniques to serve the poorer neighbourhoods of the commercial capital and towns in the interior of the west African country.

Their work is linked in with medical consultations and "schools for mothers", where women are taught how to help keep their little ones safe from infection and to treat them if they fall sick.

- Affects children under five -

The World Health Organisation reports that respiratory infections in 2015 claimed the lives of more than 900,000 children under the age of five around the globe.

In Ivory Coast, such infections are estimated to have killed more than 11,000 youngsters in 2012, according to the latest available count.

The Annual Report on the Health Situation (RASS) for 2014 and 2015 meanwhile showed that the number of acute respiratory infections rose to more than 202 cases per 1,000 children in 2015 from 165 per 1,000 in 2014.

Respiratory infections are "the second cause of hospitalisation in paediatric services. After malaria, it's the second cause of mortality" among Ivorian children under five, says Max Valere Itchi, a doctor at CHU of Cocody, one of the main hospitals in Abidjan.

In the countryside the death toll has worsened due to a lack of funds and equipment. Children are usually taken to hospital only when their case is very serious and more difficult to cure, doctors say.

Story continues

"This is particularly regrettable since many cases could have been avoided with a little prevention," says Sylla, taking part in his Agis association's campaign in the poor Koumassi district of Abidjan.

- Don't sweep with baby on back -

In the courtyard of the city's general hospital, several dozen mothers show up early one morning to wait under tents put up to provide shelter from the rain Some are carrying their babies on their backs.

Esthetician Monique Zabia has brought two children with her.

"Every day they have colds and they have runny noses," says Zabia, who is discovering the methods of the physiotherapists for the first time.

"She has a cold all the time and she coughs in spite medication," says another mother, Linda Akele, who brought her three-year-old daughter "to experiment" with the massage techniques.

Three days later, a similar scene takes place in Attecoube, another low-income neighbourhood in Abidjan, where health staff give advice to women as well as treatments to the kids.

Young mother Saly listened attentively to a volunteer nurse while her 14-month-old baby sat calmly at her feet.

"Don't carry the child on your back to sweep the house or to light the fire. Otherwise the dust and the smoke are still going to give him colds," the nurse patiently tells the women.

Sylla, who deploys one or more practising doctors to take part in each Agis operation, explains that the volunteers "also teach the women how to give the massages themselves."

He stresses however that physiotherapy is not the primary treatment.

"People need to see their doctor. Medication is the primary means of treatment. Physiotherapy is complementary to that. Studies have shown that when physiotherapy is added to treatment with drugs, it speeds up recovery and brings respiratory comfort to the child," he says.

The charity's head is keen to see a full-fledged government policy to help the children in distress. "There is not enough money devoted to the battle against pneumonia."

His Agis association is entirely dependent on volunteer medical staff, whose numbers vary according to the workload and location. The charity is funded by private donations and patrons such as a company which may step forward to finance operations in a specific district.
By Engen Tham and Adam Jourdan

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Ma Yiqing, 24, is typical of China's younger generation - he uses his credit card frequently and borrows from online platforms to fund his shopping habits. In a pinch, he is happy to fall back on a lender closer to home - his mum and dad.

Interviews with Ma, a single-child, his mother and grandmother, show how rapidly attitudes toward credit are changing as the millennials generation - roughly those aged between 18 and 35 - embraces debt like never before.

The frugal attitude of previous generations produced the bedrock of China's credit worthiness - household savings equal to some 50 percent of GDP, one of the highest levels globally.

Ma and his cohorts are changing that equation. Their willingness to borrow has driven up household lending  the fastest growing area of China's debt. They are among the most indebted of their peers in Asia, taking on debt 18.5 times their income, significantly higher than their parents generation, a report from insurer Manulife shows.

While their spending and borrowing is an opportunity for lenders, brands and economic growth, it is also a risk as they add to China's fast-growing debt.

Right now, Ma has a safety net - well-heeled and doting parents who can pick up the tab. He lives in a one-bed flat in Chinese-controlled Lhasa, the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous region. His parents are in nearby Shannan.

"I'll generally turn to mum and dad. They've always been able to help me financially," said Ma. In May, he asked his parents for financial support to open a restaurant. "I just need to ask and they'll give me (money)."

CLEAR GAP

Parents paying off the credit card bills of their millennial children is not unusual in China, but it could have ramifications, said Rui Yao, an associate professor in personal finance at the University of Missouri.

"They don't see the consequences of not paying. The thinking is 'my mom has it covered'", she said. "They're not prepared for an economic downturn for sure."

Story continues

The next generations may not be so lucky either. They will have to support longer-living parents and potentially more children as China relaxes its one-child policy. China's aging population is already shrinking, which means greater financial pressure on those working to support those who are not.

Ma says he is more frugal than his friends. He uses his bank card and Ant Check Later, a popular online lending platform owned by tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N).

This is a far cry from his parents' generation. Ma's mother, who is 49, only started using a credit card three years ago.

"They couldn't spend on overdraft, so they really didn't squander any money," he said.

The gap is clear: consumer credit is up nearly 300 percent over the last six years alone, hitting around 23.5 trillion yuan ($3.41 trillion) in October.

This is set to more than double over the next five years to nearly 53 trillion yuan, according to consultancy Mintel.

While mortgages are the lion's share of household debt, credit card and consumer loans have shot up from just 4.6 percent of household debt in 2015 to 16 percent now, BMI Research shows.

"The young generation today has a totally different attitude to my generation," said Ma's grandmother, Wei Chunyin, 76. She grew up in the 1960s and said she was in debt just once - for 100 yuan, the equivalent today of $14.50.

"We were very economical and hardworking," she said. "Clothing was just to wear, and we wouldn't even really eat snacks, just food from our unit," she said, referring to her workplace.

GROWING FORCE Ma's generation is the first in China's modern history to be raised in relative prosperity and social stability.

They are better educated and already more affluent than their elders. Boston Consulting Group and AliResearch said they are expected to drive 65 percent of consumption growth until 2020, when they will make up around 53 percent of total consumption spending, up from 45 percent now.

"Understanding their mindset is critical and anybody ignores them at their peril," Yum China Holdings Inc (YUMC.N) head Micky Pant said in an interview.

Their potential has not been lost on the banks, with some specifically targeting them for loans.

"Internally our appraisals are skewed toward the young consumer groups. For example, front-line sales staff get a bonus 1.3 times the normal level if they sign a young customer," said a banker in the credit card department of China Merchants Bank, a leading credit card provider.

"So everyone is out looking for youngster to sign up."When asked about the strategy, CMB said it has many credit card products that are welcomed by young people.

Bankers said lenders often know millennials have doting parents to fall back on in a pinch.

"Taking a darker read on it, the parents of the post-90s generation - who were born in the 60s or 70s - haven't yet retired, and are financially pretty secure," said a debt collector in the credit card department of a listed city bank.

Like other parents in China, Ma's mother and father, a nurse and government officer at the local Meteorological Administration respectively, are resigned to supporting their son financially for now - even if he defaults.

Ma's mother, Zhen Yinchun, said that when she was young she saved around one-third of her income because there was little to spend it on, in contrast to her son.

It is a running joke in the family whether Ma will return any money he has borrowed, she said.

"I'll say it's a loan and he'll agree. But up to now he's never paid anything back," she said.

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan and Engen Tham; Editing by Neil Fullick)
Meghan Markle is currently in one of the most high-profile romances in the world, but thats not why she didnt attend her onscreen fiance Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellisarios wedding.

She never planned on attending the wedding, says a source, who adds that reports Markle  who has been dating Prince Harry for several months  turned down an invite because she didnt want to overshadow the bride and groom are untrue.

The actress, 35, was recently visited by her boyfriend in Canada, and on Adams wedding day, she was spotted braving the cold to head to a yoga class in Toronto.

Adams and Bellisario wed in a bohemian outdoor ceremony in front of 200 guests in southern California, where their Suits and Pretty Little Liars costars  including Sarah Rafferty, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale and more  were in attendance.

Last week, Markle declared her love for the prince by wearing a gold, personalized necklace with the letters M and H on it. A friend of the actress recently told PEOPLE Markle is head over heels for Harry, who made a major detour after a 15-day tour of the Caribbean to see his girlfriend on his way back home.




Meghan Markle hits the streets in NYC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Meghan Markle has been making headlines lately thanks to her romance with Prince Harry, but there is so much more to her than her high-profile love life. The Suits star penned a piece for Elle discussing the challenges she has faced growing up as a biracial woman and how shes managed to navigate life and Hollywood on her own terms.

Markle says that her ambiguous look has been a double-edged sword when it comes to casting. Being ethnically ambiguous, as I was pegged in the industry, meant I could audition for virtually any role. Morphing from Latina when I was dressed in red, to African-American when in mustard yellow; my closet filled with fashionable frocks to make me look as racially varied as an 80s Benetton poster. Sadly, it didnt matter: I wasnt black enough for the black roles, and I wasnt white enough for the white ones, leaving me somewhere in the middle as the ethnic chameleon who couldnt book a job.

Markles difficulties as far as her race when it came to casting made her more excited than ever to join the cast of Suits. She mentions the producers, who didnt have a particular ethnicity in mind for her character Rachel, using them as an example of how Hollywood can diversify their casting process if they look for someone who is good for the role when possible, as opposed to having a fixed image.

The series was initially conceived as a dramedy about a N.Y. law firm flanked by two partners, one of whom navigates this glitzy world with his fraudulent degree. Enter Rachel Zane, one of the female leads and the dream girl  beautiful and confident with an encyclopedic knowledge of the law. Dream girl in Hollywood terms had always been that quintessential blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty  that was the face that launched a thousand ships, not the mixed one. But the shows producers werent looking for someone mixed, nor someone white or black for that matter. They were simply looking for Rachel. In making a choice like that, the Suits producers helped shift the way pop culture defines beauty. The choices made in these rooms trickle into how viewers see the world, whether theyre aware of it or not. Some households may never have had a black person in their house as a guest, or someone biracial. Well, now there are a lot of us on your TV and in your home with you. And with Suits, specifically, you have Rachel Zane. I couldnt be prouder of that.

Story continues

Markle mentions that once the ethnicity of her character Rachel became more clearly defined after producers cast Wendell Pierce as her father, the backlash from some Suits fans was a reminder that we still have a long way to go in terms of some audiences accepting people of color in three-dimensional roles, or as full human beings and not racist tropes. I remember the tweets when that first episode of the Zane family aired, they ran the gamut from: Why would they make her dad black? Shes not black to Ew, shes black? I used to think she was hot. The latter was blocked and reported. The reaction was unexpected but speaks of the undercurrent of racism that is so prevalent, especially within America.

In a recent interview with Complex, model Sofia Richie touched on the racism she sees in Los Angeles and how her light complexion and blond hair makes her the target of racist comments, because people look at her and dont think shes black. Im very light, so some people dont really know that Im black. Ive been in situations where people will say something kind of racist and Ill step in and theyll be like, Oh, well, youre light, she said. That still doesnt cut it, buddy. Its 2016  you better get your s*** together before you get slapped out here.

Markle doesnt touch on the fact that women who look like her and Richie are privileged in that their proximity to whiteness is valued more in our society. Richies comment is a reminder that there are still those prejudices, and they can rear their ugly heads when people dont see you as part of a certain demographic. Still, Hollywood is slowly making changes when it comes to diversity, at least on television  just look at the 2017 Golden Globe nominees.

While my mixed heritage may have created a gray area surrounding my self-identification, keeping me with a foot on both sides of the fence, I have come to embrace that, Markle writes. To say who I am, to share where Im from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman. That when asked to choose my ethnicity in a questionnaire as in my seventh-grade class, or these days to check Other, I simply say: Sorry, world, this is not Lost and I am not one of the Others. I am enough exactly as I am.'

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
Prince Harrys girlfriend Meghan Markle has being called a class act for choosing not to attend the wedding of her Suits co-star.

Over the weekend, actor Patrick J. Adams, who plays Markles fiance on the show, tied the knot in real life with Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario in California.

Read: Man Fakes Arrest With Help of Police Before Proposing to His Corrections Officer Girlfriend

Markle reportedly stayed away to avoid overshadowing the bride and groom.

About 200 friends and family celebrated the actors at the rustic wedding, including other Suits and Pretty Little Liars stars.

Meanwhile, a 2015 essay for Elle UK penned by Markle has come to the surface again.

In the essay, she addressed the difficulties of being bi-racial in Hollywood, writing: I wasn't black enough for the black roles and I wasn't white enough for the white ones, leaving me somewhere in the middle as the ethnic chameleon who couldn't book a job.

Read: Musical 'La La Land' Leads Golden Globe Nominations as Major Stars Snubbed

After she finally booked Suits, she writes about the racism she endured when her on-screen dad was cast as a black man.

"I remember the tweets," she wrote. "They ran the gamut from, 'why would they make her dad black? She's not black' to 'ew, she's black? I used to think she was hot.'"

Watch: Grandparents Celebrate 70th Anniversary by Posing for the Wedding Photos They Never Had

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After digging out of over 8 inches of snow this weekend, Madison is now bracing for the "Siberian Express."

A huge wave of arctic air originating in Russia is surging into the U.S. from Canada, with local temperatures expected to drop to the single digits above and below zero for the highs and lows, come Wednesday and Thursday, forecasters said.

Wind chills will be a problem as well, in the 10 to 18 below range early Wednesday and the 20 to 26 below range early Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

The airport officially recorded 8.4 inches of snow for Saturday and Sunday combined, resulting in snow emergencies throughout the region.

In Madison, the snow emergency will continue to 7 a.m. Tuesday, meaning drivers need to park vehicles on the odd-numbered side of streets Monday night in all parts of the city, including the snow emergency zone Downtown and on the isthmus.

Streets were in pretty good shape Monday morning, but commuters were advised to take it easy, especially in residential areas.

Some slick spots still exist on city streets and some plowing and sanding was continuing, so drivers should go slow and give room to vehicles ahead as well as to crews working on making pavement safer.

The snow stopped falling Sunday evening, so Madison property owners are required to have public sidewalks cleared by noon Monday. Ice that is too hard to remove should be treated with sand or salt to provide traction.

The warmest day of the work week will be Monday, with a high of 21 under partly sunny skies, according to 27 Storm Track meteorologist Branden Borremans.

The big chill starts Monday night.

The Weather Service said winds will shift around from the southwest to the northwest, dropping the overnight low to 6 with wind chill values between 5 below and 0.

Tuesday should be sunny but frigid with a high of 11 and wind chills staying in the 5 below to 0 range.

Tuesday night's low could drop to 3, with wind chills between 5 and 10 below.

It'll be colder still on Wednesday with a high of 9 under sunny skies, winds gusting up to 30 mph producing wind chills down to 18 below.

The overnight temperature could drop to 7 below heading into Thursday, combined with winds of 10 to 15 mph, adding up to a wind chill of 20 to 26 below.

Thursday is expected to be the coldest day of the week, with a high of 5 under sunny skies.

The cold snap starts to weaken Thursday night with a low of 0, Borremans said, with Friday's high reaching up to 18.

Snow is forecast Friday night through Saturday night, but it's too early to say how much snow will be coming.

Saturday's high should reach the mid-20s, before more cold air comes in to drop the high to 7 on Sunday, under sunny skies.

Sunday's high in Madison was 28, 3 degrees below normal and 31 degrees below the record high of 59 for Dec. 11, set in 1949.

The low on Sunday was 19, 2 degrees below normal and 36 degrees above the record low of 17 below for the day, set in 1972 and tied in 1976.

The snow on Sunday melted down to 0.29 inches of precipitation, bringing the December and meteorological winter (December through February) totals up to 0.92 inches, 0.16 inches above normal.

The record precipitation total on Dec. 11 was 1.11 inches in 1965.

Since Jan. 1, Madison has received 44.45 inches of precipitation, 10.95 inches above normal.

The 4.7 inches of snow on Sunday put the December, winter and snow season totals at 14.2 inches, 9.5 inches above normal for the month and winter and 5.4 inches above normal for the snow season.

The record snowfall on Dec. 11 was 5.3 inches in 1984.

The snow depth at the airport was at 7.0 inches on Sunday.
Emissions of global warming-causing methane gas are on the rise across the globe and reaching levels unseen in at least two decades, according to a new study, indicating researchers must pay closer attention to the potent greenhouse gas as they work to combat climate change.

The new study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, shows that methane levels began to increase dramatically around 2007 and even more so in 2014. Atmospheric methane concentration increased by about 0.5 parts per billion annually in the early 2000s. That number had jumped 20-fold by 2014, according to the study.

Read More: These Kids Are Suing the Federal Government to Demand Climate Action

Researchers largely attribute the spike to agriculture, though methane emissions that escape during energy development also play a role. The emissions mostly come from the tropics, likely due to rice patties and cattle ranches there, according to the study. Still, researchers said that precise details about what caused the spike remain unclear.

Unlike carbon dioxide, where we have well described power plants, almost everything in the global methane budget is diffuse, says study author Robert Jackson, a professor at Stanford University, in a news release. From cows to wetlands to rice paddies, the methane cycle is harder.

Methane is a heat-trapping gas that contributes to man-made climate change, but until recently policymakers tasked with fighting global warming have largely focused on addressing more abundant carbon dioxide. Recent data has shown that carbon emissions have stagnated in recent years, at least in part because of global efforts to address the issue.

Read More: Natural Gas Blowout Doubled Methane Emissions in Los Angeles Area

Climate scientists say dealing with methane emissions will play a crucial role in meeting the international goal embedded in the Paris Agreement to keep global temperatures from rising more than 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100. The Obama administration issued several regulationsprimarily in the energy sectorto address the pollutant in the final years of his presidency. Methane is released during the fracking process and can escape from natural gas pipelines unnoticed. And as natural gasnow the countrys leading power source for electricitycontinues to rise, so too could methane emissions from that sector.

The researchers hope the report will encourage increased scrutiny on the contribution of agriculture to man-made climate change, which is not often the primary focus of environmental policymakers. Livestock like cows, and land use changes, both result in emissions. When it comes to methane, there has been a lot of focus on the fossil fuel industry, says Jackson. But we need to look just as hard if not harder at agriculture.
Kirk Douglas has hit the triple digits!

The Spartacus star was joined by his family for a centennial celebration on Friday night at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

RELATED: Kirk Douglas Turns 100! A Look Back at the Star's Most Iconic Performances

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones brought along their kids -- 16-year-old Dylan and 13-year-old Carys -- while the family honored Kirk, as well as Anna Douglas, the Hollywood icon's wife of 62 years.

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

During the event, Michael gave a speech for his father, who looked on and smiled.

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

MORE: Catherine Zeta-Jones Shares Sweet Video in Honor of Kirk Douglas' 100th Birthday

Catherine also posted a commemorative video for Kirk to Instagram, which affectionately included the line, "Love you pappy."

Happy Birthday Kirk! A video posted by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones) on Dec 9, 2016 at 7:55am PST

WATCH: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones' Kids Are All Grown Up at the Desert Trip Festival

It was a busy weekend for Douglas, 72, and his kids, as the next night, they attended the Los Angeles premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Getty Images

Looks like a great weekend for a true Hollywood family!

WATCH: Michael Douglas Says He Blew His First Chance With Wife Catherine Zeta Jones With Bad Pickup Line

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Both Microsoft and Apple launched brand new laptops this fall, a revamped Surface Book and the 2016 MacBook Pro. The latter received plenty of criticism for Apples courageous design decisions, but it still set pre-order records for Apple.

However, it turns out that Microsoft has apparently also benefited from Apples design choices, because the company says the brand new MacBook Pro drove plenty of MacBook owners to the Surface instead.

Don't Miss: Steve Jobs brought up the idea of new movies hitting iTunes while still in theaters six years ago

Our trade-in program for MacBooks was our best ever, and the combination of excitement for the innovation of Surface coupled with the disappointment of the new MacBook Pro  especially among professionals  is leading more and more people to make the switch to Surface, the company said in a blog post. It seems like a new review recommending Surface over MacBook comes out daily. This makes our team so proud because it means were doing good work.

Microsoft did not offer any numbers to support its case.

The company offers up to $650 towards a Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 to existing MacBook Pro buyers who trade in their old latops. On top of that, Microsoft and its partners offered various Black Friday promotions to customers looking for new hardware this year. Apple, meanwhile, did not include the 2016 MacBook Pro in its Black Friday sale.

Microsoft also said that November was its best month ever for consumer Surface sales. The Best Buy-exclusive Surface bundle sold out on the first day. The momentum was seen worldwide. In the UK, we had the best single week for Surface ever, and in Germany, the Surface Pen became the best seller in PC Accessories on Amazon.com for over 12 hours, Microsoft said.

Microsoft may take hits at the competition, but the 2016 MacBook is still one of the best laptops money can buy this year, in spite of criticism. That doesnt make the new Surface Book any less attractive though. In fact, if youre looking for a high-end notebook, these two should be at the top of your short list this Christmas season.

Story continues

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
Mila Kunis has that natural glow!

The 33-year-old actress looked gorgeous when she stepped out with husband Ashton Kutcher in Los Angeles on Friday, the first sighting of Kunis since the two welcomed their second child together, son Dimitri, on Nov. 30. Kunis looked amazing in a simple black sweater, jeans, and boots just days after giving birth, smiling as she sweetly held hands with Kutcher.

INSTARimages

WATCH: Mila Kunis Pens Essay on Gender Equality, Says She's 'Done' Tolerating Sexism in the Workplace

Dimitri joins the couple's first child, 2-year-old Wyatt Isabelle. The former That '70s Show co-stars revealed their son's name on Kutcher's website, A Plus, and also appealed for privacy for their children.

"We'd like to allow our kids to make their own choices on whether to have a life in the public eye or not," Kutcher told the site in a news release. "We don't want to make the choice for them."

WATCH: Find Out What Ashton Kutcher Wanted to Name His Baby Boy (Before Mila Kunis 'Knocked Down' the Idea)

ET spoke with Kutcher in August, when he said that it was his job to "protect" Wyatt from show business.

"When it is a choice that she is making, then I think it is fine.  As long as it's not a choice that she is making, it is my job to protect her from all this nonsense," he told ET exclusively.

Watch below:

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This is pretty much the last thing you want to happen when presenting an award!

This Is Us co-stars Sterling K. Brown and Milo Ventimiglia had a bit of a panic at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday when the envelope for Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie went inexplicably missing.

Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE: Sterling K. Brown Reveals the Moment He Felt 'Accepted' in Hollywood

The actors -- who adorably called each other "dad" and "son" while walking on stage -- looked briefly perplexed and stalled for a moment while another card with the winner (Sarah Paulson) was rushed over.

Watch the endearing slip up below.

EXCLUSIVE: Sterling K. Brown Talks Emotional Storylines on 'This is Us': 'It's Been Strangely Therapeutic'

Meanwhile, ET spoke to Brown before on the red carpet about the moment he truly felt "accepted" in Hollywood.

Watch the video below to see what he said.

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Michigan police are seeking the publics help in locating a 28-year-old woman who was last seen on Dec. 2 and whose parents fear has been abducted, PEOPLE confirms.

Danielle Stislicki is described as white with brown, wavy hair. She stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 123 pounds, police say.

According to police in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Stislicki was last seen in Southfield as she was leaving her office. She was wearing blue jeans with a black zip-up shirt, a blue Eddie Bauer coat and burgundy boots.

A police statement says after work, Stislicki was supposed to stop home quickly before meeting up with a friend for dinner. She never made the dinner and failed to show up for work the next morning.

She has not been seen or heard from since, police say.

 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.

Police say Stislickis Jeep was found the morning of Dec. 3, parked outside her residence in Farmington Hills. Inside the vehicle was her purse with all of her credit cards.

Her family describes her behavior as out of character and this is a concern to the family and to police, the police statement reads.

At a press conference last week, Stislickis mother told reporters she fears her daughter was abducted and is being held against her will.

Stislickis parents could not be reached for comment Monday.

 Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more.

More than $75,000 in reward money is being offered for information leading to Stislickis safe return.

The Farmington Hills Police Department wants anyone who may have observed Danielle and/or her vehicle the night of Dec. 2 to call (248) 871-2610.

Police are also interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen Stislicki arriving at her residence between 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 3, and anyone who may have observed her during this time span.

Police continue to search for Stislickis Samsung Galaxy Core Prime phone, which has a rose-colored case. Theyre also looking for her key chain, which features a unique charm  a smiling yellow figure with a green body and yellow legs  and two keys.




Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke out Monday to strongly condemn any Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Any foreign breach of our cyber security measures is disturbing and I strongly condemn any such efforts, McConnell said Monday.

During a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, McConnell read a statement to address lingering skepticism held by some lawmakers about Russian efforts to impact the outcome of the presidential election. McConnell said Monday that it defies belief that some in the Republican Party dont want an investigation into Russian actions, adding that this should not be a partisan issue.

The Russians are not our friends, McConnell said. The Russians do not wish us well.

The Kentucky Senator said he stands with a bipartisan group of Senators including Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham who called for a bipartisan investigation into Russian efforts.

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly denied that there were any attempts by Russia to impact the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. In a series of tweets on Monday, Trump said if the tables were turned and hed claimed Russia had interfered in an election hed lost it would be called a conspiracy theory.
Photo credit: Facebook

From Good Housekeeping

Getting dressed in the morning, we choose an outfit that makes us feel good about ourselves  for some people it's putting on their favorite jeans and for someone else it's that red lucky dress. Kelley Markland, a woman from Port Orange, Florida, loves wearing her "fun" leggings because she said on Facebook they give her "a tad bit of confidence in not looking sloppy all the time."

But apparently, someone didn't agree with her, and upon coming home from her daughter's birthday a few weeks ago, she discovered a nasty letter from this anonymous person, which read: "Women who weigh 300 pounds should not wear yoga pants!!"

Markland decided to post the letter on Facebook along with a horrible meme that was included in the envelope which read: "Your pants say yoga but your butt says Mcdonald's."

"Anyone who knows me, knows that I care deeper and stronger than many. I am a sensitive woman and I despise cruelty towards others. At 36 years old, I am STILL being made fun of. Whoever sent this, be an adult and tell me who you are. JUST TELL ME!!! " She wrote. "I'm sorry that some of you may not like it, but I'm not dressing for you."

After the positive response her Facebook post received, Markland posted a video on her wall thanking all the people who were supportive of her, as well as thanking the person who wrote the letter. "Whoever wrote this letter, thank you, because you started something so much bigger. Because of this, I found some strength I didn't have."

We're totally inspired by Markland's confidence, and we're not the only ones over the past few weeks her story has been covered by countless news sources and strangers have been sending her pictures of themselves wearing leggings along with messages of encouragement. Even the teachers at her children's school showed their support by all showing up to school one day wearing leggings in solidarity to Markland.

Story continues

Since she received the letter, Markland has made it a point to post a picture of herself wearing leggings each day on her Facebook wall. She told US Weekly that she will be using this incident as a way to teach her two children  one who is 8 and the other who is 10  that bullying should never be tolerated and that is important to love yourself just the way you are, a message we think she has definitely gotten across.

[ h/t US Weekly and Babble ]

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A moose was literally treading on thin ice when Canadian firefighters had to rescue it from having fallen into the freezing water.

Read: Rescuers Free Distressed Moose Whose Antlers Got Caught in Backyard Swing

Half a dozen New Brunswick firefighters responded Saturday morning to the Shediac River, where a moose had fallen into the half-frozen body of water, and got itself stuck in the sub-zero river.

In videos and photos posted to the Shediac Fire Department's Facebook page, emergency responders can be seen waist-deep in the partially frozen river, and hacking through the ice with axes as they attempted to lead the animal back to shore.

Read: Inseparable Father and Son, 4, Die After Plunging Through Ice Into Frozen Lake

After about an hour working through the winter conditions alongside the Shediac Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, "The moose was successfully led to shore," the Shediac Fire Department wrote.

Watch: Men Arrested After Making Ill-Advised Decision to Climb on Moose for a Wild Ride

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A shooting that took place while two officers were serving a search warrant for drugs at a home in Byron, Georgia, Monday morning resulted in one mans death and the two officers acquiring injuries from gunshots wounds.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge J.T. Ricketson said officers James Wynn and William Patterson of the Peach County Drug Task Force entered the house through the back door after they had knocked on it three times, proclaimed their presence and got no response, according to local reports Monday. After gaining entry into the home about 20 miles west of Macon, Georgia, a man hiding inside fired at least one round of bullets at the unsuspecting officers. The two officers responded by firing back and killing the assailant.

Both officers were taken to a nearby hospital where Patterson was quickly released and Wynn stayed for surgery Monday morning. Wynn who has been on the force for four years, was expected to make a full recovery, according to local reports.

Rickets said the man who was killed was the likely subject of the search warrant the two officers had been serving. Rickets described the man as a 35-year-old white male. The mans girlfriend and an one-month-old infant were also at the house during the fatal confrontation, but neither was harmed, Rickets said.

Americus Officer Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith, an officer with Georgia Southwestern State University, were shot and killed Wednesday after responding to a domestic dispute call at an apartment in Americus, South Georgia, 130 miles south of Atlanta. The officers were similarly fired upon by a man while they were searching his home. Americus authorities said the suspect, 32-year-old Minquell Kennedy Lembrick, killed himself Thursday following a manhunt.

There has been a 66 percent increase in fatal police shootings in the U.S. in 2016 compared to how many there were at this same time in 2015, Al Jazeera reported Sunday. Sixty-four officers nationwide were killed while in service in 2016 while seven law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in Georgia according to local reports Monday. There hadnt been a year where more than 50 officers were fatally shot since 2011.

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(Reuters) - Jose Mourinho understands why Manchester United supporters gave Marouane Fellaini a negative reception during Sunday's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur but the manager will do all he can to protect the midfielder. Fellaini, who gave away a late penalty in a 1-1 draw at Everton the previous week, was jeered by supporters in Old Trafford when he was warming up during Sunday's contest and again after replacing midfielder Ander Herrera in stoppage time. "I had that feeling. I accept it because from the fans you have to accept everything and especially fans that are giving so much without getting so much," Mourinho told British media. "The only things they are getting are honesty, professionalism, dedication but not the results they expect. They have in their mind the mistake that Marouane did at Everton and no more than that." Substitute Fellaini had only been on the field for four minutes on Dec. 4 when he conceded the penalty which Leighton Baines converted. "He is a player and a person I like and the person is more important. He will always have my trust and protection," Mourinho added. Having persistently said United's league position did not reflect the performances of his side, Mourinho felt his team's play was vindicated in the win over fifth-placed Tottenham. "To be honest, after so many matches playing well but not winning we needed the points more than the performance but I knew against Tottenham it is difficult to get the result without playing well. We played very well," he added. "It was even better than the other (performances) because we were playing against a team that is better than the others, this is the team that I prefer, I fancy more in the Premier League." United, who have drawn six and lost three of their 15 league matches, are in sixth position but 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea. United travel to face 15th-placed Crystal Palace on Wednesday. (Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru; Editing by John O'Brien)
(Corrects after official clarification to say Marex Spectron is expanding its U.S. power team, not re-entering the U.S. power market, and to say Brian Vooletich will be based in Houston, not New York)

Dec 12 (Reuters) - London-based commodities broker Marex Spectron Group Ltd said it made three new hires in the United States as it expands its U.S. power broking team.

The firm appointed Christopher Grosso, Christopher Moster, and Brian Vooletich to its U.S. power broking team, effective immediately.

Grosso and Moster join after 15-year careers at interdealer broker Tullett Prebon Plc, while Vooletich joins from OTC Global Holdings, where he spent seven years.

Grosso and Moster will be based in the firm's New York office, while Vooletich will work out of Houston. The trio will report to Hunter Baldwin, managing director and head of North America.

(Reporting by John Benny in Bengaluru)
Mr. Robot star Christian Slater has been nominated for a Golden Globe for the second straight year, but the actor is more concerned with crossing paths with the other actors in his category.

Theres John Travolta, who Ive worked with before and again grew up with, Slater told TheWrap on Monday. I cant wait to see him at the ceremony and Ill just give him a big hug. Travolta, who co-starred with Slater in the action film Broken Arrow, is nominated for his role in the FX limited series The People v. O.J. Simpson

Slater also revealed his immediate reaction to being nominated again, and why he thinks the USA Network drama has been so successful after just two seasons.

Also Read: Golden Globes: The Complete List of Nominees

What was your immediate reaction upon learning you had been nominated?

Shock, surprise, gratitude, and overwhelming joy.

Does it mean more the second time around?

Yeah, its fantastic. Again, it was unexpected. I thought it would have been greedy to expect that it would happen. Im thrilled to be included in this category with the other wonderful people: John Travolta, John Lithgow, Hugh Laurie, and Sterling K. Brown. Theyre phenomenal and just brilliant. I love playing this character and Im chomping at the bit to get back to work on April 10.

Also Read: Golden Globes Nominations by the Numbers: HBO Dominates TV, Summit Leads Movies

Who do you think is the biggest competition in your category?

Its so crazy that competition is even a thing in this business. For me, its a chance to cross paths with people that I grew up with and people that Ive worked with. John Lithgow, hes one of the reasons I am an actor. The first film I saw him in was World According to Garp and Ill never forget his performance in it.

What is it about Mr. Robot that has resonated so strongly with viewers?

I think the word hacking is something that is incredibly relevant in our world today. So I have to take my hat off to [creator] Sam Esmails phenomenal insight to be able to see that technology would play such an incredible role in our lives as it does today. I think the show is just pushing that button and on the one hand its great for the show but on the other its scary to live in a world where hacking is such a real thing.

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Also Read: 'La La Land,' 'Moonlight' Lead 2017 Golden Globes Nominations

Whats another nominated show or film that you enjoyed?

Im a huge Game of Thrones fan. Moonlight is wonderful.

But gosh, its been hard to see everything. Im going to spend the holidays catching up on everything and getting to the bottom of what the best things are.

Related stories from TheWrap:

How Golden Globes Movie Nominations Keep Focus on 'La La Land,' 'Moonlight' and 'Manchester by the Sea' (Analysis)

'The Crown': 7 Reasons the Golden Globes Darling Is So Worth Watching (Photos)

From 'Atlanta' to 'This Is Us,' TV Golden Globes Match National Vertigo (Analysis)
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West sparked outrage over the weekend when an Islamophobic meme featuring retired Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis, President-elect Donald Trumps pick to serve as defense secretary, showed up on the former Florida congressmans Facebook page.

The image was especially notable because West, who met with members of Trumps transition team at Trump Tower last week, returned for more meetings there on Monday.

Well see when I get up there, he said when asked what prompted his visit.

The post included an image of Mattis  who most recently served as the head of the U.S. Central Command under President Obama until his 2013 retirement  and a caption asserting that he had been fired by Obama to please the Muslims and hired by Trump to exterminate them. It was taken down Saturday, and the editor of Wests personal website issued an apology claiming that West was unaware the meme had been posted.

DESPICABLE. After @AllenWest celebrated the impending EXTERMINATION of Muslims on Saturday, he is back in meetings at Trump Tower Today. pic.twitter.com/m4a2OFHKfG  Shaun King (@ShaunKing) December 12, 2016

On Friday night, without Allen Wests knowledge or consent, a meme was posted to this Facebook page which was reprehensible in its message, Michele Hickford, editor-in-chief of Wests website, wrote on his Facebook page. Its message was despicable, offensive to many, and a terrible error in judgement by the person who posted it. Furthermore, it does not reflect Col. Wests beliefs, principles and values. I (Michele Hickford) am deeply sorry for the distress this has caused so many people.

But the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations, the countrys leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, says an apology from Wests web editor isnt good enough.

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Wilfredo Ruiz, spokesman for CAIR-Florida, said in a statement to ABCs Pembroke Park, Fla., affiliate that Muslim Americans are still missing any reaction from Allen West himself disowning this xenophobic expression.

The former congressmans irresponsible and openly xenophobic Facebooks posting insinuating that Trump nominated Gen. Mattis to exterminate Muslims should be taken serious by President-elect Trump, CAIR-Florida CEO Hassan Shibly said in a statement.

Its certainly not the first time West has sparked controversy.

In his two short years in Washington, D.C., West became known for his outlandish statements.

In 2011, West said that if noted Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels were alive, hed be very proud of the Democrat party.

In a 2012 speech on the House floor, West said that Democratic support for social welfare programs was the most insidious form of slavery remaining in the world today.

And in 2015, West mistakenly suggested that he couldnt buy alcohol from a Walmart cashier in Dallas because the employee was Muslim and that the store had adopted Sharia law prohibiting alcohol consumption.

But as it turned out, the cashier was simply too young to sell alcohol.
A group of Muslim New York City police officers, including one who was the victim of an alleged hate crime earlier this month, have requested a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump for guidance on how they will be protected in the wake of such crimes.

In a letter to Trump, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams wrote of the heightened tensions following the long and arduous national elections which manifested into a disturbing and dangerous pattern of hate crimes in big cities and small towns across America.

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), there has been 115 percent spike in hate crimes targeting Jewish, LGBTQ and Muslim communities since Nov. 8.

Without a doubt, the rhetoric of this campaign season has been a driving factor in a large number of these incidents, Adams wrote in the letter last week.

He requested a meeting between Trump and representatives of the 900 Muslim-American officers belonging to the NYPD, the largest Muslim force in the country.

This meeting request is rooted in both deep substance and symbolism. The 900 Muslim-American members of our nations largest police department, part of a greater law enforcement fraternity that encompasses thousands of our citizens and their families, deserve guidance on how they will be protected amid this uncertain national climate, just as they protect our streets every day. Moreover the welfare of these officers speaks to the greater welfare of the millions of law-abiding Muslim-Americans, many of whom are fearful at this critical juncture in our history, Adams wrote.

Adams also mentioned the incident in which Aml Elsokary, a Muslim-American policewoman, and her teenage son were attacked when she was off duty. Elsokary did not identify herself as a police officer during the attack.

She confronted the man who shoved her son on a Brooklyn street. The attacker, Christopher Nelson, said Elsokary was a member of the Islamic State terrorist group and told her to go back to her country. He was later charged with menacing as a hate crime and aggravated harassment.

Story continues

Trumps transition team confirmed on Friday the real estate mogul had received the letter but no meeting had been scheduled yet.

President-elect Trump needs to hear from and respond to the concerns of Officer Elsokary and other Muslim members of our law enforcement community. They are not only the first line of defense on our streets; they are ambassadors of the American diversity that they represent, and millions of their brother and sister citizens are as concerned about their welfare as they are their own. Whether or not we have an invitation to Trump Tower, I promise that their message will be directly delivered, Adams told Yahoo News.

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Bethany Lutheran Videos at Each Live Worship Service

Such is the contrast between the Bible of the old and the Bible of the new theologies. That there are compromise systems between the twoor at any rate attempts at a compromise  is certainly true; but it is impossible to effect a compromise between systems fundamentally and essentially at variance. This is a case of either  or, Delitzsch was right when he maintained that a deep chasm existed between the old and the new theology, and this chasm exists because there is a chasm between the Bible of the old and the Bible of the new theologies. In one word, the Scriptures of the one is the Bible without God; the Scriptures of the other is the Bible of and with God.

The Bible Of The Old And The Bible Of The New Theology. By Rev. Professor George H. Schodde, Ph. D., Columbus, O. in Loy, ed. The Columbus Theological Magazine. Vol. 18, 1898. LutheranLibrary.org
Following a spike in anti-Islamic attacks during and since the 2016 election campaign, Muslim women will be offered a free self-defense class this week in College Park, Maryland.

The workshop on Wednesday is being provided by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the local Aqabah Karate Martial Arts Institute. It will offer tips to women and girls about how to mentally, physically and spiritually prepare to defend against an attack, according to a statement from CAIR. The event will also be live-streamed.

"Hate incidents targeting Muslims are occurring with alarming frequency," said CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry. "Learning basic self-defense techniques not only boosts self-confidence but is essential to personal safety and well-being."

Hate crimes against Muslims in the United States have reached their highest level since the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, following a rise of 67 percent in 2015 from the previous year, according to FBI figures. And women wearing hijabs, the traditional veil, have been a particular target.

What we have seen is women being targeted. So particularly head-scarf wearing women, Corey Saylor, director of the department to monitor and combat Islamophobia, told International Business Times last month. From all the case summaries that Ive seen, thats the main target of this backlash. Because theyre very visible. The head scarf tends to be whats singled out in a lot of cases weve seen.

Chaudry said that she is aware of four incidents of Muslim students having their headscarves grabbed on Maryland college campuses since the election.

The class in Maryland is not the first example of individuals attempting to protect against the threat.

Following the election, a therapist in Chicago, Zaineb Abdullah, who normally offers self-defense classes for death and hard-of-hearing people, posted a video online of what she termed the Hijab Grab escape following a flood of requests for assistance. The video has since gone viral, garnering close to 4 million views.

Story continues

People wanted to know if [there were] strategies for defending against bigoted attacks, she told The Guardian. I looked online and saw there was nothing. I kept hearing on the news that someone tore off this womans scarf and she sat on the floor and cried, or ran away crying; Im so tired of that. Fear is a legitimate and reasonable reaction, but its not the only reaction we can have.

Meanwhile, in New York City, the Muslim Community Network has set up a self-defense class for women and saw close to 3,000 women sign up.

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Paris (AFP) - Jobseekers of north African origin still face widespread discrimination in France, with a survey released on Monday showing 30 percent of big businesses preferred candidates with French-sounding names.

Between April and July this year, a consulting firm commissioned by the labour ministry tested 40 businesses in six cities employing more than 1,000 people.

The firm sent out 3,000 applications for 1,500 jobs advertised by the 40 companies.

In each case, the employer received two applications for the same job describing people with similar backgrounds, experience and qualifications.

The only significant -- but sometimes decisive -- difference was in the applicants' names.

The survey found that to a greater or lesser degree, 12 of the 40 companies discriminated against candidates with north African-sounding names.

When it came to interviews, for example, 47 percent of candidates with traditional French names got interviews, but only 36 percent of those with North African names were called in.

Yet the survey noted that in 71 percent of cases both candidates received the same treatment, whether it be positive, negative or just no response at all.

The government also cautioned that the sample was too small to generalise for all French companies.

But Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri said they nevertheless undermined the French republic's promise of equality.

"These tests, of an unprecedented scale, clearly show a striking inequality of treatment in hiring," she said.

Manuel Valls, who last week stepped down as prime minister to launch a bid for the presidency, has spoken out about discrimination against citizens of foreign descent.

The Socialist party heavyweight has denounced what he calls "spatial, social and ethnic apartheid".

Anti-racism campaigners in France have for years campaigned for laws forcing employers to accept anonymous resumes that leave out details which might lead to discrimination.

A recent poll carried out by Harris Interactive for a federation of anti-racist groups suggested that more than 70 percent of people in France, Germany and Italy backed the idea of anonymous resumes.
As CEOs gear up for a new year and a new administration under President-elect Donald Trump, how are the latest political and economic trends impacting corporate executives outlook for 2017? Russell Reynolds Associates CEO Clarke Murphy weighed in on businesses biggest hopes and fears for the coming year.

I think confidence is pretty high looking at the U.S. and politicsI would say optimism in the U.S. is pretty good in boardrooms, Murphy told the FOX Business Networks Maria Bartiromo.

Despite an overall optimistic outlook, CEOs do have significant concerns regarding the policies of Trumps incoming administration.

Fear is uncertainty, right? So, politics and performance work together. So companies have to perform no matter what happens, they can be agile, they just want to know what the rules are going to be.

Heres what CEOs would like to see from the Trump administration, according to Murphy.

I think they want to see clarity of whats going on with the infrastructure investments, they want to see clarity about are there really going to be tariffs or not, they want to see clarity about relationships with very important trading partners, because they are the trading partners, the corporations. So, align politics and performance.

Trumps calls for putting America first are also impacting the way businesses operate on a global scale, Murphy said.

I think if youre doing business in Brazil, in the EUin China right now, youre trying to balance the sense of America first from the political standpoint, but Ive also got to have operations and relationships with governments everywhere and thats what theyre trying to work through, the balance.

This global trend toward nationalism, illustrated by Brexit, Italys failed referendum and some of Trumps rhetoric, is weighing on CEOs outlook.

I was in Italy for the referendum a week ago, as countries around the world become more nationalistic, corporations are global. They perform better when theyre [countries] inclusive.

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Chilean director Pablo Larrain has been to the Oscar party before; his 2012 political satire No was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Last year, The Club was nominated for a Golden Globe after winning the Grand Jury Prize in Berlin. Now, hes got the distinction of having two films in the Oscar races. Neruda, a twist on the biopic genre about the eponymous Nobel Prize-winning poet, was made in Chile and debuted in Cannes. Larrain is also on the circuit with Jackie, his first film in English and also a non-traditional biopic, this time about the former First Lady in the days immediately following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It has buzz in several Oscar categories, from Best Picture to Actress and Director. Today, Jackies star Natalie Portman was nominated for a Golden Globe, and Neruda nabbed a slot in the Foreign Language Globe section. I caught up with Larrain recently from LA where he had landed just after the U.S. presidential election.

You are promoting two films during this Oscar season, having been here before with No. Whats different this time around? Are you an old pro now? It must be different having two films.

First, you never get used to it. Its always different and since my movies have been having a big political perspective, when they come out they are usually affected and regarded by contemporary circumstances. So its always evolving and reshaping into something different. I think Neruda and Jackie are both movies about people who work and shape their own legends or somebody elses.

So how are they landing given what has just happened in the U.S. election?

Theres always a gap between the intention and the result. The result is what the people will finally decide to believe and think about somebody, and the intention is what in our case the characters wanted to build and create. But theres a gap in between that, and thats what we can work on, and what our door is to that void, and where fiction can work. Our movies will always be read in the circumstances we are now, and now its just everything is not even changing, its like spinning. But its beautiful because what happens is you get to talk about your work and what you do and share your illusions, and somehow the way that you want to portray the world, and that is always interesting, and it means something I think.

Story continues

Jackie particularly has resonance given whats going on in our current political system. She was trying to protect the legacy of her husband, a fantastically popular president, and the U.S. has just voted in a very unpopular man as president. As a non-American, how do you view Jackies story?

For me as a non-American, I can tell you that what is very powerful is the role of women today. And Im not talking about girl power or gender equality. Im just really thinking on how essential is a woman in power and how they can really help to shape a country. I couldnt imagine this country without the figure of Michelle Obama, for example, in the last eight years. I was hoping that Hillary was going to be your first female president, and thats what Ive learned. This is the first film Ive made with a female character in the lead role and it was very hard from the beginning because its another type of sensibility that I have to approach. I think its just the story of a mother. Weve been saying and thinking for years that behind every man theres a great woman, and Ive just come to the conclusion that behind every great person, theres a great mother.

This is the story of a mother and a country that lost the president, and then somehow Jackie became the nations mother and put everybody under her protection, and grabbed the whole countrys grief, and put it on her back and walked. I think this is very beautiful: A queen without a throne. Our countries have never had royalty because theyre too young. We were shaping our countries from a republican perspective and we never needed kings and queens, and then this country all of a sudden sort of felt that they had one because they created and gave that illusion and power to a woman like Jackie Kennedy.

I remember we were shooting in Washington in the street and there were paparazzi on the rooftops, and I looked up and realized how exposed she actually was. The movie talks about that, that she would do the procession and expose herself to the world for eight city blocks from the White House to St. Matthews. When we were shooting, I looked up and was like Wow, she was really, really exposed. It was in the script and I got it, but I didnt realize it. Thats why its so contemporary. If she hadnt walked, and gone in an armored car, she would let them win, and thats why its so important. You dont let them win.

Its the story of a woman who was able to create something that at some point is a mythology and something that people relate to, and want to protect and admire from everywhere. I can tell youwhen I got the call from Darren Aronofsky, who was very generous inviting me to make this movie, I talked to my mother and I was like Mom, theres a guy that wants me to make a movie about Jackie Kennedy. And shes like Who is that guy? I said, Its Darren Aronofsky, and she replied, Oh, the movie with the dancer? Ok, son, you go and make that movie. When I asked her why, she said, because she was so important and people have to know who she was, because its something that we can all relate to in a very sort of weird world where we are living. We need to relate to those stories because they are important. And its not just about the U.S. Im not American, I dont feel any patriotism for the U.S. I feel patriotism for my country, so I could only relate to her through her sensibility and life experience and what she did.

How do you view where her story fits in U.S. history?

Connecting with whats going on today is very hard. Im trying to digest it. I just got back to the country and the mood isnt the best now around here, and it feels like the movie also shows some kind of a splendor.

Well, its Camelot, right?

Yeah, like some kind of idealism of a country, of a democracy, and I think people could look at the film now and say, Look how we were and look how we are now.

Both films have politics as a background; and so did No. What is your own background in relation to politics in Chile?

I am of course active. Im aware and worried about the political reality. Im not someone who ignores the reality. I believe you have to be very aware of what is going on. Otherwise, history will just put its feet on your head and you will be a victim of yourself, of your own ignorance. I think my country is changing. I think we have a strong democracy, which is something that I like. I think there are things that we werent able to fix concerning the violation of human rights. It feels there will never be proper justice. Its been so long and there are so many people that were never really judged, and thats unsettling. But at the same time, I think we are understanding what are the priorities, and I think I can relate to Neruda. He was a communist and the movie takes place in the late 40s, and they were struggling with the lack of equality. If you look at whats going on in my country today, its the lack of equality. The distance in between the rich people and the poor people is getting so huge every day that I just dont know how to relate.

Neruda is a national treasure in Chile; what about this story was new and needed to be told in your eyes?

My brother (producer Juan de Dios Larrain) was like, Lets make a movie about Neruda at this specific time, and it was hard for me. At the beginning, I was like, You cant put Neruda into a movie. Then when Guillermo (Calderon) our writer found this take on the cop, we realized we were making a movie about his world, the Nerudian cosmos. Its less a movie about Pablo Neruda than it is like going to his house and playing with his toys. Its a movie about movies, somehow, because we mix so many elements from cinema. Its a movie about literature and the stories we tell. Its about people telling stories and somehow building his own legend, and the cop is trying to understand who he is. Thats the take on it and it took a while because it was not only an expensive movie for our reality, but also it took us a lot to find the proper take, and once Guillermo got it, we went fast and made it.

But it was like how do we deal with this? Nerudas poetry is very important for us, hes everywhere. You grow up in a country where hes so much an icon and is someone who described our society and our history and our people. We exist through those words, so this movie is like getting all of his work and sweating a film out of what we experienced and read from his work. Hes very well known for his love poems, which of course are wonderful, but during this film, I discovered other poetry that I never read before that really struck me. Those are the poems that are mostly in the film, and those are the poems that are full of rage and love and a combination of political fury that it also just felt so interesting and necessary at some point.

In the same year, essentially you took on two incredibly iconic figures in two different countries. Were you intimidated at all on either of those?

No, I was not intimidated because if you really think for one second what youre doing and then you take it really seriously, then its paralyzing. You know, I remember when we started shooting Luis Gnecco, who plays Nerudahe walked in dressed and with make-up and hair and he was like shaking saying, This is insane, Im Pablo Neruda. And I said, Take it easy brother, youre not him, you will never be him. This is a movie and were just trying to capture a specific sensibility. You will never get him, its not going to happen. Just enjoy the trip. Then we just started working and instead of paralyzing, it opened the doors.

When Neruda got the Nobel Prize, he went on stage and read a very beautiful speech and referred to this as a very transforming period of his life because he understood what the word fraternity really means, because he was helped by people that he didnt know and who didnt know who he was. And then he said that he didnt know if he wrote this, dreamt it or lived it. So, he gave us the key to make this movie and make such a free interpretation of his work.

And with Jackie?

We started shooting in Paris a week after the Paris Attacks. Natalie [Portman] had the pink suit and we were in the White House built by these genius people and Im like, What am I doing in here? I am from Santiago. You cant do that because if you put yourself in that place, then its paralyzing and you feel responsible. I think responsibility is a very tricky word when youre talking about art, and cinema specifically, because you want to be responsible for what you are doing, in terms of the human level, and you want to be respectful, which is not the same. Then, you have to understand that somehow you get to have a little opportunity, a little power to show and express something throughout somebodys life and biography. That would never be who that person was. So I would just not even think for a minute what the potential consequences were and who am I dealing with because its too heavy, too big, too infinite. I just put it down into a humanity that is at risk: A woman who is in incredible danger and shes going to deal with it and it was so beautiful and all comes to something very, very simple. Its so hard to describe because its like talking about musicyou have to listen to itbut its a sensibility that we were capturing and its the enigmatic and the mystery that Natalie has that would take this to a different level through her eyes. Thats why there are so many close-ups in the film. But its like you have to really, really think specifically Jackie is a love story. When you take it from there, you get rid of all the potential responsibility.

I think it was Kurt Vonnegut that said we are all children, the only difference is the toys that we have. A filmmaker is always a kid with a bomb somehow, and you cant control it. You cant manage it but it would always be an unpredictable accident.

You told me in Cannes just before editing Jackie that making a movie is fabricating an accident. You knew Jackie wasnt a traditional biopic, but what did you discover that surprised you when you were cutting? I think audiences were surprised in Venice.

LARRAIN: When Sebastian [Sepulveda] the editor and I were able to sort of shape the last 20 minutes, we went back to the beginning and restructured a bit. But when we found where this movie was going I found something that I would never have expected before. Never in my life would I have thought that the movie would be like that. And its so incredible because, and this is from my perspective, I know theres people like the Coen brothers who make amazing movies and do shooting boards, and the actors say the lines exactly on the page. Its amazing, but I cant do that. I never know how the movie is going to be, and I enjoyed that so much because it goes to an unknown place and you have to discover it.

When we discovered that, I was like, Is this going to be incredibly emotional and affect people, or will it be completely meaningless like theres no middle point in here? And I didnt know, because you just dont know how your audience is going to react. I can tell you the night before we screened in Venice, we had a dinner with the Italian distributor and then went to the hotel and had a drink and they were kicking us out of the bar, and my brother and I talked a little bit and we had no idea, we had no idea how the movie was going to be. We had a feeling, because Darren loved it and Natalie thought it was beautiful, and there were people on the team who thought we were in good shape, but me personally, I went to bed that night and I remember I turned the light off and thought, This is like the void. Where are we? and I did not sleep. If theres a day I will know how its going to be, Im sure that movie is not going to work. There are limits of control here. Its like water, you try to hold it in your hand but it will drain. But your hands will stay wet. I guess I want to keep working like that because theres just so much to say.

So, are you freaking out a little bit now? One movie made at home thats a real contender in the Foreign Language race, and one in the main races that is your first outing in English.

No, Im just working on my next mistake. Im good. Im not freaking out,Im just working hard protecting the films and trying to spend as much time as I can with my children. I like the movies and Im very, very proud of them. I think theyre very, very different and I have this dream of this weird conversation between Jackie and Neruda.

How would that go?

I dont know, but Im sure it would be fascinating, those two guys talking.

Youre not going to give up making films in Chile, right?

No, why would I? No, no, no, no. I will work in any language that would help me and let me express, but yes, I want to shoot in my country, for sure.

Do you have a next project lined up?

Not really, Im working on it. Im dating someone but I dont have a relationship.

Related stories

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'20th Century Women' Composer Roger Neill On Revisiting 1979 And The Synthesizer From His Youth

'La La Land' Tops Roster With $855K, 'Jackie' Takes $495K - Specialty B.O.
* Fifty U.S.-built planes will eventually arrive in Israel

* Event overshadowed by Trump criticism of F-35 project cost

* Aircraft cost around $100m each (Releads with planes' arrival, adds comments by Netanyahu, Carter)

By Ori Lewis

NEVATIM AIR BASE, Israel, Dec 12 (Reuters) - - Israel on Monday became the first country after the United States to receive the U.S.-built F-35 stealth jet which will increase its ability to attack distant targets, including Iran.

The much-hyped arrival of the first two fighter jets was overshadowed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tweet that Lockheed Martin's whole F-35 project was too expensive , and the delivery was delayed for hours by bad weather preventing their take-off from Italy.

The squadron is expected to be the first operational outside the United States. The planes are the first of 50, costing around $100 million each.

"Our long arm has now become longer and mightier," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Nevatim air base in the southern Negev desert.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, also attending the ceremony which was delayed until after dark, said the planes were critical to maintaining Israel's military edge in the region.

A U.S. squadron of the planes, which have suffered delays and cost overruns, became operational in August. The F-35 program is the Pentagon's largest weapons project.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump said on Twitter, sending Lockheed Martin's shares down 4 percent.

Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin's F-35 programme leader, said the company understood concerns about affordability and had invested millions of dollars to try to reduce its price.

Israel, which finalised a 10-year, $38 billion arms deal from the United States this year, plans to maintain two F-35 squadrons.

Critics of the plane say it can carry a smaller weapons payload and has a shorter range than Israel's current squadrons of U.S.-built F-15s and F-16s.

But some experts say the F-35's stealth capabilities make up for this because it can be more accurate and fly a more direct route to its target. Israel's air force mostly flies missions close to home, in the Gaza Strip and against arms shipments to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.

Story continues

It is also believed to have carried out bombings in Sudan against arms shipments to Palestinian militants, and to have drawn up contingency plans against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Israel initially ordered 33 of the fighters but signed off on another 17 last month.

Nimrod Shefer, a retired Israeli air force major-general, said the new aircraft were a welcome addition.

"(There are) very low- to very high-altitude missiles ... and targets that are becoming more and more difficult to detect and to destroy," he said.

(Writing by Ori Lewis and Maayan Lubell; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Robin Pomeroy)
The ascent of the streaming networks at the Golden Globes has hit a speed bump. After last years record showing, things cooled off for top rivals Netflix and Amazon on the TV side.

With only five nominations this year, Netflix hit its lowest TV noms tally to date since entering the race just three years ago. It has its two buzziest new shows to thank for all five noms: The Crown was nominated for drama series, actress (Claire Foy), and supporting actor (John Lithgow), while Stranger Things will also compete in drama series and actress (Winona Ryder).

Amazon also landed five noms this year, even with its performance last year, but both outlets had far more series in consideration this year. Amazon earned repeat noms in the comedy series and actor categories with Mozart and the Jungle and Transparent (and their stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Jeffrey Tambor). Billy Bob Thornton is in contention for lead actor in a drama series for the legal drama Goliath.

Among the significant series shut out by the Golden Globes are Netflixs House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Get Down, and Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life. Amazon failed to land any nods for The Man in the High Castle, Woody Allens Crisis in Six Scenes, One Mississippi, Catastrophe, and Fleabag.

Fellow streamer Hulu was completely left out of the running this year after landing its debut nom last year for comedy Casual. That series was eligible again this year, along with new dramas Chance and The Path.

Things are a little different on the film side where Amazon has bragging rights to one of the years top nominees  Manchester By the Sea has five nominations  and also landed a nom for The Salesman in the foreign language film category, where Netflix picked up its lone film nomination for Divines.

Netflix landed its first Globe attention just three years ago, when House of Cards picked up four nominations for its freshman season and Arrested Development and Orange Is the New Black scored one acting nom apiece.

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Last year the love for Netflix was spread across six different series: Bloodline, Grace and Frankie, House of Cards, and Master of None each received an acting nom, while Orange and Narcos also each landed a single acting nod, plus recognition in their respective series categories. (Netflix also landed an acting nom on the film side for Idris Elbas turn in Beasts of No Nation, which would go on to win a SAG award but miss out on an Oscar nom.)

None of those series cracked the nominees list this year (all except Master of None, which wont return for a second season until 2017, were eligible).

However, no Netflix series took home a Globe in any category last January. Meanwhile, Amazon repeated its feat of winning Globes for comedy series and comedy series actor for the second consecutive year. In January those honors went to Mozart and Bernal. In 2015 the Globes went to Transparent and Tambor.

To date no Netflix series has won an outstanding series Golden Globe. And no streaming series has won top series honors from the Emmys.

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By Tife Owolabi UYO, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria rushed plastic surgeons and other specialists on Monday to a city in the south to treat more than one hundred people injured when a church collapsed in one of the worst recent building accidents in the West African country. "We ... raised a team of experts to come to Uyo and render a helping hand and bring succor to the weak, the sick and those who are in dire need of complicated surgery," Suleiman Giwa, head of the surgeons, told reporters at Uyo's biggest hospital. Two residents have told Reuters that at least 100 people were killed in the collapse in Uyo during a service on Saturday. Officials have said the death toll is around 32. Some 115 people were injured, according to emergency agency NEMA. Buildings collapses occur frequently in Nigeria and are often blamed on lack of construction permits and the use of cheap materials. Critics have said that authorities tend to understate the death toll at such accidents. "It was by His grace that I am alive today," said Grace Okonita, a mother of four who survived the collapse. "I lost one leg and my hand is broken." (Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
I first met Prince when he was just starting out -- he played in New York at The Palladium on 14th Street in 1981. Prince came back to that club rather frequently, and we would have amazing chats. Playing with Prince was almost like having a conversation -- it was just, "Hey, this is what I'm thinking."

He was an extraordinary virtuoso, and it made me feel like a million dollars to play with someone who is that talented. He would put down his guitar when I walked in and happily sit at the piano and let me play the guitar. He said to the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, Nile Rodgers! Now, this man has the funk."

With Bowie, it was a very different type of experience, because he gave me an enormous responsibility. He said, "Nile, I want you to do what you do best... I want you to make hits." I was nervous as hell when I played him the "China Girl" guitar lick, because it was very hooky -- I told the band, "Get ready to get fired today, because he's going to laugh his head off." But he looked at me and went, "Nile, darling, that's fantastic!" I'm more proud of "Let's Dance" than damn near anything I've ever done, and it's the easiest record I've ever made in my life -- we did it from start to finish in 17 days.

Prince and David were both absolutely extraordinary geniuses who saw the world in ways unlike we see the world. I would have conversations with both of them about a specific object or situation, and they would look at it from a completely different perspective. Prince once said to me, "Nile, I'm really thinking about moving Paisley Park to Sweden. All the girls are beautiful, they drive Mercedeses and BMWs, and they can dance." It was profound to him. I tried to see if he was joking -- "C'mon, Prince, that's the most superficial thing I ever heard of" -- but he was not pulling my chain.

And with Bowie, we would have thorough discussions about what songs meant -- except "China Girl." I thought it was about speedballing, cocaine and heroin at the same time, because "China" was a type of heroin and "girl" was a name for cocaine. And I felt uncomfortable talking about drugs with him because I didn't understand why a guy who was sober wanted to sing a song about speedballing. But that's not what the song was about.

I always go back to [Bowie's 1972 album] The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars: It was a real story and you could see it -- it's like a film. Everything Bowie did was theater -- even if we were having dinner, it was theater. And Prince could make music with and out of anything. When you break down "When Doves Cry," it's so musical, but there's actually not much going on. How do you make a record and have no bass? And it was a smash!

The last time I saw Prince was at the Superdome [in New Orleans] on July 4, 2015. He came onstage and played with Chic -- funny enough, we did David Bowie's "Let's Dance." We said goodbye, not like "Goodbye forever," but like, "That was killer. See you in a minute."

David didn't talk to me about [his illness]. But I knew that he was ill.

I love and miss them both. What they've given to the world, what they've given to me as an individual, is extraordinary -- wonderful moments of brilliance. To have friends like that, unique thinkers in your midst, is a great gift.

This article originally appeared in the Dec. 17 issue of Billboard.
The Vampire Diaries Season 8 aired its midseason finale on Friday, but there is still no sign of Nina Dobrevs return to the show. The 27-year-old actress, who played lead role Elena Gilbert for six seasons, is playing coy about her rumored comeback. Instead of addressing the speculations, Dobrev has been focusing on other projects and having cordial get-togethers with her friends.

Speaking of friends, Dobrev got together with her squad this weekend and posed for what could be an epic greeting card this holiday season. Dobrev reunited with Gossip Girl alum Jessica Szohr, Whiplash star Miles Teller, Tellers model girlfriend Keleigh Sperry and her other friends for a animated greeting card.

On Sunday, Dobrev also decided to go out with some of her friends to watch the Falcons vs Rams game at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Dobrev was joined by No Bread restaurant founder Nicole Cogan, hairstylist Riawna Capri, Morgan Beau and Dave Osokow in supporting the Rams, who sadly lost to the Falcons in a 42-14 game.

Dobrev appears to be catching up with her friends after working hard filming for and promoting xXx: Return of Xander Cage, which stars Vin Diesel, Ruby Rose, Deepika Padukone and Samuel L. Jackson, among many others.

Over Thanksgiving weekend in late November, Dobrev also reunited with her non-showbiz pals and enjoyed the waves in Cabo San Lucas. Ian Somerhalders ex documented the getaway on Instagram and collectively called the gathering as friendsgiving 2016.

While Dobrev is enjoying her time with friends, her fans are still left clueless regarding her reported comeback on The Vampire Diaries. Since the show is wrapping up this season, fans of the show have been asking for Dobrevs appearance as Elena Gilbert for the last time. However, when asked if she is indeed coming back, she said on the American Music Awards red carpet that her return is up to the producers and the powers that be above, as reported by Digital Spy.

Story continues

Meanwhile, her on-screen lover and off-screen ex-boyfriend, Somerhalder, also candidly addressed the speculations. Nikki Reeds husband told Variety that he has zero idea if Dobrev is returning to the show. As a producer, I do have a lot of information and then theres a lot of information I dont have, he said.

Do you think Nina Dobrev should return to the show for the finale season to work? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Nina Dobrev

Photo: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

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Brussels (AFP) - The EU has no plans to impose sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Syria, foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday ahead of a leaders' summit this week.

"No, we didn't discuss at all sanctions, and there was no member state asking for additional work on sanctions" against Russia, Mogherini said after a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

EU leaders backed down from threatening sanctions on Moscow over the carnage in Aleppo at their last summit in October amid deep divisions in the bloc about how tough to be on Russia.

But with Russian-backed Syrian forces on the verge of retaking Aleppo from rebels, the EU warned at the weekend it could add to a long list of figures and groups in Syria it has already hit with travel bans and asset freezes.

There had been hints that EU leaders could also act against Russia when they meet on Thursday, especially after the resignation last week of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, one of the biggest opponents of sanctions.

Mogherini, a former Italian foreign minister, insisted the EU remained united over Syria.

"You find our unity every time we speak," Mogherini told a press conference in Brussels.

"You find the unity of the Europeans not only in statements and our diplomatic action but also in our humanitarian action."

EU leaders are expected at Thursday's summit to back a six-month rollover of damaging economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
(Adds quotes, detail, background)

VIENNA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - There is no need to drag out a decision on how to rescue Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena , European Central Bank policymaker Ewald Nowotny said on Monday, confirming the ECB refused to give the bank more time to recapitalise.

Monte dei Paschi, Italy's third-biggest lender, has said it will press ahead with a plan to raise 5 billion euros ($5.3 billion) on the market by year-end after the ECB's refusal, which adds pressure on the Italian government to provide capital.

"There is a certain general feeling that it would not be good to delay things for too long," Nowotny told a news conference in Vienna.

Italy prefers a market solution to save the bank, but should it fail, a state rescue would require a forced conversion of the bank's bonds into shares, Treasury sources in Rome said on Monday.

Nowotny said that if the bank's management did not succeed in putting together a capital increase in time, one would have to look at the legal options.

Asked if that meant a wind-down of the bank, he said any solution would have to be chosen carefully because the bank's size meant it was systemically relevant.

"I would proceed with a certain caution ...and I think talks are going in that direction," Nowotny told reporters, without elaborating.

($1 = 0.9438 euros) (Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by John Stonestreet)
By John Miller ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis's bid to bolster its eye drug portfolio suffered a setback on Monday when it announced combining Lucentis with Fovista in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) did not produce better outcomes than treatment with Lucentis alone. Two phase III studies that combined Ophthotech's Fovista with Lucentis "did not meet the primary endpoint of superiority", Novartis said in a statement. Two years ago, the Swiss drugmaker signed a potential $1 billion licensing deal with Ophthotech to market Fovista outside the United States. It had hoped a successful combination with Lucentis could help it counter waning sales of Lucentis, which has been hurt by competition from other drugs. With the trials' failure, however, Novartis said it still hoped analysis of underlying data would provide further understanding and guidance on helping nAMD patients. "The proven efficacy of Lucentis monotherapy was not improved by the addition of" Fovista, said Vasant Narasimhan, Novartis's chief drug development officer. "Together with Ophthotech we continue to analyze the data." Novartis shares slipped 0.3 percent in early trading. Age-related macular degeneration affects up to 25 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of early blindness in the industrial world. In the first nine months of 2016, Lucentis's sales for Novartis outside the United States fell 11 percent, on top of a previous decline in 2015, due to competition from drugs including Regeneron's Eylea. "A positive result of the study would have been welcome to add a little pep to waning Lucentis sales," wrote Michael Nawrath, a Zuercher Kantonal Bank analyst, in a note. "For the small company Ophthotech this will be much worse than for Novartis, but it's still a negative result." The failure leaves Novartis hoping for more-favorable results from a separate phase III trial of its investigational medication RTH258 against nAMD, due to be published early next year. The failure also impacts Roche, which has marketing rights for Lucentis in the United States and had a deal with Novartis for a share of revenue from Fovista outside the United States. (Editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter)
Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

From Cosmopolitan

President Barack Obama's order to intelligence officials for a full-scale review of campaign-season cyberattacks met with a cool reception from President-elect Donald Trump, whose transition team said it's "time to move on."

Trump has been repeatedly dismissive of the intelligence community's determination that Russia sought through hacking to disrupt the U.S. election, and Obama's new initiative was similarly brushed off at Trump Tower.

Trump's transition office issued a statement reflecting the deep divisions that emerged between his campaign and the intelligence agencies over Russian meddling. "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," the statement said. "The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again.'"

The investigation ordered by Obama will be a "deep dive" into a possible pattern of increased "malicious cyber activity" timed to the campaign season, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Friday, including the email hacks that rattled the presidential campaign. It will look at the tactics, targets, key actors and the U.S. government's response to the recent email hacks, as well as incidents reported in past elections, he said.

The president ordered up the report earlier in the week asked that it be completed before he leaves office next month, Schultz said.

"The president wanted this done under his watch because he takes it very seriously," he said. "We are committed to ensuring the integrity of our elections."

The Washington Post reported Friday that the CIA has concluded that Russia aimed specifically to help Trump win the presidency.

The Kremlin has rejected the hacking accusations.

In the months leading up to the election, email accounts of Democratic Party officials and a top Hillary Clinton campaign aide were breached, emails leaked and embarrassing and private emails posted online. Many Democrats believe the hackings benefited Trump's bid.

Story continues

Schultz said the president sought the probe as a way of improving U.S. defense against cyberattacks and was not intending to question the legitimacy of Trump's victory.

"This is not an effort to challenge the outcome of the election," Schultz said.

Obama's move comes as Democratic lawmakers have been pushing Obama to declassify more information about Russia's role, fearing that Trump, who has promised a warmer relationship with Moscow, may not prioritize the issue.

Given Trump's statements, "there is an added urgency to the need for a thorough review before President Obama leaves office next month," said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., senior Democrat on the House intelligence committee. If the administration doesn't respond "forcefully" to such actions, "we can expect to see a lot more of this in the near future," he said.

The White House said it would make portions of the report public and would brief lawmakers and relevant state officials on the findings.

It emphasized the report would not focus solely on Russian operations or hacks involving Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and Democratic National Committee accounts. Schultz stressed officials would be reviewing incidents going back to the 2008 presidential campaign, when the campaigns of Sen. John McCain and Obama were breached by hackers.

Intelligence officials have said Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney were targets of Chinese cyberattacks four years later.

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By David Gaffen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil rose to an 18-month high on Monday after OPEC and some of its rivals reached their first deal since 2001 to jointly reduce output to tackle global oversupply, though prices slipped late in the day.

On Saturday, producers from outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, led by Russia, agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels per day, short of the target of 600,000 bpd but still the largest non-OPEC contribution ever.

That followed OPEC's Nov. 30 deal to cut output by 1.2 million bpd for six months from Jan. 1. Top exporter Saudi Arabia will cut around 486,000 bpd to reduce the supply glut that has dogged markets for two years.

Crude futures have rallied sharply, with U.S. oil futures gaining 23 percent since the middle of November as optimism that an agreement would be reached started to grow. There is some concern amongst analysts that the big move in crude is not sustainable, and that the market may have overshot given the expectation that various producers would not comply with the cuts they agreed upon.

"Right now the market is kind of feeding on itself," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.

"The market could push another $1 to $2 up to $55, and Brent could go to about $60, but at that point there are some concerns that are going to start to cap the rally."

On Monday, U.S. crude futures (CLc1) settled up $1.33 at $52.83 a barrel, a 2.6 percent gain, though that was sharply off the day's highs. Prices continued to fall following settlement, with crude up just 98 cents to $52.48 at 3:22 p.m. ET (2022 GMT).

Brent crude futures (LCOc1) settled up $1.36 at $55.69 per barrel, a 2.5 percent rise, after hitting a session peak of $57.89, highest since July 2015.

"Overnight we had a knee-jerk rally to the highs, but the market is going to try to analyse" the non-OPEC agreement going forward, said Andrew Lebow, managing partner at Commodity Research Group.

Story continues

For the deal to be effective, all parties must stick to their word. Higher prices also raise the chances of other producers boosting output, particularly U.S. shale operators, where rig counts have grown steadily in recent months.

U.S. production remains about 1 million bpd below its peak of 9.6 million reached in 2015, according to U.S. Energy Department data.

Further, several of the non-OPEC countries are still increasing their production. Russia, for instance, does not expect to reach its target until April or May, and several other countries are expected to experience only natural declines, which will not necessarily affect the supply situation.

(Additional reporting by Florence Tan, Keith Wallis and Henning Gloystein in SINGAPORE; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis)
By Henning Gloystein SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices shot to their highest levels since mid-2015 on Monday after OPEC and other producers reached their first deal since 2001 to jointly reduce output in order to rein in oversupply and prop up markets. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, soared to $57.89 per barrel in overnight trading between Sunday and Monday, the highest level since July 2015. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also hit a July 2015 high of $54.51 a barrel. Brent and WTI eased to $56.83 and $54.07 respectively by 0629 GMT, but were both still up over 4 percent from their last settlements. With the deal signed after almost a year of arguing within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and mistrust in the willingness of non-OPEC Russia to participate, focus is switching to compliance of the agreement. "We believe that the obser vation of the OPEC-11 and non-OPEC 11 production cuts is required to sustainably support... oil prices to our 1H17 WTI price forecast of $55 a barrel," Goldman Sachs said. "This forecast reflects an effective 1.0 million barrels per day (bpd) cut vs. the 1.6 million bpd announced cut and greater compliance to the announced cuts is therefore an upside risk to our forecasts." AB Bernstein said the agreed deal "amounts to an aggregate supply cut of 1.76 million barrels per day (bpd) from 24 countries which currently produce 52.6 million bpd, or 54 percent of world oil supply." Bernstein said that "some of the non-OPEC supply cuts will come from natural decline, but most will come from self-imposed cuts." Saudi Aramco has told U.S. and European customers it will reduce oil deliveries from January. "The kingdom is targeting excess inventories, the lion's share of which sit in the United States," said Virendra Chauhan, oil analyst at Energy Aspects in Singapore. "Lower Saudi exports to the U.S. could also make the export arbitrage uneconomic." OPEC plans to slash output by 1.2 million bpd from Jan. 1, with top exporter Saudi Arabia cutting around 486,000 bpd in a bid to end overproduction that has dogged markets for two years. On Saturday, producers from outside OPEC agreed to reduce output by 558,000 bpd, short of the target of 600,000 bpd but still the largest contribution by non-OPEC ever. "Non-OPEC participation should add to bullish sentiment," Morgan Stanley said. From outside OPEC, Russia said it would gradually cut 300,000 bpd. "Once cuts are implemented at the start of 2017, oil markets will shift from surplus into deficit. Given the cuts in production announced by OPEC, we expect that markets will move into a 0.8 million bpd deficit in 1H17," AB Bernstein said. Still, some analysts expect producers, drawn by higher oil prices, to increase output again. "While better compliance than we expect would initially lead to higher prices  with full compliance worth an additional $6 per barrel to our price forecast  we expect that a greater producer response, especially in the U.S., would eventually bring prices back to $55," Goldman Sachs said. (Additional reporting by Florence Tan and Keith Wallis; Editing by Richard Pullin)
Photo credit: Theo Wargerundefined

From ELLE

Dear President Obama, First Lady Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama, Bo Obama, Jobama Biden, Justin Trudeaubama, and recently pardoned turkeys Tater and Tot Obama,

Hello!

I love you!

Is this weird? Am I making this weird?

Don't you love the holidays? That wonderful time of year when we all get together to be offended by the Starbucks red cup and debate about which character in Love Actually is making the worst life choices, and send each other cards?

You know holiday cards, right?

Folded pieces of card stock that send well wishes to people we clearly have not forgotten?

You know, they look something like this:

Oh! You thought I wouldn't find out, did you?!

You can't hide anything from me! I'm the Elf on the Shelf. But with the internet. And without a vaguely soulless smile.

And I don't like heights.

To be honest, the internet totally needs an Elf on the Shelf. It would just pop up on people's screens whenever they were getting ridiculous.

"Why are you liking a stranger's Insta from two years ago? Very naughty."

"This looks like fake news. Better not share! Santa's very gullible."

"Oops! You're resorting to using misogyny to express your displeasure. Krampus is going to drag you straight to hell."

I presume that's the natural progression of an Elf on the Shelf.

Anyway, this isn't about the holiday toys that numb children to the effects of living in a police state, this is about us, Obamas!

I'm just, you know, a little salty that I didn't get a holiday card from you.

I've been so good this year, Obama Claus! I went high when they went low! I ate my vegetables! I left a plate of cookies in the woods for Hillary Clinton.

What more do you want from me?

It's just weird, right? I mean, you have my address. Ask your friends at the IRS; they are very aware of my location.

Also, what was the point of me tweeting my address at you once a week for the last two years?

Story continues

Maybe it just got lost in the mail.

I mean, I definitely received your congratulatory card on my recent wedding.

There wasn't a gift inside, though, which is awkward. Like, maybe you want to look around the Oval Office for the Pottery Barn gift card.

Check Trump's pockets.

I dunno.

Anyway, I was just wondering. About the holiday card. I know we're friends but sometimes friends get distracted with other friends.

Like, for instance...

Tonight, we welcome @VP Joe Biden, saluting the unparalleled Canada-US relationship and his 4 decades of public service. #VPvisit pic.twitter.com/mhcdLSbFIg - Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 9, 2016

Stings a little bit, doesn't it, President Obama? To be left out of the Canadian cuddle puddle?

That's a low blow. I'm sorry.

Anyway, we have some 16 days until Hanukkah and Christmas so there's still plenty of time to pop a card in the mail for me. And maybe throw in a Pottery Barn gift card, too.

Happy holidays!

Follow R. Eric Thomas on Twitter.

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Opening Ceremonys crazy gift guide includes a $5K lunch with Jonah Hill and Spike Jonze

Sharing gifts around the holidays is, in general, a lovely tradition. Most loved ones dont expect presents that are expensive or over-the-top, only thoughtful and from the heart. But sometimes, recommendations from experts can be a liiitle bit on the peculiar side. Case in point: Opening Ceremonys Crazy holiday gift guide, which includes a $5,500 lunch with actor Jonah Hill and director Spike Jonze.

To be fair, the guide is called crazy, so we knew what we were getting into when we clicked on it. But as with Gwyneth Paltrows extravagant Goop gift guide, we were still scratching our heads and cry-laughing over some of the items on the list.

Take, for instance, the $1,500 Red Wine Bath Experience for Two.

0b13c2cbe49962a73c30c9b6279176c4

The ~experience~ takes place in New York City and includes Opening Ceremony embroidered robes, and it promises to leave you rejuvenated and ready for the New Year. Youll soak in water enriched with the beautifying antioxidants of grapes from the Matarromera winery in Spain and will surely come out looking and feeling like new person (or something like that).

Theres also a $1,500 Skype session with Hollywood Medium host Tyler Henry, the 20-year-old TV personality who communicates with the dearly departed.

This gift experience will allow your recipient to speak with Tyler over Skype for one hour, presumably to communicate with a deceased loved one.

And then of course theres that lunch with Spike and Jonah.

This ones actually an auction benefitting 826NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 in strengthening their writing skills, with a minimum bid of $5,500. Jonah and Spike will pick their fave restaurant in New York for lunch with the winner  but the lucky diner is expressly forbidden from pitching any ideas to the pair.

What a time to be alive!

The post Opening Ceremonys crazy gift guide includes a $5K lunch with Jonah Hill and Spike Jonze appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Christmas came early for Outlander fans!

Leading lady Caitriona Balfe received her second Golden Globe nomination for her work as the time-traveling Claire on Starz's sprawling saga, one year after receiving her first.

Balfe's TV husband, Sam Heughan, took the Twitter to congratulate the 37-year-old actress, adorably writing, "YAZZZZZZZ WIFEY!!!!! So well deserved of COURSE!!!"

RELATED: Starz Boss Laments Lack of Emmy Love for 'Outlander'

YAZZZZZZZ WIFEY!!!!! @caitrionambalfe so well deserved of COURSE!!! 

X https://t.co/JTfDoXNlFS  Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) December 12, 2016

Balfe, who was filming season three of Outlander in Scotland on Monday, responded to Heughan's enthusiastic tweet.

"Thank you darling . You're the best!" Balfe wrote back.

@SamHeughan @Outlander_STARZ Thank you darling .... you're the best ..! X  Caitriona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) December 12, 2016

RELATED: 'Outlander' Boss on Claire's Season 3 'Homecoming,' Jamie's Time-Jump Makeovcer

She followed up her tweet with a statement to ET, expressing her gratitude for the recognition she's received for her work as the beloved Claire.

"I am grateful every day that I get to portray a woman who is strong-willed, confident, intelligent, empowered and simply unforgettable," Balfe said. "While Outlander is a brilliant period show, Claire represents so many qualities of a 10th century modern-day woman, someone who is forging her own path, fighting for what she believes and doing so with integrity."

Story continues

"I am thrilled to be nominated among such an amazing and talented group of women," she closed her statement, referencing her fellow nominees in the Best Actress, TV Series Drama category, including The Crown's Claire Foy, The American's Keri Russell, Stranger Things' Winona Ryder and Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood.

Outlander executive producer Maril Davis also weighed in on Balfe's nomination.

RELATED: These 'Outlander' Season 2 Bloopers Will Make Your Day

Balfe's Golden Globe nomination comes just one day after Outlander scored the Critics' Choice Award for Most Binge-Worthy show.

The Golden Globes, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, airs live coast-to-coast on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Watch the Balfe in action in these hilarious Outlander season two outtakes!

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Beirut (AFP) - More than 10,000 civilians have fled eastern parts of Aleppo in the past 24 hours for districts of the city under the control of Syria's government, a monitor said Monday.

It takes to about 130,000 the number of civilians displaced since regime forces launched an offensive to retake the rebel-held east in mid-November, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Pro-government forces on Monday seized the Aleppo district of Sheikh Saeed, putting it in control of 90 percent of areas once held by the rebels, the Britain-based monitoring group said earlier.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said the advance has left some neighbourhoods of the battleground northern city empty of civilians.

Syria's second city, Aleppo had been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east.

In less than a month, a blistering offensive by Syria's army and allied militia has overrun most of rebel territory in the city.
Ever since its launch, NBCUniversals Oxygen has struggled with identity as just another female-focused cable network among a slew of others, including Lifetime, Bravo, E! and WEtv. It finally might have found its identity in crime programming, which has done surprisingly well.

Oxygens Crime Time primetime block, recently expanded from three to four nights a week, boosted the networks total-day ratings on those days by 44% in 4Q vs. the same period last year. The NBCU cable leadership has taken notice and is starting to explore an overall crime-theme rebranding of the network. Talks are underway with prolific crime drama producer Dick Wolf, who is in the NBCU family with a rich deal, as well as other producers, about being part of the new Oxygen. I hear conversations are in preliminary stages and there are different scenarios being considered, including one in which Wolf would be the sole partner with equity in a setup similar to OWN, a joint venture between Discovery and Oprah Winfrey  who, coincidentally, was an original investor in Oxygen before the struggling independent network was sold to NBCU.

Wolf, whose company produces both scripted and unscripted crime reality series, including NBCs ever-growing Chicago franchise, already is developing programming for Crime Time. There also are other possibilities for Oxygen as a crime brand working with multiple producers.

Oxygens Crime Time features such real-crime series as Snapped, Killer Couples and It Takes a Killer. A possible crime makeover, first reported by Variety, would not change Oxygens female focus. In the past couple of months, Oxygen has launched or picked up a slew of such series catering to its target audience of millennial women, including Strut, Unprotected, Bad Girls Club, The Battle of the Ex-Bestie and Last Squad Standing.

NBCU in 2013 rebranded another of its lower-profile female cable networks, Style, as the male-centered Esquire.

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Its been a fairytale come true for the U.S index markets since Donald Trump won his bid for the White House. As the markets continue their record push higher, the S&P 500 futures (ESH17:CME) have closed higher 17 out of the last 28 trading sessions.

Date ESZ Close Net Change Nov 7 2130.25 +48.75 Nov 8 2135.75 +5.50 Nov 9 2160.50 +24.75 Nov 10 2164.50 +4.00 Nov 11 2160.50 4.00 Nov 14 2161.00 +0.50 Nov 15 2179.00 +18.00 Nov 16 2172.25 +6.75 Nov 17 2185.00 +12.75 Nov 18 2180.50 -4.50 Nov 21 2192.75 +12.25 Nov 22 2201.50 +10.75 Nov 23 2201.00 -0.50 Nov 25 +10.50 Nov 28 2200.00 -11.50 Nov 29 2203.50 +3.50 Nov 30 2198.75 -4.75 Dec 1 2191.25 -7.50 Dec 2 2191.00 -0.25 Dec 5 2205.25 +14.25 Dec 6 2211.50 +6.25 Dec 7 2236.50 +25.00 Dec 8 2247.75 +11.25 Dec 9 2261.00 +13.25

Since November 7th there have been a total of 24 trading days, 17 up / 7 down. From Nov 14th to current there have been a total of 19 trading days; 13 up / 6 down. From Nov 21 to current there have been a total of 14 trading days; 9 up / 6 down. From Nov 25th there have been a total of 11 trading days, 7 up 4 down And the icing on the cake? From December 5th to current, or the last 5 sessions, the ESH16 has been up 5 in a row for a total gain 69 handles.

No matter how you break it down the S&P has exploded, and when you look at the down days, with the exception of November 2 and November 28, all of the other down days have been under 7.75 handles. After most drops, no matter how big or small, the ES is higher the next day. While there are several moving parts, the thing that bothers me is the total lack of pull back.

This week the November S&P cash study will be put to the test. While the stats are positive, there have been times when the S&P rallied too much before the expiration and did not perform very well. I am providing a link to the study for your review: https://mrtopstep.com/wpcontent/uploads/2016/12/December-2016-Expiration-Stats.pdf

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The other part of this is that most of the big accounts have already rolled their call positions higher or covered.

OPEC Oil Cuts: Trust Me

While OPEC was able to reach an agreement on production cuts in November, there has always been a problem with the agreements, and its called trust. On Saturday 11 oil producers outside OPEC met at the cartels headquarters in Vienna. The outcome was that the 11 countries agreed to cut a total of 558,000 barrels a day. OPEC did not release any information on the countries that cut, or how much they agreed to cut production, nor did they say how the agreement would be enforced.

According to Goldman Sachs, in 17 production cuts since 1982, OPEC members have reduced output by an average of just 60% of their commitments. According to Morgan Stanley OPEC exceeded its quota by an average of 883,000 barrels a day on average from 2000 to 2008. In other words, reaching an agreement will more than likely be the easy part, enforcing it will be entirely different.

With several wars going on in the Middle East, and many South American countries dependent on oil production to keep their already weak economies going, its going to be almost impossible to verify the production cuts. Everything is done on an honor system that has never really worked. It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out. My own feeling is that its time to sell the news when it comes to oil.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down; Comparisons To The Weeks Leading Up To The 1987 Crash

Some traders do not believe in historical stats or seasonals. When I wanted to introduce Jeff Hirsch from the Stock Trader Almanac to Rick Santelli on the floor, Rick said he really didnt believe in that stuff. I was surprised, but as a trader, we all know what may fit for one trader does not fit for the other. That is how the trading game works. That said, the S&P has reacted in kind to the beginning of the best six month for stocks.

The economy is rolling, the Trump rally continues Everything looks great. The S&P has gone from being down 7% on election night, to up 11.5% since that low, with the gains coming in the last 4 to 5 weeks. This last 4 to 5 weeks looks very much like the weeks leading up to the 1987 Crash. There was a sell off and then the S&P started going up everyday. I remember this so well, being on the floor until 10:30 on Black Friday, and then the crash on Monday. The S&P is doing exactly what is was doing back then,, sell off a little in the first part of the day, and then rally and make new highs everyday.

I remember how Paul Tudor Jones made a name from himself calling for the crash, but most of all, I remember how the S&P rallied every day. I cant say the circumstances are the same as they were back in 1987, but I can say the daily price action is identical. Back then it was a big bubble, and after that, it was the 1999-2000 tech bubble. Could the next big bubble be coming? And if so, will they call it the Trump Bubble? No one knows for sure, but if history has its way, you may want to tighten your seat belts 2017 is going to be very, very volatile.

While You Were Sleeping

Overnight, Asia saw a mixed trade that included the Shanghai Comp down nearly 2.5% with the announcement of new regulations, and the European markets have traded quietly as well. The S&P futures rallied hard on the globex open, up 10 handles to 2264.75, found a high there, and have traded lower ever since. The ES was down 15 handles from the high, and 5 handles from Fridays close, before bouncing there back up to unchanged at 2254.75. The futures last printed 2254.25, down two ticks on the session, with volume of 230k as of 6:26 am cst.

Todays calendar is quiet, but the anticipation for this weeks events are brewing, and todays daily bar is shaping up to be a reversal pattern. If bears can push back to the low of day, in fact, it would be an outside engulfing bar if it can trade below 2240 today. While these technical patterns dont always mean anything, and do not negate market feel, MrTopStep is still sticking with the 30 handles lower call from 2250. We think that the path of less resistance for algos will be to run sell stops.

In Asia, 6 out of 9 open markets closed lower (Shanghai -2.47%), and in Europe 6 out of 11 markets are trading lower this morning (FTSE -0.31%). This weeks economic calendar features the two day Fed meeting followed by the announcement and press conference, and includes 23 other economic reports, just one Fed Speaker aside from Wednesday, and 15 U.S. Treasury events. Todays economic calendar includes a 4-Week Bill Announcement, a 3-Month Bill Auction, a 6-Month Bill Auction, a 3-Yr Note Auction, a 10-Yr Note Auction, and Treasury Budget.

Our View

According to the expiration week starts, Monday is up 19 and down 13 occasions in the last 32 years. The big question is, will the S&P sell off before or after the Fed raises rates on Wednesday, or will the S&P surprise everyone and just take off to new highs again? What we do know is that the roll volumes have concluded, and the ES Money Maker chart showed 4 sells all grouped together at the highs of the day.

I am short at the highs and I am going to try and hold for a few days. There really isnt much one can say. The S&P does the same thing every day, it pulls back a little early, and then rallies all day. After it goes up and stops, it sells off a few handles and back and fills, then it goes higher again. The real deal here is money going out of bonds and into stocks. That switch has been going on hot and heavy for a few months now.

As always, please use protective buy and sell stops when trading futures and options.
David Grisham, a self-proclaimed Evangelical pastor, tried to convince children that the true meaning of Christmas was about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ over the weekend in Amarillo, Texas, by yelling, Santa Clause doesnt exist! towards young passer-byers hoping to meet Santa at a Westgate Mall.

In a three-minute video posted to his Facebook Saturday, Grisham, a leader of the religious fundamentalist group "Repent Amarillo,can be seen preaching gospel verses while also yelling at children, The Christmas season is about Jesus. Jesus was born 2016 years ago. He was born in a manger in a small town in Bethlehem and thats the truth about Christmas, according to the local reports Monday.

The video shows Grisham shouting at kids that the heavy-set bearded fellow they were waiting in line to take pictures with, and ask for a present from, was just a man dressed up like Santa. Grisham can be seen telling children that neither flying reindeer, nor a workshop nor elves exist in the North Pole, while parents in the background respond by shouting Thats enough!"

The video, which has received over 2.7 million views, shows Grisham going on his Christmas tirade for about two minutes. It also shows one parent interrupting him to voice his frustration, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

Quit talking this mess, you understand me? The parent can be heard telling Grisham in the video. Ive got my kids over there, we dont need you coming over here blabbing whatever it is youre blabbing.

Shortly after being confronted by the first parent, two others then went to Grisham and disallowed him from videotaping their children any longer.

The incident at the Amarillo mall was the latest in a string of religiously motivated acts performed by 56-year-old Grisham. He called for a boycott of Houston, Texas, in February 2011 because the city had elected Annise Parker as mayor. Parker is openly gay, according to local reports. Grisham also at one point called on people to protest the construction of a Planned Parenthood facility, a swingers club and a nude production of a Shakespearean play.

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"We really do believe that the Christians down in Houston need to get out," Grisham told local reporters in 2011. "They need to get off of their blessed assurances so to speak and get out into their community before evil takes control of their community."

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Mendel Ekstein, Petrolympic Ltd. (PCQ.V) (PCQRF) President and CEO, has just released the following statement:

Petrolympic management is pleased that the Quebec National Assembly passed Bill 106 on December 10, 2016, An Act to implement the 2030 Energy Policy and amend various legislative provisions. Bill 106 includes the new Petroleum Resources Act, governing the development of petroleum resources in Quebec. Petrolympic believes that a stable framework for the development of Quebec hydrocarbon resources, previously governed by the Mining Act, is a key step for Quebec-based oil and gas production. Petrolympic management warmly welcome the enactment of this modern law for the development of Quebec's hydrocarbon resources, after 6 years of environmental consultations, public studies, and consideration of legislation in other jurisdictions.

Details on Quebec's new energy legislation can be found in English here: http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-106-41-1.html .

Management is confident that developing local hydrocarbon resources is a positive step for the Province, as it will balance Quebec's energy portfolio and strengthen its economy, while reducing the energy import deficit. Petrolympic is fully committed to securing and maintaining the social license and local support for its operations. Petrolympic seeks the orderly and responsible commercial development of its Quebec oil and gas exploration licences, within the framework of the new Act.

Petrolympic Ltd.'s oil and gas land position in the Province of Quebec consists of a 100% interest in 5 exploration permits covering 239,296 acres (96,840 hectares), a 30% interest in 36 exploration permits totaling 1,601,455 acres (648,093 hectares), and a 12% interest in 19,768 acres (8,000 hectares). These Quebec exploration permits total 722,105 acres (291,730 hectares) net to Petrolympic's interest, of a gross land position of over 1.8 million acres (750,000 hectares).

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Quebec's 2016 Petroleum Resources Act gives a framework for the development of the petroliferous Masse structure, jointly held by Petrolympic and Ressources & Energy Squatex (Squatex). The Masse structure is covered by the companies' 1.6 million acres (656,000 hectares) of exploration permits (480,000 acres or 118,800 hectares net to Petrolympic's interest) in the lower St. Lawrence area. A second well drilled into the eastern Masse structure (Masse No. 2) has validated the exploration model over the eastern part of the structure.

The Masse structure was re-evaluated in 2016 by Sproule and Associates ("Sproule"), independent Calgary, Alberta, based Reserve Evaluators. Sproule considers that results from 2015-2016 drilling could be extrapolated over an area of 5.2 km2. According to Sproule's analysis of April 30, 2016, the porous, conventional reservoir rock encountered in the Silurian St. Leon and Sayabec Formations may host Gross Unrisked Undiscovered Unrecoverable Petroleum Initially-in-Place (PIIP) of 53.6 Bcf (billion cubic feet) of gas and 52.2 million barrels of oil on the eastern Masse structure, or 61.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE). Sproule's analysis of geophysical well logs shows net pay thickness in the St. Leon and Sayabec Formations of 66 to 210m, averaging 130m. Petrolympic management notes that this porous and permeable net pay is unlikely to require fracing.

Management further notes that gross pay thickness of the petroliferous Silurian basin rock of the Lower Saint-Lawrence extends to nearly 540 metres. This large gross pay interval encourages further work on the Petrolympic Lower St. Lawrence Property. The Reserve Evaluation discussed in the previous paragraph implies 10.3 BCF and 10 MMbbl of Unrisked Petroleum Resources per km2 in the area assessed by Sproule. Sproule did not evaluate seismic internal to the companies demonstrating that the Masse structure could extend over 80 km2. In addition, seismic attributes (apparent porosity anomalies) similar to those confirmed by the Masse No. 1 & No. 2 wells have been observed westwards on the Property. These seismic features were not considered by the Sproule in their evaluation of the Masse structure's hydrocarbon Resources. While these porosity anomalies are not validated or quantified by Sproule, their occurrence does represent significant potential upside for the Property.

Petrolympic also has a major land position in the unconventional Utica Shale Fairway in the St. Lawrence Lowlands as well as the Trenton-Black River carbonates, and adjacent prospective conventional and unconventional carbonate and sandstone reservoirs. The land package is 674,805 acres (273,054 hectares): 301,941 acres (121,984 hectares) is net to Petrolympic's interest.

Forward-Looking Statements

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC, NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act").

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Mendel Ekstein,

President and CEO Petrolympic Ltd.

T: 845 656-0184

E: exis@petrolympic.com

SOURCE: Petrolympic Ltd.
MANILA (Reuters) - Islamist militants in the Philippines on Monday freed two Indonesians who were kidnapped six months ago, after the rebels came under pressure from the Philippine army, a military spokesman said. The two were among seven Indonesian crewmen who rebels from the Abu Sayyaf militant group kidnapped from a tug sailing in waters off the southern Philippines in June, said Major Filemon Tan, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command. Tan said the militants released the two "after being pressured by non-stop operations", and with the help of members of a rival Muslim group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The two were released to an MNLF leader and later handed over to a government official on Sulu island. They would be turned over to Indonesian authorities, the military said. The MNLF also helped the Philippine government in securing the release in September of a Norwegian who the militants kidnapped from a beach resort. Abu Sayyaf militants, notorious for kidnappings, beheadings and extortion, operate on remote Muslim islands in the south of the largely Christian Philippines. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz)
A pipeline leak has spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into a North Dakota creek roughly two and a half hours from Cannon Ball, where protesters are camped out in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline.

Members of the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes, as well as environmentalists from around the country, have fought the pipeline project on the grounds that it crosses beneath a lake that provides drinking water to native Americans. They say the route beneath Lake Oahe puts the water source in jeopardy and would destroy sacred land.

North Dakota officials estimate more than 176,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the Belle Fourche Pipeline into the Ash Coulee Creek. State environmental scientist Bill Suess says a landowner discovered the spill on Dec. 5 near the city of Belfield, which is roughly 150 miles from the epicenter of the Dakota Access pipeline protest camps.

The leak was contained within hours of the its discovery, Wendy Owen, a spokeswoman for Casper, Wyoming-based True Cos., which operates the Belle Fourche pipeline, told CNBC.

It's not yet clear why electronic monitoring equipment didn't detect the leak, Owen told the Asssociated Press.

Owen said the pipeline was shut down immediately after the leak was discovered. The pipeline is buried on a hill near Ash Coulee creek, and the "hillside sloughed," which may have ruptured the line, she said.

"That is our number one theory, but nothing is definitive," Owen said. "We have several working theories and the investigation is ongoing."

Last week, the Army Corp of Engineers said it would deny Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) the easement it needs to complete the final stretch of the $3.7 billion Dakota Access pipeline. United States Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy said the best path forward was to explore alternative routes for the pipeline, something Energy Transfer Partners says it will not do.

Energy Transfer Partners says the Dakota Access pipeline would include safeguards such as leak detection equipment and that workers monitoring the pipeline remotely in Texas could close valves within three minutes if a breach is detected.



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Republican President-elect Donald Trump has voiced support for the Dakota Access Pipeline. About 5,000 people are still occupying land near the planned construction site.

The 6-inch steel Belle Fourche pipeline is mostly underground but was built above ground where it crosses Ash Coulee Creek, Suess said. Owen said the pipeline was built in the 1980s and is used to gather oil from nearby oil wells to a collection point.



Suess said the spill migrated almost 6 miles from the spill site along Ash Coulee Creek, and it fouled an unknown amount of private and U.S. Forest Service land along the waterway. The creek feeds into the Little Missouri River, but Seuss said it appears no oil got that far and that no drinking water sources were threatened. The creek was free-flowing when the spill occurred but has since frozen over.



About 60 workers were on site Monday, and crews have been averaging about 100 yards daily in their cleanup efforts, he said. Some of the oil remains trapped beneath the frozen creek.

Suess says about 37,000 gallons of oil have been recovered.



"It's going to take some time," Suess said of the cleanup. "Obviously there will be some component of the cleanup that will go toward spring."

True Cos. has a history of oil fieldrelated spills in North Dakota and Montana, including a January 2015 pipeline break into the Yellowstone River. The 32,000-gallon spill temporarily shut down water supplies in the downstream community of Glendive, Montana, after oil was detected in the city's water treatment system.

True Cos. operates at least three pipeline companies with a combined 1,648 miles of line in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming, according to information the companies submitted to federal regulators. Since 2006, the companies have reported 36 spills totaling 320,000 gallons of petroleum products, most of which was never recovered.

 The Associated Press contributed to this story.









More From CNBC


WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A prominent lawmaker for Poland's ruling anti-communist party insists that as a communist-era prosecutor he risked his career and saved dissidents from prison.

Stanislaw Piotrowicz on Monday showed a document he wrote that he says helped prevent a prison term for a Solidarity activist under martial law clampdown in the 1980s. The man, Antoni Pikul, was not convicted.

But opposition lawmakers said Piotrowicz was misrepresenting facts, while a medal he received under martial law shows he must have been trusted and appreciated by the communist authorities. They insisted he should resign as head of the parliament's justice commission and as a lawmaker.

Piotrowicz, of the conservative Law and Justice party, says he is being attacked because he spearheads much-criticized efforts by the government to gain influence on the top constitutional court.
Freezing temperatures and ice-cold winds were expected to descend upon the Midwest and Northeast United States this week in what some scientists predicted would be a repeat of record-low temperature conditions nearly three years ago that led to widespread damages and several deaths.

The phenomenon, referred to as the polar vortex, is a large system of cold air that has historically been contained up north but has shifted lately. Scientists expect similar extreme weather events to continue due to climate change.

Over the past three decades, the polar vortex has weakened due to Arctic sea-ice loss that has been caused by global warming patterns resulting from human-created greenhouse gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere, according to a study in October in Nature Climate Change that analyzed the impact on Europe. That weakening means that the vortex has shifted and that unusual cold spells will hit more frequently and later in winter.

Climate change can lead to extremes; its not like a regular change, everyone to the same extent at all times and places, Martyn Chipperfield, a co-author of that study and a professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of Leeds told Scientific American then. Despite the overall warming, you can get in places like the Northeastern U.S. extreme cold events. Thats consistent with climate change and global warming.

More extreme events like the polar vortex would likely have devastating effects. The last time it really impacted North America, in January of 2014, temperatures that dropped to negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit in some places led to the deaths of at least nine people and impacted 200 million people in total. Analysts later estimated that damages from the cold totaled more than $5 billion. There were 77 cold-related fatalities in 2014, the highest toll going back to at least 1993, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Extreme coldness from the polar vortex may hit the Northeast United States and Midwest, including Chicago.

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ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkish authorities arrested more than 200 people Monday following suicide bombings near an Istanbul stadium that killed 44 people. The arrests primarily targeted members of a Kurdish political party that already was a focus of a broader government crackdown.

Saturday's attack, which a radical Kurdish group claimed as an act of revenge for state violence against the ethnic minority in the southeast, was the deadliest to hit Istanbul this year.

Authorities blamed the carnage on the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. A shadowy offshoot of the movement, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the state, claimed responsibility for the attack on a website that is blocked in Turkey.

"This is definitely a repercussion of the current crackdown on the Kurdish people," said Cenk Sidar, president of Sidar Global Advisors, a risk advisory group in Washington. "It seems likely (PKK) will go ahead with these high-casualty, low-cost attacks for them, and it is a very dangerous trend in the country."

Turkey, a NATO member and a partner in the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State group, faces a myriad of internal and external security threats.

The Turkish state is locked in conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and militarily active across the border in Syria and Iraq. This year, it has seen a series of suicide bombings in major cities that were the work of either IS or Kurdish militants.

The Istanbul bombings also came as Turkish security forces and courts remained preoccupied with purging state institutions of the supporters of an exiled Islamist cleric whom Ankara accuses of staging a botched coup in July.

The scale of the purge, which has swept up government opponents of all stripes, has alarmed Western governments and leading civil and human rights groups.

Turkey's Interior Ministry on Monday announced the detention of more than 235 people across 11 cities. Turkish media reports said most of those rounded up were members of the Peoples' Democratic Party, a pro-Kurdish party that was elected to the Turkish Parliament in 2014.

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Among them were two provincial leaders and an Ankara representative of the Peoples' Democratic Party, or HDP.

But the interior ministry statement alleged those detained were affiliated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, and with a Kurdish umbrella organization and included individuals deemed guilty of spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.

It did not clarify whether the people rounded up were suspected of direct involvement in the two bombings outside and near a stadium in Istanbul on Saturday night. According to the latest tally, at least 44 people were killed and 149 others wounded.

The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, a Turkey-based Kurdish group that is viewed by authorities and analysts as a PKK affiliate, claimed the attack on anti-riot police posted outside the stadium for a Turkish Super League match. The dead included 36 police officers and eight civilians, according to health ministry figures.

The attack drew worldwide condemnation and sent shockwaves across the soccer-loving nation. Multiple rallies were staged in Istanbul on Monday to denounce terrorism.

Taxi drivers waving Turkish flags drove around the recently inaugurated Besiktas stadium, named after the home team and neighborhood. Scores of demonstrators marched near the city's main police station to denounce the twin bombings in a rally organized by a union.

"Damn the PKK" and "We don't want the PKK in parliament" chanted the crowd, calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty.

Demonstrator Gulay Firat said she wants justice for the attacks' widows, widowers and orphans.

"No one can tear this country apart," Firat told The Associated Press.

More demonstrations were staged Monday night with thousands of protesters and soccer fans braving the rain to converge at the stadium and in other parts of the city. The U.S. consulate urged its citizens to avoid large gatherings.

President Erdogan and other senior officials accuse the Peoples' Democratic Party of supporting terrorism and having ties to PKK, which Ankara and its allies categorize as a terrorist organization.

The HDP party  which was democratically elected into parliament in 2014 and also appeals to left-leaning, secular Turks as well as minorities  denies the accusation. Its two leaders are currently behind bars on terrorism-related charges.

Before the latest arrests, the party once considered instrumental in peace talks between the Turkish state and the PKK was already weakened by the government's post-coup purge.

It says more than 7,423 of its members have been taken into custody and 2,345 formally arrested, including elected officials and their spouses.

"We are a people who have oppression already and know what it means to do politics here and what the price is," HDP spokesman Ayhan Bilgen said on the party's website.

HDP lawmakers have been vocal opponents of a government initiative that would shift Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system and concentrate more power in Erdogan's hands.

The ruling party and government officials have long argued that a presidential system would allow them to better address security and other challenges. But critics abroad and at home say it would allow Erdogan to govern unchecked.

The conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish rebels has claimed more than 40,000 lives. Crushing military operations against armed Kurdish fighters have displaced thousands of civilians in the southeast part of the country.

Kurdish militants, meanwhile, stepped up their attacks on security forces in the southeast and have brought the conflict west with multiple suicide bombings.

Western governments, human rights group and legal experts have repeatedly expressed concern over the turn of events in Turkey, a nation once hailed as a model of Muslim democracy.

___

Hakan Kaplan, Ayse Wieting and Mehmet Guzel in Istanbul contributed reporting. Geir Moulson in Berlin also contributed reporting.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis is calling for a renewed culture of nonviolence to inform global politics today, saying military responses to conflicts only breed more violence.

Francis cited Mother Teresa, Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. as models of nonviolent peacemakers in his annual message for the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, which is celebrated each Jan. 1.

"Violence is not the cure for our broken world," read the message released Monday. "Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migrations and enormous suffering."

Earlier this year, the Vatican hosted a conference of peace activists who called on the Catholic Church to renounce its "just war" doctrine, which condones the use of force to stop an unjust aggression if certain conditions are met. The activists urged a new peacemaking framework based on Gospel-mandated nonviolence, arguing that too often the "just war" doctrine had been used to justify and endorse military action rather than prevent it.

They called for Francis to develop an encyclical on "active nonviolence."

At a news conference launching the message Monday, Francis' point-man on justice and peace issues, Cardinal Peter Turkson, said he couldn't rule out a possible encyclical or a special gathering of bishops on the theme of nonviolence. He said the church's current "just war" theory was no longer adequate for today's world.

Francis, named after the peace-loving St. Francis of Assisi, has echoed his predecessors in condemning wars and promoting peace. But he has also endorsed military action to stave off the Islamic State group's attacks on Christians in Iraq and Syria.

That said, on Monday he sent a letter to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the international community urging an end to the Syrian conflict. In the letter, Francis condemned all forms of "extremism and terrorism from whatever quarter they may come, and (appealed) to the president to ensure that international humanitarian law is fully respected with regard to the protection of the civilians and access to humanitarian aid," the Vatican said.

In his world peace message, Francis repeated the Vatican's call for the prohibition and abolition of nuclear weapons, and added: "I plead with equal urgency for an end to domestic violence and to the abuse of women and children."

In fact, he said, women are often the leaders in nonviolence, citing Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee of Liberia. He praised her and the thousands of other Liberian women whose nonviolent protests helped end Liberia's civil war.
Dec 12 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Wall Street Journal. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- President-elect Donald Trump escalated a fight with the U.S. intelligence community on Sunday by denouncing its findings of Russian meddling in the U.S. election, setting up an extraordinary rupture between a soon-to-be president and his national-security establishment. http://on.wsj.com/2gQau27

- Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson, the top choice for secretary of state in a Trump administration, faces bipartisan resistance in Congress over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. http://on.wsj.com/2gQ48zS

- Aircraft giant Boeing clinched a deal to sell 80 jetliners to Iran, completing the first major agreement between a U.S. company and the Islamic Republic at the very moment the political winds are changing. http://on.wsj.com/2gQ4hDw

- Islamic State fighters retook the ancient city of Palmyra on Sunday, an embarrassing setback for thousands of Syrian government troops and their Russian allies defending the area after it was captured from the extremists early this year. http://on.wsj.com/2gQ1Ctk

- Hyundai Merchant Marine said Sunday it has reached an agreement to form a cooperative relationship with the world's largest container-shipping alliance. Under the deal, Hyundai will share surplus capacity and purchase cargo slots with the shipping network, called the 2M Alliance, which is made up of Denmark-based Maersk Line and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Co. http://on.wsj.com/2gQ0l5E

- Honda Motor has invested an undisclosed sum in GrabTaxi Holdings Pte Ltd, boosting the Singapore ride-hailing firm's capital so it can fend off Uber Technologies Inc's widening reach in Southeast Asia. http://on.wsj.com/2gQ0DcP

- A bomb exploded at Cairo's main Coptic Christian cathedral compound on Sunday, killing at least 25 people and wounding another 49, in the largest attack on a Christian house of worship in Egypt since 2011. http://on.wsj.com/2gQ4c2B (Compiled by Parikshit Mishra in Bengaluru)
Barack Obama prison

The day Ramona Brant walked out of prison after serving 21 years of what was supposed to be a life sentence, she felt an overwhelming mixture of emotions  elation and gratitude for her freedom, and sadness for the inmates she was leaving behind.

Many of them had stories like hers. They had in one way or another gotten involved in selling drugs, often through boyfriends or husbands who would eventually testify against them in conspiracy trials.

Like Brant, many were there to serve decades, or even life sentences without the possibility of parole.

I was not comfortable being free knowing that there were so many people who werent free to experience the same opportunities that I was experiencing, Brant told Business Insider.

Im not saying I want to go back to prison  what Im saying is my heart is still with my sisters that I left behind, and my brothers.

Brant was granted a sentence commutation by President Obama last February, as part of an unprecedented clemency initiative that has now reduced more than 1,000 federal inmates sentences.

She is one of more than 40 clemency recipients who signed an open letter sent to the president on Monday pleading for mercy for nonviolent drug offenders serving lengthy sentences who have demonstrated clear conduct in prison.

We ask for your immediate intervention for thousands more prisoners who will continue to suffer needlessly unless a broader clemency plan is implemented, the letter said.

We have remained largely silent in appreciation of your compassion to many suffering under draconian sentencing laws passed during the crack hysteria of the late 1980s and 1990s. But with only six weeks of your presidency left, we must speak out.

The letter, also signed by dozens of clemency advocates and former inmates, recommends the president adopt a broad amnesty program in place of the current case-by-case review of inmates petitions.

Story continues

It suggests that all nonviolent drug offenders with clear conduct have their sentences reduced to five, 10, or 15 years for first-, second-, and third-time offenders, respectively. It also specifically asks that clemency be granted to female inmates, who the letter argues are more likely than men to be serving lengthy sentences because of drugs their partners or spouses sold, and who make up less than 10% of the inmates to whom Obama has granted clemency.

The amount of clemency denials Obama has issued, too, has begun to worry the advocates and clemency recipients, who requested in the letter that the president reconsider dozens of denials issued without explanation.

This is about mercy, the letter said. The parole board used to focus on whether individuals had programmed and had reasonable conduct while in prison; that is what should be done now.

The Office of the Pardon Attorney, which reviews clemency applications and recommends them to the president, and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to Business Insiders request for comment on the letter.

obama clemency recipients

A growing urgency

Norman Brown, like Brant, was granted clemency this year after serving 24 years of a life sentence. They, along with several other former inmates, were invited to lunch with President Obama at the White House last March to discuss clemency, Americas criminal justice system, and what they thought should be improved.

What struck Brown the most about the groups conversation was the way Obama listened to each of their concerns, and recited them back at the end of their meeting as he shook each of their hands. The president had truly paid attention to them, Brown said.

That in itself meant more to me than anything, he told Business Insider.

Brown, who has also signed the open letter, is hoping the president will listen again now  to the mounting calls for action to clear the clemency backlog in the remaining six weeks of his term.

I just would like to know that if there is anything that can be done before his administration leaves, we pray that it be done. And, out of respect, were asking that anything thats in his power to do, for him to be able to do it, he said.

Although Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates has previously said every single drug petition received before Aug. 31 will be reviewed by the Obama administration, activists and clemency advocates have been urging the president for months to quicken the pace of approvals.

Last months presidential election, too, has only added to the pressure. President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously called the inmates released by Obama bad dudes, has not expressed interest in continuing his clemency initiative. Nor has Jeff Sessions, Trumps nominee for Attorney General, who supports harsh drug laws and mandatory minimum sentencing.

It is estimated that at least 2,000 federal prisoners serving nonviolent drug offenses were eligible for sentence reductions under the requirements laid out under Obamas program, which stipulate that inmates have served at least 10 years of their sentences. Even more could be eligible should the Obama administration consider inmates who have served less than a decade, as it has already done in some cases.

Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump

'Draconian sentences'

Due to changes in federal law during their incarceration, many of those convicted of nonviolent drug offenses would receive significantly fewer years behind bars were they sentenced today  but the laws arent applied retroactively, and so clemency is the only recourse for many inmates who have already exhausted their appeal options.

Alice Johnson is one such inmate whose final hope for freedom rests on the third petition for clemency she has submitted to the pardon attorneys office.

From Aliceville prison in Alabama, Johnson told Business Insider in an email that she cant honestly express confidence that her petition will be approved  but she is trying to remain hopeful she wont be left behind.

There are days that I feel so stressed out that I have to take a break from everything and just get alone in my room. My emotions are going haywire from up when I hear that clemencies are about to be announced and then they crash when I'm not on a list, Johnson said.

Some have even suggested that I must have committed a heinous crime that no one is talking about. It's heartbreaking for my family.

Johnson was denied clemency twice before, without explanation, and is unsure what more she can do to win her freedom. She was convicted of drug conspiracy and money laundering charges  her first offenses  and has now served 20 years of a life sentence without possibility of parole.

Johnson is also an ordained minister, playwright, and mentor, and has never had an infraction in prison. She says shes certain that the public is not made safer because she is behind bars, and she wants Americans and President Obama to know it.

I'm hoping that when I'm free that I will be able to make a difference by using my story and advocating for change," she said. "It's easier to be harsh when you don't see a face, a life and a family that has been so terribly affected by these draconian sentences like mine have been."

View the open letter below:

Clemency Plea to President Obama by Michelle on Scribd

NOW WATCH: 'That hypocrisy is also real'  Jon Stewart takes liberals to task for calling all Trump supporters racist





More From Business Insider


PARIS (Reuters) - Private equity firm AnaCap Financial Partners said on Monday it had signed an agreement with Barclays (BARC.L) to acquire its French retail banking business after the bank completed consultations with employees.

AnaCap Financial Partners said it aims to build a leading independent wealth manager in France, relaunch mortgage lending, improve digital and IT systems in the banking unit.

"The retail banking and wealth business operations are focused on the affluent segment, and face a large and rapidly growing addressable market ... with an expected CAGR (revenue growth) of 4 percent through to 2020", AnaCap said.

The deal, for which no price was disclosed by AnaCap, is subject to regulatory approval.

(Reporting by Maya Nikolaeva; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
By Heather Somerville

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Private jet startup JetSmarter said on Monday it had raised $105 million in financing from a range of investors including the Saudi Royal Family and rapper and businessman Jay Z.

JetSmarter said it raised the fresh funding at a $1.5 billion valuation, making it one of the highest-valued startups in the sector of all-you-can-fly services, an emerging cohort of startups that offer scheduled trips on private airplanes for those who can afford the membership fee.

JetSmarter, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offers private and shared chartered jets and even helicopter rides. The company does not own or operate its own fleet of planes but rather offers an online marketplace to search for open seats on private jets - similar to how Uber pairs passengers with cars. JetSmarter members can book an entire plane for a custom trip or just a seat on an existing route.

The service costs $15,000 in membership fees for the first year and $11,000 after that, according to the company website.

JetSmarter is among a growing group of air-travel alternatives trying to capitalize on consumer frustration with an airline industry beset by higher fares and frequent cancellations and delays, and long security lines at airports.

Some companies have faced turbulent skies. Beacon, an all-you-can-fly startup, and private jet service BlackJet both shut down earlier this year.

Still, JetSmarter has caught the attention of investors in the Middle East. In addition to the Saudi Royal Family, which had invested previously in the company, private equity funds in Abu Dhabi and Qatar also joined the round, along with other investors, the company said.

JetSmarter flights serve cities across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, including New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai and Milan.

(Reporting by Heather Somerville; Editing by Michael Perry)
A central Massachusetts town is divided over a proposed Muslim cemetery, with the state attorney general and the U.S. attorneys office warning local officials of possible violation of civil-rights laws, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. A local Islamic body wants to build the cemetery on an abandoned farmland, but the plan has met with opposition from town authorities who have cited concerns about its environmental impact, likely traffic issues and noise.

The dispute is in Dudley, where the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester  a non-profit located in Worcester, central Massachusetts  serves more than 350 Muslim families. Several of these families bury relatives at a Muslim cemetery in Connecticut, which is now getting filled. The society is planning to buy 55 acres of farmland to turn it into a cemetery.

However, the Dudley Board of Selectmen dismissed the proposed project, triggering a federal investigation. Town residents voiced concerns about Islamic burial practices, which they say could contaminate groundwater because Muslims do not embalm bodies and bury the dead without caskets.

This is 100 percent fear and bias, Jason Talerman, a lawyer for the Islamic Society, said, according to the Journal.

However, Gary Brackett, a lawyer for the town of Dudley, shot down any allegations of anti-Muslim bias in the town.

The same concerns would have been raised whether it was a Catholic, or Jewish, or Protestant cemetery, Brackett reportedly said.

The society said majority of the farmland it wants to buy is wetlands and up to 12 acres would be used for the burial ground, which is expected to hold 10 to 12 burials a year. It would be able to fit in as many as 10,000 plots over time, according to Talerman.

In August, the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, Carmen Ortiz, said her office would look into whether Dudley had violated the Islamic Societys right to religious exercise citing unreasonable barriers over the proposed cemetery, the Journal reported.

Story continues

Brackett, who maintained town officials did not violate civil-rights laws, told the newspaper the state attorneys office was investigating the matter. He also said Dudley could give permission to the society for the burial ground but that would require a vote in the town.

Similar disputes have risen in cities in other states, including in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Farmington, Minnesota; and Farmersville, Texas, where residents and officials have resisted new cemetery projects.

Related Articles
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A feared wave of protectionism could undermine economic growth in Denmark, one of the countries most dependent on international trade, its new economy minister said on Monday.

"It is our single largest concern when it comes to the global economy," Simon Emil Ammitzboll told Reuters in the office he moved into two weeks ago when his Liberal Alliance party joined the government.

Britain's decision to leave the European Union and U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's victory could be omens of a global tendency, a report from his ministry concluded on Monday.

"We are concerned with the trend we see around the world, that politicians are saying they will close access to their markets further and introduce protectionist policies," he said.

The government on Monday downgraded its forecast for export growth this year and next to 0.6 percent and 2.4 percent, from earlier forecasts of 1.0 percent and 3.3 percent respectively.

Falling global trade has especially hit Denmark's shipping sector. It is home to Maersk Line (MAERSKb.CO), the world's largest container carrier.

"It is important that ... we work for free international trade and to keep down protectionism," Ammitzboll said.

He said that the greatest domestic challenge was to avoid labour force bottlenecks in coming years.

(Editing by Andrew Roche)
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Thousands of protestors stormed a mosque belonging to the minority Ahmadi sect in Pakistan's Punjab province on Monday, firing at worshipers and wounding several before police dispersed the attackers, police and an Ahmadi spokesman said. A procession of around two thousand Sunni Muslims marking the birthday of Islam's Prophet Mohammad entered the Ahmadi mosque despite resistance by police, hurling stones and bricks and firing weapons. The Ahmadi minority holds that a prophet followed the Prophet Mohammed, who founded Islam. But that view runs counter to the Muslim religion's central belief that Mohammad was the last of God's messengers. In 1974, a Pakistani law declared Ahmadis non-Muslims and in 1984, a new law made it possible to jail Ahmadis for "posing as a Muslim" or "offending a Muslim's feelings". "Police tried its best to stop the attackers but failed because of slim deployment," Malik Nawaz, the police officer in charge of the Choa Saiden Shah area where the attack took place told Reuters. "Later, high officials reached the spot with more troops and chased out the occupants." He said police would register a case against the attackers after receiving a formal complaint from the Ahmadi community. A spokesman for the Ahmadi sect said the mosque was built by the community in 1860 and has been in use since then. The attackers likely attacked the mosque because they suspected the worshippers were breaking the law by commemorating the birthday of the prophet Mohammad. "Today a mob attacked the worship place, threw stones and shot gunfire. Police could not stop them because of weak deployment," Saleemuddin, the Ahmadi community's Pakistan spokesman, told Reuters. The attack comes just a week after Pakistan renamed a university center for physicist Abdus Salam, its first Nobel laureate, after more than 30 years of all but disowning his achievements, as a member of the Ahmadi minority sect. Salam, the first Muslim to win the prize for science, is buried in the Pakistani town of Rabwah, a major center for Ahmadis, where his gravestone was defaced by local authorities who removed the word "Muslim" from an inscription that called him "the first Muslim Nobel laureate". Ahmadis have repeatedly been targeted with violence by militant protesters and been taken to court on blasphemy charges. (Reporting by Mubasher Bukhari; Writing by Mehreen Zahra-Malik; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Protests have sparked after the brutal rape and murder of a 7-year-old indigenous, Colombian girl who was found dead in an apartment earlier this month in one of the countrys affluent neighborhoods.

Yuliana Andrea Samboni was reportedly kidnapped December 4 while playing with her brothers in the poor neighborhood of Bosque Calderon Tejada. A man driving an SUV snatched the girl in a moment captured on surveillance video.

Read: Girl Sexually Assaulted and Killed After Abduction While Waiting for Church Bus

The suspect, Rafael Uribe, a 38-year-old architect, has been charged with aggravated femicide, kidnapping, torture and violent sexual intercourse."

Authorities say Uribe allegedly took Yuliana to his family's luxurious apartment, where he sexually abused and tortured the girl before strangling her. Her body was found under a hot tub on the terrace of the apartment, according to reports.

Uribe and one other person tried to cover up the heinous crime, reports said. Uribe was later arrested in the hospital where his brother reportedly checked him in for a "drug overdose."

Since the murder, protests have been held across the country out of fear that Uribe, who is reportedly a known socialite, will use his influence to avoid accountability.

Protesters held up signs that said Justice for Yuliana and all the Anonymous and Every day in Colombia 22 girls are victims of violence.

People also shouted, "no more rapists, defend the children."

According to the Human Rights Watchs 2016 world report, gender-based violence was described as widespread in Colombia and victims often dont receive proper care and perpetrators are rarely brought to justice.

Yuliana's murder called attention to the systemic violence against girls and women in the country and illuminated the class divide contributing to their exploitation.

Last year, Colombia approved a femicide law that imposed tougher punishments on those who murder women and girls in an effort to lower their high rate of crimes against women.

Story continues

Read: Man Arrested in Sexual Assault, Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl Who Vanished From Front Porch

People also took to social media with the hashtag #YosoyYuliana, (I am Yuliana) and #NiUnaMas (Not again)

#YoSoyYuliana #niunamas #NiUnaMenos That man did the most horrible things to that 7 year old, im glad Colombia is reacting the way they are  e  (@Emileigh1234) December 8, 2016

The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia also responded to the "atrocious crime," saying that Yuliana "knew the cruelty and misogyny of a macho, racist and inequitable society."

Uribe pleaded not guilty.

Watch: 11-Year-Old Girl Found Dead After Being Abducted With Her Brother

Related Articles:
(Adds details on California and New Jersey investigations, class action lawsuit)

Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. insurer Prudential Financial Inc said on Monday it had suspended the distribution of a low-cost life insurance policy through Wells Fargo & Co, pending a review of how the product was sold by the bank.

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones told Reuters on Monday he has ordered an investigation into allegations retail bankers at Wells Fargo signed up customers for life insurance policies from Prudential without their permission.

The New Jersey Division of Insurance is also investigating, according to a news release from Jones's office. Spokesmen for the New Jersey office had no immediate comment.

The allegations are part of a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by three former managers in Prudential's corporate investigation division. The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey state court last week.

A class action suit against Prudential was also filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of Wells Fargo customers who say they were unknowingly signed up for Prudential policies.

Wells Fargo's sales practices have been under a spotlight since September when regulators ordered the bank to pay $190 million in fines and restitution to settle charges that its employees opened as many as 2 million deposit and credit card accounts without customers' permission.

Prudential has worked with Wells Fargo since 2014 to sell the term insurance policy, known as MyTerm, to the bank's retail customers.

Wells Fargo employees were meant to direct customers to either self-service kiosks in branches or online to buy the insurance, without getting into specifics about the products because bankers are not licensed to sell insurance.

Customer responses in a survey conducted last year did not indicate potential fraudulent activity, Prudential said.

Prudential also said it had asked for Wells Fargo's assistance in gathering all the necessary facts.

Story continues

Former Wells Fargo employees have blamed the San Francisco-based bank's high-pressure sales environment for its role in creating the unauthorized accounts.

Some state and local governments have also suspended business with Wells Fargo, including the Pennsylvania Treasury Department.

(Reporting by Richa Naidu, Suzanne Barlyn and Dan Freed; Editing by Martina D'Couto and Jonathan Oatis)
(Reuters) - U.S. insurer Prudential Financial Inc (PRU.N) said on Monday it had suspended the distribution of a low-cost life insurance policy through Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N), pending a review of how the product was sold by the bank.

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones told Reuters on Monday he has ordered an investigation into allegations retail bankers at Wells Fargo signed up customers for life insurance policies from Prudential without their permission.

The New Jersey Division of Insurance is also investigating, according to a news release from Jones's office. Spokesmen for the New Jersey office had no immediate comment.

The allegations are part of a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by three former managers in Prudential's corporate investigation division. The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey state court last week.

A class action suit against Prudential was also filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of Wells Fargo customers who say they were unknowingly signed up for Prudential policies.

Wells Fargo's sales practices have been under a spotlight since September when regulators ordered the bank to pay $190 million in fines and restitution to settle charges that its employees opened as many as 2 million deposit and credit card accounts without customers' permission.

Prudential has worked with Wells Fargo since 2014 to sell the term insurance policy, known as MyTerm, to the bank's retail customers.

Wells Fargo employees were meant to direct customers to either self-service kiosks in branches or online to buy the insurance, without getting into specifics about the products because bankers are not licensed to sell insurance.

Customer responses in a survey conducted last year did not indicate potential fraudulent activity, Prudential said.

Prudential also said it had asked for Wells Fargo's assistance in gathering all the necessary facts.

Former Wells Fargo employees have blamed the San Francisco-based bank's high-pressure sales environment for its role in creating the unauthorized accounts.

Some state and local governments have also suspended business with Wells Fargo, including the Pennsylvania Treasury Department.

(Reporting by Richa Naidu, Suzanne Barlyn and Dan Freed)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Puerto Rico will soon be issuing mandatory tests to those applying for certain government positions in a push to improve public service.

The director of U.S. territory's Human Resources Administration says the tests were developed by psychologists to determine a person's skill level and knowledge and to award jobs or promotions based on merit. Harry Vega told reporters on Monday that the test will apply to positions that require a high school degree at a minimum.

The tests will be issued starting on Thursday.
Just two weeks after losing her cousin and confidante, Margaret Rhodes, Queen Elizabeth is mourning the death of another one of her bridesmaids and close friends.

Lady Elizabeth Longman, one of eight bridesmaids at the monarchs wedding to Prince Philip in November 1947, died Thursday at the age of 92.

The Queen has sent a private note of condolence to her family.

Rhodes, another one of the bridal attendants, died last month. A private funeral will take place on Monday, with the Queen, 90, and her husband Prince Philip, 95, in attendance.

Lady Elizabeths granddaughter, Rose Hanbury, is married to the Marquis of Cholmondeley and is a friend of Prince William and Princess Kate. The couple lives at Houghton Hall, not far from Anmer Hall, the country home of the royal couple and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Only two of the bridesmaids from the Queen and Prince Philips 1953 wedding are still alive  Lady Pamela Hicks and Princess Alexandra, who turns 80 on December 25. Alexandra, the Queens first cousin, is still a working royal today and carries out engagements on the Queens behalf. She has done so for decades, even carrying out international visits.

Lady Pamela, one of Prince Philips first cousins and the daughter of his beloved uncle Lord Mountbatten, has served as a director for wealth management firm H Securities Unlimited since 1991, and previously served as a lady-in-waiting for the Queen. The 87-year-old is also a published author, with a memoir titled Daughter of Empire: Life as a Mountbatten.




BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Syrian rebel official accused Russia on Monday of backtracking from a U.S.-backed proposal for rebel fighters and civilians to leave eastern Aleppo with Moscow guaranteeing them safe passage. U.S. and Russian officials met in Geneva over the weekend to discuss the crisis in Aleppo, where rebels are being squeezed out of their territory by a rapid Syrian army advance which has displaced thousands of civilians. No announcement was made after the meetings. Zakaria Malahifji, an official in the Aleppo-based Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters from Turkey on Monday the United States and Russia had come up with the draft proposal offering rebels an "honorable" exit, but Russia then backtracked from it. The Fastaqim group is part of the nationalist opposition Free Syrian Army alliance which has received military aid from countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, notably Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. On Sunday, officials with three rebel groups told Reuters they had received the proposal, which offered Free Syrian Army rebels a departure to a place of their choice, while jihadists would have to leave to Idlib province. The rebels said on Sunday they had yet to respond to the proposal, which also offered guarantees for the safety of civilians who wished to stay in eastern Aleppo. Russia said on Sunday it had not yet reached an agreement with the United States for rebel fighters to have safe passage out of Aleppo. Malahifji said: "They proposed it on Saturday and agreed on it. But on Sunday they withdrew it, they did not stick by it. They refused. The Americans communicated (to us) that the Russians destroyed the negotiations, they failed." "The discussions have not come to a specific result which we can focus on," he said. "The Russians are being evasive. They are looking at the military situation where they are now advancing." "As soon as they agree on something clear, then the (rebel) groups will discuss it ... but there has been no clear agreement yet," he said. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Tom Perry and Alison Williams)
It was 16 years ago today that the Supreme Court ended a Florida vote recount in the presidential election contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The Courts decision remains debated today and still relevant as recounts wrap up in the 2016 election.

The Butterfly Ballot

Over the weekend, Green Party candidate Jill Stein stopped her recount efforts in Michigan. A federal judge in Philadelphia on Monday also blocked any prospects of a Pennsylvania recount. And in Wisconsin, Steins recount efforts there have produced little change in the states presidential election results.

The situation was far different back on November 8, 2000, when the preliminary vote tally in Florida showed Bush leading Gore by about 1,700 votes in the state. With its 25 electoral votes up for grabs, the winner in Florida would become the next President of the United States.

The initial vote tally was so close in Florida, with a less than 0.5 percent difference, that Floridas state laws triggered an automatic machine recount. The first recount left Bush with just a 317-vote margin over Gore. Gore asked for a manual recount in four counties as allowed under Floridas law. Over the next weeks, Democrats and state officials fought over deadlines related to the recount and the need for deadline extensions.

On November 26, 2000, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris certified that Bush has won the election by a 537-vote margin. Gore then sued Harris because all of the recounts had not been completed when she certified the results. On December 8, 2000, the Florida Supreme Court sided with Gore, ordering that all statewide undervote ballots, or punch-card ballots that had been cast but not registered because of a problem called a hanging chad, needed to be recounted.

Bush immediately appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which ordered the recount halted on December 9, 2000 until it could hear arguments in the case. The Justices faced a legal deadline: Under federal law (3 U.S. Code  5) known as the safe harbor provision, a state must determine its electors six days before the Electoral College members meet in person. In 2000, that deadline was December 12 and the arguments would be held on December 11, giving the Court one day to reach a decision.

Story continues

On December 12, 2000, the divided Court issued an unsigned per curium main decision, with concurrences and dissents written by specific Justices.

Link: Read The Decision

In the first part of the decision, seven Justices (including liberals Stephen Breyer and David Souter) agreed with Bush that his Equal Protection rights were violated because there was no existing legal standard to recount the punch-card ballots.

Another part of the decision, a 5-4 vote along ideological lines, said that any solution to the recount problem couldnt be put in place by December 12, the safe-harbor deadline. The Florida Supreme Court of Florida, the majority said, indicated that the Florida state legislature wanted Floridas electors to participat[e] fully in the federal electoral process by honoring the December 12 safe-harbor deadline.

The Supreme Court decision, in total, went against the Florida Supreme Court, remanding the case back to it for further action. But since the safe-harbor deadline was passed, Bush remained as the certified winner in Florida, and Gore conceded the next day.

Since 2000, there have been attempts to figure out what would have happened if various types of recounts were permitted. The website Factcheck.org looked back on these efforts in 2008, concluding that nobody can say for sure who might have won. A full, official recount of all votes statewide could have gone either way, but one was never conducted. (In 2001, three media groups did their own recount studies, with various results.)

In 2012, Justice Antonin Scalia told CNN that in his time on the bench, the Bush v. Gore decision was the one decision most people had asked him about. My court didnt bring the case into the courts, it was brought into the courts by Al Gore. He is the one who wanted courts to decide the question, Scalia said. The only question in Bush versus Gore was whether the presidency would be decided by the Florida Supreme Court or the United States Supreme Court. That was the only question and thats not a hard one.

But retired Justice Sandra Day OConnor, who voted with the majority, later said in 2013 she had regrets about the decision. In 2013, she told the Chicago Tribune the Court took the case and decided it at a time when it was still a big election issue.  Maybe the court should have said, Were not going to take it, goodbye.

Recent Stories on Constitution Daily

Last-ditch presidential recount efforts face a tough task

Dont expect Electoral College drama on December 19

What happens to a vote-switching Elector on December 19?
ATLANTA (AP) -- Media mogul Sumner Redstone's National Amusements is abandoning a proposal that CBS and Viacom reunite after a 10 year split.

The news comes as Viacom named acting CEO Bob Bakish as its permanent head.

National Amusements, which owns most of the voting shares of the two companies, had urged the companies to combine in September, saying that a tie-up would help them compete better as technology and the entertainment industry rapidly evolve.

Now, the company, run by Redstone and his daughter Shari, says that following management changes at Viacom and strength at CBS, which operates CBS, Showtime and other entities, it makes more sense for the companies to continue as separate entities.

Viacom, which owns the Paramount Pictures movie studio and pay TV channels such as Comedy Central, MTV, BET and others, has been struggling to improve its profit as Paramount has struggled to produce hits and cable viewership declines.

The company named Robert Bakish as acting president in late October and appointed him permanent president and CEO on Monday.

The appointment caps off a management saga that culminated earlier this year, when longtime Viacom CEO Phillipe Dauman was pushed out following a legal battle with media mogul Sumner Redstone's daughter, Shari Redstone, over control of the company. The fight ended with Shari Redstone as a Viacom director and president of National Amusements, which has a controlling stake in CBS and Viacom. At the time Tom Dooley was named interim CEO, but he announced unexpectedly he was leaving in October and Bakish was then named acting CEO.

Meanwhile, as more people cut the cable cord, choosing instead to stream TV shows or movies online at places like Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and Amazon.com, CBS has found success under Les Moonves streaming its popular shows like "NCIS" and "The Big Bang Theory," as well as its stand-alone, streaming Showtime channel.

There would have been cost savings if the companies combined, but strategically, the positives weren't as clear, said Instinet analyst Anthony DiClemente.

Story continues

"This allows CBS to continue to operate in a very nimble and autonomous fashion," DiClemente said. "For Viacom, I think in terms of long term strategy, the verdict is still out."

Viacom said in a statement that it received the letter sent by National Amusements and will provide more updates later. CBS referred comment to National Amusements.

Viacom Inc. Class B shares fell $3.01, or 7.8 percent, to $35.61 in afternoon trading Monday. CBS Corp. Class B shares slipped 4 cents to $62.52.
From Country Living

Photo credit: undefined

Ree Drummond, a self-described "accidental country girl," wrote her first blog post in 2006. The brand she built following the wild success of her website includes a Food Network show and a collection of bestselling cookbooks and children's books. Her general store and restaurant, The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, opened in October in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Now, she's debuting her own magazine in June 2017.

That's right, The Pioneer Woman magazine is coming to a Wal-Mart near you!

According to a news release, its content will span food, entertaining, fashion, family, and general lifestyle topics, while also incorporating a healthy dose of her personal photographs and stories.

"I love using images to tell stories, demonstrate recipes, and share helpful tips, and I want to create a fun, positive, exciting experience for readers," Drummond said in the release.

The new magazine is the result of a joint venture between Scripps Networks Interactive and Hearst Magazines (also Country Living's publisher), the same partnership behind Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine. Food Network editor-in-chief Maile Carpenter is set to edit the first issue, which will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart, where Drummond's line of housewares is also sold.

CountryLiving.com reached out to Ree to ask her a few questions about what fans can expect from her new magazine.

You wrote your first blog post in 2006. How does it feel to be launching your own newsstand magazine with one of the world's top publishers 10 years later?

"It's very exciting, but it also feels very natural! I'm glad I waited until now to launch a print magazine, as I think having ten years of content creation under my belt will really help give me the perspective I need to create something that readers will love."

You've worked with multiple forms of media, including digital, television, and books; what is it about the print magazine medium that appeals to you?

"I've always loved the medium of blogging-writing short pieces about a mix of topics with photos to help illustrate. The magazine will allow me to continue that approach, but with glossy pages! I'm excited about the possibilities for content, and my list of topics is growing every day."

Story continues

How involved will you be in the making of each issue?

"I plan to be extremely involved, just as I am with my cookbooks, show, and product line. I have always had a strong sense that if something says "The Pioneer Woman," it has to be my voice. Then, no matter which direction it goes, I can always be proud that I made sure it was mine."

Will the Marlboro Man have his own column?

"My cowboy will definitely have a presence in the magazine. He has written some very well-received posts on my blog through the years, and while he uses much fewer words (and less flowery language) than I, I think readers will really enjoy hearing his perspective on a variety of topics."

We understand the new title will include personal anecdotes and photos - what do you think readers will be surprised to learn about you?

"I think my blog has always done a good job of showing my real, everyday personality: positive, upbeat, wacky, and weird. I intend to include the funny moments, the silly stories, and the occasional tearjerker."

Can we expect to see you as the cover girl each month, a la Oprah and Dr. Oz?

"Yes, but only if you call me the cover 'gal!'"

Follow Country Living on Pinterest.

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On November 29, President George W. Bush urged the incoming Donald Trump administration to recognize North Korea as a grave threat. Bush described the totalitarian state as a prison, run by a sadistic warden, and argued that its menace would only be countered long-term by integrating human rights and security policy. The 43rd president also explained that a component of any such strategy should involve supporting North Korean refugees in the United States.

Since the late 1990s, more than 30,000 North Korean refugees have fled their country and resettled in free societies. The majority are now in South Korea, but more than 200 reside in the United States. This is remarkable, not only given the treacherous journey these escapees endure, but for their potential in transforming a regime that threatens all Americans with its illicit nuclear program.

How do refugees play into this scenario? Refugees who become productive citizens are empowered to send remittances and information back into North Korea by unconventional and usually risky means. Some are able to help other family members escape as well. This ultimately chips away at the regimes control over society. It also creates a cadre of professionals and experts who may one day facilitate change in North Korea.

Interestingly, the timing may never be better for refugees to affect attitudes inside their homeland. A groundbreaking survey from the Center for Strategic and International Studies Beyond Parallel project polled North Koreans inside North Korea. It revealed simmering frustration toward the Kim regime: 35 of 36 respondents admitted to criticizing the government in private (a crime punishable by imprisonment or death). According to one defector, any type of dissent would have been unthinkable in North Korea only a few years ago.

So how can the incoming administration and Congress empower this community? A recent study by the Bush Institute helps us understand the profile of these individuals living in the United States.

Story continues

The United States established its existing resettlement program for North Korean refugees under the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004. Like other refugees, North Koreans are eligible for a short period of assistance. Afterward, these refugees who have never experienced the freedom to make choices about their lives are expected to make it on their own. They want to integrate into the culture and become productive members of society, but it is a difficult adjustment.

Essentially starting their lives from scratch, the refugees must learn a new language  mastering English on the fly while struggling to make ends meet. Managing finances is also a challenge, including obtaining health insurance, understanding the banking system, finding and keeping a job, taking advantage of educational opportunities, and sending material support back to relatives in North Korea. While many Americans face similar obstacles, North Koreans start from a considerable disadvantage. Many refugees also suffer from a variety of mental health issues; they must cope with the trauma of surviving a brutal communist dictatorship, the guilt of leaving family and friends behind, and the sense of isolation inherent in coming to a country where the language and culture are alien.

North Korean refugees overwhelmingly view education as a means to overcome these challenges. Younger refugees with college potential have the ability to follow numerous career paths, including advanced degrees. However, older refugees, facing greater financial and family burdens, must pursue jobs or opportunities with the potential for career advancement that dont require advanced English skills or a degree. The Catch-22, of course, is the financial burden and time commitment tied to educational opportunities. As such, educational assistance constitutes one of the greatest needs in supporting refugees.

Another new Bush Institute study, Light Through the Darkness, offers insights on how the United States can seize upon the opportunities presented by refugees and incorporate them into a comprehensive North Korea strategy:

1) Washington must internalize that the success of this community as a potential resource for future unification and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. To help refugees succeed, the government should streamline the resettlement process for U.S.-based North Koreans and increase the numbers beyond the current average of about 20 per year.

2) Washington should publicize the program better so that more escapees realize the United States is a possible destination.

3) The government should seek public and private sector funding for the North Korean escapee community in the United States, and that funding should include educational scholarships and vocational training. The Bush Institute just announced a new scholarship program that will launch in 2017.

4) The United States should consider partnerships with NGOs and the private sector designed to structure additional cultural acclimation support beyond what is currently offered.

5) We should encourage other countries to establish resettlement programs.

A free and unified Korea poses a significantly diminished threat to the United States. Supporting refugees is a concrete action Washington can take to break the Kim regimes control over society and bring all North Koreans closer to freedom. Successful refugees have the potential to be catalysts of change in their country and facilitate transition in a post-Kim North Korea. As Bush said, Some argue that the spirit of the North Korean people has been beaten into submission so total that opposition is unthinkable. We dont believe that here. The desire for freedom, like the dignity of the person, is universal.

Photo credit: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
Brexit wiped $3 trillion from global markets in the two days after the vote, but for British startups, the surprise referendum's economic rampage has just begun. While the total impact wont be visible until years after secession from the European Union, Brexit is sure to limit access to talent and markets for sapling startups.

A record 608,110 new U.K. businesses launched last year, which means hundreds of thousands more companies are searching for talent. But if Britain tightens immigration laws as Brexiters promised, the talent pool is going to get a lot shallower.

Startups also need access to customers in large, addressable markets, and Brexit will make it much tougher for British businesses to roll out Europewide product launches.

So, while U.S.-based businesses have faced relatively little fallout from the strife across the Pond, Brexit provides some instructive lessons. This country's 50 states offer a broad, diverse market, and that strong economy brings access to the global talent pool. But H1B immigration visa rules are tightening, and we've just elected a president who could stifle innovation even further.

Nowhere -- including either the United States or the U.K. -- are onerous government regulations strangling startup innovation more than in the fintech industry.

Fintechs regulatory burden

Both the U.S. technology and financial industries are heavily regulated, and the financial tech industry faces the worst of both worlds.

In this country, there are 400 agencies, subagencies and government departments from which most fintech startups must seek approval before they can begin operations. Research shows that 86 percent of financial CEOs worry about being too heavily regulated, and increased regulation has contributed heavily to the 1,971 community banks -- one in four -- that have failed since 2008.

Related: To Help Small Businesses, Cut Regulation

Dealing with those regulatory agencies costs the average fintech startup about $2 million in legal fees, and that doesnt include soft costs. Meeting regulatory muster requires fintech leaders to put essential business functions -- such as seeking funding, finding customers and building management teams -- on the back burner. Fintech startups must also meet certain capital requirements to become online banks.

Story continues

So, while effective regulation is undoubtedly crucial to fintech innovation and secure markets, regulators are still unsure how to deal with challenges like cross-border transactional risk and cryptocurrencies. As a result, fintech startups are stuck with ever-changing regulations and market uncertainty, which discourage investment and innovative risk-taking.

The VC advantage

Venture capitalists, thankfully, are one tool startups can harness to navigate this tough business environment. Part of a VCs job involves understanding a startups product-market fit. This means a VC has to spend time with end consumers to understand their needs, preferences and concerns, which puts VCs in a better position than regulators to protect the end consumer.

Related: How Innovation in The Fintech Space Can Solve Basic Necessities Of Our Life

Startups often see market challenges like regulations in the vacuum of their own businesses, while regulators are concerned about how regulations protect consumers. Both are understandable points of view, but both parties often miss how regulations hurt industrywide innovation.

That makes VCs the perfect middlemen (or women). They view regulations from a top-of-the-industry perspective, which helps them see why regulations are necessary for a secure market, but also how regulations can make success unattainable for fledgling startups.

VCs can cooperate with startups in four ways to fuel innovation in the face of regulations:

1. Identify open-source solutions

Open-source analytics platforms are low-cost or free, and excel as a data-sharing resource, making them increasingly popular among fintech startups. An open-source platform for financial regulation, such as an XML-based architecture to stream reporting data, could be instrumental in establishing new relationships between regulators and startups. VCs, which work with dozens of startups, know how advancing technologies can benefit budding fintech companies.

2. Design something consumers will fight for.

VCs can help develop a product or platform that gets consumers attention, like Venmo, and customers will advocate on behalf of services they love. Weve seen this with the ride-sharing and cannabis industries, which customers have repeatedly defended against regulatory clampdowns. When users want the product, theyll shape the narrative to ensure it remains available to them.

3. Be an industry advocate.

VCs can help mediate conversations between regulators and startups. Many of the best already have these relationships, like J.B. and Tony Pritzker of Pritzker Group Venture Capital, the siblings of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. These sorts of relationships can give fintech startups a voice when they work with regulators.

4. Prove value to regulators.

Uber was allowed to operate in California in the early days because it built a case based on actual data about the jobs it created and efficiencies it brought. VCs can help fintech startups follow Ubers lead in proving the consumer, environmental and societal values of their startups offerings to regulators.

Related: How Open Source is Changing the Landscape for Entrepreneurs

Although it would be nice to do business in a looser regulatory environment, fintech startups dont have a choice in the matter. Instead, entrepreneurs must work within the realities of current regulations, but still recognize that VCs are the advocates and mentors who can help them do so.
If the Naf River could talk, which horror story would it tell first?

The narrow waterway marks the border between Burma and Bangladesh. On its western bank is the Bangladeshi province of Chittagong. To the east, Burmas Arakan state, also known as Rakhine, home to the Buddhist-majority countrys Rohingya people, a Muslim minority described over the years as stateless, friendless and forgotten.

But if the river could remember their stories, it might speak, for example, of the night in late November when Arafa, a 25-year-old Rohingya woman, entered its waters with her five children.

She used to have six. As she talks, sitting on the threshold of a hut in a makeshift refugee camp on the Bangladeshi side of the Naf, she is surrounded by her son and four young daughters. They are a lively bunch, noisy, restless, yet shy, hiding behind their mothers back or running in and out of the hut, as she recounts what happened to her second son.

He was 8 years old. Sometime around Nov. 22, Arafa says her village was attacked by Burmese security forces. Viewed as illegal immigrants and denied citizenship rights by the Burmese state, the Rohingya have long faced intimidation, oppression and violence at the hands of both Buddhist extremists and the countrys security forces. The last major sectarian spasm was in 2012, when clashes between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims displaced some 125,000 people. Rights activists accused security forces of either standing aside as the violence spread, or actively participating in it.

Read More: Aung San Suu Kyi Cant, or Wont, Rein In Burmas Army

This time, Arafa says, the armys assault felt different. The security men seemed more determined, more driven, to punish the Rohingya. Their weapon of choice was fire.

Arafa says that the military torched her village. As the flames engulfed her home, she just about managed to escape with her six children. That was when the family was confronted by a Burmese soldier. He snatched the fleeing 8-year-old, separating him from his brother and sisters, and flung him into the blaze.

Story continues

In the chaos, Arafa lost sight of her husband. But she could not turn back; she had to leave him behind, leave her sons charred body behind, and mourn on the move.

I had to save my other children. We had to escape [from Burma], she tells TIME. They burned everything.

For two days, Arafa and her children hid in the forests that skirt the riverbank on the Burmese side, laying low to avoid detection by troops, before boarding a rickety boat that took them to safety across the Naf.

They are not alone. Arafas family are among the estimated 21,000 Rohingya who have sought refuge in Bangladesh over the past two months, as Burmese forces launched what testimony from refugees, satellite imagery compiled by rights groups and leaked photos and videos from inside Arakan indicate is a horrifyingly bloody crackdown against the million-strong Muslim minority.

The latest troubles began in early October, when police said three border guard posts were attacked by Islamist militants. Nine policemen were killed, with the government saying the attackers belonged to an extremist group called Aqa Mul Mujahidin. A statement from the Burmese Presidents office linked them to the Rohingya Solidarity Organization, a militant group long thought to be defunct. The only proof for these claims was the governments word.

What followed has been described by Burmese authorities as clearance operations. Amnesty International, the rights group, calls it collective punishment: a ferocious campaign of violent reprisals against an entire people. In addition to arson attacks on Rohingya villages, the military has been accused of raping Rohingya women and conducting extrajudicial killings of Muslims. Helicopter gunships have been used to fire on Rohingya villages.

Satellite imagery released by Human Rights Watch show that more than 800 buildings were destroyed in five different Rohingya villages between Nov. 10 and 18. An earlier set of high-resolution images showed the destruction of more than 400 homes in three villages between Oct. 22 and Nov. 10. The actual number of destroyed buildings could be higher, given the dense tree cover in the area, the rights group says.

Verifying the picture on the ground is impossible, as Burma has sealed off the affected areas. But the news that is coming out suggests that the situation is getting very close to what we would all agree are crimes against humanity, says Yanghee Lee, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, as the country is officially known.

Read More: Something Shocking Is Happening to Burmas Rohingya People. Take a Look at This Timeline

I am getting reports from inside the country and from neighboring places too that things are not as they are being portrayed by the government. We are seeing a lot of very graphic and very disturbing photos and video clips, she tells TIME. Although unable to independently verify the footage, she says: We do hear about rape and sexual violence, and even bodies of little kids being uncovered.

We cant verify the numbers of how many have been killed. Many have gone into hiding, Lee adds, expressing her dissatisfaction with a government-supervised trip to some of the affected areas by a group of foreign diplomats and a U.N. official in early November.

No one should be satisfied with the trip, she says. This was a guided tour. Even though there was a heavy security presence there, people started to come out and try to speak to this delegation. And of course, afterwards, weve also heard that there were reprisals. These people were hunted down.

On Dec. 9, 14 diplomatic missions, including the embassies of the U.S. and France, called on Burma to give humanitarian agencies full and unfettered access to northern Arakan, noting that tens of thousands of people who need humanitarian aid, including children with acute malnutrition, have been without it now for nearly two months.

The official Burmese response to the allegations of rights abuses has been denial and, reflecting the low opinion many Burmese have of the Rohingya, callous dismissal. When asked by the BBC about claims of rape by the Burmese military, Aung Win, a local politician and chairman of a state investigation into the October border posts attack, couldnt even keep a straight face. Giggling into the camera, he said soldiers would not rape Rohingya women because they are very dirty  [They] have a very low standard of living and poor hygiene, Aung Win said. They are not attractive. So neither the local Buddhist men or the soldiers are interested in them.

Meanwhile, the countrys top military man, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, blames the Rohingya for their woes. Referring to them as Bengali, a term which implies that they belong across the Naf in Bangladesh, a Dec. 6 post on his Facebook page said: The Bengali problems in the northern Rakhine State occurred because of the Bengalis failure to abide by the existing laws of Myanmar. And even as Burmese officials promise to investigate claims of rights abuses, the post seemed to pre-judge the outcome: Myanmar security forces have never committed any human rights violations such as illegal killing, rape and arson attack.

It seems like the same old story [from the Burmese authorities], that these people torched their own houses, says Lee, the U.N. rights investigator.

Read More: Burma Could Be Guilty Of Crimes Against Humanity As Rohingya Crackdown Intensifies

A Human Rights Watch researcher who recently visited the Bangladeshi side of the border, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to risk losing access to the area, says testimony from recent Rohingya escapees is uniform on this question: We havent spoken to anybody who has told us that the burnings have been done by anyone other than the military.

Amid the unfolding crisis, one voice has been largely absent  Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in elections in November 2015.

The polls marked Burmas transition from military dictatorship to its first civilian-led administration in more than half a century. A new military-drafted constitution prohibited Suu Kyi from becoming President, and the generals retained control over Burmas security apparatus. But she is the nations de facto leader, occupying a Prime Ministerlike position as Burmas State Counselor.

Under dictatorship, Suu Kyis single-minded determination to challenge the military, the personal sacrifices she made and the years of political detention she endured to bring democracy to her country transformed her into an international human-rights icon. But as northern Arakan burns, she has been proffering bromides about the need for the outside world to be less critical. Whats needed, she says, is a better understanding of the regions ethnic divisions.

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 [there] instead of always drumming up calls for, well, for bigger fires of resentment, if you like, she told Singapores state-owned Channel News Asia in a rare interview earlier this month. Im not saying there are no difficulties, but it helps if people recognize the difficulty and are more focused on resolving these difficulties rather than exaggerating them so that everything seems worse than it really is.

She is obviously very reluctant to criticize the military, because she fears that any sort of antagonism towards it could prompt it to assert itself more forcefully, says Francis Wade, a sometime TIME contributor who has worked in the country, and the author of an upcoming book on anti-Muslim violence and the democratic transition there. If the military felt that it was losing power to the civilian government, because that government is criticizing it and trying to reign it in, then it might try and reassert its supremacy.

That dynamic  between a civilian government still consolidating its power and a military machine bent on preserving its influence  has tempered international criticism of Suu Kyis stance. I think the international community is seeing [Burma] in relative terms, says the U.N.s Lee. This is a civilian elected government, its been less than a year [since they came to power], lets give them a little time and space. Thats been the narrative.

But that view becomes less and less credible as time passes. Suu Kyi may need more time to maneuver. But she only has five years [the term of the elected government], and already a year is going by, says Lee.

Adds Wade: You do have a very difficult relationship between the civilian government and the military, but at the moment, the civilian government is playing into the hands of the military.

Suu Kyis stance is only the latest in a long series of disappointments for Burmas Muslims. Shes not doing anything to protect us, says Yunus, a 30-year-old Rohingya refugee who fled to Bangladesh in November. We thought there would be a change. But she is the same as everyone else.

Read More: The Plight of the Rohingya by James Nachtwey

The consequences could be far reaching. There has traditionally been very little broad support among the Rohingya for armed conflict, says Wade. Even when there were several insurgent groups operating there from the mid-1970s to the early to mid-1990s, there was still quite scant support for them, hence they died out quite quickly. The Rohingya, he explains, have been wary of provoking the Burmese state: It was recognized quite early on that any sort of armed movement would be collective suicide.

But the worsening situation in northern Arakan raises troubling red flags, with Daniel Russel, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, issuing a stark warning about the potential fallout. If mishandled, Rakhine state could be infected and infested by jihadism which already plagues neighboring Bangladesh and other countries, he told the Associated Press on Dec. 3.

For the Rohingya, the crisis doesnt end on the Burmese side. Yusuf, Arafa and their families managed to escape and reach land in Bangladesh by avoiding detection from both Burmese and Bangladeshi forces. But in the days since, Bangladesh has stepped up patrols along its border with Burma, putting an additional squeeze on the persecuted population. Many refugees have gone missing, after their boasts capsized in the rivers choppy waters.

It is not the first time that the Rohingya have sought shelter across the river. Over the decades, as they fled violence at home, as many as half a million undocumented Rohingya refugees have made their lives in Bangladesh. More than 30,000 registered refugees live in camps near the border. Now Bangladesh says: We cant accommodate any more people.

My country is a house. If all the people try to get inside my house, what will happen? I cannot allow all of them, says Colonel M.M. Anisur Rahman, the deputy director general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the force charged with patrolling the border area.

Bangladeshs policy, he says, is to push back fleeing refugees. Of course we are concerned, and if they ask any help regarding food, water and other things, we will provide it. But we cannot provide shelter, he insists. Those who have slipped in, avoiding detection, will be caught and sent back.

To this, Du Du Mian, a Rohingya refugee who arrived in Bangladesh more than a decade ago, answers: The world needs to realize that we have nowhere to go. His people, he says, have no country. With Burmese soldiers trying to stop them from fleeing and Bangladeshi forces pushing them back, all they have is the Naf, and the Naf, so far, is silent.

 With reporting by A.K.M. Moinuddin / Teknaf and Feliz Solomon / Hong Kong


ExxonMobil Corp. XOM Chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Rex Tillerson is among the top contenders to become secretary of state in Donald Trump's administration, multiple sources familiar with the selection process said. Considering Tillersons lack of government or diplomatic experience, the choice appears to be a gamble and an unexpected move as Trump assembles his Cabinet.

The President-elect's spokesperson confirmed that Trump met with the oil man at Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday morning  the second such meeting in less than a week  and as news of the visit leaked it sparked a frenzy of speculation that he had been offered, and probably would accept, the position.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, retired General and former CIA director David Petraeus and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani are also on the shortlist, though Tillerson appears to be the clear frontrunner.

A formal announcement is expected this week or next. If Tillerson is selected, he would be the first oil executive and the second Texan to be in charge of U.S.'s international diplomacy.

Impressive Resume

A native of Wichita Falls, TX, 64-year old Rex Tillerson joined ExxonMobil as an engineer in 1975 and worked his way up through the ranks to become President and join the Board of Directors in 2004. Two years later, he was elected chairman and CEO, following the retirement of Lee Raymond.

Heading ExxonMobil for a decade, Tillerson oversees an operation that has made more than $200 billion in profit over his tenure, generated $34 billion in net income in 2015, and paid more than $80 billion in taxes. No doubt, Trump has hailed Tillerson  ranked #25 on Forbes list of The Worlds Most Powerful People  as a world-class player who had built a tremendous company with great style.

But May Face Senate Scrutiny on Russia Ties, Potential Conflicts of Interest

Despite President-elect Trumps backing, Tillerson can expect bipartisan resistance during confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate  mostly over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Story continues

The Russian Conundrum: While he has cut deals around the world in the decade leading ExxonMobil, Tillersons proximity to Putin and his companys links to Russia could be problematic. Washingtons ties with Moscow soured in 2014 over Russias incursion and subsequent seizure of Crimea in Ukraine.

In charge of ExxonMobil's Russian operations in the 90's, Tillerson got to know Putin pretty well as the later worked for President Boris Yeltsins KGB. Under Tillerson, ExxonMobil has signed several agreements with Russias state-owned oil giant, Rosneft. When the U.S. and the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia over Moscows invasion of Crimea and ExxonMobils work with Rosneft was hindered, the millionaire oil titan spoke out against them. In 2013, Tillerson was bestowed with the Order of Friendship, one of Russia's highest civilian honors.

Many observers believe that the oil executives relationship with Russia could lead to trouble winning Senate confirmation.

Potential Conflicts of Interest: Rex Tillerson also holds 2.5 million shares of ExxonMobils stock, another intensely sensitive aspect of his four decade-old corporate connection -- which could lead to conflict of interest allegations for the nations top would-be diplomat. Worryingly, about 1.8 million of these shares are not vested and cannot be sold now.

Climate Change Stance: While Tillerson is not viewed as a climate change sceptic, publicly acknowledging the threat real and serious, environmental activists fear that he might use his position to silence global initiatives and the right of state attorney generals to scrutinize the fossil fuel companies for climate change. As it is, ExxonMobil is being investigated for allegedly misleading investors on climate change.

How Will Tillersons Appointment Affect Oil & Gas Firms?

First Scott Pruitt and now Rex Tillerson.

Last week, the climate action advocates went into a tizzy after President-elect Donald Trump nominated Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt  having a history of suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its restrictions on power plants  to head the agency.

The anti-fossil fuel crowd was in for more shock after reports confirmed Rex Tillerson as Trumps top choice for secretary of state. However, the oil industry veteran is not quite the bogeyman he is portrayed to be. A long advocate of a carbon tax as a way of addressing climate change concerns, Tillersons stand on climate change is opposed to that of Trumps who supports the fossil fuel industry and is least concerned about climate change. In fact, ExxonMobil endorsed the Paris Climate Accord concluded by the Obama administration this year, which Trump is threatening to rip up.

While not much is known about where Tillerson stands on foreign policy, oil industry will hope that his long history of doing business in Russia will help in turning around the U.S.-Russian relationship that is now at its lowest point since the end of the Cold War. Many major energy firms (given below) would benefit from such an initiative.

Let's take a closer look at how a friendlier Russia will play out for big energy companies:

As discussed above, ExxonMobil, through its massive Rosneft deals, could be the biggest winner.

British major BP plc BP is the highest stakeholder with just under 20% interest in Russian energy giant Rosneft, which is responsible for a third of BPs output. In case of Western sanctions against Russia are lifted, the London-based group will gain big time.

Oilfield service providers like Halliburton Co. HAL, Baker Hughes Inc. BHI  a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company  and Weatherford International Ltd. WFT are all established players in Russia and any relaxation of trade embargo against the country over its actions in Ukraine may help their investments. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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On The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kenya Moore's boyfriend, Matt Jordan, flew in from Los Angeles and then, in a drunken rage, flew his foot through Kenya's garage window. Later, Kenya and Matt discussed the trouble with their relationship. "Matt, I'm talking to you," Kenya said. "You have me looking like a crazy person." And, when Matt asked her how that makes her look crazy, Kenya responded by pointing out that her garage had a hole in it. Basically, Kenya was saying she looked crazy by association. "Because I'm with you that's why!" Kenya said. While Kenya made some crazy good points, Matt did his best to defend himself. "Have you done nothing to me? You don't do things verbally or those little side-poking things?" Those things that go on for weeks and months," Matt said. "And, then eventually a door gets kicked." To be fair, Matt said that he wasn't trying to justify his violent actions, though he did try once again to put the blame on Kenya. "I'm a young man. I get upset. I might break something," Matt said. "But, you're disrespectful almost constantly with your mouth and that causes things to escalate."
Like many people, Joshua Browder is fond of saying that the legal system only works for the rich, and parking tickets hurt the poor. But unlike many others, he's doing something about it. He's providing free legal "advice" through a chat bot named DoNotPay  and says he's helped drivers in the United States and United Kingdom beat 200,000 parking tickets, and counting.

Soon, tenants in half a dozen cities across the United States will be able to use his tool to fight with landlords, too.

Browder, a 19-year-old Stanford computer science student, has written software that he calls the world's first robot lawyer. After a quick registration, anyone can try it out on his website, DoNotPay.co.uk.

Not surprisingly, Browder became a bit of an instant cult hero a year ago when DoNotPay was launched in his native United Kingdom, where London parking tickets are an urban nightmare. He's slowly adding support for U.S. cities  and got another round of attention recently when he was featured on stage with IBM CEO Ginni Rometty at the firm's Watson Developer Conference.

A Great Legal Equalizer?

While DoNotPay began as a ticket-fighting tool, Browder has already expanded it to other consumer-critical issues, like landlord-tenant disputes and airline compensation. Now he's working to include even more ambitious kinds of assistance, such as automated legal help for Syrian refugees.

"Automated legal services are bigger than just a few parking tickets," Browder said during his Watson presentation. "Over 80% of people who need a lawyer can't afford one."

DoNotPay works in part because  as any lawyer will tell you, off the record much of lawyerly work is formulaic. It takes only a few moments and a quick game of 20 questions for DoNotPay to generate a traffic ticket appeal letter. The bot uses Waton's Natural Language Classifier to interpret user answers. It asks if posted signs were unclear, for example (is there a parking sign in New York that is clear?), then generates an appeal letter based on the answers.

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While drivers could do this for themselves they could find sample form letters online many don't bother, perhaps because they lack the confidence to do so. Given that, Browder's tool has the potential to be a great legal equalizer.

"Our goal  is to democratize the use of this technology to solve really great problems, like what you are solving," IBM's Rometty said at the conference.

Still Working Out Some Kinks

DoNotPay isn't perfect, however. Several times when I asked for help with parking tickets, it directed me toward help with housing issues. That's to be expected from a website trying to process natural language in real time. The tool is a long way from being able to competently handle anything more than simple offenses and the most rote legal tasks.

Still, governments that rely on compliant citizens to pay "gotcha" fines to bolster revenues certainly have something to fear from DoNotPay  as do professionals who charge $250 an hour to cut and paste legal language into complaints.

If you've received a parking ticket, whether you believe it is unfair or not, it's important to address it quickly. In some municipalities, unpaid tickets  even small amounts  are sent to collection agencies (if you're curious about how old the ticket can be and still be sent to collections, here are the state statutes of limitations). Ignore tickets long enough in some municipalities and you could get your driver's license suspended. If you've already had a ticket sent to a collection agency, you can see how that's impacting your credit by checking your two free credit scores, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com. You may also want to check out your credit reports to see what other negative information might be hurting your credit.

Here is my Q&A with Browder.

Bob Sullivan: Why did you start all this?

Joshua Browder: At the age of 18, the legal driving age in the U.K., I got a large number of parking tickets. Out of necessity (I couldn't afford to pay), I had to become a "local parking guru." As a side project, I decided to create a chat bot to help my family and friends appeal their tickets. I could never have imagined that just one year later, the site would have successfully appealed over 200,000 tickets (over $5 million worth), making me realize that this issue was bigger than a few parking charges.

BS: C'mon  a piece of software can't get someone out of a parking ticket, can it?

JB: It can because the process is so formulaic. It starts by asking a few questions about the ticket, which the user can answer in his or her own words; for example, "Were the signs hard to understand?" Once it knows the legal issue, it then takes down a few details, such as the road name and ticket number, and then places these details into a legally sound document, which can be sent directly to the local authorities.

BS: What does the existence of DoNotPay say about Western legal systems that we all think of as fair?

JB: There are so many lawyers charging hundreds of dollars for doing little more than copying and pasting documents, I am surprised that they have not yet replaced been replaced by technology. There are lots of good lawyers out there, but I think the ones exploiting people should be very worried.

BS: And what does it say about your legal system that a 'robot' can 'beat' it?

JB: I like to think of the law as society's operating system. It is based on rules and information, something that technology is extremely good at replacing. I think we live in a society where those with the most resources, the rich, can get the best legal help. With free 'robot' lawyers, I ultimately hope to level the playing field so that any citizen can get the same standard of legal access as a billionaire. Obviously it's a long way from that, but the law is so formulaic and I think it's possible.

BS: Now, the American questions. What is the status of a potential U.S. version of DoNotPay?

JB: It currently works in the whole of the U.K., New York City and Seattle for parking tickets. I am rapidly expanding to make it available across the United States.

BS: I know you have your sights set on bigger things. What other legal troubles, outside parking tickets, will future versions of your app 'fight' for me?

JB: It currently works for over half a dozen areas of the law, including:

Parking tickets (U.K., New York City and Seattle) Fighting evictions and repossessions (U.K.) Flight Delays (European Union). Fighting your landlord for an unprepared property (U.K.) Delayed trains (U.K.) Helping those with HIV with their legal issues (U.K.)

I am actually expanding to California [San Francisco and Los Angeles], Chicago, Denver and St Louis  allowing tenants to fight their landlords for un-repaired properties and security deposits that haven't been returned.

BS: Finally, I'm a lawyer. (I'm not, but I'm pretending to be for this question.) Should I be scared? What does DoNotPay say about AI/robots and the future of white-collar work?

JB: Absolutely. Some lawyers say 'it is not possible. The law is too complicated. We can never be replaced.' But, as a 19 year old working on my own, I already have a lot of lawyers who don't like me. I know that there are thousands of programmers with decades more experience than me working on similar issues.
* PSD and ally heading for outright majority

* Left driven out in 2015 by protests over nightclub fire

* Leader said choice was between 'better bread or handcuffs' (Adds detail, quotes, updates results and reaction)

By Luiza Ilie and Radu-Sorin Marinas

BUCHAREST, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Promises of higher wages and pensions swept Romania's leftist Social Democrats to a convincing win in Sunday's parliamentary election, a year after they were driven from office by protesters angry at corruption and abuse of power.

Official results on Monday showed the leftist PSD party won more than 45 percent of the vote and its junior ally ALDE took around 6 percent, securing a combined outright majority.

The PSD's promises to put more money in people's pockets proved more appealing to voters than its rivals' pledges to root out corruption. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea had told reporters in June that Romanians faced a choice between "better bread or handcuffs".

The new government's progress will be closely watched by Romania's European Union peers because of the PSD's softer stance against chronic corruption and its propensity for higher public spending, which risks breaching EU budget limits.

The result is a triumph for Dragnea, 54, who has remained in his post despite being found guilty of electoral fraud earlier this year and receiving a two-year suspended jail sentence. It was unclear whether the PSD would now nominate him for prime minister, as advocated by several leading leftists.

President Klaus Iohannis, a liberal, has said he will refuse to accept any candidate with a criminal past. The PSD might therefore opt for a less divisive figure, leaving Dragnea to wield influence behind the scenes.

The election underscored the divide between older rural voters, tired of austerity, and younger city-dwellers whose confidence in the prospect of reforms is waning.

The PSD had appealed to the former, campaigning on a promise to cut taxes and raise spending on public wages and pensions. Turnout figures suggested many younger people had not bothered to vote.

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'REALLY SCARED'

Capitalising on the fears among many poor Romanians that reforms come at a cost, the PSD has held power for about 17 years out of the 27 that have passed since communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu was toppled and shot in 1989.

"I was really scared of the prospect of not having my small pension increased or that it could be cut," said Ioana Mocanu, a 65-year-old former milk factory worker from Bucharest.

"I had a stroke a couple of years ago and have to spend half of my pension on medication now," said the pensioner, whose monthly pay amounts to 700 lei ($165), slightly below the average national pension.

The PSD was forced from power in November 2015 when a deadly fire in a nightclub that lacked emergency exits and safety permits sparked nationwide anger over politicians' failure to stamp out abuses.

Many saw it as emblematic of a climate of impunity in Romania. Corruption is a crucial reason why the country has been outpaced by its former communist peers in the drive to modernise and bring living standards closer to the West.

For the past year, the country has been run by a technocrat government of experts who have succeeded in accelerating anti-corruption reforms, drawing praise from Brussels.

But liberal observers said a PSD government would likely seek to blunt the impact of legislation in hopes that EU officials will be too focused on the bloc's internal problems to intervene.

The Central Electoral Bureau said results from 96 percent of polling stations showed the centre-right National Liberal Party, the main centrist grouping, was trailing the PSD on about 20 percent. Newcomer and anti-graft party Save Romania Union (USR)won around 9 percent.

Once the new parliament is sworn in, the president will likely call parties for consultations before nominating a prime minister. Commentators expect this to happen around Dec. 20.

"A prime minister with a criminal conviction would lead our western partners to isolate Romania," USR leader Nicusor Dan said, referring to Dragnea.

But he also acknowledged the factors that had pushed voters to choose the PSD. "Romanians have voted for a better life, higher wages, smaller taxes. They felt that the parties they voted for would be capable of meeting these expectations."

($1 = 4.2428 lei) (Reporting by Radu Marinas and Luiza Ilie; editing by Justyna Pawlak and Mark Trevelyan)
Just call him 007!

Prince Philip is something of a Renaissance man  hes a naval officer, sportsman (he still drives a horse carriage!), adventurer, painter and carries the honor of Duke of Edinburgh.

But British actress Joanna Lumley, 70, believes he could add another title to his name  that of iconic spy, James Bond.

The Absolutely Fabulous star opens up about the royals Bond ways in the upcoming documentary, When Philip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburghs Award, which airs Monday night on ITV in the U.K.

I think hes just an extraordinary character  he rides, sails, drives horses, fishes, swims. He really could have been Bond and he was a naval commander as well like Commander Bond.

But unlike Bond, Lumley reveals that the 95-year-old royal has a surprisingly bashful side.

RELATED VIDEO: Prince Philip Attends James Bond Themed Gala for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Hes incredibly good fun to be with, but he is quite shy, and I think sometimes some huge events Ive see him go, Oh God, Ive got to do that and Ive actually heard him saying that but then he pulls himself together head up, chin out and off he goes.

The documentary mark the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which honors adventurous endeavors taken on by young people. Philips daughter-in-law, royal mom Sophie Wessex, who made a 450-mile bike ride in September to raise money for Duke of Edinburgh Awards Diamond Challenge, opens up about Philips key role in Queen Elizabeths life  something that has been captured in the hit Netflix series, The Crown.

He has been a fantastic life partner for her, Wessex says in the documentary. I think it must be a fairly lonely place being Queen. As a female in the top job, its important to have somebody you can lean on, that you can discuss things with, that she can be open and honest with . . . and they make each other laugh.




Photo credit: undefined

From Esquire

Now this is more like it. Per Reuters:

"The president has directed the intelligence community to conduct a full review of what happened during the 2016 election process ... and to capture lessons learned from that and to report to a range of stakeholders, to include the Congress," Monaco said during an event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. Monaco said cyber attacks were not new but might have crossed a "new threshold" this year. When she was working as a senior FBI official in 2008, she said, the agency alerted the presidential campaigns of then-Senator Obama and Republican Senator John McCain that China had infiltrated their respective systems. "We've seen in 2008 and in this last election system malicious cyber activity," Monaco said. In October, the U.S. government formally accused Russia of a campaign of cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. Obama has said he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about consequences for the attacks.

At the risk of being called a McCarthyite Red-baiter-or, in the slippery parlance of one hysterical pseudo-progressive of my casual cyber acquaintance, a "neo-McCarthyite"-I don't think there are many more important issues to figure out regarding our national security than whether or not the minions of an authoritarian Tsarist thug may have monkey-wrenched a presidential election. If and when the people conducting the investigation step over the line, I'll be all over them but, for now, this is the right thing to do.

Asked if Republican President-elect Donald Trump's transition team was not concerned enough about Russia's influence on the election or about other threats to the United States such as infectious disease outbreaks, Monaco said it was too soon to say. As a presidential candidate, Trump praised Putin and called on Russia to dig up missing emails from his opponent, Hillary Clinton, from her time as secretary of state under fellow Democrat Obama.

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Make that an authoritarian Russian tsarist thug.

Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page.

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The Russian government has been constantly lying about its willingness to negotiate a ceasefire in Aleppo, France's foreign minister said on Monday, accusing Moscow of intentionally deceiving its partners. "There is Russian doublespeak ... a form of constant lies. On the one hand they say let's negotiate, and we negotiate to reach a ceasefire," Jean-Marc Ayrault told reporters in Brussels following the failure of weekend talks in Paris. "On the other, they continue the war, a total war, it's a desire to save the(Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad regime and to make Aleppo fall." Arriving for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, he said proof that Russia's stated aim of targeting militants was false lay in reports that Islamic State had retaken the ancient city of Palmyra. "The Russians who pretend to fight against terrorism are in fact focusing on Aleppo and have given space to Daesh (Islamic State), which is in the process of taking back Palmyra, which is very symbolic", Ayrault said. (Reporting by Robin Emmott, Editing by Gabriela Baczynska)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia is insisting on changes to a framework for ending bloodshed in eastern Aleppo, Syria that are "unacceptable," a U.S. official said on Monday. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria's most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict. "Russians continue their onslaught and have insisted on changes to the framework that we find unacceptable," a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati)
MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of state gas producer Gazprom, plans to stop its Arctic offshore platform Prirazlomnaya for planned maintenance of around 90 days in 2017, the company said in response to Reuters questions.

"Regular work on the technical servicing of Prirazlomnaya (oil platform) equipment will not lead to a revision of oil production plans," the company said in its written reply.

It said that the field planned to gradually increase production in 2017 to exceed 2.6 million tonnes for the full year, or over 50,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Prirazlomnoye, Russia's sole offshore Arctic oil field, plans to produce 2.1 million tonnes of oil this year, or around 40,000 bpd, Gazpromneft said in May this year.

An industry source familiar with the company plans said that Gazprom Neft was considering the maintenance in summer.

Western sanctions introduced in 2014 prevent western companies from helping Gazprom Neft in developing its Arctic offshore fields. Gazprom Neft launched production at the Prirazlomnoye field, in Russia's Pechora Sea, in 2013.

In its emailed comments, Gazprom Neft said that maintenance was not linked to sanctions.

(Reporting by Oksana Kobzeva, Olga Yagova and Katya Golubkova; editing by Christian Lowe)
Washington (AFP) - US authorities warned the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns early in 2016 that they were targets of hackers, after having seen similar efforts in the 2008 election. But it was only in June that evidence pointed to the Russian government.

Following are some of the key developments:

-- May 18: US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper warns of cyberattacks against the campaigns, without specific reference to any source. "As the campaigns intensify we'll probably have more of it," he says.

-- June 15: CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm hired by the Democratic National Committee to investigate break-ins in its computer systems, points to two separate Russian intruders. "Both adversaries engage in extensive political and economic espionage for the benefit of the government of the Russian Federation and are believed to be closely linked to the Russian government's powerful and highly capable intelligence services," it says.

-- July 22: WikiLeaks publishes the first batch of hacked DNC internal correspondence, which eventually amounts to about 44,000 emails and 18,000 attachments. WikiLeaks refuses to divulge its source.

-- October 7: the Department of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence say the Russian government is behind the hacks of US political organizations. "These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the US election process," they say.

-- October 7: WikiLeaks begins publishing emails stolen from the Gmail account of John Podesta, chairman of Hillary Clinton's campaign. It releases Podesta emails on a nearly daily basis until just before the election. SecureWorks, another cybersecurity consultant, says Podesta's emails were hacked by the same people as the DNC hack.

-- November 29: Seven Democrats of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee call on the White House to declassify what it knows about Russian interference in the election.

-- December 9-10: The Washington Post and New York Times report that the CIA concluded Moscow intended to help Trump's election effort with the release of the hacked emails. The Post reports that the FBI was not as certain about the motivation; the Times says Russians also hacked Republican National Committee computers. Trump calls the CIA conclusion, "ridiculous." "They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place," he said.
Ryan Gosling is opening up about his quirky childhood and his current life with his longtime love, Eva Mendes.

The notoriously private actor covers the January issue of GQ, in which he says he's living a "dream" life thanks to his family. Gosling and Mendes have two daughters together, 2-year-old Esmeralda and 7-month-old Amada.

"In my situation, Eva's the dream mother, and they're dream babies, and it's like a dream that I'm having right now," the 36-year-old tells the magazine. "I'm dreaming it all. So I feel so lucky."

WATCH: Ryan Gosling Literally Sweeps Ellen DeGeneres Off Her Feet

"There's a kind of chaos in it that I love," he adds about being a father. "Maybe in my life I sort of put myself in situations that were chaotic, outside of my life. And now I have it at home, and I don't have to go looking for it."

Gosling says he didn't plan on having children.

"It's not something I really thought about, or even thought I wanted," he shares. "I didn't have a romanticized idea of it. It came about in a very surprising and kind of organic way. There was nothing kind of premeditated about it, you know. It just suddenly was: My life had changed. And thank God it did."

The actor admits to having some insecurity about raising his daughters, since his own parents split up when has young. Gosling acknowledges that he had a "complicated" relationship with his father, though the two have since made up.

"[But] when you meet your kids you realize that they deserve great parents," he says. "And then you have your marching orders and you have to try and become the person that they deserve. I mean, it's a relief when you realize that they are who they are. You're nervous that they'll get all the qualities of yourself that you have been struggling with, and then you realize that they're not you. And it's a relief."

Story continues

Craig McDean exclusively for GQ

Gosling talks in-depth about growing up in Ontario, Canada, particularly about his difficult time in school. Gosling says he hated being a kid, and was homeschooled for a year.

"I just felt this sense of: I have a limited amount of time and, you know, I've got to get started," he explains. "I also didn't like the arbitrariness of control that people seemed to have over me."

The La La Land actor says his less-than-pleasant school experience definitely affected his self-esteem.

"I was doing very badly in school, and I just couldn't remember what the teachers were talking about," he adds. "I felt like it looked easier for everyone else and it was harder for me. It affected my self-worth."

"I mean, they started feathering me into some special-education classes and things like that," he continues. "I remember playing chess with a kid who was eating his queen, you know."

Of course, these days, Gosling is one of the most respected and successful actors in Hollywood. Aside from promoting the critically-acclaimed La La Land, the A-lister is currently filming Blade Runner 2049, a sequel to Ridley Scott's iconic 1982 sci-fi starring Harrison Ford. Gosling shares some colorful times the two have been having on set in Hungary, including when 74-year-old Ford punched him in the face.

"We were just doing a fight scene and, you know, it just happened," he says. "But what was funny was, when it was over, they brought ice for my face, and Harrison pushed me out of the way and stuck his fist in the ice."

"You knowhe's tough," he says when asked if the hit hurt. "He's been an inspiration to everyone -- everyone is doing push-ups now and taking an interest in their fitness. As soon as it happened, the director came up to me and said, 'Look at it this way -- you just got hit by Indiana Jones.'"

Still, the incident hasn't changed his perception of the legendary Star Wars actor.

"He came by afterward with this bottle of scotch, and I thought, 'Oh, I knew this was coming,'" Gosling says. "And he pulled out a glass from his pocket, poured me a glass, and walked away with the rest of the bottle. So I guess he felt like he didn't connect enough to earn a whole bottle."

"You know, they say don't meet your heroes, but I would say the addendum to that is 'unless they're Harrison Ford,'" Gosling jokes. "'Cause he's a cool motherf**ker."



Craig McDean exclusively for GQ

WATCH: Ryan Gosling Shares 'Blade Runner' Set Stories With Harrison Ford

ET spoke to the father of two at the La La Land premiere in Los Angeles earlier this month, where he talked about his uncle being an Elvis Presley impersonator and being part of the act when he was just 8 years old. Watch below:

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Ryan Gosling is loving life, fatherhood, and Eva Mendes. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ryan Gosling is living the dream right now  and hes ready to talk about it now more than ever before.

The La La Land star  who received a Golden Globe nomination today for his performance in that film  covers GQ, and in the January issue, he gives a rare glimpse into his personal life. In the interview, Gosling gushes about life with partner Eva Mendes and their two daughters, Esmeralda and Amada.

Your whole life, you hear what its like to have kids, and all the cliches are true, he says. I felt I knew that everything would be different, but until you experience that, theres no way to really know what people mean.

Which is?

Evas the dream mother, and theyre dream babies, and its like a dream that Im having right now, he tells the magazine. Im dreaming it all. So I feel so lucky.

The private pair welcomed their second child together (another little girl) in April; however, Gosling says fatherhood wasnt something he planned for.

Its not something I really thought about, or even thought I wanted. I didnt have a romanticized idea of it, he reveals. It came about in a very surprising and kind of organic way. There was nothing kind of premeditated about it, you know. It just suddenly was: My life had changed. And thank God it did.

Ryan Gosling is a proud papa on the January issue of GQ. (Photo: GQ)

Gosling continues: Theres a kind of chaos in it that I love. Maybe in my life I sort of put myself in situations that were chaotic, outside of my life. And now I have it at home, and I dont have to go looking for it.  Its a beautiful chaos thats  surreal and serene.

The actor, 36, admits he worried about whether he would do this whole fatherhood thing right. I mean, not leading up to it, but now, he shares. When you meet your kids, you realize that they deserve great parents. And then you have your marching orders and you have to try and become the person that they deserve.

Gosling did this interview in Budapest, where he was shooting Blade Runner 2049. Mendes and his two children were fixtures on set making the film possible, otherwise he couldnt be away that long from his family.

Story continues

They come to [the set] too. So its nice to share that. Especially with my oldest, he says of 2-year-old Esmeralda. All these sets have been made, and theres incredible craftsmen involved, all of the seamstresses making all these costumes, and the love and attention thats going into every detail  I really wanted her to see that.

So does she understand what her dad does?

I dont know, Gosling replies. She was on set the other day, and I was doing a fight scene with Harrison [Ford], and she just yelled out in the middle of the take, Youre winning! Well, first she said, Youre doing great, and then Harrison stopped in the middle of the take and said, What about me?

Sounds like Gosling has at least one daddys girl.




After turning the superhero genre on its head and becoming the second highest-grossing R-rated movie of all-time with $363M stateside, 20th Century Fox/Marvels uber-violent Deadpool earned two Golden Globe nominations this morning: One in the best picture comedy/musical slot and another for lead actor Ryan Reynolds.

For the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocations awards, its the first time that theyve recognized a live-action superhero movie in the best picture slot. That said, its not the first time that theyve recognized a movie that was based on a comic-book: 1997s Men in Black, which was based on Lowell Cunninghams comic series, also counts a Golden Globe best picture comedy/musical nomination.

Speaking to Deadline this morning on why Deadpool resonates with both award voters and audiences alike, Reynolds explains, Its important to note that in regards to Deadpools narrative material, the film came along at exactly the right time when we (the industry) reached the peak of superhero (movies) and Deadpool was 90 degrees to it. Theres been a lot of superhero films that have been brilliant, and theres a seriousness and darkness to them. At the end of the day, its about guys walking around in tights. Deadpool took these tropes and usurped them in inventive ways.

One of the great challenges that Reynolds cites in making Deadpool is how they were able to do a lot on a minimal budget. And cutting costs didnt curb creativity: Necessity is the mother of invention, explains the actor. In the scene where Deadpool says he only has 12 bullets left and doesnt have any guns, its because we couldnt afford them. We learned to squeak by on every last penny. In addition, Reynolds mentions that Deadpool is more analog than other superhero movies, relying a little less on CGI. We had to do a lot on camera, says the actor who worked extensively with a stunt team, and jumped off a bridge and into the backseat of a car  extremes that can throw a 40-year old guys back out.

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In regards to Deadpool 2, Reynolds informed us that the production start date hasnt been determined yet, but were ramping up in terms of development with the character of Cable making an entrance. Cable is Wade Wilsons partner who is the son of Cyclops and Madelene Pryor. In the comic-books, Cable was sent to the future to prevent an apocalypse from happening, but returns to Deadpools current day. In regards to John Wick director David Leitch boarding, Reynolds mentioned to EW recently, One of the things that David Leitch does that very few filmmakers can do these days is they can make a movie on an ultra tight minimal budget look like it was shot for 10-15 times what it cost.

From a popcorn film standpoint, its not unusual to see Deadpools presence here at the Golden Globes. The HFPA has recognized mainstream tentpole fare before, i.e. 1984s Ghostbusters (noms for best comedy, lead actor Bill Murray and Ray Parker Jr.s title song) and Beverly Hills Cop (best comedy nom, lead actor Eddie Murphy), as well as 2003s Pirates of the Caribbean (lead comedy actor nom for Johnny Depp) and even 2009s Sherlock Holmes, which won Robert Downey Jr. a lead actor comedy trophy.

But among superhero titles, Deadpool is anomaly in the best picture slot, however in the acting categories, the HFPA has honored performances in the genre before. In sum, the organization has shed love on those whove played Joker in the Batman movies. In 2009, Heath Ledger won best supporting actor posthumously at the Globes for his turn as the DC Comics villain in 2008s Dark Knight (director Christopher Nolan accepted on the actors behalf), while Jack Nicholson was nominated for playing the same role in 1989s Batman. Among other Golden Globe-nominated roles from comic-books: Paul Newmans turn as gangster John Rooney in 2002s Road to Perdition.

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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin apparently has plans to keep the U.S. safe from Russia. The former 2008 vice presidential candidate tweeted Sunday that she was keeping an eye on Russia after a secret CIA report found Moscow helped Republican Donald Trump win the November presidential election.

At first, Palin seemed to dismiss the Washington Post's recent investigation that claimed a CIA report had linked Moscow activity to Trump's victory. "Russias getting out of hand? So says the defeated," Palin tweeted.

Palin then added: "Remember I can keep an eye on them from here." The comment seemed to reference a 2008 interview in which she suggested her government service in Alaska gave her insight on national security.

"Theyre our next-door neighbors," she told ABC as the vice presidential nominee. "And you can actually see Russia, from land, here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska."

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, she wrote on Facebook: "I could see this one from Alaska. I'm usually not one to Told-Ya-So, but I did. After the Russian Army invaded the nation of Georgia, Sen. Obama's reaction was one of indecision and moral equivalence, the kind of response that would only encourage Russia's (Vladimir) Putin to invade Ukraine next."

Meanwhile, Trump called the CIA report "another excuse" from Democrats after losing the White House, Senate and House to Republicans in the November elections. "I think its ridiculous," Trump said, in a Fox News interview.

But others have said the CIA report is alarming. A bipartisan group of senators said Sunday Russia's actions should alarm every American, and called for an investigation, the Hill reported.

"Its concerning that intelligence on Russian actions related to the U.S. election is being dismissed out of hand as false or politically partisan," a U.S. intelligence official said in a written statement.

Related Articles
Riyadh (AFP) - Police in the Saudi capital said on Monday they had arrested a woman for taking off her veil in public and posting pictures of her daring action on Twitter.

Police spokesman Fawaz al-Maiman did not name the woman, but several websites identified her as Malak al-Shehri, who triggered a huge backlash on social media after posing without the hijab in a main Riyadh street last month.

Maiman said in a statement that the police in the ultra-conservative kingdom acted in line with their duty to monitor "violations of general morals".

He said the women posted a tweet of herself standing next to a popular Riyadh cafe but without wearing the Islamic headscarf that is required in Saudi society.

The woman, in her 20s, was taken to prison, he said, also accusing her of "speaking openly about prohibited relations with (non-related) men".

"Riyadh police stress that the action of this woman violates the laws applied in this country," Maiman said, urging the public to "adhere to the teachings of Islam".

The oil-rich desert kingdom has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women and is the only country where they are not allowed to drive.

Women in Saudi Arabia are expected to cover from head to toe when in public.
It was bitterly cold, and a little boy waiting for his school bus had no gloves and no hat.

He was crying when he clambered on board, and driver John Lunceford didnt like that one bit.

Read: Video Appears to Show School Bus Driver Being Attacked as Kids Scream and Cry: 'Mommy! Mommy!'

His ears were red and his hands were pink, Lunceford told InsideEdition.com Monday. I took my work gloves off and put them on his hands and he cried all the way to school.

Lunceford, 52, is a grandfather and he doesnt like to see any child suffer. So he went down to a local store not far from the Kennewick, Washington, school, and purchased 10 hats and ten sets of gloves.

He took them back to the school and gave one of each to the boy, who is a regular on his route and only about 6, Lunceford explained. He told the other kids that if they needed a hat or gloves, he was the man to see.

A little girl told him she needed a hat and he replied, Sweetie, Ill give it to you when you get on the bus tonight. And he did.

This was last week. Now Lunceford, who's been driving since 2007, is an internet sensation thanks to a story posted on the Kennewick School Districts Facebook page.

Its not that big of a deal, he said Monday. I just did a nice thing for a kid.

He doesnt like attention and he doesnt understand what the fuss is about.

I wasnt doing it for popularity. I did it because it was the right thing to do. Thats the way I was raised, he said.

And hes no different than any of the drivers he works with, he says.

There are bus drivers who buy shoes for kids that need them, he said. We all really like the kids.

And they all want the children to be well and happy, and in this case, warm.

Read: Driver Orders Everybody Off School Bus Minutes Before It Bursts Into Flames

Kids cant fend for themselves, he said. Its up to us adults to take care of them.

Story continues

He doesnt know why the little boy was without a hat or gloves. Maybe he just forgot them that day, he said.

But he has plenty of spares in stock for any other little ones who, for whatever reason, need warm coverings for their heads and hands on very cold days.

Im an old softie, he said.

Watch: Dog Waits to See Owner Get Off the School Bus Even After She Left for College

Related Articles:
Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York is urging New York City to cross check mass transit employees throughout the city with federal terrorism watch lists in the midst of the bustling holiday season and ahead of the next White House administration.

The Democrat called on the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to enact a measure immediately in a press conference on Sunday, warning of an uptick in terror threats throughout the city, which receives added tourists during the winter months. "With terror threats on the rise, a transit terror cross check here in the nations transit epicenter could be the next lifesaver," Schumer said, speaking to reporters at his office. It could ensure safety for thousands and thousands of New Yorkers, and its not very hard or expensive to do.

While aviation authorities currently cross check employees with federal terrorism watch lists nationwide, there is no such mandate for New Yorks transit system, leaving the decision up to individual rail and subway operations. Verifying New York Citys "safety-sensitive transit employees," including train conductors, engineers and track maintenance workers, is a simple regulation that could be enacted before President-elect Donald Trump assumes power Jan. 20.

RTR18Y72

Photo: Reuters

"When a new administration comes in they often start over," Schumer continued. "So lets get it done already. Right now. Its a no-brainer."

The 9/11 Commission Report already suggested the state cross check its mass transit employees with federal watch lists, Schumer noted, though those recommendations have yet to be implemented statewide. Meanwhile, federal officials have pointed to New York City as a prime target for terror groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State since Election Day, with terror threats expected to continue throughout the holiday season. Schumer said the city has failed to update its regulations in part due to "the complex federal rule-making" which is "not good enough" at implementing potentially life-saving immediate revisions to city and state laws.

Story continues

Over 5 million people use the New York City subway system each weekday across the citys sprawling system of 469 stations, making it one of the largest subway transit operations in the world.

Related Articles
At first, doctors thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome. The diagnosis made sense to Shannon Abert, a high school algebra teacher whose hands couldn't scratch out equations on the chalkboard like they used to. But treatments didn't help and, soon enough, Abert began developing an ulcer on the tip of her finger. "I couldn't even describe how I felt," she says.

After being directed to a rheumatologist a few months after her initial symptoms appeared in 2002, though, she could at least give the feeling a name: scleroderma, a chronic connective tissue disease meaning "hard skin" that involves the overproduction of collagen.

"I had never heard it before," says Abert, now a 49-year-old in Houston. "I figured that now that I know what it is, they'll take care of it."

[See: 5 Rare Diseases You've Never Heard Of (Until Now).]

But "taking care of" scleroderma -- which is sometimes called "systemic sclerosis" to differentiate it from the purely dermatological form of the condition -- isn't that simple. The disease, which essentially causes scar tissue to build up on the skin and sometimes other organs, has no known cause, no cure and varies widely between patients. "It's a mind-boggling disease," says Dr. Leroy Griffing, a rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. "Scientifically, it's absolutely intriguing."

In most cases, scleroderma limits mobility, particularly in the hands. "They're unable to grip, to bend their elbows, to make a fist, to do tasks of daily living," Griffing says. "The extreme of that is they end up with ulcers that don't heal and they end up with amputations." For Abert, open wounds once landed her in the intensive care unit. She's since had six hand surgeries, stopped working and struggles with cans, bottles, doorknobs and some ATMs.

In some cases, scleroderma causes scarring on internal organs. In the gastrointestinal tract, that can lead to acid reflux and malnutrition; in the lungs' blood vessels, it can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension. Most seriously, if scarring occurs in the lungs' deep tissue -- also called fibrosis of the lungs -- it can lead to death. Scleroderma can also cause physical deformities, extreme fatigue ("our bodies are constantly fighting what's not there," Abert explains), joint problems like tendinitis and more.

Story continues

"It's actually probably many similar but different diseases that cause scleroderma," says Dr. John Varga, director of the Northwestern Scleroderma Program at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who points to advances in precision medicine as promising for the disease's treatment. "That's going to lead to much safer treatments and much better outcomes."

Diagnosing a Complex Disease

The systemic form of scleroderma affects about 100,000 Americans, mostly women, according to the Scleroderma Foundation. That's far less than the millions of Americans who have arthritis and the roughly 1.5 million who have lupus -- both of which scleroderma can initially be mistaken for.

"You have to have some experience with [scleroderma] before you can recognize what it is," says Dr. Maureen Mayes, a professor of rheumatology and clinical immunogenetics at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center--Houston, who treated Abert. "And sometimes, because it's rare, internists don't pick up on some of the early signs" like Raynaud's syndrome, or an extreme sensitivity to cold, which about 95 percent of people with scleroderma experience.

Once patients reach a diagnosis -- typically from a rheumatologist who performs blood tests and analyzes patients' symptoms -- the question is: What body systems are affected? If it's only in the skin, for example, patients may take medications to suppress the immune system, undergo physical or occupational therapy, get hand surgery or pursue a combination of treatments.

[See: 10 Ways to Prepare for Surgery.]

If the condition affects the digestive system by weakening the muscles in the esophagus, patients may take medications like proton pump inhibitors to treat acid reflux or heartburn. Patients found to be at risk for scleroderma renal crisis, or a sudden increase in blood pressure that can damage kidneys and lead to stroke and renal failure, are typically advised to monitor their blood pressure frequently. If scleroderma causes scar tissue to build up in the lungs, a chemotherapy drug like cyclophosphamide may be used to help slow the progression of the disease by aggressively suppressing the immune system, but it can come with serious side effects like an increased risk of infection.

"There are no FDA-approved drugs specific to scleroderma at all," Griffing says, although more options are developing. "Our managing the illness for patients is directed toward caring [for] each of the individual organ systems that are affected in this disease."

Living With Scleroderma

One unexplainable bit of good news about scleroderma is that the skin tightness tends to ease up after the first few years. "It always felt like I was wearing jeans that were too tight all over," remembers Abert, who continues to manage the disease with a steroid to fight inflammation, Nexium to treat acid reflux, aspirin to ease her joint and muscle pain, and sleeping pills to help her rest. She regularly visits a rheumatologist, primary care doctor and a cardiologist, who monitors her heart and lung function.

"We don't call it remission because it never goes away," she says, "but 'plateauing' to a level where it's manageable and we're used to it."

Today, one of Abert's biggest challenges is social. While she used to be able to go to work, the gym and grocery store all in one day, she now limits herself to one errand a day. Volunteering at a local chili cook-off, for example, required her to plan nothing the day before and clear her schedule two days after. "A lot of things people are doing -- I can't keep up," she says.

But research and treatments are catching up, experts say. For example, a study conducted by Mayes and colleagues found that mycophenolate, which is typically used to help prevent organ transplant rejection, is effective for treating lung fibrosis in scleroderma patients and is much less toxic than cyclophosphamide. Other research is revealing that bone marrow transplantation can help treat the condition, although not without risk. "We've made incredible progress in research and better understanding the disease," says Varga, whose yet-unpublished research on fat stem cells for scleroderma treatment is promising.

[See: 10 Lessons From Empowered Patients.]

Meantime, education, support and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help people with the condition cope. "[Scleroderma patients] are very dignified in the face of adversity," Varga says. "It's very inspiring."
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / Decemeber 12, 2016 / SeeThruEquity, a leading independent equity research and corporate access firm focused on smallcap and microcap public companies, today announced that it has issued a company update on Net Element, Inc. (NETE).

The note is available here: NETE December 2016 Update Note.

Highlights of the note are as follows:

3Q16 revenues grew by 10% YoY to reach $14.0mn, versus $12.7mn in 3Q15

Revenue was driven by the performance of the company's largest segment, NA Transactions, which experienced revenue growth of 40%+

NETE reported a non-GAAP, management-adjusted loss of ($2.7mn) during 3Q16, or ($0.20) per share, versus ($2.9mn), or ($0.42) per share, in 3Q15 on the same basis.

NETE revenues up by 55% in first nine months of 2016

NETE reported double-digit top line growth in 3Q16, with revenues rising 10% to reach $14.0mn, versus $12.7mn in 3Q15. For the first three quarters of 2016, revenues rose by an impressive 55%, reaching $39.0mn, versus $25.1mn in in the prior year period. NETE's growth in came primarily from its NA Transactions segment, which benefitted from more small and medium-sized merchants using its payment processing system. In 3Q16, NA Transactions comprised 80% of NETE's revenue base, and contributed revenues of $11.2mn, up 44% YoY. For the first nine months of the year, NA Transactions were $29.4mn representing 76% of revenues and well ahead of $19.3mn in the corresponding prior year period.

Balance sheet helped by 10mn stock purchase agreement

NETE ended the quarter with cash on hand of $1.4mn and total assets of $23.4mn. The company had total liabilities of $16.8mn, including $4.2mn of financial debt. We continue to see the balance sheet as an area to watch for NETE, as access to capital has been a swing factor in the performance of the stock. Additionally, NETE is managed for growth, and requires capital to fund its aggressive growth strategy until it reaches a scale that throws off cash on a recurring basis. The company recently announced a $10mn stock purchase agreement with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC, which may provide liquidity in coming months.

Story continues

Price target moves to $2.45

We are our updating our price target for NETE following 3Q16 results and an updated share count, as this is our first note after the reverse split. We see the company as offering compelling value at recent prices, especially in light of the growth generated by the company. At the recent price of $0.84, NETE shares have a market capitalization of approximately $13mn, versus our 2016E revenue estimate of $53.6mn. We continue to see NETE as an intriguing high risk / high reward growth company in the financial technology space.

Please review important disclosures on the company's website at www.seethruequity.com.

About Net Element, Inc.

Net Element (NETE) is a global payments-as-a-service, technology provider with an integrated mobile and transactional services platform serving millions of emerging market clients. Its wholly owned subsidiary, TOT Group operates Unified Payments, a U.S. focused transaction processing and value-added services brand, Aptito, a next generation, cloud-based point of sale payments platform and TOT Money, a leading mobile payments service provider that is gaining significant traction in the mobile payments market in Russia and for two consecutive years, has been ranked in the Top 3 mobile payments providers by Beeline, Russia's second largest telecommunications operator.

Further information is available at www.netelement.com.

About SeeThruEquity

Since its founding in 2011, SeeThruEquity has been committed to its core mission: providing impactful, high quality research on underfollowed smallcap and microcap equities. SeeThruEquity has pioneered an innovative business model for equity research that is not paid for and is unbiased. SeeThruEquity is the host of acclaimed investor conferences that are the ultimate event for publicly traded companies with market capitalizations less than $1 billion.

SeeThruEquity is approved to contribute its research reports and estimates to Thomson One Analytics (First Call), the leading estimates platform on Wall Street, as well as Capital IQ and FactSet. SeeThruEquity maintains one of the industry's most extensive databases of opt-in institutional and high net worth investors. The firm is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

For more information visit www.seethruequity.com.

Contact:

SeeThruEquity

info@seethruequity.com

SOURCE: SeeThruEquity
By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's administration has decided to include a massive report on the CIA's use of waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation techniques" in his presidential papers, meaning it may eventually be declassified. The White House wrote to Senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein, the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Dec. 9 informing them of its decision. Feinstein, who released the letter on Monday, said Obama had refused to declassify the report at this time but she was pleased it would go into his archive, meaning it would one day be available for declassification. "The report represents six years of hard work by dedicated staff, and I firmly believe its 6,700 pages and 38,000 footnotes will stand the test of time. I also strongly believe that this must be a lesson learned  that torture doesnt work," Feinstein said in a statement. A White House spokesman confirmed the decision. Burr's office had no immediate comment. Feinstein and other congressional Democrats had urged Obama to declassify and release the report before Republican President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Feinstein chaired the intelligence panel as it researched and wrote the report on the interrogation techniques used in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, and she spearheaded the effort to expose the CIA's actions. The committee, then led by Democrats, released a 525-page executive summary of its findings in December 2014. But the full report has been deemed by Obama and others as too sensitive to release. Trump promised during his campaign that he would not only revive waterboarding, but bring back "a hell of a lot worse" if elected. However, he said more recently that retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, his nominee for secretary of defense, had persuasively argued against it. Obama ended the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" via executive order just after he took office in January 2009. Led by Republican Senator John McCain and Feinstein, Congress has since passed legislation outlawing their use. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Tom Brown)
BEIJING (Reuters) - The general manager of a major Chinese newspaper group that has been in trouble with the government for blackmail and corruption fell to his death on Monday, the newspaper said. The 21st Century Business Herald carried a short statement on its official microblog from publisher 21st Century Media Ltd saying 21st Century Media's general manager, Liu Jiandong, had fallen from a building and died despite efforts to save him. Liu took up his job in January 2015, which he was dedicated to, and was "upright and honest", the paper said, adding an investigation was going on. Calls to the newspaper seeking further comment went unanswered. Police in the southern city of Guangzhou, where the newspaper is based, said it had responded to a call about a man falling from an office building. Police only identified him by his family name, Liu, and said he was a company general manager. They added that "at the moment" there was no suspicion of murder. Last year, China's media regulator revoked the publishing license of the paper's website for forcing clients to sign advertisement and service contracts by threatening to publish negative news about them. The regulator also ordered the newspaper to "conduct internal inspections and restructure its management board". The same year, a Chinese court jailed Shen Hao, former president of 21st Century Media Ltd., for four years after finding him guilty of extortion and fraud. The government has vowed to crack down on corruption in many industries including the media. A trend towards greater commercialization in Chinese media - still heavily controlled by the state - has put pressure on companies to generate greater profits. The government also keeps a tight rein on what can be said in domestic media, and has punished publications and reporters for reports it views as overly critical of the government or for discussing taboo topics, like controls on ethnic minorities. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel)
BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic cut short a visit to Brussels on Monday after a row with Croatia, which Serbia says is blocking its progress toward European Union membership, Serbian news agency Tanjug reported. Vucic had been due to attend a meeting of the EU Intergovernmental Conference on Tuesday, which was expected to approve the opening of three new accession chapters in Serbia's application for membership. But Croatia, one of two former Yugoslav nations to have joined the EU so far, is objecting to the opening of the chapter on culture and education because of a dispute about the translation of textbooks, Croatia's HINA news agency said. "There are things Serbia must implement along its EU path," Croatian minister for foreign and European affairs, Davor Ivo Stier, was quoted by Tanjug as saying. "Full protection of national minorities is one of those matters." Croatians account for less than one percent of Serbia's population. Their languages are very similar and were part of a common language before the collapse of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. "Serbia was patient so far, but now it will talk differently," Vucic said in remarks broadcast by the Belgrade-based Prva TV before he left Brussels.Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic accused Croatia of acting in an unprincipled way. "If Croatia is the one to decide about whether Serbia will enter the EU, then my interest just dropped somehow," Dacic said after meeting his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Belgrade. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Louise Ireland)
New York (AFP) - Shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals plunged Monday after it announced the sudden departure of its chief executive and chief financial officer amid an internal investigation of the pricing of a high-cost drug.

Alexion said it was nearing completion of an internal probe on its pricing of Soliris, which treats rare blood ailments, the annual cost of which is $440,000, according to some estimates.

Alexion said it had not uncovered evidence that would require it to restate financial results.

"The Company continues to assess these matters from an accounting, disclosure and internal controls perspective," Alexion said.

Credit Suisse said in a note it was "very surprised" by the management shakeup.

Shares stood at $111.33 in late-morning trading, down 15.7 percent.

Chief executive David Hallal resigned for "personal reasons," while chief financial officer Vikas Sinha left "to pursue other opportunities," the company said. Sinha had delivered a presentation at a Wall Street health conference only last Wednesday.

Alexion said it tapped former AstraZeneca chief executive David Brennan as interim chief executive, while it searches for a permanent leader.

The drugmaker named David Anderson, a former chief financial officer at Honeywell, as chief financial officer.

"With strong new leaders in place, we will continue to be relentlessly focused on serving patients and families with devastating and rare diseases," said Leonard Bell, chairman of the Alexion board.

In November, Alexion announced it would file its quarterly report late to the Securities and Exchange Commission due to an investigation into the pricing prompted by a former employee on Soliris.

The company hired outside counsel to determine "whether Company personnel have engaged in sales practices that were inconsistent with Company policies and procedures and the related disclosure and other considerations raised by such practices."

The company said Monday will file the quarterly report in January or earlier.

The shakeup at Alexion comes as drug pricing faces increasing scrutiny in the US due to runaway increases of key medicines. Shares of drug companies tumbled briefly last week after President-elect Donald Trump told Time magazine he intended to crack down on the industry.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / The following statement is being issued by Levi & Korsinsky, LLP:

To: All Persons or Entities who purchased Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. ("Lionbridge") (LIOX) stock prior to December 12, 2016 .

You are hereby notified that Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has commenced an investigation into the fairness of the sale of Lionbridge Technologies to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, LLC for $5.75 per share. To learn more about the action and your rights, go to: http://zlk.9nl.com/lionbridge-technologies-liox, or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@zlk.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact any of the attorneys listed below. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Eduard Korsinsky, Esq.

30 Broad Street - 24th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Toll Free: (877) 363-5972

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.com

SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Lundin Law PC , a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Adeptus Health Inc. ("Adeptus Health" or the "Company") (ADPT) on behalf of purchasers of Adeptus Health securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's secondary public offering (the "SPO") on or about July 31, 2015, or purchasers of common shares between April 23, 2015 and November 16, 2015, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the SPO or the Class Period, are encouraged to contact the firm prior to the December 27, 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.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Adeptus Health made material false and/or misleading information and/or failed to disclose: that the Company engaged in widespread predatory billing practices, particularly with respect to lower acuity level patients; that Adeptus Health's predatory billing practices subjected the Company to numerous known but undisclosed risks, such as financial risks, reputational risks, risks associated with improper financial reporting, civil or criminal sanctions, and even exclusion from federal and state healthcare programs; that the Company's financial statements were not prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; that contrary to the Company's representations about its practice of referring lower acuity patients to urgent care facilities, Adeptus Health routinely treated lower acuity patients and excessively billed them for services; and that as a result of the above, Adeptus Health lacked a reasonable basis for its statements about its business and future financial prospects at all relevant times. On November 17, 2015, KUSA, an NBC-affiliated television station located in Denver, Colorado, aired an investigative report about the predatory billing practices at Adeptus Health's Colorado First Choice emergency rooms. When this information went public, the stock price of Adeptus Health fell, causing investors harm.

Lundin Law PC was established by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding the rights of shareholders.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

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
By Amina Ismail and Lin Noueihed CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday a suicide bomber carried out the attack that killed 24 people at Cairo's Coptic cathedral, the deadliest on the Christian minority in years. Speaking at a state funeral for the victims, Sisi said four people had been detained, including a woman, and security forces were seeking two more people believed to be involved. Sisi, who said the bomber was a man wearing a suicide vest, said: "The attack brought us great pain but we will never be torn apart. We will only be much stronger. We will hold steadfast and, God willing, we will succeed." At least 24 people were killed and 49 wounded when a bomb exploded in a chapel adjoining St Mark's Cathedral, Cairo's largest church and seat of the Coptic papacy, where security is normally tight.[nL5N1E609H](Map: http://tmsnrt.rs/2hEe6V1) Security sources said the blast was caused by a bomb containing at least 12 kg (26 pounds) of TNT detonated on a side of the church normally used by women. Sisi did not name the organisation the attackers were believed to belong to. No group has claimed responsibility, but exiled Muslim Brotherhood officials and local militant groups have joined the international community in condemnation. Only Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. Sisi is fighting battles on several fronts. His economic reforms have angered the poor, a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has seen thousands jailed and an insurgency rages in Northern Sinai, led by Islamic State's Egyptian branch. The group has also claimed attacks in Cairo and urged its supporters to launch attacks around the world as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds. The Interior Ministry released a picture of the bomber it identified as Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa, 22, from the town of Fayyoum, whose nom de guerre was Abu Dajjana al-Kanani. It also released an image of what it said was the dead bomber's battered head. CHRISTIAN ANGER Egypt held a state funeral for the victims on Monday, with coffins draped in the national flag carried in a procession led by Sisi and Coptic Pope Tawadros II. Earlier, mourners had packed Cairo's Virgin Mary and St Athanasius Church where Pope Tawadros prayed over the wooden coffins. On the walls, hung banners bearing the names of the dead, many of them women. Speaking at the end of the service, Tawadros sought to heal any sectarian friction caused by the attack, saying it "is not just a disaster for the church but a disaster for the whole nation." He also condemned attacks against the security forces. "Those who commit acts such as this do not belong to Egypt at all, even if they are on its land," he said. At the chapel where the bombing took place, survivors described searching for the body parts of loved ones. The chapel's floor was covered in debris from shattered windows, its wooden pews blasted apart, its pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and patches of blood. Dazed church officials wondered around in black robes. Though Christians traditionally support the government, the church attack provoked anger among survivors and the families of the dead, who said police had failed to protect them. Five survivors at Dar al-Shefa hospital said police did not conduct the usual checks as the cathedral was particularly busy for Sunday's mass, which took place on a public holiday marking the Prophet Mohammad's birthday, just weeks before Christmas. "There were large numbers so people entered without being searched," said Mina Francis, who was at the mass with his mother, who was killed. Crowds outside the cathedral on Sunday demanded revenge. Scuffles broke out as protesters accused police of security failures. Some chanted "the people demand the fall of the regime", the rallying cry of the 2011 revolt that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. "There were police cars stationed in front of the church gates ... they were too busy eating breakfast and drinking tea and soda. They werent doing their job," said Hani Gaballah, 43, a retired military officer. Sisi dismissed accusations of a security failure. He called for tighter anti-terrorism laws to help crush militants, in a country where Egyptians already face restrictive protest laws. "We will not let this go even after we have arrested them," Sisi said. Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, are the Middle East's biggest Christian community. They face regular attack by Muslim neighbours, who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or church construction. The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a New Year's service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising. At least 21 people were killed. The circumstances remain a mystery and no one was punished. Middle Eastern Christians have felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Ali Abdelaty in Cairo; Writing by Lin Noueihed; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
London (AFP) - One campaigned to leave the European Union, the other to stay.

Now, nearly six months after Britain's shock referendum vote for Brexit, two thirty-somethings prove the debate is still very much alive, and just as painful.

"I'm very, very excited about the future," says Chris Mendes, a 31-year-old software engineer who supports the anti-EU, anti-immigration UK Independence Party (UKIP), which helped drive the "Leave" vote.

But Thomas Cole, a 33-year-old political analyst who used to work at the European Commission in Brussels, says the future is still up for play.

Since the vote on June 23, many Britons have had to wrestle with some of the stark and unsettling realities of what "leaving Europe" actually means.

And, for Cole and others who voted "Remain", this jolt gives cause to stay in the fight.

"Just because the referendum has taken place doesn't mean you say, 'OK, I give up now'," he says.

Outwardly similar, the two men are passionately divided on Brexit, reflecting the split that saw Britons vote 52 percent to leave the EU and 48 percent to stay.

Introduced by AFP, they traded views at cafe in London's St Pancras station, the gateway for travellers arriving from and leaving to continental Europe.

Mendes, sporting a brown T-shirt and a three-day-old beard, acknowledges there are challenges to leaving the EU, not least pro-European MPs seeking to delay or soften the divorce.

"There's obviously a clear resistance to Brexit, there's no question about that, but we expected that," he says.

But Cole, wearing a smart jumper and striped scarf tied at the neck, argues that the referendum was "legally not binding".

He came home to campaign against Brexit and is a member of the pro-EU, centrist Liberal Democrats, who want a second referendum on the final terms of the exit deal.

Cole suggests that if the exit negotiations "become complicated", then the 2020 general election could be effectively run as a second referendum.

Story continues

"I couldn't disagree more," chips in Mendes, accusing Cole of a "morally bankrupt" position.

Cole hits back: "You have to pass things through parliament, I think that's normal."

- Taking back control -

Under pressure from members of her Conservative party and EU leaders, Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to begin formal exit talks by the end of March.

But she is fighting a legal challenge against calls for MPs to take the final decision on triggering Brexit, amid concerns that parliament, which overwhelmingly wanted Britain to stay in the EU, will try to block it.

Meanwhile the cabinet itself appears divided on the key issue of whether or not to stay in the single market.

Remainers say quitting the world's biggest trade bloc will destroy swathes of British jobs. Brexit supporters say Britain will forge new trade deals with the rest of the world.

For Mendes, a principle is at stake. "We want to come out of the single market, we voted to take back control of our laws completely, we voted to take back control of our borders completely," he says.

He reflects the government's outward confidence that it will get the "best possible deal" for Britain -- even if it has yet to set out how this will happen.

Unsurprisingly, Cole says he would like to stay in the single market -- and would be unhappy with some of the proposed compromises.

One option is for Britain to leave the market of 500 million consumers but continue to pay for access, while being unable to shape its rules.

"From a democratic point of view it's frankly terrible," he says.

An upside of a clean break with Brussels is that "you wouldn't have somebody else telling you what to do. Having said that, for the economy, would it be good? No."

- Healthy debate? -

"In an ideal scenario, I want things to be as they are," Cole admits, before he is cut off by Mendes, insisting: "That's not going to happen."

The discussion is lively but good-natured, although elsewhere in Britain tensions are high, with reports of an increase in hate crime after the vote, and death threats against leading campaigners on both sides.

Mendes says the national debate is "very healthy", adding: "We have not discussed these things for about 40 years -- and now, for the first time, we are.

"The natural consequence of that is an explosion, a massive clash, a violent clash, intellectually speaking, of ideas."

Cole agrees, and notes the recent election of Donald Trump as US president. "Ignoring people's concerns is essentially dangerous," he says.
By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters Health) - Premature and underweight newborns may be healthier as children and young adults if they pass their early days with their bare chests nestled directly against their mothers breasts, a new study suggests. Researchers focused on a practice known as kangaroo care, which has been linked to lower infant mortality and better developmental outcomes for vulnerable babies. Kangaroo care includes skin-to-skin contact between the newborn and mother, exclusive breastfeeding, early discharge from the hospital after delivery and close follow-up care at home. Kangaroo mother care has a significant, long lasting social and behavioral protective effect 20 years after the intervention, said lead study author Dr. Nathalie Charpak, director of the Kangaroo Foundation in Bogota, Colombia. For the current study, researchers examined data on 228 young adults who had been randomly chosen to receive kangaroo care as part of a study done when they were babies. Charpak and her colleagues compared outcomes for these kids to those of 213 young adults from the infant study who didnt receive kangaroo care. Babies that received kangaroo care were 61 percent less likely to die during infancy than newborns who didnt receive this type of care, the researchers report in Pediatrics. Breastfeeding rates were higher for the kangaroo care babies than the other infants, the study found. In addition, the infants who got kangaroo care had fewer severe infections requiring hospitalization. As children, the kangaroo care kids typically spent more years in preschool than the control group of participants who didnt receive this infant care, the study found. Students who got kangaroo care as babies also scored higher on standardized math and language tests and earned higher hourly wages as young adults. By age 20, the former kangaroo care babies were less likely to be aggressive, impulsive and hyperactive or to exhibit anti-social behaviors compared to their peers who didnt receive kangaroo care as infants, the study also found. This difference was most pronounced when their mothers were poor and less educated. Its possible some of these outcomes might be the result of kangaroo cares protective effect on the immature brains of preemies, Charpak said by email. This type of care might foster brain development that occurs late in pregnancy for full-term babies but that doesnt have a chance to happen before premature infants are born. Another possibility is that parents who provide kangaroo care also nurture children in other ways that are beneficial to health, social and behavioral outcomes, Charpak added. One limitation of the study is that it doesnt prove how kangaroo care may benefit babies, only that there are associations between receiving this treatment and several positive health outcomes, the authors note. Even so, the findings suggest that kangaroo care provides a solid foundation for health later in life, said Dr. Lydia Furman, a pediatrics researcher at Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Perhaps doing the kangaroo mother care helped the parents become more attentive and bonded and nurturing parents  certainly this is a thought and hope, Furman, who wrote an accompanying editorial, said by email. Biological responses would follow, not lead. While the benefits of kangaroo care during infancy have been well established, the current study offers fresh insight into the lasting effects of kangaroo care in adulthood, said Susan Ludington, executive director for the United States Institute for Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo care has remarkably positive outcomes on both biology  the brain's maturation, cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygenation, connectivity between neurons and neuronal networks  as well as nurturing the mother's confidence and competence in child rearing, the quality and quantity of her interactions, strengthening the infants identity with his family members, and promotion of the infants mental, motor, and social development, Ludington, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2gwPq4T and http://bit.ly/2gREgnf Pediatrics, online December 12, 2016.
UPDATED: British lawmakers held an urgent discussion in Parliament on Monday afternoon over 21st Century Foxs proposed takeover of Europes biggest pay-TV operator Sky.

The opposition Labor Party filed a emergency request to quiz the government minister in charge of media policy amid mounting opposition to the $23.2-billion deal, which was announced last Friday. Kevin Brennan, Labors spokesman for arts and heritage, and other lawmakers questioned Matt Hancock, the digital and culture minister, who was standing in for Karen Bradley, Prime Minister Theresa Mays minister for media.

The discussion came as opposition to the proposed deal grew. Michael Lyons, a former chairman of the BBC, said that May ought to refer the matter to Britains media regulator, Ofcom.

Is she really interested in a different type of future for this country? If so, she should do anything in her power to resist the further growth in the Murdochs grip on news and media, he told the Observer newspaper.

The Liberal Democrat Party politician Vince Cable, who handled Rupert Mudochs previous attempt to take over Sky in 2010-11 when Cable was the governments business secretary, said the deal would not be in the public interest.

This is yet again a threat to media plurality, choice, just as it was six years ago when I referred this to the competition authorities and it should be investigated, he said. The ownership of the media, whether youre looking at press, radio, television, is very highly concentrated, and this makes it even more concentrated.

Murdoch abandoned his bid to take over Sky, or BSkyB, as it was known then, in 2011 amid the furor over the phone-hacking scandal involving some of Murdochs British tabloids. But the media magnate and his son James, who is Skys chairman, have never given up on the idea.

Despite renewed expressions of concern, it is unlikely the deal would be stopped, media analysts say. Following the phone-hacking scandal, Murdoch placed his TV and print assets in separate companies, Fox and News Corp., respectively. This is likely to dispel any unease about a concentration of media power.

Story continues

Its very likely that even if there is a plurality investigation that this will go through, Claire Enders of Enders Analysis told the BBC. It is a different situation and the entities have been structured differently.

Nonetheless, Chris Bryant, a Labor Party lawmaker and former shadow culture secretary, criticized the deal. Have we in Britain learned nothing about handing over the largest broadcaster by value and the largest share of newspapers to a single individual? The damage that does in the end to our political system is immense.

Its a phenomenal concentration of social and political power and if we let it go through without so much of a by-your-leave, we will rue the day. Again.

Related stories

Fox CEO Covets Sky's Technology, Infrastructure in $23.2 Billion Takeover Bid

21st Century Fox Sets $23.2 Billion Pact to Acquire All of European Pay TV Giant Sky

AR Glasses Maker ODG Raises $58 Million Led by 21st Century Fox
Dubai (AFP) - Therese is a Lebanese mother keen to meet her daughter's groom-to-be but she gets the shock of her life when she hears his Syrian accent.

"Solitaire", which premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival, reflects a history of animosity accumulated over years of Syrian military intervention in neighbouring Lebanon.

It also highlights the mounting tension between Lebanon's small population and the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have fled their own country's devastating war since 2011.

Therese's brother was killed in Syrian bombing during 1975-1990 Lebanon's civil war. His portrait on the wall loomed large over Samer and his family as they sat in Therese's living room.

"Send them away to where they came from," she ordered her daughter Ghada, who met Samir in Dubai.

"Your future mother-in-law seems racist!" followed the warning from the Syrian suitor's mother.

For film director Sophie Boutros, the antagonism in her feature film is "rooted in an unpleasant history between the Lebanese and the Syrians during Lebanon's war".

Syria was the powerbroker in Lebanon where it deployed troops for decades until they had to withdraw following ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri's assassination in February 2005, despite its denial of any involvement.

The conflict in Syria over the past five years has sent more than one million Syrians to seek shelter in Lebanon, where they now make up a quarter of the population.

The film is "an observation of something that is real and that we should shed a light on", Boutros told AFP on the red carpet.

Lebanese and Syrian actors star in the 92-minute film, whose script was written jointly by Boutros and Jordan's Nadia Eliewat.

"The timing of the movie is good because of the current tension," said Lebanese actress Betty Taoutel, who plays the role of Ghada's aunt.

"People hate each other sometimes because of politics, despite the fact that we are all victims of these politics," she said.

Story continues

The movie comes to a climax when Ghada tells Samir he should be grateful that her mother has finally accepted their engagement "despite (him) being Syrian".

At that point, Samir walks out with his family.

Television producer Elie Aramouni said Boutros has managed in her first movie to "strike a balance in a very sensitive story".

"The best thing about Solitaire is that it does not preach. It introduces the problem as is," he said.

Instead of focusing on the problems that distort relations, Solitaire tries to focus on the similarities between the two peoples, including cuisine and music.

"This film brings us closer to each other more than it pushes us apart," said a member of the audience, Zeina al-Sayyed, as she left the theatre.

Solitaire is scheduled for release in March in Lebanese cinemas, while the Dubai film festival, featuring 156 films from 55 countries, ends on Wednesday.
South Korea dismissed North Korea's latest military drills aimed at Seoul as a "childish act." The stern warning came after Pyongyang held a military drill that stimulated an attack on the South, CNN reported.

"(We) view the drill from yesterday as a childish act to display that their system is undiminished, in response to our internal situation," South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said during a press conference Monday. "Kim Jong Un has been continuously visiting its military units since November and it has been escalating tension. We strongly condemn it."

The tensions between North Korea and South Korea come as South Korean President Park Guen-hye was impeached Friday over accusations that her close friend was given unauthorized access to the highest levels of government. Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn warned last week that North Korea might see the instability in South Korea as an opportunity to cause mischief.

"While retaining a watertight national defense posture, the government will work closely with the international community to thoroughly respond to the North Korean nuclear problem," Hwang said.

Childish appears to be a favorite insult between the two warring nations. Last week, North Korea called South Korea's allegations that Pyongyang had carried out a cyberattack against Seoul a "childish, slanderous ploy." This latest exchange of barbs came after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw Sunday a combat drill by a special operation battalion that included South Korea's presidential Blue House as a target.

"Well done, the enemy troops will have no space to hide themselves, far from taking any counteraction," Kim reportedly said after watching the drill, according to North Korean state media KCNA.

Kim also reportedly offered advice on a "guerilla warfare" invasion of its southern neighbor and rival. "(Kim) said that if the service personnel of the unit are to conduct bold combat actions with the southern part of Korea as their theater, they should stage intensive drills for marching, firing, swimming, overcoming natural obstacles and acquiring ability to maneuver in fields under the simulated conditions of an actual battle," the report added.

Related Articles
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Constitutional Court said on Monday no date has been set for public hearings in the case to review parliament's impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, who has been caught up in an influence-peddling scandal. A spokesman said the court's nine judges met earlier on Monday to discuss the case. The court must decide whether to uphold the impeachment the parliament voted to approve on Friday, a process that could take up to 180 days. If it is upheld, Park would be the first elected leader to be ousted from office. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Paul Tait)
South Korean filmmakers took to the streets Monday morning demanding a probe into a government censorship scandal involving impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Park's former chief of staff Kim Ki-choon is accused of compiling a "blacklist" of artists who have expressed opposition to government policies or supported politicians of the opposition party. Rumors had long circulated in the industry about the existence of such a list, and local daily the Hankook Ilbo released a list of 9,473 artists, including such prominent filmmakers as Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) and Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer) as well as top actors Song Kang-ho and Kim Hye-soo.

Read more: South Korean Cinema Admissions Drop Amid Anti-President Protests

Members of six major local filmmakers' organizations as well as six arts groups spanning thespians and artists took part in a rally in front of the Seoul office of Park Yong-soo, the special prosecutor who has been appointed to investigate an influence-peddling scandal involving the disgraced government.

Participating film groups include the Directors Guild of Korea, headed by Bong; the Association of Korean Independent Film & Video; the Federation of Korea Movie Workers' Union; the Producers Guild of Korea; the Korean Film Producers Association; and the Korean Screen Quota Action Alliance.

Korean culture minister Cho Yoon-sun earlier denied having been part of the list, but she is among nine politicians, including Kim and Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo, named and shamed by the protestors.

Read more: How the Busan Film Festival Is Bouncing Back Despite Political Pressure

Suh, who had served as chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, resigned from the post earlier this year following a controversy over the festival's artistic freedom. In 2014, Suh had requested that the festival cancel the premiere of The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol, a documentary about the much-politicized April 2014 ferry sinking that left hundreds dead. While the film screened as originally planned, then-director Lee Yong-kwan, deputy Jay Jeon and other key members of the fest were subsequently forced to resign, sparking protests by filmmakers from across the country.

The same year, a painting about the ferry accident satirizing the president, Sewol Owol by Hong Seong-dam, was excluded from the Gwangju Biennale art fair following pressure from the Gwangju metropolitan government. Lee Yong-woo, then-president of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, stepped down.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who had a largely ceremonial job until President Park Geun-hye's impeachment last week, now must face off against North Korea and deal with edgy relations with Japan as the country's interim leader.

Hwang visited the Joint Chiefs of Staff and told fellow Cabinet members on Monday that there are no unusual security or economic developments. But he will soon face a slew of thorny issues that will test his leadership while the Constitutional Court reviews whether to endorse Park's impeachment to formally end her rule.

Here is a look at several major issues that lie ahead for Hwang:

___

NORTH KOREA

Hwang's first move as interim leader was to tell his defense minister to bolster readiness for any possible provocation by North Korea.

North Korea hasn't made international headlines since its fifth and biggest-ever nuclear test in September. That could be in line with its nuclear development timetable, but given that Park and North Korea had terrible relations, the North might want to avoid doing anything that could unite conservatives in South Korea behind her.

In a sign of the ongoing tensions, North Korea's state media on Sunday released photos of its smiling leader, Kim Jong Un, watching a practice attack on a replica of Park's presidential Blue House. A team of commandoes parachuted, shot at the Blue House model with rifles, leaving it engulfed in flames and black smoke.

There are also worries about possible actions by North Korea in response to being slapped with tougher U.N. sanctions this month and in what some analysts think is its desire to test the incoming U.S. government of President-elect Donald Trump.

___

HISTORY TEXTBOOKS

It's probably the first major, hot-button issue that Hwang will face.

Park's government had been pushing to require schools to use state-authored history textbooks starting next year, saying current textbooks published by private companies are too left-leaning and sympathize with North Korea. But in the wake of the massive anti-government protests touched off by a political scandal involving Park's longtime confidante, the government took a step back, saying it wants to hear various opinions by Dec. 23 before making a final decision.

Story continues

The liberal opposition is pressuring the government to scrap the textbook plan, calling it a move to beautify past authoritarian leaders, including Park's late father, Park Chung-hee. The elder Park is a deeply divisive figure, with critics calling him a horrible human rights abuser who imprisoned and tortured dissidents, while supporters call him a national hero who guided the country out of poverty.

Hwang, a former justice minister, is a strong supporter of state-authored textbooks. But South Korean media say it could be difficult for him to stand up to opposition parties that have gained a greater say over state affairs after impeaching Park.

___

JAPAN DEALS

The opposition also wants to scrap two key agreements Park signed with Japan, calling them diplomatic fiascoes.

One settled a decades-long impasse over Korean women forced to be sex slaves in Japanese military-run brothels during World War II, with an apology from Japan's prime minister and a pledge of more than $8 million in compensation. The other is about sharing military intelligence with Japan to better cope with North Korea.

The 2015 sex slave deal triggered criticism in South Korea because it was announced without getting approval from victims. The intelligence-sharing pact went into effect last month, and liberal critics accuse the Park government of trying to use the agreement to divert attention from the political scandal.

Efforts to boost ties with Japan often trigger a fierce public backlash in South Korea, where many people still harbor strong resentment of Tokyo's brutal colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 and 1945.

Spiking such international deals will not be easy, especially after the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan described the sex slave deal as "irreversible."

___

OTHER PROBLEMS

Hwang's government will also have to engage with the Trump presidential transition, work to prevent the political turmoil from taking a toll on the country's economy and deal with an opposition hoping to use the current situation as a chance to push for diverse social reforms.

The planned deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, which drew strong condemnation from China, is also a Park legacy that critics want to review.

___

Follow Hyung-jin Kim on Twitter at twitter.com/hyungjin1972
London (AFP) - Soviet-era dissident Vladimir Bukovsky went on trial in Britain on Monday on charges of making and possessing thousands of indecent images of children, which he denies.

A jury sitting in a court in Cambridge, eastern England, heard how the 73-year-old Russian exile had accessed still and video images over the 15 years before his arrest in 2014.

In his opening statement of the trial, which is expected to last up to five days, prosecutor Will Carter said Bukovsky had told police that he did not believe he was harming anybody or committing a crime.

The Russian told officers that those featured in the images "looked to him as if they were enjoying themselves", the court heard.

Bukovsky denies five counts of making indecent images of children, five of possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Carter said Bukovsky had told police that he began downloading the images through curiosity about issues of censorship online.

"What he said was that his initial curiosity turned into a hobby rather like stamp-collecting," which he told nobody about, the prosecutor said.

Some of the material found on hard drives in Bukovsky's home involved children of toddler age, Carter said. The Russian had told police the youngest were six or seven.

Bukovsky, who has been in exile from Russia since 1976, was present in court in a wheelchair.

An author and activist, he was one of the first to detail the abuse of psychiatric institutions to punish political prisoners of the former Soviet Union, causing an international outcry.

"The prosecution say that there was another side to this man which was far from laudable, an extensive interest in real children really being abused," Carter said.
Barcelona (AFP) - A Spanish court has annulled a fine of 30,000 euros ($32,000) imposed by the regional government of Catalonia on Airbnb for advertising lodgings that did not have permits to host tourists.

The Barcelona court justified its decision in a ruling dated November 29 which was released by the home rentals website on Monday on the grounds that there is a legal vacuum regarding the regulation of the "sharing economy" in Spain.

"The regulation of this new phenomenon of consumption has been left orphaned... and this can't be substituted by imposing a fine," the court said in its ruling after hearing Airbnb's appeal.

It is the first time that a fine against Airbnb has been overturned by a Spanish court.

Catalonia, home to the seaside city of Barcelona, slapped Airbnb with the fine in July 2014 for breaching local laws requiring any flat or house rented to tourists to be registered with the region's tourism authority.

The region tightened its rules on hospitality in 2012, saying this was needed to better control the quality of services on offer.

San Francisco-based Airbnb welcomed the court ruling, saying it was "key" to solving its legal issues in Catalonia.

"Airbnb is part of the solution in Barcelona and we want to work with leaders on clear, fair rules for home sharing. We hope this ruling will kickstart a new conversation on how we can work together," it said in a statement.

Barcelona city hall, led by a former anti-evictions activist, last month fined Airbnb and its rival HomeAway 600,000 euros ($635,000) each for marketing lodgings that lacked proper tourist permits.

Airbnb, which lets homeowners share their homes for a fee by marketing them online, has become a popular alternative to hotels and mirrors consumers' growing reliance on online sharing services in other areas such as transport, including cars.

Catalonia has figured prominently in its growth, with Barcelona consistently ranking as one of the site's largest markets.

Story continues

But the company has recently faced mounting criticism from some quarters that it exacerbates housing shortages and squeezes the long-term rental sector.

At the same time, several cities are exasperated by what is regarded as a service which appears to lack the legal and tax constraints of commercial enterprises.

New York, Miami and Berlin are just some of the other cities that have cracked down.
- By Holmes Osborne, CFA





Ferrovial SA (FRRVF) (FRRVY) is a Spanish construction company that also owns toll roads and 25% of London Heathrow Airport. The stock has done well since 2009 but is down this year.

The stock trades for 16.77 euros ($17.83), there are 726.1 million shares and the market cap is 12.2 billion euros. Earnings per share were 0.64 euros and the price-earnings ratio is 26.2. The trailing 12-month dividend yield is 4.25%.





Revenues were 7.45 billion euros in 2011, 9.7 billion euros in 2015 and 10.17 billion euros for the trailing 12-months. Twenty-eight percent of revenues come from Spain, 36% from the U.K., 16% from the U.S. and Canada, 13% from Poland and 7% from the rest of the world. Fifty percent are from services, 44% from construction, 5% from toll roads and 1% from airports.

The balance sheet shows 3.5 billion euros in cash and 3.2 billion euros in receivables. The liability side shows 3.7 billion euros in payables and 9.5 billion euros in debt. Investments in infrastructure have a book value of 8 billion euros. It is a safe bet that the infrastructure is worth a lot more than that. The debt is BBB rated.

Ferrovial's two largest assets are its 25% stake in London Heathrow Airport and its 43.23% stake in several toll roads in Toronto. The company also has concessions to operate roads in the U.S., Ireland, Spain, Greece and Portugal and three smaller airports in Scotland. These concessions do come to an end but most are not for many decades. The company sold the Chicago Skyway and several Irish toll roads earlier this year.

Construction projects include: a portion of California's high speed rail, Olstyn beltway in Poland, U.S.175 in Dallas and a road in Slovakia. The construction order book is 9.5 billion euros. In May, Ferrovial purchased Australian Broadspectrum for a total of 499 million euros. Broadspectrum operates refugee detainee centers off the coast of Australia--a very contentious subject. It looks like Ferrovial will get out of the detention center business.

Story continues

At the Annual Sohn Investment Conference in London, Bo Bortemark of Carve Capital recommended shares. He points to the 21% gap the shares are trading to net asset value. He is also bullish on the stock because Heathrow airport is opening a new runway and the Toronto toll roads are starting a new phase of building. He sees upside of 30% to 50%. Shares were in the three euro range in 2009 and reached 22 euros last year.

The company is in talks to buyout a contract to build three power transmission lines in Brazil from rival Grupo Isolux Corsan. Several groups oppose Ferrovial's contract to rebuild the Great Hall at Denver Airport. The groups point out how several divisions went bankrupt several years ago and a problem in building Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.

Ferrovial is not an easy company to look at because it is kind of a sum-of-the-parts story. People do not like privatized roads and airports, but the fact in many places is taxpayers do not want to pay up. Free cash flow was 950 million euros in 2015, 1.3 billion euros in 2014 and 1.2 billion euros in 2013. That is incredibly high. The stock is coming down so I would not buy it now, but would put it on my radar.

Disclosure: We do not own shares.

Start a free 7-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






john-mccain wants investigation into Russia's involvement in elections

Senator John McCain wants a committee to investigate CIA claims that Russia helped Trump into the White House, the Daily Mail is reporting. The Republican senator said it was dangerous to dismiss claims and was astonished that the president-elect was treating the matter lightly when the countrys sovereignty was at stake.

The facts are there. I dont know what to make of it because its clear the Russians interfered. Whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think thats a subject of investigation. But facts are stubborn things. They did hack into this campaign.

According to The Guardian, Donald Trump dismissed the CIA conclusion in an interview with Fox News, Sunday, saying it was another excuse after his underdog victory against Hillary Clinton. The 70-year-old politician called the claims ridiculous, adding that the American people got him into the White House and not the Kremlin.

"Facts are stubborn things, they did hack into this campaign," says Sen. John McCain on latest CIA investigation. pic.twitter.com/nKLynOCvwb  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) December 11, 2016

I dont believe it. I dont know why and I think its justyou know, they talked about all sorts of things. Every week its another excuseOnce they hack; if you dont catch them in the act youre not going to catch them. They have no idea if its Russia or China or somebody. It could somebody sitting in a bed someplace.

Click here to continue and read more...

The Stakes Are Too High John McCain Wants Further Investigation Into CIA Claims Russia Influenced Elections [Video] is an article from: The Inquisitr News
Photo credit: Suzanne Womac Edwards/Facebook

From Good Housekeeping

On December 6, a helium balloon floated into the yard of Suzanne Womac Edwards in Monroe, Georgia. Attached to the balloon was a note that made her "cry" and hug her family "a little tighter."

The letter was from a little boy named Alexander, who was writing to his father in heaven.

Photo credit: Suzanne Womac Edwards/Facebook

"Dad, I wish you were here so we coold [sic] have fun together," it read. "I wish you a merry Christmas. I hope you tell God to give me those presents. I hope you are happy in heaven. If you orr [sic] OK then tell me. I love you. Alexander."

Edwards posted the note on her Facebook page, where it went viral. She wrote in the caption, "To Alexander, I want you to know that Heaven is a wonderful place, more amazing than you or I can even imagine. It is a place where there is no pain and no worries. I am certain that your daddy didn't want to leave you or cause you to feel lonely or sad. But in Heaven, he is ok and he is happy. He wants you to be happy too! He will always love you and I am sure that you make him proud! Have a Merry Christmas!!"

She also expressed the wish that "my note will find this little boy,just as his balloon found me!" And it did.

The little boy's name is Alejandro Garcia-Herreros, and he was just four when he saw his father, Carlos Edmundo Garcia-Herreros, get gunned down for his watch on a street in Cucuta, Colombia in 2013.

He and his mother, Yudy Katerine, now live in Oxford, Georgia, and every year they release a balloon with a letter on the anniversary of Carlos' death.

Katerine contacted Edwards after her friend told her about the post. "She was very touched by my post, and did relay its message to her son," Edwards wrote in an update. "She said he had a tear of joy and was so glad to know his dad is happy. She called the experience a miracle."

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Donald Trump suggested Sunday that the U.S. may not be bound in the future by the understanding that Taiwan is part of one China  casting doubt upon a concept that has been a key part of Sino-U.S. relations for decades, and threatening to send those relations into a tailspin.

On Monday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said his government was seriously concerned about the President-elects comments, and that cordial development of ties out of the question unless that political bedrock of Sino-U.S. relations was maintained.

An earlier editorial in the state-linked Global Times was more strident, saying, In response to Trumps provocations, Beijing could offer support, even military assistance to U.S. foes.

A Chinese-language version of that same article added that Trump was like a child in his ignorance of foreign policy.

China and Taiwan effectively split after Chinas civil war in 1949, when routed Nationalists fled across the Taiwan Strait to the island. Since that time, Beijing has considered Taiwan a renegade province, to be reclaimed by force if necessary.

On Dec. 2, the U.S. President-elect angered the Chinese top brass by accepting a phone call from the President of Taiwan, the first direct contact between leaders of the U.S. and the self-governing island since formal diplomatic relations were severed in 1979.

Trump has been unrepentant about the call, and went further on this weeks Fox News Sunday by saying that the U.S. would only continue to recognize that Taiwan was part of China if significant concessions were wrested from Beijing.

I fully understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump told Fox.

Trump said China was not cooperating with the U.S. on its valuation of its currency, on denuclearizing North Korea and on resolving territorial claims in the South China Sea. He also said China should not be dictating whom he could speak to on the telephone.

Story continues

According to Professor Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Beijings Renmin University, Trumps remarks are likely an idle threat.

I dont think he will recognize Taiwan, he tells TIME. Maybe hes trying to bargain more benefits regarding trade or the economy so he says very serious things about Taiwan to frighten the Chinese [leadership]. I think its his diplomatic strategy.

Of course, Beijings reaction may be to strike back. Bilateral trade between the U.S. and China was valued at $558 billion last year, and China is the worlds largest holder of U.S. Treasury bonds  worth $1.19 trillion. Taiwan is even more reliant on China, which accounts for two-fifths of all its exports, bringing in some $130 billion each year.

Its super risky, Professor Nick Bisley, an Asia expert at Australias La Trobe University, says of Trumps gambit. Theres a reason why political leaders havent done this in the past. Taiwan is the neuralgic issue  one above all others that the Chinese will react to.

Trump made campaign pledges to brand China a currency manipulator and imposing a 45% tax on Chinese imports. The real estate moguls trade transition team is stacked with veterans of the U.S. steel industrys battles with the worlds second largest economy, indicating a shift toward heavy enforcement to decrease the U.S. trade deficit.

However, according to Sheng Jiuyuan, dean of the Taiwan Research Center at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, its Trumps Taiwan comments that will have a serious impact on Sino-U.S. relations, as one China is the cornerstone that maintains cross-straits stability.

Trump is using businessmans trick to deal with a sensitive political issue, he says. But that might cause a confrontation between China and Taiwan. Trump will have to take responsibility should this happen.

Chinese military aircraft have been spotted near Taiwan in recent days. More than 10 planes  including four electronic surveillance aircraft  conducted long-range exercises over the ocean between Taiwan and the Philippines, according to officials in Taipei. Experts say Beijing may be responding to speculation that the U.S. is trying to increase arm sales to Taiwan.

According to Bisley, Trumps swagger in dealing with China has echoes of the Cold War strategy of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who significantly enhanced the American armed forces before engaging in negotiations with Soviet Russia. Trump promised on the campaign trail to boost military spending by an estimated half a trillion dollars.

[Trumps] saying, Lets try to be a bit more confident and a bit more bold about where the U.S. stands in relation to China, says Bisley. The Chinese have been smart by not taking the bait. Because hes not President Trump yet and U.S. foreign policy has not changed.

 With reporting by Zhang Chi / Beijing
A petition to stop the Electoral College from naming Donald Trump the nation's next president during a vote on Dec. 19 has received nearly 4.9 million signatures. The organizer of the "Electoral College: Make Hillary Clinton President" petition is also calling on Americans who oppose Trump to rally at their state capitals on the day of the vote to show their displeasure with the election results.

"On December 19, the Electors will gather in their state capitals to cast their vote for President  and we need you to be there. We are collaborating with a coalition of organizations to manage the logistics of December 19 protests across the country. We need your commitment to participate, and we need more organizers on the ground," organizer Daniel Brezenoff of California wrote Sunday on the Change.org petition page. "We are proud to stand with you in this fight."

The petition started in November seeks to use the loosely defined rules of the Electoral College to block Trump from the White House. Under the Electoral College, electors chosen by party officials typically vote for the candidate selected by the most voters in his or her state. While Hilary Clinton won the popular vote, Trump won more states, making him the winner.

"Donald Trump has not been elected president. The real election takes place December 19, when the 538 Electoral College Electors cast their ballots  for anyone they want. If they all vote the way their states voted, Donald Trump will win. However, in 14 of the states in Trump's column, they can vote for Hillary Clinton without any legal penalty if they choose," the petition states. "We are calling on 'Conscientious Electors' to protect the Constitution from Donald Trump, and to support the national popular vote winner."

A website supporting the anti-Trump effort includes a section titled "The Danger of Donald Trump" that declares "Donald Trump represents a unique threat to our Republic and our Constitutional system of government." It states reasons such as "He would be the only president in American history who has never held public office," "He has encouraged violence at his rallies" and "He has advocated violating international treaties," among others.

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This time of year is always stressful for high school seniors applying to college, but this Louisiana student's hard work paid off when he received his acceptance into Cornell University, and all his classmates were there to celebrate with him.

Read: Man Fakes Arrest With Help of Police Before Proposing to His Corrections Officer Girlfriend

Brendon Gauthier, a senior at TM Landry College Prep, is one of only 14 graduates at the Breaux Bridge school this year.

In a video posted to the school's Facebook page, Gauthier can be seen sitting with his classmates, waiting in anticipation for the Ivy League school's decision on his acceptance.

Suddenly, the students burst into cheers as it is revealed Gauthier was accepted into the prestigious Ithaca, New York, school. His classmates congratulate him with screams, and warm embraces.

"Brendon is an exceptional young man," said the school's owner, Michael Landry. He can even be seen in the video picking up Gauthier, and celebrating with just as much excitement.

According to Landry, the school is 95 percent African American, and every graduate goes on to four-year universities with many continuing on to Ivy League schools.

Read: With Honors: 6 Graduation Stories That Will Inspire You for the New School Year

The school, hosting grades 1 through 12, is only made of about 100 students, and Landry and his wife were the only two teachers until this year.

Watch: Cap and Gone: Teen Causes Social Media Frenzy After Walking Out of High School Graduation

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Khartoum (AFP) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir vowed Monday to brutally crush anti-regime protests, warning the authorities will crack down on demonstrators as they did in 2013 when dozens were killed during clashes.

Bashir's warning came as opposition activists issued a new call to hold a two-day nationwide strike next week against a government decision to cut fuel subsidies that has led to rising prices for goods including medicines.

"In the past few days we have heard some people, who are hiding behind their keyboards, calling for the overthrow of the regime," Bashir told supporters gathered in the eastern town of Kasala.

"We want to tell them that if you want to overthrow the regime, then face us directly on the streets. I challenge you to come out onto the streets.

"But we know you will not come because you know what happened in the past... This regime will not be overthrown by keyboards and WhatsApp," Bashir said in a speech broadcast live on state television.

In 2013, dozens of people were killed in a government crackdown on street protests against to a similar round of subsidy cuts.

Rights groups say about 200 lives were lost in that crackdown, while the government puts the death toll at less than 100.

In recent weeks, groups of people have staged sporadic demonstrations against the latest cuts, but they were swiftly dispersed by anti-riot police.

Opposition activists have now taken to social media networks like Facebook and Twitter as well as WhatsApp messenger to call for a new nationwide "sit-at-home" strike on December 19 and 20, urging the people to stage street protests in Khartoum and other cities to "overthrow the regime".

A similar three-day strike in late November saw a mixed response, with some private sector employees abstaining from work but government employees reporting for duty.

Sudan's powerful National Intelligence and Security Service, or NISS, has already arrested several opposition leaders and activists in a bid to prevent protests.
Viacom mogul Sumner Redstone gave many millions of dollars to numerous mistresses  including a reality show producer, a model, and the sister of a flight attendant on his corporate jet  according to a new lawsuit filed on Monday.

The suit, filed by Redstones ex-girlfriend Sydney Holland, comes in response to Redstones effort to recoup $150 million bestowed to Holland and another ex-companion, Manuela Herzer. The counterclaim alleges that Redstone, 93, routinely gave millions to several female companions, and was mentally competent to do so.

The lurid nature of these relationships and the significant amounts of money that Redstone paid to these women are directly at issue, the suit contends.

The suit alleges that Redstone gave $21 million to a mistress who was an aspiring reality show producer; $18 million to a flight attendant on the CBS corporate jet; $6 million to the flight attendants sister, whom he slept with; $10-11 million to a woman he met through Patti Stanger, who ran a dating show called The Millionaire Matchmaker; $7 million to another mistress who claimed to be a model; $6 million to a friend of his grandsons girlfriend, in addition to finding a job for the friend at Showtime; and $1.5 million to another mistress. He also gave undisclosed amounts to a USC student and a Paramount employee to whom he was once engaged, and paid the USC students tuition, according to the suit.

The allegations cover the period when Holland and Redstone were living together, from June 2011 through September 2015, when Holland confessed that she had been unfaithful to Redstone and he threw her out of his house. Holland is now seeking financial support for herself and her daughter, plus legal fees and a half-interest in his Beverly Park home and half of his stock and other investment holdings.

In the lawsuit, Holland threatens to call Redstones celebrity friends as well as Viacom and CBS executives as witnesses.

In response, Redstones legal team called the cross-complaint a work of fiction punctuated by not-so-subtle threats of extortion and an overwhelming stench of greed.

Story continues

The critical witnesses will not be Mr. Redstones celebrity friends but instead the nurses and household staff members who, unlike Ms. Holland, were by his side day and night, Redstones attorneys stated. It will be for the jury to weigh the contemporaneous notes and trial testimony of those disinterested witnesses against Ms. Hollands narcissistic false narrative. In the end, we are confident that justice will be done.

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Sumner Redstone's ex-fiance Sydney Holland is not only firing back at an elder abuse lawsuit filed against her by the 93-year-old mogul, but also is filing a suit of her own - which seeks half of his fortune at his death.

Holland claims Redstone gave millions to other women during the course of their relationship and his suit against her breaches an oral contract between the two, according to documents filed Monday in L.A. County Superior Court.

In October, the mogul sued Holland and Manuela Herzer, claiming the two used their influence over him to control his life and garner more than $150 million in cash and gifts for themselves. After discovering Holland was having an affair last year, Redstone kicked her out of his mansion; Herzer's ouster followed and launched a flurry of litigation surrounding the mogul and whether he's susceptible to undue influence.

Holland is claiming that it was Redstone who controlled her and his "lurid" relationships with multiple women also resulted in significant financial gifts - and it makes no sense that only she and Herzer are named as defendants in the elder abuse suit.

"Redstone gave tens of millions of dollars to various other women - who he had no intention of marrying and was not in love with - at the time he was engaged to marry Sydney," states the reply. "Women who did nothing more than provide sexual favors."

Holland claims those "gifts" included paying $18 million to a flight attendant on the CBS corporate jet, $6 million to a friend of his grandson's girlfriend and $10 million to $11 million to a woman who he met through Millionaire Matchmaker star Patti Stanger. Herzer warned that she intends to call on Redstone's Hollywood friends and colleagues as witnesses to the affairs. (Read the reply in full here.)

Redstone's legal team issued a statement Monday in response to the filings: "Ms. Holland's cross-complaint is a work of fiction punctuated by not-so-subtle threats of extortion and an overwhelming stench of greed. The critical witnesses will not be Mr. Redstone's 'celebrity friends' but instead the nurses and household staff members who, unlike Ms. Holland, were by his side day and night. It will be for the jury to weigh the contemporaneous notes and trial testimony of those disinterested witnesses against Ms. Holland's narcissisticnarrative. In the end, we are confident that justice will be done."

Story continues

Her cross-complaint for breach of contract centers on an alleged 2010 oral agreement between Holland and Redstone. She claims she was to be his companion, confidante and personal assistant, and in exchange he would provide financial security for the rest of her life - including the cost of legal fees incurred if any member of the Redstone family were to sue her.

"As was his habit, Redstone was always extremely generous to Sydney, albeit not without a certain amount of self-interest," states the complaint. "He wanted her attention solely on him, and, early on, he undertook to support her financially to encourage her dependence on him."

Holland now claims Redstone is breaching their oral agreement because he has failed to provide financial support for her since their break-up and changed his estate plan to remove her as a beneficiary. She's seeking damages and monthly financial support, and is asking the court to order Redstone to amend his trust to make her a beneficiary of half of his Beverly Park mansion and half of all of his cash, stock and other non-real property.

Holland is represented by Mark Holscher and Sierra Elizabeth of Kirkland & Ellis.
There was no surprise for readers of these pages regards US crop size. We have been stuck on 16.5 Mb since July, and have hardly budged. It is still puzzling as to Informas estimate in July at 14.8 Mb. The US crop is +1.75 Mb than that shot in the dark. Once and for all, rain in Texas means higher yields, and there are a lot of folks out there who wanted to believe the opposite. A small surprise was US consumption, cut 200 kb. This figure has been so static for years that most analysts ignored it. We had heard of some poor textile demand and a few closings, but this is sad news. As for exports, the bulls say this figure should be 13.0 Mb, or higher, or higher. We admit that some methods of forecasting can reach 13.0 Mb, but then we get all balled up with what is going on in Asia and the pushback from China and its too confusing to understand. 12.2 Mb looks OK for now, but lets be ready for big changes here later.



World numbers show a little of what we have been watching for in Asia, as two countries basically replaced about Mb from two others. India and the US lost the half mil, while China and Viet took it. Our belief is that cotton use in manufacturing countries is a set game, so where one loses, some other country gains. This report hammers that home. Then there is Pakistan production, stuck at 8.25 Mb. Cotton Outlook, us, and a couple of reliable analysts peg this at least Mb larger, possibly 1 Mb. If this ever gets confirmed, then the big demand push out of Asia will cease.

Varner View

US grain numbers were neutral, but world numbers were negative across the board. US and world cotton numbers were a little negative. Whatever else the report showed today, it did not give grain or cotton bulls reason to hold. Soy specs are fairly long, while cotton specs have never been so long. The softs markets have all given up the bull in recent weeks, and cotton finds itself a very lonely bull among softs and grains. A 4.8 M carryout is not worth 70-72c, and the Dec 17 has given growers dozens of chances to sell +7000 since mid July. The only hope the bull has is that Asian nearby shortage will continue, keeping a bid for our exports. We think not.

Technicals

No change, cotton is still stuck in a rut. However The DI indicator is about to go negative, first time since early Nov. RSI is meandering, but slightly negative. Stochastics are solid negative. As is MACD. As this was written (noon central) the only support Mar tested was the 21 day avg. There are no less than 5 support points between 7100 to 7000, so a move below 7000 would break down from a tedious 4 month back-and-forth sideways chop.

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From ELLE DECOR

Though this might come as a surprise, any sushi chef worth his toro will tell you that the most important component of sushi is rice, not fish. And that's because if a chef's rice is off in any way, or not seasoned property, the entire meal will be thrown askew. Those pressed grains serve as the platform to elevate fish  ruin the rice and all bets are off.

Think about rice to sushi as dough is to pizza: if your dough is no good, the pizza is no good, regardless how excellent its toppings. While sushi is considered one of the highest forms of Japanese culinary art, here in the US, we often go about eating it improperly. Is there rice floating in your soy sauce dish? Is your mackerel draped with ginger? Read on.

But wait, let's rewind for a second. Sushi  what is sushi? Sushi is a word that represents the category of Japanese foods which consist of cooked, seasoned rice served with fish, meat, vegetables, or other ingredients. That group of dishes includes maki rolls, nigiri (individual mounds of rice topped with other ingredients), chirashi (a bowl of seasoned rice topped with a variety of ingredients), inari (deep-fried tofu skin stuffed with seasoned rice), and finally oshi sushi, which you've probably never encountered. This is an old style of sushi in which rice is arranged in a rectangular box, a topping is added, followed by a second layer of rice, and another topping. The whole thing is pressed together, then sliced into bite-sized rectangles. And, for the record, sashimi isn't sushi since it doesn't involve rice.

Photo credit: Getty

Oshi sushi.

When you go out for sushi, you have two dining options, which will ultimately yield wildly different experiences. You either go to a sushi spot and nab a table, or you choose to sit at the bar. The difference is, usually, when you sit at a table, you can order whatever you want a la carte. But when you're at the bar, you sit in front of a chef and he decides your meal based on what's best that day.

Story continues

In the world of sushi, some unsaid rules exist when it comes to sitting at a bar or chef's counter  an experience known as omakase  the Japanese word that translates to leaving the menu in the chef's hands. One of those unsaid rules is that if you're at a top quality sushi bar, the chef will secretly observe you. A great chef will watch your movements, noticed if you are left or right-handed, and pay attention to how much time it takes you to eat each bite, for instance. The surefire way to be served the best-quality fish a chef has is to become a regular, and develop a rapport with that person. At least that's how it's done in Japan. In fact, some sushi bars don't allow new customers to dine unless they come in with a previous customer.

If you're not yet an avid sushi consumer though, your next best bet is to learn proper sushi etiquette to impress the chef. That way he/she will know you're serious about the meal, and that you probably have a discerning palate. The chef will therefore be more inclined to serve you better pieces. Also, acting well-mannered at a sushi bar (more below) serves as a sign of respect in a culture where respect is paramount. Showing that you appreciate the chef's efforts through proper table manner is another way to secure better bites.

During a recent trip to Japan, I had the opportunity to dine at a variety of Tokyo sushi bars, all deemed some of the best in the city. I did indeed nab a seat at the famed Jiro to experience the chef's rapid-fire 35-minute omakase, and I likewise spent a highly enjoyable evening at Sushisho Saito, more of an undercover gem. One of my favorite spots in Tokyo, and one that I'd recommend in a heartbeat, is Sawada, the two Michelin-starred, 6-seat counter place that slices some of the best sushi I've had in my life.

Photo credit: John Scherrer

Chef Yuji Imaizumi with the day's catch.

In a city where serious sushi is usually served within a solemn atmosphere, Sushi Sora at the Mandarin Hotel in the Nihonbashi neighborhood of Tokyo, is a welcome reprieve, a place that offers great fish in a slightly more relaxed space. Sora chef Yuji Imaizumi believes that guests should, for the most part, be able to sit at his bar and consume a meal as they see fit, though he does adhere to a few key sushi dining points.

Hands vs. Chopsticks

When you sit down to a sushi bar meal, in front of you is likely a pair of horizontal chopsticks, a cup, and an oshibori  a hot, moist towel neatly rolled up. Use this towel to clean your hands during the meal, but when done, make sure to place it neatly to the side, not crumpled in a ball. In Japan, this will serve as your napkin during the meal.

While I personally like to use my hands to eat nigiri, other diners reach for chopsticks. Imaizumi feels as though either method of transport is correct, and for him it's a matter of place. As in, depending on how high a given sushi bar is, and how far away the nigiri lands (a chef usually places it directly on the sushi bar or on a small plate in front of the guest), that will determine whether it's more comfortable to use one's hands, or swoop in with chopsticks for extra reach. At Sora, chef Imaizumi likes his customers to make this decision on their own based on what's most agreeable.

Ginger, Wasabi, and More

Whether on a small or medium-sized plate, a chef will provide each diner with a stash of pickled ginger, a swipe of wasabi, and maybe some sea grapes. Both the pickled ginger and the sea grapes are meant to be consumed as a palate cleanser between nigiri bites  not piled onto pieces of sushi. Wasabi can be added to pieces of sashimi, or placed atop nigiri  but not mixed into soy sauce. Many omakase bars will pre-lacquer your nigiri, so you won't even have to worry about soy sauce and dipping.

Photo credit: Getty

Sea grapes.

On Soy Sauce

But let's say that a few nigiri pieces are not pre-sauced. Always, always dip your nigiri fish side into the soy sauce, as opposed to dunking the bottom rice part head first. If you dip rice first, too much soy will be absorbed, and overpower the fish's delicate flavor. Also, it's considered bad manners to leave pieces of rice floating in your soy. So, if that happens, slyly scoop them out.

What to Drink?

While Jiro does indeed offer sake with his sushi, he believes that the way sushi should be consumed is only beside a cup of green tea. I like either with my meal, as does chef Imaizumi. As long as you're not trying to drink a strongly flavored beverage like coffee with your meal, you're fine. Also note, that when drinking sake, it's bad luck to pour your own drink! If you are running low, offer some to your dining companion as a hint you need a refill.

Photo credit: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

The bar at Sushi Sora.

Some Final Words on Counter Dining

Many sushi chefs believe that when dining at a counter, talking should be kept to a minimum. Or at least that those sitting at the bar should pay attention to the nigiri as the chef hands it over. That's because the chef is passing you warm, seasoned rice supporting a freshly cut ocean animal. If you leave that piece sitting on the bar for even 30 seconds, the rice cools off, changing the whole flavor of the bite.

Photos: you probably want to take some. Which is generally fine, just make sure to turn off the flash. It's also in good form to first ask the chef's permission to take photos before snapping away. According to chef Imaizumi, aside from interrupting other guests' dining experience, a bright flash can dull a restaurant's interior design elements. But, more importantly, flash can distract the chef, who could accidentally cut himself while slicing fish. Remember, those sushi knives are sharp!

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In the closing days of the 2016 election campaign, hackers believed to be working for Russian intelligence launched a new wave of attacks on Hillary Clintons campaign and the Democratic National Committee  a previously unreported cyberoffensive that heightened concerns, now endorsed by the CIA, that the Russian government was seeking to influence the outcome of the election in favor of Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the investigations into the attempted intrusions.

The attacks came in the form of so-called phishing emails sent to nearly a dozen campaign and committee staffers in a renewed effort at penetrating their networks, said Dmitri Alperovitch, the co-founder and chief technology officer of CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm hired by the DNC to repel attacks on its network. Staffers at that point were alert enough to reject entreaties to click on the unsolicited email messages that would have allowed the hackers into their computers, he said.

But at least one top Clinton campaign staffer, communications director Jennifer Palmieri, told Yahoo News on Sunday that she received an alert from Google in mid-October informing her that her personal Gmail account had been targeted by a foreign state actor and that her password needed to be changed.

They were targeting us throughout the election, said another former senior Clinton campaign staffer, who asked not to be identified. They never stopped trying to get back in.

Hillary Clintons director of communications, Jennifer Palmieri; longtime aide Huma Abedin,; and campaign manager Robby Mook at a campaign rally in Portsmouth, N.H. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)

The disclosure of the late campaign attack could fuel a mounting controversy over U.S. intelligence findings that link Russian intelligence to the cyberattacks for the express purpose of throwing the election as part of a campaign, orchestrated in Moscow, to defeat Clinton.

The Washington Post reported Saturday that the CIA has briefed members of Congress on an assessment that the Russians targeted Democratic political organizations and campaign officials as part of a specific effort to defeat Clinton and elect Trump. This goes beyond an earlier public finding that U.S. intelligence officials were confident that the Russian government was behind the cyberattacks, but did not ascribe a motive for the Russians doing so.

Story continues

One piece of damning evidence behind the new finding is that the CIA and the FBI have both identified specific individuals associated with or close to the Russian government who provided the DNC emails to WikiLeaks, which began publishing them in July, a senior law enforcement official told Yahoo News. Despite reports of a clash between the CIA and the FBI over the motive behind Russias intelligence service in launching the operation, the differences are more a matter of degree and emphasis, with the FBI believing there may have been mixed motives for the Russian effort, the official said. Still, we all agree they did these things, the official said.

But President-elect Trump doubled down on his rejection of the intelligence findings in an interview with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace that aired Sunday, dismissing any conclusion that points to Russian government involvement.

President-elect Donald Trump is interviewed by Chris Wallace for Fox News Sunday on Dec. 10. (Photo: Richard Drew/AP)

I think its ridiculous, Trump told Chris Wallace in interview that aired on Fox News Sunday, his first Sunday show sit-down since winning the election. I dont believe it.

If you look at the story and you take a look at what they said, theres great confusion, Trump added. Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting. Once they hack, if you dont catch them in the act youre not going to catch them. They have no idea if its Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace. I mean, they have no idea.

Alperovitch of CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm that first publicly linked the cyberattacks to Russian intelligence, said Sunday that he was puzzled by Trumps remarks and assumes he has not yet been fully briefed on the matter. (CrowdStrike, whose principals include Shawn Henry, the former chief of the FBIs cyber division, was initially hired by the DNC to investigate the cyberattacks and defend its network last May.)

At this point, the matter of attribution on the intrusions has been settled,Alperovitch said. There is nobody that looks at the evidence who disputes this. Asked his level of confidence in his firms findings, he responded 100 percent.

CrowdStrike Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dmitri Alperovitch speaks during the Reuters Media and Technology Summit in June. (Photo: Keith Bedford/Reuters)

Much of the evidence, he said, revolves around the nature of the sophisticated tools used by the attackers on the DNC and forensic evidence showing strong similarities to Russian cyberattacks that have occurred in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries  as well as to intrusions of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House and the State Department and other U.S. government agencies. The digital fingerprints are of the same origin, said Alperovitch.

CrowdStrike initially identified two sets of attackers on the DNCs servers: One, dubbed Cozy Bear, was associated with the Russian FSB (the successor to the Soviet KGB) and which first breached the DNCs network in the summer of 2015. Another, dubbed Fancy Bear, has been associated with Russias military intelligence service, the GRU. The latter infiltrated the DNCs network in late April of this year in what turned into a far more devastating attack, resulting in the disclosure of 20,000 internal DNC emails to WikiLeaks  an act, according to Alperovitch, of information warfare. (He acknowledged that a third Russian intelligence service, the SVR, which has responsibility for foreign intelligence operations, may also have been involved.)

When we look at this over 10 years  literally hundreds of intrusions  [and] you look at the tradecraft, you look at the victims, it all points to Russian intelligence services, Alperovitch said.

In addition, he said, there was another separate cyberattack discovered in late September from an undetermined party that penetrated DNC computers with software containing sensitive voter analytic data that was being provided in regular memos to Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook, the sources said.

The breach was detected by CrowdStrike, and the cyberinvaders were expelled from a cloud server housing the data; this server was distinct from the DNCs internal computer network that had been previously breached, he said. But the intruders were never identified, and it was never determined whether the data  containing detailed reports on voter registration and estimates of likely voter participation in the November election  was ever actually stolen.

People gather near the headquarters of the Federal Security Service in Moscow. (Photo: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters)

Alperovitch said he doesnt know whether these hackers were associated with Russian intelligence; they used different methods and publicly available cybertools to pull it off  also he said the DNC never authorized his firm to conduct a full investigation. But he said the late October phishing attacks on the DNC and the Clinton campaign resembled the earlier Fancy Bear attacks, leading him to conclude they were likely the work of the GRU.

Moreover, attacks by the Cozy Bear intruders have continued throughout the fall, targeting multiple organizations, including think tanks and universities whose scholars work on Russian policy issues, he said.

And even more recently, he said, there was evidence that the separate Fancy Bear hackers are now also attacking political organizations in Germany and elsewhere in Europe in an apparent attempt to meddle in their elections as well. (The chief of German domestic intelligence said last week that there has been a recent increase in aggressive cyberespionage against German politicians and warned about growing evidence for attempts to influence the [German] federal elections next year.

These activities have not stopped, said Alperovitch. Now that they were executed [in the United States] and they have a successful playbook, I fully expect they are going to continue.
Photo credit: Steve Popeundefined

From Esquire

"That is the great Grimpen Mire," said he. "A false step yonder means death to man or beast. Only yesterday I saw one of the moor ponies wander into it. He never came out. I saw his head for quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, but it sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it is a danger to cross it, but after these autumn rains it is an awful place."

-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

The swamp draining, it appears, she is again postponed.

CNBC tells us that the president-elect has concluded yet another Wall Street-wide search and hired yet another noted friend of the working man for his populist economic team.

Cohn, Goldman's 56-year-old president and chief operating officer, has been offered the directorship of the National Economic Council and assistant to the president for economic policy, the sources said. It is unclear if Cohn will accept the post, but he reportedly had discussions late last month about leaving Goldman. Cohn has been at Goldman for 25 years and previously worked in commodities. The National Economic Council, which Cohn would lead, is meant to "coordinate policy-making for domestic and international issues, to coordinate economic policy advice for the president, to ensure that policy decisions and programs are consistent with the president's economic goals, and to monitor implementation of the president's economic policy agenda."

Tell me again how Matt Taibbi's description of GS as a great vampire squid was an infelicitous metaphor.

There are still some hopeful souls, full of seasonal cheer, if not 150-proof poitin, who will argue that Trump's goal is not to break the money power, but to spread its bounty out more generally among more of the citizenry. That is certainly what he says he's going to do, but I've discovered that it's a good rule of thumb not to believe anything El Caudillo del Mar-A-Lago says because a) he doesn't remember anything two minutes after he says it, and b) he's a stupendous liar anyway.

Story continues

It's what he does that's important and, so far, he hasn't done anything that would indicate that he's going to disturb either the current economic order, or the country's relentless drive toward another fiscal catastrophe. His appointees all have been comfortable oligarchs; his Secretary of Labor believes in cheap hiring until he's sure the robots are ready to take the jobs. His Secretary of the Treasury is a foreclosure baron, and his Secretary of Commerce made his boodle running a corporate chop-shop courtesy of this country's ludicrous bankruptcy laws.

Photo credit: Timothy A. Claryundefined

This, naturally, has led to some interesting speculation as to who's really running the store down at Camp Runamuck while the president-elect is stroking the suckers out in the boondocks. It is being described as a power struggle between the old-school loyalists like Steve Bannon and Establishment infiltrators like obvious anagram Reince Priebus, soon to be the White House chief-of-staff, with Priebus at the moment being said to be winning.

(And can we declare a year's moratorium on both the phrase "Team of Rivals" and any analogy involving Game of Thrones? Thank you. Sincerely, America.)

Since I don't think Priebus could lead kindergartners across the street, the question I have is who's pulling Priebus' strings. If I had to guess, I'd point to Jim DeMint and his now completely radicalized Heritage Foundation. While Trump's stump rhetoric is wildly dissonant from the recruitment policy that's burped up all of those recruits, one thing all of them-including egregious thooleramawns like Scott Pruitt at EPA and Betsy DeVos at Education-have in common in that they have records and policy positions perfectly in tune with what DeMint and Heritage have been pushing for years. If you're looking for the dark lord behind the events of the next few years, you could do worse than look on Massachusetts Avenue NE in Washington, not too far from both the Capitol and the chambers of the Supreme Court.

[contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="Bernie%20Sanders:%20Trump%20Is%20a%20'Pathological%20Liar'" customimages="" content="article.51409"]

On the electric Twitter machine Thursday night, David Simon made a convincing case why having the President of the United States keep his day job as the executive producer of a reality television show really isn't that big a deal, even though it looks extraordinarily hinky. I'm not sure I agree with Simon completely, but he certainly knows more about the world of TV than I do. (Note: because he's keeping the job, the president-elect of the United States now will be Arnold Schwarzeneggar's boss. What a country this is.) However, I am very sure that Kellyanne Conway is as full of shit as the Christmas goose when she argues a similar case on the grounds that it's Obama's fault. From CNN:

"He's a very transparent guy. Everyone can see what he's doing, and the fact is that he is conferring with all types of experts who tell him what he can do and not do as President of the United States," Conway, a top Trump adviser and his former campaign manager, said on CNN's "New Day." "If this is one of the approved activities, then perhaps he will consider staying on "It certainly seems like there is a lot of time to do based on recent precedent while you're president of the United States. But the point is the same. Whether it's President Obama or President Donald Trump, the idea that these men are going to be all work and nothing else all the time is just unrealistic because it's never happened in our lifetimes."

I'd like a list of all these "experts" he's conferring with on this or, at least, all the experts not named Ivanka. And he's not "considering staying on." He's freaking staying on. And there are obvious conflicts of interest involving NBC Universal, and the news division of NBC that were not a factor between the current president and the greenskeepers at Hilton Head. But this extremely weird set of facts leads me to sign on to Josh Marshall's conclusion that he has to keep all these other irons in the fire because, if he doesn't, then he'd be broke as hell and, maybe, all those Chinese banks would call in their loans. The swamp gets deeper by the day.

And what fresh hell will we see next?

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ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss efforts to curb immigration from the European Union without provoking a clash with Brussels cleared a penultimate hurdle on Monday when parliament agreed not to adopt outright quotas on newcomers. Instead, a bill in the lower house of parliament that cleared up the last differences in language from earlier versions said locals should have first choice for open jobs. That paved the way for a final vote on Friday that is seen largely as a formality. EU officials have kept a low profile during the Swiss parliamentary debate after a binding 2014 referendum demanded upper limits and quotas on immigration. How the EU reacts will be scrutinized for hints of what Britain might expect as it negotiates its exit from the bloc. The bill skirts direct confrontation with the EU, which says free movement of people is a key condition for Swiss access to the bloc's single market of 500 million people. The lack of upper limits and quotas on immigration prompted complaints from the right-wing Swiss People's Party that politicians had defied the people's will. But a clear majority in parliament did not want to risk a row with the EU, its main trading partner. Should Brussels determine the final Swiss measure infringes too heavily on freedom of movement, it could cancel other bilateral accords that ease Swiss trade with the EU in areas that account for 7 percent of Swiss economic output. But diplomats said this seemed unlikely to happen. Around 8.3 million people live in the neutral Alpine republic, nearly a quarter of them foreign. Around 350,000 more Europeans from places such as Italy, Germany and France commute to Swiss jobs, making the case politically sensitive. (Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
The Syrian military said Monday troops had regained control of 98 percent of previously rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Forces loyal to President Bashar Assad claimed to have recaptured al-Fardous, one of the largest neighborhoods in the city which has been under rebel control since 2012.

Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh reportedly said the battle for Aleppo had entered its final steps and told the rebel fighters still in the city to surrender or die.

The announcement came shortly after Russian Defense Ministry said the Syrian government had retaken 95 percent of Aleppo. Nearly 100,000 civilians have fled the city -- once Syrias industrial and financial center -- since the fighting started, the ministry added.

U.K. based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 10,000 civilians had fled the city in the past 24 hours.

The monitoring groups chief Rami Abdurrahman reportedly said fighting was still ongoing in areas that the Syrian government claimed was under its control. Syrian troops backed by Russian forces launched an offensive to retake the besieged city from rebel control. The efforts to retake Aleppo began Nov. 26 with continuous airstrikes severely damaging the citys hospitals.

Rebel officials told Reuters Sunday they received a U.S.-backed proposal approved by Russia that would allow the rebels to leave the battered city with their families and other civilians. However, Moscow denied reaching such an agreement with Washington.

The issue of withdrawing militants is the subject of separate agreements. This agreement has not yet been reached, largely because the United States insists on unacceptable terms, Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov reportedly said.

He added that talks between Russian and U.S. experts and diplomats on reaching a consensus on Aleppo would continue in Geneva. He also said Moscow was working on creating safe corridors for civilians fleeing the city.

Assad said earlier the recapture of Aleppo would be a milestone in the Syrian war, which began five years ago.

Story continues

To be realistic, this does not mean the end of the war in Syria, but a huge step toward that end, the president told Syrian newspaper Al Watan. It does not end until all terrorists have been completely eliminated ... and we will continue the war against them.

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BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there had been a suspected gas attack in Islamic State-held territory near Palmyra on Monday, amid heavy aerial bombardment of the same area which together killed at least 53 people. Citing local sources near the site of the attack in eastern Hama province, northwest of the ancient city of Palmyra, the Observatory said there were cases of suffocation and that dozens had been wounded during heavy rocket fire on the area. The dead included 28 children, the Observatory said. Local sources had reported seeing dead bodies with no visible injuries, said the Observatory, a British-based group that monitors the war in Syria through a network of contacts across the country. The reported attack came from the air and took place near the town of Uqairabat, which lies on a main road leading south into Palmyra from government-held territory, the Observatory said, without specifying who might have been responsible. Amaq, a news service linked to Islamic State, said in an online statement that 20 people had died and around 200 were injured from breathing problems "as a result of a Russian air attack with sarin gas". Ahmad al-Dbis, of the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), said about 86 people had died, and about 250 were injured in the attacks on Monday. UOSSM is a coalition of international aid agencies which funds hospitals in Syria. It used to work with staff in the area of the attack before Islamic State took over. Both the Syrian army and Russia have denied using chemical weapons. U.N. investigators established that sarin gas was used in parts of the rebel-held Ghouta suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus in 2013. The United States accused Syria's government of conducting the attack, which it estimated killed around 1,400 people, but Damascus denied responsibility and blamed rebels. A United Nations investigation this year found that the Syrian military had used chlorine in attacks on rebels and that Islamic State had also used chemical weapons in attacks. Damascus has said that the conclusions of that investigation were wrong. On Sunday, Islamic State militants recaptured Palmyra despite dozens of Russian air strikes attempting to push them back. It had previously been driven from the city in March. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
PARIS (Reuters) - Syria's chief opposition coordinator Riad Hijab said on Monday that defeat in Aleppo would not weaken the resolve of opponents of President Bashar al-Assad to remove him from power. "If Assad and his allies think that a military advance in certain quarters of Aleppo will signify that we will make concessions, then (I say) that will not happen. We will not make any concessions," Hijab told reporters after meeting French President Francois Hollande. The Syrian army and its allies are in the "final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in an ever-shrinking enclave, a Syrian general said on Monday. Hijab, once a prime minister under Assad, accused Russia of double standards by saying that the opposition was always demanding preconditions for peace talks when in reality Assad's opponents wanted international resolutions that Moscow had agreed to at the United Nations to be implemented. "The Russians voted this resolution. Why doesn't it implement it? Why doesn't it stop bombing? Why doesn't it lift the blockades it has put in place with the Assad regime, Shi'ite militias and the Iranian revolutionary guard?" "The Syrians are dying of hunger. We want a real political transition ... that would enable Syria to go from a dictatorship to a democratic state," he said. Hijab, who presides over the High Negotiations Committee of opponents of Assad, also accused Assad's forces and Russia of being unwilling and unable to fight Islamic State militants who control parts of the country and on Sunday retook the ancient city of Palmyra. "Facing Daesh in Palmyra, they flee like rats. They are lions only in the face of disarmed civilians who cannot defend themselves, but when faced with Daesh in Palmyra or elsewhere they run like rabbits," Hijab said. (Reporting by John Irish and Jean-Baptiste Vey; Editing by Leigh Thomas)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  A Syrian refugee has graduated from an Australian high school with top honors just two years after beginning to learn English.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that Saad Al-Kassab earned a 96.65 on an Australian college admissions test. Al-Kassab graduated dux, the Australian equivalent of valedictorian, from one of the country's largest Catholic high schools.

Al-Kassab says his initial poor English skills made it tough to get into a high school when he first arrived in Australia in June of 2014.

Now, he has been offered a college scholarship and is hoping to study medicine.
BEIRUT (AP)  Syrian rebels retreated from former strongholds in eastern Aleppo in a "terrifying" collapse Monday, holding onto a small sliver of territory packed with fighters and thousands of civilians as government troops pressed on with their rapid advance.

The Syrian military said it had gained control of 99 percent of the former opposition enclave in eastern Aleppo, signaling an impending end to the rebels' four-year hold over parts of the city as the final hours of battle played out.

"The situation is very, very critical," said Ibrahim al-Haj of the Syrian Civil Defense, volunteer first responders who operate in rebel-held areas. He said he was seeking shelter for himself and his family, fearing clashes or capture by the government.

Retaking Aleppo, which has been divided between rebel- and government-controlled zones since 2012, would be President Bashar Assad's biggest victory yet in the country's civil war. But it does not end the conflict: Significant parts of Syria are still outside government control and huge swaths of the country are a devastated waste-land. More than a quarter of a million people have been killed.

On Sunday, the Islamic State group re-occupied the ancient town of Palmyra, taking advantage of the Syrian army and its Russian backers' preoccupation with the fighting in Aleppo. On Monday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS fighters were on the verge of imposing a siege on a nearby army base known as T4.

The IS recapture of Palmyra nine months after it was retaken by Syrian government and Russian troops led to mutual recriminations between Western officials and Moscow.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault accused Russia of "pretending to fight terrorism" while it concentrated on Aleppo, leaving room for the militants to retake Palmyra. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lashed back, accusing the U.S.-led coalition of orchestrating the Palmyra takeover "in order to give a respite to the bandits sitting in eastern Aleppo."

Story continues

In Aleppo, staff members of the last remaining clinic in rebel-held territory huddled in a shelter as Syrian government forces pushed in. "Those killed and wounded are left on the streets," said the clinic's administrator, Mohammed Abu Rajab.

"The collapse is terrifying," said Bassam Haj Mustafa, a rebel spokesman in contact with fighters in the city. Opposition fighters were "doing their best to defend what is left," he said.

Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 60 civilians and fighters were killed in rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo on Monday alone.

Russia, a key ally of Assad, refused an American proposal for a temporary halt to the fighting to allow the safe departure of those remaining in rebel-held areas, said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The proposal came during weekend talks in Geneva between U.S. and Russian experts that had been billed as an 11th-hour attempt to ease Aleppo's endgame.

Osama Abo Zayd, a legal adviser to the Free Syrian Army rebel coalition, said some fighters had agreed to evacuate but that the Russians had demanded that all militants surrender, something he said was impossible.

"This pushes us to fight to the last breath despite what we have to face," he said.

Live footage aired Monday on Syrian state TV showed scores of people waving Syrian flags and posters of Assad in the streets of the city's government controlled sector, celebrating what they called "the victories of the Syrian Arab army against terrorism."

The loss of Aleppo would mark the greatest defeat for the rebels since the conflict began in 2011. The insurgents still control northwestern Idlib province as well as scattered patches of territory elsewhere in the country.

Earlier Monday, Syrian troops and allied Shiite militiamen from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran captured Sheikh Saeed, a sprawling neighborhood in eastern Aleppo. The military also claimed to have retaken al-Fardous, one of the most populous districts.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled to government-held western Aleppo since the offensive began last month, but tens of thousands of others are believed to remain in the city's east.

A rebel fighter, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said most of the remaining civilians were massed in two or three neighborhoods, raising the specter of mass casualties if they are targeted by airstrikes or artillery. He said the collapse of the Sheik Saeed neighborhood meant the loss of the rebel enclave's last mill and grain warehouse.

A map distributed by the Syrian military showed rebel control limited to a small sliver of territory spread across six neighborhoods in the city center.

The offensive began on Nov. 26, and followed an intensive aerial campaign that knocked out most of the medical facilities in eastern Aleppo, which has been besieged by government forces since July.

_______________

Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Dusan Stojanovic in Serbia, Belgrade, contributed to this report.
Less than three days after his arrest under suspicion of battery early Friday morning, T.J. Miller took to the stage as host of the Critics Choice Awards.

The 35-year-old Silicon Valley star donned a tuxedo  well, half of one, plus a whistling set of lips painted on his stomach  as he made his entrance.

That was very fun to watch all your faces kind of not know what to do with that, guys, he quipped.

Miller went on to address the elephant in the room: Its been in the news all weekend, and its really affected me  the election was definitely hacked by the Russians, he skirted. So luckily, were doing an awards show here in an airplane hangar in Santa Monica, so were safe  what are they going to hack the teleprompter?

He feigned at discussing the scandal again, saying, Okay, lets talk about the real elephant in the room. Everyones been asking me about it all weekend, people were asking me about it on the blue carpet, and yes  it is the 31st anniversary of A Chorus Line on Broadway, he joked.

You could win a trip to the Oscars Red Carpet! Enter now

RELATED VIDEO: Predictions! Who Will Win Critics Choice Awards?!

Miller was in good humor  even taking a pot shot at trolls of all stripes, including one we elected for president  less than 72 hours after officers responded to a radio call early Friday morning the made by the driver of a car service company, who accused Miller of battery, officer Drake Madison told PEOPLE on Friday. The driver of the unnamed car service company requested a private persons arrest, Madison said.

According to Madison, officers followed the victim to Millers residence, where he was arrested and taken into custody around 1 a.m.

Miller was booked at the Hollywood station, cited for a misdemeanor  bail was set at $20,000  and released on his own recognizance with a notice to appear in court at a later date. No other details were available.

Just before the ceremony, Miller took to Twitter and wrote, Tonight I will address the elephant in the room at @CriticsChoice on A&E. Tune in and find out.

The Critics Choice Awards are airing live on A&E.




By J.R. Wu TAIPEI (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's declaration that the United States could link its policy on Taiwan to trade negotiations with China prompted concerns on the island that it may become a pawn in wider superpower discussions. "Trump's comments regularly mention Taiwan. What advantage is this giving Taiwan? This is something we must consider," Johnny Chiang, an opposition Nationalist lawmaker, told reporters. "Otherwise, among the superpowers, when we are betrayed, we won't even realize it." Trump told "Fox News Sunday" he fully understood the "one China" policy, "but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade." On Saturday, Chinese military aircraft flew over waterways near Taiwan as part of long-range exercises, Taiwan said. The exercises came a week after Trump took a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. It was the first such contact between a U.S. president-elect or president and a Taiwan leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own - known as Beijing's "one China" policy - and has never renounced the use of force to take back what it deems a wayward province. China lodged a diplomatic protest over the call and blamed Taiwan for what it called a "petty" move. Tsai has never recognised Beijing's "one China" policy. A month after she took power in May, Beijing cut official communication channels with Taipei. Her ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) traditionally advocates independence for Taiwan. "It looks like in Donald Trump's mind (Taiwan) is a useful tool to pick the most sensitive nerve of China," said Alexander Huang, chairman of the Council on Strategic and Wargaming Studies in Taiwan and a former Taiwanese government policymaker. Huang said it was too early to tell what Trump was angling at, but the real message could be about "a fair deal or a quid pro quo" between the U.S. and China. Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang declined to comment about Trump's Sunday comments. But Huang told Reuters: "When Taiwan is seen as a contributor in regional politics or regional security then you won't be ignored nor used as a pawn for others." Taiwan defence minister Feng Shih-kuan told lawmakers in parliament on Monday the timing of China's air drill seemed "a bit coincidental but if they do it again in December, then it indicates they are testing where they need to improve their capabilities." "This is 'attacking with words and scaring with weapons'," he said, adding that he expected the frequency of military drills by China to increase. For diplomatically-isolated Taiwan the risks are high as the United States is its only major political ally and sole arms supplier, while China is one of the island's largest trade partners. Fitch on Monday warned that major economic shocks to Taiwan from cooling relations with China were a lower probability, but "the risks around this baseline have risen." "On foreign policy, (China) is pretty rational except for one or two things and Taiwan is one of them," said a foreign representative in Taiwan. "It's like which of my 10 fingers do you want me to chop off." (Reporting by J.R. Wu; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
A young humpback whale that was tangled in the waters near Boston, Massachusetts, was freed on Sunday, December 11.

The Center for Coastal Studies, a research non-profit based in Provincetown, set out to free the whale after hearing about the entanglement from commercial fishermen in the area. The whale was caught in line connected to fishing gear. The organization says the whale had been stuck for several days and will take time to get back to full strength. Credit: Center for Coastal Studies via Storyful
In the hours since Tarek and Christina El Moussa announced their split on Monday, new details of a harrowing altercation this spring are emerging.

The Flip or Flop stars referenced the incident in their statement to PEOPLE, noting that like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage.

We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution, the statement continued. There was no violence and no charges were filed.

According to officials, police responded to a call of a possibly suicidal male with a gun at approximately 3:45 p.m. on May 23. Eleven officers were dispatched to the Chino Hills State Park Main Ridge Trail.

One of the officers made contact with a witness who was working at the house next door and claimed he saw Tarek run out of his back door and jump over his back fence before making his way towards the hiking trail.

According to the witness, Tareks wife Christina was crying and shaking as she came ran to the residence and informed him that Tarek took a handgun, put it in his backpack and ran outside. Christina said she had already called 911.

Upon learning that Tarek, 35, had a handgun on the hiking trail, deputies then called for helicopter assistance. The helicopter responded within minutes and located Tarek on the mountainside, giving him verbal commands via the PA speaker.

According to officials, Tarek complied, was escorted back to his residence and was compliant and cooperated with deputies.

Deputies then spoke with another witness, Shannon Rhodes, who appears to be Christinas hair and makeup artist. Rhodes told officials she was in Tarek and Christinas bedroom when she saw Tarek take a gun out of the safe, place it in his backpack and leave the residence. According to Rhodes, Tarek seemed upset and when she tried to talk to him, he would not respond, though she maintained Tarek did not make any threatening statements to her, nor did he make any comments about hurting himself.

Story continues

Rhodes then called Christina, 33, and told her to leave the residence because Tarek had a gun. According to officials, Christina confirmed that she received a call from a friend at about 3:30 p.m. informing her that Tarek had taken a gun and left the residence. Christina denied to officials that Tarek had ever been suicidal.

Deputies then spoke to Tarek, who stated he did not have any intentions of hurting himself and did not make any suicidal comments. He said he wanted to blow off some steam so he went hiking into the hills. According to officials, he stated he took his gun for safety because of mountain lions and rattlesnakes in the area.

Tarek agreed to voluntarily relinquish all of his firearms for safekeeping for 30 days. Deputies removed five guns from the safe, and Tarek signed the property release form.

On Monday, Tarek deleted a video from his Instagram account that showed him firing off a gun at a shooting range.

#Military #stylecustom built #AR15!!! he captioned the post, which was shared one week ago. Absolutely #lovethis thing!!!! #camo paint is awesome!

On Monday, an insider told PEOPLE the HGTV stars  who have been married for seven years and share two kids together  seemed wildly incompatible in a lot of ways.

She has champagne tastes, and hes a beer-from-a-can kind of guy, said the source. That was okay for a while when all they could afford was canned beer  they were on the same page, working together to make it and to do the best with what they had. But the stardom from the show, and the money from the show, meant that she started to feel like she could finally have some of the finer things in life.

Of Tarek, the source added: He just couldnt or didnt want to keep up.




Ahem, Senator?

As Star Wars fans continue to get more worked up for the opening of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story later in the week, more fun trivia and memes are popping up on social media.

On Monday, it was pointed out that an Imperial officer standing in the background of the opening scene of Return of the Jedi sure looks an awful lot like Ted Cruz.

The Texas senator and former presidential candidate has some distinct features, which his doppelganger shares.

It's not surprising this is gaining traction now, with the intersection of Star Wars and politics on people's minds. Rogue One has generated some political controversy after writer Chris Weitz tweeted (and later deleted) comments against President-elect Donald Trump, but Disney CEO told The Hollywood Reporter there is no political message in the film.

Rogue One premiered in Hollywood on Saturday and was met with cheers from celebrities and fans who were lucky enough to catch the showing. The film, starring Felicity Jones, opens Thursday night.

Is is that Ted Cruz on the left? https://t.co/gA0orB7xYT

- Charles Leiserson (@LocutusMIT) December 12, 2016

The Cruz look-alike can been seen at 1:37 in the clip below:
Bangkok (AFP) - Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn has pardoned tens of thousands of prisoners, a first act of "mercy" as monarch as he reaches out to his subjects following the death of his beloved father.

Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October aged 88 after a seven-decade reign, leaving the politically febrile nation without its unifying figure.

His only son, 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, was proclaimed king in early December.

But the thrice-divorced monarch is yet to draw the same level of devotion from a public well-versed in rumours over his private life even if any criticism of him is illegal.

The prisoner pardon was Vajiralongkorn's "first chance since he succeeded the throne to show the king's mercy", according to a statement published Sunday in palace mouthpiece the Royal Gazette.

Pardons were annual events under Bhumibol.

Women jailed for first offences, some inmates who have served one third of their sentences, and prisoners with disabilities or serious illness were among those pardoned.

The decree did not say how many prisoners will be freed.

However the Bangkok Post, quoting Corrections Department chief Kobkait Kasiwat, said as many as 30,000 qualified for release, with another 70,000 expected to have their sentences reduced.

Ritual, propaganda and law underpin the status of Thailand's monarchy.

Thai schoolchildren are taught the primacy of the institution, while huge portraits of key royals adorn virtually every main street.

Like his father, Vajiralongkorn is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law that carries up to 15 years in jail per charge.

That has forced a culture of self-censorship upon the media, academia and the arts.

The prisoner pardons follow a slew of public appearances by the new king, whose four decades as designated heir were characterised by publicity-shyness and long trips overseas.

Since he was proclaimed King Rama X, the new monarch has offered flood relief, opened a town hall and been honoured in a video tribute played in cinemas.
Ever since the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, presidents have been judged on the successes they notch during their first 100 days. Now, as Barack Obama prepares to end his historic turn on the political stage, Yahoo News is running The Last 100 Days, a look at what Obama achieved during his consequential presidency, how he navigates the struggles of his last months in office and what lies ahead for him after eight years filled with firsts. We will also look at how the country bids farewell to its first African-American president.

Its not a literal 100 days  Obama leaves office in late January 2017.

And it wont all be about policy. As Obama himself is fond of noting, he also spent his two terms as father to daughters Malia and Sasha and husband to first lady Michelle Obama. And even without much input from the White House, the cultural landscape shifted dramatically over his two terms on issues such as gay rights.

And then theres the way the president sees the presidency  not just his tumultuous years at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., but also the institution and its relationships (for better or worse) with other branches of government and with the news media.

In this 14th installment, we look at Obamas personal efforts to end, or at least diminish, some old diplomatic disputes.

_____

In late December, Barack Obama will do something no other sitting U.S. president has done: tour the Pearl Harbor memorial with a sitting Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe. The visit comes seven months after Abe played host as Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Obama said he had come to that city, where the United States dropped the first of two atomic bombs, to mourn the dead from seven decades earlier. He offered no apology. And Abe will most likely follow that lead  mourn Americans killed in the 1941 surprise attack, but not say sorry  when he comes to Hawaii Dec. 26-27.

Japan and the United States have long been allies, but World War II resentments linger. The mutually reinforcing visits offer a glimpse into a feature of Obamas diplomatic legacy: a concerted effort to pull America beyond historic feuds, reframe relationships with countries like Cuba and Burma, build on his predecessors outreach to countries like Vietnam and attempt a reset in relations with Russia.

Story continues

As the curtain comes down on Obamas consequential presidency, its worth looking at the ways he has both struggled and succeeded to keep a promise he made even before taking office: to turn old foes into new friends, or something close to it.

The president is willing to engage countries that have been adversaries, break taboos in our foreign policy. [He] does not think we should be constrained  that we should do a thing because weve always done it this way, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told Yahoo News. Both substantively and symbolically, healing old wounds and trying to move past difficult history has been essential, especially in the second term.

During his 2008 campaign, Obama faced criticism for two very different promises. First, he swore hed unleash American military might to take out Osama bin Laden if the al-Qaida leader were found to be hiding in Pakistan, whether or not that ally approved. Second, he pledged his willingness to sit down for talks with leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, without preconditions. For the first, Obamas critics called him reckless; for the second, naive.

But he stuck to both themes. His 2009 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech included an unapologetic vow to use force unilaterally if necessary. And his 2009 inaugural address included an olive branch to nations at odds with America. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist, he said.

Later in the year, Obama delivered a speech in Cairo to offer the Muslim world a new beginning in ties with Washington, a fresh relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect. The subtext of the speech was that Obama was not George W. Bush, who had seen U.S. relations with the region largely through the prism of the global war on terrorism he declared after 9/11  including the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Now, seven years later, relations with the region are transformed, but not because of Obamas outreach. The tumultuous Arab Spring of 2011 toppled some of the regions strongmen. Libyas Moammar Gadhafi is gone, pushed out by rebels aided by the United States and its NATO partners. Protesters ousted Egypts Hosni Mubarak, a crucial U.S. ally for decades, and the latest Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has cracked down on dissent and nongovernmental organizations. Obama takes frequent criticism for not doing more to stop Syrias bloody civil war, with a death toll of as many as 400,000. After withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011  a step he still regards as a legacy-defining achievement  Obama hurried thousands back to counter the rise of the so-called Islamic State. And Middle East peace seems as far away as ever.

Wed hoped to get further toward overcoming the history of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Rhodes told Yahoo News.

But Obama seems to have pushed past history in the U.S. relationship with Cuba. The president and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, stunned the world in December 2014 by announcing that they had agreed after months of secret talks to work toward closer relations. But Obama had worked for years to ease U.S. pressure off Havana, making it easier for Cuban-Americans to send money to relatives on the island and visit them, for example.

Rhodes, one of the key U.S. negotiators with Havana, said part of what the president instructed me to say was, Were not going to be bound by this past Cold War standoff, or grudge, where our relationship is just a recitation of a series of grievances in each direction.

Its not clear whether President-elect Donald Trump will roll back Obamas outreach  reversing executive actions that made it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, spend money there, and return with cigars and rum. The entrepreneur recently said he would terminate the deal unless the government in Havana undertakes unspecified steps to benefit its people and those in the U.S. Obama aides say they think they have created enough opportunities for U.S. businesses and American visitors in Cuba that the deal may be irreversible.

Republicans have portrayed the arrangement as Obama making concessions  giving the Castro regime access to foreign currency it needs to buy imports  without getting anything by way of democratic reforms in return. They note that most tourism earnings land in the militarys pockets.

Obama aides argue that Cuban entrepreneurs are benefiting from the arrangement, which boosts the islands new restaurateurs, cabdrivers and those who make their homes available to visitors on Airbnb. And Obamas team says the six-decade U.S. embargo, which Obama cannot lift without congressional action, only served to give the Castro regime a scapegoat for economic hardships.

The recent death of Fidel Castro has highlighted another aspect of Obamas softer approach with Havana. Some U.S. officials say privately that a big part of the strategy has to do with reassuring Cubans that the island has a post-Castro economic future. Cubans without any prospects might decide to chance coming to the United States, where the Florida coast is just 90 miles away, rather than face a potentially chaotic succession.

At the same time, the White House has admitted that Cuba may follow the Vietnam model: embracing the economic and strategic benefits of closer ties with the United States without enacting significant democratic reforms.

When it comes to the relationship between Washington and Hanoi, Obama built on two decades of presidential diplomacy that enjoys bipartisan support in Congress. It was Bill Clinton who ended the U.S. trade embargo in 1994 and restored diplomatic relations in 1995. George W. Bush visited the country in 2006 and promised deeper ties while pushing greater religious freedom.

Obama visited Vietnam in May, when he lifted an embargo on arms sales that dated back to the aftermath of the war and visited the home of the countrys revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh.

I come here mindful of the past, mindful of our difficult history, but focused on the future  the prosperity, security and human dignity that we can advance together, he said.

Obamas acknowledgments of the scars of the conflict had a cleansing effect, Rhodes said. They helped to enable Vietnam to say, Well, maybe now we can pursue greater military cooperation with the United States.

Vietnam wasnt the only Southeast Asian country Obama courted during his eight years in office. Starting in late 2011, his administration worked to improve relations with Burma (also known as Myanmar). In November 2012, he became the first sitting U.S. president to visit that country.

It was risky, Rhodes said.

And political and economic reforms have been uneven, even though the country earlier this year replaced military leaders with its first civilian president in five decades. Burmas iconic democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer under house arrest but cannot serve in the top executive branch spot due to the military-drafted constitution.

Still, Obamas outreach gets praise from Republicans in Congress, including the top expert on U.S.-Burma relations, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Burmas transition to a democratically elected government is an important mark of reform in a country with a long and very troubled history, McConnell said earlier this year. We know theres more to be done, but the administration can take credit for its efforts and so can members of Congress in both parties. Hopefully we can build on that momentum by working together.

That kind of bipartisanship goes missing when it comes to Obamas reset of relations with Russia. That 2009 reboot of the way Washington and Moscow interact paid some early dividends, notably Russian acceptance of a new START treaty to reduce nuclear arsenals, greater cooperation on sanctions against Iran and the reopening of air routes to resupply American forces in Afghanistan.

But the policy was in tatters even before the recent bombshell Washington Post report that Russia actively worked to get Trump elected. President Vladimir Putin openly fueled anti-American sentiment at home and pursued confrontational policies abroad, such as the invasion of Ukraine and the annexation of its Crimea region. One of the key architects of the U.S. policy, former ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, said in May 2015 that the next president should not try to duplicate it.

With Russia, we got a long way with [former Russian President Dmitry] Medvedev, and then engagement hit a brick wall when we went from Medvedev to Putin, Rhodes said.

It might be tempting to look at the Iran nuclear deal in the broader context of Obamas foreign engagement. But Rhodes said the agreement wasnt designed to transform relations.

The Burmese decided to change their political system. The Cubans decided to engage and make some changes to their economic system. Iran did not make a similar decision, he said. Iran made a decision to make a deal on the nuclear issue, but we dont expect them to fundamentally alter their system or their behavior.

Likewise, the symbolic setting aside of World War II grievances with Japan isnt expected to fundamentally alter relations between the two allies.

The president is of the view that  as he has done with American history  the candid accounting of history is a necessary first step, Rhodes said. Its just one of the pieces of unfinished business.


President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his dismissal of the Central Intelligence Agencys reported assessment that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election, calling it a card being played by the Democrats to undercut his stunning victory over Hillary Clinton.

Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card, Trump tweeted on Monday. It would be called conspiracy theory!

Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

The Washington Post reported on Friday that the CIA believes Russias hacking of Democratic National Committee emails was done to help Trump win the White House.

In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump called the assessment ridiculous.

Hacking is very interesting, Trump said. Once they hack, if you dont catch them in the act youre not going to catch them. They have no idea if its Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace. I mean, they have no idea.

The president-elect reiterated that point on Twitter while tossing in a falsehood.

Unless you catch "hackers" in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

Unless you catch hackers in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking, Trump tweeted. Why wasnt this brought up before election?

It was. During one of the general election debates in September, Trump even dismissed the Clinton campaigns claim that Russia had hacked the Democratic National Committee.

Story continues

I dont think anybody knows it was Russia that broke into the DNC. Shes saying, Russia, Russia, Russia. but I dont  maybe it was, Trump said. It could also be China. It could also be lots of other people. It also could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds, OK?

In October, 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, concluded that Russian hacking of American political organizations like the DNC was an attempt to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system. According to the Posts report Friday, the CIA now says it is now quite clear that electing Trump was Russias goal.

In his Fox interview, Trump said he believes that the Post report is part of an effort by the Democrats to deflect responsibility for their defeat.

Every week its another excuse. We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College, Trump said. I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country. Trump collected 306 electoral votes to Hillary Clintons 232. Clinton, though, leads Trump in the popular vote by more than 2.6 million, with absentee votes still being counted in several states, including California.

On Sunday, several Republican senators joined Democrats calling for a full-scale investigation, saying in a joint statement that the CIAs report of Russias efforts in the election should alarm every American.

On CBS Face the Nation, Arizona Sen. John McCain urged Trump to accept the CIAs assessment.

The facts are there, he said.

Trumps comments have also irked the intelligence community.

It is concerning that intelligence on Russian actions related to the U.S. election is being dismissed out of hand as false or politically partisan, another U.S. intelligence official told ABC News. The inclination to ignore such intelligence and impugn the integrity of U.S. intelligence officials is contrary to all that is sacred to national security officials who work day and night to protect this country.

On ABCs Good Morning America, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said, The president-elect doesnt want interference in our politics, but we also dont want politics to interfere with our intelligence.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, who is reportedly lined up to be Trumps deputy secretary of state, even suggested that hacks committed during the election could have been a false flag operation carried out by the Obama administration.

It is not at all clear to me just viewing this from the outside, that this hacking into the DNC and the RNC computers was not a false flag, Bolton said on Fox News. So the question has to be asked, why did the Russians run their smart intelligence service against Hillarys server, but their dumb intelligence service against the election?

Bolton added: I believe that the intelligence community has been politicized in the Obama administration to a very significant degree.
Warning: This recap for the Hearts Still Beating episode of The Walking Dead contains spoilers.

Negan and his people killed Spencer, Olivia, and Negans facial fur, and were not gonna lie: A clean-shaven Negan was kinda the scariest of those scenarios. But while the big Saviors baddie left yet more death and destruction in his wake during his second trip to Alexandria, he doesnt know that he also left behind a rejuvenated Rick. Thanks to a pep talk from girlfriend Michonne and a reunion with BFF Daryl and Maggie and Sasha at The Hilltop, Rick has resolved that, outnumbered or not, he and his group can find a way to fight back against Negan and the Saviors.

Heres where we left Rick and the gang after the midseason finale, and where well pick up with them when Season 7 continues Feb. 12:

Rick and Aaron

Rick and Aaron take the bullet-hole-riddled rowboat through the walker-riddled lake to a canoe, which gets Rick to the houseboat full of supplies. Aaron has to make a swim for the houseboat after tangling with a walker and tumbling into the water, but he makes it in one piece, and he and Rick load up the truck with boxes of goodies they hope will keep the Alexandrians alive another day.

Daryl

Daryl takes that key and match that someone  Dwight? Sherry?  slipped under his cell door and takes off through the hallways of the compound. A couple of detours allow him to snag some new clothes  we bid you an adieu, gross gray sweatshirt  and a couple of swipes from a jar of peanut butter in Dwights room, before he runs outside and into Fat Joey. Just as Jesus comes around the corner, Daryl begins beating Joey with a piece of rebar, and he doesnt stop beating him until hes dead. Jesus, who has no idea what Daryl has been through, what hes seen during his stay at the Sanctuary, looks shocked, but Daryl tells him, It aint just about getting by here. Its about getting it all.

Related: The Walking Dead: In Defense of Season 7

Story continues

Rosita

Rositas still committed to her plan to kill Negan with the bullet Eugene crafted for her, though Father Gabriel seems to talk some sense into her when he points out she is a valuable member of the group, and that it is not up to her to sacrifice herself to avenge Abrahams and Glenns deaths. She even makes up with Spencer, apologizing to him for using him while rebounding from her Abe breakup and making plans to have dinner with him that night. Sadly, that dinner will never happen

Spencer

because Spencer decides Negans presence in Alexandria, during Ricks absence, makes for the perfect occasion for him to pitch Negan on the idea that he should become the new leader of the town, just like his mother before him. He puts on a clean shirt, takes a bottle of whiskey, and tries to bond with Negan, even taking Negan on in a game of pool. But when he tells Negan Rick is difficult to work with, and offers himself as a replacement, Negan takes offense. Trying to overthrow the Ricktatorship behind Ricks back is the handiwork of someone with no guts, Negan tells Spencer, and then promptly jabs a knife into Spencers stomach, spilling his guts all over the ground.

The townsfolk gathered in the street are horrified, but Rosita is apoplectic. She pulls out her gun and one bullet and fires it at Negan. And misses. She hits Lucille instead  in a scene taken straight from the comics, where its Carl who shot Lucille  which enrages Negan, who demands Rosita tell him where she got the obviously DIY-ed bullet. She says she made it, and he knows shes lying, so he tells his soldier, Arat, to kill someone. She randomly turns her gun on Olivia, and shoots Olivia in the head. Negan demands again to know who made the bullet, and though Rosita insists it was her, a tearful Eugene speaks up and says it was him, sharing part of the recipe so Negan will know hes telling the truth. No one else dies, but Negan tells Rick  who has returned to town and handed over the supplies he and Aaron found  that hes taking the bullet maker with him as he leaves Alexandria.

Reunited and It Feels So Hopeful

After Negan flees, Rick is in Morgans basement cell, trying to figure out his next move, when Michonne returns. Shes just finished her drive with the Savior woman she hijacked, and shes learned that the Saviors indeed have a far deeper bench than Ricks group knew. But she still believes that if they work together, they can find a way to win, to get out from under Negans rule, and Rick tells her he now knows shes right: By working together, they can get their lives back.

Together doesnt just mean Rick and Michonne, though  it means the whole family, which is why Rick, Michonne, and Rosita head to The Hilltop and reunite with Maggie, Sasha, and Enid  and Daryl, who fled there with Jesus. Hugs abound, including a Rick-and-Daryl clinch that is every bit as bromantic as Rick and Michonnes makeup kiss was romantic.

Zombie Bites:

* Again, a clean-shaven Negan is far creepier than a fuzzy-faced one, right?

* One of the Saviors women catches Eugene staring at her while shes putting the moves on Spencer. You like watching, Haircut? she asks Eugene. Nice callback to Season 5s Self Help, when we learned that, yes, Eugene does like watching Rosita and Abraham knock boots.

* The Kingdom resident Richard visits Carols house  where Morgan has also stopped for a pop-in  and tells them he knows Negan and the Saviors will not honor the deal theyve made with Ezekiel to keep the peace. He wants Carol and Morgan to help him talk Ezekiel into making a preemptive attack on the Saviors, but Carol continues to insist that all she wants is to be left alone. She even makes Morgan promise that he wont let any of their friends know where she is if he should run into any of them. Hmmm  from the midseason premiere preview we saw during Talking Dead, it seems Carol is likely to be pulled back into the mix when Jesus takes Rick and the gang to The Kingdom to forge an anti-Negan alliance. Every time Carol is out, they keep  well, you know.

* Rosita has now lost another boyfriend with Spencers death, and is probably going to be blaming herself for Olivias murder and Eugenes kidnapping. Has she finally learned that she cant go off on some solo mission to kill Negan, or will she concoct another plan to take out Negan all on her own?

* Did you understand that Michonne did as Isabelle, the Savior woman she hijacked, had asked, and killed her? That was likely another callback, to The Cell, when Dwight had to track down Gordon, the Savior who fled the Sanctuary and begged Dwight to kill him instead of making him return to Negans cruel rule.

* Gregorys weasel-dom continues, but after what Maggie and Sasha did to save The Hilltoppers during the Saviors last attack, the community is in awe of them, baking them apple pies and saying Maggie should become their president. So, yeah, guessing that ripped-from-the-comics storyline is definitely going to happen.

* Will we get further backstory on Richard and that RV he visited? It must have something to do with the family he says he lost, no?

* Theories on who the boot-wearing stalker of the houseboat and Alexandria is? Is he the owner of the houseboat? Most important, will he prove to be friend or foe?

The Walking Dead returns Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. on AMC.
Whether its a reaction to our political climate, or a protest against too much stuff, many people are choosing to shop ethically  or, not at all  this holiday season. (Photo: Getty Images)

2016 was the year of Marie Kondo. The Japanese decluttering guru and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up took on Americans closets, challenging readers to throw out any possessions that didnt spark joy. A recently widowed Emily Gilmore flirts with the philosophy as a way to process her grief in the Netflix revival of the much loved series Gilmore Girls. While Kondos method is still up for debate, the popularity of the book proves that Americans have a complicated relationship with our stuff. With this and the current divisive political climate in mind, holiday gift giving can feel both daunting and superfluous. Who wants to give someone an unwanted gift, destined to collect dust unused on a shelf until it ends up in a landfill?

A November Gallup poll shows that Americans will spend a projected average of $830 individually on holiday shopping, with 30 percent spending more than $1,000. Thats a lot of money that may or may not result in a spark of joy. So, instead, some people are opting to forgo gift giving all together, give charitably, or shop only with female or minority-owned small businesses for holiday gifts.

Ive had it with gifts, Eileen W. Cho, a 24-year-old Paris-based Korean-American photographer declared. I have family all over the world, and I found myself spending all this time and money sending people things that I felt like they didnt even really appreciate. And Im not religious, so why am I celebrating Christmas? Its just another day. People put so many expectations into holidays, and then they leave disappointed.

So this year I decided no gifts, Cho said, and literally the next day, my boyfriends parents gave me something I didnt want. I had to open it in front of them, and it was so uncomfortable. I was so glad I had decided to not give gifts this year because I dont want to make anyone feel that way. Instead of sending her family gifts, Cho will be coming to the States to visit her parents and brother for New Years.

Story continues

Putting time in with the people you love is a great alternative to traditional gift giving. My husband calls it the gift of time, says global business manager Alison Williams. Now in their early 30s, the couple has been exchanging experiences, such as concert or theater tickets, since they started dating in their mid-20s. Its expanded to our friends and family too. A few years ago, we had our niece come stay at our house for a weekend and she had 24 hours where she got to call the shots. The only drawback is sometimes it can take so long to schedule everything that Christmas gifts can last until June!

Recently transplanted to London from the Atlanta area, the Williamses are still considering their best options for 2016. We havent decided for sure yet, but I think we will be selecting charities to give to in honor of different people, [and] were looking to give to organizations that are valuable to [each] person. We might do a veterans organization for my father-in-law since he was in the service. It really frees us from the burden of belongings.

This holiday, some shoppers are giving gifts that donate proceeds to a charitable cause, like Thistle Farms, whose bath products support survivors of addiction and trafficking in the United States. (Photo: Courtesy of Thistle Farms)

New York City Web communications professional Norma Campbell agrees that adults dont need to give each other things. She and her husband dont exchange gifts because we are adults with jobs who can buy ourselves things when we want them, Campbell says. We send our nephews in Texas a few things. In years past, we have planned experiences with people, but this year I made baskets for people that had products from nonprofit companies I wanted to support. Her baskets included a Kiva gift card, Karam Foundation soap, Zachs Bags, and a Thistle Farms soap.

Making sure that her familys spending aligns with their values is very important to Sakea Manning, a fiction writer in her mid-50s from Altadena, Calif. This year, any gifts we give will be fair trade, from Ten Thousand Villages or local artisan fairs in the Los Angeles area. I also bake a lot, making sure to use local produce. I might get some pantry items from Target. I think it is important to support Target since they are supporting transgender rights. At Thanksgiving, we talked about giving generously to the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign, organizations that are going to help us get through the next four years.

This isnt the first year the mother of two college-aged sons has made a concerted effort to stress conscientious gift giving in her family. We have very diverse heritage, Manning said. My mother is Japanese, and my father is Chickasaw, Irish, and black, so we just celebrate everything! Its basically one thing after another from Halloween until January. When the boys were growing up, we would get together with other friends to adopt a needy family in the community for the holidays. I just found out that my older son organized his co-workers to do that this year. That was really the best gift I could get, knowing that I had raised him to do that.

This holiday, some shoppers are choosing to spend at black-owned businesses like candlemakers Lit Brooklyn. (Photo: Courtesy Lit Brooklyn)

This rings true for Atlantan Danielle Johnson, 33, too. Ive never been tied to a commercial Christmas. but we will plan a family trip, and I like to check for things to do while traveling on If Only. The site offers exclusive experiences with experts and luminaries who have selected a charity to benefit from the sale. She continues, I also look to Essence or other publications for lists of black-owned businesses because sometimes my family will exchange gifts, but we dont expect them.

If your family does anticipate a gift exchange, it can be hard to break the habit. The uptick in engaged couples registering for charitable giving on sites like the I Do Foundation has expanded. Now anyone can create a similar registry on Just Give or Small Token. The notification generated feels more tangible than just telling someone that you donated to their favorite fund. The sites also allow you to purchase gift cards to encourage others to pick their own causes and donate. These alternatives are great if, like Johnson, you think, It can be hard to figure out what to do for people who have a lot, so its nice do things that make people feel generous and included in a different way.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
India on Monday started evacuating thousands of people from fishing villages as Cyclone Vardah barrelled towards its southeastern coast at speeds of more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour.

Heavy rains accompanied by high-velocity winds pounded the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states, uprooting trees and disrupting power supply lines.

A high alert was issued in several affected districts, with eight fishermen having so far been rescued from the sea in view of the "very severe" cyclonic storm.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals (blocks) to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," P Narayana, a minister in the Andhra Pradesh state government, told the Press Trust of India news agency.

Another 7,000 were evacuated in Tamil Nadu state, the National Disaster Management Authority said.

Two navy ships with doctors, food packets and other relief material have also been put on standby, said a navy spokesman.

More than 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed, with the storm expected to make landfall in the late afternoon close to Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government ordered all educational institutions in coastal districts to be shut as a precaution.

Devastating floods last year killed at least 250 people in Chennai, India's fourth-largest city, which is home to nearly 4.6 million people.

On its way inland, Cyclone Vardah hit several islands in the Andamans last week, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of stranded tourists from the archipelago.

India's eastern coast and neighbouring Bangladesh are routinely hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread property damage.

In 1999, more than 8,000 people were killed when a cyclone battered the eastern state of Orissa.
(Adds potential Senate confirmation troubles)

By Valerie Volcovici and Arshad Mohammed

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.

Tillerson, 64, got his start as a production engineer at Exxon in 1975 and has worked there ever since, running business units in Yemen, Thailand and Russia before being named chief executive in 2006. He was expected to retire next year.

Senior senators, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concern over Tillerson, who emerged this weekend as Donald Trump's expected pick for secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the situation. By choosing him, the president-elect would add another - and presumably highly influential - person to his Cabinet and circle of advisers who may favor a soft line toward Moscow.

Among these is Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who raised eyebrows when he sat beside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow banquet last year and who has argued that the United States and Russia should collaborate to end Syria's civil war and to defeat Islamic State militants.

Tillerson's links with Russia came under fire from top lawmakers on Sunday.

"It's a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin and obviously they've done enormous deals together. That would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat," Republican Senator John McCain told CBS.

McCain added that Tillerson would, nonetheless, get a fair confirmation hearing.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a former Republican presidential rival to Trump, was even more forthright.

"Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState," Rubio said on his Twitter account.

Story continues

'A STRAIGHT ARROW'?

Many U.S. officials are worried by Russia's increasingly aggressive behavior. It annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war and is accused of interfering in U.S. domestic politics.

U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton, and not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, a senior U.S. official said.

In his role at Exxon, Tillerson maintained close ties with Putin and opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia for its incursion into Crimea.

Daniel Yergin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Prize: the Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power," said Russia represented a relatively small portion of Exxon's overall operations and played down its significance.

"It was a business relationship," Yergin said.

"The whole Russian thing is so much front and center now so it's inevitable that those questions be asked but, obviously, if you are a major oil company, you want to go to where your resources (are). You have to replace your reserves," he added.

"If he becomes secretary of state, the interests he will pursue will be U.S. interests. This is an Eagle Scout kind of guy. He was president of the Boy Scouts," he said. "He is a straight arrow. If that's his mission, that's what he'll do."

Trump praised Tillerson, saying on his Twitter account on Saturday: "Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!"

Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman who has been tapped to serve as White House chief of Staff, praised Tillerson's relationship with Putin.

"... the fact that he actually has a relationship with people like Vladimir Putin and others across the globe is something that ... we shouldn't be embarrassed by it. It's something that I think could be a huge advantage to the United States," Priebus said on ABC This Week.

However, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a senior Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would weigh Tillerson's nomination, was unsparing in his criticism of the possible appointment.

"Reports that Rex Tillerson could be nominated to be our nation's top diplomat (are) alarming and absurd," he said. "With Rex Tillerson as our secretary of state the Trump administration would be guaranteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the president's cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy."

Republicans will hold more seats, 52, in the Senate than the 51 they will need to confirm Tillerson. But they will have only 10 of the 19 seats in the Foreign Relations Committee, so it will only take one Republican dissenter there to endanger the nomination.

At least one Republican committee member, Rubio, has already expressed reservations.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Tillerson would be one of the few people selected for major roles in the Trump administration to believe that human activity causes climate change.

After Trump's election, Exxon came out in support of the Paris Climate Agreement. It has also advocated for a carbon tax and internally factors in a theoretical price on carbon as it weighs manufacturing and exploration costs of projects.

But some environmental groups are alarmed at the prospect of Exxon's CEO as the country's top diplomat.

Exxon is under investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office for allegedly misleading investors, regulators and the public on what it knew about global warming.

"Donald Trump appears intent to undo a century of environmental and social progress and return America to the age of robber barons and corporate trusts," said Carroll Muffett, president of the Center for International Environmental Law.

"Who better to turn to than Exxon, the granddaddy of them all?"

(Additional reporting by Steve Holland, John Walcott, Lindsay Dunsmuir, Howard Schneider, Patricia Zengerle and Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and Mary Milliken)
By Valerie Volcovici and Arshad Mohammed

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp <XOM.N> Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.

Tillerson, 64, got his start as a production engineer at Exxon in 1975 and has worked there ever since, running business units in Yemen, Thailand and Russia before being named chief executive in 2006. He was expected to retire next year.

Senior senators, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concern over Tillerson, who emerged this weekend as Donald Trump's expected pick for secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the situation. By choosing him, the president-elect would add another - and presumably highly influential - person to his Cabinet and circle of advisers who may favor a soft line toward Moscow.

Among these is Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who raised eyebrows when he sat beside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow banquet last year and who has argued that the United States and Russia should collaborate to end Syria's civil war and to defeat Islamic State militants.

Tillerson's links with Russia came under fire from top lawmakers on Sunday.

"Its a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin and obviously theyve done enormous deals together. That would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat," Republican Senator John McCain told CBS.

McCain added that Tillerson would, nonetheless, get a fair confirmation hearing.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a former Republican presidential rival to Trump, was even more forthright.

"Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState," Rubio said on his Twitter account.

Story continues

'A STRAIGHT ARROW'?

Many U.S. officials are worried by Russia's increasingly aggressive behavior. It annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war and is accused of interfering in U.S. domestic politics.

U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton, and not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, a senior U.S. official said.

In his role at Exxon, Tillerson maintained close ties with Putin and opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia for its incursion into Crimea.

Daniel Yergin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Prize: the Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power," said Russia represented a relatively small portion of Exxon's overall operations and played down its significance.

"It was a business relationship," Yergin said.

"The whole Russian thing is so much front and center now so it's inevitable that those questions be asked but, obviously, if you are a major oil company, you want to go to where your resources (are). You have to replace your reserves," he added.

"If he becomes secretary of state, the interests he will pursue will be U.S. interests. This is an Eagle Scout kind of guy. He was president of the Boy Scouts," he said. "He is a straight arrow. If that's his mission, that's what he'll do."

Trump praised Tillerson, saying on his Twitter account on Saturday: "Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!"

Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman who has been tapped to serve as White House chief of Staff, praised Tillerson's relationship with Putin.

"... the fact that he actually has a relationship with people like Vladimir Putin and others across the globe is something that ... we shouldnt be embarrassed by it. Its something that I think could be a huge advantage to the United States," Priebus said on ABC This Week.

However, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a senior Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would weigh Tillerson's nomination, was unsparing in his criticism of the possible appointment.

"Reports that Rex Tillerson could be nominated to be our nation's top diplomat (are) alarming and absurd," he said. "With Rex Tillerson as our secretary of state the Trump administration would be guaranteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the president's cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy."

Republicans will hold more seats, 52, in the Senate than the 51 they will need to confirm Tillerson. But they will have only 10 of the 19 seats in the Foreign Relations Committee, so it will only take one Republican dissenter there to endanger the nomination.

At least one Republican committee member, Rubio, has already expressed reservations.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Tillerson would be one of the few people selected for major roles in the Trump administration to believe that human activity causes climate change.

After Trump's election, Exxon came out in support of the Paris Climate Agreement. It has also advocated for a carbon tax and internally factors in a theoretical price on carbon as it weighs manufacturing and exploration costs of projects.

But some environmental groups are alarmed at the prospect of Exxon's CEO as the country's top diplomat.

Exxon is under investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office for allegedly misleading investors, regulators and the public on what it knew about global warming.

"Donald Trump appears intent to undo a century of environmental and social progress and return America to the age of robber barons and corporate trusts," said Carroll Muffett, president of the Center for International Environmental Law.

"Who better to turn to than Exxon, the granddaddy of them all?"

(Additional reporting by Steve Holland, John Walcott, Lindsay Dunsmuir, Howard Schneider, Patricia Zengerle and Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and Mary Milliken)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, has been seen as critical to the fortunes of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a multi-sided civil war now in its sixth year. Insurgents who have held the eastern part of the city since the early days of the war have now lost most of their besieged enclave to a government assault. Famous for textiles, soap and its UNESCO-listed citadel, Aleppo was Syria's economic hub and of huge historic and cultural importance. Below is a timeline of the key events in the battle for control of the city: 2011: VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT IN SYRIA AFTER GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON PRO-REFORM PROTESTS In March 2011, mass demonstrations break out in the Syrian capital Damascus demanding political reform, civil rights and the release of political prisoners, soon spreading to other cities. Aleppo has a few small protests. 2012: REBELS TAKE PARTS OF ALEPPO CITY In early 2012 rebels take control of the rural areas northwest of Aleppo city, besieging the Minnegh military air base and the largely Shiite towns of Nubl and Zahra. Protesters in Aleppo are shot at for the first time in July 2012 and rebels start to fight for the city itself. Poorer eastern districts quickly fall to the insurgents. Fighting in the Old City damages much of the historic covered market. 2013: REBEL GAINS CUT ALEPPO-DAMASCUS HIGHWAY Rebels cut the main highway from Aleppo to the south, forcing government forces to use a longer, alternative route to reach it from the capital. The western, government-held half of Aleppo comes under almost complete siege as rebels briefly also cut the alternative route. But in October government and allied forces retake it and strengthen their position. In April 2013 the 1,000-year-old minaret of Aleppo's Umayyad Mosque collapses after it was struck during fighting. 2014: REBELS AND GOVERNMENT CONSOLIDATE POSITIONS IN ALEPPO The government's control of the skies starts to show as it increasingly uses jets and helicopters to strike rebels. 2015: BIG REBEL GAINS, RUSSIA INTERVENES A series of rebel advances puts the government under pressure in northwest Syria, where Aleppo is located. But in October 2015 the first Russian air strikes take place and swiftly put the rebels onto the back foot. 2016: THE SIEGE AND BOMBARDMENT OF EAST ALEPPO February advances by the army and allies with Russian air support cut the most direct road from Turkey to rebel-held east Aleppo, recapturing Minnegh airbase, ending the rebels' siege of Nubl and Zahra and putting pressure on insurgent supply routes. On 27 July government forces fully encircle eastern Aleppo for the first time, but the siege is broken 10 days later by a rebel counterattack on the Ramousah district that briefly opens a perilous way into eastern Aleppo from the south. Russian air power and Shi'ite militias from Iraq and Lebanon help the army recapture Ramousah on Sept 8, firmly re-encircling the rebel enclave. On Sept 22, the heaviest air strikes in months hit east Aleppo and the government announces a new offensive to retake it. After weeks of intense bombardment, in which many hospitals and other civilian infrastructure are hit, Russia and Syria's government declare a pause in their campaign on Oct 18, urging rebels and civilians to quit east Aleppo. A last rebel offensive aimed at breaking the siege begins on Oct 28 from the countryside to the city's west, but after making some progress in the first two days, it loses momentum and all gains are reversed within a week. Intense air strikes resume against east Aleppo on Nov 15, putting all hospitals out of action by Nov 19. On Nov 28, pro-government forces take the northern part of the rebel sector in a sudden advance that reduces its size by more than a third. Another swift advance on Dec 5 and 6 brings the al-Shaar district and much of Aleppo's historic Old City under government sway, leaving the rebels trapped in a small southern portion of their former enclave. On Dec 12, the army makes a series of new advances after taking the Sheikh Saeed district after days of intense fighting and under a heavy aerial bombardment, leaving rebels stuck in only a tiny part of the city. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Angus McDowall and xxx xxxx)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea's conservative ruling party is on the verge of a split following President Park Geun-hye's parliamentary impeachment last week. Kim Moo-sung, leader of anti-Park lawmakers in the Saenuri Party, on Tuesday called Park loyalists her "political slaves" in an escalation of harsh rhetoric between rival factions in the largest political party in South Korea. He told a televised conference that he and fellow lawmakers are considering leaving the party to create a new political group. The feuding has intensified after dozens of Saenuri Party lawmakers aligned with a coalition of liberal opposition lawmakers to impeach Park on Friday because of a scandal involving her longtime, shadowy confidante.

BEIJING (AP)  China's foreign minister warned that any moves to damage Beijing's core interests would be self-detrimental after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he could use the way in which America deals with Taiwan as a bargaining chip. Wang Yi's comments late Monday came a day after Trump said in a television interview that he didn't feel "bound by a one-China policy." Washington, however, reaffirmed the U.S. government's commitment to the policy that means it maintains only unofficial relations with Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing considers its territory. Since recognizing the People's Republic of China in 1979, the U.S.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  The minority Christian governor of the Indonesian capital, who is on trial for alleged blasphemy, sobbed in court on Tuesday as he recalled the role of Muslim godparents in his childhood and said he would never intentionally insult Islam. It was the first day of a trial that has challenged Indonesia's reputation for practicing a moderate form of Islam, shaken the government and exposed religious and racial fault-lines in the world's most populous Muslim nation. It was preceded in the past six weeks by massive protests in the capital Jakarta against the governor, with hardliners demanding his arrest.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump sounds ready to use U.S. policy toward Taiwan as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from China, but both of the world powers could play at that game. China's rising economic and military clout means its communist leadership has leverage over Washington too. Beijing could erect more obstacles for U.S. companies working in China. It could ramp up tensions in the seas of East Asia. And if differences spike over Taiwan, the Trump administration could face tough choices on whether to send U.S. forces to defend the island that China regards as part of its territory.

PERTH, Australia (AP)  A lone survey vessel has left an Australian port for perhaps the final time to search for the Malaysian airliner that mysteriously crashed into the southern Indian Ocean two years ago, officials said Tuesday. The Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator left Fremantle on Monday night to continue the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alone, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester's office said. Whether the voyage is the ship's final monthlong deployment from Fremantle before the search was completed after more than two years would depend on the weather, Chester's office said. Chester thanked China for the services of a Chinese ship that in February joined the search of a 120,000-square-kilometer (46,000-square-mile) area where authorities calculate that the Boeing 777 crashed with 239 people aboard on March 8, 2014.

SYDNEY (AP)  A staff member at an Australian nursing home was sentenced on Tuesday to 40 years in prison for murdering two elderly residents and attempting to murder a third with insulin injections. Garry Steven Davis, 29, was convicted in the New South Wales state Supreme Court in September of injecting Gwen Fowler, 83, Ryan Kelly, 80, Audrey Manuel, 91 at the SummitCare nursing home in Wallsend in October 2013. Manuel survived the injection, but died later of unrelated causes. Justice Robert Allan Hulme on Tuesday ordered Davis to serve at least 30 years of the 40-year sentence before he can be considered for parole.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who had a largely ceremonial job until President Park Geun-hye's impeachment last week, now must face off against North Korea and deal with edgy relations with Japan as the country's interim leader. Hwang visited the Joint Chiefs of Staff and told fellow Cabinet members on Monday that there are no unusual security or economic developments. But he will soon face a slew of thorny issues that will test his leadership while the Constitutional Court reviews whether to endorse Park's impeachment to formally end her rule. Here is a look at several major issues that lie ahead for Hwang: ___ NORTH KOREA Hwang's first move as interim leader was to tell his defense minister to bolster readiness for any possible provocation by North Korea.

KATHA, Myanmar (AP)  In the 1990s, Nyo Ko Naing noticed that the handful of foreign tourists who made it to his remote hometown were carrying their own maps and looked like they were searching for something. Someone, it turns out, by the name of George Orwell. Katha was Eric Blair's last posting in the Imperial Police before he sailed back to England in 1927, adopted the nom de plume Orwell and launched a writing career that would produce powerful novels and commentary. Seven years after leaving the sleepy town on the Irrawaddy River, he immortalized it as the setting of his first novel, the vehemently anti-colonial "Burmese Days," though he called it not Katha but "Kyauktada."

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Thousands of Sunni Muslims marking the Prophet Muhammad's birthday on Monday attacked a mosque in Pakistan belonging to the Ahmadi religious minority, wounding several people, officials said. The mob hurled stones and bricks at the mosque before storming the building, said Mahmood Javed Bhatti, deputy commissioner of the Chakwal district outside Islamabad, adding that gunmen opened fire on Ahmadis during the melee. Rashid Ahmad, a local police official, said the mob set fire to part of the mosque, and that Ahmadis inside the building also hurled bricks, wounding some of the attackers. Another police official, Malik Nawaz, said security forces had dispersed the crowd, taken over the mosque and sealed it.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  A Syrian refugee has graduated from an Australian high school with top honors just two years after beginning to learn English. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that Saad Al-Kassab earned a 96.65 on an Australian college admissions test. Al-Kassab graduated dux, the Australian equivalent of valedictorian, from one of the country's largest Catholic high schools. Al-Kassab says his initial poor English skills made it tough to get into a high school when he first arrived in Australia in June of 2014. Now, he has been offered a college scholarship and is hoping to study medicine.
Johannesburg - As the unprecedented US election year comes to an end, Daily Show host Trevor Noah is prepping his lines for his biggest guest yet: President Barack Obama.

Noahs in-depth interview of President Obama will take place at The White House.

President Obamas first appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah will be broadcast across Africa on Comedy Central, (DStv Channel 122) on Tuesday 13 December at 21:00.

The show will be broadcast in the US on Monday night:

Throughout this remarkable election cycle Noah has interviewed notable political figures including former President Bill Clinton - who received the gift of a balloon drop courtesy of Noah - as well as Republican presidential candidate: Dr. Ben Carson.

Further guests this week on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, include journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates (Wednesday, 14 December), Assassins Creed actor Michael K. Williams (Thursday 15 December) and Rod Corddry from Office Christmas Party (Friday 16 December).


Triumph Bonneville Bobber: What Do You Want to Know?

Im in sunny Madrid this week for the launch of the ultra-sexy Triumph Bonneville Bobber. Ill be writing up a review of the stylistically on-point machine soon but want your help in doing my job: What do you want to know about this new motorcycle?

The Bobber was first unveiled in October at a big London event that featured drag racing, a rock band, and hundreds of Triumph enthusiasts. The bike had been in the planning for quite a while, and Triumphs dedication to capturing the classic bobber look is a sign it has always been a key part of Triumphs plans for the future. The Bobber shares the same 1200cc parallel-twin powerplant as the Bonneville T120 and Thruxton, but this seems more than a styling exercise.

2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Indeed, at the bikes unveiling, journalists were told the engine had been tweaked to deliver a more torque-rich performance. Exact torque numbers may not come for a while; its common for Triumph to not share too many facts and figures with journos at a press ride, preferring to let the bikes speak more to the heart than the analytical brain.

Capturing the classic 1940s bobber look better  in my opinion  than any other production attempt (e.g., Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, Victory Gunner, or Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber), the Bonneville Bobber is a thoroughly modern machine featuring liquid-cooling, ABS, ride-by-wire, torque-assist clutch, switchable traction control, and multiple riding modes. Heated grips and cruise control are available as accessories.

2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Meanwhile, although Triumph insists otherwise  saying it expects the Bobber to sell well in a number of markets  I think you and I know the British marque has clearly targeted U.S. riders with this model. Indeed, the company has developed a number of accessories for the bike that will only be available in the United States.

And its clear, too, that Triumph has big hopes for this machine. Consider how it was revealed: a massive, expensive, and raucous event that was livestreamed around the world. Triumph didnt do that sort of thing for the recent unveilings of the Bonneville T100, Street Cup, or Street Scrambler. The proof will be in the riding as to whether the Bobber is worthy of its hype.

2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber

So, what else do you want to know about the bike? Hit me with your questions and I will do my best to answer them in my forthcoming First Ride report.
Washington (AFP) - Leading senators supported a congressional investigation on Monday into US intelligence assessments that Russia interfered in the election, putting top Republicans on a collision course with incoming president Donald Trump.

The potential showdown between Trump and Capitol Hill could become more contentious after the president-elect announces his pick for the critical secretary of state post on Tuesday, with key Republicans concerned over his expected choice, ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson.

The president-elect has dismissed the intelligence reports about Russian interference as "ridiculous," defying an increasing number of senators from his own party, as well as top Democrats, the Central Intelligence Agency and the outgoing White House.

US media have reported for days on secret CIA findings that Moscow sought to bolster Trump's election bid, against Democratic former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, by releasing hacked Democratic Party documents.

A group of 10 electors who will ratify the election results next week -- all but one of them Democrats -- also called for a full briefing on the accusations before the 538-member Electoral College gathers on December 19.

"Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!" Trump tweeted as he began another day of cabinet-building talks.

"Unless you catch 'hackers' in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?"

After the Kremlin dismissed the US intelligence findings as "absolutely unfounded," a Trump transition spokesman dug in further, saying it was "an attempt to try to delegitimize president-elect Trump's win."

- 'No doubt' -

Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, as well as Democrats Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed called for a bipartisan investigation with public hearings to find out what happened and to stop the threats that "cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."

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McCain told CBS television that there was "no doubt" about the hacking.

He said the investigation should stretch across armed services, intelligence and foreign relations committees in Congress to get a full picture of the story.

But Mitch McConnell, the powerful Senate majority leader whose wife Elaine Chao is Trump's nominee for transportation secretary, said the issue should be handled by the Senate Intelligence Committee, whose leader Richard Burr has been silent on the issue since the reports first appeared on Friday.

"It's an important subject and we intend to review it on a bipartisan basis," McConnell told CNN.

Republican Senator Michael McCaul, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said it must be "a top priority to investigate any outside interference aimed at undermining our democratic process."

The White House has also backed a congressional review.

Trump has long fanned alarm among some Republicans for calling for closer ties with Moscow, perhaps at their worst since the end of the Cold War, in contrast to received wisdom in Washington that Russia remains a global security threat.

- Tillerson questions -

American intelligence previously linked Russia to damaging email leaks from the Clinton campaign, but saw it as a broad bid to undermine confidence in the US political process.

On Friday, however, The Washington Post reported that the CIA has since concluded that the aim of the cyber intrusions was to help Trump win.

The report came on the heels of President Barack Obama's order to review all cyberattacks that took place during the 2016 election cycle, amid growing calls from Congress for more information on the extent of Russian interference.

Trump's rejection of the CIA conclusions signals a likely rough start to relations with the spy agency when the president-elect takes office on January 20.

"He believes that the CIA is a political institution and he's going to have to learn that it's not. It is apolitical," former deputy CIA director Michael Morell told CBS.

The hacking scandal raised new questions about whether Trump's apparent favored choice for US secretary of state will be able to pass Senate confirmation.

Tillerson's extensive dealings on behalf of Exxon with Russian leader Vladimir Putin have raised conflict of interest questions.

Putin bestowed Russia's Order of Friendship on Tillerson.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee which must approve the nomination, tweeted: "Being a 'friend of Vladimir' is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState."

Separately, Trump is delaying a press conference originally planned for Thursday about his global business dealings until January, top advisor Kellyanne Conway told CNN, as critics point to a myriad of potential conflicts of interest.

She attributed the delay to "how convoluted and complex many of these business holdings are," adding that Trump still intends to relinquish operational control of his company while serving as president.

"He's just a man who's been incredibly successful and has holdings all across the globe."
President-elect Donald Trump has officially added another retired general to his cabinet. Trump announced in a news release Monday that he planned to nominate Gen. John Kelly, former commander of the United States Southern Command and Marine Corps veteran, to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

"He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies," Trump said in the release. "With Gen. Kelly at the helm of DHS, the American people will have a leader committed to our safety as well as one who will work hand-in-hand with America's rank-and-file TSA, ICE and Border Patrol officers."

Kelly's name had been floating for days before the formal announcement. Other candidates on Trump's list reportedly included Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Frances Townsend, who served as President George W. Bush's homeland security adviser.

Here's what you need to know about him:

1. Kelly joined the Marine Corps in 1970, and he served time in Mayport, Florida; Camp Pendleton, California; Mons, Belgium; and Iraq throughout his 40 years in the military, according to his profile on the Department of Defense website.

2. He became a Gold Star father in 2010 when his son Robert died in Afghanistan.

3. More recently, the general oversaw the prison at Guantanamo Bay and advocated for increased border security, the New York Times reported.

4. Kelly has worked closely with current Department of Homeland Security secretary Jeh Johnson, former CIA director Leon Panetta and former defense secretary Robert Gates.

5. He has often voiced concerns about threats from countries in the Middle East and Latin America in congressional testimony.

"Unless confronted by an immediate, visible, or uncomfortable crisis our nation's tendency is to take the security of the Western Hemisphere for granted," Kelly said in 2015, according to the Military Times. "I believe this is a mistake."

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6. If confirmed, Kelly would likely take on projects like Trump's promised wall along the border with Mexico, advocate for human rights and strengthen the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement team, the Washington Post reported.

7. He said he's "humbled" to be Trump's pick.

"The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security," Kelly said in the release announcing his nomination. "I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country, and our people."

Related Articles
President-elect Donald Trump confirmed rumors on Monday when he announced Goldman Sachs Chief Operating Officer Gary Cohn will serve as National Economic Council director under the Trump administration.

In a statement, Trump said Cohns focus will be on coordinating the America First economic agenda to find ways to increase workers wages, a top priority for the incoming president.

He will help craft economic policies that will grow wages for our workers, stop the exodus of jobs overseas and create many great new opportunities for Americans who have been struggling, Trump said in a statement.

Cohn said he shares Trumps vision and being chocsen to serve in the next administration is a great honor for him.

I share President-elect Trumps vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth, and prosperity, Cohn said.

Cohn had been seen as a possible successor to Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein.

Related Articles
Brexit and the U.S. election will make 2017 one of the toughest years for directors to make the best decisions for their companies, according to a specialist risk consultancy.

The annual report from Control Risks has identified 6 main risks that company bosses will have to navigate past as next year unfolds.

"The unexpected U.S. election and Brexit referendum results that caught the world by surprise have tipped the balance to make 2017 one of the most difficult years for business' strategic decision making since the end of the Cold War.

"The catalysts to international business  geopolitical stability, trade and investment liberalization and democratization  are facing erosion. The commercial landscape among government, private sector and non-state actors is getting more complex," said Richard Fenning, CEO of Control in a statement accompanying the report.





Control Risks has identified its six key business risks for 2017:



1. Political populism exemplified by President-elect Trump and Brexit. The era of greater national control of economic and security policy ushered in by the US election and Brexit provides increased uncertainty for business leaders. Caution prevails because of the lack of clarity when it comes to political policy from the U.S. and U.K. as well as the global trading and economic environments. Geopolitical sparks are set to fly in relations between the U.S. and China, which are vital for the stability of the global economy, and from the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The calls across Europe for further referendums on European Union (EU) membership is causing nervousness while populism in other parts of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, is also adding fuel to investor risk.





2. Increasing complexity of cybersecurity. The coming year will see the rise of conflicting data legislation: U.S. and EU data protection regulations remain at odds; the EU's Single Digital Market is isolationist; and China and Russia are introducing new cybersecurity laws. This, Control Risks predict, will lead to data nationalism, forcing companies to store data locally at increased cost, as they become unable to meet regulatory requirements in international data transfer. E-commerce will be stifled. Meanwhile, fears of terrorism and state sponsored cyber-attacks will exacerbate national legislation, adding burden to businesses.

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3. Persistent terrorist threats. The threat of terrorism will remain high in 2017 but become more fragmented. The eventual collapse of the so-called Islamic State's control in Syria and Iraq will lead to an exodus of skilled militants across the world. Responding to terrorism is becoming ever more difficult for businesses; risk adjustment is critical, including big data solutions and reviews of potential insider radicalization, physical security and scenario planning.





4. A potential brake on U.S. regulation. Donald Trump's arrival in the White House could lead to a transformation of the global regulatory environment. The U.S.'s previous adherence to the Paris climate accords is under question. Meanwhile, the Dodd-Frank Act could be modified substantially and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is not off limits, either. This could have a domino effect on regulation around the world.





5. Intensifying geopolitical pressures. Syria, Libya, Yemen and Ukraine are likely to remain intractable conflicts and the Middle East will continue to be shaped by friction between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Meanwhile, Control Risks say, China's increased focus on diplomacy and military influence will extend from Central Asia and the Indian Ocean to sub-Saharan Africa. On top of this, North Korea's systematic nuclear capability development is upending a relatively static regional and global nuclear status quo.





6.The accidental escalation of strategic confrontations. While major conflicts remain unlikely in the South or East China Seas, for example, further militarization of disputes among China, its neighbors and the US, are likely, Control Risks say. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia and Iran continue to jockey for position in the Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb straits; Iran's nuclear deal has emboldened the country to challenge the US-Saudi security infrastructure; and Russia is likely to maintain substantial air patrols in or near European airspace and will continue bolstering its Black Sea and Mediterranean naval fleets to secure its positions in Crimea and Syria.





The risk consultancy suggested businesses will adopt one of three strategies in 2017, becoming either an Ark, Shark or Whale.

"Arks" will be defensive and focus on core business and markets, while "Sharks" take a more aggressive approach, hunting in new activities and locations for opportunity.

"Whales" provide a better strategy for big cash rich or credit worthy firms who will try to push through mega-mergers to secure dominant market share. Control Risks said in the release that this tactic may be stymied by nationalist governments and completion regulators.




By Toni Clarke (Reuters) - Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a partner at one of the world's largest venture capital funds and a former deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is being considered by President-elect Donald Trump to run the agency, according to sources close to the transition team. Gottlieb, 44, a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates and resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington, is well known in health policy circles and is a frequent commentator on television and in print. Gottlieb is being considered alongside Jim O'Neill, a self-declared libertarian and colleague of Peter Thiel, the co-founder of Mithril Capital Management who was an early Trump supporter and is now advising his transition team. Bloomberg News first reported that Trump was looking at ONeill. Trump, a Republican, takes office on Jan. 20. Michael Gaba, federal policy leader of law firm Holland & Knight's national Healthcare & Life Sciences Team, said Gottlieb would be more palatable to more people than ONeill, who believes drugs should be allowed on the market before their efficacy has been established, as long as they are safe. Even the drug industry would likely oppose that stance, Gaba said, since companies want to be able to make credible claims that their products are effective in treating the diseases they say do. "They want the FDAs Good Housekeeping seal of approval," Gaba said last week, adding, however, that drug makers would like to provide less data to get it. Gottlieb would be a more traditional choice than ONeill and fits the profile of what Trumps administration seems to be looking for, he said. "He leans right, he's got experience in the agency, hes got the M.D. credential, and hes outspoken," Gaba said. The FDA historically has named someone with medical credentials to head the agency. ONeill has none, though he served as principal associate deputy secretary of health and human services under the George W. Bush administration. Gottlieb's ties to the pharmaceutical industry run deep. He sits on the boards of multiple companies and advises others, including the British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline Plc. He is also a managing director of investment banking at T.R. Winston & Co, a Los Angeles-based, privately held investment bank that focuses on healthcare, clean energy and consumer technology. According to its website, the firm provides services to a range of healthcare clients, "including companies engaged in the clinical development of new therapeutic compounds, drug discovery techniques, medical technologies, and devices." Between 2003 and 2004 Gottlieb was a senior adviser to the FDA commissioner and then the agencys director of medical policy development. In 2004 he also acted as senior adviser to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. From 2005-2007 he was the FDA's deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs. Gottlieb has a medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a bachelor's degree in economics from Wesleyan University. He advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a member of the Federal Health Information Technology Policy Committee. (Reporting by Toni Clarke in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
U.S President-elect Donald Trumps remark on Sunday that the U.S. under his Administration may not necessarily recognize Beijings one China principle when it comes to cross-strait relations has been welcomed in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei. But it has also raised fears that the small, self-governing island could bear the brunt of Beijings ire on the issue.

The principle holds that both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province, are part of the same nation. Washington has diplomatically acknowledged Beijings position on the issue since Washington severed ties with Taipei in 1979.

I fully understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump told Fox.

Trumps comments on Fox News Sunday follow a controversial phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Dec. 2 that went against decades of U.S. protocol barring direct contact between American and Taiwanese leaders.

Reaction in Taipei on Monday was muted as analysts took stock of the consequences of any potential change of U.S. policy under a Trump Administration.

Political analyst Antonio Chiang says that while Trumps comments prompt a much needed debate on the position of Taiwan in the world, the Taiwanese are becoming increasingly nervous.

People are worried about this. Maybe this is his intention now, but we can see that Beijing will become more hawkish and angry at Taiwan. So I think people here are very cautious because this kind of remark will translate into what kind of situation? We dont know, he says.

Sources close to the Tsai administration have indicated that the decision of the traditionally cautious Taiwanese President to make a congratulatory call to the U.S. President-elect was not taken lightly, with the government fully aware of a potential backlash from China.

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Tsais Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is officially in favor of Taiwans independence, but she has been circumspect about the issue since she was elected in May 2016.

China has already frozen ties with Tsais administration over her refusal to subscribe to the so-called 1992 Consensus, drawn up between Beijing and the Kuomintang (KMT) administration, then governing Taiwan. The consensus states that both China and Taiwan were part of the same country, while diplomatically skirting around the issue of who or what would constitute the legitimate government of that country.

While Trump has raised the stakes, Taiwan has the most to lose militarily and economically in any future diplomatic U.S.-China standoff about its status.

The bit that worries me is when he [Trump] says we are not bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China to do with other things, including trade, says J. Michael Cole, a research associate at the Taipei-based French Centre for Research on Contemporary China.

This evidently gives some of us pause because it smacks of Trump saying that Taiwan could be a bargaining chip on different issues.

Cole predicts that the Tsai administration would be reaching out to Trumps advisers to urge caution.

Whenever there are signals that the security guarantor is looking at you as a means to an end  as a bargaining chip  of course it makes people very nervous, he says. Thats been a long-standing issue for Taiwan. There is always fear of abandonment.

The KMT  Taiwans main opposition party, which favors closer ties with Beijing  initially welcomed Trumps call with Tsai, but made a point of reaching out to Beijing in a press statement following his comments on Fox.

Peace in the Taiwan Strait should not be sacrificed under any circumstance. The KMT will continue to maintain a high-level relationship with both mainland China and the United States to safeguard regional stability, says KMT international spokesman Eric Huang.

However, Trumps recent statements have given hope to others like Michael Tsai, a former Defense Minister under the last DPP government in 2008, who now leads the Taiwan United Nations Alliance, a group lobbying to end Taiwans exclusion from international bodies.

We hope that Trump will say that Taiwan is Taiwan and China is China and that Taiwan is not part of China, he says. If that kind can be confirmed by the Trump future government, then that would help Taiwan to participate in the international community, including in the United Nations.
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f314833%2fgettyimages-628833374

President-elect Donald Trump has spent the past few days tapping climate-change deniers and fossil fuel executives to fill his presidential cabinet.

But on Sunday, he said he was "open-minded" about climate science, claiming falsely that "nobody really knows" what's happening to the planet.

"I've  look, Im somebody that gets it," Trump told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace in a taped interview. "And nobody really knows. It's not something that's so hard and fast."

SEE ALSO: Donald Trump's anti-climate science shakedown just started

Wallace noted earlier that Trump called climate change "a hoax" during his presidential campaign, although in the interview the two men refer only to "the environment." The Fox News host pointed out that Trump's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency  Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt  is suing the EPA to quash its landmark climate regulations.

Delegates at the Republican National Convention hold pro-coal signs on July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Image: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Wallace also recalled Trump's recent meetings with prominent environmentalists, including former Vice President Al Gore and the actor Leonardo DiCaprio. And he noted that Trump previously told the New York Times that he was "open-minded" on climate change.

"I'm still open-minded," Trump replied, according to a transcript of the conversation. "Nobody really knows."

But climate scientists say they do know. Really.

Centuries of data confirm that global warming is happening and caused mainly by human activities such as burning oil, coal and natural gas for electricity and motor fuel or clearing rainforests.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world's most authoritative group of climate experts, has said it is "extremely likely" that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions have been the "dominant cause" of observed global warming trends since the mid-20th century.

Story continues

Global average temperature departures from the preindustrial average.

Image: World meteorological organization

Climate scientists might debate the pace at which global warming will accelerate in coming decades, or how quickly the ice sheets will melt and raise sea levels. Yet there is virtually no debate in the mainstream scientific community that humans are influencing the climate.

On Sunday, Trump also misspoke about the Paris Climate Agreement, a landmark pact that entered into force on Nov. 4.

Under the agreement, more than 100 countries have committed to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, above pre-industrial levels through 2100.

Trump had previously vowed to withdraw the U.S. from the global climate pact before backtracking in the Times interview, saying he was "looking at it very closely."

A thermometer isn't liberal or conservative; it doesn't give you a different number depending on whether you vote left or right. pic.twitter.com/C2DJdS7TeB  Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) December 3, 2016

He also told Wallace he is "studying" the Paris climate deal and that he may make a decision on the matter "pretty quickly."

"I do say this  I don't want that agreement to put us at a competitive disadvantage with other countries," Trump said in the interview.

"As you know, there are different times and different time limits on that agreement. I don't want that to give China or other countries signing agreements and advantage over us," according to the transcript.

There are not different times or time limits for the Paris Climate Agreement.

Instead, each nation independently established its own individual targets for slashing greenhouse gas emissions. Together, those commitments should add up to achieving the common 2-degree goal, although so far countries are off pace to meeting that targets. In fact, an increase in temperatures is almost assured if emissions aren't cut further.

America set its own commitments in collaboration  not in competition  with China in 2014.

A worker installs solar panels in China's Shandong Province of China.

Image: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

In a historic joint announcement, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled their countries' respective pledges at a ceremony in Beijing.

The U.S. has promised to cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

China has committed to "peak" its carbon emissions by 2030 and to make efforts to peak earlier. The country will also increase non-fossil fuel energy to 20 percent of its energy consumption within 14 years.

Trump's statements during the Fox News interview were some of his most extensive comments on the environment  and climate change in particular  since he was elected president last month. His remarks may unnerve other nations that are committed to the Paris treaty and were counting on the U.S. to participate and lead on this issue.

BONUS: NASA timelapse shows just how quickly our Arctic sea ice is disappearing
President-elect Donald Trump is set to appear at a rally Friday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, aimed at getting out the vote for Republican John Kennedy, a state treasurer who is up for Senate seat in a runoff election the next day. The event is also likely to feel a lot like a pit stop on Trump's "Thank You" tour, during which he's hosting rallies across the nation in states he won during the presidential election.

While it's largely expected Kennedy will cruise to a victory over his Democratic opponent, Foster Campbell, Trump's endorsement is still a valuable political asset in Louisiana. He won 58.1 percent of the state's vote in the presidential election on his way to earning its eight electoral votes, according to a Cook Political Report analysis. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won just 38.4 percent of the vote in the state.

Trump had thrown his support behind Kennedy last week after posting on Twitter: "State Treasurer John Kennedy is my choice for US Senator from Louisiana."

Kennedy has tied himself to Trump, even running ads using the president-elect's slogan that he would "drain the swamp," reported the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Kennedy has fashioned himself in the image of Trump, whom he described as a "change agent."

"What ought to be sobering to all of us is people expect change," Kennedy said Trump's victory, according to the Times-Picayune. "And Washington better deliver now."

Local Louisiana news stations have reported the rally in Baton Rouge Friday begins at noon local time, or 11 a.m. EST, while Trump's website lists that it starts at 10 a.m. Trump has typically shown up a bit late for these events, so for folks intending to watch him deliver his remarks, it's likely best to tune in starting at about 10 or 10:30 a.m. EST.

Amid the frenetic work of planning an administration, Trump rallies began last week in Ohio and continued into Tuesday with a stop in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with Trump officially announcing retired Gen. James Mattis would be his nominee for secretary of defense. While Trump seemed to strike a less volatile tone, he did at times revert to boastful rhetoric when describing his election victory.

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"We don't talk about numbers, we bring people together, but boy, were those numbers good," Trump said.

To watch Trump's rally in Baton Rouge click here or simply watch the embedded feed posted below.

Related Articles
Dec. 21, 2016: This story has been corrected.

During a Republican primary debate last February, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida seized a moment. He asserted that even though Donald Trump the candidate was attacking undocumented immigrants, Trump the businessman had used 200 undocumented Polish workers to build Trump Towers, the president-elects gilded Gotham high-rise.

This foreign-worker imbroglio involving Trump  there are more  led to a court ruling in 1991 that Trump associates were in on a plan to stiff a laborers union out of pension benefits by underpaying the Poles. Trump professed not to know about the workers status, according to reports, and he appealed. Fifteen years later, though, after some of the Poles went public in news reports about wage and safety violations, Trump ended the protracted legal battle with a sealed settlement.

He brings up something from 30 years ago, Trump said at the debate, lashing back at Rubio. Trump said laws were different then. It worked out very well, he said with a shrug. Everybody was happy.

But millions of Americans who are married or otherwise related to other undocumented people are not at all happy today  and they cant afford to shrug off the past like Trump. Employers who have stepped up over the years to admit that many employees are likely undocumented are also dismayed. They fear that Trumps election means the end of a long quest for immigration reform that recognizes that most undocumented workers are not the criminals or bad hombres that Trump excoriated during the campaign. Instead, theyre the spouses and parents of U.S. citizens, longtime co-workers and neighbors and home and business owners  and their issues, problems and challenges are far more complex than Trumps heated rhetoric would make it appear.

A chill in the air

Our members are scared out of their wits, said Kim Anderson, a Minnesotan who leads American Families United. The group represents U.S. citizens with undocumented spouses who are unable to legalize those spouses under current immigration laws without great risks. Members are now coming to grips with the possibility that their circumstances are about to get even worse.

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On immigration, like on many other subjects, its sometimes hard to figure where the president-elects bluster ends and his actual position lies. Trumps stinging words about Mexicans and Muslims during the campaign are old news, but not forgotten as he prepares to take power. He initiated his campaign by fixating on Mexicans who cross the border, calling them rapists before adding, after a pause, that "some, I assume, are good people." He tried softening his rhetoric in an Arizona speech by referring to the great contributions of Mexican-American citizens to our two countries  and the close friendship between our two nations. But Trumps appointment of Steve Bannon as his chief White House strategist has inflamed tensions further because of Bannons talk-radio past and his Breitbart website, which features diatribes degrading immigrants and people of color.

For members of American Families United, the prospects their concerns will be heard feel thin.

A myth persists that if Americans marry undocumented people  who many have met at work  those spouses can easily transition to legal status. The reality is that Americans can no longer apply to get green cards for undocumented spouses without facing severe consequences if their husbands or wives originally entered the country illegally and were here for more than one year. Those spouses are automatically subject to being banished from the United States for 10 years, sometimes longer, even for life. This policy came about long before Trump; a Republican-controlled Congress tucked the punitive measures, known as bars, into the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Application of the bars was phased in, shocking a first wave of couples who were unaware of the changes.

More than 9 million people appear to live in mixed status families with an undocumented adult and at least one U.S.-born child, according to the Pew Research Center. As of 2014, Pew estimated, 66 percent of undocumented adults had been in the United States for more than 10 years  enough time to form families.

Because of the rules, some mixed-status families have already been forced into exile to stay intact. Theyve suffered financial strain and emotional trauma. Others, to keep jobs here, have had to live separately from spouses and children who are stuck abroad, as the Center for Public Integrity reported in 2012. Still others have chosen not even to try for green cards, and instead live every day worrying that a spouse could get picked up in a workplace raid or due to a traffic stop.

For years, these citizens have tried to persuade Congress unsuccessfully to reform these penalties arguing that the bars have done nothing to deter illegal immigration and instead are a disproportionate punishment falling on Americans. Multiple bills with some bipartisan support have so far stalled in Congress.

President Obamas administration did make a slight change thats aided some in this community; in 2013 he issued a regulatory tweak allowing spouses seeking green cards to apply for waivers from banishment without having to leave the country, as had been required. However, since many spouses had already been advised they would not qualify for the narrow criteria for a waiver, they were unable to benefit from the regulatory change.

Our members have lived in this unknown fear for years that at any given moment their lives can be wrecked, irreversibly, Alexander said. With Trumps election, thats been ratcheted up by 10 times.

This story is part of Juvenile Justice. Scrutinizing controversial policies affecting young people at risk. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

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Hard-line approach

Indeed, Trumps position sounds uncompromising.

For those here today illegally who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and only one route: to return home and apply for re-entry, Trump said in his Arizona speech. Our message to the world will be this: You cannot obtain legal status, or become a citizen of the United States, by illegally entering our country.

Another group whose future now appears in peril: more than 700,000 so-called Dreamers, young people whose parents brought them here as children and whom President Obama and a number of Republican leaders have defended as Americans in all but documents. So-called DREAM Act legislation that would have provided Dreamers an earned path to legal status has failed repeatedly. So in 2012, Obama issued an executive order granting some Dreamers who registered with the government temporary protection from deportation and two-year work permits that must be renewed.

Obama has urged Trump to show compassion for Dreamers. It is my strong belief that the majority of the American people would not want to see suddenly those kids have to start hiding again, Obama said. But Trump has said hell immediately terminate Obama executive orders like the Dreamer policy. Hes also said that only after the border is controlled will we be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those who remain.

In an interview with TIME magazine this month, Trump suggested were going to work something out for Dreamers. They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here, he said. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen.

One of Congress hardliners, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, didnt sound happy with the softer tone. He told CNN that among these Dreamers are some awfully bad people, and he added: Will those children point to their parents and tell us, You really need to enforce the law against my parents, because they knew what they were doing when they caused me to break the law? 

A circle of immigration-restriction activists who favor a tough line  and who say theyve advised the Trump campaign  have historically expressed little mercy for Dreamers.

When a version of the DREAM Act failed to pass in 2007, Roy Beck, the executive director of NumbersUSA, one of these groups, said he had no sympathy for the young people.

I have no trouble looking at them in the eye, and saying, Too bad. Life is hard,  Beck told The Sacramento Bee. Beck, whose group has mobilized voters to oppose Dream Act proposals, told Reuters this fall that he met Trump in New York during the campaign.

NumbersUSA declares a policy of no to immigrant bashing" on its website and contends its concern is over-population. But the Southern Poverty Law Center criticized the group in a report, The Nativist Lobby: Three Faces of Intolerance, due to racially charged remarks expressed by a founder and a Beck associate.

Chris Kobach, the controversial Kansas secretary of state, has also been among those counseling Trump on immigration matters. Before he held elected office, Kobach pressed several lawsuits to deprive Dreamers of the right to pay in-state tuition to attend public colleges where they grew up. His suits have failed in California, Nebraska and Kansas.

Kobach was also the architect of an Arizona law that required police there to demand proof of legal status for people suspected of being undocumented. The U.S. Supreme Court reviewed that law and upheld the power of police to investigate a persons status under certain conditions. But as part of a civil-rights lawsuit settlement Arizona stopped requiring police to demand evidence of legal status or hold people for prolonged periods solely for that purpose.

Back in 2012, while advising GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Kobach argued that within four years, if attrition through enforcement were made the centerpiece of national immigration policy, you could see the illegal alien population cut in half. The battle of Dreamers could shift to Congress again soon: GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a longtime supporter of legal status for Dreamers, plans to introduce another version of the Dream Act next year.

Unforeseen consequences

Regardless of what actually happens on the policy front, though, what Anderson of American Families United fears is more collateral damage.

She worries additional Americans will be driven into exile  like Margot Bruemmer. Originally from New Jersey, Bruemmer was a college English professor when she moved with her young children and undocumented husband in 2005 to Veracruz, Mexico. Bruemmers spouse learned at a green-card interview in Mexico that he was barred from entering the United State for at least 10 years. After 10 years, the couple re-applied for the green card. But he was rejected again. A devastated Bruemmer is facing a lifetime outside the United States to keep her family together.

Begging and pleading by phone, email, and in person with senators and congressmen was in vain, the mother of three children said in a message to friends.

Anderson questions what benefit there is for Americans to deny life in the United States to Margots children.

But Anderson conceded that mustering support for undocumented immigrants isnt easy. A Gallup poll last July actually found that 84 percent of U.S. adults  and 76 percent of Republicans  favored allowing undocumented immigrants to earn legal status over time if they met certain requirements. Yet Anderson acknowledged the battle cry often rising above that sentiment: that the undocumented should do it the right way, and get in line, and shouldnt be rewarded with legal status.

That rhetoric bumps up against a cold reality; the current immigration system doesnt actually provide a way for most undocumented people to correct their status by getting in a line. Without a change in policy, many spouses of Americans or legal residents face the punitive bars blocking them from re-entering the United States. For many others, there is no line at all: Most visas for legal residency are based on marriage or other immediate family ties. Work visa categories and opportunities for employer sponsorship for green cards are extremely narrow  benefiting mostly people with so-called extraordinary skills, including professional athletes and models, which is what facilitated Trumps wife Melanias transition to the United States.

Even if a U.S. employer is eager to sponsor and legalize undocumented workers whove become trusted workers  in farming, for example, or elder care  its all but impossible because unskilled job visas are few and requests are backlogged for years. On top of that, at present, any history of crossing the border illegally or undocumented status can be disqualifying.

Americans frustrated by these barriers contrast their experiences with what theyve heard about the future First Lady.

Melania Trump has said that she followed all visa rules when she arrived here about 20 years ago. But according to an Associated Press investigation, documents showed that Melania performed 10 modeling jobs valued at more than $20,000 while she was still on a visitors visa in 1996 that did not permit her to work. The jobs were performed, the AP reported, weeks before she was issued an H-1B non-immigrant temporary work visa in October 1996. Violating terms of a visa or presenting a misleading history involving a visa can result in denial of re-entry to the United States and denial of a permanent residency application. Melania obtained permanent residency in 2001, but hasnt elaborated on how she made that transition. She became a U.S. citizen in 2006, a year after she and Trump married.

The contrast with businesses like agriculture appear stark to many  including Barry Bedwell, president of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Agribusiness leans heavily Republican, but Bedwell counts himself among those dispirited by Trumps rhetoric and worried about what comes next.

The long partnership between employers and the undocumented has been allowed  to develop because its been mutually beneficial, admitted Bedwell. Like many in agribusiness, hes frustrated that conservatives in other parts of the country arent open to his point of view. But now that weve moved past the campaign, he said, Im hoping cooler heads will prevail.

Bedwell is based in the Salinas Valley, and before that he was based in Fresno  two of the most productive agribusiness regions in the world. Tending and harvesting crops must be done at precise moments in time, so workers need to be available. California has much at stake in whatever the Trump Administration does here  and so do American consumers, given that the Golden State produces the majority of Americas fruits and vegetables and is the leading producer of milk  and relies heavily on undocumented laborers.

What the agricultural community needs to do now, Bedwell said, is understand its vulnerabilities and play extreme defense.

Related: "What the agricultural community needs..."

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Troubling stalemate

For many, both recent history and the current situation seem counterproductive. President Bill Clintons administration began investing billions on fortifying the border in the mid-1990s, and President George W. Bush invested billions more. Smugglers fees began escalating and trips became more dangerous, so more and more workers stayed put.

Trump argues that lower-skilled immigrants compete directly against vulnerable American workers, and  draw much more out of the system than they will ever pay in. But agribusiness companies have complained at times about worker shortages in the wake of extra border security, such as occasional deployments of the National Guard, and most economists argue that American consumers have benefited overall from immigrant labor, documented or not.

Stretching back to the 1990s, a coalition of business, labor and civil rights groups have unsuccessfully pursued reform. They didnt always agree on everything. But versions of bills they generally backed would have legalized some of the current workforce for the sake of preventing disruption in the national food supply and other industries, and to promote community and family stability. Proposals would have also overhauled the system for vetting claims of worker shortages and then admitting workers to fill jobs that arent necessarily considered extraordinary  like modeling  but essential to the economy.

Proposals included trade-offs that were uncomfortable for some. Versions of farmworker-specific legislation would have phased-in a legalization of current workers, on condition they stayed in the fields for a period before leaving for other jobs. Farmers would be expected to increase use of a guest worker program whose inefficiencies they could help reform. For some labor advocates, these provisions were a bitter pill because unions fought to end the exploitative Bracero program in 1964 that had imported Mexican farmworkers without equal rights. But labor activists were also concerned that workers were dying crossing deserts for jobs, or were undocumented and less able to fight for better treatment.

Provisions in these failed immigration bills would have also poured billions of dollars more into additional border security. And in an unprecedented step, all versions of these bills would have also phased in mandatory employer use of the E-Verify system, an online system for authenticating ID documents.

To understand why employers  and labor activists  support such broad-based reforms, Bedwell and others say, Americans need a better understanding of whats happened in the past.

E-Verify didnt exist when Congress and President Ronald Reagan approved the last major immigration legislation 30 years ago  a bitterly contested measure known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act. Before the 1986 reform, it wasnt even illegal to hire undocumented workers. Into the 1970s, employers could sponsor undocumented immigrants for green cards with greater ease. Immigration judges, too, had greater latitude to review individual cases and grant legal status.

In 1986, in addition to an amnesty, Congress mandated that employers ask to see a prospective employees documents indicating legal status  and then record and keep that information on file. Not complying can result in a fine. But employers arent expected to be experts in detecting fake documents. And with rare exception, most escape responsibility for hiring undocumented workers because the legal burden of proving they knowingly hired workers is difficult to meet. So the employer sanctions that were part of the legislation proved largely ineffective. And even though border control spending exploded in the mid-1990s, workers willing to risk more perilous crossings kept coming, and employers kept hiring them to fill jobs  not just on farms, but in construction and services.

Now, though, mandating E-Verify would be a potential game changer for businesses  assuming the systems not insignificant operational problems can be smoothed out. Trump has said his administration will ensure that E-Verify is used to the fullest extent possible under existing law, and will work with Congress to strengthen and expand its use across the country.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which led the comprehensive-immigration-reform charge for years in Washington, has produced reams of documents featuring economists positive take on immigration. The group points to longitudinal studies finding that immigrants boost economic growth, tax revenues and on balance push up wages for the native-born, who assume more management roles.

But since Trumps victory, the chamber has gone silent, and is regrouping for a new era. Were not going to speculate on anything related to the Trump administrations policies at this time, a spokeswoman said in an email. We look forward to working with the new administration and the new Congress on issues of importance to the business community, which includes immigration reform.

Swimming upstream

Even before Trump, reform advocates like the Chamber were up against a rising tide of skepticism regarding reform.

Congress grew cold after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and conservative talk radio and TV programs began a drumbeat of attacks against legalizing immigrants; TV personalities such as Lou Dobbs spread outlandish claims about Mexican plots to take over the American Southwest. Ironically, Mexican President Vicente Fox  the most pro-U.S. Mexican president in modern times  was increasingly excoriated by Dobbs and others. As wars in Afghanistan and Iraq tarnished President Bushs popularity, he lost his ability to muster GOP support for a reform he had pushed. An influx of Central Americans fleeing violent gangs also brought a backlash.

Immigrant advocates arent convinced that Trumps pledges to get tough will result in a mass exodus of people, but they do think workers will feel pain far more than employers. Bruce Goldstein, president of the nonprofit Farmworker Justice in Washington, D.C, said, Im worried that the current undocumented workers will be pushed further into the margins of society where they will suffer more.

Bill Hing, a veteran immigration attorney and professor at the University of San Francisco, said his phone is ringing off the hook now as clients seek an educated guess on what Trump might do. More workplace raids might occur to make a splash, Hing also predicted. But employers, especially agribusiness, he said, are sure to try to enlist GOP leaders like House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Bakersfield, California, to try to fend off what they view as disruptive enforcement.

Americans, Hing added, forget that there is truth to the argument that undocumented immigrants do take jobs Americans dont want to do. The undocumented are also consumers; local economies would suffer if the population vanished suddenly.

Among Trumps favorite campaign stump lines was his vow to build a great and beautiful wall that Mexico would be forced to pay for  a vow hes waffled on at times. He also railed against Mexico for stealing American jobs because U.S. corporations have factories there.

Yet despite his America first rhetoric, Trump himself used Mexican and Asian factories to produce his clothing line. The Washington Post reported that construction workers on Trumps new hotel in Washington, D.C., admitted just last year that they were undocumented. Trump denied hiring undocumented workers and said the company used E-Verify to conduct screening.

In Florida, The New York Times reported that nearly 300 U.S. citizens have applied since 2010 to work as cooks, housekeepers and wait staff at Trumps luxury Mar-a-Lago Club  but that only 17 were hired. The U.S. Labor Department, which reviews whether a business has met requirements to try to hire Americans first, certified 685 H-2B guest worker visas for Mar-a-Lago between 2008 and 2015. CNN reported that over 15 years, Trumps businesses have filed for more than 1,250 foreign workers for various positions. Trump seemed to prefer young, attractive Eastern European or South African people, former workers told CNN.

Trump batted away these findings during the campaign, claiming there were very few qualified workers during the high season in the Mar-a-Lago area  a claim disputed by services that match employees in the area. Some news reports found that the business did little to meet requirements to advertise for workers. Mar-a-Lago justified its requests for foreign workers by saying that not enough American applicants were willing to work split shifts or part time.

Trump began suggesting in the final days of his campaign hed go after criminal undocumented people first, which is already an Obama administration policy. In a transition video he released to the public on Nov. 21, Trump announced that he plans to direct the U.S. Department of Labor to investigate all abuses of visa programs that undercut the American worker exactly how some in Florida reportedly felt about Trumps recruitment of European guest workers.

The contradictions with him are enormous, said Muzaffar Chishti, who researches migration and is the director of Migration Policy Institutes office at the New York University School of Law. The Migration Policy Institute is a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.

When it comes to immigration and accountability, Chishti said, employers have been able to shift the burden downstream for years now, to subcontractors and workers. Based on Trumps harsh but mercurial rhetoric, Chishti added, its hard to imagine how Trumps vows to police practices he has reportedly engaged in will eventually play out.

Throughout history, Chishti noted, Americans have employed foreign-born workers, and turned against them in fits of xenophobia that include labeling newcomers as criminal or unable to assimilate.

Americas always been ambivalent about immigration, he said, for a nation of immigrants.

Correction, 5:12 p.m., Dec. 21 2016: An earlier version of this story reported that the Southern Poverty Law Center had labeled NumbersUSA a hate group. The SPLC has criticized NumbersUSA as nativist and for ties to a founder who has expressed racially charged views. But the SPLC does not include the group on a specific list it calls extremist or hate groups.

This story is part of Juvenile Justice. Scrutinizing controversial policies affecting young people at risk. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

Related stories

Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump is stacking his trade transition team with veterans of the U.S. steel industry's battles with China, signaling a potentially more aggressive approach to U.S. complaints of unfair Chinese subsidies for its exports and barriers to imports.

Led by Wilbur Ross, a billionaire steel investor and Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, Dan DiMicco, the former CEO of steelmaker Nucor Corp, and three veteran steel trade lawyers, the team is expected to help shift the U.S. trade focus more heavily toward enforcement actions aimed at bringing down a chronic U.S. trade deficit, Washington trade experts said.

Based on their past efforts, this could include more challenges to China's trade practices through the World Trade Organization and more U.S. government-initiated anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases against a wider range of Chinese products. The latter would be argued before the U.S. International Trade Commission - a forum where the steel industry has had considerable success.

Ross, DiMicco and other leaders of Big Steel have been on the front-line in U.S. trade battles against the world's export superpower.

Hit by a flood of cheap imports from China and other countries, the U.S. steel industry has brought 16 new cases in the past three years, seeking punitive duties from the Commerce Department to combat below-cost dumping and unfair subsidies that slashed prices of various steel products to historic lows last year, causing layoffs at U.S. steel mills. (See graphic http://tmsnrt.rs/2gUFGAf)

Some of these cases have resulted in massive penalties against Chinese imports, including duties of more than 500 percent on Chinese cold-rolled steel used in autos and appliances.

Lawyers Robert Lighthizer and Jeffrey Gerrish have represented United States Steel and Stephen Vaughn has represented AK Steel in these cases. The three are also part of Trump's trade team.

Story continues

Lighthizer, Gerrish, Vaughn, Ross and DiMicco either declined to comment for this story or did not respond to Reuters' requests for interviews.

Trade experts familiar with their views and their history of confrontation with China, however, say they will not be afraid to push the limits of what is legal under World Trade Organization rules in defense of U.S. trade interests.

Lighthizer, who along with DiMicco is considered a strong candidate to be the new U.S. Trade Representative, is known for his work during the Reagan administration pressuring Japan into voluntary export restraints.

PUSHING WTO LIMITS

"Bob Lighthizer is very smart, very strategic and totally fearless," said a Washington attorney who has worked with him for three decades and asked not to be named because Trump's USTR selection process was still under way. "If he's in charge you can expect him to use every tool available to create leverage to get China and anyone else to stop the cheating. He is no fan of the WTO."

Lighthizer told a congressional panel in 2010 that the WTO's dispute resolution system was ineffective and that the United States "should consider aggressive interpretations of WTO provisions that might help us deal with Chinese mercantilism."

Such tactics could include imposing temporary import quotas and surcharges and factoring in the effect of currency manipulation into U.S. anti-dumping duties, he said.

Ross, who advised Trump's presidential campaign on economic issues, has signaled he will use access to the lucrative U.S. consumer market as leverage to negotiate better trade terms. The United States is China's biggest export market.

During his presidential campaign, Trump vowed to levy a punitive 45-percent tariff on Chinese goods and label Beijing a currency manipulator. It is not clear though whether he will follow through on those threats once he takes office.

Ross told CNN last week that Trump will not be "willy nilly slapping a 45 percent tariff on everything," but will maintain the threat of tariffs as part of negotiations.

In an emailed statement to Reuters, Ross said he would divest "all holdings and board seats that pose conflicts" but declined to answer other questions on his plans for Trump's trade policy and engagement with China.

The personal blog of DiMicco, meanwhile, gives some indication of how he would approach China if he was named head of USTR. He has accused China of waging a "mercantilist trade war" on the United States for two decades, through currency manipulation, unfair subsidies and intellectual property theft.

On the issue of currency manipulation, many economists disagree, saying Beijing is no longer keeping its yuan artificially undervalued to make its exports cheap, citing the hundreds of billions of dollars in reserves it has spent to prop up the yuan's value this year.

A key question for Trump's trade team is how far they can push China to change its trade practices without provoking a trade war that will hurt both countries.

"If what they plan to do is get a little scratchier with China on enforcement within the existing WTO rules, that's OK," said Scott Miller, a China trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "But if they go outside those guardrails, it will be unpleasant because that will draw retaliation."

He Weiwen, vice president at the Center for China and Globalization, a government-affiliated think-tank in Beijing, said any punitive action against China by the Trump administration would invite a retaliatory response.

"We will certainly respond in the same way," he said, adding that Washington and Beijing "should find good solutions that are acceptable to both and not go to extremes. It will hurt both."

Chinese state media have warned that any new tariffs imposed by Trump would lead to retaliation against Boeing aircraft, Apple iPhones and U.S. corn and soybeans.

(Additional reporting by Michael Martina in Beijing; Editing by David Chance and Ross Colvin)
By Olivia Oran

NEW YORK, Dec 12 (Reuters) - No Wall Street firm is set to do better under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump than Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

But the selection of several current and former Goldman bankers to high-profile positions in his administration could reignite flames of resentment against the bank, and the Wall Street elite it represents, which Trump himself fanned during his campaign.

Goldman's shares have jumped by nearly a third since Trump's Nov. 8 election victory, outpacing gains by rivals, as investors bet on a resurgence in trading stocks and bonds due to increased volatility, and the prospect of less onerous financial regulation.

But Trump's selection of Steve Bannon as chief White House strategist and Steven Mnuchin as his nominee for Treasury secretary - both of them former Goldman bankers - has prompted an outcry from Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who have pledged to resist Trump's efforts to dismantle recent financial reforms.

Trump's expected pick of Gary Cohn, Goldman's second-in-command, to advise him on economic policy, has only made that chorus louder.

The proximity of so many Goldman executives to the seat of power could make sympathetic treatment of banks more likely, some critics have said. But at the same time, the public display of Goldman's reach could stir up calls for renewed scrutiny just as Wall Street wants to see some restrictions imposed after the 2008 financial crisis eased.

"Goldman has spent the last couple of years doing their work quietly, but now they have the focus on them, which means people who weren't interested in them last week, now are," said Erik Gordon, a business professor focusing on investment banking at the University of Michigan.

"In the harsh spotlight, every wrinkle, scar and freckle shows."

HISTORICAL PRECEDENT

U.S. governments have a tradition of choosing former Goldman bankers for key positions, stretching back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Story continues

But during the latest financial crisis, when Main Street bailed out Wall Street, Goldman's connections within government and the profits it made selling toxic mortgage debt led Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi to call it "a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity."

Popular anger at Wall Street generally and Goldman in particular provided the backdrop to the Dodd-Frank post-crisis regulations, which made it much more expensive for banks to trade securities as they had before.

Following the financial crisis, Goldman acknowledged it needed to do more work to improve the firm's image with ordinary people, current and former executives have said.

While Goldman - the leader in the lucrative business of advising on mergers and acquisitions - had previously thrived on keeping its head down, focusing on clients and shunning the media, it began to focus more closely on its reputation.

"We've withdrawn from some businesses and withdrawn from some opportunities out there in the world because we decided we shouldn't do that type of business because the brand and the reputation was too valuable," Cohn said in a 2014 interview with a Canadian newspaper.

Executives also started giving more interviews and the bank rolled out its first nationwide advertising campaigns aimed at regular people that emphasized its role in alternative energy and job creation.

BANK-FRIENDLY REGULATIONS

Goldman's engagement with Main Street has grown more important as the bank has entered consumer markets, launching an online lending business earlier this year, called Marcus, with video ads on Facebook, Hulu, Pandora and YouTube.

Despite efforts to revamp its image, Goldman has remained a byword for elitism, something that Trump tapped into during the election campaign, releasing a television ad that characterized Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein as part of a "global power structure" that had robbed America's working class.

The bank's association with Trump's government may reignite feelings of anger that ad may have stirred up.

"If the decisions made by the Trump administration are seen as supporting the 'old Wall Street', that will bring the connection with Goldman to the forefront," said Jim Marous, a financial industry strategist who works with banks on branding and marketing.

For now, investors do not appear to be worried. With its consumer operations just a small sliver of its overall business, they are confident that any negative publicity Goldman may suffer will be far outweighed by the positive benefits that will flow from having more bank-friendly regulations.

"Goldman will always be linked with politics, even if that goes away from time to time," said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer of First American Trust, which holds shares in Goldman Sachs. "Money and politics always go together." (Editing by Carmel Crimmins and Bill Rigby)
(Adds Chinese academic comment)

By Caren Bohan and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China," questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.

Trump's comments on "Fox News Sunday" came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan's president on Dec. 2.

"I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox.

Trump's call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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."

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump's remarks.

After Trump's phone conversation with Taiwan's president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washington's "one China" policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the U.S. relationship with China could be undermined by a "flaring up" of the Taiwan issue.

Following Trump's latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan's leader.

"I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?"

Story continues

"I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump added.

Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China.

But Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next U.S. president should take bolder steps to halt China' military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.

Bolton said Washington should consider using a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.

In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China that he emphasized during his presidential campaign.

"We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all."

Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed China's efforts to prop up the yuan's value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.

RAISING 'LIKELIHOOD OF MISUNDERSTANDING'

The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, said in an editorial that Trump was "naive like a child on diplomacy" and that the 'one China' policy "could not be bought or sold".

When the time comes, the Chinese mainland will launch a series of "decisive new policies toward Taiwan", the paper said.

"We will prove that all along the United States has been unable to dominate the Taiwan Strait and Trump's desire to sell the 'one China' policy for commercial interests is a childish urge," it said.

Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at Beijing's elite Renmin University, said Trump was possibly using the Taiwan issue to try and strike a bargain with the United States over trade.

"He wants to get the best possible trade deal with China he can so that he can boost the U.S. economy," Wang said.

Some U.S. analysts warned that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far.

"China is more likely to let the whole relationship with the United States deteriorate in order to show its resolve on the Taiwan issue," said Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert in Chinese nationalism.

"When the decision to end a decades-long practice is made with so little warning and clear communication, it raises the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation and sets the stage for a crisis between the United States and China over Taiwan," Chen Weiss said.

Mike Green, a former top adviser on Asia to former President George W. Bush, said ending the "one China" policy would be a mistake because it would throw the U.S.-China relationship into turmoil and jeopardize Beijing's cooperation on issues such as North Korea.

But Green, who is now with the CSIS think tank, said he did not believe that Trump intended to go that far and there was "logic to serving Beijing notice that he will not be dictated to on issues like Taiwan."

"President Obama was too accommodating to Beijing early on and it reduced his leverage as China asserted itself on issues like the East and South China Seas later," Green said.

On Sunday, China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi was traveling to U.S. neighbor Mexico, according to the official news agency Xinhua, but Mexican officials could not offer details.

Mexico has been deepening ties with China, which is partly funding a multi-billion dollar wholesale mobile network while China Offshore Oil Corporation took two of the eight blocks of deep water oil fields offered in a historic auction this month.

(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Jeff Mason and Veronica Gomez in Mexico City; and Michael Martina and Christian Shepherd in Beijing; Editing by Alan Crosby, Peter Cooney and Lincoln Feast)
By Caren Bohan and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China," questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.

Trump's comments on "Fox News Sunday" came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan's president on Dec. 2.

"I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox.

Trump's call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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."

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump's remarks.

After Trump's phone conversation with Taiwan's president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washingtons one China policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the U.S. relationship with China could be undermined by a "flaring up" of the Taiwan issue.

Following Trump's latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan's leader.

"I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?"

Story continues

"I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump added.

Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China.

But Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next U.S. president should take bolder steps to halt China' military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.

Bolton said Washington should consider using a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.

In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China that he emphasized during his presidential campaign.

"We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all."

Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed China's efforts to prop up the yuan's value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.

RAISING 'LIKELIHOOD OF MISUNDERSTANDING'

The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, said in an editorial that Trump was "naive like a child on diplomacy" and that the 'one China' policy "could not be bought or sold".

When the time comes, the Chinese mainland will launch a series of "decisive new policies toward Taiwan", the paper said.

"We will prove that all along the United States has been unable to dominate the Taiwan Strait and Trump's desire to sell the 'one China' policy for commercial interests is a childish urge," it said.

Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at Beijing's elite Renmin University, said Trump was possibly using the Taiwan issue to try and strike a bargain with the United States over trade.

"He wants to get the best possible trade deal with China he can so that he can boost the U.S. economy," Wang said.

Some U.S. analysts warned that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far.

"China is more likely to let the whole relationship with the United States deteriorate in order to show its resolve on the Taiwan issue," said Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert in Chinese nationalism.

"When the decision to end a decades-long practice is made with so little warning and clear communication, it raises the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation and sets the stage for a crisis between the United States and China over Taiwan," Chen Weiss said.

Mike Green, a former top adviser on Asia to former President George W. Bush, said ending the "one China" policy would be a mistake because it would throw the U.S.-China relationship into turmoil and jeopardize Beijing's cooperation on issues such as North Korea.

But Green, who is now with the CSIS think tank, said he did not believe that Trump intended to go that far and there was "logic to serving Beijing notice that he will not be dictated to on issues like Taiwan."

"President Obama was too accommodating to Beijing early on and it reduced his leverage as China asserted itself on issues like the East and South China Seas later," Green said.

On Sunday, China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi was traveling to U.S. neighbor Mexico, according to the official news agency Xinhua, but Mexican officials could not offer details.

Mexico has been deepening ties with China, which is partly funding a multi-billion dollar wholesale mobile network while China Offshore Oil Corporation took two of the eight blocks of deep water oil fields offered in a historic auction this month.

(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Jeff Mason and Veronica Gomez in Mexico City; and Michael Martina and Christian Shepherd in Beijing; Editing by Alan Crosby, Peter Cooney and Lincoln Feast)
Washington (AFP) - President-elect Donald Trump on Monday named Gary Cohn, current president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs, to lead the White House's National Economic Council.

"As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people," Trump said in a statement.

Cohn called the selection "a great honor."

"I share President-elect Trumps vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth and prosperity," Cohn said.

Former president Bill Clinton established the council in 1993 to advise the president on domestic and global economic policy. It has been led by former Treasury secretaries Robert Rubin and Larry Summers, and former Federal Reserve governor Larry Lindsey.

The Cohn announcement brings to three the number of current and former Goldman Sachs bankers with key roles in the incoming Trump administration, including Steven Mnuchin as Treasury secretary and Steve Bannon as White House strategic advisor. Anthony Scaramucci, a member of the presidential transition team, also has worked at Goldman Sachs.

Trump, who takes office in less than six weeks, attacked his rivals on the campaign trail for their connections to the bank.

Cohn, 56, joined Goldman Sachs in 1990, overseeing its fixed income, currency and commodities division and rising to the bank's second most senior position in 2006 beneath CEO Lloyd Blankfein.
Washington (AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday formally nominated retired Marine general John Kelly to be his secretary of homeland security -- the third former general tapped to join the Republican billionaire's inner circle.

The following is a list of key cabinet and other nominations made so far by Trump, who takes office on January 20:

- Cabinet -

Attorney General: Jeff Sessions, 69

One of Trump's earliest supporters during the campaign, the anti-immigration senator from Alabama has a much criticized record on race relations and was once denied a judgeship amid concerns over past comments about blacks. The attorney general heads the department of justice.

Commerce: Wilbur Ross, 79

A US asset investor and billionaire, Ross is best known for investing in failing steel and coal firms and selling them for profit. He was once known as the "king of bankruptcy" for his history of investing in such businesses.

Defense: James Mattis, 66

A retired four star Marine general, Mattis commanded US forces in the Middle East and Southwest Asia from 2010 to 2013, capping a career as a combat commander that earned him the nickname "Mad Dog." A scholar of warfare, he is said to have a particular interest in the challenge posed by Iran. To become secretary of defense, Mattis would have to get a congressional waiver from a law that bars generals from serving as defense secretary for seven years after leaving active duty.

Education: Betsy DeVos, 58

A wealthy activist and Republican megadonor from Michigan, DeVos is a champion of alternatives to local government schools, backing a movement that advocates the use of tax credits and vouchers to allow parents to opt out of the public school system.

Health and Human Services: Tom Price, 62

The Georgia lawmaker and former orthopedic surgeon is a robust critic of President Barack Obama's signature health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, which has provided health coverage to 20 million Americans.

Story continues

Homeland Security: John Kelly, 66

The retired Marine general most recently led the US Southern Command, which covers US military operations in Central and South America. He is expected to be very tough on illegal immigration and the illicit drugs trade. He also has been shaped by the death of his son, a Marine, in Afghanistan in 2010.

Housing and Urban Development: Ben Carson, 65

The retired neurosurgeon and onetime rival to Trump for the Republican presidential nomination is so far the only African American named to Trump's cabinet. The religious conservative with no experience in elective office, who grew up poor in Detroit, will be tasked with turning around America's troubled inner cities.

Labor: Andrew Puzder, 66

The chief executive of CKE Restaurants, which owns fast food chains Carl's Jr and Hardee's, is opposed to raising the national minimum wage. He also backs the increasing use of automated technology to keep labor costs down.

Transportation: Elaine Chao, 63

The Taiwan-born former US labor secretary under president George W. Bush also served as the deputy secretary of transportation in his administration. She was the first Asian-American woman to serve in the cabinet and is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Treasury: Steven Mnuchin, 53

The Wall Street veteran was a partner at Goldman Sachs before he launched an investment fund backed by Democratic Party supporter George Soros and financed Hollywood blockbusters like "Avatar" and "Suicide Squad."

- Top positions with Cabinet-rank status -

Ambassador to the United Nations: Nikki Haley, 44

As South Carolina's governor, Haley rose to prominence when she led efforts for the divisive Confederate flag to be pulled from the state's capitol following a 2015 massacre at a historic black church in Charleston. The daughter of Indian immigrants was sharply critical of Trump during the election campaign.

White House Chief of Staff: Reince Priebus, 44

Head of the Republican National Committee, Priebus is a seasoned political operative who can build bridges between Trump and a skittish Republican leadership, particularly House Speaker Paul Ryan, a longtime ally.

Environmental Protection Agency: Scott Pruitt, 48

The attorney general for the state of Oklahoma is a known climate change skeptic, and an ally of the fossil fuel industry. Before accepting the nomination, Pruitt spent much time battling the agency he is tapped to lead.

Small Business Administration: Linda McMahon, 68

The wrestling tycoon and two-time Republican candidate for the US Senate from Connecticut, will now be responsible for supporting America's 28 million small businesses, which employ around half the country's private-sector workforce.

- Non-cabinet positions -

Chief Strategist: Steve Bannon, 63

A key figure in Trump's victorious election campaign, Bannon served as executive chairman of conservative news platform Breitbart, a favorite news source of the so-called "alt-right," an offshoot conservative movement that embraces a mixture of populism, racism and white nationalism. His appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, has been controversial.

CIA Director: Mike Pompeo, 52

A strident critic of the Iran nuclear deal, the hawkish Kansas congressman was elected in 2010 to the House of Representatives, where he was a member of the hardline Tea Party faction and one of the leaders of the controversial Benghazi Committee that targeted Trump's Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton.

National Security Advisor: Michael Flynn, 57

A top military counsel to Trump, the retired three-star general, a veteran of America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has courted controversy with extreme statements that critics say border on Islamophobia, but has taken a more flexible line on Russia and China. The national security advisor is not formally part of the cabinet but is usually one of the president's most influential advisors.

White House Counsel: Donald McGahn, late 40s

A former commissioner and chairman of the Federal Election Commission, McGahn represents "elected officials, candidates, national state parties, political consultants, and others on political law issues," as a partner at the Jones Day law firm in Washington.

- Key positions still outstanding -

State

Trump has led a contentious search for secretary of state, with Rex Tillerson, the president and CEO or ExxonMobil, newly tipped as the most likely pick despite concerns over his ties to Russia's Vladimir Putin. But the list of contenders includes eight or nine names, including the erstwhile Trump critic and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

Other departments still open: Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Veterans Affairs
Carly Fiorina, who is reportedly under consideration to be Donald Trump 's director of national intelligence, met with the president-elect Monday and said the pair discussed China as "probably our most important adversary."

Trump met with the former Hewlett-Packard CEO and his one-time presidential rival to discuss the director of national intelligence position, The New York Times reported, citing a senior transition official. She did not tell the reporters in New York's Trump Tower if she talked about the job with Trump.



Fiorina said the pair "spent a fair amount of time talking about China as probably our most important adversary and a rising adversary. We talked about hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking."



Fiorina's comments highlighting China as an adversary follow Trump's provocations of Beijing shortly after he was elected by skirting decades of foreign policy precedent. She said Trump has an opportunity to "reset the trajectory of the economy, to reset the role of government, to reset America's role in the world and how we're perceived in the world."

The director of national intelligence leads the U.S. intelligence community and is the top intelligence advisor to the president. The position and Fiorina's comments take on even more significance after Trump slammed the intelligence community following reports about Russia's involvement in the U.S. election.

Multiple reports say the CIA concluded that Russia used a covert intelligence operation to help Trump win the presidency. President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence agencies to deliver him evidence of Russian influence on the election, while the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate have supported bipartisan reviews of Moscow's tactics.



Trump claims the reports of Russian involvement are designed to discredit his election, and he tried to sow doubts about the CIA based on its assessments before the Iraq War. Even before the election,the intelligence community made a public conclusion that Russia directed the hacks of email accounts for U.S. political organizations.

Story continues

Fiorina appeared to echo Trump and play down Moscow's involvement by calling it "purported Russian hacking."

Fiorina would join Ben Carson as a former Trump rival in his administration. During the primary campaign last year, the pair clashed after Trump mocked Fiorina's appearance.

"Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?" Trump asked during a Rolling Stone interview.

Fiorina fired back at a September GOP debate, saying "I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said."
By Nick Carey and Ginger Gibson

CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's challenges to China on trade and Taiwan are rattling American companies who have long benefited from stable relations between the two countries but now fear retaliation by Beijing if Trump were to act.

Trump jarred Chinese officials on Sunday by saying the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China." Beijing expressed "serious concern" about Trump's remarks.

Four U.S. industry sources who follow China policy closely said they were unsettled by any suggestion of abandoning the "one China" policy, which they said had served the business community well for several decades.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, stressed the importance of stability for businesses. They said Beijing could retaliate against U.S. companies that do business in China if Trump takes his tougher line too far.

"The Chinese are deeply concerned and we hear now from reliable sources in Beijing who suggest the Chinese government, the Communist Party, are developing lists of U.S. interests against which they could retaliate, commercial interests, and obviously one merely has to look at top U.S. exports to China to get a quick sense of whose heads may be on the chopping block," said one China trade policy expert who interacts closely with U.S. business.

The expert pointed out that more than 30 states have over $1 billion in exports to China and that there is over $500 billion in commercial engagements by U.S. companies in China. All of that would be at risk if China retaliated.

"That commercial engagement supports American jobs, many American jobs here in the United States," the expert said.

Another source said there had been "quiet outreach" by the U.S. business community to Trump's advisers but companies were wary of discussing their concerns about the China policy publicly for fear of becoming a target for the president-elect, who has singled out companies such as Carrier and Boeing.

Story continues

From Detroit's car makers to Silicon Valley's technology champions, China is both a critical source of revenue and profits, and a vital link in global supply chains.

More than four decades after President Richard Nixon upset the status quo of his time with a surprise visit to Beijing, what's good for U.S.-China relations is good for General Motors and Starbucks and Apple and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

China has hit U.S. goods with retaliatory tariffs in the past when disputes flared. China in 2011 slapped duties on U.S.-made large cars and sport utilities as part of a trade dispute.

The stakes are higher now.

More than one-third of the 9.96 million vehicles General Motors Co sold globally in 2015 were delivered to Chinese customers. Profits from Chinese operations, including joint ventures, accounted for about 20 percent of GM's global net income of $9.7 billion in 2015. Ford Motor Co's China JVs represented about 16 percent of its global pre-tax profit of $9.4 billion in 2015.

U.S. retail giant Wall Mart Stores Inc has 432 stores in China, while coffee chain Starbucks Corp has 2,500 stores there and outgoing CEO Howard Schultz told investors China will one day be a bigger market for the firm than the United States.

Aircraft maker Boeing Co plans to build a "completion" factory in China for its 737 jets, anticipating the country will need 6,800 new jetliners worth $1 trillion over the next 20 years.

"The United States and China are in a symbiotic relationship, we are wed to each other and do best when we grow together," said Susan Aaronson, a professor at George Washington University who teaches corruption and good governance.

The total value of U.S. trade with China was $599 billion in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, of which $116 billion was exports to China from U.S. producers, while U.S. companies imported $483 billion in goods from China.

Alan Deardorff, professor of international economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, said that if U.S.-China trade tensions were to reach a boiling point, "the pain would be widespread and deep" for U.S. businesses.

Trump and his advisers have said the U.S.-China trade deficit reflects bad trade deals and currency manipulation by the Chinese government, which they said justifies a tougher response than in the past.

George Washington University's Aaronson said that while Taiwan is a sensitive topic, if Trump pushes ahead with trade tariffs that is far more likely to translate into retaliation against U.S. firms in China.

"China's leaders need stability and Trump is totally disruptive," Aaronson said. "They will need to signal their strength in return."

(Reporting by Nick Carey in Chicago and Ginger Gibson in Washington; additional reporting by Paul Lienert and Bernie Woodall in Detroit, Meredith Davis and Tom Polansek in Chicago, Alwyn Scott in Seattle, Caren Bohan and David Brunnstrom in Washington; editing by Joseph White and Grant McCool)
Ankara (AFP) - Turkey detained over 200 people including dozens of officials from pro-Kurdish parties and struck Kurdish militants in Iraq on Monday in response to this weekend's twin bombings claimed by a radical Kurd separatist group.

The toll from Saturday's attacks near an Istanbul football stadium and an adjacent park rose to 44 on Monday, Health Minister Recep Akdag said. Most of the dead were police officers.

Turkish jets meanwhile pounded targets in northern Iraq, with the military saying it had hit "separatist terrorist organisation members", referring to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The targets were in Iraq's Zap region and militant headquarters as well as nearby shelters and gun positions were destroyed, it said.

In total, 235 people were detained in operations in 11 Turkish cities accused of acting on behalf of the PKK or producing propaganda for the group, some via social media, the interior ministry said.

The ministry did not give specific numbers of how many pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) officials and its sister Democratic Regions Party (DBP) were held in the early morning raids.

But a HDP official told AFP that 291 of its members had been detained since Sunday night.

The actions are likely to raise fears Ankara is going further in its crackdown and acting out of revenge against pro-Kurdish politicians who stand accused of links to the PKK -- a charge that the HDP denies.

After the news of the arrests, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Turkey to ensure it acted within "the rule of law and to respect the principle of proportionality" in comments likely to annoy the Turkish government.

The weekend's bloodshed was claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), seen as a radical offshoot of the PKK which is itself regarded as a terrorist group by the European Union and the United States.

- Police targeted -

In the aftermath of the attacks, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised to fight terror "to the end".

Story continues

Since the collapse of a ceasefire in July last year, Ankara has vowed to wipe out the PKK and conducted several military operations against the group.

There have also been frequent attacks on security forces by PKK militants in Turkey's southeast.

On Monday, Erdogan attended the funerals of some of the slain police officers.

Earlier, senior diplomats from several European countries paid their respects outside the Besiktas stadium, laying wreaths that added to the sea of flowers left by mourners.

Most of those killed by the car bomb outside the stadium were officers who had been policing a top flight Besiktas game against Bursaspor.

Minutes after the car bomb, a suicide bomber blew himself up by a group of police at a nearby park.

- Crackdown fears -

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu vowed SundayTurkey would have its revenge in remarks which drew criticism.

Murat Yetkin, editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, penned an editorial in which he hit out at Ankara's lack of "deep strategy... other than fiercely reacting".

Jean Marcou, professor at Sciences Po Grenoble in France and research director at the French Institute for Anatolian Studies, said the government's attempts to calm public opinion after the attack "risks promoting increased repression against the HDP".

Last month 10 HDP lawmakers -- including co-leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag -- were arrested and are currently being held in pre-trial detention.

HDP spokesman Ayhan Bilgen said Demirtas had suffered a heart spasm while imprisoned on Saturday, according to the party's official Twitter account.

However, Edirne public prosecutor where Demirtas is imprisoned in the northwest denied the claims and said in a statement it was "understood there was no health problem" on Monday.

Demirtas had complained of chest pain last week, the prosecutor said, but after he was treated by the institution's doctors, the HDP leader said he did not want to go to hospital on Thursday even though he was given the choice.

The HDP claimed that as police carried out the raids early Monday someone spray painted, "We came, you weren't here", along with the Turkish flag's crescent and star in black the wall of the party's Istanbul headquarters.

Bilgen, the party spokesman, also shared a picture on Twitter of a room in the headquarters with papers, books and boxes strewn everywhere and a desk on its side.
Ankara (AFP) - The Turkish economy shrank by nearly two percent in the third quarter as consumer spending and exports plunged, data showed Monday, the first year-on-year contraction since 2009.

The Turkish Statistics Office said gross domestic product (GDP) fell 1.8 percent compared with the same period in 2015, sparking an immediate fall in the lira.

The contraction was marked by weaker consumer spending which the office said decreased by 3.2 percent in the last quarter, while exports of goods and services fell by 7.0 percent.

The release is one of the strongest signs yet that political instability in the aftermath of the July 15 coup bid is affecting consumer confidence.

But William Jackson, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said there were early signs the economy has started to recover from the third quarter slump.

"(Turkey) may even dodge a technical recession of two consecutive quarters of negative growth," but Jackson warned in a note that Monday's data "support our view that growth will be much weaker than most anticipate".

This is the first set of numbers after the statistics office said last week it would change the way it calculates GDP figures in line with European Union Regulations (ESA 2010).

Thus the base year used is now changed from 1998 to 2009 and the changes mean in nominal terms, Turkeys GDP is now larger by 20 percent, Ozgur Altug at BGC Partners said in a note.

The last time Turkey recorded negative growth was 27 quarters ago in 2009 when the country entered recession.

According to the statistics office, government expenditure also increased by 23.8 percent.

Monday's figures come as the country's tourism industry is under severe strain following multiple terror attacks blamed on Islamic State jihadists and Kurdish militants and after the July 15 failed coup.

In the latest attack on Saturday, twin bombings ripped through Istanbul, killing 44 people, mostly police and were later claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), seen as a radical offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

After the data release, the lira hit 3.53 against the US dollar at one point from 3.48 earlier as the bad figures and continued chaos inside the country wreak havoc on the Turkish currency.

But by 1630 GMT the lira had recovered to 3.48, in line with comments by Jackson that "the lira has been one of the most vulnerable EM (emerging markets) currencies to shocks".
(Recasts, adds analyst comments and details)

By Daren Butler and Nevzat Devranoglu

ISTANBUL/ANKARA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - On paper at least, 79 million Turks got a near 20 percent boost to their average standard of living on Monday when the government rejigged GDP calculations, a change unlikely to stem frustration about an economy now in contraction.

Turkey, which restated its gross domestic product (GDP) data to meet the standards of the European Union it aims to join, also said third quarter output fell a bigger-than-expected 1.8 percent year-on-year, the first decline in seven years.

Once one of the world's most promising emerging markets, Turkey has been hit by security fears after a series of bombings, the most recent on Saturday, and a failed coup in July. Authorities have since detained, jailed or dismissed more than 100,000 people in a crackdown that has worried investors and sent the lira currency to a record low.

"These revisions make some of Turkey's macroeconomic variables look healthier," William Jackson of Capital Economics in London said in e-mailed comments. "But these don't change anything on the ground: the lira has been one of the most vulnerable (emerging market) currencies to shocks and the economy still has a productivity problem."

The Turkish Statistical Institute said that 2015 GDP stood at $861 billion, from $720 billion before the revision - adding $141 billion to the size of the economy virtually overnight. Per capita income, often used as a proxy for standard of living, was estimated at $11,014 from $9,257 previously.

That boost in paper wealth may mean little to Turks who have seen their buying power eroded by the lira's double-digit decline this year. However, it may come in handy for President Tayyip Erdogan as he campaigns for an executive presidential system, which is expected to go to a referendum by May.

ECONOMIC CREDENTIALS

Erdogan and the AK Party he founded have long relied on their successful stewardship of the economy - including years of rapid growth, new jobs and vast spending on airports, hospitals and housing - to win voter loyalty.

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While that reputation could be threatened by recent economic weakness, the rejigged GDP numbers are undeniably positive for the AK Party. Analysts at BBVA noting that growth over the previous 17 years now averages 5.1 percent, rather than 3.9 percent.

The 1.8 percent decline in third-quarter GDP far outstripped the 0.5 percent drop forecast in a Reuters poll, which did not take into account the revisions. The economy weakened as a double-digit jump in public consumption failed to offset a decline in private domestic demand, the data showed.

Still, analysts remain worried about the weakness in the lira, as Erdogan's drive for lower borrowing costs gives the central bank little room to hike.

"The lira has been in freefall since the end of September, the central bank's rate hikes have proved woefully ineffective and, perhaps most worryingly, the economy is now contracting sharply, fuelling populist and nationalist sentiment and making it very difficult for the central bank to raise rates," said Nicholas Spiro, of Lauressa Advisory in London.

(Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Toby Chopra)
Turkish public schools have been preparing to take in more than 800,000 Syrian students who fled the bloody civil war in Syria that has claimed the lives of roughly 50,000 children. Only 133,400 of the 832,000 Syrian children between the ages of six and 18 living in Turkey have been enrolled in Turkeys official education system, local media outlet Hurriyet Daily News reported Monday.

Approximately 420,000 Syrian children of school age were enrolled in some kind of educational facility in Turkey this year. While all Syrian children had the right to attend Turkish public schools, the head of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office in Turkey told local reporters the main reason why some werent was because they spoke Arabic and not Turkish. There are as many Syrian children in Turkey not pursuing an education as the total number of Syrian refugees in all of Jordan, Jane Lewis said while pointing to transportation and cultural barriers serving as apparent impediments.

Nobody has ever done anything like this probably since the Second World War, Lewis said. You have children who dont necessarily speak Turkish, but also you have quite a few kids who have not been in school for a long time  How do you get a child who is now 15 and who has been out of school since he was 10? They are looking at different ways to do it either through high school or through vocational training. What are the options to stop these children from becoming a lost generation? Its very difficult.

The European Union was working with the Turkish Education Ministry to help its teachers become more equipped to acclimate Syrian children struggling with war trauma and the language barrier. It has also planned to provide infrastructure to Turkish primary and secondary public schools such as additional classrooms.

A $375 million program was created by the EU aimed at getting more Syrian children enrolled in Turkish public schools in October. Between 220,000 and 250,000 children of poor Syrian families were offered approximately 58 Turkish lira (roughly $16.60) in cash monthly as an incentive for attending classes.

Story continues

This is a short term project because the government of Turkey and the Education Ministry will be scaling up its transportation for refugee children. We are going to fill that gap until the government is able to do it, Lewis said.

Since the civil war in Syria between supporters of President Bashar al-Assad and opposing militant groups including the Islamic State erupted in 2011, it has claimed the lives of roughly 400,000 Syrians, CNN reported. Turkey has taken in the brunt of refugees from the war-gripped country, with 2.5 million Syrians relocating to the country as of Dec. 31, 2015, according to a United Nations report. Syrian children who remained out of school in Turkey were particularly vulnerable to physical exploitation and child marriages.

Related Articles
JERUSALEM (AP)  Turkey's ambassador to Israel has submitted his credentials as part of reconciliation efforts following a five-year spat.

Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem met President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem on Monday, where both spoke of opportunities ahead.

Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey last month.

Relations declined after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has roots in Turkey's Islamist movement, became prime minister in 2003. They imploded in 2010 after an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish activist ship trying to breach the blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish activists were killed and a 10th later died of his wounds.
Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) submitted a bill to the parliament Saturday proposing a constitutional reform that would give more power to the presidency and dilute the role of the parliament. The 21-article legislation could potentially result in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extending his rule for two five-year terms ending in 2029.

The bill  which could potentially transform Ankaras political framework from a parliamentary system to a presidential one  if passed, would then face a national referendum likely to be held in the spring or summer of 2017. If the results of the referendum are in favor of the changes, they would be implemented in 2019.

God willing, this will be the start of a new era, Erdogan reportedly said at a rally in Istanbul just before his party introduced the bill at the parliament in Ankara.

Erdogan is Turkeys first president elected by popular vote in 2014. He previously served three terms as the nations prime minister. The once-ceremonial role has been transformed by the popular vote, Erdogan said.

Chairman of the parliaments Constitutional Commission Ahmet Iyimaya said Turkey already has a partial executive presidency.

Turkey has moved away from the parliamentary system towards a presidential system following the constitutional changes in 2007 and 2010. So this is necessary move, Iyimaya, a member of the AK Party, told Al Jazeera. The coalition governments in the Turkish parliamentary system took so much from this country, wasting so much time. They could not solve any of the issues this country faced.

Erdogan had repeatedly blamed the countrys coalition governments for Turkeys economic downfall and instability. Turkeys economic slump has caused the lira to fall to record lows. Meanwhile, the government is working toward cracking down on dissidents, who the AK Party alleged belong to opposition parties, after the failed coup earlier in July.

However, critics fear the passage of the bill, long sought after by Erdogan, would erode democracy and establish a dictatorship in Turkey.

Story continues

This is a dictatorship project, an undertaking to monopolize all of the states powers, Bulent Tezcan, deputy chairman of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), said.

CHP MP and a human rights lawyer Mustafa Sezgin Tanrikulu told Al Jazeera that the bill would pool power in one person at a dangerous level and pave the way for an authoritarian regime.

This text gives one person the states whole executive power, some legislative powers through decrees and judicial powers - through appointments. This is a bill that will move Turkey away from the principles of democracy and the rule of law, he said.

Related Articles
By Ayesha Rascoe and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Monday insisted that Washingtons one China policy should not be used as a bargaining chip with Beijing after President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to be bound by its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of China. Signaling further resistance Trump will face in Washington if he tries to overturn a principle that has underpinned more than four decades of U.S.-China relations, Republican U.S. Senator John McCain said he personally backed the China policy and no one should leap to conclusions that the president-elect would abandon it. I do not respond to every comment by the president-elect because it may be reversed the next day, McCain told Reuters when asked about Trumps statement in an interview broadcast over the weekend. Trump set off a diplomatic firestorm when he told Fox News: I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade. This followed an earlier protest from China over the Republican president-elect's decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Dec. 2. The issue is highly sensitive for China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province, and Beijing expressed "serious concern" about Trumps latest remarks. It called the "one China" policy the basis for relations, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned against moves to damage China's core interests, saying that in the end, they are lifting a rock only to drop it on their feet." Some U.S. analysts warn that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far. Scott Kennedy, director of the Project on Chinese Business & Political Economy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington called Taiwan the third rail of U.S.-China relations. "DISRUPTIVE EFFECT" White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States is committed to the one China" principle and will not use the Taiwan issue to gain leverage in any dealings with Beijing. The United States does not view Taiwan and our relationship with Taiwan as a bargaining chip, he told a daily briefing, calling Taiwan a close partner. "And bargaining that away is not something that this administration believes is our best interest. Disrupting this policy, he said, could have a disruptive effect on our ability to work with China in those areas where our interests do align. That reflects the high priority that China puts on the policy and on Taiwan. While saying the one China policy should remain intact, McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an outspoken critic of Democratic President Barack Obama's foreign policy, said that somebody should hold China responsible for its behaviour with regard to Taiwan, Hong Kong, island building in the South China Sea and propping up North Korea. After Trump's phone conversation with Taiwan's president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washingtons one China policy remained unchanged. The State Departments senior diplomat for Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, was due to speak to Chinas ambassador to Washington on Monday, the State Department said. Trump has tempered his strong criticisms of China and call to Taiwans president by announcing plans last week to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China. However, he is also considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter. Bolton has said the next U.S. president should take bolder steps to halt China' military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas and consider a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom, Jonathan Landay, Doina Chiacu and Eric Walsh; Writing by Matt Spetalnick a Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and by Jonathan Oatis)
By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - The recount effort by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein in three crucial U.S. states came to an end on Monday, after weeks of legal wrangling yielded only one electoral review in Wisconsin. A U.S. judge in Pennsylvania rejected Stein's request for a recount and an examination of that state's voting machines for evidence of hacking in the Nov. 8 election won by Republican Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Wisconsin election officials said on Monday they had completed their 10-day recount with only small changes to the vote total. Stein, who finished fourth in the election, challenged the results in those two states as well as Michigan, where the state's top court on Friday denied Stein's last-ditch appeal to keep a recount going. All of those traditionally Democratic strongholds supported Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Even if all three recounts had taken place, they were always unlikely to change the outcome. Stein argued that the use in many Pennsylvania districts of electronic voting machines with no paper trail left the system vulnerable to hacking. In a 31-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond in Philadelphia said it "borders on the irrational" to suspect hacking occurred in Pennsylvania. He also emphasized that the deadline to certify the state's electoral votes is Tuesday, making it impossible to hold a recount in time. While there is no evidence of large-scale voting machine hacking, U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia targeted Clinton in a series of cyber attacks on Democratic Party groups. Trump has questioned those reports. In response to Diamond's ruling, Stein said in a statement that Pennsylvanians' right to have their votes counted had been "stripped from right under them." In Wisconsin, Trumps margin over Clinton increased by 131 votes to 22,748 from 22,617 following the recount, according to the state elections commission. "Based on the recount, they (voters) can have confidence that Wisconsins election results accurately reflect the will of the people, regardless of whether they are counted by hand or by machine," Wisconsin Elections Commission chair Mark Thomsen said in a statement. Trump won Pennsylvania by more than 44,000 votes and Michigan by more than 10,000 votes, according to the latest figures. Despite winning the national popular vote by more than 2 percent, Clinton would have had to sweep those states to win the presidency under the U.S. Electoral College system, which assigns electoral votes state-by-state rather than by overall national totals. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York; Additional reporting by Timothy McLaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn, Bill Trott and Andrew Hay)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury on Monday sanctioned two senior officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for undermining democracy in the copper exporter, a step that will freeze their assets that are under U.S. jurisdiction. In a statement, the Treasury named the officials as Evariste Boshab, interior minister and deputy prime minister, and Kalev Mutondo, general administrator of the National Intelligence Agency, saying the sanctions would also generally bar U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them. (Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
By Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department sought on Monday to knock down arguments by Aetna Inc's chief executive that Medicare Advantage competes with government insurance programs, making Aetna's proposed merger with Humana legal under antitrust law.

Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini testified on Friday and returned to the witness stand Monday morning. The Justice Department sued to stop the merger in July.

Judge John Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia will likely allow the deal to go forward if he agrees with Aetna that traditional Medicare, managed by the government, competes with Medicare Advantage, run by insurers.

He must also decide if Aetna competes with Humana on the public insurance exchanges established under President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.

The Justice Department's Craig Conrath showed Bertolini documents prepared by Aetna which showed that the combined company would have 4.4 million Medicare Advantage customers. An unidentified company would have the second largest pool of customers with the next largest companies sharing a much smaller number.

There was no mention in the documents of customers whose healthcare costs are covered through enrollment in traditional Medicare plans.

Conrath also showed Bertolini a July 1, 2015 email written in preparation for announcing the merger which showed executives knew there was antitrust risk. The email urged caution in word choice: "We do not have 'market power,' (or) 'pricing power.'"

The government argued that Aetna and Humana compete on public exchanges established under Obamacare in 17 counties, and that Aetna's decision to pull out of those counties, along with others, was no defense against allegations the merger would violate antitrust law.

Bertolini testified on Friday that the company pulled out of the exchanges because they lost money, and did not target the 17 counties where the two companies overlapped. "I wasn't aware there was 17 counties until my deposition," he said.

Story continues

Deals that are problematic under antitrust law can sometimes pass muster if they show efficiencies.

Bertolini testified on Monday that Aetna's initial estimate was that the merger would create $1.25 billion in efficiencies. He said that estimate had since been raised to $3 billion, because of combined technology systems, some potential layoffs and other strategies.

He also said he had "very high confidence that we will deliver on those numbers."

But Conrath noted that a 2013 merger with Coventry remained incomplete and some Coventry computer systems remained outside the Aetna network.

He also said Aetna's estimates of the cost of the transaction, beyond the purchase price, would eat a chunk of the efficiencies. Aetna estimated that the cost of implementing the deal at $1.5 billion.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Tom Brown)
By Brendan Pierson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case over whether companies that make copycat versions of biologic drugs must wait six months after winning federal approval before bringing them to the market. The justices opted not to take up Apotex Inc's appeal of a July federal appeals court ruling that could delay the Canadian generic drug maker's launch of so-called biosimilar versions of California-based Amgen Inc's Neulasta, used to fight infection in cancer patients. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002, Neulasta is one of Amgen's top-selling products, accounting for $4.7 billion of its nearly $21 billion in sales last year. Biologic drugs like Neulasta are made using living cells. Unlike traditional drugs, biologic drugs cannot be copied exactly to make generic versions. A 2010 federal law, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, allows companies to seek approval to sell near-copies called biosimilars. Novartis AG's Sandoz unit also has applied to make biosimilar versions of Neulasta and of Amgen's Neupogen, an older and less popular drug that works similarly but must be given more often. Neither application has yet been approved. The biosimilars law gives the maker of a biologic drug 12 years of exclusive rights before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can approve a biosimilar. It also states that a biosimilar maker must give the original biologic drug maker 180 days' notice before launching its copycat version. Amgen has argued that the 180-day period cannot begin until the biosimilar is approved. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit agreed in July, barring Apotex from launching its biosimilar until 180 days after approval. In its petition asking the Supreme Court to review that decision, Apotex said the Federal Circuit wrongly added an extra six months to the law's 12-year exclusivity period. It also argued that it should be exempt from the 180-day notice requirement entirely, because it voluntarily took part in a patent dispute resolution process under the biosimilars law. A federal judge in Florida rejected patent infringement claims by Amgen over Apotex's biosimilars in September. The Obama administration's solicitor general has weighed in on a Supreme Court petition from Sandoz unit in its similar dispute with Amgen, coming down against the 180-day wait. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)
Travis Kalanick

When government agents raid Uber's offices, the company springs into action with an immediate response: it shuts everything down and encrypt all its computers.

That's according to a court declaration by former employee Ward Spangenberg, who served as Uber's forensic investigator until last February. Spangenberg was fired by Uber and is now suing the ride-hailing startup for age discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and defamation.

In the declaration filed in October that was first published by Reveal's Will Evans, Spangenberg describes his role on Uber's Incident Response team.

"I would be called when governmental agencies raided Uber's offices due to concerns regarding noncompliance with governmental regulations," Spangenberg wrote in the declaration. "In those instances, Uber would lock down the office and immediately cut all connectivity so that law enforcement could not access Uber's information."

Spangenberg refers to a raid of Uber's Montreal offices, which took place in May 2015. Investigators from Quebec's revenue ministry raided two Uber offices in Montreal after suspicions were raised that the startup was evading taxes. Spangenberg told Reveal he encrypted the office's laptops remotely, making it impossible for the investigators to find out what was on them.

Asked about Spangenberg's allegations and if the plan he described was indeed standard Uber procedure during government raids, Uber sent Business Insider the following statement:

"Its no secret that Uber has trip coordinates and other personally identifiable information about riders and drivers, and its our obligation to protect that. We cooperate with authorities when they come to us with subpoenas."

Canadian judge

According to documents published by Reveal, Uber challenged the search warrants in a Canadian court, but didn't find favor with the judge, who described Uber's conduct  according to Business Insider's translation  as having "all the characteristics of an attempt to obstruct justice." The judge concluded that "Uber wished to exempt the evidence of its unlawful conduct from the attention of the tax authorities."

Story continues

In 2015 alone, Uber's Amsterdam, China, and Paris offices were all raided by authorities. While it's not clear whether that encrypting the computers and shutting everything down is standard procedure to the company, Spangenberg implies that it is.

Reveal delves further into the case and Uber's privacy and security issues over the past few years, so head over to Reveal's site to read the full story.

NOW WATCH: Heres what happens when you block someone on your iPhone





More From Business Insider


London (AFP) - Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond said Monday that a transitional arrangement could be "helpful" to smooth the country's exit from the European Union.

The government intends to begin the formal exit process by the end of March, starting the clock ticking on a two-year deadline to negotiate its departure and future relationship with the bloc.

Hammond said there was an "emerging view" that "having a longer period to manage the adjustment between where we are now, as full members of the European Union, and where we get to in the future... would be generally helpful".

It "would tend towards a smoother transition and would run less risks of disruption including, crucially, risks to financial stability which must be a fairly real concern", he told parliament's Treasury committee.

This view was held by businesses, regulators, "thoughtful politicians" and civil servants on both sides of the English Channel, he said.

The European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, warned last week: "As we don't know what the UK wants and is waiting for, it's difficult to imagine a transitional period."

Hammond conceded: "We can only get to a situation where we have a transition if there is a genuine meeting of minds on both sides of this negotiation."

The CBI business lobby group warned last month of a "cliff-edge" where Britain leaves the EU after two years without a new trading arrangement in place.

Hammond said: "It's not just the business sector, it's the government sector that has had to think about how long it takes to make changes, hire people, train people, introduce IT changes."

He noted that the possible reintroduction of border and customs checks would require many more officials to be trained, a process that would cost money and time.

- Government split on approach to Brexit -

Hammond campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU and, while backing the government's promise to implement the June referendum vote to leave, is widely viewed as pressing for a "soft" Brexit.

Story continues

Others in Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet, such as international trade secretary Liam Fox, want a swift, decisive break with Brussels.

Brexit minister David Davis said last week that Britain would seek to agree both its withdrawal and a future trade deal with the EU within the two-year timeframe.

However, that goal is under pressure after Barnier said that the negotiations must be completed within 18 months to allow time for ratification.

Hammond's comments came ahead of a House of Lords report released on Tuesday, which said Britain needs to draw up transitional arrangements to carry on trading with the EU after Brexit while they negotiate a long-term trade deal.

"Although this would require clarity on the principles of what the UK is transitioning to, it would not delay the UK's withdrawal.

"But it would safeguard current trade and provide adequate time for negotiations," the joint report by the House of Lords' EU Internal Market and External Affairs Sub-committees said.

Negotiating a comprehensive free trade agreement with Brussels would not be possible within the two-year period set out for Brexit talks, the report said.
London (AFP) - A British court on Monday jailed two men for up to eight years for handing money to Brussels and Paris terror attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini when he visited Britain last year.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed and Zakaria Boufassil gave A3,000 ($3,770, 3,550 euros) in cash to Abrini in the central English city of Birmingham in July 2015, knowing it would be used for terrorism.

Ahmed, a 27-year-old from Birmingham, had pleaded guilty to the offence last month and received an eight-year jail term.

Boufassil, a 26-year-old Belgian citizen also from Birmingham, had admitted meeting Abrini in a Birmingham park and holding the money for Ahmed, but said he had "no idea" of its intended use.

However, a jury dismissed this claim last week and he was sentenced to three years behind bars.

Judge Jeremy Baker said Ahmed was motivated by "extreme Islamist beliefs" but said Boufassil's role was "more limited".

It emerged Monday, after the judge lifted reporting restrictions, that Boufassil claimed he was recruited by British intelligence agency MI5 after the meeting with Abrini.

He claimed to have been given up to A3,000 in exchange for information, using it to go to Morocco to see his girlfriend. He was arrested on his return in April 2016.

Boufassil's lawyer tried to use the MI5 claim to argue that he did not hold any allegiance to a particular terrorist group or cause.

The prosecuting lawyer said she could neither "confirm nor deny" the claims, and the judge ruled they could not be used in evidence.

Abrini was dubbed the "man in the hat" after his image was caught on security cameras before the Brussels attacks in March, which left 32 people dead.

He is in custody in Belgium, but is also suspected of providing support for the Paris attacks in November 2015, in which 130 people died.

Boufassil's trial heard that Abrini had told Belgian investigators how he was told by a cell in Syria to visit Britain and collect the money.

The cash was withdrawn from the bank account of an associate of Ahmed, Anwar Haddouchi, who had travelled to Syria to fight for the Islamic State group.

Baker told Ahmed that he had "for some time and continues to hold extreme Islamist beliefs, and that you are committed to the cause of Islamic State".
Up-and-coming star Matt Terry was crowned the winner of the UK's X Factor 2016 show on Sunday evening.

The former waiter claimed the title in the series final, which was filmed at London's Wembley stadium and reportedly saw over 6 million votes cast by the public. He will now release his debut single, "When Christmas Comes Around," written by popstar Ed Sheeran.

Terry took to Instagram to thank his fans, as well as share a photo with his mentor on the show, former Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger.
LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - British finance minister Philip Hammond backed the idea of a transition period between Britain leaving the European Union and the finalisation of its new relationship with the bloc, and said EU countries also stood to gain.

"I don't think we should approach this on the basis that we need transitional arrangements, because I think we can only get to a situation where we have a transition if there is a genuine meeting of minds on both sides of this negotiation that they are beneficial," Hammond told lawmakers on Monday.

"Collectively, I think transitional arrangements would be beneficial to us."

Hammond, who has previously suggested that a transition period would be necessary, said he expected discussions about such a period to be discussed early in the negotiations between Britain and the EU's other 27 member countries.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants to launch formal negotiations on leaving the EU before the end of March, a process which has to be concluded within two years. The European Commission has said it expects the talks to be completed by October 2018.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce and Camilla Hodgson; Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Elizabeth Piper)
Undocumented immigrants temporarily allowed to reside in the U.S. may want to wrap up their international travels by Inauguration Day, experts told the Associated Press, as incoming President Donald Trump could keep them from coming home. Still, they may find relief next year in the form of a bipartisan congressional bill.

We are recommending all travel by completed by or before Jan. 20 in the event laws or procedures experience a drastic change, Angelica Salas, the executive director of the Los Angeles-based Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, told the newswire. We wouldnt want to expose them to an uncertain situation should they not be allowed back in the U.S.

Trump plans to eliminate President Barack Obamas executive actions on immigrationDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, also known as DAPA. While DACA currently protects young people brought to the U.S. before their 16th birthdays, its expansion and DAPA were suspended when the Supreme Court reached a 4-4 tie on a case challenging the actions, leaving nearly 4 million people at risk of deportation months before Trump enters office. Under the existing DACA action, 1.2 people have been permitted to stay and work in the U.S. legally, a protection Trumps campaign site says he plans to discard immediately.

In a Dec. 7 TIME interview, Trump appeared to soften his stance, telling the magazine, I want Dreamers for our children also. Were going to work something out. In an attempt to take advantage of his more humanitarian position, Senate Minority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) crafted a bill, which they dubbed the BRIDGE Act, Friday to temporarily protect the young people covered by DACA. The senators planned to reintroduce it at the start of 2017, according to NBC News.

During his campaign, Trump had also proposed construction of a big, beautiful wall along the border with Mexico to bar immigrants from entering the country and to detain undocumented people until they are removed from our country, according to his campaign site.

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Another item on Trumps list is the ending of so-called sanctuary cities, which openly challenge federal and state immigration laws by refusing to turn people in the U.S. illegally over to authorities. In an effort to provide immigrants some relief for the coming years, officials in at least 37 urban centers declared their hometowns sanctuary cities as of Dec. 12, according to Politico.

Aside from immigrants who fall under DACA and DACA, 6 million undocumented people remain vulnerable to deportation.

Related Articles
Miami (AFP) - The self-described white supremacist accused of killing nine African American churchgoers in Charleston had a gun, more ammunition and a list of churches in his car, jurors in his federal death penalty trial heard Monday.

Dylann Roof was ruled unfit to purchase the gun he used to kill the parishioners. But by the time the store that sold him the weapon was informed, it was already too late to prevent the June 17, 2015 attack, the court heard.

In his car, Roof had a handwritten note listing six churches in Charleston's black community, including the target of his attack, as well as the Glock .45 semi-automatic handgun and eight ammunition magazines, investigators said.

Investigators also found a Confederate battle flag, a symbol of the US South in times of slavery, as well as a sweater emblazoned with a large "88," an abbreviation of the Nazi salute "Heil Hitler."

Roof's journal, uncovered in his car, included condemnation of racial integration, Jews and homosexuality.

The reclusive youth, who glorified Nazism and apartheid, does not contest the facts and has so far not expressed remorse over his massacre at "Mother Emanuel," the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the US South.

- Background check glitch -

The FBI had previously made the stunning admission last year that Roof should have been denied the gun purchase, citing a breakdown in the background check system and paperwork confusion.

Gun store Shooter's Choice sold Roof the gun and eight ammunition magazines despite not having received the results of his mandatory background check, because the law allowed them to do so after a three-day delay, The Post and Courier newspaper cited store manager Ronald Thrailkill as saying.

"That's standard practice," Thrailkill said, adding he was only told on June 29, 2015 that Roof should have been denied the gun.

Prosecutors are hoping to wrap up their case this week.

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Roof has not said anything in court since the trial began Wednesday, maintaining a stone-faced demeanor and refusing to lift his eyes from the defense table where he sat, even as photographs of his blood-soaked crime scene were displayed and a survivor called him "evil."

Roof's mother suffered a heart attack during testimony on the first day.

On Sunday, the defense filed a motion requesting Judge Richard Gergel to bar descriptions of Roof as "evil" and other such language from the courtroom in order to preserve fairness in the trial.

The mass murder stunned the country as it grappled with a series of high-profile police shootings of African Americans.

Roof, 22, faces the death penalty if convicted on hate crimes charges over the massacre.

Prosecutors refused to accept his offer to plead guilty to the 33 federal charges against him in exchange for a life sentence. So Roof then entered a not guilty plea.

The accused gunman is also facing state murder charges in South Carolina that could see him sentenced to death. That trial is not due to begin until January 17.
sitting in airplane

On December 8, the Department of Transportation announced a proposal that would require airlines and ticket agents to disclose in advance whether voice calls are allowed on-board during flights.

Although most passengers assume cellphone use is prohibited by the federal government on commercial flights, that's actually not the case.

In fact, the DOT's announcement shines a new spotlight on a little-known technicality.

While the Federal Communications Commission has banned the in-flight use of cellphones on certain radio frequencies, current regulations do not cover voice communications made via Wi-Fi, the DOT wrote in a statement.

As a result, the FCC has not yet been explicitly outlawed technology such as Skype, Apple FaceTime, and Google Hangouts on planes  leaving the possibility open for in-flight voice calls.

"Consumers deserve to have clear and accurate information about whether an airline permits voice calls before they purchase a ticket and board the aircraft," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said in a statement. "Todays proposal will ensure that air travelers are not unwillingly exposed to voice calls, as many of them are troubled over the idea of passengers talking on cell phones in flight."

facetime

Now, the DOT is seeking public feedback over the next 60 daysto find out if people think a disclosure requirement would be adequate, or whether all mobile voice calls should simply be banned outright on commercial flights within, to, and from the United States.

The DOT's latest announcement reignited a debate that started in 2013, after the the FCC indicated it would review whether the two-decade-old ban on in-flight cellphone use should be lifted. On the federal government's feedback website, the agency wrote:

"The Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is seeking comment on whether it should adopt a rule to restrict voice communications on passengers' mobile wireless devices on scheduled flights within, to and from the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that if adopted would, among other things, create a pathway for airlines to permit the use of cell phones or other mobile wireless devices to make or receive calls onboard aircraft. DOT supports the FCC's proposal to revise its rules in light of the technology available and to expand access to mobile wireless data services on board aircraft; however, under the Departments aviation consumer protection authority and because of concerns raised, we are seeking comment on whether to ban voice calls on aircraft."

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The response from the public has so far been overwhelmingly against any form of in-flight voice calls.

One commenter wrote, "No phone calls of any kind. Chaos will ensue." Another commenter echoed this sentiment: "Please do not allow cell phone conversations on commercial flights. I've flown millions of miles and believe this will be a terrible disruption and will lead to flights that are much less pleasant."

Another cited added stress for the cabin crew  writing, "No. please don't pass this. Aside from the annoyance of sitting next to the loud talker and people getting agitated [with] this.... The flight crew already has enough to handle [with] inconsiderate passengers to add this will make it even more like a public transportation bus. Please put yourself in the crew's place when making this decision!"

Passengers sleeping

However, one commenter who identified himself as an airline captain supported in-flight voice calls.

"I am an airline captain and fully support the unregulated use of personal technology on aircraft," the commenter wrote. " Voice calls are possible now with VOIP, FaceTime, Skype, etc are actually taking place on aircraft. It seems silly to make these illegal. People need to use their discretion on talking while sitting next to someone on an aircraft. This is an issue of manners and common sense."

While the federal government may be debating the possibilities for in-flight phone calls, airlines don't believe there's much to discuss on this topic. In fact, Airlines For America  an aviation trade group that counts American, United, JetBlue, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines as members  don't think the DOT should weigh in on the issue at all.

"We have long held that this was not a matter for DOT to regulate, and we believe airlines should be able to determine what services can be safely offered in flight and make those decisions based on what is in the best interests of their passengers and crewmembers," an Airlines For America spokesperson told Business Insider in an email.

Delta Flight

Currently, American, Delta, and United all forbid voice calls of any type on board its flights.

In 2013, then-Delta CEO Richard Anderson made that clear, writing in a memo:

"Delta will not allow cellular calls or internet-based voice communications onboard Delta or Delta Connection flights. Our customer research and direct feedback tell us that our frequent flyers believe voice calls in the cabin would be a disruption to the travel experience. In fact, a clear majority of customers who responded to a 2012 survey said they felt the ability to make voice calls onboard would detract from  not enhance  their experience. Delta employees, particularly our in-flight crews, have told us definitively that they are not in favor of voice calls onboard."

In an email to Business Insider, a Delta spokesperson wrote, "Delta in the past has not been in favor of allowing voice calls on board, and that position has not changed."

A United Airlines spokesperson told Business Insider that the company is reviewing the proposal and will listen to the views of its customers and employees.

NOW WATCH: This one room in Atlanta acts as a mission control for all of Delta's planes





More From Business Insider


barn fire drill

Torsten Slk, the chief international economist at Deutsche Bank, thinks the US labor market is hot  maybe too hot.

In a note on Monday, Slk took exception to the idea that there is underlying labor market slack in a pool of workers waiting outside of the labor market. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has even noted that there may be a group of people who are listed as outside the labor market that want to find a job but have been discouraged.

"It is harder to fill a job today than in 2006 when the economy was overheating, see the first chart below," wrote Slk. "If there really is a significant number of workers available outside the labor market to come in and take jobs why are companies then saying that they cannot find workers?" (emphasis his)

Screen Shot 2016 12 12 at 11.50.26 AM

Slk noted that the number of job openings means the US is "already at full employment." Additionally, Slk noted that the number of people holding multiple jobs is also at its highest point since the recession.

"Similarly, the number of workers holding two or more jobs is at a cyclical high, this is normally also a reflection of an overheated labor market," concluded Slk.

Screen Shot 2016 12 12 at 11.52.36 AM

To be fair, the record number of unfilled job openings has also been blamed on a possible mismatch between the training and skills that available workers have and what companies are looking for. Basically, there are more people to hire but they don't have the right skills.

While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as a tight labor market usually leads to increases in wages for workers, it does have implications for future Fed actions.

NOW WATCH: Here's how much you need to make to be in the top 1% of every state





More From Business Insider


Amid souring relations between the United States and the Philippines, the two countries announced that they were scrapping a planned joint amphibious landing exercise, according to a report published Monday by Stars and Stripes.

In 2017, PHIBLEX will not be executed, Marine Capt. Rachel Nolan, who works at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, said Monday in an email, referring to an acronym for the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise.

The last such exercise was conducted in October when 1,400 Marines were in the country to complete training alongside 500 Philippine troops. The decision to scrap the training also comes with a ban on the United States using Philippine territory for staged U.S. patrols, according to Philippine defense officials. The U.S. has been using Guam or Okinawa in Japan for missions in the South China Sea. Americans will now only be able to stop in the Philippines to refuel and resupply during the missions. Other joint training exercises between the two countries will still be conducted.

RTX2P94K

Photo: Reuters

The relationship between the two countries has been strained lately by Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes unconventional ruling style. He has implemented a vicious and violent crackdown on drug users in the country that some are calling genocide. It has concerned investors in the financial world who wonder if the violence undercuts the power of the law.

Duterte has also cultivated a reputation for tough-talk and has openly and profanely told the United States and other countries to stay out of his war on drugs. He threatened to break up with the United States in October, when he told President Barack Obama to go to hell.

Dutertes behavior has raised some questions about the strength of the decades-old relationship between the two countries. American officials, despite Dutertes comments, have said that the relationship is ironclad and that there was no need to be concerned about continued cooperation.

Related Articles
Washington (AFP) - A group of electors who will ratify the US presidential election results next week on Monday called for a full briefing on accusations that Russia intervened to help Donald Trump win the vote.

With support from defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton's top advisor John Podesta, the 10 electors -- all but one Democrats -- said they need to understand the strength of those accusations before the 538-member Electoral College gathers on December 19.

"The electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations," they said in an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

"We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr Trump is fit to serve as president of the United States."

The call came after weekend media reports said the Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that Moscow was behind the hacking of political party computers and the release of data that ultimately damaged Clinton in her fight against Trump.

Trump branded that conclusion "ridiculous," but senior members of Congress are taking it seriously, and are poised to launch investigations.

Podesta, whose private campaign emails were part of the hacked data, said the electors' letter "raises very grave issues involving our national security."

"Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed," he said in a statement.

The US Constitution dictates that the electoral college ultimately decides the presidential election, not the popular vote.

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Each US state is given a number of electors that corresponds to the size of the state's population.

In the November 8 vote, Clinton bested Trump in the popular vote by two percentage points, but Trump captured more states and earned 306 electors to Clinton's 232, giving him the White House victory.

Clay Pell, one of the electors who signed the letter, said it was "essential" to understand what happened before the electors meet to confirm the election result.

"It's absolutely the role of the electoral college to consider that," he told AFP.
Brussels (AFP) - The United States and the EU on Monday imposed sanctions on top DR Congo officials after clashes with protesters against President Joseph Kabila in September left more than 50 people dead.

DR Congo -- once ruled from Brussels as a Belgian colony -- immediately slammed the EU move as an "illegal" throw-back to imperial days, warning it would take unspecified action against them.

Washington had previously targeted several senior figures close to the president and on Monday added Deputy Prime Minister Evariste Boshab and Kalev Mutondo, head of the national intelligence agency, for rights abuses.

"The Congolese government continues to undermine democratic processes in the DRC and to repress the political rights and freedoms of the Congolese people, putting the long-term stability and prosperity of the country at risk," the US Treasury said in a statement.

European Union foreign ministers had made clear in October they would go ahead with sanctions if Kabila showed no sign of leaving office when his term ends on December 19.

The 28-nation bloc accordingly hit seven officials with travel bans and asset freezes for their role in the September deaths when the security apparatus "exercised a disproportionate use of force," a statement said.

The seven included army commander Major General Gabriel Amisi Kumba, former inspector of police General John Numbi, and Celestin Kayama, chief of police, who were previously sanctioned by the United States.

- 'Imperial law' -

The bloc also listed Ilunga Kampete, head of the president's Republican Guard; Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, commander of the anti-riot squad; Roger Kibelisa, in charge of internal security and Delphin Kaimbi, alias Kahimbi, who ran military intelligence.

The EU said it would follow developments in DR Congo very closely and further sanctions "may be considered in the event of further violence or the political process being impeded".

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It also called on the government to cooperate with a "transparent and independent investigation" to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.

Last week, the Catholic Church launched "reconciliation talks" in an effort to broker a deal between the opposition and Kabila on holding new elections.

The EU wants polls and a new government to ensure stability in DR Congo, a mineral-rich and strife-torn former Belgian colony which sits astride Africa's strategic crossroads.

Kabila first took office in 2001 after the assassination of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila and a 2006 constitutional provision limited the presidency to two terms.

Kinshasa immediately condemned the move.

"(These sanctions) are illegal because they are a sort of imperial law that is at odds with international law. The DRC, a non-European country, condemns them and intends to take action against them," said government spokesman Lambert Mende.
Now that's starting the week off on a bright note!

This Is Us scored big during Monday's Golden Globe nominations, snagging three for Best Drama Series and stars Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz, who play mother and daughter on the breakout hit, were also recognized.

But not everyone from NBC's freshman drama got a nom for their work. The most notable snub? Milo Ventimiglia, who plays beloved Pearson patriarch, Jack, who many have deemed TV's dad of the year.

RELATED: Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia Talk Real-Life Emotion of 'This Is Us'

The 39-year-old actor was gracious about his snub, tweeting early Monday morning his congratulations to Moore, Metz, his co-stars and the This Is Us crew. (Sterling K. Brown received a nomination for his stunning turn in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.)

RELATED: 'This is Us' Star Milo Ventimiglia Gives Major Clue About Jack's Death

But fans weren't happy about his absence on the Globes shortlist.

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I cannot believe that @MiloVentimiglia did not get a #GoldenGlobes nomination. Seriously messed up.  #ThisIsUs  Penny (@SAEBRfan) December 12, 2016

RELATED: Justin Hartley Says Scoring 'This Is Us' Role Was a Career 'Perfect Storm'

Even so, there was a lot to celebrate.

Newly minted Globe nominee Metz took to Instagram to celebrate the show's Drama Series nomination. "And then your TV family gets a @goldenglobes nomination! Oh, happy day!" the 36-year-old actress wrote.

And then your TV family gets a @goldenglobes nomination! Oh, happy day! Thank you, #HFPA! CC: #ChrisSullivan #RonCephasJones A photo posted by Chrissy Metz (@chrissymetz) on Dec 12, 2016 at 6:22am PST

Brown also sent his congratulations to his TV mother and sister, writing, "I couldn't be happier!!! I love you both! I love your talent, and I love your souls!"

RELATED: 'This Is Us' Star Justin Hartley Teases Toby's Fate and Hints 'No One's Safe'

Star Justin Hartley was more concise with his emotions, tweeting, "So proud of my family!"

So proud of my family! https://t.co/vVMMzuPOHd  Justin Hartley (@justinhartley) December 12, 2016

This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman summed up his morning with one tweet: "In my experience, when my phone starts buzzing at 5:30 AM it means someone's dead or in jail. This was much better."

In my experience, when my phone starts buzzing at 5:30 AM it means someone's dead or in jail. This was much better. #ThisIsUs #GoldenGlobes  Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) December 12, 2016

"This continues to be the wildest, craziest, and most rewarding ride for all of us," Fogelman later said in a statement ET, calling Moore and Metz "insanely talented women who are as easy to root for as they are to write for."

The night before, Ventimiglia and Moore spoke to ET on the Critics' Choice Awards carpet, where they dished on their undeniable on-screen chemistry as Jack and Rebecca.

"We love each other. It's very mutual," Moore told ET's Cameron Mathison on Sunday. "I think being a part of a show that's so emotionally connected to what's fundamentally important in life definitely spills out into our life with our families."

RELATED: Sterling K. Brown Reveals the Moment He Felt 'Accepted' in Hollywood

Ventimiglia also spoke about how that adorable "double" family photo with their TV children online came to be.

"We like to take photos and just kind of make sure we are keeping a record of what is happening on the show, because we are enjoying ourselves so much," he explained.

The Golden Globes, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, will air live coast-to-coast on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on NBC.

For more from Ventimiglia and Moore, watch ET's exclusive interview below.

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SPRINGFIELD, VA / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Versar, Inc. (NYSE MKT: VSR) today announced that it has signed an amendment to its Loan Agreement with Bank of America, eliminating the Company's outstanding defaults and giving it the opportunity to focus on its drive toward a return to profitable growth.

The execution of the amendment to the original Loan Agreement successfully concludes a process begun in May, when the Company announced a default under certain of the Company's financial maintenance covenants of its loan with Bank of America.

The amendment includes a $13 million revolving credit facility that is available to Versar for the original availability period of the Loan Agreement, until September 30, 2018. The maturity date of the term loan portion of the Loan Agreement is now September 30, 2017, versus March 31, 2017.

The amendment calls for Versar to continue to report financial performance to Bank of America. It includes a covenant reducing the Consolidated Asset Coverage ratio, adds a covenant regarding minimum quarterly Consolidated EBITDA, and deletes the covenants relating to Consolidated Total Leverage, Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage and Consolidated Senior Leverage ratios. Versar will continue working with its Chief Restructuring Officer and financial advisor.

The company believes that the amended Loan Agreement enables Versar to file its outstanding Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016, as well as subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filings for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2017, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is working towards completing all outstanding filings as soon as possible. Versar delayed its filings as it conducted discussions with prospective lenders.

Versar and Bank of America signed the amendment to the Loan Agreement on December 9, 2016, upon the conclusion of the sixth forbearance agreement with Bank of America. Versar operated successfully within the obligations established by each of the forbearance agreements.

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According to Versar Chief Executive Officer Tony Otten, "Versar is extremely gratified to enter into a newly amended loan agreement with Bank of America. This amended agreement with our valued existing lender underscores the confidence that Versar and its financial partners have in the Company. It also enables us to focus on our drive to return to profitable growth."

VERSAR, INC., headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, is a publicly-traded global project management company providing sustainable value oriented solutions to government and commercial clients in the construction management, environmental services, and professional services market areas.

VERSAR operates the following websites: www.versar.com and www.versarpps.com.

Find out more about VERSAR at

https://twitter.com/VersarInc



https://www.facebook.com/VersarInc



http://www.linkedin.com/company/38251

This news release contains forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described herein and in Versar's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2015, as updated from time to time in the Company's periodic filings. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Versar does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Karin Weber

Investor Relations

Versar, Inc.

(703) 642-6706

kweber@versar.com

Robert Ferri

Robert Ferri Partners

(415) 575-1589

robert.ferri@robertferri.com

SOURCE: Versar, Inc.
Among media-industry watchers, Bob Bakishs name hasnt been the first to roll off the tongue in discussions about the sectors various moguls. That dynamic seems likely to change.

Bakish, who has led the international operations of media conglomerate Viacom for the last several years, was named the companys acting chief executive and president in late October. In a meeting of the companys board of directors slated to take place later on Monday, his interim status could be dropped, according to a person familiar with the situation. The executive has impressed Shari Redstone, who leads the decision-making of National Amusements Inc. the controlling shareholder of both Viacom and CBS, this person said.

A Viacom spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a query seeking an interview with Bakish.

In recent remarks, Bakish has articulated a strategy that involves reviving the fortunes of MTV, Comedy Central and the Paramount movie studio. To accomplish this, he wants to use what hes learned expanding Viacom brands in overseas markets. The company doesnt rely overmuch on any one particular TV brand, and makes efforts to tailor each network to the specific region or country in which it operates. We have 2,700 hours of original programming planned for 2017 and much of that consists of highly exportable formats with modest cost per episode, Bakish said during a recent talk with investors. And weve built an organization that is interconnected across brands, businesses and geographies while fostering a culture that prides itself on entrepreneurship, innovation and adaptability.

Bakish has told investors he intends to spur a turnaround of MTV, arguably Viacoms best known asset, as well as Comedy Central and the companys Paramount movie studio. These operations have fallen on tough times. The young viewers who from the base of both cable networks are migrating to new digital-viewing behaviors that are harder to monetize, and Paramount has slumped noticeably amid a sea of tepid-received releases, including sequels to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Ben Stiller vehicle Zoolander.

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Indeed, Bakish faces the same challenges his predecessors, Philippe Dauman and Tom Dooley, did  and its not immediately clear he can do what they could not in significant enough fashion to right the companys slumping stock. Viacom has been hit hard by the rise of digital media, which has destabilized the businesses on which it heavily depends: advertising and cable distribution. MTV is on its third top executive in less than two years, and Comedy Central has seen the power of its late-night lineup dissipate in the wake of the departures of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

I will seek more collaborative and forward-thinking partnerships with our long-standing domestic distributors. And I will also be working closely with Paramount, Bakish said recently, adding: I will make sure we have a structure that supports speed, sharing of resources and a global outlook. Its imperative that we operate more globally.

Wall Street may not be as confident as Redstone. Shares of Viacom were off about 7% in trading earlier Monday. We see some major hurdles as Viacom confronts its ongoing challenges as an independent company, said Tuna Amobi, a media-industry analyst for CFRA Research, in a note issued earlier in the day.

In a letter issued Monday morning, Redstone and her father, Sumner, said they were  very impressed with the forward-looking thinking and strategic plan being pursued under Bob Bakishs leadership. We know Viacom has tremendous assets that are currently undervalued, and we are confident that with this new strong management team, the value of these assets can be unleashed.

Bakish has been working in the media industry for decades. A former partner in the media practice of Booz Allen Hamilton, he joined Viacom in 1997, working his way through stints involving business development and advertising sales. Now, he has a seat at the top and will play a major role in the future of everything from the kids programming that is part of Nickelodeon to the Tom Cruise franchises  Mission: Impossible and Jack Reacher  that have been part of the bedrock of Paramount.

Related stories

Viacom Shares Sink After Merger Talks are Scrapped, CBS Also Drops

Viacom, CBS Scrap Talks on Recombining After Redstones Withdraw Support

Viacom's Acting Chief Says 'No' to Vice Rumors
A local West Virginia official is apparently set to return to work this month after being suspended from her job over a racist Facebook post about first lady Michelle Obama.

Pamela Taylor, director of the Clay County Development Corporation, was temporarily dismissed from her job in November after she compared Obama to an ape in a Facebook post intended to praise incoming first lady Melania Trump. She said, It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. Im tired of seeing a Ape in heels.

The inflammatory Facebook post led to an online firestorm, and Taylor was suspended from her job as a result. The post also led to the resignation of former Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling, who had commented that Taylors comment just made my day.

But the Charleston Gazette-Mail obtained a recent letter from the agencys acting director, Leslie McGlothin, to the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services that says Taylor is set to return to work on Dec. 23.

The inflammatory Facebook post was widely shared last month.

Yahoo News called the Clay County development organization, which provides services to low-income residents and senior citizens in Clay County, to confirm the report.

I hate to tell you. She is not here and as far as her coming back, I dont think the board had a meeting on it, a woman who answered the phone said. She declined to provide either her name or position, or to redirect the call to another employee.

No, youre not putting my name in the paper, she said. Theyll tell you the same thing as me. The board has not met yet. We dont know.

When told that there were reports of Taylor returning to her job in late December, the agencys employee said, Thats old. Thats old news.
Read no further if you havent seen the Dec. 11 midseason finale of The Walking Dead.

Season 7 of The Walking Dead broke for its usual midseason hiatus Sunday, offering Daryls (Norman Reedus) daring escape, Jeffrey Dean Morgans shaved face, and the deaths of Spencer Monroe (Austin Nichols) and Olivia (Anne Mahoney) that spurred Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the rest of the Alexandria crew to finally decide to fight against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

Alexandria will be attempting to team up with the Kingdom and Hilltop Colony against Negans Saviors when Season 7 returns to AMC Feb. 12, according to executive producer Robert Kirkman and the sneak peek that aired during Talking Dead.

Spencer wasnt exactly a fan favorite  something Nichols knew. For two years Ive been drinking my own Kool-Aid and trying to believe in what Im doing, Nichols said on Talking Dead. As soon as I wrapped and left Atlanta I started watching and went, That guys a douchebag.'

Negan appears to have done Rick a bit of a favor, in hindsight. I think Rick probably couldve handled it himself. I hate to say Negan did anything good for anyone, but this guy was a poison, Kirkman said.

In order to give Spencer his all guts, no glory death, the Walking Dead crew created a chest plate for Morgan to stab through with a real blade, with a blood-and-guts bag below. I was really frightened, because I thought he was going to actually stab me, Nichols confessed. But they got it in one take. Im proud of my death  Im glad it wasnt a walker in the woods, that it was Negan.

The episode finally brought back together all our main players into one place  Hilltop Colony  without the violent eyes of the Saviors on them.

Anytime Andy [Lincoln] and I are in a scene together even from afar, we tear up like babies, Reedus said. But all the actors felt the relief of the reunion, and Daryl handing Rick The Python was Daryls way of showing Rick theyre all in this fight, just as Michonnes (Danai Gurira) speech to Rick was what he needed to accept the gun.

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Michonne hasnt really gone through that journey Ricks gone through. Seeing Abraham and Glenn die really broke Rick down, Kirkman said. Michonne, though, had never really lost the fight. Michonnes a stronger character than Rick Grimes, Kirkman added.

Shes not the only one with that kind of strength. Hes ready to kick some ass, Reedus said of Daryls mental state. Hes in hate mode right now. Hes ready to throw down. I think hes still reeling from Glenn and Abraham. Its always been in the back of his mind, I hope Maggie forgives me. I think hes ready to kill someone.

But who is the figure in the strange patterned boots that viewers saw twice in the finale? Theyre a big part of what were dealing with when we come back, Kirkman said. Well reveal that.

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(Spoiler alert: Do not keep reading if you have not seen the midseason finale of The Walking Dead)

In the midseason finale of The Walking Dead, Negan finally exacts his revenge on Alexandria for Carls (Chandler Riggs) failed ambush in last weeks episode.

We open with Maggie (Lauren Cohan) settling into her new leadership role at Hilltop Colony, while Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) settles in the suburban life in Alexandria, treating himself to a shave and a hot meal. At the Saviors Sanctuary, Daryl (Norman Reedus) makes his move after receiving the note telling him to escape.

Also Read: 'Walking Dead' Fans Get Emotional Over Midseason Finale: 'I Teared Up'

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Aaron (Ross Marquand) decide to cross the walker-filled lake in a bullet ridden boat, using two broken pieces of wood as oars.

Carol (Melissa McBride) is living peacefully at her home near The Kingdom. Morgan (Lennie James) stops by with some fresh fruit for her, but Richard (Karl Makinen), Ezekiels right hand man, interrupts their visit.

Rick and Aaron make their way to the houseboat in the lake, but not before Aaron is nearly killed by the walkers in the water. They find a large cache of guns and start loading things up, while a mysterious figure watches from the opposite shore.

At Hilltop, Enid (Katelyn Nacon) realizes that Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) is lying to Maggie about Jesus whereabouts, and deduces that she is working on a plan to kill Negan. Enid is upsetnot that Sasha lied, but that she was not included in the planning.

See video: 'Walking Dead' Sneak Peek Offers Look Into New Alliances

Richard sits down with Carol and Morgan and tells them how Ezekiel came to strike his deal with the Saviors. Richard believes it is only a matter of time before the Saviors attack The Kingdom, and he needs their help to convince Ezekiel to strike first.

Carol refuses, saying all she wanted is to be left alone. Morgan likewise says he will not participate, as he will not lead people from The Kingdom to their deaths. Back at the Sanctuary, Daryl has stolen some clothes and is slowly making his way outside.

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Daryl finally reaches the motorcycles kept at the back of the Sanctuary. Before he can escape, he is discovered by a lone Savior. The man pleads for Daryl to let him go, as he is just trying to get by. Instead, Daryl beats him to death with a steel bar, just as Jesus (Tom Payne) finds him.

Also Read: 'Walking Dead' Star Jeffrey Dean Morgan Shares Weirdly Sexual Fan Letters

Spencer (Austin Nichols), thinking he has impressed the Saviors with the supplies he scavenged, approaches Negan with a bottle of liquor, looking to make a deal.

Michonne is still holding the Savior woman hostage that she captured in the last episode. But when she sees the sheer size of the Savior encampment, she realizes the scope of the fight they are in for, kills the woman, and drives the car into the woods.

Spencer and Negan play a game of pool, during which Spencer tries to convince Negan to kill Rick and let Spencer take control of Alexandria. Meanwhile, Rick and Aaron get back with the supplies they found, but when the Saviors find a derogatory note left by the original owner, the Saviors beat Aaron in retaliation.

Negan isnt convinced by Spencers plan to replace Rick, saying that Spencer is simply a coward who wants Negan to do his dirty work. He ends their game by slicing Spencer open with a knife, spilling his guts in the street. Rosita (Christian Serratos), having observed all of this, suddenly pulls out a gun and fires her the bullet she had Eugene (Josh McDermitt) made for her.

Also Read: 'Walking Dead' Star Refutes Speculation Chandler Riggs Is Leaving Show

Somehow, Negan manages to block the bullet using Lucille. He has one of his people hold Rosita down and demands to know where she got the bullet. She says she made it herself and Negan knows she is lying. So, he orders an Alexandria citizen to be killed at random, with Olivia (Ann Mahoney) meeting her end courtesy of a Savior bullet.

Eugene tearfully confesses that he made the bullet to keep someone else from dying. Negan decides to take Eugene back to the Sanctuary to use his bullet-making skills, and then departs.

Michonne returns and finds Rick in the makeshift cell Morgan constructed. She said they have always been fighters and that they must fight now to survive. Rick kisses her, and they travel to Hilltop and consult with Maggie to prepare for war against Negan and his Saviors.

As the episode ends, we see the same mysterious figure that observed Rick and Aaron spying on Alexandria.

Related stories from TheWrap:

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TV Writer's Open Letter to 'The Walking Dead': 'Stop Boring Us to Death'
(Spoiler Alert: Do not keep reading if you have not seen the midseason finale of The Walking Dead)

With The Walking Dead Season 7 midseason finale behind us, series star Andrew Lincoln wants fans to know that Jeffrey Dean Morgan will get his comeuppance for the torture he inflicted on Lincoln on set.

I wasnt good company in the first eight episodes, Lincoln told TheWrap. Alexandria was also not a good place for children. My language was pretty much like a sailor. He enjoys his role way too much, and hes going to get his if you know what Im saying.

Lincoln is more than capable of backing up that bold talk. He and co-star Norman Reedus have engaged in numerous on-set pranks over the years. So if Morgan wakes up in a foreign country with amnesia, well know who to blame.

Also Read: 5 'Walking Dead' Theories on Who Was Following Rick and Aaron

Lincoln also touched on the emotional reunion shared by Daryl and Rick, which saw the best friends hug so hard that the whole fan base felt it.

You only saw the tip of the iceberg, he joked. When they called cut they couldnt pry us apart. We just wept on each others shoulders for about three hours. And they just kept filming til they ran out of film. But I actually did get an email from Norman saying, I think it went down. So obviously people were happy, no one more so than us.

And what about the griping of fans over the course of the first half of this season?

Obviously Ive heard that people are not happy and that makes me unhappy because of the amount of work we all put into the show, he said. There is a sense of a bigger story thats being told and I have absolute faith in Scott, the writing team, and the producers of the show. But I will say that I think the back eight are the exact opposite of the front eight.

Also Read: 'Walking Dead' Midseason Finale Ends With Blood in Alexandria's Streets

The Walking Dead Season 7 resumes on Feb. 12 on AMC.

Story continues

Related stories from TheWrap:

5 'Walking Dead' Theories on Who Was Following Rick and Aaron (Photos)

'Walking Dead' Sneak Peek Offers Look Into New Alliances (Video)

'Walking Dead' Midseason Finale Ends With Blood in Alexandria's Streets
To do Walton Goggins enthusiasm at being cast in the Alicia Vikander-led Tomb Raider reboot justice, you should really hear him say, Ive got my dn Tomb Raider saddlebag! I am ready to get lost in a goddn tomb! Then again, if youve ever watched the Emmy-nominated actor in FXs Justified or Quentin Tarantinos The Hateful Eight, you probably can.

Last week, news broke that Goggins will play the antagonist in the film helmed by Norwegian director Roar Uthaug (The Wave). This director is an extraordinarily talented filmmaker, and Alicia Vikander Ive met a few times, we have some friends in common, but I just think shes one of the greatest contributions to any generation of actors, man. That for me was just a wonderful opportunity. But more importantly, the story is so good. Its so good! Goggins says. I think I can say this: For me, its like Raiders of the Lost Ark meets a genre version of the Joseph Conrad novel Victory: An Island Tale. I just jumped at the chance.

Related: As Tomb Raider Turns 20, Lets Look at Lara Croft Through the Years

He cant share specifics about his character, but he believes well be surprised: Is he a villain? Sure, that is an easy description. An antagonist, for sure. But [like other characters] I have been so lucky to have the opportunity to play over the course of my career, there are real reasons behind his antagonism, and its not what youd expect. He is very complicated, and his motivations are pure.

Goggins will next be seen as a former Navy SEAL Team Six leader in need of rescue and redemption in Historys drama series Six, premiering Jan. 18. Tomb Raider is expected to film in early 2017 for a March 16, 2018 release.
* Fifty U.S.-built planes will eventually arrive in Israel

* Event overshadowed by Trump criticism of F-35 project cost

* Aircraft cost around $100m each

By Ori Lewis

NEVATIM AIR BASE, Israel, Dec 12 (Reuters) - - The much-hyped arrival in Israel of its first two U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets was heavily disrupted on Monday after bad weather delayed their take-off from Italy.

The delay - plus U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's complaints on Twitter that Lockheed Martin's whole F-35 project was far too expensive - overshadowed what was a day of celebration in Israel.

The ceremony was pushed back until after nightfall at the Nevatim air base in the southern Negev desert. It was due to be attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

Israel's F-35 squadron is expected to be the first to be operational outside the United States and will enhance its ability to attack distant targets using stealth. The two planes will be the first of 50 fighters, each priced at around $100 million, Israel's air force will receive.

A U.S. squadron of the planes, which have encountered many delays and cost overruns, become operational in August. The F-35 program is the Pentagon's largest weapons project.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump said on Twitter, sending Lockheed Martin's shares down 4 percent.

Asked about Trump's criticism, Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin's F-35 program leader, said the company understood concerns about affordability and had invested millions of dollars to try to reduce the jet's price.

Israel, which finalised a 10-year, $38 billion package of defence assistance from the United States this year, plans to maintain two F-35 squadrons after it receives all the aircraft it has ordered.

Critics of the plane have said it can carry a smaller weapons payload and has a shorter range than Israel's current battle-tested squadrons of U.S. built F-15s and F-16s.

But some experts say the F-35's stealth capabilities make up for this because it can be more accurate and can fly a more direct route to its potential target. Israel's air force mostly flies missions close to home, in the Gaza Strip and against arms shipments to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon and Syria.

Story continues

It also is widely believed to have carried out bombings in Sudan against arms shipments to Palestinian militants, and to have drawn up contingency plans against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Israel initially ordered 33 of the fighters but signed off on another 17 last month.

Nimrod Shefer, a retired Israeli air force major-general, told reporters the new aircraft would be a welcome addition in ever more challenging and diverse battlefield environments.

"(There are) very low- to very high-altitude missiles ... and targets that are becoming more and more difficult to detect and to destroy," said Shefer.

(Writing by Ori Lewis and Maayan Lubell; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Alison Williams)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan participates in a session at the third annual Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington, U.S., September 8, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

The CIA and the FBI seemingly can't agree over why Russian hackers targeted the inboxes of prominent Democrats and Democratic organizations in 2016.

In a secret assessment  the content of which has been leaked to the press via high-level officials briefed on the intelligence  the CIA said the Russians were working toward a specific goal: "to help get Trump elected."

The assessment said Russia was not just trying to undermine confidence in the US election process when it hacked into the emails of Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, and the Democratic National Committee.

"It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia's goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected," a senior US official briefed on the CIA report told The Washington Post. "That's the consensus view."

White House press secretary Josh Earnest came close to echoing the CIA's assessment on Monday: You didnt need a security clearance to figure out who benefited from malicious Russian cyber activity, he told reporters during a press briefing.

The FBI, however  while agreeing that the hacking campaign originated in Russia  has been reluctant to align itself with the CIA and assign a motive to the cyberattacks. A senior FBI counterintelligence told the House Intelligence Committee last week that the bureau was still not sure whether Russia's "specific goal" was to get Trump elected.

"There's no question that [the Russians'] efforts went one way, but it's not clear that they have a specific goal or mix of related goals," a US official present at the hearing said.

The CIA report said the Russians had also breached the Republican National Committee but chose not to release any of the information, lending credence to the idea that the Kremlin made a specific and targeted effort to embarrass Democrats.

Story continues

Barack Obama Vladimir Putin

This summer, the leak of internal Democratic National Committee email correspondences revealing a bias against Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders  by WikiLeaks, an organization founded by Julian Assange  divided the American left and led to the resignation of the DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The FBI has not yet said whether the RNC was targeted. Reince Priebus, the chair of the RNC and incoming White House chief of staff, denied that the committee had been hacked.

The FBI has gone after Russian hackers before, The New York Times has reported. But because it is a law-enforcement agency, it is required to produce more concrete evidence of criminal wrongdoing than the CIA, which is tasked with producing intelligence analyses.

Even so, Democrats at last week's hearing were apparently frustrated by the FBI official's reluctance to say that the hacking campaign had been designed to hurt Clinton and boost Trump.

The bureau  which was accused of meddling in the election after informing Congress weeks before the election that it was reviewing new Clinton emails found on disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner's laptop  is apparently exercising caution in drawing conclusions that could be politicized.

On Monday, outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid criticized FBI Director James Comey for not taking a stronger stance against the Russian meddling ahead of the election.

"They ignored it," the Nevada Democrat told CNN, referring to the letter he sent to Comey before Election Day regarding Russia's cybercampaign. "The FBI director didn't have the decency, the courtesy, to even respond to my letter."

Putin

Podesta, Clinton's campaign chair whose emails were hacked and leaked, said Monday that the Clinton campaign would support a recent request made by members of the Electoral College to receive an intelligence briefing on the ties between Trump and Russia.

"Our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump," Podesta said in a statement first reported by Politico. "We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American."

Republicans seemed to agree with the FBI official's assessment, however, that the CIA lacked evidence when it told a Senate panel last week that the Russians clearly preferred Trump to Clinton  and tried to damage the Democrats' reputation accordingly.

"Republicans are from Mars, Democrats are from Venus," a Republican lawmaker said during the hearing, according to an aide who was present. "We're looking at the same evidence and drawing very different conclusions."

President Barack Obama has since ordered the intelligence community to conduct a full review into the Russian hacking campaign and how it may have affected the presidential election.

The CIA's assessment came two months after the US intelligence community first accused the Russian government of orchestrating a series of cyberattacks on US citizens and political organizations, stating that "only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities."

"The US Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations," the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a statement at the time.

The CIA, meanwhile, waited until after the election to put forward its independent assessment of Russian meddling.

Donald Trump

Trump has extensively criticized the CIA report, saying the agency has no proof that the hacking originated in Russia. On Monday, he suggested that if he had lost the election and blamed it on a Russian initiative, he would be accused of promoting a conspiracy theory.

Russia's fingerprints were all over the cyberattacks, cybersecurity officials concluded in the days and weeks after the breaches. But it has been difficult to prove that Moscow specifically ordered hackers to attack Podesta and the DNC. The hackers were apparently middlemen, rather than Kremlin employees.

It is unclear what the US government will do to retaliate against Russia. The Obama administration has been weighing various measures, from sanctions to authorizing covert action against computer servers in Russia, The New York Times reported. But Obama has yet to sign off on anything concrete.

NOW WATCH: Congressional leaders want an investigation into Russia's alleged interference with the US election, but Trump is unconvinced





More From Business Insider


(Adds dropped word without in eighth paragraph)

By Julia Fioretti

BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Messaging services such as Microsoft's Skype and Facebook's WhatsApp face stricter rules on how they handle customer data under new security laws due to be proposed by the European Union, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.

The EU executive wants to extend some rules that now only apply to telecom operators to web companies offering calls and messages using the internet, known as "Over-The-Top" (OTT) services, according to the draft.

Web services will have to guarantee the confidentiality of communications and obtain users' consent to process their location data, mirroring similar provisions included in a separate data protection law due to come into force in 2018.

Telecoms firms have long complained that companies such as Alphabet Inc's Google, Microsoft and Facebook are more lightly regulated, despite offering similar services.

The phone companies have called for European Union rules specific to telecoms firms - known as the e-privacy directive - either to be repealed or extended to everyone.

"This creates a void of protection of confidentiality for the users of these services," the draft said, referring to OTTs.

"Moreover, it generates an uneven playing field between these providers and electronic communications service providers, as services which are perceived by users as functionally equivalent are not subject to the same rules."

A European Commission spokeswoman declined to comment on the draft but said the aim of the review was to adapt the rules to the data protection regulation which will come into force in 2018 and simplify the provisions for cookies.

Telecom companies, barred by current rules from using customer data to provide additional services and make more money, will be able to use customer data with their consent, according to the proposal.

It would also remove the obligation on websites to ask visitors for permission to place cookies on their browsers via a banner if the user has already consented through the privacy settings of the web browser.

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Cookies are placed on web surfers' computers and contain bits of information about the user, such as what other sites they have visited or where they are logging in from. They are widely used by companies to deliver targeted ads to users.

"If browsers are equipped with such functionality, websites that want to set cookies for behavioral advertising purposes may not need to put in place banners requesting their consent insofar as users may provide their consent by selecting the right settings in their browser," the draft said.

Many have questioned the effectiveness of such cookie banners which appear every time a user lands on a website because people tend to accept them without necessarily reading what that entails.

"While such banners serve to empower users, at the same time, they may cause irritation because users are forced to read the notices and click on the boxes, thus impairing internet browsing experience," the draft said.

The proposal is set to be unveiled in January and may still undergo changes.

(Editing by David Clarke)
In July, Kayla Peterson and her 4-year-old son, Kareem, were living out of her car in Chicago. Peterson was working at a call center for $10 an hour -- and preparing for the birth of her daughter. She was seven months pregnant and knew her high blood pressure was a potential risk to her baby.

"I was in a bad place, living in my car, getting put on waiting lists at shelters," Peterson, 24, says. Then she saw an advertisement on a van: "Are you pregnant and need help?" The sign included a phone number. Peterson called, and a staff member at Aid for Women, a Chicago-based organization that provides services to women facing difficult and unexpected pregnancies, arranged for her to come in for an interview about her situation.

Within days, Peterson and Kareem moved into Heather's House, a home in suburban Chicago that Aid for Women provides for expectant homeless women. It was a safe place to live, with food and clothing, at no charge. Aid for Women would have connected Peterson to a hospital for prenatal care, but she already had a provider through Medicaid. Heather's House was "a safe space where you could prepare to have your baby," Peterson says. In September, she gave birth to Olivia, who came into the world at a healthy 7 pounds and 12 ounces.

[See: 10 Ways to Make Your Childbirth Easier.]

Safeguarding Pregnancies

Prenatal care helps reduce the risk of complications arising during pregnancy. Doctors and nurses make sure pregnant women take prenatal vitamins, such as 400 micrograms of folic acid (a B complex vitamin) every day, which reduces the risk of neural tube defects by as much as 70 percent, according to the Harvard Medical School's Pregnancy Guide. These are defects of the brain, spine and spinal cord that occur during the first month of pregnancy. Common neural tube defects include spina bifida, in which the fetal spine column doesn't close all the way, and anencephaly, in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. A 2011 study published in the journal Epidemiology found that women who did not take a daily prenatal vitamin before and during their first month of pregnancy were almost twice as likely to give birth to an infant with autism as women who took the supplements. Verifying that an expecting mother's immunizations are current and that she's avoiding drugs and alcohol, plus confirming she's properly treating chronic conditions such as diabetes, are also part of a prenatal care regimen.

Aid for Women is one of thousands of facilities nationwide that provide prenatal care and support services for pregnant homeless women. Many of these programs are affiliated with churches that oppose abortion. Aid for Women, for example, was founded by a Roman Catholic deacon in Illinois and is part of a network of about 2,600 service providers that are either affiliated with Heartbeat International and/or Care Net. Heartbeat International is an international Christian organization, and Care Net is an evangelical crisis pregnancy center group that operates mostly in the U.S. Additionally, Catholic Charities USA provided prenatal care and support services to 83,000 women in 2015, says Maureen Varnon, a spokeswoman for the organization. Apart from the church-affiliated organizations, many of the 1,400 community health centers spread throughout the country provide prenatal care or referrals. Community health centers are nonprofit clinics located in urban and rural areas that are medically underserved. They provide a variety of services, including care for acute and chronic conditions; immunizations; basic primary care related to family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics; and prenatal care and referrals.

[See: The Best and Worst Exercises for Pregnant Women.]

An Array of Services

Women who reach out to Aid for Women are encouraged to meet with a client advocate, who will assess their physical, medical and emotional needs. If the expectant mom needs prenatal care, the program will refer her to hospitals that work with the organization and provide such services to homeless women at no cost, says Susan Barrett, executive director of the nonprofit group. If the woman is not already on Medicaid, the advocate will try to sign her up for that benefit. The program also provides classes on childbirth and breast-feeding and access to a psychologist, who can provide treatment for such conditions as postpartum depression.

Heather's House can accommodate as many as 16 people at a time. Some of the women who stay there can, after they give birth, move into a transitional home in Chicago, says Faith Bohlin, residential program manager for the organization. The women who go on to the transitional home either attend school or work or both, and develop a life plan with specific goals.

Women who are pregnant and homeless should take these steps to ensure they receive the prenatal care they need for a successful delivery:

Don't panic, and seek prenatal care immediately. Expecting a child while dealing with homelessness may feel overwhelming, but help is available, says Michelle Lovlie, executive director of Elinor Martin Residence for Mother & Child, which is part of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York. Women can find prenatal care resources by contacting Catholic Charities, their nearest community health clinic or a free clinic provided by an area medical school. A 2014 study in the Journal of American Medicine found that there were 208 student-run free clinics associated with medical schools nationwide. That represented a doubling of such clinics in the last decade. These clinics most commonly offer outpatient adult medical care, chronic disease management, health care maintenance, social work and language interpreters, the study said. There were student-run clinics at 75 percent of the institutions that belong to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

It's important to seek care immediately, because pregnancy carries health risks for the mother and the fetus, says Dr. Anne Cardile, medical director of Unity Health Care's Community for Creative Non-Violence Clinic. CCNV is the largest homeless shelter in the District of Columbia, with a capacity for about 1,000 people. Unity Health Care provides care to the homeless at about 20 sites throughout the District.

Obtain WIC (Women, Infants and Children) benefits. This federal benefit is provided to low-income women. WIC provides funds for food, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income women who are pregnant or breast-feeding; non-breast-feeding postpartum women; and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.

The children of women who participate in WIC have significantly improved rates of childhood immunization, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture evaluation. A series of U.S. Department of Agriculture reports based on 1988 WIC and Medicaid data showed that every dollar spent on prenatal WIC aid for low-income women in five states resulted in fewer premature births; a lower incidence of moderately low and very low birthweights; fewer infant deaths; and a greater likelihood of the mother receiving prenatal care.

Be resourceful if you're breast-feeding and don't have your own refrigerator. If every new mother breast-fed her infant, more than 800,000 child deaths a year could be prevented worldwide, according to a two-part study published last January in the medical journal The Lancet. Children who are breast-fed have a decreased risk of infection and lower death rates, the study says. Breast-feeding may also cut down on diabetes and obesity in ensuing years, plus help decrease the odds of the mother developing breast and ovarian cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

Homeless women may not have their own refrigerator to store their breast milk, but if they're living in a shelter with a cafeteria, workers will probably allow the mother to store her milk there. The same holds true for women who are staying with relatives or friends, who would likely allow them to store their milk in the refrigerator. If a woman is on the street or living out of her car and has access to a clean container and a breast pump, she can store her milk in a cooler or wraparound ice pack for up to a day, says Julie Larson, nurse care manager at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center in Philadelphia, which provides health care and other services to the homeless. Many hospital lactation consultants provide free coolers to patients, who can ask for them during prenatal visits. Some local businesses, such as a coffee shop, restaurant or convenience store, might help an expectant mom who is on the street by letting her use refrigerator space temporarily, Larson says. It's important to label the milk, which is good in a refrigerator for three days and can stay in a deep freezer for up to six months. Women with no access to any refrigeration can also simply breast-feed when their baby is hungry, says Stephen Schilling, chief executive officer of Clinica Sierra Vista, a community health center in Bakersfield, California. "Breast-feeding is the healthiest thing a new mother could do for her child and for herself," Schilling says.

[See: 10 Weird Mind and Body Changes That Are Totally Normal During Pregnancy.]

Carry your prenatal records wherever you go. Homeless people tend to move frequently and don't always end up at the hospital they intended to go to for their delivery, says Dr. Jeffrey Norris, medical director at Father Joe's Villages, which provides services (including prenatal care) to homeless people in San Diego.

Having access to prenatal records will be crucial for the physicians conducting the delivery, so it's important for homeless women to have copies of them. Without those documents, physicians may have to repeat a wide array of tests to determine whether there are any problems with the pregnancy.

Ruben Castaneda is a Health & Wellness reporter at U.S. News. He previously covered the crime beat in Washington, D.C. and state and federal courts in suburban Maryland, and he's the author of the book "S Street Rising: Crack, Murder and Redemption in D.C." You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him at LinkedIn or email him at rcastaneda@usnews.com.
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. NMM is an international owner and operator of dry cargo vessels that could be an interesting play for investors. That is because, not only does the stock have decent short-term momentum, but it is seeing solid activity on the earnings estimate revision front as well.

These positive earnings estimate revisions suggest that analysts are becoming more optimistic on NMMs earnings for the coming quarter and year. In fact, consensus estimates have moved sharply higher for both of these time frames over the past four weeks, suggesting that Navios Maritime could be a solid choice for investors.

Current Quarter Estimates for NMM

In the past 30 days, 2 estimates have gone higher for Navios Maritime while none have gone lower in the same time period. The trend has been pretty favorable too, with estimates narrowing from a loss of a penny a share 30 days ago, to breakeven today.

Current Year Estimates for NMM

Meanwhile, Navios Maritimes current year figures are also looking quite promising, with 3 estimates moving higher in the past month, compared to none lower. The consensus estimate trend has also seen a boost for this time frame, increasing from a penny per share 30 days ago to 7 cents per share today, an increase of 600%.

NAVIOS MARIT LP Price and Consensus

NAVIOS MARIT LP Price and Consensus | NAVIOS MARIT LP Quote

Bottom Line

The stock has also started to move higher lately, adding 20.3% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are starting to take note of this impressive story. So investors may definitely want to consider this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock to profit in the near future. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

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Two ETFs tracking Poland  iShares MSCI Poland Capped ETF EPOL and VanEck Vectors Poland ETF PLND  jumped 7.8% each in the last five days as of December 8, 2016. Poland ETFs outperformed the broader European funds - iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF EZU and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF VGK, which were up only 4.5% and 3.6%, respectively during the aforementioned period (read: What Does Italy Referendum Mean for These ETFs?).



Poland ETFs outperformed primarily attributable to an upgrade of the countrys outlook by Standard & Poors (S&P), contrary to expectations. The rating agency kept Poland's rating unchanged at BBB+ but raised the country's outlook to stable from negative. As per Reuters, some investors were expecting a downgrade from the current rating. S&P stated that the upgrade was primarily because it no longer worried that the government would try to exert its influence and undermine the independence of its central bank.



Earlier this year, S&P lowered Poland's rating to BBB+ from A- and changed its outlook to negative due to a rise in government spending and a cut in the retirement age. The move led to a hue and cry with the Polish finance ministry calling the decision incomprehensible.



Investors who believe that Poland is poised for further upside could catch the Poland-focused ETFs (see all European Equity ETFs here).



EPOL in Focus



EPOL has about $175.9 million in AUM and an average daily volume of 326,000 shares. The product tracks the MSCI Poland IMI 25/50 index, charging 62 basis points a year from investors. With 38 stocks in its basket, this fund puts as much as 45% of its total assets in the top five holdings, suggesting high concentration risk. Financials actually makes up roughly half of the portfolio with 43.6% exposure. Energy and materials round off the top three sectors with exposure of 18.3% and 12.3%, respectively. The fund currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #4 (Sell) with a Medium risk outlook. (read: How to Trade Strengthening Euro Zone Economy via ETFs).



PLND in Focus



The fund looks to track the MVIS Poland Index and has 26 securities in its basket, charging investors 60 basis points a year in fees. The fund has 36.8% of its total assets in the top five holdings. PLND is largely weighed toward financials, with as much as 38.9% exposure, followed by 16% allocation to energy, 12.4% coverage in consumer discretionary and 8.8% in materials. PLND sees a paltry volume of around 4,000 daily and has AUM of $13.5 million. The fund currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #4 with a Medium risk outlook.



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Donnie Yen plays a blind martial arts super-fighter in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story  and in real life, the contacts he wore to simulate his characters blindness made it nearly impossible for him to see at all.

The actor and Chinese martial arts expert, who plays the blind Force-specialist Chirrut Imwe in the film, recently explained what it was like working with those whited out contacts in PEOPLEs Star Wars: The Secrets of Rogue One Special Issue.

That was difficult, a lot more difficult than I expected, said Yen, explaining that the contacts made him nearly as blind as his character.

How do you find the confidence the characters performance when youre losing the security of being personal? And how do you interact with other actors? he added.

Ultimately, Yen said it took a whole week of adjusting my facial expressions and body movements to get used to them. But the most difficult part of wearing the contacts, Yen explained, was interacting with his cast mates. For example, I was acting with Felicity Jones, I couldnt look at her in the eye, I couldnt draw stimulation or reaction, I have to look straight because I cant see.

Without the ability to react to his his cast mates facial expressions, Yen said, You can easily come out where youre only looking at one spot. Expressionless.

In addition, the actor said the contacts themselves are not very

comfortable. He explained, In spite of the Hollywood technologies, I could only wear them no more than three hours each time. And each hour, the eyes get more irritated to the point where I can no longer endure.

But once Yen took the contacts off, he was forced to take a 30 minute break before putting them back in. And even with taking that break, the eye loses clarity from just overworking your eyes. So the whole thing you have to endure, irritated eyes and not able to see clearly. Not a very comfortable process.

During a recent sit down with People Now, Yen opened up about his excitement to be a part of the Star Wars universe.

Story continues

Lets just put it this way, after 30 years of acting, I never expected to be in Star Wars, and here I am, Yen told PEOPLE.

Raised in British Hong Kong, the actor, 53, is often credited with popularizing the martial arts style known as Wing Chun. The multiple-time world wushu tournament champion starred as a Wing Chun grandmaster in his hit 2008 film Ip Man.

While Yen is considered to be one of Hong Kongs top action stars, the actor admitted that joining the Star Wars franchise was a dream come true. Harrison Ford, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, just every character, they are so memorable and we grew up  and grew old  with them, he said. So it is such an amazing journey for myself to be able to be part of this universe.

Rogue One tells the story of a band of rebel fighters who embark on a desperate mission to steal the plans to the Death Star before the Emperor can crush the rebellion  the plans Princess Leia would end up hiding in R2-D2 at the beginning of 1977s Star Wars: A New Hope.

Come back to People.com every day until Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters Dec. 16 for more exclusive videos, photos and secrets from the years most anticipated movie. Check out all our coverage at PEOPLE.com/starwars.

Reporting by CHRIS TAUBER


At this point, most people in Washington believe that there was a Kremlin-sponsored effort to interfere in the election by hacking the computer systems of, among others, the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. The problem for Republicans is that their incoming president isnt one of them.

Despite the unanimous assessment of the 16 agencies that comprise the U.S. Intelligence Community, President-elect Donald Trump has continued to say that he doesnt believe Russia was involved in any sort of hacking, and has accused the agencies of playing politics.

Related: Trump Says No to Daily Intel Briefings Because He's a 'Smart Person'

His efforts to cast doubt on the intelligence agencies findings only intensified over the weekend, after The New York Times reported that the Central Intelligence Agency is confident that the Russian effort was aimed specifically at helping Trump win the election, and not just an attempt to undermine confidence in U.S. elections. (It should be noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has agreed with the finding that the hacks were sponsored by Russia, has said that it does not have enough evidence to impute a motive to the Kremlin.)

In a remarkable attempt to rewrite history, the president-elect on Monday morning tweeted, Unless you catch hackers in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?

The first claim, according to computer forensics experts, is patently false. But Trumps demanding to know why the issue of Russian hacking wasnt brought up before the election is a bit like asking, Why didnt the sun come up last Wednesday?

Related: Trump Dumps on the F-35

Thats because it was brought up before the election. Repeatedly. On a daily basis, in fact, all through the summer and fall. It was even brought up by Clinton, during a televised debate, with Trump standing right next to her. (The occasion of the president-elects meme-worthy No puppet! No puppet! Youre the puppet! response.)

Story continues

Trumps denial -- and now the suggestion among some prominent Trump supporters that the whole hacking episode was a false flag operation possibly conducted by the U.S. government itself -- has put congressional Republicans in a tough spot.

Republicans are facing the first opportunity in more than a decade to enjoy unified control of the legislative and executive branches of government. Pursuing an investigation of an attack that Trump claims never happened could take the focus off things like Obamacare repeal and tax reform.

If an investigation confirms the Intelligence Communitys assessment, it could delegitimize the president that they are hoping to work with for the next four years. And given Trumps demonstrated ability to hold a grudge and his willingness to retaliate if he believes he has been wronged, it could poison the relationship between the White House and Capitol Hill.

To top it all off, it could conceivably cost Trump his reported pick for secretary of state, Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson. A Tillerson nomination is already seen as potentially problematic, due in large part to his relationship with Vladimir Putin. Several key Republicans in Congress are already signaling their concerns. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted on Sunday, "Being a 'friend of Vladimir' is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState."

Related: Trump Says the Unemployment Rate Is Bogus -- and His Labor Pick Puzder Agrees

The result of all this is a mishmash of positions among top GOP leaders.

On Sunday morning, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who chairs the Judiciary Committees Crime and Terrorism panel, joined Democrats in calling for a thorough investigation.

Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American. Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyber-attacks, they said in a joint statement.

However, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, tweeted, All this news of Russian hacking: it has been going on for years. Serious, but hardly news.

Related: Economic Growth Alone Wont Make America Great Again

On Monday, though, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he strongly condemn[s] the Russian hacking and has the highest confidence in U.S. intelligence services. He said it defies belief that Republicans in Congress would not want to investigate the matter. However, he resisted the call to appoint an independent commission, saying that he believes the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is capable of conducting the inquiry.

On the other side of the Capitol, House Speaker Paul Ryan appeared to want to have things both ways, issuing a statement in which he strongly condemned Russia but fell short of calling for an investigation.

We must condemn and push back forcefully against any state-sponsored cyberattacks on our democratic process ... As Ive said before, any foreign intervention in our elections is entirely unacceptable. And any intervention by Russia is especially problematic because, under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests. At the same time, exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professionals and potentially jeopardizes our national security. As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election.

Related: How Mike Pence Is Already Putting His Stamp on the Trump White House

It wasnt long before it became clear which approach Team trump favors. In an interview, Trump spokesman Jason Miller was asked specifically about McConnells decision to support an investigation.

I think really clearly that what this is is an attempt to delegitimize President-elect Trumps win, Miller said.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Photo credit: undefined

From ELLE

Next month, thousands of women have made plans to descend on Washington, D.C., to protest Donald Trump. On the weekend of his inauguration, they intend to demonstrate on the National Mall and participate in what's been deemed the Women's March on Washington.

[contentlinks align="left" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Ladies,%20Time%20to%20Organize" customtitles="The%20Million%20Women%20March%20on%20D.C.%20%7CDonate%20Your%20Hillary%20Pantsuits%20for%20Progress" customimages="|" content="article.40709|article.41287"]

But what should be a simple matter of permitting is getting in their way. Earlier this week, it became known that the National Park Service has filed an omnibus blocking permit for most of the National Mall and such iconic protest spaces as the Lincoln Memorial, Pennsylvania Avenue, and the Washington Monument. No surprise: the National Park Service acted at the behest of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, stymieing protest organizers' efforts to secure permits for their events as Inauguration Weekend draws nearer.

After several news outlets reported that the agency had actively denied the Women's March on Washington access to the Lincoln Memorial, the park service explained today that the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the American Constitution Society have "first dibs" on permits over the weekend. Which means that until the PIC claims the spaces it needs for formal inaugural events, organizers can't lock down spaces for their events-or even know whether they'll be granted them.

According to the Washington Post, this isn't the first time the park service has had to juggle the competing interests of the inaugural committee and the people who want to protest it. "This is always the way it happens," Mark Litterst, a spokesperson for the park service, said. "What makes this so complicated is that not only is this inauguration, but because there has been so much interest on both sides of this election, we are seeing all of these extra events that want to take place at the same time."

Story continues

Already, a spokesperson for the Women's March told the Guardian that the protest can't take place at the Lincoln Memorial but that organizers "have secured another location." But other organizers refuse to make do. Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, a lawyer and executive director of the nonprofit Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, who is representing the ANSWER Coalition, held a press conference on Wednesday in which she accused the NPS and the inaugural committee of unconstitutional behavior.

"This is an illegal abridgment of First Amendment rights," she said.

And, she added in an interview, "this is an extraordinary land grab. It's having, I think, the intended stifling effect. It's having a distinctive negative on people's ability to organize."

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Your Rights Against Police Brutality Explained New York Police Brutality Lawyer



NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / One of the founding principles of our democracy is the freedom to assemble. When citizens don't agree with proposed actions of the government, they have a Constitutional right to protest peaceably.

As you might expect, the definition of "peaceably" has often been the subject of intense debate. Throughout American history, many groups have engaged in protests and even acts of civil disobedience to raise awareness of important issues. From the Boston Tea Party to Dr. Martin Luther King, protesters have even played a prominent role in reshaping laws.

Recently, protesters have clashed with police over proposed construction of a pipeline that would transport crude oil from North Dakota to southern Illinois, which would then allow the oil to be transported to oil refineries in the Gulf States or eastern states on the coast.

Protesters, including members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, claim the pipeline will negatively impact their drinking water and leave it vulnerable to contamination in the event of oil spills. If the pipeline project goes ahead, it will span four states and stretch 1,172 miles.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to reporters, the police at the scene have used water cannons, rubber bullets, and tear gas on the protestors. Most recently, a 22-year-old woman was nearby when a concussion grenade detonated, severely damaging her arm. The police claim they did not use concussion grenades or any other types of explosives at the protest.

The woman's family initially feared doctors would need to amputate her arm, however, they later stated that doctors believe they can save the arm. The woman faces several surgeries to repair the damage and replace the lost bone in her arm.

Your Rights Against Police Brutality:

The Dakota Access Pipeline is a controversial issue that has inspired strong opinions on both sides of the debate. Whatever your beliefs, however, everyone has the right to be free from unwarranted police brutality. When the police act with excessive force, people can get seriously injured and killed.

Story continues

At Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC, we have recovered millions on behalf of clients who have been injured by police officers and law enforcement agents. In many of these cases, victims of violence carried out by police suffer both physical and psychological injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.

New York City Police Brutality Law Firm:

If you or a loved one has been injured by police during a protest or while in police custody, call New York police brutality lawyer Jonathan C. Reiter to speak to a lawyer about your case. You can reach us through our online contact form or by calling 866-324-9211.

SOURCE: Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm via Submit Press Release 123
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe held its first ever public interviews for the vacant post of Chief Justice on Monday, reflecting President Robert Mugabe's reduced authority under a constitution adopted three years ago in the southern African country. In the past, Mugabe had sole authority to appoint the head of the judiciary, but the 2013 charter requires candidates to be interviewed by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), a panel of mostly senior judges and lawyers. Mugabe then chooses from three names submitted by the JSC. A University of Zimbabwe law student last week asked the High Court to stop the interviews, arguing the process was not transparent since the candidates were colleagues of, and known to, the interviewing panel. The High Court on Sunday ruled in favor of the student, who also wanted Mugabe alone to appoint the Chief Justice. The government says it plans to change the constitution to give Mugabe that sole responsibility. But the JSC, which employs all judges and magistrates, appealed the decision at the Supreme Court, automatically setting aside the High Court ruling. The JSC decided early on Monday to hold the interviews, which were broadcast live on state television. Three candidates were interviewed: deputy chief justice Luke Malaba, Paddington Garwe, a Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judge, and Rita Makarau, chairwoman of the Electoral Commission and secretary of the JSC. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Ed Cropley)
This Immigrant Doctor Is Reimagining Health in the American City

Im looking up at the final ascent to Angels Landing in Utahs Zion National Park, trying to work up my courage to scale the Dr. Seusslike series of sheer climbs and even sheerer drops, the canyon 1,500 feet below me on either side. My biggest fear isnt a misstepthough the highly eroded trail is coated with slippery dustbut being bumped by one of the thick crowd of hikers impatiently waiting their turn at each knife-edge passing.

Turns out Im not the only one worried about the risks posed by crowds and erosion to Zions famed peaks and canyons. Concerns about visitor health and safety have become so acute that the National Park Service has unveiled a proposed management action plan that includes such draconian measures as limiting the number of visitors in Zion Canyon at any one time and requiring permits for the most popular hikes.

It doesnt take many people to wear sandstone back down into sand, and weve seen a surge in degradation due to people disrespecting the fragile ecosystem, said Alyssa Baltrus, chief of interpretation and visitor services for Zion National Park. Among the biggest problems are social trailingpeople making their own bypass trails when popular routes get too crowdedand cars pulling off the road into non-designated parking areas.

Zions overcrowding crisis has been a long time coming; visitor numbers have risen year over year for decades. But for the past six years its been one boom year after another, with 2015 seeing a jump of more than 450,000 visitors over 2014 to a record 3.7 million. And while visitor numbers for 2016 arent in yet, the expectation is that theyll top 4 million.

And while Zion used to be popular primarily from late spring to early fall, those seasons now extend further each year. For instance, take March, traditionally quiet because of cold and snow. This year saw March visitation jump 112 percent over 2015.

If youve been to Zion in recent years, you know the result. Parking lots fill up by 8:30 a.m., with street parking extending farther and farther back down the highway through the highly congested town of Springdale and beyond. And while theres a well-run shuttle system designed to handle the overflow, the buses also fill up, with long wait times to get on and people packed together like the subway at rush hour. Even once visitors disperse themselves among the various park highlights, the crush of people snapping selfies at must-see spots such as the Emerald Pools can be oppressive.

Story continues

The most common subject of complaints from visitors? Other visitors, said Baltrus.  Its a zoo is something we hear quite a lot. Some of the most vociferous griping has been about Angels Landing and the Narrows, a spectacular hike up a slot canyon, much of which takes place while wading knee-deep in the Virgin River.

Permits are currently required for the 16-mile top down hike, but anyone can venture up the lower five-mile stretch of the Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava. And they do; its common during the high season to slosh your way upriver behind large (and often loud) groups in matching gear rented from local outfitters.

To deal with the problems, the park service has taken a series of actions over the years, from closing Zion Canyon to cars and instituting the shuttle system to adding portable toilets in the parking lots, scheduling extra end-of-day buses, and expanding overflow parking.

RELATED: 3 New Western National Parks and Monuments to Discover

But those are stopgap measures at best. And some strategies resulted in additional unforeseen problems. For example, in an effort to stop Angels Landing hikers from availing themselves of the natural facilities, the park service installed evaporative toilets at Scouts Lookout, the final rest stop. But it miscalculated the need.

Because of the increase in use at Scouts Lookout, the toilets quickly fill with liquid and stop effectively evaporating waste, said Baltrus. That waste must be removed by helicopter, which proved much harder to do than planned. The result: roped-off Porta-Johns reeking a few feet from picnickers. Over the past two years, we have been asking visitors to use the restrooms at the bottom of the trail instead and only use the ones at Scouts Lookout for emergencies, but our efforts have not been very successful, she said.

In other words, the real problem remains the sheer number of people in what is a relatively small park, and for that, the only solution is visitor limits. And the NPS seems to be serious about taking what could be a first-ever step.

A key component of this proposed action would be to directly manage visitor use levels in the park through establishment of visitor capacities, reads the Visitor Use Management Plan newsletter. Visitor capacities, which could vary by season and/or specific areas of the park, would be established, along with implementation techniques that would directly manage the amount and time of visitor access.

More specifically, the Visitor Use Management Plan includes options such as:

 Using a timed-entry system to access the shuttle system to regulate the flow of visitors up canyon throughout the day.

 Instituting an online advance reservation system for visitor passes.

 Requiring reservations for all campsites and eliminating the remaining first-come, first-served sites.

 Redesigning the south entrance area to prevent traffic jams, including adding an additional kiosk station and an express lane for those who prepaid.

 Streamlining the process to come into the canyon on foot or with a bicycle.

 Constructing a multimodal trail to encourage visitors to walk between major canyon attractions rather than take the shuttle.

 Exploring technology to prepay entrance fees prior to arrival and an automated gate pass system to facilitate entrance.

In other words, so much for spontaneity; youll need to plan ahead if you want to see the glories of Zion Canyon between May and October.

Its not just in the canyon itself that crowds are a problem. Ask anyone whos sat in the snaking line of cars waiting to check out the window views from the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Every summer the lines get longer, in large part because of the need to stop two-way traffic to allow oversize vehicles like RVs to pass. One option on the table is to add an automated traffic signal; another is to restrict passage of oversize vehicles to certain times of day.

Needless to say, the more draconian options are being met with resounding nos, at least in some quarters. But regular visitors hope the changes will bring back their beloved Zion of the past. And in Springfield, where residents are quite literally trapped from getting into and out of town at some times of day, change is long overdue.

The initial public comment period closed on Nov. 23, and now the difficult work of deciding among the various possible scenarios begins. But not to worry if you havent had your say yet. In the spring, the NPS will unveil its recommendations and then invite further comment.

The potential actions are all possibilities that came from the initial community meetings, and theyre there to generate further discussion and to inspire people to think of other ideas, said Baltrus. The more input and ideas we get at this point in the process, the better the alternatives will be.

Got your own idea for how to save Zion from being loved to death? Get ready to speak up.

Send a Letter: Tell Your Senators to Protect Our Forests and Parks

Related stories on TakePart:





 The New Graffiti: National Parks Fight Stone Stackers

 7 Wild and Beautiful Places That Should Be National Parks

 Graffiti Artist Defaces 10 National Parksand Instagrams It

Original article from TakePart
Registering at Target is a no-brainer for any expectant mother  especially Mei, a pregnant orangutan living at a Texas zoo.

Read: Meet the Orangutan Who Thinks He Is a Parent to 4 Tiger Cubs

When the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco announced orangutan Mei's pregnancy last week, they also announced her extensive baby shower registry at the retail giant.

On the list are obvious goods like blankets and bowls, as well as less conventional items like the director's cut of Space Jam on DVD; Fantasy, a Britney Spears body fragrance; and Dolly Parton's "Pure & Simple" on CD.

"They're enrichment items," explained Duane McGregor, the zoo's spokesperson. "They're intended for both the adult [orangutans] and the baby, to be shared among all of them."

Because orangutans share 97 percent DNA with humans, the zoo's program curator Terri Cox explained, "They're taken care of much like a human baby."

The zoo has requested "Goodnight Moon," by Margaret Wise Brown and "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear," by Bill Martin Jr., anticipating the baby to come will love books as much as Mei and the father, KJ.

"They like to look at picture books," Cox told InsideEdition.com. "And they're generally pretty gentle with them."

Read: No Monkey Business! 3 Pygmy Marmosets Reunited After They Were Stolen From Zoo

Sometimes the zoo will even hide treats like oatmeal or raisins between the pages of old phone books for the orangutans to flip through as stimulation.

Also included in the registry is a collection of Glade aerosol air fresheners that will help keep the animals' sense of smell heightened.

"We can spray different areas in their exhibit and it gets their attention," Cox explained. The scents help the animals practice their stalking behavior, emulating urine often found in the wild.

The same goes with music CDs on the list, including Adele's "25", Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits," she said. "We have stereos to play different music for the animals. Some react differently to music."

Story continues

Many items on the registry have already been purchased, and McGregor said the zoo plans on sending thank you notes orangutan parents Mei and KJ drew themselves to everyone who purchased a gift, or will send a monetary donation to their December 18 baby shower.

Read: Tiny Orangutan Found With Bullet Lodged in Shoulder Attends First Day of School

Cox explained that while the gifts will be a needed donation to the zoo, she hopes the popularity surrounding the gift registry and the baby shower will help raise awareness to the critically endangered species and draw attention to the importance of orangutan births in captivity.

Mei is due January 24 and the sex of her baby will be announced at birth.

Watch: Love Birds Allie and Noah Celebrate 1-Year Anniversary, Spent It Taking 'Long Walks on Flamingo Beach'

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This year, holiday shoppers are turning to social media sites like Pinterest for their holiday shopping. (Photo: Courtesy of Pinterest)

This year, smart shoppers are harnessing social media to win at gift giving. This fall, Instagram rolled out its new shop feature, and Pinterest has been offering buyable pins since the summer of 2015, transforming the platforms from places for gift inspiration, research, and idea-sharing to fully-fledged retail spaces. This year, even Snapchat is getting in on the action with shoppable gift guides, while newcomer Parcel allows you to organize your potential purchases based on budget and theme. While all of these platforms can sometimes feel a bit like information overload they can also be a great way to gather gift ideas, search for deals, and shop for the holiday in the moments between clicking Like on pictures of your friends dogs and children.

This year Pinterest is really seeing their retail potential expand. Searches for gifts for women are up over 100 percent this year with Christmas gifts for friends up 84 percent according to the company. Whats great about the buyable pins, says Annie Ta, Pinterest shopping product manager, is that if something goes on sale, you will get an alert and you can buy it right there, without ever leaving the app. But if you arent sure what you want to buy yet, Pinterest also helps you start with inspiration and then work your way down to what the thing actually is, continues Ta, and you can save everything and come back to it later to really figure out what you want to get for the people in your life.

Shoppers use Instagram to find out about sales and deals before anyone else. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram)

Instagram also allows consumers to be alerted to special deals, often before they have a chance to check their promotional emails. Anahita Moussavian, deputy fashion editor at the New York Post and its lifestyle supplement Alexa, says, When brands I love announce a sale via Instagram I am more inclined to pop over to their website and see what they have on offer. Danielle Darden, a program coordinator at the University of Miami, agrees. Since she is already on Instagram its an excellent way to learn about new stuff faster than if I were to open an email about it.

But beyond staying on top of new products and special offers social media allows you to be aware of what your friends and loved ones are into and the things they might connect with. Keeping tabs on people, especially on Snapchat where youre getting those regular, not-so-glossy glimpses into peoples lives, definitely helps give a sense of what someone is all about right this minute, says Erica Cerulo, cofounder of Of a Kind, a New Yorkbased online retail space. Look for something that has a story that you can connect withand that you think the person youre giving it to will connect with, too. Thats what makes it feel personal, not just like youre checking something off a list.

For Darden, this couldnt be more true. Social media lets her really research her gifts for maximum effect and be aware of small and independent labels that dont have brick-and-mortar presence in her town. I have a limited budget, so when Im able to make a big purchase and give someone that gift that I feel will qualify as like a top ten ever gift I want to make sure thats really what they want. Ive gotta lurk until I know for sure. She recently used this strategy when torn between two items of jewelry for a close friend. When I saw she had pinned this safety pin earring not once, but twice, I was like, Done. SOLD. STAY PUNK.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.


Credit: Getty Images

Healthy living doesn't have to be so hard. It's really just a matter of swapping out a few of our bad habits for better ones. Leave behind the nightly glass (glasses...) of weeknight wine? Sure. We can wait until Saturday. Take the stairs every chance we get? Not a problem. Forget about delivery and takeout? Now wait just one second...

It's not that we don't love a good, healthy home-cooked meal--we really do--but delivery food (especially in N.Y.C.) is simply a way of life. The convenience of a full meal arriving hot and ready to eat at our door in under an hour at any time of day or night is a luxury we are not prepared to give up. But if ordering in meant greasy comfort fare, it doesn't have to be that way. Now there's Order Healthy, a new app that guides us to better delivery choices.

RELATED: 14 of Kourtney Kardashian's Favorite Pantry Essentials for Healthy Eating

The app gives you access to over 10,000 restaurants and uses a traffic-light rating system--green indicates healthiest, yellow indicates moderately healthy, and red indicates unhealthy--to make ordering lighter options (or not!) a breeze. It works by simply highlighting various dishes along with the color key. So, edamame might be seeing green, but your favorite dim sum app might fall in the yellow or red, depending on the contents.



Credit: Courtesy

And there's science to back it up, too! According to research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, traffic-light calorie labels help diners order fewer calories when compared to menus featuring no calorie information at all.

Whether you're trying to eat as clean and convenient as possible or you're in the mood to eat every feeling ever felt, Order Healthy will guide you to your dream delivery dish. Eat up!
A visitor and the logo of Honda Motor Co are reflected on a Honda car at the company's headquarters in Tokyo January 30, 2009. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo (Reuters)

By Aradhana Aravindan

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Southeast Asian ride-hailing service Grab disclosed on Monday that Japan's Honda Motor Co had invested in the firm, as part of a $750 million funding announced previously, to collaborate on motorbike-hailing services.

This is the latest tie-up of its kind in the auto industry, where carmakers such as Volkswagen <VOWG_p.DE>, Toyota Motor Corp and General Motors have also struck deals with ride-sharing firms to hedge against a shift in the vehicle market away from private ownership.

Grab, the biggest rival to ride-sharing service Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] in Southeast Asia, said Honda had agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in the firm, and the two would form a partnership to develop the ride-sharing technology and related driver education programs.

The Honda investment is a part of the $750 million funding announced in September, said Ming Maa, president at Grab, which provides services such as taxi and motorbike-hailing, car-pooling, delivery and mobile payments.

"We are in the planning stages on exactly what a full partnership will look like, and there are many different prongs of that. One prong would obviously include selling Honda motorbikes within the region," Maa told Reuters.

"We would welcome expanding the partnership to four-wheeled (vehicles)," said Maa, who joined Grab in October from Japan's SoftBank Group Corp - an investor in Grab.

The September funding round values Grab at more than $3 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter.

While the deal with Honda is the first one it has signed with an automaker, Maa said Grab was also talking with other vehicle manufacturers for partnerships that will help reduce traffic and increase safety.

Monday's announcement comes just two weeks after Grab said Japanese financial services company Tokyo Century Corp had made a strategic investment in the firm for an undisclosed amount.

Story continues

Investors in Grab include China Investment Corp, Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing and Vertex Ventures, a part of Singapore state investor state investor Temasek Holdings[TEM.UL].

When asked whether the Grab partnership could influence Honda's vehicle designs to adapt to ride-sharing, Maa said: "anything is possible".

(Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union's anti-trust watchdog has fined Sony, Panasonic and Sanyo for price fixing in the market for batteries used in laptops and mobile phones.

The European Commission, which polices competition issues in the EU, fined the three a total of 166 million euros ($176 million) for breaking antitrust rules along with Samsung SDI.

Samsung SDI avoided a fine because it blew the whistle on the cartel.

EU Competition Commission Margrethe Vestager said in a statement Monday that collusion among the four "affected the prices of a number of goods sold to European consumers."

A Commission probe found the companies met together over more than four years, often in Asia, to plan ways to avoid aggressive competition in the rechargeable lithium-ion battery market.
Over the past week, Netflix and HBO have each launched virtual reality apps for Android on the Google Play store. Netflix VR was only available the Oculus Store before this week, but now that Googles Daydream headset has launched, Netflix opted to bring its VR app to Google Play as well.

Don't Miss: Watch the first trailer for Fate of the Furious right now

Wresting Netflix VR from the grip of Oculus is a major win for Daydream, but perhaps even more exciting is the exclusive launch of HBO GO VR and HBO NOW VR on the platform. This is the first time weve seen virtual reality apps from HBO, and at the moment, they can only be found on Google Play.

Much like Netflix VR, the two HBO VR apps put the viewer in a virtual theater where they can scroll through the networks library of hit shows and movies. The content itself isnt VR, just the digital venue.

HBO [GO/NOW] VR is the virtual reality feature that gives you all of HBO on Daydream-supported Android devices to watch your favorite shows and movies in a virtual reality experience, reads the description on Google Play. In order to access either the HBO GO VR app or the HBO NOW VR app, you need a subscription to the network (either through cable or a la carte) and a Daydream device.

Along with these three apps, Google has also brought NextVR to Daydream, which is the only app of the bunch that actually offers 360-degree, 3D video. With Netflix VR, HBO VR, NextVR, Hulu VR and Google Play Movies & TV, Daydream has suddenly become the undisputed leader of VR video.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
The South Korean might be working on two new flexible smartphones which might be completely different from each other.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 has already been rumored to have a bezel-less, pressure sensitive display, but a new rumor about the upcoming smartphone indicates that the company might be working on two new flexible display smartphones which might be completely different from each other.

Samsung is said to be working on a two-track strategy for its next flagship devices  the S8 and the Note 8. The company is rumored to be developing a dual-screen smartphone with two displays  one on the front and one on the back of the device  and another smartphone with a foldable OLED display. It is expected to examine market responses for the dual-screen smartphone first by pushing out small numbers of the device and then introduce its foldable smartphones. Displays for the dual-screen smartphone are expected to be supplied by Japan Display Inc.

This is not the first time that Samsung would experiment with different kind of displays  the company released the Galaxy Round curved smartphone in 2013 and the Galaxy Note Edge with an edge display in 2014. The foldable display is something Samsung has had in the works for a long time. The display panel itself would be bendable. The company released a video in 2013 showing an in-foldable smartphone in which the panel would be folded inwards but the upcoming smartphone is expected to be out-foldable. In an out-foldable device, OLED panels are placed on sides that would make the front and the back after being folded. Further, the side edge of the folded device will also have a display, like Samsung's Edge devices.

In-foldable smartphone is seen as a first type of a foldable smartphone. Out-foldable smartphone is the next step of in-foldable smartphone, Korean website ETnews reported Thursday, quoting a Samsung executive.

The company is expected to come out with dual-screen/foldable flagships Galaxy S8 and Note 8 in 2017.

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By Anna Irrera and Olivia Oran (Reuters) - Symphony Communications Services LLC is relocating its chief executive to Singapore and targeting Asian investors as it looks to expand its Wall Street chat technology into the region. David Gurle, who is currently based in the companys Palo Alto headquarters, will move to the Southeast Asian city-state in the first quarter of next year, a Symphony spokeswoman said. Gurles relocation comes as Symphony is in talks to raise between $100 million to $150 million in funding from new and existing backers, according to people familiar with the deal. The company has held discussions with potential investors based in Asia for the new round, which would value it at just over $1 billion, one of the people said. The sources asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Symphony spokeswoman Samantha Singh declined to comment on the funding round, saying the messaging company was already well-funded. She said Gurle was moving to Singapore, "to help spearhead" the company's push into the region, but that Asia had always been a "key market from day one." The Asian market for messaging technology is dominated by Tencent Holdings Ltd's popular Chinese WeChat app. Many Chinese traders already use WeChat as the preferred way to communicate and say moving over to another messaging platform would require convincing their investor clients to do the same. Using mobile messaging and social media apps for trading is not unlawful in China. The proliferation of WeChat users at banks has attracted the attention of Asian regulators, but they have historically tended to be less stringent than their U.S. counterparts. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission code of conduct does not prohibit the use of social messaging apps, but encourages the strict recording and time stamping of all communications and says the use of mobile phones for orders is "strongly discouraged." This has created an opportunity in Asia for Symphony, which touts the security of its messaging service, some of the people said. Prior to launching Symphonys predecessor Perzo, Gurle spent several years in Singapore working for Thomson Reuters Corp, the parent company of Reuters. Symphony was created in 2014 when a consortium of 14 financial institutions led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc acquired Perzo, in a joint effort to change the way their traders communicate. The Symphony service is a rival to financial market messaging services offered by Bloomberg LP and Thomson Reuters. The system allows financial firms, corporate customers and individuals to put all their digital communications - chats, texts, tweets and emails - on one centralized platform, aimed at creating a flexible and secure messaging service. While traction for Symphony is not yet widespread across Wall Street trading floors, there are signs that may be changing. Money manager BlackRock Inc, also an investor, is moving its internal chat for employees to Symphony. Symphony has 116,000 users, and expects the number to grow to 130,000 before the end of the year, Singh said. The companys Asia push comes about a year after it raised $100 million from investors including technology giant Alphabet Inc, banking groups UBS, Societe Generale and Natixis and European VC firm Lakestar. The Wall Street Journal has previously reported that Symphony is looking at a new round of funding. (Reporting by Anna Irrera and Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by Tom Brown)
On The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kenya Moores boyfriend, Matt Jordan, flew in from Los Angeles and then, in a drunken rage, flew his foot through Kenyas garage window. Later, Kenya confronted him in his car.

Matt, Im talking to you, Kenya said. You have me looking like a crazy person. Matt asked how his behavior made her look crazy. Because Im with you, thats why! Kenya replied.

She made some crazy good points, while Matt did his best to defend himself. Have you done nothing to me? You dont do things verbally or those little side-poking things? Those things that go on for weeks and months, he said. And, then eventually a door gets kicked.

To be fair, Matt wasnt trying to justify his violent actions, though he did try once again to put the blame on Kenya.

Im a young man. I get upset. I might break something, Matt said. But, youre disrespectful almost constantly with your mouth and that causes things to escalate.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.

Watch to find out why Phaedra Parkss bomb threat was a big misunderstanding:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram  or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Cynthia LuCiette, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
By PTI: From Aditi Khanna

London, Dec 12 (PTI) Two men, who were found guilty of giving 3,000 pounds to a key suspect in the Paris and Brussels terror attacks during a meeting in a Birmingham park, were jailed for a total of 11 years by a UK court today.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, from Birmingham, who had pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism last month was sentenced to eight years.

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Co-defendant Zakaria Boufassil, alsofrom Birmingham, was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of the same charge at the end of a trial last week and was sentenced to three years.

They handed over the cash to Mohamed Abrini - who became known as the "man in the hat" after his face was caught on CCTV footage following the deadly attack on Brussels airport in March.

"I am sure that you are an individual who has for some time, and continues to hold extreme Islamist beliefs, and that you are committed to the cause of Islamic State," Justice Jeremy Baker told Ahmed.

He said that Boufassils motivations had been less clear.

"There is no evidence, beyond your participation in the offence, that you hold extreme Islamist beliefs and have an ongoing commitment to the cause of Islamic State," he said.

Justice Baker also imposed an additional one year licence or restrictions on both men, which will apply on their eventual release from prison.

"We know that Abrini visited several locations during his visit to the UK, but that his sole purpose of being here was to collect the money and our case - whilst not focused on attack planning - acts as reminder of why our work to prepare for and prevent such incidents in the UK is important," said Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, Counter Terrorism Lead for West Midlands Police.

"We are working hard with partner agencies and community groups around the West Midlands to alert the public to the dangers of radicalisation and explain what help is available to those vulnerable to negative influences," he said.

The money had been withdrawn from the bank account of one Anouar Haddouchi, a Belgian national who had been claiming UK state-funded welfare benefits while living in the West Midlands with his wife.

Haddouchi is believed to have fled to Syria since.

The court heard that hours after collecting the money fromBoufassil and Ahmed,Abrini visited the Grosvenor Casino in Birmingham where he took a photograph of a gambling machine on his mobile phone.

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In March this year, Abrini was captured on CCTV alongside Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, who detonated bombs hidden in suitcases killing 12 people at Brussels airport.

Another 20 people died in an attack on Maalbeek metro station less than two hours later.

Jurors were also told he is also wanted by the French authorities in connection with the attacks in Paris last November.

Boufassilhad denied one charge of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

Abrini remains in custody in Brussels. PTI AK ZH

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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) today began a three-day demonstration, pressing for its long-standing demand of curving out a separate state comprising Bodo-inhibited areas in Assam.

On the first day of the agitation, scores of youths from Bodo community held a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding immediate intervention of the Centre.

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ABSU president Pramod Boro said the organisation has sent memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding formation of a separate Bodoland state.

Alleging that Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was not sympathetic to the demands of the community, Boro also accused Modi of not fulfilling his election promise of addressing problems of the Bodo community.

The ABSU president said the organisation will launch an year-long agitation in Assam starting next month if there was no response by the Centre towards the demands of the Bodo community.

"We waited for more than two years for the NDA government to at least look at the issue. But it appears the government is not at all interested. So, we do not have any option but to start the agitation again," he said. PTI MPB RG

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Over Rs 100 crore were deposited in these accounts with withdrawn currency notes since November 8 when government announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

By India Today Web Desk: Several politicians, including a former minister, are under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax department following a raid at the Chandni Chowk branch of the Axis Bank last week.

Sources in the Enforcement Directorate have told India Today TV that a "former minister and several other politicians" are under their scanner in the probe. The agency did not name the politicians.

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Also read | Axis Bank again: 44 fake accounts with Rs 100 crore found in raids on Delhi branch

Last week, the Income Tax department unearthed 44 fake accounts during a raid at the Axis Bank branch in central Delhi.

OVER 100 CRORE DEPOSITED IN FAKE ACCOUNTS

Over Rs 100 crore were deposited in these accounts with withdrawn currency notes since November 8, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

The ED will today produce two arrested Axis Bank managers in court today and will seek more remand to unravel the conspiracy behind hoarding of the huge stash of money.

They said several staffers of the Chandni Chowk Axis Bank branch are being quizzed by the Income Tax sleuths too.

MORE ARRESTS LIKELY

More than 40 account addresses in the bank branch are suspected to be fake. The agency said more people are likely to be arrested and criminal proceedings initiated against them.

Also read |Another law firm raided in Delhi, Rs 13 crore in cash recovered

The probe has also revealed the names of several jewellers in the national capital, who are being interrogated.

The two agencies said efforts are on to reach the real owners of the money found in last week's raids.

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The clarification came after a regional newspaper published that the government was considering cancelling the bank's license.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Axis Bank today said that the reports alleging that regulatory action against the bank was under consideration were false and malafide.

"We would like to bring to your attention the false and malafide news published in a regional newspaper alleging consideration of regulatory action against the bank," Axis Bank said in a Bombay Stock Exchange filing.

The clarification came after a regional newspaper published that the government was considering cancelling the bank's license after 19 of its officials were found involved in violative activities post-demonetisation.

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ALSO READ: Axis Bank raid: Former minister, other Delhi netas under scanner after 44 fake accounts found

"In this connection, we strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India," the statement from the private-sector lender said.

"We firmly believe that said news is intended to spread panic among the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the bank," the statement said.

ALSO READ: Axis Bank again: 44 fake accounts with Rs 100 crore found in raids on Delhi branch

Assuring its customers, investors and public, Axis Bank said that it has a strong code of conduct and zero tolerance to any deviations from prescribed processes.

"We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of governance in all aspects of our business and to provide the best services to our valued customers," the bank statement said.

A week ago, the bank had suspended 19 of its officials for being allegedly involved in illegal activity.

Two of its managers were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe.

Subsequently, the bank hired KPMG to conduct a forensic audit and strengthen the bank's internal mechanism to put a check on such activities.

ALSO READ: Axis Bank suspends 19 staff; hires KPMG for forensic audit

ALSO WATCH

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By PTI: Kolkata, Dec 12 (PTI) Led by Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, a 72-member delegation of war veterans and "Mukti Jodahas" (freedom fighters) from the neighbouring country will take part in Vijay Diwas celebrations at Fort William here this Friday.

Held annually to mark Indias victory over Pakistan in the 1971 liberation war on December 16, the celebration will begin tomorrow with a military band concert at Princep Ghat, an Army officials said.

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On December 14 and 15, a horse show, para jump and band display will be held at RCTC grounds while on December 16 the wreath laying ceremony will be at the historic Vijay Smarak memorial in Fort William.

Altogether, a 72-member delegation comprising war veterans, Mukti Jodhaas, senior retired officers and serving personnel of all the three services will pay homage to our valiant martyrs.

"Massive security arrangement has been made," said Major General R Nagraj, MGGS of Eastern Command.

"Mukti Jodhaas" who had participated in the 1971 war have been coming for the annual reunion for the last 10 years. PTI NIK MD GVS

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By PTI: Srinagar, Dec 12 (PTI) A controversy has erupted after a police officer removed the black film on the vehicle of Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway with the university teachers association condemning the incident.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police stopped Andrabis vehicle at Udhampur yesterday and removed the black film on the window panes of the vehicle, which is allowed for vehicles of Z and Z plus protectees.

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Andrabi entered into an argument with the police officer who said he was only doing his duty. A video of the incident went viral on social media.

Andrabi told the police officer that "you have not grown out of the colonial culture. If I had my (security) escort with me, you would not have dared to do this".

The police official responded by saying. "I am doing my duty" and that he would do it with any vehicle which did not comply with the rules."

The Supreme Court in 2012 banned use of black films on window glass of the vehicles.

Only vehicles of protected persons falling in Z and Z Plus category may be exempted by police.

The incident involving the Vice Chancellor led to KUTA condemning the alleged disrespect and ill-treatment meted out to Andrabi by the police officer.

"The officer in uniform, in a brazen violation of Y-security status protocol kept Professor Andrabi waiting on roadside for a long time even when Prof Andrabi introduced himself to the officer.

"In a brazen violation of Y security status protocol, which the officer should have been aware of, started scrutinising all the documents pertaining to the vehicle," a spokesman of KUTA said in a statement.

KUTA demands a through time-bound probe into the matter, strict action against the erring officer and an unconditional apology, the spokesman said.

Kashmir University Ministerial Staff Association also strongly condemned the incident.

A spokesperson of the Association in a statement said, "The University fraternity has to collectively stand against it and demand action against the accused cop".

Social media users in Kashmir were divided over the incident but some users supporting the police officer for doing his duty. PTI MIJ DV

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If you haven't tried this delicious recipe yet, now is a good time.

You simply can't stop after one bite of this scrumptious beetroot halwa. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/ecurry.com

By Shreya Goswami: You might be a big fan of sooji or gaajar ka halwa, and might have never heard of beetroot ka halwa. But this is the dish you MUST try during winters.

It isn't simply because beetroot is readily available. It isn't because it's chock full of potassium, manganese, Vitamin C and B folate. No, those reasons just add on to the allure of dipping your spoons into a bowl of beetroot halwa.

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The main reason is simplicity itself--beetroot halwa is absolutely delicious. Whether you're a health freak or a glutton, this little halwa will be your guiltless indulgence.

Also read: Watch: 5 reasons you should definitely have ghee this winter

The best bit is, it's super-easy to make. Even if you are somebody who isn't thrilled about being in the kitchen, this recipe is something that you won't find a hassle. Quite the opposite in fact. Take a look at the recipe given below.

Beetroots are in season, and it's really good for your health. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Revi's Foodography and Travel Diary

Ingredients:

3 cups beetroot, grated

3 cups whole milk

6 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp ghee

5 cardamom pods, crushed

15 cashews, chopped

15 pistachios, chopped

This delicious beetroot halwa is super-easy to whip up. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/ecurry.com

Method:

1. Mix the milk and grated beetroot in a large pan. Put it on a low flame, and bring the mix to a slow simmer.

2. Keep on stirring at regular intervals. Cook the mix till the milk reduces, and the beetroot is cooked completely.

3. Add the ghee and sugar to the halwa, and mix thoroughly. Keep stirring and cooking the halwa, and let it reduce even further.

4. Once the halwa has reached the consistency you want, add the cashews and pistachios. Mix it, take it off the heat, and it's ready to be served.

If you enjoy your halwa, and have tried cooking gaajar ka halwa before, you'll know that beetroot halwa follows the same recipe--except for the basic ingredient. While gaajar ka halwa is attractive thanks to its beautiful red colour, beetroot halwa will woo you with its deep and vibrant shade of magenta.

And what's more, it's sweet, yummy, and so healthy that you can have some more of it. Go on. Make some, and we're sure you won't be able to stop eating.

Here's the recipe for beetroot halwa, made even easier for you:

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A detailed report for making the jail premises safe and secure was submitted to the jail administration.

By Jitendra Bahadur Singh: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) today submitted report to Madhya Pradesh government over Bhopal Central Jail's security.

Madhya Pradesh government had requested DG CISF for conducting security and fire audit of Bhopal Central Jail. CISF after receiving the request, constituted 5-member board for the consultancy of security and fire at the jail.

A detailed report for making the jail premises safe and secure was submitted to the jail administration.

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In the report, augmentation of human resource and infusion of latest gadgets and technology was suggested for making the jail security fail-proof.

After this report, jail administration praised the CISF.

"Appreciating the consultancy services rendered by our experts to the Bhopal Central Jail, the state government has now requested us to further provide the same expertise to three other central jails located in Madhya Pradesh," said DG CISF.

"Our team will soon go and conduct the consultancy of other three jails," DG CISF added.

Also read:

'Madhya Pradesh HC disposes off petition demanding judicial probe in Bhopal SIMI encounter

CISF has almost five decades of hands on experience of designing, implementing, reviewing and improving security systems of critical and highly sensitive sectors including atomic energy, space, power, steel, sea-ports, oil and petrochemicals, mines, airports, government and heritage buildings, Delhi Metro Rail etc.

After an amendment in the year 1999, which enlarged the charter of CISF to include - providing technical consultancy services relating to security of any government, private sector establishments, the elite consultancy wing of CISF has so far provided consultancy in security and fire to 134 installations in myriad sectors including government, semi-government and private establishments.

Also read:

Behind Bhopal jailbreak: 80 cops were on VVIP duty when SIMI operatives escaped from jail

CISF has so far earned approximately Rs 7 crore revenue for the government of India by providing security and fire consultancy services to government, private, PSU establishments.

Also read:

Bhopal encounter: Family of deceased constable demand judicial probe

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We all know that Nitibha and Manveer have come closer after Manu's exit from the show. But housemates are smelling romance.

By India Today Web Desk: Nitibha and Manveer might be the latest couple in BB 10 house. Their growing proximity is being discussed by the housemates. In tonight's episode, Mona Lisa will refer to Nitibha as her 'bhabhi'. We don't know if it's for real or only for TRPs. In the meanwhile, Nitibha will be worried about her family's reaction to this budding friendship.

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Swami Om sheds crocodile tears

Swami Om will be inconsolable after Priyanka Jagga's exit and he will be seen shedding tonnes of tears, and requesting the makers to bring her beti back. Priyanka will be watching all this drama from the secret room, and will also be seen shedding tears.

Swami Om wins immunity; housemates lose temper

Later in the day, Om will be called in the confession room and will be given a chance to win immunity for two weeks. But there is a catch. Rs 10 lakh would be deducted from the prize money if he takes up Bigg Boss' offer. No prizes for guessing, he would say YES to the offer. But he is oblivious to the fact that the housemates are watching this entire process on TV and are extremely upset with his decision. All hell will break loose after Bigg Boss will announce Swami Om safe from nominations and housemates will lash out at him.

Burst the balloon: Nomination task leads to a mini-war

This week's nomination task will require each of the contestant to wear a belt with a balloon attached to it. Five buzzers will ring during the task and after every buzzer, one contestant is required to nominate another contestant by bursting the balloon, supported by a justified reason. Om Swami will be made the sanchalak of the task since he is safe from nominations. On the first buzzer, Manveer will burst Rahul's balloon stating that Rahul also wanted to do the same to him. Shocked with Manveer's behaviour, Rahul will burst Manveer's balloon as soon as the second buzzer rings.

Bigg Boss airs Mon-Fri at 10:20pm and Sat-Sun at 9pm on Colors TV

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Stop shedding tears Mona Lisa because Manu Punjabi has just returned to the Bigg Boss house.

By India Today Web Desk: Good news for Manu Punjabi fans! One of the strongest contenders to win the current season of Bigg Boss, is back to the house, but not with a bang. Yup, the aam aadmi contestant will be silently joining Priyanka Jagga in the secret room, while the other contestants will be oblivious to his re-entry.

Let's accept this. All of us have been missing Manu Punjabi on the show ever since his sudden exit from the house, following his mother's demise. Besides, aam aadmi contestants are suddenly left without a solid leader and the celebrities are invariably over-powering them.

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Also read: Om deserved it! Tweeple thank Salman Khan for taking baba's class

The most deadly outcome of Manu leaving the house has been the split of the most popular triumvirate in the house--Manu-Manveer-Mona. In Manu's absence, Manveer and Nitibha have become great pals, and Mona has become closer to Gaurav.

Also read: #BB10: Sahil Anand gets ousted from the Bigg Boss house

Priyanka will be apprising Manu of the current situation in the house, especially the dirty game that Manveer and Om Swami have been playing.

So, will Manu and Priyanka re-enter the house together. We don't know yet. But we will wait for that moment.

Bigg Boss 10 airs Mon-Fri at 10:20pm and Sat-Sun at 9pm on Colors TV

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The move is aimed at educating the minority communities about the manner in which their life will become smooth and easy in cashless economy.

By India Today Web Desk: More than a month after demonetisation was launched, the Narendra Modi government will make attempts to sensitise the minorities about the merits of cashless economy.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said the Centre will organise massive cashless chaupals in areas with significant population of minority communities. The move is aimed at educating the minority communities about the manner in which their life will become smooth and easy in cashless economy.

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Naqvi said the cashless economy chaupals will be held after the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament is over.

Also read | Demonetisation: Retail markets in Delhi continue to face slump in sales

There are doubts in the minds of the people regarding cashless economy and ditgital transactions. The government aims at educating the people about demonetisation for a smooth conversion to cashless economy.

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China's Foreign Ministry said its stand on India's bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group, another thorny issue that has strained ties, was also unmoved.

By Ananth Krishnan: Three weeks before China's "technical hold" on delaying India's bid to sanction the Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar expires, Beijing said its position on the issue was "unchanged", suggesting it would likely veto the application when it is reviewed at the end of this month.

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said its stand on India's bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) - another thorny issue that has strained ties - was also unmoved.

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This came after India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Friday called on China to "not give a political colouring" to India's NSG bid and its desire to access civilian nuclear technology, instead seeing it as a developmental aspiration. Jaishankar also lamented the lack of effective cooperation on terrorism, saying that "as diverse and pluralistic societies, we both face threats from fundamentalist terrorism" yet "do not seem to be able to cooperate as effectively we should in some critical international forums dealing with this subject".

ALSO READ | India, China discuss bilateral issues; skip NSG and Masood Azhar ban

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a briefing on Monday, in response to questions on Jaishankar's comments, that it was "only natural for us to not see eye-to-eye on every issue" but insisted that "the mainstream of bilateral relations is cooperation". "The Chinese side is willing to work with the Indian side to expand bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation and reduce differences," he added.

Geng however stressed that China's position on both issues that have strained ties in the past year remained unmoved.

"As for India's application for NSG membership and the listing issue... (with respect to) the UN Security Council 1267 sanctions committee, China's position remains unchanged," Geng said.

ALSO READ | India will pursue resolution against Masood Azhar to its logical outcome, says Syed Akbaruddin

The issue of sanctioning the Pakistani terrorist and head of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, Masood Azhar, has upset ties. Beijing placed a technical hold in March when India applied to sanction the terrorist, and further extended the hold by three months in September, which is allowed under the UNSC sanction committee's rules when members may seek additional information.

Given that the committee has already proscribed Azhar's organisation, the JeM, the view in Delhi is that Beijing is acting at the behest of Pakistan. Chinese officials have previously accused Delhi of seeking to pressure Pakistan and "play politics" with the listing.

After nine months, the technical hold will expire on December 31, by when Beijing will have to decide whether to approve or essentially the veto the bid, which the UNSC's 14 other members have supported.

Beijing's comments on Monday suggest that with less than three weeks to ago, India's bid to sanction Azhar appears increasingly unlikely.

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By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 11 (PTI) China has successfully launched a new generation weather satellite which will significantly improve the countrys weather forecast capabilities.

The Fengyun-4 satellite, the first of Chinas second-generation weather satellites in geostationary orbit to have been launched, is also the countrys first quantitative remote-sensing satellite in highest orbit.

The satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest Chinas Sichuan Province last night, was taken into orbit by a Long March-3B carrier rocket, state run Xinhua news agency reported today.

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The launch marked the 242nd mission of Chinas Long March series of rockets.

The satellite will make high time, spatial and spectral resolution observations of the atmosphere, clouds and space environment of China and surrounding regions, significantly improving capabilities of weather and climate forecasts, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The China Meteorological Administration is the primary user of the satellite.

Previously, China had successfully launched 14 weather satellites, seven of which are still in orbit. PTI KJV SG AKJ AKJ

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Dec 12 (PTI) China has provided Rs 15.80 billion to Nepal for post-quake reconstruction activities, a senior minister has said.

The Cabinet meeting yesterday decided to accept the grants worth Nepalese Rupees 15.80 billion provided by China, said Surendra Kumar Karki, Minister for Information and Communications.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers also decided to register the election (crime and punishment) bill at the Legislature-Parliament.

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Decision was made to send a proposal to legislation committee on a work procedure to study the agreement government made with Govinda KC, and forward implementations accordingly, Karki said.

A committee would be formed by the government under the coordination of chief judge of appellate court, Govinda Prasad Parajuli, to study on the government employees and teachers who were sacked from the jobs on the basis of ideology during the conflict and agitation.

The members of the committee are Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General, Rewati Shivakoti, and Director at Department of Education, Ana Prasad Neupane. PTI SBP AJR

--- ENDS ---
As Cyclone Vardah hits Chennai hard, the National Disaster Management Authority advised some of the precautionary measures people should take in case a cyclone hits their city.

By India Today Web Desk:

Cyclone Vardah hit Chennai hard today and landfall is expected to continue for another four to five hours. The government urged people to stay indoors during this hazardous time and advised the fishermen to not go off south coast for the next 36 hours.

The National Disaster Management Authority of India advised people how to tackle Vardah, and what to do and how to do it in case a cyclone hits your city.

Here's what you should do in case a cyclone hits your city.

Watch: Do's & Don'ts for residents which will ensure your safety during the cyclone

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Prepare a safety and emergency kit with the following:

Battery operated torch

Extra batteries

Battery operated radio

First aid kit and essential medicines

Important papers (Ration card, Voter ID card, Aadhar card etc)

Emergency food (dry items) and water (packed and sealed)

Candles and matches in a waterproof container

Knife

Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers

Cash, Aadhar Card and Ration Card

Thick ropes and cords

Shoes Safety measures to take before the cyclone hits & during the landfall: 1. If you are stuck in coastal areas where cloudiness and strong winds are increasing gradually, listen to radio and TV for cyclone related information.

2. Keep listening to battery operated radio because most likely the electricity will go off on its own even if you do not switch it off. It is highly recommended to switch off the mains.

3. Switch off the gas and electrical mains if the cyclone is affecting you.

4. Stay indoors and shut all the doors and windows.

5. Anchor removable objects such as lumber piles, loose tin sheets, loose bricks, garbage cans and sign-boards etc. which can fly in strong winds and cause loss.

6. Pack essentials for yourself and your family to last a few days. These should include medicines, special food for babies and children or elders.

7. Store dry food and water in abundance because you never know how long you will be stuck at a certain place.

8. Remove dead branches or dying trees close to the house.

9. When asked to evacuate, move to a designated cyclone centre with the safety emergency kit.

10. Board any glass windows or doors with wood so that the shattered glass does not cause harm to anyone.

11. If your house is securely built on high ground take shelter in the safe part of the house. However, if asked to evacuate do not hesitate to leave the place.

12. Small and loose things, which can fly in strong winds, should be stored safely in a room.

13. Keep torch batteries and emergency light handy.

14. Do not worry about your home. It's not important than your life.

What to do after the cyclone:

1. Remain in the shelter until you are informed by the authorities to return.

2. You must get inoculated against diseases immediately.

3. Strictly avoid any loose and dangling wires from lamp posts as they can fall off anytime.

4. Clear debris from your premises immediately.

5. Report the correct losses to designated authorities.

--- ENDS ---

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In view of the cyclone, all operations at the Chennai airport have been suspended till 6 pm.

By India Today Web Desk: Two people were killed as heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds lashed the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu due to severe cyclonic storm Vardah.

In view of the cyclone, all operations at the Chennai airport have been suspended till 6 pm. 700 Army personnel have been kept on standby for rescue operations.

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NDRF has deployed 15 teams in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in wake of the cyclone Vardah threat.

Here are few of the picture of the cyclone:

Twitter: @zubeda_h

Twitter: @zubeda_h

Twitter: @zubeda_h

Twitter: @zubeda_h

Photo: Twitter @SatheeshKCP

Photo: Twitter @BeingSPS

Photo: Twitter @BeingSPS

--- ENDS ---
Police are not ruling out the possibility that the accused might have raped the woman's corpse.

By Chayyanika Nigam: An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police and a woman were shot dead in the office of the former in Rohini on Sunday. The duo body was found half naked with bullet injuries. Police are not ruling out the possibility that the accused might have raped the woman's corpse.

Two of the accused, Jeet Singh and Sandeep, were arrested within hours of the murder, while the other accused are still absconding.

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HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED

According to police, the ASI, Joginder (45), posted in the 1st Bn, was into property dealing too. Not only this, but he, along with some others on partnership basis, used to take Kisan Bhawan in Adarsh Nagar on rent for weddings.

However, after taking it on rent, they used to arrange illegal dance parties and betting rackets in the premises, police said. Joginder's wife is also an ASI in Delhi Police. "All members of this business, including Joginder, Jeet and Sandeep, were equal partners. On Friday, Joginder reportedly sent a relative to enjoy a dance via his reference, but the other partners opposed," said a police officer dealing with the probe.

READ | Sex, money and jealousy: Tattoos unlock mystery of spa murders in Delhi

"When the relative went back and told him that he was not allowed inside by his partners, Joginder became furious. He reached Kisan Bhawan and had a heated argument with his partners," the officer added.

"Later, the argument turned violent. At the time of the incident, Joginder was under the influence of alcohol. However, with the intervention of some others, the matter was resolved. On Saturday, common friends asked Joginder to apologise, but he refused," the officer further said.

Delhi: American woman allegedly gang raped by 5, including tourist guide, in a hotel

On Sunday morning, Jeet and Sandeep, along with the other partners, all residents of Rohini, went to the office of the ASI. They knocked the door that was locked from inside. When Joginder opened the door in an inebriated state, and not realising that he is half-naked, the accused pumped five bullets into him.

At the time of the firing, a woman in her thirties witnessed the incident. She too was reportedly not fully clothed. The accused shot her thrice. The duo died on the spot.

READ | Bathinda dancer's murder: Owner of gun used by accused arrested

--- ENDS ---
Rohit Tandon, the lawyer, declared undisclosed income of Rs 125 crore on October 6. The raid unearthed Rs 13.65 crore in cash, of which Rs 2.62 crore was in new notes.

By Chayyanika Nigam: A law firm owner whose house was raided by the Crime Branch and Income Tax officials on Saturday night dodged police and went underground after he received an SOS alert on his mobile phone about the raid and watched it 'live' in safety from afar.

Rohit Tandon, who is the founder of T&T law, has an office space at his home in Greater Kailash-I and has equipped it with top of the line CCTV cameras and security features that alerted him about the raid, police said. Police found Rs 13.65 crore in cash from his office-cum-residence, of which Rs 2.62 crore was in Rs 2,000 notes that were introduced after demonetisation.

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According to police, if anybody switches on any electrical appliance at Tandon's home, he gets a notification on his phone. Sensing that something is wrong on receiving the alert around 10.30pm on Saturday, he switched to the monitoring feature and watched the raid on his phone. Ravindra Yadav, Joint CP (Crime Branch), said Tandon has gone underground since the raid and Income Tax officials are conducting an inquiry into the source of the money.

READ | Drug in the times of demonetisation: Chocolate spiked opium is cashless city's new high

READ | Post-Demonetisation: 27 public sector bankers suspended after Bengaluru IT raid

Tandon's house was also raided on October 6 this year. At that time, he had declared an undisclosed income of Rs 125 crore to the I-T department. Yadav said that police had been keeping a close watch on Tandon over the last couple of months and conducted the raid after they received a tip-off about a huge consignment of new notes reaching his house. "We received information that Tandon is hoarding a pile of cash illegally and is indulging in transactions with old and new currency notes.

CRORES UNEARTHED IN NEW CURRENCY

Accordingly, a round the clock watch was kept on his activities by the crime branch, especially at his house in Greater Kailash," said the joint commissioner. "From the premises, new and old currency notes were recovered to the tune of Rs 13.65 crore, of which Rs 2.62 crore was found in newly introduced notes of Rs 2,000.

Apart from this, Rs 7.70 crore was in denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 3.06 crore was in smaller currency notes of Rs 100 and Rs 50," Yadav added. The cash, which had been stashed in luggage bags, wall cabinets and boxes, has been handed over to the Income Tax Department for a probe. According to sources, it was learnt that Tandon had connections in the political sphere, but his office was raided following strict directions from the Prime Minister's Office that anybody hoarding black money should not be spared.

ALSO READ | The big I-T raid in Bengaluru: Inside story

The crime branch is also scanning the list of his clients as it includes an arms dealer, who is now out on bail, and Gautam Khaitan, who was arrested for his role in the Augusta Westland scam. Tandon, who first came to the limelight when he bought a bungalow in central Delhi for Rs 100 crore in July 2014, is well-networked in legal circles.

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According to police, Tandon had brought the property in Jor Bagh via a special purpose company called Devlin Corp, from the Ruia family, which promotes the Essar group. Sources in the I-T department said their search threw up documents about several other properties of the lawyer, besides some investments in shell companies.

READ | SC hauls Centre for demonetisation troubles, threatens to issue judicial order

Tandon is also the founder of Zeus Law Associates, which he set up around 2005 and exited around February 2014 to start T&T, leaving his brother-in-law Sunil Tyagi and partner Vivek Kohli in charge of Zeus.

Tandon had said back then when interviewed that the exit from the firm was "extremely amicable" and that he planned to open offices for T&T in Dubai and Chandigarh.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru: In biggest cash seizure since Nov 8, Rs 5.7 crore found - all in new Rs 2000 notes

Exposed: How spiritual leaders are laundering hawala, secretive money during demonetisation

--- ENDS ---

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Khan further explains that the zoo authority has stopped arranging food for the migratory birds that flock from abroad for the fear of infection spread.

By Shashank Shekhar: The National Zoological park, also known as Delhi zoo is in the dock again for allegedly circulating 'fake' details of bird census to establish the increase in number of migratory birds and eggs hatched by them.

The zoo was closed since October 19, following cases of avian influenza resulting to death of several Rosy Pelicans and Painted Stork.

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The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has sought reply from Delhi Zoo for circulating information in media regarding census of 500 eggs hatched by the Painted Stork after the spread of bird flu.

The move by CZA comes after receiving a complaint from Bhopal based activist Ajay Dubey, who claimed that a zoo official tried to do an 'image makeover' after being criticised for series of deaths of animals and birds in the zoo but terrible failed to get their facts right.

ZOO AUTHORITY STOPS ARRANGING FOOD

"I read it through the newspaper that Delhi zoo was closed due to spread of bird flu. A few days later, I read another article where zoo officials were quoted saying that they have counted 500 eggs hatched by the migratory birds. Both the information were contradictory as the zoo management risking the life of their staff by conducting a census at such a sensitive time," Ajay Dubey told Mail Today. Zoo curator Riyaz Khan, was earlier quoted, "We generally receive a batch of 800-1,000 painted storks every year. The zoo has always recorded impressive painted stork births. We have counted more than 500 eggs this season and the figure will climb up in the next few days."

READ | Delhi zoo to remain shut after fresh bird deaths

Khan further explains that the zoo authority has stopped arranging food for the migratory birds that flock from abroad for the fear of infection spread.

"Yes, we have not arranged food for the exotic birds this time, as we do not want them to descend here and mingle with the local migratory birds," Khan had said adding that the local birds feed on fish whereas those from abroad eat insects.

CZA REFUTES CLAIMS

But, the zoo authorities in a reply to CZA denied giving any such statement and called the earlier media reports false.

"Curator informed that the zoo never conducted census of painted stork eggs and hence, the news was false and not based on facts," Ajit Kumar Bhowmik, Joint Director, National Zoological Park wrote in his reply. He added that the curator also informed that no such information was released by him.

But, Bhowmik confirmed that zoo has stopped feeding the wild/migratory birds from October 23 as recommended by the Joint Commissioner, department of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.

READ | Will bird flu outbreak in Delhi zoo hit chicken trade? Capital on alert

However, activist Dubey feels that it was a 'PR exercise' conducted by the zoo officials that went wrong. He also wrote a complaint and apprised the ministry.

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"Spread of Avian flu is a highly sensitive issue and it could affect people working at Delhi zoo including those in horticulture and construction work here. It cannot be denied that zoo officials tried to do image makeover by informing about the birth of 500 migratory birds at a time when they are witnessing spate of deaths," Dubey said.

--- ENDS ---
By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: I left home at around 15 minutes past midnight. The motive: to take stock of ATMs and the cash availability post midnight. We thought (and hoped) that the situation, at least during the wee hours, shall be relatively better. But it was not so. My camera colleague and I decided to visit some prominent locations in Jaipur.

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Close to Jaipur Junction, Jaipur's main railway station, we spotted a Kotak Mahindra Bank ATM. However, incredulous as it may sound, the bank guard was merrily sleeping inside the centre, leaving little space for anyone to stand in the ATM. However, as camera lights woke him up, he became cautious and said what can he do when there is no cash available at the ATM. He also mentioned that there has been no cash at the ATM for the last three days. Perhaps, it was then tat he decided to make use of the vacant space at the ATM centre by catching up on some sleep.

Our next stop was the ICICI Bank ATM centre. Two ATM machines and both not dispensing any cash. While one read, "I am out of service", the other one displayed the message reading, "System is temporarily out of service. Please visit our nearest ATM".

Several people, who came hoping to get some cash, wore a dejected look, not knowing how to buy for railway tickets as they needed to travel out of Jaipur or pay for the hotel stay.

Also read: Delhi: Month after PM asked people to bear hardships for 50 days, queues at banks, ATMs refuse to end

One man, clearly hassled stated that he is a tourist from Faridabad and now, without sufficient cash, he does not know what to do. He mentioned that he had debit and credit cards but most outlets he visited were not accepting them. Another man, with despondency written large across his face, mentioned that he had to travel to Bikaner from Jaipur but did not have sufficient cash. And with ATM machines non-functional, he mentioned that he has no option but to wait for a friend to arrive and bail him out of this 'crisis'.

We then moved inside the Jaipur Junction Railway station which has four ATMs including one of State Bank of India, Union Bank, Bank of Baroda, Indian Overseas just next to each other. All the four ATMs had their shutters down.

Also read: Mobile frauds for online transactions may rise by 65 percent in India - Study

--- ENDS ---

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MoS for Finance Santosh Gangwar has claimed that the dearth of new currency notes arising out of the demonetisation move would normalise in 15 days.

By Reema Parashar: The Narendra Modi government has reiterated that the dearth of new currency note, which has arisen out of the demonetisation move, will normalise within 15 days. It also said that the bank officials involved in helping people convert their black money into white would not be spared.

Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar on Monday said the Centre had learnt that the new Rs 500 currency notes were being hoarded. As a result of this, people were not receiving them. The bank officials or employees conniving in the ill-practice will not be spared,?? he said.

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NEED TO ACT AGAINST CYBER CRIME

The Centre will take strict action against those bank officials who are helping some people to convert their black money into white. There is a need to also take stern action against cyber crime, he said.

Also read | Demonetisation: Retail markets in Delhi continue to face slump in sales

The Minister claimed that the dearth of new currency notes arising out of the demonetisation move would normalise in 15 days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already said that the condition will improve by December 31.

LONG QUEUES STILL BEING WITNESSED

Ever since the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were banned on November 8, people have been facing inconvenience. Long queues are being witnessed outside ATMs and banks to withdraw cash. While several deaths allegedly related to demonetisation have taken place, many families have faced hardships in leading a normal life.

Also read | Demonetisation is PM Modi's biggest blunder and a burden on common people: Prakash Karat

Despite several measures taken by the government, new currency notes totaling lakhs and crores are being found in raids conducted by the law-enforcing agencies. On the other hand, the common man is standing in serpentine queues to withdraw Rs 500 or Rs 2,000 for their daily needs.

--- ENDS ---
By Mayuresh Ganapatye: It has been over a month since demonetisation. Initially the decision praised by many is now gaining mixed reactions.

Demonetisation has affected small businessmen the most. Mumbai's Dharavi, which is the hub of small businesses has started facing the heat of demonetisation.

Maqbool Ahemad owns a garment making unit in Dharavi. Making shirts is their family business and they have been running it for more than 35 years. Most of their shirts get exported to Panama and other parts of South America. Maqbool was having strength of 15 workers at his workshop. Everyday a single worker in his workshop makes 14 to 15 shirts. But now Maqbool is facing problem as half of his workers have left the job and have gone back to their villages due to payment issues. Maqbool pays average Rs 300 to Rs 350 per day to his workers. But due to demonetisation, he does not have enough cash to pay to his workers.

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"We are getting orders but to buy raw material, we are facing difficulty. I am getting orders from overseas but without proper labour strength and raw material it's difficult for me to complete it. If situation remains the same, then I will have to shut everything," said Maqbool.

Also read:

Shifting loyalty over demonetisation, a message for PM Modi

Just two blocks away, at a leather workshop, Rohit Bhargav works as a manager. Being a manager, his main job is to get work done from workers as per the order. Earlier there were 21 workers who used to make 50-60 belts per day in single shift. Now the owner has asked Rohit to stop work of 12 workers as they don't have much cash to pay to all the workers. This has affected their work so much as their strength has straightaway come to half and all workers are working in double shift. Rohit fears if such situation remains then the owner may want to shut down their business.

"Demonetisation has affected our business. Our owner has got good financial backing thus we have managed to sustain with cut in staff but there are other workshops in Dharavi which have shut down, said Rohit Bhargav.

Also read:

Demonetisation: Cashless ATMs leave people disappointed, situation far from normal in Jaipur

Mohammad Alam too is facing a similar problem. He had shut his family business due to cash crunch. He has a small business of Zari work. This requires a skilled labour but payment issue and non-availability of lower denomination notes slowly stopped the work. "It's our family business. We have seen many ups and downs in business, but this phase is worst ever which has forced me to shut my business. I have no money to pay regularly to my workers," said Alam.

Almost 70-80 per cent businesses in Dharavi are on the verge of shutting down.

Also read:

Demonetisation: Retail markets in Delhi continue to face slump in sales

--- ENDS ---
By Shalini Lobo: A month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an emotional appeal to the public to bear hardship for 50 days, the queues outside banks and ATMs refuse to end.

With the banks closed for three days on a trot, Delhiites today had a tough finding a functioning ATM. And when they found one, the queues outside such ATMs seemed never-ending.

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ALSO READ: Shaken and stirred post demonetisation, Delhi's elite markets lose nearly half their business

"I understand that bank employees have been working overtime, but with people having little cash, they should not have had a bank holiday today," said Shankar, who was standing in an ATM queue to withdraw money.

ALSO WATCH

People in South Extension area walked up to the nearby ATMs only to find out that none of them had cash.

"In my mind, I now know that if there is no queue outside an ATM then there is no cash. I was still hoping that may be the ATMs had been refilled," said a passerby who stopped outside the SBI ATM at South Extension.

ALSO READ: PM Modi on demonetisation: Waste no time in queues, your bank is in your wallet

The Indian Bank ATM at Connaught Place had a long queue, with many waiting for nearly two hours to collect cash.

"I know I have a long wait in front of me but I need the money as I use only cash. We are facing problems but we don't have a choice," said a person who skipped work to stand in the queue.

ALSO READ: Demonetisation woes: Why do I have to go digital, ask senior citizens

ALSO READ: SC hauls Centre for demonetisation troubles, threatens to issue judicial order

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI) Veteran actor Dilip Kumar celebrated his 94th birthday on Sunday with wife Saira Banu in the hospital, where he is admitted following illness.

Kumar, who was admitted to Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra on Tuesday following a swelling in his right leg, thanked fans and well wishers for their messages.

In a series of posts on Twitter, the actor also shared a picture of himself cutting the birthday cake sitting on the hospital bed.

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"Saira, helps me cut a cake," he captioned the picture.

In another post he wrote, "Thank you for all the beautiful and lovely messages. Your love and affection has been so enduring and so touching, your heartfelt messages on this medium brought tears to my eyes," he tweeted later.

Banu yesterday cleared that Kumar will have a low key birthday celebration due to illness. PTI SSN BK

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 11 (PTI) Legendary actor Dilip Kumar turns 94 today but he will have a low key birthday celebration in hospital where he is admitted following illness.

Kumar, who was admitted to Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra on Tuesday after swelling on his right leg, is recovering well.

"He is resting now. He is in the ICU, but he is doing well, there is nothing to worry. Close family and friends have been visiting him since morning. We will cut the cake once he is awake. It will be a quiet birthday this time," his wife and veteran actress Saira Banu told PTI today.

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"We are thankful to all the fans and media for their love and well wishes. He will be in hospital today, he is not getting discharged," she said.

Last year, Kumar had a quiet birthday celebration as a mark of solidarity to the victims of deluge in Chennai.

Born in Peshawar as Yousuf Khan, the actor adopted the screen name Dilip Kumar.

He made his debut in acting with "Jwar Bhata" in 1944 and went on to give memorable performances in films like "Mughal-e-Azam", "Ganga Jaumna", "Devdas", "Andaz, Babul", "Aan", "Amar", "Shaheed", "Naya Daur", "Madhumati", "Ram Aur Shyam", "Shakti"and "Mashaal" among others.

Kumar portrayed tragic roles through the 1940s, 50s and 60s in films like "Mela", "Devdas", "Dil Diya Dard Liya" and others, which gave him the moniker of Tragedy King of Bollywood.

Later, he shifted to doing lighter roles in films like "Ram Aur Shyam", "Tarana" and "Kohinoor" and showed that he is equally good at comedy.

He was last seen on-screen in the 1998 film "Qila".

The thespian has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to the Indian cinema.

The Pakistan government also honoured him with its highest civilian honour - Nishan-e-Imtiaz - in 1997.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Rishi Kapoor among other Bollywood celebrities took to Twitter to wish "the greatest actor" on his birthday.

"To the greatest.. Dilip Kumar.. on his birthday Dec 11, wishes prayers and duas for good health and happiness," Bachchan wrote.

Calling him the "Aakhri Mughal of the Hindi film industry", Azmi tweeted, "Salgirah mubarak @TheDilipKumar. You have been such an inspiration to millions. Respect."

Rishi posted, "Many Happy Returns of this day to our dearest Yusuf Uncle! God Bless! Love, respects and affection-"Sunny Boy"!" PTI KKP GK JCH

--- ENDS ---
Even after the policemen who were present at the hall requested them to stand, they did not budge.

By Press Trust of India: At least six persons were taken into custody for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem after they refused to stand up while it was being played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala.

They refused to stand up while the national anthem was being played in Kannakakunnu Nishagandhi open air theatre at IFFK, police said.

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Even after the policemen who were present at the hall requested them to stand, they did not budge.

IFFK organisers and Director of Chalachitra Academy Charmin Kamal also asked the six persons to stand up, but they refused.

Later, police took them to Museum police station.

Meanwhile, DGP Loknath Behra directed police to keep a watch all those who show disrespect to national anthem during the film festival.

He also directed the officials to take into custody those who insult the national anthem.

Earlier in the day, BJP' youth Yuvamorcha filed a complaint seeking action against the persons, who refused to stand up while playing national anthem, as per the recent directives of the Supreme Court.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 12 (PTI) Describing Indias USD one billion aid to Mongolia as a "bribe", Chinese official media today said there may be "endless trouble" in Sino-India ties if New Delhi viewed Chinas cargo service with land-locked Nepal as a threat to the sale of Indian goods.

Highlighting Chinas efforts to step up rail-road connectivity with Nepal, an article in the state-run Global Times said India is also boosting its relations with Chinas neighbour Mongolia with a USD one billion "bribe".

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It emphasised that India reportedly said last week it would help Mongolia use USD one billion of aid offered in 2015 to overcome its current financial and economic crisis after Mongolia sought clear support from India against Chinas blockade, in reaction to the visit of the Dalai Lama to Ulaanbaator.

"China wont be overly sensitive about Indias cooperation with Mongolia, and wont mistake Indias assistance as a counter to China," the article said.

"Mongolias economy is highly dependent on China, with more than 90 percent of its imports and exports traded directly with China. As such, Chinas influence on Mongolias economy cannot be replaced by India in the short run, and efforts will be in vain if India attempts to bribe Mongolias loyalty with only USD one billion," it said.

The USD one billion credit line was offered to Mongolia during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit in May last year which is expected to be availed by Ulaanbaatar.

Defending the new rail-road cargo route through Tibet to Nepal launched on Friday, todays article said it will boost trade with Nepal as China pushes forward with its Belt and Road (Silk Road) initiative.

Last Friday, dozens of trucks carrying USD 2.8 million worth of products such as clothes, appliances, electronics and building materials left the Chinese border for their destination in Nepal. The new rail and road cargo service, links Guangdong, Tibet and Nepal, official media reported.

"But the move doesnt mean that Chinese goods will push Indian products out of the country. In fact, when it comes to cooperation with other countries, both China and India should refrain from excessive sensitivity," the article said.

"Additionally, in May, China started a rail and road cargo service to the South Asian country as a means to shorten the time spent in sea transport," it said.

"There may be endless trouble in the future if India views efforts to facilitate the export of goods from Chinas enterprises as a potential threat to the sale of India-made products in Nepal," it added. MORE PTI KJV ASK AKJ ASK

--- ENDS ---

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Responding to the fatwa issued against him, Ghosh said, "Ye Pakistan hai kya? Yahan fatwa nahi chalta. Fatwa jaake Mamata Banerjee ko sunao. (Is this Pakistan? Fatwa is not in practice here. Go and declare your fatwa to Mamata)."

By India Today Web Desk: West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh on Monday rejected a fatwa issued against him by a Muslim cleric who issued a fatwa against him. Scoffing at the cleric, the BJP leader said India is not Pakistan.

Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Maulana Noor-ur Rahman Barkati today issued a fatwa against Ghosh over his "derogatory" remarks against state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He demanded that Ghosh and other RSS members be "thrown out of the country".

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"How can he use such language while speaking about a secular Chief Minister like Banerjee. The entire country respects her and Ghosh has used filthy and abusive expressions like he 'could have held her by her hair' and 'thrown out'. Ghosh and other RSS followers should be thrown out of the country. They are CIA agents," the Muslim cleric said.

Responding to the fatwa issued against him, the BJP leader said, "Ye Pakistan hai kya? Yahan fatwa nahi chalta. Fatwa jaake Mamata Banerjee ko sunao. (Is this Pakistan? Fatwa is not in practice here. Go and declare your fatwa to Mamata)."

Ghosh had said Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, "has lost her mind" after the demonetisation of high-value currency notes. He threatened that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre could have held her by the hair and thrown her out when she led a demonstration in Delhi.

Also read: Mamata Banerjee slams PM Modi over hacking of social media accounts

Addressing a rally at Jhargram of West Midnapore district on Saturday, Ghosh had alleged that the West Bengal Chief Minister was "semi-mad". He further said Mamata did not want to remain at home but she wandered on the streets. On December 2, at a rally in Uluberia of Howrah district, Ghosh had made belligerent remarks about Banerjee going to Delhi and holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against demonetisation.

A day later, speaking at another rally in East Midnapore district's Tamluk, Ghosh had alleged that the state chief minister had lost her mind.

Also read: All what CM Mamata Banerjee said about PM Modi's demonetisation drive

--- ENDS ---
The 25-year-old, who works as a teaching aide in the US, claimed she was drugged by the accused for several days and it was only later she could recollect the details of the incident.

By Press Trust of India: The US national, who was allegedly gangraped in a five-star hotel in Connaught Place here in April, says she isn't quite satisfied with the probe and is willing to come down to the country to join the investigation, despite the "nightmarish" experience.

In an email interaction with PTI, the gangrape survivor shared how she was trying to cope up after the ordeal which still haunts her, even eight months later. The 25-year-old, who works as a teaching aide in the US, claimed she was drugged by the accused for several days and it was only later she could recollect the details of the incident.

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After returning, "It was around end of July 2016 that I started to remember what happened to me in India. I would get panic attacks, nightmares and anxiety. "Till date, I get panic attacks on occasions when the incident runs through my mind. I am trying to engage myself in my work and other activities," she said.

After she came to terms with the incident, the 25-year-old contacted an NGO that sent an e-mail to Delhi Police on October 5. The victim has spoken to a female police officer a couple of times on phone along with her lawyer and answered some questions but says that she is not satisfied with the pace of investigation.

"I am not at all satisfied with the way the probe is going on. Delhi Police acknowledged the complaint filed by NGO on my behalf on October 17 but no investigation was launched by them.

Also read: Man caught raping a dead body in Delhi, arrested

"I have been reading media reports and it seems that police did contact the main accused over phone. I am worried why the accused have not been arrested so far, even though an FIR was registered on December 3. "I did reply to some of their e-mails which they were slow to respond to. I fear that the accused might have destroyed any evidence," she claimed.

HELP WITH INVESTIGATION

Even though she isn't comfortable to come back here, she has assured the investigating agencies that she will be visiting the country to assist, in case she is needed. "I was left with horrible memories. I am not comfortable in going to India but I want to go there to join the investigation so that accused may be convicted," she stressed.

The victim said that she is trying to arrange financial assistance for coming to India and the US Embassy in Delhi and some NGOs in the US are helping her in this regard while her her family has been providing her the much-needed moral and emotional support.

The woman said that she had chosen India for her first trip abroad as she is "interested in learning about Indian as well as Middle East culture," despite being told about concerns over women safety in the country. "People did warn me and tried to convince me not to go to India for these reasons. I somehow convinced my family for this trip," she recalled.

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After she landed in India, she didn't realise what happened to her as she was allegedly sedated by the accused who also made videos of the act and threatened her with dire consequences, the victim said. "I believe the accused kept on drugging me in some form or the other at least for the first three days of my tour," she said.

Also read: Woman accuses fellow shooter-cum-coach of rape

It was because of fear and confusion that she couldn't muster up the courage to share the incident with her fellow tourists or police, the woman said. "I felt that I was sleep walking and had no memory of the incidents. The accused kept on threatening me that they will kill me. I was in a foreign country for the first time. That's why I was not able to confide with my fellow group members as well as police," she said.

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ACCUSED QUESTIONED

The main accused, a tour guide, was questioned by the police last week and told them that the victim gave them a positive feedback in the forms and even an internal inquiry conducted by the company on the basis of the victim's complaint didn't find them guilty.

"I don't know what the accused have said but I don't recall giving positive feedback in the forms. I am not aware of any internal inquiry by their company," she said.

Her first trip to a foreign country outside her own has left her scarred and she says that she won't be able to stay in any hotel now. "I am very much scared of travelling outside the US after this incident. I don't think I can even stay in any hotel now because of this incident," she said.

But as she ends the interview, she affirms that she doesn't hate India and would like to come back here. "My fascination with India hasn't changed. I am just very weary due to the situation but would like to visit India someday with someone," she said.

Also read: Richa Chadda takes us through 'harassment through the ages' in AIB's new video

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Mrityunjay Kumar, partner of Dhingra & Singh - Attorneys at Law firm, who is handling the case said, "She is willing to come down to India. She wants that the police should conduct a thorough and professional investigation in the matter and the accused should be convicted."

--- ENDS ---
A group of hooded robbers looted an Apple Store in Bay Area, San Francisco, not once but twice in just four days. The robbers picked whatever they could while store staff stood in confusion.

By India Today Web Desk: Apple Stores in the US seem to have become the favorite of robbers. A group of hooded robbers looted an Apple Store in Bay Area, San Francisco, not once but twice in just four days. The robbers picked whatever they could while store staff stood in confusion.

The Apple Store on Chestnut Street in San Francisco was first attacked on November 25 by three persons in hoodies. A video released by the San Francisco Police Department shows the robbers casually walking into the store and grabbing Apple devices before running out within seconds.

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The same video shows a group of four people looting the same store on November 29. This time the staff is a bit more active, however, to no use as the robbers rip several devices from their sockets and run out.

This is not the first time an Apple store has been robbed in business hours, with customers present in the store. Earlier another Apple Store in Berkeley was robbed thrice in a span of nine days.

The Berkeley store was robbed in early November, when a group of "eight males in their late teens or early 20s" ran into the store and took away about 50 devices, according to Berkeleyside. The same store was robbed again the day after, when four people stole about 20 devices in broad daylight.

The Berkeley store was hit third time in a matter of days and the group of robbers stole several electronic items. According to the news website, employees of the store have been told by Apple not to talk about the robberies.

Although the stolen devices are most probably disabled by being put on Lost Mode, the robbers may still try to sell them by fooling buyers into believing the devices to be working.

--- ENDS ---
Rajinikanth turned 66 on Monday, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar were among the many people who wished Thalaivar on Twitter.

By India Today Web Desk: Superstar Rajinikanth turned 66 today, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and superstar Amitabh Bachchan were among the innumerable people who wished Thalaivar on Twitter.

Narendra Modi wished the superstar a long life and good health.

Modi tweeted:

Happy birthday @superstarrajini! Wishing you a long life filled with good health. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2016

"It is Rajinikanth's birthday on Dec 12 and we wish him greater glory, happiness and good health," Big B tweeted.

T 2469 - It is Rajnikant's birthday on Dec 12th and we wish him greater glory happiness and good helath .. pic.twitter.com/hRQRyYZ7Q6 Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 11, 2016

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Both Rajinikanth and Bachchan have worked together in films such as Hum, Geraftaar and Andhaa Kaanoon.

They've remained good friends over the years.

ALSO READ: Why Rajinikanth is the last superstar of India

ALSO READ: Rajinikanth mourns Jayalalithaa's death, asks fans not to celebrate 66th birthday

Rajinikanth, who has starred in hits like Sivaji and Chandramukhi, has requested his fans not to celebrate his birthday as a token of respect for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who passed away last week.

Shah Rukh Khan also wished Thalaivar a happy birthday, with a still from Lungi Dance, SRK's tribute to Thalaivar from Chennai Express:

2 the coolest & greatest of em all. Wishing u health happiness & years of entertainment for us.Happy BDay Thalaivaa pic.twitter.com/xLwRSBbuJe Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 12, 2016

On the career front, Rajinikanth is busy shooting for Shankar's magnum opus, Enthiran 2.0. Rajinikanth's 2.0 co-star and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar also wished the legendary actor a happy birthday.

Akshay tweeted:

When you know you're in the Presence of Greatness!! Happy Birthday Dearest @superstarrajini Sir, the Supreme Galaxy to our SuperStars ????? pic.twitter.com/XglKUES20Z Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 12, 2016

ALSO WATCH: All about Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar's Enthiran 2.0

--- ENDS ---
This is why Cyclone Vardah was named by our neighboring country Pakistan.

By India Today Web Desk: As the heavy rains and strong winds lash in Chennai, cyclone Vardah is expected to make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh anytime soon.

The deadly cyclone which originated from the center of the Bay of Bengal has been given the name 'Vardah' by none other than one of our neighbouring countries.

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PAKISTAN!

"Vardah" is an Urdu word which translates to "rose" and was suggested by Pakistan.

The names of the cyclones are given by other member countries which are submitted it to a nomenclature list prepared for the Indian Ocean Region.

Also Read: Here's how are cyclones Vardah, Hudhud, Aila and others got their names

Every time a cyclone hits, the name is selected in the order of the name that are already submitted. The last cyclone 'Nada' that hit Chennai was a suggested by Oman.

--- ENDS ---
Ambassador David Sapertsein, the envoy of the US State Department on International Religious Freedom, in an exclusive interview with India Today, termed the recent incidents of cow vigilantism very disturbing and said that the vulnerable minorities must be protected.

By Smita Sharma: The United States today sent out a message to the Modi government to ensure that minorities who feel vulnerable are protected.

Ambassador David Sapertsein, the envoy of the US State Department on International Religious Freedom, called the recent incidents of cow vigilantism very disturbing and hoped that Prime Minister Modi's message would stop the impunity.

Asked about the recent restrictions against NGOs and accusations by American groups like Compassion International that this discrimination is against Christian NGOs, Saperstein stressed that NGOs are a vital part of society. He said that if NGOs were driven by a religious conscience to serve society, it should be allowed under religious freedoms.

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Responding to German Chancellor Merkel's call for a ban on burqa, the State department's ambassador at large said that a burqa ban was a security-driven issue compared to a headscarf ban which premises on the secularism debate.

Saperstein, who is on a week-long visit to India, spoke exclusively to India Today's Smita Sharma.

ALSO READ | Beef, ban and bloodshed

In Pics- Beef Murder: Where is India heading?

HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE INTERVIEW:

Q1. US religious freedom reports have been critical of the atmosphere in India. What are your views?

We are clear that India is a country that shares with US constitutional commitment to religious freedom, societal commitment to religious tolerance, harmony to accommodate religious groups. We have a lot in common. Our report talks about the good things as well as those aspects where more needs to be done. It's up to India and Indian people how to go about that. We just have facts about what's going on and don't make judgements.

Q2. What do you think of beef lynching incidents and cow vigilantism in India?

The incidents were very disturbing and PM Modi spoke out forcefully against this. It is important that the minorities who are vulnerable are protected. And leaders like the Prime Minister speak out in a very clear way so as not to create an atmosphere of impunity by those who are violators of the law. I believe that he did that and I hope that it has calmed down some of the issues here. But people have a right to hold views that the majority might not like.

International Human rights laws protects the rights of individuals to live peacefully in accordance with his or her beliefs.

Q3. Talking about the issue of triple talaks in India, do you think governments and courts intervene in personal law?

There is a right of religious communities to make decisions about religious life under their aegis. And there is right of individuals to have equal access to equal citizenship. They should have rights in terms of their ability to live in accordance with their individual conscience even if groups differ with their conscience.

Q4. What are your views on Angela Merkel's call for burqa ban? What is your opinion of individual rights versus religious freedom.

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Burqa bans are a little bit different from the headscarf bans often done in the name of a commitment to secularism. We think people ought to be able to wear whatever headgear they wear. If the burqa raised a security issue in terms of explosives being hidden under the burqa, there can be reasonable limitations. Religious autonomy and individual rights of citizens are often inter-chained with each other and there has to be a process to adjudicate it. That's what you are going through.

Q5. Recently, there have been house hearings in US on NGO clampdown in India. Are these restrictions because of catholic credentials?

We are deeply supportive of rights of religious and other NGOs to carry on their functions in accordance with their conscience. And across the globe, we see the extra ordinary contribution that civil society makes to ameliorating some of the serious problems of hunger, disease, lack of education that countries have. The partnership of civil society in governments is vital in providing for all people. We are deeply concerned when civil society who act peacefully are restricted from carrying out their country interests and obligations.

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We really hope that countries and groups like Compassion international which has indicated it is willing to live by whatever the laws and restrictions of India are will reach accommodation to allow that partnership to go forward.

Q 6. Will you raise the issue of compassion wrapping down operations in your meetings?

The US government has already raised concerns about individual groups asking for clarifications why actions have been taken, for particularly the American base groups. We will continue to express our opinion that a robust civil society is indispensable partner with governments in countries all across the globe in providing for needs of all of citizenry.

And the fact that they are doing this because their religious conscience tells them, and they have to feed hungry people, feed sick people and educate those who otherwise wouldn't have an education is an important part of religious freedom that benefits broader society, governments and groups who are providing the services.

Also Read:We were gangraped for 'eating beef', says Mewat woman

Watch- Nation should remain united, says PM Modi over Dadri killing

Watch- Dadri lynching case: Massive dent on India's image?

In pics- Protest against Dadri killing: Was the murder an 'accident'?

--- ENDS ---

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By PTI: Referring to the South China Sea disputes, where Indonesia

Referring to the South China Sea disputes, where Indonesia is also a party, the two leaders called for resolving the issue through peaceful means and in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea).

"In this context, they urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions," the joint statement said.

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Both the leaders reiterated support for reform of the UN and its principal organs, including the Security Council, with a view to making the the global body more democratic, transparent and efficient.

On boosting defence and security ties, the two leaders issued directives for early convening of the Defence Ministers Dialogue and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meetings to review and upgrade the existing agreement on defence to a substantive bilateral defence cooperation agreement.

Noting successful completion of Staff Talks between the armies and navies of the two countries, they also agreed on holding that air force staff talks at an early date.

"They also tasked the two defence ministers to explore collaboration between defence industries for joint production of equipment with technology transfer, technical assistance, and capacity building cooperation," the statement said.

The two countries also issued a separate Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation, outlining the agenda of engagement in maritime space including -- maritime security, maritime industry, maritime safety and navigation.

"As strategic partners and maritime neighbours, the two leaders emphasised the importance of further consolidating the security and defence cooperation between the two countries," the joint statement said.

Modi and Widodo also agreed to conclude an MoU on Maritime Cooperation in order to further strengthen and accelerate maritime cooperation.

On fighting terror, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation including through greater exchange of information and intelligence sharing.

Talking about trade ties, the Prime Minister said both sides agreed that early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment, and finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership would be important steps to further boost trade ties.

"To sustain the momentum of our partnership, President Widodo and I have directed for an early meeting of the existing ministerial-level mechanisms to carry forward the bilateral cooperation agenda," he said.

The Indonesian President, on his first visit here, said there were detailed talks on ways to strengthen economic partnership, adding Indonesia wants to diversify exports to India.

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In order to meet energy mix demand in the future, both leaders encouraged renewal of the MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Oil and Gas and the working of its Joint Working Group, to expand wider scope of cooperation at the earliest.

The two sides also agreed to work for direct shipping links, private sector investment in port and air-port development projects, including through Public-Private Partnerships or other concession schemes.

The joint statement said the two leaders underscored the importance of pluralism, democracy, and rule of law as key values to achieve peaceful co-existence.

The Indonesian President and Modi agreed to hold annual Summit meetings, including on the margins of multilateral events. PTI MPB ZMN

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Islamabad, Dec 12 (PTI) Indias dream of splitting Pakistan into several geographical entities is "nothing but a fallacy", Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said today, a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh warned that Pakistan would get "splintered" into 10 pieces if it failed to quell terrorism.

"BJPs dream of splitting Pakistan is nothing but a fallacy," Nisar said, describing Rajnaths remarks as just a "shallow claim".

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"India is being divided not by any other country, but its own policies," Khan was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.

Addressing a Martyrs Day function in Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh yesterday said, "Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it."

Responding to Singhs remarks, Khan claimed that life has become miserable for minorities in India and they are "facing risks and threats under the Modi government."

"Indian government has erected a wall of hatred in the whole country. BJP governments hands are stained with the blood of innocent Kashmiris," he said.

Khan went on to accuse India of openly interfering in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan.

"We wish peace in the region, however, will not accept Indian hegemony," he asserted.

Khan claimed arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav and other Indian agents in Pakistan is "clear proof of Indian meddling into Pakistan affairs."

Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. PTI ZH AKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: From Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Dec 12 (PTI) Indias dream of splitting Pakistan into several geographical entities is "nothing but a fallacy", Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said today, terming it as "dream of a madman" which will never be realised.

"BJPs dream of splitting Pakistan is nothing but a fallacy. In fact it is dream of a madman which will never be fulfilled," Khan said in a statement a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh warned that Pakistan would get "splintered" into 10 pieces if it failed to quell terrorism.

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Khan described Rajnaths remarks as just a "shallow claim".

"India is being divided not by any other country, but its own policies," Khan said, accusing ruling BJP of following anti-minority polices and targeting Muslims, Christians, Dalits and other groups.

Addressing a Martyrs Day function in Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh yesterday said, "Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it."

Responding to Singhs remarks, Khan claimed that life has become miserable for minorities in India and they are "facing risks and threats under the Modi government."

"Indian government has erected a wall of hatred in the whole country. BJP governments hands are stained with the blood of innocent Kashmiris," he said.

The latest spat between the top ministers came amid strained relations between India and Pakistan after a series of terror attacks in India by militants crossing over from Pakistan.

Khan went on to accuse India of openly interfering in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan.

"We wish peace in the region, however, will not accept Indian hegemony," he asserted.

Khan claimed arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav and other Indian agents in Pakistan is "clear proof of Indian meddling into Pakistan affairs."

Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. PTI SH/ZH AKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo is on a two-day visit to India.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is on a two-day state visit to India from Monday, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

"Beginning the week with Indonesia. President Joko Widodo receives ceremonial honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted with photographs.

The Indonesian President was welcomed by his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he would hold bilateral talks later in the day.

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Widodo is on his first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014.

Also read:

Indonesia keen to forge closer ties with India: President

12 feared killed in Indonesia plane crash

--- ENDS ---
Tigers are wild, forceful and aggressive. It's hard to keep them in zoo. Tigress Jamuna of Kamla Nehru Zoo, Indore proves the point quite often as she again tried to escape from her enclosures.

By Hemender Sharma: For the second time in 15 days, Jamuna escaped from her enclosure, at around 11.30 am on Monday causing panic among zoo officials and guards.

Previously, she had escaped from the same enclosure on November 27.

The modus operandi of the tigress is same as before. She first jumped the eighteen feet pit, climbed a twelve feet vertical wall and then broke the Iron mesh mounted on it before walking into the open space inside the zoo.

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READ| Odisha shocker: Poached and electrocuted tiger found buried in pit

But, unlike last time, no outsider was inside Indore's Kamla Nehru zoo premises today as it remains closed for public on Mondays.

On November 27, it was a Sunday evening and large number of people had come to see the big cat.

A tiger in Indore zoo. (Photo: Kamla Nehru Zoo, Indore) A tiger in Indore zoo. (Photo: Kamla Nehru Zoo, Indore)

On why the tigress tried to flee on November 27, authorities suspected that she got enraged after some onlookers teased her by throwing water filled balloons at her.

Today, however, there was no one to tease her still she escaped from her enclosure and was growling in the open space inside the zoo, when one of the guards noticed her.

READ| International Tiger Day: Not many reasons to be happy for the big cats

The guard sounded an alarm. It took over an hour for five guards, who were on duty to push her back into her enclosure.

A rare white tiger in Indore zoo. (Photo: Kamla Nehru Zoo, Indore)

Jamuna is 16-month-old and is in the Indore zoo for over one year now. She has not been hostile towards the guards.

In such a scenario, the authorities are at a loss to explain, why she wants to run away from the zoo.

Wildlife experts feel that it could be due to the innate of the animal. Tigers by nature are not meant to be caged. May be she just wants to get into the wild.

ALSO READ|

Window-dressing: Delhi zoo lying about details of bird census, hatched eggs?

Watch the video here

--- ENDS ---
The CEO runs 14 branches of the cooperative bank, and also looks after an educational society that runs a college in the city.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The Chief Executive Officer of a Jaipur co-operative bank went missing after officials of the Income-Tax department swooped down on several of its branches.

By the time the raids were over, Rs 1.56 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh had been seized from the bank's premises.

ALSO WATCH

The bank's CEO, 38-year-old Keshav Badaya, handles 14 branches. In addition, he also manages an educational society called St Wilfred Educational Society, which runs the St Wilfred's PG College in Jaipur.

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ALSO READ: Post-Demonetisation: 27 public sector bankers suspended after Bengaluru IT raid

Of the total money seized, Rs 1.38 crore was in Rs 2000 denomination and the rest in demonetised Rs 1000 currency.

Bank officials stayed tight-lipped on the CEO or his whereabouts. Some said his mobile was switched off and he was missing since the raids began on Friday night.

ALSO READ: Axis Bank raid: Former minister, other Delhi netas under scanner after 44 fake accounts found

The bank's branch manager, however, said the I-T department had come to the bank to conduct a survey and checked some documents.

He told India Today that the cash seized belonged to the Wilfred Educational society. He said the same person, Keshav Badaya, runs the bank and the educational trust.

ALSO READ: The big I-T raid in Bengaluru: Inside story

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Reportedly, Sandeep Toshniwal is looking for a spacious apartment, sparking off rumours that Karisma Kapoor will move in with him soon.

By India Today Web Desk: Buzz is that Karisma Kapoor and Sandeep Toshniwal have been going strong for a while now. Reportedly, Karisma found love in the Mumbai-based CEO in the midst of her bitter divorce from estranged husband Sanjay Kapur.

ALSO READ: Karisma's ex-husband Sunjay throws a fit on seeing her with Sandeep Toshniwal

ALSO READ: Karisma Kapoor-Sandeep Toshniwal party together, put break-up rumours to rest

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Now, if a report in SpotboyE is to be believed, they might be taking their relationship to the next level. Reportedly, Sandeep is looking for a spacious apartment in Bandra. Sandeep, who is yet to get a legal divorce from estranged wife Ashrita, is not hunting for a bachelor pad, but a 3 BHK.

It is being speculated that Sandeep will buy the flat as a gift to his ladylove. According to rumours, Karisma might move in to Sandeep's apartment with her two children, Samaira and Kiaan.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Los Angeles, Dec 12 (PTI) Women who are socially isolated are far less likely to survive breast cancer and have higher rates of recurrence, a new study claims.

The study found that more socially isolated breast cancer survivors had higher rates of recurrence and mortality, while women with larger social networks experienced better outcomes.

It also showed that some types of social ties were beneficial, while others were not, and that some types of relationships only benefited patients in certain racial or age groups.

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For the analysis, researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in the US examined information on 9,267 women with breast cancer to see how patients social networks within about two years following their diagnosis might affect their survival.

Over a median follow-up of 10.6 years, there were 1,448 cancer recurrences and 1,521 deaths (990 from breast cancer).

Compared with socially integrated women, socially isolated women had a 40 per cent higher risk of recurrence, a 60 per cent higher risk of dying from breast cancer, and a 70 per cent higher risk of dying from any cause.

These associations were stronger in those with stage I/II cancer. Specific associations differed by age, race/ethnicity, and country of origin.

For example, ties to relatives and friends predicted lower breast cancer-specific mortality in non-White women, whereas having a spouse predicted lower breast cancer-specific mortality in older White women, researchers said.

Community ties predicted better outcomes in older Whites and Asians.

"It is well established that larger social networks predict lower overall mortality in healthy populations and in breast cancer patients, but associations with breast cancer-specific outcomes like recurrence and breast cancer mortality have been mixed," said Candyce Kroenke, from the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.

"These findings, from a large pooled cohort of nearly 10,000 women with breast cancer, confirm the generally beneficial influence of womens social ties on breast cancer recurrence and mortality; however, they also point to complexity, that not all social ties are beneficial, and not in all women," said Kroenke.

Kroenke added that clinicians should assess information on social networks as a marker of prognosis and should consider that critical supports may differ by socio-demographic factors.

The study was published in the journal CANCER. PTI NKS SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Shah Rukh Khan's Raees has been in the eye of the storm due to the presence of the Pakistani actor Mahira Khan in the film. The 31-year-old is set to make her big Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rahul Dholakia's directorial venture. But owing to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ban on the working of Pakistani artistes in India, the film's fate seemed uncertain.

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ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan meets Raj Thackeray ahead of release of Raees

PHOTOS: Pakistani actor Mahira Khan is very much a part of Raees. Here's proof

However, with the film's release date locked, Shah Rukh recently met MNS chief Raj Thackeray to clear his stand on working with Pakistani artistes in the future. The 51-year-old actor assured Thackeray that he won't work with Pakistani actors in the future.

Photo: Yogen Shah

SRK, during his visit to Thackeray at his residence in Mumbai, also assured that rumours about Mahira promoting Raees are false. The Dilwale actor clarified that Mahira won't be a part of the film promotions.

Earlier, Raees co-producer Ritesh Sidhwani had supported the Pakistani actor and said that if need arises he would invite Mahira to India to promote the film. But that doesn't seem to be the case now as SRK has clearly denied any such possibility.

Raees, which also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is set to hit the screens on January 25, 2017 along with Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil.

--- ENDS ---
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for focusing on digital transactions without ensuring online security.

By Indrajit Kundu: Continuing her tirade against the centre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the Narendra Modi government over hacking of social media accounts of several journalists and politicians.

"Seeing reports about hacking journalists' accounts and bank details. This is not about public interest. It's about violating privacy," the Trinamool supremo wrote on Twitter.

The West Bengal chief minister said that hacking of these social media accounts is an attempt to intimidate and silence the voices of opposition and protests.

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READ| Twitter hacks: How people and organisations usually get hacked?

Mamata Banerjee's comments have come in the backdrop of Congress party and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi's official twitter accounts being compromised by anonymous hackers, who posted abusive content on it.

Seeing reports about hacking journalists accounts & bank details. This is not about public interest. It's about violating privacy... 1/3 Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 12, 2016

Recently, Twitter and Email accounts of a few senior television journalists were also hacked by the same group of hackers.

Mamata Banerjee said that the hacking has exposed the vulnerability of Digital India campaign of the Modi government.

WATCH:

READ| Rahul Gandhi's Twitter account hackers from Canada, US, Thailand, Romania and Sweden?

"If it's so safe how are journalists bank A/c details being made public for millions by hackers. Digital India stands exposed,Modi babu," Mamata tweeted.

If it's so safe how are journalists bank A/c details being made public for millions by hackers. Digital India stands exposed,Modi babu 3/3 Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 12, 2016

ALSO READ|

Men behind big Twitter hacks speak out, say Apollo Hospitals could be next

--- ENDS ---
Around 30 Bajrang Dal activists came to the man's place to thrash his wife and her alleged lover.

By Hemender Sharma: Fearing that his wife would dump him for another man, a 40- year-old resident of the Awadh Puri area in Bhopal called up Bajrang Dal goons to save his marriage and how.

Around 30 activists came and thrashed the wife before forcing her at gun point to make a distress call to her alleged lover who is also her colleague. The alleged lover was also beaten up on arrival.

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A neighbor called up the control room but before police could reach, the activists fled the spot. The incident took place in Bhopal on Sunday.

The man identified as Pankaj Gulati suspected that his wife Renu Gulati was having an affair with her colleague Mohammad Akhtar and feared that she would soon leave him.

Also read: Case filed against Bajrang Dal for Ayodhya arms training camp

Renu and Akhtar work at the Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited in Bhopal while Pankaj Gulati works as a property agent. Pankaj and Renu had a love marriage about 15 years back and the couple has a 10-year-old daughter.

On Sunday afternoon, Pankaj called his Bajrang Dal contacts and sought their help to save his marriage alleging his wife Renu was having an affair with Akhtar. The Bajrang Dal pounced upon the opportunity and around 30 activists reached Gulati's Awadhpuri house around 1 pm.

They first thrashed Renu and then asked her to call up Akhtar, putting a gun on her head.

Also read: Why Bajrang Dal is organising commando-style training camps in UP?

When Akhtar arrived he was attacked from all directions outside Gulati's house. A neighbor saw the commotion and called up the police but it took 30 minutes for the police to reach the spot and by that time the so-called saviours of the marriage had fled.

The police instead of looking out for the Bajrang Dal goons took Pankaj, Renu and Akhtar to the Awadh Puri police station.

At the police station Renu was forced to lodge a complaint against Akhtar but she refused to oblige.

Talking to India Today at the police station, Pankaj accepted he had called the Bajrang Dal for help. "Yes I had called them to save my marriage as my wife was in the process of ditching me for Akhtar," he said.

Also read: BJP worker ferrying cows beaten to death by gaurakshaks in Karnataka

Both Renu and Akhtar have denied having an affair. "She gave me a distress call and because she is my colleague I went to help her," Akhtar told India Today.

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Police have taken a written statement from all three but have not registered any case against the Bajrang Dal goons.

Renu after this incident has made it clear to her husband that she won't stay with him. However, the Bajrang Dal has threatened her and Akhtar with dire consequences just in case they fail to fall in line.

--- ENDS ---
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that Indian Army has secured peace on the border by giving befitting reply to ceasefire violations from Pakistan.

By India Today Web Desk: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday praised the Indian forces for giving befitting reply to the Pakistani soldiers violating ceasefire time and again over last several weeks.

Parrikar said that due to aggressive response by the Indian Army tranquility could be established on the India-Pakistan border.

"The border is peaceful for last few days because our jawans are roaring there. They have been giving befitting reply at the border," said the Defence Minister.

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READ| Pakistan in a state of coma after surgical strikes, says Manohar Parrikar

"If someone threatens the country, we should be prompt in taking against such forces," Parrikar said. He was addressing a public meeting in Dehradun attended by several state BJP leaders.

The current year has been one of the most violent and bloodiest with spike in terror attacks along the border.

WATCH:

READ| Peace is fine but no compromises due to fear of war, says Manohar Parrikar at Agenda Aaj Tak

Pakistan has violated ceasefire 437 times along the line of control (LoC) and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far. At least 37 people lost their lives in the cross-border firing and nearly 180 were injured.

ALSO READ|

Manohar Parrikar makes bizarre nuclear statement, his ministry says personal opinion

--- ENDS ---
A day after a helicopter crashed in Goregaon, a team of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau today examined the accident site.

By Saurabh Vaktania: A team of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the apex aircraft investigation body, today reached the helicopter crash site in the Aarey jungle, in Goregaon.

The Robinson R44 Astro helicopter had crashed on Sunday afternoon, killing Captain PK Mishra and critically injuring three others.

The four-seater helicopter was 20-year old while pilot Mishra had more than 30 years of flying experience.

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Pilot's conversation with ATC

Besides the pilot, others on board were the helicopter's technician and a Borivali-based couple who had booked an aerial joyride to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

ALSO READ: Mumbai: 2 dead, 2 injured as chopper crashes in Goregaon

The 1992-made Robinson R44 was originally with Pawan Hans and was later sold to Aman Aviation Company which used it for joy rides.

The AAIB team reached Mumbai in the morning and first visited the air traffic controller's (ATC) office in Juhu. The team collected information on the conversation of the pilot with the ATC, and will prepare a transcript.

Sources told India Today that minutes before the crash-landing, the pilot told the ATC that "clutch of the helicopter is not working. I am going for crash landing of the helicopter".

ALSO READ: Mumbai chopper crash: Pilot could have saved his life suggests initial reports

Investigating the cause

Subsequently, the AAIB team reached the crash site and examined the remains of the helicopter. The team is investigating how exactly did the chopper crash land and if there was a defect in any part of the helicopter.

The three-member team left the crash site around 3 pm. Refusing to divulge details, the team said it has collected vital evidences from the site.

The team will now prepare a sequence of events leading to the crash, and will table its report soon.

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Muslim areas

Hyderabad, Dec 12 (PTI) Hitting out at the government over demonetisation, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a "tyrant" and alleged banks and ATMs in Muslim dominated areas in the city were not functioning.

"Every family is in distress today...I cannot withdraw my money. Who made this law," the Hyderabad MP said, addressing a public meeting on the occasion of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad Milad-un-Nabi.

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The Prime Minister should remember that those standing in queues now to withdraw their money would stand in queue again to vote against him (in the elections), Owaisi said.

Talking about Modis fakir remark, he asked whether a fakir wears a "Rs 15 lakh suit".

"What type of a fakir is he?...Would any fakir give pain..You are not a fakir, you are a zalim (tyrant)," he said.

Modi should come to the old city of Hyderabad to see the suffering of the people as they cannot withdraw their money, said the AIMIM chief about the constituency he represents in Parliament which has large Muslim population.

"Why cashless economy? We will not do cashless economy. Give me my money. Credit card, how many credit cards are there in India. I bet there wont be even one or two per cent of credit cards with Muslims. Not with Dalits.

"Banks are not open in our Muslim localities. If bank is open, it is declared red zone and loans are not available. If ATM is installed, money is not coming out of them in our localities," he alleged.

Claiming that demonetisation would not have any fruitful outcome, he said experts have estimated a loss of three per cent of GDP due to this decision.

The NDA government has failed to check price rise and bringing back black money, Owaisi alleged.

On December 3, the Prime Minister at his rally in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh had said he was being targeted for cracking down on those with black money.

"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)," Modi had said. PTI SJR NRB SK SK

--- ENDS ---
According to report by a Pakistani daily , a group of Ahmadi Muslims had gathered at the place of worship in order to offer their daily prayers but soon, a 1000-strong mob started bearing down on the location shouting anti-Ahmadi slogans.

By India Today Web Desk: The Pakistan Army had to be sent in to restore control after a mob of around 1000 people charged an Ahmadi place of worship in Chakwal district in the province of Punjab.

According to report by a Pakistani daily , a group of Ahmadi Muslims had gathered at the place of worship in order to offer their daily prayers but soon the 1000-strong mob started bearing down on the location shouting anti-Ahmadi slogans.

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Those present in the place of worship had to lock themselves in, in order to avoid confrontation with the angry mob. The government of Punjab today sent in the army which managed to disperse the crowd .

RESPONSE

The provincial government claimed that a misunderstanding led to the escalation of violence and that it had previously directed the Home Department to address the situation.

Also read: Watch: Pakistani journalist threatens PM Modi, says Indian forces are intruding

The Ahmedi Muslim community which is a minority in Pakistan has come under attack from Sunni extremist groups and mobs several times in the recent past. Them, along with the minority Shia community have been the target of several terror plots including attempts to bomb places of worship.

The fact that the provincial government on this occasion acted in a timely manner to stop the incident from escalating was hailed by many Pakistanis on Twitter.

The Punjab Government through its official twitter handle said that they believed in the fair application of law irrespective of any discrimination of caste, creed and color and that violation of any laws wouldn't be tolerated.

Also read: Ye Pakistan hai kya: Bengal BJP chief over fatwa for 'derogatory' remarks against Mamata Banerjee

--- ENDS ---
Modi said that parties 'discarded' by the people have stalled proceedings in both the Houses for almost 20 days.

By Rajat Rai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed an election rally in Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh on phone after his flight could not land due to poor visibility.

The flight was carrying Modi from Lucknow. However, he did not want to disappoint the crowd of over four lakh that had turned up to hear him. And hence the innovation!

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Modi listed out his government's achievements and the crackdown on black money as UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya held the phone close to the microphone for people to listen to the Prime Minister's address.

Modi reiterated that his government is for the poor and those who have piled up black money will not be spared. "Those having black money will not be spared and will land in jail within 2-4 months," he said.

"You must have seen that the government is after people who have stashed black money. The government is committed to empowering the poor. People are also taking pain to ensure the country moves on the path of development," he added.

READ | PM Modi at Bahraich rally: Demonetisation to punish corrupt; BJP will end 'goonda raj' in UP

"WILL COME BACK TO MEET YOU"

"The Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress are speaking in the same tone. All these parties are facing hardships due to the note ban. Those who looted the poor will not be spared," Modi further said. "I am sorry as the climate did not allow me to land in Bahraich, but I will definitely come back to meet you people," the PM added.

Expressing concern over the virtual washout of the winter session of Parliament amidst continued protest by the Opposition on demonetisation, Modi said parties discarded by people have stalled proceedings in both Houses.

"The Parliament has not been allowed to function for 20 days. We are ready for a debate (on demonetisation), but we are not allowed to present our view point by those very parties that have been discarded by the electorate," he said.

READ| Demonetisation is PM Modi's biggest blunder and a burden on common people: Prakash Karat

"They (Opposition) come to the well of the House and throw papers at the Speaker. We want to put forth the government's view point, but they do not allow us to," he added.

Modi said that only the BJP could fulfil the aspirations of the people of UP and appealed to the electorate to vote for the party in the upcoming Assembly polls next year.

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"For Uttar Pradesh to progress, poverty and goonda raj need to be removed. Police are also helping those who are indulging in hooliganism. We have to crush those patronising hooliganism," he said. Asking people to learn to use mobile banking, Modi said, "I am addressing you through mobile. You can turn your mobile into your bank. You have to learn it slowly."

Modi was national general secretary of the BJP when he visited Bahraich in 2001 for the first time. His second visit was in November 2013.

Demonetisation: Opposition hits back at PM Modi after his Gujarat speech

This was BJP's fifth Parivartan Yatra to be addressed by the Prime Minister in the state. Modi has earlier addressed four rallies at Ghazipur, Agra, Kushinagar and Moradabad.

His next rally is scheduled to be held in Kanpur on December 19. State BJP President Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will try to come again to Bahraich when his schedule and weather allow."

--- ENDS ---
At a condolence meeting, Rajinikanth also recalled his strong statements against her during the 1996 Assembly polls, which had hurt her.

By India Today Web Desk: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has paid tribute to late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, describing her as a 'kohinoor diamond', who had made her way up through difficulties in a male-dominated society.

At a condolence meeting, organised by the South Indian Artistes' Association or the Nadigar Sangam for Jayalalithaa and actor-journalist Cho. S Ramaswami, Rajinikanth also recalled his strong statements against her during the 1996 Assembly polls, which had hurt her.

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Also read | Happy Birthday Rajinikanth: Modi, Big B, SRK wish Thalaivar a long life

"I had hurt her. I was a key reason for her (party's) defeat, he said, referring to his criticism of the then AIADMK government.

DMK WON 1996 POLLS AFTER RAJINIKANTH'S JIBE

The actor had then famously remarked that even God can't save Tamil Nadu if Jayalalithaa's AIADMK was re-elected to power. The former DMK-TMC (Tamil Maanila Congress) combine had swept the polls amid strong anti-incumbency.

Jayalalithaa, however, later proved to be a golden-hearted leader, Rajinikanth said.

Also read | RIP Amma: Rajinikanth to Mohanlal, celebs mourn Jayalalithaa's death

Paying rich tributes to the former chief minister, he said, "It was with great difficulty that she could take over the reins of the AIADMK, following the death of its founder and her political mentor MG Ramachandran and that she had even overtaken him in his achievements.

--- ENDS ---
All the Tandon assets are estimated to be worth over Rs 10,000 crore.

By Shalini Lobo: Last week, the Delhi Police recovered Rs 13.65 crore in cash, including Rs 2.60 crore in new currency notes, from its raid on lawyer Rohit Tandon's firm.

A currency counting machine was also recovered from the premises and the firm had hired just one guard. All the Tandon assets are estimated to be worth over Rs 10,000 crore.

HERE ARE THE 10 OTHER THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT ROHIT TANDON SO FAR: Tandon has a house in Dubai, two luxury farm houses in Delhi's Chhattarpur, and two houses in posh Panchsheel area. His bungalow in central Delhi's Jor Bagh is worth Rs 100 crore. He bought the property last year. Tandon comes from a family of lawyers. His father, who passed away last year, was a judge in Haryana and Chandigarh. In 2005, Tandon started a law firm called ZEUS with his friend Vivek Kohli, whose father was a Chief Income Tax officer. He later went on to start T&T law firm in 2014. His son Varun Tandon, also a lawyer with T&T, got married last year. The wedding expense was around Rs 100 crore. Rohit Tandon was lobbying to be a Chandigarh and Haryana High Court judge. Tandon came under Income Tax scanner in a raid in October. He had then declared Rs 125 crore as unaccounted income. His house in Greater Kailash - R89 in GK 1 - is a white building with no signage and no one living there. People now call it the 'White House'. The Delhi Crime Branch had found Rs 1.25 crore in the same house 21 days ago. Tandon has 18 bank accounts in India and abroad.

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Also read:

Delhi: Lawyer watches own house getting raided on phone, Rs 2.62 crore found in new notes

--- ENDS ---
Tandon arrived on Sunday evening and was questioned for almost 12 hours by the IT department.

By Shalini Lobo: Rohith Tandon, from whose law firm police recovered Rs 13.65 crore, was questioned for almost 12 hours by the IT department on Sunday.

The IT officials left Tandon's T&T law firm at 6:30 pm in the evening today.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch and IT officials had raided the office on late Saturday evening and have since then sealed the office. On Monday, the IT officials packed the seized currency into boxes and left the premises.

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Tandon arrived on Sunday evening and was questioned for almost 12 hours by the IT department. Approximately 13.50 crores were seized from his law firm, out of which Rs 2.5 crore were in the new Rs 2,000 currency notes.

Tandon is an influential figure in the capital. He started out in 2005 with the law firm ZEUS and went on to start T&T in 2014. This firm looked mainly into real estate, hotels and corporates. Tandon owns a chain of posh properties and had as many as 18 bank accounts in India and a few more abroad.

Also read: 10 things we know so far about Rohit Tandon, caught with Rs 13 crore in cash

Sources say that a large part of the money found in the T&T law firm office belongs to a builder based in Ghaziabad.

Speaking to India Today, an IT official said, "We seized around Rs 13.50 crores. No names have come up yet. The investigation is still going on."

Also read: Another law firm raided in Delhi, Rs 13 crore in cash recovered

--- ENDS ---
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and state party president are trying to outdo each other by promoting their associates who have protested against the rival.

By Kumar Abhishek: Ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the family war in the Samajwadi Party is far from being over.

Under the seemingly calm surface, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and state party president Shivpal Yadav are trying to outdo each other by promoting their associates who have protested against the rival.

Chief minister Akhilesh, in a snub to uncle Shivpal, appointed Javed Abdi as an advisor in the state irrigation department. Abdi was pushed aside by Shivpal Yadav while he was raising slogans in favour of Akhilesh Yadav during the Samajwadi Party's 25th anniversary celebrations in Lucknow. Abdi's position is equivalent to that of a state minister.

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ALSO READ: Samajwadi Party silver jubilee: Show of unity that wasn't

Akhilesh supporters miss out on party ticket

In a tit-for-tat move, uncle Shivpal has released a list of 23 candidates for the upcoming state elections. The list includes many who have protested against the chief minister at several instances. Prominent among them are Atiq Ahmad and Sibakatullah Ansari who have been rewarded with party tickets. Ansari is Quami Ekta Dal's sitting MLA from Mohammadabad. Akhilesh Yadav had protested Samajwadi Party joining hands with Quami Ekta Dal.

ALSO READ: Mulayam snubs Akhilesh, backs Shivpal's decision to merge Qaumi Ekta Dal with Samajwadi Party

Seven of Akhilesh's close associates have not been named in the list, a move likely to rile the chief minister.

ALSO WATCH

War of words between the two Yadavs

At the party's 25th anniversary, Shivpal had reminded nephew Akhilesh that some people inherit power and said that despite repeated insults, he will continue to work for the party.

Not one to stay silent, Akhilesh had said that "some people understand when everything has been destroyed".

ALSO READ: Akhilesh returns Shivpal's taunt: Some people will listen but after destroying Samajwadi Party

Earlier, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's rath yatra got off to a not-so-pleasant start with supporters of both the leaders clashing with each other.

The family war between the two Yadavs came out in the open when Akhilesh sacked uncle Shivpal and some other ministers from the state cabinet. In return, Shivpal sacked cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, an Akhilesh loyalist, from the Samajwadi Party for six years.

ALSO READ: Samajwadi Party crucial meet: Who said what

Later, in a show of truce, Ram Gopal was reinstated in the party while Shivpal was back as a cabinet minister in the Akhilesh yadav government.

ALSO READ: Pari-war impact on Uttar Pradesh election: A split will hit both Akhilesh and Samajwadi Party

ALSO READ: Samajwadi PariWar: Mulayam, Shivpal missing from new campaign posters, so is party symbol

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ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: 2016 marks the 13th anniversary of Santa Speedo Run in Budapest. This year too Budapest will see dozens of naked Santas hit the streets to support the foundation and the children selected for this year's event.

The Santa Speedo Run is a fun, unique and crowd-pleasing fundraising event like no other.

It began in Boston in 2000 with five guys just looking to spread some holiday spirit by running through Black Bay in only Santa hats and Speedos.

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Since then, it has grown to include seven hundred men and women every year and has become an annual holiday tradition that has hosted thousands of participants who have helped to raise over $1.6 million for children in need.

Today, this event is held in different places like Boston, Chicago, Tampa, Toronto, and Atlanta.

--- ENDS ---
The MNS is 'allowing' the release of Shah Rukh Khan's Raees, featuring Pakistani actor Mahira Khan. But were they even a real threat in the first place?

By Samrudhi Ghosh: With almost three months having passed since the Uri attacks took place (September 18), tempers have cooled. Public memory is short-lived, we are past the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil hullabaloo, and no one is in the mood to boycott a film just for featuring a Pakistani actor any longer.

ALSO READ: SRK assures MNS chief Raj Thackeray that Mahira Khan won't promote Raees

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ALSO READ: India Today investigation finds how MNS resorts to vandalism, threats for money

ALSO WATCH: This Raees-Narcos mash-up has won Shah Rukh's heart and is going viral

Yet, Shah Rukh Khan paid a visit to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's residence last night to placate him. SRK's upcoming film Raees was under threat for featuring Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, and he did not want a sword hanging over the release of the film.

A similar incident took place before the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) this year. Just when everyone thought the situation had reached an impasse with Karan Johar refusing to chop off Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's role from the film and the MNS adamant that it will bring a violent end to ADHM if it sees the light of day, Karan met the MNS chief and the MNS withdrew their threat. The film was released sans any major problem.

Raj Thackeray tom-tommed the decision as a victory, saying that he has allowed the release only after Karan Johar promised to pay Rs 5 crore to the Army welfare fund as "penance". That the Army rejected the donation as extortion did not matter to Thackeray. So what if Raj Thackeray himself hadn't contributed a penny? He had browbeaten others into making promises of huge donations, and that was enough. At least for him.

Another Pakistani actor, Imran Abbas Naqvi, too was a part of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. But he was spared the wrath of the MNS. Surely the know-it-all party who bragged that every Pakistani artist had left India because of their 48-hour ultimatum knew that Imran also belonged to The-Country-That-Must-Not-Be-Named?

The only thing that happened back then, and is happening now too, is the MNS coming off looking extremely juvenile in this scenario. The jingoism did not deter the Indian audience from flocking to the theatres in huge numbers. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil made over 200 crores worldwide, and all promises of a contribution to the Army fund were conveniently forgotten.

Soon after, another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dear Zindagi was released with Pakistani actor Ali Zafar. No one took to the streets, no one vandalised property. Maybe it was Ali missing from the film's trailers that threw them off, and watching the film to find out was too much of a task for the MNS. At any rate, Dear Zindagi beat the demonetisation blues and raked in the big bucks.

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Shah Rukh Khan is no stranger to these bullying tactics. In 2010, the release of his My Name Is Khan (MNIK) was threatened to be stalled by the Shiv Sena over his supportive stance regarding Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premiere League. The fate of the film was under a cloud of uncertainty, even on the night before the release. But fans thronged the theatres to watch MNIK, and the film's success was a rude awakening for the Shiv Sena.

Raees producer Farhan Akhtar had made his stance clear weeks ago. There was no question of coughing up the money, and Mahira would be retained. Even at the trailer launch, the makers were unfazed. Perhaps they know best... how empty vessels make the most noise.

India Today's expose took the pants off phony MNS 'patriots' who claimed to be staging protests with a nationalistic agenda. One can rent a riot for Rs 25 lakh, as our undercover reporters found out in Mumbai. These protests help fund the party's electoral campaign, it was revealed.

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With the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) elections approaching and the MNS still reeling from its many defections to rival parties, this is a clever ploy to stay in the news. The MNS has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, from former party loyalists criticising the top brass to their dearth of candidates for the upcoming polls. Getting a pat on the back for their deshbhakti might just turn their fortunes around, they probably think.

And as for films, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Box office results are proof of the edge that Ae Dil Hai Mushkil gained over its competitor Shivaay for the relentless media coverage it got.

At the trailer release of Raees a few days ago, co-producer Ritesh Sidhwani said that Pakistani actor Mahira Khan would 'promote the film in India if she was required to'. At this point, just a few days later, Shah Rukh Khan meeting Thackeray only seems a move to lull Raj Thackeray and the MNS into a state of complacency. Or is it a clever move to gain the viewership of bhakts? Come January 25, 2017, and we will know.

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ALSO WATCH: Shah Rukh Khan opens up on box office clash with Kaabil at Raees trailer launch

--- ENDS ---
The Congress has accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of surrendering law and order to MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: A day after bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan visited Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray seeking his support for his upcoming film Raees's release, Congress has accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of compromising the law and order of the state.

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam said that Fadnavis is a weak chief minister, who wants that Raj Thackeray and MNS's terror to continue in the city.

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"Yesterday, we came to know that Shahrukh Khan went to Raj Thackeray to seek permission for release of Raees. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should be ashamed of this development," Nirupam said.

READ| Shah Rukh Khan meets Raj Thackeray ahead of release of 'Raees'

'WHY BOW BEFORE AN INDIVIDUAL'

Nirupam further said, "No extra-constitutional centre should be allowed to function. Why go to some individual (to seek permission)?"

"Raj Thackeray runs Hafta Vasooli (extortion) racket and the Chief Minister facilitated a meeting with such a person," Sanjay Nirupam alleged.

WATCH:

Nirupam said that as chief minister Fadnavis should "intervene in the matter and assure the citizens that problems shall be solved at CM house and not at an individual's home."

READ| New Raees poster: Shah Rukh Khan looks like a boss as gangster Raees Alam

Recounting a similar controversy during the release of Shah Rukh Khan's another film, My Name Is Khan, Nirupam said, "Shiv Sena had objected to the release of the film. Shahrukh Khan took the stand that he would not apologise. The then Congress government took care of law and order efficiently."

Shah Rukh Khan leaves after meeting MNS Chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai over his upcoming movie 'Raees' pic.twitter.com/ZIt5vVFPz1 ANI (@ANI_news) December 11, 2016

Shah Rukh Khan's meeting with Raj Thackeray came in the wake of MNS's opposition to Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which was allowed to release peacefully after producers agreed not to cast a Pakistani actor in their films.

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan has been cast in Shah Rukh Khan's latest film, Raees, which is slated for release on January 25 next year.

READ| Mahira Khan's role in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees reduced?

In the case of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, producer Karan Johar agreed to pay Rs 5 crore for army welfare as demanded by Raj Thackeray.

Referring to the development, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said, "Our chief minister played the role of a broker. The producers were asked to pay an extortion of Rs 5 crore. CM is not powerful and producers are scared as there is no guarantee of protection of law."

--- ENDS ---

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By PTI: erupts Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has assured MNS chief Raj Thackeray that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will not promote the upcoming release of "Raees" in India, a party leader said today, adding it will now not oppose the screening of the film but a fresh political row erupted over the issue. Shah Rukh yesterday called upon Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) chief Raj Thackeray ahead of the release of his film "Raees", which features the Pakistani actress.

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"Khan told us that the actress is not going to be here for promotion. There will be no more Pakistani actors who would be made part of his movies. We find it suitable and decided not to oppose the release of the movie," MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar said.

"We had already made clear our stand that Pakistani artistes should not be part of Bollywood movies. Shah Rukh Khan approached Raj Thackeray and clarified that the Pakistani actor is not coming to India for the movie promotion," Khopkar further said.

The issue of Pakistani artistes had created a storm earlier this year when MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies after the Uri terror attack.

In October, the party had staged high-voltage protests against the release of Karan Johars "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

But, they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following mediation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

SRK had previously run into trouble for the release of "My Name is Khan" in 2010, with Shiv Sena. Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and NCP dubbed Shah Rukh meeting Raj to ensure smooth release of his film as "shameful" and unfortunate and accused the BJP-led Government in Maharashtra of giving "state protection" to the latter.

The SP said the Devendra Fadnavis-led ruling coalition has allowed MNS to run a "parallel government" by giving it undue importance.

"It is a matter of shame for the Fadnavis Government that Shah Rukh had to go at Thackerays door to ensure smooth release of his film. This shows the present government has no spine," State SP President Abu Asim Azmi said, referring to Shah Rukhs visit to the MNS chiefs residence yesterday.

"I dont blame Shah Rukh. He must be worried about his film. But what it shows is that Raj Thackeray is running a parallel government in the state and that is why the actor went to meet him," said the SP leader.

"This happens when a Government gives undue importance to a political party and its leader is given state protection," said Azmi, who is also an MLA from Mumbai.

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"This is happening when the Raj Thackeray-led party has only one MLA in the Assembly. One can imagine what will be the law and order situation if MNS had more MLAs," said Azmi.

In October, Fadnavis faced flak for "brokering the deal" with MNS instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johars "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" which featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"Last time the Chief Minister himself brokered the deal between Thackeray and the makers of `Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Let the people of Maharashtra know what is the deal this time," said Azmi.

NCP also attacked Fadnavis for "promoting" Raj and said the twin episodes show there is no rule of law in the state.

Talking to PTI, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said "Fadnavis brokered the deal between Karan Johar and Raj before the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. It is unfortunate Shah Rukh had to meet Raj Thackeray before release of his film."

State Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant said yesterdays meeting shows Raj does not now need Fadnavis to broker a deal like he did in October with Johar.

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MNS has now officially become a "settlement" party, he said, mocking the Raj-led outfit.PTI ND GK APM MR RMT RSY BK GSN GSN

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Heavy rains today pounded the city and north coastal districts of Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, inundating low lying areas, while high velocity winds uprooted hundreds of trees as the severe cyclonic storm Vardah reached about 60 kms northeast of Chennai and was likely to make landfall in the next couple of hours.

According to the IMD bulletin at noon, by the time Vardah hits the coast, winds with speed of 100-110 kmph to 120 kmph are like to sweep the region.

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Equally winds hit Chennai this morning as the very severe cyclonic storm approached Tamil Nadu. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure.

The rains intensified as the cyclone neared leading to waterlogging in many areas. The Tamil Nadu government had declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram. Rail and flight services here have been affected, officials said. Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to the nearby Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials said.

Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway. An emergency management team was on standby to meet any eventuality, they said. The Southern Railways, meanwhile, announced suspension of services on the Chennai Beach and Velacherry MRTS route. Similarly, suburban rail services on the MMC-Gummidipoondi line were also suspended until further notice. Some passenger trains coming to Chennai and leaving the city were also diverted.

Also read: Cyclone Vardah to make landfall on Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh coasts shortly

The system was likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts. However, according to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardha, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm. Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which are on high alert due to the approaching cyclonic storm.

The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required. People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to safer zones. Puducherry also experienced intermittent drizzle from early morning.

Also read: Cyclone Vardah may not weaken much when it makes landfall

The state government took precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore. Police personnel were deployed on the entire two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach road and barricades were also put on all roads close to the sea shore. All schools and colleges are closed today.

--- ENDS ---

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Security across major stations under the Eastern Railway has been beefed up.

By Indrajit Kundu: Security has been beefed up across major stations under the Eastern Railway after it received a "threat letter" at its headquarters in Kolkata on Friday.

The letter which allegedly mentions the name of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad threatens to "blow-up" major stations such as Howrah and Sealdah. The letter was received by the office of the general manager of Eastern Railway.

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ALSO READ: US investigative agency FBI in Kolkata to interrogate ISIS terrorist Musa

"A letter, addressed to the GM, was received on Friday afternoon. The chief security commissioner immediately took the matter up with the state administration and security has been beefed up across major stations," said RN Mahapatra, chief public relations officer with the Eastern Railway.

Railway's letter to the Kolkata police informing them about the threat.

According to sources, the handwritten letter sent via speed post allegedly asks railways to pay Rs 50 crore, failing which it threatens to blow up major stations under the Eastern Railway.

ALSO READ: Rijiju to India Today: Demonetisation has broken financial backbones of terror groups

The chief security commissioner of railways has informed the Railway Protection Force, the state government and the state police about the letter.

Accordingly, a case under IPC Sections 505, 506, 507 and 385 has been registered with the Hare Street police station in Kolkata. The special task force is investigating the source of the letter.

ALSO READ: Spike in terror incidents in 2016, but more terrorists killed in J-K: MHA

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
By Anindya Banerjee: At a time when the country talks about being a world leader, the country was shamed by a shocking incident where popular TV actress Tinaa Dattaa known for her role in TV soap Uttaran, alleged a fellow passenger of molesting her on board a Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Rajkot.

"I called for the air hostess Ms Pooja and Mr Abhijeet to intervene in the matter, but they were not at all helpful. Instead they had the audacity to tell me such things happen...," she said.

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The victim took to social media to describe her plight.

The actress went on to allege that first she wasn't allowed to meet the chief pilot, who happens to be the commander in chief of any flight. And when she could meet him, the pilot allegedly shirked responsibility.

Also read: See: Uttaran star Tina Dutta celebrates her birthday in Argentina

Jet has denied the allegations though. In a statement, it has said, "A Jet Airways guest travelling on flight S2 4081 from Mumbai to Rajkot filed a complaint with the cabin crew against another guest, seated in proximity to her, for inappropriate behavior. The crew took due cognisance of the complaint and allocated a different seat to the latter guest. As per standard operating procedure, the cabin crew informed the security agencies who have taken the matter over. At Jet Airways the safety of our guests is of paramount importance and any inconvenience caused is regretted."

This is not the first time Jet is embroiled in a controversy. But this time around the allegations are serious in nature.

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Moving away from the question of how the hacks have happened in this case, we can explain some ways in which the hacks are usually carried out against people or organisations.

By Javed Anwer: Finally the bad hackers have arrived in India. And by hackers we mean some who have tech chops that are better than the engineering students who usually deface government websites in and in turn see some Indian government websites getting defaced by their Pakistani counterparts. But these new hackers, calling themselves Legion, seem a bit more savvy. In last several days they have managed to get access to twitter accounts of Rahul Gandhi and Vijay Mallya. They have also gained access to journalists Barkha Dutt and Ravish Kumar, both from NDTV.

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These hackers look like the ones who usually target organisations, lock up the websites or company infrastructure and then seek ransom to either keep the private data secret or to handover the IT keys back. A number of Indian companies have targeted by such hackers in the last few years. In most cases the companies pay ransom. But in this case, the hackers seem to be targeting who they believe are corrupt.

For now it is not clear how the hackers hacked NDTV, Congress party or Mallya. But it seems this was through the company that hosts the servers where data of people who have been hacked was stored. That company - Net4 India -- is the common link between all those who have been hacked so far although Net 4 India has denied that its machines were breached. And we have to believe it, because unlike in some other countries in India there is no compulsory data disclosure law that can force companies to come clean in case whenever they suffer a cyber-breach.

But moving away from the question of how the hacks have happened in this case, we can explain some ways in which the hacks are usually carried out against people or organisations. This can also help you take precautions, lest you require any.

Also read: Twitter security for dummies: How to keep your account safe

Direct hacking of Gmail, Twitter, Facebook etc is tough and rare

If you are worried that someone is going to hack your Twitter or Facebook account, relax. Unless you are a celebrity or a very important person, no one will probably hack your account. It's not that your details may not be valuable to hackers. They might be. It's just that the direct hacking of a Facebook, Gmail or Twitter account is incredibly difficult. These companies employ the best security processes and that also means they don't have any apparent or easy bugs that hackers can exploit.

That said, the direct hacking can be done with the right tools and efforts. But access to such tools and ability to put in the efforts required is uncommon. The NSA in the US, or skilled hackers using information and tools provided by a state, can possibly hack into Facebook or Gmail directly. But even the governments prefer getting information directly from companies using laws or judicial orders. The other route, the hacking one, isn't just worth it. As far as the hackers like what we have in Legion nowadays are concerned, they can't hack directly into someone's Facebook or Gmail account, unless they are aided by some government. More or less.

Local servers are weak links

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Everything that you see on the web is powered by servers. And it is these servers that are the weak links. The big technology companies employ better security practices. But thousands of smaller firms, particularly in India where there is no concept of privacy and no liability in case you lose information, the internet infrastructure companies have weak cyber security. The result is that the servers used by your internet service provider may fall to hackers rather easily and that in turn may give intruders a broader access. Then there are site hosts, which in country like India, have loose and weak security. This again gives hackers a chance to get into websites or email servers of companies.

In fact, for hackers who are into ransom, finding vulnerability in the third-party infrastructure is often the easiest way to get inside a company. And they are exploiting this fact a lot in the last couple of years.

People are weak links

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People use internet and web services. And they use it in a very clumsy way. This creates opportunities for hackers or for that matter anyone with a bit of tech knowledge to get into your email account or into your Facebook account. Here is how it happens:

-- All your details are on your phone. May be someone gets access to your phone, which means all your email inboxes and other details. The person initiates password recovery, changes your passwords etc and takes control of your accounts. The same can happen if someone gets access to your computer or laptop where you have dutifully saved all the passwords because it allows easy log in.

-- You can easily lose access to your email or social media account with fishing. Someone sends you a link to watch this great movie. You click on the link and are presented with a pop-up saying log in with your Facebook account. You do so? well, congratulations you have been just fished.

-- You use your date of birth as your password, the same date of birth that almost anyone can get hold of with a little bit of googling with your name. In other words, weak passwords make it hacking all that more so easy.

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-- You trust too much and hence allow all sorts of apps all sorts of permissions on your phone, on Facebook and everywhere else. In this case here is what happens: in case the app gets hacked, then your data also goes along with it. This data then can be used by hackers to gain access in other services that you use. This is how Mark Zuckerberg's Twitter account was hacked. Or the app, from beginning itself, is stealing your data because it is designed to do so. This is fairly common on smartphones.

Also read: How to keep your Google account safe

So what can you do about it

For individuals, the key is simple: use secure services. This means use the services that have two factor authentication system. Use services that focus a lot of security. All big companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter do. Remember that a Gmail, although not so great from absolute privacy perspective, is more secure than your company email (in most cases). Remember to not install an app that you don't trust, and that goes for the web apps or extensions like the ones that you get on Facebook. Use strong passwords. Don't get phished. Use websites that offer HTTPS, which up to an extent eliminates a lot of middleman attack. Use apps that offer better security. So WhatsApp is better than a chat app that doesn't offer encryption.

For organisations, it is little more complex. For them it is important to choose their internet infrastructure a little bit more carefully. A web host or email service provider might be cheap but that may not necessarily offer good security in case hackers decide to go after your company.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: From Aditi Khanna

London, Dec 12 (PTI) Six persons, including a woman, were today arrested in the UK following anti-terrorism raids across London and the Midlands region of England.

Four menfrom Derby, aged between 22 and 36, along with a 27-year-old man from Burton uponTrent in Staffordshire,and a 32-year-old woman from London were held by police.

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Officers from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit continue to search six properties related to the arrest.

"Six people have this morning (Monday, December 12) been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act... [They] have all been arrested on suspicion of engaging in the Preparation of an Act of Terrorism, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. The six people are currently in police custody," the unit said in a statement.

"We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of these arrests and local officers will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may have concerns. We would ask people to remain alert and vigilant but not to be alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance, support and understanding of people locally," it added.

Described as an "ongoing investigation" led by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, the raids were supported by local officers from Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Metropolitan Police. PTI AK KJ AKJ KJ

--- ENDS ---
Some university chiefs are also warning that many Indian students are already being denied visas on minor grounds as part of a wider move to cut immigration into the UK.

By Press Trust of India: The UK government is finalising plans to cut annual student visa figures by nearly half, from the current 300,000 to 170,000, a media report said amid a sharp fall in students coming to the country from outside Europe including India.

Some university chiefs are also warning that many Indian students are already being denied visas on minor grounds as part of a wider move to cut immigration into the UK.

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"They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here. That is outrageous," a UK vice-chancellor was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper.

The move comes despite recent UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures indicating there has been a drastic drop in students coming to the UK from outside Europe.

"There was a statistically significant decline in the number of non-EU citizens migrating to the UK to study, from 134,000 in the previous year to 111,000...there was a statistically significant decline in citizens of South Asia, with the number coming to study having almost halved," ONS said in its 'Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016'.

INDIA 3RD LARGEST IN TERMS OF STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS

India is the third-largest category in terms of student visa applications after the US and China, with 10,664 granted between June 2015 and 2016.

"International students contribute, directly and indirectly, 14 billion pounds to the UK economy, making higher education one of this country's most valuable exports...Over the last five years, the number of Indian students attending UK universities has halved. I have consistently asked the government to remove students from the net migration target," said Lord Bilimoria, leading Indian-origin entrepreneur and Cobra Beer founder, who himself came to the UK as a student.

"We should immediately re-introduce the two-year post-study work visa, which I fought hard to introduce before its withdrawal in 2012, to allow foreign students to implement their much-needed skills here and help boost our economy," he added.

Also read:

Fearing tighter US visa regime, Indian IT firms rush to hire, acquire

During British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed on the importance of access for Indian students to UK institutions.

"Education is vital for our students and will define our engagement in a shared future. We must therefore encourage greater mobility and participation of young people in educational and research opportunities," PM Modi had told May in his address at the UK India Tech Summit in New Delhi.

However, senior university sources indicate the UK Home Office is on track for some dramatic immigration cuts in student visa numbers. While it has dismissed rumours of an annual cutback of more than two-thirds, the likely cut to around 170,000 seems likely to be enforced.

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Also read:

H-1B visa: Indian techies face uncertain future under Donald Trump

A UK Home Office spokesperson said: "Claims the Home Office is modelling cuts to reduce international students to a third [ie 100,000 a year] are categorically untrue".

"We want to strengthen the system to support the best universities and those that stick to the rules to attract the best talent. The British people have sent a clear message that they want more control of immigration and we are committed to getting net migration down to sustainable levels in the tens of thousands," he said.

--- ENDS ---
NDRF has deployed 15 teams in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in wake of the cyclone Vardah threat.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: A red alert has been sounded ahead of what is now being described as a very severe Cyclonic storm Vardah. NDRF has deployed 15 teams in Andhra and Tamil Nadu, with each team comprising 45 trained personnel.

"While it was Coast guard and Navy which was looking at rescue at sea, the NDRF was deployed to look at safety and rescue in case of flooding at residential areas," NDRF director general RK Pachnanda told India today.

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"NDRF personnel are carrying specialised equipment to deal with emergency like situation in case people are trapped in residences or even if there is requirement to rescue people in flood like situation. From initial 11 teams, NDRF now has 15 teams, with standby teams also being pre positioned near landfall areas," added Pachnanda.

Nearly 700 NDRF men have been deployed for rescue and relief mission in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. While one specialised team is deployed in Nada region of Andhra Pradesh, three teams have been moved to Ennor Creek in north of Chennai industrial belt, both areas where landfall is expected by this afternoon.

Also read: Cyclone Vardah to make landfall on Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh coasts shortly

NDRF has deployed three teams of Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), water rescue teams comprising of deep sea divers and Medical first responders ( MFR). Seven teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh, while eight teams are deployed in Tamil Nadu.

According to sources, the government agencies were hopeful that there is an unlikely chance of a repeat of 2015, where flood water had entered Chennai city. A senior officer said "that the water bodies are near empty, and water will fill up, but is not expected to cause flooding."

Sources say that after landfall, there would be heavy rainfall, during which forces will be on alert. Thereafter the severity of the storm, and its impact is likely to subside. Till then agencies including NDRF will work in tandem with state authorities.

Also read: Cyclone Vardah may not weaken much when it makes landfall

--- ENDS ---
An art exhibition for Gandhara statues was held at the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot on Dec 6 and will last until March 5 next year, drawing a stream of visitors to trace the glorious history and arts of Buddhism.

Statues of Buddhist heads are exhibited at the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot on Dec 6. [Photo/people.cn]

The exhibition is being jointly sponsored by the Inner Mongolia Museum, the Museum of the Dabaoen Temple Site in Nanjing, and the Guge Museum in Nanjing.

The exhibition showcases 58 priceless Gandhara sculptures made from stone carvings, drawing hundreds of local citizens to visit.

Gandhara

Gandhara is the ancient term for the city and old kingdom of Taxila and Peshawar, which encompassed the Swat Valley and the northern Punjab in Pakistan, as well as Jalalabad in modern-day Afghanistan. As a center of Greco-Buddhism, Bactrian Zoroastrianism and animism, Gandhara reached the height of its powers from the first century to the fifth century under the Kushan kings. After it was conquered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1001, the name Gandhara disappeared.

A girl takes photos in front of statues of the Buddha being exhibited at the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot on Dec 6. [Photo/people.cn]

Gandhara Buddha Sculptures

As for stylistic Buddhist art, the Grandhara Buddha sculptures were developed with influences from Greece, Syria, Persia, and India. Began during the Parthian Period (50 BC-AD 75), the Gandhara art flourished and achieved its peak during the Kushan period, during the first to fifth centuries, and then declined and was destroyed after the invasion by the White Huns in the fifth century.

These sculptures mainly represented the Buddha with symbols such as the stupa, the Bodhi tree, the empty seat, the wheel, or the footprints. The innovative anthropomorphic images of the Buddha reached new heights after being inspired by the Hellenistic art styles. Thus, a so-called Greco-Buddhist art form was created  an amalgamation between the classical ancient Greek and Roman culture and Asian Buddhism.

The Gandhara Buddha sculptures, in typical Greco-Buddhist style, are characterized by strong idealistic realism and are the first representations of the Buddha in human form, which have helped define the artistic canon for Buddhist art throughout the Asian continent up to the present day.

A Buddhist sculpture, traced back to the second or third century, is exhibited at the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot on Dec 6. [Photo/people.cn]

The Dabaoen Temple

As a historical site in Nanjing, the Dabaoen Temple, literally known as the Grand Temple of Repaying Gratitude, is located on the south bank of the external Qinhuai River. Constructed during the 15th century (the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644), it was mostly destroyed in the 19th century during the course of the Taiping Rebellion.

In 2010, Wang Jianlin, a Chinese businessman, donated 1 billion yuan ($145 million) to the city of Nanjing for its reconstruction, which was reported to be the largest single personal donation ever made in China.
* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati received the 2022 Adepi Award

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* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.
Hamshahri, the Iranian state website, reported on August 15 about the latest number of Irans internet users. They explained how they calculated their figuers, If Irans population is assumed to be 75 million, the latest studies show that nearly 55.5 million people are internet users while 37.5 million have an internet subscription. The ADSL penetration rate has reached 20.72 percent, whereas the mobile internet has the highest share of internet connections with a penetration rate of 31.83 percent, accounting for nearly 24 million users.

Is the increase in the number of users related to the regimes repression? Some say that the more the internet users are put under pressure by regimes judiciary and security forces, the more they turn to online sources, especially those belonging to Irans resistance and PMOI.People want to have access to reliable and free information.

The regimes Attorney General, Mohammad Jafari, says, unfortunately, the cyberspace is being used by many foreign currents as a path to hit the system. The enemy is taking advantage of the internet to inflict on us various types of social harms, including blasphemy. A soft war has been waged against us in this regard, this, according to Tasnim news agency, December 7, 2016.

He also acknowledges regimes policies regarding censorship of the internet and social networks, adding, considering the Attorney Generals responsibility, there is a close relationship with the Cyber Police with regard to the internet, so that 13-14 thousand websites are blocked each week due to violations.

Many internet service providers refuse to transfer their servers to Iran, as deploying the servers in Iran means allowing the regimes security and intelligence bodies to have access to users identities, as well as a collection of other information available on social networks. The popular Telegram social network has refused to have any kind of collaboration with the Iranian regime.

While complaining about this fact, the Attorney General says that, one of the reasons for (regimes) inability to cope with the social networks is that their servers are not located in Iran.

The regimes policies and huge investments have failed. An increasing number of social network users, who in addition to challenging the whole system, are able to access important sources of information from inside the country.
Maryam Rajavi was the keynote speaker. She is the Iranian opposition leader, and the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). She was joined by the former Italian Foreign Minister, Giulio Terzi, as well as a young female former political prisoner, Shabnam Madadzadeh, 29, who spent 5 years in prison and has recently managed to leave Iran.

A number of MEPs from various European countries spoke at the event.

Mr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, President of International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ) and former vice president of the European Parliament was an attendee.

Mr. Vidal-Quadras called the state of human rights in Iran deplorable. He made a few short points regarding that statement:

1. His first point regards the European Union policy towards the Iranian regime. Since the current High Representative, Federica Mogherini, took office two years ago, the position of the European External Action Service in relation to dictatorships that violate human rights has weakened. And its voice has sounded on too few occasions and too low.

He said that in her trips to Tehran, and her meetings with Iranian officials, the issue of human rights has not been properly addressed. He alleged that her friendly attitude toward people directly involved in thousands of executions, systematic torture and all kinds of abuses against human rights and civil liberties, people that in fact should be taken to court for crimes against humanity, is a moral discredit for herself, and for the European Union in its role as promoter and defender of the values of the open society in the world.

One of three brothers who hold key positions in the regime, Javad Larijani, is head of the Iranian Human Rights Committee. I propose they change the name, Mr. Vidal-Quadras said, quipping that it should be called The Anti-Human Rights Committee. Mr. Vidal-Quadras continued, Mr. Larijani has recently returned a letter to Mrs. Mogherini asking her to prevent opposition activities in Europe and broke the democratic rights of the PMOI and the NCRI in exposing the crimes of the Iranian regime. For instance, this meeting, he has asked Mrs. Mogherini to forbid that we should be here. I think hes not very familiar with the institutional structures of the European Union.

Larijani is being so cynical as to present the Iranian regime, one of the most bloodthirsty regime of our times, as a victim of human rights violations itself. Mr. Vidal-Quadras criticizes Larijani over his complaints about the Free Iran gathering last July where the Iranian opposition was joined by over 100,000 participants in Paris. Many of us were there with Mrs. Rajavi enjoying this fantastic event, and he has complained about this gathering. The same man that strongly defends the massive use of death penalty against political opponents and human rights activists, is the one that criticizes a democratic and peaceful event in favor of regime change in Iran, Mr. Vidal-Quadras said.

2. His second point spoke to the systemic violation against human rights that cannot be considered an internal matter of the country. These practices of the Iranian regime have penetrated neighboring countries beyond Irans borders. This is a regime that is extending the crimes that have been committed in its own country in the past 30 years, to other territories, such as Iraq and Syria. The regimes brutal behavior, mainly the massacre of the summer of 1988, and many more atrocities, have never been brought to justice. The export of terrorism and fundamentalism, meddling in internal affairs with other countries in the region, the implementation of the same policies of oppression and suppression that exist inside Iran to the hull of the Middle East. Once again we must insist that there is a solution despite all difficulties.

Mr. Vidal-Quadras called for a regime change as the solution that will transform Iran into a sound democracy, using to the 10-point plan proposed by Maryam Rajavi and the Iranian Democratic Opposition. This is what European governments and the European External Action Service and Mrs. Mogherini should aim to, instead of wasting their time trying to appease a regime that will never give up his hegemonic power of the Muslim world to impose on it its fanatical aggressive and regressive totalitarianism. Thank you very much, he concluded.
[December 12, 2016] Technip and Chemetry sign agreement for licensing and engineering of eShuttle technology

Regulatory News: Technip (Paris:TEC) (ISIN:FR0000131708) (ADR:TKPPY) and Chemetry have signed an exclusive cooperation agreement for the licensing and engineering of Chemetry's eShuttle technology for the production of ethylene dichloride (EDC). EDC is a commodity chemical produced worldwide and used primarily for PVC(1) plastic production. The technology significantly lowers energy use, reduces the carbon footprint and improves the safety of the chlor-alkali and EDC industries. The technology uses a unique metal halide ion process to produce high purity EDC without the generation of harmful chlorine gas. The process significantly reduces electrical power consumption compared to latest generation chlor-alkali processes. Power savings can be reduced by nearly half compared to older diaphragm or mercury-based processes. Additionally, the process is ideally suited for integration with oxygen depolarized cathode technology(2), which further increases energy savings. The technology was pioneered in Chemetry's laboratory and integrated pilot demonstration facilities in Moss Landing, California. The agreement leverages Chemetry's expertise in electrolyzer design and halide chemistry with Technip's global strength in technology licensing, process scale-up, engineering and procurement. Technip's operating center in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, will manage the agreement, with support from Technip's office in Lyon, France. Both centers have first-of-a-kind technology development and engineering experience and are part of Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology, which looks after Technip's expanding portfolio of onshore process technologies in petrochemicals, refining, hydrogen and syngas, polymers and gas monetization. Dr. Ryan Gilliam, Chemetry CEO, said: "Since its founding,Chemetry has been focused on redefining how chemicals are made. From lower energy requirements and improved margins, to less impact on the environment and safer operation, we are developing a technology platform that will have a lasting impact."



The eShuttle technology uses the same feedstocks and produces the same products (EDC, caustic and hydrogen) as conventional processes, making it ideal for retrofitting existing chlor-alkali/EDC plants especially where electrical costs are high. It also offers EDC producers the ability to expand production within the same cell room footprint and power requirements. Stan Knez, President, Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology, added: "Technip is pleased to work with Chemetry on this innovative project. Our strong technology, engineering and commercialization experience coupled with Chemetry's catalysis and electrochemistry expertise will enable us to provide customers with a complete technology and engineering package, a single point of interface and the highest quality standards. With the support of Technip's technical teams in Boston and Lyon, we look forward to bringing the technology forward to full commercialization."

(1)PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a widely produced synthetic plastic polymer that comes in two basic forms. The rigid form is used in construction of pipe, doors and windows; the flexible form is used for cable insulation and signage.

(2)The eShuttle platform is compatible with Covestro's oxygen depolarized cathode technology which introduces oxygen into the standard chlor-alkali cathodic reaction eliminating the production of hydrogen and lowering the energy required to produce sodium hydroxide. About Technip Technip is a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry. From the deepest Subsea oil & gas developments to the largest and most complex Offshore and Onshore infrastructures, our close to 31,000 people are constantly offering the best solutions and most innovative technologies to meet the world's energy challenges. Present in 45 countries, Technip has state-of-the-art industrial assets on all continents and operates a fleet of specialized vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. Technip shares are listed on the Euronext Paris exchange, and its ADR is traded in the US on the OTCQX marketplace as an American Depositary Receipt (OTCQX: TKPPY). About Chemetry Leveraging its world class laboratories and piloting facilities, Chemetry is focused on developing lower energy technologies in the chemical space. Supported by a diverse team of engineering, scientists and plant operators, the company maintains an active research and development program and holds over 100 patents in the chemical and building material space. Chemetry is part of Calera Corporation, a clean technology company based in Moss Landing, California. For more information, visit http://chemetrycorp.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161211005042/en/

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[December 12, 2016] IBC Inks Landmark Deal with LodgIQ

NEW YORK and PHOENIX, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IBC (InnDependent Boutique Collection), a leading provider of hospitality technologies for independent hotels, today announced an agreement with LodgIQ to bring its sophisticated, machine-learning based revenue management system (RMS) to IBC customers. In December, independent hotels using the proprietary IBC hotel management platform will have access to two RMS solutions: IBC RMS for full-service properties and IBC ONE for focused service properties, both powered by LodgIQ. "After an extensive evaluation of many revenue management platforms on the market, LodgIQ had the platform most aligned with our independent-minded hoteliers' needs," said Pamela Barnhill, President, COO and Founder of IBC. "We are a cutting-edge company, and the services we deliver to our member hotels must be as well. LodgIQ is the only revenue management company enmeshing machine learning into its unique solution, plus it delivers unparalleled value through market insights at an affordable cost. We are thrilled to be offering this innovative solution to our members. LodgIQ turns big data into smart data for the sole purpose of uncovering revenue potential." By placing two LodgIQ powered RMS solutions on the IBC Marketplace (which includes managed distribution, an advanced central-reservation system and soft brand benefits), independent hotels can leverage scalable machine-learning technology that continuously collects and analyzes market variables such as room ratesof direct and indirect competitors, historical room rates, flight patterns, meteorological patterns and other demand generators such as local events. As data signals are received, both systems analyze the information to determine its importance, then integrating this newly gained insight into its pricing recommendations, making increasingly accurate pricing recommendations over time.



"IBC is a forward-thinking company, and we are honored to be selected by them to provide this critical business solution," said Ravneet Bhandari, CEO at LodgIQ. "Our goal is to help IBC member hotels think differently about how to approach setting rates, forecasting and revenue management as a whole." IBC ONE (powered by LodgIQ) is particularly suited for hotels with less complex operating environments, whether independent or branded, select-service or full-service, and can be self-launched by any hotel, in any market, within a matter of minutes. This platform harnesses the power of LodgIQ's patented market-based forecasting and optimization algorithms and machine learning platform, and completely eliminates any dependencies on PMS or CRS connectivity.

To find out more about the partnership between LodgIQ and IBC or to arrange an interview, please contact Barb Worcester, PRpro, at 440-930-5770 or email [email protected]. About IBC Hotels

IBC is a leading provider of hospitality technologies for independent hotels. Our portfolio of products and services includes the proprietary IBC hotel management platform which makes available its managed distribution, advanced CRS, and soft brand benefits to independent hotels, villas, and B&B's. More than half the world's hotel properties are independently-owned. Online search has placed all new pressures on the small business owners who run these properties. With IBC, hotels can reclaim their revenue and guest data from the OTAs while maintaining their independence from soft brands and chains. Finally, independent hotels can take back their bookings. Learn how at www.ibcmembers.com. About LodgIQ

LodgIQ provides advanced travel industry revenue optimization technologies. Its breakthrough next-generation revenue optimization platforms, LodgIQ RM and LodgIQ ONE, were developed by seasoned revenue management executives and Silicon Valley technologists. LodgIQ's products combine sophisticated machine learning with an intuitive and powerful user interface delivering advanced recommendations and actionable analytics. LodgIQ RM is for full service hotels while LodgIQ ONE is geared to boutique, independent and focused service hotels. LodgIQ is headquartered in New York City, and maintains offices in Silicon Valley, Singapore, London and Bangalore. Learn more at www.LodgIQ.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibc-inks-landmark-deal-with-lodgiq-300376155.html SOURCE LodgIQ

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The cyber landscape changes dramatically year after year. If you blink, you may miss something; whether thats a noteworthy hack, a new attack vector or new solutions to protect your business. Sound cybersecurity means trying to stay one step ahead of threat actors.

In the spirit of looking toward the future, I wanted to grab my crystal ball and take my best guess at what will be the big storylines in cybersecurity in 2017.

1. IoT continues to pose a major threat. In late 2016, all eyes were on IoT-borne attacks. Threat actors were using Internet of Things devices to build botnets to launch massive distrubted denial of service (DDoS) attacks. In two instances, these botnets collected unsecured smart cameras. As IoT devices proliferate, and everything has a Web connection  refrigerators, medical devices, cameras, cars, tires, you name it  this problem will continue to grow unless proper precautions like two-factor authentication, strong password protection and others are taken.

Device manufacturers must also change behavior. They must scrap default passwords and either assign unique credentials to each device or apply modern password configuration techniques for the end user during setup.

2. DDoS attacks get even bigger. We recently saw some of the largest DDoS attacks on record, in some instances topping one Tbps. Thats absolutely massive, and it shows no sign of slowing. Through 2015, the largest attacks on record were in the 65 Gbps range.

Going into 2017, we can expect to see DDoS attacks grow in size, further fuelling the need for solutions tailored to protect against and mitigate these colossal attacks.

3. Predictive analytics gains ground. Math, machine learning and artificial intelligence will be baked more into security solutions. Security solutions will learn from the past, and essentially predict attack vectors and behaviors based on that historical data. This means security solutions will be able to more accurately and intelligently identify and predict attacks by using event data and marrying it to real-world attacks.

4. Attack attempts on industrial control systems. Similar to the IoT attacks, its only due time until we see major industrial control system (ICS) attacks. Attacks on ecommerce stores, social media platforms and others have become so commonplace that weve almost grown cold to them. Bad guys will move onto bigger targets: dams, water treatment facilities and other critical systems to gain recognition.

5. Upstream providers become targets. The DDoS attack launched against DNS provider Dyn, which resulted in knocking out many major sites that use Dyn (News - Alert) for DNS services, made headlines because it highlighted what can happen when threat actors target a service provider as opposed to just the end customers.

These types of attacks on upstream providers cause a ripple effect that interrupts service not only for the provider, but all of their customers and users. The attack on Dyn set a dangerous precedent and will likely be emulated several times over in the coming year.

6. Physical security grows in importance. Cybersecurity is just one part of the puzzle. Strong physical security is also necessary. In 2017, companies will take notice, and will implement stronger physical security measures and policies to protect against internal threats and theft and unwanted devices coming in and infecting systems.

7. Automobiles become a target. With autonomous vehicles on the way and the massive success of sophisticated electric cars like Teslas, the automobile industry will become a much more attractive target for attackers. Taking control of an automobile isnt fantasy, and it could be a real threat next year.

8. Point solutions no longer do the job. The days of Frankensteining together a set of security solutions has to stop. Instead of buying a single solution for each issue, businesses must trust security solutions from best-of-breed vendors and partnerships that answer a number of security needs. Why have 12 solutions when you can have three? In 2017, your security footprint will get smaller, but will be much more powerful.

9. The threat of ransomware grows. Ransomware was one of the fastest growing online threats in 2016 and it will become more serious and more frequent in 2017. Weve seen businesses and individuals pay thousands of dollars to free their data from the grip of threat actors. The growth of ransomware means we must be more diligent to protect against it by not clicking on anything suspicious. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

10. Security teams are 24/7. The days of security teams working nine-to-five are long gone. Now is the dawn of the 24/7 security team. As more security solutions become services-based, consumers and businesses will demand the security teams and their vendors be available around the clock. While monitoring tools do some of the work, threats dont stop just because its midnight, and security teams need to be ready to do battle all day, every day.

Those are 10 things we see happening in the cybersecurity space next year.

About the Author

Mohammed Al-Moneer has recently been appointed as Regional Director, MENA at A10 Networks (News - Alert). Mohammed has held various sales leadership positions at networking and other high tech companies. Most recently at Infoblox, he served as regional manager for Saudi Arabia, where he leveraged his success in leading the services business to drive operational efficiencies and innovation and achieve exceptional growth. Prior to that he worked as territory sales manager for enterprise servers, storage and networking at Hewlett-Packard (News - Alert).

Edited by Alicia Young
Curtis Peterson will share valuable insight at the communication and business transformation event

Norwalk, CT  December 12, 2016  TMC announced that Curtis Peterson, SVP of Cloud Operations at RingCentral, will present a keynote at ITEXPO which is held February 8-10, 2017 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward Country Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. ITEXPO is the communications and business transformation event bringing together service providers, enterprises, government agencies, resellers, vendors and developers to discuss the latest innovations that are changing the marketplace.

Petersons keynote takes place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8 and in his keynote he will discuss his current challenges, strategies and forecasts in technology for 2017 and beyond. This view from the top will outline the latest trends and developments in AI and Cloud Computing technology innovation for enterprise communications to help attendees shape their future strategies.



There are many evolving, transformative, and disruptive technologies on the horizon, said Peterson. However, I believe that AI and Cloud Computing will have the greatest impact on business communications for organizations. 2017 is going to be an exciting year in technology and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with the attendees at ITEXPO.

A leading provider of cloud-based business communications and collaboration solutions, RingCentrals cloud solution is easier to manage and more flexible and cost-efficient than legacy on-premise communications systems.

As a leading provider of cloud-based business communications and collaboration solutions, RingCentral can offer a lot of insight and knowledge to our attendees, said Rich Tehrani, TMC CEO and conference chairman. We are excited to welcome Curtis Peterson to ITEXPO and look forward to hearing his take on the quick changing industry.

ITEXPO is supported by Diamond Sponsors: Digium, RingCentral; Platinum Sponsors: 888VoIP, Fiber Mountain, Grandstream, Sangoma, Sansay, Talkdesk Yealink; Gold Sponsors: ABP Tech, IBM, NetSapiens, Snom, Teli, Taqua, Vitelity, and Voxbone

For more information or to register for ITEXPO, contact Frank Coppola at 203-852-6800 x131. For media inquiries, contact Jessica Seabrook. Companies interested in exhibiting, sponsorship or advertising packages for ITEXPO should contact TMC's Joe Fabiano at 203-852-6800 x132 or Maureen Gambino at 203-852-6800 x109.

For the latest ITEXPO news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @ITEXPO.

About TMC

Global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers.

TMCs Marketplaces:

Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking.

Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases.

In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads.

Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations.

Custom Content provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts.

Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face.

For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

Media and Analyst Contact:

Jessica Seabrook

Marketing Director

203.852.6800 x170

[email protected]

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Edited by Alicia Young
General thoughts of fun stuff, like music, books and the like. Thanks for reading.
Sinclair Lewis

Harry Sinclair Lewis born on February 7, 1885, was an American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. In 1930, he became the first writer from the United States to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Lewis had a knack for his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with both wit and humor. His works are known for their insightful and critical views of American capitalism and materialism between the wars. He also is respected for his strong characterization of modern working women.

In 1914 Lewis married Grace Livingston Hegger, an editor at Vogue magazine. They had one son, Wells Lewis, who was killed in action while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Lewis divorced Grace in 1925. In 1928, he married Dorothy Thompson, a political newspaper columnist. The couple purchased a home in rural Vermont. During his marriage to Dorothy they had a son, Michael Lewis, born in 1930. Unfortunately, this marriage did not last and they were divorced in 1942.

As early as 1916, Lewis began taking notes for a realistic novel about small-town America. The masterpiece "Main Street" was published on October 23, 1920, and immediately became a phenomenal success. "Main Street" sold 180,000 copies and within a few years, sales were estimated at two million. It has been estimated that Lewis earned $3 million for this novel.

In Sinclair's later years he wrote 11 more novels, 10 of which appeared in his lifetime. The novel that most Americans will remember is the book, "It Can't Happen Here." Written in 1935, the book tells of the election of a fascist to the American presidency.

Alcohol always seemed to be a demon for Sinclair, and in 1937, he checked himself into the Austen Riggs Center, a psychiatric hospital. His doctors gave him a blunt assessment that he needed to decide whether he was going to live without alcohol or die by it, one or the other. Lewis checked himself out of the hospital after 10 days. The physician in charge would later say that this famous author did not understand the gravity of his problem.

Lewis died from advanced alcoholism on January 10, 1951, at the relatively young age of 65. A final novel, "World So Wide," was published posthumously.
PCH Volunteers to host chocolate sale

PARIS -- The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will host a South Bend Chocolate Company sale in December.

The sale will take place on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., near the FMC rotunda entrance.

The sale will offer nearly 50 varieties of gourmet chocolates and snacks. Items will include award-winning salsas, hot sauces, jams, jellies, relishes, and preserves made by Kathy's Kitchen.

Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted.

For more information, contact Mike Harrison, Public Relations/Marketing/Grant Writing Associate, Paris Community Hospital, 217-465-2606, ext. 296, or at mharrison@pchfmc.com.

Classic Christmas movie to screen at Charleston library

CHARLESTON -- Join the Charleston Cargnegie Public Library for a classic Christmas movie at 4 p.m. Thursday on the big screen in Rotary Room B.

This animated film by Robert Zemeckis is based on children's author Chris Van Allsburg's modern holiday classic of the same name. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the show. This is a free program, open to the public. A library card is not needed to attend.

Call or visit their website for the title or for further information at 217-345-1514 or at www.charlestonlibrary.org.

Christmas light contest to be held

STRASBURG -- The annual Light Up Strasburg Christmas Light contest will again be held this year. All residents are encouraged to participate in the Christmas Light contest sponsored by the Village.

Judging will take place on Thursday. Judges Choice award winners will be $50, $30 and $20 gift certificates from Shortstop.

For more information, contact Linda D. Oakley, Village of Strasburg Administrative Clerk/Treasurer, at 217-644-3007.
SPRINGFIELD  While students at Illinois public universities are busy cramming for final exams, campus leaders are facing tests of their own.

Theyre being forced once again to put plans in place for operating without state funding after going nearly the entire 2015-16 school year without receiving any support amid the ongoing budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly.

A six-month spending plan that has kept schools afloat through the fall semester runs out Dec. 31, and theres no indication that Rauner and top Democrats are anywhere close to reaching a deal on a budget for the rest of the year.

The four top legislative leaders and the governor had been meeting behind closed doors during the Legislatures fall veto session and afterward, but Rauner canceled a Thursday meeting after House Democrats indicated that they wouldnt present a budget proposal as the governor had requested. Democrats say its the governors constitutional obligation to present a budget plan.

As of Friday, there were no more meetings scheduled before the stopgap spending plan runs out.

Lawmakers arent due back in Springfield until Jan. 9, leaving only two days of lame-duck session before the new General Assembly is sworn in.

Theres a great deal of uncertainty because we just dont know when lawmakers are going to come together on an agreement, said John Charles, executive director for governmental and public affairs at Southern Illinois University. That creates a lot of angst.

Illinois State University chief of staff Jay Groves said public universities have been here before.

This year looks very much like last year, Groves said, adding that the difference is the money from two funding deals Rauner signed into law this spring and summer.

The six-month spending plan approved June 30 released $1 billion for higher education, including roughly $646 million for operations at the states nine public university systems.

Coupled with $350 million in operating money from an emergency funding measure in April, the stopgap brought the schools hit hardest by the impasse -- Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Chicago State universities -- up to 90 percent of what they received for the 2014-15 school year. The remaining universities were brought up to 82 percent funding.

While the stopgap funding could be used for expenses through Dec. 31, universities largely devoted the money to expenses from last school year.

As a result of the lack of funding last year, universities laid off hundreds of employees, left hundreds more vacant positions unfilled and instituted furlough days, among other cost-cutting measures.

Officials were reluctant to discuss what would happen if lawmakers and the governor arent able to reach a budget deal until well into the spring.

Well have to make those decisions at that time, said Matt Bierman, budget director at Western Illinois. We are of the belief that we are doing a good job advocating for our needs and that Springfield understands our needs and will react accordingly when the time is right.

Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois and Chicago State each recently received a share of $17 million in additional emergency funding from the Illinois Board of High Education.

Bierman said his school will use the $8.4 million it received to cover payroll. Eastern Illinois likewise will use its $5.6 million for payroll and other operating expenses, officials have said.

Like Bierman, Illinois States Groves said its too early to speculate about what might happen if the budget impasse isnt resolved soon.

We are hoping that the General Assembly and the governor  will get together on a predictable and appropriate budget for public higher education, Groves said.

To that end, the University of Illinois has proposed legislation that would guarantee funding levels for the systems three campuses for five years in exchange for the university agreeing to a series of performance measures, including enrolling at a minimum number of in-state students. The bill didnt advance during the fall veto session.

Other university leaders have discussed the concept, which the Board of Higher Education also favors, but they have yet to publicly back it.
CHARLESTON -- Ivans days on the police force were numbered in July.

A K9 unit dog for the Charleston Police Department for more than eight years, Ivan was getting old and retirement was imminent.

During those eight years, Ivans days were fairly routine. Starting at around 5 p.m., he and Heath Thornton, Ivans handler, would go on a walk and all around get ready for the night ahead of them.

Thornton said when he got his uniform on, Ivan, characterized as a serious and work-oriented dog, knew it was his time to shine.

When I go to work at night and put the uniform on, that is like the indicator that, Hey, Im going, so he goes to the door and he is ready to roll, Thornton said.

But the 9-year-old Belgian Malinois was getting slower and got tired more quickly. He was nearing retirement.

Thornton said in late June, this became clear at the K9 Dog Trials, which serve as a certification event for K9 dogs, but also serve as a competition.

He only just turned 9 a week before the trial and he was looking pretty good, Thornton said. I was really excited about having a nice trial.

Thornton noted that Ivan in many ways looked better and more prepared than ever for the trial. But after one of the trials for obedience, Ivan was getting noticeably worn. More than just being an old dog, Ivan also was limping.

Thornton said his front legs and joints have gotten weaker and more problematic with age. The next day of the trials, Ivan had to do article searches, which is not very strenuous on the dogs, and yet, Ivan still was limping.

After that, I was like, I can't do this to him, so I pulled him out, Thornton said. It was devastating to see him just limping. It was kind of all of a sudden. He had some off and on (episodes) but nothing that had not healed up.

Ivans time as a K9 dog was coming to a close. Around the same time, though, Thornton said a K9 dog owner was willing to donate a now 14-month-old trained K9 dog, Kye.

Kye, a German Shepherd, is social butterfly of a dog, Thornton said. Still a young pup in many ways, Kye seemingly does not stop moving or lose energy, but Thornton said he is a trained dog ready for the position.

So, for the next few months, Thornton trained Kye and transitioned Ivan into retirement.

I want to see (Ivan) enjoy life, Thornton said. I don't want to work him until he can't walk to where he couldn't enjoy life. He has worked for eight years, seven months I think he deserves to just be a dog, be at home, relax, just be a family member.

Ivans last day on the job was the Monday before Thanksgiving with Kye taking his place on Thanksgiving.

The complete transition has been rough for Ivan, so far. Thornton said it is hard to be a working dog and then just stop, but it is necessary for his health that he did not continue.

In Ivans mind, he is still a K9 dog, however. Around 5 p.m., before Thornton goes off to work, Ivan still gets energized and prepared to go off to work again, only to realize that he is not going along.

Thornton said Ivan often sits on the kitchen floor waiting for Thornton when he is on duty. Wednesday night even, as Thornton pulled out of the driveway, Ivan would not move out of the doorway.

Thornton said it has been hard to leave him home. Being partners for so long, it was a hard transition, even with Kye there to take his place.

But, Thornton said for him and his family, Ivans job has only become more vital.

His job is now more important than it ever was before because he has got to stay home and protect Mom and the girls, he said.

According to Thornton, Ivan had a very successful career, catching numerous drug finds along with other things. In September, nearing his retirement, Ivan got the find of the quarter for this region, locating a lot of meth, 8 grams of cocaine and over $1,000 in cash.
LERNA -- The American Christmas of the mid 19th Century was starting to look like the holiday of today.

The wave of immigration meant people of different cultures and traditions came together and that led to the evolution, Lauren Spaniol told visitors to Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site on Saturday.

"Those groups were starting to bring their traditions and see each others' and meld them," she said during the site's Christmas event.

Spaniol was one of the volunteers who dressed in period clothing and talked to visitors about what she described as "the different variety of traditions of the time."

She was one of the volunteers at the site's Stephen Sargent farm house, where the decorations included a picture of the first known Christmas card and first known portrayal of St. Nicholas, both from the mid 1840s.

For the day, Spaniol and the other volunteers put aside the site's regular historic interpretation method of having re-enactors speak as if they were residents of the area in 1845.

Instead, they took part in what she called "third-person interpretation," dressed for the time but relaying information and answering questions as themselves.

Saturday's program also featured activities at the Thomas Lincoln cabin, home of Abraham Lincoln's father and which gave the historic site its name.

Volunteers there made gingerbread and decorated a Christmas tree with cranberries, folded paper stars and other natural ornaments.

"We're just going back to the beginnings of the Christmas celebration," volunteer Ramona Tomshack said.

The activities at the Lincoln cabin were to show earlier customs that included family gatherings and were "more the true meaning" of the holiday, she explained.

Some early American colonials banned Christmas observations, but the change began with the increase in immigration after the Revolutionary War, site manager Matthew Mittelstaedt said.

Eventually, celebrations often became "raucous," but the popularity of Clement Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" -- perhaps better known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas" -- put it on the way to more of a family holiday, he said.

Saturday's event also featured ornament making for children, music and refreshments in the site's visitors center.
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Monday, December 12, 2016 Cangiolosi Scores Big Win For NM GOP Chair, But Bitterness LingersAmong Martinez Crowd, Plus: Heinrich is Now "in Cycle" And Has Work ToDo Ryan Cangiolosi



It means the Harvey Yates-Steve Pearce faction continues to consolidate GOP power as the party moves away from Gov. Martinez and her political adviser Jay McCleskey who have alienated many of their party brethren. Martinez officially became a lame duck Governor following the November election and McCleskey's client potential is drastically diminished after six years of war with fellow Republicans.



Cangiolosi, a businessman and longtime political operative who had a falling out with Martinez and McCleskey following a stint as her deputy chief of staff, follows in the footsteps of Yates, a former GOP chairman who this year defeated Martinez acolyte Pat Rogers when Rogers sought re-election as GOP national committeeman.



Despite his decisive margin of victory the Martinez/McCleskey Machine was in no mood to let bygones be bygones. On social media former Roswell GOP state Senator Rod Adair, a longtime ally of Martinez's, scorned Cangiolosi's win:



How does a "team" that is put together strictly on grievances, and hatred of the Republican governor, succeed in putting together a winning strategy and tactics? We asked how this was going to work last spring when Harvey Yates and, frankly, Steve Pearce, assembled all these naysayers. We got the answer on November 8: It does not work.



Republicans lost the state House to the Dems in November and the Dems added to their state senate majority while also easily beating Trump in NM.



Cangiolosi urged party unity but it's doubtful the Martinez crowd, known to carry a grudge, will ever be in his corner. He



We need to unite the party behind our common goal of electing Republicans across the state and promoting our shared message of economic prosperity, safer communities and an education system that truly prepares our children for the future. I have been active in the party for the past ten years and am excited to continue fighting for those principles in my new role as Chairman.



Party insiders say with Cangiolosi as chairman for the next two years the tone but not the substance of state GOP politics will change. They say there will be less personal vitriol and vindictiveness, hallmarks of the Martinez years (which also had significant electoral success). They add that Cangiolosi's big win will lessen factional strife in the GOP. (The only fly in that formula would be the unlikely ascension of ABQ Mayor Berry as the R's '18 governor candidate. He is a client of McCleskey's.



Cangiolosi, a



Cangiolosi will not preside over a party starved for funds. Yates as well as Rep. Pearce will ensure that.



With SuperPacs and independent consultants creating their own fiefdoms political parties don't matter as much as they once did, but they are still important vehicles for messaging. And with races for mayor, governor and US Senate fast approaching, there will be plenty of messaging awaiting the new chairman's attention.



HEINRICH'S HOUSE







Joe, Any idea whats behind Sen. Martin Heinrichs petition drive? Nearly every day he posts a Facebook link to a petition on his website protesting something President-elect Trump is doing or might do. The querulous petitions seem like an unusual political tactic: a backward step from senator to community organizer.



Heinrich is what political pros call "in cycle," meaning his re-election campaign is now activated. He has two Facebook pages his official



One of the reasons he may be trying to gin up the anti-Trump crowd is to have Democrats forget that he was among the earliest senate supporters of the failed candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Heinrich correctly bet that Sanders would lose the Dem prez nomination, but he was caught by surprise when Sanders surged and only narrowly lost the NM presidential primary to Clinton. That has created friction for Heinrich among his fellow Dems. He has fence mending to do as well as building up his bona fides with the Sanders followers, They hear Heinrich talk a lot about defense spending and the like but not so much about the Sanders economic agenda (or the economy in general) that they prize so much.



Heinrich begins the '18 cycle favored for re-election, but it's unclear how aggressive the R's will be in trying to take back the seat. There are no major names circulating at this point. But they are closely watching Heinrich's polling numbers which are relatively okay, but certainly not gangbusters. In



Historically, Senate incumbents have an easy time of it in New Mexico, with the last one losing his seat in 1982. But these are different times indeed. Loyalties can be quickly frayed by economic distress and a distaste and lack of respect for all things political. Heinrich knows he has some work in front of him.



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( c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2016 Ryan Cangiolosi scored an easy win over John Rockwell Sunday as the GOP State Central Committee voted 251-156 to name the 45 year old as the new chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party. So, what does his 62% to 38% victory mean? . . .It means the Harvey Yates-Steve Pearce faction continues to consolidate GOP power as the party moves away from Gov. Martinez and her political adviser Jay McCleskey who have alienated many of their party brethren. Martinez officially became a lame duck Governor following the November election and McCleskey's client potential is drastically diminished after six years of war with fellow Republicans.Cangiolosi, a businessman and longtime political operative who had a falling out with Martinez and McCleskey following a stint as her deputy chief of staff, follows in the footsteps of Yates, a former GOP chairman who this year defeated Martinez acolyte Pat Rogers when Rogers sought re-election as GOP national committeeman.Despite his decisive margin of victory the Martinez/McCleskey Machine was in no mood to let bygones be bygones. On social media former Roswell GOP state Senator Rod Adair, a longtime ally of Martinez's, scorned Cangiolosi's win:Republicans lost the state House to the Dems in November and the Dems added to their state senate majority while also easily beating Trump in NM.Cangiolosi urged party unity but it's doubtful the Martinez crowd, known to carry a grudge, will ever be in his corner. He said Party insiders say with Cangiolosi as chairman for the next two years the tone but not the substance of state GOP politics will change. They say there will be less personal vitriol and vindictiveness, hallmarks of the Martinez years (which also had significant electoral success). They add that Cangiolosi's big win will lessen factional strife in the GOP. (The only fly in that formula would be the unlikely ascension of ABQ Mayor Berry as the R's '18 governor candidate. He is a client of McCleskey's.Cangiolosi, a former employee of Yates' Jalapeno Corporation and a naval reserve officer, now works as executive project director at the UNM Health Sciences Center. His foes said he would have to give up that job to be chair, but he says he will keep the six figure gig and UNM is not protesting.Cangiolosi will not preside over a party starved for funds. Yates as well as Rep. Pearce will ensure that.With SuperPacs and independent consultants creating their own fiefdoms political parties don't matter as much as they once did, but they are still important vehicles for messaging. And with races for mayor, governor and US Senate fast approaching, there will be plenty of messaging awaiting the new chairman's attention.Speaking of that '18 Senate race, it will be Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, seeking re-election. And that brings us to this reader email:Heinrich is what political pros call "in cycle," meaning his re-election campaign is now activated. He has two Facebook pages his official US Senate page and his campaign Facebook . Where you are seeing the political stuff (the Trump bashing etc.) is on the campaign site.One of the reasons he may be trying to gin up the anti-Trump crowd is to have Democrats forget that he was among the earliest senate supporters of the failed candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Heinrich correctly bet that Sanders would lose the Dem prez nomination, but he was caught by surprise when Sanders surged and only narrowly lost the NM presidential primary to Clinton. That has created friction for Heinrich among his fellow Dems. He has fence mending to do as well as building up his bona fides with the Sanders followers, They hear Heinrich talk a lot about defense spending and the like but not so much about the Sanders economic agenda (or the economy in general) that they prize so much.Heinrich begins the '18 cycle favored for re-election, but it's unclear how aggressive the R's will be in trying to take back the seat. There are no major names circulating at this point. But they are closely watching Heinrich's polling numbers which are relatively okay, but certainly not gangbusters. In a poll conducted May through September Heinrich's approval rating was at 46 percent, below the key 50 percent mark.Historically, Senate incumbents have an easy time of it in New Mexico, with the last one losing his seat in 1982. But these are different times indeed. Loyalties can be quickly frayed by economic distress and a distaste and lack of respect for all things political. Heinrich knows he has some work in front of him.This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)
The construction of the worlds biggest hotel in Pyongyang began in 1987. The hotel was supposed to boost North Korean tourist industry. But it was abandoned in 1992, reportedly because of the poor quality of materials. The budget of the project is about $480 million, Joinfo.com reports with reference to NK News.

The lights were turned on in at least three rooms by night at the top of the Pyongyang Ryugyong Hotel this October, suggesting construction may have resumed at the troubled pyramid-shaped building. It is notable because there has been no sign of construction since window panes and a telecommunications mast were added in 2011.

Naguib Sawiris, Orascom CEO, the Egyptian company behind the construction, reportedly flew to Pyongyang this week on a private jet, apparently to discuss the future of the building.

Orascom was suspected of having spent millions on the building, but photos released by the Beijing-based Koryo Tours agency showed in 2012 that the structure was still empty, without fixtures or furnishings visible.

Im very surprised to see the top of the Ryugyong lit, said Peter Ward, a Seoul-based North Korea researcher.The fact they have added an aircraft warning light is interesting, if slightly puzzling.
Union Bank recently hired Jason Reimers as director of facilities. Reimers came to UBT with more than 20 years of experience in facilities and project management. In his new role, Reimers will lead and oversee all aspects of UBT's Facilities Department, including space planning, real estate, and vendor and lease management.

A graduate of Peru State College, Reimers holds a bachelor's degree in technology as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Technology from Southeast Community College-Milford. He received specialized training at CBRE University and is a licensed electrical contractor. Reimers is a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association.

Union Bank & Trust is a privately owned, Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services. The bank has 38 full service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. In addition to Lincoln and Omaha, branches are located in 21 Nebraska communities. It is the third largest privately owned bank in Nebraska with bank assets of $3.5 billion and trust assets of $15.5 billion as of June 30, 2016.
One of Lincoln's largest hotels will be out of commission for several months.

The downtown Holiday Inn closed its doors Sunday and won't reopen until sometime this summer.

The 16-story 231-room hotel is undergoing a complete renovation and will be transformed into a boutique hotel under the Graduate Hotels brand.

Launched in 2014, Graduate Hotels is a boutique concept that targets cities with major universities. Half a dozen of the hotels have opened so far, including in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Madison, Wisconsin.

The idea behind the hotels is that they cater to people visiting college towns, such as people there for sporting events or to visit a child attending school.

The Lincoln hotel will be the largest one in the chain to date.

AJ Capital Partners, which bought the hotel in January 2015 for $22 million, said in a news release that it will reopen sometime in the summer.

The company has not said how much it plans to spend on the renovations, but it's likely to be in the eight-figure range. A $7.5 million building permit was filed in October listing work that includes interior and exterior renovation work covering all 16 floors as well as the restaurant and bar area.

But that amount likely does not cover new furniture and other equipment, and it appears just about everything in the hotel is being replaced.

International Content Liquidators, a company that specializes in liquidation sales for hotels and hospitals, is selling everything from furniture to restaurant fixtures to carpet and drapes.

The Graduate Hotel will be the fifth name for the city's tallest hotel. It was built in 1974 as a Hilton, then operated for a few months as the Lincoln Hotel in 1992 before becoming a Ramada. It changed its affiliation to Holiday Inn in December 1998.

We are thrilled to start the work of improving the property and bringing Graduate Hotels to a city as unique and dynamic as Lincoln, Tim Franzen, president of Graduate Hotels, said in a news release. "We cant wait to reintroduce the hotel to the Lincoln community this summer.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has agreed to pay $19.5 million to 43 states, including Nebraska, and the District of Columbia, to settle allegations of improper marketing of its anti-psychotic drug Abilify.

Nebraska's share of the settlement is $260,077, according to court documents filed by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.

Bristol-Myers Squibb allegedly marketed Abilify, which was approved to treat schizophrenia, for other uses that were not federally approved, including symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in elderly patients.

Despite agreeing to the settlement, the company in a statement denied any wrongdoing.
After threatening hospital staff with a knife, a 53-year-old York man was shot in the leg by police officers.

The man was shot at York General Hospital on Sunday morning just around midnight, said York Police Chief Don Klug.

York police officers Roger Wolfe and Christopher Jepsen confronted the man, but he continued his threats. They tried pepper spray and twice attempted to use a Taser, Klug said.

"He started to approach an officer who gave him repeated commands to drop his knife, and when he wouldn't  that's when the officer shot him," Klug said.

The man was life flighted to Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln. Following protocol after an officer-involved shooting, Wolfe and Jepsen are on administrative leave.

The incident is under investigation.
A large conference room fills up with people as numbers are called from a microphone in multiple languages. Once a familys number is called, the children light up: its time for Christmas present shopping.

The families are welcomed into a warehouse space where tables are lined with toys, stuffed animals, books, holiday decorations and general necessities like toothpaste or diapers.

This version of the North Pole is the Center for People in Needs annual Toyland for Kids event. The three-day event started Saturday and goes until Monday and is expected to provide presents for 4,000 children. At the Toyland, people with low incomes come to shop for free toys.

The toys are provided by the Lincoln Police Union's Santa Cop program, the Marines' Toys for tots and local donations. Shopko staff alone arranged the delivery of around 2,000 toys.

Its so hard for parents these days when youre low income, said the Center for People in Need Executive Director Beatty Brasch. I want them to feel positive about Christmas and I want their kids to go back to school and be able to say, Yes, I got something for Christmas.'

She said she doesnt want low-income children to feel any different from their peers. About 45 percent of Lincoln's children qualify for reduced or free lunch and many would go without gifts this holiday season.

If they go back to school and say, Well, I didnt get anything for Christmas, to them that means theyre bad, she said. Thats what our society says about being naughty or nice -- if youre naughty then you dont get a toy.

She says this is a motivating factor for her to have this event. But the event is more than just a toyshop. Attendees are also presented with the opportunity sign up for food stamps or the Childrens Museum.

We try and make it a holistic program, Brasch said.

Jodi Berghuis, 46, says shes visited the Toyland for Kids event in past years to help give her three teenage daughters presents for the holiday season. Berghuis and her husband both work part time, with her husband working seasonally.

This is kind of a hard, lean time of year for us so this event helps us put a little extra something under the tree, Berghuis said.

She plans to get makeup, perfume and candy for her daughters stockings as well as Christmas decorations to make their home festive. She says every little thing is helpful for her family.

Theyre gifts that I picked out that come from my heart, so my daughters appreciate it, she said.

Nsar Nsar came to Lincoln from Iraq three years ago and brought his three daughters who are 10, eight and three years old to the event. He says its a great place to get gifts for his children and for the girls its a fun, magical place, like Santa's workshop.

But Nsars daughters dont think about presents first when describing their familys holiday celebration.

We kind of talk about and celebrate a New Year for 2017, said Nsars 10-year-old daughter Tabarek Nsar. Its more about celebrating together (than presents.)

Bushra Usan is an Iraqi refugee and has lived in Lincoln for five years now with her three children and husband and says events like these make Lincoln an amazing place for her kids.

They respect the people and the refugees here, Usan said. Everybodys equal and its amazing.

In Iraq, Usan says, she and her family are not safe because they are Yazidi. She says in Iraq Yazidi people are not respected or equal.

They are dangerous to us and we cannot complete our education (in Iraq,) she said. Here, we can get our dreams.

Usan says the Toyland event makes her happy because shes able to provide her kids with new toys to celebrate the New Year and the upcoming Yazidi holiday.

For employees at the Center for People in Need, events like these are a time for community building and team work.

It was described at one time that we all have our own silos (within the organization)," said Director of Programs Steve Sheridan. But these events kind of shut down the silos and bring everyone together.

He says a lot of early mornings and late nights go into making the event successful for Lincoln families with socioeconomic barriers.

For Truckload Supervisor Ashton Juarez, this was only her second event with the Center.

Juarez said, Seeing it go so smoothly and watching people light up when they pick out something their kid will like make the really long two weeks worth it.
A photograph by Michael Forsberg of sandhill cranes flying near the Platte River at sunset will be used for a U.S. postage stamp celebrating Nebraskas 150th birthday as a state.

The stamp is part of the Postal Services statehood series and Lincoln Postmaster Kerry Kowalski said it will likely be available in March, Nebraskas birthday month and the official beginning of the states sesquicentennial celebration.

Forsberg, a Lincoln conservation and wildlife photographer, said the photograph was shot about 15 years ago near Wood River.

These cranes were among the first wave of the evening landing on a sandbar. Once one group lands, others decide it is safe to land and join them, Forsberg said.

He said he wanted to make a picture that was different. He used a wide angle view that included the prairie, "where it sort of feels like you are hunkered down in the grass right next to the river and the birds are part of the landscape."

"It took several nights to make all that come together because it is not easy. But you get lucky once in a while. This was a special picture for me."

The Postal Service wanted something with the Platte River, which is fitting, said Forsberg. "The Platte is our lifeline.

Forsberg, who said he is honored and happy with this stamp, pointed out some of the symbolism in the image.

The image gets to what Nebraska really is, he said, "a place of prairie grassland and a place with this beautiful braided river" that is the ecological and economic artery of the Great Plains.

The cranes have been moving north and south through the heartland for a lot longer than we have been here, he said.

"The picture shows the nexus of an east-west road, and a north-south road. One is in the sky and one is our river.

"And we have arguably the best sunsets in the nation."

"I hope we can maintain everything we see in that image for another 150 years. Its going to be a big challenge. But I think we are up to it.

This is the second time the Postal Service has used a Forsberg photograph for a stamp. An international airmail stamp issued in 2001 used a photo he shot of Nine Mile Prairie outside of Lincoln.

Both times the Postal Service approached Forsberg for an image, he said.

It doesnt happen often, but there are a few renowned artists who have had a picture or images used for stamps on more than one occasion, said Postmaster Kowalski.
The number of people gathered at the west steps of the Nebraska State Capitol Sunday afternoon climbed down to about 30 people, after having about 300 participating the weekend before.

But with brutally cold weather and strong winds -- and for the organization only being a week old -- the organizers stayed optimistic and grateful for those who showed up for the second rally, which was also the first official rally under the groups new name: W.A.K.E. Nebraska.

Organizers showed up at the Capitol an hour early, muffled up in winter gear to help battle the weather and determined to use their voices.

Demonstrators held signs with lines like Obamacare saves lives and Trump is not my president -- the T in the form of a swastika.

W.A.K.E Nebraska is a young group aiming to spark a new era of student and community activism. They hope to wake society to existing problems such as climate change, discrimination and falling into the trap of fake news.

The W is for watch, the A for act, the K for know and the E for empathize.

Our goal with this group is to put students and young people at the helm of an effort to mobilize the rest of the community, and really, the entire nation right now, said event organizer and University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore Josiah Johnson.

Johnson said he went to several events over the week and talked to many people who were young during the '60s and '70s who seemed to have the same reaction about young people today.

They said, We thought you guys were going to keep what we had going into the '80s and keep pushing progress in the way that we had, but it really kind of fizzled out, Johnson explained, in reference to political activism.

Johnson and other organizers hope to change the way millennials have gotten flack for not being politically involved by taking action. Some of his suggestions included phone banking and testifying at legislative hearings.

The organization is creating and circulating a formal petition for the continuation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals -- a policy for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors. The policy protects those immigrants from deportation and grants them a work visa for two years before subject to renewal.

For inspiration, the organization brought up speakers like Mechelle Sky Walker, who could talk about the hard work that goes into activism.

Sky Walker was the organizer of Native American Heritage Month rallies throughout November.

Sky Walker was an avid fighter against the Dakota Access oil pipeline up until its recent rejection by federal officials, but she said with leadership like President-elect Donald Trump, the fight is far from over for Native people.

I hate to say this, but Trump is just another president thats on our list, thats been hateful toward us Native Americans -- that still wants to get rid of us, Sky Walker said. Theyre trying every different way. And the Dakota Access pipeline is just another way. Its not about oil, its never been about oil. Its about water. We cant grow and flourish like Lincoln and Omaha. You take our fresh water and theres no way we can survive.

She didnt call it a victory for water protectors, but a temporary halt until Trump is in office.

Sky Walker thanked students, like those involved in W.A.K.E. Nebraska, for making an effort to make changes.

I gotta appreciate a lot of the UNL students and students in general who had been going up, Sky Walker said. Its you guys who are trying to be leaders of the world, who are trying to change the world.
WASHINGTON -- The most amusing part of the Trump transition has been watching its effortless confounding of the media, often in fewer than 140 characters. One morning, after a Fox News report on lefty nuttiness at some obscure New England college -- a flag burning that led a more-contemptible-than-usual campus administration to take down the school's own American flag -- Donald Trump tweets that flag burners should go to jail or lose their citizenship.

An epidemic of constitutional chin tugging and civil libertarian hair pulling immediately breaks out. By the time the media have exhausted their outrage over the looming abolition of free speech, judicial supremacy and affordable kale, Trump has moved on. The tempest had a shorter half-life than the one provoked in August 2015 by a Trump foray into birthright citizenship.

Trump so thoroughly owns the political stage today that the word Clinton seems positively quaint and Barack Obama, who happens to be president of the United States, is totally irrelevant. Obama gave a major national security address on Tuesday. Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn's son got more attention.

Trump has mesmerized the national media not just with his elaborate Cabinet-selection production, by now Broadway-ready. But with a cluster of equally theatrical personal interventions that by traditional standards seem distinctly unpresidential.

It's a matter of size. They seem small for a president. Preventing the shutdown of a Carrier factory in Indiana. Announcing, in a contextless 45-second surprise statement, a major Japanese investment in the U.S. Calling for cancellation of the new Air Force One to be built by Boeing.

Pretty small stuff. It has the feel of a Cabinet undersecretary haggling with a contractor or a state governor drumming up business on a Central Asian trade mission. Or of candidate Trump selling Trump steaks and Trump wine in that bizarre victory speech after the Michigan primary.

Presidents don't normally do such things. It shrinks them. But then again, Trump is not yet president. And the point here is less the substance than the symbolism.

The Carrier coup was meant to demonstrate the kind of concern for the working man that gave Trump the Rust Belt victories that carried him to the presidency. The Japanese SoftBank announcement was a down payment on his promise to be the "the greatest jobs president that God ever created." (A slightly dubious claim: After all, how instrumental was Trump to that investment? Surely a financial commitment of that magnitude would have been planned long before Election Day.) And Boeing was an ostentatious declaration that he would be the zealous guardian of government spending that you would expect from a crusading outsider.

What appears as random Trumpian impulsiveness has a logic to it. It's a continuation of the campaign. In August, the Bloomberg poll had him at 33 percent. He's now up to 50 percent. Still nowhere near Obama's stratospheric 79 percent at this point in 2008, but a substantial improvement nonetheless.

The mini-interventions are working but there's a risk for Trump in so personalizing his coming presidency. It's a technique borrowed from Third World strongmen who specialize in demonstrating their personal connection to the ordinary citizen. In a genuine democracy, however, the endurance of any political support depends on the larger success of the country. And that doesn't come from Carrier-size fixes. It comes from policy -- policy that fundamentally changes the structures and alters the trajectory of the nation.

"I alone can fix it," Trump ringingly declared in his convention speech. Indeed, alone he can do Carrier and SoftBank and Boeing. But ultimately he must deliver on tax reform, health care, economic growth and nationwide job creation. That requires Congress.

The 115th is Republican and ready to push through the legislation that gives life to the promises. On his part, Trump needs to avoid needless conflict. The Republican leadership has already signaled strong opposition on some issues, such as tariffs for job exporters. Nonetheless, there is enough common ground between Trump and his congressional majority to have an enormously productive 2017. The challenge will be to stay within the bounds of the GOP consensus.

Trump will continue to tweet and the media will continue take the bait. Highly entertaining but it is a sideshow. Congress is where the fate of the Trump presidency will be decided.
President-elect Donald Trumps to-do list is one of colossal proportions, made longer by his vow to overturn most of what President Barack Obama did during his eight years in office.

There is one area, however, where Trump should definitely continue, rather than reverse, work done during the Obama administration. Thats in the field of improving cybersecurity for Americans.

The need has been demonstrated again and again. In fact there are no responsible voices arguing that the status quo is acceptable.

Earlier this month the Presidents Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity released a hundred-page report with recommendations based on its nine-month study of the issue.

The 12-member commission included experts like Joe Sullivan, chief security officer of Uber and former chief security officer of Facebook; Ajay Banga, president and CEO of MasterCard; and Gen. Keith Alexander former director of the National Security Agency, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command and current CEO of IronNet Cybersecurity.

The commission designed its report as a transition guide for whichever candidate would become president. "The US really has a leadership position in IT. We were keenly aware have an influence outside the US. We hope the ideas will be adopted worldwide," said Peter Lee, a commissioner member and vice president of Microsoft Research.

"One issue that we debated was market forces versus rules and regulations. After a lot of analysis and debate, we consistently went with incentives," said Lee in a comment reported by The Hill website.

Among the commissions suggestions are development of a security rating system to help consumers evaluate how vulnerable a product would be to hacking and that all federal agencies follow the NIST Cybersecurity Framework that is used widely in the private sector.

In one of Trumps more coherent comments on the topic of cybersecurity, he said in an October speech that he would create an international task force to battle hackers and have another team of experts review U.S. government cybersecurity systems.

But then there was that bewildering moment in a presidential debate when he said, in part, So we have to get very, very tough on cyber and cyberwarfare. It is  it is a huge problem. I have a son. He's 10 years old. He has computers. He is so good with these computers, it's unbelievable. The security aspect of cyber is very, very tough. And maybe it's hardly doable.

The president-elect may have mastered Twitter, but to deal with a problem as complex as cybersecurity will require more than a facility for punchy messages that can be delivered in 140 characters or less. Lets hope Trump and his team are willing to listen to what the commission has to say.
President Reagan is remembered for his dislike of taxes. He once said Whenever we lower the tax rates, our entire nation is better off. He was so opposed to taxes he convinced the Congress to allow the federal government to transfer money from the Social Security Trust to the general fund so he could say he wasnt raising taxes.

Every president since Reagan has transferred money from Social Security and not paid the money back. President George W. Bush transferred $1.37 trillion of Social Security revenue to pay for his tax cuts for the rich and his war in Iraq and the money was never paid back. The total amount of funds transferred from Social Security to pay for other government expenses is now more than $3 trillion dollars.

The federal government owes more money to the Social Security than it owes to China. Very soon we will be told by our elected leaders there is not enough money to maintain Social Security for the next generation.

Whenever your senators, congressmen or president tells you Social Security is running out of money and big changes to the program need to be made you need ask them to pay back the loans taken from Social Security and then have them re-calculate the viability of the Social Security system.

Paul Canny, Lincoln
I, too, did not vote for Mr. Trump and I also am concerned about how his being president will affect all of people of this country. Right now I am on a wait-and-see mode. I will watch Mr. Trump very carefully to see how he manages the office of president. I personally believe that he is not going to be the savior of us all. You do not make a horse a race horse by putting it in the gate. It has to win the race. Mr. Trump won a right to be president, but he has to prove by his actions to be the real winner of the race. I will have to wait and see. Being president, you have to look out for all of the people, not just your personal interests.
OMAHA  The governors of Nebraska and Iowa have ordered flags flown at half-staff in memory of the late astronaut-hero John Glenn.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on Friday ordered U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset the day of Glenn's burial. The orders were in keeping with President Barack Obama's proclamation issued in the wake of Glenn's death on Thursday at the age of 95.

Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, and was the oldest man in space, at age 77 in 1998. A U.S. Marine and combat pilot, he also served as a Democratic U.S. senator, representing Ohio, for more than two decades.
COLUMBUS  Dustin Fox of Ewing demanded a jury trial in his burglary case right up until the night before a pool of potential jurors was to be called into the Platte County Courthouse.

Then, he chose to take a deal offered by the Platte County Attorney's office and pleaded no contest to burglary, theft and stalking. Fox will be sentenced Jan. 20 for the break-in and theft at a Lindsay convenience store and stalking of an ex-girlfriend in a separate incident July 15-16.

He made the same call made by an overwhelming majority of criminal defendants in Platte County; all but 1 or 2 percent of 1,200 to 1,300 criminal prosecutions each year wind up going all the way to trial before a jury or judge.

We could be trying cases all the time, but is that necessary to get defendants under the sentencing jurisdiction of the courts? Platte County Attorney Carl Hart asked rhetorically. Our criminal justice system is pretty responsive to the community. People just have to be confident that were using public resources responsibly.

When making a charging decision, he said, his guiding principle is to do justice while maintaining his ethical obligation for a just result.

A prosecutor looks at whether facts can be proved and considers arguments raised by the defense, keeping in mind there must be a reasonable chance of convincing 12 jurors to convict a defendant, Hart said, adding that his office also scrutinizes potential risk to victims and the public and considers the offender's criminal history, substance abuse, mental health issues and relationships with antisocial peers.

There are a lot of different things we look at in the context of a case while working out a negotiated plea, Hart said. We try not to over-file charges, but you might start high to get leverage to induce (a defendant) to plead to a reduced charge.

In Lincoln, Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly said 5 percent or fewer of cases result in jury or bench trials.

Platte County Public Defender Tim Matas said he advises his clients on the nature of the charges they face, but doesn't direct them to a plea.

If the state makes a plea offer, I advise as to what a client is looking at in terms of possible penalties, but Im not the one making the decision. Its my clients decision, said Matas, whose office defends 600 to 700 cases annually.

I will generally make a counter-offer on behalf of my client, he said.

Matas estimated the percentage of his offices cases that are resolved through negotiated pleas is in the high 90s, with perhaps half a dozen or fewer each year going to trial.

Some defendants accept negotiated pleas based on factors other than guilt or innocence, he said. And a client who is unable to post bond and has been sitting in the county jail may accept a plea offer just to get home and back to work, Matas said. Others insist on their innocence and any deal they may be offered would be insufficient, he said.

Realistically, Matas said, the local court system doesnt have the time or resources to stage a trial every week during the year.

The legal system would grind to a halt, he said.

State Sen. Paul Schumacher, a former prosecutor and current practicing attorney, said he sees a criminal justice and trial system that is time-consuming, resource-intensive and expensive.

Weve got a luxury legal system that if it were rolled out all the time, we couldnt afford to use it, he said. That results, out of necessity, in the plea-bargaining system.

Schumacher said he used the plea tactic with defendants when he was county attorney.

You had to, he said.

But in exchange for pleading to reduced charges, defendants give up rights they would have through the trial system.

It works until the prosecutor or law enforcement makes a mistake, such as the Beatrice 6 murder trial, Schumacher said.

The downside is the prosecutor can sometimes extort a guilty plea, but the upside is it keeps the system moving.

Habitual criminal statutes, mandatory minimum sentences and the filing of multiple charges have been effective in pressuring defendants to plead guilty, said Schumacher, who supported a prison reform bill (LB605) last year that was intended to curb overcrowding in prisons and contain corrections spending.

The new law steers low-level offenders to probation to boost post-release supervision and tries to curtail recidivism.

The justice system has criminalized behavior including drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues, Schumacher said.

Weve gotten rid of people (and filled prisons) with people who are nuisances, but not threats to public safety.

Philosophically, LB605 has been a good solution, but practically its another question, Schumacher said.

We had to do something, he said.
BRUNSWICK, Maine  Federal fishing regulators say they are looking to change the way they manage Atlantic halibut in the wake of a surge in catch of the fish.

The government lists Atlantic halibut as "overfished" and conservationists want to protect it. But many fishermen say the catch is up because the stock has been rebuilt over recent years.

East Coast fishermen caught more than 215,000 pounds of Atlantic halibut in 2015 in the most productive year of fishing for the flatfish since 1972. Catch of the fish in nearshore Maine waters is helping drive the increase, regulators say.

The regulatory New England Fishery Management Council decided last month to review management of halibut, which is popular with diners and chefs for its thick, meaty steaks. Exactly what form regulation changes could take isn't yet known.

"We've identified that this is an issue, and this will be a priority for 2017," Janice Plante, a spokeswoman for the council, said.

The council has also asked that Maine's state fishing managers adjust the way they oversee halibut. Part of the issue is that if fishermen exceed their quota for the fish, it can trigger restrictions on fishing that impact fishermen who operate in federal waters. About 40 percent of the halibut catch for the 2015 fishing year was taken in state waters, mostly in Maine.

Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, said Maine should consider limiting the amount of halibut fishing in state waters. Otherwise, federal fishermen will be negatively affected by the surge in state catch, he said.

Martens also said better data also is needed because many fishermen believe the stock has rebuilt significantly in recent years, and that's why catch is up.

"The story is that this is a rebuilding success," he said. "In New England, we don't know what to do with successes."

A spokesman for the Maine Department of Marine Resources declined to comment beyond acknowledging that the agency is reviewing the council's request, and taking it seriously.

Some conservationist groups have tried to dissuade consumers from buying Atlantic halibut.
RACINE  A second person has been charged in the Oct. 4 homicide of Kim Cantwell, who was reportedly killed above Sunshine Supermarket and then had her body dumped into a trash bin.

Myquette L. Johnson, 31, of the 1500 block of Taylor Avenue, faces a felony charge of first-degree intentional homicide for her involvement in the homicide. She was charged Monday in Racine County Circuit Court and bond was set at $50,000.

According to the criminal complaint:

Johnson was with Harry Fumich, 49, when he allegedly killed Cantwell, 50, in the apartment above the neighborhood grocery store, 1559 Taylor Ave., where Johnson and Fumich resided.

Fumich reportedly told Cantwell that he wanted to show her something in his apartment. Once in the apartment, Fumich allegedly strangled Cantwell with the electrical cord of a fan while Johnson was in the room. Fumich then allegedly wrapped the body in a blanket and put the body in a refrigerator before he and Johnson took cocaine.

When Johnson and Fumich returned to the apartment at about 9:30 p.m., Fumich reportedly came up with the idea to throw the body into a trash bin with the help of another man. The man later told police about the incident and police learned that the trash bin had already been picked up.

Police redirected a Waste Management truck to the 16th Street landfill almost immediately after it made the pickup, according to Waste Management spokesperson Lynn Morgan. Once there, the truck dumped its load so investigators could locate Cantwells body.

Police went to Fumichs apartment, where they detained him and Johnson. Johnson reportedly admitted that Fumich had killed the victim, the complaint said.

Fumich was charged Oct. 5 with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse and robbery with use of force.

Johnson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 21 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. She remained in custody as of Monday at the Racine County Jail, online records showed.
RACINE  Eight people were displaced Saturday evening when a fire destroyed a vacant unit in an apartment building at 2409 Anthony Lane, according to the Red Cross.

But owners of the complex say those residents should be able to return to their units soon or be resettled in apartments in neighboring buildings.

The fire was called in at 5:09 p.m. on Saturday, Powell said, after a tenant heard the alarms sound and found smoke in the upstairs hallway. Police and the Racine Fire Department arrived on scene two minutes later at 5:11 p.m. and were able to extinguish the blaze quickly.

No one was hurt.

The Red Cross responded later that evening where they provided financial assistance for food, shelter and clothing to eight adults living in four of buildings six units, said Barbara Behling, a spokesman for Red Cross Wisconsin.

No one was allowed back into the building that night, due to power and other utilities to the building being shut off, she said.

Speaking about the incident via email, Charlie Clarke, the principal officer of Kinzie-Realty Corp., the company that owns and operates The Maples apartment community that the building is a part, said residents of the three undamaged apartments should be able to move back in shortly.

Residents living in the two damaged units are being resettled in other apartments in the community, he said.

No news on what might have caused the fire was available Sunday, but Clarke said the fire department had already ruled arson and electrical issues.

Clarke added that the company is already working hard to get the damage left behind by the blaze cleaned up.

The fire department estimates the blaze caused about $30,000 in structural damage and about $10,000 in damage to personal property.
A Democratic appointee to the state Ethics Commission announced Monday he was resigning from the fledgling watchdog agency, criticizing what he described as improper secrecy and a failure to enforce ethics requirements for lobbyists and public officials.

Robert Kinney, a state reserve judge from Rhinelander, announced his resignation in a statement to the Wisconsin State Journal on Monday.

His departure, and the scathing statement announcing it, strike a blow to an agency made up of partisan appointees already facing deep skepticism from Democrats who fought its creation. Gov. Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers created the agency last year to replace the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board.

Kinneys statement describes the commission as paralyzed by gridlock and by rules that require it to hide much of its operations from the public.

It says the agency isnt following its stated mission: enforcing ethics, campaign finance and lobbying laws that apply to public officials and lobbyists. In a phone interview, Kinney took issue with the commissions handling of a complaint by state Assembly Democrats alleging a campaign finance law violation by their Republican counterparts.

There exists among several of the commissioners an observable lack of commitment to the underlying purposes of the agency, Kinney said in the statement, which did not name those commissioners.

Kinney, one of three Democratic appointees to the commission, said that at a time when public confidence in elected officials has been deeply eroded, Wisconsin should ramp up enforcement of ethics requirements for public officials.

Sadly, it appears we have created a system which almost guarantees that this will not occur, Kinney said.

Walker appointed Kinney to the commission in June, picking him from a pool of candidates provided by Democrats. Walker told reporters Monday morning he hasnt spoken with Kinney about his resignation.

Id actually probably want more than just a letter; Id love to sit down and talk to him about it, Walker said.

Kinney told the State Journal he was frustrated by the commissions handling of a complaint by the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee against its GOP counterpart, the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee. The complaint alleged RACC violated campaign finance law when it did not report its financial activities in September, as did other legislative campaign committees.

State law requires the commission to debate and act on such complaints in closed session. The commission dismissed the ADCC complaint in last weeks closed session, according to ADCC executive director George Aldrich.

Kinney, a former Oneida County circuit judge, told the State Journal the commissions actions are a very bad omen.

Being unable to function in the enforcement realm, it was just extremely frustrating, Kinney said.

In August the commission thwarted a push by Kinney to restrict ethics commissioners from contributing to partisan political campaigns. By a 4-2 vote, with Kinney and commissioner Pat Strachota, a former Republican Assemblywoman, opposed, the commission shelved a motion to do so.

In retrospect, Kinney said in his statement, his fears about the commission were foreshadowed when three commissioners  half of the body  voted in October to strike from their mission statement that the commission seeks to enhance representative democracy by furthering Wisconsins tradition of clean and open government.

The handwriting was on the wall, Kinney said.

Commission chairwoman Peg Lautenschlager told the State Journal Kinney discussed his likely intention to resign with members of the commission at its meeting last week.

Governor must

name replacement

In a joint statement Monday, Lautenschlager and commission vice chairwoman Katie McCallum thanked Kinney for his service and explained the process for naming his successor.

We have no further comment at this time, Lautenschlager and McCallum said.

Kinney praised nonpartisan staffers of the Ethics Commission as competent and dedicated civil servants. But Kinney said staff have faced many obstacles in doing their jobs fairly, including overbearing nit-picking from commissioners at commission meetings.

Over time (if it hasnt already happened) this disrespectful treatment will erode staff morale and we will lose these talented people, Kinney said. Perhaps that is the goal.

State law says the governor must nominate a replacement for Kinney and submit the pick to the state Senate for confirmation no later than 45 days after the date of the vacancy.

The six-member Ethics Commission is made up of three Democratic appointees and three Republicans. The Government Accountability Board that it replaced was nonpartisan.

Wisconsin Democrats were sharply critical of Republicans for creating ethics and elections commissions to replace the Accountability Board. They predicted the new commissions will operate less effectively and  because theyre evenly split between partisan appointees  will frequently deadlock on key decisions.

Common Cause in Wisconsin, a nonpartisan group that advocates for government transparency, said Kinneys departure underscores that the new commission was designed to fail.

It is very sad and unfortunate for Wisconsin to be losing Kinneys voice of integrity and impartiality, but not surprising, Common Cause director Jay Heck said in a statement.

Republican appointees to the commission are McCallum, Strachota and former Waukesha County Judge Mac Davis.

The other Democratic appointees are Lautenschlager and attorney David Halbrooks.

The offices of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, did not respond to requests for comment Monday on Kinneys announcement.
25 arrested after attack on police post in Boudha

Tension ran high in Nayabasti area of Boudha, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, after a group of over five dozen people launched an attack on a police station.
Aleppo battle: Rebels on brink amid rapid losses

Syrian government forces have made major gains in southern Aleppo, state media and activists say, leaving rebels with only a small pocket in the city.
Bridge buckles after truck crash

A truss bridge over Baulaha River at Devchuli-12 in Nawalparasi buckled when a truck crashed into it early Sunday morning.
Contractor for TIA project fired

The Spanish contractor for the $92-million Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) improvement project has been given its marching orders for nonperformance.
Dahal celebrates his birthday with injured ex-Maoist combatants

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday celebrated his 62nd birthday at Baluwatar in the company of those who were injured during the armed conflict, which he led for a decade between 1996 and 2006.
Federalism is more suited to a country of such diversity like Nepal

The government recently tabled a constitution amendment bill in Parliament in an effort to make the constitution broadly acceptable, particularly to take into confidence the Madhesi Morcha,
Govt decides to reveal ministers property details

The government has decided to reveal property details of all the ministers in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led Cabinet.
Govt takes ownership of deals with Dr KC

A Cabinet meeting on Sunday decided to take ownership of the agreements reached between the government and Dr Govinda KC and start process immediately to form various committees in order to address his demands.
Minister-led search panel yet to recommend Makajus successor

The four-year term of Dr Ram Kantha Makaju as the vice chancellor of Kathmandu University ended on Sunday, but a search committee led by Minister for Education Dhani Ram Poudel is yet to recommend his successor.
NC initiates campaign to widen support base

The Nepali Congress has initiated a campaign to strengthen its organisation in view of the three layers of elections.
Nepal absent in UN vote on Syria

Nepal abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Syria and urgent aid deliveries war-torn country.
Nepal to discuss new power trade guidelines with India

The Energy Ministry is planning to hold talks with the Indian Power Ministry over its recently issued discriminatory guidelines on cross-border power trade which prohibit private and third country hydropower developers in Nepal from exporting electricity to India with a one-time approval.
Nepali shippers prefer Haldia to Kolkata port

Nepali freight forwarders on Sunday said that Haldia, a major river port and industrial hub in the Indian state of West Bengal, could be the best alternative for shipping goods to Nepal as Kolkata port has been facing a number of problems.
Not all bright and sunny

The exemplary solar energy sector has been harmed by inept handling of subsidies
Obstruction on Raxaul Parwanipur transmission line construction

Some local parties are found obstructing the upgrading works on the 132-KV Raxaul Parwanipur power transmission line.
Ostrich meat steadily gaining in popularity

Started eight years ago in Gangoliya, Rupandehi, with 1,500 eggs imported from Australia, Ostrich Nepal farm has now grown to a Rs2 billion industry, thanks to the steady demand from exotic meat lovers.
Pakistan names new military intelligence chief

Pakistan has named a new head of its powerful military Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), two weeks after replacing the chief of army staff in a significant shift for the military that wields huge influence.
PM seeks qualitative success in power leakage control campaign

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the Ministry of Energy and bodies concerned to work in such a way so that qualitative success could be achieved in the electricity-leakage control campaign.
Pushpa Basnet wins CNN SuperHero award

Nepali social worker Pushpa Basnet won the CNN Super Hero award amid a special ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on Monday.
Send Indian envoy home: Student leaders of oppn parties

Various student leaders belonging to opposition parties on Sunday submitted a memorandum to Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, demanding that the government send Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae back to his country.
Trump mocks Russian hacking 'conspiracy theory'

Donald Trump has poured fresh scorn on US intelligence claims of Russian hackers meddling in the US election.
UML, Madhesi parties doubt polls by constitution deadline

As per the constitutional provision, three tiers of elections local, provincial and parliamentarymust be held by January 2018, but the way politics is moving ahead, clouds of uncertainty loom over them.
UML will not obstruct House for poll bills

The main opposition CPN-UML has hinted that it will not obstruct House proceedings when the government introduces election-related bills in Parliament.
The Forum for Democratic Change party says it is ready to give support to Winnie Byanyima if she comes out to contest for the presidency.

This is after the Executive Director of Oxfam International reportedly expressed interest and readiness to contest for Ugandas presidency.

According to the FDC Deputy Secretary General Harold Kaija, Byanyima is not only a founding member of the FDC but has all it takes to lead the country and so the party would not hesitate to support her.
Political analyst and political science lecturer at Makerere University, Professor Mwabutsya Ndebesa has called for the creation of an intermediate party to come in between the existing parties if the country is to move forward.

According to the professor, politics in the country are stagnated between few parties and individuals like Yoweri Museveni, Kiiza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi and therefore a need for a third party to come in.

He further argues that the 30 years the NRM government has spent ruling cannot take the country any further.

He thus proposes to have the youth united for a common good and form that intermediate party like it was done in 1986 when the NRA youth fought to bring in the new NRM government.

Professor Mwabustya Ndebesa said this while presenting a topic Youth citizenship in Uganda, participating or being participated at a youth dialogue organized by Youth Aid Africa over the weekend.
Two witnesses have this afternoon appeared before Makindye General Court martial pinning three people including a UPDF Sargent for stealing Airtel Airtime worth 100million and 30 Million cash from copper complex in Kampala on 5th January 2013.

The three persons Sgt Acheda William, Kasiita Moses and Kabugo Henry are facing charges of Aggravated robbery before the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye and denied it.

However, according to Sgt Achedas statement he accepts having been used by colleagues to put on gun point all the people who were at the shop in cooper complex were the money was robbed and later was driven back to Luzira where he was a guard in one of the homes.

The Airtime and Money were stolen from Mukisa Eddys shop located at Cooper Complex in Kampala.

The General Court Martial chairman Lt Gen Andrew Gutti has adjourned the hearing of this matter to 20th December 2016.
So it doesnt seem that the Army or the Marine Corps are in any hurry to explain to Congress why they don't use a common 5.56mm round.

The final joint version of the Fiscal 2017 National Defense Appropriations Act includes a provision requiring the secretary of defense to submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees explaining why the two services are using different types of 5.56 mm ammunition for their M16A4 rifles and M4 carbines.

The bill has already passed the House and is expected to be voted on and approved by the Senate this week before going to President Obama's desk for his signature.

This is not the first time Congress has gotten its dander up over this subject. Lawmakers asked both services to explain the same thing last year, but Marine Corps leaders said they need to do more testing of the Armys M855A1 enhanced 5.56mm round.

I reached out to the Marine Corps yesterday and the Army today to ask about how they planned to deal with the request. I could almost hear the head-scratching as if neither service had heard anything about it.

According to the provision, the report must be submitted within 180 days after the bill, which includes the entire defense budget for the coming year, is enacted.

If the secretary of defense does not determine that an emergency requires the Army and Marine Corps to use the two different types of rifle ammo, they must begin using a common 5.56mm round within a year after the bill is passed, it states.

OK so here is the back story for those you out there who dont know it.

The Army replaced the Cold-War era M855 5.56mm round in 2010 with its new M855A1 enhanced performance round, the end result of more than a decade of work to develop a lead-free round.

The M855A1 features a steel penetrator on top of a solid copper slug, making it is more dependable than the current M855, Army officials have maintained. It delivers consistent performance at all distances and performed better than the current-issue 7.62mm round against hardened steel targets in testing, Army officials maintain. It penetrates 3/8s-inch-thick steel at ranges approaching 400 meters, tripling the performance of the M855.

The Marine Corps had planned to field an earlier version of the Army's M855A1 until the program suffered a major setback in August 2009, when testing revealed that the bismuth-tin slug proved to be sensitive to heat which affected the trajectory or intended flight path.

The setback prompted Marine officials to stay with the current M855 round as well as start using the MK 318 Special Operations Science and Technology round developed by U.S. Special Operations Command instead. Commonly known as SOST ammo, the bullet isnt environmentally friendly, but it offered the Corps a better bullet after the Armys M855A1 round failed.

Since then the Marine Corps has purchased millions of MK 318 rounds.

The MK 318 bullet weighs 62 grains and has a lead core with a solid copper shank. It uses an open-tip match round design common with sniper ammunition. It stays on target through windshields and car doors better than conventional M855 ammo.

The Army quickly replaced the bismuth-tin slug in its new round with a copper one, solving the bullets problems in 2010, Army officials said.

The new Army round also weighs 62 grains and has a 19-grain steel penetrator tip, 9 grains heavier than the tip on old M855 ammo. Seated behind the penetrator is a solid copper slug. The M855A1 consistently penetrates battlefield barriers such as windshields more effectively than the M855, Army officials contend.

What is interesting is that the Corps was supposed to run tests on the current M855A1 round back in 2010. In 2015, Marine Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, then commanding general of Marine Corps Systems Command, told a congressional panel there were plans to test the M855A1 rounds again.

Military.com would really like to know what those tests show. We are going to continue to follow this story with great interest.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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Despite finishing first in Denmarks election, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has decided to step down along with her Social Democratic government. Frederiksens announcement on Wednesday came after a dramatic vote count in which the center-left bloc that has backed her since 2019 retained its majority in Parliament by a single seat. In theory, the Social Democratic leader could have stayed in power as head of a minority government. But she said she would stick to campaign promises to try to form a broader coalition with parties on the center-right. Frederiksen handed her resignation to Queen Margrethe, who was expected to ask her to lead talks to form a new government.
Wisconsins historic presidential recount ended Monday resulting in a net gain of 131 votes for President-elect Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton, the Wisconsin Elections Commission said.

Trump added 844 votes to his total for the Nov. 8 election, while Clinton added 713.

Overall, the commission said, voters cast 2.976 million ballots. The recount resulted in a net increase of 837 ballots.

Completing this recount was a challenge, but the real winners are the voters, Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen said in a statement after signing off on the statewide results. Based on the recount, they can have confidence that Wisconsins election results accurately reflect the will of the people, regardless of whether they are counted by hand or by machine.

The last statewide recount, in a 2011 Supreme Court race, resulted in a net change of 312 votes for the top two candidates out of 1.5 million ballots cast.

The commission originally advised county clerks to complete their recount process by 8 p.m. Monday so it could certify the results on Tuesday, the last day federal law guarantees a states electoral votes will reflect the popular vote when the Electoral College convenes on Dec. 19.

On Monday, the boards of canvassers in the final four counties  Dane, Milwaukee, Outagamie and Rock  certified their results. Dane County was the last to complete ballot-counting, on Saturday night.

The recount of nearly 3 million votes began Dec. 1 after Green Party candidate Jill Stein paid the estimated $3.5 million cost.

The actual cost wont be known until counties report their costs by Dec. 30. Stein will be responsible for paying any amount over the original estimate and will be refunded if the cost is less.

Last week, a federal judge rejected a lawsuit by Trump supporters seeking to halt the recount.

Steins campaign has said the goal of the recount was to affirm the validity of the election amid concerns about foreign powers trying to influence the outcome of the election.

Gov. Scott Walker expressed appreciation for the work done by the states 72 county clerks and hundreds of full-time, part-time and temporary employees.

Theyve shown all throughout this process that it was very clear that the vote was legitimate here in the state, Walker said.

Elections commissioner Don Millis on Monday criticized Steins decision to seek a recount as an abuse of the system.

He said he doubted the commission would take a position on making changes to the states recount law, as Walker and some Republicans in the Legislature have advocated.

Thomsen disagreed that Steins decision was an abuse.

He said it amounted to an audit of the states entire election system at no cost to taxpayers. Typically the state spends $30,000 to audit election machines in 100 randomly selected municipalities.

Thomsen also said there was no evidence that any of the voting systems that were used to tabulate the votes on election night were hacked or tampered with.

Im personally very happy it was done, Thomsen said. Because not only Wisconsin but the world knows that our system has integrity.
MADISON  Janie Rodriguez, a resident assistant at Capitol Lakes Terraces in downtown Madison, enjoys getting to know her assisted living residents, many of whom have dementia.

Its good to know youre helping them achieve the quality of life they deserve, said Rodriguez, 29, of Madison.

But the job, which involves dispensing medications, bathing residents, feeding them, helping them go to the bathroom, rotating them in bed and moving them in and out of wheelchairs, isnt easy. In her seven years at Capitol Lakes, Rodriguez has seen many workers leave after a few weeks or months.

They get worn out and feel like, This isnt for me, she said.

Wisconsin, like other states, is experiencing a workforce crisis at assisted living facilities and nursing homes, according to a report this year from the states four associations that represent providers of both kinds of care.

One in seven caregiver positions is unfilled, often because there are no qualified applicants for the jobs, the report said. Workers can get similar or better pay at retail or fast food outlets.

Personal caregivers generally earn about $10.75 an hour, compared to $12 an hour at similar entry-level jobs in non-health care settings, the report said. Pay for resident assistants at assisted living facilities is often even lower, according to the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association.

The associations have requested a $91.2 million increase in the 2017-19 state budget for nursing home care, a 12.7 percent increase from 2015-2017, and $40.4 million more for assisted living direct care through Family Care, a 2.5 percent increase. The groups say the additional money would help them pay workers more and make the jobs more attractive.

Family Care and other Medicaid programs cover about 40 percent of assisted living residents, many of them people with physical or developmental disabilities. Other residents, many of them elderly, generally pay out of pocket.

The facilities can only pay what theyre given, said Sarah Bass, development director of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association.

Facilities with mostly private pay residents sometimes pay workers more, but Bass said they face pressure to keep rates down. The market will only bear so much, she said.

Cycle of burnout

Michelle Godfrey, vice president of operational support at Oakwood Village, which has seven assisted living facilities in Madison, said at least four or five resident assistant positions at Oakwood are open at any given time.

Were never at a point where all shifts, all positions are filled, Godfrey said.

In Waunakee, Sylvan Crossings at Westshire Village is lucky if we get five or six applicants a week, said Katie Drea, resident care director.

Typically, only four of the applicants will return phone calls and only two will show up for interviews, Drea said. Usually we are successful in hiring one  or less, she said.

SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin represents resident assistants at Oakwood and Skaalen Assisted Living in Stoughton.

Resident assistants start at $10.95 to $12.20 an hour at Oakwood and $10.42 to $11.13 an hour at Skaalen, depending on experience, said SEIU organizer Crystal Martzall. The union is pushing for higher wages and striving for better staffing overall so workers arent called in on days off or asked to do double shifts, Martzall said.

It creates this cycle of burnout, she said.

Samantha Walsh, 23, of Verona, was a resident assistant at Heritage Senior Living in Monona before getting a job this year as a nursing assistant at a Madison hospital.

One reason she changed jobs: Shes making $16 an hour at the hospital, compared to $14.50 an hour after five years at Heritage.

Another reason: The hospital job comes with tuition reimbursement, which the assisted living job didnt have. That will help pay for nursing school, Walsh said.

She said her job at Heritage was a great way to learn about the health care field, and working with dementia patients taught her to develop a lot of patience. But with duties ranging from feeding residents to doing laundry and cleaning rooms, the pay wasnt enough, she said.

We wore many hats, but we didnt get paid for wearing all those hats, Walsh said.

Students fill some shifts

Capitol Lakes, which is near UW-Madison, relies heavily on students as workers, said Patrick Senzig, assistant living director. The starting wage there is $11.30 an hour, he said.

Students are driven and they want to learn, Senzig said. But you dont get a lot of people who are looking to do this long term.

Aicha Oujjilal is an exception. She has worked at Capitol Lakes since 1987, including the past four years as a resident assistant in assisted living. With her seniority, she makes well over $15 an hour, she said.

Youre helping these helpless people. Somebody needs to do it, said Oujjilal, 52, of Madison. But, I come home and have aches because of the lifting that I do, the moving and the stretching, the bending. It all adds up.

Chris Dean, 45, of Madison, works at Whitney Lodge, an assisted living facility on Madisons West Side for people who are mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

Im not going to lie to you; its challenging, its stressful, Dean said. But, I put myself in their shoes. What if it was me and I needed the help?

Buba Drammeh brings similar empathy to his job at Heritage in Monona, where he makes $14 an hour as a resident assistant supervisor after working there for three years.

Drammeh, 28, of Sun Prairie, works with residents who have advanced dementia. Sometimes they hit him, swear at him or call him names, he said.

Ive seen some people leave the job because they cant handle that, he said. But I dont take it personally. I know theyre not in their right senses.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TNS)  Congress has passed legislation enabling the transfer of the ancient skeleton called Kennewick Man from the federal government to Native American tribes for burial.

The bill was sent to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.

Last year, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced a provision to the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act that would start the process of returning the remains to their proper resting place, according to a statement released by Murrays office.

This victory would not have been possible without the determination, collaboration and leadership of the claimant tribes of the Columbia River plateau, who impressed upon me just how much it meant to them for Congress to end decades of debate and to give them the opportunity to give their descendant a proper burial and a final resting place, Murray said in the statement.

Experts believe Kennewick Man, discovered in 1996 on federal land along the Columbia River, is nearly 9,000 years old, making the skeleton one of the oldest and most complete found in North America.

Since then, a fierce battle has been fought to have the remains returned for a proper burial by the Columbia Basin tribes, who believed the bones are those of an ancestor. A link to the tribes was confirmed by DNA tests last year and again in separate testing this year.

The provision will transfer the custody of the remains, also known as the Ancient One, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

That state department has regulations in place to carry out the repatriation of remains to the tribes, Murray said in her statement.

The Army Corps was expected to repatriate the bones following the genetic testing, but Murrays legislation could speed the process.

The skeleton has been kept at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington.
WASHINGTON  Early U.S. space history is fading with the death of John Glenn, the last of the Mercury 7 astronauts, and the 2012 passing of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. But others survive, veterans of a time when Americans were glued to their television sets to watch their heroics, from fiery Saturn V launches to ocean splashdowns.

More than half of the first 30 astronauts NASA hired have died; 17 Apollo astronauts are still with us, including seven of the dozen men who walked on the moon. Theres going to come a time and its probably going to be in the next decade or so when none of the moonwalkers are going to be left, said National Air and Space Museum associate director Roger Launius.

As this history recedes into the background and fewer and fewer people remember it, the more mythological it becomes, he said. The majority of the human race has been born since weve left the moon so they dont have knowledge of it.

Here are some of the U.S. pioneering astronauts who are part of living space history:

Buzz Aldrin

The second man to walk on the moon is still active promoting space travel, especially to Mars. The 86-year-old veteran of Apollo 11 and Gemini 12 made news recently when he fell ill while visiting Antarctica to study conditions similar to Mars. A Florida resident, he was released from a hospital in New Zealand on Friday.

Fred Haise

Haise, 83, was also on that aborted Apollo 13 mission. He was scheduled to command a flight to land on the moon, but it was cancelled. He served as a test pilot for the space shuttle prototype Enterprise and worked in the aerospace industry. Like many of the others on this list, he is the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and now lives in Texas.

Eugene Cernan

Cernan, 82, was the last man to walk on the moon as commander of Apollo 17 in 1972, offering a message of peace as he left the lunar landscape. Living in Texas, he has been active in trying to get NASA to return astronauts to the moon. He barely survived a harrowing experience in NASAs second space spacewalk as part of Gemini 9. His story was recently told in the documentary The Last Man On The Moon.

James Lovell

Lovell, 88, was one of NASAs most frequent early fliers, best known as the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, which teetered on catastrophe. Their ordeal later inspired a hit movie, in which Lovell was played by Tom Hanks (the real Lovell makes a brief appearance as a ship captain). He also flew on Gemini 7, Gemini 12 and the Apollo 8 mission that circled the moon for the first time. He lives in Illinois and makes public appearances, sometimes with Aldrin.

John Young

Young, 86, was the first person to fly in space six times, including a stint commanding the first space shuttle flight in 1981. Before that he flew two Gemini missions and on Apollo 10 and 16. As commander of Apollo 16, he walked on the moon. He later became NASAs chief astronaut and a tireless advocate of astronaut safety. He lives in Texas.

Frank Borman

Borman, 88, commanded Apollo 8, the first flight in which humans circled the moon. It is a crew remembered today for their Christmas Eve broadcast, in which they read from Genesis and Borman signed off wishing blessings to all of you on the good Earth  a serene ending to the tumultuous year of 1968. He had previously flown in Gemini 7. He later became chief executive of the now-defunct Eastern Air Lines.

Harrison Jack Schmitt

Schmitt, 81, was the first scientist astronaut, a geologist who got to walk on the moon on Apollo 17 and was the next to last person on the moon, getting in the lander before Cernan. He later was elected to the U.S. Senate from New Mexico. He teaches a bit at the University of Wisconsin and is a prominent scientist who rejects the mainstream view of man-made global warming.

Alan Bean

Bean, 84, was the fourth man to walk on the moon in Apollo 12 and later turned from space to art , especially painting. His paintings often have a space theme. He lives in Texas.

Tom Stafford

Stafford, 86, commanded Apollo 10, the second flight around the moon, which preceded Apollo 11s moon landing. Stafford, who also flew on two Gemini flights, later commanded the Apollo-Soyuz test program, which paved the way for U.S.-Soviet cooperation. A Florida resident, he would go in to a career in NASA management and was often consulted as an outside expert for the space agency after he retired.
A deep stillness settled over the federal courtroom as graphic photos were shown of the nine people murdered last year at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church.

The defendant, 22-year-old Dylann Roof, sat motionless throughout, as he has since his death penalty trial began last Wednesday. Behind him sat his paternal grandparents, media and members of the general public. Although Roof has pleaded not guilty, his attorney David Bruck, a renowned anti-death penalty advocate, told jurors that he didn't expect them to find his client not guilty. At stake is whether Roof deserves to die or spend the rest of his life in prison.

Roof, who posed in online pictures with the Confederate battle flag, allegedly told his victims he had to kill them because blacks were taking over and were "raping our women."

In a serendipitous display of unwanted irony, the South's racial divisions that Charleston, especially, has worked so hard to bridge were refashioned by happenstance and logistics in the courtroom itself. Reserved seating placed the victims' family and friends, primarily black, on one side of the room and the defendant's family and the mostly white media on the other. This imposed segregation was purely circumstantial but painful, nonetheless.

Before the photo display, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel repeatedly warned family members that the pictures were graphic, saying there was no shame in sitting out this portion of the trial. The quiet was profound and leaden as each person in the room tried within his or her own space to convey respect for the dead and the bereaved. The pin-drop silence was interrupted only once when a young black man, upon seeing the body of 70-year-old Ethel Lance, bolted from the courtroom.

Most striking of the photographs was that of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who seemed to have been running toward the altar when he was felled by three bullets, according to the autopsy report. He had pitched headfirst toward the raised lectern in a prone position reminiscent of reverential prostration. A wide ribbon of blood streamed away from his head for several feet before disappearing from the frame.

Those who have followed the events of June 17, 2015, and thereafter are familiar with Pinckney and the eight black parishioners who died. Over time, we've learned their names and faces, and feel as though they were friends or people we'd like to have known. Seeing their photos in the courtroom, their bodies labeled with a number as the only way to identify them initially, refreshed a sense of the killer's anonymous presence among them that night and the deft, dispassionate brutality with which he dispatched them.

From the evidence, it was easy to discern how the shooter went about his business. Shell casings and empty magazines were found around the perimeter of the room, indicating that the killer was moving around while shooting. One magazine was left on one of three round tables in the center of the room where the Bible study group was meeting and where most of the victims were found. This particular table was draped with a bright yellow-and-green-patterned cloth. Next to the dark, empty magazine was a large, opened Bible and a piece of paper.

Bullet holes in another of the tablecloths and an indentation in the metal frame underneath suggested that the shooter deliberately aimed under the tables to kill those crouched below. The precision of his execution, at once heartbreaking and unconscionable, would deliver a staggering psychic blow to any decent human being.

For almost an hour, according to previous reports, Roof sat among these welcoming people, pretending to share their spiritual purpose, and then opened fire in a blaze of resigned fury. When a wounded Tywanza Sanders begged him to stop, Roof kept firing until four bullets riddled Sanders' body. How could he? How could anyone?

By anyone's definition, Roof is a racist, but surely this is too facile an explanation. The rational mind wants more. Insanity? Not according to a psychiatrist who examined him. What then?

The "what" will be the focus of defense attorneys who will try to persuade jurors to spare Roof's life. If they do, he still faces another death penalty state trial next year. Whatever is decided here  and again later  it may be difficult to get beyond the way survivor Felicia Sanders described the assailant as the prosecution's first witness. Looking directly at Roof, she said, "Evil, evil, evil."
A tall, tousled computer scientist, a university archivist and a curious New York retiree converged upon a warehouse off Cottage Grove Road on Madisons East Side one day last August.

Scott Mindock, David Null and Doris Cross had never met, but they were about to share a Howard Carter moment, thanks to the hoarding instincts of the late Leon Varjian, the jokester who tapped Madisons funny bone in the late 1970s and 80s.

Carter was the Egyptologist who opened the Tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. When he got the first peek inside, he was asked, Can you see anything? Struggling for words, all he could say was Yes, wonderful things.

There were no gold funeral ornaments, but there were plenty of wonderful things awaiting the three in Madison.

Mindock, Null and Cross had mustered to inspect the contents of three mysterious, large wooden storage lockers. Varjian filled the lockers during his reign as the clown prince of his adopted city and university, and then he left. For 31 years, through three storage company incarnations and until his death at age 64 from a heart attack in 2015, Varjian had been paying monthly storage fees on the boxes.

He never mentioned the storage lockers to his half-sister, Doris Cross, a retired New York book editor and public television administrator. Now she, along with his college chum and sometime co-conspirator, and the curious archivist, would find out just what treasures Leon the jokester had squirreled away.

What they found left them, if not speechless, certainly gasping for context. Varjian kept everything, and duplicates when he could. What will happen to the cache, once it is sifted, remains officially up in the air, but at least some of it is destined to end up in UW-Madisons new humor archives.

It turns out Varjian, even from the grave, can still leave them laughing and scratching heads. His clown estate may be turned into some graphically and historically interesting T-shirts, and may even benefit Indiana University, where Varjian polished his pranks before coming to Madison.

Storage mystery cleared up

Mindock was buddies with Varjian  and a co-host with him for the The Vern and Evelyn Show on cable television, which featured two mice  beginning during the campus years. It is Mindock who can provide context to most of the belongings.

After his friend died in September 2015, Mindock made note of the lockers in a condolence letter to Varjians cousin.

I mentioned that, by the way, Leon had a storage locker here and if you see some bills come in from Madison and you need any help here, let me know, he said.

Cross, who is in charge of the estate, started getting the bills for storage. Months later, she contacted Min- dock and said she was coming to Madison to open the locker. Could he help?

Three large wooden storage containers were being kept in a large warehouse, filled mostly with packaged food, just off of Cottage Grove Road.

Our goal was to see what was there, not even do anything with it. I expected one small container, but these were jammed full of boxes, he said.

Except for obvious trash and old clothes, everything in the cardboard boxes  and, separately, a bicycle, a wagon, a large Fender amplifier and a big black-and-white television set  was hauled to Mindocks home.

I am making an inventory and trying to figure out what we are going to do with the stuff. Some will go to the UW archive, but not all of it, he said. The UW isnt equipped to handle some of this stuff.

The obvious historical valuables, said Mindock, and the bulk of the cache are materials regarding the Pail and Shovel Party, Varjians student political party that took over the Wisconsin Student Association.

Varjian and the WSA were responsible for shenanigans on campus and in the city over those years. Best known are the Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota, the flamingo flock on Bascom Hill and the boom box marching band, but there were many others.

He clearly kept the print shop and graphic artists busy. There are posters, buttons, props, scripts and correspondence, including from Madison mayors.

Varjian kept multiple copies of many items: There are hundreds of Pail and Shovel Party membership cards, for example, and bags and jars full of advertising and political buttons.

There is a (used, real) canvas strait jacket, many hats (propeller beanies were popular) and masks and toys of all sorts and conditions. A pile of diplomas recognizes graduation from the nonexistent University of New Jersey.

There are also records of his contact with local Armenian groups. Varjians father emigrated from Armenia.

Mindock is going through the storage locker items as he has time. There are thousands of similar things, and a few unique items, such as books signed by Beat Generation writers Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and William Burroughs at a 1982 presentation at the Memorial Union. Varjian also kept an invitation to Mindocks wedding, which he didnt attend.

Surprising, perhaps, is that the large cache of mementos includes not one pink plastic flamingo, no boom boxes (which were all on loan from American TV, it turns out) and no band uniforms.

Null, the UW-Madison archivist, knows that taking stock of the cache will be a daunting task.

(Varjian) just kept everything, he said, adding, He wanted his stuff kept here.

We already have a small amount of things from the Pail and Shovel Party now, but because it was a student organization, we didnt get a lot (for the archives), he said.

Anything that can document the history is useful, he added, because as time goes by, the connections need explaining.

Null wants items that can fill the university archives new campus humor section that will focus on our funny university.

Current plans include a Leons Legacy Celebration at a date yet to be determined this spring at the Memorial Union, focusing on Varjian, the Pail and Shovel Party and his main co-conspirators. The university hopes to include items from the hoard for exhibits at that event.

Mindock predicts the university will tap some of the items for fundraising, such as selling T-shirts or posters using their graphics.

Carrie Schwier, an archivist and librarian at the Indiana University Archives and Records Management, said her employer would definitely be interested in documents related to Varjians time at that university.

Not all worth saving

Before Varjians death in September 2015, he and the university were just at the point of drafting a gift agreement, Null said. As the executor of his estate, now that will be up to Cross.

There are expenses.

Usually we just absorb the cost of processing, storing, etc., said Null. Sometimes people will give us donations for that, and Doris has actually indicated that she may give us some funding to process the collection.

Varjians hoard did not stay in one place over the past 31 years of storage in Madison, according to Mike Atkinson, the last caretaker of the crates.

The first two storage companies went out of business or were sold, and Atkinsons company, FAK, informally inherited the batch of crates that included Varjians, he said.

When the crates were opened  they were not locked, just kept closed with wire, he said  I was just as excited as they were to see what was in there, he said.

Everything was in good shape. Leon was obviously a very frugal man, and a lot of the stuff he bought at St. Vinnys for his (cable TV) show. There was a beautiful double-reverb Fender amp in there, too, he added.

Cross spoke fondly of her half-brother, who was 12 years younger than she, saying they didnt meet until 1973 because the two families did not interact. But once they did, they were fast friends and he would regularly visit her in Manhattan. He never mentioned his belongings in storage in Madison, she said, but she was aware of his tendency to save everything. When she cleaned his home in New Jersey, there were lots of paper items he had stored, but not in a way that they could be saved.

We were amazed at what he had (in Madison), she said, but it was not all worth saving. They hauled away three loads of trash from the warehouse.

We would be sorting, and it was ho-hum, ho-hum and then, Oh my God, so it was kind of a blur.

After his time at UW-Madison, Varjian moved back to New Jersey and became an award-winning mathematics teacher, and Cross said his Wisconsin reputation followed him.

It was not uncommon for him to be recognized even walking in Central Park, she said.

It is clear, just from her short view of his saved belongings, that Leon was a guy with so many ideas, he was always thinking and creating. He believed in fun. He could be extremely serious about teaching mathematics, and hilarious about it, too.

I loved him, I always knew there was more going on with him. He was a complex guy.
Death toll in Yemen suicide bombing rises to 45: SANAA, Yemen  A suicide bomber on Saturday blew himself up inside an army base in the southern city of Aden, killing 45 soldiers and wounding another 50, security officials said. They said the bomber detonated a belt of explosives he was wearing amid hundreds of soldiers lining up to collect their salaries in the citys Solban army base. The Islamic State groups Yemeni affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on social media sites known to be sympathetic with the extremist group.

Colombias Santos accepts Nobel: STOCKHOLM  Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on Saturday, saying it helped his country achieve the impossible dream of ending a half-century-long civil war. A smiling Santos received his Nobel diploma and gold medal at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway, for his efforts to end a conflict that has killed 220,000 people and displaced 8 million. Santos used his acceptance speech to celebrate the end of the longest-running conflict in the Americas, pay tribute to its victims and call for a strategy shift in another, related war  on drug trafficking worldwide.

Scores killed as crowded church collapses: LAGOS, Nigeria  Witnesses and an official say the roof of a church has collapsed onto worshippers in southern Nigeria, killing at least 60 people. Congregants say the Reigners Bible Church in Uyo city was still under construction when it was used for a ceremony to ordain a bishop Saturday. They say hundreds of people were inside when metal girders crashed and the corrugated iron roof caved in. A rescue official says at least 60 people died but the toll could mount as a crane removes debris.

Greece passes austerity 2017 budget: ATHENS, Greece  Greeces Parliament has passed a budget of continued austerity as mandated by the countrys creditors, but which forecasts robust growth for 2017. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says it will mark Greeces final exit from its nearly decade-long financial crisis. The budget adds more than 1 billion euros in new taxes, mostly indirect taxes on items from phone calls to alcohol. It also cuts spending by over 1 billion euros. The budget was backed by the left-dominated ruling coalition and opposed by all other parties. It passed by a vote of 152-146 on Saturday.

Turkey shifts closer to expanding powers for Erdogan: ISTANBUL  Turkeys ruling party on Saturday submitted proposed constitutional amendments that could greatly expand the powers and extend the mandate of the countrys president. Critics feared the proposed reforms would allow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has retained outsized influence over his party and the levers of government, to rule unchecked. The changes would allow the president to appoint the government, retain ties with his party, propose budgets and declare states of emergency.
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The title of this post is the headline of this effective new Time magazine article. I recommend the piece in full, and here are some key excerpts and major headings:

With Donald Trump nominating Cabinet members who have spoken out against legal marijuana, some are arguing that the war on drugs may make a comeback. But while theres reason for anxiety among those selling recreational marijuana legally in states like Colorado and Washington, an all-out war remains unlikely.

Experts say that trying to undo legalization at this point would come with serious economic and political hurdles. Its certainly come so far, says Sam Kamin, a marijuana law expert at the University of Denver, that it cant be undone without a heavy cost. Others are even more skeptical. Says Mike Vitiello, a marijuana law expert at the University of the Pacific, Its kind of like illegal immigration: You cant build a wall high enough.

Here are seven reasons that it would be hard to stop what the states have started.

Waging a war on pot would go against the will of many voters.

It would be a very blatant finger to the voters, says the Drug Policy Alliances Amanda Reiman. In November, voters in eight states cast their ballots for some form of marijuana legalization. That means that medical marijuana is now legal in 28 states and recreational marijuana is legal in eight, including the nations most populous: California. With that powerhouse on board, a total of about one quarter of the population lives in a place where voters have decided that adults should be able to consume cannabis much the same way they consume alcohol. And all but six other states have legalized a non-psychoactive form of cannabis known as CBD, which people use to treat conditions like juvenile epilepsy.

Public opinion on marijuana is going in the opposite direction. ...

Trump himself has said he supports medical marijuana and that states should handle the question of whether to legalize. ...

It does not seem high on his list of priorities. ...

Waging a war costs money. ...

Theres a lot of money in marijuana these days and the prospect of much more in the future.

If legal marijuana markets didnt exist tomorrow, that would mean the shuttering of hundreds of small businesses and the loss of thousands of jobs. It would buoy the black market. And it would also make for a lot of unhappy investors. The market for legal marijuana in America is already worth an estimated $7 billion and, according to market research firm ArcView, it will be worth more than $20 billion by 2020. While many bigwig venture capitalists and corporations are still wary of writing checks because of prohibition, others are proving eager to cash in on the green rush. Among them is even a member of Trumps transition team, Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel. Theres a huge amount of capital formation, says Vitiello. There are literally billions of dollars of investment in these gray market establishments.

The extent of federal governments authority over these matters is unclear.
The question in the title of this post is the headline of this lengthy and interesting recent California Sunday Magazine article. Here are excerpts:

Last year, U.S. legal marijuana was a $5.4 billion business, and that figure is expected to quadruple by 2020. According to one 2016 estimate, the industry and supporting businesses already employ between 100,000 and 150,000 people in the U.S., more than General Motors. Californias recent vote to legalize recreational marijuana  medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 1996  created the worlds largest legal market and sent the clearest signal yet that widespread legalization is inevitable. (Seven other states legalized medical or recreational marijuana as well.)

The most glaring irony of legalization is that for decades black and Latino communities have disproportionately suffered under harsh drug laws, and now, with those laws in retreat, the entrepreneurs cashing in on the booming business are overwhelmingly white. California, like the four states that had previously legalized recreational pot, imposes restrictions on convicted felons joining the industry; some states also require business-license applicants to demonstrate cash reserves of hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Both criteria weigh heavily against minority entrepreneurs seeking to enter the industry....

A diverse city with a history of tolerant pot laws, Oakland was hoping to lead the way in creating an industry that compensates for the racial inequalities of the past, but it was struggling with how to translate decades of injustice into still-hypothetical profits. Weeks earlier, Oaklands city council had passed a remarkable, first-of-its-kind equity amendment, guaranteeing 50 percent of cannabis business licenses to former marijuana felons and to residents of several neighborhoods considered especially damaged by the war on drugs. In public statements, Oakland City Council member Desley Brooks, who introduced the amendment, made clear that her intention was to foster minority-owned businesses. When you look at the cannabis industry here with respect to the ownership, it is predominantly white, she said from the podium in the drab chamber of Oaklands city council. People of color are tired of simply being employees. When do they get an ownership piece of the pie? That is what this is about.....

Most jurisdictions consider cannabis businesses something between a nuisance and a threat, but the city government in perennially broke Oakland was quick to recognize the economic opportunity in legal pot. It was an early jurisdiction to decriminalize adult use of marijuana, in 2004, and it became the first in the country to license medical marijuana dispensaries, also in 2004. Harborside, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in October, was one of the first dispensaries to open in the city, and it helped pioneer the widely imitated idea that dispensaries should be clean, welcoming spaces, more like Apple stores than smelly, cramped head shops. It now brings in a reported $30 million in annual sales and is an important Oakland taxpayer. After the Justice Department initiated a case against the dispensary in 2012, Oakland took the unprecedented step of suing the federal government on behalf of a cannabis business. (The Justice Department dropped its case earlier this year.)...

As legalization has spread, other jurisdictions have recognized the moral urgency of creating diversity in the industry. So far, none has succeeded. This past summer, Maryland issued its first 30 medical marijuana business licenses, but the process was thrown into disarray once it became clear that none had gone to a woman or an African American. Its a very complex problem, the head of Marylands cannabis commission told The Baltimore Sun. Time sensitive, too, since the established companies are getting bigger and richer. Ohios medical marijuana law reserves 15 percent of business licenses for minority owners, but this aspect of the law immediately came under legal scrutiny and the program has yet to become operational.
Despite uncertainty as to his personal views on marijuana, President-elect Donald Trump hasn't shied away from nominating people to his administration who are openly hostile to it. Trump recently nominated Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to be the next attorney general and Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) as the next director of the Department of Health and Human Services, both of whom have been strong critics of legalization. Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that Trump will soon announce retired Marine General John F. Kelly as the next director of the Department of Homeland Security. While his views on marijuana policy appear slightly more nuanced than those of Session or Price, Kelly is still hostile to marijuana legalization. The Washington Post's Christopher Ingraham writes:

Kelly served as the head of the U.S. Southern Command, a posting that gave him oversight ofU.S. security operations for Central America, the Caribbean and the entirety of South America. Trump settled on Kelly in part for his Southwest border expertise, according to people familiarwith the deliberations.

In that role, Kelly grappled with issues relating to the international illicit drug trade and the flow of narcotics, including heroin and cocaine, from countries in the Southern Hemisphere to markets in the United States...

Kelly is, however, critical of marijuana legalization. He calls the plant a gateway to harder drugs (this notion is disputed by many drug abuse researchers and the National Institute on Drug Abuse). He does support the use of medical marijuana, however: I'm not a doctor, he told the Military Times, but I'm told it has a medical use. So whether it's veterans or anyone else, if it helps those people, then fine. Medicine is medicine.

Kelly's nomination would be the third Trump Cabinet pick who is an outspoken critic of marijuana legalization. Attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) has been harshly critical of legalization efforts, arguing that good people don't smoke marijuana. Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), Trump's pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, has been one of the most reliably anti-marijuana members of Congress in recent years, voting against even modest policy changes.

As DHS secretary, Kelly wouldn't have as direct an effect on federal drug policy as the attorney general or the Health and Human Services secretary. But if confirmed, he would be one more Cabinet-level skeptic of marijuana legalization in an era of increasing marijuana legalization at the state level.
The question in the title of this post is prompted by this local article from Virginia headlined "Enforcement up in smoke? Marijuana arrests down sharply across state, region." Here are is how the article gets started:

Marijuana arrests are down significantly in Virginia over the past few years  leading some to speculate that the decline could reflect a loosening attitude in the Old Dominion about the drug.

The number of people arrested or charged with marijuana offenses has fallen by 14 percent statewide over a two-year stretch  from 25,981 in 2013 to 22,428 in 2015, according to Virginia State Police figures compiled from local law enforcement agencies.

That's the largest two-year drop in at least 15 years, with cannabis charges on pace to fall once again in 2016. "And it ain't because less people are smoking marijuana," said Ron Smith, a veteran criminal defense attorney in Hampton. "Virginia changes the law very gradually, and you can feel it happening. Even if they don't say, 'Hey, it's legal,' you can see that slow pull, that slow walk toward legalization." Within a few years, he said, marijuana possession laws could go the way of adultery laws: Still on the books, but not enforced.

Newport News has seen a far steeper decline than most localities, helping to drive the statewide reduction. In 2011, 1,461 people were arrested or charged on marijuana offenses in the city. But that dropped to 578 people in 2015  a 60 percent decrease. Smith, for one, said he thinks police are being less aggressive these days on a variety of crimes, including marijuana offenses. "They're picking the apples that they can reach, but they're not standing on ladders," he said. "I'm not saying they're turning their heads, but they're not doing anything to look past what's right there in front of them."...

In one sign of the times, the top prosecutors in Hampton and Newport News decided in 2012 and 2013 to no longer prosecute adult misdemeanor pot possession cases, saying their resources were running thin for felony prosecutions. "We were wasting resources when we've got bigger fish to fry," said Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell, who said he wanted to increase focus on homicides and gun crimes.

Newport News' drop-off in marijuana arrests, in particular, appears to coincide with Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn's decision not to handle those cases. That left the prosecuting task to police officers  just as they handle their own traffic cases  before the cities filled the breach with alternatives. "Certainly locally here in Newport News, the absence of a prosecuting attorney to help the officers with marijuana charges has had a significant and adverse impact on the officers' ability to make those cases," Newport News Police Chief Richard Myers said. "And we know with certainty that that has contributed significantly with each passing year to the decrease in our marijuana cases."

When police officers find someone with marijuana on the street, Myers said, the extra burden of prosecuting the case "of course is going to factor into their decision-making" about whether to file pot charges or seek an alternative.... Myers, however, said his officers are not being told to "look the other way" on marijuana arrests. "We haven't done any stand-down kind of thing at all," he said. "Some folks on the street probably think we have because the arrests have dropped. And I have heard officers say that because of it, some folks are getting a little more brazen about it." But while the department places a priority on relationship building and "de-escalation," he said, "nowhere does that say that we're not making arrests, not writing tickets, that we're not being proactive."

After about a year of discussion with Gwynn's office, the city of Newport News about a month ago agreed to pay for two new prosecutors to handle marijuana cases, at a cost of about $60,000 per attorney annually, City Manager Jim Bourey said. Police officers began referring new pot cases to the prosecutor's office under the new system just last week. "We really think it's going to give the officers one more tool to kind of reel in any of that activity," Myers said. Perhaps in part because Hampton moved more quickly on this issue  hiring a lawyer with the city attorney's office to take over marijuana prosecutions in early 2015  the decline of pot arrests in Hampton has been more modest. Hampton Police Chief Terry Sult said there's been no move to back off on enforcing marijuana laws.

"Absolutely not," Sult said. "As a matter of fact, our mission statement is prevention and then it's enforcement. And when we fail to prevent a crime, then we enforce the law, and I expect them to be professionally aggressive to enforce the law. ... I do believe in the broken windows theory, and in my view, marijuana is a gateway drug to harder problems. A lot of our violent crime is associated with marijuana and marijuana distribution, and I do think it's important that we enforce those laws  and we communicate that to our troops."
In the run-up to the November 2016 election, I suggested that Florida's vote over a significant medical marijuana ballot initiative could be as important as any of the recreational marijuana reform votes taking place in other states. This new Forbes article, headlined "Florida Medical Marijuana Sales Could Rival Colorado By 2020," reinforces my view. Here are excerpts (with links from the original):

Colorado and California may be ground zero for medical marijuana, but Florida could quickly catch up. A new report from New Frontier Data with market data provided by Arcview Market Research projects that Florida's market will grow to $1.6 billion by 2020 at a compound annual growth rate of 140%. That would make it half the size of California's projected $2.6 billion market and top the projected $1.5 billion medical marijuana market for Colorado.

Florida voters legalized medical marijuana during this past election with more than 70% of the vote. Florida has the fifth-highest median age and is one of the most popular places to retire in the country. It is considered to be well-positioned to serve the aging population with medical cannabis products. The New Frontier report believes that Florida could end up becoming 7.5% of the total legal U.S. cannabis market and 14% of the medical marijuana market by 2020.

Florida has the potential to be one of the largest medical markets in the country. The state is home to the nation's largest percentage of people 65 and older, a demographic for whom chronic pain and catastrophic illnesses are commonplace and expensive to treat. Amendment 2 gives this large patient pool access to legal cannabis as an alternative therapy to their diverse medical needs, said New Frontier Data Founder & CEO Giadha DeCarcer.

Troy Dayton of The Arcview Group said, The opportunity for good jobs, tax money and wealth creation created by Amendment 2 passing cannot be understated. And, thankfully, seriously ill patients will no longer need to go to high school parking lots or drug dealers to get their medicine. Dayton also noted that cannabis entrepreneurs are pretty excited at their prospects in the state.

One example of this is the decision by High There!, a social media site that caters to the cannabis crowd, to move from Colorado to Florida. When we launched 18 months ago, we felt Denver was the right city to be home to High There!, as it was a legal state. But with Florida legalizing medical marijuana, we realized the opportunity was really in our home state, and High There! could be a model of the economic impact a legal marijuana market can bring to a region, said co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Darren Roberts.
Tom Angell has this interesting report, headlined "Powerful Veterans Group Pushes Trump On Marijuana Rescheduling," on an interesting discussion of marijuana reform among conservative-leaning folks. Here are the highlights:

The nations largest military veterans organization is pushing President-elect Donald Trump to reschedule marijuana after he takes office early next year. Top officials from the American Legion, which passed a resolution endorsing the reclassification of cannabis under federal law earlier this year, sat down with Trumps transition team last week to discuss key priorities for the more than 2 million military veterans the organization represents, including marijuana policy reform.

The group initiated a call-to-action on fairly new Legion priorities  support of research related to the impacts of medical marijuana and the Drug Enforcement Administrations reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, according to a summary of the meeting on the American Legions website. Reclassification of the drug would allow easier access to pure strains of the substance to cultivate quantifiable research and statistics regarding marijuanas medical benefits.

Louis Celli, national director of the Legions veterans affairs and rehabilitation division, told Marijuana.com that the Trump officials at the meeting were somewhat guarded in giving feedback on specific issues during the listening session, but that when cannabiss potential to help heal military veterans war wounds came up, there was an immediate change in the room.

All shuffling stopped, people stopped looking down at their notes, and instantly all eyes were on [Legion Executive Director] Verna Jones and everyone was transfixed and intently hanging on her every word, Celli said. I cant speak for how the transition team felt, but there seemed to be a small shock that snapped the room to attention. No read on how the information was received, but I think they were a little caught off guard and didnt expect such a progressive statement from such a traditional and conservative organization.

There were also representatives of more than 30 other veterans service organizations at the meeting....

Moving marijuana out of Schedule I  or, removing it from the CSA altogether, like alcohol and tobacco  would have a number of effects. Reclassification to Schedule III or lower, as the American Legion is pushing for, would protect federal employees who use marijuana from a Reagan-era executive order that defines illegal drugs as Schedule I or II substances.

Additionally, only drugs under Schedules I and II are affected by the tax provision known as 280E, which disallows state-legal businesses from deducting normal operational expenses from their federal taxes.

Because current laws and regulations prevent the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of National Drug Control Policy from fairly evaluating Schedule I drugs, reclassification would allow the government to examine and communicate about marijuana in a way that prioritizes science instead of an outdated drug war mindset....

But rescheduling alone would not remove the criminal penalties that still put people abiding by state marijuana laws at risk of federal prosecution and prison sentences. Other statutes would have to be amended to accomplish that.
Donald Trumps election as president of the United States came as a shock to many Democratic Party activists.

Now, Democrats are considering what the party did wrong and what its future might be.

Most Democrats -- and even some Republican Party activists -- believed Hillary Clinton would win the election last month. The former Secretary of State was the Democrats presidential candidate.

But Republicans, under businessman Trump, won the presidency and kept control of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

It will be two years before Democrats can try to take control of Congress.

John Fortier works at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. He says the Democrats must now decide how they will oppose the policies of Trump and the Republicans.

Where does the party go? Is it a party that really looks to some of its more progressive figures -- (Massachusetts Senator) Elizabeth Warren and others who would lead the party or (Vermont Senator) Bernie Sanders (who) would lead the party in a more left direction -- or would they go in a direction more like you saw from Hillary Clinton, which is somewhat more in the middle of their party?

Political observers say most working-class Americans voted for Donald Trump. In a recent speech, Senator Bernie Sanders said Democrats must find a way to persuade working-class Americans to vote for Democratic candidates again.

There are millions of people today, working-class people, middle-class people, low-income people, who are living in despair.

Many Democrats believe Trump and his supporters will cancel parts of the Affordable Care Act. The act, known as Obamacare, is one of President Barack Obamas top legislative measures.

Democrats also believe the Republicans will reduce taxes on businesses.

Chuck Schumer of New York is the new leader of the Democrats in the Senate. He has said the party is ready to oppose Trumps policies. But he says Democrats may cooperate with the future president on issues like spending on roads or other infrastructure. Such spending is popular with Democrats because they believe it provides jobs for many people.

The party must also prepare for elections in 2018, in which many more Democratic senators will seek re-election than Republicans. Many of the Democrats are from states that Trump won in the 2016 election.

Tim Ryan is a Democratic congressman from Ohio. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to replace longtime California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as top Democrat in the House of Representatives.

Like Sanders, Ryan is worried about how to get Americans to vote for Democrats. He spoke after losing his campaign to remove Pelosi.

And I believe it in my heart that if we are gonna win as Democrats, we need to have an economic message that resonates in every corner of this country.

Almost one-third of the Democrats in the House voted for Tim Ryan. New York Congressman Joseph Crowley was not one of them. But he agreed with Ryan that, in Crowley's words, Democrats are the party with ideas and a vision -- but we need to do a better job of connecting with people on the ground who made it clear they werent listening or couldnt hear what we had to say.

Because Clinton was defeated, the Democrats do not have a national leader. Some experts believe Barack Obama may work on energizing the party after he leaves the White House. Obama said recently that Democrats must continue to keep their promise of ensuring economic fairness.

So there are gonna be a core set of values that shouldn't be up for debate -- should be our North Star. But how we organize politically, I think, is somethin' that we should spend some time thinkin' about.

Trump won the northern states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. All three states had voted for a Democrat in every presidential election since 1992. This year, many white working-class voters in those areas voted for Trump.

Political commentator Fred Barnes spoke about the U.S. president-elect on VOAs Issues in the News program.

And he did something that I thought Republicans were gonna maybe never be able to do, and that is win Pennsylvania, win Ohio, win Michigan and win Wisconsin -- the Rust Belt, the industrial belt, where there's so many working-class people, a number of them out of work, but, but still an awful lot of 'em.

Trump had success with voters who felt ignored by the Democratic Party. Rebecca Thoeni of Iowa voted for Democratic candidates for many years. But last month, she voted for Trump.

Theoni told the Associated Press that Trump got out there and showed he was serious about keeping jobs. He explained things in laymans terms. Thats what changed me. Many people in Americas Upper Midwest said similar things.

Fortier says Democrats should be successful in the future because of the predicted continuing growth in the non-white population.

In the months to come, Congressional Democrats will have to decide on what issues they will oppose Trump, and on which ones they will work with him.

Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat, recently told VOA that the party will not support Trump on his economic, civil rights and immigration policies.

Im Caty Weaver.

And I'm Dan Friedell.

VOA Correspondent Jim Malone reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his 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

infrastructure  n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly

resonate  v. to have particular meaning or importance for someone; to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way (usually + with)

corner  n. area (often used figuratively)

core set of values  expression beliefs

North Star  expression (often used figuratively) a bright star that can be seen in the sky in northern parts of the world when you look directly toward the north; unifying principle

industrial belt  n. expression an area of the United States where many factories are located

laymans terms  n. in simple language that anyone can understand

diversity  n. the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization
Rabbi Chaim and Seema Lipszyc, along with their two children, Chana and Nissim Chai, will be moving to Spring Hill, Hernando County shortly after Chanukah to provide Jewish resources to the 3000 Jews living in Hernando County and nearby Citrus County.

There is no Jewish federation, Jewish day school, or kosher food here, and many Jews do not feel that they are part of a community, says the Rabbi. Chabad hopes to target these issues by launching new programs such as a kosher delivery service, adult social events and classes, and events exclusively for women, as well as a business forum to facilitate networking and teach necessary job-finding skills. Seema, who has extensive experience with children and has taught at three different schools in the past, will run a Mommy-and-Me program, as well as other childrens programs.

Those objectives are a bit more long-term, but the Lipszycs have plans for the immediate future, too. The first task on their list? A grand Chanukah menorah lighting event that will take place on December 28th, featuring Magic Man Van Valin, Chanukah-themed crafts, and of course, hot latkes. The Lipszycs sent out a mailing to 2500 homes advertising the event and plan to reach out to local Jews via social media. So far, they say, the response has been warm and encouraging.

We enjoy Chabad and look forward to working with them and helping them cultivate the Spring Hill Jewish community, David and April Nefores, residents of the Spring Hill community wrote in a press release for Chabad of Tampa Bay, under whose umbrella Chabad of Spring Hill is opening..

Naomi Bloom, a longtime Tampa resident who works in Hernando County, says she was astonished by the ignorance many had of Judaism. Now working in Hernando County, it is unbelievable that there could possibly be so many people from all walks of life who have no concept of our rich heritage and religion, she says. I am thrilled that there will be a presence in Hernando County, and I commend [Chabad] on their courage to take on the challenge.

The new Chabad representatives are motivated by their vision.

Chabad Spring Hill is a place where every Jewish person is welcome, regardless of affiliation or level of knowledge, Rabbi Lypszyc wrote on the Chabad fundraising page. Our sole purpose is to create a warm welcoming environment to explore and experience our heritage in a non-judgmental and inviting atmosphere.

For more information, visit www.chabadspringhill.com.
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NAIROBI, Kenya - Continental Reinsurance has announced the jury members for the second edition of the Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards.

Nike Popoola (Nigeria) winner of the 2016 Pan-African ReInsurance Journalist award.

Afif Ben Yedder, founder of IC Publications, publisher of leading magazines African Business and New African, will chair the jury this year. Other panelists of the Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards are:

William Wallis, leader writer, Financial Times.

Nadia Mensah-Acogny, journalist, Forbes Afrique.

Michael Wilson, business and finance journalist (freelancer).

Julia Graham, Technical Director, Airmic.

Continental Reinsurance, the private sector champion of the pan-African reinsurance industry is sponsoring the awards. The awards are open to both English and French-speaking journalists covering the re/insurance sector in Africa.

Dr Femi Oyetunji, group managing director/CEO of Continental Reinsurance said, The outstanding quality of our international judging panel attests to the importance and prestige of these awards. We are privileged to bring together a very talented group of top media and insurance experts, to judge Africas most effective journalism work on the topic of re/insurance.

Afif Ben Yedder said, As an industry expert, I applaud any initiative that encourages journalists to develop their knowledge and expertise, particularly in Africa. Following the success of the inaugural awards, I look forward to reading this years entries."

The international judging panel will evaluate all the submitted articles according to the quality of information and how the work contributes to raising awareness and understanding of the re/insurance sector in Africa. The jury members will independently select the recipients of the awards in three categories: Journalist of the Year, Best Analysis and Commentary and Best Feature article.

The winners will be announced at the Continental Reinsurance CEO Summit on 6 April, 2017 in Dakar, Senegal.
Constant acts of physical attacks arbitrary arrests and detentions of journalists and other rights activists in West Africa by state security forces continue to chip away the modest but steady gains in the Freedom of Expression (FOE) environment in the region.

Image by 123RF

The latest analysis of the freedom of expression situation in West Africa by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) for the third quarter of the year (July-September, 2016) reveals a decline in the number of violations from 45 during the same period in 2015 to 25 this year.

The decline in the incidents of free expression violations is a positive development that gives reason for hope and lends credence to the impact of work by free expression advocacy organisations working in the region. The positive development is, however, negated by continued intolerance on the part of state security officials towards press freedom and citizens' right to freely express themselves.

In the latest report for example, state security officials were the perpetrators of 80% (20 out of the 25) of the violations predominantly in the form of physical attacks, and arbitrary arrests and detentions. During the period, the police in Mali shot and killed a demonstrator. Similarly, the police in Sierra Leone also killed a demonstrator. In both instances, the police opted to use live ammunition to dispel peaceful demonstrators resulting in the casualties.

Another major challenge to freedom of expression in the region  apart from the continued abuses by security forces  is the unending phenomenon of impunity for crimes against journalists and other free expression activists. Crimes committed against journalists and other free expression activists almost always go unpunished, a phenomenon that tends to embolden perpetrators and potential perpetrators of free expression violations.

The latest analysis is part of the MFWA's routine quarterly FOE trends analysis focusing on the West Africa region. The analyses are published each quarter as the West Africa Free Expression Monitor. The current edition of the Monitor featuring all the incidents of violations; presentation of the incidents per country and per perpetrators; as well as a comparison of the situation with trends during the same period in 2015; and recommendation for improving the situation can be found here.

This statement was originally published on mfwa.org. Source: IFEX.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - US Embassy Charge d'Affaires, Peter Vrooman and Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Fitsum Arega, last week joined the board of the newly established American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia to mark the organisation's official launch.

Image by 123RF

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ethiopia was formed to strengthen the centuryold partnership economic ties that have existed between the United States and Ethiopia. AmCham can play an important role in building a conducive environment for private sector growth, share experiences, and facilitate business capacity building in Ethiopia.

At the launch, AmCham President Daniel Hailu, said, The AmCham mission is to enhance the commercial and economic business ties between the US and Ethiopia and create an attractive investment climate that facilitates the achievement of the GTP2 goals while creating a space for the private sector that improves the ease of doing business in Ethiopia.

He urged member companies to work with the government of Ethiopia to create a business environment where all businesses can thrive.

US Embassy Charge d'Affaires, Peter Vrooman, said the United States is focused on attracting American companies that are committed to sustainable business practices to invest in Ethiopia because they bring higher production quality, technology transfer, professional training, and create jobs that benefit all Ethiopians.

American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AmChams) are voluntary associations of American companies and individuals doing business in a particular country, as well as firms and individuals of the host country who operate in the United States.
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar thanked all his fans and followers for sending him "lovely messages" on his 94th birthday.

"Thank you for all the beautiful and lovely messages," Dilip tweeted on Sunday night.

The thespian, who turned 94 on Sunday, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai on Wednesday (7 December 2016) after he complained of swelling in one of his legs.

The actor says all the heartfelt wishes on Twitter brought tears to his eyes:

Your love and affection has been so enduring and so touching, your heartfelt messages on this medium brought tears to my eyes.  Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 11, 2016

Dilip also shared a photograph of himself along with his wife and veteran actress Saira Banu cutting a chocolate cake in the hospital.

"Saira helps me cut a cake," he captioned the image.

Saira, helps me cut a cake... pic.twitter.com/ANGFhW5NAn  Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 11, 2016

Earlier, Saira Banu told fans of the veteran actor that Dilip is resting and people's prayers are needed for the thespian to recoup.

Saira Banu said: "He is resting and we need your 'dua' (prayers) for him to recoup well and all should be fine by his birthday. Please pray for his quick and safe recovery."

Dharmendra and Shatrughan Sinha were among the star's close friends, who intended to visit Dilip on his birthday.

Plans for Dilip's birthday were put on hold as his discharge didn't come through by the weekend.

"He didn't get discharged and will be in the hospital for a couple of days more. His swelling has also come down and he is under observation. He is likely to get discharged in the next two days," Saira Banu's manager Murshid told IANS.

"Since he is in the hospital, there are no birthday plans as such as of now," he added.

Bollywood celebrities including Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor were among those who wished Dilip Kumar on his birthday.

Namaskar. Aaj mere bade bhai Dilip Kumar ji ka janamdin hai.Meri Ishwar se prarthana haj ki wo deerghayu ho aur unki sehat acchi rahe.  Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) December 11, 2016

T 2468 - To the greatest .. Dilip Kumar .. on his birthday Dec 11, wishes prayers and duas for good health and happiness ..  Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 10, 2016

Many Happy Returns of this day to our dearest Yusuf Uncle! God Bless! Love, respects and affection-"Sunny Boy"! pic.twitter.com/Tz6sfW35nA  Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) December 11, 2016

Happy Birthday Dilip Saab ! Inhaling the memories of the time spent in your company makes life glow. Thank u Sir !!! pic.twitter.com/RoNt7eJNFN  Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) December 11, 2016

Unfortunately I wasnt in town but @Javedakhtarjadu conveyed my deepest regards for d tallest thespian @TheDilipKumar pic.twitter.com/ylB3U7OvdF  Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) December 12, 2016

Happy birthday @TheDilipKumar Sahab..!! Wishing peace and good heath to one of the greatest stars of the Indian screen  pic.twitter.com/5BdGuyCXPn  Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) December 11, 2016

Dilip Kumar, who made his acting debut in Jwar Bhata in 1944, was born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan. He later adopted the screen name Dilip Kumar. He was last seen on the big screen in the film Qila in 1998. He was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

He has worked in hit films like Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Kranti and Saudagar.
In its newest  and fifth  season, filmmaker Karan Johar's talk show Koffee With Karan has been making all the right waves.

If Twinkle Khanna on the KWK couch was a laugh riot, then other guests, like Shahid Kapoor and wife Mira Rajput brought a certain elusive cachet.

But no episode this season has met with the kind of response that the latest one, aired on Sunday night (11 December 2016) did.

KWK's 100th episode saw the brothers Khan  Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail  take to Karan's couch, and submit (gracefully) to his grilling.

What becomes immediately evident is the close bond the brothers share, and that is what makes this episode triple the fun.

Don't believe us? Here are highlights from the episode:

'We even shared our underwear!'

This rather quotable quote comes courtesy Salman, when the trio is talking about how their close their bond is. Salman mentions that he, Arbaaz and Sohail had to share a room for several years while they were growing up, and they were used to being together that they even ended up wearing the other's underwear on the odd occasion! Arbaaz denies this vehemently, but Sohail admits to having done this, adding, "But it was washed first!"

Staying on in Galaxy:

Karan points out that Salman  despite his superstar status  lives in a very small house. While his brothers joke that it's because Salman can't abide the idea of living in a big home where he'd need an intercom to call the others, Salman himself gets nostalgic, talking about how he and his brothers lives in one room, while their parents  Salim and Salma Khan  had one room, and the boys' sister Alvira had another. Then they bought the adjoining flat and got some more room. And as Salman begins to say, "Then these guys got married..." Arbaaz interjects with "Which guys? You don't read the papers or what?" casually referring to his impending divorce from wife Malaika Arora.

The women in Salman's life:

Salman admits to Karan: "I'm not the nicest guy when it comes to relationships" and when Karan points out that he's been in several long-term relationships, he replies: "I was not very good with them". Arbaaz laughingly adds: "He was good to other people at the time!" although eh and Sohail later agree that they've been close to all of bade bhaiyya's girlfriends.

It's all about loving the Khan-daan:

As Karan begins to question him about Iulia Vantur staying with and becoming part of his family, Salman brushes it off by saying, "Whoever comes to our house becomes our family member. Even at the smallest parties, we have 400 people there!" This quality of the Khan family  to accept everyone into their bosom  is apparently legendary. From thieves, uninvited guests to friends who were offered a place to stay for a week and ended up living with the family for a year  Salman, Sohail and Arbaaz have some funny stories to share. And you get a glimpse of a warm, close-knit family that has stayed together through thick and thin.

Sidelined by Salman?

This was a question posed to Sohail and Arbaaz, who denied ever having felt like they were living in their brother's shadow. Instead, they commend him for having the drive that they themselves didn't. They offer an interesting glimpse into Salman's personality:

"We also had our chances!" says Arbaaz, about getting opportunities to be in the limelight but not being able to replicate Salman's success. He attributes it to not being able to replicate Salman's hard work  until fairly recently. "He'd come back tired after a shoot, and still hit the gym." Sohail elaborates: "As they say, the harder you work, the luckier you get. We didn't have the fire he (Salman) had, not at that age. We look forward to holidays, he looks forward to work."

Salman, the workaholic:

Salman shrugs off his brothers' comments that he's a workaholic by explaining why he feels compelled to work without pause: "Every day I'm working, a lot of people are getting their daily wages. And every day that I party, I feel like I'm taking that away." He also narrates an incident about his friend Mohnish Bahl  in the rush of working on his debut film, Mohnish had told Salman, 'How I wish I could take a break'. After his debut film flopped, all of the film offers he'd got, dried up. Salman says it's something that stayed in his mind (and perhaps made him superstitious about ever wishing for a break from work).

Sohail's wedding with Seema:

Sohail Khan narrated a rather sweet story about how he and his then girlfriend Seema Sachdev got married. Apparently they needed to tie the knot rather suddenly as Seema's parents couldn't find out about the relationship. So he got Seema home one night, and explained the situation to his father, Salim Khan. Meanwhile, a few friends of his had gone off to 'kidnap' a maulvi to solemnise the nikaah. When the maulvi was brought to the house, he looked at Salim and said: 'Aisi harkat tumhare hi bete kar sakte hain!' It turned out the same maulvi had been kidnapped when Salim Khan had eloped with Salma Khan (then known as Sushila Charak) all those years ago, and had performed their wedding ceremony.

On mending fences with Shah Rukh:

While much was made of Salman's difference of opinion with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman says it was only a "small problem". "One day something happened, and then we moved on," Salman says, pointing out that at no point did the argument ever affect their families' relationship. "When you start out (in the industry), you'll spend time together. Afterwards you get caught up with work and family, and then you don't (spend as much time). When Shah Rukh and I had that small problem, I never stopped anyone (Sohail, Arbaaz) from spending time with him. There was Gauri and the children, and they were all friends with out family, and that didn't change." Salman also says that while he doesn't get to spend as much time with his peers as he wishes, he does love them all  from Shah Rukh and Aamir, to Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff.

Salman added that this attitude probably came from the way Salim Khan had handled his professional split with Javed Akhtar. "Dad sat us down and said that he and Javed uncle weren't going to work together anymore, but that he would still be Javed uncle to us, and we would continue to (show the same love and respect) to him and Honey aunty, and Farhan and Zoya." Sohail and Arbaaz added that the incident ingrained in them too, a sense of how to 'keep things separate'.

Arbaaz is the most attractive to women:

Sohail, on being asked by Karan is he got away with stuff because he was the youngest brother, says that it was the opposite: whatever he wanted was taken away by his two older brothers  including all the girls in Bandra. He then narrates how Arbaaz's bedroom, once they grew up, was called the 'Bermuda Triangle' of the house when it came to girls  any girl who visited the house would simply be 'sucked up' int his room!

From the quickfire round:

While the brothers Khan do reply diplomatically for the most part, one thing that emerges is that they think highly of Alia Bhatt. When Karan is asking Salman to name the actress who would wear a T-shirt with particular slogans (that he reads out), Salman names Alia for 'Being Goofy', telling Karan, "I love your heroine, Alia Bhatt." Later, when Sohail is asked to rate leading actresses in Bllywood according to their acting talent (from a list provided by Karan), he puts Alia at the very top, saying: "Alia, then Deepika, Priyanka, Anushka, Katrina".

There's also a fun rendition of 'Jumme Ki Raat Hai' by Salman, complete with sound effects!

Watch the full episode here.
Mumbai: Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan on Sunday assured Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray that Mahira Khan, the Pakistani actress who plays the lead in his forthcoming release Raees, will not come to India for promoting the film, a party official said here.

"Shah Rukh Khan met Thackeray at his residence a short while ago and gave this assurance. He has also committed to not engaging any Pakistani actors in any of his future film ventures," MNS Chitrapat Sena chief Ameya Khopkar told IANS.

The superstar was concerned by rumours floating on social media networks that his co-star in Raees, Mahira Khan, was likely to come to India next month for promoting the film and joining its premiere.

However, Shah Rukh put all rumours to rest and personally called on Thackeray to apprise him of the real situation, Khopkar said.

In view of his clarifications, the MNS will not oppose the 25 January release or screening of Raees in cinema halls, he added.

After the 18 September Uri attack that left 19 Indian soldiers dead and the 28 September surgical strikes by India on Pakistan terror camps, the MNS had strongly protested against hiring of Pakistani actors by Indian film-makers.

Thackeray had vowed to stop release of a few films in which Pakistani actors are playing roles, including Karan Johar's recent Ae Dil Hai Mushkil featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, and SRK's Raees, which has cast Mahira Khan.

MNS had staged dramatic protests prior to the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil but finally relented after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis brokered peace with MNS, Johar and the Film & Television Producers Guild of India.

This paved the way for the film's peaceful release and exhibition across Maharashtra on 28 October.

In 2013, SRK's Chennai Express had run into trouble with the MNS after it allegedly threatened to yank off Marathi films to accommodate its shows in single-screen cinemas.

Prior to that, SRK's blockbuster My Name Is Khan had run into trouble with the Shiv Sena but the issue was later amicably sorted out.
New Delhi: Air Indias turnaround is on shaky ground and as a newspaper headline aptly said this morning, red ink is spreading on the airlines books. After posting an operational profit for the first time in a decade last fiscal, the airline has lapsed back into operational losses of about Rs 700 crore in the first six months of the current fiscal. This means close to Rs 4 crore each day between April and September this year. All eyes were trained on the airline making up for these operational losses by ensuring flawless performance in the remaining six months of the year. But with demonetisation, fall in yields and currency fluctuation, even this may remain a pipe dream. Forget 10-fold growth in operational profit this fiscal  the airlines stated target to achieve Rs 1,086 crore operational profit in 2016-17- only a miracle can now make Air India post ANY operational profit at all in 2016-17. In fact, the modest Rs 100 crore operational profit it showed last fiscal could well be a flash in the pan.

No operational profit or an insignificant amount will further delay Air Indias lofty turnaround plans. Remember, the airline is still far away from making any net profit and its accumulated losses as per audited accounts on March 31 this year stood at a whopping Rs 41,380.45 crore. The extent of losses can be gauged from the fact that this money would have been enough to fund Indias health budget this year since the amount earmarked for spending on health is Rs 38,026 crore in the budget. Or, this money would have gone a long way in Indias spending for agriculture and farmers welfare this year since the budgeted amount is Rs 44,469 crore!

A senior airline executive had told Firstpost earlier that despite losses in the first six months, Air India was on course to make some operational profit in the second half. October to March is the time when we generate 2/3rd revenues for the full year. Besides, we expect oil prices to remain stable. This executive had further said that in the first six months, lease rentals of the Dreamliner (Boeing 787) aircraft and a Rs 100 crore loss due to currency fluctuation had worsened matters. But his optimism was before the governments demonetisation move. It has hurt growth in the entire aviation sector and Air India will obviously not be left untouched.

This piece in Business Standard quotes an airline executive to say that people have cancelled their advance bookings and there has been a decline of 10 percent in new bookings. So the forecast for the next quarter remains uncertain.

So what should the government, which is the sole owner of the airline, do? Any suggestions  and there have been plenty  that the government should offload some stake in Air India have been brushed away by the Modi government. The common refrain among airline executives and bureaucrats tasked with the airlines turnaround is problems like the debt-laden books of Air India and its accumulated losses. With this much debt on its books and such huge losses, who would want to touch this airline, is the usual refrain. As per a written reply in Lok Sabha last week by Aviation Minister A Gajapathi Raju, Air India is saddled with Rs 46,570.35 crore of debt. Of this, almost Rs 15,900 crore is towards aircraft loans. The senior airline executive quoted above had also said earlier that a fresh aircraft loan of Rs 10,000 crore will be raised to fund further fleet expansion from state-owned LIC.

Air India needs fresh loans since it still has to take deliveries of six Dreamliners (Boeing 787s) and three Boeing 777 aircraft till 2017-18, orders for which were placed during the earlier mega aircraft order of 68 Boeing and 33 Airbus aircraft. So there is little chance of the airline reducing the debt on its books anytime soon.

As we said earlier, the airline is also mulling over a scheme where PSU banks could be asked to take equity in lieu of their exposure. The total interest outgo of Rs 4,000 crore each year could be reduced by a fourth if this ambitious proposal works. Of the total debt of Rs 46,570.35 crore, about Rs 20,000 crore is sought to be restructured through the Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A) scheme announced by the government recently, where banks are being asked to look at equity on return for debt repayment. The entire loan restructuring process could take up to six months. But will PSU banks play ball?

So this is where Air Indias turnaround plan stands: The airline is finding it tough to make operational profits for only the second year in a row which means its target on net profit gets pushed further. It is looking to restructure loans by asking PSU banks to swap debt with equity, a proposal which looks ambitious at this stage and therefore the overall debt burden wont get lighter in a hurry. And the airline is looking to raise fresh loans to purchase aircraft, which will surely impair the balance sheet further.

Air India needs a comprehensive turnaround plan which hinges on its sell off. The government has obviously been a disaster at reviving this once-profitable airline. It also needs competent officials to manage daily affairs  till now, it has been run by bureaucrats. That the government has been lax in fixing the gaps at Air India is evident  it is yet to nominate independent directors to the airlines board. These positions have been lying vacant since June. It has also been sitting on a proposal to create a post for a Joint Managing Directors, besides withholding some of the promised financial aid due to the airline this fiscal.
New Delhi: To avoid any malpractices, the government has asked all public sector banks to strictly maintain a record of deposits made through both old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and other valid currencies.

In a letter written to chief executive officers of public sector banks, the Finance Ministry asked that "maintenance of records regarding deposit of Specified Bank Note (SBN) and Non-SBN, as the case may be, is essential both in the bank record as well as the customers record".

"The letter addressed to all the Managing Directors of state-owned banks and Chairman of Indian Banks' Association, the Department of Financial Services directed them consider this on urgent basis and send action taken report in this regard by December 16."

"This must be followed scrupulously and any deviation in this regard has to be prevented and if noticed, dealt with firmly and immediately," it said.

Though most banks providing correct information to the customers yet to ensure that it is done in 100 percent of cases without fail, all the bank branches in the country be alerted to reflect correctly the cash deposit in old and new currency and inform the customers about the same, it said.

The ministry also asked banks to educate the public, "by displaying a prominent sign (including in the local language) in their respective branches requesting their customers to fill up deposit slips clearly indicating old and new currency and the denomination of the notes".

According to the RBI, nearly Rs 12 lakh crore out of Rs 15.4 lakh crore of old high denomination currency notes have come back to the banking system since Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrapped the legal tender of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from the midnight of 8 November to fight the menace of black money.

The ministry also appreciated the role played by the banks post-demonetisation especially when the old currency was accepted and till 24 November, when exchange of old currency to specified limit was also permitted.
Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India on Monday clarified that it had not initiated any action against Axis Bank for cancellation of its license, as held by some media reports, in wake of some officials found to be involved in violative activities post-demonetisation.

"The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of specified bank notes in a few branches of the bank," the central bank said in a statement in Mumbai.

The RBI's clarification came after a regional newspaper published that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence. According to the media report, the government was considering cancelling its license after 19 of its officials were found carrying out violative activities.

Earlier, Axis Bank also said the reports alleging that regulatory action against the bank was under consideration, were false and malafide.

"We would like to bring to your attention, the false and malafide news published in a regional newspaper alleging consideration of regulatory action against the bank," Axis Bank said in a BSE filing.

"In this connection, we strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by the RBI," the filing said.

The news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the bank, it said.

Assuring its customers, investors and public, the bank said that it has a strong code of conduct and zero tolerance to any deviations from prescribed processes.

"We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of governance in all aspects of our business and to provide the best services to our valued customers," it said.
New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states with the most deposits in Jan Dhan accounts, followed by West Bengal and Rajasthan.

The total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts stand at Rs 74,610 crore as of 7 December, as per Finance Ministry data. UP has about 3.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts with deposits of Rs 12,021.32 crore. It is followed by West Bengal with 2.44 accounts and deposits of Rs 9,193.75 crore.

Rajasthan comes in third with 1.9 crore accounts and Rs 6,291.1 crore deposits, followed by Bihar (2.62 crore accounts, Rs 6,160.44 crore deposits).

Total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts surged by around Rs 28,973 crore in about a month after the announcement of ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

Despite the surge, about one-fifth of these accounts still have no balance.

Last week, the government said that inflows into Jan Dhan accounts have come down significantly after it warned people not to allow their accounts to be misused for converting black money into white.

After setting a cash deposit limit of Rs 50,000 in these accounts, the government had on November 18 cautioned account holders that they will be prosecuted under the I-T Act for allowing misuse of their bank accounts through deposit of black money in Rs 500/1,000 notes during the 50-day window till December 30.

The directive came against the backdrop of reports that some people were misusing other persons' bank accounts to convert their black money into new denomination notes.
The freshly minted currency notes tumbling out of cupboards of crooks in raids across the country bears out the apprehension voiced by many including yours sincerely in these columns. One feared that the exchange facility was fraught, a virtual powder keg that could explode.

And the fear it turns out was not unfounded. Alas the government had not buried its head in the sand ostrich-like. Small crooks have engaged the services of poor with the ubiquitous Aadhaar cards to get their demonetised notes exchanged in return for a small service charge that exceeded their daily wage or earnings. But bigger crooks as always thought big. They presented genuine and fake Aadhaar cards before the pliable bank officials with supple conscience in order to get the permitted quantum of new notes. To wit, 1,000 Aadhaar cards was capable of laundering Rs 45 lakh given the limit of Rs 4,500 per person the RBI had mandated that was later on brought down to Rs 2,500.

This explains the seemingly impossible act of piling up of so much of new currencies by crooks who have been raided within a month of their launch. The bank officials have obviously winked at the massive wholesale laundering in return for a mess of pottage. It is believed that some Rs 70 crore worth of crisp new notes most of them of the recent Rs 2,000 denomination were found on various raids across the country. This may on surface appear small but could well be the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

Exchange was a bad idea right from the beginning. It was bound to tantalize as much the crooks with black money as bank officials with supple conscience. Aadhaar is not a fool-proof identity document. There have been reports of it being issued without due diligence. And crooks would have merrily printed fake aadhaar cards without any pang of conscience perhaps lulled by the smug belief no harm would befall them. But they had obviously underestimated the policing and sleuthing powers of the government just as the government had underestimated the vile capabilities of the crooks.

In the light of skeletons (cash) tumbling out of cupboards and sacks, it is now clear why common folks had to be denied cash all through the first month post demonetisation. The government should try to find a way out and put back the impounded new notes into circulation after they are inspected and registered by a magistrate. If there are any procedural legal hurdles to this, they must be gotten over quickly.

Apart from exchange counters at banks, petrol bunks were another fecund source to launder. They exist in large numbers across the length and breadth of the country. Crooks could have easily exchanged demonetised currency notes and gotten the legitimate ones in return for a small commission. To be sure, the laundering through this route couldnt have been as brisk and large as through banks given the fact that they do not have access to new notes but only to the existing Rs 100 notes by and large.

Normally one is wiser in hindsight but there were people with seen-it- all experience who were from the day one worried about exchange and other escape routes like petrol bunks and mother dairy outlets. The government ought to have insisted on deposit of the demonetised notes into bank accounts, period. While this would have gotten it greater flak as being too peremptory and draconian, it would have been the right step in a country where crooks take a foot when given an inch.

Banks could have been asked to open as many deposit counters as possible. And new accounts should have been opened for those without bank accounts but in possession of the demonetised notes. The Modi government has obviously bungled by giving too many escape routes and by not gearing its mints to the daunting task of printing new notes on war footing. It should tell the nation how much money was exchanged while the facility lasted. The government did well to pull the chestnut out of fire after a lot of hemming and hawing with indelible ink etc. but it seems a lot of damage had already been done.
Ahead of the impending extraordinary general meetings (EGMs) of the several Tata group firms, both the Tata and Mistry camp have once again stepped up their allegations and counter allegations to drive home their point. On Sunday, Tata Sons said it is bringing out "key facts" that resulted "in the loss of confidence" in him and leading to his removal.

Tata Sons said Mistry "misled" the Selection Committee set up in 2011 for selecting a Chairman of Tata Sons to succeed Mr Ratan Tata, by "making lofty statements about his plans for the Tata Group and more importantly indicated an elaborate management structure for managing the Tata Group, given its diversity of business, by suggesting a management structure aimed at dispersal of authority and responsibility."

Read the full text of the letter by Tata Group to its shareholders, which explains the reason for the group losing its confidence in the ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry and finally led to his expulsion.

Extraordinary General Meetings of various Tata Companies are coming up over the next few weeks. We, at Tata Sons Ltd., the principal shareholder and promoters of the various Tata Companies, would like to thank you for your continued support. In order to assist you to exercise your shareholder rights in an informed manner, it would be appropriate to bring to your attention some key facts which resulted in the loss of confidence in Mr. Cyrus P. Mistry by Tata Sons.

1. Mr. Cyrus Mistry misled the Selection Committee set up in 2011 for selecting a Chairman of Tata Sons to succeed Mr. Ratan Tata, by making lofty statements about his plans for the Tata Group and more importantly indicated an elaborate management structure for managing the Tata Group, given its diversity of business, by suggesting a management structure aimed at dispersal of authority and responsibility. These statements and commitments from Mr. Cyrus Mistry played an important role in the Selection Committees final selection of Mr. Mistry as Chairman. After waiting for a period of four years, almost none of these management structures and plans have been given effect to. Clearly, in our opinion, the Selection Committee was misled in its choice of Mr. Mistry.

2. When Mr. Mistry was appointed as Executive Vice-Chairman in 2011, he was informed that he should distance himself from his family enterprise - Shapoorji Pallonji & Company and the other Shapoorji Pallonji Group entities of which he is a major shareholder by putting his shareholding in an arms-length Trust. This was suggested keeping in mind good corporate governance principles. Mr. Mistry agreed but after some time, Mr. Mistry retracted his position and indicated that he could not find a way of doing so. Such conduct by Mr. Mistry was inappropriate and created a sense of breach of trust on his part. It also posed a significant challenge to the high corporate governance principles Tata Sons strived for. This retraction, created grave concerns on Mr. Mistrys ability to lead the Tata Group devoid of personal conflicts and put to risk the high standards of self-less governance, that lies at the core of the Tata philosophy.

3. The Tata Sons Board has been concerned for some time about the financial performance of Tata Sons of which Mr. Mistry was the Executive Chairman and primarily responsible for its performance. During Mr. Mistrys tenure as Executive Chairman, dividend income (other than from TCS) declined continuously and on the other hand, staff costs more than doubled. All this would have resulted in losses but for the TCS dividend. Mr. Mistry did not show concern about these issues and the increasing dependence of Tata Sons on TCS. The Board could not accept this any further as it had the potential to risk the financial viability of Tata Sons.

4. Mr. Mistry has gradually over the past three/four years concentrated all power and authority only in his own hands as Chairman in all the major Tata operating companies and gone about systematically diluting the representation of Tata Sons on the Boards of various Tata Companies, whilst being fully cognizant that Tata Sons is the main promoter and largest shareholding group. This was very much against the past practices and traditions of the Tata Group. Mr. Mistry has claimed that he was not given a "free hand". Ironical, it may be, but in our view, it was this "free hand" and trust in him that Mr. Mistry took advantage of, to weaken management structures in Tata Companies acting contrary to his fiduciary duties.

5. Mr. Mistry was appointed as the Chairman of the various Tata Companies only through his Chairmanship of the parent company Tata Sons Ltd. which has been a longstanding convention in the Tata Group. Therefore, when Mr. Mistry was removed as Chairman of Tata Sons, propriety and reason demanded that he step down from the Chairmanship of the various Tata Companies. Instead, Mr. Mistry has chosen to resort to selective media leaks, media statements and to make a public spectacle, knowing fully well that his actions would hurt and damage the companies even while remaining as their Chairman.

6. Mr. Mistry constantly complains about bad legacy issues. However, he was fully aware of these and nevertheless assumed the responsibility of Chairman of Tata Sons as a challenge to turn around and resolve these issues. Mr. Mistry conveniently ignores the good legacies which he inherited, namely TCS and JLR, which account for nearly 90% of the Groups total profits and which helped him to claim good aggregate Group results. It has always been Tata's policy to tackle difficult situations and turn them around but instead he has only taken the easy option of taking large amounts of writeoffs to huge detriment of the shareholders and blaming it all on the past management, while doing little to fix the challenges faced by certain companies.

In its long history, Tatas have faced many critical problems in companies like Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Chemicals and even Jaguar Land Rover (before Mr. Mistry's tenure) which have been overcome by strong management action and financial support from Tata Sons at the group level and the shareholders and most importantly the motivation of employees and their resolve to overcome challenges. All such constituents have always rallied round to turn around difficult situations so as to protect their companies under the TATA flag. In our opinion, mature responses to challenges of business are at the core of the Tata philosophy, and in our opinion, Mr Mistry has failed to live up to it.

7. It was Mr. Mistry who decided to go on a public campaign in the media by making irresponsible and incorrect allegations to which Tata Sons was compelled to respond in a rather long public statement because there was a lot to be said. Mr. Mistrys statements have caused the Group (including the companies where he continues to be the Chairman) enormous damage and caused considerable financial loss to all shareholders, running into tens of thousands of crores and in our opinion, Mr. Mistry alone is responsible for such losses directly arising from his irresponsible and incorrect statements. His actions and statements have also caused instability and confusion in these companies and their managements which would have been avoided if he had done the right thing by stepping down from the Chairmanships and Boards as is normally done.

Instead, Mr. Mistry seems to have taken the stand that even if he ultimately has to relinquish, he would have the satisfaction of damaging a great institution built up over 150 years after just five years of his tenure. It is also ironical that Mr. Mistry is resisting his removal from the Boards of these very same Tata Companies which he has attacked by his false allegations and caused enormous harm to. On one hand, he alleges legacy issues faced by Tata Companies and on the other Mr. Mistry seeks to entrench himself in the Board of such Tata Companies, whilst making false allegations against such companies. In our opinion, his actions are driven by a perverse motivation to cause harm to the Tata brand and to intentionally erode shareholder value.

8. Finally - and most importantly - it must be recalled that the operating Tata companies and Tata Sons have, for many decades, worked cohesively and seamlessly for the benefit of all stakeholders, namely, the companies, their shareholders and employees and for society at large. There has been no other agenda or personal interest as ultimately even the dividends paid to Tata Sons and subsequently to its own shareholders went back to philanthropy except for those paid to the minority shareholders. The operating Tata companies have individually grown and prospered but they have also benefitted in no small measure from being part of the Tata Group. This encompasses the ability to attract and retain management and employees, use the TATA brand nationally and internationally, which has been painstakingly built up over the past decades, help in the marketing of their products and their ability to attract capital in all forms and give the comfort of safety because of the past default-free record. Therefore, Tata companies do not exist in a vacuum but benefit from being part of the Tata Group which is most evident in times of difficulty. All such benefits are likely to be at stake if Mr. Mistry continues to remain Chairman, as his continuance is likely to lead to fragmentation of the Tata Group. For this purpose alone, Tata Sons would need the support of all, big and small, shareholders who have stood with the Tata Group at all times.

It is the firm resolve of Tata Sons to put the current turmoil in the Group behind it and Tata Sons is sure that the managements and employees of the companies will also want to get back to normal. Tata companies have always been managed by dedicated professionals under the supervision of their Boards which, till recently, comprised a judicious mix of persons representing the promoters, the management and independents - as prescribed by the applicable regulations and which is also the case in almost all corporate entities in our country. This structure ensures that the interests of all constituents, namely, shareholders (big and small), employees and consumers are protected and good corporate governance is followed and constantly improved upon. Tata companies must therefore quickly return to focusing on financial consolidation, prudent and strong Balance Sheets and sustainable returns and values to their shareholders, big and small.

Mr. Mistrys latest letter to the shareholders (which was released at a Press Conference) dwells at length on the subject of corporate governance. Tata Sons takes strong objection to his accusation of lack of corporate governance in Tatas which he also extends to the Tata Trusts. The Tata Group has functioned for 149 years and set standards of corporate governance all through this period. It is therefore shocking that Mr. Mistry, who was given the privilege of heading the Group, should, in a short period of four years, be now lecturing us on corporate governance. The corporate structure of the Group which prevailed under the leadership of Mr. J. R. D. Tata for over 50 years and thereafter Mr. Ratan Tata for over 20 years, exemplified the best corporate governance practices. Mr. Mistry consciously dismantled this long established corporate structure by identifying himself as the only Tata Sons representative on the boards of Tata operating companies.

It is relevant to mention that under the Governance Guidelines Framework which Mr. Mistry himself introduced in 2015 (and referred to in his last Press Release), there is a clause to the effect that all employees of a Tata company should, after their employment ceases, immediately resign from the Boards of all Tata companies where they are functioning as Non-Executive Directors. Therefore Mr. Mistry, on ceasing to be the Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, should have immediately resigned from the Boards of all other companies under his own guidelines. Yet he has chosen not to do so in wilful breach of the Governance Guidelines Framework.

By extending his criticism of corporate governance to the Tata Trusts, he is betraying a total lack of knowledge and understanding of the role of the Tata Trusts who have benefitted millions of Indian lives over the past several decades with its annual disbursements for philanthropic and charitable causes now amounting to over ?800 crores per year. The Tata Trusts have been undertaking these activities for decades before the current mandatory CSR allocations recently came into force for the corporate sector. It is also the duty of the Trustees to protect the value of their assets represented by their corpus. A valuable component of these assets is the shareholdings of the Trusts in Tata Sons which were first donated by the sons of Jamsetji Tata. Surely, it is the duty of the Trustees to protect the 66% shareholding in Tata Sons by ensuring that the decisions of the company do not come in the way of the flow of adequate dividends from the company to the trusts, absent which the Tata Trusts would not be able to undertake their mission. Tata Sons is sure that the shareholders, big and small, and the public at large will see through the absurdity of these allegations.

Tata Sons is therefore compelled to propose the removal of Mr. Cyrus P. Mistry as the Chairman and Director of all Tata Companies by convening Extraordinary General Meetings of shareholders as prescribed by the law. For this purpose, Tata Sons would need the support of all big and small shareholders who have stood with Tatas always.

Tata Sons therefore urges all the constituents of Tata companies to give serious thought to all that has been said above and support the resolutions placed before them.
Mumbai: The Reserve Bank today said it has "not initiated any action" to cancel Axis Bank's licence following allegations of irregularities at some of its branches after the demonetisation of high value notes last month.

"The Reserve Bank clarifies that it has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of Specified Bank Notes in a few branches of the bank," said the notification. The clarification comes amid rumours in a segment of the media that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence, RBI stated further.

Refuting the reports in a clarification to BSE, Axis Bank said: "We strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the Bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by RBI."

It added: "We firmly believe that said news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the Bank.

"We take this opportunity to assure customers/investors/members of the public that the bank has a strong code of conduct with zero tolerance to any deviations from prescribed processes. We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of governance in all aspects our business and to provide the best services to our valued customers."

Axis Bank said that this is "without prejudice to our rights and contentions in the matter and to take appropriate measures to counter the irresponsible and mala fide report published by the said newspaper, as advised."

Stock of Axis Bank closed 2.56 percent down at Rs 444.60 on BSE.
The RBI is not in favour of cutting debit card charges aggressively, a proposal the government has made to the regulator, as it thinks such a move will impact the banks' businesses negatively, according to a report in The Economic Times.

The proposal to reduce the charges was made by the government in various meetings and video conferences it held with the RBI officials and bankers.

The move is aimed at smooth transition into cashless economy after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

The government has already waived the charges until 31 December this year. The government now wants to either cut the charges more aggressively until 31 March 2017 or just do away with them completely.

According to R Gandhi, one of the deputy governors at the RBI, the move is likely to render business unsustainable for the banks.

The charges mentioned here is the merchant discount rate , which the central bank had capped at 0.75 percent for transaction values up to Rs 2,000 and at 1 percent for transaction values above Rs 2000. MDR is the merchant fees for debit card transactions.

Card payments are indeed a complex process for banks. A simple grahic below (source RBI concept paper) explains how the transaction flow in a four-part model card networks.

"When a customer makes a transaction using cards at a merchant establishment, banks are the ones which incur a cost to process the transaction. MDR helps them compensate for this. That is the reason why the banks are not very happy about extending the MDR waiver," explains Kalpesh Mehta, partner, Deloitte India.

An earlier report in The Economic Times had said that bankers see Rs 1000 crore loss if the government forces them to waive off the charges or extend the present waiver beyond 30 December.

"The government is in a hurry. Banks are requesting the government not to sacrifice commercial considerations," a payments industry official has been quoted as saying in the ET report.

It seems the banks will have to make a few sacrifices as India transitions to the cashless mode.
Please follow the live blog here.

Chennai/Amaravati: Severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' will make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andra Pradesh soon, as both the coastal states have put in place a number of measures to deal with it even as Tamil Nadu announced holiday for all educational institutions in four districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre said Vardah lay centred at 330 kilometres east of Chennai at 1430 hours on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts Tuesday afternoon. Under its impact, rains will start tonight and gradually increase tomorrow in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said.

On 12 December, heavy to very heavy rains are likely in some places in these districts, he said, adding, strong winds could gust upto 80-90 kilometres per hour. The sea would be rough, he said and asked fishermen to not to venture into the sea for the next 48 hours. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority which also asked the armed forces to be on standby.

The Tamil Nadu government declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram. "They should take necessary steps for ensuring the safety of their students especially hostel inmates and their water and food requirements," an official release, detailing the discussions the Chief Minister had with his senior officials including Chief Secretary B Ramamohana Rao, said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with Collectors and top officials this evening. He directed them to be alert and undertake necessary rescue and relief efforts in view of the cyclone threat. Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities, he said. "Take all steps to prevent loss of lives and to minimise damages to crops and properties," Naidu told the officials.

Tamil Nadu Government also asked private establishments and undertakings in these districts besides coastal taluks of Villupuram to allow their staff avail holiday or work from home. Panneerselvam gave instructions for appointment of senior IAS officers as monitoring officers for these districts to oversee and monitor cyclone related works in coordination with the District Collectors, the release said. "Arrangements to be made for evacuating people in low lying and vulnerable areas. Relief centres to be kept in readiness along with necessary food, water and other arrangements. Army, Navy, Air-force and Coast Guard have been alerted to be on standby for deployment as and when necessary," it said.

The Tamil Nadu government has asked people to stay indoors during the heavy rains, stock adequate food, medicines and drinking water at home and use them judiciously. NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Rescue services department personnel have already been pre-positioned and shall be immediately utilised wherever necessary for rescue and relief operations, the release said. Teams will be deployed with adequate equipment like power saws and transportation for removing fallen trees and restoring traffic, it said.

The Hindu reported that operations at Chennai airport have been affected due to Vardah with 25 flights being diverted and nine incoming flights delayed.

Health department has been asked to take measures to organise special camps and to pre-position generators, emergency supplies, medicines and oxygen cylinders in Government hospitals. All emergency measures have been put in place in Andhra Pradesh, officials said. Three teams of NDRF personnel have been kept ready in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh as heavy to very heavy rain ranging up to 17 cm is expected tomorrow. Chittoor and Kadapa districts are also expected to receive very heavy rainfall while Anantapuramu and Prakasam districts too will receive moderate rain. Four senior IAS officials have been deputed to Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa and Prakasam districts to oversee rescue and relief operations.

One team of NDRF comprising around 40 personnel has been pre-positioned in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore, one in Tada, one in Salurupeta, one in Oongle, and one in Chitpore district. In addition, another team is moving to Salurupeta while teams are on standby in Guntur and Hyderabad. Three NDRF teams were pre-positioned in Chennai, two in Tamil Nadu's in Tiruvalur, one in Mahabalipuram. Sources said another team is on its way to Chennai while one team has been out on stand by at Arakkonam.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai said 'Vardah' lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 2.30 pm on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts tomorrow afternoon. Under its impact, rains will start tonight and gradually increase tomorrow in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority which also asked the armed forces to be on standby. The Tamil Nadu government has also declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with Collectors and top officials this evening. He directed them to be alert and undertake necessary rescue and relief efforts in view of the cyclone threat. Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities, he said. "Take all steps to prevent loss of lives and to minimise damages to crops and properties," Naidu told the officials.

According to a bulletin from the India Meteorological Department, there would be light to moderate rainfall at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and north coastal Tamil Nadu is very likely to commence from 11 December evening for subsequent 36 hours. Light to moderate rainfall very likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh during the same period. The sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu coasts commencing from 11th December night. Sea

condition along and off these coasts will become high from 12th December morning. There is damage expected to thatched huts. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches should be expected. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off South Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts for the next 48 hours.

With inputs from PTI
Kathua: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday accused Pakistan of "conspiring" to divide India along religious lines and warned the neighbouring country that it would be "splintered" into 10 nations if it failed to quell terrorism.

"Pakistan is conspiring to divide India on religious lines but it will not succeed. We were divided in 1947 on religious basis. We have not been able to forget that... All Indians are brothers, whether they are born from the womb of a Hindu mother or a Muslim mother," he said addressing a Martyrs' Day function in Kathua district.

Singh accused Pakistan of waging a proxy war against India. "We want to live in peace with Pakistan but it has indulged in sponsoring a proxy war against India. Every Prime Minister of India wanted to mend relations with Pakistan but it did not understand the language of peace and attacked India four times. But our brave soldiers gave them a befitting reply."

The Home Minister said Pakistan was waging the proxy war through terrorism, which is a weapon of the weak. "Terrorism is the weapon of the weak and not the brave," he said. "Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it," he said.

Singh said terror groups like Islamic State (IS) had the whole world worried because of its activities but failed to spread its roots in India because of the Muslims. "When the entire world is worried about IS, I can say it as the Home Minister of the country, as I know the reality that IS has not been able to spread its roots in India and the credit for this goes to the Muslims of the country, the followers of Islam," he said. He said people might not know but when a member of somebody's family got radicalised, others came to him to seek his help to save the child from the clutches of the IS. He also offered India's cooperation to Pakistan to help eradicate the menace of terrorism from its soil.

"If Pakistan is serious about eradicating terrorism but is incapable of doing that and wants cooperation, we are ready to help it eradicate terrorism from there," the Minister said. Singh said India always wanted to have friendly relations with all its neighbours but Pakistan betrayed India and returned peace initiatives with terrorist attacks.

"Narendra Modi, before the formation of his government, had held a party meeting and we decided if we want to make India a powerful country we need cooperation of all the neighbouring countries. So we decided to invite all the neighbouring heads of state/government and we invited Nawaz Sharif also, and he had come," Singh said. "Sharif was invited not just to shake hands but let the hearts of the two countries to meet," he said, adding Pakistan should understand "our intentions but it has failed to do so".

He also said Modi, "breaking all protocol", went to attend a function in Sharif's family while returning from Afghanistan. "We try our best that our neighbours live in peace with us. We want development of India as well as that of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. All should progress. We want this. But what has Pakistan given us in return for our large-heartedness? "We got Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Uri where terrorists entered and launched cowardly attacks on our soldiers," Singh said. "But we also showed them what we are capable of," he added.

"I thank our soldiers who succeeded in giving the message we cannot only hit them here but if need arises we can hit them anywhere," Singh said, referring to the surgical strikes carried by the army inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He said after Gurdaspur and Pathankot terror attacks, Pakistan had stated it wanted to cooperate and sent a team to India. "But after the team's return to Pakistan, they refused to allow Indian SIT to visit Pakistan," he said.
My heart sank as I read Home Minister Rajnath Singh's speech on Sunday at a Martyrs' Day event in Kathua, South Jammu. My despair was caused not only by what he said but also by the very fact that he found it necessary to say it.

He said, among other things, that Pakistan is trying to divide India on religious lines and warned the neighbouring country that if it doesnt stop supporting terrorism, it may get divided into 10 parts.

Video link of my speech at 'Shahidi Diwas' programme in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir https://t.co/xSH06UEhCB  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 11, 2016

Then a pearl of wisdom rolled from the esteemed tongue of Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, the world-renowned pacifist who is forever ready to place his own life on the altar of Indias unity. He said:

Yes Rajnath Singhji Pakistan is trying to divide India along religious lines;has it struck you that you &your boss have been doing the same?  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 11, 2016

What Gandhi said was so wonderfully sagacious that it must have made the Pakistanis roll on their drawing room floors in sheer ecstasy. The joy of Pakistanis, in turn, would make Indias Left bauddhiks or intellectuals, whose superior wisdom stretches their mental horizons far beyond country boundaries and nationalism, grin with contentment.

It would seem that each time a BJP leader puts one foot in his mouth, Gandhi shoves both his feet in his mouth faster than you can imagine. But the picture of one foot-in-mouth isnt any prettier than that of two.

That Pakistan is trying to divide India is a fact too well-known to be worthy of repetition, especially by a member of the government as highly placed as Singh.

We all know that the very purpose of Pakistan exporting terror to India  with the same ease as it exports cement, leather, almonds and such things to our country  is not to have some gory fun or to enjoy a real life snakes-and-ladders game, but to disrupt and divide India.

Singh didnt say it, but we are aware that Pakistans ISI has been printing fake Indian currency with great efficiency; stuffing it into the pockets of jehadi thugs who then send it across the border.

Now about Pakistan getting divided into 10 parts. Whether Pakistan gets truncated into two and a half parts or ten pieces or makes mincemeat of itself, it would seem that its none of our damned business. Let Pakistan worry about its problems, and we should worry about ours. And, we have many.

Apart from this, Singh also said:

- despite repeated failures, India continued to seek peace with Pakistan;

- even after the Kargil war, Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered friendship to Pakistan;

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi went out of his way to keep Pakistan in good humour;

- in return, Pakistan gave India Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Uri;

- more Islamic sects existed in India than in Pakistan;

- the jehadis didnt get as much support in India as they had hoped, because Indian Muslims are loyal to India;

- and Pakistan is our neighbour and, though one can change friends, one cant change neighbours.

All these are facts with a ring of finality that brook no repetition. Think of a man running out on the street every morning, screaming that the sky is blue and that the sun rises in the east. He only runs the risk of being considered off his rocker.

Parrot-like repetitions can be somewhat pardonable if they come from lowly officials or party satraps. True statesmen know the worth of silence, aware that a stern look can often be more catastrophic than a shout.

Ask the Chinese. Rarely, if ever, senior Chinese leaders, leave alone President Xi Jinping or Premier Li Keqiang, shoot off with their mouths. They leave that job to spokesmen of their foreign ministry or editorial-writers of China Daily or an academic in a province like Guangdong.

Singh must realise that talking too much about Pakistan can be seen as a certain pathological obsession with that country; an obsession that we accuse Pakistan of having with India.

An obsession with Pakistan, which is one-fourth of India in area, one-sixth in population and which, as the world has certified it, is a rogue nation and a terror-factory means stooping to the depths of an abyss. India has better things to do.

And as for Pakistans adventures from across the border, the Indian Army knows what to do. Can we please let the army do its job?

Modis polite admonition in October to his party leaders against chest-thumping and speaking out of turn about the surgical strikes has not doused the enthusiasm of many in the BJP  be it Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar or Information & Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu  to talk, talk and talk.

Pardon me for not being able to resist the temptation of recalling a little dialogue between The Lady (Queen Elizabeth) and The Man (Shakespeare) in George Bernard Shaws comedy The Dark Lady of the Sonnets:

"The Lady: You talk too much, sir. Let me warn you: Im more accustomed to be listened to than preached at.

The Man: The most are like that that do talk well. But though you spake with the tongues of angels, as indeed you do, yet know that I am the king of words -

The Lady: A king, ha!"

It seems that the BJP has too many 'kings of words', and the party can do without them.

Author tweets @sprasadindia
New Delhi: Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday appealed to opposition parties to allow the Parliament to function so that the remaining period of Winter session should be "utilised" as the government is ready for debate on any issue including demonetisation.

"We are ready for debate and discussion in Parliament. We hope that the last 2 or 3 days will be useful...no obstruction and there would be proper discussion on all the issues, not only demonetisation but there are also other issues that the Members of Parliament want to raise. "I appeal to Opposition parties to please come back to the discussion table, allow the House to function and see to it that the people's aspirations are met in Parliament," Naidu said.

The comments came just ahead of few days left for the month-long Winter session of the Parliament which ends on December 16. Parliament has holidays today and tomorrow on account of Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi. The Information and Broadcasting minister said, "We are ready to do anything but those people (Opposition) are not allowing the Parliament to function. Whether they have understood the reason (behind disruption) or not but we have really not understood," he said.

Both Houses of the Parliament had witnessed heated exchanges between the government and the Opposition over the way a debate should take place on demonetisation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8. "I am always optimistic. Parliament should run and the remaining time of the session should be utilised...Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is also not being allowed to speak so he had to go to people's assembly," Naidu said.

Citing the comments of President Pranab Mukherjee and veteran BJP leader LK Advani, the minister said,"It is in everyone's heart to see the Parliament runs smoothly."

Last Thursday, in a stinging attack on the opposition over Parliamentary paralysis, Mukherjee said the House is not a place for dharna and disruption which amounts to "gagging of majority" by the minority.

Earlier, Advani had blamed both the ruling and opposition benches for the deadlock, and even pulled up the Speaker and Parliamentary Affairs Minister for "not running the House".
If Deepa Jayakumar didn't look like her aunt, the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, no one would have given a toss.

But she does, so therefore, like Banquos ghost, she hovers above the AIADMK with a freshly-minted desire to give Sasikala a run for her money as the new boss.

And there is enough support emerging from the cadre to give this not-so-young lady a jumpstart Here we go again with the bloodlines. Amazing that with no history or experience, she can be a contender for a political catapulting.

Her comment re-quoted here from an earlier report by Firstpost says it all: "What happened to my aunt in the last two months? Why was I not allowed inside Apollo Hospital to see her? I went there 25 times but was not allowed. Why was I not allowed to attend her funeral? The whole thing is a farce. There was no transparency in anything," she said.

Really? Who stopped you from entering? You are not a 14-year-old kid. You are 42, and where were all of you these months that Sasikala was looking after her mentor?

It is difficult to imagine that Jayalalithaas loved ones (if they were so) would have been banned from seeing their dear old aunt. After all, for 75 days, the lady was in a hospital and the right of the blood relatives to visit and know what is going on is a given. If, indeed, the doctors and politicians had conspired to keep all these nieces and nephews out of the ward or unit and kept them in the dark, why did they not speak up and express to a frenzied media circus that they were family and despite being so, banished from the corridors of Apollo.

Did it not strike any of them that by the fifth or sixth blocking of the 25 alleged visits it was worth going public? Especially, if you can go public now, what was stopping you then?

It isn't as though Jayalalithaa dropped dead at an instant and no one was prepared for it. During those 75 days there were moments when Jayalalalithaa was supposed to have recovered sufficiently to consider going home and taking over running the state again.

Would it not have been natural in those moments of 'recovery' or 'recuperation' to ask for your kith and kin and have them flock to bedside with delighted shrieks of "aunty, aunty" or whatever else they all called her.

Can you see either doctors or prostrate, lickspittle ministers saying no sorry, no nieces and nephews, as we lay ourselves at your feet?

Now, of course, we are being told how close they were and everyone splashed about in vats full of love and affection and Deepa was always seen as the doppelganger for her aunt and isnt that just incredible she even has the same smile and aunty loved her very much, favourite niece and all that.

Cannot quite see where all this is going but hopefully the couple of hundred crores in cash and assets and Imelda Marcos-type wardrobes and shoe collections have nothing to do with the warmth on display.

Having picked up on the lovey-dovey stuff, Deepa is now flinging clods of suspicion at Sasikala and the AIADMK party line about the absence of transparency and how terrible these people were. The question that comes to mind is wasnt there a single AIADMK politician who said, whoa, just a minute, Amma has family, lets talk to them, fill them in on what is happening.

Unless Amma had woken up away long ago.

Reminds you of that lyric which, paraphrased, says shell have her booming, boisterous family descend upon you en masse, shell have a shrill and noisy niece with a voice.

In fiction or real life why does the 'caretaker' and 'friend' always lose out?

As of this moment cannot see if Sasikala has any reason to apologise for her conduct or her role in the past.
Nagpur: The final battle for Maratha reservation has begun and political parties are keen to cash in on it. This is the first time the BJP is taking credit for the uprising in the state legislature and on streets. In preparation of the Nagpur Maratha Kranti Morcha  scheduled for 14 December, the BJP has already begun planning. In the Winter Session, the BJP MLA and city party president Ashish Shelar began the discussion and many MLAs across party lines discussed the issue. Like Shelar, BJP council member Pravin Darekar also took the lead in the Upper House.

Of the 288 MLAs in the Assembly, 140 are from the Maratha community, and of the 12 crore people the live in Maharashtra, 35 percent are Marathas. The Maratha Kranti Morchas have been noted across the country for their discipline, cleanliness and non-violent approach.

Both MLAs are considered close to Devendra Fadnavis and the chief minister later assured the Assembly that the BJP government is committed to providing reservation for the Maratha community. Normally, the discussion is started by Opposition parties, but in a rare occurrence, it was the ruling BJP that expressed its keenness to start the Maratha Kranti Morcha discussion.

And that's not all. In order to ensure the success of the morcha top BJP leaders from Delhi are also supporting their counterparts from Mumbai, Nashik, Pune and Aurangabad. To this effect, Shelar requested Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu for a special train from Mumbai. And Prabhu almost immediately green-lit the proposal for a special train to take people from Nashik and Mumbai to Nagpur for the morcha.

BJP MLA from Katol Aashish Deshmukh has also been busy organising the Maratha Kranti Morcha meeting, and sources said that Fadnavis asked him to take the lead in organising meetings of Maratha community MLAs. However, the meeting had a very poor response, despite, as a senior police official told Firstpost, Fadnavis keeping a close eye on the morcha and ordering the administration to arrange for all sorts of help.

Over the past four months, more than 40 Maratha Kranti Morchas have been held across the state, with several lakhs taking to the streets. But in Nagpur, the name of the demonstration has been slightly modified due to the relatviely smaller numbers of Marathas in Nagpur and the Vidarbha region. Consequently, the morcha will be referred to as the Kunbi Maratha Kranti Morcha.

The Maratha morchas kicked off in Aurangabad on 9 August. However, if the community's demands are not met in the wake of the 14 December march, the community is planning a maha morcha in Mumbai in the new year, a Mumbai Morcha organiser told Firstpost. Lakhs of people are expected to take to the streets to ask the government why their demands have yet to be met. Over three crore members of the Maratha community have been on the streets for the past four months.

In preparation for the Nagpur event, organisers held a motorcycle rally in Nagpur on Sunday. As in earlier bike rallies, over 500 bikers wore black clothes and saffron caps. The organisers finalised the strategy for Wednesday march at Science College, Congress Nagar in the city.

Speaking to Firstpost, the Maratha leader Rajendra Kondhare said that the percentage of the Maratha Community in the Nagpur and Vidarbha region is barely 15 to 20 percent. But in this region, the Kunbi factor and presence is more important. "They make up more than 80 percent of the population more than 80 percent, so we used their name first and called it the Sakal Kunbi Maratha Silent Morcha. Other communities like OBCs and Muslims have also supported this morcha. This is because the Kunbi community is also backward and has been fighting for its rights for many years."

"A small percentage of the Kunbi community receives the benefits availed of by the Other Backward Classes (OBC), but most people don't receive reservation. More than 90 percent of the Maratha community is socially and educationally backward. So the natural demand of the community is reservation in education and employment," said Kondhare.

"Most farmers who committed suicide belong to the Maratha community and the division of their land into small pieces exacerbates their condition," said Kondhare, adding, "Due to the lack of reservation, unemployment becomes a major problem for the community. The next date for the hearing of the issue of Maratha reservation in court in February 2017." If there is no sign of reservation for the community by that point, the Maratha Morcha will descend on Mumbai, he added.

According to local organiser Dilip Khodke, "Most of the people coming for the morcha are doing so from across the state, so we booked two special trains from Mumbai and Nashik. Lakhs of supporters are coming on other trains. So the crowds will gather first at Ajni and Nagpur railway station." A heavy police deployment, including those from the CRPF, has been planned for the station.

The Maratha Kranti Morcha is the biggest morcha to ever march to the Nagpur Assembly. To ensure the success of the morcha, more than 20 big halls were booked by the organisers and tea, coffee and snacks will be available at various spots. Many supporters have already arrived, with the rest set to arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday," said Khodke, adding, "We will be using around 20 big grounds for vehicular parking, and will be assisted by more than 3,000 volunteers."
"Sab taraf ha-ha kaar, ye hai Modi sarkar"

Expect this slogan to resonate through Uttar Pradesh as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political opponents get ready to turn the impending election into a referendum on the NDA government's demonetisation plan.

A month ago, when Modi outlawed currency notes of higher denomination and caught the country by surprise, there was a lot of confusion among opposition parties. Some like Mamata Banerjee wanted complete rollback, some like the Congress and SP wanted to talk about the lack of groundwork before rolling it out and some like Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik supported the strike on black money.

But, with the mood on the ground changing every day, the Opposition seems to have finally decided to contest the election on just one issue  the impact and efficacy of demonetisation. Several news reports and talks within party circles indicate that the Congress and Samajwadi Party are on the verge of an alliance to tap what they perceive as growing anger against Modi's plan. According to DNA, the alliance is being stitched together by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar.

According to the Hindustan Times, in a bid to ensure that the anti-Modi vote doesn't disintegrate much, Congress is now willing to accept lesser seats than it had originally asked for. It may now settle for 70-75 seats instead of the 100-plus it was bargaining for, the newspaper said.

Till July this year, the Congress was keen to contest the election alone, convinced that it would be able to win a decent number of seats to emerge king-maker in a hung Assembly. Hoping to build on the perceived advantage, it had planned to put Priyanka Gandhi at the forefront of the poll campaign and snare Brahmin voters by projecting Sheila Dixit as the CM candidate. But its dreams of becoming the puppeteer in the Assembly vanished after the poor response to Rahul Gandhi's 'khaat yatra'.

The Samajwadi Party, simultaneously, saw its fortunes dip because of the public fights with the Mulayam parivar, leading to fracas between Akhilesh Yadav, his uncles Shivpal and Ramgopal and senior leader Amar Singh.

The BJP, in the meantime, continued to make rapid gains because of the schism in the Opposition and the euphoria around the 'surgical strikes' on terror pads along the Line of Control. On 8 November, when the PM announced another 'surgical strike' on black money, the BJP seemed set to win the election with a thumping majority.

But, that advantage  though still not completely lost  seems to be dissipating because of the appalling implementation of demonetisation. As people continue to struggle for cash, jobs from the unorganised sector disappear, sales dwindle and the economy struggles, the mood on the ground appears to be changing. And since elections are still a few months away, the Opposition feels the government would lose more ground because of its inability to manage the fall-out of the hasty execution of demonetisation.

The timing of the decision, though perhaps aimed at the elections in UP, may haunt the BJP forever. The decision to outlaw old currency notes was taken in the middle of the wedding season (it ends on Monday) and when farmers were waiting to sell their harvest and sow fresh crops. Had Modi delayed the decision by a few weeks, the impact on farmers and rural economy would have been a little less lethal. But, as veteran journalist Prem Shankar argues, the decision could now be catastrophic for the BJP.

In UP, the rising anger of rural voters hit by currency crunch, migration of labour engaged in the organised sector and farm distress could decisively tilt the equation. To compound the BJP's woes, traders who have supported the BJP's for decades, are enraged because of the disruption caused by demonetisation.

After the initial euphoria, people are now wondering how much of the stated objective of wiping out black money from the market would Modi achieve through demonetisation. With most of the cash in circulation coming back to the banks, the real gains, if any, could be slow and meagre compared to what was initially expected.

The Congress and the Samajwadi Party now sense an opening in the battlefield. They believe an alliance between Yadavs-Muslims and voters angry with demonetisation could strike a telling blow to the BJP and Modi's plan of winning the biggest election of 2017.

Their dreams would of course depend on how Mayawati, who, incidentally, has started attacking the BJP for the suffering unleashed by demonetisation, plays her cards. And on how many aces Modi still has up his sleeve.
It is now fairly certain that the 1 April roll out of the grand indirect tax reform, Goods and Services Tax (GST), isnt happening. The plan is comfortably put on the backburner at least till September, when the time given by the constitutional amendment will automatically expire for GST roll out, meaning that the new regime will have to kick in by then.

There are two clear reasons why GST isnt happening now as planned. One, till now, there is no consensus on the contentious issue of dual taxation between the centre and state governments. States, especially the likes of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are hell-bent on their demand that control of companies with annual turnover of less than Rs 1.5 crore should rest with them. A data goof up by the centre has worsened the relation (read here ). Centre isnt too comfortable with the idea of giving up too much to states.

This was evident when the GST council met on Sunday. With no consensus in sight on the crucial issue, GST is unthinkable for 1 April since two important supportive legislations, central GST and integrated GST, is yet to pass the House test. The current session gets over on 16 December and there is no time to pacify the states and opposition by then. The next likely meeting of GST is planned for end-December.

The second reason is the change in political climate post demonetisation. Though states wouldnt flag the political displeasure on demonetisation for slowing the GST bandwagon (as it would be seen as a regressive step), the hardening of resistance by states like Kerala on the revenue sharing issue is because of the adverse impact of the demonetisation. Demonetisation has triggered political and economic impacts in different states in different ways. This has also, states allege, gone against the centres promise of cooperative federalism . States like Kerala are in a sort of political crisis with the key sector of cooperative banks (a big employer and key institutions for low-income groups/ farmers) being hit hard. There are enough evidences around to believe that services, manufacturing too would have taken hit in the demonetisation resulted cash-crunch.

The hard-won political consensus on GST by finance minister, Arun Jaitley, is now on shaky grounds due to the ongoing tussle between the Narendra Modi-government and key opposition parties on the demonetisation issue. The opposition parties have been harping on prime ministers persistent reluctance to speak on the issue in the House and use that a reason to take the House business to a standstill. The Modi-government too, so far, has not been able to justify the the demonetisation exercise with hard evidence. With no immediate monetary gains in sight, recovering black moneythe originally highlighted objective of the operation---looking a tall order and cashless economy turning the only savings grace, the Modi-government will have a tough time explaining the opposition, the negative economic impact and the prolonging pain to common man. This is an uncomfortable situation for the government.

But, in the post-demonetisation scenario, it is good both for the centre and the state to have a late GST, rather than facing another mammoth implementation challenge. In the post demonetisation days, the Indian economy is already having a tough time in manufacturing, services sector and even on discretionary consumer spendingall of these has taken a hit. Auto sales numbers and November PMI data offer enough evidence of the near-term growth impact. The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) fiscal year 2017 growth downward revision (from 7.6 percent to 7.1 percent) , which doesnt even take into effect the demonetisation impact fully , adds to the worries.

The most optimistic expert assessments (except from the government) of the economy returning to normal cash conditions are March. In such a scenario, the immediate disruptions GST roll out by April will have a double whammy effect on the economy. September sounds more realistic. Also, the industry isnt ready for an early GST roll out, especially in the aftermath of demonetisation shock. What does a delayed GST means to the investor? It is not a surprise, said D K Joshi, chief economist at Crisil rating agency, Indian subsidiary of Standard and Poors. Anyway, we were of the view that April roll out lacks the necessary preparedness. Right now the focus should be on the roll out of demonetisation, Joshi said. But yet again, how soon the government can contain the impact of the demonetisation cash crunch is critical, before the Modi-government can even think of readying to welcome the GST juggernaut. For now, its a goodbye to April GST and the delay is good news to all in demonetisation days.
Jammu: Insisting that dialogue is the only way for peace between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday suggested that the Narendra Modi government should adopt the policy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had exercised "patience" despite Kargil aggression and attack on Parliament.

She also hit out at Pakistan for "forgetting" its promise to Vajpayee about not allowing its territory to be used for terrorism against India.

Underlining that war is no option to any problem, she said, "How long you can be in the mode of war? Dialogue is the only solution to bring peace."

Referring to Vajpayee's steps, Mehbooba said the former prime minister had all the reasons to fight a big war after Kargil aggression by Pakistan happened in 1999, but he did not do it.

"It was followed by Parliament attack but even then he opted for patience and said 'friends can be changed but not neighbours'," the chief minister said addressing a gathering of refugees of 1947 while distributing cheques relating to compensation at a function.

It was only after that the then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf announced that Pakistani soil cannot be used for terrorism against India and the result was reduced militancy in J&K, she noted.

"The central government should also think on the lines to bring Pakistan to a level which we witnessed during the period of Vajpayee," she said.

In an apparent reference to the Kashmir issue, she said once the "big knot" is untied, all other "knots" will be automatically removed. Her comments came amid intense chill in the India-Pakistan relations.
Hyderabad: In a harsh criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday called him "a tyrant" who has caused havoc in every house to satisfy his ego.

Owaisi said the revolution which Modi was dreaming to bring about with the 8 November demonetisation would never come as it had pushed people into distress.

Stating that in one stroke the Prime Minister virtually destroyed the livelihood of the poor and deprived sections, the MP said he should remember that those standing in queues at banks and ATMs today will stand in queues on the polling day to vote him out.

"You are in power today but tomorrow you will not be there. Many Prime Ministers came and left. You will also go," Owaisi told a public meeting in Hyderabad.

Thousands attended the meeting at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) headquarters to mark 'Milad-un-Nabi'. The meeting, which began Sunday night, continued till the early hours of Monday.\

Speaking in Urdu and liberally using Hyderabadi idioms, Owaisi ridiculed Modi for stating that he was a 'fakir'.

"Will a fakir wear Rs 15 lakh suit? What kind of fakir you are who wears new clothes and new shawl with new style every day, who wants to inconvenience the poor for 50 days and who is not worried over the loss of 120 lives. You are not fakir, you are zalim (tyrant)," thundered Owaisi.

Owaisi said it would take one year and not 50 days for the post-note ban situation to return to normal.

He pointed out that economic experts have projected a loss of three percent GDP or Rs 4 lakh crore due to demonetisation.

Stating that Rs.12.5 lakh crore in Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination notes were deposited in banks till 30 November, he asked if this was black money.

He said Modi caused distress to every family at a time when there were good rains after two years and the marriage season had just started.

He claimed that Rs 3.5 lakh crore were deposited in bank accounts between September 15 and 30 while the average deposits for the two weeks was Rs 1.5 lakh crore. "Whose money is this?" he asked.

The MP said Modi failed on all fronts including his promise to control price rise and bring back black money to the country in 100 days.

"He sometimes laughs, sometimes cries. He doesn't know what he is doing. He says there is threat to his life. We only pray that he live for 150 years," the AIMIM chief said.

Owaisi said the crisis offer an opportunity to Muslims to show their Islamic character and help the poor and the needy.

He urged people to ensure that no one in their neighborhood, irrespective of his religion or caste, goes hungry.

He said while everybody was facing great difficulty, it was the duty of Muslims to have empathy towards fellow human beings and share with them whatever little they have.
Many questions could be raised about the recent impasse in Parliament. The Winter Session, which was scheduled from 16 November to 16 December, is in danger of a complete washout with just three working days left in kitty. For starters, it could be argued that this a massive waste of taxpayer money.

Government estimates recorded in 2012 hold that the cost of running the Lok Sabha is Rs 2.5 lakh per minute, which comes round to Rs 1.5 crore per hour or Rs 9 crore per day since the Lower House has a six-hour daily roster. The Rajya Sabha, which runs usually for an hour less, sets back the exchequer by Rs 1.1 crore per hour, or Rs 5.5 crore per day. The logjam has washed roughly Rs 391 crore down the drain so far.

Apart from this criminal waste, the washout also reflects a complete abdication of responsibility on the part of the lawmakers and none among the treasury benches or the Opposition can take the moral high ground. A weird situation has emerged where MPs in absence of any real incentives in breaking the logjam, limit themselves to little else than empty posturing. The disgraceful conduct has drawn sharp censors from President Pranab Mukherjee and BJP patriarch LK Advani but we are no closer to breaking the deadlock.

But the biggest casualty of this nihilistic exercise is the Parliament itself as an institution. In this world of daily disruptions, ruckus and perpetual adjournments, the basic tenets of our representative democracy are getting irreparably damaged. It presents a sorry picture for a demographically young nation. Bulk of the population that enjoy voting rights in India are children of the economic reforms. To their minds, this Kafkaesque absurdism raises legitimate questions on the efficacy of the Parliament and whether or not we should move towards a more Presidential form of government where the premier may wield centralised power.

As Badri Raina writes in The Indian Express, "It is to be noted that a new generation of Indians, post the neo-liberal opening up of the economy have like their peers in other countries, shown a marked impatience with representative democratic processes. This new aspirational class of Indians can thus be seen to be vocally favourable to tendencies which mean to centralise political power in order to facilitate a greater and smoother centralisation of the productive life of the country, away from structures of democratic scrutiny and interrogation."

This could be disastrous for us in the long run. Let us consider why.

In nearly all metrics, India lags behind China with whom we like to draw frequent comparisons. It is generally considered that China's single-party system of governance makes a streamlined chain of command possible which enables leaders to take quick decisions, as opposed to India where democracy necessitates building of consensus  a time-consuming exercise in such a heterogeneous and culturally diverse nation. As a result India's rise in every field, in comparison to China, has been slow. This, when coupled with the continuous logjam in Parliament, presents a convincing case for a more centralised system of governance that can't be held ransom to Opposition antics.

This is a slippery slope. Howsoever painstaking and slow, consensus creates a fundamentally sound base which allows for a more stable growth. Chinese experiments with the 'Great Leap Forward' helmed by Mao Zedong and the resultant economic collapse in the 1950s carries for us a grave warning. If power becomes too centralised in a leader, even well-intentioned moves may create hollow, unsustainable growth. The Great Leap resulted in famine, snuffing out 45 million lives. The Cultural Revolution created even more discontent. China eventually put in a place a long-term plan of growth that is now paying them dividends.

Manoj Joshi writes in The Times of India on the Chinese trajectory of progress: "Another type of top down process began thereafter, one based on long-range planning, sustained implementation and sophisticated leadership. In the 1975-85 period, China got over the Cultural Revolution and provided near-universal literacy and healthcare to its society. From 1985-2000 China sought out FDI to create a world class infrastructure and manufacturing capability. After acceding to the WTO in 2001, the economy took off."

The point, therefore, is that by making Parliament defunct, the government and the Opposition are undermining a pivotal Indian institution the role of which cannot be overestimated in our representative democracy. In this regard, the Opposition is guilty of even greater dereliction of duty because their myopic tactics are letting Narendra Modi government avoid debates and escape legislative scrutiny for its actions.

The government must be held accountable for each of its actions, especially when it has unleashed such a radical, disruptive change such as demonetisation.

If the Narendra Modi government is guilty of being obtuse because it wants the discussion to be held under no other Sections except 193, the rival parties too are to be blamed for frequently changing the goalpost. The demand that the prime minister be present during discussion in Rajya Sabha changed to insistence over his participation and later, when Modi appeared ready for a debate, the Opposition then sought his apology.

While Modi has tried to exploit the gridlock by shifting towards a direct referendum paradigm  be it launching impromptu opinion polls through his app, appearing in frequent public rallies or addressing the nation through his radio monologue  the Opposition has looked completely devoid of any coherent strategy through which they may force Modi to play by their terms.

And as this game of one-upmanship continues, the Parliament hurtles towards an invalid future. This we cannot afford.
Cairo: Grief-stricken mourners gathered in Cairo on Monday for the funeral of 24 people killed when a blast tore through a Coptic church, in the deadliest attack on Egypt's Christian minority.

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the Egyptian flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasuis Coptic Orthodox Church in Nasr City district a day after Sunday's tragedy.

A woman who lost two daughters in the bombing cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins while other mourners prayed silently.

The health ministry on Monday released a new toll saying that 24 people were killed in the bombing of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church, one more fatality than what was reported the previous day.

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The blast also wounded 45 people and 21 of them were still hospitalised, the ministry said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing but Coptic Christians who make up 10 percent of Egypt's mostly Muslim population of 90 million have been previously targeted by jihadists.

The blast shattered windows and scattered pews through the interior of the church, scorching its marble pillars.

Ball-bearing-sized shrapnel peppered the walls covered in icons of saints and destroyed a box that contained a saint's relics. Pools of blood congealed on the floor.

Security officials said they believed a bomb containing 12 kilos (26 pounds) of TNT appeared to have been the cause of the explosion.

"I was leaving the church and then I heard a loud explosion and there was a lot of smoke and people started running and screaming," Jackline Abdel Shahid, one of the survivors, said on Sunday.

"The ambulances started coming, and they kept bringing out body parts," she told AFP.

It was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi led a chorus of local and international condemnations, denouncing what he described as "the abhorrent terrorist attack".

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the head of Egypt's top Sunni Muslim authority Al-Azhar, condemned "a great crime against all Egyptians".

The European Union and Israel also offered their condolences and called for unity against "terrorism".
By Steve Gorman

| LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing an anti-Muslim hate crime and another was being sought by authorities in connection with the weekend stabbing of a worshiper near a Southern California mosque, police said on Monday.Coming amid a surge in harassment and intimidation of Muslims reported by the FBI, the incident occurred late Saturday night outside the Masjid Al-Rasool mosque in the town of Simi Valley, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, according to police Commander Robert Brill.The confrontation began as a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical fight between the two suspects and the victim, who had attended prayer services at the mosque that evening, and a number of his friends, Brill said.Officers responding to the incident found the victim suffering from non-life-threatening stab wounds, but the two suspects had fled, Brill said. One, identified as 29-year-old John Matteson, was later located and taken into custody. He was booked into the Ventura County jail on felony charges of committing a hate crime and making criminal threats, as well as a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, Brill said.

Matteson was expected to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday.The hate-crime allegation against him was based on derogatory statements he was accused of making about the mosque, as well as the proximity of the incident to the mosque and the fact that the victim was a worshiper there, Brill told Reuters.

The second man, also in his late 20s, was still at large, the commander said. Police provided no further details about the circumstances of the stabbing.The Los Angeles Daily News reported the incident began when Matteson approached the mosque on Saturday night asking to use the restroom and was turned away with the explanation that the bathroom was not open to the public.The suspect, who reportedly smelled of alcohol, returned with another man and began insulting members of the mosque with racial slurs and threw a bottle that struck a worshiper in the face, prompting a fight in which the suspect stabbed another worshiper.

Civil rights groups have voiced alarm at what they say has been a spike in attacks targeting Muslims, Hispanics, blacks and other minorities since the Nov. 8 presidential election victory of Republican Donald Trump.The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported last month that 2015 saw a 67 percent increase from the previous year in hate crimes against Muslims. (Reporting by Steve Gorman; Editing by Andrew Hay)

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Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump said he does not believe the allegations by the US intelligence agencies that the Russian government helped him win the White House via election-related cyber-attacks.

"I think it is just another excuse. I do not believe it...Every week it's another excuse," Xinhua cited Trump as talking to Fox News in an interview.

Democrats are using the so-called Russian involvement to explain their heavy election loss, Trump said in the interview.

"Once they hack if you do not catch them in the act you are not going to catch them," Trump said, adding, "They have no idea if it is Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place."

Trump's remarks came following a series of US mainstream media reports saying that the CIA had determined in a secret assessment with "strong confidence" that the Russian government had interfered in the 2016 US election in a special bid to help Trump.

Also on Sunday, bipartisan leaders of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, including Republican Senator John McCain and incoming Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, issued a joint statement calling for bipartisan efforts to explore the allegations and defend the US against cyber attacks.

The Obama administration accused in October that Moscow, in attempts to disrupt the US election, was behind hackers infiltrating the Democratic National Committee and the then Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign. Russia immediately denied these allegations.

In the Fox interview, Trump also said he does not need daily intelligence briefings because they are so repetitive, but the vice president-elect is receiving them.

"I do not have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years," Trump said, "If something should change from this point, immediately call me. I am available on one-minute's notice."

"I get it when I need it," he said.

As for setting up a blind trust to manage his assets so as to avoid conflicts of interests during his presidency, Trump only said that his "executives" and his children would run his companies in his absence.

"My executives will run it with my children. It is a big company, it is a great company. But I am going to have nothing to do with management," he said, rejecting suggestions that foreign governments and others would try to buy influence by buying into Trump products.

In the interview, Trump also indicated after taking office next month, he would re-start the Keystone and the Dakota Access pipelines which have been blocked by the Obama administration.
JAKARTA Indonesian police said on Monday they would deploy plainclothes officers to oversee security at the blasphemy trial of Jakartas Christian governor, seen by many as a test of religious freedom in the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation.Members of Islamic groups are expected to rally outside the courthouse in central Jakarta on Tuesday, demanding that governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, who they claim insulted the Koran, be taken immeditely into custody under arrest.The court has requested security for the judges, attendees and for the area in general, said senior police official Martinus Sitompul. Among them will be (plainclothes) personnel who will mingle in with attendees.Purnamas comments, made in late September, on his opponents use of the Koran in political campaigning has incensed many Muslim groups. Tens of thousands of Muslims, led by hardliners, took to the streets in December and November, to call for Purnamas arrest and urge voters not to reelect him in an election for governor in February. The rallies, with over 150,000 participants each, were the biggest Jakarta has seen in nearly two decades.

President Joko Widodo, seen as an ally to Purnama, has blamed political actors for fueling the protests, but declined to elaborate. Widodo has faced widespread criticism for not doing enough to protect the countrys religious minorities.Indonesia has the worlds largest Muslim population, but the country of 250 million also has sizeable Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities and dozens of groups that adhere to traditional beliefs.

Purnama, if found guilty of blasphemy, faces up to five years in prison. Almost all blasphemy cases in recent years have ended in conviction.As Jakartas first ethnic Chinese governor, Purnama won kudos for shaking up the citys sleepy bureaucracy and for taking steps to ease the citys notorious traffic. But his abrasive language and insistence on clearing the citys slums has alienated many voters.

Recent opinion polls showed Purnama, once the frontrunner in the race to lead Jakarta, has now slipped to second place, behind Agus Yudhoyono, the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (Reporting by Nilufar Rizki; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; editing by Ralph Boulton)

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By Ahmed Rasheed

| BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD Several thousand Iraqi federal police are ready to join the assault against Islamic State in east Mosul, a spokesman said on Monday, reinforcing troops who have faced weeks of fierce counter-attacks from the militants.The extra forces are being deployed as the gruelling U.S.-backed campaign to crush Islamic State in its Iraqi stronghold enters its ninth week. Elite army troops have retaken a quarter of the city, but their advance has been slow and punishing.The federal police units, around 4,000 strong, have been moved to southeast of the city, near an area where an army tank division last week made the deepest incursion into Mosul so far, briefly seizing a hospital used as a base by the militants.The troops were forced to pull back from the Salam hospital, less than a mile (about 1 km) from the Tigris river which runs through the centre of Mosul, when they were attacked by suicide car bombs, mortar volleys and machine gun fire.A spokesman for Iraq's federal police commander, Lieutenant-General Raed Shakir Jawdat, said the three brigades from the police Fifth Division were ready to move in, although he suggested they might not go into action immediately.They are currently near Qaraqosh, about 15 km (10 miles) from the southeast edge of the city and are "fully prepared now to start the attack to control the eastern side of Mosul," the spokesman said.However he said they were waiting for advances elsewhere on the eastern front, where elite Counter Terrorism Services (CTS) have made steady street-by-street progress, unlike last week's dramatic push by the armoured division towards the hospital.

"We are waiting for orders from the supreme commanders to start the offensive to defeat Daesh (Islamic State) and clear the eastern part (of Mosul)," he said.The CTS forces said on Sunday they had captured another district of east Mosul, the al-Nour neighbourhood.Accounts from Mosul are difficult to confirm since authorities have increasingly restricted international media access to the battlefronts and areas retaken from Islamic State in and around the city.

POLICE DIVERTED FROM SOUTHWEST

The police and CTS troops are part of a 100,000-strong Iraqi alliance which launched the campaign to retake Mosul on Oct. 17. It includes soldiers, security forces, Kurdish peshmerga fighters and mainly Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation forces, and is backed by a U.S.-led international coalition.Defeating Islamic State in Mosul, the biggest city it controls in Iraq or Syria, would be a crushing blow to the self-styled caliphate it declared in large parts of both countries two years ago, and might see it revert to more covert militant operations in Iraq.Iraqi commanders say progress has been slowed by the fierce defence waged by the jihadists, who they say have used a network of tunnels under the eastern half of the city and exploited more than 1 million civilians as human shields.

The fight in crowded residential areas has also restricted the use of heavy weapons and air strikes from the U.S.-led coalition, the military says.For weeks, commanders have also talked about opening a new front in southwest Mosul to stretch Islamic State defences. But the despatch of the units to the southeast may delay that plan.The forces in Qaraqosh had been due to join other police units who have reached within 3 or 4 km (2 or 3 miles) of the airport on Mosul's southwestern edge, and were expected to open the new front inside the city on the west bank of the Tigris.Nearly two months into the campaign, the United Nations says 91,000 people have been registered as displaced from Mosul and nearby towns and villages. That figure excludes thousands more forced as human shields back into Mosul by retreating militants.Most people though have stayed put, and 1 million are likely to be still living in remaining Islamic State-held areas of the city. With the militants largely sealed off, civilians are enduring increasingly siege-like conditions, with shortages of fuel, food and water as winter sets in. (Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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By Ivana Sekularac and Kole Casule

| SKOPJE

SKOPJE Veteran leader Nikola Gruevski's nationalist VMRO-DPMNE won 51 out of 120 seats in Macedonia's parliament in a snap poll on Sunday that is expected to end a two-year long crisis that brought his government down. The nationalists are now in a good position to form a government with their old partner, the Albanian DUI despite their losses. Overall, Albanian ethnic minority parties lost out to the social democrats, suggesting an easing of ethnic strains.Preliminary results issued by the State Election Commission showed opposition Social Democrats had won 49 seats in the election, brought about by Gruevski's resignation over a wiretapping scandal.Albanian voters in Macedonia shifted towards the Social Democrats in significant numbers for the first time since a 2001 interethnic conflict. The provisional result suggested ethnic factors were playing a lesser role in politics, reducing the dangers of nationalist frictions that have beset Macedonia in the past.Albanians make up about a third of the 2.1 million population of the landlocked former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, and have traditionally voted for ethnic Albanian parties, one of whom then becomes the junior party in a coalition government.This time, the Albanian DUI party, which formed the last coalition government with Gruevski won 10 seats in parliament - a half of what it had in last election. A new, anti-establishment Albanian party, Besa, picked up 5 seats, while the Democratic Party of Albanians got 2 seats, while Alliance for Albanians recorded 3 seats.

"With anger, I say the Albanians lost their mandate," DUI leader Ali Ahmeti said after the vote on Sunday. ETHNIC TENSIONS

Sunday's snap election was called after Gruevski stepped down and handed over to a caretaker government in January to end a national crisis caused by opposition allegations that he and his counter-intelligence chief had wiretapped the phones of more than 20,000 people.

Zoran Zaev released recordings that appeared to show abuses of power by senior government figures. Gruevski denied wrongdoing.Both Gruevski and Zaev proclaimed victory on Sunday evening and their supporters celebrated on the streets of Skopje.International observers called on Monday for national unity to give Macedonia a chance of resuming stalled talks to join the European Union and put years of conflict behind it. "The country is at a new crossroads, which opens a path towards normality in political life," said Stefan Schennach, head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"Now the entire country must replace ethnic separation with nation-building co-operation."Victories of the Social Democrats in towns such as Aracinovo and Brest clearly show that Albanians voted for it, said Artan Sadiku of Skopje's Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities. "It is clearly a significant shift and a departure from an ethnically determined vote," he told Reuters, adding that political parties might no longer be able to use nationalism to generate further instability.Ethnic tensions over regional autonomy, political representation and Albanian-language schooling brought Macedonia to the brink of war in 2001. It was ended by the so-called Ohrid Accord, brokered by NATO and the European Union, which gave Albanians greater rights.Parties will have 20 days to constitute the parliament, once the state election commission comes out with results. (Editing by Georgina Prodhan and Ralph Boulton)

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Beijing: India's diplomatic efforts to get China's backing for NSG membership bid and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN seems to be making no headway with Beijing on Monday saying its stand on the two key issues "remains unchanged".

"As for India's application for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), China's position remains unchanged," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing.

His assertion that China's stand remains unchanged on both NSG and Azhar issues was made while answering a question on Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's remarks at an India-China think tank forum in New Delhi last week when he said China should not give a political colour to New Delhi's efforts to access civilian nuclear technology.

Jaishankar had also expressed dismay over the two countries not being able to come together on the issue of "fundamentalist terrorism" at critical international forums, a reference to China blocking India's bid to get Azhar banned by the UN.

China's second 'technical hold' on Azhar's banning in UN is due to expire at the end of this month and the two countries are in talks on both the NSG and Azhar issues. Officials here are not clear about the complex process of the UN 1267 committee where China, a veto-wielding member, has blocked India's application twice already, while the rest of the members supported it.

On Jaishankar's remarks that China should respect each other's legitimate aspirations, Geng said as major developing countries it is natural that two countries need not see eye to eye on every issue.

"Thanks to the concerted efforts of China and India the strategic cooperation between the two sides have made all round progress," he said. "The two sides have been moving toward establishing a more closely knit strategic partnership for cooperation. As two major developing countries it is only natural for us to not see eye to eye on all issues, but the mainstream of the bilateral relationship is cooperation and the two of us are staying in communication on relevant issues," he said.

The Chinese side is looking to work together with the Indian side to expand bilateral mutual beneficial cooperation and manage differences based on consensus reached by leaders of both countries, he said. On the US Congress clearing the decks for India to become a Major Defence Partner of America, Geng gave a guarded reaction saying that both America and India are important countries.

"We welcome normal state to state relationship between different countries. We hope that the bilateral relationship and cooperation will be conducive to regional peace and development," he said.
BEIRUT A Syrian rebel official accused Russia on Monday of backtracking from a U.S.-backed proposal for rebel fighters and civilians to leave eastern Aleppo with Moscow guaranteeing them safe passage.U.S. and Russian officials met in Geneva over the weekend to discuss the crisis in Aleppo, where rebels are being squeezed out of their territory by a rapid Syrian army advance which has displaced thousands of civilians.No announcement was made after the meetings.Zakaria Malahifji, an official in the Aleppo-based Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters from Turkey on Monday the United States and Russia had come up with the draft proposal offering rebels an "honourable" exit, but Russia then backtracked from it.The Fastaqim group is part of the nationalist opposition Free Syrian Army alliance which has received military aid from countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, notably Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

On Sunday, officials with three rebel groups told Reuters they had received the proposal, which offered Free Syrian Army rebels a departure to a place of their choice, while jihadists would have to leave to Idlib province. The rebels said on Sunday they had yet to respond to the proposal, which also offered guarantees for the safety of civilians who wished to stay in eastern Aleppo.Russia said on Sunday it had not yet reached an agreement with the United States for rebel fighters to have safe passage out of Aleppo.

Malahifji said: "They proposed it on Saturday and agreed on it. But on Sunday they withdrew it, they did not stick by it. They refused. The Americans communicated (to us) that the Russians destroyed the negotiations, they failed." "The discussions have not come to a specific result which we can focus on," he said.

"The Russians are being evasive. They are looking at the military situation where they are now advancing." "As soon as they agree on something clear, then the (rebel) groups will discuss it ... but there has been no clear agreement yet," he said. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Tom Perry and Alison Williams)

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Seoul: South Korea's ruling political party has begun to splinter following President Park Geun-hye impeachment in an overwhelming support from her own party, its spokesman said on Monday.

Spokesman of a faction in the ruling Saenuri Party, which is not loyal to President Park, said the party leadership should immediately step down and the pro-Park faction should be dismantled, Xinhua news agency reported.

The party leadership is composed of loyalists to Park, whom the spokesman portrayed as "the men of Choi Soon-sil", a longtime confidante of Park, who was charged with using her sway.

Choi is accused of extorting donations from conglomerates and accessing secret government documents.

The impeachment motion was passed by 234 to 56 in the 300-seat National Assembly on Friday, indicating 62 votes in favour of Park's ouster came from the ruling party. There are 172 opposition and independent lawmakers.

The rift in Saenuri party, which has 128 parliamentary seats, became clear as internal fight between the anti and pro-Park clans called on each other to leave the party after the vote.

The party leadership called on former party chairman Kim Moo-sung and former whip Yoo Seung-min, who led the anti-Park faction, to defect from the party, issuing searing criticism.

Scores of pro-Park faction members held a meeting on Sunday night, agreeing to launch their formal council comprising of 50 legislators on Tuesday.

The ruling party's split imminent, that would make it harder for Park's party to regain power in the next presidential election, which is expected to be brought forward.

The election was originally scheduled for December 2017 as Park's single five-year term ends in February 2018.

Park was suspended from office, and her tenure would end if the two-thirds of the constitutional court's nine judges justify it within 180 days.

The court's decision would stabilise state affairs and minimise the power vacuum.
By Ben Blanchard

| BEIJING

BEIJING China's top diplomat, who recently met a senior adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is a high-flying former Chinese ambassador to Washington with a deep understanding of U.S. politics, a country he has clashed with, too.State Councillor Yang Jiechi, who outranks China's foreign minister, met Trump advisers, including his pick for national security adviser, retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, during a transit in New York on his way to Latin America in recent days, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.The spokesman gave few other details, other than that they exchanged views on China-U.S. ties and other important issues.It's not clear exactly when the meeting happened, but Yang was scheduled to be in Mexico on Sunday and Monday. It's also not clear if Yang has been appointed a sort of special representative on China to deal with Trump.While Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone shortly after Trump's election win, China had been coy about what contacts it has had with the Trump camp, saying only there has been communication.The Yang meeting is the first time China has publicly mentioned any face-to-face talks between the two sides.

UNDERSTANDING TRUMP

Yang, 66, is a career diplomat. Unlike Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he is a fluent English speaker, having studied at the London School of Economics in the 1970s before working as a translator for the foreign ministry.He was first posted to the United States from 1983-87, and eventually rose to become ambassador, from 2000-2004.

"He's spent a lot of time there. He understands things there well from all sides," said Ruan Zongze, a former Chinese diplomat now with the China Institute of International Studies, a think-tank affiliated with the Foreign Ministry."Certainly, China does not understand Trump well enough. This kind of contact and exchange is really needed and timely. It will help us to understand Trump, what he's all about, and who his team are."One Beijing-based Asian diplomat, who has met Yang, told Reuters he can be charming in private, especially with his polished, British-accented English, but firm and unyielding in formal talks."He's a good representative for China," said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As China's foreign minister from 2007-13, Yang is probably best remembered for clashing with then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010 over the disputed South China Sea at a regional summit in Hanoi.As state councillor, Yang has continued his interest in the South China Sea, telling reporters in June during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that China had the right to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights."China hopes the U.S. will scrupulously abide by its promise to not take sides in relevant territorial disputes, and play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea," Yang said.Yang has also been involved in security talks with India, China's giant southern neighbour which is suspicious of China's friendship with Pakistan. China and India have a festering border dispute dating back decades. (Editing by Ian Geoghegan)

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Jakarta's Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is being prosecuted for blasphemy, an offence that carries a five-year jail term in Indonesia, over remarks he made about the Koran.

The comments sparked widespread anger in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country and the case is now seen in part as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia.

But critics say it is also about politics as the governor's foes whip up anger to reduce his support.

Who is on trial?

Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, is Jakarta's first non-Muslim governor for half a century and a member of the country's tiny ethnic Chinese minority.

The 50-year-old has won huge popularity with his no-nonsense style and determination to clean up Jakarta, an overcrowded, disorganised and polluted metropolis of 10 million.

But he has also faced constant opposition from hardline Islamic groups, who dislike a non-Muslim being in charge of Indonesia's capital.

He is running for election in February.

How did this start?

During a campaign stop in September, Purnama told a crowd they had been "deceived" by his opponents who used a Koranic verse to try to put them off voting for a Christian.

The speech went viral, angering moderate and conservative Muslims alike who considered the remarks offensive.

Purnama apologised but Indonesia's top Islamic clerical body declared the remarks blasphemous.

In November more than 100,000 Muslims swarmed Jakarta in one of the largest mass demonstrations seen in the capital in years as hardliners burnt cars and clashed with police, demanding Purnama face justice.

President Joko Widodo vowed to swiftly resolve the case, and police officially declared Purnama a suspect for blasphemy.

Why blasphemy?

Indonesia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion but officially only six faiths are recognised.

Under tough laws dating back to 1965, anyone who insults these religions or deviates from their beliefs can be charged with blasphemy and jailed.

Critics say today the laws are exploited to persecute minorities, like Shia and Ahmadi Muslims, and in some cases, even atheists have fallen foul of the legislation.

In 2012, a man was sentenced to two-and-a-half years prison for writing "God does not exist" on Facebook.

Who else is involved?

The race to run Jakarta  Indonesia's financial and political capital  has been a launch pad for the presidency and is always closely watched.

But this election, fuelled by the blasphemy controversy, is shaping up as a key battleground for Indonesia's most powerful political factions.

Purnama is running against two Muslim opponents: the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and a popular ex-education minister backed by 2014 presidential runner-up Prabowo Subianto.

Another key player is the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), a hardline Muslim group that has spearheaded the grassroots campaign against Purnama. Their political heft and credentials as moral enforcers has been burnished by the scandal.

What next?

The FPI and other Islamic groups have vowed to maintain pressure until Purnama is prosecuted.

While rights groups fear the campaign against Purnama could further erode Indonesia's reputation for pluralism and have urged police to drop the case.

Widodo too is feeling the pressure.

He has blamed "political actors" for the instability and staged high-profile visits with military and political leaders to broadcast an image of control.

But in the hours before a December rally, 10 people were detained on murky allegations of treason.
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Artists impression of an ice age. Credit: Ittiz/wikimedia, CC BY-SA

Over the last two and a half million years the Earth has undergone more than 50 major ice ages, each having a profound effect on our planet's climate. But what causes them and how do we predict when the next big ice age will hit?

About 40 years ago, scientists realised that ice ages were driven by changes in the Earth's orbit. But, as I recently argued in Nature, it's not that simple. Scientists are still trying to understand how such wobbles interact with the climate system, particularly greenhouse gases, to push the planet in to or out of an ice age.

During the last ice age, only 21,000 years ago, there was nearly continuous ice across North America from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. At its deepest over the Hudson Bay, it was over two miles thick and reached as far south as what would now be New York and Cincinnati. In Europe, there were two major ice sheets: the British ice sheet which reached as far south as what would now be Norfolk, and the Scandinavian ice sheet that extended all the way from Norway to the Ural mountains in Russia.

In the Southern Hemisphere there were significant ice sheets on Patagonia, South Africa, southern Australia and New Zealand. So much water was locked up in these ice sheets that the global sea level dropped by over 125 metres  around ten metres lower than the height of the London Eye. In comparison if all the ice on Antarctica and Greenland melted today it would only raise sea level by 70 metres.

So what caused these great ice ages? In 1941, Milutin Milankovitch suggested that wobbles in the Earth's orbit changed the distribution of solar energy on the planet's surface, driving the ice age cycles. He believed that the amount of incoming solar radiation (insolation) just south of the Arctic Circle, at a latitude of 65N, was essential. Here, insolation can vary by as much as 25%. When there was less insolation during the summer months, the average temperature would be slightly lower and some of the ice in this region could survive and build up  eventually producing an ice sheet.

But it wasn't until 30 years later that three scientists used long-term climate records from analysing marine sediments to put this to the test. Jim Hays used fossil assemblages to estimate past sea surface temperatures. Nick Shackleton calculated changes in past global ice volume by measuring oxygen isotopes (atoms with different numbers of neutrons in the nuclues) in calcium carbon fossil in marine sediments. John Imbrie used time-series analysis to statistically compare the timing and cycles in the sea surface temperature and global ice volume records with patterns of the Earth's orbit.

Figure 1.

In December 1976 they published a landmark climate paper in Science, showing that climate records contained the same cycles as the three parameters that vary the Earth's orbit: eccentricity, obliquity and precession (shown in Figure 1). Eccentricity describes the shape of the Earth's orbit around the sun, varying from nearly a circle to an ellipse with a period of about 96,000 years. Obliquity is the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation with respect to the plane of its orbit, which changes with a period of about 41,000 years. Precession refers to the fact that both Earth's rotational axis and orbital path precess (rotate) over time  the combined effects of these two components and the eccentricity produce an approximately 21,000-year cycle.

The researchers also found that these parameters have different effects at different places on our globe. Obliquity has a strong influence at high latitudes, whereas precession has a notable impact on tropical seasons. For example precession has been linked to the rise and fall of the African rift valley lakes and so may have even influenced the evolution of our ancestors. Evidence for such "orbital forcing" of climate has now been found as far back as 1.4 billion years ago.

Beyond wobbles

However, the scientists realised that there were limitations and challenges of their research  many of which remain today. In particular, they recognised that variations in the Earth's orbit did not cause the ice age cycles per se  they rather paced them. A certain orbit of the Earth can be associated with many different climates. The one we have today is in fact similar to the one we had during the most intense part of the last ice age.

Small changes in insolation driven by changes in the Earth's orbit can push the planet into or out of an ice age through the planet's "climate feedback" mechanisms. For example when summer solar radiation in reduced it allows some ice to remain after the winter. This white ice reflects more sunlight, which cools the area further and allows more ice to build up, which reflects even more sunlight and so forth. Therefore, the researchers' next step was to understand the relative importance of ice sheet, ocean and atmospheric feedbacks. They discovered that greenhouse gases had an important role in controlling climate. In particular atmospheric carbon dioxide had to be low enough for the planet to start cooling before it could tip into an ice age.

So how can all this help us understand future climate? One idea is that small increases in greenhouse gases due to the expansion of agriculture that started 8,000 years ago have in fact delayed the next ice age. What's more, if we continue emitting greenhouse gases at the same rate, we might have put off the next ice age for at least half a million years.

If we have merely delayed the next ice age, we will still be in the Quaternary Period  the last 2.58m years defined by the ice age cycles. But if we have stopped the ice ages, humans will have caused a much greater change and so have entered the Anthropocene period as some argue. If I had to put money on it, I'd say the Earth has experienced its last ice age for a very, very long time.

More information: Mark Maslin. In retrospect: Forty years of linking orbits to ice ages, Nature (2016). DOI: 10.1038/540208a Journal information: Nature

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Cows grazing in a forested area near Samaipata, Bolivia. Credit: Daniel Beams

Empowering local governments with forestry decisions can help combat deforestation, but is most effective when local users are actively engaging with their representatives, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder-led study.

Using a combination of survey data, census info and satellite images dating back to 2000, the researchers meticulously compared deforestation results from Bolivia and Peru, two countries with differing approaches to forest governance.

The study, which was published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finds that a local, ground-up approach can yield better results than national, top-down policy so long as local forest users are working closely with their officials.

Such interactions might include a one-on-one meeting with a town mayor or attending an open planning forum, the two methods that the researchers found to be the most common forms of interactions between community members and local government officials.

"Natural resource use is, by nature, local in character. You need buy-in from local politicians in order to make forest governance work," said Krister Andersson, director of CU Boulder's Center for the Governance of Natural Resources and lead author of the new study.

Deforestation remains a major global environmental challenge, with the United Nations estimating that 18 million acres of trees are lost each year worldwide. Forests are complex systems that have historically proven difficult to govern due to contradictory user groups and long-term recovery trends that tend to outlast political regimes.

Since the 1990s, several countries (with encouragement from international aid organizations) have shifted from a national, top-down forestry policy to a more decentralized approach in which more decision-making power is given to local municipalities. To date, however, there have been few comprehensive studies of the overall effectiveness of this approach.

"For every theoretical advantage of decentralization, you can come up with a disadvantage. The results are often so conditional that 'it depends' had become the de facto conclusion on this subject," said Andersson, who is also a professor in CU Boulder's Department of Political Science and a research associate in the Institute of Behavioral Science.

Andersson and his co-authors aimed to provide more conclusive data by comparing 100 municipalities apiece from Bolivia and Peru, two countries with similar forestry and culture whose policies had diverged sharply after 1996. Bolivia embraced decentralization reforms while Peru did not.

"Bolivia received more political commitments to decentralize governance, made it part of election debates, tied reform to other issues like education and health and thus got a mandate from voters," said Andersson. "We find here that that has led to a substantive change in how forests are governed in the two countries. Peru, on the other hand, excluded forestry from its local government mandate and it seems to have backfired."

The result of the long-term study was a unique, longitudinal data set that examined policy implementation at a grassroots level across multiple decades.

"We asked how community members were interacting with their municipal government authorities in these areas," said Andersson. "Our idea is to continue to monitor these interactions over time so that we can develop new and better knowledge about the factors that drive local decision makers to care about the environment."

The researchers note that while deforestation is far from eliminated in either country, the results suggest that Bolivia's forest loss would have been far worse in recent years had it not been for the country's decentralized approach forest governance.

"The lesson is that all levels of government - municipal, state and federal - have a role to play when it comes to addressing a complex problem like deforestation," said Andersson. "The mandate of local governments to work on forestry issues really does seem to matter."
SPHERE H-band coronagraphic image reduced with ADI + PCA, showing the detection of the companion HD 206893 B at 270 mas with a S/N of 14. Credit: Milli et al., 2016.

(Phys.org)Astronomers have uncovered a new low-mass companion residing inside a massive debris disc surrounding a nearby star designated HD 206893. The discovery could provide new important clues on how low-mass stellar companions form and evolve. The findings were presented in a paper published Dec. 1 on the arXiv pre-print server.

Located some 125 light years away, HD 206893 is an F5V star hosting a debris disc detected through its large infrared excess. It is about 24 percent more massive than the sun and its age is estimated to be within the range of 200 million to 2.1 billion years. Due to its proximity and the presence of a debris disk, HD 206893's environment is an excellent place for astronomers to look for new stars and planets.

Recently, a team of researchers led by Julien Milli of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile has employed the observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) with the aim of finding new objects in the vicinity of HD 206893. The observations were carried out using VLT's SPHERE and NaCo imaging instruments in October 2015 and in August 2016, as a part of the SPHERE High Angular Resolution Debris Disc Survey (SHARDDS).

As a result of this observational campaign, the astronomers detected a faint object with a high contrast, orbiting its parent star very near  at about 10 AU.

"SPHERE opens a new discovery space for these systems because it is equipped with an extreme adaptive optics system that can beat the atmospheric turbulence and detect faint objects very close to their host star," Milli told Phys.org.

The newly detected object was designated HD 206893 B and is likely a brown dwarf with a mass between 24 to 73 Jupiter masses. However, the team does not exclude the possibility that the newly found object could be a giant planet. They key to confirm the real nature of this low-mass companion would be a more precise estimation of the host star's age.

"This is likely a brown dwarf but the conversion from the flux to a mass is difficult because we need to know the age of the star to make this conversion. Right now, the age is very little constrained, and it could be a young star of 200 million years, which would mean the brown dwarf is 24 Jupiter masses and close to a massive planet (13 Jupiter masses), or a medium-age star of two billion years, which would mean a 73 Jupiter-mass brown dwarf for the companion," Milli said.

It was also found by the team that HD 206893 B has a very red color, which suggests that its atmosphere is probably very dusty, since dust particles typically give a red color to the spectrum.

For now, the researchers will monitor the orbit of HD 206893 B, study the spectra and try to get an image of the debris disk with more details to study the relations between the companion and the disk.

"In parallel, we will try to refine the age of the star to better constrain the mass," Milli noted.

More information: Discovery of a low-mass companion inside the debris ring surrounding the F5V star HD206893, arXiv:1612.00333 [astro-ph.EP] arxiv.org/abs/1612.00333 Abstract

Uncovering the ingredients and the architecture of planetary systems is a very active field of research that has fuelled many new theories on giant planet formation, migration, composition, and interaction with the circumstellar environment. We aim at discovering and studying new such systems, to further expand our knowledge of how low-mass companions form and evolve. We obtained high-contrast H-band images of the circumstellar environment of the F5V star HD206893, known to host a debris disc never detected in scattered light. These observations are part of the SPHERE High Angular Resolution Debris Disc Survey (SHARDDS) using the InfraRed Dual-band Imager and Spectrograph (IRDIS) installed on VLT/SPHERE. We report the detection of a source with a contrast of 3.6x10^{-5} in the H-band, orbiting at a projected separation of 270 milliarcsecond or 10 au, corresponding to a mass in the range 24 to 73 Mjup for an age of the system in the range 0.2 to 2 Gyr. The detection was confirmed ten months later with VLT/NaCo, ruling out a background object with no proper motion. A faint extended emission compatible with the disc scattered light signal is also observed. The detection of a low-mass companion inside a massive debris disc makes this system an analog of other young planetary systems such as beta Pictoris, HR8799 or HD95086 and requires now further characterisation of both components to understand their interactions.

 2016 Phys.org
A cornfield in Ghana exhibits signs of water stress and nutrient deficiency. New research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and its collaborators has found that sub-Saharan Africa will struggle to meet its 2050 grain demands even if it maximizes the yields of corn and four other cereal crops. Credit: Marloes van Loon

Maximizing cereal crops yields in sub-Saharan Africa would still fail to meet the region's skyrocketing grain demand by 2050, according to a new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wageningen University and multiple African institutions.

Sub-Saharan Africa produces about 80 percent of the grain it now consumes. But that consumption could triple if its population rises an expected 250 percent by 2050. Presently, cereal crops account for about half of sub-Saharan Africa's food and farmland.

Even if sub-Saharan yields continue rising at the rate they have over the last quarter-century, the region's existing farmland would still produce only between a third and half of the grain needed in 2050, researchers reported Dec. 12 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"The status quo is simply not acceptable," said co-author Ken Cassman, professor emeritus at Nebraska and fellow of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. "Complacency is the enemy. This is a clarion call for action."To maintain even 80 percent of its self-sufficiency in 2050, sub-Saharan Africa must reach the realistic yield thresholds of corn, millet, rice, sorghum and wheat, the study found. The region currently grows about a quarter of the cereal crops it could by optimizing its plant and soil management, the authors said. Closing this gap would require what the study called a "large, abrupt acceleration" in yield trajectories similar to the Green Revolution that transformed North American, European and Asian agriculture in the mid-20th century.

"But our analysis shows that even closing the gap between potential yields using modern farming practices and current farm yields, with traditional crop varieties and little fertilizer, still leaves the area at a deficit with regard to cereals," Cassman said. "That's quite eye-opening, because my guess is that most people in the agricultural development community might have thought sub-Saharan Africa could be self-sufficient, or even produce excess cereal, if it were able to close existing yield gaps."The authors analyzed 10 sub-Saharan countries using the Global Yield Gap Atlas, which estimates the disparity between actual and potential yields while accounting for differences in soil types and climate. After assembling location-specific data and assessments from agronomists in each of the 10 countries, the team used a novel upscaling technique to estimate yield gaps at national and sub-continental levels.

Meeting future cereal demands could depend on expanding responsible irrigation use to raise yield ceilings and stabilize cereal production, said Kindie Tesfaye, agronomist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre in Ethiopia. Recent analyses have documented regional aquifers that could become sources of sustainable irrigation, though the authors emphasized the importance of withdrawing only what can be replenished by rainfall and recharge.

Tesfaye said irrigation could ramp up yield thresholds by allowing farmers to annually grow a crop multiple times in the same field or introduce new cereals into yearly planting schedules.

Patricio Grassini, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture at Nebraska, stressed that these efforts will require "massive and strategic investments in agricultural development on an unprecedented level." Combining the yield gap findings with socioeconomic and other data, Grassini said, could inform essential upgrades to infrastructure that might include roads and water pipelines; publicly financed research and development; and farmer access to credit, state-of-the-art equipment and pest-management resources.

A failure to upgrade could force sub-Saharan Africa to transform savannahs, rainforests or other natural ecosystems into farmland - a process, the study noted, that would produce massive amounts of greenhouse gases while shrinking the habitats of native plant and animal species.

If yield growth and cropland distribution remained constant across the 10 countries, seven would lack the land area to accommodate such expansion, said Abdullahi Bala, professor at Nigeria's Federal University of Technology, Minna. And the newly converted land would very likely prove less fertile than the region's current farmland, Cassman said.

Though the region might also resort to importing cereal crops, the authors cautioned that many of the developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa could struggle to do so. The price spikes that often accompany drought-driven market shortages could further complicate matters.

"If it is true that sub-Saharan Africa will depend more heavily on food imports," Grassini said, "the next question is: What would be the infrastructure networks needed to alleviate food shortages in the most vulnerable areas?"

The researchers said several sub-Saharan countries may produce surpluses that could be shared among neighbors. Though the projected surpluses would fall short of compensating for neighboring deficits,this represents one of several opportunities the region might seize to contend with the profound challenges ahead.

"To reach those goals is going to take very strategic, careful prioritization and adequate resources to do the job," Cassman said. "Having a strategic vision of what to invest in - to fund those things that can give greatest payoff - is critical. What this work does is allow for a much more surgical look at how to do that, which just wasn't possible before."
The Legislative Assemblys (AL) 2nd Standing Committee issued a document on December 9 backing a governmental proposal to amend the electoral law barring AL candidates from standing for office if they are found to have violated the territorys Basic Law, or if their loyalty to the MSAR is considered questionable.

The part of the revision concerning the allegiance pledge is seen as a response to the oath-taking controversy triggered by Hong Kong legislators Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung that resulted in Beijing intervening and preventing them from taking office.

Nine of the 10 lawmakers who are members of the AL Committee  including democracy pundit Ng Kuok Cheong  signed the document, stating that the main target of the revision is to fight electoral fraud.

The 106-page (Portuguese version) document advocates that prior to the election, candidates should sign a statement pledging allegiance to the MSAR.

The document draws parallels to the situation in Hong Kong, stating that the interpretation by the National Peoples Congress (NPC) regarding Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung is valid for Macau.

The interpretation made by the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee is without doubt a guiding document for Macau, the document states.

It also cites a 1999 resolution for the first election of the MSAR and concludes that the pledge of allegiance to the MSAR and the Peoples Republic of China is no novelty.

The revision covers other controversial aspects such as the definition of electoral campaign and the eligibility of individuals who can participate in the campaign. According to the proposal, only persons or groups who officially support individual candidates will be able to engage in campaign activities. The AL will set a limit on the campaign budget, and putative candidates will have to deposit MOP25,000 to prevent candidacies which are not representative. The money will not be returned if the candidate receives less than 300 votes.

The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) will have at least six more members, as well as extended powers to punish infractions. PB
The surprise decision by Hong Kongs top leader to not seek a second term in office opened the way for a chief executive who might bridge some differences in a city riven by tensions over perceived interference by China.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told reporters outside his offices Friday that family concerns required him to step aside when his five-year term ends in June, saying they would suffer intolerable stress due to my electioneering. Leung dismissed questions about whether unrest and his low popularity rating had cost him support with the Chinese government, which controls leadership elections in the former British colony.

Everyone in Hong Kong can see that the central authorities, including the top leaders in the country, have been very supportive of my work over all these years, he said.

Leungs tenure has been marred by escalating protests against Chinas stewardship over the Asian financial hub, which guaranteed independent courts and a free press under a one country, two systems framework. In recent weeks, Leung outraged democracy advocates by successfully suing to oust two elected pro-independence advocates from the citys legislature and moving to purge four more, in a campaign supported by Beijing.

His departure clears the field for rivals who might have been reluctant to challenge the incumbent chief executive in March, when a committee of political insiders meets to select his successor.

Beijing should support a candidate who can really unite Hong Kong and stop it from being torn apart, said Alan Leong, a former leader of the pro-democracy Civic Party. Hong Kong needs somebody who can restore confidence in the one country, two systems constitutional set-up.

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. and Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd. were among the biggest gainers on the citys benchmark stock index in the wake of Leungs announcement, with each advancing more than 1.8 percent. Leung, who has followed Chinas calls to focus on economic issues and steer away from political issues, has made cooling Hong Kongs property market a priority. Protest Risk

Fitch Ratings reaffirmed Hong Kongs AA+ credit rating after Leungs decision, with Sovereigns Director Andrew Fennell saying the risk of renewed political protest remains given the citys unresolved social disputes. In the near-term, the announcement may help diffuse ongoing local political tensions over the degree and style of autonomy granted to the territory, Fennell said.

Hong Kong has been speculating for months about likely challengers with bona fides suitable to Beijing. The list has been led by Financial Secretary John Tsang, a popular official known for an affable demeanor, and Legislator Regina Ip, who more than a decade ago led a failed effort to pass a strict national security law. Ip was expected to announce her candidacy on Thursday.

Leungs absence could encourage others, such as his chief deputy, Carrie Lam, who had said she planned to retire when the current term ended in June.

This is a huge change, so I have to reconsider, she said on Saturday.

Former Legislative Council President Jasper Tsang, who for years reigned as the citys most popular lawmaker, has also been mentioned. Former judge Woo Kwok-hing, 70, threw his hat into the ring in October.

It does let some air out of the pressure valve, said Jason Y. Ng, a lawyer who wrote Umbrellas in Bloom, a chronicle of the mass democracy protests in 2014. But really it depends on whos the next appointee. If its Regina Ip, its likely to reopen old wounds.

Whoever wins the contest would face the same challenge of squaring Beijings agenda with Hong Kongs demands for greater autonomy. The next chief executive is due to be selected by a committee of 1,200 insiders, a China-controlled process at the center of the mass Occupy rallies that paralyzed parts of the city two years ago.

The central government holds veto power over the ultimate selection. High-ranking government officials, such as Lam and John Tsang, also need approval from Beijing to resign before they run.

How much Beijings interests factored into Leungs decision was unclear. He has weathered several public incidents involving his family, and last year asked for space to help his daughter recover from health and emotional issues. The announcement came hours after the Apple Daily newspaper reported that Leungs daughter had been hospitalized for a month.

Chinas local Liaison Office said the government deeply regrets Leungs move, citing his ability to navigate complex situations and stand firm on loving the country and loving Hong Kong. The Beijing-based Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said it hoped Leung would continue to play a role in the citys and countrys development.

After meeting Xi Jinping last month on the sidelines of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru, Leung said the Chinese president fully endorses his work.

Leungs uncompromising approach to government critics, including refusing to meet with student protest leaders in 2014 and vacating the seats of pro-democracy lawmakers, has been blamed for widening social rifts. The pro-democracy opposition gained seats in legislative elections in September, with almost one-fifth of voters backing candidates who want Hong Kong to determine its own relationship with China.

His approval rating stood at 38.5 out of 100 in November, according to a survey by the University of Hong Kongs Public Opinion Programme.

Leungs legacy is a polarized and divided society, said Ivan Choy, a senior politics lecturer at Chinese University of Hong Kong. David Tweed, Ting Shi, Bloomberg

HK starts voting for election committee

A slither of Hong Kong society has started voting for the territorys next Election Committee that will in turn vote on the HKSARs next chief executive. Only 6 percent of Hong Kong voters are permitted to cast their vote to determine the make-up of the Election Committee, and most of them are supporters of the pro-establishment, or pro-Beijing, camp. Meanwhile, pro-democracy groups are scrambling to put forward their own candidates. According to some reports, more are being fielded than ever before. The results are expected to be declared at some point this morning.
Six workers are dead in China after being hit by an express cargo train on the railway line connecting Beijing and the southern city of Guangzhou.

A local government statement about the Saturday accident said authorities are still investigating why the workers were on a live track.

State media reported in July that the number of train-related accidents and deaths had declined during the first half of 2016. Chinas national safety regulator, the State Administration of Work Safety, reported 1,037 train-related deaths in 2015 and blamed most of them on pedestrians and drivers improperly crossing tracks, as well as typhoons and other natural disasters.

The agency reports one other major fatal train accident this year on its online database, a crash in May that killed three people, though the database may not include all crashes.

China has surpassed 20,000 kilometers of high-speed rail, with a target of adding another 10,000 kilometers by 2020. The World Bank estimates China has spent USD360 billion on high-speed rail, building by far the largest network in the world.

A July 2011 crash near the city of Wenzhou killed 40 people and injured 191. No other accidents of that scale are known to have occurred since then. The State Administration of Work Safety reported in July that far more accidents occur in Chinas coal mining industry, known to be one of the deadliest in the world, or on Chinese roads and highways. AP
China patrolled the waters of a series of hotly contested islands yesterday, a day after staging a flyover of two strategically important waterways near Taiwan and Japan.

Chinese government statements said both weekend exercises were routine. The exercises come shortly after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-

wen spoke to U.S. President-

elect Donald Trump, in a call strongly denounced by China, which considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory.

At least 10 Chinese planes on Saturday flew over the Miyako Strait between two Japanese islands, Taiwans defense ministry said in a statement. Four planes also flew over the nearby Bashi Channel adjacent to Taiwan, according to the statement.

The waterways are two of the connections between the contested South and East China seas and the Pacific Ocean.

Chinese state media then announced yesterday that three vessels patrolled the Senkaku islands, which are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu.

China has staged previous flyovers of both waterways, including last month, as well as patrols of the area around the islands.

China did not mention Taiwan in either of its statements announcing the exercises. It instead accused the Japanese of scrambling two of its fighter jets to interfere with Chinese pilots, including the launching of jamming shells, which endangered the safety of Chinese aircraft and crew.

Japans defense ministry did not immediately respond to those allegations yesterday. AP
At least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a bomb exploded at a bank in Milan, Italy.

Up to 14 people were also injured in simultaneous blasts at a bank and memorial in the capital, Rome.

Another bomb was later discovered by police near Milans La Scala opera house. The first explosion happened at about 16.45 local time on the third floor of Milans Banca dell Agricoltura (National Agricultural Bank), in Piazza Fontana.

Michelle Carlotto, 27, a clerk at the bank, said: I was sitting at my desk behind the bank counter. I heard a blast, a bolt which stunned me.

In the smoke I saw a body fly from the public section above the counter and fall one yard away from me. I was shocked, I couldnt move.

Many of the wounded were taken to hospital where they remain in a serious condition. Police said eight kilograms (18lbs) of explosives had been placed in an aluminum box and a slow burning fuse was attached to the device.

Within an hour of the blast, at least another 14 people were injured by three further explosions which shook two areas of Rome.

Another bomb was discovered by police a few hours later inside a separate bank in Milan, near the La Scala opera house.

Officers immediately detonated the device in the courtyard of the Banca Commerciale Italiana.

Police in Rome have detained four men so far but no organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The explosions come at a time of deep social unrest and political uncertainty in Italy.

Italian President Giuseppe Saragat condemned the attacks and pledged to restore the law willed by the people and its sovereignty.

The Prime Minister, Mariano Rumor, called an emergency cabinet meeting and in a news conference he said the explosions were an act of barbarism which has no precedent in the history of the country.

He later sent a telegram to the Mayor of Milan, Aldo Aniasi, which ordered the Minister of the Interior to act with the maximum severity against those who want to poison the peace of the Italian people.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

In total, 16 people were killed and 58 wounded in what became known as the Piazza Fontana massacre.

Over 4,000 arrests were made in the aftermath of the bombings and one of the suspects, Guiseppe Pinelli, died after falling out of the fourth floor window of the police station where he was being held.

The bombing marked the start of a series of attacks known as the strategy of tension between 1969 and 1974 by the right wing group, Ordine Nuovo.

Their aim was to prevent the country falling into the hands of the left -wing by duping the public into believing the bombings were part of a communist insurgency.

The attacks appeared to come to an end in 1974 but the worst strike was to come in 1980, when a suitcase with over 18kg (40lbs) of explosives went off in a train station, in Bologna, killing 85 and wounding more than 200 people.

One of the original suspects, Pietro Valpreda, was eventually tried alongside two neo-Fascists and numerous other secret service agents in 1974, but all the accused were acquitted in 1985 following numerous trials and appeals.

A new trial opened in 1999 after a Milan judge, Guido Salvini, claimed to have discovered the real bombers.

Three neo-fascists, Delfo Zorzi, Carlo Maria Maggi, and Carlo Rognoni were sentenced to life imprisonment but the decision was overturned on appeal in March 2004.
There is more to do than just protocols and agreements, said Antonio Trindade, CEO of CESL Asia, when commenting on the MSARs role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries on environmental matters.

Trindade told the Times yesterday that he hoped the recent visit of Secretary of Economy and Finance Lionel Leong would produce real collaboration between the regions.

According to him, the recent Startup Macau Forum, which attracted 19 young entrepreneurs from China, Portugal and Macau, shows how the region has become a platform for entrepreneurs to gain exposure to business markets outside their region.

One start-up event is not enough. We need proper start-ups, start-up incubators, accelerators and consistencies, he told the Times in a phone interview.

Trindade said there are successful incubators in Portugal with branches and bases in Europe, South America, Beijing and Shanghai, and expressed his hopes that Macau could be a part of this network.

So this is really a thing that you need the government to work on [] not only Secretary Leong but the whole government.

He implied that the region needs to establish such integrated platforms to facilitate the exchange of ideas, particularly for young entrepreneurs.

The CEO revealed that CESL Asia signed a solar energy protocol with a Portuguese technology company. The agreement will enable CESL Asia to acquire a solar power technology facility in Estoi (located in the Portuguese province of Algarve) from Magpower, representing an investment of around five million euros. The ceremony was witnessed by Leong.

Trindade stressed that the MSAR has significant goals but needs to work on realizing its vision.

[Macau] has plenty of goals like [what] we have been talking about but actually doing themthats what is impressive.

I understand that Secretary Leong came to Portugal and he met a lot of young and very dynamic secretaries of state with a lot of programs [that are] not [only] relevant to Portugal but to the world, he explicated.

Trindade reiterated his belief that entrepreneurship is the way for the region to diversify. As Leong visited Portugal and met a number of state secretaries, the CEO hoped that the influence of the visit would be evident in Macau.

[I] hope that very soon things [visits] like these will bring about real change in Macau, resulting in not just talk but action.

[It is possible for] entrepreneurs to move between China, Portugal and Macau [] and Secretary Leong knows about this. He knows this can be done and I think he will be implementing it.

Trindade added that Macau, China and Portugal must share technology and innovation in order to foster interesting developments.

I hope Secretary Leong, despite only staying in Portugal for a few hours [], has done a lot [for what] Macau needs, he added.
The Chinese capitals future administrative hub was already bustling 2,000 years ago.

Government agencies excavating a site in the far southeastern Beijing suburbs say they have found ancient city walls and more than 1,000 tombs, most of which are dated to the eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) and some even earlier.

The excavations, made this year ahead of development of a new administrative district for Beijing, shed light on life in a county-level city that was alive with activity several hundred years earlier than experts previously thought. Archaeological teams this year found ceramic and porcelain urns, earthen sculptures of animals, copper tools and mirrors  some of which are believed to be made by the Yan, a northern kingdom that stood for centuries before falling to the conqueror who unified China and became its first emperor in 221 B.C.

The excavators also found ruins of a square-shaped city with walls 600 meters on each side from the Han Dynasty.

Modern Beijing suffers from traffic gridlock and overcrowding with 22 million residents, prompting officials to relocate many government agencies from the city center to a newly developed site in the suburb of Tongzhou, about 24 kilometers away. Under President Xi Jinpings calls for China to show greater cultural self-confidence, local-level governments have been touting their respective historical relics and archaeological finds.

Beijing officials said this week they would assess the archaeological value of some of the artifacts. High-value ruins at the site could prompt changes to development plans for the administrative zone.

Tongzhou is mostly known today as a bedroom community with soaring apartment blocks housing workers who commute to jobs in central Beijing. The area was previously believed to have been developed in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907 AD), when it became a trading hub on the Grand Canal leading to southern China.

Our assessment is now that this area was actually quite developed and prosperous earlier than we thought, said Yu Ping, spokeswoman for the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Heritage. AP
The trial of former Prosecutor General Ho Chio Meng started last Friday morning, although it had initially been scheduled for last Monday.

Sam Hou Fai, the president of the Court of Final Appeal of Macau (TUI), together with judge Song Man Lei, spent more than three hours reading the indictment against Ho.

Ho has been accused of hundreds of crimes, including the establishment of a crime syndicate, money laundering, abuse of power, and fraud involving large sums of money.

According to the indictment, Ho has, in the past 16 years, created 10 shelf companies with his brother and brothers-in-law, among others.

These companies took on contracts outsourced by the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), such as maintenance and cleaning services. Ho was addressed as the leader of these companies, which did not run any other actual businesses and charged service prices that were around 8 to 50 percent higher than the market rate.

The indictment says that Ho abused his position at the MP to outsource contracts to these companies.

Between 2006 and 2014, Ho, under the name of the MP, allegedly instructed a former department head at the office to rent a workplace at the Hotline Centers entire 16th floor.

Ho claimed that the rental should be maintained confidentially. However, this new office was never used for any public services operated by the MP, and members of the staff of the office were unaware of its existence.

Inside the workplace, there was allegedly a big TV, karaoke machine, a sauna and massage facilities. Its rent over the years amounted to more than MOP7 million.

On Friday afternoon, Ho denied the fact that the office was never used for public services, and claimed that the office was used to host prosecutors from Guangdong province, Hong Kong and from the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate of China.

Regarding the rental, Ho admitted that he had not read documents on the subject and had always forwarded bureaucratic notices to his subordinates.

In 2013, the Macao Customs Service seized some agilawood. Because the case was not qualified to be forwarded to the Prosecutions Office, the Customs Service did not deliver the agilawood to the Prosecutions Office.

However, Ho had the seized wood sent to his office at the Hotline Center, where he used some of it as decoration.

Ho was also accused of 56 instances of money laundering, and was reportedly found with more than MOP10 million in savings accounts in mainland China and Macau. He had not declared these assets to the related authorities.

The indictment also states that Ho asked a former director at the MP to withdraw more than MOP5.6 million from a special fund of the department and transfer the money to him.

However, this transfer had not been approved by the Chief Executive and no receipts were produced. Julie Zhu
Shekhar Kapur, president of the five-member jury responsible for judging the 12 films in the competition segment of the International Film Festival & Awards  Macau (IFFAM), praised the festival for being uniquely Asian at the events opening press conference last week.

The festival is a uniquely Asian film festival, said Kapur, who criticized the dominance of Western filmmaking even in Asia, and indicated his eagerness to see a wider international distribution of Asian films in the future.

Part of the problem is that Asian films dont get [broad] distribution in Europe and the U.S. But distribution is changing. The way that people consume is changing, its moving away from theatrical distribution [cinema screenings] and other channels are becoming increasingly more significant, explained Kapur.

Aside from Kapur, the five-member international jury comprises South Korean Jung Woo-sung, Japans Makiko Watanabe, Hong Kongs Stanley Kwan and Giovanni Fulvi from Italy.

Each has an interest in Asian cinema. Together, they will decide the winner of the competition segment for this years IFFAM.

Its very difficult to judge a film, to tear it apart and analyze it. You need to give yourself emotionally to the film. Ive been on many juries and once [the panel] deliberates about it and tears it apart, you learn a lot. Its not easy to be fair [in judging a film] but its a very rewarding experience, remarked Kapur on the difficult choice ahead for the panel.

For me, its important to connect with the concept of the film and its vision. I personally dont [consider] how the film will be distributed even though I am a buyer [of films] normally, said Fulvi.

As a jury member, I am focused on enjoying the and experiencing the film.

The five members agreed that it was a pleasure to attend the first-ever IFFAM.

Kapur declared during the the press conference that some of the best films in cinema are coming from Asia and therefore any [film] festival in Asia that I can support I am willing to represent. Im very happy to be here.

Meanwhile, Stanley Kwan, who has made almost half of his films in Macau, said he hopes he can make more good memories of Macau [this time].

This film festival should be very good for Macau  the city  in terms of cultural and creative industries, added Kwan.

upcoming

events

Today, Dec. 12

The Winter

Macau Tower

4:30 p.m.

Sisterhood

Macau Tower

7 p.m.

Foret Debussy

Galaxy Macau

8:30 p.m.

Survival Family

Macau Tower

9:30 p.m.

Public screenings will also be held today for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Macau Cultural Center, 3 p.m.), The Winter (Macau Tower, 5 p.m.), The Vagabond  Awara (UA Galaxy Cinema, 5 p.m.), Lady Macbeth (Macau Cultural Center, 7 p.m.), Sisterhood (Macau Tower, 7:30 p.m.), A Cop (UA Galaxy Cinema, 7:30 p.m.), Foret Debussy (Galaxy Macau, 8:30 p.m.), Indignation (Macau Cultural Center, 9:30 p.m.), 1974 (UA Galaxy Cinema, 9:30 p.m.), Survival Family (Macau Tower, 10 p.m.) and Jackie (UA Galaxy Cinema, 10 p.m.).
Indonesian police said they safely detonated a bomb on the outskirts of the capital after arresting a female would-be suicide bomber and other suspected Islamic militants who were allegedly planning to attack the presidential palace this weekend.

The thwarted plot is likely to cause particular concern in Indonesia because of the possibility that women with militant network associations are now being recruited into more active roles, including plotting and carrying out attacks.

This marks a new chapter of terrorism in Indonesia, where the suicide bombing was to be carried out by a woman, terrorism analyst Ridwan Habib said in an interview with Indonesian TV.

Umar Surya Fana, the police chief of Bekasi, a Jakarta satellite city, said the militants were followed by a police counterterrorism squad as they drove to Jakarta from Solo in central Java. The city is known for its radical mosques and Islamic boarding schools.

Police said two men were arrested after dropping the 27-year-

old woman at the boarding house with the pressure cooker bomb. A fourth suspect, a man, was arrested in Solo, said Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono.

The bomb potentially could have caused damage within a wide area, Yuwono said.

People living within a 300-meter radius of the boarding house were evacuated during the police operation on Saturday.

Police believe the militants were planning to bomb a presidential guard-changing ceremony on Sunday that is a tourist attraction in Jakarta, Fana said.

The womans will, which was retrieved by police after the group stopped at a post office to mail it to her family, stated her desire to take part in amaliyah, an Arabic term used by extremist groups for attacks or suicide bombings.

They deliberately chose the target on a Sunday, when many families are hanging out around the national monument and near the palace, with the intention of causing a lot of casualties, said Habib, the analyst.

Police said those arrested are suspected to be part of a militant network responsible for a bomb-making lab raided last month in West Java province that was operating under the direction of Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with the Islamic State group in Syria.

He was linked to the attack in January in Jakarta that killed eight people, including the attackers, and several unsuccessful attacks in Indonesia since then.

Those arrested in last months raid planned to bomb targets in Jakarta, including the parliament and the Myanmar Embassy.

Muslim-majority Indonesia has carried out a sustained crackdown on militants since the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali by al-Qaida-affiliated radicals that killed 202 people. But a new threat has emerged in the past several years from IS sympathizers. Niniek Karmini, Jakarta, AP

At least 45,000 homeless after Aceh quake

At least 45,000 people have been displaced by the powerful earthquake that hit Indonesias Aceh province, authorities said Saturday, as the government and aid agencies pooled efforts to meet the basic survival needs of shaken communities.

The estimate of the number of homeless people continues to grow while relief efforts fan out across the three districts near the epicenter of Wednesdays magnitude 6.5 quake, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a press conference.

The basic needs of refugees must be met during the evacuation, the agency said in statement.

Humanitarian groups are now coordinating their efforts from a main command post in the worst affected district Pidie Jaya, the agency said.

At least 100 people were killed and hundreds injured in the quake, which also destroyed or damaged more than 11,000 buildings, mostly homes but also several hundred mosques and schools. The displaced are staying in temporary shelters and mosques or with relatives.

On Saturday, sniffer dogs were again used in the search for bodies and possible survivors in the devastated town of Meureudu, where a market filled with shop houses was largely flattened. Four other locations in Pidie Jaya are also the focus of search efforts.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo traveled Friday to worst-hit areas of the province and promised to rebuild communities.AP
Gaming tycoon Jack Lam will surrender himself to the authorities, following Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes order for his arrest on charges of bribery and economic sabotage.

President Duterte said Thursday that Lam  the head of Jimei International, who operates Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in Clark, Pampanga  could resume his gaming operations on condition that he pay back tax on the illegal operations.

The condition also included that Lam renegotiates his contract with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), under which he remitted only one percent of his revenue to the government rather than the 10 percent paid by other casino operators, according to Philippine media reports.

The president said Lam has sent out preliminary notices of surrender to the authorities.

Jack Lam has sent [out] feelers that he would like to come back. One, because he takes pity on the 6,000-plus Filipinos who (work for him) Second, is that he will settle his obligations, Duterte told reporters, as cited by The Philippine Star.

Because he has offered to come back, pay his tax, liabilities, whatever it is, I said  on the condition that he lets go of [the] original contract that lets him enjoy only one percent  it should be uniform to all. Just pay taxes, dont bribe anybody, the president added.

Lam first came to the authorities attention when he allegedly tried to bribe the Philippines Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Pagcor chair Andrea Domingo on separate occasions.

Aguirre claimed the bribe offered was PHP100 million a month.

The bribe was to facilitate the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals who were illegally working in Lams casino resort in Clark, and were nabbed over their alleged involvement in an illegal online gambling operation on November 24.

Pagcor temporarily shut down all Jimei-run gaming areas in Fontana, Clark Freeport and its affiliated establishments in Fort Ilocandia, Laoag after Lam fled the country on November 29. This was four days before Duterte ordered his arrest.

The Bureau of Immigration has downgraded Lams investor visa to a temporary visitor visa after he was caught. Yet the Justice Secretary wants the fugitive gambling operator to be slapped with a higher penalty, stating that he should be blacklisted instead for the continuing crime of economic sabotage and attempting to bribe a public official.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Chinas Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Chinese embassy in the Philippines is ready to provide consular assistance to the involved Chinese citizen within its capacity.

A local report also stated that the territorys casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), had unsuccessfully tried to contact Lam.

In an email to GGRAsia, DICJ said it had contacted Lam immediately after his arrest order was broadcasted, to no avail. Lams representing lawyer has also been unable to contact him. LV
A hospital director says 160 people were killed when a church roof collapsed onto worshippers in southern Nigeria.

Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital said mortuaries are overflowing and the final death toll likely will be much higher. Youth leader Edikan Peters said many other victims are in private mortuaries scattered all over the city of Uyo.

Congregants said the Reigners Bible Church was still under construction when it was crowded with worshippers to ordain a bishop on Saturday. Metal girders crashed and the corrugated iron roof caved in.

The state government said it will investigate to see if building standards were compromised.

In 2014, 116 people died when a multi-story building of the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos. A coroner blamed structural faults. AP
Three Filipino soldiers were killed and 17 others wounded in nearly two hours of fighting with about 150 Muslim militants in the south, the military said yesterday.

The Abu Sayyaf gunmen withdrew after the fierce clash on Saturday in the mountains of Patikul town in Sulu province, and are being pursued by government forces, said regional military spokesman Maj. Filemon Tan.

An unspecified number of militants were either wounded or killed in the latest flare-up in a months-long offensive ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. Tan said the troops were backed by assault aircraft and artillery fire.

The militants were led by Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed commander long wanted by the U.S. and Philippine governments for his alleged role in kidnappings for ransom and other acts. The Abu Sayyaf, an offshoot of a decades-long Muslim rebellion in the predominantly Roman Catholic nations south, have survived numerous military offensives, partly thanks to money earned from kidnappings.

In neighboring Malaysia, security forces killed three Abu Sayyaf gunmen and captured two others in a failed kidnapping attempt in Malaysias Sabah state near the southern Philippines on Thursday. Two other militants were missing after their speedboat was hit by gunfire and sank.

Among those killed was Abraham Hamid, an Abu Sayyaf militant who, the Philippine military said, acted as a spotter in the kidnappings of two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina in the southern Philippines last year. The two Canadians were beheaded and the other two hostages were freed reportedly in exchange for ransom.

Duterte and his Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts have struggled to deal with a wave of attacks by the Abu Sayyaf and allied gunmen who target tugboats and cargo ships in the busy sea waterway. The ransom kidnappings of Malaysian and Indonesian crewmen have continued despite heightened coastal and border security.

Duterte recently said he had agreed to let Malaysian and Indonesian forces cross the sea border while pursuing militants and their victims. More controversially, he said it was OK for the Malaysian and Indonesian forces to bomb the militants along with their captives to ensure the kidnappers would be eradicated. Jim Gomez, Manila, AP
After bottoming at a 14-year low in October, the hog market has begun smoking higher. Prices have rallied nearly 40 percent, with December lean hogs topping 57 cents per pound Friday.

Some of the rally has been sparked by investors taking advantage of rock-bottom prices, but supply and demand factors are boosting values as well.

Prices are warming up as the temperature sinks; cold weather makes it harder for animals to gain weight, limiting the supply of meat.

Meanwhile, meat-packers have been rushing to buy hogs ahead of the Christmas holiday, taking advantage of still-profitable margins. Demand has been so high that a record 2.54 million hogs were slaughtered last week.

Longer-term, if the packers get caught with high pork inventory and lower demand, this rally could falter, but for now, prices are heading toward hog heaven.

Natural Gas Higher

As thermometers dropped across much of the US, the natural gas market heated up, nearing a two-year high.

Natural gas is the dominant heating fuel in the United States, with electric heat a close second, but much of the nations electricity is generate from natural gas as well. This means that cold temperatures can boost demand for natural gas substantially.

Prices topped out Friday at $3.77 per million British thermal units, more than double the low price of $1.61 hit this March, a sign that this winters heating bills could be much higher than last year for many.

Soybeans Disappointed

Soybean futures sank this week after news out of Washington dashed hopes for a bullish soybean market.

On Thursday, President-elect Trump nominated Oklahomas Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Under Pruitt, the EPA may be less likely to support biofuels like corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel.

If the EPA reduces mandates to use these fuels, demand for corn and soy could drop noticeably. This has led to disappointment among some farm-industry groups who expected Trump to create a more farmer-friendly EPA.

Then on Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture jumped its monthly estimate of global soybean production based on larger crops in India and Canada, while leaving unchanged its estimate of this years record-breaking domestic soybean crop.

Altogether, this rough news knocked beans to a two-week low near $10.20 on Friday.
BURLEY  U.S. grain growers are just a drought or two away from higher prices.

At least as long as those dry conditions impact somewhere other than Idaho.

Three consecutive years of record world grain stocks are acting as a huge anchor to prices Idaho growers receive for their barley, wheat and corn. Throw in a strong dollar that is holding down export sales and the result is a grain futures market that can best be described as very bearish.

Wheat has the most bearish outlook of the three grains with a 50 percent supply-to-use ratio. U.S. barley isnt much better at 44 percent. Corn is at just 16 percent, but thats the largest ratio in two decades. In comparison, the world stocks-to-use ratio of 16 percent for barley and 34 percent for wheat.

The U.S. is carrying the lions share of stocks, Kelly Olson, Idaho Barley Association administrator, told producers, bankers and University of Idaho personnel attending the University of Idaho Ag Outlook Conference. We need fewer acres or weather problems.

Wheat and corn prices hit highs in early June, thanks to weather premiums, but have fallen 28 to 33 percent since then and arent expected to recover anytime soon. According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures latest price outlook, national barley prices will average $4.55 to $5.15 per bushel in the coming year, down 12 percent from a year ago. Corn is off about the same, down 9 percent to $3 to $3.60 per bushel.

Idaho wheat prices are expected to range from $4 to $3.477 per bushel, down 15 to 20 percent. Malt barley could fall to around $3.90 a bushel with feed barley falling to $2.40.

Exports drive futures

Large stocks are already impacting next years growing decisions. Malt barley companies are contracting fewer acres and offering lower contract prices for the 2017 season. Even though U.S. production was down 9 percent which helped pull down ending stocks somewhat, beer consumption remains lackluster.

After posting 13 percent growth in 2015, the craft beer segment  which has been propping up beer sales for several years  is posting mere single-digit growth this year. That could indicate the craft beer market is nearing saturation, Olson said.

Domestic beer sales continued the downward sliding, falling 1.2 percent compared to last year. Subtracting the losses in domestic beer from the gains in craft beer equals a 0.5 percent decline in overall U.S. beer consumption.

U.S. barley growers keep responding to market signals by decreasing planted acres but Mother Nature can offset those plans. Idaho had an awesome crop in 2016, producing 62 million bushels and averaging yields of 107 bushels per acre. Both averaged 10 percent higher than 2015. Not surprisingly, malt barley contracts will be somewhat lower for next year.

After years of corn breeders dreaming of reaching a 15 billion bushel U.S. corn crop, that goal was met this year. Corn yields averaged a 175.3 bushels per acre, driven largely by phenomenal yields across most of the Corn Belt.

What to do

with all that corn?

Ethanol demand is about to slow down as the sector reaches the 15 billion gallon blending wall. Once that threshold is met, U.S. companies will have no further incentives to keep increasing usage so demand will hold steady. Forecasters are anticipating only a 2 percent growth in ethanol next year.

Feed use is projected to be up 10 percent as livestock producers shift back to feeding corn in rations. But the big unknown is exports.

The U.S. used to be the dominant supplier on the world stage for corn, Olson said. But $8 per bushel corn four years ago changed all that and created new competitors that are continuing to grow. Brazil production is projected to be up 25 percent this year with Argentina also up 26 percent and Ukraine 16 percent.

Although U.S. ethanol demand is tailing off, China is experiencing air quality problems that is causing the Chinese government to increase ethanol use. Livestock feed demand for corn also continues to increase in the Asian nation.

Wheat growers also harvested a large crop in nearly all global production region. U.S. production was up 12 percent to 2.3 billion bushels with an average yield of 52.6 bushels per acre. Even though exports are up 26 percent this year compared to falling 10 percent last year, exports alone wont chew through burdensome stocks, Olson said. Production among the six major global wheat producers was up 2 percent.

Russia is poised to become the largest wheat exporter in the world, up 18 percent. Argentina is reaping a record wheat crop and is expected to export about 27 percent more than last year thanks to the lifting of the export tariff on wheat and corn.

Of all the wheat classes, hard red spring has the greatest profit potential thanks to weather conditions in Europe but its not much. Hard red spring wheat prices are expected to average $4.92 to $5 per bushel and that includes a $1 to $1.5 per bushel premium. But Olson cautions growers to figure their break-even prices before ordering seed. Hard red spring requires more nitrogen to make protein and earn those premiums.

Despite her gloomy outlook, Olson encourage growers to watch the markets for seasonal patterns that would allow them to capture at least slightly higher prices this winter.

The U.S. is carrying the lions share of stocks. We need fewer acres or weather problems. Kelly Olson, administrator of the Idaho Barley Association
TWIN FALLS  Attorney General Lawrence Wasden says scammers are sending emails to businesses, claiming to represent his office.

The emails, allegedly sent by The Office of The State Attorney General, are generically addressed to business owner. They claim a complaint has been filed against the business, Wasden said in a release.

A link in the email promises to take recipients to a document that can be used to respond to the complaint. In reality, the link is a zip file that installs a computer virus used to gather sensitive information, possibly leading to identity theft and fraud.

Unfortunately, these scammers are persistent, Wasden said. This is another example of fraudulent people pretending to be government officials in an effort to dupe consumers. As Ive stated before, my office will never send unsolicited emails about complaints.

A business owner and Idaho State Bar officials notified Wasdens office of the scam last week. Consumers should not open these emails or click on any links, but delete the emails and contact his office to report the scam.

The Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division can be reached at 1-800-432-3545.
So the deer, elk or other big-game animal you harvested was wearing a little jewelry in the form of a radio collar around its neck? What should you do? Well first, congratulations on a successful hunt, and dont worry, you did nothing wrong.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game places hundreds of collars on animals annually to track their survival and seasonal movements, and to get more information about them. That means there are literally thousands of collared animals running around Idaho.

Having a collar does not make a big-game animal off limits to hunters, so theyre fair game during hunting seasons for which the animal can be legally harvested. Hunters and other people may also come across a dead animal with a collar, or a roadkill, or may just find a collar in the woods because some are designed to fall off when young animals outgrow them.

In all cases, Fish and Game would like the collars back and for the people who find them to share some information.

We are really interested when and where the collar was recovered, and anything unusual about the carcass, or its location, etc., said Mark Drew, Fish and Games state wildlife veterinarian.

People can return collars to their regional Fish and Game office, or call 208-334-3700.

Hunters who harvest a collared animal may also notice a green ear tag if the animal was anesthetized to capture it for handling. The tags have do not consume printed on one part of it and a sequential number on the other side.

The do not consume can be misleading, but it is a requirement to let people know that drugs were given to the animal and a specific meat withdrawal time period has to be observed prior to it being suitable for human consumption.

The ear tag includes a phone number people can call to ensure enough time has elapsed for the animal to metabolize and flush the drugs from its system before meat from it is consumed. Some ear tags remaining on animals have an outdated phone number (208-454-7638), and if anyone gets one they can call the current active number: 208-939-9171.

Fish and Game will be placing more collars on wildlife during winter. Big-game animals are often congregated at lower elevations; snow makes them easier to locate and handle.
Jerome Senior Center needs all the help they can get. They serve over 100 meals a day, Monday through Friday, at lunch time. Some are served at the Senior Center and some through the Meals on Wheels program. All seniors 60 years and older are welcome and the cost is on a suggested donation basis. Their only means of funding include donations, grants and fundraisers. Donations have been very limited and the federal grant they receive decreased this year so they are hoping for a great return on their November fundraiser so they can keep on doing a fantastic job helping our senior population.
TWIN FALLS  In advance of creating its master plan for pressurized irrigation, the public works department wants the city to construct another pressurized irrigation station in northwest Twin Falls.

Construction of a new school and upcoming residential developments have prompted the request to build the $250,000 station this winter. The City Council will consider the item at its meeting Monday.

Essentially, all new subdivisions in recent years have been required to create their own pressurized irrigation systems. But in the area north of Pole Line Road off of Grandview Drive North and Parkview Drive North, some subdivisions were platted before that requirement took effect.

We put ourselves in a situation where we have to construct the PI system, and the developers have to connect into it, Public Works Director Jon Caton said.

The developer of the Grandview Estates subdivision  being constructed south of Federation Road  approached the city about the new station.

We want to build a regional station out there, he said. We knew we were going to build this one and they need it right now.

The development community and the city would share the costs proportionally, Caton said. Total build-out of the station would include 267 shares of Twin Falls Canal Company water. One share would provide irrigation water for approximately one acre, and developers claim those shares first-come, first-served.

We would prefer to construct (the station) this winter, prior to the next irrigation season, Caton said.

City staff has recommended deferring the master plan for pressurized irrigation in order to construct the station. The master plan had $250,000 in this fiscal years budget.

The City Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday at 305 Third Ave. E. Also at the meeting, the council will receive a presentation by Region IV Development Association on community and development programs.

A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is also up for approval, and there will be a public hearing regarding Oasis Stop N Gos request for a zoning district change and zoning map amendment for a proposed parking lot adjacent to its store at Filer Avenue West and Washington Street North.

The council is expected to adjourn into executive session to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent.
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Weight loss support

TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support group, will meet weekly at several locations.

The Twin Falls chapter will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W., 208-734-2641 or 208-734-5300.

Other local chapters will meet at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at 2025 S. Highway 81 in Malta, 208-645-2438; 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the Jerome Public Library, 100 First Ave. E., 208-324-6693; 9:30 a.m. Thursday at 410 E. Third St. in Rupert, 208-436-6037 or 208-679-3518; and at 5:30 p.m. Friday at 1800 J St. in Heyburn, 208-678-8706 or 208-678-2622.

Breastfeeding

Free Breastfeeding 101 class, 6:30 p.m. Monday in Oak Room 4 on the lower level of St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

Topic: Breastfeeding basics for new and expectant mothers. Babies are welcome.

Free; pre-registration is required, 208-814-0402.

Alzheimers support

Magic Valley Caregiver Support Group, presented by Alzheimers Association, Greater Idaho Chapter, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bridgeview Estates, 1828 Bridgeview Blvd., Twin Falls. The group meets on the second Tuesday every month.

Information: facilitator Yolanda Martinez, 208-404-6720.

Womens and childrens support

Voices Against Violence will offer support groups at 212 Second Ave. W., No. 200, Twin Falls.

Womens Sexual Assault Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays; Womens Domestic Violence Support Group, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and Childrens Domestic Violence Support Group, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.

All groups are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals. Childcare is provided. All services are free.

Information and to register: case manager, 208-733-2558.

Blood drives

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives this week in Twin Falls, Jerome and Buhl.

Blood donation opportunities will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Amazing Grace Fellowship, 1061 Eastland Drive, Twin Falls; noon to 6 p.m., Thursday at the Jerome School District Administration Building, 125 Fourth Ave. W.; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Moose Hall, 1101 Main Street, Buhl.

Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. To schedule an appointment to donate, use the blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

Parkinsons support

The Magic Valley Parkinsons Support Group will meet at noon Wednesday at the Mountain View Barn in Jerome for a Christmas Social with music by Rod Gallegos of Boise. All are welcome to attend; call 208-358-5807 to reserve a seat.

A regular meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Jerome Library. Those with Parkinsons and their spouses and caregivers are invited to learn ways of coping with the illness, discussion with others who are afflicted and suggestions and help for an easier life. The group meets monthly on the second Wednesday.

Grief support

Suicide Prevention Action Network of south-central Idaho, a nonprofit group that offers education and support, will hold monthly meetings at 1:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday at the South Central Public Health Department conference room in Twin Falls. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

A free support group is available for anyone who has lost someone to a suicide. The support group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. on the third Wednesdays at the Church of the Ascension, 371 Eastland Drive N. in Twin Falls, and is open to everyone. Information: Donna Stalley, 208-733-1462.

C-sections

Caesarean childbirth class, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Oak Rooms on the lower level of St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

Topics: Caesarean deliveries, pain management, non-conforming labors and hospital procedures.

Free; pre-registration is required, 208-814-0402.

Alzheimers support

Alzheimers Association, Greater Idaho Chapters Caregiver Support Group meeting, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at DeSano Place Suites, 545 Nevada St., Gooding.

The group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays every month.

Information: 208-934-4623.

Mental health support

Mental Health Support Group, 5:30 p.m. every Thursday at Family Health Services/Behavioral Health building, 1102 Eastland Drive N., Twin Falls.

The free support group is open to Magic Valley residents. Information: 208-734-1281.

Asthma education

Free asthma education class for patients and caregivers to assess and manage asthma will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The class is presented by St. Lukes Magic Valley and meets on the third Thursday of each month.

Pre-registration is required. To register and for location of the class: 208-814-8765.

Anxiety support

Anxiety Support Group, 6 p.m. every Thursday at Magic Valley Fellowship Hall, 801 Second Ave. N., Twin Falls.

Support for those who experience anxiety, panic attacks or depression. Learn about the signs, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping skills.

Grief support

Auburn Crest Hospices Grief Support Group, 7 p.m. Thursday at 397 Blue Lakes Blvd. N., Twin Falls.

The support group is for those who have lost loved ones. Everyone is welcome.

Information: Sandy and Sheri, 208-735-7450.

Grief support

Grief Share meetings, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Feb. 2, at Lighthouse Church, 960 Eastland Drive, Twin Falls.

Anyone who has lost a loved one or friend is welcome to attend. A separate class for teens will begin at the same time. Participants can attend any session. Enter through the east doors at the rear of the main building.

Information: 208-737-4667.

CPR, first aid

St. Lukes Magic Valley Education Department is offering a Heartsaver Pediatric CPR, First Aid and AED class, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Oak Rooms 5-6 on the lower level of St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

The course provides training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid and using an automated external defibrillator.

Cost is $60. Pre-registration is required, 208-814-9050.

Seniors wellness

The Twin Falls Senior Center will hold a presentation for senior citizens at 12:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at 530 Shoshone St. W.

Connie Campbell of Syringe Place will talk about simple and complex carbohydrates.

Free; 208-734-5084.

To do for you is a listing of health-related activities, events and education. Submit information by noon Thursday for publication in the following Mondays edition to ramona@magicvalley.com.
The Washington Posts blockbuster story on Friday reported:

The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency, rather than just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, according to officials briefed on the matter.

Intelligence agencies have identified individuals with connections to the Russian government who provided WikiLeaks with thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others, including Hillary Clintons campaign chairman, according to U.S. officials. Those officials described the individuals as actors known to the intelligence community and part of a wider Russian operation to boost Trump and hurt Clintons chances.

Trump on Friday released a particularly tone-deaf statement, which will only feed suspicions about his affection for Vladimir Putin. These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, it read. The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. Its now time to move on and Make America Great Again. That he would adopt the Kremlins position in the face of overwhelming evidence, supported by U.S. intelligence professionals, is in and of itself of grave concern.

Former CIA director Michael Hayden, speaking on CNN, expressed astonishment. To have the president-elect of the United States simply reject the fact-based narrative that the intelligence community puts together because it conflicts with his a priori assumptions. Wow, he said. He continues to reject the Russians did it ... and claims that it was politicized intelligence.

Following the presidents announcement on Friday that he ordered a full review of Russian hacking, the incoming Minority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., called for a full congressional review. Schumer is right that the bombshell should shake both parties to the core. But Republicans now must decide where their highest loyalties rest  with Trump or with the defense of the country and our electoral system.

The Posts report provided an astonishing revelation: Republicans allegedly refused during the election to make a bipartisan defense of the sanctity of our electoral system. According to several officials, (Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell raised doubts about the underlying intelligence and made clear to the administration that he would consider any effort by the White House to challenge the Russians publicly an act of partisan politics.

Some Republicans in their narrow, partisan prism might think this about trying to invalidate the election. Its not. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told me, The purpose of any investigation, whether by the Obama administration or Congress, is not to question or relitigate the results of any past or present presidential election. She explained, Instead, any review must focus on the long-overdue task of improving the defenses of the United States against cyberattacks, including those that might seek to affect or influence political campaigns.

Its also about determining the degree to which Russia tried to pick our president, why Russia picked Trump and whether Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was correct in declaring there had been extensive conversations with the Trump campaign, a charge the Trump team immediately rejected.

This sounds like an over-the-top spy thriller. Unfortunately, this is all too real and raises numerous troubling questions:

Why did Russia want Trump to win?

Why does Trump disagree with our intelligence community? Who is telling him its conclusion is wrong?

Does the hacking have anything to do with the coterie of pro-Putin advisers around Trump? With Trumps efforts to undermine NATO? With his desire to get along with Putin?

Has Trump reportedly chosen Rex Tillerson, chief executive of Exxon (who has no national security experience), for secretary of state because Tillerson is cozy with Putin and opposed sanctions?

What conversations, if any, went on between Trumps campaign and Russians, and what was the substance of those?

Does Trump have financial interests (or liabilities) with Russian oligarchs  which he is concealing by refusing to release his tax returns?

Why did Republicans before the election refuse to stand up for the integrity of our electoral system?

Trump and his advisers would be well advised to let the investigations run their course without heckling, criticism or interference. Trump would also be smart to be entirely transparent about financial, political or personal ties he or his advisers may have with Russia. If he does not, speculation will run rampant that he has something to hide.

The Senate must fly-speck Trumps nominees, determine what their views on Russia are (and the basis for them) and get a clear understanding of what they will do in office to respond to Russias attempt to interfere with our electoral system. Any underqualified or unqualified nominee who appears unwilling to see Russia for what it is  an aggressive kleptocracy  should not be confirmed.

Tillersons expected nomination did not sit well with the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In a memo sent to reporters by the staff of Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., Trumps response was bashed as a cavalier dismissal that comes nowhere near the gravity of whats been reported. The memo slammed Trump for reportedly planning to nominate a Secretary of State with business ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin and whose company worked to bury and deny climate science for years.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said on CNN he had concerns about Tillersons relationship with Putin, and if his concerns were not satisfied he would oppose the nomination. That we are even facing the potential that a secretary of state would be inappropriately sympathetic toward a foe of the United States reaffirms how extraordinary the situation is in which we find ourselves.

GOP lawmakers need to act without a trace of partisanship and with alacrity and seriousness to get to the bottom of this  for it was their leaders reportedly who prevented a strong bipartisan show of strength in the face of replete evidence of Russian mischief. They should follow the example set by Collins, who told me, a bipartisan congressional investigation could be useful towards achieving an objective accounting of any alleged meddling by foreign adversaries. The nefarious cyber-activity emanating from both Russia and China that has been well known for years has become increasingly brazen and aggressive.

If Republicans appear to be dragging their feet, afraid that their election behavior will come back to bite them, the only recourse would be an independent prosecutor and/or an independent commission (some Democrats have already suggested this). A Senate Democratic source noted that for now it will be up to Republicans to call formal hearings and expressed confidence that investigative staff on the relevant committees can do a lot of digging on their own. The source noted, however, that access to information will be the key, which is why Democrats have been calling for declassification of relevant material.

Finally, the Russia connection makes it imperative for bipartisan consensus on two points: full release of Trumps tax records and full divestiture of his holdings. Frankly, we dont know if and to what extent he has business ties to Russia. He continues to refuse to release that information, Jordan Libowitz, the communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told me. This is yet another reason why disclosure and divestment are so critical, so that any business ties with Russia will be known and removed.
Orval Hansen recalled that when one of his sons was born, he was celebrating with a friend in Idaho Falls who, like him, was active in politics. This was in the late 1950s, and Hansen then was one of the members of a state House Republican caucus in close contest for control with the Democrats.

Hansen said he was sorry about one thing: His son was born exactly one day too early, one day short of turning 21, to vote in the still-distant 1980 general election. The friend advised him not to worry: Who knows? He may turn out to be a Democrat.

Jim Hansen did become a Democrat, at one point leading the staff of the state Democratic Party, served in the Idaho House as his father had, and even ran for the 2nd District U.S. House seat his father had held  as a Republican  for six years.

Orval Hansens own concern, by contrast, didnt materialize, and partly because of his own actions. As a lawmaker, Hansen helped push through the change that allowed 18-year-olds to vote.

Call it a case of being shaped in part by unavoidable external conditions, and in part by active reshaping of the world. All of that is the core of his new memoir, Climbing the Mountain, which Hansen has just self-published.

In some ways, earlier on, Hansen was more often swimming with the tide than against it. He was a Mormon Republican in a substantial family in the Idaho Falls area. (One of his brothers, Reed Hansen, would go on to serve in the Idaho Legislature years after Orval Hansen did.) He seems not to have had great difficulty winning election to the Legislature, and soon joined the ranks of leadership there. Though he lost his first bid for the U.S. House, he won his second. He became a well-established local attorney, and he wasnt an outsider rebel, either by personal history or temperament.

But leaving it at that would distort the story. His years in the Navy gave him, apparently more than most, a perspective well beyond home. When he attended law school in Washington, D.C., he also worked as a congressional staffer. He distinguished himself from early legislative days by a willingness to vote his conscience when that cost him politically.

He lost his U.S. House seat in the 1974 Republican primary election to the similarly-named (but very different in other ways) George Hansen. That was an unexpected turn; a lot of people, including Orval Hansen, had figured him for a fourth term. After that, with his family and other connections ensconced at Washington, he decided to stay there. (Not long ago, he moved back to Idaho, and now lives in Boise.)

But here again, in that unexpected twist he made his own distinctive contribution. For many former congressmen, leaving Congress would be a prescription for a lobbying career, and he did a bit of that as a practicing lawyer. But more of his attention went to the Columbia Institute for Political Research, a research and seminar development group aimed at expanding and fostering knowledge on a wide range of issues. He also worked with a wide range of nonprofits. There are easier paths for former members of Congress situated in Washington, and some of Idahos other former members have taken them. Orval Hansen took a harder and more public-spirited route.

Hes set some measures against which you can fairly measure other office holders. You can find the story in Climbing the Mountain.
This appeared in Sunday's Washington Post.

The strongest indication that President Barack Obama's administration has not adequately disclosed or responded to Russian interference in the presidential election may be that President-elect Donald Trump still denies that it happened. "I don't believe they interfered," Trump told Time magazine last week, adding that computer hacking of state election authorities and the theft and release of emails from the Democratic National Committee "could be some guy in his home in New Jersey."

Trump has surely been briefed by U.S. intelligence agencies on the evidence that caused them to publicly accuse Russia of interference, and that prompted President Obama to use the nuclear hotline to warn the regime of Vladimir Putin against further "malicious cyberactivity." But Trump probably calculates he can get away with flouting the facts - and continue his bromance with Putin - because the White House has neither made public what it knows about the Russian hacking nor adopted any punitive measures.

That must change before Obama leaves office. On Friday, under pressure from both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, the president's homeland security adviser disclosed that a "full review" of Russian actions during the election campaign had been ordered. White House aide Lisa Monaco said the interference "may have crossed into a new threshold, and it is incumbent upon us to take stock of that . . . to understand what has happened and to impart some lessons learned."

A full review is appropriate. The intelligence agencies and those they have briefed in Congress appear to have a high degree of confidence about Russia's responsibility. As Monaco indicated, what occurred was not merely espionage, which the United States as well as Russia routinely engage in, but a deliberate attempt to sabotage the U.S. election: The Post reported the CIA had concluded that Moscow's aim was to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. Moreover, the operation was part of a broader Russian assault on Western democracies: Moscow's hackers went on to target Italy's government in a constitutional referendum, and, according to the German intelligence service, are already seeking to disrupt Germany's incipient election campaign.

Consequently, it is crucial that the "lessons learned" in the administration's review be imparted not just in classified briefings but also to the world - and that the Kremlin suffer some consequences for its actions. Those in Russia who conducted the election hacks should be named, banned from travel and targeted for asset freezes. If possible, they should be prosecuted. A public disclosure of U.S. intelligence about Putin's regime - evidence of corruption, for example - would be appropriate.

It's encouraging that congressional leaders from both parties are seeking to hold Russia accountable. Seven Democratic senators on the intelligence committee sent Obama a letter last month calling for the declassification and release of "additional information concerning the Russian Government and the U.S. election" and noting that a more detailed request had been conveyed through classified channels. Republican Sens. Lindsay Graham (South Carolina), Bob Corker (Tennessee) and John McCain (Arizona) say they are planning hearings on various aspects of Russian cyber- activity, including attempted incursions into U.S. weapons systems.

It is Obama, however, who has the means and the obligation to act before he leaves office. If Trump is inaugurated without disclosure of the role Moscow played in his election, the meddling is likely to remain undisclosed and unpunished. Obama should ensure that it is, at least, undeniable.
The rebels are close to losing Aleppo to the pro-government forces as they only control around 10% of the city after losing the neighborhood of Sjeikh Saeed, one of the largest neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo, following intense clashes. President Assads forces are determined to take over the city since they began their ground offensive on November 26 with aerial support from Russia. State television claimed that more than 70,000 residents have fled eastern Aleppo in the past few days to government-controlled western part of the city while the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that 728 Syrian rebels have laid down their arms on Monday.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, airstrikes as well as barrel bombs continue to target neighborhoods controlled by rebels, estimated to extend over around 10 Km2.

The Free Syrian Army could be losing more territories in the coming days as it continues to surrender neighborhoods to the pro-Assad forces almost every day. It lost Sheikh Saeed only a day after losing the al-Madi neighborhood and at this rate, Eastern Aleppo is expected to be in the hands of the Assad regime before the end of the year.

Recapturing eastern Aleppo will be an important symbolic victory to the regime because it had been controlled by rebels since 2012.

State TV has lately been broadcasting every day images of hundreds of civilians fleeing areas where troops are advancing, pouring into western Aleppo. Those areas are only accessible through government-monitored crossing points but there have been reports of hundreds of men going missing once they get into government-held areas.
Emir Sheikh Sabah of Kuwait called for the adoption of austerity measures because the countrys income has drastically fallen. In an address before the parliament opening session, Sheikh Sabah said he is convinced that all Kuwaitis realize that cutting public spending through careful measures to fix the imbalance in the state budget, stopping waste and bleeding natural resources have become inevitable.

Disagreement between the former parliament and cabinet over austerity reforms triggered a political crisis which forced the Emir to dissolve the parliament in October. Most MPs elected in the November parliamentary polls have vowed to reject the austerity reforms which include increasing electricity and fuel prices.

It is inevitable to initiate effective measures to remedy the deficit and alleviate its effects Sheikh Sabah explained, adding that there is no other option but to take effective measures to deal with it.

He however said that those measures should spare low-income people and take into consideration social justice.

Kuwait has a generous welfare system for its citizens who make up 30% of the 4.4 million residing in the country.

Analysts said the Emirs message to the parliament could be seen as an effort to calm the tension between the parliament and the cabinet over means of reducing the growing budget deficit by promoting the diversification of the economy from oil which accounts for 95% of the states income.

The Emirs address on Sunday took place after Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah formed a new government a day earlier.

Kuwaits oil revenues dropped from a massive $97bn in the 2013-2014 fiscal year to just $40bn in the last financial year, which ended on March 31, according to finance ministry figures. Its 2015-2016 budget recorded a $15 billion budget deficit. Fitch Ratings, a credit rating agency, said the government could soften its stance on substantive initiatives if the oil prices recover but could nevertheless pursue some of its fiscal agenda with smaller, less contentious measures. The country could also overcome its challenges as oil producing countries agreeing on cutting production output.
As Egypt mourns the death of at least 24 Coptic Christians killed in a bomb explosion on Sunday in a Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the countrys orthodox church has called for unity while praying for the martyrs and injured and hoping that the assailants will return to their conscience.

The bombing which happened on Sunday is one of the series of attacks targeting Christians over the years. President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi noted that vicious terrorism is being waged against the countrys Copts and Muslims before stressing that the country will emerge stronger and more united from this situation. A three day national mourning period was declared by the president.

The attack was condemned globally and the President pledged that the authors would be hunted down and punished for their actions.

According to Member of Parliament Mohamed al-Ghould, Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary Human Rights Committee, the attack was executed with the help of foreign intelligence agencies saying it took place just two days after a bomb attack on a mosque in Cairo killed six security officers. That attack was claimed by a new group called Hasam while no group has claimed responsibility for the Sunday church bomb explosion.

The MP urged for the declaration of a State of Emergency to deal with the situation as well as the adoption of extraordinary decisions to prosecute terrorists in military courts. Coptic Christians make up about 10% of Egypts population.

Since the ousting of Morsis government in a military backed coup detat in 2013, Egypt has been marred with bomb attacks targeting senior government officials, security personnel and religious gatherings.
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
Morocco and Nigeria have expressed deep concern over the persisting security threat particularly in the Sahel region, says a joint statement issued following the official visit King Mohammed VI paid to Nigeria Dec. 1-3.

During the visit, part of a royal African tour, the Moroccan Sovereign and President Muhammadu Buhari held in a friendly and brotherly atmosphere bilateral talks during which the two leaders renewed their firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.

They also voiced their shared commitment to combat terrorism and violent extremism through a comprehensive, inclusive and multi-dimensional approach, says the joint statement.

King Mohammed VI commended the leadership role of Nigeria in West Africa and Africa as a whole, adds the document. The Moroccan Monarch also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for the successes scored in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and pledged the full and active support of Morocco to Nigeria in its efforts to eradicate Boko Haram terror activities in Nigeria and neighboring countries, underlines the joint communique.

For his part, President Buhari paid tribute to the Moroccan King for his vision for peace and security, stability and socio-economic development in Morocco and in the rest of Africa as well, says the document.

The Nigerian President commended the Moroccan Monarch for his efforts at bringing about better understanding of Islam through the establishment of Institutions benefitting African Muslim Scholars and Ulemas, including Nigerians.

Regarding bilateral relations, King Mohammed VI and President Buhari expressed their determination to boost partnership within the frame of South-South cooperation serving Africas development.

They showed their strong will to lift up cooperation to higher levels as they presided over in person the signing of an agreement between Moroccan Phosphates Office (OCP) and Dangote Group to build a fertilizer production complex in Nigeria.

The two Heads of State vowed to support projects aimed at promoting the socio-economic development of the continent, stressing the need to speed up the implementation of the Trans-African Tangiers-Lagos Highway.

They also announced a giant gas pipeline project to link Nigeria and Morocco via a number of African countries, highlighting the major positive economic impacts of such a project on all countries to be crossed by this landmark undertaking.

Several other cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed during the royal visit. These agreements deal with partnership projects in agriculture, transports, port, energy, finance, banking/insurance, culture, tourism. One of the agreements provides for visa waiver for diplomatic, official and service passport holders.

The two African Heads of State called for the re-activation of the Nigeria-Morocco Joint Commission and urged the economic operators to explore business and investment opportunities offered in the two countries.

Regarding Moroccos bid to rejoin the African Union, the joint statement says Nigerian President is happy to learn of Moroccos wish to be readmitted into the African Union.
Johns Hopkins clinicians care for a child in the pediatric ICU. Researchers have created a new protocol that can reduce risks associated with taking unnecessary blood cultures from pediatric patients. Credit: Johns Hopkins Medicine

Johns Hopkins researchers report that implementing a checklist-style set of procedures appears to cut almost in half the number of potentially unnecessary blood culture draws in critically ill children without endangering doctors' ability to diagnose and treat life-threatening blood infections.

In a description of their two-year-long project, published in JAMA Pediatrics, the investigators say that safely reducing the frequency of blood draws in hospitalized children with fevers has historically not been a hospital priority despite the stress, pain and high rate of false positives associated with the procedure.

The researchers found that fostering cross-departmental collaboration and offering guidelines to clinicians helped reduce the number of unnecessary blood draws on some of the smallest and most vulnerable patients at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Clinicians were able to accomplish an immediate reduction in unnecessary blood draws using the newly designed checklist protocols, and they were able to sustain the reduction over time.

"Our work focuses on the prevention of infections, in this case blood infections, in hospitalized patients," says Aaron Milstone, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and associate hospital epidemiologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. "We have found that blood cultures are a really challenging test to go after because the perceived risks are pretty low, which leads to overuse." There are currently no existing guidelines that help clinicians decide if a blood culture is needed, but the researchers say the common protocol is to order a blood draw whenever a fever is present because fever can indicate sepsis. This practice can lead to unnecessary blood draws.

In addition to the stress and pain associated with this procedure in young patients, the risk from blood cultures comes from the unintended consequences of false-positive results. Treating these pseudo-infections leads to longer hospitals stays, which can lead to more hospital-borne infections and an increased risk of antibiotic-resistant diseases due to the overuse of antibiotics. "It is common for children in the ICU to have a fever and get a blood culture. Sometimes, the culture is positive, but before the clinician can order treatment, the child clears the fever on his or her own," says Charlotte Woods-Hill, M.D., attending physician in the Division of Critical Care Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "The clinicians are left with the decision of what to do with that information, so to be safe, they to treat them. We have had a number of kids who are ready to go home and the next thing you know, they are spending two more weeks in the hospital getting IV antibiotics because a blood culture was positive."

The team's concern grew from the high rate of false-positive results. In general, only 5 to 15 percent of blood cultures drawn because of fevers test positive, and as many as 50 percent of those positive results can be false positives. Despite the inaccuracies of this type of screen, many doctors still order blood cultures for most patients presenting a fever because of the fear surrounding the risk of sepsis. However, sepsis is only one among a long list of conditions that can cause a fever. For example, withdrawal from narcotics, adverse reactions to medications or being too physically hot for too long can all cause a fever, necessitating the use of precision medicine to evaluate the risk of sepsis individually for each patient. These factors combined made blood cultures a natural target for the team in their efforts to implement high-value care in the Johns Hopkins pediatric ICU.

Drawing on clinical experience and data, a collaborative team of nurses, vascular access specialists and physicians across specialties developed a checklist-style protocol. The checklist and an accompanying decision-making flow chart were created to guide caregivers before deciding to draw blood. Factors such as unexplained tachycardia, fever and immune deficiency are conditions that may warrant a blood culture, while caregivers were advised that drug withdrawal and recent negative blood cultures with no clinical change may not warrant drawing blood.

These tools were subsequently posted in the pediatric ICU at The Johns Hopkins Hospital with instructions to be completed at the bedside by nurses and physicians. Each week, the team would meet to evaluate the data gathered, review how many cultures were sent from the unit and discuss in detail individual cases where blood draws were necessary.

The researchers compared patient length of stay, mortality, readmission and the number of episodes of suspected septic shock at the hospital before and after intervention. In the year before the team introduced the tools, there were 2,204 patient visits to the pediatric ICU and 1,807 blood cultures drawn. After intervention, that number was decreased to 984 blood cultures drawn for 2,356 patient visits, almost halving the number of blood cultures per patient day.

Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods, there was no statistical difference in the occurrence of septic shock, hospital mortality or hospital readmission, which, according to Milstone, means that patients experienced no increased risk of a missed sepsis diagnosis because of the intervention.

"I really believe that this constant feedback and discussion about why action was taken was key in driving change," says Milstone. By assessing other potential causes of each patient's fever using the tools, clinicians were able to appropriately treat patients based on their individual risk.

The checklist approach also showed the potential to be used in improving the use of antibiotics in hospitals. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a prevalent problem in the medical community, leading to increased rates of microbial resistance and the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. "People often immediately link infection with antibiotics, but using the checklists seemed to help physicians critically analyze whether or not the patient was really infected, reassuring them in some cases that there was no need for antibiotic treatment," says Milstone.

"While our study was promising, there are limitations," says James Fackler, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Primarily, clinicians are uneasy when asked to do less, especially when facing an acute condition like sepsis. We hope that the tools developed by our team will ease these concerns by offering guidelines for a clear and effective path to diagnosis." The future directions of this study include further exploring the implications this process may have for antibiotic use as well as working to implement these tools in other ICUs. The tools are already being tried at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in Florida and in the pediatric ICU at the University of Virginia.
Fig. 1. DMN activity correlates positively with self-reported off-task attention and negatively with behavioral variability. (A) The DMN mask used for extracting mean activity, including cortical and cerebellar regions. (B) Within-subject Fisher-transformed Pearson correlations between prerating DMN %SC and off-task rating across 36 trial-blocks within each subject. (C) Within-subject Fisher-transformed Pearson correlations between prerating DMN %SC and prerating RT variance across 36 trial blocks within each subject. In B and C, shaded dark gray denotes SEM, shaded light gray denotes SD, dark line denotes mean across subjects, and dotted line demarcates zero value. *P < 0.05, two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test. DMN, default mode network; RT, reaction time; SC, signal change. Kucyi A, Esterman M, Riley CS, Valera EM (2016) Spontaneous default network activity reflects behavioral variability independent of mind-wandering. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113(48):1389913904.

(Medical Xpress)With thousands of basic and clinical neuroscience studies carried out over the past 15 years, the Default Mode Network (DMN)  a network of highly co-correlated interacting regions whose activity is very active during wakeful rest and distinct from that of other neural networks  is one of the most highly-investigated networks of the brain. Nevertheless, identifying the DMN's central role has remained elusive due to contradictory results: The dilemma is that while mind-wandering diverts attention from one's sensory environment and thereby creates unstable (i.e., variable) task performance, the DMN has been found to be active during what appear to be incompatible states. On the one hand, the DMN is active during intense mind-wandering (thinking about oneself or others, and recalling the past or planning the future), and on the other hand, the DMN is active during stable, rather than variable, behavior. Recently, however, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School as well as Boston University have demonstrated for the first time how these two explanations of DMN activity are more compatible than they might have seemed. In so doing  and while acknowledging that DMN fluctuations may reflect a higher-level function related to both stable behavior and mind-wandering (a potential example being memory reconsolodiation)  the researchers conclude that their findings call for a need to reinterpret the significance of DMN activity fluctuations in daily life as well as DMN disruption in disease.

Dr. Aaron Kucyi, now at Stanford University, discussed the paper that he, Prof. Eve M. Valera and their colleagues published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He notes that two aspects of their study  showing that DMN activity increases with stable, rather than variable, behavior, independent from increases with mind-wandering, and testing the hypothesis that single measures of attentional states (based either on self-report or behavior) are alone insufficient to account for DMN activity fluctuations presented the researchers with the same challenge: the fact that previous studies  theirs and others'  showed seemingly contradictory results.

In some of those studies, Kucyi explains, people were instructed to perform tasks in which, every second or so, they had to respond quickly and consistently to changing images. Sometimes they perform more consistently and make fewer errors  often called being in the zone  and other times they are out of the zone, showing variable performance and making more errors. Also, he adds, in some studies people were asked from time to time whether they consciously thought that they were closely paying attention to the images in front of them or whether they thought their mind was wandering.

"Together," Kucyi tells Medical Xpress, "the studies showed three highly consistent results: mind-wandering occurs during inconsistent, out of the zone behavior; mind-wandering occurs during increased Default Mode Network activity; and consistent, in the zone behavior also occurs during increased DMN activity. We were therefore confused about how increased DMN activity could occur with both mind-wandering and with being behaviorally in the zone, even though mind-wandering tends to occur during out of the zone-like behavior." The problem turned out to be that previous brain imaging research studied either only mind-wandering (based on self-reports of when people thought they drifted off) or only behavior (based on fluctuations of reaction time).

Fig. 2. Self-reported attention and RT variability additively account for DMN activity. (A) 3D plot showing all trial blocks in all subjects with values for off-task rating (x1; within-subject normalized off-task rating), RT variance (x2), and DMN %SC (y). Color is proportional to mesh surface height, with red areas highest (high DMN activity) and blue areas lowest (low DMN activity). (B) Bar plots showing mean DMN %SC in trial blocks with four combinations of on-/off-task attention and high and low RT variance, with on/off (low/high) categories defined based on median split of all trial blocks of all subjects for within-subject normalized off-task ratings and RT variance. DMN, default mode network; RT, reaction time; SC, signal change. Kucyi A, Esterman M, Riley CS, Valera EM (2016) Spontaneous default network activity reflects behavioral variability independent of mind-wandering. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113(48):1389913904.

"We had to develop a new way to study and analyze how DMN activity relates simultaneously to both mind-wandering and behavioral states. Doing so would let us determine whether the changes in DMN activity associated with behavior are independent from or are related to the changes associated with mind-wandering. "

The scientists developed two innovative approaches that allowed them to address these challenges. "We developed a cognitive task for people to perform during fMRI that allowed us to sensitively capture both when their behavior fluctuated and when they were spontaneously mind-wandering, which can be studied in the fMRI setting using thought probes where people are intermittently asked to report whether they were just thinking of the task that they are doing, of something in their sensory surroundings, or of something completely unrelated  for example, their dinner plans. My co-author Michael Esterman had previously developed a Gradual Continuous Performance Task, or gradCPT, which requires that people sustain their attention successfully for long periods. In that task, people view gradually changing images and have to press a button each time they see a new image showing a scene of a city, but they have to withhold their response whenever they see a rarely appearing image of a mountain." Over time, Kucyi points out, the speed at which people respond fluctuates considerably and somewhat spontaneously between states of being consistent and inconsistent. In the new study, however, the gradCPT was performed in combination with thought probes  that is, subjects are unexpectedly asked to relay what they were just thinking about  which captured both behavioral fluctuations and instances when people felt that they had drifted off and mind-wandered.

"We also developed a way to analyze data that allowed us to determine whether the changes in DMN activity associated with behavior are independent from or are related to the changes associated with mind-wandering. In brief, the approach involved testing a statistical model which simultaneously took into account three things that fluctuated considerably over time within our volunteer subjects: DMN activity, self-reports of levels of mind-wandering, and levels of behavioral consistency."

The paper reported a number of interesting results, one being the implications of reinterpreting the significance of DMN activity fluctuations in daily life and in DMN disruption due to disease. "Mind-wandering is a huge part of our daily life," Kucyi points out, "accounting for 30-50% of our experience when awake." A currently predominant idea in neuroscience is that DMN activity fluctuates to high levels when people are disengaged with the external world and are instead focused on their inner thoughts. "Our study confirms that DMN activity is higher when people are mind-wandering, but our findings add a layer of complexity to that story: Yes, DMN activity increases with more intense mind-wandering, but DMN activity also increases with more consistent behavior that is completely unrelated to conscious mind-wandering. Therefore, if we could measure someone's DMN activity level at any given moment in their daily life, we could not conclude based on a high level of DMN activity that he/she is currently mind-wandering."

Fig. 3. Subsystems of the DMN are associated with self-reported attention and RT variance. For each subsystem, we show within-subject Fisher-transformed Pearson correlations of prerating %SC with off-task rating (Left) and RT variance (Right) across 36 trial blocks within each subject. (A) The core DMN regions (yellow). (B) The dmPFC subsystem regions (blue). (C) The MTL subsystem regions (green). In all plots, shaded dark gray denotes SEM, shaded light gray denotes SD, dark line denotes mean across subjects, and dotted line demarcates zero value. *P < 0.05, two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test. DMN, default mode network; dmPFC, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex; MTL, medial temporal lobe; RT, reaction time; SC, signal change. Kucyi A, Esterman M, Riley CS, Valera EM (2016) Spontaneous default network activity reflects behavioral variability independent of mind-wandering. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113(48):1389913904.

To the second point, Kucyi notes that DMN activity is disrupted in a very wide range of psychiatric and neurological disorders  for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and chronic pain  but that it is unclear how these disorders may change DMN activity or how DMN activity may predispose people to developing disease. "Sometimes a failure to shut down the DMN is interpreted as a lack of control over mind-wandering. However, our study suggests that the story is not so simple. An overactive DMN does not necessarily mean increased mind-wandering and could instead be indicative of a more fundamental dysregulation of brain activity with a range of possible consequences."

The paper also stated that further work is needed to uncover the behavioral relevance of dynamic communication within the DMN and with other networks. "In our study we analyzed the overall level of activity in the DMN, but we could also measure communication between regions of the DMN and other systems that work together as networks," Kucyi explains. "Thoughts that occur during mind-wandering likely involve a complex interplay of activity across different brain regions, and so network-level analysis could be a promising avenue for future studies of the DMN and how people are paying attention."

Moving forward, the researchers plan to study how DMN activity relates to peoples' experience and behavior using techniques other than fMRI, which Kucyi acknowledges is limited because it is based on blood flow which only indirectly reflects electrical brain activity. "We also hope to study other spontaneous behaviors that could reflect whether someone is in the zone or out of the zone, like eye movements and eye blinks, as well as more specific contents of mind-wandering such as thinking about the past versus future, or thinking about positive versus negative emotional events, rather than just the intensity of focus."

Regarding other areas of research that might benefit from their study, Kucyi concludes that "ultimately, a better understanding of the function of the DMN could help us in developing ways to appropriately target this network for therapeutic purposes while avoiding side effects."

 2016 Medical Xpress
Credit: Northwestern University

Emily Rogalski, '07 PhD, is part of a team of scientists taking a glass half-full approach to studying cognitive aging. Instead of focusing on factors that can lead to dementia and neurodegenerative disease as people grow older, they concentrate on the factors that can protect memory. They do this by investigating seniors in their 80s, 90s and beyond who have remarkable memory power, a tiny subset of the population they call SuperAgers.

"Most of the news about aging is not so great," says Rogalski, a research associate professor in Northwestern's Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center (CNADC). "Your eyesight goes bad, your hair falls out, your memory gets worse. But not everybody ages that way. It's important to understand why some people are doing so much better than expected."

Definitions of successful aging vary widely, but "SuperAger" has a very specific meaning: a person age 80 or older with memory performance equal to or even better than healthy people in their 50s and 60s. To qualify, an individual must pass a rigorous set of memory tests, ones so tough that less than 10 percent of people who believe they could be a SuperAger actually qualify. Northwestern is the only institution in the world conducting this specific type of aging research.

"We wanted to focus on people who have this extraordinary memory ability and then find out what else they have in common by studying them in a really comprehensive way," Rogalski says. "We look at psychosocial factors, education, family history, physical health and the brain."

CNADC investigators could end up with hundreds of variables to weigh against aging, but they're taking the challenge one step at a time. First they showed that SuperAgers actually existthat anecdotal reports of unusually sharp grandmothers and great-uncles hold up under scientific scrutiny.

Clues in the Brain

In 2012, Rogalski's team published research suggesting that a common side effect of aging called cerebral atrophya loss of brain cells that causes brain tissue to shrinkmay not apply to SuperAgers. Indeed, in the study the brains of 12 SuperAgers looked less like those of their normally aging peers and more like the brains of people 30 years their junior.

MRI scans revealed that the SuperAgers had no significant atrophy in their cerebral cortex, the important outer layer of the brain responsible for memory, attention, language and thinking. Their cerebral cortex was thicker than the normal agers, about the same size as members of the middle-aged control group. Unexpectedly, the anterior cingulate cortex, a region further inside the brain that's involved in social behavior, was thicker in SuperAgers than in both elderly and middle-aged controls.

The scientists are not gathering all of this information just to find out what's interesting about being a SuperAger. Rather, they're hoping to use it to turn conditions like Alzheimer's disease upside-down.

"We know that what goes wrong in the brain in Alzheimer's is very complex, and even though we have the brightest minds working on it all over the world, at this point we don't have an effective disease-modifying treatment," Rogalski explains. "The factors we identify could eventually become targets to go after in the laboratory to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Our MRI findings led us down a path that we never could have guessed or anticipated."

In follow-up research published in 2015, CNADC investigators studied samples of the brain under a microscope (study participants are asked to donate their brains after death to support this kind of work). The research showed that SuperAgers had fewer tangles in the anterior cingulate cortex, a compelling finding considering that these twisted fibers of protein are a primary marker of Alzheimer's disease. And compared to age-matched controls and individuals with mild cognitive impairment, SuperAgers had three to five times more von Economo neurons, a particular type of nerve cell linked to higher-order social intelligence (they're typically found only in great apes and humans).

"It is possible that SuperAgers have higher numbers of these neurons at birth and maintain this higher number throughout life," says Changiz Geula, PhD, research professor in the CNADC. "The second possibility is that von Economo neurons undergo a normal age-related loss to which SuperAgers are immune."

In ongoing research, Geula's lab is studying these special cells across the lifespan to learn how they change over time and in Alzheimer's disease.

Geula, Rogalski and Marsel Mesulam, MD, director of the CNADC, are all principal investigators of the SuperAging project, which is funded by the National Institute on Aging. Day to day, Geula handles examinations of the brain tissue samples, while Rogalski coordinates study participant enrollment and all that goes with it, from cognitive assessments to brain scans. With his "unprecedented multidisciplinary expertise," Mesulam "is the glue that holds it all together," Rogalski says.

"We work collaboratively to decide what are the most important questions we want to ask next and how can we answer them in our living participants and with the microscope," she says.

Hints Beyond the Brain

Right now there are about 60 people enrolled in the SuperAgers study. In addition to memory tests, each participant completes an IQ test, a psychosocial questionnaire and personality inventories. Some have also undergone long interviews about their lives as part of a project done in collaboration with Regina Logan, PhD, and Dan McAdams, PhD, faculty at Northwestern's Foley Center for the Study of Lives.

"You can learn a lot about people's lives and personalities through the way they tell stories about themselves," Rogalski says. "And this may be tied to your brain health. A negative outlook on life could raise your stress hormones. Too much cortisol is not good for your hippocampus, and your hippocampus is important for memory."

SuperAgers also donate blood for genetic testingthe results of which are still forthcomingand undergo physical exams.

Rogalski stresses that the study participants represent all walks of life. The only obvious common denominator is, in fact, their memory power.

"These people don't report being superior in school. Their educations range from high school to advanced degrees," she says. "And their physical health varies, too. There are people who need canes, walkers and wheelchairs and others doing yoga and weight lifting."

Edith Smith, a former Chicago Public Schools teacher who retired in 1976, got involved in the SuperAging study about three years ago. "I've always had a good memory," says the outgoing 102-year-old. "For instance, if I learned someone's telephone number, after many, many years I still knew it."

Her secret to great memory?

"I have no idea," she says with a laugh. "It's just part of being me."

SuperAger Bill Gurolnick, however, has a theory. "I've been a very active person," says the 85-year-old, who finished a 30-mile bike ride moments before his interview for this story. "When I was in my 60s I got hooked on high-impact aerobics. My theory is the oxygenation of the brain can't hurt."

Since joining the study about a year ago, Gurolnick, a former executive at an automotive chemical company, has enjoyed learning about how the brain works.

"My father had Alzheimer's very early in his life," he says. "They tell me that my memory's pretty good, that a decline of cognitive skills is happening slower for me than for the general population. Why is that true for some and not for others? That's what the research is all about."

The research team will follow Smith, Gurolnick and the rest of the study's participants as long as they can, with the goal of learning about what happens to SuperAgers over time. The investigators have already shown that these individuals maintain their superior cognitive performance over the course of 18 monthsbut will it last longer? And what else can be gleaned from SuperAgers?

"Hopefully what we're starting is really a new line of investigation that can lead us to poignant insights that our labs and others can take in important directions," Rogalski says.

More information: The SuperAging study is still enrolling participants, who must be 80 years or older and able to visit Chicago every two years for testing. Interested individuals may contact the research coordinator at 312-503-2716 or agingresearch@northwestern.edu.
THE TRUE COST OF ALL THAT 'CHEAP' LAOR THAT DESTROYED AMERICA THE BIG SECRET DEMOCRATS DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW: Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute has testified before a Congressional committee that in 2004, 95% of all outstanding warrants for murder in Los Angeles were for illegal aliens; in 2000, 23% of all Los Angeles County jail inmates were illegal aliens and that in 1995, 60% of Los Angeless largest street gang, the 18th Street gang, were illegal aliens.
@amysherman1

Former Florida Congressman Allen West was back at Trump Tower this morning for his second visit -- he also met with President Elect Donald Trump's transition team Dec. 5. West, a Republican, ousted U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, in a tea party wave in 2010 to represent a Broward/Palm Beach swing district and then lost to Democrat Patrick Murphy in 2012.

West, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army, now lives in Texas where he is the executive director of the National Center for Policy Analysis, a research organization that promotes free-market alternatives. After his loss, West became a contributor on Fox News. (Check out his Truth-O-Meter record from PolitiFact).

Here are highlights of his chat with the pool of reporters:

Q: What brings you to Trump tower?

A: "Last time I was here I forgot my umbrella. Just back for another chat thats it. A lot going on."

Q: With Mr. Trump?

A: "Well see when I get up there."

Q: Are you advising him on national security issues?

A: "Well see when I get up there."

Q: What's your take on the reports that the CIA believes Russia hacked the election to help Trump?

A: "It just seems that we need to focus on whats most important. whats happening with Syria right now. Aleppo is about to fall."

Q: With all of that going on the world Trump doesn't want daily intelligence briefings. What's your response to that?

A: "I think a lot of that will change. Theres a lot of difference between being out of the seat and being in the seat."

Q: Should there be a bipartisan investigation of Russia hacking?

A: "I think there are more important things. Were about to see a collapse in Syria, Iraq is falling apart. the Iran nuclear deal is horrific. China and Russia are expanding. I think thats where we need to focus your intelligence efforts."



Q: Are you interested in a job?

A: "I dont know. They need a groundskeeper I think in the White House."

(Photo is from Allen West's first visit to Trump Tower)
@amysherman1

President Barack Obama is running out of time to deliver on his promise to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

On Jan. 22, 2009, Obama issued an executive order calling for the closure of the prison facility at the U.S. Navy base in Cuba within one year. But Congress didn't agree with Obama's goal and banned the transfer of detainees to facilities within the United States.

Obama has, however, significantly reduced the number of detainees by 76 percent.

As of Dec. 10, 2016, the facility had 59 captives, including 21 approved for transfer or repatriation to their homelands, according to the Miami Herald, which has tracked prisoners and spending since the facility opened under President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Keep reading here about Obama's promise to close Gitmo and check out Obama's progress on more than 500 promises on PolitiFact's Obameter.

(Associated Press photo by Brennan Linsey of a detainee in 2008)
via @learyreports

Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday criticized Donald Trump's pick of Rex Tillerson as secretary of state over the ExxonMobil CEO's ties to Russia.

Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState - MR  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 11, 2016

It is the most overt criticism Rubio, a one-time adversary of Trump who came to support him, has made as the new administration comes together. Rubio has been a vocal critic of Putin and has signaled support for investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the election -- an idea Trump scoffed at on Sunday.

I think its ridiculous, Trump said on Fox News Sunday. I think its just another excuse. I dont believe it . . . No, I dont believe it at all.

Rubio's words follow those of other Senate hawks, including John McCain, who said Tillerson's ties are "a matter of concern," and Lindsey Graham who called it "unnerving."

--ALEX LEARY, Tampa Bay Times
December 12, 2016 Dear Miami-Dade DEC Member: My name is Stephen Bittel and I'm running for State Committeeman of the Miami-Dade DEC, with the intention to run for Chair of the Florida Democratic Party. I'm running at the urging of fellow party activists who are as frustrated as I am by the results of this past election. At this crucial moment in our country's history, our party needs bold leadership that knows how to get things done.



We all know what we need to do at the party:



One, we need to refocus on the issues and lead with our values. The party of FDR, LBJ, JFK, and BHO has a simple message: everyone who works hard and plays by the rules should be able to get ahead. We should fight the special interests who would perpetuate a broken system that has left too many people facing crippling economic insecurity. And we should never back down on issues of justice and common decency.



Two, we need to invest in year-round grassroots capacity, expanding our reach across the state by building up our DECs and making the party more accessible by staffing offices outside Tallahassee. A true coordinated campaign is necessary to succeed at all levels of the ballot.



Three, we need to invest in our people. Our staff and vendors should be the most talented and inclusive group this state has ever seen. Our candidates, up and down the ballot, should be well-chosen, well-trained and well-supported. Our Democratic voters should be trusted to decide primaries. Our base of DEC activists, the heart of our party, should be empowered and respected.



Underlying these needs is the urgency of growing our resources, by diversifying our fundraising base and bringing in new donors at all levels with a truly professional operation. And it all starts with a top-to-bottom review of the organization, its purpose, goals and bylaws.



I'm running to bring the leadership we need to put these plans into practice.



I get why people who don't know me would be skeptical of my candidacy. I have been fortunate in my business endeavors. Years ago I started a small real estate company out of my house and through hard work and some good luck built a much larger company, of which I am extremely proud. Listen, if I was in their position, and that's all I knew, I'd be skeptical too. Precisely for that reason I'm looking forward to this opportunity to talk to my fellow Democrats so that you understand why I'm running, and how I plan to be the leader we need at this moment to build the Florida Democratic Party we all want.



Like many of you, I've been in this battle a long time. I stuffed envelopes for McGovern. I organized buses for Carter. I fought for the class size amendment, took on for-profit charter schools, and worked to extend early vote hours. I have been actively involved in the DNC since 2009 and have worked with a group of other donors who push the party to embrace its progressive values.



I am a true believer. I am honest to a fault. And I've never shied away from a fight worth having. That likely describes you too. As Democrats, we're all about fighting the good fight. What we need now is an organization to match our spirit. This race for FDP Chair provides an opportunity to discuss these and other issues, hear what's on your mind, and talk about how we get things done. Democrats, let's get started, and let's not quit until we've built, together, a Florida Democratic Party we can all be proud of: a party that leads with its values and has the heart and the discipline to start winning again. Sincerely, Stephen
@PatriciaMazzei

President-elect Donald Trump claimed in a "Fox News Sunday" interview that "nobody really knows" if climate change is real, despite broad scientific consensus that the climate is warming largely due to human consumption of fossil fuels.

Trump told host Chris Wallace that he remains "very open-minded" about climate change, one of the key policy issues in South Florida. Yet the president-elect added that he worries the Obama administration hurt business by adopting federal rules to cut carbon emissions.

"I'm still open-minded. Nobody really knows," Trump said. "Look, I'm somebody that gets it, and nobody really knows. It's not something that's so hard and fast. I do know this: Other countries are eating our lunch."

Trump said other countries like China and Mexico allow companies to build industrial and manufacturing plants more quickly because they have fewer environmental regulations.

"They don't wait 10 years to get an approval to build a plant, OK?" he said. "They build it like the following day or the following week. We can't let all of these permits that take forever to get stop our jobs."

Last week, Trump announced he intends to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a climate-change denier, to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Would that "take a wrecking ball to the Obama legacy," Wallace asked.

"No, no, no," Trump said. "I don't want to do that at all. I just want what's right."

As a candidate, Trump called climate change a Chinese "hoax," a characterization he later suggested was a joke. He told the Miami Herald in August that he's "not a big believer in man-made climate change."
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"The Supreme Court vs. Parliament emerged as the top theme of this third annual review of the Supreme Court of Canadas major decisions. In a series of dissenting and concurring reasons, five of the nine judges on the Court voiced harsh criticism at various times of the majority judges for inappropriately intruding on Parliaments policy-making role. This is a serious critique that goes to the heart of the relative responsibilities of the Court versus Parliament."



"Picking up where last years report left off, this report examines the legal significance and policy impact of the Supreme Court of Canadas top-10 decisions from the last year (November 1, 2015 to October 31, 2016). These cases were selected based on the importance of their subject matter and broad significance to Canadians. While the start of the period covered by this report coincides with the commencement of the new Liberal government, decisions released during this period include litigation undertaken by both the former Conservative government as well as the new Liberal government."



"The main findings of this years study are:



1. A significant number of judges on the Supreme Court of Canada have been highly critical of their colleagues for intruding on Parliaments policy-making role;

2. of the top-10 decisions in the last year, the federal government had zero wins, six losses, two mixed result outcomes, and two cases where it did not participate; and

3. major criminal justice reforms have been initiated by the Court to deal with significant concerns about delays and inefficiencies."

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a public policy think tank based in Ottawa, recently released a report called The Supreme Court VS. Parliament Supreme Court of Canada 2016 Year in Review It is the 3rd annual report on the country's top court written by University of British Columbia law professor Benjamin Perrin, Mr. Perrin once worked at the Court as a law clerk.

Labels: Supreme Court of Canada
An eighth-grade boy, age 14, needs a special heavy weighted blanket due to his disability. Because of the child's particular needs we are asking for donations of any amount up to $150 to My Student In Need and we will purchase the blanket for the student. Please contact My Student in Need and let us know how you would like to help. Washington No. 2066.

A third-grade girl, age 8, is in need of snow pants (size 10-12) and tennis shoes (size women's 3). New or used is wonderful. If you would like to help with this need you can donate gently used items or you can make a donation of $65 to My Student In Need and we will purchase a gift card so the teacher can take the student shopping. Chief Charlo No. 2095.

A ninth-grade boy, age 14, is need of winter clothing. Due to his height, its hard to find clothing that fits in department stores so we are asking for a donation of $150 to My Student in Need and we will purchase a gift card so the teacher can take the student shopping. Sentinel No. 2090.
Pink Grizzly's Christmas tree lot had a few late customers Sunday who had to wade through as many puddles and slush piles as actual snow to pick out a fir and tie it to the car.

Ellie and Emma Reed ended up in an improptu snowball fight with their dad before finding a sturdy Grand Fir to take home.

But those snowballs will soon be powder in their gloved hands. A severe cold snap, chillier than the last, is headed for Western Montana this week along with more snow.

Missoulas National Weather Service office put out a winter storm watch and warning for large parts of Western Montana on Sunday, to prepare Montanans for an Arctic front coming from the north through the night.

The Weather Service released a video that warned of a "dramatic temperature drop with dangerously cold wind chills."

That front follows a storm from the west that dumped around 5 inches on Missoula over the weekend.

Were looking at prolonged snowfall, LeeAnn Allegretto, a meteorologist with the weather service office said. Its going to be from two different beasts.

Temperatures will drop and wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour will buffet Western Montana overnight and through Monday, she said.

Another one to two inches are expected to fall in Missoula Sunday night and early Monday morning and Allegretto said another five inches or so will likely land Monday during the day.

While the weather service couldnt predict exactly how much snow might fall after Mondays dump, Allegretto noted temperatures will be stupid cold heading into the weekend.

By Friday our high temperature is going to be around 8 (degrees), she said. Thats going to be bitterly cold.

The storm watch is in place for the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys, Highway 200 to Greenough, Highway 83 to Seeley Lake and I-90 east to Bearmouth.

The Flathead Valley, Mission Valley east to the Seeley/Swan and I-90 west to Lookout Pass are in a winter storm advisory, since Allegretto said they will get hit the worst. Their impact levels are rated extreme from early/mid morning Monday through midafternoon.

And for everyone sliding around town this weekend, you werent alone, even if the lack of traction resulted in a wreck.

Missoulas City/County police report showed 34 crashes from 6 a.m. Friday to the same time Sunday morning. No fatalities were recorded and only a small handful of crashes ended with injuries.

Montana Highway Patrols online incident report showed even more. There were over 70 crashes from overnight Friday through Sunday afternoon in the Missoula district alone.

Compare that to the weekend before, Dec. 2-4, which showed 40 crashes, from hit-and-runs to cars sliding off the road.

Both weekends there were mostly no injuries and no fatalities.

Sean Finley, Highway Patrol duty sergeant for the Missoula and Kalispell districts, said most of the crashes were due to people going too fast for the conditions and not leaving enough room between cars.

Yesterday was extremely busy for the guys, Finley said Sunday afternoon. It happens like this every year during the first couple of snowstorms.

In Mineral County, he said two semi trucks had crashed, one jack knifing across the highway and the other partially rolled over.

But Finley hadnt seen a significant number of crashes over mountain passes and he said MacDonald Pass  a notoriously slick section of road on Highway 12  was crash-free over the weekend.

With more snow on the way, Finley recommended people plan to take longer to drive anywhere, not to account for stops due to crashes but simply to drive much slower than they usually would.

Just because the sun comes out doesnt mean it isnt icy.
Its almost showtime.

Episodes filmed in June in western and central Montana for the fourth season of Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking are set to premiere Thursday on Montana PBS.

Ben Jones of the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough is the featured chef in one of them, which is slated to air at 7:30 p.m.

Itll be preceded at 7 p.m. by an episode from a ranch in Belgrade with Melissa Harrison and Eduardo Garcia.

The chefs exchange quips, observations and advice with host Pete Evans, the Australian host of the show.

Evans and the "Moveable Feast" production crew were at Paws Up on June 10. They filmed Evans riding a horse at the ranch, then moved to a campsite along the Blackfoot River below Roundup Bridge to shoot the preparation of a quintessential chuckwagon dinner over open flames.

They were joined on set by grilling master Rory Schepisi, a TV cooking personality from Amarillo, Texas.

The party later visited Wustner Brothers Honey hives in the Bitterroot and Sitz Angus Ranch near Dillon for scenes to augment preparation of Jones chipotle honey barbecue lamb ribs and Schepisis grilled beef tenderloin.

Schepisi also fixes a side of sugar-grilled asparagus with grilled pineapple relish.

In the Bozeman episode, Evans joins Harrison and Garcia for some fly fishing.

The three channel their wild side as they forage for natural and fresh ingredients, the shows publicity flyer says. This Moveable Feast takes Chef Evans to the spectacular Willow Spring Farm in Montana, where Chefs Harrison and Garcia serve a mouthwatering whole roasted lamb on a spit.

This story has been updated to reflect the correct day of the week for the premiere of the Montana segments of "Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking on Montana PBS.

***

Chipotle Honey BBQ Lamb Ribs

If you are having difficulty finding them, or if lamb doesnt quite suit your palate, you can substitute with beef or pork ribs.

***

2 cups honey

4 ounces pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 4 small limes)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

5 lbs. lamb rib racks

***

In a medium bowl, combine the honey, chipotle puree, lime juice, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Put the lamb rib racks and the marinade in a large resealable bag and massage the marinade into the lamb. Marinate for 6 hours or up to overnight in the refrigerator. Set out at room temperature 1 hour before grilling.

Prepare the grill for indirect cooking (shut all but one back, front, or side burner (depending on your grill) and heat the grill to low (300F.)

Remove the racks from the bag, put each rib rack on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, and reserve the marinade. Baste each rack liberally with the reserved marinade and wrap in the foil crimping the edges to seal. Put the foil packets over indirect heat on the grill, close the grill, and continue to cook until the ribs are very tender and falling off the bone, about 2 hours, testing to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

Portion the rib racks by cutting into individual rib chops and serve.

Serves: 6 to 8

Chef Ben Jones of the Resort at Paws Up
UM named one of Americas 100 Best College Buys

The University of Montana recently was named one of Americas 100 Best College Buys for its combination of high quality and low cost.

The ranking was compiled by Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc., an independent research and consulting organization based in Rome, Georgia, that specializes in recruiting and retaining students.

Frankly, we are not surprised to be on this list, said Thomas Crady, UM vice president for enrollment and student affairs. We offer our students high-quality education, campus life and community  and all at a very reasonable price for families.

The ranking organization conducted its 26th annual National College Survey between April 1 and July 31. The survey was submitted to 1,461 accredited U.S. colleges and universities offering four-year undergraduate degree programs that provide facilities for both room and board. Of the institutions surveyed, 1,123 schools responded.

UM was lauded for its 2016-17 in-state tuition of $14,943 and out-of-state tuition of $28,456. Those costs were lower than the other in-state institutions that made the list, Montana State University and Montana Tech.

Of the 100 institutions listed, UM had the seventh-lowest in-state tuition. For more information visit 100bestcollegebuys.com.

***

UM dining to host 19th annual Christmas Cookie Cook-Off

University of Montana students, faculty, staff and their families are invited to join UM Dining for some tasty and charitable holiday fun at the 19th annual Great UM Christmas Cookie Cook-Off.

This years event, themed A Charlie Brown Christmas, will be held from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, in the Lommasson Centers Food Zoo dining room. Guests may bring home up to half the cookies they bake, and the remainder will be donated to local youth homes, senior homes, group shelters and other nonprofit organizations.

Event sponsor Sysco Food Service of Montana will donate about 800 pounds of cookie dough ingredients and decorations this year. Participants only need to bring their holiday spirit.

Every year, more than 30 campus departments participate in this event and donate about 300 dozen cookies to 16 local charities. In addition to making cookies, the event features beverages, music and a childrens play area.

For more information call Sam Belanger, UM Dining director of marketing, at 243-5089 or email samuel.belanger@mso.umt.edu.

***

UM to show film in remembrance of Newtown school shooting

The University of Montana will hold a free screening of the documentary Newtown at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, in the University Center Theater.

Newtown chronicles the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history  a shooting that took the lives of 20 elementary schoolchildren and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012.

Called powerful and illuminating by The New York Times and selected for multiple film festivals, the documentary uses unique access and never-before-heard testimonies to tell a story of the aftermath of the Newtown school shooting.

Newtown was filmed over nearly three years and documents a traumatized community fractured by grief and driven toward a sense of purpose. Joining the ranks of a growing club to which no one wants to belong, a cast of characters interconnect to weave an intimate story of community resilience.

A discussion will follow the screening with guest panelists Jim Caringi, associate professor in the UM School of Social Work; Chris Fiore, professor and chair in the UM Department of Psychology; Marty Ludemann, director of UM Police; and Shaunagh McGoldrick, advocate coordinator and counselor in the UM Student Advocacy Resource Center.

The event is sponsored by UMs Native American Center of Excellence and Annie Belcourt, UM associate professor in pharmacy practice.
While it is often difficult to tell the difference between Republicans and Democrats by actually weighing the outcome of their policies, there is a clear difference in how they behave when they have the majorities. As president-elect Donald Trump puts his cabinet and administration together  and as the new Republican-dominated Congress prepares to rule the House and Senate chambers  the manner in which they proceed tells the tale of how each party serves its constituents and treats its vanquished opponents.

Its unlikely anyone could accurately predict what Trump would do if he won the presidency because hes both a political newcomer without a track record of policy decisions and votes and a rambunctious, flamboyant billionaire. In Trumps world, he sits at the very top of his own empire and, as emphasized in his reality TV series, has no problem telling people youre fired as his prerogative at any given moment for any given reason.

Of course government, by design, is not the same as the business world. While Trump will not be able to simply fire non-appointed government agency employees, he certainly has every right to appoint whomever he wants to head those agencies. And with a solid Senate Republican majority, there should be little problem having those appointments confirmed.

Given his leadership style, Trump is moving aggressively to put people in charge who he believes will make America great again. This is giving Democrats conniptions, to be sure, but for Trump  and most Republicans  worrying about what the Democrats may or may not like is the least of their concerns. As one astute observer said recently, You know how Republicans reach across the aisle? With a backhand.

Contrast that with what Barack Obama did when he took office. Although he had Democrat majorities in both chambers of Congress, just as Trump now has Republican majorities, instead of moving aggressively to fulfill the desires and meet the needs of those who voted for him, Obama immediately reiterated the tired old Democrat mantra of working together with Republicans. The result? We got Obamacare  whose future is bleak  out of those Demo majorities and dang little else in the way of progressive policies.

Closer to home, the same sorry story is now being played out. When Congressman Ryan Zinke was re-elected by a very comfortable margin, he didnt particularly reach out to Democrat Sen. Jon Tester. Instead, he told the press that if Tester didnt work with Republicans he would run against him in 2018. Period. No patty-caking, no Kumbaya, and no across the aisle baloney. Either Tester helps Republicans move their congressional agenda or he faces an immediate challenge, and one which, given the last election outcomes, he is unlikely to win.

Likewise, we have the puzzling reaction of Montana Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock, who retained his office by the thinnest of margins against political neophyte Greg Gianforte. Facing already hostile and threatening Republican majorities in both chambers of the Montana Legislature, the first thing Bullock said is he wants to collaborate with the Republicans. For those with long experience in the political and policy arena, it was a hilariously naive pronouncement by Bullock.

Does anyone really believe the Republican legislature wants to collaborate with Bullock? As those who have been watching the dismal track record of collaboration in Montana by supposed conservation groups with resource extraction interests, collaboration is a joke and about to become more of one as the Republicans take over federal natural resource extraction policies. If those conservation collaborators and organizations believe theyre going to get new wilderness in exchange for going along with more clearcuts on national forests, theyre flat out delusional. Well be lucky not to have existing wilderness areas removed, as former Republican Congressman Ron Marlenee once proposed when he was in office 25 years ago.

Bottom line is that the high-pitched whines of protesting Democrats are music to the ears of Republican majorities. The louder the Democrats cry, the more the Republicans are assured they are doing the right thing for their constituents.

Of course every action has an equal and opposite reaction in politics, as in physics, and there will be blowback to the Republican juggernaut. But for the next two years, its going to be Katie bar the door for Democrats as Republicans roll with their majorities. After all, in their minds, thats what you do when you win  you dont give your victory away. Its unfortunately a hard lesson the Democrats are about to learn once again.
The U.S. Forest Service recently decided to reroute a road in the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman rather than engage in a costly court battle with a landowner to obtain a prescriptive easement across his property. For many access advocates, that rational agreement represents a slippery slope.

The decision to negotiate rather than litigate stands in stark contrast to an access dispute between a small landowner on Indian Creek south of Ennis and the USFS. In October, U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon issued an opinion in which the USFS prevailed with a finding that it has a prescriptive easement for a trail running through the front yard of the 80-acre property. Unfortunately, the landowner spent over a million dollars of their own money, and the USFS spent millions of taxpayer dollars on the litigation. This is the slippery slope that we should all be concerned about.

Consider the fact that the USFS had a letter of agreement from the landowner giving the USFS an easement across the property not by prescription, but by a grant from the landowner. The letter of agreement established a new trail location and required the landowner to pay for construction of the new trail and two new bridges. According to Madison District Ranger Mark Petroni (Feb. 10, 2006), They (the landowner) have offered to partner with us to acquire an easement across their property, assist with acquisition of an easement across their neighbor the CB Ranch and help fund NEPA (environmental review) and construction of a new trail location that avoids their lawn. This potential partnership is too good to pass up.

Despite the fact that the landowner maintained the trail and existing bridge, never once denied access to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area, and never suggested that access would be denied in the future, the USFS ended its good neighbor policy on Sept. 1, 2011, and pursued a prescriptive easement instead. It filed a statement of interest stating that, The United States of America states that it has and claims an easement for the Indian Creek trail 328 over and across the private land. Based on that statement of interest, the landowner sought to clarify or quiet its title.

Establishing a prescriptive easement requires that the USFS must show open, notorious, exclusive, adverse, continuous and uninterrupted use by the public on private land without permission from the landowner. Historically that has been a high bar, but the judge lowered that bar in the Indian Creek case granting the prescriptive easement based on a USFS Trail Registers from 1969 and from 1970 showing only 30 users per year. Moreover, the Indian Creek landowner posted signs notifying trail users that they were crossing private property with gratuitous permission.

The message to all landowners is clear: If you allow even a few people to cross your property to access public land, you may find yourself in court spending millions on lawyers and losing control of your property. With that message, it is reasonable to expect that many landowners will stop allowing access.

To see how far the USFS is willing to push its interest in access across private property, consider the advice from District Ranger Alex Sienkiewicz (Yellowstone Ranger District) posted on July 7, 2016, on the Facebook page of the Public Land/Water Access Association: NEVER ask permission to access the National Forest Service through a traditional route shown on our maps EVEN if that route crosses private land. NEVER ASK PERMISSION; NEVER SIGN IN (concernscome see me) Whatever past (district rangers) or colleagues have said, I am making it clear, DO NOT ASK permission and DO NOT ADVISE publics to ask permission By asking permission, one undermines public access rights and plays into their lawyers trap of establishing a history of permissive access. Landowners beware!

Access disputes will continue as a growing population pushes for more access across private lands. The dilemma facing public land management agencies is whether to pursue litigation or negotiation. Not only is litigation costly to landowners and the government, it tears at the social fabric of cooperation among landowners, federal and state agencies, and public land users that has been the tradition in Montana. Lets hope that the Forest Services decision in the Bridger Mountain case does set precedent.
HELENA  challenge a judge's decision to send a man to jail for 60 days for raping his 12-year-old daughter, state Department of Justice spokesman Eric Sell said Monday.

The amount of time behind bars, considered lenient by many, is "reprehensible" but that alone was not enough to appeal the Oct. 4 sentence issued by District Judge John McKeon, Sell said. The Associated Press is not naming the man to avoid identifying the victim of a sexual assault.

State law in Montana and many other states mandates minimum 25-year-prison sentences for sexual assaults of victims age 12 or younger.

However, McKeon said a legal exception allowed him to suspend most of the 30-year sentence he gave the man because a court-appointed evaluator said treatment outside of prison was best to rehabilitate the offender while protecting the victim and society.

The judge also noted the man did not have a felony record, had a job, community and church support and there was a lack of input from the victim or from an advocate for the victim.

The man must undergo sex offender treatment and faces many other restrictions. He was given credit for 17 days in jail he had served prior to sentencing. McKeon required him to serve the rest of his jail time within six months, saying he could stagger the time out in two-day jail periods at a time.

McKeon's sentencing order noted the girl's mother and grandmother wrote letters to the court supporting community-based treatment in order to keep the man in the lives of his two sons. The mother walked in on the father raping the child, court records said.

An online petition arguing for McKeon to be impeached drew 260,000 supporters but he retired in late November after announcing earlier in the year and before issuing the sentence that he would do so.

"The sentence may not be a popular decision by certain members of the general public, but it is a just and proper decision given the record before the Court and the law the Court is sworn to uphold," McKeon wrote in his Oct. 17 sentencing order.

Assistant Attorney General Dan Guzynski has proposed legislation that would close the loophole that allowed for the sentencing exception.

The attorney general's office will advocate on behalf of that change during the state legislative session that begins on Jan. 2, Sell said.

"We are hopeful that the legislature sees the wisdom in the proposed change," Sell said in an email to The Associated Press.
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BOULDER  Amanda Brum first shot herself up with methamphetamine when she was 12.

The potent drug was her payment for a babysitting job.

I loved it. Im not going to lie to you, the 33-year-old Billings woman said in July. It was a great feeling. It took away all my pain, all my anxiety. It was what I wanted. It was what I didnt have in my home life.

The slender woman with gray-blue eyes and a spray of freckles across her cheeks was one of several residents at Elkhorn Treatment Center in Boulder who agreed to tell their stories of addiction  journeys filled with abuse, sex exchanged for drugs, and children left behind.

The 47-bed center located about 35 miles north of Butte is a residential treatment-based correctional facility for women under the auspices of the Montana Department of Corrections, with a small number of beds under contract to the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Elkhorn is one of two nine-month programs created by the DOC to treat drug offenders, focusing on mental health and chemical dependency, including meth addiction. An 82-bed facility  Nexus  in Lewistown provides treatment to male offenders. Both programs regularly have months-long waiting lists.

The DOC supervises about 16,451 offenders as of Nov. 30, with 83 percent managed outside the states two prisons. Drug possession continues to be the top-ranked offense for both male and female offenders, according to the DOCs 2015 Biennial Report.

A large percentage of crimes perpetrated on communities can be linked to substance abuse, according to law enforcement officials. Spikes in offenses such as property crimes are inexorably tied to the prevalence of meth use in cities, small towns, and rural outposts across Montana.

TRAUMA BEGETS ADDICTION

Judy Kolar, one of three licensed addiction counselors at Elkhorn, said the damage inflicted by methamphetamine use affects the whole person. The length of the program is significant and more effective because it provides both mental health and addiction treatment  an approach the Elkhorn team excels at.

Its not the kind of drug you try once.  They certainly make a choice to start, but they dont have any idea what theyre getting themselves into, said Kolar. It takes a long time for their brains to clear up enough to function adequately, and it takes a long time to work through a lot of the problems theyve created.

Administrator Dan Krause said many of the residents have significant trauma histories, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse extending as far back as childhood. Various therapeutic groups target issue areas  such as a victim impact group  and allow the women to share their experiences.

Its very hard-hitting for them, he said, adding that residents will insist theyre victims of the system and later realize they, too, can be the bully or the one who doles out abuse.

Each resident is required to write a life story within the first 90 days after arriving at Elkhorn. Kolar said the stories resonate with trauma: broken homes, a lack of supervision, and parents caught up in drug use, something she didnt see early in her career more than 20 years ago.

A lot of parents are using drugs with their kids. Some are introducing kids to drugs, and they dont always start with methamphetamine. Most of the time they dont  usually its alcohol, marijuana. When they get into meth, it seems like that becomes the primary drug of choice, she said.

Royale Ereaux of Billings first tried meth at 14. Shortly after, she starting shooting it. The high was amazing. She felt light, like she could do anything.

I felt powerful. I felt like I didnt have to worry about anything or anyone, and it just made me feel better than I was feeling, the 32-year-old Sioux woman said in June.

Ereaux blamed her home life for a string of convictions for drug possession and escape in Yellowstone and Missoula counties dating to 2004. She served seven years in the Montana Womens Prison in Billings.

In an unvarnished admission among fellow residents, Ereaux said, My mom was an addict; she cooked meth, and I followed in her footsteps. Everything that she did (to me) I did to my son, and I kept doing it.

Ereaux described herself as ruthless when she was using drugs, and said she slept with men to feed her habit. It was heroin use that brought her to Elkhorn and where nine months  not 30 days  of treatment helped her to dig deep and recognize why she couldnt shake free of addiction.

As the DOC likes to say, Elkhorn is their silver bullet, so hopefully it really helps me this time, she said.

Ereaux has since graduated from the facility and was discharged to the Missoula Prerelease Center.

She is doing well in Missoula, said Krause, adding that Ereaux is working part time, keeping up with her bills, and claims to have had no cravings to use drugs. Shes also preparing to take her final high school equivalency tests after Christmas.

FEELING BLESSED

In a heartfelt letter pinned to Teresa Ericksons bulletin board in the spare dormitory-style room she shares with another resident, Teresa's young son Chase wrote that he couldnt wait to wrap his arms around her.

Ill always Love you with all my Heart in every single second of the day. I love you mom, he wrote.

Erickson grew up in Butte and moved to Livingston in her early teens. Now she calls Bozeman home. Drug use  alcohol, meth, and prescription medications  has plagued the 36-year-old mother of three since age 12. Her fathers absence and struggles with self-esteem were like open sores.

The alcohol and drugs made her feel better and changed her mood. She just wanted to feel good. When asked why she chose drugs, Erickson said she was still working on the answers and then paused  her face etched with sadness.

What was real difficult is that my children ended up being taken from me, and I went over the deep end. I just spiraled down. I just used more, she said. I couldnt stop, so I ended up getting in trouble with the law, and it was actually a blessing in my life to be stopped that way, because I couldnt do it myself.

Ericksons two oldest boys live in Livingston, but her youngest lives in the south-central U.S. with his father. The distance from all three  and a deep longing to be with them  was reflected in her blue eyes.

In late October, she graduated from Elkhorn and was discharged to the Butte Prerelease Center. Krause reported that Erickson was excited to start a full-time job after the Thanksgiving holiday and has immersed herself in counseling and doing community service.

Amanda Brum, now 34, has no back teeth, and her top and bottom front teeth are rotten from meth use. She contracted Hepatitis C, an infection of the liver, from sharing needles. And her jaw has been broken twice  once by a boyfriend in 1999 and the other by her husband about four years ago.

The two were drunk at a bar and got into a fight. Brums husband pushed her backward, and his hand deflected from her shoulder and hit her jaw, and it snapped. She said it was an accident and then quickly added it wasnt.

I love him. I believe in him. I want us to work out. We have a kid together; we have a 4-year-old, Brum said. You know, for a long time, hes my world.

Brum said her time at Elkhorn has been an eye-opener, and she's looking forward to reuniting with her two sons.

Its been the biggest blessing of my life. Ive learned so much about myself being here and where I want to go in my life and how much I want to change for me and my sons, she said.

After her graduation, Brum was discharged to Passages prerelease center in Billings.

ADDICTION IS TREATABLE

Krause said at least 95 percent of the residents graduate from the program, with a majority discharged to prerelease centers across Montana.

A 2013 report by Missoula-based Dr. Timothy B. Conley on Elkhorn and Nexus used data over a five-year period from April 2007 to July 2012 to show findings of a nearly 80 percent graduation rate for Nexus and 86 percent for Elkhorn.

In a 2015 evaluation of Nexus, Conley noted 75 percent of male offenders treated completed the program. The decrease reflects treatment of a diverse and complex population of offenders, which includes opioid users and mental illness.

Krause said Conleys Missoula-based Clinical and Research Consulting is currently gathering data to provide more of an accurate impact and outcome study of female offenders treated at Elkhorn. Over the summer, the administrator interviewed former residents at prerelease centers in Butte, Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula to better assess the programs success and how it can be improved.

Krause believes addiction is treatable  even for those with a dependence on meth. At Elkhorn, the residents are not only seen as addicts but as women who need empathy and structure and lessons in accountability and honesty.
The snow goose captured and treated last week died Friday night while recuperating at the Butte animal shelter, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official said Monday.

Ryan Moehring said everyone was rooting for the bird to survive. The agency hoped to release it Monday.

Had the bird lived, it would have been a bit of good news for Butte after 3,000 or more migrating snow geese died after drinking water in the Berkeley Pit the night of Nov. 28. Mine officials say the pits lake was white with birds when thousands came to rest on the toxic water during a snow storm. Workers spent a week hazing to get the snow geese to leave the pit, say mine officials.

The agency had originally hoped to release the treated bird Friday, but after a check-up with a veterinarian, officials held off. Reportedly eating, the bird was very active last Thursday but became less so on Friday.

Moehring said Butte-Silver Bow animal control captured and treated another snow goose over the weekend and that bird is being held to recover.

Butte animal control supervisor Jacki Casagranda said Monday that bird is doing OK.

Moehring said the agency is working with mine officials to strengthen the Berkeley Pit hazing program in time for spring migration.

Montana Resources manager of environmental affairs Mark Thompson said Monday that he is talking with officials who keep migrating birds off the oil sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada, to get more ideas on how to keep flocks off the pits toxic water.

Were in the what now phase, said Thompson.

Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Robert Moler said EPA is planning a formal inquiry into whether MR and Atlantic Richfield Company were in compliance with the bird hazing program. Designed by federal and state agencies, the plan was designed to keep large numbers of waterfowl off the pit. Thompson previously said he is very confident the companies were in compliance.

Moler said EPA won't issue a public advisory on harvesting snow geese until necropsies come back on 20 dead birds pulled from the pits water. Once results are in, EPA will determine if there is a potential risk to human health.

Moehring said test results may not be available for another two weeks.

Steve Hoffman, director of the Montana Audubon Society, previously told The Montana Standard the snow geese migrating through southwest Montana were headed for Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and northern Mexico.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks issued an advisory last week to hunters in southwest Montana not to eat snow geese harvested after Nov. 28. The department suggested hunters freeze the birds until it's determined whether they're safe to eat. Goose hunting season continues into January in Montana.

FWP regional supervisor Sam Sheppard said Monday that no hunters have come forward with potentially contaminated harvested birds.

Even though the likelihood is very small, we chose to err on the side of caution with hunters, Sheppard said. The way snow geese migrate, they dont stick around here very long, so we dont have a lot of hunters harvesting them.

Fish and Wildlife wont make a decision on fining MR or ARCO on the geese who died from pit water until after necropsies have been completed. A federal law protects migratory birds, with a potential maximum fine of $5,000 for each dead bird.
I would like to offer some thoughts on the recent geese kill on the Berkeley Pit and the lawsuit decision by U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon on the attempt by The Montana Standard and Silver Bow Creek Headwaters Coalition to open the consent-decree negotiations on the cleanup of Silver Bow Creek flowing through Butte.

Judge Newmans quotes in our successful lawsuit decision by Silver Bow Creek Headwaters Coalition on the name of Silver Bow Creek speaks volumes about what is now happening. He wrote: This litigation seeks to ensure that the State of Montana and its agencies follow the law.

The Berkeley Pit is truly an ecological time bomb, and the clock is ticking! It is time for the Environmental Protection Agency, BP/ARCO and the state to perform their legal and constitutionally mandated duty to clean and restore Butte's Silver Bow Creek, the Butte Hill and deal responsibly with the Berkeley Pit.

The Berkeley Pit is within six years of being pumped, treated and discharged to Silver Bow Creek in perpetuity.

The snow geese landing on the Berkeley Pit last week should serve as a strong wake up call for everyone involved  especially the Environmental Protection Agency. This is a very serious issue and needs very serious attention. The Environmental Protection Agency or Anti Environmental Protection Agency has once again terribly failed this community in dealing with this situation.

In my view, ARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency are 100% responsible for the goose kill. The Atlantic Richfield Company, now a subsidiary of BP, shut off the underground pumps on April 22, 1982. That is the cause of the pit filling with contaminated water and the goose kill. Montana Resources was not even a company at that time.

As Susan Dunlap and David McCumber have addressed in their writings, there is another not-much-talked-about issue that needs serious attention---the sloughing walls of the Berkeley Pit. Obviously the fact that the agencies and Montana Resources are concerned about even entering the pit to test water or to haze the birds landing off of the contaminated water speaks volumes about the issue and the lack of responsibility in dealing with the issue.

The recent unfavorable decision by Judge Haddon on opening the consent-decree negotiations is tragic news for Butte and the entire Clark Fork Basin. Butte is definitely the loser in this decision.

Isnt it ironic that on the very day it was reported that as many as 3000 geese perished in the Berkeley Pit, because of the incompetence of the EPA and Arco/BP in dealing with the situation, that Judge Haddon makes the decision to not let the people in Butte to become involved and offer their input? Talk about a screwed-up system!

The saddest part of the entire hearing was the presentation of the EPA representatives. The cozy relationship between the Atlantic Richfield Company and the EPA must come to an end. While not addressing the cleanup directly, they both strongly implied to Judge Haddon that Butte has received the cleanup they deserve and that to put it bluntly, what you see is what you get and nothing is going to change. I believe we are facing a very difficult it not impossible fight!

As a result of not allowing the public access to the Consent Decree negotiations, Judge Haddon is going to be forced to make the final decision on the cleanup and restoration of Butte without having the legally required information to make that decision.

He is not going to have the critical information prepared by the Montana Bureau of Mines, including; groundwater in the Parrot Tailings area is more toxic than Berkeley Pit water and Copper and zinc are likely to continue contaminating Silver Bow Creek for tens of thousands of years to come using the current system.

The Environmental Protection Agency has totally failed the community of Butte for the past thirty years in not providing the quality cleanup and restoration the community deserves.

Butte deserves better!
HELENA  Montana's attorney general's office has been unable to find legal grounds to challenge a judge's decision to send a man to jail for 60 days for raping his 12-year-old daughter, state Department of Justice spokesman Eric Sell said Monday.

The amount of time behind bars, considered lenient by many, is "reprehensible" but that alone was not enough to appeal the Oct. 4 sentence issued by District Judge John McKeon, Sell said. The Associated Press is not naming the man to avoid identifying the victim of a sexual assault.

State law in Montana and many other states mandates minimum 25-year-prison sentences for sexual assaults of victims age 12 or younger.

However, McKeon said a legal exception allowed him to suspend most of the 30-year sentence he gave the man because a court-appointed evaluator said treatment outside of prison was best to rehabilitate the offender while protecting the victim and society.

The judge also noted the man did not have a felony record, had a job, community and church support and there was a lack of input from the victim or from an advocate for the victim.

The man must undergo sex offender treatment and faces many other restrictions. He was given credit for 17 days in jail he had served prior to sentencing. McKeon required him to serve the rest of his jail time within six months, saying he could stagger the time out in two-day jail periods at a time.

McKeon's sentencing order noted the girl's mother and grandmother wrote letters to the court supporting community-based treatment in order to keep the man in the lives of his two sons. The mother walked in on the father raping the child, court records said.

An online petition arguing for McKeon to be impeached drew 260,000 supporters but he retired in late November after announcing earlier in the year and before issuing the sentence that he would do so.

"The sentence may not be a popular decision by certain members of the general public, but it is a just and proper decision given the record before the Court and the law the Court is sworn to uphold," McKeon wrote in his Oct. 17 sentencing order.

Assistant Attorney General Dan Guzynski has proposed legislation that would close the loophole that allowed for the sentencing exception.

The attorney general's office will advocate on behalf of that change during the state legislative session that begins on Jan. 2, Sell said.

"We are hopeful that the legislature sees the wisdom in the proposed change," Sell said in an email to The Associated Press.
DES MOINES  Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday they expect a smooth transition of power next year presuming he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as President-elect Donald Trumps U.S. ambassador to China and resigns to turn the governorship over to Reynolds.

Branstad said he will continue in his role as governor by presenting the Condition of the State address and a two-year state budget proposal on Jan. 10 and will work as a team with Reynolds during the two-tracks of his confirmation process and the 2017 session until the historic change of leadership at the top state executive post takes place once he has secured his new federal assignment.

The reality is that were really not going to do anything differently, said Reynolds, who expected to be sworn in once Branstad resigns as governor and to appoint a new lieutenant governor to work with her in an administration that generally will carry on many of the same practices and people as the current Branstad-Reynolds team. Both Branstad and Reynolds said the transition of power they envision is spelled out in the Iowa Constitution and the state code.

Its unique. I never imagined this, Branstad told reporters during his weekly news conference. Given the uncertainty of the timetable for his Senate confirmation, Branstad said he could well be governor during much, if not all, of the 87th Iowa General Assemblys 2017 session, which is slated to run 110 days.

Branstad said there is a huge amount of paperwork associated with his new appointment, but he doesnt know when hell begin that process given that Trump wont be inaugurated until Jan. 20 and then there is a 42-day review process before confirmation proceedings would be scheduled with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He hoped to meet with every committee members in advance of his confirmation hearing but he didnt believe he would need to be in Washington more than a few days during the session.

The governor said he and his wife talked with current U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus last weekend and expects to have more discussions as his appointment proceeds for an office with a big staff that oversees the embassy and five consulates in China. He declined to discuss recent developments as it relates to Trumps approach to Americas One China policy involving China and Taiwan, saying it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in given his appointment is pending.

Its not for sure. Ive got to be confirmed by the Senate before I become the ambassador.

Im taking that responsibility very seriously, Branstad told reporters.

Its not my role to be setting policy, but rather to be one that helps implement policy and act as a go-between, he added. There are a lot of challenges out there today. I understand that I have been appointed to a delicate and difficult position and I will do my very best.

Branstad later told leaders of the Iowa Older Iowans Legislature his daughter may take a leave of absence from her teaching job and move her family to China to be with him and his wife, Chris, once they have settled in his new assignment.

Reynolds said ensuring a smooth transition when she becomes Iowas first female governor is paramount and she expects to maintain the same partnership with the lieutenant governor she appoints as she had enjoyed with Branstad for six years.

Shes in on all the decision-making, Branstad said. She has from the beginning. We will continue to work as a team.

Branstad said the upcoming state budgeting cycle will be challenging and he was very hopeful the new GOP-led Legislature will approve state supplemental aid to schools for the next two fiscal years within the first 30 days of the new session which opens Jan. 9.

Last week House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said she expects the Legislature would set fiscal 2018 state funding for K-12 schools early in the session but she was reluctant to commit to a second year of funding more than 18 months out given the uncertainty surrounding state tax collections.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Despite the snow storm Saturday afternoon, Muscatine Highs auditorium filled to the brim with parents, students, and music lovers for the annual holiday band concert. The event featured performances by the high schools concert band, symphony and symphonic band.

"Today's event is featuring our MHS concert band, they'll have the symphony and they have a symphonic band where students from Jeff Heid's band program and John Thoma's orchestra program will also come together to play, and getting to hear both of them to me is like icing on the cake," said Tammi Drawbaugh, president of the Muscatine Band Boosters.

As in previous years, the concert featured familiar favorites such as Angels we have heard on high. But this years performance also included fun, unexpected pieces such as The Complete Harry Potter arranged by Jerry Brubaker.

Its an amazing group of students and were so lucky to have a community and a district that supports our fine arts, Drawbaugh said.

The event concluded with another familiar favorite a reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
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 []
A small, hoop-shaped building just inside the Napa Valley Expos main gate is a world within a fairground  a world of vineyards, barns, trestles, villages and trains, 1/87th the size of real life.

Each December, a group of model railroad collectors and enthusiasts has invited the public for a glimpse of this pint-size Napa Valley, and of the hobby that helped create it.

On Saturday and Sunday, members of the Napa Valley Model Railroad Historical Society hosted another open house, where rail mavens and families admired a universe within a Quonset hut  Southern Pacific and Union Pacific and Rock Island engines, along with models of the old Calistoga depot, the Brazos rail span, a drive-in cinema (made from a portable DVD player) and much else from the world outside.

Ethanol train on 3, Kaiser train on 1, Wayne Monger called into a two-way radio to another train operator from the rooms dispatch desk  an elevated booth with a view of the 1,500-foot-long track loop and two computers showing the position of the cars, each of which contained a microchip to allow their users to run and stop the trains with wireless controllers.

Just keep going round one more time, buddy, he spoke into his handset to Kelton Kingsford, a 12-year-old operator who kept watch over his chain of ethanol tankers a few yards away. To the left and right of his command post were rails, working signal lights, tiny cars and buildings, even a cargo ship  set amid model hills and shrunken forests against a sky painted on the curving walls.

The holiday-season open house is one of the model railroad clubs main opportunities each year to promote itself and the craft, but events at the Expo have made it perhaps even more crucial.

After the demolition of fairground buildings damaged by the 2014 earthquake, Expo directors are planning a major overhaul of the grounds that train club members say will force them to move their home in several years.

We are definitely imperiled by the rebuilding of the Expo, said Monger of the model train center, which was founded in 1955 and has operated from the fairground since 1971. Though a departure is not imminent, members of the nonprofit group have begun raising funds for a new facility to enable them to pass their love of railroading to younger generations.

This is important for public outreach, to talk to the community about the educational importance of this, he said Sunday. This is a multigenerational hobby; its engineering, its computers, its critical thinking, its the whole raft of life skills.

Kelton, the boy running the chain of 30 ethanol tankers, was one of those at the open house sharing the rails with others mostly old enough to be his father or grandfather. Its just really fun; its really interesting and elegant, he said of his hobby, which he hopes to someday turn into a career as a train engineer in the full-size railroad business.

In the course of the afternoon, the humble-looking building drew a steady stream of the curious, including parents bringing young children to see the citys most elaborate look-but-dont-touch toy.

Its a lot bigger than it looks on the outside, said Angie Ruiz of Napa as she and her 4-year-old daughter Layla watched the Santa train pull an eggnog tanker and a flatbed bearing a tiny Saint Nick and his reindeer. Its neat to seat all the logistics of it  and the drive-in was pretty cute too!

Even after decades, some families still appeared to be seeing Napas miniaturized rails and villages for the first time.

The most common thing I hear is, We didnt know you were here, and Ive lived here for years! said Gary Valentinsen, a 10-year club member who gaily chatted with small boys and girls while dressed in a pinstriped conductors uniform and cap. But once they come here, they tend to come back.
Wearing orange safety vests and white hard hats with the word Archer Napa printed on them, a small group of construction managers and a hotel general manager gathered at the top of the citys newest luxury hotel last week and gazed over the city center from 65 feet up.

Below them, 125 to 145 workers, spread throughout and around six stories, sawed, hammered, nailed and moved building materials to construct the 184,000 square-foot property.

Its going great, said Michael Collins, the general manager of the hotel. Its the rebirth of downtown Napa right before your eyes.

There are literally thousands of moving pieces and parts, and many details to organize, said Jeff Thomas, director of construction for LodgeWorks, the company developing the downtown hotel.

Thomas lives near Wichita, Kansas and visits the project weekly to review progress. It all continues to move in the right direction, he said.

Its going to be awesome, said Jeff Roberts, director of engineering at the hotel.

Roberts lives in Napa and will be in charge of all building systems once it opens.

Im fortunate to see it being built, because it allows him to know the building inside and out, he said.

Construction on the Archer hotel is estimated 60 percent completed, with 70 percent of the exterior work done, said construction officials. In 2014, developers estimated the cost of the project at $70 million.

The update came during a hard-hat tour of the 183-room hotel, which is being built at the site of a former Merrills drug store and surrounding space on First Street.

Its been an adventure, said Brian Hansen, project superintendent for the general contractor, Deacon Corp.

According to Hansen, work is underway on exterior finishes, windows, glazing and interior framing and drywall. Interior finishes are next to come along with utilities such as gas, water, power and sewer.

Hansen gave kudos to LodgeWorks for selecting high-quality finishes, some custom-made. Locally sourced stone has been made into stone veneers. Tile and marble have been imported from Italy. Reclaimed wood and wine barrel staves will be used as decorative panels in guest rooms and other areas.

Most of the former Merrills exterior tile facade remains under protective wrapping, but several vertical columns have been unwrapped and are undamaged, said Hansen.

Guests will enter primarily through the former Merrills entrance, walking toward a lobby and Charlie Palmer steak house restaurant.

Last Wednesday, the interior and exterior walls remained unfinished but a large skylight in the middle of a rotunda area allowed in plenty of natural light.

The second floor will feature four meeting rooms in a variety of size configurations. The largest space has natural light, a rarity for most meeting rooms, said Collins.

The rooftop includes the fitness center, spa, chef demonstration kitchen area and an 8-inch deep lounge pool. The idea is to sit and relax in the water, not swim, explained Collins. Private cabanas with fireplaces will also welcome visitors.

Many guest rooms will overlook First Street. To help camouflage less interesting views from rooms that look out over the top of the former Napa Town Center, a partial window frosting treatment will be applied.

The larger rooms include glass walled balconies and expansive living spaces. Rooms will feature one of six design palettes of soothing cream, gray and gold mixed with native trims, stated the Archer website.

Along Coombs Street, which will be open to traffic one-way northbound, a new streetscape is being created featuring trees, benches and light poles. Such improvements will make the area a little more inviting, said Hansen.

Archer Napa is scheduled to open in late spring 2017, along with a number of shops in the newly remodeled First Street Napa retail center.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Monday strongly condemned any foreign interference with U.S. elections and announced that the Senate intelligence panel will investigate Russia's suspected election interference.

"The Russian are not our friends," McConnell told reporters at a scheduled year-end news conference.

McConnell's announcement came a day after a group of senators called for a thorough, bipartisan investigation of Russian interference. Some have endorsed the idea of a special select committee to lead an investigation, but McConnell stopped short of endorsing that, saying that any congressional probe would follow "regular order" through the current committee structure.

"This simply cannot be a partisan issue," McConnell said, before adding that the Intelligence Committee "is more than capable of conducting a complete review of this matter."

McConnell declined to address his own role in a September briefing for lawmakers, where he reportedly dismissed intelligence assessments suggesting Russia was trying to sway the election in favor of Donald Trump. Instead, McConnell credited Senate Republicans for standing firm against Russia and blamed Obama for Russian encroachment around the globe.

"The Obama administration for eight years attempted to reset relations with Russia, and sat back while Russia expanded its sphere of influence and intervened in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, Syria, and attempted to bully Baltic countries. It defies belief that somehow Republicans in the Senate are reluctant to either review Russian tactics or ignore them," he said.

McConnell also expressed strong support for the intelligence community, putting him at odds with Trump's public doubts about the reliability of the nation's intelligence agencies.

"I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community and especially the Central Intelligence Agency," McConnell said. "The CIA is filled with selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people."

Meanwhile, Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller told reporters on a Monday conference call that talk of Russian interference in the election "might upset some people who are bitter that their candidate lost in November, but that's not going to slow us down from focusing on going to work for the American people," he said.

Miller's comments seemed to suggest the "bitter" talk was coming from the CIA, which has concluded privately that Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee and individuals close to Hillary Clinton in order to release documents tilting the electorate toward Trump. Miller did not mention the CIA directly.

McConnell's calls for a nonpartisan approach to the subject echoed the sentiments of the Senate's new top Democrat, who also vowed Monday to keep any congressional investigation of Russia from devolving into partisan warfare.

"Just the facts" is what incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., pledged any inquiry would focus on during a national television interview Monday morning.

"We don't want to point a finger and I don't want this to turn into a Benghazi investigation, which seemed at least to many people to be highly political," he told "CBS This Morning." "This is serious stuff, when a foreign power tries to influence our election or damage our economy, for that matter. This is serious and it's gotten worse. And a bipartisan investigation that's not aimed at one specific instance but looks at the broad scope of this is just what's needed."

In a separate statement, Schumer said he welcomed McConnell's support for a bipartisan investigation.

But McConnell and Schumer had not discussed the details of how an investigation would unfold as of Monday morning, aides said. Schumer is expected to call for at least the partial disclosure of any investigation's findings, aides added, a request that would carry significant political weight, given the Intelligence Committee's penchant for secret proceedings and the potential for revelations embarrassing to the Trump administration.

At least some Democrats are also calling for a joint House-Senate probe, believing that a public review of the information, on par with past public reviews of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, would better serve the public.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said that a bicameral investigation "would serve the purpose of informing the public, developing a concerted response, deterring the Russians from further malign cyber action and inoculating the public against such manipulation in the future."

But House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., dismissed calls for such an investigation on Monday, saying that the House Intelligence Committee is already "working diligently on the cyber threats posed by foreign governments and terrorist organizations."

In a statement, Ryan added that "exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professional and potentially jeopardizes national security. As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election."

McConnell announced plans for a Senate probe the day after Schumer and Sens. Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C., and John McCain, R-Ariz., - the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee - and Democrat Jack Reed, R.I., the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called for a bipartisan probe. Their calls came after The Washington Post reported the CIA's conclusion that Russia's activities were intended to tip the scales to help Trump.

"You have the CIA saying one thing - I haven't gotten the briefings yet. The FBI is saying something else. We need to get to the bottom of this in a fair, nonpartisan, non-finger-pointing way," Schumer told CBS, noting that he will not receive any top-level intelligence briefings until he is formally installed as a Senate leader early next year.

McCain, joining the interview from Arizona, said that based on information he has seen, he cannot say for certain that he believes the CIA's assessment that Russia intervened in the election to benefit Trump. But, he added, "there's no doubt about the hacking - let's establish that."

"I was hacked into, my [presidential] campaign in 2008 was hacked into, so there's no doubt about the hacking," McCain told CBS. "Then the question is about the intention. But it's all about the larger issue about the cyber threat we face from Russia, China and other countries. It's another form of warfare and the entire issue is going to be investigated by the Armed Services Committee because it's a threat to our national security."

McCain also said he has no information about whether Russia hacked the Republican National Committee - a point strongly disputed by party leaders who say they've seen no evidence of such an intrusion.

"We do not know what they have done. There's good evidence they've hacked into the DNC," McCain said.

Other senators, including James Lankford, R-Okla., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., have expressed support for a broad Senate investigation. But Lankford said on Sunday that he has seen no evidence of Russia tampering with election results.

Other Republicans may be reluctant to support a wide-ranging investigation of Russia's election-related activities given that Trump has dismissed the CIA claims as "ridiculous."

"I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it . . . No, I don't believe it at all," Trump said on "Fox News Sunday" of the CIA allegations. Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway echoed her boss on CBS's "Face the Nation," saying that such allegations from the intelligence community were "laughable and ridiculous."

Trump again emphasized his disbelief with tweets Monday morning:

"Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!"

"Unless you catch 'hackers' in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?"

When asked, McConnell on Monday also praised most of Trump's Cabinet nominees as "outstanding" choices, but declined to weigh in on the potential nomination of Exxon-Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson to serve as the next secretary of state - signaling that McConnell, like other Republicans, may have doubts about selecting an oil executive with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the nation's top diplomat.

"Let's wait until we get nominees. I think, of the nominees that we're already aware of, I think I'm optimistic that they'll all be confirmed," he said. "But I don't want to comment, comment on a phantom nominee today."
December 9th is UN International Anti-Corruption Day, aimed at raising awareness of corruption and the role of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in combatting it. This years theme is United Against Corruption for Peace, Development and Security  and NATOs anti-corruption work makes a real contribution to UN efforts in this regard.

Allies recognise that corruption and poor governance complicate every security challenge we face, and undermine our peace, security, prosperity and operational effectiveness, notes NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATOs anti-corruption efforts are led by the Building Integrity (BI) programme, which began in 2007 and now works with 30 Allies and partners to improve good governance and reduce the risk of corruption in their defence and security sectors.

To mark this years UN Anti-Corruption Day, NATO is publishing two significant documents:

The BI Policy, endorsed by Allied leaders at the NATO Summit in Warsaw last July, explains how NATO Allies, structures and agencies will work against poor governance and corruption. It emphasizes the importance of education and training.

The BI Reference Curriculum is a guide for educators to assist nations in integrating BI into their existing training curricula and designing their own courses. It was produced by a working group of experts from Allied and partner nations.

These publications highlight the importance placed by NATO on good governance and NATOs support to the UNs vital anti-corruption efforts.

The BI programme will continue to work through 2017 on implementing the policy through an action plan agreed by NATO foreign ministers this week.
On Tuesday, 13 December 2016, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will deliver a keynote address to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the landmark Three Wise Men Report at Norway House in Brussels. The speech will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Judy Dempsey, non-resident senior fellow at Carnegie Europe.

This conference, entitled Euro-Atlantic Security: More Than Just a Military Matter, is organised by Carnegie Europe and NATO, with the active participation of the Canadian, Italian and Norwegian delegations to NATO; more information can be obtained at www.carnegieeurope.eu.

The Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller will deliver concluding remarks at the end of the event. Her remarks will be available on the NATO website after delivery.

Media Advisory

10:00  10:45 a.m. NATO Secretary Generals speech followed by Q&A session.

12:15  12:30 a.m NATO Deputy Secretary Generals closing remarks

A transcript and audio of the speech and Q&A session will be available after the event on the NATO website, together with still and video images.

Interested media should register with Carnegie Europe.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg and #NATO3WiseMen)
Aaron and Angela and six of their siblings were rescued last night from another shelter. They are four weeks of age and beginning to eat on their own, but may still need some bottle feeding. Their mother, described as a Retriever mix, is reportedly feral and authorities were unable to capture her. These babies need socialization and lots of human contact.
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BOSTON: MIT scientists have developed a new artificial intelligence system that can take still images and generate short videos to simulate what happens next, similar to how humans can visually imagine how a scene will evolve.

Humans intuitively understand how the world works, which makes it easier for people, as opposed to machines, to envision how a scene will play out.

However, objects in a still image could move and interact in a multitude of different ways, making it very hard for machines to accomplish this feat.

The new deep-learning system is able to trick humans 20 per cent of the time when compared to real footage.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US pitted two neural networks against each other, with one trying to distinguish real videos from machine-generated ones, and the other trying to create videos that were realistic enough to trick the first system.

When the researchers asked workers on Amazon's Mechanical Turk crowd-sourcing platform to pick which videos were real, the users picked the machine-generated videos over genuine ones 20 per cent of the time, 'Live Science' reported.

The approach could eventually help robots and self-driving cars navigate dynamic environments and interact with humans, or let Facebook automatically tag videos with labels describing what is happening, researchers said.

"Our algorithm can generate a reasonably realistic video of what it thinks the future will look like, which shows that it understands at some level what is happening in the present," said Carl Vondrick, a PhD student in MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, who led the research.

Read Also:

Microsoft Unveils Azure Blockchain As Service

Red Hat Launches Openshift Dedicated Solution On Google Cloud
"Beginning the week with Indonesia. President Joko Widodo receives ceremonial honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted with photographs.

The Indonesian President was welcomed by his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he would hold bilateral talks later in the day.

Widodo is on his first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014.

--IANS aks/in/vm

( 106 Words)

2016-12-12-11:26:12 (IANS)
Hitting back at Director of Tata Sons Vijay Singh, ousted Chairman Cyrus P Mistry on Sunday accused the former of playing a key role in the alleged Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestaland chopper scam. Singh, who is serving as the director of the conglomerate, had served as the Defence Secretary to the Government of India. "It's amusing to see Vijay Singh concoct theories to defend his role in Ratan Tata's conspiracy to replace Cyrus Mistry," he said, while adding, "As defence secretary Vijay Singh was a key official involved in the award of the Rs. 3,600 crores VVIP helicopter contract to AugustaWestland in 2010. It is a matter of public record that the government had to cancel the contract, dubbed 'Choppergate' by the media, due to charges of corruption and graft," Mistry's office stated. Mistry said Ratan Tata in 2010 had set up a Joint Venture with Italy-based Finmeccanica's helicopter unit AgustaWestland, called the Indian Rotor Craft (IRL), to manufacture AW119 utility helicopters. "Media reports indicate that the assembly line envisaged in this JV would address part of Finmeccanica's offset obligation arising from the sale of the now cancelled VVIP helicopters," he said. Mistry said after the retirement of Ratan Tata, on his instructions, Vijay Singh was invited to join the Tata Sons Board in 2013 as a nominee of the Tata Trusts. "It is a matter of record that Ratan Tata travelled to Italy to 'voluntarily depose' for Finmeccanica's chief Guiseppe Orsi as a defence witness in 2014. Incidentally, in April this year, an Italian court sentenced Orsi to jail for false accounting and corruption over the sale of the 12 AugustaWestland helicopters to India," he said. Mistry also claimed that Vijay Singh, who was a member of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee (NRC) of Tata Sons on June 28, 2016, gave a glowing review of the performance of Mistry as Chairman of the Group. "After reviewing the performance of the Executive Chairman, the members unanimously recorded their recognition of his significant contributions across Group companies and expressed their appreciation of his multi-faceted initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting cohesive functioning of the Group in accordance of its distinctive values," he added. "In fact, Vijay Singh also stated that Tata Motors have come up with some of their best models in recent years". His colleague Ronnen Sen, an independent director, also added that from his experience, Mistry had earned the respect of not only CEOs and senior management but also operational personnel," he added. Mistry said with regards to Welspun, Singh, as a Trust Nominated Director, explicitly supported this strategy when a note on the topic was circulated amongst the Board members. Later, he along with Nitin Nohria, had to leave the Board Room for over an hour to take instructions from Ratan Tata on how to articulate his mind on the Board deliberations. Perhaps he needed guidance on how to overcome his past excitement in favour of the transaction. Mistry also pointed out that Singh's compensation increased from Rs. 90 lakhs to Rs. 1.3 crores over the last year, an increase of nearly 45percent , whereas in the same year Mistry restricted his pay increase to 6 percent. (ANI)
Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker in the latest and upcoming superhero movie 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', had to pretend to be a new student at Bronx High School of Science to prepare for the role. The 20-year-old actor revealed his undercover operation in a recent Facebook Live session, where he said, "The coolest thing I think I did for the movie was I was enrolled in a high school in New York City, in the Bronx, as a secret." "No one knew who I was or what I was doing. I had a fake name, a fake accent. I went to school for three days, I think. It was really fun," he revealed. Apparently Holland found New York high schools "really interesting" because they were "so different" than those schools he went to in London. "When I went to school, you had to wear a suit and tie and it's all boys and for me, it was the first time I was in a classroom with girls. It was like a really strange experience. It was really fun," he shared. Holland did not keep his secret for long, but naturally, the school kids failed to believe him. "I told one kid at the school, I was like, 'Hey man, I'm actually Spider-Man.' He did not believe me, was like, 'What? No.' I said, 'No, seriously, I'm Spider-Man. Like, no joke. Like, let's not mess around anymore. I'm Spider-Man.' He's like, 'I don't believe you,'" Holland said. "And at the time, I hadn't made the movie so I didn't have any pictures to show him, to prove that I was Spider-Man. And he did not believe me at all," he sighed. Another girl seemed highly suspicious of him from the start. "She was sitting next to me and she was like, 'What's your deal, man? Like, why are you at our school? Like, this is a science school, you can't just enroll, you have to come from the beginning,'" Holland said. "And I was like, 'Oh, well, I have a secret. I have a secret.' And she was like, 'What? This guy's a freak. Like, what the hell? ...and then I started doing an English accent...'I'm actually Spider-Man.' And she was like, 'Dude, you're nuts. You are literally the craziest guy I've ever met in my life,'" he added. Also starring Robert Downy Junior, 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' is set for release on July 7. (ANI)
It seems Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is eager to follow the path of B-town's Khans as the actor has expressed his desire to play the role of a wrestler like the late Dara Singh. The Khiladi of Bollywood recently attended the launch of "Deedara Aka Dara Singh", a book based on Dara Singh's life, written by Seema Sonik Alimchand. When quizzed if he would ever like to play wrestler Dara Singh onscreen, the 'Rustom' star said, "If Vindu (Dara Singh's son) requests me, I would like to play the role of Dara Singh in his biopic." "To be Dara Singh you need a wrestler's body. I have to change my body for that. I have to expand a lot more on the chest side because Dara Singh was a huge man and I have to justify him completely," he added. The 49-year-old actor also said he would need no less than two years of intense hardcore training to 'justify' the role. "For that, I need at least two years of training to put on that kind of bulk and look like a wrestler. So if I don't have many movies, I can do it." On the professional front, Akshay will next be seen in Rajnikanth starrer '2.0' that is slated to release next year. (ANI)
Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is the only competitor to his party in the upcoming assembly elections, adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) do not even exist. "Our fight will remain with AAP, but AAP is losing its grounds day by day in Punjab. Our surveys in the state indicate that the Akali Dal is nowhere in the contest to make a government in Punjab again. AAP is on number two and the Congress is on top," said Amarinder, while formally inducting five AAP members into the Congress. The members who joined the Congress include Col. Lakhanpal, founder member of AAP Punjab, P.K. Sharma, secretary in charge of the AAP headquarters in Chandigarh, Col. Laliji, Col. Iqbal Pannu and Parpur Singh. While commenting on their decision to join the Congress, Col. Lakhanpal said, "When we joined AAP, it was a principle-based party. They are now accepting people from different parties even with shady background that is why we decided to join the Congress." Commenting on the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, Singh said the Congress does not have competition with the BJP, adding that it would be a big deal if the saffron party manages to secure even one seat. (ANI)
"One person has died and three others are injured in the Goregaon helicopter crash. The injured are being treated in hospital. Investigation is currently underway," DCP Kiran Kumar Chavan told the media.

The helicopter 'Robinson R44' crashed in Filter Pada area of Aarey Colony in Goregaon earlier in the day.

The three injured in the chopper crash are currently being treated in a nearby hospital.

1992 made 'Robinson R44', which was originally with Pawan Hans, was later sold to a private aviation company which used it for joy ride after repairing. (ANI)
Singh, who was addressing a rally during the 'Shahidi Diwas' programme in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, said Pakistan needs to mend its ways.

"Pakistan should understand that terrorism is not the weapon of brave, but of cowards," he said.

Speaking on issue of several youth joining the ISIS, Singh said, "They (ISIS) never got foothold in India because India doesn't support terrorism."

Referring to the surgical strike by the Indian Army post the Uri terror attack, he said, "I want to assure that this government will never let India to bow its head before anyone and will always give befitting reply to Pakistan's attack."

Earlier in the day, Singh along with Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh paid homage to martyrs.

The Home Minister is also likely to review the security situation of the state, particularly along the Line of Control and International Border. (ANI)
"Income Tax Department is inquiring the source of Rs. 2.60 crore amount seized in new Rs. 2000 notes from the law firm. Two counting machines have been recovered from the firm and the case has been registered with IT Department and Enforcement Directorate (ED)," Yadav said.

He further said a massive search operation is underway to nab the perpetrators.

"Rs. three crore in the seized amount of Rs. 13.5 crore is in denomination of Rs 100, Rs. 7 crore in 1000 notes, Rs. 2.60 crore in 2000 notes and rest in Rs. 50 and others," he said.

In a joint raid conducted by the Income Tax Department and Delhi Police, approximately Rs. 13.50 crores was last night seized from a law firm in Greater Kailash area, out of which Rs. 2.61 crores was in the new currency of Rs. 2000.

Acting on a tip-off, the police recovered the currency from the T&T law firm owned by Rohit Tondon late on Saturday night.

"We received information which we shared with the Income Tax department and jointly raided this place. Till now, we have seized around Rs. 10 crore rupees out of which Rs. 2.5 crore are new currencies and Rs. 7.5 crores in old currency," Assistant Commissioner of Police, Inter-State Cell, Sanjay Sehrawat, told the media. (ANI)
The Congress Party on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is choosing various public platforms and not the Parliament to justify his government's demonetisation drive as the common man cannot contradict his claims. Congress general secretary taunted Prime Minister Modi for speaking up on the demonetisation issue at a farmers' rally in Banaskantha district of Gujarat. "At such places people do not have mikes and only the Prime Minister has it. Also, the security personnel around him do not allow the common man to have discussion," said Ahmad. "The fear of being hit with various questions by the opposition is stopping him from attending the Parliament," he added. Ahmad also questioned the Prime Minister regarding recent seizure of huge amount of cash found in new currency notes. "Cash worth crores have been found at various places in new currency notes. The Prime Minister has to answer as to how the common man is unable to get even Rs. 2000, but the black money hoarders are able to secure crores of rupees,' he said. "Black money is getting generated at a fast pace even after the move of demonetisation by the government," he added. Prime Minister Modi yesterday countered the opposition's charges of running away from a debate on the government's move to ban high-value currency notes. "We are ready to debate on demonetisation but I am not being allowed to speak in Lok Sabha so I am speaking in a jan sabha (public meeting)," said Prime Minister Modi. "Parliament is not being allowed to function. What is happening in Parliament has even anguished our President, who has tremendous political experience," he added. The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament has witnessed repeated disruptions with a united opposition demanding a debate on the demonetisation move. (ANI)
At least four persons were injured in a chopper crash in Mumbai's Goregaon on Sunday. The helicopter 'Robinson R44' crashed in Filter Pada area of Aarey Colony in Goregaon. Fire engines and ambulance have been rushed to the spot. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for medical aid. 1992 made 'Robinson R44' which was originally with Pawan Hans was later sold to a private aviation company which used it for joy ride after repairing. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
The BJP state committee today rejected pre-electoral tie up with any regional parties, including Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) or Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT). Party president Biplab Deb said regional parties have been persuading their localised agendas, which are not fit to the suit of BJP like nationalist party. Moreover, BJP has been expanding its support base even at the tribal hamlets and people are joining the party because of its pro-people activities."Hundreds of people, including tribals, are deserting other parties like ruling CPI-M and joining to BJP only because of its national character and commitments. BJP has now been able to challenge CPI-M that established in recently held by-elections in the state," Mr Deb stated.He, however, pointed out that any pro-poll alliance with any party might not be effective for BJP in Tripura. "Rather BJP alone can fight in the next assembly election with its full force and certainly will able to evict Left Front government," he said.He welcomed 16 leaders of Congress, Trinamool Congress, IPFT and INPT today in a brief function at party headquarters while another 31 tribal families of Amarpur in South Tripura have joined in BJP deserting IPFT. "Besides, opposition parties a large number of leaders and supports of ruling CPI-M will join in BJP early next year. And the party is all set to begin election activities for assembly poll in February 2018 in next couple of months," Mr Deb said.He appealed the leaders of INPT and IPFT to merge with the BJP to oust the CPI-M led government in the state and said only Prime Minister Narendra Modi could safeguard the interest of indigenous people of the state.UNI BB AD0950 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-1061604.Xml
Rekha Rana, lead actress of 'Yahan Ameena Bikti Hai' feature film nominated for Oscars in best film Category for 89th Academy awards in Los Angeles, US, has said that there was no specific reason behind her doing women-oriented films. In an interview to UNI, she said, ''I was doing theatre with Dinesh Thakur. I was auditioned for my film Tara. I had no idea that I am going to do more of this kind of films. But as an actor, it is a good opportunity where you can perform. You have a role to play a character which is strong. On why she choose her debut film 'Ab Hoga Dharna Unlimited' released in 2012, she said, ''I liked the concept and that was the reason I chose it. That time social activist Anna Hazare was a big hype. With me there were many artists like Milind Gunaji, Mustaq Khan, Ehshan Qureshi.'' On her guru in the industry, she said, ''My film industry guru was Dinesh Thakur. I have learnt a lot from him. My new guru is Oscar Award winning producer Mark Bache from France. '' When asked what does she prefer- film or theatre, she said, ''I like both theatre and film. In fact facing live audience is different thing for an actor as there is no take. It like one take, one shot and do your best. In films you have liberty to perform again. But I personally when I give my first take that's the most genuine. Its real one which comes from my heart. After that my mind works. Something which comes instantly that is the best.'' Rana said she was not much inclined towards doing regional films. Rana, who is the brand ambassador for South African NGO called 'Star NGO' and 'Save Our Women' Campaign, said government should pay more attention towards girls education. ''The government should pay more attention to education because I think with education only, we can bring out some change. But there should be change at social level also and there should not be discrimination with girls at home. There should be more schools in the country, specially remote areas. Women should be educationally empowered first,'' she said. She said she chooses her films after reading scripts. ''I think like an artist. If I like a project then only I want to be part of that. My mind is not that commercial that I want to do a project for money. I want to do good roles, good films, films with good message,'' she said. The actor said she did not find any problem with censor board. She also said that she had not faced any problem of less payment compared to male actors as she was doing all women- oriented films. ''I am lucky till today. Lets see in future. I hope I will establish so much that we both should get equally,'' she chuckled. She said would like to work with Imtiaz Ali and Amir Khan. ''I like films of both of them. Its my wish to work with Amir Khan. I like the way he works in his films, '' she said. The actress said among her contemporaries she likes work of Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. ''I like work of Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. Katrina works really hard. There are lot of foreign actresses who want to work in the film industry but do not succeed. Priyanka is our gem, our proud. She is making us proud by working in American TV series and doing a lot over there,'' she said, adding one has to enter the industry with a positive mindset and has to be strong, not ready to give up. ''Do not break you confidence. You have to trust yourself, then only others will trust you,'' she said. Besides 'Ab Hoga Dharna Unlimited', Rana has done films like 'Tara: The journey of love and passion' and 'Yahan Amina Bikti Hai'. UNI AKM CJ SV 1055 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1061614.Xml
Long-dated Japanese government bond prices tumbled on Monday, driving the benchmark 10-year yield to its highest in 10 months, on the back of continuing gains in U.S. bond yields and Japanese shares.The longest end of the yield curve came under strongest pressure on growing perception that the Bank of Japan is more tolerant of rises in yields on those maturities than it is on shorter yields.The 30-year yield rose 8.5 basis points from its previous close to 0.785 percent, now more than 25 basis points above its levels in September when the central bank said it would guide the yield curve where it was then."The market is broken. The brokerages who bought a large amount in the previous 30-year bond auction last week are selling them at a discount to investors," said a trader at a Japanese brokerage.The 40-year JGB yield rose 6.0 basis points to 0.885 percent , now about 30 basis points above its levels just before the BOJ introduced the new policy framework.While the BOJ's official policy is dubbed as the "yield curve control", the central bank's inaction to the rises in maturities over 10 years in the recent sessions is fanning the view that the BOJ's pain thresholds may be much higher.Lack of action from the BOJ contrasted with the steps it took in mid-November, when it offered to buy an unlimited amount of short-term bonds, including five-year JGBs at a yield of minus 0.04 percent and two-year JGBs at minus 0.09 percent, to stop rises in those yields.Since then, shorter yields have stabilised, with the five-year yield standing flat on Monday at minus 0.090 percent, below its 9-1/2-month high of minus 0.040 percent touched last month.Investors were also cautious in selling 10-year bonds, which they believe the BOJ will have a tighter grip on. It is the only maturity in which the central bank has an explicit policy target, of around zero percent.Yet, the impact of big rises in 20- to 40-year yields filtered through to the 10-year debt. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield rose 1.5 basis points to 0.065 percent, at one point, climbing to 0.070 percent, its highest since mid-February."The market is nervous because the BOJ could come in to stem rises in the yields. So they are testing the water, little by little," said Hideaki Chida, chief fixed income strategist at NLI Research Institute. REUTERS SDR PM1122 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-1061640.Xml
Earlier in the morning, President Widodo was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and later he laid a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

Several agreements on security and trade and investment are expected to be signed between the two countries at the end of the delegation-level talks.

Indonesia is India's strategic partner since 2005 and an important trade partner in the ASEAN. India's trade with Indonesia is the largest among all the ASEAN countries, at 16 billion dollars last year (2015-16) and also Indonesia is the largest target of India's outward Foreign Investment, totaling about 15 billion dollars to date.

This is Mr Widodo's first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014. He is accompanied by Madam Iriana Joko Widodo and several Cabinet Ministers which includes the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry, Investment, Health and also a very high-level business delegation which includes the President of Kadin, the premier business chamber of Indonesia.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari will call on President Widodo in the afternoon. President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the visiting President in the evening and also host a State Banquet form him. UNI NAZ SV 1219

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The Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh will be holding one of its crucial cabinet meeting tomorrow during which it will announce several sops for the state. The Cabinet meeting, which could be the last one before the announcement of the assembly polls, is set to give its approval to the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for over 2 million employees of the state government. The state legislature session has also been convened from December 21, which would pass the supplementary budgetary grants. The supplementary budget grants would take care of the additional funds to be required for the payment of enhanced salary and arrears to the state employees after the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission from January 1, 2017. The state would require around Rs 27,000 crore additional burden annually for the same. In the Cabinet meeting, the government could approve the quantum of vote-on-accounts for the first four months of the next fiscal. According to sources here today, the state cabinet is expected to give green signal to a slew of development projects, including the implementation of the Samajwadi Health Insurance Scheme while several projects are likely to be announced for ruling Samajwadi Party pocket boroughs of Azamgarh, Etawah, and Badaun. Among the key decisions to be taken are beautification of Ramghar pond in Gorakhpur, policy for revival of closed single screen theatres, concession on khadi garments, and policy for promotion of mega industrial projects in UP . The government may also increase the retirement age for specialist medical officers in government hospitals and medical colleges to 70 years. Other proposed decisions include 1,000-seat auditorium in Rampur, which is the hometown of senior minister Mohammad Azam Khan. A new tehsil, Motipur, will be created in Bahraich, and nine villages from Jaswant Nagar assembly constituency, represented by state SP president Shivpal Yadav, will be linked with Saifai tehsil in Etawah.UNI MB SV 1312 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1061639.Xml
With now almost certain that there would be no pre-poll alliance between Samajwadi party and the Congress, the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh was in a mood to change its candidates in several assembly seats, even denying candidature to some sitting MLAs. After announcing 16 fresh and changing 7 candidates on December 10, the SP again today changed candidates in seven seats including two in the parliamentary constituency of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. Uttar Pradesh SP president Shivpal Singh Yadav here today announced the names of new candidates for seven seats changing the old ones. Rahul Pandey has been given ticket in place of Virendra Solanki from Amanpur seat in Kasganj district, while Subhash Pal has been replaced by Anis Mansoori from Bilgram Mallawan seat in Hardoi district. Vinod Pasi will replace Om Prakash Girhar from Khaga seat in Fatehpur district. Surprisingly, Virendra Singh Solanki was given ticket from Amanpur seat on Saturday last but suddenly he was replaced. Similar was the case in Khaga where Om Prakash Singh Girhar was given the party ticket on December 10. Jainul Hasan has been given ticket in place of Mayankeshwar Sharan from Tiloi seat and Vimlesh Saroj will be party candidate from Jagdishpur seat in place of Ajit Prasad, both in Amethi parliamentary constituency of Congress-vice president Rahul Gandhi. R P Niranjan would replace Lakhan Singh Kushwaha in Madhavgarh seat and Anup Kumar Singh will contest in place of Vishapal Singh from Kalpi seat, both in Jalaun district. The ruling party has so far announced 181 candidates against the total 403 seats in UP assembly. On Saturday last, the SP had announced 23 candidates including changing nominees in 7 seats. The list included mafia don Atiq Ahmed, the former SP MP from Phulpur in Kaushambi district. Atiq Ahmed has been given ticket from Kanpur cantonment assembly seat. For the Banda seat SP has also changed the candidate and Hasaniuddin Siddiqui will be the party candidate in place of Kamal Singh Maurya. Siddiqui is the brother of the senior BSP leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui. Sitting Sibgatullah Ansari will be the party candidate from Mohammadi seat in Ghazipur district. Ansari is the brother of mafia don Mukhtar Ansari whose political outfit Quami Ekta Dal merged with the Samajwadi party in October. Meanwhile, SP sources here today said that the possibility of pre-poll alliance with the Congress is off the card as party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had rejected the offer of the Congress. " The party supremo had said that any alliance with Congress will affect the party in the long run though it would benefit during the next assembly polls. We are looking forward for the party to take it in the national level hence any alliance had been rejected," a senior leader commented. On the other hand Congress leader too admitted that there is no hope for any alliance with the SP in present scenario. They claimed that the SP was not giving the required numbers of seats demanded by the Congress hence the talks failed.UNI MB SHK 1500 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1061828.Xml
Warning labels featuring photos of cancer patients with testimonials are more effective in getting smokers to quit than the text-only labels currently in use in some countries like the US. This is the conclusion of a new study by researchers at the Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) at the Annenberg School for Communication. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States but cigarette packaging has only required textual warning labels about the health risks of smoking since 1966. Some 15 per cent of US adults - 36.5 million Americans - currently smoke cigarettes. At least 77 nations around the world, including India, use images as a part of their cigarette warning labels. However, a legal challenge by the American tobacco industry led to these labels being rejected in large part because they were emotional rather than factual. These images showed things like fictional photographs of smokers and simulations of diseased body parts. In response, the FDA withdrew their original labels and began a research campaign to rethink and redesign the labels. The new study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, tested images that graphically showed real people who had been harmed by smoking - an appeal that is both factual and emotional. "Our aim in this study was to find out how smokers respond to cigarette pack warning labels that use photographs of real people whose health has been affected by their own, or by someone else's, smoking," says the lead author Emily Brennan, Ph.D., David Hill Research Fellow at the Cancer Council Victoria in Australia. Adult smokers viewed several labels from one of three categories: labels that showed a photograph of a real person who had been harmed by smoking, some of which were accompanied by a short text description of the person; the FDA's previous image-based warning labels; or the text-only warning labels currently in use in the United States. Participants were then asked to report their initial response to the labels and their intentions to quit smoking. Five weeks later, the researchers followed up to see if the smokers had made any attempts to quit, and if so, how successful they had been. Among the smokers who viewed the text-only labels, 7 point 4 per cent of smokers attempted to quit in the subsequent five weeks. Those who viewed the testimonial photos from real smokers, however, had a quit attempt rate of 15 point 4 per cent - roughly double - and were four times as likely to have been successful. There was no additional advantage of supplementing the testimonial photos with a caption - for example, "Terrie: Died from cancer at age 53." "There's a stickiness to the testimonial photos - the suffering of real people in real contexts - and they increased the likelihood that people would attempt to quit and stay quit," says senior author Joseph N Cappella, Gerard R Miller Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School, suggesting that people are more engaged with facts when those facts are imbued with the emotions of real life.UNI YSG SW 1618 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1062090.Xml
The city police have arrested four people,including two Nigerian nationals, for allegedly cheating womenthrough matrimonial websites. The Cyber Cell of city Crime Branch have arrested four peopleduring last two months and registered a total of 62 cases since Januarywhere women have been duped through these platforms by onlinetricksters who first promised to get married, gained their trust andthen took money from them on various pretexts before they disappeared. Two were arrested from Ahmadabad while two others wereNigerian nationals living in Navi Mumbai, police said. During interrogation of the arrested accused in these twocases, it has been revealed that the modus operandi in these casesis like any other advanced fee scams but the method of making thefirst contact with the victim women is through online matrimonialservices or social networking websites by tricksters who have fakeprofiles on these platforms. An officer with the Cyber Cell today said, ''We have observedthat many of the victims were widows or divorcees while some wereelderly women looking for life partners. All the victims wereeconomically sound.'' The online fraudsters first looked for vulnerable persons andthen made contact. In most of these cases, the cheaters posedthemselves to be settled or working abroad, thus making actualmeeting difficult. Later, phone numbers, email addresses were sharedto increase communication and gain trust. ''After gaining trust, the fraudsters demanded money onvarious pretexts. Most common modus operandi is like any otheradvanced fee scam where money is asked on various pretexts likecustoms clearance of costly gifts or as conversion charges forforeign currency, government clearance for diamonds, gold orinherited wealth. In some other cases, reason of illness of familymember is given and money is asked for treatment. All this money isasked as online transfer and the persons never meets the victims. Itis because of the rise in these cases and also in their reportingthis year, we have separately analysed them,'' the official added. More UNI SP SS SM SHK 1658 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1062115.Xml
Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers and parliamentary affairs, Ananth Kumar has said that he would lead a delegation of aerospace industry to the Centre to urge it to introduce new schemes for faster development of this important sector. The delegation which would go to Delhi before the current Parliament ends on December 16, would comprise of Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), key industry captains and state government officials. He urged BCIC to prepare a comprehensive wish list listing out specific pain points affecting this mission critical industry vertical. Mr Kumar said he would urge the chamber to provide him with specific actionable points affecting the growth of this important sector vis--vis infrastructure bottlenecks, taxation policy, incentives, exemptions, offset policy hurdles and the likes so that he would personally lead a business delegation to Delhi and pushthese issues with various ministries involved so that this industry flies high in the near future as it has tremendous potential to multiply manifold in just a few years of encouragement by the government. In a very short span of time, India has emerged as one of the largest aerospace and aviation markets in the world. Global aerospace aviation majors are eyeing India to set up manufacturing, design engineering, MRO facilities leveraging India's low labour cost, young and talented pool of engineers, technologists anddesigners, a BCIC release said. Mr Kumar informed the BCIC captains that development and progress in the aviation and aerospace sector touches a deep chord with the NDA government, because it is a cutting edge technology demonstrator which immediately leapfrogs us into the community of technologically advanced nations and more importantly it provides significant opportunities for employment creation and revenue generation. Moreover, he said that during his term as civil aviation minister the open sky policy was announced. He also emphasised the fact that his government fully recognises this sector for the potential it holds and to that extent it has been providing regular policy interventions. This include raising FDI limit to 100 per cent which in itself has caught the attention of the global players. Revising and updating the defence procurement policy and making it more industry friendly and transparent and Re-looking at offset arrangements to ensure that we can leverage this to the maximum and are able to get real cutting edge technology against purchases that are made in this sector. On part of the chamber, Mr Thyagu valliappa, president, BCIC assured the minister that it will put forward a compendium of issues faced by the aerospace and aviation industry to be submitted to the union government. UNI RS SKB SHK 1651 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-1061995.Xml
Religious and socio-cultural organisations in the city beside the several districts have observed the day through various programmes, including discussions, procession, exhibition and blood donation camps, highlighting the significance of this day. Despite chilly weather, lakhs of people, including women and children, joined night-long prayers in shrines, mosques and other religious places in the state.

The largest procession has been held in the city, more than 100 clubs, madrasa, NGO participated on the occasion. The traffic police has already announced traffic routes for devotees to avoid any traffic jam.

Non-muslims were greeting their Muslim brethren on the occasionUNI BM SJC

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Authorities today disallowed "Seerat Conference" organised by hardline Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi at Hyderpora. Large number of security forces and state police personnel were deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani, who is under house arrest for the past several months. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik and several other invitees, including religious scholars and senior separatist leaders, who were invited for the conference were not allowed to go inside Mr Geelani's house. However, moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who was also invited for the conference, also remained under house arrest at his Nigeen house. Strongly condemning the ban on the Seerat Conference at Tehreek-e Hurriyat headquarters Hyderpora, the hardline Hurriyat said the Government and the administration were acting as a tool in hands of Delhi. A statement issued here this evening said, "Curbs on the peaceful and academic activities throughout the Kashmir Valley, testifies and certifies our claim that this is a police state and administered is run merely on the dictates of law enforcing agencies." He said today's programme was purely a religious and academic exercise to be conducted within the four walls which would have not disrupted the normal life or traffic. Expressing serious concern over the continued house arrest of Mirwaiz a spokesman of the moderate HC has strongly condemned curbs on Hurriyat leaders and thousands of Kashmiri youth who are languishing in Kashmir and outside jails. He said Mirwaiz was scheduled to attend the conference. However, Mirwaiz because of his continuous house arrest could not leave his house. The spokesman further that police did not allow the Seerat conference to take place. Terming the action of police and administration as extremely dictatorial and fascist, the spokesman said such an act amounts to the direct intervention of the state in religious matters of individuals. The spokesman condemned the police action in strong terms and said that nobody has the right to stop Muslims from discharging their religious duties, adding, such actions are intolerable and anti-religion. UNI BAS SW SNU 1918 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-1062362.Xml
The Bodo community of the northeast said on Monday it will intensify the agitation to press for its demand for a separate state, as the BJP-led central and Assam governments continue to ignore their cause. As part of the agitation, over 5,000 people from the Bodo community on Monday began their three-day 'dharna' or sit-in at Jantar-Mantar in the capital city. They are also planning a march from Rajghat to Parliament Street on Tuesday. "The BJP promised in its election manifesto that it would resolve the Bodo problem immediately if it could come to power at the Centre. It's now two-and-half years. But, there is no initiative to fulfil this promise," said Pramod Bodo, President of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). Pramod said the government has stopped even the dialogue process, which apparently means it is not willing to resolve the problem. "So, we will go for mass hunger strikes and indefinite road and rail blockades." The agitation is being organised jointly by the ABSU, the pro-dialogue militant group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (P) and the People's Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM). "The Bodo people will never put up with the historical injustice meted out to them by the ruling cliques of Assam since the inception of administration after the Independence of the country," said Pramod. The community leaders, who ran from pillar to post seeking attention of the government, now say that having seen the dubious role of the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government for two-and-half years, the Bodos could resort to extreme measures. Even in October 2016, the Bodo community had organised rail blockade at one of the main rail corridors connecting the northeast with the rest of India, leading to a huge economic loss to the India Railways. Gobinda Basumatary, General Secretary of NDFB(P), said: "Even after 70 years of India's Independence, the state has failed to protect, preserve and safeguard the land, identity, language and culture of the Bodo people." "They are very much part of the great Indian community and are loyal to the Constitution of India. The Bodo people want to live with dignity and honour under the provision of the Constitution of India." The demand for Bodoland started in 1967. The struggle became an armed conflict after the formation of the Bodo Security Force, a militant group later rechristened NDFB. Currently, two factions of the NDFB -- NDFB (P) led by Gobinda Basumatary, and NDFB led by Ranjan Daimary -- are holding peace talks with the Centre, while NDFB (S) led by Songibijit I.K. is opposed to holding talks with the government under the constitutional framework. The Songibijit faction was responsible for the recent killing of 14 civilians in an attack in Assam's Kokrajhar district, which also left 20 injured. --IANS rup/nir/vt ( 474 Words) 2016-12-12-20:20:12 (IANS)
The attack on the Cairo church was one of the deadliest against the country's Christian minority, reports the Guardian.

Egyptian state TV reported that the bomb exploded in a chapel close to the outer wall of St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.

There were conflicting reports as to the nature of the attack. Egypt's official Mena news agency said an assailant threw a bomb into a chapel close to the outer wall of the cathedral, but some witnesses suggested an explosive device had been planted inside the building.

Copts, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 90 million, faced persecution and discrimination during the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

They have faced further attacks at the hands of Islamist extremists since the 2013 military overthrow of the democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi, who hailed from the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement. Morsi's supporters accused Christians of supporting his ouster, which came after millions of protesters took to the streets demanding his resignation.

On 14 August 2013, mobs attacks dozens of churches across the country after police killed hundreds of pro-Morsi protesters in Cairo.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack. (ANI)
Speaking at the Judicial Conference yesterday, the CJP said if other institutions failed to perform their duties then the judiciary could intervene to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

Stressing on the need for effectively coping with bribery, black-marketing and cronyism, he said that the supremacy of the law was crucial for maintaining peace, protecting rights and upholding the principles of social welfare.

The judiciary, he said, needed the cooperation of the bar to fulfill its responsibilities.

At the occasion, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah said that institutions should have priority over individuals.

Stressing the need for coordination between various departments linked with the judiciary, he said that all problems could be resolved through dialogue.

"All institutions must keep within their limits, keeping (the ideals of) national progress supreme." (ANI)
Trespassing at different points of the Naf River was prevented by the BGB personnel earlier on Sunday.

"We conducted a drive at two different points of the river and pushed back at least 130 Rohingyas boarded in 13 boats," Dhaka Tribune quoted Teknaf 2 BGB Commander Lt Col Abujar Al Zahid, as saying.

Bangladesh has strengthened security along its border with Myanmar to prevent the entry of Rohingyas, who are trying to cross into its territory illegally due to violence in the Rakhine state that has claimed the lives of at least 86 people and displaced 30,000 others.

Myanmar troops launched a crackdown in the Rakhine state in response to attacks on three border posts on October 9 that killed nine police officers. Since then many Rohingya Muslims have tried to move into Bangladesh illegally.

Accusations by Rohingyas and rights groups of raping women, torching houses and killing civilians during their operations has been denied by Myanmar and the military.

Rohingyas are not recognised by Myanmar as its citizens and are called Bengali by them. (ANI)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has said Islamabad is striving to hold peace dialogue with Afghanistan. "It was disappointing that some elements in Afghanistan were not willing to have the dialogue process with Pakistan and these elements are creating suspicion over Pakistan's role" The Nation quoted Aziz, as saying in an interview. He said the Afghan Intelligence Agency hindered the dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan Government. Aziz said that second session of dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan Government was cancelled when the National Directorate of Security (NDS) issued reports regarding death of Mullah Omar, the former chief of Taliban. He said that the doors for bilateral dialogues were further closed when Mullah Omar's successor Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike. "Pakistan endeavors to have a dialogue process but the condemnable statements from Afghan politicians against Pakistan are negatively impacting the environment," Aziz said. He said massive withdrawal of international forces and increase in operations of armed insurgents after 2014 has led to the situation in Afghanistan being deteriorated. Aziz said the remarks by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the 'Heart of Asia' Conference recently held in Amritsar were indicative of the growing frustration in Afghanistan. "It is imprecise to blame Pakistan for backing Taliban," he said. The Adviser said that the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb has destroyed the Haqqani Network established in the tribal areas and it was no longer operating on Pakistan's soil. However, he said that the possibility of presence of scattered extremists in the country could not be overlooked. "Such elements were creating hurdles for the peace process of the two countries and therefore he had asked Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia conference to make efforts for improving the security system on Pak-Afghan border," Aziz said. (ANI)
US President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China," questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.Trump's comments on Fox News Sunday came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call on December 2 from Taiwan's president."I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox News.Trump's call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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."Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump's remarks.After Trump's phone conversation with Taiwan's president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washington's "one China" policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the US relationship with China could be undermined by a "flaring up" of the Taiwan issue.Following Trump's latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan's leader."I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?""I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump added.Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China.However, Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for a senior role at the US State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.The source said Bolton was a leading candidate for the No. 2 job at the State Department.In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next US president should take bolder steps to halt China' military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.Bolton said Washington should consider using a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China which he had emphasized during his presidential campaign."We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all."Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed China's efforts to prop up the yuan's value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.Some U.S. analysts warned that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far."China is more likely to let the whole relationship with the United States deteriorate in order to show its resolve on the Taiwan issue," said Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert in Chinese nationalism."When the decision to end a decades-long practice is made with so little warning and clear communication, it raises the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation and sets the stage for a crisis between the United States and China over Taiwan," Chen Weiss said.Mike Green, a former top adviser on Asia to former President George W. Bush, said ending the "one China" policy would be a mistake because it would throw the US-China relationship into turmoil and jeopardize Beijing's cooperation on issues such as North Korea.But Green, who is now with the CSIS think tank, said he does not believe that Trump intends to go that far and there was "logic to serving Beijing notice that he will not be dictated to on issues like Taiwan."On Sunday, China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi was traveling to US neighbor Mexico, according to the official news agency Xinhua, but Mexican officials could not offer details.Mexico has been deepening ties with China, which is partly funding a multi-billion dollar wholesale mobile network while China Offshore Oil Corporation took two of the eight blocks of deep water oil fields offered in a historic auction this month. REUTERS PS 0411 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1061531.Xml
Mourners packed an Egyptian church today for a funeral service for 24 people killed in the bombing of Cairo's main Coptic cathedral, while angry survivors accused authorities of security lapses.Tearful Christians gathered at the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius Church in Cairo where Coptic Pope Tawadros II prayed over the wooden coffins of the victims of Sunday's bombing, one the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in recent memory.On the walls hung banners bearing the names of the dead, many of them women.Several hundred people gathered in the Madinat Nasr area furious at being denied entry to the church, where admittance was by invitation only for the families of victims.There was also anger at hospitals treating the wounded.Five survivors at Dar al-Shefa hospital said police did not conduct the usual checks as the cathedral was particularly busy for Sunday's mass."There were large numbers so people entered without being searched," said Mina Francis, who was in the cathedral with his mother who was killed in the blast.At least 24 people died and 49 were wounded when a bomb exploded in a chapel adjoining St Mark's Cathedral, Cairo's largest church and seat of the pope.Security sources said at least six children were among the dead, with a bomb containing at least 12 kg of TNT detonating on the side of the church used by women.The chapel's floor was covered in debris from shattered windows, its wooden pews blasted apart, its pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and patches of blood."God protect Egypt from evil and protect all Egyptians," Pope Tawadros told state television on Sunday, after cutting short a visit to Greece. "In times like this we lean on each other, stand together and offer condolences to each other. This grief we will share together."CHRISTIAN ANGERPresident Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who announced three days of mourning and vowed justice, is to attend a public ceremony later on Monday.Sisi is fighting battles on several fronts. His economic reforms have angered the poor, a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has seen thousands jailed and an insurgency rages in Northern Sinai, led by Islamic State's Egyptian branch.The group has also claimed attacks in Cairo and urged its supporters in recent weeks to launch attacks around the world as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds.There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but exiled Brotherhood officials and other militant groups joined the international community in condemning the attack.The United States said it would work with its partners to "defeat such terrorist acts". The UN Security Council urged all states to cooperate with investigators to find the culprits.But Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. "God bless the person who did this blessed act," wrote one supporter on Telegram.Though Copts have traditionally supported the government, crowds gathered outside the cathedral on Sunday demanding revenge for the attack that took place on a Muslim holiday marking Prophet Mohammad's birthday and weeks before Christmas.Scuffles broke out as protesters accused police of security failures and demanded Sisi sack the interior minister. Some chanted "the people demand the fall of the regime", the rallying cry of the 2011 revolt that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.At Demerdash hospital, relatives sat outside the operating theatres dressed in black, tears streaming down their cheeks.The Health Ministry revised down the death toll from 25 overnight, but doctors said it was likely to rise as many people had suffered serious injuries and hospitals lacked drugs and equipment.Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, are the Middle East's biggest Christian community. They face regular attack by Muslim neighbours, who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or church construction.The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a New Year's service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising. At least 21 people were killed. The circumstances remain a mystery and no one was punished.Egypt's Christian community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities. In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State."There were police cars stationed in front of the church gates .. I'll tell you what they were doing, they were too busy eating breakfast and drinking tea and soda. They weren't doing their job, they weren't asking people going in and coming out," said Hani Gaballah, 43, a retired military officer."We have an incompetent government, look at the economy, we are surviving only because God is supporting us." REUTERS PY RAI1605 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1062067.Xml
Uzbekistan's Liberal Democratic Party nominated Deputy Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov for prime minister today, a position soon to be vacated by president-elect Shavkat Mirziyoyev.The party, which had backed Mirziyoyev in the Dec.4 presidential election, said in a statement on its website that Aripov, 55, was "capable of taking responsibility for reforms".REUTERS PY RAI1607 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1062071.Xml
A surface combatant squadron of the Russian Pacific Fleet has sailed off for the Indian port of Visakhapatnam to take part in the "Indra" naval joint drills, Vladimir Matveyev, a spokesman for Russia's Eastern military district said today. The squadron includes the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the Boris Butom tanker ship. "The squadron of the Pacific Fleet warship is heading to the Indian Eastern Fleet's base in the city of Visakhapatnam under the command of Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, the commander of the Maritime all-arms forces flotilla. The ships are to reach the destination on December 14," Matveyev told Tass news agency in an interview. Matveyev said, the squadron left the fleet's home base in mid-October. Since then, the ships have performed duty tasks in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, have taken part in the Indo Defence international arms show in the Indonesian port of Tanjung Priok and have visited Thailand's port of Sattahip. The drills will be held on December 14 through 21, in two stages. The coastal stage will be held in Visakhapatnam from December 14 to 18. Its programme will include exchange of official visits, conference meetings on coordination, etc. The sea-based phase will take place from December 19 to 21 in the Bay of Bengal. Participants will drill communications and night-time maneuvering skills, artillery shelling at sea-and air-based targets, skills to repel air attacks. The drills will involve ship-based helicopters. The Indian side will command the exercises.UNI XC PY SNU 1746 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1062273.Xml
Those who seek to damage the "one China" principle and harm China's core interests are "lifting a rock only to drop it on their feet", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today, in comments carried on the Foreign Ministry's website.The ministry said he make the remark in Switzerland when asked by a reporter about a telephone call between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. REUTERS AKC AN2116 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1062733.Xml
Two Britons were jailed today for funding terrorism by handing cash to Brussels bombing suspect Mohamed Abrini, "the man in the hat".Abrini, 31, was arrested in Belgium in April in connection with a suicide bombing at Brussels' Zaventem Airport and a blast at a metro station in which 32 people died.Abrini has been charged with being part of a terrorist organisation and is awaiting trial.Zakaria Boufassil, 26, was found guilty by a jury which heard that he and another man arranged a meeting with Abrini in a park in Small Heath, Birmingham, eight months before the Brussels attacks. Mohammed Ali Ahmed pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.Today Boufassil was sentenced to three years in jail and Ahmed received eight years, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.Ahmed withdrew 3,000 pounds (3,830 dollars) from an account set up by a third man and the pair handed over the cash to Abrini, the CPS said.Abrini became known as the man in the hat from CCTV pictures of him pushing a trolley through Brussels airport before the blast. REUTERS AKC AN2228 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1062765.Xml
US President-elect Donald Trump has made moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem a major priority, senior aide Kellyanne Conway said on Monday. "That is a very big priority for the President-elect, Donald Trump," Conway told a conservative radio show. "He made it very clear during the campaign ... and as President-elect I've heard him repeat it several times privately, if not publicly," EFE news quoted him as saying. Trump's predecessors, including Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton, did not support moving the embassy to the holy city once in office, while the majority of countries recognise Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem, as Israel's capital, keeping their embassies there. "It is something that our friend in Israel, a great friend in the Middle East, would appreciate and something that a lot of Jewish-Americans have expressed their preference for," Conway said. The senior aide said the issue had been addressed by Trump in the past. "It is a great move. It is an easy move to do based on how much he talked about that in the debates and in the sound bites," Conway said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview broadcast Sunday by the CBS show "60 Minutes" that he expected to have a better relationship with the incoming President than with his predecessor, Barack Obama, and expressed hope that Trump could help find a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians. "I know him very well. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is very clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state and the Jewish. There's no question about that," Netanyahu said. --IANS lok/ ( 290 Words) 2016-12-13-03:38:12 (IANS)
WELLINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Monday shocked the nation and his cabinet by announcing his resignation after eight years at the head of one of the most popular governments in the country's recent history.

Key, who led his center-right National Party to three successive general election victories, said in a broadcast statement that he would not lead his party into a fourth term in next year's election.

His voice audibly shaking, Key said he had informed the cabinet the same morning.

He cited family reasons for his resignation, saying the post had required great sacrifices "from those who are dearest to me."

"For my wife Bronagh, there have been many nights and weekends spent alone, many occasions that were important to her that I simply could not attend," said Key.

"My daughter Stephie and my son Max have transitioned from teenagers to young adults while coping with an extraordinary level of intrusion and pressure because of their father's job."

Key said the National Party Members of Parliament would hold a special caucus on Dec. 12 to choose a new leader, who would have time to "settle in" before the next election.

He was confident his party would be returned to power in the election which must be held by November next year.

"I do not believe that, if you asked me if I was committed to serving out a fourth term, that I could look the public in the eye and say yes," he said.

"This has been the hardest decision I have ever made and I do not know what I will do next. But for me this feels the right time to go."
By Robert Stanton

HOUSTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Houston businesses are rolling out the red carpet for Asian tourists who arrive in America' s fourth largest city for a slice of authentic Texas life.

"They are looking for that classic Texas experience - the cowboy roping a calf, the horse riding and seeing a giant Texas longhorn," said Jennifer Farrell, director of marketing at the George Ranch Historical Park and its working ranch. "Heritage tourism is a big thing."

The 23,000-plus acre George Ranch, located in adjacent Fort Bend County, traces its history to 1824 when Texas was still part of Mexico. Last year, the heritage park hosted 56,000 visitors, many of them Asians, Farrell said.

Indeed, Chinese tourists are soon expected to become the largest group of overseas visitors (not including Mexico and Canada) to the U.S. And American cities like Houston are trying to cash in, according to Attract China.

David Becker, CEO of Attract China, said that the number of Chinese visitors to the U.S. each year is approaching 2.5 million, and their contribution to the U.S. economy is expected to hit 85 billion U.S. dollars by 2021.

"Houston really provides both a contemporary and American vacation," Becker said. "You have both urban and country living. You can have barbecue and steak.

A grass-fed, corn finished steak is not an experience that most Chinese have. Most get their meat from dairy cows and the portions are quite small."

In Houston, Becker said, "they can do the classic American experience. The countryside, wide-open spaces are amazing, as well as the expanding urban landscape."

Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has played a huge role in attracting Asian tourists to the city. Although he retired in 2011, Yao's footprint in Houston remains large and his legacy endures.

Leo Yao, an Asia Pacific representative at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that Asian tourists usually have a clear idea of what they want in a Houston visit.

"Asians enjoy shopping, and they shop at The Galleria and in the River Oaks District," two of Houston's high-end shopping areas. "They also like to shop at Walmart and Walgreens, where they enjoy buying all the cosmetics and vitamins and things like that."

The Galleria is the fourth-largest mall in the U.S. with 400 stores and two hotels, while the River Oaks District is home to luxury stores that include Cartier, Dior and Hermes,among others.

Helping to boost the number of Asian tourists to Houston is the growing number of airlines servicing Asia, including United Airlines and ANA (All Nippon Airways).

"Before 2008, we had only Continental Airline flying between Tokyo and Houston," said Yao, of the Houston Convention &Visitors Bureau. "Today we have United and ANA Air. We have so many Asian airlines flying into Houston and they bring the tourism. It benefits Houston and it benefits Asians."

Local hotels, like the upscale St. Regis Houston, make a special effort to accommodate the growing number of Asian visitors, said Matthew Vesely, the hotel's director of marketing and sales.

"We have room door hangars written in Chinese character, where they can order comfort food in their style," Vesely said. "We also put their slippers next to the bed right away; we don' t wait for turn down service to do that. They like to wear slippers in their room all the time.

What's more, St. Regis places tea kettles and green tea in the rooms of Asian visitors, and for Chinese visitors the hotel provides a toothbrush, comb and razor blades because many hotels in China do not provide toiletries for guests.

"We want to make them feel comfortable when they arrive," Vesely said.

Before a Chinese delegation arrives, Vesely said that the hotel staff removes white flowers from the lobby area because the color white symbolizes bereavement, back luck and failure in the Chinese culture.

Asian visitors to Houston typically have a large disposable income and are ready to put that buying power to use, Vesely said.

"When they come here, it' s all shopping, shopping, shopping," he said. "They might be able to buy the same goods in China, like Cartier. "But the taxes are cheaper here and there's more selection."

In fact, international tourists can take their receipts to the tax-free office at The Galleria, which will refund their taxes. Some Asian visitors will take that refund to use for more shopping.

Chinese tourists recently became the Galleria's biggest foreign shoppers, and stores are hiring Mandarin-speaking sales staff to cater to them.

Leo Yao, one of the Asia Pacific reps at Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that Chinese tourists are discriminating about what they want to do and see in Houston.

"When you create an itinerary for a Chinese visitor, if you tell them we're going to a museum, they will always tell you no," Yao said. "However, if you say we have the Houston Museum of Natural Science with a dinosaur park, they realize we have a special museum. Many will stay to see the Egyptian exhibit as well."
John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State hands out the first ten-year visas to a group of Chinese citizens in a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy inBeijing. (Xinhua/File Photo)

By Robert Stanton

HOUSTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Houston businesses are rolling out the red carpet for Asian tourists who arrive in America' s fourth largest city for a slice of authentic Texas life.

"They are looking for that classic Texas experience - the cowboy roping a calf, the horse riding and seeing a giant Texas longhorn," said Jennifer Farrell, director of marketing at the George Ranch Historical Park and its working ranch. "Heritage tourism is a big thing."

The 23,000-plus acre George Ranch, located in adjacent Fort Bend County, traces its history to 1824 when Texas was still part of Mexico. Last year, the heritage park hosted 56,000 visitors, many of them Asians, Farrell said.

Indeed, Chinese tourists are soon expected to become the largest group of overseas visitors (not including Mexico and Canada) to the U.S. And American cities like Houston are trying to cash in, according to Attract China.

David Becker, CEO of Attract China, said that the number of Chinese visitors to the U.S. each year is approaching 2.5 million, and their contribution to the U.S. economy is expected to hit 85 billion U.S. dollars by 2021.

"Houston really provides both a contemporary and American vacation," Becker said. "You have both urban and country living. You can have barbecue and steak.

A grass-fed, corn finished steak is not an experience that most Chinese have. Most get their meat from dairy cows and the portions are quite small."

In Houston, Becker said, "they can do the classic American experience. The countryside, wide-open spaces are amazing, as well as the expanding urban landscape."

Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has played a huge role in attracting Asian tourists to the city. Although he retired in 2011, Yao's footprint in Houston remains large and his legacy endures.

Leo Yao, an Asia Pacific representative at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that Asian tourists usually have a clear idea of what they want in a Houston visit.

"Asians enjoy shopping, and they shop at The Galleria and in the River Oaks District," two of Houston's high-end shopping areas. "They also like to shop at Walmart and Walgreens, where they enjoy buying all the cosmetics and vitamins and things like that."

The Galleria is the fourth-largest mall in the U.S. with 400 stores and two hotels, while the River Oaks District is home to luxury stores that include Cartier, Dior and Hermes,among others.

Helping to boost the number of Asian tourists to Houston is the growing number of airlines servicing Asia, including United Airlines and ANA (All Nippon Airways).

"Before 2008, we had only Continental Airline flying between Tokyo and Houston," said Yao, of the Houston Convention &Visitors Bureau. "Today we have United and ANA Air. We have so many Asian airlines flying into Houston and they bring the tourism. It benefits Houston and it benefits Asians."

Local hotels, like the upscale St. Regis Houston, make a special effort to accommodate the growing number of Asian visitors, said Matthew Vesely, the hotel's director of marketing and sales.

"We have room door hangars written in Chinese character, where they can order comfort food in their style," Vesely said. "We also put their slippers next to the bed right away; we don' t wait for turn down service to do that. They like to wear slippers in their room all the time.

What's more, St. Regis places tea kettles and green tea in the rooms of Asian visitors, and for Chinese visitors the hotel provides a toothbrush, comb and razor blades because many hotels in China do not provide toiletries for guests.

"We want to make them feel comfortable when they arrive," Vesely said.

Before a Chinese delegation arrives, Vesely said that the hotel staff removes white flowers from the lobby area because the color white symbolizes bereavement, back luck and failure in the Chinese culture.

Asian visitors to Houston typically have a large disposable income and are ready to put that buying power to use, Vesely said.

"When they come here, it's all shopping, shopping, shopping," he said. "They might be able to buy the same goods in China, like Cartier. "But the taxes are cheaper here and there's more selection."

In fact, international tourists can take their receipts to the tax-free office at The Galleria, which will refund their taxes. Some Asian visitors will take that refund to use for more shopping.

Chinese tourists recently became the Galleria's biggest foreign shoppers, and stores are hiring Mandarin-speaking sales staff to cater to them.

Leo Yao, one of the Asia Pacific reps at Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that Chinese tourists are discriminating about what they want to do and see in Houston.

"When you create an itinerary for a Chinese visitor, if you tell them we're going to a museum, they will always tell you no," Yao said. "However, if you say we have the Houston Museum of Natural Science with a dinosaur park, they realize we have a special museum. Many will stay to see the Egyptian exhibit as well."
People gather at the explosion site in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 11, 2016. At least 25 people were killed and 49 others injured on Sunday in an explosion at the Coptic Cathedral in Abbasiya's neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt's Ministry of Health said in a statement. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Sunday "condemned in the strongest terms" a terrorist attack in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, which killed at least 25 people, stressing that "those responsible for these killings should be held accountable."

The 15-nation UN body, in a press statement issued here, said that "the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack" took place in St. Peter's Church attached to St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the statement said.

Earlier on Sunday, a bomb went off inside the church in Cairo's Abassiya neighborhood that was full of worshippers attending Sunday mass, leaving 25 people dead and 49 others injured, 10 of them in critical condition, reports said.

Local news reports said that initial inspections revealed that the blast was caused by a 12-kilogram highly-explosive TNT bomb.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, fingers are pointed at the Islamic State-affiliated Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) group which operates in the country's restive North Sinai province. The council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Egypt and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Security Council also condemned the terrorist attack that took place in Giza, Egypt on Friday, during which six Egyptian policemen were killed and a number of civilians were injured, said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Egypt and all other relevant authorities in this regard," the statement said.

"They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said.

"They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts," the statement said.
John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State hands out the first ten-year visas to a group of Chinese citizens in a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. (Xinhua/File Photo)

By Robert Stanton

HOUSTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Houston businesses are rolling out the red carpet for Asian tourists who arrive in America' s fourth largest city for a slice of authentic Texas life.

"They are looking for that classic Texas experience - the cowboy roping a calf, the horse riding and seeing a giant Texas longhorn," said Jennifer Farrell, director of marketing at the George Ranch Historical Park and its working ranch. "Heritage tourism is a big thing."

The 23,000-plus acre George Ranch, located in adjacent Fort Bend County, traces its history to 1824 when Texas was still part of Mexico. Last year, the heritage park hosted 56,000 visitors, many of them Asians, Farrell said.

Indeed, Chinese tourists are soon expected to become the largest group of overseas visitors (not including Mexico and Canada) to the U.S. And American cities like Houston are trying to cash in, according to Attract China.

David Becker, CEO of Attract China, said that the number of Chinese visitors to the U.S. each year is approaching 2.5 million, and their contribution to the U.S. economy is expected to hit 85 billion U.S. dollars by 2021.

"Houston really provides both a contemporary and American vacation," Becker said. "You have both urban and country living. You can have barbecue and steak.

A grass-fed, corn finished steak is not an experience that most Chinese have. Most get their meat from dairy cows and the portions are quite small."

In Houston, Becker said, "they can do the classic American experience. The countryside, wide-open spaces are amazing, as well as the expanding urban landscape."

Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has played a huge role in attracting Asian tourists to the city. Although he retired in 2011, Yao's footprint in Houston remains large and his legacy endures.

Leo Yao, an Asia Pacific representative at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that Asian tourists usually have a clear idea of what they want in a Houston visit.

"Asians enjoy shopping, and they shop at The Galleria and in the River Oaks District," two of Houston's high-end shopping areas. "They also like to shop at Walmart and Walgreens, where they enjoy buying all the cosmetics and vitamins and things like that."

The Galleria is the fourth-largest mall in the U.S. with 400 stores and two hotels, while the River Oaks District is home to luxury stores that include Cartier, Dior and Hermes,among others.

Helping to boost the number of Asian tourists to Houston is the growing number of airlines servicing Asia, including United Airlines and ANA (All Nippon Airways).

"Before 2008, we had only Continental Airline flying between Tokyo and Houston," said Yao, of the Houston Convention &Visitors Bureau. "Today we have United and ANA Air. We have so many Asian airlines flying into Houston and they bring the tourism. It benefits Houston and it benefits Asians."

Local hotels, like the upscale St. Regis Houston, make a special effort to accommodate the growing number of Asian visitors, said Matthew Vesely, the hotel's director of marketing and sales.

"We have room door hangars written in Chinese character, where they can order comfort food in their style," Vesely said. "We also put their slippers next to the bed right away; we don' t wait for turn down service to do that. They like to wear slippers in their room all the time.

What's more, St. Regis places tea kettles and green tea in the rooms of Asian visitors, and for Chinese visitors the hotel provides a toothbrush, comb and razor blades because many hotels in China do not provide toiletries for guests.

"We want to make them feel comfortable when they arrive," Vesely said.

Before a Chinese delegation arrives, Vesely said that the hotel staff removes white flowers from the lobby area because the color white symbolizes bereavement, back luck and failure in the Chinese culture.

Asian visitors to Houston typically have a large disposable income and are ready to put that buying power to use, Vesely said.

"When they come here, it's all shopping, shopping, shopping," he said. "They might be able to buy the same goods in China, like Cartier. "But the taxes are cheaper here and there's more selection."

In fact, international tourists can take their receipts to the tax-free office at The Galleria, which will refund their taxes. Some Asian visitors will take that refund to use for more shopping.

Chinese tourists recently became the Galleria's biggest foreign shoppers, and stores are hiring Mandarin-speaking sales staff to cater to them.

Leo Yao, one of the Asia Pacific reps at Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that Chinese tourists are discriminating about what they want to do and see in Houston.

"When you create an itinerary for a Chinese visitor, if you tell them we're going to a museum, they will always tell you no," Yao said. "However, if you say we have the Houston Museum of Natural Science with a dinosaur park, they realize we have a special museum. Many will stay to see the Egyptian exhibit as well."
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned a terrorist attack in a church in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, which left at least 25 people dead, and voiced his hope that the perpetrators of this horrific terrorist act will be swiftly brought to justice.

The secretary-general condemned the attack in St. Peter's Church, attached to St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, which also injured 49 people, said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"The secretary-general expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt," the statement said.

"He wishes a quick recovery to those injured and hopes that the perpetrators of this horrific terrorist act against a place of worship will be swiftly identified and brought to justice," the statement added.

Earlier on Sunday, the UN Security Council "condemned in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Cairo, and stressed that "those responsible for these killings should be held accountable."

The 15-nation UN body, in a press statement issued here, described the attack as being "heinous and cowardly."

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the council statement said.

A bomb went off inside the church in Cairo's Abassiya neighborhood that was full of worshippers attending Sunday mass, leaving 25 people dead and 49 others injured, 10 of them in critical condition, reports said.

Local news reports said that initial inspections revealed that the blast was caused by a 12-kilogram highly-explosive TNT bomb.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, fingers are pointed at the Islamic State-affiliated Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) group which operates in the country's restive North Sinai province.
File photo taken onDec. 5, 2016 shows Bill English attending a press conference inWellington, New Zealand. New Zealand's ruling center-right NationalParty on Dec. 12, 2016 confirmed that Bill English is replacingoutgoing Prime Minister John Key, while the new Deputy PrimeMinister will be Paula Bennett. (Xinhua/Su Liang)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's ruling center-right National Party on Monday confirmed that Bill English is replacing outgoing Prime Minister John Key, while the new Deputy Prime Minister will be Paula Bennett.

English, who was elected by his Parliamentary caucus exactly a week after Key announced his shock resignation, repeatedly stressed in a televised press conference that the government under his leadership would follow the same policy settings laid down under Key's eight years as the country's leader.

English had already said that Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce would replace him as Finance Minister, but he declined Monday to outline any further changes to his Cabinet until later this week.

English, 54, has been deputy to Key and Finance Minister since the National Party was came to power in 2008.

He was a farmer in the far south of the South Island and policy analyst at the New Zealand Treasury before being elected to Parliament in 1990.

He will lead the government into the next general election, which must take place by September next year.

He became National Party leader in 2001 and led the party to its worst ever general election defeat in 2002.

He said at the press conference that he had learned a lot since his 2002 defeat.

"You learn a lot more from losing than you do from winning," he said.

He described himself as an "active Catholic" and said his faith was important to him: "It doesn't define me, but it's an important influence."

In terms of personality and background, English is commonly perceived to be as different from Key as he could be.

The self-deprecating Key has sold himself and the country over eight years in power on his outward optimism and ability to shrug off trouble traits that have carried him on a rags-to-riches rise.

Key grew up in a state house in Christchurch before studying commerce at Canterbury University and going straight into investment banking, a career that took him abroad as a foreign exchange dealer for Merrill Lynch, and made his fortune.

English, on the other hand, has established a reputation as a dour policy wonk, with the gruff exterior of a stereotypical New Zealand farmer.

But together they formed one of the most rock-solid political partnerships in recent New Zealand history.

They will remembered for steering New Zealand through its economic recovery after the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and the disastrous Canterbury earthquakes that killed 185 people in February 2011.
HAVANA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban government and the EU will sign on Monday a bilateral Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), after two decades of frosty ties.

The text should be signed on Monday in Brussels by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and the EU's chief diplomat, Federica Mogherini.

Mogherini, who is also the vice-president of the European Commission, was in Havana in March as part of the negotiation process.

"We are at a real turning point in relations between the EU and Cuba. Through this new agreement, the EU shows its willingness to support the process of economic and social modernization in Cuba, and I hope we will continue to advance in our bilateral relations," said Mogherini in a statement this week.

Cuba reacted at the time through Abelardo Moreno, the deputy foreign minister, who led the negotiations with the EU since 2014.

Moreno said that this agreement "will provide for the first time relations between the two parties with a reciprocal, respectful and mutually advantageous contractual framework for the development of political dialogue and cooperation, including the facilitation of trade."

Since 1996, the EU had adopted a Common Position, pushed by Spain, which condition relations with Cuba to the encouragement of democracy and respect for human rights.

This led to a prolonged distance created between Brussels and Havana, with the Cuban government maintaining this was a "selective and discriminatory" policy.

However, after Venezuela, the EU is Cuba's second-largest trading partner, its main foreign investor and the important provider of cooperation funds. The EU has invested heavily in Cuba, especially in the electricity, water, healthcare, food and agriculture sectors.

The agreement signed Monday will remain provisional, until it is ratified by the European Parliament, as well as by each of the member countries. It will engage the EU to relations with Cuba only in areas under Brussels' jurisdiction, such as development and trade.
File photo taken onDec. 5, 2016 shows Bill English attending a press conference inWellington, New Zealand. New Zealand's ruling center-right NationalParty on Dec. 12, 2016 confirmed that Bill English is replacingoutgoing Prime Minister John Key, while the new Deputy PrimeMinister will be Paula Bennett. (Xinhua/Su Liang)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) --- New Zealand's ruling center-right National Party on Monday confirmed that Bill English is replacing outgoing Prime Minister John Key, and the new deputy prime minister will be Paula Bennett.

English, who was elected by his parliamentary caucus exactly a week after Key announced his shock resignation, repeatedly stressed in a broadcast press conference that the government under his leadership would follow the same policy settings laid down under Key's eight years as the country's leader.

He had already said that Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce would replace him as finance minister, but he declined Monday to outline any further changes to his cabinet, saying they would be announced before Christmas.

English, 54, has been deputy to Key and finance minister since the National Party came to power in 2008.

He was a farmer in the far south of the South Island and policy analyst at the New Zealand Treasury before being elected to Parliament in 1990.

He will lead the government into the next general election, which must take place by September next year.

He became National Party leader in 2001 and led the party to its worst ever general election defeat in 2002.

He said at the press conference that he had learned a lot since his 2002 defeat.

"You learn a lot more from losing than you do from winning," he said.

He described himself as an "active Catholic and proud of it" and said his faith was important to him: "It doesn't define me, but it's an important influence."

He said New Zealand would continue to build on its "critical" relationship with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump.

"The fundamental relationship is in great shape and we'd like to use the opportunity of the relationship with the United States to influence them on issues that matter to us," he said.

He paid tribute to deputy leader Paula Bennett and her "inspiring journey from teenage solo mum to Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand."

Bennett, previously ranked fifth in the cabinet, first became a minister in 2008 after being elected to Parliament in 2005.

She has held the portfolios of social development, climate change issues, social housing and state services.

Bennett said she was grateful for being given a second chance since she was "a 17-year-old Maori solo mum."

"The last couple of days have been pretty reflective, I must say," said Bennett.

Both English and Bennett were elected unopposed after rival candidates withdrew their nominations.

In terms of personality and background, English is commonly perceived to be as different from Key as he could be.

The self-deprecating Key has sold himself and the country over eight years in power on his outward optimism and ability to shrug off trouble traits that have carried him on a rags-to-riches rise.

Key grew up in a state house in Christchurch before studying commerce at Canterbury University and going straight into investment banking, a career that took him abroad as a foreign exchange dealer for Merrill Lynch and made his fortune.

English, on the other hand, has established a reputation as a dour policy wonk, with the gruff exterior of a stereotypical New Zealand farmer.

But together they formed one of the most rock-solid political partnerships in recent New Zealand history.

Together they will be remembered for steering New Zealand through its economic recovery after the global financial crisis of 2008 and the disastrous Canterbury earthquakes that killed 185 people in February 2011.

Key will take up a seat on the government's back benches until he leaves Parliament next year.
CARACAS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-three percent of Venezuelans support the government of President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) in talks to find solutions to the country's problems, polling firm Hinterlaces announced Sunday.

According to the results, 1,580 Venezuelans were polled by phone between Nov. 24 and Dec. 5. Only 24 percent of these did not agree with the dialogue that began on Oct. 30 while 3 percent said they did not know enough to answer.

Meanwhile, 89 percent of the Venezuelans, who are deeply affected by an economic crisis which has made food and medicine scarce, agreed that the business sector should join the dialogue.

Eighty-five percent also said that in order to make a potential deal as wide-reaching as possible, independent political actors, which do not belong to the socialist administration or the MUD, should be included.

The Venezuelan government and the opposition MUD had agreed to meet in October to define a roadmap to overcome the country's political and economic crisis.

The talks, which started on Oct. 30, ran into trouble last week when the MUD refused to attend the third round, alleging that the government of Maduro had not fulfilled the commitments reached in the previous two rounds.

However, both sides later agreed to resume the dialogue on Jan. 13, 2017.
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's ruling political party began to splinter after President Park Geun-hye was impeached last week in an overwhelming support from her own party.

Spokesman of a faction in the ruling Saenuri Party, which is not loyal to President Park, told a press briefing on Monday that the party leadership should immediately step down and the pro-Park faction should be dismantled.

The party leadership is composed of loyalists to President Park, whom the spokesman portrayed as "the men of Choi Soon-sil," a longtime confidante of the impeached president who has been charged with using her sway with Park to extort donations from conglomerates and access secret government documents.

The impeachment motion was passed by 234 to 56 through the 300-seat National Assembly last Friday, indicating at least 62 votes in favor from the ruling party as there are 172 opposition and independent lawmakers.

The division of the governing party, which has 128 parliamentary seats, became clear as internal fight between the anti- and the pro-Park clans called on each other to leave their party after the impeachment vote.

The party leadership called on former party chairman Kim Moo-sung and former whip Yoo Seung-min, who are leading the anti-Park faction, to defect from the party, issuing searing criticism of them as betrayers, according to local media reports.

Scores of pro-Park faction members held a meeting on Sunday night, agreeing to launch their formal council comprising about 50 legislators on Tuesday.

The ruling party's split seems a matter of time, making it harder for President Park's party to regain power in the next presidential election, which is expected to be brought forward.

The election is originally scheduled to be held in December 2017 as Park's single, five-year term ends in February 2018.

Park has been suspended from office, and her tenure would be stopped if the two-thirds of the constitutional court's nine judges justify it within 180 days.

Calls rise for the court to rule on it as early as possible to stabilize state affairs and minimize power vacuum.
New Zealand's new Prime Minister Bill English attends a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand, Dec. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Su Liang)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's ruling center-right National Party on Monday confirmed that Bill English is replacing outgoing Prime Minister John Key, and the new deputy prime minister will be Paula Bennett.

English, who was elected by his parliamentary caucus exactly a week after Key announced his shock resignation, repeatedly stressed in a broadcast press conference that the government under his leadership would follow the same policy settings laid down under Key's eight years as the country's leader.

He had already said that Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce would replace him as finance minister, but he declined Monday to outline any further changes to his cabinet, saying they would be announced before Christmas.

English, 54, has been deputy to Key and finance minister since the National Party came to power in 2008.

He was a farmer in the far south of the South Island and policy analyst at the New Zealand Treasury before being elected to Parliament in 1990.

He will lead the government into the next general election, which must take place by September next year.

He became National Party leader in 2001 and led the party to its worst ever general election defeat in 2002.

He said at the press conference that he had learned a lot since his 2002 defeat.

"You learn a lot more from losing than you do from winning," he said.

He described himself as an "active Catholic and proud of it" and said his faith was important to him: "It doesn't define me, but it's an important influence."

He said New Zealand would continue to build on its "critical" relationship with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump.

"The fundamental relationship is in great shape and we'd like to use the opportunity of the relationship with the United States to influence them on issues that matter to us," he said.

He paid tribute to deputy leader Paula Bennett and her "inspiring journey from teenage solo mum to Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand."

Bennett, previously ranked fifth in the cabinet, first became a minister in 2008 after being elected to Parliament in 2005.

She has held the portfolios of social development, climate change issues, social housing and state services.

Bennett said she was grateful for being given a second chance since she was "a 17-year-old Maori solo mum."

"The last couple of days have been pretty reflective, I must say," said Bennett.

Both English and Bennett were elected unopposed after rival candidates withdrew their nominations.

In terms of personality and background, English is commonly perceived to be as different from Key as he could be.

The self-deprecating Key has sold himself and the country over eight years in power on his outward optimism and ability to shrug off trouble traits that have carried him on a rags-to-riches rise.

Key grew up in a state house in Christchurch before studying commerce at Canterbury University and going straight into investment banking, a career that took him abroad as a foreign exchange dealer for Merrill Lynch and made his fortune.

English, on the other hand, has established a reputation as a dour policy wonk, with the gruff exterior of a stereotypical New Zealand farmer.

But together they formed one of the most rock-solid political partnerships in recent New Zealand history.

Together they will be remembered for steering New Zealand through its economic recovery after the global financial crisis of 2008 and the disastrous Canterbury earthquakes that killed 185 people in February 2011.

Key will take up a seat on the government's back benches until he leaves Parliament next year.

New Zealand's new Prime Minister Bill English (L) and new Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett attend a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand, Dec. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Su Liang)
HANOI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam is eyeing to increase exports of processed coffee to achieve export revenues of 5 to 6 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association said Monday.

The coffee industry is restructuring itself to raise productivity, quality and value, local Vietnam News online newspaper quoted the association chairman Luong Van Tu as saying.

According to Tu, coffee plantation area is being kept at 600,000 hectares with a focus on planting new trees with higher productivity and quality.

Meanwhile, Doan Xuan Hoa, former deputy director of the Department of Processing and Trade for Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Products and Salt Production, said the coffee industry has developed strongly in the last 10 years, exporting 1.2-1.5 million tons worth 1.7-1.8 billion dollars a year and accounting for 15-20 percent of the country's agricultural exports.

Vietnam is the world's second largest coffee exporter and leads the world in Robusta production and exports. However, the country's coffee export remains in the form of unprocessed beans with little value addition.

The industry is facing several problems like small scale of production, aging coffee trees, poor quality control and outdated processing technologies.

Some 140,000-160,000 hectares of coffee trees need to be replanted in the next five to ten years, posing a big challenge for the industry, said Hoa.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at U.S. space agency NASA and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have presented findings that could enable spacecraft to travel in space for light years.

At a recent meeting held here on science and technology, researchers proposed a silicon chip that could automatically self-repair the damages caused by high-energy radiation in space.

"On-chip healing has been around for many, many years," NASA team member Jin-Woo Han said Wednesday at the International Electron Devices Meeting, as quoted by IEEE Spectrum magazine of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE).

As the co-developer, the team at KAIST used its experimental "gate-all-around" nanowire transistor to address chip damage through electric current heating.

The transistor can repair radiation-induced damage for many times, "with experiments showing that flash memory can be recovered up to around 10,000 times and DRAM returned to its pristine state a trillion times," according to the magazine.

The theory is that the chip inside the spacecraft would be powered down every few years during the space journey, activating the transistor to remedy any radiation-induced defects and then power up the chip again.

Although it's still a hypothetical solution, the technology is expected to make the lengthy interstellar space trips feasible, including the ongoing Breakthrough Starshot program aiming to launch a flyby mission to the closest star system Alpha Centauri in about 20 years.

The 100-million-U.S.-dollar project was established in April by a team of scientists including British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, trying to use light beam to propel "nanocrafts" to 20 percent of light speed and thus enable light-year flight missions.

The "nanocrafts" are gram-scale robotic spacecrafts consisting of two main parts: a computer CPU sized "StarChip" and a "Lightsail" made with metamaterials no more than a few hundred atoms thick.

Breakthrough Starshot was sponsored by the Breakthrough Initiatives program, which was founded in 2015 in a bid to search for extraterrestrial intelligence in at least 10 years.
by Xinhua Writer Xia Lin

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- As it is likely that Exxon Mobil Corp. chief executive Rex Tillerson will serve as the U.S. secretary of state, Latin American countries are feeling increasingly uncertain about what trade policy President-elect Donald Trump will adopt during the next four years.

During his campaign, Trump said repeatedly he would reconsider the trade policy of the United States, especially the 22-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in order to win jobs back home.

However, this would contradict the possible choice of Tillerson, who has been renowned for his longstanding support for free trade.

"It is not known yet whether Trump is really going to raise U.S. protectionist flags. If he did, it would certainly affect Mexico," Mario Torrico, a political analyst at Mexico's research institute FLASCO, told Xinhua.

During a surprise trip to Mexico City to meet President Enrique Pena Nieto in August, Trump said "I shared my strong view (with Nieto) that NAFTA has been a far greater benefit to Mexico than it has been to the U.S., and that it must be improved to make sure that workers, so important, in both countries benefit from fair and reciprocal trade."

Mexico shuddered at the comment. The trade pact has helped Mexico channel 80 percent of exports to its neighbor, and an improvement Trump wants might mean huge losses for Mexico.

There are more shocks for the so-called "backyard of America" in store. High expectations are being thwarted for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which has been trumpeted by the administration of President Barack Obama to align regional trade, but was dismissed by Trump as worthless.

The accord involves 12 countries, with Mexico, Peru and Chile in Latin America all in need of collective treaties to boost their development.

Global or regional trade agreements like NAFTA and TPP are meant to bind members for common benefits in trade and tariffs. As such impetus is diminishing in the Western Hemisphere, Latin America is turning to the East, or Asia, especially China.

"However, right now I think that Asia, China in particular, has a very significant economic potential. Latin American countries could take advantage of that economic potential to diversify their exports," said Torrico.

Highlighting the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), Chinese President Xi Jinping assured Latin America's aspiration for more markets based on globalization.

The FTAAP is "a strategic initiative critical for the long-term prosperity of the Asia-Pacific," Xi said at the APEC meeting in Lima, Peru, in November, urging relevant sides to "firmly pursue the FTAAP as an institutional mechanism for ensuring an open economy in the Asia-Pacific."

Pulling Asia-Pacific countries together, the FTAAP aims to revitalize the engine role of trade and investment, while enhancing the openness and inclusiveness of free trade and continuing multilateralism.

Behind this unprecedented initiative is the truth that opportunities multiply with multilateralism and decrease with protectionism.

"I am afraid that the big countries, especially the U.S., will probably incline to conservatism in global trade, (and) even more protectionism," Mauricio Santoro, professor of international relations at the Rio de Janeiro State University of Brazil, told Xinhua.

"China will maintain a more open attitude to the world," said Evandro Carvalho, an international law expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation of Brazil, adding that is exactly what is needed now.

Official statistics show that for Latin America, China is the second largest trade partner and the third largest investment source, while Latin America is China's seventh largest trade partner and an important overseas investment destination.

In 2015, trade volume between China and Latin America reached 236.5 billion U.S. dollars, up more than twentyfold over the past decade.

"It is pivotal for us to keep good relations with China. We expect the China-Latin America trade exchanges to score new developments," said Santoro.

China, the world's second largest economy, agreed with Latin America and the Caribbean in 2015 to reach 500 billion dollars of bilateral trade within the upcoming decade.

This in part explains why the region is hesitating at U.S. offers, while paying more attention to Asia, especially China. Enditem

(With Zhang Qichang and Zhang Wuyue reporting from Rio de Janeiro, and Qian Yongwen and Luis Brito from Mexico City)
COLOMBO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka parliament will have a three-day debate in January on the proposals for constitution making, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said on Monday.

Sri Lanka sponsors the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in September last year to work out a political solution to the country's Tamil national question. The country ended its 30-year war in May, 2009, and since then there has been demands for power devolution.

Kiriella told Xinhua that six subcommittees had worked out proposals and they would be debated in parliament on January 9-11.

"This is the first time in Sri Lanka that a constitution making process has been underway under the glare of media. Earlier, it was not open to the media. The general public can see what we do," he said.

After the debate, the views of respective political parties will be taken up for consideration in drafting the new constitution.

In the UNHRC session scheduled for March next year, Sri Lanka's case is listed to be taken. Therefore, the government is bent on showing some progress in constitution making this year, in coincidence with the first anniversary of President Maitripala Sirisena in office.
DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters captured the key neighborhood of Sheikh Saeed in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, the latest in a series of victories against the rebels, state news agency SANA reported.

Following days of battles, the Syrian army finally captured Sheikh Saeed, one of the few remaining rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo city.

The neighborhood is considered the last defense line for the rebels in southeastern Aleppo, and a high ground, whose control enables the Syrian army to expose the few remaining neighborhoods.

Over the past two weeks, the Syrian army has captured over 93 percent of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of a major offensive aimed to drive out the rebels from Aleppo city.

Pro-government Ekhbariyeh TV said the rebels are in control now of only seven square km of southeastern Aleppo.

The report said 87,000 civilians have fled eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks toward government-controlled areas in the western part of the city.

Nearly 3,500 civilians left eastern Aleppo on Monday alone.

Some rebels have also surrendered to the Syrian army in Aleppo.

As many as 728 rebels surrendered to the army in the past 24 hours in Aleppo, SANA said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that the decision for taking all of Aleppo has been taken, adding that the army's recapture of rebel-held areas in Aleppo will change the course of the battles in Syria.

Related:

Pro-Syria gov't fighters advance in key Aleppo neighborhood

ALEPPO, Syria, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- An elite pro-government forces advanced Sunday in a key rebel-held neighborhood in the country's northern city of Aleppo.

The Desert Falcon forces advanced on Sunday in some parts of the strategic Sheikh Saeed neighborhood southeast of Aleppo, where the rebels were amassing large numbers of fighters. Full story

Spotlight: Government army's dominance in Aleppo brings prospect for Syrian issue settlement

DAMASCUS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have taken 93 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, bringing prospect for settlement of the lingering Syrian issue, the country's national TV said Saturday evening.

The falling of the rebels in the key battleground marks a crucial juncture in the course of Syrian war, with expectations that the recapture would help to change the whole prospect of the prolonged crisis in the Middle East's war-torn country. Full story

Syrian army captures 93 percent of rebel-held areas in Aleppo

DAMASCUS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have become in control of 93 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, the country's national TV said Saturday evening.
TAIYUAN, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- For the past 70 years, Liu Fenghai, 89, has had her sleep interrupted countless times by the same nightmare.

"I dreamed about Japanese soldiers with sabers on their backs hunting me like an animal," Liu, from north China's Shanxi Province, said.

The tragedy is that this is no dream.

Liu was sexually assaulted when she was just 16 and her limp, lifeless body left for dead in a ravine by Imperial Japanese Army soldiers. She managed to summon what was left of her energy and crawled back home. The ordeal left her bed bound and unable to walk for over a month.

Tuesday is China's third Memorial Day to Commemorate Victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

"Comfort women," were women and girls forced into sex slavery by the Japanese during World War II. More than 100 were from Shanxi and those still alive today are still waiting for an official apology from Japan.

The clock, however, is ticking.

Zhang Shuangbing has been visiting and interviewing comfort women in the province for the past 35 years.

Of the 129 women Zhang has on record, only seven are still alive and, to this day, they are still plagued by disturbing flashbacks of the sexual abuse, beatings and physical torture they endured.

On June 13, 1943, Hao Yuelian, who was 15 at the time, was raped by two Japanese soldiers in her own home while her parents were out.

Later that same day, beaten, bruised and shaken from her earlier encounter with the soldiers she was abducted and put to work in a military brothel to provide sexual services to the Japanese army. She was kept tied up and raped day and night.

"The Japanese government must acknowledge the crime and apologize. I must live and wait for the day to come," Hao said.

Hao was left infertile due to her ordeal. Hers is not an isolated case.

"Nearly one sixth of the comfort women I visited were infertile because of what they were put through," Zhang said.

Those that struggled, or tried to escape, were murdered, others committed suicide, and some simply tried to forget what had happened and refused to talk about it, Zhang said.

"I spoke to nearly 130 women in Shanxi, but there were more women in the province who had been forced into sex slavery during the war. I did not get the chance to meet them all," Zhang said.

Some 400,000 women in Asia were forced to serve as comfort women during WWII, nearly half of whom were Chinese, according to Su Zhiliang, director of the comfort women research center at Shanghai Normal University.

On behalf of the women victims in Shanxi, Zhang submitted a letter of complaint to the Japanese government in 1992. The Supreme Court in Japan threw out the lawsuit in 2007. The three groups of comfort women who tried to sue the Japanese government all passed away without receiving an apology or compensation.

"They are witnesses to an event that should never be forgotten, but we are losing them every day," Zhang said.
JAKARTA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police's anti-terror squad Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88) has foiled attack plans targeting vital targets in the capital city, including the presidential palace.

The anti-terror squad confiscated a bomb that would be used in the attack, and is now pursuing two suspects after arresting four, including a female terrorist suspect.

The bomb was found in a dormitory house rented by the female suspect, which is located in Bekasi, an outskirt city of Jakarta, on Saturday. Two of her accomplices were arrested in East Jakarta later in the day.

Another suspect, identified as the bomb assembler, was arrested in Karanganyar, close to the city of Solo in Central Java on the same day.

"Two other suspects remain at large. There could be more suspects, depending on results of the developing investigation," a police spokesperson, Awi Setiyono, said on Sunday, adding that the pursuit is now under way in several cities in Central and East Java provinces.

Police said the bomb assembled by the terrorist cell members is so powerful that it can flatten houses in a radius of 300 meters.

Recruiting females to carry out attacks was a new method used by terrorists operating in the country as there had been no female involved in such attacks.

"The point is they are looking for people willing to do so," Awi said.

Police have found a letter that the female suspect wrote to her family, containing her farewell note related to her plan to commit a suicide bombing.

Police said the cell planning the attacks against vital targets in the capital had intense communication with Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian militant fighter joining the Islamic State (IS).

Police added that the cell received fund transfers from Naim to finance the bomb assembling and the attacks in Jakarta. Bahrun Naim, who is in Syria, was reported to have close links with IS senior figures.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his appreciation over the quick moves by the Densus 88 squad in foiling the attack plans.

The latest arrests against the terror cell showed that the danger of terrorism is still real in the nation, the president said.

"I ask people to actively take part in the efforts to combat terrorism. Without people's active participation it would be hard to curb terrorism," the president said here on Sunday.

Indonesia has seen several events related to intensive terror and radicalism activities this year. A deadly attack linked to Bahrun Naim occurred at an American cafe in downtown Jakarta in January, killing eight civilians and the attackers.

Police had also foiled an attack on Singapore's Marina Bay from neighboring Indonesia's island of Batam in August, which was also connected with Bahrun Naim.
RABAT, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Morocco has strongly condemned as "cowardly" a bomb attack that targeted on Sunday a Coptic church in Egypt's capital Cairo, local media reported on Monday.

The attack on the church, adjacent to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, killed 25 people, mostly Christians, and wounded dozens of others.

"Morocco strongly condemns this criminal terrorist act which runs counter universal human values and the principles of heavenly religions," Morocco's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by daily le Matin.

The ministry extended its condolences to the families of the victims and the Egyptian people.

It stressed Morocco's solidarity with Egypt in countering terrorist acts, regardless of their origins or their motives.

The statement called for coordinating efforts at the international level to face the scourge of terrorism that threatens international peace and stability, adding that terrorism should not be associated with any culture, religion or civilization.
NAIROBI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday deployed security personnel to guard the venue of Independence Day celebrations in Nairobi and across the country to thwart off terror and criminal incidences.

Nairobi Regional Coordinator Ann Nge'tich told journalists in Nairobi that the government has put in place adequate security measures to arrest terror suspects and criminals who might take advantage of the celebrations.

Nge'tich said security forces will be on standby to ensure law and order is maintained during cerebration to mark 53 years after Kenyan attained independence.

"We have mobilized all security agencies to enhance safety at the venue of Independence Day celebrations. The government has a duty to ensure all citizens feel safe and secure as we mark a critical milestone in the nation's history," she said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will address the public and dignitaries invited including Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe who is the special guest during the commemoration.

Nge'tich said the government has enhanced patrols and are conducting intelligence operations in targeted parts of the city.

"I want to assure all residents and visitors that security has been enhanced on a 24/7 basis as we celebrate this year's Jamhuri Day on Monday and indeed throughout the remaining days of the year 2016," she said on Sunday evening.

A senior security official told Xinhua on Monday that the government has made elaborate plans to ensure there would be no security lapses during the national fete to be celebrated across the 47 counties.

"We are alive to the fact that Nairobi and other parts of the country have suffered from a spate of terror attacks and have put deterrent measures in place. All persons and vehicles accessing the stadium in Nairobi and all venues where celebrations will take place will undergo thorough security checks," the security official said.

The country has been subjected to successive explosives attacks by Al-Shabaab operatives in the country following the onslaught by Kenyan soldiers on the Al-Shabaab in Somalia after the militia staged a series of attacks along the Kenyan coast.

Nge'tich urged Kenyans to showcase their patriotism and nationalism by coming out in large numbers to celebrate the national holiday.

"This is the perfect convergence of what unites our common history, nationhood, and the presidency," said Nge'tich, adding that the theme of this year's celebration is "Patriotism, Unity and Peace".

Senior government officials, diplomats and members of the public will attend the national fete in Nairobi.
BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- One must, whether an individual or a country, have principles when interacting with others. For China, the One China principle is one of the foremost preconditions for building formal ties with other countries.

The principle, which holds that there is only one China and Taiwan is an indispensable part of China, has once again been challenged by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in an impulsive manner.

During his interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump said, "I don't know why we have to be bound by a one China policy, unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."

The inappropriate rhetoric came just days after Trump had a phone call with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen, breaking decades of U.S. diplomatic policy.

China hopes to closely work with the upcoming U.S. administration to build a new type of major country relations. However, benign interaction between the world's two biggest economies can only be achieved on the basis of mutual respect and their political commitments, and the One China principle is one of them.

The One China principle is part of the consensus that Chinese government and successive U.S. administrations have honored over past decades.

Since 1972, when Richard Nixon broke the ice and began to engage with China, the principle has been recognized by former U.S. administrations and was included in three joint communiques issued by the two countries.

The three communiques constitute an important political legacy of former U.S. presidents and have been applied by the U.S. government to guide the development of China-U.S. relations.

In the 1972 China-U.S. Shanghai Communique, the U.S. declared that "all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China."

In the Aug. 17 Communique issued in 1982, the United States reiterated that its government had no intention of "pursuing a policy of 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan.'"

A country must be responsible for its commitments to other countries, and despite the change of government, the new U.S. administration should act in accordance with the current framework of China-U.S. ties, rather than ignoring it in an impulsive and self-deceiving way.

Fortunately, the U.S side has clarified its stance. After the Trump-Tsai phone call, the White House National Security Council spokesman, in response, said that "we remain firmly committed to our one-China policy based on the three joint communiques."

Taiwan is among the core and fundamental interests of China, a country that cherishes national sovereignty and territorial integrity just like any other.

No country is willing to bargain over core national interests, and China is no exception. China views the One China principle as a bottom line and there is no room for any compromise.

China can be a principal partner in cooperation with the new U.S. administration, provided it respects China's core interests. Differences can also be managed by the two sides in a constructive manner.

The world is watching Trump as he prepares to assume office. The new U.S. administration needs to be rational and respectful, rather than impulsive.

Related:

Commentary: Respecting each other's core interests key to healthy China-U.S. relations

BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- If history offers any guide, respecting each other's core interests is a fundamental principle for the healthy development of China-U.S. relations.

In a world that considers secessionism as a common enemy, the Taiwan issue is one of China's core interests, making the one-China policy a bedrock for Sino-U.S. relations, the most important bilateral ties of the international community. Full story

China urges U.S. president-elect to adhere to one-China policy

BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China said on Monday that it is "gravely concerned" about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's latest remarks suggesting he is reconsidering the one-China policy, urging the new administration to adhere to the policy.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The old-fashioned love story musical "La La Land" won great acclaim Sunday night at the Broadcast Film Critics Association's 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards, formally kicking off the Hollywood awards season in style.

The film about a jazz musician's romance with an aspiring actress garnered 12 nominations at the ceremony in Santa Monica and eight awards, including best picture and best director for 31-year-old Damien Chazelle.

"La La Land" also grabbed top honors for best original screenplay, best cinematography, best production design, best editing, best song and best score.

The hometown drama "Manchester By The Sea" won three awards: best actor for Casey Affleck, best young actor-actress for Lucas Hedges, and best original screenplay in a tie with "La La Land."

Best actress went to Natalie Portman for "Jackie." Best supporting actor was won by Mahershala Ali for "Moonlight." Best supporting actress was Viola Davis for "Fences."

The film "Arrival" received two awards: best Sci-fi/Horror film and best adapted screenplay.

In the television category, FX channel's "The People v. O.J. Simpson" took home four awards: best movie made for television or limited series, best actress for Sarah Paulson, best actor for Courtney B. Vance, and best supporting actor for Sterling K. Brown.
ANKARA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 118 officials of Turkey's opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were detained early on Monday as part of a counter-terror probe, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

They were charged with having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and conducting terror propaganda.

Police carried out anti-terror operations in five Turkish provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara, and raided the offices of HDP.

In Istanbul, HDP's provincial head Aysel Guzel, as well as district-level party heads, were among the detained.

The latest raid followed two explosions that rocked central Istanbul late Saturday and killed 44 people and wounded 155 others.

The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, a Kurdish militant group linked to the PKK, claimed responsibility for deadly attacks.

A total of 13 suspects linked to the bombings have been arrested so far.

The government accuses the HDP of having links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union.
MOGADISHU, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and African Union top envoy on Monday condemned Sunday's Mogadishu seaport attack and vowed to defeat extremists as death toll rose to 29.

Mohamud in a statement called on security forces in the country to be on high alert to prevent any other attacks noting that innocent people have lost their lives and families.

"I condemn these brutal attacks against our people. The priority of these groups is to destroy the people of this country whether civilians, community or security forces," he said in Mogadishu.

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was detonated on Sunday morning a few meters away from the entrance of the seaport, where civilians normally gather. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Most of the victims turned out to be truck drivers and port workers who were having tea in tea kiosks when the bomb went off on Sunday morning.

At least 29 people were killed and several others sustained injuries. The Somali leader said the attack would not break his people but unite them more in the fight against terror.

"We will do our best to eliminate these groups in due course," the president added.

Parliamentary Elections are ongoing in Mogadishu and various parts of the country ahead of the December 28 presidential vote.

In his statement, the AU Special Representative Francisco Madeira also condemned the terrorist attack in Mogadishu and urged vigilance.

Madeira said a deliberate attack on civilians going about their lives is not only heinous but also attests to Al-Shabaab's lack of consideration for human life.

"By disrupting and taking the lives of innocent Somali citizens and denying them the right to go about their daily life freely, peacefully and in confidence, Al-Shabaab is desperately struggling to remain relevant after AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces have effectively prevented them from making true their decision to disrupt the electoral process which is now nearing completion," he said.
NAIROBI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan nurses have called off their strike after week-long talks with government and Council of Governors after the Health Ministry agreed to increase nursing allowances on Sunday.

However, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) leaders differed on the status of the industrial action that has caused deaths, agony and misery to millions of patients across the country in the past one week.

The standoff which pits KNUN chairman John Bii, deputy secretary general Maurice Opetu and Assistant Chief Trustee Alice Oreng against Secretary General Seth Panyako, caused confusion on whether the strike was over or not.

A faction of nurses union led by deputy secretary general and chairman on Sunday signed 700 million U.S. dollar duty resumption agreement with Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu and Council of Governors Health chairman James Ongwae.

The KNUN Chairperson John Bii later suspended the strike and urged all nurses to resume duty with immediate effect.

Under the deal, both parties have agreed that there shall be no victimization or disciplinary action against KNUN members who took part in the industrial action that commenced on Dec. 5.

The health ministry and KNUN officials said the signed agreement will be harmonized with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) once registered in court.

According to the agreement, nurses in Job Group G-L will receive a top up of 200 U.S. dollars and those in Job Group M and above will get 150 dollars from January 2017.

The payment will be administered in two phases in the proportion of 60 percent and 40 per cent in the months of January 2017 and July 2017 respectively.

"On our part we undertake to continuously engage with all parties to ensure that medical services resume to normalcy across Kenya. We appeal to our doctors to come back to the negotiation table and reconsider the offer we granted them," Mailu said.

Ongwae said the CBA will be executed by all County Secretaries and Chairmen of the Public Service Board on Dec. 14.

"We shall continue to engage the Union to avert any future strike and ensure Kenyans get services uninterrupted," he argued.

The union officials said the agreement was signed between the national and county governments and the nurses and would form part of the collective bargaining agreement that would be formulated within two months effective January 1, 2017.

"We felt that we would not hold this country comprising of 40 million Kenyans at ransom simply because one of us does not want to sign the agreement that we negotiated and agreed upon," said Bii.

However, KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako denounced the announcement to end the nurses' strike by his deputy and his chairman and urged nurses to stay away from work.

Panyako who insisted the strike is still on, called on nurses to ignore the statement issued earlier by the two union officials, noting that the only organ mandated to issue such a statement is the union's national governing council through the secretary general.

He told journalists in Kakamega in Western Kenya that the three KNUN leaders including Assistant Chief Trustee Alice Oreng, who had called off the strike, had been compromised by the government and had no authority to speak on behalf of nurses.

He stated that the national governing council of the union will be meeting on Monday to discuss the agreements reached between the union and the government and thereafter they will issue a statement on whether they will call off the strike or not.

Meanwhile, Panyako on Sunday recalled ten nurses back to work at the Naivasha Level Four Hospital to assist victims of the tanker tragedy. He said that even though medics are currently on strike, they cannot put the lives of the public in danger.

"We cannot put the lives of the public in danger during such emergencies. Therefore, we recall ten nurses to Naivasha Level Four Hospital to immediately assist the affected victims," he said.

"We still persist with our strike, and I have only recalled nurses. But the governing council is the only one that can call off the ongoing strike," he noted.
SKOPJE, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Macedonia's ruling party VMRO-DPMNE has defeated its main rival SDSM with a slim lead in early elections, winning a parliamentary majority of 51 seats, the state elections commission announced Monday morning.

Based on the counting of 99.34 percent of the ballots, the coalition led by former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE party won 38.06 percent of the vote, while the coalition headed by opposition leader Zoran Zaev's SDSM party won 36.69 percent, according to representatives of Macedonia's state elections commission.

The voting result means VMRO-DPMNE will hold 51 seats in the Macedonian parliament and the SDSM two seats less.

The commission said the elections were a success despite some minor irregularities.

Gruevski, the winner of the elections, declared that the elections showed Macedonia is a democratic country and able to hold free and fair elections.

"We won with more than 400,000 votes and I am so grateful to all the citizens who trusted and voted for our coalition," Gruevski said.

The elections were called two years early as a way out of the prolonged political crisis which started last year, after the main opposition party SDSM accused the ruling party VMRO-DPMNE of illegal wiretapping and corruption.
File photo shows tourists disembark from Silver cloud vessel that docked at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, Dec. 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Mbuyu Cazeiya)

MOMBASA, Kenya, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's tourism stakeholders in the coastal region say the sector has been performing quite well since the onset of the high season in July.

Kenya Coast Tourist Association chairperson, Mohammed Hersi, said the region had been performing well with bed occupancy in hotels ranging between 70 and 90 percent as from October.

"Currently, we are operating on an average of 90 percent bed occupancy in many hotels in the region. Domestic tourism however takes a bigger percentage," Hersi told journalists in the coastal resort city of Mombasa.

The sector received a boost earlier this month after a cruise ship, MS Silver Cloud, called at the port of Mombasa with 438 guests -- 216 tourists and 222 crew members. Many of the tourists on board were those from Europe and the United States.

"The arrival of the tourists is a stamp of approval that Kenya is a quality destination," Hersi said. The Kenya Tourism Board said it expected more ships to be calling at the Mombasa port until January.

Kenya Tourism Board Assistant Public Relations Manager, Kimutai Ngeno, said the sector had recorded an increase of cruise tourism this year compared to the previous years.

Ngeno said the calling of the cruise ships was a sign of confidence for the destination owing to improved security in the Indian Ocean. Last year, the country attracted more than 3,000 cruise tourists, compared with 900 in 2014.

"The number has gone up, and by September, we had received over 1,880 cruise tourists. We are hoping the number will go up as we have several ships lined up," said Kimutai.

In 2013 and 2014, the region was badly hit by the sporadic Al-Shabaab terror attacks leading to the issuance of travel advisories by Western nations.

This led to the cancellation of charter flights as well as cruise ship trips to Mombasa.

The region lost over 70 percent of international arrivals and has since then been depending largely on domestic tourists.


Rwandan drone operators prepare a crop monitoring drone in Musanze district, Northern Rwanda, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua)

KIGALI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- A consortium of organizations earlier this month launched an aerial drone to gather vital agricultural information for Irish Potato farmers in northern Rwanda.

It will serve 2,000 potato farmers affiliated with 20 potato farmer cooperatives called Imbaraga Cooperative Federation, located in Nyabihu, Burera and Musanze districts.

The drone technology can identify the optimal maturity of potato plants for farmers, and can also spot nutrient deficient or diseased crops.

The United States Agency for International Development, through its Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth Project, is partnering with AgriLift, a Rwanda-based information technology company to pilot the drone-based crop monitoring technology.

AgriLift's goal is to use this eye in the sky to provide local farmers and agribusinesses with rapid information on their crops, allowing them to take corrective measures almost immediately.
BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China said on Monday that it is "gravely concerned" about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's latest remarks suggesting he is reconsidering the one-China policy, urging the new administration to adhere to the policy.

"The one-China policy is the political foundation of China-U.S. ties," said Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a daily press briefing.

He said the stable and healthy development of China-U.S. ties and cooperation in major areas will be severely affected if this foundation was undermined.

On "Fox News Sunday," Trump said that that he does not feel "bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."

The Taiwan issue, concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, involves China's core interest, Geng said.

"We urge the new U.S. leader and the government to fully recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, continue to stick to the one-China policy and the three Joint Communiques between China and the United States, and discreetly deal with Taiwan-related issues so as to prevent China-U.S. relations from being severely disturbed and damaged," the spokesperson said.
LONDON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- British police arrested a total of six suspects in London and central England Monday morning on suspicion of offences under the country's terrorism laws.

A statement published by the British North East Counter Terrorism Unit said they had arrested four men from Derby, aged 22, 27, 35 and 36, as well as a 27-year-old man from Burton on Trent and a 32-year-old woman from London.

The arrests all relate to suspicion of engaging in the Preparation of an Act of Terrorism, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, the statement said.
ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni police forces on Monday defused an explosives-laden car that was found parked in a residential neighborhood in Aden province, two days after a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group killed 50 soldiers.

Residents of the neighborhood of Mu'alla reported to security agencies in Aden that they found a booby-trapped car, a senior official with the local government told Xinhua.

Police bomb disposal technicians arrived at the scene and defused the explosives after moving the booby-trapped vehicle to a safe place, spokesman for Aden's Police Command Abdul-Rahman Naqeeb told Xinhua.

Army forces cordoned off the area, and special anti-terror soldiers are still searching for suspected elements, the spokesman added.

The incident comes two days after a suicide bomber of the Yemen-based affiliate of the IS group struck an army base near Aden's international airport, leaving 50 pro-government soldiers dead and more than 40 others injured.

The IS suicide bomber disguised with military uniform and blew himself up as hundreds of soldiers gathered to receive their delayed monthly salaries, according to local sources.

The southern port city of Aden is the headquarters of Yemen's internationally-backed President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government.

Aden witnessed several well-planned assassinations and armed attacks after Saudi-backed forces drove the Shiite Houthi rebels out from the strategic city in July 2015.

However, the newly-trained anti-terrorism troops supported by UAE armored vehicles made substantial advances in recent weeks, disabling several explosives factories used by terrorists to make car bombs in Aden.

In addition, several leaders of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch were captured in raids conducted by the UAE-backed Yemeni forces in Aden and neighboring provinces.

Yemen, an impoverished Arab country, has been gripped by one of the most active regional al-Qaida insurgencies in the Middle East.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), also known locally as "Ansar al-Sharia," emerged in January 2009, claiming responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks against Yemen's army and governmental institutions.

The AQAP and the IS-linked terrorists took advantage of the security vacuum and the ongoing civil war to expand their influence and seize more territories in southern Yemen.

Security in Yemen has deteriorated since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Over 10,000 people have been killed in ground battles and airstrikes since then, many of them civilians.
Soldiers of pro-government militia rest in Aleppo, Syria, on Dec. 11, 2016. The Syrian army and allied fighters are now in control of 98 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, the media arm of the Syrian military said Monday. (Xinhua/Yang Zhen)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters are now in control of 98 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, the media arm of the Syrian military said Monday.

This comes as Syrian forces continued to advance in eastern Aleppo on Monday, capturing the neighborhoods of Sheikh Saeed, Shahadien, Iskan, Karm Afandi, Karm Dada, Salhien, all the way to the al-Haj bridge, Bab al-Maqam, Fardos and Qalat Saharif in the southeastern part of Aleppo.

The report said the Syrian army is moving on toward the remaining rebel-held areas of Kalaseh, Bustan al-Qaser, Souk al-Hal and Sukari, amid a collapse in rebel morale.

Meanwhile, a military source told Xinhua that the rebels are now trapped in an area of five square km in southeastern Aleppo.

Pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV cited a senior military source as saying that the army will continue its battles until liberating the remaining neighborhoods in Aleppo.

Syrian government forces have been conducting a crushing offensive against the rebels in eastern Aleppo, which had been under rebel control since 2012.

President Bashar al-Assad also said that the decision for taking all of Aleppo has been taken, adding that the army's recapture of rebel-held areas in Aleppo will change the course of the battles in Syria.

Related:

Pro-Syria gov't fighters advance in key Aleppo neighborhood

ALEPPO, Syria, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- An elite pro-government forces advanced Sunday in a key rebel-held neighborhood in the country's northern city of Aleppo.

The Desert Falcon forces advanced on Sunday in some parts of the strategic Sheikh Saeed neighborhood southeast of Aleppo, where the rebels were amassing large numbers of fighters. Full story

Spotlight: Government army's dominance in Aleppo brings prospect for Syrian issue settlement

DAMASCUS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have taken 93 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, bringing prospect for settlement of the lingering Syrian issue, the country's national TV said Saturday evening.

The falling of the rebels in the key battleground marks a crucial juncture in the course of Syrian war, with expectations that the recapture would help to change the whole prospect of the prolonged crisis in the Middle East's war-torn country. Full story

Syrian army captures 93 percent of rebel-held areas in Aleppo

DAMASCUS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have become in control of 93 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, the country's national TV said Saturday evening.
Top Communist Party of China (CPC) and state leaders Xi Jinping and Liu Yunshan meet with attendees at a conference to honor model families across the nation in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for efforts to enhance virtue and civility in Chinese families and make them "an important foundation" for national development, progress and social harmony.

People from all walks of life should work for "a new trend toward socialist family values" featuring love for the nation, family and one another, devotion to progress and kindness, and mutual growth and sharing, said Xi when meeting with attendees at a Beijing conference to honor model families across the nation.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Chinese nation has always valued the family.

"Traditional family values have been engraved on the minds and melted into the blood of the Chinese people," Xi said.

Describing them as important spiritual power supporting the Chinese nation, Xi said virtue is a precious treasure for promotion of family harmony.

Xi hoped that families would value education and their own familial culture.

Calling families as "cells of society," Xi went on, "a prosperous, strong nation, the great national rejuvenation and the happiness of the people are embodied by the happiness of tens of thousands of families and the better life of hundreds of millions of people."

Only by realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation can the dreams of families come true, Xi added, calling on households, more than 400 million of them, to integrate their love for the family with their love for the nation.

Xi said though family education had many aspects, the most important was in character building, stressing sound moral values should be passed down to children from an early age.

Efforts should be made to "guide children to develop the trait of integrity, help them cultivate beautiful minds and ensure their healthy growth, so that they can be useful to the nation and the people," Xi said.

He called on households to nurture and practise socialist core values, encouraging family members, especially the younger generation to love the Party, the motherland, the people and the Chinese nation.

"Family is not only the dwelling of people's body, but also the home of people's hearts," Xi said.

A family may thrive with a good culture while a bad culture may bring trouble to themselves and to society, Xi said.

He called on all Chinese families to promote fine family culture and sustain the good social ethos.

The president called on leading officials to take the lead in maintaining the family virtues and learning from role models such as Jiao Yulu, Gu Wenchang and Yang Shanzhou.

Leading officials and cadres at all levels should teach their children and families to be law-abiding, frugal and self-reliant, Xi said.

He urged CPC and governmental organizations to cultivate good culture among families and help families in difficulties.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also met with the participants and attended the conference.

Liu at the conference stressed the important role of family culture in the country's development, national progress and social harmony, calling for promotion of socialist core values and the understanding of Chinese dream.

Monday's conference was the first of its kind to honor model families selected nationwide. A total of 300 model families won this honor in a selection that highlights patriotism, observation of law, ethics, harmony, honesty, professional spirit, thrift and commitment to public welfare.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong read the decision to honor these model families at the conference. Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the event.
Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over a meeting of the chairpersons of the 12th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will convene its bimonthly session from Dec. 19 to 25, according to a statement issued after a chairpersons' meeting Monday.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), presided over the meeting.

Legislators will continue deliberating draft general provisions of civil law and draft laws on traditional Chinese medicine, cultural services, and environmental tax at the session.

Legislators will consider bills to review an e-commerce law, a revision to a water pollution law, the quota and election of national deputies for the 13th NPC, and a draft decision on temporary law adjustments during the reform of the military officers' system.

Lawmakers will decide whether to ratify a criminal judicial assistance treaty between China and Malaysia.

The session will also review a draft decision on convening the 12th NPC's Fifth Session, as well as a report on the qualifications of certain NPC delegates.

They will also discuss appointments and dismissals during the bimonthly session.
WINDHOEK, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mennette Kamanya in grade 6 and her younger brother Josua in grade 4 said they miss school during this break because they are given food during lunch time.

The siblings attend Monte Christo Primary Project School in Havana informal settlement in Windhoek.

Although their family is one of many that benefited from the pilot food bank program, their mother Secilia Uushona said in a recent interview with Xinhua that the feeding program at the school has helped her to keep the children healthy.

"When I am broke, I leave the feeding to the school," Uushona, a food vendor, said.

Katrina, whose parents' shack is next to the Kamanyas', also attends Monte Christo Primary School. Her mother Reginaldt Iita is a security guard whose salary is not enough to last the family of three a whole month.

Just like Uushona, Iita said she is forever grateful to the government for introducing the school feeding program especially now when the drought has been ravaging the country for three years.

"We just hear about malnutrition. My daughter did not experience it. I was lucky because the school gives her food," Iita said.

Although Namibia still has a long way to go in eliminating malnutrition and stunting, the country has done quite well in reducing the prevalence, mostly because of the school feeding program.

Figures released by the UN Children's Fund during the visit to Namibia by the global child rights advocate Graca Machel last week showed a downward trend in cases of malnutrition, maternal deaths and stunting since the early 1990s.

Introduced in 1991 by the World Food Program (WFP), the school feeding program was then taken over by the government in 1996.

The program provides a daily hot meal to 330,000 learners in the morning in 1,400 primary schools throughout the country.

Namibia budgets 104 million Namibian dollars (about 7.6 million U.S dollars) for the schools feeding program per year. In 2015, 96 million Namibian dollars (about 6.9 million U.S dollars) was spent.

Education deputy minister Anna Nghipondoka said they plan to extend the feeding program to secondary schools because of the drought.

"Expanding the meals to secondary schools will also help boost the enrollment rate, which is currently at less than 60 percent," she said.

School meals, she further said, act as an incentive for learners to remain in school and that's important during this difficult time of drought.

WFP Representative in Namibia Jennifer Bitonde said where hunger is a problem, school meals can improve learners' health and nutrition.

Bitonde said the school feeding program provides multiple benefits such as improving learners' performance in class and contributes to government efforts towards ending hunger.

"WFP will continue providing technical assistance to the government to build upon accomplishments realized over the years," Bitonde said.
People lay flowers for the victims of Nanjing Massacre during a memorial ceremony in San Francisco, the United States, on Dec. 11, 2016. Local Chinese communities presented "Nanjing Ji", an annual memorial ceremony to honor the victims of Nanjing Massacre, at the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ma Dan)

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Chinese community in San Francisco held a ceremony Sunday to remember an estimated 300,000 Chinese massacred during a six-week period 79 years ago by the imperial Japanese army.

The ceremony, known as Nanjing Ji, or the Remembrance of Nanjing, has been an annual event for nearly 20 years in a row in the U.S. west coast city, where more than one-fifth of the residents share Chinese heritage, to commemorate what is known as Nanjing Massacre.

The mass killing, which started on Dec. 13, 1937, as Japanese army soldiers crushed the defense of Nanjing, then the capital city of China, was one of the worst atrocities committed by Japan against civilians in the 20th century. In the aftermath, 20,000 to 30,000 women and young girls were raped by members of the Japanese aggressor troops.

Organized by the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition, together with Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia and the Chinese American Association of Commerce, this year's Nanjing Ji brought representatives of other ethnic communities who shared the same or similar war-time memories inflicted by the Japanese army.

Retired judges Lillian Sing and Julie Tang of Superior Court of San Francisco were vocal at the event against the Japanese government's refusal to acknowledge a series of war crimes, including forcing about 200,000 Chinese girls and young women into sexual servitude for Japanese soldiers and using the term "Comfort Women" as a euphemism to call the sexual slaves.

While the Nanjing Massacre took place in China, "comfort women" were taken by the Japanese army mostly from Korea, China, the Philippines and Indonesia, then Dutch East Indies, therefore becoming an issue rallying a number of activist groups in the United States.

Sing and Tang worked with a number of others to co-found the "Comfort Women" Justice Coalition (CWJC) and allied with San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Eric Mar to initiate a resolution, which was passed by the local legislature in September 2015, calling for establishing a memorial for "comfort women" in the city and educating the local community about stopping global human trafficking of women and girls.

An emotional Mar told the audience of about 300 people, including dozens of students from a Chinese language school, at the event that he heard about the Nanjing Massacre from his father and grand mother and believed that his late grand mother would be proud of his role to right the historical wrong.

Asked by Sing whether the supervisor, who will be termed out in January 2017, would accept an invitation to join the CWJC, Mar answered "Hell, Yes!"
CAIRO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday that a Cairo church blast that killed 25 people on Sunday was carried out by a suicide bomber.

Speaking to mourners during the funeral of those killed, Sisi said that a 22-year-old man called Mahmoud Shafiq blew himself up inside Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in Cairo's Abassiya neighborhood.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack that also left 49 others injured.

However, the bombing came one day after a top Egyptian court confirmed a death sentence against leading militant Islamist extremist Adel Habbara over an anti-military attack that killed at least 25 soldiers in restive North Sinai province in 2013.

Sisi also revealed that four people, including a woman, in connection with the attack have been arrested, adding that security forces are searching for two more suspects.

"We will revenge for this church blast...the attack is a sign of terrorists' frustration," Sisi said.

In 2013, angry Islamist protesters attacked a number of churches and homes of Coptic Christians across the North African country for their support to the military's removal of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Although there are no accurate statistics, some reports said that Coptic Christians constitute over 10 percent of the 92 million population of the most populous Arab state.

In Egypt, bomb attacks are endemic in North Sinai Province where the ABM group has carried out hundreds of anti-security attacks following the ouster of Morsi by the army in response to mass protests against his rule in 2013.

Some attacks crept to Cairo and other major cities across the most populous Arab country.
DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Islamic State (IS) militants besieged a Syrian airbase by the city of Palmyra on Monday, two days after lambasting the ancient city for the second time, reported a monitor group.

Battles erupted on Monday between the Syrian army and IS militants in the vicinity of the T4 airbase, located in the eastern countryside of Homs, near the ancient city of Palmyra, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog group added that IS militants succeeded in closing in on the airbase, two days after entering Palmyra, controlling both residential and historic city areas.

It added that IS militants are trying to storm the airbase.

Meanwhile, Syrian warplanes continue to pound IS posts in Palmyra, after withdrawing from the city following a considerable offensive by IS militants.

After hundreds of fighters joined IS militants upon command to take over Palmyra, IS militants launched their offensive against the city on Thursday, finally succeeding on Sunday.

The Syrian army captured Palmyra on March 27, 2016, a year after losing it to IS militants.

Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that once was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world.

The city's significance to IS militants is because it connects areas under the group's control in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour with areas under its control in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs.

The recapture of Palmyra is also important as IS militants in Iraq have recently begun entering Syria following substantial losses in battles against the Iraqi army and the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition.
BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- An Australian journalist's documentary aired recently refuted the claim of "China threat" that has been played up by the United States, noting it is China itself that is under threat.

"American bases from a giant noose encircling China with missiles, bombers, warships and the way from Australia through the Pacific to Asia and beyond," said the documentary made by Britain-based Australian journalist John Pilger.

In his documentary entitled "The Coming War on China" aired over the weekend by Russia Today (RT) television network's documentary channel RTD, Pilger set out several remarkable historic facts which bear testament to America's "Sabre-rattling" in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the RT.

"If you were in Beijing and stood on the tallest building and looked out at the Pacific Ocean, you would see American warships, you would see Guam is about to sink because there are so many missiles pointed at China," James Bradley, one of the film's contributors, put in it.

The United States declares that the rise of China as an economic power is an "existential threat" to "the divine right of the United States to rule and dominate human rights," Pilger said in an article posted on the Counterpunch website on Dec. 2.

"The greatest build-up of American-led military forces since the Second World War is well under way. They are in the northern hemisphere, on the western borders of Russia, and in Asia and the Pacific, confronting China," Pilger said.

"In 2014, under the rubric of 'information dominance' - the jargon for media manipulation, or fake news, on which the Pentagon spends more than 4 billion U.S. dollars, the (Barack) Obama administration launched a propaganda campaign that cast China ...as a threat to 'freedom of navigation'," he said in the article.

Pilger's film also suggests that a "stereotype" of China is widely spread by the United States, preventing people from understanding "China as it is."

Pilger reveals in his film that, as the world's economic power moves rapidly towards Asia, the response of the United States is to deploy the majority of its naval forces to the region, according to RT.

"This massive military build-up is known in Washington as the pivot to Asia. The target is China," he noted.

"For America's unchallenged arms industry, the annual prize is huge profits from almost 600 billion U.S. dollars of military spending," Pilger suggested.

Meanwhile, Pilger said that the large-scale U.S. military build-up under the pretext of "China threat" does "molest" innocent local residents where the build-up is located.

In Japan's island of Okinawa, where there are 32 military installations, mainly targeted at China, local residents are strongly against the U.S. military presence there, he said.

One more outstanding "U.S. war station" is located on the South Korean island of Jeju, where a resistance movement has also been persistent against America's naval base, the multi-award winning journalist and filmmaker said.

There are also numerous secret bases constructed by the United States within a hosting country base to disguise the U.S. presence, with such locations generally not referred to as "bases", according to Pilger's film.

Pilger said that he had spent two years making the documentary film, aiming to "break the silence."
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Thailand's First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China pledged on Monday to work with Thailand on the joint railway project for the benefit of both countries and peoples.

Premier Li Keqiang made the remarks when met with First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan of Thailand.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who was here to attend the 5th China-Thailand Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation Meeting held on Friday in Beijing, was also present at the meeting on Monday.

Li said he and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha reached consensus on the railway earlier this year.

The memorandum signed on Friday made clear arrangements for the next step on the basis of the current cooperation framework, said Li.

Prawit told Li he is visiting to inform China about recent developments on behalf of Prayuth.

He said Thailand is ready to work with China on major connectivity projects including the railway and strengthen cooperation on tourism, internet, agriculture and law enforcement.

Thailand and China signed documents on the development of Thailand's transportation infrastructure in 2014.

On the regional cooperation, Li said it is the consensus of all sides to enhance the economic integration of the East Asia, especially to agree upon the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at an early date.

It is in line with all parties' interests, conducive to showing the willingness of countries in the region to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, he said.

China supports the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in playing a core role in the regional cooperation and would like to enhance communication and contacts with parties including Thailand on the negotiation of RCEP under the framework of China-ASEAN ties and East Asia cooperation, Li said.

Prawit said the RCEP is an important proposal that will benefit Asia.

As an ASEAN member, Thailand will play an active role in the RCEP negotiation process.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump tweeted on Monday that the cost of F-35 fighter plane is too high, saying the "program and cost is out of control."

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th," Trump wrote on Twitter.

Lockheed Martin builds the F-35. It is the second time within two weeks that the President-elect has slammed a military contractor.

"Cancel order!" he tweeted last week, slamming Boeing for the cost of its new Air Force One, asserting it is "too expensive".

Market value of Lockheed Martin drops 4 billion dollars after Trump's tweet in early trading on Monday, a similar occurrence where stocks in Boeing dropped last week.

F-35's cost has risen to 400 billion dollars to produce 2,457 planes -- nearly twice the estimated cost, according to a CNN report issued earlier this year. More than 1,000 planes were to have been delivered by 2016, but only 179 had been sent as of April this year.
Zhang Fuzhi (R) assisted by his daughter Zhang Shouyun walks down the stairs at home, Nov. 16, 2016. Zhang Fuzhi, born in October of 1927, was beat up by invading Japanese soldiers in 1937. His right eye went blind. He passed away on Nov. 26, 2016. Japanese troops occupied eastern China's Nanjing on Dec. 13, 1937, and began a six-week massacre. Chinese records show more than 300,000 people -- not only disarmed soldiers but also civilians -- were brutally murdered and thousands of women raped. In the past 79 years, the number of survivors decreases. After Zhang Fuzhi, 89, passed away on Nov. 26, 2016, the number of the registered survivors reduced to 108. With hurt that are unable to heal and tragic memory of suffering, survivors are the witnesses of the massacre. (Xinhua/Han Yuqing)
Appeal Court rules Service Commissions are not employers

The authorities are clear that constitutionally the Service Commissions are not employers, the judges held.

Justices of Appeal Nolan Bereaux, Judith Jones and Peter Rajkumar were asked by the Director of Personnel Administration (DPA) to determine whether High Court Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh was correct to rule that the commissions fall under the anti- discrimination law.

In his ruling, Justice Boodoosingh held that commissions cannot simply say they are not employers for the purposes of a complaint under the Act when they are clearly considered as part of the State. The Service Commission referred to in the appeal were the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission and the Teaching Service Commission.

In a written ruling delivered yesterday by Justice Rajkumar, the three judges unanimously agreed that Service Commission were not employers as they were not parties to any contract of service.

It is not necessary to find that the Service Commissions must be construed to be employers for the purpose of the EOA (Equal Opportunities Act), they held.

While noting that certain functions were vested in the autonomous and independent Service Commissions and performed on behalf of the executive arm of the State, the judges said for all practical purposes Service Commissions were already subject to the jurisdiction of the EOC and the Equal Opportunities Tribunal.

Rajkumar noted also that nothing precluded the State from being held accountable to the EOC for discrimination by the Service Commissions.

This conclusion is reinforced by the fact that the Act binds the State which is defined to expressly include the Service Commissions.
Shooter jailed for gun possession

He was jointly charged with Kellon Dubique, 29, of Cocoyea Village, San Fernando; Don Sotio, 36, of Platanique Trace, Penal; and Nicholas Gajadhar, 25, of Usine, Ste Madeleine.

On Wednesday only Phillip pleaded guilty to the offence while his three co-accused pleaded not guilty.

PCs Khaleel, Mentor and Nanan, arrested the men on Monday at about 8 pm when the officers intercepted a Nissan Wingroad along Rochard Road, Penal. The court heard yesterday that when the officers searched the vehicle, they found the weapon - a .22 pistol. PC Khaleel of the Penal CID laid the charge while Sgt Anthony Baptiste prosecuted.

The three co-accused have been granted $60,000 surety bail to reappear on January 4.
Customs guards threatened

According to sources, following the seizure of the US$2 million from a container at the Pt Lisas Port, earlier this month, Customs officers, acting on information, swooped down on a boat at Queens Wharf and found the drugs and foreign currency on the lower deck of the vessel.

Sources said based on investigations the cocaine was bound for Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

The captain of the vessel when interviewed by Customs officers said he did not know that the bags containing the cocaine were in his boat.

After several hours of questioning, he was released.

The seized cocaine was taken to the Customs and Excise Buidling at Ajax Street, in Port-of-Spain, and six heavily armed soldiers have been mandated to guard the drugs at that location.

Sources told Newsday that following the seizure of the cocaine, Customs officers who were involved in the raid, received death threats resulting in a decision being taken to issue them with personal firearms.

According to well-placed sources, the US$2 million which was seized in at the Pt Lisas Port was to be paid to a local businessman for the 100 kilos of cocaine which is believed to have come from Venezuela.

Sources also said the US$2 million which was seized was supposed to be paid to a local businessman for the 100 kilos of cocaine which is believed to have come from Venezuela.

Customs and Excise officers have since determined that the US$2 million also came from someone in Tortola and officers believe that there is a thriving cocaine trade between Tortola, Trinidad and Venezuela.

Newsday also understands that a official from the Tortola Customs and Immigration Department has been laising with officers attached to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office at the American Embassy at Marli Street, Port-of-Spain.

Sources in the investigation of the seizure of both the cocaine and foreign currency at the two ports was not reported to the local Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNUFB) based on advice.

Up until yesterday the cocaine remained in the hands of Customs and Excise division.

Sources said that with the involvement of DEA they may be able to make a major breakthrough into the drug operation between the three countries.
Others must follow Payless example

Payless decision to give back to the nations children, (through) its Shoes 4 Kids initiative; specifically to the Cyril Ross Nursery (CRN), is something that all of corporate TT should emulate, particularly at Christmas time, because Christmas means a lot to children and the benefits they get from this last the entire year. At the same time, we remember that we have been given Christ in our lives and this (giving back) is a way of celebrating that. Mrs Rowley was speaking with Newsday in between helping residents of CRN (located in Tunapuna) pick out a pair of shoes each at the Payless store in West Mall, Westmoorings this past Thursday. Ten-yearold CRN resident, Faith P., echoed Mrs Rowleys words while thanking Payless for their initiative.

Words cannot ad equately express our appreciation for your generosity towards our institution. We live in times when all we hear are stories of gloom and doom. It seems like we are always surrounded by an atmosphere of hopelessness with countless acts of violence which we hear about on a daily basis.

Sometimes it makes one wonder if we have anything to be happy about but its organisations like yours, Faith revealed, that show us there is still hope for us children who reside in the various homes of our country. On behalf of my sisters and brothers, staff members of the CRN and the wider St Vincent de Paul Society, we wish to convey our gratitude to the Payless organisation for their seventh generous (gesture) to us, Faith said, to much applause from those in attendance at the function.

This year marks the seventh edition of the annual Payless Gives. Shoes 4 Kids campaign, which takes place in several Caribbean Countries.
JA teams with RBC to inspire young males

Organised by Junior Achievement of Trinidad and Tobago (JATT), the student conference held at the auditorium of Queens Hall earlier this month, took on an almost evangelical tone as the youths heard from former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, musician David Rudder, religious leader Pastor Clive Dottin, Managing Director of RBC Royal Bank, Darryl White, and youth mentors Nikolai Edwards and Ashton Blandin.

The session, titled Maximising Manhood, Exploring Opportunity for Growth and Empowerment, was hosted in collaboration with RBC Royal Bank and underscored the banks commitment to youth development.

The attendance by President of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Carmona, who stayed to the end of the session, demonstrated his interest in the welfare of the youth and his support of the JA/RBC initiative to guide and empower the nations young people.

This initiative today is critical to the positive development of the young men of our country. We believe in you and are confident you will succeed in whatever you put your mind to.

If anyone of you here needs help, or you just need to talk, my office is open to everyone, the President assured the youths.

The ambience at Queens Hall provided the perfect setting for the compelling inter-active exercise.

The primary aim of the conference is to prepare young people to succeed in a global economy by providing them with knowledge, skills and meaningful exposure to inspirational mentors to reinforce their desire to be successful in life.

This Junior Achievement/ RBC collaboration represents one facet of the banks corporate youth development platform which is underpinned by its flagship project, the RBC Young Leaders Programme which helps young people develop leadership skills, apply teamwork in pursuit of common goals foster care for the community and the environment.

In his usual engaging style, former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday recounted his early years in St Juliens Village, Princes Town, where he walked barefoot to and from school  four miles each way on a gravel road. He had a dream to be the best he could be and pursued it to become Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

You must dream what you want to be and you must have a plan to fulfill that dream. There will be obstacles along the way but you must approach these obstacles as instruments for what you want to achieve.

If you keep dreaming and thinking positively, avenues will open up for you. Dream! Dream! Dream! he exhorted the students.

Managing Director of RBC Royal Bank, Darryl White, told the audience that RBC welcomed the opportunity to partner with Junior Achievement in its objective to empower young people.

The most critical investment that we can ever make is in people and that is exactly what we are doing here today.
BPTT prepares Mayaro NGOs to handle tough times

This virtual call to action was made to some 125 representatives of community groups in Mayaro who graduated on Wednesday from a series of capacity-building workshops organised by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago.

Delivering the feature address at the Mayaro Resource Centre, Rachel Caines, Corporate Responsibility Advisor, bpTT, advised graduates: Do not waste the opportunities presented by the downturn in the economy. Caines told the community representatives: It is in the midst of crises that NGOs and CBOs shine brightest. For 13 years, bpTT has helped to strengthen the institutional capacity and knowledge base of NGOs and CBOs in this community.

In an almost ironic sense, we have been preparing for 13 years for this precise moment in time, where NGOs and CBOs are needed now more than ever to fill the gap created by the retreat of the state and the slowdown of investment by the private sector.

You, the NGOs and CBOs of Mayaro and Guayaguayare stand in this gap providing the goods and services that the state and the private sector are unable to support. It is to you that people turn to when they need help in tough times.

When donations and sponsorship funding is scarce, you will show us real value for money. Therefore, let us not waste this downturn.

This economic downturn is your opportunity to review, re-focus and re-position your organisation, so you can take advantage of the changed environment and eventually thrive when more stable and favourable economic conditions return in the future. The annual workshops, which started in 2003, impart a range of skills and knowledge to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) to enable them to carry out sustainable projects and programmes in their respective communities.

For graduate Judy Perotte-Julien, her participation in the capacity- building workshop has been an eye-opener and of great assistance in her business enterprise. With the knowledge and information I have received I am in a better position to run my small business in a more professional manner to make it profitable. We all thank bpTT for empowering us in so many ways, noted Perotte-Julien, who serves on a number of organisations in Mayaro.

Andrew Cross, principal consultant, Cross & Associates, training agency conducting the workshops, urged the graduates to continue to improve themselves and their communities and to make full use of the investment made by bpTT.
COP: Turn to the people for crime answers

Government must acknowledge the right of the people to be involved in decision-making in matters that affect their very lives, he said.

Demonstrations and other actions, Mahabir said in a release, must not merely be complaints but must demand involvement in the national dialogue about how to deal with the scourge, the social decay that is fuelling it, and how to make their right to safety and security real.

When it appeared that the nation was becoming numb and resigned to daily disappearances and brutal death, he said, the killing of a young woman doing the most routine things, many her age do, has again awakened the emotion of our people against the fear and vulnerability that we feel as citizens enjoying no sense of security or safety, day or night. Banfield was found dead on Friday in the third-floor store room of a popular business place in one of the busiest streets in Port-of-Spain, four days after she was shopping in the area.

Mahabir extended sympathies on behalf of the COP to Banfields family, friends and colleagues on their tragic loss.

Banfield was not the first woman to disappear in 2016 or in recent years and her killing comes after more than 430 for the year so far, he said, but her death like that of Japanese pan player Asami Nagakiya on Carnival Tuesday, has touched a raw nerve.
Soldiers will continue work in Matelot, Brasso Seco

The Ministry of National Security said in a release that the TTDF, which is working out of the community centre in Grande Riviere is working assiduously to restore the communities of Matelot, Grand Riviere and environs to normalcy within the shortest possible time.
Over 13,000 civilians freed from east Aleppo

Syrian Arab Republic,Defence/Security, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Damascus, Dec 12 (IANS) Over 13,000 civilians have been rescued from militant-held parts of eastern Aleppo, while over 700 militants have surrendered to the Syrian Army, the Russian Defence Ministry announced on Monday.

The rescue operation was conducted with the help of the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and there were 5,831 children among the 13,346 rescued people, RT online reported.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that all of the liberated residents have been accommodated at aid centres, where they are being supplied with food and medical aid.

The Russian Centre for Reconciliation was monitoring the withdrawal of civilians from the (militant-held) areas.

Meanwhile, scores of civilians were seen returning to their homes in the al-Sakhour and al-Shaar districts in eastern Aleppo. Government forces liberated the neighbourhood over the weekend.

On Saturday, the Syrian Army also officially managed to enter Al-Tall, a key suburb in rural Damascus, which has had been held by the rebels until now. That neighbourhood was believed to be the last suburb northwest of Damascus that was still under militant control.

--IANS

soni/ahm/dg
India, Indonesia sign three agreements

Delhi,National,Business/Economy,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) India and Indonesia on Monday signed three agreements following delegation-level talks here headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"Agreements that advance a strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi & Prez @jokowi witness exchange of agreements in three different fields," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on cooperation in the area of youth and sports.

Another MoU was signed on cooperation in the area of standardisation.

A joint communique was also signed on voluntary international cooperation to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and to promote sustainable fisheries governance.

Earlier in the day, Widodo, who assumed the presidency of Indonesia in October 2014, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

He is being accompanied by his wife Iriana Joko Widodo, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry, Investment, and Health and and a very high-level business delegation which includes the President of Kadin, the premier business chamber of Indonesia.

This is the first presidential visit from Indonesia to India in nearly six years since the visit of then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in January 2011.

--IANS

ab/dg
Protests against Duterte's policies in Phnom Penh

Cambodia,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Phnom Penh, Dec 12 (IANS) Activists on Monday staged protests in the Cambodian capital against Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte who will be here on Tuesday on a two-day visit.

Six masked activists, reportedly Filipinos, gathered in front of the Royal Palace in downtown Phnom Penh and held up placards denouncing Duterte's strict stance on drugs, Efe news reported.

One large sign with red lettering said: "Duterte uphold human rights and rule of law" while another said: "War on poverty, war on hunger not only on drugs".

The flash group took out their signs and placards and two people lay down on the ground before separating and walking away after only about five minutes.

There were, however, no reports of police intervening or passers-by paying any attention.

About 5,900 people in the Philippines have lost their lives in police operations or through vigilante activities against drug dealers since the former mayor took the presidential office on June 30.

However, Duterte still enjoys high popularity as a Pulse Asia poll conducted in October showed that 86 per cent of Filipinos trust him.

--IANS

in/dg
Notbandi claimed 95 lives: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 NI Wire

The Chief Minister of Bengal Mamata Banerjee blamed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation issue. Banerjee blamed Modi for 95 deaths due to governments decision of demonetisation.

Mamata said that due to demonetisation many people are facing hardship for their household needs and due to governments demonetisation move 95 people lost their lives across the country.

The Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee tweeted that, How many more lives will be lost for Modi babu?

Mamata said indicating towards the list of those 95 people who lost their lives that they lost their lives because of the demonetisation move. Many of them lost their lives because of standing outside banks and ATMs and some of them committed suicide because they are facing hardship in fulfilling their household needs.

The Minister of Trinamool Congress Derek OBrien tweeted the list of 95 people who lost their lives on twitter.

The demonetisation move has taken by the government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced it on November 8.

After which the issue of cash crunch was raised by the opposition members in Parliament due to which ruckus was maintained in the Lok Sabha since November 16.

Mamata Banerjee strongly protested against the demonetisation issue and called this move of Prime Minister as a dictatorial move of government.

--with agency inputs
Japanese army can fire weapons in peacekeeping missions

Japan,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Tokyo, Dec 12 (IANS) For the first time since World War II ended, Japanese troops deployed overseas can fire to rescue or defend allies effective Monday.

The troops were barred from firing owing to a historic and controversial legislative reform carried out in 2015.

The contingent of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in South Sudan, the only peacekeeping mission in which Japan is involved, would begin operating under the new guidelines, Efe news reported.

This would allow them to rescue and defend UN peacekeeping personnel, who were being held hostage or were under attack.

The South Sudan mission had generated controversy in Japan, where the opposition said the troops might be involved in military actions that violated the pacifist Japanese constitution.

Until now, Article 9 of the constitution, adopted by Japan during the American occupation following its defeat in the World War II, forbade it from using force to resolve conflicts.

It only allowed Japan to use force to defend itself -- and did not allow its troops to fight abroad.

The reform, which aims to allow Japan a more active role in the sphere of multilateral security, would now allow the SDF to undertake the same peacekeeping missions as other countries, a government spokesperson said.

Since 2012, Japan sent ground units of its military to build roads and other infrastructure in South Sudan as part of the UNMISS mission of the UN.

The new unit, comprising 350 troops (of which 60 belong to the garrison dedicated to rescue and assistance operations) would be sent to Juba.

--IANS

in/dg
Microsoft showcases cloud-based solutions for digital transformation

Delhi,National,Technology,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) In a bid to digitally transform the Indian manufacturing industry, Microsoft on Monday showcased three Internet of Things (IoT) solutions here.

The three solutions that are powered by Microsoft Azure Cloud are offered by three startups -- Precimetrix, Teramatrix and Covacsis Technologies -- to help manufacturing industries develop digital and predictive insights.

"Our complete suite of technology solutions including Azure Machine Learning, Cortana Intelligence Suite and IoT solutions suite as well as our partners are capable of supporting any manufacturer of any size transform digitally," Narendra Bhandari, General Manager (Developer Experience) Microsoft, told reporters here.

Covacsis helps build tailor-made customer experiences by harnessing data and draw actionable insights to achieve a segment of one.

"Our solution is agnostic to sectors and automation profile of manufacturers. Covacsis's Integrated Plant Framework (IPF) transforms a factory into digital factory in less than six weeks without any capital expenditure," said Tarun Mishra, CEO, Covacsis Technologies.

Precimetrix offers IoT and analytics to enable real-time process management and actionable analytics to improve productivity.

To enable companies to connect with their fixed or mobile infrastructure and analyse the data streams emanating from them, Teramatrix offers an IoT software platform.

--IANS

qd/na/dg
Narmada could soon be counted as polluted river: Rajendra Singh

Madhya Pradesh,National,Environment/Wildlife, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Bhopal, Dec 12 (IANS) Stockholm Water Prize winner Rajendra Singh has cautioned that if honest effort is not made to preserve the Narmada, the river will soon be counted among the polluted rivers in India.

Expressing concern over the reducing water level in the Narmada, Singh said the reduced water at the river's origin at Amarkantak is an ill omen for the future.

Singh, known as the 'Waterman of India', was in Amarkantak to participate in the Madhya Pradesh government's 'Namami Devi Narmada Seva Yatra', which started on Sunday to prevent further pollution of the river.

The well known water conservationist from Alwar district of Rajasthan told IANS that though it is a good step taken by the government, the campaign is not easy.

"The campaign will face many challenges, which will be difficult for the government to deal with. For example, in Amarkantak itself, influential people have violated rules. Whether the government will be able to deal with them is the big question," he said.

Amarkantak is a pilgrim town in Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh. The region is a meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges. The Narmada, the Son and Johila rivers originate here.

Singh said much had changed in Amarkantak which he was revisiting after 12 years.

"Violations of law have increased and the river flow has decreased. I don't understand why nothing has been done to stop these violations."

Inaugurating the campaign, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that shops and houses situated near the river will be removed and owners allotted new places to live and operate from.

Lauding Chouhan's as a "good step", Rajendra Singh said the Chief Minister had failed to comment on influential people who have encroached huge land to build 'ashrams' beside the river.

Singh said the campaign will go on for 144 days, adding that there is a tendency among the governments to start campaigns and then forget them. "I sincerely hope this will not happen with this campaign."

--IANS

hindi-vgu/tsb/dg
India, Indonesia commit to Unclos

Delhi,National,Defence/Security,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) India and Indonesia on Monday affirmed their commitment to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

"Both leaders affirmed that India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours whose relations are rooted in civilisational contacts developed through the seas and who share similar perceptions of the evolving maritime environment in the region and the world at large," said a joint statement on maritime cooperation issued following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo here.

"Both leaders recognized their shared commitment to democracy, pluralistic society, human rights and the rule of law," it stated

It stated that both Modi and Widodo affirmed the countries' "deep respect for each other's contribution to promoting peace, stability and development in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and beyond".

"Both leaders committed to maintaining a maritime legal order based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos)."

The joint statement assumes significance as several Southeast Asian nations have problems with China over South China Sea.

In July, an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the busiest commercial shipping routes in the world.

The court accused China of interfering with the Philippines' fishing and petroleum exploration, building artificial islands in the waters and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone.

China reacted angrily, calling the verdict null and void with no binding force and that "China neither accepts it nor recognises it". But Beijing has since decided to go for bilateral talks with Manila.

India urged all stakeholders to follow the Unclos.

Indonesia, the largest of the Southeast Asian nations, however, does not have any such issue with China.

"Both leaders recognised that India and Indonesia share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication," Monday's joint statement said.

"Both leaders recognised the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the Unclos."

The statement said Modi and Widodo affirmed the need to combat, prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing.

"Both leaders recognised transnational organised fisheries crime as one of the emerging crimes, which has become an ever-growing threat to the world," it said.

"Both Leaders agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation between Indonesia and India in order to further strengthen and accelerate maritime cooperation inter alia in maritime safety and security, and promotion of maritime industries, as one of the important pillars towards enhancing the bilateral relationship."

--IANS

ab/dg
Marriage proposal rejected, youth carries out acid attack

West Bengal,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Dec 12 (IANS) A minor girl in West Bengal's Burdwan district was grievously injured in an acid attack allegedly by a local youth after her family refused his marriage proposal, police said on Monday.

"A school girl was attacked with acid at her home in Burdwan's Purbasthali on Sunday night. The mother of the girl also sustained a minor injury in the incident," said Y Raghuvamshi, sub-divisional police officer of Kalna in Burdwan.

The class eight student was reportedly attacked by a local youth after she did not respond to his love letter.

"The boy sent her a love letter but she did not respond to it. We also rejected his marriage proposal as my girl is only 12," said her mother.

The girl has been admitted to the Kalna Hospital with serious burn injuries in her face and eye.

"No formal complaint has been lodged yet. However, police have already detained the accused on the basis of a verbal complaint," the officer said.

--IANS

mgr/ssp/vd
Ashley Graham met husband on Porn Sunday

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Features, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

null

Los Angeles, Dec 12 (IANS) Model Ashley Graham met her husband Justin Ervin on Porn Sunday.

Graham ran into Ervin in the lift of a church in 2009 and she says that she will never forget the service that day because it was such a memorable subject, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"The church we used to go to had themes. This Sunday, they had ex-porn stars talking to the congregation about how porn ruined their lives," Graham told Cosmopolitan magazine.

Porn Sunday is an event organised by various churches in the US to feature the issues of pornography and sexual addiction.

Graham had made a decision before she met Ervin that she will not have sex before marriage. She thinks it has only heightened their relationship.

"It allowed us to know each other on a deeper friendship level. We both had pasts. Now, sex is the cherry on top of our marriage."

--IANS

sas/nn/

null
No action initiated to cancel Axis Bank's license: RBI

Maharashtra,National,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India on Monday clarified that it had not initiated any action against Axis Bank for cancellation of its license, as held by some media reports, in wake of some officials found to be involved in violative activities post-demonetisation.

"The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of specified bank notes in a few branches of the bank," the central bank said in a statement here.

The RBI's clarification came after a regional newspaper published that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence. According to the media report, the government was considering cancelling its license after 19 of its officials were found carrying out violative activities.

Earlier, Axis Bank also said the reports alleging that regulatory action against the bank was under consideration, were false and malafide.

"We would like to bring to your attention, the false and malafide news published in a regional newspaper alleging consideration of regulatory action against the bank," Axis Bank said in a BSE filing.

"In this connection, we strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by the RBI," the filing said.

The news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the bank, it said.

Assuring its customers, investors and public, the bank said that it has a strong code of conduct and zero tolerance to any deviations from prescribed processes.

"We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of governance in all aspects of our business and to provide the best services to our valued customers," it said.

--IANS

mm/vd
India, Canada to partner in healthcare

Canada,Business/Economy,Health/Medicine, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Toronto, Dec 12 (IANS) Canada, a global leader in universal healthcare, is partnering with India to help deliver quality and more accessible healthcare for the Indian masses.

Promoting quality healthcare in India will be one of the themes of the first-ever Canada-India Healthcare Summit, to be held in New Delhi early next year.

The summit will also discuss how Canada can bring down its own ballooning costs of universal healthcare by using India's trained medical manpower, expertise in information technology and alternative medicines and its successful generic drugs research and development and manufacturing industry.

Making an announcement in this regard here, well known Indo-Canadian scientist Dr Lucky Lakshmanan, who will chair the summit, said: "Canada and India can leverage the strengths of each other in healthcare for mutual benefits."

"Canada's strength lies in providing quality healthcare from coast to coast. India's strength is the ability to deliver healthcare at low cost, but its resources and expertise limit the accessibility of quality healthcare for people."

Since Canada has the expertise in providing quality medicare from coast to coast, the summit will discuss how Canada can help in providing quality healthcare across India, he said.

The summit will also discuss how Indian expertise in IT can help Canada bring down the cost of its universal healthcare since it lacks trained doctor and nurse manpower.

"By using Indian IT expertise, Canadian doctors and nurses in big cities like Toronto can guide healthcare staff in far-off areas in delivering quality healthcare to people," said Dr Lakshmanan.

Canada can also benefit from India in providing old-age care to its fast aging population, he said.

"With its huge pool of nurses, India also has an opportunity to provide old-age care for Canadians as the population is aging fast and provincial governments in Canada are looking at public-private partnership options in old-age care because of the rising costs."

Because Indians are genetically much more prone to diabetes and heart diseases, the summit will discuss how Canada's pioneering work in these fields can be useful for medicare providers in India.

"The substantial number of people of Indian origin have triggered some important research in Canada on diabetes and heart disease. Pioneering work being done in these fields can be very useful for healthcare providers in India," said Romesh Chotai, who is the biggest importer of Indian generic drugs into Canada.

He will co-chair the Delhi health summit, which will also look at how Canada can benefits from India's traditional and alternative healthcare practices such as ayurveda and homoeopathy.

Many Canadian companies -- from hospital infrastructure, medical devices, telemedicine and medical equipment sectors -- are coming to the health summit to explore partnership possibilities with Indian companies.

The Canada-India Health Summit is an initiative of the Canada-India Foundation in collaboration with Ontario's Ministry of International Trade.

--IANS

gs/tsb/vt
India won't succeed in design to divide Pakistan: Minister

Pakistan,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Terrorism,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Islamabad, Dec 12 (IANS) India's designs to "disintegrate our country will not succeed", a Pakistani Minister said on Monday, a day after Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh warned that the neighbouring country's proxy war policy would split it into 10 pieces.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in a statement said the arrest of Kulbhushan Yadav, an alleged Indian spy caught this year in Balochistan, was a "clear proof of India meddling into Pakistan's affairs".

He said life for minorities in India had become "miserable", and raised the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajnath Singh said at a rally in Jammu and Kashmir that "if Pakistan does not change its attitude, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it".

--IANS

ahm/sar/vt
PositiveShift launches cashless campaign in Telangana village

Andhra Pradesh,National,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Hyderabad, Dec 12 (IANS) PositiveShift, a learning consulting organisation that specialises in online learning, skill and talent development, has launched 'Let's go cashless village' campaign in a Telangana village.

Kick-starting the campaign in Chitkul village in Sangareddy district, PositiveShift founder and CEO Vijay Ketan Mitra said they want to cover at least three villages over next 20 days.

"We plan to leverage proven methodologies that we use for our training programmes. For this campaign we have developed role plays, physical demonstrations and word of mouth sessions. We want to offer real experience to as many villagers possible by demonstrating real transactions through USSD and UPI methods," he said.

"The purpose of our mission is to spread awareness on cashless mode of transactions by demonstrating debit and credit cards and swipe machines. This is part of PositiveShift CSR activity to spread awareness about cashless transaction will help the country's economy in the long run.

"We are also targeting youngsters and elderly members of many villages in Sangareddy district to educate them about the easy and convenient process of cashless transactions Aand raise awareness about Cards (Debit, Credit, Rupay), eWallet services, USSD, UPI and other ways that government has implemented to help rural population to go cashless," he added.

PositiveShift is ready to work with corporates on 'cashless village' model, said Mitra.

--IANS

ms/vd
Cuba, EU to sign first bilateral agreement

Cuba,Politics,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Havana, Dec 12 (IANS) Cuba and the EU will sign on Monday a bilateral Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, after two decades of frosty ties.

The document will be signed in Brussels by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and EU chief diplomat Federica Mogherini, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mogherini, who is also the vice-president of the European Commission, was here in March as part of the negotiation process.

"We are at a real turning point in relations between the EU and Cuba. Through this new agreement, the EU shows its willingness to support the process of economic and social modernisation in Cuba, and I hope we will continue to advance in our bilateral relations," said Mogherini.

Abelardo Moreno, Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba, led the negotiations with the EU since 2014.

Moreno said this agreement "will provide for the first time relations between the two parties with a reciprocal, respectful and mutually advantageous contractual framework for the development of political dialogue and cooperation."

Since 1996, the EU had adopted a common position pushed by Spain, which conditions relations with Cuba to the encouragement of democracy and respect for human rights.

This led to a prolonged distance created between Brussels and Havana, with the Cuban government maintaining this was a "selective and discriminatory" policy.

However, after Venezuela, the EU is Cuba's second-largest trading partner, its main foreign investor and the important provider of cooperation funds.

The EU has invested heavily in Cuba, especially in the electricity, water, healthcare, food and agriculture sectors.

Monday's agreement will remain provisional until it is ratified by the European Parliament as well as by each of the member countries.

It will engage the EU to relations with Cuba only in areas under Brussels' jurisdiction, such as development and trade.

--IANS

py/
Punjab gets amphibious bus with 'Harike Cruise'

Punjab,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Chandigarh, Dec 12 (IANS) Nearly two years after it was announced, the Punjab government on Monday launched its ambitious amphibious bus project at the Harike wetland near Amritsar.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal launched the bus and took the inaugural ride with officials and media.

"We had promised to launch the amphibious bus that will travel on land and in water. Our opponents were criticising us for not starting the project. I hope that the launch of the bus will put the record straight," he told reporters.

The bus project has cost the state government over Rs 11 crore.

The bus will be run by the Punjab Tourism department and tourists coming to the wetland will be able to enjoy its 4-km ride in water and on land.

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal criticised the launch.

"He (Badal) is making a fool of people. It is just a boat which also has wheels," Bhattal said on Monday.

The Congress also expressed "utter disdain" at the scheme.

"Badal is making a mockery of the people of the state at a time when they were deprived of even basic essentials needed for their survival," said a party statement.

"Like the rest of the country, people of Punjab are reeling under the burden of demonetisation, economic crisis, industrial and agricultural downfall. They don't need resorts and cruises," it added.

--IANS

js/vd
President, PM to be approached against 'commercial' film shoot at Visva Bharati

West Bengal,National,Politics,Cinema/Showbiz,Education, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Dec 12 (IANS) Activists and residents of the ashram at Visva Bharati University in Santiniketan will seek President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention against shooting of a "commercial film" inside the ashram that, according to them is a disgrace to the establishment.

Controversy erupted over the shooting of a film featuring Union minister Babul Supriyo inside its prayer hall (Upasana Griha), which was built by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's father, Maharishi Debendranath Tagore in the 19th century.

"Now our rules seem to have changed. Earlier no permission for shooting used to be given. If we see there is a commercial film shoot during prayer in progress, then that means it is a disgrace to the honour of the ashram's culture," said Subodh Mitra, a resident of the ashram inside the varsity campus.

The prayer hall, made of colored Belgium glasses with marble steps on all the four sides, is celebrated for its architectural as well as cultural heritage.

Mitra said the officiating Vice Chancellor Swapan Dutta "compromised" with the tradition of the prestigious university by allowing shooting of Bengali film "Posto" (Poppy Seeds) directed by filmmaker Shiboprosad Mukherjee inside the prayer hall.

"Such kind of (commercial) activities should stop inside the hall. The Vice Chancellor should either be removed or forced to tender his apology in public," he said, adding he will write to the President and Prime Minister for their intervention.

However, Dutta stood his ground asserting that the Tagore's vision of education is being captured through the movie.

"The concept of education at Patha Bhavan and its culture has been captured in the film. The tradition is still important since Tagore's system encourages one to become a good human being. There is no commercial aspect. It is like an art film and should be supported. Instead, one should protest against the slaughter of chickens and speedy bikes in the vicinity of the ashram," Dutta said, adding the varsity is not charging any fee for the shooting.

--IANS

sgh/ssp/vd
Britain moots to nearly halve international student visas

United Kingdom,Politics,Education,Immigration/Law/Rights, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

London, Dec 12 (IANS) The British Home Office was considering cutting international student numbers at Britain's universities by nearly half, media reported on Monday.

The threat was being greeted with dismay by university heads, who say some good overseas applicants were already being refused visas on spurious grounds.

A vice-chancellor at one Britain's university, who did not wish to be named, said that the judgments being made by Britain Visas and Immigration have changed significantly in the past few months. Indian students, in particular, seem to be having a tougher time, reported the Guardian.

"They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here," another vice-chancellor said. "That is outrageous."

In October, Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd said tougher rules would be brought in for student visas, but the cutbacks could be far more severe than expected, senior university sources said.

The university sources said that they had seen plans for dramatic immigration cuts, including one proposal to cut international student numbers to 170,000 from 300,000 per year.

However, the government has dismissed claims that other plans suggest cutbacks of more than two-thirds.

The head of one leading university denounced the potential scale of the cuts as "insane", adding: "Politics is trumping economics".

Sir Keith Burnett of Sheffield University, one of the vice-chancellors who accompanied Theresa May on a recent trade delegation to India, said: "If we genuinely want to be open to the world and a global leader in free trade, we can only do so by welcoming talent."

"...This cannot simply be our own assessment. International students need to feel welcome and that accessing Britain to study and for a period of work experience is easy. Even a hint that students are unwelcome and they will go elsewhere," Burnett added.

He said other countries, including Australia and Canada, are already benefiting from the government's "deeply damaging" current position, by welcoming excellent international students who will go on to secure leading jobs and be lasting allies of their countries.

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: "The Home Office seems to have decided that cutting international students is the only way of delivering the manifesto target of getting net migration down to the tens of thousands. But it does not address people's concerns about immigration."

"The problems people are seeing on the ground are certainly not caused by international university students or staff," he said.

In her party conference speech, Rudd said the government wanted to help "the best universities -- and those that stick to the rules -- to attract the best talent, while looking at tougher rules for students on lower quality courses".

International students bring more than 10.7 billion ($13.53) to Britian's economy, according to Universities UK, the vice-chancellors' umbrella group.

--IANS

soni/ahm/vt
Rs 2,000 note only a stopgap arrangement: Gurumurthy

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy on Monday said the newly issued Rs 2,000 currency note is a "stopgap arrangement" to tide over the cash crunch after demonetisation, and it will ultimately be withdrawn by the government, albeit gradually.

Gurumurthy, who is said to be in the loop all through the demonetisation process, said in an interview with India Today news channel that the Rs 2,000 note was introduced only to meet the demand-supply gap after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were sucked out of circulation.

He said the banks would be asked to hold back Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes.

"Obviously, the banks will be told not to return Rs 2,000 notes they receive. Slowly, the banks will accumulate Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes," said Gurumurthy, a prominent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed think tank Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).

He said the government would be phasing out Rs 2,000 notes and not demonetising them.

"We have phased out many series of notes like this in the past," he said.

Gurumurthy said the government was committed towards lower denomination currency.

Gurumurthy's remarks came after the government's contradictory stand that it was demonetising Rs 1,000 notes since higher denomination currency encouraged black money, but instead introduced Rs 2,000 note.

--IANS

mak/tsb/vt
Guterres sworn in as 9th UN Secretary General

United States,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

United Nations, Dec 12 (IANS) Antonio Guterres was sworn in Monday as the ninth Secretary General of the UN to head a world organisation in a crisis of credibility as it confronts upheavals in the Middle East and Africa, and an unprecedented refugee crisis while trapped in paralysing politics.

Guterres, who is the former Prime Minister of Portugal and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will formally take over on January 1 from Ban Ki-moon, who led the UN for two terms from 2007.

The incoming UN head has an Indian connection - the family of his wife, Catarina Vaz Pinto, is from Goa.

While he was making his global rounds to build support for his candidacy, India was the only non-permanent member of the Security Council he visited.

The election of Guterres was one of the smoothest ever, when he got the nod on October 6 from the fractitious Security Council after only six internal polls. His appointment was endorsed by the General Assembly the next week.

His election was also one of the relatively open ones with the candidates for the job making presentations before the General Assembly and civil society groups and answering questions. Diplomats said that Guterres made a strong impression at these sessions.

His quick election by UN standards confounded early expectations that a woman, most likely from Eastern Europe, would get the job.

Russia and China came around to backing him, even though he was from a NATO member.

Heavy lobbying for the election of a woman by several UN members and civil society organisations preceded the election. All the Secretary Generals have been men.

Under the system of geographic rotation it was the turn of Europe and countries from Eastern Europe had staked their claim as none from the region had held the job. Irina Borkova, the director general of UNESCO who is form Bulgaria, was one of the candidates they pushed.

Ultimately in the Security Council with 14 male ambassadors and one female, Guterres prevailed.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)

--IANS

al/vd
IT sector seeks government help against protectionism abroad

Delhi,Business/Economy,Technology, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) The Indian information technology (IT) sector has sought government support to help deal with challenges posed by anti-globalisation tendecies and rising protectionism abroad.

It has also sought help to promote research and development and innovation to enable the industry to keep up with technological changes.

"The Indian IT industry is passing through a phase of challenges from rising protectionism and anti-globalisation forces. It is important for the government to strongly support the industry to help keep those markets open," industry organisation Nasscom's President R. Chandrashekhar told BTVi channel.

"Incentives for R&D available to other industries should also by applicable to the IT sector, which currently they are not," he said in an interview following a pre-Budget meeting here of stakeholders with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The IT sector overall, including electronic systems and business process management, in India is one of the largest in the world and is expected to reach $400 billion level in 2020.

Chandrashekhar said the IT stakeholders impressed on the Finance Minister for measures to further ease doing of business in the country.

"Things like Safe Harbour Margins, which are very high today, therefore render the provisions not useful," he said.

"Also, Place of Effective Management guidelines not having been released, even though the law is applicable from April 1, 2016. These are some of the concerns which industry has," he said.

"The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is another area of concern. Though we welcome this law for the country, it has several provisions that are extremely negative and dangerous for the IT sector. We anticipate major difficulties on valuation of services and on intra-company supply of services being taxed," he added.

Chandrasekhar also said that stakeholders asked Jaitley for the government to announce a roadmap for implementing the phased reduction in the existing corporate tax by 5 per cent.

--IANS

bc/tsb/vt
Rs 2,000 note stopgap arrangement: Gurumurthy

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy on Monday said the newly issued Rs 2,000 currency note is a "stopgap arrangement" to tide over the cash crunch after demonetisation, and it will ultimately be withdrawn by the government, albeit gradually.

Gurumurthy, who is said to be in the loop all through the demonetisation process, said in an interview with India Today news channel that the Rs 2,000 note was introduced only to meet the demand-supply gap after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were sucked out of circulation.

He said the banks would be asked to hold back Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes.

"Obviously, the banks will be told not to return Rs 2,000 notes they receive. Slowly, the banks will accumulate Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes," said Gurumurthy, a prominent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed think tank Vivekananda International Foundation.

He said the government would be phasing out Rs 2,000 notes and not demonetising them.

"We have phased out many series of notes like this in the past," he said.

Gurumurthy said the government was committed towards lower denomination currency.

Gurumurthy's remarks came after the government's contradictory stand that it was demonetising Rs 1,000 notes since higher denomination currency encouraged black money, but instead introduced Rs 2,000 note.

Defending the Narendra Modi government's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, in a separate interview to CNN-News18 channel, Gurumurthy said the move has been successful in achieving its objective, which was to "record the unrecorded roaming cash".

"The objective of demonetisation is to record the unrecorded roaming cash. That is the first objective and then you'll find out whether somebody has defrauded and made use of it," he said.

"What these unrecorded money is doing to the economy, that is being stopped. According to me, that is the most important issue," he said.

--IANS

mak-sid/tsb/vt
Guterres calls on UN to change to confront crisis of confidence

United States,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

United Nations, Dec 12 (IANS) With a stirring call for the UN to change to meet the global crisis of confidence, Antonio Guterres was sworn in Monday as the ninth Secretary General of the world body.

"The UN must be ready to change," he declared. Many people have lost confidence not only in their governments, but also in the UN, he said.

After listing the crises facing the world, he said that the problems have exceeded the ability of the world body to meet the challenges. "It is time for the UN to recognise the shortcomings," he said.

Welcoming the Secretary-General-designate, India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told IANS: "We are looking forward to working with Mr Antonio Guterres on the broad agenda of international cooperation that he laid out at his swearing in."

The incoming UN head has an Indian connection - the family of his wife, Catarina Vaz Pinto , is from Goa.

While he was making his global rounds to build support for his candidacy, India was the only non-permanent member of the Security Council he visited.

The UN faces a crisis of credibility as it confronts upheavals in the Middle East and Africa, an unprecedented refugee crisis, and global terrorism while trapped in paralysing politics. Guterres promised to take them on.

Guterres told reporters after his swearing in that the first thing that needs to be done to face the global problems is to "tell the truth" and that would be the basis of his approach to the world. It is the only way to build confidence among nations to confront the problems, he added.

The former Prime Minister of Portugal and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will formally take over on January 1 from Ban Ki-moon, who led the UN for two terms from 2007.

There was disappointment that a woman was not elected to head the world body after the heavy lobbying for the election of a woman by several UN members and civil society organisations that preceded the election to break the male monopoly.

Addressing this, Guterres told reporters that gender parity was a "clear priority" and that it would be reflected in the appointments he will be making.

The election of Guterres was one of the smoothest ever, when he got the OK on October 6 from the fractitious Security Council after only six internal polls. His appointment was endorsed by the General Assembly the next week.

His election was also one of the relatively open ones with the candidates for the job making presentations before the general assembly and civil society groups and answering questions. Diplomats said that Guterres made a strong impression at these sessions.

His quick election by UN standards confounded early expectations that a woman, likely from Eastern Europe, would get the job.

Russia and China came around to backing him, even though he was from a NATO member.

Under the system of geographic rotation, it was the turn of Europe and countries from Eastern Europe had staked their claim as none from the region had held the job. Irina Borkova, the Director General of UNESCO, who is from Bulgaria, was one of the candidates they pushed.

Ultimately in the Security Council with 14 male ambassadors and one female, Guterres prevailed.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)

--IANS

al/vd
Italian Premier-designate to report on progress in forming a cabinet

Italy,Politics, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Rome, Dec 12 (IANS/AKI) Italy's Prime Minister-designate Paolo Gentiloni was due on Monday to report to Sergio Mattarella on his efforts to build a government since being invited to do so by the head of state.

"I asked the president of the republic for an audience to report on the work I have done," Gentiloni said after holding rounds of talks with parliamentary groups, adding he was due to go to the presidential Quirinale Palace in the evening.

Mattarella on Sunday asked 62-year-old Gentiloni to replace centre-left Premier Matteo Renzi, who resigned last week after his crushing defeat in a crucial referendum on constitutional reforms.

Gentiloni, a loyalist from Renzi's Democratic Party, served as Foreign Minister in Renzi's government.

In a brief acceptance speech, he said he would work within the framework of the previous administration, making it likely that he will reappoint several ministers.

The challenges facing Gentiloni include an Italian banking crisis and a rise in popular support for anti-establishment and eurosceptic parties.

Opposition parties have ruled out joining a national unity government.

The populist, Eurosceptic Five Star Movement, which rivals the Democratic Party as the most popular party in opinion polls, has said it will boycott a parliamentary approval vote slated for Wednesday, calling it illegitimate.

Five Star and the anti-immigrant Northern League has called for immediate elections, which are currently due in May 2018.

Mattarella however wants the current law to be rewritten before any snap polls, arguing that compatible electoral systems for both houses of parliament will increase political stability.

The law was changed to the so-called 'Italicum' system last year to give the biggest party a parliamentary majority through bonus seats in the lower Chamber of Deputies. But there has been no such change in the Senate, which is elected by proportional representation.

Italy's constitutional court is due to issue a ruling on January 24 on the 'Italicum' electoral law.

--IANS/AKI

vd
More suspects held in Cairo Coptic cathedral bombing

Egypt,Religion,Terrorism, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Cairo, Dec 12 (IANS/AKI) Egyptian security forces have arrested "further" suspects over a blast at Cairo's main Coptic Cathedral complex that killed at least 24 people and injured 49, said the state-run daily Al-Ahram Online on Monday citing the interior ministry.

Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said security forces had arrested three men and a woman for their alleged involvement in Sunday's attack, while two more suspects were still at large.

Speaking in an address at a state funeral on Monday for victims of the blast, Sisi said the attack was carried out by a 22-year-old Egyptian suicide bomber named Mahmoud Shafiq Mohamed Mostafa, who blew himself up using an explosives belt.

Sisi denied reports that the blast was caused by a bomb in a handbag, daily Al-Masry al-Youm said on its English-language website.

Mostafa was a member of the Islamic State jihadist group's local branch 'Sinai Province' who originally came from Fayoum governorate, Al-Masry al-Youm cited an unnamed security official as saying.

He had moved to the volatile Sinai Province two years ago and joined IS there, the daily quoted the official as saying.

Mostafa entered into the church through a side door, where there were no security checks, before detonating his explosives belt inside a chapel, the official added.

The official said a probe has been launched into security at St Mark's Cathedral - the headquarters of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox church, and the home of its leader Pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing, which was condemned by Pope Francis on Sunday.

It was the worst attack on the minority Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed over 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

--IANS/AKI

vd
Is Oommen Chandy on the way out? (Opinion)

Delhi,National,Politics,Opinion/Commentary, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Is Oommen Chandy's tenure as the most popular leader of the Congress in Kerala coming to an end?

The question has begun doing the rounds after it became known that only three of his close aides managed to be named district Congress presidents -- out of the state's 14 districts.

For the 73-year-old, this is a huge political setback, if not humiliation. The district presidents were picked by the "high command" -- a Congress euphemism for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Over the years, posts are filled up in the party based on the affinity to various groups or factions within.

Till the early 2000s, the Congress in Kerala was firmly under the control of its two top veterans -- K. Karunakaran and A.K. Antony, although the former had the upper hand vis-a-vis party posts and cabinet berths.

But with Karunakaran slowing down on account of his age, the Antony faction was effectively run by Chandy, from about 2000. And in just a few years Chandy formally took over the mantle from Antony.

After he became Chief Minister midway in 2004, Chandy became even stronger, forcing a regrouping of the erstwhile Karunakaran faction under the present Leader of the Opposition, Ramesh Chennithala.

Though he lost the 2006 assembly polls, Chandy led the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) effectively as Leader of the Opposition. He returned as Chief Minister for a second term in 2011.

Chandy's political acumen is often compared to that of his arch rival Karunakaran. His affable nature and easy approachability made him the darling of most Congress workers and he is respected by even his political adversaries.

Even while Chandy ran the government with a majority of just two seats in the 140-member assembly, his stock took a nosedive when three of his office staff got involved with a woman trickster who collected huge sums of money from people in what came to be called the "solar scam".

Chandy got another shock when one of his close former associates and faction leader V.M. Sudheeran was named the state Congress president in 2014, much to the dislike of a huge section of the party leadership.

Then came the bar scam which saw the resignation of the country's longest-serving legislator K.M. Mani as Finance Minister following allegations of corruption from a bar owner.

Adding to the misery came a virtual face-off between Chandy and Sudheeran over the candidate selection this year. Just when he expected to create history by retaining power, his coalition suffered a rout at the hands of the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Since the results in May, Chandy has refused to be the Leader of the Opposition or the Chairman of UDF on the ground that his conscience does not allow this following the election rout.

With Chandy refusing to take the leadership, Chennithala, who in 2011 wished to contest against Chandy for the Chief Minister's post, is touted now as one who can replace him.

But sources close to Chandy say he is playing the waiting game and plans to approach the "high command" with his close aides to express their displeasure in the manner the district presidents were announced.

According to Chandy, the next President of the Congress in Kerala should be an elected one.

The last elected President of the Congress in Kerala was Vayalar Ravi, who beat Antony in the 1980s. Since then the President has always been nominated.

Chandy's supporters, however, are not willing to go down without a fight.

They insist Chandy still commands the respect of a majority of party workers and that his last hurrah could well be when he decides to contest for state President's post. But others ask: Will he?

(Sanu George can be contacted at sanu.g@ians.in. The views expressed are personal)

--IANS

sg/mr/vd/KY/sac
'Putin wanted revenge on Hillary Clinton'

United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Washington, Dec 12 (IANS) A former US envoy has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted "revenge" on Democrat Hillary Clinton while discussing Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election.

"Let's remember that Vladimir Putin thinks she interfered in his election in 2011, and has said as much publicly, and I've heard him talk about it privately," said Michael McFaul, who had stepped down after the 1014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

McFaul said that one of Putin's top motivations was a thirst for vengeance against Clinton.

McFaul was the US ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. On Sunday, he spoke with MSNBC about the reports that the CIA determined that Russian hackers helped advance Donald Trump while bringing Clinton down.

McFaul echoed the concerns as he explained that the hacking fits Russia's modus operandi, and said he supported the recent calls for an investigation into their cyber activities.

McFaul also explained Putin's elation at Trump's triumph.

He said that beyond the foreign policy interests that Trump and Putin share, the Russian President disliked Clinton's tough stance as Secretary of State under the Barack Obama administration.

--IANS

in/vm
'Trump to focus on moving US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem'

United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Tue, 13 Dec 2016 IANS

Washington, Dec 13 (IANS) US President-elect Donald Trump has made moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem a major priority, senior aide Kellyanne Conway said on Monday.

"That is a very big priority for the President-elect, Donald Trump," Conway told a conservative radio show. "He made it very clear during the campaign ... and as President-elect I've heard him repeat it several times privately, if not publicly," EFE news quoted him as saying.

Trump's predecessors, including Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton, did not support moving the embassy to the holy city once in office, while the majority of countries recognise Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem, as Israel's capital, keeping their embassies there.

"It is something that our friend in Israel, a great friend in the Middle East, would appreciate and something that a lot of Jewish-Americans have expressed their preference for," Conway said.

The senior aide said the issue had been addressed by Trump in the past.

"It is a great move. It is an easy move to do based on how much he talked about that in the debates and in the sound bites," Conway said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview broadcast Sunday by the CBS show "60 Minutes" that he expected to have a better relationship with the incoming President than with his predecessor, Barack Obama, and expressed hope that Trump could help find a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians.

"I know him very well. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is very clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state and the Jewish. There's no question about that," Netanyahu said.

--IANS

lok/
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After signing a landmark deal to build a pipeline connecting Nigerias gas wells to Morocco, King Mohammed VI and Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari stressed the need to accelerate works to build a continental highway between Tangier and Lagos as part of efforts to boost economic integration and cooperation in Africa.

In a joint statement issued following a watershed visit by King Mohammed VI to Abuja, Morocco and Nigeria reflect strong willingness to act as drivers of regional economic integration through genuine south-south partnerships.

The statement echoes the commitment of the two countries to turn a new page in their bilateral ties underpinned by tangible south-south cooperation. In this respect, a key agreement to build a fertilizers factory by Moroccos state-owned phosphates company, OCP, was signed. The project will help Nigeria forge ahead with its agricultural development plan.

The visit was also an occasion to discuss a set of regional issues, on top of which the threats to security and stability in the region. On this issue, President Buhari commended the vision for peace, security and stability spearheaded by King Mohammed VI as well as the efforts led by the kingdom to champion the genuine values of Islam, notably through training imams, including those coming from Nigeria.

For his part, King Mohammed VI hailed the regional leadership of Nigeria and the breakthrough Abuja has made in countering Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria and the region of Lake Chad. In this vein, Morocco expressed unwavering commitment to support Nigeria in its battle against terrorist groups.

On Moroccos endeavour to retrieve its place in Africas institutional family, President Buhari welcomed the Kingdoms return to the African Union and expressed support for the initiative to create a north-western African forum to promote social and economic development projects in the region.

King Mohammed VIs official visit to Nigeria, the first ever by a Moroccan sovereign, was part of an African tour that previously led him to Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Madagascar.
In a move to ease tension and encourage reconciliation, Tunisias Truth and Dignity Commission will air testimonies of the victims of authoritarian rule on TV.

The Commission investigates past human rights violations over a 50-year period. It has received so far the testimonies of about 11,000 people. More than 62,000 incidents, including torture and rape, have been filed to the commission since 2013.

The public hearings were lauded by international and local rights organizations. London-based human rights charity Amnesty International has welcomed the initiative, saying victims may finally have a chance to have their right to truth fulfilled.

The commission explains that the goal from broadcasting the testimonies is not revenge but rather to help establish reconciliation and promote the countrys democratization efforts after the Arab Spring by stressing a breaking away with the authoritarian model.

Further public hearings will be held on 17 December and 14 January, dates that commemorate the outbreak of Tunisias 2011 uprising and the flight of Ben Ali to Saudi Arabia.

The December session will also feature landmark testimonies of officials accused of human rights violations, torture or corruption who will present public apologies.

Morocco was the first Arab country to establish, in 2004, a similar truth finding commission, called Equity and Reconciliation commission. The commission investigated past human rights violations committed during the reign of the late King Hassan II. It aired testimonies of victims of oppression on radio and TV and extended them financial compensations.
John Bolton pointing fingers. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Appearing on Fox News on Sunday, John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Trump administration State Department hopeful, said that he believed that reported Russian manipulation of the election might have in fact been a false-flag operation.

If you think the Russians did this, then why did they leave fingerprints? asked Bolton.

We would want to know who else might want to influence the election and why they would leave fingerprints that point to the Russians. Thats why I say until we know more about how the intelligence community came to this conclusion, we dont know whether it is Russian-inspired or a false flag.

Boltons baseless speculation came after the CIA announced last week that it believed that Russia had interfered in the U.S. election to get Donald Trump elected president. A finding that Trump himself called ridiculous.

When asked by Fox News Eric Shawn if he truly believed that the hacks against the DNC and RNC during the election came from within the U.S. government, Bolton responded: We just dont know.

If it did turn out that the Russians interfered with the election, Bolton said that we should retaliate.

It is unacceptable for the American Constitution to be assaulted by foreigners in that way, he said.
The city was always an asylum. On television on Election Night, the word they used was bubble. But what a bubble.

New Yorkers woke up on November 8 in what seems now like a fairy-tale fog, convinced, as ever, that the future belonged to us. By midnight, the world looked very different, the country very far away (and the future, too). Eighty percent of us had voted against the man who won, and 80 percent, it seemed, were already hatching plans to leave  for Canada or Berlin or anywhere else we imagined we could live safely among the like-minded. That was when the text messages began coming in from old friends in Wisconsin and Texas and North Carolina and Missouri. They were watching the same returns we were, in the same apocalyptic panic, and all making desperate plans to come to New York. For them, the city was still the same fairy tale.

And for us, those 80 percent in denial and despair, the city itself was a consolation. The human traffic on the streets that next morning was funereal, but it did proceed, commuters stuffed shoulder-to-shoulder on subway cars, crying. More amazing, here: They were looking each other in the eye as they bawled. There were hugs among strangers, and many more bleary-eyed nods, on streets that seemed dusted with ash. It was a bubble, of course, but after the election, the city unbubbled us too  popped us out of our blister packs of despair. An endless campaign that had unfolded mostly in the privacy of our screens was mourned outside, communally, socially. Street life was a comforting orgy, and the smallest things turned into talismans  the MetroCard, the fruit stand. It was easy to imagine the world ending when the world was a relentless cascade of panicked tweets. It became a lot harder, actually, once you stepped out your front door.

The news was full of hate  beginning that morning, with students marching through hallways chanting about white power. The city had flare-ups, too, but when swastikas showed up in Adam Yauch Park, of all places, the graffiti was plastered over with hearts. Apartments turned into little creches: sisters coming together for quick comfort and staying over for three days; black families shaking their heads and rolling their eyes at the disbelief of their white friends. A stern male co-worker of mine made a beeline for a younger female colleague and repeated the words hed told his daughter that morning: Its always been this way, it always will be, and Im so, so sorry. A West Indian immigrant asked three strangers hed just met how he should have answered when his 8-year-old came to him, the next morning, saying plaintively, I thought we werent supposed to bully.

Life went on. There were babies born that day in our hospitals, half of them girls, to mothers who thought their daughters first memories might star a female president. There were boys born named Barack. The market rallied. Pedestrians yelled at truckers for their bumper stickers, and the drivers yelled back, and that was kind of great, too. Wed almost forgotten where Donald Trump came from.

The city was always an asylum. But what kind  a sanctuary or madhouse?

It was both, the tumult being the price of admission  and in certain ways the enticement, too. New York is no utopia, no Portland; it has never sung in harmony. One consequence of real diversity is real conflict, and so our cosmopolitanism has always had two faces. With all due respect, America, thats what makes it real.

Best Sex Ive Ever Had is surely, even now, the greatest day of the president-elects entire life.

Before Eric Garner and before the ground-zero mosque, before Rudy Giuliani called Chris Ofilis The Holy Virgin Mary sick stuff and before Trump called for the execution of the Central Park Five; before Abner Louima and before stop-and-frisk and before the Crown Heights riots; before Stonewall began with a police raid; before redlining; before the 1927 Klan riot, when Fred Trump was arrested wearing white; before 38 were killed by a 1920 bomb detonated by anarchists outside J. P. Morgan; before 120 died, mostly free black men, mostly at the hands of Irish New Yorkers raging through the city, resisting enlistment in Lincolns war to free their brothers; before all that, when Peter Minuit of New Amsterdam legend established the city as a sanctuary for mercenary commerce on a seaboard being settled, in every other colony, by religious ideologues, it was not by war or raid or smallpox but merely by submitting an exploitatively low bid. Those 24 dollars were consecrated into acquisitive legend almost immediately  a fabulous deal, a terrific deal, and also, sort of, a con. It set a template New Yorkers would emulate for centuries, as the citys big-tent open-mindedness covered something darker: violence of certain groups against others, neighbors exploiting neighbors for the prize of living among one another and maybe even conquering the world. This makes for a very particular kind of tolerance. We tolerate living around bad guys doing bad things, in part because we can always tell them to fuck off. And often do.

Millions of dreamer-hustlers came anyway  from 1892 to 1954, 12 million through Ellis Island alone. Elsewhere in the country, new arrivals had set up shop and claimed primacy where they landed. Here, newer waves just kept coming, swamping the claims of those who came before, wave after wave, Irish and Germans followed by Russian Jews and Armenians and Poles and Czechs and Slovaks and Greeks, tidal waves leveling into ethnic palimpsests of communities so enormous and elaborate they might have been called whole civilizations just 500 years before (Kleindeutschland, the Five Points, Central Parks black Seneca Village). When the country closed its borders in the spirit of racial hygiene, the immigrants were followed by American freaks, fleeing suburbs and parents and finding refuge here.

Native-born New Yorkers can seem precocious marvels to newcomers, but they rarely hold the citys gaze for very long  ask Andy Warhol (from Pittsburgh) or Madonna (Detroit), Zora Neale Hurston (from Notasulga, Alabama) or Langston Hughes (Joplin, Missouri), Truman Capote (New Orleans) or Dorothy Parker (Long Branch, New Jersey), or even Andrew Carnegie (Scotland) and J. P. Morgan himself (Hartford, Connecticut). Nobody knows any Dutch, which meant nobody has really come first, when you think about it, which means nobody really owns the city, even the obscenely rich who talk like they do. The city is so much a hot spring of immigrants and migrants and arrivistes, self-inventors and refuge-seekers and self-mythologizers, that no one can ever feel quite comfortable or secure, no matter how royally statused. The churn is eternal and the envy general, like antibodies to complacency. No one is immune to insecurity, not the sons of tycoons or the daughters of mayors or the offspring of artists and musicians raised as downtown royalty on lower Fifth Avenue. Not even the golden-haired boy born into a real-estate fortune in the glorious sun of the white mans mid-century boom who built a gold-plated empire for himself out of the resentment he felt staring out across the East River at Manhattan from Queens. And who wanted, even more than to conquer the Manhattan skyline, to watch his own tabloid fantasy become real in the pages of the New York Post. BEST SEX IVE EVER HAD is surely, even now, the greatest day of the president-elects entire life.

New York made Donald Trump, and, to spite us  to spite the expectation that wealthy New Yorkers will repay the opportunities of city life with cosmopolitanism and taste  he made himself king.

For many New Yorkers, Election Night felt like the end of their empire. But of course the election was also a New York coronation. The senator from New York lost, just as the democratic socialist from Brooklyn had before her. But the boy from Queens won. And he is taking with him into his black-gold court fortress the former mayor, from Flatbush; his own children and one of their husbands, himself the son of a master builder; and what seems, at times, like half of Goldman Sachs. What might have hurt the most was that the country had finally elected a New Yorker, the first since FDR, but one who represents the id we tried most of the time to suppress. We thought of ourselves as beacons of enlightenment and icons of the technocratic liberalism that would surely rule the 21st century. But the country had picked, from among all our many plutocrats vying to puppet-master the world forward, a know-nothing. The irony was, so taken by surprise, we felt, for a night anyway, we knew nothing too.

But we knew one another. Urbanism isnt perfect, certainly not as weve ever managed to live it in New York. Its brought us income inequality and political complacency and an ugly disdain for the forsaken voters on whose rage our boy-king just boogie-boarded into office. But the city is not one that will respond to that comeuppance with humility. And as the days wore on after the election, and we settled back into our know-it-all selves, we began to feel a little less ignorant or even ill-informed. We know plenty. We know tolerance and science and that cosmopolitanism does not mean unanimity but that it does mean vitality, and that you shouldnt intervene when two drug addicts are yelling at each other outside a Chinatown subway station but that you should when its one of them yelling at a Mexican woman to clear out of town. We know that, whatever he thinks of Hamilton, there are safe spaces for the president-elect in this city  Staten Island, for starters, and Hasidic Williamsburg and the 21 Club and Jean-Georges, apparently. Thankfully, we know there are unsafe spaces, too, including right outside his front door, where many continue to rally every day despite the armored trucks and sandbags and police with blacked-out name tags. We know that inner cities arent war zones and that ending discriminatory policing doesnt lead to a rise in gun deaths  we actually know that because the city is an urban laboratory for city-first governance, and it has yielded real results. We know that putting America First means welcoming the world, and we know our immigrants have enriched us, not raped us. We know that city life can be ugly, but also that we are all strong enough to live among some ugliness. We know that, stranded in a country that may soon privatize public schools, we have just established universal pre-K, and we know  or think we know  that it works. We know that we have pretty gender-accommodating public bathrooms because we know people who still fuck and do drugs in them. We know that La Guardia is a dump  but so what? We know this city is, ultimately, ungovernable  that its too unruly, that its at its best when its unruly, and that its unruliness is what gave rise to what people like Trump used to call the American Dream. We know that people like him are the cost of that unruliness, and that you can learn to live with them by mocking them. We thought we knew the country would listen to our warnings, but were not going to stop making them. We know, whatever one might think of Bill de Blasio, our giant in Gracie Mansion is up to the task of grandstanding, suggesting hed erase the citys ID-card data rather than endanger immigrants. We know the city will be independent, and we know the city will also continue to be itself  a theater of freaks and refugees and the restless who were never elsewhere able to feel at home. We know that an open and tolerant and progress-minded future still lies before us, even if we have to go it alone, and even if that future now looks a few feet smaller at the shoreline.

And we also know that we are not in fact alone  that New York is not an island but an archipelago. Our mayor has resister-cousins in Chicago and Los Angeles and Providence, San Francisco and Seattle and Minneapolis  and those are just a few of the cities mobilizing themselves as immigrant sanctuaries. We know that the number of Democratic counties has shrunk over the last decade or two, as entrepreneurs and other hustlers flooded into cities, and we know that the counties that went blue in this election account for nearly two-thirds of the American economy. We also know that Peter Thiel was basically the only Trumper in Silicon Valley. If you have to live in a bubble, really, you could do worse.

The city will continue to be itself  a theater of freaks and refugees and the restless.

On November 8, Id woken up and padded downstairs in my slippers to the lobby, where voting booths appear every Election Day  a legacy of disgraced Albany strongman Sheldon Silver, Id always thought, whose political base was in the brick high-rise garment-worker co-ops, built after the war, that had converted this strip of Grand Street from tenement Lower East Side to almost-middle-class-ness. I stood there, in line, with my wife, whose parents had grown up in these buildings with Silver himself. They got together at 16. The daughter of a postman whose own father had come here from Sicily (via a ship from Palermo after a week on a donkey) and a seamstress turned Coast Guard secretary raised by a single mother of ten after her felon of a father abandoned their family for one of his other two; and the son of a clotheshorse housewife born uptown in a tenement on East 10th Street and a milliner who had lived on his own since the age of 7, when his mother died in the influenza epidemic and his fathers new wife threw him out and he started sleeping in a rotation of stairwells in the tenements of his friends  which is where, as a teenager, he met his wife. By the time the urchin had a family, he also owned a hat factory and was called, around the neighborhood, a gentleman. Their son, who sold pot to his friends in the building and was once arrested out of class at Stuyvesant after a knife fight, became a corporate lawyer and eventually general counsel of an investment bank, based in the clouds at the top of the World Trade Center, that lost 658 employees on September 11. You could write a novel. When I first came to meet the extended family, dozens gathered outside on Grand for a funeral procession one summer morning, I was the only one there who hadnt grown up within a single block of where we were standing  or where I was standing now, as I waited for Risa to vote. When she came out of the booth, in that lobby, she was covered in tears.

It was a hard night. I dont think I slept, just cried through the early-morning hours with my eyes closed. I got up around dawn and wandered into the living room and toward the window, where Risa keeps a set of binoculars for spying on our neighbors. At first, Id been horrified. What, you think Im going to be the one shmegegge in the co-ops without them? she said, laughing. But what will you say if someone sees you looking at them? She laughed again. Ill say, Welcome to New York. 

To the east, the early-morning sun was gleaming off the river under the bridges, and a single taxicab, for hire, turned around the corner of Cherry Street toward the projects where her grandfather had been raised. It felt like a miracle, to see the world moving again  to see it for hire again. I picked up the binoculars. Across the way, to the right of the window, where a crew of Hispanic construction workers spent days watching television in an otherwise unfurnished space, and below the window of the German friend who spotted us smoking joints after we had bailed on her Fourth of July party, saying we were out of town, and above the courtyard where the buildings Orthodox Jews built their sukkot and ate their suppers together every October  someone had hung an American flag. I was crying again. I didnt know which America it was celebrating: Trumps or the new resistances. But it didnt matter. Either way, it was ours.

*This article appears in the December 12, 2016, issue of New York Magazine.

*The original version of this article included the story of a Baruch student in a hijab harassed on the 6 train, a story that police say she recanted after we published.
Yuge in China. Photo: GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump is still more than a month away from assuming the Oval Office, but hes already managed to inflame diplomatic tensions with the worlds second-greatest power.

First, the president-elect broke with nearly four decades of precedent by accepting a phone call from the president of Taiwan. Since 1979, a cornerstone of U.S.-Sino relations has been Americas acceptance of the One China Policy  a doctrine that prohibits the recognition of Taiwan as an independent state. By directly communicating with (the pro-independence) president of the island, Trump signaled his disrespect for that policy.

Which is a big deal. Preventing Taiwan from achieving internationally recognized independence is one of the top priorities of Chinese foreign policy  one that its military is prepared to go to war over.

Following Trumps call, China decided to clarify that last point, by flying a nuclear-capable bomber over its disputed islands in the South China Sea  while also preparing to ship new surface-to-air missiles to those islands, according to U.S. officials who spoke with Fox News.

Trump was not impressed by this display of force. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, the president-elect suggested that he felt no compulsion to honor the One China policy  unless China accedes to his demands on trade.

I fully understand the One China policy, Trump assured Fox. But I dont know why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

Of course, honoring the One China policy has allowed the United States to make countless deals with China, on issues of ranging from environmental policy to international sanctions.

On Monday, China announced that future acts of cooperation would be jeopardized, should Trump continue down his current path.

China expresses serious concern on this subject, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters, including representatives of NBC News. If the [One China policy] is compromised or interfered with, any sound and steady development in China-U.S. relations and cooperation in various fields is out of the question.

The Global Times, a Chinese state-run newspaper, delivered this message less diplomatically, deriding Trumps behavior as very childish and impulsive.

China needs to prepare enough ammunition for a roller-coaster ride of the China-U.S. relations with Trump, the paper wrote in an editorial. There are many other people in the world that also need to buckle up the seat belts China and other powers in the world are not going to be bullied.

(In March, the Global Times argued that Donald Trump success in the GOP primary testified to the hazards of democracy.)

Trump spent much of his campaign rattling a saber in Beijings direction. We cant continue to allow China to rape our country, he told his supporters in May. Thats what theyre doing. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world.

Softer versions of this sort of rhetoric are not uncommon in American political campaigns. While few candidates deploy analogies to sexual violence as freely  or enunciate the word China as violently  as the GOP standard-bearer did, some amount of chest-puffing toward the East is a perennial feature of our politics.

And China generally makes the same assumption about this bellicosity that many liberals made about Donald Trumps political career  after Election Day, it will all be over.

But now Trump is president-elect. And China is shipping missiles to the disputed islands that many see as the (potential) cradle of the next world war. And the way Trump says China doesnt seem so funny anymore.
Photo: Linda Davidson/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Former Uber forensic investigator Ward Spangenberg is suing his ex-employer for age discrimination and for whistle-blower retaliation. He was fired from the ride-sharing company after less than a year in which he frequently objected to what he believed were reckless and illegal practices, according to a report today from Reveal at the Center for Investigative Reporting. Among his objections, Spangenberg said, was the continued ease of access Uber staffers had to customer data and location information even after the company said two years ago it would limit access.

Back in 2014, Uber took flak after news broke of the companys God View, a mapping system that let employees see every car currently out and about in a given city. That also included information about drivers and riders inside of them. In response, Uber issued a statement explaining that employees were banned from accessing rider and driver information except in the case of legitimate business reasons. A cryptic set of guidelines which Michael Sierchio, an Uber engineer who left the company in June 2016, told Reveal were rarely adhered to. When I was at the company, you could stalk an ex or look up anyones ride with the flimsiest of justifications, Sierchio explained. It didnt require anyones approval. The God View system still exists; today it is known at Uber as Heaven View, according to Spangenberg.

Uber did make a few changes, Spangenberg said. The company began warning company employees they were being watched and anyone searching for a rider with an MVP designation was immediately flagged. But Spangenberg also told Reveal these gatekeeping measures did little to actually protect rider info. If you knew what you were doing, you could get away with it forever. (Uber said the total number of employees fired for wrongly accessing info was fewer than 10.) He also says part of his job involved remotely encrypting computers if they were seized by law enforcement, rendering them effectively useless.

In the suit between Spangenberg and Uber, the company has denied all of the claims levied by its former employee. Select All reached out to Uber and a representative provided the following statement:

Uber continues to increase our security investments and many of these efforts, like our multi-factor authentication checks and bug bounty program, have been widely reported. We have hundreds of security and privacy experts working around the clock to protect our data. This includes enforcing strict policies and technical controls to limit access to user data to authorized employees solely for purposes of their job responsibilities, and all potential violations are quickly and thoroughly investigated.

Spangenbergs lawsuit is ongoing. You can read his court declaration in full here.
Photo: Deb Lindsey/The Washington Post/Getty Images

In the week since Edgar Welch, armed with an AR-15, walked into Washington, D.C., pizza joint Comet Ping Pong and fired off a round in the spirit of shin[ing] some light on disturbing allegations hed read involving Hillary Clinton and a supposed child sex-trafficking ring based at the restaurant, two other pizza places in different American cities reported being targeted in similar ways. Robertas, in Brooklyn, received phone calls threatening torture and death after a video consisting of collaged incriminating pictures sourced from Instagram circulated on social media. East Side Pies of Austin, Texas, faced lesser harassment, with some redditors claiming that a co-owners alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America, equated a past with the CIA. The dots they are trying to connect are so ludicrous, the other co-owner told the Austin American-Statesman.

Clearly, there is not a nationwide conspiracy of linked pedophile-run metropolitan pizzerias, as some poorly edited videos and unhinged Reddit posts  themselves largely sourced to some of John Podestas emails about food  would have you believe. This revelation in and of itself has led many to label the incident as one involving media bugbear du jour fake news; as Welch himself put it to the Times, The intel on this wasnt 100 percent. But it doesnt look or feel much like the fake news that we talk about proliferating on Facebook, the mindless right-wing babble spat out of the Balkans by teenagers, or even the two decades of shrieking information warfare overseen by serial sexual harasser and paranoid monster Roger Ailes. It feels much more like coordinated mob harassment, exemplified by previous incidents like Gamergate.

Its very hard to argue that fake news  often grossly misidentified by gullible legacy-news outlets and politicians alike  requires a legislative or judicial remedy, given that the idea of allowing judges, regulators, or elected representatives any further leverage to shape news coverage is fairly stomach-churning. But increasingly, the case for something needing to be done to prevent another Edgar Welch from shooting up another Comet Ping Pong makes itself.

Pizzagate, like so many other examples of conspiracy-driven online mob harassment that result in violent real-life encounters, was not the result of accidental misunderstandings but a willful effort to combine facts  Comet had hosted a Clinton fundraiser and a co-owner had dated David Brock with rumors  the most salacious, bottom-of-the-barrel InfoWars stuff about the Clintons, involving child sex-trafficking rings  and misrepresented evidence, in the form of otherwise innocent Instagram pictures now suddenly laced with innuendo. The combination of these things, and the propagation of what, if taken at face value, are genuinely disturbing rumors, are purposeful acts.

A federal statute, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court, prevents websites from being held responsible for content that they host. That goes as much for now-banned ISIS-linked Twitter users as it does for actual child sex trafficking on Backpage.com, as Kate Knibbs recently reported on at length for the Ringer. Should Comet Ping Pong want to pursue damages, or prosecutors charges, they would need to take action against (often anonymous) individual posters, which obviously does nothing to combat the larger issue at hand: the mob harassment that follows the original conspiracy theory. (Never mind that both would have to prove that the posts themselves incited Welchs behavior.) As such, this is a problem thats not going to be solved, probably, by the law, said Danielle Citron, a law professor at the University of Maryland and author of Hate Crimes in Cyberspace.

In a 2009 paper, Citron outlined a Cyber Civil Rights strategy centered around protecting free speech online  specifically, the speech of those that targeted mobs would otherwise stifle. Although online mobs express themselves and their autonomy through their assaults, their actions also implicate their victims autonomy and ability to participate in political and social discourse, she wrote. Self-expression should receive no protection if its sole purpose is to extinguish the self-expression of another. Still, as she spells out later in the article, an incident of online abuse must constitute a true threat to warrant criminal charges or pass the threshold for a tort lawsuit. (To illustrate how difficult a bar this is to pass, criminal charges against a college student who posted rape, torture, and murder fantasies about a specific classmate of his on a forum were dismissed as not being a true threat  though there are exceptions.)

Thats not to say there havent been lawsuits (though there really are very few criminal cases; as Fordham University law professor Alice Marwick noted in a primer on online harassment, During the course of our research, we were unable to find many published opinions in which perpetrators have faced criminal penalties.) In 2004, a Missouri appellate court affirmed a lower courts ruling that forum postings on Internet websites catering to homosexuals spreading rumors about a high school principal by his wifes lover were defamatory.

We see online, and anyone who didnt grow up in a bubble growing up can see that the answer to bad speech is not always more speech  in fact, more speech can often get you in a much worse situation, said Nancy Kim, a professor of law and internet studies at California Western School of Law. Kim wrote, in a 2009 Utah Law Review article, Courts should impose tort liability upon Web site sponsors for creating unreasonable business models and hold them accountable for irresponsible and harmful business practices  that is, Section 230 shouldnt protect websites like Reddit from liability if their system is created with inherent biases promoting mob mentality.

However, according to Kim, the norms are so different now than they were even seven years ago that its likely too late for legislators or courts to have a positive impact for the victims of online mob harassment. It will likely have to fall to the companies themselves.

Twitters former head of news, Vivian Schiller, told BuzzFeed News in August, The people that run Twitter are not stupid. They understand that this toxicity can kill them, but how do you draw the line? Where do you draw the line? I would actually challenge anyone to identify a perfect solution. But it feels to a certain extent that its led to paralysis, referring to Twitters ten-year failure to address its harassment problem. Twitters user base hasnt grown significantly in years, and the issue prevented a potential purchase by the Walt Disney Company from continuing.

Reddit, whose CEO recently admitted to personally editing proDonald Trump posts on r/the_donald, now one of the largest subreddits, has long tolerated and even cooperated with the darkest corners of its user base. In his 2012 expose of r/creepshot moderator Violentacrez, Adrian Chen reported that, during the height of his power, Violentacrez, who ran subreddits glorifying racism, misogyny, and creepshots, was considered for a Reddit job posting. Violentacrez was a troll, but he was a well-connected troll, Chen wrote. But only because Reddit staff allowed him to connect with them. Users who populate r/the_donald have been attacking Reddit staff and other moderators for months at this point, but as its one of the most-trafficked pages on the site now, that activity is making money for Reddit.

An important thing to remember is that these online systems are created by people; they dont happen in the wild. As such, a choice to not adequately deal with harassment and mob mentality is exactly that: a choice, and one that usually turns out to be damning. If these companies are going to be responsible for even a little bit of the work of preventing their platforms from being used for mob harassment, these past examples of their work in the area are not encouraging.
Photo: Andresr/Getty Images

The postelection period has seen an enormous amount of pushback against so-called identity politics  specifically the campaigns for social justice and representation for women and people of color  as a frustrating distraction from the serious economic concerns that affect a broad swath of Americans. If only we could get away from divisive social issues, goes this line of thinking, Democrats could win elections and be able to enact progressive economic policies that would help far more people. But the idea that fights over reproductive freedom, sexual assault and harassment, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, criminal-justice reform, and gender and racial bias can be somehow separated from larger progressive economic stances is a fiction. As most people engaged in this argument know perfectly well, economic inequality is deeply wrapped up with gender and racial bias. The impending rollback of social progress in a Trump administration will have a staggering economic impact on this countrys women, especially women of color, and regressive economic policies will take a disproportionate toll on those same populations.

Its worth remembering that two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers are women, along with 67 percent of all tipped workers  a fact that makes them vulnerable to sexual harassment by customers as well as employers. Women also dominate the home-health-care and child-care industries, in which wages are low, benefits anemic or nonexistent, and job insecurity, poor working conditions, and wage theft endemic. And women are especially reliant on government protections to keep them working safely and fairly.

Start with the basics, says Heather Boushey, the chief economist at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, who worked on Hillary Clintons transition team. Will there be enforcement of laws that make it illegal for business to discriminate against you, not hire you, or pay you less because youre a woman or a person of color or gay? It really comes down to the question: Is the government on your side? Is the government enforcing your basic rights as a worker? That seems unlikely, given that the government will be led by a man who has said we should abolish the federal minimum wage, who has been sued by hundreds of former employees and contractors who claim he never paid them, and who has been accused of sexual assault by 18 women.

Progressive economists point to Trumps appointments thus far as troubling evidence of just how bad the next four years could be for the lives and livelihoods of women and people of color: For secretary of Labor we have Andrew Puzder, CEO of the company that manages the fast-food chains Carls Jr. and Hardees, which have been repeatedly investigated for wage theft; Puzder has also been a critic of minimum-wage hikes and the Obama administrations expansion of overtime-pay protection. For secretary of Housing and Urban Development, we have Ben Carson, who criticized the Obama administrations push to bolster an element of the Fair Housing Act that addresses racial segregation and concentrated poverty as mandated social-engineering schemes. Sarah Edelman, director of housing policy for the Center for American Progress, points out that for a woman looking to buy or rent a home, the FHA is her greatest shield against a discriminatory landlord or mortgage lender. For attorney general, we have Senator Jeff Sessions, a former prosecutor who aggressively pursued drug cases and has voiced his concern that drug prosecutions were down during the Obama administration. We know that African-Americans are sent to prison for drug offenses at a rate six times greater than that of whites (even though black and white Americans use drugs at roughly the same rate), and a study published this month shows that incarceration is negatively associated with ownership of a bank account, vehicle, and home among men and that these consequences for asset ownership extend to the romantic partners of these men.

Then there is the choice of Georgia representative Tom Price to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Price has a perfect record against reproductive rights. In 2005, he co-sponsored a bill that would define life as beginning at conception, which could have outlawed many forms of birth control. He also opposed the Affordable Care Acts coverage of birth control, claiming that there is not one woman who cant afford her own contraception. Price has company in his extreme stance in Vice-President-elect Mike Pence, who as governor of Indiana introduced some of the most punishing anti-abortion measures in the country and is the lawmaker who first floated the notion of stripping Planned Parenthood of federal dollars (which Republicans voted to do nine times in the last Congress alone).

The economic impact of dismantling womens health-care options cannot be overstated. In the first year that Obamacare covered contraceptive co-pays, women saved $1.4 billion on birth control alone. If we reverse it, notes Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Erica Sackin, thats a huge price tag women would now have to cover. But the ACAs advantages for women arent just about contraception. Its also a nondiscrimination measure so that women cant be charged more for health care, says Sackin. Before the ACA, it was legal for health-insurance companies to charge women more to exclude maternity care from health-care packages; meanwhile, in some states, insurance companies had been permitted to deny coverage to women who had been the victims of domestic violence or had had C-sections, since those could legally be considered preexisting conditions. All of those protections are now vulnerable; Price has voted to repeal Obamacare more than 60 times. This push to keep American women from accessing birth control and services that would permit them to exert control over their reproductive  and hence professional, personal, and economic  lives would be devastating, especially to economically vulnerable women.

What makes this all the more heartbreaking is that it stands in stark contrast to what could have been. After decades of work by progressives at the state and local levels, a spate of new federal protections and economic policies seemed, for a moment, possible with a Democratic Party that was leaning further left than perhaps ever before. On the Clinton campaigns agenda was a plan to mandate paid family leave and paid sick leave, to cap child-care costs at 10 percent of families income, and to raise the wages of caregivers. Of course, a Republican Congress would have impeded the implementation of these ideas and reduced their scope, but now they will likely not even get an airing. Economists working on the Clinton economic agenda had hoped to redefine infrastructure spending to include a kind of human infrastructure as well. We need bridges and tunnels, and we need our elders and children well cared for, Boushey explains. These are both pieces of American infrastructure, and both create good jobs. It is also a notably gender-balanced approach. Trump has said that infrastructure will be a priority for him too, but a traditional infrastructure bill will create jobs in traditionally male-dominated fields. To do this while at the same time moving away from equal-pay protections and paid-leave policies that would help women is to once again make women far more dependent on male earnings than they have been in the recent past. As became clear in the campaign, to Trump, Making America Great Again means taking it back in time, to a period of draconian restrictions on reproductive autonomy, enormous economic inequality for women and minorities, and fewer protections for women and people of color in the workforce.

*This article appears in the December 12, 2016, issue of New York Magazine.
Hangers on the Ohio Statehouse fence. Photo: wsyx6/Twitter

Last week, the Ohio House approved a measure that would ban abortions at six weeks, when fetal cardiac activity can first be detected. Now, some pro-choice residents are protesting the bill with coat-hanger signs on the Statehouse fence.

Organizer Andrew Miller wrote on Facebook: Lets remind Gov. Kasich of what abortion services look like when we make abortion illegal. Messages written on paper hearts on the metal hangers included Stop the Bans, Healthcare not Hangers, and We Wont Go Back. Unsurprisingly, hangers placed on Saturday were taken down, but protesters brought more in advance of a march in front of the Statehouse yesterday; there will be another protest tonight. Some are choosing to send wire hangers directly to the governor.



Protestors are hanging wire coat hangers on the fence of the Ohio Statehouse to protest the "Heartbeat Bill." pic.twitter.com/wGs9qHYY6o  WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) December 10, 2016

Governor John Kasich has until this Saturday, December 17, to sign or veto the measure, which has become known as the heartbeat bill, even though thats not medically accurate. As gynecologist Jen Gunter, M.D., explained on her blog, its really fetal pole cardiac activity, not the beating of a fully formed heart inside of a fetus. At six weeks the embryo is still developing, and women usually dont have their first prenatal visit until about eight weeks after their last period because the risk of miscarriage is so high.

Any restrictions on abortion before fetal viability (24 weeks) are unconstitutional per Roe v. Wade, but that hasnt stopped states like Arkansas and North Dakota from trying to impose six-week bans, though those have been struck down. Ohios six-week ban is tacked on to other legislation but lawmakers there are also considering a separate 20-week ban, which, while still illegal, is more likely to become law.



Can't wait until Kasich vetoes the 6 week ban and everyone calls him reasonable while he quietly signs the new 20wk ban into law instead.  Robin Marty (@robinmarty) December 7, 2016
Photo: Getty Images

New Yorks Sex Diaries series asks anonymous city dwellers to record a week in their sex lives  with comic, tragic, often sexy, and always revealing results. This week, a 45-year-old in a relationship-saving arrangement with her bisexual husband: married, straight, Long Island.

DAY ONE

6 a.m.: Wake up next to my husband. Weve been married three and a half years. Ive always had a high sex drive, but the older I get, the more sex I want. My view of sex is sort of strange: Ive never really equated it with love. I know sex is better when there is a connection, when you really like the person, but sometimes you just need a release. An open marriage really works for me.

8 a.m.: Work is nuts today. Im the director of programming for a retirement community. With the holidays coming up, the residents are needier than usual. Plus: Im horny! Im hoping my dom will sext me soon  hes in tech and just turned 50. Weve been seeing each other a few months, but have been too busy for the last three weeks to play. Ive missed him.

10:30 a.m.: No sext from my dom, so I check my dating sites  one vanilla site and one kink site. Score: messages on both. On the kinky site, its a guy from Iowa in town for a week with a friend. He wants to know if I want to hook up with them. No, not my style  I tell him good luck and to get back to me if hes ever in town alone.



The message on the vanilla site is from a guy about 40 miles away. Hes 47 and former military  good-looking and built, just my type. He wants to know if we can meet for lunch sometime, and says he likes my curves and would like to see them in person. I tell him Im available for lunch any day this week. Its amazing how many guys love curves  Im a size 1618. Never loved my body until I got on dating sites.

11 a.m.: Got a text from my dom. Hes asking for a pic of my underwear. I comply.

6 p.m.: Home with the daughter, whos 14. My hubby, whos working late tonight, is a great stepdad, loving and caring for my daughter better than her bio dad ever could. He loves the one-on-one time he gets with her when I have a date.

DAY TWO

5:30 a.m.: Get a text from the pilot, a 63-year-old guy Ive been playing with for about six months. He flies for a living and will be in town on Saturday. Yay! We make plans for an afternoon delight. I text hubby the time and location and make sure its okay with him. It is, so I confirm with the pilot. Saw him just last week and cant wait to see him again  hes romantic and likes to take me to dinner and show me off as his young trophy girlfriend.

6 a.m.: Shower and shave all the right places for my dom. He likes things  everywhere  smooth. I dress in a sexy bra and panties in red, his favorite color.

10 a.m.: Check my dating sites and see I have a message from the military guy. He wants to do lunch Thursday. I put it on my calendar and try to decide what to wear . appropriate for work and enticing enough to make him think about me the rest of the day. Thats hard!

2:30 p.m.: Text from my dom: Five hours until youre tied up and at my mercy. Send pic. He means he wants a photo of his pussy. So I take one and send it. Before him, I never would have done that sort of thing; I considered it something a guy shouldnt ask of me. But I cant help doing anything and everything my dom asks. Im totally under his control.

7:30 p.m.: I arrive at his place. He makes me strip and lie face-down on his big four-poster bed. He ties me up, flogs me, canes me, and uses every toy in his arsenal. I love every minute of it. I go in and out of subspace, at his will. We cuddle and sleep afterward. After-care is something hes very good at  lots of kissing, discussion about what we did and how much we liked it. He spanks me one last time before sending me home.

DAY THREE

5:30 a.m.: Ive got a kinky-sex hangover  my body hurts in all the right places and I didnt get enough sleep. Im glowing, but its going to be a long day. I need lots of water and some yoga. The yoga will have to wait until after work.

11:30 a.m.: My dom texts to say I was a good girl last night. It makes me swoon!

7:30 p.m.: Yoga class is easy tonight, thank God  lots of downward dog and childs pose. I go home to leftovers for dinner. Hubby and my daughter are already ready for bed.

8:30 p.m.: My dom texts me good night, plus some flogger emoji. I send him squirting and kissing emoji and head to bed. Im beat, literally.

9 p.m.: In bed with hubby. Before we got married, I knew hubbys sex drive wasnt as strong as mine. But I learned after we got married that he likes guys as well as girls. I was devastated. We went through counseling and really worked on our sexual relationship for about a year. We determined that it just wasnt going to work  but neither of us wanted to end our marriage.



An opportunity came up to play with someone Id been seeing when hubby and I met. I really wanted to play with him, but didnt know how to approach hubby. Finally, lying in bed one night, I just blurted it out: I want to play with someone else. I love you very much, but need sex. I told him that if I got to play outside our marriage, he should be able to, too. He said hed be interested, so we decided on the rules and went from there. We always know where and who were with, dont play with others in our bed, dont have others around our daughter, and dont fall in love with others.

DAY FOUR

6 a.m.: I slept so well, we missed the alarm clock. Hubby is mad, but he doesnt stay that way. We rush around and get off to work and school late. Ill make something nice for dinner to make it up to him. It always works.

10 a.m.: Get a text from Hayden. Hes the only one I call by name, which might be because I like him the most. He owns his own tech company and lives nearby, in an upscale, old-money neighborhood. Out of all the others, hes the best-looking, with the best cock. He wants to meet tonight. Im tired, but I cant say no.

Noon: I meet the military guy for lunch. I decided, after trying on many outfits, to wear a slim-fitting sweater dress with a wide black belt. He said he liked my curves, so Im giving him something to look at. Talking to him is like talking to a wall, though  Im asking all the questions and getting nowhere on the chemistry. Oh well.

5:30 p.m.: I get home just in time to pull a homemade lasagna out of the freezer and throw it in the oven for when my hubby gets home. It works  hes not mad about sleeping through the alarm anymore.

8:30 p.m.: Hayden and I meet at his place and kiss for what seems like hours. We move to the bedroom and take each others clothes off. He says, Bend over the edge of the bed. It makes me melt. We have sex for two hours, I orgasm a ton, and he comes twice. We kiss good night. Hes a great kisser.

DAY FIVE

Noon: What a week! Work is crazy and my daughter has a special lunch at school. I go and get to flirt with her librarian. Hes 25 and looks like McDreamy. I head back to work, watching the clock until its the weekend.

2 p.m.: Hubby calls and says he has a date for tonight. Im glad  I have more dates than he does and feel guilty about it sometimes. Weve been playing with others a little over two years. It works for us because we are secure in how much we love each other. And how much we like each other. We have the same views on politics, family life, how to raise my daughter, movies, food, and most everything else. Why throw away a great marriage and relationship just because the sex is lousy?

6:30 p.m.: After grocery shopping with the daughter, we head home for some mommy/daughter time. Shes the light of my life, but shes autistic and requires a lot of my energy. Not the head-banging, hair-pulling, acting-out kind of kid, though. Shes social and lovely; she loves people, music, and umbrellas. At home, shes great at keeping herself entertained and doing things to help around the house. Her biological dad left us and we divorced when she was 2. I was a single mom for more than nine years and didnt date or have sex with anyone but my vibrator for seven of those years. Im making up for lost time!

DAY SIX

7 a.m.: I wake up early to spend more time with my daughter. We share breakfast on the sofa while hubby sleeps late. She wants to go swimming, so we head to the gym and I do laps while she plays in the pool. Then we get in the whirlpool  its a nice way to relax with her.

2 p.m.: I meet the pilot at his hotel and we play for four hours. God, hes hot! And 63! Hes pretty vanilla, but likes a toy in his ass. I dont mind obliging. After we shower and dress, we walk the streets of the city, holding hands and people-watching. We have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, talking and laughing. We have a great time together. Maybe I like him best.

DAY SEVEN

7 a.m.: We wake up slowly, in each others arms, and make love. Its sweet and gentle. This is the main reason I dont often spend the night  its too easy to have feelings for someone when you have to look at them the morning after.

8 a.m.: The pilot and I shower and dress and go downstairs for breakfast. After we order, he takes my hand and tells me he loves me. He explains he likes being single after a long and rocky marriage (hes been divorced two years), but that he also likes having a relationship where the sex is good and so is the friendship  and there are no expectations of marriage. He doesnt want to change my situation or his. But he is a romantic at heart and likes a connection to the woman hes having sex with. Thats why he decided to tell me he loves me. I totally understand that. So I look him in the eye and tell him I feel the same way. Because I do, even if it does break one of the rules.

Want to submit a sex diary? Email sexdiaries@nymag.com and tell us a little about yourself.
I'm not super well versed on intricate copyright law or anything but the lawsuit seems merited to me?



Both the animated movie and the live-action movie that this upcoming musical is based on were adapted from Marcelle Maurette's play. So if they're making a new musical based on those movies, which themselves were licensed to adapt Maurette's play, wouldn't they have to get a new licensing agreement with the play copyright holder? idk.

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I think so too. I mean, the animated film had different settings/characters/plot and songs, but it was still credited as "based on the play by Marcelle Maurette" so it's not like that it mattered in that case.

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I think maybe they were trying to do what wicked (and others) did? Where in they claimed to be basing stuff off the original book (or in this case historical fact?), which wasn't under copyright. But, certain details are still obviously taken from the copyrighted product.

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oh at that poster tbh

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mte ugly af

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mte

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not here for the long blonde hair tbh.

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"I'm Anastasia"

Dowager Empress: "You're blonde, bye"

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mte lmao, olga was the only blonde

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Right?? Like wtf is she supposed to be doing? Why are her arms like that? Lol

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ooooo drama

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Noooooo don't delay this! Just pay the man, FFS. I want to take a springtime trip to see it.

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hahaha il s'est essaye  malgre qu'il n'as rien a perdre selon moi



Edited at 2016-12-12 12:05 am (UTC)

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Il a essaye. (Doesnt really work as a direct translation of "he tried" in that context though).

And then "malgre" doesn't work here. Just "Il n'a rien a perdre" is enough. ^^



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must be my backwoods french-canadian ass talking desole

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sounds like he has a case to me

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People's fascination with the Hollywood version of Anastasia's story is so weird to me. I read the family's Wiki article and was so sad and terrified learning what happened to them. She died a horrific, scary death.

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Same. I loved this movie and Disney's Pocahontas as a kid, but their backstories kind of disillusioned my enjoyment as I grew up. Plus I don't think the animation of Anastasia has aged as well compared to other animated classics. Pretty much the only thing I still like is the soundtrack.



Edited at 2016-12-12 12:04 am (UTC)

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Oh my god, the animation has not aged well AT ALL. I watched it again last year and just kept texting my sister about how they need to just reanimate the film. Keep the soundtrack and voice acting, but reanimate the film.

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yes the irl events are plain cruel :/

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Yea it's really sad.

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it's such a heavy, hollow feeling finding out how different their lives really were from the movie. I tried reading a book about the sisters' lives before they died and just knowing what happens gave me such a sense of dread that I couldn't get halfway through it.

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I've loved the Bluth film since it came out (and am excited for the Broadway adaptation) but now that I'm older when I watch the animated film, I always think about how she never got this 'happy' ending. The real story is very tragic and her death was unimaginably terrifying. There are some details from somewhat recently released documents written by the people who killed the family that made me sick.

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I was in Russia this summer and seeing their graves left me so unsettled tbh. That poor, poor family.

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Reading the actual story as a teen I felt kind of insulted by the movie because her life was so horrible. She was just a kid and she was lined up to die by firing squad with her family.

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It's interesting to me too, in the sense that I don't get it either lol



I recently watched The Royal Ballet's Anastasia, choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan and it was really, really striking to me how different a portrayal it was and how it did a very genuine, interesting exploration of her actual fate.



I feel like a lot is about Hollywood's general obsession with opulence and royalty so her exceedingly depressing ending is not the stuff of fun, over produced and colorful films.



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"Anastasia had been finished off with bayonets. As the bodies were carried out, one or more of the girls cried out, and were clubbed on the back of the head, wrote Yurovsky"



Holy fuck. My stomach lurched.

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Weird. Doesn't the movie and by extension I'm assuming the play have little to do with the actual historical story? And if it has a different plot etc, how are they marketing this as an adaptation of the movie?

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It's considered an adaptation because it uses some elements (like songs, names, relationships, etc) that were created just for the animated movie. It also takes inspiration from the live-action film and subsequently the play.

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Anastasia was my FAVORITE animated movie as a kid! I watched that VHS over and over again! I always wanted it to come to Broadway so I have been waiting for this play FOR YEARS. I hope this doesn't stop it from happening!

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The actress sang a full version at a recent event:





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Omg omg OMG



I felt chills going down my spine, this was perfect!!!! Seeing my favorite animated movie come to life, I'm not ready

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I already got my tickets for this play so please no :(

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is all I have to contribute is all I have to contribute

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bahaha one of my favorite parts. someone should cut the audio from this and put it over anastasia from 50 shades.

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lmfaooo

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I borrowed a friends vintage fur coat for a Halloween costume one year, and then preceded to reinact this scene a billion times until I gave the coat back.

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legit the only scene I will stop to watch lol.

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I hate the idea of copyrights lasting long after the author's death

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I was so excited about this show but sadly I hate the majority of the changes they made. I understand cutting Bartok but cutting Rasputin and In the Dark of the Night was such a mistake. I did love that they moved Journey to the Past to the end of Act One, it's really strong.

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Yooo they cut Rasputin!?



Did they replace him with someone else?

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OH MY GOD. i've only seen this in gif form, this looks like it could be a movie scene

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This always makes me laugh. Ben's head looks gigantic compared to the other guy.

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I'm so glad this is the first comment.

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hahaha Ahh, makes me wanna watch Arrested Development again.

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Omg 

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lmao

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I can hardly laugh at this anymore; I feel genuinely bad for the guy.

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He is helping his brother get away with sexual harassment so don't;

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lmfao the added music is perfect

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This made laugh until I teared up.

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This is still so damn funny and I have no idea why.

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This is better than that whole movie.

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ngl The Forest sounds like a good premise

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I just looked it up on Wikipedia. how grim :[

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It was boring as sin.

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I fell asleep both times I tried to watch it and just had to go look at what the ending was. LOL.

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the premise is solid but it got dragged both for it being semi predictable and stupid ending, and also because people thought they shouldn't use the tragic history of the forest (which is a real thing) as a backdrop to a horror flick

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It was terrible but the forest in the movie was pretty

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will watch it for Taylor Kinney XD

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It was so bad. Natalie played twins and she didn't even have chemistry with HERSELF. My friend and I were the only ones in the theater and it made for a better experience because we started guessing the twists out loud and heckling.

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It had so much potential, but it was really awful

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i havn't seen a lot of movies this year

in the theater that is

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Same. I think in 2016 I saw Carol and Captain America: Civil War.

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I think I only saw 10 Cloverfield Lane, Deadpool, BvS, cap 3, Xmen (and will watch SW and Doctor Strange and moonlight)



EDIT: oops and I also saw SS



Edited at 2016-12-12 11:30 pm (UTC)

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Same. Much of the year I don't want to go out of disinterest and/or finances, and now it's the prime season and there's too many to see and I'm overwhelmed. I was very proud of myself for seeing Arrival spontaneously this weekend, just walked up to the theater wondering if it was playing soon and the trailers had just begun so I bought a ticket and ended up having a really good experience

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i think i only saw captain america and arrival

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I only saw 10 Cloverfield Lane and Arrival.

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Ive only seen suicide squad and fantastic beasts. Both sucked.

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Same. I saw Star Trek on one of those free ticket Tuesday things that AT&T was doing, and my brother took me to see Arrival. I'm going to see Star Wars this week using gift cards I got for Christmas like two years ago. Going to the movies just feels like a waste of money these days.

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The forest was shockingly dull. Such a great origin story and utterly wasted.

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However, a terrible accident results in Tom being trapped in the cat's body. Will this give him the opportunity to learn more about his daughter and wife (Jennifer Garner)?



lmao the entire description of Nine Lives made me chuckle.



The movie I saw that I thought was the worst this year was definitely Snowden.



Edited at 2016-12-12 10:23 pm (UTC)

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I love the Double Toasted review of this movie

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I still wonder just how much they had to pay Kevin Spacey to do that.

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Suicide Squad was so much worse than BvS

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I watched Suicide Squad out of morbid curiosity and..............it was bad. Really bad. The story was disjointed and only sometimes made sense, the writing was forced and cheesy, and the ogling of Margot Robbie was just so fucking unnecessary. She was super charming though. Her Harley Quinn deserved a better movie. Other than that the only redeeming part was Will Smith.

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Well, they had to reshoot 1/3 of the movie after BvS that's why it felt so disjointed.

As for Harley:



it was later announced in September that Warner Bros. was planning a Harley Quinn spin-off, with Robbie serving as executive producer and Christina Hodson will serve as the screenwriter for the solo movie.

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I enjoyed BVS much more than suicide squad and I thought it'd be the other way around. Watched SS last night and barely stayed awake, glad now that I missed it in theaters even though I was mad about it at first lol

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Yeah, I'd swap BvS out for Suicide Squad. I at least want to eventually watch the extended cut of BvS whereas I never want to watch Squad again as long as I live.

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I was like a humorless Mad magazine parody of itself

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THIS!!! BvS's plot was okay, it was mostly was poorly executed, had they polished up the movie some more, it would have been decent.



SS was fucking over hyped, try hard shit. The plot was so fucking dumb. Where the fuck was Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman to stop Enchantress??? WTF??!!

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That really makes me sad because I finally just saw BvS the other day and it was terrible

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Then that's pretty sad because BvS was pretty damn bad.

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I'm glad I didn't pay for it.

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seriously! I enjoyed BvS a lot (especially the uncut edition). SS is absolute garbage.

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suicide squad has "so bad its good" quality to it. BvS is depressing and has no rewatchability.

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Both are really bad in different ways imo.

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Suicide Squad was at least entertaining. BvS just dragged onnnnnn



Justice 4 Harley.

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This is the perfect thread to mention that my husband's friend and his girlfriend just had a baby a week ago and named her Harley Quinn. No I am not kidding.

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SS didn't make sense. I'm wondering how much got chopped and rearranged, because it seriously made no sense at all. Also, Cara Delavigne needs to be exiled back to the catwalk from whence she came, because her Enchantress was by far the worst part of the movie.

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I thought Suicide Squad was ok. Did not think the movie was anywhere near as bad as had previously made out to be. Margot Robbie, Will Smith, and Viola Davis had some great screen presence and those 3 on their charm alone i thought carried the filmd pretty well. Of the characters presented, I had wanted Katana and El Diablo to have separate introductions. Both of their actors did really decent with the material presented. Did give 2 shits about Jared Leto though.

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omg BvS was not that bad tbh

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*beats the shit out of each other*



wait...your mama martha? my mama martha!



wanna be bffs? circle yes or no.

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your mama martha? my mama martha!



lol irl

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hahaha

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The only one of these I saw was Zoolander 2, on a plane. It wasn't that bad.

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I am consistently amazed by the actual garbage Jennifer Garner comes out with. Like how does she still have any sort of career?

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I feel the same way about Zack Snyder and his consistently terrible movies.

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Me too! David Ayer as well.

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I will always appreciate her contribution to cinema that is 13 Going On 30, but yeah her filmography is embarrassing.

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I feel like Lainey really has her pegged. She is the perfect mom figure for middle America.

I don't think she has the ambition to take it further, like a Reese Witherspoon (who has a similar persona) would.

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She's really meant to be a TV actress. If she could land another good series like Alias, it suit her better than movies imo

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This list is missing Suicide Squad.

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It's on the full list, last one.

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I thought OP had made a list and the sources were just links to the pictures and plots 

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Oh it's there.

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It's also missing Billy Lynn's Long Walk Home, a huge bomb, especially bad after all the hype before it premiered. I mean, there wasn't endless promo about how wonderful The Forest was going to be, the way there was for Billy Lynn.



And what is this list? An ONTD Original? I can't find a link to a real list, just various sources like IMDB and RT. Was there a previous entry with a bigger list?

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pretty good list, I hated these (5 that posted here) movies and couldn't even finish couple of them.

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I still can't believe that they thought that the Forest was a good idea for a movie.

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It really could have been an amazing film but the whole thing was like "American's First Japanese Horror Movie"

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I'm on Wikipedia now and it looks like a whole bunch of American movies have been set there recently. so they didn't even advertise right, lol

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watched BvS on a plane on mute and even without the sound it was still a shitty movie

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and that is surprising? i feel like every movie would be worse muted

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can you not read? where did i say it was worse?

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obvs excluding Katy Perry: The Prismatic World Tour Live (DVD)

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not true tbh, how to train your dragon is adorable on mute, it's adorable unmuted too but I first saw it silent and Hiccup's voice was GRATING when I saw it with sound

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This is shock and awe by Saudi Arabia is how one analyst summed up the developments in the oil sector at the end of last week.

Mere minutes, seconds really, after Russia and several non-OPEC members agreed a deal that would reduce oil production, Saudi's oil minister Khalid al-Falih said, I can tell you with absolute certainty that effective Jan 1, we're going to cut and cut substantially to be below the level that we have committed to on Nov 30th.

Yasser Elguindi with Medley Global Advisors told Bloomberg.com, The deal speaks volumes about the Saudi commitment to rebalance the market. No-one is talking any more about $30 a barrel oil.

It turns out al-Falih and Novak have been working on this deal for nearly a year, and have met many times secretly, to find the way through.

Having seen previous efforts to rebalance the market falling squarely upon its own shoulders, Saudi had long campaigned for equal short-term pain to be shared among those who sought long-term gain. Despite some uncertainty just before the meeting with cynical observers questioning why non-OPEC would choose to do anything except sit back and enjoy the spoils, the deal was done.

For the first time since 2001 both OPEC and non-OPEC will curtail their oil production, focussing on driving prices upwards, supporting investment and reducing volatility. The agreed 558,000 bpd is not quite the 600,000 initially targeted but, according to the International Energy Agency, is equal to the estimated increase in demand from both India and China.

Russia is to cut 300,000 bpd. Its Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that it would not happen overnight, but within six months. How fair the quota cuts are is uncertain. Russia is reducing its share from the highest monthly production it ever achieved  11.247m in October 2016. While Mexico is the only one to confirm its share will come from 'managed natural decline' (allowing a production drop through an unavoidable consequence of ageing fields) it's expected others such as Azerbaijan will do likewise. Related: Stormy Seas Ahead For Oil Markets

How good could it get? Who knows? It depends on the commitment to the deal. Gary Ross, founder of Pira Energy told Reuters.com that a price of $60 per barrel would be optimal as above that could make people greedy again. They are all enjoying higher prices and compliance tends to be good in the early stages. But then as prices continue to rise, compliance will erode. Not for OPEC the rallying cry of d'Artagnan and his moustachioed comrades.

To make their point, people will point back to 2001, when Moscow agreed a deal to cut oil but increased output instead. Things have changed considerably since then, a far cry from the early days of President Putin who had limited power in an industry split between oligarchs. Now it is owned largely by the Kremlin, and Putin.. Well, you know.

The most obvious threat remains US shale drilling. OPEC's decision in 2014 to go hell for leather and face down American producers left their own coffers bare and created a leaner, meaner machine. It is now possible to pump crude in North Dakota for the same price paid by Iran and Iraq. A resurgence in oil prices could encourage more drilling, and trump OPEC after all.

By Precise Consultants

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The much anticipated plan on the privatization of the Russian oil giant Rosnefts 19,5% stake was surprisingly declared completed on the night of December 7, as the companys CEO Igor Sechin reported the 10.5 billion Euro deal ($ 11.37 billion US) to the Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening.

Despite the industry experts predictions betting on Rosneft buying back its own shares through Rosneftegaz, the deal has emerged, with the key stakes buyers turning out to be a consortium of a Swiss-based commodities trading company Glencore and the Qatar sovereign wealth fund. The news sent Rosnefts share price soaring 6.5%, to 380 Rubles per share the morning following the deal, setting new record highs in the companys history

As Rosnefts CEO Igor Sechin pointed out to media, the deal included an oil supply contract with Glencore through a commencement of a 50% - 50% joint venture between the Swiss-based company and Qatar to invest in both Russian and international projects.

Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo (ISP.MI) in a consortium with a syndicate of four or five other key banks would provide 7 billion Euros of financing, while the remaining balance of 2.8 billion Euros is to be funded by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

Related: A Real Opportunity For An Oil Price Recovery

Earlier last week when the deal was announced, Glencore reported that it committed to invest 300 million in equity financing, which implies that the syndicated bank loans would substantially insulate Glencores risks of acquiring the stake in Rosneft. Also, as Glencore shared in a press release on Saturday, Russian banks will guarantee up to 1.4 billion euros of financing but no names were disclosed.

As part of the agreement, Glencore has agreed to a five-year supply plan. According to this plan, Rosneft will supply 220,000 barrels a day to be traded by Glencore. The agreement also envisages other additional opportunities, including infrastructure, logistics and global trading, as Bloomberg reported.

It is worth pointing out that Rosneft and Glencore have had long existing relations. In 2012 Glencore concluded a contract with Rosneft for the delivery of up to 46, 9 million tons of oil (190 thousand barrels a day) through its trading arm over the course of five years.

However the supply of oil to Glencore under 2013 contract was executed in accordance with advance payment terms, whereas Rosneft was getting 10 billion of USD in prepayment. Similar deals were concluded by Rosneft with other trading companies, such as Vitol and Trafigura, but sanctions imposed on Russian banks by the U.S. and European countries have since significantly complicated payment and delivery conditions.

Slammed by the economic slowdown, Glencore incurred a substantial debt. Its net debt in the middle of 2016 amounted to USD $23,6 billion, and only just last week, Glencores CEO, Ivan Glasenberg announced that it had completed its latest planned asset sales to bring its debt load down to $17 billion by the end of the year, and the company was ready to make acquisitions again.

Related: Which Oil Majors Are Most Exposed To The OPEC Deal?

For Qatar however, this deal isnt a small one either. The Gulf nation Investment authority provides the reckoned funding of 2.8 billion Euros for Rosneft, making this investment the third largest the Qatari Wealth fund has made after only Qatar National Bank SAQ and Volkswagen, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Its worth noting that Qatar played a central role in securing Russian support for the OPEC output deal. Although Russia and Qatar have often had political standoffs, and they are major competitors in global natural gas supply with both trying to exert their influence in the Middle East, buying a stake in Rosneft could give Doha more leverage with Moscow to settle the differences.

Qatari representatives have not released any comments pertaining to the deal so far. Although Gulf investors are known to abstain as much as possible from making open public statements.

Although the deal came as a surprise, a number of industry analysts and experts expressed their positive outlook on the deal. Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts led by Jason Fairclough wrote in a note to Bloomberg, that the supply deal could deliver annual trading profits of about $80 million, and they said the view the deal positively.

Related: How Long Can OPEC Remain United For?

However, just a few weeks ago, most industry watchers had very little hope for a foreign investor to be found for Rosneft, especially when the government signaled that the company could buy their own shares through RosNeftGas.

When Rosneft issued domestic bonds for 600 billion rubles ($9.4 billion US) earlier on Wednesday December 7, many assumed that was to fund the buyback of its shares in view of a lack of an adequate outside investor.

But later, it appeared that in parallel, Sechin and his team were trying to carve out a deal to land a foreign investor.

Rosneft had been under tremendous pressure from Kremlin to secure a sale of the stake to plug big holes in the cash-strapped state budget caused by the international sanctions and the slump in oil prices.

Unfortunately for the Russian government, the sale of Rosnefts stake has come at a time of low oil prices, when the value of oil assets is far lower than before the bust.

According to Reuters calculations based on publicly-available data, Russia sold its share in Rosneft's oil production for about half the price Rosneft has previously paid for the acquisition of the domestic oil production assets.

On the other hand, the deal could boost Russias image and add weight to its position of the global oil market player, especially in the face of the sectoral sanctions. As Chris Weafer, senior partner at Macro Advisory Ltd., a Moscow-based consultancy pointed out to Wall Street Journal: Its diversification in political relationships and investment, it shows that there is more than one buyer in town and that Russia doesnt have to just sell cheaply to China or India. he said.

By Ekaterina Pokrovskaya for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Shakira performed for Pope Francis at the UN today (Friday), Shakira - Imagine (Live at the UN's General Assembly 2015) : The text a...
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele proudly announced today that Volaris will begin international flights from MKE to Guadalajara, Mexico in March. With the announcement, Volaris becomes the first Mexican carrier to offer year-round scheduled service from MKE.

"This is a big deal for Mitchell Airport, Milwaukee County, and the entire region. Its a very involved process to convince an international airline to invest its resources in a new market. I thank Sen. Johnson and Baldwin for their support throughout the process and commend the Airport team for achieving service from Volaris," County Executive Chris Abele said.

"This is great news for the rapidly growing Hispanic populations in Milwaukee and northern Illinois. The Guadalajara nonstop will also benefit the recently-opened Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee."

Volaris is an ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered in Mexico City, and is Mexicos second-largest airline. Volaris operates the youngest airline fleet in Mexico, and the Milwaukee flights will operate two days per week on Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 174 leather seats. Passengers can bring one carry-on bag and one checked bag at no charge. Tickets are available for purchase now at volaris.com.

The nonstop flights to Guadalajara begin on March 3 and will operate every Wednesday and Friday, departing MKE at 12:32 a.m. and arriving in Guadalajara at 5:02 a.m. Return flights begin March 2 and will depart Guadalajara every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:53 p.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 8:55 p.m.

Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco, Mexico, which is a sister state to Wisconsin. At approximately 4.2 million, the Guadalajara metropolitan area is the second-largest in Mexico.

"The new nonstop to Guadalajara will make travel to Mexico much easier and quicker for travelers from across Wisconsin, including Madison, the Fox Valley, and Green Bay," Airport Director Izzy Bonilla added. "The ability to fly nonstop to Guadalajara will increase trade opportunities with Mexico and provide better options for families to connect with loved ones. We look forward to a long partnership with Volaris at MKE."

Nearly 600,000 people of Hispanic descent reside in Wisconsin or northern Illinois.

Milwaukee was chosen as the host city for the League of United Latin American Citizens 2019 Convention, which will bring approximately 20,000 people to Milwaukee over five days. Milwaukee is also host to the largest three-day Mexican Cultural Celebration in the United States, Mexican Fiesta.

A number of Milwaukee-area corporations have major presences in Mexico, including Johnson Controls, Kohler, Manpower, Quad Graphics and Rockwell Automation.

Mitchell Airport offers nonstop flights to 38 destinations coast-to-coast, and 160 international destinations are available from Milwaukee with just one connection. MKE is also served by Alaska, Air Canada, American, Delta, Frontier, OneJet, Southwest and United. The nonstop cities map can be found at mitchellairport.com.
In an unprecedented show of solidarity with Palestine, in a conference titled "The First Annual Conference of the League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds (Jerusalem)," 450 Parliamentarians from 40 countries, including speakers of Parliament from 15 national assemblies, met in Istanbul, Turkey, November 29 and 30, 2016. They discussed their serious concerns about Israeli control of Muslim cultural and religious sites and erasing of the history of these landmarks, particularly in Jerusalem. The group was particularly disturbed by the Israeli treatment of the Al Asqa mosque.

Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories and the head imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, told the conference that Jerusalem "remains in the hearts and minds of all Arabs and Muslims" and commended the "steadfastness" of the people of Jerusalem in the face of the Israeli occupation's ongoing "Judaization" of the city.

Sheikh Hameed al-Ahmar, head of the Parliamentarians for Al-Quds Association, strongly criticized Israeli policies in Jerusalem, which "serve to uproot the city's original inhabitants, confiscate homes and properties, and arrest and exile Jerusalem-based Palestinian lawmakers." He added that "Jerusalem is the cradle of the heavenly messages and civilizations; it has been hallowed by the three holy books, the Torah, the New Testament and the Quran."

The current Israeli Ministry of Tourism's map of Jerusalem's Old City omits key non-Jewish holy sites -- both Muslim and Christian -- and marks historically unimportant sites. The al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Nobel Sanctuary, a 14-hectare compound that comprises Islam's third holiest site, al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the Dome of the Rock, is only referred to by the "Temple Mount" not reflecting the important sites of other religions.

The al-Aqsa Mosque is illustrated on the official tourism map of the Old City but is not named, while the Dome of the Rock is named. Dozens of sites of questionable historical importance, many of them Jewish settlements in the Muslim and Christian quarters of the Old City, are highlighted by the mapmakers in an "Old City Legend" numbered guide. Among 57 numbered sites, almost half are buildings occupied by Jewish settler institutions in the Muslim quarter of the city, many unknown to licensed tour guides.

Betty Herschman, director of international relations and advocacy at Ir Amim, an Israeli human rights NGO that gives tours of East Jerusalem to diplomats and other parties, spoke of the controversy around the official Israeli tourism map:

"This map, in addition to erasing important Muslim and Christian holy sites in the Old City, completely erases entire neighborhoods around the historic basin, supplanting them not only with Hebrew names but with the names of settlements. There are many sites on the map that are not only historically unimportant, but that are run by settlers. That is to the detriment of historically relevant Christian and Muslim sites, which you would think would be far more prioritized on a map of the Old City, the hub of the three major monotheistic religions... "The map is legitimizing private settlement around the historic basin. This is a form of consolidating Israeli control of arguably the epicenter of the most critical point of Jerusalem -- which is itself the epicenter of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. So there are extremely important political consequences involved."

Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem are viewed as an attempt to disrupt Palestinian territorial contiguity in East Jerusalem in order to upset Palestinian plans to have East Jerusalem as its capital city. Maintaining the Palestinian identity of East Jerusalem is an important element in the "two-state solution."

The conference was attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and chaired by Turkish Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman. In his opening address to the conference, President Erdogan said the defense of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque and support for the Palestinian national cause were obligations for Muslims around the world. "The only way to guarantee lasting peace in the Middle East is to establish an independent and sovereign state of Palestine based on 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem. In order to achieve this the international community must increase its support for Palestine."

No members of the U.S. Congress attended the Parliamentary conference as the Israeli lobby, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and other supporters of the discriminatory policies of the Government of Israel, would follow through on their threats to withhold campaign donations and actively work for the defeat of the member of Congress solely on the issue of Palestine.

Recognizing that no U.S. Congressperson would dare attend the conference and because of my solidarity work on behalf of Palestinians following my resignation from the U.S. government in 2003 in opposition to the U.S. war on Iraq, conference organizers invited me to attend and to give a short presentation on the role of international non-governmental organizations in support of Palestinian rights.

I spoke about various international events organized by non-governmental groups that have called media attention to the difficult situations in Gaza and the West Bank, including the very successful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS) with local organizations in many countries of the world. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly called BDS a "strategic threat to the State of Israel" his 2015 keynote address to the annual meeting of AIPAC in Washington, DC.

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From cjournal.info/2015/12/11/john-trudell-warrior-poet-passes/: Cyrano's Journal Today | John Trudell, Warrior Poet Passes

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However apocryphal the attributions of its origins to Native American prophecy, the "Rainbow Warriors" legend envisions an imperiled earth saved by arrival of spiritually advanced newcomers who unite the races of the world in restorative cooperation. Nobody has perhaps fit that image more closely than American Indian Movement (AIM) leader John Trudell. But as we remember him on the first anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015, the story of his life and work remains largely unknown in the American world of tabloid celebrity.

Trudell is undoubtedly better known among the Standing Rock water protectors. He would be immensely proud of them and immensely pleased by their success as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline. He once said, "Historically speaking, we went from being Indians to pagans to savages to hostiles to militants to activists to Native Americans. It's 500 years later and they still can't see us. We are still invisible."

But if 20,000 American and world citizens united in resistance and camping in bitter cold at Standing Rock, North Dakota is any indication, that's changing. And hopefully in the nick of time as survivors of those once robbed and killed in a massive, continent-wide ethnic cleansing are arising and gathering to save their imperial oppressor from the self-destructive consequences of its own excesses.

Born in 1946 to a Santee Dakota father and Mexican-Indian mother, John Trudell grew up near the Santee Sioux reservation in northern Nebraska, a tiny residual fragment of Sioux lands that once spread across what today are five Midwestern states. Attempting to assert his individual and ethnic identity, as did so many of his forbears before their violent subordination, John's life closely followed the designated Indian role in the American cultural script, disguised but little now from those of the Republic Pictures westerns of the 1930s through 1950s.

The FBI replaced the US cavalry in the 20th century, introducing more covert methods of racist suppression including a 10-year, 17,000-page file on Trudell emphasizing his threat as a gifted speaker and organizer. In 1969, John first gained unwelcome FBI attention as a conspicuous member and principal spokesman for the 89-member Indians of All Tribes 19-month occupation of the vacated Alcatraz federal prison, citing an 1868 treaty with the Sioux that gave American Indians the right to unused federal property on Indian land. They demanded the right to develop Alcatraz as a cultural and education center. Trudell conducted news conferences, delivered regular "Radio Free Alcatraz" broadcasts, and rejected a government proposal that the island be turned into a park with "maximum Indian qualities," saying, "We will no longer be museum pieces, tourist attractions and politicians' playthings. There will be no park on this island because it changes the whole meaning of what we are here for."

"If you wanted to make it in America as an Indian," Trudell later reflected, "you had to become a hollow person and let them remold you...Alcatraz put me back into my community and helped me remember who I am. It was a rekindling of the spirit."

An organizer of the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties occupation of the Washington DC Bureau of Indian Affairs office, John became national chairman of AIM in 1973 following the 71-day standoff with federal marshals and FBI agents by Oglala Lakota and AIM activists occupying Wounded Knee, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation protesting U.S. government treaty violations and interference in a tribal dispute. Trudell testified in the 1974 trials of two defendants, AIM leaders Dennis Banks and Russell Means accused of conspiracy and assault, who were both acquitted on grounds of government misconduct.

In 1979 Trudell finally went too far, stretching the patience of his colonial masters beyond tolerable limits by burning an American flag on the steps of the FBI building in Washington, declaring the flag desecrated by our government's treatment of American Indians and other targeted minorities. Within 12 hours, a fire destroyed their family home on the Shoshone-Paiute Reservation on the Nevada-Idaho border, burning to death his sleeping pregnant wife Tina, three young children and mother-in-law. He had received a previous warning, transmitted indirectly, that his family would be killed if he continued his work for Indian rights. The awful message was clear. This obvious, vengeful government atrocity was intended to intimidate other AIM activists unafraid for their personal safety who would nevertheless not risk the safety of their loved ones. It is noteworthy that the FBI declined to conduct an arson investigation.

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From napervilledemocrats.org/ntdo/to-infrastruct-or-not-to-infrastruct/: Pelosi and Schumer-- clueless Democratic Party leaders

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The election of 2016 has the Republican Party in control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, 35 Governor's seats, and more than 60 of 99 state bodies. The Democrats are in disarray.

For many years our two party system worked relatively well; The Republicans stood for (white) human rights, a free economy, a small government operating within our borders. Democrats stood for the working man, an educated population, and quality of life for everyone.

When Democrats forced through the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the 1960's Richard Nixon saw an opportunity to co-opt the traditionally Democratic voters of the South, pandering to racism. He succeeded with that and his still unknown "secret" plan to end the war in Viet Nam. With the increased cost of advertising, and clear bribery occurring, Congress, with bipartisan support, passed the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1973. This act created PAC's, and, by the way, forbade prosecution of politicians for past indiscretions. The intention was to make political contributions blind to the recipient. The result was the opposite, legalizing bribery.

Since that time Republicans have devolved into a cash machine, supported by fewer than 100 families. Rather than address issues related to governance, for votes they must pander to baser irrelevancies, racism and moral issues that in a real world would not be addressed by government at all. Democrats, in order to compete, joined in the crimes, bowing to bankers and Wall Street, collecting billions to turn their backs on their constituents.

By 1979 President Reagan, elected using Nixon's formula, had abandoned the Fairness doctrine, allowing the now corporate owned media to keep the public ill-informed and slanting the news to the plutocrats interest at will. We also let Reagan issue public permission to kill unions.

During the 70's, 80's and 90's the economy was quite healthy, primarily credited to computers and the internet. As a nation we reduced corporate taxes, inheritance taxes, gutted non-compete laws, and increased our military adventuring for economic interests. During President Clinton's administration we were sold NAFTA as a good thing, increasing exports, raising the living standards, environments, and democracy abroad. It was a lie. We exported jobs. Clinton also signed GrammLeach/Blylie in 1999, giving banks permission to gamble with your deposits in the commodities markets, among other horrors.

Throughout the Nixon to Bush years Democrats wavered between giving attention to the South and other Republican leaning areas. Virtually abandoning those Democratic voters and those states.

By 2008 we had the housing crisis, a dangerously soft economy, the brink of a banking disaster and the potential of full economic meltdown. Bush, and President Obama pumped money into gigantic banks to keep them from failing, both administrations fully abandoning the citizens, the voters, the American people. Throughout his administration President Obama pandered to corporate interests at the expense of citizens, workers, students, the environment, and human rights. Republicans of 1970 would have been joyous at their success if they had been able to accomplish one tenth of what Obama was able to do.

The Republicans of 2016 considered more than twenty candidates for president, each more unqualified and un-electable than the last. Against the wishes of the funding Plutocrats, Republican primary voters settled on the outsider, the most unqualified candidate to ever represent a major party in the US.

With the Democratic Party and presumed candidate both represented by a lobbiest, John Podesta, and his little gang of thugs had the presumption to criminally corrupt the primary to install their candidate, who had exhibited a long history of pandering to their "contributors." The nomination of the real Democrat, Senator Bernie Sanders, was stymied and Clinton took the prize.

Both Clinton and Trump had incredible negative ratings, perhaps Clinton was better known to voters, in any event Donald Trump is the winner of the general election and President Elect.

It is a certainty that disaster will result in all areas of life and government.

The voters clearly rejected the Democrats of 2016. The party elite claim to see no problem. They must make a choice. If they continue as the government arm of banks and Wall Street, they will have money for campaigns, but, they will have no votes. If they return to the values of working people, minorities, human rights and the environment, they will lose their source of loot, and the personal wealth that comes from those associations. Our two party system is fully broken. We have one party with two names. Voters may not understand this, but, it is a certainty they feel it.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi remains leader in the House, she sees no problem with this election. Podesta will remain as the power behind the throne, The Democrats of the Senate will go with an establishment leader, The Party itself will have an interesting time choosing a leader. There is no good solution.

As a nation we must remove private money from politics, we must find a way to re-establish a healthy free press, we must elect citizen/politicians rather than the professionals we now send to Washington.

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Do we still imagine our spoken word or signatures as proof of and bond to character -- the very tie that binds all together -- instead of leaking pipelines, lead laden water and sweltering income gap?

Imagine our joy to the world and peace on earth season defined by a greedy Grinch person of the year, complaining it's not man of the year. Imagine a holiday season more depressed by an election than a great recession. Then imagine feeling forgotten, suicidal or apathetic -- meandering through a trumped America.

Imagine the hate camouflaged in calculations by extremists like Brigitte Gabriel, David Duke and Chris Jankowski, playing ring around the roses with our thinking for ourselves -- blinded to the true reality of their numbers game.

Yes, a nation so conceived as all-inclusive, founded on an exceptionally good idea, producing a promising population filled with the potential for being a Home of the Brave and Land of the Free melting pot, can be duped and diminished by a comparatively small number of its own citizens -- as happened in the 1930's: Great Purge in the Soviet Union and Germany's reaction to the Treaty of Versailles -- but in 21st century America?

Yes, if the silent majority respond to the fear and bigotry of the popular vote minority, with a huge sigh of, wait and see.

Arguably, with the advent of 24/7 news, The Fourth Estate surrendered its responsibility to protect the public trust with timely factual updates, when it traded in truth for gossip and David Brinkley, Chet Huntley and Walter Cronkite for Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Glenn Beck -- choosing instead, to cater to the whims of an audience self-hypnotizing in an echo chamber of, me first.

It's not We the People who forgot the Rust Belt, Coal Miners or manufacturing jobs. It's the towering billionaires who, having bled dry industries that were the core of middle American labor, have moved on to their next assault: controlling all three branches of government.

Spoiler Alert: We don't need a Russian puppet in the White House any more than we needed a Russian puppeteer to steal our presidential election. Since Tuesday November 5, 1968, our elections have been stolen, by candidates lying to get elected, voters lying to themselves by believing the false promises of political slogans like, bringing back the coal industry or, take the oil -- by politicized computer technology, paperless voting machines, Supreme Court and those divorced from our electoral process, by choice, Voter ID laws or Gerrymandering.

Fake News is a Hoax, lying in wait, to profit politically and financially from the vulnerable and gullible. Those who feed on fake are doomed to be under informed, and failing to logically think things through, become victims of doubling down on all we like sheep affirmations, absent seeking the truth that sets us free.

Without faith in ourselves, as a people, we invite treachery to prevail and erode our democratic republic: baring the promises of Lady Liberty to an ever-increasing clinched corporate fist.

Now, having elected the very Goliaths who abandoned them, imagine Americans, who imagining themselves forgotten, slowing realizing, they forgot to use their vote as David used his sling.

We either embrace Peace on Earth or Fake News; United We Stand or deny constitutional equality to women while mass incarcerating minorities.

The real persons of the year are the peaceful majority, the Hidden Figures, who stand united in civility and, like Katherine Johnson and John Glenn, bring a renewed thirst for knowledge , evolving ideas and refreshed individuality to the table of humanity -- inviting all to share in the feast of our diverse genius.
This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

From Consortium News

A review of events leading to the very edge of full-blown U.S. shock-and-awe on Syria three years ago provides a case study with important lessons for new policymakers as they begin to arrive in Washington.

It is high time to expose the whys and wherefores of the almost-successful attempt to mousetrap President Barack Obama into an open attack on Syria three years ago. Little-known and still less appreciated is the last-minute intervention of Russian President Vladimir Putin as deus ex machina rescuing Obama from the corner into which he had let himself be painted.

Accumulating evidence offers persuasive proof that Syrian rebels supported by Turkish intelligence -- not Syrian Army troops -- bear responsibility for the infamous sarin nerve-gas attack killing hundreds of people on Aug. 21, 2013 in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus. The incident bears all the earmarks of a false-flag attack.

But U.S. and other "rebel-friendly" media outlets wasted no time in offering "compelling" evidence from "social media" -- which Secretary of State John Kerry described as an "extraordinary tool" -- to place the onus on the Syrian government.

However, as the war juggernaut started rolling toward war, enter Putin from stage right with an offer difficult for Obama to refuse -- guaranteed destruction of Syria's chemical weapons on a U.S. ship outfitted for such purpose. This cheated Washington's neocon mousetrap-setters out of their war on Syria. They would get back at Putin six months later by orchestrating an anti-Russian coup in Kiev.

But the play-by-play in U.S.-Russian relations in summer 2013 arguably surpasses in importance even the avoidance of an overt U.S. assault on Syria. Thus, it is important to appreciate the lessons drawn by Russian leaders from the entire experience.

Putting Cheese in the Mousetrap

So, let us recall that on Dec. 10, 2015, just over one year ago, Turkish Member of Parliament Eren Erdem testified about how Turkey's intelligence service helped deliver sarin precursors to rebels in Syria.

The Official Story blaming Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was already collapsing -- largely discredited by reports in independent media and by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh -- though it remained widely accepted in the U.S. mainstream media which repeatedly cited the case as the moment when Assad crossed Obama's "red line" against using chemical weapons and Obama had failed to back up his threat.

But Erdem took the debunking of the "official" tale to a public and official level. Based on government documents from a Turkish court, which he waved before his MP colleagues, Erdem poured ice water on the West's long-running excited belief that Assad had "gassed his own people."

But, alas, if you do not understand Turkish, or if you missed this story in the Belfast Telegraph of Dec. 14 or if you don't read some independent Web sites or if you believe that RT publishes only Russian "propaganda," this development may still come as a huge surprise, for Erdem's revelations appeared in no other English-language newspaper.

So, those malnourished by "mainstream media" may be clueless about the scary reality that Obama came within inches of letting himself be mousetrapped into ordering U.S. armed forces to mount a shock-and-awe-type attack on Syria in late summer 2013.

Turkish MP Testimony

Addressing fellow members of the Turkish Parliament, Turkish MP Erdem from the opposition Republican People's Party directly confronted his government on this key issue. Waving a copy of "Criminal Case Number 2013/120," Erdem described official Turkish reports and electronic evidence documenting a smuggling operation with Turkish government complicity.

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Vote Your Conscience!

But many in the electoral college may have no conscience. Certainly not enough to be "Faithless."



One week from today, America will formally find out what millions of citizens have been grappling with these last 5 weeks: Donald Trump will indeed become President of The United States.

"If I were to run, I'd run as a Republican. They're the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they'd still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific."

The above has been debunked as a fake quote, but its durability on the net proves just how The Donald's personal stamp has effected people: he makes outlandish statements everyone knows to be crapola, but he gets away with it.



Even with the Electoral College.



The Only Republican Elector With A Conscience?:

A 9/11 first responder tells why, as a Republican elector, he won't vote for Trump:



CHRISTOPHER SUPRUN DEC. 5, 2016

George W. Bush is an imperfect man, but he led us through the tragic days following the attacks. His leadership showed that America was a great nation. That was also the last time I remember the nation united. I watch Mr. Trump fail to unite America and drive a wedge between us.





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Bhutto and the Polish Resolution

12 December, 2016

By Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)

Many may have seen Pakistani TV channels occasionally showing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was representing Pakistan as its nominated Foreign Minister, tearing and throwing away some papers in rage and walking out of the UN Security Council.

Well  well  the papers were the Polish Resolution and it was 15th of December 1971 when the 71 war between India and Pakistan was in its most crucial stage and for Pakistan every day  nay  every moment mattered incalculably.



Events leading to the Polish Resolution were that after months of shelling at East Pakistan borders, sending infiltrators and assisting the Bengali Mukti Bahini, Indian armed forces crossed the international borders in the Eastern Sector on Eid ul Fitr day - the 22 November 1971. On 3rd December armed hostilities broke out on the Western Front also. As full-fledged India and Pakistan War started the matter came before the UN Security Council.



On 4 December 1971 Pakistans representative Agha Shahi argued that Pakistans internal crisis was outside the ambit of the Security Council who could deal only with international peace and not the internal peace of a member state.



The Soviet delegate held Pakistan Military responsible for the situation and proposed that the so-called Bangladesh government, formed in exile on Indian territory, be also given a hearing in the Council, which was vetoed by China.



A deadlock resulted in the Security Council when the Soviets too vetoed resolutions moved by the United States and China calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of troops from each others territory



In the meantime, the situation in East Pakistan had become very critical. But most surprisingly while the matter of life and death for Pakistan was being discussed and negotiated by the world powers at the UN, Bhutto who had arrived there on 11th Dec 1971 stayed away for full three days from the UNSC debates resting in his Waldorf Astoria hotel suite indisposed due to common cold! .



On 15 December 1971, Poland sponsored a draft resolution that had the Soviet support. It provided for the release of Sheikh Mujib-ur Rehman and transfer of power to the elected representatives under his leadership in East Pakistan, cessation of military actions in all the areas, initial and then permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of the Pakistan armed forces to the preset locations in the eastern theatre, evacuation of Pakistani nationals and armed forces from there and the withdrawal of the Indian armed forces from the eastern theatre in consultation with the newly established authority.



Since for all practical purposes, Pakistans acceptance of the Polish Resolution would have meant that it had agreed to the secession of East Pakistan, Bhutto declined to take upon himself the responsibility of conceding defeat there and walked out of the Security Council.



A little closer look at the Polish Resolution would, however, show that it favoured Pakistan to quite some extent. Though the acceptance of the Polish Resolution would not have prevented the dismemberment of Pakistan, which in any case was a matter of forgone conclusion yet, its implementation would have averted the sad and stigmatic episode of Pakistan armed forces surrender in East Pakistan and becoming Prisoners of War. It provided for:



1.A Cease-Fire and immediate mutual withdrawal before the capture of Dacca.



2.This would have deprived India of the clear victory it sought.



3.A quick return of the Pakistan Army under UN arrangements, would have greatly complicated India's capacity to assist the Awami league in establishing a stable and moderate regime in East Pakistan.



4.As once both Indian & Pakistani forces returned by virtue of the resolution the conglomeration of Mukti-Bahini forces would have commenced their 'own civil war for power', in race to control the new country.



5.This was a no-win situation for India as that would have forced India to restore the strategic points in the Pakistani side of cease-fire line in Kashmir, that the Indians had seized at some cost in the 1971 war.



6.To add further to above, Indra Gandhi knew that behind the Polish Resolution, really stood the Soviets, and in principle New Dehli had reluctantly conceded that it had no options but to accept the resolution that had been approved unanimously.



However, ZAB in his quite lengthy and forceful speech and probably driven by his some hidden inner desire stalked out of Assembly saying, Finally, I am not a rat. I have never ratted in my life. I have faced assassination attempts, I have faced imprisonments. I have always confronted crises. Today I am not ratting, but I am leaving your Security Council. I find it disgraceful to my person and to my country to remain here a moment longer than is necessary. I am not boycotting. Impose any decision, have a treaty worse than the Treaty of Versailles, legalise aggression, legalise occupation, legalise everything that has been illegal upto 15 December 1971. I will not be a party to it. We will fight; we will go back and fight. My country beckons me. Why should I waste my time here in the Security Council? I will not be a party to the ignominious surrender of a part of my country. You can take your Security Council. Here you are. (Ripping papers) I am going.



Next day the 16 December 1971 East Pakistan was lost for ever.



Reflecting in the wisdom of the hindsight of 45 years one is at times compelled to ponder over some of the insolvable quizzes, like :



Why did Bhutto evade the UNSC debates from 11 Dec till 14 Dec 1971 on the pretext of suffering from the common cold?



Was he filibursting and gaining time to make the position of the Pak armed forces untenable and wanted them to surrender? In this context a page from Mr. Sultan Muhammad Khans book 'Memories & Reflections'. pages-385-386, who was the foreign secretary in January 1970 and handled Pakistan's foreign relations during the civil war in East Pakistan is quite revealing, He says, The no less important apprehension that two or three army divisions with their formations and arms intact, returning to West Pakistan with a stigma of failure, would be a serious threat to the military and emerging political leadership. Questions would be raised by them to determine and assign responsibility for the political and military failure in East Pakistan. Things could take an unpredictable course and emergence of a new military leadership which would put an end to the prospect of civil rul! e, was a distinct possibility''. To conclude: Had the Army come back, as stated in the remarks above, Yahya & his team, as well ZAB would have been jointly tried by an Army commission, and their fates sealed, a coup was definitely expected.



And then look at the Justice Hamood ur Rehman Commission appointed by him and the mandate given to it, To inquire into and find out the circumstances in which the Commander Eastern command surrendered and the members of the Armed Forces of Pakistan under his command laid down their arms and a cease-fire was ordered along the borders of West Pakistan and India and along the cease-fire line in the State of Jammu and Kashmir." What could a commission entrusted with such a task (purely military in nature) do except find faults and blame the army for the debacle ?!



Why was the Commission not given the task, To enquire into the circumstances which led to the cessation of East Pakistan from Pakistan. The outcome report would have been quite different.



And the million dollar question; Would Mujib ur Rehman have proved to be a loyal and patriotic PM had Bhutto agreed to his becoming the PM of united Pakistan as was announced by President Yahya Khan?



I leave these afterthoughts for the readers to decide for themselves.
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Islam teaches tolerance respect of all beliefs: PM Aziz In the 6th century, the entire Arab Peninsula had sunk into the morass of depravation and delinquency. The two super powers of the time, Romans (Byzantine Empire) and Persians (Sassanian Empire) were situated in the west and east of Arabian Peninsula respectively and were antagonists. The 28 year-war (602-630 A.D.) had drained the two empires and decay had begun to set in. It was in those times that Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), born at Mecca on April 22, 571 A.D., came on the scene and started his holy mission in 610 A.D. assigned to him by Allah. In less than 20 years, he purged the degenerated Arabian society of the multifarious deep-seated evils and transformed the savage Arab tribes into civilized people. Mecca became the cradle of a new civilization and the fountainhead of a new culture. An embodiment of all-human values and virtues, and the brightest example in the annals of history, and greatest benefactor of mankind, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) breathed his last on the fateful day of June 8, 632 A.D. He left behind an ideal democracy (Meesakh-e-Madina) based on equality, fraternity and justice which was meant for the betterment and wellbeing of mankind. It was practiced by the elected Caliphs for next 30 years.



The era of Khulfa-e-Rashida (632  661 A.D.) have no parallel in the human history and is acknowledged as the glorious and momentous period in the annals of Islamic world. Their far reaching contributions will ever remain the most outstanding achievements recorded in human history. The ill-equipped and unskilled nomadic Arabs destroyed the Persian Empire and humbled the Byzantine Empire. In the space of 100 years, the Arabs conquered an empire extending from the Pamirs in the east to the Atlantic coast of Morocco in the west, and northwards into southern France. In the 7th century, the Arab Muslim armies implanted Muslim faith in all the countries overpowered by them and their victory was total and wholesome. The Muslim Empire was a more civilized society than the Christian Europe. It was more tolerant; even the Christians of Egypt and Syria preferred Arab rule over the Christian Constantinople. Tolerance and justice exhibited by the Muslims toward other religions have been universally acknowledged. Infused by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Arabs brought about the greatest revolution in the annals of mankind.



With the accession of Hazrat Muawiya as the first Caliph of Umayyads in 661 A.D. with capital at Damascus, the democratic nature of Khilafat was changed and it assumed the trappings of monarchy. The Umayyads (661-750 A.D.), the Abbasids (750-1258 A.D.) and Spanish Moors in Spain (714-1492 A.D.) reached the pinnacle of glory during their respective rules and left behind their marks. Muslim rule in Spain in particular was the marvel of the middle ages. When all Europe had plunged in barbaric ignorance and strife, Spain, particularly Cordova alone held the torch of learning and civilization before the western world. Christians and Jews were given total liberty to build churches and synagogues. However, infighting among Umayyads, Abbasids, and Moors, their intrigues and digression from the path of Islamic teachings led to their humiliating downfall and large-scale massacre.



In their desperate bid to possess the Holy Land of Jerusalem from the Muslims, the Christian world launched series of ferocious crusades from 1095 to 1798. The first series of crusades undertaken in 10th Century were Jerusalem focused. The crusades in the name of religion wrought havoc but their genocide was confined to Jerusalem and the nearby areas of Palestine only. Rest of the Middle East was not touched since the invaders didnt have the capacity to do so. More so, their objective was seizure of Jerusalem and not Islam and Muslims. Hence the bloodbath remained confined to a limited area. Jerusalem changed hands but was eventually captured by Salah Uddin Ayubi after decisively defeating the crusaders. The defeat of the crusaders left deep imprints of prejudice and hostility among the Christendom against Islam, the effects of which have persisted till today.



The Ottomans reigned supreme from 1299 to 1566 A.D. During Suleman 1 (The Magnificent) tenure from 1520 till 1566, he made Ottoman Empire the most dominant both on land and sea. Its vast dominions included major parts of southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa, stretching from Vienna to the wall of China in the east, and from Ukraine in north to the source of Nile in the south. In 17th and 18th century, the Turks gradually lost their glory. Europe and North America had become much richer and technologically stronger than rest of the world by the end of 18th century. This was owing to cultural transformation and industrial revolution in Europe. Overseas colonial expansion by European powers recommenced after 1870 under a new title of New Imperialism. Colonisation in Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Pacific Basin rich in resources and raw materials was undertaken on the pretext of Europeanising backward regions as part of white mans burden. Among the European rivals, Britain took the lead since it had the strongest navy. Great Britain lorded over the colonized world through its policy of divide and rule.



The notorious Sykes-Picot pact  the basis of modern Middle Easts political map, came into being as a product of Anglo-French joint conspiracy. Turkey raised no objection to the 1917 Sykes-Picot sinister plan of giving birth to an illegitimate child Israel at the cost of Palestinians and hastened to recognize the illegal state. In drawing a new map of the Arab land, the local Arab Muslims didnt have an iota of involvement. The Arab Muslims incited and induced by the British, joined the Anglo-French Alliance in 1917 against the Turks to fragment Ottoman Empire and dismantle Khilafat the citadel of Muslim power.



Under Kemal Ata Turk, Turkey was turned into a model secular state and in the name of modernism, Islamic customs and traditions were replaced with western culture. Likewise, The Arab world was divided into 20 states. The Emirates like new states were created to fit in the new political map. A clan of compliant rulers were installed in these Emirates only to serve the imperialists agenda and pursue their own opportunism. The British-French installed puppet regimes disapproved the core Islamic principles like Sharia, Hudud, Khilafa and Jihad and instead promoted secularism and nationalism and remained engulfed in intrigues and perpetual inter-state rivalry. Once the US and former USSR emerged as new super powers after the 2nd World War, the Middle Eastern countries accepted the lordship of the new masters who preferred authoritarian rulers and kings.



Same happened with other decolonized Muslim countries in Asia and Africa where the British trained secular minded rulers gained power who adopted Westminster democracy, Anglo-Saxon laws and western police, civil and military management systems. For the general public, decolonization proved worse since independence was in name only. Notwithstanding the massive loot, plunder, rapine, slavery in the colonies of the Western Christian imperialism, which cannot be forgotten and forgiven, the colonization did much good in the name of spreading European civilization and Enlightenment. But Gora (White) Sahibs were replaced by avaricious and haughty Brown Sahibs devoid of moral and human values. They maintained class system and widened the gulf between the rich and poor. The US led west made sure that the decolonized States remained dependent upon them. As a consequence, the Muslim world despite its massive wealth and resources remained far behind the western world.



The period between 1946 and 1991 witnessed cold war between the two super powers each vying to expand its power of influence outside the western and eastern hemispheres. Developing and under developed worlds suffered the most at the hands of imperialist powers as well as Israel and India. This period saw occupation of states by the Red Army, resistance war in Cuba, Vietnam War, Korean War, Indo-Pakistan wars, Arab-Israeli wars, civil war in Lebanon, Iran-Iraq war, Falkland war, Afghan war, First Gulf War, conflicts in Africa and forcible regime changes. After the dismantlement of USSR in 1991, the US has been vying to convert the world into a globalisied village run by the neo cons and corporates. This ambition led to the engineered 9/11. In the aftermath of 9/11, the Muslim world was subjected to the US led global coalition of the 21st century crusaders under a set agenda to once again redraw the boundaries of the Middle East, steal their mineral resources and neo-colonize the defiant Muslim States. The brutalization of Muslim Ummah was justified and legalized under the cover of global terrorism. The puppet regimes of the targeted countries or the rebels helped the crusaders in destroying Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria, or in changing defiant regimes.



The global war on terrorism triggered by the sole super power and its western allies has surpassed previous genocidal wars. The sort of destruction and pogrom carried out by the new crusaders have paled the barbarities of the medieval crusaders and even the Mongols under Chengez and Halaku  notorious for their genocide, into insignificance. None in the past had razed any Muslim cities to ground as was done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and now in Syria. After repeated destruction of Gaza by the Israeli forces and keeping it besieged since 2007, Syrian cities are being devastated in succession. Hama, Homs, Lataqia, and now Aleppo are worst affected. In Iraq, after systematically ruining Fallujah, Tikrit and Ramadi, Mosul is now being destroyed.



Notwithstanding the depravation of the US led western world, which is ravenously plundering the mineral wealth of the Muslim countries, the role of the Muslims is no less deplorable. Their moral scale has touched the lowest ebb. There was a time when the old crusaders would find it near impossible to recruit a collaborator from within the Muslims or to build a military base, or install a Trojan horse to promote their agenda. Unfortunately, there is no dearth of collaborators now who are prepared to sell their souls for money. The earlier crusaders didnt have any collaborating Muslim partners; but now the Muslim rulers -with few exception, compete each other to become full collaborators cum coalition partners of the new crusaders. The western



forces could not have successfully invaded and occupied Muslim countries without the aid of fifth columnists and the conspiring rulers of Muslim states.



The success of the 21st century crusaders is huge. The old crusaders couldnt alter the demography and geography of Palestine. But now they have succeeded in changing the boundaries of Middle East as visualized by Lt Col Ralph Peters in 2006. His map shows Baluchistan an independent state. Earlier on in 1982, Israeli Adid Yenon had given the idea of dividing the Arab states into smaller quasi states on ethnic/sectarian basis. Eight member team comprising Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, David Wurmser, his wife Meyrav Wurmser, James Colbert, John Bolton, Charles Fairbanks, Jr. Robert Loewenberg, and Benjamin Netanyahu were the architects of the gory plan in 1996 to redraw the boundaries of Middle East by stoking chaos, bringing regime change to install stable puppets, or else to balkanise. Pentagons Memo listing 7 States in Middle East is well known. The Islamic State (IS), creation of CIA helped in creating chaos in Middle East and in changing boundaries of Iraq and Syria.



As a consequence to moral degeneration and leadership crisis within Muslim Ummah, the new crusaders are fighting their battles inside the Muslim lands. Foreign powers are in occupation of Afghanistan since November 2001 and have military bases in Iraq, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and several other Muslim countries. In some of the Muslim countries, USA has converted its Embassies into fortresses and spying dens and Pakistan is one example. These collaborating Muslim countries have provided strategic depth to the western world and has enabled it to keep the whole lot of Muslim countries in their iron grip and to loot their resources and to keep them militarily weak and dependent.



Divide and rule policy has helped the western powers to keep the Muslim States, particularly in the Middle East locked in perpetual rivalry. The Arab Muslims  despite their ethnic, linguistic and geographical oneness, stand divided into more than 20 States. The string-puppet regimes installed by USA have secularized their respective countries and in order to please their so-called patrons they disapprove Islamic laws. The core Islamic principles like Sharia, Hudud, Khilafa, Jihad and trans-ethnic global solidarity are censured. Contrary to such Quranic ruling, they have raised walls of divisions to protect the pre-Islamic ethnic, linguistic and tribal identity. These divisive walls in the name of race, language or religious sect had been dismantled during the golden period of Muslims.



The Saudi led Gulf States supported Iraq under Saddam Hussain when Iraqi forces invaded Iran in 1980. After the Iraqi forces captured Kuwait in August 1991, the other Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia allowed the US and NATO to bomb and invade Iraq in November 1991. They provided military bases to US which are still in its occupation. The entire Muslim world supported the US-NATO invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. Ground invasion was undertaken by Northern Alliance troops (non-Pashtun Afghans), trained and equipped by India and Iran. Pakistan provided military bases and intelligence support as well as land supply routes to the invaders. The Taliban ousted from power are in wilderness but are resisting the occupying forces



and the US installed puppet regime in Kabul. There is deep animosity between Pashtun Afghans who are in heavy majority but out of power and homeless, and the US supported non-Pashtun Afghans, belonging to northern parts of the country, ruling the country since December 2001. The Arab world supported the US-NATO invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003 and then of Libya in 2011. Both the countries stand divided and are in turmoil.



The Arab world watched from sidelines the repeated invasion and massacre of people of Gaza by Israeli forces and blockade of Gaza strip since 2007. Only Iran provided some unguided rockets to the Hamas to contest the aggressors. Arab League and OIC have played no role in resolving the chronic Palestinian dispute pending in the tray of the UN since 1948. The world comity has turned a blind eye to Israeli forward settlement policy and Israels U-turn on Oslo Accord, after agreeing to the two-state solution in return for peace.



In the Syrian civil war, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Gulf States and Iran are fully involved. The Turkish government had allowed the US to use its air base to bomb the Syrian and the Iraqi cities to flush out ISIS. This base was closed after the recent coup in Turkey in which it was found to be supporting the rebels. Paradoxically, the US Army personnel are fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Kurdish Marxist-Leninist YPG terrorists in northern Syria  though these Kurdish fighters are marked as terrorists even by the American administration. The US soldiers even wore the YPG badge on their military uniform. However, Turkey treats the Kurds as an enemy and is bombarding their positions in Syria and Iraq. Iranian soldiers and militia as well as Lebanon based Hezbollah are taking part in Syrian civil war in support of Assad regime.



Marooned Assad led Syrian regime has allowed Russia to establish its air base and a naval base in Syria and to help Syrian forces in fighting the US supported rebellion. The Russian, the US and western forces as well as Turkish forces are bombing the Islamists in Syria. The civil war in Syria since March 2011 has resulted in deaths of 350,000 people and displacement of 12 million people.



Saleh regime in Yemen had allowed CIA to use drones against Al-Qaeda from the US base in Djibouti, which later sparked civil war and Saudi-Houthis war which is still raging. Saudi air force along with Egyptian and Gulf States air power are bombing Yemen since March 2015. Somalia, rived in a civil war since early 1990s has become a failed state own to the US interventionist policy.



Egyptian President General Abdul Fatah al-Sisi dethroned democratically elected Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood (MB) regime from power in July 2013 and his act was supported by Saudi led Gulf States and the US. Major reason of the coup was that Israel was unhappy over MBs support to Gazans. Sisis ruthless persecution of Islamists is overlooked by the advanced world while Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States dole out reward money to the dictator since their rulers are no less autocrats. Resistance forces led by MB are fighting government forces in Sinai.



The two ideological rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia sponsor proxy wars in other countries to promote Shiaism and Wahabism. Palestinian leadership is divided; one led by Hamas in Gaza and other by



Abbas in West Bank. Democratically elected Hamas have been declared terrorists by the US, UN and Israel.



The ISIS under Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi established its caliphate stretching from Raqqa in Syria to Faluja, Mosul, Dyala in Iraq in mid-2014 and later on spread its tentacles into Libya, Yemen, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. It was created by CIA in Bucca Camp in Baghdad in 2006 under Zarqawi to fight Al-Qaeda in Fallujah and Ambar. Later it was sent to Syria in 2011 to help Nusra group and other rebel groups to topple Assad regime. The ISIS fighters after capturing the entire northeastern Syria including oil/gas fields in 2013, then captured large parts of northwestern Iraq and established its own caliphate in June 2014. After capturing Mosul, the Islamic State (IS) became the richest militant group in the world. Large numbers of white Jihadis from Europe started joining IS, and its fighters slaughtered Christians and Yazidis in northern Iraq and enslaved their girls for prostitution. These events coupled with the IS threat to capture Karbala, Najaf, Mecca and Medina, alarmed the US, Europe, Arab world, Turkey and Iran.



The US-NATO started an air campaign against the IS positions in Iraq and Syria in August 2014 but couldnt make any dent in the IS power. From 30 September 2015 onward, Russia airpower also joined the fray in Syria to help the beleaguered Assad regime from collapsing. It is helping Assad forces to recover the lost territories as well as in eliminating the IS, which is in control of one-third north eastern territory of Syria including oil and gas fields. Although the IS positions are being bombed and Iraqi Nationalist Army assisted by Kurds, Turkmen and Shia militias are fast recovering their lost territories and have recovered Fallujah and are now fighting a pitched battle in Mosul, CIA, Mossad and RAW are on the quiet employing IS fighters as proxies in their target countries. In fact, RAW has become the major supplier of arms and explosives to IS in Iraq and Syria.



Pakistan was forced by USA to fight the US imposed war on terror on its soil. Although Pakistan was declared a frontline state and a non-NATO ally, in reality it was a target. Pakistan was pressed to fight the terror groups, but TTP, BLA, BRA, BLF were secretly funded, equipped and trained by RAW and Afghan NDS and tasked to fight Pak security forces in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. RAW also funded and armed MQM political party in Sindh. All this was supervised by CIA, Mossad and MI-6. Afghanistan has turned into biggest launching pad for exporting terrorism into Pakistan. Massive covert operations are going on since 2003 as a result of which Pakistan has suffered well over 60,000 human fatalities, and a financial loss of $ 118 billion. Pakistan is also host to 3 million Afghan refugees since 1978. Despite such colossal sacrifices and Pakistan having performed exceptionally well against terrorism, Pakistan is blamed by Kabul, New Delhi and Washington that it is abetting terrorism in Afghanistan, Kashmir and India. The trio knitted in strategic partnership has for all practical purposes lost the war in Afghanistan. Rather than admitting their defeat ad accepting the Taliban as the major stakeholder, or correcting their fault lines, they are merely reinforcing failure. In order to hide their failures, they blame Pakistan, naively thinking that blame game and making Pakistan a scapegoat would lessen their pains.



The ideological conversion cum de-Islamisation of the autocratic rulers in the Arab world has been so complete that they face no compunction nor feel any Islamic prohibition to provide bases for these traditional enemies of Muslims and Islam. It is a consequence to their delinquency and moral bankruptcy and their secret alliance with their masters in western world that none among them has ever raised his voice against such massive destruction of the Muslim cities and massacre of innocents in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Palestine, Yemen and Afghanistan. Their willing cooperation has encouraged many in the US to suggest nuking holy sites in Saudi Arabia or the belt along the Pak-Afghan border belt. God forbid, if ever such a monstrous thing occurred and millions are killed, who will condemn it? The tongue-tied and captive Muslim rulers will not utter a word of protest.



The US controlled UN may meekly condemn and so will some human rights activists and those in the West like Noam Chomsky, but no resolution will be passed by the UN to punish the perpetrators of this savagery. The US was not punished for dropping hydrogen bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 killing 1, 40,000 people. George W. Bush and his team of neocons have not been held accountable for invading and destroying Afghanistan without proving Osama bin Laden guilty of master minding attacks in New York and Pentagon; and Bush and Tony Blair for destroying Iraq on fake charges; and for killing over two million innocent people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia. War monger Obama who used drone as a choice weapon and further expanded war on terror was awarded Nobel Prize.



Global war on terrorism has remained confined to the Muslim world only while others have been given a clean chit. Barring North Korea, all other targeted countries falling in the axis of evil are Muslim countries. The Muslims stand destitute hostage to these brutal big powers. The occupation of Muslim lands, bombing the cities and killing millions is labelled as their security need to protect their so-called national interests. Even dropping nuclear bombs in 1945 was considered a rightful act on the same context. And whoever challenges such savage aggression and hegemony is labelled as terrorist. All freedom movements such as Palestinian and Kashmiri movements have been bracketed with terrorism.



The entire Muslim world is disconnected from the roadmap prescribed in the Quran and has chosen the path suggested by the US led western world. This deviation from the righteous path has brought upon them untold miseries. Independence is in name only. There is complete disconnect between the Muslim rulers and the people, majority of whom fervently seek Sharia (Islamic laws) since capitalism, Westminster democracy and Anglo Saxon laws are pro rich only.



Palestinian issue, Israeli belligerence, Gaza turned into open prison, desecration of Al-Aqsa mosque, double standards of the west, involvement of Irans increasing involvement in Arab countries, revengeful persecution of Sunnis in Iraq, forcible change of regime in Libya, willful destabilization of Syria, when seen in context with weakened welfare system within Arab world, unemployment, misrule of Arab rulers, hatred against Hamas, their pro-western policies all put together, have bred discontentment among the Arab youth and they are fatally getting attracted towards extremism and organisations like Daesh.



In Pakistan, people are by and large dissatisfied with parliamentary form of democracy and the judicial system since these alien systems have utterly failed to transform Pakistan into a welfare state as was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam. 70 years have passed since independence but the have-nots have remained deprived of basic necessities of life as well as social justice. The cancers of corruption and terrorism are eating into the vitals of the country. The political class seems least interested in badly needed political, electoral, bureaucratic, police, judicial and accountability reforms. The ruling elite is also not prepared to formulate an independent foreign policy that can safeguard Pakistans national interests. Until and unless these reforms are implemented in letter and spirit, the scourges of corruption and terrorism will not be eliminated and Pakistan will not become a self-reliant nation. In-house cleanliness, moral reformation, unity, cohesiveness and patriotism will change the complexion of Pakistan and thwart dangerous Indo-US-Israeli agenda. Only then the CPEC can become a game changer.



The writer is a retired Brig, war veteran, defence and security analyst, columnist, author of 5 books, Vice Chairman Thinkers Forum Pakistan, DG Measac Research Centre, Member Executive Council PESS. Takes part in TV talk shows and delivers talks. asifharoonraja@gmail.com
Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar appointed as new ISI chief 12 December, 2016



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Woke Bingo ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army on Sunday announced the appointments of Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar as the new ISI chief and Lt Gen Bilal Akbar as Chief of General Staff (CGS), completing the long drawn reshuffle of the top brass caused by the militarys change of command.



Both Gen Mukhtar and Gen Akbar were last posted in Karachi, where the former was commanding the corps, while the latter was leading the Rangers in Sindh.



The position of the ISIs director general fell vacant after Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar was transferred to National Defence University Islamabad as its president in place of incumbent Lt Gen Nazir Butt.



Prior to his stint in Karachi, Gen Mukhtar served in ISI as head of its counter-terrorism wing. He has commanded a brigade in South Waziristan and also served in operations directorate of the army.



Army completes reshuffle of top brass

Even as the ISI chiefs appointment was announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations, it is the prime minister who picks the spymaster.



Lt Gen Bilal Akbar, who was on Friday promoted as a three star general, was given the crucial assignment of the CGS. The position fell vacant after Gen Zubair Hayat was last month elevated to the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).



Gen Akbar will be the 33rd CGS  one of the most prestigious positions in the army. Ten of his predecessors went on to become either army chiefs or CJCSC.



The CGS is assigned the operational and intelligence matters at the General Headquarters with directorates of Military Operations and Military Intelligence falling under his purview.



The new CGS is from Artillery. He commanded a division in Lahore and a brigade in Swat. But, it was his stint with Rangers in Sindh that brought him into the limelight. One thing obvious from Gen Akbars appointment as the CGS is that a greater focus would remain on internal security.



Much like in case of Gen Akbar and the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Raza as corps commander Rawalpindi, both of whom had been freshly promoted from ranks of major general to lieutenant general, several other important postings went to newly promoted officers.



A similar pattern was also visible in recent promotions wherein a number of officers serving at important positions, including vice chief of general staff and general officers commanding of some divisions, were superseded. Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa is seen as building his own team.



One such appointment was that of Lt Gen Sher Afgun, who was posted as corps commander Bahawalpur. The position had fallen vacant due to retirement of Lt Gen Javed Iqbal Ramday, who was superseded during the appointment of the chief of army staff.



Lt Gen Afgun is from the Azad Kashmir Regiment of Infantry. His last appointment was Inspector General Frontier Corps in Balochistan, where he was posted following the disclosure of a corruption scandal in FC. He commanded a division on the Line of Control, when Gen Bajwa was commander 10 Corps. Gen Afgun has further led a brigade in North Waziristan and also remained at Military Operations Directorate as a director.



In another posting, Lt Gen Nazir Butt, president NDU, has been moved to Peshawar corps as its new commander. He replaces Gen Hidayatur Rehman, who has been appointed as Inspector General Training and Evaluation  a position held by Gen Bajwa before he became the army chief. Although IGT&Es position is not considered among the hottest jobs at GHQ, incidentally Gen Hidayats both immediate predecessors became army chiefs.



Gen Hidayat, the first officer from Northern Areas to become a three star general, remained as corps commander Peshawar for almost two years. During his tenure, he oversaw operations in North Waziristan and Khyber tribal regions.



ISPR Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajwa was assigned the position of Inspector General Arms at GHQ. Other than Gen Ishfaq Nadeem, Gen Asim Bajwa was credited as the man behind the recently retired Gen Raheel Sharifs successes as he gave a new dimension to the ISPRs role as the militarys public relations wing.



There was greater focus on social media during his tenure. Gen Asim Bajwa also happens to be one of the longest serving ISPR chiefs. He was posted in the ISPR as a major general in June 2012 and continued working against the two star position even after his promotion to the rank of lieutenant general in September 2015.



Lt Gen Humayun Aziz, another newly promoted officer, has been made Inspector General Communication and Information Technology. Gen Aziz is a gunner. He has commanded a division in Khyber Agency and his last posting was DG Welfare and Rehabilitation at Adjutant General Branch in GHQ.



Lt Gen Qazi Ikram has been appointed Chief of Logistic Staff. Gen Ikram is from artillery and his last assignment was Director General Personnel Services at GHQ.



Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal, an officer from Engineers Corps, would continue in his position as director general Frontier Works Organisation.



Lt Gen Naeem Ashraf has, meanwhile, been appointed as chairman Heavy Industries Taxila. Gen Ashraf is from the armoured corps. He was earlier at the National Defence University as its chief instructor. Gen Ashraf has commanded a mechanised division in Malir; and 3 Independent Armoured Brigade Group and 24 Infantry Brigade in Operation Al Mizan in South Waziristan.
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A phone call between Putin and Iranian

President Rouhani smoothed the way.



How Putin, Khamenei and Saudi prince got OPEC deal done

Russian President Vladimir Putin played a crucial role in helping OPEC rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia set aside differences to forge the cartel's first deal with non-OPEC Russia in 15 years.

Interventions ahead of Wednesday's OPEC meeting came at key moments from Putin, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, OPEC and non-OPEC sources said.

Putin's role as intermediary between Riyadh and Tehran was pivotal, testament to the rising influence of Russia in the Middle East since its military intervention in the Syrian civil war just over a year ago.

It started when Putin met Saudi Prince Mohammed in September on the sidelines of a G20 gathering in China.

The two agreed to cooperate to help world oil markets clear a glut that had more than halved oil prices since 2014, pummeling Russian and Saudi government revenues. Oil prices are up 10 pct this week topping $53 a barrel.

The financial pain made a deal possible despite the huge political differences between Russia and Saudi over the civil war in Syria.

"Putin wants the deal. Full stop. Russian companies will have to cut production," said a Russian energy source briefed on the discussions.

In September, OPEC agreed in principle at a meeting in Algiers to reduce output for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis.

But the individual country commitments required to finalize a deal at Wednesday's Vienna meeting still required much diplomacy.

Recent OPEC meetings have failed because of arguments between de facto leader Saudi Arabia and third-largest producer Iran. Tehran has long argued OPEC should not prevent it restoring output lost during years of Western sanctions.

Proxy wars in Syria and Yemen have exacerbated decades of tensions between the Saudi Sunni kingdom and the Iranian Shi'ite Islamic republic.

BRINKMANSHIP

Heading into the meeting, the signs were not good. Oil markets went into reverse. Saudi Prince Mohammed had repeatedly demanded Iran participate in supply cuts. Saudi and Iranian OPEC negotiators had argued in circles in the run-up to the meeting.

And, then, just a few days beforehand, Riyadh appeared back away from a deal, threatening to boost production if Iran failed to contribute cuts.

But Putin established that the Saudis would shoulder the lion's share of cuts, as long as Riyadh wasn't seen to be making too large a concession to Iran. A deal was possible if Iran didn't celebrate victory over the Saudis.

A phone call between Putin and Iranian President Rouhani smoothed the way. After the call, Rouhani and oil minister Bijan Zanganeh went to their supreme leader for approval, a source close to the Ayatollah said.

"During the meeting, the leader Khamenei underlined the importance of sticking to Iran's red line, which was not yielding to political pressures and not to accept any cut in Vienna," the source said.

"Zanganeh thoroughly explained his strategy ... and got the leader's approval. Also it was agreed that political lobbying was important, especially with Mr. Putin, and again the Leader approved it," said the source.

On Wednesday, the Saudis agreed to cut production heavily, taking "a big hit" in the words of energy minister Khalid al-Falih - while Iran was allowed to slightly boost output.

After the meeting, the usually combative Zanganeh avoided any comment that might be read as claiming victory over Riyadh.

"We were firm," he told state television. "The call between Rouhani and Putin played a major role ... After the call, Russia backed the cut."

IRAQ LAST-MINUTE HITCH

But OPEC would not be OPEC without a last-minute quarrel threatening to derail the deal. Iraq became a problem.

As ministerial talks got underway, OPEC's second-largest producer insisted it could not afford to cut output, given the cost of its war against Islamic State.

But, facing pressure from the rest of OPEC to contribute a cut, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi picked up the phone in front of his peers to call his prime minister, Haider al-Abadi.

"Abadi said: 'Get the deal done'. And that was it," one OPEC source said.

Rania El Gamal, Parisa Hafezi and Dmitry Zhdannikov / additional reporting Alex Lawler and Ahmad Ghaddar; editing by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Richard Mably / Reuters / Dic. 01, 2016
Credit: Victoria University

The Alpine Fault has been assumed to be a near vertical crack, however, research published last year by Victoria scientists suggests that the fault curves under the Earth's crust.

A study by Emily Warren-Smith, who graduates this week with a PhD in Geophysics, has added more evidence to this theory. Her results show that the fault flattens to become horizontal a few kilometres underground and underlies a wide region of the central South Island.

"The surface expression of the Alpine Fault is remarkably clear, but there is some debate about the shape of the fault as it goes several kilometres underground. So I set out to map the fault at depth," says Emily.

"Just by observing how fast the landscape of South Island has been worn away, it is possible to look deep inside the Earth, which is remarkable.

"I collected rock samples from 30 sites across the Southern Alps. Then, in the laboratory, I analysed the crystals in these rocks using a method called fission-track thermochronology.

"By looking at tiny damage trails, the by-products of nuclear fission within the crystals, we were able to put an age on when that rock was at a certain temperature. Because we know temperatures get hotter deep underground, we can therefore figure out how long ago it was at a certain depth in the earth and calculate how fast the rocks have been moving up to the surface over the last few million years as the overlying rocks are worn away by erosion."

Emily says the aging pattern shows rocks close to the Alpine Fault are being moved up and eroded quicklya few millimetres per yearwhereas rocks in Central Otago are much more stable and have been at the surface for longer but are still moving sideways.

"The simple explanation for this pattern is that the fault plane is horizontal in the middle of the crust, around 25 kilometres deep beneath Central Otago, and then as you get closer to the West Coast it curves to become nearly vertical at the surface. So the rocks are essentially on a conveyor belt moving sideways and then being exhumed up."

More research needs to be done to better assess what this finding means for earthquake risk, says Emily. "Our research has told us what the Alpine Fault is doing on very long time-scales, but we are unsure of its behaviour on the scale of hundreds and thousands of years and less. For places like Wanaka and Queenstown, instead of being a hundred or so kilometres geographically away from the Alpine Fault, they're actually only a few kilometres above it."

The research findings were published in the American Geophysical Union journal G.
Iceberg in the Weddell Sea. Credit: Mike Weber

An international team of researchers has found that the Antarctic Ice Sheet plays a major role in regional and global climate variability - a discovery that may also help explain why sea ice in the Southern Hemisphere has been increasing despite the warming of the rest of the Earth.

Results of the study, co-authored by Michael Weber, a paleoclimatologist and visiting scientist at the University of Cambridge, along with colleagues from the USA, New Zealand and Germany, are published this week in the journal Nature.

Global climate models that look at the last several thousand years have failed to account for the amount of climate variability captured in the paleoclimate record, according to lead author Pepijn Bakker, a climate modeller from the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Studies at the University of Bremen in Germany.

The researchers first turned their attention to the Scotia Sea. "Most icebergs calving off the Antarctic Ice Sheet travel through this region because of the atmospheric and oceanic circulation," explained Weber. "The icebergs contain gravel that drop into the sediment on the ocean floor - and analysis and dating of such deposits shows that for the last 8,000 years, there were centuries with more gravel and those with less."

The research team's hypothesis is that climate modellers have historically overlooked one crucial element in the overall climate system. They discovered that the centuries-long phases of enhanced and reduced Antarctic ice mass loss documented over the past 8,000 years have had a cascading effect on the entire climate system.

Using sophisticated computer modelling, the researchers traced the variability in iceberg calving (ice that breaks away from glaciers) to small changes in ocean temperatures.

"There is a natural variability in the deeper part of the ocean adjacent to the Antarctic Ice Sheet that causes small but significant changes in temperatures," said co-author Andreas Schmittner, a climate modeller from Oregon State University. "When the ocean temperatures warm, it causes more direct melting of the ice sheet below the surface, and it increases the number of icebergs that calve off the ice sheet."

Those two factors combine to provide an influx of fresh water into the Southern Ocean during these warm regimes, according to Peter Clark, a paleoclimatologist from Oregon State University, and co-author on the study.

"The introduction of that cold, fresh water lessens the salinity and cools the surface temperatures, at the same time, stratifying the layers of water," he said. "The cold, fresh water freezes more easily, creating additional sea ice despite warmer temperatures that are down hundreds of meters below the surface."

An iceberg. Credit: Michael Weber, University of Bonn

The discovery may help explain why sea ice is currently expanding in the Southern Ocean despite global warming, the researchers say.

"This response is well-known, but what is less-known is that the input of fresh water also leads to changes far away in the northern hemisphere, because it disrupts part of the global ocean circulation," explained Nick Golledge from the University of Wellington, New Zealand, an ice-sheet modeller and study co-author. "Meltwater from the Antarctic won't just raise global sea level, but might also amplify climate changes around the world. Some parts of the North Atlantic may end up with warmer temperatures as a consequence of part of Antarctica melting."

Golledge used a computer model to simulate how the Antarctic Ice Sheet changed as it came out of the last ice age and into the present, warm period.

"The integration of data and models provides further evidence that the Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced much greater natural variability in the past than previously anticipated," added Weber. "We should therefore be concerned that it will possibly act very dynamically in the future, too, specifically when it comes to projecting future sea-level rise."

Two years ago Weber led another study, also published in Nature, which found that the Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed repeatedly and abruptly at the end of the Last Ice Age to 19,000 to 9,000 years ago.

More information: Pepijn Bakker et al, Centennial-scale Holocene climate variations amplified by Antarctic Ice Sheet discharge, Nature (2016). DOI: 10.1038/nature20582 Journal information: Nature
Equipment deployed at Dome A in Antartica, a site as high as Maunakea and 10 times drier, showed that it would be an ideal location for astronomy at terahertz radio frequencies. Credit: Xue-Fei Gong/Purple Mountain Observatory

Antarctica might be one of the most inhospitable regions on the planet, but it is a mecca for astronomers. Its cold, dry air enables observations that can't be done elsewhere on Earth. The South Pole has hosted telescopes for decades. Now, researchers are eyeing a new location - Dome A, which offers a unique opportunity to study the universe at little-explored terahertz radio frequencies.

"Dome A is the best site we've found - very flat, very calm winds, and the driest place anywhere on the planet," says Qizhou Zhang of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), co-author of a new study appearing online in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Dome A is the highest point in Antarctica, with an elevation of more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), comparable to Maunakea in Hawaii. Unlike the South Pole, it isn't visited by aircraft. Instead, researchers must trek inland from the Antarctic coast, a journey of some 750 miles (1,200 km) that takes up to three weeks to complete.

As a reward for these herculean efforts, scientists can access a type of light known as terahertz radiation, which has frequencies higher than 1 trillion hertz (1,000 times greater than the frequency used by cell phones). This radiation comes from cold clouds of interstellar gas and dust. By studying it, we can gain new insights into the origins of stars and galaxies.

Because water vapor in Earth's atmosphere absorbs this radiation, few places on Earth are suited for terahertz observations. Instead astronomers have relied on aircraft and space missions, which are more costly and less flexible.

The solution is to find an extremely dry location. Zhang and CfA co-author Scott Paine joined with their colleagues at China's Purple Mountain Observatory, led by principal investigator Sheng-Cai Shi, to create and deploy instruments to measure the conditions at Dome A over a span of 19 months. The data gathered there will also help inform climate models.

"The water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere that obscures our view of the cosmos also blocks infrared radiation escaping from the Earth's surface towards space, which is the essence of the greenhouse effect," says Paine, who studies atmospheric radiation.

The team found Dome A is frequently so arid that if all the water vapor in a narrow column stretching straight up from the ground to the edge of space were condensed, it would form a film less than 100 microns thick. That's about 1/250th of an inch, or twice the width of a human hair, and about 10 times less than that over Maunakea, one of the world's best astronomical observing sites.

Moreover, Dome A offers a natural laboratory for studying the effects of water vapor on atmospheric absorption at extremely low temperatures. The cold Antarctic atmosphere provides direct access to conditions normally found in the Earth's upper troposphere.

Developing Dome A into a permanent observatory for astronomy and atmospheric science will involve significant challenges. In return, researchers stand to gain a unique location for conducting scientific research.

More information: Sheng-Cai Shi et al, Terahertz and far-infrared windows opened at Dome A in Antarctica, Nature Astronomy (2016). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-016-0001
A first-year Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology doctoral student spent four months observing birds in an effort to learn what it would mean to design technologies from a more-than-human perspective. Her autoethnographic study contributes to addressing the challenging research problem of how to operationalize posthuman concepts into practice for human-computer interaction. House finchnigel. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

New research led by the American Museum of Natural History suggests that there are about 18,000 bird species in the worldnearly twice as many as previously thought. The work focuses on "hidden" avian diversitybirds that look similar to one another, or were thought to interbreed, but are actually different species. Recently published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study has serious implications for conservation practices.

"We are proposing a major change to how we count diversity," said Joel Cracraft, an author of the study and a curator in the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Ornithology. "This new number says that we haven't been counting and conserving species in the ways we want."

Birds are traditionally thought of as a well-studied group, with more than 95 percent of their global species diversity estimated to have been described. Most checklists used by bird watchers as well as by scientists say that there are roughly between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds. But those numbers are based on what's known as the "biological species concept," which defines species in terms of what animals can breed together.

"It's really an outdated point of view, and it's a concept that is hardly used in taxonomy outside of birds," said lead author George Barrowclough, an associate curator in the Museum's Department of Ornithology.

For the new work, Cracraft, Barrowclough, and their colleagues at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and the University of Washington examined a random sample of 200 bird species through the lens of morphologythe study of the physical characteristics like plumage pattern and color, which can be used to highlight birds with separate evolutionary histories. This method turned up, on average, nearly two different species for each of the 200 birds studied. This suggests that bird biodiversity is severely underestimated, and is likely closer to 18,000 species worldwide.

The researchers also surveyed existing genetic studies of birds, which revealed that there could be upwards of 20,000 species. But because the birds in this body of work were not selected randomlyand, in fact, many were likely chosen for study because they were already thought to have interesting genetic variationthis could be an overestimate. The authors argue that future taxonomy efforts in ornithology should be based on both methods.

"It was not our intent to propose new names for each of the more than 600 new species we identified in the research sample," Cracraft said. "However, our study provides a glimpse of what a future taxonomy should encompass."

Increasing the number of species has implications for preserving biodiversity and other conservation efforts.

"We have decided societally that the target for conservation is the species," said Robert Zink, a co-author of the study and a biologist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. "So it follows then that we really need to be clear about what a species is, how many there are, and where they're found."

John Klicka, from the University of Washington, Seattle, also was a co-author on this study.

More information: George F. Barrowclough et al, How Many Kinds of Birds Are There and Why Does It Matter?, PLOS ONE (2016). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166307 Journal information: PLoS ONE
This artist's impression depicts a sun-like star close to a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole, with a mass of about 100 million times the mass of the sun, in the center of a distant galaxy. Its large mass bends the light from stars and gas behind it. Despite being way more massive than the star, the supermassive black hole has an event horizon which is only 200 times larger than the size of the star. Its fast rotation has changed its shape into an oblate sphere.The gravitational pull of the supermassive black hole rips the the star apart in a tidal disruption event. In the process, the star was "spaghettified" and shocks in the colliding debris as well as heat generated in accretion led to a burst of light. Credit: ESO, ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser

In 2015, the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) detected an event, named ASASSN-15lh, that was recorded as the brightest supernova everand categorised as a superluminous supernova, the explosion of an extremely massive star at the end of its life. It was twice as bright as the previous record holder, and at its peak was 20 times brighter than the total light output of the entire Milky Way.

An international team, led by Giorgos Leloudas at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, and the Dark Cosmology Centre, Denmark, has now made additional observations of the distant galaxy, about 4 billion light-years from Earth, where the explosion took place and they have proposed a new explanation for this extraordinary event.

"We observed the source for 10 months following the event and have concluded that the explanation is unlikely to lie with an extraordinarily bright supernova. Our results indicate that the event was probably caused by a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole as it destroyed a low-mass star," explains Leloudas.

In this scenario, the extreme gravitational forces of a supermassive black hole, located in the centre of the host galaxy, ripped apart a Sun-like star that wandered too closea so-called tidal disruption event, something so far only observed about 10 times. In the process, the star was "spaghettified" and shocks in the colliding debris as well as heat generated in accretion led to a burst of light. This gave the event the appearance of a very bright supernova explosion, even though the star would not have become a supernova on its own as it did not have enough mass.

The team based their new conclusions on observations from a selection of telescopes, both on the ground and in space. Among them was the Very Large Telescope at ESO's Paranal Observatory, the New Technology Telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. The observations with the NTT were made as part of the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects (PESSTO).

"There are several independent aspects to the observations that suggest that this event was indeed a tidal disruption and not a superluminous supernova," explains coauthor Morgan Fraser from the University of Cambridge, UK (now at University College Dublin, Ireland).

In particular, the data revealed that the event went through three distinct phases over the 10 months of follow-up observations. These data overall more closely resemble what is expected for a tidal disruption than a superluminous supernova. An observed re-brightening in ultraviolet light as well as a temperature increase further reduce the likelihood of a supernova event. Furthermore, the location of the eventa red, massive and passive galaxyis not the usual home for a superluminous supernova explosion, which normally occur in blue, star-forming dwarf galaxies.

An artist's depiction of a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole surrounded the rotating leftovers of a star that was ripped apart by the tidal forces of the black hole. Credit: ESO, ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser

Although the team say a supernova source is therefore very unlikely, they accept that a classical tidal disruption event would not be an adequate explanation for the event either. Team member Nicholas Stone from Columbia University, USA, elaborates: "The tidal disruption event we propose cannot be explained with a non-spinning supermassive black hole. We argue that ASASSN-15lh was a tidal disruption event arising from a very particular kind of black hole."

The mass of the host galaxy implies that the supermassive black hole at its centre has a mass of at least 100 million times that of the Sun. A black hole of this mass would normally be unable to disrupt stars outside of its event horizonthe boundary within which nothing is able to escape its gravitational pull. However, if the black hole is a particular kind that happens to be rapidly spinninga so-called Kerr black holethe situation changes and this limit no longer applies.

"Even with all the collected data we cannot say with 100% certainty that the ASASSN-15lh event was a tidal disruption event," concludes Leloudas. "But it is by far the most likely explanation."

This research was presented in a paper entitled "The Superluminous Transient ASASSN-15lh as a Tidal Disruption Event from a Kerr Black Hole", by G. Leloudas et al. to appear in the new Nature Astronomy magazine.

More information: Nature Astronomy, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/s41550-016-0002

Provided by ESO
When someone makes a racially charged comment or joke, how would you respond? Research led by Harvard sociologist Michele Lamont says your answer may very well depend on the group to which you belong. Credit: Jon Chase

An African-American man in New York gets on an elevator with a group of white men, one of whom proceeds to tell a joke that includes blacks and monkeys. What happens next? In this case, the black man struggles to keep his composure, comments that he's not a fan of jokes, and steps off the elevator before reaching his destination.

The response was one of hundreds logged by a team of sociologists led by Michele Lamont, professor of sociology and African and African American studies, director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, and the Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies.

The sociologists' eight-year study examined the responses of minority groups to acts of racism, discrimination, and stigmatization in three cities: New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Tel Aviv. The results, published in a recent book, "Getting Respect: Responding to Stigma and Discrimination in the United States, Brazil, and Israel," examine the typical responses from five minority groups against a variable that the researchers call "groupness," a measure of collective identity strength.

The examination included interviews with blacks in New York and Rio, and with members of three groups in Israel: Palestinians, Mizrahi Jews who originated in the Middle East, and recently immigrated Ethiopian Jews. Researchers discovered that group strength was an important factor in determining people's responseswhether they confronted discrimination head-on or notbut that other factors also played a role.

Lamont and one of her six co-authors, Graziella Moraes Silva, who received her Ph.D. at Harvard and is now at the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies in Switzerland, sat down with the Gazette for a question-and-answer session to talk about the project and what its findings say about race relations in the United States.

GAZETTE: Your work examines the experience of blacks in New York and Rio, and of several minority groups in Tel Aviv. How does the experience of African-Americans compare with the other groups?

LAMONT: The big difference is that African-Americans have at their disposal extensive cultural tools that tell them that, in the American context, racism is wrong and that they are entitled to fair treatment. The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement has had a huge impact in empowering African-Americans to confront [instances of racism]. In Brazil, there's far more hesitation about confronting. Also, African-Americans have a very strong identity as a group. They put their racial identity above their national identity, which is not the case in Brazil.

We're able to show that African-Americans confront [racism] much more readily, and they feel legitimate in confronting. Ethiopian Jews, another group that we studied, are recent immigrants to Israel. They want to be assimilated, so they don't have as confrontational a stance. Arab Palestinians are extremely excludedthey know that they are perceived as "the enemy within," as allies to the Palestiniansand therefore they're much more likely to confront. Their expectations about having full citizenship, about being included in Israel, are very, very low. So they're also less likely to say they feel ignored or misunderstood because they don't expect to be understood.

GAZETTE: So, though race relations in the U.S. may seem to be at a low point, in some ways minorities here are in a better situation than minority groups in other countries because here, at least, there are remedies?

LAMONT: The fact that they are able and willing to confront makes a huge difference. They know the quest for recognition of their value and their dignity is a legitimate claim.

Before the '60s, certainly, making a claim on the basis of racial identity was not OK in American society. Now, universities like Harvard acknowledge diversity as a worthy goal. That's also the case for corporations. So organizations are facing the imperative to diversify and to treat all their members with equal dignity.

Another interesting finding is, in this country, although antidiscrimination legislation has passed, it makes only a partial difference. Someone who wrote an endorsement for the book pointed that out. Despite all this legislation, the everyday experience of African-Americans is one that is painful because they constantly experience stigmatization, being misunderstood, ignored, stereotyped as slow or poorly educated, even if they're middle class.

That raises a lot of questions about where we go from here. I think Black Lives Matter, the movements that we've seen over the last few years, are clearly ones for claiming recognition.

GAZETTE: How much of the current conversation and even unrest around race is an outgrowth of technology, with video evidence of blatant abuse and discrimination? How important is technology in raising awareness?

LAMONT: There's no question that it's not only those video recordings, but also social media.

Research shows that the leaders of the generation behind Black Lives Matter, the majority of them are young women identified with the LBGTQ movement in colleges. A lot of the gains of the movement are symbolic, not symbolic in the sense of meaningless, but symbolic in terms of redefining the terms of the discourse.

People are starting to understand the texture of daily life of African-Americans in a way that was not accessible before. One of the women who just won the MacArthur Award, Claudia Rankie, wrote a book of poetry called "Citizen," which is all about the daily experience of African-Americans.

We [still] live in a country where [many] whites have no contact with blacks, ever. They live in neighborhoods that are entirely white. They only go to white churches. This enormous gap is being bridged by the transfer of information, but nevertheless these worlds remain apart.

GAZETTE: Let's talk about the project itself: a lot of people involved, a lot of countries, lots of interviews, and a long time to pull together. Where did it come from, and how did you manage it?

LAMONT: Our question [was] how do different degrees of "groupness" influence how people experience and respond to racism? What are the tools that their society gives them to respond?

Racial groups' self-consciousness varies enormously. In Brazil, national identity is more salient than it is in the U.S. for our respondents. In Israel, with Zionism, the two Jewish groupsEthiopian Jews and Mizrahimreally tend to downplay [racism]. They say, "We are like the Russian Jews. We are going to become assimilated," even though on a day-to-day level they may experience the father-in-law putting the Mizrahi son-in-law down because he's viewed as being part of a vulgar group.

So the texture of their everyday lives is characterized by a lot of exclusion, yet the Zionist dream is operating very powerfully in a way that it doesn't operate on the Arab Palestinians.

GAZETTE: What are the lessons learned?

MORAES SILVA: There were very few systematic comparisons of how racism and discrimination were actually experienced in those societies. I think we are making a really big contribution by linking the macro-historical perspective and the role of institutions, cultural repertoires, and legal aspects with experiences, and showing how the comparison is much more complex than what's usually assumed. The experience is very different, and they have different ways to deal with it.

The second big contribution is to think about victims of racism and discrimination as not passive, but active and dealing with the thing, interpreting it, and finding very creative ways to handle it.

GAZETTE: In the book, you talk about stigmatization and how the everyday slights are more pervasive than overt episodes of discrimination. Can you describe that everyday experience, and is it different in different countries?

LAMONT: In Brazil, the most frequent stereotype is being perceived as poor and having low education and low status. So basically everyone is presumed poor. Brazil is an extremely unequal society where the neighborhoods are much more interracial so racial groups interact with each other a lot, but nevertheless most black people are presumed to be poor.

Here, being simply insulted and disrespected is the main kind, being called the "n word," being cut in line. Some people call these micro-aggressions. We don't use the word because being ignored is also a big deal, and that's not an aggression. It's just like, "I didn't see you. You're so irrelevant you don't register for me."

What really stood out for me was the African-American in the workplace who never has an ally. He interprets a situation as racism because there's no one ever to say, "I see things exactly the way you did. This happened, I agree with you. This guy was a jerk."

One of the big arguments of the book is that most of the literature on racism in the U.S. is about things you can sue about. You can present CVs of people who are identical on all grounds but race, then demonstrate that discrimination has actually happened because the white person gets hired. The literature on racism in the U.S. is about not having housing, education, jobs.

This book is largely about things you cannot sue about, like no one ever backs you up at work. You cannot make a case around this, yet it really is the texture of daily life.

MORAES SILVA: One of the things that was more salient in the Brazilian interviews than in the American ones is racism as something that's unexpected. In that sense, it's like crime. You know that it exists, but you never expect that you're going to be robbed. These experiences hurt, and, although you know they might happen, you're never prepared. You can think about how you're going to deal with it, how you'll respond, but sometimes you just don't have the energy. One other thing that was really frustrating for the Brazilian interviewees is the indifference of whites, that other people don't react, so the burden of confrontation becomes that of the victim, which is really unfair.

GAZETTE: How important is uncertainty? There were groups that said to themselves, "Well, it's not racism, that person's just a jerk." How do you disentangle that?

LAMONT: In the Brazilian case, if the person doesn't name race, it's much harder to confront. We argue that the stronger the group, the easier it is for people to have access to a set of cultural tools that they can draw on and say, "You're not only a jerk, this is racism." We have many examples in Brazil where they think racism is happening, but because there's no "n word" that's being used, they just shut up and don't confront. So that's a huge difference.

A lot of what we're looking at here are psychological phenomena. There's a big literature on stress and coping, but our approach is very different. This concept of groupness is about tracing causal paths that don't have to do with what's happening between people's ears.

If I'm African-American, I belong to a strong group because of self-identificationsomething psychologists look atbut also because of the meaning given to my group: the fact that we have a shared history of slavery and discrimination. Groupness also has to do with spatial and institutional segregation and homophily, social boundaries and symbolic boundaries. And those tools can all be mobilized.

It's really an analysis of how various kinds of cultural and social resources feed into different kinds of responses, which is a very different approach to these questions from what a psychologist would do.

GAZETTE: Would it be accurate to say that the stronger the group identity, the more willing an individual is to identify a slight as based on race and to confront the issue?

LAMONT: That's largely it, with one caveat in that we don't think that there's a linear relationship between strength of groupness and confronting.

Arab Palestinians are a very strong group, but they're so alienated that they don't even think they should have membership [in Israeli society]. They know that it's out of sight, so therefore their response is more to turn inward. The tight relationships that they have with some Jews are mostly in the workplace. They are based on interpersonal friendship, so they don't appeal a lot to a human rights language, because it's irrelevant, almost, in this environment. But they'll talk a lot about interpersonal friendship. They feel largely powerless and outside of the polity.

MORAES SILVA: Identification is part of groupness, but groupness is also about boundaries. That's really where Brazil and the U.S. are far apart. Black Brazilians tend to have much more porous boundaries with whites than African-Americans do. It's not that they don't identify as blacks, it's not that they don't see discrimination and racism, but one of the consequences of having such a strong history of saying "We are all part of this country, and black, white, we all belong" is that you are not allowed to say you are white [or black], because that's also considered being racist.

GAZETTE: So in Brazil, neighborhoods are more integrated, there's more intermarriage, there's more cross-racial friendship 

MORAES SILVA: Poor neighborhoods are more integrated, but the society is so unequal that they say that in cities like Rio you have neighborhoods with the same infrastructure as those of rich European and U.S. cities, but also other neighborhoods with conditions such as those of poor sub-Saharan Africa countries. When you look at the inequality of social and economic indicators of neighborhoods in the same city, it's ridiculous.

GAZETTE: Just to backtrack a bit to the Arab-Palestinian experience, it almost seemed that they don't believe the solution exists within Israel itself; the solution exists through an international agreement. In the U.S., though, black Americans know that there has to be change from within, so they're the ones who have to do it?

LAMONT: I think what we see now [in America] is a little bit like post-Reconstruction. African-Americans could vote at some point, they could own land, but there were all these mechanisms in place that prevented them from being fully integrated.

Now we're post-Civil Rights Movement. They have equality in principle, yet they suffer stigmatization every day. A lot of the great frustration that is heard through Black Lives Matter and the social media activity of young African-Americans is just absolutely amazing in the unrelenting claims for recognition that are being made. It is not only about denouncing police violence. I don't think that many commentators fully understand what this is about.

A lot of this is sharing experiences as a means to gain social resilience and to objectify that this experience was racism"Look at what happened to me"and then having confirmation from others. Now that we define reality in the same way, let's move forward. This solidarity in joint definition is really important. And I think it's partly significant because it comes from a generation that lives within a shadow of reverse racism.

When they look at a place like Harvard, they know other people who are not here think it's because they got preference. So the issue is how they behave, knowing that a number of their peers think that they benefited from reverse racism. We asked our interviewees, "What do you teach your kids about how to respond?" Their normative response is one of self-improvement: get your degree, be upwardly mobile, buy that car. But at the same time, only a quarter of them emphasize collective responses, the kind of responses that brought us the Civil Rights Movement.

I think that there is a real tension between "do not cry racism" and "pursue your degree and become a doctor" as the best proof that racists are wrong, and the knowledge that, historically, it's collective mobilization that brought big social change through the Civil Rights Movement.

GAZETTE: So much has happened since you started this book. How have events changed the context in which the book might be understood?

MORAES SILVA: In Brazil, for example, there's been a lot of change, and it's still changing. We can identify trends, we can see where the indignation of Black Lives Matter is coming from. We see how people are experiencing this stigmatization day by day, every day.

GAZETTE: So there are echoes of Black Lives Matter in Brazil and perhaps in Israel?

MORAES SILVA: Definitely. The Brazilian police are much more violent than police in the U.S., and their target is basically brown and black men. So the visibility of the Black Lives Matter movement made [people say], "See all this in the U.S.? Here it's much worse, and we don't say anything." Black Lives Matter gave legitimacy to certain things that were not said. What happens in the U.S. really influences Brazil, and in that case it was good. There are cases where it's not so good.

LAMONT: Black Lives Matter made a lot of statements about Israel, saying basically the situation in Palestine is racism. So those are examples of transnational cultural repertoires where those ideas are traveling across countries, feeding off each other.

The book is also really an intervention in the study of inequality. Most of our colleagues, whose work I appreciate, study outcomes: housing, homelessness, incarceration, low infant mortality, or life expectancy. This book is more about inequality processes, such as stigmatization, which feeds into inequality. It's about explanations. You're trying to analyze what kinds of changes enable specific kinds of reactions and constrain others.

We're also setting an agenda for the study of inequality in the social sciences that is different from what many economists are doing, or demographers. We are concerned with recognition, which is often overlooked as social scientists focus on distribution or production. We think that this is very important because if you [only look at one] part of inequality, you cannot understand the phenomenon in its full complexity.

GAZETTE: The book observes that we're a long way from post-racial America and recalls that that was part of the conversation after Barack Obama was elected president. Is there a way toward post-racial America? Is it possible ever to get there?

LAMONT: One of the main theories about how to reduce interracial tension is contact theory. For it to work, the groups have to be equal, they have to engage in a common task. There are a number of conditions that are very rarely realized. But if you think about how gender relations have changed, a lot of it has been the doing of social movements, but a lot of it has been girls like me, when I was 16, telling my mother, "No, I'm not going to empty the dishwasher every day if my brother mows the lawn once a week." These micro, everyday contestations, I think, are really crucial.

Many people who study social change emphasize the institutional structure, the legal and political [changes], the role of social movements. But the role of everyday anti-racism has been overlooked. It's a multi-causal system, and you need to attack the problem at many levels, systematically connecting the micro, meso, and macro levels. This is the topic of a book in progress on which I am working with political scientist Paul Pierson, in collaboration with the Successful Societies program which I co-direct with Peter Hall in Harvard's Government Department.

African-Americans who are confronting are doing things right. Through these everyday exchanges, things change. That's also where social science research makes a difference. All this research on multiculturalism and social inclusion helps transform the discourse on race. I recently read that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been influenced by political philosophers such as Charles Taylor and Will Kymlicka who have written a lot about broadening cultural membership. When he welcomed Syrian refugees to Canada by saying "You are home now," he was drawing on the work of these social scientists. Our work feeds the tools that policymakers, politicians, activists, and ordinary people mobilize to think about the way forward. We do make a difference every day, in small and big ways.

MORAES SILVA: Is it possible: a post-racial state? I think it doesn't exist so far. But I think the book points out that not to talk about race is not an option.

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
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Geography comes first. Close upon the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, one gets a sense of westward flowing waters, but a map of Western Pennsylvania shows the Allegheny flowing south and the Monongahela north, almost at right angles to the Ohio.

A fourth river, the Potomac, comes into play by bringing the coast of Virginia close to the Monongahela and allowing for some tough navigation to connect Pittsburgh with the Atlantic Ocean. Lastlythe mountains. The western slope of the Alleghenies lies some 40 miles from the Point. From there, its a straight 1,500-mile shot to the Rockies. Pittsburgh not only faces but opens the great heartland of America. Before the canals and railroads, the Ohio and Mississippi river systems were the interstate highways of their day.

By the mid-eighteenth century (1751) there were three claimants to southwestern Pennsylvania: the French, the English and the Indians. Geographically the French were in the strongest position. They controlled two great waterways that drained the North American continent: the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. They were weaker but still dominant in the Ohio valley. The best passage through the Alleghenies was up the Potomac to the Monongahela, and then down the Ohio. Lucrative trade and rich soil were an irresistible draw for the expanding English colonies.

It was Virginias soldier aristocrats rather than William Penns Quakers who first breathed life into southwestern Pennsylvania. In 1747, a group of prominent Virginians, including Lawrence Washington, half-brother of George, founded the Ohio Company. They applied to the English king for a grant of 200,000 acres. Soon after receiving the grant, the Ohio Company began exploiting their new lands. The French, under the firm hand of the Marquis du Quesne in Montreal, responded, establishing Fort LeBoeuf on French Creek, within striking distance of the three rivers. Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia (an Ohio Company investor) sent young George Washington to LeBoeuf to protest. Out-manned and outgunned, Washington protested and left in December 1753. Round one to the French.

Early the next year, Dinwiddie sent an Ohio Company party to the forks of the three rivers to build Fort Prince George, the first English fort west of the Alleghenies. That April, a French army of 500 confronted the handful of men at the fort; they promptly surrendered. The French renamed it Fort Duquesne over which the fleur-de-lis was to fly for the next three years. Round two to the French.

Dinwiddie raised new forces, and an advance party under George Washington pushed through to Great Meadows, 50 miles southeast of the fort. After a fateful skirmish at Fort Necessity, Washington surrendered in July. Round three to the French.

It became obvious that the Ohio Company, even with the help of Virginia and Pennsylvania, was not going to drive the French Empire from the Ohio Valley.

General Edward Braddock was the first of a long line of unfortunate choices as British commanders in America. He assembled a force of 2,200 regulars and colonials and on July 9, 1755, marched them to a stunning defeat against an inferior force of French and Indians on the site of todays Edgar Thomson Works, 10 miles east of the Point. The loss was staggering456 dead and 421 wounded. Round four to the French. Things were not looking good.

Fortunately for the American colonists, the conflict in the Ohio Valleyour French and Indian Warwas a small part of the global struggle between France and England, known as the Seven Years War (17561763). It pitted England and Prussia and their indomitable leaders William Pitt the Elder and Frederick the Great against the rest of Europe. Pitt assumed full power in 1757 and declared: I can save this country and nobody else can. He was true to his word. The English fleet swept the French from the seas and destroyed Frances colonial power in America, Africa and India.

The American piece played out under General John Forbes, who was assigned the retaking of Fort Duquesne. Forbes assembled an army of 6,000, including 2,000 regulars, 2,500 Pennsylvanians, and 1,500 Virginians. The force was overwhelming, but the French still had some fight left in them. An impetuous Major James Grant rushed ahead with a detachment of 800 at a hill near todays Allegheny County Courthouse. Though the French and their Indian allies defeated Grant in a smaller reprise of Braddocks Field, Grants name lives on in Pittsburghs own Champs d Elysees: Grant Street. The capture of Fort Duquesne was anticlimactic. The French, weakened by serial defeats in Quebec and on Lake Erie simply abandoned the fort. Round five to the English in a TKO.

Forbes wrote Pitt: I have used the freedom of giving your name to Ft. Duquesne. Thus we became Pittsburgh with an official birthday in 1758.

There was an inevitability to the English triumph in America. Had there been no Pitt, or had Braddock been a better general, the English triumph may have come later or sooner, but it was destined to come. One word tells the story: population. The French, forced to defend a frontier running from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, had a scant 80,000. The English colonies had a compact population of 1.25 million, which would double in 20 years. The numbers alone destined the English colonists to pop the cork at the Point and sweep the French, Spanish and Indians back in an irresistible floodtide.

The birth of industry

After the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789, commerce and industry eventually replaced politics as the storyline in Pittsburgh history. But one final political chapter had yet to play out. In 1791, Congress adopted an excise tax on whiskey. In Western Pennsylvania, the tax bit especially hard. One in five farmers operated a still. Additionally, in the largely self-sufficient agricultural economy, cash was scarce while whiskey was plentiful. The tax itself was not unreasonable. The rub came as the farmers sold their whiskey not for cash but bartered it. In short, they had a liquidity problem. The cry went up that the tax was unjust and the farmers defied the newly formed national government. George Washington and the ever-energetic Alexander Hamilton responded with overwhelming force. Washington personally led 13,000 militia partway to Pittsburgh, and Hamilton negotiated a settlement. It was a critical victory for the young republic.

Abundant natural resourcesincluding wood, coal, limestone and sand, along with flax and cottoncoupled with the mountain barrier to Eastern imports drove Pittsburgh to early self-sufficiency. The river network meant raw materials could be shipped to Pittsburgh, aggregated through simple manufacturing and shipped out.

In the period from 1790 to 1810, arguably the most important industry in Pittsburgh was boat building. The rich forests of Western Pennsylvania and fast river transit landed the required materials at the perfect location at the head of the Ohio. Two principal types of boats were built in Pittsburgh. The flatboat was used exclusively for down-river running. Length varied from 20 to 100 feet and width from 12 to 20 feet. Construction was simple; a pile of logs and a bucket of nails and you were good to go. Prices varied from a dollar to $1.50 a foot. The average boat carried 50 tons. The journey to New Orleans was a four-week, one-way trip. Once there, you sold the boat for the value of the lumber.

Keelboats were used for upriver hauls. Trips from New Orleans to the Point took four months. Lewis and Clark began their fabled trip to the Pacific in a Pittsburgh keelboat in 1803. The same year, Pittsburgh built the 170-ton brig Dean which sailed from Pittsburgh down the Mississippi and across the Atlantic to Liverpool. And in 1811, Nicholas Roosevelt, a partner of Robert Fulton, launched the first steamboat on Western waters. The New Orleans carried 450 tons and made the trip to Louisville in 64 hours. Soon, steam power spread to gristmills and iron rolling mills. By 1812, the local firm of Oliver and Evans was manufacturing steam engines.

Politically, the region began to take shape when, in 1788, Allegheny County was created from parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties. The City of Pittsburgh was incorporated in 1816, with merchant Ebeneezer Denny as mayor. The best sign of the citys gradual transformation from a commercial to a manufacturing center was a visitors description in 1818: Dark dense smoke and a hovering cloud of vapor. It would get much worse over the next 125 years.

The period between the end of the War of 1812 (1814) and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861) saw a pronounced shift in Pittsburghs economy from commerce to industry. Part of it resulted from several challenges to Pittsburghs near monopoly on western trade. As the population west of Pittsburgh surged, down-river cities, such as Cincinnati, Louisville and St. Louis, began to challenge Pittsburgh as supply points near the frontier. In 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Hudson River to Buffalo, spurring the growth of Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. This was not trade that Pittsburgh lostshe never had it but it did put a damper on future commercial growth. A far greater threat was the decision of the U.S. Congress to terminate the National Road (todays US 40) at Wheeling on the Ohio, bypassing Pittsburgh. After its completion, 5,000 Conestoga wagons from Baltimore unloaded annually at Wheeling. For a while it looked as if Wheeling might offer a strong challenge to Pittsburgh. But manufacturing momentum favored Pittsburgh, and Wheeling eventually languished.

And now for the geology.

Many of Pittsburghs industries required iron, and the heart of its developing economy rested upon that metal. When Charles Dickens visited in 1842. he observed: Pittsburgh is like Birmingham in England and is famous for its iron works. Iron production began in the hinterlands, closer to sources of wood for charcoal; adequate veins of iron ore were found in Fayette, Somerset and Washington counties. Local foundries turned out simple shapes, nails and farm implements while supplying a host of machinery manufacturers.

In Samuel M. Kier (18131874), Pittsburgh claimed a multifaceted industrialist in canal boats, fire brick, medicines and, most important, oil refining. When oil began to seep into his fathers salt wells in Tarentum, Kier attempted to market the then-unwanted fluid. The goal was to replace the whale oil used in lamps, but the smoke and odor made this new, crude oil unacceptable. Kier rose to the challenge of refining it by distilling the crude in a five-barrel still built at a site 100 feet from todays U.S. Steel Building. Through Kiers inventive genius, Pittsburgh was the oil refining center of the nation, before John D. Rockefeller consolidated the industry.

The Civil War gave great impetus to Pittsburghs nascent industrial base. Pittsburgh rapidly became the arsenal of the Union. The Fort Pitt Foundry cast over 3,000 cannon, including the worlds largest at 20 inches. The cannon that armed the Monitor, the Unions first ironclad ship, was cast in Pittsburgh.

The golden age

The 40-year period from 1870 until 1910 marked Pittsburghs Golden Age. Favorable geography, unique natural resources and a super-abundance of entrepreneurial talent lifted Pittsburgh to a position of national and international prominence never seen before or since. Pittsburghs growth is a story of heavy industry, specifically steel. Population statistics speak to Pittsburghs dynamism during this period. The citys population grew sixfold in those 40 years, from 86,076 to 533,905. Allegheny County nearly quadrupled, to 1,018,463 residents. The local population growth rate doubled that of the nation. In 1900 the value of manufactured products in Pittsburgh was more than Cleveland and Detroit combined.

How did Pittsburgh become the steel capital of the world? First there was iron. Pig iron is the product of the smelting process: the reduction of iron ore in a blast furnace. It has a high carbon content and is less malleable than steel. From Colonial times until 1850, iron production was localized, based on iron ore sources and ample forests for charcoalthe smelting fuel of choice. As demand for iron surged from 18401870, larger tracts of forest land were required to provide charcoal, and deforestation became a problem. Charcoal was first replaced by anthracite (hard coal) from Northeastern Pennsylvania, but by 1875 bituminous (soft) coal in the form of coke from Southwestern Pennsylvania provided over 50 percent of blast furnace fuel. Coke is prepared when great heat is applied to coal kept out of direct contact with air; it is nearly pure carbon.

Once again, the regions geology was essential to success. The Connellsville coal seam is part of the famous Pittsburgh coal bed which extends throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. The Connellsville seam runs for 60 miles from Latrobe in the north to 10 miles south of Uniontown in a south/southwesterly direction. Connells-ville lies at its center. The seam varies between 2.53 miles across and occupies 180 square miles, or 115,000 acres.

The seam itself was a generous 810 feet thick with an average overburden of 60150 feet. This coal was almost free of slate and sulfur, so the resultant coke was porous and hard, allowing for stability in the furnace stack. It was a near-perfect fuel.

Coal was transformed in the Connellsville fields by means of beehive ovens, averaging 7 feet high and 12 feet in diameter. They were cheap to build. During its period of prime production (18801935), the Connellsville region shipped 500 million tons of coke, requiring 770 million tons of metallurgical coal. At its peak, 39,000 beehive ovens produced over 20 million tons of coke annually. The direct and indirect wealth produced by this bounteous gift of nature far exceeded the value of all the gold and silver ever mined in the U.S.

Cheap coke and coal made the concentration of the steel industry possible. Half an acre of Connellsville coal produced the fuel equivalent to 2,000 acres of forest land.

In addition to its riches in coking coal, three interrelated factors destined Pittsburgh to be the nations steel capital: the Bessemer process, the railroads and Andrew Carnegie. The Bessemer steel-making process consisted of air blown through molten iron in a five-to-seven-ton, egg-shaped Bessemer converter. It was the joint work of Englishman Henry Bessemer and American William Kelly. The oxygen in the air decarbonized the iron, converting it to strong, workable steel. The Bessemer process was widely adopted in the U.S. between 1865 and 1875, and it made mass production of steel possible. The iron industry soon became the steel industry. Fortunately, Bessemer-driven steel production coincided with an insatiable demand from U.S. railroads for steel rails. In 1860, U.S. railroad trackage was a modest 30,000 miles. It doubled by 1870 and increased eight-fold by 1900.

Into this confluence of mass production and mass market walked one of the most extraordinarily talented figures in American business history, Andrew Carnegie (18351919). After a meteoric rise at the Pennsylvania Railroad, he left to attend to a host of business ventures he had financed while still employed by the railroad. His mentor, Thomas A. Scott, and Pennsylvania Railroad President J. Edgar Thomson were co-investors in most of these ventures. The Pennsylvania Railroad was invariably the major customer in those days, when conflict of interest was an alien concept.

In 1872, Carnegie organized a syndicate to construct a steel plant of 100,000 tons capacity on a site in Braddock. Scott and Thomson were in from the start. The plant was named the Edgar Thomson Works. It was one of the first plants designed with Bessemer converters specifically to make railsa single-purpose plant. Carnegie made an extraordinary hire in Captain Bill Jones, the best operating man in the business. In its first year of production, the plant was profitable and was the lowest-cost rail producer in the nation. Nobody could sell rails like Carnegie. He used his pricing power to telling effect.

One can scarcely overestimate the importance of the railroads in American industrial history and in the growth of the steel industry. Until 1890, the railroads were pretty much the market. Not only rails, but locomotives, rail cars, bridges and tunnels added to the tonnage. In the 70s and 80s, Pittsburgh was a hotbed of steel start-ups. Two notable efforts at Homestead (1881) and Duquesne (1890) succumbed to Carnegies sharp, competitive thrusts and were absorbed into the larger company.

Carnegie didnt have it all his own way, however. Jones & Laughlin Steel dated from before 1855. It never attempted to meet Carnegie head on in rails but sidestepped him by producing a variety of other products, including shapes, nails and bars. By the end of the century, J & L produced 650,000 tons of steel and went on to become the fourth largest steel producer in the United States.

By 1900, fully integrated in both iron ore and coal, Carnegie Steel was the countrys largest steel company with 3 million tons of capacity. In 1901, J.P. Morgan consolidated the steel industry with Carnegie and seven other major companies into the giant U.S. Steel Company with a capitalization of $1.4 billionthe largest private company in the world. It controlled 60 percent of U.S. steel production, with more than 40 percent coming from the Carnegie properties. By 1910, Pittsburgh produced 25 million tons of steel; more than 60 percent of the nations total. It was the high-water mark for Pittsburghs share of national steel production.

During this Golden Age, Pittsburgh was a seething cauldron of entrepreneurial activity. Matching Carnegie in industrial prominence was the Mellon family. In 1870, Judge Thomas A. Mellon established a private bank, T. Mellon & Sons. He was soon joined by his third surviving son, A. W. Mellon (18551937). Through financial acumen rivaling J.P. Morgan, he built the Mellon Bank into the 13th largest bank in the country. In 1889 he and his brother, R.B. (18581933), financed the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, later Alcoafor over 100 years the largest aluminum company in the world. In 1900, the Mellons, along with nephew W.L. (18481949), founded the Gulf Oil Company. It eventually accounted for 40 percent of the family fortune and became one of the seven- sister international oil companies. Mellons fingers were everywhere. In addition to his three largest holdings, A.W. founded Koppers, Carborundum, Union Steel Company, Standard Steel, Pittsburgh Coal, McClintic-Marshall and a host of other sizable companies.

George Westinghouse (18461914) moved to Pittsburgh from Schenectady, NY in 1873. Pittsburgh beckoned because it was a rail hub with low steel costs and abundant metalworking talent. He patented his revolutionary air brake in 1869 and built Westinghouse Air Brake into one of the nations most successful and lucrative corporations. As an inventor (371 patents) Westinghouse stands second only to Thomas A. Edison. In 1886, he founded the Westinghouse Electric Companyat its peak the nations 13th largest industrial company.

Henry Clay Frick (18491919) built a vast fortune on the mineral wealth of the Connellsville coal seam. Known as the Coke King, he was originally financed by Judge Mellon and became a close confidant of A.W. Mellon. In the 80s, Frick needed money and Carnegie needed coke. Carnegie bought a controlling interest in the H.C. Frick Coke Company and Frick ran the entire Carnegie operation. Despite a final rupture, it was a win/win relationship.

Henry J. Heinz (18441919) founded the precursor of the H. J. Heinz Company in 1869. The Heinz Company was the odd man out as a branded consumer products company in a town totally dominated by heavy industry.

By 1970, Pittsburgh would have the distinction of being the third largest corporate headquarters city in the United States. With but few exceptions, all these companies or their antecedents were founded during the period between 1870 1910: Alcoa, Allegheny Ludlum, Blaw-Knox, Consolidation Coal, Copperweld Steel, Crucible Steel, Dravo, Fisher Scientific, Gulf Oil, Harbison Walker, H. J. Heinz, Jones & Laughlin, Joy Manufacturing, Koppers, Mellon National Bank, Mesta Machine, Mine Safety Appliance, National Steel, Pittsburgh Chemical, Pittsburgh National Bank, Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Pittsburgh Steel, Rockwell International, United Engineering and Foundry, Universal Cyclops, United States Steel, Westinghouse Air Brake and Westinghouse Electric. With the exception of the two banks, Heinz and a couple of light manufacturing companies, it was heavy industry all the way.

In only 40 years, the industrial growth of Pittsburgh was breathtaking. It was an era of unprecedented dynamic entrepreneurialism. For those at or near the top of the heap, it was a glorious time, but for the vast majority it was a burden to be born. Most work in the mills was 12 hours a day, six and seven days a week. Enlightened employers such as Heinz and Westinghouse were the exception.

Two of the most violent strikes in U.S. labor history occurred during this period. The more famous of the two is the Homestead strike, compounded by Carnegies malicious attempt to dodge all personal responsibility. The more violent of the two was the great railroad strike of 1877. In it, over 20 people were killed and property damage was over $5 million ($100 million in todays dollars). It was all for naught; unions were not to be a factor until the 1930s.

The long slide

Pittsburghs Golden Age had developed an industrial economy that was the envy of the world. The major enterprises launched then drove the Pittsburgh economy to new heights for the next 50 years. So strong were these Pittsburgh corporations that they carried nearly the entire weight of the local economy. The entrepreneurial era became the managerial era, and Pittsburgh was a quintessential company town. For both white- and blue-collar job seekers, Pittsburgh had a host of good jobs, and with the advent of Pittsburgh unionism in the late 1930s, Pittsburghs blue-collar jobs became even more desirable.

Unfortunately, there was a downside to Pittsburghs over-specialization in steel and heavy industry. Because the jobs were so attractive, they drew potential entrepreneurs away from smaller businesses.

Again, population tells the story. In 1930, the population of Pittsburgh peaked at 699,817. By 2000, it was 343,600 roughly half. Some of this was migration to the county. But here the story is equally bleak. In 1938, Allegheny County had a population of 1,374,410 and in 2000, 1,277,700. Between 1910 and 2000, the U.S. population increased threefold, while Allegheny County lost 9 percent of its population. In 2000, Pittsburgh had the second oldest demographic profile of any U.S. metropolitan county, behind Dade County, FL. Despite a static population, by the mid-20th century, good jobs in Pittsburghs heavy industry manufacturing sector remained plentiful. Economic development was not a high priority. What was a high priority was Pittsburghs environment. When Pittsburgh exited World War II in 1945, the Point at the confluence of the three rivers was a tangle of railroads and warehouses. Through a combination of the steel mills and the universal use of soft coal for home heating, the sky was often black at 9 a.m. (If you think Beijing is bad today, you should have seen Pittsburgh in 1945.) Despite a vital economy, Pittsburgh was dying at its core and in danger of losing the head offices of the companies that made it great.

Two very different men formed a compact and a shared vision to put Pittsburgh back on track. David L. Lawrence (18891966), mayor of Pittsburgh from 1946 to 1959, was the foremost political figure this city ever produced. Richard King Mellon (18991970) the son of R.B. Mellon, was the chairman of Mellon National Bank, and through his vast holdings was the natural leader of the Pittsburgh business establishment. With the able assistance of Wallace Richards and Arthur Van Buskirk, and through the instrument of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, they gave birth to what became known as the Pittsburgh Renaissance. Smoke-control legislation was passed, the skies cleared, and the industrial jungle at the Point was razed and replaced with a park and several new office buildings. In a brief 15 years, the face of Pittsburgh changed dramatically.

Ironically the year Lawrence left office in 1959 saw the first serious rupture in Pittsburghs industrial underpinnings. It came in the form of a crippling 116-day, industry-wide, steel strike. It opened the door to the first major influx of imported steel. It was a problem that would eat away at the industry for the next 40 years, eventually bankrupting 29 steel companies. Still, the Pittsburgh industrial behemoth hummed along very well into the 1970s, but beneath the surface, the tectonic plates of fundamental economic change were grinding on. Pittsburgh-based steel companies were expanding capacity but not in Pittsburgh. Light sheet steel for appliances and automobiles was their most important market, and it was best served from steel plants in the Midwest.

By the late 1980s, over 75 percent of the steel-making capacity near Pittsburgh was shuttered. Sprawling facilities running along the Monongahela and Ohio rivers toppled like ten pins: the Pittsburgh Steel plant in Monessen, U.S. Steel facilities in McKeesport, Duquesne and Homestead, J & Ls works in Pittsburgh and Aliquippa. Who is to blame for this tragedy? Everybody and nobody. The demise of the steel industry in Pittsburgh played out with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Our loss of jobs was a body blow such as no major American city had ever received, and worse was to come. For a while, we consoled ourselves with the fact that Pittsburgh was the third-largest corporate headquarters city in the country. The brawn may have gone elsewhere, but the company brains remained in Pittsburgh. Sadly, though, more than 75 percent of our major corporations in 1970 are no longer here today. Its easier to list those that are still here: PNC, U.S. Steel, Allegheny Technologies, H.J. Heinz, PPG and Mine Safety. We also have two Westinghouse spinoffs: Wesco and Westinghouse Nuclear, and two new arrivals headquartered hereFederated and Dicks. Its a short list.

A new day

Now, we live in a different Pittsburgh, with a cleaner and more beautiful environment. The region is a tourist destination. And our economy is more balanced than ever before. We can no longer be called a company town. Numerous opportunities in venture-backed start-ups and growing small businesses often are more appealing than a slow rise up the escalator of corporate hierarchy.

Three strong bell cows are leading us toward a knowledge-based future: Carnegie Mellon Universitythe leading computer science university in the world; the University of Pittsburghwith broad-based strength capped by the health sciences and a school of medicine ranking sixth in NIH funding; and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, now the largest academic medical center in the nation with $7 billion in revenues and over 50,000 employees.

Like two-headed Janus, we may look forward to a promising future and, with great pride and a little nostalgia, look back to a time long ago when Pittsburgh forged the industrial might that made America the greatest nation in the world.
Curvy women dont hike.

Some are timid.

Some dont want to hike alone.

Others simply dont want to be on the same trail with a group of super fit speed hikers.

They cant find the group that matches their speed level, said Laura Donovan, who is hoping to combat the stereotype that hiking has to be done by only the slim and trim.

Donovan has started a new chapter of Trail Dames, a national hiking group that caters to the curvy woman.

We have something special with the Trail Dames, said Donovan, who serves as co-head dame of the New York chapter.

The national Trail Dames mission is to welcome, empower and educate women of all shapes, sizes, and experience and fitness levels to responsibly explore nature. It caters to all women over the age of 18, and anyone who identifies as a woman, Donovan pointed out.

Its just so inclusive of every type of woman thats out there, she said.

Donovan first heard of the Trail Dames when she lived in Georgia. She moved back to her hometown of Hudson Falls in 2012, and she started searching for a Trail Dames group in the area, but came up short.

In October, the Albany music teacher was approved to start the only New York State chapter of Trail Dames. The group took its first hike with 10 women on Nov. 12.

I was very impressed with the turnout, she said, especially coming into winter.

Donovan, who scouts and hikes the trail in advance, plans two hikes a month, about 3 miles long each. Winter weather is not a deterrent, but she will plan some longer day hikes once spring arrives.

Right now Im trying to do some easier hikes to try to get the momentum going, she said.

So far, the group has hiked John Boyd Thacher State Park in Voorheesville, the Doris Duke Trail, Sterling Forest in Orange County, Thomas Mountain near Bolton Landing, Bog Meadow Nature Trail in Saratoga Springs and Bear Mountain State Park in Rockland County.

Donovan encourages women to take a couple hikes with the group before purchasing a membership for $23 a year. All of the money goes toward running Trail Dames, a nonprofit organization, and toward education for women. No member, leader or head dame is paid for her time.

The next hike is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 18 at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. Those interested, can find additional hikes on the groups website www.traildames.com. Go to the New York section of Chapters and scroll to the bottom for the meetups page.

Donovan will serve as the hike leader and help others at the head of the group. Four women are already signed up to hike.

Any woman can join us, she said. Were here to encourage and help you get through it.
The kid got a 72 on her math test. Oh, dont worry. She assures me this is actually fantastic news.

Well, I thought about it, Mom, and the good news is, I got more right than I got wrong.

I agreed, before pointing out that technically anything above a 50 percent would indicate the whole more-right-than-wrong scenario.

Math might not be her subject, but numbers are her game. Justification is her art form.

And there werent that many questions on the test, she continued. If there were more questions, I would have gotten more right and as a result, a higher score.

I appreciated her logic. It is the same reasoning I use when I eat a donut, one half at a time. Its only a half, I tell myself, knowing full well 10 minutes later Ill go back for its mate.

And as a result, it is the same reasoning I use when I tell myself a size 10 is practically an 8, which is nearly a 6.

Or when I call a cold probably just allergies, even though I dont have allergies.

Or say that crabgrass is as good as real grass.

Or when I hit a tree with the car and tell my husband, It was really more of a very large branch.

I rationalize. Bend the truth until it fits into a cozy little box of logic in my brain.

My tween reached into the kitchen cabinet while explaining to me how when there are fewer questions on a test, each question is worth more points. I, in turn, explained to her that I too took mathematics in school and have a cursory understanding of basic arithmetic.

What are you doing? I asked.

What? she mumbled. I havent eaten since lunch, I am having protein.

Can someone tell me when eating peanut butter from a jar with a spoon became acceptable behavior? You wouldnt do that with a tub of grape jelly? Is a condiments identification as a protein make its spoon/jar consumption respectable?

Can you at least put the peanut butter on something? I asked.

She pulled out a rice cake, slathered and then resumed protein consumption, allowing sticky rice cake shrapnel to spray down on the hardwood.

I looked at the floor and gave her an evil eye.

What? she mumbled again. I didnt want to dirty a plate.

Oh yes, the rationalization on this day was running deep enough for waders.

And my teacher took off one point for guess what?... guess what?

I guessed that she didnt know the capital of North Dakota, and she reminded me that we were still on math, not social studies, and besides it is Bismarck, so if it was on the test, she would have gotten it right.

No, I got one point off because I didnt label my answer. A label!

I nodded my head in solidarity that labeling was indeed evil and she shouldnt be expected to do it, ever.

That means my test score should really be a 73, and rounding up
CAMBRIDGE  Mayor Carman Bogle said late last week the village will establish a youth center, even if the proposed site doesnt work out.

It is essential for the community, Bogle said last week. It will happen.

The village had hoped to open the center by this month in the former school building near the library on Memorial Drive.

We currently offer an after-school and summer camp program. We are looking at leasing the old school building to better improve those services but also to begin to offer a youth center/family center, she said in September when the plan was first announced. The building is owned by Harold Rounds, a local resident who told her he wants to help the communitys youths. Rounds had originally planned to put a factory in the building.The issue is that the building will require some renovations before the village can use it, and Bogle said that no permits have been applied for to get the work started.

The lease agreement expires Dec. 15, although there is a clause that the village can extend it for 120 days, she said. But at this point, I am not inclined to do that. We have already started to look for other locations, because its important we do this.

Several other local communities, including Greenwich and Glens Falls, already have strong youth centers, and two groups are working to establish one in Hudson Falls.

Bogle said the village currently provides $5,000 from its general fund for youth programs, and she has heard from residents who do not want taxes to increase.

Our youth program generates its own revenue to cover expenses, so the goal is to increase programs to cover the cost of rent, she said.
Mayor needs to set better example

Boos to South Glens Falls Village Mayor Joe Orlow for neglecting a property he owns in the town of Queensbury and rebuilding part of it without the proper permits. Elected officials need to act as an example in following the law and procedures in the community in which they live. Orlow has already been taken to court twice for code violations with the property. Orlow needs to submit building plans and apply for zoning variances by Jan. 1 or the town will seek court approval to tear the house down. We hope Orlow finally makes good on his promises.

County to have performance reviews

Bravos to the Warren County Board of Supervisors for finally moving forward with a plan to give performance reviews to department heads. The countys Performance Evaluation Committee met last week and agreed on the framework of how to move forward. The county will start with reviews of the 30 department heads before moving on to approximately 60 non-union workers.

Residents give vision for downtown

Bravos to the 40 residents who gathered in Glens Falls to give their input on their vision of the citys future. It was the fourth public meeting conducted by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative seeking input on how the city should spend the $10 million revitalization grant awarded from the state earlier this year.

American Legion making a comeback

Bravos to Gary Vernum and Randy Powell for their work in bringing back to life Lake George American Legion Post 374. A year ago, the post wasnt having any events and some members believed the post should be sold. But with Vernum and Powell leading the way, the post has begun having events, has re-opened and dinners and breakfasts are being served.

Cambridge opens activities for all students

Bravos to the Cambridge School District for initiating a new policy that allows home-schooled children, or those that attend private school, to participate in extracurricular activities at the school. It does not include participation in sports. Most school districts in the region continue to see a drop in the number of pupils, which makes it increasingly difficult to keep extracurricular activities vibrant. Other school districts should consider the change as well.

Road maintenance suggestion makes sense

Bravos to Washington County Public Works Superintendent Steve Haskins for suggesting an innovative way for taxpayers to get more bang for their buck with road maintenance. Haskins suggested that roads less traveled should adopt a different maintenance standard than high-volume roads. Roads that carry fewer than 400 cars a day would be paved less often and would be rebuilt to a lower standard. Its an outstanding common sense approach that could lead to main roads getting the attention they deserve on a regular basis.

Post-Star editorials represent the opinion of the Post-Star editorial board, which consists of Publisher Terry Coomes, Controller/Operations Director Brian Corcoran, Editor Ken Tingley, Projects Editor Will Doolittle and citizen representative Tim Robinson.
Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether 

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Austins history of discrimination threatens its future

To understand why the regions widening prosperity gap is leaving black residents behind, look to the racist policies of the past and their repercussions

By Dan Zehr / Published January 18, 2015

BUILDING A DIVIDE Years of housing discrimination helped limit African-Americans ability to own property and create wealth in Austin. The impact of those policies is still being felt today.

Vonnye Rice-Gardners parents didnt have many options when they wanted to buy their first house.

It was the early 1930s, and just a few years earlier the Austin City Council demarcated a new negro district in the eastern part of the city. If Friendly and Johnnie Mae Yates Rice wanted access to public schools and other city services, they had but one neighborhood to choose from.

So, with $500 borrowed from their parents, they purchased a $1,200 house near the corner of East Seventh and Comal streets, within the new district.

When Vonnye Rice-Gardner's parents, Friendly and Johnnie Mae Yates Rice, looked to buy their first house in the early 1930s, they had one neighborhood to choose from: a new 'negro district' created a few years earlier by the Austin City Council in the eastern part of town. Rice-Gardner still lives in the house her parents purchased near the corner of East Seventh and Comal streets. Kelly West / American-Statesman

Rice-Gardner lives in that same house today  Im one of the few people whose drivers license and birth certificate have the same address, she says with a laugh  but few other signs of the areas African-American heritage remain.

When she was growing up, five or six black families lived on her block of East Seventh alone. Now, she has just one African-American neighbor on the block, and her cozy, one-story white house is one of the few noncommercial structures left on this primary corridor through East Austin.

The mere fact that Rice-Gardners parents purchased a home at all, despite the segregation of the day, was as important as it was unusual. That nest egg  supplemented by the priority her parents put on education  helped her accrue the means to remain in that same house even as the neighborhood gentrified and so many of her neighbors moved.

As Rice-Gardner can attest, homeownership has served as one of the most-effective vehicles for wealth creation in the nations history. But past decades of public policy and private practice barred most of the countrys African-American residents from purchasing a home at all.

Central Texas was no exception. The roots of the Austin metro areas current racial and income segregation, as well as the host of social issues that go hand-in-hand with such isolation, can be drawn from its history of housing discrimination.

Even in subsequent decades as those official regulations were rescinded, discriminatory restrictions infiltrated the private sector  ultimately morphing into more-neutral public policies and private practices that do more to sustain a divided status quo than combat it.

This is not merely a legacy of the past. While historical limitations on African-American homeownership barred them from the wealth created and accrued through home equity, predatory lending practices during the recent recession forced a disproportionate number of black residents out of ownership entirely, according to Rice University sociologist Gregory Sharp.

That continued inertia has helped amplify Austins wealth disparities over subsequent generations, to a point where economic research suggests the rifts could threaten the entire regions future economic prosperity.

For example, the metro area now has one of the nations highest levels of income segregation, a factor that shares a strong correlation with lower rates of intergenerational economic mobility in a community, according to research led by Harvard University economist Raj Chetty.

The advantages gained by the white majority and the disadvantages visited on the African-American minority in the past have only accumulated through the generations.

A lot of the policies that created our current situation are often forgotten and overlooked, said Jennifer Jellison Holme, an educational policy and planning professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Then, as a society, we look at the distribution of wealth and student achievement and start to make assumptions about peoples aptitude and merit without understanding all the historical practices and policies that shaped who won and lost.

A divided history

Like the rest of the country, the roots of Austins racial divides stretch back into slavery and beyond, but the city didnt always follow the typical path through Reconstruction.

As thousands of freed slaves migrated toward cities in the post-Civil War years, Austin came to be known as safe haven for freed slaves  a more-tolerant city with less of the racial violence that would burn throughout the South for the better part of the next century.

Related document Austin Restricted 119 pages Austin Restricted: Progressivism, Zoning, Private Racial Covenants, and the Making of a Segregated City, by Eliot M. Tretter

Private restrictions and municipal zoning policies still limited where this influx of black residents could settle  confining them primarily to Clarksville, Wheatville and other neighborhoods  but those pockets were dispersed throughout the city limits. In fact, a series of Austin demographic maps suggests a more racially interspersed population in 1880 and 1910 than in any time since.

During those years, though, city leaders and developers set about consolidating the citys black population and formalizing segregation, led in part by Monroe Shipe, a colonel who moved to Austin from Kansas and helped develop Hyde Park.

This new neighborhood established a racially separated precedent for development in the city, according to a history of Austins housing segregation compiled by University of Texas lecturer Eliot Tretter. Ads touted Hyde Park as free from nuisances and an objectionable class of people, proper restrictions being taken to guard against undesirable occupants.

However, Shipe and other developers lost their biggest discriminatory tool in 1917, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities could not use zoning laws to segregate by race. They started looking for alternative policies to uphold segregation. The most-effective one arrived in 1928, in the form of a new city plan authored by the Dallas consulting firm Koch and Fowler.

Koch and Fowler came in and said, Lets get a little creative, Jellison Holme said. Instead of saying you cant live there, they segregated services  You can choose to live there, but youre not going to get access to city utilities and services.

Instead of saying you cant live there, they segregated services  You can choose to live there, but youre not going to get access to city utilities and services. Jennifer Jellison Holme

Their plan laid out a negro district and, by barring public services outside of it, the city essentially created one viable neighborhood option for its African-American residents. Like Rice-Gardners parents in the early 1930s, the vast majority of the citys black population consolidated in the district in the decades thereafter.

The federal government would cement that separation less than a decade later.

As part of a New Deal policy to rebuild wealth during the Great Depression, the government started backing low-cost mortgages and refinance loans to promote and preserve homeownership. The plan jump-started one of the largest accumulations of citizen wealth in the nations history, an effort that not only rebuilt wealth at the time but laid the foundation for decades of benefits that accrue through generations of homeowners.

However, the same policies excluded most minority neighborhoods through a practice known as redlining, which marked communities where the government-backed loans could not be offered. As most Americans gained equity in new homes or upgraded the value of their existing houses, the black population saw a racial wedge driven deeper between Anglo affluence and African-American poverty.

The Koch and Fowler negro district became the largest redlined zone in Austin.

Rice-Gardner knew the personal fallout of that redlined segregation all too well. Her father, Friendly Rice, was the principal at Blackshear and a pioneer in Austin education, so he insisted she go to the best school in the city.

For ninth grade he had her enrolled at University Junior High, the majority white and more academically rigorous middle school. To get there, though, she had to take two buses across town.

The East End bus would wait for the junior high students before heading across on Sixth Street and dropping them off at the school. But, knowing where she was headed, one of the routes drivers refused to let her board.

So Rice-Gardner had two options: leave 30 minutes earlier to avoid him, or hope there were enough of the right people from the black community to persuade the driver otherwise.

She started leaving a half hour earlier.

East Austin native Vonnye Rice-Gardner's father, Friendly Rice, was the prinicpal of Blackshear Elementary and a pioneer in Austin education. Ralph Barrera / American-Statesman

Compounding effects of segregation

The discrimination didnt end at the school door. Shortly after starting at University Junior High, one teacher pulled the handful of black ninth-graders aside and urged them to transfer back to Kealing, the majority black junior high in East Austin. None of them filled out the transfer forms. Rice-Gardner didnt even mention it to her parents.

The first thing she said was, Youll never make it in the white world. I dont want you all to be disappointed. I dont want you to be hurt, she said. And I truly believe she meant that.

Yet in many ways, Rice-Gardner and her classmates were the exception to the rule for African-American students. Her father and mother, both educators, had enough influence to make sure she got a top-notch education and enough affluence to give the family a stable home environment.

Many black families didnt have those advantages. For them, the far-reaching effects rippled out from housing segregation and into myriad indirect but no less insidious forms of discrimination, which then passed through the generations.

Vonnye Rice-Gardners parents purchased their East Austin home at a time when the city's racially discriminating housing policies made such an act onerous. That home ownership, and her parents' insistence on a quality education for their daughter, has helped Rice-Gardner accrue the means to remain in the family home all these years. Neighbors long gone were not as fortunate; today, Rice-Gardner's one-story house is a rare non-commercial structure near her block of East Seventh Street. Kelly West / American-Statesman

The thing about housing segregation, said Andrew Valls, a political science professor at Oregon State University, is that once its created, its very difficult to dismantle.

Schools and other social institutions tend to be more easily integrated because people come and go, Valls said. Housing segregation has more-enduring effects.

In Austin, housing segregation has calcified into what demographic maps still show today  a higher-income, better-educated Anglo majority west of Interstate 35, and a lower-income, Hispanic and African-American population residing primarily east of the interstate.

And like the housing-based wealth that accumulates through multiple generations in affluent communities to the west, the effects of living in East Austins impoverished neighborhoods have passed down in myriad direct and indirect ways.

Growing up in a poor neighborhood can have a negative effect on everything from childrens educational attainment, to their mental and physical health, to their choice of romantic partners, said Patrick Sharkey, a New York University sociologist.

In all these ways, growing up in a poor neighborhood affects all the different dimensions of our life as we grow up into adulthood, Sharkey said. And through all these ways it affects the next generation.

Nationally, two-thirds of African-Americans born between 1985 and 2000 now live in neighborhoods that are at least as impoverished as where their parents lived, according to Sharkeys research. And many of the damaging effects of poverty are cumulative, he said, reinforcing over the years and generations.

For example, mothers who grew up in middle-class environments had children who scored near the average on tests, even if they currently lived in poverty, he found. Mothers who grew up in poverty had children who scored two to four years of schooling behind the average, even if they currently lived in a middle-class environment now.

Its not just how far apart the incomes of the rich and poor are, Sharkey said, its how it becomes manifest in the communities within a city.

There are exceptions like Rice-Gardner, of course, but they often prove the rule. Friendly Rice had the resources and the contacts to make sure his daughter went to the better schools in town  despite the discrimination she faced both on the way to school and once she got there.

It wasnt if I was going to college, it was where, she said. It wasnt if I was going to go to graduate school, it was where.

Her parents educational legacies live on through her. Rice-Gardner teaches at Austin Community College, where she can point to a poster of local African-American pioneers, whose illustrations gaze down from the entrance of the Eastview Campus African-American Cultural Center.

Thats daddy, she tells a visitor, at the top.

Vonnye Rice-Gardner, left, and May Schmidt stand outside Rice-Gardner's home June 12, 2014. Rice-Gardners parents paid $1,200 to buy their home in the early 1930s. She says she now pays four to five times that amount each year for property taxes on the same house. Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman

A divided status quo

Seated in the cultural center, Rice-Gardner unrolled a poster-size chart of all the homeowners along her local stretch of East Seventh Street. As she scrolled through the poster, going through the decades from 1920 through today, the lines unveiled the ownership history for each property.

Rice-Gardner paused over many of the names that have come and gone. Her first few tales evoked images of a close-knit African-American and immigrant community. But as the poster opened wider and time passed by, the stories turned to businesses, stores and restaurants that have overtaken the area.

Only one other African-American resident remains on her block, the citys black population having spread further east and north  and increasingly outside of the city limits altogether.

Rice-Gardners parents paid $1,200 to buy their home. She said she now pays four- to five-times that amount each year for property taxes on the same house.

If I live another 20 years, she said, I will not be able to stay in my house.

For low-income homeowners, the tax collector makes it harder to stay in the city, putting pressure on Austins existing income segregation. And given the fact that the median income for the metro areas African-American households is 40 percent lower than that of non-Hispanic white households, it puts pressure on Austins existing racial segregation, too.

Vonnye Rice-Gardner kneels to pray in a pew at Holy Cross Catholic Church, the church up the street from her house where she has been a parishioner for more than 20 years. Rice-Gardner recalls a close-knit African-American and immigrant community in the area in decades past. Now, only one other African-American remains on her block, as Austin's black population has spread further east and north, and even out of the city. Kelly West / American-Statesman

The widening income inequality also underscores an even deeper divide when it comes to wealth. In 2013, the median wealth in the countrys Anglo households was $141,900  13 times higher than the $11,000 median for African-American households, according to a Pew Research Center study.

One of the biggest reasons for that wealth gap reaches back to lower rates of homeownership, said Signe-Mary McKernan, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute. Even aside from any potential increase in property value, McKernan said, simply paying a mortgage helps owners sock away money, sort of like an automatic savings account.

African-American and Hispanic families are not on the same wealth building path, she said. Wealth inequality is getting worse, not better.

While redlining and other overtly segregationist policies were outlawed in the 1960s and 1970s, the increasing wealth gaps suggest their elimination alone has not reversed the trends toward wider inequality.

As the country moved out of the civil rights movement, through the disco 1970s and into the Reagan era, Austin did little to actively combat its divided status quo. The citys housing and wealth divides barely budged, according to a 1979 report commissioned by the citys Human Relations Commission.

John Henneberger, the co-director of the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service and the recipient of a 2014 MacArthur Foundation genius grant, wrote that report. It was not flattering, and some of its more biting passages, including notes about the areas developers and lenders, were edited out by the city manager.

In an unedited version, he and his colleagues said they found no census tract in the city that can be considered truly integrated.

One thing is clear, they wrote, the last decade has seen more legislation and changes in attitudes that promote housing integration than any other period. However, Austin remains a segregated city.

The separation  and in some cases, evidence suggesting outright discrimination  still exists today. Research following the subprime mortgage meltdown indicates that many lenders targeted minority populations with the riskier, higher-cost home loans.

In particular, segregated clusters of minority neighborhoods made it easier and more efficient for lenders to target residents there, according to a new study led by Jackelyn Hwang, a Harvard sociology doctoral student.

Austin didnt see the same high rates of targeting as some other metro areas, Hwang said, but the metro area did have an unusually high level of subprime loans that went into very specific minority-heavy tracts.

Such unequal lending patterns will likely have long-term consequences for the accumulation of wealth for blacks and Hispanics that will last well beyond the housing crisis, Hwang and her colleagues wrote.

Yet, even more benign and mundane public policy helps sustain the wealth and housing gaps. Austins current zoning regulations prohibit many types of development that promote greater affordability, said Tretter, the UT lecturer. Private land-use plans for most newer developments are filled with restrictions that make it harder for lower-income families to buy in. The people who are going to be displaced are those who are living in areas where theres no private restrictions protecting them, Tretter said. Thats going to lead to more income segregation.

Inertia never arrested

Long before Henneberger decided to focus on projects in other Texas cities  his frustration with Austin had hit a boiling point  he immersed himself in the gentrification sweeping through Clarksville.

When he started studying and working in the community as a UT undergraduate in 1975, only a couple Anglo residents lived there. A few hippies would swing by to drink whisky with Uncle Seymour, Henneberger said, but Clarksville still reflected its history as a post-Civil War freedmens community.

John Henneberger, co-director of the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, started studying and working in the Clarksville community as a UT undergraduate in 1975. Development soon started displacing African-American families who had rented homes there for generations. Despite the efforts of Henneberger and others who sought to slow the gentrification, the transformation of Clarksville into a neighborhood devoid of those connected to its history is nearly complete today. Ralph Barrera / American-Statesman

The trickle of visitors eventually grew into a wave of people who saw the neighborhood as a funky, weird oasis in the city. They started displacing African-American families whod rented homes in Clarksville for generations, and developers started to buy, rebuild and sell the homes.

All of a sudden, Henneberger said, a dynamic of real estate speculation and redevelopment was going on in Clarksville that just infuriated people because people were being displaced and property values were changing.

Henneberger and friends launched efforts to slow the gentrification. They painted anti-development yard signs. One church turned out in front of a developers home one Sunday morning, the choir singing and the pastor preaching out to whoever would hear.

It didnt work; Clarksvilles transformation is virtually complete today.

Now, theres a whole other generation which has absolutely no understanding of any of this, Henneberger said, except they kind of know that the handful of black homeowners who remain sort of snarl a little bit at people.

East Austin appears to be headed in the same general direction. A younger, wealthier, mostly Anglo population is moving in, often drawn by the diversity of the neighborhoods there. In many cases, they forge lasting relationships with the existing residents, but the economic disparities make the balance unstable at best, unsustainable at worst.

Its always a matter of exploitation if the economic underlying basis of that relationship is so unequal, which it is, Henneberger said.

In an effort to sustain integration in these neighborhoods and encourage more of it elsewhere, the NAACP and the Texas Civil Rights Project filed a complaint with the city, arguing that local officials need to start addressing some of the Austins chronic housing oversights.

The complaint claims Austin officials have not done enough to counteract the severe housing disparities of its past and its present. The city responded, noting the progress it made on several fronts over the years.

The answers did not satisfy the NAACP or the civil rights project, which are currently considering their next moves, including a potential lawsuit against the city, said Brian McGiverin, an attorney for the project.

The studies that have really put Austin under a microscope have shown that the inertia that naturally resulted from de jure segregation was never really arrested, he said.

That historical inertia, combined today with rising pressure from higher property taxes, is forcing more and more low-income and African-American families to the suburbs and beyond. Rice-Gardner saw many of her friends and neighbors make the move to Pflugerville, where the black population has increased almost fivefold since 2000.

As for her, though, shell stay in the neighborhood as long as she can. Few signs of the neighborhoods negro district history remain today, and only a handful of her former neighbors still live there, but she has come to accept the neighborhoods transformation  and the citys as well.

Gentrification still concerns her. If property taxes keep rising, she might have to eventually sell the family house.

We have to embrace whatever comes our way, she said. You cant hate. You cant get mad. You have to understand the history of how things have changed, and you have to embrace it.

After all, she said, its still her neighborhood. Its still her heritage. Its still her home.




















Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wants to work together with US President-elect Donald Trump to roll back the US-led nuclear accord with Iran.





Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with CBSs 60 Minutes set to be broadcast later Sunday, Netanyahu said it was not too late to undo the deal that was the landmark foreign policy achievement of President Barack Obama, noting that he would present Trump with five alternatives to the accord.





And Ill talk about it  with President Trump, said Netanyahu, according to a transcript of the interview, adding that Iran had not rushed toward the bomb before because they were afraid of retribution. The Israeli leader, who campaigned vigorously against the deal, said he has about five things in my mind, but declined to elaborate before he had spoken with Trump about the issue.

Asked if he expected a better relationship with Washington after the tumultuous years of the Obama administration, Netanyahu admitted he had differences of opinion with the outgoing US president, particularly on the nuclear deal. But he insisted that the matter was never personal.





































The Russia-supported operation of the Syrian government forces has almost liberated the second largest city of Aleppo from militants. The victory prompted lame duck President Obama to make a desperate attempt to turn the tide of war.









On December 8, President Barack Obama ordered a waiver of restrictions on military aid for foreign forces and others in Syria. He deemed it essential to the national security interests of the US to allow exceptions from provisions of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), which aims to prevent taxpayer money being spent on supporting and arming international militant groups through covert operations and third states.









From now on, foreign fighters supporting US efforts in Syria would be excused from restrictions on military assistance once the administration believes it is essential to the national security. Anyone joining anti-Assad forces can get American arms.





Our initial impression is that this new document backtracks, and is an attempt to buy time for the militants, allow them to catch their breath and resupply, the Russian foreign minister said on December 6.





The move paves the way for trafficking weapons to militants and terrorist groups of all kinds under the false pretense of the fight against Islamic State (IS). US-made weapons, including man-portable anti-air missiles, will spread around the world. They can also be used against American military. There has never been an opposition moderate group declaring that its prime goal was fighting IS, not Assad. And the US government has never provided the entire list of the groups it supports. With that said, there is a great probability that the arms supplied by the US will be used to fight the Syrian government and Russian forces.

The presidents decision would lead to an escalation of the conflict, with the US waging a proxy war against Russia, Syria, Iran and other forces allied with Damascus. The escalation may take place very soon. The requirement to give a 15-day notification to Congress will not delay the shipments from European warehouses as Congress is going to be out of session until January. Evidently, the outgoing team is trying to plunge the Trumps administration into a deeper commitment to an unwinnable proxy war.



Iran: If war imposed on us, Israel, Gulf states will be destroyed



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Sunday that he would work with Trump to dismantle the nuclear agreement with Iran, signed last year over Israels fierce criticism of the pact.





Trump said during the campaign he would tear up the nuclear deal , calling it a disastrous and one of the worst agreements in history and has vowed to take a harder line with Tehran.





Considering Trumps character and that he measures the cost of everything in dollars, it does not seem likely that he would take strong action against our country, he said, but enemies may want to impose a war on us based on false calculations and only taking into consideration their material capabilities. Such a war would mean the destruction of the Zionist regime (Israel)  and will engulf the whole region and could lead to a world war, Mehr quoted Dehghan as saying.

Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israels destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map. Israel fears that Irans nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence. Among other consequences of the war, Dehgan added, would be the destruction of the city-states on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf, because they lack popular support, in reference to small Western-allied Gulf states such as the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

































I have watched incredulous as the CIAs blatant lie has grown and grown as a media story  blatant because the CIA has made no attempt whatsoever to substantiate it . There is no Russian involvement in the leaks of emails showing Clintons corruption. Yes this rubbish has been the lead today in the Washington Post in the US and the Guardian here, and was the lead item on the BBC main news. I suspect it is leading the American broadcasts also.





A little simple logic demolishes the CIAs claims. The CIA claim they know the individuals involved. Yet under Obama the USA has been absolutely ruthless in its persecution of whistleblowers, and its pursuit of foreign hackers through extradition. We are supposed to believe that in the most vital instance imaginable, an attempt by a foreign power to destabilise a US election, even though the CIA knows who the individuals are, nobody is going to be arrested or extradited , or (if in Russia) made subject to yet more banking and other restrictions against Russian individuals? Plainly it stinks. The anonymous source claims of We know who it was, it was the Russians are beneath contempt.









As Julian Assange has made crystal clear, the leaks did not come from the Russians. As I have explained countless times, they are not hacks, they are insider leaks  there is a major difference between the two. And it should be said again and again, that if Hillary Clinton had not connived with the DNC to fix the primary schedule to disadvantage Bernie, if she had not received advance notice of live debate questions to use against Bernie, if she had not accepted massive donations to the Clinton foundation and family members in return for foreign policy influence, if she had not failed to distance herself from some very weird and troubling people, then none of this would have happened.









The continued ability of the mainstream media to claim the leaks lost Clinton the election because of Russia, while still never acknowledging the truths the leaks reveal, is Kafkaesque.





It is terrible that the prime conduit for this paranoid nonsense is a once great newspaper, the Washington Post, which far from investigating executive power, now is a sounding board for totally evidence free anonymous source briefing of utter bullshit from the executive.





The worst thing about all this is that it is aimed at promoting further conflict with Russia. This puts everyone in danger for the sake of more profits for the arms and security industries  including of course bigger budgets for the CIA. As thankfully the four year agony of Aleppo comes swiftly to a close today, the Saudi and US armed and trained ISIS forces counter by moving to retake Palmyra. This game kills people, on a massive scale, and goes on and on.
























































































Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News East
The application portal will be open until midnight (WAT), March 1, 2017. Entrepreneurs must complete the online application and selection is on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged.

TEF Founder Tony O. Elumelu said: I believe the seeds we are planting through the Programme will transform Africa. Two years on, it is clear that we have found a key to unlocking Africas potential for economic transformation. As our entrepreneurs grow their own businesses and realise theirambitions, so too does the vision. We are showing what the African private sector can achieve; how hard work and enterprise can catalyze real, sustainable development.

The Programme is designed to identify entrepreneurs that have the potential to grow their businesses and collectively generate 1,000,000 new jobs, that can contribute at least $10 billion in additional revenues to the African economy.

According to TEF CEO, Parminder Vir OBE, This programme continues to surpass our expectations and its success is palpable. Your entrepreneurial journey begins when you make the decision to complete the application. We are seeking real entrepreneurs, people who can take risk and reap rewards, not just for themselves, but their communities and countries.

The success of 2015 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs reflects the impact of the Programme, including:

1. Momar Mass-Taal (Agriculture, Gambia) turned his $5,000 seed capital into $1.2 million in revenue

2. Bukhary Kibonajoro (Education & Training, Tanzania) used the mentorship and training to launch his business, create 34 new jobs and provide growth services for more than 100 local business in 12 months.

3. Chioma Okonu (Waste Management, Nigeria) Has created ancillary revenue streams for more than 6,000 households, created 40 jobs and generates over $50,000 in profit.

To be eligible to apply:

1. Businesses must be based in Africa

2. Businesses must be for profit

3. Applicants must be 18 years of age and above

4. Applicants must be a legal resident or citizen of African countries

1,000 entrepreneurs will be selected based on the feasibility of the business idea; market opportunity; financial understanding; scalability; leadership and entrepreneurial skills demonstrated in the application.

For more information or to apply, visit: http://tonyelumelufoundation.org/teep/faqs/

Media enquiries: media@tonyeleumelufoundation.org

About The Tony Elumelu Foundation

Established in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent. The Foundations long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelus philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africas private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent.
However, all the women, who thought their hope and dreams of becoming politicians have been shattered are now confident they can have a seat in Ghana's parliament after one of the greatest, demanding, enviable and most highly criticised position in Ghana, Electoral Commission was given to a woman, Madame Charlotte Osei.

The fate of Ghana was in the hands of a woman; intellectually skilled and equipped with all needed materials to conduct a peaceful election.

Some female celebrities in Ghana rallied their support behind the Electoral Commissioner on Instagram, a way of proving to the world that Ghanaian women are supportive of each other's achievements.

TV host, Afia Schwargenner, "May God strengthen you Charlotte".

Read more: Election 2016

Media personality, Berla Mundi, "Crunch time... One of the strongest women in Ghana currently... manning an election is not an easy task. Let's pray for the best and pray for peace.... Ghana First.... be safe ... #charlotteosei".

Read more: Election 2016

News Anchor, Nana Aba Anamoah, "Here is to strong women....May we know them... May we praise them...May we respect them... #GhanaVotes #EIBElectionhub #CharlotteOfLife".

Read more:Election 2016

TV host, Amanda Jissih, "May God guide u . All the best to you. #womansupport".

Read more:Celebrity Feud

Actress, Lydia Forson, "#CharlotteOsei #GhanaDecides#ghanaelection2016".

Read more: Election 2016
Jones Nathaniel Ansah said the payment which was scheduled to start on Monday, December 12, 2016, was delayed because Ghana Commercial Bank had not made funds available for the payment.

The payment was supposed to start on Monday [December 12] but then as Im talking to you I just had a call from PWC that they had a meeting with Ghana Commercial Bank and the bank indicated that because it wasnt informed earlier, it wouldnt be able to make payments on Monday.

READ ALSO: Police seeks injunction to prevent demonstration by DKM customers

He added on Accra-based Citi FM that, the last day of payment was made on the 8th of November 2016 and Ghana Commercial Bank said it is still finalising everything at the moment so the date of payment will probably change from Monday 12th December 2016 to Wednesday 16th December 2016.

There are some customers of the microfinance company who could not find their names on the published list.

Meanwhile, Jones Nathaniel Ansah asked such customers to wait for the next batch of the list to be published at the various payment stations on Wednesday [16th December 2016].

The liquidator, however, explained that they will address concerns of customers who are unhappy with the amount they received as compensation.

READ ALSO: Agitated customers of DKM threaten to sue DKM

Thousands of customers of DKM Microfinance Company lost millions of cedis after they invested in the DKM Microfinance. This was because the Microfinance company invested into the unapproved venture and lost the funds.
DR HASSAN AYARIGA FOUNDER/LEADER OF ALL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS (APC) CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT ELECT NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO ADDO. -----------------------------------------------------------------I, Dr Hassan Ayariga, founder/leader of the All People's Congress (APC) congratulate president elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of the Republic of Ghana. Your victory, with a large majority, has democratically been decided by the good people of Ghana.Once again, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your well-deserved success.You must be highly content with this post as you have undoubtedly worked very hard towards your success of achieving the high office of president.I hope you easily fulfil all your promises and shine brightly in the future. Wishing you all the best for your noble future endeavours.I congratulate Ghana as a whole for a peaceful and successful election.Undoubtedly, Ghana has once again demonstrated and proven to the whole world that we are the beacon of democracy in Africa.Unto our outgoing president of the Republic of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama. I applaud him for enhancing a peaceful and successful democracy by conceding defeat to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the president-elect.I admonish Nana Addo to be a president for all Ghanaians and do away with partisanship and adopt the all-inclusive governance system which I believe will help build and develop Ghana much better.God bless our home land Ghana. -----signed------Dr Hassan Ayariga Founder/Leader APC
Ghanaians cast their votes last Wednesday and the winner was revealed on Friday evening. NPP's Nana Addo defeated NDC's Mahama, with 53.85% of votes cast, verse 44.40%. But, it seemed like a large number of Ghanaians made their choice based who was the best of the worst on election day.

It leads the question, what is the chance of reelection if they face someone less disliked than their current opponent or themselves?

Below is a list of the presidents who failed to win a second term and the reasons why they came up short.

1. John Mahama: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, is the next president of the Republic of Ghana. The Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, declared Nana Akufo-Add0 President-elect on Friday evening making him the fifth president of Ghanas fourth republic.

Nana Addo, aged 72, secured the Presidency at the third time of asking beating the incumbent, President John Mahama. President Mahama becomes the first incumbent to lose a presidential election since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy in 1992. Nana Akufo-Addo secured 53.8 percent votes beating incumbent president, John Mahama to win the presidency.

2. Goodluck Jonathan: Nigerians are so used to the idea that an incumbent should win presidential elections that President Goodluck Jonathan's failure to beat General Muhammadu Buhari needs some explaining.

Past elections have been marred by serious irregularities and suspicions of rigging. In 2007 observers said the presidential poll was not "credible". In 2011 the vote was considered to be better run but observers said that rigging and fraud still took place.

Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer and its largest economy, but many fail to feel the benefits with nearly half the population living below the poverty line. Continued corruption is seen as partly being to blame.

National income is due to grow by more than 5% this year and next year. APC supporters chanted "change" wherever they went and it seems to have caught the mood. The PDP has been in power since the end of military rule in 1999, and 2015 is the year that Nigerians decided that someone else should have a go at sorting things out.

3. Laurent Gbagbo: Born in 1945, Laurent Gbagbo is a classically educated academic now widely regarded as a leader who was willing to destroy his country, Cote d'Ivoire, by refusing to accept defeat at the ballot box.

After 20 years in opposition, he came to power in 2000 when military leader Robert Guei's attempts to rig elections were defeated by street protests in the main city, Abidjan.

In April 2011, Mr Gbagbo was himself forced from office - captured in a bunker at the presidential palace by UN and French-backed forces supporting his rival Alassane Ouattara, internationally regarded as the winner of elections five month earlier. The conflict killed some 3,000 people. Mr Gbagbo faces four charges of crimes against humanity - murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and "other inhuman acts". He denies the charges, saying he is the victim of a French plot.

Mr Gbagbo has suffered from post-traumatic stress in prison, but judges in 2015 rejected his request to be temporarily released on health grounds.

4. Abdoulaye Wade: He was born in Kebemer, Senegal; officially, he was born in 1926, although some claim he was born several years earlier, and the record-keeping of the time is not considered particularly reliable.

He was President of Senegal from 2000 to 2012. He is also the Secretary-General of the Senegalse Democratic Party (PDS) (PDS) and has led the party since it was founded in 1974. A long-time opposition leader, he ran for President four times, beginning in 1978, before he was elected in 2000. He won re-election in 2007 with a majority in the first round, but in 2012, Abdoulaye Wade conceded defeat to challenger Mack Sall as initial results in the presidential run-off election showed the opposition candidate.

5. Joyce Banda: In African politics, its hard for incumbents to lose an election given all the state resources at their disposal. While bookmakers believed the eleven-horse race would give Banda hot competition very few expected her to lose after just over two years in power. She was expected to stay around a bit longer as the second woman to become president of an African country after Liberias Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Previously touted as transparent, Malawi's election proved chaotic amid polling day havoc and vote counting anomalies. Incumbent Joyce Banda cried foul over preliminary results, but an electoral commission recount upheld opposition leader Peter Mutharika's win. Malawi's leaders, the AU and SADC must continue to promote stability to protect democracy and the will of the Malawian people.

There is also Yahya Jammeh, longtime ruler of The Gambia, has lost the presidential election to the opposition leader, according to the electoral commission. Adama Barrow's victory in the West African country may bring to an end Jammeh's 22-year rule.

Jammeh, who came to power in 1994 as a 29-year-old army officer following a military coup, had won four previous polls. Barrow received 263,515 votes while Jammeh won 212,099, Alieu Momarr Njai, the electoral commission head, said in the capital Banjul.

Eight opposition parties united behind Barrow and the election campaign period featured large opposition rallies and unprecedented expressions of frustration with Jammeh's rule.

The UN Security Council demanded that Gambia's leader Yahya Jammeh hand over power.
This was contained in a response to a letter written by former president Rawlings to him.

In his letter Rawlings called on Nana Akufo-Addo to fight corruption to the barest minimum.

READ ALSO: Hearts of Oak congratulate Vincent Sowah Odotei for winning La Dade Kotopon seat

Your victory is a manifestation of the peoples desire for new leadership and comes with enormous responsibilities including a commitment to pursue an anti-corruption drive across-the-board, his letter said.

In his response, Nana Akufo-Addo said he will fight corruption but also provide good leadership for the people of Ghana.

My goal is to provide effective leadership, which is honest, competent and determined to deliver, and address these challenges, so that we can put our nation onto the path of progress and prosperity, and, thereby, improve rapidly the standards of living of Ghanaians.

READ ALSO: NPP condemns violent attacks on NDC members

He, however, stated that despite this goal I am fully committed to pursuing an anti-corruption drive across-the-board, as you put it, which will be fully anchored in the rule of law and strict respect for due process. That is the best form of security for every citizen of the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo mentioned that for this to happen he will need the unflinching support of every Ghanaian irrespective of their ethnic group or religious or political affiliation. There can be no room in such an undertaking for witch-hunting or acts of political vendetta or harassment. No member of the NDC has anything to fear from my future government.

During the campaign season ahead of the 2016 elections former Road and Transport Minister Dzifa Attivor called on Voltarians to vote for the NDC because she will be jailed if the NPP wins the election.

Attivor, who resigned as transport minister in the wake of the GHC3.6 million metro mass branding saga, said the NPP has a record of persecuting Ewes, citing the prosecution of Victor Selormey and Dan Abodakpi.

Find below the full letter

11th December, 2016

H.E. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings

Former President of the Republic

Accra.

Your Excellency,

This is to acknowledge with thanks your letter of December 10, 2016, with its heart-warming contents.

Our people, as clearly expressed in your letter, are confronted with huge challenges, unprecedented levels of joblessness, high costs of living, widespread and rampant cases of corruption, and deterioration in governance and in the quality of our health and education services  which they want addressed.

My goal is to provide effective leadership, which is honest, competent and determined to deliver, and address these challenges, so that we can put our nation onto the path of progress and prosperity, and, thereby, improve rapidly the standards of living of Ghanaians.

For this to happen, I would need the unalloyed support of every Ghanaian, irrespective of their ethnic group or religious or political affiliation. There can be no room in such an undertaking for witch-hunting or acts of political vendetta or harassment. No member of the NDC has anything to fear from my future government.

I am fully committed to pursuing an anti-corruption drive across-the board, as you put it, which will be fully anchored in the rule of law and strict respect for due process. That is the best form of security for every citizen of the country.

Once again, many thanks for your letter of congratulations.

Warm regards and best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The Executive Director of ACEPA Dr Rasheed Dramani in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM said even though the difference between the majority and minority is huge he expects the NPP to do well especially because electorates are becoming discerning.

You will think that a Parliament with such a huge majority is not good for an emerging democracy particularly from the point of view of checks and balances but we are not living in normal times. The mandate that is handed to the New Patriotic Party is a mandate of oversight and accountability.

If you look at the numbers in Parliament from that point of view you will think that the NPP and the numbers that they have in Parliament, they will do well to use those numbers to make sure they prosecute an agenda that will ensure that some of the outstanding issues for instance, the Freedom of Information law and a number of policy issues that have been lingering for years will be passed.

The NPP in the seventh parliament of the fourth republic will hold 170 seats in the house as compared to the NDC that will hold 102 seats in the house.

Before the current parliament went on recess the speaker of the house Edward Doe Adjaho expressed optimism that most of these bills will be passed.
He said: On my own behalf and that of the police administration, we are here this afternoon to congratulate you on your victory won on 7 December, 2016 and also to assure you that as a police institution, we are not going to fail in our responsibility to the government of the day come 7 January and also the good people of this country. We shall continue to be professional, very transparent, very patriotic, and loyal to the state and for that matter the government of the day.

Again, I wanted to see the security arrangements as I have directed since the day you were declared winner, whether it comes to what your security details want and also whether you are comfortable with it. Once again, congratulations on the victory you won and be rest assured that we will ensure the security of this state. We will support you throughout the inauguration and from there be at your service particularly and to the service of the people of this country, he added.

On his part, Nana Akufo-Addo promised to work together with the Police Service when he is finally sworn into office on January 7, 2017.

"I am confident what I know about the Ghana Police Service we are going to have very good relationship."

"In opposition, there are many things you say about the way the state is being run. I have made some comments some of you may have found it difficult to stomach. It was not done out of malice. It was done out of my understanding of what the national interest required. The important thing is to put everything in perspective and work together," he stated.
jungle Don mature my people.

GET off Social Media and Make your Country Proud. I challenge Docile Nigerians to Take the Battle to Every Arm of Government, Every State Capital and Every Banking Office in Nigeria and See if our President will not Fight with us for the Greater Good of NIGERIA. I think therefore I am; I fight because I Believe and I will not Stop Because on this Land I will Struggle, Hustle and Die fulfilled.

I am a NIGERIAN FIRST, I am a NIGERIAN ALWAYS and I am a NIGERIAN ONLY. My Heaven is the Streets, My Joy is my Activism and My Destiny is a Future where My Family can be Happy and Proud even if I am not there to Share it with them, Let me Die Knowing I gave it a GOOD TRY.
The actor who arrived Lagos, Nigeria on December 4, 2016 was at the IDP camp Maiduguri listening to their stories and draw the attention of the world to their struggles.

The actor popular for his role in the movie "Blood Diamond" wrote on Instagram alongside a photo with Mohammed, "In #Maiduguri in North East #Nigeria, I spent time with Mohammed at the home he shares with his mother, sister, wife and their five children. Mohammed was a farmer and trader, and used to cycle to Maiduguri to trade.

Because of this, he was suspected by Boko Haram of being an informant. He was kidnapped and beaten. He was eventually released, and fled to Maiduguri, where he was reunited with his family. They now live in terrible conditions.

Mohammeds story is shocking, but he is not alone. Almost 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes because of the conflict in Nigeria alone, searching for safety for themselves and their families.
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The arrest was made following complaints from people who claim to have been defrauded by the group of men.

According to Punch News, the embassy is located at Golden Point and Suite on Duduyemi Street in Ejigbo, Lagos, where Trinidad and Tobago visas are issued.

Officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), who made the arrest reportedly lodged at the hotel where activities of the fraudsters were monitored.

Narrating his experience to reporters, Adekunle Adefuye, who is one of the victims said he discovered the embassy through Dorcas Slyver, one of the agents of the scam.

I told her about my intention and zeal to travel to the United States. She told me to come to Lagos that she could procure the American visa for me.

On getting to Lagos, she took me to the Chinese and I was advised to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. They said I would secure employment with at least $3,000 salary.

I paid a total sum of N1.3m in installment for the process, including visa processing and flight fare.

I was arrested immediately I got to Trinidad and Tobago on October 19, 2016, by the countrys immigration officers for coming into the country with a fake visa.

I was arrested with another Nigerian. We spent two days with the police.

"They treated us like criminals trying to enter the country illegally. We were deported on October 22, 2016, and arrived in Nigeria the following day," he said.

ALSO READ: Fake US embassy shut down after 10 years

The RRS officers were able to confirm that the embassy was fake following an interaction with the original Trinidad and Tobago embassy in Nigeria.
The denial was made by Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun via a statement released by her media aide, Festus Akanbi.

The statement reads:

The attention of the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has been drawn to a misleading report, which erroneously claimed that the Federal Government has agreed to pay a $79 million commission to the Swiss government, as part of conditions for repatriation of the Abacha loot.

The Minister of Finance clarified that the amount payable to Nigeria from Switzerland is $321 million, and is being returned to Nigeria for projects which are subject to verification by the World Bank.

The recovery process is ongoing with the Swiss authorities and the World Bank has agreed to undertake the required verification. She stated that there is no deduction of $79 million as suggested in the report which is both misleading and inaccurate. She assured that recovery will be made in full and that there is no commitment nor requirement to pay any commission.
The Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, Dr Abdulrazaq Balogun, said in a statement in Lagos on Sunday that the Town Hall Meeting would focus on the theme Optimising Security Funding in a Recession.

Sustaining the funds in the face of recession might be a tough task, hence the need to fashion out new strategies to help donors and partners continue to see the need for supporting the organisations, Balogun said.

According to him, these strategies will form the thrust of this years meeting, with discussions centering on the economic benefits of maintaining a safe and secured business atmosphere.

For us at the Fund, our focus in the past year has been in the direction of Gov. Ambodes tripod strategy of security, job creation and improved infrastructure.

With security at the forefront, Lagos State increasingly becomes attractive to businesses and investors, which in turn will generate more taxes and pave the way for more infrastructural development.

We really cannot emphasise this enough; and this is why a lot of resources has been committed to the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies in the state, and will continue to do so with the support of our partners and donors, Balogun said.

He said that while funding and supporting security agencies was the bedrock of peaceful co-existence in the state, the involvement of every level in the society was also critical, from the community level to all corporate organisations.

Balogun acknowledged the remarkable achievements made in the outgoing year by the Fund owing to the massive support from donors and partners.

He said that this development had continued to put Lagos as the cutting-edge in urban crime fighting.
Mrs Mohammed is said to have been appointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN.

However, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has said that she will occupy the cabinet post till further notice.

There is a lot of exuberance on the net concerning a UN job for Mrs Amina Mohammed. She remains our Minister of Environment, Shehu said via Twitter on Sunday, December 11.

If there is anything on this that is released officially, we will let Nigerians know. I am pleased to know that she enjoys so much goodwill, he added.

Mrs Mohammed will expectedly serve as deputy to Antonio Guterres, who will assume the office of UN Secretary General on January 1, 2017.

ALSO READ: No more project abandonment  Minister of Environment
President Buhari made this known on Sunday, December 11, 2016 in his 2016 Eid-el-Maulud message to the nation.

"As we use the memorable occasion of this celebration to reflect on our current challenges, I urge you not to lose faith in the ability of this administration to make a difference in the lives of our people," he said.

The president further said the reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine the hopes of Nigerians and neither should it reverse the collective will to succeed or divide Nigerians; rather, it should remind the citizens of the need to stay together, fight together and succeed together.

"We all share a vision of a better Nigeria, and we will all share in the responsibility of building the country of our dreams," he also said.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, also described as untrue and false the story that the two service chiefs had been replaced by the president.

The statement reads: It is necessary to respond to a fictive story published in todays edition of New Telegraph Newspaper to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the replacement of Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as service chiefs.

The newspaper, rather than rush to print an unsubstantiated story, would have done better to confirm the information at its disposal, from many available military and government information channels.

It then would have avoided the self-inflicted wound of publishing a one-legged story that is not completely true, and damaging its brand in the process.

Gen. Olonisakin is due to retire from the Army next week, having satisfied the official number of years in service. He has yet to be replaced.

But the Chief of Naval Staff has a short while more, and President Buhari could, therefore, not have approved his replacement yet.

He, however, frowned at some sections of the media who would rather speculate, than cross-check and double check information, saying it borders on deliberate mischief.

That, surely, is not the way to go, for national cohesion and development.
A statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Col. Tukur Gusau, on Monday in Abuja said his attention was drawn to some online publications purporting that he directed the two service chiefs to hand over on that date.

The statement said: Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement.

The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.
Saraki made the call at the launch of an empowerment scheme in Offa, Kwara, sponsored by Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim, representing Kwara South Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion also climaxed with Sen. Ibrahims 50 years birthday celebration.

brahim also used the opportunity of the empowerment programme to launch his foundation  Rafiu Ibrahim Bilal Foundation (RIB Foundation).

Saraki said there was the need for states to take a cue from the Senate by embarking on the review of the procurement law to draw attention to the patronage of local companies.

He expressed optimism that such amendment would create opportunities for citizens, as government would be forced to prioritise local content in the award of contracts in agencies and parastatals.

The Senate president also canvassed the need to address grey areas in the nations constitution to ensure that a high number of small and medium companies benefit from government businesses.

It is high time we look beyond the objectives of making laws but focus on things that will enhance the social well-being of the people through empowerment.

As we come to the end of the year and prepare for 2017 budget, we must begin to address how to empower our people and create jobs.

The initiative at the Senate with amendment to the Procurement Bill, I believe, will create opportunities for a lot of Nigerians, he said.

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a remark, assured that all on-going projects would be completed before the expiration of his tenure.

He also promised that the International Vocational Centre at Ajase-Ipo would commence operation in the first quarter of next year.

Sen. Ibrahim, in his remark, said the scheme was initiated to give back to the electorate and eradicate poverty.

ALSO READ:Saraki reveals source of his wealth

He said that the RIB Foundation initiative in partnership with Saraki Employment and Empowerment Centre was also targeted at the people at the grassroots.
Blaming incessant collapsed buildings in the country on poor materials usage and quacks in building profession, he insisted that handlers of such buildings should, nonetheless, be held responsible.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recall that Reigners Bible Church, Uyo, collapsed on Saturday in which hundreds of people died and many injured.

He called on Gov. Mr Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom to arrest the contractor of the building for prosecution.

Until fake building contractors and those who sell substandard building materials in this country are being arrested, prosecuted and jailed, cases of building collapse will continue.

What happened on Saturday in Uyo where innocent worshippers lost their lives is unfortunate.

Corruption is not only when one embezzles public fund but when one compromises standard and exposes other people to danger is a bigger corruption and should be punished, he said.

He urged Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other stakeholders in building profession to rise to the challenge by ensuring that only certified building contractors were allowed to handle building projects in the country.

Its time for government and relevant stakeholders in the country to tell Nigerians buildings that are fit and ones that are unfit for living to avert further loss of lives and property in future in building collapse, he said.

ALSO READ:How Governor Udom Emmanuel narrowly escaped death
On the best of worship days, hundreds force their way into the uncompleted structure while hawkers make brisk business within the premises.

Last Saturday was no different.

Apostle Akan Weeks was getting consecrated--that means the church founder was making the step up from an Apostle to a Bishop.

Akan Weeks boasts some powerful connections within the corridors of power in Akwa Ibom State.

That meant State Governor Udom Emmanuel will be visiting.

The crowd surged into the structure. And kept surging.

ALSO READ: Dozens killed as church building collapses in Uyo

"We were having praise and worship. Offering time followed. called for special prayers. And soon after, Governor Emmanuel walked in", one survivor tells Pulse."Everyone was dancing and praising the Lord..."

And then mayhem.

The corrugated iron roof of the Reigners Bible Church came tumbling down.

The building was still under construction. With chants of "praise the Lord...Hallelujah!" still renting the air, iron bars or metal girders began dropping on heads of worshippers.

The structure began caving in from the edges. The Governor was seated on the raised platform.

One iron bar smashed the seat where the Governor was sitting. He ducked.

Everyone was ducking iron bars--or tried to duck iron bars.

Everyone was making a mad dash for the exit doors as screams of agony and cries for help replaced victory songs to God.

The Governor did not run", narrates Personal Assistant to the Governor on Media, Essien Nduese."He simply saw the falling iron coming, it stopped half way, then he walked out.

Scores of other worshippers were not so lucky.

On the parch of red earth where a famous church once occupied a pride of place, close to 100 persons had been buried with several more trapped in the rubble.

24 hours later, Akwa Ibom Police commissioner,Murtala Mani, said his men had counted 27 lifeless bodies. 37 were critically injured, he told the press.

Eyewitnesses however said the death toll had reached triple digits by nightfall on Sunday.

Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital said mortuaries were overflowing with corpses.

There were insinuations that one of the Governor's aides had lost his life while trying to save that of his boss.

However, Nduese said that wasn't the case. The person who was mistaken for an aide was the guy holding the microphone--one of the church members, Nduese offered.

He (the deceased) was not standing with the Governor, neither was he sitting behind the Governor. and the are in the hospital.

Ekerette has a dislocation in his left leg; he also has internal pains. He is better now though he is still in the hospital".

Hospitals in and around Uyo have had their hands full and all medical personnel in the State have been asked to be by the side of the wounded, as rescue operations continue.

In a press statement, Governor Udom ordered a full scale investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse of the church.

ALSO READ: How Governor Udom Emmanuel narrowly escaped death

His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel was present at the church service during the incident and thereafter personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital. The State Government will undertake the medical treatment of the victims.

A high-powered panel of enquiry is being constituted to ascertain the immediate and remote factors leading to the collapse of the church building with a view to forestall the re-occurrence of such incident and bring to book persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building, the statement read.

President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors across Nigeria, have been sending their commiserations across to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

This evening I spoke with Gov. Udom Emmanuel to commiserate with him on the tragic collapse of the Reigners Bible Church in Uyo", said the President.

I asked the Governor to convey to the people of Akwa Ibom state the deep sorrow felt by me, and by the entire country over this tragedy.

I pray that the souls of the deceased will rest in peace, and that the injured will experience quick recovery.

Any tragedy that affects any part of Nigeria affects all of us. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Akwa Ibom.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said: It is indeed an unfortunate incident and words cannot really express our sadness as a government over the loss of several lives, who have become victims of an incident they know nothing about.

It is indeed a pathetic situation and we can only express our condolence and commiserate with the bereaved families over this incident".

Governor Udom has appealed for calm.

"People should be calm. On the part of government, we'll do everything possible to make sure that this will never happen again in this State".

Moments after the disaster however, the consecration service for Apostle Akan continued, one eye-witness told Pulse.

It won't be the first time a church building has given way in deeply religious Nigeria.

In 2014, the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos, killing some 116 worshippers. A coroner's inquest put the collapse down to poor quality of building materials.
Fayose also said that Buhari is not sincere about preserving Nigerias democracy.

The governor made the comments via a statement released by his media aide, Lere Olayinka.

The statement reads in part:

Any President that looks the other way while the rights of his people to freely elect their leaders are being snatched at gunpoint by his own party men is not worthy of being associated with democracy.

Free, fair and credible election is dead in the country and whatever victory recorded by any political party in the election will be nothing but victory at gunpoint.

It is clear that Nigeria is under siege and only prompt intervention by the international community could save democracy in the country from this imminent collapse.

We thought that we have gone past this era of manipulated electoral process after the 2015 general elections, which brought the APC and President Buhari to power, but the Buharis administration has taken us back to the stone age by merging his party, APC with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the police, military and other security agencies.

It is sad that snatching of ballot boxes, hijacking of voting materials and electoral violence which had become a thing of the past have now become part of our electoral process.

It is even more worrisome that despite that votes are counted openly at the polling units, electorates are no longer sure of the results of elections until announcement by INEC, which has become an organ of the APC.

The order of the day in Nigeria now is disobedience to court orders, abuse of human rights, extrajudicial killings and mass burial of innocent Nigerians killed by the Army.

The reality we must all face is that should all these be allowed to continue, Nigeria faces imminent danger and the international community must not allow the country to get to that level of total collapse before it begins to caution President Buhari and his APC.

ALSO READ:Fayose says FG wants to tax Nigerians to death
Governor Nyesom Wike had earlier alleged that Amaechi used security operatives during the election to rig the poll, reports say.

Responding to the allegation, the minister called on Wike to stop disgracing the office of the Governor with his allegations.

According to Premium Times, Amechis spokesman, David Iyiofor, in a statement said "The Minister is not aware of what Wike is talking about.

Wike must allow INEC to collate and announce the results of the rerun elections. As governor, Wike cannot be INEC or dictate to INEC how and when to announce election results.

Its sad, very sad that Wike is desecrating the office of the governor of Rivers State with all these spurious and silly allegations.
The PDP also rejected INECs announcement of Senator Magnus Abe as the winner of the Rivers South East Senatorial District election, adding that elections never held in the area.

The party also accused INEC of withholding the results so it can favour candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Vanguard, PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye said the party has the authentic election results, adding that it was clear that its candidates won.

Adeyeye said The only result that has been released which declared Magnus Abe of the APC Winner, is an unprecended massive manipulation of the electoral process in active connivance with the security agencies. The whole world know that elections did not take place in the Rivers South East Senatorial District. We therefore reject the declaration of Magnus Abe with the fabricated results, and demand INEC to conduct election in that Constituency. We promise to avail ourselves every opportunity to seek redress on this matter in the interest of democracy and that of the constituents who are denied their right to vote

 We have the results declared at the various polling units which show that, Senator George Abiye Sekibo of the PDP won the Rivers East Senatorial District while Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu also of the PDP won the Rivers West Senatorial District, respectively.

Equally, we make bold to state that Hon. Abiante and Ikunyi Ibani both of the PDP won their respective elections into Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Andoni State Constituency, respectively.

INEC is currently witholding these results in cohort with security agencies to pave way for the APC to manipulate the outcome of the Elections. We urge INEC to immediately release the affected results intact. Anything short of this is unacceptable and the INEC, security agencies and the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi should be held responsible in whatever manner the people of Rivers State decide to react for robbing them of their votes.

We again condemn in totality, the adverse role of the Nigerian Army, the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other security agencies during this Re-run Elections in Rivers State. It was a nightmare and a complete reversal of their constitutional mandates of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Country and the protection of lives and properties. There are incontrovertible evidences that the security agencies worked for the APC against the interest of the Rivers people.They followed the directives of the APC Chairman, John Oyegun and Governor Ganduje of Kano State during the Mega Rally of the APC. They killed, they maimed, they harrased all in the desperate need to help the APC win at all cost. Very sad!

It is trite that the Army dishonorably left their primary assignments and worked assiduously with INEC in collusion with the APC leaders in Rivers State led by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and mindlessly wrote the results that produced Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers South-East Senatorial District. This action depicts sheer rape on democracy.

 It is no gainsaying that this Re-run Elections in Rivers State was not only a contest between political parties but mostly the PDP in contest with the Army, the Police, the INEC, the APC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Honourable Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Co.

We therefore call on all Nigerians to rise up to this challenge and stop the Federal Government, the APC and INEC from organizing undemocratic elections as witnessed in most part of Rivers State and other previous elections in the Country since the assumption of this government. If Nigerian elections travesty continues, its goodnight to democracy.
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Saraki gave the advice in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, to mark this years Eid-el-Maulud (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad).

He also urged the Muslims to use the occasion to practice Prophet Muhammads precepts of piety, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence within our communities in the collective effort to overcome the current national challenges.

With the current economic hardship in the country, there is no better time in applying the teachings of the holy Prophet on how to live a life of simplicity, he said.

He also called on them to lend helping hand to the needy in our midst.

This occasion also offers us the opportunity to redouble our efforts in assisting hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East to enable them return home and live their normal lives.
According to Daily Post, Enang said the Senate rejected the proposal because they needed more info on the borrowing plan.

The presidential aide said What is happening is that there are strategic information that should be made available to them before considering it and the DG, Budget was already working on it.

He said the Senate understands that economic recession confronting the nation deserves sincere approach.

Enang also said that the proposed external borrowing of the President would properly fund the budget in the interest of National development.
This was made known by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, while speaking at the 11th National Delegates Conference (NDC) of the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN) in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Represented by the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Company, Fayemi revealed that his ministry would work in collaboration with transaction advisers and relevant agencies of government like Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and Buraeu for Private Enterprises (BPE) to achieve that.

Furthermore, the minister noted that federal government has resolved to break the four decade long jinx of liquid steel production in Nigeria.

In his words: The execution of the Modified Concession Agreement on the National Iron Ore Mining Company, (NIOMCO) Itakpe, was one of the actions taken by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari with the sole intent of unlocking the public steel sector from all arbitral encumbrances since 2008.

Henceforth government is to focus on its role as administrator/ regulator and no longer owner/operator.

This implies that the efforts of the ministry are geared towards creating the favourable investment climate for private operators to thrive in the steel industry, he said.
"No, we didn't discuss at all sanctions, and there was no member state asking for additional work on sanctions" against Russia, Mogherini said after a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

EU leaders backed down from threatening sanctions on Moscow over the carnage in Aleppo at their last summit in October amid deep divisions in the bloc about how tough to be on Russia.

But with Russian-backed Syrian forces on the verge of retaking Aleppo from rebels, the EU warned at the weekend it could add to a long list of figures and groups in Syria it has already hit with travel bans and asset freezes.

There had been hints that EU leaders could also act against Russia when they meet on Thursday, especially after the resignation last week of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, one of the biggest opponents of sanctions.

Mogherini, a former Italian foreign minister, insisted the EU remained united over Syria.

"You find our unity every time we speak," Mogherini told a press conference in Brussels.

"You find the unity of the Europeans not only in statements and our diplomatic action but also in our humanitarian action."
Eric Iga Iga, one of two lawyers who represented Ping in Constitutional Court in September when he sought to challenge Bongo's victory, vanished without explanation on Thursday, Iga Iga's associates said.

"He told me on the phone that a suspicious car was waiting at his house and he was trying to find out more," John Nambo, Ping's chief of staff, told AFP.

Jean-Remy Bantsantsa, the other lawyer who represented Ping, said of the disappearance: "We have been round to all the police stations and the gendarmerie posts."

The Constitutional Court in September upheld Bongo's victory, but Ping nevertheless declared himself "president-elect" when he returned to Gabon after spending time in Paris, Brussels and Washington in the aftermath of the election.

International powers have largely recognised the result while calling for political dialogue in Gabon.

On Monday, a European Union election observer mission is due to present its report on the August 27 presidential election.

At least three people were killed in post-electoral violence, according to the government, while the opposition says at least 26 died and several others are still missing.

Ping, a former top official at the African Union, has said the final report of the EU's observer mission would "reveal the truth of the deception".
The channel's Mauritania bureau chief Zeinebou Mint Erebih and cameraman Mohamed Ould Beidar were taken away from their upmarket hotel by plainclothes officers and detained on Sunday night, sources close to the journalists said.

They were quickly released and transported to Banjul airport where they were deported to neighbouring Senegal, according to Mauritanian sources.

The pair are believed to have entered the country on Tuesday, five days after a contested presidential election was held.

Al-Jazeera journalists were refused accreditation prior to the December 1 vote won by opposition leader Adama Barrow after 22 years of rule by President Yahya Jammeh, who is now challenging the result.

The network is well known in The Gambia for broadcasting several hard-hitting reports including of street protests in April that led to the jailing of dozens of opposition figures.

Separate sources close to the Gambian communications ministry said the journalists had recently requested an interview with minister Sheriff Bojang, but were told Al-Jazeera was "banned" in the country.
"VMRO-DPMNE is the winner of this election," Nikola Gruevski, party leader and prime minister since 2006, told supporters at the party's headquarters.

However, shortly afterwards the opposition Social Democrats (SDSM) also claimed to have won.

"We are the winners!" Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev told a cheering crowd of supporters in front of the government building in central Skopje.

"We have one more seat, we are waiting for the final results ... but the trend is clearly in our favour."

According to analysts, with the results too close to call it was not possible to provide a reliable projection on the number of seats each side will have in parliament until the last votes are counted.

For voters, the most important outcome will be to get a government capable of regaining stability after the long political crisis.

"What do I expect? I expect this agony to end," 55-year-old Zoran Milevski told AFP after he cast his ballot at a school-turned-polling station in central Skopje.

The vote was called as part of a European Union-brokered deal between Macedonia's four main political parties after a mass wiretapping scandal erupted in February 2015 and sparked rival street protests.

No major incidents were reported during the day, electoral officials said, although observers warned of some irregularities. However, none of the parties has complained about the process or results so far.

The turnout was higher than at previous elections, around 66 percent.

Albanian kingmakers

Wiretapping allegations led Gruevski of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party to step down in January after nearly 10 years in power -- paving the way for Sunday's snap election.

The vote, which was twice delayed owing to international concerns over fraud, pitched the ex-PM against his nemesis Zaev.

It was Zaev who released tapes last year that appeared to show the government had wiretapped thousands, including journalists and religious officials, as well as alleging high-level corruption.

Gruevski denied the claims and accused Zaev of planning a coup with foreign support.

Zaev, 42, has pitched the vote as a choice between "doom or life" and pledged to stop an exodus of young people from the former Yugoslav republic, which remains one of Europe's poorest countries.

"Whoever wins the election will have huge challenges and issues to solve," Zaneta Trajkoska, director at the Institute of Communication Studies, told AFP.

Following the neck-and-neck results for the VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, ethnic Albanian parties will likely emerge as the kingmaker, in a country where a quarter of the population is Albanian.

Albanian insurgents fought Macedonian forces in an uprising 15 years ago, leading to an agreement giving the minority group more rights.

'Under pressure'

Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and NATO but accession has been blocked by Athens owing to a dispute over the country's name -- Greece has a northern region also called Macedonia.

The latest EU progress report on Macedonia said democracy and rule of law had been "constantly challenged" in particular by "state capture", referring to the considerable influence of private interests on state decisions.

Analysts however suggest Europe has brushed aside concerns because of Gruevski's role as a "gatekeeper" in the refugee crisis, in which hundreds of thousands of migrants have entered landlocked Macedonia from Greece on their way to western Europe.
During a formal ceremony at the General Assembly, Guterres will be sworn in before outlining in an address to all 193 UN member-states his plans to confront global crises and reform the 71-year-old United Nations.

The first former head of government at the UN helm, Guterres will take over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, just weeks before President-elect Trump moves into the White House.

The choice of the former refugee chief as the ninth secretary-general energized many diplomats who see Guterres as a skilled politician, able to overcome divisions that have crippled the United Nations, notably over Syria.

The 67-year-old former prime minister of Portugal has put ending the five-year carnage in Syria at the top of his to-do list and is keen to put forward a new plan to achieve a settlement, diplomats say.

Trump's election however is complicating that strategy.

"This is tough for Guterres," said Richard Gowan, a UN expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations. "He enjoyed a wave of diplomatic goodwill at the UN and looked set for a straightforward transition."

"Now he will find it hard to propose big institutional reforms or float new political initiatives until the Trump team is settled in and made its intentions clear."

Trump's victory has put a question mark over the Paris climate deal championed by Ban during his 10 years at the UN helm and stirred unease over the prospect of a new-style diplomatic dealmaking from the White House that could sideline the United Nations.

Getting the US on board

Trump has not made any statements about his view of the United Nations or multilateralism since his election, but his choice of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as US ambassador was seen in some circles as a positive signal.

While Haley has no foreign policy experience, she has been a player in negotiating trade deals for her state and earned respect in foreign circles for taking a stand against racism by pulling the Confederate flag from the state capitol.

The key to getting the new Trump administration on board may lie in Guterres' plans for reforming the world body to "turn it into something the US can support," said a Security Council diplomat.

He will have to show that "he is shaking up the system enough in order to really make it effective, slimming it down in some places, realigning it in others, in a very pro-active way," said the diplomat, who asked not to be named.

The United States is by far the biggest financial contributor, providing 22 percent of the UN's operating budget and funding 28 percent of peacekeeping missions which currently cost $8 billion annually.

Key appointments

Over the past months, Guterres has toured the capitals of the powerful five permanent Security Council members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - for talks on his new tenure.

"He will be a political secretary-general," said a Security Council diplomat, who was briefed on Guterres' plans. "He plans to put saving lives - peace and security issues - definitely at the center."

Guterres may on Monday announce the appointment of the deputy secretary-general and of his chief of staff - two powerful posts in the new leadership team.

Nigeria's Environment Minister Amina Mohammed is tipped to be the UN's new number two while the chief of staff post is also expected to be filled by a woman, in line with Guterres' pledge to push gender equality at the United Nations.
The lawyers association alleged that Fagbenle wants to help Jammeh remain in office, adding that they are close friends.

According to Punch, the legal luminaries added that There is a total breakdown of the rule of law and the Chief Justice has been known to carry out executive directives in matters of the state interest.

Whenever there is an intention to constitute a Supreme Court, he (Fagbenle) and the Attorney General would handpick qualified lawyers or judges from commonwealth countries who would visit the Gambia for a two-week duration and are appointed by the President for that purpose to dispose of cases.

ALSO READ: Yahya Jammeh to challenge election loss at top court

It is clear that Jammeh did not expect to lose the election and did not deem it fit to have a sitting permanent Supreme Court. This has inured to his benefit for the last two years during which several cases have sat unheard by a Supreme Court. Case in point is the appeal by the United Democratic Party against the conviction of its party leaders.

After conceding defeat to Adama Barrow,Jammeh back-tracked and announced that he would no longer accept defeat in recent elections.
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
After sitting vacant for a year, the former Riefes restaurant in Davenport will get a makeover beginning Thursday and will become the Fuji Sushi Grill.

Jessie Chen and her cousin, Michelle Zheng, are co-owners of Fuji LLC, which owns both the Great Wall restaurant across the street from the Riefes building at 1417 W. Locust St., and Sakura Express Japanese Restaurant on 53rd Avenue in Bettendorf. They said they immediately began thinking about buying the Riefes building when they heard that brothers Rick and Dan Riefe were closing the restaurant and retiring.

Sakura has been very popular, Zheng said. Weve also had a lot of people come into Great Wall and ask us when were going to put sushi on the menu. So this is a good location to put it.

We were thinking of places where we could open another restaurant and serve sushi when this building became available, Chen said. This area already is like a food court, with Taco Bell, Wendys, Hungry Hobo and other restaurants. Now we can give people another choice, and it will be totally different from the other restaurants.

Chen said her brother, Ivan, has more than 20 years of experience as a Japanese and sushi chef.

While construction is expected to begin Thursday, Chen said there will be a lot of tearing out before things get put back together.

For one thing, most of the kitchen will be gutted, she said. All of the booths and chairs that were used in the back of Riefes restaurant will be sold.

The kitchen and basement are full of plates, cups, saucers, cooking and eating utensils, mixers and many other things that Riefes needed to operate. There are even several Christmas wreaths hanging in the basement that once were used as decoration during the holiday season.

We may need to have a garage sale, Chen said.

Zheng said construction should take at least two months, barring any unseen obstacles.

Fuji LLC purchased the building from the Riefes in April.

Rick and Dan Riefe closed their third-generation family restaurant Dec. 23, 2015, ending a 66-year run.

Their grandfather and father, Orville and Delmar, opened their first restaurant in 1946 in Bettendorf. In 1949, Riefe's moved into an existing drive-in restaurant. In 1961, a new building was constructed at the site to offer seated dining and a drive-through window.

Chen and Zheng also are part of an extended family of relatives in the restaurant business. They have Chinese restaurants throughout the Quad-City region including Bettendorf, Davenport, Rock Island as well as Geneseo, Illinois, and Maquoketa, Iowa.
The iconic Joseph W. Bettendorf mansion that overlooks the city, now a private school, will add a boarding school in 2017.

Rivermont Collegiate, originally home of the head of the former Bettendorf Company, was later organized as St. Katharine's, a boarding and day school for girls. Today, it is the only preschool through Grade 12 private college preparatory school in the Quad-Cities. It is co-educational.

Headmaster Max Roach sees the transition as a win for all involved; the plan has been welcomed by the school community. The boarding would be for students in grades 9-12, and those grades would benefit from a few dozen more students.

"For example, with a Vietnamese student sitting next to a student from Moline, along with a student from China, think of how they can discuss the Gulf of Tonkin incident," he wrote in a letter to the school community.

Further, boarding fees will help to support the school. The program also will allow the language program, which now includes Mandarin Chinese, to include Arabic, as well as other instructional benefits.

Officials also plan for a new building on the property to include classroom space and a new student center for the teens.

Niche, a website for researching elementary and secondary schools, recently ranked the school the top private high school in Iowa.

Niche ranks more than 100,000 public and private schools and districts based on dozens of statistics and 27 million opinions from 300,000 students and parents. Rivermont scored high on factors including SAT/ACT scores, student-teacher ratio, the quality of colleges that students consider, and reviews from students and parents.

It is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf.
Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship

Iowa high school seniors can apply for $2,000 scholarships for learning important financial literacy skills. In addition, each recipients high school will receive a corresponding $500 award to be used toward scholarship and financial literacy programs.

The students must complete two online financial literacy tutorials and the 30 who score highest on a related assessment will be awarded the scholarships. Registered students also will receive emails highlighting financial literacy tips, such as the importance of early career and college planning and ways to reduce student loan indebtedness.

Rebecca Fuhrmeister, a 2016 Pleasant Valley High School graduate and recipient of a 20152016 Senior Scholarship, said, This process was very eye-opening. I had always heard about how we need to borrow responsibly in college ... and I never knew how much was too much to borrow.

The scholarship is open to legal U.S. citizens who are permanent residents of Iowa; are seniors at an Iowa high school during the 20162017 school year; and attend college in fall 2017. For more information, visit IowaStudentLoan.org/SeniorScholarship.

Quad-City Engineering and Science Council

The Quad City Engineering and Science Council with its member societies, local businesses, and regional universities annual provide one-time scholarships to high school seniors studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics at an accredited four-year college or university. Applicants must be a Quad-City area resident in the Illinois Counties of Carroll, Henry, Knox, Lee, Mercer, Rock Island or Whiteside, or in the Iowa Counties of Clinton, Scott, Muscatine or Louisa.

The deadline is Jan. 24.

For more information, visit qcesc.org/qcesc_students.html#Scholarships.

Iowa Arts Council

Iowa high school students who will attend an Iowa college or university next fall with a major in an arts discipline may apply for the Iowa Arts Councils 2016-2017 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts by Feb. 1.

Students must be full-time undergraduates at fully accredited Iowa colleges or universities and pursue majors in dance, literature, music, theater, traditional arts or visual arts. This years recipients will each receive $1,500 toward their 2017-2018 academic year expenses.

Applications are available at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com, and students must write an essay about their artistic vision and the role of art in their lives, and provide work samples and one letter of recommendation from a teacher or professional. For more information, contact Veronica OHern at veronica.ohern@iowa.gov.

Iowa 4-H Foundation

Applications for the Iowa 4-H Foundation scholarship program are now available. More than 90 scholarships, valued at more than $90,000 in total, will be awarded.

Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 and are open to former and current 4-H members graduating from high school and planning to attend or currently attending college full-time. The deadline is Feb. 1.

For more information, visit iowa4hfoundation.org/scholarships.

Community Foundation of the Great River Bend

Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is accepting applications for its 32 scholarships for next year. Some offer more than one award.

They include funds for students planning to study skilled trades, including automotive, health sciences and technology. Two new scholarships have been added this year  the Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School and the Gustav A. and Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship.

The deadline is Feb. 15.

For more information, visit cfgrb.org/student-scholarships.html.

Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation

Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation for Education offer $2,000 scholarships for students interested in careers in the auto industry.

Applicants must be committed to pursuing careers at an automobile dealership as an automotive, diesel, or collision repair technician, salesperson, accountant, marketing specialist or business administrator.

Fifteen scholarships are available. The deadline is March 1.

For more information, visit IADA.com.

Ascentra Credit Union

Ascentra Credit Union will award 10 scholarships totaling $10,000 to credit union members planning to further their education in the 2017-2018 school year. Five $1,000 scholarships will be given to high school students planning to enter college and five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to members age 19 or older who are considered non-traditional or continuing education students.

Applications are available at branches or at ascentra.org/scholarships. The application includes a 500-word essay on the topic, How do credit unions distinguish themselves from other financial institutions?

Entries will be judged on the essay, student resume, awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer services and work experience. The deadline is March 1.
DES MOINES  Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday they expect a smooth transition of power next year.

That presumes he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as President-elect Donald Trumps U.S. ambassador to China and resigns, turning the governorship over to Reynolds.

Branstad said he will continue in his role as governor by presenting the Condition of the State address and a two-year state budget proposal on Jan. 10. He said he will work as a team with Reynolds during the two-tracks of his confirmation process and the 2017 session until the historic change of leadership at the top state executive post takes place once he has secured his new federal assignment.

The reality is that were really not going to do anything differently, said Reynolds, who expects to be sworn in once Branstad resigns as governor.

She then will appoint a new lieutenant governor to work with her in an administration that generally will carry on many of the same practices and people as the current Branstad-Reynolds team. Both Branstad and Reynolds said the transition of power they envision is spelled out in the Iowa Constitution and state code.

Its unique. I never imagined this, Branstad told reporters during his weekly news conference on Monday.

Given the uncertainty of the timetable for his Senate confirmation, Branstad said he could well be governor during much, if not all, of the 87th Iowa General Assemblys 2017 session, which is scheduled to run 110 days.

Branstad said there is a huge amount of paperwork associated with his new appointment, but he doesnt know when hell begin that process given that Trump wont be inaugurated until Jan. 20. Then there is a 42-day review process before confirmation proceedings would be scheduled with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He hoped to meet with every committee member in advance of his confirmation hearing, but he didnt think he would need to be in Washington more than a few days during the session.

The governor said he and his wife talked with current U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus last weekend and expects to have more discussions as his appointment proceeds for an office with a big staff that oversees the embassy and five consulates in China. He declined to discuss recent developments as it relates to Trumps approach to Americas One China policy involving China and Taiwan, saying it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in given his appointment is pending.

Its not for sure. Ive got to be confirmed by the Senate before I become the ambassador, Branstad told reporters. "Im taking that responsibility very seriously.

Its not my role to be setting policy, but rather to be one that helps implement policy and act as a go-between. There are a lot of challenges out there today. I understand that I have been appointed to a delicate and difficult position, and I will do my very best.

Branstad later told leaders of the Iowa Older Iowans Legislature that his daughter may take a leave of absence from her teaching job and move her family to China to be with him and his wife, Chris, once they have settled into his new assignment.

Reynolds said that ensuring a smooth transition when she becomes Iowas first female governor is paramount and she expects to maintain the same partnership with the lieutenant governor she appoints as she has enjoyed with Branstad for six years.

Shes in on all the decision-making, Branstad said. She has from the beginning. We will continue to work as a team.

Branstad said the upcoming state budgeting cycle will be challenging, and he is very hopeful the new GOP-led Legislature will approve state supplemental aid to schools for the next two fiscal years within the first 30 days of the new session, which opens Jan. 9.

Last week, House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said she expects the Legislature would set fiscal 2018 state funding for K-12 schools early in the session, but she was reluctant to commit to a second year of funding more than 18 months out given the uncertainty surrounding state tax collections.
BROADBAND EXPANSION: Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a joint call Monday for a public-private partnership to assist communities' broadband efforts as Iowa strives to become the most-connected state in the Midwest. Branstad and Reynolds used their weekly news conference to announce a Blue Ribbon Initiative  a public private effort to raise $2 million to expand broadband planning throughout the state of Iowa and to engage Iowa communities with the tools needed to enhance their technology standing in the digital economy. According to recent FCC and U.S. Census data, access to advanced, fixed broadband service is available to about one-third of Iowa's geography, coupled with a state broadband adoption rate of 75 percent, according to the governor's office. "I want to connect every acre of Iowa with robust, high-speed Internet service in all forms, because it will help our communities preserve what is best about our past and create new opportunities for our bright future," Branstad said. To read about other Connected communities, visit connectmycommunity.org/connected-community-stories/.
Amid reports that Russian-backed cyberattacks sought to influence the U.S. election, lawmakers representing the Quad-Cities broadly supported investigations into the matter Monday.

Still, none would venture to say whether they believed reports that such attacks were aimed at benefiting President-elect Donald Trump.

The Washington Post, citing officials it did not identify, reported Friday that the CIA had concluded Russian intervention was aimed at helping Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump has dismissed the notion that the Russians intervened on his behalf. The Post also reported the FBI was ambiguous about the Russians' intent.

The allegations have roiled Washington, D.C., and sparked calls for investigations.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Monday said he backed an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Both he and incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have said any inquiry should steer clear of partisanship.

"Any threat to our nation's cybersecurity is totally unacceptable and must be fully investigated, which includes bipartisan congressional investigations," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a statement Monday.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he already has been asking questions of intelligence officials. But in a separate statement, he turned to criticism of the Obama administration and Democrats.

"We need to get to the bottom of the Obama administration's failure to stop these attacks and determine accountability," Grassley said.

Iowa's senior senator also added that cyberattacks shouldn't be confused with influence.

"Did exposing inappropriate and unethical actions on the part of Democratic officials actually change votes, let alone change the election?" Grassley asked. "Congressional oversight can be an effective tool to understand what may or may not have occurred by Russian hackers."

Neither said whether they believed reports that the CIA concluded the Russian actions were aimed at helping Trump win.

Meanwhile, Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, also said there should be bipartisan investigations. Loebsack said there should be a bipartisan commission formed to look into the matter.

"This issue is paramount and should not fall victim to the partisan games that normally consume Washington," Loebsack said in a statement. "Congress must act swiftly and hold accountable any actor who played a role in influencing or otherwise compromising the recent election."

In her own statement, Bustos said, "Now that the intelligence community has concluded that Russians actively worked to undermine our elections, the American people deserve a thorough and bipartisan investigation to uncover the extent of their influence. This is a time for leadership, not political games or partisanship. We must go where the facts lead us and do everything in our power to protect American democracy."
President Barack Obama cares deeply about his legacy.

So will he dare pardon Hillary Clinton?

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?

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. wants a pardon for himself, and one for his convicted wife, former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, as well as pardons for many others.

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 Illinois 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.

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.

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.

But deeds are more important than words. And in the matter of Hillary Clinton and pardons, I hope Mr. Obama remembers this.
I see the Times unleashed the conservative attack dogs on its editorial board to go after the already down-beaten public pensioners. Payback for being wrong on Hillary?

IPERS is solvent because it's been well managed over the years, whereas the governments of some nearby states have criminally robbed their public employees' funds for years. No, IPERS's solvency has nothing to do with the fact that Iowa is "less populated and more rural," unless transparency is more easily maintained in a small state.

The editorial gleefully cites the demise of pensions in the private sector, a sad thing. In the public pensions, both employees and employer pay into the program. Historically, the pension plan has been one of the benefits agreed upon in exchange for lower wages than industry used to pay. Now, having done away with the unions, private industry is having a heyday, making tremendous profits which have not, and likely will not in the future, trickle down. What's so unreasonable about paying a living wage?

One class of public employees I know something about--- teachers--- are often cited by conservatives as particularly egregiously compensated. The truth is, teachers, though highly educated, have always been moderately salaried compared to other professionals and industry peers. And, if you ever get the chance to follow a teacher around for a day on the job, you will be amazed to see that they are always on-duty. After hours there's more work, including homework to be corrected, lesson planing, grading, and a new one---emailing helicopter parents. Maybe you think we should go back to the days of compensating teachers with a load of firewood? Who would sign up?

Mary Simon

Bettendorf
SPRINGFIELD  While students at Illinois public university are busy cramming for final exams, campus leaders are facing tests of their own.

Theyre being forced once again to put plans in place for operating without state funding after going nearly the entire 2015-16 school year without receiving any support amid the ongoing budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly.

A six-month spending plan that has kept schools afloat through the fall semester runs out Dec. 31, and theres no indication that Rauner and top Democrats are anywhere close to reaching a deal on a budget for the rest of the year.

The four top legislative leaders and the governor had been meeting behind closed doors during the Legislatures fall veto session and afterward. But Rauner canceled a Thursday meeting after House Democrats indicated that they wouldnt present a budget proposal as the governor had requested. Democrats say its the governors constitutional obligation to present a budget plan.

As of Friday, there were no more meetings scheduled before the stopgap spending plan runs out.

Lawmakers arent due back in Springfield until Jan. 9, leaving only two days of lame-duck session before the new General Assembly is sworn in.

Theres a great deal of uncertainty because we just dont know when lawmakers are going to come together on an agreement, said John Charles, executive director for governmental and public affairs at Southern Illinois University. That creates a lot of angst.

Illinois State University chief of staff Jay Groves said public universities have been here before.

This year looks very much like last year, Groves said, adding that the difference is the money from two funding deals Rauner signed into law this spring and summer.

The six-month spending plan approved June 30 released $1 billion for higher education, including roughly $646 million for operations at the states nine public university systems.

Coupled with $350 million in operating money from an emergency funding measure in April, the stopgap brought the schools hit hardest by the impasse  Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Chicago State universities  up to 90 percent of what they received for the 2014-15 school year. The remaining universities were brought up to 82 percent funding.

While the stopgap funding could be used for expenses through Dec. 31, universities largely devoted the money to expenses from last school year.

As a result of the lack of funding last year, universities laid off hundreds of employees, left hundreds more vacant positions unfilled and instituted furlough days, among other cost-cutting measures.

Officials were reluctant to discuss what would happen if lawmakers and the governor arent able to reach a budget deal until well into the spring.

Well have to make those decisions at that time, said Matt Bierman, budget director at Western Illinois. We are of the belief that we are doing a good job advocating for our needs and that Springfield understands our needs and will react accordingly when the time is right.

Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois and Chicago State each recently received a share of $17 million in additional emergency funding from the Illinois Board of High Education.

Bierman said his school will use the $8.4 million it received to cover payroll. Eastern Illinois also will use its $5.6 million for payroll and other operating expenses, officials have said.

Like Bierman, Illinois States Groves said its too early to speculate about what might happen if the budget impasse isnt resolved soon.

We are hoping that the General Assembly and the governor  will get together on a predictable and appropriate budget for public higher education, Groves said.

To that end, the University of Illinois has proposed legislation that would guarantee funding levels for the systems three campuses for five years in exchange for the university agreeing to a series of performance measures, including enrolling at a minimum number of in-state students. The bill didnt advance during the fall veto session.

Other university leaders have discussed the concept, which the Board of Higher Education also favors, but they have yet to publicly back it.
PIERRE | Farmers and ranchers in the Northern Plains hired fewer workers this year than in 2015 and paid them less this October during the key harvest period than they did a year earlier.

That's the news from a farm labor report issued in November by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ag statistics office in Lincoln, Neb.

The report said farmers and ranchers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas hired 34,000 workers this summer, down 8 percent from the same period in 2015.

They kept the same number of workers the week of Oct. 9-15 this year, but that was 15 percent below the 40,000 they hired the same week in 2015.

Comparing July 2016 with July 2015, farm laborers earned more this year, and livestock workers earned less and worked fewer hours.

But the October wages fell this year from last year's figures, the Capital Journal reported.

It follows lower cattle and crop prices this year over 2015, for the most part.

USDA officials have said they expect net farm income to fall again this year for the second year in a row.

Cattle producers in the state said prices for the feeder calves coming off pastures this fall are about 50 percent of the record levels seen two years ago at sale barns.

USDA reported that farm operators in the Northern Plains Region paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.49 per hour during the July 2016 reference week, up 4 percent from the July 2015 reference week.

Field workers received an average of $15.17 per hour, up $1.51. Livestock workers earned $12.83 per hour, down 48 cents.

The field and livestock worker combined wage rate at $14.10 was up 60 cents from the 2015 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 44 hours during the July 2016 reference week, compared with 39.6 hours worked during the July 2015 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.56 per hour during the October 2016 reference week, down 1 percent from the October 2015 reference week.

Field workers received an average of $15.33 per hour, up 74 cents. Livestock workers earned $12.50 per hour, compared with $13.86 a year earlier.

The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at 14.15, was down 15 cents from the October 2015 reference week.

Hired laborers worked an average of 44.8 hours during the October 2016 reference week, compared with 41 hours worked during the October 2015 reference week.
There may be a fraudulent fishmonger on the loose in the Rapid City area.

So says Eric Sharpe, co-owner of Dakota Seafood Co. of Rapid City, who said a person or persons unknown, driving a dark-colored pickup equipped with a freezer compartment, is attempting to peddle frozen seafood door to door, falsely claiming to represent the company.

Sharpe said a regular customer from Gordon, Neb., was approached at her home Tuesday by someone claiming to be from Dakota Seafood Co. The customer suspected something fishy and contacted Sharpe.

They knocked on the wrong door, he said.

Sharpe and partners Mark Scharn of Rapid City and David Nielsen of Lead started Dakota Seafood Co. in June 2015.

They specialize in a wide variety of seafood purchased from seaports on both coasts, the Gulf of Mexico and even abroad and flown daily to landlocked Rapid City, offering the hours-old fresh catch to residents through their retail outlet at 2218 Jackson Blvd., and also selling wholesale to restaurants.

Sharpe said his company never sells door to door and does not deal in frozen seafood. The partners have notified law enforcement as well as their attorneys, he said.

While imitation may indeed be the biggest form of flattery, Sharpe said there is more than the issue of misrepresentation of his company name, which, he said, is copyrighted in South Dakota and surrounding states.

My big concern is that theyre selling something thats subpar and maybe going to get somebody sick, and then our name is associated with it, he said.

Sgt. Kelvin Masur of the Rapid City Police Department's criminal investigations division said he wasn't aware of any complaint or investigation of a misrepresentation involving Dakota Seafood Co.

Companies legitimately selling seafood, meat, fruit, or other products door to door have operated in the area for many years, he said.

Masur said a vendor misrepresenting a company name would be a civil, not criminal, issue. All door-to-door vendors working in the state, however, must possess and display a state sales tax license.

Most people buying from vendors dont check for sales tax licenses or pay attention to a company name, he said.

If they dont have a sales tax license, thats a criminal offense. If theyre using someone elses name to sell the product, thats a civil matter that can be handled in civil court, Masur said.

Sharpe said incidents of individuals falsely claiming to represent his company date to last summer.

The company made light of the apparent reappearance of the alleged imposter in a Facebook post, accompanied by an image of a goldfish masquerading as a shark.

Dont be fooled, the post said.

Sharpe urged residents to be aware of whom they are buying from and buy only from reputable people they know and trust.

And if theres any question, contact the company," he said. "We want to protect our customers."
Ive worked hard over the last two years delivering on my promise to help get the Senate working more efficiently and effectively for the people of South Dakota. Because when hard-working taxpayers ask themselves if Washington is listening  if Washington is paying attention to their struggles  I want them to know the answer is yes, loud and clear. An accountable government begins with accountable representatives, and my work in Washington is committed to that end.

One of the most effective and gratifying ways for me to be responsive to South Dakotans is to fight for policy initiatives that correct problems theyve encountered or help avoid those problems from happening again. The work Ive done to help prevent future out-of-control prescribed burns is a good example.

The Pautre fire was supposed to be a 100-acre prescribed burn in Western South Dakota. And while prescribed burns can be an effective land-management tool, this fire did far more harm than good. Because of unsafe fire conditions, it quickly grew beyond the U.S. Forest Services (USFSs) control and torched 16,000 acres of public and private land and destroyed millions of dollars of property along the way.

Thanks to legislation I authored, the USFS will now be required to consult with state and local officials  the people who know the land better than anyone else  prior to starting a prescribed burn in South Dakota or any other state when fire danger is extreme and conditions are unsafe. Its a common-sense idea that will have a real and meaningful impact on ranchers and those with property adjoining or near USFS land.

Another good example is my nearly year-long fight to ensure South Dakota schools that depend on the Impact Aid program didnt face hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding cuts, which would have had a negative effect on their students. I teamed up with a bipartisan group of senators whose states would have also faced massive funding cuts to correct an error in the law and protect these schools and students.

These are just a few items Congress tackled in the final days of the 114th Congress, and there are more wins where these came from. Weve been able to get a lot of big things over the finish line over the last few years, and in the areas where theres more work to do, Ill keep my nose to the grindstone, continuing to work hard to deliver the positive results South Dakotans want and expect.
Montanas road and traffic safety systems have become dangerously underfunded. A solution is obvious: Raise the state fuel tax to meet these public safety demands.

The states 27-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and diesel provides the state funds for highways and partially funds the Montana Highway Patrol. That tax hasnt been raised in many years and now falls short of maintaining the road and patrol services at levels budgeted in 2015.

Every dollar of state money spent on highway-related projects leverages several federal dollars. Montana has been getting 87 percent of its highway funding from the federal government. But to get the federal money, there must be state money to partially match the U.S. grants.

Neither Gov. Steve Bullocks biennial budget proposal nor bill drafts from the Legislatures interim committee on revenue and transportation offer a fix for the shortfall in the transportation and justice departments.

But cities, counties, economic development councils, private contractors and other Montanans have recognized the problem. The Montana Infrastructure Coalition is proposing a 10-cent-per-gallon increase in the states fuel taxes.

That change would generate about $80 million in additional revenue, according to Darryl James, the coalition executive director. The coalition is promoting a plan to split that new revenue with cities and counties whose share of the state fuel tax has been capped at about $16 million.

Without new revenue, the Montana Highway Patrol will have a 10 percent cut ($7.7 million for the biennium) to reduce spending to the level of expected fuel tax revenue, according to Bullocks budget.

The Montana Department of Transportation will take a much bigger hit if the fuel tax isnt changed. The Bullock budget for the next biennium would cut MDOT construction and maintenance by $222 million from the current biennium appropriation.
MOSCOW, December 12 (RAPSI)  The Leninsky District Court of Kirov dismissed a motion filed by Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny who sought prosecutors to be removed from an embezzlement case against him, spokesperson for Navalny reported on Monday.

Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova claimed that prosecutors in the case are the same as in 2013 when Navalny was given a five-year suspended sentence while his business partner Pyotr Ofitserov received a four-year suspended sentence. Mikhailova alleged that the prosecutors are interested in outcome of the retrial.

After Navalny and Ofitserov were convicted and sentenced, they filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The ECHR ruled in February that Russia had violated Navalny's and and Ofitserovs right to a fair trial.

In particular, according to ECHR, sentences against them were issued with numerous violations because a lot of references were made regarding another defendant in the case Vyacheslav Opalyov. The proceedings against Opalyov were treated as a separated criminal case after he admitted his guilt.

Additionally, the ECHR noted that Russian courts failed to review claims by the defense that Kirovles case might have a political motive behind it and did not provide adequate evaluations of such claims. ECHR itself did not find a political motive in the case. The court ruled to compensate Navalny with 48,000 euros of legal costs and Ofitserov with 22,000 euros. Additionally, Russia is to pay 8,000 euro to each applicant in damages.

Russias Justice Ministry filed a request seeking referral of the case to the Grand Chamber of the ECHR, but the request was dismissed.

Russia's Supreme Court overturned in mid-November sentences against Navalny and Ofitserov in Kirovles embezzlement case and sent it for retrial.

Russia's Supreme Court delivered the ruling taking into consideration the judgement of the ECHR.

Navalny refused to attend the new trial.

According to investigators, while serving on a voluntary basis as an adviser to the Kirov Region governor Navalny organized the theft of over 10,000 cubic meters of timber from Kirovles company between May and September 2009.

Investigators claimed that Ofitserov, then Director of Vyatka Timber Company, and Kirovles CEO Opalyov were involved in the scheme.
Moscow City Court upholds freeze on assets of Vladivostok mayor Pushkarev

MOSCOW, December 12 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  The Moscow City Court has upheld a ruling of a lower court to freeze one million rubles ($16,200) in assets belonging to Vladivostok mayor Igor Pushkarev, suspected of abuse of office and bribery, a court official told RAPSI on Monday.

Earllier, Pushkarevs detention was extended until February 28, 2017.

Pushkarev pleaded not guilty to charges brought against him and expressed his willingness to cooperate with investigators. His brother, CEO of Vostokcement company Andrey Pushkarev, was under house arrest on suspicion of complicity in committing the alleged crime.

Earlier, then official representative for Russias Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin announced that between 2009 and 2014 Pushkarev from mercenary or other personal motives organized the acquisition by Roads of Vladivostok of a large volume of construction materials from the group of companies Vostokcement allegedly controlled by his relatives. Investigators believe that construction materials have been purchased at inflated prices. Pushkarev has received upwards of 45 million rubles ($700,000) for this.

The damage allegedly caused by Pushkarev has been estimated at more than 158 million rubles ($2.5 million), according to investigation.
Google lawsuit over $8,000 fine postponed until January 2017

MOSCOW, December 12 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Commercial Court on Monday postponed until January 9, 2017, a hearing in a lawsuit lodged by Google Ireland Ltd. against the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) over a 500,000 rubles ($8,000) fine, according to court records.

Google is to file missing documents by the deadline. Otherwise, the lawsuit would be dismissed.

The watchdog held that Google Ireland Ltd. and Google Inc. had violated anti-monopoly law by abusing their dominance on the Russian market of mobile applications.

The Moscow City Court dismissed a lawsuit against the watchdog in March. On August 17, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld the ruling.

On November 2, the watchdog fined the companies 500,000 rubles each for their failure to comply with its order.

On November 30, FAS announced that it had filed a lawsuit with a commercial court against Google, forcing it to follow the order.

Yet in September, Igor Artemyev, the Head of FAS, stated that the agency was ready to fine Google every two weeks if the company failed to comply with the order.

In case we see the process is dragged out, we will meet every two weeks to impose new fines on them for failing to comply with the order, Artemyev said. It will continue until the final victory [is achieved - ed.] and final court judgement [is passed - ed.], according to Artemyev.

Hearings in the lawsuit filed by Google Inc. were set for December 20.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Eight years after a recession and housing-market collapse scuttled the Perotti Co.'s hopes to build condominiums in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood, the local developer is dusting off plans for a six-story building north of Mayfield Road.

But the Mayfield Station project has reemerged as rental, and not for-sale, homes. Documents filed with the Cleveland Landmarks Commission show 45 apartments, most of them between 350 and 650 square feet.

The $8 million project is slated for a small site - about a sixth of an acre - just east of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's Little Italy-University Circle Rapid station, which opened in 2015. West of the train tracks, an apartment-heavy, mixed-use project called Centric finally appears to be headed for a groundbreaking, after years of delays and reconfigurations. And plans for condos and apartments are in the works for other Little Italy sites, though at least one project, on East 123rd Street, is tied up in litigation related to zoning.

The Perotti family has owned its property, a vacant lot at 11913 Mayfield Road, since 1999. Developer Tim Perotti said he hopes to bring a project online while the rental market is still hot - before lenders pull back too much on apartment financing amid concerns about potential overbuilding.

"If not now, then when?" Perotti said after a Landmarks Commission hearing Thursday. "Land is a sunk cost. We have to maximize the value. The land is far more valuable developed for this use than any use we might contemplate."

Though other developers believe there's a market for condos in the area, Perotti said the hurdles for financing a for-sale version of his Mayfield Road project are too high. In 2008, Perotti wanted to build 17 condos priced between $250,000 and $400,000. But money for construction and buyers' mortgages dried up during a financial crisis that was particularly brutal for the housing market.

Apartments might be easier to finance. But the reimagined project still faces some of zoning challenges - and opposition - that the original plan encountered.

"We don't feel it fits within the neighborhood," Ray Kristosik, executive director of the nonprofit Little Italy Redevelopment Corp., told the Landmarks Commission.

"You're trying to put 10 pounds of something into a two-pound bag," Kristosik added, referring to the building's size and the number of apartments. "And it just doesn't work with the context of Mayfield Road."

Kristosik also expressed reservations about the building's appearance, including balconies over the sidewalk, and its parking garage, which would be accessible from Mayfield. Plans prepared by Dimit Architects show that Perotti plans to build only 16 indoor parking spaces, based on the assumption that many renters will use public transportation instead of cars.

Cleveland's zoning code requires developers outside of downtown to provide one parking space for every apartment. Perotti might need to request a zoning variance for parking, though the developer has what he described as "a backup plan" to secure extra parking for residents in nearby University Circle.

The project will need zoning variances related to the building's floor size and the close proximity of the walls to the site's boundaries. Perotti and his brother, Edward, won similar approvals from the Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals in 2008 for their condo proposal. But those approvals expired a few years ago.

The Landmarks Commission discussion was just a conceptual review. There wasn't a vote. The commission has oversight because the property sits in a historic district. Members seemed supportive of the project, but they encouraged Perotti to work with the neighborhood and find areas of compromise.

Daniel DeAngelo, a project coordinator in the city's housing development office, asked Perotti to consider adding retail space along Mayfield to make the street feel more active. And DeAngelo expressed concerns about putting a garage entrance on Mayfield, in an area where traffic backs up and pedestrians are scurrying between University Circle and Little Italy.

"We think it's a great start," DeAngelo said, "but we feel like they need to take a look at some of these issues and come back."

Perotti hopes to start construction in late spring and finish the building a year later. The apartments might rent for $2.10 to $2.30 per square foot, he said. Based on the floor plans, that means a renter might pay slightly more than $800 a month for a studio or $1,250 to $1,350 a month for many of the one-bedroom units.

Earlier this year, the Cleveland Heights-based developer obtained city approvals for another apartment project, on Euclid Avenue straddling the border of Cleveland's University Circle and East Cleveland. That 57-unit project, called Zen124, is taking a back seat to Mayfield Station and doesn't have a firm start date.

"It was better timing for this location than the other one," Perotti said of Little Italy.
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
Guwahati : The militant groups of North East India had used some bank accounts of tribal people of the region and Jan Dhan accounts to exchange the scraping notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 following demonetization.

A top official of Assam police said that, following the demonetization the militant groups of the region had faced huge fund crisis.

'We have found some vital clues that the militant groups of the region including ULFA(I), NSCN(K), GNLA, NDFB had used some bank accounts of tribal people and Jan Dhan accounts to exchange their scraping denominations,' the top police official said.

Recently, Meghalaya police had apprehended four persons with Rs 35 lakh old notes who tried to exchange the scraping notes of Garo outfit group GNLA to new notes.

The Karimganj district SP Pradip Ranjan Kar recently said that, around Rs 7 crore scraping notes had entered to Assam via Tripura from Bangladesh after centre's demonetization decision.

'All the currencies suspected to be carried by some agents of militant groups to exchange it with new notes,'A Kar said.

Meanwhile, the Income Tax department is monitoring suspicious bank deposits in the region.

A top IT official said that, following the demonetization around Rs 816 crore old notes had deposited in Jan Dhan accounts alone in Assam from November 10 to December 7 last.

Not only Assam, huge denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 had deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts in different states of the region,aA the top IT official said.

The IT official also said that, the zero balance Jan Dhan accounts in the region had dramatically reduced following demonetization.

We also monitoring about any militant group fund has been deposited in these accounts,' the top IT official said.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, December 12 : Assam police on Monday had seized Rs 1.80 crore in new currency notes from an apartment in Guwahati.

According to the reports a CID team of Assam police had seized the huge amount from the Riddhi Siddhi apartment after receiving information from sources.

DIG (CID) Raunak Ali Hazarika said that, the new currency notes were found from the house of a businessman identified as Prem Sing Bedi.

'We have found the huge new currency notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 from the bedroom of the businessman,aA the top police corp said.

Meanwhile, CID has registered a case in connection with the seizure incident.

On the other hand CID had handed over the case to Income Tax department.

Following the demonetization decision announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, this is the first such case where huge amount of new currency notes seized in Assam.

In last week, police had seized Rs 20 lakh in new currency notes from a house at Hatigaon area in the city and arrested four persons.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Four militants of newly floated Adivasi Dragon Fighter (ADF) were apprehended by security forces in Assam's Kokrajhar distrct on Saturday evening, police said on Sunday.

Based on specific information regarding movement of Adhivasi Dragon Fighter (ADF) at near of Amlaiguri Satsang Bihar in the BTAD district, a joint operation was launched by Kokrajhar Police and 210 Cobra Battalion in the remote area.

The joint operational team had reached Amlaiguri and waited for a while about movement of the militants at South Bhomraguri and the team immediately cordoned the area and apprehended four militants.

The nabbed militants were identified as Jonash Murmu, Mangaldoi Murmu, Birbal Soren and Manak Hembrom.

Security personnel had recovered a country made INSAS type rifle with magazine, four country made pistol, five numbers of 7.62 mm live ammunition, one 9 mm live ammunition, six country made bombs and three mobile phones in possession from them.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli

NEPALGUNJ, Dec 12: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has stated that consensus with the ruling parties will be forged if the government revokes the newly registered constitution amendment bill.

At a press conference organized by the Press Chautari, Banke Chapter at Nepalgunj on Monday, leader Oli commented that the country was misled by the politicians who he blamed were confusing the people in the name of identity.

The former Prime Minister said, "The political crisis is caused by those politicians who register a party in the name of class and do ethnicity-based politics."

Oli was of the confidence that the constitution amendment bill registered on November 29 in an attempt to bring on board the dissenting Madheshi Front will not be endorsed by parliament.

The chairman of the main opposition party argued that there was no alternative to the government to revoke the bill as he claimed that the public were not happy with the government's move. RSS
Kathmandu, Nepal : Locales in Gulmi district continued their general strikes on Monday as well to protest the constitution amendment bill registered in the parliament.

As market places, educational institutions and vehicular movements are halted, normal life of the people is badly crippled
Kathmandu, Nepal: Renowned Nepali social worker Pushpa Basnet has been awarded with the CNN Superhero title. Basnet bagged the prestigious award amid a special program organized by CNN in Washington DC of America on Monday.

Basnet was awarded with the title for her contribution in providing shelter and education to the children who were forced to live with their convicted parents in prison. With the award she also received a cash prize of USD 50,000.

She was nominated for the CNN Superhero title with four other previous CNN Heroes Winners Liz McCartney (2008), Efren Penaflorida (2009), Robin Lim (2011) and Chad Pregracke (2013). Basnet had been awarded the CNN Hero title in 2012.

Basnet has established Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) at Budhanilkantha to provide residential facilities including education to the children of convicted parents.

After receiving the title, thanked to the CNN for providing such a prestigious prize. Thank you everyone who voted for me. Especially the CNN team and the Heroes Team and everyone, thank you for making my dream into a reality, she said after receiving the prize.
NEW DELHI: India and

officially brought up the issue of disputes in

Monday as they urged all parties to show utmost respect to UNCLOS which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.

This is significant in the light of China's refusal to acknowledge the ruling by an international tribunal formed under UNCLOS which dismissed Beijing's claimed historical rights over 90 per cent of South China Sea's waters in response to a lawsuit filed by the Philippines.

"Regarding the South China Sea, the two sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the UNCLOS," said the joint statement issued by the two countries after a meeting between PM

and Indonesian President

, popularly known as Jokowi.

India has so far namechecked South China Sea in summit meetings only with the US, Japan and Vietnam. As reported by TOI, it proposed the same ahead of Modi's summit meeting with his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in October but Singapore did not agree to it.

Indonesia is not directly involved in South China Sea disputes but remains worried about the presence of Chinese fishing boats near the Natuna islands, which it claims as part of its exclusive economic zone, and also Chinese attempts in the past to include the island chain in its territorial maps.

In the joint statement, India and Indonesia also exhorted all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions.

In what was Jokowi's first visit to India after he took over as president in 2014, the two leaders focused on upgrading ties in the domain of maritime security and defence cooperation. Jokowi and Modi also issued a separate statement on maritime cooperation in which they underscored the significance of international law, including UNCLOS, in resolving maritime disputes.

"Both leaders recognized that India and Indonesia share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication. Both leaders recognized the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS," said the statement on maritime cooperation.

Speaking after his meeting with Jokowi, Modi said Indonesia was one of India's most valued partners in our Act East policy.

"We have shared economic and strategic interests. We have agreed to prioritise defence and security cooperation," he said, as the 2 leaders agreed to upgrade cooperation in defence, security and counter-terrorism.

According to Indian officials, both sides resolved to significantly enhance bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and terrorists' financing. The two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, emphasizing ``zero tolerance" for acts of terror.

"They called upon all countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities. They also called upon all countries to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, in disrupting terrorist networks and financing channels, and stopping cross-border terrorism," said the statement.

To coincide with the visit,

inaugural flight from Jakarta to Mumbai was flagged off in the morning. This will initially be three days a week and would be made daily flight subsequently, said the government.
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Common wisdom says that after Donald Trump got elected in the United States, Vietnam should be in panic.

True, there could be some objective reasons for alarm, if one is truly obsessed with the free trade agreements.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership may soon go to the dogs and at least one sizeable part of the Vietnamese leadership was counting on it, hoping that it would boost the economy, particularly its garment and agricultural sectors.

However, Vietnam is and always was tough, and on top of it, there are many signs indicating that the public and many government and Party heads are actually demanding a more hardline Communist path, not just more business activities.

Earlier this year, the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, was re-elected, while Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was pushed from power. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported:

Mr Dung was the partys strongest voice in denouncing Beijing and was credited with Vietnams smooth accession to a US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership.

In brief: he was one of the main local advocates of the pro-Western foreign and economic policy, which was setting Vietnam on a dangerous crash course with China. And he is gone

After the recent election results in the United States were announced, Vietnam is set to move much closer towards both China and Russia. President-elect Donald Trumps exceptionalist and often anti-Asian rhetoric is already setting off alarm bells all over the region: from Hanoi to Jakarta, and naturally from Manila to Beijing.

*

Donald Trump is now getting ready to kill the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the 12-nation trade pact). Vietnam, which during the previous years developed (pragmatically) a very close relationship with the Obama administration, is watching nervously. Before the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party earlier this year (and particularly since a new Constitution was adopted in 2013), Vietnam introduced and passed around 100 new laws, some described rightly or wrongly by Western analysts as pro-market economic reforms.

Undeniably, some in the Vietnamese leadership believed that their country would be one of the main beneficiaries of the TPP.

There was even some muted grumbling about the growing strategic relationship between Vietnam and the United States.

To impress the West, particularly the United States, Hanoi kept improving the business climate, easing its trade regulations and yielding to various demands from Western and Asian businesses and corporations.

Most alarmingly, Hanois confrontational stand towards China was changing from rhetorical to tangible, after Vietnam began expanding its runway  and according to Reuters and other Western sources  after it began deploying several rocket launchers in or near the disputed area in the South China Sea.

*

To say that Vietnam changed its basic positions opportunistically and abruptly would be wrong. Even before the US elections, Vietnam began diversifying its foreign policy.

Now Hanoi is hoping for the deal that is being proposed by China: a 16-nation agreement called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which would include Vietnam and the rest of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.

Relations between Hanoi and Beijing have been rapidly improving. It is becoming clear that Vietnam may be following the example of the Philippines, backing off permanently from the confrontational course with the most populous nation on earth. Significantly, the top Vietnamese leadership recently hosted the outspoken anti-imperialist President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte. To quote Gary Sands from the Foreign Policy Blogs:

While the previous administration in Hanoi had angered Beijing by seeking legal advice from Manila in order to potentially file their own claim at The Hague, the new leadership under Quang appears to be backing off confrontation with Beijing, along with Manila. Any jointly-coordinated legal or military effort between Hanoi and Manila appears now to be out of the question for fear of provoking the dragon next door, while we await the outcome of hopefully peaceful bilateral negotiations.

The ideological stand of the Vietnamese leadership became clear following the death of the Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruz. The country announced a day of mourning and Vietnams government and Party officials delivered powerful emotional revolutionary and internationalist speeches.

*

One major problem is that the Western perspective has managed to kidnap almost entirely the narrative on the country  the way all major or minor developments in Vietnam are being perceived and interpreted. This does not necessarily apply to the Vietnamese people, although many of them are actually also consuming Western propaganda at an excessive rate. However, it definitely applies to how the rest of the world understands (or misunderstands) Vietnam.

The slowing down of Doi Moi pro-market reforms is hardly addressed by Western mass media. As they hardly address any social changes in neighboring China. In Europe and the US it is generally perceived that both countries are determinately and happily embracing the market economy concepts.

The reality couldnt be any farther from that. In China and in Vietnam (although still more in China), the majority of the population has been disappointed, even disgusted, by capitalist practices. People are demanding the re-introduction of essential socialist principles. In China, under the leadership of President Xi, the government is yielding to the peoples demands. It appears that Vietnam is paying close attention to its giant neighbor in the North, and is also willing to reconsider its hard-core pro-market stands.

The people of Vietnam may be hopeful, but they are not necessarily content, in the cities and in the countryside. Life is now better than two decades ago, but expectations are also much higher. Socialism Vietnam-style would most likely be welcomed by the majority, and could be coming soon!
Hold on to your butts, World. The multi-hyphenite talent, an all around nice guy for the sick fuck that he is, Lex Ortega, is at it again. The Mexican filmmaker, musician and sound designer has gathered together another cadre of bastards and bints for another round of Mexico Barbaro.

9 Mexican directors come together to narrate traditions and more brutal, ruthless and bizarre legends of our country. Mexico Barbaro shows the world stories that are part of our popular culture, from sweet stories told by our grandmothers, the tooth fairy, witchcraft, the story behind the weeping woman, sexy Devil' servers, a pagan hero, the burnt woman, up to ancestral culinary bloody rites. Traditions and legends that today continue to cause terror among Mexican people.

For this edition of Mexico Barbaro Ortega has enlisted Abraham Sanchez (short film Devastacion), Carlos Melendez (Histeria), Christian Cueva & Ricardo Farias (Morbido short film Voces), Diego Cohen (Luna de Miel), Fernando Urdapilleta (Estrellas Solitarias), Michelle Garza (short film La Rabia de Clara) Sergio Tello (co-writer of Atroz). Ortega (Atroz) will of course be adding his own chapter to this sure to be demented horror anthology.

If the first Mexico Barbaro anthology serves as any indicator as to what to expect in this second film you can expect a diversity of horrors and traditions to be on display. We trust that Ortega has chosen the second band of neer-do-wells wisely and we are in for quite a ride when this film hits the festival circuit in 2017.

Here are the eight short films and their synopsises,
Back in 2012, Ashim Ahluwalia lit up the festival circuit with his remarkable meditation on the '80s sleaze film boom in India, Miss Lovely. That film, starring the now ubiquitous Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the gentler half of a sibling duo providing adult films to Bombay movie houses, opened to rave reviews after its premiere at Cannes. Miss Lovely's carefully crafted approach and period perfect recreations of these films and the seedy underworld in which they lived was one of my favorite films of the year, and I've been waiting ever since to see what Ahluwalia would do next.

It would appear that the wait has been worthwhile.

Last week Eros International released the first teaser for Ahluwalia's follow-up film, Daddy, and it is outstanding. Daddy is the story of real-life gangster turned politician, Arun Gawli. Gawli was a rowdy in the '70s and '80s before taking up with Hindu nationalist organization Shiv Sena after having his operations cracked down on by the police.

In the mid-90s Gawli struck out from Shiv Sena after being denounced and formed his own political party - after having several members of his former organization murdered - eventually earning a spot as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, in spite of (or perhaps because of) his well known criminal activities. In 2012, Gawli was arrested and convicted for the murder of Shiv Sena leader, Kamalakar Jamsandekar, for which he remains imprisoned.

Though this is most definitely an Ashim Ahluwalia film, the look of the trailer definitely brings to mind the wonderfully evocative cinematography of Miss Lovely, it is producer/co-writer/star Arjun Rampal who stands out from this footage. Rampal plays the titular Daddy, and his no nonsense approach to playing this unsavory character is unsettling to say the least. While Rampal, like many Indian film stars, began his career as a model, he's taken increasingly challenging roles over the years and Daddy looks like it's going to be perhaps the most interesting of all.

Don't look for your usual Bollywood fun and frivolity here, Ahluwalia pulls no punches in this first teaser, and even though there are no subs, it's pretty clear what's going on. Daddy punches, stabs, shoots, and murders its way into theaters next year.
 You be the federal sentencing judge: how long a prison term for convicted Philly US Representative? UPDATE: He got 10 years! | Main | Vermont Gov promising to pardon all marijuana offenses on his way out of office 

December 11, 2016

Nobel Peace Prize winner suggests that drug war may be most harmful of all wars currently being waged, combines

The BBC News account of this weekend's Nobel Prize awards highlights a notable comment from a notable Nobel laureate. The article is headlined "Nobel Peace Prize: Santos calls for 'rethink' of war on drugs," and here are some excerpts:

The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, has used his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech to call for the world to "rethink" the war on drugs. He said the zero-tolerance policy might be "even more harmful" than all the other wars being fought worldwide. Mr Santos's government and the country's biggest rebel group, the Farc, signed a peace deal last month. Bob Dylan, the first songwriter ever to receive the Nobel literature prize, did not collect his award in person. He received a standing ovation nevertheless. The conflict with the Farc rebels in Colombia has killed more than 260,000 people and left millions internally displaced. Accepting the prize for his efforts in the peace process, Mr Santos paid tribute to the families of victims of the conflict. He said the "great paradox" of peacemaking was that "the victims are the ones who are most willing to forgive, to reconcile and to face the future with a heart free of hate". In a deviation from his prepared remarks, he asked the representatives of the victims present to stand and be recognised for their own efforts in the peace process, to much applause. He previously pledged to donate the prize money -- eight million Swedish krona ($925,000) -- to help the conflict's victims. "I have served as a leader in times of war -- to defend the freedom and the rights of the Colombian people -- and I have served as a leader in times of making peace," he said. "Allow me to tell you, from my own experience, that it is much harder to make peace than to wage war." Mr Santos said it was "time to change our strategy" on drugs, and that Colombia had "paid the highest cost in deaths and sacrifices" in the so-called war on drugs. The term, coined by US President Richard Nixon more than four decades ago, refers to US-led efforts to stop drug production at its source. In Latin America this has included on-the-ground policing, and fumigation of coca fields from the air. "We have moral authority to state that, after decades of fighting against drug trafficking, the world has still been unable to control this scourge that fuels violence and corruption throughout our global community," he said. "It makes no sense to imprison a peasant who grows marijuana, when nowadays, for example, its cultivation and use are legal in eight states of the United States. "The manner in which this war against drugs is being waged is equally or perhaps even more harmful than all the wars the world is fighting today, combined."

December 11, 2016 at 07:29 PM | Permalink

Comments

The Drug War is not some mistake. It is a lawyer profession operation in big government rent seeking, producing massive transfers of tax moneys to its members. It was declared by a white lawyer. It was maintained by white lawyers. It will be preserved and prosecuted by white lawyers. As an operation to steal tax money and to return nothing of value, it is itself a great crime.

Posted by: David Behar | Dec 11, 2016 8:52:10 PM

The Nobel Peace Prize winner says: ""We have moral authority to state that, after decades of fighting against drug trafficking, the world has still been unable to control this scourge that fuels violence and corruption throughout our global community," he said. "It makes no sense to imprison a peasant who grows marijuana, when nowadays, for example, its cultivation and use are legal in eight states of the United States.

"The manner in which this war against drugs is being waged is equally or perhaps even more harmful than all the wars the world is fighting today, combined."

I agree completely agree.

Posted by: Michael Levine | Dec 12, 2016 9:29:10 AM

Post a comment
 Nobel Peace Prize winner suggests that drug war may be most harmful of all wars currently being waged, combines | Main | "Trump should reform criminal justice system to foster economic growth" 

December 11, 2016

Vermont Gov promising to pardon all marijuana offenses on his way out of office

As reported in this local article from Vermont, "before he leaves office, Gov. Peter Shumlin is planning to pardon people who were convicted of possessing up to one ounce of marijuana." Here are the details:

Vermont removed criminal penalties for small amounts of marijuana possession in 2013. Shumlin said in a statement that pardoning the convictions now is "the right thing to do," and he hopes to review as many applications as possible before he leaves office in the new year. [The official statement is here.] Decriminalization was a good first step in updating our outmoded drug laws," Shumlin said. "It makes no sense that minor marijuana convictions should tarnish the lives of Vermonters indefinitely. The governor will consider pardons for people who have never been convicted of "violent criminal Vermont convictions or felonies," according to a news release. The governor's office believes as many as 10,000 people are eligible for pardons, said James Pepper, a policy adviser and director of intergovernmental affairs for Shumlin.... People interested in a pardon for marijuana possession can apply through the governor's website before Dec. 25 [link here]. The website cautions applicants that their applications may be considered public records and that a pardon "will not necessarily erase a conviction or the record of that conviction." "If you are requesting a pardon because you believe the pardon will have certain legal consequences for you, you should talk to a lawyer," the governor's website states.... A 2015 Vermont law allows people in certain circumstances to expunge criminal records of acts they committed before age 25 that are no longer criminal, including possession of small amounts of marijuana. Shumlin believes Vermont should legalize recreational marijuana. A legalization bill passed the state Senate this year but did not pass the House of Representatives.

This story provides further reinforcement of my long-standing view that marijuana reform = sentencing reform and that everyone interested in sentencing reform should be a supporter of marijuana reform. And, of course, for more on marijuana law, policy and reform, my other blog has been covering these stories:

December 11, 2016 at 10:51 PM | Permalink

Comments

Good idea! Congrats to the governor.

Posted by: Michael Levine | Dec 12, 2016 9:25:53 AM

Post a comment
Journalists working for both the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle have spent the last few days with boots on the ground in Oakland, using property records to survey the various buildings in the real estate portfolio of 62-year-old Chor Ng, which is estimated to be worth about $5 million and consist of 10 or 11 different properties, including the warehouse at 1315 31st Avenue where 36 people lost their lives in a fire last weekend.

The Times comes up with more questions than answers about Ng, but they note that Ms. Ng has been fined by the city multiple times over the past decade, and has paid $26,570.20 in "code enforcement" fees pertaining to the vacant lot next to the Ghost Ship property alone. They speak to tenants and former tenants, including beauty salon owner Griselda Ceja who rented space from the Ng family for 20 years and had numerous problems relating to electricity in the building, which is adjacent to the Ghost Ship. "She never took care of the building, Ms. Ceja tells the paper. We were scared. We were all scared. She also says the salon had a blocked emergency exit that was never addressed, and she has since moved her business.

Other tenants, including an owner at Sum Yee Pastry in Chinatown, said he had no troubles with his building or the Ngs.

Neither Chor Ng nor her daughter Eva Ng, who is known to help her mother manage these properties, have spoken publicly since Eva Ng gave a statement the day after the fire saying that as far as they were concerned no one was living in the Ghost Ship space. Questions have arisen, however, regarding how much the Ngs were aware of the construction that occurred inside the warehouse between 2013 and 2016, and whether they had set foot inside to see the substandard wiring and staircase made of wooden pallets.

The Chronicle visits several other properties around Chinatown that are owned by the Ngs, including a Buddhist temple where they manage to find possibly the only person in the Bay Area who had not heard the news about the fire or its casualties, a Buddhist monk.

These tenants describe Chor Ng as an unobtrusive landlady who came to collect rent in a white Mercedes-Benz, and was generally fairly "hands-off" otherwise.

One tenant who runs a clothing store in a warehouse next door to the Ghost Ship called En Moda says that the Ng family got in touch right after the fire to say they would help them deal with water damage to their property and help them reopen.

Says that tenant, Lorena Dominguez, speaking to the Chronicle, "Weve been here 25 years, and if they were bad landlords, we would have known."



Previously: Friends And Former Friends Paint Conflicting Pictures Of Ghost Ship Founders Derick Almena And Micah Allison
There are at least 55 victims on the San Francisco Police Department's list of homicides for the year, officials say, following a fatal shooting Friday evening.

Police were called to the 4900 block of Third Street, which is between Palou and Quesada Avenues, at 8:24 p.m. Friday night, on reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they discovered a 35-year-old man suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Though he was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the SFPD. According to the San Francisco Medical Examiner's office, the victim has been identified as SF resident Terrence Briggs.

Police say that the suspect is "unknown," and say that the circumstances of the slaying are still under investigation. They confirm that no arrests have been made in the case, which is currently San Francisco's 55th homicide for the year, following two slayings the day prior. As a point of comparison, there were 52 total homicides in SF at the end of 2015, 45 homicides in 2014, 48 in 2013, 68 in 2012, and 50 in 2011.

Previously: Man And Woman Dead In Separate San Francisco Slayings Thursday
SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) - ()
SIOUX CITY | Siouxland people who enjoy bird watching have several opportunities this month to participate in a national count of birds.

Each December the Christmas Bird Count plays out across the nation, when more than 50,000 observers help take a daylong census of early-winter bird populations. The counts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing 116 years of unbroken data on bird trends thus far.

The people who want to be counters will follow specified routes over a 15-mile diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day.

Loess Hills Audubon Society members plan the Siouxland counts. The Sioux City event on Dec. 17 will involve people meeting at Culver's restaurant in the Singing Hills area. People are to contact Jerry Probst, at 712-490-8256, who will give details on where to count that day.

There are four other local Christmas Bird Count events planned.

Dec. 15: Westfield, Iowa, contact Dotty Zales at zales66@hotmail.com.

Dec. 18: Yankton, South Dakota, contact Probst at probsthoney@aol.com.

Dec. 18: Ida Grove, Iowa, contact Don Poggensee at donpog@netllc.net.

Dec. 23: Ponca State Park, in Ponca, Nebraska, contact Bill Huser at bhuser@siouxbeehoney.com.
Nothing makes you think of Christmas as much as rows and rows of red-and-white candy canes strewn on a festive tree.

But did you know these sugary little treats were invented as a way to keep kids quiet in church?

According to FoodReference.com, candy canes were first commissioned in 1670 when the choirmaster of the Cologne (Germany) Cathedral requested the candies -- shaped like a shepherd's crook -- to be handed out to children as a way to keep them occupied during long Christmas services.

Today, more than 1.75 million candy canes are made each Christmas season.

That got us to thinking about the stories behind many of favorite Christmas foods.

For instance, poultry has always been served during holiday meals yet turkey wasn't the fowl of choice for people during Medieval times. Nope, gourmands from the 15th century prefer eating a Christmas peacock, instead.

However, there are many popular foods that have a random Christmas association.

Did you know that Animal Crackers were conceived as a holiday treat when first introduced in 1902? You can tell by the string that still hangs on every miniature box. They're meant to hang on Christmas trees.

While some may like the sweetness of Animal Crackers, others prefer something much more tart. Pickles, anybody?

Well, if you've ever been to the small town of Berrien, Mich. in early December, you'll know it's the "Christmas Pickle Capitol of the World." Indeed, it has an annual Christmas Parade that is led by the Grand Dillmeister.

Yet pickles aren't the only veggies celebrated around Christmastime.

Every Dec. 23rd, residents of Oaxaca City, Mexico celebrate El Festivale de los Rabanos or the Festival of Radishes.

So, if you're perplexed by what to serve holiday guests, you can't got wrong with pickles, radishes and, maybe, an Animal Cracker or two.
SIOUX CITY | Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City will donate life-saving trauma packs Wednesday to the Sioux City Police Department and the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office.

The trauma packs include tourniquet, compression bandages, gauze, gloves and safety cutter. The donation comes from Mercy's Community Benefit Ministry.

The police department is currently training new recruits on Tactical Medical Training (Tac-Med), which provides specialized medical education related to tactical medicine casualty care for law enforcement and the military.

With time being one of the most critical elements for survival, Tac-Med training, along with the proper field supplies, are vital in life-threatening situations until rescue personnel arrive and transport can occur to the nearest trauma center.
SIOUX CITY | A judge will issue his verdict in a Sioux City murder case later this month.

District Judge Steven Andreasen has set a hearing for Dec. 21 at which time he'll release his findings in the case of Isack Abdinur, who is charged with first-degree murder for the June 23, 2015, stabbing death of Cornelia Stead at her apartment at 521 W. 16th St.

Abdinur eventually waived his right to a jury trial, and Andreasen presided over the three-day trial in November.

A medical examiner said at trial that Stead, 43, was stabbed 23 times, including a fatal wound that sliced her aorta and caused massive internal bleeding. A witness testified that she was in the room when Abdinur punched Stead in the face several times before getting a knife from the kitchen and stabbing her in the chest multiple times.

The prosecution and defense each called psychologists, both of whom testified that Abdinur is a violent schizophrenic.

The expert called by the defense said Abdinur was not aware of what he was doing at the time of the attack. The prosecution's expert said he believed Abdinur knew he had done something wrong and understood his actions.

If found guilty of first-degree murder, Abdinur, 36, who was living in Sioux City and is a native of Somalia, would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
SIOUX CITY | While The Rev. Patrick Walshs name adorns the new Bishop Heelan administration building, the past president of the school tips his cap to those that laid the foundation before him.

There are so many people it couldve been named after, he said. But it was an honor.

Walsh retired as Heelans president in 2012, ending a 43-year career in Catholic education.

Years after Walshs exit, his influence remains in the form of a growing campus across Grandview Boulevard from the existing one. The new additions include a Fine Arts wing that opened in 2014 and new high school academic wing under construction and expected to debut in 2018.

Heelan Director of Advancement Tom Betz said it was Walshs leadership that led to the decision to name the administrative building in his honor.

Its not often we put somebodys name on a building, he said. But I think the building itself really saysthank you for everything youve done for Heelan.

Information provided by Heelan said Walsh helped unify the school system, renaming it Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools. He also led efforts to open Kiddie Crusaders preschools and launched the Pride Campaign to help build a new high school.

He took over as president of Heelan when we needed it most, he said. He came in and he had to make some tough decisions.

The Father Patrick Walsh Administration Offices, 50 13th St., opened this year. Betz said the new renovated offices are a welcome change from the former administrative offices, located in an aging building that once served as a convent. Staff and visitors had to traverse three flights of stairs to access the offices.

Betz said the steps were hazardous, and complaints of bats and mold were frequent. Now administrators have a clean office with plenty of space, private meeting rooms and a basement. Betz said its also a warm place for parents and other customers to come and deal with school-related business.

Its been a big blessing, he said.

That blessing started with generosity from Ho-Chunk, Inc. and its CEO Lance Morgan. The new administration building originally housed Liberty National Bank at 205 Pearl St., across the street from the Tyson Events Center.

Ho-Chunk, the economic development corporation for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, had purchased the structure from the city of Sioux City for $7,500 and wanted to move it Ho-Chunk's headquarters in Winnebago, Nebraska. However, the high cost of moving the structure across the Siouxland Veterans Memorial Bridge snuffed out those plans.

So, Ho-Chunk offered the building to Heelan, a step that Betz and Walsh said showed an understanding of the importance of education in Sioux City. Bishop Heelan acquired the structure from Ho-Chunk, Inc. for $1 in October 2015.

If Lance and his team werent nice enough to help us here, wed be still putting band-aids on our situation, Betz said. It was a perfect solution at a perfect time.

What Lance did and what this community is all about is really helping each other and with what he did symbolizes what this community is about, he added.

Betz estimated that with the contribution of the building, the cost to renovate and bring the new office to life was less than $300,000.

Walsh added that the gift of the building, along with the communitys support to add new building projects such as the Fine Arts facility and new high school academic wing help Heelans mission to serve Sioux City.

Its very important for a lot of reasons. Its a sign that we intend to be an educational presence for quite a while and we are here to stay, he said.
SIOUX CITY | A Siouxland man sought by the U.S. Marshals Service Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force was captured by authorities Friday.

The Fugitive Task Force reports Carvell Seaman England, 33, was found in a house on the north side of Sioux City Friday evening and arrested without incident.

England was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for violation of supervised release. He was on supervised release for possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

The U.S. Marshals Service put out a request for information on his whereabouts last month.

The Sioux City Police Department, Woodbury County Sheriffs Office and Iowa State Patrol assisted the U.S. Marshals Service during the arrest of England. England is being held in the Woodbury County Jail.
SIOUX CITY | After nearly five hours of deliberations, jurors left the Woodbury County Courthouse late Monday afternoon without reaching a verdict in the Elias Wanatee murder trial.

The jury called it a day at about 4:30 p.m. They will resume their discussions at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

After hearing three days of witness testimony, the jury received the case just after 11:30 a.m. Monday. Jurors must decide if Wanatee is guilty of the Feb. 17 fatal stabbing of Vernon Mace.

Wanatee, 47, of Sioux City, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for the stabbing of Mace, 50, of Sioux City, at about 2 a.m. that day near West First and Turner streets.

"What does the evidence show about who killed Vernon Mace? The evidence comes from the mouth of Vernon Mace," Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Drew Bockenstedt told jurors during his closing argument Monday morning.

Last week, Tom Abbe and Anna Edwards both testified they were at Abbe's home in the 1900 block of West First Street when a blood-covered Mace came to the door and asked them to call 911. Both said Mace told them that Wanatee had stabbed them. Mace left Abbe's house and flagged down Kim Stahle, who testified that as she drove Mace to the hospital, she asked him who had done this to him. Mace told her that Wanatee had, she said.

Mace was stabbed nine times, the fatal wound puncturing his diaphragm and slicing his liver, causing massive internal bleeding, the medical examiner who performed Mace's autopsy testified. Another serious wound punctured Mace's diaphragm and sliced his spleen. Mace also received a deep slice across his scalp.

The state does not have to prove motive, Bockenstedt said, but evidence showed that there was bad blood between the two, based on an earlier incident in which Mace had pulled a gun on Wanatee, and Wanatee threatened Mace and others with a knife.

"The number of injuries, the pattern of injuries, the nature of the injuries tell you themselves, this was personal," Bockenstedt said.

Defense attorney Jason Dunn told jurors that despite the state's claims, little is known about what happened that night.

"We don't know very much. We don't have any eyewitnesses to the event," Dunn said.

Dunn suggested that Wanatee acted in self-defense, that he was fighting back after Mace had wrapped him in a bear hug. Dunn said that three of the last four people to see Mace before he was stabbed -- Abbe, Lorenzo Cariaga and Mikaeya Wright -- had smoked methamphetamine that night, and their stories didn't match up, leaving too many holes in the state's case.

"It's not your job to fill in the gaps," Dunn said. "Your job is to seek the truth, to do justice. Justice in this case requires you to find Mr. Wanatee not guilty."

In his rebuttal argument, Bockenstedt said Wanatee wouldn't have needed to stab Mace nine times if he was acting in self-defense.

"Those wounds tell you what was going on out there," Bockenstedt said. "The evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of murder in the first degree."

If found guilty as charged, Wanatee would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

If jurors find Wanatee not guilty of first-degree murder, they can find him guilty of one of several lesser offenses: second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, willful injury or assault.
CHICAGO -- As sure as Earth rotates around the sun, college professors condemn high schools for freshmen who can't write decent papers, high school teachers blame middle schools for passing barely literate students along, and middle school teachers tsk-tsk elementary school teachers for kids who aren't comfortable with the basics of writing and arithmetic.

Elementary school teachers would be forgiven for blaming their teacher preparation programs for not adequately equipping them to lay the foundations of academic achievement for their young charges.

According to the latest National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) rating of 875 of the nation's undergraduate programs that prepare elementary school teachers, only 5 percent require teacher candidates to take sufficient courses in literature, science and history/social studies.

The subject of math is an apt example: Only 13 percent of programs require coverage of topics deemed critical by mathematicians.

"Elementary school education is foundational, and if you want to understand how important elementary math is, look no further than today's PISA scores," said Kate Walsh, NCTQ's president, referring to new figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Program for International Student Assessment. They found that 15-year-old U.S. students score below the global average on math.

"If we're trying to figure out why kids are performing so badly in mathematics," Walsh added, "there's no subject more reliant on foundational skills from kindergarten on up. Yet we're looking at what programs do in math and they're all over the map; they do not expect elementary school teachers to master topics found in the elementary curriculum. And if you have a weak grasp, it may be that you are able to solve a fraction but not able to teach it."

The same can be said about science, history and literature. Though 83 percent of surveyed teacher preparation programs require a course in composition, only half require at least two courses in literature and composition, a paltry amount for such wide-ranging subjects. Just three in five require a course in early or modern American history and only 12 percent require courses in at least two science topics.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would want the people with the least amount of subject-area knowledge tasked with giving students a foundation in core content areas, but it's actually rational.

In order to have the expertise needed to pass certification tests in the core subjects, one has to have studied them extensively. But there is little incentive to do so when so few teacher programs require them and state certification exams for elementary school teachers don't test for deep content area knowledge at all.

And then there's the cultural aspect: The prevailing sentiment in education circles seems to be that the most important aspects of teaching are how much you can love your students and how committed to social justice your educational philosophy is, rather than how academically accomplished or pedagogically prepared you are.

NCTQ's report did uncover one bright spot -- reading instruction. Today, 39 percent of undergraduate programs for aspiring elementary school teachers (up from 29 percent in 2014) incorporate content from all five components of early reading instruction -- comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, fluency and phonemic awareness -- that research has determined are essential.

"It's still awful, but it's a full 10 percentage points higher than it was two years ago," said Walsh, "and I'm very heartened by the fact that more programs are paying attention to evidence-based research in reading instruction."

There is much work to be done, however, with obvious upgrades necessary in the crucial areas of providing highly qualified mentors for student teachers (93 percent of programs accept mentors chosen by a district without much vetting) and offering more in-school observation and feedback to gauge effectiveness in teaching and classroom management.

Still, this latest batch of research on teacher preparation programs validates the sometimes-feared adage in education that what is measured improves.

"We went into this with a lot of people saying 'You'll never get higher ed to pay attention to these findings,' but the improvements we observed show they are willing to make changes," said Walsh. "It's not as fast as anyone would like, but there are clear signs of progress."

If teacher training programs can be as eager to better themselves as most of the teachers I know, we should see the quality of preparation improve fairly quickly.
Citigroup Inc. is one of the worlds largest financial institutions. It is the 13th largest bank globally by assets and 8th by market cap with operations in consumer and institutional banking. In the US, Citigroup is the 3rd largest bank by assets and one of the Big Four deemed systemically important and too big to fail.

Citigroup Inc. was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York. The bank was run by Samuel Osgood who led the company with success for many years, even throughout the War of 1812. The bank was later renamed the National City Bank of New York in 1865 and by 1895 is the largest bank in the US. In 1913 it was the first contributor to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a few years later it began to expand into overseas territories.

The bank became the First National City Bank of New York after another merger in 1955 and then later, the New York part was dropped off as part of the 150th-anniversary celebration. By 1974 the company is known as Citicorp which is still the operational branch of the business and a global banking powerhouse. A merger with Travelers insurance group in 1998 resulted in the name Citigroup but the joint venture did not last. By 2002 Travelers was publicly traded once again but Citigroup retained the new name.

Today, the company is headquartered in New York, New York but boasts more than 200 million customer accounts in 160 countries worldwide. As of mid-2022, it operated 2,649 branches in the United States, Mexico, and Asia. The company reports nearly 725 branches in the US and 1499 in Mexico with the rest scattered throughout its territory. Total annual revenue topped $75 billion in 2022.

Citigroup is a diversified financial services holding company that owns Citicorp among other assets. The companys mission is to serve as a trusted partner providing responsible financial solutions to its clients. Citigroup provides financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions. The company operates in two segments, Global Consumer Banking (GCB) and Institutional Clients Group (ICG).

The GCB segment offers traditional banking services including deposit and saving accounts, credit cards, personal loans, home loans, and investment services. This segment operates through local branches and digital means. The ICG segment offers wholesale banking products and services to corporate, institutional, public sector, and high-net-worth clients.
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International Relations  December 12, 2016  Youngsu Won

On December 9, Parliament voted in favor of a presidential impeachment by 234 votes to 56, with 7 invalid votes and 2 abstentions. Over 30,000 protesters were present to celebrate the impeachment. The votes in favor of impeachment exceeded what was expected, though it was slightly lower than the 81 per cent support for impeachment among public opinion.

In spite of mounting pressure since late October to step down, President Park Geun-hye has refused to resign, instead searching for a political solution that involved neither resigning nor impeachment. However, every maneuver to retain the presidency failed and her presidency ceased functioning.

A series of ever-growing million-strong protests forced parliamentarians to finalize the impeachment process. The 2.3 million mega-protest on December 3rd was a critical turning point that halted Parks last attempt to escape impeachment.

South Koreans were angry not just with the ruling Saenuri Party, but also opposition parties, which oscillated, without any plan or determination, at every turn of Parks so-called apology speeches. The huge mobilizations on each weekend of November up to last Saturdays mega-protest maintained increasing pressure on the mainstream political parties, both those in power and in opposition.

The Biggest Political Scandal Ever

This historic battle began as a dispute between the Blue House (presidential palace) and the conservative Daily Chosun , whose concerns as a loyal opposition was despised by Park and her lackeys. Investigative journalists exposed a series of shocking revelations of Choi Soon-sils various power abuses and extortion of public funds under Parks connivance or cooperation, as well as personal amoral behavior.

The prosecution arrested Choi and her accomplices; personal business agents like Cha Eun-taek, a music video director, and Jang Shi-ho, her nephew; presidential secretaries like Ahn Jongbeom and Jeong Hoseong; government high officials like Kim Jong, former Deputy Minister of Culture and Sport Department, and others.

Using her 40 year-long friendship with Park, Choi wielded enormous power following Parks election as President in 2013. The most shocking news was that she revised Parks speeches, which was exposed by JTBCs report based on Chois tablet PC. Choi was also deeply involved in establishing two foundations, Mir Foundation and K Sprot Foundation, which were founded with millions of dollars allegedly donated by major Chaebols, that is, Samsung, Hyundai, SK, Lotte, and so on. In fact, these mysterious foundations were used as a conduit for financial extortion and money laundry.

In addition, Jung Yura, Chos daughter, enjoyed illegitimate privileges such as financial help from the National Horseriding Association and admission to Ewha Womens University through irregular procedures. Choi commanded Cha and Jang as her business agents in securing government contracts related with sport and culture spheres.

Chois hidden power and privilege worked like magic, wielding hundreds of millions of dollars in the budgets, through her private paper companies in Korea and Germany. This little-known woman was a key player behind the president. When this mystery was finally solved, Pandoras box of truth was open.

Park Versus Party Politics

The crisis of Parks regime could be foreseen. In the general election of last April, the ruling Saenuri Party suffered a huge defeat, losing its majority. Several dissidents who were expelled from the ruling party won seats and opposition parties won a majority in spite of splits. Thus, though the defeat was caused by arrogant abuses of the pro-Park faction and unfair selection of candidates, the pro-Park faction held onto leadership of the pary, defying popular opinion.

Lee Jeongheyon took the leadership due to his obstinate loyalty to the president, and his improper remakes were widely ridiculed, thus the Saenuri Party was seriously stricken with crisis. As the Choi-Park scandal exposed, the party was divided along factional line. The minority non-Park faction joined the opposition in criticizing the scandals and the president. The majority pro-Park faction was isolated, and desperate acts by some MPs to defend the president invoked a huge backlash of popular anger.

The opposition parties, the Democratic Party (DP) and Peoples Party (PP), had a majority in parliament, but its initial response to the scandals were rather half-hearted, trailing behind media and public opinion. They could not propose any proper measures to cope with the crisis, wavering between a resolute struggle and a political compromise. At this initial stage, the opposition was rather reluctant to initiate an impeachment because they had no confidence in their capacity to secure a two-third majority.

Though they joined candle light protests, the opposition opportunistically kept some distance from the extra-parliamentary mobilization as they regarded it as their task to pursue a solution within parliament. However, throughout the whole November, mobilization kept on growing on a massive scale beyond their expectation, so much so that the opposition had no other option but to follow popular opinion and initiate the impeachment procedure.

In face of tremendous protests, Park made the final maneuver in her last speech on November 29. Though she mentioned her intention to step down for the first time, she proposed that parliament decide on how she should resign, without mentioning any details. This move was interpreted as a maneuver to evade impeachment. A section of the non-Park faction welcomed her proposal, and decided not to join the impeachment, on the condition that the president clarify the precise date of resignation.

However, the mega-protest of December 3 clearly expressed the will of the indignant people: the immediate, unconditional resignation of the president. Under mounting pressure, the dissidents of the ruling party gave up on a political solution based on compromise and joined the opposition to support impeachment. Thus, it was not the non-Park faction, but the pro-Park faction that exposed in the public eye, and the path to the impeachment was clearly paved.

Medias Role and the Limit of its Hegemony

In this historic battle, the media, especially the conservative media, played a key role, in that every day from late October till now, the media exposed a vast range of power abuse, bribery, and irregularities. Countless unjustified, illegal and illegitimate acts by Park and Choi and their accomplices were reported on a daily basis. Some of the cable TV networks dealt with the scandals around the clock.

In essence, the mass media in South Korea is largely privately owned by conservative media mogul or strongly linked to big businesses. Thus, on the whole, conservative newspapers and cable TV networks supported Park and her conservative government. Some of them were vulgar outlets of anti-communist, anti-North Korea rightwing extremists.

On the other hand, progressive or liberal media are smaller in size and their influence is rather limited. Hangyeoreh Shinmoon and Daily Gyeonghyang criticized the government, but among the TV networks, JTBC, though linked with Samsung, was regarded as the only anti-government media, under the influence of Sohn Seokhee who moved from the government-controlled MBC.

In this crisis, JTBCs exposure of Choi Soon-sils tablet PC on October 24 was the decisive trigger of a whole series of political crises, though TV Chosun prepared for systematic attack through a more extensive coverage of the scandals. The balanced reports and democratic approach of JTBC boosted its credibility and popularity beyond that of pro-government broadcasts KBS and MBC, or other TV networks.

In a barrage of scandal exposures, the media as a whole, whether conservative, liberal or progressive, were united in criticizing the corrupt government, even competing among themselves on this issue. On the whole, extensive media coverage led to a tremendous explosion of anger and indignation, and ultimately to unprecedented mega-protests.

However, the media was shocked at the enormous scale of the mobilization and used their influence to curb the power of the candle light protests. The media preached non-violence, constantly emphasizing the difference between the candle protests and the social movements confrontational approach. Seemingly, the hegemony of the conservative media worked and the candle light protests, though growing to a size beyond its control, remained peaceful and civil.

December 3 was a watershed. After Parks speech, conservative media began to advocate a political solution within the framework of law and order, without directly attacking the candle light mobilization. More and more voices from extreme rightwing pundits were audible. However, the sheer size of the December 3 mobilizations overwhelmed any maneuver of the conservative media, which in turn leaned toward the inevitability of presidential impeachment.

The dialectical, dynamic interaction between media and mass mobilization was the key factor in determining the political path of this crisis. Initially, the media seemed to dominate, but the ever-growing candle light protests persisted and eventually prevailed, pushing through the course of the historic struggle.

The Evolution of the Candle Light Protests

Though the media exposures were shocking, the protest began as usual: a candle light vigil at the Cheonggye Square, a historical site of protest. On the first weekend after the JTBCs revelation, 30,000 people gathered to criticize the president and demanding her resignation.

With daily media coverage of the scandals, popular anger exploded, and anger at Parks speech on November 4 led to 200,000 people joining the candle light protest on November 5, a sign of the beginning of mega-protests. On November 12, a one million strong mega-protest signified an escalation of popular protest. The scale of spontaneous mobilization was highly explosive, breaking records at subsequent weekend rallies as follows:

October 29: 30,000

November 5: 200,000

November 12: 1,000,000

November 19: 1,900,000

November 26: 1,500,000

December 3: 2,320,000

The candle light protests came to dominate politics. The presidents untruthful excuses and even more exposures provoked bigger mobilization on November 19 and 26. Mobilization of millions became a norm. Parks speech on November 29 provoked the largest mobilization in South Korean history. However, reaction was never docile. The police attempted to put a strict limit on protest marches. The police set up lengthy walls of buses as a blockade around the rally spot, and did not allow anyone to approach the Blue House.

However, a court decision defied police bigotry. Repeatedly, the court decided that the duty of the police is to protect citizens that were marching, not stop them. Thus, in each rally candle light marchers could walk nearer and nearer toward the Blue House, and on December 3, people marched up to the 100 meter parameter around the Blue House.

And in an effort to curtail the candle light protests, the police publicized a severely reduced number of rally participants, denying the obvious fact that millions had joined the rallies. However, media cast doubts on the calculating method using by the police and confirmed the authenticity of the protests numbers based on alternative, scientific method.

In face of huge mobilization, pro-Park reactionary groups attempted counter-mobilizations. On the weekend, counter rallies were organized, but their sizes never went beyond several thousand. Even these meager rallies were packed with old people who were paid to join the rallies.

Candles in the Historical Context

Historically, after World War II, Korea was liberated from Japanese imperialism, but divided by Cold War politics, and suffered from a bloody hot war. After three year war, Korea was permanently divided and South Korea was incorporated into the U.S.-led capitalist world system, and politically dominated by anti-communist dictatorships: Rhe Shingman (1948-1960), Park Chunghee (1960-1979) and Chun Doohwan (1980-87).

The popular struggle for democracy led to the April Revolution of 1960, and enjoyed a short freedom in 1980 Democracys Spring, but it constantly faced harsh, until the June Uprising and partial victory in 1987. Since then, South Korea has been regarded as a formal democracy, but under conservative rule, because the June Uprising could not overthrow the military dictatorship completely.

Under the auspices of the IMF crisis, regime change was made possible and the democratization process moved slightly forward under the 10-year liberal regime of Kim Daejung (1997-2002) and Rho Moo-hyun (2003-2007), but unfortunately combined with a neoliberal turn. After a lost decade, conservative forces returned to power with Lee Myeongbak (2008-12), and Park Geun-hye (2013-present).

The present conservative rule was made possible by the economic downturn and poor performance of the liberals. Old generations nostalgia of powerful leaders drove Parks popularity upward, in spite of her anti-people, neoliberal policies.

The 2016 candle light protest can be seen as the historic continuation of the June Uprising of 1987, when students and citizens fought street battles for three weeks, winning a victory in spite of tear gas and massive arrests. The 1987 uprising paved the way for democracy, but the subsequent process failed to deepen democracy. In a sense, Parks government was a reactionary attempt to revive the ghost of the development dictatorship of Park Chunghee.

The 2016 candle light protests have decisively buried the remnants of the dictatorship and provide a more solid foundation for democracy in every sphere of the society. It has again proven that the real motor of history is people power in streets and squares, not institutional politics.

Social Movements and Candle Protest

Social movements in Korea made huge contributions to democratization and social justice. But after ups and downs, as well as constant repression by regimes, two pillars of historical social movements, that is, the student movement and trade union movement, lost their strength.

Of course, in the course of democratization, social movements expanded their area of influence in society and advocated many progressive reforms. However, the historic effort to build a progressive political party failed, even if the Progressive Justice Party (PJP) survived as a minor party in the parliament. The United Progressive Party (UPP) was dissolved in 2014 as a result of the Park governments outrageous attack and its own political mistakes.

The candle light vigils are a comparatively new phenomenon that began as a means to protest in 2002, when two middle school girls were trampled to death by a U.S. military tank. The 2002 candle protests were a key moment in the anti-U.S., anti-imperialist mass struggle.

In 2008, shortly after the Lee MB government was inaugurated, young school girls began protesting against the new governments decision to import U.S. beef without proper supervision. The 2008 candle light protests were different from the previous one, in that the protesters mobilized through the online community, a virtual square where discussion and debates proliferated.

The candle light protests showed a unique dynamic that had not been seen before. All of the different groups, mostly organized via online communities, from young students to housewives, joined candle light vigils and marches. The newly emerging protesters were free of old rules, and freer, more expressive, more diverse and more imaginative. Within this free and diverse environment, more militant action groups emerged and led militant street battles against police brutalities.

The 2008 candle light protest waged a daily 4-month-long struggle. Its climax was a one million strong rally on the anniversary of the June 10, 1987 Uprising. On August 15, the last big rally was held, but thereafter, under severe repression, the candle light protest dwindled as a movement.

However, the 2008 candle light protests raised the issue of democracy under the slogan of Constitution Clause 1: The R.O.K. is a democratic republic and its power comes from the people. Taking the beef issue as its starting point, the protest challenged the authoritarianism of Lees conservative government.

Compared with 2008, the 2016 protest had a more expanded mass base, and the scale of mass mobilization became even larger, though the intensity of struggle or radicalization was lower. Thus, with its determination and enormous scale of mobilization, the 2016 candle light protests won a decisive victory over the whole establishment, unlike the 2008 protests eventual defeat.

In 2008, the social movement and trade unions were perplexed with the emergence of a new, different type of protests and movements. In contrast, in 2016, they were not in conflict with rank-and-file candle carriers. This was an essential strength of the candle protests, defeating divisive maneuvering and ideological attacks.

Formally, the weekend mega rallies were led by a newly formed coalition, the Emergency Peoples Action, comprised of 1,500 civil society organizations. However, spontaneity overwhelmed the organized sectors. For instance, on November 30, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) organized a general strike in which 200,000 workers joined, and held a 100,000 strong rallies and march nationwide. Usually, this would have been seen as a huge mobilization, but in the context of candle light protest, organized labours intervention had a relatively small impact.

The 2016 candle light protest became too big to control. No group or forces could control or dominate it. In some respect, it is a perfect example of collective intellect.

Beyond the Impeachment

The turning point was the mega-protest on December 3. Before it the conservative media had prevailed and wielded ideological hegemony. The media agitated for protest and applauded its decency in avoiding the violent confrontational approach of old social movements. After Parks speech on November 29, the conservative media preferred a compromise, based not on impeachment, but on an orderly retreat, in which rival factions within the ruling party united.

However, millions of candles demanded her immediate resignation and refused any compromise, thus making parliamentary impeachment the only path to a solution, as long as Park refuses to step down. As opposition parties united and were joined by the non-Park faction of the ruling party, the path to impeachment was cleared.

It is said that Park gave up attempting another maneuver to defend herself and chose to wait for impeachment, still with the slim hope that impeachment would be voted down. The pressure was on the pro-Park faction MPs who were trapped between Park and their own electorates. Voting for impeachment would mean a punishment of the president, and a self-punishment of their own party. Voting against impeachment would mean no future career as a politician, as well as triggering an even larger protest against the regime as a whole, or apocalyptic catastrophe.

Eventually, the ever-growing candle light grassroots prevailed over the media and institutional party politics. A long road to democracy was paved by the power of multi-million mega-protests.

South Koreans were given the right to vote under a U.S. military government. Historically, South Korea had no Chartist or Suffragette movement. However, in 1987, they fought for the right to elect a leader directly, and now in 2016, they exercised the right to recall a wrongly chosen leader. Technically, the ouster of Park from power is an impeachment by the parliament, but in realty it is a recall enacted by people power.

The 2016 candle light uprising has won a tremendous historical victory and democracy will be even stronger and more extensive. However, the people power of candle light protests must go beyond impeachment. It is time to start an imaginative experiment of revolutionizing the potential of people power. The candles may go out, but could be rekindled at any time. In this sense, the candles wont die out. 
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
(CNN) Kelli King was driving home from work Friday, listening to the news on the car radio, when she got a very nice surprise.

A ban on same-sex marriage involving members of the Cherokee Nation was overturned by the tribe's attorney general in an opinion issued Friday.

King called her girlfriend, Brittany Nunley, who is Cherokee and shared the good news.

"I think its awesome," Nunley told CNN. "I have been really proud of my Cherokee heritage and to be able to get a marriage license is just awesome."

King, who said the couple met at a church softball game about four and half years ago, said she was excited to hear about the ruling.

"This is just another way we can incorporate her heritage into our lives and are thankful for opportunity," King said.

Attorney General Todd Hembree's opinion specifically says two sections of the 2004 Cherokee Nation Marriage and Family Act are unconstitutional.

He said the tribe's constitution protects certain fundamental rights, among them the right to marry.

"The constitution affords these rights to all Cherokee citizens, regardless of sexual orientation and the Cherokee Nation, or any subdivision, must recognize validly issued civil unions, same-sex marriages, and same-sex domestic partnerships from other jurisdictions," the opinion says.

The US Supreme Court ruled by a 5-4 vote in June 2015 that states cannot ban same-sex marriage.

Nunley said after it became legal in Oklahoma in 2014 and then nationwide through the landmark Supreme Court decision, she wondered whether the Cherokee Nation would also reverse itself.

"I was really excited and really proud to be a Cherokee. Like my nation is doing something for all its people," she said from her home in Locust Grove, about 20 minutes from the tribe's headquarters in Tahlequah.

Marriage is definitely in their future, King said. It's been discussed in the past but they wanted to wait for it to be legal.

"It's probably not too far off now," she said.

Nunley said she's just waiting for someone to pop the question.

The man who was chief in 2004 told the Tulsa World newspaper that he supported Hembree's opinion.

"It was adhering to past Cherokee law," Chad Smith said, explaining why he signed the law 12 years ago. "But our constitution incorporates the provisions of the US Constitution, and the Supreme Court (of the United States) has since made its ruling."

A member of the tribal council disagreed with the decision and told the newspaper that he expected the council would still support the 2004 law.

"We'll have to get together and talk about it," Don Garvin told the newspaper.

The Cherokee Nation website says that with more than 317,000 citizens, it is the largest sovereign tribal nation in the United States.
Nine Democrats and one Republican in the Electoral College sent a request to James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, asking for information on the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to Pink News.

The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference into the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations, the request reads.

It continues, We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.

Ten Electoral College members signed the request, and the one Republican, Christopher Suprun, has said that he will not vote for Trump at the Electoral College meeting.

The CIA released their conclusion that Russia did indeed interfere with the presidential campaign in the favor of now-president-elect Donald Trump.

According to the New York Times, this decision was not the product of any specific intelligence, but was an analysis of what many believe is overwhelming circumstantial evidence  evidence that others feel does not support firm judgements  that the Russians put a thumb on the scale for Mr. Trump, and got the desired outcome.

Hillary Clinton currently has 65 million votes, according to Pink News, which is two million votes more than Trump received.

The popular vote does not decide the presidential winner, but may help the Electoral College to make their final decision.

The ten members will be briefed on the Russian interference situation before the Electoral College meeting, which will take place on December 19.
A Moroccan judge has acquitted two teenage girls put on trial for homosexuality, charges that angered LGBT rights groups who have long argued that same-sex relationships should not be a crime.

The girls, ages 16 and 17, had faced up to three years in prison according to a law forbidding "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex." One of their mothers reported the two to police in October.

The judge in Marrakech ruled Friday that the girls must remain under parental authority until they turn 18.



Their defense lawyer, Rachid El Ghorfi, expressed relief at the acquittal. Ghorfi says, "They should have never been in front of the prosecutor or the judge."



Women and girls rarely are charged under Morocco's law prohibiting homosexual activity.
In April, two men were hacked to death in Bangladesh putting a spotlight on a hidden population in the small Southwest Asian country: LGBT people.

Xulhaz Mannan, the editor of an LGBT magazine, and Mahbub Tonoy were killed in the Bangladeshi capital by six attackers, leaving a third man seriously injured.

Its a really painful thing for us, said Mir Abeureyad, the acting general secretary and a volunteer at Boys of Bangladesh (BoysOfBangladesh.org). We cant express ourselves as an LGBT person in Bangladesh. So its really tough for us.

Mannan and Tonoy were both also involved with BOB. The social group began as a Yahoo group in 2002, members using fake names and in the company of other gay men who could relate. Slowly, the group began to meet in person.

Bangladesh has no laws on the books protecting LGBT people from discrimination, and same-sex marriage and civil unions are not legal. More than 90 percent of the population practices Islam.

Abeureyad said only two cousins and two friends know he is gay.

If it is expressed, then I think it would be a shameful thing for me, he said. They will just hate me, they shall just not talk to me, they will try to avoid me. They will just try to make me leave this community, be straight. Its a sin  be normal, go to doctor.

But with BOB, there was no judgment. Members organized seminars, workshops, picnics, parties, movie nights, and could talk to each other about school and boyfriend troubles.

Rupban magazine, the LGBT publication Mannon was editor of, is the only one of its kind in the country. It also made waves by planning the first Rainbow Rally, which aligned with the Bengali New Years Day. However, after receiving threats from extremists, the police wouldnt allow the parade to happen a third time in 2016, Abeureyad said. Still, some people came together to continue with the parade and four people were arrested.

Then, things got worse. Days later, Mannan and Tonoy were slaughtered by a gang. BOB members were in fear for their lives and being outed  they had moved to more visible social media networks, like Facebook, so they took down the page and disconnected from the Internet.

Everybody was so worried, and we were just seeing on the TV what was happening there, Abeureyad said. We were so scared.

Now, more than half a year later, the hurt is still there with the deaths of their close friends, but shows just how important BOB is to its members. Right now, it has about two dozen members.

I cant even think of myself without BOB, Abeureyad said. BOB is my confidant.
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.




ASASSN-15lh ESO

An extraordinarily brilliant point of light seen in a distant galaxy, and dubbed ASASSN-15lh, was thought to be the brightest supernova ever seen.

But new observations from several observatories, including ESO, have now cast doubt on this classification. Instead, a group of astronomers propose that the source was an even more extreme and very rare event  a rapidly spinning black hole ripping apart a passing star that came too close.

In 2015, the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) detected an event, named ASASSN-15lh, that was recorded as the brightest supernova ever  and categorised as a superluminous supernova, the explosion of an extremely massive star at the end of its life. It was twice as bright as the previous record holder, and at its peak was 20 times brighter than the total light output of the entire Milky Way.

An international team, led by Giorgos Leloudas at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, and the Dark Cosmology Centre, Denmark, has now made additional observations of the distant galaxy, about 4 billion light-years from Earth, where the explosion took place and they have proposed a new explanation for this extraordinary event.

We observed the source for 10 months following the event and have concluded that the explanation is unlikely to lie with an extraordinarily bright supernova. Our results indicate that the event was probably caused by a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole as it destroyed a low-mass star, explains Leloudas.

In this scenario, the extreme gravitational forces of a supermassive black hole, located in the centre of the host galaxy, ripped apart a Sun-like star that wandered too close  a so-called tidal disruption event, something so far only observed about 10 times. In the process, the star was spaghettified and shocks in the colliding debris as well as heat generated in accretion led to a burst of light. This gave the event the appearance of a very bright supernova explosion, even though the star would not have become a supernova on its own as it did not have enough mass.

The team based their new conclusions on observations from a selection of telescopes, both on the ground and in space. Among them was the Very Large Telescope at ESOs Paranal Observatory, the New Technology Telescope at ESOs La Silla Observatory and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope [1]. The observations with the NTT were made as part of the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects (PESSTO).

There are several independent aspects to the observations that suggest that this event was indeed a tidal disruption and not a superluminous supernova, explains coauthor Morgan Fraser from the University of Cambridge, UK (now at University College Dublin, Ireland).

In particular, the data revealed that the event went through three distinct phases over the 10 months of follow-up observations. These data overall more closely resemble what is expected for a tidal disruption than a superluminous supernova. An observed re-brightening in ultraviolet light as well as a temperature increase further reduce the likelihood of a supernova event. Furthermore, the location of the event  a red, massive and passive galaxy  is not the usual home for a superluminous supernova explosion, which normally occur in blue, star-forming dwarf galaxies.

Although the team say a supernova source is therefore very unlikely, they accept that a classical tidal disruption event would not be an adequate explanation for the event either. Team member Nicholas Stone from Columbia University, USA, elaborates: The tidal disruption event we propose cannot be explained with a non-spinning supermassive black hole. We argue that ASASSN-15lh was a tidal disruption event arising from a very particular kind of black hole.

The mass of the host galaxy implies that the supermassive black hole at its centre has a mass of at least 100 million times that of the Sun. A black hole of this mass would normally be unable to disrupt stars outside of its event horizon  the boundary within which nothing is able to escape its gravitational pull. However, if the black hole is a particular kind that happens to be rapidly spinning  a so-called Kerr black hole  the situation changes and this limit no longer applies.

Even with all the collected data we cannot say with 100% certainty that the ASASSN-15lh event was a tidal disruption event, concludes Leloudas. But it is by far the most likely explanation.

Notes

[1] As well as the data from ESOs Very Large Telescope, the New Technology Telescope and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope the team used observations from NASAs Swift telescope, the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT), the Australia Telescope Compact Array, ESAs XMM-Newton, the Wide-Field Spectrograph (WiFeS) and the Magellan Telescope.

More information

This research was presented in a paper entitled The Superluminous Transient ASASSN-15lh as a Tidal Disruption Event from a Kerr Black Hole, by G. Leloudas et al. to appear in the new Nature Astronomy magazine.
Saint Frank Coffee is, by any discerning standard, having a good year. Kevin Bohlins four-year-old specialty coffee shop has become a coffee destination here in San Francisco, and the brand continues to push boundaries in its approach to cafe environments and green coffee buying. This year, the company has opened a side projectSt. Clare Coffeein partnership with human slavery non-profit Not For Sale, to help provide education and jobs to women whove been victims of slavery in both San Francisco and countries of origin. Bohlin has also quietly thrown open the doors on a new roastworks, in a space last occupied by De La Paz. It would be enough to fill any small business owners plate, and yet, theres more.

Earlier this year, Saint Frank opened a stand-alone cafe located in the MPK 20 building at Facebook. MPK 20better known as the Frank Gehry buildingis, with 430,000 square feet and almost no walls, considered to be the largest open office working space in the world. It fits 2,800 employeesincluding Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and the core of Facebooks leadership teamand features a 380,000-square-foot rooftop park with 400 trees and a half-mile walking loop. Within the center of this building sits a shining new cafe bearing Saint Franks logo. And though the opening of the cafe has provided Bohlin with a new source of income, a large space in which to experiment and an extremely appreciative customer base, it hasnt all been sunshine and rosettas. There are big preconceptions when it comes to coffee and tech, something weve covered extensively here at Sprudge. Moving past these norms has been a challengewith results that are perhaps Bohlins greatest success to date.

When Facebooks Culinary Department (you read that correctly) reached out to Bohlin, he wasnt immediately drawn to the idea. I had a lot of conversations with coffee people, he says, and a lot of them flat out scoffed at the idea. But Facebook said, We can build a coffee bar, but were not experts and we want an expert doing this that stands behind what they believe and can deliver that to our people. After a few visits to the space, Bohlin was intrigued. Facebook said, basically, do what you do, be who you are, whatever that means, Bohlin says, and that was awesome.

Though Facebook originally intended for Saint Frank to be a kiosk accessible in the middle of the sprawling rooftop park, this wasnt the right fit for Bohlin. Instead, his vision was a permanent structure built in the center of the main building that would protect not only the integrity of his product but allow him to continue to espouse the values of his company. I said that if we were going to do this, we wanted to build a structure with moveable glass walls that would show all of the sunlight and also protect us from the environment. This wasnt going to be a kiosk; it was an opportunity for something else entirely.

What Bohlin got was a cafe nearly twice the size of his original Polk Street store. A massive space with large moveable windows that allows the light to shine in, a beautifully worked wooden bar with gleaming white tiles that reflects the pragmatic uses (the bar is low in height for better interaction between baristas and customers) of the Polk Street shops bar. I was very clear, Bohlin says. You want us to be us? This is what its going to be.

Bohlin was initially worried that Facebook would flex its tech perk muscles and ask that the coffee be served for free. Instead, Facebook employees are given a 10-percent discount on coffee drinks, a number that Bohlin sees as akin to paying extremely low rent for a space he could never otherwise afford. I was excited that people were going to be paying for their drinks, he says. It makes the coffee stay special. They get a lot of perks, but the perk here is wow, I get the best coffee in the Bay Area, right here.

The perks flow both ways. Bohlin and his team are operating a gorgeous, sunlit cafe with huge windows and sparkling white tile that had an immediate, sizable customer base, allowing Bohlin to grow profit margins across Saint Frank. Increased volume and revenue has enabled Bohlin to hire more employees, and continue his focused work with small holder producers in countries like Honduras, where hes traveled extensively. Most importantly though, Bohlin sees the Facebook cafe as a place for research and development, for experimentation and the testing of new coffee equipment that hed later roll out at his flagship shop. One of these devices is the Marco SP9affectionately known as The Splurtya single-cup automatic brewer that hell test within the walls of Facebook, before introducing it to his customers at the original Saint Frank on Polk Street.

Bohlin is also using the space as a testing ground for new varieties of cold brew. Were playing with different ingredients in the nitro kegs, he says, like, signature drink style. Its super interesting. But if you strip away the new space and the ability for experimentation, this is very much a functioning cafe. The way you order with the barista, the flow, the sustained human engagement, even while youre waiting to payits all still Saint Frank.

Nearly three months in, Bohlin now looks back at those who scoffed at the idea originally with some amount of distaste. To me, that way of thinking was completely unfair, he says, and I think a lot of it is tied up in the controversy with tech in the Bay Area. This idea that tech dehumanizes people. And, Im not saying there arent issues, but Saint Frank is all about humanizingproducers and customers. Were keeping people at the forefront. Many early critics believed that a cafe within a tech company could never be a fun place, but Bohlins experience so far has been totally the opposite.

Everyone is a regular here, and everyone is stoked that youre here, he says. And theyre generous tippers.

Noah Sanders (@sandersnoah) is a Sprudge.com staff writer based in San Francisco, and a contributor to SF Weekly, Side One Track One, and The Bold Italic. Read more Noah Sanders on Sprudge.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Park.
Favourites failed to deliver in Sundays co-features at Rideau Carleton Raceway thanks to a pair of slick steers by veteran reinsman Richard Simard.

The winner in excess of $30 million in purse earnings swept the $6,500 affairs with The Love Bug and Maximus Deo.

The Love Bug made it back-to-back wins at Rideau Carleton Raceway thanks to his front-stepping score in 1:54.1. The Stephen Leblanc trainee battled to the quarter in :27.1 before taking a back seat in the second quarter. He regained the lead in the backstretch and took the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.2. He used a :29.4 closing panel to seal the deal by 2-1/4 lengths over Meersburg. Bazinga Brad rounded out the top three finishers.

The 32-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings to $189,835 for Stephen and Michelle Leblanc of Perth, Ont.

Simard also guided Maximus Deo to a second consecutive victory at Rideau Carleton Raceway thanks to a 1:56.4 triumph in his $6,650 assignment.

The Chelsea Knapp-trained son of Muscles Yankee-Doris Deo was on the lead all way through fractions of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:26.2. A :30.2 closing panel earned the gelding the win by 5-3/4 lengths over Torches Angel in 1:56.4. What A Rush completed the Triactor ticket.

Let go as the second choice in the wagering, Maximus Deo won for the 11th time this season and for the 14th time in his career. Knapp owns the career winner in excess of $80,000.

To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results  Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Announces Ecclesial Chair Team for the 50th Anniversary WWME Convention

Contact: Dick & Diane Baumbach, Worldwide Marriage Encounter ( WWME ), 321-544-3440, dickanddiane66@bellsouth.net

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 / Standard Newswire / -- Peter and Sheila Oprysko and Fr. Tom Griffith, SVD have been named Ecclesial Chair Team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter's (WWME) 50th Anniversary Convention that will be held in Chicago in 2018, it was announced today.

"We are truly honored to be asked to serve in this chair role for the 50th Anniversary Convention," the Opryskos and Fr. Griffith said. "We look forward to having this convention be a beacon of light for WWME couples from across the world."

The ecclesial chair team has served many roles within Worldwide Marriage Encounter including local and regional leaders, pillar coordinators and other lead positions. Fr. Griffith also served as the United States Ecclesial Priest.

The overall theme for the North American convention is "We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe". There will be several unique programs and presentations during the weekend celebration of Worldwide Marriage Encounter from June 22 to 24, 2018 in Lombard, Illinois.

Monthly updates of convention plans and activities will be dispersed through all media sources, including social media, beginning in January, 2017.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been offering weekend experiences for over 48 years and is considered the original faith-based marriage enrichment program. The programs are continually updated to keep abreast of changes in society, and WWME now offers evening and half-day programs that are presented at parishes and other church facilities. The weekend program, traditionally presented as an overnight experience at a hotel or retreat center, can also be presented at the parish where the couples return to their homes in the evenings. WWME has a presence in almost 100 countries, which makes it the largest pro-marriage movement in the world. In North America, the WWME programs are presented in English, Spanish, French, and Korean languages.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers married couples the opportunity to spend time together away from the busyness of the world to focus on each other. Priests are also encouraged to attend a WWME weekend, which offers insights into their relationship with the church and their parishioners, and how their Sacrament of Holy Orders interacts with the Sacrament of Matrimony. WWME offers tools for building and maintaining a strong, Christian marriage in today's world. To learn more about the Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends online, go to wwme.org , or contact the WWME national office at (909) 332-7309.
Contact: Eugene Delgaudio, Public Advocate, 703-845-1808, eugenedelgaudio@rcn.com; twitter: @eugenedelgaudio, @publicfreedom



WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate released Monday, December 12, 2016 at 9 a.m. EDST (in part):

"Some liberal news sites are openly celebrating 'silence' from some in the Christian movement over the improper removal of a conservative Alabama Chief Justice. One site 'gloats' and asks 'who will speak up and defend Judge Roy Moore?'



"As early as October 2, Public Advocate supporters were alerted to the illegal assault and removal of Judge Roy Moore and the actions by a lawless tribunal in Alabama being similar to a lynch mob. I promised and filed a lengthy 55 page legal brief Dec. 7, 2016.



"The liberal fake news sites are now in shock and reeling from our explosive legal brief.



"In our legal appeal of this assault on one Christian Judge doing his sworn constitutional duty, we pointed out, in part, that Chief Justice Roy Moore's Administrative Order should not have been responded to by extremists with removal.



"Our amicus brief filed December 7, explains how the Court of the Judiciary ("COTJ") in finding Judge Moore guilty of ethics violations wrongfully based the entire case on a 2003 ruling that had nothing to do with the current 2016 case in any way.



"The COTJ also violated its own rules requiring a unanimous vote by declaring a majority was enough to suspend a Judge without pay for his entire term.



"Neither the Judicial Inquiry Commission which prosecuted the case, nor the Court of the Judiciary that suspended the Chief Justice, saw any problem with a bare 5 to 4 majority on the U.S. Supreme Court requiring Alabama to ignore its own Constitution and statutes and impose same sex marriage on the people. However, the Supreme Court's opinion was a lawless act of political will, and as one Supreme Court Justice said, had nothing to do with the Constitution.



"So in fact and in logic, Chief Judge Roy Moore is guilty of nothing. Yet he was removed from office as the elected Chief Justice of Alabama," said Delgaudio.
The Turks and Caicos Islands based international remittance provider, CAM Transfer signed an agreement with Jamaica based JMMB Money Transfer, to commence joint operations between those two countries.





Starting December 8, 2016 customers in the Turks and Caicos Islands will be able to send money from CAMs 6 locations to their relatives and friends in Jamaica to be collected at JMMB Money Transfers agents at more than 120 locations.





The services include both cash pick-up and bank deposit. CAM Transfer has more than 30 years experience in that industry, working in several countries.





In Turks and Caicos Islands, CAM is the largest money transfer provider with locations in Grand Turks, Providenciales and South Caicos. The general manager of CAM Turks and Caicos Islands, Mrs. Beatrice Casimir sees great potential in this new venture and because of the sizable market to Jamaica. She said that "we are going to provide customers with new opportunities to help their loved ones, sending money at a better price and exchange rate and experiencing a high standard of quality and security.





Mrs. Casimir is convinced that the collaboration has great prospects and is going to be fruitful. JMMB Money Transfer has diligently been working on widening its international network, giving customers new opportunities and a higher level of convenience.





The general manager, Ms. Sharon Gibson, said "JMMB Money Transfer (JMMBMT) is excited about this new partnership with CAM, as we continue to expand our international reach.





We are very passionate about providing convenient remittance services with low fees and attractive foreign exchange rates.





JMMBMT offers clients the convenience of receiving money from several countries worldwide via cash pick-up from over 120 locations across Jamaica. In addition, JMMBMT clients can also benefit from having their remittances deposited directly to their account(s), at any financial institution in Jamaica.




BY OLIVIA ROSE

LEADER of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Premier Rufus Ewing says once his administration is returned to office, it will forge an equal partnership with the UK through a referendum on the constitution.





Speaking via a live facebook broadcast on November 25, the Premier said a constitutional referendum is high on his party`s agenda once re-elected to power.





He said a constitutional reform will end the indignity of the land lottery and ensure that the people can have access to land.





"My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders over the past four years Ive experienced what governing is like under this British-written constitution without the consideration of local input.





"When this government wants to fight crime, give out land and stimulate local business growth through tax breaks and concessions, I have to go to the CFO and the Governor.





"Thats why I want you to know exactly what you will be voting for on Election Day, so let me be clear, once returned to office on December 15 we will seek an equal partnership with the UK through a referendum on the constitution.





"Over the last four years we have toiled under the existing unequal partnership, this Progressive National Party Government proved that we can get things done for this country despite the limitations of the new constitution.





He pointed out that in the face of constraints his government was still able to accomplish much.





Ewing reminded citizens that a hefty $170 million debt was paid off while managing to dispense thousands of scholarships.





"We turned a shrinking economy into a growing economy; we built schools and extended services available at our free health clinics.





"We increased the number of police officers in the force and invested millions in new equipment and technology to aid in crime fighting.





"And we did everything according to the rule of established law, everything including all that was required to terminate the role of the CFO in our affairs.





"And yes, despite the deliberate misinformation you see in the press, the CFO will leave March 2017 and he will take his post with him and this is a direct result of my Government`s action.





"Having worked closely within the confines of the constitution over the last four years, the PNP Government knows all too well what needs to be changed, after December 15th; we will continue our fight with your help to take our country to the next level.





He also emphasized that the reform would government financial autonomy and operational control over the police force.





"We will be seeking greater strategic oversight and the operational control over our police, there is no question that public safety is an issue in this country and thats we believe those who live here , grew up here, pray here , grieve here and thrive here know best how to police our people.





He argued that empowering Islanders with the knowledge of the community instead of a Governor from the UK will help make communities safer.





He pointed out that a referendum will create more jobs since islanders will be more qualified.





Ewing noted that only a PNP victory will give his party a mandate to hold this referendum.








BY OLIVIA ROSE

PREMIER Rufus Ewing has promised to regularize those Haitians who were born in the Turks and Caicos Islands and steer them on a path of citizenship once elected.





Last Sunday, many residents were infuriated when they learned that the Progressive National Party`s (PNP) Leader visited several Haitian churches to beseech the congregation to vote for his party at the upcoming election.





Many took to social media to express their feelings over the Premier`s visit with a plethora of memes, calling the Premiers visit discourteous and ungodly.





Others bashed the Premier for promising to make Haitians legal through the amendment of existing immigration laws.





According to reliable sources the Premier told Haitians of his administration`s social, economical and cultural strides over the years.





Ewing during an exclusive interview with Magnetic media said he was invited to speak to the people.





"I was invited by the pastors, I didnt barge in and say I want the pulpit, I was invited by several pastors that day, actually I went to three churches, I was invited by all of them to come and speak to their congregation.





He dismissed rumors that he was promising Belonger status to Haitians.





He said: "I wasnt promising Belonger status, I was basically just saying that those individuals, those children who were born here, who came here all of their lives, those individuals who deserve to be here, they have nowhere to go.





"They dont know Haiti, some of them never seen Haiti, right, so we need to regularize those persons, embrace them, empower them so they can move on to the pathway to citizenship. This exists now.
The US space agency NASAs Juno spacecraft is all set to make its third Jupiter flyby where it will make closest approach to the largest planet at 9:04 a.m. PST (12:04 p.m. EST, 17:04 UTC) on December 11. The spacecraft will be moving at 2,580 miles (4,150 kilometers) during the flyby and it will use its seven out of eight instruments to collect the data.

This will be the first time we are planning to operate the full Juno capability to investigate Jupiters interior structure via its gravity field, said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of Juno from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. We are looking forward to what Jupiters gravity may reveal about the gas giants past and its future.

Mission managers have decided not to collect data with the Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instrument during the December flyby, to allow the team to complete an update to the spacecraft software that processes JIRAMs science data. A software patch allowing JIRAMs operation is expected to be available prior to the next perijove pass (PJ4) on Feb. 2, 2017.

The spacecraft team continues to weigh its options regarding modifications of Junos orbital period  how long it takes for the spacecraft to complete one orbit around Jupiter. At present, Junos orbital period is 53.4 days. There had been plans to perform a period adjustment maneuver with the spacecrafts main engine on Oct. 19 to reduce the orbital period to 14 days. The team made the decision to forgo the maneuver in order to further study the performance of a set of valves that are part of the spacecrafts fuel pressurization system. The period reduction maneuver was the final scheduled burn of Junos main engine.

We have a healthy spacecraft that is performing its mission admirably, said Rick Nybakken, project manager for Juno from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. What we do not want to do is add any unnecessary risk, so we are moving forward carefully.

In collaboration with NASA and the Juno team, Apple will release an interactive guide to the mission (an iBook) on Dec. 11.

The Juno spacecraft launched on Aug. 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and arrived at Jupiter on July 4, 2016. During its mission of exploration, Juno soars low over the planets cloud tops  as close as about 2,600 miles (4,100 kilometers). During these flybys, Juno will probe beneath the obscuring cloud cover of Jupiter and study its auroras to learn more about the planets origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere.

Junos name comes from Roman mythology. The mythical god Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief, and his wife  the goddess Juno  was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiters true nature.

JPL manages the Juno mission for the principal investigator, Scott Bolton, of Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. Juno is part of NASAs New Frontiers Program, which is managed at NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for NASAs Science Mission Directorate. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, built the spacecraft. Caltech in Pasadena, California, manages JPL for NASA.
Jios sensational services have kept on overwhelming the Indian telecom market. Jio is the only company who managed to grab with millions of subscriber before its commercial debut. With the offers for free and unlimited voice call, video call, the internet, messaging, and roaming, the Reliance-powered Jio has shaken the entire market, users, and other telecom operators status too.

Only in 83 days of its launch, Jio was able to gain 52 million users. To beat the heat of Jio, yesterday the number one telecom operator Bharti Airtel and the third operator Ideal Cellular launched their new voice call tariff with the sliced price range. And now to the number two Indian telecom company, Vodafone also has come up with a new and reduced tariff for voice call for its prepaid subscribers.

Vodafone India introduced two new voice call packages for its prepaid user. In order to match up Jios unlimited voice call service, Vodafone launched two new unlimited voice call packs with additional data benefit. Under the new inferior scheme, Vodafone users will get unlimited voice call from Vodafone-to-Vodafone with extra data benefit while the higher value will allow users to enjoy unlimited voice call from Vodafone to any other networks for 28-days.

Under the new tariffs, Vodafone will offer unlimited voice calling on the recharges above Rs. 144. The pack is also bundled with free roaming on Vodafone network and 50 Mb free data for 28-days. Those who will recharge Rs. 344 will get unlimited free calls and free roaming on all mobiles network. Alongside unlimited calls and roaming, users also will be privileged with 300 MB free 4G data on non-4G handset users and 1 GB data for 4G handset users. As said by Vodafone India in an official statement, both packages are accessible to all 2G, 3G and 4G subscribers with 28-days validity.

With 200 million prepaid users, Vodafone is currently enjoying the second largest telecom operator in India. With the new plans, Vodafone India will meet up Jios entry-level tariff of Rs. 149 which is going to be introduced on 1st April 2017, after the end of Jios Happy new Year Offer.

Airtel and Idea cellular also have introduced their new voice call tariffs which will cost around Rs. 145 and Rs. 345. In order to counter the effect of Jio, the leading telecom brand has also started slashing their data, and voice call tariffs and the recent additions to this list are Idea Cellular and Bharti Airtel.

To fight with the unlimited free voice call offer of Jio, two leading telecom operators in India, Airtel and Idea trimmed down the tariff of their voice call packs and had come up with new voice call packages with additional data benefits. Both Airtel and Idea have introduced new Free Voice Call Tariffs which will cost the subscribers same value.

Both Airtel and Idea launched the almost similarly priced voice call packs which are also bundled with internet benefits. On Saturday evening, Bharti Airtel launched two new free voice calling packages of Rs 145 and Rs 345 for its prepaid users coupled with high data benefits.

The Rs 145 tariff will facilitate Airtel prepaid users free local and national Airtel-to-Airtel voice calls and 300 MB free data for 28 days. The second tariff will cost Rs 345 and will allow Airtel users to avail free local and national voice call to any network in India together with 1GB data on 4G-ready smartphones.

Similarly, Idea Cellular also introduced two new sliced voice call tariffs including packs of Rs. 148 and Rs. 348. The Rs. 148 pack will enable Idea users enjoying 300MB 4G Data with 28-days Idea-to-Idea unlimited voice call. On the other hand, with the Rs. 348 package, Idea prepaid subscribers will get unlimited voice call to any networks in India with 1GB 4G data for 28-days validity.

Jios unlimited free offer has been taking the market by storm. Since its launch in September this year, the free offers have made millions of Indian telecom drove toward Jios network. In one way, while Jio has kept on benefiting Indian cellular users with an unlimited free voice call, data, message, STD, and roaming, in another way it has dropped the market for other existing telecom players like Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, and Vodafone.

Currently, Reliance Jio is offering cost-free unlimited voice call, and data offer to its users. The offer will end on 31st March. Post the timeline; Jio will charge for data and voice calls. Jio already has introduced its entry-level Rs 149 plan for free data and voice calls which will come into power from 1st April 2017.
Anirudh Regidi

Its been almost three months since Apple courageously dropped the headphone jack from its iPhone 7 and were yet to see Apples much-vaunted AirPods in stores.

Various issues, which Apple has yet to comment on, has resulted in the delay of the AirPods. Even at the time they were announced, the AirPods were expected to ship a month after the release of the iPhone 7.

The Wall Street Journal claims that a source has told its reporters that Apple is having issues with the design of the AirPods. Reportedly, theres an audio sync issue between individual pods and Apple. The company is also determining what to do when only one pod is in use, apparently.

The Daring Fireball blog calls out The Wall Street Journal on its report, however, claiming that its own reviewer faced no sync issues with the prototype AirPods that hes tested. Daring Fireball and various other sources on the internet suggest that the delay is due to difficulties in manufacturing rather than any technological ones.

Apple has never actually said anything on the matter, only stating that, We dont believe in shipping a product before its ready, and we need a little more time before the AirPods are ready for our customers. This was in October.

Priced at $159 (around Rs 10,800) in the US and officially expected at Rs 15,000 in India, the AirPods are different from regular Bluetooth headsets in that the individual pods receive discrete signals from your iPhone, Mac or other Apple device. Apple uses a proprietary chip called the W1 to ensure that audio is synced between the individual pods.

If Apple is indeed having technical trouble with its AirPods and, in effect, its W1 chip, this will mean that third-party manufacturers cant license and build products using the technology until Apple fixes the issue.

Personally, I dont really care that the AirPods are delayed. Theyre overpriced to begin with  youre going to pay more than 15 times the price of your bundled, wired headphones simply for wireless connectivity and nothing else. Initial reports suggest that the audio quality is unchanged.

You're better off buying something else. And there are dozens of other wireless earphones and headphones that will offer far better audio quality than the AirPods for the same price.

No, the larger issue here is that Apple has killed a ubiquitous, much-loved and perfectly functional audio standard in favour of a future that doesnt even exist yet.
Kunal Khullar

Back in May 2014, Google had announced its plans to create a driver-less car, one without a steering wheel or any pedals. It unveiled a fully functioning prototype in December 2014 and began testing it at the San Francisco Bay Area roads in 2015. While the company hopes to make these cars available to public by 2020, the project has taken a roller coaster ride.

Earlier this year a number of members of the self-driving car team left the company. This included technical lead Chris Urmson who was also known as the face of the project. He had announced his departure in a post on Medium after being involved in the autonomous car project for seven-and-a-half years . According to team members, Chris has been a vital force for the project.

At the time of his departure he had said, After leading our cars through the human equivalent of 150 years of driving and helping our project make the leap from pure research to developing a product that we hope someday anyone will be able to use, I am ready for a fresh challenge. I have every confidence that the mission is in capable hands."

It seems that the fresh challenge won't take long as a report claims that Urmson is working on his own self-driving company. There is also a report that says his new self-funded venture might be unveiled early next year. While Urmson himself hasn't revealed any plans, several sources claim that his project will focus on developing self-driving software, data and hardware. This could be sold to car makers who want to add a package to their existing cars and make them autonomous. Of course you should take this with a pinch of salt as nothing has been confirmed.

The only confirmation however is that Urmson has been talking to top engineers in the driverless-car segment who are working with Uber, Apple and Tesla. There is a high chance that he is trying to poach a few to create a highly qualified team of his own.

He has been responsible for building the code running Googles autonomous software, so it doesn't come as a surprise that he is venturing out for a project of his own. Urmson has been approached by many in the industry, but if he is indeed working on making his own A-team, there is a good chance that it might go big and become a threat for those who are poaching him.
tech2 News Staff

Facebook has enabled the "Facebook Safety Check" feature as Cyclone Vardah arrived near Chennai. According to reports, the cyclone will take two hours to cross the land, and the eye of the cyclone is currently passing over Chennai.

The cyclone started landfalling near Chennai uprooting hundreds of trees and disrupting land, air and rail traffic around the area. NDRF teams are on standby along with the Army in Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh as the wind speed has reached about 110-120 km per hour.

Authorities have warned population not to venture out in the open and stay indoors instead. Facebook has turned on the "Safety Check" where people in the area can mark themselves as 'Safe' or 'Out of the area'. This feature helps friends and family know the if the people are safe or not. According to weather reports the affected cities include Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Banglore, Pondicherry, Ponneri and Tirupati.

You can visit the "Safety Check" feature to ask your friends in the area if they are safe or not. Facebook presents you with a list of people from your friend's list in the affected areas. This feature is a backup to the situations when you can't get in touch with a telephone call or SMS and the only access on the other end maybe wired internet connection.
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The hacker group "Legion" that broke into the Twitter accounts of the Congress Party, its Vice President Rahul Gandhi, controversial liquor baron Vijay Mallya and now TV journalists Barkha Dutt and Ravish Kumar has finally come out in the open. In an interview with The Washington Post on Monday -- through an encrypted instant-messaging software, "Legion" said the group has access to servers like that of Apollo Hospitals and it was unsure about releasing data from those servers because it might cause "chaos" in India.

"Legion wasn't even interested in 'political data' until a few weeks ago. ...the group was in possession of several terabytes of raw data concerning all sorts of 'interests' and that within that trove the hackers had identified gigabytes worth of information relating to Indian public figures," the report quoted the user marked LC from "Legion Crew" as saying.

"When I asked him how they came into possession of so much data, he was vague, and said they just ended up with access to over 40k+ servers in India, 'and we decided -- hey, why not write a tool to sift through them for interesting data'," said Max Bearak who writes about foreign affairs for the Washington Post.

"He said the data was choosing the targets for them, not the other way around. Whatever they were finding, they aimed to release. From Dutt's Twitter account, they shared a link to a 'partial' data dump of approximately 1.2 gigabytes of her emails," Bearak said. "Legion" has warned that their next target is former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi.

"As for upcoming targets, LC indicated that he and his fellow hackers had their sights set on bigger things," the report said. "Then again, he said, the hacking was taking away from precious time he'd rather spend doing drugs and making electronic music... He said he particularly disliked spending time in India's capital, New Delhi, and suggested that he might try to go to Russia -- to do some more drugs," it added.

As they hacked the Twitter accounts from India, the group sought public support claiming that they will be doing more such cracking in the coming weeks. "People and brothers who support the cause - Join us! Email us at legion_group@sigaint.org. We require info on f***tards like this one," a tweet said earlier.

"Support Legion. We will bring you the info needed to bring these criminals to justice," it said. "This is just a partial dump. More data will be coming over the course of a few days  We are Legion," another tweet from the shadowy group said.

IANS
tech2 News Staff

Wi-Fi over the skies of India will remain a pipe-dream for now. In August, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajeev Chaubey had stated that we can expect to see in-flight Wi-Fi in the next 10 days. Its now December.

A report on The Wall Street Journal reveals that the plans for in-flight Wi-Fi in India will remain banned, pending approval from the communications ministry. The Home Ministry has reportedly been opposed to the plan, citing security concerns.

As it stands today, any commercial passenger aircraft is required to disable in-flight Wi-Fi access when flying over Indian airspace. This includes international flights.

As Mashable points out, airlines such as Jet Airways already have approval from the Federal Aviation Authority and other regulatory bodies. Even our neighbours, Pakistan and China included, already allow in-flight Wi-Fi.

International flight safety norms are quite stringent and its hard to see whats worrying the Home Ministry so. Mashable also adds that aviation technology specialists have dismissed these security concerns as spurious.

In fact, one can easily make the case that free Wi-Fi at railway stations is a far greater cause for concern than in-flight Wi-Fi in a closed, isolated environment 36,000 feet above the ground.

With this push for Digital India, demonetisation pushing the country to digital transactions and myriad such future-looking plans, its hard to believe that the fastest, most modern system of transportation is still held back in such a way.
tech2 News Staff

Nasa is launching a constellation of eight satellites to better monitor hurricanes. The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is a flock of eight micro-satellites, which which will improve weather forecasts for the intensity of cyclones. Although forecasts of hurricanes have improved by 50 percent since the 1990s, there has been little progress when it comes to correctly predicting their intensities.

The CYGNSS constellation will scrutinise the regions beneath the eyewall, as well as the inner rainbands of hurricanes. Both measurements are possible for the first time from space because of the CYGNSS flock. Frank Peri, director of the Earth Systems Science Program Office (ESSPO), based at NASAs Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, says "This mission will help us get a better idea of the intensity of tropical cyclones."

The launch for the CYGNSS constellation is not a regular rocket launch. Instead of being a passenger on board a rocket that lifts off a launchpad, the rocket with the payload will be launched in mid air from the belly of an aeroplane using Orbital ATK's Pegasus rocket, at an altitude of 39,000 feet. The rocket will free fall for five seconds, before firing in the air, and re-orienting itself upwards towards space. Three stages of the rocket will fire and fall away, before the CYGNSS constellation is released into orbit. The Pegasus is the world's first privately developed launch vehicle.

Update:

There is a 40 percent chance that the launch could be delayed because of bad weather. The launch was delayed because of a technical glitch. It was initially planned to postpone the launch by one day in case of bad weather, with a 20 percent calculated chance of disruption by bad weather the next day. The launch will be live on NASA TV, with pre-launch programming before the live coverage.

The launch has been rescheduled to 14 December, because of a malfunction in the hydraulic mechanism that releases the Pegasus rocket from the aeroplane. The mechanism was working as expected during pre-launch tests. A replacement aircraft is being called in to carry out the launch. The launch has been scheduled for 8:20 am EST, which is about 6:30 pm, IST, 14 December.
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Cutting short two months of decline, telecom subscriber base rose by 1.98 percent to 1074.24 million in the country at September-end mainly boosted by the formal launch of services by newcomer Reliance Jio.

"The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,053.40 million at the end of August 2016 to 1,074.24 million at the end of September 2016, thereby showing a monthly growth rate of 1.98 percent," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said today.

In July and August, telecom subscriber base declined by 0.1 percent and 0.52 percent respectively. The growth was led by Reliance Jio which reported 15.97 million customers on its network after its formal launch on September 5. This is for the first time that TRAI's monthly subscriber report included customer base of Reliance Jio.

"Total wireless subscriber base increased from 1,028.88 million at the end of August 2016 to 1,049.74 million at the end of September 2016, thereby registering a monthly growth rate of 2.03 percent," TRAI said. Bharti Airtel followed Reliance Jio in terms of net subscriber addition by adding 2.43 million customers. Idea Cellular added 1.91 million customer and BSNL 1.4 million.

Vodafone net customer addition in September was 525,281, Aircel 426,862, Reliance Communications 97,942, Quadrant (Videocon Punjab) 6,273 and MTNL 5,641. Tata Teleservices lost 1.22 million customers, Telenor 367,162 and Sistema Shyam lost 340,743 customers. In terms of growth rate, public sector firm BSNL led the chart with 1.52 percent growth in its customer base followed by Idea, Bharti Airtel, Aircel and Vodafone.

However, wireline or landline subscriber base in the country continued to decline to 24.49 million at the end of September 2016 from 24.51 million at the end of August 2016. BSNL and MTNL continued to be biggest losers of landline subscriber base and private operators Airtel and Vodafone biggest gainers. The broadband subscriber base in the country grew by around 12 percent driven by 3G and 4G uptake in mobile segment. Wireless or mobile broadband subscriber in September grew by 13.31 percent to 173.87 million from 153.45 million in August 2016. The fixed line broadband connections grew by 0.94 percent to 17.84 million from 17.67 million.

"Top five service providers constituted 78.62 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of September 2016. These service providers were Bharti Airtel (46.19 million), Vodafone (35.94 million), Idea Cellular (30.72 million), BSNL (21.60 million) and Reliance Communications Group (16.74 million)," Trai said. In September 4.99 million subscribers requested for mobile number portability taking the total number of requests to over 239 million.

PTI

Disclaimer: Reliance Jio is owned by Reliance Industries, who also own Network18, the publisher of Firstpost and tech2.
tech2 News Staff

By Asheeta Regidi

Recent reports show an increasing reluctance on the part of social media companies to cooperate with investigations of posts, videos, etc. through their websites. Privacy concerns appear to be the main reason for this. The most recent case is where Facebook refused to share the user details of a post alleged to be derogatory to Hindu goddesses, and which was causing communal tensions in Mangaluru. Facebook finally parted with the information when a case was registered against it under Section 176 (omission to give information to public servant by person legally bound to give it) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, by the Mangaluru police.

Compliance only with court orders?

In the present case, the Mangaluru police state that despite repeated requests, including from senior officials, there was no response from Facebook. Finally, on filing a case and using a search warrant to search Facebooks premises, Facebook promised to release the information. On being contacted about the issue, Facebook merely stated that on account of user privacy, they check each and every request for legal sufficiency ( see full reply here).

It appears that despite the repeated police requests, Facebook refused to comply until they were accompanied by a court order. YouTube took an even more extreme stance recently, where despite a court order from the Madras High Court to release user information regarding an alleged defamatory video, YouTube refused citing privacy concerns.

The law on information requests

Under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, intermediaries like the social media companies are bound to comply with such official requests, and omitting to do so can open them up to suits from the government and the affected parties. In the case of requests to take down posts, the Supreme Court ruled that intermediaries need to comply immediately only when it is accompanied with a court order. In the case of request for information for investigations, however, there is no such requirement.

The social media companies themselves have committed to providing this information to the governments. Their privacy policies include a clause that they will disclose user information on receiving an official request to do so.

The governments attempts to negate privacy

The concerns of social media companies to protect user privacy from the government are understandable, and, in some cases, laudable. For instance, consider the case of Apple refusing to give the FBI free access to all IPhones, or Whatsapp announcing end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy. The shift to the internet and the cyberworld has given the government a key to an individuals every move. The NSA in the US and the CMS in India are examples of the all-pervasive surveillance being attempted by governments today. It is comforting to know that someone is protecting users against the governments increasing attempts at negating user privacy.

In such a situation, complying with each and every request for information without the necessary checks will definitely be harmful to user privacy. The social media companies risk losing their customer base if they are seen as websites which share information easily. Abuse of the legal system and violations of the right to freedom of speech have also been seen- such as the arrest of the two girls for commenting on Bal Thackerays death. There is also the case of websites like WikiLeaks which fight to protect the privacy of the whistleblowers using their website.

Absolute privacy is also dangerous

On the other hand, however, it is dangerous to make user privacy absolute. The anonymity of the internet has as it is led to a surge in criminal activity through it. Consider crimes like the circulation of rape videos, online pedophilia, cyberstalkers, trolling, and so on. In India alone, cybercrime is up by 300 per cent in the last 3 years, and social media crimes are no exception. Social media companies protecting privacy to the extent that investigation becomes impossible is very dangerous. Add to this the fact that social media companies do not take on any responsibility for the content posted through them.

While the right to freedom of expression deserves to be protected, its exercise has to be reasonable. For example, the Mangaluru case alleges communal unrest caused by an anti-religious post. Communal unrest can cause major law and order problems. Similarly, in the YouTube case, the video was ruled to be prima facie defamatory. In the era of online background checks for even a job interview, a defamatory video can be extremely harmful. In both these cases, if the persons behind them had a malicious intent, merely removing the offending content is not enough. They also need to be prevented from repeating the act.

Ascertaining this is only possible through an investigation, for which the first step is to acquire the identity of the user. Progress in such cases is, more often than not, impossible without this information. The alternative is to have judgments passed ex parte, before seeking the identity of the user. The issue with this method is that the accused will have a judgment passed against him without even being given a chance to defend himself; a clear violation of the very basic principles of justice.

The need for an international social media law

The chief problem is that laws havent kept up with the changing pace of technology. As social media becomes an essential part of peoples life, so also is it becoming a common tool for committing crime. This calls for laws specific to social media and the activities on it- laws which can balance out the various rights to be protected- an individuals right to speech and to privacy, and equally, an individuals right to stop others from violating his rights.

An international social media law, which is drafted by the various countries in consultation with the various social media companies, is required. In addition to privacy, several other concerns like conflicting laws and jurisdiction issues can be addressed. On the issue of disclosure of information for investigations, a common procedure binding on the countries and on the social media companies must be established. For example, if, like the take down requests, information requests should also be accompanied by a court order, then this should be specified. Similarly, situations where compliance must be immediate (within a time frame), such as in the case of rape videos, must also be specified.

Lastly, the increasing and indiscriminate governmental invasion of privacy is leading to people turning to the social media companies to protect their rights. Social media companies need to stop taking extreme stances on privacy, and at the same time, the government needs to stop making privacy dispensable. Invasion of privacy, by the governments or the social media companies, needs to be the exception, not the rule.

The author is a lawyer with a specialisation in cyber laws and has co-authored books on the subject.
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U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help President-elect Donald Trump win the White House, and not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that as the 2016 presidential campaign progressed, Russian government officials devoted increasing attention to assisting Trump's effort to win the election, the U.S. official familiar with the finding told Reuters on Friday night, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The president-elect's transition office released a statement that exaggerated his margin of victory and attacked the U.S. intelligence community that Trump will soon command, but did not address the analysts' conclusion. "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction," the statement said. "The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again.'"

Democrats and some Republicans in Congress are calling for a full investigation into Russia's election year activities. "Protecting the integrity of our elections is hindered when President-elect Trump and his transition team minimize or dismiss the intelligence assessments themselves," Representative Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said in a statement issued on Saturday.

Citing U.S. officials briefed on the matter, the Washington Post reported on Friday that intelligence agencies had identified individuals with connections to the Russian government who provided thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others, including the chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, to WikiLeaks. U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence agencies to review cyber attacks and foreign intervention into the 2016 election and deliver a report before he leaves office on Jan. 20, the White House said on Friday.

Obama's homeland security adviser, Lisa Monaco, told reporters the report's results would be shared with lawmakers and others. "The president has directed the intelligence community to conduct a full review of what happened during the 2016 election process ... and to capture lessons learned from that and to report to a range of stakeholders, to include the Congress," she said during an event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

As summer turned to fall, Russian hackers turned almost all their attention to the Democrats. Virtually all the emails they released publicly were potentially damaging to Clinton and the Democrats, not Republicans, the official told Reuters. "That was a major clue to their intent," the official said. "If all they wanted to do was discredit our political system, why publicize the failings of just one party, especially when you have a target like Trump?"

A second official familiar with the report said the intelligence analysts' conclusion about Russia's motives does not mean the intelligence community believes that Moscow's efforts altered or significantly affected the outcome of the election. Russian officials have denied all accusations of interference in the U.S. election. A Central Intelligence Agency spokeswoman said the agency had no comment on the matter.

The hacked emails passed to WikiLeaks were a regular source of embarrassment to the Clinton campaign during the race for the presidency. U.S. intelligence analysts have assessed "with high confidence" that at some point in the extended presidential campaign Russian President Vladimir Putin's government had decided to try to bolster Trump's chances of winning. The Russians appear to have concluded that Trump had a shot at winning and that he would be much friendlier to Russia than Clinton would be, especially on issues such as maintaining economic sanctions and imposing additional ones, the official said.

Moscow is launching a similar effort to influence the next German election, following an escalating campaign to promote far-right and nationalist political parties and individuals in Europe that began more than a decade ago, the official said. In both cases, said the official, Putin's campaigns in both Europe and the United States are intended to disrupt and discredit the Western concept of democracy by promoting extremist candidates, parties, and political figures.

In October, the U.S. government publicly accused Russia of a campaign of cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. Obama has said he warned Putin about consequences for the attacks. "I don't believe they interfered," Trump told Time magazine about Russia in an interview published this week. "That became a laughing point, not a talking point, a laughing point. Any time I do something, they say, 'Oh, Russia interfered.'"

Reuters
Anirudh Regidi

US President-elect Donald Trump has invited CEOs of some of the largest tech companies in the world to attend a summit on Wednesday.

These invites have gone to the likes of Alphabets Larry Page, Apples Tim Cook, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg, Microsofts Satya Nadella, Intels Brian Krzanich and more, reports Re/code.

Interestingly, Amazons Jeff Bezos also rated an invite, though its unclear if hes actually going to attend the event. The meeting, slated for the fourteenth of this month, will take place at Trump Tower in Manhattan.

Silicon Valley has been very wary of Trump since he won the US Presidential Election. Many in the Valley had gone out of their way to support Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton, in the Presidential Election and Trump himself doesnt have an amicable relationship with them.

Jeff Bezos in particular has been targeted by Trump on multiple occasions. Bezos himself has been very critical of Trump and Trump has targeted Amazon for its outsourcing of jobs, research and development and more. Bezos-owned Washington Post has also been particularly harsh on Trump during the elections.

Bezos isnt alone. Trumps gone after Apple as well. He event went on to call the company out on its tax evasion and lashing out at it for not cooperating with the FBI in the San Bernadino iPhone case. The purpose of the summit isnt clear at the moment, but were sure Trump will tweet about it soon.

Brain-drain

Jesting aside, its quite likely that the summit is intended to address Silicon Valleys growing trepidation at a future under Trump. Silicon Valleys biggest fear surrounds Trumps stance on immigration.

The Valley relies very heavily on highly-skilled immigrants to fill positions that are otherwise hard to fill. Foreign students who come to the US not only bring in money, they also represent a significant investment in terms of money, time and other resources and to have their newly acquired skills deported back to their home countries would be a huge loss.

The US H1-B Visa program currently admits around 65,000 skilled workers and 20,000 graduate workers, almost all of whom are quickly swallowed up by American industries. Jeff Sessions, Trumps soon-to-be-appointed Attorney General is very much against the H1-B program and Silicon Valley is terrified.

In an industry that lives on the cutting edge of technology, and sometimes beyond that, any delay in filling such positions, a loss of skilled labour and more, all of this represents a terrible loss for the Valley.

But thats not all.

Manufacturing

Another issue that worries Silicon Valley is Trumps insistence on bringing back manufacturing to the US, particularly the manufacture of the iPhone. In fact, Trump has proposed to impose heavier taxation on goods manufactured in China.

Economists and Silicon Valley see no point in doing this. Even if it was economically feasible to bring over a multi-billion dollar manufacturing and supply chain industry from Asia to the US, the sheer cost of labour in the US would push up the cost of manufacturing a product by three times or more. This would eat into the profits of companies forced to manufacture in the US, resulting in minimal gains to the economy.

A report on Forbes even suggests that bringing manufacturing to the US will provide no measurable economic benefit, making the whole endeavour meaningless.

The Indian connection

Trump has been vocal about his support for India, going so far as to say, If I am elected president, the Indian and Hindu community will have a big friend in the White House. But this is the same man who claimed that Pakistan is not our friend and then told Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Your country is amazing.

Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. Weve given them billions and billions of dollars, and what (cont) http://t.co/O5S4cQV3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2012

While Trump might love India, he also hates immigrants and if he gets his own way, we might see a drastic decline in the issue of work- or study-related visas. Indian firms like TCS and Infosys are heavily reliant on the H1-B visa program to get their workers to the US. These companies also rely on the ability to outsource a lot of work to India as it cuts down on their own expenditure in the US.

A lot to discuss

Clearly, Silicon Valleys CEOs have a lot to discuss with Trump. Whether they like it or not, Trump will be the president of the United States and the only way forward is to help him understand their side of the story and the impact that any hasty decision will have on the American economy, and, indirectly, the rest of the world.

Ignoring Trump will do more harm than good.
Nash David

We've all read about the fake news problem. Thanks to Donald Trump being elected as the next president of the United States, and supporters of Hillary Clinton accusing fake news for the surprise, there's now a larger interest in the fake news problem. Not long ago, a piece by Faking News (a satire news website by Firstpost) was high on Facebook trending topics.

But Facebook isn't where the fake news problem ends. Turns out, Google  the primary source of the online world's knowledge  also promotes fake news. The first time I read that, it came across as a blatant accusation. But reports online do shed light on how search algorithms tend to prefer news stories that users are more likely to click on.

The perils of populism

The problem in solving this menace lies in the very problem itself. Whether we like it or not, we are the Facebook and Google generation. Or a vast majority of the online audience derives its learning from the world of Facebook and Google. We consult Google before going to the doctor for an illness. We do our preliminary research on Wikipedia before moving to credible information. What's the problem there? Simply put, it's the problem of popular appeal.

History is a testament to the perils of popular sentiment. Popular choice is democracy. In a way, that's how democracies across the globe elect new leaders. Popular knowledge, therefore, need not be credible. Because a mass movement could dilute objectivity. Sometimes, people get blinded by emotion, admiration, or fear to decide or believe something they would probably not have done in an ideal scenario.

As you may have realised by now, it's a case where technology created by social media companies and search engines have the great responsibility of delivering relevant links that users want to consume.

Understanding the problem

The way Google's and to a great extent Facebook's algorithm tracks news to show up front on its search results, or trending topics is to factor in widespread user interest. The higher the initial interest, coupled by the clicks the individual ranks receive seem to be a significant influence in determining the list as it evolves. Sometimes, alternative news websites and in effect, depending on popularity, mainstream news websites could end up reporting news that is otherwise fake.

And that's precisely why it's a difficult problem to solve. By its very nature, social media and the online world at large is democratic in nature. Every user claims the right to view content s/he seems fit, and expects that right to be maintained and defended. If there happens to be some sort of 'corrective action' taken by a social media site such as Facebook or Twitter, users tend to go up in arms. Even if these actions are triggered to maintain law and order or a software bug, users would consider this as a bias against their points of view or an attempt to clampdown on dissent. Mostly, these are ill-founded, but generally speaking, it's worth noting, how fake news has raised to the fore due to widespread appetite for news that's entertaining and initiates larger conversations.

The need for checks around credibility and authenticity seem to have long forgone. What stays is the need for freedom. Which is warranted, of course. Yet, at the same time, need a sense of direction. With a critical sense of objectivity. Social media services can simply not afford to step in the conversation and regulate it. It's happened with Twitter. Given that users could speak their thoughts out, or tweet them in public without restrictions, Twitter rose in popularity. However, in recent times, Twitter attempted curbing on what it regarded as hate speech, and even taking down multiple accounts. The result seems to be a drastic fall in engagement and overall users.

Similarly, Facebook and Google would be vary of a potential fall in users and engagement levels, if there was a larger attempt to curb content that the online audience is interested in to a great extent. That would warrant censorship, even if it wasn't the intent. In fact, it also is pursued as a bias on behalf of Facebook and Google, although that may not necessarily be the case. Clearly, what we consider a menace in the form of fake news, is a larger and bigger problem to solve. It simply cannot be censored in our democratic world.
Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy
Spotlight on Education: Manatee Schools Receive STEM Support from AT&T

The Manatee Education Foundation recently received three grants of $2,000 in support of innovative programming designed to offer a clear picture of a future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) career to hundreds of students, while harnessing their creativity, empathy, and out-of-box thinking needed to solve real-world problems. As part of AT&T STEM @ Work, each program also requires 20 on-site, contact hours with a business partner so that students have practical and meaningful interactions with an industry leader.



Funded programs:



 Braden River High School: Laser Engraving on the Curve! - Students will be engaged in the manufacturing process and mastery of a universal laser engraver equipped with a rotary attachment. RCH Enterprises, LLC is the lead business partner.



 Lincoln Middle School: Growing for the Future - Students will investigate the food production methods of hydroponics and aeroponics with the overall goal of ultimately increasing the availability of safe, affordable food and offsetting food deserts in low socio-economic areas. Gamble Creek Farms is the lead partner and students will benefit from guest speakers, mentoring, and cross curricular activities that will add a real-life slant to in-class activities.



 Louise R. Johnson Middle School of International Studies: Build a pi3, Create a Learner - Students will learn how to adapt technology to provide access to power that is adequate, accessible, and free to a rural area. Students are designing, building, and powering raspberry pi3s (a small and affordable computer that is used for programming). The goal is to then incorporate solar technology. With this component, students will learn how to program the solar panel system that will then provide stand-alone energy for batteries, etc. These pi3s will be transported to Johnsons sister school in Guatemala this summer where students will teach others how to build, maintain, and implement the equipment. The business partner, Jeffrey Bronson of Kids Inspire Kids, Dos Escuelas Hermanas, will travel to Guatemala with the students to help to implement the technology.


Syrian army in `final stages` of Aleppo offensive

Aleppo is a key battleground in Syria\'s five-year civil war.

Reuters, ALEPPO, Syria :

The Syrian army and its allies are in the "final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in a shrinking enclave, a Syrian general said on Monday.

A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas had continued non-stop overnight, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling Doomsday.

"The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city.

Pro-government forces were clashing with insurgents in the Fardous district, which was at the heart of the besieged pocket only days ago, after taking Sheikh Saeed in the south and Saliheen in the east, a rebel official said.

"The situation is extremely difficult today," said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group fighting in Aleppo.

The rebels' sudden retreat represented a "big collapse in terrorist morale", a Syrian military source said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria's most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had surrendered and 100,000 civilians had left areas of the city that were controlled by militants.

"People run from one shelling to another to escape death and just to save their souls ... It's doomsday in Aleppo, yes doomsday in Aleppo," said Abu Amer Iqab, a former government employee in the Sukkari district in the heart of the rebel enclave.

While Aleppo's fall would deal a stunning blow to rebels trying to remove Assad from power, he would still be far from restoring control across Syria. Swathes of the country remain in rebel hands, and on Sunday Islamic State retook Palmyra.

Tens of thousands of civilians remain in rebel-held areas, hemmed in by ever-changing front lines, pounded by air strikes and shelling, and without basic supplies, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group.

Rebel groups in Aleppo received a U.S.-Russian proposal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the city's opposition areas, but Moscow said no agreement had been reached yet in talks in Geneva to end the crisis peacefully.

The rebel official blamed Russia for the lack of progress in talks, saying it had no incentive to compromise while its ally Assad was gaining ground. "The Russians are being evasive. They are looking at the military situation. Now they are advancing," he said.
Jakarta Christian governor to stand trial

AFP, Jakarta :

Jakarta's Christian governor will stand trial on Tuesday accused of blasphemy in a high-profile case that has emboldened hardline groups and stoked fears of growing intolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-the first Christian to govern Jakarta in more than 50 years-will defend allegations that he insulted the Koran and fight calls for his imprisonment under Indonesia's tough blasphemy laws.

Purnama, known for his outspoken style, outraged Muslims when he controversially quoted a passage from the Islamic holy text while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship.

His remarks ignited a protest movement by hardliners, who have long railed against a non-Muslim in city hall but failed to dent the governor's popularity.

But their rallying cry to defend Islam and punish "the blasphemer" attracted unprecedented support from Muslims both moderate and conservative, who marched against the governor in numbers not seen in many years.

The case is being viewed in part as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where a spike in attacks on minorities has eroded a reputation for diversity and inclusiveness.

"If he's found guilty, this could be the biggest setback for pluralism in Indonesia's history," said Tobias Basuki from the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Purnama fell foul of Indonesia's archaic blasphemy laws when he insinuated that his opponents had used a Koranic verse to trick people into voting against him.

An edited version of his speech went viral online, sparking outrage far beyond Jakarta, where Purnama has ruled since his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in late 2014.

The governor apologised but Indonesia's highest clerical body, and a slew of radical groups, declared the remarks blasphemous and urged authorities to bring charges.

Critics want the country's blasphemy laws overhauled. The legislation was rarely used during the 32-year rule of strongman Suharto, but in recent years it has been exploited to persecute minorities, rights groups say.
BD-India private sector investment stressed

BSS, Rangpur :

Business community leaders at a discussion here on Sunday called for joint investment of Bangladesh and India to expand regional business, trade and commerce.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) arranged the meeting at RCCI auditorium in the city.

The main objective of the discussion was to search possibilities and prospects of setting up industries and business establishments in northern Bangladesh and northern region of West Bengal under joint private sector ventures of both the countries.

Presided over by RCCI President Abul Kashem, Chairman of CII North Bengal Zonal Council Naresh Agarwal attended it as chief guest.

The Indian delegation members also included Head of North Bengal Zonal Council of CII Laksmi Limbu and its Zonal Executive Member Sanjet Saha. Senior Vice-president of RCCI Mostafa Ahmed, President of Rangpur Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anowara Ferdousi Poly, businessmen and journalists were present.

Agarwal invited RCCI leaders, Bangladeshi investors and entrepreneurs to participate in the upcoming "North Bengal Conclave-Investment Destination' to be held Siliguri city on December 23 to showcase prevailing prospects of joint investments in various sectors in northern West Bengal.
Arrival and departure of the Seal of Prophets in same Arabic month

Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :

Hazrat Muhammad (SM) occupies the most important position in history as the epitome enlightenment. Islam as a religion and more as a complete code of life received articulation from the Prophet (SM). "Prophet Muhammad (S) was born in 570 CE in Makkah (Bakka, Baca, Mecca). His father, Abdullah, died several weeks before his birth in Yathrib (Medinah) where he went to visit his father's maternal relatives. His mother died while on the return journey from Medinah at a place called 'Abwa' when he was six years old. He was raised by his paternal grandfather 'Abd al Muttalib (Shaybah) until the age of eight, and after his grandfather's death by Abu Talib, his paternal uncle. 'Abd al Muttalib's mother, Salma, was a native of Medinah and he was born and raised as a young boy in Medinah before his uncle Muttalib brought him to Makkah to succeed him. Many years before Muhammad's birth, 'Abd al Muttalib had established himself as an influential leader of the Arab tribe 'Quraish' in Makkah and took care of the Holy sanctuary 'Ka'bah'. Makkah was a city state well connected to the caravan routes to Syria and Egypt in the north and northwest and Yemen in the south.

Muhammad was a descendant of Prophet Ismail through the lineage of his second son Kedar". Ka'bah is the first house of worship built on earth for the worship of Allah the One True God. It was re-built (raised from the existing foundation) by Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael). Allah is the proper name of the One True God, creator and sustainer of the universe, who does not have a partner or associate, and He did not beget nor was He begotten. Unlike the word god, the word Allah does not have a plural or gender. Under the guardianship of Abu Talib, Muhammad (S) began to earn a living as a businessman and a trader. At the age of twelve, he accompanied Abu Talib with a merchant caravan as far as Bostra in Syria. Muhammad was popularly known as 'al-Ameen' for his unimpeachable character by the Makkans and visitors alike.

The title Al-Ameen means the Honest, the Reliable and the Trustworthy, and it signified the highest standard of moral and public life. Upon hearing of Muhammad's impressive credentials, Khadijah, a rich merchant widow, asked Muhammad(S) to take some merchandise for trade to Syria. Soon after this trip when he was twenty-five, Khadijah proposed marriage to Muhammad through a relative. Muhammad accepted the proposal. At that time, Khadijah was twice widowed and forty years old. Khadijah (ra) and Muhammad(S) were the parents of six children - four daughters and two sons. His first son Qasim died at the age of two.

He was nicknamed Abul Qasim, meaning the father of Qasim. His second son Abdullah died in infancy. Abdullah was also called affectionately as 'Tayyab' and 'Tahir' because he was born after Muhammad's prophethood. The four daughters were: Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah (Ra).

The Holy sanctuary Ka'bah was now filled with three hundred sixty idols. The original, pristine message of Prophet Ibrahim was lost, and it was mixed with superstitions and traditions of pilgrims and visitors from distant places, who were used to idol worship and myths. In every generation, a small group of men and women detested the pollution of Ka'bah and kept pure their practice of the religion taught by Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail. They used to spend some of their time away from this polluted environment in retreats to nearby hills.

Muhammad (S) was forty when, during his one of many retreats to Mount Hira for meditation during the month of Ramadan, he received the first revelation from the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel). On this first appearance, Gabriel (as) said to Muhammad: "Iqraa," meaning Read or Recite. Muhammad replied, "I cannot read," as he had not received any formal education and did not know how to read or write. The Angel Gabriel then embraced him until he reached the limit of his endurance and after releasing said: "Iqraa." Muhammad's answer was the same as before. Gabriel repeated the embrace for the third time, asked him to repeat after him and said: "Recite in the name of your Lord Who created! He created man from that which clings. Recite; and thy Lord is most Bountiful, He Who has taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not." These revelations are the first five verses of Surah (chapter) 96 of the Qur'an. (Dr. Zahoor and Dr. Huq)

"Muhammad's (Sm) father Abdullah died when he was still in his mother's womb. After he was born, his mother named him Ahmed. However, his grandfather Abdul Muttalib named him Muhammad (Sm) since he desired his grand-son to be admired by everyone in all ages. His Akika or naming ceremony was organised a few days after his birth by his grandfather. Muhammad (Sm) was at first suckled by his mother Amina. After two or three days he was breast-fed by Suwaibah, a slave-girl of his uncle Abu Lahab. As was the practice in the then aristocratic Arab families, he was given over to a wet nurse named Halima Sadia belonging to the Taif's Sad tribe, who was also entrusted with the responsibility of bringing him up. He spent the first five years of his life with her."( Mujtaba Hossain and Syed Ashraf Ali)

"Muhammad (Sm) used to graze goats and sheep in the fields with his foster-brother Abdullah. But he would not then indulge in childish pranks or pick up quarrels, as boys are wont to do. While shepherding a flock of goats and sheep two angels once made an incision into his heart and purified it by extracting a black clot of blood from it. The black clot of blood was the source of all sin and evil designs. When Muhammad (Sm) was six years old his mother Amina died. His grandfather Abdul Muttalib then took the responsibility of bringing up the child. However, he was not able to enjoy the benefit of his grandfather's affection for a long time since he too died when the Prophet was only eight years old. His uncle Abu Taleb was then entrusted with the duty of raising him. The young boy used to busy himself with the shepherding of the flock in the fields and with household works. His school was the open sky and the desert landscape and mountains where he worked. When the Prophet (Sm) was twelve years old Abu Taleb took him along on a business trip to Syria. According to the custom of his family, the Prophet entered business at the age of twenty. In his dealings and transactions, Muhammad (Sm) earned a great reputation for his honesty, magnanimity, virtuous conduct, and trustworthiness. In fact, he won the confidence and trust of everyone and was thus given the title of 'Al-Ameen' for his probity and reliability. It was due to this fact that the Prophet Muhammad (Sm) was entrusted with the responsibility of re-establishing the sacred Hazre Aswad when the Holy Ka'ba was re-built. On hearing about Muhammad's (Sm) diligence, sense of responsibility, honesty, and other remarkable qualities, Khadija (R), an intelligent and sagacious lady having exceptional moral standards together with profound experience in worldly affairs, invited him to become her business partner. Muhammad (Sm) agreed to her proposal and set out on a business trip to Syria in this capacity. During this trip he handled the business dealings skillfully and managed to make a handsome profit by selling the goods he had brought along. He purchased different commodities from Syria and handed them over to Khadiza (R). When he returned to Makkah Khadija (R) earned a big profit by selling these commodities. A servant of Khadija (R) named Maysara accompanied Muhammad (Sm) on two of his Syrian business trips. He reported to Khadija (R) about Muhammad's (Sm) good manners, business skill and honesty. He also told her about Muhammad's (Sm) gentle behaviour, humility, and overall excellence. Highly impressed by these qualities of head and heart Khadija (R) wanted to marry Muhammad (Sm). He responded to her proposal positively and with Abu Taleb's blessings they soon got married. Although at the time of their marriage he was twenty-five years old and she was forty, their married life was one of complete bliss. The marriage resulted in two (or three) sons, Qasim and Tahir (Tahir was also called Abdullah) and four daughters [Zaynab (R), Ruqayya (R), Umme Kulthum (R), and Fatima (R)]. Khadija (R) was the mother of all of the Prophet's children except his third son Ibrahim (R), who was born to Maria Kibtia. However, all the male children died in their childhood. The Prophet did not remarry till Khadija's (R) death at the age of sixty-five."( Mujtaba Hossain and Syed Ashraf Ali)

The Prophet (Sm) worked relentlessly for the promotion of new and ultimate truth as the message of Allah in the name of Islam. His dissemination of the new truth was conducted among' his near and dear ones in the Quraish tribe.'"

Among the first to respond to his call and convert to Islam were Khadiza (R), Abu Bakr (R), Ali (R), his foster-son Zaid (R), and his nurse Umme Aiman (R). At Hazrat Abu Bakr's (R) call Zubair (R), Talha (R) and a few others." (Mujtaba Hossain and Syed Ashraf Ali). After receiving the revelation from Jibrail Muhammad (Sm) was in a daze for a while. When he recovered, he was able to see Jibrail on a throne. The amazing sight perplexed him so much that he came back home and lied down folded in garments. It was then that the seven verses of Sura Muddathir were revealed to him. The first two revelations were very significant: 'He is the Creator Who leads His creations to perfection step by step. He is the most exalted, and read in His name. He has taught the use of the Pen,- taught man that which he knew not. He is the source of all knowledge; hence the use of the Pen to acquire knowledge and seek Him in all things - from a termite to man. When one recalls that the Prophet (Sm) was illiterate, this revelation acquires a special significance. By manifesting such a view, the Prophet beckoned towards a world of unbridled knowledge. The second revelation was as follows (Mujtaba Hossain and Syed Ashraf Ali) 'O thou wrapped up (in a mantle)! Arise and deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou magnify. And thy garments keep free from stain! And all abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! But, for thy Lord's Cause, be patient and constant. (74:1-7).

The Prophet was an embodiment of good governance. This was reflected in his administration. "With a view to ensuring the safety and security of Medina and engaging all its inhabitants in the development of the country, the Prophet (Sm) decided to turn Medina into a state comprising Muslims, Jews and Mushriks living there. To this end, he called for a convention of Muslims, Jews and Mushriks in Medina. A Charter was unanimously adopted in this convention. The details about security arrangements of the city, duties and the reciprocal obligations to be followed by Muslims, Jews and Mushriks, as well as the judicial system were spelled out in writing in the Charter. The Charter also mentioned the names of a few idolatrous sects and acknowledged their independent rights. The Prophet (Sm) was elected the Chief of this social system. The Prophet (Sm) personally went to the habitats of the Oddam and Julashira tribes and urged their leaders to agree to the Charter and also persuaded them to sign it. In this manner he laid the foundation of a nation by granting full religious freedom to the non-Moslems through this historic Charter. The city of Medina was also made secure against all possible attacks and dangers through the combined efforts of various tribes and sects. Medina was thus turned into an Islamic state. "

No account of the life of our messiah is complete without description of his ascending to space to receive orders of Allah."On 27th Rajab, all the Muslim believers celebrate this as a grand day of Meraj as "Grand Eid" and all the Muslims should be proud to have such a prophet like Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him and his progeny (Ahlul Bayt), to whom Almighty Allah (swt) was also proud and had invited him to visit and talked with very nearer distance as mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an (Qhaba Qhausain 53:9). Also note that, the Meraj of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him and his progeny has taken place more than once. However, it should be mentioned that Meraj in which the daily Salat was made incumbent, without doubt, occurred before the death of Hazrat Abu Talib, who passed away in the 10th year of Besat. Unmistakably, from the Ahadith and books of history, it is mentioned that on the night of Meraj, Allah (swt) gave the order of the five daily Salat as being mandatory upon the Islamic Nation. The darkness of the night had spread across the horizon and silence reigned over the face of nature. The time had arrived when the living creatures take rest and sleep so that they might recuperate from their activities of the previous day.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), was also not an exception to this law of nature and he wished to take rest after offering his prayers (Salat) in the house of "Umm-e-Hani", the daughter of his uncle and sister of Amir al-Mominin Ali (pbuh) in the blessed city of Makkah. However, suddenly he heard a voice; it was the voice of the Archangel Jibreel (pbuh) who said to him: "This night you have to perform a very unique journey and I have been ordered to remain with you. You will have to traverse different parts of the world mounted on an animal named al-Buraq." Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him and his progeny, began his historical night journey, along with the trusted protector of the revelation, the Angel Jibreel (pbuh) from the house of "Umm-e-Hani", with the aide of his steed al-Buraq."

After some time, Angel Jibreel (pbuh) stopped Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said to perform the Salat. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) dismounted from al-Buraq and performed Salat. Jibreel (pbuh) said, 'Do you know where you just prayed?' Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied to him in negative. Jibreel (pbuh) said, 'In Taibah (Madinah), that place where your travelers will go.' After this, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) got back onto al-Buraq and continued the journey." Our messiah arrived and departed the earth in the same Arabic month Rabiul Awal.

(Dr. Mashreque teaches Public Administration in Chittagong University)
Muhammad (SM) : The Great Reformer

Ameer Hamzah :

Man is the viceroy of Allah on earth. Allah created man and Jinn to worship Him only. He sent prophets with guidelines from time to time for every nation (16/36). Among them, Hazrat Adam (AS) is the first while Hazrat Muhammad (SM) is the last. The four prime books of guidelines are Zabur to Hazrat Daud (AS), Torah to Hazrat Moses (AS), Injil to Hazrat lsa (AS) and Al-Quran to Hazrat Muhammad (SM).

Besides, He sent booklets to other prophets whom He pleased In this connection it is necessary to say that Prophet Muhammad is the Seal of the prophets (33/40) and AI-Quran revealed unto him is the guidelines for mankind (2/185).

Hazrat Muhammad (SM), son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttalib, was born in a noble family in Mecca in 570 AD. The people of the city loved him very much for his unique image. truthfulness and honesty. The people of Mecca were proud of him and called him Al-Amin (truthful). His love and feeling for people were exposed even during his boyhood. When he was just 14 years old, he in association with the like minded established a social organization named Hilful-Fuzl. The prime aims and objectives of the organization were :-

1. To help establish peace, discipline and security in the country

2. To help the weak, the orphan, the pauper and the destitute,

3. To fight against the oppressors and to stand by the oppressed,

4. To help establish friendship and fraternity among the people, and

5. To protect the lives and properties of the foreigners .

Allah granted prophet hood to Hazrat Muhammad (SM) in the year 610 A.D when he was 40 years old. He was asleep or in a trance when he heard a voice, which said: Read! He said: I cannot read! The voice again said: Read! He said: I cannot read! A third time, the voice more terrible, commanded: Read! He said: What can I read? The voice said

Read: In the name of thy Lord Who creates.

Creates man from a clot

Read: And it is thy Lord the most Bountiful

Who teaches by the pen,

Teaches man what he knew not.

(These five verses are in Surah Alaq)

When the Prophet awoke, the words remained 'as if inscribed in his heart'. He went out of the cave on to the hillside and heard the same awe-inspiring voice, which said: O Muhammad! Thou art the Messenger of Allah, and I am Jibreel. Then he raised his eyes and saw the archangel in the likeness of man, standing in the sky above the horizon. And again the dreadful voice said O Muhammad! Thou art the Messenger of Allah, and I am Jibreel. Muhammad stood quite still, turning away his face from the brightness of the vision, but whithersoever he looked, he saw the archangel confronting him.

The Prophet remained thus a long time till at length Jibreel vanished. He returned home and narrated to Khadiza everything of what happened in the cave of the Mt. Hera.

The Prophet said, I understand that Allah has conferred upon me a great responsibility. I know not whether shall I be able to accomplish such great responsibility.

Khadiza said, Fear not. Allah will surely make you successful because you have some extraordinary qualities which every man should have. These are: 1. You show maximum kindness to your relatives. 2. Truthfulness 3. Faithful custodian of all trusts, 4. To feed, clothe and shelter the orphan, the widow, the blind, the crippled and the disable, 5. To help the unemployed to get jobs, 6. Hospitality, and 7. To stand by the natural calamity affected people.

Ascension

In the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SM), a very significant event is Miraj or Ascension to the Lote-tree in the highest heaven beyond which no man nor angel can pass.

In the case of Hazrat Moses (AS), who stood by to the Burning Bush in the Valley of Tuwa was the light of the angels on this earth; but in the case of the Prophet Muhammad, it was the divine glory in heaven itself and it was 'shrouded in mystery unspeakable'. This was indeed the "Greatest of the Signs of the Lord".

Some commentators say when he Prophet was standing beside the Lote-tree, he was no more a man but transformed into an angel, and he saw a mysterious light covering the Lote-tree, description whereof is not possible.

One day the Prophet Muhammad (SM) was sitting by some of his companions in the mosque. Just then, entered a stranger, walked straight to the Prophet, sat very close to him, touching his knees with the knees of the prophet, which no other does. Everyone, present there, became bemused.

The stranger asked the Prophet, what is Faith? The Prophet said: Faith is that everyone will believe in the Unity of Allah, His angels, His Scriptures, His prophets, and that everyone will be restored to life after death and be produced in the Court of Allah to award him/her according to what he/she has done, and that what is happening in the world, what happened from time immemorial and what will happen in future are recorded with Him.

The stranger said, "Right ye are." Then he put his second question, "What is Islam?" The Prophet said: To believe from the core of the heart and to declare in public that Allah is One and to do what He commands and to refrain from what He forbids, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. In other words, there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform Salat five times a day, to pay the Zakat (poor-tax), to keep fasting in the month of Ramadan and to travel to Mecca to perform Hajj.

Then the stranger asked the third question, What is Ehsan? The Prophet said, Ehsan is that you will worship Allah till your death so devotedly and attentively as if you are seeing Allah. Though you see Him not, He sees you.

The stranger asked his 4th and last question, when the Day of Resurrection will take place? To this question, the Prophet said, the questioner knows better than him who has been questioned. After this, the stranger went away. A little while after, the Prophet Muhammad (SM) told his Sahabies, "Do ye know who was he?" They said, "We know not." The Prophet said, he was Jibreel, the Archangel. He came here to teach you all about Islam and Faith.

Narrates Abdullah bin Omar (RA): The Prophet has said: A woman was punished by Allah for death of a cat. She imprisoned the cat, gave no food and water. After death of the woman, Allah decreed hell-fire for her. When she was thrown thereinto, it was said: You gave the cat neither food nor drink, nor set it free so that it earned its own livelihood.

His farewell speech in the year 632 is recognized as the Magna Carta of human rights There he said that Islam does not discriminate between a Muslim and a non-Muslim, between a black and a white, between a master of a family and his servant. The Prophet said

What you eat and what you wear share with your servant(s).

Allah will never spare the oppressor(s),

Paradise lies at the feet of mother.

No marriage is valid without the consent of the bride

A good man does not abuse his wife. Physical punishment to wife is hereby banned.

He further said:

Pay wages to the workers before their sweat is dried up, Appoint not anyone in a job before wage/salary is fixed,

As the workers are part of production, they are part of profit,

He is not my disciple, who eats to his fill, but his neighbours starve,

No murderer will escape his due punishment,

He is not a Muslim whose hand and tongue afflicts other people,

Feed the poor, attend the sick and release the (innocent) prisoners,

Work for the well being of the community as a whole,

It is incumbent upon every Muslim, man and woman, to acquire knowledge,

Whoso takes varieties of food, wears varieties of dresses, and loves discourse, he is unfortunate, really unfortunate.

Islam is not the sum-total of few-worships. It has got its own philosophy, socio-economic and political structure. It works for economic emancipation of the people and spiritual salvation in the Hereafter. It touches every faculty of human being. Islam does not approve killing of an innocent, or persecution. It does not recommend for aggression against the dissidents, it rather commands to work for people's welfare. Islam, however, sanctions right to self-defence.

Upon his arrival in Yathrib (Medina) in June 622 AD., the Prophet's first concern as ruler was to lay down a Constitution for the newly established Republic of Medina. Accordingly, he in consultation with the representatives of the Jews and the Christians drafted a Constitution, history calling it 'The Charter of Medina'. It contains 47 articles and is recognized as the first written Constitution in the world.

The leaders of all the religious communities including the Christians and the Jews living in Medina accepted the Prophet as the Chief Executive and Chief Judiciary of the newly established Republic. It was agreed that all the communities who put signatures in the Constitution and other who did not sign till that time would live in peace and harmony and would resist the aggressors with joint forces and shall not enter into secret deal with the common enemy.

The Prophet had to fight the enemies either leading the war by himself or sending the troops under the trusted commanders. In 625 AD, Abu Sufian led a huge army of 10,000 men to destroy Islam. Hearing it, the Prophet decided to face the enemy outside the city. But one of his associates, Salman, a Persian by birth, advised him to dig a trench on three sides of Medina, posting strong guards in the rear against infiltration. History recognises it as the 'Battle of Trench'. From that time, 'trench' in the battlefield has become a significant strategy. The Prophet accepted the counsel of Salman by which he made it clear that good decision is always welcome.

Islam values good quality and merit, and not superiority of race, blood and kinship, in the field of the appointment of the State officials. He sent a small contingent of 3,000 troops to defend the Syrian border against a large Roman Army. He delegated power to his troops to select their own commander in the event of death of his panel commanders namely Zaid bin Harith, a freedman, Abdullah Rahi and Jafar bin Abu Taleb. Prophet Muhammad (SM), thus, established democracy, even in the battlefield. The troops chose Khalid-bin-Walid as their commander after death of his panel commanders.

The Prophet divided the Republic of Madinah into 10 regions namely Madinah, Mecca, Khayber, Taif, Sana, Yemen, Hazramaut, Oman, Bahrain and a Sub-tribe area. The Prophet effected administrative and socio-economic reforms in order to improve the economic condition of the people, to alleviate poverty adopting rehabilitation scheme with fund collected from the rich. The chief executive of a region was called 'Walie' (governor) whose prime responsibility was to collect taxes and to administer justice in all spheres of life. Among the governors, Hazrat Ali (RA) bin Abu Talib and Hazrat Muaz bin Jabal (RA) were the most prominent. The two most wanted qualifications of a ruler are physique and wisdom (Ref: Al Ouran, Chapter 2, Verse No. 247).

The heads of revenues were Zakat (Poor-tax), Kharaj (crop-tax), Zizia (Security-tax), war booties and AI-Fe (land-tax payable by the feudal lords of the conquered countries). The difference between Zakat and Zizia is that the former is to be paid by the rich Muslims having an amount equal to 52 tolas of silver any time of a year, but the Zizia is payable by the rich non-Muslims)

The Prophet had no regular Army. But he was able to muster a big Army within a short notice in the event of invasion by the enemies. He also formed State Intelligence Branch The Prophet stressed on learning. At the end of the battle of Badr, he set the conditions for the prisoners that they would be released subject to giving the Muslim men and women lettered knowledge.

At the time of departure for Yemen, Hazrat Muhammad (SM) asked his newly appointed governor Muaz bin Jabal (RA) as to how would he govern the province? Muaz replied, in case of any problem arising, he would first seek solution in the Quran. If he did not find clarification therein, he would search for it in the Prophet's traditions. If that too had no answer, he would use his wisdom." The Prophet patted on his back and said, "Let it be the model of administration for the rulers of the world."

Many non-Muslim historians praised his administrative and economic reforms, paid rich tributes. Historian Josephine Hale said, "Muhammad was such a personality in absence of whom the world would have remained incomplete. He is comparable only with himself". Historian Leonardo said, "If anyone in this world has seen God, and if anyone in this world has done good to mankind, it is Muhammad." The economic and the political reforms affected by him were so brilliant that George Barnard Shaw, an English poet, said in his book 'The Genuine Islam,' 'I have studied him (Muhammad)--the wonderful man--and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity'

Finally Islam is the religion of reason. It does not support anarchy, social disorder, murder, rape, exploitation of a man by another, sodomy, cheating and torturing a man by another, emotions and superstitious. The Quran says, "Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and reason, and debate with them in the best manner." -16/125. A renowned philosopher said, "It require wisdom to understand wisdom.

Allah has called him the light giving torch.
Attempt to commit suicide by housewife

Chittagong Bureau :

A newly married housewife tried to commit suicide by jumping in the Karnaphuli river from top of the Kalurghat bridge in city on Saturday afternoon. Local people picked up her from river quickly and sent to chittagong medical hospital immediately. Sumi Akhter was married with a truck driver Md. Saddam Hossain two months ago. Sumi hails f rom Kadurkhil of Boalkhali upazila and a worker of Regent textiles of chittagong.


All doors for Mahira`s return shut?

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Sunday met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS chief Raj Thackeray at his residence in Mumbai. The meeting, that took place in the evening, assumes significance as Mr Khan's upcoming film Raees, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, is scheduled for a release next month, party sources said.

After the meeting, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray told news agency ANI: He (Shah Rukh Khan) had come to inform that rumours about Mahira Khan promoting Raees are false. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray met Shah Rukh Khan on Sunday.

Notably, the MNS has in the past objected to casting of Pakistani actors in Indian movies citing the neighbouring countrys reported involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

Earlier in October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.


ICT to make disabled efficient workforce



Speakers at a programme on Monday stressed the need for extending supports to provide IT training facilities for persons with disabilities to make them efficient workforce.

ICT could be used as an effective tool to turn differently able people into self-reliant, which eventually will ensure their dignified life in society, they told the award giving ceremony of business idea competition for the visually impaired students at a city hotel.

The Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) organized the programme on the occasion of the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, which will be celebrated today. Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwan Wiranta-atmadja, senior officials of different diplomatic missions, President of Bangladesh Association of Call Center and Outsourcing (BACCO) Ahmadul Hoque, Chairman of Centre for Zakat Management Niaz Rahim, Prof Dr Moammad A Momen of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University, , among others, attended the programme with President of the Institute Lt. Gen. (Retd) M. Nooruddin Khan in the chair.

Tanim Laila, Director Economics Division of the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW), conducted the programme. Director Administration of the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) Barrister Rizwana Yusuf, among others, was also present on the occasion.

Ahmadul Hoque said the people with differently able can earn handsome amount of money from the call centre and outsourcing, if they are given ICT trainings with English language skills.

Nooruddin Khan underscored the importance of education, empowerment and employment opportunities to help disabled persons lead dignified lives.
Prof Quazi Quamruzzaman honoured

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim handing over gold medal to the Chairman of Dhaka Community Hospital Trust Prof Dr Quazi Quamruzzaman as the best Paediatric Surgeon at a ceremony held at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on Mond



The 3rd International Congress and 5th annual congress of APSB ( Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Bangladesh) was held in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on 11 and 12 December.

Muhammad Nasim, Health Minister of Bangladesh Government, inaugurated the congress, while Abdul Aziz, President, APSB was in the chair.

On this occasion, Prof Dr. Quazi Quamruzzaman Best Paediatric Surgeon Gold Award-2016 was awarded.

The award named after Dr. Quazi Quamruzzaman, the Freedom Fighter and founder of the APSB, and currently he is Chairman of Dhaka Community Hospital Trust.

Abul Kalam Azad, Director General, Directorate of General Health Services ; Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor, BSMMU; M Iqbal Arsalan, Secretary General, BMA; Abdul Hanif, General Secretary APBS, addressed the inauguration session.
The right to development

Rose Delaney :

As Human Rights Day approaches Dec. 10, it offers a moment to pause and look back at the roots of the global development process as a platform for stepping forward. On this day 30 years ago, the international community made a commitment to eliminate all obstacles to equality and inclusivity.

Dec. 4, 1986 marks the date the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development, a landmark text which describes development as an "inalienable human right".

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights encourages all stakeholders to "approach the 30th anniversary of the Declaration with a sense of urgency."

"The 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development must remind us that marginalized people - including migrants, indigenous peoples, and other minorities, as well as persons with disabilities - have a right to development, and that the true purpose of any economic endeavor is to improve the well-being of people."

The groundbreaking 1986 declaration called for the establishment of inclusive global societies wherein the elimination of all forms of discrimination would be implemented to ensure sustainability. Developing countries in the Global South perceived to be "lagging behind" would be restored through the "international cooperation" advocated by the text. The declaration stressed the importance of active and meaningful participation in the development process, even by those traditionally silenced and stigmatized by society. The marginalized poor were encouraged to speak out in the name of their rights. The emphasis on inclusivity highlighted the importance of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in the development process.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes, in its consensus, the right to development. The main objectives of the 1986 declaration are also reflected in both SDG16 for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies in addition to SDG17 which calls for the strengthening of global partnerships.

Undoubtedly, as we approach the 30th anniversary of the 1986 declaration, there are several significant achievements to reflect on, most notably the reduction of more than half of the population of people living in extreme poverty and in conditions of undernourishment in developing regions. In addition, the adoption of the declaration also resulted in improved access to clean drinking water and a much-needed increase in official development assistance.

However, despite significant progress, poverty and inequality persist. According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, world wealth remains unevenly distributed. Over 700 million people still live on the equivalent of less than two dollars per day. The limited access to healthcare, higher education and employment suffered by vulnerable segments of society runs the risk of pushing 100 million more into poverty by 2030, according to the World Bank.

Increased inequality and injustice in the developing world indicate the shortcomings of the 1986 declaration. An ongoing debate circles around its ineffectiveness, with many arguing that there is a lack of clear, coherent guidelines and thus far, it cannot be recognized as a legally binding instrument.

Differing interpretations of the declaration have also resulted in the absence of clear-cut solutions to critical development problems. While the United Nations Development Programme claims that any action, in order to be developmental, must be human rights-based, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action in addition to the UN 2030 agenda state that the right to development calls not only for enforcing action at the domestic level, but also for enabling action at the international level.

Both states and individuals share an equal responsibility to contribute to the creation and maintenance of a peaceful and inclusive global society.

Although the 1986 declaration was at first celebrated and welcomed by the international community, in recent years it has received less support from developing countries. Rising inequality, limited economic opportunity and lack of access to basic services have led to lost faith in its true effectiveness.

Recently, a promising step forward was made for the development agenda, especially to tackle the past "ineffectiveness" of the right to development, when the Human Rights Council Resolution 33/L.29 was adopted at the council's 33rd session this September.

The resolution stressed the need to need to operationalize the Right to Development as a priority and called for the elaboration of a legally binding international instrument on the Right to Development in addition to the formation of a Special Rapporteur mandate devoted to the issue.

The council's resolution - although welcomed by countries in the Global South - was met with extreme reluctance by developed countries, whose delegates claimed the resolution unnecessarily duplicated the work of other mechanisms already put in place. On Dec. 5, The Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue and the Permanent Mission of the Government of Azerbaijan hosted a panel discussion on the rising debates surrounding the right to development in 2016. The core objective was to of emphasize the importance of granting a voice to the voiceless and most importantly, and the necessity of global solidarity as a means of eradicating underdevelopment.

The approach undertaken by the Geneva Centre and the government of Azerbaijan places civil society at the heart of the development process, as defined 30 years ago, in the 1986 declaration. The power of interconnected global communities knows no bounds, especially to build bridges between the developed and developing world, and ultimately, eliminate persistent North-South divides.

In his opening address, H. E. Dr. Hanif Al Qassim recognized the advancements in terms of development achieved over the past thirty years, but regretted that the ongoing violence, conflict and displacement were in contradiction with the vision expressed by the Declaration in 1986. He recalled that violence was trampling on both human rights and development, and encouraged the audience to use the opportunity of the debate to revitalize their commitments in this sense.

Ambassador Idriss Jazairy, Executive Director and moderator of the panel discussion, emphasized the importance of global solidarity in age of ongoing violence, corruption, economic crises, and most notably, mass displacement, the world over.

In his opening remarks, Ambsaddor Jazairy discussed the revitalization of a peaceful international community and called for the inclusion of the 1986 Declaration in the International Bill of Human Rights.

"Development is a human and a peoples' right. The individual is entitled to have the means to thrive professionally, and peoples have the right to break the chains of subordination to an unjust global order," he said.

- IPS
The sound of bullets doesn't stop

Residents still in rebel parts of east Aleppo face immense hardships, especially those who recently fled the army\'s advance.

Al Jazeera News :

Residents in rebel-controlled east Aleppo - now down to a handful of neighbourhoods - say they fear retribution if they flee to government-held areas. Aisha, a mother of three children, is one of them.

Last week, she and her family fled farther south in Aleppo when government forces took over her neighbourhood. Despite the bombings, weak utilities and sanitation, and depleting food supply, Aisha says she prefers to live in rebel areas. "We're hearing about the army taking and arresting people, so I'm content to wait for a route to open so I can go to live with my family in the countryside," she said. On Friday, hundreds of men from Aleppo went missing after entering government territory, including some of Aisha's family members with whom she lost contact.

After the military onslaught that began three weeks ago, the Syrian army is now controlling around 85 percent of previously rebel-held parts of east Aleppo. The UN and rebel sources say 100,000 people

are now in east Aleppo, crammed into a handful of neighbourhoods that amount to around 15 percent of the area the rebels held three weeks ago. Jasim, another east Aleppo resident, says he fled from his neighbourhood now under Syrian army control. "When we left the neighbourhood, the bombing was all around us, and we couldn't take anything with us except for the clothes we could carry," he told Al Jazeera. We went from street to street and the sound of bullets doesn't stop. There was no one else but us on the street. I can't risk something happening to my children by leaving. There's bombing happening throughout the day and night. Civilians still trapped in rebel-controlled parts of the city say they are facing immense hardships, especially those who recently fled the army's advance. "We don't know how to sleep or eat. I don't have anything with me, just a little money," said Aisha, who claims to have walked to her current location.

"We went from street to street and the sound of bullets doesn't stop. There was no one else but us on the street."

The fear of violence keeps Aisha and others from leaving east Aleppo altogether. "I can't risk something happening to my children by leaving. There's bombing happening  throughout the day and night," said Aisha, referring to Syrian army air strikes. The UN also said it heard reports of rebel groups preventing some civilians from leaving for government areas. According to Ismail Abdullah of the Syrian Civil Defence - aka the White Helmets - the residents who remain in the city are civilians and fighters. "Most of them are families, and women and children. A lot of them are families of fighters, and the Free Syrian Army. And there are families of the opposition," said Abdullah. Abdullah, whose group performs search-and-rescue missions in the city, says space is running out for those in the area. "There's no place for people to live. Many of the people are in sub-par housing  with no doors or windows," he said. And the situation appears to be getting worse for them. In addition to food shortages, reliance on limited gas for power, and intense fighting, the medical situation remains grave. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), medical supplies are running extremely low in east Aleppo, and hospitals have been severely damaged from air strikes.

First responders such as Abdullah face hardships, too. "Most ambulances are also damaged or out of service and roads are totally blocked with rubble from the destruction, making movement very difficult for first responders, and putting at risk the severely wounded who often cannot access emergency care on time," said Evita Mouawad, an adviser for MSF in neighbouring Jordan.


One held on extortion charge in city

Staff Reporter :

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive arrested a man on charge of abduction and taking ransom Tk 50 lakh from a Bangladesh origin British citizen posing as a source of law enforcers from the city.

The arrested man has been identified as Haji Alam, from Dia Bari area of the capital.

A team of the RAB-4 raided the city's Dia Bari area around 12:30am and arrested him from the area. Mufti Mahmud Khan, Director of the Legal and Media Wing of the elite force told the reporters in RAB Media Center on Monday morning.

"British citizen Yasin Mohammed Abdus Samad was taken in guise of law enforcers in front of the Banani Police Station on July 14. Later, Alam took Tk 50 lakh as ransom from the family of Yasin," RAB official said.
HC grants bail to Ariful, GK Gaus

Staff Reporter :

The High Court on Monday granted a six-month interim bail to suspended Sylhet city mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury and suspended Habiganj municipality mayor GK Gaus each in a case filed for killing a Jubo League man in Sunamganj in 2004.

An HC bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order after hearing their separate bail petitions. Barrister Mainul Hosein, Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain, Advocate Masud Rana and Advocate Mostafizur Rahman stood for the detained mayors while deputy attorney general Dr M Bashirullah represented the state.

Talking to reporters, Masud Rana said there is no legal bar to the release of Ariful from jail as he secured bail in all the cases filed against him. He, however, said GK Gaus cannot get released right now as he is yet to secure bail in another case. A Jubo League activist was killed and 29 others were injured as miscreants hurled a bomb at a rally in Derai of Sunamganj on June 21, 2004.

Later, a case was filed against 13 people, including Ariful and GK Gaus, with Derai Police Station in this connection.
22 Rohingyas flee persecution across border



A group of 22 Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar has crossed the Bangladesh border and now seek refuge in Chittagong.

A crowd of curious locals gathered around the group, which included five children, as they waited in an open area next to the city's Andarkilla Jame Mosque on Sunday evening.

Some policemen were also seen in the area. The group said they had fled from the Maungdaw area in Myanmar's Rakhine state, crossed the border at Kutupalang in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf district, and had arrived in Chittagong that very day. Fifty-year-old Nasima Khatun said she had been a resident of Hatiparha village in the Maungdaw area. She described an attack on her village to bdnews24.com, saying armed groups surrounded the village, shot and beat the men to death and tortured the women. "They would take 50 to 60 of the men at a time, kill them and dump the bodies in holes." After the attack, 8-10 days ago, Nasima fled with her son, daughter-in-law, grandson, daughter and son-in-law. Her daughter, Julekha, was lost on the way, she said. The family paid a middleman 40,000 Burmese kyat for the boat journey from Myanmar to Bangladesh. On reaching Bangladesh, they sought refuge at Cox Bazar's Kutupalang. "We have no home there," Nasima said. "There wasn't even enough room for all of us to sleep. We could only sit. So we decided to come here."

Worshippers at the mosque arranged food for the group after they sought refuge there.

Md Kashem, a 24-year-old Madrasa student, fled Maungdaw's Shilkhali village with seven members of his family. He says they paid 30,000 Burmese kyat to travel across the border on the Naf river.

The family fled after Kashem's older brother, Ali Jahar, was murdered by armed assailants.

His widow, 'Anwara' told bdnews24.com "We fled to a neighbouring village immediately after a group shot and killed my husband." "We were in Kutupalang," said Kashem. "The locals said we would need money to build houses. But we had no Bangladeshi taka. The locals said we could find money here, so here we are. Once we raise enough money we'll go back to Kutupalang."

Though the group managed to reach Chittagong with the help of two Kutupalang residents, the Rohingyas do not know anyone in the city. Asked about the group, Kotwali Police Station Inspector Nur Ahmed told bdnews24.com "We have sent a team to look into the matter and will be able to provide more details after they return." Bangladesh has been witnessing a wave of Rohingya refugees ever since the Myanmar military began a crackdown in Rakhine state three months ago. Bangladesh border guards have been pushing back boats with refugees from various points of the border.

Tens of thousands of Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since the Myanmar army started a massive crackdown against them in 1979. In 2012 the Bangladesh government barred Rohingyas from entering Bangladesh and have not relented since. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said, however, that those Rohingyas who had already entered Bangladesh would be provided with humanitarian assistance. But she said no militancy will be tolerated.


Draft bill fixing service tenure of defence forces' chiefs okayed

UNB, Dhaka :

The Cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of 'The Defence-Forces Chiefs (Appointment, Retirement and Remuneration and Allowances) Bill, 2016' incorporating a provision of maximum four-year tenure of the concerned force's chiefs from the date of their appointment.

The approval was given at the regular weekly meeting of the Cabinet held at the Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the draft law has been proposed in line with sections 61, 62 and 63 of the constitution.

As per these sections, it is mandatory for the government to formulate a law regarding appointment, retirement and remunerations of the chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force as it has not been framed for the last 45 years, Shafiul said. Shafiul said the proposed draft law will replace the existing Joint Services Instructions-JSI under which the President has been appointing the chiefs of the three services while all other facilities and allowances are determined so far under the JSI. About remuneration and allowances of the three services' chiefs, Shafiul Alam said they will get an amount of fixed salary equivalent to that of the Cabinet Secretary, which is currently a consolidated amount of Tk 86,000 per month. Besides, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force will get other defence allowance,

outfit allowance, special residential facility and all-time transport facilities as well as other facilities like civil servants of the republic, he said.

After their retirement, Shafiul Alam said, the chiefs of the three services could not get re-appointment to any of the civil or military positions of the republic. However, they could be appointed to any of the constitutional posts of the country or in any such posts on contract basis. The Cabinet also approved in principle the draft of the 'Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Bill, 2016' making some minor changes in the existing law after translating it in Bangla. Under the proposed law, he said, a Managing Board will run the Institute with its Director General as the chief of the institute. The Board will sit after every four months in a meeting.

The Cabinet meeting also approved in principle the draft of the 'Seed Bill, 2016' under which the National Seed Board will be formed with the Agriculture Secretary as its chairman while a seed certifying agency will be formed which will issue certificates to the seed dealers.
Naf River marks the horror stories

Rohingyas speak of genocidal terror

Rohingya Muslims women who have fled from violence in Myanmar take shelter at the Leda unregistered Rohingya camp in Teknaf, Bangladesh.

TIME reports :

Around 21,000 Rohingyas have sought refuge in Bangladesh over the past two months, as Myanmar [formerly Burma] forces launched what one UN official says is "getting very close to what we would all agree are crimes against humanity." TIME reports from the Bangladesh border, where the full horror is only just emerging.

If the Naf River could talk, which horror story would it tell first?

The narrow waterway marks the border between Burma and Bangladesh. On its western bank is the Bangladeshi's port city of Chittagong. To the east, Burma's Arakan state, also known as Rakhine, home to the Buddhist-majority country's Rohingya people, a Muslim minority described over the years as stateless, friendless and forgotten.

But if the river could remember their stories, it might speak, for example, of the night in late November when Arafa, a 25-year-old Rohingya woman, entered its waters with her five children.

She used to have six. As she talks, sitting on the threshold of a hut in a makeshift refugee camp on the Bangladeshi side of the Naf, she is surrounded by her son and four young daughters. They are a lively bunch, noisy, restless, yet shy, hiding behind their mother's back or running in and out of the hut, as she recounts what happened to her second son.

He was 8 years old. Sometime around November 22, Arafa says her village was attacked by Burmese security forces. Viewed as illegal immigrants and denied citizenship rights by the Burmese state, the Rohingya have long faced intimidation, oppression and violence at the hands of both Buddhist extremists and the country's security forces.

The last major sectarian spasm was in 2012, when clashes between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims displaced some 125,000 people. Rights activists accused security forces of either standing aside as the violence spread, or actively participating in it.

This time, Arafa says, the army's assault felt different. The security men seemed more determined, more driven, to punish the Rohingyas. Their weapon of choice was fire.

Arafa says that the military torched her village. As the flames engulfed her home, she just about managed to escape with her six children. That was when the family was confronted by a Burmese soldier. He snatched the fleeing 8-year-old, separating him from his brother and sisters, and flung him into the blaze.

In the chaos, Arafa lost sight of her husband. But she could not turn back; she had to leave him behind, leave her son's charred body behind, and mourn on the move.

"I had to save my other children. We had to escape [from Burma]," she tells TIME. "They burned everything."

For two days, Arafa and her children hid in the forests that skirt the riverbank on the Burmese side, laying low to avoid detection by troops, before boarding a rickety boat that took them to safety across the Naf.

They are not alone. Arafa's family are among the estimated 21,000 Rohingyas who have sought refuge in Bangladesh over the past two months, as Burmese forces launched what testimony from refugees, satellite imagery compiled by rights groups and leaked photos and videos from inside Arakan indicate is a horrifyingly bloody crackdown against the million-strong Muslim minority.

The latest troubles began in early October, when police said three border guard posts were attacked by Islamist militants. Nine policemen were killed, with the government saying the attackers belonged to an extremist group called Aqa Mul Mujahidin. A statement from the Burmese President's office linked them to the Rohingya Solidarity Organization, a militant group long thought to be defunct. The only proof for these claims was the government's word.

What followed has been described by Burmese authorities as "clearance operations." Amnesty International, the rights group, calls it "collective punishment": a ferocious campaign of violent reprisals against an entire people. In addition to arson attacks on Rohingya villages, the military has been accused of raping Rohingya women and conducting extrajudicial killings of Muslims. Helicopter gunships have been used to fire on Rohingya villages.

Satellite imagery released by Human Rights Watch show that more than 800 buildings were destroyed in five different Rohingya villages between November 10 and 18. An earlier set of high-resolution images showed the destruction of more than 400 homes in three villages between October 22 and November 10. The actual number of destroyed buildings could be higher, given the dense tree cover in the area, the rights group says.

Verifying the picture on the ground is impossible, as Burma has sealed off the affected areas. But the news that is coming out suggests that the situation is "getting very close to what we would all agree are crimes against humanity," says Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, as the country is officially known.

"I am getting reports from inside the country and from neighboring places too that things are not as they are being portrayed by the government. We are seeing a lot of very graphic and very disturbing photos and video clips," she tells TIME. Although unable to independently verify the footage, she says: "We do hear about rape and sexual violence, and even bodies of little kids being uncovered."

"We can't verify the numbers of how many have been killed. Many have gone into hiding," Lee adds, expressing her dissatisfaction with a government-supervised trip to some of the affected areas by a group of foreign diplomats and a UN official in early November.

"No one should be satisfied with the trip," she says. "This was a guided tour. Even though there was a heavy security presence there, people started to come out and try to speak to this delegation. And of course, afterwards, we've also heard that there were reprisals. These people were hunted down."

On December 9, 14 diplomatic missions, including the embassies of the U.S. and France, called on Burma to give humanitarian agencies "full and unfettered access" to northern Arakan, "noting that tens of thousands of people who need humanitarian aid, including children with acute malnutrition, have been without it now for nearly two months."
Gaibandha DC acquitted

UNB, Dhaka :

The High Court on Monday acquitted Deputy Commissioner of Gaibandha Abdus Samad as he apologised appearing before the court for using words "Bengali miscreants" in a report submitted to the court over the clash between Santals and Gaibandha police on November 6.

A two-member HC bench comprising justice Obaidul Hassan and justice Krishna Debnath passed the order after he sought unconditional apology appearing physically before the court.

The court also cautioned him to be careful while using words. The court also summoned the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gaibandha to appear before the court on January 2 as the DC informed the court that the report was made by the SP. Earlier on December 07, the HC summoned the DC to explain the choice of words in the report. On 30 November, Gaibandha SP and DC and authorities of Rangpur Sugar Mills submitted three reports to the HC. In his report, the DC said, "Members of ethnic minority/Bengali miscreants carried out an attack on the law enforcers and the staff of Rangpur Sugar Mills while the mill authorities were harvesting sugarcane from Shahebganj Farm in Gobindaganj upazila. In this regard, SP of Special Branch of the district informed that police opened fire to disperse the ethnic minority and Bengali miscreants and to save the law enforcers and their arms". After reading the report, the court said, "How did the DC use the word 'Bengali miscreants? These types of words had been used during the liberation war in 1971 and even after the assassination of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The DC could write 'law violators'. We want explanation from the DC." Three Santal men were killed and 27 people, including nine policemen, injured following a clash with law enforcers and workers of Rangpur Sugar Mill in Gobindaganj upazila on 6 November.
3 lakh apply for 67,039 seats in Govt High Schools

M M Jasim :

About five applicants will vie for a seat in Government High School under the 2017 academic session.

The admission test of Class II-IX will start on Saturday in Dhaka and Class one on December 24 in Dhaka.

The school authorities of outside the capital will decide the date for the admission test.

The candidates have to sit for written admission from classes II-VIII while the students of Class one will be admitted through lottery, the Education Ministry sources said.

The application process started on December 1 and ended on Monday.

A total of about three lakh candidates from 316 Government High Schools have applied for 67,039 seats of Class one to IX.

Of them as many as 70,000 students applied for admission in 38 schools in city for 10,595 seats.

The Education Ministry and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) divided the schools into three units (Ka, Kha and Ga). In Dhaka, a total of about 20,000 candidates applied for 3991 seats in 13 schools under 'Ka' unit, about 25,000 for 2969 seats in 13 schools under 'Kha' unit and about 23,500 for 3635 seats in 12 schools under 'Ga' unit.

The number of the admission test of the students of Class II-III is 50 and the time of the test is one hour. Of them, 15 are Bangla, 15 English and 20 Mathematics.

The number of the admission test of the students of Class II-III is 100 and the time of the test is two hours. Of the marks 30 are Bangla, 30 English and 40 Mathematics.

The general students will fight for only 41 percent seats as the 59 percent seats will be filled up by the different quotas.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry and DHSE will jointly form a strong monitoring team to supervise the admission process. The names of the committee members will be announced soon.

Director (Secondary) of DSHE Professor Md Elias Hossain said the DSHE brought 316 Government High Schools out of 335 under online process this year. It was only 175 in 2016 academic session.

He hoped that no irregularity would be happened during the admission tests.


BD Hindus protest in front of White House

PTI, Washington :

Bangladeshi Hindus have held a peaceful protest in front of the White House to urge outgoing US President Barack Obama to help protect and bring an end to the "persecution" of religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country. "We believe you are a person of great sensitivity and resolve, and would find the situation in Bangladesh with respect to the minority communities deplorable. We would like to request you, if it is possible, to convey our anxiety regarding Bangladesh to the next administration," said a memorandum submitted by protesters to Obama on Sunday. Organised by Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA dozens of protesters conveyed their deep concern regarding the allegedly passive role of the Bangladeshi government in coming to the rescue of the affected or in taking legal measures against the perpetrators. "The destruction of Hindu households and temples, the usurping of Hindu lands and occasional killing and rape have become a norm in the present day Bangladesh. In fact, in recent weeks, the news of two more premeditated attacks were documented during which the party in power was complicit,

and no actions were taken by the authorities to assist or support the victims and their families," the memorandum said.

Last month, the same organisation had held a similar demonstration in front of the Trump Towers in New York. "President-elect Donald Trump had attended a charity event before the election to raise funds for the terrorism. Bangladeshi Hindus who are victims of terrorism. I am sure, he would take up our cause too," said protester Sitangshu Guha. Protecting Bangladesh from falling into the lap of ISIS is the "most pressing priorities", said Jay Kansara of the Hindu American Foundation.
President invites BNP on Dec 18

Staff Reporter :

President Abdul Hamid will start dialogue with all registered political parties on the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) from December 18.

There are 40 registered political parties now in the country.

"As per Article 118 of the Constitution, the honourable President will begin dialogue with the all registered political parties before appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Commissioners. The first meeting will be held with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on December 18 at 4.30 pm," President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told The New Nation on Monday.

He said the President will hold meeting with Jatiya Party on December 20, Liberal Democratic Party and Krishak Sramik Janata League on December 21 and Jatiya Samajtantric Dal (JASOD-Inu) on December 22.

"The President Abdul Hamid has already on Monday asked BNP to give a list of its representatives for talks with him over formation of the new Election commission," Joynal Abedin said, adding in a letter, the President asked BNP to give a list of not more than 10 people by December 15.

Besides, the other political parties have already been informed about their schedule.

In 2012, then late President Zillur Rahman appointed the present CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad to lead the five-member EC through a search committee after holding meetings with political parties.

The tenure of current EC expires in February next. The new EC will conduct the next general election scheduled to be held in 2019.

On November 18, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia placed a 13-point proposal for forming the new EC and called for reconstituting the EC in consultation with representatives of all registered political parties or with representatives of all political parties who over different periods had representation in the National Parliament.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a press conference on December 3 said, "She [Khaleda] has made her proposal; now she can tell the President about it, and he would make the decision ... we've nothing to say ... according to the rules, the President will consider their proposal."


Martyred Intellectuals' Day tomorrow

Staff Reporter :

The Martyred Intellectuals' Day will be observed in the country tomorrow (Wednesday) commemorating the tragic killing of the valiant sons of the soil just two days before the country's final victory achieved through a bloody War of Liberation in 1971. The most infamous members of the Razakar, Al-badar and Al- shams bands blindfolded and dragged the best sons of the soil out of their homes in Dhaka on December 14, only two days before the heinous Pakistani barbarian hordes led by General Niazi surrendered on December 16 leading to the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state.

The Pakistani hyenas brutally tortured them before killing them by bullets and bayonets near Rayerbazar at the fag end of the War of Liberation.

Different socio-political and cultural organisations and the government have chalked out separate programmes to observe the day with due honour to the greatest martyrs whose supreme sacrifice is eternally being regarded as the source of inspiration for all to carry forward the hopes and aspirations of the nation to the future. The national flag will fly at half-mast and black flags will be hoisted atop all national institutions. To mark the Martyred Intellectuals Day, Awami League will hoist black flags and keep the national and party flags at half-mast at Bangabandhu Bhaban and its Central Office and all party offices across the country.

Besides, the programme includes placing of wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard at Mirpur at 7.15 am, portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 at 7.45 am and Rayerbazar Killing Ground at Mohammadpur at 9.30 am.

The party will hold a discussion at Krishibid Institution auditorium at Farmgate Khamarbari in the afternoon.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to chair the discussion while central leaders will join it.

The Dhaka University authorities have chalked out elaborate programmes marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day on December 14. The university's programmes of Martyred Intellectuals Day included hoisting of black flags at the university's Vice-Chancellor Bhaban and other important buildings at 6.15am, assemblage of students, teachers, officials and workers at Aparajeya Bangla at 6.30 am at Aparajeyo Bangla and placing wreaths at the graveyard on the premises of university's central mosque, Jagannath Hall premises' Smritisoudha, mausoleums at different residential areas at 6.35, a press release said. Later they will proceed towards Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the city's Mirpur to pay tributes to the martyred intellectuals.

A discussion will be held at the Teacher-Student Centre at 11am while special prayers will be offered at the Central Mosque and other mosques in residential halls after Johr prayers seeking peace of the souls of martyred. Special prayer will also be offered at the Jagannath Hall Upasanalay of the university.
Myanmar calls ASEAN meet on `Rohingya issue`

AFP :

Myanmar has called an emergency ASEAN meeting to discuss the Rohingya crisis, a diplomat said on Monday, as regional tensions deepen over a bloody military crackdown on the country's Muslim minority.



More than 20,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh over the past two months, fleeing a military campaign in Myanmar's western Rakhine state.



Their stories of mass rape and murder at the hands of security forces have galvanised protests in Muslim nations around the region, with Buddhist-majority Myanmar facing diplomatic pressure from its neighbours.



Last week Malaysian Prime Minister lashed out at Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allowing "genocide" on her watch, speaking before thousands of angry protesters in Kuala Lumpur. Myanmar, which has vehemently denied the accusations, responded by angrily summoning Malaysia's ambassador and banning its workers from going to the country. A diplomatic source in the Philippines confirmed Myanmar had invited them for an emergency ASEAN meeting to discuss "the Rohingya issue".



The source declined to give more details on the meeting, which the Nikkei reported would be held in Yangon on December 19. Myanmar officials could not be reached for comment. The bloodshed presents the biggest challenge to Nobel Peace prize winner Suu Kyi since her party won the country's first democratic elections in a generation last year. Last week the UN's special adviser on Myanmar criticised her handling of the crisis, saying it had "caused frustration locally and disappointment internationally". Suu Kyi also held talks over Rakhine with the foreign minister of Indonesia, after cancelling a visit to the country in November following protests and an attempted attack on the Myanmar embassy. State media report almost 100 people have been killed -- 17 soldiers and 76 suspects-in the army operation in Rakhine that followed deadly raids on police border posts on October 9. That includes six suspects who died during interrogations, the Global New Light of Myanmar said on Saturday, out of some 575 people who have been detained. Advocacy groups put the death toll in the hundreds, but foreign journalists and independent investigators have been barred from visiting the area to verify the figures. With the crisis showing no sign of abating, the government over the weekend extended a 7.00pm to 6.00am curfew across the locked-down area for another two months.


An int`l conference sans tangible results

Faruque Ahmed :

Collective initiative and regional collaboration among ASEAN nations is important to end the Rohingya crisis. Its focus on economic collaborations and non-intervention policy in internal issues is making the Rohingya crisis the worst disaster in our time.



The three-day conference of Global Forum on Migration and Development in Dhaka participated by over 600 representatives from at least 130 countries took place early this week when the influx of Rohingya refugees into the country from Myanmar is at its peak.



The participants include ministers, UN and government officials and civil society organizations who work on human rights and migrants' safety.



But like the ASEAN countries, they also skipped any meaningful discussion on Rohingya crisis when Myanmar is destroying the ethnic Muslim minority in systematic violence evicting villages, raping women and killing people as part of ethnic cleansing.



Participants rather brought pressure on Bangladesh to keep the border open for Rohingyas to escape from the genocide. Needless to say that Bangladesh does not need outsiders' advice on such humanitarian issue, we are already giving shelter to fleeing Rohingyas and providing them food, medicine and access to education and other health services.



What was expected on this occasion is that such international conference will seriously weigh on crucial diplomatic and other means to bring pressure on Myanmar government to stop the genocide and take back the displeased people.



But the delegates find it easier to tell Bangladesh that international organizations and aid agencies will provide all humanitarian help to the Rohingyas but Bangladesh should shelter them until their rehabilitation can be arranged in other countries.



We must say such pressure on Bangladesh is unwanted and unbecoming since Dhaka is already sheltering over 500,000 Rohingyas and any permanent resettlement of such ill-fated people so far is not in sight while the new exodus is poising to create here bigger socio-political crisis.



Summarizing the outcome of the conference International Organization on Migration (IOM) Secretary Lacy Swing said they are jointly working with ILO and International Organization for Employers to set up a series of standard for rehabilitation of migrants in host countries as legal workers.



Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said the conference has agreed to develop a global migrant compact which may be binding or may not be to address the growing refugee crisis.



But in our view such policy approach appears to be outwardly a fantasy because it will not bring any foreseeable relief to Bangladesh. Nobody has so far taken any Rohingya from Bangladesh to resettle them outside Bangladesh.



What makes many wonder is that in Rohingya issues why the international community or the IOM as such is not bringing direct pressure on Myanmar to stop the genocide to stop making more people homeless migrants who are frantically trying to take shelter in Bangladesh, in addition to Malaysia and Thailand.



The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network made a sensible dispatch Sunday as carried out by The New Nation laying emphasis on the collective initiatives and regional collaborations of South East Asian nations to stop the violence against Rohingyas in Myanmar



It said, "As the main political and economic regional grouping in South-East Asia -- ASEAN seems to prefer to focus on its economic functions, while turning a blind eye to more pressing political and human rights issue like the Rohingya crisis.



"This principle needs re-evaluating now that the Rohingya crisis has directly impacted ASEAN member states. It has to step up pressure on the Myanmar government to stop the persecution of and discrimination against the Rohingya people through persistent diplomacy.



"A stronger diplomacy is also needed to allow and ensure the admission of humanitarian aid agencies into the Rohingya area. Moreover, a legal system to deal with the refugee issue in the region should be put into place. It is no longer sufficient or morally justifiable for ASEAN to cite its non-interference principle as a buffer to shirk its responsibilities."


Daughter weepingly begged not to handcuff father

Court Reporter :

Some officials of the Ministry of Forests were charged after more than 12 years for giving more compensation money for trees on land acquired by RAJUK. The money reportedly defalcated was little more than Tk 3 crore according to the FIR.



Last Sunday at about midnight, some 12 police and ACC officials went to the house of an accused in Dhaka. The family members do not want to disclose any name to be published for fear of antagonizing them further.



The daughter of the accused who is a third year University Student told them of the Supreme Court's order requiring them to surrender before the Sessions Judge of Dhaka. They attached no importance and refused to see the Supreme Court's order. She was also threatened to be taken with them if she talked too much.



When the accused was about to be handcuffed his daughter had to touch the feet of an officer begging weepingly not to put handcuffs to humiliate her father. She also told them her father was a heart patient. It was not necessary to be harsh with him.



Earlier, facing the criminal charge brought by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the concerned officials obtained an order from their Lordships of the Appellate Division of the Hon'ble Supreme Court directing them to surrender before the Sessions Judge, Dhaka so that they could not be subjected to arrest in Narayangonj. The officials expressed fear of ACC officials' attempt to arrest. The order was to "surrender for bail".



The truth of the report prepared by ACC showing more trees on the land makes the payment controversial, is now subject matter of a pending suit. In that suit, the Court issued injunction restraining the ACC to proceed with the corruption case till the decision about the genuineness of the report was established.



By the ferocity of the ACC officials to arrest him for such minor allegation of corruption, it is suspected that some enmity somewhere is working.



The ACC participated in the suit proceeding and has the knowledge that the High Court Division upheld the lower court's order of injunction. The matter is still pending before the High Court Division.



Firstly, violating the injunction order, the concerned ACC officials started the criminal proceeding against the accused by filing FIR.



Thus the officials not only violated injunction but deliberately interfered with the Supreme Court order asking the accused to surrender to lower court for bail.



The Supreme Court recently issued a long list of guidelines for the law enforcing agencies requiring them among, other things, to respect and protect one's dignity when dealing with an alleged accused. Handcuffs are used when the accused is dangerous and the crime is serious one. But the present accused is a government servant and offence of corruption is highly doubtful.



Many people believe that there are some black-ships among law enforcing agencies who think our people are helpless and they are free to do whatever they want. Though they are law-enforcers but think they are above law. The complaint of police excess is too widespread not to take seriously.



It is learned that the lawyer of the accused has notified the matter to the Chairman of the Anti Corruption Commission.


The Undead Archives

I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world.
Guz Rantz Photo by Robin May

With U.S. Sen.-elect John Kennedy preparing a move to Washington, the list of names of who might replace him as treasurer in Louisiana seems to be growing with each passing day.

Kennedy took 69 percent of the vote over Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell on the states pre-Christmas runoff ballot, which means a special election for treasurer will have to be called soon.

Former state House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, a Republican from Lake Charles, told LaPolitics that he might be a candidate for the post.

Its something I would consider, says Kleckley, who now works for the law firm of Adams & Reese.

Also looking at the race is Acadiana health care executive Gus Rantz, who placed fifth in the primary for the 3rd Congressional District last month.

Meanwhile, state Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, has been building his campaign for a few months and says he intends to be a candidate in the special election.

Also from the House, Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Metairie, recently held a fundraiser in New Orleans to test the waters and could make her final decision soon.

Chuck Kleckley (center) Photo by Robin May

Sens. Norby Chabert, R-Houma, and Neil Riser, R-Columbia, and Rep. Paul Hollis, R-Mandeville, are said to be seriously looking at the race as well.

Ron Henson, currently the first assistant state treasurer, is expected to be appointed as the interim treasurer until a special election can be decided.

According to the Associated Press, Kennedy is not planning to resign by Dec. 14, which would have allowed for a special election for treasurer to be called for March 25. That means a fall 2017 special election will be called.
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The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

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CHICAGO  Gov. Bruce Rauner has eliminated a backlog of more than 2,000 clemency requests he inherited from previous governors, in what the Republican said is part of his effort to improve Illinois' criminal justice system and help some people convicted of crimes go on to lead productive lives.

Some of the applications were filed more than a decade ago. They piled up under now-imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat who acted on about 1,000 of the nearly 4,000 cases filed in about six years, according to Prisoner Review Board reports.

"I think our criminal justice system hasn't served our residents well, and we're trying to change it," Rauner said Monday. "(Clemency) is an extraordinary measure, not something that's granted lightly. But each request should be respected and treated on a timely basis."

He said offenders and their families deserve an answer "so they can move on and have options in their lives."

Out of the 2,333 applications Rauner has acted on since becoming governor in 2015 he granted about 80 pardons, or about 3 percent of the requests. He granted three commutations, his office said.

People can seek pardons after they've finished serving a sentence. If a pardon is granted, the offender may go to court to have the conviction removed from their criminal record. With a commutation, a sentence is reduced or terminated while the person is serving it.

Rauner's predecessor, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, acted on about 4,000 cases, according to Prisoner Review Board reports. He granted more than a quarter of the pardons requested and roughly a dozen commutations. They included a reduced sentence for a woman who killed her husband by dousing him with gasoline and setting him on fire while he slept. The woman, Tammy Englerth, said in her clemency petition that her husband abused her "in every way imaginable."

Rauner acknowledged he granted requests at a far lower rate than Quinn, but noted that in some states such as Alaska or Arizona governors have gone years without issuing a single pardon.

Most of the pardons Rauner granted were for nonviolent crimes such as forgery, drugs or theft. He has been criticized for denying other cases, including a request for posthumous clemency for Grover Thompson, who was imprisoned for stabbing an elderly Mount Vernon woman. Rauner rejected it even though serial killer Timothy Krajcir confessed to the crime more than a decade after Thompson died while serving a 40-year sentence.

Rauner said that before making a decision, he reviews the Prisoner Review Board's recommendation and consults with some senior staff and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti.

He said he considers whether a person has had an otherwise clean criminal record and whether the person has given back to the community through the military or other service. He also said the person must have "a need for clemency," such as to get a job or a professional license.

Among those he pardoned was Elizabeth Helton, who was convicted at age 17 of attempted armed robbery. At the time, Helton said, she had already been in treatment for substance abuse, wasn't going to school and was "a kid without a real understanding of the consequences."

The Bloomington resident earned her GED in jail and later earned a master's degree in social work from Illinois State University. She's now 33 and a social worker at the same facility where she once was a client. But with the felony on her record, she couldn't become a licensed clinical social worker. Now she'll be able to make more money and have more career options, she said.

"It's life-changing," Helton said. "I've spent my adult life with the weight of the decisions I made as an adolescent on my shoulders."

Last month, Rauner pardoned a 79-year-old decorated Vietnam War veteran who pleaded guilty to reckless homicide after the car he was driving crashed more than 50 years ago, killing his best friend. Patrick McNamee said he wanted his record cleared so he could get a concealed carry firearms permit.

Rauner created a commission on criminal justice and sentencing reform last year with a goal of reducing the prison population by 25 percent by 2025. He's also signed legislation to help former prisoners get professional licenses and to make it easier for ex-offenders to have their records expunged.
MYRTLE BEACH  Volunteer leader Dean Hutto of Orangeburg County was named a South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation 2016 Government Relations All-Star.

The award was presented Dec. 1 at Myrtle Beach during the organizations 73rd annual meeting.

Hutto testified in front of the Ways and Means Committee at the Statehouse about the 2015 flood and the aftermath that affected farmers in his area and around the state. He also invited legislators and news media to tour his farm, giving them a visual understanding of the actual damage to farmers crops following the flood. Hutto is currently serving as the SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers chair.

The SCFB Government Relations All-Star awards are given annually as a means of recognizing member volunteers who go above and beyond to advance SCFBs priority issues in the General Assembly.

John Perrow of Calhoun County and Catherine Porth of Lexington County were named as all-stars along with six others: Neal Baxley of Marion County, Jeremy Cannon of Clarendon County, Whitney Farr of Spartanburg County, , Jimmie Lee Shaw of Newberry County, Raleigh Ward of Florence County and Jason Wright of Greenville County. They each received a clock representing the time they dedicated to the work of Farm Bureau.

SCFB Legislator of the Year awards are also given annually recognizing a state senator and representative who support family farmers and rural lifestyles in South Carolina through key legislation. This years award winners were Rep. Brian White, R-Anderson, and Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken.

Achievement award

Hutto, as Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee chair, also accepted a special achievement award on behalf of Orangeburg County from SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Director Jessica Cabrera.

Orangeburg County Farm Bureau was recognized for having one of the top Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers programs in the state during 2016.

Talent runner-up

McKenzie Johnson, daughter of Tesha Johnson and Chris Williamson of Orangeburg County, was named first runner-up in the S.C. Farm Bureau Talent Contest Junior 1 Division. The contest was held at the annual meeting.

Abigail Hansen of Beaufort County took top honors, while Dak Weeks of Calhoun County was named second runner-up.

Annual meeting overview

The 73rd Annual Meeting opened with a State of Agriculture address from SCFB President and Calhoun County farmer Harry Ott.

Nearly 1,000 Farm Bureau members from across the state gathered not just to prepare for the year ahead, but also to celebrate accomplishments of members and progress made in the General Assembly. Many individuals were recognized for their dedication to SCFB.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duval, a Georgia farmer, spoke to members on Friday morning about issues the Farm Bureau will face in 2017. He encouraged members to work together to form a strong alliance among all farmers, and lend a helping hand to fellow farmers near and far when needed.

S.C. Congressman Tom Rice was given South Carolina Farm Bureau Federations Congressman of the Year award during the annual awards program on Dec. 2. Rice was nominated for the award for his commitment to the agriculture industry in the state and positive impact on policies that affect farmers and ranchers.

I'm incredibly humbled by the support from the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and am truly honored to be named Congressman of the Year by this outstanding organization, Rice said. My sincere thanks to all those in the ag industry who work to provide for our state and country. I know how important agriculture is to our district and will never stop fighting for farmers.

Cullen Bryant of Dillon County received SCFBs highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, as the highlight of the Awards and Recognition Program Dec. 2. Bryant has contributed hugely to SCFB through his countless hours of dedication and selfless volunteerism to SC agriculture. Bryant is a leader in agriculture technology and loves to invite anyone to his farm to teach them about agriculture.

Steven Long of Newberry County took home $500 in STIHL merchandise and $500 cash after winning the SCFB Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. Long competed against 10 other contestants in a face-to-face discussion about membership engagement and organizational growth.

Three farm families  Whitney and Lynne Farr of Anderson County, Ty and Tracy Woodard of Darlington County and Davis and Cegi Peeler of Anderson County  were named finalists in the 2017 SCFB Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award Contest. As finalists, each couple received a check for $1,000 compliments of the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company. They also have the opportunity to win a new GM truck.

Finalists for the SCFB Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award were also announced. They are Zachary Snipes of Charleston County, Nikki Seibert Kelley of Charleston County, Case Chumley of Spartanburg County and Dan Swenson of Newberry County. The finalists will be competing for the opportunity to win $500 and a Polaris ATV.

The contest winner for both the Achievement Award and the Excellence in Agriculture Award will be announced in February at the 2017 SCFB Young Farmer & Rancher Conference in Charleston. State winners will also have the opportunity travel to the 2018 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn., to compete nationally against other state contest winners.

Each year, one South Carolina educator receives the Betty J. DeWitt Outstanding Educator Award. This year Annie Baxley, a teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Georgetown County, received the award and $500. The award is presented to a teacher of grades K-12 who has designed and implemented a lesson plan about the food and fiber industry.

Allison Harman and Brandon Myers, both from Lexington County, were named the female and male winners of the 2016 SCFB Youth Ambassador Scholarship Contest. Each received $150 in cash and a college scholarship in the amount of $2,000.

The annual meeting came to a close after the business meeting of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, where two individuals were elected to positions on the organizations Executive Committee, including newly elected SCFB Central District Vice President Donnie Wakefield of Aiken County and newly elected SCFB Piedmont District Vice President Tim Donald of Oconee County.

South Carolina Farm Bureau is a grassroots, nonprofit organization celebrating and supporting family farmers, locally grown food, and our rural lands through legislative advocacy, education, and community outreach. By connecting farmers to the larger community, Farm Bureau cultivates understanding about agricultures importance to South Carolinas local economies. To learn more, log on to scfb.org.
Several downtown buildings are getting money for facelifts.

Orangeburg City Council on Monday approved more than $81,000 in facade grant funding for downtown projects.

Weve done several years of facade improvements and its really starting to make a difference in our downtown in the appearance of the buildings, City Administrator John Yow said.

I think it would make a big impact on the downtown if we could do 10 grant apps and 10 building improvements this year, he said.

A total of ten projects were approved by council. A maximum $10,000 can be awarded to individual projects.

A facade grand application review committee consisting of citizens appointed by council suggested five priority projects.

The priority projects are Palmetto Office Supply, Acacia Flower Shop, George Amash, Wes & Freda Summers and AYS Holdings. The five will share almost $48,000.

An additional five proposed facade grant fund requests were approved for a total of $33,323.These facade projects are for Ann E. Epps, One Source Dist., the Rev. Sammie Gordon, The Music Doctor and New America.

While council initially planned to fund only $50,000 in grants this year, Yow said the additional money will not be hard to cover.

That is one that will not be a strain to do, he said.

Councilman Bernard Haire asked if the owners of the old newsstand are aware of the available grant money and eligible to apply.

They have not applied but weve talked with them through each cycle, Assistant City Administrator John Singh said. Theyve decided this time to go ahead and get the code areas that they needed to get done first done.

Singh said there may be some additional areas that they will be making improvements on.

We want buildings that we know are not deteriorating where the facade would start deteriorating in a couple short years, Yow said.

When the building gets the other issues addressed, it would then be eligible for a facade grant.

I just think its a great idea that people would like to upgrade their properties, Councilwoman Liz Keitt said. Its really looking good.

Keitt said more people are visiting the downtown area because of building improvements.

Also in the meeting:

 Council approved first reading of an ordinance adopting amended electric and gas rates for the Department of Public Utilities, effective Feb. 1, 2017.

Department of Public Utilities Interim Manager Warren Harley proposed changes in the net metering rates for customers with a solar panel system.

The staff is recommending that we amend the rate to reflect what is industry standard of crediting customers only for the power generated and not for the cost of distributing the power, Harley said. What were doing is were only going to be crediting them for the amount that they essentially put back on the grid.

Currently, DPU credits customers with a solar panel system a one-to-one ratio for energy cost from SCE&G at approximately 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. The change will be to $0.0309 per kilowatt-hour.

This cost is reflective of what SCE&G charges DPU for energy generation, making the ratio of customer-generated energy and SCE&G-generated energy a one-to-one ratio.

We wont credit them for distribution charges of the transportation to get power there because thats our infrastructure, not theirs, Harley said.

Changes in gas rates for gas transportation services were also proposed.

This is a rate that is available to larger customers using a certain amount of gas every month, Harley said.

The rate is important for those companies that have large gas loads and economic development opportunities.

As their gas load goes up, their cost will decline, Harley said.

The first 60,000 dekatherms per month would be $0.95 per dekatherm, $0.60 per dekatherm for the next 60,000, and $0.40 per dekatherm for all dekatherms over 120,000 per month.

 Council approved first reading of changes to the city purchasing ordinance.

Changes include a more uniform way of purchasing IT equipment, the addition of equal opportunity policies and procedures prohibiting discrimination, competitive solicitation processes and equal opportunity for women/minority business enterprises in all aspects of the citys contracting and procurement programs.

Those are things that we typically always practice anyway but its something that needs to be in the ordinance, Singh said.

 Council passed second reading of an ordinance adopting state and national building codes as the state of South Carolina has adopted during the legislative session.

 The character trait for the month of December was declared to be compassion.

 The Jan. 3 city council meeting was cancelled due to holiday travels. Council could call a meeting if matters require it.

 Council went into executive session to discuss contracts for insurance and reinsurance as well as a legal matter regarding a street closure.
A warning about potentially deadly drugs stemmed from the death of an Orangeburg man and the hospitalization of two others.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell recently warned of a narcotic that apparently has serious side effects up to and including death.

The warning came as the sheriffs office began investigating a possible drug overdose at an Oxford Drive residence.

The incident occurred around 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, as some friends gathered to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana after they finished work for the day, according to a sheriffs office incident report.

The homeowner said that was a routine for the four of them.

One of the men reached into his pocket and pulled out crushed pills and asked the others if they wanted to try it by snorting it through their noses, the report said.

The homeowner said he didnt partake of the drug, but the other three men did.

He also said it was the first time hed witnessed any of his friends trying such drugs outside of smoking marijuana.

The homeowner told deputies that once the men snorted the substance, they all began to start falling to the ground simultaneously.

The homeowner shook the men for a response. One man appeared to be unresponsive.

The homeowner then ran across the street to his sisters house to get assistance.

When she arrived, she noticed that all three men appeared to be unresponsive. One didnt have a pulse.

She called 911.

A dispatcher told her on the phone how to perform CPR until EMS arrived, but the life-saving measures didnt work.

Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle said the toxicology test is pending for the dead man.

Fogle said it could take several weeks before the results are known.

"We're informing anyone that while this is an illegal narcotic, we don't want you risking your health or life by taking a chance," Ravenell has said. "Don't handle it nor ingest any powder- or pill-form of narcotic you may have purchased on the streets.

Ravenell said the investigation is ongoing.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to consider the appeal of a death row inmate convicted of murdering a woman in Orangeburg County.

Sammie Stokes admitted to a role in the 1998 contract killing of Connie Snipes. But he appealed the results of his 1999 trial, noting the attorney who represented him also prosecuted him seven years earlier.

Keir Weyble, Stokes attorney in the Supreme Court case, said his client will have several options to appeal the case at the federal level. He said the case is currently pending in U.S. District Court.

Should the federal district court refuse to hear Stokes case, it would go up to the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and then the U.S. Supreme Court again, if needed.

"There is a fair amount of standard litigation to go," Weyble said Monday.

An execution date has not been scheduled for Stokes.

The high court rejected three other death penalty appeals Monday.

Stokes was charged after the nearly nude body of 21-year-old Connie Snipes was found in Branchville in May 1998.

She had been shot twice in the head and an autopsy showed she had been sexually assaulted. Stokes and Snipes had been acquaintances prior to the mutilation and killing of Snipes.

Stokes was promised $2,000 for Snipes death.

Stokes was sent to the South Carolina Department of Corrections on Halloween Day 1999 after being found guilty on charges of murder, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy and first-degree criminal sexual misconduct.

In his appeal, the 49-year-old Stokes said defense attorney Thomas Sims also prosecuted him seven years earlier for assaulting his ex-wife and never informed the judge about the earlier case.

During the penalty phase of his trial, Sims asked the jury not to give Stokes the death penalty because he had shown remorse.

Sims never told the judge of his prior involvement in prosecuting Stokes, or that the earlier case relied in large part on the testimony of Stokes' ex-wife, Audrey Smith, according to Stokes' current lawyers.

When prosecutors called Smith to testify in the sentencing phase of the murder trial, Sims pulled his punches, Stokes lawyers wrote in their Supreme Court filing.

Sims rejected the idea that he did anything wrong. Sims said he and Stokes discussed the matter and that Stokes said he wanted Sims to remain as his lawyer.

Sims told the Associated Press, I fought for Sammie and I wanted him to live out his life.

Executions and new death sentences have been declining in recent years in the U.S. Twenty inmates in five states have been executed in 2016, the lowest number since 1991, when 14 people were put to death. No more executions are scheduled this year.
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday turned away appeals from death row inmates in four states, including a man convicted by an Orangeburg County of murdering a woman.

Sammie Stokes questioned his 1999 conviction, claiming the attorney who represented him also prosecuted him seven years earlier for assaulting his ex-wife and never informed the judge about the earlier case.

The other three appeals rejected Monday were from:

 James Tyler of Louisiana, whose lawyer conceded his guilt in the hope of drawing a life sentence, even though Tyler repeatedly objected to the strategy.

 Romell Broom of Ohio, who survived a botched execution in 2009.

 Henry Sireci of Florida, who was first sentenced to death 40 years ago.

Justice Stephen Breyer, commenting on Broom's and Sireci's cases, repeated his call for the court to take up the constitutionality of the death penalty. Breyer said defendants who face death sentences are not society's worst criminals but are "chosen at random, on the basis, perhaps of geography, perhaps of the views of the individual prosecutors, or still worse on the basis of race."

In the South Carolina case, Stokes admitted to a role in the 1998 contract killing of Connie Snipes. He was to be paid $2,000 for her death. Prosecutors claimed he also raped and sexually mutilated her.

Prosecutors also said Stokes had a history of cutting, including slashing a fellow inmate with a box cutter.

During the penalty phase, Orangeburg attorney Thomas Sims asked the jury not to give Stokes the death penalty because he had shown remorse.

Sims never told the judge of his prior involvement in prosecuting Stokes, or that the earlier case relied in large part on the testimony of Stokes' ex-wife, Audrey Smith, according to Stokes' current lawyers.

When prosecutors called Smith to testify in the sentencing phase of the trial, Sims pulled his punches, the lawyers wrote in their Supreme Court filing.

Sims rejected the idea that he did anything wrong. Sims said he and Stokes discussed the matter and that Stokes said he wanted Sims to remain as his lawyer.

"It's easy to sit 16 years later and say what someone didn't do 16 years before. I fought for Sammie and I wanted him to live out his life," Sims has said.

Executions and new death sentences have been declining in recent years. Twenty inmates in five states have been executed in 2016, the lowest number since 1991, when 14 people were put to death. No more executions are scheduled this year.
In recent days the media has been abuzz with speculation over Cabinet appointments within the incoming President-elect Donald Trump administration. Specifically, much talk has focused on Dr. Ben Carson and his announcement that he was not interested in serving in a position.

Observers have tried to read the tea leaves and read into some underlying story as to how Carson arrived at this decision and what it signals. They are missing the point.

I have known Carson and his family for 25 years. This is a man who possesses remarkable vision. He imagined possibilities in his chosen field of medicine and then made them a reality.

He was the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States at the age of 33 when appointed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1984. He has served on the boards of major companies like Costco and Kellogg, received more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees and numerous national merit citations, and was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008. And yet, arguably the most important thing that makes Dr. Benjamin Carson a fantastic appointee for the Cabinet position of secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is his compassion.

Carson believes that whenever there is a concentration of people with a lot of poverty, it doesnt matter what their race is. A multitude of conflict and the types of trouble we have seen over the past decade will continue if we arent able to carry out the mission of HUD.

HUD's mission is to create "strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all  improving the quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination.

In recent years, Carson was called to serve, and he accepted the call by running for the presidency. He would have made an outstanding President, but it was not to be. Part of what makes him so unique is his vision for what this country can achieve are how it can be shaped to reach its full potential.

Growing up in inner city Detroit and Boston, Carson has seen a lot of trauma and has spent a significant amount of time in neighborhoods with various problems. He has also spent time reflecting on the Obama administrations HUD rule designed to desegregate housing by withholding funds from communities that fail to further their projects affirmatively further fair housing.

He has written: The new rule would not only condition the grant of HUD funds to municipalities on building affordable housing as is the case today but would require that such affordable housing is built primarily in wealthier neighborhoods with few current minority residents and that the new homes be aggressively marketed to minorities.

In practice, the rule would fundamentally change the nature of some communities from primarily single-family to largely apartment-based areas by encouraging municipalities to strike down housing ordinances that have no overtly (or even intended) discriminatory purpose  including race-neutral zoning restrictions on lot sizes and limits on multi-unit dwellings, all in the name of promoting diversity.

Carson will continue to possess that vision and work toward its realization.

Running an agency of the government is a management challenge that requires incredible organizational skills and expertise. The president entrusts his cabinet officials with enormous responsibility and looks to them to master the details and muster the men and women who work within their agencies to accomplish the objectives at hand.

I have no doubt that Carson would have met and exceeded any challenge set before him and done a fantastic job. However, its important to keep in mind that you can hire management, but not vision. Its a unique attribute that people either possess or dont.

In the end, Dr. Ben Carson will work tirelessly on behalf of the American people, including those in our rural and urban communities to assure that all Americans have affordable, safe and quality homes.

Armstrong Williams is owner of Howard Stirk Holdings, which owns TV stations in Alabama, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Flint, Michigan. He is the editor-in-chief of American Current See Magazine published by the Washington Times newspaper and was the Student Government Association president from 1979 to 1981 at South Carolina State University.
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Political and cultural commentary from the perspective of radical common sense. Opposition to the AMERICAN BIPOLARCHY and ideological fanaticism in all forms. Don't take our word for anything: figure it out for yourself.
The Israeli state fears losing control when Abbas steps down

A rift has grown so deep inside the Fatah party in Palestine that over the past few months it has even spilled over into gunfights in the street.Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas was comfortably re-elected as Fatah leader last week.Delegates at the opening of Fatahs conference last Tuesday voted unanimously to re-elect Abbas by cheering for him.But the display of unity thinly masked a profound crisis inside the party. At the heart of it is the fact that the Palestinian Authority (PA)which governs the West Bank and which Fatah leads is increasingly unpopular Years of Fatahs cooperation with the Israeli occupation policing the resistance while pursuing futile negotiations with the Israeli statehave failed.The PA is no nearer to ending the occupation in favour of its inadequate two-state solution than it was 20 years ago.Now the PA faces growing discontent. A recent poll showed 47 percent of Palestinians see the PA as a burden.And polls have consistently shown over 60 percent want Abbas to resign.At the same time 48 percent want a return to armed intifada, or uprising. And at least 241 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis during sustained unrest that began in October last yea r.But instead of organising the resistance, the PA has responded with a security crackdown targeting protests and refugee camps.Raids on the camps by PA forces have ended in clashes with some of Fatahs own armed militias.Discontent with Abbas in Palestinian society has been reflected inside Fatah itself.Meanwhile, Abbas has used the security crackdown as a way of getting rid of some of his leading critics.One Fatah militia leader, Ahmad Izzat Halawa, was even arrested and beaten to death by PA forcesprompting street protests and resignations by senior Fatah members.Opposition to Abbas inside Fatah has centred on multimillionaire Mohammed Dahlan, who has been living in exile since 2011.Dahlan has picked up some support by throwing money at projects and charities in refugee camps outside of the West Bank. He has also called for the PA to end security coordination with Israel.But in wider Palestinian society he is even more unpopular than Abbas. Only five percent of Palestinians would back him in a presidential election against Abbasand 59 percent oppose his return to Fatah.Dahlans real strength is that he is supported by the powerful governments of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emiratesall US allies. For them, Dahlans ruthless reputation make him an ideal candidate to lead Fatah.As the PA security chief in Gaza, Dahlanbacked by the US and Israelset up paramilitary gangs to fight the elected Hamas government.Prior to Dahlans failed coup against Hamas in 2007 thousands of Hamas members said they were tortured by his forces. Dahlan also threatened violence against Fatah supporters sympathetic to Hamas.The Israeli state is worried that Abbas can no longer hold things together. Leaked comments from a closed Tel Aviv security forum show it fears losing control when Abbas eventually steps down.Some at the forum worried that fighting would allow Hamas to take over in the West Bank. Others raised the prospect of Israel reoccupying the West Bank to take full control themselves.But Abbas has managed to cling on to power for now. He used last weeks conference to reassert his authority, having managed to block his opponents from attending.Yet the growing pressures on him mean he will eventually have to go. When he does it could pave the way for more repression.But it could also open up space for renewed resistance from below.
By Azernews

By Nigar Abbasova





Baku hosted the first meeting of Azerbaijan-Qatar Joint Economic, Trade and Technical Intergovernmental Commission on December 9.

Azerbaijans Emergency Situations Minister, Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov, who is also a co-chair of the Commission, addressing the meeting, said that the activity of the commission was aimed at further deepening of relations between the two countries.

Heydarov underlined the importance of specifying the potential of Azerbaijans cooperation with Qatar, mentioning the possibility of deepening dynamically developing relationships with the Arab country.

The members of the Commission, in turn, put forward proposals on developing economic, trade and technical bonds between the countries.

Heydarov earlier paid a visit to Qatar at the invitation of Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the sides hailed the high level of bilateral ties, mentioning a huge potential for the further deepening of the cooperation.

As part of his official visit, Heydarov also had a meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, where the sides discussed the work of the committee, underlining its importance for the development of business relations, the increase of trade turnover and the expansion of investment opportunities.

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries in 1994, the key directions of cooperation have been determined as ties in the field of investment, the exchange of experience in the field of oil and gas, and supply of the Azerbaijani agricultural goods to the Qatar market. The energy industry is one of the most promising as the two countries are rich in their energy, oil and gas reserves.

Given the fact that Azerbaijan and Qatar has a simplified visa regime, close relations between the two countries in tourism sphere is also of utmost importance.

The two countries agreed to establish an intergovernmental commission this March, following the talks between the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was on his official visit to Baku.
By Gulgiz Muradova

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the two energy rich Caspian states, are yet to come to a determination over the development of Kapaz field.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov told reporters on December 12 that the two have not achieved any mutual accord over the issue so far.

Relevant talks and consultations are held regularly. However, so far no accord has been reached, he said.

The field called Kapaz by Azerbaijan and Sardar by Turkmenistan was discovered by Azerbaijan in 1959 and an exploration drilling was commenced in 1986. Following the breakdown of the Soviet regime, Turkmenistan contested Azerbaijani ownership of Kapaz leaving the field undeveloped for years.

Under the agreement reached between Baku and Ashgabat in 2008, the sides agreed to suspend any exploration work at Kapaz field until all issues involving the field are resolved. Experts estimate reserves of the field at 50-100 million tons of oil and over 30 billion cubic meters of gas.

Both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan export their energy resources from the Caspian Sea to Western and Asian markets, and are regarded as the key players in ensuring Europes energy security.

The Caspian basin is extremely rich with oil and gas resources and has caused an uneasy relationship between all littoral states. The legal status has remained unsolved for over 20 years, preventing development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creating obstacles to the realization of major energy projects.

Iran seeks an equal division of the Caspian into 5 even sectors, mainly because most of offshore energy resources are located away from the Iranian coastline. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan reject the proposal on division of the seabed based on median lines,and instead backs giving each state a share proportional to its coastline length.

Turkmenistan also demands division of the Sea into equal parts between the pre-Caspian countries so that each country must have 20 percent of the sea.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently announced that Moscow expects that a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea will be signed at the fifth Caspian Summit to take place in Kazakhstans Astana in 2017.

The EIA estimates that there were 48 billion barrels of oil and 292 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in proved and probable reserves within the basins that make up the Caspian Sea and surrounding area in 2012. The offshore fields account for 41 percent of total Caspian crude oil and lease condensate and 36 percent of natural gas. In general, most of the offshore oil reserves are in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, while most of the offshore natural gas reserves are in the southern part of the Caspian Sea.
By Trend





Switzerlands Allseas Group S.A., which has recently signed an agreement with Russias Gazprom company on the Turkish Stream project, has revealed the time for completing the pipelay.



The pipelay work should commence in July 2017 and should be completed around the end of the first quarter of 2018, Allseas Group S.A. told Trend Dec.12.



South Stream Transport B.V. company, a 100-percent subsidiary of Russias Gazprom company signed an agreement with Switzerlands Allseas Group S.A. Dec.8 on construction of the first line of Turkish Stream pipelines offshore section.



Under the contract, Allseas should lay over 900 kilometers of pipes along the seabed.



Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement October 10 on the implementation of the Turkish Stream project.



The agreement envisages construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the capacity of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas.



One branch is meant to supply gas directly to the Turkish market and the other for the supply of gas by transit through Turkey to Europe. The intergovernmental agreement also stipulates that these two offshore branches should be built by December 2019.
By Rashid Shirinov

The Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem  Knights of Malta O.S.J.  adopted a resolution condemning the brutal genocide in Khojaly committed by Armenian armed forces.

The resolution reads that on February 26, 1992, units of the of Armenian armed forces attacked civilian population in the town of Khojaly of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region and committed genuine genocide on the basis of their ethnicity. Hundreds of people were killed during this massacre.

The Order strongly condemned the act of genocide, noting that the massacre committed by the current Armenian leadership with incredible brutality, was one of the worst tragedies of 20th century.

The Armenian armed forces spared none of Khojaly residents, who had not managed to leave the city and its surroundings. As a result of the atrocities of the Armenian armed forces, 613 people were killed, 487 people were crippled and 1,275 people  the elderly, children and women who were captured  were subjected to unprecedented torture, abuse and humiliation.

The resolution at the same time touched upon the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the occupation of Azerbaijan territories by Armenia. The Order noted the importance of return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their previous place of residence.

The decision also stated that the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta O.S.J.  respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and call conflicting parties for making more efforts for settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible.

Despite of passing of 25 years since Khojaly bloody massacre, the victims of the crime could not achieve justice and it still shows that the central element of any peace agreement should be in its place in a short period of time, as well as relations among the people should be restored as soon as possible and the harmony between two nations should be re-established, the document reads.

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. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan will continue the efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through substantive negotiations jointly with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made the remark at a meeting with Stephan Visconti, OSCE Minsk Group newly appointed co-chair from France, in Baku on December 12.

The sides exchanged views on intensification of negotiation process mediated by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs towards the resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and changing of current situation.

Earlier, the French co-chair was received by President Ilham Aliyev, who voiced hope that as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group France will continue playing an active role in the conflict settlement.

The newly appointed French co-chair assumed the office on November 3. Pierre Andrieu has held the position since June 2014.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.

Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.
Tropical cyclone Vardah, the first hurricane-strength storm to hit the Bay of Bengal this season, pounded the coastal Indian city of Chennai at an unprecedented 140kmph for a good 90 minutes on Monday afternoon leaving behind a trail of destruction.



The storm uprooted trees, overturned cars and did extensive damage to buildings as it tore across the city, reported CNN.



At least 10 people have died, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.



The winds at landfall on Monday were around 140 kilometers per hour, making Vardah equal to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.



After wreaking havoc on Chennnai, the cyclone then moved inland, bringing gusty winds and torrential rainfall to the interior portions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states.



Chennai, a city on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, is the country's second largest financial hub after Mumbai.



Prior to the storm's landing, Chennai already was pounded with heavy rain and winds, said the report.



The Indian Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain warnings for the whole of southern India. Fisherman have been told not to take their boats out for two more days.



Vardah could take a heavy toll on the country's agricultural sector, destroying banana plantations, papaya groves and rice paddies, said senior officials.



More than 170 relief camps have been set up in Chennai and several National Disaster and Reponse Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, according Krishna Kumar, a spokesman from the NDRF.



Tropical cyclone Vardah is India's strongest storm since October 2014, when cyclone Hudhud moved into Andhra Pradesh, claiming over 100 lives and causing $3.4 billion in damage.



Vardah could also hit fishing villages located along the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Bahrain Industrial Association (BIA) has joined hands with the upcoming Gulf Industry Fair, the Northern Gulfs only industrial expo, in Bahrain to promote the needs of the industrial sector in the diversification of the kingdoms economy.



Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) takes place from February 7 to 9 under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.



"The Bahrain Industrial Association aims not just to highlight the challenges facing industrialists; but more importantly to propose solutions to these challenges, said Darwish Al Mannai, chairman of BIA.



We aim to co-ordinate with authorities on legislation and policies related to the sector by bringing to their attention the ramifications of these to the growth of the industrial sector. It is important that Bahrains industry is nurtured to grow which means protecting industrialists and investors from foreign competition and discouraging import and sale of foreign-made goods at prices substantially below domestic prices, added Al Mannai.



As the organizers of the Northern Gulfs only industrial expo, we are excited to see the development of BIA. The association will play an important part in the industrial development of the Bahrain Economy and we have extended our sincere support to assist the goals of BIA outside the activities of the Gulf Industry Fair, said Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions, organizers of the show.



Gulf Industry Fair will host a round-table forum for industrialists from across the GCC to debate and propose action points to encourage the diversification of the GCCs economies away from hydro-carbon dependency.



Gulf Industry Fair 2017 is sponsored by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) in association with NOGA and Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA). Supporting organisations for GIF 2017 includes AHK Saudi Arabia, the German Saudi Arabian Liaison for Economic Affairs and the Saudi British Economic Offset Programme.



BIA is founded by a group of companies operating in Al-Hidd Industrial Area and established by a group of industrialists with a sound background and solid history.



All members are manufacturers based in Bahrain and work in various industrial fields. BIA is a growing community of local and international companies and represents a large sector of the economic force of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The association was founded to serve for the interest of this grown sector and to look after their needs and ambitions.  TradeArabia News Service
The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp), a multilateral development bank, said it has acquired a strategic 30 per cent stake in Bahrains Falcon Cement Company (FCC), one of the largest cement producers in Bahrain.



Apicorp was established in 1975 by the 10 member states of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC).



A closed joint stock company, FCC provides cement for use in large-scale projects primarily in Bahrain. FCC has a current capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day (tpd) and is in the advanced stages to double the production to 2,400 tpd by 2017.



According to Apicorp, the FCC deal capitalises on a raft of major industrial and infrastructure projects that are spurring activity and investment in Bahrains construction industry.



The kingdoms total project pipeline, including long-term builds like the $3-billion King Hamad Causeway set to be completed around 2025, amounts to $72.7 billion, up 4.7 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest economic quarterly update from the Bahrain Economic Development Board.



This pipeline includes the $5-billion Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) upgrade and expansion of the Sitra refinery; the $3-billion Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) Line 6 smelting project; Bahrain Airport Companys $1.1-billion airport expansion project; and the $655-million offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal being commissioned by the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga).



Dr Raed Al Rayes, the deputy CEO and general manager of Apicorp, said: "We are delighted to acquire a 30 per cent stake in FCC, Bahrains largest cement producer. We believe this is a high growth sector for Bahrain and the investment assists us in diversifying our investment portfolio."



The investment, he stated, is also a strong signal of Apicorps commitment to driving economic growth throughout the region. The deal was completed with regional partner, GFH Financial Group.



On the deal, Hisham Alrayes, the group chief executive of GFH, said: "We very much appreciate the support of Apicorp. In the first transaction between the firms, GFH and Apicorp have agreed to work together as strategic shareholders of FCC to enhance, expand and improve the business of the company, its valuation, and financial returns. We are confident that this collaboration will help support the continuous growth of not only Bahrains economy, but the region as a whole.



Another regional firm, Integrated Capital, part of the Abu Dhabi Financial Group, bought a 10 per cent stake in FCC in 2016.-TradeArabia News Service
Qatar will merge state-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers Rasgas and Qatargas under a single entity named Qatargas, the president and chief executive of Qatar Petroleum (QP) said on Sunday.



Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi made the announcement today (December 11) in a press conference held at QP headquarters in the presence of representatives of the main international shareholders in both companies including ExxonMobil, Total, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, and the CEOs of Qatargas and RasGas.



Al-Kaabi said: The integration aims to create a truly unique global energy operator in terms of size, service and reliability.



We will merge the distinctive resources and capabilities of Qatargas and RasGas to create even higher value for our stakeholders, and enhance our competitive position, he added.



He told reporters that the integration of the activities of these two energy centres of excellence means that upon completion, there will be a single expanded and enhanced operating entity, named Qatargas, which will operate all of Qatars LNG ventures.



The collective resources, talents, and capabilities of two global leaders will be joined to create an even more effective and efficient organization to uphold the best interest of the State of Qatar, our customers, and our shareholders, Al-Kaabi added.



He paid tribute to the high Qatari competencies and capabilities, which were at the centre of attention and development throughout the history of Qatargas and RasGas, and which have proven high professionalism in their various fields of expertise. He also affirmed that all Qatari nationals in both companies will be integrated into the new Qatargas organization, which constitutes a major cornerstone in our utmost commitment to building world-class Qatari talent.



Al-Kaabi concluded his remarks at the press conference by emphasizing Qatar Petroleums resolve to achieve its vision to become one of the best national oil companies in the world, and to ensure the reinforcement of Qatars continued and sustainable economic growth. Hence, this and other initiatives that QP has embarked upon, are all enablers that will make our vision become a reality, he said.



The integration process is planned to start immediately and is expected to be completed within the next 12 months. The existing operations groups within both companies will not be impacted at all by the integration, as the highest priority is given to ensuring safe, seamless and risk-free business continuity, a statement said.  TradeArabia News Service
Iran has inaugurated a project to build a 350m ($370 million) renewable energy park in a tie-up with a German firm, a report said.



The park consists of various renewable energy sections including a 90MW wind farm, a 40 MW solar (photovoltaic) plant and a 20MW solar-thermal unit, Tehran Times reported.



The participation of the German firm will be in the form of foreign direct investment (FDI), Dashtbozorg, managing director of Khuzestan Regional Electricity Company, was quoted as saying.



With the estimated value of 80 million, the first phase of the project which is a 50-mega watt wind farm has been stared; this farm will be constructed based on the worlds latest technologies and German turbines will be used in it, Dashtbozorg said.



The official noted that the German company will finish the project in several phases over a period of two years. A universal institution for renewable energy education will also be constructed in the region, he added.
Expo 2020 Dubai, the first mega-event of its kind in the region, will accept tenders from next month for over 5,000 unique licensed products including souvenirs and collectibles.



The products will be sold at a dedicated 3,000-sq-m Superstore of the Future, which will be flagship outlet of a wider onsite retail network. Additional Expo 2020 retail outlets will be opened across the UAE in the run up to mega-event, along with a dedicated online store.



Organisers will seek around 70 official licensees, one third of who, it is hoped, will be SMEs. This commitment is in line with Expos pledge to allocate more than 20 per cent of the mega-events total direct and indirect spend for SMEs.



Expo 2020 Dubai will also seek partners for locally made products that capture the rich culture and heritage of the UAE. These will comprise everything from UAE-made textiles and ceramics, to food products and Arabian fragrances. Expo will also seek to collaborate with premium and luxury brands to produce exclusive collections.



Gillian Hamburger, vice president  Commercial at Expo 2020 Dubai said: Expo 2020 Dubai will welcome 25 million visitors. Each and every one of them want to take home a unique souvenir to remind them of their experience in Dubai.



We are looking for designers, craftsmen, and artisans to work with us to create a unique range of licensed products for visitors to Dubai in the lead up to and during Expo 2020. It is a significant opportunity, and we want our visitors to be able to take something home as a memento of Expo 2020 Dubai, whether its a t-shirt, artisanal food products, or hand-crafted traditional collectibles. Were looking for an assortment of products that appeal to all visitors, at a range of price points.



Tenders will be accepted across four distinct product categories, which will include:



 Souvenirs & collectibles, including apparel and accessories, footwear, ceramics, jewellery, commemorative books, coins and special edition stamps.

 Traditional UAE products, which will include Arabian oud fragrances, handwoven carpets, handmade ceramics and silverware, along with camel milk chocolates, dates and spices.

 Premium & luxury collections including commemorative timepieces, jewellery, leather goods, writing implements and high-end textiles.

 Mascot products, which comprise digital games, emojis, plush toys, and collectible figurines.



The tendering process will be phased across 2017 and into 2018.



SMEs are actively encouraged to participate in the programme, and to tender for every product category that is relevant to their business. The Expo organisers will tailor flexible terms to ensure profitability and equal opportunity for companies of all scales. By becoming Expo licensees, SMEs have a unique opportunity to strengthen their product offering, develop their brand and expand their scope to reach new global audiences.



Companies of all sizes can register and complete the pre-qualification process on the dedicated Expo 2020 Dubai eSourcing Portal, which links all Expo-related procurement operations and enables the rapid deployment of tender opportunities to the local and global business community.



Registration on the Expo 2020 Dubai e-Sourcing portal is free of charge, and can be accessed at http://esource.expo2020dubai.ae.  TradeArabia News Service
Breitling, a top luxury Swiss watchmaker and aviation chronograph specialist, has launched the Chronospace Evo Night Mission, a sporty model with go-anywhere nature of chronograph, in the Middle East.



The new watch comes equipped with a light but sturdy black titanium case framing a blue dial, which adopts a strong and original new persona, while maintaining its qualities as an instrument for aviation professionals, said a statement from the company.



The Chronospace Evo showcases a black satin-brushed titanium case, which is achieved by a high-resistance carbon-based treatment.



Moreover, the watchs indications are distinguished by their optimal legibility, with large square numerals and hands accentuated by a luminescent coating.



Accentuated by a rubber strap embossed with the Breitling signature, the watch comes in blue and black, it said.



The unidirectional rotating bezel ensures an excellent grip thanks to its four rider tabs  a Breitling signature serving to mark off times. The case is water-resistant to 100 m and equipped with protective reinforcements for its screw-lock crown, it added.



Beneath its exclusively analog displays, a notable exception in the Breitling Professional range, the Chronospace Evo Night Mission conceals the best of high-tech capabilities, with a SuperQuartz movement 10 times more accurate than standard quartz.



Chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, this Caliber 73 combines several functions that are useful to pilots and adventurers.



The chronograph notably features a split-seconds function with an additional central hand serving to measure intermediate times, while the fast timezone adjustment system ensures uninterrupted precision of the minutes and seconds displays.



Aed Adwan, sales manager, Breitling Middle East, said: The sporty, go-anywhere nature of this chronograph means it is exceptionally well suited to our adventurous Middle East customers.



At the same time, it perfectly complements the expanding, and increasingly popular, range of luxury watches on offer from our stores and boutiques across the region, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Qantas is set to add to its list of aviation firsts, with the national carrier confirming it will operate non-stop flights from Perth to London using the 787-9 Dreamliner.



The 14,498-km service will be the first regular passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe when it begins in March 2018.



Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the history-making route would be a watershed for travel, tourism and trade.



When Qantas created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days and nine stops. Now it will take just 17 hours from Perth non-stop.



This is a game-changing route flown by a game-changing aircraft. Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge.



Its great news for travellers because it will make it easier to get to London. Its great news for Western Australia because it will bring jobs and tourism. And its great news for the nation, because it will bring us closer to one of our biggest trade partners and sources of visitors.



Joyce said passenger comfort on the long flight was a key consideration.



When we designed the interior of our 787s, we wanted to make sure passengers would be comfortable on the extended missions the aircraft was capable of. Thats why we have features in our Economy seats that other airlines reserve for Premium Economy. Our Business Suite has been nicknamed mini First class by many of our frequent flyers. And were redesigning our on-board service to help reduce jetlag, he added.



The enhanced Qantas cabin design is in addition to the comfort factors that Boeing built in to the Dreamliner  improved air quality, lower cabin noise and technology to reduce turbulence.



Joyce said the direct route is expected to appeal to travellers on the East Coast as well as West Australians, helping to deliver a tourism boost.



A direct flight makes travelling to Australia a much more attractive proposition to millions of people. We expect many travellers from Europe will start their time in Australia with a visit to Perth before going on to see other parts of the country.



Our modelling shows that people from the East Coast as well as South Australia would fly domestically to Perth to connect to our non-stop London service. Some will take the opportunity to break their journey, whether its for business meetings in Perth, to holiday or to visit family.



The new flight will operate through Qantas existing domestic terminals (T3/4), which will be upgraded to accommodate international flights. The airlines current international services from Perth (to Singapore and to Auckland) will also move to this terminal, helping to simplify the journey for thousands of people every year. Qantas will move its operations to an expanded Terminal 1 at Perth Airport by 2025, pending a commercial agreement.



Well be looking at the timing of our domestic flights through Perth to offer the best connections we can to our international flights, particularly given they will all be under the one roof, added Mr Joyce.



Id like to acknowledge the support of the West Australian Government and Perth Airport in helping make this service a reality.



Seats on the Perth-London flights will go on sale in April 2017 for the first services in March 2018. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners used on the route will carry 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.- TradeArabia News Service
Global hospitality company Dusit International has signed a management agreement with Saudi-based Abduljawad Holding Co to operate the Dusit Thani Residences Maslak Istanbul in Turkey.



The hotel will open as part of Maslak 1453  a commercial, business and residential hub set over 2 million-sq-m on the European side of the city.



Located just 4km from the Bosphorous, 15km from Taksim Square, and 20km from the citys Third Airport, which is now under construction, Dusit Thani Residences Maslak Istanbul is Dusit Internationals first project in Turkey and is designed to offer a unique hospitality experience in Istanbul.



The property, which is being developed by experienced property developers Agaoglu, will comprise over 300 luxurious apartments inspired by contemporary Southeast Asian design and driven by Dusit Internationals signature gracious service.



While serviced apartments will make up the majority of the property, there will also be a branded residence with units leased to tenants on a long stay basis. One-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments will all be available, each one spacious and fully furnished with high quality fixtures and fittings throughout. Rooms on the upper levels of the 41-storey building will provide stunning views of an adjacent forest.



The family-friendly property will feature a swimming pool, meeting rooms, lobby lounge, residence lounge, deli, a large gym outfitted with the latest equipment and a spa.



Guests will also have easy access to a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops, theatres and other lifestyle facilities that make up the sprawling Maslak 1453.



With easy access to the TEM highway and Istanbul Metro, a rapid transit railway network that serves the city, guests can explore and experience everything this culturally-rich destination has to offer, including sightseeing cruises on the Bosphorus Strait, an immersive walk around the citys historic areas to learn about Istanbuls history as Constantinople, capital of the Roman Empire; tours of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, and much more.



Suphajee Suthumpun, group chief executive officer of Dusit International, said: We are delighted to partner with Abduljawad to bring the Dusit brand to Turkey for the first time. This is an important step in our global expansion and puts us in a good position for further development throughout Europe, the Middle East and beyond. We look forward to delivering our unique gracious hospitality to guests when the doors open in 2018.



Maad Ehsan Abduljawad, chief executive officer of Abduljawad Holding Co. said: The Maslak 1453 project is one of the most talked about projects in Istanbul and will be a unique tourist destination in its own right. We are confident that, with Dusits experience operating hotels, resorts and serviced residences in key markets around the world, the Dusit Thani Residences Maslak Istanbul will become a beacon of gracious hospitality for visitors from all around the world.



Dusit International currently operates 29 properties around the world and has 45 confirmed projects in the pipeline across four distinctive brands: Dusit Thani, dusitD2, Dusit Princess and Dusit Devarana. Dusit Thani Residences Maslak Istanbul is scheduled to open in August 2018. - TradeArabia News Service
Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector reported declines across key performance metrics in November, with the steepest fall recorded in revenue per available room (RevPAR), which fell 13.8 per cent to Dh534.97 ($145.6) year on year, said a report.



Average daily rate (ADR) dropped 11.1 per cent to Dh660.14 ($179.6) and occupancy levels slipped 3.1 per cent to 81.0 per cent, said a preliminary report released by STR, a hotel data benchmarking company.



According to the report, the absolute ADR level would be the highest in Abu Dhabi since last November. Market performance for the month was helped by the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (November 25-27), with four straight days of ADR above Dh1,000 ($272) and year-over-year increases of 101.5 per cent and 143.7 per cent, respectively, on November 24 and 25.



STR analysts also note that supply growth slowed a bit compared with the +3.6 per cent average in the market during the first 10 months of 2016.



Additionally, the report also noted that supply in Abu Dhabi continued to grow in November 2016, going up 2.7 per cent, while demand remained flat (down 0.4 per cent). - TradeArabia News Service
Metallurgical coal, the hard, baked rock used largely in steel production, has become increasingly valuable over the last few months. While its found primarily on the eastern side of the U.S., the recent rise in interest could have implications out west.

The turnaround is not lost on market analysts. Met coal helped build the storm that crashed many Wyoming coal companies, sending them into bankruptcy and resulting in layoffs across the state.

However, similarities between this boom and the last may be superficial, analysts say. Producers are running tighter budgets post-bust and are more risk-averse. Ultimately, experts do not expect another mad rush to capitalize on metallurgical coal.

Same song,

different tune

The price rise doesnt directly affect Wyoming, where producers mine a softer, wetter coal used for electricity. But many big companies that operate in the state have a stake in both types of coal.

When met boomed in 2011, companies with operations in Wyoming dove in, hoping to make good on what appeared to be unending demand from China for steel production.

When that demand tumbled in 2014, so did companies like Alpha Natural Resources, Arch Coal and Peabody Energy. Each filed for bankruptcy in the last year laden with debts from investing in met assets.

But there are some distinct differences this time, said James Stevenson, a coal analysts for for IHS Energy.

One difference is that producers remember being burned last time.

Theres been a risk management revolution in the U.S. where companies are reluctant to deploy capital when they dont have contracts, he said. If they havent sold the tons, they dont necessarily want to spend money to increase that production.

When U.S. producers capitalized on the met boom years ago, they were actually moving in on a market usually dominated by Australian producers. That year about a third of Queensland, Australia, was flooded, causing long-term effects in the bowl that holds significant amounts of the worlds met coal.

The issue was one of supply, not just Chinese demand, Stevenson said. And though supply has been hampered again this year in Australia, it hasnt been as catastrophic, nor have U.S. met exports risen to fill the gap.

Show me the money

It is too soon to say whether the rise in met prices will last or if coal companies looking to finance more investment in met would find eager financiers, said Stevenson.

Money is there. Its just that the case needs to be made, he said.

At this point, it doesnt appear that many are pleading that case, said Monica Bonar, an analyst for Fitch Ratings.

Prices have at least doubled over a short period of time, she explained. But the overall growth environment isnt terrific.

Still some are watching companies closely to see if temptation drives them toward met again.

Id argue that we could easily see a repeat of what happened last time  of producers making boom-time investments that quickly come back to haunt them, said Clark Williams-Derry an analyst at the Sightline Institute, a Seattle-based nonprofit that supports a transition to renewable fuels.

The trouble is that financiers are less likely to support investing in the boom, cautious of a repeat, he said.

Investment in coal is generally low, but few companies appear to be planning considerable growth in the met market, said Bonar, the Fitch analyst.

Whats more likely to happen is that players outside the U.S. will meet what demand exists now, Bonar said.

I think you will have a big supply response out of Australia, where a lot of those guys really can and have in the past, beefed up production pretty quickly, she said.

From bust to boon

For now, its the companies that already have metallurgical coal operations that will benefit  some of the same companies that went down in the last bust, Bonar said.

Contura Energy, which rose out of the bankruptcy of Alpha Natural Resources, projected enthusiasm for the met rise in its third-quarter financial statements. In addition to the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines in Campbell County, Contura acquired a number of Appalachian mines from the bankrupt Alpha.

We believe Contura is well-positioned to take advantage of tremendous opportunities in the current market environment, especially in metallurgical coal, said Contura CEO Kevin Crutchfield in a statement last month.

The company reported that global steel demand is expected to grow, with the World Steel Association projecting a 0.5 percent increase in 2017 following a 0.2 percent increase this year.

The rise may be good news for companies like Contura and Arch, who have Appalachian operations and are either new or emerging from bankruptcy in need of extra cash flow. However, the news probably isnt good enough that U.S. companies will once again risk it all on the met muse.
The Unitarian Universalist Community of Casper is pleased to host a presentation by Moji Agha, an Iranian-American Sufi monk, poet and civility activist, who will talk about his recent involvement at Standing Rock, resisting Islamophobia, promoting nonviolence and interfaith collaboration. Everyone is welcome to the special event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20, at the UU Community of Casper, 1040 W. 15th St., just north of the CY Avenue Albertsons. Admission is free with a good-will donation appreciated. Space is limited, so come early.
A 640-acre piece of land nestled inside Grand Teton National Park became part of the National Park system on Monday, after years of worry by some that it could be commercially developed.

The state of Wyoming sold the parcel, called Antelope Flats, to the federal government for $46 million.

Its sale provides Wyoming a greater return on the land and allows the people of Wyoming and visitors from elsewhere greater opportunities to enjoy the wonders of the park, Gov. Matt Mead said in a news release. The state will receive the benefit of $46 million for our schools, and the park will have another 640 acres for people to appreciate.

The Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the National Park Foundation raised $23 million in private donations to combine with $23 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Antelope Flats is one of two parcels owned by Wyoming but surrounded by national park land. Wyoming signed an agreement with the National Park Service giving the feds until the end of 2016 to buy the land. Operated by the state, the two portions of land made less than $2,000 a year on cattle grazing leases.

In 2010, then-Gov. Dave Freudenthal told federal officials they either needed to buy the parcels for their appraised value or they would be sold at auction. The sale gives an ending to a long-awaited decision that some feared could lead to subdivisions or condominiums in the middle of the parks iconic viewscape.

Today were celebrating the foresight and generosity of many partners who stepped forward to protect these incredible lands within Grand Teton National Park for future generations, said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in a release.

The land provides critical habitat for wildlife including elk, bison, pronghorn, grizzly bears and sage grouse.

Grand Teton National Park was recently ranked among the top five national parks in terms of economic output, according to a release. Visitors spent about $560 million in 2015 in communities surrounding the park, which was a cumulative benefit of $728 million and more than 8,800 jobs.

Wyoming still owns the second section of land, called the Kelly/Gros Ventre parcel.

The money will go into the Common School Trust Fund account, where it will generate more than $1 million each year for public education, according to a release from the governors office. Wyoming schools are currently short about $700 million for the next two-year budget cycle.

This sale represents a huge win for Wyomings schools and education funding, said Bridget Hill, director of Wyomings Office of State Lands and Investments. As an added benefit, not only were we able to fulfill the boards fiduciary obligation to generate revenue from the state school trust lands both now and into the future, but at the same time we were able to help preserve the long-term beauty of one of our states real treasures, the Grand Teton National Park.
The owners of a Casper-area pit bull rescue decided to move dozens of their dogs to a different shelter after the operation became the subject of an online petition.

Deputies with the Natrona County Sheriffs Office along with representatives from five other city and county agencies responded to Grants House of Pits on Thursday to investigate the dogs living conditions.

Deputies found that the allegations of neglect were unsubstantiated and that every dog appeared healthy and well-fed, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. No criminal violations were identified.

But the owners said they were overwhelmed with the number of dogs they had to care for and had already begun to make arrangements to rehome the majority of them. Deputies returned to the rescue Sunday to help the owners move 27 dogs to a different shelter.

This lady just got a little over her head, Natrona County Sheriff Gus Holbrook said Monday morning. Her heart was in the right place."

Advocates who helped organize the transfer declined to say where the dogs were moved, but said they are safe and comfortable.

"The dogs are safe, fat and happy and that was our only goal," said Dee Braun, president of Pawsitive Tails, a Torrington-based rescue organization that helped facilitate the move. "All dogs appeared to be in very good health and we saw no aggression whatsoever during this process."

Three other dogs were taken to different homes, and six remained on the property as personal pets of the owners.

Representatives with Metro Animal Services, Natrona County Planning and Zoning, Natrona County Health Department, Natrona County Fire District and the Department of Family Services all responded to the location. They inspected to the property to see if it met zoning condition, fire codes and other county and state regulations.

The sheriffs office had been monitoring the situation at Grants House of Pits for a while, the sheriff said. People had complained about the rescue during the county commission meeting Tuesday, Holbrook said. The sheriffs office was aware of a petition circulating online that said the dogs were living in squalor.

The petition on Change.org said the dogs lived in poorly taken care of campers soiled with their feces and urine. More than 3,440 people signed the online petition as circulated Facebook.

However, few people actually called law enforcement to report the alleged abuse, Holbrook said. Simply calling the sheriffs office and reporting the rescue would be more efficient, the sheriff said.

According to Wyoming law, a person commits animal cruelty if he or she fails to provide proper food, drink or protection from the weather, physically abuses the animal, cruelly abandons it or fails to treat serious illness or injury. Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $750 fine.

Deputies found that the pit bulls at the rescue were fed, watered and sheltered  meeting the standards of care legally required. The law does not specify what kind of shelter is appropriate.

The Wyoming laws on animal abuse are very weak, Holbrook said. Our hands were tied on a lot of this.

This story has been updated to reflect that the dogs are in an safe, undisclosed location, according to dog advocates. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the location of the dogs.
Wyoming health officials have noted a rise in norovirus in certain communities, including Casper and Cheyenne.

The virus, also known as the stomach flu, is spread through ingesting contaminated food and drink, touching contaminated surfaces or coming in close contact with someone whos already ill, the Wyoming Health Department said.

Norovirus spreads easily in schools, day care centers and nursing homes, where people are often in close contact, Cody Loveland, a surveillance epidemiologist with the health department, said in a statement.

Thats exactly whats being reported from both Casper and Cheyenne right now, he said.

The illness can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue and dehydration. Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 48 hours of exposure and last from one to three days. It can lead to more serious complications for the young and the old, along with people with compromised immune symptoms, the health department said.

Many people blame the last thing they ate when they get sick, but norovirus is spread through many routes other than just food, said Loveland.

The health department recommends the following stops to prevent illness:

Frequently wash hands, especially after using the restroom or changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.

Stay home from work and school if ill.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of vomiting or diarrhea with a solution of 1 cup household bleach per 1 gallon of water. Let the solution sit for one minute.

Immediately remove and wash contaminated clothing or linens after an episode of illness.
Gov. Matt Mead said that President-elect Donald Trumps comments about women and sexual assault wont affect how Wyoming authorities prosecute cases.

I think the message to Wyoming is, We just dont tolerate that, Mead said Wednesday during a wide-ranging interview with the Star-Tribune.

Mead, a Republican, endorsed Trump but criticized his comments about sexually assaulting women during the campaign.

The governor said that the legal system had made significant progress since he first worked as a federal prosecutor in the 1980s when it came to taking sexual assault seriously.

Anything that sets that back, we need to oppose, Mead said.

Trump has been accused of sexual assault by several women:

Temple Taggart McDowell, a former Miss USA contestant, said Trump kissed her twice without permission.

A woman named Jessica Leeds told the New York Times that Trump touched her breasts and tried to reach under her skirt during an airplane flight.

Trump Tower receptionist Rachel Crooks said Trump forcibly kissed her against her will in an elevator.

Natasha Stoynoff, a reporter with People magazine, said that Trump pinned her against a wall at his Florida resort and kissed her against her will.

Trump has denied all of the accusations.

Mead said his knowledge of the allegations was limited to media coverage.

You mention the credibility of those of the women whove come forward  I dont know about that, Mead said.

A video was released during the campaign that showed Trump saying he could assault women because he was famous.

Im automatically attracted to beautiful  I just start kissing them, he said.

But Mead, who called the president-elects comments unacceptable, said that regardless of what Trump has said, Wyoming law enforcement will continue take sexual assault seriously.

I cant imagine a single judge or prosecutor or law enforcement officer saying, Well, Trump said this so, you know, maybe we dont take that seriously, Mead said.

Mead attributed Trumps success in Wyoming, where he received the highest proportion of the vote of any state, to his party affiliation and a belief that he would better serve the West.

I also think of rural America and metropolitan America, Mead said. (For) a lot of voters it may not have been an R or D as much as they believed that Mr. Trump may do a better job in rural America.
Gov. Matt Mead on Monday told a group of lawmakers who will be the first to craft the states budget not to cut state government in 2017, since Wyoming has experienced hundreds of millions in cuts in the past year.

Mead told members of the Joint Appropriations Committee, which is populated predominantly by fiscally conservative Republicans who have said the state needs to trim more fat, that the budget in his fiscal plan unveiled about two weeks ago is balanced. There is no need for further reductions, he said.

We know we have to react to the times and circumstances we are in now, a point in time, but we can never lose sight that there is a bigger picture, Mead said.

Members of the JAC are holding hearings this week with agencies to review their budget requests ahead of the 2017 legislative session, which begins Jan. 10. Oil, gas and coal are down, which has resulted in cuts to the two-year budget, which stood at about $3 billion when the Legislature adopted it in March.

The Legislatures budget bill had about $67 million less in spending compared with the previous two-year budget. Then in July, Mead cut $249 million, as mineral revenues continued to plunge.

Hundreds of state government positions have been eliminated, he said.

The cuts that you all made during the Legislature were tough cuts, the Republican said. The cuts I worked on in June were tougher yet. I do not think the citizens of the state, the agencies, the employees have felt the full effects of the cuts we have made.

Lawmakers on the JAC didnt say anything in response to Meads plea. However, lawmakers did share opinions and questions on other topics, including money for tribal liaisons and construction for new state buildings. They also discussed ideas to plug a huge looming shortfall in education, which is paid for differently than general government operations.

Tribal liaisons

Last year, lawmakers provided only one year of funding for a liaison each for the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, which together live on the Wind River Reservation.

Mead asked for $160,000 for the second year, a reduction, but lawmakers nevertheless questioned the amount.

Im trying to figure out why it isnt possible to have a single liaison, said Sen. Bruce Burns, a Sheridan Republican who will be a chairman of the committee next year.

The tribes have not been working together in more than two years, when a business council composed of members of both tribes that made decisions for the reservation dissolved, said Kari Gray, the governors chief of staff.

They operate entirely independently of each other, currently, she said.

Gray said leadership in both tribes support the position, as communication between the state and the tribes improves by using liaisons.

Casper Republican Rep. Tim Stubson wanted to know if that support would diminish if the tribes had to pay 10 or 20 percent of the cost of the positions.

Gray said the governors office had not discussed the matter with tribal leadership or the liaisons.

The liaisons talk to the governors office weekly. They join Meads cabinet meetings, and we help them facilitate all the work that were trying to do with different agencies and the tribe, Gray said.

Bonding

Mead is recommending the state borrow money to pay for an estimated $80 million to fix the 15-year-old Wyoming State Penitentiary, which was built on an old lake bed and has massive structural problems.

Its an unusual move. Unlike many states, Wyoming hasnt bonded for construction projects of government buildings in recent years. During the boom in oil and gas, the state paid for construction with cash.

Wyoming has the top credit rating of AAA. In the business world, most CEOs would want their companies to use a combination of cash and bonds, Mead said.

Rep. Cathy Connolly, a Democrat from Laramie, is interested in not just bonding for the prison but for other construction.

In fact, we have such a good rating right now and rates are so low, we could instead of paying cash for capital construction, we could do much more bonding, she said.

Education

Mead has asked lawmakers to create a committee that would look into K-12 education. In Wyoming, revenue from minerals pays for educations operations and construction even more than it pays for general government operations.

Projections indicate the state could face a $1.8 billion shortfall in school operations  which cost roughly $3 billion during the two-year budget cycle  by June 30, 2022.

Rep. Steve Harshman, an Appropriations chairman and House speaker-elect, asked Mead what he thought about applying the so-called 1 percent statutory diversion toward education.

One percent of severance taxes from oil, gas and coal have typically been funneled to either the general fund or into the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund, a $7.5 billion pot of money from which the principal cannot be touched but the investment income can pay for government operations.

Meads answer had to do with budget process and policy in Wyoming.

He said state law limits him, when he drafts his budget plan for the state, from recommending how to spend some streams of revenue and accounts  from the statutory diversion to the rainy day fund. He would like that to change, he told lawmakers because I think that blurs the lines between the separation of powers, he said.

In the end, Mead said that more flexibility in budget planning will help everyone in Wyoming. He will be able to pitch new and creative ideas, such as using 1 percent of severance taxes on education, he said.
Gov. Matt Mead said the transfer of federal public land to the state is legally and financially impractical, as lawmakers continue to eye amending the Wyoming Constitution to accommodate receiving more terrain.

Mead said in an interview Wednesday with the Star-Tribune that two state attorneys general have advised him that Wyoming is not legally structured, through an enabling act that began the process of statehood in the late 1800s, to obtain federal land. States such as Utah have enabling acts that provide a stronger case for transfer, but even they are battling to obtain the land, he said.

Then you get into the policy, the Republican said. And I reflect back to 2012. We spent as a state $45 million fighting fires If the federal lands that had fires on them would have been state lands, we would have spent another $45 million  in one summer. Thats a significant amount.

On one side of the fight to control national public lands are conservation and sportsmen groups, which oppose state control because they believe it will result in decreased access and a potential selloff if a wildfire or other catastrophe becomes too expensive for the state. A majority of Wyomingites oppose giving state governments control of the land, according to a Colorado College poll released in January.

On the other side of the debate are a number of Wyoming lawmakers. They argue that the federal government is too slow in permitting mineral development, suppressing revenue that would go to the state, and blocks access to roads. They say they have plenty of supporters of land transfer, although thus far supporters have been largely silent.

But Sen. Eli Bebout, a Riverton Republican who has worked on the constitutional amendment, said people will voice their support at an upcoming meeting.

That meeting, scheduled for Wednesday in Cheyenne, will also have opponents present, sportsmen groups say.

A trio of lawmakers will work with the public on the amendment. In its current form, it says that if the state obtains public land, the acreage may be exchanged but there cant be a net loss in its size or value. It also says the land must be managed for multiple use, meaning outdoors activities can occur alongside grazing, mining, and oil and gas development.

We wanted to have some public input, rather than everybody saying what a bad idea it is, Bebout said.

However, conservation groups continue to oppose the constitutional amendment. They are not interested in negotiating, because if a constitutional amendment emerges from Wyoming, Congress will get the wrong idea, said Chris Merrill of the Wyoming Outdoor Council.

Merrill said Outdoor Council leaders plan to pack the meeting with employees and members of the public who oppose transfer.

It gives the false impression to members in Congress that theres support for the state takeover of public lands, he said. Thats why we are fighting against this so adamantly. Thats why were bringing our members. And thats why citizens are coming to these meetings. We dont want anybody to get the impression that this is some sort of populist movement in Wyoming. Its not. Its a small number of legislatures that are pushing a very specific agenda.

Merrill said that there will always be pressure on Wyomings decision-makers to sell the lands, even if there was a constitutional amendment prohibiting it. The sale of lands could forever close off Wyomings scenery, he said.

Tasha Sorensen of Trout Unlimited is also encouraging people to attend the meeting to shut down the bill before it appears before the 2017 Legislature, which convenes Jan. 10.

Her organization supports a public lands initiative between conservation groups and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association that addresses Wilderness Study Areas. The areas have been in a holding pattern for decades because Congress wont either designate them as official wilderness areas or release them as regular public lands.

Shes trying to educate the public that the initiative could be good for Wyoming. But the constitutional amendment is unacceptable because the threat of privatization of the lands, which belong to all Americans.

When we think the federal agencies are doing a poor job managing the federal public lands, its disheartening that they dont have the budgets to manage public lands, she said. And thats where the solution is.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington as Interior secretary, which would put her over 500 million acres in public lands. Five years ago, she co-sponsored a bill that would have required the Interior secretary to sell more than 3 million acres of public land.
QAYARA AIR BASE, Iraq  Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces have killed or gravely wounded more than 2,000 Islamic State fighters in the battle for Mosul since October, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Sunday.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend told reporters there are still an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 IS fighters defending Mosul. He applauded the efforts of Iraqi security forces, who began their offensive on Oct. 17 in what has been billed a decisive phase.

By our calculations, we think we have killed or badly wounded over 2,000, Townsend said at a joint news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter at Qayara air base.

Iraqi security forces have been slowed in their nearly two-month-old offensive against IS, which has occupied Mosul for more than two years. US officials have declined to say how many Iraqi government troops have been killed.

Recapturing the city, Iraqs second-largest, is crucial to the Iraqis hopes of restoring their sovereignty, although political stability will likely remain a challenge afterward.

Iraqi forces have only won back a handful of eastern Mosul neighborhoods since launching the offensive in mid-October. On Sunday they came under mortar fire as they worked to clear villages along the Tigris River to the south, part of operations to secure supply lines for a campaign that is likely to stretch into the coming year.

Townsend disputed any suggestion that the Islamic State has managed to fight the Iraqi government forces to standstill in Mosul.

After citing the estimated 2,000 IS casualties, he added, I dont think that suggests anything about a stalemate. This is a major urban area. Any army on the planet, including the United States Army, would be challenged by this fight.

The Iraqi army has come back from near-defeat two years ago, and now they are attacking this major city, Townsend said. I dont think there is anything in there about a stalemate. Mosul is about 250 miles from Baghdad.

Townsend said U.S. intelligence estimated before the Mosul campaign kicked off that IS had 3,500 to 6,000 fighters in the city. He said the current estimate is 3,000 to 5,000.
HARTFORD, Conn.  An appeal before the Connecticut Supreme Court is adding to the divided legal landscape nationwide surrounding the validity of cellphone-tower evidence used in criminal trials.

Eugene Edwards Jr. is serving a 20-year prison sentence for robbing an 82-year-old woman in her Wethersfield, Connecticut, home in 2012. Part of his appeal says the trial court judge should not have admitted evidence that his cellphone pinged, or connected with, a cell tower near the crime scene around the same time as the robbery.

The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear his appeal on Monday.

Courts around the country have issued conflicting rulings about whether cellphone-tower evidence is reliable.

Some experts say the evidence is often misinterpreted, because a cellphone can be more than 20 miles away from a tower it pings.

Its junk science, said Michael Cherry, chief executive of Cherry Biometrics, in Falls Church, Virginia, who has testified in successful cases to free people who were imprisoned based in part on cell-tower evidence.

People tend to confuse the location of the cellphone with the location of the cell tower, he said. People like to say that the phone goes to the nearest tower.

It goes to the clearest (signal) tower within range, not always the closest tower. You could be sitting on your living room couch and you could make four phone calls and each call would use a different tower.

Edwards lawyer, University of Connecticut School of Law professor Timothy Everett, said in court documents that the trial court judge wrongly admitted the cell-tower evidence without highly qualified experts testifying about its reliability and relevance. Judge Frank DAddabbo Jr. allowed the evidence based only on the testimony of a police officer with limited expertise, Everett wrote in court documents.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sousa countered that the officer was qualified to interpret and explain the cellphone records to the jury.

He also wrote in court documents that several courts around the country have recognized cellphone location data and mapping as reliable evidence.
Several parents called Sahuarita police Monday about a potential act of violence at the Walden Grove High School, but police said they already dealt with the incident.

The parents' concerns stemmed from a call that police investigated Dec. 6. Police and school officials took appropriate action, the Sahuarita Police Department said in a news release Monday.

Police reported no current threat of violence at the high school.

The student involved with the Dec. 6 incident was kept from school by the student's parents, who are in contact with the school district.

Sahuarita police officers will remain at the school until the end of the day.
Authorities arrested the man believed to have stolen three cars and 30 sets of keys from a Tucson car dealership.

Detectives with the Tucson Vehicle Theft Task Force arrested Ernesto Garcia, a 20-year-old Tucson resident, in connection with the burglary, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which administers the task force, said in a news release Monday.

Police electronically located one of the vehicles reported stolen, a 2008 BMW, at a nearby apartment complex. Detectives found the two other stolen vehicles, a 2012 Ford F250 and a 2008 Dodge Ram, in the area.

Police surveilling the BMW saw Garcia move the vehicle and arrested him. The 30 sets of keys were recovered.

Garcia was charged with one count of burglary in the third degree for the burglary of the car dealership, three counts of theft of means of transportation, and three counts of burglary in the third degree for the vehicles.

Garcia was free on bond for a pending Tucson Police Department auto-theft case involving a firearm and aggravated assault, DPS said.
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Sloan Gibson will visit Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson on Monday to meet with VA leadership, employees, congressional representatives, veterans' groups and other stakeholders to discuss access to care, the agency said.

The visit comes as the Department of Veterans Affairs is still dealing with the fallout of a scandal over dishonest scheduling practices and dangerously long wait times for veterans seeking care, spawned by allegations about the Phoenix VA Health Care System two years ago.

The Tucson VA hospital also has been criticized for long patient wait times. Last month a report released by the veterans agencys Office of Inspector General confirmed whistleblower complaints that some employees were prompted to falsify wait-time records in 2013 and 2014.

Local VA officials have said an investigation is under way, and procedures have been changed and staff added to prevent records manipulation and improve care.
Authorities identified the man shot and killed Sunday afternoon in the 1000 block of East Fenley Drive as Richard Jensen, 36.

Jensen was shot multiple times in an area off of South Nogales Highway, about two miles south of East Hughes Access Road. He was declared dead at the hospital, according to a news release from the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

A vehicle was seen leaving the scene after the shooting, the release said. Witnesses told deputies two men, possibly in their 30s, were seen in the vehicle, described as a Honda or Geo Metro, two-door with a black passenger door and possible discoloration on the hood.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information that could help identify the suspects to call 911 or submit an anonymous tip at 88-CRIME.org.
Help India!

By Syed Danish, Twocircles.net

Waqar Nasri

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In one of the many bylanes of the Sheeshmahal locality in Hussainabad area in Old Lucknow, lives Waqar Nasri or Nawab Alam to his near ones. To many in my generation, this name may be like a dot in the statistics records but not to those who have his Urdu translation of Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma and other volumes of works he has published as a literary critic and translator.

Sitting on an armchair in the courtyard of his ancestral house, the 75-year-old litterateur diligently turns the pages of his translated books. His demeanor is calm and unassuming. He is one of the few remaining doyens of the Urdu world of his fast dwindling generation which has gracefully defended the citadel of their language and preserved the awe and integrity of the culture of adab in Lucknow.

He is currently translating a Bengali novel titled Shahzada dara Shikoh. In the past, he has written essays on Aag Ka dariya, Aakhri Shab Ke Humsafar by Qurratulain Haider; Gulaalbagh by Mirza Athar Beg, and other novels like Darichey, Khiza ke Dinon Mein. He has also written poetic commentaries titled Peshkhema and Shahr Meer, the latter on Nasir Kazmis poetry. He has also translated book on Birsa Munda titled Jungle Ke Daavedaar and Vibhuti Narain Rais Shaher Mein Curfew. He has also translated into Urdu various jail diaries such as Hum Jo Maare Jaayenge by Jiya Mitra.

Logon ko maloom hi nahin hai ki iska tarjuma hua hai, (People have no idea this novel has been translated in Urdu also), he says referring to the disassociation of the younger generation at large with Urdu. It is his reputation in the Urdu world which earned him the Sahitya Akademy offer to translate one of the greatest works of Mahasweta Devi, who is known for bringing the pain and trials of the common man on world stage through the might of her pen. His translated book was published in April this year.

Nasri heaps volumes of praises for Hazaar Chaurasi ki Ma since he has read the Hindi translation of the original Bengali novel. He says, In Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma, she addresses an entire generation engulfed in political turmoil of their age. A generation lived on the morsel of their dreams of a just and an egalitarian society before fate got the better of them. In the novel, Bratis character epitomises the vision of an ideal society  the destitute would rule one day. His father challenges and sometimes mock his perception and argue in favour of materialism.

Sujata, his mother on the other hand, is a wife of a wealthy husband who is accustomed to a smooth and comfortable life. So when Brati explains her the concept of class struggle and Naxalbari movement, it leaves her worried and perplexed. But, unlike her husband, she listens to and understand him. This is the binary of the mother-son relationship which is the soul of the book, he says with an emotional glint in his eyes.

If you want to know the true nature of women, read this book, he emphasises. Nasri believes that in many pages of the book Sujata exhibits the same kind of courage and resilience that Mahasweta Devi did in her own life while speaking to the marginalised in the country. She doesnt call it quits even after watching her sons body in the police station but heralds on towards a journey to explore the part of his life she wasnt familiar with in order to stand by him. This is her expression of faith in the purity of her sons ideas.

Even the tag reading 1084 on Bratis body, according to Nasri, is Mahasweta Devis way to tell how, in the books of a repressive State, an idea is reduced to a number.

Before working on his translation, Nasri visited Kolkata to understand the city better. The novel is set in Kolkata so I visited the city and its by-lanes to get a picture of where Brati lived and dreamt of a new world with his comrades and travelled so far in his quest that the difference between reality and his dreams became non existent. He also met Urdu writers like Zaheer Anwar who helped him get acquainted with Kolkata of Mahasweta Devis novel.

To the young breed translators, Nasri has to say that translation a delicate and responsible job and the essence of the original work must not be lost in translation. He also cites the example of Sujata and her maid. Both Sujata and her maid speak Bengali but in different ways. For instance, Sujatas Bengali is refined where as maids has a rural touch. So while translating in Urdu I had to be sure that the line so maid did not have to be nafees or refined. So you see, that when you are translating a novel, it also the background of the characters that you put into the right context in the framework of your translated text.

Nasri laments the demise of Mahasweta Devi and believes that the world needed her more than ever. What moved him the most about her is that she worked and boisterously voiced her concerns in the interest of the downtrodden. She was the editor of Vartika magazine which published writings of adivasis and tribals. She also wrote for children which shows that she issues of all age groups would affect and touch her sensibilities.
Help India!

By Harun Lone for TwoCircles.net

Graham Greene, a British novelist wrote, Media is a word that has come to mean bad journalism. And in our context, Indian media is a word that undoubtedly has come to mean bad journalism.

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The tomfoolery of contemporary Indian media wont make Indians any better humans than they had proven to be during their own freedom struggle against the British. Now the biased and Machiavellian coverage of Indian media has deeply influenced the general public opinion in India and due to which larger populace in India is labored under Kashmirophobia. Not to miss that many Indians have been exceptionally great in uncovering the carnages in India but when it comes to Kashmir, some show spinelessness, some muteness, some sheer hypocrisy. The bias in Indian media is largely visible. But it is not against any particular point of view or any particular group of people. It is a bias against understanding.

Thankfully this narrative has been ruptured to a large part. Young Kashmiri journalists have moved beyond Indian media houses and seized the space of opinion in international/global media to raise their voices. Kashmiris have repeatedly shown that they possess an enormous ability and abundance of talent to tell their own stories and I am glad to affirm that they really do not rely on Indian media for their voices being heard. They have no hopes and they seem pretty pleased with the fact. They write their own and they say it on their own.

In the last five to six years, so many Indian masses have started to learn about their surroundings politically, particularly about Kashmir. The credit undeniably goes to the bottomless list of Kashmiri journalists and writers who have majorly contributed to the Kashmir movement. Adding to this, after the gruesome killings in 2010, diverse young Kashmiris ranging from schools to colleges to universities have mastered the use of internet through blogging sites which luckily initiate a two-way communication, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to voice their political concerns.

Blogging, Tweeting & Facebooking has galvanized Kashmiris to focus on their predicament without confronting expurgation & subjective gate-keeping of traditional media. They have shattered the manipulators. These days if there is any protest against injustice in any Indian university in Delhi or elsewhere, the messages displayed on placards is usually taken from the Kashmiri bloggers. So, in the Platonian sense Kashmir is in the state of becoming.

Gossipmongers, bigots, and liars in the Indian media are the greatest threat to the substantive form of Indian democracy, which either way, hasnt shown any better progression since its independence, examples of which are: Dalit atrocities, tribal hostilities, and minority rights including safety of Muslims, gender security, poverty, and malnutrition and so on.

Bias, outright lies, paid news and political leanings illustrate much of Indian media for now. There has been a complete failure of understanding in India regarding the concept of understanding Kashmiris. The jaundiced corporate Indian media is majorly responsible for this tangle. It always has had a certain rush to make the political struggle of Kashmir look like a demand for Islamist society by bizarrely linking it to Pakistan and some third-rate extremist stuff around. So, this not only justifies thousands of innocent killings done by the Indian security forces here but also makes it globally defensible by giving it a horrific image. Shall people of Kashmir prove them right by demeaning and demonising both Islam and their political right?

Media judges of India with deliberate ignorance overlook that their own democracy is saturated with Hindu ethnic supremacy. Indian media is stirring up Islamophobia that influences the global polities, assumes that Islam and democracy are not attuned, whereas Islam constitutes a system of freedom and democracy. This assumption is purely nonsensical and reflects majoritarian Indias racism. Political freedom is a tryout with hazards that Kashmiris have ever willed to take. If not any ethical support that is visibly and largely deficient, Indians must reconsider their mindless and biased portrayal of Kashmiris which has chiefly been fed to them by Indian media.

Indian propagandist media and bigots have shamefully failed to understand the absence of extreme terror groups like Taliban, Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other hardcore elements in Kashmir because it is indigestible to them that this is the conscious decision of Kashmiris and hence proving in demanding a peaceful political solution to much longer political conflict and clearly an aversion to mindless violence. The Indian media need to recall that the job of a journalist is to report the news as it happened, not give their opinions. One writer brilliantly puts it by saying, Dont add to the truth, if you do, you may also subtract from it. They have been running a campaign to distort reality in Kashmir. They most of the times maintain that Kashmiris need development but the manifestation of anger is so largely political that they avoid seeing the same developmental and administrative centers being targeted. Everybody in these media houses get so much information all day long that they lose their common sense in differentiating between an administrative issue and a political issue.

Indian media should immediately realize how significant it is for a journalist to be sincere and probable to his readers and viewers. Even the most shoddily made documentary films are tolerable if they help unfold some specifics and realities that frame us. Media channels should be doing that, but instead it has become a fashion to embark on pointless crusades. Some of these crusades or debates are plainly hollow, completely impoverished of logic and these media keep patting themselves on their backs for having created some cheap sensations. There is a sizeable difference between good debates and theatre. And it is always easier to copy evil than it is to replicate the good. The Indian TV channels and their daily debates are mostly nothing more than absurd theatre. Usually, the panelists on the show are picked not for their independence of thoughts but for their political persuasions. Screaming, shouting, talking over each other, hurling insults is the kind of theatre that Indian media dishes out as shows rather than sensible debates that can unravel facts and where one can learn and unlearn. Not so the usual suspects who are handpicked for the divisive agenda of the media.

In the recent Uri attack the intelligent media houses seemed to be on their toes more than the Indian state to conceive a war panic by endlessly saying that India needs to show its strength. And, when India claimed to have shown its strength by carrying what they call surgical strikes, media cretins sitting in New Delhi were laughing harder. It was baffling to see journalists laughing on the plight of humans being killed on both sides.

There are other numerous examples to understand the kind of journalism that defines them; one of which is Justice Arnob Goswami of Times Now obviously with a nonsensical cliche of nation wants to know. He picks up a debate, manages a panel, poses a series of unending questions to them, before they start saying anything, he answers the questions himself, and ultimately draws a conclusion himself. He remains the only one after panelists move out and still demands answers from everyone  from politicians, ordinary citizens and even from the Indian nation collectively. It is always Arnob versus everyone else. He believes that he has to out-do other journalists in every way and he has, by crossing all the barriers of sound.

But he is not the only one. When it comes Barkha Dutt of NDTV 24*7, the buck for the worst journalism stops with her. Whenever the killings by security forces are rampant in Kashmir, she takes a flight to Kashmir, goes through Gupkar road straight to Grand Palace, brings up a pro-India debate with a pro-India politician and vanishes. She claims to have reported on Kashmir conflict for last 18 years but what she has seen is a conflict, what has she reported is conceit, and what she calls this conflict is alienation. Her smugness is always dominating on her shows, willingness to learn anything is a far-fetched dream. These are the bigger reasons that we might not be able to find many ethically credible journalists in India.

Another recent example is the serpentine Zee News channel which broadcasted a botched up video made in Gurez on 20th July, 2016 , part of the North Kashmirs Bandipore district. That video showed a few people being interviewed including contractors and porters who according to the locals had been working with Indian army. Their anti-freedom quips were palmed off by this unscrupulous news channel as an opinion of the whole of Gurez. This is the height of media absurdity. News channel wanted to have a shot to activate a malicious atmosphere in the area and render a public hoo-hah but luckily people didnt fall prey to this planned manipulation and in turn protested against the news channel for energizing a hysterics about Kashmir and its people.

Another video made by the same news channel named Azad Reporting was broadcast on October 1 2016 which showed a young journalist (who needs an introduction but doesnt deserve one) interviewing some Kashmiri youth who had been out to protest against the Indian occupation. The video further shows the blurred faces of those boys and the reporter asks these youth some questions one of which was what does freedom means to them? They reply by saying that they dont know. The reporter while asking such questions is sniggering at those boys and doesnt leave any chance to insult their Kashmiri pride infused in freedom they aspire. When journalism reaches this point, you almost lose hopes to hope anything good for humanity, leave alone Kashmir. Greater part of people if watched it would find a lot of it very awfully unpalatable. But if thats the way they want to behave, they are to worsen the whole situation than to do any good to it. When you ask the same asinine thing again and again, and when you do that happily youre well on the way to being a cretin or a politician.

No matter the amount of criticism global media is generally faced with but its surely become the nervous system of todays world. I am not here externally motivated to ridicule or dismiss Indian media but have certain historical compulsions to criticize them. I believe they must also look inside where they have really gone wrong. Indian media should seriously modify its modus operandi of covering the daily India, places of socio-economic conflicts in India and particularly a political conflict like Kashmir. Media like cinema doesnt go unnoticed in thin air; it has a public role to play. Its doesnt mean that we to have to agree on 100%, it doesnt mean that we have no questions, it doesnt mean any of these things, but it certainly gives us a space to raise these issues, otherwise the whole project of journalism to transform state & society would have to finish. History of protests across the globe has witnessed that the intelligent use of media can impact the public opinion in West but having affording the kind of intelligence is a bigger question that we can ask ourselves!

The author is currently pursuing his Masters in Political Science from Kashmir University
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

The police on Monday took seven people into custody for not standing up while national anthem was being played in theatre during the ongoing International Film Festival of Keala (IFFK). The seven, which included a law student, were taken into custody from Nishagandhi open theatre during the screening of Egyptian movie Clash.

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However, they were later released after a warning.

Ahead of the festival, responding to the court order, Minister for Cultural Affairs in Kerala AK Balan had said that people have the choice whether to stand up or to sit while national anthem is played.

Kerala state Chalachitra Academy chairman Kamal had also stated that the academy would take steps to get relaxation from the Supreme Court order.

Besides, Academy vice chairperson Bina Paul Venugopal had also stated that the academy may go to the court seeking relaxation.

However, while speaking to a local channel, Kamal termed the incident unfortunate and said that the organisers had given directives to delegates and viewers in this regard ahead to the festival.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

In a lovely show of communal harmony, Hindu brothers distributed sweets and drinks for their Muslim brothers during Eid Ul Milad Shareef processions, held across various parts of Kerala. The pictures of Hindu welcoming Milad processions across the state went viral on social media.

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Some of the Hindu brothers are on fast ahead to their pilgrimage to Sabarimala, the famous pilgrim centre in South India, to visit Lord Ayyappa. But this did not stop them from arranging for facilities for their Muslim brothers. Clad in lungis, the attire for pilgrims who intend to go to Sabarimala, they distributed sweets and Payasam, the traditional sweet gruel of Kerala.

Twocircles got pictures from various localities from across Malabar like Kondotty, Nediyiruppu, Chandragiri, Uduma and Tirur.

(In pictures: Hindus distribute sweets, drinks for Muslims during Eid ul Milad in Kerala)
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has come under fire from many outspoken fans and viewers of the "More4" panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, which is hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr. In response to the comments, an abuse charity is asking the BBC to "get rid of him" from the dance competition show after commenting that he likes rape scenes on Television.

They were discussing Game of Thrones

The 8 Out of 10 Cats panellists were discussing HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones when he made the now-infamous remark. The rape scene that Revel Horwood was referring to was a controversial point in Game of Thrones history.

Where it usually receives critical acclaim for its darkest and most shocking moments, the rape scene last year was seen by many as the show going too far.

8 Out of 10 Cats host, comedian Jimmy Carr, asked Revel Horwood if he watches Game of Thrones, to which the Strictly judge replied, No. He told Carr that he persevered for the first series until the dragon came on and thats when I switched off. He said, I liked all the sex scenes and the rape and I liked the cleavers through the skulls and I liked all of that, but I got very bored in the end.

Specifically, the part where Revel Horwood mentions that he liked the scene featuring the rape has provoked the ire of an abuse charity called Enough Abuse UK, who are calling for the BBC to fire Revel Horwood from the show.

Marilyn Hawes, the charitys founder, says she was absolutely disgusted by his deeply disrespectful and jaw-droppingly awful comment. Hawes called rape "the most devastating and vile crime," and said that now Revel Horwood has revealed himself to enjoy watching it, she would be led to "question him as a person, adding that rape victims will be "enraged" by what he has said, which she calls "so distressing" for them.

She posed the question, "How could he say he liked that scene? as the writers of the show did not include the rape scene for it to be enjoyed. She then called for the BBC to fire him, saying that somebody with this "mindset" should not be allowed to work on a "family show."

The other panellists responded

The panellist to his right, Irish actress Aisling Bea, gave a horrified look before asked if Revel Horwood got bored when they werent raping anyone, clearly outraged by his comment, especially given the nonchalant manner in which he said it. Comedienne Katherine Ryan, who was also on Revel Horwoods team with Bea, gave a similar look of disgust at his comments.
Coldwell Banker Bain real estate broker Mark Reys prepares to hang an "Open House" sign outside of a home for sale in Seattle. [Photo/Agencies]

Just a few days after Vancouver announced a tax on foreign property investors, Seattle real estate broker Lili Shang received a WeChat message from a wealthy Chinese businessman who wanted to sell a home in Canada and buy in her area.

After a week of showings, he purchased a $1 million property in Bellevue, across Lake Washington from Seattle. He soon returned to buy two more, including a $2.2 million house in Clyde Hill paid for with a single cashier's check.

Shang said she's been inundated with similar requests from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong after Vancouver's provincial government enacted a 15 percent tax on foreign homebuyers in August to help cool soaring real estate values. With Chinese investorsthe largest pool of foreign capitallooking for a place to put their cash, the unintended consequence of the fee has been to push demand to cities such as Seattle and Toronto.

"The tax was the trigger of this new wave of investment now coming to Seattle," Shang said. "Why pay more for the same thing?"

Vancouver, which has seen detached-home prices double in a decade, joined areas including Australia and China's Hong Kong in taking steps to slow housing demand after an unprecedented surge of foreign investment. Chinese buyers, in particular, are accelerating purchases overseas, spurred by a weakening yuan and rising prices at home. They're also venturing farther afield as costs soar in some of their favored markets.

Home-purchase inquiries from the Chinese mainland have jumped in Seattle and Toronto since the Vancouver tax was announced, according to Juwai.com, the country's largest overseas property website.

For Vancouver investors, Seattle is a lure because it's a waterfront city just a few hours away by car. It's also more affordable than other West Coast destinations. Toronto, as one of the world's financial capitals, already has an established base of foreign investment in condominiums and a large Asian population.

"Chinese money isn't going to sit and wait," said David Ley, a Vancouver-based professor at the University of British Columbia's Department of Geography, who focuses on housing. "Investors are going to find another city," and Toronto and Seattle are the top two contenders, he said.

While there are no figures specifically showing purchases made by offshore buyers, brokers say demand in Seattle and Toronto has been robust, particularly for the high-end properties Chinese investors tend to favor.

In Seattle, about 12 percent of all homes this year sold for at least $1 million, double the share over the Past decade, according to brokerage Windermere Real Estate. Single-family home prices in King County, where the city is located, jumped by almost 15 percent in October from a year earlier, data from the local realtors association show.

The average price of a Toronto home rose by 23 percent in November from a year earlier, while sales soared by almost 17 percent, the local real estate board reported on Dec 2. In Vancouver, meanwhile, sales have plunged since July and were down by 37 percent last month compared with the year before.

About half of the homes sold in Seattle's suburbs are going to Chinese buyers, with many of the transactions requiring the use of interpreters, international banks and multiple escrow deposits, according to Dean Jones, chief executive officer of Realogics Sotheby's International Realty. This is up from about 30 percent last year, he said.

"This is Vancouver 2.0," said Jones, who lived in the Canadian city about two decades ago, when the capital flow from Asia started to accelerate. "A lot of the same motivations and goals are being replicated in Seattle."

The Seattle metropolitan area has seen a 50 percent jump in house prices in the past five years, thanks in part to a booming technology industry and growth in companies such as Amazon.com Inc and Microsoft Corp. Still, the median home value is $409,900, less than in San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to Zillow Group Inc. In Vancouver, the benchmark home price is C$919,300 ($680,000), or C$1.06 million with the tax.

"Most of my Chinese investors, 60 to 70 percent, compare Vancouver and Seattle," said Carrie Brown, a broker at Ewing & Clark Inc at Seattle.

Bloomberg
CHENGDU - A freight train loaded with meat from Germany arrived at Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province, Saturday, sources with Chengdu Qingbaijiang International Railway Port said Sunday.

The train took 13 days to travel 12,000 km from Nuremberg, Germany, to Chengdu, and was loaded with 21.9 tons of German pork. All the meat products will be put on the Chinese market after passing quarantine inspection, said Sichuan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

The train saves 45 days of transport time compared with shipping, and saves costs of 10,000 yuan ($1,448) per ton when compared with air freight.

The China-Europe freight train marks the opening of the railway channel for China to import meat products from Europe.

The Chengdu Qingbaijiang International Railway Port, train's terminal, was approved as western China's first meat import inland port by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on March 28.
A ceremony was held at the China Academy of Aerospace Systems Science and Engineering in Beijing on Sunday to mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of Qian Xuesen, the founder of China's space industry.

The academy, part of State-owned space contractor China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, released four books on Qian at the ceremony.

Xue Huifeng, president of the academy, said Qian's theories in systems engineering will continue to be promoted and passed on to future generations.

Qian, who was also known as Hsue-Shen Tsien in the West, was born on Dec 11, 1911, in Shanghai. After graduating from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1934, he went to the United States to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later at the California Institute of Technology. In 1939, he received a doctorate in aviation and mathematics and in 1947, age 35, became a professor at MIT.

In 1955, he returned to China and was appointed leader of the country's missile and space programs. Qian contributed extensively to China's military modernization in the 1960s and 1970s.

In the 1980s, he became a top political adviser and was named head of the China Association for Science and Technology.

He died on Oct 31, 2009 and his funeral was attended by almost all of China's then leadership.
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 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 66 percent in 2009.

Trump announced his anti-corruption campaign on Nov 16 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.

He also vowed a lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying on behalf of foreign governments, and a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for US elections.

Although no one seems sure how the rules will be enforced, it will be a move in the right direction, if truly carried out.

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 firms assemble.

Having covered Washington for years, the question I often ask is why the thriving lobbying industry in Washington is even legal in the first place in a country that claims to be the world's "greatest democracy". Some think tanks also have their credibility called into question when their programs are funded by corporations, such as Lockheed Martin.

In Washington, countless former government officials and ex-members of Congress engage 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 operations.

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 earlier 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, tobacco, 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, taxes, infrastructure and Wall Street regulations.

Andrew Bacevich, a historian at Boston University, wrote a week ago that if Trump were 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 provide a reason for federal authorities to accumulate new powers.

It will be interesting to see if Trump will walk the talk on his "drain the swamp" pledge.

Contact the writer at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com.
Alice Lee accepts the Business Female Award at the annual gala of Asian Chamber of Commerce, an event attended by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (right) in September in Houston. May Zhou / China Daily

With degrees in accounting and psychology, Alice Lee was working at MetLife when Martha Wong asked her to help her campaign for a seat on the Houston City Council in late 1993.

Lee took a temporary leave of absence from work to help Wong as her scheduler. Little did she know, that temporary leave would become permanent and put her on a path of public service for more than three decades.

"Martha won and became the first Chinese American elected to the Houston City Council. She asked me to be her chief of staff, and I said yes," said Lee. The decision led to Lee working at City Hall for the next 10 years.

It was a new path for Lee, who immigrated to the United States as a child with her parents from Taiwan in 1973.

"Martha was sworn in January 1994. Three months later, the city started budget planning. It was a big learning process for me. I learned how resources are allocated, how to advocate for people who don't have a voice, how to give a community in need a library, a community center and such," Lee said.

As the first elected Asian official, Martha Wong's office got many requests for help from the community.

"Martha was representing District C, and we have to carefully balance the need between her district and the Asian community. We did a lot to promote the trade with Asia, including China, to show up at Asian events. I learned that it's very important for the Asian community to have that representation at the City Hall."

When Chris Bell won a City Council seat in 1997, Lee was asked to head up his office. "Martha graciously agreed to let me go, to give me room to grow. I worked as chief of staff for Bell for five years."

When Gordon Quan became the mayor pro-tem in 2002, he appointed Lee as administrative officer and director of the Office of Mayor Pro-Tem. Her new position involved handling documents, mail, travel and salaries for all City Council members. Lee helped streamline the office and managed to return $50,000 to the city's general fund in 2003.

Lee continued to work under succeeding Mayor Pro-Tem Carol Alvarado in 2004 and her duty expanded to processing all payroll and personnel needs for all 14 council members and their staff. She was also involved in monitoring the city's budget and helped to address budget concerns.

Lee lost her position at City Hall when she took a leave of absence due to the loss of a family member in 2005. She went to work for the Chinese Community Center (CCC) and then Asia Society Texas Center (ASTC), two non-profit organizations.

Lee organized major events for CCC during her two years there, such as a visit from Elaine Chao, US secretary of labor; the annual Lunar New Year festivals, which attracted 10,000 visitors; and a building dedication in 2005 that featured Kay Bailey Hutchison, US senator from Texas.

At ASTC, Lee planned and implemented goals and strategies to increase awareness, support and giving by the community at large. She helped its capital campaign, with a special emphasis on the Asian-American community.

"I found it's very challenging to run programs while constantly needing fundraising," Lee said.

In 2009, Lee left ASTC to join Hawes Hill Calderon LLP, a firm that specializes in the creation of special purpose districts, such as municipal management districts and tax increment reinvestment zones (TRIZ). Last year, she became a partner at the firm.

Through her firm, Lee continues to serve the community by managing TRIZ Southwest Management District (SMD), which is under the Texas legislature and includes Houston's Chinatown. As executive director at SMD, Lee develops and oversees programs that improve the district's environment, safety and business development.

When three pedestrians were killed in Chinatown in one month during a road improvement project in early 2015, Lee's office helped to address the problem by bringing the community, city government and Houston Police Department (HPD) together.

"We asked the city to reduce the speed limit; we requested the HPD put officers on the street to enforce the law around Chinatown; and we educated the community about safety," said Lee. Pedestrian traffic deaths were prevented after those actions.

In recent months, robberies in the Chinatown area have heightened concern among the business people and shoppers. Along with other community organizations, Lee organized lectures and events where HPD officers gave tips on safety and crime prevention.

Lee just completed design of a pamphlet in four languages distributed to local banks to warn residents of "jugging". Jugging is when perpetrators follow victims who had gone to an ATM machine and either try to steal money from their vehicles or rob them.

"We want to give the tools to people to stay safe. I encourage businesses to take credit cards instead of practicing cash-only policy, use armored cars to collect and deposit cash income. It's mostly about education," Lee said.

Lee said she also plans to ask HPD to translate its safety videos into Chinese and Vietnamese.

"We are also working with HPD to provide bicycle patrols in the Chinatown area. That will increase the interaction between police officers and local business owners. It will make the Chinatown safer."

On business development, Lee said that the SMD, Chinese Community Center and Greater Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau are working together to develop a Chinatown bus tour package.

"Houston Chinatown is beautiful and has a lot to offer. On one street, you can enjoy almost any kind of cuisine from Asia. We want to attract people around Houston to visit this area, to have tea, to eat, to shop and to visit the temples," Lee said.

Early this year, Lee won the Business Female award at the annual gala of Asian Chamber of Commerce. This was not the first time that Lee was honored for her community involvement. Having served in more than a dozen community organizations over the years, she won a Bank of America 2008 Neighborhood Excellence Local Hero Award and designated the $5,000 in award money to the Chinese Community Center.

"I am very fortunate to have a job I enjoy doing. It all goes back to having representation and a voice for the community," said Lee.

mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com
In this image made from video taken on Dec 10, 2016, local people survey the scene after a church roof collapsed in Uyo, Nigeria. [Photo/IC]

LAGOS -- Death toll in the collapsed Church building in Uyo, capital of Southeast Nigeria's Akwa Ibom State on Saturday has risen beyond 100, as casualty figures are being collated from various health facilities, health officials told Xinhua here on Sunday.

The health officials, who wished to be anonymous, disclosed the figure and said many victims are in private hospitals and mortuaries scattered all over Uyo metropolis.

A Xinhua reporter in the oil rich state said sympathizers besieged the scene of the collapsed Church building on Sunday, adding there was heavy security presence at the Church gate under lock.

The official number of the casualties of the Saturday incident is yet to be announced by the police and security agencies.

A police source told Xinhua that although Governor Udom Emmanuel had escaped unhurt, many people lost their lives while several others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Etete Peters, said scores of persons were brought to the hospital dead, adding that the hospital had never prepared for such an emergency.

"Many victims are in private hospitals and mortuaries scattered all over Uyo metropolis. We can't really tell how many people have died so far. We do not have space as people are still being brought in," he added.

Meanwhile, the state government has declared Sunday, December 11 and Monday, December 12, as days of mourning for the victims of the collapse of the Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo.

All flags are to be flown half mast within the state during the days of mourning.

The governor has ordered the immediate arrest of the contractor that handled the construction of the collapsed church building.
Premier Li Keqiang meets the visiting Thai deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Monday in Beijing. [Photo by Du Yang / China News Service]

China has expressed its willingness to advance construction of the China-Thailand railway under the current cooperative framework.

Premier Li Keqiang discussed the matter with the visiting Thai deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Monday.

"I have reached a new consensus on China-Thailand railway this year with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. China is willing to work with Thailand to promote positive progress in the construction of the railway, which will bring more welfare and benefits to both peoples," Li said.

A memorandum on railway cooperation was signed on Friday during the fifth China-Thailand Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation meeting in Beijing, co-chaired by the visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak. Somkid also met with Premier Li on Monday.

Both countries are central partners and China is willing to enhance high-level exchanges, expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in defense to boost bilateral ties, Li said.

Prawit, also Thailand's defense minister, visited Beijing in 2014 to negotiate with China for help to upgrade its outdated rails. He said Thailand will accelerate key projects of connectivity such as the China-Thailand railway.

After years of ups and downs, a ground-breaking ceremony was held in December to mark the beginning of the railway, which is part of the Pan-Asia railway that China proposed in 2005. It is also Thailand's first standard-gauge railway that uses China's technology and equipment.

The 845-kilometer railway will allow trains to operate at top speeds of 180-250 km/h, much slower than other high-speed trains in order to keep costs down.
A memorial service to remember the victims of the Nanjing Massacre committed by the Japanese military during World War II brought together hundreds of activists and members from the Chinese and Korean communities on Sunday in San Francisco.

The memorial, organized by the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition, the Chinese American Association of Commerce, and the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia (GA), has been held annually the past 19 years with the aim of exposing the Japanese Army's war crimes and encouraging people to understand and remember the history.

"Nanjing Massacre is one of the worst atrocities committed during World War II, inflicting unbearable sufferings on Chinese people," said Luo Linquan, Chinese consul general in San Francisco. "The efforts of the Japanese right wing to whitewash the invasion and even deny the Nanjing massacre will never prevail."

"Until the Japanese government gives a meaningful apology, full reparations for the suffering and hardships caused by generations of people, I'll be with you in this fight," Eric Mar, a San Francisco supervisor, told the event participants.

He is pushing the approval of a memorial dedicated to "comfort women" in downtown San Francisco, which is expected to be completed next year.

Seventy-nine years ago, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, which was China's capital then, on Dec 13, 1937, commencing a slaughter that lasted more than 40 days. More than 300,000 people were murdered, and about 20,000 women were raped.

From the time that Japan invaded northeast China in September 1931, followed by a full-scale invasion that started on July 7, 1937, around 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or injured during the Japanese occupation, which continued until 1945.

In February 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec 13 as National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims.

Last year, the historical documents of the Nanjing Massacre were listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, a compendium aimed at preserving documented heritage of universal value.

This past June, the applications to register "comfort women" files to the same program were submitted by an international joint committee representing 14 civic groups from eight nations, including China, South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands.

In August, an appellate court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against the city of Glendale calling for the removal of a memorial statue dedicated to "comfort women" during World War II.

The 1,100-pound bronze statue was erected in the community's Central Park in 2013.

Lillian Sing, a retired judge and co-chair of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition said that though Glendale is a small city, the ruling is significant, as it shows that those who object to the "comfort women" memorial in San Francisco won't prevail

Canada's Ontario is considering Dec 13 as the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day.

"It will provide an opportunity for all Ontarians, especially the Asian community, to gather, remember and honor the victims and families affected by the Nanjing Massacre, an atrocity where over 200,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers alike were indiscriminately killed in the Japanese capture of the city," says the bill.

Congjiang Wang in San Francisco contributed to the story.

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
Elaine L. Chao was in New York this weekend, but the focus wasn't on the US transportation secretary nominee but rather her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, who was promoting a new book about his life.

They attended a discussion with the 2016 Education and Leadership Conference organized by the International Leadership Foundation and New York Young Entrepreneurs Roundtable.

The talk focused on Dr Chao's biography Fearless against the Wind, which was written by Alice Tsui, a professor at National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

"It's overwhelming to have received the outpouring of affection and support since the announcement occurred. I am deeply, deeply grateful," Chao, who also served as secretary of labor under President George W. Bush, told media after the book event.

"This will be the only occasion that I face media in an organized format until my confirmation hearing before the United States Senate, which hopefully will take place in the middle of January, before the start of the new administration," she added.

Chao said she wanted to maintain the tradition of nominees not speaking to the media before their confirmation hearing, because "confirmation should never be assumed".

"In this country, the president appoints, the Senate confirms," she said. "But my father and I had promised to appear before the International Leadership Foundation for this event well before the president-elect's announcement of my nomination."

Fearless against the Wind is the story of Dr. Chao's personal journey. He began his career as a cadet on oceangoing vessels after completing college on the Chinese mainland and became one of the youngest sea captains at the age of 29. He got the highest score ever recorded on the master mariner exam and got an opportunity to go to the US.

After receiving an MBA from St. John's University in 1964, Chao founded Foremost Group, an international shipping and finance company where he remains chairman.

The Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation, set up by Chao and his wife, Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, who died in 2007, has awarded thousands of scholarships to students and been generous benefactors to many institutions.

On June 6, Harvard University opened the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center, the first building named after a woman and the first named after an Asian American in the university's 380-year history.

"Education is the most important power to change a person's life," said Dr. Chao during the discussion.

He said Foremost Group has had a zero-accident record since its founding more than 50 years ago, which he credits to the emphasis put on staff training and education.

Since the 1980s, the company has worked with maritime colleges in Shanghai and Dalian to provide scholarships, internships and career opportunities to poor students. "Our staff is hard-working," he said.

Chao said her father's life is an inspirational story of "love, family, hope, determination, perseverance and ultimately triumph against challenges and adversities" all against the backdrop of one of the most historical periods in world history.

"It's a lesson in how to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. His life is a reminder of what the true treasures of life are," she continued. "I've been extraordinarily blessed to have such wonderful parents."

Chao said she hopes that people will find the biography inspirational and find the courage to pursuing their life goals. She said her father would call himself "a simple farm boy", but he's so full of courage, vision, generosity, truly faithful, truly fearless and joyful in facing life.

"I'm so grateful that my father is with me at this historical moment," Chao said. "My mother has left on August 2, 2007. She and my father are responsible for who we are today."

wanglinyan@chinadailyusa.com
Professor Barry Eichengreen of Berkeley claims that the diversification of international reserve currencies will force the dollar to share the current role with the Euro and the Yuan.

Eichengreen acknowledges that 85 percent of international transactions are converting dollar prices half of the worlds public debt is in dollars, and more than 60 percent of the reserves central banks hold are in dollars.

This shows the hegemony the dollar has had so far, but the author notes that the fiscal and monetary irresponsibility U.S. has had is partly due to the benign neglect of the FED: public debt represents 75% of GDP and is dangerously close to the ceiling authorized by law.

In particular, many U.S. leaders still do not believe in a future crisis. However, the Chinese are willing to come to the aid of the United States. Meanwhile, the euro is in crisis, but the governments involved have taken serious fiscal adjustments to continue the monetary union, while the United States maintains and persists that tax cuts are the way to go.

In the last year, Yuan-denominated deposits in Hong Kong banks have quadrupled. 70,000 Chinese companies are doing cross-border transfers in RMB, dozens of foreign companies have called in RMB bonds in China, and in January, the Central Bank of China began Yuan deposits in New York.

Chinese authorities have promised that by 2020, Shanghai will be an international financial center and will be first class at the last meeting of the G-20. It is proposed to add the Yuan to be used by the IMF to calculate the value of the SDR.

No one can propose that replacing the dollar is going to happen in that moment, but after the declaration of non-convertibility by President Nixon in 1971, a long process has been brewing that will lead to a multi-polarity exchange. In fact, it is one that is beginning to attract financial stress across the globe. If you recall, the pound was linked to the gold standard in 1870, but began to see its bases cracked when it was used to finance World War I. England formally declared its non-convertibility in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression.
Year to date, Apples (NASDAQ:AAPL) [stockdata ticker=AAPL] market capitalization has increased by 13.77 percent to $569.69 billion amid recent stock buybacks from the company. Sources close to Apple revealed that the maker of the iPhone and iPad has spent around $18 billion since January 2014 to boost its market capitalization. In 2013, the company also spent $16 billion on stock buybacks.

It is not only Apple doing this, but all major U.S. public companies in the S&P 500 index have spent around $211 billion on stock buybacks in 2014 to support their market valuation. It appears that major U.S. corporations are concerned that the multi-year bull market may enter a correction soon. Such speculation was re-enforced last week when major stock markets in the U.S. retreated by as much as 2.7 percent.

In the current low interest environment, companies with solid financial track records have no problem accessing cheap money from investment banks and funds. Instead of investing the idle funds, it seems most of the companies, including Apple, are interested in pouring funds into equity markets to bolster their financial standings as far as stock price and market capitalization is concerned.

However, investment analysts are concerned that there are better use of these funds to expand business. There are better things to do with capital, said Scott Wren, an analyst at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC.

Instead of investing in the core business, the stock repurchase programs instantly provide earning potential. However, these paper profits are coming from financial activity without producing anything of value. Its a low-quality way to increase your earnings and obviously Id much rather see companies grow the business through revenue, added Mr. Wren.

The problem with companies like Apple is that they have too much free cash on hand and management hardly has any clue what to do with it. In contrast, the U.S. economy has rebounded from the Global Financial Crisis and is currently growing at a rate of 2 to 2.5 percent. If Apple does not allocate a large sum in financial engineering to support its stock, investors will soon start questioning the growth prospect of the company in line with the growing economy.

In contrast to a 4.5 percent growth in Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT), Apples cash from operations (quarterly) has gone down by 54.8 percent since the start of 2014.

Hence, spending $18 billion on share repurchases is a good way to spend the idle cash for Apple. It makes the company appear profitable. However, without a lack of secular growth in terms of operating profit, the party may not last much longer.
Its been a minute since I came back from Nigeria, but this is a story I have been meaning to share. The things Ill be writing about are not necessarily strange  at least, not to the average Nigerian in Nigeria  but what makes them strange for me is that prior to this trip, I had not been to Nigeria for 16 years, so it was strange (according to my mommy) that I loved these things so much. In no particular order, let me tell you about them. Perhaps, Im not the only one who felt this way in Nigeria.

1. Dogs howling at night: Our neighbors had two dogs; one was Bingo and I dont remember the other ones name. It was generic, too. I mean, I cant remember the last time I met a dog named Bingo. Every night, Bingo and his accomplice would bark and howl and howl. For the first few nights, it frightened me because I wondered if there was an intruder at the gate, especially because I was around and this was a small town where everybody knows everybody. Then I remembered that when I was younger in Nigeria, the belief was that when a dog was howling at night, it meant that there was a ghost or some kind of non-human presence. So instead of being afraid of thieves, I became afraid of the possible ghosts outside. And I remembered that our house help back then had told me about mystical (read: demonic) beings that were half human and half sheep, so then, I wondered if the dogs were seeing these beings. Eventually, I got used to the nightly howling and I came to look forward to it. In fact, its possible it helped me fall asleep on several nights.

2. Early morning crow of the cock: Igwe went to Nigeria a month before we did, and I remember speaking to him one early morning (Nigerian time) and I could hear the crow of the cock. I was so jealous. Here in America, unless you live on/near a farm or next to a weird neighbor, you wouldnt hear or see a live chicken. Kids here literally take field trips to go look at chickens and goats. Chicken wey dey for backyard in Nigeria. So when I got to Nigeria and the cocks in our compound started crowing  I. Loved. It.

3. Speaking of early morning sounds, the Muslim prayer got me too: You know I grew up in the North, which has mostly Muslims. Our neighbors across the street were Muslims and we used to exchange food during our religious holidays. There was a mosque on our street, although not close, but close enough to hear that early morning Allahu Akbar. I hadnt heard it for 16 years though, and then, on my first morning in Nigeria (Abuja), I heard it loud and clear. I was so happy.

4. The beer palours: In the LGA where my parents live in Plateau State, nightlife is a figment of ones imagination. Unless you consider dark rooms with blue lights where they serve lukewarm pepper soup as nightlife. It wasnt for me. But there was this particular place, and I dont even know what to classify it as, but it was the nicest place in this LGA. It served drinks and some food and had TVs and loud music. The tables brought back memories. They were plastic and branded with Star and Gulder. Memories!!! My daddy is a loyal Gulder consumer. I, on the other hand, was all about the Amstel Malt and Orijin and Schweppes.

5. The incessant honking: I experienced this in the North, but I really, really experienced it in Lagos. At first, I was confused and annoyed. But after a while, it became music to my ears. Or at the very least, I stopped hearing it. And when I returned to America, I found myself tempted to honk for no reason. I quite enjoyed the honking, I must say.

The reason why I remembered this story now is because I miss Nigeria. Its December so my Facebook timeline is filled with people traveling to Nigeria and leaving me behind. Is it fair? I want to go back, and I want to go back now.
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HCM CITY  The steel industry is likely to enjoy 10-12 per cent growth next year, said the Viet Nam Steel Association (VSA) at a workshop in HCM City last week.

According to Chu uc Khai, VSA General Secretary, steel consumption depends on the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

With expected GDP growth of 6.2 per cent this year, and the operation of 10 steel projects in 2017, the sectors growth is expected to further expand, Khai said.

However, he warned of challenges ahead as cheap steel from China would continue to flood the domestic market.

Viet Nam also has to meet strict technical standards when it exports steel.

To cope with difficulties, the country will have to apply trade protection measures and technical barriers to restrict steel imports, he noted.

The VSA has filed petitions to the Government demanding anti-dumping measures be imposed on several steel imports.

VSA chief cautions government on steel sector plan

The VSA has sent a document to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to propose some changes in the draft zoning plan for Viet Nams steel sector until 2025 with a vision towards 2035.

Accordingly, the association suggested the ministry that propose the Government a stop in managing the steel industry by planning. Regarding the current practices, a steel project cannot be approved if it is not named in the master plan for the industry.

VSA Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Sua, said that economic sectors including steel should not be managed by planning.

Instead, the zoning plan for Viet Nams steel sector should be used as a reference for businesses before deciding their investment, he said.

According to the Law on Planning which has been discussed in the National Assembly since September, 21 sectors would need planning at national level as they relate maritime resources and large scale infrastructure. But most opinions against the planning for the steel industry, yet the ministry has still drafted planning and gathered opinions.

Besides, the issuance of investment certificates should be done with the agreements of relevant ministries, not just the MoIT.

The association noted that the MoITs draft has shortcomings as it did not provide development targets for hot rolled and high quality steel, as Viet Nam has imported 100 per cent of these products.

The ministry still put the expansion of the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation phase 2 in the draft zoning plan despite losses.

The VSA proposed that the MoIT resolve issues with the projects which have not started their construction or are unfeasible between 2017 and 2025.

At a recent Q&A session of the National Assembly, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said the country would not implement industrial projects that harm the environment and that no groups could influence the project approval process.

The ministry wants sustainable growth for industrial sectors and to use natural resources efficiently.

The minister reiterated that Viet Nam needs more steel projects, because by 2020 the country will have to spend US$15 billion a year on imported steel.

VSA figures revealed that last year Viet Nam imported more than 14 million tonnes of steel. It is estimated that this year the country will import about 17.5 million tonnes.  VNS
A farmer harvests coffee in Central Highland region. The coffee industry is restructuring itself to raise productivity, quality and value, according to the Viet Nam Coffee and Cocoa Association.  Photo giaoduc.net

HCM CITY  The coffee industry is restructuring itself to raise productivity, quality and value, according to the Viet Nam Coffee and Cocoa Association.

Under the programme, the area under coffee is being kept at 600,000ha and there is a focus on planting new trees with higher productivity and quality, Luong Van Tu, the associations chairman, said.

The industry would work to increase exports of processed coffee to achieve revenues of US$5-6 billion by 2030, he said.

That would mean increasing the ratio of processed coffee from the current 10 per cent to 30-40 per cent.

Speaking at a seminar titled Future Development of Viet Nam Coffee Industry towards 2030 on Firday, oan Xuan Hoa, former deputy director of the Department of Processing and Trade for Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Products and Salt Production, said the coffee industry has developed strongly in the last 10 years, exporting 1.2-1.5 million tonnes worth $1.7-1.8 billion a year and accounting for 15-20 per cent of the countrys agricultural exports.

Viet Nam is the worlds second largest coffee exporter and leads the world in robusta production and export. But the exports remain in the form of unprocessed beans with little value addition.

The industry is facing several problems like small scale of production, ageing coffee trees, poor quality control, and outdated processing technologies.

Some 140,000-160,000ha need to be replanted in the next five to 10 years, a big challenge for the industry, he said.

Le Van uc, deputy head of the Crop Production Department, said in 2014-15 the five Central Highlands provinces of Lam ong, ac Lac, ac Nong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, the main coffee growing areas, worked to replant more than 61,700ha.

The figure is expected to reach nearly 80,000ha this year, he said.

Truong Hong, director of the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, said new coffee varieties play an important role in ensuring Viet Nams coffee industry develops sustainably.

The new varieties help improve yields, quality and economic efficiency, and increase the co-efficiency of using water and fertilisers and protect the environment, he said.

Delegates at the seminar proposed several measures for the industry to develop in a sustainable manner, like investing in processing technologies to add value to coffee products and developing linkages between producers and processing companies.

Local authorities should review coffee zoning plans and switch crops where productivity is poor, Hoa said.

The industrys sustainable development would require more financial support and credit policies from the Government, he said.

According to the International Coffee Organisation, the bean requires relatively specific climatic conditions to thrive.

As the world heats up and extreme weather events become more frequent, these specific climatic conditions are likely to become more scarce, it said.

These developments would require countries to implement co-ordinated mitigation and adaptation strategies to continue producing quality coffee, it said.

This is an issue that needs to be tackled jointly to ensure that coffee remains a viable crop, it said.

This is why it is so important for countries to plan ahead, and to have a strategy for sustainable coffee production in the long term, it added.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade has officially announced a list of 310 Vietnamese prestigious exporters for 2015, aimed at supporting local firms in promoting exports and expanding markets.

The ministry last week promulgated Decision No 4769/Q-BCT to approve the list of local prestigious exporters for 2015. The vote was held in co-ordination with the provincial departments of industry and trade, other ministries, sectors, associations and relevant agencies after publishing the list of exporters on the ministrys website for selection.

The list of exporters was chosen based on the proposals of relevant agencies, along with the ministrys criteria of maximum export turnover, prestige with foreign partners and duties to the tax and customs sector.

Notably, the ministry has given priority in choosing sectors in which the country has encouraged exports as well as those facing difficulties in finding export markets.

The ministrys Import-Export Department said the vote aimed to recognise exporters positive contributions to the countrys export growth while giving them support in seeking markets.

It also aimed to encourage Vietnamese exporters to further improve their image towards international integration with the world economy.

The voted exporters would be permitted to advertise their products for free on the ministrys website moit.gov.vn and its newspapers and magazines.

They would be given priority in participating in national trade promotion programmes and receive free training courses on e-commerce. The ministry would also directly introduce the list to foreign partners.

The exporters were chosen from 22 sectors, including seafood, rice, rubber and coffee, as well as garment and textile.

Some of the names on the list are Intimex Group, Viet Phu Thinh Rubber Joint Stock Company, Tan Phong and Nha Be Corporation, as wel as Viet Tien Garment and Textile Company, and B.Braun Viet Nam.  VNS
The Dung Quat Bio-Ethanol plant of PetroVietnam Central Biofuels JSC.  VNA/VNS Photo Ngoc Ha

HA NOI  The Government has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take prompt action on five ineffective investment projects, to ensure maximum protection of the States capital and assets.

A Government resolution adopted last month shows investments worth thousands of billions of ong, but flawed calculations and predictions on demand, or weak management, caused losses of State capital.

The five projects are the inh Vu Polyester Fibre Plant, with an investment worth VN7 trillion (US$311 million) from the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Groups PetroVietnam Petrochemical and Textile Fiber Company, VN2.2 trillion in the Dung Quat Bio-Ethanol Plant by PetroVietnam Central Biofuels JSC, and Phase 2 of the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporations (TISCO) Production Expansion Project with a capital of VN8 trillion.

The Phuong Nam wood pulp mill in southern Long An Province with an investment of VN3 trillion by the Transport, Communication, Development and Investment Corporation (Tracodi). This project was handed over to Viet Nam Paper Corporation (Vinapaco) in 2009 in accordance with a prime ministerial decision.

The final one is by the Viet Nam Chemical Groups Ninh Binh Fertiliser Plant which invested VN12 trillion in the Ninh Binh Nitrogenous Fertiliser Plant.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said investments had been made in the five projects since 2008. All had failed to meet deadlines set for completion.  VNS
HA NOI  After posting a stable performance this year, the property market is poised for solid growth in 2017, driven by the improved economic situation, and developers more focused on market demands.

Experts, speaking at the annual conference entitled "Viet Nam Real Estate Market: Overview and Forecast", organised by the property website batdongsan.com.vn on Saturday, said the market would see strong competition in product quality, but at reasonable prices.

Also, property expert ang Hung Vo said that an over-heated market would not likely happen in the overall market or some segments next year, but demand would certainly be higher than this year.

Still, attention should be paid in the second half of this year, as there would be factors that could contribute to the formation of a market bubble, such as significant price increases and speculation.

Experts also said at the conference that resort, hospitality and housing properties would highlight the market in 2017, as demand for these two segments remains high.

Developers are expected to move towards the market demand in 2017, with a focus on offering housing of good quality, but at reasonable prices, Vo said, adding that the market was witnessing an alarming imbalance between supply and demand in the apartment segment.

In the high-end segment, demand accounted for just 20 per cent of the markets demand, while supply accounted for up to 80 per cent of the markets supply, and vice versa for the affordable housing segment, according to Vo.

Vo said the affordable housing supply would increase next year, as several property developers recently announced expansion into this segment, including Vingroup and Him Lam. However, supply would still be below demand next year, he added.

Meanhile, a report from batdongsan.com.vn, which has 50 million page views per month and nearly 2 million regular users, found that the apartment segment received significant attention from the market, accounting for one-fourth of the total searches, said Nguyen Quoc Anh, Deputy General Director of ai Viet Group  the websites owner.

Recommendations

Nguyen Manh Ha, former Director of the Housing and Real Estate Development Department, said property developers should not only rely on the Governments incentives to develop affordable homes, but should actively develop what the market needed.

According to expert Can Van Luc, the Government should have measures to develop the capital market for the property market, which was still heavily dependent on bank loans.

Luc said the foundation and operation of the real estate investment trust (REIT) should be promoted, together with the security of property projects.

Luc urged the creation of a property market information centre to improve market transparency.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has removed 12 ineffective projects from its latest master plan on steel production that charts a roadmap for the industry until 2025.

These projects, with a total capacity of 6,520 tonnes of steel ingots and 1,350 tonnes of cast-iron and sponge iron, have been removed because of ineffective investments and incapable investors.

Included in the plan are two huge projects: the 1,000-tonne steel ingot factory in Ninh Binh Province, invested in by Kyoei Steel Vietnam Company Ltd.; and Phase 3 expansion of the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation in the eponymous province, with an estimated annual capacity of 1,000 tonnes of cast-iron and sponge iron and 1,000 tonnes of steel ingots.

Two steel companies in Hau Giang Province, funded by Vietnam Steel Corporation, and the HK and CLC steel factory, jointly funded by Thu uc and Bien Hoa steel companies, both designed to produce 1,000 tonnes of steel ingots annually, are also included.

The list of ineffective projects include several proposed by local authorities, like the Lao Cai Steel Ingot Factory, the Thien Thanh cast-iron factory, the second phase of Vietnam-Italia steel plant; and the Quang Binh Cast-iron and Steel factory.

Two projects that dont have investors are the Ha Giang Steel Factory and the Son La steel ingot and cast-iron factory in northern Son La Province.

The new masterplan (with vision till 2035), estimates production to increase to 21 million tonnes of cast-iron by 2020, 46 million tonnes by 2025 and 55 million tonnes by 2035.

The countrys current production capacity is around 12.57 million tonnes of cast-iron and sponge iron and 12.31 million tonnes of various ingots.

Problem project

The MoIT is looking for capable firms to assess Phase 2 of Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporations expansion project in Thai Nguyen Province.

Based on the evaluation, the Ministry will submit a report to the Prime Minister, proposing feasible solutions for the projects problems.

The expansion projects Phase 2, with an estimated investment capital of VN3.84 trillion (US$169.3 million), was approved in 2005. Funding of 45 per cent each would come from the Vietnam Development Bank and Vietinbank and 10 per cent from the investor.

Due to price fluctuations and policy changes, the investors adjusted the projects investment capital, which was then approved at VN8.1 trillion in 2013.

The project includes two main bidding packages. Engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) No. 1 will set up a metallurgy production line in Luu Xa area with a designed capacity of 500,000 tonnes of steel ingot per year.

EPC package No.2, which will exploit the Tien Bo iron mine to the tune of 300,000 tonnes a year, came into effect in May 2014.

Meanwhile, Package No1 has been unfinished and at a standstill since 2012 after Chinese contractor Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) left the project.

Phase II of the Thai Nguyen Steel Plant is a project that has raised considerable public concern. It is one of the mega projects of State corporations and groups that many National Assembly deputies and voters recently raised questions about, relating to its sluggish progress, losses and wastefulness.

Answering these questions at the 14th NA last month, Minister Tran Tuan Anh said the Government had directed relevant ministries to inspect these projects and suggest solutions, including revoking the States capital and reclaiming assets, clarifying the responsibilities of the organisation and individuals, and strictly punishing violations.  VNS
HCM CITY  Passengers booking flight tickets from HCM City, Ha Noi and Hai Phong to Bangkok (Thailand) will enjoy a 50 per cent discount on all Vietjets domestic flights in Thailand.

The offer is valid from now until December 20, the airline announced on Saturday.

The discounted flights will be available on several Thai routes, including Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai-Phuket.

Meanwhile, flyers who buy flight tickets from Bangkok to HCM Ctiy, Ha Noi and Hai Phong will get a 50 per cent discount on all Vietjets domestic flights in Viet Nam.

Thailand and Viet Nam have been the favourite destinations of world travelers. While Thailand is attractive thanks to a series of shocking promotions during the year-end holidays, Viet Nam is well known for its typical and diversified culture and cuisine, Vietjet said.

According to the Viet Nam Administration of Tourism, nearly 240,000 Thai tourists travelled to Viet Nam in the 11 months of this year, up 30 per cent year-on-year. That has helped Thailand become Viet Nams sixth largest tourism market for the period.  VNS
Le Hung Vong

The Government has approved a plan to build three special economic zones (SEZs) to spearhead the countrys growth and exploit local advantages to impel growth there.

The SEZs, to be built in the coastal districts of Van on (in the northern province of Quang Ninh), Van Phong (in the central province of Khanh Hoa) and Phu Quoc Island (in the southern province of Kien Giang), will pilot key new economic and administrative policies before they are applied nation-wide to develop the maritime economy.

They would be superior to existing economic zones - where mostly tax and lease incentives are offered - that have failed to attract strategic foreign investors with truly large projects and cutting-edge technologies.

Experts said a Law on Special Economic Zones (or the Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units) needs to be enacted quickly, and administrative and economic policies in conformity with international practices promulgated, to help these SEZs compete with existing special economic zones and free trade zones around the world.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has been instructed by the Government to draft the law.

The concept of special economic zones has been a familiar one for decades. The Vung Tau - Con ao Special Economic Zone was created in 1979, but was dissolved in 1991.

A policy on special economic zone construction was also added to the Constitution in 1992 and reiterated in a Resolution passed by the Party Central Committee in 1994.

Viet Nam has no special economic zones though there are 15 coastal economic zones and 28 border gate economic zones.

World-wide around 4,000 economic zones have been established in 135 countries, creating over 68 million jobs and adding more than US$500 billion worth of traded-related value.

Economic zones, while belonging to a country, have relatively independent status in relation to the outside, enjoy great autonomy, are run through modern and free administrative and economic management mechanisms and are integrated deeply into the global economy.

Raw material shortage

Though shrimp exports in the first eleven months of the year have been worth $2.6 billion, processors have been facing shortages of raw shrimp for processing since, with just a month to go to execute export contracts, demand is huge.

The Ca Mau-based Minh Phu Seafood Corp, which needs 200 tonnes of shrimp daily for processing for exports, said it has to buy raw shrimp every day.

Le Van Quang, CEO of the company and deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said some processing companies in Ca Mau have had to suspend operations due to the shortage of shrimp.

Truong Quoc Tuan of Bac Lieu Seafood JSC said Shortages impact the employment plans of these companies. The suspension of operations also affects the life span of the processing lines.

Ngo Thanh Linh, deputy chief of planning at the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said most shrimp processing factories in the province have faced raw material shortages.

The shrimp processing season does not coincide with the shrimp farming season, causing shortages, he said.

Most factories are operating at 40 per cent capacity, he added.

However, Truong inh Hoe, general secretary of VASEP, denied there was any shortage of raw shrimp, saying most purchase contracts have been fulfilled and processors have bought enough shrimp for this year.

In turn, the processors have fulfilled most export contracts signed with Japanese, Korean, American and European buyers, he said.

Only some contracts with Chinese buyers are remaining to be executed later this month, he added.  VNS
BINH THUAN  The Binh Thuan administration has sought to allay concerns over the proposed dumping of 1.5 cubic metres of materials into the ocean, saying these are natural sea sediment, not industrial waste.

However, officials have also acknowledged that the concerns are valid and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) could re-assess the relevant projects environmental impacts.

The sea sediment claim is contained in a report presented at a news conference by Nguyen Ngoc Hai, Chairman of the Binh Thuan Peoples Committee.

It says the 1.5 million cubic metres of materials that the Vinh Tan 1 Electric Power Co Ltd wants to dump into the ocean is natural sea sediment, not industrial waste.

The press conference was held after many people expressed worries that the dumping could cause pollution in the sea area.

The sediment will be dredged by a US$1.8 billion thermal power plant in the provinces Vinh Tan Commune, Tuy Phong District.

The project has been approved by the General Department of Energy under Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

One component of the project is a specialised pier that can accommodate cargo ships of 30,000-50,000 DWT (deadweight tonnages). The seabed will have to be excavated for the water around the pier to have a depth of 12.7m.

The environmental impact assessment of this project component  verified by MoNRE in 2014  states that the initial amount of excavated sediment would be 1.5 million cubic metres, with another 269,000 cubic metres to be dug up annually for maintenance.

According to this assessment, the sediment will be comprised mostly of sand, seashells, gravel, clay and mud.

The amount of heavy metal contained in the sediment will be lower than permitted levels as per National Standards, and will not contain any polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) or dioxin pollutants.

The proposal is to dump the sediment in an offshore site 10km from the projects location.

The assessment claims that the piers traffic and other activities will not affect the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (MPA) which is just 8km from the dump site.

Justified fears

However, this assessment has not been accepted by experts and the public who fear that the dredging and dumping will certainly impact the marine ecosystem, compromise the MPAs integrity, affect marine resources and local aquaculture production.

Pham Van Nam, Deputy Chairman of the Binh Thuan Peoples Committee, accepted a news conference on Thursday that such concerns were justified.

He said the provincial administration has asked MoNRE to re-evaluate the environmental impacts of dredging, with emphasis on composition and volume of the sediment, the dump site, and whether local agriculture will be affected.

If the construction negatively impacts the marine environment, the environment ministry will need to devise a new plan that ensures sustainable development of the region during the construction and operation of the power plant, he said.

Nam also said scientists and experts have been invited to review MoNREs assessment.

Not arbitrary

On the decision to reduce the original area of 12,500ha of the Hon Cau MPA to 11,440ha, Nam said that the establishment of the MPA zone as well as the planning of the Vinh Tan thermal power complex and the Vinh Tan General Port were decided by the MoIT and approved by the Prime Minister.

Nam said 1,060ha of the soon-to-be-built complex overlaps the designated MPA zone, so a decision was taken to grant that area of land to the company to complete the complex.

The provincial administration had not taken this decision arbitrarily, said.

While reiterating the authorities viewpoint, Nam also said that the environment will not be sacrificed for the sake of economic development (in ways) that will hurt local peoples livelihoods and the protected zone.

Environmental protection is a requirement throughout economic development, he said.  VNS
HCM CITY  An amateur director in HCM City, Phan Hoang An, has won the Uong Co Trach Nhiem (7 Film Fest  Responsible Drinking) short film contest.

The contest was organised by the National Committee for Traffic Safety to raise awareness about drunk driving.

An won six prizes for his film Mam Non Duoi ay Chai (Sapling in the Bottle), including best film, director, scriptwriter, cinematography, actor and supporting actor.

The film tells the story of 11-year-old au (played by Bao Bao), who works and lives with his older brother at a pub in the Mekong Delta. Seeing drunken people scares and worries him.

To reduce his anxiety, au plants a tree in a wine bottle. One day, there is a fight in a shop. He grabs his tree, runs out of the shop, and is suddenly hit by his drunken brother who is transporting wine for the shop.

The film ends when au falls and loses consciousness while still protecting his tree.

Director Ham Tran, one of three judges, praised the cinematography well, meaningful plot and particularly Bao Baos natural and excellent acting.

Its a miracle, An said after receiving the prize at the awards ceremony at Galaxy Cinema in HCM City on Thursday night.

He said that he would use the cash prize to continue filming, especially films on traffic safety.

I hope to raise peoples awareness about traffic safety, said the 28-year-old director, who worked in communications before switching to filming.

I have learned a lot from professional filmmakers at the 7 Film Fest, he added.

In August, the organisers chose seven directors and seven screenwriters from hundreds of entries. They were paired into seven groups consisting of a director and a screenwriter.

They learned about filmmaking from talented directors and then made their own films.

The films were screened for the public at local cinemas, including CGV, Galaxy and BHD cinemas, and on social networks like YouTube. The judges and the audiences voted for the winners.

Vietnamese-American Charlie Nguyen, the contests production manager, said that six films were screened this year, and each of them told a true story that reflected the topic of responsible drinking.  VNS
On occasion of the National Day of Qatar on December 18, Mohammed Ismael Al-Emadi, Ambassador of Qatar, discusses his nations leap into modernity.

Qatar national vision 2030: the way to sustainable development

Qatars National Day falls on December 18, and it marks the historic date in 1878 when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of the modern state of Qatar, rallied the tribes of the peninsula into a unified people. Since then, we have flourished, growing from a small nation in the Gulf whose economy was based on pearl trading to the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas with a strong global presence. We are proud of our cultural heritage and traditions, but we have also embraced modernity.

During the reign of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, May God Protect Him, Qatar National Vision 2030 was launched to serve as a clear roadmap for Qatars future. It aims to propel Qatar forward by balancing the accomplishments that yield economic growth with human and natural resources. This vision offers a beacon that guides the countrys economic, social, human and environmental development in the coming decades, making it inclusive and helpful for the citizens and residents of Qatar in various aspects of their lives.

Economic development is essential to the Qatar National Vision 2030; it is the engine that drives progress by providing better opportunities and a better way of life for the countrys citizens. Achieving that objective hinges on Qatars ability to create a balance between an oil-based and a knowledge-based economy, helping diversify the countrys economy and guaranteeing a stable and sustainable business environment. The Qatar National Vision 2030 will also guide the wise management of the Qatari economy, helping increase competition, attracting more investments, and stimulating growth.

Social development under the Qatar National Vision 2030 encompasses a system dedicated to social welfare and protection for all citizens and to bolstering womens role in society, empowering them to be active community members. Social advancement also means equal opportunities in education, employment and careers for all citizens -- regardless of their background or gender -- and a tolerant and fair society that embraces Islams values of peace, welfare, justice and community. Under the QNV 2030, Qatar will serve as a regional and global example with an increased role in the Middle East and the world.

The future is now: Morden city of Doha in Qatar.Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Qatar

Qatar cannot develop its economy and society without its human capital and resources: its people. Human development according to the QNV 2030 entails a holistic and modern health care infrastructure that caters to all and an educational system at par with the highest international standards, preparing Qatars students to take on the worlds challenges and become tomorrows innovators, entrepreneurs, artists and professionals. Moreover, a world-class education system and equal opportunities will propel Qataris to increase their role in all sectors of their countrys economy

Sustaining economic and social growth, moreover, is impossible without a holistic environmental vision that places environmental preservation for Qatars future generations at the forefront. The Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to direct Qatar towards a balance between developmental needs and the protection of its natural environment, whether land, sea or air. As such, the QNV 2030 includes an emphasis on establishing an effective legal framework and the environmental institutions that can serve as the guardians of Qatars environmental heritage. The QNV 2030 also emphasizes the importance of increasing citizens awareness of their role in protecting the countrys environment for their children and the nations future generations.

The Qatar National Vision 2030 is the guiding blueprint for Qatars development. With the aim of taking the country from its current status quo as a hydrocarbon-dependent country to a diversified, pluralistic, and knowledge-based economy by 2030. VNS
HCM CITY  A talk on Vietnamese and Thai literature will be held at HCM Citys Social Sciences and Humanities University on December 15.

Vietnamese writer Nguyen Nhat Anh and Prof Montira Rato from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok will host the show. They will focus on translating Vietnamese literature into Thai and teaching them in Thai schools.

An international workshop on building strategic relationships will be held at the university the next day.

Prof Rato is a lecturer from Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. She has studied Vietnamese literature and has translated various pieces by Vietnamese writers including Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve i Tuoi Tho (Give me a Ticket to Childhood) by Nguyen Nhat Anh.

The talk will be held between 8 and 11am, December 15 at the Social Sciences and Humanities University, inh Tien Hoang Street, District 1, HCM City.  VNS
Vuong inh Hue, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Steering Committee for Enterprise Renewal and Development speaks with Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) about the restructuring of State-owned enterprises in the period of 2016-2020.

What are the differences between the restructuring of State-owned enterprises in 2016-2020 and in 2011-2015?

Previously, the equitisation of State-owned enterprises happened a lot but capitalisation was limited.

In this period, the Government will re-examine and decide which enterprises will continue to own 100 per cent, 65 per cent, and 50 per cent of State capital and which enterprises will divest.

Enterprises with 100 per cent of State capital will be reduced. The State will continue owning 100 per cent of charter capital according to the Law on Management and Use of State Capital.

The Government will change the method of management, focusing on publicising information about equitisation progress transparently. Enterprises who have completed equitisation must be listed on the Stock Exchange.

The Government will examine and complete regulations on equitisation and divestment and study improving the responsibilities of consultant organisations in determining the value of equitised enterprises. It will ask the State audit office to re-evaluate enterprises to avoid loss of State capital. Equitisation and divestment will be under strict control.

Any enterprise that doesnt follow regulations will be named and given penalties.

How will the Government tighten control over enterprises with 100 per cent of State capital in this period?

The Government has affirmed that it will only keep enterprises with 100 per cent of State budget in certain key fields and in certain important areas that few enterprises invest or are able to invest in such as security and defence and high-tech application.

These enterprises will be required to increase their capacity, effectiveness of operation and competitiveness. They will need to improve leadership up to international standards.

They will also be under strict supervision and forced to be transparent.

In past years, the public has opposed the Governments financial support to State-owned enterprises that were on the edge of bankruptcy. What is different now?

All enterprises are fair. Enterprises will be classified, so those who suffer big losses or have ineffective operations will not be given financial aid from the Government.

The Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Plant project in northern Thai Nguyen Province is an example. The Government has rejected investing more VN1 trillion (US$39 million) for the expansion of the plant due to its ineffectiveness.

The plant began construction in September, 2007 but has lagged behind schedule. Approved total investment for the project in 2005 was VN3.84 trillion ($150 million), and was adjusted to VN8.1 trillion ($316 million) in 2013 due to financial crisis and slow progress.

What measures will the Government will take to curb capital loss during equitisation?

To ensure State capital and transparency, in 2016-2020, the Government will tighten supervision on sources of money for equitisation, merger and acquisition, and on the collection of money from enterprises equitisation.

The Government will also combine equitisation and transaction registration and listing on stock markets, ensuring investors will be able to implement transactions right after purchasing stakes.

All enterprises with 100 per cent of State capital with ownership shares worth VN5 trillion ($195 million) and certain enterprises appointed by the Government will be audited before implementing equitisation.

The job will contribute to the curbing of corruption and waste during enterprises equitisation.  VNS
Hong Minh

HA NOI  The time it takes Nguyen Phuong Hoai, a resident of Ha Nois Nam Tu Liem District, to get to her hometown in Ninh Binh Province has been reduced by half in the last four years since the opening of the Cau Gie-Ninh Binh Expressway.

In the past, the 102km-section of National Highway 1 to Ninh Binh used to take her around three hours at a speed of 80kmph. Now she takes the Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway from Ha Noi to Ha Nam Province, where she connects to the Cau Gie-Ninh Binh Expressway, where the speed limit is 100-120kmph. The route takes her less than one hour and a-half.

I really enjoy the expressway as I can drive fast and dont have to share the road with motorbikes and bicycles, which makes it much safer than the old highway, she said.

The only problem is now I am charged VN110,000 (about US$4.90) one way, a bit more than on the upgraded National Highway 1, she added.

The Phap Van-Cau Gie and Cau Gie-Ninh Binh expressways that Hoai uses are completed sections of the North-South Expressway, a master expressway running parallel to National Highway 1, from Ha Noi to the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta city of Can Tho.

Four sections of the four-lane expressway, 171 km long, are already operational - Phap Van-Cau Gie, Cau Gie-Ninh Binh in the north, and HCM City-Trung Luong (Tien Giang Province) and Dau Giay (ong Nai Province)-Long Thanh-HCM City in the south.

Almost 300 other kilometres are under construction with completion planned for 2020, including a Nang-Quang Ngai, Ben Luc (Long An Province)-Long Thanh and Trung Luong-My Thuan-Can Tho.

The other sections, totaling more than 1,300km, are awaiting investments before construction starts in 2020.

The Ministry of Transport recently submitted a plan to the Government suggesting a total investment of about VN230 trillion ($10.2 billion) for the construction of more than 1,620km from 2017 to 2022, with VN93.5 trillion, 40.7 per cent of the total, to be funded by the State. The rest would be mobilised from organisations and individuals.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat said the proposals are based on a master plan approved by the Prime Minister for 6,114km of expressways throughout the country by 2030. Of those, some 2,000-2,500km of expressways are planned to be completed by 2020.

"In the past years, the MoT has completed 746km out of the total 6,114 km, but this is still a limited number, Nhat said.

Therefore, the MoT proposed the investment scheme, which focuses on the eastern route with a length of over 1,300km from Ha Noi to HCM City to ensure the transport needs of the north-south route and the development of key economic zones of the coastal region it runs through, Nhat added.

He said the road sections where volume is forecast to reach 30,000-35,000 vehicles by 2030 would span four lanes at least 22m wide. Other sections with less transport demand would have four lanes 17m wide.

To build or not to build

While many drivers like Hoai welcome the completion of such a north-south expressway as soon as possible, some experts have raised concerns about the necessity to invest in the road at this time.

Transport expert Nguyen Xuan Thuy said that the North-South Expressway is a waste of money since there are already four routes running parallel from the north to the south.

First of all, theres the sea route  a dream route for many countries due to its convenience, Thuy said, adding that sea transport was also cheap and productive compared to other means.

Secondly, the north-south rail route, though it is degraded, is still transporting some 15 million tonnes of goods, he said.

The third and the fourth are National Highway 1 and the Ho Chi Minh Highway, which are all in good condition, he said.

Thuy added that people and enterprises will choose the route with the most reasonable cost. He predicted that once completed, the total tolls for the North-South Expressway would be millions of ong, especially high for transport enterprises, so people would take National Highway 1 and transport goods by rail instead.

I think the North-South Expressway would be less attractive for transport enterprises, he said, adding his concern that the expressway would only serve the well-to-do people.

He said the investment should go instead to upgrade existing highways, seaways and railways.

Chairman of the Ha Noi Transport Association Bui Danh Lien agrees, saying the project is not urgent given that the existing routes basically meet the demand of transporting people and goods.

He said the MoT should focus on the railway as the countrys main transportation artery.

Due to Viet Nams length, I think its not right to ignore the need to upgrade the railroads, Lien said.

What needs to be done now is to upgrade the north-south railway line, extend its width from 1m to 1.435m gauge so that trains can increase speed. At the same time, National Highway 1 should be upgraded, he said.

Pham Sanh, a lecturer at HCM City University of Transport, said the expressway is necessary but its deadline should be extended.

The deadline can be 2025 or further, instead of 2020 as planned, and in the meantime, we can focus on key sections to ease the loads on sections with a high transport flow and recurring traffic accidents, he said.

Priority should be given to the Cuu Long Delta, especially the Trung Luong-My Thuan-Can Tho, he said.

Defending the ministrys plan, Director General of the Transport Engineering Design Company, Pham Huu Son, said the MoTs proposed North-South Expressway would serve up to 45 per cent of the population of 20 cities and provinces it runs through.

The expressway will also provide access to 75 per cent of major sea ports, as well as key economic regions of the coastal area, so it will be a great transport help, he said.

The expressway will not only promote economic development of the 20 cities and provinces, but of the whole country. In addition, some 430km of site clearance coincides with the Ho Chi Minh Highway so it can help save cost, he added.

Deputy Minister Nhat echoed the opinion, saying that investment in the expressway is the best choice as railway and seaway transport cannot reach all economic zones.

Expressways also have more advantages in term of collecting tolls than highways. For example, National Highway 1 is collecting fees based on toll stations so vehicles have to pay the same fee no matter how long or short their route, while expressways collect tolls based on the actual kilometres travelled, so its fairer, Nhat said.

Statistics from the MoT indicate that National Highway 1 will face traffic congestion by 2020 and so building an expressway just for cars is very necessary, he said.

He added that a high-speed railway from Ha Noi to HCM City would cost $55 billion, much more than construction of the expressway.

Pressure on public debts

Another concern is whether funding 40.7 per cent of the expressway from Ha Noi to HCM City would pressure the public debt.

The chairman of Ha Noi Transport Association Lien said that given that public debt had exceeded the threshold limit, the construction of the North-South Expressway is worth careful consideration.

A report on the countrys debts and obligations for 2016-2020 released in late October by the National Assemblys Finance and Budget Committee showed that the national debt had reached more than VN2.6 quadrillion ($116 billion) as of the end of 2015, equivalent to 62.2 per cent of the GDP.

If such an investment burdens the financial planning, I think we should not carry out the project, Lien said.

Economist Nguyen Minh Phong from the Ha Noi Institute for Social Economic Development Studies said that the VN93 trillion State funding would further inflate public debt.

Most transport projects are a financial risk due to the high investment and lack of transparency in total investment and contracts, Phong said, adding that such a huge investment would require mobilisation from sources both at home and abroad.

Deputy Minister Nhat, meanwhile, is certain the 40.7 per cent of investment covered by the State budget is safe as the ministry had carefully calculated it in the context of high public debt ceiling.

"The proposed ratio of support from the the State budget is lower than previous projects. On the other hand, from lessons learned from the expansion of National Highway 1, once we progress, we will be able to reduce the reserve capital, he said.

High investment or public debt may not be the top concern of individual drivers like Ha Noi resident Hoai, who worries more about how much she would pay once the expressway is completed.

The two other routes of National Highway 1 and Ho Chi Minh Highway have started to collect tolls. Once the North-South Expressway is put into operation, the investor will also collect fees. I hope the opening of the new expressway will not push the other routes to increase their tolls, as well, Hoai said.

I hope the fee is calculated reasonably so that it does not cause misery to end users like me and transport enterprises, she said.  VNS
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meets with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi last Saturday.  VNA/VNS Photo Trong uc

NEW DELHI  Viet Nam fully supports Indias Act East Policy and the countrys increased presence and connection in Southeast Asia, says National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Meeting with the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi last Saturday, she hailed Indias stand on East Sea-related issues.

She said Viet Nam appreciates President Mukherjees statement that India considers Viet Nam an important pillar of his countrys Act East Policy. India also considers Viet Nam a strategic partner in the ASEAN region, the President had said.

Ngan praised the Indian Presidents contributions to strengthening friendship between two countries. She hoped he would continue to further promote bilateral relations, including links between the Vietnamese and Indian legislatures. This would benefit the peoples of both countries and promote peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world, she said.

President Mukherjee said India and Viet Nam need to boost economic ties through promoting trade exchanges and creating favourable conditions for investors of both nations, lifting two-way trade to US$15 billion by 2020.

The President hoped that the Vietnamese Government and National Assembly will encourage Vietnamese firms to join the Make in India campaign launched by the Indian Government as well as the nations digital revolution.

The two countries should also enhance co-operation in energy, especially nuclear, renewable and environmentally- friendly energy production, he said.

The Indian President reiterated Indias view on the East Sea issue, saying that India backs non-militarisation, full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, and the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law. India is opposed to the use of force and the threat to use force to solve disputes in the sea, he added.

Chairwoman Ngan also met with representatives from the India Fund in New Delhi on Saturday.

She expressed her hope that the two countries will expand co-operation in new fields including hi-tech developments, the use of renewable energy and power-saving equipment, as well as the use of nuclear energy and outer space studies for peaceful purposes.

Parliamentary links

In talks held on Friday, Chairwoman Ngan and Speaker of Indias Lower House, Sumitra Mahajan, agreed on the need to enhance parliamentary relations.

They said this can be done by increased exchanges in lawmaking, including stepped-up interaction among parliamentary friendship groups and other agencies.

Both sides should step up co-ordination in supervising and promoting effective implementation of high-level agreements signed, especially in politics, economics, defence and security, trade and investment, science and technology, culture and education.

Ngan said the two nations need to foster high-level visits between parliamentary agencies, parliamentary friendship groups, and parliamentarians to deepen mutual trust and understanding while exchanging experiences in lawmaking and supervision.

Echoing Ngans view, Mahajan said economic and trade links between the two nations can develop more strongly. They can also expand partnership in many other areas like education, culture and archaeology, she said.

Following their talks, Chairwoman Ngan and Speaker Mahajan witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Indias Lok Sabha (Lower House), and another one on co-operation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.

A memorandum of understanding between the Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute and Indias Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, and another on opening a Viet Nam-India air route between Vietjet Air and Indian carriers were also inked in their presence.

Also on Friday, Ngan met with Indian Vice President and Chairman of the Senate Mohammad Hamid Ansari at the latters residence.

The same day, Viet Nams top legislator met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reiterated his support for Indian investors doing business in Viet Nam.

He recalled his visit to Viet Nam in September 2016 and said Indian firms are impressed with the investment environment in the Southeast Asian country.

On the East Sea issue, PM Modi confirmed that India advocates the settlement of disputes via peaceful means on the basis of international law.  VNS
President Tran ai Quang met voters from the armed forces in HCM City yesterday, praising their responsible opinions and valuable proposals.  VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang

HCM CITY  President Tran ai Quang met voters from the armed forces in HCM City yesterday, praising their responsible opinions and valuable proposals.

He noted that in 2016, Viet Nam has recorded many important socio-economic, cultural, defence, security and external relations achievements. However, the country also faces new forms of crime, including cyber crimes, as well as traditional and non-traditional challenges, he said.

The President affirmed that the strengthening of defence and security is key for the countrys socio-economic development and international integration, requiring the armed forces to be well prepared and ready to safeguard the countrys sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity.

He underscored that the armed forces should focus on strengthening political education, as well as fostering close relationships with the people and loyalty to the Party, while actively engaging in popularising Party and State law and policies; and socio-economic development, poverty reduction and natural disaster response.

He highlighted the need for reform and improved armed forces training, along with an accurate forecast of threats.

During the meeting, the President answered voters questions on a number of problems, including the slow issuance of legal documents that hinders the implementation of laws, while acknowledging their views on the need for specific regulations, authority and tools to handle administrative violations.

He also agreed with voters about the necessity to integrate defence and security with socio-economic development in specific fields, as well as to verify major projects on defence-security and define the responsibility of individuals and collectives for project failures.  VNS
BEIJING  The parties of China and Viet Nam should enhance high-level delegation exchanges, reinforce political trust, promote strategic connectivity and effectively control disputes for healthy and stable ties between the two parties and countries, a senior party official of China has said.

Zhao Leji, member of the Communist Party of Chinas Politburo, secretary of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Department, made the remarks during talks with Pham Minh Chinh, politburo member, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission, in Beijing yesterday.

He said the Chinese party, State and people will spare no effort to deepen relations with Viet Nam.

For his part, Chinh stressed that the two countries should strengthen their friendship and co-operation and jointly create a peaceful and stable environment for future development on the basis of the shared awareness on the importance of Viet Nam-China relations.

He confirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always attach great importance to the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership with China and regard this as a top priority and strategic choice in the countrys external affairs policy.

He proposed the two sides focus on increasing political trust via high-level delegation exchanges, improving the efficiency of co-operation mechanisms, particularly the meetings between politburo representatives, and sharing experiences in theoretical research and party building.

The official also recommended implementing more effectively the training co-operation plan for 2016-2020 while stepping up co-ordination in defence, security and external affairs, in addition to people-to-people exchanges, economics and investment.

He called on Viet Nam and China to join hands to address maritime issues, especially in implementing the agreement on fundamental principles guiding the settlement of sea issues, to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, the region and beyond.

Politburos Pham Minh Chinh is leading a Vietnamese Party delegation on a working visit to China from December 11 to 15.  VNS
ABU DHABI  National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has arrived in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the 11th Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament which opened yesterday, featuring 50 female parliamentarians.

The visit was made at the invitation of President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Saber Chowdhury and President of the Federal National Council of the UAE Amal Al Qubaisi.

The Vietnamese delegations attendance at the summit demonstrates the countrys policy of gender equality and proactive international integration, while promoting the role of the National Assembly in regional and global parliamentary forums.

The Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament, which will conclude today, aims to promote female participation in politics and prevent violence against women and children.

Themed United for Shaping the Future, this years event will discuss the role of women parliament speakers in addressing challenges to progress and prosperity.

Speaking at the event, Amal Al Qubaisi said the event brings together leaders of parliaments, ministers, scientists in the private sector and community leaders.

She hailed top female legislators important role in shaping their future and protecting the interests of the people and future generations.

Al Qubaisi also called for joint action to address challenges involving protectionism and globalisation.

President of the IPU Saber Chowdhury recalled that the first summit of this kind was held in 2005 with 19 delegates taking part, adding that female parliamentarians contribute to policymaking to change the world.

He asked for thorough preparations to co-ordinate efforts on world challenges such as poverty reduction, anti-terrorism and other issues.

At the opening session, participants listened to a message of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and speeches delivered by UAE Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, which highlighted the role of women in the worlds people-elected bodies in improving peoples lives, promoting fairness and issuing policies for sustainable development.

Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Ngan is scheduled to speak during thematic sessions.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc today sent a message of condolences to his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov over a recent serious gas explosion on a derailed tanker.

The explosion occurred in Hitrino village, Schumen province in northeastern Bulgaria at 5:40 am last Saturday (local time).

Five people were killed and at least 20 buildings were destroyed after the incident.  VNS
HCM CITY  The latest advances in the field of aesthetic surgery and medicine were discussed at the 14th annual international scientific congress of the HCM City Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, which closed on Friday.

Around 500 aesthetic and plastic surgeons, and other doctors, attended the three-day meeting, which features presentations on facial rejuvenation, aesthetic breast surgery, rhinoplasty and sex reassignment surgery.

Dr Marcos Harel, national secretary of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Israel, said the use of diced cartilage wrapped in fascia grafts had gained widespread popularity in the last decade and showed good and long-lasting results

Harel gave technical tips that will aid the new rhinoplasty surgeon to achieve good aesthetics and functional outcomes.

Along with live demonstrations of surgery techniques by guest speakers, an exhibition displays new medical technical products that upgrade aesthetic therapeutic quality.

Prof Susumu Takayanagi, director of the Mega Clinic in Japan and global chairman of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, said that more advanced technologies in plastic and aesthetic surgery were under development.

It is necessary that surgeons be well-trained and able to deal with potential complications, he said, adding that many patients have complications after surgery, leading to higher costs for treatment.

A care plan after plastic and aesthetic surgery should be carried out for timely recovery, he added.

In Japan, many patients often travel to other countries for rhinoplasty and breast aesthetic surgery because of the cheaper costs.

But they often have complications after returning home because of poorly qualified surgeons and no post-surgery care, Takayanagi said.

Professor Le Hanh, chairman of the HCM City Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, said that Viet Nam has 294 hospitals, departments and clinics operating in the sector.

Since 1997, 368 doctors have received training in a one-year programme, and 74 doctors have finished a three-year training programme since 2011.  VNS


     - 

      1  2022    2  290,9  ,   18%     2021    36,6%       .
HCM CITY  A 64-year-old woman from District 12, who suffered from obstruction of the flow of urine, is one of the first ten adult patients benefiting from robotic surgery at Binh Dan Hospital in HCM Citys District 3.

When I was told that I would recieve robotic surgery, I felt very secure. Advanced technology and qualified doctors helped make the surgery better, she said.

Another initial patient benefiting from robotic surgery at the hospital were from the central province of Quang Ngai. He suffered from a colorectal tumour for many years. The robotic surgery was performed to remove the tumour on November 22.

All of the first ten patients were provided free surgery.

Dr Tran Vinh Hung, the Binh Dan Hospitals head, said that the hospital started to use robots to assist its doctors to perform surgeries among adult patients last month in order to improve quality and reduce the number of Vietnamese patients going overseas for examination and treatment.

Not only well-off patients but also those who cannot afford get benefits from the advanced techniques at the hospital, he added.

The hospital is suggesting that the Ministry of Health approve the advanced technology in the list of insurance covered medical techniques.

It is providing free surgery to first 40 patients, Hung said.

The robotic surgery helps solve limitations of traditional open surgery, he said, adding that it brings minimal invasion, less bleeding and helps reduce the risk of fatality during surgery.

Moreover, robots help enable surgeons to operate precisely.

Through a magnified 3D high-definition vision system, surgeons can better control surgery and direct the robots hands to bend and rotate 540 degrees, far more than a human hand.

At the hospital, the robotic surgery is performed for cancers of the stomach, colon/rectum, liver, pancreas, lung, prostate, and eight other diseases.

In the country, the National Hospital of Paediatrics in Ha Noi performed the robotic surgery among children patients in 2014.

Robots have been used to assist laparoscopic surgery in many countries in the world, such as the US, Japan, and Korea, since 1980.

According to Dr Vu Le Chuyen, chairman of Viet Nam Urology and Nephrology Association, in the urology field, robotic assistance is very necessary to perform surgery on the prostate and bladder, which are difficult for surgeons to access.

Professor Le Quang Nghia, chairman of HCM City Gastrointestinal Surgery Society, said that this is a higher level of the laparoscopic surgery, bringing large benefits for patients.

Hung said that the hospital aims to becoming a training centre for robotic surgery in the country and region.

The chairman of city Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong said that the city always encourages hospitals to apply advanced technologies.

The Binh Dan Hospital should train using robots to assist surgery for doctors from other hospitals in the city in order to increase the number of patients benefiting from the advanced technology, Phong said.

Using robots in surgery is one of the first steps to help the city to reach the goal of becoming a smart city, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  The Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality has warned consumers not to buy polymer crystal balls, saying it is a toy that could be harmful for children.

The toy, which contains uper absorbent polymer, are tiny balls with a diameter of about 1mm. When they are soaked in water for two to four hours, they can grow up to ten times their original size.

A Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper report says the balls are sold at many stores near schools attracting the interest of many students with their colours, shapes and sizes after swelling.

Authorities have banned the sale of these balls, and stores typically do not display them, but they continue to be sold, according to local reports.

The swelling polymer balls are a hot item. A package consists of 30 to 45 balls sold for just VN2,000-3,000 (US$0.09-0.13), a toy store owner on Hang Ma Street told the Thoi Bao Kinh Doanh (Viet Nam Economic Times) newspaper.

Most toy store owners tell customers that the products imported from China are safe and of good quality. However, they dismiss queries about quality certification, or get irritated.

There is past evidence that the toys can be toxic. Two years ago, three primary school students in southern Tay Ninh Province were hospitalised with their nervous system paralysed after playing with the crystal balls.

In 2007, 26 students and a teacher of a school in central Thanh Hoa Province suffered headaches and felt dizzy after handling the toy. At least one person fainted and another suffered some sort of seizure.

Associate Professor Nguyen Duy Thinh of the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology under the National University of Science and Technology said: The swelling polymer balls might contain bicarbonate. When the balls break, it can cause skin allergies, including the formation of blisters. It is extremely dangerous for children if they accidentally swallow the balls. Their nerve system might be paralysed. The balls can also block the respiratory system or digestive system.

The directorate that oversees quality has said the polymer crystal ball products fail to meet national standard on dilating toys, which does not allow toys or part of toys to dilate more than twice their original sizes. It has also said that these toys do not meet national technical standards.

Some reports say that the coloured balls are a hot item in more than 40 countries with over 10 million packages containing eight billion balls being sold on the market.

Many countries like the US and Australia have issued urgent withdrawal orders after finding out a toxin named diazo in the balls. The toxin can cause cancer, respiratory system failures and paralyse the nerve system.

The directorate has asked its branches to carry out market surveys in cities and provinces nationwide to check the sales of these products in the domestic market and impose penalties on violators. - VNS
HAI PHONG  Hai Phong Police and Customs unearthed a drug trade ring, seizing more than 10kg of white substance and tools allegedly used to make the drug ecstasy, police announced yesterday.

Last Friday, two drug dealers  Khuc Thi Minh Trang, 33, of northern Hai Phong Citys Le Chan District, and Nguyen inh Hung, 43, of the citys Hong Bang District  were found with 400 tablets and 10kg of the white substance, which are undergoing testing to determine whether it was used to make the drug ecstasy.

Police also found tools to measure and process the substance.

The two dealers admitted to the police that they processed, packed and transported the substance across the city.

The dealers were arrested for illegally making and keeping the drug.

Further investigations are underway.  VNS
HA NOI  Dr Nguyen Viet Nhung, director of the Central Pulmonology Hospital, is one of the 19 members of the first task force on global tuberculosis research founded by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The first meeting of the team was held last Frinday at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to the organisation, Viet Nam is one of the three countries whose research plans for tuberculosis treatment are highly acclaimed.

Viet Nams success in tuberculosis prevention has been recognised nationwide and internationally over the years. Each year, the country detects and provides treatment for 100,000 people with tuberculosis, with a cure rate of over 90 per cent for new cases.

Most of the new technologies applied in tuberculosis treatment appeared to be effective. Some 6,000 patients who had drug-resistant tuberculosis were admitted for treatment in recent years.

VICTORY, the countrys specialised tuberculosis research co-operation centre, has developed a wide research network for tuberculosis and lung diseases.

The research process provided essential database for the planning of large-scale policies, such as the National Tuberculosis Programme until 2020, with a vision to 2030.

At the meeting, Dr Nhung spoke about the importance of research for the programme and the experiences gained from it.

In June, he was voted as the first Vietnamese to join the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Tuberculosis, which is the highest operating and strategic planning mechanism for tuberculosis control of WHO.  VNS
HA NOI  The public security ministrys police investigation agency has decided to prosecute two former top officials of the HCM City-based ong A Bank (DongA Bank), it officially announced today.

Former director general of the bank Tran Phuong Binh, 57, and former deputy director general Nguyen Thi Ngoc Van, 46, will be prosecuted for deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences, and violating lending regulations of credit institutions, under the Penal Code.

Binh and Van have been arrested and are under temporary detention pending further investigations, the agency said.

The police have also arrested and decided to prosecute three other bank staffers for deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences.

Following the arrests, the board of directors and management board of ong A Bank last Saturday made an official announcement on the banks website that all five employees had been dismissed in August, 2015, after the bank was put under special observation for suspected illegal activities.

Their arrests and prosecution have not affected operations, the bank said.

In August, 2015, the State Bank of Viet Nam picked two outsiders to serve as chairman and CEO of ong A Bank, to help the bank clear any potential hurdles.  VNS
Edwards is the Charles P. Lunsford Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech and a nationally renowned expert on municipal water quality.

In 2007, Edwards was named a MacArthur Fellow because of his work in ensuring the safety of drinking water and in exposing problems with deteriorating water-delivery infrastructure in Americas largest cities.

Last year, Edwards become involved in Flint when resident Lee-Anne Walters reached out to him regarding the quality and safety of her tap water after her children suffered illnesses and rashes that were becoming alarmingly common across the Michigan city. After testing with Virginia Tech, Walters learned that her tap water had extremely high levels of lead.

The team concluded that Flints water suffered from serious lead contamination as well as bacteria problems, including Legionella. Flint pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha, Miguel Del Toral of the Environmental Protection Agengy, Virginia Tech Professor Amy Pruden, and many others helped bring attention to the dangers Flint residents faced.

Two additional rounds of testing by Virginia Techs team revealed decreasing lead levels, though some samples were still well over the U.S. EPAs designated action level of 15 ppb.

Last week, Edwards and members of his team explained results from the fourth round of water testing, which was funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5. While lead-in-water and bacteria levels in the Flint, Michigan, water supply continue to decrease, the recommendation is that residents should continue to use bottled water and lead filters until otherwise notified by the EPA or the state.

Edwards and Flint pediatrician Hanna-Attisha were honored and featured in the 2016 TIME 100, Time magazines annual list of the most influential people in the world, for their work in Flint.

Most recently, The Flint Whistleblowers, Edwards and Hanna-Attisha, were named finalists in TIMEs 2016 Person of the Year for drawing national attention to the environmental crisis.

More information on Virginia Techs work in Flint can be found online:
Virginia Tech will host fall commencement exercises on Friday in Cassell Coliseum.

Ben Davenport Jr., former rector of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors and university alumnus, and Andy Morikawa, senior fellow with the School of Public and International Affairs Institute for Policy and Governance, will deliver the keynote addresses.

Davenport will speak to undergraduate students at the University Ceremony, which begins with a procession at 10:30 a.m. Morikawa will speak at the Graduate School Ceremony, which begins with a procession at 2:30 p.m.

More than 2,300 students will be honored for completing their academic degrees at the end of the summer and fall terms at the two events.

A complete schedule can be found on the commencement website. Virginia Tech will offer live streaming video of both the Graduate School Commencement and University Commencement from the university homepage.

This fall, 282 graduating seniors will complete their baccalaureate degree programs with honors, having achieved an accumulative grade point average of at least a 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

The most popular major among graduating seniors is business information technology. The next four most popular majors are finance, computer science, psychology, and biology.

Bachelors degrees to be awarded to students from each of Virginia Techs seven undergraduate colleges:

Approximately 1,180 students will be honored at Graduate School Commencement  773 masters degree candidates, two education specialist degree candidates, 10 Ed.D. candidates, 94 advanced graduate certificate candidates, and 303 Ph.D. candidates.

More information on all commencement and convocation activities may be found online.




Some of this has been a matter of public record all along. Some of it comes from the Dworkin Report, which is currently on President Obama's desk. No doubt Trump supporters will summarily dismiss it because of its origins and obvious agenda. But like things you hear on Fox News, each point needs to be evaluated on the basis of the evidence, not summarily dismissed because of its origin- and the report, which can be downloaded from the link in the second sentence of this paragraph, presents plenty of evidence to evaluate.Scott Dworkin is apartisan Democrat. That should be made clear. But the report on Donald Trump's investments in geopolitically sensitive and sometimes outright unfriendly countries- and with Russian governmental and business leaders- is chilling.Take it with as much salt as you wish. But access the report on the basis of its evidence, not of its origins. Or better still, simply believeThe President-elect keeps repeating the lie that he doesn't know Russian President Vladimir Putin.We know for certain that this is a lie because he has previously bragged that he does. Dworkin says that Donald Trump has, in fact, met with Putin at least twice. Trump has also lied egregiously about the extent of business ties in Russia, Iran, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia.Trump, it seems, has actively been lobbying to expand his business interests into Russia since 1987, has established extensive connections and investments there, has repeatedly visited Moscow to confer with Russian government officials, and maintains an extensive network of Russian associates and friends which he shares with Putin. Donald Trump, Jr. once said that his father's extensive foreign investments were "disproportionately" in the former.These are serious matters. It may be true, as Trump apologists point out, that Trump's debts to Russian, Chinese, and Iranian companies with close ties to the government- debts that may be in the hundreds ofof dollars- are business loans from which Trump could escape serious trouble by simply declaring bankruptcy, as he has six times before. But they still raise a serious conflict of interest for an American president. At least 250 Trump companies could easily be used to conceal foreign payments to Trump, who has a track record of diverting funds to his personal use from his campaign, from his tax-free foundation, and- yes- from his companies. Tax records show that Trump understated his salaries from those companies by millions of dollars in his income tax returns in 1995 alone- possibly one reason why he refused to release his returns during the campaign, falsely claiming that it would somehow be improper to do so while he's being audited. This is apparently an ethical rule which Trump has imposed on himself; the practice is common, and Richard Nixon, for one, released his returns while under audit.Trump's history of fishy finances and blurred lines between his personal income and that of his campaign, his foundation, and his businesses make his huge foreign debt- again, much of which is in Russia, China, and Iran- a serious conflict of interest and simply cannot be seen otherwise than as compromising our national security. The question is not of whether Trump has taken or will take payoffs from the Russian, Chinese, Iranian or other governments, and I don't believe for a moment that he will. The point is that if he did, his finances are arranged in such a wayFurther, his blatant and repeated lies regarding the extent of his investments in those countries, the degree of his debt, the size of his salaries, and his ties to Putin, together with his refusal to release his income tax returns, not only muddy the waters but increase the already weighty reasons why his inauguration would be the biggest security risk in the history of the United States and possibly of the Western democracies.We are about to inaugurate a president who would beyond a shadow of a doubt be denied even the lowest-level security clearance the American government issues if he were applying for a job as, say, a guard at a defense plant. Combine that with an ignorance of the Constitution which raises serious questions as to whether Mr. Trump could pass the test to become a U.S. citizen, and we have big trouble, folks.
WATERLOO  The John Deere Engine Works can now hang a sign that says More than 2 Million Served.

Deeres Waterloo engine plant, which began production 40 years ago, built engine No. 2 million last month, produced for a Waterloo-made Deere tractor. On Monday the company marked that milestone as it completed assembly of that tractor, an 8345R model, at the Deeres East Donald Street plant. The customer watched the final assembly as part of Deeres Gold Key customer program.

In 1918 we purchased the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Co., so our history with engines in the Cedar Valley goes back nearly 100 years, said Curt Cline, factory manager of the engine works. The partnership with the community is most significant. In that period of time, our employees have retained a commitment to building high-quality products in here. So we continue to be a strong partner with the community. It is a milestone for production here in Waterloo.

It isnt all about tractors. The engine works also has produced engines for external customers, Cline said.

That diversified customer base helps the company and the community when the agricultural economy is down, said Darren Treptow, manager of worldwide marketing support for John Deere Power Systems. That includes engines for generators that heat buildings, air compressors, portable industrial equipment, wood chippers, specialty equipment used for harvesting fruits and nuts, as well as marine engines.

The 2 millionth engine is a big deal for employees at the engine works, said Kenny Hager of Cedar Falls, a 20-year Deere employee and member of United Auto Workers Local 838.

Every engine is important, Hager said, but this one is of historic significance.

Its a milestone for all of us. Its a really neat thing, because its big for the community, Hager said. A lot of people asked me over the years, does this affect you? Well its brought up three or four generations of my family, working here. They told me the quality of the engine is what made that tractor green. So I take it real seriously. And fact that its under one brand all these years is wonderful, the tractor and the engine. Im the third generation. My son is the fourth generation; hes an electrician at the foundry.

Its as much a milestone for Local 838 as it is Deere, Hager said.

Any time we can reach something like that, especially with the economies the way they are and the world the way it is ... Never lose sight of that. These people are our lifeline, Hager said.

Local 838 member and 12-year employee Kim Elliott doesnt just build Deere equipment, he uses it. He farms south of Waterloo. I use all John Deere equipment on the farm, he said.

Of the 2 millionth engine, Elliott said, Its pretty exciting to come and see it put in the actual tractor after you build it. Everyone in engine works has a lot of pride in what they do. I was proud of being a part of building the 2 millionth engine. And Ive been proud of the work that Ive done there for the last 12-1/2 years too.

The engine was manufactured for AgriNorthwest, a large potato farming operation in Washington state.

Its an honor, said Jerald Sanders, a farm manager with ArgiNorthwest, which maintains a fleet of Deere tractors. He signed the tractor during assembly, one of the traditions with Deeres Gold Key program.

Kevin Pasker, purchasing manager with AgriNorthwest, said, Its nice to be part of an organization that has customer service and reliability and has similar values as our organization does. John Deere does. Thats why weve aligned ourselves with them.

His company has been doing business with Deere more than 20 years.

I think this one well have to hang onto for a little while,  Sanders said of the tractor with the 2 millionth engine. He has no doubt the company will, based on its experience with Deere products.

Green paint definitely stands up, he said.
MASON CITY  Osage high schoolers won first place for the second year in a design contest to create a model for a community hub.

Waggoner & Wineinger Architects of Mason City started the Student Collaborative Design Contest where high school students use design skills to fill a public need in their communities. The competition is similar to the type of assignments a design college student would face.

This is the second year for the contest. Austin Pehl, a business development associate for WWA, said the students really stepped up their game this year.

Its very rewarding for the school and for us to see the talent these young kids have, Pehl said. To think of the issues in your community and how to come up with a solution.

Because five groups participated, WWA reduced the number of awards from top three to top two.

The Osage team received $1,000 for their school and a specialized trophy designed and produced by North Iowa Area Community College Tool and Die department.

This design was the most well-rounded, Pehl said. It showed the biggest community impact.

Seniors Emma Williams and Julia Ringhofer designed their community hub building with junior Justin Marcy.

It really taps into our passions, Williams said. Its exciting.

Marcy hopes to come back next year and lead the next team for Osage.
Residents want

foul smell gone

SIBLEY (AP)  One northwest Iowa town is hoping to persuade a feed company that generates a foul odor at its plant to relocate.

Sibley has issued nearly $40,000 in fines against Iowa Drying and Processing in the past couple years because of the smell, according to The Sioux City Journal.

A disagreement over who might pay to upgrade the plant to better control odors has wound up in court, and the plant is now listed for sale for $5.5 million.

The company has operated in Sibley since 2013 at a location near downtown.

Local businessman Wade Ellerbroek says he has seen people walking down the street and covering their noses. He says the odor has definitely hurt business in town.

House fire kills

1 in Mason City

MASON CITY (AP)  Authorities are continuing to investigate a weekend house fire that killed a child in Mason City.

The fire was reported by a neighbor around 11 p.m. Saturday, according to The Globe Gazette.

Authorities have said a child died in the fire, but they havent released the childs name or age.

Mason City Assistant Fire Marshal Tom Wollner says investigators were working Monday to determine what caused the fire.

Thief steals car

with kids inside

DES MOINES (AP)  Police in Des Moines are looking for whoever briefly stole a car from a driveway with two young kids inside.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. Sunday, according to KCCI.

An alert was issued after a woman found the car with her 2- and 3-year-old kids missing. The woman told police she left the kids in the car while she ran into the home to grab something.

Police found the car a short while later with the kids still asleep inside. It appears the thief ditched the car after seeing the kids.

The family was reunited less than two hours after the car was reported stolen.

Man charged

with murder

DES MOINES (AP)  Authorities say they have arrested a man in connection with the death of a woman who was found in a garage just north of Des Moines.

Polk County sheriffs office Lt. Rich Blaylock said deputies arrested 31-year-old Nickolas Lee Pettinger on Monday afternoon. He was charged with first-degree murder.

Blaylock says Pettingers arrest was connected to the death of the woman, whose name wasnt released.

Authorities found her in a garage on the north edge of Des Moines after being called to a home Monday morning. The woman was alive when deputies arrived but died at the scene.

When deputies arrived, a man at the home ran away.

Online court records dont indicate whether Pettinger has an attorney who could comment on his arrest.

Hunters discover

body near bridge

FREMONT COUNTY (AP)  Authorities are investigating after deer hunters discovered a mans body underneath a highway bridge in southwest Iowa over the weekend.

The hunters found the body under a U.S. Highway 2 bridge in Fremont Countys Waubonsie Access Wildlife Management Area, according to KETV.

The Fremont County Sheriffs office says the death appears suspicious and an autopsy is planned.

The identity of the dead man wasnt immediately clear.
CHARLES CITY -- A Charles City man accused of harboring a runaway was jailed without bond for authorities in Ohio.

Mark Lynch, 34, was charged with one misdemeanor count harboring a runaway child.

He was arrested Saturday in Charles City after police found a 14-year-old Ohio girl who was listed as a runaway or missing child, according to a Charles City Police Department statement.

Police from Pickerington, Ohio, a city southeast of Columbus, had notified Charles City investigators that the girl and Lynch might be in the Charles City area.

They were found Saturday morning in the 500 block of Clinton Street.

Police say additional charges are pending. Floyd County sheriff's deputies assisted with the case.

An official at the Floyd County Jail said Lynch was being held Monday for authorities in Ohio. There is no bond allowed on the hold.
TAMA  Tamas former police chief has been indicted for allegedly stealing guns from the police department and selling them.

Jeffrey Filloon is also accused of pocketing proceeds from the sale of unclaimed vehicles the police department had impounded.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Filloon with two counts each of making false statements and selling a stolen firearm. The charge was issued Dec. 6 and unsealed on Monday as Filloon was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Authorities allege Filloon took at least three firearms and four vehicles between August 2013 and March 2015.

One of the weapons, a Mossberg 12-gauge pump shotgun, had been held as evidence and was sold to General Store Pawn and Gun in Marshalltown for $200 in August. 2013.

Later that same month, Filloon sold a .45-caliber Keckler and Hoch UPS pistol to the same shop for $450, court records state. That weapon had been the duty gun of a Tama officer who surrendered it to the department when he retired in 2012.

Another firearm that was being held as evidence, a .44-caliber black powder revolver, was sold to the Marshalltown shop for $75 in Mach 2014.

Also in March 2014, Filloon allegedly sold a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, a 1994 Ford Econoline F150 van and a 1994 Ford Explorer to Sandhill Auto Salvage for Tama for $650, court records state. He allegedly requested the check be made out to him instead of the city, records state.

That same month, he returned with a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and sold it for $250, claiming it was his person vehicle, record state.

The false statement charges stem from statements Filloon allegedly made to an FBI agent who was investigating the weapons and vehicles in May 2016. He allegedly told the agent a relative of the shotguns owner told him he could keep the firearm instead of returning it to a family member, court records state. He also allegedly told the agent he had purchased the Silverado before selling it to the salvage company, records state.

Filloon was appointed police chief in May 2013 and had been with the department as an officer since 2004. Before that, he had been a full-time Toledo police officer and a reserve officer with Tama.

He resigned as police chief in August 2015.

Filloon also served one term on the Toledo City Council before opting not to seek reelection in 2015.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested after police found drugs and a pistol during a traffic stop Friday night.

Waterloo police arrested Eric Cortez Sallis, 26, of Waterloo, for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and violation of the drug tax stamp act. He was also arrested on a probation violation warrant and a bench warrant for allegedly missing a court date on a domestic assault charge.

Bond was set at $25,000.

According to court records, officers had been seeking Sallis on the warrants when they spotted him exiting a vehicle at the Pineview Apartments around 10:10 p.m. Friday. Police found marijuana and cash on his person and in the vehicle, and a search of an apartment at 3860 Pineview Place turned up more marijuana and cash and a loaded 9mm Sig Sauer handgun.

Sallis is prohibited from handling firearms because of a 2007 willful injury and weapons conviction in connection with an incident where he allegedly opened fire at people attending a party, striking two teenagers in the legs, according to court records.

Court records show that police searched a home for Sallis in the hours following a Nov. 27, 2016, shooting in the 700 block of Kern Street.

Tyran Collins, 17, had arrived at the house at 749 Kern St. during a domestic disturbance and was shot in the hand and side and fled the residence. He was taken to Unity Point-Allen Hospital by private vehicle. During the investigation, police found an Oldsmobile Alero belonging to a relative of Sallis parked outside with what appeared to be two bullet holes in the hood, and witnesses told officers that Sallis and others had been in the house during the shooting.

Officers surrounded the home, which was then shot with tear gas canisters and cleared by the SWAT team who found it unoccupied. No one has been arrested in the shooting.
CEDAR FALLS  University of Northern Iowa senior Conner Hoyt is about to graduate with a degree in religion. So, he is accustomed to the question, What in the world are you going to do with a major in religion?

Thanks to the senior religion seminar class he just completed, Hoyt now finally has an answer.

While I dont have the answer perfectly structured yet, I can at least tell them that its a field of humanitarianism thats going to grow with the world around it, and Im extraordinarily proud to be a part of that, Hoyt said recently during a presentation on the service learning aspect of the senior religion seminar.

Hoyts was echoed by his 10 classmates.

The class combined developing a job training curriculum for the Cedar Valleys Burmese refugees with understanding religious and cultural differences among Iowas refugee populations.

As each of Hoyts classmates offered their biggest takeaways from the semester-long course, they described how it gave them a better understanding of working in the real world, and how their work can have a very real impact on the world.

This whole experience has shown me I definitely do have something to give, and its made me aware of that, said Katherine Rinken, a junior at UNI who is minoring in religion.

Rinken also explained how initially overwhelmed she was by the work the class would entail.

Students prepared several guides for Burmese job seekers in partnership with EMBARC, or Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center, that not only offer interview etiquette tips but help to contextualize why theyre important in American culture.

EMBARC will plan to use the guides going forward.

Mallory Petsche, a RefugeeRise AmeriCorps member with EMBARC, offered comments from Burmese mentees who said they were appreciative of the help they received from the UNI religion seminar students who mentored and worked with them.

UNI religion seminar professor Cara Burnidge said the project, which has been in the works since May, could become a reality because of two factors: a state funding increase for EMBARC to boost job training efforts and new initiatives at UNI that made it easier for professors to design service learning courses as part of the curriculum.

Burnidge added shes already looking at ways to continue to partner with EMBARC, and UNI community engagement fellow Julianne Gassman said shed also talked with Petsche about how the university could further partner with the refugee advocacy group.

Gassman said the university has several partnerships throughout the community and already does a lot of service learning projects, for which it has garnered national recognition and awards. But the campus is now looking to be more intentional about its work.

It needs to be a focused effort around an issue that we need to move the needle on in this community, Gassman said. Its not something new. This is like an old story. We just havent told anyone about it.

That story is evident in the students in Burnidges class.

Its about the ways the students can help play a role in making improvements in the community theyll call home throughout their college careers. Its about students getting an education in their particular field but also about teaching them to be engaged citizens wherever they go after college.

Nicole Knapp, a senior religion major at UNI, offered a particularly concrete example of how she plans to engage her community after graduation. Knapp studied religion to make a career in family ministries, and that remains her passion. Only now rather than taking that career anywhere, Knapp said she wants to return to Marshalltown and work with the immigrants in her home community.

Katie Schieffer, a UNI senior majoring in religion and anthropology, got so much out of the religion seminar she wants to find a job with AmericaCorps upon graduation.

But the story the students can tell is best summed up by Morganne Reinboldt, a junior religion major, in defending the work they did over the semester.

This became something that we all became really involved in personally, and I think that really made a difference, too. We all care about this now. This is something that you talk to us about and were not just naming off facts to name off facts. This is something now that we care, we really care that this is helping people right here, right now, Reinboldt said. We really care that by completing these projects, were affirming other peoples passion for this, and so I think this setting allowed for that, allowed for that passion and for us all find something within this that allowed us to let that passion grow.
WATERLOO  Ninth-graders in Waterloo Community Schools have been learning about programs offered at the districts new career center in Central Middle School.

Two career and technical education pathways debuted at the center this year and three more will be rolled out next fall

We are doing some very cool things to make sure people are very, very aware of the programming and that they start thinking about whether the CTE would be right for them, Superintendent Jane Lindaman told the Board of Education recently.

One of those things is that we are giving tours to all ninth-grade kids in our district, and we are doing it in small groups, she noted. That effort started about two weeks ago. So, we believe that will bolster our enrollment.

After remodeling classroom and lab space in an unused area at the north end of Central, nursing assistant and digital graphics programs were launched there this fall. Students from all three district high schools take a class in one of the programs during a three-period morning or afternoon block. The classes earn both high school and Hawkeye Community College credit.

Between the two sessions, 18 students are enrolled in the nursing assistant program with another eight in digital graphics. Those numbers are on the rise for second semester, which starts Jan. 23.

When we looked at the spring enrollment, it is already significantly higher than the fall enrollment, said Lindaman. The nursing program has actually maxed out right now. For current blocks, we have an afternoon and a morning block and we are maxed out.

Each session can have no more than 20 students, based on lab requirements. Four students have already been placed on a waiting list.

Weve talked with those four students and well give them first dibs on the fall enrollment so they will get in their junior year, said Lindaman. They will certainly have time to take that program.

However, she added, Whenever we start having waiting lists then what we will do is well look at adding capacity. For example, the district could look at a third block between the existing ones if demand continues to grow.

Other districts outside of the Iowa have even done four blocks where they have an early morning, a mid (morning), a mid-afternoon and then theyll even do a 4 to 6 (p.m.) block, said Lindaman. So we have the opportunity to add capacity there.

Digital graphics isnt growing at the same pace, but administrators are expecting more students in that program, as well. At this point, another 10 students plan on enrolling for second semester. So, were getting some kids in that, she said.

Three new pathways planned for next fall include information technology, advanced manufacturing and early childhood education. The district also is creating a video that can be shared on social media to promote the programs.
DES MOINES  Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday they expect a smooth transition of power next year presuming he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as ambassador to China.

Branstad said he will continue in his role as governor by presenting the Condition of the State address and a two-year state budget proposal Jan. 10 and will work as a team with Reynolds during the two-tracks of his confirmation process and the 2017 session until the historic change of leadership at the top state executive post takes place once he has secured his new federal assignment.

The reality is that were really not going to do anything differently, said Reynolds, who is expected to be sworn in once Branstad resigns as governor.

She will appoint a new lieutenant governor to work with her in an administration that generally will carry on many of the same practices and people as the current Branstad-Reynolds team.

Both Branstad and Reynolds said the transition of power they envision is spelled out in the Iowa Constitution and the state code.

Its unique. I never imagined this, Branstad told reporters during his weekly news conference. Given the uncertainty of the timetable for his Senate confirmation, Branstad said he could well be governor during much, if not all, of the 87th Iowa General Assemblys 2017 session, which is slated to run 110 days.

Branstad said there is a huge amount of paperwork associated with his new appointment, but he doesnt know when hell begin that process given President-elect Donald Trump wont be inaugurated until Jan. 20. Then there is a 42-day review process before confirmation proceedings would be scheduled with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He hoped to meet with every committee member in advance of his confirmation hearing but he didnt believe he would need to be in Washington more than a few days during the session.
CEDAR FALLS  Rylee Ringlers little fingers dotted with red and green nail polish scoured among the Santa and snowman stickers for the perfect ones to decorate her handmade Christmas card.

The 9-year-old had taken a pause from the many other Winter Wonderland festivities at Hicks Place on Sunday afternoon to remember the troops. The stickers were the finishing touches on a card she decorated with camouflage and wrote inside Thank you for keeping us safe and serving our country.

Once Rylee put on the final snowman sticker, she placed the card in a box bound for the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

While Rylee still said her favorite part of the day was getting to see Santa Claus, both she and her sister Emy, 11, said they wanted to show their appreciation to veterans.

Because I want to show them how thankful I am for them, said Emy  whose hair was dyed red and green for the holiday  of why she made the card.

Because theyre nice to us, was Rylees answer.

Their parents Kaytee and Eron, of Hudson, also stressed to the girls all that military men and women who serve do to make their lives better. They said it was important to take the time to make the cards.

The homemade cards were just one of several things to do at Hicks Place on Saturday and Sunday. But they are a special part of the event, which is a fundraiser for the annual Hicks Place military appreciation day held each August.

Jenni and Troy Hick Stevenson have held the Winter Wonderland event for the last two years at their business. Jenni Stevenson estimates about 800 people will come through during the two-day event this year.

The attendees found activities like horse rides, tractor rides, crafts, games, sledding, snacks and, of course, seeing Santa as options that kept them busy throughout the afternoon.

Santa arrived in style  and safely  by coming in on a snowmobile through a snow-covered field. It matched his style last year, where rain instead of snow poured from the sky, and he rode in on a rowboat.

Weve got to be flexible with whatever the weather gives us and what were able to do, Jenni Stevenson said.

Hot chocolate and excited energy kept people warm as they went from activity to activity; and if those werent enough, a fire pit near the tractor rides also was available.

The winter weather did not slow traffic to the event, as lines were already formed in anticipation of Santas 1 p.m. arrival.

Are we ready to see Santa? Jenni Stevenson said as she opened the door to let in families to see Santa.

The very first family to greet him included a sobbing toddler, but the children who came after were excited to have their pictures taken and share with Santa their Christmas wishes. Like the Ringler sisters, the requests ranged from low-tech to high-tech.

Emy said she told Santa she wanted an iPhone. Rylee burst out Toys! when asked what she wanted for Christmas.

Kids of all ages enjoyed Mrs. Claus fresh-baked cookies, but those who visited Santa were mostly confined to those who could still sit on his lap.
Just two years ago, Iowa was one of only four states that had never sent a woman to Congress.

Republican Joni Ernst broke that political glass ceiling, becoming the first Iowa woman elected to serve in either Congress or the governors office. Her election also made her the U.S. Senates first female combat veteran.

Now with Gov. Terry Branstads appointment to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is set to slide into the governors seat.

Just like that, Iowa is off the dwindling lists of states without a woman serving in the U.S. Congress or as governor.

We believe Reynolds is ready.

Unlike lieutenant governors in many states, Reynolds has specific roles, including co-chairing the governors Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advisor Council; co-chairing the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress board; co-chairing the Military Children Education Coalition and serving as Branstads representative on the board of the Iowa State Fair.

She has led economic development trade missions to China, Germany, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, working toward increased exports, more foreign direct investment and new jobs for Iowa.

There is little doubt Branstad has been grooming Reynolds as his successor. She has been included on important decisions and she has been deployed to head large initiatives, including the states long-term energy plans.

In the many Courier editorial board meetings with the governor over the years, Reynolds has accompanied Branstad in recent visits.

I would venture a guess that theres not a lieutenant governor in America thats more prepared to take the reins of running a governors office than she is, said Robert Haus, who has worked as Reynolds chief adviser.

Reynolds, 57, has been Branstads lieutenant governor since he returned to office in 2011.

I have been honored to be a full partner with Governor Branstad in this administration and know that the experience Ive gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans, Reynolds said in a statement.

In addition to these recent achievements, it appears Iowa is making progress in getting more women on the ballot. Last months election made history. It was the first time Iowa voters had an opportunity to vote for women on every level of the state ballot.

Even though the state had gone so long without electing a woman to a federal office, Iowa did show some foresight in 2009, when it became one of the first states to require gender balance on locally appointed boards and commissions. While there are legitimate arguments both for and against such a requirement, it could have some important benefits toward gender equity.

Service on boards and commissions leads to important experience in government, perhaps eventually leading members to seek higher office. For example, Joy Corning, who served as lieutenant governor in a previous Branstad administration, got her start serving on the Cedar Falls School Board.

Suffice to say, weve seen some significant changes in two years. There is more progress to be made, but were seeing more women on the ballot. Once there, its up to the voters, who we would hope vote based on the merits of competency in leadership, character, integrity and transparency.

We look forward to the day when all candidates can stand on their own merits as individuals and not on their anatomical makeup.
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Lisbon Architecture Triennale is looking for a Chief Curator or Curatorial Team for its fifth international edition to be held in Lisbon, Portugal from October to December 2019. The theme of the 4th edition of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale was 'The Form of the Form' and the exhibition closes today in Lisbon.

Applications from individuals or collectives of any nationality and country of residence are openly invited. Nevertheless, applications must include a resident in mainland Portugal that can interact and respond to the Lisbon Triennale. Although the Triennale's working and official languages will be Portuguese and English, proposals in Spanish or French are also welcome.

Application deadline ends on January 31, 2017 and you can see the guidelines and send submission form here.

Required materials to be submitted online:

Conceptual and thematic curatorial proposal (max. 2500 words) including: Structure of the curatorial team; two to three main exhibitions; universities competition concept and exhibition (this being the third or fourth main exhibition); one international conference; a profile of associated projects/extended programme; one book.

Short biography and curriculum vitae of the candidate (individual or as a collective) identifying a minimum of three own works within the scope of this application (max. 1500 words).

Short biographies of all elements of the curatorial team (max. 300 words each).

The selection will be made by the jury composed by the Board of Directors of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale Association and the Chief Curator of the fourth edition.

The selection criteria will take into account aspects such as relevance of the theme, originality of the proposal, suitability for the Triennial's goals, structure and nature of the curatorial team and candidate's experience. In case of doubt in the evaluation of the proposals, one or more candidates may be asked to provide additional clarifications. Lisbon Triennale reserves the right not to select any of the submitted applications. If, after selecting a candidate, it is impossible to reach an agreement on the terms of the contract, Lisbon Triennale reserves the right to negotiate with another candidate.



The Lisbon Triennale will not publicly disclose the names of the applicants nor the applications content, except with the selected candidate.

The Lisbon Architecture Triennale is a non-profit association whose mission is to examine, foster and promote architectural thinking and practice. It holds a major forum every three years for the debate, discussion and dissemination of architecture across geographic and disciplinary boundaries.



The first Triennale, Urban Voids, took place in 2007 presenting a programme of international exhibitions, competitions and conferences. In 2010 the second edition, Lets Talk About Houses, consolidated the Triennales presence on the circuit of events devoted to architecture. With its third edition, Close, Closer in 2013, the event consolidated its international projection and recognition. The Form of Form, its fourth edition in 2016, has been widely acclaimed as one of the most important architecture events of the year.



In addition to its main event, the Triennale also organizes an architecture conference cycle entitled Critical Distance, which puts on stage practicing architects or architecture related professionals together with critics, journalists and curators to debate the lecturers work in front of a participating audience. Furthermore, it also organizes Open House Lisboa, opening the doors to the best architecture in the city for one weekend per year. From its headquarters, an 18th century Palace, the Lisbon Triennale organizes and hosts a range of other events that constitute the palaces cultural programming.



Each edition of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale is distinguished with the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic. The Triennale has enjoyed the status of Public Utility since 2013.

> via trienaldelisboa.com/theformofform/




The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named San Francisco-based Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMSA) Best Architecture Firm for 2017. Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects was praised for its 'impressive portfolio of highly influential work that advances issues of social consciousness and environmental responsibility over the course of three decades'.

Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects has 21 designers in the team believing transformative power of architecture and the firms work demonstrates design with purpose as it develops model solutions to meet crucial challenges.

Sweetwater Spectrum Community in Sonoma, California. Image  Tim Griffith

Led by principles William Leddy, FAIA, Marsha Maytum, FAIA, and Richard Stacy, FAIA, the firm's portfolio includes diverse range of projects revealing sensitivity, universal design principles and social equity.

The AIA particularly highlighted the firm's some projects including California College of the Arts for being the first solar heated art and design college in the nation, Cavallo Point Lodge in California for its integration on public and private entities, Plaza Apartments for being San Franciscos first permanent housing for the formerly homeless, and Ed Roberts Campus for celebrating the independent living and disabled rights movement in Berkeley, California.

Rene Cazenave Apartments in San Francisco, California. Image  Tim Griffith

''By dedicating their practice to creating stellar projects for non-profit social justice, educational and environmental organizations, LMSA has effectively employed the power of architecture to enhance the lives of people who so often go without,'' wrote James Timberlake, FAIA, in a letter supporting LMSAs nomination for the Architecture Firm Award. In turn, they have created a community of designers in their studio that respect their clients scarce resources and learn to do more with less.''

The firm began collaborating in 1983 and the belief that architecture is the synthesis of poetics, economics, technologies, and meaning has always been embedded in the firms culture. Dedicated to addressing issues of resource depletion, climate change, historic preservation, and social equity, LMSA and its leadership clearly demonstrate that architects can help their communities adapt to a complex and rapidly changing world.

UC Berkeley Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation in Berkeley, California. Image  Tim Griffith

To that end, the firms proficiency in diverse building types  from affordable housing to the adaptive reuse of historic structures  has been recognized with more than 140 design awards and are only one of three firms to have ever received eight AIA COTE Top Ten awards.

''There is a quiet purpose to the work of Leddy Maytum Stacy  a refreshing sensitivity,'' wrote David C. Lake, FAIA, in a letter supporting the firms nomination. ''The clarity of their purpose, coupled with their keen desire to listen, has created a firm that seeks a truly collaborative process. Leddy Maytum Stacy always finds the intrinsic poetry present in all places. In particular, their adaptive reuse work exemplifies the truly sustainable goal of repurposing all buildings with new life.''

North Beach Branch Library in San Francisco, California. Image  Bruce Damonte / Mikkel Aaland

That sensitivity is evident in projects such as California College of the Arts, the first solar heated art and design college in the nation. For the 1999 project LMSA rehabilitated an abandoned post-war Greyhound Bus maintenance garage (originally designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) into 75,000 square feet of new studios, workshops, and exhibition space while retaining the buildings original industrial character.

The 51,000-square-foot open studio space is heated entirely by the sun while roof-mounted collectors and radiant floor systems reduce the buildings energy consumption by 60 percent.

Cavallo Point - The Lodge at the Golden Gate in Sausalito, California. Image  Bruce Damonte / David Wakely / Matthew Millman

At the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, LMSA transformed a U.S. Army Base in 2008 into Cavallo Point Lodgea luxurious hotel, and conference and retreat centerthe Institute at the Golden Gate, a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. An alliance of public and private entities, the project seamlessly integrated rehabilitated base structures and new buildings into 27 acres of National Park land.



Their passion for addressing some of the professions thorniest issues including regenerative design, universal access, social equity and housing for the most disadvantaged has been consistent and impressive, wrote Bob Berkebile in his letter supporting LMSAs nomination.

Plaza Apartments in San Francisco, California. Image  Tim Griffith

LMSAs Plaza Apartments became San Franciscos first permanent housing for the formerly homeless. The firms vigor coupled with the citys innovative public housing project led to dignified housing with on-site health and social services for 106 chronically homeless people.

Designed in association with Paulett Taggart Architects and clad in wood-resin panels, the building boasts a pinwheel plan on the upper floors that floods corridors with daylight while integrated universal design strategies far exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Image  Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

The new building enlivens Sixth Street during the day with its multicolored wood/resin panels, and is a beacon after dusk, said Dwell magazine of the project, proving that designing with people in mind can be beautiful on many levels.

Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, California. Image  Tim Griffith

Across the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, the Ed Roberts Campus is one of the first buildings of its kind in the nation  a community center serving and celebrating the independent living / disabled rights movement.

This two-story building, located at a regional transit hub, features an iconic red helical ramp that welcomes people of all abilities to the second floor while it expresses the values of universal design to the general public.

The international jury comprised of Stephen Maher, AIA (Chair), Ritter Maher Architects LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Rena Klein, FAIA, RM Klein Consulting, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Philip Laird, AIA, Architectural Resources Cambridge, Boston, Thomas Luebke, FAIA, US Commission of Fine Arts, Washington, DC, Cesar Pelli, FAIA, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects Inc., New, Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Penndorf, AIA, Perkins + Will, Washington, DC, Pamela Sams, AIA, Gensler, Washington, DC, Jennifer A. Yoos, FAIA, VJAA Inc., Minneapolis.

LMSA announced as the 54th AIA Architecture Firm Award recipient. Previous recipients of the AIA Firm Award include, LMN Architects (2016), Ehrlich Architects (2015), Eskew + Dumez + Ripple (2014), Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (2013), VJAA (2012), Lake| Flato (2004), Gensler (2000), Perkins & Will (1999), Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (1994), and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (1962).

Top image: Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, California. Image  Tim Griffith

> via AIA








Dec 12, 2016 | By Benedict

A giant 3D printer in downtown Madrid is currently fabricating a huge two-meter-wide 3D printed Death Star to promote the upcoming film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The large-scale 3D printer was provided by US company ErectorBot.

The construction of the planet-sized Death Star, a base for Imperial activity, planet destruction, and all-round mischief, has been a source of puzzlement for Star Wars fans over the years. Think about it: It would appear to take near-unfathomable manpower and machinery to create a structure of that sizeespecially one that floats in spaceyet even throughout the construction of the second Death Star (prominent in Return of the Jedi) we rarely see construction workers, orange cones, or any other signs of how the gargantuan space base gets built. Many fans have addressed the problem of the Death Stars invisible construction workers, with some (see below) even questioning the morality of the rebel forces decision to destroy the second Death Star, given that there must have been so many politically neutral contractors on board at the time.

Truth be told, I have no idea how either Death Star (or indeed Starkiller Base) was built, butluckilyI can tell you exactly how a large-scale Death Star replica in downtown Madrid is being built. In celebration of the forthcoming Star Wars spinoff film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which stars Forest Whitaker, Diego Luna, and other Hollywood stars, Star Wars franchise owner Disney has asked US 3D printer manufacturer ErectorBot to ship over one of its massive machines so it can be used in a public 3D printing of a huge plastic Death Star. We dont think thats how the Empire did it, but hey, it seems to be working.

The giant FDM 3D printer, whose installation was approved by the Madrid municipality, is located in the famous Puerta de Alcala square, and is enclosed in a large glass cube which allows spectators to monitor the printing progress of the populous, planet-destroying orb. Presumably, fans getting too close to the giant print and the ErectorBot 3D printer would risk suffering the same fate as Alderaan in A New Hope, hence the transparent barrier. The plastic Death Star is being printed in PLA, and will measure two meters in diameter and weigh over 100 kilograms once completed. Its printing is being closely supervised by Leonard Dodd, the engineer behind ErectorBot.

The 3D printed Death Star is already attracting a lot of attention from tourists, who are being encouraged to share photos of the 3D printing spectacle on social media with the hashtag #DeathStarMission. The presence of the spherical 3D printed weapon will, according to organizers, be beneficial for tourism in the Spanish capital and for the upcoming Disney movie. Given the global impact of this film franchise, the choice of Madrid as the setting for the construction of the Death Star is great news for the external promotion of the city, commented a spokesperson for the city of Madrid.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has its Spanish premiere on December 15, and the 3D printed Death Star should be finished three days after that.

Last week, Star Wars superfan and 3D printing genius James Bruton showed us how he created three incredible 3D printed Star Wars droids, including the beloved BB-8.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Dec 12, 2016 | By Benedict

Mumbai-based 3D printer startup Divide By Zero has introduced its patented Advanced Fusion Plastic Modeling 3D printing technology, a new additive manufacturing process capable of precisely controlling the temperature and flow of material.

Divide By Zero has integrated AFPM into its massive Aion 500 3D printer

Indian 3D printing specialist Divide By Zero has been around for a few years now, providing some of its countrys most advanced 3D printing technology in the form of its Accucraft, Aion, and Aeqon 3D printers, as well as a number of printing materials. The company can now also claim a place in Indias 3D printing history, having registered the first patented 3D printing process to come out of the South Asian country. Billed as a more precise, dynamic, and reliable form of plastic 3D printing than Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Advanced Fusion Plastic Modeling (APFM) uses changes in temperature to produce high-quality plastic parts, and could soon begin to oust traditional FDM 3D printing both in India and abroad.

According to Divide By Zero, its APFM 3D printing technology was created specifically to address the problems inherent in other processes, including metal 3D printing. The companys press release states: Additive technologies such as SLS, FDM, and FFF have been around for some time and, at the time, it looked like they were here to stay. Most machines today support these technologies and that has a direct correlation with their popularity. These technologies, while functional, inflict issues such as compromised quality and finish of the output. SLS, which uses laser technology, delivers with unmatched precision and excellent quality, involves higher costs and affordability is not an option.

Many 3D printer users who swear by FDM might dispute the claim that the technology inflicts issues like compromised quality and finish, at least in high-end machines, but Divide By Zero nonetheless claims it can do better. Specifically, its APFM 3D printing process goes about the deposition of plastic in a somewhat different way to FDM, by controlling the temperature and flow of the build material depending on the geometry of the part. This, according to Divide By Zero, helps to improve part strength, tensility, and accuracy.

High-quality plastic parts 3D printed using AFPM

In a white paper detailing the APFM technology, Divide By Zero explains how this temperature and flow technology works: This technology by Divide By Zero relies heavily on intuitive automation and smart software application to automatically [determine] potential pitfalls, take corrective measures, and minutely calibrate the extruder to optimize the movement and flow to deliver an output quality far superior to all other FDM and FFF 3D printers currently available [on] the market.

If that doesnt paint a clear enough picture of what Divide By Zero is all about, the Mumbai-based 3D printing startup has distilled its APFM 3D printing process into its three most important features: layer feature size recognition and temperature estimation and control; material flow deposition estimation and control; and extrusion failure repair and control. These features are used to dynamically adjust printer settings in response to the specific shape and level of complexity in the layer being printed, and Divide By Zero claims that this dynamic approach delivers noticeable results in terms of strength, resistance to stress, and appearance.

The first step of the APFM process, layer feature size recognition and temperature estimation and control, involves the slicing software reading various aspects of the print, such as the length and temperature of the layer embedded in the gcode, to work with the PID controller and heater to put the extruder to the optimum temperature.

During the second step of the APFM 3D printing process, material flow deposition estimation and control, the slicing software determines the length and flow rate of the layer embedded in the gcode to affect the flow control subroutine, improving extrusion movement for accurate material deposition.

In the third and final step of APFM, extrusion failure repair and control, the slicing software reads aspects such as length and extrusion length for the current line to monitor how much material is being used by the machine. Based on this information, the machine can run diagnostic tests to repair errors or safeguard the extruder head by notifying the user with an error message.

Divide By Zero's Aion 500 3D printer

Divide By Zero acknowledges that Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing, an established technology for printing with metal powders, is also capable of producing strong, precisely printed parts. Given the price tag attached to most SLS 3D printers, however, the Indian startup believes its APFM technology gives 3D printer users a more reasonable option for creating high-strength, high-performance 3D printed parts.

APFM technology has been integrated into Divide By Zeros line large-scale (500 x 500 x 500 mm build volume) Aion 500 3D printers, industrial-grade machines that have reportedly been adopted by a number of technology companies and design firms in India. Divide By Zero recommends that APFM could be used for any application where prototype development is done on a daily basis, and estimates that the technology can print at as low as $0.09 per cubic centimeter.

3D printing price and strength comparison provided by Divide By Zero

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Nik wrote at 1/3/2017 10:33:15 AM:I have seen AFPM output personally, finish of the component was not better than FDM but build component strength is much better I have tested my own designed component on their machine. They have done a great job in terms of addressing FDM component strength issues. They are not the only ones doing this but rize3d printer also claims to have similar technology. What matters to me most is cost of prototyping is going down and machine looks sturdy and professional.Julia wrote at 12/16/2016 3:42:47 PM:It's obviously still FDM, just with more sophisticated slicing and extrusion controls. Not that it's not possibly a great innovation, but still, why diss FDM when your thing is FDM? Obfuscation helps no one.MarcC wrote at 12/15/2016 8:07:38 PM:Contacted them to mention that they should remove images of other peoples models and asked for a price guide on the Mk 11 printer. That was 3 days ago no messages however they have managed replaced the images with their own (great move and they look ok) on the first link I provided but still they left these: http://www.divbyz.com/aion500 The image of a SLS intake manifold from Ford development Detroit trying to brush off an EOS SLS quality built component as their own?mambo wrote at 12/13/2016 3:13:47 AM:According to what I understood, it is entirely in software... so I hope to see the public patent!! Or should we press the bullshit alarm button?MarcC wrote at 12/12/2016 7:34:50 PM:I want to believe that they genuinely have something new over and above FDM to improve part quality however when a company claims one thing and uses images from others (EOS SLS parts in nylon) its becomes difficult to take them seriously. http://www.divbyz.com/aion500-mk2 http://johnbiehler.com/2014/01/17/behind-the-scenes-of-fords-3d-printing-facilities/




Dec 12, 2016 | By Tess

Not even a month ago, Australian authorities seized a number of submachine guns that were made using 3D printers during a drug raid in the Gold Coast. The headlines were shocking to most, and left us all wondering what the actual potentials of 3D printed arms are. In an even more recent raid, in which 13 homes in a Melbourne suburb were targeted, officials announced that they had discovered even more firearms which appeared to be made from 3D printed parts.

The raid, which took place on Sunday morning in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs, was the culmination of a five-month long operation and resulted in the arrests of nine people and the seizure of many illegal weapons and substances. Among the items seized were prescription drugs, methamphetamines, MDMA, cash, silver ingots, and many firearms, some of which appear to be 3D printed.

Out of 14 firearms seized, three were reportedly made using 3D printing technologies. While it is not clear if the guns were entirely 3D printed, it is more likely that only parts of them were made using additive manufacturing technology, which is of course still a concern. According to officials, a linked arrest in Lyndhurst, Australia which took place a couple weeks ago, also resulted in the seizure of a 3D printer. It is unclear whether it was the 3D printer used to manufacture the confiscated firearms, though it seems likely.

"Some of those firearms were manufactured using the 3D printer and others were either modified firearms or different types of firearms in their original state," Superintendent Amy Gledden explained. "It's relatively new technology. Its the one time that we have seized a 3D printer in Victoria.

Overall, the raid will likely prove to be a serious blow to Melbournes organized crime scene, as a number of those arrested were key players in a crime syndicate known for trafficking drugs and weapons in the countrys south-eastern region. Todays operation has seen an organized crime syndicate, which has a significant influence in the distribution of methamphetamines in the southeastern suburbs, brought to a halt, said Gledden after the successful operation. This syndicate was able to access large quantities of drugs and was also responsible for the trafficking and the manufacture of firearms. They then armed themselves to carry out serious offences and presented a significant risk to our community.

3D printed firearm seized in November's Gold Coast raids

Whether more details about the 3D printed weapons will come to light remains to be seen, though it does at least seem clear that certain worries about 3D printing lethal weapons are validated.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Chris wrote at 1/7/2017 2:35:50 PM:you can print then cast if your smart enough3dCanuck wrote at 12/15/2016 8:40:29 AM:Who writes these non-funny jokes? After reading this piece of "sensationalist" news reporting, I'm still trying to determine exactly WHAT the point of the article is. What printed firearms? None shown. How can those worries about 3d printing weapons be validated? None shown. It's great that drugs and bad guys were taken off the streets, but since that wasn't the point of the article, WHAT was?Richard wrote at 12/13/2016 6:55:22 AM:They even recycled the picture of all metal guns from the last story. Do they think were stupid? Or are they the ones who are stupid? Its reporting like this that makes Australian police look like a bunch of incompetent fools. Are they? Or is this a fake story designed to demonize 3D printers?Barry wrote at 12/12/2016 7:25:42 PM:Still waiting to see a 3d printed gun from these stories.Bill wrote at 12/12/2016 3:51:20 PM:"Whether more details about the 3D printed weapons will come to light remains to be seen, though it does at least seem clear that certain worries about 3D printing lethal weapons are validated." Validated in what way? The pictures clearly show guns that were not 3D printed... and no evidence contrary to that has been revealed, so nothing has been validated in any way. It's my guess, at this point, that they are using these raids to villainize 3D printers just so they can place restrictions on them.Good3dPrint wrote at 12/12/2016 11:44:41 AM:Those weapons in the bottom pic were not 3d printed at all. Make of that as you will.




by Stephen T. Asma

According to U.S. border patrol, Donald Trump's wall scheme (and Hillary Clinton's amnesty proposal) have inspired a northward rush to our border in recent months. Trump's proposed wall is unrealistic and unlikely to happen. But his desire to build it, and the giddy excitement it has inspired in his supporters, reminds us that a wall is a longstanding cultural answer to fear and xenophobia. The West has a storied tradition of trying to contain the foreign hordes people who we recreate as monsters and barbarians.

The xenophobic idea of dangerous barbarians culminated in a popular story about Alexander's Gates. The European version of the story, of a barrier erected against savage enemies, seems to have first appeared in sixth century accounts of the Alexander Romance, but the legend is probably much older. Alexander supposedly chased his foreign enemies through a mountain pass in the Caucasus region and then closed them all behind unbreachable iron gates. The details and the symbolic significance of the story changed slightly in every medieval retelling, but it was very often retold especially in the age of exploration.

By the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the meaning of Alexander's Gates had long since been Christianized, and played an important role in both the geography of monsters and the ultimate end-time purpose of such fiends. The maps of the time, the mappaemundi, almost always include the gates, though their placement is not consistent. Most maps and narratives of the later medieval period agree that this prison territory, created directly by Alexander but indirectly by God, housed the savage tribes of Gog and Magog. Recall that Gog and Magog are referred to, with great ambiguity throughout the Bible sometimes as individual monsters, sometimes as nations, sometimes as places. In the story of Alexander's Gates, a kind of synthesis occurs, in which Gog and Magog becomes a label for designating infidel nations and monstrous races a monster zone, which different scribes can populate with all manner of projected fears.

Mathew Paris was the chronicle writer of the Benedictine abbey of St. Albans in England from 1235-1259, and he drew up a series of influential maps usually with Jerusalem and the Holy Land as the central focus. In his maps he placed the monster zone of Gog and Magog in Northern Asia, and populated it with Tatars (Turkic peoples or Muslims generally).

The British Hereford mappamundi (c. 1300) continued the tradition of moral geography placing Jerusalem as the righteous navel, with lesser-known territories (some quite deviant) near the perimeter. In addition to the Alexander Romance, the Hereford map drew heavily for its source material upon the writings of Solinus, a fourth century author of De Mirabilibus Mundi (On The Wonders of the World). The Mirabilibus itself drew significantly on Pliny's Natural History and therefore repeats the familiar monsters of the ancient world, like the cyclopes, the dog-headed cynocephali, the satyrs, the blemmyae, the cannibal anthropophagi, and so on. But now these strange creatures are all reconceived as players in the metaphysical geography of Christianity.

The Hereford map shows the people of India as exotic, but it does not disparage them. The inhabitants residing along the Nile, however, are characterized as deformed and less civilized. And the full weight of aversion is saved for the Northern perimeter of the map (in Scythia), where live the worst monsters who are shut up behind Alexander's Gates. Here we find the Arimaspi one-eyed race of men, together with their enemies the gold-digging half-lion, half-eagle griffin. But most importantly, the map warns us that in this region Everything is horrible, more than can be believed (Omnia horribilia plus quam credi potest). The map continues its description: Here there are very savage men feeding on human flesh, drinking blood, the sons of accursed Cain. The Lord closed these in by means of Alexander the Great. At the time of the Antichrist they will break out and will carry persecution to the whole world. Here we find two extremely popular late medieval ideas, namely that the monstrous races are descendants of Cain, and when the end-of-times comes they will join forces with the Antichrist and persecute the righteous.

The monsters' incarceration behind Alexander's Gates is, however, only temporary. They await their imminent release, medieval theorists believed, and will be upon us shortly. The famous Travels of Sir John Mandeville (published between 1357-1371) reveals precisely how this unleashing will finally occur.

Mandeville retells the story of a monster zone (full of dragons, serpents, and venomous beasts) in the Caspian Mountains, but he adds another ethnic group indeed, what he considers the main ethnic group to the famous confinement. In Chapter XXIX, he states that Between those mountains the Jews of ten lineages be enclosed, that men call Gog and Magog and they may not go out on any side. Here he is referring to the legendary ten lost tribes that disappeared from history after the Assyrian conquest in the eighth century BCE. These Jews, according to Mandeville, will escape during the time of the Antichrist and make great slaughter of Christian men. And therefore all the Jews that dwell in all lands learn always to speak Hebrew, in hope, that when the other Jews shall go out, that they may understand their speech, and to lead them into Christendom for to destroy the Christian people.

Christian paranoia about Jews was, of course, an old story. Here in Mandeville we find a late medieval anti-Semitic maneuver that linked Jews directly with other monsters (behind the gates) and also gave Christians increased paranoia about the local Jewish populations. For Christians, Jews could be seen as proximate in-house monsters who also had genealogical relations with the most foreign and distant of monsters. Anti-Semitism didn't really need help from Mandeville's like, because the pious fury of the formally anti-Muslim crusades (1095-1291 and beyond) had already been spilling over to include violence against local Jews for centuries. The religious zeal of a Christian warrior culture, marching to retake the Holy Land from the infidels, did much damage to Jews in France, Germany, Hungary, England, Syria and Palestine. Like a demonstration of Freudian aggression theory, Christians who were frustrated in their desires to beat down their Muslim enemies, vented spleen on their in-house foreigners, the Jews. Christian forms of anti-Semitism, which had long demonized Jews for killing Christ, offered ready-to-hand justifications for such massacres, and then Mandeville simply added more fuel to the fire.

In the end, Mandeville predicted a lowly fox will bring the chaos of invading monsters upon the heads of the Christians. He claimed that a fox will, during the time of the Antichrist, dig a hole through Alexander's Gates and emerge inside the monster zone. The monsters will be amazed to see the fox, since such creatures do not live there locally, and they will follow it until it reveals its narrow passageway through the gates. The cursed sons of Cain will finally burst forth from the Gates, having discovered a chink in the armor, and the realm of the reprobate will be emptied into the apocalyptic world.

The Christians were not the only ones interested in Alexander's Gates. The Qur'an itself tells a story that rehearses many of the features of the Alexander story. In the Cave chapter (Surat al-kahf) of the Qur'an, we learn of a great king Dhu'l-Qarneyn (He of the Two Horns) who many secular and Islamic scholars take to be Alexander. The Qur'an tells the following story of how the great king confined Gog and Magog:

They said: O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Lo! Gog and Magog are spoiling the land. So may we pay thee tribute on condition that thou set a barrier between us and them? He said: That wherein my Lord hath established me is better (than your tribute). Do but help me with strength (of men), I will set between you and them a bank. Give me pieces of iron  till, when he had leveled up (the gap) between the cliffs, he said: Blow!  till, when he had made it a fire, he said: Bring me molten copper to pour thereon. And (Gog and Magog) were not able to surmount, nor could they pierce it.

Muslims, like everyone else, accepted the existence of barbaric races. Historian Aziz Al-Azmeh even suggests three common markers that Muslims used to diagnose foreign peoples for barbaric status; filth, profligate sexuality (ascribed to Europeans), and unholy funerary rites. In principle then, the idea of a great king shutting-up dangerous uncivilized races behind an iron gate made sense, but the question was who were these brutes?

Muslims could not and would not interpret the gates as blocking themselves or the relatively more familiar peoples of the Eurasian steppes, nor did they see Gog and Magog as comprised of lost Jewish tribes. Islamic civilization of the time, unlike European Christendom, was simply too close to the region to accept any facile identification of the monstrous Gog and Magog. During the Patriarchal and Umayyad Caliphate expansions of Islam (632-750 CE), for example, the territories near the legendary Gates would likely have been Muslim. And when, in the ninth-century, Caliph al-Wathiq-Billah sent an interpreter named Sallam to find Alexander's renowned Gate, Sallam failed to discover it in the Caucasus but claimed to find it much further inside Asia. Which tells us something about the human tendency to keep locating barbarism and monstrosity farther and farther away from oneself and one's own tribes. Instead of naming the ethnic groups inside Gog and Magog, Aziz Al-Azmeh claims, Arab-Islamic culture left them unnamed imaginary place-holders. These unnamed were the antithesis of civilization, and Muslims accepted the idea that they would strike against pious culture once the gates were breached, but the creatures themselves were more anonymous than in the European narratives. In the 14th century, the North African traveler Ibn Battuta visited China, and hearing of the Great Wall of China assumed that it was indeed Alexander's Gates.

Many cultures have wall narratives or gate narratives that purport to contain the barbarians. Our current fascination with a wall between Mexico and the U.S. is part of this long tradition. On this side of the wall, we have the good, and the pure, and the true. And on that side we have monsters, barbarians, and bad hombres.

This is not to say that we shouldn't protect our borders. We should. But we are currently in a paranoid phase, much like the medieval devotees of Alexander's Gates. Increased economic prosperity usually mitigates some of this cultural paranoia, but the more vulnerable we feel, the higher the wall we want to build. In the coming Trump presidency we will need to be mindful of looming xenophobia, and lessen it wherever possible. The insular nature of the U.S. media and indeed the American psyche is reminiscent of a much earlier time, when travel was difficult and rare. Our digitally blinkered population may need to travel beyond their provincial circles to meet more barbarians in person. Of course this seems even less likely now that U.S. blue-states and red-states are calling each other barbarians too.

* * *

Stephen T. Asma is Professor of Philosophy at Columbia College Chicago, where he is a founding Fellow of the Research Group in Mind, Science and Culture.

Asma is the author of seven books, including Against Fairness (Univ. of Chicago Press), On Monsters: an Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears (Oxford Univ. Press) and The Gods Drink Whiskey (HarperOne).

In 2003, he was Visiting Professor at the Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, and in 2007 he lived and studied in Shanghai China. Asma has also researched Asian philosophies in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Laos. And in 2013, he won a Fulbright award to teach in Beijing, PRC.

Asma has been invited to lecture at Harvard, Brown University, the Field Museum, the Newberry Library, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, University of Macau, and many more.

His website is: www.stephenasma.com
by Evan Edwards

Before getting to the argument for why the electoral college should reject Donald Trump on December 19th, let me begin with that which now seems to be more and more dangerous to risk: a bit of reasoning. What I want to establish, right off the bat, is why it is right to at least consider the possibility of putting someone else in the Oval Office; only after that can we begin to consider why it is right to actually do so.

We begin with two options with respect to the authority of the electoral college: either we accept it or reject it. If we reject it, then Clinton wins the election. By a long shot. The latest tally puts her ahead of Trump by at least 2.8 million votes, which makes this years outcome the biggest gap between the popular vote and the electoral college in almost a century and a half. As Atlantic author Ronald Brownstein put it, Trump is on track to lose the popular vote by more than any successfully elected president ever. But the question of whether or not we should change the way that elections work is one that we need to return to down the road. There is no reasonable situation in which between now and January 20th, the electoral college is be abolished and popular sovereignty is established through direct election. Since that is the case, let us, like Socrates in the Crito, honor the decisions the polis makes, and also its laws.

If we accept that the electoral college is what ultimately decides the highest office, then we have two further options: the college either votes with the dictates of tradition, choosing Trump, or it chooses otherwise, and rejects him in favor of someone else. Theres no reason not to do the latter, since there is no provision or law requiring that voters in the electoral college vote the way that their states did. It is, as I just said, simply traditional to do so. Trumps campaign, and his followers, argue that to do so would be to reject the will of the people. But what people are they talking about? Does the people mean everyone in the nation or just a select subset? If it is the former, then to accept Trump would, in fact, be against the will of the people, since he did not win the vote of most actual people. They must mean, then, some other kind of people. Well come back to this.

Trump and his supporters claim to legitimacy rests on two assumptions. First, that their conception of the people is more legitimate than concrete, living human beings. Second, that decision by electoral college, rather than popular vote, is right. Now, if Trump is correct, and decision by electoral college is right, then whatever decision they make is right. If it werent, then it would not have authority to make decisions either way. Trump hopes that they will choose him, but this isnt an inevitability.

When the electoral college system was put in place, it was because the founding fathers wanted to establish an electoral system in which a group of informed, responsible individuals take the input of the people, and then make a final decision as to whom ought to be made president. Now that the electors have been chosen by the popular vote, it is up to them to make the final decision. So, if Trumps argument for political legitimacy rests on the legitimacy of the electoral college, then if the electoral college were to reject Trump, then if he were to reject their decision as illegitimate, he is in effect claiming that his original claim to legitimacy was ill-founded.

Let me put it another way. The question ultimately comes down to that of sovereignty. In this context, sovereignty means the ability to make the final, ultimate, and binding decision about who ought to be in the Oval Office. We have, it seems, two options here: either it is the people or it is the electoral college. If it is the former, then the electoral colleges legitimacythat is, what makes us take their decision as rightis grounded in its direct conformity to the popular will, which can only be concretely discerned by popular vote and mass demonstrations. If it is the latter, then the decision of the electoral college is independent of the will of the people, even if the two have in almost all casesexcept the elections of 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000run parallel to one another. That is to say, that if sovereign decision ultimately rests in the hands of the electoral college, then it is as if it is just by chance that the two coincide in most cases, a correlative relation and not a causal one.

Before moving on, I just want to recap the arguments made above. First, any of Trumps claims to legitimacy grounded in the will of the people are poor claims unless he means not all people, but a particular subset of the people. That is, to reject a rejection by the electoral college based on the idea that they are subverting the will of the people is bad reasoning. If this is the case, then Trumps claim must be grounded in another claim: that popular vote is completely disconnected from the decision of the electoral college, which is what ultimately makes the sovereign decision. Which leads to my second point: if independent ofand in spite ofthe will of the people Trump believes that the decision of the electoral college is legitimate, then if they were to put someone else in the White House, then he ought to have no recourse to popular decision to argue against their decision. Which leads to the ultimate point I would like to make: if Trump did accept popular decision as ultimately what is sovereign (i.e. as what gives the electoral college legitimacy), then he would have a case against a revolt in the electoral college; but, if this was the case, then he would in fact not have a good argument, since the only evidence of popular sovereignty he could point to would be the popular vote, which is overwhelmingly against him. He must, therefore, think sovereignty lies in the electoral college itself, and therefore, must accept their decision if they reject him.

Now, this doesnt mean that he will do this since he seems to accept no argument from rational premises. Nevertheless, this is a good argument to be made for the actual legitimacy of a revolt in the electoral college. Now that it is clear why this could happen, we ought to consider why it should happen.

When Trump won the November election, I was distraught, angry, scared, etc. and although I did not myself hold the opinion that we should wait and see how he would govern, I did not yet have any grounds other than his campaign rhetoric to make this case, and therefore accepted that those who said this had, in a broad sense, a legitimate reason to do so. We could, of course, point to any number of ridiculous and dangerous things he has done in the last month (Twitter scandals, questionable or outright criminal phone calls, his quiet and questionable settling of a fraud case out of court, his apparent inability to separate himself from his businesses, the connections to Russia that have come to light, the list literally goes on and on), but these are still, in the eyes of his followers and in the eyes of moderates still waiting to see, not damning enough. What has he done that is damning enough to consider rejecting his presidency in the electoral college? If nothing else, his pending cabinet appointments. If Trump is a smokescreen, a dumber Bush, then his cabinet is a fire waiting to reduce America to cinders, a more insidious Cheney.

Lets review just several of the individuals whom he has put forth so far, as well as what their history and platforms suggest they will do.

Andrew Puzder, Secretary of Labor. Puzder, who was an advisor to Mitt Romney several years ago, is the CEO of the parent company of fast food chains Carls Jr. and Hardees. He is an outspoken opponent of raising the minimum wage , of expanding eligibility of overtime pay, and has praised his companys practice of exploiting scantily clad women for advertisements as being very American. At a time when the nationwide movement for an increase in minimum wage is making strides toward a livable situation for working class people, Puzder seems to be a last ditch attempt to protect corporations and strike back against the middle and lower classes fighting for their fair share of our nations enormous wealth. If you take an optimistic view, Trump won this election because of his appeal to working class Americans, but as labor holds smaller and smaller shares of income , we should want a secretary who is committed to creating a better situation for workers, not one who has a track record of shutting them out of the conversation and keeping them in substandard living conditions. Puzder is evidence that Trumps conception of the people does not coincide with the mass of people working paycheck to paycheck in this country, but with a small subset of rich individuals like himself.

Scott Pruitt, Head of the EPA. Pruitt, the Attorney General of Oklahoma, is a longtime opponent of the protection of the environment. He is an ally of the oil industry , a denier of scientific consensus on human caused climate change , and, perhaps most importantly, is currently involved in a lawsuit suing the very agency he is slated to head. Environmental collapse is accelerating, we surpassed the 400 ppm mark for CO2 levels this year permanently , and U.S. citizens belief in climate change is at an eight year high . Choosing Pruitt for EPA head is, as the Sierra Club said this week, like putting an arsonist in charge of fighting fires. Not only is it poor policyand potentially a path to inalterable climate changeit is just more evidence that Trumps conception of the people is not the mass of Americans (at least 64% of Americans dont agree with Pruitts stance on climate change), but the very rich who will continue to benefit from the continued use of fossil fuels and the stripping away of laws protecting our planet.

Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education. DeVos, who has never worked in the public sector, is an opponent of public education who has spent millions of dollars in a push to divert taxpayer dollars away from public schools and toward religious and private education . Although the dissolution of public education is a crisis that has been happening in slow motion for at least the last 16 years, DeVos is clear indication that the trend away from free public education and toward private, for-profit education will be the policy of the Trump administration. Despite what DeVos and other proponents of private education claim, public schools continue to outperform private schools and contribute to a greater ability to interact with and understand children from different backgrounds. Private education, the policy that Trumps administration under DeVos no doubt intends to pursue, is only better than public education at one thing, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Gloria Ladson-Briggs, and that is the opportunity to put your kids around kids who have parents who have some similar values and conceptions. Private education, in other words, does not contribute to the existence of a multi-cultural society, but one that separates people of different economic, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Which is to say, it does not benefit the people, unless one conceives of the people as insular, separate, and necessarily segregated.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Secretary of the Interior . Like Pruitt, McMorris Rodgers is a denier of scientific consensus on human caused climate change and intends to carry out the Trump administrations policy of pursuing the production of [fossil fuels] by opening onshore and offshore leasing on federal lands and waters. Although Trump has said that he wants to keep certain parts of the country under federal control to keep them great, McMorris Rodgers voted for a GOP bill that would allow the sale of public lands to mining companies. She also has said, with respect to the protection of American wild places, that by removing lands from private ownership  and thus, from the local municipal tax rolls  the government stifles locally-driven development and makes rural communities more dependent on Washington, DC. That is, she is opposed to the great American tradition of protecting wild places for the enjoyment of all citizens. When Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and even Gifford Pinchot engaged in debates about how best to pursue the experimental idea of public land preservation, one thing they all agreed on was that all policies should be oriented toward the interests of all Americans, for all time. McMorris Rodgers and her opposition to nationally protected parts of the interior is, once again, evidence that Trumps people are not people, but private companies and the rich who own them.

Ben Carson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development . Carson, who less than a month ago rejected another position in Trumps cabinet because he has no government experience, does not support government programs such as Section 8 and has said that it is not the governments job to take care of the poor, but rather the job of church groups and self-started community initiatives. I expect that by community initiatives he does not mean the Black Panthers. Instead we the people, he said, have the responsibility to take care of the indigent in our society. This is a noble claim, I suppose, but what does it mean for him to be in a position to decide on policy in urban areas? We can only imagine him as a sleepy looking Ron Swanson as head of HUD.

Jeff Sessions, Attorney General. Sessions, a man who thirty years ago was rejected from a federal position for calling the NAACP, the ACLU, and MLK Jr.s Southern Christian Leadership Council un-American, presided over a case that allegedly was aimed at intimidating black voters, and once claimed that the KKK were good people until he found out that they smoked pot. This all seems to be in line with Trumps own position on voting rights. This was, after all, the first election without the protections of the voting rights act since it was established in 1965. Voting in this election was at an all time low , even though it was touted as the most important election of all time. Critics suggest that this is at least in part because of the policies enacted by Republicans to suppress minority voter turnout by exploiting the loss of the act. It has always been the case that when voter turnout is low, white male Republicans win elections, and Sessions is an indicator that Trump hopes to continue taking advantage of that fact. Once again, it seems that the Trump teams conception of the people is limited and exclusionary.

Two themes emerge when we look at these few proposed appointments. First, as I made clear in each case, what Trump understands to be the people, and subsequently what he understands to be the will of the people, is not congruent in any way with the actual population of the country. It is, depending on which position you consider, largely associated with corporations, the fossil fuel industry, and the section of the white population that would like to be a nation apart from the rising population of people of color. Second, every single one of these appointments are opposed in principle to the sectors of government they are supposed to head up. In other words, the stated purpose of all of these individuals is to eliminate governmental involvement in all significant aspects of American life.

Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, has described himself as a Leninist. He doesnt mean that he is a Communist committed to the peoples revolution. Instead, he says the following: Lenin, he answered, wanted to destroy the state, and thats my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of todays establishment. It looks like he will get his wish, if the electoral college does not reject Trump. The dissolution of the federal government that Trumps proposed cabinet will carry out is one that is not oriented toward making the people free to live their lives. That is, unless the people signifies what Trump believes it does: not a return of power to the people, but a continuation of the trend made most visible by cases like Citizens United vs. FEC, which ceded influence over government to not only private, but profit-driven entities.

In effect, Trumps cabinet picks show that he wants to create a paradise for business owners, for capitalists, at the expense of every public institution and safety net that the people have been fighting for since the establishment of this nation. That is, the creation of a state that is no state, but a kind of anarcho-capitalist Eden. Whether he can achieve it if confirmed by the college is open to debate. We do theoretically have a system of checks and balances, after all. But we have to ask whether the Republican controlled House, Senate, and the (soon to be) predominantly conservative Supreme Court will be much of a check on Trump and his cabinet of curiosities.

Even if, by some miracle, his appointments do not secure the confirmation they require, the initial decisions clearly demonstrate the kind of administration that Trump would like to establish. It seems that each successive pick is one that aims to dismantle the rule of law in favor of the rule of profit, and thereby, of power. The whole situation reminds me more, with each passing day, of Pier Paolo Pasolinis Salo, in which a Duke in Fascist Italy says that We Fascists are the only true anarchists, naturally, once we're masters of the state. In fact, the one true anarchy is that of power.

So what are we to do? For one, we could encourage college electors to become faithless. There is, as this link shows, a long tradition of a few people defecting from their party. That is, in the past, electors have made symbolic defections in order to vote their conscience against a president they believe will fail the nation. These are exceptional cases, but if enough electors in this exceptional election do defect, it could mean that Trump gets trumped. See this page for information on how that can happen. If youve read this far, you there behind the glass, on the other side of the screen, then you care enough about our future to do something about it. Get involved.

If Trump does end up being president, however, then we must recall that, as Rebecca Solnit wrote with respect to the Bush administration (emphasis slightly altered), the fate of the world during the next four years will not be the result of the will of the people of the United States, though perhaps it will be due to our lack of will to resist this slow-motion coup.
by Evert Cilliers aka Adam Ash



Hillary Clinton won the popular vote for president by 2.8 million votes and counting, yet serial liar Donald Trump will be our next president.

In the three states that gave him his electoral college majority  Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania  Trump won by 100,000 votes, which are fewer than the number of voters suppressed by various Republican measures. In Wisconsin, a federal court found that 300,000 fewer voters cast ballots because of new ID restrictions; Trump won there by only 27,000 votes. Similar suppression efforts in other states also worked well.

Nationwide, Democratic voters outnumber GOP voters, yet Republicans control the House and the Senate.

So the government of America does not represent a majority of us Americans.

If this is democracy, Superman poops kryptonite.

The policy positions most favored by most Americans  get money out of politics, reverse climate change, have free tuition in community colleges, raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, reverse mass incarceration, rebuild our infrastructure, get equal pay for women, take on Wall Street, protect the most vulnerable Americans, improve Obamacare (why not Medicare for all?)  were those of a candidate who was not even on the general election ballot. Bernie Sanders, known as a radical progressive, but whose positions are totally centrist, lost to the neoliberal Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.

So: you call America a democracy?

No way.

Our president does not represent the majority.

The House does not represent the majority: the Republicans control it because of gerrymandering, i.e. cheating.

The Senate does not represent the majority: the Republicans control it because of gerrymandering, i.e. cheating.

The Supreme Court does not represent the majority: it would have, if the GOP had not refused to consider President Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, in a radical move unprecedented in American politics. (This same do-nothing Congress, the least productive Congress in history, has obstructed everything President Obama wanted to do to provide us with more jobs, a fairer economy, and a better America.)

We have a minority-chosen President, Congress and Supreme Court.

We do not have a democracy.

And now that Donald Trump is picking his cabinet, we see the jarring sight of an array of loonies who do not represent even the rightwing GOP, but a far-right minority. Who will be running the EPA? A man who has sued the EPA many times.

What can we call this very weird and comically absurd America?

A plutocracy? An oligarchy? A kleptocracy? A kakistocracy?

Certainly not a democracy.

With Donald Trump and his cabinet so far  the richest cabinet of billionaires ever  we certainly look like a plutocracy.

And a rude question pops up like a zit on a teenager: how far are we on the way to becoming a kleptocracy?

Well, the billionaire who will be running our country  he has a business history of consistently stiffing his suppliers.

America, get ready to be stiffed on all fronts. Get ready for massive and continuous and nationwide anal rape on a daily basis.

With the ability of a GOP-dominated Congress to enact a GOP agenda without fear of a Presidential veto, get ready for 20 million Americans to lose their healthcare when Obamacare is repealed; for the richest Americans to get richer when their tax rate is cut; for middle-class and poor Americans to get poorer when their social benefits are cut; for Wall Street to fleece us even more when their regulations are cut; and so on.

Get ready for the prospect of an out-and-out kleptocracy.

The blue-collar working-class voters who think Trump will get them back their great manufacturing jobs of yesteryear are in for a rude awakening. Those jobs are never coming back, because they were lost to automation much more than off-shoring. America manufactures more than ever before, but we do it with more machines and fewer people, sometimes with one in ten fewer workers than before.

And when those workers realize they've been conned by their hero, what will happen?

The massive Women's March on Washington the day after President Trump's inauguration will be a harbinger of things to come.

We will have mass demonstrations. We will turn into a nation of protesters. There will be rage in the streets. There may even be civil unrest.

Come 2020, the election will be something to see.

My prediction: Elizabeth Warren becomes the Democratic presidential nominee, and wipes the floor with Trump. Democrats take over the Senate and very possibly the House, too.

The pendulum swings back from right to left with a reverberant clang.

And then, folks, we will actually be a democracy.

But up until that glorious moment, not.
Stroke victims need to be treated as soon as possible. One of the most important treatments loses effectiveness if not administered within three to four hours of stroke onset. Therefore it's crucial to call 911 immediately if you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke. Although stroke treatment and rates of good outcome have improved dramatically over the past decade, timing is essential.

"Wait-and-see should not be a part of the decision process," says Edward C. Jauch, M.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina. Some stroke victims may not be aware of their symptoms or may be unable to communicate, adds Jauch, lead author of the 2013 American Heart Association Acute Ischemic Stroke Guidelines.

Two kinds of stroke

About 87 percent of all strokes are "ischemic," and occur when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain or an artery to the brain. If administered in time, a clot-busting treatments and intra-arterial catheter-based therapies using new stent retrievers can help reduce the damage from this kind of stroke, so getting treatment quickly is absolutely critical. There are now two strategies to remove the stroke causing clot, says Walter Koroshetz, M.D., Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The drug, tPA, is given by injection and has been shown effective in dissolving clots and improving outcome if given within three to four hours after stroke onset. In people with clots blocking the larger brain arteries, a specialist can pass a catheter into the blocked brain artery and remove the clot. This procedure has been shown effective if performed within six hours after stroke in patients who did not respond to tPA.

The second type of stroke is "hemorrhagic," and occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks, causing bleeding in the brain. These strokes generally need to be treated in intensive care and may require surgery.



A ministroke, or "transient ischemic attack," is caused when blood to the brain is temporarily disrupted. Symptoms, the same as for major strokes, last for only an hour or so, then vanish.



Recognizing and treating TIAs immediately can reduce your risk of a major stroke. Call 911 or go immediately to a hospital because it can signal that a full-blown stroke is imminent  maybe just hours away. Its unpredictable, says Koroshetz.

Treatment might include blood thinners to combat clotting, surgery to clear a blocked artery or treatment plans for underlying disorders, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.


More advice:

"Get into the habit of a brisk daily walk with a friend. The aerobic conditioning gets your heart to pump oxygen and nutrients to your brain; the conversation will further strengthen your neural circuits."

 Gary W. Small, M.D., professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

"Pay attention to early warning signs and keep up with screening exams."

 Robert N. Golden, M.D., dean, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"I would argue for 'eat less meat and more plants.' "

 David L. Katz, M.D., director, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center

"A major source of stress on the body is an irregular schedule. Try to eat, sleep and exercise at the same time every day."

 David B. Agus, M.D., professor of medicine and engineering, University of Southern California
How to watch, what to know about South Dakota State at Northern Iowa
EnviroSuite Limited (ASX:EVS) (FRA:57P) is an environmental management technology company that has developed a leading Software-as-Service platform which translates data into action in real-time.

Using proprietary algorithms built on more than 30 years of environmental consulting experience, Envirosuite's platform provides a range of environmental monitoring, management and investigative capabilities.

Envirosuite's platform is used worldwide by a range of clients in the mining, oil refining, transportation and water management industries and by governments looking to regulate industry in accordance with community well-being.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.envirosuite.com


Van Eck Increases Shareholding in Cardinal

Perth, Dec 12, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cardinal Resources Limited ( ASX:CDV ) ("Cardinal" "the Company") is pleased to announce that Van Eck Associates Corporation ("Van Eck") from New York has increased its holding in Cardinal to 6.32%.



Van Eck become a substantial shareholder of Cardinal on 30 November 2016 with an equity position of 5.28%, since this time Van Eck has increased its holding to 6.32%.



Archie Koimtsidis, Managing Director of Cardinal, said:



"We are very pleased with Van Eck's continued support in Cardinal as a key institutional investor and a substantial shareholder of the Company.



"Their shareholding supports the tremendous potential of our Ghanaian Projects."



About Cardinal Resources Ltd





Cardinal Resources Ltd (ASX:CDV) (TSE:CDV) (OTCMKTS:CRDNF) is a West African gold exploration and development Company that holds interests in tenements within Ghana, West Africa.

The Company is focused on the development of the Namdini Project with a gold Ore Reserve of 5.1Moz (0.4 Moz Proved and 4.7 Moz Probable) and a soon to be completed Feasibility Study.

Exploration programmes are also underway at the Company's Bolgatanga (Northern Ghana) and Subranum (Southern Ghana) Projects.

Cardinal confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in its announcement of the Ore Reserve of 3 April 2019. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning this estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed.
Corrigan Krause has acquired Klinc & Associates, a firm based in Solon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

Corrigan Krause, based in Westlake, Ohio, focuses on servicing closely held businesses in Northeast Ohio. The deal gives the firm a second location in Solons business district as part of its expansion in the Cleveland area.

Picasa/rudi1976 - Fotolia

By establishing a presence in Solon, we're looking forward to expanding our footprint and becoming more accessible to closely held businesses across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, said managing partner Thomas L. Harrison in a statement.

The firm has grown its headcount 50 percent in the past three years and recently expanded its office space in its Westlake headquarters.
A roundup of recent expansions, additions, new services and other news from firms across the country.

CALIFORNIA

Management and staff of HMWC CPAs & Business Advisors, Tustin, volunteered in mid-November to help feed the homeless in Santa Ana. (See the story.)

BOLIVIA

Villazon Martinez & Asociados, La Paz, has joined global accounting firm network Baker Tilley International. The firm has two partners and 13 professional staff, and will trade as Baker Tilly Bolivia effectively immediately.

FLORIDA

The GriggsGroup CPAs, Ponte Vedra Beach, has changed its name to Pivot CPAs, following an intensive marketing study.

GEORGIA

Insurance consultancy Captive Alternatives, Atlanta, has launched CapSure Accounting to provide captive accounting services to captive managers.

HONDURAS

Irias & Asociados, Tegucigalpa, has joined global accounting firm network Baker Tilley International. The firm has three partners who are supported by an additional 15 professional staff.

INDIANA

The Indiana CPA Society received three top association honors from the Indiana Society of Association Executives, including Association Professional of the Year for ICPAS director of marketing communication Stephanie Parton, Outstanding Newsletter, and Outstanding Government Relations Program for its addition of competency-based learning for CPA license renewal.

MARYLAND

Dixon Hughes Goodman moved its Rockville office to One Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, on the second floor of One Washingtonian Center, 9801 Washington Boulevard.  Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander LLC, Owings Mills, was named one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Baltimore area by the Baltimore Business Journal.  Shawn Howard and Sirena Johnson have joined the Bethesda office of Citrin Cooperman to serve as co-leaders of the firms new government contracting practice.  Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra was named a 2016 Top Workplace by The Baltimore Sun and WorkplaceDynamics, LLC.

MICHIGAN

Maner Costerisan, Lansing, has received the Michigan Society of Association Executives Members Choice Award.

NEVADA

The Information Technology Alliance announced a slate of new members at its annual Fall Collaborative in Las Vegas: Adaptive Insights, Ascentium Capital, Black River Technologies, Manusonic, MicroAccounting and Riva.

NEW JERSEY

Nisivoccia LLP held a half-day not-for-profit seminar for approximately 100 not-for-profit directors, employees, and board members at the Meadow Wood Manor in Randolph on Dec. 7. Speakers, including State Senator Steven Oroho, covered fundraising, the outlook for nonprofits in New Jersey, marketing and more.  WithumSmith+Brown, PC held its 5th Annual Withum Week of Caring, dispatching employees into their communities to volunteer during the three days before Thanksgiving (see the story), and recently posted a YouTube video of is staff volunteering. Separately, the firms Manufacturing, Distribution and Logistics Services Group of WithumSmith+Brown PC, hosted an educational presentation called Lets Make a Deal: the Risks, Rewards, Challenges and Opportunities of doing Business with Big Box Stores and National Chains.

NEW YORK

Gettry Marcus CPA PC is moving its New York City office to 1407 Broadway, 40th Floor.  Marks Paneth LLP announced a new firm-wide paid parental leave policy: Effective Jan. 1, 2017, new mothers and fathers, including adoptive parents of children under the age of 18, will be eligible for up to six weeks of fully-paid parental leave.  Prager Metis CPAs LLC has launched a corporate partnership with the Alzheimers Association; this fall, the firm had teams walk in the regional Walks to End Alzheimers in Long Island, Manhattan, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, raising over $50,000 in whole. All of the firms offices, including its London location will be participating in the Alzheimers Associations summer fundraiser, the Longest Day.

PENNSYLVANIA

Smith Elliott Kearns & Co. LLC, has opened a new office in downtown York, its sixth in total, at 16 N. George St. The phone number is (717) 900-2021.

Send your firm announcements to AcToday@SourceMedia.com.
Free flow of communication. Cost effective. Team building. Collaboration. Culture collision. A book of perks of working in a workplace imbibing an open office floorplan consists of all these words. It facilitates smoother interaction capabilities, great for brainstorming and for creating a good team work. With less maintenance efforts, open floorplan comes with saving much of a space and can accommodate more number of employees, being cost-effective. Bonding of culture and collaboration takes an all new avatar as secret tasks take a backseat, breaks the hierarchy and transparency flows in. Almost 80 per cent of American offices are employing some versions of the open-office plan and India follows suit.

But what if someones privacy gets hindered? What if the productivity gets hampered in case of continuous vigilance in an open office space? A recent study from Oxford Economics and Plantronics conveys that the noise level that makes you go haywire and disrupts the concentration level, leads to decrease in creative thinking and putting in large efforts. A report published in The New Yorker mentions that open office was originally conceived by a team from Hamburg, Germany, in the nineteen-fifties, to facilitate communication and idea flow. But a growing body of evidence suggests that the open office undermines the very things that it was designed to achieve. In 2011, organisational psychologist Matthew Davis reviewed more than a hundred studies about office environments. He found that though open offices often fostered a symbolic sense of organizational mission, making employees feel like part of a more laid-back, innovative enterprise, they were damaging to the workers attention spans, productivity, creative thinking, and satisfaction.

As more and more agencies, especially start-ups, are rooting for the no-wall barrier workplace trend, Adgully seeks to find out from ad agencies that have adopted an open office space culture how it impacts employee motivation and productivity, the advantages and some challenges in working in such an office culture and more.

What were the factors that made your agency opt for an open space office culture?

It honestly never was a focused choice that we made, it was a natural instinct to have a space that was open and was conducive to collaboration and propagated the right kind of vibe.

How long has it been since your agency commenced the open space office operations? Have the initial expectations been met?

Weve always been an open office and that openness is what has always stayed as a core part of how we do things and how we interact and grow together as a company.

What has the cost to company factor been in adopting an open space office culture?

I would be lying if I said that it wasnt a factor that has worked well for us, but it is more a by-product of having an open office, thats not the reason why we chose to be in an open environment.

In what ways has this culture impacted employee productivity and morale?

It is important to balance an open work space with enough enclosed meeting rooms and spaces where focused and distraction free work can happen. So, there is a science that we have maintained to look at each team and the kind of work they do and what it requires and designed their space accordingly and always kept enough enclosed meeting rooms in close proximity.

Have you also encountered some cons of the open space office culture?

The noise levels have been a con to be honest, but that's why as we've evolved we've moved to a combination of open and partially closed spaces. The balance is paramount.

How do you tackle the needs of the employees who require more privacy to work better? What about noise distraction?

Headphones! They are always on requirement for focused singular work. But on a serious note, ample meeting rooms and corners where people can go work or take a call or just chill out, have over time been built into our workspace, planned at subverting any productivity issues that may crop up.

What were the factors that made your agency opt for an open space office culture?

We believe that ideas are best created in an atmosphere where there are no hierarchies. Everyone can come up with an idea and the role of the leaders is to make sure these beautiful ideas can be curated. An open office ensures that these ideas reach the right people, quickly.

How long has it been since your agency commenced the open space office operations? Have the initial expectations been met?

We have always had an open office. Off late our office, apart from being open, has embraced the spirit of socialisation. We believe ideas become better when they are bounced around in a team. The 'social office' has led to some really incredible ideas being born. It has helped us create a unique culture. For us that is the most critical piece -- culture. Like they say, 'culture eats strategy for breakfast'.

What has the cost to company factor been in adopting an open space office culture?

An open office has no cost implications.

In what ways has this culture impacted employee productivity and morale?

The productivity increases and so does the morale of the creators. The path to an idea being created and presented is now a step away. Everybody can be a maker. An open office ensures that nobody can hide. It creates pressure on everybody to perform. It creates transparency.

Have you also encountered some cons of the open space office culture?

You have to ensure that there are spaces for one to escape. We believe in radical collaboration and radical non-collaboration. We need spaces where you can escape to reflect and create by yourself as much as spaces where you can create with teams. Both aspects are critical.

How do you tackle the needs of the employees who require more privacy to work better? What about noise distraction?

We have several spaces for employees to disconnect and work by themselves, if that is needed.

What were the factors that made your agency opt for an open space office culture?

We believe a closed environment is as bad as a closed mind, if not worse. An open space culture fosters open thinking and better teamwork and collaboration. It also encourages positive energy and definitely brings in overall transparency.

How long has it been since your agency commenced the open space office operations? Have the initial expectations been met?

We have changed our office a couple of times since its inception and weve always tried an open approach. Now with our new office, the open environment is absolutely great and theres an infectious buzz and excitement that tells us that we have moved in the right direction.

What has the cost to company factor been in adopting an open space office culture?

An open office certainly reduces cost since one can arrange more staff in an open layout. Even maintenance is easier.

In what ways has this culture impacted employee productivity and morale?

The whole environment in an open office is more conducive to participation and discussions. There are no walls that barricade people or thoughts. You can actually see a sense of fellowship and above all the excitement is infectious.

Have you also encountered some cons of the open space office culture?

Yes! It gets noisy sometimes. And sometimes you have to adjust in terms of the air conditioning and other facilities where individual preferences have to give way to the choice of the majority. But this too, I believe, is a life skill  it teaches us how to operate in a group where every decision or action might not be in line with your own thinking.

How do you tackle the needs of the employees who require more privacy to work better? What about noise distraction?

We have a lot of open area and meeting rooms where one can attend to important calls. We also have a large conference room for those important meetings.

In what ways has open office culture impacted employee productivity and morale?

In organiwations all over the world, people are facing brand-new problems that require sharing information and putting knowledge together in new ways. For all the right reasons, collaboration has become the big engine for progress and innovation. However, office design plays an important role to instil collaboration at the workplace. The workplace should be designed in a way that it facilitates easy interaction amidst co-workers, at the same time create a room for privacy as well. Workplace should support the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of people, and give them choice and control over where and how they work.

To heighten collaboration, many companies are placing emphasis on open spaces and not enough on enclosed, private spaces. Open workplace is trending as it encourages collaboration and help workers to feel supported in their work, building trust and loyalty within them. It helps workers to create a sense of individual influence and control over their environment, versus feeling quashed by standardization and rigidity. Open space allows personalisation and individual customisation, instead of tightly enforced workplace standards which helps employees to work without stress and increase productivity. Conversely, privacy also remains important in the workplace for confidential discussions, quiet calls etc. it also provides an employee a quick break to focus and recharge themselves from the hectic busy shchedule. This will encourage agile decision making and creativity. According to Steelcase Global Workplace study, in India individual and shared private offices are more common than open plan workspaces or nomadic work.

Testimonial:

DTH service provider Tata Sky, a joint venture between the Indian conglomerate Tata and Foxs Sky Television, created a space for its 190 headquarters employees that featured designated areas for game playing and socialising. Its unusual circular floor plan gave a feeling of openness, with the companys branding prominently displayed. The effect was a vibrant space designed to encourage creativity and spontaneous interactions, while instilling a strong sense of company pride.

Have you also encountered some cons of the open space office culture? How do you tackle the needs of the employees who require more privacy to work better? What about noise distraction?

While open office culture is associated with several advantages and benefits, it has its own drawbacks concomitant with it. Due to open office culture, throughout the world, too much interaction and not enough privacy has reached crisis proportions, taking a heavy toll on workers creativity, productivity, engagement and wellbeing. More than ever before, workers are going public with complaints about their lack of privacy at work due to open office culture. Steelcase Privacy Crisis report conducted on 14 countries reveals the fact that 98 per cent of Indian employees name privacy as the main factor hampering their productivity. Hence, the need for privacy at work is as basic to human nature as is the need to be with others. The harder people work collaboratively, the more important it is to also have time alone  to be free from distractions, apply expertise and develop a solid point of view about the challenges at hand.

Also, the open office culture creates a room for distraction and noisy work environment. Accroding to Steelcase, in some open-plan offices, noise ranges from 60 to 65 decibels. The noise level of 60-65 decibels thats common in some open-plan offices is not only too loud for concentration, it can also impede effective collaboration by causing speech interference. Hence, work environments should notbe designed just for appearance, but also for experience in all the senses, especially hearing.

Privacy is a vital factor which affects employees creativity. Hence, to boost productivity in the open office model, a mix of open and enclosed areas, I spaces and We spaces is suggested. Instead of providing only open-plan work settings, organisations should create settings in which people are free to circulate in a shifting kaleidoscope of interactions.

Office should be an ecosystem that offers a range, or palette, of places  destinations that augment peoples interactions with each other and provide access to the tools and technology that people can only find at work. These destinations need to balance spaces for group work with individual spaces for focus and reflection. Organised in interrelated zones and settings, these destinations support diverse modes of work and diverse ways of thinking  both of which are essential to fuel the creative process that leads to innovation.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has finalised a firm purchase agreement with Philippine Airlines, Inc., flag carrier of the Philippines, consistent with the Letter of Intent announced on 14 October 2016.





The purchase agreement includes a firm order for five Q400 aircraft and purchase rights for an additional seven Q400 aircraft.



Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US $165 million and could increase to US $401 million, should Philippine Airlines exercise all its purchase rights.



With the lowest seat-mile costs in the regional aircraft market, the extra-capacity, two-class Q400 aircraft will offer Philippine Airlines significant opportunities to differentiate itself competitively, said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. The Q400 aircraft is the ideal solution for the airline as it develops its domestic operations network from secondary hubs and increases intra-island connectivity.



As we strive to become a top-rated airline, the Q Series family of aircraft has enabled us to develop our business model into one which efficiently meets our domestic route requirements while providing our passengers with a full service onboard experience, said Jaime J Bautista, President and Chief Operating Officer, Philippine Airlines. We are proud of our collaboration with Bombardier and welcome the first modern and innovatively configured two-class, 86-seat Q400 aircraft to our growing fleet.



The five firm-ordered Q400 aircraft are expected to be delivered throughout 2017.



Bombardiers customer support network for commercial aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region includes Regional Support Offices in Singapore, Narita (Tokyo), Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai and Mumbai, as well as Parts Depots in Sydney, Beijing and Singapore. Operating from the companys regional office located in Singapore, Bombardier Commercial Aircrafts sales and marketing team is well positioned to provide industry-leading solutions to its current and prospective customers.








CellPoint Mobile's Travel Booking and Payment solution supports MobilePay for online merchants in the Nordic region, expanding mobile payment opportunities for millions of travellers

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPoint Mobile has signed a MobilePay distribution agreement which enables airlines, travel companies and hospitality firms to roll out mobile payments for more than three million consumers in Denmark and across the Nordic region, making it easy for travellers to purchase tickets and travel-related services directly from their mobile devices.

CellPoint Mobile's payments orchestration platform will enable MobilePay payments in the Nordic market. In Denmark, the popular mobile payment solution  consistently ranked as one of Denmark's most frequently used apps -- is installed on 9 out of 10 smartphones.

MobilePay has been proven to create faster, more convenient checkout flows that lead to higher conversions, incremental sales, increased market share, and simple, quick integration. MobilePay clients in the travel sector also note lower drop-off rates for travel bookings made from mobile devices.

CellPoint Mobile is a key collaborator in the successful implementation of MobilePay with DSB (Danish State Railway), the largest train operator in Scandinavia, where 68% of all DSB mobile transactions are now processed using MobilePay. CellPoint Mobile and MobilePay will expand payment integration capabilities to other key sectors, including airlines and travel, beginning in early 2017.

"Airlines, travel and hospitality companies that operate within the Nordic region can now leverage our deep payment expertise and technology to increase sales, capture new revenues from the mobile environment and provide seamless online and mobile payment solutions to their customers and travellers," said Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Mobile. "Our collaboration complements MobilePay's position as the de facto payment method of choice for Nordic consumers and travelers, where 91 of 98 Danish local authorities have a MobilePay contract."

CellPoint Mobile provides comprehensive, mobile-first commerce and payment solutions, covering the European Union from offices based in London and Copenhagen. Its payments platform makes it easy for airlines, travel companies and other retailers to implement and manage a variety of mobile payment methods quickly and cost-effectively. MobilePay is a convenient, seamless payment solution used by 3.2 million consumers for quick mobile payments at checkout in Denmark and by a total of 3.8 million Nordic consumers for seamless online cross-border payments in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

"I am very happy and pleased with our new partnership. CellPoint Mobile is a leading provider of online payment solutions in the travel industry, and we share the ambition of easier, faster and safer mobile payments for the travel industry and their end-customers. We are convinced that it will further fuel the reach and growth of MobilePay Online and more MobilePay offerings," says Mark Wraa-Hansen, Head of MobilePay.

CellPoint Mobile, a 2014, 2015 and 2016 Brsen Gazelle company, specializes in creating and supporting mobile-centric SaaS (software-as-a-service) payment methods for the airline, travel and hospitality sectors.

For more information about the companies' partnership, or to arrange an interview with executives from CellPoint Mobile and MobilePay, please contact Vanessa Horwell at +45.7876.8488 or vhorwell@thinkinkpr.com.

About CellPoint Mobile

Travel is at the heart of discovery, learning, commerce and change. It's also at the heart of our business, and that's why CellPoint Mobile makes travel easier by providing airlines and travel companies with comprehensive, mobile-first commerce and payment solutions that enhance their customers' experience, increase revenues and improve margins. With offices in Miami, London, Copenhagen, Dubai, Pune and Singapore, CellPoint Mobile simplifies the integration of complex commerce and payment solutions for global and regional airlines and travel companies  quickly and without friction. To learn more about the company's products and services for travel payments, loyalty program transactions, passenger IDs and security please visit www.cellpointmobile.com.

About MobilePay

3.8+ million Nordic consumers are using MobilePay, in Denmark 3,2+ million. The 2016 annual activity in Denmark is forecast at 170 million payments, and the turnover is forecast at DKK 38 billion. MobilePay is used in an increasing number of areas, the most important being: Between private individuals, retail shops, webshops, local authority payments, payments through other apps, donations etc. In Denmark above 37.000 businesses including 5.500 webshops are offering there customer MobilePay as an easy and fast payment channel.

www.mobilepay.dk/da-dk/Pages/The-story-in-English.aspx






Specialized attorney provides trusted counsel in times of need

Sexual assault is something that can affect an individual for the rest of their life. The victims of sexual assault often have residual emotional and psychological damage.



These effects are hard to deal with alone, but with the right help, victims can take a big step toward recovery.



In 2013, the Air Force started a test program called the Special Victims Counsel Program to assist sexual assault victims.



The purpose of the SVC Program is to empower victims, said Capt. Ekaterina Korulina, an appointed military attorney who specializes in representing victims of sexual assault and sexual related crimes. We also make sure they understand the process and that they are resilient enough to go through that process.



The Air Force SVC test program was successful and is now being used all across the military.



The Air Force started this program as a test program, and we are very proud of this, Korulina said. It had a positive feedback and was such a success that every branch of the military decided to have their own special victims counsel-type program.



As an SVC, Korulina represents victims through the military justice process and provides a variety of other services.



The benefit for victims to have a Special Victims Counsel is that they can have a completely confidential communication, which is protected by attorney-client privilege, she said. This means the SVC cannot disclose anything a victim says unless the victim gives permission to do so. That is a huge benefit because we can establish trust, and they can rely on me. Additionally, advising clients is a huge part of my job -- making sure they understand every step in the process and their rights so they know their options and can make educated decisions.



In a time of need, having a trusted individual there to assist is part of what makes the SVC program a success.



I have to make sure they are physically, spiritually and emotionally ready and able, she said. We can go through the process without disclosing their most private information to anyone else. Additionally, I have protected communication with my clients - completely protected. It is confidential communication.



One of the key factors to the success of the SVC program is that all SVC attorneys are geographically separated from the base where they are stationed.



I dont belong to the legal office, the area defense counsel or the wing commander on base, Korulina said. My boss, my senior SVC, is located at Travis Air Force Base in California. My supervisor for my Special Victims Counsel duties is the chief of the SVC Program who is located in Washington, D.C. No one in my clients chain of command or the chain of command of their assailants will influence my representation of my clients.



This means that Korulina can represent victims without the worry that their, or anyones, chain of command can have any persuasion on the reporting process.



The purpose of this was for us to be independent and provide support through independent representation, she said. Nobody can influence my decision making process, threaten me or adjust my performance report. I cant be ordered to disclose my clients information.



This allows Korulina to conduct her business with confidence and fully concentrate on taking care of her clients.



I can really zealously, independently and openly advocate for my clients without being threatened or being afraid that something negative will happen to me or my military record, Korulina said. My job is to provide information to people so they can make decisions without feeling forced.



Korulina doesnt just provide information from behind her desk, she also attends the interviews and court proceedings with her clients.



If we schedule an interview with law enforcement, I am physically there with my clients, Korulina said. I make sure their privacy rights are not violated or their personal information is not disclosed when it does not have to be disclosed.



Korulina wants to make sure her clients are comfortable and confident so they can more accurately provide information to investigators and prosecutors. She can also step in when needed.



If something is going too far, or I feel that it is inappropriate or irrelevant, I can advise my client about different choices and options on not providing that information, she said. I make sure they are comfortable in those situations as much as they can be because its always uncomfortable meeting with law enforcement or going through investigation.



When a victim reports a sexual assault, a long chain of events follow. The process of investigating and prosecuting a sexual crime can take months.



One of the main benefits of the SVC program is an attorney will be representing a victim through the process, she said. That process is very complicated and lengthy. It takes time to get a court-martial.



In the past, a lot of victims would be dissuaded from reporting sexual crimes due to having limited information.



Before the SVC program came into existence, what happened is that the victims didnt know what their options or rights were, Korulina said. A lot of the time, they were forced to do certain things, and they had no idea they had an option.



Often, victims who reported sexual crimes on their own found themselves feeling like they were, at times, the criminal, not the victim.



A lot of the time when the victim would do an interview with law enforcement, they felt like they were the ones being interrogated, she said. They felt like they were the ones who committed the crime instead of being the one who is the victim or a witness providing statements.



Unrestricted reports are where the SVC provides their biggest support for the victim.



If they decide to do an unrestricted report, I will guide them through each and every step of the process, Korulina said. I will provide legal advice, making sure they understand the different options and the consequences so they can make an educated decision.



No matter what kind of report the victim decides to use, Korulina is still willing and able to provide support, information and resources.



I can meet with clients who decide to do restricted or unrestricted reports, she said. I am more limited to providing services when someone decides to do a restricted report because typically the legal process doesnt start, and it doesnt go through investigation. However, I can still provide some legal assistance if necessary.



Once a client is represented by Korulina, all contact with the victim has to go through her.



Nobody from law enforcement or prosecutors can contact my clients directly, she said. It limits the pressure on the victims.



Korulina and the SVC program strive to assist victims throughout every step of their reporting and prosecuting process -- keeping their client informed and confident from start to finish.



I guide them through the meeting with the defense counsel and talk to the prosecutors, she said. I make sure that we know what the decision making process is and what decisions are being made.



When the process reaches trial, Korulina will represent her clients so they do not have to go through trial. She can be their educated and trusted voice in the courtroom.



If it goes further through the court martial, I can represent them, Korulina said. The victims have a lot of rights now, and the victims can have a voice through me.



There are certain requirements that must be met in order to become an SVC. Victims are assured that they will be represented by an experienced attorney.



You cannot be an SVC at your first assignment, she said. It is usually people who have been in the justice world for some time. I personally came from a different base, where I was working as chief of military justice. I prosecuted cases, and I know the investigation and prosecution process very well.



This experience requirement makes it easier for the SVC to represent their client throughout the process.



That helps me to ensure I can guide my clients through every little step in the process, Korulina said. I understand how decisions are being made all the way from law enforcement to the legal office.



The SVC may sound similar to the existing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, but there are some big differences between the two.



The huge difference is that I am an attorney, so I can represent them through the legal process, she said. I have standing in the courtroom on certain matters. I can appear with them or for them and speak on the record in front of a judge. SAPR cannot do that, as they are not attorneys.



Just because the SVC offers a different approach than the SAPR program or the victim advocates can, does not mean victims should avoid using them. In fact, its quite the opposite.



We typically get referrals from SAPR most often, Korulina said. We also get referrals from the victim advocates, family advocacy, first sergeants and commanders.



These other programs are useful for assistance with and reporting sexual crimes that have happened in the past.



I like when people have a chance to consult with SAPR, she said. Because they can explain to them the difference between the restricted or unrestricted reports as well as provide some resources that might be immediately necessary.



However, it is recommended that any victims visit their SVC if a sexual crime was recently committed.



If I have someone who just went through a trauma, I like to see them right away, Korulina said. I will make sure all of the emergency assistance is provided right away. If we need to go seek medical or mental health assistance, or if we need to preserve some evidence, I have all of the resources and contacts to make sure that it is taken care of.



So far, the SVC program has been highly regarded by the clients theyve served.



We receive great feedback from our clients who go through this whole process, she said. They say it has just been so much better having a person next to them who can provide advice and explain what is going on.



Korulina enjoys what she does as an SVC, and she is passionate about helping her clients.



I volunteered for this job, she said. I asked my previous boss to recommend me for this position. It is something I have been interested in since I joined the Air Force. I think this program is stronger and stronger every year, and it is developing quickly and thats great. It provides a lot of great services to victims.



As an SVC, Korulina is able to help victims and enjoy the satisfaction that comes along with it.



I enjoy this job, she said. I enjoy helping people. It gives me some satisfaction that at the end of the day I did something good for someone. It has been challenging in a way that it takes a lot of time, effort and dedication, but, at the same time, it is very rewarding because it brings so much back to you.


Since an Ebola outbreak was declared in Uganda on 20 September, health assistant Nyangoma Kirrungi has been on the frontline of the countrys response day in and day out, working as a contact tracer in Madudu sub-county, one of the areas affected by the outbreak.
At least 150 bodies of residents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are piling up at mortuaries in Saudi Arabia for nearly a year with families unable to bring them back to Hyderabad for last rites.

The Indian embassy in Riyadh has been of little help. Despite letters from Ministry of External Affairs to the embassy, nothing moved. MEA officials express helplessness, citing frigid Saudi employers who refuse to reply to emails or phone calls.

Notedly, the cause of deaths are usually attributed to illness, accidents, murders and suicides.

Four letters are required to be submitted to Indian embassy in Riyadh to let the body be flown back to the country. These include medical and police reports, a consent letter from the family and a declaration that no monetary assistance would be demanded either from Saudi government or the employer. This makes the situation difficult.

Thousands of workers from Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Mehboobnagar, Nizamabad, in Telangana, and a few from Andhra districts are employed in the Gulf. Statistics with the Telugu community suggest over 10 lakh people from the two states are employed in Saudi Arabia.

A computer programmer, Mohd Taher, hailing from Musheerabad area of the city and working at Dammam, said the procedure of sending coffins home are plagued by red tape.

In May, a woman from the Old City, Asima, was allegedly tortured to death by her employer. The NRI cell in the Telangana secretariat wrote to the Indian embassy in Riyadh. But it was a volunteers group which helped expedite return of Asimas body, which was sent to Hyderabad on May 20. This actually took less time. There are cases where bodies are lying in morgues for eight months as families cant pursue employers or MEA officials, said Taher.
Several rude people exist in our country. Right from andha hai kya? to someone who bumps into you to the trolls, the politicians issuing threats and their raised fingers (reminds you of cane wielding, frustrated school teachers in some village paathshaala), the discourteous auto rickshaw drivers, cabbies, cops, the pushy crowds in the trains, buses and even in the aircraft (as if the plane would fly away, leaving them behind holding their boarding passes!) and rudely overtaking, lane cutting drivers who fly off the handle at the slightest provocation youre interacting with a frustrated lot.

While this kind of aggressiveness is a way of life with the lower middle class, it has become a habit with the regular Indians too. The queue outside the banks and the arguments between the pro-demonetisation crowds and the anti-demonetisation crowds on the social networking websites have added a new dimension to it. The exception is the charming people in the film industry. Film folks. I notice it when I go to Starbucks for having my Cappuccino. Everyone is polite to a fault. If someone wants to sit on a chair next to you, he politely asks you whether someone is already sitting there. May I.? with a charming smile is constant refrain.

Everyone is polite with the staff. No shh, ae and snapping of the fingers at the waiters and no rude stuff. Not that everyone belongs to Bollywood but their polite presence ensures that even others remain as nice. I am talking about the not so famous faces and even the faceless strugglers. May be they want to leave a good impression. After all, wasnt it in a toilet that Pahlaj Nihalani spotted Chunky Pandey politely asking the boy for two napkins?

Anything can happen!

Anything can happen on a coffee!

But there is more to it. The actors are seducers. They learn to seduce the camera with their warmth, smile and an eye connection. They make it a habit to win over the people with their charm. Wasnt it Rajesh Khannas phenomenal charm, which he could switch on easily anytime at his will, that he defeated Shatrughan Sinha and almost defeated a veteran like L K Advani? Khannas charm was the stuff of legends. He was known to become violent and even used to thrash his secretary under the influence of alcohol but would call his victims the next day and use his charm and some lavish gifts to win them over.

Why, even Raj Babbar went and touched the feet of Atal Behari Vajpayee before contesting the elections opposite him. He may have lost the elections but won the heart of Vajpayee with his charm.

My first experience of seeing the charm of a star at work was with Sharmila Tagore. She wouldnt even know about this little incident and I have never interacted with her after that. I think she was shooting in St Dominic Savio High School. She was moving along with a stretcher on a trolley for a shot. I was in the way and the wheel went over my shoe. I didnt sustain serious injuries. But the charming concern Ms Tagore showed in those brief minutes lasted with me for a long time.

She didnt know me though she could have guessed that I was a journalist. But there was no attempt to befriend me or even to get acquainted. It is this charm that works for the stars. You can see their efforts to win the audience, the media, the fans every time the film folks are in public.

It was this charm factor that worked when Amitabh Bachchan was facing the biggest crisis of his life  Bofors scandal. He got the entire media to become a platform to project his version. All he needed to do was to switch on his charm and ask the friends in the media to carry his version. Today, with almost every newspaper carrying paid articles, this exercise would have costed him more than the publicity budget of a big film with A grade stars but Amitabh simply used his charm and charisma.

The stars know the value of charm. Shah Rukh Khan may have been a little sore with his fans for the tepid response to his film Fan, may even had momentarily ditched them on his birthday which he celebrated at Ali Baug but he didnt have the heart to disappoint the thousands who gathered outside his residence Mannat. He came, waved and won them with his charm.

Sanjay Dutt has always been in trouble but his friends and admirers have always stood by him. The reason, again, is his charm. Sanju Baba is everyones friend. He may share a cigarette with one, a drink with another and warmly hug the third one but goes on winning more and more friends and fans. No wonder Raju Hirani is making a bio-pic on Sanjus life.

Jackie Shroff may have a packet of Benson & Hedges in his leather jacket but hed still ask a security guy or spot boy for a bidi. He doesnt let you forget that he hailed from a middle class background and was not very ambitious. Lighting a bidi along with the spot boys creates a bond. They love their Jaggu Dada. This is why Jackie has friends everywhere and thats why he has survived in the industry. It is this charm that, along with personality and presence, becomes charisma and makes the stars out of ordinary actors.

*****

My latest poem

Day = Life

What is life cycle but a scaled up version of a day,

The morning representing the birth of a day,

The beginning,

The preparation,

The heavy breakfast to energise you to meet the demands of the day,

The excitement of a new day,

Its challenges,

Its novelties,

The hesitation before plunging into the water,

The flexing of the muscles at the noon,

And the war of the youth,

Collecting the spoils of the war,

Assessing ones strength,

Winning over the friends and allies,

Looking warily at the line up in the opposite camp,

To recognise the faces and abilities of the enemies,

And the war,

The victory or the wait for another day,

Another chance to settle the score,

And the end of the day comes with regrets,

Regrets of things undone,

Of failures,

And great memories of successes,

Of things done with aplomb,

Of victories,

Love,

Pleasure and times to retire,

To welcome the darkness,

The scary clouds,

The heavy downpour,

The leap into the unknown world of sleep,

To re-energise oneself,

To get up afresh,

On the new day.

The new day could have been a new birth,

The sleep,

Death and

The waking up,

A start of a new life.

What if we were unsure of waking up in the morning?

(Mohan Deep is an eminent novelist and Bollywood biographer, based in Mumbai.)
CHENNAI: High alert has been sounded and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been pre-positioned as severe cyclonic storm Vardah will make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andra Pradesh today.

The alert has been sounded across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu along the coast of Bay of Bengal, official sources said. One team of NDRF comprising around 40 personnel has been pre-positioned in Andhra Pradeshs Nellore, one in Tada, one in Salurupeta, one in Oongle, and one in Chitpore district.

At present Vardah is 390 Kilometres east of Nellore and 330 kilometers east of Chennai. It is moving with a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. While, some mandals in Nellore are expecting rainfall of 10-20 centimeters, some others are expecting rainfall of 6-10 centimeters. District administrations in the two states have made necessary arrangements.

In addition, another team is moving to Salurupeta while teams are on standby in Guntur and Hyderabad.

Three NDRF teams were pre-positioned in Chennai, two in Tamil Nadus in Tiruvalur, one in Mahabalipuram.Sources said another team is on its way to Chennai while one team has been out on stand by at Arakkonam.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai said Vardah lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 1430 hours on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts today afternoon.

Under its impact, rains will start tonight and gradually increase tomorrow in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said.

Post mid-night today, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in some places in these districts, he said, adding, strong winds could gust upto 80-90 kmph.

The sea would be rough, he said and asked fishermen to not to venture into the sea for the next 48 hours. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority which also asked the armed forces to be on standby.

The Tamil Nadu government has also declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with Collectors and top officials this evening. He directed them to be alert and undertake necessary rescue and relief efforts in view of the cyclone threat.

Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities, he said.

Take all steps to prevent loss of lives and to minimise damages to crops and properties, Naidu told the officials.

Radar observations and satellite imagery indicated that Saturdays severe cyclonic storm, Vardah over west central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal moved West north-West wards and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm at 1800 UTC of 10th and lay near latitude 13.2N and longitude 86.4E, at about 660 Kilometres east of Chennai and it further moved westwards during past 6 hours with a speed of 13 Kilometres per hour and lay centred at 0300 UTC on December 11, 2016, over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.

The cyclone is likely to cross North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts, close to Chennai as a Cyclonic Storm by December 12, 2016, afternoon. It may cause the following damages:

Heavy Rainfall Warning: Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is likely to commence for subsequent 36 hrs (from 11th December evening). The rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (= 20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on December 12, 2016.

Wind warning: Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph would prevail along and off Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts. It will gradually increase becoming 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph during the time of landfall along and off Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Sea condition: Sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu coasts. Sea condition along and off these coasts will become high to phenomenal from December 12 morning.

Storm surge: The tidal wave of about one meter height above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the low lying areas of Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh during the time of landfall.

Damage Expected: The storm will damage thatched huts, power and communication lines due to breaking of branches. It may cause major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads. Significant damage may be caused to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu; Ongole and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

Action Suggested: Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

During next 48 Hours local forecast for Chennai city and neighbourhood: The sky condition is likely to be generally cloudy. Moderate rain will starts in the evening which gradually increase in time. Maximum and minimum temperature is likely to be around 29 and 21 degree Celsius respectively.

Source: Agencies
Patience in the society is running thin. The acceptance of western culture of glamorous show off and ultra-luxury are raising the problems in the family and between the couple. The simpler you live, more relaxed you shall feel. However, today everyone is participant of a rat race for earning money.

Every couple quarrels sometimes, but when I heard news about the dentist and his 36-year-old wife, it took a grisly turn when a financial disagreement ended in her getting stabbed to death. To make matters worse, their four-year-old was sleeping in the next room. Dr. Umesh Babole runs a clinic in Jogeshwari and lived with his wife and son in Kohinoor Towers, Matunga.

On Sunday morning, he had horrible clash with his wife Tanuja, that spiralled out of hand. The wife and husband had frequent arguments. She had been living at her parents residence and had come to stay with her husband just one day ago, but on the next morning, she was stabbed to death by her husband. After killing wife, Babole sat by the body lying in a pool of blood for three hours before calling the cops and confessing the crime. Meanwhile, no neighbour was aware of any turmoil between the two. They rarely spoke to the residents of the building and only greeted them with a smile when they saw them around. Entire society was shocked to see the police in building and knowing the incidence.

The couple has been living there since they got married seven years ago. In seven years, they maintained their differences between four walls. However, eight months ago, Tanuja, who worked with a private firm in Bandra, had filed a domestic violence case against her husband, which is Sub-Judice in a court. With growing harassment, she had shifted to her parents house but later on with mutual agreement, understanding and assurance by hubby, she returned to stay with him, without having any clue of her fate. Educated but foolish parents, I feel sorry for the child of theirs, what will be his future now? His security, studies and his entire life is compromised and pushed to turmoil by his parents. Imprudent husband should have just asked the wife to leave the house or divorce her. Murdering her was definitely not the solution. India is a traditional male-dominated country where women have to face violence in the society from the ancient time, and now in modern era it has become even worst. As the world is leading towards technological improvement; the rate of unnatural sex and violence with women is also on the way of advancement.

Violence against women has grown to a great extent in India. Dowry deaths, murder, bride burning, greed, ego ambitions are giving rise to the violence in the society. Simultaneous increase in violence against women is hindering the social, economic, political and cultural progress of the country. These days, husbands and wives fight for all kinds of reasons, but some are more common than others. Money makes the world go round and it sure goes a long way in increasing marital conflict. This is ideally one of those things that need to be discussed before marriage, and the lack of a clear understanding in the beginning can lead to lots of trouble later. Money arguments are usually regarding spending habits, how much to save, where to invest, and so on. If only one spouse is earning, the other might feel humiliated at having to ask for money, leading to more fights. If both are earning, then both argue on who spends and who dont want.

In most of the joint families in-laws are a common cause of dispute around the world, it only gets worse. Things get shoddier for women living in a joint family with her in-laws, as she ends up feeling isolated while her husband gangs up on her with his parents and siblings.

The biggest issue is related to sex, that even married couples refuse to talk about this issue even in this day and age. Needless to say, dissatisfaction never gets voiced and a mismatch in sexual drive can easily be misconstrued as disinterest or rejection. All this unsaid resentment festers inside and then manifests itself in other ways. In many cases, kids are supposed to bring a couple together, but unfortunately a difference in parenting styles become a hot topic for said couple to fight about. Both spouses are individuals who have come from different families with their own unique parenting styles, which they also bring to their marriage. Too much leniency, too much discipline, fostering independence early, over protectiveness, is all common parenting issues between couples. There are very few couples who stick to the issue at hand while arguing.

We have a tendency to dig up the past and bring up previous crimes in current topics. Even though, there might not be an apparent connection between the two, couples usually have a knack in creating a connection and having a go at each other. This is a very damaging process that all relationship experts advise against. It can make the accused spouse feel backed into a corner, and when they start embracing this tactic, the argument becomes a pointless exercise in negativity. Nearly all of us struggle with prioritizing, but a married couple is usually expected to have common goals, considering theyre going to be spending a lifetime together. Problems arise when there is a mismatch in one spouses priorities and the other spouses expectations of the same. For example, a wife might expect her husband to prioritize her and their family above all and might get upset when he prioritizes his parents or work instead.

He might find nothing wrong with it, and this leads to a lot of heated words hurled at each other across the room. In extreme cases, couple land up getting violent against each other. We are a developed nation with modern society, but yet we are living in Stone Age when it comes to bad marriage. Whatever it is, take the time out to discuss things calmly and set some rules and boundaries; and the next time you fight, do it right! Anger is an emotion  neither right nor wrong in itself. There is no morality to feelings. Try to understand what prompted the feeling. Morality comes into play when you take a destructive action as a result of a feeling.
Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence Krishna Kunj at Shivaji Park.

The meeting, that took place at Sunday evening, assumes significance as Khans upcoming film Raees, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, is scheduled for a release next month, party sources said.

Notably, the MNS has in the past objected to casting of Pakistani actors in Bollywood movies citing the neighbouring countrys involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

Earlier in October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

The Bollywood superstar had previously run into trouble for the release of My Name is Khan in 2010, with another right wing party, Shiv Sena, opposing its screening then.
Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam on Monday said Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should make it clear if MNS chief Raj Thackeray is running a parallel government in the state.

(Actor) Shah Rukh Khan meets Raj seeking permission for release of his film Raees. Who is Raj Thackeray that film makers and artists are seeking his permission rather than that of the Censor board?Is Raj Thackeray running a parallel government? Fadnavis should clarify, Nirupam said.

Ensuring smooth release of a film and maintenance of law and order is the job of the state government. Currently some people are indulging in extortion in the guise of patriotism.

The state government is supporting such elements and Fadnavis is deliberately creating fear about Raj Thackeray in the minds of citizens, the Congress leader said.

The earlier Congress-led government in Maharashtra had ensured a smooth release of Shah Rukh Khans film My Name Is Khan when Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt its screenings, Nirupam pointed out.

MNS, which is opposed to Pakistani artistes working in India on Monday said that Shah Rukh assured party chief Raj Thackeray yesterday, that Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, who features in his upcoming Raees, will not promote the film in India.
Journalists fraternity urge the government to expedite the process of passing a legislation to protect journalists.

Attacks against journalists continue to rise unabated in Maharashtra as questions are being raised about their security. This year, there have been 79 incidents of attacks on journalists as 88 scribes sustained injuries. As per statistics available with Action Committee Against Attacks on Journalists on an average a journalist is attacked every four days in the state. Around 341 journalists have been assaulted from 1st January 2012 to December 2016. When will the government frame a legislation to prevent attacks against journalists asked Mr. S. M Deshmukh convenor of Action Committee Against Attacks on Journalists. The organisation has compiled a data of the number of attacks which have occurred on journalists.

Eighty eight journalists have succumbed to injuries in 2016 also many of them have received death threats to stop covering news. One of the journalists has been kidnapped and a complaint has been filed at Mulund police station. Many journalists have committed suicide after receiving death threats. In 2012, there have been 45 incidents of attack on journalists whereas around 65 scribes were assaulted in 2013. Attacks have not reduced even after the Modi government came to power in 2014 as 66 cases were reported. Since last five years offices of leading newspapers have been attacked 22 times. Even offices of news channels have not been spared either.

The Marathi Patrakar Parishad, Action Committee Against Attacks on Journalists and other organisations have been urging the government to pass a legislation to protect journalists while discharging their duties. They have even held protests whenever journalists are being assaulted.

The accused are roaming scot free due to the lackadaisical attitude of the government. The government is not serious about framing a law to make attacks on scribes a non-bailable and cognisable offence hence they are being attacked by miscreants who are aware that no action will be taken against them, said S. M. Deshmukh convenor of Action Committee Against Attacks on Journalists.

Persons associated with some or the other political party were involved in sixty six incidents of attack on journalists. They also issue threats to journalists. Even police have attacked scribes. Ten per cent of the attack has been committed by goons and mafias. Even if a case is filed and accused is arrested he is granted bail after few days.

If the government is offering protection to doctors then why they dont think about enhancing security of journalists? They must make attacks on journalists a non-bailable offence. Such type of cases must be heard in fast track courts. Whenever we carry out protests the government only gives false assurance about bringing a legislation to protect journalists, said Kiran Naik member of Action Committee Against Attacks on Journalists.

Last year journalist Raghvendra Dubey, who was the owner and journalist of Local Weekly newspaper Khushboo Ujala, was found dead, two other journalists  Santosh Mishra (44) and Shashi Sharma (49)  were attacked outside White House bar at Mira Road.
When Pakistani shopkeeper Abdur Rahims phone rang in mid-October, he was shocked to hear the voice of a senior terrorist commander demanding protection money from him and his fellow traders in the Swat Valley.

The menacing call was taken seriously in a northern pocket of the country where Pakistani Taliban insurgents took partial control in 2007, before being ousted two years later in a major military operation hailed as a telling blow against Islamist violence.

Locals fear that recent threats of extortion and a spate of targeted killings earlier this year mark an attempt by the Taliban to regain a foothold in the picturesque, mountainous area they once ruled with an iron fist.

Western powers, including the United States which has thousands of troops fighting other militant groups across the nearby border in Afghanistan, want to see jihadi networks along the frontier crushed.

During the October 19 conversation, Mullah Akhtar, a commander close to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah, ordered Rahim to collect money from 15,000 members of the Swat Traders Federation, of which he is president.

But in a tense exchange, Rahim refused to cooperate, and told Akhtar militants were not welcome in Swat.

According to Rahim, Akhtar boiled over with rage: I will blow you up, so that even the doctors wont be able to find the pieces.

Since the call, Rahims life has changed.

Speaking to Reuters in Swats main town of Mingora, he stood flanked by two armed policemen, while plainclothed officers keep a watchful eye in the background. CCTV cameras monitor his home.

MOTIVES UNCLEAR

Representatives of the terrorist movement could not be reached for comment on their tactics in Swat Valley; some residents believe demands for money and a rise in attacks in the first half of the year are signs of desperation.

Attacks have been a part of life there since 2010, including the attempted assassination of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012, but in recent months the murders have stopped after a series of arrests by police.

The Taliban have also struggled to build ideological support after their bloody two-year rule that saw them impose a harsh version of Islamic law on the valleys 2 million residents.

The group remains active elsewhere, however, particularly in southern Baluchistan province, where a faction of the Taliban and ISIS have claimed responsibility for a series of bomb and gun attacks that have killed more than 180 people.

The Pakistani military will be desperate to keep the Taliban out of Swat, the first sizeable region outside lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan to fall to the terrorists.

The armys publicity wing did not respond to requests for comment on the situation in the area.
US President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of one China, questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.

Trumps comments on Fox News Sunday came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwans president on Dec. 2.

I fully understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump told Fox.

Trumps call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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.

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trumps remarks.

After Trumps phone conversation with Taiwans president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that

Washingtons one China policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the US relationship with China could be undermined by a flaring up of the Taiwan issue.

Following Trumps latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwans leader.

I dont want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me, Trump said. It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I cant take a call?

I think it actually would`ve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it, Trump added.

Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next US ambassador to China.

But Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the US State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next US president should take bolder steps to halt China`s military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.

Bolton said Washington should consider using a diplomatic ladder of escalation that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.
Iraqis Mourn Destruction of Ancient City of Nimrud

NIMRUD, Iraq -- When ISIS swept into Mosul two years ago, Leila Salih begged the militants not to destroy the Mosul Museum, where she worked, or at the archaeological site at Nimrud, which she helped oversee, just south of the city. "I told them we would destroy the graves ourselves if they just left the buildings standing," she told NBC News. "I begged them to save Iraq's history." But the pleas fell on deaf ears. Several videos released by the militants last year show ISIS fighters using sledgehammers, power tools, and bulldozers to demolish priceless sculptures and stone carvings. What they didn't destroy with explosives they tore down by hand. Built three thousand years ago -- and forgotten for centuries -- the ancient city of Nimrud was the second capital of the Assyrian empire, which at its height extended to modern-day Egypt, Turkey and Iran. Archaeologists first began excavating Nimrud in the 1840s, finding the remnants of ancient palaces, sculptures, and cuneiform tablets -- some of the earliest examples of writing known to man. The UNESCO heritage site was considered one of the most important archaeological finds in the world. Most famous for its colossal Lamassu sculptures -- hulking winged mythical beasts with a human face, the body of a bull and the wings of an eagle. The site was leveled by ISIS last year but retaken by Iraqi forces last month. Today, the ancient city lies in ruins. Salih tears up thinking about Nimrud's destruction -- 60 percent of what's been excavated now gone, according to her estimate. Seeing Nimrud as a schoolgirl inspired her to become an archaeologist; many of her colleagues are still trapped inside the city. "It is a tragic thing -- our culture, our history, our memories," she says, wiping her eyes. "They tried to destroy the identity of Iraq. The only thing we can do now is document the damage so we can start thinking of how to rebuild again." A recent visit to Nimrud revealed the devastating scale of the destruction. Just the archway entrance to famed Northwest Palace, built by the Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II, remains, surrounded by piles of rubble. The fragments of its former winged guardians lie in a heap nearby. Although ISIS fighters have been pushed out, the site lies unprotected. Sheikh Khalid al-Jabbouri, a local tribal commander from Nimrud, says he wept when he first saw how little remained of the ancient city that generations of his family used to take care of. "I wasn't as devastated when they destroyed my house or when they killed some of my relatives because this is life -- all of us die," he says, surveying the damage. "But Nimrud was like a part of our family. This heritage was part of our lives, part of all of Iraq." Iraq has lost thousands of precious objects from its national museum and other
December 12, 2016

The Israeli government returned to the Supreme Court Dec. 11 to request yet again that it postpone the evacuation of the unauthorized outpost of Amona (scheduled for Dec. 25 at the latest) by one month. The court rejected earlier requests, saying that the state had had plenty of time to prepare for and fulfill the courts ruling made two years ago.

The settlement itself is already preparing for the evacuation. Hundreds of young people arrived there over the weekend, turning the evacuation into a mass event.

The whole region is seething, Salim Abu Qas told Al-Monitor. Abu Qas is a resident of the village of Ein Yabrud, right next to Amona. Hundreds of settlers have been coming here, and were concerned. He said that these days, residents of the nearby Palestinian villages try not to wander around the area too much.

The Palestinians are concerned about more than just violent clashes with settlers preparing for the evacuation. Citing past experience, they anticipate the government taking steps to appease the settlers after the evacuation by starting to demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank's Area C and in Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. Qadura Fares, a senior Fatah member in the West Bank, told Al-Monitor that there is a familiar ritual. Whenever there is tension between the settlers and the Israeli authorities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushes to compensate the settlers.

Youve become a settler state. They decide how all of you live, said Fares. Ever since the debate began over the evacuation of the families living in Amona, the Civil Administration has increased the rate at which it demolished homes in Area C. We are sure that once the evacuation is over, it will want to make it up to them and alleviate their anger, so it will turn the spotlight on us instead. Were the ones who will feel the brunt of Netanyahus hard hand.

It is hard to tell if this pessimistic prediction is likely. If, however, we have learned anything in these last few years, it is that in the race between Netanyahu and HaBayit HaYehudi chairman Naftali Bennett to win the hearts of the settlers, the prime minister will try to show that he is their most loyal and effective representative. The government is already following Netanyahus instructions to approve an extensive compensation package for families living in Amona. It is worth remembering that the unauthorized outpost was set up near water tanks belonging to the Israeli Mekorot water company by bringing in first one and then an entire camp of trailers. Residents of the settlement of Ofra left the confines of their own settlement to move into the trailers in a move to expand the territory under their control. None of these settlers paid any money for the land. Nor did they pay for the trailers, which were purchased by the World Zionist Organizations Settlement Division and were parked on privately owned Palestinian land.

Fares notes that even after the Supreme Court ordered Israel to destroy the Ulpana neighborhood built on privately owned Palestinian land adjacent to the Beit El settlement, Israel did what he called somersaults in the air to compensate the settlers and to appease them," adding, "That is the pattern. That is the way Netanyahu has acted all of these years." At that time, in July 2015, right after the implementation of the Supreme Courts ruling, Netanyahu ordered the construction of 300 new housing units in another part of the settlement to replace those that were demolished. He even instructed Israeli forces to try to dismantle the unauthorized buildings stone by stone (instead of using bulldozers), at a cost of tens of millions of shekels. He was worried that images of the destruction of these buildings would offend the settlers and be harmful to his image.

This gentle dismantling operation never actually took place, because it was impossible from an operational perspective. On the other hand, Palestinians say that that same week, IDF bulldozers destroyed dozens of unauthorized buildings in Palestinian settlements adjacent to Beit El. According to Fares, it is believed that the Netanyahu government will lift the freeze on settlement construction of hundreds of new housing units to prove to the settlers that the evacuation of Amona was worthwhile. Look, they may be evacuating Amona, but they are whitewashing all the other illegal settlements, said Fares.

In a conversation with Al-Monitor, Riyad Najar, the head of the village council of Burin, which lies next to Beit El, confirmed that once the Ulpana neighborhood of Beit El was demolished, there was a series of what he calls retaliatory actions, in which Palestinian homes in his village and other nearby villages were destroyed. It is a well-known pattern of behavior. It happens again and again, said Najar.

But the main concern of Palestinians living in Area C is not limited to the construction of Jewish homes or the demolition of Palestinian ones. Whenever there is tension with settlers, there is a huge increase in the number of price tag activities, Abu Qas told Al-Monitor. He was referring to acts of vandalism and violence by extreme right Jews against Muslims and Christians.

According to him, people living in Palestinian villages near Amona have suffered years of repeated attacks by settlers. These attacks, he notes, are now reaching record highs. What you have to know is that generally, the most extreme settlers go to the illegal outposts, including Amona, Abu Qas explained. Whenever they see Palestinian property, they think of it as something they can destroy. They damage vehicles, they throw stones and they uproot trees. They consider us the reason they cannot expand and take over the entire territory. We are certain that there will be price tag attacks.

Abu Qas went on to say that Palestinians have formed their own "civil guard units" to patrol the territory at night and prevent settler attacks. They have not forgotten how the home of the Dawabsha family in the village of Douma was burned down in July 2015, burning three people, including a toddler, to death and leaving a 4-year-old severely injured. But if we do run into armed settlers, we dont have too many tools to fight back. They are usually protected by the army, so theres not a lot we can do, he said.
December 12, 2016

The Lebanese parliaments Administration and Justice Committee agreed Dec. 7 to abolish Article 522 of the penal code, which allows rapists to avoid prosecution if they marry their victims. The committee is currently discussing a draft law that will be presented later on to parliament, and it is considering amending articles 503-522 about misdemeanors and honor violations, by adding penalties and forcing stricter punishments.

Civil society and feminist organizations have been asking for the abolition of Article 522 of the penal code, nicknamed the rape law, for years. The first step taken by Lebanese lawmakers not only invalidates it but also improves the law for women and against rape in general. This was made possible by a very strong advocacy campaign led by the nongovernmental organization ABAAD, which gathered data and statistics on public opinion in Lebanon about that law and talked with lawmakers.

For example, only 1% of the Lebanese knew about this law, according to a 2016 survey by ABAAD. Article 522 is from the French mandate, Soulayma Mardam-Bey, the communications officer for ABAAD, told Al-Monitor.

It provides that in the event of a regular marriage between the perpetrator of a rape and his victim, all proceedings against him shall be suspended and, if conviction is pronounced, the execution of the sentence shall also be suspended. We consider that this article is a violation of human rights and questions women's and girls' rights to dignity. Through this campaign, we want the repeal of Article 522, to emphasize that rape is a crime and as such must be punished, and to insist on the fact that it is the right of every woman to refuse to marry her rapist and that it is necessary to put an end to the stigmatization. Some women are actually forced by their family to marry their rapist for a question of honor, Mardam-Bey explained. Although no statistics can be found on how many women are affected in the country, around three women per week reported sexual abuse in 2016, according to the Internal Security Forces.

Lebanese Forces parliament member Elie Keyrouz presented the new draft law. I have asked for the law to be taken away because I consider that it aims directly [at] the Lebanese woman, as in her human value, pride and the safety of her physical, mental and emotional state, Keyrouz told Al-Monitor.

Keyrouz said the article in question is unsuitable for Lebanon, noting that other Arab countries had repealed similar statutes. "Article 522 has been part of the Lebanese laws for 70 years; the time has come to get rid of it and empower women to be able to defend themselves, Keyrouz added. Egypt repealed Article 291 in 1999, while Morocco repealed Article 475 in 2014, two years after a 16-year-old girl killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist.

In 2016, 1,976 young women benefited from the Women and Girls Safe Spaces set up by ABAAD in 2015, which provides psychosocial activities, follow-up and psychological support, legal advice and representation in court, and emergency shelter for women fleeing violence or high-risk situations. Of these 1,976, ABAAD cannot provide information on how many married their rapists. The subject is extremely sensitive, Mardam-Bey insisted.

Between the pain of rape, forced marriage and taboos related to sexuality, few women dare to express themselves clearly on this subject. Female victims of violence, whether under Article 522 or not, suffer from feelings of inferiority and rejection. They lose self-confidence, feel abandoned and isolated, and suffer a sense of exclusion and stigmatization. If there are certain psychological predispositions, this can lead to psychological decompensation such as depression, suicidal behavior, etc., she added.

For these reasons, Al-Monitor could not meet any woman who had been forced to marry her rapist, as not to affect her healing process.

For Mardam-Bey, this legal step is part of cumulative victories, which will enable us one day to achieve legal equality between the male and female citizens in Lebanon. This step comes after the adoption of the domestic violence law in April 2014 that guarantees more protection for women and children from violence in a household. But organizations still ask for this law to be changed to improve protection for women, as well as a regulation against early marriage and the right of women to pass their nationality on to their children.

The parliament has now to confirm the Administration and Justice Committee's decision for Article 522 to be legally repealed. It's a process that could lead for this decision to be mitigated, Maya Ammar, the media officer for the nongovernmental organization Kafa, told Al-Monitor. We have to wait and see carefully what is going to happen at the parliament.
December 1, 2016

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, near Jerusalem, has signed a protocol of cooperation with the Turkish Institute of Yunus Emre to start teaching Turkish at the university. Based on the Nov. 13 agreement, qualified teachers will offer courses on the Turkish language, culture, history and arts. The two institutions will also conduct joint research.

Al-Quds University is among 45 institutions around the world to partner with the Turkish Yunus Emre Institute. Notably, the university granted Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan an honorary doctorate in 2012 in recognition of his support for the Palestinian cause.

Rajaa Yousef, a 21-year-old student at Al-Quds University, told Al-Monitor that the opportunity to learn Turkish is a chance to learn about other cultures. She added that Turkish would come in handy should she decide to finish her postgraduate studies at a Turkish university.

Ramez al-Khatib, another Al-Quds student, told Al-Monitor that many universities around the world started teaching the Turkish language after the Turkish renaissance under Erdogan, stressing that the Turkish course in Jerusalem will attract high enrollment.

Hassan Dweik, Al-Quds University's acting president and vice president of communication and development, told Al-Monitor, Teaching Turkish in Jerusalem will open new horizons as far as academic cooperation is concerned, especially in the area of scientific research."

According to the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Turkey is rapidly increasing spending on research and development and is prominent among world countries in scientific output. According to the Global Research and Development Funding Forecast, Turkey occupied the 18th position in the world in spending on research and development in 2013.

We currently teach English, Italian and French at the university, and we look forward to deepening our relationship with Turkey through the teaching of their language, he said. Dweik expects other Palestinian universities to follow suit, as many Palestinian students enroll at Al-Quds University with funding from the Turkish governments scholarship program for Palestinian students at home and abroad.

Dweik said that Turkish language courses will benefit both Palestinian and Turkish students and that Turkish students would be encouraged to come to Jerusalem. We now have Turkish students studying political science, Middle Eastern studies, dawah [the preaching of Islam] and theology, he said.

There are 10 Turkish students currently enrolled in Al-Quds University, according to Dweik, as part of an exchange program with EU funding. The EU offers its support to education and technical and scientific training in Palestine as a way to develop education and training centers and increase their efficiency. On Dec. 10, 2015, the EU launched a four-year project that offers training programs in Palestine in cooperation with the ministries of labor and higher education.

Dweik pointed out that the Turkish language course, an elective, will be divided into beginner and advanced levels. He said it will prepare students for when they travel to study in Turkish universities.

Anwar Zakaria, the assistant undersecretary for higher education in Palestine, said he is very supportive of foreign language education in Palestine. Zakaria told Al-Monitor that language courses are primarily intended not to support the labor market but to strengthen Palestinian relations and ties with foreign countries. He added, I wish every university in Palestine could start teaching foreign languages. We need to strengthen relations with the countries of the world.

Zakaria said Turkish courses in Jerusalem will allow Palestinian and Turkish universities to cooperate, particularly in postgraduate programs."

In a working paper submitted during a conference on promoting cooperation between Palestinian universities and the private sector held on Sept. 13, 2015, the Palestinian Ministry of Labor confirmed the widening gap between university graduates and the labor market. It also stated that some graduates are worried about rising unemployment rates, especially since some academic specializations are now flooding the Palestinian market.

Economic analyst Nouhad Nashwan told Al-Monitor that the introduction of foreign language proficiencies to the Palestinian labor force positively affects the economy.

Nashwan said that the labor market requires knowledge of languages other than Arabic due to the presence of many international and regional companies in Palestine such as banks, telecommunications companies, insurance companies and international accounting companies.

It is normal for a Turkish company looking to invest in Palestine to require a link" to Palestine, Nashwan added. "And that link can be the university graduate who speaks foreign languages.

Nashwan explained that Palestine needs to strengthen its links with Turkey to take advantage of the economic boom the country is experiencing. He noted that Turkish investments strengthen the value of investment in Palestine and and create more job opportunities for Palestinians.

The Turkish language courses at Al-Quds University will undoubtedly lead other Palestinian universities to follow the trend. Palestine can expect to see increasing academic openness to foreign cultures and languages.
December 12, 2016

Turkey's efforts in the satellite space race have experienced turbulence over the years, but they got a boost with the recent launch of its Gokturk-1 satellite, which will meet the countrys civilian and military intelligence needs around the world.

Gokturk-1 launched Dec. 5 from French Guiana as a Turkish air force project and has become the country's second active military satellite and fifth overall. The Gokturk-2 military satellite launched in 2012.

Turkey has a $1 billion budget for ambitious in-country satellite projects. Using satellite production facilities it set up in the Kazan district of Ankara in 2015 with an investment of $112 million, its goal is to launch in 2017 Turksat 5A and Turksat 5B satellites, which will be jointly manufactured with foreign partners. Turksat 6A, which will be produced 100% locally, is expected to launch in 2019. The country is also building a satellite launching station in the Mediterranean province of Mugla.

Turkey wants to increase its number of satellites to 10 by 2023. The goal is to operate a fleet that will cover South America, eastern North America, Europe, Asia, Western Australia and all of Africa. When that project is complete, Turkey will have direct communication links with 91% of the world population through its own satellites.

During the Gokturk launching ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bitterly criticized the United States and some other Western countries for imposing military embargoes on Turkey.

From our many friends in NATO, we want to buy unarmed [drones]  not even armed ones. They tell us, Not today; ask tomorrow. And their final excuse is, Congress did not allow it. Arent we together in NATO? Arent we on the same side? What are they doing to us? But their attitude taught us lessons. We are now manufacturing ourselves what we need, much more cheaply, he said.

Turkey began using satellites in 1968 through stations in Iran and Yugoslavia. With the Turksat National Communication Satellites Project that became operational in 1994, the country launched its first Turkish satellite, Turksat 1B, followed by Turksat 1C in 1996 and Turksat 2A in January 2001.

But Turkey has still not overcome a key institutional deficiency: It has no national space agency. Incredibly, Turkey tried and failed to form an agency four times: in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2011. It appears the failures were caused by dismal coordination between the government, parliament and the military command, and their struggle over whether the military or civilians would run the agency.

According to new plans under a draft bill being prepared, the Space Agency of Turkey (TUA) will resemble such agencies in other countries and will be under full civilian control, apolitical, self-sufficient and empowered to coordinate with other entities at the highest levels. It will also have a unit that will plan and coordinate military and space operations related to national security. Yet the bill has been delayed, once again because of major problems in determining how the military and civilians will share authority and responsibility. Arguments on the functions, relations with universities and the defense industry, and the budget might also help explain why Turkey has not been able to set up its TUA for 26 years.

Will Turkey be able to afford the massive funding needed for sustained space activities? Russia, a leading spender in space, allots 0.25% of its gross domestic product to space operations. The United States spends 0.23%. At the other end of the list, just ahead of Indonesia, is Turkey, which allots 0.01% of its gross domestic product to space. According to Euroconsult data, Turkey spent only $67 million for civilian space programs in 2013.

The country also lacks a space policy, which has to be a priority. TUA will have to establish productive and robust relations in the countrys education, technology, trade, economy, security and foreign policy spheres. The agency also will have to develop and sustain relations with the defense industry and civil society organizations. The TUA will of course be expected to plan projects and secure financing for them. But given the unresolved strategic imbroglio, all this will take more time.

Another question Turkey will have to cope with is the problem of finding qualified people. Today, about 500 people work in the space field; 150 of them are engineers. There is hardly any work being done in research and development. Turkey will have to come up with a long-term personnel recruitment and training plan for space activities  especially since the Turkish air force, which is the driving engine of space activities, has suffered significant personnel losses since the July 15 coup attempt and subsequent purge. In the aftermath of the purge, some of the qualified space project personnel were dismissed, the Air Force Academy closed and the Aeronautics and Space Technologies Institute, which was the sole institution offering graduate studies in space sciences, was shut down.

The last and probably most significant structural barrier to Turkeys space activities is actually sociological. The public is not interested in space sciences and related issues, and there is no motivation for innovating and developing technologies. Universities are largely lagging in interest in space studies and dont offer programs to educate and attract students to these fields.

Parallel to the debate over Erdogan's goal of achieving an executive presidency and building a new country, the process of forming an official space agency will offer clues to the institutional capacity to achieve the goal of a new Turkey.
Birmingham has won a federal assistance program that will help support a new bus rapid transit station.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration announced the program Monday as part of its Transit Oriented Development Technical Assistance Initiative, which supports efforts to create mixed-use, walkable communities near transit, especially those benefiting high-poverty areas.

The program will provide in-kind assistance to support a station area plan around a new bus rapid transit station by the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority with support from the City of Birmingham. The project will aim to maximize transit-oriented development around the transit center by developing tools that can be replicated at other transit stations along the corridor. The project will also aim to develop a website and other outreach strategies.

Charlotte, North Carolina; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; and Tacoma, Washington all received FTA grants Monday as well.

A city spokesperson has not responded to a request for comment.

"By sharing expertise in transit-oriented development, we are helping create the kind of growth that's right for each community while leveraging our investments in transit," FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers said in a statement.
Lee County is one of 16 areas around the U.S. where job growth remains strong in spite of sharp declines in manufacturing employment, according to a nationwide study.

The region is "resilient" because it is home to Auburn University, which has served as a economic engine in attracting investment, manufacturing and technical saavy for its residents, the study continued.

The results, published in the Wall Street Journal, come from numbers compiled by the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. thinktank. Since 2001, the Journal reported, Lee County has added 14,000 jobs, which is five times the growth rate for the rest of the United States.

Other resilient areas identified by the study included Athens, Ga., Corvallis, Ore., Charlottesville, Va., and Charlotte, N.C.

The Journal story identified Auburn's status as a land-grant university as being central to its ability to work with industry and local government in economic expansion.

But the story is larger than Auburn University, as Opelika in the last decade has announced industry investments and expansions totaling more than $1 billion, according to the city's economic development website.

Philip Dunlap, the city of Auburn's director of economic development, was one of those quoted in the story. But the larger picture, he said, was the moves that Auburn and Opelika made over the last three decades to diversify.

While Auburn University, with its government funding and related economic activity, provides a good anchor, the city of Auburn began in the early eighties working aggressively toward further economic development. Its strategy relied on being selective in going after diverse, relatively stable industry.

Specifically over the last decade, Auburn went after technology-based added-value manufacturing, he said. The automotive supply companies that began locating in Alabama following the construction of Vance's MercedesBenz plant in the nineties is just one example.

Identifying opportunities and recruiting allowed the Lee County area to go from four industries with more than 800 jobs to more than 60 with 6,000 jobs, Dunlap said.

And attracting manufacturing and technology jobs has had its effect on the university. Earlier this year, Auburn University established a Center for Industrialized Additive Manufacturing, to concentrate on 3-D printing as is already in use in Auburn's GE Aviation plant. The technology employs computer and lasers to fabricate parts out of plastics, metals and other materials for use in manufacturing.
The adoptive parents of a 14-year-old boy hospitalized after he was found to have been kept "isolated" in the basement of his Helena home for much of two years claim that their $1 million bond is "excessive and illegal," and are asking the amount to be reduced.

Attorneys for Richard and Cynthia Kelly, charged with aggravated child and have remained behind bars since their Nov. 14 arrests, filed an emergency motion for expedited hearing to reduce bond, according to court records. Shelby County District Judge Daniel Crowson granted the motion, and will hold a hearing Wednesday morning.

Barry Alvis, who is defending Cynthia Kelly, said his client is charged with a Class B felony, which carries a recommended bond range of $5,000 to $30,000. He notes that Cynthia Kelly does not have any prior felony or misdemeanor arrest, or any type of criminal history. "This is not a capital crime, therefore the defendant has the right to bail,'' Alvis wrote. He quoted the Eighth Amendment, writing, "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

Richard Kelly's attorney, Jarred Welborn, also asked for an expedited bond reduction hearing. Both suspects were scheduled to have preliminary hearings this week: Cynthia Kelly, 47, on Wednesday, and Richard Kelly, 56, on Thursday. Richard Kelly's preliminary hearing, however, has now been scheduled for Jan. 4. Previous efforts to reach both attorneys have been unsuccessful.

The plight of the young teen came to light the weekend of Nov. 12 when the boy was taken to Children's of Alabama. Helena Police Chief Pete Folmar said the boy, weighing only 55 pounds, was kept in "forced isolation" and was described by doctors as severely and chronically malnourished, dehydrated, suffering from acute respiratory distress, shock, hypothermia, hypothyroid and close to death.

His adoptive parents two days later were charged with aggravated child abuse and have remained behind bars in Shelby County since their arrests. According to the arrest warrants for the parents, the couple is accused of denying food, nourishment and medical care to the boy, who was "subjected to forced isolation for extended period of time." Authorities have said that "isolation" was disciplinary in nature. There were no signs, however, the boy was handcuffed, chained or restrained.

Neither Richard nor Cynthia Kelly, who have lived in Helena for about 20 years, show any previous criminal record in Alabama. Richard Kelly worked in the computer technology field but had been unemployed for several weeks at the time of his arrest. Cynthia Kelly was a stay-at-home mother who home-schooled her adopted children.

The teen's biological brother, 18-year-old Eddie Carter, spoke extensively with AL.com. Now living in Arizona, Carter says he suffered the same neglect, abuse and despair at the hands of Richard and Cynthia Kelly. He said he was kept in the basement for weeks and months at a time.

"You're down there and nobody knows you're down there except the people in the house,'' said Carter in extensive interviews with AL.com. "It's up to those people to make sure everything's going to be all right and it's not all right and you're kinda lost. You sit in the corner and weigh out what means the most. It was horrible. Horrific.

"It gets to that point where you're like an animal,'' Carter said. "You feel like an animal."

Carter recently returned to Birmingham to try to visit his brother, who remains hospitalized but is recovering. His brother wasn't ready to see him or any other family, but Carter vows to be there for him if and when he's ready.

"We'll be all right, and I don't have to worry about anybody ever hurting my brother again,'' Carter said. "I just want to make sure everything I'm doing in Arizona and that I have lined up is beneficial not only for me but for him too. If I could talk to him, I'd let him know my place is always open to him. I'm his family."
staton prison gate horizontal.JPG

Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County is shown in September 2013.

(Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

The chief psychiatrist for the Ohio prison system said the Alabama prison system fails to spot mental illness in many inmates and lacks the staff to effectively treat those who are diagnosed.

Dr. Kathryn Burns testified that the number of inmates identified as mentally ill in Alabama - about 14 percent of all prisoners - indicates that many who need treatment are being missed.

Burns said about 25 to 30 percent of male prisoners are generally on mental health caseloads in other prison systems. She said the numbers are generally higher for female inmates.

"The prevalence rates suggest that people are being missed," Burns testified.

Burns testified that treatment plans for mentally ill inmates are not updated frequently enough when a crisis or self-injury indicates changes are needed.

She said some inmates who hurt themselves are not added to the mental health caseload.

Today is the sixth day of the non-jury trial in U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson's courtroom.

Inmates, backed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy program and others, claim in the class-action lawsuit that the failure to provide mental health care in state prisons violates the Eighth Amendment.

The Department of Corrections disputes the allegations. The DOC provides mental health care through a contractor, MHM Services.

MHM's chief psychiatrist in Alabama testified last week and defended the level of care.

The trial, which started Dec. 5, is expected to last about eight weeks.

Burns, an expert witness for the plaintiffs, visited nine Alabama prisons, interviewed 77 prisoners, spoke briefly with 25 others and reviewed mental health records and logs.

Much of her testimony today mirrored a 68-page report she submitted to the court in July.

Burns, questioned by SPLC attorney Maria Morris, said the prisons have too few psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, licensed counselors and registered nurses.

Burns said it appeared that many counseling sessions amounted only to quick check-ins because counselors have caseloads that are too large.

"There just isn't enough time in the day to conduct individual counseling on a regular basis with that many people," Burns said.

Burns also testified that it's a concern that prison counselors are not required to be licensed.

Burns said the system relies too heavily on licensed practical nurses, who have less training than registered nurses.

Burns said she based her opinions on her experience, standards of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and other factors.

Burns testified that she had been involved in prison mental health litigation in a number of states, including a previous case in Alabama.

The state entered a settlement agreement in 2000 in that case, Bradley v. Haley, according to her report.

That agreement required the DOC to hire more psychiatrists and psychologists than is provided under its current contract with MHM even though it applied to a smaller population of inmates and male inmates only.

The current contract calls for more licensed practical nurses and more counselors than the agreement in 2000.

Burns broke down her written report into four opinions:

MHM does not have enough people working in prisons overall and not enough with professional credentials. A shortage of corrections officers hinders treatment because officers are not available to escort inmates to appointments or supervise clinical activities.

The process of identifying serious mental illness is inadequate so many are not diagnosed. Others who are diagnosed receive only psychotropic medication, not the comprehensive care they need.

The residential treatment units and stabilization units, for the most seriously mentally ill, are underused. Inmates housed there don't get enough time talking to counselors. Prisoners whose illness is untreated or undertreated are often placed in segregation as a punishment for behaviors caused by their illness.

Quality assurance and contract oversight are lacking.

Burns is being paid $350 an hour for her work, as well as $100 an hour for travel time.

Burns is expected to be on the stand again on Tuesday. Lawyers for the Department of Corrections have not yet had a chance to question her.

Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn is scheduled to testify on Wednesday.

Edited at 2:11 p.m. to correct wording in first sentence, changing "who are going undiagnosed" to "who are diagnosed." Edited at 5:14 p.m. to add more information from Burns' report.


A former Tuscaloosa County court bailiff has been indicted on four felonies, including using his office for personal gain.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange on Monday announced the arrest of 46-year-old Quenton Wesley, who worked as bailiff in Tuscaloosa County District Court. He is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, intentional use of office for personal gain and two counts of soliciting or receiving anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.

Strange's Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Tuscaloosa grand jury last month, and Wesley was indicted on Friday, Dec. 9. He surrendered to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office on Friday, and was later released on $17,500 bond.

According to a press release issued Monday, the indictment alleges Wesley intentionally used his official position or office to obtain personal gain for himself or a business with which he is associated - Good Times Night Club. Authorities said he solicited or received money from two people for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action, and that he possessed a forged instrument in violation of Alabama law.

Authorities are not yet releasing additional information about the investigation or Wesley's alleged crimes. If convicted, he faces two to 20 years for the three ethics violations, which are Class B felonies, and one year and a day to 10 years on the second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, which is a Class C felony.
Fed up with coyotes plaguing their town, one north Alabama community is calling in the feds to get the problem under control -- federal animal control officers that is.

Decatur officials tell The Decatur Daily that they have recently received multiple complaints about coyotes throughout the city.

Now Decatur's City Council has voted for an initial $5,000 expense to hire a federal agency to help out -- the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Wildlife Services.

"I just want the city to get the coyotes under control," said resident Karen Aldridge, whose Chihuahua, Zoey, survived a coyote attack Dec. 1.

She said Zoey is normally kept in a fenced backyard, but got free and quickly ended up in a coyote's jaws. "I don't know how she got loose, but she's a fighter," she told the paper.

The newspaper reported coyotes have been seen in woods near an elementary school and in a nearby drainage ditch. Residents are being discouraged from feeding stray cats that coyotes can prey upon.

Police Chief Nate Allen urged those with a coyote complaint to call a police non-emergency number so an Animal Services control officer can be dispatched to investigate -- and order a trap to be set if warranted.

Captured coyotes are usually relocated as long as they are not injured, sick or rabid, Allen noted. He cautioned residents against firing guns inside city limits in trying to get rid of coyotes, noting the danger of stray bullets.
Jerry King.jpg

Huntsville police Sgt. Jerry King

(File photo)

Editor's note: This story has been updated with details of the alleged crime.

A Huntsville police sergeant who was on desk duty after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge has resumed his full duties with the Madison-Morgan County HIDTA Drug Task Force.

"Appropriate disciplinary action" was leveled against Huntsville police Sgt. Jerry King after he was arrested for disorderly conduct in Tuscaloosa in October, HPD spokesman Lt. Stacy Bates said.

"Internally, the investigation was wrapped up and everything was addressed in a departmental hearing," Bates said. "Appropriate disciplinary action was taken. We can't release any specifics about it, but he has since been released to full duty status."

Tuscaloosa police told WAFF-48 King was arrested at 3:18 a.m. on Oct. 22. King was yelling and screaming at a woman then used profanity against an officer who tried to calm him down, WAFF reported.

He was jailed with bail set at $300.

Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray told the TV station King and his wife were in Tuscaloosa for the Alabama game. He bonded out and went home Saturday before the game.

The criminal case is still pending, according to a spokeswoman in the Tuscaloosa Municipal Court.

Bates said the charge is expected to be dropped.

If convicted of the Class C misdemeanor, King, a 20-year veteran of HPD, could face no more than 30 days in a county jail.
Robertson_edited.jpg

Decatur police Lt. Proncey Robertson

An Alabama police department spokesman, who also chairs the Lawrence County Republican party, has undergone sensitivity awareness training following "sarcastic" comments he made on social media.

Decatur police Public Information Officer Lt. Proncey Robertson became the subject of an internal affairs investigation last month because of comments he made on Facebook referencing the Ku Klux Klan, Muslims, President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump.

Decatur police Chief Nate Allen

"It's pretty much taken care of," Decatur police Chief Nate Allen said today. "Lt. Robertson has been through sensitivity awareness counseling, especially on account of this public and private sarcasm post."

Robertson has said the comments, which were made on his personal Facebook page, were "sarcastic."

Robertson made the comments on a post he shared that included a link to a story about a hacking group publishing the identities of police officers and politicians who are affiliated with the KKK. The hacking group is known as "Anonymous."

The Facebook conversation involved a person who accused President-elect Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon of being "alt-right white male supremacist! The KKK is in the White House-they are very relevant," the commenter said.

Robertson responded with, " 'Well,, If we survived a Musli(m) President born in Kenya,, surely we can survive one little klansman. #GoodGrief.'"

"The Klan and every other white Supremacist groups out there are completely 'irrelevant' unless the media and groups like this advertise and put them on the front page," Robertson also wrote on Facebook. "They have NO influence on anyone or any group that matters. The klan and this ideology has been dead and gone for decades."

In a later Facebook post, Robertson said the comments do not reflect his beliefs.

"I want to make it clear to all of you who did not see the post or may see it again in the future that this single 'Sarcastic comment' was made as a jest in response to what I thought was a radical, statement about 'White Supremacist/KKK' being in the new Trump White House," Robertson wrote. "For the record, I do NOT believe that White Supremacist have infiltrated the Trump White House. Like wise I do NOT believe President Obama is a Muslin born in Kenya. I believe both statements are radical opinions that are meant to create division."

Robertson said today he doesn't have further comment on the matter.

Allen, who took over as Chief in May, said he believes the comments are part of an "isolated incident" and that Robertson meant no ill will.

"I think he was trying to do the right thing and it went wrong," Allen said.

In addition to serving as the department's public information officer, Robertson also oversees school resource officers and the department's community resources unit.

Allen said Robertson will remain in those roles, and his position will not be affected.

Earlier this year, Gurley police Chief Barry Pendergraft came under fire for comments he made on Facebook about "bacon-greased bullets."
As Europes biggest economies head to the polls in 2017, will Greece follow suit?

The eurozones biggest economies, France and Germany, hold elections next year. So may Italy, its third biggest, if a government formed out of the present parliament cannot hold.

Greece, in recent years the eurozones politically most unstable country, may now be vying for a place in the pack, adding to the shifting political parameters of 2017.

That, at least, is how some observers are interpreting Prime Minister Alexis Tsirpas decision to hand out 700 million euros ($744m) in concessions for low-income pensioners on December 8.

The announcement followed a Euro group meeting in which the ruling leftists failed to win more than short-term debt restructuring, leaving to 2018 the more substantial measures Greece needs to be viable.

Leftists trailing

The reasoning is that with the 2017 budget now safely passed in parliament last weekend and Syriza fast running out of political capital following its failure either to restructure the debt or to enter Greece into the European Central Banks quantitative-easing programme, it is time to let the conservative New Democracy (ND) assume the mantle of austerity before Syriza loses any hope of re-election in future.

The ruling leftists are now trailing ND by more than 10 points in every major recent poll.





Syriza, which was returned to power in September last year, theoretically has until 2019 to run.

Alekos Papadopoulos, former finance minister, gave the daily newspaper To Vima a caustic interview on Sunday, in which he launched a broadside at the political system for failing to undertake necessary reforms.

After seven years of crisis, the political system  deliberately hasnt allowed people to understand the causes of this crisis, Papadopoulos said.

Between 2001 and 2015, our people subsidised pension funds deficits to the tune of 220 billion euros ($234bn) through taxes and borrowing. That is equivalent to two thirds of the debt.

Papadopoulos acknowledged the many tens of billions of euros spent by European taxpayers to raise the Greek standard of living through European Union subsidies.

Still, he blasted the EU for postponing a resolution of the Greek crisis until after 2018, something he called a grand deception on the part of the Europeans.
Democratic Republic of Congo  Fifty-year-old Marie Chantel Batende feels as though she is stuck between a volcanic rock and a hard place. Four years ago, she fled her home when M23 rebels raided her farming village in the Democratic Republic of Congos (DRC) North Kivu province, making it to the Bulengo camp, an isolated and barren site for internally displaced people (IDP) where makeshift tents sit atop dark volcanic rock.

Bulengo is more than 10km of unpaved, rock-filled roads away from the provincial capital, Goma.

I used to be more beautiful, Batende , who now serves as Bulengos elected deputy president, told Al Jazeera in July. The wars stole my beauty. Its been a tough life.

Batende lives in Congos mineral-rich east, a region that has, for decades, been plagued by fighting between various rebel groups and the Congolese government. She has five children who, as a result of being separated from their father and other relatives due to the fighting, she has cared for on her own.

Fighting and hardship have displaced Batende more times than she can remember.

Over the years, she repeatedly fled her home in Ntoto village for nearby communities, returning just weeks or months after the violence had subsided  only to be sent running again soon after. Then, on one occasion, it did not feel safe to return  so Batende reluctantly made Bulengo her home.





She is not alone in this. An estimated 1.9 million Congolese were displaced as of September after two decades of war, hunger, and disease, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told Al Jazeera.

While the majority of displaced Congolese seek shelter with family members or in host communities, tens of makeshift IDP camps have been set up over the years to shelter those, like Batende , who have been pushed too far from home by the fighting.

Since 2012, around 59,000 IDPs have made their way to Bulengo from across the east, Batende explained. But, here in the camp, clean water, food, money, medicine, jobs and education are rarely available. Charitable groups, NGOs and UN programmes have, over the years, provided support. But with so many people in need across the east, help is always temporary, Batende said.

Here we are suffering so much, she said. Its only hunger. Children do not study. There is no food, no water.

Women are afraid to venture far for firewood or water because of the threat of sexual assault, while men are forced to travel long distances for work, or risk arrest for poaching in the nearby Virunga National Park.

Still, in her capacity as deputy president of the camp, Batende said she has done what she can to push the government and the UN for improvements in the life she and other IDPs have been forced to live.

READ MORE: DRC  I cant tell my husband I was raped

Camp closings

Life is, however, becoming more difficult for the IDPs. The government has been closing the camps and increasing pressures and restrictions on humanitarian agencies.

Since 2014, the governor of North Kivu province  an ally of President Laurent Kabila  has been calling for the closure of all IDP camps. Five have been closed since last year, while overall 47 of 60 still remain, Laingulia Njewa, the head of the National Refugee Committee (CNR) of North Kivu, which is in charge of the closures, told Al Jazeera.

Njewa said that the government is closing camps because parts of North Kivu have been stabilised and people should be able to return to their homes. He alleges that some of the camps have become hotbeds of violence, harbouring rebels who are fighting against the government. Closing the camps is also part of the governments efforts to curb the work of NGOs, who, Njewa claimed, wasted money on projects without government and community oversight.





There are some NGOs that come with money and they make their own projects, which are not really helpful and which nobody can control, Njewa said.

Anna Halford, the deputy head of mission in North Kivu for Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, said that NGOs should be considered individually.

Whats for sure is that there remain basic needs that are not met for different reasons, Halford said.

MSF does not only work with IDPs in the DRC; it also runs projects that support the general population. The organisation ran a mobile clinic in Bulengo that closed in 2014.

It is entirely possible that different NGO models are not capable of meeting the needs [of IDPs], she said, especially, she added, if there is not enough funding available.

Its not a subject that is easily covered by black and white responses, Halford said.

Weary of NGOs

Neither the UN nor aid organisations have a legal right to compel governments to keep IDP camps open, but the UN has criticised some of the camp closures as contrary to humanitarian guidelines.

In January, when North Kivu authorities closed the Mokoto camp, which was located 70km northwest of Goma and sheltered 4,300 people, for allegedly hiding Mayi-Mayi rebels and stocking firearms, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Civilian Affairs (OCHA) in the DRC, Rein Paulsen, denounced the closure as collective punishment imposed on vulnerable people.

NGOs walk a fine line in the DRC, where the government is often distrustful of their work and the scrutiny they bring. In August, the government deported long-time researcher for Human Rights Watch and vocal critic of government repression, Ida Sawyer.

Aid agencies have also had to substantially scale down operations because of drops in funding, alongside a rise in insecurities in North Kivu, including kidnappings of humanitarian workers for ransom, and clashes between the military and the pro-Rwandan Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels. MSF closed some projects after armed rebels abducted two staff members in December 2015.

And yet, over the last 18 months, there has been an increase in the number of IDPs due to a resurgence of armed groups in certain parts of North and South Kivu, Timothy Bishop of Catholic Relief Services, which works in the east of the country, told Al Jazeera.

The root causes of displacement of populations are quite far from being resolved, said Halford. When youve got security contexts like weve got, its not going to be resolved soon.

But for some Congolese, like civil society leader and journalist Chrispin Mvano Yabauma, the governments call to curb camps and NGOs resonates deeply. Many feel angry about the millions of dollars that have been spent by the more than 100 humanitarian agencies working in the east, while deep and widespread problems still seem to persist.

We agree that the Congolese government is not working well, but thats not an excuse [for NGOs] to not be doing their jobs, Yabauma told Al Jazeera in Goma. It only benefits those who work with NGOs.

NGOs come with budgets, and then spend time justifying budgets  Its big images, little impact.

READ MORE: DRC  Mobile courts deliver justice to remote areas

The role of elections

Further complicating the camp closures is the DRCs current election impasse. Kabila, who has been president for 15 years, is engaged in a battle to stay in power when his term constitutionally ends in this month  and IDPs have been caught up in this, as his allies argue that the country is safer under his rule.

Emma Fanning of the British charity Oxfam said that while threats of camp closures have been around for years, there were similar escalations around the previous presidential elections. Everyone is looking at DRC through the prism of elections, she explained last June.

DRC has never had a peaceful transfer of power. Waves of armed conflict have ravaged the countrys east since the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda  which pushed millions of Rwandan refugees and rebels over the border  and the fall of longtime dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997.





The central African country fought two wars from 1996 to 2003, which drew in half a dozen neighbouring countries, and killed and wounded millions, the majority from hunger and disease.

Kabila has ruled since taking over from his murdered father in 2001, was elected in 2006, and re-elected in 2011 amid widespread controversy.

Last September, deadly violence returned to the streets of the DRC after Kabila announced the postponement of presidential elections then slated for November. The opposition insists that the incumbent has delayed the polls in order to stay in power. In mid-October, bolstered by a constitutional court ruling, the government formally moved to put off elections until 2018, raising fears that he and his allies will resort to violence and repression to cling to power.

Back in Bulengo, Batende , like other IDPs interviewed, said she supported the governments decision to close the camps, in theory, because she too wants to go home. Thousands of IDPs have been leaving Bulengo in recent months, heeding the governments warnings that the camps will close.

But those who have stayed, like Batende , have nowhere to go: their old lives are destroyed and the journey back is not safe, she said.

If people can go back to the villages, people are ready to go, she said. You cant go back to a place thats not secure.

Others who remain in Bulengo feel the same way. Salome Kanyere Musavuli has five children and a maimed leg. She broke a bone when fleeing the FLDR rebels in her village in Masisi and never had it properly set. I cant climb the mountains to go back [home], she said.

Sixty-year-old Baidika Nakabulu voted for Kabila in the last election. Now, his hair is white from all the suffering Kabila wrought, he laments.

His stare holds steady as he shares his message to the world: They should bring us peace to go back to our farms. To work. To live.

The International Womens Media Foundation supported reporting for this story
After decades of militant atheism, Russian Communists turn to religious establishment to gain supporters.

Moscow, Russia  Jesus Christ was the worlds first Communist, Tamara Lavrischeva announced cheerfully.

Jesus said, Dont collect earthly wealth, you wont take it with you after death,' the 78-year-old pensioner and Orthodox Christian told Al Jazeera as she trudged through the snow-covered streets of central Moscow with thousands of other Communists during the November 7 rally that commemorated the almost-centennial anniversary of the 1917 Bolshevik revolution.

And Communists thought the same, she added, her voice drowned by the crowd chanting Soviet-era songs under red banners with hammers and sickles and portraits of Soviet leaders Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin.

It is a holy duty of Communists and the Orthodox Church to unite by Gennady Zuyganov, chairman, Russia's Communist Party

With a dismissive shrug and a condescending smile, Lavrischeva rejected the killings, imprisonment and persecution of millions of Orthodox Christian clerics and believers at the hand of Communists.

What she said was not just an opinion of an elderly woman who wants to reconcile her faith with the ideals of her youth in the officially atheist USSR. Her selective amnesia about the persecution of believers  well-documented and brandished by Soviet authorities  reflects a seemingly paradoxical trend in the recent policies of Russias Communist Party.

More than 25 years after the Soviet collapse, the party vocally appeals to Orthodox Christianity, Russias dominant creed. The partys sole post-Soviet chairman Gennady Zyuganov called Jesus the first Communist more than once.

It is a holy duty of Communists and the Orthodox Church to unite, Zuyganov wrote in 2012 in his partys first lengthy document on religion, because both institutions shared common goals and enemies. The goals included censorship of debauchery and violence in mass media, eradication of Western liberalism and its conception of human rights, e-government and sexual education in schools.

READ MORE: Russias resurgent love for Joseph Stalin

A populist move

Russias Orthodox Church considers two-thirds of the nations population of 143 million as its flock. Even though most of them are only nominally religious, as polls show, they still form a demographic group no political force can ignore  even if it is the biggest rival of United Russia, the ruling Kremlin behemoth.

The Communist Party easily fields tens of thousands of supporters for rallies. Zyuganov has run for president four times, always coming second, and the party he has headed since 1993 holds almost a tenth of seats in the State Duma, Russias lower house of parliament, forming its second-largest fraction.

But in reality, the Communist Party is a colossus on feet of clay.

Its support has been waning for years; its loyalists are simply dying out. The age of an average party member is 56, and the number of members has fallen to about 155,000  a trivial number in comparison with the 19.5 million Soviet Communists in 1989. The speeches of Zyuganov  balding, pudgy and famously uncharismatic  hardly attract millennials or middle-class urbanites, the main antagonists of the Kremlin.

The Communist Party needed to widen its ranks  and secure the support of its core base.





It has whitewashed the image of Stalin, whose name the Politburo condemned and made taboo in 1956. It boosted its online presence and recruited a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, a cosmonaut and a retired admiral to top its federal ticket at the September parliamentary election.

And it turned to religion  something sociologists call a populist move.

The most devout churchgoers are mostly elderly women, pensioners, in a certain sense the CPs electoral base, Denis Volkov of the Levada Centre, Russias last independent pollster, told Al Jazeera.

A symbiosis after persecution

The Churchs response to the partys overtures has been polite and positive.

All political forces should be together when it comes to the values of faith, morals, culture and our nations unity, Russian Patriarch Kirill was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying in 2014 when he handed Zyuganov a medal of Glory and Honour, his Churchs top award, on his 70th birthday.

In February, Zyuganov congratulated Kirill on the five-year anniversary of his enthronement. One of the most serious mistakes of my predecessors was that they fell out with the Church, he told the patriarch.

But, it wasnt just a matter of falling out.

Each Soviet leader before Mikhail Gorbachev sought to root out religion  be it Abrahamic faiths, Buddhism, Siberian shamanism or endemic pagan cults. Sacred texts and relics were destroyed, religious buildings blown up, desecrated and converted to stables, schools or storehouses.

READ MORE: Siberias resurgent shamanism, since the fall of the Soviet Union

Lenin laconically set the number of Orthodox priests to be executed: The more, the better. The Politburo supported the policy of militant atheism that replaced religion with a rigid ideology that prophesied the worldwide triumph of Communism, and developed an elaborate cult of Lenin and lesser Communist saints and martyrs.

This ideology was imposed through a propaganda machine designed to regulate all walks of Soviet life and indoctrinate children since pre-school. One of the first Soviet youth organisations was called Little Red Devils.

Although religion was not banned outright, authorities tried to control religious institutions by enlisting some clerics as KGB agents.

In the early 1990s, a parliamentary commission led by politician and Orthodox priest Gleb Yakunin published KGB documents purportedly proving that top Orthodox hierarchs, including future Patriarch Kirill, were KBG informers.

The Orthodox Church denied the claims and defrocked and excommunicated Yakunin. The frail priest joined a splinter Orthodox sect and was severely beaten several times by unknown assailants.

Ideological shift

But these days, Communists even blame their own godlessness on the USSRs collapse.





Atheism destroyed the Soviet Union, Vadim Potomsky, a Communist governor of the western Oryol region, reportedly said in mid-July.

Zyuganov also occasionally mentions Islam and Buddhism, whose adherents form sizeable minorities in Russia.

If Jesus Christ, Muhammad and Buddha had not been prophets, they would have been 100 percent Communists, Zuyganov told the Kommersant daily in December 2015. The U-turn towards religion also reflects a tectonic transformation in the Communist Partys ideology.

Zyuganov still pledges to nationalise Russias oil and gas industry, restore a socialist welfare state, and stand up to the rotting Western capitalism.

But, instead of messianic strife for a worldwide proletarian unity, todays Communist Party endorses nationalism and exploits a widespread nostalgia for the Soviet past.

It is a party of imperialistic nostalgia and Russian nationalism, and theres no imperialism or nationalism without Russian Orthodoxy, Andrei Kolesnikov of the Moscow Carnegie Centre, a think-tank, told Al Jazeera.

WATCH: Orthodox corruption?

Another thing that undermines the partys popularity is its conformism. Splinter Communist groups and critics accuse Zyuganov of becoming part of the systemic opposition, a term used to describe three parties nominally opposed to United Russia.

These parties have Duma seats, vocally criticise the Kremlin  and quietly vote in most of the bills. For years, the Communist Party has backed some of Kremlins most controversial initiatives  Crimeas annexation, air strikes in Syria and unpopular domestic reforms such as dramatic cuts in welfare payments.
Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) Since its original construction in 1877, Yangon Central Railway Station has served as an important transportation link for the Burmese people.

As the railway lines grew, the station became the heart of a network of more than 5,000 kilometres of rail, connecting people from all over the country  from Upper Myanmar and the Shan Hills to the southern coast in Tanintharyi.

With this growth, the station has also given rise to a populace of short and long-term residents, ranging from passing travellers who continue their journeys the next day to a permanent community of station employees, guards, snack sellers and the homeless.

Yangon Central Railway Station has been a designated landmark building in Myanmar and thousands of people pass through its platforms and terminal each day.

Each night, a number of these people set out mats or find places to sleep on the stations benches. For this community, life in the station comes with a few perks.

Permanent guards offer security to residents. Running water, not always available at homes in Yangon, is accessible for bathing and drinking. There are also charging ports for electronics.

However, for the stations more permanent residents, life might soon be upended. Myanma Railways has plans to redevelop the area with rail concerned business, high-rise building, comprehensive development and transport systems.

READ MORE: Hunting endangered animals in the jungles of Myanmar
In Colombia, more than 350,000 plastic surgeries are performed each year; that is, 978 procedures a day, 40 an hour and three procedures every five minutes.

Plastic surgery is one of the most profitable branches of medical services in the country. The demand for cosmetic procedures responds to a massive need, fed by the hyper-sexism of the Colombian society which limits the professional and personal opportunities for women. Often, being pretty is the only way forward for a Colombian woman.

This is why it is understandable that there is such a high demand for such surgeries and so little regulation. Over the past decades, Colombia gradually became the perfect setting for offering unsafe surgeries, as the government took no serious action against the surgeries and victims felt too afraid to speak out.

Many complaints, but no action





In the past 10 years, this lack of proper regulation has led to a number of cases of botched procedures making the headlines.

In 2009, Colombian model Jessica Cediel had a procedure in which a synthetic polymer was injected into her buttocks, one that left her with physical and emotional scars.

In 2014, Luisa Toscano, a 20-year-old trans woman, died as a result of having a surgical procedure in an illegal aesthetic centre that offered surgeries to trans women.

In 2015, the model Angie Mendoza died due to a buttocks enlargement procedure performed by a cosmetologist in Barranquilla.

The authorities, too, are receiving an increasing number of complaints of aesthetical procedures going wrong.

In 2014, the Medellin Ombudsman (Personeria) Rodrigo Ardila received 19 complaints of alleged irregularities in aesthetic procedures that were referred to the Public Prosecutors Office.

Also, according to data from 2015, the Clinic of the Bolivarian University every month receives three to five women with serious health conditions caused by illegal aesthetic procedures.

Despite the threat to public health that such unsafe procedures constitute, the Colombian authorities have been slow to respond.

WATCH: Colombia  Under the Knife

Bills aimed at addressing this issue and regulating plastic surgery have been submitted to the Colombian Senate for years, but they havent been passed. A lot of money has been invested in powerful lobbies to keep the status quo.

Currently, there is a proposed law aimed at regulating certification of plastic surgeons, but it has been delayed and is unlikely to be discussed in the Senate before its Christmas break.

Even if it passes, there is a risk that it will be written in such a way that it will benefit the massive and low-quality supply of plastic surgeons.

Re-victimisation of victims

The problem of unsafe plastic surgeries also has not been taken seriously because Colombian society divides victims into good and bad. It has a serious lack of empathy with the victims of unsafe cosmetic surgeries.

Any woman who has a certain cosmetic surgery is judged negatively, and if her health is put at risk, well, tough luck, because this woman is seen as a bad victim. This only applies to certain cosmetic interventions; that is to say, there is no moral judgment against anyone for going to fix their smile or for changing their hair colour.

The surgeries that society rejects are those that have to do with womens sexualisation. And in Colombia, for women, there is only one thing worse than being a sexual object: not being one.

And in Colombia, for women, there is only one thing worse than being a sexual object: not being one. by

To this is added the painful experience of speaking publicly about a body that one no longer recognises, of making ones deepest fears public.

Unlike victims of other medical malpractice, the victims of cosmetic surgery are re-victimised by societal perceptions that they sought it and that this is a punishment for their vanity.

Colombian women are thus abused twice: once, when they are told they arent beautiful and need to go through these procedures to fix that and, then, again when something goes wrong and they are silenced, facing cruel judgment if they decide to speak out.

This does not mean that women should be judged for deciding to put themselves through plastic surgery. They should be free to decide how they want their body to look and it is their own business why they choose it.

Every woman has the right to navigate, as best as she can and wants to, the machismo and sexism of Colombian society, and no woman, without exception, should see her life, her integrity or her self-esteem in danger for deciding to go through a cosmetic procedure.

Breaking the silence

After years of victims silence, journalist Lorena Beltran decided to go public with her story of how she suffered after an operation in 2015. By investigating her own case and making it known to the public, the country learned of one of the biggest scandals in the industry.

Beltran had a reduction of her bust with the doctor Francisco Sales Puccini and, one week later, she suffered from necrosis of her nipples and scars that did not heal. Beltran has accused Puccini of being responsible for this, which he has denied.





Sales Puccini and other doctors took courses delivered in Portuguese at the University Veiga de Almeida in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, to be certified as plastic surgeons. Documents uncovered in an Al Jazeera documentary showed that there are many unanswered questions about the validity of these certificates.

Prosecutors are now looking into the case, but it is still unclear whether the inquiry will result in any legal action.

At this point, it is clear is that victims such as Beltran have only one course to seek justice: activism. This is the only way they can confront powerful lobbies, doctors without ethics, complacent bureaucrats, and petty lawyers  who are willing to make the most of one of Colombias most profitable business.

And healthcare is indeed a business in Colombia because Colombians health comes in third place of importance, right after profit and misogyny.

Catalina Ruiz-Navarro is a Colombian-Caribbean feminist and journalist living in Mexico City. She is the cofounder of the feminist counter-speech project Estereotipas.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Despite all the hostile posturing, it is unlikely that Trumps administration will rip up the Iran deal.

With the appointment of retired General James Mad Dog Mattis as Donald Trumpss secretary of defence, another staunch critic of Iran joins the next United States administration.

Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Trumps pick for national security adviser, and Mike Pompeo , his CIA director, have both taken a hard line on Iran. During the presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly bashed the nuclear deal, saying his number one priority would be to dismantle it. With a cabinet of anti-Iranian hawks, this could well happen.

Or maybe not.

The advantages of honouring the deal

Despite calling Iran the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East, Mattis has defended the deal. In a recent speech, the retired Marine Corps general explained, I dont think that we can  take advantage of some new [president]  Republican or Democrat  and say, well, were not going to live up to our word on this agreement. 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. ( PDF )

This view is shared by other Trump allies, like Senator Bob Corker, and with good reason. The Iran deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is a broad multilateral agreement involving the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany (the so-called P5+1), along with the European Union.

While it would be possible, legally, for Trump to nullify the nuclear accord, doing so could isolate the US from the international community. Indeed, China and Iran have already urged Trump not to rescind the agreement. And killing the JCPOA would likely alienate Russia and jeopardise Trumps plans to improve relations with Vladimir Putin.

INTERACTIVE: Whos who in Donald Trumps administration?

Other countries that are party to the deal may well refuse to re-impose sanctions, given they have already started trading with Iran.

The US already has its own unilateral sanctions against Iran, going back decades, which were just extended by Congress. The JCPOA did not lift those sanctions, and the US does not need to withdraw from the deal to maintain them.

Besides, the highly draconian measures in place before the agreement did not stop Iranian nuclear development. The Islamic Republic went from having 164 centrifuges in 2003 to 19,000 by the start of talks in 2013, despite comprehensive UN sanctions.

An American or Israeli military attack would likely only delay, not destroy, Iranian nuclear advances by

Also, if the US pulled out of the agreement, Iran may use that as an excuse to withdraw, too, and start enriching uranium to much higher concentrations.

An American or Israeli military attack would likely only delay, not destroy, Iranian nuclear advances, as Mattis suggested.

Furthermore, both countries have allegedly attempted to disrupt Irans nuclear capabilities using highly sophisticated cyber warfare and sabotage, with only limited success.

Barack Obamas nuclear accord is seemingly the only way to contain the Iranian programme. If Trump abandons it, he would likely struggle to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Impossible to renegotiate

Renegotiating (rather than killing) the deal would be difficult, too. The current agreement was the product of lengthy and intensive negotiations between multiple parties. It significantly curtailed Irans enrichment capabilities and lifted economic sanctions, allowing European and other companies to benefit.

Would the P5+1 really want to go through another tortuous series of negotiations to amend a deal that already gives them what they need? Moreover, the accord was controversial in Iran, and it is highly unlikely that a more punitive agreement would gain political acceptance there.

OPINION: Will Trump play into the hands of Iranian hardliners?

Even the US Gulf allies, who are deeply suspicious of Iran, backed the deal in 2015 and may resist any attempts by Trump to change course.

As former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal said at an event recently, I dont think he should scrap it. Its been worked on for many years and the general consensus in the world, not just the United States, is that it has achieved an objective, which is a 15-year hiatus in the programme.

Although Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the agreement, military chief Lieutenant-General Gadi Eisenkot and other members of the Israeli security establishment have expressed their support .

A possible confrontation

So, it seems likely that the deal will remain in place. But that doesnt mean Trumps administration will cosy up to Iran. Far from it.

Mattis is deeply hostile to the Islamic Republic, and apparently lost his job as US CENTCOM commander under President Obama due to his extreme attitudes.

In the speech cited above, he even implied that Iran was colluding with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, despite the fact that Iranian forces are fighting the group in Iraq.

This is painfully reminiscent of George W Bushs allegations about al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. Indeed, Politico has reported that some in the Pentagon fear Mattis excessive antipathy to Iran could result in confrontation.

OPINION: Iran deal will haunt the Middle East in the future

Then there is Michael Flynn, who described the threat posed by Iran in almost apocalyptic terms during congressional testimony last year (PDF). As head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, he reportedly believed that Iran had a role in the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, and insisted analysts find evidence to prove his convictions (there is no evidence of Iranian involvement).

The parallels with the intelligence failure leading up to the 2003 Iraq War do not need to be spelt out. According to former CIA analyst Paul Pillar, writing in the National Interest, Ingredients are falling, tragically, into place for a possible war with Iran.

So, while it is unlikely Trump will torpedo the nuclear deal, his administration may still pick a fight with the Islamic Republic. That is something we should all fear.

Rupert Stone is an independent journalist working on national security and counterterrorism.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
West African heads of state to arrive in Banjul to ask President Jammeh to step down, according to Senegalese official.

West African leaders are to head to Gambia to try to persuade incumbent President Yahya Jammeh to agree to leave office after his defeat at the ballot box, according to a Senegalese foreign ministry source.

The delegation headed by Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace laureate and the current chairwoman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), will include Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Sierra Leone leader Ernest Bai Koroma and outgoing Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

These leaders will ask him to leave office, the source said.

Mankeur Ndiaye, Senegalese foreign minister, said an ECOWAS delegation was previously due in Banjul last week but Jammeh did not allow them to visit.





Celebrations erupted across the West African nation last week when Jammeh unexpectedly conceded defeat after the elections commission announced the victory of opposition candidate Adama Barrow.

However, in a dramatic about-face that drew international condemnation, the former coup leader on Friday decried serious and unacceptable abnormalities and called for fresh polls.

In a statement broadcast on state television late on Saturday, Jammehs Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party said it was preparing a petition against the flawed decision of the Independent Elections Commission.

The deadline for submitting a challenge to the court is Tuesday.

Barrow is due on Tuesday to welcome the ECOWAS leaders along with a delegation of UN representatives, which the president-elect said gave him hope that he would soon take power.

Sirleaf said over the weekend that the reversal of Jammehs decision threatened peace.

She asked him on Saturday to do the right thing and take actions to facilitate a smooth and peaceful transition in Gambia.

Gambias Jammeh rejects result of presidential election

Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 when he was an army lieutenant and has ruled ever since, wining four elections, that were criticised by rights monitors, and surviving several coup attempts. International human rights groups accuse him of widespread violations and repression.

He declared Gambia an Islamic Republic last year.

A statement from the opposition coalition read to reporters in Barrows presence on Monday called for Jammeh to step down immediately.

Before his surprise change of mind, he had pledged to hand over power to Barrow in January following the transitional period dictated by Gambian law.

However, Gambia has no sitting Supreme Court. In order to hear Jammehs complaint, legal experts believe at least four judges must be hired.

We do not recognise that the outgoing president has the constitutional authority in the last days of his presidency, to appoint any Supreme Court judges in Gambia for the purpose of receiving his petition, opposition figure Mai Fatty said.
Commander says he expects battle for Aleppo to end quickly after government forces seize Sheikh Saeed neighbourhood.

The Syrian military operation to recapture rebel-held east Aleppo is in its final stages after the army took Sheikh Saeed and other districts, according to Lieutenant-General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the Aleppo security committee.

The governments recapture of the city would mark its greatest victory since the war began in 2011.

The battle in east Aleppo should end quickly. They [rebels] dont have much time. They either have to surrender or die, he told a group of reporters in Sheikh Saeed on Monday.





Rebels withdrew from at least six more east Aleppo neighbourhoods on Monday in the face of goverment advances, including al-Salheen, al-Firdous and Bustan al-Qasr, once one of the most fortified districts under opposition control.

Residents in the al-Firdous neighbourhood told Al Jazeera that government forces summarily executed dozens of people over alleged connections to rebel fighters. An exact figure could not be independently varified by Al Jazeera.

Syrian government forces seized Sheikh Saeed from rebels in overnight fighting as government warplanes continued to mount heavy air strikes on remaining rebel-held areas.

The concern rebels have now is that we are seeing some kind of a domino effect, more neighbourhoods may be following as days go by, Al Jazeeras Imtiaz Tyab reported from Gaziantep on the Turkish border.

The opposition in Aleppo has lost 90 percent of the territory they once held in the city, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said.

The battle of Aleppo has reached its end. It is just a matter of a small period of time, no more, no less  its a total collapse, said Rami Abdel Rahman, SOHRs director.

READ MORE: Battle for Aleppo  The sound of bullets doesnt stop

Opposition fighters are now confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in the citys southeast, including the Sukkari and Mashhad districts.

Syrias state TV said on Sunday that more than 70,000 of eastern Aleppos estimated 275,000 residents had fled in recent days, mostly to government-held western Aleppo districts.

Russias defence ministry said on Monday that 728 Syrian fighters had laid down their weapons over the past 24 hours and relocated to western Aleppo.

The Russia-backed ground offensive, which began on November 26, followed an intensive aerial bombing campaign that knocked out most of the medical facilities, targeted civil defence and municipal vehicles and blocked roads with rubble.

The eastern Aleppo area has also been cut off from outside assistance since July by a government siege.

Fighters captured the eastern half of Aleppo, Syrias largest city and former commercial capital, in 2012.

Dispatches from the ground: Zouhir Al Shimale, a journalist in east Aleppo

The situation in the city at the moment is total chaos. There are constant air strikes by the regime and Russian warplanes, artillery attacks, mortar attacks.

Until 6 or 7 am this morning war planes were hitting everywhere. Last night, the clashes and bombing never stopped. They were pushing and pushing towards the last part of the east. The war planes did not stop their air strikes. We havent been able to sleep at all.

It was really bad. Thats why people decided to run.

This morning people here were so desperate. They immediately rushed towards the regime-held parts. It was very easy for them to go because there was a lull in shelling in the morning. But the dangerous way that they take to the west [of Aleppo] might still get them killed, as they ran across frontlines.

There are many people dead, under buildings and on the streets where the regime launched attacks. There are no rescue workers to save anyone, to drag them out of the rubble.

People are going in the hundreds and thousands, even from the parts that have not been taken.

Most of them are families and civilian people, they have nothing to do with the rebels, the opposition or journalists.

The others, the families of activists, rebels, etc, are staying here, they have not left yet.

The areas that are still controlled by rebels are crowded, in fact overcrowded. You can see hundreds of rebels on the streets. Families are taking over half-destroyed buildings and cleaning them. These buildings have no doors or windows. They have no supplies. People just bring blankets and stay there.

If they continue to attack the remaining rebel-held areas, it is going to be catastrophe. Dozens of people will die immediately and other will die later, because of their injuries. There are no hospitals, there are no doctors.

The city is running out of all services like civil defence and hospitals; there is no medical aid; none of the pharmacies is working. Most of the shops are empty but not all of them.

There are still some lentils and flour that people are fighting to get. There is one bakery here that works, people crowd in front of it. They are so desperate to get a single loaf of bread.

One loaf of bread now is like half a dollar. Before the price was about ten percent of this.

People are using what they have, what they carried with them to the area they ended up in but everything is about to run out. And everything here is unbelievably expensive.

It has not rained for over a month. People are using water from the wells  to drink, clean and cook.
British-Algerian Mohamed Tamalt, convicted of insulting President Bouteflika, dies after three months in coma.

A British-Algerian journalist has died after being on hunger strike in protest against his arrest and two-year jail term, which put him in a coma, according to his lawyer.

Mohamed Tamalt was convicted in an Algerian court of defaming a public authority and offending Algerias President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in a poem he posted on Facebook.

I can confirm the death of the journalist Mohamed Tamalt in Bab el-Oued hospital after a hunger strike of more than three months and a three-month coma, Amine Sidhoum, Tamalts lawyer, wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

Tamalt, 42, died of a lung infection while in a coma. Before his arrest, he ran a blog and was a freelance journalist based in London.

He was reportedly arrested near his parents house in Algiers on June 27 and began his hunger strike the same day.

On July 11, he was sentenced to two years in prison and given a $1,800 fine. An appellate court upheld the sentence a month later.

READ MORE: Algerian media faces hostile environment

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders had urged the Algerian government to drop the charges and release Tamalt, expressing particular concern over his health after he had fallen into a coma in August.

Brahim Mahdid, spokesman for Amnesty International in Algeria, called for a full, transparent, and independent investigation into Mohamed Tamalts death.

So far, we cant say for sure what the cause of his death was, Mahdid told Al Jazeera. Nor are we sure if Tamalt received the proper treatment during his hunger strike.

According to Mahdid: Tamalts detention occurred while Algerias media companies were facing increasing pressure. The situation has [since] not improved, as the countrys independent media organisations still [operate in] a hostile environment.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Tamalts lawyer Amine Sidhoum said that Tamalts death was the first time since Algeria gained its independence from France that a journalist died in jail because of what he wrote on the Internet.

Mohameds death is a shame for our country, Sidhoum added. I am also really sad at the lack of support from his fellow Algerian journalists, who left him and abandoned him.

According to Sidhoum, Tamalt is set to be buried in Algiers on Monday.

It is time to say a last goodbye and pray. We are in mourning, but we, his family and lawyers, will figure out in the following days what we can do to find out exactly what happened to him [while he was] in prison.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch called the death of Tamalt tragic.

It is tragic that a journalist in Algeria died on a hunger strike protesting his unjust imprisonment. Sarah Leah Whitson, the rights groups Middle East and North Africa director said in a statement.

Djamila Ould Khettab contributed to this report.
As the Syrian government army makes advances in east Aleppo, civilians say the situation is getting worse.

Residents in rebel-controlled east Aleppo  now down to a handful of neighbourhoods  say they fear retribution if they flee to government-held areas.

Aisha, a mother of three children, is one of them.

Last week, she and her family fled farther south in Aleppo when government forces took over her neighbourhood. Despite the bombings, weak utilities and sanitation, and depleting food supply, Aisha says she prefers to live in rebel areas.

Were hearing about the army taking and arresting people, so Im content to wait for a route to open so I can go to live with my family in the countryside, she said. On Friday, hundreds of men from Aleppo went missing after entering government territory, including some of Aishas family members with whom she lost contact.

After the military onslaught that began three weeks ago, the Syrian army is now controlling around 85 percent of previously rebel-held parts of east Aleppo. The UN and rebel sources say 100,000 people are now in east Aleppo, crammed into a handful of neighbourhoods that amount to around 15 percent of the area the rebels held three weeks ago.

Jasim, another east Aleppo resident, says he fled from his neighbourhood now under Syrian army control. When we left the neighbourhood, the bombing was all around us, and we couldnt take anything with us except for the clothes we could carry, he told Al Jazeera.

READ MORE: Syrias war  What went wrong in east Aleppo?

We went from street to street and the sound of bullets doesn't stop. There was no one else but us on the street. I can't risk something happening to my children by leaving. There's bombing happening throughout the day and night. by Aisha, east Aleppo resident

Civilians still trapped in rebel-controlled parts of the city say they are facing immense hardships, especially those who recently fled the armys advance. We dont know how to sleep or eat. I dont have anything with me, just a little money, said Aisha, who claims to have walked to her current location.

We went from street to street and the sound of bullets doesnt stop. There was no one else but us on the street.

The fear of violence keeps Aisha and others from leaving east Aleppo altogether. I cant risk something happening to my children by leaving. Theres bombing happening  throughout the day and night, said Aisha, referring to Syrian army air strikes.

The UN also said it heard reports of rebel groups preventing some civilians from leaving for government areas.

According to Ismail Abdullah of the Syrian Civil Defence  aka the White Helmets  the residents who remain in the city are civilians and fighters. Most of them are families, and women and children. A lot of them are families of fighters, and the Free Syrian Army. And there are families of the opposition, said Abdullah.

Abdullah, whose group performs search-and-rescue missions in the city, says space is running out for those in the area. Theres no place for people to live. Many of the people are in sub-par housing  with no doors or windows, he said.

READ MORE: East Aleppo catastrophic as tens of thousands flee

And the situation appears to be getting worse for them. In addition to food shortages, reliance on limited gas for power, and intense fighting, the medical situation remains grave.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), medical supplies are running extremely low in east Aleppo, and hospitals have been severely damaged from air strikes.

First responders such as Abdullah face hardships, too. Most ambulances are also damaged or out of service and roads are totally blocked with rubble from the destruction, making movement very difficult for first responders, and putting at risk the severely wounded who often cannot access emergency care on time, said Evita Mouawad, an adviser for MSF in neighbouring Jordan.

Meanwhile, rebels in Aleppo continue to fight on, despite what appears to be an imminent government victory. We cannot do anything to protect the civilians in the city. The regime has all kinds of weapons, said Ahmad Jalal, a fighter in one of the armed groups.

We all face the same fate. Every place in east Aleppo faces bombing and theres no safe place at all.
Bilal Kayeds case caused outrage when he was placed under administrative detention by Israel on June 15.

East Jerusalem  Palestinian prisoner Bilal Kayed has been released after spending 15 years in Israeli jails, his family has confirmed.

His case caused outrage within the Palestinian community when he was placed under administrative detention on June 15  the day he was due to be released after serving his full sentence.

Administrative detention is a military court order that allows Israel to detain Palestinians on secret evidence without trial or charge for renewable six-month intervals.

We cannot express how happy we are that he has been released but it is an incomplete happiness because he carries the message of all the other prisoners who remain in Israeli jails, Kayeds brother Mahmoud told Al Jazeera on Monday.

The hardest part was when he was transferred to administrative detention because we were preparing ourselves for his release, but he wasnt, which was extremely unjust.

Mass hunger strike

In protest against his detention, Kayed refused food for 71 days before reaching a deal with Israeli authorities to be released at the end of the six months.

Hundreds of other prisoners also expressed solidarity by participating in a mass hunger strike.

Muhannad al-Azza, a lawyer with the Jerusalem-based Addameer prisoner rights group, says Kayeds case was an exception.

Normally, no one spends that much time in prison and is then placed under administrative detention. At least 250 prisoners went on hunger strike to call for his release, Azza told Al Jazeera.

Under international law, the use of administrative detention is permitted only in exceptional cases related to security.

Israel, however, has detained thousands of Palestinians for years without charging them or allowing them to defend themselves in trial.

Of the estimated 7,000 Palestinians behind Israeli bars, at least 720 are administrative detainees, according to Addameers statistics.

In 2001, Kayed was imprisoned by the Israeli authorities at the age of 19 and served a fourteen-and-a-half-year sentence for his affiliation with the Abu Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a leftist political party.

If he did not go on hunger strike, they would have renewed his administrative detention. Freedom is not served on a silver platter, said Azza.

Follow Zena Tahann on Twitter @Zenatahhan
President-elect Donald Trump says the US is ready to abandon the policy, unless China agrees to a trade deal.

US President-elect Donald Trump has said the United States does not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of one China, questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move angering Beijing.

Trumps comments on Fox News Sunday came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwans president on December 2.

I fully understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump told Fox.

Trumps call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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.

OPINION: Trump era has Beijing on edge

Beijing considers Taiwan to be a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

On Monday, China said that it had serious concern about Trumps comments concerning Taiwan, and warned that any changes to how the US deals with the self-governing island could damage diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing.

Geng Shuang, a spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry, said that established policy is the political foundation of any diplomatic relationship between China and the US, and that any damage to it could render cooperation between both sides to be out of the question.

We urge the new US leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy, Geng said.





Earlier this month, after Trumps phone conversation with Taiwans president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washingtons one China policy remained intact.

In the Fox interview, Trump criticised China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance towards North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwans leader.

INFOGRAPHIC: Whos who in Donald Trumps administration?

I dont want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me, Trump said. It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I cant take a call?

I think it actually wouldve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it, Trump added.

their country (the U.S. doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016

In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China that he emphasised during his presidential campaign.

Were being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we dont tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldnt be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea, Trump said.





You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and theyre not helping us at all.

Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed Chinas efforts to prop up the yuans value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.

Naive like a child

The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Communist Partys official Peoples Daily, said in an editorial that Trump was naive like a child on diplomacy and that the one China policy could not be bought or sold.

When the time comes, the Chinese mainland will launch a series of decisive new policies toward Taiwan, the paper said.

We will prove that all along the United States has been unable to dominate the Taiwan Strait and Trumps desire to sell the one China policy for commercial interests is a childish urge, it said.
Former French finance minister cites states interest in approving $425m payment to businessman Bernard Tapie in 2008.

Christine Lagarde, the IMF chief, has gone on trial in France for negligence over a large state payment to a businessman in 2008 while she served as the countrys finance minister.

Lagarde has denied the charges of negligence, and has argued she was acting in the states interest in approving a $425m payout to Bernard Tapie, the former owner Adidas, following the sale of the sportswear company.

Lagarde told a judge presiding over the case on Monday that she didnt plan to keep quiet, when she was advised of her right to remain silent. Her defence team is expected to push for an adjournment.

Tapie, now 73, owned Adidas between 1990 and 1993 but lost control of the firm when he went bankrupt.

He sold it to state-owned bank Credit Lyonnais for 315.5 million euros ($335m) in February 1993.

Long-running battle

The bank sold it again the year after at 701 million euros ($746m), leading Tapie to claim he had been cheated.

Lagarde, upon becoming finance minister in 2007 under then president Nicolas Sarkozy, ordered that Tapies long-running battle with the state be resolved by arbitration.

Investigators suspect that the whole process was rigged in favour of Tapie, who had close connections with political circles, including Sarkozy.





Civil courts have since quashed the unusually generous award, declared the arbitration process and deal fraudulent and ordered Tapie to pay the back the money.

Investigating judges say Lagarde committed a series of serious errors when she made the arbitration choice and also, later on, when she refused to challenge the deal, suggesting that she may have been influenced by the political connections between Tapie and Sarkozy, according to court documents.

Ms Lagardes behaviour proceeds not only from a questionable carelessness and precipitation, but also from a conjunction of faults which, by their nature, number and seriousness, exceed the level of mere negligence, the judges wrote at the end of their investigation.

Separately, a criminal investigation into the case is still ongoing. In that case, Tapie, his lawyer, one of the arbitrators and Lagardes chief of staff at the ministry, Stephane Richard, now the chief executive of the telecom company Orange, were given criminal charges of gang-related fraud, and police searched Lagardes Paris home.

Tapie later got another charge of misappropriation of funds.

If found guilty, Lagarde could receive a maximum one-year prison sentence and a $15,900 fine.

 Unintentional offence

In a documentary broadcast on French television on Sunday, Lagarde said she was confident and determined.

I tried to do my work the best I could within the limits of what I knew, she told France 2.

Negligence is an unintentional offence. I think all of us have been a little bit negligent at some stage of our lives.

Lagardes trial and possible conviction may raise concern about her ability to remain the head of the IMF.

The Washington-based institutions credibility was already shaken when her predecessor, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also a French citizen, was forced to resign amid sexual assault allegations in 2011.

The IMFs board has so far supported Lagarde at all stages of the French legal proceedings, which began the month after her appointment in July 2011.
Peoples Tribunal calls for compensation for people wrongfully convicted and for accountability for erring officials.

New Delhi, India  Syed Wasif Haider says he was arrested by plainclothes policemen on July 31, 2001, from Kanpur, an industrial city in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

He was told he faced a dozen charges ranging from sedition, that is waging war against the nation, to rioting and murder, and was accused of being a member of Hizbul Mujahideen, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by India, the European Union and the United States.

After languishing in prison for eight years, he was finally acquitted of all the charges in court.

But life outside jail has not been as accepting and rewarding as he would have imagined. He has struggled financially as he has failed to get a decent job.

OPINION: The (in)visible in Indian terrorism

I might be a free man now but I feel I am in a bigger jail now. Even after seven years of acquittal I am as isolated as I was in jail. Social boycott and stigma still continues, Haider, in his mid-40s, told Al Jazeera.

Today, I am a jobless man. No one is ready to give me a job because of my past. I cant start my business because no one wants to deal with a terrorist, no matter I was honourably acquitted by the court, Haider, who worked for a US multinational corporation before his arrest, said.

Haiders worsening economic situation forced his eldest daughter, who completed senior secondary school this year, not to pursue higher studies.

On October 2, he was among 15 people wrongfully imprisoned, who gave evidence before the Peoples Tribunal on those acquitted in terror cases.

The Tribunal, which released its report on Saturday in New Delhi, called for Indian officials responsible for wrongful arrests and prosecution to be held accountable.

The Tribunal, organised by Innocence Network  an Indian collective of individuals and organisations working for the rights of those who have been wrongfully prosecuted  said the government should be made to pay compensation for the wrongful convictions.

Unless those who ruined our lives are punished nothing is going to change by Wahid Sheikh, Innocence Network

The dignity of those acquitted must be restored. Thus it is imperative that the harm inflicted on them must be redressed within the framework of rights rather than charity, retired Justice Ajit Prakash Shah, part of the jury at the Tribunal, said at the official release of the report in New Delhi.

Those who had been wrongly convicted should be entitled to compensation from the state, Shah, a former chief justice of Delhi High Court, said.

The report, which Justice Shah released on the behalf of the Innocence Network, said the testimonies make it amply clear that the investigating agencies needed greater accountability and transparency.

The erring officers must be suspended with immediate effect, Shah told Al Jazeera.

Social stigma

Hundreds of people and their families across the country have faced almost a similar, if not identical situation as Haiders.

According to a forthcoming study conducted by the Delhi-based research and advocacy group Quill Foundation, in Maharashtra state alone since 1993 an overwhelming number of the more than 460 accused of terror links have been declared innocent after spending an average of three to six years in prison.

More than half of the accused in the state were doctors, engineers, and educated professional in the cusps of their careers, almost all of whom have been forced to pick up traditional occupations or small-scale businesses, or remain unemployed after returning from prison, Sharib Ali, lead researcher and programme head at Quill Foundation, told Al Jazeera.

Muslims, adivasis, or tribals, and Dalits, the former untouchables, form more than half of Indias prison population of over 400,000.

Media sensationalism

The tribunal also called for those wrongly prosecuted to be accepted by the society.

Justice Shah said that there was a need to launch a campaign, that would highlight the plight of the acquitted people at the community level.

A public function to welcome the acquitted when they are released from prison must be held in order to give them a sense of being accepted back in the society. A fund should be created to help in the education of the children of those exonerated, and for skill development of the exonerees.

The report also criticised the media for sensationalism and partisan reporting.

The news media should function as objective institutions, and not as mere handmaidens of the investigating agencies by The Tribunal report

Over the past few years, the courts have also taken a strong exception to news coverage which destroys a persons reputation by creating a widespread perception of guilt, without any verdict in the court of law, it said.

The news media should function as objective institutions, and not as mere handmaidens of the investigating agencies, the report, released on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, said.

It also called for media houses to publish apologies for running defamatory material against the exonerees.

Mohammad Aamir Khan, a resident of Delhi, who was wrongly convicted for carrying out bomb blasts during 1996-1997, said he was acquitted and released from prison after 14 years.

They tortured me and then presented me in the court. I spent 14 years in jail for crimes that I had never committed, he told Al Jazeera.

When he walked free at the age of 32, the world had changed for him. During my time, there was no metro, no mobile phones, not so much news channels. It was a new world for me, he said.

Nothing can compensate me for those dark 14 years of my life, Amir, who has been battling insomnia and depression, said. His father died during his jail time and his mother was paralysed.

READ MORE: Questions raised over police killings of undertrials

The Peoples Tribunal was mooted as a response to an institutional crisis, a crisis not simply of law, but also of morality, said Manisha Sethi, author of Kafkaland: Prejudice, Law and Counterterrorism in India.

It is to force us to imagine and calculate the harm suffered by someone maliciously prosecuted and wrongfully incarcerated for years, and to devise means to meet those ends, Sethi told Al Jazeera in New Delhi.

Mumbai resident Wahid Sheikh is part of the Innocence Network, which wants to run campaigns around the wrongful prosecution of youth along the lines of the Black Lives Matter movement in the US.

Sheikh, who was acquitted in July 11, 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, said this campaign is going to be a game changer as we are prepared to take this to a logical end.

The Innocence Network wants a proper mechanism of compensation and rehabilitation for all those acquitted over the years, along with prosecutions of officials responsible for fabricating cases against innocent people.

Unless those who ruined our lives are punished nothing is going to change, said Shaikh, explaining that their fight is not just for themselves but also for the future generations so that such injustices are not repeated again.
While the labelling guidelines prompted a rift between Israel and the EU, their economic effect is minimal.

Occupied West Bank  A year after the European Union issued labelling guidelines for products imported from illegal Israeli settlements based in the occupied territories, the economic effect on settlements businesses appear to be minimal, according to analysts.

Whats actually happened, and I think part of it is due to ferocious Israeli pushback, is that theres very little follow up on the guidelines, said Hugh Lovatt, Israel/Palestine project coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

In November 2015, the European Commission published its guidelines, stating that agricultural and food products that originated in occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights, all territories occupied by Israel since 1967, should not be labelled as if they were made in Israel.

Its about clarifying what the guidelines are, Lovatt told Al Jazeera. However, due to what Lovatt described as a lack of monitoring and enforcement on the national level, the onus is on civil society to show the authorities how this domestic legislation is not being followed by retailers, who have less of a case now to plead ignorance of requirements.

This is the process that has happened in France, said Lovatt.

READ MORE: Anger as UK moves to ban Israeli settlement boycott

On November 24, France became the first EU member state to publish its own guidelines for retailers and importers one year after the EU labelling rules came out.

The French announcement said that under international law, the Golan Heights and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are not part of Israel and recommended retailers use labels such as made in the West Bank (Israeli settlement) for products that originate from the occupied territories.

Palestinian civil society groups had pressured the EU to explicitly label products from the settlements for decades in an attempt to both increase transparency on the origins of those products and to raise international awareness of Israels occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

There's a lack of monitoring and enforcement on the level of the national authorities. Either because they don't realise that it's not being implemented or it's not a concern. by Hugh Lovatt, Israel/Palestine project coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations

However, the enforcement of the guidelines was left to the individual EU member states. The Israeli government applied fierce political pressure on European governments not to comply, drawing comparisons between the labelling guidelines and anti-Jewish sentiment in Europe around the time of the second world war.

Despite EU leaders defending the measures as technical, implementation seems to have been limited throughout Europe.

A few days after the EU decision, when a German department store removed settlement products in order to label them correctly, the store was targeted in an online campaign and accused of anti-Semitism, forcing it to apologise and re-stock the products within days.

While the French move could potentially set a precedent for other European countries to follow, the lack of enforcement to date is evident at the Psagot Winery, where the owner Yaakov Berg has not changed a single label on his wine bottles since the EU guidelines were published a year ago.

Located in an industrial zone southeast of Ramallah, deep in the occupied West Bank, Berg said his winery has actually increased the amount of wine it sells internationally in the past 12 months.

We are selling much more. To Europe and to the States, we increased exports by almost 80 percent, said Berg, noting that a number of buyers across the world came to him specifically to show solidarity against the EU labelling decision.

He currently sells his wine to France, the UK, Switzerland and Italy. Berg said any French move to label products was a shame and would backfire. I will never say that I am afraid. This is motivation for us to sell much more. We will come up with a new campaign, he told Al Jazeera.

OPINION: BDS tactics are not anti-Semitic





While the labelling guidelines prompted a significant diplomatic rift between Israel and the EU, they were not expected to have a significant economic effect.

Around one percent of Israels 30bn euro ($32.12bn) annual trade with the EU was expected to be affected by the guidelines, although the widespread lack of enforcement suggests that the figure is actually less.

Oded Revivi, chief foreign envoy to the Yesha Council, an umbrella organisation for settlers in the West Bank, described the EUs labelling guidelines as a pain in the backside that had an almost non-existent effect on businesses on the ground.

Although, at the beginning, it was frightening, we have learned that it is not such an obstacle, Revivi told Al Jazeera, before linking the EU labelling measures to boycott movements against companies located in the settlements.

READ MORE: BDS campaign winning battle for hearts and minds

In addition to campaigning for the implementation of labelling guidelines, Palestinian civil society groups have also led international campaigns to boycott companies based in the settlements. In the past year, the soft drinks producer SodaStream finalised its relocation from the settlement of Maale Adumim in the occupied West Bank to a location in the Negev region.

Last March, the Israeli media reported that the cosmetics giant Ahava had moved to relocate its factory from the occupied territories to a location within Israel. At the time, the company confirmed that it would open a new plant inside Israels borders, although it did not state whether its settlement plant would close.

One very clear trend that we have seen in the past 10 years is that the more a company is involved in foreign business, export, deals with other companies abroad, especially with Europe, there is more ability to bring pressure about being in settlements. Especially a company which is bought by an international conglomerate, then this conglomerate finds it necessary to remove them from a settlement, said Adam Keller, spokesperson at Israeli NGO Gush Shalom, which monitors businesses located in the settlements.

Ahava was sold to the Chinese investment group, Fosun Group, in April 2016. Asked whether Ahavas potential relocation would damage the settlement movement, Revivi played it down as a minor incident.

I think that companies are afraid of the potential loss. But as I said, at the end of the day, even when these instances occur, the major ones to suffer from it are the Palestinians, he said, citing the job opportunities for Palestinians within settlement businesses.

A World Bank study in 2013 found that the military occupation was costing Palestinians $3.4bn annually. Settlements impede Palestinian access to natural resources, including water, while some settlements are built on privately owned Palestinian land.
Ruling coalition gains narrow lead over rivals in election called as part of EU deal to defuse two-year-old crisis.

Near complete results in Macedonias early general elections show that the countrys conservative coalition has gained a slim victory over its Social Democratic rivals, but with neither party winning enough parliamentary seats to form a government.

Sundays election was called as part of a European Union-brokered deal to defuse a two-year-old political crisis prompted by a phone-tapping scandal.

Mondays results from 99.7 percent of polling stations show the conservative coalition, led by the VMRO-DPMNE party of Nikola Gruevski, the former prime minister, with 38.06 percent of the vote.

The figure put it slightly ahead of the leftist coalition, led by opposition leader Zoran Zaevs Social Democrats (SDSM), which got 36.69 percent.

The electoral commission gave no seat projections.

Without a majority in the 123-seat parliament, the winner will have to try to form a governing coalition with a smaller party.

Both parties on Monday had claimed victory in the snap elections.

VMRO-DPMNE is the winner of this election, Gruevski, who had been Romanias prime minister since 2006, told supporters at the partys headquarters.

However, shortly afterwards the opposition SDSM also claimed victory.

We are the winners! Zaev told a cheering crowd of supporters in front of the government building in central Skopje.

We have one more seat, we are waiting for the final results  but the trend is clearly in our favour.





For voters however, the most important outcome will be to get a government capable of regaining stability after the long political crisis.

Gruevski was forced to step down in January after nearly 10 years in power after allegations of phone tapping, paving the way for Sundays snap election that saw around 66 percent turnout.

The vote, which was twice delayed owing to international concerns over fraud, pitted Gruevski against his rival Zaev.

It was Zaev. 42, who released the tapes last year that appeared to show the government had tapped the phones of thousands of people, including journalists and religious officials, as well as alleging high-level corruption.

Gruevski denied the claims and accused Zaev of planning a coup with foreign support.

Zaev had pitched the vote as a choice between doom or life and pledged to stop an exodus of young people from the former Yugoslav republic, which remains one of Europes poorest countries.
Syrian government supporters in the citys west celebrate as rebel lines fall amid reports of summary executions.

The Syrian army and its allied militias are pushing deeper into east Aleppo as rebel lines collapse and their last urban stronghold looks closer than ever to falling.

The fighters withdrew from at least six more east Aleppo neighbourhoods on Monday in the face of government advances, including al-Salheen, al-Firdous and Bustan al-Qasr, once one of the most fortified districts under opposition control.

Residents told Al Jazeera that government forces summarily executed dozens of civilians over alleged connections to opposition fighters. The figure could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera.





The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 60 people were killed by gunfire or shelling on Monday as government forces pushed into Aleppos remaining opposition-held districts.

The battle of Aleppo has reached its end. It is just a matter of a small period of time, no more, no less  its a total collapse, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the UK-based monitoring networks director.

Syrian refugees in the Turkish border city of Gaziantep and the city of Istanbul, held solidarity protests on Monday night in support of the people in east Aleppo, as the government stepped up its bombardment.

Syrian state TV reported that pro-government forces were in control of 99 percent of what once was opposition-held Aleppo.

The pro-government TV network Alikbariyah Syria broadcast footage of celebrations in the streets of west Aleppo, as people handed out chocolates and congratulated each other on the victory.

The joy of the people and the army are one, said one driver, wearing military fatigues.

READ MORE: Hundreds of men from east Aleppo go missing

Earlier in the day, Lieutenant-General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the Aleppo security committee, announced in the recently recaptured neighbourhood of Sheikh Saeed that the government push to retake the entire city was in its final stages.

The battle in east Aleppo should end quickly. They [opposition fighters] dont have much time. They either have to surrender or die, he said.

President Bashar al-Assads governments takeover of the entire city would mark its greatest victory since the war began in 2011.

Dire conditions

Opposition fighters and tens of thousands of civilians are now confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in the citys southeast, including the Sukkari and Mashhad districts.

Salim Abu al-Nassar, a dentist from Bustan al-Qasr in east Aleppo, put out a video appeal on social media after fleeing to al-Ansari neighbourhood, calling for a ceasefire and describing the dire conditions in the small portion of the city left in opposition control.

Within eight kilometres square, we have over 80,000 human beings  everyone is piled on top of each other  This area may witness a real massacre if [the army] decides to move here, he said.

This may be my last call. I hope someone will listen somewhere around the world and relate that to their government so they can stop the shelling, the war, this madness. We hope to live. We love life. I hope we can meet again.

Lina al-Shami, an architect and well-known social media activist from east Aleppo, also put out a last message on Twitter.

Syrias state TV said on Sunday that more than 70,000 of eastern Aleppos estimated 275,000 residents had fled in recent days, mostly to government-held western Aleppo districts.

Scores of men who fled from the east to the west have been detained by the Syrian authorities and forced into military conscription, reports say.

READ MORE: Aleppo operation in final stages, Syrian general says

Russias defence ministry said on Monday that 728 Syrian fighters had laid down their weapons over the past 24 hours and relocated to western Aleppo.

The Russia-backed ground offensive, which began on November 26, followed an intensive aerial bombing campaign that knocked out most of the medical facilities, targeted civil defence and municipal vehicles and blocked roads with rubble.

The eastern Aleppo area has also been cut off from outside assistance since July by a government siege.

Opposition fighters captured the eastern half of Aleppo, Syrias largest city and former commercial capital, in 2012.

Delayed ceasefire

The US state department said on Monday that Russia told the US it wanted a ceasefire in east Aleppo delayed for several days, a proposal the agency said was unacceptable in view of the continued attacks on civilians.

Rather than accepting the US proposal for an immediate cessation, the Russians informed us that a cessation could not start for several days, meaning that the assault by the regime and its supporters will continue until any agreement will go into effect, John Kirby, state department spokesman, said in response to a question about weekend talks in Geneva.

Given the dire situation in Aleppo and the reports of continued attacks on civilians and infrastructure, this was just simply not acceptable.

Kirby said US and Russian officials were continuing their talks in the Swiss city, although there was for now an unbridgeable gap between their positions.

Our teams are still trying to work this out, he said. While we would still like to get there  I think were certainly at an impasse right now.

Additional reporting by Dylan Collins
Social Democratic Party won 46 percent of votes, according to preliminary results, a year after being forced from power.

Romanias Social Democratic Party (PSD) has comfortably won the parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results, a year after a major anti-corruption drive forced the left-leaning party from power.

Election authorities said on Monday that with 99 percent of the votes from Sundays elections counted, the PSD held about 46 percent.

PSDs main rival, the centre-right National Liberal Party, came a distant second with about 20 percent of vote.

The Save Romania Union, a new party that ran on an anti-corruption ticket, finished third with 9 percent, allowing it to enter parliament.

There should be no doubt who won the elections. Romanians want to feel at home in their own country and I want Romania to be a good home for all Romanians, PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said about the results.

Dragnea resigned as a minister last May after his conviction in a case involving voter fraud. He is serving a two-year suspended sentence and is barred from holding office. He has denied the charges.

The PSD leader said his party will start talks to form a parliamentary majority with longtime ally the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), which took about 6 percent of the vote.

The election follows a year of a technocrat government in Romania, the EUs fastest-growing economy but also one of its poorest, put in place after massive street protests brought down the previous PSD-led government.

Triggered by a deadly fire in the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest which lacked emergency exits and other safety measures, the protests called for sweeping change in Romania to address chronically inept public administration and corruption.

Low turnout

However, observers say many of the younger voters who took to the streets then failed to vote on Sunday, underscoring a lack of belief that reforms can take root. Turnout was just 39.5 percent in the polls.

The PSDs electorate traditionally stems from older, poorer Romanians, eager to hear the partys message which centres on public-sector wage hikes, tax cuts and higher pensions.





Both PSD and ALDE politicians have accused anti-corruption prosecutors of being politically motivated in their investigations. Romanian prosecutors have been praised by EU officials various times for their efforts against corruption.

During its previous years in government, between 2012 and 2015, the PSD reversed austerity policies put in place after a 2008 property crash by cutting taxes and raising the minimum wage and public-sector pay.

The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, now expects Romanias deficit to quadruple from 0.8 percent of economic output in 2015 to 3.2 percent in 2017 under European accounting terms.
President admits much pain but does not link attack on Coptic Christian chapel near St Marks Cathedral to any group.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has said a suicide bomber carried out the attack that killed 24 Christians during Sunday Mass at a Cairo chapel adjacent to St Marks Cathedral, the seat of Egypts ancient Coptic Orthodox Church.

It was among the deadliest attacks to ever target Egypts Coptic minority, which makes up about 10 percent of the countrys population and which was perceived to have supported the military overthrow of an elected Islamist president in 2013.

Since then, armed groups have carried out scores of attacks mainly targeting the security forces, while the government has waged a wide-scale crackdown on dissent.

Speaking after a state funeral for the victims, Sisi identified the bomber as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa, and said three men and a woman were arrested in connection with the attack, which wounded 49 people.

Bomber identified

Two other suspects were on the run, Sisi said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sisi did not link the bomber to any armed group, but police Major-General Tarek Attia, a top interior ministry official, told the Associated Press news agency the suspect was previously arrested in Fayoum province, southwest of Cairo, in 2014 on charges of being a member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Sisi spoke after health ministry officials revised the number of victims down to 24, suggesting that the 25th body belonged to the bomber. The victims are thought to include 22 women.





This strike really hurt us and caused us much pain, but it will not break us, Sisi said. God willing, we will win this war.

He also called on the government and parliament to introduce legislation that would allow more decisive methods of dealing with armed groups.

He did not elaborate.

As long as we are together as one, we will definitely win, because we are people of goodness, not evil, and people of building, not destruction, Sisi said.

The coffins were wrapped in Egyptian flags. Pope Tawadros II, spiritual leader of Egypts Orthodox Christians, and top government and military officials attended the funeral, held amid tight security provided by hundreds of army soldiers.

Earlier on Monday, the Coptic community held its own funeral service.

God, protect us and your people from the conspiracies of the evil ones, Tawadros prayed after waving incense over coffins lined up in front of the altar along with crosses made of white roses.

READ MORE: Anger in Egypt after deadly Cairo church blast

It is the destiny of our church to offer martyrs.

Only victims relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City.

Some screamed out in grief or shouted out victims names, while the rest sat in silence or quietly wept.

Outside the church, a crowd scuffled with security forces when they were barred from attending the service.

An unspecified number of arrests were made, several witnesses said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety.

Egypt has seen a wave of attacks since 2013, when the military led by Sisi overthrew President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Many of his supporters attacked Christians after his removal, ransacking and destroying scores of churches and Christian-owned properties in southern Egypt, where sectarian tensions are more pronounced.

For decades, Christians in Egypt have complained of discrimination, saying they are denied top jobs in many fields, including academia and the security forces.

They have also accused the security forces of failing to do enough to protect them from religious extremists, a complaint that has persisted under Sisis rule.
National Action, which praised killer of MP Jo Cox and runs a Miss Hitler pageant, added to list of banned groups.

The British government has announced plans to ban a Neo-Nazi group that praised the killer of MP Jo Cox and calls for a White Jihad.

An order to proscribe National Action as a terrorist group was confirmed by Amber Rudd, the UK home secretary, on Monday.

I am taking action to proscribe the neo-Nazi group National Action, Rudd said, adding that involvement in the group would now be a criminal offence.

National Action is a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organisation which stirs up hatred, glorifies violence and promotes a vile ideology, and I will not stand for it, she said.

The self-declared National Socialist group posted several messages on Twitter backing Thomas Mair, the white supremacist who murdered Cox at her constituency a week before the vote to leave the European Union.

OPINION: Welcome to Weimar Britain

Vote Leave, dont let this mans sacrifice go in vain. Jo Cox would have filled Yorkshire with more subhumans, the tweet posted shortly after the incident read.

Mair was handed a life sentence in November for the killing, which the judge presiding over the case described as an act of White Supremacist terrorism.

The group says on its website that it does not sanction or endorse acts considered terrorism, but individuals linked to organisation have been linked to racist violence before.

In 2015, neo-Nazi and National Action member Zack Davies was convicted of attempted murder after trying to kill an Asian man at a supermarket in Wales.

Another of its members, Joshua Bonehill-Paine, has received multiple convictions for harassing Jewish individuals, including the MP Luciana Berger, with anti-Semitic tweets.

Neo-Nazi roots

Unlike other far-right groups, National Action makes no attempt to disguise its Neo-Nazi leanings.

At its demonstrations, black-clad, mask-wearing supporters raise fascist salutes and carry banners that read Hitler was right.

In an essay on its website that cites tracts from Hitlers Mein Kampf, the group calls on British youths to launch a White Jihad instead of wallowing in their own nihilism.

The organisation also runs a Miss Hitler competition, where female supporters are interviewed about a number of Neo-Nazi concerns, including which public figure they would like to hypothetically kill.

Those mentioned included Nigel Farage, the populist UK Independence Party politician; Boris Johnson, British foreign secretary; and an unidentified woman described as a rat-faced b****.

I would kill politics [sic] and their supporters, read one reply to the question, while one contestant struggled to answer as she said Britain and Europe were infested with so many traitors.

The group welcomed US President-elect Donald Trumps election victory in November and has posted pictures of its activists posing with a White Power poster bearing the Republican politicians image.

Another picture referring to Trumps victory shows activists holding the Confederate flag with the caption Hate won, get over it.

Clear message

Paul Jackson, an expert at Northampton University on far-right groups, said the move to ban National Action was a sign that the government was getting tough on the far right.

There seems to be a clear message being sent out by this development that the government is trying to do more to tackle extreme right-wing activity, Jackson said, before cautioning that proscribing such groups was not the most effective way of tackling the issue.

I am not sure that a ban is the best way to achieve this.

What is really needed is more efforts being put into training for people in the state sector who may encounter the extreme right in one way or another, from teachers to doctors to the police themselves, Jackson said.

Secondly, it is important that the current extreme right groups are effectively monitored.

Jackson said Junes Brexit referendum vote and Trumps victory in the United States had empowered the far right but their rise has been brewing for years.

More resources are needed to help tackle this issue, before newer organisations start to pose a more significant threat to public safety, he said.
At least 462,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with 2.2m in need of urgent care, UNICEF says.

More than 400,000 children are at risk of starvation in Yemen, with nearly 2.2 million in need of urgent care, according to the UN childrens agency UNICEF.

New figures indicate that hunger among children has reached an all-time high, with at least 462,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition  a drastic increase of about 200 percent since 2014.

In a report published on Monday, UNICEF said at least one child dies every 10 minutes because of malnutrition, diarrhoea and respiratory-tract infections.





The state of health of children in the Middle Easts poorest country has never been as catastrophic as it is today, Meritxell Relano, the agencys acting representative, said in a statement.

Malnutrition in Yemen is at an all-time high and increasing.

Severe acute malnutrition is a major cause of death for children under the age of five, and is apparent when a child has a very low weight for their height and becomes visibly frail and skeletal.

Saada governorate, the most heavily bombed region in Yemen, has the worlds highest stunting rates among children, affecting eight out of 10 in some areas, it said.

Stunting  where a child is short for their age  is another sign of chronic malnourishment and has irreversible consequences for both physical health and cognitive function.

Other governorates  Hodeida, Taiz, Hajjah and Lahej  were also badly affected after 20 months of war, UNICEF said.

READ MORE: My children are starving to death

The Arabian Peninsula country has been torn apart by conflict since 2014, when Iran-allied Houthi fighters, in cooperation with troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, captured large expanses of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

A coalition assembled by Saudi Arabia launched an air campaign against the fighters in March 2015. Since then, more than 10,000 people have been killed and millions driven from their homes.

The conflict has also taken a devastating toll on Yemens health system which is on the verge of collapse, UNICEF says in the report.

Humanitarian groups have struggled to deliver aid to large parts of the country owing to the fighting and air strikes, with the medical aid charity Doctors Without Borders calling the situation extremely challenging.

Several medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed, with the Arab coalition blamed for raids on medical centres, schools, mosques, factories and homes.

The coalition has also imposed a sea blockade on Yemen and air strikes have led to a virtual lockdown of Sanaa.
We rewind to 2013 when 101 East travelled to Cambodia to talk with men who admit rape and violence against women.

Gang rape hit the headlines in a big way after the brutal attack of a woman on a bus in Indias capital, Delhi in 2012. But research showed that gang rape was a problem not just in India but across Asia.

The normalisation of violence against women... is still a common pattern around the world. by Dr Emma Fulu, The Equality Institute

In 2013, 101 East travelled to Cambodia, a country with some of the highest rates of rape in the region, to speak with men themselves about why they commit these crimes against women.

REWIND caught up with Dr Emma Fulu, the founder and director of The Equality Institute, which works to advance gender equality and prevent violence against women, to find out if there has been any progress in changing attitudes since 2013.

The normalisation of violence against women, unfortunately, I think is still a common pattern around the world, Fulu says.

But according to her, the issue of violence against women is on the international agenda in a way that it wasnt in 2013. In 2015, the sustainable development goals were launched and they now include a specific target on the elimination of violence against women and girls. So countries are required now to report on how theyre progressing in achieving that outcome.

On the other hand is a pretty strong backlash to the womens rights movement and to this issue of violence against women. I think you see that in social media, in mainstream media, you see it in the political sphere  I think you see that in the most recent US presidential election, where there was a huge amount of sexism and misogyny that was observed, and I think that level of backlash to the movement is becoming more pronounced. The positive thing about that backlash is what it actually shows, that we are moving forward.
A Gainesville woman drunkenly fell asleep behind the wheel Saturday with her car in drive and facing oncoming traffic at an intersection, Gainesville Police said.

At about 4:15 a.m., police found Tonia Maria Vandervort, 34, with her head slumped over her cars steering wheel at the intersection of Northwest 16th Boulevard and Northwest 41st Street, according to a police report.

There was a strong odor of alcohol coming from the car and a mostly empty bottle of Kentucky Gentleman bourbon in the back seat, according to the report.

Before trying to wake Vandervort, a GPD officer opened her door and put the car in park, according to the report. He then tried to wake her by talking to her, beeping the cars horn and pulling on her shoulder.

Vandervort did not wake up until the officer used an ammonia stick, and it took her a couple of minutes to realize where she was, according to the report.

Vandervorts eyes were watery and bloodshot, and police recorded her blood-alcohol levels as being 0.162 and 0.159, which is roughly double the legal limit, according to the report.

I should not have been driving, she said, according to the report.

Police arrested Vandervort on a charge of driving under the influence. Authorities took her to the Alachua County Jail, where she was released Saturday on her own recognizance.

When contacted, Vandervort declined to comment on the arrest.

cdickson@alligator.org

@ced0624

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INTERNATIONAL Global human rights development demands equal exchanges

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 12 Decembre 2016



Human rights undertakings require a sound international environment. All countries can only seek shared progress by launching equal-footed dialogues, cooperation and exchanges based on respect to each others development path, social value, historical and cultural traditions, as well as political systems.

Zhong Sheng, Peoples Daily



Human rights undertakings require a sound global environment, and all countries need to launch equal-footed dialogues, cooperation and exchanges based on respect to each others independently chosen path, the Peoples Daily said in a commentary published on Saturday, the 68th International Human Rights Day.



The West has no grounds to monopolize the rights of speech in terms of human rights as their so-called superiority can rightly serve as evidence for barbarism, the article under the byline of Zhong Sheng stressed.



The following is a translation of the article:



December 10 marks the 68th International Human Rights Day, a day that reminds us to respect the course of human rights undertakings.



Mankind shares a common goal to enjoy human rights. To realize this objective, the world should boost exchanges of diversified civilizations, bolster collaboration on human rights and build a healthy and effective governance system, so that international human rights undertakings can progress in a smooth way.



Meanwhile, current international exchanges on human rights are far from ideal. Some Westerners, in particular, have turned a blind eye to the 800 million people who are still suffering from hunger around the globe, and have not paid serious attention to the issues of refugee crisis, terrorism, xenophobia and racism. But all these predicaments come down to human rights challenges.



They, though dubbing themselves as lecturers in human rights, in fact resort to it as a tool to play politics, adopt double standards and interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries by using human rights as an excuse.



The West has no grounds to monopolize the rights of speech in terms of human rights. Scholar Perry Anderson said in a recent commentary that the human rights discourse in todays world is a contemporary version of the civilization standards of the 19th century.



Back at the end of the 19th century, European jurists pigeonholed countries as civilized, barbaric and savage by comparing them with a European standard, but history has proven that such logic is absurd and unjust.



However, some Westerners, up to now, failed to realize that their so-called superiority and classification are the best evidence of their barbarism.



The Western world imagined itself as a standard of human rights, but failed to withstand the test. All kinds of deep-rooted plights they encountered in the past year have exposed their shortcomings. Racial conflicts and uncontrolled use of firearms have split the US public, while the refugee crisis is torturing the conscience of Europe.



Because of these twisted social values, widening disparity between the rich and the poor and other escalated challenges, the public are increasing their hatred toward the mainstream, establishment and politics after a host of elections have brought institutional flaws in the voting democracy of Western countries to light. The world is now alert to its emerging chaos.



What is ridiculous is that any time Western countries met with a predicament, their mainstream voice will exaggerate or make up some questions of other nations. They are now in dead ends that always blame others like Moscow and Beijing, but ignore their own flaws.



In terms of international human rights, it means that there is no one-size-fits-all" path in the world. What the world can do is to pursue a no best, but better protection of human rights.



The world has learned not a few lessons caused by copying other development models regardless of the reality. In those harrowing cases, social unrest was triggered because the borrowed system cannot acclimatize to national conditions. The involved nations, as a result, failed to secure their people with the right to survive and develop, not to mention political rights.



But there are indeed a number of successful cases. The international community recognized that by combining the universal principle with the Chinese reality, China has boosted its economic and social progress, improved its peoples livelihoods, bolstered social justice, optimized protection of law-based human rights, pursued economic, social and cultural rights as well as civic and political rights in parallel, and significantly strengthened protection of peoples rights to survive and develop, thus finding out a unique path suitable to Chinas conditions.



Human rights undertakings require a sound international environment. All countries can only seek shared progress by launching equal-footed dialogues, cooperation and exchanges based on respect to each others development path, social value, historical and cultural traditions, as well as political systems.



(Peoples Daily)





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The Community Reinvestment Act will be 40 years old next year. But no one is planning an anniversary celebration as banks, regulators and community advocates ponder the impact of President-elect Trump and the GOP's control of Congress on how the law will be enforced. Some even question whether the law will survive to middle age.

Not only has Trump and his party made much of the need to eliminate bank regulatory burden, but the CRA's traditional supporters are out of power and do not appear to have much influence with the incoming administration.

Certainly, there is some history of Republican antipathy toward the CRA, which was enacted in 1977 by a Democratic Congress and president. When the GOP took over Congress in 1995, for the first time in 40 years, lawmakers promptly held hearings on whether the CRA should be repealed. In 1999, a Republican Congress passed the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which in addition to repealing Glass-Steagall provided CRA regulatory relief for smaller banks and enacted the CRA Sunshine Rule. The rule required public disclosure of CRA-related agreements between banks and community groups  deals that Republicans questioned. Outright repeal of the CRA, however, was blocked by a Democratic president.

In the 2000s, the law survived the years of President George W. Bush's administration, including when Republicans controlled the legislative branch. While smaller banks received further regulatory relief from the agencies, there was no meaningful effort to repeal the law. And during the 2016 campaign and the transition to date, the focus of bank regulatory relief has been on the Dodd Frank Act, particularly the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, not the CRA.

There are two reasons why the CRA has so far avoided the chopping block. First, the law itself is no longer a magnet for controversy. After almost 40 years, banks, regulators and community groups have largely learned to work together to serve lower-income neighborhoods and individuals. Their collaboration has been effective, efficient and profitable. The law is credited with providing billions of dollars of safe and sound loans, investments and services to underbanked individuals and neighborhoods. Studies about the cause of the foreclosure crisis demonstrated that CRA lending was less likely to result in foreclosure than mortgages made by lenders not covered by the law.

In fact, many banks are proud of their CRA activities and the enhanced community relationships that those activities foster. Senior bankers routinely tout their commitments to serve lower-income people and communities and most banks have in place the infrastructure necessary to do so. As a result, most of the current pressure for CRA reform is based on the need to adapt or amend the 20-year-old regulatory structure to an ever-changing banking environment, not on repealing the law or even reducing burden.

But perhaps most importantly, the purpose of the CRA  to encourage banks to safely and soundly help meet the credit needs of their local communities without regard to race  is in line with a political philosophy that rejects race-based distinctions and a president-elect seeking ways to help address the needs of communities defined by their economic struggles, not their racial or ethnic compositions.

I have argued before in this space against using the CRA for fair lending enforcement, noting that the CRA is necessary to help ensure that all lower-income communities and individuals, whether or not they are a minority, are adequately served by their local banks. The CRA's mandate is accordingly different from that of the anti-discrimination laws. Keeping the CRA colorblind is in the interest of both the industry and community advocates.

And now there is an even more important reason to acknowledge that the CRA is not an anti-discrimination law  the viability of the law itself. Come Inauguration Day, failure to acknowledge the unique colorblind foundation of the CRA will run the risk of creating an unnecessary political vulnerability for the future of the CRA, as well as run counter to the plain language of the CRA statute.

Instead, CRA proponents would do well to emphasize that the law has provided genuine benefit over many years to people and communities throughout the country without regard to race, ethnicity or any other factor at the heart of fair lending laws. As such, it is consistent with a political philosophy that rejects race-based distinctions and can assist the incoming administration in its efforts to address the needs of all communities.

Warren W. Traiger is senior counsel in the New York office of BuckleySandler LLP.
Kristy Fercho, who's run the bank's home lending division since August 2020, will report directly to CEO Charlie Scharf and sit on the operating committee. Last year, she became the first Black person to chair the Mortgage Bankers Association, and she took the top spot in American Banker's Most Powerful Women to Watch this year.
Lloyd Marcus, in his wonderful piece "The Myth of Racist America" in American Thinker, describes how "[b]lack seniors are prone to experiencing "racism paranoia."

The issue is parodied in the Seinfeld episode when Uncle Leo attributed a overcooked hamburger (and much else in his world) to anti-Semitism. Something raised its head in an amusing way in my own life when my son's Japanese in-laws invited us to dinner in an upscale restaurant, and the service was horrible. Sighing, the old man turned to me and said, "You have to expect that when you're Japanese."

"Oh? Watch this." I turned in my seat and signaled, only to have the waaiter turn his back on me too. "See?" I said. "It's not just Japanese he's nasty to. He's an equal opportunity idiot." We all laughed and laughed and laughed. It's a story I told to a Jewish couple we know, and they laughed themselves  "when that happens, we always think it's because we're Jews."

The point is that not just elderly black people, but all of us are prone to jump to conclusions about the motives of people different from us. Even a little bit different.

This is often the reason we don't get along when we don't.

Yet there has always been another, much stronger dimension to American life.

I was raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in the 1950s among a potpourri of nationalities. It was a great place for kids to grow up despite the fact that the police would cuff you if they thought you needed it and everybody smoked because Dad would take you into a bar on Third Avenue with him while Sunday dinner was being prepared (where I enjoyed the cokes despite being forced to stay in my church clothes), and it was much more of a fighting culture than we have today. That is, adults didn't think too much about a few punches thrown among boys. Indeed, being able to stand up for yourself was something to be admired, and I admire it yet.

In this group I hung around with, we had Norwegians, Irish, Italians, Yugoslavs, Greeks, Syrians, the occasional Anglo, and one or two Jews. Many like me had an immigrant grandparent in the house. And while we'd rag on each other about the nationality differences, at the end of the day there we were on the street or in the park playing Kings, Stoopball. Bok-Bok, or Stickball together. Later dating and marrying.

Why?

Because each of us also had another foot in a different world, a big foot. The American world's adults taught us about and the manner in which its way of thinking and values were held up to every child in movies and books, in standards of beauty and humor. This is the way society, especially the schools, saw it as their duty to bring us to conformity in that Anglo-American culture. No matter if you were Italian; you were taught about Daniel Boone, George Washington, and King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. You would learn about the Roman Empire, but in a manner that cast it as the progenitor of English kings or the Founding Fathers. You would never, for example, be taught about Garibaldi. Not much, anyway. I, the half-Irish, half-Swede, was taught very little Irish history, and that only in the context of its relations with England, and little about Vikings except in giving credit to Eric the Red for discovering Vinland.

In other words we learned, as today's children emphatically do not, that it was this American culture that really counted. The proof of that assertion was simple and irrefutable. We were the world's winners, the freest, richest, most powerful, smartest, happiest, "coolest" society that had ever existed. Not to forget that we invented Rock 'n' Roll. Indeed by every measure, everybody else's culture was an also-ran.

And so while we kids out on the street might look a bit different and went home to different customs the elders couldn't shake off, we kids  the punk, the scholar, the future cop or Wall Street trader  all looked forward to life with the same Anglo-American heart.

In fact, growing up, I don't believe I ever once heard the word diversity used to describe something socially valuable, and certainly not as a condition to be striven for. Want "diversity?" Then remove yourself to the super-diverse Balkans, where peoples of ten different languages are grindingly poor and have been grinding poor for thousands of years because their one motivation in life is to have their son ambush those funny-talking folks in the next valley and steal their goat. Me, my kid, he's going stay focused on what's important in life and grow up to be a cowboy, a space explorer, the president of the United States.

He's an American.

He can be whatever he wants to be and invent whatever new world he chooses to live in.

It is a point to be thought about, deeply, as the nation embarks on a new administration and we re-examine the meaning of E Pluribus Unum.

Consider again as every generation must learn how best our nation's children may play together, grow, and love one another in the 21st century.

And remember once more the way America changed the world because it didn't celebrate differences, but instead, in Israel Zangwill's words, became "God's Crucible," the "Great Melting Pot."

 for these are the fires of God you've come to  these are the fires of God. A fig for your feuds and vendettas! Germans and Frenchmen, Irishmen and Englishmen, Jews and Russians  into the Crucible with you all! God is making the American.

A pox on diversity.

Richard F. Miniter is the author of The Things I Want Most, Random House, BDD. See it here. He lives and writes in the colonial-era hamlet of Stone Ridge, New York; blogs here; and can also be reached at miniterhome@gmail.com.
Hillary Clinton, who survived sniper fire in Bosnia to run for the presidency, called on Thursday for a bipartisan fight to end an epidemic of fake news she now blames for her defeat by Donald Trump.

Hillary is a consummate serial liar. From lying to the parents of the four Benghazi dead in front of their sons caskets, repeating the infamous video lie, of which she arguably was the architect, to dodging sniper fire in Bosnia, to being named for Sir Edmund Hillary years before he climbed Mt. Everest, to her claim she made $100,000 in the futures market almost literally overnight just from reading the Wall Street Journal.

Her call for a war on fake news is laughable. As Politico reports:

"This is not about politics or partisanship," Clinton said during remarks at a tribute to retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "Lives are at risk." Clinton's reference to the "real-world consequences" of fake news comes days after a gunman briefly occupied a Washington pizza restaurant mentioned in false reports of a child sex-trafficking ring linked to the former secretary of state. But Clinton went beyond domestic sources of fake news to decry "foreign propaganda," touting a bipartisan effort in Congress to "boost the government's response" to it.

Vladimir Putin may have ordered the hacking of Hillary's and the DNCs damning emails to help Trump, but thats irrelevant. The emails and Hillarys lies about them are quite real. Russia didnt set up her illegal and unsecured server, nor did Russia write, send, and then delete emails containing classified information under subpoena using sophisticated means. Hillary did that, not Russia. Thats real news, not fake.

As for putting lives at risk, Hillarys lies and reckless carelessness included the transmission of emails containing the names of actual CIA operatives in the field involved in clandestine operations. As the New York Post reported:

Hillary Clintons e-mails included the names of CIA officers serving overseas and foreigners who are on the spy agencys payroll -- potentially endangering their lives, it was reported Monday. Its a death sentence, a senior intelligence-community official told the Observer. If were lucky, only [foreign] agents, not our officers, will get killed because of this. The paper said the intelligence community is in panic mode trying to determine which agents may have been compromised. CIA officials assume foreign agencies intercepted unencrypted e-mails stored on Clintons home server while she was secretary of state.

Hillary is a master of fake news, particularly that involving the loss of lives she was responsible for. Her pushing of the narrative that Benghazi was the fault of a video was the ultimate in fake news. Hillary was an active participant in the Benghazi video lie repeated on five Sunday talk shows by then U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, by President Obama six times before the United Nations, and by Hillary and the president to the parents of the dead in front of their sons caskets.

The question of the day should not be about Melania Trumps journalistic ethics, but about the total lack of conscience that allowed Hillary Clinton to tell her the daughter the truth about Benghazi being a terrorist attack and then lie about a video to the American people and to the parents of the Benghazi dead. As Patricia Smith, mother of Benghazi vicitm Sean Smith, told the convention:

In an email to her daughter shortly after the attack, Hillary Clinton blamed it on terrorism. But when I saw Hillary Clinton at Seans coffin ceremony, just days later, she looked me squarely in the eye and told me a video was responsible, Smith said. Since then, I have repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton to explain to me the real reason why my son is dead. Im still waiting.

Then there is another bit of fake news which Hillary has embraced that has cost the lives of many police officers the hands up, dont shoot lie that began in Ferguson, Missouri and which spawned the Black Lives matter movement.

Hillary sought the endorsement of Black Lives Matter but blew off the Fraternal Order of Police. As the Dally Caller reported:

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton pursued the endorsement of Black Lives Matter activists but blew off the largest police union in the United States The mothers of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner stood on stage in Philadelphia praising Clinton.Hillary Clinton has the compassion and understanding to support grieving mothers, Sybrina Fulton, mother of Martin, said. She has the courage to lead the fight for commonsense gun legislation. She has a plan to divide that so often exists between law enforcement and the communities they serve. On the other hand, the Clinton campaign appeared to string the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) on for a period of time until staff told the union Clinton would not seek its endorsement, The Hill reported.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke observed on Fox News recently that fake news has a birth date and a birthplace:

Thursday on Fox News Channels Fox & Friends, Milwaukee County, WI Sheriff David Clarke said the entire phenomenon of so-called fake news began in 2014 with the hands up, dont shoot claim of the August 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. Clarke called it a lie and said it had been propagated by many mainstream media outlets. Its the anniversary of that fateful summer night in August of 2014 that started with the hands up, dont shoot lie that was propagated by every mainstream liberal media across this country, Clarke said. The New York Times, The Washington Post, the LA Times, the Chicago Tribune, CNN, MSNBC all propagated that hands up, dont shoot lie. It was from that time forward that this concept of fake news was talked about.

Fake news has been the trademark of liberal media outlets for a long time -- just ask Dan Rather and Brian Williams, whose career ended with lies and deceit. Whether you trace its beginnings to Ferguson or Benghazi or before, it has been perfected by liberals and Democrats. Liberals oppose the free flow of information and the right of people to make up their own minds. Were not stupid, Hillary. CBS, ABC, and NBC are no longer the gatekeepers deciding what we see and hear. We can figure it out, just like we figured Hillary out. Fake news? Hillary Clinton is its poster child.

Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
Never before in American history has our country faced a drug abuse, drug crime, and drug overdose crisis of the magnitude now confronting our society. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced that more than 50,000 Americans last year died from drug overdoses. That is a surge of death around us.

To be specific, we just saw an 11% jump, in one year, to 52,404 drug-related deaths. By comparison, 37,757 died in car crashes, an increase of 12%. Gun deaths, including homicides and suicides, totaled 36,252, a jump of 7%. Here is the kicker: law enforcement would confirm that many of car and gun deaths go right back to the drug crisis. What is becoming of us?

Reactions have been interesting, and somewhat revolting. Dismissive comments have ranged from indifference (who cares?) and blaming the enormous jump in drug-related deaths -- another during Obamas tenure -- on the dead, most of whom are young -- to must be criminals, move along. The implication, of course, is that we need not care.

Finally, some take the perverse position that we should shrug and concede. If legalization brings this pain, brace for ramped-up overdoses, drugged driving, domestic abuse, and drug-related crime. Or they indulge the parallel delusion -- these are voluntary deaths, just suicides and addicts indulging to death in recreation. What addled brain takes this low road?

These reactions, top to bottom, are horrific -- a dangerous variant of mob behavior and cognitive dissonance. Taken from a distance, having seen the tragic rise over the past eight years, a larger tragedy is afoot. What is that? Dulling public reaction to these mounting young deaths. If there are 50,000 dead young people -- starting with high-potency marijuana, ending dead on opiates, heroin, cocaine, and other synthetics -- there must be tens of millions of Americans content to ignore the tragedy at their doorstep.

Historical comparisons are difficult, but also foreboding. No society long endures knowing escalation of preventable, intentional death of innocents -- right in its midst. To be clear: If we look the other way, we are also complicit in the crime. Edmund Burke said it, and worth memorizing: All it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing. What to do? Start caring, learning, understanding and speaking up -- against this accelerating tragedy.

There are those actually promoting this turn of events. They advance the escalation of drug-related deaths by billing smoked marijuana as medicine or recreation -- the line grows blurry. And the pernicious fiction that opiate, heroin, cocaine, and synthetic addictions are not being properly managed. And the grotesque fiction that addiction is harmless. Note: ask the family of any addict, or those hundred thousand parents who just lost a child last year, or the sister who lost her brother, teacher who lost another student. No, this is not a victimless crime.

How did we get here? How do we shake this growing seduction, societal indifference, heartlessness toward the young, disrespect for scientific facts and law -- where law embodies the societys moral norms, public health, and public safety?

Can you not hear the distant sound of falls, hear the roar growing? In my youth, we spent time in the great outdoors, often in canoes, sometimes on rivers. The sound of waterfalls, which can come up fast, got quick respect. You got off the river. Reason was simple: If you ignore reality, comes a point of irreversibility, that fateful point of no return. Societies can also face such a point.

Today, as numbers go exponential in many drug categories, gangs and drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) penetrate formerly safe cities along with rural America. Homicides track spreading DTOs, explaining spikes in heroin deaths and homicides in places like Chicago and Baltimore. Yet, still we look away. We refuse to hear the falls.

Some states, even in the last election, sold the idea that profiting from our collective moral indifference, from knowing encouragement of early death for children, irretrievable heartbreak of parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and teachers, is or should be acceptable. It should not be. They imagine that tax dollars will offset the human pain of state-sponsored drug abuse, addiction, and death. They are wrong.

Crime is not made right by plebiscite. Nor by believing bad things will happen, but not to you -- so they should be allowed. Or that legal crime is just an experiment, reversible, like addiction -- only neither easily are. Or that addictive potency can be ignored -- imagining drugs are beer. Or that drugged driving is not so bad -- until the car opposite crosses into your lane. In a flash -- you are at the falls. Like the child who did not want to die, misled by public officials.

Be alert. The intertwined tragedy -- rising death numbers and public indifference -- are growing, not shrinking. A president who demoted his top official battling addiction and drug crime to sub-cabinet rank told us a lot. A president -- and members of Congress, and even governors -- who laughs at marijuana and cocaine use, tell us a lot. They do not know the families, clinics, ERs, trapped children, trapped adults, law enforcement and civilian funerals. They do not know what they are saying or doing to America.

Time now to reverse this public and official indifference, and reverse these fictions. Major categories of drug abuse have doubled or worse within the past ten years. This trajectory is not sustainable, and does not bring self-respect, peace, health, public safety, lawful behavior -- or restore the identity Americans should want. A new Congress and the Trump team have a chance to get out of this right -- get out of this current, avoid the falls, reverse the crisis. No one has to be brilliant. They just have to -- we just have to -- care. It is about time, isnt it? Can you hear the falls?

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement under George W. Bush, former Naval Intelligence Officer and litigator, who served in the Reagan and Bush 41 White Houses. He wrote the book Narcotics and Terrorism, and writes widely on national security and law.
What is the largest ethnic group that wants but does not have a nation-state of its own? No, it's not the "Palestinian people," but rather the Kurds, who number between 30 and 35 million. Living in areas of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Armenia, they constitute the fourth largest ethnic group. They constitute 18% of the Turkish population, 10% in Iran, 17% in Iraq, and 10% in Syria.

In all the four countries, they have suffered persecution, discrimination, and marginalization, though they were protected to some extent in Syria by the French mandate. In Turkey, the repression of Kurds has been constant and the Kurdish language forbidden for a time. In Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini declared "holy war" against them, and 10,000 Kurds were killed. Saddam Hussein in Iraq removed thousands of them in his "Arabization" program. At best, there has been an uneven relationship between Kurds and government authorities, who may see Kurds as a security problem.

Calls for Kurdish autonomy began in the late 19th century under the Ottoman Empire. Organizations to that end were formed after World War I and again after World War II in the four countries in which Kurds lived.

The Kurds have played a role in history, especially when the Kurdish Saladin the Magnificent took power in the 12th century. Saladin, renowned as a liberator and good ruler, is regarded as a symbol of courage and resistance, as a unifier of the Middle East and the conqueror of Jerusalem, not only by Kurds, but also by Arabs.

Throughout history, the Kurds have maintained their ethnic identity in spite of divisions and conflicts among them, which has made their situation complex.

They have become more important in the context of international politics since they have been playing a prominent courageous role in the fighting in Syria and Iraq, particularly in the struggle against ISIS. The Kurds, with support of U.S.-led coalition airpower, have been responsible for a number of victories against ISIS in northern Syria and control territory along the Turkish border. They have driven ISIS out of a number of towns. There is a virtual partnership between the Kurds and the U.S. in the war against radical Islam.

This indigenous people are a distinct people because of common race, culture, and language, though they differ religiously. The question is, why do they not have a state of their own? With the end of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the Western Allies by the Treaty of Sevres of August 10, 1920 suggested both local autonomy and a Kurdish independent state.

But there were acute international and Kurdish differences on this, and the proposals were put aside in the Treaty of Lausanne of July 24, 1923, which set the boundaries of Turkey and left the Kurds in minority status in the various four countries. The argument can be made that the Kurds were the great losers in the international machinations to establish political entities after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Since then, Kurdish groups, both legal parties and organizations, and those calling for armed struggle and guerrilla tactics, have struggled for a state of their own, or for some autonomous status. These groups developed in a number of countries, starting in 1927 with the Khoybun in Syria and Lebanon, and then in Iran in 1946 with the PDK (Democratic Party of Kurdistan) in which Mustafa Barzani was a central figure. Their cause has not been helped by the tensions among the Kurdish groups, which at one point led to civil war.

That struggle has been particularly acute in Turkey, where Kurds constitute almost 18% of the population. After a number of Kurdish uprisings, Turkey imposed brutal treatment on its Kurdish citizens. Among other things, Kurds were removed from their areas, the Kurdish language was restricted, and Kurdish names and costumes were banned. Kurdish ethnic identity was denied.

In response, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), a leftist Marxist and militant group, was formed by Abdullah Ocalan in 1978 , calling for an independent state in Turkey, and soon, in 1984, Ocalan began an armed struggle in which 40,000 were killed and thousands were displaced. The PKK withdrew the demand for an independent state. Instead, it called for greater cultural and political autonomy, though fighting continued.

A temporary ceasefire was ended in July 2015 with clashes in southeastern Turkey and air strikes on PKK camps in Iraq. However, the PKK, whose leader, Ocalan, has been imprisoned since 1999, operates a number of camps in northern Iraq. It is a sign of his political blindness that Turkish president Erdogan declared in 2015 that Turkey does not have a Kurdish problem.

Further violence resulted from a suicide bomb attack in Ankara in February 2016 that Turkey blamed on the Syrian Kurdish YPG (Popular Protection Units), aligned to the PYD (Democratic Unity Party) that Turkey labels terrorist organizations. Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the PKK. In fact, the PKK, though not the YPG, is officially regarded as a terrorist group by the U.S. and the EU.

Kurds make up about 10 % of the population of Syria and an estimated 15-20% of Iraq. In Iraq, the Kurds have created the KRG (Kurdish Regional Government), which has the Peshmerga as its armed forces and the Iraqi Kurdish Party led by Massoud Barzani. The Peshmerga force of 150,000 has been a significant part of the forces in the war against ISIS in Iraq, especially in Mosul. It has suffered severe losses, and more than 1,000 have been killed by ISIS.

In Syria the basic rights of Kurds have been suppressed. Many have been denied citizenship while Kurdish land has been taken and given to Arabs. All demands for greater autonomy have been suppressed.

In January 2014, the Syrian PYD and other groups declared the creation of an autonomous government with three branches. This was not an independent state, but a democratic administration within a federal framework.

The PYD leader, Salih Muslim, has declared that a political settlement to end the conflict in Syria must recognize Kurdish autonomy. The PYD has fought against rebel groups though not allied to Assad, who it believes should not be in power.

After a Kurdish revolt against British rule failed, the KDP was formed by Mustafa Barzani in 1946 to struggle for autonomy in Iraq, but this proposal for self-rule was rejected by the central government, and KDP launched an armed struggle in 1961. In 1975, divisions in the KDP led to Ja l al Talabani leaving and forming the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan).

The Kurds took the side of Iran in the war with Iraq. As a result, Saddam Hussein in 1988 attacked the Kurdsm including a poison gas attack on Halabja. A Kurdish rebellion was brutally suppressed. Some 1.5 million Iraqi Kurds fled into Iran and Turkey after the 1991 rebellion was crushed.

The Iraqi Kurds cooperated in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 that ended the rule of Saddam Hussein. In 2005 the Iraqi constitution recognized the autonomy of Kurdistan. The KRG ( Kurdistani Regional Govermnent) was created to administer three provinces in the country. It controls an area of about 16,000 square miles, one tenth of Iraq, and has oil reserves of 4 billion barrels. In February 2016, Massoud Barzani, president of Kurdistan since 2005, called for a referendum on independence.

It is unclear what will be the boundaries of an independent state, beyond the three provinces, especially with claims to the oil-rich Kirkuk area. Yet irrespective of the boundaries, it is incumbent on the Trump administration to support such an outcome. There has been no overall U.S. policy concerning the Kurds, though it has included secret relationships and humanitarian aid.

Now there is collaboration in the fight against Islamic terrorism. Though increased U.S. support for the Kurds may involve problems with Middle East countries, especially Turkey, the Kurds have proved they are the most effective fighters in the war against ISIS. The Trump administration must persuade Turkey that the Kurds are not a threat to its national security , and that the Turks would benefit from an established Kurdistan.
Well, well, well  here come the potentates of high technology, flying in from Silicon Valley to meet with the president-elect at Trump Tower. Joe Rossignol of MacRumors.com writes:

Apple CEO Tim Cook is among a small group of tech leaders who plan to attend President-elect Donald Trump's reported tech summit at Trump Tower in Manhattan on Wednesday, according to Recode. Other attendees will allegedly include the CEOs of Google parent company Alphabet, Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Intel, Oracle, and Tesla. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was also invited, and he is likely to attend, the report noted. There could be a few other attendees, as invites reportedly continued to be sent by Trump's chief of staff Reince Priebus, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and presidential transition team adviser and tech investor Peter Thiel late into the week. A handful of tech leaders have reportedly declined the invitation, as the report noted some of the technology companies and executives disagree with Trump on a myriad of key issues, ranging from encryption to immigration reform.

The hi tech community in the Bay Area and Seattle, in particular, is virulently hostile to Trump. In taking this posture, they bet big on a loser, and they now face two years of GOP domination of the elected branches and at least four years of a Trump presidency. Companies like Apple and Google face an incredible array of hazards from a hostile administration. Microsoft already stumbled into a realization that antitrust crusaders at home or abroad can inflict enormous damage. The EU is going after Apple right now complaining that rigged transfer prices transferred profits into low-tax countries, like Ireland, and that billions euros of taxes are owed.

Gee, wouldnt it be great if Apple had a U.S. government that wasnt hostile to it? A government that would take its side in discussions with the Europeans, the Chinese, and anyone else seeing a rich honeypot of money in the high tech sector run by those Yankees? And a president who doesnt see Apple, Google, and the rest as enemies?

I suspect there is going to be a rapprochement. Both sides can help each other. There is more to gain than lose. That is how it works in business.

As a friend of mine with an appropriate sense of humor puts it, the king is dead; long live the king.
President Enrique Pena-Nieto of Mexico thought he could fight the cartels differently from how his predecessor, President Felipe Calderon, did.

Like President Obama in the U.S., who thought he could end wars with a speech or by withdrawing, President Pena-Nieto thought he could end the military's role by simply doing so.

Not so fast: President Pena-Nieto has now confirmed that the armed forces will stay in the street until further notice. This is via Yahoo:

"Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Friday troops will remain in the streets to combat drug violence after his defense minister issued a rare complaint about the controversial deployment. Although Pena Nieto acknowledged that the soldiers and marines have been doing law enforcement tasks that "don't correspond to them in the strictest sense," he said the armed forces are "determined to continue" policing the streets. The military deployment has allowed "cities and regions in our country to return to peace and calm," he said. Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos said on Thursday that the military "didn't ask" to be fighting criminals. "We don't like it. We didn't study how to chase criminals," the general said. "Our function is something else and it's been made into something unnatural. We are doing things that don't correspond to our training because there's no one else to do them." Mexico marks 10 years on Sunday since then president Felipe Calderon deployed for the first time thousands of troops to combat drug cartels. The deployment has led to the capture of major drug lords but soldiers and marines have been accused of committing torture and other abuses over the years. Violence also soared in the years that followed as the arrests of drug bosses sparked turf wars in several regions. Pena Nieto, who took office in 2012, has said that troops would return to their barracks once citizens feel safe across the country.

Coincidence or not, we read this week that the cartels are getting more dangerous  not just to Mexico, but to the U.S. Elena Toledo posted this in PanAm Post:

The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has issued a report called Estimation of the National Drug Threat 2016 reaffirming the operation of six drug cartels in Mexico. The federal agency, along with others, has detected drug trafficking by the Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel, New Generation Jalisco Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas and Beltran Leyva Cartel. Mexican cartels remain the main threat. No other group has currently positioned itself to challenge them in the United States. They maintain influence in large portions of Mexican territory that are used for the cultivation, production, importation, and transportation of illicit drugs, the document describes.

There are some lessons here for president-elect Trump and President Pena-Nieto, who has a couple of years left in his six-year term.

First, this is a time for both countries to project strength because weakness does not end wars or scare ruthless cartel leaders. In fact, I would argue that it does the opposite. ISIS exploded on the scene once we left a vacuum in Iraq; and, Second, the Mexican cartels are expanding since President Pena-Nieto took his foot off the accelerator. Yes, the Mexican government has scored some big hits, or killing of cartel heads. However, this is a long-term war and dead leaders are replaced quickly.

My suggestion is that both presidents come together and commit to winning this war. We will probably have to put troops on the border and participate in joint operations with the Mexican Army.

The war against cartels will go on for a while. This is not going to end with some peace treaty. The cartels will have to be crushed on the ground, the same as ISIS.

Trump aside, this is one area where Mexico and the U.S. have shared interests.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
The effort to mobilize academic leftists into helping to destroy Israel is falling on its face, exposing the pathetic emptiness of anti-Israel bluster. The fact of Israel itself  the vibrant, innovative entrepreneurial and technology powerhouse surpassed only by the United States in the number of hi tech startups  is refuting the efforts to stigmatize Jews for having their own nation. Face it: the bullies can shout all they want, but the real opportunities that Israel creates for partners in science, scholarship, and business speak much louder to people doing things in the real world.

One of the most encouraging stories I have seen in a long time comes from Tablet Magazine (Hat tip: Legal Insurrection). Yair Rosenberg writes:

 a new study released this week, conducted jointly by the Samuel Neaman Institute for National Policy Research at Israels Technion and the U.S.-based Israel on Campus Coalition, debunks even this presumption. Contrary to what one might expect given the storm and fury on campuses, the study found that American-Israeli academic collaboration had skyrocketed 45 percent in the last decade. Notably, the more prestigious a U.S. university, the more likely it was to have worked with Israeli scholars. Thus, the top ten American institutions with joint academic publications with at least one Israeli co-author include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1,835 publications), University of California-Berkeley (1,697), Columbia University (1,596), Harvard University (1,451), Stanford University (1,350), University of Pennsylvania (1,295), and Yale University (1,233). Collectively, Israeli and American scholars accounted for over 40,000 publications since 2006. In addition, according to the Institute of International Education, the number of U.S. students studying in Israel grew from 1,981 in 2005-2006 to 3,317 in 2014-2015. What explains the disparity between the polarized perception of Israel on campus and the reality of collaboration? In large part, its a case of the volume of an opinion being mistaken for provenance. Niche academic organizations and radical student groups railroading measures through student council meetings are not representative of the broader university community.

Just as the mainstream media creates its own bubble, using its powerful megaphones to convince people that, say, Trump cant win, so too do campus leftists with time on their hands create the illusion of popular support for their prejudices.

Rosenberg acknowledges one other fact that is crucial:

 when it comes to scholarly associations, the few to have actually endorsed an academic boycott of Israel have hailed from smaller fields in the humanities, like American Studies, where little collaboration was likely to transpire in the first place. (Its not like an analysis of Milton calls out for Israeli input.) In the Sciences, by contrast, there has been no serious BDS push, and rates of American-Israeli cooperation continue to soar.

The politicized and largely worthless work put out by the leftists who dominate the humanities and social sciences makes no difference to the real world. It is an almost entirely self-referential bubble that nobody else really needs.

Hat tip: VM
The facts behind the complex matter of Akai Gurley's deadly shooting in Brooklyn on 20 November 2014 are, in their bare essence, undisputed: Akai Gurley was fatally shot by rookie police officer Peter Liang in an unlit stairwell in the notoriously dangerous Louis H. Pink public housing project in the East New York section of Brooklyn. The NYPD did not dispute that Liang was overly trigger-happy at the time and took away Liang's badge using the simplified administrative procedures applicable to the probationary officer he was. Though Gurley had more than a few previous encounters with the law (including some convictions for the relatively minor offenses of trespassing and drug possession), at the time he was killed, his behavior was entirely legal, and he evinced no objective indications to suggest otherwise.

Quite unsurprisingly in light of Gurley's African racial background, Al Sharpton insinuated himself into the situation, demanding Liang's prosecution. Sharpton's usual rabble took to the streets.

Liang was arrested, prosecuted, and convicted of manslaughter; that conviction was reduced to a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, for which Liang received a sentence including no jail time. Both the City of New York and Liang were dissatisfied with that disposition of the case; Liang considered himself innocent of any criminal conduct, and the city objected to the reduction in the charges.

Following some cloistered negotiations, both the city and Liang have now agreed to drop their respective appeals of the case and allow matters to remain as they now stand.

Most court cases are settled by the parties. (In criminal cases, such settlements, if made before trial, are known as "plea bargains.") Such settlements are made with due regard to considerations other than the pure black-letter law relevant to the case and can entail a wide variety of factors.

Liang's prosecution was obviously spurred on by political factors. I cannot help but wonder whether the parties' agreement to settle the case was brought about by the change in the political atmosphere inherent in the election of Donald Trump.

Kenneth H. Ryesky is an attorney admitted to practice before the courts in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as the United States Supreme Court. He has taught business law at Queens College CUNY.
Twenty-sixteen may turn out to be the year of the woman after all. The woman of the year is Sarah Palin, who eight years ago was crucified by assorted media and elites in order to usher in the new transformation of America promised by Senator Obama. Obama upset the heir apparent, Hillary Clinton, in a bruising Democratic primary fight, where establishment party politics succumbed to the youthful populism of Barack Obama. His old-guard rival, John McCain, appeared an easy mark until the rogue upstart from Alaska electrified the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2008. Palins feminist populism recharged the Republican connection with populism, even in the political headwinds of an economy heading south with each passing week.

Tina Fey, Katie Couric, and a punditry arrayed in the classic left-wing formation acted to annihilate the once popular Alaska governor and seared into the popular imagination something Palin never said: I can see Russia from my house. The sexist trashing of Palin is a hallmark of Americas arrogant ideological culture that puts women, African-Americans, gays, and all identity communities in their proper marginalized social place when they fail to adhere to the lefts ideological doctrines.

One month after Obamas victory against McCain and Palin, Palins Wasilla church was burned around its entire perimeter with women and children inside and temperatures outside at 20 below zero. It was a political hate crime that got little media coverage. December 12 is the anniversary of that crime. Not too long after, Palin quit her position as governor and was roundly mocked as a quitter after being besieged by politicized allegations. On July 3 of 2009, she explained:

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life -- my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Governor's office?' It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it -- and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we ALL could learn so much from someone like Trig -- I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities RIGHT -- that time is precious... the world needs more Trigs', not fewer.

Since that time, Palin has played the kingmaker in political races across the American landscape. The gradual erosion of Democratic Party power in local politics is in large part orchestrated by the political campaign fought by Palin since she stepped down from her post in Alaska. The decision to endorse Donald Trump over a strong field of conservative Republican presidential candidates in 2016  one year before his inauguration  may have been one of the most risky yet decisive actions taken by Palin. At that point, the field was not clearly committed, and many thought she might endorse Carson, Cruz, or some other better known conservative. Palin was among Trumps first and most major endorsements that paved a path almost all pundits denied was possible  all the way to election eve.

In many ways, a woman made Donald Trump. Palin took the arrows and bullying of an elite class. Her church was destroyed. Her family was attacked. She never stepped out of the spotlight or refused to speak up for her populist vision of America. Had Palins endorsement gone another way, Trump might not have taken flight in the broad field of 19 candidates deployed by the RNC.

There has never been any sense of remorse or apology from the left about what happened to Palin. There has been no celebration of the feminism embodied in the female leaders of Trump today such as Ivanka Trump, Hope Hicks, and Kellyanne Conway. Palin was a forerunner of the kind of countercultural resistance to identity-based politics played by American Jacobins. The inauguration of Donald Trump will be Sarah Palins revenge, and it will pose a long-term threat to identity politics as we have long known it.

Ben Voth is an associate professor of corporate communication and public affairs and director of debate at Southern Methodist University. He is the Calvin Coolidge Debate fellow and an adviser to the Bush Institute.
ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Trump's reported pick for secretary of state, isn't just friendly with Russia, with which he has negotiated oil and gas deals over the years. He's actually close to Vladimir Putin, who personally gave Tillerson a Russian medal.

Above is a photo of Vladimir Putin giving Tillerson Russia's "Order of Friendship" medal. If Russia were still officially a communist country run by a similarly named Vladimir, the medal would probably have only a slightly different name.

We should not have a secretary of state who is so close to one of our adversaries that he accepted a medal from it. And make no mistake: Russia is an adversary. We may cooperate with them in Syria or on some issues, but it was Russia that

1) invaded Crimea,

2) occupies a chunk of eastern Ukraine,

3) gave Iran the means to create nuclear weapons,

4) put more nuclear weapons on the border with Eastern Europe, and

5) regularly buzzes our planes and ships.

Russia is not an ally, and that is why Tillerson should not be appointed. His qualifications for the job are a mystery. The biggest current job of the secretary of state is rallying countries against Islamic extremism; Tillerson has no experience in this area. He is also going to have to go toe to toe with China and Russia, diplomatic brinkmanship with which he also has nothing to draw on. Tillerson is a deal maker, but that is not the kind of secretary of state we need now, even if John Bolton were picked as his deputy.

Trump has interviewed not only Tillerson for the job, but also Mitt Romney, who is too liberal, and Bob Corker, who conspired with Obama to help him enforce his Iran deal without a treaty verification vote in the Senate. His choice of interviewees, apart from John Bolton, has been uniformly outrageous.

It seems that except for national security posts, big business like Goldman Sachs and ExxonMobil as well as RNC insiders like Reince Priebus and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Conservativereview.com score: 41%) are getting the best jobs in the executive branch. And for people who say to wait and see what Trump actually does as president, just remember that personnel is policy, especially for a vacillating president-elect who changes his mind on a frequent basis.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
Quite a number of decades ago, the first steel-framed skyscraper in New York was the Flatiron Building. This edifice, which still stands, is located on 23rd Street. Back in the day, winds whipped across 23rd St., causing insecure footing for pedestrians, thus the antique expression 23 skidoo.

On Dec. 2, 2016, executives of 27 major corporations directed a hurricane at their male employees.

The heads of Bank of America Corp., American Electric Power Co., Coca-Cola Co. and 24 more large global companies have pledged to boost the number of women in their top ranks to parity with men by 2030.

Behind this move is a scheme called Paradigm for Parity (PfP), which claims it offers a five-step program for corporations to rethink existing attitudes that hinder women from reaching high positions. The authors of PfP point out that today, just 20 CEOs of the 500 largest companies (4%) are women. Unless the helpful ladies of PfP intervene, it might be another century at present rates before women get within shouting distance of parity.

Women who do the work and get the results certainly deserve their places in boardrooms. The relationship between business success and the PfP scheme has yet to be tested on a large scale. Changing male bosses' attitudes might lower some hurdles. But at this point, there is no sure way of telling whether PfP's brand of massaging the deep recesses of corporate minds will bring in more dollars, which, after all, is the real bottom line.

What can be said with more certainty is that, if PfP is put in place and enforced, males will have their chances of rising through the ranks to the very top of these 27 firms cut in half. It is also highly likely that the criteria for advancement in companies will include not only business results as traditionally measured, but also attitudes, specifically whether men harbor recognized wrong thoughts  or the species of nasty unrecognized prejudices that only "experts" can sniff out.

Men, especially those who endured politically correct feminist educations in modern universities, might be cool with the idea that they have to step aside to let some ladies pass them by. But their wives might not be so sanguine. Just as men have a third ear for detecting when other men are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the targets of their lusts, women have little tolerance for other women who get things from the stupid sex that does not always think with its head. You let her get ahead of you? will be said by many. She knows how to pass tests, but she doesn't know how to make a buck.

Note also that PfP shoots its quiver at the cushiest fruit in the corporate tree, the highest and best paid jobs. Where are the programs to insure parity among workers in less desirable jobs? Where are the programs to ensure parity in the hazardous jobs that nowadays tend to be exclusive male bastions, jobs where occupational injuries and death rates tend to be more numerous and serious than paper cuts? Perhaps there is virtue in parity in more places than the boardroom.

Sidney Raphael, an occasional contributor to American Thinker, is working on his next book, How To Stop Beating Your Wife.
The president-elect who loves surprising the media may have a really big project in mind. Bigger, even, than huge.

Many media sources are reporting that Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon-Mobil, is to be designated secretary of state, following a long process that included the courting of Mitt Romney for the job. There is a large camp of Trump haters who will leap to conclusions as to why this is a malign choice. For some people, oil = bad, and ExxonMobil = Rockefeller, so we automatically have a nefarious conspiracy planned. Others will stop mumbling about generals and start mumbling about lack of government experience as if it is a bad thing to bring a fresh set of ideas to an institution renowned for its glacial pace and inward focus.

For the moment, I want to assume for the sake of analysis that President-Elect Trump has a plan and that he is as intelligent and even visionary as his track record of success indicates. I want to draw some inferences from the pattern of behavior I have observed in him. What follows is speculative.

Trump the Dealmaker

First and foremost, I weigh very heavily the multiple times Trump has spoken of the presidency as if making deals is the heart of the executive function. He wants to make better deals for the American people, or so he says.

Donald Trump also has a characteristic that is one of his defining strengths that very few other analysts seem to credit: he is a visionary. In The Art of the Deal, he wrote about seeing the Grand Central Station area in Midtown Manhattan in danger of becoming blighted when the old Commodore Hotel there closed its doors, shabby and shunned. But Trump had a vision of turning around the area, with a redo of the hotel as one critical piece of the puzzle. He describes in the book how he made his vision happen, and it took a lot of hardball negotiations, among other things. But eventually, everything worked as he foresaw, and Grand Central bounced back strongly, while he made a fortune.

Such a deal!

Now, the scope of the presidency allows for much, much bigger visionary possibilities. If we look at the world today, one striking thing is that Islam is the source of much of the organized violent conflict. All of the great powers  the U.S., Russia, China, and Europe  are afflicted with violent Islamic jihad. Within Islam, the Saudis and Gulf potentates have funded radical jihadists, so much so that the entire ummah has been dragged in the direction of scriptural injunctions to violence against the infidels for various infractions.

Up until this historical moment, the great powers have been unable to act in concert to help Islam find its way back to something resembling peaceful coexistence with the infidels of the world, and with modernity itself. The reason is simple: oil. The Islamic nations have so far controlled so much of it that the West had no choice but to accept their funding of a jihad war for global dominance, as scripturally mandated but only intermittently acted upon by Muslims worldwide.

But now fracking and related technologies have lessened the chokehold, especially of Gulf nations, on the worlds energy supply.

Maybe it is time for a new grand bargain. The Gulf potentates stop supporting fundamentalist clergy, publications, and mosques overseas. In return, they be allowed to continue a very profitable industry, one that their own citizens mostly do not directly manage.

Personnel Is Policy

Now lets think about what kind of people a president might need in order to open discussions such as this. I suppose people who have a long history of dealings with the key players, and who are trusted both for their own discretion and for having the presidents ear.

People like Terry Branstad and Rex Tillerson, who not only knows the Russians, but has been dealing all over the Arab world and Europe.

The nature of a new grand bargain among the civilizations of the world, in which Islam agrees to stop trying to force the rest of the world to adopt Islam, is such that it has to be unveiled very gradually and employ delicate threats-that-arent-explicit, discussing, say, alternative scenarios for world energy supply (who better than Secretary of State Tillerson for this?) that might affect the budgets of various kings and emirs.

I honestly believe that Donald Trump:

1. thinks original thoughts,

2. is not bound by conventional wisdom,

3. thinks very big and very long-term, and

4. is so rich that the only important goal left for him is to make his mark on history as the dealmaker who saved his homeland.

If these are reasonable assumptions, it is at least thinkable that disarming the clash of civilizations that Samuel Huntington described as the central conflict of our age may be what Donald Trump has in mind for his legacy.
The Great Plague of London affected many places across England, but one small village in Derbyshire called Eyam, will always be remembered for the heroic sacrifice made by its villagers to arrest the spread of infection.

The bubonic plague was a much feared disease in mediaeval Europe. Known as the black death, it turned victims skin to patches of black as the flesh rotted within. This was accompanied by inflamed glands or 'buboes', compulsive vomiting, splitting headache and eventually death. When the disease first took epidemic proportions between 1346 and 1353, it wiped out an estimated 100 million people from the face of the earth, or nearly one-fourth of the world population. The bubonic plague broke again in London in 166566, and although smaller in scale compared to the 14th century outbreak, it still claimed some 100,000 lives in London alone.

Photo credit: Donald Judge/Flickr

The plague arrived at the village of Eyam, located 35 miles southeast of Manchester, in the summer of 1665 when a London merchant sent a bale of flea-infested cloth to the village tailor, Alexander Hadfield. The tailor's assistant called George Vicars was said to have opened the bale and hung the damp cloth in front of the hearth to dry, unwittingly releasing the disease-ridden fleas. Within a week, Vicars was dead and before long the rest of the household had fallen ill and died.

As the disease began to spread around the village, panic set in and some people initially suggested that they should flee. It was then a courageous rector named William Mompesson stepped in and persuaded the villagers not to leave the village, as doing so put the neighbouring towns and villages at risk. It must have been a painful decision to take, but at length the villagers agreed and decided to quarantine themselves even though it would mean death for many of them.

A perimeter of boundary stones were setup around the periphery of the village, and each and everyone of Eyams residents even those who were healthy vowed not to cross it until the disease had run its course. The village received food and other assistance from neighbouring villagers who left bundles of meat, grains and other items at the boundary stones. In return, Eyams residents would leave coins in a water trough filled with vinegar, which they believed acted as a disinfectant. These boundary stones can still be visited today. The water trough where money was exchanged is now called Mompessons well.

Aside from quarantining themselves, the villagers took steps to minimize the spread of infection within the village. The church was relocated to another place to distance itself and the attendants of the churchs service from the graveyard, and families were required to bury their own dead. Many surviving members had to go through the trauma experience of burying their entire families. Sometimes, bodies were dragged down the street by tying ropes around the victim's feet to avoid contact with the deceased. Mompesson himself had to bury his own family.

After 14 months, the disease disappeared as abruptly as it arrived. By then, at least 260 villagers out of the original 350 were dead. Many of them could have escaped death by moving away from the village but this selfless act of isolating themselves effectively stopped the spread of the disease to Northern England saving thousands.

Today, there are plaques, signs and memorials all around the village, and on the last Sunday of every August known as Plague Sunday a Commemorative Service is held at Eyam. People visit these still present boundary stone and drop coins as an honour to plague victims.

The Eyam parish church. Photo credit: Tom Parnell/Flickr

Mompesson's well, where neighbours left food and medicines, and villagers left coins. Photo credit: Eamon Currey/Flickr

Mompesson's well. The trough was filled with vinegar to disinfect the coins. Photo credit: Darren/Flickr

A boundary stone. Photo credit: Eamon Currey/Flickr

The Riley graves where lies the bodies of Elizabeth Hancocks husband and six children. All died within a week of each other. Photo credit:

Some of the graves at Eyam. Photo credit: Chris/Flickr

Sources: Wikipedia / BBC / The History Learning Site / Historic UK
The Lenovo Yoga Book is easily the most exciting Android tablet from the past few years.

Android Tablets, and perhaps tablets in general have seemingly been put on pause, as theres little going on in the tablet space. Microsoft and their Surface Pro line of devices appear to be going strong, but in the world of Android, the choice has been slim this year. With Google themselves steering clear of releasing a tablet in 2016, it makes you wonder how much value even the creator of Android puts in tablets these days. Thankfully, industry giants such as Lenovo and Samsung have kept the Android tablet market alive with new, and in the case of Lenovo, very different tablets from those weve become used to. We expect more from our portable devices than ever, and its good to see that the bigger names arent giving up on the category altogether.

Winner  Lenovo Yoga Book

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This year, the only person to do something different with the tablet formula was of course, Lenovo. Announced during IFA 2016, the Yoga Book does things differently, thanks to a folding form factor that allows for simple touchscreen operation, as well as keyboard input. The Yoga Book might have been late to the party, but it made up for lost time by offering a great deal. Even the keyboard here is different, with a Halo keyboard thats a touch affair on the second half of the clamshell design. Speaking of design, the Yoga Book looks like something straight out of the future, the hinge  which Lenovo says is inspired by elegant watch bands  is something you wont see on most laptops, let alone tablets and if theres anything that looks as thin and sleek as this right now, we havent seen it yet. Thanks to the fact that the tablet splits its internals between the two parts of its design, each of them is super-thin and looks great on any desktop or table top.

With an Intel Atom CPU and 4GB of RAM, the Yoga Book might not stand out on the inside too much, but being able to use the bottom half of it to draw, sketch and outline things, its clear that the Yoga Book is designed for more than just the mundane tasks that other tablets have been. With the Yoga Book, a user can place a piece of paper on the second screen and have the handwritten notes traced digitally into the tablet part of the affair, and while this wont be for everyone, its something no other Android tablet can manage. Its portable as well, coming in at 690g for a device that bridges the gap between laptop and tablet, all the while offering something totally unique. The 1920 x 1200 10.1-inch display could be higher-resolution, but its good-looking and displays whatever you want without any hassle.

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We reviewed the Yoga Book earlier this year, and while its not a perfect device, the Lenovo Yoga Book is easily the most exciting Android tablet from the past few years. It offers a complete experience on the touchscreen tablet side of things, while also being a graphics tablet, a laptop, a notebook or whatever else you can think of. What makes the Yoga Book so special is not the excellent fit and finish, or even the speedy internals, but what it allows you to do while on the move. Lenovo use this same hardware for their Windows 10 version, and have successfully built upon on their Yoga brand in the Android world  which was featured in these awards last year  to create something that breaths new life into a category in dire need of something fresh.

Runner-Up  Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1

Its been a long, long time since we saw a new Samsung tablet launch. During 2016 we didnt even get a new Galaxy Tab S2, and instead have to settle for this, the Galaxy A 10.1, in a 2015 refresh that gives it the S Pen  now missing from the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7  as well as some improvements under-the-hood. Theres a lot of reasons why Samsungs Android tablets are still popular, with their software tweaks and extra apps being high up on the list. Stock Android has never been great on tablets, and Samsung has been offering up extra features such as multi-window for years now, while everyone else has been playing catch-up. The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 has a Samsung Exynos 7870 and a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 display. Both of which put this in the middle of the pack where tablets are concerned, but where the Galaxy Tab A 2016 makes up ground is in value for money, offering users a solid tablet experience for much less than other options out there. The S Pen is great for taking notes in class, keeping the kids entertained with endless drawing or coloring, and its perfect for games, too. Altogether, the Galaxy Tab A 2016 has a lot more to offer than you might originally think.

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Honorable Mention  ASUS ZenPad 3S 10

At $300 with a 9.7-inch display and a 20148 x 1536 resolution, right away the ZenPad 3S 10 sounds like a good deal. Perfectly comparable to the iPad, the few things that let this down is the MediaTek CPU and needless changes that ASUS make to Android  which might even be a plus point for some. Tablets are, for a lot of people, simply a larger display that offers more space for browsing the web, watching movies and TV as well as playing games. For all of that  and a little more  the ZenPad 3S 10 works wonderfully, and its great value for money as well, offering users a simple, appealing Android tablet that has all the right boxes ticked, including full access to the Play Store and the rest of Google, a good-looking and sharp display and a fit and finish that is just as good as the rest of the market right now.
Following last weeks report that the President-elect Donald Trump is hosting a roundtable for the US tech giants on Wednesday, December 14th, theres been some discussion regarding who will attend the said meeting and who wont. Now, according to several sources with an intimate knowledge of the matter, Alphabet, Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, Intel, and Apple will all be attending Trumps first tech summit. Recode reports that the majority of the Silicon Valley decided to send their Chief Executive Officers to meet with the President-elect. More specifically, Alphabet is sending Larry Page, Satya Nadella will represent Microsoft, Ginni Rometty will be attending the roundtable on behalf of IBM, Brian Krzanich is going to promote Intels interests, and Apple is sending Tim Cook. The only exception to this is Facebook whose co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wont be attending the said meeting. Instead, Zuckerberg is reportedly sending Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer at Facebook.

In addition to these names, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins and Oracle CEO Safra Catz have already been rumored to attend the said roundtable last week, and Recodes sources seemingly corroborate that report. The meeting will be held at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City. Catz allegedly said shell assure the President-elect that Oracle will support his presidency, adding that Trump is capable of making the US tech sector more competitive than ever. Of course, Catz is referring to Trumps likely plan to reduce regulation and taxation of US corporations.

Furthermore, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will also probably going to attend the upcoming meeting, Recode reports. Now, both Bezos and Cook will likely have quite a few things to talk about seeing how Trump attacked Apple and Amazon on numerous occasions during his presidential campaign. More specifically, the President-elect accused Amazon owner Jeff Bezos of antitrust violations thanks to his stake in The Washington Post, while he targeted Apple because the Cupertino-based company is outsourcing its production to China. According to recent reports, Trump had a hard time organizing this roundtable seeing how hes often clashed with the Silicon Valley and most of the US tech giants have previously openly supported his political opponent, Hillary Clinton.

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In addition to that, many tech companies like HP, Uber, Netflix, Slack, Dropbox, and Salesforce have already confirmed they wont be attending Trumps summit for numerous reasons, most of which are related to their previous political clashes with the President-elect. Interestingly enough, it seems that even Twitter wont have any representation at the upcoming meeting despite being Trumps favorite social network on the planet.
Its been over a year since Google originally debuted Android Pay, a digital wallet platform designed for making purchases on mobile devices. Since then, this successor to Google Wallet made its way to the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and a handful of other countries around the globe. While Canada was originally supposed to receive this mobile payments solution back in early 2016, it wasnt until this October that things finally started moving on that front. More specifically, the Android Pay version 1.7 included code referencing incoming support for Interac, a system of processing debit payments utilized by most large banks in Canada. Given that revelation, it seemed that Android Pay would finally start rolling out in Canada shortly, and as of today, that rollout finally began.

More specifically, according to a report from one Reddit user and another one from 9to5Google, Android Pay now supports Scotiabank Visa cards in Canada. This support coincides with the latest update to Googles app which started rolling out earlier today. So, if you live in Canada and are interested in trying this out, make sure that your Android Pay app is up to date and try adding a Scotiabank Visa card. The Reddit user in question was using the so-called SCENE Visa card issued by the said Toronto-based bank, but any other Visa card from this financial institution should also work. Interestingly enough, this new support has seemingly rolled out overnight as 9to5Google confirmed no cards from Canadian banks could have been added to Android Pay just yesterday. Now, back to the Redditor in question, they apparently downloaded some version of Android Pay from APKMirror, after which they were able to install the latest update from the Google Play Store. Furthermore, after adding the Scotiabank SCENE Visa card, the app showed Apple Pay terms for some reason. However, after accepting these terms, the said user was able to make payments over Android Pay with their Scotiabank-issued card. You can see proof of this new functionality in the gallery below.

Given how Google has yet to make any official announcements and how Scotiabank is seemingly the only Canadian bank currently supported by this mobile payments solution, this certainly isnt an official launch. However, the Mountain View-based tech giant has apparently started rolling out Android Pay in Canada so it cant be long before the app starts supporting other banks as well, including the National Bank of Canada, BMO, RBC, and others.
Over the course of the last decade, the tech industry has gradually been moving towards clean energy and renewable energy sources to power its operations. Earlier this month, Google announced plans to fully transition to renewable energy by the end of 2017, and most tech giants are expected to follow suit shortly. Now, the topic of green energy recently found itself in the spotlight following Donald Trumps win at the US presidential election. As Trumps platform promotes relying on traditional energy sources and some of his cabinet picks include climate change deniers, many parties expressed concerns regarding the future of global plans to control carbon emissions. Due to that turn of events, Trumps win even prompted some new green energy initiatives. In fact, one such program called Breakthrough Energy Ventures has just been announced earlier today.

Breakthrough Energy Ventures is a private investment fund equipped with capital to make low-risk investments into new technologies designed to provide affordable and carbon-free energy, food, and other products. The funds main backer is none other than Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft who has been heavily involved in philanthropic and green energy initiatives for the last few decades. In addition to Gates, Breakthrough Energy Ventures is currently backed by 20 high-profile investors from the technology sector like Jack Ma, Hasso Plattner, and Vinod Khosla. In overall, the backers of this fund have a combined net worth of over $170 billion and are planning to invest more than $1 billion in Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Gates already announced this fund back in late 2015 while speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, but Breakthrough Energy Ventures was only made official today. While its possible Trumps win at the US presidential election prompted Gates and co. to speed up their endeavors, none of them were willing to comment on the President-elect in this context. As for the fund itself, it has already started investing money in clean energy companies and the current plan is to keep this up for the next two decades. In addition to money, Breakthrough Energy Ventures will also invest other resources in companies looking to do business without negatively affecting the environment. While it remains to be seen how this new fund will exactly handle its capital, one thing is certain  Breakthrough Energy Ventures is planning a rather aggressive global push for renewable energy innovation and first results of its endeavors will hopefully emerge in the next few years.
A couple of months ago, Chris Urmson, the Chief Technology Officer of the autonomous driving program of Google X decided to step down from his position at Googles research and development division. Now, Urmson is one of the most renowned names in the self-driving industry and someone whos been involved with autonomous driving projects for over a decade, so this was a rather high-profile departure. Although rumors suggested his split with Google was caused by disagreements with the companys management, neither Urmson nor Google made any clarification on the matter. However, back then, the self-driving technology pioneer stated hed be willing to return to the industry provided he finds another project he deems worthy of his time. Well, if latest reports are to be believed, Urmson managed to find one such endeavor.

More specifically, Recode reports that Urmson is currently working on his own self-driving company which hes planning to fund with the help of private investors. Sources claim that the industry expert may announce his next endeavor as early as next year. Furthermore, Urmsons company will allegedly develop both hardware and software for self-driving solutions with an intention to license its technology to automakers. While Googles former executive will obviously have to rely on private funding to kickstart his startup, sources report that the structure of his company still isnt set in stone. Furthermore, Urmson reportedly already approached several other industry experts currently working for the likes of Tesla, Uber, and Apple with the goal of winning them over to his cause. Of course, a non-solicitation agreement is likely preventing him from hiring some of his former colleagues at Google.

While no funding has yet been secured officially, one source told Recode that a renowned technologist like Urmson wont have any trouble with attracting investors given his brilliant track record. For the uninitiated, Urmson was the chief engineer tasked with developing Googles self-driving software. Not surprisingly, Urmson was approached by several autonomous driving companies shortly after his departure from Google, but the industry expert apparently decided he wants to do his own thing for once. All in all, its going to be interesting to see whether Urmson will have enough time to develop another self-driving solution from scratch at a time when most tech giants are already planning commercialization of their existing inventions. Well hopefully know more come next year.
Google Assistant is alive in a few different forms. Theres the Google Assistant in Allo, its in the Google Pixel/Pixel XL smartphones and also in the Google Home speaker. And unsurprisingly, they all work somewhat differently. Google Home has had the ability to control your Nest thermostat via your voice, since launch. This wasnt a surprise, seeing as Google does own Nest, it makes plenty of sense to integrate it with their other products. But, Google Assistant on the Pixel and Pixel XL were unable to control your Nest thermostat, that was until today.

While unconfirmed, this change appears to be dependent on having set up Nest integration with Google Home. As the Google Assistant settings have not changed for the Pixel. Meaning, theres no option for Home Control and many other features, on the Pixel side of things. But it does work, for those that have both a Google Home and a Google Pixel in their home. Some that have tested it with just a Pixel and no Google Home on their account, have stated that it is not yet working. However, this could mean that Google will have the integration working in the near future. This will be good news for those with a Google Pixel and dont want to pick up a Google Home just yet.

Nest likely wont be the only smart thermostat integration added to the Google Assistant, especially if Google is looking to compete with Amazons Alexa who already integrates with a number of thermostats including the Nest Learning Thermostat. Google will also likely be adding support for other popular smart home systems like Samsungs SmartThings, Belkins WeMo and Philips Hue. Remember that the Google Assistant is still fairly new, so Google is working on adding new features to it all the time.

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Google Home is Googles competitor to the Amazon Echo, which has been selling very well for Amazon lately. The Google Home is a tad cheaper, coming in at $129 versus Amazon Echos normal price of $179. The Google Home looks a bit like an air freshener, and Google does have interchangeable bases, so you can give your living room a new look, if you wish to do so.
Pretty much everyone is familiar with the Nokia brand, as this company was the number one cellphone manufacturer back in the day. After a number of poor business decisions, Nokia basically crashed and burned, and was forced to sell their Devices and Services business to Microsoft. Well, HMD Global decided to take Nokia away (license the brand) from Microsoft for the next 10 years, as theyre planning to release Nokia-branded smartphone which will ship with Android out of the box. The company had already confirmed their plans, and the first smartphones will start coming next year.

That being said, it seems like Nokia will focus on affordable devices, which is something HMD Global also confirmed, in a way. They will release mid-range smartphones which will be focused on user experience, and judging by all the info we have thus far, those smartphones will rely more on Google than on creating their very own ecosystem within Android, which are great news for Android purists out there. Now, according to a new report, HMD Global will unveil first Nokia-branded smartphone(s) in February during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Nokia is expected to introduce the rumored Nokia D1C during the Mobile World Congress, and two versions of this smartphone will be available, if rumors are to be believed. The cheapest model will, allegedly, cost $150, and will ship with 2GB of RAM and a 5-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080) display. The more expensive variant will be available for $200, and it will feature a 5.5-inch 1080p panel, and 3GB of RAM.

If previous rumors are to be believed, the more affordable Nokia D1C variant will sport a 13-megapixel camera on the back, while the more expensive variant will come with a 16-megapixel snapper. Qualcomms Snapdragon 430 SoC is expected to fuel both Nokia D1C variants, along with the Adreno 505 GPU. Both devices will ship with 16GB of internal storage, and an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter, while Android 7.0 Nougat will come pre-installed on both Nokia D1C variants. That is more or less all the info we have at the moment, but were sure that some additional information will pop up in the following weeks.
Samsung are one of the early manufacturers supporting Googles Chromebook platform, indeed the first device running Chrome OS was a Samsung model. Over the years, the company has sold a number of successful Chromebook models based on either an ARM or Intel chipset. And now the company appears set to announce a new, convertible Chromebook with a current codename of Snappy hot in the footsteps of the Samsung Chromebook Pro. The new Samsung Chromebooks convertible design means that the keyboard is detachable and the device uses a touchscreen, but it appears that Samsung are deliberately raising their game with the Snappy model.

The new Chromebook will be built around a new motherboard, codenamed Reef. The Reef boards most notable feature is that it is itself built around the new Intel Apollo Lake chipset, which is the latest generation of the Intel Atom line of chipsets. The Apollo Lake chipset is based around the Goldmont processor core, which promises 30% greater performance compared with previous generation Intel Atom chipsets. The Goldmont will be offered in dual-core, 1.3GHz (turbo clock speed of up to 1.8GHz) or quad-core, 1.6GHz (up to 2.0GHz in turbo mode) cores. Furthermore, the Apollo Lake chipset is constructed on a modern and power-efficient 14nm process and contains a new generation GPU, based on Intels Gen9 hardware, which promises stronger and more efficient graphics performance. The Apollo Lake chipsets are designed for fanless running, which means Samsungs new Chromebook should be cool and quiet in operation. The greater power efficiency and performance numbers are certainly appreciated, especially as Chromebooks are set to receive compatibility with a slew of Android OS applications.

However, the Samsung Snappy is bringing with it another feature: not only is the screen touch-enabled, but it also includes a Wacom digitizer and this means that the Chromebook will support a Stylus. Stylus support should be a very good thing for the convertible Chromebook platform as it will allow the device to be better used for taking notes or running presentations when running in tablet mode. Samsung has considerable experience adding new features for tablet-supporting devices in the shape of the Galaxy Note family of devices, which are based around the Android platform. At this juncture, we do not have any details as to what special features the Wacom-equipped, Samsung Snappy may include over and above the stock Chrome OS functions, but from the sounds of it, this new Chromebook should be very interesting.
Samsung is a company thats known to us as one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world, but to everyone else, theyre known as a manufacturer of all kinds of consumer electronics. Over the past few years, the firm has branched out into other product categories such as wearables, but the firm is also one thats looking ahead to the future of things, and theyre a firm thats patented a lot of innovative designs recently. One of those is a smart contact lens, that would be worn by the user invisibly, without anyone around them knowing they were wearing such a thing. Its the sort of device that sounds like something out of science fiction, but Samsung has the patents that could lead to it becoming science fact.

The first smart contact lens patents were put in place by Samsung last year, but theyve only been released to the public throughout 2016. A new patent shows just how such a device would get its energy. Given the recent concerns over large batteries inside of devices such as the Galaxy Note 7, it wouldnt be right to keep a battery, however small, in such close vicinity to someones eyes, so Samsung think they have another solution. In between the layers of the contact lens, Samsung would place a piezoelectric layer which would recover energy from kinetic movement and store small amounts of it for when the user has a fixed gaze at something, and thus not providing any kinetic energy.

Samsung hopes that they will be able to place everything they need into the thin contact lens, including a place to store some power, a handful of sensors as well as the ability to project an AR display and interface, similarly to the way that Google Glass has done. Of course, patents and reality dont always cross paths, and given that Samsung presumably lacks the ability to even develop something like this, theres a good chance that this patent might not ever turn into a real product. For Samsung, however, that might not be the end goal, as there is precedent to suggest that owning the patents can be more lucrative than shipping the product. Besides, looking into such solutions could also help them develop other, similar products, too.
Back in October, Sprint announced the 1 Million Project, an initiative aimed at providing disadvantaged students throughout the United States with a million wireless devices with mobile service free of charge. As the fourth largest carrier in the country explained back then, unobstructed access to the Internet is a requirement for any academic or economic success in the 21st century, which is why it has decided to fund this project and help the less fortunate children in the US. After making that announcement, Sprint started receiving applications for the 1 Million Project pilot program. Today, the Overland Park-based company announced the first participants for the program.

The initial list of participants covers around 4,000 students attending school in 11 cities throughout the United States. More specifically, the 1 Million Project pilot program encompasses six school districts located in California, Missouri, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, as well as five high schools in Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Illinois. In addition to them, the 1 Million Project pilot program will also provide free wireless devices with mobile service to the Teen Services Department at the Village of Park Forest, a non-profit organization from Illinois.

The 1 Million Project is funded by the Sprint Foundation and will allow less fortunate students to choose from a free phone, tablet, computer, or a hotspot device. The pilot program is scheduled to begin in January, after which Sprint will start approaching new schools to join its long-term initiative which is expected to be concluded by early 2022. In other words, the 1 Million Project aims to provide approximately 200,000 students with free wireless devices every year, starting in 2017. Following the conclusion of the pilot program, this initiative will officially begin in time for the 2017-2018 school year.

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Doug Michelman, the SVP of Corporate Communications at Sprint, revealed that a vast amount of schools are already interested in participating in the initiative, adding that the Kansas-based carrier will hopefully manage to make a difference in many peoples lives with this program. If youre interested in contributing to the 1 Million Project, you can do so by making a donation at any Sprint store. Note that you dont have to donate cash as Sprint will also accept any old wireless device or a computer which it will then proceed to sell and use that money to directly benefit the Sprint Foundation and its 1 Million Project.
(ANSA) - Rome, December 12 - The father of Zhang Lao, a Chinese student killed by a train while chasing bag snatchers in Rome a week ago, said Monday "Lao only gave us good news, we thought Italy was a safe country and so we lowered our guard".

Speaking at a commemoration for his daughter at the Academy of Fine Arts, where she was studying fashion, Zhang Gowen called for "justice" and added: "I thought it was my duty to let her realise her dream of coming to Italy. We didn't think her departure would be our final farewell." Art students laid flowers, white ballons, photos, messages and candles at a ceremony at the Academy in central Rome Monday, attended by Zhang Gowen, members of the Chinese community and representatives of the Chinese embassy.

A message next to photos of Yao Zhang smiling in various situations said "it's true that the owners of sensitive hearts never die but suddenly disappear".

Members of the Chinese community said they had applied for a permit to hold a march for her on Saturday afternoon, from Porta San Paolo to the Mouth of Truth.

"It's an initiative to remember Zhang and ask for more security in Rome," they said.

"We expect Roman citizens to take part, too, as well as foreigners living in the Italian capital". Police are seeking three men caught on CCTV grabbing Zhang's bag last Monday.

She chased them along a railway bed before being hit by the train. The robbery happened outside one of Rome's immigration bureaus, which is close to a Roma camp.


CAIRO - President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said Monday at state funerals for the 23 victims of Sunday's attack at the Coptic cathedral of St Peter and Paul in the Egyptian capital that a suicide bomber was responsible. The attacker was Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Moustafa, 22, he said.

Religious funeral for slain Coptic Christians held in Cairo. Bombing of St Peters a catastrophe, Pope Tawadros II

CAIRO - The funeral of the 23 victims of Sunday's bomb explosion at the small Coptic Orthodox church of Sts Peter and Paul attached to the main Coptic Christian cathedral in the Egyptian capital was held on Monday morning, presidend by the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Tawadros II. The rite was celebrated in the church of the Virgin, just a few kilometres from the cathedral precinct, amid tight security.

A state funeral was held near the monument to the unknown soldier, attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, later in the day.

"The catastrophe of the church of St Peter is the catastrophe of the whole country and not just of the churches, Tawadros told mourners. "These victims are the nation's martyrs like all other martyrs, and all bloodshed is severely condemned by God," he continued.
BRUSSELS - The European Union on Sunday signed the first 'migrant compact' with an African country in Mali to facilitate the return of those refused asylum. It marks the first accord aiming to slow down migration by dealing with its causes in countries of origin and transit.

Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders signed for the EU, who in the spring - under the Dutch 6-month EU presidency - had visited Mali, Ghana and Ivory Coast to open the negotiations.



''Only through this type of cooperation can we deal with the problem at its roots,'' Koenders said.



The partnership entails European efforts to strengthen security services in Mali, agreements to identify irregular migrants with the assistance of Malian officials in Europe and the provision of documents for their return to their countries of origin.

It also provides for a series of initiatives to foster youth employment in Mali. ''Young people can contribute a great deal to the future of their country. We must prevent Malians from heading towards North Africa and Europe, putting their lives at risk and ending up in the hands of human traffickers,'' Koenders added.
Energy: ENI sells 30% of Shorouk concession to Rosneft Oil and gas field off Egypt

(ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 12 - Italy's ENI oil and gas giant announced Monday it has agreed to sell a 30% share of its concession to Egypt's offshore Shourouk oil and gas field to Russian public oil company Rosneft for $1.125 million. Under terms of the deal, Rosneft will reimburse ENI for investments already made of approximately $450 million. The Russian company will also have an option to buy a further 5% share at the same conditions. ENI currently holds 90% of the Shorouk concession. The transaction will bring overall income in the past four years to approximately $6.3 billion, the company said.



The share being sold to Rosneft includes the Zohr natural gas deposit, which ENI discovered in August 2015. It is the largest such deposit in the Mediterranean, with extraction potential of approximately 850 billion cubic meters of gas.(ANSAmed).




MOSCOW - Over 13,000 civilians have abandoned eastern Aleppo in the last 24 hours, the Russian defence ministry said on Monday.



Further, "728 rebels have put down their weapons and moved to the western part of the city," the source added. The Russian Center for the reconciliation of the warring parties, which operates under the auspices of the defence ministry, reportedly assisted civilians in the evacuation.
Convicted Algerian blogger dies after hunger strike Mohammed Tamalt had been in a coma for several months

(ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 12 - Algerian journalist and blogger Mohammed Tamalt has died following a hunger strike begun in jail in protest against a two-year sentence for contempt against president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, his lawyer Amin Saidhum told Moroccan daily Akhbarona on Monday.



Tamalt, who was known for his criticism of the Algerian authorities, had been in a coma for several months and passed away at dawn on Sunday in Bab Elwad hospital. He was convicted by a court of first instance on July 11 and the sentence was upheld on appeal in August. Human Rights Watch called on the authorities to overturn the conviction.



Tamalt had joint Algerian and British citizenship.(ANSAmed).




ISIS attacked Palmyra 'with 5,000 men', says Moscow 'After no attack on Raqqa'. Regime controls 96% of Aleppo

(ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, DECEMBER 12 - Islamic State (ISIS) fighters have been attacking Palmyra over the past two days with over 5,000 fighters and car bombs, Russian defense minister General Igor Konashenkov said on Monday. He added that the fighters had managed to breach the city's defenses and that the offensive had been conducted from three directions: from the north, the east and the south. The general said that the Russian air force had not and would not carry out airstrikes on inhabited areas of Palmyra and that ISIS had taken advantage of this to step up the attacks.



He said that Syrian troops had evacuated the local population, left the city and taken up positions nearby, and that Syrian authorities were taking measures to liberate the city in the near future. The defense ministry spokesman said that ISIS had transferred large numbers of fighters to take Palmyra, ''taking advantage of the fact that the US and the international coalition have suspended fighting in the Raqqa area until spring''. In Aleppo, Syrian regime and allied militias have retaken five more areas and now ''fully control 96% of the city,'' Konashenkov said. Opposition fighters, he said, occupy territory ''of not more than 8.5 square kilometers''. Over 100,000 civilians including 40,484 children, he added, have been evacuated from the eastern besieged and opposition-held areas of Aleppo since the beginning of the offensive. The spokesman said that 2,215 fighters had laid down their arms in the past 24 hours. (ANSAmed).




Russian airstrikes pummel Palmyra after ISIS retakes city Moscow accuses US of 'not cooperating against jihadists'

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, DECEMBER 12 - Intense Russian airstrikes were ongoing on Monday against Islamic State (ISIS) positions inside and outside of Palmyra in central Syria, media close to the Syrian regime quoted sources on the ground as saying. The area, known for its Roman-era UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, was attacked and retaken by ISIS fighters over the weekend.



Syrian government troops have withdrawn. Russian president Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said that cooperation with the US ''would probably have enabled us to prevent terrorist attacks of any type in a more effective manner''. General Yury Baluyevsky, former chief of Russia's general staff of the armed forces, claimed ceasefires for humanitarian reasons in opposition-held, besieged areas of eastern Aleppo was why ISIS was able to retake Palmyra.



''I understand it is necessary to ensure the safety of the population,'' he said, according to The Moscow Times. ''But when these pauses last three weeks, and these militants - who are up to their elbows in blood - can restore their strength and are allowed to keep their personal weapons - well, that I don't understand.'' The ceasefires referred to areas with armed fighters part of opposition groups that also fight against ISIS in other areas of Syria.



They are located in besieged Aleppo, which has been under heavy airstrikes and shelling from the Syrian regime and Russia in recent weeks.



Former US ambassador Robert Ford had tweeted on December 10 that ''our future Russian allies, with all their international legitimacy, are too busy elsewhere in Syria to help much against ISIS''. (ANSAmed).




Mali signs first 'migrant compact' with EU To facilitate return of those refused asylum

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 12 - The European Union on Sunday signed the first 'migrant compact' with an African country in Mali to facilitate the return of those refused asylum. It marks the first accord aiming to slow down migration by dealing with its causes in countries of origin and transit. Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders signed for the EU, who in the spring - under the Dutch 6-month EU presidency - had visited Mali, Ghana and Ivory Coast to open the negotiations.



''Only through this type of cooperation can we deal with the problem at its roots,'' Koenders said.



The partnership entails European efforts to strengthen security services in Mali, agreements to identify irregular migrants with the assistance of Malian officials in Europe and the provision of documents for their return to their countries of origin. It also provides for a series of initiatives to foster youth employment in Mali. ''Young people can contribute a great deal to the future of their country. We must prevent Malians from heading towards North Africa and Europe, putting their lives at risk and ending up in the hands of human traffickers,'' Koenders added.



(ANSAmed).




The ninth annual Boeing Current Aircraft Finance Market Outlook forecasts the sources of financing for new commercial airplane deliveries in the coming year and the industrys overall delivery financing requirements for the next five years.

Were seeing increasingly diverse financier and investor activity in the aircraft financing industry, providing more options to meet most growth in funding needs, said Tim Myers, president of Boeing Capital Corporation. Access to commercial bank debt and continued participation from the capital markets in 2017 will allow airlines and lessors to capitalize on the strength of the aviation industry and robust global passenger traffic trends.

Boeing forecasts continued strong demand for new commercial airplanes in 2017, resulting in about $126 billion in deliveries across the industry with potential to grow to $185 billion by 2021.

Capitalising on the growth ahead requires regulations and policies that facilitate the efficiency and stability of the aircraft financing industry. Banking regulations that sensibly value aircraft assets and continued efforts to move toward global standardisation of transactions through the Cape Town Convention will help ensure long-term availability of aircraft financing, Myers said. Further, while the healthy financing environment has helped to absorb the impact of the lack of export credit in the short-term, history shows this is not sustainable.

Highlights of the 2017 aircraft finance market outlook include:
The report, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), presents environmental performance data and environmental sustainability initiatives from a range of Group activities covering airline operations, dnatas cargo and ground handling businesses and other commercial activities on the ground such as engineering and catering. In addition to presenting the overall environmental impact the report aims to identify and feature best practices from across the Groups workforce.

As our business grows, we are ever conscious that we have a responsibility to the communities we serve around the world. Aviation and travel services as an industry can make a real contribution towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group. As we head towards 2017, agility will be the defining characteristic of our approach, both to react quickly to challenges and to make the most of opportunities. Working together with our partners across the industry, we will continue to invest in technologies and processes that enable us to deliver our services effectively, efficiently, and with the minimum environmental impact.

Airline operations constitute the main environmental impact of the Emirates Group. Emirates operates one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the industry with an average age of just 74 months compared with the industry average of 140 months as of the end of the financial year. A modern widebody fleet not only delivers environmental benefits with regards to lower engine and noise emissions but also helps offer customers a higher level of comfort.

Emirates flight operations specialists continued to work with air traffic management providers and airports around the world to deliver more efficient flight routings and operational procedures to help reduce flight times, fuel consumption and emissions. A number of operational improvements at Dubai International Airport also helped improve the consistency of the airlines operations at its hub. However, regional volatility and airspace closure in several regions due to security concerns had an adverse impact on fuel consumption as a result of flights requiring longer flight paths to avoid these areas.

One of the most significant developments of the year was the installation of a one megawatt array of solar photovoltaic panels at the state of the art Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre in partnership with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The array is made up of 2,990 photovoltaic panels which are expected to generate over 1,800 megawatt-hours of electricity every year, helping save around 800 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.

Other energy efficiency initiatives undertaken across the Emirates Group included the replacement of lights used for aircraft cabin maintenance with energy saving LED lights by Emirates Engineering and a comprehensive refurbishment of Emirates London office with a focus on energy efficiency leading to an overall reduction of 60% in electricity consumption. dnatas cargo operations in Brisbane and Sydney achieved a reduction in power consumption through energy efficiency best practices and by upgrading their lighting systems.

In addition to supporting ongoing wildlife conservation efforts in Dubai and Australia, Emirates partnered with United for Wildlife to raise awareness about the devastating effects that illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is having on the survival of some of the planets most endangered animals. United for Wildlife is a global collaboration unifying the efforts of seven of the worlds most influential conservation organisations and The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Emirates literally took the message against illegal wildlife trade to the world by installing special livery featuring endangered wildlife on four Airbus A380 aircraft as well as on a 1:3 scale model A380 installed on the roundabout at London Heathrow airport.
This is particularly evident in the field of earth observation, as more countries see the social benefits that can be accrued from programmes that enhance our understanding of challenges like climate change and infrastructure development.

These space industry leaders will convene in Abu Dhabi at the Global Space Congress, from 31 January to 1 February 2017, to explore how the resources and complimentary technologies of different programmes can be combined and developed to strengthen cooperation on Earth.



The formation of effective partnership programmes is understood to be a critical factor for humanitys future in space. Recently at, the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara in September, the drivers for continued cooperation were spelled out by the leaders of major space agencies including NASA, CNES and JAXA.

They emphasised the need to look at space not as a competition, but as a collaborative tool to inspire young people and to provide motivation for the future. In order to achieve these goals international cooperation is indispensable. The impact of this collaboration could be enormous  the Administrator of Roscosmos believes combining forces will make 100 years of individual development a reality in as little as 20.

It may be possible for individual nations to send manned missions to the moon as China intends to do, but bigger goals like putting man on Mars will need international cooperation. Space is an expensive enterprise, requiring both public buy in and excitement to be able to foot the bill.

Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: International cooperation and collaboration forms a cornerstone of the UAE Space Agency and its strategic outlook, which envisages a future of global partnership in the safe exploration of outer space and all related fields. We have worked towards realising this dream through significant bilateral cooperation agreements with numerous international states, agencies and private sector companies.

Jean Yves le Gall, President of CNES, the French Space Agency and, and the new President of the International Astronautical Federation, said: The space sector today is experiencing exponential growth around the world, driven by innovation and NewSpace, efforts to curb climate change and the exploration of Mars. That is why international cooperation is so imperative, as it is the only way to reduce costs, share the benefits and build a better world.

Education and outreach programmes are critical to building momentum, and it is also important to make people aware of the real benefits space programmes can bring, from support and monitoring for disaster relief to water management. Inspiring this human connection is a core objective of the Global Space Congress. It will enrich the conversation between academia, industry and the public to build our shared success in space.

Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, said: Education is absolutely fundamental to humankinds efforts to understand, explore and utilize outer space. Our whole is greater than the sum of our parts, and our scientific knowledge is inherently collaborative. It is only through maximum experience and expertise exchange that we will achieve the full potential of the space sector.

Speaking ahead of the Global Space Congress, where he will lead a panel discussion of heads of space agencies, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting FRS FREng said: I believe that the global space communitys role in exploiting space assets and services for common benefit and in pioneering exploration beyond Earths orbit is vital for the good of all humanity. We must continue to work together to protect our small blue planet and the Global Space Congress is a key event where we can explore our common goals, and make new collaborations for future missions.
Based on its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Iran Air announced in June, the contract was reached within the terms of the U.S. Government license issued to Boeing in September.

Boeing coordinated closely with the U.S. Government throughout the process leading up to the sale and continues to follow all license requirements as it moves forward to implement the sales agreement.

Today's agreement will support tens of thousands of U.S. jobs directly associated with production and delivery of the 777-300ERs and nearly 100,000 U.S. jobs in the U.S. aerospace value stream for the full course of deliveries. The first airplanes under this agreement are scheduled for delivery in 2018.

Boeing and its more than 13,600 U.S. supplier and vendor partners across all 50 states are proud to ensure America continues to lead in global aerospace and to create jobs and opportunities in communities across the nation. Boeing's U.S. supply chain currently supports more than 1.5 million U.S. jobs.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be 14 percent more fuel efficient than today's most efficient Next-Generation 737s. The first 737 MAX is scheduled to enter service in 2017.

The 777-300ER is the most fuel and cost-efficient airplane in its class as well as the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world. It also has the highest cargo capacity of any passenger airplane. To date customers worldwide have ordered more than 800 777-300ERs.

The 777X builds on the passenger-preferred and market-leading 777, as well as offering more market coverage and revenue capability than the competition. The 777X will include new engines, an all-new composite wing and will leverage technologies from the 787 Dreamliner. The first 777X is scheduled to enter service in 2020.

The order will be posted on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website as contingencies are cleared.
Jet Aviations MRO facility in Dubai is a factory authorised service center for Gulfstream G450, G550 and G650 aircraft. With these new approvals, it is currently the only maintenance center in the Middle East to fully support Gulfstream Aerospace Corporations full line-up of large cabin business jets.



Our goal is to maintain the highest business aviation standards, which these approvals demonstrate, and we also strive to differentiate our service by anticipating our customers needs, says Hardy Butschi, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Dubai. Gulfstream G550 and G650 aircraft were recently delivered to existing Jet Aviation clients in the region, and we sought these approvals to ensure that we could meet their expanding service requirements.
The event on December 6 was attended by Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, board members, Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general, as well as several government entities and stakeholders.

Attendees were introduced to the regulatory framework of space sector in the UAE, in addition to the objectives, enabling capabilities, and success factors of the policy. It also explained the roles involved in implementing the policy, and provided an update on the national space sector strategy to be issued soon and the space activities law being drafted.



The policy has been prepared in cooperation with a number of key stakeholders in the government sector, national companies in the private sector, academic foundations and research centres, international companies operating out of the UAE, and international experts from several legislative, legal and scientific areas.

The policy aims to build a strong and sustainable space sector in the UAE that supports and protects national interests and related vital industries. This includes contributing to economic growth and diversification, strengthening specialized Emirati skillsets and developing scientific and hi-tech capabilities. It also seeks to nurture and grow a culture of innovation and enhance the UAEs status on regional and global levels.



Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: Our national space policy stems from the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father, in addition to the directives of their Excellences, Members of the Federal Supreme Council. This vision enabled us to establish a solid economic foundation and comprehensive infrastructure, thus allowing the UAE to occupy a leading position across numerous fields.



Al Romaithi added: The policy is in line with the UAEs vision and strategic plans for all other sectors in support of economic growth and diversity in the country. It is considered as a cornerstone that the UAE space sector is built and developed further over the coming years, with the aim that the sector reaches short and long term goals, and strengthens the UAEs position amongst leading countries in space exploration and space capabilities development.



Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, said: The national space sector policy will guarantee the organising, managing, developing and best of use of national resources, especially with the advanced scientific and space infrastructure that the UAE enjoys.



The policy aims for the space sector to provide a significant contribution to the UAEs economy, a sector that is among the seven major national sectors within the National Innovation Strategy. It also supports scientific research and innovations in space related fields, and the Mars Hope Probe Mission, he added.



Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), has confirmed that the UAE has defined the rules and strategies it needs to adopt in its push towards a knowledge-based economy, which depends on promoting the culture of scientific research and technical innovation. Certainly, the UAEs interest in space science and industry is just a gateway to promising major economic investments in the future, he said.



He added: The implementation of the National Space Policy approved by the UAE cabinet chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will enhance the space sector locally and internationally, and will drive it towards a futuristic stage beyond sustainability; a developing and evolving stage.



Al Shaibani concluded: The fruitful coordination and cooperation among all the parties will shape a prosperous future for the space sector in the UAE. Under the leadership and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of MBRSC and General Supervisor of all the Centres projects, strategic and development plans, MBRSC adopts an approach and objective based on strengthening local infrastructure, qualifying and investing in the capability of Emirati youth, strengthening international partnerships, and launching more ambitious space projects that serve development in the UAE and humanity worldwide.



Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, chief executive officer, Yahsat said: Since its inception, the UAE Space Agency has worked toward developing and advancing the nations space capacity. Today's issuance of the national space policy is a further milestone toward the country's vision and ambition to become one of the worlds main players in the space industry.



He added: In the past few years, the UAE space sector has contributed to the diversification of the national economy. Further to the critical role that the space industry plays in connectivity, it also develops local talent. There is no doubt that establishing sustainable space infrastructure in the UAE represents a very important move toward achieving our ambitions and economics goals.



Samer Halawi, Thuraya Telecommunications Company CEO, said: As members of the National Space Policy Committee, we are proud to have been a member of the committee which drafted the national space policy, paving the way for the UAE to be a key contributor in space science and innovation. It is an honour to carry the UAE flag across the world in major international forums, and we will continue to support and contribute to the success of the space sector in the UAE. Thuraya was the first company to fulfill the founding fathers vision that the UAE should be a key player in space for the benefit of humankind. We save and improve lives daily - by responding to distressed calls, by supporting NGOs and the United Nations in crisis response and management, and simply by connecting loved ones with one another.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan held a meeting on December 12 with Argentinian-Armenian businessman, philanthropist Eduardo Eurnekian, the governments PR department told ARMENPRESS.

The Prime Minister praised Eduardo Eurnekians activities in Armenia and mentioned that he is the largest and most successful investor in Armenias economy, and the government is ready to continue the productive cooperation.

The PM and Eurnekian exchanged views on ongoing joint projects in Armenia and prospects of new programs in various fields. The sides namely discussed issues related to the construction of a solar power station in Armavir, the hydro-power station in Meghri, boosting tourism and development of the Yerevan and Gyumri airports, and investment programs regarding the former ministry of foreign affairs building.

The PM presented the actions aimed at development of Armenia and the economy and notified that the government is creating a Center of Strategic Initiatives, which will serve as a platform for realizing joint projects under cooperation between the state and private sector.

Karen Karapetyan noted that the government attaches importance to constant contact with investors and entrepreneurs and is open for discussion of issues of mutual interest and forming a convenient business environment.

Eduardo Eurnekian welcomed the governments reforms and mentioned he will continue implementing investment projects in Armenia, and expressed willingness to be involved in the activities of the Center of Strategic Initiatives, through his representative.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Sworn in today as the ninth and next United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres pledged to reposition development at the centre of the Organizations work and ensure that the UN can change to effectively meet the myriad challenges facing the international community, Armenpress reports, citing the official website of the UN.

The United Nations needs to be nimble, efficient and effective. It must focus more on delivery and less on process; more on people and less on bureaucracy, said Mr. Guterres after taking the oath of office at a ceremony before the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Mr. Guterres, a former Prime Minister of Portugal (1995 to 2002) and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees (2005-2015) replaces Ban Ki-moon, who steps down at the end of the month after leading the global Organization for the past 10 years.

The United Nations was born from war. Today we must be here for peace, he added, noting that addressing root causes, cutting across all three pillars of the UN: peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, must be a priority for the Organization.

He was formally appointed by the General Assembly on 13 October in what was the culmination of an historic process Member States set in motion late last year: the selection of a new UN Secretary-General, traditionally decided behind closed-doors by a few powerful countries, for the first time in history, involved public discussions with each candidate vying for the leadership position.

Todays ceremony opened with the Assembly paying tribute to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his contribution to the work of the UN since 1 January 2006.
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The study by GuildHE, a representative body for higher education, found creative-focused universities and colleges generate at least 8.4bn each year by meeting the needs of employers for creative, qualified, trained workers.
Earlier, there were rumours on the social media regarding the release and fate of the much-awaited film.

Mumbai: Ahead of the release of Hindi movie Raees, which features Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday evening at his residence. Earlier, there were rumours on the social media regarding the release and fate of the much-awaited film.

Rumours were rife on social media that the film is based on terrorist Abdul Raees, a close aide of gangster Dawood Ibrahim, who had funded the 1993 Mumbai blasts. Later, Raees killed in an encounter by the Gujarat police. Buzz is that SRK has glorified the character of terrorist in the film, which is scheduled for release on December 25.

He (Shah Rukh Khan) had come to inform that rumours about Mahira Khan promoting Raees are false, said Mr Thackeray. Raees, which features Khan and Mahira, is scheduled for a release next month.
Holland did not keep his secret for long, but naturally, the school kids failed to believe him.

Washington D.C: Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker in the latest and upcoming superhero movie 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', had to pretend to be a new student at Bronx High School of Science to prepare for the role.

The 20-year-old actor revealed his undercover operation in a recent Facebook Live session, where he said, "The coolest thing I think I did for the movie was I was enrolled in a high school in New York City, in the Bronx, as a secret."

"No one knew who I was or what I was doing. I had a fake name, a fake accent. I went to school for three days, I think. It was really fun," he revealed.

Apparently Holland found New York high schools "really interesting" because they were "so different" than those schools he went to in London.

"When I went to school, you had to wear a suit and tie and it's all boys and for me, it was the first time I was in a classroom with girls. It was like a really strange experience. It was really fun," he shared.

Holland did not keep his secret for long, but naturally, the school kids failed to believe him.

"I told one kid at the school, I was like, 'Hey man, I'm actually Spider-Man.' He did not believe me, was like, 'What? No.' I said, 'No, seriously, I'm Spider-Man. Like, no joke. Like, let's not mess around anymore. I'm Spider-Man.' He's like, 'I don't believe you,'" Holland said.

"And at the time, I hadn't made the movie so I didn't have any pictures to show him, to prove that I was Spider-Man. And he did not believe me at all," he sighed.

Another girl seemed highly suspicious of him from the start. "She was sitting next to me and she was like, 'What's your deal, man? Like, why are you at our school? Like, this is a science school, you can't just enroll, you have to come from the beginning,'" Holland said.

"And I was like, 'Oh, well, I have a secret. I have a secret.' And she was like, 'What? This guy's a freak.

Like, what the hell? ...and then I started doing an English accent...'I'm actually Spider-Man.' And she was like, 'Dude, you're nuts. You are literally the craziest guy I've ever met in my life,'" he added.

Also starring Robert Downey Junior, 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' is set for release on July 7.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea during the next 36 hours.

Tidal waves are seen rising high at the Ennore Beach in Chennai. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai/Amaravati: Cyclone Vardah made landfall in Chennai shortly before 3 pm on Monday. The cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 km/hour would take more than two hours to complete, said M Mahapatra, ADG, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Two persons were killed as heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds pounded the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu before cyclone Vardah made landfall in the afternoon.

The outer periphery of cyclone Vardah had touched the Chennai coast in the afternoon, leading to strong winds and traffic jams in the city. The first arm hit the Tamil Nadu coast with wind speed of 110-120 kmph, the IMD had said.

The Tamil Nadu government has urged people to not venture out of their houses till the landfall is complete and operations at Chennai airport has been suspended till 6 pm.

A high alert has also issued in Andhra Pradesh, where over 9,400 people in seven mandals along the Bay of Bengal coast in Nellore were evacuated to relief camps in the morning amid heavy rains.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is monitoring the situation through teleconference with top officials, said that fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea during the next 36 hours.

Ten diving teams have embarked on ships Shivalik and Kadmat, the Navy said.

Furthermore, 22 diving teams have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment.

Heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu earlier on Monday, uprooting trees and causing damage to properties in Chennai and north coastal districts of Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram.

The rain inundated low lying areas, while high velocity winds uprooted hundreds of trees as the severe cyclonic storm Vardah reached about 50 kms northeast of the state capital at noon and was likely to make landfall in the next couple of hours.

According to the IMD bulletin at noon, by the time Vardah hits the coast between 2 pm and 5 pm, winds with speed of 100-110 kmph to 120 kmph are likely to sweep the region.

Squally winds hit Chennai this morning as the very severe cyclonic storm approached Tamil Nadu. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure.

The rains intensified as the cyclone neared leading to water logging in many areas.

The Tamil Nadu government had declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram.

Rail and flight services here have been affected, officials said.

Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to the nearby Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials said.

Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway.

An emergency management team was on standby to meet any eventuality, they said.

The Southern Railways, meanwhile, announced suspension of services on the Chennai Beach and Velacherry MRTS route.

Similarly, suburban rail services on the MMC-Gummidipoondi line were also suspended until further notice. Some passenger trains coming to Chennai and leaving the city were also diverted.

The system was likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

However, according to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardah, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm.

Nineteen teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which are on high alert due to the approaching cyclonic storm.

The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required.

People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to safer zones.

Puducherry also experienced intermittent drizzle from early morning. The state government took precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore.

Police personnel were deployed on the entire two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach road and barricades were also put on all roads close to the sea shore. All schools and colleges are closed on Monday.
The report adds that it was Sasikala who decided that Jayalalithaa would be buried next to the MGR Memorial.

Late TN chief minister J Jayalalithaa had written a note for Prime Minister Narendra Modi advising him not to interfere with the amount of gold owned by Indians. (Photo: PTI/File)

Chennai: Two days before she suffered a cardiac arrest at a Chennai hospital, late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa wrote a note for Prime Minister Narendra Modi advising him not to interfere with the amount of gold owned by Indians as it was a "matter of sentiment".

According to a report in Firstpost, Jayalalithaa scribbled the short note on December 2 with some difficulty. The note was addressed to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao and was meant to be forwarded to Modis representative in the state.

It was later shown to Tamil Nadu in-charge Governor Vidyasagar Rao, perhaps with an intention that the message will be conveyed by the Centre's representative in Tamil Nadu to the Prime Minister, said the report.

The report claims this as proof that Jayalalithaa was fully aware of what was happening around her, especially the chaos caused by demonetisation, just three days before she died.

On the evening of December 4, sometime between 4.30 pm and 5 pm, Jayalalithaa was watching TV in her room when she suffered a cardiac arrest. She never recovered from this and was declared dead at 11:30 pm the next day at Apollo Hospitals.

The report also adds that every single decision from then on, on what and how to do next, was taken with Sasikala's concurrence. No one had any problems receiving instructions from Sasikala, Jayalalithaas confidante for nearly 30 years.

The report states that it was Sasikala who took the decision that Jayalalithaa's resting place will be next to the MGR Memorial on Marina Beach.

Meanwhile, Governor Rao was keeping Modi informed directly about the developments at Apollo Hospitals. Modi and Rao interacted via telephone several times, said the report.

The Prime Minister was keen that the Governor ensures there was no breakdown of law and order situation, and asked him to take charge till the new government was in control.

On December 5, it was decided around 4 pm that Jayalalithaa's demise will be announced at 7 pm, according to the Firstpost report, which added that the AIADMK top brass panicked when a Tamil news channel broadcasted her death at 5:30 pm.

Fearing that the emotional AIADMK cadre would take matters into their own hands, it was then decided that the announcement of Jayalalithaas death would be made close to midnight, by which time the crowds would have thinned.

Earlier, another report had said that Jayalalithaa had died in the Critical Care Unit at 2 pm itself.

Apollo Hospitals, however, denies that it put out any wrong information under pressure from the political dispensation, claiming that the end came only at 11:30 pm.
Home Minister accused Pakistan of waging a proxy war against India.

Kathua: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday accused Pakistan of "conspiring" to divide India along religious lines and warned the neighbouring country that it would be "splintered" into 10 nations if it failed to quell terrorism.

"Pakistan is conspiring to divide India on religious lines but it will not succeed. We were divided in 1947 on religious basis. We have not been able to forget that... All Indians are brothers, whether they are born from the womb of a Hindu mother or a Muslim mother," he said addressing a Martyrs' Day function in Kathua district.

Singh accused Pakistan of waging a proxy war against India. "We want to live in peace with Pakistan but it has indulged in sponsoring a proxy war against India. Every Prime Minister of India wanted to mend relations with Pakistan but it did not understand the language of peace and attacked India four times. But our brave soldiers gave them a befitting reply."

The Home Minister said Pakistan was waging the proxy war through terrorism, which is a weapon of the weak. "Terrorism is the weapon of the weak and not the brave," he said.

"Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it," he said.

Singh said terror groups ISIS had the whole world worried because of its activities but failed to spread its roots in India because of the Muslims.

"When the entire world is worried about ISIS, I can say it as the Home Minister of the country, as I know the reality that ISIS has not been able to spread its roots in India and the credit for this goes to the Muslims of the country, the followers of Islam," he said.

He said people might not know but when a member of somebody's family got radicalised, others came to him to seek his help to save the child from the clutches of the ISIS.

He also offered India's cooperation to Pakistan to help eradicate the menace of terrorism from its soil. "If Pakistan is serious about eradicating terrorism but is incapable of doing that and wants cooperation, we are ready to help it eradicate terrorism from there," the Minister said.

Singh said India always wanted to have friendly relations with all its neighbours but Pakistan betrayed India and returned peace initiatives with terrorist attacks.

"Narendra Modi, before the formation of his government, had held a party meeting and we decided if we want to make India a powerful country we need cooperation of all the neighbouring countries. So we decided to invite all the neighbouring heads of state/government and we invited Nawaz Sharif also, and he had come," Singh said.

"Sharif was invited not just to shake hands but let the hearts of the two countries to meet," he said, adding Pakistan should understand "our intentions but it has failed to do so".

He also said Modi, "breaking all protocol", went to attend a function in Sharif's family while returning from Afghanistan.

"We try our best that our neighbours live in peace with us. We want development of India as well as that of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. All should progress. We want this. But what has Pakistan given us in return for our large-heartedness

"We got Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Uri where terrorists entered and launched cowardly attacks on our soldiers," Singh said. "But we also showed them what we are capable of," he added.

"I thank our soldiers who succeeded in giving the message we cannot only hit them here but if need arises we can hit them anywhere," Singh said, referring to the surgical strikes carried by the army inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

He said after Gurdaspur and Pathankot terror attacks, Pakistan had stated it wanted to cooperate and sent a team to India. "But after the team's return to Pakistan, they refused to allow Indian SIT to visit Pakistan," he said.
The Income Tax department has been informed about the seizure and they are probing the matter, he said.

Police on Monday seized Rs 93.52 lakh in denomination of Rs 2,000 currency notes from seven people. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

Jaipur: Police on Monday seized Rs 93.52 lakh in denomination of Rs 2,000 currency notes from seven people, of whom three were arrested and the rest detained, in separate cases in Jaipur.

Two persons were detained allegedly after Rs 64 lakh, of which Rs 58 lakh was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes, was seized from them, police said.

"On a tip off, a joint team of the CID's Crime Branch and local police intercepted their car when it was roaming in the area apparently to facilitate exchange of demonetised notes," DCP (West) Ashok Gupta said, adding of the total amount Rs 6 lakh was in denomination of Rs 100 notes.

The Income Tax department has been informed about the seizure and they are probing the matter, he said.

In another incident, three persons were arrested for allegedly robbing a Bikaner-based businessman of Rs 83 lakh that was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes.

"Three of the five accused in the case have been arrested. All of them were friends of businessman Rajesh. Police have also seized Rs 28 lakh from their possession," Gupta said, adding the other accused, both policeman, are absconding.

The incident occurred two to three days back when he had come here to meet them and exchange his money in demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said.

"The accused took him to a flat and after a while he was tricked into believing that two policemen had come into the complex. He was asked to throw the money in a plot adjacent to the flat," the DCP said, adding the accused policemen picked up the money.

The victim had registered a complaint following the incident, he said.

In the outskirts of the city police caught two locals when they were exchanging scrapped notes with new ones.

"Rs 8 lakh, including Rs 7.52 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes, were recovered from Shyam Lal and Bhanwar who were exchanging notes in near Ajayrajpura village," SHO at SEZ police station Gayasuddin said.

The I-T department has been informed about the matter, he said.
They also called upon all countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greet Indonesias President Joko Widodo and his wife H.J. Iriana during a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: Pritam Bandyopadhyay)

New Delhi: In the presence of visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India and Indonesia  the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation  asked all countries to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, seen by observers as a clear message to Pakistan.

New Delhis success in getting the worlds largest Muslim majority nation on board on its concerns on cross-border terrorism is seen as a huge boost to Indias efforts to put Pakistan on the mat for support to terrorism.

In a clear indication towards China and its military assertion in the South China Sea, India and Indonesia urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions. The two countries also agreed to strengthen defence and security ties with a major focus on maritime space and deepen cooperation for effectively combating terror, its financing, money laundering and arms smuggling.

A joint statementstated, The two Leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, emphasising zero tolerance for acts of terror. They noted with great concern the growing menace of terrorism and violent extremism and its universal reach.

They also called upon all countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities. They called upon all countries to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, in disrupting terrorist networks and financing channels, and stopping cross-border terrorism.

They underlined the need for all countries to deal with trans-national terrorism emanating from their territory by effective criminal justice response. In that regard, the two Leaders called for enhanced cooperation including through greater exchange of information and intelligence between the two sides. The reference to UNSC Resolution 1267 indicates clear Indonesian support for Indias efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

As the worlds most populous Muslim nation Indonesia stands for democracy, diversity, pluralism, and social harmony. These are also our values, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, in his address before the media in the presence of the visiting Indonesian President.

The statement is being seen as strong support by India for moderation in the Muslim world compared to Pakistan which is seen to be actively backing terrorism. In a gesture, PM Modi also wished the Indonesians on the occasion of the Milad-un-Nabi festival in their Bahasa Indonesian language. Prime Minister Modi and President Widodo noted that India and Indonesia are friendly maritime neighbours with deep civilisational links between the people of the two countries, including the common heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, the Joint Statement said.

In an obvious indication of the situation in the South China Sea in the wake of Chinese military assertion and maritime disputes with some ASEAN nations, the Joint Statement also said, The two Leaders reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this context, they urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions. As the leaders of the State Parties to the UNCLOS, they emphasised that all parties should show utmost respect to the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans. Regarding the South China Sea, the two sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS. A separate Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation, outlining the agenda of bilateral engagement in the area was also issued which stated, Both leaders committed to maintaining a maritime legal order based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two countries with impressive growth rates also decided to boost bilateral trade and investment, particularly in areas like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, IT and skill development. A joint statement issued after the talks said the two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, emphasising zero tolerance for acts of terror. Both countries signed three agreements-an MoU on Youth Affairs and Sports, an MoU on Standards and a Joint Communique on Illegal and Unauthorised Fishing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Emphasising on the need to improve connectivity and encourage people-to-people contact, the two leaders also welcomed Garuda Indonesias decision to commence direct flights from Jakarta to Mumbai.

It (Indonesia) is the largest economy in South East Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. As two large democracies and major emerging economies, we have shared economic and strategic interests, PM Modi said.

Regarding defence and security ties, the two leaders gave a directive for early convening of the Defence Ministers Dialogue and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meetings to review and upgrade the existing Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Fields of Defence to a substantive bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement.

As strategic partners and maritime neighbours, the two leaders emphasised the importance of further consolidating the security and defence cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.

In a statement, the MEA said, This is the first visit of President Joko Widodo to India after assuming power in October 2014. The President is accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Iriana Widodo, as many as seven Cabinet Ministers, senior officials and a 22-member very high level Business delegation from Indonesia. The visiting dignitary inspected a Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the morning of 12 December and also lay a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. The Indonesian President met the Prime Minister and held delegation level talks on 12 December. The Prime Minister hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting Indonesian President and his delegation.. The Indonesian President will wrap up his visit on Tuesday.
The man allegedly stabbed his wife with a knife following a heated argument over financial issues.

The man sat by his wife's lifeless body for three hours and then called the police. (Photo: Representational image)

Mumbai: A dentist from Mumbais Matunga area stabbed his 36-year-old wife to death following an argument over finances on Sunday.

According to reports, Umesh Babole sat by his wife Tanujas body for three hours before calling the police to inform them about his crime.

Around 6.30 in the morning on Sunday, Babole reportedly had a dispute with Tanuja that spiralled out of hand. He then killed her in a fit of rage and sat beside the body, which was lying in a pool of blood, till 9:30 am.

Police reached the spot immediately after receiving his call and took Babole into custody. They seized the knife used to kill Tanuja.

The couple had been married for seven years and have a 4-year-old child who was sleeping in another room at the time of the incident.

A police officer from Shivaji Park police station said that the couple used to argue frequently. Tanuja was living at her parents' residence but had returned to her husbands house on Saturday. On Sunday morning, the two had a heated argument following which he killed her.

However, a resident of the building said, "We did not hear any commotion between the two. They rarely spoke to the residents of the building and only greeted us with a smile when we saw them around. We came to know about the incident only after the police reached their house."

Police said that Tanuja was declared dead on arrival at Sion Hospital. They added that she had filed a domestic violence case against her husband eight months ago.

The husband has been arrested under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. He was produced in a court on Sunday evening and sent to police custody.
Dilip Ghosh said that the Trinamool Congress supremo has lost her mind after the demonetisation drive.

Kolkata: West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh stirred a controversy on Sunday after saying that his party could have dragged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by her hair and thrown her out of Delhi when she was protesting against demonetisation.

Jab woh Delhi mein natak kar rahi thi, hum chahte toh unka baal pakad ke nikal sakte the, humari police hain wahan par hum aisa nahi karte (When she was doing drama in Delhi, we could have caught her by the hair and thrown her out, we have our police over there but we do not do such things," Ghosh was quoted saying in reports.

He said that the Trinamool Congress supremo has lost her mind after the demonetisation drive and that was the reason behind her recent visits to Delhi and Patna.

Speaking at a meeting of the party's youth wing held at Paschim Medinipore district's Jhargram yesterday, Ghosh said Banerjee has lost her mind and is crying for losing thousand of crores of rupees in the recent demonetisation of higher currency notes.

"That was why she (Banerjee) is visiting New Delhi and Patna. And failing to achieve anything, she is sitting in Nabanna (Secretariat). We had thought that she will ultimately jump in the Ganges... this person (Banerjee) has lost her mind and we are not ready to see her insanity... the state's people have realised their mistake of bringing in the change in West Bengal," Ghosh said.

Reacting sharply to Ghosh's statement, the TMC today said that after failing to fight Banerjee on her stand on demonetisation, the BJP has started spewing "dangerous personal threats to the Bengal CM".

"The BJP cannot fight Mamata Banerjee on policy, good governance and her principled stand on demonetisation on behalf of millions who are affected," the statement released by TMC said.

"BJP is desperate to silence the voice of the opposition. So how low do they stoop? The Bengal BJP president spews deeply dangerous, threatening, abusive and completely false personal statements against her. A new low in politics," it said.
All Indians are brothers, whether they are born from the womb of a Hindu mother or a Muslim mother, says Rajnath Singh.

New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi continued his tirade against the government on Sunday, saying while he agrees with Union home minister Rajnath Singh that Pakistan is trying to divide India along religious lines, the senior minister and his boss Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been doing the same.

Yes Rajnath Singhji Pakistan is trying to divide India along religious lines; has it struck you that you & your boss have been doing the same? Mr Gandhi said agreeing with the home minister that Pakistan has been conspiring to divide India on religious lines.

Mr Singh said at a function in Kathua that Pakistan was conspiring to divide India on religious lines but it will not succeed. We were divided in 1947 on religious basis. We have not been able to forget that... All Indians are brothers, whether they are born from the womb of a Hindu mother or a Muslim mother.

The home minister also said that India has always wanted to have friendly relations with its neighbours, but Pakistan has betrayed India and returned peace initiatives with terrorist attacks.

Referring to the invitation extended to Saarc countries for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi, he said this was done because we realised if we want to make India a powerful country we need cooperation of all neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before the formation of the government, had held a party meeting and we decided if we want to make India a powerful country we need cooperation of all the neighbouring countries. So we decided to invite all the neighbouring heads of state/government and we invited Nawaz Sharif also, and he had come, Mr Singh said.
The girl from Mysuru was married at the age of 18, tortured for dowry and later sold to a brothel by her husband.

She says she was sold by her husband like an animal (Photo: YouTube)

Mysuru: Women in Indian society have to face a lot of issues from day to day life and then there are those for whom life can turn into a nightmare as domestic violence, dowry harassment and human trafficking are rampant in the society even today.

While a lot of women are forced to silently suffer such an ordeal, some refuse to endure the darkness and fight back despite lack of support in the society and constant repression. One such woman is Ayesha from Mysore, who fought her way out of a bad marriage and being forced into prostitution, as she is now refusing to stop at anything.

Married off at the age of 18, Ayeshas ordeal begin when her in-laws started torturing her for dowry and aborted her child when she got pregnant. But things turned worse when her husband took her to a place saying her it was for a job, and sold her to a brothel instead.

She tried to escape several times and was angry at her parents who didnt back her out of her suffering. Finally she managed to tell a customer about her situation, as the person informed member of Justice and Care, who locked down the brothel and saved Ayesha.

Although Ayesha was triumphant in a battle against evils imposed on many women in India, she is now hitting out and shattering every gender stereotype and is working hard to become an IPS officer and help more women suffering a fate similar to hers.

Click below to watch Ayesha in action
According to senior officials probing the accident, the Juhu ATC got in touch with a Pawan Hans copter that was flying nearby.

Mumbai: The helicopter crash on Sunday has raised questions on the air safety concerns taken by both: the copter as well as the airport operator. According to senior officials from the Juhu aerodrome, the reason told by the pilot in communication with the Juhu Air Traffic Control declared the emergency stating a mechanical problem. However, sources from the ATC say that the clutch of the machine had failed which led to the accident.

A senior Airport Authority of India (AAI) said, Functioning of a helicopter is different from an aircraft. In a helicopter a clutch failure makes it drop just like a stone drops from a height making it impossible for the machine to move ahead.

According to senior officials probing the accident, the Juhu Air Traffic Controllers got in touch with a Pawan Hans copter that was flying nearby. The Pawan Hans helicopter visited the spot and confirmed the crash. The ATC then immediately informed the local police station and fire brigade who rushed to the spot, explained an AAI official. Fearing that the accident would leave a bad impact on people looking for joyrides for at least a few months, Uday Gelli, president, Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI), said, There seems to be no pilot error as the clutch failed leading to emergency landing. During such a clutch failure, the power supply to the engine stops, not allowing the copter to move ahead.

A Juhu ATC official said, When the clutch fails, the copter drops like a stone falling from a height. The pilot was flying 500 feet from the ground and did not take even 10 seconds to crash land after his last message was communicated.

Dr. Mandar Bharde, owner of MAB Aviation who has known flight commander Praful Mishra for seven years, praised him for his presence of mind.
The police said they had been fighting for a long time and were living separately.

Mumbai: A 40-year-old city-based dentist allegedly murdered his estranged wife early on Sunday by slitting her throat with a kitchen knife. The accused, Dr Umesh Bobale, later contacted the police control room alerting them about the murder and handed himself over to them. The accused told the police that the trigger for the murder was his disagreement with Tanuja Bobale (36), over the alimony that he was supposed to give to the deceased once their divorce was finalised.

The doctor and Tanuja had filed for divorce seven months ago due to incompatibility, arising out of disputes related to petty household issues, according to the police. The accused was arrested by the Shivaji Park police station.

The couple was staying in an apartment in Kohinoor tower at Matunga. The police said they had been fighting for a long time and were living separately. Following the intervention of a family court, Tanuja kept visiting her matrimonial house in between. The couple has a four-year-old son. They were married in year 2009.

According to sources, Tanuja was demanding an alimony of 140 lakh, but Dr Bobale said he would pay only Rs 10 lakh. Sources said the child was present in the house when Dr Bobale allegedly killed his wife, but was in another room.

Shivaji Park senior police inspector Gangadhar Sonavane said Earlier his wife had filed a case of domestic violence against her husband seven months ago. They were not on talking terms the case was in the family court. They were counseled for staying together, yesterday night they both had a fight and it must have made the dentist to take the extreme step.

In anger Umesh took kitchens knife, and stabbed his wife and than slit her throat and in morning then he called police control room stating, I have murdered by wife, please come soon, he futher said.

When contacted, the families of both Dr Bobale and Tanuja were not ready to comment.
The forensic experts have sent the vaginal and semen samples found on the victims body for DNA analysis.

Mumbai: Five days after a 25-year-old physiotherapist was found raped and murdered in her room in her house, the Vile Parle police are waiting to receive the results of the vaginal tests conducted on the victim to find clues about the unidentified perpetrators. The police will also send the DNA samples of the people who have been interrogated to the forensic laboratory to verify if the same matches with the samples found on the victims body.

The victim, a resident of a chawl in Vile Parle, was found in a naked state on December 6, with her body being discovered after smoke started emanating from the room and neighbours alerted her parents. The family, which stayed in an adjacent house, allowed the woman and her younger sister to use the extra room on the first floor as a study room and for some years, the victim would sleep there.

The police, in its probe, has been questioning the victims sister, a female friend, a male friend and her boyfriend. The police had also questioned a male friend of the victims mother who stayed in the same area. But even after hours of questioning, the police is yet to make any arrests.

The forensic experts have sent the vaginal and semen samples found on the victims body for DNA analysis. We are awaiting the results from them to move forward in the investigation, said an officer.

The forensic experts had confirmed to The Asian Age that the victim had been gang-raped and had also been subjected to brutal unnatural sex. We will also send the DNA samples of the suspects for analysis and get further clues depending on the results, said an officer. The police have booked unidentified people for murder, rape and unnatural sex under sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Eyewitnesses had already taken helicopter crash victims to hospital before officials reached.

Mumbai: After private operator Aman Aviations helicopter carrying four passengers crashed in the Filter Pada area of Aarey Colony in Goregaon around 11.56 am on Sunday, killing its pilot Captain Praful K Mishra, the local Aarey police stations team allegedly arrived as long as 45 minutes after the mishap, eyewitnesses said.

Locals took out the passengers to rescue them and rushed them to hospital. They cut the occupants seat belts with sickles to get them out. The fan of the aircraft had badly injured the pilot, who was bleeding. The clothes of the women passengers were burnt, and the locals wrapped them in a blanket before taking them to hospital.

When The Asian Age visited the spot, the locals claimed that despite them making several calls, the police and fire brigade took too much time in arriving. By the time the police and fire brigade officials reached, we had already pulled everyone out and rushed them to hospital, said Deepak Dholi, a local resident.

Commenting on his team allegedly taking too long to reach, DCP Kiran Kumar Chavhan of zone 12, under whose jurisdiction the incident took place, said, Thats not true. Aarey police station is very close to the spot and a police team rushed to the spot immediately after getting an alert from the control room. He added, though, that the residents had conducted the rescue operation already.

A fire brigade official, too, countered the statement of the locals, saying, We were alerted at 12.19 pm and we reached at the spot at 12.37 pm. So there was no delay from our side.
I was stunned by the realisation of my naivete and denial, says Martin Scorsese.

Los Angeles: Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese has said he was fighting for his life when he was 35 due to misuse of normal medications in combinations.

The 74-year-old filmmaker opened up about his hard living days and drug abuse after helming the 1977 musical drama New York, New York, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

After finishing New York, New York, I took chances. (I was) out of time and out of place and also in turmoil in my own life and embracing the other world, so to speak, with a kind of attraction to the dangerous side of existence. Then on Labour Day weekend, I found myself in a hospital, surprised that I was near death.

A number of things had happened. Misuse of normal medications in combinations (to which) my body reacted in strange ways. I was down to about 109 pounds. It wasnt only drug-induced  asthma had a lot to do with it, he said.

It was after being admitted to the hospital and watching people around him taking so much care of him, Scorsese realised that he shouldnt waste his life like that.

I was kept in a hospital for 10 days and nights, and they took care of me, these doctors, and I became aware of not wanting to die and not wasting (my life).

Alone in that hospital, occasionally visited by such friends as Robert De Niro, the director recalled his roots as a Catholic growing up in New Yorks Little Italy.

I was stunned by the realisation of my naivete and denial. I prayed. But if I prayed, it was just to get through those 10 days and nights. I felt (if I was saved) it was for some reason. And even if it wasnt for a reason, I had to make good use of it.
By turn, the head of the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan.

Lt. Gen Naveed Mukhtar (left) was appointed as director-general of the ISI. (Photo: Twitter)

Islamabad: Pakistan has named a new head of its powerful military Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), two weeks after replacing the chief of army staff in a significant shift for the military that wields huge influence.

Lt. General Naveed Mukhtar was appointed as director-general of the ISI, replacing Lt. General Rizwan Akhtar, who is being moved to the post of president of the National Defence University, according to a statement by the military's press wing late on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday picked Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa to replace outgoing army chief Raheel Sharif, the popular military leader credited with improving security and driving back Islamist terrorist groups.

The army is arguably the most influential institution in Pakistan, with the military having ruled the country for about half of its 69-year history since independence from Britain and enjoying extensive powers even under civilian administrations.

By turn, the head of the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan. The agency has long been accused of supporting Islamist terrorists targeting India as well as sheltering the Afghan Taliban and other terrorits.

Pakistan's government and military deny any links to terrorists.

Lt. General Mukhtar had most recently been assigned as corps commander of Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, and had previously headed the counterterrorism wing of the ISI in the capital, Islamabad, according to Dawn newspaper.
Twelve laboratories from around the world came together to put in motion the Big Bell Test.

London: Over 100,000 people from laboratories around the world for the first time have conducted a unique global experiment that verified the laws of quantum physics thus refuting Albert Einsteins understanding of the microscopic world.

Twelve laboratories from around the world came together to put in motion the BIG Bell Test.

The experiment  coordinated by ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences in Spain  powered by human randomness is aimed to demonstrate that the microscopic world is in fact as strange as quantum physics predicts.

Predictions such as particles behaving in a random way, determining their properties only when we look at them; strange instantaneous interactions at a distance  were all questioned by Einstein, who rejected them completely. During the 48 hours in which it was November 30th at different place on the planet, participants contributed to the initiative, generating sequences of zeros and ones as random as possible through a video game.

Each of these bits was used to control in real-time the experimental conditions of the labs. They moved mirrors, polarising filters, waveplates  elements located on optical tables and that affect the type of measurements that are made on the different quantum systems in each lab.

Together all participants provided scientists with millions of unpredictable, independent decisions which were used to measure their particles. This independence is a crucial feature for the conclusions of the Bell tests to be valid.

Using the sequences provided by the participants, the scientists have been able to verify whether or not their particles were intertwined by the spooky action at a distance that Einstein could not accept.

The Bell test states that experimentalists have to do their measurements with the help of human decisions and calculate the Bell parameter (known as the parameter S).

If the world is, as Einstein believes, predictable and without spooky actions at a distance, then S cannot be greater than 2. Otherwise, the inequality has been violated, indicating the presence of intrinsically quantum phenomena.
The ambitious GBT project has won praise across Europe for its pioneering efforts to improve connectivity from Rotterdam to the Adriatic.

Regular rail service through the worlds longest tunnel carrying passengers deep under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano began on Sunday. (Photo:AFP)

Geneva: Regular rail service through the worlds longest tunnel began on Sunday carrying passengers deep under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano.

The famed Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) had a ceremonial opening in June, attracting European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande for its maiden ride.

The Swiss national rail service (SBB) had announced that Sunday would mark the start of normal commercial traffic through the 57-kilometre GBT, which took 17 years to build, at a cost of over 12 billion Swiss francs ($11.8 billion, 11.2 billion euros).

The Swiss news agency ATS reported that the first regular passenger train to use the GBT pulled out of Zurich at 6:09 am (0509 GMT) and arrived in Lugano at 8:17 am, with the tunnel passage shaving a full 30 minutes off the previous travel time for the same route. Its Christmas, SBB chief Andreas Meyer was quoted by ATS.

The ambitious GBT project has won praise across Europe for its pioneering efforts to improve connectivity from Rotterdam to the Adriatic.

The Swiss funded tunnel was largely made possible by technical advances in tunnel-boring machines, which replaced the costly and dangerous blast-and-drill method.

The GBT has surpassed Japans 53.9-km Seikan tunnel as the worlds longest train tunnel. The 50.5-kilometre Channel Tunnel connecting Britain and France has been bumped into third place.
'Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th,' the US President-elect tweeted.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said the cost of the F-35 stealth fighter is out of control. (Photo: AP)

Washington: Lockheed Martin stocks were down about four percent in early trading Monday after President-elect Donald Trump blasted "out of control" costs for the F-35 stealth fighter program.

With a current development and acquisition price tag of $379 billion for a total of 2,443 F-35 aircraft -- most of them destined for the Air Force -- the Lockheed Martin-built plane is the most expensive in history.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th," Trump said on Twitter, as Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was in Israel to celebrate delivery of the country's first two of the Lockheed Martin fighters.

Once servicing and maintenance costs for the F-35 are factored in over the aircraft's lifespan through 2070, overall program costs are expected to soar to $1.5 trillion.

Lockheed stock dropped to about $248.40 while the broader market surged amid an ongoing post-election rally.

The US Air Force declared an initial squadron of F-35A fighters "battle ready," in August, after reports of cost overruns and delays.

The Air Force's F-35A is one of three variants of the aircraft, designed to conduct conventional landings and take-offs.

The F-35B, used by the Marine Corps, is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings, and the Navy's F-35C is built for use on aircraft carriers.

Trump has frequently turned to Twitter to vent his outrage about anything from critiques of Saturday Night Live, a weekly comedy-variety television show, to attacking Boeing for the cost of designing a new version of Air Force One, the presidential plane.

Proponents tout the F-35's radar-dodging stealth technology, supersonic speeds, close air-support capabilities, airborne agility and a massive array of sensors giving pilots unparalleled access to information.

But the program has faced numerous setbacks, including a mysterious engine fire in 2014 that led commanders to ground planes until the problem could be resolved.

Other issues have led to delays and cost overruns, including software bugs, technical glitches and even a faulty eject system that risked killing pilots who weighed less than 136 pounds (62 kilos).
Trump is also looking at ways to include his eldest daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner in his administration.

President-elect Donald Trump gives his acceptance speech as he is surrounded by his family at his election night rally in New York. (Photo: AP)

Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday said he would be living at the White House with his family after he becomes the president in January, and added that he was pursuing how to include his eldest daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner in his administration.

"No, I'm going to live in the White House with my family," Trump told Fox News when asked if he would spend most of his time at Trump Tower in New York after becoming the president.

"Baron (youngest son, 10) is going to finish up school because he's got just a couple months to go. So, it's a little hard to take him out of school. And Melania will be back and forth for that first couple of months. No, we'll be staying in the White House," he said.

"Are you going to be lonely rattling around in the White House by yourself for a few months," he was asked.

"No, I'll be working. I'll be working. It's a very special place and it represents so much. And there's a lot to do. There's a lot to do. More than I even thought. So many things we can do to make America great again. That's what it's all about. And I'll be working. I won't be lonely at all," he asserted.

Trump said he is still "working out" if Ivanka and Kushner would be moving to Washington. "They're both very talented people," he said.

"I won't be involved in my business at all, even though I have a legal right to be under the laws, as you know, because the president has a certain doctrine that he can do things. But I just don't want to do it. Even if I could do it, which I'm allowed to, I wouldn't want to," he said.

However, the case of Ivanka and Kushner are different, he said. "Theirs is a little bit different. I think we'll have to see how the laws read. I would love to be able to have them involved," he said.

"If you look at Ivanka, you take a look, she's so strong, as you know, to the women's issue and childcare, and so many things she'd be so good. Nobody can do better than her. I'd just have to see whether or not we can do that. She'd like to do that," he said.

"I'd love to have Jared helping us on deals with other nations and see if we can do peace in the Middle East and other things. He's very talented. He's a very talented guy. So, we're looking at that from a legal standpoint right now," he added.
Some university chiefs are also warning that many Indian students are already being denied visas on minor grounds.

London: The UK government is finalising plans to cut annual student visa figures by nearly half, from the current 300,000 to 170,000, a media report said on Monday amid a sharp fall in students coming to the country from outside Europe including India.

Some university chiefs are also warning that many Indian students are already being denied visas on minor grounds as part of a wider move to cut immigration into the UK. "They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here. That is outrageous," a UK vice-chancellor was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper.

The move comes despite recent UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures indicating there has been a drastic drop in students coming to the UK from outside Europe. "There was a statistically significant decline in the number of non-EU citizens migrating to the UK to study, from 134,000 in the previous year to 111,000...there was a statistically significant decline in citizens of South Asia, with the number coming to study having almost halved," ONS said in its 'Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016'.

India is the third-largest category in terms of student visa applications after the US and China, with 10,664 granted between June 2015 and 2016.

"International students contribute, directly and indirectly, 14 billion pounds to the UK economy, making higher education one of this country's most valuable exports...Over the last five years, the number of Indian students attending UK universities has halved. I have consistently asked the government to remove students from the net migration target," said Lord Bilimoria, leading Indian-origin entrepreneur and Cobra Beer founder, who himself came to the UK as a student.

"We should immediately re-introduce the two-year post-study work visa, which I fought hard to introduce before its withdrawal in 2012, to allow foreign students to implement their much-needed skills here and help boost our economy," he added.

During British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed on the importance of access for Indian students to UK institutions.

"Education is vital for our students and will define our engagement in a shared future. We must therefore encourage greater mobility and participation of young people in educational and research opportunities," PM Modi had told May in his address at the UK India Tech Summit in New Delhi.

However, senior university sources indicate the UK Home Office is on track for some dramatic immigration cuts in student visa numbers. While it has dismissed rumours of an annual cutback of more than two-thirds, the likely cut to around 170,000 seems likely to be enforced.

A UK Home Office spokesperson said: "Claims the Home Office is modelling cuts to reduce international students to a third [ie 100,000 a year] are categorically untrue".

"We want to strengthen the system to support the best universities - and those that stick to the rules - to attract the best talent. The British people have sent a clear message that they want more control of immigration and we are committed to getting net migration down to sustainable levels in the tens of thousands," he said.
by Loula Lahham

Pope expressed his closeness to the affected community, especially women and children who represent the largest number of victims. He mentioned the blood ecumenism of martyrs and offered prayers for peace in Egypt and the world. Funerals took place in Cairo led by Patriarch Tawadros II. The attackers "have offended an entire nation."

Cairo (AsiaNews)  This morning, Pope Francis called His Holiness Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, to express his condolences for yesterday's attack against the Coptic Cathedral of St Mark in Abbassia, Cairo, this according to a statement issued by Greg Burke, director of the Holy See Press Office.

The pope expressed "his closeness" to the Patriarch and the Coptic community "so badly hit, especially to women and children, who represent the largest number of victims. He stressed that We are united in the blood of our martyrs, and promised to pray for the Coptic community in the Mass he was going to celebrate today, feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The patriarch, the note went on to say, mentioned the pope's expression pronounced during their meeting at the Vatican, namely blood ecumenism. He thanked Pope Francis "for his closeness" at such a difficult time and asked to him "pray for them and for peace in Egypt", promising to "convey his condolences to the entire Coptic community."

Today, a mass funeral was held for the victims of the explosion that yesterday hit the Cairo church. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II led the service and pronounced a long homily.

"The Egyptian Church, the patriarch said, has been characterised in the course of its entire history by martyrs, young, old, and even children. Hence the nickname of 'the Church of the martyrs', which dates back to the earliest centuries of Christianity."

After the funeral, broadcast by several TV stations, the Coptic pope spoke to the thousands of faithful who came to bid their last farewell to the 23 victims of the attack and said that their souls are not dead, that they are only sleeping in the hope of resurrection.

His Holiness expressed his "deep sorrow" noting that the perpetrators of this terrible attack against the St Peter Church put aside their human nature and feelings. "They have offended an entire nation, he said. The disaster is that of all Egyptians."

Following the blast, various political, government and religious leaders, including the leaders of the Catholic Church, condemned unreservedly the act.

Al-Azhar University, Egypts highest Sunni Muslim authority, cancelled yesterday evenings celebrations marking the birth of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, in solidarity with the Coptic community.

Pope Tawadros II ended his sermon noting that the dead entered into the glory of heaven and the heavenly Father, whilst in prayer and meditation. These innocent victims, the patriarch noted, "were in contact with God and theirs was an open heart."

The funeral saw the participation of many ambassadors and diplomats accredited to Egypt, as well as officials from the countrys Churches, Vatican representatives and dozens of government officials and leaders.

The funeral was held in the church of the Virgin Mary in Nasr City, in east Cairo, to avoid gatherings of believers and sympathisers in the area where the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate is located. For the authorities, this was done for security reasons connected to yesterdays attack.

The Egyptian government also declared three days of national mourning.
Filipino Cardinal Quevedo led the Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral. Government officials took part in the event sitting in the front row. The authorities allowed the celebration provided it do not occur outside the church. Full of joy, the faithful celebrated with songs and dances the martyrs killed by the Communist Pathet Lao between 1954 and 1970.

Vientiane (AsiaNews)  More than a thousand worshippers took part yesterday morning in the beatification Mass for 17 Laos martyrs in Vientianes Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Originally set for 10 am, the celebration was brought forward by one hour for security reasons.

Card Orlando Quevedo, archbishop of Cotabato (Philippines), led the Mass. Those present included government officials wearing traditional garb, seated in the front rows, as well as two cardinals, several bishops and many priests.

Considering that local Catholics represent only 1 per cent of the population (of almost 7 million), the turnout was high with many people following the liturgy from a giant screen set up outside the church. The celebration ended at 12 (local time).

Pope Franciss remarks in yesterdays Angelus inspired Card Quevedo who said that the 17 martyrs are heroes of the faith and that their story should be made known to younger generation. The cardinal also called on all Christians to celebrate the liturgical feast of the martyrs on 16 December.

The 17 witnesses of the faith died between 1954 and 1970 at the hands Communist Pathet Lao forces. Six were Laotians, ten were missionaries of the Missions etrangeres de Paris and one belonged to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate (OMI).

The group of 17 included Fr Mario Borzaga Omi and catechist Paul Thoj. Communist guerrillas killed the two in 1960 as they made their way to Hmong villages. Both were very young, 28 and 19 respectively.

Some of the martyrs relatives and residents from the area where the missionaries worked (before they were expelled by the government in 1975) were present at the Mass. "Some people greeted Fr Angelo Pelis, said Fr Pasquale Castrilli, an OMI priest and a writer. He was one of the missionaries who were expelled. He was moved."

Towards the end of the service, which finished around noon, there were the two significant interventions, Fr Castrilli said, one by a Laotian government official and the other by the Apostolic Nuncio to Bangkok, Mgr Paul Tschang In-Nam, who called on the government to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

The Mass was followed by a festive community lunch accompanied by traditional songs and dances. The authorities allowed the event provided it was held on cathedral grounds. Anything outside was banned.

Today Card Quevedo said goodbye to Laotian authorities before leaving for the Philippines, thanking them for authorising the celebration.

Masses in honour of the martyrs of Laos were celebrated in different parts of the world. Yesterday in Trento (Italy), Fr Borzagas home town, the bishop presided over the Eucharist in honour of the martyr in the parish of St Anthony.

In Paris, Lyon and Belleville (Illinois), Hmong celebrated the Italian missionary and his catechist.
Kyrgyz voters approve 26 amendments to the constitution in a referendum. Some presidential powers go to the prime minister and same sex marriages are banned. Some claim vote rigging.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - The Central Election Commission said 80 per cent of voters backed reforms proposed by President Almazbek Atambaev with about 42 per cent of the 2.5 million eligible voters casting their ballots.

The constitutional amendments include new powers for the prime minister relating to budget legislation whilst allowing the office holder to appoint and dismiss Cabinet ministers and regional governors without consulting the president. Voters also approved a law that bans same-sex marriage.

The amendments curtail the powers of the Kyrgyzstan's president. The latter will no longer chair the Defence Council, which controls the military and law enforcement agencies, but will head the Security Council (Article 64, Section 9, Paragraph 1), whose responsibilities however are not clear.

Before the referendum, the prime minister could "appoint and dismiss the heads of local public administrations upon proposals of local keneshes in accordance with the procedures of the law (Article 89, Paragraph 7)." The amended version is shortened, and the prime minister may simply "appoint and dismiss the heads of local public administrations."

This has led critics to claim that the move is designed to allow Atambayev to stay in power or at least retain influence after his current term as president ends next year.

Atambayev, 60, has said that he does not plan to seek any new office, including that of prime minister. Nevertheless, several Kyrgyz political analysts believe that he wants to continue playing a role behind the scenes.

The other issue addressed by the constitutional referendum is same-sex marriage. The amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman will effectively outlaw gay marriages.

The measure parallels related legislation making its way through parliament that toughens punishments on promoting a homosexual way of life and non-traditional sexual relations.

Even though almost half the population voted, Iskhak Masaliev of the Onuguu-Progress Party spoke to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty about vote rigging and corruption, saying that political parties had resorted to vote buying, saying "reliable people told me that they were offered 500 to 1,000 soms ( to ) per vote.

Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Interior Minister Almaz Orozaliev reported five such cases -- three in the capital, Bishkek, and two in the northern Chui region.
by Bernardo Cervellera

In his message for the World Day of Peace 2017, Pope Francis counters armed violence, finance and fundamentalism with education in the family and becoming witnesses and peacemakers. World leaders invited to take on the Beatitudes as a "manual" for their policies. In a world plagued by a piecemeal war", we must foster collaboration with all religions and people of good will. No more "just wars" and "humanitarian military intervention." An appeal to Islam (and religions): violence is not of God.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Education in the family is the basis from which to build effective anti-nuclear and anti-war programs; the eight Gospel beatitudes are a manual not only for pious Christians, but for "political and religious leaders, the heads of international institutions, and business and media executives". With his characteristic and disarming simplicity, Pope Francis today launched a program to defeat the "piecemeal war", a possible third world war, with the practice of nonviolence as "a style of politics for peace".

In the Message for the 50th World Day for Peace, released today, the pontiff speaks of the reasonableness" of choosing nonviolence in the face of all the violence that not only kill thousands of people, but by using money on armaments, diverts resources away from "the everyday needs of young people, families experiencing hardship, the elderly, the infirm and the great majority of people in our world."(n. 2). The examples are legion: from China which each year increases its military budget, despite the hundreds of millions of poor people in its borders, to North Korea with its nuclear program and its starving and sick population. A significant example is the Middle East, where high youth unemployment has resulted in militancy among radicals in the wars in Syria and Iraq, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar becoming the biggest byers of weapons. In this case what is even more disheartening is the fact that Western countries (United States, Britain, France, Spain, Italy, ...), who preach peace in that region, are also the suppliers of those weapons that destroy entire populations and highjack their development and their future. Now terrorism along with the countless wars scattered across the planet have become an item in global financial budgets.

Faced with this world projection, Pope Francis is not discouraged. Instead he calls on all those who desire to become "a peacemaker", taking a lead from the great leaders of nonviolence in history: Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, etc ... He proposes a new culture of nonviolence that starts from education in the family, radiated out into society. Moreover, on other occasions, Francis himself has often denounced what he perceives as a "war" being waged worldwide on the institution of the family. A harmonious, loving, family that helps each other is the primary contribution against violence in society and solidarity among work mates and school mates. This reality is backed up by psychological and sociological studies.

The Pope extends this invitation to take up the nonviolence to all those who harbor the same desire: first, members of other religions ( "No religion is terrorist", n. 4), but also with politicians, businessmen, heads of international institutions. To all of them he proposes the eight Christian Beatitudes as a manual, inviting them to accept "a challenge to build up society, communities and businesses by acting as peacemakers." (n. 6).

In this universal momentum for nonviolence Pope Francis clears in one stroke all the problems of the "just war" or "humanitarian intervention" which in past years have fed fiery debates among believers over the military intervention in Kosovo, in the Gulf, in Somalia. Perhaps because it is now clear that those interventions served geopolitical and financial aims more than they saved people.

The message also comes out in absolute defense of religion as a path to peace, even as the world discusses the violent nature of Islam. Reading the message carefully, rather than in defending Islam, the Pope seems to invite all those who say they are religious to take the path of non-violence. In this Pope Francis seems to align itself to all those Muslims who attribute the violence present in their religion to "Arabic  Sunni interpretation" with its Salafi and Wahhabi inheritors.

The global nature of the message is to be a positive proposal, not a list of complaints, scandals and accusations. Even Mother Teresa's speech in Oslo for her Nobel Prize in 1979 is cited not as a direct denunciation of abortion as a threat to peace, but as an "active nonviolence message" which includes "the acceptance and defense of human life, the unborn and the abandoned and rejected "(n. 4). Perhaps because the fate of peace is really hanging by a thread, and now there is a need to gather all men and women of good will.
by Paul Wang

In an interview broadcast yesterday, the neo-US president rejects the principle of almost thirty years without concessions on trade or other agreements. He defends his right to speak to the president of Taiwan. The Global Times accuses him of being "ignorant as a child" in terms of foreign policy. Threatens total control of the Straits.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - President-elect Donald Trump has asked why the United States should keep to the principle of "one China", if Beijing will not make concessions on trade or other issues. The newspaper Global Times has provided an immediate answer: Trump is an "ignorant and a child" in terms of foreign policy and the one China principle is non-negotiable. In addition, the paper embarks on the possibility of a military escalation in the Strait (Taiwan) if the US dares to abandon the one China principle.

This principle requires that all of Beijings diplomatic and trade partners recognize the People's Republic as the sole representative of the Chinese people, and to consider the island of Taiwan a "renegade province", waiting to be reunited (or reabsorbed by) to the motherland.

During his campaign Trump strongly criticized China for being a " currency manipulator", and unfairly supporting its exports. A few days after his election he received a congratulatory phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, provoking the ire of Beijing.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News yesterday Trump said: "I don't know why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."

He also defended his right to receive calls from anyone, including Tsai Ing-wen: ""I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me, he said.

In 1979 the US established diplomatic relations with Beijing and interrupted ones with Taiwan (home to the government of the "Republic of China", which fled to the island under Chiang Kai-shek). In return, the United States is committed to a peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Strait (Taiwan) in the event of armed aggression by Beijing, the US would defend the island.

"Taiwan" is a sensitive issue for the Chinese Communist Party with patriotic and nationalist tones claims to hold together all the Chinese territories, to have retaken them from the old colonial powers.

Today's response from the Global Times (magazine close to the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Communist Party) is very tough. First of all it describes Trumps move "a very childish rash act" and said he needed "to humbly learn about diplomacy"; then states that "the principle of the only China is non-negotiable ... Trump thinks that we can put a price on everything." This is followed by veiled threats: ""China must resolutely battle Mr Trump, only after a few serious rebuffs then will he truly understand that China and other global powers cannot be bullied."

In the interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated the accusations against Beijing focused on the devaluation of the yuan, the policy toward North Korea and the tensions in the South China Sea.

Recalling the phone call with Tsai Ing-wen, he said: "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?," Trump asked.



The Global Times warns Trump against using the one China principle as a lever to force Beijing to make concessions on trade and other issues.
Aussie nectarines launch into Chinese market



Orchard Manager, Russel Field and the Montague tree nectarines

Well-known Australian fruit distributor, Montague, is set to pack its first box of nectarines for China this week at its Narre Warren, Victoria, packaging facility.

The fruit distributor is sending its first box of nectarines to China after thirteen years of negotiation between Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), Federal Departments of Agriculture, Summer Fruit Australia and the Chinese Government.

As the 2016-17 summer fruit season begins, the horticulture industry expects the Chinese demand for such stone fruit to rise to as much as cherries, Chinas fastest growing import.

Cherry imports to China totalled 94,288 tonnes in 2014/15 season.

Rowan Little, Montague Fresh General Manager Business Development, said the introduction of the new export protocol between Australia and China presents a huge opportunity for the local horticulture industry.

We believe we will be able to supply the highest quality nectarines to the Chinese population, Little said.

The Montague team visited markets, retail outlets, and potential customers in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in September 2016 to build customer relationships and to understand the diverse markets within China.

Montague has since created a targeted marketing strategy to raise awareness and understanding of nectarines while supporting the Chinese distributors through local social media channels such as WeChat.

The Montague family, which owns Montague Fresh, has been growing fruit for the Australian market since 1948.

The business has been exporting stone fruit and apples to various markets throughout the world since its establishment. Today, Montague exports apples to Europe and the UK and stone fruit to countries including the Germany, the UAE, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Related articles
New Australian Organic research centre to be established



Professor Graham King (left), Director, Southern Cross Plant Science, Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker, NSW DPI Chief Scientist Dr Phil Wright, DVC (Research), Professor Geraldine Mackenzie, Chancellor Nick Burton Taylor,Thomas George MP for Lismore and Lorraine Gordon.

Southern Cross University and the New South Wales Department of Primary industries (DPI) are joining together to open an organics research centre in the Northern Rivers area of NSW.

The DPI will contribute AUD $2 million during a five-year funding period to be matched by the university, including through the contribution of staff and facilities.

Southern Cross University Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Professor Geraldine Mackenzie, said the vision for the centre was to create a world-leading facility for all aspects of organics research.

Creating this Centre in partnership with the Department is a natural fit. We are already working on a number of projects and the Centre represents an exciting extension of the relationship between the two organisations, Professor Mackenzie said.

The Universitys Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the interests of the Centre would be broad.

We expect to attract partners who will have their own research priorities and problems to solve. It is a contemporary field with great potential to innovate, he said.

The Centre for Organics Research will build on Australias reputation for food safety, security and export to key markets world-wide, Professor Shoemarker said.

Australian Organic welcomes centre

Chairman of Australian Organic, Dr Andrew Monk, has welcomed news of the centre.

Australian Organic welcomes Government and University investment to deliver organic specific agronomic research that will assist existing and future organic producers in becoming both more productive and resilient, Dr Monk said.

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Rebrand for Perfection Fresh





Leading Australian produce company, Perfection Fresh, is undergoing a rebrand to help unify its brands which includes Broccolini, Qukes baby cucumbers, tomatoes and Calpyso mangoes.

The new branding has a vintage postcard look and a grown in Australia stamp. Packaging will also include tasting notes and the Perfection Fresh story.

Perfection Fresh has recently acquired the rights to sell Calypso Mangoes and has merged its grape business with Fruit Master Australia. It also acquired Moraitis tomatoes in 2015.

Perfection Fresh Chief Executive Officer, Michael Simonetta, said th

e rebrand was needed after the recent business growth.

We have grown significantly by adding many innovative fresh produce products to the business, said Simonetta.

This has resulted in a very disjointed, multi-branded offer for retailers and consumers. The truth is, our consumers wouldnt have recognised all our products. The new branding will link our fresh produce together, helping to create confidence and loyalty among consumers, he said.

Perfection Fresh is in someof its businesses has partnered with the Victor Smorgon Group.

Related articles
Woolworths victory over ACCC: Lessons learnt by SMEs





By Joe Lederman and John Thisgaard, FoodLegal

Small business representatives have expressed dismay with the Federal Court of Australia determination that Woolworths did not engage in unconscionable conduct with its suppliers in its Mind the Gap program in 2014.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had initiated legal action against Woolworths in December 2015, alleging that Woolworths acted unconscionably in requesting financial contributions from suppliers to help meet Woolworths budgeted profit figures.

The scheme was implemented in November and December 2014 in order to raise funds, after Woolworths became aware that it was unlikely to meet its projected sales and profits targets. Suppliers who were deemed to be underperforming were contacted and asked to provide support.

Reasons why the ACCC lost

The Federal Court unambiguously found that the conduct of concern to the ACCC was not unconscionable. In doing so, Justice David Yates gave the following reasons:

Unconscionability is determined with reference to norms of the society in question:There was a normal business context. This was the relationship that exists between supermarket businesses of the kind conducted by Woolworths and its key competitors, and suppliers to those businesses, in connection with the acquisition or possible acquisition of goods in trade or commerce The request for payment was not uncommon within this relationship: Suppliers were constantly monitored and those that were underperforming would be asked to make a financial contribution to work towards meeting the shortfall. This went against the conduct being unconscionable. The price of goods was partially dependent on the amount spent by suppliers (for example, on promotional materials). This indicated that the requests by the supermarket group of a supplier were not particularly unusual in this industry. The ACCC took a big picture approach, which focused on the generality of the conduct but did not appropriately reflect how a supermarket business operates. According to the Court, it is simplistic to approach the trading relationship between a supermarket retailer and its suppliers as one where the retailer has complete and unilateral control over the gross margins it makes because of the retail prices it chooses to offer. The ACCC chose not to lead evidence from individual suppliers: This meant that it could not argue that particular requests were unconscionable. This contrasts with earlier action against Coles where the ACCC (successfully) argued that particular dealings with suppliers, in which Coles was not entitled to payment and made threats towards the suppliers, were unconscionable. In this earlier action, the ACCC focused instead on the circumstances that were relevant to each dealing. The ACCC could not demonstrate any negative impact or retribution upon those suppliers who were unable to provide a contribution It did not matter that the contributions were provided for by contract, since Woolworths was only requesting (and not demanding) payment.

Where does all this leave small businesses?

The unsuccessful case against Woolworths demonstrates that procedures that are ingrained into a business relationship are less likely to be unconscionable. This adds a layer of added legal protection for large businesses such as Woolworths despite their position of dominance in their particular industry sector.

Through superior bargaining power, these businesses have been able to make certain favourable transactional practices the norm. This is despite the front that in just about any other industry, it would be rare for a buyer to be able to request payments from its suppliers to fund its own promotional initiatives.

Since these practices are so deep-seated, in Australian oligopsonistic supermarket industry sector, it becomes more difficult for a court to suddenly turn around and say that they are unconscionable. This makes it more onerous for small businesses, such as suppliers, to take on an oligopsonistic supermarket group in Australia.

Quite unintentionally, any small business that decides to undertake similar conduct may be more likely to be acting unconscionably where the conduct is not a normal part of the transactional relationship.

Ultimately, the result represents an added barrier for small firms going up against large companies in Australia. The prohibition on unconscionable conduct is unable to capture entire industry practices that can be regarded as immoral or unfair, no matter what the ACCC had sought to achieve.

Small Business Council responds to ruling

Responding to the ruling, Peter Strong, Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Small Business Australia, said the decision was extremely disappointing.

The decision suggests that the biggest businesses rule the landscape and will get what they want, when they want it, regardless of the cost to small and medium businesses, Strong said.

The council also said a message the government that innovation in Australia cannot be rewarded while businesses like Woolworths exist.

How can we be agile and innovate when the biggest businesses Australia has ever seen can destroy innovative firms at their will due to their dominance and the lack of imagination of their boards?, said Strong.



ACCCs to carefully consider judgement

In responding to the Federal Courts determiniation, ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims, said the ACCC will be carefully considering the judgement.

Pursuing unconscionable conduct remains an important area for the ACCC and we will continue to take enforcement action where appropriate, particularly in relation to supply chain issues, Sims said.

Related articles
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The likelihood of law firms being allowed to charge contingency fees in class actions is increasing and may become a reality in some Australian states in 2017.A push for contingency fees is one of five predictions for the class actions environment from Herbert Smith Freehills With the increasing political and judicial momentum behind improving access to justice, we may see one or two Australian States break rank and amend their legal professional rules to allow contingency fees, commented partner Jason Betts.He added that in that case, law firms would be more incentivised to pursue collective redress, deepening the class action market. Funding for class actions is also set to expand following the approval of the common fund doctrine in the QBE.With increased funding, HSF predicts law firms seeking an expansion of market share and new case types. The firm also expects a new debate on the regulation of funding.Finally, all this is likely to increase risk for Australian businesses with Betts suggesting that boards conduct assessments of their vulnerability to class action.King & Wood Mallesons European arm is in talks with several potential purchases for the ailing business according to UK media.The Law Society Gazette says that the firm is in detailed discussions with a small number of parties but these appear to be bids to purchase the regional part of the verein rather than the merger of equals that would have once been expected.Three lawyers have been promoted to the partnership of Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia while a further three will become senior counsel.The new partners are: Matt Ellis (insurance) and Jyoti Singh (corporate) in Melbourne; and James Morris (banking & finance) in Sydney.The new senior counsel are: Maija Kerry (corporate) and Andrew Willekes (litigation) in Sydney; and James Love (litigation) in Melbourne.International firm RPC, which has offices in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore, is beginning the process of electing a new managing partner following the retirement of Jonathan Watmough.Watmough has been with the firm for 25 years including 8 as managing partner. He announced his retirement saying that it seemed like the natural time to move on and try something new.Senior partner Rupert Bowell paid tribute to Watmough: "During Jonathans time at the helm, RPC has enjoyed great success, both in terms of the modernisation and reshaping of the business, as well as the strong growth and financial performance achieved.
Hi everyone,



I hope someone could please share with me their experience/ opinions regarding my situation:



My boyfriend (Aus) and I (Vietnamese)have been in a relationship for about 2 years now. And we are thinking of applying for PMV so I could join him in Australia.

However, our situation is a bit tricky. Earlier this year, his UK visa expired and had to go back to Australia. I was (and still am) in France, completing my study. I used to live with him in London when I was doing my 5-month internship. Because when he left London, the company he was working for promised to bring him back to Europe on a sponsored work visa, we hoped to continue our relationship in Europe. However, as he moved back to Aus, he got offered a much better job and decided to stay. Whilst I got other work commitment to fulfil in France, we decided that it would be best if we put our careers first, hence we broke up for about 3months. During the breakup, we still stayed in contact and still pretty much supported each other emotionally. I still keep all the messages we sent to each other during the breakup.

2 months ago, I applied for a tourist visa with the hope that I could please come to Australia to visit him. But my e600 was refused. Since we still broke up then, in the application that was refused, my boyfriend only mentioned me as a good friend of 7 years when he wrote me an invitation letter.



We got back together the moment we found out my tourist visa was refused. I guess a collecttive disappointment and sadness brought us back together and we both were done with pretending that we could go on without the other.



My question for you guys is:

- should we mention our breakup when we write statements about our relationship history? I guess this is the only way to explain why he mentioned me as a friend and now we are getting married.



- how does a breakup in relationship history affect our chance of getting the PMV?



- if we dont mention the breakup, will the department think we lied about my relationship situation? Hence confirming with them that when I applied for a tourist visa, i wasn't gonna be a genuine tourist. It would hurt my character assessment?



Sorry for the long post guys. I just wanna provide a thorough background. Any opinions is greatly appreciated!
Judlock said: Hi, I was wondering if anyone had a contact number for the Melbourne office for queries regarding 820/801 visa as I have had no luck finding any direct contact details. Thanks in advance! Click to expand...

Best bet is to email them. Trying to call the DIBP tends to be a waste of time.Those of us who have direct numbers tend to only share them with a handful of professional colleagues and will definitely not publish them on a public forum.If we did, that number would be disconnected straight away.
Hi,

just wanted to post here that our partner visa 309 was granted after just over 6 months!!

I am Australian, my boyfriend is Brazilian



Applied:23/May/2016

Police checks & medicals requested: 8/Nov/2016

Visa Granted:8/Dec/2016





This came as a shock as we never had notification that a case officer had been assigned and we didnt have an interview. They requested the police checks and health examination and one month later it was granted!!! We had a very strong and clear case and this is why I believe we didnt have an interview. We didnt hire a lawyer, although i often doubted that we could do it ourselves because its such an overwhelming process!



My advice:

-DO NOT RUSH THE PROCESS. If you're not sure, wait until you have a strong case to prove your relationship.



-READ THE PARTNER MIGRATION BOOKLET!!! all the information is there. Some people have more complicated cases that may not have the answers, so dont hesitate to call the immigration hotline. They helped us a lot with our doubts and the wait time was suprisingly short (usually 20 minutes)



-the most important thing: LOVE YOUR PARTNER and be true to your relationship



Thank you to everyone who has posted on this forum and helped us along the way!!!!!!! and GOOD LUCK !!!!

Feel free to ask questions!
The incident happened in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where, according to news24 , the local health department launched an inquiry after a man was found alive in the fridge of the state mortuary. He had been declared dead just the day before after he crashed his motorcycle.The DA in KuaZulu-Natal said the Emergency Medical Rescue Services found the man with no pulse or any vital signs at the crash scene, so they declared him dead, transported the corpse to the Phoenix mortuary and put it the freezer.Funny thing, when the family arrived to identify the body the next day, the staff discovered the man had a pulse and was trying to breathe. He was immediately transported to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital for resuscitation where medics managed to warm the mans body and put him out of danger.The hospital staff was commended for their efforts, as some even took extra shifts to help the man recover. Needless to say, his family had to receive counseling after such an experience.Although the whole event sounds like a black comedy movie, people said that the horrific event has again highlighted the extreme shortcomings within the KZN health departments EMRS and mortuary services.I think the guy was lucky he wasnt an organ donor or he could have been really dead by now. We hope he gets well and starts riding again, next time being more careful.Not everyone gets a second chance like this so let this be a lesson for all you squids out there that only like to pin the throttle and do wheelies every time you see a traffic gap.
EV

The pictures kept coming one day after another - similar to what Faraday Future is doing right now - but then came to an abrupt end. We got to see most of the future EV , but there was this one side that eluded us.More than one month later, Fisker decided to show that one last piece of the puzzle: the EMotion's rear end. Up to this point, our opinion of the vehicle was a bit split: we absolutely loved the side profile with its double butterfly doors and all-round aerodynamic shape, but loathed the front.We found it to be too busy and not exactly suited for a car that doesn't only want to emphasize its sportiness, but also the luxury side. And that beak is definitely not the kind of feature you would expect on a respectable sedan, but a Chinese plastic toy.Luckily, the EMotion is far from being completed, and everything we see is subject to changes. We hope Fisker will make use of the time he's got to intervene a little there, because thedefinitely has potential. Besides, he's the man who drew such beauties as the BMW Z8, the Aston Martin DB9 and, obviously, the Fisker Karma.The rear is also a bit of a mixed affair. The top part, all the way down to that chromed bit in the center, looks very promising. The broad shoulders and the narrow cabin give the EMotion a coupe-like aspect, and the taillights strips are sleek and perfectly integrated. The ducktail spoiler is also a nice touch, further enhancing the EV's sporty character.What happens below that line, though, feels like there was a shortage of inspiration. Sure, it did need something contrasting to offer a visual balance, but right now it looks plasticky and cheap. As for the air diffuser, that actually seems like a case of bad Photoshop.All in all, though, the EMotion's behind shows plenty of promise, much like the rest of the car as well. Fisker made some bold claims about the EV's range as well (400 miles, to be exact, or 640 kilometers), something that had the opposite desired effect on people: instead of getting excited, they became wary and circumspect.The Fisker EMotion should be officially unveiled in the flesh halfway through next year, when the company will also announce the existing facility where it plans to build it. So far, Fisker was in graphic with all of its announcements, so let's hope it'll fall in line with this one as well.
Following the link to the purported model, the page disappoints with no information whatsoever on the GT500. Instead, it says that the rental-worthy Mustang V6 Fastback for the 2017 model year starts from $24,915. Discovered by The Drive , this curious find is not exactly simple to explain. Case in point: knowing how Google works, most manufacturers pour tons of money in search engine optimization before debuting an all-new model.At first glance, launching the all-new Shelby GT500 for 2017 is out of the question. Digging even dipper, a bigger surprise is unraveled via the pages source code. Im referring to a certain keyword: Shelby GT500 5.8-liter V8 engine (pictured). Before hypothesizing about how Ford will bring the Trinity V8 back, bear in mind that the IT guys might have forgotten to delete that keyword after GT500 production ended on June 20, 2015. The first-ever example of the 2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, meanwhile, rolled off the assembly line of the Flat Rock, Michigan plant on August 20, 2015.Even though the tried-and-tested Trinity is more powerful than the 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 blunderbuss in the GT350 and GT350R, things such as the lack of variable cam timing, twin cam timing, and direct fuel injection ushered in its undoing. If you ask me, Im willing to bet on what the rumor mill has to say about what lurks under the hood of the 2018 Shelby GT500: the Predator V8 Believed to come in the form of a supercharged take on the Voodoo, the Predator will reportedly make use of a 2.6-liter Eaton system. Likely inspired by what Dodge did with the Hellcat-spec HEMI, hearsay also suggests to expect anything from 750 to 810 horsepower from the Ford Predator V8. Its a monumental figure, alright, but proper muscle is what the upcoming Shelby GT500 needs most to fend off the elephantine Challenger SRT Hellcat.
As you'll get to see in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, the Raging Bull was decorated with a LED light strip, one that covers the entire vehicle.This obviously boosts the attention magnet factor of V12 animal - yes, the winter season means the supercar population of the British capital is seriously reduced, but there are still enough go-fast machines around to determined owners to make such efforts.Labeling this light play depends on where you stand. Some aficionados will obviously dismiss the appearance of the thing. After all, since Lamborghini held a design contest for the team that penned the Aventador , challenging its in-house designers, it feels rather silly to strap the kind of LED strip you normally find decorating houses to the supercar.Nevertheless, other gearheads might find such a look-at-me Aventador appealing and we're talking about those who appreciate the Japanese LED Lamborghini culture.We've shown you plenty of Tokyo adventures involving Lamborghini groups that shined way brighter than the city's lights, even those supercars came with an LED approach that was consistently more elaborate.Returning to the video below, the Aventador in question is dressed in Rosso Mars, a hue that was introduced to the Raging Bull line-up by the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale , the street legal incarnation of Lamborghini's ex-generation racecar.And, as if the said Lambo wasn't enough to draw attention, the LED scheme is mirrored on a Land Rover Defender six-wheeler. As we wrote earlier this year, the extra-axle Defender was built by aftermarket developer Kahn , which showed us its idea of continuing Defender production.
Former Confederate designer Edward Jacobs and Francois-Xavier Terny teamed up to create this fantastic looking motorcycle that was displayed at the IMS New York Motorcycle Show this past weekend. It looks industrial and comes with matching power.The Vanguard Racer is built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and falls in the computer-aided deign/3D-printed category which makes traditional motorcycle development look slow and outdated for our times.The V-twin engine you see in the middle measures 1,917 cc in displacement, and its so sturdy it also doubles as the motorcycles frame. The power is then transferred to the rear through a shaft drive, while Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes offer the needed handling characteristics.I know its hard to take your eyes off its precisely carved shapes and details, but if you put it into perspective, you can see how technology actually helps small companies like Vanguard to put out such an amazing machine that is fully functional in such a short amount of time.By having access to the same level of design and engineering tools as big companies but not having to convince a board of directors and stockholders to have an all-new machine out in short time, Vanguard managed to compress the standard timeframe for each production process by quite a lot.For a big company, this project would have taken three or four years to complete, but Vanguard went through concept phase, to design, and then to prototype testing in just about 18 months.Moreover, the digital designing also made it easier for the company to simply e-mail their ideas to a vast network of engineering firms who will quote the best prices for the parts needed.Once the road-testing phase ends and further development is complete, the production of the Vanguard Roadster should start in 2018. The company also say they are planning a Cruiser and Racer versions based on the same platform.With such fast paced development and production that should use cheaper automation and 3D printing, youd believe this will also be cheap. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but the company says the bike will start at around $30,000.
Photo of the conference courtesy of Mike Antich.

A record-setting attendance of more than 180 fleet safety professionals and sponsors gathered for the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) Strength in Numbers Benchmark Conference held Oct. 12 to 13, 2016, in Orlando, Fla.

NETS is a public-private partnership dedicated exclusively to reducing traffic crashes both on and off the job. For the first time, the 2016 conference was opened to non-NETS member companies that operate fleet vehicles. This was also the first NETS conference presided by Joe McKillips, the groups newly named executive director.

The 2016 conference agenda included a diverse group of speakers from academia, global private-sector companies, performance management consulting firms, as well as a keynote address from Bella Dinh-Zarr, Ph.D., of the National Transportation Safety Board. One of the highlights of the conference was the release of the NETS annual Strength in Numbers Fleet Safety Benchmark Report that is only available to NETS members.

Companies attending the conference came from diverse business segments, including pharmaceutical, oil and gas, food and beverage, insurance, utilities, manufacturing, and other industries.

More information on NETS can be found on the organizations website.
Three Armenian opposition parties critical of Russia formally agreed on Monday to set up an alliance that will challenge the government in parliamentary elections slated for April.

The Hanrapetutyun (Republic), Bright Armenia and Civil Contract parties said they will not only contest the election with a common list of candidates but also negotiate on their possible transformation into a single party.

The three groups have yet to decide who will top that list and thus be the still-unnamed blocs candidate for the post of Armenias prime minister. Civil Contract officially nominated its de facto leader Nikol Pashinians candidacy for the post earlier this year.

Pashinian made clear that his party is not bound by that decision. In this context, all discussions have to start from scratch, he told reporters. None of the parties intends to impose some decisions on its partners.

We are confident that we will reach a common denominator as a result of discussions, he said after the chairmen of the three parties signed a memorandum on the creation of the electoral alliance.

Hanrapetutyun and Bright Armenia have a pro-Western orientation, while Civil Contract advocates a more neutral Armenian foreign policy. Still, Pashinian has opposed Armenias membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

The joint memorandum says that the three parties will strive for a European model of the democratic, rule-of-law and social state in Armenia and are strongly committed to the countrys sovereignty. But it does not elaborate on the new blocs foreign policy orientation.

The Hanrapetutyun leader, Aram Sarkisian, said at the signing ceremony that he and his opposition allies agree on geopolitical and strategic issues. He did not go into details.

Hanrapetutyun was a key opposition force in the 2000s but has kept a low profile in recent years and is not represented in Armenias parliament. Its leader served as prime minister in 1999-2000.

Both Pashinian and the Bright Armenia leader, Edmon Marukian, are members of the current National Assembly. The two men aged 41 and 35 respectively traded bitter recriminations ahead of a recent municipal election in Vanadzor, the capital of the northern Lori province and the Bright Armenia stronghold. In particular, Pashinian questioned Bright Armenias opposition credentials.

Both men downplayed the spat on Monday, with Pashinian saying that their disagreements have been broadly overcome.

We were criticized not only for being intransigent but also for not uniting, Marukian said for his part. Having discussed and put all that aside, we are stepping onto a new and very important path.
(Saturday, December 10)

Zhoghovurd reports that Prime Minister Karen Karapetian has said Armenian diplomatic missions abroad should help his government attract more foreign investment into Armenia. The paper dismisses the appeal. No matter how hard our embassies work, they cannot create a favorable image for a country whose leader spent four years negotiating with the European Union and then, as he himself admitted, made a U-turn overnight and joined the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), it says.

168 Zham also criticizes that statement as well as Karapetians assurances that membership in the EEU is good for Armenia. By entering the EEU Armenia subordinated not only economic but also other matters to Russia, claims the paper.

Aravot looks at the correlation forces of the Armenian government and the opposition in advance of the April 2017 parliamentary elections. Many of our political analysts think that our opposition is so weak now that it cannot pass the vote threshold, writes the paper. As always, the oppositionists claim the opposite. They are convinced that in case of free, fair and transparent elections they will win, especially if they act in an opposition alliance. We dont want to say which claim is closer to reality. What is evident is that the opposition will have certain presence in the next National Assembly no matter how poorly it fares in the elections because  if the opposition is not represented in the National Assembly the whole world will conclude that there is no democracy in Armenia. In all likelihood, the authorities and pro-government forces will be calling the shots in these elections as well.

Zhamanak says that Prime Minister Karapetian is not eligible to stand in the upcoming elections because he has not lived in Armenia for the past four years, something which is required by Armenian law. Karen Karapetian has lived in Moscow for the past four years, argues the paper. It says the chief of the government staff, Davit Harutiunian, has been instructed to find a way out of the situation and justify Karapetians inclusion on the electoral list of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

(Artur Papian)
12 December 2016 10:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 40 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported on December 12.

Armenian army was using 60 and 82-millimeter mortars and large-caliber machine guns.

The Azerbaijani army positions located in Kokhanebi village of the Tovuz district and on the nameless heights of the Gadabay district of Azerbaijan underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in the Chinari village of the Berd district, as well as on nameless heights of Krasnoselsk district of Armenia.

Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani army positions were shelled from the Armenian positions located near the Armenian-occupied Chilaburt village of the Tartar district, Shuraabad, Sarijali villages of the Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand district, Ashagi Seyidahmadli village of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand and Jabrayil districts.

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 us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 December 2016 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem  Knights of Malta O.S.J.  adopted a resolution condemning the brutal genocide in Khojaly committed by Armenian armed forces.

The resolution reads that on February 26, 1992, units of the of Armenian armed forces attacked civilian population in the town of Khojaly of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region and committed genuine genocide on the basis of their ethnicity. Hundreds of people were killed during this massacre.

The Order strongly condemned the act of genocide, noting that the massacre committed by the current Armenian leadership with incredible brutality, was one of the worst tragedies of 20th century.

The Armenian armed forces spared none of Khojaly residents, who had not managed to leave the city and its surroundings. As a result of the atrocities of the Armenian armed forces, 613 people were killed, 487 people were crippled and 1,275 people  the elderly, children and women who were captured  were subjected to unprecedented torture, abuse and humiliation.

The resolution at the same time touched upon the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the occupation of Azerbaijan territories by Armenia. The Order noted the importance of return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their previous place of residence.

The decision also stated that the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta O.S.J.  respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and call conflicting parties for making more efforts for settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible.

Despite of passing of 25 years since Khojaly bloody massacre, the victims of the crime could not achieve justice and it still shows that the central element of any peace agreement should be in its place in a short period of time, as well as relations among the people should be restored as soon as possible and the harmony between two nations should be re-established, the document reads.

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. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 December 2016 16:11 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Activists of the Armenian civil initiative Pre-Parliament held a march in Yerevan in support of members of the Sasna Tsrer group, a group of armed people who seized a police station in Yerevan back in July in protest to the Armenian government. The activists protested against the ban on visiting the arrested group members.

The Sasna Tsrer members seized a police building in Yerevan, and demanded from the Armenian government to release the countrys political prisoners and the resignation of the president. After the group surrendered, the government started arrests and trials over participants of those events.

The march in Yerevan started from the Freedom Square, and brought together more than 100 people. The activists marched to the building of the Hospital for convicts penal institution, where wounded members of Sasna Tsrer get treatment. About 40 police officers accompanied the action.

The protesters carried posters with slogans I believe in fairness of the fight!, Free the motherland from the scum! and Freedom for political prisoners!.

They also were chanting slogans I am Sasna Tsrer!, Freedom for political prisoners, Armenia without political prisoners, Free and independent Armenia, the Caucasian knot website reported.

Near the prison hospital, the activists faced the police cordon which did not allow the marchers to come closer to the penal institution. After that, the activists returned to the Freedom square.

The ban on visiting the arrested members of Sasna Tsrer is violation of human rights, a member of Pre-Parliament Davit Yenigomshyan told reporters.

He noted that, despite the decision of the investigation to lift the ban on visiting the Sasna Tsrer members, most of them are still deprived of the opportunity to meet with their families.

The rights of Sasna Tsrer members are violated, and accusations against members of the group have no legal basis, said Yenigomshyan.

He added that the presence of dozens of political prisoners testifies to the fact that human rights in Armenia are protected only on paper.

From the first day of the seizure of a police station in July, Armenian people started protest actions against authorities by gathering on Yerevans streets.

Protests were held in the Sari Tagh district as well  part of the district became deenergized and deprived of water, and that was the cause of protests by local residents. Following the rally in Sari Tagh, the police brutally dispersed the protesters and arrested 165 people. Moreover, 73 citizens addressed medical institutions with injuries of varying degrees of severity.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 December 2016 14:58 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Armenian side, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported on December 12.

The ministry said that the UAV was destroyed over the line of contact between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in Azerbaijans Fizuli region while attempting to perform reconnaissance over the countrys army positions.

Last month, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed two drones of Armenia  one in Fizuli region, and the second on the line of contact in the direction of Azerbaijans Tartar region. The UAVs were doing reconnaissance flights over the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces.

Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 December 2016 13:41 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Baku hosted the first meeting of Azerbaijan-Qatar Joint Economic, Trade and Technical Intergovernmental Commission on December 9.

Azerbaijans Emergency Situations Minister, Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov, who is also a co-chair of the Commission, addressing the meeting, said that the activity of the commission was aimed at further deepening of relations between the two countries.

Heydarov underlined the importance of specifying the potential of Azerbaijans cooperation with Qatar, mentioning the possibility of deepening dynamically developing relationships with the Arab country.

The members of the Commission, in turn, put forward proposals on developing economic, trade and technical bonds between the countries.

Heydarov earlier paid a visit to Qatar at the invitation of Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the sides hailed the high level of bilateral ties, mentioning a huge potential for the further deepening of the cooperation.

As part of his official visit, Heydarov also had a meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, where the sides discussed the work of the committee, underlining its importance for the development of business relations, the increase of trade turnover and the expansion of investment opportunities.

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries in 1994, the key directions of cooperation have been determined as ties in the field of investment, the exchange of experience in the field of oil and gas, and supply of the Azerbaijani agricultural goods to the Qatar market. The energy industry is one of the most promising as the two countries are rich in their energy, oil and gas reserves.

Given the fact that Azerbaijan and Qatar has a simplified visa regime, close relations between the two countries in tourism sphere is also of utmost importance.

The two countries agreed to establish an intergovernmental commission this March, following the talks between the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was on his official visit to Baku.

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12 December 2016 15:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Foreign exchange market of Azerbaijan encountered the problem of the illegal black market of currency exchange, which appeared due to certain liquidity issues with foreign greenbacks.

The relevant agencies of the country intend to take serious measures to prevent unofficial currency trading and implementation of illegal transactions.

Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Elman Rustamov said that the population will soon see the real results of the measures taken in this direction, adding that law enforcement agencies of the country carry out very serious work in this regard.

Head of the countrys State Security Service Madat Guliyev said that investigation is underway regarding activity on black currency market, mentioning that there are already several suspects.

Commenting on the shortage of foreign currency in the banks Chairman of Azerbaijan Banks Association Zakir Nuriyev earlier said that banks can sell the currency should they purchase it at currency auctions or from clients engaged in export operations.

The manat took a big nosedive on December 20, 2015, when the central bank decided to remove its dollar peg, thus allowing the currency to tumble by almost a third.

The CBA switched to floating-managed exchange rate and has been working in the floating rate regime since the beginning of 2016, not selling its currency in the market.

The country plans to move to full floating rate of the national currency starting from 2017. As for the full switch to the regime, Rustamov said that total transition requires tight macroeconomic coordination, as well as solving a number of structural problems.

From this year on, we have operated in the regime of floating exchange rate of manat, and the fact that the CBA has stopped selling its foreign currency on Azerbaijans market since February 2016 confirms this. We know that currently there is a disproportion between supply and demand on the market, and the demand exceeds the supply, he said. He stressed that the main goal is to achieve macroeconomic stability.

The official exchange rate of the US dollar and euro to the manat for December 12 were set at 1.7430 manats and 1.8396 manats, respectively.

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12 December 2016 17:41 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijans postal operator Azerpost Ltd. will soon put into operation the first payment terminal e-GovPay with a currency exchange function, the company told Trend on December 12.

The terminal will be commissioned after the official opening of the first single window centre of Azerpost. The opening ceremony of the center will be held in the coming days.

It will be possible to pay through the terminal for utility and communication services, Internet, etc. The main advantage of the new terminals will be the functions of accepting coins and giving change.

Azerpost plans to set such terminals in the companys new centers which will open shortly in the Yasamal and Khatai postal branch. It is planned to put into operation five similar centres in cities of Baku and in Sumgait until the end of the first half of 2017.

In future, the postal operator plans to open up to ten centers in the regions of Azerbaijan, including in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

In addition to financial transactions, it will be possible to apply for connection to fixed telephony, to buy tickets, or to access other services.

Azerpost, the national post operator, was established in 1999 and received the status of national postal operator in 2004. The company mostly implements such important functions like offering quality and affordable postal, postal-financial and other services to support daily activities of the population.

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12 December 2016 18:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijani exporters will have a chance to participate in international exhibitions to increase awareness about the local production and advertise the products on foreign markets.

The Economy Ministry of Azerbaijan has already started to receive applications from exporters wishing to take part in the World Food International exhibition, which is scheduled for September 11-14, 2017 in Moscow, Russia and HKTDC exhibition to be held on November 10-12, 2017 in Hong Kong, China.

The maximum number of Azerbaijani companies that may represent their production in the single Azerbaijani stand amounts to 50 and 20 in Moscow and Hong Kong, respectively.

The list of companies will be determined following a competition, to be held on May 25 and July 29 at AZPROMO (Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation) office.

The criteria for participation in the exhibition are productive and export potential, experience in the export of production.

World Food is deemed to be Russias leading and longest running event for the international food industry. The event is expected to attract a huge audience of wholesalers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs.

Azerbaijani output will also be exhibited in Dubai (Gulffood February 26- March 2), Dusseldorf (Prowine, March 19-21) and Cologne (Anuga, October 7-11).

The first export mission of Azerbaijani entrepreneurs represented the country in Chinese Hong-Kong on November 9-13 and Guandzhou on November 13-15. Moreover, the export mission was also sent to the UAE.

Only 10 export missions may be held within a year, while exporters participating in missions are freely provided with accommodation, transport and translation services.

A total of 3 million manats ($1.84 million) has been allocated out of the Azerbaijani Presidents Reserve Fund in the 2016 State Budget to finance the export support measures. The state will also provides assistance to separate participants, paying some 30 percent of their expenditures (providing that the sum does not exceed 3,000 manats ($ 1,692)) for the rent, placing of stands, and transportation of exhibition samples.

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12 December 2016 11:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev met well-known Russian ballet dancer, Peoples Artist of USSR Vladimir Vasiliev in Baku on December 9.

During the meeting, the minister stressed the importance of boosting ties between Azerbaijan and Russia in the field of choreography, Azertac reported.

The sides exchanged views on current state and prospects in the field of choreography, as well as joint implementation of the projects in the relevant sphere.

They also discussed arranging workshops with the participation of art masters from both countries.

Azerbaijan and Russia are tied by firmly based ties, which were officially established in 1992. The cultural relations between the two countries are highly evaluated.

The year 2005 was the "Year of Azerbaijan" in Russia and 2006 was the "Year of Russia" in Azerbaijan. Two countries held 110 special cultural events during these two years.

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12 December 2016 14:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

National Geographic have named two paintings of Azerbaijan's most popular artist-surrealist, Mehriban Efendi among the finest contemporary art works.

The artist's paintings "Mystery" and "Impression of The Night" have been included in the book "Polychromia 2016 " highlighting the best contemporary artists, Trend Life reported.

The catalogue, which will be available in the Top 10 museums in the world, includes commentaries by Italian critic and founder of the Studio, Byblos, Professor Dino Marasa.

Mehriban Efendi voiced gratitude to Studio Byblos and personally Dino Marasa for appreciation of her art, adding that she will continue to present Azerbaijan's contemporary art in the world.

Surrealism mostly attracts unique artists, and Azerbaijans most popular surrealist, Mehriban Efendi, is one those artist to who this kind of art helped show her inner world.

Efendi's works are exhibited in Portugal, USA, Holland, Bulgaria, France and other countries.

Mehiban Efendi awarded a number of international prizes in Germany, France, Macedonia, Bulgary, etc. The outstanding artist also worked as a costume designer with the German filmmaker Veit Helmer in his comedy Absurdistan, shot in Azerbaijan in 2008.

She is the winner of the prestigious Sandro Botticelli (named after the Italian painter of the Early Renaissance) award called For art and talent in 2014.

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12 December 2016 17:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan will continue the efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through substantive negotiations jointly with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made the remark at a meeting with Stephan Visconti, OSCE Minsk Group newly appointed co-chair from France, in Baku on December 12.

The sides exchanged views on intensification of negotiation process mediated by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs towards the resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and changing of current situation.

Earlier, the French co-chair was received by President Ilham Aliyev, who voiced hope that as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group France will continue playing an active role in the conflict settlement.

The newly appointed French co-chair assumed the office on November 3. Pierre Andrieu has held the position since June 2014.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.

Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.

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12 December 2016 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

There are leaders who remain in history, but there are leaders who create history.

Heydar Aliyev was the very leader who created the modern history of Azerbaijan, becoming a true legend of his time. The history remembers him as a unique leader, a powerful head of state, a selfless man, and a legendary figure able to take on his shoulders a difficult historical task of state building.

His invaluable achievements enabled the young state to stand on feet and to enter into the 21st century as an independent country.

A 35-year history of Azerbaijan, covering the period from the late 1960s to the beginning of the 21st century is associated with the name of Heydar Aliyev.

Heydar Aliyev came to state power on July 14, 1969 as the first secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan under the USSR.

During the years on power he assumed the responsibility for Azerbaijan, together with the people he overcame the heavy and severe obstacles, and established a strong independent republic that we call modern Azerbaijan now.

At that time, he completely renewed and upgraded the oil industry, commissioned a number of plants and factories, including high-tech alumina production, hydroelectric power station, textile mill and production of household air conditioners.

"Modernization" can be the most accurate word to describe his activity. Coming to state power in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period he commissioned a process of deep modernization in Azerbaijan, which long used to act as a provincial raw outskirt of the Soviet empire.

Heydar Aliyevs philosophy of Azerbaijanism, after gaining independence, determined the place of Azerbaijan in the modern world, provided a strong basis for the solidarity of the world Azerbaijanis as an ideological ground to the national statehood.

"We all should unite around this idea," Aliyev said. "Azerbaijanism means preserving national identity, national and spiritual values, and at the same time embelishing them with universal values, as well as ensuring the development of each person.

Along with efficient and purposeful activities in all spheres of life, Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to upgrading education in the country. Education and upbringing of the younger generation were always the key milestone in state program of the farsighted leader.

Over 10 years of presidency Heydar Aliyev carried out radical reforms in the country, leaving a viable state for the nation, constructed from almost devastated country.

Heydar Aliyevs multi-vector policy became a state strategy, which brought prosperity and stability to the country. He came to power with a pragmatic and balanced foreign policy, which meant constructive relations with powers like the U.S., EU and Turkey, as well as wise partnerships with actors like Russia and Iran.

Besides achieving a political stability in Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev laid the foundations for the economic independence of the country. He developed an anti-crisis program for the recovery of production, as well as improvement of the financial situation, and attraction of foreign investment.

"Contract of the Century" signed with the Western oil companies in Baku on September 20, 1994 was of vital importance for Azerbaijan and played a crucial role in the establishment of internal stability in the country, and achievement of success in foreign policy.

Heydar Aliyev, who spearheaded the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, did much to attract huge western capital to Azerbaijan, what created many new jobs and lead to the development of several fields. Foreign capitals immediately earned on the economic growth of Azerbaijan, which today is recognized as the highest in the former Soviet space.

Moreover, Heydar Aliyev initiated the development of a new Constitution, which was adopted in 1995. "We need to develop and adopt a constitution, so that it would become a historical document, the Basic Law, providing for a long period of stable existence of Azerbaijan on the basis of democratic principles," Aliyev said.

Activity of the great leader Heydar Aliyev has been included in the treasury of political art, his name has become a symbol of the Azerbaijani people, and the way of life he passed became a symbol in criterion of love and devotion to his native land.

The people of Azerbaijan is proud of their great son, who devoted all his life to faithfully serving the people and motherland in the most difficult period of history. The bright memory of Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, wise leader and genius personality lives in the hearts of millions.

December 12 sees the 13th death anniversary of Azerbaijans national leader Heydar Aliyev.

--

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12 December 2016 11:18 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his family members have visited the Alley of Honors to commemorate national leader Heydar Aliyev.

December 12 marks the death anniversary of a great person, political figure and Azerbaijans national leader Heydar Aliyev, who passed away 13 years ago.

Parliamentarians, ministers, committee chairs, company heads, public figures also visited the Alley of Honors.

President Aliyev laid a wreath at the national leader`s grave. The state anthem of Azerbaijan was played.

President Aliyev and his family members put flowers at the grave of the national leader`s wife, outstanding ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

Flowers were also put at the graves of prominent statesman Aziz Aliyev and professor Tamerlan Aliyev.

Among those in attendance at the commemorative ceremony were Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and other officials.

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12 December 2016 10:53 (UTC+04:00)

A charity event dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijans National Leader Heydar Aliyev was held in Los Angeles on December 9, 2016, on the eve of the national leaders 13th death anniversary.

Initiated and supported by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, the event was held at the Los Angeles Mission, which is one of the largest service providers to the homeless and disadvantaged men, women and children in the U.S. During the event, many homeless persons were provided hot meals.

Consul General Nasimi Aghayev and Consulate staff joined the LAMs volunteers in handing out the meals.

Before the event, Aghayev met Herb Smith, President of the Los Angeles Mission. At the meeting, the Consul General spoke about the extraordinary life path of Heydar Aliyev and his outstanding role and tireless work in the preservation and strengthening of Azerbaijans independent and sovereign statehood.

He noted that the timely return of Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993 shielded Azerbaijan from potential fragmentation. Highlighting the many difficult challenges the National Leader faced in preserving Azerbaijans independence and how masterfully he overcame them, the Consul General said that the memory of Heydar Aliyev will always live in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people.

Continuing the policies set forth by the National Leader, President Ilham Aliyev led Azerbaijan through a tremendous transformation towards becoming the largest economy in the region and one of the most rapidly developing and modernizing countries in the world, Aghayev noted.

Smith thanked the Consul General for helping the homeless through this important charity event for the second time since 2015. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about National Leader Heydar Aliyev and his tremendous role in preserving Azerbaijans freedom and independence.

Expressing his appreciation for Azerbaijans long-standing traditions of interfaith harmony and tolerance, Herb Smith underlined the global importance of this unique model of peaceful co-existence of religions.

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12 December 2016 11:39 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The journalists were detained during an operation carried out by the Azerbaijani State Security Service, Madat Guliyev, head of the service, told reporters in Baku on December 12.

He added that those journalists have been dealing with racketeering, illegal activity for over 10 years and illegal shooting of the officials children.

More than 500 employees of the Azerbaijani State Security Service have been dismissed for the last year upon a criminal case in connection with the National Security Ministry liquidated in the country, Guliyev further added.

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12 December 2016 13:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Preparations are underway for the summit of heads of the Caspian states, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov told reporters on December 12.

He said the legal status of the Caspian Sea is discussed regularly and the next meeting is scheduled for early January in Ashgabat.

The Deputy Minister noted that the main issues of the meeting are associated with the preparation for the next Caspian summit.

There are also such plans that the working group would propose holding a meeting of ministers, and this meeting would be organized. All these measures are directed for adoption of the draft Convention on the legal status of the Caspian sea at the summit, Khalafov said.

He added that, presumably, the negotiations on the date of the summit will be held later, and the meeting of ministers, probably, will be held in Astana.

The Caspian states - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran - signed a Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November 2003.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the northern part of the Caspian Sea in order to exercise sovereign rights for subsoil use in July 1998. The two countries signed a protocol to the agreement in May 2002.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Caspian Sea and a protocol to it on Nov. 29, 2001 and Feb. 27, 2003, respectively.

Additionally, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on the delimitation of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea on May 14, 2003.

So far, the summits of heads of the Caspian states were held in 2002 in Ashgabat, in 2007  Tehran, 2010  Baku, and in 2014 in Astrakhan.

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12 December 2016 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

The world energy market was pushed toward reaching a balance following the struck of a landmark deal between OPEC and non-OPEC producers to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut.

Crude prices reached their highest levels in a year and a half on December 12 jumping by almost 4 percent, as a result of the deal, which became the first since 2001.

International benchmark Brent futures for February delivery soared to $57.89 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $54.51 a barrel hitting a July 2015 high.

The group agreed to slash output by 1.2 million barrels per day starting from January 1, with the contribution of the top exporter and OPECs de facto leader Saudi Arabia standing at 486,000 bpd.

The country is expected to shoulder the bulk of supply reductions, while the fact that Nigeria and Libya were exempt from the deal due to production-denting civil strife is assessed by market watches as a factor that will further put the brunt of reductions to Riyadh.

Producers outside the cartel agreed to reduce output by 558,000 bpd, short of the initial target of 600,000 bpd but still the largest contribution by non-OPEC ever.

Russia, one of the major non-OPEC players of the market is also expected to perform real output reductions, curtailing output in line with its pledge of 300,000 bpd.

Apart from Russia, the talks on December 10 were attended by or had comments or commitments sent from non-OPEC members Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Sudan and South Sudan.

Azerbaijan `s Energy Minister Natig Aliyev, commenting on the results of the meeting said that the oil-rich country will cut its oil output by 35,000 barrels per day, saying that OPEC member countries and states outside the cartel agreed to meet regularly to ensure the continued oil market price stability.

Industry sources said Oman and Kazakhstan had yet to inform their foreign partners on joint oilfields about possible output cuts. OPEC producers Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have also told buyers of their crude about planned reductions.

The key thing to watch for the market is now the action of individual players and their compliance to production quotas, as there is no legal binding to deter producers inside or outside the cartel from moving aside of their pledges.

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12 December 2016 16:43 (UTC+04:00)

By Gulgiz Muradova

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the two energy rich Caspian states, are yet to come to a determination over the development of Kapaz field.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov told reporters on December 12 that the two have not achieved any mutual accord over the issue so far.

Relevant talks and consultations are held regularly. However, so far no accord has been reached, he said.

The field called Kapaz by Azerbaijan and Sardar by Turkmenistan was discovered by Azerbaijan in 1959 and an exploration drilling was commenced in 1986. Following the breakdown of the Soviet regime, Turkmenistan contested Azerbaijani ownership of Kapaz leaving the field undeveloped for years.

Under the agreement reached between Baku and Ashgabat in 2008, the sides agreed to suspend any exploration work at Kapaz field until all issues involving the field are resolved. Experts estimate reserves of the field at 50-100 million tons of oil and over 30 billion cubic meters of gas.

Both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan export their energy resources from the Caspian Sea to Western and Asian markets, and are regarded as the key players in ensuring Europes energy security.

The Caspian basin is extremely rich with oil and gas resources and has caused an uneasy relationship between all littoral states. The legal status has remained unsolved for over 20 years, preventing development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creating obstacles to the realization of major energy projects.

Iran seeks an equal division of the Caspian into 5 even sectors, mainly because most of offshore energy resources are located away from the Iranian coastline. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan reject the proposal on division of the seabed based on median lines,and instead backs giving each state a share proportional to its coastline length.

Turkmenistan also demands division of the Sea into equal parts between the pre-Caspian countries so that each country must have 20 percent of the sea.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently announced that Moscow expects that a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea will be signed at the fifth Caspian Summit to take place in Kazakhstans Astana in 2017.

The EIA estimates that there were 48 billion barrels of oil and 292 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in proved and probable reserves within the basins that make up the Caspian Sea and surrounding area in 2012. The offshore fields account for 41 percent of total Caspian crude oil and lease condensate and 36 percent of natural gas. In general, most of the offshore oil reserves are in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, while most of the offshore natural gas reserves are in the southern part of the Caspian Sea.

--

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12 December 2016 17:38 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Switzerlands Allseas Group S.A., which has recently signed an agreement with Russias Gazprom company on the Turkish Stream project, has revealed the time for completing the pipelay.



The pipelay work should commence in July 2017 and should be completed around the end of the first quarter of 2018, Allseas Group S.A. told Trend Dec.12.



South Stream Transport B.V. company, a 100-percent subsidiary of Russias Gazprom company signed an agreement with Switzerlands Allseas Group S.A. Dec.8 on construction of the first line of Turkish Stream pipelines offshore section.



Under the contract, Allseas should lay over 900 kilometers of pipes along the seabed.



Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement October 10 on the implementation of the Turkish Stream project.



The agreement envisages construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the capacity of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas.



One branch is meant to supply gas directly to the Turkish market and the other for the supply of gas by transit through Turkey to Europe. The intergovernmental agreement also stipulates that these two offshore branches should be built by December 2019.

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12 December 2016 10:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkish warplanes have destroyed one of PKK's 'headquarters' located in Zap region of Northern Iraq on Sunday after a deadly terror attack claimed by a PKK offshoot group killed 38 people in Istanbul, Sabah reported.

Turkish carried out an aerial operation against the area between 08:50-09:40 p.m. local time. The jets took off after receiving an intelligence report about the location of terrorist targets, the statement released by the Turkish military said.

"12 PKK terrorist targets were shot 24 times in the area, all of them being destroyed completely," the statement said.

The warplanes returned to their bases in safety, it added.

The operation was a clear retaliation to Saturday's PKK attack in Istanbul, which left 38 dead and 155 wounded.

The militant group is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, US, EU and many other countries in the world.

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12 December 2016 16:24 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Police forces seized the heroin consignment which was embedded in a truck in the city of Iranshahr, YJC news agency reported on December 12.

Police arrested two people, including the truck driver, and efforts for arrest of other people linked to the consignment continue.

Iran is situated on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as the Persian Gulf states. The Islamic Republic shares about 900 kilometers of common border with Afghanistan, over which 74 percent of opium is smuggled.

The fight against drug trafficking annually costs Iran about $1 billion, according to the official estimates.

The statistics also say there are about two million drug users in Iran.

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12 December 2016 16:36 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Austria wants the European Union to freeze membership talks with Turkey over Ankaras massive crackdown following the failed military coup, FOX News reported on December 12.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said on December 12 that the EU must at least freeze the accession negotiations.

It is wrong to continue accession negotiations as if nothing negative has happened in Turkey in the last few months, he said.

Few EU states support Austrias stance.

The EU leaders will discuss the bloc's deal with Turkey to stop tens of thousands of migrants arriving in Europe on December 15.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to open border gates after the European Parliament called last month for a freeze on membership talks.

Turkish authorities have arrested almost 38,000 people and purged more than 100,000 others from government jobs since the thwarted July 15 coup.

Turkey formally applied for an EU member in 1987 and accession talks in 2005, even though Ankara's aspirations to become part of the bloc dates back to the 1960s.

The European Commission has proposed in May that the European Parliament and EU Council will lift visa restrictions for citizens of Turkey if Ankara fulfills the remaining conditions for abolishing visa entries until the end of June.

The EU and Turkey signed a refugee deal on March 18, which aimed to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

However, relations between Turkey and the EU have been strained since the July 15 coup attempt. Ankara says it has not received enough support from its EU allies, while Brussels criticized the Turkish government's crackdown on the military coup plotters, urging Ankara to comply with the EU's rights and freedoms criteria.

Ankara criticized the European Union's stance on the PKK terror group and FETO, saying EU states are turning a blind eye to the terror attacks against the Turkish state and its people as well as the activities of the group within the borders of the EU.

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12 December 2016 18:42 (UTC+04:00)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a key international investor in Kazakhstan, is providing support to the national energy company, Samruk-Energy, as it embarks on an ambitious programme of privatization in line with the strategy of its parent holding, the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna.

The EBRD reported that it will lend Samruk-Energy the equivalent of up to 100 million, provided in tenge or roubles, which will be part of the companys balance-sheet optimization.

Samruk-Energy plans to privatize up to nine subsidiary firms, while its ultimate goal is to prepare itself for a public listing on an international stock exchange.

The EBRD will also support Samruk-Energys plan to provide more employment and career growth opportunities for women and young people. Improving education related to the power sector is part of the plan to promote youth inclusion in the sector, according to the bank.

Aida Sitdikova, EBRD Director, Energy and Natural Resources, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, said the Bank is committed to working with the government to increase the role of private enterprises in the countrys economy.

This new cooperation with Samruk-Energy, a longstanding client of the Bank, is a major step in that direction. The EBRD loan will also support the companys initiative to work with universities to provide more education opportunities in the power sector of Kazakhstan, she said.

Almassadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Board of JSC Samruk-Energy, said: The signing of the loan agreement with the EBRD will have a positive impact on the attractiveness of Samruk-Energy to investors and will support the further development of the power sector in Kazakhstan. Samruk-Energy is looking forward to a fruitful long-term cooperation with the EBRD in the energy sector and the further development of a mutually beneficial partnership.

Samruk-Energy and the EBRD have already cooperated on two landmark renewable energy projects, a wind farm in Yereymentau near the capital, Astana, and an upgrade of a hydropower station in Shardara. This work comes under the EBRD Green Economy Transition approach, which has many goals in common with Kazakhstans green economy strategy. Renewable energy is also an important part of Samruk-Energys upcoming transformation plan.

To date, the EBRD has invested over 7.1 billion (equivalent to over US$ 7.6 billion) in various sectors of Kazakhstans economy. The Banks work in Kazakhstan is aimed at building up a resilient and integrated economy, capable of responding to global challenges such as climate change.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Via Buzzfeed:

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah will reintroduce a bill next year to protect people and corporations that hold a religious objection to same-sex marriage, a spokesman for his office told BuzzFeed News, adding that the political climate amid Donald Trumps presidency will give the legislation a better shot at advancing than it had the past two years.

Hopefully Novembers results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year, said Lees spokesman, Conn Carroll. Trump vowed during the campaign to sign the First Amendment Defense Act, arguing it would protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths.

Carroll added, We do plan to reintroduce FADA next Congress and we welcome Trumps positive words about the bill. The measure was filed in both the House and Senate in 2015, but only got a hearing in the House. The bill faltered amid protests from Democrats and speculation that President Obama would veto the measure if it reached his desk.
Alphonso and Diane Rivera with Assemblywoman Shannon Grove. Alphonsos company, Advanced Micro Resource, was recognized as the 34th Assembly District Business of the Year. The firm was one of only 85 recipients to receive the award for bringing technology-focused after-school programs to culturally diverse students in 35 Bakersfield area schools.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High around 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low 43F. Winds light and variable.
It has been almost two years since the United States and Cuba entered into a new era of thawing relations.

Commercial flights from U.S. to Cuba start out of Tampa today

Southwest Airlines will offer one flight to Havana daily

A passport, travel certification required

Travel documentation needed

Tampa International Airport - check your flights

And in March of this year, there were the first direct mail flights between the two countries in 50 years. And the first commercial flight from the U.S. to Havana took off from Fort Lauderdale in August.

Today, Tampa International Airport joined the celebrations. Southwest Airlines launched its first flight to Havana from Tampa.

Only 20 daily non-stop flights are being permitted from the U.S. to the Cuban capital and 14 will be from Florida, out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando. The remaining six flights will connect Havana with Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, and New York.

The inaugural Tampa to Havana flight took off at 6:15 a.m.

Until now, Tampa has only had expensive charter flights to Cuba. Now, travelers can fly for as cheap as $150 round trip from Tampa to Havana.

Southwest is offering one nonstop flight daily.

A passport is required.

The U.S. government also requires that every passenger certify that they are eligible to travel to Cuba under one of 12 general license categories or a specific license.

This includes family visits, educational visits or huminatarian projects.
What's Washing Up on Oregon Coast? How Beaches are Changing

Published 12/11/2016 at 5:23 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  Winter means storms and big waves on the Oregon coast, and that means sand levels are sinking and funky stuff is piling up on the beaches. As erosion takes out sand and waves climb higher, the beaches around here change rapidly. (Above: Cove Beach, where beach access is now cut off due to erosion).

CoastWatch, the group of volunteers that keeps an eye on the Oregon coast for changes along the shorelines, has plenty of eyes out there taking notes. The group's website includes a section that shows what its volunteers are finding, found at https://oregonshores.org/coastwatch/mile-report-browser. This is especially fun to peruse in winter as much more happens on these sands and rocky areas this time of year.

Some of the reports from that last month include a variety of interesting sightings and discoveries.

A bottle with Russian writing on it was found at Gleneden Beach early this month  something truly unique.



Tillicum Beach

Down the road about 30 miles, Tillicum Beach access (near Yachats) hasn't eroded enough yet to show ghost forests and such, as one CoastWatch observer noted. But plenty of cliff erosion is taking place, with the volunteer posting photos of large chunks of the cliff falling off into the sand, including a section that held part of a fence.

Lost Creek, near Waldport, had a stranded sea lion in distress earlier in December. The CoastWatch volunteer checking out that area wound up reporting it to the local Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Lost Creek

That day's report from the group's website talks about plenty of other interesting beach finds at Lost Creek.

Saw two bald eagles at top of cliff, one blue heron, some birds that I believe were sandpipers, and otherwise only sea gulls. Quite a lot of bull kelp. No crab carapaces that I could see, but some broken mussel and clam shells.

The observer also found a large helping of debris, including heavy foam fishing floats (one with Korean writing), lots of plastic and plastic rope entangled in seawood or driftwood.

At Del Rey Beach, close to Warrenton, the Coast Watch volunteer there did a survey of birds and found 21 different species in mid November, including northern Fulmars, Red Phalaropes and Common Murres. One Fulmar needed help and was later brought to the North Coast Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Astoria.

Cove Beach next to Arch Cape (Cape Falcon) is one very clandestine spot on the north Oregon coast, which most do no know about. Earlier in November, it was even more hidden as landslides had cut off some access to the beach. CoastWatch also witnessed plenty of kelp and an interesting fight between a seagull protecting its young and a bald eagle.

Later, in early December, more erosion and landslides have completely cut off access to the beach  which is often a good thing this time of year since high sea levels tend to leave no walkable areas here anyway. The observer noticed major cracks appearing in the bluffs with more root systems exposed there, along with evidence the waves have been washing over the boundary of the beach and onto soil.

This secret spot has some rocky bluffs nearby where pelicans and maybe seals congregate.

At Lincoln City's Taft area (above), along the mouth of the Siletz River, large amounts of driftwood and beachgrass have been washing up. Plenty of manmade debris as well, including small bits of plastic and bottle caps.





At Rocky Creek Wayside near Depoe Bay, it seems the warning signs about not going beyond the fences are being ignored more and more. There's an increasingly-worn pathway being created that goes down to a very dangerous section of rocky shelves, and this has apparently resulted in one death last year.

The observer also noticed a fair amount of styrofoam in Whale Cove, but otherwise that hidden beach area remains clean. Oregon Coast Hotels in these areas - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

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A 32-year-old Beaumont man will spend his life behind bars without the possibility of parole after a Jefferson County jury on Thursday found him guilty of capital murder in the August 2008 shooting deaths of two brothers at a North End birthday party.

Batiste Joseph Breaux faced a possible death sentence, but his attorneys, James Makin and David Grove, proved that Breaux was "low functioning" and had an IQ lower than 70. Breaux's IQ disqualified him for execution under Atkins v. Virginia, Makin said Thursday.

"Getting (the death penalty) waived, that is a victory just right there," Makin said.

Breaux fatally shot Kelly Evans, 25, and his brother Gerald Evans, 27, at a Aug. 5, 2008 house party in the 4600 block of Ironton Road. Kelly Evans family was celebrating his birthday.

Harrison Beckett, Jr. was also seriously wounded in the shooting.

According to court testimony, Breaux drove up to the house in his gray 1980s model Cadillac around 11:45 p.m. He pulled up his shirt, grabbed a gun from his waistband and opened fire.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Grove, who faced her father on opposite sides of the courtroom for the first time in her career, said she built her case against Breaux on the testimony of three eyewitnesses, including the deceased brothers' father and a passenger in Breaux's car.

Alcee Bass, Gerald and Kelly's dad, told The Enterprise in August 2008 that he and his two sons had been at Super Mak's at 3370 Concord Road minutes before the shooting. He said they were buying beer and gas and that he remembered seeing a woman and man sitting inside a gray Cadillac sedan.

Bass said he noticed the sedan following him on the way back to his home, but took it for a coincidence.

Bass said he saw the Cadillac drive past the house and then turn around a block later on Tyler Street, which forms a T with Ironton.

Eyewitnesses told police that a man, whom his passenger later identified as Breaux, then opened fire on the group.

Bass testified during the four-day trial, but wasn't present for the verdict.

"He was very traumatized by this incident," Rachel Grove said. "I don't think he would've held up well."

Breaux's passenger also testified against him in the trial.

Makin said that though he questions whether the evidence proved Breaux was undoubtably the gunman, the verdict wasn't unexpected.

"It wasn't a giant surprise," Makin said. "They had eyewitnesses."

Police arrested Breaux in Houston nine days after the shooting.

Rachel Grove said Breaux appeared to have had no real motive.

"The extreme violence in this case was random," she said. "(The jury's decision) warranted the removal of this defendant from our society forever. Hopefully this verdict and sentence brought justice for the Evans' family."

MLibardi@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/ManuellaLibardi
Collaboration between China and the United States in the healthcare sector faces challenges, but opportunities remain, according to a CFR report from April 2016.

On April 27, 2016, Yanzhong Huang discussed potential opportunities and challenges for China's collaboration with the United States on healthcare in a testimony before the United States-China Economic and Security Commission. Here are six key thoughts:

1. China's healthcare financing system relies on a disconnect between spending and demand; spending is a low percentage of the country's gross domestic product when compared with its population.

2. The country hopes to increase care affordability and accessibility, especially in remote areas and for those in the lower social strata. China's 13th Five-Year Plan implements universal health coverage, refines the healthcare financing mechanisms and encourages research and development for new drugs.

3. Interest in the Chinese market is high from U.S. pharmaceutical companies, hospital groups and insurance companies due to the increase in outpatient visits, hospitalizations and medical spending due to noncommunicable diseases.The country also has an increasing older population and eliminating the one-child policy is expected to increase the demand for healthcare and institution-based senior care.

4. China's urbanization is expected to drive private hospital growth and provide a member base for commercial health insurers. The growing use of mobile health technology is expected to be popular in rural areas as well.

5. Foreign-owned healthcare facilities account for half of all healthcare facilities in China but provide 10 percent of inpatient and outpatient care; state-owned public hospital system have a monopoly on providing care, which is a challenge for foreign investors. There are also some "high-end medical services" that aren't covered by the country's health insurance and require government approval.

6. China restricts foreign entities that hinder public-private partnerships on drug development. But there is movement toward future partnerships after successful collaborations between Chinese laboratories and HHS as well as the Gates Foundation.

The relationship between China and the U.S. could change when President-elect Donald Trump takes office in 2017; Mr. Trump questioned the longstanding "One China" policy during an interview with Fox News on Sunday, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Partners HealthCare saw revenue increase 7 percent year over year to $12.5 billion in fiscal year 2016, but the Boston-based system ended FY 2016 with an operating loss, according to recently released bondholder documents.

Partners reported an operating loss of $108 million in FY 2016  the biggest operating loss in the system's history, according to the Boston Globe. The loss is a dramatic drop from the operating surplus of $106 million the system recorded in FY 2015.

The largest portion of the system's losses  $104 million  came from Neighborhood Health Plan, Partners' insurance subsidiary that provides coverage to more than 430,000 commercial and Medicaid members.

Partners acquired NHP four years ago, and the health plan is now the largest Medicaid insurer in Massachusetts. Over the past three years, NHP has recorded $322 million in losses, and Partners is exploring ways to help its insurance business regain financial footing. For instance, in October, NHP closed enrollment to new Medicaid members to give it time to renegotiate the rates it pays some hospitals.

In FY 2016, Partners also took an $8 million hit from spending on strike preparations earlier this summer at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Nurses planned to stage a one-day strike beginning June 27. The week before the planned strike, the hospital dialed down operations, transferred hundreds of patients and canceled procedures and appointments, causing the hospital to lose another $16 million in revenue. However, the strike was averted when the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents 3,300 nurses at Brigham, and hospital officials reached a three-year agreement.

Partners' operating income was also dragged down in FY 2016 by the continuing costs of implementing a new $1.2 billion Epic EHR system.

Partners ended FY 2016 with a net loss of $249 million, compared to a net loss of nearly $92 million the year prior.

More articles on healthcare finance:

11 hospitals with strong finances

6 hospital CFOs in the headlines
Here are 15 physicians under the age of 45 years old who have accomplished a lot early on in their careers. The surgeons on this list are leaders of hospital departments, entrepreneurs and board members of professional and community organizations.

This list was compiled through nominations and editorial research. Please contact Laura Dyrda at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com with questions about this list and recommendations for who to include on future young physician leaders lists.

Alicia Arnold, MD. Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, Wis.). Dr. Arnold is a board-certified radiologist running an Eau Claire, Wis.-based private practice. She is affiliated with Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and serves as a medical correspondent for the WEAU-Eau Claire TV station as well as on the Wisconsin Medical Society's board of directors. In April, the Wisconsin Medical Society honored Dr. Arnold with the Young Physician Leadership Award during the society's annual meeting.

Eric Beck, DO. University of Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Beck is an attending physician in the University of Chicago Medical Center's emergency department. He has also served as the chief innovation officer, chief clinical integration officer and associate CMO for mobile healthcare provider Evolution Health and American Medical Response, a large medical transportation company. He is now the CEO of Evolution Health.

Rebecca A. Cerrato, MD. Mercy Medical Center (Baltimore). Dr. Cerrato is an orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center. She has chaired several surgical courses throughout her career, with a special focus on complex injuries and foot and ankle reconstruction. She is also the director of Mercy's foot and ankle fellowship program and volunteers with the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore, which provides services for men battling addiction, homelessness and poverty.

Elizabeth Dailey, MD. Marin General Hospital (Greenbrae, Calif.). Dr. Dailey is the medical director of the total joint preplacement program at Marin General Hospital and focuses her practice on minimally invasive and evidence-based approaches to care. She is a member of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society as well as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Hilary Fairbrother, MD. NYU Langone Medical Center (New York). Dr. Fairbrother is an emergency medicine physician with NYU Langone Medical Center and assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine. She is the chair of the Young Physicians Section of the Medical Society of the State of New York and has authored publications in the AMA Journal of Ethics and the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Azadeh Farin, MD. MemorialCare Health System (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Dr. Farin is a neurosurgeon by training and a member of the Physician Leadership Academy at MemorialCare. She was the first woman in more than 25 years to complete a general surgery internship and neurosurgery residency at the Los Angeles-based University of Southern California and recently received a full patent for a spinal device invention. She was the chair of her New Haven, Conn.-based Yale University Political Union before earning her medical degree. She also won the Miss Greater Los Angeles USA Pageant.

Leah Kelley, MD. Marin General Hospital (Greenbrae, Calif.). Dr. Kelley leads Marin General's breast program and received the 2015 Healing Professional recognition from the organization Zero Breast Cancer. In addition to her practice, Dr. Kelley focuses on research and authored several articles for peer-reviewed journals

Karl Koenig, MD. Dell Medical School, University of Texas (Austin). Dr. Koenig led the joint replacement program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., before joining Dell Medical School's staff as the joint replacement program division leader. Dr. Koenig has experience launching programs to address underserved and indigent people in high value, outcomes-driven care settings.

Khalid Kurtom, MD, FAANS, FACS. Neurosurgery Department of The University of Maryland School of Medicine (Easton, Md.). Dr. Kurtom focuses on minimally invasive spine and brain surgery. He is a board member of the University of Maryland Community Medical Group and chairs two group committees focused on quality. Dr. Kurtom received the Arthur B Cecil Award from UM Shore Regional Health.

Steven Lee, MD. John Muir Health (Walnut Creek, Calif.). Dr. Lee serves as the Orthopedic Quality Outcomes Physician Leader at John Muir Health and is responsible for analyzing clinical data, developing best practices and recommending ways to improve quality and patient experience. He also serves on the orthopedic technology committee at the hospital, which assesses and vets new technology. Dr. Lee earned the Leadership Academy Scholarship Award from the California Medical Association in 1997.

Gene Liu, MD. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles). Dr. Liu is a practicing otolaryngologist who joined Cedars-Sinai in 2008. He helped grow the hospital's ENT practice from one physician and a physician assistant to eight physicians and four PAs in five years. Dr. Liu received Cedars-Sinai's Physician of the Year award in 2014 and Spirit Award in 2015, honoring his leadership and commitment to the hospital. He has served on 25 hospital committees and chairs three committees.

Shaun P. Setty, MD. Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach (Calif.). In his current role, Dr. Setty leads the pediatric and adult congenital cardiac surgery program at Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach, one of few hospitals in the nation where congenital heart disease patients can access life-long care in one location. He is the Helen E. Hoag Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and triple-board certified in surgery, thoracic surgery and congenital heart surgery. In addition to his clinical practices, he has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Brian W. Su, MD. Marin General Hospital (Greenbrae, Calif.). Dr. Su is the director of spine surgery at the Marin Spine and Brain Institute and focuses his practice on cervical spine disorders. He has authored more than 20 full-length manuscripts and book chapters in addition to giving 50-plus podium presentations. He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Association's Emerging Leaders Program and active in spine surgery research and device innovation.

Wang Teng, MD. Saddleback Memorial Medical Center (Laguna Hills, Calif.). Dr. Teng is the medical director of Saddleback's peripheral vascular center and one of few surgeons qualified to perform the fenestrated abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft. He is a co-leader of a large health system's cardiovascular services in Los Angeles and Orange counties and serves on the board of an ambulatory surgery center joint venture with three locations and around 100 physician partners.

Shawn Tsuda, MD. University of Nevada School of Medicine (Reno). Dr. Tsuda is the chief of minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He was the first surgeon in Nevada to receive certification in the LINX Reflux Management System for patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. He performs the LINX procedures at miVIP Surgery Centers in Las Vegas.
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Conn., in accordance with CDC guidance, is among several hospitals working to notify thousands of open-heart surgery patients of potential infection risk linked to the use of heater-cooler devices, according to NBC Connecticut.

The hospital is reaching out to approximately 3,000 patients who received an open-heart surgical procedure between Jan. 1, 2012, and Nov. 17, 2016, at the hospital. Additionally, St. Francis will replace the at-risk heater-coolers this month.

In October, the CDC notified hospitals that Stockert 3T heater-cooler devices were likely spreading nontuberculous mycobacterium, or NTM, infections, and urged hospitals to notify potentially affected patients.

NTM can often be found in tap water and soil and pose little risk to healthy people. While benign in the environment, the microbes can incite infections in patients with open chest cavities. Infections can be deadly and are often difficult to treat.

Heater-cooler devices use circulating water to modulate body temperature during open heart surgery. It is believed small amounts of contaminated water can become aerosolized and emit via a vent in the device, thus creating the potential to infect humans. The devices can also be difficult to clean once contamination occurs as the bacteria forms a resilient biofilm.

On Friday, a spokesperson from St. Francis informed Becker's via email no infections related to heater-cooler devices among the hospital's patients, either suspected or confirmed, have been detected.

Recently, Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., also began notifying as many as 1,800 open-heart surgery patients of a potential bacterial exposure linked to heater-coolers.

More articles on infection control:

Infection control in the US: 2016 year in review

200 unvaccinated students sent home from school amid mumps outbreak in Washington

Researchers create supersized petri dish to study superbugs: 4 things to know
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A window dedicated to Sir Robert Baird, the former owner of the Belfast Telegraph, at St George's Church in High Street, Belfast

This year, St George's Church in Belfast celebrates the bicentenary of its opening. Since its establishment in 1816, the church has played a very significant role in the spiritual and cultural life of Belfast. Fortunately, the church has retained a unique parish archive, which has allowed its story to be fully told.

Of course, the church's location in High Street has been a site for Christian worship which goes back many centuries. In the 14th century, the Chapel of the Ford was situated here at the crossing of the Lagan. The church was then rebuilt in the early-17th century by Sir Arthur Chichester to become the Corporation Church.

This church eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1770s, when the new St Anne's Church was opened in Donegall Street. Some material from the Corporation Church has survived. A chair used by King William, when he visited Belfast in 1690, can be seen in St George's. The pulpit was given to the new St Mary's Chapel, where it is still used today.

By the early-19th century, however, St Anne's was not sufficient for a growing Church of Ireland population and a number of citizens subscribed to the building of a chapel of ease on the site in High Street. Designed by John Bowden and called St George's Church, it opened in June 1816.

The portico came from the demolished Ballyscullion House, Bellaghy, a former home of the Earl Bishop Frederick Hervey. This stonework was brought by barge to Belfast.

A contemporary observer remarked: "The front exhibits a very pure specimen of Corinthian architecture and perhaps the most beautiful to be met with in Ireland." Another feature of the new church was its concern with music, as seen in the appointment of Edward Bunting as its first organist (1817-20).

After the short incumbency of two clergymen, the Rev William MacIlwaine took charge of St George's in 1836. He began his ministry as a strong evangelical, an enthusiastic "anti-Romanist" and decidedly low church. Over his time in St George's, which lasted until 1880, he changed his mind on all three matters.

He was very critical of the 1859 revival in Belfast, believing it was not based on the scriptures and it relied too much on hysteria. In 1857, the Belfast resident magistrate wrote to Dublin Castle: "Mr MacIlwaine is a very zealous minister, but he wants judgment and has made himself so unpopular with the Roman Catholic party by his eternal controversies."

Later in his career, however, MacIlwaine wrote that, rather than religious controversy, a better approach would be that of "discovery and demonstrating the points in which the two Churches of Ireland and Rome agree, rather than those in which they differ." He urged: "the cultivation and exercise of mutual peace and goodwill, as commanded by the Divine Founder of our common faith."

He introduced changes to the services at St George's, which some saw as high church, such as weekly communion, a full choral service and the wearing of surplices. His successor, Rev Hugh Murphy (1880-1926), continued these practices.

When the Rev Aldwell was instituted as rector of St George's in 1927, Bishop Grierson acknowledged: "St George's had taught them many things in the Church life of Belfast. It had emphasised the beauty and reverence of worship on the spiritual side of the Church's life."

Not everyone took this positive attitude. The Rev Henry O'Connor, in November 1929, wrote to the Press: "St George's seems to depend on extravagances, such as 'Sung Eucharist', 'Altar' cloths of many colours, eastward position, &c, with regular whist drives and dances on week nights. Could anyone in their wildest flight of imagination think of the Holy Apostles organising whist drives, or dances, to advance the Gospel?"

This brought a spirited response from parishioners. May McTear wrote: "With regard to his allusion to the 'altar cloths' I refer him to Ezra, vii, 27." She then alluded to his "cheap sneer" about the Apostles and whist drives and dances: "I don't imagine 'whist' was invented in their time, but dancing is much older. He will gain useful knowledge in Psalm, 150, 4 and Eccles, 3,4."

During the Blitz, the church narrowly avoided destruction. The schoolhouse behind the church was burnt down and buildings opposite were gutted. Seven years after the war, however, the church again faced destruction in the form of proposals at the diocesan synod to close the church because of low numbers of resident parishioners.

Members of the congregation organised strong opposition to these plans. Their cause was supported at the diocesan synod by a newly elected MP, Captain Terence O'Neill, who declared: "St George's is a bright star in the industrial city of Belfast." Their efforts were successful.

In 1958, Rev Edgar Turner became rector. The outbreak of the Troubles brought new challenges to St George's. The church was not a direct target, but the building was damaged on more than 20 occasions due to IRA explosions in downtown Belfast.

At the general vestry meeting in April 1973, the rector referred to the previous year: "The 'coffin bomb' on Easter Eve devastated the south side, the Ann Street bomb on Trinity Sunday shattered the chancel window, on Trinity vi the second Skipper Street bomb seriously damaged the west front, on St James's Day the Oxfam bomb seriously damaged the west front, on Trinity xv, light, heat, power, organ and drainage were all put out of action."

In spite of these great difficulties, services at St George's were maintained due to the dedication of clergy and parishioners. At the same time, numbers attending the church fell, as people were reluctant to venture into the city centre, except when essential.

The danger of closure was averted, however, largely because, from the mid-1980s, St George's revived its musical tradition.

Choir members had bravely continued to turn up for services during the worst of the Troubles, but their numbers had declined.

In 1984, Jonathan Gregory was appointed organist and choirmaster at St George's. He rebuilt the choir, in particular recruiting additional choirboys.

St George's became the venue for musical concerts and recitals. The church and church hall were used by various organisations.

These increased activities brought new members to St George's and helped to ensure its survival.

Today, St George's is a very active church, which is open daily for prayer and services.

Not long ago, Alf McCreary reported in the Belfast Telegraph on Easter worship at St George's: "There was a high Anglican liturgy, deeply thoughtful preaching and magnificent music. It is good to see God so alive in the heart of the city."

Brian M Walker's A History of St George's Church, Belfast: Two Centuries of Faith, Worship and Music is published by the Ulster Historical Foundation, priced 19.99
Britain is facing the prospect of an energy supply crisis which will see customers having to pay for a higher level of reliability, it has been reported.

Andrew Wright, a senior partner with energy watchdog Ofgem, is quoted as having warned that communities could be split between those who can afford to keep the lights on, and those who cannot.

According to the Telegraph, he said there is "much less flexibility" for suppliers because Britain has lost fuel capacity due to closure of coal mines.

Quoted in the Telegraph, Mr Wright said: " In the future not everyone will be able to use as much electricity as they want, and there will be a need to re-write the rules.

"We are currently all paying broadly the same price but we could be moving away from that and there will be some new features in the market which may see some choose to pay for a higher level of reliability.

"One household may be sitting with their lights on, charging their Tesla electric car, while someone else will be sitting in the dark."

An Ofgem spokeswoman said Mr Wright was speaking in a private capacity at a conference.

She said: "Ofgem is fully committed to delivering secure supplies for all consumers now and in the future. This is our number one priority. This is why we have driven up network reliability standards and worked closely with Government to ensure secure energy supplies."

"In order to protect consumers every regulator has to look a possible future challenges. Mr Wright was talking at a university conference in a personal capacity and looking at possible issues that might or might not arise in 10 to 15 years' time."
In the company of the poet John Montague, who died in Nice on Saturday, aged 87, one was immediately in touch not only with the forbidding tradition of Irish letters from Thomas Moore to James Clarence Mangan, Thomas Davis, Samuel Ferguson; through Yeats and Austin Clarke, one of his early encouragers, through Beckett and into our own mortal era; and in touch also with monuments of American letters such as John Crowe Ransom, Robert Penn Warren and Saul Bellow; but also with what can be safely described as 'a great poet' with a body of work of the first order and a writer of both artistic and historical import.

But the impossible glamour of that biographical denouement - 'died in Nice' - is in itself something of a miracle, for a boy who was born on February 28, 1929 in Brooklyn, given away by his mother, was returned at the age of four to the townland of Garvaghey (meaning 'rough field' in Irish) in Co Tyrone to be reared by his aunts, carrying a childhood stammer into his adult life of readings and broadcasts, ultimately maturing into a cosmopolitan figure respected on several continents.

It is to that tiny acre that the remains of the great poet will return later this week.

Montague was of monumental stature himself, as a man and as an artist.

His first collection in 1961 was Poisoned Lands, which immediately transferred all those rural signposts nailed up on trees into the street-talk of poetry.

"Poisoned Lands, Trespassers prosecuted, dogs shot" was a legend familiar to many.

Less well known is that his collection of short stories, published in 1964, and entitled Death of A Chieftain, was a truly groundbreaking volume.

The rumour is that a newly-formed folk ensemble of the time took their name from the title story - and it wasn't The Clancys.

The long poem The Rough Field, as it emerged in its parts in the 60s and fully in 1972, walked hand-in-hand with the eruption of civic unrest and then catastrophic violence.

Its very architecture, layout, and omnivorous daring was a structural departure in Irish poetry, in the fashioning of a collection or single long poem which brought it closer to the American moderns than to the truisms of traditional Irish verse. It has to be said that it was not a volume universally acclaimed at the time.

The section 'A New Siege' was read aloud outside Armagh gaol in 1970. A radical work, treating with alarm and a breathtaking daring in phrasing and structure, the very vexed issues of that day, it was read by some as unduly partisan and unseemly in its framing of the context.

Happily, it can be recorded that the work is both triumphantly guilty and innocent of all those charges, in the way only poetry can be.

But it must be remembered that this poet felt the chill wind by virtue of the courage of his imagination.

In November that year, he embarked on a reading tour with the self-styled 'Planter' poet John Hewitt under the rubric The Planter and the Gael - an adventure which has acquired legendary status and which epitomised again Montague's humane concerns which transcended tribal allegiance.

Decades later, his 'A Response to Omagh' (1999) came from an anguished and damaged place: "With no peace after the deluge, no ease after the storm; we learn to live inside ruin, like a second home."

Montague's poetry was built in what he called three 'orchestrations' - The Rough Field (1972), The Great Cloak (1978) and The Dead Kingdom (1984). Individual poems, such as 'The Trout', 'All Legendary Obstacles' and 'Like Dolmens Round My Childhood, The Old People', will endure in anthologies of English for ever.

The vast array of lyrical attention he lavished on his native place and of love, bawdy and sacred, he lavished in his poems, make his a distinctive poetic voice in Ireland, irreverent, blunt at times, always elegant and with considerable elan.

His generosity of spirit extended to all generations, both to his elders - he was instrumental in securing a publisher for Hewitt's Collected Poems in 1968 - and towards his younger contemporaries, whose work he felt had benefited from better historical timing than his own.

But Montague's place in the literary culture of the island is secure.

Moreover, this is a poet who was honoured by Mayor Mario Cuomo in 1987 "for his outstanding literary achievements and his contributions to the people of New York".

He was the obvious choice as the inaugural Ireland Professor of Poetry in 1998, a post established to honour Ireland's contribution to poetry in the wake of Seamus Heaney's Nobel Prize.

It was fitting that the first recipient be drawn from the same province and from a secret townland within hailing distance in every sense of Heaney's own. He was appointed Chevalier de la Legion d'Honeur in 2010, France's highest civilian honour.

His personal life too was in three orchestrations - his first two wives were French, Madeleine and Evelyn, who survive him, along with two daughters, Oonagh and Sibyl.

His last love, the Brooklyn-born novelist Elizabeth Wassel, on whom he leaned both metaphorically and literally in his last balletic years, was by his bedside at the hospital when he died.

Through the persistent delivery of volumes of verse such as Drunken Sailor (2004), Speech Lessons (2011), Time in Armagh (1993) and Smashing the Piano (1999), which show him also as arguably our greatest love poet, operating at a high altitude of achievement, and through an astonishing memoir, The Pear Is Ripe (2007), Montague grew into one of his own orchestrations. In a way, we remain too close to it to see around it or through.

We can only see by means of it.

Our generous advocate, our maker of poems which will be read as long as there are readers, our friend in print from childhood, our humane companion, our bard in the old sense, "that wavering needle, pointing always North".
The Department for Communities has announced it has secured an 8million Westminster Government contract and with it 170 jobs for the provision of Universal Credit and Benefit Cap support to claimants.

The contract will provide 150 new posts in Ballymena and the remaining 20 in Londonderry. Although some workers will be employed through internal civil service recruitment, the majority of the staff are expected to found externally.

The contract is for an initial two year period, usual in terms of allowing both parties to review their operations.

Posts will be in the main administrative in nature, paying an average salary of 19,000.

The posts will assist in the delivery of Universal Credit and the Benefit Cap across Great Britain on behalf of Department of Work and Pensions, and are expected to be fully operational by next autumn.

Minister Paul Givan confirmed the contract while visiting DWP offices in London, he said: This new contract is the second to be secured by my department this year on behalf of DWP and underscores their confidence in the quality skills and service our staff in Northern Ireland consistently deliver.

"Providing services to Great Britain on behalf of DWP is now a core part of my departments business. I am confident the new contract will provide excellent opportunities at the sites in Ballymena and Londonderry.

Earlier this year, the department announced 280 jobs to provide additional services to DWP starting next year and 100 staff have been recruited so far.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, whose constituency includes Ballymena, welcomed the jobs boost.

He said: "I have been asking Government to think North Antrim when it comes to job creation and this is a tangible example of the practical outworking of that call."
Astronaut and author Chris Hadfield will be appearing in Easons store in Belfast on Tuesday, December 13, to sign copies of his new book, The Darkest Dark.

The Darkest Dark is the debut picture book by Commander Chris Hadfield, international bestselling author of An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, with spectacular illustrations by illustration team, The Fan Brothers.

Inspired by his decision to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo 11 moon landing at age nine, The Darkest Dark tells the heart-warming story of a young boy who dreamed of being flying into space despite being scared of the dark. But then Chris watches the first televised moon landing and realises he doesn't have so be scared of the dark. Space is the darkest dark there is - and it's also the most exciting place in the solar system.
The Carols by Candlelight concert took place at St Anne's Cathedral

Sarah Travers compered the Carols by Candlelight concert at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, as part of a series of events throughout the UK to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society and awareness of the disease

Television presenter Sarah Travers has hosted a poignant carol service in aid of the Alzheimer's Society at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.

The popular broadcaster, who is an ambassador for the charity, lost her beloved father Ian Travers to an aggressive form of the disease in 2013, when he was aged just 67.

Around 500 people attended the Carols by Candlelight event, which was held to raise both money and awareness of the disease. Among those performing were representatives of a number of 'Singing for the Brain' groups run by the Alzheimer's Society. The groups allow people with dementia, along with their carers, to express themselves and socialise with others.

Speaking afterwards, Sarah said: "This was an atmospheric and emotional event.

"Since dad's death I have been very keen to do whatever I can to raise awareness of dementia and encourage people to reach out if they are worried about memory loss.

"You can live a life following diagnosis."
Glamour model turned agency director Melissa Curry has experienced first-hand the thrilling highs and costly lows of the modelling industry. She's booked the jobs, shot the campaigns, been scammed by charlatans posing as photographers and survived to tell the tale and profit from it.

Now 30, and with a decade's worth of jobs under her belt, the Londonderry woman has made it her mission to shepherd the emerging generation of aspiring Northern Irish glamour model through sometimes treacherous waters to "the careers that they all deserve" as head honcho at Legenderry Promotions.

Curry enjoyed her big break back in 2007, when her aunt, Nicki, suggested that she enter FHM magazine's High Street Honeys competition.

The fact that she made it through the heats to the final published 100 was all the more remarkable given that up until that point Curry had harboured no ambitions to strut her stuff in front of the cameras.

"Modelling wasn't something I dreamed of as a little girl, as so many girls do," Melissa admits. "For me, it kind of happened by accident.

"I'm from a small place called Lettershandoney in Tamnaherin, just outside of Derry, and my mum, Philomena, who is now 51, brought myself and my three sisters and brother up more or less by herself.

"My aunt, who is like a big sister to me, encouraged me to go for it when she saw the advert for the competition, so I did and was so surprised to make the cut.

"The test shoot in Newcastle-upon-Tyne was by far the scariest thing I have ever experienced, still to this day. But I got through it."

Then just 20 years old, Curry stepped into the world of glamour modelling with zero experience of posing and very little idea of what to expect on the job.

Finding herself alone in a strange city, she gritted her teeth and took the plunge. It paid off handsomely. "I didn't realise that there would be so many people there on set," Melissa recalls.

"Photographers, the crew, videographers, the lot. I felt a bit out of my depth, but I gave it a shot regardless.

"I nearly missed my flight home and had to walk through security in a pair of hot pants and a T-shirt, but it was all a bit of craic, and from there a lot of opportunities came my way."

Describing herself at the time as a "quiet, shy girl", Melissa quickly developed a thick skin.

She admits it initially wasn't easy posing in lingerie and acting as a promotions girl at events with all eyes on her, but with each passing job her confidence slowly grew.

"That was the most positive aspect of modelling - the fact that I came into myself, evolved into a confident young woman with ambition," she says.

"I got invited to do exciting jobs, hosting parties with the likes of Calum Best, and got paid, basically, to look good, which at the time seemed like the kind of job all girls want."

Signing to a local agency, the now defunct Pizzaz, Curry began to book jobs near and far in commercial photography as well as glamour.

Before long, she branched out as a freelance model, attending auditions alone, booking her own jobs, forging creative connections and paying the bills.

"I did a few shoots for newspapers first as there was a lot of hype around this local girl who had been published in a lads' magazine," Melissa says. "And then I started working with photographers from all over Ireland to build up my portfolio.

"That's when I started to get the hang of it. It took me a good two years, but finally I said to myself, 'Mel, you can do this'.

"The jobs were varied. Photographers began paying me to build up their own portfolios and to promote brands and websites.

"And then I had the opportunity to visit LA with other models from around the UK to shoot a calendar, which I did two years in a row. I made good contacts, which worked in my favour when it came to launching my own agency some years later."

From that very first shoot for the UK men's monthly magazine, Curry concluded that nude work was not for her.

In the world of glamour modelling, many saw it as a restrictive move, but there were more important considerations for her at the time.

"My mum always told me to follow my dreams, to do what I wanted to do, but to be respectful to myself and my family with regards to my profession, which I carried into my nearly 10 years of modelling," Melissa explains.

"Not disrespecting my mum is a big thing to me, and I didn't want to do anything she would be embarrassed by.

"Although a lot of people think I'm confident and outgoing, which I am, nude is my limit.

"I believe that you can be sexy and leave a little to the imagination, rather than having it all out on show.

"Plus, my brother already gets enough stick about my photos and lifestyle. I wouldn't want to send him to an early grave."

It was during the early phase of her career, after she had been catapulted into the spotlight, that the glamour model fell into what is now a fairly well-known fraudulent trap. Contacted by what she believed was a reputable modelling agency, she took up an invitation to travel to London for a shoot.

"They told me that I had so much potential and that they could get me work," she says.

"Being young and naive, I fell for it. When I got there, they hit me with a bill for the photographs, which ended up being 1,000, and when I didn't hear from them after I paid the money, I realised it was a scam.

"I felt stupid that I had been conned, let down and disappointed, but also incredibly angry that there were fake agencies out there willing to take advantage of young girls and ultimately shatter their hopes and dreams.

"Thankfully, my best friend, Siobhan, has been with me every step of the way, pushing and supporting me, keeping me calm before a shoot and grounding me when I get carried away.

"And when I received online abuse for glamour modelling, she was the one who told me to keep going."

Afterwards, Melissa was inspired to provide assistance to up-and-coming models and launched Legenderry Promotions in 2013.

Her current clients have shot campaigns for various companies including Datsun and have featured in local fashion and modelling magazines. Melissa is there for her models every step of the way, vetting photographers and ensuring, as best she can, that everything is legitimate and legal before any pictures even are taken.

"I want to be a mentor for young models, advise them what they need to know in terms of catwalk training, interviewing for pageants, photo shoot prep, and I don't want them getting caught up in the scams that I did," she says.

"I do background checks on photographers and social media checks on agencies, and if a model is wary of anyone who has contacted them, I will do further research.

"I know how to keep myself safe. I'm present in many modelling forums and have a lot of contacts in the industry, so I can ask for references and do test shoots myself with photographers who I haven't heard of before.

"Thankfully, none of my girls have returned with any horror stories, and it's my main aim to make sure that none of them ever do.

"Dodgy characters never want to deal with managers or agencies like mine."

Just this month, Melissa hit "the big 3-0 and had the meltdown to prove it" and is currently contemplating whether or not to continue modelling herself.

Her days in front of the camera aren't quite numbered just yet, though, with plans to shoot more calendars in LA and Miami next year in the offing.

She is realistic enough to know that age is an issue in the glamour modelling game, but she'll bow out gracefully when the time comes, although she has had cosmetic procedures in the past and isn't averse to further nips and tucks in the future.

"I did have a filler in my lip before a job in Marbella two years ago and I've also had a course of 3D liposuction treatment to tone the skin on my tummy," she says.

"A lot of girls on the trip to Marbella were English and had had boob jobs, chemical peels and Botox before. I wouldn't rule it out in the future if I felt I needed it."

In the meantime, Melissa is more than happy with her look, her life and her living. She's single and, as they say, ready to mingle and has a message for any man planning to stake a claim as her Mr Right.

"This is me and who I've been for the last 10 years, so I expect the right man to appreciate that," she says. "I'm not one of those girls who expects the world, because I can work for it myself and buy it myself."
Inmates have effectively taken control of Northern Ireland's prison for women and young offenders, it has been claimed.

Staff at Hydebank Wood have come forward to describe the chaos unfolding at the facility. Prison officers are subjected to frequent assaults - in one incident, a member of staff was scalded with a flask of boiling water. Others have been punched and bitten, it is alleged.

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The prison, located in south Belfast, is awash with drugs, staff say. Figures show there are more drug seizures at Hydebank - our smallest prison, with around 150 inmates - than either Maghaberry or Magilligan.

Hydebank was transformed into a "secure college" last year.

But shocked employees who spoke to the Belfast Telegraph say colleagues are at breaking point.

An investigation by this newspaper has found that attacks on prison officers have quadrupled since freedom of movement around the jail was introduced in 2012.

It can also be revealed that the number of prison officers has almost halved at Hydebank in the last five years - again over the same period that free movement has been allowed.

Staff claim the inmates now run the prison.

"The place is coming down with drugs and staff getting attacked left, right and centre," one told the Belfast Telegraph.

"The number of assaults on staff since Hydebank became a secure college has gone through the roof."

They said the attacks include scaldings, bites, kicks to the face, headbutts, punches and cuts. These mostly occur on the landings during the night time lock-up and include:

- Three officers bitten in the last year;

- Another officer scalded with a flask of boiling water by a female inmate;

- An inmate slashed with a razor when he was wrongly accused of being a sex offender;

- Three separate incidents of mass attacks on foreign national inmates;

- Five incidents of inmates getting onto roofs, refusing to come down and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage;

- One inmate being so savagely beaten he nearly lost his ear;

- Countless incidents of trusted inmates being let out into the community to work and being caught trying to bring drugs back in;

- Two pregnancy scares, and

- Three male on male sexual assaults involving groups of males seeking drugs they suspected had been hidden internally.

One source said a number of prison officers have been sent for hepatitis B and HIV tests following attacks.

Staff also claim prison authorities have adopted an "unsympathetic" approach to officers getting attacked.

Last night, Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie called for the reports to be urgently investigated.

"These new reports are troubling and I think it is important that the prison management and the prison service management board address these concerns," he said.

"If prison officers feel unsafe, then they must be listened to."

The governor of Hydebank defended the facility, saying it had won an award which recognised the work carried out to transform it from a young offenders' centre to a secure college.

Richard Taylor said: "None of the issues raised by the Belfast Telegraph have been raised with me, through their line management chain, or, to my knowledge, through whistleblower policy." Freedom of Information requests by this newspaper reveal that in just six months there have been 215 seizures of drugs and drug-related paraphernalia at Hydebank Wood - a prison with just 156 inmates.

At Maghaberry, where around 1,000 prisoners are held, there were 137 seizures between April and September this year, and, at Magilligan, where 500 are held, there were 125 seizures.

It should be noted that prisoner populations tend to fluctuate.

Another request found that the number of attacks on prison officers at Hydebank has quadrupled since the policy of unescorted movement of inmates was introduced in 2012. There were just 10 attacks on prison officers in 2012. This doubled to 22 in 2013 and increased further to 38 in 2014 and 40 in 2015.

This number is almost as many as in Maghaberry in 2015 (52 attacks) despite its prisoner population being considerably larger.

Staff absence rates are significantly higher at Hydebank compared with the other prisons.

At Hydebank, the absence rate is 12.4%, well above Maghaberry (9%) and Magilligan (7.7%).

Those figures relate to all staff based at each prison, and the absence rates relate to working days lost as a percentage of available working days.

Some receive written warnings which are "only considered following a full review of all information about the case. This scrutiny includes consideration of factors such as the reason for sickness absence and previous attendance record".

The NI civil service average is 11.7 days (5.3%).

Meanwhile, the Belfast Telegraph has also discovered that in the last five financial years - from 2011/12 to 2015/16 - 330 officers have lodged a claim for compensation for personal injury.

In the same time frame, 1,307 prison officers have lodged a claim for compensation for hearing loss.
A 48-year-old man arrested in the Dunmurry area on Monday by police investigating the death of Belfast man Joe Reilly has been released unconditionally.

Mr Reilly was mercilessly gunned down after killers burst into his Glenwood Court home in Poleglass on Thursday, October 20.

The 43-year-old was shot twice in the chest in the living room of his home, while two other people in the house were forced to lie on the kitchen floor.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene.

Illegal drugs and paramilitarism may have played a role in the murder, police believe.

Last week a 32-year-old man was arrested in the Newtownabbey area in connection with the murder.

Detective Inspector Darren McCartney said: Mr Reilly was shot in his home in Glenwood Court at about 8pm on the evening of Thursday 20 October.

"I would continue to ask anyone who has any information about this murder to contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1172 20/10/16.

"Or if anyone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Judge said the incident could have had severe consequences for the couple and their neighbours

A man rescued from a house fire in east Belfast claimed he planned to burn it down while he and his wife were inside, the High Court heard on Monday.

Ian Anyon allegedly launched an arson attack on the terraced property at Reid Street last month after drinking a ten glass bottle of vodka, prosecutors said.

Refusing the 52-year-old's bid to be released on bail to return to the home, a judge said the incident could have had severe consequences for the couple and their neighbours.

Anyon, currently of no fixed abode, is alleged to have damaged by fire a property belonging to him with intent to endanger the life of his wife.

The court was told he called the Fire Service to the home on November 25.

Crews discovered a pile of clothing ablaze in a first floor bedroom, with Anyon lying on the bed a few feet away.

Substantial scorch marks and smoke damage had been caused to the room.

Prosecution counsel said Anyon had to be rescued from the property.

The accused told police he intended to burn the house down with him and his wife in it following a verbal disagreement, it was claimed.

She was said to have been downstairs and unaware of his alleged actions.

Opposing bail, the prosecutor said the fire could have spread to other terraced houses.

Anyon told police he had drunk a bottle of vodka and couldn't recollect any argument or going to bed, the court heard.

"He remembers waking up outside on the pavement being given oxygen," the prosecution lawyer added.

Michael Boyd, defending, accepted his client has drink problems, but argued that it had been a one-off incident.

However, Mr Justice Colton ruled there was too great a risk of re-offending to release Anyon from custody.

He said: "It's an escalation of previous conduct arising from domestic disputes.

"No conditions I can think of would meet the risk at this time."
Police and ambulance crews provide first aid to victims of a suspected drug overdose in Belfast (PSNI Facebook page)

One man remains critically ill in hospital after collapsing from a suspected drug overdose with two other men in Belfast City Centre.

Police and ambulance crews attended the scene in the Donegall Pass area of the city shortly before 9pm on Saturday after the three men were found unconscious.

"Police received a report from the NIAS of three unconscious males," the PSNI said in a statement.

"Police attended the scene and assisted NIAS colleagues."

They were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

The Belfast Trust said one of the men remains critically ill and is being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospitals intensive care unit.

It follows a spate of drugs-related deaths in Northern Ireland in recent weeks.

"This clearly could have had dire consequences for those involved," police said in a Facebook post after the incident.
A man has been arrested in connection with an attack on a PUP councillor on Remembrance Sunday at a memorial to the party's former leader, David Ervine.

PUP councillor Dr John Kyle was assaulted in east Belfast while confronting a group of youths, one of whom was said to be defecating at a memorial dedicated to Mr Ervine.

The incident occurred on the Albertbridge Road at around 8.40am on November 13.

Dr Kyle, a local GP who is in his 60s, reported that as one of the group desecrated the memorial, others filmed the vile act on mobile phones.

He said that he shouted at them, and that one of them kicked him off his bike and fled towards the Short Strand.

The councillor was reported to have followed the youths into the mainly nationalist area and alerted police.

David Ervine, a former UVF member, led the PUP for five years from 2002 until his death in January 2007 and was a key figure in brokering the loyalist paramilitary ceasefire of 1994.

The attack on his memorial received widespread condemnation, with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness voicing his disgust and Sinn Fein's Niall O Donnghaile condemning the alleged attack as "disgraceful".

A mural of Mr Ervine at the memorial depicts the loyalist leader against the backdrop of a Harland & Wolff crane which frames the message: "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it."

Dr Kyle said he wanted to extend his gratitude to the PSNI following news of progress in the case last night.

"I commend the police for their prompt action in this case and would also express my warm thanks to the wider community who supported me following the attack," he said.

"I take heart that both communities stood together in the face of this heinous and unacceptable behaviour. East Belfast is a proud area and David Ervine's memory is respected and cherished by those across the political spectrum. Thanks again to all who sent messages of support and reflected the community I am proud to serve."

At the time of the incident, the PUP councillor spoke to Mr Ervine's widow, Jeanette, who had echoed an appeal by Dr Kyle that the attack would not cause trouble in east Belfast.

Yesterday a police spokeswoman said: "Police investigating the report of an assault on a man and criminal damage to a memorial in the Albertbridge Road area of Belfast which occurred at approximately 8.40am on Sunday, November 13 have arrested a 25-year-old man."

The suspect was yesterday in police custody.

Superintendent Jonathan Roberts added: "I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed either of these incidents to contact police at Strandtown Police Station on the non emergency number 101 quoting reference 470 of 13/11/16."
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin had said he believed individuals involved with Charter NI were connected with the outlawed Ulster Defence Association

Senior police have said they have no concerns about the work of an East Belfast charity after some of its members were recently linked to paramilitary activity.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin earlier said he believed individuals involved with Charter NI were connected with the outlawed Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and had engaged in recent illegal activity.

First Minister Arlene Foster, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill and Justice Minister Claire Sugden met PSNI chief constable George Hamilton on Monday.

An Executive Office spokesperson said: "Ministers were assured by the PSNI that it has no concerns about the work of Charter NI. It was also explained that the PSNI would itself continue to work with Charter NI.

"We have made clear that where there is any evidence of criminal activity, police should investigate thoroughly and bring those responsible before the courts. Courts and jail are the only place for anyone involved in paramilitarism.

"We have also emphasised that any individuals associated with Charter NI or any community enterprise must make a clear choice between paramilitarism and legitimate community work. There can be no acceptance of or ambivalence towards illegal activity."

Calls have been made to stop funding the charity after police linked some of its members to recent paramilitary activity.

The chief constable said the meeting was useful and constructive.

"It allowed myself and DCC Drew Harris to reinforce the position made clear by ACC Martin last Friday about individuals connected to Charter NI.

"ACC Martin's public commentary on Friday remains an accurate assessment of the PSNI's position.

"At an operational and community level Charter NI do some very meaningful and positive work. However, it remains our view that an individual or individuals connected to that organisation continue to be associated with paramilitarism."

Mr Hamilton concluded: "On the ground and at a local level across many parts of Northern Ireland, the PSNI will continue to work with community groups who have a positive contribution to make.

"However, where we have evidence that individuals are involved in criminality we will investigate, seek to gather evidence and where appropriate report to the PPS."
The Executive has been told it can no longer ignore the furore engulfing Charter NI.

First Minister Arlene Foster returns to her desk at Stormont this week to a growing controversy over the East Belfast community organisation.

Pressure is mounting after the PSNI said people linked to it have been involved in recent paramilitary activity.

As Mrs Foster arrived home from her trade mission to China, the SDLP insisted that "doing nothing is no longer an option".

Executive Ministers are due to meet this week in their final session before Christmas, but it is not clear if the Charter NI issue is on the agenda.

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon said: "The Executive can no longer afford to ignore this."

She said the First Minister and deputy First Minister are either "content to allow this to continue or afraid to stand up to these individuals."

Ms Mallon said Ministers had received briefings about the situation in Charter NI and questioned what they were doing with that information.

The demand came after PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said some people connected to Charter NI had links to paramilitary activity.

"Certainly there are, there may be an individual or individuals connected to Charter who have certainly been recently active," he said. "Charter as an organisation, we have seen do good work on the ground, but clearly there are connections within that organisation to the UDA," he told the Stephen Nolan Show.

Executive Office statement following meeting with @PoliceServiceNI pic.twitter.com/dZUHJM0yIY  NI Executive (@niexecutive) December 12, 2016

Charter NI's board of directors said they were seeking a meeting with police. "The consistent position of the board of Charter NI is that we do not condone illegal or criminal activity of any kind," a statement said. "We reaffirm our support for any prosecution brought by the PSNI of any person where there is evidence of involvement in illegal activity.

"The comments made (by Mr Martin) come as a surprise to us, particularly as we have regular involvement with PSNI officers in a number of our projects who have given no indication of concerns about current paramilitary activity by an individual or individuals connected with Charter NI."
First Minister Arlene Foster is facing fresh calls to resign following new revelations over a bungled heating scheme set to cost Northern Ireland upwards of 400m.

Stormont's opposition parties escalated their criticism of the DUP leader after it emerged her special adviser, Andrew Crawford, has no record of being told of concerns over the botched Renewable Heat Incentive - a 'green scheme' that turned out to be bad for the environment.

As calls mounted for Mrs Foster to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, the Ulster Unionist Party said Mr Crawford should also be considering his position. Mr Crawford's brother, a farmer, was a successful applicant to the RHI as a director of the firm DJC Poultry based in Beragh, Co Tyrone.

Leader Mike Nesbitt's demand came after the DUP stressed Mr Crawford had never met a whistleblower who raised her worries over the scheme directly with Mrs Foster when she was Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Industry (DETI).

A party statement said: "Dr Andrew Crawford was Special Advisor in DETI during the period 2011 to May 2015.

"Dr Crawford did not meet the whistleblower, nor has he any record of these issues having been raised with him at that time."

There is no suggestion that Mr Crawford's brother did anything wrong in applying to the scheme.

However, the SDLP yesterday asked on what scale DUP ministers and MLAs had privately advocated the scheme, and how many DUP members and supporters does Mrs Foster know were beneficiaries.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "Instead of a story about staggering incompetence, the perception is now growing that there may also have been something more sinister involved.

"The First Minister must not be allowed to deal with this scandal simply on her own terms and she must not be allowed to give answers only to the questions she deems relevant."

Mr Nesbitt said the DUP statement that Mr Crawford had no record of being made aware of the claims was "extraordinary" and raised further questions for Mrs Foster, who has said she passed on the whistleblower's claims to departmental officials.

"It begs the question, why did he not know? Arlene Foster had been contacted by the whistleblower, but she didn't think to tell her own special adviser? It's an absolutely incredible admission and raises further questions for Arlene Foster.

"As a highly paid servant of the public, Dr Crawford should have interrogated the policy, identified the flaw and moved to have it corrected. He clearly failed in his duty.

"The question now is, was the department out of control? On that basis, both the minister responsible, Arlene Foster, and the Spad (special advisor) should consider their positions."

The RHI had encouraged the installation of costly eco-friendly heating systems by paying a tariff over a 20-year period.

But unlike in the rest of the UK, in Northern Ireland no cap was placed on the money that could be claimed.
Police officers in Northern Ireland are working "flat-out to keep the service ticking over", it has been claimed.

The PSNI has become reliant on staff goodwill and unpaid overtime, the union representing rank and file officers said.

More than 90% of officers surveyed by the Police Federation said they were dealing with police-related matters on their days off.

It has led to warnings that falling numbers and budget constraints have left the current policing model unsustainable.

DUP MP Ian Paisley said more than 700 more police officers were needed to relieve the "unacceptable strain on policing".

Federation chairman Mark Lindsay said officers were suffering as the PSNI comes under immense pressure to "square the budget circle".

"The PSNI is under-resourced and under-staffed," he said.

"The consequence of this is that officers are working flat-out to keep the service ticking over. Indeed, over 90% said that even when they're off-duty, they're answering calls on police-related matters.

"This highlights the level to which policing in Northern Ireland has become reliant on the goodwill of officers."

Mr Lindsay said the service is operating at least 700 officers short of what it should be.

An online survey conducted by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland over a three-month period found:

- Nearly every officer routinely works paid or unpaid overtime;

- Six out of 10 officers surveyed had to rearrange childcare as a result of working overtime;

- On average officers worked almost one day of unpaid overtime each month;

- Overtime working forced eight out of 10 to cancel or miss an appointment, while almost 90% missed a family or social event because of overtime;

- Two-fifths of officers worked most, if not all, of their daily rest breaks;

- Over a fifth got less than eight hours' sleep as a direct result of working overtime more than 20 times in the three-month period.

Mr Lindsay said officers' personal lives had been "turned upside down".

"Family life is severely disrupted," he added.

"Plans are turned upside down and this causes disappointment and upset and puts family relationships under severe strain.

"As an unwelcome consequence, there is a rise in long-term sickness levels.

"In turn, that places even more pressure on officers to plug gaping holes in the service.

"Reducing budgets and diminishing resources are the main causes for this degree of upheaval.

"All officers, from the constable to the chief constable, have undoubted commitment to effective policing, but there are limits to the service that can be provided under these conditions."

Mr Lindsay urged the Executive to take action, saying the current policing model was unsustainable.

"Ministers in the Executive must realise that service levels will deteriorate or fall short of what people have a right to expect if the budget continues to be attacked, and if the issues highlighted in this survey are not addressed as a matter of urgency," he added.

"They need to carefully think what they are doing, and what they want officers to deliver.

"We were operating with 700 fewer officers than we should have to meet a peacetime policing requirement.

"On top of this, we have 30 officers leaving every month and not being replaced, which should be a cause of great concern.

"The current policing model is unsustainable."

Jude Helliker, head of Human Resources at the PSNI said: "We take the welfare of our officers and staff extremely seriously and we welcome this Police Federation survey as a further opportunity to highlight the work that members of the Police Service deliver on a daily basis to keep people safe.

"Earlier this year, PSNI commissioned a service-wide engagement and well-being survey of our officers and staff.

"Since then, we have established a working group to address issues, specifically including how we manage officer overtime and dealing with leave requests and rest days.

"We are mindful that unplanned overtime and cancelled rest days are issues that can affect personal lives and work/life balance and in recent weeks we have implemented a number of new measures to ensure that officers and staff are able to plan their work and personal lives better. We will continue to work closely with the Police Federation on a day to day basis to address both their concerns and those of their members and this survey will help us focus those discussions even further.

"Despite the various ongoing challenges that we face, our officers continue to go the extra mile every day, working with communities and partners to deliver a policing service to Keep People Safe.

"Policing is a vocation and one which is challenging but ultimately rewarding for those who have a passion for serving their communities."

DUP MP Ian Paisley said the statement "proves the breaking point at which the PSNI is operating at".

"Frankly, this cannot continue," he said.

"Northern Ireland requires at least 700 more police officers to meet the needs and requirements of modern policing.

"The ongoing pressure of policing the past and under-resourcing is catching up fast with the policing requirements. The sooner this matter of recruitment is addressed the better.

"I understand officers are quitting the service at an unprecedented number each month, and coupled with a 700 shortfall of officers this is an unacceptable strain on policing.

"I call on the NIO to urgently review policing numbers and to enter immediate discussions with the Justice Minister and the Chief Constable about rectifying this matter."
'The remaining 27-country bloc is reluctant to grant the UK free trading rights if restrictions are imposed on the movements of its citizens'

The power to grant or deny freedom of movement to EU nationals within Northern Ireland should be devolved to Stormont after Britain's exit from the EU, peers have urged.

The House of Lords EU Committee said the power would be contained in a draft bilateral treaty which should be agreed between the UK and Ireland to protect the 60bn trade between the countries, subject to approval from Europe during exit negotiations.

Peers warned that if the UK Government and the EU institutions failed to pay enough attention to the consequences of Brexit for Ireland, north and south, they risked undermining "the efforts of all those who have worked so hard for peace and good relations across these islands".

They said: "The key aspects of that agreement should include... providing the Northern Ireland Executive with the right to make decisions about the free movement of EU nationals within its jurisdiction."

The remaining 27-country bloc is reluctant to grant the UK free trading rights if restrictions are imposed on the movements of its citizens.

The UK's only European land border is between Northern Ireland and the Republic and the committee said Brexit was a "huge challenge" for Ireland.

The report - Brexit: UK-Irish Relations - called for a continuation of the open land border between the UK and Ireland and ease of movement across the sea boundary between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

It also recommended:

- Maintenance of the Common Travel Area, free movement within it for UK and Irish citizens, and their right to reside and work in both countries;

- Retention of the right to Irish (and therefore EU) citizenship for the people of Northern Ireland;

- Reaffirmation by both governments of their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and continued support for cross-border cooperation;

- Continued access to EU funding for cross-border projects.

The UK Government has yet to determine whether it will seek to impose restrictions on the free movement of EU citizens to live and work in the UK, the report said.

The document said the introduction of curbs could particularly affect industries already reliant on EU labour, including the cross-border agri-food sector.

Other EU member states are seeking assurances about how their citizens already resident in Northern Ireland will be treated.

The Lords report said: "Short of the introduction of full immigration controls on the Irish land border, the solution would either be acceptance of a low level of cross-border movement by EU workers, or allowing Northern Ireland to reach its own settlement on the rights of EU citizens to live and work there."

That would require Government approval to an adjustment of the devolution settlement.

A Government spokesman said: "We are clear we do not want a return to the borders of the past, no unnecessary barriers to trade and no obstacles between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The Government will consider this report carefully and respond fully in due course."
A book of condolence at a service of thanksgiving for journalist Austin Hunter at Second Presbyterian Church in Comber, Newtownards

A former BBC journalist and newspaper editor who covered troubled and peaceful times in Northern Ireland enriched the lives of many, his son told a thanksgiving service.

Austin Hunter, 64, was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain earlier this month. The family man was always willing to help people and often sported a big smile, friends recalled. He had been editor of the Belfast Newsletter and more recently was involved in public relations work.

The Co Tyrone born father-of-two was on business in the Middle East when he died. The suspect was arrested.

Mr Hunter's son Simon delivered a tribute before well-wishers, who included Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster, at a packed Second Comber Presbyterian Church.

"Dad, thank you so much being in our lives, thank you for enriching the lives of so many. More than you probably ever knew. We'll never forget you. And we'll make sure your grandchildren don't either.

"Dad once told me 'always leave them wanting more'. He certainly succeeded in that himself."

In a career spanning 45 years, Mr Hunter held a range of influential jobs in media and public relations, including as a director at the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

He worked at the BBC as a television and radio reporter and edited the Newsletter between 2004 and 2006.

In recent years he worked overseas as a media consultant for Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas (NI-CO) - an organisation that sends local experts to advise state bodies abroad.

He was on assignment with NI-CO in Bahrain when the crash occurred.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Photo: Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. The former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 First Minister Arlene Foster and Simon Hamilton at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press First Minister Arlene Foster and Simon Hamilton at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 First Minister Arlene Foster and Simon Hamilton at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Austin Hunter funeral. PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 First Minister Arlene Foster and Simon Hamilton at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. UUP leader Mike Nesbitt and his wife Lynda Bryans Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Journalists Ivan Little and Derek Henderson Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Former BBC Director for Northern Ireland Robin Walsh(centre) Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Sports broadcaster Jim Neilly Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. News presenter Rose Neill(left) Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Former PSNI Assistnat Chief Constable Peter Sheridan(left0 and journalist Malachy O'Doherty Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Orange Order's Melvyn Gibson(centre) Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. PSNI Assistnat Chief Constable Stephen Martin(centre) Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. BBC broadcasters and reporters pictured entering the church. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. ITV's Ken Reid (centre) Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. First Minister Arlene Foster Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Journalist Fionnuala O Connor Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. First Minister Arlene Foster Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. First Minister Arlene Foster Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. TUV leader Jim Allister(left) and the BBC's Seamus McKee Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Former PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland(centre). Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. The BBC's Noel Thompson Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Radio presenter Pete Snodden. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Lady Sylvia Hermon MP pictured outside the church. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. UUP's Danny Kennedy(rigth) Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 12th December 2016 Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Lady Sylvia Hermon MP pictured outside the church. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 Mervyn Gibson from the Orange Order at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 Broadcaster Rose Neill at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/12/2016 PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin and Former Policing Board chairman Brian Rea at a Thanksgiving service for former BBC journalist and News Letter editor Austin Hunter, at second Comber Presbyterian Church in Comber on Monday. Mr Hunter (64), was knocked down and killed in a road crash in Bahrain, He was working for the not-for-profit organisation Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas when he died. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press / Facebook

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Whatsapp Thanks Giving service at Comber Second Presbyterian Church for former BBC reporter and News Letter editor Austin Hunter who died as a result of a road traffic accident in Bahrain last week. Photo: Jonathan Porter/Press Eye.

Mrs Foster, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and senior police officers were among the mourners.

Mr Hunter leaves his wife of 42 years Jean, his daughter Rachael, son Simon and brother Adrian.

Simon Hunter said: "We're all hurting. I never want this feeling of devastation to visit anyone else's door. We've been flattened. But we must rebuild. And the first person to say that would have been dad.

"Every message, every hug, every cup of tea is a little tiny brick. And brick by brick, wall by wall, with your help we will rebuild. It will be tough and there are dark days ahead but with support we will continue to live the life my dad would have wanted. We cling to that."

Throughout his life Mr Hunter believed in keeping your chin up, treating people the way you would like to be treated and doing anything you can for family and friends.

His son added: "He always taught us that the person who opened the door was every bit as important as the one behind the walnut desk.

"That's been reflected in the support we have received from absolutely every aspect of dad's life. I ask that you continue that support for as long as you can because we will need it."

He was a keen cricket fan.

A mentor and confidant to many during his long career, the consummate professional loved nothing better than building Lego with his grandchildren in his time off.

Mr Hunter said his father had a wonderful career, worked for some fantastic organisations, alongside some extremely talented people.

"But it was the fact so many tributes mentioned what a good man he was, his big smile, his willingness to help people. Those were the lines we enjoyed, those are the memories we will hold dear."
A man is still fighting for his life after a suspected drugs overdose in Belfast city centre on Saturday night.

Police had responded to calls that three men had been found unconscious in Donegall Pass just before 9pm.

The condition of the other two men admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital on Saturday night is "unknown" according to a spokeswoman from the Belfast Trust.

Speaking on Sunday evening, the trust spokeswoman said: "Of the three men that were admitted to hospital on Saturday night, one remains critically ill in intensive care."

The trust was unable to give a condition update on the other two.

The PSNI said on Facebook that officers had provided emergency first aid to three males who collapsed after a suspected overdose.

"This clearly could have had dire consequences for those involved. The males were subsequently treated by ambulance crews and are now recovering in hospital," the PSNI said.

Police say they are waiting for test results to try and assess what particular drugs they had taken before speaking to the men.

Belfast High Sheriff Jim Rodgers said that while police are making good progress in dealing with drugs, these stories of people collapsed on the streets of Belfast do nothing to help promote the city.

Mr Rodgers said: "The weekend past is one of the busiest in the run-up to Christmas, with work parties, people out for meals, etc.

"The problem with drugs is widespread, but the police are making good progress in dealing with them. Arrests are being made and people are being prosecuted, but the problem is a growing one.

"I hope all of the three men involved make a speedy recovery.

"Incidents like these put huge pressures on our emergency services as well as on our accident and emergency departments.

"More and more young people are being found out of their minds on drugs and it seems more people are trying them for the first time.

"We all must work together to tackle this problem, to ensure no other people are found unconscious like this or affected by drugs in Northern Ireland."
A report on the sector found carpenters and joiners will be in most demand

Construction chiefs have claimed there will be 112,000 additional jobs in the industry over the next three years.

A report on the sector found carpenters and joiners will be in most demand followed by general labourers, operatives and electricians.

The Construction Industry Federation has launched a new website, cifjobs.ie, to target workers who emigrated in the 10 years since the property bubble burst and the economy collapsed.

A report on the future of the sector by DKM consultants revealed the industry is set to grow by 9% a year up to 2020 and said that it can sustain more than 100,000 additional jobs.

It said there will be a need for 30,800 carpenters and joiners, 27,600 general labourers, 18,100 operatives, 15,200 electricians, 13,900 plasterers and tilers, 11,800 plumbers, 9,600 managers, 9,400 painters and decorators and 7,800 bricklayers.

CIF director general Tom Parlon said emigrants should consider coming home. " There is sufficient work in the pipeline to require about another 112,000 jobs up to 2020 and beyond.

"The CIF is attempting to ensure there are sufficient skilled employees by engaging in several initiatives. We're working with the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to upskill those on the live register with construction experience. We're attracting young people into the industry by highlighting the modern globalised careers available. Finally, we're trying to get the positive news about the industry and Ireland in general to those in the diaspora to attract them back."

The website will highlight jobs available in the lobby group's member companies and allow potential candidates to engage directly with them.
A former IRA boss from Belfast - named by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in an email to the Republic's police chief in relation to a murder - is being closely monitored by gardai after returning to Ireland.

The man, who gardai believe was once a close friend of Mr Adams, is facing very serious charges that are unrelated to the murder of prison officer Brian Stack.

The man's name was one of four included in the email sent by Mr Adams to Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan - a move that has placed his political career under extreme pressure.

The former IRA commander, who is originally from Belfast, is now in the Republic on the back of an extradition order.

He was at the helm of the IRA when Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was killed in the mid-1990s, but he later stepped down and moved abroad.

He was also placed under a separate garda investigation for a series of alleged crimes that rocked the republican movement.

He is being monitored by gardai ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

Last week it was stated in the Dail that Sinn Fein TDs Dessie Ellis and Martin Ferris were named in Mr Adams' email which was sent on February 23.

The fourth is also a senior Sinn Fein politician who has had a close working relationship with Mr Adams. Along with Mr Ellis and Mr Ferris, he has denied involvement in the murder of the prison officer.

As the controversy deepened yesterday, Mr Adams said he is not willing to name a fifth person who met with Brian Stack's sons, Austin and Oliver, in 2013.

The Stack brothers travelled in a blacked-out van with the Sinn Fein president to meet this man who confirmed for the first time that members of the IRA carried out the 1983 murder.

When asked repeatedly if he would encourage this individual to hand over details of Mr Stack's killing to gardai, Mr Adams commented: "That's a matter entirely for him."

While denying that he is withholding information in relation to a murder inquiry, the Sinn Fein politician said the man's identity would not be revealed because he gave "his word".

"This isn't about me protecting anybody, by the way. It's about the integrity and the possibility of getting truth and getting closure for all of those many families."

However, later in the same radio interview he contradicted this view, saying journalists are allowed to protect their sources and he wants to do likewise.

"So I will protect my sources, the same way they do," he said.

Mr Adams was also asked for more details about what 'sanctions' the IRA imposed on the killers of Brian Stack, but replied that he didn't know and wouldn't make any attempt to find out. "Why would I? I'm not an investigative agency. I have learned over the years that if you don't know, you can't tell," he said.

He accused Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of using the Stack case in an attempt to damage Sinn Fein, even claiming that they had undermined the Dail. "In order to use this issue to damage Sinn Fein it was resurrected again. It had no place in the Dail Chamber. What we've seen since actively undermines the Dail. Michael Martin does this, as does the Taoiseach undermine the integrity of his own office. It undermines agreements which they are party to," Mr Adams said.

UUP justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MLA, described as "perverse" Mr Adams' comments that his refusal to name IRA figures was similar to journalists refusing to reveal a source.

He said: "The only difference being of course, is that Gerry Adams is referring to a murder, is an elected representative and the leader of a political party, Sinn Fein. Adams' hypocrisy doesn't stop there. Not only will he not cooperate with the forces of law and order in respect to the murder of prison officer Brian Stack, but he presides over a party which is demanding the British Government make known all information about Troubles-related deaths, while he and others play peacemaker and retain information vital in a live murder investigation.

"Indeed, given the track record of the IRA during the Troubles, one could say that there is no organisation or body involved in the Troubles which contains more information than the 'republican movement' of which Sinn Fein was such a key part.

"Any vestiges of credibility the Sinn Fein leader may have had are well and truly gone. His continual denials are making him and his party look ridiculous and their calls for information to allow legacy cases to be dealt with are nothing but hollow words."

"Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland is demanding the State reveals all, whilst in the Republic its representatives invoke a code of omerta that would do credit to the Sicilian Mafia."
Jim Clarken of Oxfam says Ireland is part of a toxic global system that services the wealthy

Ireland has been ranked in the top 10 tax havens for big business.

Oxfam branded the Republic the sixth-worst country for helping corporations to cheat their way out of billions of euros in tax bills each year.

The development agency said p rofit-shifting, sweetheart deals and a lack of effective tax-dodging rules influenced the damning score.

Jim Clarken, chief executive of the charity's Irish division, said the country is part of a toxic global system that services the very wealthiest while ordinary people pay the price and lose out on essential public services.

"Around the world, we are known as a country of good fun, bad weather and awful tax policies that facilitate worsening inequality by allowing some of the world's richest companies to avoid paying their fair share to society," he said. "This is no badge of honour."

Bermuda was ranked the worst in a study of 15 countries, followed by the Cayman Islands and the Netherlands.

Switzerland and Singapore were ranked in fourth and fifth place followed by Ireland, with Luxembourg, Curacao, Hong Kong and Cyprus making up the rest of the top 10.

The final five were the Bahamas, Jersey, Barbados, Mauritius and the British Virgin Islands.

The countries were ranked in Oxfam's new Tax Battles report, published on the same day an appeal hearing gets under way by whistleblowers behind the LuxLeaks affairs, which exposed sweetheart tax deals between Luxembourg and large corporations.

Oxfam said tax avoidance by multinational corporations costs poor countries at least $100 billion - about 92 billion euros - a year.

It said that money could educate the 124 million children who are not in school and fund healthcare to save the lives of at least six million children every year.

Oxam highlighted the tax paid by Apple in Ireland, which worked out at 0.005 percent, according to a European Commission investigation that also said the tech giant owed about 13 billion euros in back taxes.

Mr Clarken said: " Citizens everywhere have had enough. We need to get serious about making companies pay the tax that's due and we need transparency about where and how profits are made and where and how they are taxed.

"We collect more detailed data about farm animals in this country than we do about the tax affairs of multinationals."

Oxfam insisted the issue was not Ireland's relatively low corporation tax rate of 12.5%, but about loopholes and sweetheart deals.

It called on the Government to support and agree international criteria on what makes a tax haven and a clear public list of where they are along with sanctions to limit profit shifting.

Mr Clarken said: "Governments are falling over themselves to ensure corporations pay as little tax as they wish - and starving their countries of the money needed for education, healthcare and job creation in the process. They must ensure companies pay a fair amount of corporation tax, otherwise their citizens will continue to pay the price."

The Department of Finance rejects Oxfam's damning verdict.

"Ireland does not meet any of the international standards for being considered a tax haven. Ireland is fully compliant with all international best practices in the areas of tax transparency and exchange of information," it said.

The Government said the corporation tax rate and incentives do not make the country a haven.
A paper bouquet in the colours of the Irish flag and a letter that Ibrahim Halawa handed to his mother (handout/PA Wire)

Jailed Ibrahim Halawa handed his mother a paper bouquet in the colours of the Irish flag to thank the public for the support he has received during his incarceration.

The 20-year-old will mark his birthday in an Egyptian prison on Tuesday as his case is heard in court for the 17th time.

Mr Halawa, from Firhouse in Dublin, was detained in a mosque near Ramses Square in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood held a "day of rage" over the removal of their elected president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.

He gave his mother Amina Mostafa the hand-made gift and a letter when they met more than a week ago in the Cairo jail.

"I have made something by my own hands, for so long I have been receiving presents and cards from my amazing family, my great friends and the beautiful kind Irish people," he wrote.

"But on this birthday, I have a present I have made in my cell with memories, a present I have expressed my feelings in. A hand-made flower bouquet with the colours of the Irish flag."

"On my birthday, I want to gift everyone who has always been there for me. I want to gift this to Ireland for raising me to be the man I am today."

Mr Halawa's lawyers have urged Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to act on an application for a decree to secure his release.

A new judge has been appointed to Mr Halawa's case, the fourth put in charge of the trial after he was detained with 493 others on charges that could ultimately see him face the death penalty.

His family claim he has been tortured, suffered electric shocks, beatings, been spat on and moved without their knowledge during his time in custody with several hundred others over the protests.

They appealed for supporters to join a protest at The Spire in Dublin on Tuesday to sign a birthday card and wish him freedom.

"Let us remind Ibrahim that he has not, and will not, be forgotten," his sister Somaia said.

"He always tries to remain strong, especially in front of our mother."

The campaign to free Mr Halawa is also supported by the Reprieve organisation in London, which fights against the death penalty.

Maya Foa, a director at the charity, said: " It's a scandal that Ibrahim Halawa, who was arrested as a child, is spending his 21st birthday caught up in a mass trial where he faces the death penalty along with 493 other people.

"Ibrahim has been through an appalling ordeal at the hands of Egypt's justice system and it is high time that he was released - along with countless other political prisoners and juveniles."

Reprieve called on the Government to urgently renew its calls on the Egyptian president to release Mr Halawa and for the UK the EU to follow suit.
More than 34,000 household mortgages are at least two years in arrears, the Central Bank has revealed

More than four family homes are being repossessed every day, stark figures from the Central Bank have revealed.

Figures covering three months to the end of September showed 421 struggling homeowners either volunteered or were forced to hand over the keys to the properties.

On top of that, another 288 houses or apartments owned by landlords were taken by banks and finance houses.

The latest report on the mortgage arrears crisis from the Central Bank showed the level of repossessions is about the same as it was at the start of the year with more than four homes on average being taken from borrowers every day.

The Central Bank said 34,551 mortgages on family homes were behind with repayments by two years or more but this number has been dropping consistently since the middle of last year.

There is almost 2.2 billion euro of arrears on these loans, the report stated.

Another 14,518 properties which are in the buy-to-let sector are also more than two years behind in repayments with more than 1.5 billion euro of unpaid arrears.

Data from the past six years showed the Irish banks have repossessed more than 7,500 homes and apartments from the year before they were bailed out in 2010 until the end of September this year.

The Central Bank also revealed that "non-bank entities" now control 45,638 mortgages in Ireland and almost 15,000 of those are held by unregulated loan owners such as foreign vulture funds.

Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the Government got advice from the Central Bank six weeks ago on how to further safeguard struggling homeowners from banks and vulture funds.

"This crisis cannot be wished away. It quite rightly featured prominently in the Programme for Government but now, as another winter is upon us, it is time to see what change the 13 families a day receiving a legal letter from the banks can expect," he said.

"It is time for the Government to act and to act decisively in protecting the family home."

Mr Doherty called on Finance Minister Michael Noonan to publish the report.

According to the data from the Central Bank, unregulated finance houses like foreign vulture funds now control about 3.2 billion euro worth of mortgages in Ireland - 1.9 billion euro of which are family homes and 1.3 billion euro of which are rental properties.

Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath said arrears on family home mortgages held by sub-prime lenders and unregulated firms were alarming.

He said he feared for borrowers struggling to meet repayments to finance houses.

" These funds are generally not directly regulated by the Central Bank," he said. "The borrower's contact is with an intermediary who does not make the final decision regarding a restructure proposal or whether to commence repossession proceedings.

"The Government needs to move promptly to bring these funds fully within the ambit of regulation and to ensure that a broad suite of restructure options are put in place."

Focus Ireland director of advocacy Mike Allen said continued repossessions in the buy-to-let sector puts thousands of tenants at risk and 40 children in 20 families suffer that fate every month.

The charity has called for a ban on banks and vulture funds from evicting people when landlords are forced to hand over properties.

"It is vital we always remember that behind every one of these evictions that we are talking about men, women and children who are being forced out of their home - through no fault of their own - and becoming homeless. This is wrong and totally unacceptable," Mr Allen said.
Antoinette Cunningham said the punitive measure is an emotional knee-jerk reaction to the threat of a strike

Garda representatives have warned that a proposal to dock pensions if officers go on strike is potentially illegal.

The hard-line reform was proposed in a report for the Government on pay, industrial relations and union rights for the force.

If adopted it would lead to gardai losing five years of pension entitlements if they take part in walk-outs or work stoppages.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) branded the recommendations by John Horgan, a former chairman of the Labour Court, as a missed opportunity, a contradiction and possibly breaking the law.

The organisation's president Antoinette Cunningham said the pu nitive measure is an emotional knee-jerk reaction to the threat of a strike.

"The main recommendation is around penalties for gardai if strike action is taken in the future. But surely, the framework to prevent threatened strike is what the report should have dealt with and not penalties based on the lack of clear industrial relations mechanisms," she said.

"We expected a root and branch review but instead it seems this was a rushed report which failed to address the key elements of the terms of reference."

Mr Horgan's report calculated that the average pay for a garda last year was 63,450 euro.

But it said the total value of a pay packet rises to more than 100,000 euro if the money needed for pensions contributions is taken into account.

Other recommendations were that the AGSI and the Garda Representative Association (GRA) should become fully registered trade unions and given the right to engage in collective bargaining with management.

It also said they should have access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.

But the report said the unions should then be funded entirely through membership subscription.

Mr Horgan was finalising his report at the height of pay disputes between the rank-and-file gardai and the Government and threatened strikes.

GRA president Ciaran O'Neill said Irish police should be afforded the same rights as forces in Europe, North America and Australia and New Zealand.

"We are still awaiting trade union status with the associated civil rights including full collective bargaining, which includes the freedom to strike," he said.

"The current generation of gardai are aware of international ideas and has shown an increased level of discontent towards the draconian and unnecessary impediments to the civil rights of the membership.

"For gardai to be afforded equal status with other public servants in the upcoming Public Service Pay Commission this must include rights of affiliation and the attendant freedom to withdraw labour."

Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the pay dispute and strike threat made it imperative that new and better ways of doing business are found.

The AGSI, which represents about 2,100 officers, also said the Horgan review failed to bring a resolution to industrial relations confusion for gardai or forensically examine pay and allowances..

It also said pay figures were grossly distorted by the inclusion of overtime.

The GRA said average pay rates were skewed by the fall in numbers in the force in the last eight years.
The remnant of the Tricolour which flew over the Dublin Jacob's factory

A remnant of the Tricolour that flew over one of the frontlines in the 1916 Rising has been donated to Glasnevin Cemetery.

The piece of flag has been in Jersey for the last 100 years after a native of the island and a member of the British Army's Jersey Pals Battalion climbed on to the roof of the Jacob's Biscuit Factory to take it down, while under fire from rebel snipers. It is the largest known remnant of the flag to have survived.

The Jacob's Tricolour was made after the flag over the GPO at O'Connell Street, Dublin, was destroyed.

It was made by Thomas Meldon, George Ward and a third man known by the suspected nickname Derry Connell, and nailed to a flagpole above the biscuit factory on Bishop's Street on the south side of the city.

It was taken down on Sunday, April 30, after the official surrender, and one of the soldiers who climbed up to take it, John le Provost, secured a section of the three colours and sent it to his fiancee, Mary La Singe, in Jersey.

The flag-makers Meldon and Ward are buried in Glasnevin.

David Blake, great grandson of Le Provost, attended the ceremony in the cemetery to mark the return of the Tricolour remnant.

"It is only correct and necessary that the Jacob's Tricolour comes back home. I feel as if I had it for a reason; as if the family had been caring for the flag so when the appropriate time came, it should go back. This year is the appropriate time," he said.

Chief Minister of the Jersey Government, Ian Gorst, also attended.

"It is an honour to be involved in this ceremony, which will commemorate not just the brave and historic actions of the Jersey Contingent but also the long-standing ties that exist between the people of Jersey and Ireland," he commented.
Prime Minister Theresa May is reportedly preparing to allow tax precepts to be increased

Chancellor Philip Hammond has denied the Prime Minister blocked him from announcing new funds for social care in last month's Autumn Statement.

His comment came as t own hall chiefs said they had discussed proposals with ministers to allow hikes in council tax bills in England to fill a black hole in funding for adult social care which could otherwise reach 2.6 billion by 2020.

The Times reported that Theresa May stopped Mr Hammond from introducing the measure in November, but was now giving her backing to changes which could give town halls the freedom to increase the 2% "social care precept" by as much as was needed to solve the crisis.

Labour accused the Government of unfairly "dumping" the funding crisis on council tax-payers and demanded to know why ministers had not "fought harder to get extra, vital funding for social care" in the Autumn Statement.

Mr Hammond told the House of Commons Treasury Committee he had discussed the issue with the PM but insisted it was "not true" that she had barred him from committing more cash.

"We are absolutely aware of the cacophony of input from local authorities and health trusts around the situation in the social care area," he said. "It is an important area and we will continue to discuss it and continue to look at the representations we are receiving."

Meanwhile, Downing Street said some of the blame for the problems in social care were due to under-performing councils.

The worst 10% of local authorities had delays in the transfer of elderly people from hospital into care that were 20 times higher that the best-performing 10%, said Mrs May's official spokeswoman. Half of all delayed discharges are in just 20 local authorities.

A survey last week suggested that council tax payers are already facing inflation-busting rises of up to 4% on bills for 2017/18, around half of which is accounted for by the social care precept.

But the chair of the LGA's community and well-being board, Izzi Seccombe, said local authorities were under pressure from cuts in government grants totalling more than 40% since 2010 and were facing a 600 million bill for the higher minimum wage.

The Conservative councillor told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We need an injection now, we need 1.3 billion now because there is a shortfall by the end of 2020 of 2.6 billion."

The Times reported that ministers were considering giving councils more freedom to increase the precept in the provisional local government finance settlement for 2017/18, which is due to be announced by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid by December 20.

And Ms Seccombe confirmed: "We've had some dialogue with ministers about this and the concern for us is the ability for this to actually fill the gap that we have for long now said that there is in social care."

In an urgent question in the Commons, Labour care spokeswoman Barbara Keeley said allowing local authorities to increase the precept would only widen inequality between rich and poor areas.

"This crisis in social care has been made by this Government, due to 5 billion being cut from adult social care budgets," said Ms Keeley.

"Is it the minister's intention to support a solution that widens inequality of access and denies social care to hundreds and thousands of vulnerable older people?"

Health minister David Mowat replied that councils with better integrated health and social care had far fewer delayed transfers.

"Any system would benefit from higher budgets, and social care is no exception," said Mr Mowat. "But quality matters too."

The PM's spokeswoman dismissed talk of council tax hikes as "speculation" and insisted that the Government had "a strong track record of giving the health and social care system the funding it needs to address the challenges it has faced".

"We now have one million more people over 65 than in 2010, putting pressure on the social care system," she said.

"We know that money alone is not the solution and many councils are providing high-quality social care services within existing budgets.

"This isn't just about funding, this is also about how we deliver an effective and efficient social care system. We do think there is a significant variation in how well councils manage social care services."

Ministers have been warned that any attempt to fill shortfalls in social care funding through the council tax would favour richer areas with a higher tax base, creating a "postcode lottery".

Tory former health secretary Stephen Dorrell said he was in favour of a hike in the precept as a step in the right direction but warned that "people will suffer" without wider change.

And Martin Green, chief executive of industry body Care England, said there were "serious problems" about how money raised from the precept reaches the front line and warned that some companies would "definitely" go bankrupt unless matters improved.

The care sector was now at a "tipping point", with research suggesting that "about 40% of care services will no longer be viable in the medium term", he said.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb accused the Government of "lurching from crisis to crisis" and described the mooted council tax hike as "yet another desperate sticking-plaster solution which falls short of what is needed".

Mr Hammond acknowledged that a "substantial increase in funding" for social care announced by his predecessor George Osborne was "back-end loaded" so the bulk of the money would reach councils towards the end of this Parliament, which is due to run until 2020.

"We recognise that local authorities are challenged to deal with that profile," he told the Treasury Committee.

But he added that councils had between them added a total of 9 billion to their reserves since 2010.

And he said: "The local authorities will have to look at how they manage this situation to get from here to the very substantial increase across the funding that will be available to them later in the Parliament."

Mr Hammond said it was "clear" from the varying performance of councils in different parts of England that "money alone is not the issue, it is about effective co-operation and collaboration between the NHS and social services".

He added: "The key to this is getting the very best practices that we have seen in some areas rolled out much more widely across England to deliver the kind of high-quality social services we want to see."

Asked why he had not dealt with social care in the Autumn Statement, Mr Hammond said the issue was being handled by the health and communities secretaries, telling the Treasury Committee: "We will all have to get used to a world in which chancellors don't necessarily do everything."
Southern, which strongly denied the allegation, is taking a legal case to the Court of Appeal

Southern Railway has "strongly advised" passengers not to travel for most of the rest of the week after losing a court bid to halt strikes by drivers.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers will now have to work from home, take time off, or attempt to drive because of the huge disruption the walkout will cause.

Members of the drivers' union will strike tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday in a dispute over driver-only trains.

Southern's owners, Govia Thameslink Railway, lost a legal bid in the High Court last week to stop the strikes, and decided to lodge an appeal.

Three judges in the Court of Appeal backed High Court judge Sir Michael Burton's refusal to grant an injunction blocking what GTR called "unprecedented" strike action.

GTR argued the action would unlawfully restrict freedom of movement provisions under EU law.

But, Lord Justice Elias, Lord Justice Lewison and Lord Justice Lloyd Jones said they were not prepared to grant an injunction.

GTR chief executive Charles Horton confirmed there will be no services on strike days and "severe disruption" during an ongoing overtime ban.

He called for fresh talks at the conciliation service Acas.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said drivers had been forced to strike because of the company's "intransigence".

Around 300,000 passengers travel on 2,242 Southern services every weekday, including busy commuter routes from Sussex to London Victoria.

They have suffered months of disruption because of the Aslef dispute and a separate row with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union over changes to the role of guards, as well as staff shortages, staff sickness and other problems such as signal failures.

The shutdown of Southern's services will be the worst disruption since the railways were hit by a lengthy strike by signal workers in the mid 1990s.

RMT drivers on Southern will also be on strike, while the guards will launch a fresh 48-hour walkout from next Monday, and a three-day stoppage from New Year's Eve.

Aslef is also planning a week-long strike from January 9.

Mr Horton said he was " disappointed" at the Appeal Court's decision, adding: " We had a responsibility to the travelling public to do what we could to stop this unprecedented strike action.

"Regrettably, there will be no train services for passengers tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday. We strongly advise people not to travel. In addition, there will be severe disruption every day during the ongoing industrial action because of the union's overtime ban.

"This is wholly unjustified and unnecessary industrial action. The widespread use of drivers operating trains is perfectly safe both in Southern and elsewhere in the UK where a third of trains operate this way every day.

"We will now be asking Acas to convene urgent and immediate talks between GTR and Aslef. Our aim is to find a resolution to their dispute so we can bring an end to the misery being suffered by the travelling public."

Mr Whelan said the union wanted Southern to negotiate "in good faith", adding: "We have tried everything possible this year to reach a sensible and workable compromise with Southern in the interests of passengers and management as well as of staff.

"We have always been prepared to sit down and talk, because we have always believed it is, or should be, possible to do a deal - as we did with ScotRail - but the company, encouraged by the Department for Transport, has not been prepared to negotiate with us."

Aslef denied company claims that it had refused to attend peace talks over the weekend.

Mr Whelan told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that the dispute was due to the "intransigence" of the train operator and Government.

Asked how he felt about reports people would miss cancer treatment appointments due to the strikes, the Aslef chief said: "I think that's rather poignant, I've got a few family issues at the moment. I would hate that to happen to anybody. But I would also hope that the appropriate medical and ambulance facilities, or other facilities, will be put in place to get those people to their appointments."

Pressed on the fact some patients from across the South East would be impacted, Mr Whelan said: " And that again would be more reason for people to be less intransigent and sit down and talk to us reasonably about what we can do to have a safer operating railway in the interest of everybody."

Mr Whelan said Southern Railway had contacted him to suggest going to Acas late Sunday, but Aslef said they would only do so if the company called off the court action.
A report has revealed a big gap in the earnings of graduates from different backgrounds

Students from under-privileged backgrounds earn almost 10% less than the most advantaged, six months after graduating in the same subject, research shows.

A study by Deloitte said the highest gap in pay was 15% for law graduates and over 13% for those who took degrees in computer science and social studies.

The business advisory firm said the least advantaged students could earn slightly more in professions such as medicine and dentistry.

David Sproul, Deloitte's chief executive, said: "The research shows that the least advantaged graduates face considerable barriers to employment after graduation, even if they perform as well as their most advantaged peers.

"Improving social mobility is one of the UK's biggest challenges and its urgency has been brought into sharper focus by events this year.

"It is important that businesses, higher education leaders and the Government work together to get this right.

"Failing to do so limits the talent pool from which companies can recruit and reinforces a perception that the rewards of economic prosperity are reserved for a privileged few."

The study cites data from UCAS which shows that applications from the least advantaged students are ten times lower than those from the wealthiest backgrounds.

Mr Sproul added: "Action is required to improve access to education, ensure equality of employment opportunities and equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in a digitally-driven economy.

"Leaders of the UK's higher education institutions and employers are increasingly aware of these problems and we are beginning to see some positive change. In hiring, for example, greater use of contextual information, blind recruitment and better training for interviewers are all starting to give more young people a chance."

Harvey Lewis, Fair Access to Work research director at Deloitte, said: "As our increasingly digital society ushers in a new era of smart machines, the long-established link between a good university degree and a good job is starting to crumble.

"Many routine manual or cognitive activities currently carried out by humans can increasingly be performed by robots. The skills required in the future are not necessarily technical but instead we will see far greater demand for essential skills such as reasoning, critical thinking and complex problem-solving."
Supporters of the leftist SDSM celebrate after the general election in Skopje, Macedonia (AP)

Macedonians have voted in a general election called two years early as part of a Western-brokered agreement to end a paralysing political crisis, with the governing conservatives holding a slim lead in early returns.

With 78.4% of polling stations reporting, the state electoral commission's website said early on Monday that the conservative coalition led by premier Nikola Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE party had 39.05% and the Social Democrat-led coalition of Zoran Zaev was close behind at 36.28%.

Supporters of both parties were in the streets claiming victory.

VMRO-DPMNE supporters celebrated in front of the party headquarters in the capital, Skopje.

Addressing his supporters, Mr Gruevski declared victory: "From 88.6% of counted votes, we are in the lead with 440,000 votes over the Social Democrats with 415,000 votes.

"This is the 10th electoral victory for VMRO and the majority of the people gave the vote to our programme and vision."

Activists in the opposition coalition, however, claimed their projections pointed to a victory by their side and gathered in celebration outside party headquarters in Skopje.

An ethnic Albanian party that usually allies with Mr Gruevski, the Democratic Union for Integration, led by former guerrilla commander Ali Ahmeti, had 7.34% of the vote, according to the preliminary results.

In an unexpected showing, Besas, a new Albanian party formed in 2014, had 4.47%, pushing the Democratic Party of Albanians to third place.

The stakes were reflected in a relatively high turnout for Sunday's election. Two hours before polls closed, voter turnout was 60.38%, about seven points higher than at the same time in the last national election in 2014, said Aleksadnar Chichakovski, head of the State Electoral Commission.

Nearly 1.8 million registered voters were eligible to choose 123 MPs for the single-chamber parliament. Three seats are reserved for Macedonians living abroad.

Mr Gruevski, who has headed the government since 2006, sought a new mandate. He leads a 25-party coalition called For A Better Macedonia.

The political crisis began after the opposition accused the conservative government of an illegal wiretapping operation that targeted 20,000 people, including politicians, judges, journalists, police and religious leaders.

Mr Gruevski charged that Mr Zaev was guilty of plotting a coup and creating the political crisis. Mr Zaev accused Mr Gruevski of massive theft, social injustice and corruption.

Over several months, Mr Zaev released audio of dozens of wiretapped phone conversations that he said indicated Mr Gruevski and his aides were involved in multimillion-dollar corruption deals, tampered with election results and brought spurious criminal prosecutions against opponents.

The conservatives vehemently rejected the charges, saying the wiretaps were conducted by unnamed foreign spies.

Mr Gruevski is under investigation by the country's Special Prosecution branch and has already been charged with enticement and carrying out a criminal act against public order.

The scandal led to months of street protests and has been the worst political crisis in Macedonia, which gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, since the country survived a conflict with its ethnic Albanian minority in 2001.

However, voting took place in a "calm and peaceful atmosphere, without irregularities", said Mr Chichakovski.

An independent election monitor said there were some cases of people photographing their ballots, which is illegal.

"Electoral boards continue to tolerate photographing the ballot," said Darko Aleksov, head of the civic association Most, which monitors elections with about 3,000 volunteers.

Police confirmed they detained a man who photographed the ballot at a Skopje polling station and also detained four men for bribery in the eastern town of Kocani.

Nearly 8,000 domestic and about 650 international observers monitored the election.

AP
John Matteson, 29, was arrested near the mosque, police said

A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime after police said he stabbed a worshipper near a California mosque.

Police said reports of people fighting sent them to a shopping centre parking lot near the Simi Valley mosque around 11.15pm local time on Saturday.

Officers separated the combatants and found that one person had been stabbed.

The fight began after a man confronted a worshipper and got into a verbal dispute, police said.

John Matteson, 29, was arrested nearby, police said.

The victim had non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital in a stable condition, police said.

Matteson remained jailed on Sunday on suspicion of making criminal threats, violating civil rights and disturbing the peace by fighting, according to a Ventura County sheriff's website.

"We're investigating whether or not this was instigated by (the victim's) appearance and the association with the mosque," Sergeant Adam Darough told the Los Angeles Times.

"We're quite concerned that this occurred. We want to keep people of all faiths safe in the city."

Members of the community said that the stabbing had occurred near a prayer area where locals had gathered, Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told the newspaper.

Mr Ayloush said he did not know the exact address or type of building where the gathering took place.

Since election day, CAIR has received almost 200 reports of hate incidents directed at Muslims in America, he added.

"It's hard to believe that in this day and age we still have to deal with such hate and violence in our country, and especially in a place as diverse as Southern California," Mr Ayloush said.

Matteson is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

AP
A Syrian army soldier places a Syrian national flag during a battle with rebel fighters at the Ramouseh front line, east of Aleppo (AP)

The battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo has reportedly ended after rebels withdrew from six remaining districts in the opposition-held east of the city.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said: It is just a matter of a small period of time until it's a total collapse."

The Syrian military claimed to have taken control of 98 per cent of rebel-held east Aleppo early on Monday morning after seizing the large industrial district of Sheikh Saeed.

"They [rebels] don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters, adding that he expected the battle to end quickly.

Expand Close Smoke rises over Saif Al Dawla district, in Aleppo, Syria, in this file picture from October. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Smoke rises over Saif Al Dawla district, in Aleppo, Syria, in this file picture from October.

Rebel fighters are now confined to tiny pockets in the southeast of the city after withdrawing from the east side of the Aleppo river following the loss of Sheikh Saeed. The situation is extremely difficult today, said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group.

Several last-minute UN, US and Russian backed attempts to broker a humanitarian ceasefire in the decimated city failed.

The approximately 8,000 rebels - among them al-Qaeda affiliated fighters - and 250,000 civilians of the area have been cut off from reinforcements, aid and food supplies since August.

Thousands of people have fled the siege barricades since the aerial attack intensified two weeks ago. Approximately 10,000 people are thought to have gone to regime or Kurdish held territory in the last 24 hours, and the exact number of people left in the area is unknown.

Families got together waiting death together. This is what's happening, one activist wrote in a Whatsapp message to journalists on Monday.

The Independents attempts to contact other sources in east Aleppo went unanswered.

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President Bashar al-Assad is now close to retaking the entire city of Aleppo, which has been contested since 2012 and seen some of the almost six-year-long conflict's fiercest fighting. Aleppo would be a major victory for the government, removing the last US-backed rebel groups from Syria's urban centres.

Yet the complex war - which according to the UN has killed more than 400,000 people and left half the country displaced from their homes - is far from over.

Mr Assad still faces Sunni opposition in the north and south of Syria, and Isis, despite military setbacks and heavy US-led coalition and Russian bombing, managed to retake the ancient city of Palmyra over the weekend.
Last week Thomas Kenneth ("Ken") Whitaker - a friend to all good people in Ireland, north and south - reached his 100th birthday. A public servant of exceptional ability, dedication, selflessness and influence, though he mostly worked behind the scenes, he is spoken of reverentially by those who know the history of modern Ireland.

In an RTE poll in 2001, viewers voted him Irishman of the 20th Century, an accolade he thoroughly deserves.

If there was any justice, Rostrevor, his birthplace, and Drogheda, where he spent his formative years, would be erecting statues to him.

Dr Whittakers integrity and patriotism as well as his startling intelligence and plain speaking won him admirers among decent politicians.

Only 40, but already the head of the Department of Finance, in 1957 he wrote a paper on economic development that said starkly that unless the country changed course, it would be better to make an immediate move towards re-incorporation in the United Kingdom rather than wait until our economic decadence became even more apparent.

And so, with the backing of Sean Lemass, later prime minister, the insular, protectionist Republic of Ireland  an economic basket case whose main export was its people  changed course and created a modern, successful economy through the encouragement of free trade and inward investment.

His genuine friendship with prime ministers Lemass and Captain Terence ONeill resulted in the famous meeting in Stormont in 1965 that caused consternation to hardliners on both sides but began worthwhile inter-governmental dialogue that would prove invaluable during the bad times.

It was he also who persuaded senior politicians in the Republic that reunification of the island was unaffordable, that threats and violence were counter-productive, and that the only sane policy was to behave like good neighbours to Northern Ireland.

Dr Whittaker had been born in a united Ireland and hoped that in the long term it might be again achievable, but as Anne Chambers, his biographer, puts it, to Ken Whitaker it was a smile, a handshake, a conversation, rather than flags, emblems or anthems, and most certainly not bricks or bullets, that offered the way to break down barriers and gradually build bridges.

He was highly influential in achieving cross-border cooperation in areas such as transport and agriculture, which he hoped would replace emotionally charged but vague and divisive ideological arguments which merely served to deepen division and hatred.

He hated violence, which he first encountered in Drogheda, where the family moved to during the Civil War.

One of my earliest memories of Drogheda, he wrote in an unpublished memoir, is watching as a young boy of six from a downstairs window a wild-eyed, terrified man running into the street with a revolver in his hand pursued by Free State soldiers.

As the civil rights clashes began in 1968, he told a friend that extremists on both sides are making all the running and this could lead to serious trouble and loss of life, and focused on persuading politicians in the Republic to tone down the emotion and try not to make things worse.

It was Dr Whittaker who in 1969 wrote a speech for Taoiseach Jack Lynch  another trusted friend  which endorsed the principle of consent.

The unity we seek, said Lynch, is not something forced but a free and genuine union of those living in Ireland based on mutual respect and tolerance.

Dr Whitaker would also provide invaluable support to Lynch when he was challenged by a cabal in the Cabinet that wanted the Republic to support the IRA.

What makes his career so extraordinary is how far his influence extended beyond the confines of his various jobs.

For instance he had a powerful moderating effect on Northern Irish policy when at the Department of Finance, after 1969, as a prudent but imaginative Governor of the Central Bank, and in all his later incarnations, right up to and beyond the Good Friday Agreement.

From 1976, in what was theoretically retirement, he continued to take on a vast variety of jobs that included two periods as a Senator and innumerable bodies dealing with everything from wild salmon to constitutional reform.

He is one of the best friends Northern Ireland ever had.

Arlene Foster should send him a belated birthday card.

Martin McGuinness wont.
UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested.

UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested. November 2016

UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested.

UDA man Dee Coleman with police in the Shankill estate before being arrested. November 2016

UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested in 2016

A UDA commander has been spared spending the festive season behind bars despite being convicted of assaulting police and disorderly behaviour.

Repeat offender Dee Coleman, 31, was freed on bail ahead of sentencing on January 11 which means he will get to tuck into a turkey dinner on Christmas Day.

The Lower Shankill based thug had denied the charges but was found guilty after a contest at Belfast Magistrates Court.

Convicted alongside him of disorderly behaviour and obstructing police was David Jenkins, 36, who will also be sentenced in the new year.

A third man, 32-year-old Jim Cousins, had charges of assault on police and disorderly behaviour dismissed.

Mobile phone video footage of the August incident obtained by this newspaper shows Coleman shouting at police: Im not being arrested, Im telling you now.

He then barges by the officers and sprints off around Hopewell Crescent with them falling over in a Keystone Cops-style pursuit.

Coleman was eventually detained after the minute-long chase.

Some fed-up neighbours in the Lower Shankill estate have reacted with anger to the UDA second-in-command being freed on bail for Christmas.

One asked: What does Dee Coleman have to do to be sent to prison?

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Dee Coleman UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested. UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested. November 2016 UDA man Dee Coleman with police in the Shankill estate before being arrested. November 2016 UDA man Dee Coleman runs from the police in the Shankill estate before being arrested. / Facebook

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This was a reference to the series of suspended sentences and community service orders that the loyalist has been handed in the past 18 months.

In August the terror boss was given 120 hours community service for possessing an imitation firearm.

The punishment was imposed just days before unemployed Coleman flew off to Portugal for a stag weekend ahead of getting married to bride Stacey-Lee Donnan in a lavish ceremony at a luxury resort and spa hotel.

Last year he was ordered to serve 240 hours community service for trading in counterfeit products and handling stolen goods. Twelve months ago, he was fined 400 at Belfast Magistrates Court for possessing drugs.

These convictions are on top of previous jail sentences for being part of a UDA gang that shot up the Rex Bar, and extorting 5,000 from an undercover policeman who was posing as a builder.

Dee Coleman is the biggest hood on the Shankill Road, said another Lower Shankill resident.

We are pleading again with Matt Kincaid (west Belfast UDA leader) to stand him down.

He has the entire estate tortured.

Locals are also up in arms that Coleman and his wife have been given a new build housing association property on the Lower Shankill.

The UDA boss is also hanging on to his old Housing Executive home on Hopewell Crescent.

And when Coleman appeared in court last Wednesday it was stated in court papers that he lives at Woodbreda Drive in south Belfast.

Meanwhile, the innocent man who the bully-boy assaulted on Remembrance Sunday has been told he will be out of work for four months with a broken shoulder.

Coleman attacked the popular character after accusing him of cracking a joke about a girl.

His victim also needed six stitches to fix a cut on his lip inflicted during the beating.

A letter sent to this newspaper from appalled Lower Shankill residents revealed just how much they fear Coleman.

It says: These poor innocent people cannot go to the police for fear of their lives, so when in the name of God will something be done about this thug Coleman?

Why are lives being ruined, why do we have to live in fear every day?

Why is he still selling drugs, why is he continuing to give innocent people beatings?

Can no other UDA companies step in and take all of C Company away from us and give us back our lives to enjoy instead of living in fear?
A DUP special advisor is facing calls to quit after the party revealed to Sunday Life that his farmer brother is benefiting from the disastrous Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) which is set to cost local taxpayers 400m.

Andrew Crawford  who works for Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen  was Enterprise Minister Arlene Fosters highly-paid special advisor when the cash for ash incentive was launched.

After being doorstepped at his east Belfast home by Sunday Life on Friday he revealed his farmer brother James Crawford  who owns a 700,000 poultry business in Tyrone  is benefiting from the hopelessly flawed RHI scheme

Among Dr Crawfords other startling admissions is that he does not have any record of issues concerning the failings of the heating disaster being raised with him.

This is despite a whistle-blower telling the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) in 2013, 2014 and 2015 that the system was flawed and would cost the public millions.

The DUP said in its statement: In the interests of transparency Dr Crawford has asked us to inform you that while his family farm is not in receipt of RHI, his brother is a director of a poultry business which successfully applied to the scheme.

Dr Andrew Crawford was Special Advisor in the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment during the period 2011 to May 2015. Dr Crawford did not meet the whistleblower nor has he any record of these issues having been raised with him at that time.

Expand Close Sunday Life reporter Ciaran Barnes doorsteps Andrew Crawford / Facebook

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Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt last night accused Dr Crawford of failing in his duty and urged him to resign.

He said: As a highly-paid servant of the public Dr Crawford should have interrogated the policy, identified the flaw and moved to have it corrected. He clearly failed in his duty.

On that basis, both the minister responsible, Arlene Foster, and the special advisor should consider their positions.

When this newspaper spoke to Dr Crawford at his east Belfast apartment on Friday he refused to answer any questions about his role in overseeing RHI or how a relative was benefiting from the wasteful project.

There is no suggestion his brother did anything wrong in applying to the RHI scheme. His firm DJC Poultry Ltd is based on the Modagh Road in Beragh, Tyrone and is currently valued as being worth 706,000 according to Companies House records.

Mike Nesbitt has pounced on Dr Crawfords claim he had no record of RHI issues being raised with him saying that as special advisor to Mrs Foster both should have been aware of the major flaws in the scheme.

The Strangford MLA is now questioning whether the department was out of control while under the watch of Mrs Foster, who is now First Minister, and her advisor Dr Crawford. Mr Nesbitt said: Andrew Crawford clearly supported his minister in the disastrous sequence of policy decisions that resulted in renewable heat being devolved from Westminster, in the GB model not being adopted, and in the local scheme being approved.

As this was all policy, not jots and tittles as Arlene Foster tries to claim, we know where the buck, or the 400m, stops. The question now is, was the department out of control?

The DUP also confirmed to Sunday Life that none of the special advisors employed by our ministers are applicants to the scheme and for the avoidance of doubt are not benefiting in any way from this scheme.

A party spokesman added that it is not privy to the list of those who applied for and are in receipt of monies, and nor would it be appropriate for the DUP or any political party to have access to such information.

The deeply flawed Renewable Heat Incentive was launched in 2012 to help Northern Ireland meet renewable energy targets. Business owners were encouraged to convert their heating systems to wood-burning boilers and were paid a government subsidy which was greater than the cost of fuel.

Not only were no financial control measures put in place, the rate of payment remained the same over 20 years, whereas in England payments reduce considerably over time.

Those taking part in the scheme soon realised that the more wood they burned the more cash they got from the Assembly. This resulted in some farmers blasting heat into empty barns, and one business having the radiators on constantly with the windows open during summer.

A whistle-blower spotted the serious RHI flaws and alerted DETI  which is now the Department for the Economy  in 2013. But her concerns were brushed aside, even after she contacted them again in 2014 and 2015.

The RHI was eventually scrapped last year, but only after 946 applications were approved of which 300 were said to have issues after inspection.

The total cost of the farce to the public purse is estimated to be around 400m, which is enough to pay for a new hospital in Omagh, the Belfast Interchange Project, Belfast Rapid Transport System, and converting the A26 at Antrim to a dual carriageway.

The whistle-blower who saw the failings in the RHI says five minutes of research would have alerted DETI officials to the flaws in the scheme. She also quickly realised there were opportunities for fraud, telling this to senior civil servants.

The whistle-blower explained she visited businesses who left the heating system on constantly because the more they heated, the more money they made.

I would go into hotels, maybe care homes, and it would be 24 degrees outside, the heats still on and the windows are open. 

In an interview from China, where she is visiting on Assembly business, First Minister Arlene Foster said she did all that was appropriate in the circumstances.

Referring to the whistle-blower, the DUP leader explained: I referred it to a senior official and they took it forward and it has been acknowledged indeed by the permanent secretary that I did all that was appropriate in the circumstances.

As this was all policy, not jots and tittles as Arlene Foster tries to claim, we know where the buck, or the 400m, stops. The question now is, was the department out of control?

The DUP also confirmed to Sunday Life that none of the special advisors employed by our ministers are applicants to the scheme and for the avoidance of doubt are not benefiting in any way from this scheme.

A party spokesman added that it is not privy to the list of those who applied for and are in receipt of monies, and nor would it be appropriate for the DUP or any political party to have access to such information.

The deeply flawed Renewable Heat Incentive was launched in 2012 to help Northern Ireland meet renewable energy targets. Business owners were encouraged to convert their heating systems to wood-burning boilers and were paid a government subsidy which was greater than the cost of fuel.

Not only were no financial control measures put in place, the rate of payment remained the same over 20 years, whereas in England payments reduce considerably over time.

Those taking part in the scheme soon realised that the more wood they burned the more cash they got from the Assembly. This resulted in some farmers blasting heat into empty barns, and one business having the radiators on constantly with the windows open during summer.

A whistle-blower spotted the serious RHI flaws and alerted DETI  which is now the Department for the Economy  in 2013. But her concerns were brushed aside, even after she contacted them again in 2014 and 2015.

The RHI was eventually scrapped last year, but only after 946 applications were approved of which 300 were said to have issues after inspection.

The total cost of the farce to the public purse is estimated to be around 400m, which is enough to pay for a new hospital in Omagh, the Belfast Interchange Project, Belfast Rapid Transport System, and converting the A26 at Antrim to a dual carriageway.

The whistle-blower who saw the failings in the RHI says five minutes of research would have alerted DETI officials to the flaws in the scheme. She also quickly realised there were opportunities for fraud, telling this to senior civil servants.

The whistle-blower explained she visited businesses who left the heating system on constantly because the more they heated, the more money they made.

I would go into hotels, maybe care homes, and it would be 24 degrees outside, the heats still on and the windows are open. I went into an office one time, not that long ago, and they (the business) were tenants. It was really warm, they had the windows open. Basically the landlord was just heating all the time.

In an interview from China, where she is visiting on Assembly business, First Minister Arlene Foster said she did all that was appropriate in the circumstances.

Referring to the whistle-blower, the DUP leader explained: I referred it to a senior official and they took it forward and it has been acknowledged indeed by the permanent secretary that I did all that was appropriate in the circumstances.
Migrants from Bangladesh rest in a room at a government housing center for undocumented immigrants in Zawiyah, Libya, Aug. 31, 2016.

Representatives of 130 countries and 30 organizations on Monday ended a conference in Dhaka on global migration by unanimously recommending that they strive for guidelines to save migrant workers from exploitation, officials said.

Their recommendation follows a declaration by the United Nations in September on migrants and refugees that asked U.N.-member states to begin efforts calling for safe, orderly and responsible migration to be adopted by 2018.

The three-day meeting called for reducing migration costs, a move that would benefit countries such as Bangladesh that rely on remittances sent by expatriates to their families back home.

[M]igration cannot be politicized. It will have to be dealt with as a geopolitical issue. Otherwise, the governance we are talking about will not be a reality. Unless there is (global) governance, there be no end to the high cost (of migration), abuse and exploitation, Shahidul Haque, Bangladeshs foreign secretary and chairman of the GFMD, told a press conference on Monday following the meeting.

According to the U.N., the number of international migrants  people living outside the countries where they were born  reached 244 million in 2015. That figure, which represents a 41 percent hike from the year 2000, includes nearly 20 million refugees, the U.N. announced in January.

GFMD attendees agreed that they should aim for an international agreement to protect the rights of migrants.

They also called for open channels to safe and regular movement of workers; maintaining the integrity of national borders while combatting migrant smuggling and trafficking; providing effective protection for vulnerable migrants; and ensuring non-discrimination and access to health, education and labor markets, according to a written copy of Haques official summary.

Haque said the proposed compact should ensure migrants safety through a declaration mixed with a series of legally binding provisions.

Bilateral efforts failed

The issue is an important one for the people of Bangladesh.

At least 8 million Bangladeshis work in different parts of the world, according to government estimates. The Bureau of Manpower and Employment said expatriates sent about U.S. $162 million (12.8 billion taka) home to their families over the past 40 years.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Riaz Hamidullah said a global agreement on migration was needed.

We have been dealing migration bilaterally for decades, but we practically failed [to protect the rights of the migrants], Hamidullah told BenarNews.

Syed Saiful Haque, chairman of the Warbe Development Foundation, a Bangladeshi NGO that advocates migrants rights, said countries receiving migrant workers mostly have the upper hand over Bangladesh in negotiations.

So, you see, one migrant spends up to 500,000 taka (U.S. $6,300) for a job in Saudi Arabia. Most of the money goes to the middle men involved in visa business, he told BenarNews.

If we can, through global governance, keep migration costs low, the trend of selling homesteads for an overseas job will end. Bangladesh will highly benefit from such moves, he said.

We depend on the migrant workers

Vilbard Usika, employment equity commissioner of Namibia, told BenarNews that migrant workers played a significant role in his country.

Yes, we depend on the migrant workers for skilled jobs. The migrants should be treated with honor and respect as they contribute hugely to the development of the host countries, he said.

But migrant workers are not always respected.

You will get millions of poor workers who take loans from the local money lenders with exorbitant rates with a hope of earning a smart amount abroad. When they see the wage is less than $150 [11,886 taka], many of them get involved in petty criminal activities to pay back the money lenders back home, Abdul Motaleb Hossain, a Bangladeshi migrant who has returned from working in Saudi Arabia, told BenarNews.
Updated at 2 p.m. ET 2016-12-14

A group of suspects arrested in a foiled bomb plot targeting the Presidential Palace in Jakarta belonged to a terrorist network led by Syria-based Indonesian Islamic State (IS) commander Bahrun Naim, the national police said Monday.

National Police spokesman Inspector Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the seven suspects taken into custody during weekend raids in West Java and East Java provinces were part of cells believed to be tied to an IS-claimed terrorist attack in Jakarta that killed eight people in January.

They were also linked to a suicide bomb attack outside police headquarters in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java, in July, Indonesian news reports quoted him as saying. Police have accused Bahrun of masterminding the Jan. 14 attack.

The suspects in the latest plot, including an alleged female suicide bomber, planned to target crowds gathered to watch a changing of the guard ceremony outside the Presidential Palace on Sunday, police said.

[T]hese terror cells had direct contacts with Bahrun. They operated in several cities. They belonged to a terror cell in Surakarta, Central Java. They had planned a terror attack, in which Bekasi [West Java] was just a transit area before they moved to their main target area, Jakarta, Boy told a news conference on Monday, the Jakarta Post reported.

On Saturday police officers from the anti-terror squad Densus 88 arrested four people who allegedly were plotting a suicide attack outside the palace. The next day, authorities arrested three more suspects in different locations in Central Java and East Java, according to another national police spokesman, Senior Commander Awi Setiyono.

Police identified six of the suspects as Kafid Fathoni, Nur Solihin, Agus Supriyadi, Dian Yulia Novi, Sutanto (alias Abu Izzah) and Wawan Prasetyo, according to the Post.

Dian was prepared to serve as a bride  a term in terror networks that connotes a suicide bomber, police alleged. During her arrest police seized a high-explosive bomb packed into a pressure cooker in her rented room in a house in Bekasi. The bomb squad later detonated it.

Police also found a letter that Dian allegedly wrote to her parents, claiming she was ready to be a martyr.

A neighbor said one of the suspects, who was identified by the initials A.S., was known as an active preacher at a nearby mosque.

"He is one of those who was taking care of the mosque, but there was never any deviant activity, let alone bomb making," the neighbor told BenarNews.

Debate over leader

Security analysts commented on Bahruns role in the foiled plot.

Bahrun is an Islamic State leader in Syria who has influence in Indonesia through the formation of small terror cells, said Khairul Fahmi, an analyst with the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies.

As long as Bahrun is around, the potential for terror attacks lingers, said another analyst, Ridlwan Habib of the University of Indonesia.

I suspect there will be more terrorist acts, he told BenarNews.

Ridlwan suggested that the Indonesian government figure out how to capture Bahrun, even if that meant working with the CIA or Britains MI6 to catch him.

If we wait until he dies in the war, it could be very long and very risky to Indonesia, Ridlwan said.

Terrorism analyst Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC), earlier challenged the polices claim that Bahrun Naim was behind the January attack. She said the attack was plotted and executed by a home-based group, whose ideological leader is imprisoned Indonesian Muslim cleric Aman Abdurrahman.

Fight together

Following the arrests, President Joko Jokowi Widodo urged the Indonesian people to come together to fight terrorism.

Without the support of the whole society, it would be hard to fight terrorism. There is no room, no matter how small it is, for terrorism in Indonesia, he said.

Responding to a question regarding the plot against the palace, Jokowi said terrorists could strike anywhere.

Terrorists can target anything, everything (has been targeted), mosques, churches, hotels, embassies, streets. Therefore, the government, people, the police, we have to continue to fight, he said.

Story was updated to clarify neighbor's comments about A.S.'s role at a mosque.
Mexico was situated mostly in St. Stephens Parish & extended into the Parish of Middle St. Johns (containing 1450 acres more or less). This land had been purchased by Peter Porcher II from Blake Leay White. In 1796, Mexico became the home of Samuel Porcher (1768-1851), son of Peter Por Read moreHistorical account of the Mexico Plantation
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By Bob Cunningham

Even though Shawn Murphy comes from a construction family, he believes his career will be built to last thanks to his degree from Bowling Green State University.

Murphy, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, already started working for his familys company, Mid-Ohio Development Corp., in mid-November. He will remain living in Bowling Green through the end of his apartment lease while commuting to a job site in Lima.

Murphy grew up in Granville, Ohio, 30 minutes northeast of Columbus and has been on job sites with the family business since he was a kid.

My family has a history in construction management, said Murphy, who is graduating with a 3.7 GPA. With my dad owning a construction company, Ive been around job sites as long as I can remember, so that really sparked an interest in the profession. With the industry coming back up and the market being so high, its kind of a no-brainer career-wise with the background I have in the industry.

When researching prospective colleges, Murphy only visited two schools: the University of Cincinnati and BGSU.

Murphy met Travis Chapin during his BGSU on-campus visit, and that sealed the deal.

I can honestly say the moment I met Travis, his love for teaching and the construction industry was absolutely the reason I chose BGSU, Murphy said. There was no other program that could come close to the inspiration, motivation or knowledge that Chapin or the BGSU College of Technology staff could provide.

Murphy also singled out Joe Lavalette, lecturer, and Lisa Schaller, instructor, both in construction management who went above and beyond the call of duty during his time at Bowling Green.

Theres been multiple times being in the field the last few summers Ive been able to reach out to Joe or Lisa or any of the professors here, and theyve always been available to answer my questions, said Murphy, who also was an active member in the Students in Construction Management Association. The coursework at BGSU really prepared me for life after BGSU.
By Bob Cunningham

Because Haley Altman took enough post-secondary advanced placement courses at Napoleon High school in northwest Ohio, she was a sophomore when she arrived at Bowling Green State University.

Just two and a half years later, Altman is graduating with Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CDIS), specializing in speech-language pathology, from the College of Health and Human Services -- oh, and a 4.0 GPA.

Before enrolling in CDIS, Altman didnt know much about the program, which studies the basic speech and hearing sciences and the normal human communication process, as well as the theoretical and practical aspects of therapy. But she instantly took to the the curriculum.

CDIS was brought up by my parents, honestly, as I was leaving high school and going into college, Altman said. I was like, yeah, OK, Ill try it. I did fall in love with it, so it was the right move.

For her Honors project, Altman worked closely with CDIS chair and associate professor Dr. Lynne Hewitt on her pilot study about video modeling for adults with autism.

What Im doing is looking at that data of video modeling, which has three main research questions, for my project, Altman said.

Altman measured the treatment and developed coding measures to determine if it the pilot project was effective, looked to see what could have created the therapeutic change, and followed up with the participants to gauge their experience.

She was just so conscientious and responsible, Hewitt said. Shes gone through a lot of data thats rather tedious to do and really taken on the project as her own. Shes really developed a passion for it. Shes just been a pleasure to advise.
By Julie Carle

Gregory Shaw was in New Orleans two weeks before Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005. The city and Katrinas aftermath left an indelible mark on a young boys mind that has stayed with him for more than a decade.



He felt like he owed something to the city and vowed he would return. With his own grit and determination, Shaw returned to New Orleans to share his talents and gratitude to the city that introduced him to the glorious music, food and festivals that define The Big Easy.



The College of Arts and Sciences' film production student, who graduates from Bowling Green State University on December 17, returned to New Orleans in 2015 to pursue an internship in the film industry. He took a chance without a confirmed commitment for work, but he was confident the summer experiences would pay off in experience and connections.



It wasnt the first time he had to push through adversity to reach a goal. As a young teen he was diagnosed with scoliosis, curvature of the spine. At 16, his dreams were shattered when he had to have spinal surgery that left him having to relearn how to walk and to rethink his future plans.

I remember being really down and out, Shaw said of his post-surgery recovery.


Media Advisory, December 12, 2016

Contacts: Dune Lankard, (907) 952-5265, dlankard@biologicaldiversity.org

Steve Jones, (415) 305-3866, sjones@biologicaldiversity.org

Alaskans, Frostpaw the Polar Bear, to Rally in Anchorage Against Massive Arctic Oil, Gas Lease Sale

Final Auction of Obama Presidency Met With Call to Keep It in the Ground

ANCHORAGE Alaskan activists and Frostpaw the polar bear will rally Wednesday in Anchorage against a fossil fuel auction on 1.4 million acres of northern Alaska lands. The activists are urging President Obama and the Bureau of Land Management to cancel this lease sale, the final federal auction before President-elect Trump takes office with the promise to accelerate the extraction and burning of fossil fuels and abandon the countrys commitments to address climate change.

What: Rally opposing federal fossil fuel auction of 1.4 million acres of public land in northern Alaska.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 14 at noon.



Where: Anchorage Federal Building, 222 W. 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. Rally in front of the building precedes 1 p.m. BLM bid announcements in Denali Room on the fourth floor.

Who: The rally is sponsored by the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and indigenous and community-based groups from Alaska.

As one of his last acts in office, President Obama can make a serious stand for our climate by canceling this lease sale that will last for decades  consider it a step toward resisting Trumps dangerous designs on wild Alaska, said Dune Lankard, a Native Alaskan and the Center for Biological Diversitys senior Alaska representative. Alaskans are on the front lines of climate change. Our people are being displaced and our wildlife threatened with extinction. But were fighting back.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


For Immediate Release, December 12, 2016 Contact: Tierra Curry, Center for Biological Diversity, (928) 522-3681, tcurry@biologicaldiversity.org

Courtney Sexton, Center for Food Safety, (202) 547-9359, pr@CenterforFoodSafety.org Canada to Protect Declining Monarch Butterfly as Endangered Species Iconic Butterfly Has Declined by 80 Percent in Recent Decades WASHINGTON The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada released a report today recommending that the monarch butterfly be protected as an endangered species due to population decline and ongoing threats to the butterflys epic migration. Previously, in Canada, the monarch was classified as a species of special concern; now the minister of the Environment and the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council have nine months to decide whether to add the butterfly to the endangered species list. Photo by Collette Adkins, Center for Biological Diversity. Photos are available for media use. Monarch populations have plummeted by 80 percent since the mid-1990s because of milkweed loss in their summer breeding grounds and ongoing threats to the Mexican forests where the orange-and-black butterflies overwinter. Under Canadian law endangered status is defined as facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Its still hard to believe that an animal once as common as the monarch could be in such big trouble, but we are now at real risk of losing this magnificent butterfly, said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should follow Canadas lead and protect the monarch under the Endangered Species Act before its too late. In the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is legally bound to decide by 2019 whether the monarch should be listed as a threatened species, following a 2014 petition and a 2016 lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety and allies championing the protection of the butterflies. The 80 percent decline in the monarch population points to extinction if we dont act fast, said George Kimbrell, a Center for Food Safety senior attorney. Protecting monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act is essential to their survival, and will provide a road map for safeguarding their habitat and ensuring their recovery. A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey concluded that there is a substantial probability that eastern monarch butterfly populations could decline to such low levels that they face extinction. Researchers estimate the probability that the monarch migration could collapse within the next 20 years is between 11 percent and 57 percent. Monarch butterfly migration is now recognized as a threatened process by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The eastern migratory population of monarchs is now recognized by the natural heritage organization NatureServe as critically imperiled. In Mexico monarchs are classified as a species subject to special protection. In the United States, the butterflies decline has been attributed to increasing use of Monsantos Roundup herbicide, a potent killer of milkweed, which is the monarch caterpillars only food source. The dramatic surge in Roundup use and Roundup Ready crops has virtually wiped out milkweed plants in midwestern corn and soybean fields. It is estimated that in the past 20 years these once-common butterflies may have lost more than 165 million acres of habitat  an area about the size of Texas  including nearly one-third of their summer breeding grounds. In addition to loss of summer milkweed, monarchs are also threatened during the fall migration by multiple factors including habitat fragmentation, drought and insecticides. Their overwintering grounds in Mexico are threatened by logging, mining, climate change and increasing acreage of avocado farms. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. www.biologicaldiversity.org Center for Food Safetys mission is to empower people, support farmers, and protect the earth from the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture. Through groundbreaking legal, scientific, and grassroots action, we protect and promote your right to safe food and the environment. Please join our more than 750,000 consumer and farmer advocates across the country at www.centerforfoodsafety.org.

Twitter: @CFSTrueFood, @CFS_Press
WPP has announced that its operating company Burson-Marsteller, global strategic communications and public relations firm, has acquired a minority stake in its Kenyan affiliate, Engage Burson-Marsteller.

Image by 123RF

Headquartered in Nairobi and employing around 20 people, Engage Burson-Marsteller has grown rapidly since Burson-Marsteller helped to establish it in 2013. Clients include Nestle, MultiChoice, Samsung and CNN.

This acquisition further strengthens Burson-Marstellers network of partners in Africa and continues WPPs strategy of investing in important markets and sectors. In Kenya, WPP companies (including associates) generate revenues of almost US$50 million and employ almost 1500 people. Across the continent of Africa, the Group (including associates) collectively generates revenues of over US$600 million and employs almost 35,000 people.

WPPs public relations and public affairs companies collectively generate revenues (including associates and investments) of over US$1.6 billion and employ almost 10,000 people worldwide.
Experts are unanimous on the need for more entrepreneurs in Nigeria to take advantage of value-creating opportunities by creating enterprises that can scale fast, create quality jobs and reduce dependence on foreign products and services.

Image by 123RF

In line with this, management consulting firm, Sawubona Advisory Services has introduced Startit.ng, a startup launch and growth support platform. The platform is supporting entrepreneurs to seamlessly take their startup ideas to market.

Obinna Igwebuike, managing partner of Sawubona noted, Sawubona has supported the launch and growth of around 150 startups across Nigeria. We have seen some of these businesses grow to become market leaders. This is tremendous experience in startup innovation that is available to startups supported on the Startit platform.

With our relationships with the critical stakeholders in the startup ecosystem in Nigeria, Startit helps entrepreneurs take their ideas to market in two weeks, helping them start smart enterprises with a competitive head start.

Startit.ng offers startup support services like business registration, business planning, financial planning, marketing planning, internationalisation strategy development, market insights development, workspace sourcing, investment sourcing, staff recruitment and selection, staff training, digital and social media marketing, technology support for operations, website development, brand collaterals development, among others. These services are offered in product categories determined by the range of services a startup desires.
Vicinity Media's COO, Neil Clarence, explains the shocker that "huge scale and billions of impressions don't always benefit the advertiser," and why they believe in the value of one relevant impression over 10 irrelevant, wasted views. Watch out, Google and Facebook!

Local Vicinity Media has created an infographic proving how it outperforms Googles Display Network (GDN) across multiple sectors, at over 70% better in some cases. Thats not an unsubstantiated claim from the company that launched location-based mobile advertising in SA almost three years ago. Theyve grown close on 80% year-on-year to this point, with blue-chip brands across the QSR, banking, motor, cell and retail sectors as well as some of the countrys largest publishers as clients, as well as a second office with four employees in Dubai since mid-2015 and another office opening in Cape Town in January.

Team Vicinity Media.

Explaining their rapid innovation over the years based on client needs, Clarence says Vicinity Media has proven it can go up against global giants like Google and Facebook, who take an estimated 60% of every global marketing dollar, according to the Adtech Conference held in New York in early November.

Winning the ultimate David vs Goliath battle

But Clarence says bigger isnt always better, or even more cost-effective. To test this, they compared Google Display Networks (GDN) CTR statistics as published on Wordstream's website, comparing them to the same sectors across Vicinity Media's location-based mobile network over the months of August and September.

The results were surprising: Despite not running campaigns across all the same sectors, Vicinity Media found they delivered over 66% more clicks than GDN from the same number of impressions in the retail sector for example, and as the real estate sector is location-focused at heart, it produced over 70% more click-throughs than the equivalent number of impressions would on GDN.

So, while Google is undoubtedly a Goliath in this regard, Clarence reveals that Vicinitys specific differentiators in their arsenal as the David in this battle include true and accurate location targeting, premium ad units and formats, premium publishers, and location optimisation, which is used to generate location-enhanced rich media communication that is both relevant and engaging.

Watch the short video explaining how Vicinity Media's bringing a 'relevance and engagement revolution' to advertising below:

Clarence elaborates further below

1. Share a brief overview of the GDN for the non-techies among us and why this is such an impressive achievement.

Clarence: GDN is Googles Display Network, a network of publishers/mobisites across whose inventory advertisers can bid to display their ads to target specific audiences to maximise relevance and thus performance (CTR). Its the biggest mobile network and works like Adwords, except its based on display, not search. Google claims to target over 2 million sites, while Vicinity has just 50 in its publisher network, so 50 publishers outperforming 2 million is like a school with 50 kids beating a school with 2 million kids at rugby. So Vicinity, with its limited inventory resource came out on top  sort of like New Zealands All Blacks, with their tiny population outperforming the rest of the world for decades!

2. Why are there so many irrelevant, wasted ad views and what can be done to minimise them and ensure a more captivated, relevant audience is reached?

Clarence: Unlike above-the-line ads or ATL, theres no limit of digital ad space. Publishers can simply activate a new ad unit or a new page and multiply their inventory. Due to the ability to buy this inventory programmatically, and the massive supply, its becoming cheaper and cheaper to do so. This allows advertisers to buy at huge scale across the web, leading to those wasted or irrelevant views. For example, clients will target an audience across GDN but have no idea where the ads are actually ending up. The major characteristic of the mobile phone is that it changes location constantly  our targeting ensures clients can tap into this critical character of mobile phones.

3. Thats hugely important on our mobile-first continent. Share the mobile advertising trends you predict will dominate in 2017.

Clarence: Video will grow on mobile as it has across desktop, we can expect branded content as a new native ad unit, as well as a little bit of VR and of course location.

Seems going back to basics and focusing on mobile location, location, location is a winning strategy after all. Click here to view the 'Vicinity Media vs Google' infographic, here for more from Clarence and the Vicinity Media team, and be sure to follow Vicinity Media on Twitter to keep up with their latest updates.
Highgate Mall, to be renamed Home of Africa, is set to become a home and decor mall, creating over 2000 jobs and housing 250 international and local brands after the revamp.

Home Africa Mall will be a wholesale distribution hub for construction and home-related products. Management said the mall will be a catalyst in expansion and facilitation of trade between China and Africa.

Nick Melrose, MD of Home of Africa, said the mall is the first of its kind in the country and continent as whole, and its unique offering will make a good value proposition to businesses and consumers.

We had the benefit of converting Highgate Mall into this fantastic mall that is one stop for everyone. We have all home and decor products, from construction to home-related products, he explained.

Melrose said Home of Africa was not concerned about recent growing concerns about an oversaturated retail market due to other on-going shopping malls.

Traditional malls losing steam

Over the past 10 years, to the end of 2015, retail property delivered an annualised total return (income and capital growth) of a substantial 16%, as measured by MSCIs Independent Property Databank (IPD) index. However, ongoing pressure on consumer spending amid SAs ever-growing pool of new shopping centres is starting to eat into profit margins.

Muriel Chinoda, analyst and MD of Business Engine said the development of Home of Africa was positive as the traditional malls were losing steam.

As economic trends and consumer tastes and preferences change, and traditional malls' performance decreases, it is commendable that mall developers are increasingly looking at new and innovative use of spaces. While the concept of speciality malls is new in SA, Dubais Deira area has been using he model for the last two decades with a lot of success, says Chinoda. In addition, In the last 20 years, the US has witnessed the growth of the speciality 'medical mall' model where healthcare organisations are repurposing an entire mall or retail facility. The speciality mall model offers many benefits for both shoppers and shop owners. It is consumer-centric due to the convenience of location, ample parking, easy access and one-stop construction/home products experience.
The Johannesburg Big Band recently recorded a Christmas TV special for M-Net (channel 101 on DStv) - billed to air on Christmas Day at 5.30pm. The show is called M-Net and Friends, and the stars of the show are Swing City - SA's very own "Rat Pack"! Swing City is Loyiso Bala, Nathan Ro and Graeme Watkins, and they will delight audiences with their signature brand of jazz, swing and blues with a distinct modern twist.

The show of course is billed around famous Christmas songs - all arranged for a bespoke 17-piece big band.

There are some special guest appearances - joining Swing City will be Heinz Winkler, Chiano Sky and the gorgeous all-star Shoo-Wop Shop, comprising Tamara Dey, Jamalis Mariechan and Mikhale Jones. Dont miss out on seeing this TV special - after all - what is Christmas with out a big band?!

Click here to Check out the EPK!




In school, we learnt that the tropical zone is defined as the hot region of our planet - between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. But the more important climatic boundary between tropical and temperate climates is bounded by the slightly larger region covering about 30 degrees latitude either side of the Equator.

The tropics are characterised by warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. Importantly, latitudinal changes in temperature are small compared with regions outside the tropics. Rainfall is largely abundant but it becomes increasingly seasonal with distance from the equator.

The tropical zone is expanding poleward at a rate unprecedented in perhaps hundreds of thousands of years. This has been referred to as Earths bulging waistline.

Relative to the 1979 baseline, the tropics have expanded poleward 56km to 111km per decade in each hemisphere. If this rate continues then we may witness an expansion of 850km by 2100. This is roughly equivalent to the distance from Rome to London.

Expansion of the tropics has massive implications for societies, economies and the natural world as Earths climatic zones shift poleward. Both human and natural systems will be forced to adapt to new climatic conditions. In particular, there will be unprecedented heat for hundreds of millions of people in the tropics as global warming accelerates.

Africa has the largest tropical footprint among the continents and is, therefore, severely threatened by expanding tropics. Over 80% of the continent lies within the band 30 degrees either side of the equator. African nations will be particularly vulnerable due to their lower socioeconomic development.

The ripple effect

The poleward edges of the expanding tropics contain a large region dominated by high pressure atmospheric systems throughout the year. This dry subtropical zone is associated with the worlds warm deserts and is also shifting poleward as the tropics grow.

There is growing concern about the poleward shift of this dry subtropical zone into highly populated regions that have generally enjoyed a more temperate climate. Threatened regions include southern California, the Mediterranean Basin countries and southern parts of Africa and Australia.

A compelling study found that the dry subtropics may expand by as much as 30% by 2100. This will have dire consequences for water security, food production and biodiversity in many adjacent temperate regions.

Steve Turton

The effects of latitudinal shifts in climate zones will be most obvious in populated temperate regions outside the tropics, such as southern Europe and southwestern parts of the US.

Impact on climate and species

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Changes rainfall projections for Africa this century are consistent with an expanding tropics. Projections include declining rainfall in the north and south  but particularly for the southwest of the continent. Regions nearer the equator and the Horn of Africa may expect more rainfall.

Africas temperature projections for this century are alarming, especially for the high business as usual emission scenario. The entire continent will warm up with marked temperature increases projected for the interior. Hundreds of millions of people will be subjected to unprecedented average temperatures and more prolonged heat waves.

For mega-cities located in the zone of maximum heat like Lagos in Nigeria and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are simply no existing climate analogues of what their climate may be like by mid century.

Humans will not be the only ones being effected. Many plant and animal species are moving poleward in an attempt to stay within their preferred environmental conditions. A classic example is butterflies.

However, many species  especially in the tropics  may not be able to keep pace with the changing climatic conditions and could experience population declines or extinction.

Species surviving on high mountain tops like gorillas for example  where there is limited higher cooler space available  are particularly vulnerable to global warming. They also face an uncertain future.

Running out of land

As the tropics move poleward, the dry subtropical zone will begin to squeeze adjacent, wetter temperate zones in both northern and southern Africa. These are highly important population and agricultural areas and also contain two globally significant biodiversity hotspots  the African part of the Mediterranean Basin and the Cape Floristic Region at the south-western extremity of South Africa.

For both these regions there are simply no suitable land areas for ecosystems and their species to move poleward to keep pace with projected warming and drying trends. The Mediterranean Sea to the north and Southern Ocean to the south, provide formidable boundaries for the future movement of many land species. In the case of the Cape Floristic Region, the next land stop is frigid Antarctica.

We desperately need to work out ways to drastically reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions. If we are to slow, or preferably reverse, the expansion of the tropics and overheating of low latitude regions, we need to act or there will be serious consequences for all.


"Dit is lekker op die plaas" is what Solms-Delta Wine Estate co-owner Professor Mark Solms said when Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti launched the Strengthening the Relative Rights of People Working the Land policy (50/50) at the farm on Saturday, 10 December.

Dit is lekker op die plaas is an Afrikaans phrase that means it is nice on the farm. Solms was describing how life has been on the farm after the farm owners decided to give half of their business to the farm workers. He said the model can be easily duplicated on all South African farms.

The Solms-Delta Wine Estate, established in 1690, sold a stake of its equity to farm workers under the Wijn De Caab Trust  effectively turning workers into their business partners.

I am very proud to say that they can look at our example and see that its not [a bad thing]. This [farm] is a wonderful place It is a very good community, said Solms.

The Solms-Delta Wine Estate operates a wine production business in the Franschhoek area outside Cape Town on a property measuring 54 hectares.

Minister Nkwinti commended the established wine farmers - Professor Solms and Richard Astor (for Lubeck-Delta)  for pioneering the 50/50 policy before it was implemented.

I think Professor Solms is one the most unselfish South Africans because we did not know about [his farm]. He heard about the programme that we developed.

People are celebrating 20 years of the Constitution. We are here celebrating exactly the same thing but substantively. I am very happy, he said.

Solms said after taking over the wine estate in 2001, he started conceptualising a model through which farm workers could own a stake in the entire farm operation and the land.

Prior to the minister announcing the [50/50] policy, we had already made the decision that we wanted to share in the ownership with Solms-Delta.

So when the minister announced this partnership, at that point we already had a three-way ownership partnership between myself and the neighbouring farm and the farm workers who lived on both of our farms. Roughly around 180 people formed a trust and we share equally on the farm, Solms said.

Through the policy framework on Strengthening the Relative Rights of People Working the Land, commonly known as the 50/50 policy, government seeks to assist beneficiaries - mainly farm workers and farm dwellers - to secure permanent tenure on the properties where they work or live, as well as acquire economic interests in agricultural land and businesses on which they are working or living.

Professor Solms said it was important to address South Africas painful past of land dispossessions and forced removals through this policy.

 We have to find some sort of compromise between everybodys interests. There has to be something in it for everyone. I think the 50/50 policy is the obvious way to go. We share in the land and we work together in partnership in order to transform the agricultural landscape in South Africa.

Giving workers a meaningful role

Sussana Malgas, one of the beneficiaries and board trustees of the Wijn De Caab Trust, said as a result of the transaction, life on the farm has greatly improved, as workers now have a say in the affairs of the farm.

After working as a domestic worker for Professor Solms, she has now been empowered and is a qualified wine and heritage guide.

She said the trust does a lot of community development work, including teaching music to farm workers, who have gone on to win music competitions and get local singing gigs.

Malgas said the trust now pays for the education of the children of farm workers.

The first and most important thing for us is education because back in the day, we as beneficiaries did not have enough money to send our kids to university after they finished school.

...For us, it is very important because we dont want our kids to be like us when we were growing up, she said.
The Remgro AGM last week, chaired by chairman, Johann Rupert, was again well worth the cost of the trek out to the Erinvale conference centre in Somerset West.

This year Rupert, whose family has controlled Remgro (and its predecessor, Rembrandt) for almost seven decades, offered some refreshingly frank views on corporate governance, share repurchases and capital raising, as well as regrets and reservations about the liquor sector. He also had a downbeat assessment of global free trade.

At the start of the meeting, Rupert was asked by a shareholder for his views on recommendations that listed companies regularly rotate audit firms.

King code nonsense

Rupert said he is "sick of the King code nonsense", arguing that changing audit firms would cause a lot of disruption at companies. "No sooner has an auditor started to understand your business than you have to get rid of him."

Rupert said he prefers to rotate audit partners, which Remgro - audited by PwC - does every five years. "Business is complex enough - [it's not necessary] to add further complexities. We've had really good service from PwC. And I'm not leaving [director] Charl du Toit, because he is the best. Only the bigger [auditing] firms can provide such expertise."

Buying back shares

Rupert chided shareholders for abstaining from voting at AGMs, before explaining that he abstained from voting on a special resolution granting directors the authority to buy back Remgro's shares. "I won't vote on the share repurchase resolution because people suspect me of increasing my shareholding."

Rupert suggested Remgro would approach share buy-back opportunities with circumspection.

He argued that share buy backs are normally triggered when a company has a ton of cash at the top of the cycle, citing Anglo American's costly share buy backs in 2007 as a prime example. "We treat shares as a scarce commodity."

However, shareholder activist Chris Logan pointed out that the company had recently undertaken a sizeable rights issue to reinforce a balance sheet that reflected a meaningful debt position for the first time in at least three decades. He asked whether it was the first time Remgro - which has a reputation for strong cash flows from its underlying investments - had undertaken a capital raising.

Rupert said the old Rembrandt Group had once issued 15-year debentures. "The breakthrough for Rembrandt came in 1978. It was not in my time, but I'm sure it had [a capital raising] at some time or another."

Explaining the rationale for the recent rights issue - largely believed to have been intended to shore up Remgro's balance sheet ahead of acquiring beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev's 28% stake in liquor group Distell - Rupert said the company's investment bankers had recommended an accelerated book build.

"I disagreed. A book build is cheaper, but a rights offer is a fairer way of treating all shareholders the same."

Rupert said he had instigated the rights issue. "I told [Remgro CEO] Jannie [Durand] they would run out of cash for a number of opportunities."

Distell deal

Rupert cautioned Remgro shareholders against assuming the acquisition of AB InBev's stake in Distell is a done deal. "Yes, it has to sell shares. But there are many people who could be interested [in the Distell shareholding]. We'll see what the bids and the prices are, and at that stage we will determine, as a board, whether we want to exercise our preemptive right on the Distell shares."

Rupert bemoaned the decision by Remgro, which holds about 34% of Distell, to exit the beer brewing business in the late 1970s.

"The dumbest deal my dad [Anton Rupert] did in his life was to get out of breweries. They were breaking through. He called me and said it had to be done because the beer [with SAB] was killing the wine farmers. When my dad had had no money, it was the wine farmers who backed him and bought his shares. He said: 'I'm killing my own shareholders.'"

Rembrandt's Intercontinental Breweries - which incorporated Louis Luyt's Luyt Breweries and boasted brands like Kronenbrau, Sportsman Lager and Colt 45 - was sold to SA Breweries in 1979.

Luxury brands

Rupert also dismissed suggestions that Remgro could push some of Distell's "upmarket" brands in wine and brandy towards Rupert-controlled luxury brands conglomerate Richemont (emulating LVMH, which owns Moet & Chandon and Hennessy).

"There is no chance at all. Investors want to invest in luxury brands, and want pure access. It will never happen."

Wine is for fun

Logan asked whether Remgro, as the anchor shareholder at Distell, could help open up markets in China, noting Australian Treasury Wines enjoys duty-free access to Chinese markets.

Rupert argued wine is not a business - something that might surprise Distell, which owns the Nederburg, Durbanville Hills, Graca, Chateau Libertas and Zonnebloem wine brands. "Wine is for fun. It's not a business. The real fun in wine starts when you stop losing money. Anyone on the Distell board will tell you that Amarula [cream liqueur] is a business and Klipdrift [brandy] is a brand."

Rupert maintained that securing a duty-free trade pact for wine into Chinese markets is in the domain of the minister of trade & industry.

Poultry margins pecked to bits

He said recent developments in the poultry sector, where Remgro is invested in Rainbow Chicken via RCL Foods, shows what degree of influence the company enjoys on key trade matters. "Here you have redneck hillbillies from Arkansas and Georgia wrecking SA dreams [in the poultry sector]."

Recent results from major local poultry players show how operating margins have been pecked to bits by increased chicken imports from the US under the African Growth & Opportunity Act.

Free trade is a swear word

Rupert said he backs freer trade worldwide, but is scared that economic hardship in Europe and the US is leading towards more isolation. "I don't think Donald Trump won the US election on free trade . If I look at Europe, 'free trade' is a swear word. If Trump should act against China - and hopefully he has lied about that - the repercussions could be disastrous."
Eight memorandums of agreement (MOA) were signed recently in Abuja, Nigeria for the development of several multi-billion dollar investment and infrastructure projects, including crude oil and gas pipelines, oil refineries, port, highways, and railways, across Nigeria.

Multi-billion dollar memorandum of agreements signed by Oilserv, Tianjin Energy, and Alpha Group to develop Nigerias oil and gas infrastructure. (Source: Alpha Capital International)

Chongqing Construction Engineering Group Co (CCEGC) chairman/party secretary general Yang Jingpu, Tianjin Energy Resources (Tianjin) MD Peter Lin, Oilserv, chairman Emeka Okwuosa, and Alpha Group of Companies (Alpha) chairman Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh signed the agreements. This was carried out in the presence and supported by senior representatives from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and Standard Bank of South Africa, which are the projects financiers.

Alpha and several other companies are already developing the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) in Ogidigben, Delta State and Oilserv has partially completed the biggest pipeline project in Nigeria (East-West Gas Pipeline OB3) which is a 48-inch pipeline project that is expected to carry gas to various power plants in the country. The consortium also held a meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations senior management including group executive directors/chief operations officers Saidu Mohammed (GED/COO Gas and Power) and Bello Rabiu (GED/COO Upstream).

Strengthen cooperation

CCEGC, Tianjin, Oilserv and Alpha agreed to strengthen cooperation including co-financing at strategic and technical levels on the basis of complementary value added, corporate strengths and comparative advantages, and mutual benefits, according to the MOAs.

The four companies will prepare formal proposals to the relevant authorities as well as undertake joint feasibility studies and participate in joint steering committees with key stakeholders from federal and state institutions as well as Nigerian government institutions including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigerian Port Authority, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, and Federal Ministry of Transportation.
About 40 qualifying public servants are going through the first phase of becoming trainers for the Master Train-the-trainer on Foresight, Innovation, and Leadership Programme: Aligning and Building for South Africa.

The National School of Government (NSG) is currently hosting and co-facilitating the first phase of the programme which started last Monday.

The programme is a venture between the NSG; American University, Washington DC and the Institute for Leadership Development in Africa who together developed the programme specifically for the South African landscape, NSG said.

The group comprises managers from within the National School of Government, Office of the Public Service Commission, Centre for Public Service Innovation, Department of Public Service and Administration, Provincial Academies, and retired senior public servants who are interested in training.

The Program is designed to instil both a mindset and the needed behavioural competencies to enable participants to better address the increasingly complex regional challenges they face in a context where globally, successful governments require the capability to address complex contemporary challenges by negotiating and working with an active citizenry rather than by imposing solutions.

Master Instructors that successfully complete this Certified American University program are eligible to teach the programme and become Adjunct Professors at any institution accredited by the American University anywhere in the world, NSG said.

As part of the criteria to be in the programme, participants must possess at least a Masters Qualification and considerable experience in various forms of capacity development.

The Master Instructors emerging from this training will make it possible for the NSG to deliver the Foresight, Innovation, and Leadership Program regionally and beyond, while also optimising our international partnerships, NSG said.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, announced the debut of Sheraton Grand in Africa with opening of Sheraton Grand Conakry today, 12 December 2016. The newly built hotel marks Marriott International's entry into Guinea, West Africa and joins a portfolio of more than 35 Sheraton Grand properties worldwide, with destinations spanning Istanbul, Dubai, Bangalore, Beijing and beyond.

Sheraton has a strong heritage in Africa that dates back to 1971, said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. Over the last four decades, the brand has maintained its first mover advantage through strategic pipeline development and growth plans, giving global travelers access to more destinations in every corner of the globe. Sheraton Grand Conakry not only marks our entry into a new country, but will also create a halo effect for the brand and serve as a great example of our transformation efforts.

Within easy reach from the international airport, Sheraton Grand Conakry is conveniently situated in Conakrys up-and-coming trendy Kipe district. With an enviable ocean-front location, the hotel, introduces modern, elegant design, signature brand programming and an elevated guest experience for business and leisure travelers in the heart of West Africa.

All 269 well-appointed guestrooms boast ocean views; the 49 Sheraton Club rooms and suites offer exclusive access to the Sheraton Club Lounge, a private space where guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, drinks and snacks during the day. Leisure facilities include an extensive 300 square meter fitness center, open 24 hours a day, a luxurious infinity pool and an invigorating Shine Spa.

The all-day dining restaurant, Feast, features Mediterranean flavors, Asian influences as well as modern interpretations of traditional Guinean cuisine. Guests can also indulge in homemade French pastries, freshly brewed coffee and juices at La Parisienne coffee shop and bakery. Overlooking the sea, Hot & Blue offers relaxed tapas and cocktails by the poolside. Sheratons inventive lobby bar menu concept, Paired, combines artisanal small plates with unexpected pairings served alongside suggested premium wines at the O2 Lounge.

With more than 1300 square meters of meeting space, Sheraton Grand Conakry features a Grand Ballroom with state-of-the-art facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi, along with 15 meeting rooms and a fully equipped business center.

We are proud to be the first Sheraton Grand in Africa and Indian Ocean, and to join the existing roster of esteemed hotels and resorts worldwide, said Helga Deboeck, general manager of Sheraton Grand Conakry. We have worked diligently to ensure the hotel goes above and beyond to deliver a fresh, modern and memorable experience to our guests setting a new benchmark of service within West Africa.
Christmas lunch in my family is a big event, not necessarily a grand event, but big, very big. Family comes from near and far, as well as dogs, cats and lots of noise!

It is also by no means a culinary masterpiece, but every single dish that reminds you of your mother, aunt or granny, you will find on that table! Nothing matches, yet everything goes together.

The hustle and bustle to get it all done is half the fun, but quite stressful. So I marvel at and enjoy my family, the singing and the craziness, but the food, although delicious, kind of takes a back seat.

However later that night, when my mom unpacks all the leftovers onto the table with fresh bread, I have a Christmas feast. Oh the combinations A sandwich with gammon, mustard and mayo on rocket, or lamb with beetroot and labneh. I simply love it.

My pork sliders are made with leftover roast pork. Add the slaw and pineapple and you have a winner.

Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple and Slaw

Makes 24

Ingredients

2 kg leg of pork

15 ml smoked paprika

salt and pepper

30 ml olive oil

500 ml chicken stock

juice of one lemon

125 ml BBQ sauce or your choice

Method

Preheat the oven to 160 C. Heat an ovenproof cast iron pot on the stove. Season the pork with smoked paprika, salt, pepper and coriander. Add the oil to the pot and then the pork, fat side down first. Brown the pork on all sides. Add all the other ingredients. Then place the lid on the pot and put it in the oven for at least two to three hours. Once the pork is fork tender soft, remove from the sauce and use a fork to pull the meat into fine shreds. Reduce the sauce if it is still very watery and then add the pork shreds to it.

To serve

250 g cream cheese or mustard or both

500 ml coleslaw

2 pineapples  peeled and cut in slices

Method

Cut open the buns and spread the cream cheese and/or mustard on the bottom half. Top with slaw, then a pineapple slice and finally the pulled pork. Serve and see how quickly 24 sliders disappear.

www.my-easy-cooking.com
Carel Fourie has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Oryx Properties, the only Namibian property company listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange. The appointment is effective from 1 March 2017.

Carel Fourie

Oryx Properties has a retail, industrial and office real estate portfolio valued at about R2.326bn which generates a dependable, sustainable and growing income stream for investors. These include the major Namibian shopping centre Maerua Mall and office block in Windhoek, plus several industrial properties in South Africa.

Fourie, a chartered accountant, brings to his new position extensive experience in both Oryx Properties itself and the real estate industry in general. He was appointed chief financial officer for Oryx Properties in 2011. In 2014 he took up the position of chief operating officer with the responsibility of participating in the development of the companys investment strategy as well as evolving a management structure for the property portfolio.

Francois Uys, the chairman of the board of Oryx Properties, congratulated Fourie on his appointment, and added, Oryx is well structured with suitably qualified and experienced staff which gives the board confidence that this is the right way forward. Were completely confident that Mr Fourie is more than capable of taking on his new responsibilities.
The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) says it has noted concerns raised by the poultry industry on the increase in imports of poultry products.

Government, through the dti and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), has been working with the domestic industry to address the challenges in the industry, said the dti on Friday, 9 December.

Over the last three years, upon application by the industry through the International Trade and Administration Commission (ITAC), a number of actions were taken by government to address the challenges in the industry.

Measures taken include an increase in tariffs covering a number of poultry products in line with South Africas international commitments and imposing trade remedies where evidence indicates dumping of poultry in the South Africa market or where there is a surge in imports.

In 2013, the import duty on a number of poultry products was increased significantly.

The current import duties for chicken imports from countries like Brazil and the United States are as follows:

Whole bird: 82%

Carcasses: 31%

Boneless cuts: 12%

Offal: 30%

Bone-in portions: 37%

The import duties, however, are not applicable to imports from the European Union (EU), since South Africa has a preferential trade agreement with the EU.

In 2015, anti-dumping measures ranging from 3.86% to 73.33% were imposed on frozen bone-in chicken pieces from Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa has also initiated a safeguard investigation regarding the surge of imports of frozen bone-in chicken pieces from the EU and this investigation is far advanced, said the department.

Opening up markets for SA

The dti and DAFF are continuously working on opening new markets for South Africas poultry exports.

Recently, new markets in the Middle East have been opened and present a further opportunity for export to the domestic poultry industry in South Africa.

Furthermore, the dti is in the process of considering the designation of domestic poultry products for purposes of public procurement, the department said.

A national committee has been established by the dti that includes DAFF and the industry. It will consider all the challenges experienced by the domestic poultry industry and develop a comprehensive strategy to address these challenges in a holistic and sustainable manner.

The department said industry is welcome to approach ITAC through the normal processes, should further support be required. On the basis of information presented by industry, appropriate action can be taken by government.

Avian flu

The dti said a number of countries are currently experiencing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreaks and consequently - in line with the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health - South Africa has placed a ban on imports of poultry from some countries such as Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, the Netherlands and Poland.

DAFF is closely monitoring the developments in regard to these outbreaks and will take the appropriate actions to address any health and safety concerns, it said.
Kristina: By 2018, mobile is expected to hold a 58% share of advertising budgets  what is driving this growth?

Rachel Lawrence, Senior Media Planner/Buyer, R2Integrated: The first reason mobile ads are driving such strong growth is because of how sophisticated the mobile experience is thanks to smartphones and the ability to connect so easily with content across channels on mobile. When built right, mobile websites are so user friendly that some people dont find it necessary to even have a computer at home. The other driver is the customer. New buying generations have been consuming digital media most of their childhood, so operating a smartphone to get what they are looking for, comes natural to them.

Kristina: What mobile trends do you expect to have a big impact on 2017?

Rachel: Mobile trends will without a doubt continue to grow in 2017. In the advertising world, we are starting to see more and more companies create ads that are specific for mobile. Facebook has declared that they are officially a Mobile-first company after they said it made up 78% of their revenue in 2015. They have spent a lot of their focus creating an interactive mobile ad unit, a canvas ad. A lot of other publishers have followed suit and are focusing a lot of their efforts towards mobile. The Wall Street Journal notes, Mobile advertising revenues rose the most from the first half of 2015, the report said, growing 89% to $15.5 billion. Mobile represented 47% of all digital ad spend in the first half of 2016, as marketers continued to migrate their budgets away from desktop-centric ads. http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-digital-ad-revenues-grew-19-in-first-half-of-2016-1478012649

Kristina: With mobile growing so fast, how can brands ensure they are getting the most for their mobile ad dollar?

Rachel: There are a few ways to take advantage of ad dollars here. First is to really take advantage of interactive mobile-first ads. They allow for a fun and engaging user experience. Another, is to make sure that ads being served are highly targeted. The targeting capabilities on mobile can be great (by location, interest, behavior, etc.) It is great to take advantage of these opportunities, especially ones that are specific to mobile like geo-fencing. Lastly, make sure CTAs make sense for mobile. A click to call button could be a great way to track engagements on mobile, and something that is not as simple to track on desktop.
Today, desktop and mobile devices are the key ways consumers look up information about a business, whether its a restaurant, retailer, service provider or bank. Yet, according to Yexts survey of 2,000 consumers in the UK during October, 2016, eight in ten consumers said they had encountered incorrect information about a business when searching online. Nearly half (43.2%) said this happened often.

A third (34%) said that the information that was most often incorrect was opening hours, and a similar number said inaccuracies were often found in products and services information.

When Yext scanned business listings across the UK, they found that nearly two-thirds (65%) of large businesses had incorrect data listed online, as did a similar percentage of smaller businesses (67%). A third of large businesses had incorrect telephone numbers listed.

Consumers rely on mobile search to get the information they need quickly, and they expect it to be reliable. Our research has shown that businesses with out of date location information online are risking their relationships with customers and their revenue, said Jon Buss, Managing Director for UK and Northern Europe at Yext. Our research shows that UK businesses are falling behind the US, with twice as many incidents of incorrect information displayed, so they need to address this issue urgently.

Most consumers believe that the responsibility for listing accurate information lies with the businesses themselves (49%) while 20% believe it to be the responsibility of the search engine or app via which they found the information.
FBR say that villagers in the Karen National Liberation Armys KNLA Brigade 7 region have had no respite from the intermittent clashes between the Splinter DKBA Burma Army and the Border Guard Force (BGF).

FBR said both the warring faction are guilty of committing numerous human rights abuses including forced conscription, new landmine laying, and firing upon civilians.

The report found that despite the low level of the conflict the displacement of the people in this area has affected various sectors of livelihood such as ability to grow crops, access to shelter, healthcare, clean drinking water and education.

FBR said that people ran from their homes after hearing clashes approaching or after their villages were occupied by the Splinter DKBA or the BGF. Many doubt if they will be able to return home due to the placement of defensive landmines and the possible theft of property and livestock in their absence.

Many of the displaced fled to the villages of Htee Thay Khee and Naw Hta, which are now serving as IDP camps. There are 503 internally displaced people (IDPs) sheltering at Htee Thay Khee Village and 392 at Naw Hta. The situation for the IDPs at Htee Thay Khee is unstable as the village is close to Burma Army bases and if the IDPs there still cannot go home in three months they will have to move to Naw Hta Village.

The Free Burma Rangers warned that at the IDP camps water pipes, food, pots, pans, blankets and a water well are needed. The FBR, a frontline humanitarian organisation said that there is also a need for basic medicines as pregnant women, infants and sick people are housed at the camp. The KNU has built a clinic, but its stocks of supplies remain low.

Saw Lwin, a village elder from Htee Thay Khee village told FBR that the most important thing for them [the displaced villagers] is water supplies, working sanitary facilities, and healthcare. Malaria and diarrhoea are the most common diseases happening among them. 90 households and 503 people have moved in to our village. Their difficulties became ours as well. We help them to our best ability, and thanked the leaders for giving us additional assistance.

Edited by Mark Inkey for BNI
The NA-B launched an offensive on Tatmadaws positons employing the strategy of offensive is the best defensive, while also showing their displeasure of the military side-lining of its members to participate in the peace process, which the government seems unable to do anything against it.

As if it was a well orchestrated undertaking, simultaneously, Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing told the officers at the North-Eastern Military Command that the NA-B terrorist must be hunted down and uprooted that have challenged the Tatmadaw and disrupted public peace and economy.

The implication is that this actually could be seen as an assault on the whole peace process, which the National League for Democracy (NLD) government is trying to facilitate and lead, aiming to hold a Union Peace Conference  21st Century Panglong, in February next year, in an all-inclusive atmosphere, as much as possible, according to its de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committees (UPDJC) Joint Secretary (1) Sai Kyaw Nyunt recently told the DVB that since the KIA is a member of Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN), an organ of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a seven member ethnic military alliance, actively involving in negotiation with the government, the peace process future could be in jeopardy and even been derailed.

Although proclaiming an organization a terrorist group is strictly within the domain of the President and the government and the Shan State Parliament affirmative motion to consider the NA-B members terrorist organizations wouldnt have much influence on governments policy-making and implementation. But it did showed the Tatmadaws radical and animosity attitude on the NA-B. And this could be translated into an all-out war, which has been ongoing since 2011, against most groups operating within Kachin and Shan States.

Daung Khar, a spokesperson for the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), on 8 December, told the BBC that the now damaged or destroyed peace process is due to the government-militarys forceful goading and hammering in of the ethnic armies into their desired mode, to achieve result according to its prescription.

He further stressed that that this has resulted in an about-turn situation of the Burmas political situation, making the ethnic nationalities lose trust on the Tatmadaw, Aung San Suu Kyi and the government.

The whole situation is like the pot calling the kettle black, one Shan State Progress Partys (SSPP) leader told this writer, or better it is more of a catch-22 situation, if you like.

The pot calling the kettle black is simple enough, as the Tatmadaw with its decades-long well documented human rights violations in ethnic states by the reputed rights organizations and United Nations, which are still ongoing, to call the NA-B destroying public facilities and bringing hardships to the livelihood of the civilian, deserved to be called terrorists. Apart from that, no one is coming out much better off from the collateral damage done by warring parties, to be fair.

The catch-22 is a situation, which stems from straitjacket that the military has knitted for itself. It maintained that it wants peaceful co-existence and at the same time wants to be the sole protector of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity.

On the other hand, the NA-B including all ethnic resistance armies, plus ethnic political parties, are for the shared national sovereignty, territorial integrity and maintaining national unity, not just the sole ownership and domain of the Tatmadaw, or for that matter  the NLD government also.

But the problem is the Tatmadaw cannot accept the political aspirations of the non-Bamar ethnic nationalities and their just struggle for equal share on all the said norms or issues surrounding the country. So the Tatmadaw is convinced that it has to fight the ethnic armies, which contradict its own commitment of achieving an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence. Thus, the fight goes on and on, with no way to achieve a negotiated settlement, which only hinges on its ability to compromise. In other words, as equal negotiation partners and as well acceptance that shared-sovereignty is the key to fruitful peace process.

In sum, calling the ethnic armies terrorists and continue wearing the straitjacket of sole responsible protector of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and perpetuating national unity. Indulging in blame game, implementing total annihilation policy on the ethnic armies will just bring the country into a further mess and disintegration, where only rational sense and accommodation will pull the country out from the present down-slide into abyss of no return.
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This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Like a heart pumps blood through the body, the steady beat of the drums kept the round dance going at the Mahkaday Ginew Memorial Centre on Saturday night.

The community gathered to celebrate and honour the successes of local indigenous youth, while teaching them about their culture.

We want to teach our youth the ceremonies and traditions, because this is who they are, said youth cultural worker Tim Bone. Im all about passing on the knowledge.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun A drumming group performs at the centre of a round dance during the second annual dance and potluck supper at the Mahkaday Ginew Memorial Centre on Saturday evening. The evening of food, fun and fellowship was held to honour another year of activities with the Brandon Friendship Centre youth group.

The celebration started casually with a potluck, filling the table with turkey and gravy, meatballs, bannock and all sorts of Christmas baking.

After everyone was full, Bone called all the drummers up to the centre of the room. A small group joined hands, taking a quick selfie before the dance starteda modern day tradition intertwining with an ancient one.

As soon as the drums and singing began, a group of six or seven quickly grew to about 40 or 50 people, young and old dancing to the same beat.

Slow down, its one step per beat, one woman said to a group of children whose excitement had changed their steady dance into more of a high-kicking gallop.

Four-year-old Avery Wolfe Flett could hardly wait for the dancing to start.

This will be his first year dancing, he just got his outfit made, said Caroline Flett, Averys grandmother. Hes really excited.

Averys three-piece outfit black with hand-stitched blue lines and red fringe running up the front and over his shoulders  may be small now, but its the first of many more that will grow with him.

Hes the next generation of a long line of dancers, enrolled in classes to learn grass dance in the new year.

In his family (dancing) goes back generations  his uncles were dancers, my brothers were dancers, his grandpa, on my side  he follows the traditions of our culture whenever possible, Flett said.

The festivities also capped off the year for the Brandon Friendship Centre youth group, which offers two programs the parent child centre program for children aged six to 12 and the youth of tomorrow program for youths aged 13 to 24  that operate out of the Brandon Aboriginal Youth Activity Centre.

Both programs plan regular get-togethers and take part in many public events and activities throughout the year to get the children, pre-teens and teens engaged with their community.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Carter Jackson takes part in a round dance during the second annual dance and potluck supper at the Mahkaday Ginew Memorial Centre on Saturday evening.

We want to give them opportunity  even if mom and dad cant afford it, we want (the kids) to still be able to have those experiences, Bone said. Hopefully as the younger kids grow, they might decide to continue coming to the youth programs and share their knowledge as well.

The programs also teach youth how to earn respect and honour, Bone said.

We have an honour system throughout the year, and if a kid does something, whether it be cleaning up their dishes or helping someone, they earn a sticker  this is also a celebration of the honour theyve earned throughout the year, Bone said.

The event was open to the public, an effort to fight the stigma still surrounding indigenous communities, Bone said.

We welcome everyone with open hands  all races and all faiths. We want to be open and encourage understanding.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
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This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University has acquired a significant location downtown: the former Strand Theatre property.

This is the perfect time for us to take advantage of this fortuitous opportunity, said BU President Gervan Fearon. Our Universitys Academic Plan speaks to community engagement and being a catalyst for community growth and development. This property will help us to further meet student needs, to broaden our academic programming engagement with the community, and to play a role in the revitalization of the downtown core.

The new acquisition is on the 100-block of 10th Street in downtown Brandon and BU has taken possession of it from Landmark Cinemas for the price of $1.

File photo The Strand Theatre on 10th Street. The Raising the Curtain campaign kicked off in November 2013 to raise $700,000 to redevelop the historic downtown theatre, but one year later, the fundraising project appears to still be struggling to get off the ground.

Landmark Cinemas has been outstanding to work with throughout this process, and we are very pleased that they share our vision for education and development in Brandons core, Fearon said.

My partner, Neil Campbell, Landmarks President and CEO and a Brandon University alumnus from 1973, and myself are exceptionally pleased to have worked with Brandon University to find a solution for the property that works for everyone, said Brian McIntosh, executive chairman of Landmark Cinemas. Landmark Cinemas has been entertaining the movie-goers of Brandon and district since the 1970s and in a small way this is our opportunity to give-back to the community which has supported Landmark so well for so many years. We will watch, with great interest, what new plans Brandon University has in store for this site and we wish the University and the City much success with their future downtown Brandon plans.

Adding a nearby downtown element to BUs visible and central Brandon location on 18th Street will provide significant future opportunities for the university as well as the city.

Brandon University is moving to expand our role in community-based research as well as co-op and experiential education, said Steve Robinson, BUs Vice President, Academic and Provost. A presence downtown can allow us to strengthen these links, forge new ones, and provide a full spectrum of study and research opportunities.

The new location will also provide the university community with new and better access to civic amenities.

Students know that life doesnt start and end at the campus limits. Whether its working a part-time job, finding a coffee shop to study or write a paper, or socializing in the evening, downtown Brandon offers a lot for us, said Brandon University Students Union President Nick Brown. Were excited to see the plans as they develop, and happy to work with faculty and administration to find the best use for this needed space. We already have some ideas, such as student residences and student family housing, which would be ideal given the location right across from Princess Park and recreational facilities.

Over the coming months, Brandon University will work with the university community, the City of Brandon, Renaissance Brandon and other partners to refine plans for the future use of the property through innovative partnerships and prudent fiscal management.

There is a resurgence of optimism and development in downtown Brandon, and to have Brandon University playing a significant role underscores this sense of excitement for the future of our city, said Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest. BU continues to be an excellent partner with the City of Brandon, and I look forward to welcoming them downtown.

The 100-block of 10th Street is among the most historic and central in Brandon. Recent nearby development has included office and retail space, upper-storey residential, a well-used skateboard park.

It is incredibly exciting that Brandon University has made a decision to place roots in the heart of our city, said Elisabeth Saftiuk, executive director of Renaissance Brandon. A university presence in the citys core will bring dynamic change to downtown Brandon. Brandon University can catalyze the mixed-use development that is critical for downtown revitalization. This is a perfect fit that brings new people, new amenities, and new life to downtown Brandon.

Brandon University is further reviewing the results of an engineering assessment that was done on the building. A Campus Master Plan process is also currently underway. Anticipated for completion in mid-2017, the Campus Master Plan will look at potential directions for facility development and space usage at BU. Acquiring this downtown properly now means it is able to be fully incorporated into the planning process, advancing Brandon Universitys priority to be a community-engaged institution.

We know public projects must demonstrate a strong value proposition. The combination of growth at Brandon University with development in downtown Brandon provides outstanding value and benefits for the city and the entire community, said Derrick Stewart, chair of the BU Board of Governors. This will be transformative for all  for the university community, the city and the southwestern Manitoba region. We are working to make Brandon a preferred destination for post-secondary education.

 Submitted
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This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes and groves William Shakespeares The Tempest is about to grace the stage in Brandon.

This will be the last performance of the year for Mecca Productions, but that is not the only reason this performance of The Tempest, directed by Tara Leach, is important.

(This year) is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeares death, Leach said. I think its a really important anniversary to mark, and we thought producing this show would be a great way to do that. The Tempest was the last play Shakespeare wrote  he was at the height of his dramatic and creative powers.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Cast members of Mecca Productions run through a rehearsal for The Tempest on Sunday evening.

The tragicomedy is set on a remote island, where sorcerer and rightful Duke of Milan, Prospero, plots to restore his daughters place using illusion and manipulation. He conjures up a storm, the tempest, to lure his superseding brother Antonio and King Alonso of Naples to the island, where plot twists and conflict ensue.

I love that its a blend of tragedy and comedy. Shakespeare was really creative with the form of the play and the characters, they are all very complex, Leach said. Whats most exciting is the level of imagination Shakespeare used to create it and the level of imagination the audience is invited to use as well.

Leach adapted the play in an effort to keep the performance moving along at a quicker pace, and to make it more accessible and familiar to contemporary audience. It took a few months of writing in her spare time to get it ready for rehearsal, she said.

We started rehearsing at the beginning of September, Leach said. I have great connections with these actors  its been a wonderful experience, every rehearsal is a delight.

There are 14 actors in the performance as well as a group of about eight to 10 dancers and drummers from Capoeira Guanabara, who will open the play with dance.

This is a wonderful story. It will be a spectacle for Brandons theatre audience, Leach said. There is something for everyone.

The Tempest will be performed at the Keystone Centre Amphitheatre on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
Opinion

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This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Multiple groups recently called upon the federal and provincial governments to work together to solve growing poverty issues. Nationally, a coalition of agencies called Campaign 2000 has spoken out ever since then-prime minister Jean Chretiens government passed a resolution in the House of Commons on Nov. 24, 1989, resolving to eliminate child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. Seventeen years after the resolution was passed, no federal or provincial government has made a dent in growing poverty statistics.

Back in 1989, estimates were that one child in six in Canada lived in poverty. Today, that figure has risen to one in five, a total of 1.3 million children. Although Canada considers itself to be a wealthy country, UNICEF ranks it 26th out of the 35 most developed countries in terms of child inequality. Overall, from 1989 to today, child poverty has increased from 15.8 to 18.5 per cent. On reserves, First Nations child poverty is 60 per cent.

The situation in Manitoba is dire. Since 1989, our rate of child poverty has risen from 23 per cent to 29 per cent (2014 figures) despite overall growth in our provinces economy. Only Nunavut boasts of greater child poverty. Campaign 2000 and, in our province, Make Poverty History Manitoba, have pinpointed the problems and conditions that have caused this situation, and are also calling for specific actions.

Many poor people have jobs. The problem here is that many of these jobs are short-term, seasonal, part-time and/or low-paying. Two million Canadian workers are doing temporary work. Campaigners would like to see more full-time jobs being created and want our provincial government to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. Their calculations say that an adequate minimum wage would be $15.53 per hour, but our provincial government recently froze the minimum wage at $11. This, they say, condemns many hard-working families to poverty which will affect their childrens development.

Another issue is the identity of most poor people. They are most often indigenous, as well as often female-led, newcomer or affected by disability. Campaigners are calling on all levels of government to work together to focus on these communities and develop a plan to tackle these challenges.

The cost of housing across the country, especially in our largest cities is beyond what many families can afford. One in seven people using homeless shelters in Canada are children, and more than 300,000 of these youngsters use food banks regularly. Campaign representatives say that they are impressed by the concern and commitment expressed by politicians in recent election campaigns about the severity of the child poverty issue, but havent seen action to meet those promising words.

A final issue raised by Campaign 2000 is around transfers and taxation. They call for improvements in federal and provincial family tax benefit programs. They also call for an increase in financial transfers to support public spending on family benefits. Canadas public spending on family benefits stands at 1.18 per cent of GDP, compared to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (most developed countries)s average of 2.14 per cent. This was a criticism of Canada even back in Chretiens day when Canada sat at the top of the UNs Human Development Index, but ranked 20th in its anti-poverty programs.

The Manitoba campaign, which includes Winnipeg Harvest and the University of Manitobas School of Social Work, has called upon the premier and his government to unveil a plan, with a timeline and targets, to confront the gravity of family and child poverty. A longtime leader in the national and provincial campaigns, U of M Prof. Sid Frankel, says that action is needed now  A year is a long time in the life of a child.

Six other provinces also released reports along with the national one. In the national report, Frankel says that the federal government must bring leadership to this issue. Social programs, he says, are a patchwork quilt that needs organization and are often unevenly distributed and everywhere underfunded. The national co-ordinator for Campaign 2000 adds: Childrens lives are at stake.

These are not easy issues. However, like a festering wound, not taking action only means things will get worse. Improving the job market, raising incomes and finding solutions to longstanding social issues is in the interest of all Canadians, if we wish to live in a prosperous and peaceful country.

 Zack Gross is a former executive director of Brandons The Marquis Project, an organization dedicated to global poverty alleviation.
Opinion

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This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On Thursday, John Glenn died at the age of 95. For baby boomers, Mr. Glenns first orbit around Earth in 1962 ushered in the age of great possibilities. The world became just a bit smaller that day. Mr. Glenn also set the record for being the oldest man in space, going up with the shuttle Discovery in 1998 at 77.

One of Mr. Glenns last letters was sent to Jeffrey P. Bezos, the founder of the space company Blue Origin. Mr. Bezos, who also founded Amazon and owns the Washington Post, said watching the moon landing when he was a child was the impetus for him to pursue his privately funded spaceflight service. Mr. Glenn wrote: I can tell you I see the day coming when people will board spacecraft the same way millions of us now board jetliners. When that happens, it will be largely because of your epic achievements this year. Mr. Bezos just announced a new rocket-manufacturing facility in Florida is underway for the private spaceflight company.

Researchers have suggested the growth of computer technology worked hand in hand with the growth of space exploration. For those of a certain age, the technology that propelled Mr. Glenn into space became fodder for the imagination. Shows such as Star Trek, Lost in Space and even The Jetsons, while fantasy, provided insights into the potential future.

However, that future was not always positive. Mr. Glenn was a fighter pilot in the Second World War, which ended with the dropping of the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The technology behind the Manhattan project, responsible for the creation of the atomic bomb, also led to the invention of the first electronic general purpose computer.

Mr. Glenn eventually went on to have a somewhat successful political career, running for U.S. Senate and winning after three attempts in 1974 (he ran for the first time in 1964, but withdrew, and then did not win in 1970) as a Democrat for Ohio. During his senatorial career, he became an expert on nuclear weaponry and an advocate for non-proliferation. It seems Mr. Glenn understood the danger of technology if left in the wrong hands.

Men such as Mr. Glenn are slowing leaving this Earth: the men of what has been called the greatest generation, while those who follow are now in control of technology and our future. Men such as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, who has not been very clear about his policy on nuclear proliferation, but has suggested South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia, which are not nuclear powers, should arm themselves with nuclear weapons for their own defence. Dont forget, its also technology that also helped pave the way for Mr. Trumps win, through his savvy use of social media.

Mr. Glenn was deemed too poor an orator to win the nod as Jimmy Carters running mate in 1976. He eventually threw his hat into the ring for president, seeking the Democratic nomination in 1984, but was unsuccessful, despite his celebrity. For many looking at what happened this year in the American presidential election, with a win by a candidate who was nothing but celebrity, the contrasts are stark.

 Winnipeg Free Press
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More education, less indoctrination

So Manitoba students, according to the PISA results, once again rank near the bottom in reading, science and math. This should surprise no one. There are a small number of high schools in Manitoba where students excel in math and science  the rest range from mediocre to awful. The ones who succeed do so because they have excellent teachers who have created a culture of high expectations, where students are encouraged to enter science fairs and math competitions. Many schools in Manitoba are more concerned about handing out a trophy to everyone. In Manitoba, we need more education and less indoctrination. What a mess the current government has to clean up, if they have the will to do so. Our students are counting on it.

Condo fees up  service down

I have lived in a condo community for six years now. Every year the condo fees go up, but maintenance gets less and less. We have no street lights, which makes it very dark. But what bothers me the most is the last few winters they dont plow the roads after a heavy snowfall. They come and shovel the driveways and sidewalks late in the day. I had to plow through a snowdrift on a recent morning to get out of my garage to get to work. Just saying that I am very disappointed in the service. If I could do it myself, I would.

So thankful for Good Samaritan

On a recent afternoon, as I was slowly digging out my car from the snow and sludge left by the snowplows on Lorne Avenue by Hobbs Manor, a young man appeared and suggested that I sit in the car and keep warm while he did the shovelling. And he did with a smile. It was a wonderfully kind thing to do. It renewed my faith in human nature and I was so grateful. Thanks to my Good Samaritan and I hope someone does something good for you in the near future. In a column of complaints congrats from a grateful old lady.

Fixing past mistakes costing our future

Totally agree with the looking to the future comment. I wonder if the public actually realize how much of our tax dollars go to try to fix things that happened 50 years ago. If we keep going the way we are, no one will be able to afford to live in this country.
As you can imagine its a busy time of year for Santa and his Elves in the North Pole.

But when the nurse of a Tennessee hospital rang him to rush to a terminally-ill child's side, he dropped all his tools and went straight there.

He didnt even have time to put on his full suit, just his santa suspenders.

Speaking to Knoxville News Sentinel, Santas friend Eric Schmitt-Matzen said: he sized up the situation and told everyone, 'If you think youre going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, Ill break down and cant do my job'.

The boys parents and relatives left the room and watched the magic through the window.

He was laying there, so weak it looked like he was ready to fall asleep, he said.

He sat down on his bed and asked, Say, whats this I hear about youre gonna miss Christmas?

Theres no way you can miss Christmas. Why, youre my number one elf.

I am? the boy asked before taking the paw patrol toy Santa brought to him.

Although he couldnt open it as he was too weak.

They say Im gonna die. How can I tell when I get to where Im going? the five-year-old asked the famous man.

But Santa assured him that when you get there, you tell them youre Santas number one elf, and I know theyll let you in.

The boy uttered his final words while Santa hugged him, and they were, Santa, can you help me?

He then quietly passed away.

Eric Schmitt-Matzen said that he was deeply affected by the incident and revealed that he cried for days afterwards.

"My wife and I were scheduled to visit our grandchildren in Nashville the next day, but I told her to go by herself," he said.

I was a basket case for three days. It took me a week or two to stop thinking about it all the time.

Work at the North Pole has been quiet since it happened but Santa assured everyone that when I saw all those children laughing, it brought me back into the fold.
A woman in Cork city was mugged while Christmas shopping yesterday evening in an incident described by gardai as "horrible, random and vicious".

The woman, who is around 70 years old and was accompanied by another woman, was walking in the direction of the Clayton Hotel on Lapps Quay when she was attacked from behind.
The Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has said Ireland will accept at least 1,100 asylum seekers from Greece by September next year.

Ms Fitzgerald has been meeting with Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras as part of her official visit to the country with Minister Katherine Zappone.
The HPV vaccine is being offered to men aged 16-26 who have sex with men from January onwards.

Schoolgirls currently get the vaccine in school, to guard against cervical cancers.

However, the vaccine also covers other cancers and genital warts.

Research shows that where there is a high take-up of the HPV vaccine among teenage girls, heterosexual boys and men also benefit from the so-called "herd immunity".

Clinical lead of the HSEs Sexual Health Strategy, Fiona Lyons, says this has been clearly demonstrated in Australia.

"They first introduced the vaccine for adolescent girls in 2007, and they have had a significant decline, practically no genital warts being seen now in Australia within the heterosexual population," she said.

"But because it wasn't being given to at-risk groups, the men who have sex with men were not benefitting from that herd immunity.

"And it's with that in mind that we've introduced the HPV vaccine for men who have sex with men from next January."
Update 9.09pm: The HSE has offered to meet with the Irish Cancer Society after it highlighted the major costs of hospital car parks.

The executive says parking charges are invested back into services, and they ensure the availability of parking spaces.

However, it says it has no policy or guidelines on the issue.

Earlier:

Cancer patients are spending up to 63 a week on parking charges at Irish hospitals according to the Irish Cancer Society.

The charity is calling on the HSE to make parking free of charge for patients attending clinics.

The Society found that a four hour stay in Tallaght Hospital in Dublin costs 10 -more than double the price shoppers will pay in the Square Shopping Centre, just two minutes' drive away.

Last year Irish hospitals raised 16m in parking charges and the Cancer Society says the cost is putting an unnecessary strain on cancer patients and their families.

Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society said: "People undergoing treatment are facing real hardship in having to deal with additional costs and large drops in income, and high car parking charges only add to this.

"We have proposed a set of guidelines for hospitals to the HSE, that, if put in place, would make a big difference to cancer patients."
An Irishman has lost his appeal against the decision to extradite him to the US on charges of advertising and distributing child pornography.

Eric Eoin Marques is accused of setting up a hosting site that allowed more than 100 websites to post videos and images of child abuse.
An official Chinese newspaper has called Donald Trump "as ignorant as a child" after the president-elect again suggested that he was reconsidering how America deals with Taiwan.

The Global Times, a Communist Party-controlled newspaper, was responding to Mr Trump's comments in a television interview on Sunday that he would not feel "bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade".

Beijing was already angered by Mr Trump's phone call with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen on December 2, the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades.

China considers the self-governing island to be its territory and any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Hours after Mr Trump's interview with Fox News Channel aired, the Global Times published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: "Trump, please listen clearly: 'One China' cannot be traded.

"China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him. Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception.

"Many people might be surprised at how the new US leader is truly a 'businessman' through-and-through," the paper said, referring to Mr Trump's suggestion of using the "one China" policy as a bargaining chip. "But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child."

The Global Times, which is published by the Communist Party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, often runs commentaries that target nationalistic sentiment with provocative language.

Chinese officials have had a muted response so far to Mr Trump, who followed the phone call with two tweets accusing China of manipulating its currency, taxing American imports and provoking tensions in the South China Sea.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed the phone call on a Taiwanese "trick", and the ministry has repeatedly reaffirmed that Taiwan is a part of China without directly criticising the president-elect.

On Sunday, Mr Trump appeared to back off reports that his call with Ms Tsai was planned well in advance by advisers positioning him to confront China over the island.

He said he heard about the call "probably an hour or two before".

"Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" he said. "I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it."
A survivor of a plane crash in Colombia that killed 71 people has said that the pilot did not tell passengers to fasten their seatbelts right before the aircraft smashed into a hillside.

Brazilian radio journalist Rafael Henzel spoke with Fantastico television programme on Sunday night from Colombia, where he is recovering.

Mr Henzel said that the passengers had no idea what was going on.

He added: "We just kept flying without any idea of what was about to happen."

The plane took off from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and crashed near the airport in Medellin, Colombia, on November 28.

Only six of the 77 passengers on board survived. The dead included 19 members of the Chapecoense football club from southern Brazil and 20 of the journalists covering the team.

The survivors were two Bolivian crew members and four Brazilians - Mr Henzel and three footballers.

Investigations have been launched in Brazil, Bolivia and Colombia. Colombian authorities have said they believe a lack of fuel caused the crash.

Henzel said that toward the end of the flight, passengers around him began asking how long it would be before they landed.

"Ten minutes", was the response from the crew, he said. "Then suddenly, the lights went off and the engines went off."

At that point, everyone rushed back to their seats and fastened their seatbelts, said Mr Henzel.

Then the plane crashed into a hillside.

Mr Henzel said when he awoke, there were emergency workers around him and he was in immense pain from what turned out to be seven broken ribs.

He called out to the colleagues who had been sitting on each side of him, but they had died.

He said he believed he survived thanks to a miracle and the good fortune to wake up just as emergency workers passed by.

Mr Henzel said he was sickened to learn the cause of the accident was likely a lack of fuel.

"People died because of a lack of judgment," he said. "That is revolting."

AP
A manhunt is under way in France for four thieves who have stolen a large shipment of gold from an armoured truck before setting it on fire on a major motorway.

A national gendarme service spokesman said that police have rescued the two drivers from the flaming truck thanks to a tip-off from a witness.
The head of a UK House of Lords committee is warning about the 'collateral damage' the island of Ireland could suffer if governments don't come up with a satisfactory plan for Brexit together.

The group's EU committee's releasing a report today describing the situation as a 'huge challenge' for this country.
An unfaithful wife with "a temper like The Hulk" had her throat cut during a furious row with her estranged husband about his new girlfriend, a court in England has heard.

Dawn Rhodes, 38, was allegedly murdered by carpenter Robert Rhodes, 43, at their family home in Redhill, Surrey.

On the evening of June 2, she confronted her husband about a woman he had met through a dating website, jurors were told.

While his back was turned, she hit him over the head with a knife she had grabbed from the kitchen, the court heard.

Rhodes told police he felt scared when the IT analyst "flipped" just like green Marvel comic character The Hulk.

Simon Russell Flint QC said: "He described himself as being really scared and that Dawn flipped and - as he put it - turned into The Hulk."

The defendant described her making a "growling noise" and said she "came at him at speed", the prosecutor said.

Rhodes managed to disarm her and take the knife, which he then swung out and slashed her across the neck, leaving a 13cm gaping wound, the court was told.

He then fled upstairs, called 999 and barricaded himself into a bedroom where he waited for police, jurors heard.

Officers arrived at the house in Wimborne Avenue and saw Rhodes waving from upstairs. On entering, they found Mrs Rhodes lying face down in the dining room in a large pool of blood.

Rhodes was treated in hospital for injuries to the back of his head and a cut across the palm of his left hand, the court heard.

When told that his wife had died, he allegedly said: "I'm going to prison, aren't I?"

Following his arrest, Rhodes told police he had known his wife for 21 years and they were in the process of getting divorced.

Last Christmas Eve, Rhodes said he discovered she was having an affair with a work colleague and she asked him to move into the loft conversion.

The defendant allegedly told officers that he found out about the affair from looking at messages on her old phone.

Rhodes had met a new girlfriend through an online dating website and his wife found out about it on May 31 - two days before her death, the court heard.

The defendant told officers that his wife's boyfriend was a married man she worked with called Michael Cullen.

He described the man as "a wanker" for taking his wife away and said he had told him: "Thank you for screwing my wife and my life."

He admitted setting up a fake Facebook account in the name of David Pattison to contact Mr Cullen's wife to inform her of the affair, although it had been deactivated by the time of the killing.

Rhodes denies murder and the trial continues.
The unwillingness of the United States to work with Russia in Syria contributed to the loss of the ancient city of Palmyra to the Islamic State group, a Moscow spokesman has said.

Dmitry Peskov told journalists that "the US does not want to cooperate", adding that "cooperation would have probably allowed us to more effectively avoid such attacks from terrorists".
The top Senate Republican says that Congress will investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election on behalf of Donald Trump, an intelligence conclusion that the incoming commander in chief has called "ridiculous".

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that an inquiry would be conducted by the Senate intelligence panel.

Two key Senate Republicans - John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump critic - have joined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlins activities during the election.

"Obviously any foreign breach of our cyber security measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts," Mr McConnell said.

Unlike Mr Trump, who has expressed admiration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Mr McConnell said flatly, "The Russians are not our friends."

The CIA recently concluded with "high confidence" that Russia sought to influence the US election on behalf of Mr Trump, raising red flags among lawmakers concerned about the sanctity of the US voting system and potentially straining relations at the start of President-elect Trumps administration.

Mr Trump said on Sunday the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was "ridiculous", and he praised ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

Russia expects to figure prominently at the start of a week in which Mr Trump is expected to name more members of his Cabinet, which also has vacancies in the departments of Energy, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs.

Mr Trumps transition team announced on Monday that his choice to head the Department of Homeland Security is, as expected, Gen John Kelly.

General Kelly is a former commander of US Southern Command with "unique insight into some of the challenges the United States faces at its southern border", the announcement said.

"Its a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin," Mr McCain said of Mr Tillerson.

"And obviously theyve done enormous deals together." In an interview with CBS show Face the Nation, Mr McCain said: "That would colour his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat."

Russia expects to figure prominently at the start of a week in which Mr Trump is expected to name more members of his Cabinet, which also has vacancies in the departments of Energy, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs.

During his campaign, President-elect Trump weathered turbulent relations with fellow Republicans but has since forged a more united front with GOP politicians since his November victory over Hillary Clinton.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News Sunday, Mr Trump dismissed those concerns as little more than partisan griping.

"I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country. And frankly, I think theyre putting it out. And its ridiculous," Mr Trump said.

The incoming president said he did not necessarily oppose calls from President Barack Obama for an inquiry into the 2016 campaign hacking, but said it should not be solely focused on a single culprit.

"If youre gonna to do that, I think you should not just say Russia. You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals," he said.

The White House has said the probe would focus on any breaches by other countries along with hacking committed in previous elections.

AP
Trophy hunters have been chiefly responsible for the death of male lions on the African national park where Cecil made his home, say researchers.

Cecil, a 13-year old male lion, was a major attraction at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe before being killed by American big-game hunter Walter Palmer.

His death last year sparked outrage among conservationists and animal lovers, especially since Palmer had a permit and could not be prosecuted for any crime.

A new study has now shed further light on the impact of trophy hunting on Hwange's lion population.

Researchers writing in the Journal of Applied Ecology studied the deaths of 206 lions in Hwange between 1999 and 2012. They found that 88% of male and 67% of female deaths were directly attributable to human activity.

File photo of Cecil the lion.

Male deaths were dominated by trophy hunting, while female lions were killed in a number of ways including accidental snaring by bush meat hunters, and targeting by livestock herders.

Analysis showed that lions tended to avoid risky areas such as farmland with a history of retaliatory killing. Older, experienced lions were more likely to give these danger zones a wide berth than younger and less savvy individuals.

A second paper published in the journal Biological Conservation also used Hwange data to focus on the effects of intensive trophy hunting of male lions.

It showed that when hunting quotas were vastly reduced in the mid-2000s, the park's lion population increased by 62% while the number of adult males doubled.

Professor David Macdonald, director of Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), who co-authored both studies, said: "Among the threats facing conservation is the global decline of many large apex predators. Public concern about the fate of many of these iconic species was strikingly emphasised by the outcry over the killing, by an American trophy hunter, of Cecil the lion - an animal studied closely by WildCRU.

"These two important new pieces of research, based on long-term understanding of population dynamics, add very significantly to our understanding of the threats faced by lions and other large predators in a world that is increasingly dominated by the human enterprise."
The appointed decision-makers of the elderly who abuse their powers could be forced to pay compensation by state and territory tribunals under a proposal by the Australian Law Reform Commission.

The body released its discussion paper on elder abuse on Monday. The wide-ranging document explored how best to protect older Australians from emotional, financial and physical abuse, calling for a national plan and prevalence study to address the issue.

The Australian Law Reform Commission has released its discussion paper on elder abuse. Credit:Tamara Voninski

One suggestion was for a national online registration scheme of enduring documents - powers of attorney and enduring guardianship - to make clearer the appointment and role of that person.

Another was to allow state and territory tribunals to order enduring guardians and attorneys to pay compensation where a breach of their obligations has resulted in a loss to the person they represent.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk should reject a $1 billion taxpayer-funded concessional loan for the Adani Carmichael mine's rail line, the Queensland Greens say.

The Greens say the Premier has the power to reject funding under the federal government's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

Greens candidate Michael Berkman is calling on the Queensland government to reject the NAIF loan to Adani.

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act requires that "in performing its functions, the Facility must take all reasonable steps to comply with the Investment Mandate".

The Investment Mandate Direction states: "The Facility must not make an investment decision if at any time the relevant jurisdiction provides written notification that financial assistance should not be provided to a project."
With the Andrews government now promising to build the North East Link, we should cast our minds back to a seemingly unrelated event on March 29, 2011.



That's the day the Baillieu government officially acted to remove a bus lane from Stud Road in Rowville.



The bus lane had been in place all of 18 months. It was installed by the previous government as a "public transport dividend" from construction of EastLink. As EastLink relieved pressure on parallel roads, it was proclaimed, space could be "rebalanced" toward buses, demonstrating how motorways and public transport fulfil "complementary" roles.



This "complementarity" was a supremely convenient idea politically, but had no basis in reality. There's no shortage of evidence why. Quite simply, new roads have never been found to relieve congestion  usually they've added to it.



The British recognised this at policy level years before, after witnessing the traffic nightmare bequeathed to them by Thatcher's road-building frenzy in the 1980s. In 1994, their Standing Advisory Committee on trunk road assessment ruled that "increases in traffic on improved roads are, in general, not offset by equivalent reductions in traffic on unimproved alternative routes".



As long as our transport policy favours roads, in other words, that bus lane in Stud Road was doomed from the outset  as was any hope of congestion relief for the bulk of eastern suburbs motorists. EastLink was never going to take cars or trucks off Stud Road or any other road. The press release cheering the removal of the bus lane can still be found on the website of the federal MP for Aston, Alan Tudge. The accompanying photo shows Mr Tudge on Stud Road complete with passing semi-trailer  one of the trucks it was promised EastLink would take off Stud Road for good.



Why dredge up all this history now? Because EastLink's northern extension now has official government backing, and all the same delusions about congestion relief, freight diversion and "complementary" benefits for public transport are being marshalled in its defence. We are failing to learn from history.



It's not hard to understand how the North East Link can seem so attractive if your mindset is business-as-usual. Many years ago, it was bundled with EastLink's predecessor as a single project: the Eastern Ring Road. It aimed to provide Melbourne with a complete ring-freeway just like the M25 in London (now a congested monster widely known as "Europe's biggest car park").



But for a long time, politicians and planners were keen to deny the project we now know as the North East Link ever existed. That's because it posed and still poses a threat to parkland, wetlands and places of historical and cultural significance in the Yarra Valley green wedge. Assessing the Eastern Ring Road as a single project may have seen it ruled out on environmental grounds. So the road lobby fell back to salami tactics: build the less contentious southern part first, then let pressure build up until the northern part appears inevitable.



And so now, in the face of all evidence, the government and Infrastructure Victoria claim the North East Link as the ultimate congestion buster. It's claimed to remove cars and trucks not just from parallel routes like Rosanna Road, but also from CityLink and the Tullamarine Freeway. Apparently, this will allow lanes for expanded SkyBus services, meaning that a rail link to the airport can be shoved down the priority list. On past history, I'd give those bus lanes 18 months.



But what is the alternative? When we're at this scale, it has to include extending our rail network for both passengers and freight, because only rail provides the combination of speed and high-capacity to compete with cars and trucks on a region-wide basis, and to support bus networks for efficient local transport. This is the only way we'll have a chance of accommodating a growing population without adding to congestion.



It also clearly won't happen without culture change in government. Rail extensions to Rowville and Doncaster remain politically dead because the only body capable of supporting a credible business case  the Victorian Department of Transport  is dead against them. When calls for Doncaster rail are answered with a route that avoids the main regional activity centre to terminate at a car park, you know the road lobby is winning by default.



Time will tell whether the new Transport for Victoria body moves us in the right direction. But without major reform, it's clear we'll continue to be subjected to more person-years' worth of effort, using flawed computer models with question-begging assumptions, promoting motorway "solutions" that on prior experience just don't work.

Tony Morton is president of the Public Transport Users' Association.
Two new wind farms that will be built in NSW next year will power 90,000 ACT homes with renewable electricity, climate change minister Shane Rattenbury has said.

Construction will begin in 2017 on the Crookwell 2 Wind Farm and the Sapphire Wind Farm after funding arrangements with the ACT governments were finalised in the last two weeks.

Construction of the 270MW Sapphire Wind Farm is set to commence in 2017. Credit:Vestas Wind Systems A/S

The Sapphire Wind Farm will be the largest in NSW. Construction will begin in January with the farm to come online in the second half of 2018.

Located between Glen Innes and Inverell, the farm has contracted 100MW of its 270MW output to the ACT government with 32 wind turbines expected to supply energy for the territory.
Lockheed Martin issued a statement with more of the same spin about how once it's done the JSF will be "incredible value" by the time they get to they 70 per cent price reduction. The final line says "we look forward to any questions the president-elect may have." Just a hunch but it might just take a bit more than that[Statement] Interestingly, the conservative magazine American Spectator wrote earlier this month after Trump's Boeing tweet that the President-elect might want to look at the more "heinous examples of outrageous waste and abuse among Pentagon contractors" and singled out Lockheed Martin. [Gerald D.Skoning] It now seems clear the Defence community is part of Trump's 'swamp' he promised to drain. On the weekend Trump linked to a Washington Post article about the Pentagon burying $US125 billion in bureaucratic waste. "Unfortunately, so much is true."

One thing any retired Defence Minister will tell you in Canberra at least, is that the Defence establishment always outlasts the political "masters" of the day. This is a battle to watch. Trump also continued his comments rubbishing the CIA's advice that Russian hacking helped his election, tweeting that it was like a "conspiracy theory." [BBC] Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Credit:AP Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he had the highest confidence in the intelligence community "and especially the Central Intelligence Agency" and has backed calls for an inquiry into Russian hacking. He's stopped short though of backing a select committee investigation, which fellow Republican John McCain had called for. [CNN] 2. Aleppo

A Syrian army soldier places a Syrian national flag during a battle with rebel fighters at the Ramouseh front line, east of Aleppo. Credit:AP The Syrian regime now holds about 90 per cent of East Aleppo, according to war monitor The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. [Kareem Shaheen/The Guardian] The Syrian army says the battle of Aleppo is in its final stages and the rebels are accusing Russia of backtracking on a peace agreement now it's making military gains. [Reuters] The EU, meanwhile, has backed down from its threats to sanction Russia over its actions in Aleppo. [Reuters] Save our Syria says 500 children are trapped in East Aleppo.

3. Australian politics Mr Turnbull on the day after the republican's defeat in the 1999 referendum. Credit:Andrew Meares Malcolm Turnbull is preparing to resurrect the stellar success of his first go at politics - the Republic Debate he lost to the Liberal party's last successful Prime Minister John Howard. Liberal MPs will be aghast that a PM, struggling to craft (let alone communicate) a cohesive economic message is getting involved in this issue, at a time when his political stock is well and truly exhausted. Turnbull will address the Australian Republican Movement's 25th anniversary dinner in Sydney on Saturday night. [Stephanie Peatling/Fairfax] Treasurer Scott Morrison Credit:Andrew Meares Ratings agency Moodys is warning Treasurer Scott Morrison that it will not countenance overcooked forecasts in next week's budget update - the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (MYEFO.)

The government's update will act as though all its budget measures are to be approved by the Parliament but Moodys says it will take into account the "likelihood of them being implemented," when considering Australia's prized Triple-A rating. [David Uren/The Australian] Communications Minister Mitch Fifield is rolling out a "great big new tax" on the telcos to pay for the National Broadband Network. He admits this will make the cost of accessing the internet in Australia even more expensive. [Matthew Knott/Fairfax] SA Senator Nick Xenophon has expressed concerns about cost blowouts and other potential problems with the $50 billion submarine contract. Credit:DCNS GROUP Nick Xenophon wants the Productivity Commission to keep an eye on the massive submarines contract but Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says the National Audit Office's keen eye is enough. [Phillip Coorey/Financial Review] An odd trio of Coalition MPs are registering their gripes about Tony Abbott's Green Army program getting the chop. [Phillip Coorey/Financial Review]

The head of Australia's Immigration Department, Mike Pezzullo, has been dispatched to the United States to prevent a collapse of the refugee-swap deal under the Trump administration. [James Massola/Fairfax] Wedding fan: Attorney-General George Brandis. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Curious. The gaffe-prone Attorney-General George Brandis says he's "not at liberty" to discuss reports he's destined to replace former Liberal Foreign Minister Alexander Downer as High Commissioner to London. [Financial Review] 4. Italy Paolo Gentiloni. Credit:Alessia Pierdomenico

Italy's new Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni is due to meet President and is racing to put together a Cabinet. [AFP] Reuters cited a Treasury source saying the government was ready to bail out the country's third-largest bank the Monte dei Paschi if needed. [Guiseppe Fonte] 5. Transitional deal needed Philip Hammond. Credit:LUKE MACGREGOR Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is the latest serious government figure to call for a transitional deal for Britain as it leaves the European Union. [Laura Hughes/Telegraph]

It comes after the Minister overseeing Brexit, David Davis, said he "wasn't really interested in one." [Natasha Clark/The Sun] 6. Golden Globes John Lithgow as Winston Churchill. Credit:Robert Viglasky/Netflix I know I keep talking about The Crown but I watched the episode last night where Winston retires and was in tears by the end. John Lithgow is a stunning Churchill. Every word, raspy breath, curl of the mouth is consumed by his character. He is a master to watch. My hairdresser can't get past episode one, I say persevere because after episode three it really takes hold. Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) with Prince Philip (Matt Smith) in Credit:Robert Viglasky/Netflix
Commonwealth prosecutors have again shot down a pay deal offered by the Turnbull government, in a damning indictment on its "nasty" public sector bargaining policy, the public sector union says.

Sixty-two per cent of staff working for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions who took part in the ballot on Friday voted no to the proposed enterprise agreement, after 69 per cent voted no in May.

Staff employed by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions have struck out another pay deal offered by the Turnbull government. Credit:Darren Pateman

Both votes were the first time the CDPP had rejected deals, which Community and Public Sector Union deputy secretary Melissa Donnelly said was a "clear rejection" of the Turnbull government's "nasty" public sector bargaining policy.

"This is an agency that has previously settled fair agreements quickly and with minimum fuss, yet this time have instead for the first time gone on strike and voted no not once but twice," Ms Donnelly said.
We're wrapping up the blog soon, so here is a summary of the school results we have received so far today.

Scotch College: Four students obtained a perfect ATAR of 99.95 - Andrew Kawai, Warren Lee, Michel Nehme and William Song - while 49 per cent of the class of 2016 got a ranking of 90 or above.

Caulfield Grammar School: One student got a perfect ATAR of 99.95 this year, and 39 per cent of students received ATARs of 90 or above.

Shelford Girls' Grammar: 54 per cent of students obtained an ATAR above 90.

Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School: 39 per cent of its year 12 students achieved an ATAR of 90 or higher.

Melbourne Girls Grammar: 49 per cent of the school's cohort scored an ATAR of 90 or above.

Presbyterian Ladies' College: 58 per cent of the students got an ATAR of more than 90.

Melbourne Grammar School: Student Martin Lee received a perfect ATAR of 99.95.

Mac.Roberston Girls' High School: 81 per cent of its 238 Year 12 students got an ATAR score of 90 or more.

Huntingtower School: 60 per cent of its students achieved ATARs of 90 or above.

Mount Scopus Memorial College: 10 perfect study scores of 50, and 7 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 99 or above. 52 per cent of its students attained a score of 90 or above.

Haileybury College: 33 perfect study scores of 50. Five students achieved a perfect 99.95 ATAR.

Tintern Grammar: Two students attained an ATAR of 99.5. 22 per cent of its students achieved an ATAR of 90 and above.

Lauriston Girls' School: 46 per cent of its students achieved an ATAR of 90 and above.

St Michael's Grammar School: 34 per cent of its students received an ATAR of 90 or more

Camberwell Girls Grammar: 52% of Camberwell Girls' girls achieved an ATAR score more than 90, putting them in the Top 10 per cent in the state.

Korowa Anglican Girls' School: 57% ranked in the top 10 per cent after achieving an ATAR of 90 or higher

Liebler Yavneh College: 53% of the class attained an ATAR score of 90 or above

Beth Rivkah Ladies College: 54 per cent above 90.

Yeshivah College: 78 per cent above 90. Dux got 99.95.

Ballarat Clarendon College: 40 per cent ranked over 90

Balwyn High: 132 students (38% of the year level) got ATARs of 90 or above. Two students - Julie Shen and Jason Wong - achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95 this year.

Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School: 55 per cent of the cohort achieved an ATAR of 90 and above.

Woodleigh School: 32 per cent of students attained ATARs of 90 and above

Frankston High: 13 per cent of students received an ATAR of 90 or above

Methodist Ladies' College: three students obtained an ATAR of 99.95.

St Mary's Coptic Orthodox College: Shady Elyas is dux of the College with an ATAR score of 99.6

St Catherine's School: 43 per cent scored above 90.

Trinity Grammar: Two boys scored 99.95, and 49 per cent of the cohort obtained an ATAR above 90.

McKinnon Secondary College: 37 per cent of students received an ATAR of 90 or above.

Glen Waverley: One third of the student cohort got an ATAR of 90 or more.

Bialik College: 66.67% scored 90 and above.

Brighton Grammar School: 38 per cent of its students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above.

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School: Five students  Rosemary Chen, Sohil Chhabra, Alec Leos, Madhavi-Priya Singh and Mark Yin - obtained the maximum possible ATAR of 99.95. 44 per cent of Year 12s  over 100 students  obtained an ATAR of 90 or more.
The long wait is over for those VCE students who didn't receive their results early.

After an embarrassing technical glitch led to more than 2000 students seeing their results five days ahead of schedule, the majority of school leavers will find out their fate on Monday morning.

At 7am, mobile phones will beep across the state and computers will be fired up as 44,628 students receive their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, or ATAR.

The end-of-year rank is the main criteria for entry into most undergraduate university courses and symbolises 13 years of schooling coming to an end.
A south coast mother has urged parents to listen to their instincts after her three-year-old son was sent home from Wollongong Hospital's emergency department after being diagnosed with a virus when in fact he had life-threatening sepsis.

The incident has sparked calls from Labor's health spokesman Walt Secord for an independent investigation into the hospital's treatment of the young boy who was misdiagnosed and sent home, only to end up on life support.

Hamza remains on life support in hospital.

Wollongong boy Hamza Said was turned away from the hospital's emergency department early on December 5 after being treated with Panadol for a virus, when he actually had life-threatening sepsis.

His parents Sheima Morsi and Amro Said believe if they hadn't returned to the ED that evening their son would have died.
"I thought I was protecting my family and I have taken somebody away from theirs."

That is what Mitchell Barbieri told a psychiatrist after he murdered Inspector Bryson Anderson during a violent stand-off in 2012.

Barbieri, 21, was sentenced to a maximum of 35 years behind bars, with a non-parole period of 26 years, for murdering the decorated officer in Sydney's north-west.

His mother, Fiona Barbieri, was jailed for manslaughter.
We are signing over now to our coverage from Tammy Mills on the scene at Footscray where the Little Saigon fire is expected to continue to burn for some time.

Residents are reminded to stay indoors, close windows and turn off airconditioning units due to the smoke.

Melbourne Express will be back on deck tomorrow morning. Check in then.
Born in the Soviet Latvia, Dr Steinerte grew up with family stories about exile in Siberia. In this Q&A Elina discusses how this instilled a deep rooted understanding of how people should and should not be treated. She also gives an example of how a visit to a prison in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia reminded her why the little things count  and her pride at being invited to be involved in the UNs Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

When did you first become aware of human rights?

Having grown up in the Soviet Union, I think the issue of human rights was always just there, lingering. Nobody spoke about human rights, at least not in the understanding of the international human rights law. But the sense of fairness, of how people ought to be treated, of whats right and whats just wrong, that was always there. I come from a family who were torn by the Soviet regime as part of my family became refugees in the Western Europe after the WWII while other part were sent to exile in Siberia. I grew up with stories of Siberia which is where I think my personal interest in international human rights law were anchored. But the real understanding didnt come until I was a law student in the again independent Latvia. That was time when the old Soviet- time law professors were on their way out and new, young, very well educated and enthusiastic law teachers were just upcoming. It was an inspiring time to be a law student in Latvia.

When you decided to study law, were you already planning a career in human rights?

No, I did not. As a matter of fact, I had always wanted to study political science but for whole variety of reasons it did not happen and I started my studies in the Law Faculty of the University of Latvia in 1996. My interest in the political science was deep-seeded though as I did my PhD in political science later on in Scotland. Although upon completing my PhD I decided that my true place was in the international human rights field, having strong political science background has been hugely beneficial not only for research in law but has also allowed me developing better understating of the processes behind international human rights law.

What has been your most significant achievement to date?

For me, achievement is about making a difference. I understand that I might not be able to change the world, but if I can help one person, even if ever so slightly, its an achievement for me. So, to give a recent example, I recall a visit to a prison in Stip, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It was a training visit with the aim of assisting the local monitors to develop their prison monitoring skills and with that, our impact upon the local prisoners in terms of what we could do for them, was very limited, to say the least. I explained all this to an old man, a prisoner in his very run-down, overcrowded cell and we talked about his daily life in the establishment, about the problems and issues. And as we finished, as I was leaving the cell, I apologized we cannot really assist with the issues he raised. But he thanked me and when I asked why, he said you talked to me as if I was equal and so you made me feel human today. For me, that was a big achievement.

What is your role in the HRIC?

I am Senior Research Associate and currently work on a research project which aims to produce a set of four monitoring tools for prison oversight. This is a project to assist the work of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in Georgia and now we have Armenian NPM aboard too.

What have you been involved in most recently?

Last week was a huge privilege and a very interesting experience for me as I took part in the regular session of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. I was appointed to this UN Special Procedure mandate by the Human Rights Council on 30 September 2016 and took up my office on 1 November 2016. Three weeks later I took part in my first session of the UN WGAD. It was very intensive week, with very full working days during which we, inter alia, considered nearly 20 individual communications, cases.

How does the work you do on the ground influence your teaching?

I think the practical, on the ground experience is really paramount in the field like international human rights law because it allows to ground the theory into real life situations. It allows to illustrate complex legal constructs and show how they operate in the real life. Although I have spent all my professional life in academia, for me it was always of paramount importance that I do not stay in some sort of a tower of academia, that my knowledge and understanding of international human rights law and emerging issues is real, relevant to the current developments. This is one of the reasons why, for example, I spent two and a half years on the Bristol prison Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). The same goes for my current position as a member of the UN WGAD which will have great practical component both through the consideration of individual petitions and in-country missions. I really cannot see other way of being in the international human rights field.
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Education regulators have told Bristol City Council it has failed a primary school after it was thrown into special measures.

St Mary Redcliffe CofE Primary School has been rated Inadequate by Ofsted  the lowest rating  because of its weak leadership and poor pupil achievement, among a catalogue of problems.

Inspectors who visited the state-funded school said in their report that poor leadership has affected the school.

It also said the local education authority  Bristol City Council  has failed to improve the leadership there.

In their report, the inspectors wrote: "Despite the ongoing difficulties in the school's leadership, the local authority has not been effective in supporting the school.

"Local authority officers accept that they have failed to improve the leadership of the school."

The school is led by headteacher Emma Payne, and the chair of governors is Julia Chapman.

The bad news

Pupils' achievement, leadership, attendance, and senior and middle leaders were all marked down during the inspection.

Only personal development, welfare and the early years provision were rated Requires Improvement, the second-from-bottom rating.

The report read: "Weak leadership has had a detrimental impact on the effectiveness of the school.

"Despite the intervention of the governing body, the difficulties in leadership have not been resolved.

"Senior leaders do not have a secure understanding of the school's strengths and areas that need to improve.

"Senior leaders fail to promote equality of opportunity because not all pupils are given the chance to reach their full potential."

The teaching was also criticised as having "too much variability" and that teachers were not following the school's agreed marking policy.

The resources used by pupils for Maths lessons were not all fit for purpose, inspectors said, because they are of "poor quality and confuse the pupils".

Behaviour of pupils also needs to improve, and that attendance rates were below average in the last academic year.

The good things

The school's curriculum is rich in artistic, musical and physical activities, and it works closely with the community.

It is interesting and the range of subjects that are taught is broad, according to the inspection report.

There are also a variety of extra-curricular activities, and the arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Pupils also enjoy coming to school.

Also, the school has been swift to act when pupils might be at risk of honour-based violence.

Bullying is rare and incidents are dealt with quickly, parents told Ofsted inspectors.

What next?

Julia Chapman, chair of governors at the school, said: "We are disappointed with the outcome of our recent Ofsted report and acknowledge that there are a number of areas where we need to make improvements.

"Since the inspection we have taken action to make changes; we are working with the local authority to strengthen the leadership in the school and are implementing a clear action plan to address the other areas for improvement outlined by Ofsted.

"We are encouraged that the report found that pupils enjoy school life, the curriculum is rich and that we celebrate our diverse community.

"We also feel that other elements of our good practice were not recognised and are determined to ensure that all children will thrive in our school."

Paul Jacobs, director of education and skills at the council, told the Bristol Post that actions are being taken to support the school following the report.

He said there has been additional support with leadership, a maths subject leader, and across the school.

A review is underway to improve teaching and learning, and an evaluation is being done to look at how pupils with special education needs can be better helped.

He added: "Our early years specialists will also be working with the school as required.

"As a local authority the support we provide to schools is tailored to individual needs and we work more closely with schools as and when needed.

"One of our ambitions as a Learning City is to ensure all pupils have access to a strong education and good start in life.

"We are keen to reduce the inequalities, so following St Mary Redcliffe's recent review of pupil premium funding, we will be working with the school to look at how we can improve outcomes for disadvantaged children."
Latest News MKM Capital becomes MA Money Rebrand designed to align with non-bank's parent company

How to find a good private lender 10 questions brokers should ask to select the right one

A new prescriptive algorithm has been created which could one day be used by ASIC to spot fraudulent behaviour by rogue brokers.Launched by tech start-up Veriluma, the platform can be embedded behind an aggregators CRM system to track important data such as client details and product information. It is designed to spot any subconscious bias the broker may exhibit when delivering their services.Bias can be by omission; bias can be hindsight; bias can be familiarity, Richard Howard, advisory board member for Veriluma, told Australian Broker.What happens if I have dealt with a particular bank several times? Bang, bang, bang  three loan successes. Immediately I throw the next loan to that bank but is that the suitable product?The firm has already talked to ASIC about new tech that gives the regulator better oversight over the 23,000 brokers and advisors in Australia, said Veriluma CEO Elizabeth Whitelock.This would ensure advisors are acting in the best interest of clients with the products they are recommending, allowing ASIC get on top of individual brokers before they go rogue, she added.From a strategy perspective, we may not know who the rogue individuals are but what we might be able to spin up is a model which actually shows us what the behaviour may look like.We can take real data and ingest that from different scenarios. This might start to give us a flavour so that when we start to see that behaviour coming through, we can stamp down on it before it gets out of hand. That way, we can be more proactive.The algorithm may also help brokers find the best products for clients by feeding information about the individual and certain products into the system, Whitelock said.That could sit in the background doing a quick assessment based on what we know about the client and what theyre looking for  are these the right fit?This means the broker no longer has to sift through hundreds of individual loan products one-by-one, she added.Its not only the suitability of the product, said Howard. Thats an idealistic scenario  which products am I most suitable for  but then whats my probability of approval?The background assessment would be looking at both of these factors, Howard added, and would compile a list of suitable products ranked by the likelihood of approval.Thats a process which could take a broker days, he said.However, this system was not meant to be a replacement for broker-led decisions "but it can be a check, he added.Veriluma tackles individual problems  such as which loans will be most suitable for a client  and then examining what that problem looks like.Whats the question you want to answer and what are the elements that make up all of that? said Whitelock. Underneath all of those elements, there may be a dozen further elements, so we may end up with a hundred different issues that become information points. Thats where we start.The flexibility of Verilumas prescriptive analytics allows it to be tailored to the needs of each brokers clients.The algorithms already patented so we dont touch that. The only thing that changes is the clothes that you want to wear, said Whitelock. It becomes a layer on top of the engine.This means that, for mortgage brokers, Veriluma could train some of the firms analysts to build a model specifically for the type of clients being catered to.The company is currently gathering research in the financial services sector by talking to brokers, aggregators and other parties in the value chain to see how the algorithm can be used in the mortgage space, Howard said.
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They are beloved holiday traditions.

Two more Kings County Christmas trees will illuminate the night after locals lit up firs outside Borough Hall and Boerum Hills Belarusian Church on Thursday night. The former boasted kiddie performances and a visit from Santa, which one dad said made his daughters night.

It was great and a lot of fun  my kids enjoyed it, said Kensington resident Nick Nienaber, who attended the Atlantic Avenue lighting for the first time this year. My daughter liked talking to Santa.

Jolly old St. Nick helped light up the tree outside the church along with Councilman Steve Levin (DBoerum Hill) and gave hugs and candy canes to youngsters, Neinaber said.

Afterwards, his son showed off his moves during a tap dance performance with other squirts from nearby PS 38, that Neinaber said was full of holiday spirit.

It was very cute, the kids were super enthusiastic and very into it, he said.

Meanwhile, over at Borough Hall Plaza, Borough President Adams turned on the juice for colorful lights covering a 32-foot tree, which one attendee said had an impressionist quality to it.

At first it didnt really appeal to me but as I got further away I thought it looked really nice, said Downtown resident Wilbert Gibson.

More enjoyable up close were performances by dancers from Brownsville Recreation Centers Victory Music and Dance program and a choir from Downtowns St. Josephs High School, Gibson said.

I enjoyed it anyway, he said. We enjoyed ourselves.
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Locals can weigh in on the mayors proposed $2.5-billion, Sunset Park-to-Queens streetcar project at a meeting in Sunset Park tonight.

Developers building along the waterfront have been pushing the trolley as an amenity for neighborhoods it would run through  including Red Hook, Dumbo, the Navy Yard, and the Williamsburg waterfront  but the local councilman has said the plan was a non-starter because it would result in jacked-up rents in Sunset Park.

Officials released a sketch of the proposed route in November and are making their rounds to community boards asking for input on specific streets it is considering.

The city may close some roads to car traffic altogether and it may also build new bridges to accommodate the trolley.

The upcoming meeting will feature a presentation from Adam Giambrone  a rail advocate and former Toronto politician that the citys Economic Development Corporation hired to head the streetcar systems design.

A draft of the paths will be released in early 2017 followed by a public-approval process. Construction is slated to begin in 2019 and the city aims for the system to be up and running by 2024.

Streetcar meeting at Community Board 7 [4201 Fourth Ave. between 42nd and 43rd streets in Sunset Park, (718) 8540003] Dec. 12 at 6:30 pm.
World Series no-hitter! Astros combine for Fall Classic's first no-no since 1956

Cristian Javier and three relievers combined to no-hit the Phillies in a 5-0 win, evening the World Series at 2-2.
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...
latest news

October 31, 2022

Buddy TV

In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options...
Bank employee admits role in scheme that targeted South Jersey cash

Feds say call-center workers took customers' ID and account information, then used that to take their cash.
Savji Dholakia, owner of Hare Krishna Exports (HK Exports), is a dream employer for diamond polishers in Surat. He is famous for doling out lavish bonuses to thousands of employees on Diwali. His best employees receive around Rs 4 lakh as bonus, mainly in the form of cars.
on Monday slammed a regional newspaper report stating authorities were preparing to revoke the bank's license as "false and malafide", saying it had strong systems and controls in place as per central bank rules.
Even as both camps in the boardroom battle get ready for the impending extraordinary general meetings of various Tata group companies to oust former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus as director, the war of words through statements and counter-statements do not seem to end. On Sunday, while the Ratan Tata camp alleged that Mistry misled the selection committee to become the chairman of Tata Sons, Mistrys office stated that Ratan Tata had been repeating the same lie a thousand times and hoping it to become a truth.
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Nusli Wadia, an independent director on the board of three Tata Group companies, on Monday accused Ratan Tata, interim chairman of Tata Sons, and Tata trustee N A Soonawala of seeking price-sensitive information from Tata Group companies, thus, violating Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (Sebi) insider trading norms. Defending his role as an independent director on the Tata Steel board, Wadia said Tata was seeking to remove him from the boards as he refused to be Tatas yes man.
Cyrus Mistry was today removed as director of Tata Industries following shareholders' vote, the first such instance of the embattled executive being ousted from the board since his removal as Tata Group chairman.



Mistry also ceases to be the chairman of the company following his removal as director, Tata Industries said.



"Tata Industries, at its extraordinary general meeting on December 12, 2016, removed Cyrus P Mistry, as a director of the company. Hence, he also has ceased to be the chairman of the company," it said.



Mistry was abruptly ousted as chairman of Tata Sons -- the holding company of the USD 103 billion salt-to-software conglomerate -- on October 24. Since then, interim Chairman Ratan Tata has moved to consolidate his position by seeking to remove Mistry from boards of key listed firms.
Grab, based in Singapore, is battling Uber on two and four wheels in 31 cities across six countries in Southeast Asia. Photo: Grab
Morgan Stanley will buy 50 million shares (1.73 per cent stake) in on behalf of an undisclosed client on Tuesday. The shares will be bought at an upper cap of Rs 499.8 per share, nearly a 10 per cent premium to Mondays closing price on BSE of Rs 454.55. At least three persons in the know said Tatas were the buyer to gain an edge in the EGM voting. A Tata Sons spokesperson said he was not aware of the development. The deal comes days ahead of an EGM called by the automaker at Tata Sons request to oust Chairman Cyrus Mistry from the board. At the top end, the deal size translates into Rs 2,500 crore.
Former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh on Sunday vehmently denied ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry's allegations of having played a key role in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP choppers scam, saying the Cabinet had approved the deal well after he had retired from government service.

"I was defence secretary from 2007-2009 and the present cases being prosecuted by CBI pertain to 2004-2005. The Augusta Westland acquisition was approved by the Cabinet well after my retirement," he said in an emailed statement.

Earlier in the day, Mistry had alleged: "As Defence Secretary, Singh was a key official involved in award of Rs 3600 crore VVIP helicopter contract to AugustaWestland in 2010".

"To connect me with this matter is slanderous and malicious," Singh, an independent director on Tata Sons board, said.
India's diplomatic efforts to get China's backing for membership bid and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN seems to be making no headway with Beijing today saying its stand on the two key issues "remains unchanged".

"As for India's application for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), China's position remains unchanged," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing.

His assertion that China's stand remains unchanged on both and Azhar issues was made while answering a question on Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's remarks at an India-China think tank forum in New Delhi last week when he said China should not give a political colour to New Delhi's efforts to access civilian nuclear technology.

Jaishankar had also expressed dismay over the two countries not being able to come together on the issue of "fundamentalist terrorism" at critical international forums, a reference to China blocking India's bid to get Azhar banned by the UN.

China's second 'technical hold' on Azhar's banning in UN is due to expire at the end of this month and the two countries are in talks on both the and Azhar issues.

Officials here are not clear about the complex process of the UN 1267 committee where China, a veto-wielding member, has blocked India's application twice already, while the rest of the members supported it.

On Jaishankar's remarks that China should respect each other's legitimate aspirations, Geng said as major developing countries it is natural that two countries need not see eye to eye on every issue.

"Thanks to the concerted efforts of China and India the strategic cooperation between the two sides have made all round progress," he said.

"The two sides have been moving toward establishing a more closely knit strategic partnership for cooperation. As two major developing countries it is only natural for us to not see eye to eye on all issues, but the mainstream of the bilateral relationship is cooperation and the two of us are staying in communication on relevant issues," he said.

The Chinese side is looking to work together with the Indian side to expand bilateral mutual beneficial cooperation and manage differences based on consensus reached by leaders of both countries, he said.

On the US Congress clearing the decks for India to become a Major Defence Partner of America, Geng gave a guarded reaction saying that both America and India are important countries.

"We welcome normal state to state relationship between different countries. We hope that the bilateral relationship and cooperation will be conducive to regional peace and development," he said.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by high-speed wind lashed Chennai and other coastal parts of the state on Monday. Cyclone Vardah, located some 180 km away from the coast line, forced the Tamil Nadu government to declare a holiday for schools, colleges and other government institutions.

The city and its neighbouring districts will continue to receive heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Vardah, which is expected to make a landfall in Chennai on Monday afternoon .The Regional Meteorological Centre said 'Vardah' lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 2.30 pm on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts on Monday afternoon.
In a harsh criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetization, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday called him "a tyrant" who has caused havoc in every house to satisfy his ego.

Asaduddin Owaisi said the revolution which Modi was dreaming to bring about with the November 8 demonetization would never come as it had pushed people into distress.

Stating that in one stroke the Prime Minister virtually destroyed the livelihood of the poor and deprived sections, the MP said he should remember that those standing in queues at banks and ATMs today will stand in queues on the polling day to vote him out.

"You are in power today but tomorrow you will not be there. Many Prime Ministers came and left. You will also go," Owaisi told a public meeting here.

Thousands attended the meeting at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) headquarters to mark 'Milad-un-Nabi'. The meeting, which began Sunday night, continued till the early hours of Monday.

Speaking in Urdu and liberally using Hyderabadi idioms, Owaisi ridiculed Modi for stating that he was a 'fakir'.

"Will a fakir wear Rs 15 lakh suit? What kind of fakir you are who wears new clothes and new shawl with new style every day, who wants to inconvenience the poor for 50 days and who is not worried over the loss of 120 lives. You are not fakir, you are zalim (tyrant)," thundered Owaisi.

Owaisi said it would take one year and not 50 days for the post-note ban situation to return to normal.

He pointed out that economic experts have projected a loss of three percent GDP or Rs 4 lakh crore due to demonetization.

Stating that Rs.12.5 lakh crore in Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination notes were deposited in banks till November 30, he asked if this was black money.

He said Modi caused distress to every family at a time when there were good rains after two years and the marriage season had just started.

He claimed that Rs 3.5 lakh crore were deposited in bank accounts between September 15 and 30 while the average deposits for the two weeks was Rs 1.5 lakh crore. "Whose money is this?" he asked.

The MP said Modi failed on all fronts including his promise to control price rise and bring back black money to the country in 100 days.

"He sometimes laughs, sometimes cries. He doesn't know what he is doing. He says there is threat to his life. We only pray that he live for 150 years," the AIMIM chief said.

Owaisi said the crisis offer an opportunity to Muslims to show their Islamic character and help the poor and the needy.

He urged people to ensure that no one in their neighborhood, irrespective of his religion or caste, goes hungry.

He said while everybody was facing great difficulty, it was the duty of Muslims to have empathy towards fellow human beings and share with them whatever little they have.

--IANS

ms/mr
Severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' will make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andra Pradesh on Monday with both the coastal states putting in place a number of measures to deal with it and Tamil Nadu announcing holiday for all educational institutions in four districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre said 'Vardah' lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 2.30 pm on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts on Monday afternoon.

Under its impact, rains started on Sunday night and gradually increase on Monday in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, S Balachandran, Director, Area Warning Centre, said.

On December 12, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in some places in these districts, he said, adding, strong winds could gust upto 80-90 kmph.

The sea would be rough, he said and asked fishermen to not to venture into the sea for the next 48 hours.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority which also asked the armed forces to be on standby.

The Tamil Nadu government declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram.

"They should take necessary steps for ensuring the safety of their students especially hostel inmates and their water and food requirements," an official release, detailing the discussions the Chief Minister had with his senior officials including Chief Secretary B Ramamohana Rao, said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with Collectors and top officials on Sunday evening. He directed them to be alert and undertake necessary rescue and relief efforts in view of the threat.

Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities, he said.

"Take all steps to prevent loss of lives and to minimise damages to crops and properties," Naidu told the officials.

The Tamil Nadu government also asked private establishments and undertakings in these districts besides coastal taluks of Villupuram to allow their staff avail holiday or work from home.

Panneerselvam gave instructions for appointment of senior IAS officers as monitoring officers for these districts to oversee and monitor related works in coordination with the District Collectors, the release said.

"Arrangements to be made for evacuating people in low lying and vulnerable areas. Relief centres to be kept in readiness along with necessary food, water and other arrangements. Army, Navy, Air-force and Coast Guard have been alerted to be on standby for deployment as and when necessary," it said.
Heavy rains were lashing parts of Nellore and Chittoor districts bordering Tamil Nadu even as Andhra Pradesh escaped from any major impact of Vardah cyclone, which has made its landfall near Chennai city on Monday afternoon.
The Congress has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for a cashless economy using various digital platforms while pointing out that government data was exposing the centre's hollow claims.
In a bid to promote a cashless economy, the Narendra Modi government, over the past month has announced a slew of measures. Wrapped in the ill wind of demonetisation, these measures have managed to bring some respite. From discounts on petrol to lucky draws on cards, government has been offering tantalising offers to citizens to shift to epayments.
While Pakistan recently lifted ban on cotton imports from India, the Indian exporters are unable to capitalise on the move. Last year, of the initial three million bales (a bale of 170 kg) of export orders during October to December, 1.5 million bales were exported to Pakistan. However, right now with daily arrivals still under pressure, exporters are unable to take orders.
Jewellery sales surged in the last fortnight as consumers sought to take advantage of a fall in the price of gold.
India needs a legal framework to direct banks to safeguard their infrastructure against cyber attacks, say experts, as a large number of the countrys 200,000-plus ATMs run on an outdated software of Microsoft.
There was a 24% rise in rural women accessing public between 2004 and 2014, according to a new report by Brookings India, a think tank, significant in a country where half the rural population uses private healthcare, which is four times costlier.

Overall, there was a 6% rise in dependence on public for out-patients and 7% for in-patients over the decade ending 2014, said the Brookings report, which analysed National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data over this period.

An in-patient is formally admitted for at least one night to a hospital, while an out-patient visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment.
Why didnt the government or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) consider printing the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes at foreign printing presses as a means of overcoming the current shortage of new notes? According to senior banking officials, a six-year push towards greater indigenisation, initial misplanning and a handful of past, controversial outsourcing incidents may have put off the RBI.

Ever since the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was announced on November 8, the printing of new notes and increased circulation of old notes (Rs 100, Rs 50 and Rs 10) has severely lagged behind demand.

At the central banks post-monetary policy review press conference on Wednesday, the RBI gave a handful of official clues as to how it has been handling the remonetisation process. Approximately 19 billion notes have been released back into circulation since November 10, which is when banks reopened after demonetisation was announced.

A rough breakdown of the 19 billion notes released are as follows: eight billion of the notes are of Rs 100 denomination, 1.8 billion of the notes are Rs 50 denomination and the number of Rs 20 and Rs 10 notes released are 3.1 billion and 5.7 billion respectively.

The total value of the notes released is a little under Rs 4 lakh crore. To put that into context, with demonetisation, roughly Rs 14 lakh crore (15 billion Rs 500 notes and 6.7 billion Rs 1000 notes) was taken out of the system.

The RBIs figure of 19 billion notes, however, do not include the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes that have been printed and released into the system.



How many of the new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes have been printed? Sources with second-hand knowledge of the matter told The Wire that the number of new Rs 2,000 notes that have been printed ranges between 1.5 billion-2.2 billion, and that the number of new Rs 500 notes is minuscule in comparison (between 250-400 million notes). Other media reports put the number of new Rs 500 notes printed at higher quantities. Nevertheless, the number of new Rs 500 notes clearly falls short of the 15 billion 500 rupee notes that used to be legal tender.

A slow pace of printing new notes

Why has printing of the new notes lagged? Multiple calculations put forth over the last three weeks say its simple mathematics: former finance minister P. Chidambaram and economist Saumitra Chaudhuri have similar calculations. Twenty-one billion notes need to be replaced, and the combined capacities of the two major printing press entities (one operated by the RBI, and one under the supervision of the ministry of finance) is around three billion notes per month; this three billion figure is also with an increased number of working shifts. The bottom line  it will take six-to-seven months for remonetisation to be complete.

Multiple banking sources told The Wire that while this broad calculation holds true, it doesnt take into account what the new currency stock composition should look like; the existence of Rs 2,000 notes and the cancellation of Rs 1000 notes changes this dynamic.

One senior private sector banker pointed out that it is difficult to guess whether the new Rs 2,000 notes would mean increased or reduced demand for Rs 500 notes; much of this depends on how small and medium businesses (that held 40 per cent of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes before demonetisation) will react. The government consequently will find it difficult to predict whether the demand of Rs 500 notes will go up, down or stay the same  and this doesnt even include the impact that an increased government push for digital payments may or may not have.

Chidambaram and Chaudhuris calculations also dont take into account that the printing of Rs 2,000 notes started two months before demonetisation was announced.

Nevertheless, the slow printing pace of the new Rs 500 notes and the increasingly visible signs of cash crunch at the ground level, show that the printing of new notes was simply misplanned. Sources say that the problem started when Rs 2,000 notes were first prioritised over Rs 500 notes.

In remarks to a TV channel on Thursday, SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya specifically singled out the curiously missing Rs 500 note.

There is a scarcity syndrome and this leads to hoarding. What will change is the entry of Rs 500 notes. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, we will have enough 500 notes to give them out of ATMs. Then I think things will go back to normal pretty quickly.

Choosing India over abroad

Why then were the new Rs 500 notes not sent to foreign printing presses? While The Wire could not confirm with the RBI ( a questionnaire was sent to the central bank), a number of experts within the banking industry point to a handful of factors.

Firstly, the RBI has printed currency notes abroad before  and was severely rapped for it by a parliamentary panel in 2010.

A 2010 report by the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) points out that outsourcing of the printing of notes [was done] to three foreign countries in the year 1997-98.

The RBI governor at the time was Bimal Jalan. During 1998, roughly 1,600 million pieces of Rs 500 denomination and 2,000 million pieces of 100 rupee denomination were outsourced to the American Banknote Company (in the US); 1,365 million pieces of Rs 100 denomination were outsourced to UKs Thomas De La Rue; and 1,600 million pieces of 500 rupee denomination was given to Germanys Giesecke Devrient Consortium.

The total amount of notes outsourced, the RBI disclosed, amounted to Rs 1 lakh crore. The reasons the RBI gave for printing Indian currency notes abroad was that a number of existing notes were in bad condition due to the spoilage factor and that the RBI system of assessment with respect to the demands of the bank notes in the country had been off the mark resulting in a gap between demand and supply of note.

The parliamentary committee was not amused at this foreign printing. It slammed the RBI, saying that there was a grave risk of unauthorised printing of excess currency notes, a potential for misusing Indias security parameters and that during that particular fateful period, Indias economic sovereignty was at stake. Senior bankers say that the COPU report could have weighed on the minds of RBI officials.

Secondly, and more importantly, looking towards foreign printing presses may have been unwise in the current Make in India political atmosphere. Over the last six years, even before the Modi administration assumed power, there has been a strong push towards indigenisation of the currency process. In April 2015, during the 80th annual RBI celebrations, Modi singled out Indias currency printing presses and argued that the paper and ink [used] to print currency should be manufactured domestically.

Mahatma Gandhi fought for Swadeshi, said Modi at the time. Does it behove us to print his photograph on imported paper? Does India not have the entrepreneurs to make the paper in India?

A senior economist who advises a public sector bank and who declined to be identified said that it was difficult to understand the Make in India impact on approaching foreign currency printers. On one hand, this is an emergency situation. Parliament could look at printing the new notes abroad favourably if it would ease the situation on the ground. But it could also raise unnecessary anger and upset people at a delicate time, the economist said.

Other factors that could hold the RBI back from printing currency notes abroad include a strained relationship with one of its former printing partners. Shortly after the 2010 panel report, the relationship between the RBI and UKs De La Rue  a printing company that not only printed currency notes for India back in 1998 but also continued to supply a majority of the RBIs banknote paper requirement until 2011  soured.

Sources say that at the time, there were major faults in De La Rues banknote paper quality and possible security concerns. In January 2011, the RBI decided that the UK firm would not receive any new contracts for supplying banknote paper.

The RBI and the government also received a further shock during the release of the Panama Papers earlier this year. The Indian Express reported that in 2002, De La Rue had contracted a New Delhi-based businessman to help it bag tenders in India in return for a 15 per cent commission. In a statement at the time, De La Rue said that the events took place many years ago and that the individuals mentioned have long since left the business.

According to senior bankers, the RBI may not have wanted to risk this incident being brought back into the public attention. Of course, to be clear, there are a number of other European and American companies that could have still supplied the printing concerns.

Another question that inevitably arises that even if the central bank decides to print notes abroad, how quickly would it take the foreign printing presses to accept the order, print the notes and then deliver them to India?

If it would take European or American printers anything more than three months (after November 8, the day demonetisation was announced), it would make little sense to risk a potential controversy by printing currency notes abroad.

Fortunately, there is some data and precedent with regards to how quick banknote printers can react once they are contacted by the RBI. De La Rue apparently organised the complex operation to replace Iraqs old currency in 2003-4 and delivered the notes just ten weeks after the order was placed. That means that if India placed an order on November 9, it isnt inconceivable for it to have received a large shipment of 500 rupee notes in the first half of January. What would help India further is if these foreign printing presses had printing locations close to India  De La Rue, for instance, has an operation in Sri Lanka.

What adds to the foreign printing press issue, are the apparent differences between the two major currency printing entities in India  the Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL), which operates currency printing presses in Nashik and Dewas and is a central public sector enterprise, and the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd (BRBNMPL) which is a RBI subsidiary, was set up in 1995 and operates printing presses at Mysore and Salboni.

While BRBNMPL was given the task to print the new Rs 2,000 notes, the new Rs 500 note was allotted to SPMCILs presses. According to sources, due to the immediate need for more 500 rupee notes, the Mysore and Salboni printing presses have also started pumping out Rs 500 notes.

Cryptic public statements by former RBI deputy governor K.C. Chakrabarty point to a rift between the RBI and SPMCIL; Chakrabarty also noted that the SPMCILs presses were lethargic and in remarks to the media blamed the finance ministry for the delay in printing notes.

Documents presented by the COPU to the parliament and past testimony by SPMCIL officials show some signs of this. For example, the parliamentary panel in 2011 pulled up SPMCIL for not having calculated its installed capacity in various units on a scientific basis, giving due consideration to operating machine speed and actual utilisation of man hour [sic].

When it came to curbing the counterfeit currency, SPMCIL officials also appeared to be somewhat cavalier. As the COPU report notes, when it came to the operational role of SPMCIL in stamping out counterfeit currency, the CMD [Chairman and Managing Director] of SPMCIL washed off his hands during evidence stating counterfeit matter remains with the government. I am basically their vendor.'

Ultimately, the government and RBI may have expected SPMCIL to quickly and efficiently reach its peak production capacity but this has not happened. How much of it is SPMCILs fault and how much of it is the fault of the government for not prioritising Rs 500 notes first is difficult to say. While one cant rule out foreign printing presses, it is unlikely that it will happen now, a senior executive of private sector bank said.

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The Reserve Bank of India has clarified that it hasn't initiated any steps to cancel Axis Bank's licence over money laundering. The central bank has dismissed it as "rumours" that were initiated after some media reports suggested the possibility of regulatory action against the bank.
Press Statement by Prime Minister during the State visit of President of Indonesia to India (December 12, 2016)

Your Excellency President Joko Widodo,

Distinguished delegates, Friends from the Media, At the outset, I wish to express our sincere condolences on the loss of life due to the recent earthquake in Aceh . Friends, I am honoured to welcome President Joko Widodo , on his first State Visit to India. I had first met President Widodo in November 2014 at , and had discussed at length how our partnership could be of benefit to us and the region. Excellency, You are the Leader of a great nation. As the worlds most populous Muslim nation Indonesia stands for democracy, diversity, pluralism, and social harmony. These are also our values. Our nations and societies have nurtured strong bonds of commerce and culture throughout our history. We live in a geography that is at the centre of rapid political, economic and strategic changes currently underway in the world. Your visit allows us to impart vigour and momentum to our Strategic Partnership. And, shape our convergences to act as a force of peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Friends, Indonesia is one of Indias most valued partners in our Act East Policy. It is the largest economy in South East Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. As two large democracies and major emerging economies, we have shared economic and strategic interests. We also face common concerns and challenges. My extensive conversation with President today focused on the full range of our cooperation. We agreed to prioritize defence and security cooperation. As two important maritime nations that are also neighbours, we agreed to cooperate to ensure the safety and security of the sea lanes, in disaster response and environmental protection. The Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation outlines the agenda of our engagement in this field. Our partnership will also extend to combating terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking. Friends, President and I also agreed to build a strong economic and development partnership that strengthens the flow of ideas, trade, capital and people between our two countries. I agreed with President Widodo to encourage Indian companies to work closely with Indonesia in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT & software, and skill development. As two developing countries we also decided to move on infrastructure development two-way investment flows leveraging our respective capabilities. In this regard, the CEOs Forum should take the lead in identifying new avenues of wider and deeper industry to industry engagement. We also agreed that early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services & Investment, and finalization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership would be important steps in this regard. We also underscored the importance of deepening our two decades old valuable cooperation in the field of Space. To sustain the momentum of our partnership, President Widodo and I have directed for an early meeting of the existing Ministerial-level mechanisms to carry forward the bilateral cooperation agenda. Friends, Ties of history and strong cultural links between our societies are our shared heritage. The President and I agreed on the importance of stimulating research on our historical linkages. And, We agreed to speed up establishment of Chairs of Indian and Indonesian Studies in each other's universities. We also agreed to expand our scholarship and training programmes. The importance of improving direct connectivity and people to people contacts is well-known. And, in this respect we welcome Garuda Indonesias decision to commence direct flights to Mumbai. Excellency, I thank once again for your visit. I share with you the strong intent to take our bilateral engagement to a new level. And, I am confident that our discussions and the agreements that we have signed today, will help shape an action agenda and add new direction and intensity to our Strategic engagement. Before I conclude, to all our friends in Indonesia, I would like to wish Thank you. Thank you very much.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes US President-elect will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran.

"I know Donald Trump," Netanyahu told CBS's "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled to air last night. "And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. There's no question about that."



Netanyahu's remarks are significant in part because critics have accused Trump of tolerating anti-Semitism among some of his supporters.

While the two countries are close allies, relations were sometimes tense between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama because of their vastly different world views on the Iran deal and other issues. And there is sentiment in the nationalist Israeli right wing that Trump's election could usher in a new era of relations with the United States.

Netanyahu said in the interview he "had differences of opinion" with Obama and the "most well-known, of course, is Iran."



The Israeli prime minister has been one of the fiercest critics of the nuclear deal. During the campaign, Trump also spoke harshly about it.

Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israel's destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map. Israel fears that Iran's nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence.

Netanyahu said there are "various ways of undoing" the 2015 deal, in which Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances.

"I have about five things in my mind," Netanyahu said, declining to go into further detail.
US President-elect in his latest Twitter screed today blasted the F-35 stealth fighter jet, saying the cost is "out of control."



"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th," Trump tweeted, as Defense Secretary Ash Carter was in Israel to celebrate delivery of the country's first two of the Lockheed Martin fighters.
As more airlines roll out in-flight internet and regulators loosen rules governing wireless devices on planes, one country is a holdout in continuing to prohibit passengers from using Wi-Fi on board: India.
Ahmed, a Qatari civil servant, used to arrive at his office at a government ministry in Doha late in the morning and leave for home after lunch, collecting a monthly salary of 40,000 rial ($11,000) and a generous housing and travel allowance.

But last month a government official made a surprise spot check on the ministry's offices and found dozens of employees absent.

"Punctuality is a duty," said a letter Ahmed received from the minister's office. "Qatar expects the best of its citizens."

For a country whose tiny population is the world's wealthiest per capita and which sits upon its largest natural gas reserves, increasing the productivity of its 90,000 public employees might seem like a needless task.

But it is part of a trend across the Gulf as economies there try to lessen the burden of costly public sectors.

Gulf states have for decades used their energy wealth to provide millions of citizens with cushy government jobs, part of a social contract by rulers that rewards political acquiescence and educational attainment with employment for life.

But high-paying public sector jobs that demand little of workers have led to bureaucratic inertia and an absenteeism culture that governments turned a blind eye to during the Gulf's boom years.

In 2011 a Kuwait government report found that half the country's state employees were absent from work between January and March, costing the country's treasury more than 10.5 million dinars ($35 million).

Since oil prices plunged in 2014, however, Arab monarchies have curbed subsidies and laid off staff as they try to trim budget deficits and build economies less reliant on hydrocarbons.

In the wealthier Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where populations are small, more than 75 per cent of employed nationals work in the public sector, according to the IMF.

The ratio is also high in oil-giant Saudi Arabia - which racked up a record budget deficit of nearly $100 billion last year - while in Oman, about 50 per cent of employed nationals work in the public sector.

Bahrain has the lowest proportion of nationals working in the public sector, at 35 per cent.

In one of the most dramatic efforts to shake government agencies out of their slumber, the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, carried out an early morning spot check on the city state's management in August, found empty desks, and sacked nine senior officials.

Pictures of Sheikh Mohammed wandering the sparsely populated offices of the Land Department were widely published in local newspapers.

Qatar, in an apparent effort to codify the responsibilities of government employees and get them working harder, last month passed a law that raised pay for workers who have achieved higher levels of education and enforced a merit-based promotion scheme.

The nation's young emir has warned citizens that the state "can no longer provide for everything" and local newspaper editorials mock lazy civil servants referred to jokingly by Qataris as "people of the couch".

Neighbouring Saudi Arabia in September scaled back financial perks for public sector employees in one of the most drastic measures yet by the oil-rich kingdom to save money at a time of low oil prices.

Skiving

Lured by a generous salary and his own office overlooking the Arabian Gulf, 26-year-old Ahmed, who declined to give his second name, joined Qatar's ministry of transport last year after graduating from Qatar University.

On his first day, Ahmed said, he was surprised to find colleagues without clear responsibilities carrying documents from one office to another. "Many workers, even managers, were engaged in watching television or sleeping," he said.

One colleague advised him to get to know the "tea boys" - Nepali waiters who deliver tea to offices - so he could find out when his boss had left and do the same.

Other skiving tactics included leaving a jacket on the back of his chair so a casual observer would assume he was first to arrive at the office and programming e-mails to send themselves in the afternoon so managers thought he was still at work.

But superiors started to clamp down on those evading work, Ahmed said, after Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar's emir, called on November 1 for Qataris to move off social welfare and "into action" in the face of low energy prices.

Public anger

After Arab spring protests in 2011, rich Gulf states spent billions of dollars raising salaries and investing in subsidies and infrastructure in part to ensure quiet at home.

Wars and social turmoil spurred efforts in countries like Saudi Arabia to boost employment of their citizens and crack down on illegal hiring of foreign workers.

But today austerity is unnerving citizens for whom affluence and stellar growth are the norm.

Reforms are proving sensitive - politically consequential even - and there are fears that further cuts to sumptuous welfare states could heighten public anger.

In May oil workers in Kuwait went on strike against a proposed overhaul of the public sector payroll system. An election last month filled the country's parliament with opposition lawmakers opposed to wage cuts and taxes.

Omani medics from state-funded colleges in November held a two-week strike after their salaries were cut.

Ending the legacy of public sectors being an engine of job creation, analysts say, is vital to avoid rising unemployment in years ahead if oil revenues decline again and nationals are still not working in the private sector.

But Gulf youth may still expect to be entitled to a share of the national wealth whether in the form of public sector jobs with high wages or breaks from future taxes.
Oil jumped to the highest since July 2015 after Saudi Arabia signalled its ready to cut output more than earlier agreed while non-members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) including Russia pledged to pump less next year, strengthening the coordinated commitment by the worlds largest producers to tighten supply. Futures rose as much as 5.8 per cent in New York and 6.6 per cent in London. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said on Saturday the biggest crude exporter will cut substantially to be below the target agreed last month ...
If the nations pharmaceutical executives thought Donald J Trump would grant them a reprieve from scrutiny over high drug prices, he made them reconsider that idea in the last few days.
Even as the government hurries to get the States on-board to meet the deadline for its ambitious goods and services tax (GST) bill rollout by April 01, 2017, recent developments indicate a possible delay

The deadlock between the government and States comes amid the government's clamp down on black money by demonetising the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in November. While the Parliament's winter session concludes on December 16, the GST Council will meet again on December 22 - 23 to build consensus on these issues.
Bangladesh is on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the textile sector as China, in its pursuit of strengthening economic ties with south Asian countries, has made an offer of technology and finance to Dhaka for building a plant to make viscose fibre from . Viscose made from cellulose fibre found in trees by way of a complex chemical treatment is softer than cotton with good moisture-absorbing properties.
Extending gains for the second session in a row, shares of many mid and small-sized (IT) firms jumped up to 20% on Monday, even as experts believe that barring a few stocks, which are gaining on cashless drive, the rally in others was speculative and may not have legs.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday wrote to the Acting Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into the role of former defence secretary Vijay Singh and Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata in the Agusta Westland chopper scam.

Talking to ANI about his letter, Swamy stated that he has urged the CBI acting Director to look into the matter of how Ratan Tata appointed Vijay Singh to the board of Tata Trusts, which in itself is illegal.

"Ratan Tata went and deposed in Italy in the trial in the Agusta scam, so that itself makes it necessary to interrogate Mr Tata, because how is he involved? If he can obey a summons from Italy, he can obey one from India also," Swamy said.

Further stating that all allegations made by sacked Tata chairman Cyrus Mistry so far have been proven true, the senior BJP leader added, "For instance the Air Asia scandal has been proved by records and Delhi High Court has taken notice of it. So, here also it is necessary for the CBI to summon both Vijay Singh who was defence Secretary and also Ratan Tata and interrogate them."

Accusing Ratan Tata of conspiring with Singh, Swamy states in his letter that the ex defence secretary had engaged in corrupt practices in the Agusta Westland scam, which the CBI is currently probing.

"Ratan Tata thereafter rewarded Vijay Singh with a directorship in Tata Sons by the dubious route of being a nominee in the Tata Trusts which in itself are illegal since the Tata Trusts are Trusts for philanthropy and owned by the public and not by the Tatas," the letter said.

Asserting that a complaint has been filed in this regard with Securities and Exchange Bank of India (SEBI), Swamy added that such Trusts cannot engage in commercial business even if under the name of Tata and Sons Ltd.
Former Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Guterres is set to be sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary-General today.

Guterres, 67, was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015.

He will become the world's top diplomat on 1 January 2017, and hold that post for the next five years.

He was formally appointed by the General Assembly on October 13 in what was the culmination of a historic process member states set in motion late last year: the selection of a new United Nations Secretary-General, traditionally decided behind closed-doors by a few powerful countries, for the first time in history, involved public discussions with each candidate campaigning for the Organization's ninth chief.

These so-called 'informal briefings' between the candidates, UN member states and civil society representatives kicked off on 12 April, when the first three candidates presented their 'vision statements' and answered questions on how they would promote sustainable development, improve efforts to create peace, protect human rights, and deal with huge humanitarian catastrophes should they be selected to lead the Organization.

In October, thanking the Assembly for appointing him as the next Secretary-General, Guterres said he was grateful to the member states for their trust in him as well as for the transparent and open selection process they undertook.

"I believe this process means that the true winner today is the credibility of the UN. And it also made very clear to me that, as Secretary-General, having been chosen by all Member States, I must be at the service of them all equally and with no agenda but the one enshrined in the UN Charter," he said.

The ceremony, at which Guterres will take the oath of office, will also see the 193-member General Assembly pay tribute to outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his exceptional contribution to the work of the Organization over the past decade.

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Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju has dedicated the New Civil Air Terminal at the Bathinda Airport to the nation.

It was done in the presence of Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, AAI chairman Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, CMD Air India Ashwani Lohani and other dignitaries.

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation took a walk through along with the other dignitaries and unveiled plaque in the Civil Air Terminal.

Speaking on the occasion, Raju said that the new terminal and the flight connectivity will not only boost passenger travel but also be a multiplier for the overall economic growth of the region.

"These new facilities are a fitting tribute to the indomitable Punjabi spirit," he added.

The New Civil Air Terminal is spread in the area of 1,200 sq. mtrs.

The terminal has been constructed at a total cost of Rs. 2,500 crores.

The terminal is equipped to handle 100 passengers (50 Departure + 50 Arrival) with modern passenger facilities such as two (2) Check-in-counters, one (1) Security Check X-Ray Machine, one (1) Arrival Baggage Conveyor Belt, one (1) Reserved VIP Lounge with Car Parking and Apron for two (2) ATR-72-600 type aircraft.

The terminal is made of glass and steel structure with facilities such as Public Address System, CCTV for surveillance, Fire Fighting System, Dedicated Power Supply with standby DG Sets, etc. Canopy on the city side integrate seamlessly with the main building giving due protection to the passengers from adverse weather conditions.

The facility will immensely contribute towards the connectivity in the State in particular and give impetus to economic development of the region.

The Alliance Air (a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India) had launched its first flight on Delhi-Bathinda-Delhi sectors with brand new ATR72-600 type of aircraft having 70 seats.

The flight will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The Alliance Air has ensured that flights are operated regularly on this sector.

The Alliance Air will increase the flight frequency once the current flight operations stabilized and fog conditions abate.

The Alliance Air is also looking at starting flights from Ludhiana and Pathankot in the near future.

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Baloch activists held demonstrations in Canada to protest against the current situation of human rights violations in Balochistan Province of Pakistan.

The protests were organised on Saturday to mark International Human Rights Day.

On the occasion, Baloch Activist Latif Johar, Central Committee member of Baloch Students Organisation, said, "We are protesting here to urge the United Nations to intervene in Balochistan and stop human rights violations by Pakistani forces and our struggle based on international laws. We hope the United Nations and other champions of democracy will take immediate action against Pakistani barbarism and also Chinese barbarism in Balochistan."

Another activist, Zaffar Baloch, organiser of Baloch National Movement, North America, said, "Today we are here to peacefully protest against human rights in Balochistan on the occasion of Human Rights Day. This protest over here in Canada as well as elsewhere in Europe has been called by a joint Baloch national movement."

"This is to bring world's attention to what is happening to Balochistan; genocide being conducted by the Pakistani Army, the intelligence forces and sponsored escorts. Thousands have disappeared and we are still struggling for our rights for the sovereignty of the Baloch people over their natural resources over their lands and for their freedom," he added.

Baloch leaders and activists have repeatedly blamed the Pakistani government and military for mass killings and forced disappearances of Balochistan natives.

As per the activists, most of the attacks in Balochistan bore sectarian mark and often is handiworks of Punjab-based terror outfits, which are thriving on funding by the Pakistani army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

They also said that atrocities on Baloch people have increased after Islamabad and Beijing signed a multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The people in Balochistan, who are championing the cause of the Free Balochistan Movement, are opposing the project, which they say will lead to exploitation of their resources.

On International Human Rights Day, Baloch activists across the globe held similar protests condemning Pakistan.

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The Centre on Monday shrugged off the opposition's charge of cashless transactions not being possible for all in a country like India, saying it will, via its programme 'Cashless Chaupals', ensure that all people are easily able to switch from a cash to a cashless economy.

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi informed that after the conclusion of winter session of Parliament, the government will hold 'Cashless Chaupals', under which people would be introduced to the concept of cashless system.

"After the winter session of parliament, our officials and myself are going to organise 'Cashless Chaupals', under which we are going to make the minorities aware of how easily can they become a part of the cashless system and make their lives even more convenient," Naqvi said.

Rubbishing the claims made the opposition alleging that the new currency is not reaching Muslim-dominated areas, he said, "Currency is being circulated in all the areas and it has nothing to do with any caste putting up in the region."

"If there is some complain regarding money not reaching any area, then people should approach the government," he added.

Since the time the Centre announced ban on high-denomination currency of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000, it has been receiving flak from the opposition for its unpreparedness and wrong implementation of the move.

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Puducherry has geared up its official machinery to face the threat of cyclone Vardah which is expected to make a landfall today afternoon, as the state government has declared holiday for all schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal regions in anticipation of heavy rains and wind.

Though it did not rain last night, the sky is cloudy and Port authorities have advised fishermen not to venture into sea as it remains rough.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in a special communique last night asked people to stay safe and stock essential items as Met office has forecast heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are on high alert as the severe cyclonic storm, Vardah over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved further nearly west-southwest-wards and lay centred at about 180 km east-northeast of Chennai and 250 km east-southeast of Nellore according to Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam.

As the cyclone advances, people have been asked to stay indoors as a precautionary measure. Educational institutions in four districts will remain closed for today.

The system is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

It is very likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, close to Chennai as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 80 to 90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph by today afternoon.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during next 36 hours as the sea conditions would be rough to very rough and become high to phenomenal from today morning.

In Andhra Pradesh seven mandals under Gudur and Sullurupet constituencies in Nellore district and 11 mandals in Prakasam district are kept on high alert.

The government has already deployed three teams of NDRF one each to Nellore, Prakasam and Chittoor.

About 500 men from Fire Service department are also getting ready to extend their support in rescue and relief operations besides 120 Police Seva Dal members and swimmers who would extend their services.

The Civil Supplies Department has stocked sufficient food reserves in all FP shops. 150 Cyclone shelters and School buildings were readied for providing shelter to the displaced people from low lying areas.

The State disaster management commissioner M.V. Seshagiri Babu said that the district administrations are being coordinated from Command Control Centre in Vijayawada from time to time in assessing the situation.

Eastern Naval Command, in preparation for the relief efforts, has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance.

All operational ships have been readied up and kept standby to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations including evacuation.

Naval aircrafts are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded. Port Warning Signal No. 7 kept hoisted in Krishnapatnam, Vodarevu while Warning Signal No. was hoisted in Nizampatnam, Machilipatnam. The remaining ports in the state have hoisted Warning Signal No.2.

The Regional Met Department has said that the cyclone was progressing at a speed of 12 kms an hour. Dr. Balachandran, the director told that Chennai, Kanchipuram, Puducherry and South Andhra districts also will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. The cyclone though has reduced its intensity, rains are to continue for another 36 hours after the landfall.

The State Government has made all precautionary arrangements in case of any eventuality of Cyclone Vardah.

Rains have started in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts. More than 2000 people from Tiruvallur and people from 44 villages of Kanchipuram have been shifted to safety.

People have been asked not to panic but listen to the government radio and television for reliable information.Seven NDRF teams have been sent to the vulnerable places.

Cyclone warning signal No.10 has been hoisted at Ennore port as the cyclone is likely to make a landfall near Gummidipoondi.

The Indian Airforce and the Navy are also on high alert to attend to immediate needs of the State Government.

People who were affected by rains last year appreciate the role of the defence forces in rescue and relief efforts.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement released on Monday, has assured of the government's commitment towards maintaining rule of law in Manipur, in view of the ongoing blockade on Highway (NH) 37 and the shortage of essential commodities consequently faced by the people.

"It considers blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity causing untold suffering to countless humans. No individual or organisation will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," read a ministry statement.

The government has ensured that routes to Manipur remain open and supplies of petroleum products and essential commodities such as food items remain accessible to people there.

Last week, 15 companies of central forces were made available to the state government to enable them to get the blockade lifted, in addition to 15 more already stationed in the state.

The MHA has shown its hope in state government to act responsibly and ensure social harmony in Manipur.

"It is hoped that the state government will act with responsibility and maturity to ensure both maintenance of supplies to Manipur as well as social harmony. MHA will provide additional forces to the state government if necessary," read the statement.

The government, in the letter, has also appealed to the United Naga Council (UGC) to remove its illegal blockade seeing the difficulties people of Manipur are facing. It also urged for a peaceful settlement.

"All contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means," the letter read.

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Representatives of the Greenfield Airport Land Affected Peoples Forum of Hollongi (GALAPFH) on Monday warned the Arunachal Pradesh government of legal consequences if plans are afoot to move the greenfield airport from Hollongi to Banderdewa are true.

The GALAPFH demanded immediate compensation to landowners by the state government for causing a loss for a period of five years amounting to Rs 190.00 crore.

"If at all government wants to shift the airport again, they should first pay for lost damage period of five years , If the government fails to fulfil the demands, GALAPFH will go for series of democratic movement and legal options," said GALAPFH members at a conference held at the Press Club in state capital Itanagar.

It is almost 10 years since the first inspection of Greenfield Airport (GFA) site in Itanagar and the ordeal of where to build the Airport continues till today. GFA project has been often believed to be manipulated and hived off by the political class, Bureaucrats, legal notices and the land affected people.

Lately a new technical team from Airport Authority of India (AAI) made an unannounced aerial survey of Hollongi and Banderdewa site.

The forum alleged that the state government is deliberately attempting to shift the proposed Green Field Airport from Hollongi, thus prolonging the airport project in Itanagar.

The proposed Greenfield Airport at Hollongi has been at the centre of controversy ever since the Centre decided to shift it from Banderdewa (Karsingsa) to Hollongi. Then Governor J P Rajkhowa allegedly had written to Prime Minister's Office favoring Lilabari airport's (Assam) upgrade instead building an airport at Hollongi.

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The Congress on Monday expressed its concern over the recent statement of Sardar Raees Inqlabi, a leader of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-based Jammu and Kashmir Aman Forum, stating that Pakistan pays Rs. 1 crore to each terrorist to cross the Line of Control (LoC), and said if this is proved, then, Pakistan would be shamed and exposed worldwide.

"We must use this opportunity to highlight what this gentleman has said and tell the world how Pakistan in PoK is not only sending terrorists with money across in the Indian borders but also encouraging those terrorist organisations that have been banned worldwide," Dikshit said.

"If we are able to prove this, then it will shame Pakistan and hopefully make them change their strategy," he added.

Urging the government to take cognizance of the matter and take some stringent action, the Congress leader said, "This information is very serious. I hope the government and security agencies take full note of this, cognizance of the fact and the first thing should be that in case there is some actionable intelligence in this (then) we should see that our borders are not breached.nor these people are allowed to cross the border."

Inqlabi said, "You (Pakistan) are hiring killers and murderers; you pay them one crore rupees and turn them into a bomb and make them cross LoC, which is the main reason of tension. We condemn this terrorism. If you are so fond of firing, you must fight army to army.

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Baloch activists held a demonstration in South Korea to protest against the current situation of grave human rights violations in Balochistan Province of Pakistan.

The protest was jointly held by members of Baloch Republican Party, Baloch National Movement, Baloch Republican Students' Organisation and Baloch Students' Organisation to mark International Human Rights Day on Saturday.

The protesters raised slogans such as 'stop human rights violations', 'stop disappearances' and 'terrorist country Pakistan'.

Amir Baloch president of BRP, South Korea Chapter, said "The aim of our demonstration here is to highlight the atrocities and violations in Balochistan on the occasion of Human Rights Day. Every individual has human rights irrespective of where they live and these rights should be respected."

He added that Balochi people are a victim of genocide and forced disappearance, which is known to all.

"Today, there is mourning in every home of Balochistan. From every home, someone is missing or their disfigured bodies have been found," he said.

Baloch leaders and activists have repeatedly blamed the Pakistani government and military for mass killings and forced disappearances of Balochistan natives.

As per the activists, most of the attacks in Balochistan bore sectarian mark and often is handiworks of Punjab-based terror outfits, which are thriving on funding by the Pakistani army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

They also said that atrocities on Baloch people have increased after Islamabad and Beijing signed a multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The people in Balochistan, who are championing the cause of the Free Balochistan Movement, are opposing the project, which they say will lead to exploitation of their resources.

On International Human Rights Day, Baloch activists across the globe held similar protests condemning Pakistan.

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As one of the important pillars towards enhancing the bilateral relationship, India and Indonesia on Monday agreed to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation between them in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to further strengthen and accelerate maritime cooperation inter alia in maritime safety and security, and promotion of maritime industries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia President Joko Widodo recognised that India and Indonesia share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication.

They recognised the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas, unimpeded lawful commerce as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means in accordance the UNCLOS.

Both the leaders affirmed the need to combat, prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. They recognised transnational organised fisheries crime as one of the emerging crimes, which has become an ever-growing threat to the world.

Both leaders affirmed their deep respect for each other's contribution to promoting peace, stability and development in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and beyond.

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Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, and emphasising "zero tolerance" for acts of terror, India and Indonesia on Monday called upon all the countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia President Joko Widodo also called upon all the countries to work towards eliminating terrorists' safe havens and infrastructure, in disrupting terrorist networks and financing channels, and stopping cross-border terrorism.

Underlining the need for all countries to deal with trans- terrorism emanating from their territory by effective criminal justice response, the two leaders called for enhanced cooperation including through greater exchange of information and intelligence between the two sides.

Both the leaders reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

With regards to the South China Sea, the two sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the UNCLOS.

Both leaders reiterated the importance of advancing negotiations for swift conclusion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations.

With a view to making the United Nations more democratic, transparent and efficient, both the leaders pledged their support for the ongoing reform of the UN and its principal organs, including the Security Council so that it can deal more effectively with the myriad challenges of today's world.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the steady progress made in ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations over the past twenty-four years and welcomed the plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations and Fifth Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership 2017 through conduct of commemorative activities in India and in ASEAN member states throughout 2017.

The leaders noted that India and Indonesia, as two large countries straddling the Indian Ocean, have a high stake in ensuring the effectiveness of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and in promoting regional cooperation in the areas identified by the Organization, and in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Widodo on Indonesia's able leadership as Chair of the IORA and the convening of the First IORA Summit next year.

President Widodo invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Indonesia at an early date, which the Indian Prime Minister readily accepted.

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Describing Indonesia as one of the most valued partners in India's Act East Policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the two important maritime nations have agreed to prioritise defence and maritime cooperation to ensure the safety and security of the sea lanes, in disaster response and environmental protection.

"My extensive conversation with President Widodo focused on the full range of our cooperation. The Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation outlines the agenda of our engagement in this field. Our partnership will also extend to combating terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking," Prime Minister Modi said during a joint media address with visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

To sustain the momentum of India-Indonesia relations, Prime Minister Modi said both the countries have agreed for the early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment, and finalization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

"I agreed with President Widodo to encourage Indian companies to work closely with Indonesia in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT and software, and skill development. As two developing countries we also decided to move on infrastructure development two-way investment flows leveraging our respective capabilities. We also underscored the importance of deepening our two decades old valuable cooperation in the field of space," he said.

Prime Minister Modi also said the CEOs' Forum should take the lead in identifying new avenues of wider and deeper industry to industry engagement.

In this regard, the Prime Minister and President Widodo have directed for an early meeting of the existing Ministerial-level mechanisms to carry forward the bilateral cooperation agenda.

Noting the historical and cultural links between India and Indonesia which shares a common heritage, Prime Minister Modi agrees with Widodo for setting up of Indian and Indonesian Studies in each other's universities.

"The President and I agreed on the importance of stimulating research on our historical linkages. We also agreed to expand our scholarship and training programmes," Prime Minister Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Garuda Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights to Mumbai.

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The visiting Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, paid floral tribute to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat here on Monday.

The Indonesian President and his wife H.J. Iriana were welcomed by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day during the ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The visiting dignitary was accorded a Guard of Honour.

The Indonesian President, who is presently in India on a two-day official visit, will meet President Mukherjee and Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari this evening.

President Widodo is accompanied by a high-level delegation including several Cabinet ministers, senior officials and a 22-member business delegation.

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The Patiala House Court on Monday sent Khalistani Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo to judicial custody till December 14.

The court has also decided to consider the Punjab court's plea seeking the transit remand of Mintoo on December 14.

Mintoo was nabbed on November 28 from New Delhi railway station, a day after he escaped with five other inmates from Punjab's Narbha Jail.

During his interrogation the self-styled KLF chief had reportedly told interrogators about expansion plans of the KLF through Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.

Days before the Nabha jailbreak, he had his last Skype chat with his Pakistan handler Harmeet, a KLF militant who managed to flee to Pakistan, and is living in a safe house under protection of the ISI at Dera Chall village in Lahore.

The ISI had plans to bring militancy in Punjab through the KLF under Mintoo's leadership, said sources.

Mintoo has bases in countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and ISI had plans to bring back militancy through these sleepers said sources, adding that Mintoo made these contacts during 2009-14.

Germany based KLF sympathisers were sending money to Mintoo through Western Union Money Transfer.

On the day of jailbreak, lakhs of rupees were deposited in a bank account, which was supposed to be handed over to Mintoo by Shagun Sweets owner, who was arrested by the Punjab Police, but Mintoo managed to flee, so he couldn't get the money, said sources

Sources said a KLF sympathiser, Sandeep, who is based in England, has also sent him money through Hawala channel. He was staying in Malaysia with a fake passport in the name of Bakshish Singh.

"Harminder has accepted of being a Mastermind of the jailbreak. Six months back, he first contacted an inmate Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, who later contacted Vicky to arrange his local criminals to wait for the day suitable for the attack. Parminder being close to Satnam Kaur, Daughter of KLF militant, was given responsibility to arrange the arms. The Punjab police are probing arms trail with assistance of UP police," said sources.

"Mintoo has revealed of having strong base in Goa. His family shifted to Goa in 1989 and raids are being carried out in Punjab to look for Satnam Kaur. Police teams will also be going to Goa to look for Mintoo's aide," sources added.

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Muslims took part in a religious procession at Indranagar, Jama-e-Masjid here on Monday to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad.

The Holy Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabee-ul-Awwal in 570 CE in Mecca.

Devotees in large numbers participated in the biggest congregation to spread the message of peace and development of their revered "Messenger of Allah".

"We hope and pray for the development, peace and prosperity of the people of the state and so that we can stay together in this mix-cultured society," said Md Abdul Hasem, a Muslim leader.

Thousands of people also offered prayers at Mosques and Shrines and took part in procession taken out at various places.

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Stating that the landfall was at Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) and there had been squally rains since then, Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General R.K. Pachnanda on Monday said after it was reported that some tress and electric poles have fallen, NDRF teams swung into action and clearing fallen trees.

"The landfall was at Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) and there are squally rains right now. It is reported that some tress and electric poles have fallen. NDRF teams have begun their operations in clearing theses trees," said Pachnanda.

Though there are not too many trees that have fallen but as they are falling, NDRF teams are taking actions, he said.

Divulging details of NDRF teams' positioning, he said, "There are 16 teams, which were pre-positioned well in time; eight each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu so that they could take requisite action well in time."

"In AP, teams were pre-positioned in Nellore, Sullurpeta, Ongole in Prakasam and Chittoor districts; whereas in Tamil Nadu, three teams were pre-positioned in Chennai, two each in Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts and one was pre-positioned at Puducherry," said Pachnanda.

"Besides, we have stand-by teams in reserve at Arakkonam, near Chennai, Guntur, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, and we have a regional response centre in Bengaluru," he said.

At least two people died on Monday after Cyclone 'Vardah' pounded Tamil Nadu, reported the Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA further said at least 24 huts were damaged and around 8,008 people were accommodated in 95 relief camps.

Many trees were uprooted and vehicles got damaged after Cyclone Vardah made a landfall at Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) lashing the coastal Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

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Even as keeps pleading its innocence at forum regarding it not being involved in terror-related activities, particularly when it comes to India, Sardar Raees Inqlabi, a leader of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-based Jammu and Kashmir Aman Forum, has rubbished that claim by saying that Islamabad is paying hefty amount of cash to send terrorists across the Line of Control (LoC).

"You (Pakistan) are hiring killers and murderers; you pay them one crore rupees and turn them into a bomb and make them cross LoC, which is the main reason of tension. We condemn this terrorism. If you are so fond of firing, you must fight army to army," says Inqlabi.

Further exposing Pakistan's state-support to terror outfits and questioning Islamabad's ulterior motives, he asks, "Those terror outfits which are banned in in accordance with the National Action Plan, why are they being allowed to operate from 'Azad' Kashmir (PoK), and why are the banned groups been given a free hand in PoK?"

"Those organisations which are banned by have been given free hand here and along the LoC, and thus, we demand that Islamabad must impose a blanket ban on such outfits akin to the National Action Plan in Pakistan," adds Inqlabi.

According to an official estimate, the Pakistan Army has violated the ceasefire arrangement agreed upon with India in November 2003 along the LoC and Border (IB) more than 440 times this year.

The Pakistan Army is facilitating and aiding infiltration by providing either cover fire or shelter to terrorists attempting to sneak into Indian territory by crossing over the LoC.

Last month, Indian security forces released a video clearly showing infiltration bids by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

According to the report, more than 100 militants owing allegiance to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have been staying in terror training camps located in PoK and waiting to sneak across the LoC into Indian Territory.

Also slamming Pakistan for practicing discrimination in awarding compensation, Inqlabi said, "If someone dies in a bomb blast in Pakistan, his family is compensated with Rs. 50 lakh, but what we get in PoK is just Rs. 1-2 lakh."

Meanwhile, to mark Human Rights Day on December 10 (Saturday), Baloch political activists across world, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Germany and many other European nations, held protests against the atrocities committed by the Pakistani establishment on their people back home.

Accusing the Pakistani Army of having licence to "kill, rape and torture Baloch people and to take out their organs to sell them", Baloch Kurd Liberation activist and World Baloch Women's Forum president Naela Quadri Baloch demanded that the United Nations, which has "turned blind and has closed its ears and mouth", to wake up and listen what is going on in Balochistan.

Calling Pakistan's genocide of the Baloch people, with the full support of China, as a form of "ethnic cleansing", Naela told ANI: "The International Day of Human Rights was announced by the U.N., but, it is silent despite the atrocities at the level of genocide going on in Balochistan by the Pakistan Army and the Pakistani establishment. It's like a kind of situation where the Baloch people have no rights that even your animals have."

In Geneva, Switzerland, Abdul Bugti of the Baloch Republican Party, said, "The objective of the protest is to highlight the abuses taking place in Balochistan on this occasion. There are massive human rights abuses going on in Balochistan by the 'terror-state' of Pakistan, its army and intelligence agencies."

"They are engaged in killing and enforced disappearances of Baloch civilians on a daily basis. We have been highlighting these issues and we want the international community to stop this Baloch genocide," he added.
Pakistan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the Besiktas district of Istanbul in which 29 people were killed and 166 wounded.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. We extend our profound sympathies and condolences to the brotherly people and Government of Turkey. We also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," a press statement by Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Pakistan expressed complete solidarity with Turkey in its fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the belief that those seeking to disturb Turkey's peace, stability and internal harmony would never succeed.

"We have no doubt that the brotherly people of Turkey would decisively defeat the scourge of terrorism with their unshakable resolve and continue on the path of peace, security and prosperity," the statement read.

Pakistan also reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Turkey has declared a one-day morning after twin blasts ripped through the heart of Istanbul killing 29 people and wounding 166 others.

The first bomb went off just outside the facility known popularly as Besiktas Stadium. The second blast that came moments later was attributed by authorities to a suicide bomber.

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The Congress on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is misleading the nation by diverting attention through .

"Prime Minister's statement (in Bahraich) is another attempt to mislead people. He is an expert on misleading people. He has failed miserably in bringing back black money from abroad, so he has diverted people's attention through . Again, he is playing the same game," said Congress leader P.C. Chako.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister while addressing the rally in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, via phone asserted that his fight against black money and graft would go on. He also used the occasion to lampoon the opposition for not allowing him to speak on in parliament.

"They (opposition) come to the Well of the House...threw paper at the Speaker. We want to put forth the government's view point...but they are not allowing us to do so," he said.

On Saturday, he said, "Government has always said we are ready to debate. I am not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha, so I am speaking in the Jan Sabha."

"From the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, I want to share something with my friends in the opposition," Modi said.
Kathmandu [Nepal], Dec. 12 (ANI): A resident in Basnettar, outside the ring road of capital Kathmandu, Niraj Ghimire, goes through a loan agreement paper in his tin barred house. It's been over a month that he made grant agreement with the government, but hasn't received a single rupee from the government, which had promised to give two lakh rupees to rebuild his house.

But the victims of the earthquake claim the amount is insufficient to rebuild their homes.

"The amount allocated by the government to give 2 lakhs rupees to victims of earthquake for reconstruction is not sufficient because, from that amount, we cannot even dig the foundation of our house." said Niraj.

The International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction held in capital Kathmandu on June 2015 witnessed the pledge of 4.4 billion dollars help in the form of a loan and a grant. Out of the pledged amount Nepal has made an agreement of about 80 percent with the donors till the month of September.

India was the country which pledged the highest amount of aid and loans of 1 billion dollars at the donors' summit. In later months, India extended the amount to help Nepal in reconstruction which now has reached 140 crore Dollar.

According to the data of the National Reconstruction Authority an agreement of one billion US Dollars has been inked with the Indian government. Along with it, India also has clarified that the pledged amount also includes the regular assistance which it gives to Nepal.

"In terms of the agreement, India, our friendly nation and India has been helping us with one billion US dollar and the modality of the expenditures and the project selection is underway" Ram Prasad Thapaliya, Spokesperson of National Reconstruction Authority Confirmed.

Nepal which was jolted by earthquake of 7.8 Richter Scale claimed nearly 9,000 lives and left more than 22, 000 injured, some with permanent disabilities and over half a million houses fully or partially damaged, and three million people rendered homeless. Though it's been more than 19 months since destruction, the reconstruction work is yet to take place.

"In the grant amount, until today, discussions are made and the pledged amount is being materialized from both the sides. From the government side we are selecting, we are choosing the projects from the donors side we are finalizing the funds flow mechanism, how can the NRA spend the money? The NRA is willing to strengthen its CLPIU's- Central Level Project Implementing Unit, which we already have set up as per our aids and the policies for the reconstruction activities. But some donors are still asking for other modalities and going to the district level and not using this (C) LPIU's" Spokesperson of NRA Thapaliya said.

Though Nepal has seen two new Prime Ministers after the April 2015's devastating quake the survey of the affected areas is yet to be completed.

With one year having already passed, the victims of Earthquake are sure to bear the brunt of coldness.

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Rejecting Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's drawing of parallels between Pakistan and the Narendra Modi-led NDA regime in India, and him suggesting that a policy of divide and rule along the religious lines was being promoted, the Bharatiya Janata Party has said the Congress party have always been Islamabad's sympathisers.

"It is quite appalling to observe that and the Congress on various fronts have tried to act as Pakistan sympathisers. Even yesterday, we see the same when the Indian Prime Minister and the Indian Home Minister attack Pakistan and expose them. I don't understand why is so pained. Only a few days ago, when the surgical strike was on terrorism in Pakistan, he was pained, and yet again, we see he is pained," BJP leader Sambit Patra said.

Patra's comment was in response to Rahul Gandhi's tweet, "Yes, Rajnath Singhji, Pakistan is trying to divide India along religious lines; has it struck you that you and your boss (PM) have been doing the same?"

The Congress Vice-President was responding to Rajnath Singh saying that Pakistan has been conspiring to divide India along religious lines.
Russia has turned down a gift of a dog for President Vladimir Putin by Japan ahead of his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week.

According to a Japanese legislator, the government had planned to present Putin, who is known as a dog lover, with a male Akita as a companion to Yume, a female of the same breed that Japan gifted him in 2012, reports Xinhua.

"Unfortunately, we heard from our counterparts, and our hope to present a bridegroom was dashed," Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said in a blog post on Friday.

Putin will visit Japan on December 15-16 during which both leaders are expected to work towards reviving security talks and joint naval rescue training exercises that were halted after Russia's takeover of Crimea in 2014.

Russia and Japan have yet not signed a peace treaty formalizing the end of War II due to a territorial row over four small Pacific islands, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan.

Japan is hoping to make progress on the territorial dispute during Putin's visit.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had said on Saturday that there should be no high expectations for any immediate progress on the signing of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan, as they still have difficulties in ironing out their differences.

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Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked religious scholars to play their role in eliminating extremism from society.

Addressing the National Seerat Conference in Lahore today, Sharif said the way forward to fight this menace lies in the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Asserting Islam to be a religion of peace and tolerance, he said that certain elements by spreading anarchy and bloodshed have distorted this very image.

Sharif said the hideouts of the terrorists have almost been eliminated due to the efforts and sacrifices of the national leadership, religious scholars, armed forces and police.

Sharif was quoted by Radio Pakistan, as saying that it is now the responsibility of the religious scholars to reestablish the link between Islam and peace by taking guidance from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.

Citing respect for humanity and human life to be an integral part of Islamic teachings, Sharif said holy Prophet Muhammad in fact laid the foundation of a society based on high moral values.

He said reviving these very values and norms in the daily life and conduct is the responsibility of all Muslims as they were the heirs of the last prophet.

Sharif said the first written constitution in the form of the Misaq-e-Madina and also the first charter of human rights was given by the last prophet in his last Hajj Sermon.

He added that the two documents served as a beacon of light for people to develop relations with followers of other faiths and religions.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Monday reviewed the state government's preparation to counter 'Cyclone Vardah'.

The chief minister also requested the people not to venture out of their houses between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The state government has reportedly evacuated at least 7357 people to 54 relief centres.

As per army sources, seven army columns have been placed on standby to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Meanwhile the Director of the Meteorological Department (MeT), S. Balachandran, said that the landfall in coastal area are expected to occur at around 2 pm and 4 pm.

"Vardah, which is lying 87 kilometres east of Bay of Bengal and moving in a westward direction, is expected to make a land fall close to Chennai between 2 to 4 pm," said Met director.

"North region of Tamil Nadu and South of Andhra expected to receive heavy rainfall and winds," he added.

Navy chief PRO Captain DK Sharma also said that the Cyclone Vardah is expected to make a landfall by 2.30 pm.

"Massive uprooting of trees are being reported, Cyclone Vardah is likely to make a landfall by 2:30 pm," Sharma said, adding that two ships of the Navy, Shivalik and Kadmatt are already deployed in north area to render immediate assistance if required.

'Cyclone Vardah' is centered over west central and adjoining Southewest Bay of Bengal at about 180 km east north east of Chennai and 250 km east southeast of Nellore.

The latest bulletin released by the meteorological department says the cyclone is likely to move west wards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra coast and is likely to cross the coasts, close to Chennai as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 80 to 90 kmph to 100 kmph by this afternoon.

At the time of the landfall, squally wind warning has been predicted for Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh.

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Looks like the fate of the 'furious' family was sealed by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and no one saw it coming.

Amid a special premiere event with the cast at New York City's Time Square that was streamed on Facebook Live, Universal released the official trailer for 'The Fate of the Furious', the eighth installment to the 'Fast & Furious' franchise.

In the three-minute long trailer, terrorist villain Cipher (Charlize Theron) is heard manipulating Toretto to go up against his family.

"You know what I Like about you Dom?" Cipher asks Dom, "You're an ingenuine outlaw. But your family is about to go up against the only thing that it can't handle-you!"

Then, Dwayne Johnson is seen joining forces with Shaw's brother (Jason Statham), who was sealed away in an underground prison in the previous installment after he went rogue.

However, the combined effort does not seem to beat any driving skills of Toretto, who is seen getting away more than once.

The first in the franchise without late co-star Paul Walker, the movie also stars returning actors such as Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, as well as newcomers like Scott Eastwood, Theron and Helen Mirren.

Helmed by F. Gary Gray, 'The Fate of the Furious' is set to release on April 14, 2017.

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President-elect Donald Trump has questioned as to why the United States should continue to abide by its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China" policy.

"I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," CNN quoted Trump, as saying on a local news channel.

Trump's remark comes weeks after he had taken a congratulatory call from the President of Taiwan which had angered the Chinese officials.

Trump said the U.S. is being hurt very badly by China with devaluation.

He said that China was taxing the U.S. heavily at the borders which is quite contrast to Washington's stand.

The President-elect said that Chinese should not be building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea.

Asserting that China was not helping the U.S. at all with regard to North Korea, Trump insisted that he won't falter to anger Beijing unless the country comes to the bargaining table on trade and severs ties with North Korea.

"You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons, and China could solve that problem, and they're not helping us at all," Trump said.

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At least seven loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group have been killed in an airstrike carried out in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province.

The Khamma Press quoted the local security officials, as saying that the airstrike was carried out using an unmanned aerial vehicle in Haska Mina district and the militants were targeted in Langari Kand area.

There has been no comment by the anti-government armed militant regarding the report so far.

Regular raids are being conducted by Afghan and the US forces in Afghanistan against the Taliban insurgents and ISIS loyalist in the districts where they are conducting insurgency activities.

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The United States has condemned the terrorist attack on Christian worshippers outside St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo that has killed more than 25 people and injured dozens more in the strongest possible terms.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in a phone call to his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

Kerry also made clear that the United States will continue to stand with the people of Egypt as they face threats from terrorist organizations and work to achieve a stable, secure, and prosperous future.

Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Cairo condemned the attack and said that it mourns those killed in the attack on the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo.

"We strongly condemn this hateful act of violence, which targeted Egypt's Christian community. We stand with Egypt in opposing all acts of terrorism as we support a stable, secure, prosperous future for all Egyptians," the Embassy said in a press statement.

UN Security Council also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Egyptian state TV reported that the bomb exploded in a chapel close to the outer wall of St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.

There were conflicting reports as to the nature of the attack. Egypt's official Mena news agency said an assailant threw a bomb into a chapel close to the outer wall of the cathedral, but some witnesses suggested an explosive device had been planted inside the building.

On 14 August 2013, mobs attacks dozens of churches across the country after police killed hundreds of pro-Morsi protesters in Cairo.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack.

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iStock/Thinkstock(JERUSALEM)  U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is attending a ceremony Monday for the delivery of America's most advanced fighter jet to Israel, a sign of the strong U.S. commitment to Israel's security.



Sec. Carter is attending the ceremony at the Netavim airbase in southern Israel, where two American pilots touched down to deliver its first two F-35 Stealth Fighter jets.



Israel has ordered 50 of the jets from Lockheed Martin, a move that will ensure its military superiority in the skies over the Middle East. It's the F-35's advanced stealth capability that is perhaps most important for Israel. It would give them the ability to evade the radar of missile defense systems that its enemies  Iran, Hezbollah or other terrorists  may use.



Carter is in Israel for a three-day visit where he'll also meet with his counterpart Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.



Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
For two road projects

IRB Infrastructure Developers announced that:

1. Udaipur Tollway - Wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, has now executed Concession Agreement with NHAI for the project of Six Laning from Udaipur to Rajasthan/ Gujarat Border i.e. from km 287.400 to km 401.200 section of NH-8 in the states of Rajasthan & Gujarat (approx. length 113.800 km) on DBFOT (Toll) under NHDP Phase V (package-V) ("the Project)".

2. CG Tollway - Wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, has now executed Concession Agreement with NHAI for the project of Six Laning of Kishangarh Udaipur Ahmedabad Section from km 90.00 (near Gulabpura) to km 214.870 (end of Chittorgarh Bypass) of NH - 79 in the state of Rajasthan Package 2 under NHDP Phase - V on BOT (Toll) mode ("the Project)".

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Transaction for slump sale pending due to regulatory and other approvals

Lanco Infratech announced that the Board of Directors approved the sale of Solar Power Undertaking of the Company comprising 35MW by way of slump sale to its wholly owned subsidiary. The said transaction was proposed to be completed on or before 30 September 2016.

In this regard, the Company informed that the said Slump Sale Transaction is yet to be consummated due to pending approvals from Government Authorities and Lenders.

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Tata Motors declined 1.58% to Rs 456.70 at 9:35 IST on BSE after Tata Motors Group global wholesales including Jaguar Land Rover rose 1% to 91,832 units in November 2016 over November 2015.

The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 9 December 2016.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 141.16 points or 0.53% at 26,606.02.

On the BSE, 23,740 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 5.98 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 463.50 and a low of Rs 456.65 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 598.60 on 7 September 2016 and a 52-week low of Rs 266 on 11 February 2016.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 9 December 2016, falling 13.16% compared with the Sensex's 1.85% fall. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, declining 19.01% as against the Sensex's 7.12% fall.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 577.44 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Tata Motors said that global wholesales of all passenger vehicles rose 5% to 64,862 units in November 2016 over November 2015. Global wholesales of all Tata Motors' commercial vehicles and Tata Daewoo range fell 7% to 26,970 units in November 2016 over November 2015.

Tata Motors reported consolidated net profit of Rs 848.16 crore in Q2 September 2016, compared with net loss of Rs 1740.20 crore in Q2 September 2015. Net sales rose 6.7% to Rs 65140.75 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015.

Tata Motors is a market leader in commercial vehicles in India. The company's British unit JLR sells premium luxury cars.

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A 72-member Bangladeshi delegation will attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations here, commemorating the victory of the Indian Armed Forces and the Mukti Bahini in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, an army official said on Monday.

The delegation would be led by Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

The Mukti Jodhas, who participated in the 1971 war, have been coming for the annual reunion for the past ten years.

"The delegation will comprise of Mukti Jodhas and their families along with serving senior Bangladesh Armed Forces officers," said Major General R. Nagraj, MGGS, Headquarters, Eastern Command.

December 16 is celebrated as Victory Day in Bangladesh and Vijay Diwas in India.

About 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, on this day in 1971, had surrendered to the Indian forces. This historic victory led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Nagraj said the celebrations commemorate the sacrifices of brave Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives fighting for their country.

"About 3,800 officers and soldiers laid down their lives and 12,000 soldiers were injured in the war," he said.

The celebrations would start on Tuesday with military band concert at the historical Princep Ghat.

On Wednesday, horse show, para jump and band display would be arranged at Royal Calcutta Turf Club for public.

On Friday, there would be a wreath-laying ceremony at the historic Vijay Smarak which was created at Fort William Kolkata in 1996 on the 25th anniversary of the victory.

Commenting on the controversy arising out from the deployment of army at toll plazas in the state, he said, "We have good relation with the state government. There is no change in working relation."

Refuting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegation that the army was taking money from civilians at the toll plazas, Nagraj said: "Army is a powerful organisation. We do not tolerate this. We have not got any such information."

--IANS

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Tamil actor Bharath Niwas has landed an important role in Mahesh Babu's upcoming yet-untitled Tamil-Telugu bilingual project.

"Bharath is the latest addition to the cast, and he's been roped in for a key role. The makers plan to keep his character under wraps till the release of the film as it's very important from the story's perspective," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

Being directed by A.R Murugadoss, the film is currently being shot in Ahmedabad.

The source also confirmed that the film's title is yet to be finalised, and "Sambhavami" is just one of the titles under consideration.

"The title will be locked in January next year. Out of the four titles under consideration, 'Sambhavami' is one too. But it's not the final title," he said.

Also starring Rakul Preet Singh, SJ Suryah, RJ Balaji, Priyadarshi Pulikonda, the film has music by Harris Jayaraj.

--IANS

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The British Home Office was considering cutting international student numbers at Britain's universities by nearly half, media reported on Monday.

The threat was being greeted with dismay by university heads, who say some good overseas applicants were already being refused visas on spurious grounds.

A vice-chancellor at one Britain's university, who did not wish to be named, said that the judgments being made by Britain Visas and Immigration have changed significantly in the past few months. Indian students, in particular, seem to be having a tougher time, reported the Guardian.

"They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here," another vice-chancellor said. "That is outrageous."

In October, Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd said tougher rules would be brought in for student visas, but the cutbacks could be far more severe than expected, senior university sources said.

The university sources said that they had seen plans for dramatic immigration cuts, including one proposal to cut international student numbers to 170,000 from 300,000 per year.

However, the government has dismissed claims that other plans suggest cutbacks of more than two-thirds.

The head of one leading university denounced the potential scale of the cuts as "insane", adding: " is trumping economics".

Sir Keith Burnett of Sheffield University, one of the vice-chancellors who accompanied Theresa May on a recent trade delegation to India, said: "If we genuinely want to be open to the world and a global leader in free trade, we can only do so by welcoming talent."

"...This cannot simply be our own assessment. International students need to feel welcome and that accessing Britain to study and for a period of work experience is easy. Even a hint that students are unwelcome and they will go elsewhere," Burnett added.

He said other countries, including Australia and Canada, are already benefiting from the government's "deeply damaging" current position, by welcoming excellent international students who will go on to secure leading jobs and be lasting allies of their countries.

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: "The Home Office seems to have decided that cutting international students is the only way of delivering the manifesto target of getting net migration down to the tens of thousands. But it does not address people's concerns about immigration."

"The problems people are seeing on the ground are certainly not caused by international university students or staff," he said.

In her party conference speech, Rudd said the government wanted to help "the best universities -- and those that stick to the rules -- to attract the best talent, while looking at tougher rules for students on lower quality courses".

International students bring more than 10.7 billion ($13.53) to Britian's economy, according to Universities UK, the vice-chancellors' umbrella group.

--IANS

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Chennai and its suburbs continue to receive rains since Sunday night with severe cyclonic storm set to cross close to the coast here on Monday afternoon, said weather department.

According to the meteorological department, the cyclonic storm Vardah over Bay of Bengal moved further at a speed of around 13 kmph.

It lay centred over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal about 150 km east-northeast of Chennai and 290 km east-southeast of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, the weather department said.

"The system is very likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, close to Chennai with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph by Monday afternoon," a bulletin issued by meteorological department said.

The MET department has predicted rainfall over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next 36 hours (till Wednesday).

The rainfall intensity would increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (less than equal to 20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on December 12.

The weather department has warned of squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph along and off Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts becoming 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph during the time of landfall along and off Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh.

The tidal wave of about one metre height above the astronomical tide is very likely to inundate the low lying areas of Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh during the time of landfall.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has taken necessary steps and precautions to meet the situation that may arise due to the cyclone.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Sunday reviewed the preparedness with ministers and officials.

District administrations and all field officers were put on high alert.

Similarly Army, Navy, Air-force and Coast Guard were also geared up to lend a helping hand when required.

The government declared a holiday for all government, government-aided private schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur districts.

The Tamil Nadu government has also advised private sector organisations to allow their workers to avail holiday or work from home.

--IANS

vj/in

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An FIR was lodged against BJP's West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh on Monday for allegedly threatening a former party worker, police said on Monday.

Suman Sahoo, the former Jhargram president of Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing, has lodged a complaint in Jhargram police station against Ghosh for allegedly threatening his life.

"An FIR has been lodged against Ghosh on Monday for being involved in giving life threats to Suman Sahoo, ex-BJP Yuva Morcha president of Jhargram wing," said an officer from Jhargram police station.

"The current state president of the organisation is also named in the case. We are inquiring why the threat was given," he said.

Ghosh was unavailable for comment on the issue.

--IANS

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With strong winds blowing across the city on Monday due to cyclone Vardah, several flights were diverted, cancelled and delayed in Chennai.

"As the wind speed is around 50 knots, it is not conducive to operate the flights. We have not closed the airport," Chennai Airport Director Deepak Shastri told IANS.

Around 500 passengers - out and inbound - will be in the domestic terminal.

He said: "Twenty flights have been diverted, nine got delayed and five were cancelled."

According to him, since last night and till the flight operations were stopped, 46 flights were operated from the airport.

He said the incoming flights were diverted to nearby cities like Bengaluru or Coimbatore.

Shastri said the strong wind situation would persist till 3 p.m.

"The runway is open and is not flooded," Shastri added.

--IANS

vj/mr

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Mass genetic screenings that track populations vulnerable to arsenic poisoning -- much before cancerous symptoms start showing -- can help tackle its scourge in Bengal and across South Asia, researchers say.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Calcutta and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB) have corralled evidence of genetic links to heightened arsenic damage risk.

They have proposed genotyping, a process of determining differences in the genetic make-up (genotype) of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence and comparing it with a reference set.

"We usually say a person is susceptible to arsenic when we see skin lesions which usually takes a long period, may be even 10 years, to develop. Much before the development of these typical skin lesions, other health problems like neurological or respiratory problems may arise, which are generally ignored," Pritha Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor at the university's Environmental Science Department, told IANS.

She says if genotyping could be done, vulnerable populations, i.e. individuals at higher risk, could be easily identified.

"They could be made aware of the situation, and available mitigation strategies can be adopted accordingly," she explained.

Bhattacharjee and co-authors Nandana Das, Allan Giri and Sayan Chakraborty based their observations on experiments that linked a type of genetic variation with arsenic induced skin lesions in the exposed population in Bengal.

Called SNP or snips (abbreviated for single nucleotide polymorphism), each such variation represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide.

The study centred on the rs9527 SNP (having the nucleotide adenine instead of guanine). The findings were published in October in the journal Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis.

Described by many as "an environmental and social disaster", arsenic poisoning was first identified in the early 1980s in West Bengal, where health officials linked an outbreak of skin lesions to groundwater pumped from shallow wells.

Over three lakh people in nine Bengal districts are believed to be affected and the contamination continues to engulf more in its wake.

The results of the study impinge on the alarming situation in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and Bengal.

The data also significantly substantiates the findings of a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) on Bangladeshi population, indicating that this SNP might be "a universal factor behind individual arsenic susceptibility".

Dubbing the result of the present study as "interesting" and "significant", University of Manchester's David Polya said it provides a means of potentially identifying people who are at a greater risk of developing ill health from arsenic exposure, in much the same way that some people are more genetically pre-disposed to, say, breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

"Of course, the causes of diseases are often multi-faceted, so it is likely that mapping other contributing factors will be critical to being able to make more accurate and meaningful risk estimates," Polya told IANS via email.

Polya, a professor of environmental geochemistry in the School of Earth, Atmospheric & Environment had worked in collaboration with IICB scientists in 2013 to prove a link between rice containing high levels of arsenic and chromosomal damage.

What has puzzled researchers is that in some highly exposed communities only a certain proportion of the people seem to develop these diseases, Polya pointed out.

"It has been speculated that this might be because some people are unfortunately more genetically pre-disposed to develop such diseases as a result of long-term exposure to arsenic," Polya told IANS.

Bhattacharjee said even in the same family exposed to arsenic, the absence or presence of skin lesions differs among brothers.

Given that 60 per cent of groundwater in the Indo-Gangetic region (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal) now has excessive amounts of arsenic and salinity, making it unfit for consumption or irrigation, there is an urgent need to deploy sustainable scientific supply solutions for providing access to safe drinking water.

"This needs serious water access system thinking that covers from water testing, to technology development, to market mechanism, regulatory provision, consumer education programmes to ensure user readiness and avoid waste of water, creating value for water among users, a gender-sensitive approach, regulation for both demand side and supply side, appropriate financing and revenue model, waste disposal regulations.

"Unless a systemic approach is adopted which gives equal/due weightage to each component in the solution of the problem, the problem will continue," cautioned Joyashree Roy, Professor, Jadavpur University, and environmental economist.

--IANS

sgh/ssp/sm/sac

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With the two-day meeting of the Council scheduled to end on Monday being cut short half-way, hopes of meeting the Centre's targeted implementation deadline of April 1, 2017, receded further in a situation of political confrontation unleashed by its demonetisation measure.

The Goods and Services Tax Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, was originally slated to meet here over Decemeber 11-12 to sort out the vexed issue of "cross empowerment", or dual control of assessees under the proposed pan-India indirect tax regime. The solution had eluded a consensus over five previous meetings of the Council.

The meeting was also expected to finalise three legislations -- Central GST, Integrated GST and the Compensation law -- with the intent of placing these in Parliament during its ongoing winter session that ends on December 16.

Deadlock continued on the issue of dual control between the Centre and the states on Sunday, while the next meeting of the Council has been fixed for December 22 and 23, Jaitley told reporters here after the meeting.

"There is one section which needs to be redrafted... one cross empowerment issue which we are leaving aside and therefore the discussion on the legislation and its approval of each section is moving satisfactorily. And hopefully in the next meeting we would be able to clear it," he said.

Jaitley said the issue of dual control, or who will exercise control over GST assessees -- the Centre or the states, was not taken up at the sixth meeting.

"Well, that issue did not come up for discussion today because today's (Sunday) agenda was taken up exclusively by the legislation and that's an issue which is still flagged and still pending. I have various options ready for discussion and as and when it is discussed we will place those options before the council," he said referring to the jurisdiction issue.

States, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Bihar, want exclusive control on businesses with turnover below Rs 1.5 crore (the current threshold for central excise), including the service taxpayers.

Jaitley said the Centre still stands by rollout target date of April 1 next year.

"I told you after the last meeting also our target is the 1st of April. The luxury of time is not available to us for the simple reason that if 1st April is the first possible day it can be implemented, then the last date also is constitutionally defined as 16th of September 2017," he said.

"So the discretion as to when to implement is only five months and 16 days and that's why we don't have the luxury of time because after five months the curtains will be down on the old taxation powers," he added.

With a serious question mark over the April 1 target now that the legislations cannot be ready for tabling in the winter session, the plan appears to be to have GST come into force by default when the time given by the constitutional amendment will automatically expire for roll out of the new indirect tax regime.

Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said on Friday that the Centre continues to be intransigent on dual control.

In an interview to BTVi channel, Isaac said that in a situation where the states are going to lose the right to tax when GST is implemented, and had acceeded to the Centre on almost all issues, "the Centre will have to take one step back from the position they have adopted" on the only remaining issue of "cross-empowerment" concerning jurisdiction over assessees.

"It can't be a one-way traffic. Why can't the Centre accomodate on the question of how GST should be administered," he asked.

He also said implementing GST by the April 1, 2017, deadline planned by the Union government appears to be unlikely.

"Demonetisation has indeed vitiated the whole atmosphere," Isaac said.

"Discussions in the GST Council have been cordial, in a spirit of consensus and Parliament had passed the Bill unanimously. Now there is no such general atmosphere, Parliament is divided," he said, referring to the almost continuous disruption of proceedings being witnessed during the winter session on the demonetisation issue.

"Demonetisation is a big strike on the revenues of the states, and in Kerala, we are estimating our revenues to decline by 40 per cent from impact of demonetisation," he added.

Calling demonetisation "a big magnum-sized tsunami", West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra last week said India's gross domestic product (GDP) in the current fiscal (2016-17) will take a huge hit on its account.

"From an estimate that I have, the growth rate in aggregate will fall over 3 per cent and arrive at 4.3 per cent This means a loss of Rs 4.7 lakh crore of GDP, this will be extinguished" he told a TV channel.

Mitra, who is Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers and member of the GST Council, also said the postponement of the GST regime could be an option to stabilise the economy badly hit due to demonetisation.

"Should we rethink of stabilising the economy from this big hit resulting from demonetisation and then go for GST? Do we take the risk of a second whammy at this stage," he asked.
In what can be seen as a message to China on its claims over the South China Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and Indonesia have agreed to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes, while releasing a Vision Documents 2025 on bilateral ties.

The two sides also agreed to prioritise defence and security ties.

"My extensive conversation with President Widodo today (Monday) focused on the full range of our cooperation," Modi said in a joint press conference with visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo following delegation-level bilateral talks here.

"We agreed to prioritise defence and security cooperation," he said.

"As two important maritime nations that are also neighbours, we agreed to cooperate to ensure the safety and security of the sea lanes, in disaster response and environmental protection."

Modi said a joint statement on maritime cooperation signed after Monday's talks outlined "the agenda of our engagement in this field".

Besides the joint statement on maritime cooperation, the two sides also signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in the areas of youth and sports, and standardisation.

The agreement on maritime cooperation assumes significance as several Southeast Asian nations have problems with China over the South China Sea.

In July, an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the busiest commercial shipping routes in the world.

The court accused China of interfering with the Philippines' fishing and petroleum exploration, building artificial islands in the waters and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone.

China reacted angrily, calling the verdict null and void with no binding force and that "China neither accepts it nor recognises it". But Beijing has since decided to go for bilateral talks with Manila.

Indonesia, the largest of the Southeast Asian nations, however, does not have any such issue with China.

In Monday's address to the media, Modi said that Indonesia was one of India's most valued partners in its 'Act East Policy'.

"It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world," he said.

He also welcomed Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights between Jakarta and Mumbai as it would help boost people-to-people contacts.

On his part, Widodo said that Indonesia wanted to increase bilateral trade ties and also diversify exports to India.

A joint statement issued after the talks said India and Indonesia discussed the threat posed by global terrorism and other transnational crimes and emphasised "zero tolerance" for terror acts.

Modi and Widodo condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest possible terms and commended the working of a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, a joint statement issued here said.

In a major boost to New Delhi's 'Act East Policy', the Ministry of External Affairs said in a separate statement that India and Indonesia released a 'Vision Document 2025' on bilateral ties while deciding to hold annual summit-level meetings.

"Leaders of both countries had earlier mandated the setting up of an Eminent Persons Group to draw up a Vision Document 2025 to serve as a blueprint for our bilateral relations," it stated.

"After three sittings during 2016, the report is now ready and was released on the occasion of the visit (of Widodo) by (Indonesian) Foreign Minister Retino Marsudi and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar."

Earlier in the day, Widodo, who assumed the presidency of Indonesia in October 2014, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

In the afternoon, Vice-President Hamid Ansari called on him. This was followed by a banquet in the evening in honour of the visiting dignitary by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Widodo is accompanied by his wife Iriana Joko Widodo, seven cabinet ministers and a 22-member business delegation from Indonesia.

This is the first presidential visit from Indonesia to India in nearly six years since the visit of then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in January 2011.

--IANS

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Actor Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone starrer romantic musical comedy drama film "La La Land" bagged a maximum of eight trophies at the 22nd Critics' Choice Awards, clinching the Best Picture and Best Director honours.

The 22nd Critics' Choice Awards took place at the Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar in California on Sunday to honour critics' picks for the best movies and television of the year, reports variety.com.

Directed by Damien Chazelle, "La La Land" also won the awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Song and Best Score.

"Manchester by the Sea" won in categories like Best Actor for Casey Affleck, Best Young Actor/Actress for Lucas Hedges and Best Original Screenplay, which it shared with "La La Land".

"Moonlight" won the Best Supporting Actor honour for Mahershala Ali and Best Acting Ensemble award.

Actress Natalie Portman won the award for Best Actress for her role in "Jackie".

Other big winners of the night included Viola Davis, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for "Fences", filmmaker Jon Favreau's "The Jungle Book", which clinched the trophy for Best Visual Effects, Best Animated Feature for "Zootopia", Best Action Movie award for "Hacksaw Ridge" and Best Comedy trophy for "Deadpool".

In the TV section, "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" came out as the big winner by clinching trophies in categories like Best Movie Made For Television or Limited Series, Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series, Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series and Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series.

While "Game of Thrones" won the award for Best Drama Series, the Best Comedy Series trophies was given to "Silicon Valley".

Other big honours were given to "BoJack Horseman", which won the Best Animated Series award, the Best Reality Competition Series trophy to "The Voice", Best Structured Reality Series to "Shark Tank", Best Unstructured Reality Series to "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" and the Best Talk Show to "The Late Late Show with James Corden".

--IANS

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In a bid to digitally transform the Indian manufacturing industry, Microsoft on Monday showcased three Internet of Things (IoT) solutions here.

The three solutions that are powered by Microsoft Azure Cloud are offered by three startups -- Precimetrix, Teramatrix and Covacsis Technologies -- to help manufacturing industries develop digital and predictive insights.

"Our complete suite of technology solutions including Azure Machine Learning, Cortana Intelligence Suite and IoT solutions suite as well as our partners are capable of supporting any manufacturer of any size transform digitally," Narendra Bhandari, General Manager (Developer Experience) Microsoft, told reporters here.

Covacsis helps build tailor-made customer experiences by harnessing data and draw actionable insights to achieve a segment of one.

"Our solution is agnostic to sectors and automation profile of manufacturers. Covacsis's Integrated Plant Framework (IPF) transforms a factory into digital factory in less than six weeks without any capital expenditure," said Tarun Mishra, CEO, Covacsis Technologies.

Precimetrix offers IoT and analytics to enable real-time process management and actionable analytics to improve productivity.

To enable companies to connect with their fixed or mobile infrastructure and analyse the data streams emanating from them, Teramatrix offers an IoT software platform.

--IANS

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Indian-born Microsoft CEO is among top-notch tech executives who are scheduled to meet US President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York City, media reports said on Monday.

According to Re/Code, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and Oracle CEO Safra Catz will attend the summit with Trump on Wednesday.

"I plan to tell the President-elect that we are with him and will help in any way we can. If he can reform the tax code, reduce regulation and negotiate better trade deals, the US technology industry will be stronger and more competitive than ever," Catz said in a statement.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos were also invited.

"The invite came from Trump's chief of staff Reince Priebus as well as his son-in-law and chief whisperer Jared Kushner and, of course, his biggest tech supporter, investor Peter Thiel," the report said.

The Tech giants may discuss issues ranging from immigration reform, encryption and social concerns when they meet Trump who has taken opposing stances on such issues.

"Trump even called for a boycott of Apple after it refused to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters," the report noted.

Some high-profile CEOs who may not be at the Trump meet are Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Dropbox CEO Drew Houston and even Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
Stockholm Water Prize winner Rajendra Singh has cautioned that if honest effort is not made to preserve the Narmada, the river will soon be counted among the polluted rivers in India.

Expressing concern over the reducing water level in the Narmada, Singh said the reduced water at the river's origin at Amarkantak is an ill omen for the future.

Singh, known as the 'Waterman of India', was in Amarkantak to participate in the Madhya Pradesh government's 'Namami Devi Narmada Seva Yatra', which started on Sunday to prevent further pollution of the river.

The well known water conservationist from Alwar district of Rajasthan told IANS that though it is a good step taken by the government, the campaign is not easy.

"The campaign will face many challenges, which will be difficult for the government to deal with. For example, in Amarkantak itself, influential people have violated rules. Whether the government will be able to deal with them is the big question," he said.

Amarkantak is a pilgrim town in Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh. The region is a meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges. The Narmada, the Son and Johila rivers originate here.

Singh said much had changed in Amarkantak which he was revisiting after 12 years.

"Violations of law have increased and the river flow has decreased. I don't understand why nothing has been done to stop these violations."

Inaugurating the campaign, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that shops and houses situated near the river will be removed and owners allotted new places to live and operate from.

Lauding Chouhan's as a "good step", Rajendra Singh said the Chief Minister had failed to comment on influential people who have encroached huge land to build 'ashrams' beside the river.

Singh said the campaign will go on for 144 days, adding that there is a tendency among the governments to start campaigns and then forget them. "I sincerely hope this will not happen with this campaign."

--IANS

hindi-vgu/tsb/dg

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants to discuss with Donald Trump "various ways" to undo the Iran nuclear deal, after the President-elect moves into the White House in January, media reported on Monday.

Trump's approach to the Iran nuclear programme will strengthen US-Israel relations and make them really amicable, RT online quoted Netanyahu as telling CBS' 60 Minutes in an interview.

Netanyahu called the deal to be undone and said it has opened opportunities for Iran to develop nuclear weaponry. "I think Iran didn't rush to the bomb before there was a deal, because they were afraid of retribution," he said.

He said he has "about five things in his mind" to undo the Iran nuclear deal, but refused to elaborate. Even if the deal is reversed, there still would be "many more" options to prevent Iran from manufacturing nuclear weapons, said the Israeli PM.

Netanyahu also said that he hopes Donald Trump would be a good friend to Israel.

"I know Donald Trump. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. There's no question about that," said Netanyahu.

Asked if he expected a better relationship with Washington after the tumultuous years of the Obama administration, Netanyahu admitted he had differences of opinion with the outgoing US President, particularly on the nuclear deal. But he insisted that the matter was never personal.

In December, the US Senate voted unanimously to renew the sanctions on Iran for another decade. It was described as a symbolic move, but it allows the President to impose new restrictions on Tehran if it violates the 2015 nuclear accord.

The agreement between Tehran and six major world powers strictly limited the capabilities of the country's nuclear problem in exchange for lifting international sanctions.

--IANS

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New Zealand will make a final push for United Nations reform in New York in the final days of the country's two-year stint on the Security Council, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said on Monday.

McCully said he would make his final visit to New York this week for UN Security Council meetings, Xinhua news agency reported.

"This visit is about ensuring that New Zealand is well positioned to continue pushing for top-level UN reform and other issues that matter to small states as we transition off the Security Council," McCully said.

"While New Zealand's tenure on the council is drawing to a close, many of the issues we have championed during our term will continue to be a focus for our foreign policy effort in the coming years.

"We are focused on working right up to the last day and while in New York I will participate in the quarterly open debate on the Middle East, which will include a briefing from outgoing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and a ministerial-level debate on non-proliferation hosted by the new foreign minister of Spain."

McCully will also meet incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the head of UN peacekeeping operations Herve Ladsous.

--IANS

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Over 13,000 civilians have been rescued from militant-held parts of eastern Aleppo, while over 700 militants have surrendered to the Syrian Army, the Russian Defence Ministry announced on Monday.

The rescue operation was conducted with the help of the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and there were 5,831 children among the 13,346 rescued people, RT online reported.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that all of the liberated residents have been accommodated at aid centres, where they are being supplied with food and medical aid.

The Russian Centre for Reconciliation was monitoring the withdrawal of civilians from the (militant-held) areas.

Meanwhile, scores of civilians were seen returning to their homes in the al-Sakhour and al-Shaar districts in eastern Aleppo. Government forces liberated the neighbourhood over the weekend.

On Saturday, the Syrian Army also officially managed to enter Al-Tall, a key suburb in rural Damascus, which has had been held by the rebels until now. That neighbourhood was believed to be the last suburb northwest of Damascus that was still under militant control.

--IANS

soni/ahm/dg

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Activists and residents of the ashram at Visva Bharati University in Santiniketan will seek President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention against shooting of a "commercial film" inside the ashram that, according to them is a disgrace to the establishment.

Controversy erupted over the shooting of a film featuring Union minister Babul Supriyo inside its prayer hall (Upasana Griha), which was built by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's father, Maharishi Debendranath Tagore in the 19th century.

"Now our rules seem to have changed. Earlier no permission for shooting used to be given. If we see there is a commercial film shoot during prayer in progress, then that means it is a disgrace to the honour of the ashram's culture," said Subodh Mitra, a resident of the ashram inside the varsity campus.

The prayer hall, made of colored Belgium glasses with marble steps on all the four sides, is celebrated for its architectural as well as cultural heritage.

Mitra said the officiating Vice Chancellor Swapan Dutta "compromised" with the tradition of the prestigious university by allowing shooting of Bengali film "Posto" (Poppy Seeds) directed by filmmaker Shiboprosad Mukherjee inside the prayer hall.

"Such kind of (commercial) activities should stop inside the hall. The Vice Chancellor should either be removed or forced to tender his apology in public," he said, adding he will write to the President and Prime Minister for their intervention.

However, Dutta stood his ground asserting that the Tagore's vision of education is being captured through the movie.

"The concept of education at Patha Bhavan and its culture has been captured in the film. The tradition is still important since Tagore's system encourages one to become a good human being. There is no commercial aspect. It is like an art film and should be supported. Instead, one should protest against the slaughter of chickens and speedy bikes in the vicinity of the ashram," Dutta said, adding the varsity is not charging any fee for the shooting.

--IANS

sgh/ssp/vd

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Activists on Monday staged protests in the Cambodian capital against Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte who will be here on Tuesday on a two-day visit.

Six masked activists, reportedly Filipinos, gathered in front of the Royal Palace in downtown Phnom Penh and held up placards denouncing Duterte's strict stance on drugs, Efe news reported.

One large sign with red lettering said: "Duterte uphold human rights and rule of law" while another said: "War on poverty, war on hunger not only on drugs".

The flash group took out their signs and placards and two people lay down on the ground before separating and walking away after only about five minutes.

There were, however, no reports of police intervening or passers-by paying any attention.

About 5,900 people in the Philippines have lost their lives in police operations or through vigilante activities against drug dealers since the former mayor took the presidential office on June 30.

However, Duterte still enjoys high popularity as a Pulse Asia poll conducted in October showed that 86 per cent of Filipinos trust him.

--IANS

in/dg

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Six terror suspects were arrested in a series of raids across Britain on Monday.

Four men from Derby, a man from Burton upon Trent and a woman from London were arrested on suspicion of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism, the BBC reported.

The BBC understands the operation was regarded as "significant" and the result of an ongoing investigation.

Sources said the investigation was into a group believed to be working towards an attack -- though a strike was not thought to be imminent.

The four suspects from Derby are aged 22, 27, 35 and 36. The suspect from Burton upon Trent is aged 27 and the woman from London is 32.

Under legislation laws, officers have 48 hours to charge, release or apply for a warrant for further detention of the suspects.

An Army bomb disposal team was deployed to the Normanton area of the city as a precautionary measure.

--IANS

lok/

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Sri Lankan Airlines on Monday cancelled all flights to Chennai due to cyclone Vardah hitting the Tami Nadu coast, officials said.

Airline spokesman Deepal Perera said the Chennai International Airport was closed and the airline had cancelled all its flights till Tuesday morning, Xinhua news agency reported.

"A red alert has been issued," Perera said.

Authorities on Monday warned residents living along the coastal areas of northern Sri Lanka to be cautious due to heavy winds and rains as Vardah was moving away from the island nation towards southern India.

However, the department said that disaster management teams were on alert in case of an emergency.

--IANS

py/mr

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With reference to the Chinese Whisper item Note ban unites political rivals (BS, December 12), this deceptive unity among various political parties over the issue of demonetisation of specified currency notes on November 8 should never be construed as closing of the Opposition ranks. It would also be highly naive to assume that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led treasury benches would successfully enjoy immunity from the public scrutiny in the wake of the breach of their trust. Needless to say, enlightened people can no longer be taken for a ride. At the same time, neither the directionless Opposition nor the government can escape their responsibility to ensure that the winter session of Parliament doesnt meet the unfortunate fate of a total wash-out. Someone from the government has to take the initiative to quickly douse this political fire. The Prime Minister should take it upon himself to issue a statement in the Parliament on the highly contentious issue of demonetisation and must urgently clear the ai.
Attacking the Centre's move, Uttar Pradesh Urban Development minister Azam Khan on Sunday said it has made the economic conditions "bad to worse" and thousands of workers have become jobless due to it.

Workers are bound to stand in long serpentine queues for the whole day to get their money, he said after inaugurating a water treatment plant here.

The minister inaugurated a 100 cusecs Ganga water treatment plant developed by the UP Jal Nigam in Pratap Vihar colony here.

Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "Badshah", Khan said he is least effected by demonetisation, while the public is afflicted by the sudden ban of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.

He said till date the Prime Minister could not bring the "actual black money" from the foreign banks. Public is not getting its hard earned money which was deposited in the banks, the minister said.

All the developmental works are hampered due to demonetisation, he said, and alleged that bank officials are minting money as they are hand-in-gloves with black money hoarders.
Continuing her verbal assaults on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the step was taken only to help him and his associates.

"# done only to help Modi babu and his close associates," Banerjee said in a post on her Twitter handle.

In another tweet, she countered the Prime Minister's remarks at an Uttar Pradesh rally that the opposition parties never wanted to take the path of honesty.

"The most corrupt people are talking about removing corruption," she said.

Banerjee also alleged that the "arrogant and destructive attitude" of the a Modi government was destroying the economy of the world's largest democracy.

"# has meant complete demolition of the Indian economy," she said.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress had decided to organise a three-day protest in West Bengal December 14-16 on the demonetisation issue.

"We will hold protest marches and meetings in every block of the state. Our party leaders and workers, supporters, and the common people who have been hit hard by the demonetisation move," said Trinamool Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.
Ten members of the US Electoral College today wrote a letter to the top American spymaster, demanding an investigation into the alleged Russian hacking and its impact on the general election before December 19, when they formally vote to elect the next president of the US.

The move was supported by the Hillary Clinton campaign, which lost to the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who is now the president-elect.

"The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations," the members said in the letter to the Director of National Intelligence.

"We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr Trump is fit to serve as President of the US," they said.

The members comprise nine Democrats and one Republican.

Among the signatories include Christine Pelosi, daughter of the House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

In an unusual move, the Clinton Campaign has come out in support of the letter. "The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security. Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed," the Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta said in a statement.

The president-elect has dismissed the move, saying that this is a desperate attempt on part of the defeated campaign.

"Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump. Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign. We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American," Podesta said.

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A 10-year-old boy was killed allegedly in celebratory firing during a wedding function in Gorakhpur and the accused has been arrested, police said here.

Shreyansh suffered serious injuries when Dilip Dubey opened fire from an illicit revolver during a wedding reception in Avas Vikas Colony, Kuda Ghat under Cantt police station area late last night, police said.

The child was rushed to the medical college hospital where he succumbed to the injuries, police said, adding that an FIR has been lodged and the accused arrested with .32 bore revolver and empty cartridge.

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At least 13 people were killed in road mishaps in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with dense fog affecting visibility in north India even as cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir intensified further due to a fresh spell of snowfall.

Early morning fog in Delhi led to the cancellation of 16 trains and 90 were running late. However, normal flight operations were reported at the IGI Airport.

The city recorded a minimum of 11 degrees Celsius and a high of 27.1 degrees Celsius.

Wintry chill tightened grip over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and a thick cover of fog persisted over the region.

Eight persons were killed in separate mishaps amid foggy conditions in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, Kakori and Malihabad areas, police said.

The MET department said shallow to moderate fog was witnessed at most places in the state in the past 24 hours.

Hamirpur district was the coldest with the minimum temperature settling at 8.2 degrees Celsius.

Five persons, including two women, were killed when their car rammed into a stationary truck on National Highway 2 due to poor visibility in Bihar's Aurangabad district.

Dense fog hit normal life at several places in Haryana and Punjab though the minimum temperature was recorded above the normal limit at most places.

Normal movement of vehicular traffic was affected at many places in the two states due to fog and several trains were reported running late due to reduced visibility.

Fog and haze resulted in 15 vehicles crashing into each other near Dhantori village on GT Road in Haryana's Kurukshetra district. There were no reports of injury to anyone yet, police said.

The cold wave sweeping parts of Himachal Pradesh intensified further following moderate snowfall in high mountain ranges and passes.

The Rohtang, Kunzam and Saach passes, sprawling Dhauladhar ranges and higher reaches in tribal belt and Kullu district had another spell of moderate snowfall causing a drop of three to five degrees in the minimum temperature.

The high altitude tribal areas reeled under piercing cold wave conditions as mercury stayed betweenminus six and minus 10 degrees.

Moving further in north, the night temperature in the Kashmir Valley dipped after a day's respite with the mercury settling below freezing point at most places, including Leh, which was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 11.4 degrees.

The Meteorological Department here has predicted mainly dry weather in the state for the week ahead which could lead to a further drop in night temperature.

Srinagar recorded minimum temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg in north Kashmir witnessed a fresh spell of rainfall and had a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam shivered at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius.

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Gold bars weighing 16 kg, and worth Rs 4.28 crore, allegedly hidden in baby diapers were seized and four people were arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport here after a group of fliers coming from Dubai were intercepted by security agencies today.

Officials said the recovery was made around 7:00AM when a group of six passengers (including two infants) arrived here from Dubai and were intercepted for a thorough check after they crossed the green channel.

"Gold biscuits weighing about 16 kg have been recovered from the passengers. The 16 gold biscuits, of 1 kg each, were found cleverly concealed in the diapers and towel of the two babies they were carrying.

"The two groups comprising a couple and a baby each are from Surat," they said.

"The seized gold bars has been valued at Rs 4.28 crore. The four people have been arrested by Customs authorities," they added.

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Heavy rains accompanied by high- velocity winds pounded the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu as severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" commenced its landfall through the coast, killing two persons and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from low-lying areas.

The cyclone, that triggered strong winds of nearly 100 km/h, uprooted hundreds of trees and disrupted power supply lines besides land and air transport, throwing normal life out of gear.

"The cyclone is still crossing, only the eye portion has crossed... Presently it is calm. The entire system is expected to fully cross coast between 6 PM and 7 PM," a top India Meteorological Department (IMD) official told PTI here.

Showers and heavy winds will resume once the eastern portion of the system begins to blow over, the official said.

However, the respite is Vardah is "weakening" and is expected to be turn into a "cyclonic storm" in next three hours, said M Mohapatra, IMD Additional Director General (Services).

"The Cyclone made its landfall near Chennai between 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM bringing in winds clocking 11-120 kmph. It is showing signs of weakening and the wind speed will reduce to 60-70 kmph in next 3-4 hours," he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged people in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts - where "Vardah" brought life to a virtual halt - not to venture out of their homes till an official announcement was made.

Two persons had died and 24 huts were damaged, most of them in Tiruvallur district, according to an official statement.

About 8,000 people from low-lying areas in north Chennai, Pazhaverkadu in Tiruvallur district and villages off Mamallapuram, in Kanchipuram district were safely evacuated to 95 relief shelters, officials said.

Authorities here were seen swiftly removing uprooted trees and restoring snapped power lines, trying to bring normalcy to enable vehicular traffic to resume.

The IMD's latest inputs indicated that heavy wind and rains would continue till about 7 PM, Panneerselvam said, adding all arrangements are in place to handle the situation.

Coastal regions of northern Tamil Nadu - Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram - continue to be on high alert even as people in low-lying areas were accommodated in relief centres.

Fishermen from Adyar and Tiruvanmiyur areas were accommodated in local schools and food and blankets were being distributed to them. State Ministers are visiting relief centres and inspecting distribution of food to the people, an official release said.

Under the impact of "Vardah", hundreds of trees were uprooted, land and air transport was disrupted and normal life was thrown out of gear in many areas.

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Two men, who were found guilty of giving 3,000 pounds to a key suspect in the Paris and Brussels terror attacks during a meeting in a Birmingham park, were jailed for a total of 11 years by a UK court today.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, from Birmingham, who had pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism last month was sentenced to eight years.

Co-defendant Zakaria Boufassil, alsofrom Birmingham, was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of the same charge at the end of a trial last week and was sentenced to three years.

They handed over the cash to Mohamed Abrini - who became known as the "man in the hat" after his face was caught on CCTV footage following the deadly attack on Brussels airport in March.

"I am sure that you are an individual who has for some time, and continues to hold extreme Islamist beliefs, and that you are committed to the cause of Islamic State," Justice Jeremy Baker told Ahmed.

He said that Boufassil's motivations had been less clear.

"There is no evidence, beyond your participation in the offence, that you hold extreme Islamist beliefs and have an ongoing commitment to the cause of Islamic State," he said.

Justice Baker also imposed an additional one year licence or restrictions on both men, which will apply on their eventual release from prison.

"We know that Abrini visited several locations during his visit to the UK, but that his sole purpose of being here was to collect the money and our case - whilst not focused on attack planning - acts as reminder of why our work to prepare for and prevent such incidents in the UK is important," said Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, Counter Terrorism Lead for West Midlands Police.

"We are working hard with partner agencies and community groups around the West Midlands to alert the public to the dangers of radicalisation and explain what help is available to those vulnerable to negative influences," he said.

The money had been withdrawn from the bank account of one Anouar Haddouchi, a Belgian national who had been claiming UK state-funded welfare benefits while living in the West Midlands with his wife.

Haddouchi is believed to have fled to Syria since.

The court heard that hours after collecting the money fromBoufassil and Ahmed,Abrini visited the Grosvenor Casino in Birmingham where he took a photograph of a gambling machine on his mobile phone.

In March this year, Abrini was captured on CCTV alongside Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, who detonated bombs hidden in suitcases killing 12 people at Brussels airport.

Another 20 people died in an attack on Maalbeek metro station less than two hours later.

Jurors were also told he is also wanted by the French authorities in connection with the attacks in Paris last November.

Boufassilhad denied one charge of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

Abrini remains in custody in Brussels.

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Two teachers demanding regularization of their jobs climbed atop a water tank here at Bassi Pathana city today, police said.

Sarabjit Kaur from Mohali and Simarjit Singh from Mansa, climbed atop water reservoir ahead of the visit of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for holding a Sangat Darshan programme.

Other teachers were staging protest near the water reservoir and raised slogans against the government.

They ended their protest around 1 PM, when Fatehgarh Sahib SP, Daljit Singh Rana, and Bassi Pathana SHO, Hari Chand, assured them their meeting with the CM.

Later, teachers met Badal who assured them to fulfill their genuine demands.

Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar suspended the two cops for dereliction of duty.

Talking to reporters before their meeting with the CM, annoyed teachers alleged that the state government was trying to fool them by delaying discussion on their demands.

Teachers have been protesting against the state government demanding regularisation of their services, welfare allowances and leave facilities.

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Four persons were killed today when a car rammed into a stationary truck on the Yamuna Expressway today due to poor visibility, police said.

The accident took place around 6 AM, 7 km from here due to dense fog. The car hit the stationary truck parked along the expressway, SP (rural) Sujata Singh said.

Four persons were killed in the road mishap. They were identified as Manoj Kumar(73), Soni Sinha (50), Usha(73) and Sultan Ahmad (40), she said.

Manoj, along with his family, was returning after attending a wedding in Patna, Singh said.

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Five persons including two women were killed while another person was seriously injured today when their car rammed into a stationary truck on National Highway 2 due to poor visibility in Bihar's Aurangabad district.

Mufassil police station SHO Krishnandan Verma said the incident took place around 5 AM today due to dense fog.

The driver could not see the stationary 18-wheel truck and rammed into it from behind near Ora village under the jurisdiction of Mufassil police station of the district.

The car was hit by another truck from behind and the occupants got sandwiched between the two heavy vehicles, Verma said.

Of the six persons travelling in the car, four died on the spot, while another died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The sole seriously injured person was referred to Varanasi, in neighbouring UP, for treatment, the SHO said.

The deceased have been identified as Dipak Kumar, Jitendra Singh, Krishna Singh, Sita Devi and Kajal Kumari.

All the deceased persons, residents of Chenari area of Rohtas district, were returning home after attending a marriage ceremony in Dhanbad in Jharkhand.

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A 36-year-old bedbound Egyptian woman, weighing about 500 kg and believed to the world's heaviest, will soon leave for India for a weight-reduction surgery after a top Indian surgeon offered her help, her sister said on Monday.

Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty's is preparing herself to be flown to Mumbai in the next 10 days, her sister Shaymaa said.

Eman's story had gone viral on the social media and many news outlets published about her condition. She has barely left her bedroom in nearly 25 years, according to her family.

"There are very few facilities for a case like Eman's in Egypt. I've got many promises, but all of them were not true. There is not even one well-equipped bed in a hospital on which she can lay on," Shaymaa said.

After knowing about her condition, Mumbai-based bariatric surgeon Muffazal Lakdawala reached her and offered his help. He even set up a fundraiser to fly Eman to India.

Lakdawala reached Eman's family through his Egyptian friend and doctor Diaa el-Behairy.

"I had put up several posts about Eman on social media and attached my mobile number for anyone who wanted to help. That's how Dr Diaa succeeded in reaching us," said Shaymaa.

She said desperate pleas to the Egyptian presidency, armed forces, and the Governor of Alexandria, where she lives, did not yield satisfactory results.

"They sent me a number of doctors," Shaymaa said adding that the doctors said they can't operate as Eman won't be able to bear the surgery.

Eman suffers from thyroid condition since childhood. She weighed about 5 kg at birth, and by 11 she had stopped going to school due to her weight, her sister said.

"As she gained weight, Eman began to crawl on her knees. But her situation has worsened in past 25 years," she said.

Eman suffers from thrombosis - the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system - and she can't even speak.

Eman is cared for by her mother and sister. Shaymaa, a fine art engineer who had to give up her job because of her sister's health condition, said the family's life has been badly hit as they had to take care of Eman "like a child".

"We have to do everything for her," said Shaymaa. "We are three sisters, only the youngest is married. I can't live a normal life as I have to devote all my time to help Eman."

Shaymaa thanks Lakdawala for helping the family.

"Eman's case needs a huge amount of money," she said. "I'm very grateful to Dr Muffazal for offering to fly Eman to India on a private medical plane," she said.

The procedural roadblocks for her treatment were cleared after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's intervention.

"Dr Muffazal had urged minister Swaraj on Twitter to facilitate Eman's visa procedures, and she helped us," Shaymaa said.

Eman is expected to return home after a year of treatment. "I don't know when we'll return. May be after a year or so," said Shaymaa, who will travel with her to India.
The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) today began a three-day demonstration, pressing for its long-standing demand of curving out a separate state comprising Bodo-inhibited areas in Assam.

On the first day of the agitation, scores of youths from Bodo community held a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding immediate intervention of the Centre.

ABSU president Pramod Boro said the organisation has sent memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding formation of a separate Bodoland state.

Alleging that Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was not sympathetic to the demands of the community, Boro also accused Modi of not fulfilling his election promise of addressing problems of the Bodo community.

The ABSU president said the organisation will launch an year-long agitation in Assam starting next month if there was no response by the Centre towards the demands of the Bodo community.

"We waited for more than two years for the NDA government to at least look at the issue. But it appears the government is not at all interested. So, we do not have any option but to start the agitation again," he said.

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Andhra Pradesh tourism today signed an agreement with Rightstay (MakeMyTrip), Stayzilla to promote homestay concept in the state.

Rightstay and Stayzilla has become the first two aggregators to associate with government tourist department in South India, a release issued here said.

Under this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Rightstay and Stayzilla will lend its expertise to AP Tourism to conduct verification procedures and jointly boost homestays and stay experiences within Andhra Pradesh.

This partnership will also enable verification and training of these new Homestays being developed right from the start.

This is mainly to promote rural tourism in the state and AP Tourism intends to encourage organised, community based, environmentally and socially responsible rural Homestays across the countryside in Andhra Pradesh.

AP Tourism Director Himanshu Shukla said, "We also intend to ensure that such experiences are offered in line with the above stated objective of giving tourists a holistic rural experience keeping the 'Atithi Devo Bhava' concept in the forefront. In doing so, the service necessarily needs to be participative, and should create a sustainable eco-system which provides an alternate source of income for villagers without straining their existing resources."



AP Tourism, Rightstay and Stayzilla will also jointly conduct educational and training sessions for registered Homestays on best practices such as online usage, content management, operations and expense management.

Rightstay and Stayzilla teams will also be involved in imparting hospitality and skill training to all the new Homestays under the AP Tourism scheme.

"While homestays account for 40 per cent of the total properties on the Rightstay, 25 per cent of those are private properties in Andhra Pradesh. We already have more than 14,000 properties across 200 cities live on Rightstay and plan to end the next year with over 100,000 properties and are excited to partner with Andhra Pradesh in that endeavour," MakeMyTrip Senior Vice President, Growth Business, Deepak Tuli said.

Ankit Rastogi, Vice President Marketplace, Stayzilla said, "We aim to strengthen tourism in south with the first tie-up with a state government tourism body in the region. Well maintained and quality accommodation is always a concern for tourists and we aim to address the same by associating with different tourism boards in the country.

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Notwithstanding West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's complaint about Army exercise at toll gates, a senior Army official today said that its working relationship with the state government had not changed.

"We have good communication at the local level. There has been no change in our working relationship," Eastern Command's Major General General Staff, Maj Gen R Nagraj, told reporters here.

Earlier in the month, Banerjee had accused the Centre of deploying the Army at toll plazas in the state without informing the state government and described it as "unprecedented" and "a very serious situation worse than Emergency".

The CM had refused to leave her office in Kolkata till the armymen were withdrawn from toll plazas, and had asked whether it was an "Army coup", drawing sharp reaction from the Centre.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had last week written to the chief minister expressing "deep pain" over her allegations and said it can "adversely" impact the morale of the armed forces.

Asked to comment on the allegation of collection of money by Army personnel, the Major General says that the Army is a powerful organisation and they do not tolerate such incidents.

"There was no such before us. This is against the ethos of the Indian Army," he said.

On Army's preparedness to tackle challenges from across the border, Nagraj said they are always ready.

"Given the current circumstances all units and formations of the Army are fully alert. We are ready for action and also for lending a helping hand to our fellow citizens," he said.

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Army jawans are now assisting the Bank Note Press employees at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh who are tackling the huge demand for currency notes in the wake of demonetisation.

"Arrival of Army jawans at BNP has not only boosted the morale of employees but it would also help ramp up the production," said Kamal Chouhan, president of BNP Employees Welfare Committee, speaking to PTI.

BNP, which comes under the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL), had earlier called up the retired employees to help in the production. It has the capacity to produce two crore pieces of notes a day.

"About 200 Army jawans have arrived from Gwalior and Mhow in the past two days," said a senior official.

As many as 1,300 employees of BNP, alongwith 30 retired employees who have been called up, are involved in the production of 15 million currency notes a day. "Now the production may go up to the full capacity of 20 million," the officer said. BNP is at present printing notes of Rs 500 denomination.

Army jawans would be helping with non-technical work, mainly the loading and transportation of currency notes to the nearest airport at Indore.

Praveen Garg, CMD, SPMCIL, has visited the BNP twice after the demonetisation announcement. He was informed about shortage of staff and subsequently the retired employees were summoned but the problem persisted, a source said.

"CMD then wrote to the Centre urging it to make the Army jawans available," the source added.

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The increasing sense of alienation faced by people living in modern metropolis has been captured by international artists at an exhibition here.

Titled "Frozen World of the Familiar Stranger", the exhibition is a group show of video installations, performances and artworks featuring artists from China, Iran, India, Singapore and Peru.

Co-curated by Sitara Chowfla and Heidi Rabben, the exhibition is an output of curatorial collaboration between KADIST (an experimental arts space in San Francisco), and Khoj International Artists' Association, New Delhi.

"Through works exploring isolation, confinement, collapse, of inhabiting collective urban space, Frozen World offers an almost satirical point of view on the human condition and what it means to be alive together in the present, and in the constructed future," says Chowfla.

The show attempts to find a common connection between Delhi and San Francisco while establishing a different perspective on history, culture and memory that informs about their urban core.

Chinese artist Cao Fei is showcasing a video work titled 'La Town (2014)' that reflects a world suspended somewhere between reality and dystopia.

The video poses questions about the future of humanity, isolation, and connectivity in a city. Her work, inspired by Asian pop culture, vividly reflects the changes in lifestyle, culture, and identity in times of globalisation.

Fei is one of the most influential figures from the generation of Chinese artists that has emerged on the global scene in the last decade.

Mixed-media work by Indian artist Kartik Sood, consists of two videos, paintings, and sculptures in iron. Titled "Alone Among Many 2016", the displays explore the experience of loneliness in an urban environment.

"I always felt there is an ironic loneliness in the crowded structures of this city we live in. Under this verge of loneliness, there is a subsequent search for solace within us which most of us seek to search around," says Sood.

Peruvian artist Maya Watanabe is showcasing her collection videos, where she explores the dimensions of human body in different viable spaces.

"In my videos you see, what is located in the verbal language is transferred to the visual field. For me to be the subject of a video is to see the images of others," Watanabe says about her collection, titled "El Contorno".

Artist Sahej Rahal has on display photographs that document performances titled Keeper (2015) and Katabasis (2011).

Keeper was shot in Shodoshima, Japan, at the foothold of the Yoshida Dam, which holds a man made 'island' behind it while Katabasis has been shot inside the old art deco-style Opera House in Mumbai.

A set of collage composed of digital prints on archival paper by artist Tejal Shah portrays heterotopic (an abnormal place) landscapes where her subjects deals with ideas of queer, technological, spiritual and scientific spaces.

Indian artist Himali Singh Soin, is showcasing her video work titled 'Radar Level' which is set in Mongolia and Namibia.

The exhibition, which was earlier displayed at KADIST in San Francisco, has travelled to Khoj this month and will continue till January 11.
A protest was held today at Jantar Mantar here by the members of backward castes from Uttar Pradesh, demanding their inclusion in SC category.

Led by former MP and president of Kashyap Nishad Adivasi Mehra Sabha, Narendra Kumar Kashyap, scores of members of several extremely backward castes in UP attended the protest and tried to take out a march to the Parliament but were stopped by the police.

The castes of Kashyap, Nishad, Kevat, Kahar, Dhimar, Mallah among others are demanding to be included in SC category but no government is listening to them, Kashyap said.

"Unless you unite and are determined to snatch your right no government will listen to you," he said, addressing the protesters.

They also demanded justice for the rape survivors from the community in UP and Rajasthan.

"The women and girls of the community are facing threat to their honour and life. In both the cases the victims of rape belonged to extremely poor Dhimar and Kashyap castes. Police has not been able to arrest them," Kashyap said.

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Bahrain's appeals court today upheld a nine-year jail sentence against Shiite opposition chief Sheikh Ali Salman for inciting hatred and calling for regime change by force, a judicial source said.

The verdict against Salman, whose Al-Wefaq movement was dissolved in July, was reimposed after the court of cassation had overturned the nine-year jail term in October.

Salman, 51, is considered a moderate who has pushed for a constitutional monarchy in Bahrain, unlike hardline groups who have demanded the toppling the Al-Khalifa dynasty



His arrest in December 2014 had sparked protests in Shiite-majority Bahrain.

The Shiite cleric was sentenced in July 2015 to four years in jail after being convicted of inciting hatred in the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom.

But the appeals court in May more than doubled his jail term to nine years after reversing an earlier acquittal on charges of calling for regime change by force.

The court of cassation overturned that sentence on October 17 and ordered a retrial before the appeals court.

It also rejected a request to release the cleric.

In July, a court ordered Al-Wefaq's dissolution for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife.

The decision drew strong criticism from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, Bahrain's allies in Washington and London, and Shiite-dominated Iran.

Al-Wefaq had the largest bloc in parliament before lawmakers walked out in February 2011 in protest over a deadly crackdown on Arab Spring-inspired protests.

Salman was widely considered one of the leaders of the uprising and he was arrested several times by the authorities.

Bahrain has harshly cracked down over the past five years on dissent by the Shiite majority, which they accuse of being manipulated by Iran.

The number of arrests and trials have spiralled.

The kingdom stripped 31 Shiite activists of their nationality in October 2012 for breaching state security, and Human Rights Watch says most of them have been left stateless.

It has repeatedly arrested and detained other opposition leaders, including Nabil Rajab, the founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Rajab was most recently arrested on June 13 for comments on his Twitter account that criticised Bahrain's participation in Saudi Arabia-led military operations in Yemen, according to HRW.

The New York-based rights watchdog on Monday issued a statement calling for Rajab's immediate release, saying the charges against him "inherently violate the right to free expression".

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Led by Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, a 72-member delegation of war veterans and "Mukti Jodahas" (freedom fighters) from the neighbouring country will take part in Vijay Diwas celebrations at Fort William here this Friday.

Held annually to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 liberation war on December 16, the celebration will begin tomorrow with a military band concert at Princep Ghat, an Army officials said.

On December 14 and 15, a horse show, para jump and band display will be held at RCTC grounds while on December 16 the wreath laying ceremony will be at the historic Vijay Smarak memorial in Fort William.

Altogether, a 72-member delegation comprising war veterans, 'Mukti Jodhaas', senior retired officers and serving personnel of all the three services will pay homage to our valiant martyrs.

"Massive security arrangement has been made," said Major General R Nagraj, MGGS of Eastern Command.

"Mukti Jodhaas" who had participated in the 1971 war have been coming for the annual reunion for the last 10 years.

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Bangladeshi Hindus have held a peaceful protest in front of the White House to urge outgoing US President Barack Obama to help protect and bring an end to the "persecution" of religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country.

"We believe you are a person of great sensitivity and resolve, and would find the situation in Bangladesh with respect to the minority communities deplorable. We would like to request you, if it is possible, to convey our anxiety regarding Bangladesh to the next administration," said a memorandum submitted by protesters to Obama yesterday.

Organised by Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA dozens of protesters conveyed their deep concern regarding the allegedly passive role of the Bangladeshi government in coming to the rescue of the affected or in taking legal measures against the perpetrators.

"The destruction of Hindu households and temples, the usurping of Hindu lands and occasional killing and rape have become a norm in the present day Bangladesh. In fact, in recent weeks, the of two more premeditated attacks were documented during which the party in power was complicit, and no actions were taken by the authorities to assist or support the victims and their families," the memorandum said.

Last month, the same organisation had held a similar demonstration in front of the Trump Towers in New York.

"President-elect Donald Trump had attended a charity event before the election to raise funds for the terrorism. Bangladeshi Hindus who are victims of terrorism. I am sure, he would take up our cause too," said protester Sitangshu Guha.

Protecting Bangladesh from falling into the lap of ISIS is the "most pressing priorities", said Jay Kansara of the Hindu American Foundation.

"Because if Bengal falls to extremism, then there would be no recourse to that," he said in his brief address to the protesters, which included women and children.

The memorandum alleged that the present Bangladeshi government occasionally spouted words of secularism, but in reality was following a path of ethnic cleansing that was instituted by Pakistan almost seventy years ago.

"We would like to appeal to you to impress upon the Bangladesh government to consider the following pathways in order to end the minority cleansing and persecution in Bangladesh," the memorandum said.

"Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan with the great hope that there would be no communal feeing or communal force, but in the last seven years we see as many as 273 cases have been filed against the attack on minorities in Bangladesh," said Nabendu Bikash Dutta, president Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA.

Bangladesh has been reeling under a wave of murders of secular, liberal activists and religious minorities.

Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions including Hindus, Christians and Muslim Sufis and Shiites.

In July, a Bangladeshi cafe was attacked by terrorists, killing 22 people including an Indian girl.

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School children in Odisha will soon get to know how legendary leader and former chief minister Biju Patnaik had once rescued Prime Minister of Indonesia and his role in the freedom struggle.

The state government has decided to include the life story of Biju Patnaik in their text books.

State school and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra said the government has planned to include the former chief minister's biography in the high school syllabus as part of the state's tribute to the legendary leader on his birth centenary.

Mishra said inspiring incidents from Biju Patnaik's life will be included in the curriculum from the academic year 2017-18 for students of Class VI to Class X.

The chapters would include the leader's childhood stories, his years of education, struggles of life and political success and failures, he said.

Mishra said Biju Patnaik's popular stories like his role in India's freedom struggle, the rescue of Indonesian Prime Minister, his adventures as a pilot, would all be part of the text books.

Sahitya Akademi winner and popular children's writer Das Benhur would pen the stories on Biju Patnaik for the school syllabus.

Apart from Biju Patnaik, the life of other prominent sons of the soil like Veer Surendra Sai and Netaji Subhash Bose would also be included in the syllabus, Mishra said.

Welcoming the state government's decision of including Biju Patnaik's life in school books, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra said the life and works of eminent leaders like Nabrakrushna Choudhary, Harekrushna Mahtab should also be included in the school curriculum.

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New Zealand's ruling National Party appointed Bill English as the country's new prime minister today following last week's shock resignation of his predecessor John Key.

The National Party caucus met to confirm the appointment today morning with English to be officially sworn in at Government House in Wellington later in the day.

Police Minister Judith Collins was named as deputy prime minister.

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A 22-year-old suicide bomber was behind the deadly attack at a church adjacent to Egypt's main Coptic Christian cathedral here during a Sunday mass that killed 25 worshippers, President Abdel Fattah to-Sisi said today.

Sisi identified the bomber as Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa who blew himself up using an explosive belt yesterday.

The President, who who attending the official funeral of the victims in Cairo, said four persons, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the deadliest attack against the minority community in recent times.

Two more suspects are being pursued, he added.

Early today, Sisi held a meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and a number of other senior officials to follow up on the investigations of the attack and the security measures around the country, a presidential statement said.

The explosion took place inside St Peter's Church attached to St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope who heads Egypt's Christian minority, in Abbassyia district of central Cairo when the Sunday mass was on yesterday.

The attack killed 25 people, mostly women and children, and wounded 49 others.

The explosive device containing about 12 kg of TNT exploded on the women's side of the cathedral, officials said.

A three-day mourning was declared in memory of those killed in the blast.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, though Jihadists in Sinai often target Christians as well as Muslims they accuse of working with the government.

St Mark's Cathedral is the seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and is home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.

The head of Al-Azhar, Egypt's top Sunni authority, had also condemned the blast as "a great crime" against Egyptians.

Copts, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's population of 90 million, have faced persecution and discrimination that increased during the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

Islamist extremists have regularly incited violence against the minority community, especially since the country's first Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was ousted by the military in 2013.

Dozens have been killed in recent years in sectarian attacks and clashes across Egypt.

In 2011, a suicide bomber killed 21 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

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Elections to 26 civic wards in Chandigarh will be held on December 18 with the ruling BJP trying to cash in on the note ban and Opposition Congress making the problems arising out of it a major poll issue.

122 candidates, including 67 Independents, are in the fray for the civic polls.

Polling will be conducted at 460 booths from 8 AM to 5 PM. The results will be declared on December 20.

Of those eligible to vote, 2,70,358 are men and 2,36,819 are women.

Both Congress and BJP are contesting from all 26 wards, while BSP has also put up candidates in the fray from 17 wards.

The Municipal Corporation has 36 members, of which 26 are elected councillors, nine are nominated councillors and one is an MP (ex-officio member of the House).

At present, BJP has 15 councillors, Congress has nine, BSP has one and one is Independent.

While the BJP is trying to cash in on demonetisation in the municipal polls, Congress has made it a major issue with its city unit leaders saying the move was implemented without any "application of mind" as it has put the public to "great hardships".

Last week, BJP had released its "vision document" that gave an account of work undertaken in the past 10 months by BJP Mayor Arun Sood.

Two weeks ago, BJP chief Amit Shah had addressed a gathering of the booth workers here.

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China has provided Rs 15.80 billion to Nepal for post-quake reconstruction activities, a senior minister has said.

The Cabinet meeting yesterday decided to accept the grants worth Nepalese Rupees 15.80 billion provided by China, said Surendra Kumar Karki, Minister for Information and Communications.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers also decided to register the election (crime and punishment) bill at the Legislature-Parliament.

Decision was made to send a proposal to legislation committee on a work procedure to study the agreement government made with Govinda KC, and forward implementations accordingly, Karki said.

A committee would be formed by the government under the coordination of chief judge of appellate court, Govinda Prasad Parajuli, to study on the government employees and teachers who were sacked from the jobs on the basis of ideology during the conflict and agitation.

The members of the committee are Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General, Rewati Shivakoti, and Director at Department of Education, Ana Prasad Neupane.
Chinese analysts have dismissed as 'immature" Donald Trump's questioning of the relevance of continuing the "One-China" policy, saying the US President- elect's statement is "borne out of superficial knowledge" of bilateral ties and Beijing should pressurise him to stick to the status quo.

While China is yet to come out with an official reaction to Trump's remarks made in an interview to Fox news, analysts said his comments were "immature and borne out of superficial knowledge of China-US relations".

A Chinese analyst was quoted by the state-run Global Times web edition as saying that China should make Trump understand the importance and complexity of Sino-US ties and prevent him from being manipulated by some conservative forces after Trump questioned whether the US should continue its "One-China policy" unless Beijing makes concessions on trade and other issues.

In his comments, Trump said, "I do not want China dictating to me".

Recently, he had a phone conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the first by a US leader in decades, prompting a diplomatic protest from China.

"I do not know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump said in his interview with Fox news yesterday.

Trump said he had just a couple of hours' notice that the call was coming, not weeks or longer as has been reported.

Besides trade, Trump said China was not cooperating with the US on its handling of its currency, on North Korea and its nuclear weapons, or on tensions in the disputed South China Sea where, he said, China is building "a massive fortress".

Trump said it would have been disrespectful not to take the call from Tsai, who he said wanted to congratulate him on his election win.

Li Haidong, professor at China Foreign Affairs University, attributes Trump's comments to his inexperience.

"Trump is a novice at dealing with diplomatic and international relations issues. He is inexperienced in sensitive and complicated issues except for business and trade," Li said.

"His knowledge about Sino-US relations, particularly the Taiwan question, is very superficial, which gives him the nerve to say whatever he likes. As a businessman, he thinks it is quite normal to do business, but he has not realised that the Taiwan question is not a business to China. The Taiwan question is not negotiable," the paper quoted Li as saying.

Li does not believe Trump has a plan to challenge the



One-China policy by making such comments.

"It is still too early to come to that conclusion," Li said, adding that "these ideas may come from some of his conservative consultants, not necessarily from him".

"His focus is on domestic issues such as the economy and employment, so perhaps he does not think very deeply about diplomatic issues. In addition, Trump is highly unpredictable. Many of his remarks have shocked the American elites, but he is very fickle as well, he may eat his words sometime soon," Li said.

Li said the mainstream of the US society are very clear about their China policies, of which the one-China policy is the core and the cornerstone.

"Diplomatically, Trump is still immature, so we need to point out to him how serious the problem is and exert pressure on him. We should make him understand the importance and complexity of Sino-US ties and prevent him from being manipulated by some conservative forces," Li said.

Renmin University international relations professor Pang Zhongying said the Trump administration may play up the Taiwan issue, which could cause friction with Beijing.

"It is likely that Trump will use Taiwan to demand concessions from Beijing. The situation will be tricky," he told Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.
A 15-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide at her home in north Delhi's Burari area today as she was tensed over her Class 10 examination due next year, police said.

She was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her room, they said, adding no suicide note was found on the spot.

Prima facie, it looks as if she committed suicide owing to exam pressure but the exact cause is yet to be known, said a senior police officer.

She was a good student but was worried about her performance in the examination next year, police said, adding that the girl was the eldest among three siblings.

Her father is a farmer while mother is a homemaker, they said.

She had used a dupatta to hang herself from the fan inside her room following which police was informed and her body taken for post-mortem, they said.

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Citing multiple lapses in probe as well as in deciding the case by CCI, Competition Appellate Tribunal has quashed a Rs 73 crore fine imposed on pharma major Lupin and two of its officials for indulging in unfair business practices.

The matter pertains to alleged anti-competitive ways in supply of drugs in Karnataka.

In July, Competition Commission of India (CCI) had slapped penalties on Lupin and two officials for refusal to supply drugs to the complainant as the latter did not have no-objection certificate from the Karnataka Chemists and Druggists Association (KCDA).

In a strongly-worded order running into 198 pages, the tribunal observed that the approach adopted by the Joint Director General (DG) and its approval by the Commission was casual and the finding recorded by them was not based on any evidence whatsoever.

Setting aside the CCI order, the tribunal noted that the "Joint DG and the Commission committed a jurisdictional error" by returning a finding that Lupin had acted in violation of certain provisions of the Competition Act.

In this regard, it said the conclusion recorded by the Joint DG, which has been approved by the Commission, that Lupin has acted in violation of Section 3(1) read with Section 3(3)(b) is "ex-facie erroneous".

According to the tribunal, this Section cannot be invoked because "there is not a shred of 182 evidence direct or circumstantial to show that the appellants and respondent no. 3 were engaged in identical or similar trade of goods or provisions of services".

Section 3 pertains to anti-competitive agreements.

The plea was against CCI and Bengaluru-based Maruti and Company (respondent no. 2) as well as The Karnataka Chemists and Druggists Association (respondent no. 3) and its President (respondent no. 4).

It was filed by Lupin as well as its two officials -- Amit Kumar Dhiman and Nishant Ajmera (appellants).

Lupin was asked to pay a penalty of Rs 72.96 crore, accounting for 1 per cent of its average turnover for three years starting from 2011-12. The company's two officials were fined Rs 5,117 and Rs 8,393, respectively, as per the CCI order.

Compat also noted that CCI had imposed the penalty by taking into consideration the average of the total turnover of Lupin for the preceding three financial years ignoring the fact that Lupin is a multi-product company.

The penalty is liable to be set aside because CCI did not take into consideration the principles laid down by the tribunal, the Compat order dated December 7 said.

Further, the order said "deliberate suppression of material facts by respondent no 2 coupled with the lack of objectivity in the conduct of investigation has resulted in unwarranted harassment to the appellants who have become victims of rivalry between different factions of respondent no 3.

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The Goa unit of Congress today demanded that President's rule be imposed in the state in view of bickering within the BJP-led ruling coalition.

"I fully agree with the demand of MGP (ruling ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) that Assembly be dissolved and fresh elections be held. The state should be brought under President's rule so that all have a level playing field in the rup-up to 2017 Assembly elections," Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro said here.

MGP leader and state minister Sudin Dhavalikar recently accused the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar of taking the state back by ten years, while the latter asked him to quit the cabinet before making comments against the government.

"Never in the history of democratic India a ruling party minister has been seen mocking his own Chief Minister and the government," Faleiro said.

"When a prominent and a senior cabinet minister makes a statement that all is not good in the government, one has to believe him....I am happy that finally MGP has realised that the economic, financial governance of Goa has totally collapsed under BJP," the Congress leader said.

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Lawyers of Orissa High Court today boycotted court activities here expressing solidarity with their brother-advocates of State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) bar association.

Protesting against the state government's decision to abolish all benches of SAT in the state, the SAT Bar Association was boycotting Tribunal activities across the state since last week.

On the call given by Orissa High Court Bar Association, lawyers also boycotted court and tribunal activities in the city here, paralysing work in as many as 14 courts and tribunals here on the day.

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Seeking to strengthen a platform which provides users access to all data pertaining to minorities, Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste has urged the finance ministry to create posts under IT category to help it make fully functional.

In his letter to the Finance Minister, Kulaste has pointed out that the National Data Bank (NDB) of Socio- Religious categories (SRCs) - set up on the directions of the Sachar Committee recommendations - was working without the required number of officers although a proposal for creation of posts was lying with the Finance Ministry.

"I have been touring all states and UTs (Union Territories) and receiving marvellous appreciation from the Muslim community for the commitment of our government to work for their betterment," he claimed in the letter.

"However, various Muslim NGOs, social groups and educational institutions have been raising the issue of implementation of 'Sachar Committee' recommendations for the benefit of SRCs. Ironically, it has been brought to my notice that the National Data Bank is working without the required number of officers although proposal for creation of posts is lying with your Ministry," Kulaste said in the letter.

The Minister recommended that posts under IT category may be created at the earliest to make NDB fully functional in order to facilitate the government, planners, decision makers, researchers and general users.

"I feel that to facilitate the endeavour of NDB, it would be great if 'No-objection Certificate' for the creation of the Head of the IT is done immediately to get the data bank activated for minorities.

"Under the overarching vision of Digital India, Government of India aims at making government services digitally accessible to citizens of the country in their localities and to ensure efficiency, transference and reliability of such services at affordable costs," he said.

The Sachar Committee report had observed that "one-forth of Muslim children in the age group of 6-14 years have either never attended school or are drop-outs".

"For children above the age of 17 years, the educational attainment of Muslims at matriculation is 17 per cent, as against the national average at 26 per cent. Only 50 per cent of Muslims who complete middle school are likely to complete secondary education, compared to 62 per cent at national level," it said.

The report has also drawn attention to the low levels of education attainment among Muslim women, Muslims in rural areas as well in higher education.

The Rajinder Sachar Committee was commissioned in 2005 by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to prepare a report on the latest social, economic, and educational conditions of India's Muslim community.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to take stock of the situation in the two states following the landfall of cyclone Vardah and assured them of all help.

During the telephonic conversations, the Chief Ministers - O Panneerselvam (Tamil Nadu) and N Chandrababu Nadu (Andhra Pradesh) apprised the Home Minister of the damage caused by the cyclone and steps taken for the rescue and relief operations.

Singh told the two Chief Ministers that the central government is ready to provide all possible help to the states affected by cyclone Vardah.

Panneerselvam told Singh the state's administrative machinery is kept in readiness to face the cyclone, even as senior IAS officers have been posted in the affected districts to oversee rescue and relief operations, a state government statement said.

The Home Ministry is also closely monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with top officials of the two states.

Heavy rains accompanied by high-velocity winds pounded Chennai and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu as severe cyclonic storm Vardah commenced its landfall through the coast, killing two persons and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from low-lying areas.

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Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh were on Monday evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rains due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm Vardah.

Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for 10 more persons feared trapped at sea.

With the cyclonic storm Vardah set to make landfall between Sriharikota and Chennai, a state of high alert is being maintained in SPS Nellore district.

"The police and CISF personnel are on the job and all the ten fishermen are safe. But they are somehow reluctant to come to the shore. We will soon bring them out," Nellore Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni said.

Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is camping in Nellore to oversee the rescue and relief operations, said Vakadu and Tada received 4.8 and 3 cms of rain, respectively, since Monday morning.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," he said.

Earlier, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed the Nellore district administration to evacuate people in about 255 low-lying areas to safer places.

The Chief Minister reviewed the situation through teleconference and asked the official machinery to remain on high alert to prevent loss of lives.

The holy Tirumala Hills have been receiving rainfall since Monday night, causing some hardship to devotees visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara.

Temple Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao has directed the temple staff to make necessary arrangements for the comfort of the pilgrims in view of the inclement weather.

Under the influence of Vardah, Nellore and Chittoor districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall.

In Sullurpeta mandal in Nellore district, 30 persons were shifted to a relief camp this morning.

The South Central Railway has cancelled some passenger trains between Sullurpeta and Chennai in view of the cyclone.

The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam. Some other Express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam.
A delegation from Malaysia led by a Deputy Minister today called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and conveyed their government's condolence over the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The delegation consisting of Malaysian Deputy Minister of Education, P Kamalanathan, called on Panneerselvam, the state government said.

Further, he also handed over a condolence message from Malaysian Health Minister, and leader of Malaysian Indian Congress, S Subramaniam, it said.

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People's wait for getting bus service on time may get longer as the Delhi government's ambitious plan to run 3,000 mini and midi buses on the city's roads has hit a roadblock.

A file pertaining to the plan has been making rounds from one department to another for the last six months as officers concerned have raised objections to the feasibility of the plan.

Delhiites have been facing difficulties in commuting due to shortage of buses in the national capital.

At present, around 5,800 buses, including that of 4,200 DTC and 1,600 buses of cluster, are plying across the city, but there is need of 16,000 buses to cater to the passengers.

Sources said that in the last four years, only 200 buses have been added to the city's roads because manufacturers were unable to provide low-floor buses at the earliest in the future.

"We aren't getting sufficient low-floor buses. In view of a huge shortage of buses in the city, government was planning to run 3,000 mini and midi buses to be plied under cluster scheme which could be procured at the earliest to cater to passengers.

"The file pertaining to midi and mini buses are making rounds in different departments for the last six months. Officers concerned have raised objections, saying that these types of buses cannot ply in Delhi," sources said.

Manufacturers are saying that they would be able to provide 1,000 low-floor buses by the end of next year, they said.

Sources added that if the government runs mini and midi buses, they can be plied on city's narrow roads while the current low-floor buses being big in size occupy more space on roads which often lead to traffic.

"Government has tried to clear all objections, but we don't know at whose behest, officers are not clearing the file pertaining to the procurement of midi and mini buses," the sources said.

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The on Monday started providing free food at 10 night shelters in the capital with an aim to help the poor and homeless counter the impact of demonetisation.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Urban Development Minister Satyendra Jain launched the facility of providing three meals per day to the needy at North Delhi's Dandi park shelter.

Launching the initiative here, Sisodia said that due to demonetisation of high currency notes, no one will be a victim of starvation.

He said the facility has been launched in order to insulate the poor and homeless from the effects of demonetisation that has reportedly led to many people dying in bank queues while a few others also committing suicide.

Among the shelters where such food centres will operate are at Geeta Ghat, Yamuna Pushta, Dandi Park, Jama Masjid, Sarai Kale Khan, Nizamuddin Nila Gumbad, Sarai Phoos, Jhandewalan shelter 1, Kotla Mubarakpur and Fatehpuri near Old Delhi railways station.

At present, night shelters provide free tea and rusk to their inmates in the breakfast.

Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had asked Jain to ensure that lunch and dinner are also provided in the capital's night shelters and to those living in the immediate vicinity, who in need of food.
Problems people are facing due to demonetisation, and "intolerance" were flagged as challenges before Indian democracy in a panel discussion organised by Delhi Science Forum here today.

DSF president Satyajit Rath opened the discussion red- flagging "assaults" on "tolerance and rationality" in contemporary times.

Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta termed demonetisation as a "major disruption" in the Indian economy which has hit the "vulnerable sections" of the country "most".

"It is a major disruption in the economy during peace time. It goes against everything democratic-- hurting the vulnerable sections including workers, farmers, women and elderly people, the most," he said.

Presenting a detailed analysis on demonetisation, he also expressed surprise that despite hardships faced by people there was no "voice" against it.

Bezwada Wilson, campigner against manual scavenging, expressed his anguish that there were other issues like deaths of manual scavengers that did not agitate people in the country.

"Demonetisation is a big problem and it has affected the contract workers. But there other issues like deaths of manual scavengers, caste system and poverty about which people do not talk," he said.

Prof Nandita Narain, DUTA president, raised issues related with the government's new education policy and privatisation of education.

JNU's Prof Ram Ramaswamy pointed to the "demographic nightmare" of burgeoning youth population in the country and lack of educational opportunities to them.

"There is the challenge of large number of youth, a demographic nightmare. We have made education so privileged and not made it accessible to the people," he said.

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Top Democratic Senators today demanded an independent non-partisan commission to investigate the alleged Russian meddling in the US poll, a move the White House appeared to support saying a "congressional review of the explosive issue is "certainly warranted" given the stakes.

In a joint statement, Democratic Senators Ben Cardin, Dianne Feinstein and Patrick Leahy called for the creation of an independent, non-partisan commission to comprehensively investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The panel, they proposed, would fully probe the alleged Russian cyberattacks on US political entities and election infrastructure, seek to identify those responsible, and recommend a response the US can take to defend itself.

Modelled on other independent commissions, this body would compile all available classified intelligence and open source information, conduct hearings, with subpoena power, and report its findings to Congress within 18 months from being formed.

The membership of the commission would be individuals appointed by the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional leadership, they said.

The White House appeared to support the move. "We certainly have long supported the principle of congressional review of this matter. There has been intensive cooperation between the intelligence community and other national security agencies, and members of Congress in both parties, both before and after the election," Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

Last week, US President Barack Obama had ordered investigation into such allegations in the elections. "One of the stated goals of the ongoing review that the president ordered last week by intelligence community was to compile information that could be presented to Congress," Earnest told reporters adding that "a congressional review of this matter" is "certainly warranted when you consider the stakes."



"So, we support the principle of congressional review, but I wouldn't weigh in with an opinion right now about which committee should bear that responsibility," he said.

The Senators' announcement complements the call by bipartisan leadership in the Senate for Congressional investigations as well as support in the House of Representatives for an independent commission.

"We've seen what Russia can do with a MiG, but they can be equally destructive with a mouse. The American people deserve a nonpartisan, transparent, public investigation into this insidious attack on our democratic institutions," said Cardin, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee.

"Elections and the peaceful transfer of power are the foundational elements of our democracy. They have been attacked and undermined by the world's most destabilising major power. As a nation it's time to get to the bottom of it and learn what we can do to prevent it from ever happening again," he said.

"An attack against our election system is an attack on our very way of life and must not go unchallenged," said Feinstein, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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Claiming adverse impact on businesses following the demonetisation of old high value notes, the Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU), an industry body of Punjab, has called for protests on December 16.

The industry association claimed that the state industry has been hit hard because of the insufficient amount of currency available with the banks.

Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh has extended his support to the proposed protests decided by CICU, Ludhiana.

"We have not been able to give wages to our labour and meet our day to day expenses because of insufficient currency available with the banks which has dealt a severe blow to the industry. That is why we have decided to hold protests on December 16," CICU President Avtar Singh said today.

"Around 30-35 per cent workforce has left for their homes in other states as the state industry is unable to pay them because banks do not have enough new currency with them to disburse to customers," he said.

He said 50 per cent production of the industry in almost all verticals has suffered.

Notably, Punjab's two prominent industrial clusters -- hosiery and bicycle -- faced almost 50 per cent drop in output in view of major slump in demand for woollen and bicycles items, caused by demonetisation of old notes.

Several other verticals including induction furnace, steel rolling mills today also decided to stage dharna in Ludhiana against the demonetisation on December 16.

It was decided in a meeting of office bearers of North India Induction Furnace Association and Ludhiana Steel Rolling Mills Association in Ludhiana.

Industry representatives claimed that steel rolling mills and furnace industry had been hit hard with the demonetisation.

The furnace industry is almost closed, they said in a statement issued.

Industry claimed that the state government as well as centre suffered revenue loss of Rs 250 crore since the announcement of demonetisation.

Singh said the industry representatives would wear black badges on December 16 to express their resentment against the "poor" implementation of demonetisation scheme.

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The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has recommended imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of steel tubes and pipes from China.

Earlier this year in May, the government had imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty for six months on seamless tubes and steel pipes, among others, imported from China.

In March, DGAD had recommended to the revenue department to impose provisional levy on import of certain types of iron and steel pipes from China used in oil and gas exploration in a bid to protect the domestic industry from cheap imports.

In its latest notification, DGAD said: "The product under consideration has been exported to India from the subject country below its normal value, resulting in dumping. The domestic industry has suffered material injury due to dumping of the product under consideration from the subject country."



Its Final Findings report further said: "The material injury has been caused by the dumped imports from the subject country."



ISMT and Maharashtra Seamless had moved DGAD for imposition of the duty on "seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron, alloy or non-alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel), whether hot finished or cold drawn or cold rolled of an external diameter not exceeding 355.6 mm".

It also includes boiler pipes or line pipes used in the hydrocarbon industry and casing and tubing of a kind used in drilling for oil and gas exploration.

In the report, DGAD said it had initiated and conducted investigation into dumping, injury and causal links... And having established positive dumping margin as well as material injury to the domestic industry caused by such dumped imports, the Authority is of the view that imposition of definitive duty is required to offset dumping and injury.

"Therefore, the Authority recommends imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of subject goods from the subject country...," it added.

"Having regard to the lesser duty rule, the Authority recommends imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty (equal to the lesser of margin of dumping and margin of injury), so as to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

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Indonesian flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, is all set to provide direct air connectivity to India with the launch of a flight service from the country's capital Jakarta to Mumbai from this evening.

The non-stop maiden flight from the Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta, is expected to touch down at Mumbai's Chhtrapati Shivaji International Airport at 2030 hours, according to a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) official.

The flight will initially be for three day per week and later would be made daily later, official sources said.

Garuda Indonesia, which is a part of the global airlines grouping Sky Team, has deployed a 156-seater Boeing 737-800s in a two-class configuration with 12 seats in business and 144 in economy class.

The launch of the direct air services between the two countries comes amid the state visit of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo to India.

Earlier in the day, India and Indonesia, in a joint statement, welcomed the launch of direct services to Mumbai by the South-east Asian carrier.

"Noting the importance of connectivity for enhancement of trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts, the Leaders (Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo) welcomed the establishment of flights by Garuda Indonesia between Jakarta and Mumbai starting from December 2016," the joint statement said.

"They also encouraged direct flights from India to Indonesia by the airlines of India," it said.

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The Indonesian flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, is all set to provide direct air connectivity to India with the launch of a flight service from country's capital Jakarta to Mumbai from this evening.

The non-stop maiden flight from the Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta, is expected to touch down at Mumbai's Chhtrapati Shivaji International Airport at 2030 hours, according to a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) official.

Garuda Indonesia, which is a part of the global airlines grouping Sky Team, has deployed a 156-seater Boeing 737-800s in a two-class configuration with 12 seats in business and 144 in economy class.

The launch of the direct air services between the two countries comes amid the state visit of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo to India.

Earlier in the day, India and Indonesia, in a joint statement, welcomed the launch of direct services to Mumbai by the South-east Asian carrier.

"Noting the importance of connectivity for enhancement of trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts, the Leaders (Indian Prime Minister Naredndra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo) welcomed the establishment of flights by Garuda Indonesia between Jakarta and Mumbai starting from December 2016," the joint statement said.

"They also encouraged direct flights from India to Indonesia by the airlines of India," it said.

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Egypt said today it had arrested four people suspected of involvement in a devastating bombing of a Cairo Coptic church, as grief-stricken mourners gathered for the funeral of the dead.

The health ministry said 25 people had been killed in the bombing at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church yesterday.

It was the deadliest attack in recent memory on the Christian minority, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, speaking at the funeral, said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who had been identified as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa.

One of the four people arrested was a woman, Sisi said, and authorities were looking for two other suspects he did not identify.

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing, but Coptic Christians have been previously targeted in Egypt.

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the country's flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in the Nasr City district today.

A woman who lost two daughters in the attack cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins as other mourners prayed silently.

In the streets of Nasr City, Sisi and Tawadros led black-clad mourners behind soldiers carrying the coffins of the victims.

Troops marched to the sound of military music.

"This blow has caused us a lot of pain, but never will we let it break us," Sisi said.

Pope Tawadros II said: "We are hurting from this evil."



Yesterday's blast was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

The health ministry said in a statement late today the death toll had risen to 25 after a 40-year-old woman died of extensive injuries.

Copts have faced persecution and discrimination dating back to the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

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Egypt's Coptic community held a funeral service today for 25 Christians killed in a bombing the previous day at a church next to the main cathedral in Cairo one of the deadliest attacks targeting the country's religious minority in recent memory.

The bomb went off during Sunday Mass at a chapel adjacent to St Mark's Cathedral, seat of the ancient Coptic Christian church No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

The coffins of the victims were laid in front of the altar, with their names displayed on the side facing the congregation.

The spiritual leader of Egypt's Orthodox Christians, Pope Tawadros II, led the service. At one point, he leaned on his staff and quietly prayed in front of the coffins. He had cut short a visit to Greece and flew home yesterday after the bombing.

Only victims' relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City. Some of them screamed out in grief, while the rest quietly sobbed or sat somberly during the service.

Scores of black-clad monks, bishops and priests of the Orthodox Church attended today's service, which was carried live by state television and private TV networks.

Previously, the deadliest attack against Egypt's Christians was a New Year's Day bombing in 2011 in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, for centuries the seat of the Orthodox Coptic church. At least 21 were killed in that attack.

A state funeral was due later Monday at a parade ground also in Nasr City, with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in attendance.

Egypt has seen a wave of attacks by Islamic militants since 2013, when the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi, a freely elected leader and a senior Muslim Brotherhood official. Many of his supporters blamed Christians for supporting his ouster, and scores of churches and other Christian-owned properties in southern Egypt were ransacked that year.

Since 2013, authorities have waged a sweeping crackdown, outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood, jailing thousands of mostly Islamist dissidents and killing hundreds in street clashes. Egypt's Christians have long complained of discrimination, saying they are denied top jobs in many fields, including academia and security forces.

The church and many Christians have rallied behind el-Sissi, although there have been growing voices of dissent in the community. They say little has changed under his rule, with authorities failing to halt attacks on their churches and property.

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Describing India's USD one billion aid to Mongolia as a "bribe", Chinese official media today said there may be "endless trouble" in Sino-India ties if New Delhi viewed China's cargo service with land-locked Nepal as a threat to the sale of Indian goods.

Highlighting China's efforts to step up rail-road connectivity with Nepal, an article in the state-run Global Times said India is also boosting its relations with China's neighbour Mongolia with a USD one billion "bribe".

It emphasised that India reportedly said last week it would help Mongolia use USD one billion of aid offered in 2015 to overcome its current financial and economic crisis after Mongolia sought clear support from India against 'China's blockade', in reaction to the visit of the Dalai Lama to Ulaanbaator.

"China won't be overly sensitive about India's cooperation with Mongolia, and won't mistake India's assistance as a counter to China," the article said.

"Mongolia's economy is highly dependent on China, with more than 90 percent of its imports and exports traded directly with China. As such, China's influence on Mongolia's economy cannot be replaced by India in the short run, and efforts will be in vain if India attempts to 'bribe' Mongolia's loyalty with only USD one billion," it said.

The USD one billion credit line was offered to Mongolia during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in May last year which is expected to be availed by Ulaanbaatar.

Defending the new rail-road cargo route through Tibet to Nepal launched on Friday, today's article said it will boost trade with Nepal as China pushes forward with its Belt and Road (Silk Road) initiative.

Last Friday, dozens of trucks carrying USD 2.8 million worth of products such as clothes, appliances, electronics and building materials left the Chinese border for their destination in Nepal. The new rail and road cargo service, links Guangdong, Tibet and Nepal, official media reported.

"But the move doesn't mean that Chinese goods will push Indian products out of the country. In fact, when it comes to cooperation with other countries, both China and India should refrain from excessive sensitivity," the article said.

"Additionally, in May, China started a rail and road cargo service to the South Asian country as a means to shorten the time spent in sea transport," it said.

"There may be endless trouble in the future if India views efforts to facilitate the export of goods from China's enterprises as a potential threat to the sale of India-made products in Nepal," it added.

Last week, another article in the same daily warned



Mongolia that, "It is even more politically harebrained to ask for support from India, a move that will only complicate the situation and leave a narrower space to sort the issue out. We hope the crisis-hitMongoliawill learn its lessons."



China is already planning to build a new railway to further shorten the trade route connecting the two countries as Beijing pushes forward with the Belt and Road initiative, (Silk Road), the article said.

"Strategic suspicion has prompted some people to overly interpreted China and India's respective cooperation with another country," it said.

"China is likely to welcome India to expand its influence through more active participation in regional economic affairs to promote positive development of areas around China. Hopefully India could also adopt an open-minded attitude toward China's cooperation with South Asian countries," it added.
Retirement fund body EPFO is likely to approve a proposal to hike wage ceiling for coverage under its social security schemes to Rs 25,000 per month from the existing Rs 15,000 on December 19.

The move can bring in 50 lakh more formal sector workers into the social security net of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in addition to its existing subscriber base of around 4 crore organised sector workers.

The apex decision making body of the EPFO -- the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), headed by the Labour Minister -- is scheduled to meet on Monday (December 19).

"The CBT is likely to discuss and approve the proposal to increase the monthly wage ceiling to 25,000 for coverage under social security schemes for providing provident fund, group insurance and pension in the its trustees' meet at Bengaluru on December 19, 2016," a source said.

The source added that back of the envelop calculations suggest that 50 lakh additional formal sector workers would be covered after the ceiling is hiked to Rs 25,000 per month.

The source also said that the wage ceiling hike is imminent because Employees State Insurance Corp (ESIC) which provides health insurance to formal sector workers has already increased the monthly wage ceiling to Rs 21,000 from Rs 15,000 from October 1, 2016.

The EPFO and ESIC run social security schemes for formal sector workers and are under administrative control of the Labour Ministry.

Earlier this month, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya had told the Lok Sabha, "A proposal for increase in the wage ceiling from Rs 15,000 per month to Rs 25,000 per month for coverage under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 has been submitted by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). No decision in this regard has been taken."



EPFO had increased the wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 per month from Rs 6,500 on September 1, 2014 in view of price rise and pay revisions in the formal sector.

Besides the wage ceiling, the issue of exempting textile sector from meeting mandatory EPFO norms could come up for discussion.

On December 7, the Union Cabinet had given its approval to reforms to boost employment generation and exports in the made-ups sector (part of the textile sector).

The Union Cabinet made it optional for employees earning less than Rs 15,000 per month to contribute towards EPFO schemes.

At present, employees are required to contribute 12 per cent of their basic wages towards social security schemes run by the EPFO.

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The EU today imposed sanctions against seven top DR Congo security officials for their role in deadly clashes with protesters against President Joseph Kabila.

Kinshasa immediately slammed the move as an "illegal" throw-back to imperial days, warning it would take unspecified action against them.

More than 50 people died in the September violence and European Union foreign ministers had made clear in October they would go ahead with sanctions if Kabila showed no sign of leaving office when his term ends on December 19.

Ministers decided "to impose restrictive measures against the seven individuals who hold positions of authority in the chain of command over the Congolese security forces which have exercised a disproportionate use of force," a statement said.

The steps include travel bans and asset freezes.

The seven include two Kabila allies -- army commander Major General Gabriel Amisi Kumba and former inspector of police General John Numbi -- who have previously been sanctioned by the United States.

The EU also listed Ilunga Kampete, head of the president's Republican Guard; Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, commander of the anti-riot squad; Celestin Kanyama, chief of the national police; Roger Kibelisa, in charge of the internal security services and Delphin Kaimibi, who ran the military intelligence arm.

The EU meanwhile said it would follow developments in DR Congo very closely and further sanctions "may be considered in the event of further violence or the political process being impeded".

The 28-nation bloc also called on the government to cooperate with a "transparent and independent investigation" to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.

Last week, the Catholic Church launched "reconciliation talks" in an effort to broker a deal between the opposition and Kabila on holding new elections.

The EU wants polls and a new government to ensure stability in DR Congo, a mineral-rich and strife-torn former Belgian colony which sits astride Africa's strategic crossroads.

Kabila first took office in 2001 after the assassination of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila and a 2006 constitutional provision limited the presidency to two terms.

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Having watched Virat Kohli's on field exploits from 22 yards, dashing Jamaican batsman Chris Gayle is not at all surprised with his Royal Challengers Bangalore captain's current form.

"Virat is a fantastic batsman we all know that.. What he has done is not surprising at all. There will be many more to come for sure," Gayle told PTI today.

Kohli has hit three double hundreds in the last three series with an aggregate of 640 runs in the four Tests so far.

Gayle is in India to lend his support to the USL - Diageo's Road to Safetyinitiative encouraging fans to celebrate responsibly this festive season.

Gayle pledged his commitment to the cause by signing the pledge toNever Drink and Drive.Supporting the initiative,he said, India holds a special place in my heart and Ive always been embraced and accepted by my fans here.

Through this initiative, I hope to encourage people to Never Drink and Drive and celebrate responsibly during the upcoming festive season.

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The Bihar government will block pornography and other "undesirable sites" while providing free in colleges and universities to ensure that the facility is used purely for educational purposes.

Restrictions would be put on data usage on the premises of educational institutions.

Providing free in colleges and universities forms part of the 'Seven Resolves' which the Nitish Kumar government has adopted as a policy of good governance.

Chief Minister Kumar, while addressing a meeting in Purnea on Friday last during his 'Nischay Yatra', said free facility in all colleges and universities would be in place by February next.

"We have decided to block all pornography and other undesirable sites to enable the service for educational purpose only on the campuses of educational institutions," Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Beltron), Patna Managing Director Rahul Singh told PTI today.

Beltron, which is an executive wing of the state IT department, has been entrusted with the job of providing WiFi system in the educational institutions.

Beltron officials said free WiFi service would be provided in over 300 colleges and nine universities of Bihar.

Besides, the Information Technology department has decided to put restrictions on data usage in all institutions which would be provided free WiFi service.

"We will put a data-limit for usage, which will depend on usage. The quantum of data-limit is being worked out," Singh said.

While colleges would be provided with Internet speed of 10 MBPS, universities and other bigger institutions like IIT would be provided with the speed of 20 MBPS, Singh said.

In a 'Chetna Sabha' at Purnea on Friday last, the CM had asked youths to use the facility for downloading books and knowledge materials and not for watching films.

Citing a case of of how free WiFi was being misused, he had said, "It came to our knowledge that one gentleman has downloaded 300 movies on the 22 km area of main city street where the facility is available."



"Downloading one-two movies is OK, but the free WiFi facility in colleges and universities is conceived to help students download books and knowledge material," Kumar had said.
The US national, who was allegedly gangraped in a five-star hotel in Connaught Place here in April, says she isn't quite satisfied with the probe and is willing to come down to the country to join the investigation, despite the "nightmarish" experience.

In an email interaction with PTI, the gangrape survivor shared how she was trying to cope up after the ordeal which still haunts her eight months on.

The 25-year-old, who works as a teaching aide in US, claimed she was drugged by the accused for several days and it was only later she could recollect the details of the incident.

After returning, "it was around end of July 2016 that I started to remember what happened to me in India. I would get panic attacks, nightmares and anxiety.

"Till date, I get panic attacks on occasions when the incident runs through my mind. I am trying to engage myself in my work and other activities," she said.

After she came to terms with the incident, the 25-year-old contacted an NGO that sent an email to Delhi Police on October 5.

The victim has spoken to a female police officer a couple of times on phone along with her lawyer and answered some questions but says that she is not satisfied with the pace of investigation.

"I am not at all satisfied with the way the probe is going on. Delhi Police acknowledged the complaint filed by NGO on my behalf on October 17 but no investigation was launched by them.

"I have been reading media reports and it seems that police did contact the main accused over phone. I am worried why the accused have not been arrested so far even though an FIR was registered on December 3.

"I did reply to some of their emails which they were slow to respond to. I fear that the accused might have destroyed any evidence," she claimed.

Even though she isn't comfortable to come back here, she has assured the investigating agencies that she will be visiting the country to assist in case she is needed.

"I was left with horrible memories. I am not comfortable in going to India but I want to go there to join the investigation so that accused may be convicted," she stressed.

The victim said that she is trying to arrange financial assistance for coming to India and the US Embassy in Delhi and some NGOs in the US are helping her in this regard while her her family has been providing her the much-needed moral and emotional support.

The woman said that she had chosen India for her first trip abroad as she is "interested in learning about Indian as well as Middle East culture", despite being told about concerns over women safety in the country.

"People did warn me and tried to convince me not to go to India for these reasons. I somehow convinced my family for this trip," she recalled.

After she landed in India, she didn't realise what happened to her as she was allegedly sedated by the accused who also made videos of the act and threatened her with dire consequences, the victim said.

"I believe the accused kept on drugging me in some form or the other at least for the first three days of my tour," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Greece does not need more austerity at this time, and in fact spending cuts have gone too far already, two senior International Monetary Fund officials have said.

If the eurozone country sticks to its agreement with the European Union to increase its budget surplus to 3.5 per cent, contrary to the IMF's recommendation, then it cannot blame the fund if it must impose more austerity to do so, the officials said in a blog post yesterday.

IMF chief economist Maurice Obstfeld, and European Department Director Poul Thomsen, who has been heavily involved with the negotiations with Greece, used the blog to defend the IMF against misinformation they say "turns the truth upside down."



After days of demonstrations in Greece over new budget cuts, the officials said, "The IMF is being criticised for demanding more fiscal austerity, in particular for making this a condition for urgently needed debt relief."



But in fact, "The IMF is not demanding more austerity," they said. "We have not changed our view that Greece does not need more austerity at this time. Claiming that it is the IMF who is calling for this turns the truth upside down."



On the contrary, the fund warned Greek officials against trying to push for a larger primary surplus - the surplus on the public finances before debt repayments - than the 1.5 per cent the IMF said was achievable.

"But contrary to our advice, the Greek government agreed with the European institutions to temporarily compress spending further if needed to ensure that the surplus would reach 3.5 per cent of GDP" as part of the loan agreement with the European Stability Mechanism, the eurozone's bailout fund.

"We think that these cuts have already gone too far, but the ESM program assumes even more of them," Obstfeld and Thomsen wrote.

Eurozone finance ministers a week ago approved new debt relief measures to alleviate Greece's colossal debt in the wake of its huge 86-billion-euro (USD 91.5 billion) bailout, but the short-term measures, while welcome, fall short of what the IMF has said is needed.

The fund has remained adamant it will not participate in another loan program unless the elements, including debt sustainability and the fiscal reforms needed to achieve the surplus target, are credible.

In their blog the officials repeated that "Greece's debt is highly unsustainable and no amount of structural reforms will make it sustainable again without significant debt relief.

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Maharashtra government has informed Bombay High Court that it has taken effective steps to introduce reforms in the police department, like filling up vacant posts, upgrading forensic labs, providing adequate training and strengthening the investigation system.

The government said that it has taken these steps after the Supreme Court decision in the case of Prakash Singh versus State of Maharashtra and accordingly enacted Police (Amendment and Continuance) Act, which came into force with effect from February 1, 2014.

This Act provides for tenure of the Director General of Police and higher status police officers, the State Security Commission, establishment of the board for the policemen and an authority to look into the complaints and matters in order to avoid influence and pressure, a government affidavit said.

The affidavit was in response to a public interest litigation filed by 'Association for Aiding Justice' alleging that the state had not taken any measures to amend the existing guidelines, statutes and regulations in consonance with the Supreme Court directions in case of Prakash Singh.

The PIL alleged that in the light of development in forensic science and other technical education, there is a need to change the work culture in the police organisation by introducing various methods so as to strengthen the ability of policemen.

Responding to the government's reply, the petition alleged that the recent amendment to the existing Act deals with the organisation of police other than the police working in the metropolitan cities. Therefore, there is disparity between the same cadre of police officers who work in the city and those who work outside such cities, it said.

"If by amendment now proposed or as brought to be in the new amended Act creates such disparity, we are afraid, it becomes service matter which cannot be entertained in a public interest litigation," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur in a recent order.

"If any police personnel are aggrieved by such alleged disparity so far as their services and the benefits attached to the service are concerned, they are always at liberty to approach the court in their individual capacity seeking redressal of their grievances," said the bench while disposing of the petition.

The government further said in the affidavit that



it had issued instructions to the Director General office to issue a circular requiring the Investigation Officers (IOs) to remain present in the sessions court when important witnesses are summoned by public prosecutors in criminal cases.

It said that it had decided to outsource work to private reputed forensic laboratories and hand writing experts for getting expert reports at the earliest. In this regard, a panel had been constituted. Besides, it had decided to upgrade forensic labs in the state, the court was informed.

The government has established Regional Forensic Labs at Nanded and Kolhapur in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Besides, it had decided to set up five mini labs at Thane, Ratnagiri, Solapur, Dhule and Chandrapur. The process for administrative approval is under active consideration of the government, the affidavit further said.

The state government also said that it had created 45 mobile forensic support units in every police commissionerate areas in cities and districts to help investigation agencies in collecting, preserving and forwarding clue material to FSL.

Besides, new services like psychology, cyber forensic, tape authentication and speaker identification (TASI) have been established in Mumbai FSL since 2007, the government said in the affidavit.

In 2015, the cyber forensic facility had been expanded in RFSL at Nagpur and Pune and TASI facility at RFSL in Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik and Amravati, the affidavit said.

The DNA (test) facility has already been started at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune FSL and in future it will be expanded in all the remaining FSLs in the state, it added.

The government said that at the highest level it had introduced a system of maintaining data of criminal cases of serious nature in which investigations have been pending for more than one year. The system also involved continuous monitoring of the investigations by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police in a district.

The government further said it had evolved an in-house mechanism to look into cases where faulty investigation had been conducted by officers.

In order to enhance the conviction rate, the state government had taken various steps. A monitoring committee has been set up vide Government Resolution dated May 12, 2015, to monitor the quality of chargesheets proposed to be filed in magistrate's courts and sessions court.

Only after getting approval from this committee, the chargesheets would be filed, said the government.
The historic Gobindgarh fort was today dedicated to the public by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal post culmination of first phase of renovation.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Sukhbir said 'Guru Ki Nagri' Amritsar would be developed as the hub of tourism and the tourists would now make a stopover for 3-4 days instead of one as they used to do earlier.

He said that all the projects initiated in Amritsar have been completed. He said the Golden Temple Plaza outside Sri Darbar Sahib has been completed and 3 theaters have been constructed in its basement where the history of Guru Granth Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib and the Sikhs would be showcased.

He disclosed that the plaza would be dedicated to the people on December 18.

The Gobindgarh fort occupy an important place in Indian history. It was initially known as 'Bhangian Da Qila' and was renamed in the earlier 19th century as Gobindgarh by Maharaja Ranjit Singh after 10th Sikh Guru-Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The Maharaja gave a whole new look to the fort with the assistance of French and other military experts. It is said that the famous 'Zamzama' cannon and Kohinoor diamond were also kept in the fort.

The fort spread in 44 acres was illuminated for the occasion.

Bollywood stars Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, Manisha Koirala, Divya Dutta, Arya Babbar, Deepa Sahi, Ketan Mehta, Anoop Jalota and Gippy Grewal were present on the occasion..

The main gate of the fort is known as 'Nalwa Gate' after Hari Singh Nalwa-the famed general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In the aftermath of Anglo-Sikh wars the fort came under the occupation of the British. After independence the fort came under the control of Indian Army and in 2008 it was handed over to the Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board of the Punjab government.

A sum of Rs 100 crore is being spent on the renovation of the fort and the first phase has been completed at a cost of Rs 45 crore. The last phase would be completed in 2021.

The added features in the fort would include museum, animation show, Amritsari Zaika Street, Art Bazaar, Restaurant, Cafeteria and many more attractions which would make it a popular destination amongst the tourists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has asked for doubling of farm research budget in the next fiscal from the current Rs 800 crore as it wants to develop high-yielding varieties that can cope with the challenges of climate change and boost farmers income.

To ensure food and nutrition security of the country amid rising population, the ICAR has chalked out a plan to develop high yielding varieties of many crops including rice and wheat that are enriched with multiple-nutritional elements.

Not only crops, ICAR has made plans to develop varieties of fruits and vegetables that can be easily processed by the industry and reduce wastage. It also wants to use cloning technology to increase milk production.

"To do all these, I require doubling of my research and development grant. At present, it is Rs 800 crore," ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra told PTI in an interview.

Stating that overall the country has done considerably well in rice and wheat, he said, "But we cannot continue with the current level of yields. The issue is we have to double the income of farmers. The average yield is very low."



Mohapatra cited the example Punjab farmers who have achieved productivity of 8 tonnes per hectare in rice and 6-7 tonnes per hectare in wheat, but said this level of yields have not been replicated in other parts of the country.

"This gap needs to be bridged with all kind of support. The potential yield in rice and wheat need to be enhanced. In India, I want to take it to more than 10 tonnes per hectare in rice and over 8 tonnes per hectare in wheat."



For next year, the ICAR Director General said that he has set a tough target for the institute in research area to achieve this objective.

Expressing concern over rising temperature during winter and consequent impact on wheat crop, he said. "For wheat, I want to use genomics-assisted breeding. Alternatively, genetically modified (GM) approach can also be targeted."



Besides wheat and rice, ICAR wants to increase pulses yield to more than 2 tonnes per hectare through use of modern farm technology in order make the country self-sufficient.

ICAR also wants to develop rice varieties with multiple nutrients like zinc and protein to address the challenge of malnutrition.

Although India is one of the largest producers in many crops like wheat, rice and pulses, but their yields per hectare is well below the global average.

In horticulture crops, ICAR is planning to come up with varieties which can be processes easily by the industry.

"There is huge wastage of horticulture produce. For this, we need to develop varieties which are processable. At present, we have some varieties in grapes and citrus fruits, but we need more. Industry needs processable varieties."



In animal husbandry, ICAR said the institute has demonstrated successfully the cloning of buffalo. There is a need to clone best milk yielding animals and also endangered specifies for increasing milk production and protect bio-diversity.

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A two-day international conference on development policy, leveraging investment, infrastructure and intellectual capital for economic development, will begin here from December 15.

The conference sponsored by UGC, is jointly organised by Avinashilingam University for Women, the Institute of finance Management, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chennai.

The main agenda of the conference is related to economic development of the nations as well as the prospects to strengthen the global relationship in terms of discovering investment prospects, developing infrastructure and exchange of knowledge, the university Vice-Chancellor, Premavathy Vijayan told reporters here today.

The deliberations would provide robust inputs on leveraging investment, infrastructure and intellectual capital and is expected to set right directions in generating solutions for global issues by creating a platform for the investors of both the countries to explore vibrant investment opportunities, she said.

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will inaugurate the conference in which Deputy High Commissioner of Tanzania, New Delhi, Mohamed H Mohamed will deliver key note address, while Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairman and Managing Director, K Santhosh Babu will give a special address on "Governance and Economic Development," Premavathy said.

Nearly, 150 delegates, including academicians, researchers, policy makers and practitioners worldwide are expected to participate in the conference, which will have panel discussions by eminent personalities in the related fields, she said.

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New Italian premier-designate Paolo Gentiloni raced to put together a cabinet team today as the market welcomed the apparent rapid resolution of the country's political and banking crises.

Gentiloni, 62, was asked by President Sergio Mattarella yesterday to form a new centre-left government that will guide Italy to elections due by February 2018, following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Opposition parties slammed the softly-spoken former foreign minister as little more than a Renzi puppet, but Milan's FTSE Mib saluted the move, up 1.22 per cent at 1030 GMT.

Silver-haired Gentiloni, a one-time student radical from an aristocratic family, is expected to keep the cabinet largely untouched and present his final list to the president by the close of play today.

He will then seek parliamentary approval of his new government on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The biggest cabinet seat to fill is the one left vacant by Gentiloni himself, that of foreign minister.

Political watchers say it could go to Piero Fassino, a member of Renzi's centre-left Democratic Party (PD) who has previously held the justice and foreign commerce portfolios.

Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, who was Renzi's deputy and heads the New Centre-Right (NCD) party, is also tipped for the post.

Should it go to Alfano, the interior portfolio could be handed to Domenico Minniti, the state secretary with responsibility for the security services under Renzi.

Analysts say Gentiloni could also keep the foreign minister job for himself, at least in the short term.

Pier Carlo Padoan is expected to stay on as finance minister to reassure Europe that the eurozone's third-largest economy is on solid ground.

Among the most pressing issues facing the new government is the fate of Italy's Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS) bank.

The institution, the third largest in Italy, had requested extra time from Europe to plug a gaping hole in its finances, but reports on Friday that the European Central Bank had refused, spooked the markets.

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With people going through hardship across the country due to cash crunch in the wake of Government's move, domestic carrier Jet Airways has offered its customers the facility of staggered payments for bookings its flights.

The Mumbai-headquartered private airline has tied up with leading banks including Axis Bank, HSBC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, among others, to offer EMI payments at the time of bookings, a release said today.

"India is currently witnessing a digital and financial revolution with young, digitally savvy consumers increasingly opting to use payment options such as EMIs and credit cards. We are confident our guests will take to this solution with gusto, allowing them to plan their expenses when they fly with us," Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways said.

The airline said its website and mobile App would now offer attractive Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) payment options at the time of booking for India-issued credit card holders of Axis Bank, HSBC Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank.

The customers of the credit card holders of these banks can avail attractive options of making payments in Equated EMIs of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, at the time of booking itself, the release said.

With rising smartphone penetration and increased broadband and Wi-Fi access, a growing number of Indian consumers are already using their credit cards on websites and mobile applications to make online purchases via EMIs, it added.

The six banks with whom Jet Airways has partnered for this solution account for over one-third of all credit cards issued in the country, as per RBI data, the airline said.
Referring to the recent reshuffle of the Rajasthan Cabinet, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot today alleged that the state government had "let-off ministers who faced corruption charges with just a demotion".

"Some ministers who face corruption charges or had failed to contain corruption in their respective departments were let-off with only a demotion," he told reporters here ahead of the current dispensation completing three years.

Had this government been intolerant to corruption these ministers would have been removed from the Cabinet, Gehlot said, adding the state government was "anti-development and pro-corruption".

"Instead of respecting the mandate to the people, this government had miserably failed to rise to their expectation," Gehlot said.

Referring to projects like a refinery in Barmer, railway line from Dungarpur to Ratlam, the Parvan irrigation project in Jhalawar, he said the welfare schemes and developmental works, initiated by the Congress government had been either "diluted or dumped".

"This dispensation has been functioning in a hostile manner. Governments come and go but in the name of politics welfare schemes and developmental projects should not be targeted," Gehlot said.

On the 'Resurgent Rajasthan' event to invite investment in the state, he said it had proved to be a courtesy meeting of industrialists and the tax-payers money was wasted with no result.

Besides this, the government has miserably failed to provide a safe environment to the people as there was a spurt in the corruption and crime, especially against women, Gehlot alleged.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today said that Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's "much-delayed reaction" on the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue was a bid to divert attention from the "crisis" in his party.

"The AAP leader's much-delayed reaction on the SYL issue is a clear bid to divert attention from the crisis reining in his party due to major revolts and widespread allegations of corruption," he said in a statement issued here.

Kejriwal, at Jagraon in Ludhiana yesterday, had accused the ruling SAD, and the Congress of "befooling and misguiding" people on the issue and held them responsible for constructing the canal.

Dubbing Kejriwal's late attempt to regain lost ground in Punjab as "irrelevant and meaningless", Amarinder said, "Now that his party has been plunged into an irrevocable mess with leaders, workers and volunteers quitting en masse, Kejriwal is looking for straws to grab in order to retain some semblance of a fight in the state."



Kejriwal's comments on SYL comes after four key AAP leaders joined the Congress and at least 150 volunteers quit the party.

The state Congress chief yesterday in Delhi welcomed AAP founding member and Punjab vice president C M Lakhanpal along with three leaders P K Sharma, Iqbal Pannu and Barpur Singh into the Congress fold.

Kejriwal chose to speak on the issue at this hour as his party is in "shambles and staring at imminent defeat in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections", he claimed.

"The AAP leader's remarks on SYL is an electoral gimmick just like his promise to appoint a Dalit as Punjab's deputy chief minister when his own cabinet in Delhi does not have a Dalit face," Amarinder said.

"Why did it take Kejriwal a month to come out with a comment supporting Punjab in the SYL issue? Was it such a big riddle that it took him a month to solve or does his warped mind, which is busy weaving conspiracy theories, find it difficult to think about more critical and relevant issues?" he asked.

I had requested him to break his silence on SYL but he refused to respond, Amarinder claimed.

He alleged Kejriwal had made contradictory statements on SYL even before the Supreme Court gave its verdict by "speaking in favour of Punjab on one day and taking a stand for Haryana and Delhi on the next."



Punjab goes to polls early next year and AAP is eyeing to wrest power from the SAD-BJP alliance.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had slammed Kejriwal saying the Delhi government had a "hostile posture toward the state on the emotive SYL issue, which will not be tolerated".

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The Kremlin today deplored the lack of cooperation with the United States in Palmyra after Islamic State jihadists re-entered the ancient Syrian city at the weekend.

"We regret that we have yet to completely neutralise their offensive," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the fighters return to the fabled city after an eight-month absence.

"We also regret that there still is a lack of coordinated action and real cooperation with other states -- with the United States first and foremost -- that do not want to cooperate, and this cooperation could allow us to avoid such attacks by terrorists."



Peskov added that jihadists from neighbouring Iraq, where a Western coalition is supporting the Iraqi military's efforts to retake the city of Mosul from IS, had been flooding into Syria.

Russia's defence ministry said Sunday that its war planes had carried out more than 60 overnight strikes on Palmyra, claiming to have "thwarted all terrorist attacks" on the city.

Russia has carried out a bombing campaign in Syria in support of its long-standing President Bashar al-Assad since September 2015.

Syrian troops backed by Russian air strikes and special forces on the ground recaptured the UNESCO world heritage site from IS fighters in March, delivering a major propaganda coup for both Damascus and Moscow.

Regime forces are currently focused on a major offensive fighting other insurgent groups in the second city of Aleppo that has seen them seize back most of the rebel-held stronghold.

The deadly war in Syria has killed more than 300,000 people since it started in March 2011 with a wave of anti-government protests.

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"La La Land", a musical about two aspiring artistes finding romance in Hollywood, is leading the Golden Globe Awards nominations while India-Australia set drama "Lion" bagged four nods, including the best supporting actor for Dev Patel.

Writer-director Damien Chazelle's ode to classic Hollywood musicals, "La La Land," won seven nods in all, including for its lead pair Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in the comedy or musical categories.

Chazelle earned nominations for best director and best screenplay.

"La La Land" is facing competition from "20th Century Women", superhero drama "Deadpool", Meryl Streep-starrer "Florence Foster Jenkins" and "Sing Street" and "Moonlight" in the best comedy/musical film at the Golden Globes.

Coming-of-age drama "Moonlight" scored six nods, including directing and screenplay for Barry Jenkins and best supporting nominations for Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali.

Both "La La Land" and "Moonlight" have emerged as awards favourites and if the Globe nominations are an indication, they are expected to be a front-runner at the Oscars too.

"Lion", a moving true story about an Indian man finding his lost family through the help of Google map, also cemented its position in the Oscar race by earning four nods.

Patel will be pitted against Ali ('Moonlight'), Jeff Bridges ('Hell or High Water'), Simon Helberg ('Florence Foster Jenkins') and Aaron Taylor Johnson ('Nocturnal Animals') in the best supporting actor category.

Kidman, who plays Patel's adoptive Australian mother, is nominated in the best supporting actress role. The movie has also earned best motion picture - drama and best original score nominations.

"Manchester By The Sea" and "Moonlight" were nominated for best movie, drama, along with "Hacksaw Ridge," "Hell or High Water" and "Lion."



"Manchester By The Sea," a drama about a family grappling with tragedy, earned five nominations.

Casey Affleck, Joel Edgerton, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen and Denzel Washington will vie for best actor in a motion picture drama while Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Isabelle Huppert, Ruth Negga and Natalie Portman are competing for best actress in that category.

Amy Adams' performance as a linguist in sci-fi movie "Arrival" has earned her a nod in best actress in a drama category, in which she will be competing with Jessica Chastain ('Miss Sloane'), Ruth Negga ('Loving'), Natalie Portman in "Jackie" and French star Isabella Huppert for "Elle".

In the musical or comedy actress category, Stone will compete with Lily Collins ('Rules Don't Apply'), Meryl Streep ('Florence Foster Jenkins'), Annette Bening ('20th Century Women') and Hailee Steinfeld ('The Edge of Seventeen').

Gosling is pitted against fellow Canadian and namesake Ryan Reynolds ('Deadpool') in the best actor musical or comedy category. Others who have made it to the list are -- Collin Farrell for the "Lobster", Hugh Grant for "Florence Foster Jenkins" and Jonah Hill for "Wardogs".

"Deadpool" about a funny superhero, surprised everyone with its multiple nominations.

The 2017 ceremony, produced by Dick Clark productions and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will take place on January 8. Comedian Jimmy Fallon will host the ceremony.

Streep, a multiple Globe winner and this year's nominee, will receive the Cecil B DeMille award.

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Police have busted a liquor party at a farm house in Anklawadi village in Vasad taluka of the district and arrested 24 persons for consuming liquor, which is prohibited in Gujarat.

The action was taken late last night based on a tip-off by the local residents.

The arrested accused were consuming Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), police said adding that 19 bottles of alcohol were recovered from the spot.

"We had got a tip-off from local residents that some youths were playing DJ music and partying till late night at an under-construction farm house at Anklawadi village in Vasad taluka. We conducted a raid and arrested 24 people, who were consuming liquor," Anand Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Komal Vyas said.

The accused had come to enjoy the party from Vadodara in six luxury vehicles, which were seized along with the liquor bottles, all collectively worth Rs 98.8 lakh, the officer said.

The accused were booked under various sections of the Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Act, 2009.

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The leopard, that had trekked along the Yamuna to enter Delhi last month and was recently trapped, was today released in the Shiwalik ranges near Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The three-year-old male wild cat was released in the Saharanpur forests around 4 AM today, Delhi's Chief Wildlife Warden AK Shukla said.

The leopard, that was spotted roaming inside the Yamuna Biodiversity Park last month, was trapped near Jagatpur village, located in the periphery of the park, on Saturday.

"We were mulling over releasing it in the Hastinapur area of Meerut but decided against doing so after taking into consideration few adverse reports and to avoid conflicts over territory," Shukla said.

Before being released, the leopard underwent a series of medical tests in the Delhi Zoo here.

The leopard's presence in the Yamuna biodiversity park had cheered wildlife enthusiasts and was being seen as an achievement considering wild cats had completely disappeared from the region.

But the Delhi government decided to trap and relocate it saying it may pose threat to villagers in the vicinity. The of its sighting had come soon after villagers in Haryana's Sohna district had thrashed a leopard to death.

Many experts have criticised the government's decision to relocate arguing it has shorn the Yamuna Park of the rare achievement of having a complete food chain.

Even the environment ministry guidelines released in 2011 observe that "arbitrary removal of leopards could lead to increased conflict.

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A letter addressed to the British Prime Minister Theresa May at her official 10 Downing Street address landed up 5 kilometres away in London's 10 Daning Street.

Sam Bass stumbled upon the letter while sifting through letters in the communal hallway of his rented home at 10 Danbury Street in Islington, north London, and was surprised to find one addressed to one of the world's most famous addresses.

He reposted the envelope to 10 Downing Street last night.

"I can perhaps understand why the postal worker got the address mixed up, because the handwriting is quite poor and they look similar, but the recipient's name (Ms Theresa May, PM) is unmistakable. As far as I'm aware, the Prime Minister has never lived here," the 24-year-old tech consultant said.

"I'm sure there's probably nothing confidential inside, but it's just as well it didn't get delivered to somebody less honest," he added.

The letter, delivered by the Royal Mail from a north west Midlands address in England, waspost-marked on November 19, but was only discovered this weekend.

"We would like to apologise for this delivery error. Every item of mail is important to us and staff are being reminded to check mail thoroughly before delivery," said a spokesperson for UK's Royal Mail.

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Lockheed Martin today vowed to answer US President-elect Donald Trump's questions about the cost of the F-35 stealth fighter, calling the planes "great value" for the United States.

"It's an amazing programme," Jeff Babione, Lockheed's programme manager for the F-35s, told journalists in Israel where two of the planes were due to land.

"It's great value and I look forward to any questions that the President-elect may have."



Babione was responding to Trump's labelling of the cost of the aircraft as "out of control".

The US aerospace company has a USD 1.5-trillion contract through 2070 for the latest generation of the fighter jets, at a cost of about USD 100 million each.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th," Trump said on Twitter, referring to the date he takes office.

His tweet coincided with Defence Secretary Ash Carter's visit to Israel to celebrate delivery of the country's first two F-35s, although they were delayed by bad weather.

The aircraft had been scheduled to land at 2 pm local time (12:00 GMT) but were now expected at around 7:30 pm (1730 GMT).

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime after police say he stabbed a worshipper near a Simi Valley mosque.

Police said reports of people fighting sent them to a shopping center parking lot near the mosque around 11:15 p.M. Saturday. Officers separated the combatants and found that one person had been stabbed.

The fight began after a man confronted a worshipper and got into a verbal dispute, police said.

John Matteson, 29, was arrested nearby, police said.

The victim had non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police said.

Matteson remained jailed yesterday on suspicion of making criminal threats, violating civil rights and disturbing the peace by fighting, according to a Ventura County sheriff's website.

"We're investigating whether or not this was instigated by (the victim's) appearance and the association with the mosque," Sgt. Adam Darough told the Los Angeles Times. "We're quite concerned that this occurred. We want to keep people of all faiths safe in the city."



Members of the community said that the stabbing had occurred near a prayer area where locals had gathered, Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told the newspaper.

Ayloush said he did not know the exact address or type of building where the gathering took place.

Since election day, CAIR has received almost 200 reports of hate incidents directed at Muslims in America, Ayloush said.

"It's hard to believe that in this day and age we still have to deal with such hate and violence in our country, and especially in a place as diverse as Southern California," Ayloush said.

Matteson is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

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Media of India and Pakistan should continuously engage with each other and promote a "balanced" and "positive approach" in coverage to improve bilateral ties, a conference of legislators and journalists of the two countries underscored.

Held in Dubai amidst chill in the relations between the two countries, the 'India-Pakistan Legislators and Public Officials Dialogue on Sharing of Experiences on Governance and Democracy' emphasised that media can play a role in positively influencing relations between the two countries.

A "joint statement" issued after the conference yesterday stressed that dialogue is the only way forward for the two countries to improve relations and the essential responsibility to chart a course in this regard remains that of the elected leadership in both India and Pakistan.

At the same time, it underlined "the critical need for positive and continuous engagement between Pakistani and Indian media".

"... The participants highlighted that institutional arrangements in two countries through the respective professional associations and forums of owners, editors and journalists must be facilitated for dialogue," the declaration said.

"While promoting a balanced and positive approach in media of both countries towards improving relations, the Dialogue recognised and appreciated the diversity of opinion in the Indian and Pakistan media.

"In doing so, the participants recalled the earlier Joint Communique of March 10, 2016 on the subject that urged media in both countries towards the requirements of objective and professional reporting upholding the core values and cardinal principles of journalism. In particular, sensationalism and negative hype must be avoided," the declaration said.

The Indian delegation was led by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and included AAP and Congress MLAs of Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana besides six journalists.

The Pakistani side was headed by Senator Javed Jabbar and included legislators from various parties and journalists representing various organisations.

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Four Adivasi Dragon Fighter militants with a huge cache of arms and ammunition were arrested by a joint team of Police and 210 Cobra Battalion nabbed from Assam's Kokrajhar district, a police official said.

The ADF cadres were arrested from South Bhomraguri area last night and they were identified as Jonash Murmu, Mangaldoi Murmu, Birbal Soren and Manak Hembrom, Kokrajhar Additional Superintendent of Police Sreejit said.

The police recovered country-made one INSAS rifle with magazine, four pistols, five 7.

62 mm live ammunition, six bombs and three mobile handsets were seized from their possession, the official said.

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A minor girl was killed and three children were injured today in a roadside blast near a school in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber-Pakthunkhwa province.

The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted next to the school gate in Spinwam tehsil of North Waziristan went off when the gate was opened, reports said.

The children were going to the school to play when the bomb planted outside it went off. The injured were rushed to Mir Ali Hospital and Miranshah Hospital.

Operations against militants in North Waziristan were stepped up after the government decided to implement the nation-wide National Action Plan for combating terrorism.

According to official statements, over 3,500 militants have been killed in operation Zarb-i-Azb. Suspected militants have also been killed in US drone strikes in the area.

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The Bombay High Court has said that minority educational institutions cannot be compelled to absorb surplus teachers unless the institutions concur with the same.

A division bench of Justices Vasanti Naik and Swapna Naik, while upholding the right of minority institutions, said the state government cannot direct such institutions to absorb surplus employees from other schools.

The HC quashed the action of Amravati Education Officer directing a minority school to absorb surplus teachers.

While allowing a petition filed by Shri Balmukund Rathi Shikshan Sanstha in Chandur Bazar in Amravati district, the HC made it clear that authorities have no right to compel minority-run educational institutions to absorb teachers declared surplus by the Education Officer.

According to petitioner-institution, Education Officer (Secondary), Zilla Parishad, Amravati ordered it on September 14 and 15, 2016 to absorb two assistant teachers in the school run by it.

The institution resisted the order claiming it was a minority institution and State Government cannot direct such institutions to absorb surplus employees of other schools unless the minority institution concurs with the absorption.

Citing the recent judgement of the High Court in Canossa Society, Mumbai vs Commissioner, Social Welfare, Pune, the petitioner sought quashing of order.

Respondent authorities justified the order stating that petitioner-institutions were issued certificate as minority institutions only on September 23, 2016 while the orders were passed before that on September 14 and 15, 2016.

Hence the petitioner would be required to absorb the teachers in the school. The High Court also rejected the contention of order-first-minority status later argument forwarded by the respondent authorities.

Adv Prashant Shende appeared for the petitioner while AGP G R Tiwari represented the authorities.

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A seven-year-old tiger named Bheema was killed in an alleged territorial fight at Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, taking the number of feline deaths in the state to 31 this year.

"Our tiger protection force had found Bheema on December 4 with injuries and wounds on his right limb in Naugaon beat of national park. After capturing him, we shifted him to the enclosure at Mukki for further treatment. The wild cat succumbed to the injuries yesterday," Sanjay Shukla, Director of Kanha National Park, told PTI.

"Bheema had developed septicaemia and hypothermia after the injuries. We had called doctors from Nagpur and Jabalpur for his treatment. But the injured tiger did not respond," Shukla said.

Officials suspect that injuries were caused by a territorial fight as another tiger - Chhota Munna - was also found injured the next day of Bheema's capturing.

"This is the mating season for the wild cats and this might have caused the clash," Shukla said.

Tiger conservationist Ajay Dubey, however, blamed the poor management of national parks in Madhya Pradesh for Bheema's death.

"Madhya Pradesh has lost 31 tigers during the current year. This is the highest ever death toll in a year. State's Forest Department finds it convenient to attribute these deaths to territorial fights," Dubey told PTI adding that there is no veterinary expert (wildlife) in the state despite a 2005 decision to constitute one such cadre within the forest department."



Dubey said the state had over 700 tigers in year 2000, which has now reduced to 308, according to the last census.

"This is the standard reply of the government that the tiger died following a territorial fight. If a tiger is ill in this state, it is sure to die," he alleged.

Earlier, a tigress was killed on November 29 allegedly due to overdose of a tranquiliser while another tiger was hit by a train and died on the railway tracks in Satna on December 5. A white tigress had died in Mukundpur Tiger Safari on December 7. Bheema's is the fourth in this series of tiger deaths during the last fortnight.

Kanha National Park, about 450-kms from state capital Bhopal, is spread into Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.

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A muslim cleric today said he has issued a fatwa against Dilip Ghosh for making 'filthy' comments against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, drawing a bitter reaction from the state BJP president.

Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Maulana Noor-ur Rahman Barkati told a press conference today that he has issued the fatwa against Ghosh for "making filthy comments against the chief minister".

"From where does he get such audacity to make filthy comments against our beloved chief minister who is the most secular leader of our country? I issued the fatwa which states that he should be pelted with stones and then kicked out of Bengal. He does not deserve to stay in Bengal," Barkati said.

Barkati was accompanied by TMC MP Idris Ali, who too condemned Ghosh for his comments.

Reacting to the Barkati's charges, Ghosh lashed out at him and said this country is neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh that he could issue fatwa and would go scot-free.

"What does Barkati think, is this Bangladesh or Pakistan that he will issue fatwa against me? He can issue fatwa against TMC, they will listen to him, but not BJP. It seems that Barkati no longer wishes to stay in Bengal or India. I think he is planning to migrate to Pakistan or Bangladesh," Ghosh told PTI.

The Trinamool Congress had yesterday condemned Ghosh for using "abusive and goonda-like" language against Banerjee, while announcing a three-day protest against the Centre's demonetisation of high-value notes.

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India-born chief of Microsoft Satya Nadella is among top-notch tech executives, from Apple, Facebook, who will be meeting US President-elect Donald Trump for a technology roundtable on Wednesday here, media reports said today.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Intel CEO Brian Krzanich plan to attend the meeting, CNN reported.

Executives from Oracle Corp, Amazon.Com, IBM will also be among others comprising most of the key players in the sector to attend the summit, the report said.

The Tech giants may discuss issues ranging from immigration reform, encryption and social concerns when they meet Trump who has taken opposing stances on such issues, it said.

Some of the leaders who either were not invited or will not to attend, includes Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose platform Trump used feverishly to build support throughout his campaign, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, investor Mark Cuban, HP CEO Meg Whitman, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Recode, a technology portal, reported.

Invitations to meet with Trump were signed by Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus, and billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, it said.

Thiel, who is part of Trump's transition team, faced widespread derision among techies for his support of Trump during the campaign.

The meeting, a similar to Trump roundtable with media leaders in November, will take place at Trump Tower in New York City, Recode said.

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The government is set to announce a committee headed by an eminent educationist in the next 10 days which would to draft the National Education Policy (NEP), HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said today.

The ministry has already held comprehensive discussions with all the stakeholders including the states, educational institutes, parliamentarians and experts, he said, adding even the recommendations of TSR Subramanian committee will be considered as an "input".

"We will have a committee headed by an eminent educationist in the next ten days... We are discussing some names but we also have to ask them whether they are ready because they will also have to work for three to four months," the HRD minister told PTI in an interview.

Asked about Subramanian's criticism that the government was not making his committee's draft policy public, Javadekar said he was only working on evolution of a national education policy.

They will be essentially academics but there can be people from other streams also, he added.

He said that suggestions have been received from all stakeholders and are being scrutinised.

"Seeing those and seeing the relevance of the time, they will come up with a policy statement and they will also come out with many annexures," the minister said.

Asked about why formulation of NEP was taking so much time, Javadekar said, "You are thinking of a generation, when you are revising the National Education Policy after 30 years", adding the whole exercise should be completed in the next six months after which it will be placed before the Cabinet for approval.

Noting that the education policy was framed in 1986 and modified in 1992, he said since then several changes have taken place that call for a revision.

The government would like to bring out a policy which will meet the changing dynamics of the requirements with regard to quality education, innovation and research, aiming to make India a knowledge superpower by equipping its students with the necessary skills and knowledge, and to eliminate the shortage of manpower in science, technology, academics and industry, he said.

The T S R Subramanian committee, set up by former HRD minister Smriti Irani, was entrusted with preparing a new draft education policy.

It submitted the report to the government in May suggesting measures to strengthen the sector that caters to over 300 million students. However, government decided to have more consultations and use it as an "input" for the future draft and not as a final draft report.

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The National Green Tribunal has directed Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments to ensure that there is no mechanical sand mining on the riverbeds in the states.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took note of photographs filed by an NGO and directed both the states to file affidavits of secretaries concerned on the issue of sand mining in major rivers like Krishna, Godavari, Vamsadhara, Penna, Pranahita and their tributaries.

"Both the states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana shall file affidavits of Secretaries concerned as it is specifically contended by the applicant that largescale illegal and unauthorised mining is going on in both the States.

"In the meanwhile we restrain both the States, any corporation, authority or person for carrying on mechanical mining in the river bed," the bench said.

The green panel's direction came while hearing a plea by NGO Readiness for Empowerment through Legitimate Action (RELA) and Polavaram Mandal ex-president Vara Laxmi seeking directions to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odissa and Maharashtra governments to ban illegal sand mining.

The matter is now listed for hearing on January 25, 2017.

The plea, filed through advocate Sravan Kumar, had also sought directions to formulate and place on record strategy to prevent illegal mining and a cumulative impact study on rampant sand mining in these states.

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NITI Aayog's CEO Amitabh Kant will chair an important meeting with senior officials from Jharkhand in connection with digital cashless payment.

Principal secretaries, secretaries of different departments and senior bank officials would attend the meeting at 10 AM here, an official release said quoting Development Commissioner Amit Khare.

After the meeting, Kant would meet Chief Minister Raghubar Das and discuss on cashless Jharkhand.

Jharkhand has launched the campaign from December 2.

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The Opposition in Jharkhand has become frustrated and it has lost confidence in democracy as it believes in disruption than debate, BJP state unit spokesman Praveen Prabhakar today alleged.

Prabhakar accused the Opposition of conspiracy through disruption of the question-answer session on Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (CNT/SPT) by BJP leader J B Tubid in Chaibasa yesterday, a party press release said here.

Condemning the alleged disruptive tactics of five to seven people during the session, Prabhakar said the Opposition feared if the people understood the benefits of the amendment of CNT/SPT Acts, they would lose ground.

Tubid's intention was to clear doubts in the minds of the people through the Q&A, but the Opposition allegedly sent some people to disrupt the meeting, Prabhakar said claiming it was clearly visible that only five to seven people had disrupted the programme and did not allow anyone to speak.

"If the Opposition has courage, it should come forward and debate on the issue. Even in the (Monsoon Session) Assembly the Opposition did not allow discussion by disrupting the House. Even in Parliament the Opposition is disrupting on the issue of ban on currencies and not allowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to say," Prabhakar said adding, even President Pranab Mukherjee had commented on the opposition role.

Stating that the Opposition had been unable to get people's support on the CNT/SPT issues, Prabhakar cited how the two recent statewide shutdowns flopped and the people were with the steps taken by Chief Minister Raghubar Das.

Condemning the incident, another BJP spokesman Deendayal Barnwal said the state government was taking steps in the interest of the tribals and natives.

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Over 150 people suffered from food poisoning after having meal during a wedding ceremony at a village in Gandhinagar, police said today.

The guests at the wedding ceremony of the son of one Govind Patel in Uvarsad village under Adalaj taluka started vomiting late last night after consuming food at the function, an Adalaj police official in Gandhinagar district said.

"In the wee hours today, 47 guests were admitted to Gandhinagar civil hospital with complaints of food poisoning. Soon, 100 more people were rushed to the hospital with similar complaint," the police said.

As many as 50 people were getting treated at Gandhinagar civil hospital, while 104 others were taken to Ahmedabad civil hospital for treatment, police said.

Total 154 people are undergoing treatment at two civil hospitals, police said, adding that a few others may have been taken to private hospitals.

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The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has assured their party chief Raj Thackeray that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will not promote their upcoming release "Raees" in India.

Shah Rukh yesterday called upon MNS chief Raj Thackeray ahead of the release of his film "Raees", which features the Pakistani actress.

"Khan told us that the actress is not going to be here for promotion. There will be no more Pakistani actors who would be made part of his movies. We find it suitable and decided not to oppose the release of the movie," MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar said today.

"We had already made clear our stand that Pakistani artistes should not be part of Bollywood movies. Shah Rukh Khan approached Raj Thackeray and clarified that the Pakistani actor is not coming to India for the movie promotion," Khopkar further said.

The issue of Pakistani artistes had created a storm earlier this year when MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies after the Uri terror attack.

In October, the party had staged high-voltage protests against the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

But, they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following 'mediation' by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

SRK had previously run into trouble for the release of "My Name is Khan" in 2010, with Shiv Sena.

(Reopens BOM9)



Meanwhile, Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and NCP dubbed Shah Rukh meeting Raj to ensure smooth release of his film as "shameful" and unfortunate and accused the BJP-led Government in Maharashtra of giving "state protection" to the latter.

The SP said the Devendra Fadnavis-led ruling coalition has allowed MNS to run a "parallel government" by giving it undue importance.

"It is a matter of shame for the Fadnavis Government that Shah Rukh had to go at Thackeray's door to ensure smooth release of his film. This shows the present government has no spine," State SP President Abu Asim Azmi said, referring to Shah Rukh's visit to the MNS chief's residence yesterday.

"I don't blame Shah Rukh. He must be worried about his film. But what it shows is that Raj Thackeray is running a parallel government in the state and that is why the actor went to meet him," said the SP leader.

"This happens when a Government gives undue importance to a political party and its leader is given state protection," said Azmi, who is also an MLA from Mumbai.

"This is happening when the Raj Thackeray-led party has only one MLA in the Assembly. One can imagine what will be the law and order situation if MNS had more MLAs," said Azmi.

In October Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis faced flak for "brokering the deal" with MNS instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" which featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"Last time the Chief Minister himself brokered the deal between Thackeray and the makers of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. Let the people of Maharashtra know what is the deal this time," said Azmi.

MNS has objected to casting of Pakistani actors in Bollywood movies citing the neighbouring nations involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

NCP also attacked Fadnavis for "promoting" Raj and said the twin episodes show there is no rule of law in the state.

Talking to
Pakistan's new army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa today vowed to make every effort to delink the militants operating in the remote parts of the country from their facilitators in urban areas.

"Nexus between terrorists in remote areas and their facilitators in urban centres will be severed whatever the amount of effort and time," he said.

The army chief reviewed the gains of counter-terrorism operations and said focus must remain on indiscriminate, intelligence-based combing operations.

Gen Bajwa was visiting Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, where he was briefed about the operations in Pakistan's tribal regions and the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

He said the army will stand by the tribal people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in northwestern Pakistan and work with the government to bring about an equitable development for peace in the entire region.

The chief of army staff also reviewed progress in border management and directed officials to expedite all construction work and capacity-building of Frontier Corps to check illegal cross-border movements.

Gen Bajwa was informed about concentration of terrorists across the border in Afghanistan, and their continued efforts for an activity inside Pakistan, the army said.

He said border management will have to be bilateral both by Pakistan and Afghanistan on their respective sides.

He was also briefed on the progress of the return of the temporarily-displaced persons in tribal region and said the process for their dignified return should be completed.

Gen Bajwa took over from Gen Raheel Sharif two weeks ago.

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The Central Information Commission has directed the Home Ministry to disclose security clearance granted to with regards to a Bahrain employed by them.

Information Commissioner Sudhir Bhargava rejected the arguments of Home Ministry that information is exempted from disclosure under sections 8(1)(g) and Section 24 of the RTI Act which deal with disclosure of information related to personal safety and immunity granted to security agencies.

Bhargava noted that the disclosure of information is in larger public interest making the objections irrelevant.

"...Keeping in view the nature of information sought, the Commission is of the opinion that the exemptions invoked by the respondent would not be applicable to the present case and at best, exemptions available in the present case could be that the information sought relates to a third party. However, no such exemption was claimed by the respondent (MHA)," Bhargava pointed out in the order.

The information sought, if disclosed, would serve larger public interest since it relates to the issue of security clearance of a person who is working as a senior functionary in the aviation sector and not following proper procedures while granting security clearance to such persons could pose a grave threat to the security and safety of the passengers, who travel by air, he opined.

"In view of this, the Commission, directs the respondent to inform the appellant whether any security clearance was given to one Shri Hameed Ali or not, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this decision," Bhargava said.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will visit Gujarat to address a public rally in Mehsana town on December 21, the Gujarat Congress announced here today.

"Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Mehsana on December 21. This is his first visit to Gujarat after demonetisation move by the Centre. It is expected that Rahulji would take up the issue of hardships being faced by common men and various other issues concerning farmers during his rally," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.

Gandhi's visit holds significance in the wake of upcoming assembly polls in Gujarat, expected to be held in the later part of 2017.

Gandhi had earlier visited Gujarat in July this year to meet four dalit youths who were allegedly thrashed by cow vigilantes in Una town of Gir Somnath district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited his home state five times in the last five months.

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In a veiled message to China amid its growing assertiveness in resource-rich South China Sea, India and Indonesia today asserted that the dispute must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with principles of international law without resorting to threat or use of force.

The issue figured prominently during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia President Joko Widodo as they deliberated on developments in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and beyond.

Without naming China, the two leaders also called for exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions.

In the talks, India and Indonesia have also decided to boost ties in maritime security sphere with a focus on cooperating with each other to ensure the safety and security of the sea lanes.

"Regarding the South China Sea, the two sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea)," a joint statement issued after the talks between Modi and Widodo said.

While Indonesia was not directly involved in the South China Sea dispute it has been strongly critical of China's claim over the resource-rich waters around Indonesia's Natuna Islands.

China has an acrimonious relationship with a number of countries including Vietnam and Philippines over the disputed waters. China has also been objecting to India's oil exploration projects in South China Sea which it is implementing in cooperation with Vietnam.

In the talks, the two sides also reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce and urged all parties to resolve the disputes through peaceful means and without resorting to threat or use of force.

"As the leaders of the State Parties to the UNCLOS, they emphasised that all parties should show utmost respect to the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans," the statement said.

After the deliberations, a Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation was also issued which outlined the agenda of bilateral engagement in maritime security sphere.

"Our partnership will also extend to combating terrorism, organised crime, drugs and human trafficking," it said.

Both Modi and Widodo affirmed that India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours whose relations are rooted in civilisational contacts developed through the seas and who share similar perceptions of the evolving maritime environment in the region and the world at large.

The two leaders recognised that India and Indonesia share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication.

"The leaders noted that India and Indonesia, as two large countries straddling the Indian Ocean, have a high stake in ensuring the effectiveness of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)," the joint statement said.

Modi congratulated Widodo on Indonesia's able leadership as Chair of the IORA and the convening of the First IORA Summit next year.

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Post demonetisation there has been a rise in inclination to use credit or debit cards, as 37.4 per cent Indian travellers choose plastic money over cash for making bookings and during travel, a survey has said.

"One of the key findings is the inclination of Indian travellers to use credit or debit card over cash. About 37.4 per cent travellers choose plastic money over cash for making bookings and while travelling. The ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has further led to a significant 57.9 per cent travellers booking through the desktop and a drastic dip in booking through offline agents," Winter Survey by Yatra.Com has revealed.

With demonetisation, the trend of cashless transactions in travel will go up, and this will have significant medium to long-term positives for online travel agents, Yatra.Com COO,(B2C), Sharat Dhall said.

Winter Survey is done by Yatra.Com annually from data taken from the actual bookings done on the portal.

Another key observation was that people are preferring to choose budget accommodation over luxury accommodation, the survey said.

Over 38 per cent people opted for lodging options under Rs 4,000, while only 35 per cent chose luxury accommodation, it added.

It said the advance booking continues with most people looking at finalising their plans 15 days to one month in advance.

Further, it revealed, demonetisation does not seem to have impacted the spending capacity of travellers, with over 60 per cent willing to spend between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000.

The survey also found that a substantial drop in international travel with over 74 per cent respondents willing to travel to domestic destinations.

While the deserts and Goa have been highlighted as top choices amongst domestic destinations, Thailand and other islands top the list of most favoured international destinations.

"Our winter survey shows that mobile bookings and the preference for budget accommodation are two areas where we are seeing a tremendous surge. Contrary to the usual preference of international destinations, we have seen a number of travellers opting for domestic destinations this winter vacation," Dhall said.

Contrary to last year's winter survey, this year the findings reveal that spouses/partners was the more obvious choice as travel companions followed by family, friends and solo travel.

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Railway police on Monday recovered Rs 4.49 lakh from two persons at the Ambala Cantonment railway station in Haryana. More than half of the amount in new Rs 2,000 denomination notes.

The two persons, reportedly from Ghaziabad, were travelling in a Amritsar-bound train when they were intercepted by the Railway police this evening, officials said.

The police were currently questioning the duo, who claimed to deal in vegetables.

The recovered currency also included Rs 2,000 denomination notes worth Rs 2,64, 000, police said.

The Railway police has informed the Income Tax department.
Police today seized Rs 93.52 lakh in denomination of Rs 2,000 currency notes from seven persons, of whom three were arrested and the rest detained, in separate cases here.

Two persons were detained allegedly after Rs 64 lakh, of which Rs 58 lakh was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes, was seized from them, police said.

"On a tip off, a joint team of the CID's Crime Branch and local police intercepted their car when it was roaming in the area apparently to facilitate exchange of demonetised notes," DCP (West) Ashok Gupta said, adding of the total amount Rs 6 lakh was in denomination of Rs 100 notes.

The Income Tax department has been informed about the seizure and they are probing the matter, he said.

In another incident, three persons were arrested for allegedly robbing a Bikaner-based businessman of Rs 83 lakh that was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes.

"Three of the five accused in the case have been arrested. All of them were friends of businessman Rajesh. Police have also seized Rs 28 lakh from their possession," Gupta said, adding the other accused, both policeman, are absconding.

The incident occurred two to three days back when he had come here to meet them and exchange his money in demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said.

"The accused took him to a flat and after a while he was tricked into believing that two policemen had come into the complex. He was asked to throw the money in a plot adjacent to the flat," the DCP said, adding the accused policemen picked up the money.

The victim had registered a complaint following the incident, he said.

In the outskirts of the city police caught two locals when they were exchanging scrapped notes with new ones.

"Rs 8 lakh, including Rs 7.52 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes, were recovered from Shyam Lal and Bhanwar who were exchanging notes in near Ajayrajpura village," SHO at SEZ police station Gayasuddin said.

The I-T department has been informed about the matter, he said.

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The religious services of Sikh priest Balbir Singh, who had denied a 'Siropa' (robe of honour) to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, was today restored by the newly appointed SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar.

Badal was denied the rob by the priest during his visit to the Golden Temple here in June.

On being asked the reason behind restoring his religious services, Badungar said, "The decision has been taken keeping in view the demand of present circumstances."



However, he denied comments on why Balbir Singh was issued transfer orders by his predecessor.

The priest, who joined services in 1986 at Golden Temple, after denying the 'Siropa' to Badal had said only deserving persons can be honoured with it and the state government had failed to arrest the accused involved in sacrilege incidents.

Balbir, who was transferred to Machiwara Gurdwara in Ludhiana after the incident, had said he would prefer to resign from his services.

In Januray also he had denied the rob to Badal for the same reasons.

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Launching a fresh attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Amit Shah today asked him to shed his "Italian glasses" and switch to "Indian" ones to see the development taking place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Rahul baba questions what the BJP government has done in last two-and-half years. Rahul baba you spend more time on vacation therefore you do not have the . Your glass is Italian-made. Switch to Indian glasses, then it will be clearly evident that Indiais changing,"he said addressing a massive gathering of party workers at Science College grounds here.

Shah was in town to participate in an event to mark the completion of 13 years of the Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh.

In an apparent dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the BJP president said the party has provided a Prime Minister who can speak.

"Rahul baba asked what we have done? Let me answer the first thing, we have given a prime minster who speaks. You (Rahul) had given us a prime minster whose voice was never heard by people of the country, except by you and your mother (in a reference to Sonia Gandhi).

"We have given a prime minister who considers problem of people as personal," he said.

Shah said BJP has provided a "clean and transparent" government and not a single accusation of corruption could be levelled against it by the opposition, in contrast to the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government "which was involved in corruption to the tune of Rs 12 lakh crore in its ten-year rule."



"In just two-and-a-half year tenure of the NDA government, Prime Minister Modi has launched 92 welfare schemes for the benefit of poor and ensured that implementation of these schemes takes place properly across the country.

"..Congress and other opposition parties used to raise questionwhat the BJP government has done against black money,butafter November 8 (when demonetisation was announced) theyare asking why such strong step was taken," Shah said.

Continuing his tirade against the Opposition, the BJP chief said, "During the last 60-year rule of Congress a disease called black money had paralysed the country, but with one strike Modi has not only wiped out the disease, but its consequences like corruption, terrorism and naxalism.

Referring to the demonetisation decision and its



aftermath, Shah said the PM was "pained" to see people standing in queues outside banks.

"But if any operation is done to cure the disease, the pain persists for some days," he said.

The BJP leader said the economy had suffered "paralysis of black money" during the last 60-year rule of Congress, "which is not possible to be cured without demonetisation operation."



He said black money received by the government after demonetisation will be used for the welfare of farmers, dalits, tribals, women and backward classes.

"The war against black money will continue," Shah said.

Accusing the Congress of "insulting martyrs", Shah said, "During tenure of the UPA government, Army had to wait for permission from Delhi to retaliate against firing on the border from Pakistan side.

"But after the NDA government came to power, even if a single bullet is fired from the border it is retaliated by our Army by firing shells. Brave soldiers have taken revenge for their slain colleagues in Uri by giving a befitting reply toPakistanthrough surgical strike," he said.

Shah said Chief Minister Raman Singh and his team have brought a "bimaru" state like Chhattisgarh in the frontline among the developed states in the country.

"In 2004, the BJP government under Raman Singh came to power and since then the state has achieved new heights of development right from rural to urban areas. As BJP does politics based on performance and not on caste, the party has registered consecutive victories in different states," he said.

Shah said BJP would definitely win the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections in 2018.

Earlier, he inaugurated late Nanaji Deshmukh Granthalaya (central library) at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the BJP's state headquarters in the capital.
The Coast Guard has kept four ships and six patrol vessels on standby at Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Karaikal to take up rescue and relief works in the wake of cyclone Vardah making its landfall.

"Four Dornier aircraft and two Chetak helicopters are also on stand by... ," an official release said.

Already one Coast Guard ship was deployed for providing rescue operations off the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

Coast Guard officials were in continuous contact with the State Disaster Management authorities for taking up the rescue and relief operations, it said.

A Coast Guard rapid response team along with rescue boats and manpower were also on standby for providing relief operations, it added.

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A security audit report by the CISF on Bhopal Central Jail, from where 8 SIMI operatives pulled off a daring jailbreak, has been submitted to the Madhya Pradesh government with suggestions to bolster manpower and technical surveillance at the high-security facility.

An exhaustive report has been prepared by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) experts for the jail in the state capital recommending "augmentation of human resource, and infusion of latest gadgetry and technology was suggested for making the jail security foolproof", a senior official said.

The proposed security features include enhancing perimeter security, deployment of more CCTV cameras and strict monitoring of entry and exit in the prison premises.

The eight SIMI under-trials had escaped from the high- security Central Jail on the intervening night of October 30- 31 after killing a guard, before they were gunned down in an alleged encounter by police on the outskirts of the city on October 31 morning.

The state government, the force said, has further asked the central paramilitary to similarly conduct a security and fire safety audit report of three other jails in the state in Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior.

"Appreciating the consultancy services rendered by our experts to the Bhopal Jail, the state government has now requested us to further provide the same expertise to three other jails located in Madhya Pradesh. Our teams will soon conduct the audit of these jails too," CISF Director General O P Singh said.

The force has a special consultancy wing within its establishment that conducts audit of critical installations and establishments, in government and public domain, by way of suggesting them the required access-control, deployment of watch towers and sentry posts, usage of gadgets and positioning of security personnel and surveillance gadgets to enhance protection.

The force does this job on a government-approved fee and has provided consultancy to a total of 134 organisations till now.

Some of the important clients of CISF security consultancy services are TISCO Limited, Bangalore Metro, the National Security Guard (NSG) headquarters here, Allahabad High Court, Tirumala Tirupati and Devsthanam in Tirupati, British High Commission in the national capital and assemblies of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

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Having secured a place among the short-listed service providers for GST, fast-growing startup SISL Infotech is looking to provide significant coverage under the new taxation regime with its online reach to more than 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses.

SISL Infotech, which also runs TechJockey.Com for providing online business software solutions, is among the 34 firms shortlisted GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs) alongside giants like TCS, Deloitte and EY.

These GSPs will provide the taxpayers with a number of value-added services under the new indirect tax regime, in addition to maintaining their individual business ledgers (sales and purchase ledgers). They will help the businesses, taxpayers and SMBs (Small and Medium-sized businesses) comply with the GST (Goods and Sales Tax).

The list of shortlisted GSPs was released last week by the GSTN, the company that is tasked with building the world's biggest and most complex tax framework.

SISL Infotech, a new-age IT consultancy and software re- seller founded by SRCC graduates Akash Nangia and Arjun Mittal, said it has seen more than 200 per cent growth rate in the few years of existence.

Nangia, who was formerly with Zomato, said, "We have already been trying to disrupt the software selling landscape in the SMB space with our own online platform techjockey.Com.

"It is a totally untapped space and with the current government's focus and push towards a cashless economy, the bread-and-butter softwares can be bought off the shelf online even from tier-2 and tier-3 cities."



He further said, "Techjockey.Com would push maximum coverage as a GST Suvidha partner because of its online reach and already existing traffic of more than 20,000 SMBs who procure other relevant softwares through the portal."



Both Nangia and Mittal graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University and are directors at SISL Infotech and Techjockey.Com.

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Expressing deep concern over the increasing violence in rebel-held Aleppo, the White House today said the "terrible situation" in Syria's eastern city is worsening despite America's "best diplomatic efforts."



"The US government continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in Aleppo and the violence there is only increasing. The risk facing innocent civilians has been grave for some time. It continues to worsen," Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

Despite America's best diplomatic efforts to reduce the violence and increase the flow of humanitarian assistance, the Bashar al-Assad government, backed by the Russians, continues to try to bomb innocent civilians into submission, he alleged.

"It's a terrible situation that does not appear to be getting better," he said.

Responding to a question, Earnest conceded that the US is still looking for a cease fire with Russia. "The goal was to try to end the bombing. The few innocent civilians that remain, try to get them out of harm's way, and try to allow the flow of humanitarian assistance to these communities that have been shut off from the outside world for a long time," he said.

"So those were the goals all along. In the months and years that we've been negotiating to try to find a diplomatic solution, we've been rebuffed by the Syrians because, with the backing of the Russians and the Iranians, they've continued to wage this war with virtual impunity," he rued.

Earnest said the door for a ceasefire with the Russians remains open. "We continue to be interested in trying to find a diplomatic solution to the situation not just in Aleppo, but in Syria, because we know that there's not a military solution that can be imposed on the situation," he said.

"We are still interested in diplomacy. We still are open to and interested in trying to find a diplomatic resolution. But optimism is not high," he acknowledged.

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SriLankan Airlines today said all its Chennai-bound flights were cancelled till tomorrow morning after authorities issued a red alert due to severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" which made a landfall in Tamil Nadu.

Airlines Spokesman Deepal Perera said that since flight operations at Chennai International Airport have been suspended due to severe weather, SriLankan Airlines had cancelled all its flights till Tuesday morning.

"There has been a red alert issued. Therefore all flights to Chennai will resume only on Tuesday morning," Perera said.

Some Chennai-bound passenger flights were diverted to Colombo owing to a storm.

A Srilankan Airlines flight on its way to Chennai returned to Katunayake while a flight heading to Chennai from Dubai also landed in Katunayake this morning, the Colombo Gazette reported.

Lanka's Department of Meteorology warned residents living along the coastal areas of northern Sri Lanka to be cautious due to heavy winds and rains as the Cyclone "Vardah" was moving away from the island country towards southern India.

However, the department said that disaster management teams were on alert in case of an emergency and officials were continuously monitoring the cyclone pattern.

Heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds pounded the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu due to severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" which has made a landfall near here.

Hundreds of trees have been uprooted affecting land and air transport throwing normal life out of gear in Tamil Nadu.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has assured MNS chief Raj Thackeray that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will not promote the upcoming release of "Raees" in India, a party leader said today, adding it will now not oppose the screening of the film but a fresh political row erupted over the issue.

Shah Rukh yesterday called upon Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) chief Raj Thackeray ahead of the release of his film "Raees", which features the Pakistani actress.

"Khan told us that the actress is not going to be here for promotion. There will be no more Pakistani actors who would be made part of his movies. We find it suitable and decided not to oppose the release of the movie," MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar said.

"We had already made clear our stand that Pakistani artistes should not be part of Bollywood movies. Shah Rukh Khan approached Raj Thackeray and clarified that the Pakistani actor is not coming to India for the movie promotion," Khopkar further said.

The issue of Pakistani artistes had created a storm earlier this year when MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies after the Uri terror attack.

In October, the party had staged high-voltage protests against the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

But, they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following 'mediation' by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

SRK had previously run into trouble for the release of "My Name is Khan" in 2010, with Shiv Sena.

Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and NCP dubbed Shah Rukh meeting Raj to ensure smooth release of his film as "shameful" and unfortunate and accused the BJP-led Government in Maharashtra of giving "state protection" to the latter.

The SP said the Devendra Fadnavis-led ruling coalition has allowed MNS to run a "parallel government" by giving it undue importance.

"It is a matter of shame for the Fadnavis Government that Shah Rukh had to go at Thackeray's door to ensure smooth release of his film. This shows the present government has no spine," State SP President Abu Asim Azmi said, referring to Shah Rukh's visit to the MNS chief's residence yesterday.

"I don't blame Shah Rukh. He must be worried about his film. But what it shows is that Raj Thackeray is running a parallel government in the state and that is why the actor went to meet him," said the SP leader.

"This happens when a Government gives undue importance to a political party and its leader is given state protection," said Azmi, who is also an MLA from Mumbai.

"This is happening when the Raj Thackeray-led party has only one MLA in the Assembly. One can imagine what will be the law and order situation if MNS had more MLAs," said Azmi.

In October, Fadnavis faced flak for "brokering the deal" with MNS instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" which featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"Last time the Chief Minister himself brokered the deal between Thackeray and the makers of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. Let the people of Maharashtra know what is the deal this time," said Azmi.

NCP also attacked Fadnavis for "promoting" Raj and said the twin episodes show there is no rule of law in the state.

Talking to PTI, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said "Fadnavis brokered the deal between Karan Johar and Raj before the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. It is unfortunate Shah Rukh had to meet Raj Thackeray before release of his film."



State Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant said yesterday's meeting shows Raj does not now need Fadnavis to broker a deal like he did in October with Johar.

MNS has now officially become a "settlement" party, he said, mocking the Raj-led outfit.

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The Indian startup ecosystem needs to work more closely with the government and engage in sharing information and analysis to "make sure all the irrationalities are ironed out over a period of time", a top government official said today.

Speaking at a CII event, Ministry of Electronics and IT Secretary Aruna Sundararajan conceded that the regulatory environment is far from "ideal" but added that the industry needs to offer more information and analysis to government.

"I do concede that we have far from ideal regulatory environment. But the regulatory environment or the tax fiscal environment is not going to better on its own. It will only get better when industry applies itself diligently to interacting and dialoguing with government to make it happen," she said.

Sundararajan further said: "I have seen occasions like government will call meetings, (but) nobody from industry at a senior level will come. No serious submissions are made ..".

Talking about how startups and government can engage more closely, she said the industry will have to "feed much better information, analysis and facts to government".

"...We would need to learn to work much more closely to make sure that all the irrationalities are ironed out at least over a period of time," she added.

Sundararajan said fast pace of technology adoption and sheer scale of the Indian market make it a significant opportunity for startups to tap into and that they need to work on products and services for the masses in the country.

"We need to look to some of the neglected sectors rather than everyone going into a small narrow spectrum of sectors," she said.

She cited examples of sectors like agriculture and said while these do not see a lot of startup activity, they have a huge potential.

Angel investor and Google Vice President South East Asia and India Rajan Anandan said the startups in India should focus on addressing not just the first 50-100 million users, but the rest of India.

He further stated that India should have an open light touch regulatory environment and build on "cross functional skills to convert each problem or an issue into an opportunity".

India ranks third globally in the number of startups, after the US and the UK.

Industry body CII has launched a new 'Startup Coalition portal' as a platform to assist and connect different stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The platform will provide startups with opportunities to get discovered by investors, potential customers, prospective employees and partners as well as offering a platform to interact with industry leaders and get mentorship.

The platform will also help provide access to finance by connecting with individual angel investors and registered incubators and accelerators, along with opportunity to participate at policy roundtables.

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Noted surgeon Mir Samiullah today joined the ruling PDP in presence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here.

Samiullah became the first person to join a mainstream political party since the unrest that began in the Valley on July 8 following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces.

Notably, several lower rung mainstream political workers had announced their dissociation from politics following widespread protests in the Valley five months ago.

Mehbooba, while welcoming Samiullah to the party, said the PDP is fast emerging as a platform for the right thinking and progressive people to contribute to the welfare and development of the state.

Samilluah said PDP has been a strong votary of peace and dialogue between India and Pakistan, and believes that in mutual coexistence lies the future of both the countries.

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The Syrian army today recaptured a major district of Aleppo, leaving rebel fighters cornered in a small pocket as the battle for the city entered its "final phase".

President Bashar al-Assad's forces held more than 90 per cent of the onetime opposition stronghold of east Aleppo, a monitor and military official said, and appeared on the verge of retaking the entire city.

A Syrian military official in Aleppo told AFP the "operation in eastern neighbourhoods is entering its final phase", as fierce clashes were reported in the few districts of the city left under rebel control.

The fall of Aleppo would deal the rebels their worst defeat since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported early today that the army had captured the large Sheikh Saeed district in southeast Aleppo.

Syrian official media confirmed the retaking of Sheikh Saeed, with state television showing what it said was live footage from the neighbourhood.

Only the districts of Mashhad and Sukkari remained under opposition control, said the Britain-based Observatory, with others divided between the opposition and advancing troops.

Overnight and into Monday morning, government warplanes and artillery pounded the remaining rebel-held territory in the east of the city.

An AFP correspondent in the government-held west of Aleppo said the bombardment could be heard from there and was some of the heaviest in recent days. Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on November 15.

The Observatory today said another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left -- mostly to government-held territory -- to 130,000.

On Sunday alone, state agency SANA said, 8,000 people fled rebel districts through government-run crossings. It said about half were transferred to temporary shelters, while the rest were staying with relatives in west Aleppo.

And at least 3,500 civilians left east Aleppo neighbourhoods today, SANA reported.

Syria's rebels seized control of east Aleppo in 2012, a year into an uprising that began with anti-government protests but spiralled into a civil war after a regime crackdown.

The war has become a complex multi-front conflict, drawing in proxy powers and jihadists like the Islamic State group, which yesterday overran the city of Palmyra nine months after being expelled.

IS began a new offensive in the desert east of Homs province last week, seizing government positions and oil fields before advancing on Palmyra. It was briefly forced back from the city yesterday, after heavy Russian air strikes and the arrival of Syrian troop reinforcements.

But despite the efforts, the Observatory said Sunday afternoon that the group had recaptured all of the city.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, and over half the country displaced.

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Syria's army seized a major district on Aleppo's southeastern edges today, putting it in control of 90 per cent of areas once held by rebels in the city, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad seized the Sheikh Saeed district early today after fierce clashes ongoing since the previous afternoon.

"The army is now in full control of Sheikh Saeed," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

"Syrian regime forces are now in control of 90 per cent" of the one-time rebel areas in Aleppo's east, he said.

Syria's second city, Aleppo had been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east.

In less than a month, a blistering offencive by Syria's army and allied militia has overrun most of rebel territory in the city.

Air strikes pounded the remaining opposition-controlled districts of Aleppo through the night and into the early morning Monday, the Britain-based Observatory said.

At least 413 civilians have been killed in east Aleppo since the offensive began on November 15, the Observatory said, and 139 killed in rebel rocket fire on the city's west.

And more than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict first erupted in March 2011.

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President Barack Obama's White House on Monday made it clear that US' relationship with Taiwan was not a "bargaining chip" and that America was firmly committed to the decades-old "One-China" policy, a day after President-elect questioned the relevance of pursuing the policy.

"The United States government, under the leadership of President Obama, has been and remains firmly committed to our one-China policy. That's also the policy, by the way, that previous Presidents in both parties have pursued and our country has benefited from adherence to that policy," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

"One reason that we have pursued that policy is because the Obama administration does not view Taiwan and our relationship with Taiwan as a bargaining chip," he said, adding that Taiwan is the ninth-largest trading partner of the US.

Trump on Sunday questioned the relevance of continuing the "One-China" policy if Beijing refuses to make any concessions on trade and other issues. He had said that China was "very badly" hurting the US by devaluing its currency and accused the communist nation of not helping in reigning in North Korea.

Trump has suggested he can leverage Taiwan by questioning the "One China" policy and force China to "make a deal".

Trump's "One China" rhetoric prompted the strongest public warning from China on Monday that bilateral ties will be damaged.

"Adherence to one-China principle is the political bedrock of the China-US relations. If it is compromised or disrupted, the sound and steady growth of China-US relationship as well as bilateral cooperation in major fields would be out of question," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

The US, since 1979, has respected China's stance on Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province. But Trump said without concessions from China, he did not see why it should continue.

"Bargaining that away is not something that this administration believes is in our best interest. In fact, I think you would be hard-pressed to make the case that it's in the interest of Taiwan," Earnest said.

Under the Obama administration, the US has been able to lower tensions around cyber issues and they have been able to work effectively with the Chinese to ramp up pressure on the North.

"We certainly don't agree with the Chinese on everything, but where common ground does exist, we've been able to make progress in a way that benefits the American people and benefits the Chinese people... That kind of progress is much more difficult if tensions are heightened around our one-China policy," Earnest said.

Obama, he noted, has worked hard to manage relationships with China and Russia in a way that gives the US the opportunity to capitalise on common ground where it exists.

"In each case, our differences are substantial, but in each case effective diplomacy resulted in both those countries bolstering our effort to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and further isolate the North Korean regime for their destabilising activities on the (Korean) peninsula," he said.
A Turkish fighter jet crashed near an airport in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir today, the military said, but the pilot was able to safely eject from the plane.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known but the government said an investigation had been launched.

The F-16 warplane was on its way to an air base in Diyarbakir during a training mission when it fell in a village nearby, the armed forces said on its website.

Before the crash, the pilot escaped using the ejector seat, the military added.

The armed forces said the pilot was in "good health" after the crash at 7.30 PM (1630 GMT).

The warplane crashed five kilometres (3.1 miles) from the air base next to the airport, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters in Ankara late today.

He said the cause would be known "shortly" after an investigation but did not want to speculate.

Diyarbakir is Turkey's biggest Kurdish-majority city and has seen regular clashes between Kurdish militants and security forces since the collapse of a two-and-a-half year ceasefire in the conflict in July 2015.

The base has been used previously for air raids on Islamic State jihadist targets inside Syria and against outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases in northern Iraq.

The PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is proscribed as a terror group by Ankara, the United States and the European Union, but not by the United Nations.

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Two minor boys, allegedly kidnapped from Nagpur, were traced at Dadar railway station here and later handed over to concerned police station, a senior RPF official said today.

RPF officials spotted two minors, both aged 15, travelling alone in the Howrah Mail while attending the train at Dadar station, the official said.

"They were brought to RPF office in Dadar. Upon questioning, they revealed that they were residents of Nagpur. One of the boys provided us the mobile number of his father. The whereabouts of both the minors were passed to him," the official said.

The father then revealed that he had filed a kidnapping case with Buttibori city police in Nagpur against an unknown person as he had received an extortion call.

He informed that his son may be handed over to Buttibori police, the official said.

After following all the due procedure the boys were handed over to Buttibori police team, which arrived at Dadar yesterday, he added.

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Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the demonetisation move, saying it is a right step to curb black money and sends a "strong message" to the whole world against illegal deals and trade.

"It (demonetisation) is a right step to tackle the root causes of corruption. Too much black money is circulating in the world which funds terrorism and illegal trade. Prime Minister Modi should be commended for a strong message to the whole world that the era of illegal deals and trade is over," the UK's international development minister said.

A key member of British Prime Minister Theresa May's Cabinet, Patel has often spoken out in favour of Modi's initiatives and the need for the UK to support his efforts.

Before a recent visit to India, she had said: "Prime Minister Modi's vision for India has been phenomenal. He has transformed India's reputation internationally in a very strong way, showing that India is not just a rising country but it is dynamic, innovative and out there to attract the brightest and best when it comes to overseas businesses, skills and capacity building."



"We have always been clear about the strength of the relationship; I have said on numerous occasions that we stand shoulder to shoulder with India. We have so many natural ties and synergies," she said.
Six persons, including a woman, were today arrested in the UK following anti-terrorism raids across London and the Midlands region of England.

Four menfrom Derby, aged between 22 and 36, along with a 27-year-old man from Burton uponTrent in Staffordshire,and a 32-year-old woman from London were held by police.

Officers from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit continue to search six properties related to the arrest.

"Six people have this morning (Monday, December 12) been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act... [They] have all been arrested on suspicion of engaging in the Preparation of an Act of Terrorism, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. The six people are currently in police custody," the unit said in a statement.

"We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of these arrests and local officers will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may have concerns. We would ask people to remain alert and vigilant but not to be alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance, support and understanding of people locally," it added.

Described as an "ongoing investigation" led by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, the raids were supported by local officers from Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Metropolitan Police.

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The government is finalising plans to cut annual student visa figures by nearly half, from the current 300,000 to 170,000, a media report said today amid a sharp fall in students coming to the country from outside Europe including India.

Some university chiefs are also warning that many Indian students are already being denied visas on minor grounds as part of a wider move to cut immigration into the .

"They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here. That is outrageous," a vice-chancellor was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper.

The move comes despite recent UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures indicating there has been a drastic drop in students coming to the UK from outside Europe.

"There was a statistically significant decline in the number of non-EU citizens migrating to the UK to study, from 134,000 in the previous year to 111,000...There was a statistically significant decline in citizens of South Asia, with the number coming to study having almost halved," ONS said in its 'Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016'.

India is the third-largest category in terms of student visa applications after the US and China, with 10,664 granted between June 2015 and 2016.

" students contribute, directly and indirectly, 14 billion pounds to the UK economy, making higher education one of this country's most valuable exports...Over the last five years, the number of Indian students attending UK universities has halved. I have consistently asked the government to remove students from the net migration target," said Lord Bilimoria, leading Indian-origin entrepreneur and Cobra Beer founder, who himself came to the UK as a student.

"We should immediately re-introduce the two-year post-study work visa, which I fought hard to introduce before its withdrawal in 2012, to allow foreign students to implement their much-needed skills here and help boost our economy," he added.

During British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed on the importance of access for Indian students to UK institutions.

"Education is vital for our students and will define our engagement in a shared future. We must therefore encourage greater mobility and participation of young people in educational and research opportunities," PM Modi had told May in his address at the UK India Tech Summit in New Delhi.

However, senior university sources indicate the UK Home Office is on track for some dramatic immigration cuts in student visa numbers. While it has dismissed rumours of an annual cutback of more than two-thirds, the likely cut to around 170,000 seems likely to be enforced.

A UK Home Office spokesperson said: "Claims the Home Office is modelling cuts to reduce students to a third [ie 100,000 a year] are categorically untrue".

"We want to strengthen the system to support the best universities - and those that stick to the rules - to attract the best talent. The British people have sent a clear message that they want more control of immigration and we are committed to getting net migration down to sustainable levels in the tens of thousands," he said.
UNICEF has resolved to make Kerala a 'child friendly state' and effort is to achieve the goal with sustainable development in coming years.

Speaking at the launch of anniversary ceremony of UNICEF here, Governor P Sathasivam lauded the achievements of UNICEF and said "the genesis of Kudumbashree programme and Kerala being declared Baby Friendly State in the world can be attributed to the initiatives undertaken by UNICEF."



"Since its formation on 11 December 1946, UNICEF has been providing aid without discrimination due to race, creed, nationality, status or political belief", he said.

"UNICEF believes that there is hope for every child. The conviction that every child is born with the same inalienable right to a healthy, safe childhood has been a constant thread throughthe history of the organization", he added.

Job Zachariah, Chief of UNICEF State office for Kerala and Tamil Nadu said the organisation has decided to make Kerala a Child friendly state in all aspects with sustainable development.

"UNICEF has been working closely with the government, legislature, judiciary, civil society organizations, academic institutions, media and private sector for ensuring children's rights are realized", he said.

UNICEF work to promote and protect rights of the children, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized children for their accesses to health care, sanitation, education, protection against violence and abuse, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' spared Andhra Pradesh from any major destruction today but heavy rains in Chittoor and SPS Nellore districts affected normal life under its influence even as official machinery continues to be on alert with forecast of heavy downpour in next 24 hours in at least four districts.

Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district were evacuated to relief camps earlier in the day as 'Vardah' was set to make landfall between Sriharikota and Chennai. The severe cyclonic storm finally made a landfall near Chennai in evening.

As many as 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who strayed into the Bay of Bengal yesterday despite warnings, were rescued near the Sriharikota high altitude range in afternoon.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in evening that Andhra Pradesh was ready to extend all necessary help to neighbouring Tamil Nadu that bore the brunt of 'Vardah'.

He asked the state officials to speak to their Tamil Nadu counterparts and provide required assistance.

With forecast of heavy rains for the next 24 hours in Nellore, Chittoor, Prakasam and Anantapuramu districts, the official machinery has been asked to remain on alert, mostly to prevent breach of tanks.

Temple town Tirupati and Tirumala Hills received heavy rainfall as also Nellore town, paralysing normal life.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao, who has been monitoring the situation, asked the temple staff to ensure pilgrims visiting the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara did not face any inconvenience.

He also put the TTD engineering and forest wings on alert to ensure traffic movement on the two ghat roads to Tirumala was not affected because of heavy rain.

Heavy rain, coupled with gale, disrupted power supply in seven mandals in Chittoor and Nellore districts as electricity poles were uprooted.

Sullurpeta town and 11 villages in the mandal suffered complete power outage even as the AP Southern Power Distribution Company personnel swung into action to carry out restoration works on a war footing.

The CM held a teleconference with all officials concerned and directed them to ensure all repair works to the power systems were completed at the earliest.

An oil tanker overturned at Sullurpeta this afternoon because of heavy rain and wind, causing an oil spill and traffic disruption on the national highway.

By evening, however, the overturned tanker was removed and the road cleared.

Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is camping in Nellore to oversee the rescue and relief operations, said in afternoon that Vakadu and Tada received 4.8 and 3 cms of rain respectively, since today morning.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A villager was killed and another injured when they were reportedly caught in a crossfire between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Bijapur district today, police said.

The incident took place in the wee hours when joint team of CRPF's 168th battalion and district force was out on an anti-Maoist operation near Timmapur village under Basaguda police station limits, Bijapur Superintendent of Police KL Dhruv said.

Acting on inputs about the movement of rebels, security forces had launched the operation from its Timmmapur camp, around 450 kms away from here, to adjoining areas late last night, he said.

On way backclose to the camp, they came under fire from ultras prompting them to retaliate. However, the exchange of fire soon stopped after rebels escaped, he added.

During searches, they spotted two men who had reportedly sustained injuries in the cross fire, in the forests. They rushed the injured to Basaguda hospital where one of them was declared brought dead, the SP said.

"The deceased was identified as Punem Nandu, a native of Timmapur," he said adding that another injured man- Kaken Suklu- a resident of the same village, was undergoing treatment at Basaguda.

However, a CRPF official claimed that the deceased and injured villager could be jan-militia members who handle the village level operations of the Maoists.

"Investigation is being done to ascertain the background of both the villagers," the paramilitary official said on the condition of anonymity.

Notably, CRPF Director General K Durga Prasad is visiting Bijapur district today along with other paramilitary officials to inaugurate the newly set up camp of CRPF's 229th battalion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a bid to promote cashless transactions, the West Central Railway (WCR) has introduced point-of-sale (PoS) machines for ticket and parcel bookings at four railway stations in Madhya Pradesh.

"WCR has introduced cashless facilities through PoS at four stations, including two stations of Jabalpur - Madanmahal and Jabalpur Junction, and two of Bhopal - Habibganj and Bhopal Main Station," WCR Chief Public Relations Officer Surendra Yadav told PTI.

He said the Railways have entered into an arrangement with State Bank of India for providing card swipe machines.

"These initiatives are being taken to encourage cashless transactions at railway stations. The PoS facilities are initially introduced for reserved ticket and parcel booking counters. We would soon introduce the cashless facility at the counters of unreserved tickets," he said.

WCR is planning to extend such facilities at other railway stations of the zone also.

"More stations of the zone would soon be covered. SBI has so far installed 13 machines at these four railway stations," Yadav added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shiv Sena today asked Prime Minister to take a cue from US President-elect Donald Trump's decision to protect jobs for "sons of the soil" and act against Pakistani artistes "snatching" jobs from Indians in the country.

"Pakistani artistes, technicians and TV people come to India to earn money, while touting words like friendship and ties. They snatch away livelihood of locals here.

"Can India implement a policy like Trump and say that these Pakistanis won't get a job here and also declare that those who give work to Pakistanis are the enemies of India," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

President-elect Trump had recently said that he would not allow Americans to be replaced by foreign workers, in an apparent reference to cases like that of Disney World and other American companies wherein people hired on H-1B visas, including Indians, displaced US workers.

"What someone like Trump...Can do, our PM, who is known as courageous and knowledgeable, can certainly do," the Sena said.

The Sena claimed that Trump seems to have been inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray on his slogan of 'jobs in the US for sons of soil only'.

India is going to bear the maximum impact of Trump's stance and it should be seen how Modi government deals with it by talking to Trump, the editorial said.

Incidentally, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan called upon MNS chief Raj Thackeray yesterday ahead of his upcoming film "Raees", which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

The issue of Pakistani artists created a storm this year after the MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies citing their involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

In October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. But they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following 'mediation' by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to calm tempers.
Visakhapatnam city will host the world's first ever Wind Music festival on December 17 to entertain enthusiasts, Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said here.

Addressing a media conference here yesterday, the minister said the one-day festival is being presented by flautist Naveen Kumar who is known for his contribution to both classical music and film projects especially in collaborations with Oscar winning composer A R Rahman.

Apart from Naveen Kumar, legendary musicians like Ronu Majmundar, Rakesh Chaurasia, A Sravamani, Shashank Subramanyan, Kishore, Raj Sodha, S Ballesh and Tom Thomas among others will perform in the festival.

Srinivasa Rao said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu will also attend the programme.

Kumar said the programme was being organised to create awareness about wind instruments among youth.

"It will bring together music stalwarts who play diverse wind instruments ranging from a valley of western and Indian flutes to saxophones and many more," he said.

"...On an emotional level, few can deny the intrinsic power of music. Its ability to influence and enhance moods is, in fact, one of music's greatest attractions. It could be considered a shortcut to the subconscious levels of our minds," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Recognising the role of educational institutions in influencing children and teachers to take positive action for the planet, WWF India today organised a conference here aimed at building awareness on the need for environment protection.

Attended by participants across 56 schools of Delhi NCR, the conference - 'Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future'- also aimed at inspiring children to spearhead this movement for change while emphasising the need for collective action and shared commitment for a greener tomorrow.

"'Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future', is a cumulation of all the years of experience, bringing together WWF-India's approach to conservation and education as two essential pillars that need to complement each other.

"Looking at strengthening the capacity of schools and teachers, the manual is a whole-school approach aiming to blend information, awareness and action and enabling our educational institutions to become environment friendly and sowing the seeds of conservation in young minds for positive action," said WWF CEO Ravi Singh.

The conference also saw the preview launch of 'One Planet Academy', an online resource platform for teachers, schools and students, developed by WWF-India in partnership with Capgemini.

The event also saw the release of WWF-India's manual for schools, 'Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future: A Handbook for 21st Century Schools'.

The handbook brings to light the importance of nature conservation and the role of education in building a sustainable future.

Leading green bodies including Centre for Science and Environment, TERI, UNESCO and others took part in the event.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The holy city of Varanasi along with Allahabad had "zero" good air quality days last year, a new report has said while underlining the need for urgent regional action plan to improve air quality in North India.

The report said that out of the 227 days of recorded data on air pollution, Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "zero" good air quality days last year while out of 263 days, Allahabad had "zero" good air quality days.

The report, launched by Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED), IndiaSpend and Care4Air, bases its findings on Central Pollution Control Board's 2015 dataset and concludes that heavy industrial activity across the Indo-Gangetic belt has led to rapid degradation of air quality across north Indian region.

"Urgent regional action plan is required to improve air quality in the north Indian region," it said



It said that World Health Organisation listed 10 Indian cities from the top 20 most polluted cities of the world. From these 10 Indian cities, 4 are heavily populated cities of Uttar Pradesh.

"WHO report mentions Allahabad, Kanpur, Firozabad and Lucknow and leaves out Varanasi which is one among India's three most polluted cities according to CPCB bulletin (2015). Varanasi needs a surgical strike on air quality.

"Child specialists when consulted have concluded that there is an 8-fold rise in the respiratory ailments in the city and have cited the rising air pollution levels as the key cause," said Aishwarya Madineni - author of the report - "Varanasi Chokes", which was launched during a air quality workshop, "Lifting the Smog".

Despite being one of the most polluted cities in India, Varanasi lacks adequate air quality monitoring stations as compared to Delhi. "Only one online air quality monitor, capable of measuring PM2.5 and PM10, has been installed while no AQI score is available for the city.

"In comparison, Delhi has 13 online monitoring stations capable of measuring PM10 and PM2.5 and an AQI score is available everyday. RTI on manual air quality stations in Varanasi revealed significant gaps in PM10 values being recorded" the report said.

"Varanasi does not have a comprehensive action plan on air pollution. Immediate steps need to be taken to curb air pollution. And this action cannot be in isolation, cities and states need to work together to formulate a regional action plan to improve air quality," said Ekta Shekar from Care4Air.

The author of the report who spoke to several doctors



based in Varanasi learnt that lungs related ailments in children have increased 8-folds while cases of asthma and breathlessness have increased by 20-25 per cent.

"Air pollution has caused an 8-fold increase in respiratory illness in the children of Varanasi and the respiratory problems are at their worst in the winters," the report quoted Pradeep Jindal, a child specialist in the Sigra area of Varanasi as saying.

R N Vajpayee, a pulmonologist and practicing chest physician in the Lanka area of Varanasi, said that there has been 20-25 per cent increase in cases of asthma and breathlessness.

"Government has to take responsibility for public health, issuing health advisories is an important task. Hopefully there will be awareness in the public soon which will result in government action," he said.

The workshop brought together experts on air pollution mitigation, health, professors as well as government officials.

Sagnik Dey, Assistant Professor IIT Delhi - Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, said that industry and power plants are not the only two sources.

"In fact, biomass burning (seasonal), household emission (biofuel), vehicular emission, brick kilns, DG sets, etc have also large contribution to air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic region.

"It is also observed that health burden due to household exposure is much larger compared to ambient exposure and that is where large health benefit is expected," he said.
To tap opportunities arising out of limited cash supply, SBI Cards will soon launch a credit card with a cap of Rs 25,000 for those at the lower strata of the society, who have the capacity to pay but don't have cards, a top company official said.

"For the lower strata of society who do not have credit worthiness to get card, what we understand today is that each bank account has some money. So, we can give them secured card, even if they don't have any credit history. So, card with a limit of Rs 25,000 against the security of bank deposit can be given to anyone," SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Cards) Chief Executive Vijay Jasuja told PTI in an interview.

The problem is not that these people don't have money to spend, but they don't have cards to use, Jasuja said, adding SBI Cards will offer them secured cards in about two-three months.

After government's decision to ban old banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, SBI Cards has been witnessing a surge in card usage and expects to add 20-25 per cent more customers.

"Since this move (demonetisation), there is surge in the usage of cards both in terms of number of transactions and volume. Our plan was to grow by 900,000 to 100,000 cards in one year but with this change, it will be extra by at least 20-25 per cent new set of customers," he said.

He also said that the company has simplified card acquisition process and is planning to reduce the income cut-off criteria for giving credit cards to potential customers.

Jasuja said that even Jan-Dhan account holders can be potential customers.

SBI Cards is also in the process of speeding up customer acquisition process by reducing the delivery period so that more and more people are added to the network.

"Today, the delivery time is 9-11 days, what we are doing is that we are trying to reduce it to 2-3 days, that is the minimum," said the official.

The company will also deploy more people on the field who will be present in all prominent markets and malls so that if anyone wants a card, the team can talk to such people, accept their application, document and quicken the period of processing and delivery.

With less encouragement for cash transaction post demonetisation, Jasuja is of the view that there will be major shift in consumers' spending behaviour.

"The kind of people who use credit cards are already using cards, but may be, they spend 20 per cent by card and 80 per cent by cash. That component will shift. Now, they will spend 90 per cent on card and 10 per cent in cash," he said further.

However, he feels that it will take about a year for normality to return post demonetisation as infrastructure like Point of Sale (PoS) terminals acceptance, manufacturing capacity and regulations are time consuming.

Pointing at the changing needs of the people, Jasuja said the company is now getting calls from customers to re-activate the cards which had become dormant.

"There is large number of customers who are inactive, so now we are getting calls from them pro-actively from their side for activation of the cards. We have also very aggressively launched the scheme to go back to inactive customers for activation of cards and the results are quite encouraging," he said.

He further said the company's strategy is now that people should be able to get cards in a relatively hassle-free manner and that more and more people should be covered.
Post demonetisation, headlines about income tax and police raids across the country have caught everybody's attention with the authorities seizing large stashes of new Rs 2,000 notes.

Given that the new banknote is being carefully rationed, the raids have raised some serious questions about how these people have managed to get hold of so much of the new currency.

Within days of the announcement of the note ban, two people were arrested with Rs 3.5 crore in New Delhi. Also, Axis Bank managers were arrested in the capital for alleged illegal conversion of currency notes.

But, that was just the beginning. Here's a list of the major raids Income Tax Department has carried out since then:

Over 13 crores seized in New Delhi: Income Tax officials and Delhi Police on December 10 raided the office of a law firm T&T in southern part of the national capital and found over Rs. 13 crore in cash, of which Rs. 2.5 crore was in new currency notes.

The Crime branch team found 7 crores in old Rs 1,000 rupee notes, 3 crores in Rs. 100 denominations, and the rest a mix of old and new notes.

When the police team raided the office, most of the rooms were locked and only a caretaker was present. The founder of the firm has not been arrested yet.

166 crore currency seized from Chennai: On December 10, the Income Tax department seized 24 crore rupees cash in new notes in Chennai. This comes on the back of the biggest haul of cash and gold post demonetisation in the city, in which over Rs 142 crore unaccounted assets were recovered on Friday. The total value of the seizure in Chennai has now risen to 166 crore rupees.





Challakere, Karnataka: In another development, on December 10, the Income Tax department zeroed in on 5.7 crore rupees cash in new notes. Besides 32 kgs of Bullion (gold biscuits) and old notes worth 90 lakh rupees was stashed inside bathroom tiles of a Hawala operator in Challakere town in Karnataka. The department officials laid their hands on the stash on the basis of searches that began against casino and bullion traders in Hubballi and Chitradurga districts on December 9. Hyderabad: In Hyderabad, CBI busted a note exchange racket by recovering 65 lakh rupees of new 2000 denomination notes from the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices.



Poll bound states of UP and Punjab: In Punjab, fake currency with face value of 4.15 lakh rupees was seized in Sangrur. In Uttar Pradesh, Enforcement Directorate reportedly found huge amount of cash in a raid at the ruling Samajwadi Party MLC Santosh Yadav's house. ALSO READ: Government to launch helpline number 14444 for digital payments support



Bhilwara, Rajasthan: In yet another raid on December 10, Income Tax Department seized Rs 7,20,000 in new Rs 2,000 currency notes from Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Vellore, Tamil Nadu: On December 9, a seizure took place in Vellore where Rs 24 crore in cash was recovered. Rs 2,000 currency notes, kept in 12 boxes, were seized from a car. ALSO READ: Govt to amend RBI Act to annul old Rs 500, 1,000 notes



Surat, Gujarat: In Surat, on December 9, Income Tax officials raided different locations in the city and found Rs 1.57 crore in the form of new currency notes issued by the government after demonetisation.

Goa: The CBI and local police arrested eight persons and confiscated Rs 1.5 crore worth of new currency in Goa on December 7.

Raid at former BJP leader's house in West Bengal: On December 6, former BJP leader Mahesh Sharma from West Bengal was arrested by the special task force. Rs 33 Lakh in form of Rs 2,000 notes was confiscated from him.
Axis Bank on Monday slammed a regional newspaper report stating authorities were preparing to revoke the bank's license as "false and malafide", saying it had strong systems and controls in place as per central bank rules.

Axis, India's third-biggest private sector bank, said last week it had suspended some 19 employees over alleged breaches at one of its branches in implementing a government-ordered exchange of high-value bank notes.

The statement by Axis was in response to a report on Saturday in local Hindi daily Dopahar that suggested the bank could lose its license over alleged money laundering activities involving the suspended employees.

"We firmly believe that said news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralize the staff and damage the reputation of the bank," the lender said in a stock exchange filing.

Shares in Axis Bank were down 2.5 percent at 445 rupees a share in afternoon trading on the National Stock Exchange.


On October 2, China and Georgia signed a preliminary free trade agreement (FTA), scheduled to take effect from the end of 2017, Chinas first substantive FTA negotiations in Eurasia. The FTAs 17 sections include trade goods, services, intellectual property rights and emerging issues like e-commerce, with the two parties agreeing to remove all tariffs for most of the two nations commodity trade, as well as pledging to open many service sector markets and improve bilateral trade laws while identifying key areas for enhancing cooperation.

BACKGROUND: The FTA, which will coincide with the opening of the oft-delayed Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, will make Georgia an integral component of Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) trading network. When the BTK railway opens, combined with Turkeys nearly US$ 3 billion Yavuz Sultan Selim Koprusu, its third bridge across the Bosporus, which opened in August 2016 and has a twin-track railway level, it will allow China to ship its goods by train via Georgia directly to Europe.

The FTAs memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed between Chinas Ministry of Commerce and Georgias Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, caps negotiations that began in December 2015. For Georgia its most significant export item to China at present is wine. According to Georgias Ministry of Agriculture, in the first 10 months of the year Georgia exported 38,392,510 bottles of wine to 50 countries, generating US$ 88.3 million in revenue, a 14 percent increase over 2015 exports.

While Russia remains Georgias leading export destination with 20,531,892 bottles, China is now Georgias second largest export market, sending 4,307,825 bottles eastwards, followed by Ukraine (4,212,110 bottles), Kazakhstan (3,019,147 bottles) and Poland (1,819,542 bottles). As China currently levies a 48.5 percent import fee on Georgian wines, the FTA is expected to generate significant increases in exports of the high-value, low volume item.

IMPLICATIONS: Increasing China-Georgia economic relations benefit both nations, though for differing reasons. For Georgia, the FTA will increase its market presence in its second most important destination for wine exports, which can only increase due to the removal of tax levies, along with the rising prosperity of Chinas middle class, interested in indulging in quality foreign comestibles.

For China, Georgias importance extends far beyond being a source of high-grade alcoholic beverages, as the Caucasian nation is an important component in its economic penetration of not only the post-Soviet space but its further outreach via OBOR to lucrative European markets.

Chinas rising interest in Georgia is making the Caucasian nation an increasingly important pawn on the geopolitical chessboard contest being waged between Russia, the U.S. and China, as the first two view Georgia primarily through a military prism. Since Russias March 2014 annexation of Crimea, U.S. warships from the Sixth Fleet along with NATO vessels have made courtesy calls to Georgias Black Sea ports of Anaklia, Poti and Batumi.

Complicating the maritime commerce picture, in December 2008 the Georgian Economic Development Ministry announced that a UAE company, Rak Investment, bought a 100 percent stake in Potis merchant port, while earlier this year Georgian Prime Minister Georgi Kvirikashvili announced that the American firm Conti International had been awarded a US$ 2.5 billion contract to build the Anaklia port in conjunction with Georgias TBC Holding Company.

This focus on the commercial primacy of Georgias ports is the result of a pragmatic decision by the Georgian government that its naval infrastructure, currently moribund, is unlikely to be strengthened in the near future. Speaking on November 7 at a press conference pegged to his first 100 days in office, Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria announced plans to reform the countrys army, air force, and air-defense system, but told journalists that because of the colossal expense  running into billions, he was categorically against rebuilding Georgia's naval capacity, which was almost totally destroyed during Georgias brief conflict with Russia in 2008.

But if Georgias Ministry of Defense has shelved plans at present for reviving the Georgian Navy, the Georgian governments persistent interest in NATO membership, combined with its Partnership for Peace (PfP) activities and increasing number of NATO naval visits, continue to unsettle Russia, which regards NATOs interest in Georgia as a destabilizing regional threat. Georgias outreach to China in such a context could provide increased Chinese interest in regional stability to protect its economic interests, blunting the rising military rivalry between Russia and the U.S. in the Black Sea while underpinning Georgian sovereignty.

Further evidence of Georgias intention beyond China to interweave its commercial value into the evolving Eurasian transport network, particularly to the BTK railway, as a barrier to Russias encroachment, is illustrated by the signing last July of an agreement between Georgian Railway and Germanys Deutsche Bahn transport company. The MoU envisages development of Georgian-German collaboration to provide transport services in two directions: the trans-Caspian movement of goods between China and Europe as well as a second corridor providing for the movement of goods to and from Europe to Iran and Iraq via Georgia.

Should the MoU be fully implemented, its potential for a massive volume of rail trade is significant, as Deutsche Bahn is a company with long experience of producing block trains, in which all the wagons carry the same commodity and are shipped from point of origin to a final destination, without being split up or stored en route. While block train service already exists between a number of Chinese cities and Germany via the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, a southern route through Central Asia transiting the Caspian via rail ferry and continuing onwards through the Caucasus into Turkey could bypass Russia entirely. As the lions share of this East-West trade would originate in both Europe and China, Georgia could by positioning itself as an integral component in this economic network provide additional shelter from Russian pressure. If the Russian government disrupted the trade, it could face pressure from Brussels as well as Beijing.

CONCLUSIONS: In many ways, Chinas growing trade ties with Georgia are merely the latest iteration of its rising economic penetration of the post-Soviet space, which has been slowly proceeding since the 1991 collapse of the USSR. Unlike Chinese initiatives in Central Asia, its involvement with Georgia will under the OBOR policy include not only a railway link, but also a maritime component. This will potentially give China access to Georgias Black Sea ports of Batumi, Anaklia and Poti, as well as the countrys two oil export terminals, Supsa and Kulevi, which transit Azerbaijani, Turkmen and Kazakh oil. While Russias pressure against both Ukraine and Georgia is primarily motivated by Moscows determined opposition to either nation joining NATO, their development of economic links to China add another dimension of complexity to Russian intentions, as China is now Moscows largest trading partner as well. Therefore, Georgias future sovereignty may well be defended less by force of arms than by its growing integration into the worlds second-largest economys evolving transport network.

AUTHOR'S BIO: John C. K. Daly received his Ph.D. in 1986 from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London. While at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, where he is currently a Nonresident Senior Fellow, in 1999 he founded The Cyber-Caravan, now The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons, accessed on December 8, 2016
Captain Europe no more!

Published on December 12, 2016

Story by Maxime Boudoint Translation by: Viveka Anandane

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Captain Europe, the self-styled "European superhero," has decided to take off his blue cape and tights for good after seven years. We talk to the man who once wished to save the Old Continent from its inner demons.

He can't run faster than a speeding bullet, leap tall buildings in a single bound or see through the walls of the European Parliament building. But for seven years now, Captain Europe's blue cape and yellow boxers have been seen in every corner of the European neighbourhood of Brussels. Leaning on a bar, or in the background at a public meeting, he talks with all those who wish to debate him. His powers? His European values and the treaties he knows inside out. Instead of a coal-grey suit, his uniform is made of lycra; a symbol of the same audacity gets him into meetings with the European elite and the most influential heads of state on the continent. But now, the EU needs to find a new dispenser of justice. Captain Europe announced his retirement last month, bringing an end to a story which brought some much-needed fun to Brussels' institutions.

"Why wouldnt Europe have its own superhero?"

When he walks out of his front door, all heads turn in his direction. For his goodbye tour of the bars of Brussels, the Captain decided to wear his costume one last time. Dressed from head to toe in blue lycra, his yellow briefs did little to dent his pride, while his mask provided him the anonymity which allowed him to carry out justice. Curious onlookers took pictures, the more daring ones asking for a selfie with the superhero. It is in the middle of a rather traditional bar in Brussels, full of Trappist beers and joyfulness, that Captain Europe has chosen to tell his story, beginning to end. "I always said that I would end my superhero career at 40," he sighs. "But there was a reform of the European civil service which put back the age of retirement by three years." So the superhero decided to keep going til the age of 43.

The idea of putting on the costume came to him 10 years ago, during a carnival in 2006. Dressed as a monk for the occasion, he found himself surrounded by all the well-known American superheroes: Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America "That was when I asked myself why there was no European superhero," he explains, taking a drink. What happened next was a marvel: the mild-mannered man returned home, inspired to do good deeds, and designed the costume he would adopt as his alter-ego. For three years, Captain Europe operated in the shadows: it was only in 2009 that he finally stepped into the light "during the open days of the European institutions."

In true Monty Python style, Captain Europe asks: What has Europe done for us?

Since then, Captain Europe has been a regular feature at events across Brussels, and even abroad. "Even in London and Copenhagen, arguably the most Eurosceptic capital cities on the continent, I have been received very favourably," he underlines. However, it might be a stretch to say that this kick-ass European hero is a star across all 28 member states. On social media, his viral status only really extends to the city of Brussels: his Facebook page has a just over 2,000 fans while 8,000 people are following his accomplishments on Twitter. Compared to his American counterparts, Captain Europe and his unabashed federalism undoubtedly give some people cause for concern.

The "best" worst moment

Between sovereign debt crises, the euro, the rise of right-wing populism and Brexit, the European Union's image has been somewhat spoiled of late. But is now, in the aftermath of the departure of the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz , the best time to leave? "It's never the right time," replies the Captain. "But I dont pretend and never have pretended that the European Union, as it is today, is perfect. There is still work to do." When confronted with the dodgy affairs that have ruined the reputation of many European Commissioners, he says he is "disappointed." "When European MPs and commissioners do not behave well, it reflects on all of us." Instead, the Captain prefers to take the high road and focus on the many crises the EU has already overcome.

"We had the empty chair crisis in the 60s; the oil crisis in the 70s; the recession in 2008, Brexit [] and Europe is still here. And each time it has taken action and resisted," affirms the hero. Optimistic but not naive, he believes that whoever ends up taking the helm of Europe needs to have "a profound knowledge of European values [] and operate with integrity." These are at least the qualities he hopes to find in his successors: yes, Captain Europe is recruiting a sidekick, a "European Robin," to take over the job. "I would like that person to be a woman, but I still haven't received any candidacies from women, and only one from a man," he confesses, adding: "But he was serious about it."

In seven long years, Captain Europe has never once let his mask slip. We only know that the man once grew a goatee, and that he speaks 6 languages, including French with just a hint of a foreign accent. But beneath the mask, the Captain says, there is more than flesh and blood - there is an idea: "Captain Europe is in some ways Europe as it should actually be. That is to say strong but not too boring, and close to the people."

Far from the plush the corridors of Brussels, Captain Europe is more of an "agitator of ideas" than the symbol of a hypothetical European heroism; a man whose fancy dress makes everyone who meets him think, and smile. Maybe his retirement is the worst news of 2016 yet?

---

This article was written by cafebabel Brussels.

Story by Maxime Boudoint

Translated from Captain Europe : changement de cape
Europe reacts to the Besiktas attacks

Published on December 12, 2016

Story by euro topics Translation by: euro topics

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At least 44 people, including 36 police officers, lost their lives in two attacks near Istanbul's Besiktas stadium on Saturday night. The PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) splinter group called TAK (the Kurdish Freedom Falcons) has claimed responsibility for the blasts. Commentators discuss the reasons for the terror and call on Ankara to seek a peaceful solution to the Kurdish conflict.

Revenge for Turkey's Syria operations - Hurriyet, Turkey

The attacks are an act of revenge for Ankara's policies at home and abroad, pro-government columnist Abdulkadir Selvi writes in Hurriyet:

"The first hasty assessments established parallels between the act and the day it was committed, when the constitutional amendments on the presidential system were submitted to parliament. ... But that can't be the only reason... [The Turkish military's] Operation Euphrates Shield has frustrated the PKK's plans in Syria. The PKK-YPG, which with US consent is setting up a corridor between Manbij and Afrin to link Kobani with Afrin and ultimately march into al-Raqqah, has suffered a major setback... The organisation has been waiting for the chance to commit a spectacular attack for some time, and now it has struck us in Istanbul. It has adopted a new tactic aimed at forcing Turkey to its knees." (12/12/2016)

Kurdish question requires a political solution - The Independent, UK

Eradicating the "plague of terrorism" is now at the top of the political agenda, President Erdogan stated after the twin attacks in Istanbul. But it would be better to seek a political solution with the Kurds, The Independent urges:

"This instinct to strike back against Kurdish separatists militarily - and often beyond the rule of law or even the rules of war - is one of the many dangerous threats... Without wishing a geographical break-up of Turkey, the only sustained answer to the Kurdish question lies in a political settlement - and, episodically, peace initiatives have succeeded. The difference between the PKK and its political arms and the so-called Islamic State is that there is at least the possibility that the Kurdish cause can be settled peacefully. The PKK has no ambition to establish some medieval caliphate in Ankara." (11/12/2016)

Terrorism strenghtens Erdogan - Der Standard, Austria

The Turkish president will try to exploit the terror for his political goals, Der Standard predicts:

"Every terrorist attack that is blamed on the Kurdish underground army PKK strengthens the new nationalist-Islamic alliance in Turkey. This alliance wants a military solution to the Kurdish question and the reintroduction of the death penalty; it is working for a return to an authoritarian state like in the 1930s and 40s under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his successor Ismet Inonu, and to that end it is even ready to give up the EU membership project... For the Kurds this turn of the political tide within less than two years is disastrous. An entire generation of young Kurds has turned its back on the Turkish state. They are now the PKK's reservoir." (12/12/2016)

The EU must be more lenient with Ankara - Handelsblatt, Germany

The EU must ease up on its demand that Ankara relax its terror laws, Handelsblatt urges:

"There is no question that the Turkish laws aimed at preventing and punishing terrorist threats are harsh, sometimes too harsh. What's more, they are being applied too liberally. In the state of emergency people are behind bars in Turkey who should never have been put there. Nevertheless, with its insistence that the controversial counter-terrorism laws should be watered down the EU is misjudging the situation in Turkey. And it is underscoring the disorientation of the leaders in Brussels as to how their 'partner' on the refugee issue should be perceived. Namely as a provider of border security services rather than as a fully-fledged partner. Diplomatic subtlety would consist in abandoning such demands for the present." (12/12/2016)

---

30 Countries, 300 Media Outlets, one press review. euro|topics presents the issues affecting Europe and reflects the continent's diverse opinions, ideas and moods.

Story by euro topics

Translated from Terroranschlage in Istanbul: Sturm nach der Ruhe?
PGSS Limbe: Students Hurry Home Amid Uncertainty Musa Wilson

There was total confusion Sunday night December 11, 2016 at the Presbyterian Girls Secondary School, PGSS Limbe, Fako Division of the South West Region as some unknown masked men stormed the institution threatening to burn down the buildings if the administration does not send students back home.

A student tells Cameroon-Info.Net that she heard the men shouting that if some students are not going to school, those in boarding schools must not be indifferent to the school boycott. Sundays visit caused dread within the student population who ran from one direction to the other to save their lives. Some parents like Shirley Mbide confirmed that her child was on her way home; she said My daughter is on her way home from PGSS. I can now sleep, even as she has bruises.

Students woke up Monday with trunks and bags on their heads heading home even before they could be given the permission, no one will want to spend another night in the school. Some whose parents live in distant areas have simply perched somewhere with their relatives. Parents could also be seen trooping into the campus after Sundays incident.

Other surrounding boarding schools such as Saker Baptist College in Limbe have revealed it will send off their students this Thursday 15 December, 2016.

This phenomenon is not new in Limbe, since teachers went on strike last November; some men of the underworld have been constantly invading campuses that are not respecting the strike action threatening to kill and burn down buildings if the schools were not deserted.
Tony Elumelu (UBA) et Mohamed El Kettani (Attijariwafa) Archives

Trading activities in Africa are expected to be boosted in coming months after United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc and the UAttijariwafa Bank signed banking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will not only strengthen their collaborative efforts in correspondent banking but will also help in investment funding, trade finance and project finance on the African continent.

President Mohamadou Bouhari of The Federal republic of Nigeria and counterpart His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

The framework document, which outlines key areas of cooperation between Attijariwafa and UBA, was signed during the official visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Abuja, by Mr. Tony Elumelu, Group Chairman UBA and Mr. Mohamed El Kettani, Chairman and CEO of Attijariwafa Bank Group.

In accordance with the MOU, both banks will organize Business to Business missions to identify and develop business and investment opportunities, not only between Nigeria and Morocco, but across their respective African networks.

Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Group said this collaborative effort is a historic milestone. As two groups with considerable footprints in Africa, we see huge potential in bringing our collective expertise in banking to provide Africa-led solutions to the needs of Africans.

Mohamed El Kettani, Chairman and CEO of Attijariwafa said, Nigeria is the largest African economy and a leading commercial and financial hub in West Africa. It goes without saying that our group should collaborate with outstanding players, such as UBA Plc, to provide customized assistance to African and international companies to grow trade and investment flows, between not only Morocco and Nigeria, but also in all countries where our two groups are established. The MOU we just signed is a first but major milestone in a long-term partnership. It also heralds promising perspectives for African and international investors worldwide.

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) is one of Africa's leading banking Group with operations in 19 African countries and 3 global financial centres; London, Paris and New York.

Founded in 1948, UBA has grown from a single country operation in Nigeria, Africa's largest economy to a pan-African provider of banking and related financial services, to more than 11 million customers, through over 1,000 Business Offices and diverse channels globally.

UBA is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

While Attijariwafa Bank is a leading banking and financial group in Africa founded in 1904. Attijariwafa bank is a universal bank operating in a wide range of activities, including retail banking, private banking, corporate & investment banking, specialized financial services, asset management, insurance and international retail banking.

Attijariwafa bank is present in 25 countries with 3,844 branches and 17,367 employees servicing 8.1 million customers. The Group reported total assets of USD 42.6 billion and shareholders equity of USD 4.2 billion as of 30 June 2016. It recorded in 2015 net banking income of USD 1.9 billion and net income of USD 535 million.

Attijariwafa bank is listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of USD 7.4 billion as of 30 September 2016.

By MUSA Wilson
| BY Ricki Green |

Independent Fitzroy-based agency, Alt/Shift, has welcomed Chris Steele (left) to drive the agencys social media offering and bolster its planning function, bringing a wealth of experience from working across blue chip clients and integrated campaigns.

Joining from Leo Burnett Melbourne where he established the social media department in his head of social media role, Steele oversaw the development and execution of social media strategy for brands including SPC, iSelect and Honda Australia, and will be driving Alt/Shifts social offering and digitally integrated campaigns.

Says Elly Hewitt, MD, Alt/Shift: Were thrilled to welcome Chris as our social media strategist and planner, his appointment strengthens our planning capabilities and our creative output, which has already seen us develop big integrated ideas that have been exceptionally well received by our founding clients.

Says Steele: Social media continues to change how we live, its become a lens through which we interpret the world around us. What hasnt changed is the power of genuine storytelling that makes a real impact.

Understanding consumer behavior and creating content that resonates is at the heart of what were building at Alt/Shift. The talent Elly and the team are assembling here is pretty formidable, Im excited to be part of the strategic vision for the agency.

Since launching five months ago Alt/Shift has commenced working with some of Australias leading consumer and FMCG brands including Moose Toys, Metricon Homes, RMIT University, Visit Ballarat, La Trobe University and Thule.

Says Hewitt: Chris complements an existing team who are energised to deliver the best work of their careers, through bringing the smarts and creative thinking that truly shift the dial for the brands we work with.

At Alt/Shift, our uncompromising approach to attracting and retaining the best talent and hiring based on attitude, potential and cultural fit has been the cornerstone to driving our exceptional business growth to date.
| BY Ricki Green |

PwC Australia has today announced that media, brand and marketing expert, Russel Howcroft will join the firm in the newly created role of chief creative officer and will also be a key leader in the firms new CMO Advisory practice.

Howcroft, currently executive general manager of Network Ten and a regular of the ABCs Gruen program, will take up the role in March 2017.

PwCs CMO Advisory business will work across six critical business areas: brand strategy, marketing strategy, market insights, marketing performance analytics, marketing structure and operations and creative solutions.

Says Luke Sayers, CEO, PwC: Russel is one of the most outstanding media, brand and marketing executives in this country so we are delighted he is joining PwC.

Our new CMO Advisory practice has been created in response to client demand for independent, transparent and expert advice relating to all areas of marketing and brand strategy effectiveness.

The marketing mix has become increasingly complex with the splintering of audiences via the rise of digital and social media.

Many executive teams and Boards are looking for independent advice on what is often a very sizeable investment into marketing and ensuring the spend is aligned to business strategy and delivering real value.

Having experienced former CMOs and heads of agency working alongside our clients is a very exciting proposition.

Recent other hires strengthening this capability include former Ogilvy and TBWA executive, Justin Papps, who was until recently global head of communications and brand for the QBE Group, as well as former managing director of Clemenger BBDO Brisbane, Vanessa Brennan.

Sayers said PwC expected the business to grow quickly: This is not just testing the water; we see huge growth potential with our CMO Advisory business and will be looking at both strategic acquisitions as well as organic growth.

The business will work closely with PwCs existing Experience Consulting business, encompassing design, digital and creative services through The Difference, Experience Centre, and Creative Communications.

Says Howcroft on his appointment: If businesses are to achieve better than expected results, they need to harness the commercial power of creativity. Creativity in all its forms needs to be nurtured, promoted and championed.
| BY Ricki Green |

A campaign to encourage Australians to give an alternative Christmas card and help people who are homeless launched today across News Corp Australia papers and websites.

The campaign was created by Jessica Mclure, an AWARD School student who won the inaugural Press for Change competition. The News Corp Australia initiative aims to harness creative genius to drive positive change for Australias most deserving charities. Ask Izzy was the charity briefed this year as part of the competition.

The rechargeable Ask Izzy power cards, which cost $15 each to make, give people who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness up to four hours of phone battery life, thus connecting them with vital services.

Says Penny Fowler, community ambassador, News Corp Australia: As we prepare for a festive season that, for many of us involves time spent with loved ones, we are proud to be supporting a campaign that encourages Australians to spare a thought for those less fortunate. We know that almost 80 per cent of people experiencing homelessness own a smartphone* and it is essential in connecting them with services they so desperately need. We hope Australians will give generously and offer this small comfort to people living on the streets.

People can donate to the production of the cards via westpac.com.au/askizzy.

Once the cards are ready for distribution, Melbourne-based charity Infoxchange will distribute them to those in need.

Says David Spriggs, CEO, Infoxchange: Well work with service providers around the country to distribute the cards directly to people who need them. With the help of RAMS and REA Group, weve already been able to get over 5000 charge cards into peoples pockets this year, with very positive results.

The advertising campaign to support the appeal runs up until Christmas Day.
| BY Ricki Green |

An older piece taken from the archives of damonsbrain  a blog written by Damon Stapleton, chief creative officer of DDB New Zealand

Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why.  Kurt Vonnegut

Apologies. But I have to do this. Its time for a rant.

There is a book by Tom Wolfe called The Painted Word. It a slim volume of about a 100 pages first published in 1975. When it came out it was hated by most art critics. The reason it was disliked was that it argued that most twentieth century art needs to have a manifesto, theory or explanation first and the art would simply confirm the belief. Art had moved away from being a visual experience and become an illustration of an art critics theory.

I was reminded of this because of an ad I saw this week. It came from an agency overseas that is very popular. It has very polished PR skills and has one or two smooth talkers that lead the agency. They are the darlings of the media. Great sound bytes and cool theories are served up at an astonishing rate. They really do understand the news cycle very well. They portray themselves as an answer for the future. Where advertising is going. And to be fair to them every agency on some level does this, so no problem. Well actually there is. Just one. Their work is shit. It is corporate drivel.

So, why does this make me angry? Is it because they PR themselves shamelessly? No, I have been in the business long enough to know that is par for the course. What pisses me off is the fact that the work has become less important than the theories they pedal at every conference they can get their hands on. I have the strangest feeling that unbelievably the work has become incidental to them. Packaging has become everything. If you keep saying the right things, what you do can be average. The truth is this work is literally the exact opposite of the theories they espouse. It is not interesting. Every agency makes work like this. However they dont go and PR it at every juncture. And then a frightening thought dawned on me, maybe they didnt know it was shit. And then a second thought dawned on me that was even more frightening, maybe they did.

So, are we in an age where good enough has become great? The industry keeps saying work is going to have to get better to be noticed. Take a look around and ask yourself if the work is getting better or just a whole lot faster.

Why does this happen? Of course, the simple answer is time. Great work is usually a little messy and takes time. A Creative Director friend who works in New York phoned me the other day and told me he had been asked to do something fresh and original but also find a case study to prove that the idea has worked before. Do something new. Prove it has worked before. The first sentence is in danger of losing its power to the second sentence because of time. It is an interesting debate. How important is originality versus certainty in our business today? Do we have time for true originality?

Fuck. I hate everything about those last two sentences.

My angry friend also said something that stayed with me. He said he finds there is no longer any time to argue, he has to just keep moving. In other words, be creative, but dont have a perspective. Tricky. I found that such a strange thought for a creative department or as I like to call them, the idea navy. Arguing and debate are the most important ingredients to push the work forward. Friction makes fire. Being able to care and struggle makes the work better.

Anybody remember heres to the crazy ones, the misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. I think you know the rest. So, I guess I just wanted to check that we still want those people right?

Just going with your first idea is sometimes necessary. However, if that is your modus operandi, it is highly improbable you are going to be doing anything of value or worth. And, just because you can explain why you did it and have a colourful PowerPoint presentation to prove your theory, this doesnt change the fact it might be shit. Creativity is not a thing, it is a way.

Perhaps, we should remember what we do. We make stuff. We make the picture, not the frame. Lets not pretend they are the same thing. In the end, a beautiful frame only amplifies the banality of an average painting.

Lets give those precious seconds to making great work rather than listening to slick explanations after the fact that defend the mediocre.
| BY Ricki Green |

The City of Sydney has today unveiled the creative identity for Australias largest public event, 2016 Sydney New Years Eve. Conceived by creative agency Imagination, SydNYE sets out to capture the very best the city has to offer, not only as an iconic home of worldwide New Years Eve celebrations, but as a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant global destination.

With the visual identity for 2016 Sydneys New Years Eve created by local artist and paper engineer Benja Harney, the City of Sydney and Imagination have continued their commitment to nurturing local creative talent. Featuring an exuberant artistic model of Sydney Harbour as the focal point of its visual identity, SydNYE playfully embraces local flowers, animals Sydneys iconic buildings and harbour. The theme and visuals are designed to capture the welcoming spirit that Australias premier New Years Eve celebration has grown to represent around the world.

Marking its sixth year as the Creative Team behind Sydney New Years Eve, Imagination has again aimed to raise the bar across the events theming and design. The culmination of 15 months and over 10,000 man-hours of design and planning work across multimedia and physical assets, Imagination has set out to open 2016 Sydney New Years Eve to a bigger audience than ever before.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge again plays a central role in this years festivities. The famous landmark will see an extra 2,400 fireworks launched from its coat-hanger structure this year, creating the largest Sydney Harbour Bridge pyrotechnic display ever. Combining with lighting effects, and full-height projections on the eastern face of the Harbour Bridge pylons, 2016s effects are set to be the most impressive yet.

Imagination director Heath Campanaro says the agencys ongoing relationship with the City of Sydney continues to take Sydney New Years Eve to fresh creative heights.

Says Campanaro: Having the opportunity to work with a global landmark like Sydney New Years Eve is a creative dream. With six years under our belt, our focus is on continual improvement, and putting on one of the best shows on earth.

Every year we have the privilege of helping the City of Sydney create the worlds most anticipated and viewed New Years Eve spectacle, and its something that we never take for granted. To be able to offer our creative team that opportunity is something so special, and something we all go so far and above on to ensure we do this amazing city proud. This year will be our sixth event, and it just gets more and more rewarding to see the teams collective efforts culminate into something extraordinary that showcases Sydney to the world.
| BY Ricki Green |

WiTH Collective has snared highly-rated Aussie team, Dan Bolton and Barnaby Packham, from Havas London.

The award winning pair, who worked with Steve Coll, WiTH CCO, previously at Droga5, will join the agency in the role of associate creative directors.

Bolton and Packham have known each other since school, and have worked together on some of Australias biggest brands, including Qantas and Woolworths. At Droga5 they were responsible for Qantas Frequent Flyers Stories For Every Journey, and have been widely awarded at One Show, D&AD and Cannes.

After a stint in London, the creative duo return from the UK having just launched the highly regarded Teddies ad for Heathrow Airport, which received over 67 million views in its first week. The British media have described it as the ad putting the smile back on Britains face after Brexit.

Says Coll: Its hard to imagine hiring two nicer, more talented people than Dan and Barn. Ive been in touch with the fellas throughout their stay in London as Id always hoped to work with them again. They have a great understanding of some of our key clients, and they are relentless in the pursuit of great work. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them both at Droga, and Im delighted they have chosen to join WiTH.

Says Bolton and Packham: Were excited by the way WiTH is shaping itself differently and cant wait to work with Steve again. We believe its an agency with a bright future, and are very thankful for the opportunity.
"To do this we need to understand how and where planets form inside dust clouds, and then use this experience to search for planets with an atmosphere containing ozone, which is a strong indicator of life," Professor Madden said.
A woman was extricated from one of the cars then treated at the scene for head lacerations before being taken to the Canberra Hospital in a stable condition, an ACT emergency services spokesman said.



Two other patients were taken to hospital in a stable condition, one for a suspected dislocated shoulder and the other for lower leg injuries.
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 ...
China is gravely concerned about Japan's interference with Chinese Air Force planes passing through Miyako Strait, China's Defense Ministry said.

It was the second major confrontation between the two countries' air forces this year.

The first confrontation came in mid-June, when Japanese fighter jets used fire-control radar to target Chinese military planes in the East China Sea, the ministry said in a statement in July.

On Saturday, two Japanese F-15 fighter jets closely harassed and shot decoy flares at Chinese Air Force planes that were passing through Miyako Strait to conduct an exercise in the western Pacific Ocean, Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in a news release on Saturday.

"China's exercise has been planned within this year's Air Force training routine and does not target any specific country or objective," said Yang, who called Japan's reaction "dangerous and unprofessional".

"Miyako Strait is a universally acknowledged international flight passage," Yang said. The Chinese Air Force has adhered to international law and practices while passing through the strait, he added.

China urged Japan to take effective measures to prevent security issues and to keep regional security and the big picture of Sino-Japanese relations in mind, Yang said.

Japan's Defense Ministry acknowledged in a statement that it had scrambled jets to intercept Chinese planes, but it denied harassing or firing decoy flares.

The Miyako Strait is one of the few international waterways through which ships and aircraft can pass from the East China Sea to the western Pacific. Chinese Air Force planes first flew through the strait in May last year.

Liang Fang, a professor at People's Liberation Army National Defense University, said Japan's denial of interference is hypocritical, because it has stepped up harassment of the Chinese military since 2009, when a Chinese naval fleet passed through the Miyako Strait to train in the western Pacific.

zhangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
According to the data tabled by the HRD Ministry in the Lok Sabha, Government schools across the country are short of a million teachers! In other words, one in six teaching positions in government schools is vacant.

In government-run primary schools 18% positions and 15% of teachers in secondary school teacher positions are lying vacant.

Of 6 million teaching positions in government schools nationwide, about 900,000 elementary school teaching positions and 100,000 in secondary school - put together, 1 million are vacant.

These figures however represent the average vacancies nationwide. Some states said to have filled at the positions while in some more than half the posts are vacant.

Making it obvious, states with lower rates of literacy have more than vacant teaching positions.

According to the education data of 2015-16, 55% India's school children population attend government schools.

Among the states and the union territories, Jharkhand has the most acute secondary school teacher shortage: 70 per cent (38 per cent at the elementary level). Half of all secondary school teacher posts in Uttar Pradesh are vacant, as are a third in Bihar and Gujarat.

The reasons for shortage of teachers are lack of regular recruitment, not clearing position, bungled deployment of teachers, lack of specialist teachers for certain subjects, and small schools, which cause available teachers to be thinly spread.

Goa, Odisha and Sikkim have no vacant elementary teaching positions. The only Indian state with no teaching vacancies either in elementary or secondary schools is Sikkim.
Switzerlands Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to buy Australias biggest travel insurance provider, Cover-More Group, for A$741 million ($551 million), stepping up its investment in the Australian market.

Global buyers have been drawn to the broader Australian insurance sector, where returns on equity are healthy and banks have been selling insurance assets due in part to regulatory changes requiring them to hold more capital.

Zurich had already bolstered its presence in Australia in March through the purchase Macquarie Groups life insurance division for an undisclosed sum.

Other recent transactions include National Australia Banks sale of 80 percent its life insurance division to Nippon Life for A$2.4 billion in October.

Cover-More shares surged 43 percent to A$1.875 on Monday after Zurichs A$1.95 cash a share offer, a 48 percent premium to the targets last closing price of A$1.32 on Friday.

The company floated by private equity firm Crescent Capital in December 2013 at A$2 a share.

Noel Webster, a senior portfolio manager at BT Investment Management, which owns 5.7 percent of Cover-More, said the premium appeared reasonable but there was potential for a counter-bid.

Maybe this draws attention to the fact that there is quite good market share and global positioning, Webster told Reuters.

Cover-More Chief Executive Officer Mike Emmett said the company had not run an auction process after receiving an unsolicited approach from Zurich.

The Swiss insurer had been able to access confidential information when competing for a separate underwriting contract won last week by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Inc , he added.

From now until closing by definition anyone else can come forward with a bid, Emmett told Reuters. The board has a fiduciary responsibility to evaluate every bid.

Bell Potter analyst John OShea said Cover-More was appealing as a growth business given increasing outbound travel volumes in Australia, driven in part by low airfares.

The company has a 40 percent share of the Australian travel insurance market, and as of the end of September, outbound travel was growing by 4.8 percent a year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australias second largest travel insurer, Allianz , has a 25 percent share of the market, according to research firm IBISWorld, while Suncorp and QBE Insurance Group each hold around 6 percent.

Cover-More Chairman Louis Carroll said Zurich planned to operate Cover-More as a discrete business and retain the existing management team.

The deal will be executed via a scheme of arrangement requiring the approval of 75 percent of Cover-More shareholders at a meeting the insurer said was expected to be held by early April 2017. Zurich has the right to match any competing offers and will receive a 1 percent break fee if the deal does not proceed.

The five-year underwriting deal with Berkshire Hathaway contains a change of control clause that would allow the U.S. giant to exit the contract in the event the Zurich bid is successful, a Cover-More spokesman said. Zurich would become the underwriter if that occurred, he added. ($1 = 1.3444 Australian dollars)
In spite of being a champion of big oil companies and members of his party attacking Elon Musk, it appears that President-elect Donald J Trump will meet with Teslas CEO after all.



As The Wall Street Journal reports, Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk plans to be in attendance at President-elect Donald Trumps meeting of tech-industry executives this Wednesday in New York, according to people familiar with the matter.

This comes barely a week after Musk said that hed be happy to meet with the next POTUS in response to a NYT columnist Andrew Ross Sorkins article.

Trump will meet with a number of high-profile CEOs like Apples Tim Cook, Microsofts Satya Nadella and Alphabets Larry Page, at the Trump Tower on Wednesday, December 14. It is thought that Peter Thiel, who co-founded Paypal with Elon Musk and is both an old friend of his and a member of Trumps transition team, was the man who arranged for Teslas CEO to join them.

Photo Gallery
The Pontiac Aztek will forever (and unfortunately) be remembered as one of the ugliest automobiles ever made. But you know what (arguably) made it even worse? When GM, in an effort to smooth it out, ditched the contrasting body cladding that at least gave it some character in the first place. What they should have done is double down and made it even more grotesque, like the one in this rendering.



Imagined by artist Rain Prisk, this Aztek has been virtually converted to competition spec and packs even more addenda than the original. It has wider fender flares packing big racing slicks, a side exhaust, and enough aerodynamic elements to make a DTM racer look streamlined by comparison.

Of course thered be little reason the Aztek would ever have been raced, unwieldy as it was. And this one still has rain deflectors on the windows and a roof rack, mind you, along with a license plate and a little Easter Egg of a Walter White sticker, in deference to the Brian Cranston character who drove one in the critically acclaimed television series Breaking Bad. But then dreams (or nightmares) neednt confirm too closely to reality, after all.

For those of you reading from outside the North American market (to which the Aztek was largely confined), weve included a another rendering based on what could only be described, in terms of the ugly scale, as the European counterpart to the Aztek. With a similar treatment by the same artist, the Fiat Multipla, like its American counterpart, somehow looks more beautiful with more ugliness dialed in. Or maybe weve just been staring at these images for too long.

Photo Gallery
Putting a full kitchen on wheels, as you may have seen from the Jon Favreau film Chef, necessitates a rather sizable truck. But Daimlers city car brand has managed to squeeze it all down into a smaller package with the debut of the Smart Forfood concept.



Revealed at the Bologna Motor Show just last week, the Smart Forfood is the result of a collaboration between the automaker, Italian coffee brand Lavazza and their mutual brand ambassador (and Michelin-starred chef) Davide Oldani.

The concept is based on the latest Smart Fortwo and packs a mobile kitchen in the boot. Lavazza provided its latest cappuccino machine and kitchen outfitter Focaccia Group an induction cooktop, juicer, fridge, refrigerated bottle rack, cutlery and plates.

The contrasting frame (Tridion Safety Cell in Smart-speak) is done up in a grayscale tablecloth plaid motif to further emphasize the culinary theme, and the interior upholstery stitched with a cutlery pattern. Short perhaps of the Paris salon, we couldnt think of a more fitting place to have unveiled the show car than the gastronomical mecca (and automotive industrial hub) that is Bologna.

Photo Gallery
Photo: Getty Images

Get Healthier with Happiness

Being happy has become the gold standard for the way people want to live.

Being happy is a great state of mind, but it has other benefits you may not know about. Scores of scientific research have linked having a positive attitude about life to increased levels of health.

Here are just three ways your physical well-being can benefit from adopting a happier outlook on life.

Happy People have Healthier Hearts

Positive emotions may not start in your heart, but they are looking out for your hearts health and welfare.

A 2005 study by Steptoe and Wardle found that happy people have lower heart rates and better blood pressure than unhappy people.

Throughout one work day, participants were asked to repeatedly (more than 30 times) rate their level of happiness. They then took blood samples and heart measurements.

Three years later, the researchers asked the same participants to repeat this procedure.

The researchers discovered that those people who had the highest happiness ratings on the initial day of testing, had the lowest heart rate three years later.

The participants who rated themselves as the happiest on the follow-up day of testing, had the healthiest blood pressure.

The study also revealed that the individuals who rated themselves as very happy had 23 per cent lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than the least happy participants.

If you want to have a healthy heart, start by creating a happier life.

Happy People Dont Get Sick as Often

At this time of year, you may feel surrounded by people coughing and sneezing and you probably are, but by increasing your level of positive feelings, you can boost your immunity.

A 2003 experiment was designed to discover if there was a link between positivity and avoiding the common cold. Three hundred and fifty volunteers were assessed to see how happy they felt and then exposed to cold germs.

Six times in the three weeks leading up to their exposure to the cold germs, they were asked how much they experienced emotions such as happy, pleased, relaxed, anxious, hostile, and depressed.

Once their level of perceived happiness was established, they were given nasal drops containing cold viruses, and then quarantined.

The results showed people with increased positive emotions were less likely to develop a cold. Other research shows that when happy people pick up a bug, they recover faster.

In a study of stressed law students, those with a positive attitude had more white blood cells (the cells that help boost immunity) than their negative counterparts.

Your body reacts to happiness by boosting its immunity and making it less likely that you will get sick.

Happy People Live Longer

A famous study was conducted with Catholic nuns to see if there was a link between happiness and an increased life span.

One hundred eighty nuns were asked to write an autobiographical account when they entered the convent. The average age of the nuns when they wrote their account was 22.

Researchers studied the accounts looking for expressions of positivity, such as contentment, amusement, gratitude, and love.

The study showed that the happiest nuns lived seven to 10 years longer than the unhappiest ones.

If you want to increase your life span, start by increasing your happiness.

You Choose

We all have choices. If you are a little like Eeyore in your natural outlook, then you may have to work a little harder, but by choosing to be more positive, you can improve your physical and mental health in ways you may not have realized.

Adding positive thought to your fitness plan is an important strategy if you want to improve your health.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Contributed

Desktop shortcuts in Chrome are more versatile than I thought. Its super easy to kill Facebook Moments. People can wrap packages in under a minute.

Who knew?

How to make a desktop shortcut for a website in Chrome

A customer asked me how to save a webpage to her Desktop. She uses the Chrome Browser.

Thats easy! I said.

I opened up her Google Chrome, went to my website, clicked on the icon just to the left of the browser, and dragged out to the desktop.

When I released the mouse button, there was the shortcut. (You can do this with any browser in Windows 10.)

Making a mental note to put that in the next column, when I got home I opened up Chrome on my own computer and started making screenshots of the process.

It worked perfectly until I noticed that the Desktop shortcut was set up to open in Firefox, which is my default browser.

Thats fine with me; I like Firefox better. But it made me wonder if there was a way to create a shortcut that would open in a non-default browser.

Why? More about that in a moment, but yes! It turns out you can do that!

Instead of clicking and dragging out to the Desktop:

Go to the page you want to create the shortcut for

Click on the Chrome menu (the three dots or bars all the way over on the top right)

Click on More tools | Add to Desktop

Change the name of the shortcut or leave it the way it is. Thats up to you.

Click Add

And that is all there is to it. Now clicking on the shortcut will open the page in Chrome instead of your default browser.

You might want to do this if you often visit a site that doesnt work well or at all in your default browser.

Some banking sites wont work in Internet Explorer, and you need another browser to do your banking. If you use Chrome, you can go straight to that site in the browser you need.

How to kill off Facebook Moments

I looked at my personal Facebook page the other day, and found I had something called Moments listed down the left side of the page. Somehow I had seven Moments without even knowing what they heck Moments are.

Apparently, if youre in the U.S., youve had Moments for a year and a half. Facebook started rolling out Moments to other countries last year, maybe in reverse alphabetical order since Im in Canada and it just showed up for me.

Moments is an app for your Android or iOS device. More information here. You can privately share pictures with your Facebook Friends, and why there is something on my Desktop for it I have no idea.

One of my Facebook Friends (in the U.S.) told me how to get rid of it.

Right-click on Moments

Click on Remove App

Click on Remove

Its gone. If you want it on your phone or tablet, visit the appropriate app store and get it there.

How to wrap a present really fast so it looks like you spent more than 30 seconds on it

Remember that viral video from a couple years ago, where they guy working in a Japanese department store wraps a package in no time at all?

It was impressive!

Whether you remember or not, you might like to see how its done by someone who reversed engineered the process. Thanks to Bored Panda, both videos are on the same page.

Christmas and Hanukkah are both barrelling down on us. Check this out.



Did you learn something interesting youd like me to share? Send email to [email protected] and look for your tips in future columns.

Links

Facebook Moments

Guy Reveals Japanese Gift Wrapping Hack That Lets You Wrap Your Gifts In Less Than 15 Secs

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Contributed

Police are investigating after a man was found dead outside of a Lower Mainland pub.

Police were called to the South Delta pub at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

A 53-year-old Delta man was found unconscious and unresponsive following reports of a fight at the Rose and Crown Pub.

Pub employees told CTV News the man was a regular at the drinking establishment.

Police believe a fight began outside the pub between several men who fled the scene before officers arrived.

However, two men are in custody for questioning and an investigation is ongoing.

The death is being treated as suspicious until an official cause of death can be determined.

Investigators are requesting anyone who may have seen the altercation or anything leading up to it to call Delta Police at 604-946-4411.

- with files from CTV
Photo: BC NDP Party leader John Horgan

The BC NDP is wrapping up 2016 with a trio of nominations.

Councillors, mayors and school trustees past and present are winning their bids to run as BC NDP candidates in ridings from the Kootenays to Burnaby, gearing the party up for the May 9 election.

These leaders have deep roots in their communities and have shown they have great local support, said BC NDP Leader John Horgan. I couldnt be more proud of the diversity and strength of these candidates, especially combined with our incumbents.

This weekend alone three municipal leaders were nominated:

Nancy Bepple, candidate for Kamloops-South Thompson, is a former Kamloops city councillor.

Sue Powell, candidate for Parksville-Qualicum, sits on Parksville City Council.

Abbotsford School Trustee Preet Rai is the candidate in Abbotsford South.

Our new candidates are hearing first hand how hard it is to get ahead when the Christy Clark is only looking out for people at the top. Costs keep going up and she keeps cutting back on education and health care, Horgan said. We know that government should make life better for people, not harder.

The new candidates join seven others nominated this year with municipal leadership experience, including Penticton Coun. Tarik Sayeed.

Nominations are to resume in the New Year.
Photo: Flickr - RCMP

UPDATE: 6:30 p.m.

Vernon Fire Department has confirmed four vehicles were involved in a crash just south of Vernon Sunday afternoon.

Captain Dan Walker said crews responded to the crash at 2:11 p.m. on Highway 97 at Bailey Road, where four vehicles were involved in the crash.

One woman suffered minor injuries and was transported to hospital, and Walker said he believes an RCMP cruiser was also hit from behind.

He added that the department has been receiving a lot of calls about cars that are still in the ditch as a result of the incident, but notes that those cars have been flagged and that the drivers are safe and out of those vehicles.

ORIGINAL: 5:02 p.m.

Multiple vehicles, including an RCMP cruiser were involved in a crash just south of Vernon Sunday afternoon.

A witness says the RCMP car appears to have been T-boned by a red dodge pickup truck and that multiple vehicles are in the ditch.

Paramedics, several police cars and Vernon Fire Department were all on scene.

The extent of injuries is unknown at this time. Castanet will update with more details as they become available.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A Vancouver-based polling group says they've learned tough lessons from a year that's seen two major "misses" in voting.

And it's a sign of a "dire need" for improvement in the industry.

First, the Brexit vote in June, with polls prior to the vote showing a slim majority in the United Kingdom in support of remaining in the European Union.

Second, the election of Donald Trump, despite Hillary Clinton leading the polls most of the way through the campaign.

"Its worth noting, of course, that neither of these misses was necessarily as big as it has been made out to be," Angus Reid chairman Ian Holliday said in a news release. "On Brexit, for example, regardless of which side they had coming out on top, most pollsters had the race getting closer as referendum day drew nearer and undecided voters began to choose sides."

He adds that in the U.S., Clinton's lead in the popular vote has reached 2.5 million since election day  a two per cent lead, though short of the four per cent lead forecasted.

"These near misses show that public opinion polling is not broken, but it is in dire need of improvement," Holliday said. "Particularly given the paramount importance of public opinion in creating such seismic changes as Brexit and Trump."

Holliday said pollsters need to be more cognizant of the effects polling can have on election outcomes

"When polls consistently agree on an outcome, and data journalists predict one result has a 70 or 80 or 90 per cent chance of occurring, those who prefer that outcome may be lulled into a false of security."

Holliday also says there's a need to look at new ways of funding pollsters, with newspapers and news stations unable to afford high-quality polling like they have in the past.

"Charitable foundations and think-tanks with an interest in democracy should consider funding high-quality public opinion research.," he said
Photo: The Canadian Press

Noura Alissa says she's very grateful for the warm welcome she's received in Canada, but admits the year since she arrived in Montreal from Syria has been more difficult than she expected.

"Trying to find a job while learning French has been difficult, but I am trying," the 25-year-old Syrian refugee said in English in an interview Sunday. She said the warm welcome she's received from Canadians has helped ease the transition.

It has been a year since Canada welcomed the first group of Syrians that the government flew out of refugee camps, and both political leaders and refugees marked the occasion over the weekend with a mixture of pride and an acknowledgment of the challenges that remain.

Immigration Minister John McCallum said he would never forget joining Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other cabinet ministers at Toronto's Pearson airport on Dec. 10, 2015 to greet the first plane load of refugees.

"At a time when many countries closed their doors to refugees, we in Canada said 'come on in, you're welcome,'" he said at an event in Montreal on Sunday to mark the anniversary.

Prime Minister Trudeau also noted the anniversary on Twitter over the weekend and federal Health Minister Jane Philpott, who also joined Trudeau in welcoming the first plane load, noted the fond memories she had of that night in a tweet posted Saturday.

McCallum and other political leaders at the Montreal event acknowledged there are still challenges to face.

Despite the arrival of more than 36,000 refugees since Nov. 2015, he noted many newcomers were still waiting to be reunited with their families.

"The first thing (newly-arrived refugees) would tell me was 'Thank you Canada,'" he said. "The second thing they would say is 'there are members of our family still in Syria.' So there is still work to do," he said.

Canada has almost 19,000 applications to process, and another 4,124 applicants that have been approved but have not yet arrived in Canada.

Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil noted that while the refugees' first year in Canada has been mostly spent picking up a new language and settling in, the challenge is now shifting to helping them join the labour market.

"The next step is full integration, notably into the job market, and that's obviously where the challenges are," she said.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Federal Conservative leadership candidate Chris Alexander returned to Alberta to speak at an anti-carbon tax rally, a week after becoming embroiled in controversy over a "lock her up" chant that began while he was addressing a similar event a week earlier.

Alexander told the crowd gathered indoors at the Westin Hotel in Calgary on Sunday that he was warned by donors, media and other "establishment types" not to come back following the attention that followed a rally against Alberta's carbon tax at the legislature in Edmonton on Dec. 3.

Sunday's event, like the one in Edmonton, was organized by the website Rebel Media.

"They're kind of saying, 'Why are you doing that? Why are you going back there?' I'm not going to fold to a bunch of politically correct people. I'm not going to let them tell me what to say or what to think," Alexander said in a video of the rally that was posted on Rebel Media's website.

Alexander was criticized by many for not doing enough at the Edmonton rally when a chant of "lock her up," an echo of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's campaign rallies, came as Alexander was speaking about Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.

Alexander has since said he disapproved of the chants and said he tried to change the chant to "Vote her out."

He led a similar chant of "Vote them out" during the Calgary event.

Fellow leadership candidates Kelly Leitch and Brad Trost also addressed the rally on Sunday. Trost criticized Conservatives who "run up the white flag"and worry more about etiquette than fighting for people.

The "lock her up" chant became a staple at Trump rallies during the presidential campaign when he accused opponent Hillary Clinton of destroying email evidence in a congressional investigation.

Leitch, meanwhile, said she wouldn't denounce the crowd, and drew cheers when she promised to increase penalties for anyone who engages in violence or vandalism designed to disrupt natural resource development, and that anyone who supports them be charged.

"They're the ones that should be locked up," Leitch said.
Photo: Facebook

UPDATE: 9:15 a.m.

A missing hunter has been found safe and sound.

"I believe he'd been found by family and friends who were out searching for him," said Central Okanagan Search and Rescue president and search manager Ephraim Nowak.

The hunter was reported missing after he failed to return at the specified time.

He was found just after 10 p.m.

Nowak said it was snowing heavily along the Coquihalla Connector where the man was hunting, and he wasn't dressed to stay overnight.

Nowak said not to hesitate contacting police right away if someone is missing.

"SAR doesn't charge for rescue and there's no minimum wait time," he said, noting there is a misconception that a person has to be missing for 24 hours before reporting it to police.

He also advised those going in the backcountry to bring along shelter and something to start a fire.

ORIGINAL: 10 p.m. Dec. 11

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and Nicola Valley Search and Rescue have been activated for a hunter who has gone missing along the Coquihalla Connector.

COSAR president and search manager Ephraim Nowak confirmed the group has sent a snowmobile team of five members to aid the Nicola Valley SAR in its search, but had few details.

The hunter was reportedly in the Loon Lake and Shrimpton Forest Service Road area, about 50 kilometres east of Merritt.

Nowak didn't have the name of the hunter, nor did he know how long the hunter had been missing for.

Nicola Valley SAR is the primary group in the search, and is believed to be getting additional help from the Merritt Snowmobile Club.

Castanet will update with more details as information becomes available.

 with files from Dustin Godfrey
Photo: Twitter

A union representing public servants has reached a tentative contract that it says gives federal scientists the right to share their research with the media without first being designated official spokespeople.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says it has reached tentative agreements involving more than 18,000 public servants.

The union attached a priority to a provision that allows scientists to speak about their research after allegations that the former Conservative government "muzzled" scientists amid vast funding cuts.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents some 55,000 scientists, Information Technology experts, auditors and other public service professionals, most of whom work for the federal government.

The union says its last contract expired in 2014.

The contract also includes five per cent wage increase over four years; the agreement is retroactive to 2014.

Negotiations are ongoing for over 32,000 other PIPSC members.

Treasury Board President Scott Brison says the government has approached the negotiations with the goal of restoring "a culture of respect for Canadas public service."

"We remain committed to reaching agreements with the rest of the public service through fair and respectful negotiations," Brison said in an emailed statement.
Photo: Contributed

Surrey RCMP responded to the scene of a stabbing in the 13800 block of 71st Avenue, Sunday evening.

Upon arrival, officers found a 17-year-old man suffering a stab wound, who was transported to hospital in stable condition, with non-life-threatening injuries.

An initial investigation revealed that a fight broke out between two people, resulting in the stabbing.

Officers canvassed the neighbourhood, speaking with several witnesses to obtain more details.

Surrey RCMP says the investigation is still in its early stages, but police believe both parties knew each other, and a suspect has been arrested over the stabbing.

Anyone with further information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Dozens of people are homeless after a fire ripped through a four-storey condominium complex Sunday morning.

Rory Thompson, fire chief for the City of Langley, said crews received a call about a fire on a fourth floor balcony around 10 a.m. and about 55 firefighters were still attacking the flames several hours later.

A release from the City of Langley said all residents of the building were safely evacuated.

Thompson said two firefighters and a resident rescued from the top floor were all taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

Dan McDonald lives on the building's second floor and said he was jolted awake by the sound of fire alarms Sunday morning.

"Heck of a way to start your Sunday," he said outside his building, describing the scene as "surreal."

Video taken at the scene shows massive flames bursting from the top of the building amid thick, dark smoke. Pieces of the top floor can be seen tumbling breaking free and tumbling to the ground below.

"When I first came outside, there was a little bit of a fire," McDonald said. "And then within 20 minutes, there was 50, 60-foot flames shooting off the top of the building. All things considered, I think these guys (the firefighters) have done a bang-up job."

Several residents said they had to leave the building so abruptly that treasured pets were left behind.

Danielle Loynton, lives on the third floor and couldn't get her five-year-old cat, Dexter, out of the building because he ran when the fire alarm went off.

"I just ran out and I've been standing out here ever since, just waiting," said Loynton, who stood outside wrapped in a blanket some neighbours gave her.

Thompson said there are about 60 units in the building and it's unlikely the residents can return home any time soon.
Photo: KAIT8

Authorities say an 8-year-old boy who was playing in a church cemetery was killed after a tombstone broke and fell on top of him.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office says the boy was attending a birthday party at the church Saturday afternoon when the accident happened in the town of Lynn, about 100 miles northeast of Little Rock. Detective Andrew Turner tells Jonesboro television station KAIT the boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Turner says investigators do not believe foul play was involved. The boy's name hasn't been released.

The church's pastor, Jeff Neely, says the boy was "full of life" and "just an 8-year-old rambunctious young man." He says church members plan to support the boy's family, both financially and in prayer.
Photo: DriveBC

UPDATED: 12:40 p.m.

The highway has been reopened, reports DriveBC

ORIGINAL: 12:20 p.m.

A crash has closed Highway 3A between Castlegar and Nelson.

The highway is closed in both directions 10 kilomtres east of South Slocan.

There is a detour available.

Eastbound traffic can take Blewett Road at South Slocan, and westbound traffic can take Bonnington Road.
Nepal: Minister for Industry praises Hetauda Cement

12 December 2016

Nepals Minister for Industry, Nabindra Raj Joshi, has praised Hetauda Cement Industry for its role in the nation's future, saying Hetauda Cement Industry is not just a factory as the nation depends on its future.

Stating that Hetauda Cement Industry was established with state investment, he said the products are expected to be of superior quality in comparison to those of private companies. However, Mr Joshi pointed out that the state-owned company was failing to compete with its private counterparts.

General Manager of Hetauda Cement, Shankar Singh, suggested that the company would be able to increase its production capacity if it were provided with enough power supply.

Published under
Bolivian cement demand at 2.6Mta in 9M16

ICR Newsroom By 12 December 2016

Bolivias cement market required 2.663Mt of cement in the first nine months of 2016, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).



Santa Cruz had the highest demand for the grey product at 867,816t, a third of national consumption. La Paz accounted for an additional 20 per cent or 534,037t and Cochabamba an extra 19 per cent of 521,176t.



Domestic cement output reached 2.697Mta between January and September of this year.



Chuquisaca headed the production figures with 737,476t, followed by La Paz at 697,614t and Cochabamba with 581,213t. In Santa Cruz, output reached 314,142t, but it is expected that the commissioning of the Yacuses plant in German Busch province next year will result in output rising to 1.1Mta, overtaking Chuquisaca as production leader.

Published under
[]:2016 20161212 18:31:15 

Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. 2016-82







Notice of Holding the First Provisional Shareholders' General

Meeting of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. in



2016







The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the

truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record,

misleading statement or significant omission carried in this announcement.







I. Profiles of the meeting



1. Description of the meeting: The First Provisional Shareholders Meeting of Hangzhou Steam

Turbine Co., Ltd.in 2016 (the Company)



2. Caller of the meeting: Board of Directors of the Company. The 5th meeting of the seventh

Board of Directors was held on December 12, 2016, The meeting examined the Proposal of the

Holding First provisional shareholders' general meeting in 2016. For details please find the

Resolutions of the 5th Meeting of the seventh Board of Directors.(Announcement No. 2016-79).



3. Legality and validation of the meeting Calling of the shareholders meeting is complying with

the laws and regulations, government documents, standards, as well as the Articles of Association

of the Company.



4. Time, date of the meeting



(1) Time/date of the onsite meeting: December 28, 2016(Wednesday), 13:30pm, meeting will be

half a day.



(2) Time/date of online voting:



Online voting through the trading system of SSE will be 9:3011:30, 13:0015:00 December 28,

2016.



Votes can be made anytime between 15:00 December 27, 2016 and 15:00 December 28, 2016

through the online voting system provided by SSE.



5. Way of meeting



This shareholders meeting will be held both onsite and online. Online voting system will be

provided through the trading system and website of Shenzhen Stock Exchange

(http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). Current shareholders may vote online in the period as provided

hereinabove.



6. Qualification for the meeting:



(1) All of the state-owned shareholders and B-share holders registered by China Securities

Depository & Clearing Corporation Ltd. Shenzhen Branch at the closing of stock market at 3:00

PM, December 21 , 2016. Shareholders may attend the meeting personally or empower proxies to

present the meeting. The proxies are not necessarily shareholders of the Company.





(2) Directors, supervisors, and executives of the Company.



(3) Legal consultant of the Company: Zhejiang Tiance Law Firm



7. Venue of the meeting: Meeting Room No.2 Reception Center. 357 Shiqiao Road, Xiacheng,

Hangzhou, Zhejiang.



II. Proposals to be examined at the meeting



I. To examine the Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors and

Executives



The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of Shenzhen

Stock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-80).



II. To examine the Allowance Scheme for the 7th term of Independent Directors and Supervisors



The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of Shenzhen

Stock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-79).



III.To examine the Proposal on the Guarantee Provided by the Company and Hangzhou Steam

Turbine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for Hangzhou Steam Turbine Power Group Co., Ltd.



The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of Shenzhen

Stock Exchange dated October 22, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-75).



IV. To examine the proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision 2016



The Amendment Draft of the Articles of Association is available on the official website

(Announcement No. 2016-81) with Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong Kong

Commercial Daily (and at www.cninfo.com.cn.



Special remarks: Proposal 3 concerns of related transactions. Hangzhou Steam Turbine

Power Group Co., Ltd.  the holding shareholder of the Company, shall waive from voting.

Proposal 4 is a special proposal subject to the approval of more than two-thirds of the voting rights

of all the shareholders. Except for the above proposal, all the other motions are ordinary. which

can be adopted by over half of valid shares at the meeting.



III. Registration issues



1. Way of registering: Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card to

register at the Company. Registration at the Company or through mail or fax are acceptable both

for shareholders or their attorneys.



2. Registration time limit: 15:30 December 23, 2016



3. Registration place: Board Office of the Company



4. Documents for registration:



(1) Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card to register at the

Company. An Power of Attorney is essential for attorneys. Attorneys of shareholders shall take

the shareholders account card, ID card of the consigner, the Power of Attorney, and his/her own





ID card to register.



(2) Legal person shareholders shall be represented by the legal representatives or the proxies

empowered by the legal representatives to attend the meeting. Legal representatives shall provide

their ID card, and effective evidence for his/her position. Proxies shall provide their ID cards and

the Power of Attorney issued by the legal representative.



(3) When attorney of a shareholder is carry on consigning a third person to present at the

shareholders meeting, the Power of Attorney or other authorization papers shall be notarized. The

notarized papers and the Power of Attorney shall be filed to the Companys house or place

assigned by the notice.



IV. Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting



On this Shareholders meeting, shareholders can vote via Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading

system and online voting system (website:http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). The instructions for online

voting of shareholders meeting can be seen in attachment I of Notice on Shareholders

Meeting--Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting.



V. Misc. issues



1. Shareholders and attorneys shall bring the original copies of papers when presenting the

meeting.



2. Contact:



Mail address: Board of Directors Office, Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd., No.357 Shiqiao Rd.,

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China;



Post code: 310022



Tel: Yu Changquan (0571)85780432



Wang Gang (0571)8578019885784758



Fax:057185780433



3. The meeting will last half a day. Shareholders shall pay their own travel and accommodation

expenses.















Attachment 1



Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting



Shareholders may use the trading system and internet voting system to vote for the meeting

(http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). Details are:



(I) Voting procedures through SSE voting system



1. Voting code: 360771



2. Stock ID: Hangqi Voting



3. Voting time: 9:30-11:30 am, 13:00-15:00 pm, December 28, 2016.



4. At the day of voting, the numbers under Hangqi Voting and Closing Price Yesterday are

the number of proposals to be voted upon.



5. Voting process using the trading system:



(1) Choose buy





(2) Input No. of proposals under entrusted price. RMB100 represents all of the proposals,

RMB1.00 represents proposal 1, RMB2.00 represents proposal 2, and so on. Each proposal shall

be voted separately by related entrust price.



List of proposals corresponding to prices:



No. of

proposal



Title of the proposal



Voting prices



General

proposal



All proposal



100



Proposal 1



The Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors and

Executives



1.00



Proposal 2



The Allowance Scheme for the 7th term of Independent Directors and Supervisors



2.00



Proposal 3



Proposal on the Guarantee Provided by the Company and Hangzhou Steam

Turbine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for Hangzhou Steam Turbine Power Group Co.,

Ltd.



3.00



Proposal 4



Proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision 2016



4.00







3The motion of this meeting is a non-cumulative voting motion,Filling in and submitting the

voting opinion Fill in the voting opinion in consent or objection or abstention;



(4) By voting on all proposals shareholder means collective opinion on all proposals.



The 1st vote shall prevail when votes are repeated at general vote and individual vote. Votes on

individual proposal shall prevail when it is voted before the general vote. Un-voted proposals are

default to the vote on general. The general vote shall prevail when it is voted before individual

votes.



(II) Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading system



1. Polling hours: trading hour on December 28, 2016, namely, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and

from 13:00 p.m. to 15:00 p.m..



2. Shareholders can log on the trading client of securities company and vote through trading

system.



(III) Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange the Online Voting System



1. The online voting system is available for voting from 15:00 p.m. on December 27, 2016 to

15:00 p.m. on December 28, 2016.



2.To vote through online voting system, shareholder shall, in accordance with the regulations on

Guidelines for Online Service Identity Authentication of Shenzhen Stock Exchange Investors

(revised in April, 2016), handle the formalities for identity authentication and obtain the digital





certificate of Shenzhen Stock Exchange or service password for investors of Shenzhen Stock

Exchange. The specific identity authentication process can be accessed by logging on the online

voting system http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn for more guidance.



3. With the service password or digital certificate, shareholders can log on

http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn and vote through the online voting system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange

within the allotted time.





Attachment 2



Power of Attorney



Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.



Mr.(Ms) is hereby authorized to attend the first provisional shareholders general

meeting of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.in 2016. And exercise voting right on behalf of

me/my company.



No



Title of the proposal







Votes







In favor







Waive







Objection







Proposal

1



The Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors

and Executives















Proposal

2



The Allowance Scheme for the 7th term of Independent Directors and

Supervisors















Proposal

3



Proposal on the Guarantee Provided by the Company and Hangzhou Steam

Turbine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for Hangzhou Steam Turbine Power

Group Co., Ltd.















Proposal

4



Proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision

2016























Signature of authorizer __________ ID number (or Business License No._____________



Number of shares held_______ Stock account number of the authorized



Signature of proxy _____________ Identity card number_________________



Date of authorization________________







Notes :1.The validity of this authorization: from the date of this power of attorney signed to the

end of this general meeting







2.The company commisioned must be stamped with the official seal







3.Power of attorney copy or self-made in accordance with the above format are valid









 Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. 2016-82Notice of Holding the First Provisional Shareholders' GeneralMeeting of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. in2016The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for thetruthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record,misleading statement or significant omission carried in this announcement.I. Profiles of the meeting1. Description of the meeting: The First Provisional Shareholders Meeting of Hangzhou SteamTurbine Co., Ltd.in 2016 (the Company)2. Caller of the meeting: Board of Directors of the Company. The 5th meeting of the seventhBoard of Directors was held on December 12, 2016, The meeting examined the Proposal of theHolding First provisional shareholders' general meeting in 2016. For details please find theResolutions of the 5th Meeting of the seventh Board of Directors.(Announcement No. 2016-79).3. Legality and validation of the meeting Calling of the shareholders meeting is complying withthe laws and regulations, government documents, standards, as well as the Articles of Associationof the Company.4. Time, date of the meeting(1) Time/date of the onsite meeting: December 28, 2016(Wednesday), 13:30pm, meeting will behalf a day.(2) Time/date of online voting:Online voting through the trading system of SSE will be 9:3011:30, 13:0015:00 December 28,2016.Votes can be made anytime between 15:00 December 27, 2016 and 15:00 December 28, 2016through the online voting system provided by SSE.5. Way of meetingThis shareholders meeting will be held both onsite and online. Online voting system will beprovided through the trading system and website of Shenzhen Stock Exchange(http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). Current shareholders may vote online in the period as providedhereinabove.6. Qualification for the meeting:(1) All of the state-owned shareholders and B-share holders registered by China SecuritiesDepository & Clearing Corporation Ltd. Shenzhen Branch at the closing of stock market at 3:00PM, December 21 , 2016. Shareholders may attend the meeting personally or empower proxies topresent the meeting. The proxies are not necessarily shareholders of the Company.(2) Directors, supervisors, and executives of the Company.(3) Legal consultant of the Company: Zhejiang Tiance Law Firm7. Venue of the meeting: Meeting Room No.2 Reception Center. 357 Shiqiao Road, Xiacheng,Hangzhou, Zhejiang.II. Proposals to be examined at the meetingI. To examine the Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors andExecutivesThe complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of ShenzhenStock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-80).II. To examine the Allowance Scheme for the 7th term of Independent Directors and SupervisorsThe complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of ShenzhenStock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-79).III.To examine the Proposal on the Guarantee Provided by the Company and Hangzhou SteamTurbine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for Hangzhou Steam Turbine Power Group Co., Ltd.The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of ShenzhenStock Exchange dated October 22, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-75).IV. To examine the proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision 2016The Amendment Draft of the Articles of Association is available on the official website(Announcement No. 2016-81) with Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong KongCommercial Daily (and at www.cninfo.com.cn.Special remarks: Proposal 3 concerns of related transactions. Hangzhou Steam TurbinePower Group Co., Ltd.  the holding shareholder of the Company, shall waive from voting.Proposal 4 is a special proposal subject to the approval of more than two-thirds of the voting rightsof all the shareholders. Except for the above proposal, all the other motions are ordinary. whichcan be adopted by over half of valid shares at the meeting.III. Registration issues1. Way of registering: Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card toregister at the Company. Registration at the Company or through mail or fax are acceptable bothfor shareholders or their attorneys.2. Registration time limit: 15:30 December 23, 20163. Registration place: Board Office of the Company4. Documents for registration:(1) Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card to register at theCompany. An Power of Attorney is essential for attorneys. Attorneys of shareholders shall takethe shareholders account card, ID card of the consigner, the Power of Attorney, and his/her ownID card to register.(2) Legal person shareholders shall be represented by the legal representatives or the proxiesempowered by the legal representatives to attend the meeting. Legal representatives shall providetheir ID card, and effective evidence for his/her position. Proxies shall provide their ID cards andthe Power of Attorney issued by the legal representative.(3) When attorney of a shareholder is carry on consigning a third person to present at theshareholders meeting, the Power of Attorney or other authorization papers shall be notarized. Thenotarized papers and the Power of Attorney shall be filed to the Companys house or placeassigned by the notice.IV. Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online VotingOn this Shareholders meeting, shareholders can vote via Shenzhen Stock Exchange tradingsystem and online voting system (website:http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). The instructions for onlinevoting of shareholders meeting can be seen in attachment I of Notice on ShareholdersMeeting--Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting.V. Misc. issues1. Shareholders and attorneys shall bring the original copies of papers when presenting themeeting.2. Contact:Mail address: Board of Directors Office, Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd., No.357 Shiqiao Rd.,Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China;Post code: 310022Tel: Yu Changquan (0571)85780432Wang Gang (0571)8578019885784758Fax:0571857804333. The meeting will last half a day. Shareholders shall pay their own travel and accommodationexpenses.Attachment 1Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online VotingShareholders may use the trading system and internet voting system to vote for the meeting(http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). Details are:(I) Voting procedures through SSE voting system1. Voting code: 3607712. Stock ID: Hangqi Voting3. Voting time: 9:30-11:30 am, 13:00-15:00 pm, December 28, 2016.4. At the day of voting, the numbers under Hangqi Voting and Closing Price Yesterday arethe number of proposals to be voted upon.5. Voting process using the trading system:(1) Choose buy(2) Input No. of proposals under entrusted price. RMB100 represents all of the proposals,RMB1.00 represents proposal 1, RMB2.00 represents proposal 2, and so on. Each proposal shallbe voted separately by related entrust price.List of proposals corresponding to prices:No. ofproposalTitle of the proposalVoting pricesGeneralproposalAll proposal100Proposal 1The Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors andExecutives1.00Proposal 2The Allowance Scheme for the 7th term of Independent Directors and Supervisors2.00Proposal 3Proposal on the Guarantee Provided by the Company and Hangzhou SteamTurbine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for Hangzhou Steam Turbine Power Group Co.,Ltd.3.00Proposal 4Proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision 20164.003The motion of this meeting is a non-cumulative voting motion,Filling in and submitting thevoting opinion Fill in the voting opinion in consent or objection or abstention;(4) By voting on all proposals shareholder means collective opinion on all proposals.The 1st vote shall prevail when votes are repeated at general vote and individual vote. Votes onindividual proposal shall prevail when it is voted before the general vote. Un-voted proposals aredefault to the vote on general. The general vote shall prevail when it is voted before individualvotes.(II) Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading system1. Polling hours: trading hour on December 28, 2016, namely, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., andfrom 13:00 p.m. to 15:00 p.m..2. Shareholders can log on the trading client of securities company and vote through tradingsystem.(III) Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange the Online Voting System1. The online voting system is available for voting from 15:00 p.m. on December 27, 2016 to15:00 p.m. on December 28, 2016.2.To vote through online voting system, shareholder shall, in accordance with the regulations onGuidelines for Online Service Identity Authentication of Shenzhen Stock Exchange Investors(revised in April, 2016), handle the formalities for identity authentication and obtain the digitalcertificate of Shenzhen Stock Exchange or service password for investors of Shenzhen StockExchange. The specific identity authentication process can be accessed by logging on the onlinevoting system http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn for more guidance.3. With the service password or digital certificate, shareholders can log onhttp://wltp.cninfo.com.cn and vote through the online voting system of Shenzhen Stock Exchangewithin the allotted time.Attachment 2Power of AttorneyHangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.Mr.(Ms) is hereby authorized to attend the first provisional shareholders generalmeeting of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.in 2016. And exercise voting right on behalf ofme/my company.NoTitle of the proposalVotesIn favorWaiveObjectionProposalThe Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directorsand ExecutivesProposalThe Allowance Scheme for the 7th term of Independent Directors andSupervisorsProposalProposal on the Guarantee Provided by the Company and Hangzhou SteamTurbine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for Hangzhou Steam Turbine PowerGroup Co., Ltd.ProposalProposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision2016Signature of authorizer __________ ID number (or Business License No._____________Number of shares held_______ Stock account number of the authorizedSignature of proxy _____________ Identity card number_________________Date of authorization________________Notes :1.The validity of this authorization: from the date of this power of attorney signed to theend of this general meeting2.The company commisioned must be stamped with the official seal3.Power of attorney copy or self-made in accordance with the above format are valid
[]: 20161212 18:31:21 

Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. 2016-79







Announcement of Resolutions of the 5th Meeting of the Seventh

Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.







The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the truthfulness,

accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record, misleading statement or

significant omission carried in this announcement.







The notice for calling of the 5th meeting of the Seventh of Board of Director of Hangzhou Steam

Turbine Co., Ltd. was served on December 7, 2016, and the meeting was held in the morning of

December 12, 2016 in the meeting room No.2 of the reception center of the Company. All of the

11 directors presented the meeting and examined and voted on the proposals on the meeting. The

supervisors and senior executives of the Company observed the meeting. The meeting procedures

are legal and complying with the Company Law and Articles of Association.



The meeting was presided by Chairman Zheng Bin.



The following proposals were examined at the meeting and passed by open ballot.



I. To examine the Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors and

Executives



11 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was approved.



The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of

Shenzhen Stock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-80).



This is subject to the examination of the Shareholders Meeting.



II. To examine the Allowance Scheme for the 7th Term of Independent Directors and

Supervisors



11 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was adopted.



The scheme suggests the allowance for a independent director will be RMB150 thousand per





year (tax included), and those for a supervisor will be RMB36 thousand for three years, namely

RMB10 thousand each year and the balance will be paid at expiration of the job term (tax

included).



This is subject to the examination of the Shareholders Meeting.



III. To examine the proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision

2016



11 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was adopted.



The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) of

Shenzhen Stock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-81).



This is subject to the examination of the Shareholders Meeting.



IV.To examine the proposal of calling the 1st provisional shareholders meeting 2016



11 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was passed.



The complete proposal is available as Notice for the 1st Provisional Shareholders Meeting

2016 Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. is available on the official website

(Announcement No. 2016-82) with Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong Kong

Commercial Daily (and at www.cninfo.com.cn.On December 13,2016.















The Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.



December 12, 2016













 Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. 2016-79Announcement of Resolutions of the 5th Meeting of the SeventhBoard of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the truthfulness,accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record, misleading statement orsignificant omission carried in this announcement.The notice for calling of the 5th meeting of the Seventh of Board of Director of Hangzhou SteamTurbine Co., Ltd. was served on December 7, 2016, and the meeting was held in the morning ofDecember 12, 2016 in the meeting room No.2 of the reception center of the Company. All of the11 directors presented the meeting and examined and voted on the proposals on the meeting. Thesupervisors and senior executives of the Company observed the meeting. The meeting proceduresare legal and complying with the Company Law and Articles of Association.The meeting was presided by Chairman Zheng Bin.The following proposals were examined at the meeting and passed by open ballot.I. To examine the Remuneration and Assessment Criteria for the 7th Term of Directors andExecutives11 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was approved.The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) ofShenzhen Stock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-80).This is subject to the examination of the Shareholders Meeting.II. To examine the Allowance Scheme for the 7th Term of Independent Directors andSupervisors11 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was adopted.The scheme suggests the allowance for a independent director will be RMB150 thousand peryear (tax included), and those for a supervisor will be RMB36 thousand for three years, namelyRMB10 thousand each year and the balance will be paid at expiration of the job term (taxincluded).This is subject to the examination of the Shareholders Meeting.III. To examine the proposal to amendment draft of the Articles of AssociationRevision201611 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was adopted.The complete report is available on the official website (http//www.cninfo.com.cn) ofShenzhen Stock Exchange dated December 13, 2016. (Announcement No. 2016-81).This is subject to the examination of the Shareholders Meeting.IV.To examine the proposal of calling the 1st provisional shareholders meeting 201611 votes in favor, 0 objection, 0 waive, the proposal was passed.The complete proposal is available as Notice for the 1st Provisional Shareholders Meeting2016 Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. is available on the official website(Announcement No. 2016-82) with Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong KongCommercial Daily (and at www.cninfo.com.cn.On December 13,2016.The Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.December 12, 2016
CAIRO - A bombing at Cairo's largest Coptic cathedral killed at least 25 people and wounded 49, many of them women and children attending Sunday mass, in the deadliest attack on Egypt's Christian minority in years.

An official surveys the damage of an explosion inside the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt, December 11, 2016 [Photo/Agencies]

The attack comes as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi fights battles on several fronts. His economic reforms have angered the poor, a bloody crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has seen thousands jailed, whilst an insurgency rages in Northern Sinai, led by the Egyptian branch of Islamic State.

The militant group has also carried out deadly attacks in Cairo and has urged its supporters to launch attacks around the world in recent weeks as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but exiled Brotherhood officials and home-grown militant groups condemned the attack. Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media.

"God bless the person who did this blessed act," wrote one supporter on Telegram.

The explosion took place in chapel, which adjoins St Mark's, Cairo's main cathedral and the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II, where security is normally tight.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis condemned what he called the latest in a series of "brutal terrorist attacks" and said he was praying for the dead and wounded.

The chapel's floor was covered in debris from shattered windows, its wooden pews blasted apart, its pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and sticky patches of blood.

"As soon as the priest called us to prepare for prayer, the explosion happened," Emad Shoukry, who was inside when the blast took place, told Reuters.

"The explosion shook the place... The dust covered the hall and I was looking for the door, although I couldn't see anything... I managed to leave in the middle of screams and there were a lot of people thrown on the ground."

Security sources told Reuters at least six children were among the dead, with the blast detonating on the side of the church normally used by women.

They said the explosion was caused by a device containing at least 12 kg (26 pounds) of TNT.

Police and armoured vehicles rushed to the area, as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the compound demanding revenge for the attack that took place on a Muslim holiday marking the Prophet Mohammad's birthday and weeks before Christmas. Scuffles broke out with police.

A woman sitting near the cathedral in traditional long robes shouted "kill them, kill the terrorists, what are you waiting for?.... Why are you leaving them to bomb our homes?"

"EGYPTIAN BLOOD IS CHEAP"

Though Egypt's Coptic Christians have traditionally been supporters of the government, angry crowds turned their ire against Sisi, saying his government had failed to protect them.

"As long as Egyptian blood is cheap, down, down with any president..." they chanted. Others chanted "the people demand the fall of the regime", the rallying cry of the 2011 uprising that helped end Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

Sisi's office condemned what it described as a terrorist attack, declaring three days of mourning and promising justice. Al-Azhar, Egypt's main Islamic centre of learning, also denounced the attacks.

Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, are the Middle East's biggest Christian community.

Copts face regular attack by Muslim neighbours, who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or the construction of church.

The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a new year's service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising. At least 21 people were killed.

Egypt's Christian community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities. In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State.

The attack came two days after six police were killed in two bomb attacks, one of them claimed by Hasm, a recently-emerged group the government says is linked to the Brotherhood, which has been banned under Sisi as a terrorist organisation.

The Brotherhood says it is peaceful. Several exiled Brotherhood officials condemned the bombing, as did Hasm and Liwaa' al-Thawra, another local militant group.

Coptic Pope Tawadros II cut short a visit to Greece after learning of the attack. Church officials said they would not allow the bombing to create sectarian differences.

But Christians, convinced attacks on them are not seriously investigated, say this time they want justice.

"Where was the security? There were five or six security cars stationed outside so where were they 12 kg of TNT was carried inside?" said Mena Samir, 25, standing at the church's metal gate. "They keep telling us national unity, the crescent with the cross... This time we will not shut up."
Tennessee State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes at 55 parks beginning on Dec. 31, and going throughout the day on Jan.

Our First Day Hikes are our most popular annual guided event statewide, said Deputy Commissioner for Parks and Conservation Brock Hill. Its a great way to start your New Years resolutions off right and see the wonder of our state during this beautiful season.

Tennessee State Parks First Day Hikes are part of Americas State Parks First Day hikes initiative in all 50 states. While some of the hikes will be throughout New Years Day at various times, others will begin on Dec. 31 and go in to the New Year. Some hikes will be approximately one mile in length and tailored for novice hikers, while others are lengthier and will be more strenuous.
Evonik Industries AG acquires the silica business of the US company J.M. Huber for 630 million US dollars. This enables Evonik to expand its position in North America and Asia in this profitable and resilient business. Huber Silica will significantly strengthen our growth segment Resource Efficiency, said Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik. In addition, it offers the opportunity to strategically develop Evoniks portfolio.

The silica business has been part of Huber since the 1950s and paved the way for our companys global expansion into engineered materials, said Mike Marberry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Huber. While it is difficult to part with a longstanding business, we see Evonik as an excellent strategic fit for both our silica customers and employees.

The silica market is characterized by its variety of applications and shows above-average annual growth of 4 to 6 percent. Hubers business is especially oriented towards applications in the consumer goods industry, the dental sector for example. To date, Evoniks silica business has been focused rather on industrial applications, for example in the tire and coatings industries. Combining the complementary silica businesses of Evonik and Huber will strengthen an important pillar of our portfolio, explained Christian Kullmann, Executive Board Member for Strategy at Evonik. Also, Huber Silica is an excellent regional fit with its focus on the U.S., China and India.

For the 2016 financial year, Huber Silica is expected to achieve sales of close to 300 million US dollars and an EBITDA of 60 million US dollars. This corresponds to an attractive EBITDA margin of more than 20 percent.

Through the complementarity of the two business areas, Evonik expects to generate synergies of 20 million US dollars, largely in the areas of production, logistics and procurement as well as through harmonization of the product portfolio. Evonik expects to have all synergy measures implemented by 2021.

The depreciations customarily associated with asset deals will lead to lower future cash tax payments with a net present value of around 80 million US dollars. On this basis, the purchase price (enterprise value) including synergies and tax effects is about seven times the annual EBITDA, or 10.5 times before tax effects and synergies.

The transaction is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2017, subject to approval by the responsible authorities. The acquisition is likely to have a positive impact on Evoniks adjusted earnings per share as early as the first full financial year. Financing has been secured through Evoniks own funds and committed credit facilities.
Hershey's Chocolate World Chicago on North Michigan Avenue is scheduled to close in January, the company said Dec. 12, 2016. The interactive candy store was Hershey's second outpost outside of Hershey, Pa. (Elise Amendola / AP)

There will be one less spot to sate a chocolate craving on the Magnificent Mile next year: Hershey's is closing its Chicago flagship.

Hershey's Chocolate World Chicago, just off North Michigan Avenue behind the old Chicago Water Tower, will close in January, Hershey's spokeswoman Anna Lingeris said Monday.

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The exact date has not been set.

When the interactive candy store, where visitors can make a candy mix as a Hershey's "factory worker" or have a photo printed on a candy bar wrapper, opened in Chicago in 2005, it was Hershey's second outpost outside its headquarters in Hershey, Pa..

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Hershey's is focusing on bigger stores "that allow for more experiential interactions between our consumers and our beloved and iconic brands," Lingeris said in an email.

A West Coast flagship that opened in Las Vegas in 2014 is more than 13,000 square feet  more than three times the size of the Chicago store. Hershey also is moving its Chocolate World store in New York's Times Square to a nearby location that's triple the size late next year.

Although there are no plans to relocate in Chicago, Hershey's hasn't ruled out returning, Lingeris said.

Hershey's exit will add another empty storefront to the northern stretch of North Michigan Avenue, which had nearly 197,000 square feet of real estate sitting vacant as of July, or about 6 percent of all Michigan Avenue retail space between the Chicago River and Oak Street, according to real estate firm CBRE.

That doesn't include stores widely expected to come on the market, such as the Apple Store's space at 679 N. Michigan Ave., which Apple will leave for a new flagship along the Chicago River that is under construction.

Loyola University Chicago said the property is being marketed to prospective tenants.

lzumbach@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @laurenzumbach
Former education secretary and CPS CEO Arne Duncan now leads the Chicago efforts of the Emerson Collective, which seeks to create job opportunities for young men. Duncan and his wife have paid $1.3 million for the Hyde Park house on the right. (Brian Jackson / Chicago Tribune)

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his wife, Karen, last month paid $1.3 million for a vintage two-story frame house in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

The Chicago native and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Duncan, 52, served in the Cabinet of his longtime friend, President Barack Obama, from 2009 until the start of 2016, when he returned to Chicago. Duncan now is a managing partner with the education group Emerson Collective.

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Built in the mid-1890s, the house Duncan and his wife bought was not publicly listed for sale. However, there is a connection between the buyers and sellers. The sellers of the house were former University of Chicago Laboratory Schools instructor Elizabeth "Blue" Balliett, an author most known for her award-winning children's novel "Chasing Vermeer," and her husband, William R. Klein. Arne Duncan attended the U. of C. Lab Schools, Karen Duncan now works in the school's admissions office and the couple send their children to the school.

The home, which according to the Cook County assessor's office measures 2,750 square feet, is on a block filled with Hyde Park power hitters. Next door is U. of C. economist and "Freakonomics" author Steven Levitt, who along with his wife, U. of C. senior research associate Susanne Neckermann, paid $965,000 in August for the seven-bedroom, 116-year-old house. Several doors down in the other direction is U. of C. economics professor and former Obama aide Austan Goolsbee, who with his wife, Robin, paid $1.01 million in 2008 for their house. Also on the street is the home of Nobel Prize-winning U. of C. finance professor Eugene Fama.

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Duncan's new house also is about five blocks southeast of Obama's Kenwood neighborhood mansion, the status of which remains uncertain. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have decided to remain in the national's capital after he leaves office next month until their daughter, Sasha, graduates from high school. According to reports, they will rent a nine-bedroom, 8,200-square-foot mansion in Washington, D.C.'s Kalorama neighborhood that belongs to Joe Lockhart, a former White House press secretary who is the NFL's executive vice president for communications.

Reached Sunday, Duncan confirmed the purchase to Elite Street but declined to comment further.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.







Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 (VHT Studios)

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Billionaire Ken Griffin, Illinois richest man, paid $58.75 million in November for the top four floors in the Near North condominium building at 9 W. Walton St., known as No. 9 Walton. This photo shows a rendering of the lobby. (JDL Development / E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune (inset))
"We're looking to make sure we deliver on the promise of a new venue," says Mark Yonally. This weekend, for the first time, he brings Chicago Tap Theatre's "Tidings of Tap!"  an upbeat, family-oriented, not-just-about-Christmas, entirely tap-danced holiday show  to Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Sunday afternoon only.

One performance sounds about right for a comfortably full house. The North Shore Center is four times as big as CTT's usual venue, the UIC Theatre, where it's performed "Tidings" for nine years. Last December, however, the company had to add a fourth show to its annual run. "UIC was so great to us," Yonally says. But "we were starting to attract a bigger audience, and you really can't squeeze in any more performances on a single weekend!"

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The North Shore Center had already shown an interest in the company and was enthusiastic enough about this show to co-produce it. And because it's a state-of-the-art theater, Yonally notes, this year "Tidings" will "have some haze, some video projections, a more robust lighting package." He's also boosted the size of the company's live band, led for the last three years by multi-instrumentalist CTT music director Kurt Schweitz: The core sextet has been increased to eight, adding two vocalists.

Traditionally a holiday revue of unconnected works touching on Christmas, Hanukkah and winter, "Tidings" this year will have something of a narrative thread. "I approached Marc Smith and asked whether he'd be willing to give the show a little glue," Yonally says. A frequent collaborator, Smith  who created the poetry slam  has contributed to many of the company's story pieces over the years, including "Circo Tap" in summer 2015, which incorporated gymnast Dasha Merkulov. Smith wanted to bring her into "Tidings" too.

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So it begins with Merkulov's character "wandering onto a fog-filled stage  the idea is a wintry woods," says Yonally. "And she's clearly kind of sad, alone, doesn't have anyone to play with. Then these woodland spirit-y creatures appear and start dancing around her." Tossing a ball, they playfully keep it from her. It's not scary, Yonally says, but instead "mischievous and fun"  and eventually she gets the ball, of course, in interludes scattered through the program.

Yonally generally aims to make about half of each "Tidings" show new for any audience members who attended the previous year, by introducing brand-new pieces and his own improvised dances as well as bringing back popular items from earlier shows. This year those include "Grinch" and "Snowflake Suite," both of which will become part of the girl's story. The suite will also be integrated with Caleb Teicher's "Skating," and its final "Snowfall" section will be set to a live rendition of the 1941 Claude Thornhill song: one of Yonally's favorite holiday tunes "that no one ever plays."

The three cheery premieres include Yonally's freshly choreographed "Carol of the Bells," formerly danced a cappella but here to live accompaniment, and "Champagne," rehearsal director Kirsten Uttich's take on the song "The Night They Invented Champagne," part of the 1958 musical "Gigi." Praising her "traditional Broadway style of tap," Yonally says he expects this big, brash dance  the company's first New Year's piece  to be a crowd-pleaser. He'll also improvise a solo to music director Schweitz's "hard-bop, almost funk arrangement of 'God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen,' a trio for stand-up bass, clarinet and myself."

In previous runs, CTT has had a different youth tap company perform each day. But this "Tidings" will integrate tap students into the performance, in the manner of the company's summer shows. In early December, CTT conducted its first tap intensive, an experience the sunny Yonally calls "a great success. We had a good amount of people  not a lot, but for our first time I was very happy with it." They'll perform the dance they learned in the "Let It Snow" finale.

In general, Yonally says, "I'm a sucker for giving people an opportunity to be onstage." In college, he worked with tap-modern-ballet choreographer Bill Evans, who "taught us about Laban movement choirs. That intrigued me, that sparked my imagination." CTT tries to use less experienced dancers carefully, of course, because "at the end of the day, people are paying to see a professional company. But if used thoughtfully, (these dancers) can really increase the excitement of the show and engage the audience when they realize almost anybody can get up onstage and tap."

Kristina Isabelle's stilt dancers, originally announced to be part of this show, won't be appearing after all because of a conflict. But Yonally says it's his dream to have them in 2017. Peering into the future as usual, he adds that if this "Tidings" gets positive feedback on the new story element, "that's something I'd like to expand on for the next year. I feel that the more narrative elements in our nonstory shows, the better they are."

Laura Molzahn is a freelance critic.

ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com

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'Tidings of Tap!'

When: 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

Tickets: $24-$40 at 847-673-6300 or chicagotaptheatre.com

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Gov. Bruce Rauner has cleared a backlog of clemency petitions that dogged at least two previous governors, but he accomplished the task by granting only 3 percent of the requests.

Of the 2,333 petitions the Republican governor acted on  the majority of which he inherited when he took over nearly two years ago  Rauner issued 79 pardons. He also commuted the sentence of a drug offender.

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Rauner's approval rate is far lower than that of his predecessor, Gov. Pat Quinn, who approved roughly 36 percent of petitions as he, too, tried to clear the backlog he inherited from his predecessor, the imprisoned Rod Blagojevich.

Rauner issued the pardons in a variety of cases, many of them old and most ranging from burglaries and thefts to domestic batteries and forgeries. He forgave few drug offenses and violent crimes. In most cases, the applicants wanted their criminal records wiped clean so they could apply for jobs without the burden of their convictions.

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Rauner said Monday he is not moved by a particular type of appeal for clemency, a legal request filed with the state for leniency or forgiveness of a past crime. He said clearing the backlog was part of his "criminal justice reform efforts," and that he wants to make future decisions on clemency requests within six months "at the most."

One of the petitions he denied had languished since 2003.

"We want to treat people with respect, whether they're offenders or not," Rauner said.

As governor, Rauner has signed numerous criminal justice reforms into law, including a measure that allows juveniles to immediately petition for expungement when they are charged with offenses dismissed without a delinquency finding. Another law allows park districts to hire individuals with drug offenses after seven years.

But critics say Rauner's reluctance to approve clemency petitions is at odds with his position of giving individuals a second chance. Daniel Kobil, professor of constitutional law at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, said an approval rate of less that 4 percent seems "particularly low, or stingy," for pardon requests.

Although Rauner cleared the backlog from prior administrations, he still has 543 outstanding petitions for clemency that have come in since he took office. He also has four innocence claims left over from the previous administration. Innocence cases differ from typical clemency requests because petitioners aren't admitting guilt.

Before taking action on a petition, Rauner said he considers how long it has been since petitioners completed their sentences, why they need clemency and whether it's affecting their ability to get professional businesses licenses or a job. He also takes into account the applicant's military and community service records, the nature of the crime and their acceptance of responsibility, according to the governor's office.

"In the end, it's not about emotion," Rauner said.

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In addition to the pardons, Rauner commuted a 90-year prison sentence for Victor DeAvila, 52, who was convicted of drug crimes in 1989 and 1990. The judge who sentenced DeAvila wrote a letter on his behalf saying the sentence had been excessive and calling it his greatest mistake as a judge, according to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Rauner commuted DeAvila's sentence to 60 years, and he could be paroled in 2020.

Beth Johnson, director of legal programs at the nonprofit Cabrini Green Legal Aid, gave Rauner credit for keeping his promise to move through the backlog. But, she said, it has come "at the expense of many, many people getting denied."

Johnson said her office files about 50 clemency petitions a year, of which 70 percent were approved by Quinn. Rauner, meanwhile, has yet to grant one, Johnson said.

"It's not good because people don't have options," Johnson said. "There's no options for them in terms of removing that record."

Aaron Rosenblatt, an attorney with Robert J. Callahan and Associates who has petitioned multiple times for clemency on behalf of his clients, said he thinks deserving cases fall through the cracks with such a high rejection rate.

"I only prepare petitions for individuals who I believe society owes some sort of second chance," Rosenblatt said. "I'm not preparing petitions for a guy who was arrested for child porn last year or something like that."

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Among those Rauner pardoned was Elizabeth Helton, 33, who in 2001 was convicted in Peoria County of attempted armed robbery of a drug dealer, according to the Prisoner Review Board.

Helton has since obtained a master's degree in social work and passed a test to become a licensed clinical social worker, but couldn't get hired in that position due to her criminal record. She works at a Bloomington-based treatment center and the license would allow her to do more at her job, including work at schools.

Helton said the pardon was unexpected.

"I tried because I knew I needed to try, I worked hard and I wanted to try, but it was not really with the expectation it was something I would get," she said.

Last month, Rauner pardoned Earl Johnson, 46, who in 1992 was convicted in Cook County for delivery of a controlled substance, according to the Prisoner Review Board.

Johnson received probation and worked a series of jobs over the years. But Johnson also has faced hardship due to his criminal record, including being rejected for employment at an auto supply store and as a truck driver.

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Johnson, a community activist, has helped raise his younger sister's children and was shot in the back while trying to defuse a fight in the neighborhood. He speaks at churches against gang violence, officials said.

The Prisoner Review Board, which first receives the clemency requests before sending them to the governor, praised Rauner for clearing the backlog.

Blagojevich decided 1,024 requests, granting clemency to 72 individuals. But he left behind 2,838 cases.

Quinn addressed 4,268 clemency cases, approving 1,777 of them, according to the Prisoner Review Board.

"Governor Rauner today sent a clear message that the clemency process is of great importance and that petitioners have a right to a timely decision," board chairman Craig Findley said in a statement. "Prior to this administration, thousands of clemency petitions languished unanswered."

gpratt@tribpub.com

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Two people were killed and at least four others were wounded in shootings in Chicago over eight hours Monday, according to police.



A 49-year-old man was shot in the head around 12:30 p.m. in the 800 block of East 40th Street in Bronzeville, police said.

Officers responded to a call of a person down and found him unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head, police said. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

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He was identified as Lawerence T. Matchem, of the 4400 block of South LaCrosse Avenue, the Cook County medical examiner's office said. Some public records spell his name as Lawrence Matchem.

He was pronounced dead at 12:44 p.m., according to the medical examiner's office. No other details were released by police.



Earlier on the Far South Side, 53-year-old Quenten Wright was shot in the head around 11:45 a.m. in the 11400 block of South King Drive in Roseland, according to police. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 3:31 p.m., according to the medical examiner's office.



Public records indicate Wright was in front of his home when he was killed. No other details were released by police.



In other shootings:



 In the Englewood neighborhood, a 24-year-old man was in a home in the 7400 block of South Harvard Avenue when he was shot in the leg about 5:50 p.m., according to police. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized. The gunshot wound was believed to have been accidentally self-inflicted, an official said.



 An 18-year-old man was shot in the 5400 block of South Honore Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood just before 4 p.m. The man went to Holy Cross Hospital for treatment with a gunshot wound to the back and was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, according to police. The man told police he was standing on Honore when he heard shots and felt pain.



 About 3:25 p.m., a 32-year-old man was shot in the 700 block of West 77th Street in the Gresham neighborhood, police said. The man suffered gunshot wounds to the legs and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in serious condition. The man was working when someone approached and fired shots, hitting him, police said. The man has a long criminal history, and police were investigating whether he may have been targeted.



 Earlier, an 18-year-old man was shot around 10 a.m. near Madison Street and Lavergne Avenue, police said. He went to the 5000 block of West Washington Street and called for medical help. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition with a wound to the left ankle.



Check back for updates.
Fifteen people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, less than half of last weekend's toll and the fewest in the city in months.



Still, Chicago is on pace this year for the most homicides since at least 1998, when the police department said there were 704 homicides.



The number of people shot is also the most in decades: At least 4,170 people so far this year. With less than three weeks left in the year, that marks a 40 percent increase over the total number of shootings in 2015, according to Tribune data.



Three of the shootings over the weekend were fatal.



Early Sunday afternoon, 45-year-old Anthony Barr was shot in the driver's seat of an SUV, police said. Two people walked up, opened fire and hit him at least twice. Barr, who lived in Harvey, was pronounced dead at the scene.



A 34-year-old man was shot late Friday in Chatham by someone he knew, police said. They were involved in an altercation when the other person shot him in the chest. He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. A person of interest was in custody, police said early Saturday.



On Friday afternoon, a 19-year-old man was killed in the North Austin neighborhood. He was in the 5500 block of West Crystal Street when two people approached and one or both of them opened fire, then fled in an older-model sedan.

The 19-year-old who was shot went to Loyola University Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.
Chicago police were in a standoff in the Edgewater neighborhood Sunday for about two hours Sunday after a dispute between two roommates ended with police at the scene and one of them locking himself in his room, possibly with guns.

The fight happened about 3:35 p.m. in the 5800 block of North Paulina Street, and a police SWAT team was still on-scene about 5:40 p.m. The standoff ended soon after with one person in custody, police said.

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Police were called to the scene after the fight, and when they arrived, one of the two male roommates locked himself in a room that "may contain weapons," according to a police media notification.

A SWAT team was then called to the scene.

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Celebrants attend the opening Mass of the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration and pilgrimage in Des Plaines on Dec. 11, 2016. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

As snow fell steadily outside, Mauro Garcia warmed himself in the concessions tent at the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in Des Plaines, preparing for a five-hour walk back to his parish in Chicago.

Garcia was one of tens of thousands who journeyed  many on foot in the near-blizzard conditions  to Des Plaines' Maryville Academy campus, home to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to mark the annual two-day feast day celebration that opened Sunday night.

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Garcia said he doesn't mind the cold, but he knew some of his fellow congregants would struggle during the snowy trek back to their home parish, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Albany Park. He said those who falter would be helped along by fellow parishioners, and that's when "your faith really gets tested."

The pilgrimage is a symbol of sacrifice, he said, and "it's a way to pay back for what you've asked for" over the course of the year.

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The bad weather did deter some would-be pilgrims, and Garcia said he knows many families who didn't make it out this year to the annual celebration. Those who braved the snow gathered near the outdoor shrine bundled in heavy coats and blankets while some of the youngest among the crowd threw snowballs at each other.

Despite the snow, attendance numbers "have been steady," Des Plaines police Chief Bill Kushner said in an email. The feast drew about 300,000 worshipers last year, according to event organizers and police.

The Rev. James Heyd, who delivered an anti-abortion message at Mass on Sunday night to the predominantly Latino crowd inside the campus' gym, said he was heartened to see the many worshippers who braved the snow and ice to make it to the shrine.

The annual pilgrimage celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary before Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican, in 1531. Heyd said the importance of the holiday stems from the unity it inspired between the indigenous population in Mexico and Spanish Catholics.

"The heart of it is maternal love. (Our Lady of Guadalupe) has a great love and care for her people," he said. Today, Heyd said, the Des Plaines celebration is an important symbol of the unity that exists between Catholics in the U.S. and Mexico.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 People arrive in the snow for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe festival and pilgrimage in Des Plaines on Dec. 11, 2016. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Despite some of the anti-immigrant rhetoric espoused by President-elect Donald Trump during the campaign and his promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, Heyd said he believes unity will persist regardless of the coming presidential administration.

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Officials announced they had increased security for this year's festival.

Wheeling resident Aide Acosta said the annual pilgrimage is symbolic of the immigrant experience. Acosta, who has attended the Des Plaines celebration annually for the past four years, said worshippers were encouraged during the event's opening Mass to pray for the country's immigrants and especially those who are undocumented.

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She said the post-election era brings with it "new, different layers of challenges for the immigrant community."

Acosta was joined Sunday night by her husband and her mother-in-law, Glenview resident Mary Lou Leal, who said it was her first time attending the celebration. Leal said her favorite part of the religious event was witnessing thousands of people come together "from all walks of life."

"Seeing all these families, young and old, it's very impressive they'd come out in this weather," she said. "It just goes to show you the love they have for Our Lady."

At the shrine about 5 a.m. Monday, Chicago's archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich, celebrated Mass in Spanish.

Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter.
Investigators work Dec. 10, 2016, at the scene of the fatal plane crash at Meyer and Pleasant Grove roads in Marengo, Ill. (Joe Shuman / for the Chicago Tribune)

As the most prominent atheist in Illinois, Rob Sherman spent a tremendous amount of energy fighting for a big idea  the separation of church and state  no matter how unpopular his battles or seemingly small his targets.

Sherman took on cities from Wisconsin to Texas over public prayer and religious symbols on town crests. He railed against a blessing at the end of a school choir performance and a wooden cross on a church at a Naperville-owned historic village.

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He sued the Boy Scouts for making members pledge allegiance to God, and he tried in court to block a prayer at a 9/11 anniversary commemoration at the Daley Center in 2002.

Yet whatever fans and enemies he made along the way, observers said Sherman never seemed to be driven by anger.

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As authorities on Monday confirmed Sherman's death in a weekend single-engine plane crash in rural McHenry County, he was remembered for his humor as well as his passion about his political and atheist causes.

"He was dedicated to his causes, for sure," said Miriam "Mimi" Cooper, a school board member in Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214, a frequent target of Sherman's criticism. "Our politics were certainly not the same, but he was a very interesting man, very charming, very respectful."

Rob Sherman, a well-known athiest activist from Buffallo Grove, has been identified as the pilot killed in the Marengo small plane crash. Dec. 12. 2016. (CBS Chicago)

Sherman's other big passion was aviation, and he and his wife, Celeste, had recently moved from Buffalo Grove to a home near Poplar Grove Airport with its own hangar and taxiway.

Friday night, friends said, he was supposed to meet his wife at an Experimental Aircraft Association holiday party in Schaumburg but never showed up.

On Saturday morning, a passer-by spotted the wreckage of Sherman's plane in a field in rural Marengo. McHenry County authorities were unable to positively identify the remains until Monday. Sherman, who just this fall ran as the Green Party candidate for Illinois' 5th Congressional District, was 63.

Sherman's plane  a fixed-wing, light sport aircraft of a type the National Transportation Safety Board once sought to ground amid safety concerns  is sold both ready-to-fly and in kits for home builders. Authorities said Sherman's plane, Zenair Zodiac CH-601 XL, was manufactured, despite an earlier report that it was home-built.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and a preliminary report is expected by next week.

Between 2006 and April 2009, there were six instances, four in the United States and two in Europe, in which a Zodiac CH-601 XL broke apart in midair, killing a total of 10 people, according to NTSB news releases from 2009.

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The rash of fatal incidents led the NTSB to issue an "urgent safety recommendation" to the Federal Aviation Administration, asking the agency to ground the style of plane until the flight control issue was resolved. The FAA determined that it lacked "adequate justification to take immediate certificate action to ground the entire fleet," according to the NTSB. After another fatal incident in 2009, the FAA issued a bulletin strongly recommending that all owners and operators of Zodiac CH-601XL and CH-650 aircraft comply with a safety directive from the manufacturer.

The directive involved making structural modifications to the airplane and adding counterbalances to address suspected aerodynamic flutter.

Manufactured planes that didn't get the safety fix were effectively prohibited from flight.

Several friends and associates spoke of Sherman's enthusiasm for aviation.

At Poplar Grove Airport, about 17 miles from where the plane went down, Sherman operated a "builder assist center," called Rob Sherman Airplanes, where he offered use of his builder facilities and tools to those interested in building Zenith Aircraft Co. kits in exchange for a "modest fee," according to his website.

Sherman was active on an Experimental Aircraft Association's local chapter board and had worked with Young Eagles programs for youth interested in aviation.

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"The interesting thing is that for him to be such a (well-known) activist politically and in atheism, I never knew about that," said Bob Meyers, a fellow EAA board member. "He never discussed any of that.  He was a passionate aviator and that seemed to be another area of his life."

Indeed, for decades, Sherman was mainly known for his political activism, mainly through legal challenges against school districts, libraries and other public institutions.

David Silverman, president of American Atheists Inc., said the movement has lost an asset, and the country has lost a fighter for good. Sherman was a past state director and board member of the group.

"I've known Rob for all my 20 years as an activist. He was a proud fighter for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. He was a great activist and a great person," Silverman said in an email. "I've flown with him in that very plane when he gave me a tour of Chicago. He loved that plane and loved flying it."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 Investigators work Dec. 10, 2016, at the scene of a plane crash at Meyer and Pleasant Grove roads in Marengo, Ill. The pilot was killed. (Joe Shuman / for the Chicago Tribune)

Sherman ran for Congress for the Green Party on a platform appealing to secular voters, vowing to eliminate the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance and remove "In God We Trust" from U.S. currency. In a photo on his website, in an example of his often witty approach to issues, Sherman is pictured next to Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein and is wearing an airbrushed T-shirt with his likeness on a penny inscribed "In Rob We Trust."

George Milkowski, 50th Ward committeeman for the Illinois Green Party, said Sherman will be remembered as an "intensely passionate person who was not afraid" to speak his mind. Sherman, who once described himself as "175 pounds of walking, talking disbelief" in a 1993 Chicago Tribune interview, was regarded as "famous or infamous" depending on people's viewpoints, Milkowski said.

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"I think a lot of people felt his belief, or I should say lack of belief, really pushed him forward," Milkowski said.

The office supply dealer turned atheist advocate sparked controversy in 1987 when he challenged the city of Zion over its seal, which contained Christian symbols of a cross, dove and crown and a banner reading "God Reigns." Sherman assisted Clint Harris, a Zion resident and fellow atheist, with the litigation, which later involved Rolling Meadows as well.

His exploits and bumper-sticker candor earned him appearances on numerous talk shows including "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

In 1992, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which allowed the lower court ruling to stand, and the towns were ordered to drop the religious symbols.

Twenty-four years after the original suit, in 2011, the matter was brought back before a federal judge when Sherman and Harris claimed a city commissioner had paid for a newspaper ad using the old seal.

Sherman's children were no strangers to his advocacy efforts and legal ventures.

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In 1997, Sherman's son Richard, who was 15 at the time, sued the Boy Scouts of America for denying him membership because he refused to pledge allegiance to God.

The following year, Sherman was convicted of misdemeanor battery after he was accused of slapping his son. The elder Sherman was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge, a form of court supervision that included counseling.

In 2007, Sherman and his daughter Dawn, then a 14-year-old freshman at Buffalo Grove High School, sued Township High School District 214 over the state's new law mandating a moment of "silent prayer or silent reflection" at the start of classes. Two years later, a federal judge overturned the law when he ruled that it amounted to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion intended to bring prayer into public schools.

That victory for the Shermans was short-lived, however. A federal appeals court eventually revived the matter, opining that there is no harm in silence, which could be implemented for a practical purpose in calming students at the start of classes.

Cooper, the District 214 board member, recalled that Sherman had talked about being born and raised in the Jewish faith and could speak some Yiddish.

According to his website, Sherman also hosted a morning drive talk show on WJJG-1530 AM where topics ranged from politics to religion to pop culture. He chronicled every show on his website.

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In a 1986 Tribune profile of Sherman, he said, "Life is getting involved."

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He complained that he was frequently called a Communist, when he considered himself a "Constitution-thumping" capitalist.

Though his own son and daughter supported his causes when they were young, he conceded that even some of his own family members were not comfortable with his public battles, asking him to leave them out of it, saying he insulted their Jewish heritage. To protect his family, he kept an elaborate security system in his home and car.

He said he evolved to his adult skepticism over years during adolescence, which he spent in the Highland Park area. Around 1970, he said, at the behest of his parents he spent much of a year in the psychiatric wards of two hospitals, which he blamed on his atheist beliefs. Ultimately, though, despite conceding it made him a "social pariah," he stuck to his conclusion that God is "make-believe."

Freelance reporter Amanda Marrazzo contributed.

tbriscoe@chicagotribune.com

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rsobol@chicagotribune.com
A Cook County judge denied bail for a man accused of beating and robbing a 94-year-old World War II veteran inside her Southwest Side home, saying "the citizens of Chicago are not safe" with him on the street.



The attack is one of three robberies that Olajuwon Claiborne, a 26-year-old construction worker, is accused of committing. His victims in the two other robberies, two weeks apart in July, were a 65-year-old woman and a 32-year-old woman, according to prosecutors.



In the most recent case, Cook County Judge James Brown shook his head as he heard how Claiborne allegedly followed Josephine Regnier into her Garfield Ridge home around 11:50 a.m. and then punched her.



Regnier had been waiting outside for her daughter to take her to a dentist appointment but went back inside her home because she was cold.



"If ever there were a case  with the exception of first-degree murder  that demanded no bond, it is this case," Brown told Claiborne at his first court appearance Sunday. "The citizens of Chicago are not safe if Mr. Claiborne is allowed to walk the streets of Chicago."



Claiborne, dressed in blue sweatpants and a black hoodie, said nothing during the proceeding. He is charged with six counts related to the three robberies, including home invasion causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery of a victim over 60 years old.



Regnier suffered broken ribs, a head injury and a black eye, according to her family. She was released from the hospital on Saturday, but she continues to experience debilitating pain, screaming when she lies down, said her daughter, Judy Dusk.



Regnier served in the Navy for four years starting in 1945 in New York, where she would escort sailors to and from the ships for their deployments, Dusk said. Sometimes, Regnier would see men return from duty missing their limbs.



The attack was uncalled for, said Dusk, 55, who lives with her mom.



"He didn't have to (beat her)," Dusk said. "He could have just took her purse. She's in so much pain right now. He preys on the elderly."



After taking off with Regnier's purse, which only contained $50, Claiborne jumped into a black SUV that was reported stolen earlier and drove a block before crashing into a light post behind a pizza shop, authorities said.



Three cameras behind Villa Rosa Pizza, where Dusk also works as a delivery driver on the weekends, captured images of Claiborne fleeing on foot, Regnier's purse in hand, authorities said.



Disturbed by what happened, the owners of Villa Rosa, brothers Jimmy and Tommy Pieprzyca, offered a $5,000 reward for anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the man seen in their surveillance video.



Jimmy Pieprzyca, 42, said he wanted to do something to help regardless of who the victim was, but that the crime felt more personal after he learned it was his driver's mother.



"All of our workers are like family to me," he said Sunday. "I spend more time in this neighborhood than the neighborhood I live in. We want to keep it as safe as possible."



After posting the reward on Facebook, the restaurant was soon flooded with tips but nothing panned out until someone dialed in claiming that Claiborne contacted him for help fleeing the state.



The man, who said he was interested in the money because Christmas was approaching, told the brothers and the police he would participate in a sting to catch Claiborne, Jimmy Pieprzyca said. With the man's help, the Chicago police fugitive task force arrested Claiborne on Friday in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, where he lives in the 1500 block of East 69th Place, court records show.



Once in custody, Claiborne confessed on video to participating in the three robberies, a prosecutor said. He used the same car in the first two robberies. Police were able to trace the car to Claiborne after the victims provided the license plate number.



Claiborne has four felony convictions, prosecutors said. In 2009, Claiborne was convicted of robbery and sentenced to probation. He committed two armed robberies while on supervision and was resentenced to six years in prison, the prosecutor said. He also served two years in prison starting in 2014 on a theft conviction.



Dusk said she credits the Chicago police and the money offered by her employer for the arrest. An online fundraiser for Regnier raised more than $5,000.



Chicago Tribune's Elvia Malagon contributed.

echerney@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @ElyssaCherney
Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock departs from U.S. District Court in Springfield after his first court appearance since he was indicted Nov. 10. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

SPRINGFIELD  Ex-Republican Congressman Aaron Schock on Monday pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he improperly used campaign and taxpayer money to bankroll a lavish lifestyle, and said after the hearing that he was confident "justice will prevail."

It was Schock's first court appearance since a federal grand jury indicted him about a month ago on 24 felony counts that included charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, theft of government funds, making false statements, filing false reports with federal election officials and filing false tax returns.

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Schock appeared calm as he sat before U.S. District Judge Judge Sue E. Myerscough in a courthouse that sits kitty-corner from his old Springfield congressional office  a reminder of the stark turn of events for the once-promising politician.

Schock, 35, is accused of repeatedly pilfering campaign accounts and his House office budget for personal expenses including travel, a flight aboard a private plane to watch the Chicago Bears and even rent payments. He resigned from Congress in March 2015 as the investigation got underway.

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After the hearing, Schock and his attorneys recited brief statements asserting his innocence, but did not take questions.

"I look forward to all of the facts coming out in this case," Schock told reporters. "I have full confidence in my legal team, full confidence in the good people of this community and I'm confident that in the end, justice will prevail."

Much of the hearing was about the conditions that allow Schock to remain free as the case moves forward.

Schock will be allowed to travel internationally for work, but is required to surrender his passport to federal officials within 24 hours of returning from a trip. He must also alert his probation officer of any travel within the United States.

His attorneys dismissed the notion that Schock poses a flight risk, pointing to his age and ties to Illinois.

"He is certainly not going to throw his life away at age 35 by fleeing," said attorney Jeffrey Lang, who said Schock's primary residence is in Peoria but he also maintains a home in Los Angeles.

Schock's attorneys raised questions about restrictions aimed at preventing him from having contact with witnesses. They noted potential witnesses include family members such as his sister, who served as his campaign manager.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass said the rule was not designed to limit contact with family but to prevent Schock from discussing the case with potential witnesses. Bass said there was information that Schock had contact with a witness about their potential testimony.

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Ultimately, Bass agreed to provide a list of witnesses with whom Schock could not discuss the case, which the judge agreed to keep under seal.

There was also debate about Schock's access to several campaign accounts. Initially, federal prosecutors wanted to require court authorization for future expenditures from the accounts, which contain a combined $379,000. Prosecutors withdrew that request in an effort to reach an agreement on the matter with Schock's attorneys. Schock is using the funds to pay for his legal defense.

Myerscough set a trial date for Feb. 7 though defense attorneys suggested a date in August, noting the large volume of material to review. Myerscough said she was open to delaying the trial as needed.

Myerscough is a former Illinois appellate judge who considered running as a Democrat for the seat in Congress that Schock eventually won in 2008. President Barack Obama nominated her to the federal bench in 2010.

At the start of the hearing, she revealed that her daughter is engaged to an attorney at the same firm that employs one of Schock's lawyers. Neither side viewed the matter as a conflict of interest.

When Schock was asked if he had an issue with the situation, he told Myerscough "congratulations."

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mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @moniquegarcia
Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock talks to reporters Nov. 10, 2016, outside the Peoria Heights Village Hall. (Matt Dayhoff / AP)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield.

Topspin

Eight years after he first was elected to Congress, ex-Rep. Aaron Schock begins a new, challenging stage of life when he stands before a federal judge as a criminal defendant on Monday.

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The opening chapters in the case of the United States of America v. Aaron J. Schock will unfold before Judge Sue E. Myerscough in Springfield. Schock, a once-promising lawmaker from Peoria, is to make his initial court appearance and be arraigned at 3:30 p.m.

The 35-year-old Republican was indicted by a grand jury Nov. 10 on 24 felony counts. The federal indictment portrays Schock as using campaign and taxpayer money to bankroll a lavish lifestyle.

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Prosecutors accused him of repeatedly pilfering campaign accounts and his House office budget for personal expenses including travel, a flight aboard a private plane to watch the Chicago Bears and even rent payments.

The charges include wire fraud, mail fraud, theft of government funds, making false statements, filing false reports with federal election officials and filing false tax returns.

Usually, defendants waive their right to have the indictment read aloud in court  and Schock's indictment runs 52 pages. Schock will be asked to enter a plea on Monday. Based on his oft-stated insistence that he is innocent, a "not guilty" plea is a good bet.

Myerscough is a former Illinois appellate judge who considered running as a Democrat for the seat in Congress that Schock eventually won in 2008. President Barack Obama nominated her to the federal bench in 2010.

The judge must consider the terms of Schock's pretrial release. Federal law allows judges to set various conditions if a defendant is released before trial. The restrictions may relate to personal associations, place of abode or travel.

Whether the judge clips Schock's wings is an open question.

In a filing last week, prosecutors said that Schock, who quit Congress in March 2015, afterward traveled to Jamaica, Peru, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Canada and across the U.S. His defense team has said he works in real estate development with a firm involved in "large hospitality projects."

In setting conditions of release, judges also may forbid defendants from possessing firearms and from excessive use of alcohol or any use of narcotic drugs or controlled substances.

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Prosecutors said his trial could last four to six weeks with testimony from about 100 government witnesses. (Katherine Skiba)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel's public schedule was not available.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner will appear at a downtown lunch to discuss expanding opportunities in minority neighborhoods. He'll also host a Hanukkah event at the Thompson Center.

*Candidates for local offices in the April 4 election can start filing in Cook County and elsewhere. Filing for the February local primary election has already happened, and the race for mayor in Chicago isn't for two more years.

*The City Council's Finance and Zoning committees both are set to meet at 10 a.m.

What we're writing

*The FBI told the Illinois Republican Party in June its email had been hacked.

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*Illinois Lottery's biggest scratch-offs didn't award 40 percent of grand prizes, Tribune finds.

*Two lawsuits over fatal shootings by Chicago police being settled for about $3M each.

*Chicago to pay $3.8M as part of Fire Department gender bias case.

*Chicago merchants want Emanuel, aldermen to allow menthol cigarette sales near grade schools.

*Rahm rules out DNC chair run.

What we're reading

*Impact of Chicago's violence on girls in toughest neighborhoods often overlooked.

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*Sterling Bay completes deal for massive Finkl Steel site (Trivia: Rod Blagojevich announced his campaign for governor here).

*Finch Beer upheaval continues as it leaves brewpub, closes brewery, moves to new digs.

From the notebook

*The Sunday Spin: On this week's show, Chicago Tribune political writer Rick Pearson's guests were incoming WTTW-Ch. 11 correspondent Amanda Vinicky; Democratic state Treasurer Michael Frerichs; and author/educator Michael Golden. Listen to the full show here.

Follow the money

*State Rep. Ann Williams, a Chicago Democrat, reported $11,000 in contributions, including $5,000 from the Illinois Education Association's political arm.

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*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

*Donald Trump denies CIA report that Russia intervened to help him win election.

*Just before Trump blasted Air Force One deal, Boeing pledged $1M for inauguration.

*Kurdish militant group claims responsibility for Istanbul bombings that killed 38.

*South Korea embarks on period of uncertainty with leader's impeachment.


A handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency on December 12, 2016, shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) offering his condolences to Egypt's Coptic Pope Tawadros II in the end of the funeral of the victims of a bomb explosion that targeted a Coptic Orthodox Church the previous day in Cairo. (Stringer / AFP/Getty Images)

CAIRO  President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Monday that a suicide bomber was responsible for an attack that killed 24 worshipers at Cairo's Coptic cathedral complex during Sunday Mass as outrage grew among Egypt's Christian minority.

Speaking to hundreds of mourners at a state funeral, Sissi said that the bomber wore a vest packed with explosives and that four people suspected of aiding him had been arrested. Security forces were looking for two people with possible links to the attack, he said.

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The country's interior ministry described the alleged bomber as a 22-year-old man from the town of Fayoum, 60 miles south of the capital, Cairo. It also released a picture of what it said was the bomber's head.

At least 49 people were wounded in the explosion at the Botrosiya Church, which is also known as the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The church is adjacent to St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

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Men carry a coffin of a victim of the Sunday cathedral bombing after a funeral service held at the Virgin Mary Church, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Egyptians held prayers for 25 Christians killed the day before at a church next to the city's main Coptic cathedral in what was one of the deadliest attacks on the religious minority in recent memory. (Nariman El-Mofty / AP)

The attack was the deadliest on Christians since a suicide bomber killed 23 congregants at a church in Alexandria on Jan. 1, 2011.

Health Ministry officials lowered the death toll by one, to 24, suggesting that the bomber had initially been counted among the victims. Many of the dead were women and children.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, and Sissi did not name any suspected organizations as being involved. But the attack bore the hallmarks of Islamic extremists, including Egypt's Islamic State affiliate, who have been behind numerous attacks on soldiers, policemen and government officials, as well as Christians, across the country this year.

"The attack brought us great pain, but we will never be torn apart," Sissi told the mourners. "God willing, we will win this war."

Sissi, along with Pope Tawadros, led a procession in which soldiers carried the coffins, draped in the national flag, to the state funeral. Earlier, a service was held at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius Church in Cairo.

After praying over the coffins, Pope Tawadros sought to defuse the mounting anger among Christians, who make up 10 percent of the population. The community has long felt discriminated against by the country's Muslims, and successive authoritarian governments.

Attacks against Christians have spiked since the 2011 populist revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, and especially after the military overthrew an elected Islamist government in 2013.

After the bombing Sunday, a crowd of Christians outside the cathedral angrily denounced the police and the government for not protecting them.

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"This calamity is not against the church but against the homeland, against all of Egypt," Pope Tawadros told the mourners. "Those who commit acts such as this do not belong to Egypt at all, even if they are on its land."

On Monday, Sissi called for stricter anti-terrorism laws but dismissed public accusations that Egypt's security forces had not adequately protected the church.

Human rights activists urged the government to conduct a proper investigation of the bombing and to protect the Christian community as the holiday season approaches.

"Egypt's government needs to ensure immediate protection for the Coptic community, especially during the upcoming Christmas holiday," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "The victims deserve a credible, transparent investigation that brings the perpetrators to justice and is crucial for ending such attacks."

Washington Post
Nobel Prize winner James Heckman's research has played an important role in establishing that high-quality public preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds can more than pay for itself over the long term, as low-income children who attend are more likely to live productive lives. It's an economic argument that has persuaded lawmakers from both parties to support early education initiatives.

Now Heckman has released new research showing that the return on investment is even higher for high-quality programs that care for low-income children from infancy to age 5. Children in such zero-to-five programs are more likely to graduate from high school, less likely to be incarcerated than their counterparts who stayed home or enrolled in low-quality programs, had higher IQs and were healthier during the course of their lives, according to the study released Monday.

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All of that taken together leads to a significant savings to society, the study found.

The rate of return on the public investment in zero-to-five programs is 13 percent per year, Heckman and his colleagues estimate, up from an estimate of 7 percent to 10 percent per year for preschool programs that start at age 3.

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The more comprehensive zero-to-five programs cost about $18,500 per year for each child enrolled - more than the average public school district spends per pupil in grades K through 12. But for every dollar invested, the program generated a societal benefit of $6.30, according to Heckman.

He said the findings suggest that policymakers could make a bigger difference in the lives of poor children with early-childhood education programs that begin far earlier in their lives, when children are just eight weeks old.

"As an economist, I always find it very odd that people only focus on the costs of a program rather than the benefits," Heckman said. "This is very strong evidence for supporting this kind of program going forward."

Some analysts have challenged the notion that modern public policy should be built around studies of the effects of small, costly programs that cared for children four decades ago, pointing to studies of Head Start and other early education initiatives that have found no lasting impact.

And not everyone is on board with extending taxpayer-provided education to children younger than kindergarten. Speaking earlier this month in the District of Columbia, Bill Bennett, former U.S. education secretary under Ronald Reagan, said he's inclined to focus on fixing K-12 education first.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed tax credits to help working parents pay for day care, but his program is focused on easing families' financial burden rather than on providing high-quality education for babies and toddlers. He has said little about early childhood initiatives, other than to express skepticism about the cost to taxpayers of the universal preschool programs his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton favored.

Heckman's new research is based on results from two North Carolina programs that began in the 1970s and then tracked their graduates' lives through age 35. The two programs - the Carolina Abecedarian Project and the Carolina Approach to Responsive Education - were very similar, enrolling low-income African American infants when they were eight weeks old and caring for them five days a week, 50 weeks a year, until age 5.

Children enrolled in the programs got regular medical checkups, giving their families a better chance of addressing problems early. And because the children were cared for full-time, their mothers - most of whom were single parents - were more likely to get further education and advance at work, boosting their income.

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"It has two generations' impact," Heckman said.

Graduates of the zero-to-five programs also had higher IQs than their counterparts who did not enroll, Heckman said. Preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds have not been shown to have any such effect on IQ.

The two programs initially enrolled about 200 children, a number that diminished as some moved or dropped out for other reasons. Their lives and outcomes were compared to the lives and outcomes of a control group of children, including some who stayed home with their mothers and others who attended low-quality day care.

How to define and measure "quality" has been a matter of debate among early childhood educators. Heckman said the defining characteristic of a high-quality program, more than a certain staffing ratio or training regimen, is empathetic adults who engage meaningfully with their young charges, giving them personalized attention as they grow and develop.

Boys who received low-quality care had significantly worse life outcomes, including in health, than boys who stayed home with their mothers, according to the study. Girls did not suffer in the same way from spending time in low-quality arrangements.

Heckman said that might be due to the fact that young boys are, in general, slower than girls to develop skills such as self-control, making them more vulnerable to chaotic environments.

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"Quality is probably more of an issue for boys than for girls," Heckman said. "There's no question about it that certain kinds of warehouse activity for children - not locking them up in a closet or putting them into Romanian orphanages, but putting them into large groups of children, not even interacting - can lead to harmful consequences," he said.

He said that boys and girls could benefit from early-childhood policies tailored to their differences, but acknowledged that might be a hard sell: "People don't want to talk about these gender differences," he said.

The new research has not yet been submitted to a journal for peer review. It received funding from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund; the Pritzker Children's Initiative; the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics; the National Institutes of Health; the Hymen Milgrom Supporting Organization; the Institute for New Economic Thinking; and the American Bar Foundation.
LYNN, Ark.  Authorities say an 8-year-old boy who was playing in a church cemetery in Lynn, Arkansas, was killed after a tombstone broke and fell on top of him.



The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office says the boy was attending a birthday party at the church Saturday afternoon when the accident happened in the town of Lynn, about 100 miles northeast of Little Rock. Detective Andrew Turner tells Jonesboro television station KAIT http://bit.ly/2hlgSzd the boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.



Turner says investigators do not believe foul play was involved. The boy's name hasn't been released.



The church's pastor, Jeff Neely, says the boy was "full of life" and "just an 8-year-old rambunctious young man." He says church members plan to support the boy's family, both financially and in prayer.



Associated Press
This file photo taken on November 10, 2016 shows a newspaper featuring a photo of President-elect Donald Trump at a news stand in Beijing. (Greg Baker / AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese state media criticized President-elect Donald Trump on Monday after he hinted his administration might toss aside four decades of U.S. policy and not consider Taiwan part of one, united China.

The Global Times, in a biting editorial, called Trump "as ignorant as a child in terms of foreign policy" and warned him against a move that could rupture U.S.-China relations: "Listen clearly, the One-China policy cannot be traded."

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Trump's comments on Fox News on Sunday morning took aim at Beijing just a week after he broke with long-standing precedent and accepted a call from Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen.

"I fully understand the One-China policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a One-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump said.

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Trump's call with Tsai marked the first direct contact between an incoming or current American president and Taiwan's leader since the U.S. broke off formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979. Beijing considers the self-governing island a breakaway province and opposes any country's attempt to recognize it. Both view themselves as the rightful governments of a united Chinese state.

Beijing lodged an official protest after the conversation but has not gone much further.

Trump told Fox News it would have appeared disrespectful not to take Tsai's phone call. "Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" he said on the news network.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 12, 2016. (Susan Walsh / AP)

NEW YORK  Congress' top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIA's belief that Russia meddled in last month's election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.

"The Russians are not our friends," declared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as GOP leaders steered toward a path contrasting starkly with the president-elect's belittling dismissal of the spy agency's assessment and his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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The Senate's intelligence panel, led by Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct a bipartisan inquiry, according to McConnell, who also expressed support for a related probe by the Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Though declining to say whether he believes Russia tried tilting the election toward Trump, McConnell said, "I hope that those who are going to be in positions of responsibility in the new administration share my view" about Moscow.

Shortly afterward, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a statement backing an investigation the House Intelligence Committee has already started on cyber threats posed by foreign countries and extremist groups. He called any Russian intervention "especially problematic because under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests."

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Underscoring the possible collisions ahead between Trump and the men leading his party in Congress, McConnell and Ryan struck tones markedly more confrontational toward Russia than he has.

Trump on Sunday called the CIA's contention "ridiculous" and blamed the disclosures concerning its assessment on Democrats who he said were embarrassed over losing last month's election.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., released a letter Monday to National Intelligence Director James Clapper complaining that recent reports of the CIA's conclusion clashed with Clapper's prior statement that he lacked "good insight" about the connection between Russian hacking of Democratic campaign documents and their release by WikiLeaks. Nunes requested a briefing on the subject for this week.

The GOP leaders expressed their views after a weekend in which Trump also said he would not need daily intelligence briefings, a staple of presidents' days for decades and a flouting of a convention common for presidential transitions.

Meanwhile, Trump continued his cavalcade of meetings in his Trump Tower offices in New York on Monday with potential appointees for his new administration and other leading GOP, congressional and corporate figures. Among them was Carly Fiorina, who unsuccessfully vied with Trump this year for their party's nomination.

Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, was there to discuss national security issues and is seen by some Trump advisers as a candidate to be director of national intelligence, overseeing the government's 17 intelligence agencies. She chaired an external CIA advisory board under President George W. Bush but has not worked for the federal government.

Fiorina said her conversation with Trump included "hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking."

Others meeting with Trump included moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, No. 3 House GOP leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another GOP presidential contender whom Trump defeated.

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The campaign chairman for defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged the Obama administration Monday to reveal what it knows about any Russian efforts to help Trump win. John Podesta, whose emails were stolen and posted online, said the administration "owes it to the American people" to release details of the intrusions, which included the hacking of Democratic Party files.

Podesta said the Clinton campaigns also supports a call by 10 of the 538 members of the Electoral College for Clapper to provide information that intelligence agencies have gathered on the subject.

All 10 are unlikely to vote for Trump when the Electoral College meets next Monday. Nine are Democrats, and Texas Republican Chris Suprun has said he won't vote for Trump.

Other Democrats calling for congressional investigations of Russia's role in the elections include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

"There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions," she said.

McConnell said he has "the highest confidence" in U.S. intelligence agencies and said it "defies belief" that Senate Republicans would be reluctant to scrutinize Russian tactics. He recounted Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, said Baltic nation leaders are nervous about Moscow and pointedly praised NATO, the alliance that Trump criticized repeatedly during his campaign.

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"I think we ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well," McConnell said.

In a nod to the Trump assertion about Democrats' motives, Ryan said the congressional inquiries "should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election."

As expected, Trump's transition team formally announced he would name Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, 56, to head the White House National Economic Council. The council provides policy advice to the president.

Trump's team also said he'd picked Gen. John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly is a former commander of U.S. Southern Command.

Associated Press
BEIJING  Donald Trump is talking about Taiwan again - and so is China, in angry and mocking comments Monday that questioned whether the president-elect grasps a core element of relations between the world's top economic powers.

In an interview broadcast Sunday, Trump said the United States would not necessarily be bound by the one-China policy - the diplomatic understanding that underpins ties between Washington and Beijing and that leaves China's rival Taiwan on the diplomatic sidelines with the United States.

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Trump suggested the policy could be revisited unless America could "make a deal," potentially on trade between the two countries.

The remark elicited a sharp response from Beijing, with the Foreign Ministry expressing "serious concern" and a party-controlled newspaper calling the president-elect "as ignorant as a child."

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By appearing to treat Taiwan as just a bargaining chip for trade deals, he may also have irked Taipei, experts said.

The comment came less than two weeks after the president-elect made headlines by taking a phone call from Taiwan's leader, Tsai Ing-wen, a surprise move that was interpreted by some as a high-stakes slip-up and by others as an overdue show of support for a democratic friend.

Trump's latest foray into East Asian affairs came when he was asked by "Fox News Sunday" about the planning for the Dec. 2 call. He said that he learned about the call "an hour or two" before it took place but that he understood the stakes.

"I fully understand the one- China policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," he said.

"I mean, look," he continued, "we're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation; with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them; with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing; and, frankly, with not helping us at all with North Korea."

"I don't want China dictating to me," he said.

Since winning the U.S. presidential election, Trump's public comments and tweets on East Asian politics have put the region on edge and thrown the future of U.S.-China and U.S.-Taiwan relations into question.

When Trump took a call from Tsai, he broke with decades of diplomatic practice - indeed, it was the first such call since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. The call was condemned by China, which lodged an official complaint in Washington.

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State Department spokesman John Kirby said the Obama administration remains "firmly committed" to the one-China policy, even as he acknowledged that the U.S. stance may change in less than six weeks if the new administration pursues an entirely different policy.

"We have continued what has been a bipartisan approach for the past 40 years with respect to a one-China policy, and this administration continues to believe that serves our national security interests in the best possible way," he said. "The next administration, the president-elect, will have to make these decisions for himself and for themselves."

A Monday editorial in the Global Times, a state-controlled newspaper known for its strident nationalism, suggested that Trump ought to read some books on U.S.-China ties. It also warned that if the United States abandoned the one-China policy, Beijing would have no reason to "put peace above using force to take back Taiwan."

"China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him," the editorial said. "Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception.

"Many people might be surprised at how the new U.S. leader is truly a 'businessman' through and through," the paper said. "But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child."

Su Hao, director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, said Trump's comment was a "careless and irresponsible" act that could "shake the foundation of the bilateral relationship."

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The stance on Taiwan, he said, is not open for negotiation. "International politics is not business. Not everything is on the table for trade."

Taiwan might actually agree - but for different reasons.

Many in Taipei hailed the call between Trump and Tsai as a breakthrough - a sign that the thriving democracy might finally get the U.S. backing it says it deserves. They did not see the call as a slip-up or a diplomatic gaffe but rather as the product of a Republican-led recalibration of U.S. foreign policy that has been years in the making.

William Stanton, a career diplomat who served as de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan from 2009 to 2012 and now heads the Center for Asia Policy at Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University, said Trump's comment Sunday seemed to throw that idea into question by treating Taiwan's status as just an element of trade negotiations.

"Either he doesn't know what he is talking about, or he is endangering the status that Taiwan has always had in U.S. policy," he said. "Having done a good thing, from my point of view, Trump has undone it."

Wu Jieh-min, an associate research fellow at Taipei's Academia Sinica, said the United States should not use Taiwan as a means to an end.

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"Trump's call with President Tsai may signal a possible readjustment of the U.S. policy toward Taiwan and China respectively," he said.

"But from the perspective of the Taiwanese people," he said, "the legitimate principle should be that Taiwan should not be used as something for trade between the great powers."

The Washington Post's Luna Lin contributed from Beijing.
Charles J. Johnson (yellow sweater) with his brother and two cousins, left, at the National Civil Rights Museuem at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. in the early 90s. (Johnson family photo)

Sitting in a Birmingham, Ala., jail cell in 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. penned an open letter to local white clergy who had spoken out against the methods of public demonstration that landed King in lockup.

The letter includes lines devoted to what King described as his frustration with "the white moderate who prefers a negative peace, which is the absence of tension, to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice."

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"Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will," King wrote. "Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."

King is my first and still my highest hero. One of my earliest memories is visiting the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., with my biracial cousins. Our family trips to the site of his public murder (my mother, raised in Memphis, had turned 8 that month) stand as testament to his legacy.

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Yet I find myself more and more in the previously unfamiliar territory of the white moderate King described, my temperature for social justice growing tepid, my understanding of what defines equality more shallow.

What moved American society in the direction of equality used to be an engine powered by laws and courts, but the engine now seems to run on a fuel of "identity politics"  the idea that our experiences and thus our political philosophies are inherently rooted in identifiers such as race and gender. It says the deliberate elevation of the policy proposals and worldviews of historically oppressed groups should be the primary means of righting America's social wrongs.

Broadly speaking, it's affirmative action for political and cultural ideas.

I blanched when Kanye West's erratic boasts and stage-storming were discounted as black self-love that I couldn't understand as a privileged white person in a white-dominated culture. My head swam when Ryan Lochte's shameful behavior in Brazil was attributed by many on the left to his color and/or gender, as if no woman has ever acted like an entitled jerk or athlete of color lied to a reporter after too much to drink.

These examples are not the most important conversations we're having, but in my white liberal echo chamber, they are the most visible, the loudest. And this identity-driven political focus is not limited to eye-rollable outrage about whether sushi night in the Oberlin dining hall is offensive cultural appropriation. It has an impact in the ballot box.

I know people who voted for Dorothy Brown for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court specifically because she was a black woman, and because having a historically marginalized person in a position of authority would be, by their definition, progress. That her office is being investigated by the feds for public corruption, and that a former employee of hers pleaded guilty to perjury in this investigation, were secondary to the fact her opponent in the primary was a white male.

People stand in booths to vote in the New Hampshire primary at a polling station in Laconia on Feb. 9, 2016. (Michael Reynolds / EPA)

I understand the temptation to be dismissive here.

The white male feels excluded? Welcome to the club, pal.

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But I'd offer this: Assume you're right.

Assume we white moderates, especially men, don't understand your identity as a woman or a person of color. Assume we can never suffer the heartbreak of racism, the endless frustration of sexism. Assume we can't count the long list of bitten tongues, balled fists and silent counts to 10. Assume no amount of explaining, of which you're no doubt exhausted, will ever do justice to your place in American society.

Assume many, maybe most of us, are just lost to some degree, wrapped up in privilege, blissfully blind and ignorantly angry.

Now what?

The math is not favorable. Outside of November 2012, voter participation among whites is the highest in the country. And while women vote more regularly than men, many of them rejected Hillary Clinton's overt appeal as a glass-ceiling breaker. One day the country will probably be "majority minority," but that day is no day close.

If we can't or won't understand your identity, then maybe constructing the "positive peace" requires a return to our original building blocks.

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We white moderates can understand medieval police union contracts that insulate cops from even basic oversight and breed insularity and criminal levels of collusion among officers. We can understand why civilian-staffed boards should oversee these departments, much like they oversee the military.

We can understand drug addiction, albeit long after it would have been helpful to the black Americans ravaged by heroin in the 1970s and crack cocaine in the '80s. We are suffering that same scourge today with alcohol, pills and dope, and stand humbled at how wrong we were to think we could or should arrest our way out of this problem.

We can understand the need for sentencing reform, drug courts and public money for treatment, and why a nonviolent felony conviction should not revoke your voice at the ballot box for life.

We can understand how it feels to work for less than you think you're worth. We see the value of labor laws that require the collection of wage data for male and female workers, and that makes it available not only to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but to current and prospective employees.

Maybe the white moderate can't feel the deep groans of black, Latino or female identity. If so, a movement based on feeling those feelings seems likely to fail. A movement based on definable policy goals is a vision that I, apparently the white moderate, still feel I can understand and am hopeful about sharing.

charjohnson@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter: @Charliemagne
In Los Angeles in 1982, I stumbled upon a math teacher named Jaime Escalante. He was helping large numbers of low-income Hispanic students master calculus and pass the Advanced Placement exam.

Such high achievement in urban schools was unusual then. It still is. Our national education policy has mostly ignored high fliers and focused instead on getting low-performing students up to grade level. But just as the new Escalante postage stamps are shining a light on his achievements, the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is finally giving states an opportunity to encourage their most-accomplished students.

A report by the Fordham Institute, "High Stakes for High Achievers: State Accountability in the Age of ESSA," describes in detail how states could make this happen. Then the report laments how badly almost all of them are doing at it, particularly in the Washington area:

- Just four states  Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho and Oregon  currently base at least half of a school's rating on how much all students, including those at the top, have improved. Most have stuck with the old way of measuring just the percentage of students reaching a proficiency mark. That ignores increased achievement at the upper end of the scale.

- Just five states  Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Wyoming  separately report the progress of high-achieving students. Just 14 states give extra credit for students who reach an advanced level on state tests.

- Maryland and Virginia, the report says, currently do little to rate the progress of high-achieving students, though Maryland state education department spokesman William Reinhard said his state is making changes and said the Fordham report might be premature.

- The District of Columbia is using a model that gives schools extra credit for students who reach an advanced level, but it does not report their progress separately and does not report how much all students have improved.

Sadly, federal regulators are making it even more difficult to do the right thing. The Fordham scholars  Michael Petrilli, David Griffith, Brandon Wright and Audrey Kim  say that the District and the 14 states that currently give extra credit for students at the advanced level would be violating U.S. Education Department draft rules if they continue to do so.

The report praises the previous federal No Child Left Behind law for making schools accountable in some way. But that law fixed on the percentage reaching the proficiency mark and little else.

"There was absolutely no incentive to worry about the achievement of those who had already reached, or were likely to reach, that bar," the report says. "To put it bluntly, NCLB did some good for America's struggling pupils, but for high achievers, it mostly hit the education pause button. ... Those most victimized by this regime were high-achieving poor and minority students  kids who were dependent on the school system to cultivate their potential and accelerate their achievement."

I produce an annual list, America's Most Challenging High Schools, that ranks high schools based on participation rates in college-level AP, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge exams. Escalante, made famous by the film "Stand and Deliver," inspired a national movement to help more students reach that level.

But in elementary schools and middle schools, the subject of the Fordham report, the best students don't get as much of a challenge, usually no more than an occasional gifted class. "The country's future economic competitiveness, scientific leadership, and national security depend on how successfully we maximize the learning of our ablest children," the report says.

In the past, many states proved themselves incapable of raising standards beyond what federal rules forced on them. The District  plus Maryland, Virginia, and the rest of the states  should not make this same mistake again. They have an opportunity under the new law to make it more likely that their best students will reach their full potential. They should seize it.
We're nearly a month past Election Day, yet many on the left are still trying to figure out how Hillary Clinton could have possibly lost the presidency to Donald Trump. The cycle of grief has moved from denial to anger  self-flagellation, in many cases  as liberals scrutinize beliefs previously held dear in order to single out whichever one proved so damnably traitorous.

The most common suspect? "Identity politics." Clinton lost, and liberals are failing more broadly, because they relied too heavily on narrow appeals. Rather than reaching out to broader segments of the electorate, this argument goes, Democrats spent far too much time currying favor with interest groups: women, minorities and LGBT voters, to name a few. This line of thinking has also been extended to explain the growth of the white nationalist alt-right  in this interpretation, these are simply people fed up with being sidelined by this flowering of "identity politics" who have decided in turn to assert an identity of their own, however repugnant.

The proposed solution, at least from some camps: Quit with this "fixation" on diversity. Abandon appeals to identity and focus on some larger vision, values that all Americans can agree on. Difference is fine, but let's hold off on the marginal issues for now. Rather than thinking about things that might divide us, let's join hands and proclaim that All Identities Matter  or maybe that none do.

It's understandable why the identity-politics explanation for failure  and its attendant solution  is so attractive. So many of us are still flummoxed by Trump's win, an abrupt bend in the path toward a delightfully progressive future. It would be comforting to blame this unpleasant surprise on a single political miscalculation. Not just coincidentally, the fact that this particular miscalculation could be dispensed with minimal cost to the majority makes it all the more attractive as a scapegoat.

Identity politics are for people who are defined by their identities, this dismissal goes. America should be bigger than that. Perhaps, but those defined by their identities are Americans too.

It's not so shocking that questions of identity are important to those whose identity shapes  often negatively  the way they are allowed to move through the world and pursue the values that identity's detractors would urge us to focus on instead. If African-Americans find it disproportionately difficult to take advantage of liberal promises of life, freedom and economic opportunity because of their identity, it stands to reason that identity remains a concern. And while not all Americans can relate, this doesn't make black people's concerns false, or less worthy of urgent conversation. The same can be said for women, immigrants and LGBT Americans.

In fact, those arguing for a diminishing of questions of identity in political discussion are asking those who don't share their privileged position to wait their turn, as though justice delayed isn't still justice denied. Citizens for whom race, gender, sexuality or even religion are important are encouraged to work within and thereby prop up a system that doesn't serve their needs, assuming that solutions will eventually arrive quietly and trickle down despite decades of evidence to the contrary.

It's a familiar pitting of practicality against idealism, in a system where pathways and outcomes remain skewed. What is the best approach to making sure the promises of liberalism are available to all: staying within the established system, one that still tends to benefit white American males, in hopes that appealing to their broader interests will eventually produce results for others? Or focusing first on those whose identities don't quite fit the mainstream, with the risk of alienating a still powerful establishment? (Doing so may well lead to backlash and a stalling of progress overall  shown most clearly by the surprising rise of Trump.)

In the end, the current back-and-forth over whether concerns of identity are overrepresented or are more essential than ever brings into sharp relief liberalism's necessary balancing act among varying groups' concerns. It's one that will need to be renegotiated constantly and carefully as the United States grows more diverse and its citizens grow more vocal, and as those who were previously unaffected by the concerns facing those in minority groups find those concerns occasionally taking precedence over their own.

In a better world, these shifts wouldn't be controversial or even necessary. And it's tempting to idealize America as a sort of happy melting pot, where difference is easily subsumed under citizenship and we all support each other's goals. But politics has never functioned this way, and certainly not in the United States. In fact, what should we call the renewed focus on the white working-class male but an example of identity politics in action, and one seen as legitimate? To pretend today that the pathway to a better republic is simply to ignore the concerns of certain identity groups is naive, and churlish in its attempt to place the blame for a particular failure on the shoulders of a few.

From our country's founding, groups have competed for influence and championed their own concerns, often to our great benefit. While we may hope to get to a place where the arguments against identity politics outweigh the arguments for them, we're not there yet.
Here are three things President Donald Trump and Congress can do in 2017 to help Illinois. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Illinois' pension debt skyrocketed this year to $130 billion, up from $111 billion in 2015.

To put this problem in context: By the time you finish reading this article, the state's unfunded pension liabilities  retirement benefits we've promised but cannot pay for  will have increased by more than $100,000.

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Illinois is marching toward insolvency, yet politicians remain unfazed.

What's a state to do? Perhaps the new Congress and incoming president can help.

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While Illinois remains at a standstill, the incoming Congress seems ready to shed its "do nothing" nickname and work with President-elect Donald Trump. We should seize upon this opportunity before it dissipates.

So here are three things the new Congress and President Trump can do to help Illinois:

1. Turn federal dollars for education into scholarships for kids.

Six years ago, Illinois considered allowing state money for education to follow students to any school they choose, private or public. Parents whose children were assigned to the lowest-performing public schools in Chicago would have been given the opportunity to use that money to send their children elsewhere. But the measure failed, and the effort has not been revived.

Instead, children's educational options have become more limited. The most recent Chicago Teachers Union contract, for example, actually prohibits the city from increasing the number of charter schools.

The federal government sends money to Illinois every year to be used for education. That money belongs to students.

Betsy DeVos is a smart pick for U.S. secretary of education. When her appointment is approved, she should work with Congress to "voucher-ize" federal dollars for education. Turn this money into scholarships that families can spend on a school or educational program of their choice.

Chicago Public Schools students would be in line for approximately $2,200 each, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Your typical student in Illinois could receive $1,100.

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It's not a lot of money, and of course a state voucher program would yield thousands more dollars per student  perhaps enough to cover the tuition at many nonpublic schools. But we don't have time to wait for the Illinois legislature; kids need that money now, and federal dollars offer a good starting point.

2. Allow states to file for bankruptcy.

Congress should amend federal bankruptcy law to help states with massive public pension debt, such as Illinois. In doing so, it also should recognize taxpayers as a "party of interest."

Illinois has a $10.5 billion backlog of unpaid bills. The state also is on track to spend $8 billion more this fiscal year than it will take in because of court orders, continuing appropriations and a six-month "stopgap budget" set to expire soon. The state's mounting pension debt sits on top of all this.

Every family in Illinois is on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in pension costs that we didn't have a say in, and which far surpass what we in the private sector will ever have access to. It's also hard to stomach that the state keeps promising new pension benefits to teachers, state employees and other government workers when we know full well we can't afford to pay for them.

Does this mean bankruptcy is the right option for Illinois? Maybe, maybe not.

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We know this, however: If lawmakers do nothing about the pension problem, eventually the pension funds will run out of money and the state won't be able to write pension checks.

That is what happens when politicians make $130 billion of promises they cannot keep.

Perhaps the option of bankruptcy will spur opponents of reform to agree to a solution outside of bankruptcy court. If not, then bankruptcy can help Illinois get a handle on its finances the way the same way it helped American Airlines, major cities across the country and millions of Americans.

3. Appoint a U.S. Supreme Court justice who will end forced unionization in government jobs.

In most states, government workers can decide for themselves whether they'd like to join or pay money to a union at their workplace. Not in Illinois.

Which means that if you work for state government and aren't happy with the fact that contract negotiations have gone on almost two years without resolution, that your retirement security is basically nil and that your union just went to court to block your bonus checks  tough. Your union is your union, whether you like it or not.

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Not every state employee in Illinois wants to work under such a thick cloud of uncertainty or with such poor representation. Imagine coming to work month after month, not knowing if you'll be told to walk off the job and strike without pay and benefits because you're told to by union leaders whom you don't know and who don't know you.

Many speculate that public-sector "right to work" would have become law of the land were it not for the untimely death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February of this year. Trump should appoint, and the U.S. Senate should approve, a U.S. Supreme Court justice who will rule in favor of public-sector right-to-work laws. State workers in Illinois deserve the same workplace rights as their counterparts in Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Diana Sroka Rickert is a writer with the Illinois Policy Institute. The opinions in this essay are her own.
Over the past few weeks, there has been talk both of funding infrastructure projects and defunding Medicaid, at least in part. I recently saw a patient who reminded me that Medicaid itself provides an essential kind of infrastructure.

His black beard pointed stiffly down his chest. At the middle of his sternum, it flowered out into plastic beads, strung on the dozens of rosaries he wore about his neck. Red, yellow and green beads flashed as he yelled, "Go, go, go on, and get me out of here."

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A few years ago, before the expansion of Medicaid, we would have. We knew that if this patient stayed in the hospital, we could extinguish his mania and treat his acute injuries. We also knew that extended hospitalization was futile without access to ongoing care as an outpatient, so we often gave patients like him the green light for discharge.

He was homeless, mentally ill and uninsured. Back then, the last of those problems often seemed the most insurmountable.

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So patients like this one cycled between the street, where acute ailments often became permanent disabilities, and the hospital, where they received expensive acute care without access to cost-effective primary care.

The Affordable Care Act, and our state's acceptance of the Medicaid expansion, transformed the lives of people such as this patient. It also transformed hospitals like the one where I practice.

When I started working at Denver Health, an academic safety-net system in downtown Denver, most of the patients I met were uninsured, so routine care was not readily available outside of safety-net institutions.

Safety-net systems have long cared for the uninsured, the underinsured and the publicly insured, so they think of themselves as our nation's essential hospitals. Denver Health is a western cousin of safety-net systems such as Atlanta's Grady Health, where Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of health and human services, practiced orthopedic surgery. Safety-net systems such as Grady Health and Denver Health provide the care you rarely see advertised on a billboard or announced on a newspaper's front page  services such as paramedic response, public health, trauma care and care for people with serious mental illnesses.

Before the Medicaid expansion, our bearded patient used all of those services. The paramedics transported him in crisis to our psychiatric unit. The public-health department treated his sexually transmitted infections, and the trauma surgeons stitched him up after accidents.

Before the expansion, Medicaid eligibility depended upon income, disability and family status. Rules varied by state, but childless adults such as this patient rarely qualified for services.

In the District of Columbia and the 31 states that have accepted the ACA'S Medicaid expansion, patients like ours now qualify on income alone, and doctors like me can deliver the most powerful medical breakthrough possible for them: access to care.

In Colorado, the Medicaid expansion halved the number of uninsured. In Denver, 94 percent of residents are now insured. At Denver Health, half our patients now receive Medicaid, which has enabled us to add physicians, integrate behavioral health into primary care, provide care in cost-effective outpatient settings and add quality jobs. Even though many private practitioners and hospitals refuse to accept Medicaid because of low reimbursement rates, safety-net systems stretched these modest payments into a network of essential services.

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In the 19 states that have not expanded Medicaid, the situation is different, creating a health insurance coverage gap for 2.6 million Americans. A recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation observed that childless adults account for more than three-fourths of that uninsured population.

When our patient was first hospitalized after the Medicaid expansion, his beard had turned gray. He was in his late 30s but looked so many decades older that we doubted his identity. We no longer doubted our ability to get him care. We could not only calm his mania, we could also get him appointments with an internist, podiatrist and psychiatrist, as well as a case manager and a job counselor. We could send him to care instead of the streets.

For now, the Medicaid expansion is intact and, with it, an essential infrastructure. So when we last discharged him, clean-shaven and looking his own age, our patient took off the rosaries. He needed only one now, so he distributed the remaining rosaries to thank his caregivers. In a way, I think he was passing out those rosaries to thank all Americans who support his access to essential care.

Washington Post

Abraham M. Nussbaum, chief education officer at Denver Health and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is the author of "The Finest Traditions of My Calling: One Physician's Search For The Renewal of Medicine."
Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee and President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Health and Human Services secretary, left, speaks as House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., looks on during an Obamacare repeal enrollment ceremony for the Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act at the U.S. Capitol in January. (Pete Marovich / Bloomberg)

While Donald Trump vowed during his presidential campaign not to govern like a tea party radical  "I'm not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican, and I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid," he vowed last year  his most recent Cabinet appointments suggest otherwise.

The president-elect has been announcing picks who will most likely move hard right on the budget, just as top congressional Republicans such as House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin want. At Health and Human Services, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., a staunch critic of the Affordable Care Act and the traditional Medicare and Medicaid programs, is slated to be in charge of their implementation (and likely repeal). Ben Carson, who has no experience with urban policy but has expressed radical positions on social safety-net programs, may be heading the Department of Housing and Urban Development. And Chief of Staff Reince Priebus has been working closely with congressional Republicans who are determined to cut social spending significantly.

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Thus there is reason to believe that the Trump administration, despite Trump's campaign promises, could deliver on the longstanding conservative goals of not only repealing Obamacare (which Trump pledged to do) but also transforming Medicaid into block grants, turning Medicare into a "premium support" system (ending the program's traditional open-ended commitment to pay for medical services) and sharply cutting funding for Great Society programs, including food stamps.

"I've been working on these issues since 1972," Robert Greenstein, the president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said in a recent interview. "This is by far the gravest threat to the safety net, and to low-income people, that I've seen in my close to half a century of working on these issues."

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But if Republicans pursue a retrenchment agenda, they will quickly learn that shredding the safety net is much harder than it seems.

Just as liberals in power often discover that it is difficult to expand the scope of government, conservatives in power have traditionally found that dismantling existing programs can be daunting even under favorable circumstances. This is perhaps why a seasoned politician such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is already signaling his reluctance to push forward on restructuring health care for seniors, while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is itching for a fight.

For a preview of what a revived Republican war on welfare might look like, conservatives who hope Trump's win will usher in their budget-cutting agenda should consider what happened when Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980 and Republicans gained control of the Senate. In contrast to 2016, that election created the perception that Reagan's victory over President Jimmy Carter was a triumph for small government. Reagan, who cut his teeth in the conservative movement, appeared to have a mandate to undermine the discredited legacy of liberalism.

But when Reagan moved to dismantle the welfare state, he encountered tremendous resistance. In 1981, he pushed for a reduction in early retirement benefits in Social Security. Democrats pounced. Led by Speaker Tip O'Neill of Massachusetts, the Democrats mounted a furious campaign to paint Republicans as heartless and unfair. Rep. Claude Pepper, D-Fla., the chairman of the Select Committee on Aging, termed the plan "insidious" and "cruel." The campaign worked. Reagan backed down.

When Reagan started talking about Medicare reform, Democrats counterpunched again. "I, for one," O'Neill said, "am not going to stand by silently and let the Republicans add intolerable medical expenses to the budgets of millions of older Americans already struggling to get by."

As Paul Pierson has shown in a landmark study of the failure of Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to claw back the welfare state, retrenchment is risky business for elected officials. It is one thing to attack Big Government in the abstract, and quite another to withdraw benefits from actual constituents.

Other Republicans have also seen their plans to cut the welfare state go down in flames. When President Dwight Eisenhower's secretary of health, education and welfare, Oveta Culp Hobby, went after Social Security's unique tax system with the support of Sen. Carl Curtis, R-Neb., the program's defenders stopped the plan in its tracks. Eisenhower ended up expanding Social Security coverage and wrote to his brother, "Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm program you would not hear of that party again in our political history." When President George W. Bush tried to spend his "political capital" after the 2004 election by privatizing Social Security, with a Republican Congress to support him, the plan quickly fizzled despite a major public push by the White House.

Conservative assaults on public policy frequently trigger a political backlash among activists who were dormant until that moment, meaning they end up encountering resistance their instigators weren't prepared for. Liberals, for instance, created groups such as the National Coalition for the Homeless to protect the interests of disadvantaged and marginalized Americans.

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The Senate also provides a key line of defense for the welfare state. Unless Republicans employ the "nuclear option," a parliamentary move that would empower a simple majority to limit or eliminate the filibuster, Senate Democrats still can use the filibuster to stymie proposals outside the budget reconciliation process. If McConnell ultimately signs on to the Medicare restructuring agenda, incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., will be adept at using the procedural tools at his disposal to obstruct the bill's progress. While Senate Democrats can no longer filibuster Cabinet appointments  a decision by Sen. Harry M. Reid, D-Nev., that the party is probably coming to regret  the narrow Republican majority means that they have to pick off only a few members of the GOP to block a nomination, although there is little precedent for the Senate halting a Cabinet nomination on social policy grounds.

None of this is to say that President Obama's legacy and many Great Society programs are not at serious risk. They are. Reagan's era lacked a unified Republican Congress to work with, which we have now. And the Republican caucus today is also far more ideologically conservative than the Robert J. Dole GOP of the 1980s.

More worrying yet, President Obama's Affordable Care Act has not generated the broad support of programs such as Social Security. In a post-election poll, 45 percent of Americans had an unfavorable view of the ACA, and the low-income citizens who have gained the most under the law have not been mobilized into a robust constituency. While senior citizens jealously guard their Medicare benefits, the proposal to turn Medicare into a "premium-support" system is extremely complicated, creating strategic opportunities for the GOP to reduce the visibility of Medicare cutbacks and diffuse political accountability among voters. In sum, liberals should not assume the welfare state is invulnerable.

Democrats will need to marshal all of their political resources for coming battles over welfare. Not only will they need to activate the groups that have come to the defense of New Deal and Great Society programs in the past, but they will also need to do more to engage constituencies that have not yet come to the fore. This will mean highlighting the damage that dismantling programs will do to the lower- and middle-class voters Trump won in the election, clearly explaining the tangible benefits that already come from these policies, and doing the hard work of explaining how seemingly arcane moves, such as transforming programs into block grants, would erode entitlement protections. If they can accomplish all this, then, as Reagan learned, Democrats might just have a chance to hold back the rising Republican tide, giving them the chance to develop more effective and durable social policies for the 21st century.

Washington Post

Zelizer is a political historian at Princeton University and a fellow at the New America Foundation. He is the author of "The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress, and the Battle for the Great Society." Patashnik is a professor of public policy and political science at Brown University.
Donald Trump is about to lead the West into the third and darkest phase of its 15-year quest to neutralize the threat of Islamist extremism. The first was George W. Bushs freedom initiative, which posited that political liberalization in the Middle Easts rotting autocracies would dry up terrorist recruiting. The second was the engagement policy of Barack Obama, who bet that respectful dialogue and attention to Muslim demands for justice  above all for the Palestinians  would make the West a less compelling target.

Both were widely judged to be failures. Now the new president will embrace the approach that both Bush and Obama explicitly ruled out as morally wrong and practically counterproductive: civilizational conflict.

The outlines of what might well be called the Trump crusade are easily located in the rhetoric of Stephen Bannon, Michael Flynn, Jeff Sessions and other Trump appointees. They describe a long history of the Judeo-Christian West struggle against Islam, as Bannon put it, or a world war against a messianic mass movement of evil people, as Flynn, the incoming national security adviser, has written.

Bush and Obama were careful to distinguish the terrorists of al-Qaida and the Islamic State from Islam itself, which they described as a great religion worthy of respect. Not Flynn. Islam, he has said, is a cancer, a political movement masquerading as a religion and the product of an inferior culture. I dont believe that all cultures are morally equivalent, and I think the West, and especially America, is far more civilized, far more ethical and moral, he argued in a book published this year.

What might this mean in practice? On the battlefields of the Middle East, very little. Trumps team is certain to continue the ongoing offensives against the Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Given that they appear to be slowly succeeding, Flynn and incoming defense secretary James Mattis are unlikely to alter Obamas approach of backing local forces rather than committing large numbers of U.S. troops. The new administration will look for showy ways to challenge Iran, but it is unlikely to do so in the place where it would matter most: Syria.

Trumps civilizational conflict will be experienced not by Shiite militias or Sunni terrorists  who will surely welcome it  but by average citizens across the Muslim world. They will see it in the extreme vetting, if not an outright ban, they will be subjected to in seeking to enter the United States. And they will feel it in the ramping up of U.S. support for dictators and monarchs who are judged by Trump to be tactical allies in the civilizational war.

First among these will be Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who has been lionized by Trump and his aides for supposedly battling jihadists while seeking the reform of Islam. In three years of the harshest rule his country has known in at least half a century, el-Sissi has wrecked the economy and all but destroyed a once-vibrant secular civil society. Yet the increasingly unpopular dictator is quickly emerging as the foremost Trump ally in the region, already invited for the White House visit that Obama denied him.

Other autocratic regimes may quietly fall in behind Trumps strategy, despite its anti-Islamic cast. Saudi Arabia and other monarchies will welcome heightened U.S. hostility to Iran as well as to the Muslim Brotherhood; Bahrain, the base for the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf, quickly signaled its obeisance by staging a national day celebration in Trumps new Pennsylvania Avenue hotel.

Europeans, too, will follow along. Rightist governments in Hungary and Poland are already cheering Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric; the more moderate of the two leading candidates to become Frances next president, Francois Fillon, authored a book titled Conquering Islamic Totalitarianism. Even Germanys Angela Merkel, the most prominent remaining defender of liberal democratic values, felt obliged to strike an anti-Islamic pose recently, proposing a crackdown on the minuscule number of women in Germany who wear a burqa.

Its not hard to foresee the consequences of this movement. Muslims who despise jihadists and long to modernize their countries with free markets and democratic institutions will be alienated from their potential Western partners. The Islamic State and al-Qaida, which all along have promoted the idea of civilizational war with the West, will gain new recruits, both in the Middle East and among Western Muslims. El-Sissis regime will eventually crumble from corruption and incompetence, if it avoids a popular rebellion.

Bush and Obama tried to transform the Muslim Middle East, or U.S. relations with it, and failed. Trumps aim will be to quarantine and repress the region and its religion. The worst foreseeable outcome is that he will succeed.

Washington Post

Jackson Diehl is deputy editorial page editor of The Washington Post.
Burkina Faso exceeds its objectives for its development plan

The President, His Excellency Roch Marc Christian Kabore, and the government of Burkina Faso, managed to mobilise almost 28 billion euros (18,500 billion CFA francs) within the framework of the conference of partners for the financing of the National Economic and Social Development Plan.



More than 350 people participated in the first day of the conference for the financing of the National Economic and Social Development Plan programme (PNDES 2016 -2020) which gathered all its technical and financial partners on Wednesday 7th December in Paris. During this event, organised by the Burkinabe Government with the support of the World Bank, the partners reaffirmed their confidence in the country and are firmly committed to backing the government in its implementation of the PNDES, highlighting its relevance. The Public-Sector partners announced an amount of 12,2 billion euros (8000 billion CFA francs).



More than 800 investors from the world over took part in the second day devoted to the private-sector, on Thursday the 8th December. 80 development projects were presented to economic operators. Intentions in funding to an amount of approximately 16 billion euros (10 500 CFA francs) were announced in the energy, infrastructures, ICT etc. sectors. The State is funding 15 billion euros for the implementation of the PNDES the global cost of which is estimated at nearly 23,5 billion euros (15 395 billion CFA francs). Additional funding of 8,5 billion euros, 5 570 billion CFA francs is required. The result of a participatory and inclusive process, the PNDES is the strategic framework for economic and social development of Burkina Faso for the period 2016 to 2020, based on the presidential programme, the Burkina Vision 2025 and the international agendas of sustainable development.



President Roch Marc Christian Kabore declared during the opening ceremony, "Your mobilisation testifies to the commitment of the community partners of Burkina Faso to continued support of the efforts deployed by the Government to ensure the well-being of the Burkinabe population. Thank you for your meaningful participation, a sign of your interest in the development of my country."



The Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba declared, "I hope this conference will be a framework for partnership, a framework for reciprocal commitments and a new partnership to put our country on the path to strong and sustainable growth. I hope what is done today will be the start of a solid partnership."



Makhtar Diop, Vice-President of the World Bank for Africa, declared, "The World Bank Group, leading partner for Burkina, has mobilised a funding of 3,8 billion dollars to accompany the implementation of the national development plan. This exceptional amount is the height of ambition expressed by the authorities to commit to the reforms in depth which will permit them to follow the diversification of the economy and to create jobs in favour of young people and women."



Excerpts of interventions



Matthias Fekl, Secretary of State responsible for Foreign Trade for the promotion of Tourism and the French abroad: "The PNDES provides good answers to the immediate and longer term challenges on the questions of environment and urbanisation."

Michaelle Jean, Secretary General of the Francophonie: "It is a conference which marks the start of a new Faso [...] Burkina Faso does not come empty handed but with a solid and credible plan."



Andrew Young, Ambassador to the United States in Burkina Faso: "Now more than ever, Burkina Faso is open for business."



Marcel De Souza, President of the ECOWAS Commission pointed out, "A remarkable financial effort on the part of Burkina Faso [...] I remain convinced that the business environment is favourable for investments."



Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Administrator of the UNO Green Funds: "Burkina Faso must serve as an example for other countries in the sub-region. It does not present itself as a victim of global warming and wants to transform constraints into opportunities."



Metsi Makhetha, coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, declared: "for the first time in the history of the United Nations, Burkina Faso has been chosen as a pilot country for ''sustaining peace'' [...] Burkina Faso has demonstrated its capacity to want to create the conditions so that the PNDES is implemented within the framework of social dialogue. It is in this that the term sustaining peace finds its justification.

www.conferenceburkina2016.gov.bf
With the scope and penalties of Chinas social credit system being further clarified in 2021, legal and regulatory compliance has become more important than...
Although the topic of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul conference is Afghanistan, its ministerial summits are India-Pakistan affairs, with close eyes on China also. Inevitably, every HoA conference is dominated by India-Pakistan tensions and the discordant notes that mark their relations.

The 6th conference in Amritsar, close to Pakistan's border and home to the holiest Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple, on December 3 and 4, was somewhat different  with the absence of high-decibel India-Pakistan acrimony. The conference endorsed the HoA Declaration which set the tone and direction for 2017 without the differences and disagreements over detail derailing unanimity.

As a result, China, as much as India and Pakistan, has reason to be pleased with the outcome. Inaugurated jointly by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the event  on the theme of "Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity"  was attended by high representatives of all 14 countries (including Afghanistan's neighbors); and, supporting nations (17) and international and regional organizations (12) from the UN and NATO to SCO and SAARC.

It is in recognition that Afghanistan is at the Heart of Asia, where its neighbors as well as big powers have high stakes in securing peace. The HoA-Istanbul Process was initiated in 2011 as a forum for dealing with regional issues, especially conflicts and threats such as terrorism, extremism and radicalization; and for building economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbors. The core issue is to defeat terrorism and provide for peace in Afghanistan.

The conference was held at a time when: besides Afghanistan, its South and Central Asian neighbors are also affected by terrorism; India-Pakistan tensions are high in the wake of recent terrorist attacks (from Uri in September to Nagrota on November 29); a resurgent Taliban, boosted by the ISAF withdrawal, has unleashed attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan; and the Ghani regime's writ being restricted to Kabul gives the Taliban a run of the countryside. All these factors endanger regional peace and reconciliation.

While terrorism is common to the region, the different views on the issue heard during the HoA underscore that Asian countries are far from agreeing on the causes and conditions of terrorism.

India and Afghanistan agreed at least on the link between terrorism and Pakistan. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif struck a different note. He attributed terrorism, radicalization and extremism to two main factors. First is the "logic of occupation"  U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Second, "the failure of the nations of our region to address the fundamental needs of the people." This failure, Zarif said, is "deep-rooted in our region and demagogues exploit it to incite the youth."

Regardless of the differing views on terrorism, the participants were united in their resolve as reflected in the Amritsar Declaration: "We recognize that terrorism is the biggest threat to peace, stability and cooperation in our region." It called for concerted cooperation to eliminate terrorism, including the dismantling of safe havens in the region.

In the battleground that is Afghanistan, the U.S., India, Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran are high-stake players, and finding common ground can be a challenge. At Amritsar, host India has reason to be pleased: The Declaration, for the first time, named Pakistan-based terror outfits Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

China has even more reason to welcome the Declaration, as it mentions the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as a terrorist outfit.

In the conference itself China emerged as a major player, actively backing the effort to promote peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan. Of late, particularly in 2016, China has stepped up its Afghan engagement. For instance, there is a Quadrilateral Coordination Group (GCQ) of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the U.S. for pushing the peace process; and Beijing and Kabul are working closely on anti-terrorism and security issues.

China, which recently delivered its first batch of military aid to Afghanistan, had a prominent role in Amritsar, and Chinese officials reiterated the commitment to extend all possible support to Afghanistan.

Shastri Ramachandaran is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/ShastriRamachandaran.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
There are widespread perceptions that the Nepal-China relationship has not being moving along the right track.

This notion gained ground following the cancellation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal expected in mid-October. Diplomatic insiders claim Nepal's heightened indifference to the implementation of vital agreements signed by the previous KP Sharma Oli-led government caused the postponement of Xi's visit.

Nepal and China had inked 10 agreements, including ones covering transport and construction of Pokhara Airport; however, following the change of government, delays occurred in implementation of these strategic projects.

"The Nepal-China relationship has been getting a bit cold owing to several factors," admits Hiranya Lal Shrestha, former Nepal ambassador to Russia. Shrestha said that Nepal's growing tilt towards India, and lack of adequate security preparations and indifference to the implementation of agreements with China resulted in President Xi's visit being shelved.

He also said that China took umbrage over remarks by Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki regarding trans-Himalaya railway services. Karki claimed the ecology of Himalayas would be destroyed if the railway track was laid across the mountainous region straddling the China-Nepal border.

President Xi went ahead with planned visits to Cambodia and Bangladesh, where bilateral deals worth billions of dollars were signed. It was, indeed, a missed opportunity for Nepal.

Of late, Nepalese politicians have committed various diplomatic gaffes that made Chinese hackles rise. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, a prime minister-in-waiting, caused controversy by attending the India Ideas Conclave that featured a video message from the Dalai Lama. At the opening ceremony, Deuba had sat next to Lobsang Sangay, a representative of Dalai Lama, but, although refuting news reports he had met the latter, his diplomatic blooper raised questions about the NC's commitment to One China Policy.

"Deuba's presence in the controversial meeting was simply unacceptable," said Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, an influential figure in the NC and a former foreign minister. He insisted the party had been firm on the One China Policy from the beginning.

In a bid at damage control, the government and the NC separately issued statements, reiterating Nepal's commitment to the policy. Deuba had claimed that he was ignorant of other participating guests. However, sources insisted he had known who would participate and the nature of the event in advance.

On August 24, Nepal and China were scheduled to hold a Finance Ministry secretary-level meeting, but it could not take place. Earlier, a foreign secretary level meeting was postponed for allegedly "internal reasons." These are the permanent mechanisms essential to implement bilateral accords.

A few weeks ago, two separate Chinese delegations were declined a meeting with Nepalese top officials. A six-member Chinese delegation led by the Public Security Affairs chief of Qinghai Province, Wang Zhengsheng, returned home without meeting Home Ministry officials. Likewise, a high-level Chinese delegation led by head of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce Zhang Mao failed to get an appointment with Commerce Minister Romi Gauchan Thakali. Media reports said the Chinese teams felt humiliated at the perceived snub.

However, the two nations recently held a joint-secretary level meeting in Lhasa where Nepal presented a proposal on a Nepal-China transit protocol. The two sides agreed to further discussions. Top foreign ministry officials from both nations have denied Nepal-China relations are turning sour.

"The Nepal-China relationship is smooth and moving on a normal course. It is not true that ties have turned cold," Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi told this writer. He said that the two sides were working on a protocol to implement bilateral agreements.

Newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong echoed Bairagi's views. "China-Nepal relations have stepped into a new stage of rapid development," she said at an introductory gathering with the various personalities.

Immediately after landing in the Nepalese capital, the Chinese envoy called on the President, Prime Minister, opposition leader and chief of major parties to take stock of bilateral relations. She said bilateral relations had maintained a sound momentum of healthy and stable development.

"China would like to work together with Nepal to synergize the development strategies, strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, and carry China-Nepal friendly relations to a new height," she stressed.

Mr Sakya, a keen observer of Nepal-China relations, said that, although there is a persistent sense of unease about the bilateral relationship, owing to the myopic political leadership, nothing will dampen the time-tested bond existing between the two nations.

"Nepal-China relations are as high as the Himalayas and as deep as ocean," he said.

Ritu Raj Subedi is an associate editor of The Rising Nepal.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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Mount Wutai, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, has signed an agreement with Shanxi Cable and Broadcasting Information Network to launch a smart tourism service around Mount Wutai, the management committee of the scenic area said Sunday.

With a planned investment of 4.5 million yuan (650,000 U.S. dollars), the program named "smart Mount Wutai" will offer free wi-fi service, a network system providing services, including an intelligent voice guide, ticket booking, as well as hotel and restaurant information to tourists.

As part of the province's plan to build smart tourism, the program will provide more convenience to Mount Wutai tourists.

Added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2009, Mount Wutai is home to about 50 Buddhist temples built between the 1st century and early 20th century.

The site is in Wutai County, Xinzhou City in Shanxi Province, 230 km from the provincial capital, Taiyuan.
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Russia has turned down Japan's dog diplomacy by declining a gift of a dog for President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan next week, according to a Japanese legislator.

The Japanese government had planned to present Putin, who is known as a dog lover, with a male Akita as a companion to Yume, a female of the same breed that Japan gave him in 2012.

"Unfortunately, we heard from our counterparts, and our hope to present a bridegroom was dashed," Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said in a blog post on Friday.

Putin will visit Japan on Dec. 15-16. The two leaders are expected to work toward reviving security talks and joint naval rescue training halted after Russia's takeover of Crimea in 2014.

Russia and Japan have not signed a peace treaty formalizing the end of World War II due to a territorial row over four small Pacific islands, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan.

Japan is hoping to make progress on the territorial dispute during Putin's visit.

There should be no high expectations for any immediate progress on the signing of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan, as they still have difficulties in ironing out their differences, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday in Moscow.

"We have touched upon in detail the peace treaty issue ... It is not easy to bring together our stances, and the issue is difficult," Lavrov told reporters.
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The Islamic State (IS) recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria on Sunday, just nine months after losing the city to the Syrian army, a monitor group reported.

Following four days of a wide-scale offensive, IS successfully captured the millennia-old oasis city of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The city as well as its airbase, ancient part and citadel fell to IS, said the Observatory.

It added that over 120 Syrian soldiers were killed during the offensive as well as tens of the IS militants.

The Syrian soldiers withdrew to the desert in southern Palmyra, amid intense Russian and Syrian airstrikes on IS positions there.

Meanwhile, the governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, told local Ekhbariyeh TV that the army has withdrawn from the city.

The IS started its offensive on Palmyra on Thursday, after bringing in hundreds of fighters for taking the city, according to the Observatory.

The Syrian army captured Palmyra on March 27, 2016, a year after losing the city to the IS.

Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world.

The city has an importance to IS as it connects areas under the terror group's control in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour with areas under its control in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs.

The recapture of Palmyra is also important as the group's fighters in Iraq have started entering Syria recently after suffering great losses in battles against the Iraqi army and the U.S.-anti-terror coalition.
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The Sudanese government on Sunday threatened to adopt other measures if the armed groups insisted to reject negotiation and continued fighting at Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Darfur regions.

"If the armed groups refused to resort to negotiation, then there will be other options to achieve peace at South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur," Kamal Ismail, Sudan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, told reporters Sunday.

"Few days remain before elapse of the truce provided by President (Omar) al-Bashir for the armed movements regarding the negotiation about the two areas and Darfur," he noted.

Last November, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir availed a truce for the armed groups to join the document of the national dialogue which was approved by the participants in the national dialogue conference which concluded last Oct. 10.

The Sudanese minister further reiterated that the doors of peace are still open whenever the movements want to negotiate to achieve peace.

He renewed Sudan government's commitment to negotiation and dialogue to achieve security and stability if the movements backtracked from their obstinate stances before the end of the year.

Several rounds of peace talks have failed between the Sudanese government and the Darfur armed groups and the rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector who are fighting at Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions.
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An elite pro-government forces advanced Sunday in a key rebel-held neighborhood in the country's northern city of Aleppo.

The Desert Falcon forces advanced on Sunday in some parts of the strategic Sheikh Saeed neighborhood southeast of Aleppo, where the rebels were amassing large numbers of fighters.

Firing mortar shells and using heavy machine guns, the Desert Falcons succeeded to take some parts of Sheikh Saed, after recently capturing the Burj al-Hamam and Talet al-Shurta in southeastern Aleppo.

"We, the Desert Falcons, were tasked with eliminating the terrorist groups in the Burj al-Hamam area and we were able to eliminate them and then we were sent to another mission in the Sheikh Saeed neighborhood, where our mission is to provide a fire cover for the infantry troops," one of the group's fighters told Xinhua at the outskirts of Sheikh Saeed on Sunday.

As the forces were firing mortars to cover the infantry troops, the rebels inside responded with many mortar shells slamming the area where the Falcon Forces were stationing.

Sniper shots also whizzed through the area, as the Xinhua reporters were covering parts of the battles there.

Another fighter, said the rebels have amassed a large number of fighters in Sheikh Saeed due to that area's significance as it's located near the ancient citadel of Aleppo and close to the safe areas under the government control.

The infantry forces of the Syrian army and Desert Falcons have moved into Sheikh Saeed from several directions under the fire cover of the Syrian air force and the heavy artillery.

The aim behind the military operation in Sheikh Saeed is to cut the rebel routs toward the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo city, which have recently been taken by the army.

This comes as the Syrian government forces have become in control of 93 percent of the rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, as part of a two-week long crushing offensive against the rebels in eastern Aleppo.

The majority of the rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo have recently fallen to the army, which is fighting to wrest control over the few remaining neighborhoods.

Thousands of civilians fled to government-controlled areas while the rebels were retreating.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also said that the decision for taking all of Aleppo has been taken, adding that the army's recapture of rebel-held areas in Aleppo will change the course of the battles in Syria.

The Desert Falcons forces are considered among the elite fighters in support of the Syrian army, and it largely constitutes of military expertise, retired officers and members of the army, as well as volunteers from Syrian youth.
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The Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MOD) has expressed "serious concern" over Japanese F-15 fighter jets harassing Chinese military jets, which were flying over the Miyako Strait heading for routine training in the western Pacific.

Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MOD), takes questions at a routine press briefing on Nov. 30, 2016. [File Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesperson for the MOD, said on Dec. 10 that Chinese military aircraft were flying to the western Pacific for routine training over the Miyako Strait on the morning of Dec. 10 when two F-15 fighter jets from the Japan Self-Defense Force (SDF) harassed Chinese aircraft from close range.

"F-15 jets launched decoy flares, which caused a threat to Chinese aircraft and personnel. The act prompted PLA Air Force pilots to take prompt countermeasures," said Yang. He added Chinese aircraft continued with their planned exercise.

The Miyako Strait is an international channel, where Chinese aircraft can enjoy freedom of flight. Yang said that the air forces training was a routine procedure and did not target any particular country or goal.

"The act by Japanese military aircraft was dangerous and unprofessional. They jeopardized the freedom of navigation. China hereby expresses serious concern and lodges solemn representations," he said.

He noted that harassment by Japanese military vessels and aircraft in recent years is prone to cause miscalculation, which might have led to maritime and air frictions and even confrontation. He urged Japan to view the big picture of preserving regional stability and China-Japan relations, take effective measures and prevent causing maritime and air security issues.

The MOD spokesperson did not elaborate on the number or types of Chinese military aircraft participating in the drill, or the route they followed.

Earlier on Nov. 25, the PLA Air Force made an unprecedented move to send military aircraft over the Bashi Strait and the Miyako Strait  at the same time  for a routine drill in the western Pacific.

Although the air force made it clear that the simultaneous fly overs were part of the PLA's prearranged training plan, military experts interpreted that the PLA Air Force now has the capacity to respond to warfare in two different waters.
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South Korea's ruling political party began to splinter after President Park Geun-hye was impeached last week in an overwhelming support from her own party.

Spokesman of a faction in the ruling Saenuri Party, which is not loyal to President Park, told a press briefing on Monday that the party leadership should immediately step down and the pro-Park faction should be dismantled.

The party leadership is composed of loyalists to President Park, whom the spokesman portrayed as "the men of Choi Soon-sil," a longtime confidante of the impeached president who has been charged with using her sway with Park to extort donations from conglomerates and access secret government documents.

The impeachment motion was passed by 234 to 56 through the 300-seat National Assembly last Friday, indicating at least 62 votes in favor from the ruling party as there are 172 opposition and independent lawmakers.

The division of the governing party, which has 128 parliamentary seats, became clear as internal fight between the anti- and the pro-Park clans called on each other to leave their party after the impeachment vote.

The party leadership called on former party chairman Kim Moo-sung and former whip Yoo Seung-min, who are leading the anti-Park faction, to defect from the party, issuing searing criticism of them as betrayers, according to local media reports.

Scores of pro-Park faction members held a meeting on Sunday night, agreeing to launch their formal council comprising about 50 legislators on Tuesday.

The ruling party's split seems a matter of time, making it harder for President Park's party to regain power in the next presidential election, which is expected to be brought forward.

The election is originally scheduled to be held in December 2017 as Park's single, five-year term ends in February 2018.

Park has been suspended from office, and her tenure would be stopped if the two-thirds of the constitutional court's nine judges justify it within 180 days.

Calls rise for the court to rule on it as early as possible to stabilize state affairs and minimize power vacuum.
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A Taliban key commander, Mullah Naeem Koor, nicknamed Emadudin, has been killed in the eastern Parwan province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement released on Monday.

"Acting upon intelligence report, the units of Civil Order Police launched special operations in Siagurd district of Parwan province last night; as a result, the Taliban key commander, Mullah Naeem Koor, nicknamed Emadudin, was killed and three others were injured," the statement asserted.

Mullah Naeem was a notorious commander who had often organized terrorist attacks against government interests and innocent civilians, the statement said, adding that his murder could prove a major setback to the armed militants in Parwan province and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants haven't commented on the subject yet.
The Christian Times

Jardine Malado 12 December, 2016

 Two Chinese house church pastors have joined forces to train a group of missionaries to fearlessly share the Gospel to North Koreans.

In an interview with China Aid, the two Christians who wished to remain anonymous shared the difficulties they faced as they tried to spread Christianity to North Koreans.

The two pastors are training missionaries to preach the Gospel in North Korea, but they also have a ministry to evangelize to North Koreans who are living in China.

The lack of food and medicine have forced some North Koreans to risk their lives and take the dangerous journey across the Tumen River to go to China. The trek is considered illegal, and refugees risk getting shot by border patrol officers.

Many have turned to human traffickers who take advantage of the women and sell them into prostitution or marriages with Chinese men.

Inscription stone marking the border of China and North

Korea in Jilin. (Wikimedia commons/Prince Roy)

The pastors revealed that it is difficult to evangelize to the North Koreans because of the language barrier. They arranged for South Korean pastors to preach to them, but they had to stop when they were accused of associating with Christians overseas, who were suspected of introducing foreign ideas into China.

They said that some of the North Korean men who flee to China eventually leave because they cannot survive in the country, but many of the girls have stayed. Some girls marry local men, have children, and learn the language. The pastors try to earn their trust by providing courses and helping them solve their problems in life.

The North Koreans are hard to change, and they have this dark side of human nature. Even if we clothe them and feed them, after a while, they will still turn against us and do bad things to us, one of the pastors told China Aid.

One of them was arrested by the authorities when he was caught providing North Korean women with boarding and food. As a result, the pastors changed their method of evangelizing to North Koreans. Instead of waiting for them to come to China, they are now sending missionaries to North Korea to preach the Gospel.

The pastors said that they do not fear to go to North Korea as missionaries, even though they know that Christians are often mistreated in the country.

[T]heir team is training [missionaries] who are fearless and also dont have family. Like, theyre single, theyre not married yet, but theyre ready to lay down their lives for Christ at any time if they ever go to [North] Korea and meet any bad situations, a translator relayed to China Aid.

North Korea has held the top rank in the Open Doors World Watch List as the most dangerous country to live as a Christian for 14 consecutive years.

ChinaAid Media Team

Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985

Email: [email protected]

For more information, click here
More than 400 pastors and church leaders attend a conference

in Hong Kong. (Photo: China Aid) China Aid (Hong KongDec. 9, 2016) Sitting down for an exclusive interview with a China Aid reporter in Hong Kong on Nov. 2, two Chinese pastors from persecuted house churches described the difficulties they face as they seek to spread Christianity among North Koreans in China and North Korea. The two Christians, who elected to remain anonymous, shared their testimonies, both attesting to the ways their lives changed once they entered the faith. One admitted to serving as the second-in-command advisor to the local mafia boss and converted a week after someone discussed Christianity with his mother, even though he initially expressed opposition to the religion. At the time of his conversion, he was a few weeks away from robbing a bank transportation van, which he planned for years. However, his desire to lead the same kind of life evaporated, and he canceled the robbery. Despite his subsequent attempts to lead an upright life, he said:

I talked to God, saying, Lord, I cant imagine why, when I was a bad guy, I was in constant contact with the policemen, and now, even after I became such a good person, I still have to deal with them everyday. They will ask me to go to the police station and then question me. The longest Ive ever been questioned was for more than half a day, and they didnt give me any food.

Similarly, the other man said he led an awful life before becoming a Christian but did not disclose any details. Before his conversion, his mother prayed he would enter the faith for seven years.

Afterwards, the men partnered with one another and tuned their focuses on evangelizing one of the worlds most reclusive and religiously oppressive countriesNorth Korea.

Dictated by the ideology that its leaders are gods, North Korea considers all ideological dissidence subversive to state control and imposes strict crackdowns on those who profess another faith. In moves that echo the Holocaust, entire families of Christians are rounded up and sentenced to years in secretive labor camps, where they are murdered, worked to death, starved, sexually abused, tortured and forced to witness the executions of those who try to escape. North Korea considers its citizens guilty by association and arrests up to three generations of a prisoners family.

Currently, the pastors are training a group of Chinese Christians to go to North Korea as missionaries. When asked what fears they have about going into such a hostile nation, one of them said, We have no fears. Paraphrasing the rest of his words, the translator continued:

Actually, he shared something about the cruelty of how people will be mistreated in North Korea if they are found to be Christians, or if they ever say anything about Jesus. If they are North Koreans, their family will probably disappear, and the men will probably be beaten or have their hands chopped off. If they are women, you can imagine; maybe they will be raped by many people at the same time. So, hes saying that, since youre speaking of fear, their team is training [missionaries] who are fearless and also dont have family. Like, theyre single, theyre not married yet, but theyre ready to lay down their lives for Christ at any time if they ever go to [North] Korea and meet any bad situations.

As they prepare to send these young people over the border, the church has also directed its evangelistic efforts to North Koreans living in China.

Succumbing to various government-imposed pressures, such as a lack of medical or food resources, some North Koreans decide to flee the country. Hemmed in by the South Korean border, which is patrolled by the U.S., South Korean and North Korean militaries and is filled with miles of land mines, most opt to take the dangerous journey across the Tumen River, which severs North Korea from the Chinese mainland. Officially, this trek is illegal, as all non-government approved trips outside of the country are seen as acts of treason. Refugees risk being shot if spotted by border patrol officers, causing many to pay guides who specialize in smuggling people across the border.

However, because of its alliance with North Korea, China refuses to grant North Koreans refugee status. As such, all North Koreans who flee to China enter the country illegally and face forced repatriation if they are discovered. Imprisonment, torture, and sometimes even death await them upon their arrival back to their home country.

Even if they do manage to evade Chinese authorities, their status as undocumented immigrants leaves them vulnerable to abuse and fearful that others will turn them into the government. Taking advantage of this, human traffickers, sometimes doubling as guides, work on both sides of the border to sell North Korean women into prostitution or marriages with Chinese men. Estimates approximate that up to 90 percent of North Korean women who enter China are forcibly married or sold into the sex industry. Non-compliance could prompt their abusers to turn them into the government.

Even as the Chinese police attempt to snuff out North Koreans trapped behind their borders, Christians in China have begun searching them out in order to share the Gospel. In describing their efforts to evangelize North Korean women, whom they claim are more likely to settle in China than the men, the pastors said they help them with their work, provide counseling for them and get to know their husbands, so that the men will trust them to be around their wives.

Due to the language barrier, it is often difficult for the pastors to provide quality Christian teaching for these women. When they arranged for South Korean pastors to come preach to the North Koreans in their church, the government accused them of associating with Christians overseas, which they claim allows foreign ideas to infiltrate China. As a result, they had to stop bringing the pastors in.

An excerpt of the interview has been transcribed below. Sections of the interview which might compromise the safety of the two pastors or those associated with them have been removed.

China Aid reports abuses within China, such as those suffered by North Koreans and the Chinese Christians reaching out to them, and adamantly opposes the repression of religious freedom in China and North Korea in order to stand in solidarity with the persecuted.





Interview

Editors note: In order to respect the pastors wish to remain anonymous, they will be referred to as A and A2. Since the translator often paraphrased their thoughts, she will be referred to as T. The reporter will be referred to as R.

R: How do they become Christians?

T: Before they became Christians, they were losers in society, and God has saved them miraculously. [A] believed in Jesus because his mother prayed for him for seven years. His mother dedicated him to the Lord on the same day that he converted. He believed in Jesus reluctantly.

A lot of miracles happened along the way after he became a Christian, and there were times when God reminded him or gave him verses in his mind. God talked to him, like speaking loudly in his ears, saying that if anyone persecutes you, you should flee from one city to another. So now, no matter who he meets, he will share the Gospel with them. As long as its a person, its a life.

A: I used to be a bad guy, so I tell [others] that since God can change a bad person like me, he can surely change you.

T: And, before he became a Christian, he got divorced, and his wife left him with a boy, but, as he shared with me yesterday, they kind of separated for 10 years after the marriage, and then they became Christians separately, and then they remarried again.

They found out that they had both become Christians, and they got back together. They both serve the Lord and are working in the ministry field. He used to have heart disease, so he couldnt do really heavy labor, so every day, he read the Bible and preached and shared the Gospel with people.

A: I feel like I have encountered some hardships, but I believe that there are people who live in worse conditions than me. In my village, there were girls who ran away from North Korea, but they came to China, and they met human traffickers, so they were sold as wives to the local villagers.

T: Normally, the villagers are poor; thats why they cannot find Chinese wives, so [the women] are living in worse conditions than [the pastors], and thats why he had this opportunity to approach them and share the Gospel with them.

A: So, after I reach out to them, I share the Gospel with them and tell them that, even though they are hopeless and living in such hard conditions, there is life in Jesus, and He will change their lives. Then, they really change. Because I really want them to know the truth, Id like to find good preachers to deliver good messages to them; thats why I contacted some Chinese Koreans, and then, through them, they introduced me to South Korean pastors. Then, because of Chinese restrictions, [the Chinese Koreans] were not allowed to be in contact with foreigners because of our beliefs. So, they were blacklisted by the police, and I gave up contacting the foreigners.

R: So have they faced lots of opposition for trying to evangelize North Korean women? What types of opposition have they faced?

A: Yes, there has been much opposition. Because of the language barrier, we had many difficulties in the beginning, but later on, when the girls started to learn Chinese, it became much easier. In order to win their favor and their trust, we helped them in their work and also provided counseling to them to help them solve their problems in life. Thats how they began to trust us. The North Koreans are hard to change, and they have this dark side of human nature. Even if we clothe them and feed them, after a while, they will still turn against us and do bad things to us. When the North Korean men flee to China, they [sometimes] cannot survive in China, so they might leave China, but the girls will stay. The girls get married to the locals, and then they have children, settle down, pick up the language, and start to get used to life here.

R: So its easier for them to settle down.

A: Yeah.

R: That makes sense. Has the government had any opposition to this?

A: Because they came to China illegally, the policemen hunt them. We dont interfere with the policemens hunting, but, when we see [North Koreans] are in trouble, we will help them.

R: So its more like quiet helping rather than resisting the police.

A: Yes. We dont have money to give to them, but, what we can do is just help them with their labor in the field and counsel them.

R: What are some of the problems that North Koreans face coming to China?

T: They are probably poor, so if they cannot survive, then they will leave the place, and he doesnt know exactly where they are heading to.

R: So they face general survival difficulties. I want to know if there is anything they would like the world to know about Christian persecution in China?

A: Are you talking about persecution in general or when we are helping the North Koreans? Because they are foreigners, we dont help as Christians. We cannot live like that. If we approach them, it is illegal because they are foreigners, and we are not allowed to be in touch with them.

R: So has the government ever watched them personally for connecting with North Koreans?

T: Now, its better, but years ago, it was worse. Because these girls were sold as wives, they are under the close watch of their husbands. Their husbands were scared that they might run away, because many of these cases happened. So, when the pastors approach the girls, they approach their husbands first and help them and show kindness to them so that they can lay down their prejudice against Christians, and then they get the access to talk to their wives.

R: So its like theyre gaining trust. Before, the husbands might not trust them, but afterwards, once they trust them, theyre more likely to allow them to talk to their wives.

A: Years ago, when there were dozens of [North Korean women] coming into China, I rented a place to keep them and provide them with boarding and food, but then, when the policemen found out, they tried to arrest these people, and I was also involved. I was taken to the police station and interrogated.

R: What kind of questions did the police ask when he was being interrogated?

A: They asked if I had ever been in touch with any foreigners, but I hadnt, other than two. Because Im not so well-educated, and I dont know any foreign languages, so I cannot really communicate with foreigners, and also I honestly share what the Bible says with people.

A2: So we have changed our traditional method in terms of helping the North Koreans. Before, the North Koreans came to China, but now, we send Chinese people to North Korea through a [Christian] brother who has a registered travel agency. So, as Christians, we can travel to North Korea.

T: Yesterday, they shared that there are two cities in North Korea that have opened up to China now, so they have five or six co-workers there who set up a base to work there. Theyre staying there, so they shift all kinds of materials over there and help the North Koreans financially and with their agricultural technology, education, and give them some training, things like that. They also help them with their kindergarten and kids in the mountainous areas who are living in poor conditions, and teach them agricultural knowledge. They can hardly find any news about how people are living in North Korea on TV or on any news media, so what we know comes from the people who come back from North Korea.

R: Have you been to North Korea yourselves?

A2: No, not yet. We have co-workers from our team who work there, and we made a plan to go there ourselves this year, and we are still praying for that. We are asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. North Korea is maybe the most difficult country to share the Gospel in. Its very closed, so maybe because its so difficult that many evangelizing ministries in China prefer to go to the minority group areas in China towards the west. More of the minority groups are living on the western side of China, like Yunnan province, Guizhou province or Tibet, but we have two purposes in our vision: one is to share the Gospel to North Korea, and the other one is to take the Gospel to the Middle East.

R: What are some of the fears going into North Korea as missionaries?

A2: We have no fears.

T: Actually, he shared something about the cruelty of how people will be mistreated in North Korea if they are found to be Christians or if they ever say anything about Jesus. If they are North Koreans, their family will probably disappear, and men will probably be beaten or have their hands chopped off. If they are women, you can imagine; they may be raped by many people at the same time. So, hes saying that, since youre speaking of fear, their team is training [missionaries] who are fearless and also dont have family. Like, theyre single, theyre not married yet, but theyre ready to lay down their lives for Christ at any time if they ever go to [North] Korea and meet any bad situations.

R: Praise God for people like that!

T: So actually, they are not really worried about the Chinese government. They are worried about the North Korean government.

A & A2: So there was a Chinese pastor, he was Korean Chinese, and he had been in the ministry of evangelizing North Koreans for 17 years, but this June or July, his body was found in the Tumen River in northeast China. He was probably assassinated by the North Koreans. He was stabbed 17 times.

A: So thats why were now building this fearless team of people who are willing to die if they have to. Because its not about ourselves, or about them, but all that matters is Gods kingdom.

Because we love them, and God loves them, and God has mercy upon them, so we are willing to dedicate ourselves to them. We hope that everybody that can contribute their efforts to this ministry. We can be united together and accomplish the purpose together.

A2: We dont want to be known by people. We just want to make our own efforts for Christ. Were specially called by God to be in this ministry, which nobody else wants to do.

A2: I will briefly introduce the persecution we suffered from the government. I have believed in Jesus for 16 years, [beginning] in the year 2000. I used to be in the mafia. I was the advisor to a big boss in the mafia. Among the gangsters, and I was the second most powerful man; so, I visited the police station very often. It was like going back to my own home. In the year 1999, I was planning to rob a van that transported money from the bank. Back then, I did every bad thing that you can imagine except murder. I planned to rob the money transporting van for about a year. In the beginning of the year 2000, someone shared the Gospel with my mom. At that time, I was really against it, but the person who shared the Gospel with me was an elderly colleague of mine. And then, I was really against what he shared but, after one week, I dont know what happened. I told him that I had changed my mind, and that Im willing to believe in Jesus. Now, I know that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me. After I converted, everything changed in my life. Automatically, I dropped the plan to rob the van. Since then, I have been serving in the church. Originally, I went to the Three-Self government church. In the year 2001, I left the Three-Self Church, and I started to provide my services in the house church. I assume that you know the situation of the government church. I wont repeat it [Editors note: Chinas government churches are the only legal churches, but they are controlled by the state. As a result, many Chinese Christians have theological disagreements with the official Three-Self Churches and choose to attend house churches instead]. Over the past decade, I was persecuted or interrogated by people from different government authorities, such as the policemen, the public security bureau, the religious affairs bureau, or departments like that. I talked to God, saying, Lord, I cant imagine why, when I was a bad guy, I was in constant contact with the policemen, and now, even after I have become such a good person, I still have to deal with them every day. They will ask me to come to the police station and then question me. The longest time they questioned me was for more than half a day, and they didnt give me any food. According to Chinese law, they can only detain me for less than 24 hours without any paperwork or anything, but if it is more than 24 hours, they need to get the official paperwork.

R: To get a charge or something?

T: Yes. Hes working for the government. The bureau hes working for is called the City Management Bureau. Its like, if there is a vendor on the street, they will kick them out of the street in order to keep order and cleanliness of the place, but actually, they have a really bad reputation among Chinese people, because it is not convenient [for the citizens], and mostly, when they enforce the law, they do it in a very bad and mean manner. They argue and fight with people. Thats just background information.

R: Okay. So theyre not popular?

T: No, its like when there is an earthquake or disaster, and the people will joke online, We should send people from their bureau to help them!

[Editors note: A begins talking]

T: Now, they are in competition about how bad they were.

R: Before they became Christians or now?

T: Before. [A] said that [A2] was really bad, but he was also bad because he had some disagreement with his pastor, and he actually prepared a bag of bombs, and he wanted to throw the bombs into the church and kill the pastor.

You know, in the Chinese government, if you want to get promoted in the system if you work in different bureaus and departments, it actually depends on how long youve stayed at the place. [A2] has been there for more than 10 years, but hes still just a common civil servant. He has not been promoted because of his belief in Jesus. It is not allowed if you are a Christian. You cannot be promoted.

R: Does he get a lot of people disapproving within his department?

T: No, its just politically not possible, but his diligence has been recognized by this co-workers and his leaders. They have nothing to criticize him about his work.

R: So they dont necessarily agree, theres just no way based on policy.

T: And [A] shared that he was with the pastor in the Three-Self Church. The pastor raised a lot of money from the South Koreans, but we dont know how he spent his money, because this brother knows about his financial situation and everything. [He knows] all his little secrets. So, he was forced to leave that place and started to go to a house church. He left the rich pastor and started the house church on his own, and he suffered financially. But, along the way, he has encountered many miracles. He is also very happy, even though he is living in poverty and in a difficult situation.

A: I can feel that God is with me all the time.

R: With God, there is joy, right?

T: [A2] is under 24-hour surveillance by the policemen and the security department, and his phone calls and electronic devices are all monitored. Their team planned to come here on this trip. Among the 23 co-workers on their team who planned to come to this event, 17 of them were from [redacted] province, and 15 of them were detained and couldnt make it. Then, the other several from [As] place  five of them were also detained.*

R: So, 20 in total.

A2: The policemen joined with the people from the religious affairs bureau and also the security department. They went to these peoples houses and kept their passports and IDs without any reason.

R: This is this week, when they were coming here?

T: Yes. [A2] is a very smart person. He told us how he got around the policemen and came here. He went to Shenzhen. He bought a train ticket from his place to Shenzhen. Now, if we purchase a train ticket, we need to use our ID and all information is in the computer system, so he suspected that he would probably be tracked by the policemen once he got on the train. They would know, so he got off the train one stop in advance. So he came to Shenzhen by bus, and then he got the last bus and got through customs and stayed at customs overnight. Then, the next morning, he got the first bus and came to this hotel. You know the martial arts of Sun Tzu?

R: The Art of War, the book?

T: The book. Its a very famous book, with 36 different strategies [of war]. He said that he used two of the strategies in the book.

R: Which strategies did he use?

T: One is Shan dong ji xi. It means, I gave the signal that I am heading towards the east, but actually, I am going west. And then, the other one is called, When you are preparing a pot, you have to make a fire underneath it. But then, I take the wood out of the oven [Editors note: These quotes are paraphrases of quotes from The Art of War by Sun Tzu]. So its like, when applied to his trip this time, its like he gave the signal that hes heading to Shenzhen, but actually he went to Guangzhou. Then, its like, when everything is ready, when the policemen might think that they have prepared the net and the time is right and they can actually capture him in the net, he actually gets in the middle. So it is ready to cook, but you have no wood. So its like the special agent stories produced by Hollywood.

R: The next spy movie will be about [A2]!

A2: [Like] 007.

R: 007. Hes James Bond, right?

T: So just like I told you, when [A2 and his friends] got through the customs, there was just one hotel nearby, and it was full, so they had to spend the night on the long benches in the small park nearby. There were three of them.

R: So he was with [A] as well, right?

T: No, they came separately.

A: There were four co-workers from Heilongjiang province, and they separated into two teams. The reason they separated is that they dont want to risk putting everyone together. If one team gets caught, then the other team can get away.

R: Thats smart.

T: So you know, at customs, they work 24 hours. So they planned to arrive at customs, and they got through customs at around six oclock at dawn. [They knew] the officers were all tired, so [they thought] maybe they could get through there. Both of their teams, they met in this specific customs location called shang xue.

R: Oh okay. Very clever. I know [A2] mentioned that theyre tracking his cell phone and his calls. When did that start?

T: More than 10 years ago. Hes been changing his SIM card constantly. They have their special code for talking about the Bible or the ministry. Its like Im doing business, or selling rice; things like that. If they have a special ministry event to do, they will say, We will deliver the oil to you. Then, if theyre going to give a speech or preach, then they will say, We will deliver rice to you, because its like a battlefield, and we are in the front lines. We are fighting against the devil.

[Editors note: A starts talking]

T: You know the story in the Old Testament when the prophet ran away and hid himself and the raven came down and brought bread to him? He said that we are also looking for ravens to bring us bread.

A2: That was the prophet Elijah, so we encourage the co-workers on our team to have the mindset of Elijah.

A: There are many people who know about our team now. They call us The fearless team who hangs their heads with their belts.

T: It means they dont care about their lives.

A: We think that ultimately, it is God Who will be responsible for our lives.

R: I agree!

A2: Gods grace is sufficient.

A: We dont know the future yet, and [we] have financial needs also. So we pray constantly, 24 hours a day, in our mind and our hearts. We pray all the time. We dont stop praying. We have many dreams in our hearts, and we have burdens for the churches suffering from poverty. Also, we have burdens for the ministers and the co-workers both in the government church and in the house church. It doesnt matter what identity they are, but, as long as they love the Lord, we keep them in our prayers. So, whoever is carrying the same ministry with us and shares the same burdenit doesnt matter if theyre just fearless warriors in prayer or theyre working in the fieldtheyre in our minds. We keep them in our prayers also.

A2: Our network has covered 30 provinces in China. So, for the people who are fighting on the front lines, they have very difficult situations. For instance, on one hand, they dont have steady financial aid, and then, they will have to face the resistance or persecution from the government. So I always tell my co-workers, if we are lacking in anything or we are in need, we just need to kneel down and pray to God. Even if the world doesnt treat us well or someone who doesnt understand us doesnt treat us well, God will be just, and God will justify everything to us.

A: Were planning to hold an annual meeting for this coming year. If you two are interested, you are welcome to visit. Now, were planning the planning meeting, including co-workers from Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Tibet. They will come. [People] in Hainan province in Yanbian area [will also come]. There will be people from [different minority groups] joining us.

A2: So, youre welcome to come and see what were doing.

A: And also were going to have an ordination ceremony for several of the pastors. Now, the draft of the new Regulations on Religious Affairs is even stricter, so we will suspect that the situation will be more difficult.

R: What are they anticipating?

A: [The government] will restrict in terms of interactions between the co-workers or restrict finances, and also they will track people down. Additionally, the citizens who have no steady income can enjoy a 300 Yuan [$44.00 USD] per month minimum pension from the government, but, if the people say they are Christians with an active faith, they probably will be cut off from the pension.

A2: According to the new regulations, it doesnt matter if it is a government church or house church. The government can ordain new pastors and get rid of the previous ones. Its not biblical.

R: No, its scary. Its really scary.

A2: And also the financial department of the church will need to report to the religious affairs bureau.

A: The pastor is not in power of managing the finances any more. The donations or the tithes will be taken away or given to the government.

A2: The house church will need to be registered with the authorities. Otherwise, the landlord will not be allowed to rent out the place for them to meet any more.

A: So, we really need brothers and sisters in the outside world to pray hard for us. I believe that God will open the way for us.

R: That kind of leads into my next question, because, in our organization, we have a lot of prayer warriors and a lot of people who are interested in helping these situations, whether that be through prayer or financially, so could you maybe ask them if theres anything that I can share with our audience?

T: You want to know their needs, right?

R: Yes, their needs, so I can share it with other people.

T: If there is an opportunity, they would like to visit your church or your organization so that they can share their burdens for the North Koreans and the Middle East with the brothers and sisters there in person.

A2: So first of all, we need your prayers, but secondly, we dont ask people for financial aid by ourselves, but we do have these needs for the ministry to North Koreans. Also, I believe that since God has put this vision in our hearts, we can trust that He will send the right people to be co-workers with us and also contribute to our ministry. So all these years, we have gone through all the hardships and difficult situations through prayers.

A: I have a different opinion from this brother, because I dont know that if, when he goes back to his hometown, any bad things will happen to him or [his churchs] finances will be cut. Id like to say that we should feel unashamed of receiving financial aid or any other aid for our ministries and things including our train tickets, travel expenses, things like that, because were not doing things for ourselves. Were doing them for the Lord. Because he still works for the government, he still has a salary around 2,000 Yuan [$290.00 USD], but I have two kids, and my travel expenses and the cost I paid for this trip was donated by three co-workers back home, so Id rather say Im not here for tourism. If Im doing this for the Lord, I will not feel ashamed for receiving from others. Even though we have different opinions, we understand each other.

A2: Even though we are poor and are short financially, we are not short in our will or in our dignity. Also, God is a God of abundance.

A2: We are already very thankful to you for giving us this opportunity to share the stories of the people fighting on the front lines, and we need you take this information to share with your brothers and sisters back home. Were already very thankful for that.

*Locational information removed to protect the safety of those involved

ChinaAid Media Team

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XI'AN - An aviation project worth about 5.3 billion yuan ($768 million) will be built in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, a local company confirmed.

The project invested by Shaanxi Aviation Industry Development Group Co Ltd (SAIDC) will be located in the Xi'an National Civil Aerospace Industrial Base.

Under the agreement signed by SAIDC and the base on Friday, the project will involve the construction of an assembly line of Bell 407GXP helicopters, centers for helicopter training, emergency response and rescue, as well as the research and development related to drones.

Wang Yongan, chairman of SAIDC, told Xinhua that SAIDC would work with the US aircraft producer Bell Helicopter in developing the assembly line.
Jiang Jianqing, ICBC ex-chairman. [Photo provided to China Daily]

ICBC ex-chairman Jiang Jianqing thinks Western experts' vision of Chinese financial meltdown is alarmist

Jiang Jianqing considers himself a connoisseur, not of fine French wines, as you might expect from a banker of his stature, but rather of financial crises.

During a career in Chinese banking that's spanned four decadesit included time as the head of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, the world's biggest lender by assetsJiang has studied meltdowns through the ages. He's written books and articles on banking history and the not-so-infrequent financial crises the world has witnessed over the past few centuries. "Younger generations will forget the reasons," he said, pointing to three enduring themes behind the calamities: economic imbalances, shoddy regulation, and greed.

Will China be the scene of the world's next financial train wreck?

In a recent interview, Jiang, 63, dismisses this sort of analysis from Western financiers and economists as alarmist. Relaxed and contemplative, having retired as chairman of ICBC in May, he said he doesn't see any signs of a meltdown. And he rejects claims that banks such as ICBC, one of China's big four State-backed lenders, are hiding mountains of undeclared bad loans.

Wild predictions to the contrary, he said, betray a lack of understanding of how China works and how far the Chinese financial system has come. "As Chairman Mao once said, 'If you want to know the taste of the pear, you must taste the pear,'" said Jiang, who worked as a farmhand and miner during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), long before he joined the banking elites. "Some people write a lot of reports or articles about how a pear tastes by using only their imagination."

Jiang's different perspective is born of a 37-year career that mirrors the rapid rise of China's $11-trillion economy as well as the stop-start modernization of its financial system. When he became president of ICBC in 2000, he inherited a bank that was mired in bad debt, in need of a government bailout, and bereft of risk-management controls.

He turned things around. ICBC's official bad-loan ratio is lower than 2 percent, compared with 34 percent when he started working at the bank's Beijing headquarters in 1999. (Judged by more modern reporting standards, he said, the ratio then would have been 47.5 percent.) He counts improvements in risk controls among his proudest achievements.

According to Jiang, ICBC now classifies loans in 12 categories based on repayment risks, using a methodology that's stricter than the five-category system required by the China Banking Regulatory Commission.

Jiang ran ICBC during the biggest expansion of credit in history. The asset value of Chinese banks jumped 276 percent in eight years, to 218 trillion yuan ($33 trillion) as of June. That's more than double the amount held collectively by US commercial banks. ICBC had a market capitalization of $228 billion in early November.

After overseeing the bank for 16 years, Jiang left to head an ICBC-led fund that plans to raise as much as $11.1 billion to invest in central and Eastern Europe. The venture is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative to promote trade and economic development along ancient Silk Road maritime and land routes.

The fund will focus on investment in infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing, and consumer goods, according to statements from ICBC and the Chinese government.

Heading the investment fund is a natural fit for Jiang, said Keith Pogson, a Hong Kong-based managing partner at Ernst & Young who worked with Jiang as ICBC's auditor from 2001 to 2012. "ICBC has been at the forefront of financing the infrastructure build-out both inside China and, increasingly, with Chinese projects or businesses outside China," he said. "That experience would be invaluable in doing similar things in Eastern Europe. Remember, that is really where Belt and Road ends up."

Although Jiang climbed to the pinnacle of Chinese banking, his salary last year was all of $81,000, or 0.3 percent of the $27 million earned by JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. Given his minister-level status in Chinese officialdom, Jiang probably enjoyed certain perks, such as a car and driver, but ICBC doesn't disclose them.

Shang shan xia xiang! "Up to the mountains, down to the villages" was a rallying cry of "cultural revolution". It recalls a tumultuous time beginning in the 1960s when millions of urban youth such as Jiang were sent to the countryside to be re-educated by the peasants.

He left his native Shanghai in 1970a 17-year-old embarking on a four-day trip by train, bus, and foot to a remote part of Jiangxi province.

While someone his age elsewhere in the world might have been studying at a university, Jiang was workingfirst as a farm laborer and then as the lone teacher in a school, instructing kids in everything from mathematics to music.

Later, he was a coal miner in Henan province. For him, re-education worked. "The experience made me better understand grass-roots Chinese society," he said.

Jiang's first banking job came in 1979. He was an accountant in Shanghai at the corporate banking counter of a three-counter branch of the People's Bank of China, he said. By 1993, 15 years into the opening up of China under Deng Xiaoping, Jiang had become deputy head of ICBC's Shanghai branch. Within a couple of years he was running what's now the Bank of Shanghai.

In 1997, he rejoined ICBC as its Shanghai head. Two years later, Jiang was named a vice-president for ICBC.

As a banker in a government-dominated system, Jiang would have learned to balance "political and business interests," said He Xuanlai, a Singapore-based analyst at Commerzbank.

During his time at ICBC, he made his mark as an effective salesmanfirst by persuading Goldman Sachs to buy a 5.8 percent stake in the bank, then by taking it public in 2006, raising $22 billion, a world record at the time. "He's clearly one of the fathers of modern-day Chinese banking," Ernst & Young's Pogson said.

Although Jiang considers China's bad-debt workout during the 1990s more challenging than anything his country faces today, he sees thorny challenges ahead. The Chinese economy has decelerated from double-digit growth rates, slowing every year since 2010, and lenders need to cut off credit to the "zombie" companies as part of what will be a protracted deleveraging for the country.

Over the past two to three years, Jiang said, economic restructuring has put pressure on nonperforming loans. He said controlling the level of bad debt is "testimony that the risk-control systems we put in place have worked well."

Looking ahead, he casts a wary eye on China's growing web of shadow lending, with banks channeling money through intermediary structures to bypass capital and loan-loss provision requirements.

China has more work to do to get its financial sector on a firmer footing. Jiang said companies need to be encouraged to tap capital markets for financing instead of relying on bank loans, while wealth management products worth $3.9 trillion need better regulation and more transparency, with investors carrying the risks.

Ever the historian, Jiang takes the long view of the evolution of Chinese banking. "The Western banks have more than several hundred years of history," he said. "The modern banking system started late in China."

Jiang doesn't gloat about the comeuppance some non-Chinese banks endured during the global financial crisis in 2008. "The lesson we have learned from Western banks is that if China enters the water of financial reform and innovation," he said with a smile, "we ought to enter at the place that is most shallow."

As Jiang embarks on a new chapter in his career, the water will have to get deeper without him.

Bloomberg
Citigroup Inc has given a clarion call for commodity bulls, predicting that most raw materials are expected to perform strongly next year as global economic growth picks up, the oversupply that's dogged markets finally dissipates and investors plow in more funds.

The bank is bullish on oil, copper, zinc, and wheat in a six- to 12-month horizon, with global growth seen at 2.7 percent from 2.5 percent in 2016, according to an emailed report. It's bearish on coal and iron oredescribing this year's outperformance in bulks as a flukeand gold and soybeans.

Commodities have made a comeback this year after sinking to a quarter-century low in January. The oil market shows signs of rebalancing after a glut, and base metals are rallying on prospects for rising demand. Citigroup has flagged its optimism about raw materials in 2017 since at least July, and other banks have also turned more positive. Last month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc recommended an overweight position for the first time in four years.

"For commodities in general, the oversupply that was induced by high prices in the first decade of this century is finally being balanced," analysts led by Ed Morse wrote in the note. "What's more, the cost structures across commodities are reaching an end of a period of persistent and record deflation."

The Bloomberg Commodity Index has advanced 11 percent in 2016 after a five-year losing run that was spurred by a slowdown in growth and gluts in everything from copper to crude oil. This year, advances in raw materials have been led by zinc, nickel, copper, Brent crude and sugar.

Citigroup laced its bullish outlook with warnings. Volatility is likely to pick up, both as markets rebalance, and as developments in China shift prices, according to the bank, which cited the potential impact of government policy on Asia's top economy, as well as heightened investor flows in commodity futures.

While Donald Trump's victory in the US election may bolster fiscal policy, his move away from globalization may pose a risk to the outlook for growth, Citigroup said. Trump's election highlights a key risk, according to the bank, which flagged the potential for rising tensions, including trade wars.

Among the bank's picks for 2017, oil may outperform the rest of the energy complex as the first OPEC production cut in eight years accelerates the balancing of the market, according to the report. In copper, the bank raised its 2017 average price target 9 percent to $5,575 a metric ton.

Bloomberg
BEIJING - Trade between the world's two largest economies has shown signs of improvement as the US trade deficit with China, a long-term US concern, narrowed significantly in October.

In October, US exports to China reached a three-year high of $13 billion, contributing to the month's 4.2 percent decrease in the trade deficit with China, according to the US Commerce Department.

The US overall trade gap for the month grew 17.8 percent, the biggest increase since March 2015, to $42.6 billion from the surprisingly low September deficit, data from the department showed.

China's measures to promote steady economic growth have contributed to the growing consumer appetite for US imported goods, said Bai Ming, researcher with an institution affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce.

Chinese figures show that the nation's trade surplus with the US has been growing since 2000, reaching $42.1 billion in 2002 and surpassing $200 billion in the January-November period of this year.

The growth has slowed in recent years, with just a 0.9 percent year-on-year increase in the first eleven months of this year, largely due to improvement of the trade balance between the two countries, experts have said.

With the transfer of processing trade, the main source of trade surplus between China and the United States, to other regions such as Southeast Asia, the trade gap between the two countries has narrowed in recent years, said Zhang Yansheng, head researcher with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

Customs data show that China has been the world's second largest importer for seven consecutive years, with its imports standing at $1.68 trillion in 2015.

The nation's total imports are expected to reach $8 trillion in the next five years.

In the first eleven months, China's overall trade surplus narrowed to 3.11 trillion yuan ($457 billion), down 5.8 percent from the previous year, latest customs data show.

China is pursuing an overall trade balance rather than addressing its trade imbalance with any particular country, experts have said.

During US President-elect Donald Trump's campaign trail, he promised to bring back lost manufacturing jobs by renegotiating free trade deals and levying hefty tariffs on trade partners.

Though the remarks were aimed at appealing to voters, they show the growing tendency of protectionism in the United States, which will hurt itself as well as its trade partners, Bai said.

Trade between China and the United States reached $558.4 billion in 2015, hundreds of times greater than in 1979 when China-US diplomatic relations were established. The United States has become China's second largest trade partner while China is the US' largest trade partner.

China-US trade rose at an average annual growth rate of over 7 percent in recent years in defiance of the global downturn after the 2008 financial crisis.

US goods and services, including 22 percent of its cotton, 26 percent of Boeing airplanes and 56 percent of its soybean, were sold to China, creating nearly a million jobs for the exporter.

For a long time, US exports to China were mostly primary goods and agricultural products, but not products where the United States had a comparative advantage such as high-tech products, Zhang said.

To narrow the US trade deficit with China, the United States should relax its restrictions on the export of high-tech goods to China, and combine its technology and experience with China's competitive equipment and industries, Bai said.

The two sides can also jointly develop the third-party markets and continue to promote trade in services, which will help balance bilateral trade, Bai added.
MELBOURNE - A better, widespread understanding of the benefits of globalization is needed to reverse the "protectionist" trend harming the future of free trade, Helen Sawczak, National CEO of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) told Xinhua on Monday.

Sawczak, who was present at the Boao Forum for Asia on The Future of Globalization in Melbourne last week, said the recent trend away from embracing free trade - championed by leaders in western nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom - has thrown the future of multilateral free trade unfairly into doubt.

"Globalization is currently facing some challenges in the light of certain protectionist trends such as Brexit and the Trump presidency in the US," Sawczak told Xinhua in an interview.

"However, the consensus at the Boao Forum for Asia Melbourne Conference was overwhelmingly that globalization is irreversible and beneficial for all nations. A memorable quote from one of the speakers was: 'If you're a patriot, you're an internationalist'."

Sawczak said more transparency in regards to the vast benefits associated with globalization and liberal free trade were needed to convince not only lawmakers, but everyday citizens who are not in favor of free trade deals.

She added that many of the issues people seem to have with globalization can be "countered" by facts, while the host of benefits associated with free trade are not being properly explained to small business owners, farmers and producers of other goods and services.

"A better understanding about the benefits of globalization is still needed, and misunderstandings about the effects of globalization needed to be countered, for instance the loss of manufacturing jobs largely attributable to automation of processes, rather than offshoring," Sawczak said.

The ACBC CEO said while there may be uncertainty surrounding globalization in other parts of the world, Australia was still a firm believer in its benefits.

She said the Australian government's strong bilateral ties with China and other Asian proponents of free trade would ensure the benefits reach not only the wider economy, but small-time businesses and farmers as well.

"In the face of protectionist trends, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements will have an increased significance," Sawczak told Xinhua.

"The Australia-China relationship will undoubtedly continue to strengthen as we now celebrate the first anniversary of ChAFTA and begin to reap all of its benefits with the fullness of time."

At last week's forum, experts and politicians alike agreed that the benefits of free trade were plain to see, particularly in Australia.

The state of Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews described ChAFTA as "a model for what can be achieved" through free trade.

"The important thing is to remember that globalization, open markets, open dialogue and shared investment are critical to prosperity and growth for the future. You simply cannot achieve what we want to achieve if we don't work together," he told the press on Thursday.

"It's become fashionable to question globalization, and that's been something under close examination in many parts of the world of recent times.

"This 'isolationist' agenda seems to be quite popular at the moment, but benefits no one."
A worker cleans a new car at FAW-Volkswagen's booth at an auto show in Shanghai. International carmakers which want to localize their products are required to establish joint ventures, in which their stake cannot exceed 50 percent. [Photo/China Daily]

Discussed stake cap lift applies only to international car parts manufacturers

China has made no change to the controversial stake cap applied to foreign automakers in its latest investment guidance, but analysts said this might not be a bad thing, at least for now.

The policy, which was first released in 1994, stipulates that all foreign automakers and spare-parts producers that want to localize production in China must establish joint ventures, in which their stake must not exceed 50 percent.

A faint sign of change emerged in June, when Xu Shaoshi, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that China was looking into lifting the stake cap.

One month later, the State Council, China's cabinet, introduced a pilot policy to allow some kinds of auto-parts producers in several free trade zones to localize production without establishing joint ventures.

Now the move has been extended nationwide in the new guidance issued on Dec 7 to seek public opinions, while the stake cap for automakers remains unchanged.

Yale Zhang, managing director of consulting firm Automotive Foresight, said it is not realistic to expect a sudden removal of the policy, as too many automakers would be affected.

He suggests that China should work out a 10-year scheme, for example, to remove the cap, which will give local automakers a buffer zone and motivate them to step up their efforts.

"With a deadline, they will know they should not rest on joint ventures' revenue and do nothing," said Zhang.

BAIC Motor's financial statement shows a registered net profit of 4.42 billion yuan ($650 million) in the first half of 2016, most of which is derived from its joint ventures with Hyundai Motor and Daimler. Meanwhile, its own brand lost 1.2 billion yuan, 43.3 percent higher than its loss in the same period last year.

FAW Group's joint venture with Volkswagen is a top three passenger car seller in the country, but its own brands are underperforming.

FAW Car, a subsidiary within the wider group, saw its revenue in the first half of the year fall nearly 40 percent year-on-year. FAW Xiali made a loss of 5.3 billion yuan in the same period, due to "less competitive products" and "failure to keep pace with market demands", according to company statements.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen said it would appreciate China's earliest possible efforts to liberalize regulations and the country's economy.

The company's China head, Jochem Heizmann, told China Daily in an earlier interview that removing the cap is the only way to ensure that companies have the freedom to decide how to proceed, and where and how to invest, "as it is the standard all over the world".

However, John Zeng, managing director of LMC Automotive Consulting (Shanghai), said keeping the stake cap unchanged is a good thing for the time being, both for foreign automakers and their partners.

He said as State-owned automakers are part of the government, they can leverage their resources to win government support in many aspects, to which foreign automakers would not otherwise have access.

"So, even if the cap is removed now, I don't think foreign automakers of volume cars will risk losing government support by bargaining with them for a higher stake," he explained.

Zeng said another factor that will prevent partners from changing their current stakes is their dealership network. He explained their quarrels would affect the confidence of the dealers, "which is easy to destroy but difficult to build".

"If that happens, they will find themselves in trouble, as evidenced by Audi's compromise with its dealers," he said.

Analysts and industry insiders have long been divided on whether or not removing the stake cap would be a positive choice for the country's auto industry.

Dong Yang, executive vice-president of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, is a firm advocate of the protective policy.

He warned that Chinese brands would be "killed in the cradle" if foreign automakers were allowed to become more independent from their domestic partners, saying that whoever supports removing the cap is "a traitor to the country".

"If joint ventures end up foreign controlled or owned, they might create unfair competition ... and China's drive to upgrade its manufacturing, as well its scientific innovation and even national security, will suffer," Dong wrote in his blog.

Such worries are understandable. Many major international brands, including Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors, have joint ventures in China, and they have been the dominant players so far in the market.

Statistics from the CAAM show that seven out of the top 10 passenger car producers by sales in the first 10 months this year were joint ventures.

The only State-owned Chinese brand that made it into the top 10, Chongqing Changan Automobile, came fifth.

Despite this situation, many do not think that removing the cap will have disastrous results.

Li Shufu, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has been a longtime advocate for the removal of the cap, saying that the move would encourage competition and thus benefit consumers.

He said the current policy resembles parents who are excessively protective of their children, but such protection will not ensure their successful development and could, instead, weaken their abilities for innovation and competitiveness.

Geely sold 580,000 cars from January to October 2016, making it into the top 10 list of passenger car producers in the country.

Great Wall Motor, another private carmaker in China, is doing an even better job, with its sales totaling 710,000 vehicles in the period.

Its Chairman Wei Jianjun said the reason the company has achieved such success is because "we private carmakers do not have a route of retreat".
A Starbucks staff member hands out free coffee to customers at an event to mark the 10th anniversary of Starbucks' launch in China, at the company's original outlet in Beijing. [Photo/Agencies]

Beverage chain jumps on WeChat bandwagon, takes mobile payments

WeChat lets users text friends, post selfies and pay a gas bill with a smartphone. From Thursday, the blockbuster Chinese app, known as Weixin Pay in China, has also been used to buy a Java Chip Frappuccino.

Starbucks Corp said on Thursday it will accept the payments system at about 2,500 of its cafes across China, enabling customers to complete purchases with a scan of their phone. The agreement with Tencent Holdings Ltd means the Seattle-based chain joins foreign retailers, including KFC, Disney and Uniqlo, in embracing the cashless mobile payments ubiquitous in China.

About 200 million consumers use Weixin Pay and Alipay, the system owned by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's financial affiliate, at physical stores because of the ease and speed at which consumers can make purchases. Some overseas retailers have balked at digitized transactions because of costs involved in changing payment systems and concern that data collected could breach customer privacy.

"Accepting mobile payment would unlock massive value for Starbucks," said Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research Group, in an interview. "Since they couldn't move customers through the line faster, they were losing 5 to 10 percent of business."

Starbucks China didn't immediately respond to emailed questions on its decision to adopt Weixin Pay. Its cafe competitor Costa Coffee began accepting mobile payments more than a year ago, around the same time as fast food chains McDonald's and KFC.

The announcement on Thursday is a relief for consumers like Tong Wei. The 32-year-old insurance executive said he was dismayed at the line snaking in front of a Starbucks outlet last week in central Shanghai's Lujiazui business district.

"The lines are always very long at Starbucks because people take so long to pay," he said. "If there was another option nearby, I wouldn't come here anymore."

It was a common complaint in China, where mobile payment is a big deal. Four out of 10 consumers use mobile phones to pay at physical retail stores and restaurants, according to research firm Emarketer, which forecasts that the proportion will soon rise to half.

Many consumers in China, especially those under 30, don't bring anything but their phones when they go out to lunch or shopping.

"It's a reality you can't ignore," said Chris Reitermann, chief executive officer of Ogilvy & Mather China. "Mobile payment is so big and so influential that you cannot not be part of it. I'm very sure that there's no retailer in six months in China that can afford not to accept it (mobile payment)it's just too big."

With Starbucks having capitulated, fashion chain H&M of Hennes & Mauritz AB, which has more than 300 stores across the Chinese mainland, leads the pack of hold-outs, which also includes furniture store Ikea and Nestle SA's coffee-machine maker Nespresso.

H&M China spokeswoman Stella Zhou said that the company is "looking into the mobile payment systems, but our focus now is improving our own online platform." Ikea China's external public relations spokeswoman Vivienne Jia said that it is in the process of conducting trials of mobile payments in its mainland stores. Nespresso China declined to comment.

Cost and control are the main concerns keeping foreign consumer companies in China from accepting mobile payments, analysts and retailers said. For foreign chains, accepting Chinese mobile payment services usually involves an expensive upgrade to a point-of-sales system that can accommodate Weixin Pay and Alipay while also being compatible with their international systems.

"It's actually a huge dilemma for foreign companies what system they can use," said Ben Wong, a spokesman for Bindo, a point-of-sales system software that is compatible locally and internationally. "Native Chinese systems are incompatible with international systems, but if they keep the systems separate, there's too much loss of retail data."

New Zealand-based premium coffee chain Fuel Espresso took six months and about 50,000 yuan ($7,300) to accommodate Alipay in its Shanghai store, said store manager Jovi Chan.

Besides having to convince his New Zealand and Hong-Kong-based management of the necessity of accepting mobile payments in China, the store also had to convert to Bindo's software, install better Wi-Fi and open a Chinese mainland corporate account, among other measures, said Chan.

"It's a long-term investment," he said. "I felt that if we don't go in this direction now, there'll be a big problem in the future."

For giants like Starbucks, which is opening stores in China at the pace of more than one a day, the concern was over safeguarding the data of its customer base, said China Market Research Group's Rein.

"A lot of chains are concerned about too much user-data controlled by Alibaba," he said. "It's their customers, but now all the data goes to the mobile payment providers. There are concerns about confidentiality."

Starbucks had tried to popularize its own mobile payment system. In July, it launched pre-loaded Starbucks gift cards for members to pay via mobile devices.

Ant Financial, which owns Alipay, said that it signs data protection agreements with every merchant.

"All the rights to customer data are in the hands of the merchants, and each merchant's data is strictly separated," Ant Financial said in an email.

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China to put educational exchange on fast track

Xinhua | Updated: 2016-12-12 07:40

KUNMING -- China will further improve quality and opening-up of its educational sector and raise cultural and personnel exchange to a national strategic level, said China's Deputy Education Minister Hao Ping on Sunday.



Efforts will be exerted to serve both overseas students in China and domestic students going abroad, and to support schools jointly-run by China and foreign countries, Hao said, adding that China planned to send 29,000 government-sponsored students this year as part of an initiative to train talent with global vision.



About 523,700 Chinese studied abroad in 2015, making China world's top source of overseas students. China is also the world's third largest study destination following United States and Britain, which saw nearly 400,000 students from across the world last year.



Sino-foreign cooperative education has progressed well in recent years. China has established more than 2,400 cooperative programs with 700 strong overseas universities and, has signed agreements on mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas with 44 countries and regions.



"Education is the priority among priorities in cultural and personnel exchange. China has begun national-level educational cooperation with countries include the United States, Russia, Britain and France, and will raise such exchange to a national strategic level in the future," noted Hao.
A Fengyun 4A weather satellite is launched on Sunday in Xichang, Sichuan province. [Photo/China Daily]

China launched a new-generation weather satellite on Sunday that can improve weather forecasting as well as help study lightning and air pollutants, including PM2.5.

The 5.4-metric ton Fengyun 4A, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, was launched at 12:11 am atop a Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which is overseeing the satellite project.

The country's latest geosynchronous meteorological satellite will gradually replace the Fengyun 2 satellites, the administration said in a statement.

The Fengyun 4A will work 36,000 km above the Earth for seven years, monitoring the atmosphere, clouds and the space environment above China and the western Pacific and Indian oceans.

The satellite will help with meteorological forecasting, disaster prevention and relief, climate change response and environmental monitoring, the statement said.

Yu Xinwen, deputy director of the China Meteorological Administration, said: "The Fengyun 4A will help China remain one of the top developers of weather satellites. It is the first of its kind in the world that is capable of performing multichannel observation of the atmosphere."

Dong Yaohai, chief designer of the satellite at the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, said the satellite has four instruments - an advanced geosynchronous radiation imager, a geostationary interferometric infrared sounder, a lightning mapping imager and an instrument to monitor the space environment.

The lightning mapping imager is capable of taking 500 pictures of lightning within one second, and these images will extensively facilitate research on lightning's frequency and effects, he said.

The advanced geosynchronous radiation imager will calculate the density of PM10 and PM2.5, both of which are toxic particulate matter that is harmful to health.

"The Fengyun 4A is as advanced as the newest weather satellites developed by the United States, Europe and Japan," the designer said. "It is highly sensitive, since it is able to detect a temperature change of 0.1 C on the ground."

Zhao Jian, an official in charge of the project at the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, said China plans to launch the Fengyun 4B in 2018 and the Fengyun 4C in 2020.

The country will also send some other weather satellites in the near future, including two rain monitor satellites and one greenhouse gas detection satellite, he said.

China launched its first weather satellite, the Fengyun 1A, in 1988. It now operates seven weather satellites - four in the Fengyun 2 series and three in the Fengyun 3 series, according to the administration.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
Experts suggest that a reporting system be established to address the issue on campus

A bullying incident at a primary school in Beijing should not be brushed off as "a joke that went too far"; rather, facts should be dug out and action should be taken to prevent similar events from happening on campus again, according to experts.

Huang Zifang, a psychologist specializing in children's growth issues, said schools should be careful about taking bullying incidents as mere pranks.

"Instead, they should work to find out the root cause of the incident in a timely manner, guide the children involved to face and handle the incident in a correct way and teach them to behave properly to avoid-similar situations," Huang said.

She made the comments after a mother in Beijing posted a description online on Thursday of how her 10-year-old son was bullied at Zhongguancun No 2 Primary School, a top school in Haidian district.

The mother wrote that her fourth-grade son was the target of bullies who threw a toilet wastepaper basket at him, striking him in the head. The boy was also mocked by his classmates, she said, bringing on acute stress disordera mental illness triggered by severe anxiety.

The mother also wrote that the school described the incident as "a joke that went too far" and that the parents of the boy who threw the basket believed their son was "just being naughty".

The article went viral, with many internet users recalling being bullied at school.

Shen Xua volunteer from Beijing who has traveled the country for several years to work with schools to reduce bullyingsaid schools should take responsibility for such incidents and try to make the bullies understand that their behavior is "vicious and harmful" and "not allowed".

"In the long run, a reporting system should be established to root out bullying on campus. Students should be given specific channels to report what they experience to teachers before further measures are taken to deal with incidents," Shen said.

Huang, the psychologist, said that schools and parents must pay more attention to the ethical development and mental health of children, rather than just looking at their academic performance.

The Ministry of Education, together with a group of other departments, released a series of guidelines last month offering advice on how to deal with the problem.

On Saturday, Zhongguancun No 2 Primary School released a statement on its social media account saying that it had talked to the parents on both sides and would make further efforts to achieve an outcome satisfactory to all parties.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

zhaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/12/2016 page5)
Hong Kong saw a significant increase in voter turnout on Sunday in the election of the 1,200-member committee responsible for choosing its next chief executive.

As of 8:30 pm, turnout stood at 39.2 percent, well surpassing the 27.5 percent turnout in December 2011, the last time a committee election was held in the special administrative region. The chief executive will be elected in March, and will assume office about three months later.

More than 230,000 registered voters were eligible to cast their votes at more than 110 polling stations citywide between 7:30 am and 10:30 pm on Sunday. Vote counting will start at midnight and be completed on Monday.

District councils in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon - which was one of the 25 contested subsectors on Sunday - appeared to have the highest turnout, with 92 percent of registered voters.

The Hong Kong Basic Law, the city's governing document, stipulates that the chief executive should be elected through a broadly representative election committee, followed by appointment by the central government.

Committee members come from four main social sectors, comprising 38 subsectors representing various trades, professions, labor and social welfare groups, as well as district organizations. They serve a five-year term.

On Sunday, 1,239 candidates from the 25 subsectors competed for 733 open seats on the committee, the Electoral Affairs Commission of Hong Kong said earlier.

Some seats were automatically filled earlier this year, including candidates who faced no contest, and ex-officio members of the committee, such as Hong Kong legislators and deputies to the National People's Congress.

Two ex-legislators were disqualified in November by a court for declining to properly take their required oaths of office, thereby violating the Basic Law. The two also lost their seats on the Election Committee.

Potential chief executive candidates normally announce their bids after a new election committee is formed.

On Friday, the city's incumbent, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, announced he would not seek re-election, citing family reasons.

The winning chief executive candidate has to obtain at least 600 votes, a majority of the total cast by the committee.

luisliu@chinadailyhk.com
People who occupy higher positions are not necessarily more content in their jobs

According to a recent survey, more than 70 percent of human resources staff say that internal satisfaction is most meaningful and important to them, which reflects a mainstream sense of values among Chinese white-collar workers.

The survey, conducted by Renmin University of China's School of Labor and Human Resources, found that 70.7 percent of the HR workers surveyed agreed that "a successful career is about achieving a balance between work and life".

It also found that 70.3 percent of those polled pay more attention to the inner satisfaction their job brings them, rather than the wealth and benefits they get from the job.

About 5,200 people working in HR positions all over the country participated in the survey. More than half held a bachelor's degree, while the average age was 35. Sixty-five percent were female.

Zhou Wenxia, deputy director of the school who led the survey, said the findings also reflect a mainstream sense of values among Chinese in all walks of society.

"The findings reversed a prevalent mindset that Chinese only care about the money," said Zhou, who has been researching careers for more than a decade.

She said that people are more eager to gain recognition, undertake important tasks and do things they are interested in.

"We are now in an era when people seek personal value and self-fulfillment," Zhou added.

Wang Tongxun, vice-chairman of the China Talent Research Association, said Chinese people's criteria regarding a successful career have changed greatly over the years.

"In the past, people mostly talked about promotion and salary increases. But now, we often hear people talk about competence, happiness and fulfillment," Wang said.

Zhou said she found that the elements of a successful career in the minds of Chinese can be divided into three dimensions: external rewards, internal satisfactions, and harmony and balance.

"We were surprised to find that external rewards are not necessarily connected with internal satisfaction," Zhou said. "That is to say, people in higher positions and on higher salaries are not necessarily happier or more content with their jobs."

zhaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn
Overview of the Bairencheng archaeological site.Mou Yu / Xinhua

Excavation of the site of a 2,500-year-old city recently started in Xingtai, Hebei province.

The city - Bairencheng - belonged to the state of Zhao during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period (770-221 BC). It is one of the largest existing ancient cities in China.

Covering about 4 square kilometers, it was fortified on three sides by walls, with its north side bordered by the Zhihe River.

The walls total about 8,017 meters in length, with the best-preserved sections measuring an average of 2 to 6 meters in height.

The walls were built with rammed earth, the same material technique in the construction of much of the Great Wall.

The site is located in Shuangbei town, Longyao county, about 400 km from Beijing.

Excavation of the site, the first of its kind since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, will be funded by a 1.15 million yuan ($167,273) investment, according to the Xingtai government's website.

The job will last about six months, said Cao Shengfeng, a publicity official in Longyao county.

A preparatory survey of the site was completed in November last year.

In 2013, the site was listed as a national key relic protection unit.

zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn
Kungfu lovers perform martial art at a square during an activity held by Palacky University in Prague of Czech on Sept 24, 2014, to celebrate the Day of the Confucius Institute which falls on Sept 27. [Photo/Xinhua]

KUNMING - Confucius Institutes are important channels for countries along the Belt and Road to collaborate in culture, trade and economy, according to attendees at the 11th Confucius Institute Conference concluded on Sunday in Kunming, capital city of Southwest China's Yunnan province.

Over 2,200 principals and representatives from 140 countries and regions took part in this year's two-day conference, also known as the "Davos of the education sector".

With the new theme "innovation, cooperation, inclusion and sharing" proposed by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong for future development, this year's conference features discussions on Confucius Institutes' positive role in "Belt and Road" initiative.

"We will further promote the localization of Confucius Institutes, and its integration with the 'Belt and Road' initiative, so as to benefit people from all countries and contribute more to diversified civilizations," said Liu while addressing the conference.

Confucius Institutes have enormously boosted people-to-people exchange, trade, economic and educational cooperation along Belt and Road while promoting Chinese culture, attendees at the conference agreed.

China's Yunnan University and the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh will set up a new Confucius Institute to work as a platform for economic collaboration among China, Bangladesh, Myamar and India, said Md Kamal Uddin, vice president of University of Dhaka.

Lauding the institutes for bringing big rewards in cultural exchange between China other parts of the world, Uddin believed the new institute would be crucial to push forward the "Belt and Road" initiative.

He said that Confucius Institutes were the fruit of China's friendship with other parts of the world, and would form a collaboration bridge in enhancing 'Belt and Road' initiative.

Confucius Institutes are named after ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, and serve as non-profit public institutions to help foreigners better understand China by teaching Chinese language and culture at universities overseas. The first such institute was established in 2004.

Up to now, a total of 2.1 million people are studying Chinese language and culture in 511 Confucius Institutes and 1,073 Confucius Classrooms across 140 countries and regions.

Nancy Marlin, emeritus president at San Diego State University told Xinhua that while the China-sponsored initiative will make great contributions to global economic development, Confucius Institutes would deepen mutual understanding between peoples of China and the United States.

Marlin said the institute in San Diego offered six Chinese classic art courses most appealing to locals, such as poetry, tea rituals, calligraphy and Tai Chi.

She added that the course served as a cultural silk road, creating a new world for American students.

A new center aims at promoting mandarin in Southeast Asian countries, which are along the maritime Silk Road, was inaugurated in Yunnan University during the conference. The center will train Chinese language teachers and provide talent support for Confucius Institutes in the region.

"Confucius Institutes will play a new role in 'Belt and Road' initiative, and promote exchange among different cultures," said Jiang Yongwen, president of Yunan Normal University.
Photo provided to China Daily

Zhejiang Kun Opera troupe in East China's Hangzhou has launched a program to teach Kunqu arts for free to 20 online celebrities and internet users can watch the whole show live, chninanews.com reported Monday.

"To generate the interest of online celebrities, the program will start by teaching them characters and makeup," said Bao Chen, who is in charge of the course.

"For example, we will teach them how to dress like Du Liniang, a role that's similar to Hermia's in A Midsummer Night's Dream, in a Kun Opera. It will take them nearly two hours to wear makeup and dress as Du. They can broadcast their learning process online," said Bao, adding that the students will later learn how to pose, move their bodies, sing and speak in Kun Opera.

Bao said the tuition-free training, with customized courses, has been designed to last three or five months.

What surprised Bao was that so many online celebrities applied for the program, which far exceeded the number of the students they had planned to enroll.

"There are more than 100 applicants, some of them are volunteers while others have been signed up by their agencies," said Bao.

Faced with so many applicants, the troupe decided to increase the strength of each class. "At the beginning, we decided to enroll 15 students, now we have decided to enroll 20 in each class. This is the first training course, we will have the second and the third training course. We promise all the applicants will receive the training," said Bao.

"The reason why so many online celebrities are rushing to apply is that they want to look more graceful after learning Kun Opera," said Xue Tengjiao, president of an agency of online celebrities.

Xue admitted that he used to change the TV channel whenever opera was on as he did not have the patience to listen to it.

An online celebrity named Xing Xing said the live online broadcast mainly focuses on popular songs, chat or jump dance. "I can attract more fans if I can learn a different talent like Kun Opera," said an online celebrity.

Like Xing Xing, most of the 20-something online celebrities taking part in the program have no idea about Kun Opera.

As far as the expectations are concerned, Zhou Xi, in charge of the troupe's promotion activities, admitted that after training it will be good enough if the online celebrities can learn basics of singing and movements as they are not expected to be equal to the professional Kun Opera performers.

However, Zhou said: "It's more important to let more people understand and enjoy Kun Opera through different channels, including live online broadcast. That is our intention behind this program."
Beijing asks president-elect not to destroy foundation for Sino-US cooperation

The Foreign Ministry urged US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday to act prudently on the Taiwan question to avoid "serious damage to the Sino-US relationship", after Trump once again publicly provoked China.

Beijing could react with countermeasures in trade and regional issues, if Trump keeps challenging the time-tested one-China policy, which is the diplomatic cornerstone of relations between the world's two biggest economies, Chinese experts said.

In a Fox News broadcast on Sunday, Trump said the United States does not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China", challenging the consensus that the two countries have upheld for nearly four decades.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday that the one-China policy is the political foundation of the Sino-US relationship, and if this foundation is broken, Sino-US cooperation in key areas would have no basis.

"We urge the new US administration and its leader to fully understand the high sensitivity of the Taiwan question," Geng said at a regularly scheduled news conference. Geng said the Taiwan question must be handled in a prudent and proper manner to avoid serious damage to Sino-US ties.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, met with Trump's transitional team, including Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn, whom Trump has designated as his national security adviser, in New York when Yang made his recent Latin American trip, Geng said. They exchanged opinions on "important issues that concerned both sides", he said.

Trump's comments came after he prompted a sharp objection from China over his decision to accept a telephone call on Dec 2 from Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen. It was the first time a US president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwan leader in nearly four decades.

According to a report by Singapore-based Zaobao.com, Joseph Wu, a senior security official for Taiwan, and David Lee, a senior diplomat for Taiwan, will travel to the US amid enhanced communications between the United States and the island.

Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, said that China could send a "strong response" and "at least downgrade its diplomatic level with the US" if the Trump-led administration continued to challenge the one-China policy.

If the US government under Trump provoked China on territorial sovereignty, the US should not expect to get the cooperation from China on major international issues, he said.

China could also take a more aggressive stance regarding US navigation patrols in the South China Sea, where it has so far restricted itself to verbal warnings and restrained actions, he added.

China also has a large amount of US debt, and China is also the largest export market for US agricultural products. If Trump makes irrational moves, China could take countermeasures in economic and trade areas, said Li Ruogu, former chairman of the Export-Import Bank of China.

Li said the Chinese government has to be prepared since China should not attach its hopes to what Trump might or might not do.

Dong Chunling, a researcher on US studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that through provocation on the Taiwan question, Trump wants to gain more leverage for his foreign policy after assuming the presidency next month.

"If the basis of the China-US relationship is undermined, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries will be affected, which will impact the US economy and employment," he said.

Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
Li Gaoshan demonstrates a certificate of survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, Nov 21, 2016. Li Gaoshan, born in 1925 in South China's Guangdong province, attended the battle of Nanjing in 1937 when he was 13 years old. He escaped from death after being arrested by Japanese troops. Japanese troops occupied eastern China's Nanjing on Dec 13, 1937, and began a six-week massacre. Chinese records show more than 300,000 people -- not only disarmed soldiers but also civilians -- were brutally murdered and thousands of women raped. In the past 79 years, the number of survivors decreases. After Zhang Fuzhi, 89, passed away on Nov 26, 2016, the number of the registered survivors reduced to 108. With hurt that are unable to heal and tragic memory of suffering, survivors are the witnesses of the massacre. [Photo/Xinhua]
A total of 800 wheat combine harvesters rolled off Lovol Heavy Industry Co Ltd's production line in Shandong province on Wednesday, ready to be exported to Sudan in North Africa.

The overseas government procurement order is reportedly the largest single export delivery of grain harvester machines since 1949.

Lovol forged a strategic partnership with the Sudanese government in 2006. The company has since provided 629 harvesters and 300 high-powered tractors to the African country. The exports were worth $30 million in total.

"Sudan has once again chosen our products, which is proof of its government's and people's faith in our brand," said Chang Jiamao, vice general manager of Lovol.

"With the 800-harvester shipment dispatched, Lovol has gone yet further in its overseas expansion," Chang said.

To better honor the latest order, the company has developed new innovations tailored to Sudan's agricultural development in various regions.

The harvesters developed for Sudan's sandy region use both dry and moisture filter systems to adapt to its sandy tropical desert climate, while those for the country's grassland region feature expanded radiators, which help to improve engines' heat dissipation capacities.

In addition, Lovol sent its service staf to Sudan to provide training to local users before the delivery. Another aftersales service team will be dispatched after the harvesters are shipped to the country.

"We will continue to develop differentiated products with cutting-edge technologies in the future," Chang said.

China is a key trade partner of Sudan, with bilateral agricultural cooperation advancing smoothly in recent years, said Omer Eisa Ahmed, Sudanese ambassador to China.

An international agromachine manufacturer, Lovol meets Sudan's agricultural production demand, as its products are reliable in quality, adaptable to local markets and competitive in price, thus making a great contribution to the country's agricultural modernization, the ambassador said.

During his visit to Sudan in late September, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu suggested that the two governments provide guidance and service to investors involved in bilateral agricultural cooperation.

As a key part of the China-Sudan comprehensive strategic partnership, the cooperation between the countries will help Sudan to achieve its agricultural growth potential and at the same time facilitate exports of Chinese farm machines, industrial observers said.

With a focus on globalization, Lovol is not only committed to providing technological solutions to the domestic agricultural sector, but is also keen to bring its products to the international market, said Wang Guimin, chairman and general manager of the company.

"As the Belt and Road Initiative is advancing, we will accelerate our pace of going abroad," Wang said.

The initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to enhance regional cooperation.

"Lovol will forge long-term cooperation with more African countries and boost the growth of their agricultural sectors," Wang said.

"We aspire to set an industrial model for China-made brands and to help to promote Chinese brands' status and influence in the international market,"

Since Lovol started its global expansion in 2005, it has established a reputation in the international market for its high-quality products and sound services.

The company has secured huge orders from countries such as Mongolia, Ukraine, Algeria, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Government procurement orders have contributed one third of the company's overseas business.

Behind the influx of overseas orders is Lovol's dynamic innovation system.

Increasing investments in research and development facilities and staf have taken the company to the forefront of the farm machinery field.

After a series of overseas acquisitions of agro-machine manufacturers known for their proprietary technologies in recent years, including Arbos, MaterMacc and Goldoni in Italy, the company is leveraging its global R&D and distribution resources to increase its competitiveness.

To date, Lovol has developed a marketing network comprising more than 300 service outlets, covering 120 countries and regions around the world.

In addition to sales, the outlets also provide aftersales services, component replacements, training to users and information feedback.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

Wang Guimin (right), chairman and general manager of Lovol Heavy Industry Co Ltd, meets a representative of the Sudanese government during a commemoration of the delivery of 800 harvesters in Shandong province on Wednesday.Photos Provided To China Daily

Trucks ship Lovol-branded combine harvesters to a port for export to Sudan .

(China Daily 12/12/2016 page10)
Artists perform during a performance showcasing traditional Chinese operas at a theater in Lima, Peru, Nov 20, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

One of Mexico City's most venerable museums on Friday invited the public to a game of Jianzi, a traditional Chinese national sport known in English as Chinese hacky sack.

"Come this weekend," the San Ildefonso Museum said to its Twitter followers. "We challenge you to participate in the oriental game Jianzi, every Saturday at 1 pm."

Kicking a colorful and feathered shuttlecock into the air without using your hands is a popular pastime in China, but in Mexico it's a rare sight, or at least used to be one before the 2016 Year of China-Latin America Cultural Exchange.

Over the past year, Latin Americans have had the chance to appreciate Chinese art, music, dance, operas and even recreational games like Jianzi.

The San Ildefonso, which is hosting one of the year's landmark exhibitions, "Masterpieces from the National Art Museum of China", is also offering a series of talks on various aspects of the Chinese culture.
[Photo provided to China Daily]

Chef Fabio Strammiello may be born and raised in Italy, but his career has taken him around the globe, from Italy's three-Michelin starred Le Calandre restaurant to London's Apsley's, to a trio of Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen: Geranium, Noma and Marchal.

At Marchal, he worked with several members of the team now at Beijing's Danish restaurant the Georg, including general manager Stefano Censi, who has brought Strammiello to China this month for two nights of a collaboration dinner on Dec 16 and 17.

Each evening's original seven-course dinner menu begins with a trio of snacks alongside a glass of Champagne Devaux. Price per person is 888 yuan ($128) (which includes the glass of champagne) and an optional wine pairing for 688 yuan. Limited seating available between 6 and 10 pm; advance booking recommended.

If you go

The Georg, 1 Jade River, 45 Dongbuyaqiao Hutong, Di'anmen East Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-8408-5300.
Europe's largest independent ad agency, Serviceplan, announced the winners of its Best Brands awards for China for the third year in a row early this month in Shanghai.

Airbnb, BMW, WeChat and Huawei were crowned as "the Best Brands of 2016 China" for four different categories, namely best disruptive brand, best emotionally bonding brand, best digital economy brand and best consumer electronics brand.

"The most important thing is not for the brand itself, but for everyone to learn why these brands become the best brands. They provide us a benchmark," said Vera Yu, head of strategy of Serviceplan China.

Jan-Philipp, general manager of Serviceplan China, added that his company is the first foreign company with high values recognizing the influence of brands in China, especially in a digital age.

"Developed from a copy economy, China has become a powerhouse in technology and consumer electronics. The most interesting thing is that the close ecosystem has connected all age groups and consumer segments. Even the elderly on the street can use the WeChat digital payment system. But in Europe, only the young group will use this," he says.

The organizers noted that while the criteria on evaluating brands in China and Germany are the same in general practice, the design of award is based on China's situation.

A total of 2,400 consumers were selected to help decide the final winners' list, through the independent judging process of GFK, the fourth-largest market research organization in the world, headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany.
Editor's note: In April, a group of girls were caught on camera slapping a schoolgirl more than 30 times. In 2015, a boy jumped from the fourth floor of a school building in a suicide attempt as he could not handle bullying anymore.

These are not just isolated incident. The scourge of school bullying is increasing across the country. Here we take a look at how deep this problem runs, who are its victims and what can be done to counter this menace.
A concerted effort is being made by some Western powers and Japan, their local ally in Asia, to continue using the "proxy method" for measuring the price of imports from China.

To China's dismay, these countries have determined to keep using the method despite a pledge made by the members of the World Trade Organization upon China's accession to the world's free trade regime in 2001 that they would drop the method after 15 years.

Their decision is based, they claim, on the consideration that China remains a non-market economy. But it ignores the contractual period that they themselves agreed upon, while their decision that China is not a market economy is one made by their governments, and hence political.

Over the past 15 years, huge efforts have been made by China and Chinese companies, large and small, to comply with all the requirements set by the WTO. Dismissive of this as it is, the decision serves to give the businesspeople of China the impression that it is a badly disguised attempt at protectionism and signals these economies cowardly retreat from the free trade principle that their governments so loudly touted when their domination of the world market seemed unchallenged.

By denying China market economy status those governments appear to seek a convenient pretext for discriminating against a country that has contributed more trade, more growth, and more opportunities to the world than any other trading nation has done.

They choose to ignore the fact that China's increasing profile in global trade would not have been achievable through primarily non-market economy methods. Only by following market economy principles could the business potential of a nation of more than 1.3 billion people be so quickly and near miraculously released.

To attribute China's success in global trade as a phenomenon of it being a non-market economy is in itself an act to shame the market economy.

If a non-market economy can grow so fast, why do other non-market economies fail? And if a non-market economy can grow faster than market economies, why do people need a market in the first place?

Improbable as the core argument is, the denial of China's full WTO rights may signal a very serious trend. If it is targeted not only to China, but to all competition, then it may signal the collapse of the rules-based system of global trade that is essential for a strong, open and sustainable world economy.
Children of She ethnic group sit in front of a monument that reads "China's No. 1 Poverty Relief Village" at Chixi Village, Panxi town, Fuding city in East China's Fujian province, Feb 14, 2016. The village has shaken off poverty thanks to assistance from Party and government officials at all levels over the past 30 years. [Photo/Xinhua]

Saturday was Human Rights Day, so it is a good time to reflect on the common goal of human rights for all.

Fulfilling such a shared aspiration requires different countries to learn and cooperate with each other. This will create healthy and effective global governance and help build human rights. Sadly, the current global landscape provides a sharp contrast to such aims.

Certain Western countries while turning a blind eye to their own deep-rooted human rights issues, such as rampant gun crime, refugee crises and growing xenophobia, display a double standard on human rights, alongside a sense of superiority.

They politicize human rights, point fingers at others and even interfere in other countries' affairs, all in the name of human rights.

A one-size-fits-all approach to human rights does not exist. Blindly copying other countries' development modes while disregarding one's own national conditions invariably leads to social instability, not the protection of human rights.

China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty over more than 30 years of reform and opening-up. The country is striving to lift another 55 million out of poverty and constantly improving people's living standards through steady economic development while enhancing social fairness and justice.

The country is also increasing investment in lesser developed countries, writing off certain countries' debts and furthering the Belt and Road Initiative, establishing a Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to achieve common development with the countries along the two routes.

Improving human rights requires favorable international circumstances: countries should respect each other's efforts to protect human rights, values, historical and cultural traditions, and political systems.

To better protect human rights, countries should abandon double standards, not to mention their sense of superiority. All countries should cooperate and communicate with each other on human rights as equals.
College students wait to apply for jobs at a job fair in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, Oct 27, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

AS CHINA EXPECTS a total of 7.95 million college students to graduate in 2017, the Ministry of Education recently issued a notice not only encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation among them, but also banning universities from forcing graduates to sign fake employment contracts. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Friday:

It is not rare that some college graduates are "employed" by unknown employers without their consent, just because the universities want decent employment figures for their graduates, which they can subsequently flaunt. Some colleges go even further and threaten to withhold graduates' diplomas if they do not find a job by a certain date.

The audacity of these colleges is a result of how many graduates find a job on leaving campus still plays a role in the destiny of their majors. As a result, students in their last year in college are "encouraged" to make job-seeking their priority, leaving limited time for them to focus on their courses and dissertations. Some of them will even purchase forged contracts from online merchants to stop the college's constant pestering.

The truth is the number of the first-time employed graduates should not be manipulated by the colleges because it tells little about the real graduate employment situation. The data is normally collected by universities themselves, hence is likely to be exaggerated as a result of their recruitment concerns. The responsible educational authorities, too, may turn a deaf ear to any doubts about the authenticity of the numbers in order to avoid increasing their workload.

Besides, nearly 30 percent of the surveyed graduates will change their jobs within six months, and most of those failing to land a job immediately after graduating will be employed not long after, according to recent survey results. That is why many foreign universities tend to look at long-term employment rates, for example, over three or five years, with the data collected by third-party organizations.

Such an approach gives more time for students to finish their coursework and seek jobs, and offers more accurate findings in regards to graduates' employment situation. Chinese universities have all the more reason to follow this approach as almost 8 million graduates will be looking for a job when they graduate next year.
The Medtronic Inc building in Singapore. According to experts, localized research and development can help reduce costs. [Photo / Agencies]

THE CHINA UNIT of US company Medtronic, a leading supplier of high-end medical devices, was fined 119 million yuan ($17.3 million) for monopolistic practices, the National Development and Reform Commission announced on Wednesday. Beijing News commented on Saturday:

The Chinese antitrust authorities issued their first punishment in the medical device industry to Medtronic, which was fined for fixing prices by seeking monopoly agreements with its dealers.

The company even attempted to thwart the official investigation. During a "surprise" visit by Chinese anti-monopoly enforcers, the company's China branch refused to cooperate and stopped the investigators from taking any action for over six hours.

Impeding an investigation undoubtedly constitutes a serious violation of China's Anti-Monopoly Law, so do the companies' monopolistic practices in the country's medical instrument manufacturing market, which is now the world's second largest.

Price-fixing can cause bigger damages to fair competition than a technological monopoly. In Medtronic's case, its China unit had resorted to behind-the-scene operations to make illicit gains and grab market share, according to the antitrust investigation that lasted for almost a year.

Such tricks have played a major role in driving up the prices of high-end medical devices to unusually high levels in China, posing a grave threat to the interests of not just other market players but also patients.

Not just the manufacturers and their local dealers, some hospitals were reported to have a stake in the sales of imported medical equipment. Their conspiracy comes at the cost of patients. The Medtronic scandal should be a wake-up call to China's top antitrust enforcer, who has pledged to pay closer attention to antitrust investigation of the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries.
The 13th Five-Year Plan of National Informatization (2016-20) was approved at a recent executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet. Premier Li Keqiang said that information should be shared across departments at all levels and called for a unified, highly efficient, connected, safe and reliable national data resource system.

He made it clear that the information systems of various ministries and departments should be connected to promote information sharing among different government sectors and eliminate islands of government information.

Governments at various levels have paid great attention to the construction of information systems. However, many of these are isolated systems lacking connectivity. These islands of information are a great waste of information resources, and bring great inconvenience.

This is a significant part of streamlining administration and delegating power to the lower level, and will help establish a people-oriented strategy of "internet plus government affairs" .

To achieve the 13th Five-Year Plan of National Informatization, governments at all levels should deal with the information islands first.
LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

Politicians and bureaucrats across the worldat local, regional and national levelshave been coming up with new ideas to reduce air pollution. More recently, some have pointed the finger at rural contributions to air pollution in the developing world, especially in India and China.

During Diwali celebrations at the end of October, New Delhi's pollution level was off the charts, cementing the Indian capital's status as the world's most polluted megacity and rekindling a nationwide debate on India's killing smog. Official data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee showed hazardous levels of smog, with concentrations of both PM2.5 and PM10harmful particulates with a diameter of 2.5 and 10 micrometers or lesshitting levels more than 30 times the World Health Organization's recommended 24 hour average limit.

Over the last few years India has held multiple conferences and workshops to find a solution to the smog. A regional approach is the most common suggestion to have emerged from these conferences, but the situation on the ground has not changed. In fact, it is getting worse with each passing year.

India has more than 100 coal-based power plants (and over 400 units) with old technology, with burning of crop remains adding to the emissions. And New Delhi's notorious pollution is the result of a noxious cocktail of emissions from vehicles and coal-fired power plants, fumes from cooking stoves and crop-burning in neighboring provinces.

In Beijing, where air pollution is being treated as a health emergency, the government can order cars off the road and shut down schools and industries if particulates threaten to rise to the highest WHO levelNew Delhi's level of pollution is unimaginable in Beijing.

North China, which battles smog in the winter, also has the problem of crop burning. So pollution created by crop burning is not a problem unique to India. Some local governments in China are penalizing farmers who burn their crop remains and thus contribute to the air pollution in nearby cities. The problem is, farmers often burn crop remains as it is the only way to treat remains, and they have to burn coals to keep warm during the freezing winter in North China because they lack other means of heating.

Some will say this reflects elements of unbalanced economic development and the unfairness between rural and urban areas is at the heart of the issue. The industry-based development in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai would not have been possible without drawing water, energy and human resources from nearly regions, which were encouraged to focus on agriculture at the expense of development. Now, as the big cities shift to the service sector in their pursuit of cleaner air, the regions are again under pressure to forego environmentally polluting development. Understandably, they are resisting it.

Many people ask what options farmers have to keep themselves warm in the winter except by burning crop remains.

Clearly more needs to be done for rural development and offering farmers other sources of heating during the winter months. Ideally, they should be provided with alternative energy sources, solar power or natural gas for example, to keep their homes warm in the freezing winter.

This can be achieved by China without much difficulty, because the country leads the world in investment in renewable energy. The scheme, however, needs to be targeted at rural farmers if we want them to stop adding to the air pollution of cities. Such a development is something I look forward to during my visits to China.

The author is a former member of London Assembly.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a speech during an extraordinary parliament session in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 26, 2016. (Xinhua file photo/Ma Ping)

On Dec 26, Shinzo Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to visit Pearl Harbor, on which Japan launched a sneak attack on Dec 7, 1941, dragging the United States into the war. He will not apologize for the attack during his visit, as it is intended to "console" its victims.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants closure for his country's war past, and he is seeking reconciliation with the US. But by uttering no apology, Abe hopes to continue to keep the focus of attention away from Japan's wartime responsibility.

In a signed article published in Japan Times on Friday, Kuni Miyake, former Japanese diplomat stationed in Washington, Beijing, Cairo and Baghdad, called China, rather than his own country, to heed Pearl Harbor's lessons.

Miyake drew a farfetched parallel between China's operations in the South China Sea and Japan's Pearl Harbor attack.

"China is doing thisas Japan once didin a manner at odds with the status quo and international consensus. The artificial islands it recently created in the South China Sea seem to me to be a Chinese version of the Manchurian Incident of 1931a pretext Japan used for asserting sovereignty over disputed areas," Miyake said.

The veteran diplomat's argument betrays his arrogance, ill-intention and ignorance.

In the late 19th century Japan, along with other imperialist countries, carved up China. Their spheres of influence in China are "the status quo" Miyake mentioned.

Japan's conspiratorial action precipitated the seizure of the three Chinese provinces north of the Great Wall, collectively known as "Manchuria", in 1931. Japan launched an all-out invasion of China in 1937, which it termed the "China Incident".

Japanese wartime propaganda, as well as the present-day revisionists, presented the "Manchuria Incident" and "China Incident" as legitimate and necessary acts of "self-defense" for its "rights and interests".

For most Americans, the war in Asia started with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

But as American historian, John W. Dower, has said, from an Asian perspective, the war began much earlier. The trial of Japan's accused war criminals that was convened by the Allied Powers in Tokyo in 1946 was premised on the prosecution's charge that Japanese policymakers had pursued a "common plan or conspiracy" to wage "wars of aggression" ever since 1928.

In his book Ways of Forgetting, Ways of Remembering: Japan in the Modern World, Dower said unexpectedly fierce Chinese resistance prompted then Japanese Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro to observe as early as in 1939 that Japan was actually engaged in a "war of annihilation".

"From the rape of Nanking in the opening months of the war against China to the rape of Manila in the final stage of the Pacific War, the emperor's soldiers and sailors left a trail of unspeakable cruelty and rapacity," said Dower in another Pulitzer Prize-winning book Embracing Defeat: Japan in The Wake of World War II.

The scholar said Asian contributions to defeating Japan were displaced by an all-consuming focus on the US victory in the "Pacific War", adding that "by the same vaporization, the crimes that had been committed against Asian peoples through colonization as well as war were all the more easily put out of mind."

Abe should realize that before there is closure for Japan's war past once and for all, there are many places to be visited in Asia first. The sooner, the better.

The author is China Daily Tokyo bureau chief.

caihong@chinadaily.com.cn
[CAI MENG/CHINA DAILY]

With an unusual display of riches, a medical professional calls into question public attitudes toward wealth and the need for better pay for his profession.

Ren Liming is a urologist with the Second People's Hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan province. He was thrust into limelight when he posted a photo of a down jacket he just boughtwith the eye-popping price tag of 10,000 yuan ($1,400).

Some were amazed by his flaunting of personal wealth. They thought people in the healthcare industry should keep a low profile because of the prolonged tension between doctors and patients in China.

Many doctors have been accused of taking cash gifts from patients or their familiesto the point that they represent a significant part of their income.

Admittedly, Ren's expensive jacket, together with the revelation that he makes 1 million yuan a year, raised the suspicion that his lavish lifestyle is built on this so-called gray income.

Just as he was supposed to be shedding tears of regret over the outburst of vanity, Ren came forward and divulged more personal information to a local reporter.

He owns three properties and about one-fifth of his annual income, i.e. 200,000 yuan, is from his day job at that hospital, an amount that he spends on clothing alone.

He derives other income from online consulting and offline teaching, practicing medicine at other places and making healthcare-related investments.

The purpose of "spilling the beans", he says, is to instill pride in young professionals who are just entering the business. He says many of his peers in the top echelon make as much as he does, or even more.

He also addresses the sensitive topic of "gray income", saying that if your legal earnings are high enough you'd have no incentive to take bribes.

But I suspect that his real motive is to promote his businesses as well as his personal name. Now that he is the best-known urologist in the city, requests for consulting would go through the roof, I imagine.

Which is not wrong, albeit a bit unconventional. If so, Ren was exploiting the nation's hate-the-rich mentality for his own good.
BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Since entering the World Trade Organization (WTO) 15 years ago, China has witnessed robust economic growth, and an increasingly prosperous China has created significant opportunities for countries around the world.

China joined the WTO as its 143rd member on Dec. 11, 2001. Since then, the country has grown into the world's second-largest economy and largest trading country, while millions of Chinese have been lifted out of poverty.

Changes for the Chinese include buying cheaper cars, enjoying international products and traveling more.

"China's WTO entry has brought benefits not only to the country's people, but also for the rest of the world," said Lei Da, economics professor at Renmin University of China.

China has long been vital in helping shore up world economic growth, especially in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Despite slower growth in recent years, China's economy still contributes 25 percent of the world's growth.

As the vast Chinese market has grown, countries as diverse as Zambia, Australia, Brazil and the United States have seen their exports to China soar.

It is clear that China's strong demand for imports has been a major stabilizing factor amid a sluggish world economy.

China's imports have surged from 243.55 billion U.S. dollars to 1.68 trillion dollars in 15 years, an average annual growth of 10.3 percent.

For many developing countries, no matter in Asia, Africa or Latin America, the Chinese market has been vital in ensuring growth and development stay on track.

China has also been ready to help poorer partners develop. As the world's second biggest investor, the country's outbound direct investment rose for a 13th straight year in 2015, reaching a record high of 145.67 billion dollars.

Dubbed the factory of the world, China manufactures everything from toys and shoes to bullet trains and industrial robots.

From 2001 to 2016, thanks to imported goods from China, consumers around the world saved billions of dollars. Quality yet inexpensive Chinese products contributed to an increase in consumer purchasing power and helped reduce worldwide poverty.

Companies that opened operations in China have profited. Foreign-invested industrial enterprises reported combined profits of about15 trillion yuan (around 2.2 trillion U.S. dollars) over the past 15 years.

Despite a tepid global recovery, the continuous growth of foreign investment in China shows that investors are upbeat about the country's business climate.

Looking ahead, China will remain a center of trade and other global activity, playing a leading role in global governance.

As China plans to be more proactive in opening up to the outside world, its stable growth will produce more benefits for the world.
WELLINGTON - New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English was confirmed as the country's new prime minister on Monday, as expected, a week after John Key announced his surprise resignation after eight years in the role.

A file picture dated 23 February 2014 shows New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bill English, posing for a graph during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Sydney, Australia. [Photo/Agencies]

English, who was the sole contender for the job, announced Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett as the deputy leader, following a special caucus meeting of the ruling centre-right National Party.

English, who will be sworn in later in the day, has already lined up senior cabinet minister Steven Joyce, the minister for economic development, to replace him in the finance ministry.

He is expected to announce further cabinet changes in the coming weeks and has also signalled a "stocktake" on policy.

"I am both excited and humbled by this opportunity," English, who comes from a conservative, Catholic family in New Zealand's south, told reporters after the meeting.

English, who 13 years ago oversaw a disastrous election loss for the National Party to the centre-left Labour Party, takes the reins of a country in good economic shape compared to much of the developed world.

On Monday, Moody's said it expects New Zealand to remain among the fastest growing of triple-A rated economies.

English has held several ministerial posts across education, health and finance since he joined parliament in 1990.

As finance minister, his key policies included moves to partly privatize several state-owned energy firms and Air New Zealand, cutting personal tax and corporate tax rates and increasing the goods and services tax.
A combination picture shows Maxim, almost 4, laughing at his apartment as he poses for a photograph (top) and his drawing of what he wants to get for Christmas from Santa in Belgrade, Serbia, November 23, 2016. Maxim said he would like to get a plastic dinosaur. From a plastic dinosaur to a pet rabbit, children around the world have put pen to paper to draw what they would like to receive from Santa Claus this Christmas. Photographers across continents have asked youngsters to depict what they wanted as gifts this festive season. [Photo/Agencies]
The United Nations' role should be strengthened instead of weakened, especially as the international situation is complicated, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when meeting in Geneva on Sunday with Michael Mller, director-general of the UN Office in the Swiss city.

The meeting took place during Wang's official visit to Switzerland, from Saturday to Monday.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang said that China highly values and is ready to enhance cooperation with the UN, and hopes to put forward more of China's propositions to solve the challenges of the world and strengthen global governance.

Geneva, one of the most important centers in the world of multilateral diplomacy, has played an important role in China's Reform and Opening-up, while China has made significant contributions to global peace and development through the UN institutions in Geneva, the foreign minister pointed out.

Mller said the UN appreciates China's firm support for multilateralism, values China's role in international affairs, and looks forward to strengthened cooperation with China.
View of Youlgrave, Derbyshire [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

LONDON - The countdown started Sunday in a small village in central England as people looked forward to eating cake models of the village buildings.

A model of the entire Youlgrave village in Derbyshire has been created in mouth-watering cakes, a task that has taken villager Lynn Nolan six months to complete.

Some of the cakes will be auctioned to raise money to pay for a new roof for All Saint's Parish Church, one of the focal points in Youlgrave.

Thousands of people have already visited the church to view the cake ahead of the auction.

On Dec 15, crowds will gather at the village to bid in the auction.

Some of the cakes, including the church and the school are to be distributed among the older people of the village as well as the needy. But the rest will be sold to the highest bidders.

When Nolan started to make the cakes, people from around the village offered a helping hand, by donating ingredients, ranging from icing sugar to bottles of whisky to ensure a collection of tasty buildings.

Nolan and a team of helpers clocked up almost 400 hours over the months to create the cakes.

The cake-making task involved making rook tiles, windows and even small bricks, with even look-alike road gravel, every bit edible.

Some parts of the church, officially listed for its historic value, date back to the 12th century.

The church needs to raise more than $300,000 to pay for a new roof. The cake auction will help raise some of the cost.
Chongqing Construction Engineering, Oilserv, Tianjin Energy, Alpha Group sign MoAs to develop Nigerias Oil and Gas Infrastructure

Chongqing Construction Engineering Group (CCEGC) Chairman Mr. Yang Jingpu, Tianjin Energy Resources Managing Director Engr. Peter Lin, Oilserv Chairman Engr. Emeka Okwuosa, and Alpha Group of Companies Chairman Mr. Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh signed eight MOAs today in Abuja for the development of several multi-billion dollar investment and infrastructure projects in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This was in the presence and supported by senior representatives from the largest bank in the world, Industrial and Commercial bank of China (ICBC), and Standard Bank of South Africa whom are the projects financiers.



The agreements set the stage for jointly developing, financing, and constructing several high profile projects including crude oil and gas pipelines, oil refineries, port, highways, and railways across Nigeria. Alpha and several leading companies are already developing the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) in Ogidigben, Delta State and Oilserv has partially completed the biggest pipeline project in Nigeria (East-West Gas Pipeline OB3) which is a 48inch pipeline project that is expected to carry gas to various power plants in the country. The consortium also held a meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations senior management including Group Executive Directors/Chief Operations Officers- Engr. Saidu Mohammed (GED/COO Gas and Power) and Mr. Bello Rabiu (GED/COO Upstream).



CCEGC, Tianjin, Oilserv, and Alpha agreed to strengthen cooperation including co-financing, at strategic and technical levels on the basis of complementary value added, corporate strengths and comparative advantages, and mutual benefits, according to the MOAs.



Chairman/Party Secretary Yang said, CCEGC is proud to foster the long-term strategic relationship between Nigeria and China by participating in such high profile projects and bringing our proven experience, track record, and financing capabilities to the partnership. We look forward to working with our partners Alpha Group and Oilserv in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.



With strong financial and technical support from CCEGC, proven indigenous experience in constructing pipelines from Oilserv and development leadership from Alpha Group, Tianjin is proud to join forces in building Nigerias much needed infrastructure, added Engr. Peter Lin, Managing Director of Tianjin Energy Resources Ltd.



We are delighted to formally welcome CCEGC, Tianjin Energy, and Oilserv in joining our growing list of strategic project partners for the Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Delta State as well as for our development projects and initiatives in Northern Nigeria for which we remain passionately committed to the regions socio-economic development and industrialization added Chairman Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh from Alpha Group of Companies.



The four companies will prepare formal proposals to the relevant authorities as well as undertake joint feasibility studies and participate in joint steering committees with key stakeholders from Federal and State institutions as well as Nigerian government institutions including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigerian Port Authority, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, and Federal Ministry of Transportation.

www.CCEGQ.com

www.TianjinEnergy.com

www.OilservLtdNG.com
LONDON - The arrest of six people held in a swoop by police in London and central England are linked to international related terrorism, police said Monday afternoon.

Six properties are being searched in Derby, Burton-on-Trent and London, with an army bomb disposal team called to a suburb of Derby.

The police's North East Counter Terrorism Unit said five men and a 32-year-old woman from London were arrested in early morning raids and were now being questioned at police stations.

In statements from the police, there are no indications about whether the arrests had averted an imminent terror attack on the British mainland.

Some media reports in Britain quoted unnamed counter-terrorism sources as describing the arrests as significant and part of an ongoing investigation into a group believed to be working towards a terror attack.

Four of the men arrested are from Derby and the fifth is from Burton-on-Trent. They range in age from 22 to 36.

A number of roads in Derby have been closed by police, but so far none of the residents have been evacuated from their homes. All of the properties where the arrests took place have been cordoned off by police.

The arrests come just days after the head of Britain's intelligence service MI6 warned in a rare public appearance that Britain faced an unprecedented level of terrorism at the moment.

In a statement, the police terrorism unit said: "As a result of the arrests today, an Army Bomb Disposal Team has been called in as a precautionary measure to the Normanton area of Derby. No houses have been evacuated...The arrests are linked to International related terrorism."

The police said the six people had all been arrested on suspicion of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism.

"This is an ongoing investigation led by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit supported by local officers from Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Metropolitan Police," said a police spokeswoman.

"We recognize that local people may have concerns as a result of these arrests and local officers will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may have concerns. We would ask people to remain alert and vigilant, but not to be alarmed."
BEIJING - China has launched dispute settlement procedures at the World Trade Organization (WTO) by requesting consultations with the United States and the European Union (EU) regarding the surrogate country approach when calculating anti-dumping measures against Chinese exports, the Ministry of Commerce said Monday.

In a statement on its website, the ministry said in accordance with Article 15 of the accession protocol signed when China joined the WTO in 2001, the surrogate country approach expires on Dec 11, 2016.

All WTO members should live up to their international obligations to abandon the surrogate country approach when calculating anti-dumping measures against Chinese exports, it said.

Unfortunately, the United States and the European Union have not fulfilled this obligation yet, said the ministry.

Under the surrogate country approach, WTO members use costs of production in a third country to calculate the value of products from countries on its "non-market economy" list, which includes China. The practice allows countries to levy high tariffs easily in trade disputes.

In November, the US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the time was "not ripe" for the US to grant China market economy status, suggesting old anti-dumping practices would be retained.

Meanwhile, to cut the link with the "non-market economy" list, the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, last month presented a new methodology for its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy calculations, replacing the concept with those of "market distortion."

Although the surrogate country approach has been dropped, the EU left open the option to use "international" prices and cost reference in further anti-dumping cases if "market distortion" was found, which analysts said is simply another way of extending the previous practices.

The United States and the EU's use of the surrogate country approach has seriously affected exports and employment in some Chinese industries, said the commerce ministry.

The ministry stressed that filing litigation is a normal way for WTO members to settle disputes under WTO rules. By lodging the case at the WTO, China is protecting its rights and the seriousness of international trade rules.

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said in an article published earlier Monday that all WTO members should fulfil the obligation enshrined in the accession protocol, which is clear and unquestionable.

"China's lawful rights must be protected," he said, adding that China will "firmly defend its lawful rights and reserves the right of further action."

China firmly opposes the distortion of WTO rules and the dismemberment of a multilateral trade mechanism, the minister said in the article.

Gao said protecting the seriousness of rules and obligations, as well as the authority of the multilateral trade mechanism is a shared duty of all WTO members and is in line with their common interests.

China urges all WTO members to keep their commitment, comply with international laws and fulfill their obligations, he said.

China is willing to work with other WTO members to fight trade protectionism, protect multilateral trade mechanism, revive trade and investment as world economic engines, and build an open global economy that is more dynamic, more inclusive and more sustainable, said Gao.

Official data from the first 11 months of this year showed that the EU is China's biggest trading partner, with a trading volume of 3.26 trillion yuan ($472.4 billion), followed by the US with a trade volume of 3.08 trillion yuan.
WASHINGTON - One more retired general in the incoming US administration now -- President-elect Donald Trump on Monday formally pick retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Kelly will become the third retired general to be tapped for the incoming Trump cabinet after retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn for national security advisor and retired Gen. James Mattis for Defense secretary.

As the DHS chief, he will be at the forefront of realizing Trump's campaign promise to build a wall between the US and Mexico, as well as crack down on undocumented immigrants.

"Gen. John Kelly's decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," Trump said in a statement.

"He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies" Trump said.

"The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security," Kelly said in a statement.

"I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution," Kelly said.

Kelly headed the US Southern Command until retiring in January after more than 45 years in the Marine Corps. In that role, Kelly oversaw the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and publicly butted heads with the Obama administration over its plan to close it, according to a TheHill news daily report.

He also served in combat in Iraq and spent a year as the head of US forces in that country.

A report last week said Trump is considering tapping as many as five generals for his cabinet, said the TheHill report.
UNITED NATIONS -- UN Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterres was sworn in as the new secretary-general of the world body at an oath of office ceremony here on Monday.

UN Secretary-General designate Antonio Guterres (R) stands with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (L) after being sworn in as the new Secretary-General of the United Nations during a ceremony in the General Assembly hall at United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 12 December 2016. Guterres will officially take over the position from Ban Ki-moon on 01 January 2017. [Photo/IC]

Witnessed by senior diplomats of member states and senior UN officials, Guterres repeated the oath after current General Assembly President Peter Thomson.

"I, Antonio Guterres, solemnly swear to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience the functions entrusted to me as Secretary-General of the United Nations, to discharge these functions and regulate my conduct with the interests of the United Nations only in view, and not to seek or accept instructions in regard to the performance of my duties from any government or other authority external to the organization."

On Oct. 13, the UN General Assembly appointed former Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Guterres as the 9th secretary-general of the United Nations to succeed retiring Ban Ki-moon who steps down at the end of this year.

The five-year term for Guterres will start on Jan. 1, 2017 and end on Dec.31, 2021.

Guterres, a 67-year-old politician, served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015. Before joining the UN refugee agency, Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service. He was the prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002.
Visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Swiss counterpart Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday. [Fu Jing/China Daily]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that he has agreed with Swiss leaders that China and Switzerland are determined to upgrade their free trade partnership and oppose any form of protectionism.

"Facing a global situation which features the rise of conflicts, wars and uncertainties, China and Switzerland are determined to make our ties as stabilizing factor in international relations," Wang told reporters when he wrapped up two-day visit in Switzerland.

"While the trends of protectionism are picking up, we will take advantage of the chance to upgrade our free trade partnership to send active signals over maintaining the global trade system."

On Monday, Wang met the President of the Swiss Confederation, Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, who will be replaced by Doris Leuthard from the beginning of 2017. Both visited China in 2016.

Wang has also held talks with his Swiss counterpart Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

The talks happened after the foreign ministers Sunday meetings with Michael Moller, director-general of the United Nations Office in Geneva, Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization and Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympics Committee based in Lausanne.

Regarding to the rise of protectionism, Wang recalled that Switzerland was the first country in the West to recognize China's market economy status. Currently, up to 100 countries have done so while some members of World Trade Organization, including the United States and Japan, have refused to do so.

Wang made the comments as China's 15-year transitional period of World Trade Organization accession expired on Sunday. The WTO accession protocol stipulates that after the transitional period, China should be given full market economy status when dumping prices of exports are calculated.

Schneider-Ammann said Switzerland attached great importance to the Sino-Swiss relationship and his country has benefited greatly from China's development over the previous decades.

"The Sino-Swiss relationship is excellent and both sides have implemented fruitful cooperation in various areas," said Schneider-Ammann.

"I hope both sides will substantially implement the innovation strategic partnership and jointly maintain the free trade system."

Schneider-Ammann paid a state visit to China in April and entered into agreement with President Xi Jinping to set up strategic partnership of innovation. During the meeting, Switzerland also became an observer country in the partnership between China and sixteen Central and East European countries.

When meeting Wang on Monday, Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said China and Switzerland have set examples on how to establish a win-win partnership by ironing out differences in political and social systems.

"Swiss side is willing to deepen cooperation with China to explore innovation and maintain the global free trade system," said Burkhalter.

Burkhalter added that his country will also work closely with China in various multilateral areas to become stabilizing factors of the complicated global situation.
Chinas Relations With the West: Straight Line Decline

There are those who believe China's ongoing Party Congress will bode well for companies that do business in or with China. I am firmly convinced that the opposite is true and that it will used as yet another opportunity by China to show that it will not be cowered by the declining relations and sanctions/counter-sanctions between the United States / EU / Australia / Japan on the one hand, and China on the other. I see China using this Congress to let the world (domestic and external) know that it fully intends to fight back and fight back hard. In other words, this Party Congress will lead to China's decoupling from much of the world accelerating, not slowing down.
(Photo : Getty Images)

The latest UN sanctions were passed on November 30, following North Korea's September 9 nuclear test.

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China on Saturday imposed a three-week suspension on coal imports from North Korea, in accordance with the latest United Nations (UN) sanctions against the isolated communist state.



"After the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2321... China is suspending North Korean coal imports," the Chinese government said in a statement.



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The suspension period will start from this Sunday and will end on December 31.



The latest UN sanctions were passed on November 30, following North Korea's September 9 nuclear test. The nuclear test was touted as the most powerful test ever carried out by the reclusive state.



The latest UN Security Council sanction puts a cap on "coal export," Pyongyang's most valuable export. Coal export makes up for a substantial amount of the country's annual revenue, with China being one of its main export clients.



The apparent aim of the recent UN sanction is to put pressure on North Korea's financial resources and thereby curb the funding of its controversial nuclear program.



The sanction puts a cap on Pyongyang's coal exports next year to 7.5 million tons or just over $400 million, a decline of nearly 62 percent from 2015.



Experts, however, argue that the cap may not have the desired impact, given that cap represents a small fraction of the country's current annual exports to China. According to data available on Chinese customs website, China imported a whopping 1.8 million tons of coal worth $101 million from North Korea in the past month.



Beijing gave its consent to the latest UN sanctions on North Korea following months of intense negotiations with the United States.



Doubts Existed over China's Sincerity in Implementing Sanctions



Since China is the sole diplomatic ally of North Korea, the international community had doubts about whether Beijing will implement the UN sanctions. In the past, the U.S. and other countries have accused Beijing of being lax in enforcing UN sanctions on the North.



However, China has, so far, been forthcoming in implementing all the sanctions passed by the Security Council this year.



Beijing, however, has voiced concerns over the imminent collapse of Kim Jong-un's government due to pressure imposed by the international community.



The bilateral relationship between Beijing and Pyongyand has remained cordial despite the latest development, with the North Korean government remaining defiant about carrying out its controversial nuclear program.



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TagsNorth Korea, china, North Korea Coal, China and North Korea, North Korea Sanctions
(Photo : Getty Images) US forces and their allies are battling to kick ISIS out of its remaining strongholds.



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The United States government is sending more troops to Syria in a bid to expel the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) out of its Raqqa stronghold.



According to US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, the additional 200 US combat troops, including Special Forces, will join the 300 already deployed alongside Kurdish and Arab fighters. Allied forces have advanced to within 25 kilometers of the de facto capital of the terror group's self-declared Islamic caliphate.



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Carter made these revelations during a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Manama Dialogue, where various officials compared notes on the fight against extremism.



Defense ministers at the forum gave a sobering view of the threat posed by terrorism on the globe. They warned that ISIS has a strong presence on the Internet. They also expressed worry that hordes of returning terrorist fighters will pose a huge threat to their societies.



According to German Defense Minister Ursula Von Der Leyen, social media sites have been weaponized, making terrorist strongholds Mosul and Raqqa "only a mouse click away."



Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen pointed out that since global partners initiated the war on terror in 2014, ISIS has been kicked out of over 50 percent of its strongholds in Iraq.



"Paradoxically, the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria will likely worsen the threat in South-East Asia. We expect the returning fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and a few from Singapore, who are now in Iraq and Syria, will likely return to continue their violent plots at home," the German defense minister said.



An estimated 1,000 fighters from South-East Asia have joined ISIS. Groups pledging their allegiance to the terror group have also set up camp in Southern Philippines.



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TagsISIS, US, us special forces
(Photo : Getty Images) Donald Trump has said the US is not bound by the "One China" policy.

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US President-elect Donald Trump has voiced his reluctance to extend Washington's support for the "One China" policy unless Beijing is willing to make concessions on trade and other issues.



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"I don't want China to continue dictating to me," Trump said while defending his recent phone conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen in an interview on Sunday. "I don't know why we have to be bound by a "One China" policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."



The "One China" policy recognizes that Taiwan is a part of China.



Trump was responding to a question about his controversial conversation with the Taiwanese leader Tsai. The move broke decades of well-preserved United States diplomatic relations with China.



In his opinion, Trump said that it would have been disrespectful not to take the call from Tsai. He said that the Taiwanese leader only wanted to congratulate him on his recent victory.



The United States recognizes Beijing as the sole representative of China.



Trump claimed that he only had a few hours notice that the call from Taiwan's president was coming. He described claims that the call had been weeks in planning as false.



Trump also went on to reiterate his belief that China is a currency manipulator. He added that China needs to be more assertive when dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambitions.



According to Trump, China could solve the North Korea problem, "but they are not helping at all."



Trump also criticized China's "aggressive" actions in the South China Sea.



The "One China" policy was developed after the end of the Chinese civil war when the Nationalist government under the leadership of Chiang Kai-Shek was overthrown by the Communists.



The United States first adopted the policy in 1972 after then-President Richard Nixon opened up diplomatic relations with China.



The United States continued to maintain informal relations with Taiwan.



In recent years, there have been calls from within Taiwan for the government to declare independence from the mainland China.



China is, however, strongly opposed to this.



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Tagsdonald trump, china, North Korea
(Photo : Getty Images) Donald Trump has rubbished claims that Russia helped him win the US presidential elections

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"Ridiculous!" That is Donald Trump's response to the CIA's conclusion that Russia interfered in the United States presidential elections to boost his chances of winning.



Trump said that Democrats are using the Intelligence behemoth's assessment "as just another excuse" for his unexpected victory over his rival Hillary Clinton.



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The CIA said that it is highly confident that Russian President Vladimir Putin's government tried to influence the election on behalf of Trump by employing cyber attacks.



Trump has, however, expressed his skepticism, saying that "nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting."



"Once they hack, if you don't catch them in the act you are not going to catch them," Trump said during an interview on Sunday.



Trump said that the CIA has no idea if it was Russia or China that executed the hacks.



"It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place," Trump said.



Trump also stated that he does not necessarily feel aggrieved by President Barack Obama's order for the country's intelligence agencies to review cyber attacks and foreign interference during this year's election cycle.



He, however, added that in such a situation "you should not just say 'Russia.' You should also say other countries also and maybe other individuals."



A bipartisan group of senators, including former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, have described reports of the Kremlin's interference as "serious."



There have been reports that individuals with connections to Vladimir Putin's government provided whistleblower website WikiLeaks with emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee.



They also released emails belonging to Hillary Clinton's campaign chief, among others.



The emails were released at a steady pace before the election, inflicting huge damage on Clinton's chances of winning the presidential race.



According to a government official, the aim was not just to undermine the US election process, but also to help Trump cruise to victory.



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Tagsdonald trump, CIA, Russia, Vladimir Putin
(Photo : Getty Images) President Duterte's government plans to acquire firearms from China and Russia

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Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has revealed that he has decided to accept an arms deal from China under concessional terms.



In the latest sign that the two countries are cozying up to each other, Duterte said that he would ask his defense secretary to send top military officials to China to receive the firearms.



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In a speech before his troops, Duterte also revealed that cache of arms would be paid for over a period of 25 years.



He did not reveal further details on the deal between the neighbors who have been hostile to each other in previous years.



"China is pressing me on the firearms, which are already there. I will accept them. They are rushing it," Duterte said. "We don't need to ask from others because they (China) are willing to give it."



The Philippine's defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has also revealed that the military is exploring the possibility of purchasing sniper rifles from Russia.



"If their sniper rifles are superior as they claim, we may decide to acquire them," the Lorenzana said, adding that his country's army and marines will decide how many sniper rifles they need after conducting the tests.



The Defense Secretary said that the Philippine army and marines would undertake a study before a decision is made on whether to go ahead with the deal.



Lorenzana paid a visit to Moscow last week to meet the Russian defense officials. It was the first-ever visit by a Philippine Defense Secretary to Russia since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1976.



The Philippines had depended on the United States for weapons, ships, and aircraft for many years.



The relationship between the two nations was, however, strained after US President Barack Obama criticized Duterte's deadly war on drugs.



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Tagschina, South China Sea, Rodrigo Duterte
(Photo : FBI) Spies for China. The Indian-American Noshir Gowadia; the Chinese-American Wenxia Man and the Chinese-Canadian Su Bin.

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Embarrassing and repeated U.S. cybersecurity failures have allowed spies directed by China to steal massive quantities of top secret data almost with impunity, and have severely damaged United States national security interests in a key strategic area: stealth technology.



Since 2007, spies working for China have stolen secret data -- especially about stealth technologies -- used in the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor; the Northrop Grumman F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth strategic bomber.



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Last May, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a report on military and security developments that said China is using extensive cyber and human espionage to acquire U.S. and foreign military technology.



China's successful cyber intelligence and human intelligence operations that filched data about U.S. stealth aircraft led to the development of the F-35 look alike, the Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter (to be exported as a rival to the F-35). It's now being used to manufacture China's first strategic stealth bomber, the Xian H-20, which should become operational by 2025.



Secrets about the B-2 were handed to China by an Indian-American, Noshir Gowadia, who worked for Northrop Grumman. Classified information stolen by Gowadia is apparently helping China make progress in building the H-20.



Gowadia was sentenced to 32 years in prison in 2011 for selling U.S. aerospace secrets to China.



China's success in developing the J-31 and its other stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20, can also be attributed to the successful spying of Su Bin, who was indicted this January and sentenced to five years in prison for his role as ringleader in a hacking operation that grabbed F-35 and the F-22 secrets.



The U.S. government said the operation also involved two officers form the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Su admitted to U.S. prosecutors their spy operation over the course of a year had made "important contributions to our (China's) national defense scientific research development."



He boasted the stolen information on the F-22 fighter jet will let China "rapidly catch up with US levels" and "stand easily on the giant's shoulders."



Wenxia Man, a naturalized Chinese-American born in China, was sentenced to 50 months in prison last August for "conspiring to export and cause the export of fighter jet engines, an unmanned aerial vehicle -- commonly known as a drone -- and related technical data to ... China."



The U.S. Department of Justice said the 45 year-old Man of San Diego, California was convicted on June 9 for attempting to steal jet engines that power the F-22 and the F-35, as well as the F-16 Flying Falcon jet fighters and the MQ-9 Reaper/Predator B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.



DOJ prosecutors said evidence showed that between March 2011 and June 2013, Wenxia conspired with a contactor named Zhang Xinsheng to send the equipment to China. She described Zhang as a "technology spy" that worked on behalf of the PLA.



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Tagschina, chinese spies, Noshir Gowadia, Su Bin, Wenxia Man, F-35, F-22, B-2 stealth bomber, People's Liberation Army
(Photo : Getty Images) Two F-35 stealth fighter jets are expected to land on Israel on Monday afternoon.

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Israel will receive on Monday afternoon its very first F-35 stealth fighter jets, dubbed as the most advanced multi-role combat fighter aircraft in the world yet. The two F-35 fighter jets is expected to land at the Nevatim Air Force Base in the Negev.



"The arrival of the aircraft highlights the close defense cooperation between US and Israel," the Pentagon said in a statement.



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American pilots are expected to fly the F-35 fighter jets, with nickname Adir or Mighty, from the US to Israel with a stopover in Italy, according to The Jerusalem Post. Then, two local pilots will take over the F-35 command on Tuesday.



However, the arrival of the two F-35 planes, which was built by US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, will only mark the beginning, as the country is expected to receive 48 more by 2022. Israel anticipates to receive between six to seven jets per year.



Israel, which has been granted over $3 billion US defense aid per year, will be the first nation to receive the operation F-35 squadron outside the US, the Times of Israel noted.



"The F-35 has been designed to deal with the most advanced threat systems now being fielded in the Middle East," Steve Over from Lockheed Martin said.



The F-35 stealth jets could carry several weapons and travel as fast as 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) per hour. It is unclear though if Israel's planes could deliver nuclear bombs.



Describing the F-35 jets as an "enigma," OC Air Force Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel said fully understanding the plane needs to be done "switch by switch, system by system."



Meanwhile, aside from the expensive price tag of $100 million each, the delivery comes amid concerns of numerous F-35 glitches.



For instance, The Guardian noted that the F-35 radar stopped working mid-flight and only went operational when the pilot turned it off and on again. A pilot's life has also been put to risk because of some failure on the plane's ejection system. Other issues pointed are its weight, software bugs, and cyber vulnerabilities.



The welcome ceremony for the two F-35 stealth fighter jets on Monday will be attended by Israel's President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, IAF commander Eshel, and US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.



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(Photo : PLAAF) One of the Xian H-6 bombers involved in the Miyako Strait patrol.

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China and Japan will establish an air and maritime contact system between their defense ministries as early as possible to avoid overflights of the airspace near Japanese territory by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) from igniting an air battle between the PLAAF and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).



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China and Japan also exchanged views on the East China Sea issue and agreed to hold the seventh round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs in Japan in the first half of 2017.



The agreement was reached during the sixth round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs held Dec. 7-9 in China's southern city of Haikou.



A day after meeting, however, China sent a PLAAF patrol so dangerously close to Japanese airspace off the Miyako Strait, which lies between Miyako Island and Japan's Okinawa Island, the JASDF sent two of its Mitsubishi F-15J air superiority fighters to eyeball the Chinese patrol.



China's Defense Ministry lodged a "solemn representation" on Oct. 10 to Japan over the JASDF's interference of the PLAAF's "routine training in the Western Pacific."



It denounced that F-15's conduct as "dangerous and unprofessional and destroyed the freedom of navigation and over-flight endowed by international laws."



China's Defense Ministry Spokesman Senior Colonel Yang Yujun said the F-15 fighter jets interfered with Chinese military aircraft from close range and even launched "jamming shells," (flares), which "endangered the safety of Chinese aircraft and crew."



Col. Yang said Chinese pilots promptly adopted necessary countermeasures and continued their training exercise.



He said the Miyako Strait is an internationally recognized lane and the PLAAF's high-seas training is within its annual training plan and isn't directed at any particular country or target, which are in line with the related international laws and practices.



"It must be pointed out that the various interferential activities initiated by the Japanese military aircraft and ships in recent years can easily lead to misunderstanding and misjudgment, resulting in disputes and even conflicts in the sea and air space," said Col. Yang.



Col. Yang urged Japan to adopt effective measures to avoid these "safety problems" in the sea and air by proceeding from maintaining the regional stability and overall interests of China-Japan relations.



Japan's Ministry of Defense said six Chinese warplanes, including two fighters, flew over the Miyako Strait between Okinawa's main island and Miyako Island. It said there was no actual infringement of Japanese territorial air space.



The PLAAF patrol likely consisted of two Su-30MKK long-range strike fighters; Xian H-6 strategic bombers and Xian H-6U aerial refueling tankers.



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Tagschina, Japan, Miyako Strait, People's Liberation Army Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, routing training, Senior Colonel Yang Yujun
(Photo : Getty Images) Japan disputed China's claim that its ASDF fired an interference bomb while the latter was conducting military exercises on Saturday.

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Japan on Sunday contested China's claim that Tokyo fired an 'interference bomb' while China was conducting air force military exercises over the Mikayo Strait in Okinawa Prefecture, the Japan Times reported.



Japan disputed China's accusation, saying it neither fired an interference bomb nor endangered Beijing's jets or crews, Tokyo's Defense Military said, adding that the Air Self-Defense Force Fighter jets adhered to the "strict procedures based on international law and the law governing the Self-Defense Forces."



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Japan said that China's accusation "clearly differs from the facts" and such is "extremely regrettable, as it is something that damages relations between Japan and China."



The statement comes after the Chinese Defense Ministry on Saturday slammed Japan for endangering its military air mission on Saturday after two F-15 fighter jets from Japan's Air Self-Defense Force allegedly approached its aircrafts and launched jamming shells, Japan Today noted.



Yang Yujun, the ministry's spokesperson, asserted that the Mikayo Strait is an international waterway and that China's military drill was part of its air force's annual plans. He further insisted that they were not headed to any particular country.



Yang said that Japan's move was not only dangerous but also unprofessional, arguing that Japan meddled with China's freedom of navigation and flight that is officially recognized under international law. He also warned that such actions could trigger misunderstanding and mistaken judgment from both countries, which may easily end up on friction and collision.



In recent months, China has been carrying out several military exercises in the sensitive region of Western Pacific. It recently conducted drills on September and the last week of November. China, however, defended that none of these exercises are aimed to any third country and are only part of its annual training program.



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TagsChina-Japan relations, Self-defense forces, okinawa
(Photo : YouTube Screenshot) China was reportedly forced to develop its own technology after it failed to secure an extra 48 117S engines from Russia, which could have been used for its latest J-20 jets.

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China is set to launch its new J-11D fighter after it failed to secure engines from Russia on time, military analysts said, according to South China Morning Post.



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China was reportedly forced to develop its own technology after it failed to secure an extra 48 117S engines from Russia, which could have been used for its latest J-20 jets.



Some improvements made on the J-11D aircrafts include upgrade of turbofan technology and radar systems; addition of an antenna that could be controlled through a computer and could point to various directions without moving; and use of composites and stealth coatings in the fuselage to lighten weight, the Korea Times noted.



During its maiden flight, the J-11D was also noted being powered by a WS-10 engine fan, which was originally made by a unit of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), the parent company of SAC.



Avic said that it has manufactured over 400 WS-10 engines in 2015, based on its annual report in July, suggesting that China may no longer need Russia's engines.



Andrei Chang, the founder of Canada-based Kanwa Defence Review, said that China has boosted its strength and given priority in manufacturing its own aircraft engines, an area Beijing finds challenging.



In fact, Chang noted that Avic's Aeroengine Corporation of China has established 24 units and employed 10,000 individuals to create a centralized resource for engine production.



"The outside world had underestimated the pace of China's engine development. In fact, China has put quite a lot [of resources] into engine development over the past two or three years," Chang said.



Beijing has so far spent an estimated 150 billion yuan ($21.7 billion) to develop its own fighter engines in its 2010-2015 five-year plan.



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TagsJ-11D fighter jet, J-20 stealth fighter jet, Russia SU-35, stealth fighter jets
(Photo : Getty Images) Two Chinese and two Nigerians have been arrested over alleged issuance of fake visas.

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Two Chinese and two Nigerian citizens were caught by Nigeria's Rapid Response Squad in the Egibo area on Sunday after they were found to have allegedly been issuing fake visas to travel to Trinidad and Tobago.



The suspects Liu Honyang, 47; Sun Xinai, 49; Oriyomi Olwale, 47; and Desmond Chinedu, 25, were arrested in their offices in Golden Point Hotel after massive complaints were received by authorities from some of their scammed victims.



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A statement issued by the Lagos police said that the four suspects conspired and swindled Nigerian citizens who wished to travel outside the country.



"The Rapid Response squad had to stay in the hotel for days to watch and monitor their activities," a police official said, adding that they are still conducting an ongoing investigation.



All Africa News reported that some of the victims were not reluctant to show up and testify against the suspects.



In fact, one victim, identified as Adekunle Adefuye, said he met the suspects after he was introduced by one of their agents named Dorcas Sylver. He explained that Syler, who is the daughter of his brother's pastor in Abeokuta, told him that there was an easy and quick process of getting to America in Lagos.



He went to Lagos and was then introduced to the four suspects who convinced him to go to Trinidad and Tobago instead with a promise of a 'guaranteed' job that pays no less than $3,000. Initially, Adefuye refused the offer but later agreed on to it.



After all the documents have been processed and fees have been paid, he and another Nigerian traveled to Trinidad and Tobago only to be detained and deported by authorities two days later on grounds of using fake visas.



"We spent two days underground in the police custody," Adefuye said. "They treated us like common criminals trying to enter the country illegally."



Naij.com quoted a written letter from the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, saying that "The mission can categorically confirm that Sun Xinui is unknown to us." It further added that the commission has never and currently is not using any agents for the issuance of visas.



Sun Xinai, on the other hand, defended himself by stating that he was unaware that a stamped visa was no longer valid in Trinidad and Tobago, according to Bellanaija.



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Tagschina, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Fake Visas, Rapid Response squad
(Photo : Getty Images) Chinas state owned tabloid on Monday slammed U.S President elect Donald Trump for giving proactive statement on 'One China' policy.

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China's state-owned tabloid on Monday lashed out US President-elect Donald Trump for openly challenging his country's four-decade commitment to 'One China' policy. The audacious challenge comes barely a week after Trump broke the diplomatic protocol by accepting a phone call from Taiwan's president.



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A stinging editorial published in The Global Times reminded Trump that the "One China policy cannot be traded" and called on the Chinese government to wage struggle against Trump.



Without mincing words, the hard-hitting editorial claimed that China "cannot be bullied easily." It further warned that China may respond to Trump's provocation by offering military support to US foes.



Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday immediately took note of Trump's latest controversial statement. It said that Chinese leadership was "seriously concerned" about president elect's latest remark on one China policy. The ministry further added that friendly bilateral ties "were out of question" unless the "political bedrock" of the Sino-US relations was fully adhered to.



The entire fiasco started after Trump made controversial remarks about one China policy during a television interview. He blatantly suggested that China's most important foreign policy must be used as a 'bargaining chip' and questioned US' commitment to the controversial policy.



"I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox News.



The US has recognized 'One China' policy in 1979 during Jimmy Carter's presidency. However, the recognition never prevented the US government from supplying military equipments to Taiwan.



'One China' Policy - China's most important foreign policy



Over the years, the 'One China' policy has become Beijing's most significant and critical foreign policy. Chinese government has made it mandatory for all countries to recognize this policy, without which no country can maintain foreign relation with China.



The policy essentially denoted that China and Taiwan are one nation, thereby negating Taiwan's claim as a sovereign nation. The self-ruled island separated from China in 1949, following a prolong civil war. Since then Taiwan has staked its claim as an independent nation and continuously challenged the One China policy.



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TagsOne China policy, donald trump, Donald Trump China, China and U.S., China and Taiwan
(Photo : Getty Images) People tried to look through a broken window into the destroyed interior of St. Peter and St Paul in the Coptic Cathedral of Cairo, Egypt.

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A bomb explosion tore through a chapel near Cairo's Coptic Cathedral complex during a Sunday mass, killing at least 24 people and injuring 49 in the bloodiest attack in recent years on Egypt's Christian minority.



No group claimed responsibility on the second bombing to hit Cairo in recent days. Less than 48 hours prior to the church explosion, six police officers were killed and three were injured on a checkpoint leading to the Great Pyramids.



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The attack transpired inside St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral at the 100-year-old Bostrosiya Church, also known as the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a few moment after approximately 200 worshipers stopped reading Bible verses as the priest was getting ready to start his sermon, witnesses said.



The chapel was packed on a national holiday marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.



"Everything turned black suddenly," Qelliny Farag said, an 80-year-old congregant who was seated on the left side of the church. "I could not see anything. We were all in shock, covered in dust, running through corpses that got thrown by the intensity of the blast."



Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi announced that the incident was a suicide bombing by 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa, with the help of three men and a woman, who were all arrested due to association with the attack. The president spoke after Health Ministry officials increased the number of victims from 24 to 25, suggesting that one of the body belonged to the suspect.



The coffins, which were wrapped in Egyptian flags, have been laid in front of the altar on Monday, with the names of each victim displayed on the side. Only victims' relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City.



Egypt has seen a surge of attacks by Islamic militants ever since the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi, the Islamist president deposed by then-army chief Sisi. Many of his supporters mainly attacked security forces and Christians after his ejection.



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TagsCairo, Egypt, Cathedral, Coptic Cathedral, bombing, suicide bombing, Explosion, Terrorist attack, Church
City council members of Bloomfield City, New Mexico have taken action for a court of appeals to review the decision that a Ten Commandments monument must be removed from city hall grounds.

According to ChristianToday.com, a judge ruled that it was unconstitutional for the Ten Commandments monument to be on city hall property after two Wiccans complained about it.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the city on behalf of the Wiccans, claiming that "Our clients who are not Christians, they took issue with this and it made them feel alienated from their community," according to Alexandra Smith, ACLU legal director.

However, despite the judges ruling, members of Bloomfield Citys city council are standing up for religious freedom.

The city council members have unanimously voted in favor of a proposal which calls for a review of the original court decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, some residents of Bloomfield City held a vigil around the monument.

"We need to stand up for God, and then he will bless us," stated Anne Frost of Farmington, a town just outside of Bloomfield City. "We need to eliminate this silliness of Church versus State."

The Ten Commandments monument was erected in 2011 and was funded by private citizens.

Photo courtesy: flickr.com

Publication date: December 12, 2016
Slovakia has passed a law that prohibits Islam from being a recognized religion by the state.

The decision came in the wake of the refugee crisis and the influx of Muslims to many countries in Europe.

According to ChristianNews.net, Slovakia is maintaining a hard line toward the refugee crisis and is not allowing any Muslims into the country.

Muslims comprise less than one percent of Slovakias population, with an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 Muslims living in the country.

The recent measure passed by lawmakers mandated that, in order to be officially recognized by the government and to receive government subsidies and be able to operate its own schools, a religion must have at least 50,000 adherents.

Since Slovakia has also banned more Muslim refugees from entering the country, Islam is unlikely to reach the necessary 50,000 any time soon.

Since Slovakia is a Christian country, we cannot tolerate an influx of 300,000-400,000 Muslim immigrants who would like to start building mosques all over our land and trying to change the nature, culture and values of the state, Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico said last year.

The new law also prevents made-up religions such as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from being recognized.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: December 12, 2016
Editor's note: This story was updated on January 13, 2017.

Actor Andrew Garfield had a genuine encounter with God while he was training for his role as a Jesuit priest in an upcoming film.

Garfield is known for his roles in the two Amazing Spiderman movies as well as his recent role as the star of Mel Gibsons Hacksaw Ridge--a film that also had Christian themes.

CBN News reports that, in preparation for their roles as Jesuit priests in Martin Scorseses upcoming historical drama Silence, Garfield, along with fellow actor Adam Driver, were sent to a Jesuit retreat.

At the retreat, they lived like Jesuits and learned about the faith these men have.

Before the retreat, Garfield said he was searching spiritually. "I'm not a Christian person. I consider myself pantheist, agnostic, occasionally atheist, and a little bit Jewish, but mostly confused," he said.

However, the retreat and the real encounter he had with God and the teachings of Christ started him on a real-life journey of faith.

"I was filled up with all this information and all this longing to spread the teachings of Christ, which I truly started to adore," he told Hollywood Reporter.

He also told the Catholic publication American Magazine, "What was really easy was falling in love with this person, was falling in love with Jesus Christ. That was the most surprising thing  That was the most remarkable thingfalling in love, and how easy it was to fall in love with Jesus.

"I'm a believer with some doubts," he added. "But the doubts push me to find a purer sense of the other, a purer sense, if you want, of the word 'God.'"

Garfield went on to describe the Jesuit priest who taught him. "He gave me spiritual direction as if I were a Jesuit in training," he said. "It became a very personal journey for me."

The film was released in the U.S. on December 23, 2016.

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Publication date: December 12, 2016
On December 7th, the Ohio legislature passed a law that would outlaw abortion after the fetus heartbeat could be detected, which in some cases is as early as six weeks.

The bill would make it a fifth-degree felony, punishable by up to one year in prison, for a physician to perform an abortion without checking for a fetal heartbeat or performing the procedure after it can be detected.

The so-called Heartbeat Law had been debated in previous legislative sessions, but had never made it through the state senate. This time, the senate passed the bill 21-to-10.

As I record this broadcast, the billalong with another bill that prohibits abortion after 20 weekssits on Governor John Kasichs desk, awaiting his action.

This is potentially a big deal. Heres why.

This is not the first time such a measure has been enacted at the state level. In 2013, both North Dakota and Arkansas enacted measures that were similar to the Ohio measure. In both instances, the bills were quickly struck down by federal courts. And in January of this year, the Supreme Court declined to hear these cases on appeal.

This legal track record is why Ohio Right to Life did not support the bill and why Governor Kasich has expressed doubts about its constitutionality.

Yet in addition to the senate, the bill also passed by a 56 to 39 margin in the Ohio house. Why? Well, as Ohio Senate President Keith Faber told the Columbus Dispatch, we have a new president, new Supreme Court appointees, and there was consensus in our caucus to move forward. Therefore, Faber added, the bill has a better chance than it did before.

Faber is obviously referring to the prospect of president-elect Trump nominating, and the Senate approving, at least one if not more Scalia-like conservatives to the Supreme Court.

The timing here is whats interesting. Assuming the bill becomes law, it will certainly be challenged in federal court, where, as Ohio Right to Life and Governor John Kasich rightly suspect, it will be struck down by a federal district court judge. As the law now stands, it could hardly be otherwise.

Thats where the interesting part starts. Appeals take time, and by the time the case makes its way through the courts, a lot could have changed, including even a second opening on the Supreme Court.

And even if this law does not become the vehicle to overturn Roe and return the issue of abortion to the states, it could be a vehicle for chipping away at Roes impact. A case in point: North Dakotas heartbeat bill, which North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple called a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade.

Until recently, most states and people simply assumed Roe was sacrosanct and that any attempt to restrict abortion was legally impermissible. Thankfully, in more recent years, people at the state level have challenged that assumption. Which is exactly why, during the election season, Eric Metaxas and I reminded voters that the down ticket ballot was so crucial.

Sometimes, as in the Supreme Courts recent decision regarding Texas abortion clinics, unborn children lose to politics, but we never stop trying. We cant stop trying. This Ohio bill is a big deal. If nothing else, it keeps pressure on Roe and its defenders.

And so we await the governors action. Even if he vetoes it, the veto can be overturned by a three-fifths vote of both the Senate and the House, which, for the record, the GOP controls by more than the necessary margin.

And while we wait for Ohio lawmakers to act, you and I must act. By praying. Pray, pray, pray. And to help, Im pleased to announce weve just released our 21 Days of Prayer for Life as a free digital download. Just come to BreakPoint.org/21days.

BreakPoint is a Christian worldview ministry that seeks to build and resource a movement of Christians committed to living and defending Christian worldview in all areas of life. Begun by Chuck Colson in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on todays news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print. Today BreakPoint commentaries, co-hosted by Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet, air daily on more than 1,200 outlets with an estimated weekly listening audience of eight million people. Feel free to contact us at BreakPoint.org where you can read and search answers to common questions.

John Stonestreet, the host of The Point, a daily national radio program, provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: December 12, 2016
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Announces Ecclesial Chair Team for the 50th Anniversary WWME Convention

Contact: Dick & Diane Baumbach, Worldwide Marriage Encounter ( WWME ), 321-544-3440, dickanddiane66@bellsouth.net

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Peter and Sheila Oprysko and Fr. Tom Griffith, SVD have been named Ecclesial Chair Team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter's (WWME) 50th Anniversary Convention that will be held in Chicago in 2018, it was announced today.

"We are truly honored to be asked to serve in this chair role for the 50th Anniversary Convention," the Opryskos and Fr. Griffith said. "We look forward to having this convention be a beacon of light for WWME couples from across the world."

The ecclesial chair team has served many roles within Worldwide Marriage Encounter including local and regional leaders, pillar coordinators and other lead positions. Fr. Griffith also served as the United States Ecclesial Priest.

The overall theme for the North American convention is "We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe". There will be several unique programs and presentations during the weekend celebration of Worldwide Marriage Encounter from June 22 to 24, 2018 in Lombard, Illinois.

Monthly updates of convention plans and activities will be dispersed through all media sources, including social media, beginning in January, 2017.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been offering weekend experiences for over 48 years and is considered the original faith-based marriage enrichment program. The programs are continually updated to keep abreast of changes in society, and WWME now offers evening and half-day programs that are presented at parishes and other church facilities. The weekend program, traditionally presented as an overnight experience at a hotel or retreat center, can also be presented at the parish where the couples return to their homes in the evenings. WWME has a presence in almost 100 countries, which makes it the largest pro-marriage movement in the world. In North America, the WWME programs are presented in English, Spanish, French, and Korean languages.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers married couples the opportunity to spend time together away from the busyness of the world to focus on each other. Priests are also encouraged to attend a WWME weekend, which offers insights into their relationship with the church and their parishioners, and how their Sacrament of Holy Orders interacts with the Sacrament of Matrimony. WWME offers tools for building and maintaining a strong, Christian marriage in today's world. To learn more about the Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends online, go to wwme.org , or contact the WWME national office at (909) 332-7309.
Archbishop Of Canterbury: Churches Are Changing Lives Through Debt Counselling

Lives are being transformed through debt charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP), the Archbishop of Canterbury said today, as a new report revealed the overwhelming majority of clients were still debt free years after being helped.

In total, 93 per cent of people who had used CAP's church-based centres were still living debt free up to five years later.

More than eight in 10 still lived by a budget and almost half (46 per cent) now had savings.

The average annual household income of former CAP clients was just 14,511, but 85 per cent said they felt in control of their finances and 74 per cent had not used credit since becoming debt free.

"It's easy to imagine that someone living with poor finances will always be in that state, that poverty is too big a problem for us all to tackle," Archbishop Justin Welby said.

"This report is exciting because it shows that if someone gets the right level of support, they can conquer their debt problems  not just to become debt free but also to stay in the black, without the need for expensive credit, successfully managing their household finances for years to come.

"It tells us that no matter how hopeless a situation can first look. Significant change is possible."

CAP, of which Welby is a patron, helped 20,000 people this year through its partnership with 579 churches across the UK.

Its latest report will be launched today in Parliament. It includes a testimony from Kylie, a mum of four who turned to CAP for help after falling into heavy debt and managed to take back control of her finances.

"Working with CAP was a really transformative experience for me," she said. "Since the Debt Relief Order went through and I became debt free, I have learned how to properly budget and structure my spending. I feel like I have control over my money and that's new!

"It's amazing how little changes can make such a difference to your whole life. The children's dad, Gareth, and I are now back together and welcomed our fourth child in 2014. Our family is so much more settled now and you can just tell we're all so much happier  we're always smiling!"

In the foreward to the report, Welby said: "As a society, we have a duty to support those among us who are vulnerable and in need. As Christians, we see this demonstrated most clearly in the life and works of Jesus Christ. CAP embodies this value.

"Having seen them at work and how effective they are, I wanted to become a patron and show them my support. They are highly professional and deeply committed to the work they do to help people of infinite value find the way forward. They reach out to the poor and marginalised, work to build community and their work is infused with a deep generosity of spirit."

Founder and international director of CAP, John Kirkby, said: "In previous surveys, around 94 per cent of our debt clients had described CAP's service as 'a great help' or even 'lifechanging' and now we see exactly why.

"With the unique support of the centre church  all their prayers and love  people take the skills they have learned through the debt process and change their future. Many find or renew their faith in God but they make huge practical steps forward too like paying for family birthdays, buying furniture without credit, going on holiday and learning to drive. One client even paid for a wedding!

"It's hugely motivating for us and all our frontline heroes in the churches across the UK."
BBC Admits To Unbalanced Report On What Wartime Pope Did To Save Jews

The BBC has admitted a report that accused the Catholic Church of "silence" in response to the fate of the Jewish people under the Nazis was unfair.

A BBC's editorial complaints unit has admitted a reporter had not given "due weight to public statements by successive popes or the efforts made on the instructions of Pius XII to rescue Jews from Nazi persecution, and perpetuated a view which is at odds with the balance of evidence."

The offending report on a visit by Pope Francis to Auschwitz was broadcast on the 6 o'clock news on BBC One.

The reporter commented: "Silence was the response of the Catholic Church when Nazi Germany demonised Jewish people and then attempted to eradicate Jews from Europe."

The reporter claimed that Pius XII, Pope during the Second World War, had been accused in a book by John Cornwell, Hitler's Pope, of silently acquiescing to the Holocaust in which six million Jews were murdered.

Cornwell has since moderated some of his allegations. However, the author issued a strong denial to Christian Today that he had "reneged" on his thesis and robustly defended the title of his book, Hitler's Pope.

Lord Alton of Liverpool, an Independent peer and chairman of The Christian Heritage Centre, filed a formal complaint to the BBC, along with Father Leo Chamberlain, former headmaster of the top Catholic private school Ampleforth.

The BBC has now admitted that the item was unfair.

In a Crux Now blog post criticising the BBC report, Lord Alton said that some historians had actually praised Pope Pius XII for his wartime actions.

For example, Jewish historian Pinchas Lapide has written that Pius "was instrumental in saving at least 700,000, but probably as many as 860,000 Jews from certain death at Nazi hands." The Vatican also intervened to help Jewish people escape persecution in eastern Europe, gave them baptismal certificates and hid them in Vatican City.

Lord Alton writes: "Ironically, part of the BBC report came from St Maximilian Kolbe's cell at Auschwitz.

"St Maximilian, was executed after taking the place of another prisoner. He had been arrested for publishing a denunciation of the Nazis in his magazine, Knight, which had a circulation of around one million people.

Hardly silence, then."

In addition, more than 6,000 Polish people, nearly all Catholics, have been officially recognized in Israel as "Righteous Among the Nations" for their role in saving the lives of Polish Jews.

Lord Alton writes: "One charitable interpretation of the Auschwitz report was that it was a sloppy, lazy, throw-away remark - indicative of the sort of religious illiteracy that can cause so much offense; and part of a blurring between the straightforward reporting of news and the desire to add some melodrama to spice it up. Don't let facts or truth spoil a good story.

"Less charitably, the BBC report may be seen as simply the latest example of a long-running attempt to rewrite history."

Alton also notes that in 1931 there were about 21,000 Catholic priests in Germany. More than 8,000 of them, one third, clashed with Hitler's Third Reich and hundreds were "eliminated".

After the War, Pius was thanked by survivors of the Holocaust and there were tributes including from Israel's first President, Chaim Weizmann, and Isaac Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Israel. Rome's Chief Rabbi, Israel Zolli, became a Catholic and took the Pope's name as a tribute to him.

St Maximilian wrote: "No one in the world can change truth, and beyond the hecatombs of the extermination camps, of what use are the victories on the battlefield if we are defeated in our innermost personal selves."

Lord Alton concludes: "In this 'post-truth' era, perhaps every broadcaster and reporter should have Kolbe's words placed above their desks."

Cornwell denied that he had reneged on his thesis in his book.

In a comment to Christian Today, Cornwell said: "There is absolutely no doubt that Pius XII was mainly silent on the Holocaust throughout the war, or, that when he did speak, he veiled his utterances in anodyne, diplomatic language.

"It is not at all clear that all the clandestine initiatives to save the lives of Jews were the direct acts of Pius XII. It would seem that his defenders have been taking credit on his behalf, for the courageous acts of many individuals; which may in time do him no favours in the judgment of history. For example, there is evidence in Professor Susan Zucotti's book, Under his Windows, that Pius ordered a seminary to desist in taking in Jews for fear of reprisals.

"As for the line about me and my book: the focus of the thesis of Hitler's Pope is principally about the relationship between Pacelli, as Secretary of State to the Holy See, during the 1930s.

"In that role Pius XI delegated to him the Holy See's diplomacy with Hitler and the Nazis. In 1933 he negotiated at treaty with Hitler, over and above the German bishops, which traded protection of Catholic schools and worship for withdrawal from Catholic social and political action.

"At the same time, he urged that the Catholic Centre Party should vote for the enabling act that gave Hitler his dictatorship, and immediately afterwards oversaw the the disbanding of the party. It was the last democratic party in Germany. I have also noted that during the days in which Pacelli accepted more funding for schools, teachers, and buildings, Hitler was withdrawing educational benefits from Jewish schools and expelling Jewish academics.

"This goes to the heart of the title of my book. The irony of the phrase Hitler's Pope is this: it does not mean that Pius was in favour of Hitler and the Nazis. In fact, had he been a Nazi and favoured Hitler, he would have been despised just as were the Nazi German "Brown Bishops", and had little effect. As it was, his actions in 1933 demoralised a Catholic German opposition, scandalised the youth, and gave Hitler credit in the eyes of the world.

"After the treaty, known as the Reichsconcordat was signed, Hitler himself told his cabinet that the Holy See had given a boost to Nazi ideology and its solution of the Jewish problem.

"I have by no means reneged on the thesis of Hitler's Pope. What I have said, and it was more a new emphasis on what I had already expressed, is that Pius XII had little scope for publishing criticisms of Hitler. The fact is, Pius or Pacelli had already done the damage that earned him the soubriquet Hitler's Pope."

Christian Today has reached out to the BBC.
Bishop Angaelos: We Do Not Want Revenge For Cairo Attack, But We Do Want Justice

Today is a day of many emotions: sadness, nervousness, uncertainty, and understandably even anger at times.

That is because yesterday was a day in which we witnessed the worst of humanity, when innocent women and children who decided to worship their God in their spiritual home had their lives needlessly and senselessly ended without warning.

They were used as pawns; a means to an end. To the perpetrators of this heinous crime, their lives clearly held no greater value than scribbles on a strategic page; a plan that was to be executed for a cause to which they were merely incidental, collateral damage. Yesterday we saw beautiful lives lost, families separated and broken, and whole communities grieving; a truly painful time that has not only affected Coptic Christians, but Egyptian society at large, Muslims and Christians alike, and millions around the world.

Crimes will always be perpetrated and criminals will continue to exist, but such a strategic, vicious act is difficult to comprehend. It is indeed difficult to understand how a person might plan and execute such a horrific, ruthless and barbaric plot against innocent women and children. The only way to do this is to completely disregard the relevance, value and sanctity of any life potentially affected by these actions.

In recent decades, we have seen recurring acts of violence against Christians and Christian communities in Egypt. Time and time again, very few, if any, perpetrators have been brought to justice, and we subsequently continue to witness an escalation of these attacks. This is not a matter of blame, but accountability, with an expectation that barbaric acts such as these should never occur, but if they do, that their perpetrators are rightly and fairly held to account. This is not a call for vengeance, but a deterrent against similar future plans and aspirations.

We are thankful for the overwhelming outpouring of emotion and support that we have personally received from friends, and even indeed strangers, around the world in response to this horrific and heartbreaking attack, but it is unfathomable that at the same time, others have politicised this atrocity by actually laying blame on those targeted, maimed and killed because of the perceived political stance of Christians in Egypt. They have even gone so far as to imply that Christians and the Church were somehow complicit in this crime to gain sympathy, allegedly using their daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers as means to a ludicrous contrived political end.

As Christians, we have hope in the belief that good will prevail despite the seemingly increasing evil in our world. Life will certainly go on and atrocities such as these will by no means defeat us. Today, tomorrow and the next day will continue to bring new beginnings and greater resilience, but there will continue to be a deep effect on many that may remain with them for weeks, months, and even years to come.

As Christians, we also believe in forgiveness, but forgiveness is by no means synonymous with ignoring justice. Forgiveness ensures that our own hearts are not entangled in a web of anger and resentment, or corrupted by feelings of hatred or revenge. Forgiveness is ultimately liberating and empowering, but at the same time, justice is essential; not for the purposes of punishment, but to secure and protect our societies in which people must respectfully live side by side.

Chapter 16 of the Gospel of St John tells us that in the world "we will have tribulation" but to be "of good cheer" for the Lord Jesus Christ has "overcome the [evils of this] world". The Scriptures also tell us that "the time is coming that whoever kills [us] will think that he offers God service" (John 16:2).This reality has been lived for two millennia, through the reign of Diocletian, and continues until today as we still witness targeted persecution throughout the world. In facing these struggles throughout history, too many precious lives have been lost, and this is why we must advocate for the safeguarding of every life, so that many more do not continue to suffer on our watch.

As we prepare for feasts and celebrations: Christmas in the Gregorian calendar, the New Year, the Feast of the Nativity in the Julian calendar, and Epiphany, sharing them with family and friends around us, there are families that will not be coming together, and communities that will not be celebrating, as a result of this great loss. We remember and pray for them all, and assure them that they will not be forgotten. We also live confident that if we, as limited imperfect beings, are moved by their loss and suffering in this way, that our perfect, all-loving, all-powerful, and all-just God hears their cries and will by no means forsake or forget them, but strengthen, support and comfort them as only He can.
Cairo Attack on Christians: State Funeral For Victims As Sisi Declares Three Days Of Mourning

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi will attend a state funeral on Monday for the 24 Christians killed as they worshipped on Sunday.

The Copts were killed by a 22-year-old suicide bomber, Sisi said on Monday, adding security forces had arrested three men and a woman.

A private service conducted by Coptic Pope Tawadros II was held early on Monday for the relatives of those who died. Buses will then transport the coffins and immediate family to the state funeral attended by Sisi and other officials at the start of three days of national mourning declared by the President.

The attack on the spiritual home of Egypt's Coptic community, which make up 10 per cent of the population, was the worst on Christians in years.

Pope Tawadros cut short a visit to Greece to come back and take the services.

Before the service he said: "This calamity is not against the church but against the homeland, [against] all of Egypt.

"We are in a lot pain because of this evil.. but we are pleased they passed away during prayers, this is the best time to die.. during this [holy] month."

He added: "Whoever did this attack does not belong to the Egyptian people."

Pope Francis called the Coptic Patriach on Monday morning before the funeral to express to condolences and his closeness to the Coptic community.

"We are united in the blood of our martyrs," said the Catholic pontiff.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Muslim Brotherhood leaders, who have been accused of waging a "witch-hunt" against Copts, condemned the attack. ISIS supporters have celebrated the killings on social media.

The bombing sparked waves of anger across Egypt with hundreds protesting outside the cathedral in Cairo.

The crowd demanded Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, the interior minister, be dismissed after a perceived security failure led to the attack. Christians are convinced attacks on them are not seriously investigated.

"The Ministry of Interior cannot protect our churches. It is time for us to protect ourselves," said one protester. Others demanded the fall of the regime.

Egypt's Christian community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities. In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State.
Christian Nurse Sues For Unfair Dismissal After Talking About Jesus At Work

A Christian nurse is suing for unfair dismissal after she was sacked by a hospital trust for offering to pray with patients before operations.

Patients complained about Sarah Kuteh, who has 15 years of nursing experience, to the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.

She was dismissed for breaching guidelines about discussing religion at work.

In a video about her case posted on the Facebook page of Christian Concern, she asks: "How could telling anyone about Jesus Christ really be harmful to any patient?"

Kuteh was responsible for pre-operation assessments of patients, which required them to fill in a form that included a question about their religion.

She said: "I discuss my religion with the patient and how I have found Jesus Christ and how much peace I have  especially when patients come to me feeling really, really devastated sometimes.

"I reassure them on the basis of the joy and peace I have found in the Lord."

After previous complaints from patients about inappropriate conversations about religion, she was warned about her behaviour. "The next day I got a letter and it stated I could have discussions with the patient or if the patient asks for it," she says, adding: "I'd always ask the patient if they were comfortable  and most of them were."

Kuteh was suspended in June and sacked in August following an investigation that heard a patient had complained she had given her a Bible she did not want and said she would pray for her. Another said she thought Kuteh was "preaching" at her.

A spokesman for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said in a statement: "We have a duty to our patients to ensure that when they are at their most vulnerable, they are not exposed to the unsolicited beliefs and/or views of others, religious or otherwise.

"Following several complaints from patients and a warning which did not result in any change in behaviour, we feel we have acted appropriately in the management of this case."

The Prime Minister, Teresa May, said recently that Christians should feel free to speak about their faith at work.
Christian Pastor In Turkey Imprisoned And Accused Of Armed Terrorism Links

A Christian pastor has been imprisoned and charged in Turkey with membership of an "armed terrorist organisation".

Rev Andrew Brunson, from the United States, has been sent to prison in Izmir, according to World Watch Monitor.

He and his wife Norine were both detained in October but although she was released, he remained behind bars in a detention centre and has now been sent to a formal prison.

Turkey prosecutors claim that he is a national security risk with links to the movement responsible for the unsuccessful military coup attempt in July.

A post on the Facebook page set up to support the couple reads: "We need your prayers! Andrew was moved in the night on Thursday night to the Counter Terrorism Dept., then taken to court in the morning and falsely charged with 'membership in an armed terrorist organization', with no evidence provided. The judge sent him to prison to await further court proceedings. I don't know when I will be able to see him as this prison is very strict. Needless to say, this is a blow.

"God can still get him back for Christmas, even on the 12th, but right now he needs your prayers more than ever."

Until their arrest, Andrew and Norine Brunson led the Izmir Resurrection Church in Ankara, capital of Turkey, which has up to 40 regular members. They have lived in Turkey for 23 years.

Thousands of judges, prosecutors, military personnel, journalists and educators have been imprisoned on "terrorism" since the coup attempt, World Watch Monitor reports.

The Brunsons have three children who are students in the US.
Earthquakes And Migrant Drownings Recalled In Vatican Nativity Scene

The annual Vatican Christmas nativity tableau this year includes a poignant reminder of an Italian tragedy: a spire from one of the churches damaged and destroyed in this year's earthquakes.

The nativity scene was unveiled on Friday in St Peter's Square. It includes the spire of St Benedict's Basilica in Norcia, the town closest to the epicentre of the October earthquake, with rubble from the building.

In August nearly 300 people were killed by the deadliest earthquake to hit Italy for decades.

The nativity scene was donated by the government and Archdiocese of Malta and features a replica of a tradtional "luzzu" or Maltese boat, representing the island's seafaring tradition.

It was created by Manwel Grech, from Gozo, Malta, who won the commission in an open competition. The scene contains resin statues of Maltese figures and a menagerie of animals.

Grech said he wanted Mary to have a peaceful face because "when you see Jesus, you relax". He tried to give Joseph a look of pride.

Pope Francis said the boat also represents "the sad and tragic reality of migrants on boats headed toward Italy".

"In the painful experience of these brothers and sisters, we revisit that [experience] of baby Jesus, who at the time of his birth did not find accommodation and was born in a grotto in Bethlehem and then was brought to Egypt to escape Herod's threat."

Offerings left at the nativity scene will go toward rebuilding the church at Norcia.

St Peter's Square also features a Christmas tree donated by the Italian province of Trent. It is decorated with ceramic ornaments made by children being treated in several Italian hospitals.
Miraculous Story Of Drug Addict Who Found Jesus, Got Clean And Is Now Successful Businessman

A former drug addict and dealer has described how faith in Jesus helped him get clean and go on to set up a successful business.

Ryan Longmuir, from Cumbernauld in Scotland, is featured in a BBC report on the incredible transformation in his life after he found God.

He said he started when he was just 12 years old, and was soon taking drugs every day because they helped him feel normal.

"I tried everything - cocaine, Valium, ecstasy, speed, heroin... I'd go on benders for two or three days at a time, and I'd take five or 10 ecstasy tablets in one night. From the age of 15 to 20 I took drugs every single day."

He found God and got clean when he was 20. Four years later he set up a catering company, Regis Banqueting, and now aged 37 is regarded as among Scotland's most successful businessmen with clients including mobile phone network O2, luxury carmaker Bentley and investment bank JP Morgan.

In addition to his business, where he employs 65 people, he is active in the voluntary sector and is currently raising funds on JustGiving for a sleep out in aid of homeless people.

The strongest thing he imbibes now is a cup of tea.

His breakthrough came in New Zealand, where he had fled his problems for a fresh start, known as "doing a geographical" in recovery circles.

Drug addicts and alcoholics are taught in recovery that geographicals are doomed to end in failure, because the addict always takes themselves with them.

Longmuir was arrested for dealing in New Zealand and when he called a friend in Scotland for advice, she said she would pray for him.

Longmuir told the BBC: "I thought 'you're off your head' but I decided to try it, and I got down beside my bed and I said, 'I don't believe that there is a God, but if you're real then show me that you're real and I'll believe in you.'"

These words bear a remarkable similarity to those used by Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, when his own "white light" spiritual experience led him to set up the 12-step programme used across the world for recovery fellowships dealing with alcohol, drugs and many other problems. Many Christian organisations have also taken and adapted the Twelver Steps of AA for use in church recovery programmes.

The next step for Longmuir was when he met two hitchhikers who took him to lunch. "That was when I thought there was maybe something to this because why would two complete strangers do that? That was the catalyst for change."

Suddenly, the desire to use drugs was lifted from him. He threw all his mind-altering substances into the sea and has been clean since.

"I know most people who have been taking drugs don't have that experience. Most people do ok for a bit then they relapse. Everyone's journey is different but that was mine," he said.

He returned to Scotland from New Zealand in 2000 and joined the evangelical Freedom City Church in Cumbernauld and also got married. His first job was working with drug and alcohol addicts. The idea for his catering business came after his church asked him to run their cafe.

He confessed to the BBC that he had no experience: "I had to phone my mother-in-law to ask how you make steak pie."

Those who helped him included the Prince's Trust which loaned him 5,000.

He has now scooped several awards including Royal Bank of Scotland young business of the year and director of the year from the Institute of Directors.
Nigeria Orders Probe After Dozens Die When Church Roof Caves In

The builder and contractors responsible for the Reigners Bible Church in Nigeria that collapsed at an episcopal consecraton, killing and injuring dozens of people, are to face a police investigation.

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akway Ibom state, in southern Nigeria has ordered the arrest of the building contractor according to the state news agency.

Senate President Bukola Saraki has also demanded an investigation.

The Reigners Bible Church was still under construction and Emmanuel was at the service in the church when the roof collapsed on top of everyone there as the church's founder, Apostle Akan, was being consecrated.

Emmanuel and Akan both survived unscathed.

Emmanuel tweeted that he "shared in the agony of the moment".

He also declared Sunday and Monday to be "national days of mourning". He described the "deep sorrow" felt by the entire country at the tragedy.

Reports of the number of fatalities ranged from 27 to 160. Dozens more were injured.

One of the survivors, Eno Etim, on Sunday, said the building collapsed shortly after a lady was called to lead the praise worship.

Etim said there was no sign of disaster before the actual collapse.

Another survivor was interviewed from hospital by local media. He said the roof collapsed about half an hour into the service. "Suddenly, the roof from the middle fell on worshippers. The governor was quickly rescued. But others were not that lucky."

Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria.

Building regulations are often breached and materials sometimes fail to conform to industry standards.

In 2014, there was international outrage when 116 people were killed after a six-storey church building collapsed. Nigerian preacher, "Prophet" TB Joshua, was indicted for criminal negligence.

After this latest disaster Nigerian Government tweeted:
Not Much Christmas Spirit? Evangelist Yells At Kids Outside Grotto That 'There's No Santa'

Most preachers who fall foul of parents for letting slip that Santa doesn't exist do so by accident.

But a preacher in Amarillo, Texas, has infuriated parents after shouting at children waiting in line for Santa's Grotto that they were being lied to.

David Grisham filmed himself at a shopping mall saying to children: "Kids, I want to tell you today that there is no such thing as Santa Claus. Santa Claus does not exist.

'The Christmas season is about Jesus. Jesus was born 2016 years ago. He was born in a manger in a small town called Bethlehem. That is the truth about Christmas.

"The man you're going to see today is just a man in a suit dressed up like Santa but Santa doesn't exist, Santa is not real."

The video posted on the Facebook page of Grisham's organisation, Last Frontier Evangelism, shows parents telling Grisham to "quit it" and leave the children alone. However, he tells them: "Do not lie to your children and tell them there is such a thing as Santa when you know in reality that there are no flying reindeer, there is no workshop at the North Pole, there is no elves making toys, that you buy all the gifts and put them under the tree.

"That's the truth and there is no real Santa Claus."

An angry parent comes over and confronts Grisham and tells him to leave, to which he responds, "I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving, you keep your hands to yourself." Another tells Grisham it is "not your decision to make" about what they tell their children. He eventually tells them to "have a nice day" and moves on.
Prince Charles Offers 'Special Prayers' For Victims Of Cairo Bombing

Prince Charles joined the Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis in offering "specia prayers" and sympathy to the Coptic Pope Tawadros II after 24 people were killed in a suicide attack in Egypt.

The Prince of Wales released a statement on Monday afternoon expressing sympathy over the "unbearably inhuman attack" in Cairo on Sunday.

"I can only begin to imagine the dreadful shock and grief that Copts, and indeed all Egyptians, must be feeling and my heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who have been killed and wounded," he wrote.

He told the head of the Coptic Church: "I wanted to assure Your Holiness that Copts everywhere, and especially in Egpyt, are in my thoughts and special prayers as they try to cope with the loss, pain and fear that the attack has inflicted upon them."

Charles joined Justin Welby who described the dead as "martyrs for Christ" and called on followers to "pray in lament, protest and in hope".

Pope Francis also called Pope Tawadros II to express his condolences and closeness to the victims.

The calls come after a suicide bombing near St Mark's cathedral in Cairo, the home of the ancient Christian group, killed 24 and wounded dozens more.

Three days of national mourning has been declared in Egpyt and President el-Sisi attended a state funeral for the victims on Monday.

Bishop Angaelos, general bishop for the Coptic Church in the UK said the attack was "difficult to comprehend".

He wrote in a statement on Monday: "We have seen recurring acts of violence against Christians and Christian communities in Egypt. Time and time again, very few, if any, perpetrators have been brought to justice, and we subsequently continue to witness an escalation of these attacks.

"This is not a matter of blame, but accountability, with an expectation that barbaric acts such as these should never occur, but if they do, that their perpetrators are rightly and fairly held to account. This is not a call for vengeance, but a deterrent against similar future plans and aspirations."
U.S. Lawmakers Put Pressure on India to Ease Funding Restrictions on Christian Group

Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States have united to call on the government of India to ease funding restrictions it imposed on a Christian organisation based only on an accusation that it is encouraging religious conversions.

According to a report by The Hindu, the foreign affairs committee of the U.S. House of Representatives held a public hearing to voice concerns on how the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has banned the Colorado-based Christian charity Compassion International (CI) from transferring funds to local civil society groups.

The Indian government imposed this ban last February, requiring the Christian group to obtain prior permission before it can extend financial support to local groups.

Republican Congressman Ed Royce, who chairs the committee, expressed dismay over the Indian government's supposed inaction to their repeated requests to lift the ban imposed on CI.

"This isn't a hearing that the committee expected to be holding," Royce said, as quoted by The Hindu. "For the past nine months, this committee has had meetings, written letters, made phone calls, and for that, I thank our members."

The lawmaker also maintained that the Christian group's supposed involvement in religious conversions is just a "rumour" and a "myth."

Democrat Congressman Eliot L. Engel, meanwhile, said during the hearing that this policy may affect civil society groups in India.

"It's troubling that a country with such a long tradition of an empowered and active civil society might be going down this path," Engel said, as quoted also by The Hindu.

Stephen Oakley, an official of the CI, for his part, told the congressional committee that the Christian organisation will be forced to stop its activities in India next month if the restrictions stay. The group supports 145,000 children in India through 580 partner organisations.

Oakley also said that CI is willing to work with the Indian government to resolve the issue. "If there are concerns regarding a particular partner, we will be willing to remove them from our network," he said.
UK Adopts Official Antisemitism Definition

The UK will adopt an official definition of antisemitism meaning perpetrators will be "called out on it", Theresa May will say in a speech on Monday.

The wording put forward by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance will be used by police, councils, universities and public bodies. It defines the hatred as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews."

It adds: "Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

The organisation says it hopes the wording will be adopted globally.

It is already used in 31 countries including the USA, Israel, France and Germany. The group says having a "legally binding working definition" gives countries the "political tools" to deal with anti-Jewish hate.

Downing Street the wording would mean people could no longer get away with antisemitism because it was poorly defined or because different bodies used different definitions.

The Prime Minister will say: "There will be one definition of anti-Semitism - in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews - and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it."

She will add: "It is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country. It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise."

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said anti-Semitism must be seen as "an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society".

"There can be no excuses for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism or prejudice," he said.

"Crimes must always be reported, and the law enforced, but we also want to create an environment that prevents hate crime from happening in the first place."

The announcement comes after a man who subjected Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger to online abuse was jailed for two years last week.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has faced accusations of being soft on antisemitism, welcomed the move. His spokesman said hatred towards Jews was "as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism".
Why Are There Prostitutes, Seducers And Adulteresses In Jesus' Ancestry?

In spite of the huge modern interest in family history thanks to the ease with which we can research it online, we aren't very interested in the lists of names in the Bible. All that "so and so begat such and such" leaves us cold.

Back in Bible times, though, it was different: people were fascinated by where they came from because it told them who they were.

At the beginning of Matthew's Gospel there's a genealogy that it's fair to say most churches skip over at Christmas. It traces Jesus' ancestry all the way back to Abraham. Right at the end, Mary is mentioned. But what's unusual about it is that before that it includes four women. Each of them is out of place in what you'd expect to find in the descent of a king, because each of them has a question mark over their sexual behaviour.

Tamar was the mother of Perez, whose father was Judah  and Judah was her own father in law. Genesis 38 tells of how she was married to two of Judah's sons in succession, Er and Onan, both of whom died. But rather than giving her to his third son, Shelah  the honourable thing for her at the time  he refuses. So she disguises herself as a prostitute, has sex with Judah and bears twins to him. Outraged by her pregnancy he orders her to be burned to death, whereupon she proves he is the father by the seal, cord and staff he has left with her. "She is more righteous than I," he confesses.

Rahab was the mother of Boaz. She was the prostitute in Joshua 2 who hid the spies who came to Jericho to reconnoitre the Israelite invasion. When the city falls, she and her family are the only ones spared (Joshua 6).

Ruth was the mother of Obed. She was a Moabitess who married an Israelite who had gone there fleeing famine. After her husband and his brother and father died, she returned to Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi. She gains the attention of her husband's kinsman Boaz, and in an encounter that's sexually charged  though it isn't clear that sex took place  he agrees to marry her. She is portrayed as a woman of "noble character", but she is a Moabitess  and during the Exodus it is the Moabite women who tempted male Israelites to sin (Numbers 25:1).

Bathsheba is not given her name in Matthew's account; she is the mother of Solomon and "had been Uriah's wife". She had been seen bathing by King David; he seduces her and has her husband killed in order to possess her (2 Samuel 11).

So what is Mary doing in a list like that?

There is nothing questionable about her behaviour. Joseph is told in a dream that "what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). And Luke makes it clearer than Matthew that this is a virgin birth.

But what seems possible is that the circumstances of Jesus' birth were so irregular that rumours followed her throughout her life and may have coloured people's attitude to Jesus. In Mark 6:3 he is called "Mary's son" rather than Joseph's. Some scholars think that might reflect doubts about his legitimacy (though others disagree). And in John 8:41 "the Jews" who are arguing with him say, "We are not illegitimate children." Was this a reference to speculation about his birth?

There's even a later story, from an anti-Christian writer called Celsus, that Jesus was fathered on Mary by a Roman soldier named Panthera. This is obviously a legend aimed at discrediting Mary, however.

So why did Matthew include these other women in his list of Jesus' ancestors? The answer is that each of them may have behaved questionably, but God used them in extraordinary ways. Tamar was more righteous than Judah, who would give his name to an entire nation. Rahab helped ensure the conquest of the whole of what would be Israel. Ruth was a Gentile, but a virtuous woman and the grandmother of one of Israel's two greatest kings. And Bathsheba was the mother of the other.

It's as though Matthew is saying, by emphasising their stories: "If you think Jesus' birth counts against him, look at what God has done with mothers like Mary in the past. Don't limit God's grace or power. Mary is a woman of God, and God has done great things through her."

And while there is only one Mary, the mother of the Messiah, there are many, many Christians who can read the stories of how God uses ordinary people with shadowed pasts, and be deeply grateful.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods
A special performance choreographed by the acclaimed dancer and art collector, performed against a backdrop of Post-War and Contemporary Art from our November sales

In October Christies took over the new UTA Artist Space in Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, hanging highlights from Novembers Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York, including works by Gerhard Richter and Richard Prince.

In the above video Benjamin Millepied  the acclaimed dancer, choreographer and founder of the innovative LA Dance Project (LADP)  talks about returning from Paris (where he was Director of the Paris Opera Ballet) to refocus on Los Angeles, and how his work has been influenced by contemporary art. A special performance by members of his dance company, meanwhile, entertains the assembled art lovers.

Its so important to sit back and have these emotional experiences with art, with dance, explains Millepied. Whether it is something that simply is the beauty that you need in the world that day, or something that reflects on society, dance can have many different approaches.
Craig Hartley/Freelance

The 17th annual Rice Business Plan Competition, billed as the richest and largest student startup competition, is accepting applications for its spring event at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business.

The competition, April 6-8, is an opportunity for 42 teams from universities around the world to compete for more than $1.5 million in prizes.
Citing a downturn in the oil industry, Alabama Metal Industries Corporation (AMICO) will be closing its plant located at 825 County Road 606 in Dayton and its distribution center located at 120 North Latham in Houston at the end of January 2017. The final round of layoffs is to begin Jan. 29, 2017, and end on Jan. 31, 2017.

The company, which in its heyday boasted as many as 60 employees, has been operating at a much smaller level with only 20 in the Dayton operation and three in Houston as its fortunes soured.

The business, originally operating as Klemp Grating, was later absorbed by AMICO and in 2003, the company consolidated its bar grating operations joining the Mississippi production into the Dayton facility. Officials said, "This allowed better utilization of resources and improved productivity greatly."

In 2005, AMICO was acquired by Gibraltar Industries, a Buffalo-based, publicly traded company.

The closure will affect all 23 employees.

"We are very proud to have served the Dayton and Houston communities over the years. We will be doing our absolute best during this transition to support our associates impacted," said Dean O'Donald, vice president and general manager. "AMICO would like to thank the cities of Dayton and Houston for their continued partnership over the years."

The Dayton facility produces bar grading from coils of steel that goes into industrial flooring applications that you would typically find on a land-based or offshore production platform or on land industrial flooring for pipeline products.

The Houston office was a distribution, warehousing facility for AMICO.

"The lower prices that have generated lower product demand over the last few years has put a lot of pressure on our two businesses in [Dayton and Houston] and there are other market and competitive dynamics that have also changed to make it difficult to make money," said Ken Smith, chief financial officer for the parent organization Gibraltar. "We decided we'd rather, as a company that has other product line in other markets, we made the decision, sadly, to close these two facilities and pursue more promising opportunities."

Company leaders considered the prospects of improving conditions and higher commodity prices, but felt the products and capabilities they compete with from these two plants in Texas were still competitively difficult to be profitable, even if the oil markets returned.

"We're trying to find a good home for our employees with other support," Smith said.

The layoffs are unsettling for employees coming one month after the holidays.

"It's unfortunate timing," Smith said.

Officials from the company met with the employees early in the week, Dec. 6, to inform them of the decision.

"This won't have drastic effects on the city, but we certainly don't want to see any businesses closing down in our area," said Dayton Mayor Jeff Lambright, "and we certainly don't want to see the employees displaced either."

City officials tried to help the company stay in operations, but the future was daunting. "We asked if they could retool it and use it for something else and offered incentives to keep them afloat, but there's about 250 percent of the product in the world market already," said Dayton Community Development Corporation Executive Director Courtland Holman.

"Even if the market was to return, it would take years for the market to reduce that stock," he said.

The closures not only affect AMICO, but other competitors in the market across the U.S.

"It is unfortunate that Dayton is losing this manufacturer," Holman said, "but the good news is that we have no available industrial buildings to backfill and we get a lot of leads asking for ready to go sites. I can't fill any of those. I have to pass on every single one of them."

The DCDC director says he receives at least one to two requests of that nature every month. "The odds are I will be able to find someone to go into that building sooner rather than later," he said. "I have a lead and I've already contacted their broker to look at the property and it's also a metal manufacturing industry."

Holman couldn't give any more details on the potential buyer, but added it would be providing a couple dozen jobs in a related industry.
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All former WWE star Shad Gaspard wanted was a beer.

What he got was called back into action (sort of) at a Florida convenience store Saturday night.

Gaspard, all 6' 7" and 300 pounds of him, was the subject of what he described as an impolite request by someone also seeking a beer in Coral Springs. Gaspard declined.

NEW CAREER: Ex-WWE star Booker T. says he's running for mayor of Houston

"There's a better way to ask than that," Gaspard said.

That's when, police say, the man popped out what appeared to be a gun.

The way Gaspard tells the story, the man told the wrestler he better leave because he was about to rob the place.

Gaspard tells ProWrestingSheet.com he kicked into action, rushing the man and getting the gun from his hand.

IN THE CABINET: Ex-WWE CEO Linda McMahon tapped for Donald Trump's administration

About then, the man tried to leave the store. Gaspard said he slammed the man's head into a door, pulled the guy outside and held in him in a rear naked choke hold.

Gaspard's former WWE running mate, JTG, and several friends in a nearby car called police. Gaspard and the police later realized that the weapon was an air-gun, not an actual pistol.

I thought it was a real gun the entire time and honestly, I just didnt want anyone to get hurt," Gaspard told ProWrestlingSheet.

Coral Springs police say the man is charged with armed robbery.
A wrenching portrayal of black masculinity. The most cleverly relevant animated comedy since "The Simpsons." The breakout television performance of the year. These were just some of the achievements in film and television that were overlooked by the 2017 Golden Globe Awards, whose nominees were announced Monday morning.

Sure, there were excellent mentions  Thandie Newton for Westworld, Issa Rae for Insecure, Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea  as well as attention paid to underrated films like Hell or High Water and The Lobster. And the appearance of prestige television shows like Stranger Things and Westworld was welcome, if expected.

Still, the list of nominations offers an inadequate picture of the best achievements in 2016 and several stellar performances were ignored entirely. Here were the five biggest nomination snubs for the Golden Globes this year.

1. Millie Bobby Brown  Stranger Things

Brown was the breakout performer in television of the year. As Eleven in the Netflix sci-fi/monster series Stranger Things, she wasnt just a badass girl with superpowers. Her character was also a victim of abuse, alienation and imprisonment who had to delve into her traumatic past as a test subject in order to grow into a hero. In Stranger Things, Brown didnt just triumph over abuse  she gave what could have been a pat tragic backstory maturity and complexity.

2. BoJack Horseman

Not since The Simpsons had an animated series so perfectly captured the current culture in America. Raphael Bob-Waksbergs Netflix show, in its third season this year, took a witty, cynical look at societys obsession with glamour and narcissism, then punched you in the gut with BoJack (Will Arnett), a washed-up television star, in one the best portrayals of addiction, depression and alcoholism on television. BoJacks world of celebrity may have seemed fake, but none of the shows insights were superficial.

3. Trevante Rhodes  Moonlight

In awards shows, films with an ensemble cast tend to get snubbed in the best actor/actress category. Trevante Rhodes was one-third of the age-jumping main character in Moonlight, which means he was never meant to steal the show but to instead contribute to the films tapestry of black, male and gay identity. His role as adult Chiron, a sensitive soul trapped in the body of a criminal, is every bit as nuanced as best actor-nominated Casey Afflecks performance in Manchester by the Sea, of another tight-lipped man with deep-seated trauma.

4. Horace and Pete

People seem to have forgotten about Louis C.K.s pet project Horace and Pete, a one-season, ten-episode web series that he released directly to his personal website without any marketing. The show, which is moving to Hulu, stars C.K. and Steve Buscemi as brothers, and Alan Alda as a bigoted patriarch who fight each other over what to do with a family-owned Brooklyn bar. The show was utterly surprising in how it delivered both comedy and tragedy. Like much of C.K.s work, Horace and Pete blended genres, and in this case art forms (theater, television and film) to tell a gut-wrenching story about loyalty, mortality and mental illness.

5. Commentators: Samantha Bee, John Oliver and Kate McKinnon

Talk shows arent eligible for the Golden Globes. But if the Globes are to continue honoring televisions best work, it needs to adapt. During election year, Samantha Bee, with Full Frontal, and John Oliver, with Last Week Tonight, helped shaped popular thought, while Kate McKinnon, as Hillary Clinton, was the star of Saturday Night Live during one of the shows strongest seasons.
Friday morning the Houston Parks Board and other city development representatives officially opened the latest portion of the White Oak Bayou Greenway Trail with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the Heights trail where it crosses Studemont Street and extends west more than two miles along White Oak Bayou.

The parks board was joined by Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 5), the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Harris County Flood Control District.
Metro Video

An overnight fire damaged five units in an apartment complex in northwest Houston, authorities said.

Just before 3 a.m., a caller in the 500 block of Heights Boulevard reported smoke, but couldn't find the flames.
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Harold Krueger IV replaced the Lincoln logs and Legos of his youth with laser cutters, engravers and 3-D printers. As co-founder of Katy MakerSpace he wants to share his knowledge and tools with others to help them make ideas become reality.

For Elena Ortiz of Katy that idea is to make a shadowbox. She attended a recent meeting of the group at Maud Smith Marks Library as a good place to start since she doesn't have equipment to build her project.

"I just want to get familiar and comfortable with the mechanics of it and the knowledge."

The library offers space for Krueger to host second-Tuesday-of-the-month open houses at 7 p.m. to introduce people to Katy MakerSpace. Makers of all ages and disciplines are encouraged to stop by.

More Information Want to go? What: KatyMaker Space Where: Hunterwood Business Park, 2900 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road, No. A104 Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays Details: Email info@KatyMakerspace.com for information or call 832-437-1555. Visit https://www.meetup.com/KatyMakerspace/members/192251134/ to see what's scheduled. See More Collapse

"The library's mission is to provide information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities through innovative services within and beyond our walls," said Naomi Haught, assistant manager of the Maud Smith Marks Branch Library. "MakerSpaces are places of creating and expanding the imagination."

Katy MakerSpace, 2900 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road, No. A104, in Katy, provides a space to work with equipment for woodworking and electronics as well as a computer lab and CNC/3-D printing. Ortiz later added what she feels best describes what KatyMakerspace offers: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

KatyMakerspace was formed about two years ago by Krueger and his wife, Isabel Retiz. Memberships are available on different levels and dependent upon the level of participation.

Retiz said, "I want to fix stuff that's broken and make it better." Of her husband, she said, "He's always looking to make something for the future."

MakerSpace more than tools

Because of them, people can visit the Katy MakerSpace to use equipment that ranges from basic table tools for woodworking to a soldering station, Dell workstations and a 2-by-4-foot black-toe CNC Router. Plus, members learn from each other. Krueger possesses skills to operate the equipment from computers to woodworking. "I do everything I can get my hands on," he said.

A 500 milliwatt solid-state laser engraver enables Matthew Phillips to create images of Santa and holiday wreaths on veneer. The tinkerer who shared hobbies with his dad and worked 40 years in manufacturing is among those at the library session. "I've been having a lot of fun with it (the engraver)," he said. "I don't do it for money. I just do it for fun."

Learning as he goes, he talks with others at the table. "Kids don't know what they want to learn. When you're older, you know what you want but don't know how to get there."

He considers Katy MakerSpace motivational when he comes on Saturdays, leading Krueger to say, "It (Katy MakerSpace) isn't just tools. It's being there and talking to other members."

The concept is attractive to Eric Ng, who is learning from others how to build and use a 3-D printer from a kit he bought.

"I'm interested in building things, tinkering, discovering things and exploring my creativity," said Ng.

"Creativity and learning go hand in hand," said Haught. "MakerSpaces and libraries should be natural companions."

"Libraries have always been a place for collaboration, community engagement, critical thinking and problem solving," said Garrette E. Smith, deputy director, Harris County Public Library. "With the transformation of library spaces, resources and programming, it was just a matter of time that makerspaces began to "setup shop" in libraries across the country. Harris County Public Library is proud to be a part of the Maker Movement phenomenon."

Haught added that the Katy-area library is happy to partner with MakerSpace. The partnership began in June 2014, though Katy MakerSpace started in 2013 and operated from the owners' garage. Two years later, it opened on Katy Hockley Cut Off.

STEAM concept grows in popularity

The partnership began after a summer reading program focused on science.

"My boss and I went to a program at the Freeman Library where the local CreatorSpace was having their monthly meeting," said Haught. "We were fascinated. After returning to Maud Marks we poked around the Internet and found our own MakerSpace group right here in Katy. They were just getting off the ground at the time. We agreed that we could have a pretty symbiotic relationship. Katy MakerSpace needed the visibility and Maud Marks wanted to support STEAM learning in all its forms."

Science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics is a popular concept. The Katy Independent School District opened its Robert R. Shaw Center (STEAM) Project Center in February 2015.

Haught said the library offers STEAM programming for youths.

"Katy MakerSpace assists us in providing further opportunities to our customers and fills in the gaps in our adult STEAM programming," she said. "They provide activities and tools for all ages to make things. Recently, they have exhibited a 3-D printer, a programmable precision cutter, and more. On site, they provide woodworking tools, a soldering station, a computer lab, a laser cutter, and more. They want to be a space for all makers whether they are artists, engineers, scientists, or just hobbyists."

The concept has broader support.

Lance LaCour, president/CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council, said MakerSpace could have a role in the development plan now being worked on by his agency.

And in spring, Houston Community College will open at its West Houston Institute a 10,000-square-foot MakerSpace that was four years in the making.

"Everyone has a desire to create, but not always the ability," said Edmund "Butch" Herod, institute director.
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One person is dead after a woman and four children were taken to the hospital when their car crashed into a pole in northeast Houston Monday morning, police said.

The wreck, just before 8 a.m., left the woman's minivan wrapped around a pole in the 10600 block of Homestead.

Otise King, 55, was in a car across the street and witnessed the whole thing.

"I have never seen anything like this before in my life," he told the Chronicle. The 55-year-old was heading to work when the tragedy unfolded.

"I was stopped at the light and the lady ran the light and hit a dip in the road and it hydroplaned and went straight into the pole," he said.

"I got out and ran across because I saw the car was sparking."

He spotted a baby in the vehicle, so he and another good Samaritan broke the windows to rescue the child.

They also pulled out another two children - but didn't see the fourth child, who was pinned in the front of the vehicle.

"The last baby doesn't look like he's going to make it," King said. Crews performed CPR on the fourth child, whose condition is not clear.

Police confirmed later Monday that a 4-year-old boy died.

First responders extricated the woman from the vehicle and the entire family was transported to local area hospitals.

Speed and wet roads were both factors in the wreck, police said.
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In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday morning, hardcore Hatchimals fans lined up outside a Houston Target to snatch up the newest Christmas-season craze.

By 4 a.m., parents looking to buy into this year's most popular fad started queueing up to rush the newest shipment of the part-Furby, part-Tamagotchi toy.

Big chain stores nationwide have been running out of the hatching robotic stuffed animals, sending desperate parents on Hatchimal hunts.

TREE HUNTING: Where to cut down your own tree in the Houston area

The colorful cuties come inside a large egg and as kids care for them and play with them, eventually they hatch into cooing little furry friends with eyes that light up.

One woman who lined up four hours before a Houston Target opened its doors Sunday said she'd been tracking the toy online to see where it would be available.

"I found one so far, but I need four," she said, sitting next to a row of parents waiting in fold-up chairs, hot coffee in hand. A few days earlier, she waited 40 minutes for her first Hatchimal, she said.

CHRISTMAS CONTROVERSY: Religious Charlie Brown display causes backlash

One patient parent walked up to the store's glass doors and peeped inside.

"I'm buying one for my niece," said Alicia Doffing, smiling as she waited outside.

"She better play with it and enjoy it," she joked.

Walmart said Thursday that it started restocking the hot toy after a dry patch and earlier in the week Target announced a new shipment would arrive on Sunday, with a limit of two per person.

"While additional product will hit retail shelves in December, we anticipate this inventory will also sell out quickly," Spin Master, the Hatchimals' maker, cautioned on its website. "We have increased production and a whole new batch of Hatchimals will be ready to hatch in early 2017."

HELP A SANTA: Mr. Claus searching for lost wedding ring

As demand has skyrocketed, parents have resorted to printing out Hatchimals IOU letters from Santa.

But some holiday Grinches have been looking to profit off the toy craze by snatching up dozens and reselling them at a huge mark-up online.

Sara Gruen, the bestselling author known for 2006's "Water for Elephants," snagged more than 150 of the cuddly toys in an effort to raise money to support a prisoner she says has been wrongfully convicted.

But after dropping $23,000 on the adorable toys, the North Carolina-based discovered she could only list three per week on EBay, according to the Philly Voice. To recoup her investment, Gruen launched a Shopify store dubbed Gruen Zoo and off-loaded the coveted toys in short order.
Hundreds of angry and frustrated parents turned out on Monday night at separate forums in Houston and Dallas to tell federal education officials how hard it has been to get their children special education services and demand an end to an arbitrary cap that has made special education enrollments in Texas the lowest in the nation.

In Houston, an overflow crowd of 200 educators, politicians, parents and family members filled a cavernous meeting room northwest of downtown, providing often emotional remarks to officials from the U.S. Department of Education, who had called the "listening sessions," and the Texas Education Agency.

The meeting went well past the two-hour limit, as indignant parents demanded to be heard and voiced outrage over the struggles they've endured trying to obtain special education services for their disabled children. Some came from more than 150 miles away.

"We need to make sure no parent is discouraged, pushed out, or challenged from seeking assistance for their child no matter what language or special need that child may have," said state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat, kicking off the session.

DENIED: How Texas keeps thousands of kids out of special ed

In the Dallas suburb of Richardson, a crowd of more than 100 included dozens of parents who shared their special education horror stories, extending the session for more than an hour beyond its scheduled two hours.

"Welcome to my journey from hell," said Morgan Lyles, whose son attended a Harmony charter school in Dallas. She said he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at age 5 and has failed the state STAAR test 14 times but has never been evaluated to see if he qualified for special education services.

Chronicle investigation

The listening sessions were part of a federal probe launched in October in response to a Houston Chronicle investigation that revealed the TEA arbitrarily decided in 2004 that only 8.5 percent of students should get special education services such as counseling, tutoring and therapy.

In the years since, the agency has audited school districts for serving too many children. Schools have responded by dramatically curtailing services, dropping the percentage of students in special education from near the national average of 13 percent to exactly 8.5 percent, by far the lowest of any state in the nation.

Texas set its 8.5 percent "benchmark" while facing a $1.1 billion state budget cut and without consulting the federal government, state lawmakers or any research.

In response to the revelations, the U.S. Department of Education ordered the TEA to end the benchmark unless it could prove that no children with disabilities have been deprived of services. Federal officials also asked the state to come up with a plan to "remedy" the past denial of services.

The TEA told the federal government it immediately would suspend and eventually eliminate the benchmark. But it also vigorously defended the policy, saying it was not a "cap" on students allowed to get special education services, was not designed to save money and that the agency did not seriously punish districts that gave services to more than 8.5 percent of students.

Tearful testimonies

Both sessions Monday night ran high on emotion.

In Houston, parents - at times growing tearful as they shared their frustrations - raised a variety of issues, complained of being ignored by principals, administrators and teachers who made it difficult, if not impossible, for them to receive services for their children that are guaranteed by federal law. Several said they had to pull their child out of public school and find a private education for them, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat, urged federal officials to sanction the TEA and Texas. "It's important, as the TEA listens, that they understand the response they gave to the Department of Education was not satisfactory," she said.

Tracy Atkins, the mother of two children in Klein Independent School District, said educators called her daughter cute and sweet but ignored her learning needs.

"My child is seven, and she can't identify the word 'the,' and that's wrong," Atkins said.

Special education enrollments in Houston have dropped from 10.1 percent when TEA officials first implemented the 8.5 percent benchmark as part of a school district monitoring system, to 7.1 percent in 2015, even as overall enrollments have grown. HISD officials - along with others from more than a half dozen of Texas' largest school districts - have said recently that they oppose the state's benchmark.

KIDS LEFT OUT: Under pressure, Texas schools shut out English Language Learners

"Parents have gone through tremendous struggles here, there certainly seem to be some issues we need to look into further," said Gregory Corr, with the U.S. Office of Special Ed Programs, noting they had received a very different perspective from teachers at a different meeting earlier in the day. "Our job is to try to figure out - to be as objective as possible - and see where the truth lies."

"We're just concerned. We heard a lot of stories about delays - a lot of accusations that services were denied - those are the very things that triggered our visit. The Chronicle's article saying there were these benchmarks or caps placed on districts for the percentage of kids who could be considered eligible for special ed."

The visit was "unusual," he said, adding that he it had been about a decade since the Department of Education had conducted a listening tour like they were performing this week in Texas.

All walks of life

At the session in Richardson, parents came from all over North Texas  and beyond. One woman flew in from Lubbock. A dozen of them spoke only Spanish.

The parents had children of all ages, with all types of disabilities, and they were of every socioeconomic class. But out of their stories emerged common themes.

They described being denied requests for getting children with disabilities evaluated for special education. They said they had experienced delays in providing services. In the end, they said, their unserved students had ended up failing classes and, in some cases, dropping out of school.

Out of 50 speakers, just one parent said she was happy with the process for getting into special education.

And only one educator defended the way that special education is handled - Sheila Jones, the special education director at Quinlan ISD, which has a special education rate of 11.8 percent, far above the state's 8.5 percent average.

"People do not get into education to deny services to children," Jones said.

But immediately after her testimony, another educator, school psychologist Abel Tomatis, offered a different perspective.

Tomatis, who worked in Dallas ISD between 2005 and 2015, said he agreed that people do not go into education to deny services. But it happens frequently, in part due to the TEA's special education enrollment target, he said.

"Every single thing I've heard from parents, I've seen firsthand," said Tomatis, now a Southern Methodist University employee, who said he saw schools keep kids out of special education through "a million and one reasons for delay."

Many educators agreed with Tomatis - including a high-ranking former Dallas ISD administrator, Daphne LaMontagne, who said she resigned due to concerns about the denial of special education services.

Dallas ISD frequently denied special education services in order to keep its numbers low to avoid "special education jail," LaMontagne said.

Toward the end of the listening session, Plano parent Shane Watson implored the federal government to take action.

"What I am asking for tonight is not to let the state of Texas go by and do things as normal," he said.

In North Texas, some school districts gave special education services to a stunningly small number of students even before the TEA benchmark began.

In Dallas ISD, the second biggest in the state, for example, only about 8 percent of students received services in the year before the benchmark began. In the years since, as the state has pressured all to curtail services, the district has gone even lower. Last school year, Dallas ISD served just 6.9 percent of students in special ed, half the national average and the lowest of any major urban district in the United States.

CLOSED DOORS: Mentally ill lose out as special ed declines

When the Houston Chronicle first asked the district to justify how it could provide services to so few students, a spokeswoman defended the district's percentage by saying it "falls within the state's acceptable range of 0-8.5 percent."

After the Chronicle published the first installment of its series, Dallas ISD's superintendent announced he was launching an internal review to find out the reason that the rate is so low.

In the region's other major urban school district, Fort Worth ISD, the percentage of students in special education has fallen from around 10 percent before the benchmark to roughly 7.5 percent.

In Richardson, the suburb where the meeting was held, the percentage receiving services has dropped from 12.4 percent to 10.5 percent.

Denied: Track the investigation's imprint The Houston Chronicles investigation into special education has led dozens of news outlets in Texas and across the United States to look into whether disabled children in their communities are receiving the services to which they are legally entitled. Here are some of their stories.

Rachael Gleason contributed to this report.
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It may be Christmas, Charlie Brown. But a season's greeting by your pal Linus is causing a stir in a Texas town.

Parents in the Killeen Independent School District are upset over administrators taking down a display that features the cartoon character giving a religious interpretation of Christmas.

A staff member posted a display featuring a drawing of the iconic character saying: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, tis Christ the Lord. ... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Killeen ISD administrators told KXXV-TV that the principal of Patterson Middle School ordered the Bible verse on the door should taken down because it imposed personal beliefs on students.

HOLIDAY CHEER: Texas cities that will help you celebrate

Texas passed a Merry Christmas bill in 2013 saying displays were allowed so long as they didn't encourage adherence to a religion.

Some parents disagreed, saying the cartoon, which has been around for decades, isn't offensive.

It's Charlie Brown for goodness sake with a wholesome, wonderful message about the true meaning of Christmas, Killeen resident Bill Selby told the station.

To quote Charlie Brown: Good grief! Maybe the parents and school district can settle this before presents get unwrapped in two weeks.
Two teen suspects were recently indicted on second-degree felony charges of aggravated robbery for allegedly stealing a Pearland womans car and cellphone as she was unloading her groceries outside her apartment on Nov. 7.

The suspects are identified as 18-year-old Brandon Bernard Robinson of Sugar Land and 17-year-old Tyrese Julius Preston of Kemah.

Pearland Police are still searching for a third person who managed to evade arrest. According to Pearland Police reports, around 8 p.m. police patrols were dispatched to the 2300 block of Windswept Dr. to investigate reports of a robbery-in-progress.

The victim told police she was unloading groceries from the front seat of her car when a man approached her with what appear to be a gun in the waistband of his pants. The man reportedly demanded the womans car keys.

At about that time two additional people wearing dark clothes approached the car. The first person then demanded the victims cell phone and after taking it, all three men jumped into the victims car and fled .

The terrified victim then ran to her apartment and called police. Pearland Police dispatcher broadcast a description of the car and the suspects and as additional officers responded to the scene one patrol officers spotted the alleged stolen vehicle traveling in the area N. Main and Orange St.

The officers tried to get the vehicle to stop but once they activated their emergency lighting all three people abandoned the vehicle in the middle of the road. One person was taken into custody near the vehicle but the remaining two ran into a field east of Main St.

Multiple units were called to help search for the two missing suspects on the ground. The Houston Police Departments Fox helicopter was also called to help with search efforts.

Officers soon located a second suspect walking down the road near where the car was abandoned. A Pearland Police K-9 unit tracked the third suspect to the area of Old Alvin just north of Orange but lost the scent, officials said.

Police have not yet located the third suspect. Officers later found a black air pistol believed to have been dropped by one of the suspects near the car.

Robinson and Preston are currently being held at the Brazoria County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 6, 2017.

Robinson is being held on bonds totaling $65,000 and Preston is in custody pending bonds totaling $55,000. Anyone with information related to the investigation may contact the Pearland Police Department at 281-997-4100. Callers can remain anonymous.
Sharp Increase in the Activity of Moroccan and French Companies in Sub-Saharan Africa

Aware of the unprecedented impetus of African economies and of the potential offered by the various national and sub-regional markets, Moroccan and French companies are demonstrating new ambitions in Africa, which are expressed in their development strategies on the continent.



According to the third edition of BearingPoints International Development Barometer of international firms, "Developing in Africa: comparisons of Moroccan and French companies", which is produced in conjunction with the Moroccan Exporters' Association (Asmex), the five main countries where the 250 Moroccan and French companies surveyed are most established are Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal. Senegal, Ivory Coast and Gabon are in the lead for the Moroccan companies questioned, which are mainly present in West Africa. Ivory Coast, Morocco and Cameroon hold the first three places for the French groups questioned, which are also based in some English-speaking countries (Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya).



Regarding the type of operations conducted by the companies in the group, over 60% of Moroccan responders export and distribute their production in sub-Saharan Africa, often through a network of partners, which represents the first step before considering setting up in the region. A step ahead, the French companies have more local sites, especially in the conversion and industrial sectors.



"We nevertheless see that Moroccan companies - which are in fact quite new on the continent compared with their French counterparts, some of which have been present for more than a hundred and fifty years - are starting to catch up. Afro-optimism is now a feeling which is widely shared by Moroccan and French company directors, and reflected in the growth strategies and the investments committed," explains Jean-Michel Huet, associate at BearingPoint. Five years ago, 86% of Moroccan companies questioned said that Africa represented less than 5% of their turnover. In 2016, the continent accounts for more than 5% of revenues for almost half of the respondents, and 20 % of them believe that Africa will represent more than 50% of their global turnover in the next five years. "For some years now, we have witnessed a very strong drive from the Moroccan private sector towards the sub-Saharan region. Support from the authorities in the country and the successes achieved, in particular by finance departments and real estate, have accelerated this movement," explains Mr Hassan Sentissi, President of the Moroccan Exporters' Association (Asmex).



This optimism is also observed in France. Five years ago, 49% of the companies questioned said that Africa represented less than 5% of turnover. In 2020, this figure will have dropped to 14%. In ten years, Africas share of the total turnover of respondents will have increased by 75%.



"These Moroccan and French figures confirm a major trend: the 'African risk' relating to the political situations and the business environment no longer represents an insurmountable obstacle. The potential and opportunities on the continent - which will have 2 billion inhabitants in 2050, with over 900 million of these belonging to the middle class - are much more powerful parameters for companies when defining their international development strategies," explains Jean-Michel Huet.



The potential of African markets (purchasing power and number of customers) is the first criterion accounting for the presence of French companies in Africa, and the second criterion for their Moroccan counterparts.

www.BearingPoint.com

www.Asmex.org
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Chad Holley, the Houston man at the center of a highly publicized police brutality probe in 2010, has been charged with capital murder.

The 22-year-old is accused in the Sept. 21 shooting of David Trejo-Gonzalez during a robbery in north Houston, police confirmed Monday morning.

Trejo-Gonzalez was walking from the parking lot to his apartment in the 100 block of East Crosstimbers when a man approached him and demanded money.

In the course of the robbery, the 42-year-old was fatally shot.

The suspect - since identified by police as Holley - fled the scene in a low-rider SUV or pickup driven by an accomplice.

Holley - who has a long string of prior arrests, including burglary, theft and trespassing - was charged with murder Sunday while in custody for an unrelated offense.

Strung together, court records show an alleged crime spree around Holley's home in north Houston. He is accused of the armed robbery turned capital murder on Sept. 21, then of stealing a woman's cell phone a week later and a trespassing on Oct. 9, for which he was arrested on the same day.

Attorneys representing Holley could not be reached immediately Monday but activist Quanell X issued a statement in his defense.

"I've had a chance to speak with the Holley family and I've spoken to Chad. He vigorously denies he has killed anyone," Quanell X said.

"I've known Chad since he was 15 years old. Chad has had many problems but the Chad Holley I know I would be hard pressed to believe he's a killer."

Before the new capital charge, Holley was in jail in lieu of a $5,000 bail. An accomplice who was also arrested for the Oct. 9 trespassing charge was convicted and sentenced to 20 days in jail and has since been released.

In 2013, Holley made headlines by pleading guilty to burglary and asked for leniency which came in the form of a punishment of seven years of probation.

The arrest in October triggered probation revocation proceedings. A judge was scheduled to decide later this month if he should be sent to prison for the remainder of his sentence when police charged him with capital murder.

It was unclear early Monday how investigators had deduced that Holley was allegedly involved in the armed robbery.

In 2010, Holley landed in the national spotlight when surveillance video showed Houston police officers beating the unarmed teen after he fled during a burglary arrest.

Afterward, a dozen officers were disciplined and four were indicted on misdemeanor charges. Raad Hassan and Phil Bryan pleaded no contest in 2013 and were sentenced to two years of probation. Andrew Blomberg was found not guilty after a trial, while his partner Drew Ryser was convicted on a misdemeanor oppression charge.

Ryser was accused of kicking the then-15-year-old in the head, a charge he denied even after the jury's verdict.

"I didn't kick him. If it looks that way to somebody, it looks that way, but I'm not going to lie about it," he said at the time.

Holley settled claims with the four accused officers in 2014 but a federal judge tossed his suit against the city in 2015.

"The parties do not dispute that Holley had a constitutional right to be free from unreasonable and excessive force and that the offending officers violated that right, but they dispute whether the city is liable for that violation," the judge wrote.

Holley was eventually convicted on the 2010 burglary charge.

He is due in court Tuesday on the murder charge.
A look at how English learners have been short-changed in special education, a downturn in death sentences in Texas and a tale about a homeless man and his dog - all in this week's round-up of investigative and long form stories.

Facing pressure to cut special education, Texas schools shut out English Language Learners

by Brian M. Rosenthal

@brianmrosenthal

Refugees, immigrants and other kids who do not speak English are entitled to the same special education services as native speakers. But in some places, they rarely get them. Just 39 of the nearly 1,000 English Language Learners in Victoria receive services like tutoring, counseling and speech therapy, 70 percent fewer per capita than a decade ago. In the latest installment in the Chronicle's Denied investigation, Rosenthal reveals how English learners get shortchanged.

'I'm not leaving town without my dog'

By Maggie Gordon

@MagEGordon

Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle

Patrick Gillespie drew the sign carefully. It was simple: A piece of flimsy cardboard with thick, black-markered letters spelling out his plea: Dog in Pound. Need Help. Maybe he didn't think it would work, but with sheer luck and a little goodwill from a complete stranger, the heartbroken transient got back his beloved pooch - and sparked a wave of publicity.

Deputy had checked in April on couple now facing child abuse charges

By Emily Foxhall @emfoxhall

There were signs of trouble in the years before Fort Bend County deputies found seven adopted children confined to a single room. A 7-year-old child adopted by the same mother died at home in 2011; more recently other children had told police they wanted to leave the home.

City, county face more civil rights lawsuits over detention, bail

By Gabrielle Banks and Lise Olsen

@GabMoBanks and @chrondigger

Two civil rights groups have sued the city of Houston in federal court, saying the city detained people for days at a time without providing a required hearing to review bail or determine if there was probable cause for the arrest. People were stuck behind bars for about eight hours to several days while awaiting transfer to Harris County - violating state law and constitutional due process rights, according to the civil rights lawsuit.



Texas set to execute fewest inmates this year in 20 years

By Dane Schiller

@daneschiller

The number of executions in Texas is on track to hit a 20-year low. Seven people have been put to death in Texas so far in 2016 with just one more scheduled - a Dallas father who murdered his two children. That's about half of the state's 13 executions in 2015 and the lowest number since 1996, when three inmates were put to death.

Texas, Arkansas take opposite directions insuring their poor

by Jenny Deam

@jenny_deam

Once home to some of the highest rates of stroke, heart disease and lung problems in the country, Arkansas appears to be getting healthier. The poor go to the doctor sooner. They go to the emergency room less. They manage chronic conditions better.

The exact opposite is happening in Texas, a recent Harvard University public health study reveals. For instance, three years ago, about 8 percent of poor Texans used the emergency room as their doctor. In 2014, it was 10 percent. Last year, it was 11.3 percent. Part of the Uncovered series.
A Texas A&M student was found dead Sunday in a house on College Station's Fraternity Row, according to police.

Andrew Sutter, 23, suffered from a medical condition and had been ill for three days before his death.

The first-year medical student's roommate said he left his buddy napping in the living room in the early afternoon.

When he came back hours later, Sutter wasn't breathing and his housemate called for help. When police arrived, they found Sutter dead.

An autopsy has been ordered, and the case was turned over to College Station Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division.

The school did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but police clarified that Sutter was not a fraternity member.

Less than a week earlier, another A&M student was found dead at a frat house on North Graham Road.

Matthew Hayes, 20, was found unresponsive at Sigma Phi Epsilon on Tuesday.

Thinking he'd fallen asleep, his friends went to check on him and found him lying in bed. Brazos County Justice of the Peace Mike McCleary went to the Sigma Phi Epsilon house and formally pronounced him dead.

Three months earlier, another student death rocked the College Station university. Anton Gridnev was found unconscious around 4:40 a.m. at Sigma Nu on Fraternity Row.

Gridnev, of Frisco, was rushed to College Station Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed the cause of death was an accidental drug overdose.

Several people were arrested when police found drugs in the house after Gridnev's death.
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American officials believe a journalist abducted in Syria four years ago is still alive, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Friday.

The president's special envoy for hostage affairs said the government has "high confidence" that Houston native Austin Tice remains alive, still held in Syria along with other American captives, Cornyn announced in a speech on the Senate floor.

The 35-year-old journalist's father said he appreciates the senator's remarks.

"We were really happy to see Sen. Cornyn publicly share the same optimism that we have and understanding that we have that there's every reason to continue doing everything possible," Marc Tice said Monday in a phone interview.

He said that, thanks to the senator's announcement, "People understand this is not just blind optimism on our part. There's every real reason to keep pushing for Austin's return."

Marc Tice said his family had received the same news from special envoy James O'Brien and the interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, which was established in June 2015 partly to improve communication with families like the Tices.

"Since that time, there's just been a sea change," the father said. "We went from, for us, more than a couple of years of struggling to get information ... to the situation now where we are in constant contact and we're frequently briefed on the latest efforts."

He hopes the government's work does not slow down. "It's the end of the year, it's the end of the administration, but we don't want to see any let-up in their focus," he said.

Austin Tice, a former Marine and law student, was abducted in August 2012 while working in Syria as a freelance journalist for McClatchy, the Washington Post and other news outlets. He was reporting about rebels fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

He was last seen on a shaky YouTube video posted a month after his disappearance, as his captors led him, blindfolded, into a scrubby hillside. The 46-second video ends abruptly with Tice saying in fractured Arabic, "Jesus. Oh, Jesus."

The journalist's parents say they know he isn't held by the Islamic State terrorist group or any group from the Syrian opposition, according to a Texas Monthly feature story on the family. "We believe it is a Syrian entity of one type or another that's holding him," Marc said at a press conference last year at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Last month the Newseum, a Washington, D.C., journalism museum, unveiled a 24-foot-tall banner of Tice meant to boost public awareness of his continued captivity and urge the U.S. government to keep working for his release.

Marc Tice encouraged supporters to sign a Reporters Without Borders petition urging his son's return and to contact senators, representatives and the White House. He also welcomed prayers for Austin's safety and good health, and for the Tice family.

This holiday season will be the family's fourth without Austin.

Marc Tice said he feels a hole in his family every day, but it's even more pronounced around the holidays.

"We'll still have joyous family gatherings," he said, "but there'll be that empty space that Austin is usually filling."

andrew.kragie@chron.com
A press conference Monday morning to announce the unveiling of Houston's Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities evolved into a denunciation by city officials of President-elect Donald Trump's rhetoric toward immigrants and refugees.

With portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. looking down across the diverse crowd at the Neighborhood Center's Baker-Ripley Center Monday, Mayor Sylvester Turner pledged to protect citizens against discrimination and to remain a "just and compassionate city."

"In the wake of a national election, many members of our community are asking whether they will continue to have a place in our great city. They fear for themselves, their children and their communities. We cannot ignore those realities," Turner said, emphasizing that 1 in 4 Houstonians are foreign born. "The city that existed prior to the election is the same city that exists today."

Though his exact positions have wavered over the past few months, Trump has called for deporting all immigrants here illegally as well as curbing legal immigration. At one point he also suggested banning all Muslims from entering the United States.

Last week, Turner joined 17 other mayors across the country in urging the president-elect to support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides protections to certain immigrants who illegally entered the country as minors. Trump has spoken of rescinding DACA.

The new office, formerly known as the Office of International Communities, will provide guidance and assistance to immigrant and refugee communities in obtaining citizenship and access to services. The rebranding does not come with increased staff or funds, according to city officials.

It will work in conjunction with other organizations, like the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, in the "Welcoming Houston Task Force," which will provide recommendations early next year to Turner on gaps in immigrant services.

Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo urged immigrants who are victims of crime or have information about criminal activity to reach out to HPD, regardless of immigration status. Acevedo added that police doubling as immigration officials would divert limited resources needed to prevent crimes.

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza also addressed the election-related rhetoric, saying that HISD schools will not be places where raids or immigration sweeps will occur.

Carranza noted that the district has provided materials to teachers advising them on how to have respectful discussions regarding the recent election. The district has also provided immigration rights fact sheets for students.

"When you come to school, you're coming to a safe haven, and we will protect your rights," Carranza said. "Elections are elections, but safety and learning continues."

When asked by reporters, Turner skirted the question on whether he would consider taking action to officially designate Houston a "sanctuary city," prompting a heckler to call out the mayor.

"You can use the business and diversity all you want, but the safety of the people you cannot see is what matters most. Address that language directly, don't cower away from it," the audience member shouted. "Say it! Sanctuary city is Houston."

The mayor promptly ended the press conference following the outburst.

Few seem to agree on a universal precise legal definition of the label, though it typically involves cities refusing to enforce federal immigration laws with municipal resources or banning city employees from asking about immigration status. Trump has called for ending the practice of sanctuary cities.

Houston has banned its officers from inquiring about immigration status since 1992. Still, HPD cooperates with federal requests to hold immigrants charged with crimes for up to 48 hours past their release date so they can be deported.
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An Alaska man who calls himself a preacher with Last Frontier Evangelism is complaining on Facebook about the reception he got when he yelled, "There is no Santa" to kids at a mall.

David Grisham posted a video of himself telling kids at an Amarillo mall Saturday afternoon that Christmas is about Jesus Christ.

"Kids, I wanted to tell you today there is no such thing as Santa Claus," Grisham said in the video. "Santa Claus does not exist....The man you're going to see today is just a man in a suit. He's dressed up like Santa but Santa does not exist."

REAL SANTA: This Santa is trying to find a lost wedding ring

Someone can be heard thanking Grisham and then asking him to leave.

Instead, Grisham persists in his message - "Parents, you need to stop lying to your children.... when you know in reality there are no flying reindeer and there is no workshop at the North Pole."

The exchange gets a bit testy before Grisham finally tells them to "have a nice day" and apparently leaves without further incident."

SANTA'S MINIONS: Hilarious, mischievous ideas for your Elf on a Shelf

Westgate Mall general manager Brian Giffin said Monday that Grisham left before mall security arrived.

In a prepared statement, Giffin said, "Westgate Mall is aware of the incident with Mr. Grisham Saturday at Westgate Mall. We want everyone who comes here to have an enjoyable shopping experience. All shoppers are expected to follow our code of conduct and will be asked to leave our premises if they can't follow our rules."

As far as he knew, Giffin said, no children were upset by Grisham's behavior. Nothing similar had ever happened at the mall, he said.

Reaction on Facebook ran the gamut from amusement to spluttering outrage.

"HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL FOR ETERNITY!" one person commented.

Another said, "All these threats? Wow. We talking about santa..."
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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Trespassing case might test states pipeline survey law A land surveyor for Summit Carbon Solutions faces a criminal trial in December for allegedly trespassing on land in northwest...

Cherokee Skate Park awaits FEMA okay As opposed to speedy skate board wheels, the wheels of progress grind slowly regarding the citys proposed new skate park...
President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education has set off a new round in Americas long-running education wars. Teachers unions and progressive activists are warning of impending disasterthat DeVos and other billionaire privatizers are out to dismantle Americas public schools, the pillars of our democracy. Pro-choice education reformers, on the other hand, are cheering the DeVos appointment, and see great opportunities ahead for their movement. DeVos is one of the nations most tenacious advocates for (and generous funders of) the market approach to education. She likes charter schools, but is a true believer in vouchersthe policy of giving parents of children stuck in failing public schools tax dollars to pay tuition at the private schools of their choice. Even more encouraging, DeVos will presumably have the backing of a president who pledged on the campaign trail to use $20 billion in federal education funds to boost voucher programs in the states.

Unfortunately, hyperbole seems to be trumping reality (pun not intended) in this latest dust-up over the schools. Both sides ought to consider a ceasefire in order to begin focusing on the major cause of bad schooling in America: a half-century of discredited instructional practices in the classroom.

Lets dispose of a couple of canards. First, the Trump administration isnt about to privatize the public schoolsfar from it. During the campaign, the Republican-dominated Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that includes provisions severely limiting the federal role in K-12 education. These restrictions make it exceedingly difficult for the new administration to launch any sort of national school-choice program or to do away with Common Core. For better or worse, the future of all such reforms will remain exactly where they beganin the states.

Second, neither side in the debate has been entirely candid on the issue of charters and vouchers. Weve already had several decades of robust school-choice experiments in the states and localities, many of which have been thoroughly evaluated. The results provide little confirmation for either sides argument on how best to improve the schools. Charters seem to have produced significant gains for students in some school districts, including New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and New York. On the other hand, the largest study of charter school effects nationally (conducted by Stanford Universitys Center for Research on Education Outcomes) found that only 17 percent of all charters had higher academic gains than similar public schools, while 37 percent had worse performance. Forty-six percent of charters performed no better or worse than public schools in the same district.

The grade for voucher programs is also an Incomplete. The countrys largest voucher experiment was launched in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 26 years ago. Today, more than 28,000 students are enrolled in the program, one-in-four of all the citys students. Most minority parents are happy with their voucher schoolsnot a small point in its favorbut there has been no Milwaukee academic miracle. In fact, the citys black children have recorded some of the worst test scores of any urban district in the country, as measured by National Association of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests.

I once was convinced that vouchers and other choice programs were the most promising solutions for Americas failing urban schools. I called school choice the last civil rights battle long before it became a catch phrase for the reform movement. I still believe theres a compelling moral argument (call it a civil right if you like) for giving poor, inner-city families more of the education options that wealthier families take for granted. Nevertheless, evidence needs to be acknowledged. Its unlikely that in the foreseeable future such reforms will create a breakthrough in learning for disadvantaged children.

Meantime, the nations education conversation has turned sterile and somewhat disconnected from reality. While partisans on both sides continue to exchange fire over the true statistical meaning of every new choice study, it seems to have gone unnoticed that the house of education is burning. The existing K-12 school system (including most charters and private schools) has been transformed into a knowledge-free zone. It is now producing the dumbest generation ever, to borrow the title of Emory University professor Mark Bauerleins 2008 book. In The Dumbest Generation, Bauerlein showed how digital-age social media stupefies young Americans and makes them less interested in serious reading than any previous generation. Add in the education establishments refusal to teach knowledge in the classroom and the result becomes a toxic mix of intellectual apathy and ignorance.

Our millennials know not the Founding Fathers, nor the Civil War and World War II, nor anything, really, about the world we live in. And thats true whether these young people come from poor or middle-class families and regardless of the types of schools or colleges they might have attended. Surveys conducted by NAEP and other testing agencies reveal an astonishing lack of historical and civic knowledge. Two-thirds of high school seniors were unable to identify the 50-year period during which the Civil War was fought; half didnt know in which half-century World War I took place. Over half couldnt name the three branches of government. A majority had no idea what the Gettysburg Address was all about. Fifty-two percent chose Germany, Japan, or Italy as U.S. allies in World War II. Such widespread ignorance is the result of adult malfeasance.

A solid body of scholarship has long been available showing that proven instructional practices were abandoned in the nations schools beginning in the 1960s. Both sides of the school-reform debate ought to familiarize themselves with the education theories of E.D. Hirsch, Jr. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of Hirschs seminal work, Cultural Literacy, which became an instant and surprise best seller. Heres the essential discovery that Hirsch first made three decades ago, the missing link that explains why our schools spend more money than ever, yet produce increasingly worse academic results and increasingly ignorant Americans: starting in the 1960s, the nations schools were subjected to a pedagogical upheaval fomented by self-styled progressive educators that succeeded in stripping away any semblance of a coherent grade-by-grade curriculum. The progressives resurrected romantic theories of child development dating back to Jean-Jacques Rousseau and then powerfully reinforced in the 1930s by the American philosopher John Dewey.

In the nations education schools, future teachers were now instructed that children were capable of constructing their own knowledge and that the classroom teacher should be a guide on the side rather than a sage on the stage. Most elementary schools concluded that it was more important for children to learn how to learn rather than to accumulate mere facts and useless knowledge.

In Hirschs critique, this new child-centered pedagogy turned classroom instruction upside down, disrupting the transmission of civic values and traditions from one generation to the next. This was precisely a reversal of the Founding Fathers insight that the nations schools must follow a common curriculum in order to teach future generations the historical facts and general knowledge needed to sustain the Republic. But few teachers-in-training learn this civic wisdom. Instead, in their ed-school courses they are often urged to use the classroom to turn children into social-justice warriors.

Hirsch also showed how the new pedagogical doctrines harmed disadvantaged children and made it more difficult for schools to reduce racial-achievement gaps. The anti-equality effect of progressive education shows up in the early grades in the teaching of reading. Because of family and home influences, poor minority kids begin school lagging far behind middle-class children in vocabulary acquisition and background knowledge. The gap can be narrowed in the classroom, but only through explicit instruction, guided by a coherent, grade-by-grade, knowledge-based curriculum.

Relying on consensus findings in cognitive science and psycholinguistics, Hirsch showed that there was no such thing as mere factsindeed, that factual knowledge was essential for students ability to read and comprehend challenging texts. When, instead, progressive educators led schools into a curricular wasteland and decided that their students could create their own knowledge, they effectively abandoned the very disadvantaged children they claimed to be championing.

Over the next several years, Hirsch published more books elaborating on the argument for explicitly teaching knowledge in the classroom. Meanwhile, progressive educators continued to dig in deeper. They also condemned the former English professor as an interloper and an elitist. Year after year, the progressives insisted that the schools didnt have to teach a Eurocentric curriculum, while promising that, with just enough funding for the public schools, their humane, child-friendly pedagogical methods would eventually prove effective in lifting up the children of the poor. Year after year, the results from national and international tests revealed something else.

Education researchers have concluded that the average reading score of high school seniors is among the most useful standards for evaluating a school systems effectiveness. Reading comprehension is the most accurate predictor of a high school seniors college preparedness and future economic prospects. Using this yardstick, American education has steadily stagnated since the progressives achieved hegemony in the classrooms. Verbal scores on the SAT tanked in the 1960s and 1970s and have remained flat ever since. The most recent long-term NAEP assessment of the reading proficiency of American 17-year olds revealed a steep decline, confirming the bad news from the SAT tests. During the same period, American students scores plummeted on various international assessments. In the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests, the U.S. ranked 23rd in reading and 31st in math among the major industrial nations.

At 88, Hirsch has just published his fifth education book, Why Knowledge Matters. It offers a useful recapitulation of his critique of the failed ideas bringing down the nations schools. Hirsch also cites new studies in cognitive science confirming that the achievement gap is chiefly a knowledge gap and a vocabulary gap, as he puts it. One chapter alone, The Educational Fall of France, ought to be required reading for both sides in our education debates. Here Hirsch absolutely clinches the prophetic argument he made 30 years ago about the dire consequences for any nation that abandons the knowledge curriculum. The chapter describes what happened to the highly successful French school system after the left-wing government of Francois Mitterand decided in the late 1980s to emulate American progressivism and dropped its national curriculuman unprecedented act of folly prompted entirely by political ideology.

For most of the twentieth century, France was blessed with one of the most successful school systems in the world. It achieved this distinction not only through French students overall reading and math scores, but also through the systems ability to narrow ethnic and class-based learning gaps. This record of academic excellence was achieved by sticking to a rich, grade-by-grade curriculum stressing the accumulation of knowledge.

But French politicians couldnt leave well enough alone. They caved to political pressure. In the aftermath of the 1968 upheavals, the Left (echoing American progressivism) began grumbling that the education system had become elitist and hierarchical, was unmindful of childrens natural abilities, and needed more cultural diversity. In 1989, the progressives finally convinced the ruling Socialists to scrap the old top-down system, along with its national curriculum. Overnight, French schools became decentralized, allowing for more individualized instruction. Not only did most French schools abandon the common curriculum; they also threw over the very idea of universal standards for all the nations children. New teacher-training schools were established that (in an almost exact replication of American education schools) began convincing future teachers of the advantages of the new child-centered pedagogy.

The results of this monumental change were devastating. We know this because France fortunately retained its excellent national assessment system, similar to our countrys NAEP tests. Within two decades, French students dropped precipitously in math and reading scores, and the achievement gap suddenly widened again. France also lost its edge in international tests. The results are decisive, Hirsch writes, and constitute the most definitive comparative study of curriculum effects ever undertaken in any country.

In his chapter on Frances schools, Hirsch makes perhaps his most persuasive argument yet that the knowledge-infused curriculum is the decisive factor in determining a countrys level of educational progress. I cant think of a more succinct lesson about where America is headed if the knowledge and curriculum questions continue to be excluded from the national education debate.

I see little chance that Hirschs powerful new warning will provoke second thoughts among the stand-pat defenders of the public schools as they are, or the progressive education professors. After all, the progressives arent unhappy with the qualities of mind of the young people that our knowledge-free schools are producing, including their political predilections and activism. The millennial generation now votes overwhelmingly for the progressive Left; they have been taught all their lives that personal feelings are more important than facts. They dont know anything about the history of socialism and dont recognize the names of Eugene V. Debs or Vladimir Lenin, but they believe that socialism is a good thing because it feels like a good thing, just as their favorite political candidate repeatedly told them this year.

The only realistic hope of restoring a knowledge curriculum in the schools rests with the reformers. I dont question the motives of the many philanthropic-minded billionaires (yes, they really are billionaires) who have spent enormous sums of money in recent years promoting charters and vouchers. The problem is that the donors have so far paid too little attentionand spent little moneypromoting the teaching of knowledge in the classroom.

Since the choice movement is predominantly conservative in its political leaning, this is a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot. The success of the conservative vision for the country depends on broadly educated citizens and requires exactly what Jefferson called forgraduates of our schools whose memories may here be stored with the most useful facts from Grecian, Roman, European, and American history. Will conservatives at long last begin working to restore a knowledge-based curriculum? We can only hope. The survival of the American republic is at stake.

Photo by monkeybusinessimages/iStock
The hand-wringing has been going on for weeks: How did the media miss the biggest political story of our lifetimes, the revolt of the white working class that ushered in the Age of Trump?

Heres why: We just dont care about the working class.

We in the national news media, whatever the griminess of our origins, inhabit a different stratum of society, and it colors our coverage. The era of Jimmy Breslin and the late Mike Royko, of journalists who embraced their working-class origins, is long past us. It made the press coverage of Trump shallow, prejudiced, and obtuse.

For the national news media, the working class hordes who were Trumps base of support were a kind of malignancy, not a constituency. They were racists. Jerks. An oddity, the Other, their problems to be examined with disdain in the manner of colonial administrators checking in on the natives, as CBS Digital put it in an analysis by its political director Will Rahn. Journalists love mocking Trump supporters, he wrote. We insult their appearances. We dismiss them as racists and sexists while rejecting their feelings as invalid. Rolling Stones Matt Taibbi made a similar point. While political talk shows featured geeks talking about the yearnings of blue-collar workers, the whole time, The People, whose intentions we were wondering so hard about, were all around us, listening to themselves being talked about like some wild, illiterate beast.

But as Rahn points out, the missing element is empathy. It means coverage of working-class whites as fellow citizens with legitimate, unmet needs. Yes there is room for improvement, said Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, in an interview. I think its a little bit of a myth that the press did not write about the working class people who supported Donald Trump.

He pointed to the Anxious in America series in the Times, and work that appeared in The New Yorker and The Washington Post. I think it is a normal occurrence after every election theres a lot of second-guessing, and in the case of this election I think theres much, much more of it because the result was a surprise. Still, he believes that the press can do a better job understanding the divide that exists in America. I think its a deeper divide than many of us understood, for a whole variety of reasons, and I think we can do a much better job covering it and explaining it and understanding it.

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Having grown up as a poor black guy in New Orleans, Baquet says he rejects the idea that newsrooms are only populated by members of the elite. Neither one of my parents went to college or high school. So I dont feel that my newsroom is filled with people who only have the same kind of background. That said, I do think we need more people in the newsroom who are from different backgrounds. Who are from working class backgrounds, different races, different religions. I think we need a more diverse newsroom. Baquet described the 2016 election as the greatest argument for diversity that weve seen in a long time.

I, too, grew up outside of the elite zone long considered the Times main stomping ground. As a toddler, I lived in a three-room apartment in the Bronx, then in a four-room flat through college. My parents were the children of immigrants from Eastern Europe. I dont want to overdramatize. This wasnt Manchild in a Promised Land or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. There were roaches, not rats.

But I do I have a sense of what its like to be among Trumps forgotten men and women, at least as far as media coverage is concerned.

Media indifference to the working-class Bronx is neither new nor unusual. In his epic biography of Robert Moses, The Power Broker, Robert Caro described how a study of the havoc that would be caused by routing the Cross-Bronx Expressway through the working-class Tremont neighborhood was ignored by the Times, the Herald Tribune, and Daily News. The three papers, he said, gave the whole Cross-Bronx Expressway fight scantyand slantedcoverage. It was only when Moses proposed highways bisecting Manhattan, famously fought by Jane Jacobs, that the Times, while reaffirming its previous support of Moses, finally took him to task. I well remember how a jeweler down the street from us who was slain in a robbery, without that appearing in the Times. The same for the death of a man in our building died of a stroke during a push-in robbery.

Could it be that, for whatever reason, the Times just doesnt care about neighborhoods like the Bronx or, by extension, the people who live there? Thats a good, provocative question, Baquet responded. After a pause, he continued, I think that news organizations, as we shrink to fewer of us, and with smaller staffs, run the risk of covering people who are only like us. And that has two enormous disadvantages. One obviously is that you can miss stories. The second is that you can miss the kid like you described whos not unlike the kid that I was, and make him feel like this is not a newspaper or news organization for him or her. I think thats a real issue and really fair question. The answer, he suggests, is to have a news organization that includes people like the kid you were and the kid I was.

That brings us back to that missing element, empathy. In the wake of the Trump apocalypse, one has to wonder about the breadth of the medias failure of imagination. What other stories are being missed? What other areas of coverage are so influenced by elitism and ideology that reality is a casualty?

Tackling this problem requires a return to basics, and to the heartland. It will mean a constant presence between the coasts, beyond just parachuting in. Baquet is right that cutbacks have reduced the elite media to largely an East and West coast phenomenon, leaving a coverage drought in the center.

Joanne Lipman, Gannetts chief content officer, makes a similar point. A recent study, she said, showed that one in five journalists is based in either New York, Washington, or Los Angeles. At Gannett, that number is one in 39, thanks to the geographical advantage conferred by the 4,000 journalists at the chains 109 dailies from coast to coast. She pointed out that Gannetts flagship USA Today draws on that reporting, now organized as the USA Today Network.

The chains recruiter, Lipman says, makes a point of recruiting journalists with working-class backgrounds. He goes not just to the traditional feeding grounds for journalists, but to nontraditional sources and places. That, she says, is key in diversifying the reporting staff.

That will help. But a working-class background is by no means a prerequisite to the kind of in-depth reporting that is needed to understand the Trump phenomenon. Joseph M. Cohen, a former longtime Hartford Courant reporter and editor who comes from a working-class town in Massachusetts, told me in an email that I do think growing up poor, less fortunate, less privileged can in a twisted sort of way be advantageous for a journalist. It can make one more adaptable, flexible, open (things poor kids who want to succeed learn to do to survive and thrive). But it is not necessary. What matters more, he believes, is a certain level of antenna up and receiving, an openness of soul and of mind. Cynicism and a sharp eye for detail help. That can come from any social background.

The work of outstanding investigative reporters like David A. Fahrenthold, Kurt Eichenwald, David Cay Johnston, and Suzanne Craig will continue. Journalism will endure. We may or may not be able to keep Donald Trump honest. But we can keep ourselves honest.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Gary Weiss is a New York-based investigative journalist and author, reachable via Twitter @gary_weiss.
Improvements to the Council Bluffs, Iowa, levee system continue step-by-step as city officials keep hoping its fast enough to beat federal government action that could cost homeowners a boatload of cash in flood insurance.

This week, the city council approved the plans and specifications on the fifth project in the recertification of the citys levee system covering more than 28 miles. This work is necessary to meet U.S. Corps of Engineers standards in flood protection and avoid the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, from redrawing the city map as a flood zone.

But, the FEMA clock is ticking.

While not set in stone, 2023 might be the year FEMA begins its assessment of flood protection in Council Bluffs, especially in the low-level west end that could be vulnerable to flooding by the Missouri River, plus Indian and Mosquito creeks.

Were in a race now to get the levees recertified before FEMA redraws its flood assessment maps, maps associated with the Flood Insurance Program, said Mayor Matt Walsh. We think the remapping will take place in 2023 so we need to get it certified so that new areas arent added to the maps causing homeowners to pay flood insurance.

This is 2016 now, so we got another seven years. FEMA hasnt given us a definitive date, but I assume it is in 2023.

The Daily Nonpareil reports the councils action Monday night gave the Council Bluffs Public Works Department the go-ahead to seek bids on modifications to an existing relief well system. It is project No. 5 of 10 in the overall levee improvement effort, said City Engineer Matt Cox.

Weve completed two, and three more will soon start construction, he said.

Five more projects are in the design phase, he added.

This project, focusing on relief wells along the Missouri River north of the Interstate 480 bridge, will address seepage deficiencies along the river levee.

Were focusing on the river first, but well do the creeks later, Cox said.

The budget for this project is $960,000 and is part of the citys fiscal year 2016 capital improvement program that includes nearly $1.7 million from the Iowa Flood Mitigation Program and $3.3 million from local sales tax funds programmed for levee improvements. Bids for this work will be let on Jan. 10, 2017 with the project being awarded on Jan. 23.

Walsh believes that if this recertification effort isnt entirely done by 2023, FEMA might be flexible in allowing more time. Whats more, Iowas Congressional members have indicated their willingness to help if necessary, he added.

Im confident well be close to completion when they (FEMA) start mapping it, Walsh said.

Nevertheless, the possibility of higher flood insurance rates for a good portion of the west end is still there.

Local insurance agent Rick Guill estimated a hike in flood insurance rates could cost homeowners an extra $1,200 to $2,000 a year.

For many, that could be a deal breaker in seeking a home loan, Guill said.

And, that would impact the value of their home, he added. Its important to get the levees fixed.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
akron-fire-departmentjpg-8c9dc19e40c997a8.jpg

A fire caused power and stoplight outages Monday in downtown Akron.

(File photo)

AKRON, Ohio -- A fire in an underground electrical vault has left parts of Akron without power or working stoplights, officials said Monday.

The two-alarm fire broke out just before 7:30 a.m. on East Market Street at North Main Street, the Akron Fire Department said in a news release.

The fire department did not provide an update on the fire or say whether anyone was injured.

The power is out in downtown Akron and part of West Akron. Stoplights are also affected.

Akron police are managing traffic in the area, the city said on Twitter. Drivers are being asked to treat streets as four-way stops.

Market Street is closed between High and Main streets, the fire department said.

Akron Municipal Court is closed for the remainder of the day as a precaution. All matters on Monday's docket will be rescheduled, the court said in a news release.

The University of Akron's West Campus (Polsky) Parking Deck is without power, but the rest of the campus is unaffected, the university said.
akron-fire-departmentjpg-8c9dc19e40c997a8.jpg

A fire caused power and stoplight outages Monday in downtown Akron.

(File photo)

AKRON, Ohio -- Power has been restored even as crews remain at the scene of a fire in downtown Akron.

The three-alarm fire broke out just before 7:30 a.m. in an underground electrical vault on East Market Street at North Main Street, the Akron Fire Department said in a news release.

The fire caused outages and left downtown Akron without working stoplights in some areas. Power was restored just after 11 a.m., the city said in a statement.

The fire department did not report any injuries caused by the three-alarm fire.

Market Street is closed between High and Main streets, the fire department said.

Akron Municipal Court is closed for the remainder of the day as a precaution. All matters on Monday's docket will be rescheduled, the court said in a news release.

The University of Akron's West Campus (Polsky) Parking Deck was without power, but the rest of the campus was unaffected, the university said.
rtabusesnaymik.jpg

A new Cuyahoga County Council subcommittee on transportation will examine issues affecting RTA including funding, access and routes.

(Mark Naymik, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County's public transportation issues, including funding, access and routes, will be addressed by a new Cuyahoga County Council subcommittee.

The Regional Transportation Advisory Subcommittee was formed by Council President Dan Brady after a number of residents spoke at council meetings this fall when the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority announced fare increases and service cuts.

"It seems to me and others that this was a regional issue that County Council had an incentive to be involved in a way that it hasn't been," Brady said at a Nov. 29 council meeting.

The volunteer committee, which met for the first time on Dec. 9, is the first council committee to include non-council members.

Council members Dale Miller and Yvonne Conwell are joined by Grace Gallucci, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency; Jose Feliciano Jr. RTA's external affairs administrator; Claire Kilbane, assistant director of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission; Akshai Singh, a member of Clevelanders for Public Transit; Perry Obsey, a member of the Amalgamated Transit Union; and John Mitterholzer, senior program officer for the environment for the Gund Foundation.

The group is seeking another member from the business community, Miller said.

RTA CEO Joe Calabrese attended the meeting and thanked the members for participating. He said his staff would provide any resources needed.

The committee will meet through December 2017 and focus on state funding as the two-year budget is introduced early next year in Columbus.

"There is a special challenge in Cuyahoga County," said Miller, who chairs the committee. "There is enough population to create a good public transit system but not so much density to provide the ridership levels that make it work easily and cost-effective. I am hoping that we can come up with some innovative and effective new ways to advocate for public transit and improve it."

Miller said the potential goals are:

Policy recommendations and funding for public transportation in the next biennial state budget. Non-funding policy and program recommendations in the county to advance public transportation access. A list of potential regional public transit capital projects. ranked in order. Strategies for maximizing public transit use.

"I think the question is how to build a bipartisan concensus around public transit," Miller said.

Committee members said a primary goal is to find permanent funding for public transportation agencies.

Mitterholzer said the Fund for Our Economic Future has hired a consultant to study the best funding sources.

"The consultant will talk to business leaders and chambers," he said. "Most states have a permanent transit fund."

Kilbane suggested meeting with local legislators to talk about the state budget. Miller mentioned that county council member Dave Greenspan, elected as a state representative in November, would likely help.

Miller said the committee would look at RTA scheduling and routes, including the ongoing issue on whether Superior Avenue should be open through Public Square.
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.
Innocence Island is the largest privately held island in the Bahamas. Concierge Auctions

Wealthy sunseekers looking for a holiday home with a difference will head to New York next month for the auction of the Bahamas' largest private island. The 681-acre Innocence Island, features fruit trees, tropical foliage and six white sandy beaches, and was originally offered for $55 million in 2009. It comes with a 3,000-square-foot main house set 90 feet above sea level, with six bedrooms and six bathrooms, as well as a second residence with a gym and meditation deck.

The 3000 square ft main house on Innocence Island, Bahamas Concierge Auctions

Read MoreWealthy resume hunt for properties in paradise

The owner has become ill and has chosen to sell the island at auction  unusually for a non-distressed luxury property -- as a means to monetize it quickly and efficiently.

"Unlike the traditional sales model, the auction model allows him to sell Innocence Island on his own timeline," said Laura Brady, the founder of Concierge Auctions, a New York-based luxury real estate auction firm charged with selling the island. The auction will take place on May 15 at the five-star Trump SoHo hotel in Manhattan. The property will sell to the highest bidder, at or above a $10 million reserve. Once sold at auction, Brady said the entire process will take about 60 days from start to finish.

Admiring the view on Innocence Island, in the Bahamas Concierge Auctions

Read MoreWorld is not enough: Millionaires bet on space

Innocence is located in the Bahamas' Exuma chain of islands, home to the likes of actor Johnny Depp, magician David Copperfield and country music icon Tim McGraw. Exuma is the only part of the Bahamas where private islands regularly go on sale. "The Exuma islands offer privacy, seclusion and the most beautiful scenery the Bahamas has to offer," said George Damianos of Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, with which Concierge Auctions is working on the sale of the island. "Still, when we say that Innocence Island is 'one-of-a-kind', we mean quite literally that its size and splendor are unmatched."

Innocence Island, Bahamas covers 681 acres. Concierge Auctions

One unusual feature is its 2,500-foot airstrip, which is one of the only in the Bahamas with its own pilot code. "Every time I descend upon Innocence Island, I relish hearing the pilot announce our approach by calling out the island's airport code, MYEY. I sit back, smile and await the privacy and relaxation to come," said its current owner in a news release. Read MoreYou're only a rich Brit if you've got $17 million

The island, which has had only had four owners in its whole history, features 15 miles of nature trails as well as opportunities for fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Not for you? Below are more Bahamas islands on sale:

High Cay$2.8 million31 acres

Leaf Cay$8.5 million30 acres



Big Grand Cay$11.5 million213 acres



Bird Cay$11.9 million250 acres

Lighthouse Cay$33.3 million765 acres

Darby Island$40 million554 acres Concierge Auctions typically sells properties for between $2.5 million and $20 million. A 600-acre in the Exuma Cay recently sold for $50,000 per acre, or $30 million. A smaller 167-acre island went for $143,000 per acre, or $23.9 million. Another ultra-high-end Caribbean property that came to market this year was Four Winds in Barbados. Real estate agency Savills listed the 2.56-acre property in March for $55 million, making it the most expensive house ever on the Barbados open market.

Four Winds, Barbados - guide price $55 million Savills
Statement by Kofi Annan on result of Ghana elections

Kofi Annan, chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation and Nobel Laureate, congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo on his electoral victory, and the people of Ghana for the way they handled a tense election.

"I congratulate our new president-elect wholeheartedly, and I also commend President Mahama for graciously conceding defeat" said Mr Annan.

"Mr. Akufo-Addo will be taking over at a time of economic difficulties but he has the skills and experience to help the country face up to this challenge."

Annan also praised the people and authorities of Ghana for ensuring a peaceful campaign and for their calm while awaiting the announcement of the results by the Electoral Commission.

"The people of Ghana have proved worthy of our democratic tradition" he stated.

The Electoral Commission announced late on Friday that Mr Nana Akufo-Addo had secured 53.85% of votes, against his chief rival, the incumbent President John Mahama, who received 44.4%.

National and international observers called the elections free and fair.

Mr Annan noted that at a time when democratic traditions are being challenged in some countries in Africa and beyond, a peaceful transition of political power in Ghana "makes me feel proud to be a Ghanaian."

This statement is available in its entirety on the website of the Kofi Annan Foundation.
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.
No CEO would ever relish being called  or called out  by an incoming president with strong ideas and blunt talk about how a business should be run. But the current generation of corporate leaders is, in many respects, uniquely out of step with President-elect Donald Trump's approach to production, trade, immigration and capital investment. Today's chief executives of large companies have certain common attributes and priorities shaped by the dominant themes of their economic era  and they won the top job because they mastered them:  They are, as a rule, globalists, making their companies supranational institutions, creating global supply chains and pushing to maximize open trade relationships. Their careers have also overlapped entirely with an age of constant productivity enhancement, with a key element of success defined as minimizing labor expenses. In the current economic expansion, labor's share of the economy has remained depressed relative to the following long historical trend. Source: J.P. Morgan Asset Management, BEA Here, companies have been beneficiaries of a growing pool of immigrant workers, even if most CEOs don't actively advocate for porous borders.  On the financial side, these CEOs have a bias (sharpened by their own incentive compensation terms) toward sending excess cash to shareholders in the form of share buybacks and dividends rather than heavy investment in the business.  And, while Trump has not pushed social issues much during his transition, his rhetoric and appointees have signaled less concern about environmental protection and diversity  principles that today's multinational companies have placed near the core of their corporate culture. Trump's interactions with United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes in persuading him to keep a Carrier furnace plant in Indiana rather than shifting production to a new, less costly facility in Mexico were instructive. Like many leaders of industrial conglomerates, United Technologies has been moving lower-value production elsewhere in a so-far successful bid to maintain strong profit margins. The idea of preserving jobs here, even under an implicit threat of losing government contracts for other divisions, runs against the prevailing orientation of a CEO such as Hayes, who was the company's chief financial officer before gaining the top job two years ago. It was a small concession relative to United Technologies' size, and so the market didn't punish the stock after the deal was struck. But you can bet CEOs everywhere are on alert for a potential cajoling five-minute phone call from the incoming dealmaker-in-chief, who might want to make an example of their company for political or policy gain, with little notice. Executive recruiters who advise corporate boards on leadership issues concede that the world view that got CEOs their job could be at odds with a president-elect who seems to want to foster higher-cost/lower-productivity job growth in the U.S., use tariffs as a tactical trade weapon and encourage domestic capital investment even at a time of low unemployment and slack capacity utilization. Some corporate consultants liken the challenge to the one posed in recent years by activist investors, only based on a different set of priorities. John Wood, vice chairman of executive-search firm Heidrick & Struggles and member of its chief executive officer and board of directors' practice, said: "Previously with activists, and now with a president willing to shoot out a tweet, CEOs have to be more facile, adaptable and agile than they used to be." "A lot of this started with activists  which blindsided [some] companies. Then it got to a point where they asked, 'If I did a phone call, what do I do?', then 'How do I prevent the phone call in the first place?'" Nels Olson, vice chairman and co-leader of Korn Ferry's board and CEO services practice, points out that as with activist campaigns, "CEOs need to be a bit more agile in terms of some of the situations that have come up. If you were thinking about moving jobs, if it's a significant number of jobs  you'd better have a game plan for how you're going to address the Trump administration, or Trump himself." On the other hand, "The good news is, you are dealing with a businessman interested in cutting a deal. That's actually a great place to be." The question might become, when challenged on a business decision or principle: "Where are you going to stand your ground and where is too far?" Olsen added. A great place to be, assuming a satisfactory deal can be cut, and perhaps that promised corporate tax cuts could offset, to whatever degree, the potential costs of keeping or adding jobs and facilities here in the states. Charles Kantor, a portfolio manager who oversees $4 billion in assets at Neuberger Berman, has been in frequent contact with CEOs since the election. He says that if one assumes the market's apparent message is true  that "less taxes and less regulation" are benefits that outweigh "uncertainty around" Trump himself  he wonders: "Do CEOs need to be reminded again what investing for growth really looks like?" If tax rates are cut, overseas cash is brought home at reduced tax rates, infrastructure spending ramps up and the White House is creating incentives to undertake capital projects at a time of tight labor markets, can CEOs exit the mode of nursing fat margins, and buying back lots of stock? Of course, many companies are able to do some of these things at once, though investors will have to determine which ones are in the right business to start paying up for workers and capital today. It's far from certain that this set of issues will kick in quite so neatly in the coming year or so. But if an investment handicapper were to boil them down to discern the economic and market implications, the one-word answer might well be "inflation." Wouldn't that be fitting, to have an inflation scare or two as bond yields rise, consumer inflation expectations in the University of Michigan sentiment survey fall to a six-year low and Wall Street assumes the Federal Reserve will stay "slower for longer?"

President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect Governor Mike Pence and United Technologies CEO Gregory Hayes visit the Carrier air conditioning and heating company greets workers on December 1, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images
Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China," questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing. Trump's comments on Fox News Sunday came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call on Dec. 2 from Taiwan's president. "I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox News. Trump's call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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." Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China. Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump's remarks. After Trump's phone conversation with Taiwan's president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washington's "one China" policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the U.S. relationship with China could be undermined by a "flaring up" of the Taiwan issue. Following Trump's latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

watch now

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan's leader. "I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" "I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump added. Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China. However, Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for a senior role at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter. The source said Bolton was a leading candidate for the No. 2 job at the State Department. In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next U.S. president should take bolder steps to halt China' military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas. Bolton said Washington should consider using a "diplomatic ladder of escalation" that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition. In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China which he had emphasized during his presidential campaign. "We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all." Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed China's efforts to prop up the yuan's value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.

watch now
The main entrance of the Monte dei Paschi bank headquarters is seen in Siena, Italy. Max Rossi | Reuters

The Italian lender Monte dei Paschi (BMPS) is racing against time to raise 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) by the end of the month, with analysts speculating that the issue could potentially effect the future path of politics in the country follow the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. BMPS failed a stress test in July and has to improve its capital position, even if that process might include public money. The main aim is to gather the 5 billion euros from private investors but with an interim government and the likelihood of new elections, many are more reluctant on putting their money into BMPS. "The most immediate and potentially costly issue from a political standpoint (in Italy) is the recapitalization of BMPS," Fabio Fois, economist at Barclays, said in a note on Monday. "If the private plan fails and the government decided to refer to the clause in Bank Recovery Resolution Directive (a European regulation) that permits extraordinary financial support, government's popularity could be at risk of severe deterioration," he added. Reuters reported on Monday, citing a Treasury source, that Italian authorities will intervene with public money if necessary to ensure the continuity of the bank and to protect clients' savings. The source also said that a debt-to-equity swap was being considered.



watch now

Italian policymakers and EU officials have been trying to deal with Italy's fragile banking system in recent months, which has been bogged down by non-performing loans (NPLs) estimated to total 360 billion euros ($400.7 billion). A state bailout, with taxpayer money, could contravene EU rules. Such a solution would stand in contrast to a bondholder "bail-in," but would perhaps protect Italian households which are heavily exposed to the asset class. However, banking analysts in recent weeks have been focusing on the idea that both public money will be used alongside some form of "bail-in" with retail investors taking some sort of hit. Under European rules, a public recapitalization entails that equity holders and subordinated creditors (owners of high-ranking debt) will have to share the burden and enter a "bail-in" of 8 percent (minimum) before public money is used. The European Commission has suggested that Italy could opt for a public recapitalization but that will require compensating these retail investors. This option has already been applied in four smaller Italian banks but it still had losses for retail bondholders and took a long time to complete. "This has still meant meaningful losses for retail investors even if the blow has been softened considerably. Additionally, this option involves months of waiting before cash can finally be accessed," Deutsche Bank said in a report last week. The problems for BMPS represent problems for other Italian banks with the whole sector in Europe seeing heavy volatility in stock markets over recent months. The banking system has been weak for years as most institutions have failed to deal with the high level of bad debt in the wake of the financial crisis. UniCredit , the biggest Italian bank in assets, also failed the ECB stress tests last July. It announced on Monday that it was selling its asset management arm Pioneer to the French insurer Amundi for $3.75 billion to improve its capital ratios.

watch now
Emerging global powers China and India are set to drive stronger defense spending over the next decade, according to a new report released by IHS Markit.

Global military spending rose in 2016 to $1.57 trillion and annual budgets should return to pre-financial crisis levels by 2018.

There is now a risk of an arms race as Asia Pacific nations increase their military spending as they move their focus from territorial defense to power projection, analysts believe.

"This is new for the region and is likely to increase military-to-military contact between states," Craig Caffrey, principal analyst at IHS Jane's, said in a release Monday.

"Rising defense spending could therefore be indirectly responsible for increased tension within the region which in turn could spur faster budget growth," he said.

IHS said China's defense budget is on track to almost double within 10 years, from $123 billion in 2010 to $233 billion by 2020.

At that 2020 level, China's defense budget would be about four times bigger than the UK's and more than the combined spending of Western Europe.

For its part India spent more than $50 billion on its military might in 2016, pushing Russia out of the top five biggest spenders.

The South Asian country is in the grip of a modernization drive and is tipped to leap past the U.K. into third spot by 2018, should sterling remain at relatively weak levels.

Caffrey said procurement spending has recently been constrained by rising personnel costs but that is set to change.

"India needs new equipment to fulfill its modernization drive. Over the next three years, India will re-emerge as a key growth market for defense suppliers," he said.
Hillary Clinton's campaign has backed a request from a bipartisan group of Electoral College electors to have the national intelligence director release findings related to Russia's role in the U.S. election before they vote on Dec. 19.

"The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security. Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed," Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta said in a statement Monday.



In an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, the 10 electors from six states and Washington D.C. asked for "a briefing on all investigative findings" related to Russia's role in the election, saying "these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether (Donald Trump) is fit to serve" as president. Their concerns range from reports that the CIA has concluded that Russia used covert operations to help Trump win to Trump aides having alleged ties to Moscow.

They contend that the Electoral College should not summarily cast votes for a state's winner but rather deliberate to ensure that the president is fit to serve. More information on intelligence findings will help them make that decision, they said.

President-elect Trump has tried to cast reports about the CIA's conclusion as a partisan attempt to delegitimize his election, attacking the abilities of the intelligence community. His transition team did not immedaitely respond to a request for comment on Podesta backing the electors' letter.



President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence agencies to deliver him evidence of Russian influence on the election. Some of that information may be made public "in a responsible manner," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Monday.

A bipartisan group of senators including incoming Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican John McCain of Arizona have also called for a probe of Russian tactics. McConnell said Monday that he agreed with them that "this simply cannot be a partisan issue."



McConnell added that the Senate's intelligence committee will review Russia's actions, following the "regular order." He stopped short of endorsing a special panel investigation.



Podesta contended that the Obama administration "owes it to the American people to explain what it knows regarding the extent and manner of Russia's interference and this be done as soon as possible."

The intelligence community announced in October that it believed Russia directed the hacking of email accounts for U.S. political organizations and prominent individuals to interfere with the electoral process. The recent reports, however, say the CIA took the findings a step further, concluding that the interference was meant to help Trump.
WHEN: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th at 8am ET

WHERE: CNBC's "Squawk Box"

In a CNBC EXCLUSIVE interview, billionaire Bill Gates will sit down with CNBC's Becky Quick on "Squawk Box" (M-F, 6AM-9AM ET) tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th at 8am ET. Gates will discuss the Breakthrough Energy Ventures Fund, his new billion-dollar fund focused on combating climate change, among other topics.

About CNBC:

With CNBC in the U.S., CNBCin Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and CNBC World, CNBCis the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-timefinancial market coverage and business information to approximately 381 million homes worldwide, including more than 94 million households in the United Statesand Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million householdsacross China. The network's 15 live hours a day of business programming inNorth America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC'sglobal headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBCNews bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new realityprogramming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC anda number of distinctive in-house documentaries.

CNBC also has a vastportfolio of digital products which deliver real-time financial market news andinformation across a variety of platforms including: CNBC.com; CNBC PRO, thepremium, integrated desktop/mobile service that provides live access to CNBC programming,exclusive video content and global market data and analysis; a suite of CNBCmobile products including the CNBC Apps for iOS, Android and Windows devices;and additional products such as the CNBC App for the Apple Watch and Apple TV.

Members of the media canreceive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversalMedia Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc.

For more information aboutNBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com.
From picking perceived outsiders for Cabinet positions to calling out certain American companies, nothing Donald Trump has done as president-elect should come as a surprise, former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told CNBC on Monday.



Agree with Trump or not, he's making moves based on promises he made during the campaign, said Gutierrez, who headed Commerce for President George W. Bush.



"[Trump] is behaving like an executive. This is like executive basics. You have a strategy and you put the right skills in a job to implement your strategy," Gutierrez, formerly CEO of Kellogg , said on "Squawk Box."



For example, he pointed to Trump's decision to chose Tom Price to head the Health and Human Services Department due to the Georgia congressman's intimate knowledge of Obamacare and how to dismantle it.



While Price was also a doctor, "conventional wisdom" might have pointed to retired neurosurgeon and former GOP rival Ben Carson for HHS, Gutierrez said. But Carson was selected for secretary of Housing and Urban Development.



Gutierrez also spoke highly of Exxon Mobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson, who's said to be Trump's choice for secretary of State. He called "unfair" aspersions about the oilman being a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin just because he's negotiated business contracts with Moscow.



"A lot of what's happening, whether it's happening in an orderly fashion or now, are things he ran on," argued Gutierrez, who said he did not support Trump during the campaign but aims to be objective.



"During the campaign, he said he's going to go after companies that outsource and export back in. That's what he's doing," Gutierrez said, referring to the deal Trump helped craft earlier this month with United Technologies to keep the firm's Carrier unit from closing a plant in Indianapolis.



Trump has also called out other American companies that have big government contracts. In a Monday morning tweet, Trump took a swipe at Lockheed Martin 's F-35 program, saying the cost was "out of control." Last week, Trump tweeted a shot at Boeing , threatening to cancel its 747 Air Force One program.
Carly Fiorina, who is reportedly under consideration to be Donald Trump's director of national intelligence, met with the president-elect Monday and said the pair discussed China as "probably our most important adversary."

Trump met with the former Hewlett-Packard CEO and his one-time presidential rival to discuss the director of national intelligence position, The New York Times reported, citing a senior transition official. She did not tell the reporters in New York's Trump Tower if she talked about the job with Trump.



Fiorina said the pair "spent a fair amount of time talking about China as probably our most important adversary and a rising adversary. We talked about hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking."



Fiorina's comments highlighting China as an adversary follow Trump's provocations of Beijing shortly after he was elected by skirting decades of foreign policy precedent. She said Trump has an opportunity to "reset the trajectory of the economy, to reset the role of government, to reset America's role in the world and how we're perceived in the world."

The director of national intelligence leads the U.S. intelligence community and is the top intelligence advisor to the president. The position and Fiorina's comments take on even more significance after Trump slammed the intelligence community following reports about Russia's involvement in the U.S. election.

Multiple reports say the CIA concluded that Russia used a covert intelligence operation to help Trump win the presidency. President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence agencies to deliver him evidence of Russian influence on the election, while the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate have supported bipartisan reviews of Moscow's tactics.



Trump claims the reports of Russian involvement are designed to discredit his election, and he tried to sow doubts about the CIA based on its assessments before the Iraq War. Even before the election,the intelligence community made a public conclusion that Russia directed the hacks of email accounts for U.S. political organizations.

Fiorina appeared to echo Trump and play down Moscow's involvement by calling it "purported Russian hacking."

Fiorina would join Ben Carson as a former Trump rival in his administration. During the primary campaign last year, the pair clashed after Trump mocked Fiorina's appearance.

"Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?" Trump asked during a Rolling Stone interview.

Trump tweet: I just realized that if you listen to Carly Fiorina for more than ten minutes straight, you develop a massive headache. She has zero chance!

Fiorina fired back at a September GOP debate, saying "I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said."
Donald Trump should not discount the value of presidential intelligence briefings even though agencies should be held accountable for the information they provide, former Obama Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told CNBC on Monday.

"That's obviously up to President-elect Trump, but I think he would be well-served if he would take those briefings, because there's never enough time to know as much as you need to know in any of these jobs," Hagel told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

Hagel, who headed the Pentagon during President Barack Obama's second term and earlier served on the Senate intelligence and foreign relations committees, said he understands Trump's wariness of agency reports.

"I understand that President-elect Trump has questions about the veracity, about the depth, the quality of the report," Hagel said. "I think those need to be asked in any government agency, including our intelligence agencies."

Hagel said that recent developments in a CIA investigation that cited Russia's involvement in swaying election results in Trump's favor should be taken with a grain of salt.

"That may be right, that may not be right," Hagel said. "I don't think it's just the Russians we need to be focused on here.  There are other countries with tremendous capability and cyber is a tricky business."

Hagel said that China, Iran, North Korea and nongovernment entities like ISIS also have the capability and potential to attack the United States, and that intelligence agencies must remain careful and judicious in their inquiries.

The former Defense secretary said that , who reportedly has ties to Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, could be a positive for the incoming administration.

Hagel said that he was not sure that there was much truth to reports of Tillerson and Putin being friends.

"Obviously he's done business and does business with Putin in Russia. I don't see that as a downside," Hagel said.

"I believe Mr. Tillerson is smart enough to understand that  the objective and responsibility for the secretary of State, like any Cabinet member, is the interest of the United States," the former secretary added.
David Solomon will be one of two people who is expected to fill the role of president and COO to replace Gary Cohn at Goldman Sachs , who will be leaving to join the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, sources told CNBC.

Solomon has served as the co-head of Goldman's Investment Banking Division since 2006. Prior to that, he worked as global head of the storied investment bank's Finance Group, which includes capital markets and derivative products for corporate clients, according to the firm's website.

The identity of the other individual who will move into the COO and president roles was not clear. It's not unusual for senior roles to be split at Goldman Sachs.
Changes in the outlook for copper's supply-demand balances that drove a recent rally in prices support a more "bullish" environment for the metal at least to mid-2017, Goldman Sachs said in note.

"Although it is tempting to blame this on speculative positioning, the materially stronger fundamental developments that contributed to this surge in speculative interest are likely to underpin a more bullish environment for copper," Goldman analysts wrote in a note dated on Sunday.

"The improvement in demand growth was much stronger than we had anticipated and appears likely to absorb much of the 'wall of supply' that we had expected would drive prices lower during 2H16 and early 2017," the bank's analysts said.
Japanese automaker Honda has invested an undisclosed sum into Southeast Asia ride-hailing service Grab, the start-up said on Monday, as it looks to boost its services amid increased competition from the likes of Uber. In September, Softbank led a $750 million funding round in Grab, and the company said that the Honda investment formed part of that deal. Honda is the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world and the partnership with Grab will see the two work together on safety initiatives for the ride-hailing firm's drivers. "Our number one missions is to provide a safe and reliable transportation service, and so the key focus of this will be Honda doing driver safety training at centers and also at their dealers," Ming Maa, president of Grab, told CNBC by phone.

A GrabCar driver displays the support information page on the Grab app on a smartphone in an arranged photograph in Singapore, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. Ore Huiying | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Maa said that the company is still "working on finding out how the partnership will evolve over time." There are technology-focused areas that the two "would love to collaborate on," Maa said without giving specifics, but these conversations are at early stage and "anything is possible." Honda's strategic investment in Grab marks the latest deal of its kind with carmakers including Volkswagen and General Motors pouring money into ride-hailing services as they bet on shifting models of car ownership. Grab is focused on the Southeast Asia market and currently is present in six countries and 34 cities in the region. But it is facing increasing competition from the likes of Uber, which is expanding in Southeast Asia, and Go-Jek, a motorbike taxi service. Go-Jek closed a $550 million funding round earlier this year.

watch now
The holiday season is typically a busy one for Judge Roy Bean Public House in midtown Manhattan. The bar and restaurant had been on a solid run, up 20 percent overall for the year, and owner Peter Pernicone had high hopes for strong sales to close out 2016. Then came Election Day. The small business is located in the shadow of Trump Tower on West 56th Street, which is now swarmed with New York police officers and Secret Service agents, guarding President-elect Donald Trump as he makes the transition from businessman to commander-in-chief. "For November, we're down 30 percent," Pernicone said. "They're keeping the streets open, then closing them down. There's no rhyme or reason. We don't know what to expect. The police presence on the corner has been intimidating, and tourists are scared to walk down 56th street."

Peter Pernicone, owner of Judge Roy Bean Public House, says added security measures near Trump Tower are tanking business. Kate Rogers | CNBC

Businesses on the street say they weren't prepared for what a Donald Trump presidency might mean for their bottom lines. Nearby Italian restaurant Il Tinello Ristorante has been taking a similar hit: Revenue is down at least 30 percent since the election. "A lot of people who go here for lunch especially, they like to be dropped off and picked up," said maitre d' Gentian Shotaj. "Now they cant do that. We are getting a lot of complaints, and I do have concerns for my job. If it keeps going like this I am going to get laid off." The restaurant's owner, John Goci, says the restaurant has been in his family nearly 30 years and he has never seen anything like the slowdown brought on since Election Day. If sales continue to plummet, he will consider relocating elsewhere in midtown.

Oscar Rodriguez, chef at Printon 56, says extra foot traffic near Trump Tower has brought in new customers. Kate Rogers | CNBC

One business-owner isn't complaining: Printon 56, which has a deli and cafe, as well as a neighboring pizzeria. Chef Oscar Rodriguez, who has worked there 15 years, says the police presence has brought in extra foot traffic and new regular customers. "It has kept us busy all day long," Rodriguez said. "We are getting a lot of walk-in customers and orders on the phone, including the police people who are our new customers."

Taking Action

Pernicone of Judge Roy Bean says he has reached out to his city councilman, Dan Garodnick, but so far the conversation has not amounted to action. He and his co-owner, Derek Walsh, are drafting a petition to present to the city, requesting that the street be reopened to traffic. In a statement, Garodnick said the current security setup is "unsustainable" for small business owners. It continues: "We are not going to compromise the protection of the President-elect, but the current security apparatus in the vicinity of Trump Tower is choking businesses in this area. This is especially acute for smaller establishments on West 56th Street, who depend on pedestrian traffic for a significant portion of their sales. "Revenue is down and shop owners are not happy."
President-elect Donald Trump took a swipe at Lockheed Martin 's F-35 program Monday morning, saying the cost was "out of control."

Shares of the aerospace company dropped more than 4 percent in early trade, but then recovered some of those losses, ending the day about 2 percent lower. After the tweet, the company's market value initially dropped $4 billion. The impact of Trump's tweet, per character, was more than $28 million.

Trump tweeted that "billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases" once he takes office in January.

Tweet 1

Lockheed Martin spokesman Bill Phelps said the company has invested large sums of money to reduce the cost of the F-35 stealth fighter program by 60 percent, correcting an earlier company estimate of 70 percent.

The company added it will welcome "the opportunity to address any questions the president-elect has about the program."

When Trump's transition team was asked by reporters about Trump's tweet, the team said a clear message is being sent that Trump will fight for taxpayers.


Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Capitol, December 12, 2016 in Washington, DC.

Sen. Mitch McConnell on Monday expressed support for bipartisan reviews of Russia's role in the presidential election, criticizing Moscow's foreign policy and what he called the Obama administration's deference to Russia's expanding influence.

The Senate majority leader from Kentucky also took swipes at GOP colleagues who may be reluctant to probe Russia's actions amid reports that the CIA concluded that Russia used a covert intelligence operation to help Donald Trump win the presidency. McConnell said he cannot confirm anything about Moscow's role in the presidential race beyond the intelligence community's public October conclusion that Russia directed the hacks of email accounts for U.S. political organizations.

He took a defiant tone with Moscow, saying "the Russians are not our friends" and decrying anyone who would ignore the country's suspected influence on the election.

"The Obama administration for eight years attempted to reset relations with Russia and sat back while Russia expanded its sphere of influence and intervened in Crimea, eastern Ukraine, Syria and attempted to bully the Baltic countries. It defies belief that somehow Republicans in the Senate are reluctant to either review Russian tactics or ignore them," McConnell said in a statement on Capitol Hill, without calling out any specific senators.



President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence agencies to deliver him evidence of Russian influence on the election. Some of that information may be made public "in a responsible manner," McConnell said.

A bipartisan group of senators including incoming Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican John McCain of Arizona have also called for a probe of Russian tactics. McConnell said he agreed with them that "this simply cannot be a partisan issue."

He added that the Senate's intelligence committee will review Russia's actions, following the "regular order." He stopped short of endorsing a special panel investigation.

President-elect Donald Trump has tried to cast reports about the CIA's conclusion as a partisan attempt to delegitimize his election. Still, several GOP senators have expressed concerns about Russian influence and intelligence agencies made public conclusions about Russian hacking even before the election.

In a statement Friday, Trump tried to discredit the CIA, based on its assessments before the Iraq War. "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," he said.



McConnell did not comment on Trump's disbelief, but said he has "the highest confidence in the intelligence community."

Schumer cheered McConnell's statement, saying he "welcomes" his support for an investigation.

Schumer tweet: We welcome @SenateMajLdr's support for a thorough bipartisan investigation into reports that Russia interfered with the 2016 election.
Microsoft 's venture capital arm has placed its first bet on a new way to keep jobs and create new ones  artificial intelligence.

Montreal, Canada-based start-up Element AI is the first investment in a new AI fund launched by Microsoft Ventures and far from a jobs killer, the start-up views the rise of AI as a human worker's best chance at remaining relevant.

"There's a lot of talk about bringing back jobs," Element AI CEO Jean-Francois Gagne told CNBC on Monday. "As you do that, you need to stay competitive. You need to augment the workers, provide them with better tools. These are all areas where AI can do a lot."



To start, Element AI plans to build upon local resources available in Montreal and foster the creation of hundreds of jobs over the next five years, helping to preserve local talent and boost the Canadian economy.



Element AI, which was just formed in October, works with large corporations and research institutes to help businesses identify opportunities to invest in AI.


watch now

OPEC faces a new set of questions after winning output cuts from non-members and members of the oil cartel in recent weeks. Analysts say the potential upside for the deal shouldn't be played down: Non-OPEC members on Saturday committed to reducing output by 558,000 barrels a day. If implemented, that would amplify the effects of 1.2 million barrels worth of daily cuts from OPEC for the first half of 2017.

But now market watchers are shifting their focus to other questions: Will the producers stick to their promises? Can they keep prices in a narrow range? How much will high-cost U.S. production rise as prices bounce? In a sign of Saudi Arabia's commitment to the deal, Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said OPEC's top producer could cut deeper than its initial commitment on Nov. 30, Goldman Sachs noted.



The inclusion of several countries with natural declines has rightfully brought the entire deal into question. investment services firm Macquarie, in a research note

"This comment comforts us in our view that Saudi Arabia has a strong economic incentive to cut production to achieve a normalization of inventories at this stage of the oil market rebalancing, even if it requires a larger unilateral cut," Goldman analysts said in a research note. But the task of enforcing a 22-nation deal  while simultaneously trying to control prices so in a way that keeps U.S. drillers on the sidelines  could be more than even the Saudis can manage, according to Barclays. "There are too many moving parts for OPEC's new policy to be sustainable in the long term. The strategy is bound to overshoot, in our view, leading to lower prices in the second half of next year," Barclays analysts said in a note. What follows are some of those moving parts that could trip up the deal.

Cuts that aren't really cuts

Nearly a dozen non-OPEC producers agreed to cut production, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan and South Sudan. Here's the problem: Of those 11 nations, eight have mature oil fields that were already expected decline naturally  and perhaps even more so, due to cuts to capital spending in recent years, Barclays noted. Essentially, OPEC is counting those natural declines toward the cuts. Consequently, some investment banks have not adjusted their forecasts for these producers much. "The inclusion of several countries with natural declines has rightfully brought the entire deal into question," Macquarie analyst said in a note. However, even factoring those dubious cuts, the firm said its own analysis indicates that the deal is still meaningful.



Cheating

Goldman Sachs believes full compliance would add another $6 a barrel to its $55 price forecast for U.S. crude. The problem is that OPEC members have cheated in the past. The deal sets up a classic prisoners' dilemma, said Robert McNally, president of energy and geopolitical consultancy The Rapidan Group. The best thing for the group collectively is to cut and stick to the deal as oil prices rise, but the best option for each individual member is to cheat while everyone else stays honest. The production figures that cartel members provide to OPEC can't be trusted, and producers can game the system that calculates their output, Barclays said in a note. For example, third parties arrive at their OPEC production figures in part by estimating how much crude they are refining into fuel, and then adding that estimate to net exports. Under this system, producers can appear to cut production while actually holding it steady by under-reporting refinery activity and tinkering with the mix of petroleum products they export, according to Barclays.



A 'massive' response from US frackers

Consensus is forming around the notion that OPEC boss Saudi Arabia is underestimating the opportunity that higher prices will provide to U.S. shale producers. "Interestingly, many OPEC members have shared the group's view that U.S. response in 2017 will be limited," Macquarie analysts said. "Our modeling indicates that U.S. shale response will be massive." Many U.S. drillers have higher costs because they rely on hydraulic fracturing  or pumping water, minerals and chemicals into the earth at high pressure to fracture shale rock and release oil and gas. Low oil prices over the last two years have forced deep cuts in U.S. oil production and pushed dozens of drillers into bankruptcy.

U.S. producers already stood up more rigs in oil fields and locked in higher prices for future crude deliveries as prices rose on speculation OPEC would cut output. Goldman now believes U.S. frackers can raise production by 800,000 barrels a day with oil prices at $55 a barrel, even as they spend little of their cash flow and reduce their debt. Analysts also recently explained to CNBC how OPEC's cuts creates an opening for U.S. oil to reach buyers in China.

Cuts have unintended consequences

Even legitimate efforts to cut production could have adverse consequences. Barclays anticipates some countries will try to achieve cuts by doing maintenance on refineries earlier than planned. That reduces crude demand in the near term, but can lead to more activity when refineries start to back up. "This means cuts are just going to turn into surges at some later date," Barclays concluded.



The Russia wildcard

Russia is promising the lion's share of the non-OPEC cuts  300,000 barrels a day  but there are already signs the world's top oil producer is giving itself room to undershoot. Goldman identifies a few problems with Russia's final commitment. The cuts will come from a higher-than-expected output in October of 11.247 million barrels a day. Russia has also indicated it will initially only target gradual cuts inching toward 200,000 barrels a day through March. The total promised cuts would come only by the end of the second quarter of 2017. "As a result, while Russia's participation is important, the actual impact on the global oil balance of a Russian cut will remain short of the (300,000-barrel) cut headline," Goldman analysts said.



Problems beyond Russia
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Is Jessica Tarlov Married? What Are Her Height & Weight? Jessica Tarlov is an American political consultant, strategist, and analyst whose influential and regular TV presence has made a popular figure. A good example of beauty with brains, Tarlov has appeared on various TV networks, mostly the FOX News Network where she is known for her liberal views on political analysis and insights. She is also the senior director ...

Who Is Kelly Rebecca Nichols  Alex Jones Ex-Wife? Kelly Rebecca Nichols is the ex-wife of controversial American radio show host, Alex Jones. She got nationwide attention following her divorce and subsequent custody battle with her estranged husband. Nichols, who worked with PETAs public relations department, was herself no stranger to controversies as she was involved in several publicity stunts of the non-profit animal rights ...

Who Is Bree Morgan  Cole Sprouse Ex-Girlfriend And What Is She Up To Now? Although Bree Morgan became famous through the Instagram, she also sapped some dose of popularity from Disneys sweetheart, Cole Sprouse of the Sprouse brothers. She is not only an Instagram star but also a YouTube vlogger whose popularity has long exceeded the ordinary level. Bree is conspicuously prominent on the internet and has her digital savviness ...

Does Vanna White Have Husband or Children, What Is Her Net Worth / Salary? For over three decades, Vanna White has been a household name, famous as the co-host and letter turner of the iconic NBC game show Wheel of Fortune. The talented and beautiful television personality is also an actress with several TV series and films to her credit. Since making her Wheel of Fortune debut in 1982, she has become one ...

Liz Wheeler  Biography, Husband & Net Worth Liz Wheeler is the kind of girl who sets the room on fire whenever she comes around. In this situation, however, she sets our screens on fire each time she appears as the host of One America News Tipping Point. She is, therefore, a presenter, publisher, consultant and a member of the Board of Zoning ...

Betty White  Net Worth, Children & Husband The entertainment industry will remain indebted to personalities like Betty White who brought something extra to the table and kept the world entertained for donkey years. The comedienne, actress, and writer graced the big screens in the early 50s as a show host and has been a delight since then. She is the queen of ...

Is Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Dead or Alive, What Are His Net Worth & Education? Everyone will always remember Bill Nye as the Science Guy. Besides his TV show Bill Nye the Science Guy, he is well-known for his Netflix show Bill Nye Saves the World which started airing in 2017 as well as his appearances in many famous media projects as a science educator. The star studied mechanical engineering ...

Is Cesar Millan Dead, Who Is The Wife & What Is His Net Worth? Cesar Millan is the famous dog whisperer who often stirs up mixed emotions. The Mexican-American is precisely speaking, a dog behaviorist; he has been in the game for over 25 years. His Emmy-nominated television series, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan further pushed his method and tactics into the limelight. The series was produced from 2004 ...

Is Thomas Sanders Gay and Does He Have A Boyfriend? By the time Vine was shut down in January 2017, Thomas Sanders was already popular within and beyond the internet community for his heavy involvements on the online video hosting platform. After the tragic shutdown of Vine impacted on the growing career of the multi-talented personality, he immediately switched over to YouTube where he continued to upload ...

Is Shepard Smith Gay, Who Is The Boyfriend & What Is His Net Worth? There are only a few media personalities who are as bold and confident as Shepard Smith. Apart from his impressive stint at Fox News Channel which includes but not limited to his classic news delivery, upfront stance on virtually every issue and much more; he loves his job as much as he loves his personality. Smith ...

Is Milo Yiannopoulos Gay? His Husband and Net Worth Milo Yiannopoulos is a popular writer, journalist, polemicist, public speaker, and political commentator who is also known as the founder of The Kernel, an online blog. He has been said to be among the list of 100 weird and influential people in the United Kingdom. He appeared on this list as a result of personal beliefs and ...

Does Ryan Seacrest Have A Wife Or Girlfriend, What Is His Net Worth? From radio to television, Ryan Seacrest is a household name and a force to be reckoned with in showbiz. The radio personality, television host, and producer is best recognized as the host of the popular TV talent search contest American Idol. Heres how the media personality who always knew what his lifes ambition was and diligently pursued ...

Is Anderson Cooper Gay, Who is The Boyfriend or Husband? For many, the thought of becoming a millionaire by writing and talking about other people appears unachievable but this is the reality of the prominent American journalist Anderson Cooper who gathered millions of dollars for conducting accurate political analysis and other vital reports on TV. He is the main anchor of the CNN news show Anderson ...

Is David Muir Gay or Does He Have A Wife, What Is His Salary? David Muir is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works for the ABC broadcast-television network and anchors the ABC World News Tonight with David Muir program while also co-anchoring the magazine program 20/20. The Ithaca College graduate, whose show has become the most-watched newscast in America, has covered stories from all across America and the world; reporting ...

Joel Osteen  Divorce Rumors, Net Worth & Family Members Joel Osteen is an American Televangelist, Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church based in Houston, Texas, a husband and a father of two. He is an author of many books, seven of which are New York Times Best Sellers and his televised sermons capture more than 7 million viewers per week and 20 million every month ...

Who Is Todd Chrisley? What To Know About His Children, Gay Rumors & Net Worth Premiered on the USA network in 2014, Chrisley Knows Best is one of the most watched family reality TV shows in the U.S. The series which is currently in its sixth season is centered around U.S real estate mogul Todd Chrisley and his family. The show reveals Todd the patriarch of the Chrisley family as a strict dad who rules ...

Who Is Shannon Bream Of Fox News? Her Husband, Children & Net Worth Shannon Bream who hosts the iconic primetime program started her journalism career in the late 1990s debuting as the evening and late-night news reporter for the CBS affiliate, WBTV. The beauty from America currently works for the Fox News Channel and she is best known for anchoring the primetime program. She also hosts Americas News ...

Is Troye Sivan Gay, Who Is His Boyfriend and What Is His Net Worth? Troye Sivan is an Australian singer and songwriter best known for songs like Happy Little Pill, Youth, Heaven (with Betty Who) and The Boyfriend Tag (with Tyler Oakley) which have all garnered him different awards and ranked on the Billboard Charts. Sivan, who was born in South Africa but now resides in the United States, is ...

Did iDubbbz Have Cancer, Is He Gay and Who Is His Girlfriend Now? iDubbbz is one YouTuber who has made a career out of courting controversy. Renowned for his absurdist channels and comedy video series, the Los Angeles based personality is the owner of two channels, iDubbzTV, and iDubbzTV2, as well as the brains behind comedy video series such as Content Cop, Kickstarter Crap, Gaming News Crap, and ...

Inside Greg Gutfelds Love Story With Wife Elena Moussa and Why Fans Thought He Was Gay Greg Gutfeld is a seasoned American television producer whose career in the media industry has spanned over a decade. He is a man of many talents who makes extra income through comedy, journalism, and editorial works. Gutfeld regularly appears on Fox News Channel as a panellist and co-host of the political talk show The Five ...

Works That Made Bo Burnham A Household Name and How Much He Is Worth Now One of YouTubes first viral stars and the worlds most exciting young comedian, Bo Burnham, has always amazed critics and comedy aficionados alike. Often regarded as the Justin Bieber of comedy, thanks to his fresh looks, floppy blond hair and hoodies, he has a multi-faceted career bigger than many comedians twice his age. It wouldnt ...

Is Louie Anderson Gay And What Is His Net Worth? Louie Anderson has one of the most abstract faces in the industry and equally knows how to use it to his advantage. He is not only a stand-up comedian but also an actor and television host who is known for his distinctive comic wits. Some of his notable projects include Family Feud, where he was ...

Is Don Lemon of CNN Gay, Who is His Partner and What Is His Salary? Don Lemon has risen to become one of the most recognizable faces on CNN over the past few years. The fiery journalist, who anchors CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, is liked and somewhat disliked for his strong and candid opinions on a variety of matters that do not just include politics but also race, significantly, matters that ...

Is Rachel Maddow Gay, Who is the Wife and How Much Does She Earn in Salary? Rachel Maddow is an award-winning American journalist, political commentator, and television news anchor. She is best known for hosting the popular nightly TV show The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Prior to this, she hosted a talk radio program on Air America Radio from 2005 to 2010. As of now, the TV sensation co-anchors MSNBCs ...

Demystifying Pokimane  Her Real Name, Ethnicity & Boyfriend Like most social media celebrities in this digital era, Pokimane Thicc is one of those stars who took advantage of the internet to make a name for herself. Given the unlimited potentials which the social media space offers, many people have been instantly propelled to fame just by posting creative online contents. Not only has ...

A Breakdown of Kris Jenners Net Worth, Sources Of Income and Relationships Over The Years Standing outside and looking in, Kris Jenner looks like the oil that greases the wheels of the entire Kardashian/Jenner machine. She has been dubbed a momager and rightfully so because she seems to have had a part to play in the trajectory of each and every one of her daughters individually and the Kardashian brand ...

Pursuits That Brought Liza Koshys Fame To its Zenith and Her Love Life Since David Dobrik Liza Koshy is an American actress who has leveraged YouTube as a platform to promote her comedy while also serving as a television host on occasions. She is talented and funny and has gathered a lot of fans from around the world. Koshy started on Vine in high school and was able to get millions of ...

Alex Aiono Biography  Inside The Life Of The American Singer Not everyone who started from the streets has attained the heights where Alex Aiono is currently. His story could be referred to as the perfect definition of rising from Grass to Grace. He came into the limelight after he started out as a YouTuber, singer, and producer. One fascinating thing about the young YouTuber is ...

Virginia Vallejo Biography And Her Love Story With Pablo Escobar Virginia Vallejo can be referred to as one of the oldest whistleblowers in history after her involvement with Pablo Escobar which made her famous. Over the years, many questions have been raised about her relationship with the drug lord and why she endangered her life to be with him despite his notorious acts. The death ...

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 ...

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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 ...

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A pipeline leak has spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into a North Dakota creek roughly two and a half hours from Cannon Ball, where protesters are camped out in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline.

Members of the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes, as well as environmentalists from around the country, have fought the pipeline project on the grounds that it crosses beneath a lake that provides drinking water to native Americans. They say the route beneath Lake Oahe puts the water source in jeopardy and would destroy sacred land.

North Dakota officials estimate more than 176,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the Belle Fourche Pipeline into the Ash Coulee Creek. State environmental scientist Bill Suess says a landowner discovered the spill on Dec. 5 near the city of Belfield, which is roughly 150 miles from the epicenter of the Dakota Access pipeline protest camps.

The leak was contained within hours of the its discovery, Wendy Owen, a spokeswoman for Casper, Wyoming-based True Cos., which operates the Belle Fourche pipeline, told CNBC.

It's not yet clear why electronic monitoring equipment didn't detect the leak, Owen told the Asssociated Press.

Owen said the pipeline was shut down immediately after the leak was discovered. The pipeline is buried on a hill near Ash Coulee creek, and the "hillside sloughed," which may have ruptured the line, she said.

"That is our number one theory, but nothing is definitive," Owen said. "We have several working theories and the investigation is ongoing."

Last week, the Army Corp of Engineers said it would deny Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners the easement it needs to complete the final stretch of the $3.7 billion Dakota Access pipeline. United States Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy said the best path forward was to explore alternative routes for the pipeline, something Energy Transfer Partners says it will not do.

Energy Transfer Partners says the Dakota Access pipeline would include safeguards such as leak detection equipment and that workers monitoring the pipeline remotely in Texas could close valves within three minutes if a breach is detected.



Republican President-elect Donald Trump has voiced support for the Dakota Access Pipeline. About 5,000 people are still occupying land near the planned construction site.

The 6-inch steel Belle Fourche pipeline is mostly underground but was built above ground where it crosses Ash Coulee Creek, Suess said. Owen said the pipeline was built in the 1980s and is used to gather oil from nearby oil wells to a collection point.



Suess said the spill migrated almost 6 miles from the spill site along Ash Coulee Creek, and it fouled an unknown amount of private and U.S. Forest Service land along the waterway. The creek feeds into the Little Missouri River, but Seuss said it appears no oil got that far and that no drinking water sources were threatened. The creek was free-flowing when the spill occurred but has since frozen over.



About 60 workers were on site Monday, and crews have been averaging about 100 yards daily in their cleanup efforts, he said. Some of the oil remains trapped beneath the frozen creek.

Suess says about 37,000 gallons of oil have been recovered.



"It's going to take some time," Suess said of the cleanup. "Obviously there will be some component of the cleanup that will go toward spring."

True Cos. has a history of oil fieldrelated spills in North Dakota and Montana, including a January 2015 pipeline break into the Yellowstone River. The 32,000-gallon spill temporarily shut down water supplies in the downstream community of Glendive, Montana, after oil was detected in the city's water treatment system.

True Cos. operates at least three pipeline companies with a combined 1,648 miles of line in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming, according to information the companies submitted to federal regulators. Since 2006, the companies have reported 36 spills totaling 320,000 gallons of petroleum products, most of which was never recovered.

 The Associated Press contributed to this story.


Sumner Redstone and Sydney Holland in 2014 Getty Images

That must have been a hell of a flight.

Media titan Sumner Redstone gave out many millions of dollars to multiple women  mistresses, a flight attendant and that attendant's sister  according to legal documents filed Monday by his 45-year-old ex-girlfriend. The CBS corporate jet flight attendant alone got $18 million  and her sister, whom Redstone allegedly bedded, received a cool $6 million from the randy billionaire, court filings claim. The explosive allegations by former Redstone paramour Sydney Holland were accompanied by a warning that she "may be forced" to seek testimony from the 93-year-old mogul's celebrity friends as well as from executives from Viacom and CBS, whose shares he controls, to substantiate her salacious claims. Redstone's legal team, in an emailed statement to CNBC, said, "Ms. Holland's cross-complaint is a work of fiction punctuated by not-so-subtle threats of extortion and an overwhelming stench of greed."

In her Los Angeles Superior Court filing, Holland said Redstone "gave tens of millions of dollars to various other women  who he had no intention of marrying and was not in love with  at the time he was engaged to marry" Holland. "Women who did nothing more than provide sexual favors," the filing said. Her allegations were made in a response to a lawsuit by Redstone accusing Holland and one of his other ex-girlfriends, Manuela Herzer, of conspiring to emotionally manipulate and abuse him so that he would give them gifts totaling $150 million over the years.



watch now

The filing said it "makes no sense" that Redstone's lawsuit only names Holland and Herzer as defendants when "Redstone knows that there were (and possibly still are) many other women who he gave tens of millions of dollars to (during this same time-period that he alleges Sydney and Herzer had 'total control' of his life)."

Holland also filed a cross-complaint against Redstone alleging breach of contract  both "oral" and "implied in fact." She says that in exchange for agreeing to make Redstone "the center of her universe" during their time together, he "promised to take care of her financially for the rest of her life." The filing asks that Redstone be ordered to pay Holland "a reasonable sum per month" to support her and her young daughters.

Sydney Holland Getty Images

Her filing said that for "five years, Sydney and Plaintiff Sumner Redstone ... enjoyed a loving, romantic relationship," which began in the fall of 2010 after the media baron "hired Patti Stanger, 'The Millionaire Matchmaker' to find him a girlfriend who was not only young and beautiful, but also intelligent, funny, and who shared Redstone's Jewish faith." Holland's filing said that "as a result of this lawsuit" against her and Herzer, "the lurid nature of these relationships and the significant amounts of money that Redstone paid to these [other] women are directly at issue." "Sydney may be forced to disclose their identities and call Redstone's celebrity friends and Viacom and CBS executives as witnesses," the filing said in her answer to Redstone's suit. The filing also said that it was known to Redstone's advisors, attorneys, doctors, friends and staff, as well as to Redstone's "close friend and CBS executive officer" CEO Leslie Moonves that Redstone had given Holland about 1.5 percent of his net worth over a five-year span. Holland's filing then offered a list of unidentified women and the staggering amounts they received from Redstone "just while Sydney was living with Redstone." "He gave one mistress  an aspiring reality show producer  approximately $21 million."

"He gave a flight attendant on the CBS corporate jet just approximately $18 million."

"He later slept with her sister, who he gave approximately $6 million."

"He gave another woman who he had formally met through Patti Stanger [the matchmaker] $10-11 million."

"He gave another mistress  who claimed to be a model  over $7 million."

"He gave a friend of his grandson's girlfriend a job at Showtime and approximately $6 million."

"He gave another mistress approximately $1.5 million."

"He gave an ex-fiancee and Paramount employee an undisclosed amount."

"He paid for a college student's tuition at the University of Southern California and gave her an undisclosed amount."
At Amazon.com's annual cloud computing gala last month called re:Invent, recruiters from on-demand learning company Pluralsight were on the hunt for experts to teach coding.

Pluralsight offers a library of over 5,000 online courses for software developers and IT pros to gain new skills, ranging from learning popular open-source languages and big data tools on Amazon Web Services to mastering the latest in cybersecurity and designing mobile games.

The explosive growth of technology platforms like AWS has driven Pluralsight's expansion, enabling the 12-year-old company to reel in a recent round of $30 million at a valuation exceeding $1 billion, CEO Aaron Skonnard told CNBC.com in an exclusive interview.

Pluralsight, based near Salt Lake City, is using the cash as part of its push beyond individual subscriptions and into big businesses, where a host of new web and infrastructure technologies as well as cyberthreats are forcing developers into a constant state of learning.

"We're covering every technology that we believe companies need to master," said Skonnard. He said Pluralsight has a team that's "at different conferences around the industry every week hunting for the very best experts in the tech space."



Pluralsight last raised money in 2014, a $135 million round led by Insight Venture Partners at a valuation of close to $1 billion. The latest funding was from Insight and another existing investor Iconiq Capital.

The new capital will allow the company to pay off some debt from acquisitions while maintaining a healthy amount of cash on its balance sheet as it hires more enterprise salespeople, Skonnard said. Annual revenue is $100 million to $200 million, and the company is driving toward an initial public offering, he said.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU | AFP | Getty Images

Elections in the European Union's (EU) second poorest country produced a comprehensive victory for Romania's social democrat (PSD) party on Sunday yet the defining characteristics are apathy, disillusionment and political illegitimacy, a senior analyst told CNBC.



PSD, Romania's prominent left party, claimed around 45 percent of the vote, with their nearest challengers, the Centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL), significantly behind on 20 percent of the vote. "(Low voter turnout) means the defining characteristic of Romania's democracy is apathy among the electorate, disillusionment, and the failure of any party to have democratic legitimacy," Michael Taylor, a senior analyst for Eastern Europe at think tank Oxford Analytica, told CNBC by email on Monday. Voter turnout of less than 40 percent, for the third consecutive general election, appears to have supported the PSD's efforts to return to parliament. The party is now expected to form a majority government with long-time allies ALDE, who had achieved around 6 percent of the vote.

Catalyst for voter discontent

"Today, citizens voted for economic growth, for jobs, for more money into the pockets of Romanians," PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said in a statement. Romania, a country with a similar population to New York State, witnessed an electoral campaign which had been hard-fought on anti-corruption policies yet, ironically, one of the most likely candidates looking to takeover is facing corruption charges. PSD's Dragnea, who denies any wrongdoing, is currently serving a suspended sentence for electoral fraud which means he is legally unable to take a position in office. In spite of the charges brought against Dragnea, PSD have returned to power a little over 12 months after their last party chief, Victor Ponta, resigned on the back of a deadly nightclub fire which became the catalyst for voter discontent in his leadership.
Trump said Sunday that he could do away with the so-called "one-China" policy  an agreement by the United States to effectively side with China in its sovereignty dispute with the self-proclaimed republic of Taiwan.

BEIJING  China expressed "serious concern" Monday after President-elect Donald Trump suggested he might tear up the basis for decades of bilateral relations between Washington and Beijing.

This brought a stinging rebuke from Beijing.

"China expresses serious concern on this subject," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters. "If the [one China policy] is compromised or interfered with, any sound and steady development in China-U.S. relations and cooperation in various fields is out of the question."

The Global Times, a Chinese state-run newspaper, went further, accusing Trump of being "very childish and impulsive."

It said Trump's comments wouldn't be without consequences.

"China needs to prepare enough ammunition for a roller-coaster ride of the China-U.S. relations with Trump," it said in editorial. "There are many other people in the world that also need to buckle up the seat belts."

The newspaper said that "China needs to start a resolute battle with" Trump, adding that "China and other powers in the world are not going to be bullied."



Foreign Leaders' Responses to Trump's Election

Although the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan an independent nation, it maintains a strong non-official relationship with the island, which is around 80 miles from the Chinese mainland and is a little larger than the state of Maryland. This includes around $12 billion in arms sales since 2010.

Trump has repeatedly accused China of various foreign policy failings and what he deems unfair trade practices.

"We can't continue to allow China to rape our country," Trump told a rally in Indiana in May. "That's what they're doing. It's the greatest theft in the history of the world."

He further ruffled Beijing's feathers by speaking on the phone with the president of Taiwan, a self-proclaimed republic that China sees as an illegitimate breakaway state.

Donald Trump tweet

Under the "one China" policy, Washington has effectively agreed to take China's side in this dispute, and Trump's call broke with decades of diplomatic protocol between the two nations.

In his latest comments Sunday, Trump appeared to go one step further by suggesting in an interview with "Fox News Sunday" that he could end this policy altogether.

"I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox.

Trump's threats to China during the presidential campaign verged on the declaration of a trade war, something many analysts have said would be a risky move.

Largest Trade Partners for China

Leading Chinese tech entrepreneurs also plan to capitalize on Trump's hardline stance on immigration, which they see as an opportunity to lure talent away from the U.S.


Despite the stock market's upbeat sentiment around the potential for pro-growth policies under President-elect Donald Trump, history shows that, on average, the first year under a Republican administration hasn't been great for equities. "Since WWII, the S & P 500 fell an average of 2.7% during the first year of a new Republican president's first term in office," Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA, wrote in a note to clients Monday. The strategist studied the market's quarterly performance during the first year of Republican administrations, and the findings weren't as encouraging as investors might have hoped. "The S & P 500 declined in price in four of five observations, with only President Bush [senior] seeing the market rise in his first year in office. In addition, Republicans have a spotty track record during the first-quarter honeymoon period, as the S & P 500 fell an average 2.6%," Stovall said on the results of his analysis. The study also reveals that any positive performance in years one through four of a Republican administration took place during the last quarter of the year, with average gains of nearly 8 percent compared with quarterly returns between negative 0.1 percent and positive 0.8 percent in this first nine months of the year. Although the figures are not statistically significant enough given the limited number of Republican presidents who've held office since the mid-1940s, Stovall believes the results are "intriguing," especially when compared with the market's performance under a Democratic president. "There have been six times since WWII that Democrats were voted into the White House. In that first year, the S & P jumped an average 13.7%, and gained in price 83% of the time, falling only once: -11.5% during President Carter's first year in office," Stovall wrote. The historical seasonality of the market, along with what he thinks are elevated valuations, has the led the strategist to predict muted returns in 2017. "If this bull market ended with the recent all-time high, it would be the second most expensive bull market top since WWII, with the trailing GAAP P/E in excess of 25X," he said. "Our baseline forecast assumes modest GDP growth and mid-single-digit stock-price appreciation, based on recovery from 2016's earnings recession," he added. By the end of 2017, Stovall believes the S & P 500 could trade at 2,335, implying a gain of only 3 percent from the current levels.

NYSE trader Brendan McDermid | Reuters
Investors eyeing profit opportunities and threats during Donald Trump's presidency must take into account not only what traditionally drives markets, but what drives Trump's values, Fidelum's Chris Malone told CNBC on Monday.

The president-elect has targeted specific companies like Carrier and Boeing for implementing policies not in line with his ideals.

And according to Malone, founder of Fidelum Partners, Trump has some more easy targets.

The first on Malone's list is Booz Allen Hamilton , the government-contracted consulting firm that once employed Edward Snowden.

"Ninety-seven percent of their revenue comes from government contracts. The NSA is their largest client, thought to be the most profitable spy agency in the world. Donald Trump will have a lot of leverage to extract concessions out of Booz Allen given their track record and his emphasis on cybersecurity," Malone told "Squawk Box."

Another likely target may be retail giant Wal-Mart , which has come under fire for its labor practices in recent years.

"An easy target for him are those companies that are holding down the hours of their part-time employees to avoid paying them benefits," Malone said. "He could put some real pressure on Wal-Mart to step up and do the right thing  reduce the burden on taxpayers for health-care coverage."

Malone said some companies are "Trump-proof," mainly due to their widespread public support.

For example, in the case of Tesla , "he could probably have more points and more success scoring a win from them, earning respect, gaining some support from Elon Musk, than he could to kind of hammer them down," Malone said.

"They've created a lot of jobs in the United States already," he added.

Malone said Starbucks is also effectively immune.

"Starbucks, they're kind of the model citizen of the United States as an employer, paying benefits for their part-time employees, high wages, even education assistance.  I don't see Donald Trump being able to leverage very much pressure on Starbucks," he said.

And, while he said Trump might gain minor concessions from tech giants like Apple and Amazon , their chief executives' visibility and large, loyal following would make them tough to target.
"Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState," Rubio said on his Twitter account.

"It's a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin and obviously they've done enormous deals together. That would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat," Republican Senator John McCain told CBS.

Among these is Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who raised eyebrows when he sat beside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow banquet last year and who has argued that the United States and Russia should collaborate to end Syria's civil war and to defeat Islamic State militants.

Senior senators, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concern over Tillerson, who emerged this weekend as Donald Trump's expected pick for secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the situation. By choosing him, the president-elect would add another - and presumably highly influential - person to his Cabinet and circle of advisers who may favor a soft line toward Moscow.

Tillerson, 64, got his start as a production engineer at Exxon in 1975 and has worked there ever since, running business units in Yemen, Thailand and Russia before being named chief executive in 2006. He was expected to retire next year.

The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.

Many U.S. officials are worried by Russia's increasingly aggressive behavior. It annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war and is accused of interfering in U.S. domestic politics.

U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton, and not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, a senior U.S.official said.

In his role at Exxon, Tillerson maintained close ties with Putin and opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia for its incursion into Crimea.

Daniel Yergin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Prize: the Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power," said Russia represented a relatively small portion of Exxon's overall operations and played down its significance.

"It was a business relationship," Yergin said. "The whole Russian thing is so much front and center now so it's inevitable that those questions be asked but, obviously, if you are a major oil company, you want to go to where your resources (are). You have to replace your reserves," he added.

"If he becomes secretary of state, the interests he will pursue will be U.S. interests. This is an Eagle Scout kind of guy. He was president of the Boy Scouts," he said. "He is a straight arrow. If that's his mission, that's what he'll do."

Trump praised Tillerson, saying on his Twitter account on Saturday: "Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson,the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Staytuned!"

Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman who has been tapped to serve as White House chief of Staff, praised Tillerson's relationship with Putin. "... the fact that he actually has a relationship with people like Vladimir Putin and others across the globe is something that ... we shouldn't be embarrassed by it. It's something that I think could be a huge advantage to the United States," Priebus said on ABC This Week.

However, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a senior Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would weigh Tillerson's nomination, was unsparing in his criticism of the possible appointment.

"Reports that Rex Tillerson could be nominated to be our nation's top diplomat (are) alarming and absurd," he said."With Rex Tillerson as our secretary of state the Trump administration would be guaranteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the president's cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy."

Republicans will hold more seats, 52, in the Senate than the 51 they will need to confirm Tillerson. But they will have only 10 of the 19 seats in the Foreign Relations Committee, so it will only take one Republican dissenter there to endanger the nomination.

At least one Republican committee member, Rubio, has already expressed reservations.
Donald Trump claims he does not need daily intelligence briefings, as the president-elect reportedly receives the key reports much less frequently than his predecessors did.

"You know, I'm, like, a smart person," Trump told "Fox News Sunday." "I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years. Could be eight years  but eight years. I don't need that. But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'"

Trump gets about one briefing per week, while Vice President-elect Mike Pence receives them several times a week, Reuters reported Friday. Past presidents-elect have often welcomed the President's Daily Brief, a highly classified document.

Trump's reluctance to take the briefings has prompted criticism from Democrats about his knowledge of key issues. Trump claimed he will get briefings when situations change but not "the same thing every day, every morning."

Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told CNBC on Monday that Trump should listen to the classified briefings.

"That's obviously up to President-elect Trump. But I think he would be well served if he would take those briefings because there's never enough time to know as much as you need to know any of these jobs," Trump told "Squawk Box."

Intelligence briefings have taken on even more importance as Trump says he does not accept reports that the CIA concluded that Russia meddled in the election to help him win.

In a statement Friday, Trump tried to discredit the report, based on its assessments before the Iraq War. "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," he said.



A bipartisan group of senators on Sunday called for a probe of Russia's role in the election.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp from North Dakota is President-elect Donald Trump's top choice as Agriculture Secretary, according to a report.

Politico reported Saturday she was Trump's leading choice for the Agriculture post. The first-term senator met with the president-elect at Trump Tower on Dec. 2.



However, Heitkamp, a moderate Democrat, is facing pressure from her own party to stay in the Senate seat to avoid it going to a Republican if a special election in North Dakota were to be called in the traditionally red state.

If Trump were to nominate Heitkamp to join his cabinet, he would get a maverick of sorts among Democrats. She is known to have gone against fellow Democrats and even President Barack Obama. For example, Heitkamp voted to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill in 2015. Obama vetoed the controversial measure, which would have allowed the construction of a nearly 1,200-mile crude oil pipeline from Canada to Nebraska.

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada told CNN in an interview Monday, "I have no idea what they're going to do. I just know Heidi Heitkamp, I would doubt very seriously, she being the populist that she is, that she would" take a cabinet post in the Trump administration.

Still, if she is tapped by Trump and opts to leave the Senate for a cabinet post, the state law in North Dakota requires an election to be held within 95 days of the Senate vacancy, and a GOP win could allow Republicans to expand their majority in the chamber to 53-27.

Heitkamp has served in the U.S. Senate since January 2013. She's a former North Dakota attorney general who took on the meatpacking industry in the late 1990s over pricing transparency and prevailed.



A spokesperson for Heitkamp declined comment on the cabinet speculation. However, the spokesperson said a previously released statement from the Senator ahead of her meeting with Trump still stands: "Whatever job I do, I hope to work with the president-elect and all of my colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle to best support my state."

Messages requesting comment from the Trump transition team were not immediately returned.



Heitkamp, 61, is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Also, she sits on the Senate's banking and homeland security committees.



As Agriculture secretary she would hold a critical role shaping Trump's farm and rural policies. The federal government's food stamp program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also falls under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Taxpayers spend roughly $70 billion annually for SNAP benefits to more than 44 million people.



Other names circulated in recent weeks as contenders for the Agriculture secretary post have included former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue. Also, current Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman were reported to be in the running. There also were early reports several farm leaders from Vice President-elect Mike Pence's state of Indiana were under consideration.

Heitkamp, who represents a state where more than three-fourths of the land is engaged in production agriculture, helped craft and pass the five-year bipartisan farm bill in 2014, which provides a safety net for farmers and ranchers with expanded crop insurance but it did away with the long-time practice of direct payment subsidies to farmers. The bill also reduced spending for the SNAP food assistance program.



She defended a compromise that kept the sugar program in the farm bill despite criticism from the conservative Heritage Foundation and others that the USDA program essentially is indirect subsidies in the form for higher prices paid by consumers. The Red River Valley region of North Dakota and Minnesota ranks as one of the nation's largest producers of beet sugar.

"Opponents of the sugar program would have us do one thing: Unilaterally disarm and surrender our market to foreign producers," Heitkamp said in the Senate chamber during discussion of the farm bill in 2013. At the time, she singled out Mexico's "highly subsidized" sugar policies as unfair.

In July, the lawmaker sided with food manufacturers, grocers and the ag-biotech lobby in backing a bill to create a voluntary genetically modified food labeling standard. The federal legislation pre-empted a stricter genetically modified food labeling law from going into effect in Vermont.



Prior to the Senate, Heitkamp was North Dakota attorney general from 1993 to 2001 and served as the Great Plains state's elected tax commissioner from 1989 to 1993. While attorney general, Heitkamp was involved in lawsuits against major cigarette makers that ultimately led to the 1998 tobacco litigation settlement agreements and payments to 45 states.



In the late 1990s, Heitkamp was part of a group of 20 state attorneys general that urged Congress to make meatpackers disclose more information about the price they pay for livestock to provide more transparency in the beef market. The multi-state effort resulted in passage of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999, and the law was extended but is currently set to expire in 2020.
Technology executives need president-elect Donald Trump to lay out a clear set of rules, particularly for U.S.-China relations, one investor said.

"I think the ... thing tech wants is stability," Roger McNamee, co-founder of technology investment firm Elevation Partners, told CNBC's "Squawk Alley" on Monday.

"I think it wants the same thing that the market wants long term, which is a consistent set of rules that it can operate under. And I think the thing that we have going on right now is serious inconsistency, particularly in respect to our relationships in trade," McNamee said.



Major technology leaders, including Amazon 's Jeff Bezos are slated to meet with Trump this week. Recode reports Bezos will be joined by Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

Many of these companies operate heavily abroad  Apple's supplier dossier lists about 350 addresses in China, for instance. But Trump has called for steep tariffs on trade there, and has stirred the pot with a conversation with the Taiwanese president. Carly Fiorina, who is reportedly under consideration to be Donald Trump's director of national intelligence, called the Asian nation "our most important adversary."

"I look at things with China. If you're a technology company, the current situation with China throws your entire planning process into confusion," McNamee said. "If they can resolve that kind of stuff, that will be huge progress. If they can't, I think its hard to be a tech CEO right now."
President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Marine Corps General John Kelly emerge from the clubhouse following their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 20, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.

That status, as part of what the military calls a Gold Star family, puts him in the Cabinet of a presidential candidate who verbally attacked a Gold Star family: the Khans, Muslim-American immigrants who lost a son in Iraq and had criticized Trump at the Democratic National Convention.

But the man chosen by Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security holds a more somber distinction. The battle-hardened veteran, who served three tours in Iraq, is the highest-ranking officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Kelly carved out a reputation as a highly respected, but often outspoken commander who could roil debate with blunt assessments or unpopular directives on issues ranging from women in combat to the treatment of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said he plans to nominate retired Marine Gen. John Kelly as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Kelly's son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan.

Trump's choice, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired this year, wrapping up a three-year post as head of U.S. Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administration's ultimately failed attempt to close Guantanamo.

Transition officials confirmed Trump's pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement.

If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would take over the nation's newest federal agency. The department was formed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks to get the U.S. government better-positioned to prevent and respond to incidents.

Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nation's coastlines and secure air travel.

His selection bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in a Trump White House  and as Trump moves forward on his signature issue to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally.

In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, is Trump's pick for defense secretary.

Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS to dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. It has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the U.S. and helped with the rescue of children trying to make their way to U.S. borders alone.

If Trump follows up on campaign promises to toughen immigration enforcement, the department will be charged with beefing up the screening of immigrants allowed to come into the U.S., and finding additional resources to track down and deport people living here illegally. It will also need to find a place to house these immigrants while they're awaiting deportation.

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said she hopes "that Gen. Kelly is willing to stand up for facts, families and the Constitution."

"America will not be made great by dragging parents away from their children, by squandering billions of dollars on a wall that does little to secure the border, or by rejecting freedom of religion and echoing the darkest chapters of persecution," she said.

Scraping for federal funds and equipment to battle such problems will not be a new challenge for Kelly. At Southern Command, he was often blunt about his need for more resources to fight the drug trade.

During a 2014 hearing, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he didn't have the ships or surveillance assets to get more than 20 percent of the drugs leaving Colombia for the U.S.

The most contentious issue Kelly faced, though, was the push to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention centre, and proposals to bring detainees to a facility in the U.S. if they could not be sent to other nations. Lawmakers opposed closing Guantanamo, arguing it is the ideal location for terror suspects captured in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks.

The Pentagon faced criticism for not moving more quickly to release detainees to other countries. Those decisions largely rested with the defense secretary, but Kelly absorbed some of that anger even though his job was simply to carry out the transportation of the detainee after the decision was made. He also raised concerns about the costs of moving detainees to the U.S.

While commander there, he also placed more limits on media access to Guantanamo and restricted information about hunger strikes. He believed prisoners were eating just enough to be considered hunger strikers without endangering their health in order to manipulate public opinion.

In his final Pentagon news conference, he spoke about the loss of his son  a topic he didn't often discuss publicly.

"To lose a child is  I can't imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I'd go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I'll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like," Kelly said.

But, he added, "when you lose one in combat, there's a  in my opinion  there's a pride that goes with it, that he didn't have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered."

Kelly said he gets "occasional letters from Gold Star families who are asking, 'Was it worth it?' And I always go back with this: It doesn't matter. That's not our question to ask as parents. That young person thought it was worth it, and that's the only opinion that counts."

CNBC contributed to this report.
U.S.-based investment banks should see higher profits than their European peers during 2017 as president-elect enacts his proposed tax cuts, JP Morgan said in a report on Monday.

"Global investment banks and wealth managers are well placed with a 21 percent increase in earnings per share (EPS) potential upside in our 'blue sky' scenario with US banks remaining much more attractive with higher valuation justified due to better capital positioning and limited litigation risk," JP Morgan said in its latest European Banks Outlook 2017.

Trump has indicated that corporate tax rates could be cut from 35 percent to 15 percent and his Treasury Secretary nominee, Steven Mnuchin, has suggested tax reforms remain a top priority, the bank said. Although some European banks with operations in the U.S. should also benefit.

"A 20 percent lower tax rate would offer undiscounted 19 percent EPS upside to U.S. and 10 percent to Euro investment banks and asset managers," JP Morgan added.

Apart from fragile capital positions and weak economic growth, European banks will have to deal with crucial elections in core member states: Germany, France, the Netherlands, and potentially in Italy.

"While the Italian referendum is out of the way, political event risk will remain a theme in 2017," JP Morgan said.

"The process of negotiating the UK's terms of leaving the EU, following the planned triggering of Article 50 before the end of March, poses a further risk," the bank added.

An associated risk is the uncertainty regarding the EU passporting rules, which allow U.K.-based financial services firm to sell their products to investors in the European Economic Area without approval from each EU country.
President-elect Donald Trump's attack on the F-35 stealth fighter jet isn't the first time the billionaire has lashed out at one of the military's biggest and most expensive acquisition programs.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is several years behind schedule and expected to cost upward of $1.5 trillion by the end of the 55-year life of the program.



"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump tweeted Monday. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."



Tweet 1



Last week, Boeing itself was slammed by the president-elect when he tweeted that "costs are out of control" on Boeing's new 747 Air Force One, a price tag he said was "more than $4 billion."



"Trump has clearly learned that bully pulpit of Twitter can be pretty powerful," said Cai von Rumohr, a defense stock analyst at Cowen. "Defense is in essence a political business, so if the president or president-elect of the United States says you're asking too much money, people worry."



As a presidential candidate, Trump also was critical of the F-35 program. Last year, he criticized the F-35 as "not very good."



After Trump's election, Lockheed is known to have held meetings with Trump's transition team to discuss the F-35. Those meetings were reportedly designed to head off any attempts to downsize the program.

Responding to Trump's latest cost criticism on the F-35, a Lockheed Martin official said the defense contractor understands the president-elect's concerns about affordability and adds that the company has invested millions of dollars already to reduce the fifth-generation fighter's price by more than 60 percent since its original estimate.



"These are more of the sort of tactics to let the industry know that he's going to take these seriously and that the (Trump) administration is going to review these things closely," said John Kenkel, a defense industry expert at PA Consulting Group, a management consulting firm.



Senate Armed Services Chair John McCain, R-Ariz., also has been a critic of the program. Last month, he wrote a letter to the Pentagon criticizing what he described as an additional $1 billion cost overrun on the F-35.



Lockheed has delivered 184 U.S. and international F-35 fighter aircraft. The company said the program creates about 146,000 U.S. jobs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Besides Lockheed, other manufacturing partners in the program are Northrop Grumman , United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems .



The F-35 is expected to have a lifespan of more than 30 years, and analysts suggest it's needed since the Chinese and Russians also are developing fifth-generation fighter capability.



The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is being acquired by three branches of the U.S. military  the Air Force, Navy and Marines  also is one of the few military programs using a global supply chain and common industrial pool to build and service. On Monday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter was in Israel as it received its first two F-35s.
Mario's going to the Tokyo Olympics.



Universal Studios and Nintendo announced that Super Nintendo World, a specialized area of the theme park, will open at Universal Studios Japan in time for the 2020 Games. The companies plan to spend more than 50 billion yen ($434 million) to develop and create the rides and attractions. That puts it on the same scale as the park's successful Wizarding World of Harry Potter.



Nintendo announced last week that themed areas will also be added to the parks in Orlando and Hollywood, but no date has been specified for those.



The Nintendo-themed area of the Osaka-based park will include rides, interactive areas, shops and restaurants built around and featuring familiar Nintendo characters and games. Nintendo's creative mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto is working alongside Universal to help create experiences that are immersive and true to the characters.



The price tag for the park is 10 billion yen more than Universal initially said it planned to spend on the project, which could reflect increased interest by officials or an expansion in what they expect to include in the area.



Either way, the well-known and family-friendly Nintendo characters could be a strong draw for Universal, which has recently been competing more aggressively with Disney's theme park operations. Disney operates a theme park in Tokyo, roughly four hours away from Osaka.



Nintendo's not the only video game company with theme park plans, though. Ubisoft last year announced plans for a similar standalone park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. That 10,000-square-meter "next generation" park is also expected to open in 2020.
Workers guide a section of drill pipe into a rack after it was removed from a natural gas well being drilled in the Eagle Ford shale in Karnes County, Texas.

"In the sheiks versus shale fight, score one for the shale patch," said Michael Cohen, head of energy commodities research at Barclays. "It's not really that simple, but clearly the Saudis have stuff to gain from this. ... They have things they need to achieve, from their social constraints and things get worse when prices get low. It's not a zero sum for sheiks versus shale, but shale certainly is the biggest winner. They were looking at a picture where prices could have conceivably been $40 to $45 for another year."

U.S. crude futures soared Monday, rallying 3.2 percent at midday to $53.17 per barrel, and energy stocks also jumped. The S&P energy sector was up 1.4 percent following the deal, which OPEC pushed hard to get in an effort to end a global oil glut and boost prices.

There's joy in the U.S. oil patch, as other oil-producing countries joined OPEC in a deal to slash crude production .

There are already signs of life in shale sector, with rigs beginning to come back on line at a faster pace. Just the discussions among global oil producers helped lift prices, well before they reached a deal. According to Baker Hughes, the industry added 21 rigs last week to 498, the highest level since January but still well below the 2014 high of 1,600.

"Shale is coming back. Shale will come back with a vengeance. Shale, in my view is a technology in its earliest stages. We are not in the seventh or eighth inning. We are probably in the third. The recovery rate in shale is still low. What we get out of this resource with today's technology is only 5 percent," said Fadel Gheit, energy industry analyst at Oppenheimer.

U.S. oil production topped out at 9.6 million barrels a day in 2015, but it has stabilized at about 8.5 million recently.



Cohen said the industry is likely to add 250,000 to 300,000 barrels a day of production in 2017, but it won't return to 2015 levels until later on. "I think we'll set the stage for it in 2017, if prices remain in the $55 to $60 range on average or higher," he said. He expects West Texas Intermediate oil to be at $55/$56 per barrel in 2017.



Over the weekend, Russia and several other big non-OPEC producers agreed to trim production by 558,000 barrels a day, on top of the 1.2 million barrels a day OPEC said it would cut.

"Prices will go higher but not in a straight line. It never does, and it never will," said Gheit. He said OPEC and the other producers are unlikely to stick to their promised cuts for more than a few months. The deal also does not address the hundreds of millions of barrels in inventories.

The risk to prices is that OPEC's deal is not adhered to, and producers add to production, keeping the supply high without any pickup in demand.



Francisco Blanch, of Bank of America Merrill Lynch said he expects producers to stick to the OPEC deal, and that should result in a $70 oil price next year. He expects the U.S. to add 600,000 barrels a day of additional production from current levels, by the end of next year.



"We should be under no illusion that this is a gift to all producers. I think it's a gift to some producers. It's something OPEC is doing for itself. While it's benefiting certain sections of the U.S. shale market, it's not going to benefit everyone. I think higher cost producers still won't be able to make ends meet," said Blanch, head of global commodities and derivatives research.

But prices should remain high enough to help the U.S. industry, which was the upstart that helped create a global glut in the first place.



The U.S. industry surprised the world with the magnitude of its output. Two years ago, OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, attempted to stop shale and other high cost producers by abandoning its strategy of controlling output and instead let the market set prices.

That led to a collapse in prices into the $20s per barrel, resulting in budget pain among the global producers and large losses for oil companies.

"Fifty-dollar oil will put them all back in business," Gheit said of the U.S. drillers. "It is the break-even point which continues to decline."

The election of Donald Trump is also expected to provide some positives for the industry, as he supports reducing regulation and increasing the construction of pipelines.



Cohen agrees the strongest U.S. producers will come back first, while the weaker ones remain constrained by poor financial positions. The latter will have to add production more slowly.



"There's a whole host of other companies that were part of the growth story over the 2013 to 2015 time frame that added a significant amount of volume, and those guys were the ones that were really hurting over the last two years," Cohen said. "I think there's a big question of whether producers will spend outside of cash flow or within cash flows."

Drilling costs dropped dramatically as the industry cut back in response to crashing prices, but as more rigs come back on line, it will be a challenge for producers to manage rising costs. That will be a factor that helps determine how much oil will be produced.

"There's a lag with everything. Just as there was a lag when the industry stopped. It took a year to start to see declines. It's the same thing on the way back up. It's kind of a big ship that isn't going to turn quickly. It's not a light switch," said Cohen. "I think the issue for the Saudis was no one really understands the way shale responds to higher prices. They certainly didn't understand how it responds to lower prices."


The United States should maintain its relationships with countries around the world rather than tearing up key agreements when the new administration steps in, former United States Sen. George Mitchell told CNBC on Monday.

Mitchell's main concern was President-elect Donald Trump's relatively soft stance on U.S.-Russia relations, which the former Democratic majority leader said were worrying considering Russia's violation of international law in the Ukraine.

"We should be friends with every country in the world and we want to be. But if you begin with the premise that the problem in the United States-Russia relationship is the United States, I think that's the wrong premise," Mitchell said on CNBC's "Squawk Box."

The former senator said that U.S.-imposed sanctions should be upheld while key points of contention with Russia come to light, such as the war in Syria and, more recently, Russia's alleged involvement in influencing U.S. election results.

"We should work with them where we can, but it is clear that in the Syria discussions they've been dragging their feet, enabling [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad] to regain control of Aleppo," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said that Trump's rumored pick for secretary of State, Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, if appointed, should shift his position on Russia in the interest of the United States.

"I hope very much that if he is nominated that he will very quickly say ... that 'I opposed sanctions on Russia as a private citizen and as part of a large company that was adversely affected by those sanctions, but as secretary of State, I now represent all the people of America and I believe the sanctions program is the appropriate response,'" the former senator contended.

Mitchell also expressed concern about the Iran nuclear deal, which was passed by President Barack Obama in January to limit Iran's capacity to build a nuclear weapon.

"[The] president-elect has said he's going to tear up the Iran agreement. I hope he doesn't. I think that would be a profound error. It will contribute to upheaval in the region, and possibly involve the United States militarily even more deeply," Mitchell said.

On the topic of China and Trump's recent phone call with the democratically elected president of Taiwan, Mitchell said that there was a risk of "rupturing relations with China, with whom we have a very close economic relationship."

The former senator said that even if Trump feels the relationship is one-sided, there are more diplomatic ways to settle the two nations' differences.

"You don't have to tear up the relationship to address what grievances we have," Mitchell said.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The United States acknowledges the fact 1.5 million Armenians were massacred and wants to see a full historical accounting of those events, Mark Toner, US State Department spokesperson told reporters during a daily briefing.

A reporter asked the spokesperson why during 8 years, the Obama Administration has used all possible synonyms or euphemism of the genocide term that one can find in vocabulary, except from using the genocide term.

In response to the question, Toner said: This President, this Administration, as have past administrations, have repeatedly mourned and acknowledged that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. And weve also called for a full and frank acknowledgement of the facts of what happened around those deaths. And that remains our policy. I dont want to get into terminology or how we referred to it. We acknowledged that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred, as I said, and we want to see a full historical accounting of those events.

The reporter attempted to inquire whether or not it is the relations with Turkey that stops has stopped the Obama Administration and all other administrations from saying the word genocide. Toner replied by saying : Ive said what our policy is, how we regard it. We acknowledge the tremendous loss of life and suffering of the Armenian people.
"One corporate honcho half-jokingly said to me recently, 'Should I get my CEO to go on TV to flatter Trump in the hope that he cuts us a break?' The question isnt crazy."

Complicating matters is how Trump decides which businesses and leaders are naughty or nice: He chooses his targets in part by who and what he sees on TV and what's said about him.

Corporate America has no model for dealing with guerrilla-style attacks from the leader of the free world. Businesses make and sell stuff; they are not qualified to be contestants in reality TV.

There are a few things corporations need to consider as they puzzle through the Trump phenomenon.

One corporate honcho half-jokingly said to me recently, "Should I get my CEO to go on TV to flatter Trump in the hope that he cuts us a break?" The question isn't crazy. It's worth noting that Boeing is contributing $1 million to Trump's inauguration (as it has in past inaugurations) despite the president-elect's attack on its contract. Not exactly coming out swinging, is it? But then again, Boeing has lots of business with the government so capitulation may be the better of their bad options.

Nevertheless, under the Trump regime, companies need to revisit their time-tested approach of media avoidance. After all, in Trump's eyes, you're not a player if you're not on TV.

Which brings us to the issue of fighting back. Former journalists who have come to work for my crisis-management firm are stunned when they realize that some of the largest companies in the world often don't even have one person who is ready and willing to go on TV and defend their company. Given how high the stakes have become, however, companies now have no choice but to prepare themselves for a reality TV landscape where one presidential sucker-punch can wipe out billions of dollars of wealth in seconds  which is exactly what happened last week when Trump said he planned to go after drug companies over pricing.

However, companies probably shouldn't overrespond because it's only a matter of time (perhaps a few minutes) until Trump decides to vaporize another target. Accordingly, the best response would probably be proportional and medium to medium (TV to TV).

Companies need to triage how and whether to respond to a Trump attack. Perhaps the biggest variable is whether there is likely to be a business impact as there surely will be if Trump cancels Boeing's contract or if he seeks to regulate drug pricing. If the decision is made to fight back, the next question is who does it? The CEO? It's not always wise to ratchet PR battles right to the corner office. In fact, companies like Goldman Sachs have made effective use of other executives who are simply good at doing media combat. Then there are surrogates  rank-and-file employees or issue experts that may be harder to demonize than the head honcho. As a touchstone, in this election cycle, Kellyanne Conway established the gold standard for surrogate performance.

The media, historically, hasn't had much affection for big businesses and institutions but many journalists are beginning to view Trump's tactics as a slippery slope of unrestrained bullying and might be more willing to give companies a hearing than in the past.

One thing is for certain: Corporations are going to have to expand their communications bag-of-tricks if they're going to survive in this brave, new Trump world.

Commentary by Eric Dezenhall, CEO of Dezenhall Resources, a crisis-management firm in Washington, DC. He is also the author of "Glass Jaw: A Manifesto for Defending Fragile Reputations in an Age of Instant Scandal." Follow him on Twitter @EricDezenhall.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic dedicated the point earned in Sundays 2-2 draw at Liverpool to the victims of the weekends terror attacks in Turkey.

At least 38 people were killed and many others injured in a twin bomb attack near the Vodafone Stadium, home to Besiktas, on Saturday.

Bilic managed Besiktas between 2013 and 2015 and said the weekends events in Istanbul had been tearing me apart.

I would like to dedicate this point to the people in Turkey because we were there for two years, me and my staff, he told a news conference. I feel for them and my prayers are for them.

Its unbelievable what has happened. They are maybe the best people I have ever met, so its very sad.

It is one of the best cities and one of the best countries. Not because of the nature of the country, but because of the people. They are so friendly, so good and so warm.

Its basically tearing me apart what is happening there. Big condolences to the family of the victims.

Liverpool took an early lead through Adam Lallana on Sunday before Bilics Hammers turned the contest around with first-half goals from Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio.

However, they were denied the victory when Divock Origi netted early in the second half.
Englands polymer 5 note continues to make news, most of it, controversial. Now there is something not kosher about it, too. And it has so horrified vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Orthodox Jews, among others, that 130,000 people have signed a petition demanding the Bank of England do something about it.

It turns out that the note has a secret ingredient  tallow, or animal fat. The Bank of England admitted as much via Twitter on Nov. 28 and an outpouring of rage ensued on both ethical and religious grounds. A vegetarian cafe in Cambridge is refusing to accept them and some Hindus and Sikks are calling for them to be banned from temples, where meat products are forbidden. Many Hindus, who will not wear leather shoes or carry leather purses, apply the same rationale to the note.

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The bank maintains it only recently became aware of the issue, and along with its supplier, says it is taking the problem seriously and working on a solution. The polymer is provided by English company Innovia Security, which supplies the polymer substrate for 24 countries.

An Innovia spokesperson admitted to minute trace amounts of tallow in the pellets used to form the base of the substrate. She said a supplier used tallow for its anti-static properties and that the firm would never knowingly use animal by-products. She said that fixing the problem was difficult and that she did not know if the same situation applied to other Innovia customers, although its presence has been confirmed in Canada and Australia, where protests are also starting. No mention was made of the added costs of a substitute, which would probably be plant-based.

The Bank of Englands statement 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. Innovia is now working intensively with its supply chain and will keep the Bank informed on progress towards potential solutions.
Images courtesy of the Mint of Finland and worldcoingallery.com.

The Mint of Finland has secured a contract to produce circulation coinage for Bolivia.

Press release from the Mint of Finland:

The Mint of Finland will soon begin manufacturing circulation coins for the Central Bank of Bolivia.

The Mint of Finland and the Central Bank of Bolivia reached a two year agreement for the manufacturing of 5-bolivianos circulation coins in 2017 and 2018.

The Mint of Finland will produce 88 million coins for its newest circulating coinage customer.

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Mint of Finland CEO Jonne Hankimaa noted the significance of the agreement in a statement released by the mint.

This deal is important for us. We have further strengthen[ed] our position in South America and we are very happy about this new customer, said Hankimaa.

Mint of Finland Group generates revenue in three business areas: blanks, circulation coins and collector coins. The Group operates in three different countries and delivers blanks and circulation coins to central banks and mints globally. The company also offers collector coins to retailers and to consumers interested in gifts and collecting, via its online shop. Mint of Finland Group designs, markets and manufactures coins, blanks and collector coins. Mint of Finland Group is one of the largest global exporters of coins.

The company is owned by the Republic of Finland.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Russian armed forces have organized the escape of civilians from Aleppo through humanitarian corridors, reports TASS.

The Russian reconciliation center has organized escape for civilians from east Aleppo along the humanitarian corridors in Karim-Khun and al-Mahayar to the city's safe districts," the Russia defense ministry saying as quoted by TASS.

The people are accommodated in special humanitarian centers where they are provided with food and medical assistance.

At a time of the humanitarian escape, the Syrian troops have ceased the attack at Aleppo, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov said, adding that the Syrian troops will continue liberating Aleppos east after the escape of civilians. The militants will be killed.

Photo by EPA
MU takes 'breather' on demo project

Crowder Hall, which houses the University of Missouri's Military Science Department and ROTC programs, is getting a reprieve from demolition.
Digital transformation initiatives are helping to make organizations more efficient, collaborative, and innovative. But the presence of some legacy technologiesas well as legacy mindsetscontinues to inhibit transformation efforts at many enterprises.

A good example is the simple conference call. While cloud-based services have made it easier for companies to schedule and execute conference calls, employees are often restricted by dedicated hardware that limits their flexibility and the effectiveness of team meetings that span multiple offices.

This presents a major challenge for companies, because so much of business innovation today requires or is driven by collaboration on the part of team members who are scattered around the world. Its certainly an issue for large, global enterprises. But even many smaller companies have far-flung operations that tap the expertise of people working in a variety of remote locations.

In this kind of virtual operating environment, online meetings have become a vital component of business. Technology and business decision makers need to provide the resources that enable employees to communicate with each other regardless of their location, without wasting lots of time on the setup process.

A simple yet vital enabler is easily accessible audio conferencing. Wireless audio conferencing promises to erase the negative stereotypes about conference calls, eliminating the logistical distractions and making it easier for geographically dispersed teams to conduct ad hoc meetings from wherever they work.

Portable wireless conferencing solutions such as TeamConnect Wireless from Sennheiser make it possible for organizations to deliver on the true value of group collaboration across multiple locations without the hassles of traditional conferencing systems.

To be effective as well as efficient, an audio conferencing system should be easy to set up, usable in any type of room, and provide excellent sound quality. It should also support the variety of connectivity options and mobile devices that employees have come to expect in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment, including Bluetooth, cable, USB, tablets, smartphones, or laptops.

Another key capability to look for in a wireless conferencing system is the ability to support multiple simultaneous audio channels, so additional callers can join an ongoing conference at any point by connecting another device.

Online conferencing has become a key to business success for many companies. With the growing trend toward a more mobile and distributed workforce, the need for effective remote communications becomes ever more critical for organizations. And as markets demand that companies be extremely agile, project teams must be able to quickly come together in ad hoc meetings to discuss progress, exchange ideas, or resolve problems.

By deploying an effective wireless audio conferencing solution, organizations can foster greater collaboration, which in turn can lead to more innovation and business success. Audio conferencing, rather than being a hindrance, can help support companies as they transform into digital businesses.

For more information about wireless audio conferencing solutions, visit Sennheiser.
After Disney IT workers were told in October 2014 of the plan to use offshore outsourcing firms, employees said the workplace changed. The number of South Asian workers in Disney technology buildings increased, and some workers had to train H-1B-visa-holding replacements. Approximately 250 IT workers were laid off in January 2015.

Now 30 of these employees filed a lawsuit on Monday in U.S. District Court in Orlando, alleging discrimination on the basis of national origin and race.

[To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page.]

The Disney IT employees, said Sara Blackwell, a Florida labor attorney who is representing this group, "lost their jobs when their jobs were outsourced to contracting companies. And those companies brought in mostly, or virtually all, non-American national origin workers," she said.

The people who were laid off were multiple races, but the people who came in were mostly one race, said Blackwell. The lawsuit alleges that Disney terminated the employment of the plaintiffs "based solely on their national origin and race, replacing them with Indian nationals."

Disney responded to the lawsuit with this statement sent by a spokeswoman: "Like the two other dismissed cases brought by this lawyer, this latest lawsuit is nonsense and we will defend it vigorously.

This is the second lawsuit filed by Disney workers represented by Blackwell against Disney Parks and Resorts. A lawsuit filed in January by two employees against Disney and two of the IT services contractors, HCL and Cognizant, alleged a conspiracy to displace U.S. workers but lost a key ruling in federal court and was dismissed.

The latest case brings a separate claim, and follows a process where the parties first filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If a settlement isn't possible, the EEOC issues a right-to-sue letter to the former employee.

The lead plaintiff in this new case is former Disney IT employee Leo Perrero, who testified earlier this year before a Congressional subcommittee about his experience in training a replacement.

Something Perrero said he noticed soon after Disney announced the outsourcing plan was "the demographic started changing so quickly." The technology buildings across the Disney campus "just all of a sudden had these South Asian foreign workers."

"It was unfathomable for me to think that this would happen -- that people would be physically replaced by workers who just came in from offshore and were now here in person to replace us. It was completely shocking," said Perrero.

National origin discrimination claims against outsourcers are on the rise. The IEEE-USA is urging the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to ask the Department of Justice to investigate citizenship discrimination complaints related to H-1B visa use.

The Disney discrimination lawsuit makes reference to Bob Iger, Disney's CEO, who called the type of replacement training "insulting," based on an interview in June by The Hollywood Reporter.

In this interview, Iger was asked about the outsourcing decision. He defended it and argued that it helped Disney upgrade its technology and created more jobs than were lost. But he also expressed regret about way the outsourcing was handled.

Iger told the Reporter: "The mistake that was made is that we asked people who were leaving to help train their successors. That's common in the business, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's right. And looking back, I'm sorry that we did that because there's something insulting about that. That got a huge amount of attention and rubbed people the wrong way, and I completely understand why it would. It just does not pass a smell test, even if it is common practice."

Blackwell said that Iger never reached out to any of the affected employees to express his regrets.

"I think he is hypocritical by making a public admission that what he did was not okay. without ever reaching out to any of the people that were really the victims," said Blackwell. "He has a created a lot of problems and lot of heartache."

Iger's view about offshore outsourcing may ultimately affect more people than just those at Disney.

Iger was recently appointed by President-elect Donald Trump, along with 15 other business executives, to help the president "bring back jobs and make America great again," according to the Trump transition team announcement. Iger is also co-chair of the Partnership for a New American Economy, a group that advocates for increasing H-1B numbers and argues it increases job growth.

The membership of the "President's Strategic and Policy Forum" appears tilted toward firms that favor offshore outsourcing of IT. This includes the forum's chair, Stephen Schwarzman, the CEO of Blackstone, a private equity firm.

In April, Blackstone acquired a majority stake in Mphasis, an India-based IT services firm, from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise for about $1.1 billion. "The all-cash deal reinforces Blackstone's bullish outlook on the outsourcing business, where western clients send IT jobs to countries such as India to cut costs," wrote Reuters in a news report about the deal.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Turkish law enforcement agencies have arrested senior staff of the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) in several provinces across the country, Hurriyet reports.

Istanbul police arrested 20 members of the party, including chairman of the provincial agency of HDP Aysel Guzel, and carried out search operations in the homes of numerous party representatives.

Ayhan Bilgen, spokesperson of the HDP, reported via social media that chairman of HDP Ankara office Ibrahim Biniji has also been arrested. Overall 17 people were arrested in Ankara.

Around 500 police officers, helicopters and water cannon vehicles took part in operations in Adana as well. 25 people were arrested, including HDP Adana office chairman Hussein Bejaz. The arrested individuals are accused of being members of the PKK and campaigning for the latter.
Digital health means figuring out how connected devices can help quantify what you already do in order to enable you to do better. In many cases, youll achieve big results through smaller, incremental changes, and thats what iOS 10s little-used Bedtime feature tries to provide.

What is Bedtime?

You can already get self-hypnosis apps to help you get a good nights sleep, such as Relax & Sleep Well or Sleep Well Hypnosis. Bedtime does not offer the same features, but is designed to help you improve your own sleeping habits by helping you go to sleep and rise at appropriate times. Bedtime is available from within the Clock app, just tap the Bedtime item at the bottom of the screen.

How to activate Bedtime

When you begin using Bedtime (tap Get Started in the Bedtime screen) you will need to answer a few simple questions before it is enabled. You will be guided through these questions across a series of pages, where you will be asked:

What time would you like to get up?

What days would you like the alarm to go off?

How many hours of sleep do you need each night? (Most adults need between seven and eight hours sleep).

When would you like a bedtime reminder?

What do you want to hear when you wake up?

Alarm tones

You can choose between nine gentle wake up tones. Bedtime starts playing these tones quite quietly and then gently raises them for five minutes until you rise.

Early Riser,

First Light,

Helios,

Orbit,

Birdsong,

Droplets,

Sunny,

Springtide,

Bright-eyed.

When youve completed set-up, Bedtime will explain the importance of keeping consistent sleeping habits and sleeping and rising at around the same time.

The app will calculate the number of hours you spend in bed by analyzing your motion and device usage. It will store this data inside Apple's Health app.

What Bedtime does

Once setup is complete tapping the Bedtime screen will provide you with a display that lets you see when you should wake and rise at a glance.

You can easily define new wake and rising times by tapping and moving the big circle in the middle of the screen. You can also explore the all-important Sleep Analysis tools and a More history item that takes you to the Sleep Analysis data you have gathered in your Health app over time.

The options button gives you other options, including the capacity to state on which days you want the feature activated, when you want to be reminded it is time for bed, what sound to wake you up with and how loud you would like the alarm to be.

The idea is you will in future be able to easily see on which night's your sleep patterns become irregular, and be empowered to make a visual association between those days when you do and do not get enough sleep and how you felt that day.

Does it work?

The app attempts to gamify your sleeping patterns by challenging you to keep the Sleep Analysis bars aligned by sleeping and rising at the same time each night. This sounds interesting, but does it work?

It turns out that the app reflects at least some scientific research. In 2015, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society both updated their advice to recommend adults sleep seven or more hours each night.

The researchers found that even though people who regularly do not get enough sleep become used to the sensations of this, they do in fact suffer from significant reduction in cognitive performance -- they are just not aware of this.

People who suffer from sleeplessness (including myself) will really only become aware of the difference on those nights when they do achieve uninterrupted sleep, when they become more capable, positive and alert.

There is some impact from modern ways of life, according to the Sleep Research Society, which notes that lack of sleep, regularly shortened sleep, or insomnia may elevate the risk of diabetes, stroke, depression and other problems.

Modern working conditions and a TV culture that wants to keep you watching late at night may contribute to problems with sleep.

University of Pennsylvania Sleep doctor, professor, Mathias Basner, thinks the strength of Bedtime is it may help promote discussion of the benefits of healthy sleep.

What next?

As Apple applies machine intelligence to digital health data drawn from the sensors it is putting inside its products, it seems likely iOS users can look forward to increasingly accurate personalized health recommendations.

Used in combination with the daily Activity tracker and the relaxed state heart rate testing you get when you use Apples Breathe app, Bedtime suggests the company to be working very hard to develop an ecosystem of quantified health sensors that when used together will support better self-care and professional analysis of a persons general condition.

This should enable healthier habits for all users, which in itself should reduce the impact of poor habits on health insurance providers and national health services.

Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple?

Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld.
Today the Prime Minister delivered this speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel lunch:

These Conservative Friends of Israel lunches are always special.

But this year feels extra special. Not only is this CFIs biggest ever lunch, with over 800 people and over 200 Parliamentarians.

It is the first time that I have come here as Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party.

Balfour Declaration

And it is a special time, for we are entering the centenary year of the Balfour Declaration.

On the 2nd of November 1917, the then Foreign Secretary  a Conservative Foreign Secretary  Arthur James Balfour wrote:

His Majestys Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

It is one of the most important letters in history.

It demonstrates Britains vital role in creating a homeland for the Jewish people.

And it is an anniversary we will be marking with pride.

Visiting

Born of that letter, and the efforts of so many people, is a remarkable country.

No-one is saying the path has been perfect  or that many problems do not remain.

Of course, people are correct when they say that securing the rights of Palestinians and Palestinian statehood have not yet been achieved.

But we know they can be achieved. We in Britain stand very firmly for a two-state solution. And we know that the way to achieve that is for the two sides to sit down together, without preconditions, and work towards that lasting solution for all their people.

None of this detracts from the fact that we have, in Israel, a thriving democracy, a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages.

As most of us here know  and as I realised during my visit in 2014  seeing is believing.

For it is only when you walk through Jerusalem or Tel Aviv that you see a country where people of all religions and sexualities are free and equal in the eyes of the law.

It is only when you travel across the country that you realise it is only the size of Wales  and appreciate even more the impact it has on the world.

It is only when you meet our partners in eradicating modern slavery  one of the main reasons I visited in 2014  that you see a country committed to tackling some of the worlds most heinous practices.

And it is only when you witness Israels vulnerability that you see the constant danger Israelis face, as I did during my visit, when the bodies of the murdered teenagers, Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrah, were discovered.

So seeing isnt just believing; it is understanding, acknowledging and appreciating.

That is why Im so pleased that CFI has already taken 34 of the 74 Conservative MPs elected in 2015 to Israel.

We saw in that video what a powerful experience it can be. We are so grateful to the people in this room for making it happen  but, of course, there is more to do.

Our Global Future

We meet at a moment of great change for our country. In the wake of the referendum, Britain is forging a new role for itself on the world stage  open, outward-looking, optimistic.

Israel will be crucial to us as we do that. Because I believe our two countries have a great deal in common.

As the Ambassador Mark Regev said, we have common values; we work together, on health, counter-terrorism, cyber security, technology; and we can help each other achieve our aims.

Economic (Trade and Investment)

First, we both want to take maximum advantage of trade and investment opportunities, because we know enterprise is the key to our countries prosperity.

Our economic relationship is already strong.

The UK is Israels second-largest trading partner.

We are its number-one destination for investment in Europe, with more than 300 Israeli companies operating here.

And last year saw our countries biggest-ever business deal, worth over 1 billion, when Israeli airline El Al decided to use Rolls Royce engines in its new aircraft.

We should celebrate that, we should build on that  and we should condemn any attempt to undermine that through boycotts.

I couldnt be clearer: the boycotts, divestment and sanctions movement is wrong, it is unacceptable, and this party and this government will have no truck with those who subscribe to it.

Our focus is the opposite  on taking our trading and investing relationship with Israel to the next level.

That is why one of the first places Mark Garnier visited as a minister in the Department for International Trade was Israel.

Its why other ministers plan to visit in the New Year.

We have the captains of British business and industry here in the audience, from a range of sectors, who will be vital to that effort.

I can assure them, and everyone here, that the UK is striving to be the worlds foremost advocate of free trade, working with a range of partners such as India, Norway and New Zealand to achieve that.

I am looking forward to adding Israel to the list  once again, working together to achieve our aims.

International (Global Obligations)

Second, we both take our global obligations seriously.

As I have said, Israel does a huge amount for the rest of the world.

I think of the injured Syrians appearing at night at the Israeli border and being taken in and given treatment in hospital.

I think of the Israeli field hospital, which has saved lives from Nepal to Haiti, recently being rated the best in history by the World Health Organisation.

And I think of the project Save a Childs Heart, which, as you saw in that video, conducts heart operations for children who would never be able to afford the treatment.

This is Israel at its best.

And there was one man who did so much to inspire this spirit of service, a man whose death we mourn this year: Shimon Peres.

Britain is proud to meet its moral obligations too, fulfilling our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our national income on aid.

Lives are being saved right now because of it.

But part of that duty is making sure the funds go to the right places.

Let me be clear: no British taxpayers money will be used to make payments to terrorists or their families.

It is right that Priti Patel has called for an examination of aid spending in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to ensure that every penny is spent in the right places and in the right way.

And she is looking at options for the UK to support co-existence projects in the region  something I know so many people in this room have called for.

We are determined to get the right help to those who need it most  and I pay tribute to Priti for leading that work.

When talking about global obligations, we must be honest with our friends, like Israel, because that is what true friendship is about.

That is why we have been clear about building new, illegal settlements: it is wrong; it is not conducive to peace; and it must stop.

Social (Tolerance and Opportunity)

Third, both our countries are working to build fair, tolerant and meritocratic societies.

Indeed, that is the driving mission of the government I lead: to build a country that works for everyone, not just a privileged few.

As I have said, Israel guarantees the rights of people of all religions, races and sexualities, and it wants to enable everyone to flourish.

Our aim in Britain is the same: to create a better, fairer society, helping everyone to reach as far as their talents will allow.

That is why we should be so proud of the contribution Britains Jewish communities make to our country. From business to the arts, public services to education, that contribution is exemplary.

In order to help people of all backgrounds reach their potential, we need to remove the barriers that stand in their way  and that includes bigotry, discrimination and hatred.

Let me be clear: it is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country.

It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise.

And it is disgusting that these twisted views are being found in British politics.

Of course, I am talking mainly about the Labour Party and their hard-left allies

In fact, I understand this lunch has a lot to live up to after the extraordinary scenes at the Labour Friends of Israel event.

It began, unusually, with Tom Watson giving a full-throated rendition of Am Yisrael Hai.

The audience joined in as his baritone voice carried across the hall.

Am Yisrael Hai  the people of Israel live. It is a sentiment that everybody in this room wholeheartedly agrees with.

But let me say this: no amount of karaoke can make up for turning a blind eye to anti-Semitism.

No matter what Labour say  or sing  they cannot ignore what has been happening in their party.

Anti-Semitism should have no place in politics and no place in this country.

And I am proud to lead a party that takes the firmest stand against it.

As a government we are making a real difference.

Indeed, when I was Home Secretary we took what I believe was an important step in gauging a truer picture of the problem, requiring all police forces to record religious hate crimes separately, by faith.

And I made sure we kept extremism  including the sort that peddles anti-Semitic vitriol  out of our country.

That is why I said no to so-called comedians like Dieudonne coming to Britain.

Its why I stopped Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer and Pastor Terry Jones coming too  since Islamophobia comes from the same wellspring of hatred.

It is why I kicked out Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada as well.

And it is why I brought together internet companies and government to tear down the poisonous propaganda that infects minds online.

Today I want to announce how we are going even further.

In response to the work of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Britain will be adopting a formal definition of anti-Semitism.

Just last week, we were at the forefront to try to ensure that the definition was adopted across the continent too, at the summit of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The result was 56 countries in favour. One country opposed it: Russia. But, as I said, we will adopt it here in the UK.

That means there will be one definition of anti-Semitism  in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews  and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it.

And we have to thank someone who has worked tooth and nail to get that agreed. Hes our Parliamentary chairman; hes my Post-Holocaust Issues Envoy; and hes a stalwart of our party: Sir Eric Pickles.

And let us pay tribute to Sajid Javid too, for all his work in this ground-breaking step towards eradicating anti-Semitism.

Of course, as the people of Israel know, there is no better way of stopping the wrongs of the past being repeated than remembering where hatred can lead.

I have visited Yad Vashem. I remember standing in the Hall of Names  gazing up at all those victims pictures  and then looking down into the abyss and thinking of the millions more who were murdered.

It is an experience which is unforgettable  the closest thing we have to conveying what happened and why we must never repeat it.

That is why I am continuing David Camerons vision to build a National Memorial to the Holocaust next to Parliament, together with an accompanying educational centre, which will include the first-hand testimony of Britains Holocaust survivors.

The design competition for the memorial and centre has had almost 100 entries from teams stretching across 26 different countries.

I look forward to unveiling the short-listed designs next month when we mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

For we must honour our promise to Britains Holocaust survivors; we must never forget the Holocaust; and we must teach every generation to fight hatred and prejudice in all its forms.

Conclusion

When we talk about our countries achieving our aims together, that isnt just for the good of Israel and Britain; its for the good of the world.

When our scientists come together, they are working to cure diseases that affect millions of people.

When we work together on our mutual security at the highest level, it makes the world safer.

When we increase trade and investment with one another, it brings more opportunities and prosperity to the wider world.

It is that collaboration that this organisation, CFI, so wonderfully celebrates and builds upon.

I want to end by wishing you well for something else Britain and Israel will be shortly collaborating on.

For Christmas and Chanukah fall at the same time this year.

So as we light up our trees and menorahs; sing Silent Night and Maoz Tsur; cook the turkey and the latkes, let us look to 2017 with gratitude and optimism.

So Happy Christmas, Happy Chanukah  and a Happy New Year to you all.

Thank you.
Nadhim Zahawi is a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and MP for Stratford On Avon.

Immigration is one of the biggest issues in British politics, and has been looming large for years. Whether they want to talk about it or not, it is now always one of the most talked-about issues in every political party, and features regularly in our day to day interactions with voters.

There are still some people who claim that its a subject that cant be discussed and infer that any mention is taboo, but thats just not true. Whether youre reading newspapers, watching the news or scrolling through Twitter, so much of current affairs is either dominated by, or strongly linked to, immigration. In the last week, although admittedly boosted by Home Office questions, the word immigration was mentioned 100 times in Parliament. The week before saw it raised on a further 61 occasions.

Its undeniable that this is an issue that is spoken about regularly. And this is what makes it easy for parties like Labour to lull themselves into such a disastrous position on immigration. They let themselves feel that they merely need to say they get the issue, or that theyre listening to concerns. But after doing their listening, their leadership remain convinced there should be no upper limit on immigration. They seem barely able to disguise their real thoughts; that those who wish to control immigration are just racists who have figured out how to use slightly craftier language.

And this is the problem: talking about immigration isnt enough. When the majority of voters are telling you something, you should listen properly. And you cannot say youre listening if you would never even countenance having your own view on the subject be influenced or changed. It is scarcely believable for Dianne Abbott to still be stating that Jeremy Corbyn is not concerned about numbers, and that the party isnt seeking to reduce immigration  but its true.

Despite Labours obliviousness, we say again from the most recent immigration figures exactly why the current situation cannot continue. The fact remains that migration provides huge benefits to this country, with magnificent cultural and social influences in addition to the economic contribution. But we must have the right sort of immigration, and we need control, if we are to preserve this system at all.

650,000 people arriving in this country, with a net migration figure of 335,000, is obviously unsustainable. It does not matter what the medium or long-term benefits of immigration are: you cannot provide more housing, more schools or more hospitals overnight. The Casey Report last week showed how difficult integrating new arrivals into existing communities can be, and we do ourselves no favours with uncontrolled free movement.

We require an orderly immigration system, targeted at the areas of our economy that require skills and in numbers that local authorities and central government can actually plan for. Those of us who are supporters of immigration have, first and foremost, to ensure that our system is one worth our continued support. That means that our current situation must change in order to regain public consent.

It is simply unacceptable that in the last year, 127,000 people arrived in the UK looking for work. We want our economy to be open to the world, and utilise the finest talents our planet has to offer to generate new ideas, improve efficiency and enhance productivity  but we cannot be an international Jobcentre Plus. It is abundantly clear that we have to regain control on our exit of the European Union, and Im proud that the Prime Minister is committed to delivering it.

We should have cross-party support on this issue, and its a shame that it is still not forthcoming. But whatever Labour do, at least the Prime Minister is listening. That is why, whenever the Prime Minister spells out her priorities for our Brexit negotiations, the control of free movement is always given top billing.

Free movement is unsustainable for our public services, unfair for those who have to compete for low wages with the huge numbers of the unemployed within the European Union economic disaster zone, and unacceptable to the majority of the British people. Removing ourselves from this terrible straightjacket will be one of the many great benefits delivered as we negotiate our exit from the EU.

The ending of free movement from the European Union should be celebrated by all of us who support immigration, the only ones who win from the disaster of free movement are the economic self-harmers who propose no immigration at all. We finally have a chance to regain control and we should all look forward to the Prime Minister delivering it.
CORNWALL, Ontario  In an epic display of community support, people packed into the New Rangatangs Nightclub on Sunday afternoon to raise money for Hannah Jackson and her family.

Jackson is currently in the ICU in Ottawa after she was critically injured in a fatal Nov. 30 car crash on Highway 2 in South Glengarry, which claimed the lives of Jeff Dobson, of South Stormont, and Kyle Quesnel, of Cornwall, both 20.

Hannah has a really long recovery ahead of her and its become very expensive with trips back and forth and this money will help her family a lot and also go towards anything she needs to help her get better said event organizer Melissa Greer, Jacksons aunt.

The Hannahs Helpers Fundraiser drew a large crowd and included live and silent auctions, a 50/50 draw, and a bake sale, all of which allowed those in attendance to show their support and proved, once again, that the people of Cornwall and area never hesitate to come together to help one of their own.

Many volunteers assisted during the Dec. 11 event and one of Hannahs helpers, Shaun Lafave, was happy to help out. Lafave has first-hand experience with the abundance of support shown by the community, as his daughter Laycey was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year.

Melissa helped plan a fundraiser for my daughter and now I am able to give back and help her out after this tragic accident said Lafave, proving how giving back often comes full circle.

He added This community is like a family and Hannah is one of us and I cant believe that for such a small community, how many people always seem to come out and help.

While in stable condition, Jacksons fight continues and Greer explained that the road ahead will be a long one, adding through tears She is a very strong person and she has an amazing, amazing support system and seeing everyone who came out today, Im overwhelmed.

A GoFundMe page, Hope for Hannah, has also been set up and anyone interested in donating can find more information here.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh told Armenpress the Azerbaijani forces shelled 14 times from 82 mm mortars at the Armenian positions from their positions located at the southern direction (Horadiz) of the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

The Ministrys announcement reads:

Overnight December 11-12 the Azerbaijani side shelled 14 times from 82 mm mortars at the Armenian positions from their positions located at the southern direction (Horadiz) of the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. Overall, during that period, the Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime over 30 times across certain directions of the frontline by firing more than 400 shots from various caliber small arms at the Armenian positions.

The Defense Army forces mainly refrained from taking countermeasures and took counter actions only in case of strict necessity.

At this moment the situation along the entire length of the line of contact is relatively calm.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia has been equipped with modern technology labs.

Sargis Tovmasyan, dean of the Architecture faculty, told ARMENPRESS the previous conditions were unfavorable. We really wanted our university to have such spaces were students would be able to work and feel themselves as home. Now, our architecture drafting studio is even equipped with a kitchen. Students are able to work as much as they want, they even spend the nights here sometimes, he said, adding they will soon receive a 3D plotter device.

According to Tovmasyan, due to the modern equipment the university is able to take orders and involve students. We also carry out extremely important diagnostic works for preservation of monuments, the dean said, adding that the university has laboratories practically in every direction of specialization.

Within the framework of the Universitys 95th anniversary, new laboratories were ceremonially opened in the presence of foreign delegations. By the assistance of the university and its partners, three architecture studios equipped with modern technologies were opened, as well as various specialized laboratories.

In 2015, significant renovation and modernization works were carried out in the university.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan convened an enlarged consultation dedicated to the Constitutional reforms, press service of the NKR Presidential administration told Armenpress.

The NKR President highly appreciated the hard work carried out by the Professional Commission on Constitutional Reforms and said the presented bill in general provides answers to the questions circulating in our public and political realms.

Bako Sahakyan stated that the Constitutional reforms are the demands of the times and have an objective nature aiming at further strengthening fundamental human rights and freedoms, democracy and rule of law in the NKR, improving the balance of powers, raising the efficiency of state governance.

After carrying out some editorial work, according to the current Constitution and laws, the new Constitution bill will be sent to the National Assembly for getting the Parliament's approval. Only after this it will be possible to speak of the date of the referendum", the NKR President said.
Applications & OS News

Get On Board: Docker's Channel Maturity Unlocks The Container Tech Opportunity

Joseph Tsidulko

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Nebulaworks CEO Chris Ciborowski knew from the moment he saw Dockers application container engine three years ago that it would forever change enterprise IT economics.

Others thought the phenomenon would prove a fl ash in the pan, or that the technology would only be relevant to a subset of developers looking to shuttle software between computing environments. But Ciborowski was certain Docker would change the way enterprises consume IT in as explosive a manner as VMware had done more than a decade earlier with its server virtualization technology.

For starters, Docker offered customers the promise of reducing, or altogether avoiding, the so-called VMware taxlicensing fees that had become a staple for enterprises implementing virtualization to get a handle on server sprawl.

[Related: Container Tech: Get On Board!]

Many of those enterprises were looking to contain their virtual machine sprawl, and using the open-source, Linux-based technology to displace VMs could yield hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in savings per year, depending on the scale of the deployment.

We felt [containers] were absolutely game-changing in the way people were going to be consuming technology, said Ciborowski. And Docker was going to be the de facto standard. The big bet on Docker is paying off handsomely for the Irvine, Calif., company. Nebulaworks business doubled this year, and Ciborowski expects growth to accelerate with broader market adoption.

Its the kind of success thats inviting comparisons to the advent of VMwares pioneering technology, which fostered thriving new practices while driving others out of business.

In a recent engagement for a manufacturer, Nebulaworks leveraged application containers to reduce by a factor of 11 the number of VMs run on the customers public cloud provider (though some VM instances were larger), Ciborowski said.

Containers enable those order-of-magnitude efficiency gainsand dramatic reductions in cloud bills and virtualization licensing feesby making it safe and secure to squeeze several production applications onto a single instance of an OS that can be running on bare metal or a virtual machine (versus running for each application a VM with its own OS).

A popular analogy is to think of VMs as houses, each with its own self-contained plumbing and electricity, and containers as apartments that use the shared infrastructure of the entire building.

ThoughtWorks, a solution provider with more than two decades in business and a global practice, also rushed to gain Docker proficiency upon encountering the technology.

I dont think people can sit on their hands right now, given the amount of mainstream industry attention on containers, said Mike Mason, a technology activist in the Office of the CTO of the Chicago-based company.

ThoughtWorks is fielding almost three times more demand for Docker container implementations than it can actually service, and is working to scale its practice accordingly, he said. We know we need to have the expertise. All signs point to it being hugely important, and even if it does get superseded, it will be here for five-plus years, Mason told CRN.

The CEO of one VMware service provider, who did not want to be identified, told CRN Docker proficiency may well be the hottest skill set on the planet.

If you are a solution provider with Docker expertise, you can reduce the licensing cost for an enterprise by three or four times or more, he said. VMware created the problem with their VMware licensing tax. If a partner can allow a company to pay for one VM rather than five VMs by using a container, that is a big savings. Setting up these containers requires a good amount of expertise and value that the partner is providing.

While forward-looking solution providers were drawn to Dockers open-source container engine because of its ability to deliver the holy grail of enterprise computingapplication isolationwith unprecedented benefits in resource utilization, portability, deployment speed and fault tolerance, in its early days, they were mostly on their own in figuring out monetization strategies.

But the startups channel maturity is now catching up with its eponymous products market penetration. In September, Docker introduced a two-tier channel program, formalizing its relationship with many of those early partners around its flagship commercial product.

Our sales motion is heavily channel-led. We want to be channel-driven, Docker CEO Ben Golub told CRN. Beyond the potential for building, integrating and reselling, Docker tends to enable a great conversation and opportunities for partners around change management, infrastructure management, hybrid cloud.

Shannon Williams, co-founder of Cupertino, Calif.-based Rancher Labs, developer of an application container management platform that also recently launched a channel program, told CRN hes never actually tried to pitch a solution provider on the technology.

The smart ones are banging on our door. Theyre discovering us and coming to us, and were reactively coming up with plans and programs, Williams said. If youre a VAR and not looking at this stuff, I think youre really risking a lot.

Major Players Making Investments

Docker 1.0, the startups first enterprise-grade release, had barely hit the market when just about every cloud operator  including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, IBM SoftLayer and Google Cloud Platformstarted introducing integrations and services around the technology. If you look at the investments that major players in the cloud space are making, it is clear that container tech is very important, ThoughtWorks Mason said. Legacy IT providers are moving quickly to embrace the container phenomenon.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise now ships all of its servers bundled with Docker Engine and support. Microsofts Windows Server 2016 offers native Docker support. And Cisco Systems earlier this year acquired ContainerX, a container upstart, to help customers take advantage of the technology.

HPE CEO Meg Whitman, in an interview with CRN earlier this year, said the container phenomenon is part of the Darwinian nature of the IT business. Containers make VMware less relevantnot next week, not next month, but over time, according to Whitman.

As containers grow in importance I think the VMware asset will be not as strategic an asset, and it may actually shrink over time, she said.

But VMware is actually positioning itself to capitalize on Dockers success. To that end, a broad refresh of its portfolio  vSphere, VSAN, vRealize Automationnow supports containerized workloads. And in October, VMware released Photon Platform, a cloud-building solution that supports Docker containers and delivers the Kubernetes container orchestration engine.

Very simply, we see it actually not as a threat but as an opportunity, Paul Fazzone, general manager for cloud native apps atVMware, told CRN. Containers are just another type of workload, he said, that requires compute resources, networking connectivity, back-end storage, management and visibilitymany of the same components that VMware enabled to make virtualization an enterprise-ready solution.

Were looking at how enterprises are going to leverage this technology, using our knowledge and history and expertise about enterprises taking modern applications into production, he said. We have a portfolio that were rapidly expanding capabilities for so they can be container-native solutions.

The commitment of all those tech giants should be a sure sign that the channel, at the very least, must understand the implications of the technology to avoid being disrupted. If youre a service provider or a VAR dealing with any element of the software stack, from delivering applications to reselling infrastructure capabilities, tools, storage, networking, data center solutions, containers need to be the number one thing youre learning about, Williams said.

Golub said between 40 percent and 70 percent of all enterprises are now running Docker containers, to some degree, in production. But while the technology has gone from fringe to mainstream, Docker recognizes theres still a lot of confusion in the channel about its products, the ecosystem, and the technologys implications for legacy practices.

Demystifying Docker

In technical terms, containers are instances created when implementing a method called operating system-level virtualization. Dockers core technology is an engine that creates a standardized, consistent, platform-independent environment  Docker likes the analogy of a shipping container  that encases a piece of software running on top of the Linux operating system. Having that container as a barrier between application and OS yields the ability for multiple applications to share the same Linux kernel while maintaining the critical attribute of full isolation that ensures they cant blow each other up, or create mutual security vulnerabilities.

The concept is nothing new  the granddaddy of such technologies, the Unix system call chroot, was released in the early 1980s. Other implementations appeared over the years, from Solaris Zones to LXC, all striving to achieve secure application isolation sans hypervisor.

Virtualizing only the OS  rather than the entire stack  eliminates the need for a bulky VM to be created as a host for every individual application, said Avi Cavale, CEO of Shippable, a continuous deployment platform for Docker containers.

When you create a VM, youre creating redundant copies of the operating system on the physical machine, Cavale said. A lot of the overhead is spent just running those many operating systems.

Containers drastically decrease the load on system resources to just whats needed to run the application they encapsulate. For many of the same reasons containers are lightweight, theyre also extremely portable. An app packaged in a container should run on a developers laptop exactly as it does in production on bare metal or inside a virtual machine. That portability facilitates hybrid cloud architectures.

Some of the largest practitioners of distributed computing lean heavily on those attributes. Google runs all its online services in containers. And Samsung bought Joyent, a containernative cloud that will eventually host all its infrastructure.

But even though application containers have been around for decades, for most of that history the technology was nowhere near practical or easy to use.

It was only being used in places like Google and Twitter that had highly specialized teams and tooling, said Golub. Docker democratized the technology.

Dockers re-introduction of Linux containers dovetailed with an emerging paradigm shift to microservices architectures and DevOps methodologies that demanded new technologies. Docker founder and CTO Solomon Hykes recognized it was important for developers as well as operators to have a common platformthe people building apps and running apps, Golub said.

In their hands, containers spurred development of a new generation of agile applications as well as the migration of legacy apps to the cloud, he said.

I think we got our timing right, Golub said. The technology really enabled people to be more agile across multiple dimensions without having to invest massive amounts of time and money up front.

For service provider NetEnrich, Dockers potential was obvious as it began exploring use cases that Docker was solving, according to Manas Behera, senior director of engineering. Dockers technology enabled NetEnrich to automate the deployment of applications with lightweight, portable, selfsufficient containers that can virtually run anywhere, he said. It became much easier to manage this humongous application with millions of people using it.

Nebulaworks Ciborowski first glimpsed the potential of containers in 2005, when Sun released Solaris 10, which included the container implementation called Solaris Zones.

For me, that pretty much changed the way I looked at how applications should be deployed in the data center, he said. Problem was developers never picked up on it. The Zones thing never really took off. Almost a decade later, Ciborowski was attending a Cloud Foundry convention but popped into another conference across the street called DockerCon. That day I said, This is Solaris Zones at the iTunes store. Trust me, this is going to be huge.

A New Ecosystem

Solution providers contemplating a dive into container tech often are overwhelmed and perplexed by a rapidly evolving ecosystem that spans well beyond Dockers core open-source container standard.

For such a new and small community, there sure is a lot of choice and a lot of confusion, Jeff Dickey, chief innovation officer at Redapt, a Docker systems integration partner based in Redmond, Wash., told CRN. You have to know the whole ecosystem to know who plays well together, he said. And theres kind of a steep learning curve. Its a small and tight ecosystem. Everybody knows each other.

Dockers technology partners have built solutions extending  and sometimes competing  with its own portfolio, realizing the founders vision of an expansive and open community. Solomon [Hykes] recognized it needed to be easier, portable, and you cant do it as a single company and technology. You really need an ecosystem around it, Golub said.

The startups that hitched their wagons to Docker recognized containers could spur a revolution in application development, Shippables Cavale said.

The reason why everybody partnered with them was because every single company, the way they did their business, was going to change, Cavale said.

Developers, IT administrators and solution providers were eager to flirt with Dockers technology even before that ISV ecosystem matured, said Aater Suleman, CEO of Flux7, a Docker systems integration partner based in Austin, Texas. But scaling containerized infrastructure across disparate data center environments was unheard of in those early days, limiting the enterprise potential.

At that time nobody knew how to manage a thousand containers, Suleman said.

A comprehensive stack of components would be necessary for deploying, managing and operating containers in production, from the OS, to networking, storage, and cluster orchestration, said Wei Dang, head of product at CoreOS, an early Docker proponent.

Companies need to run infrastructure and apps at scale, and maintain the flexibility to iterate very quickly based on the demands of the business, Dang told CRN. Containers are just the first step to enable that transition.

CoreOS began developing a lightweight Linux distribution optimized for running containerized apps and would later become a competitor, challenging Docker as the de facto standard by releasing Rocket, a container runtime focused on secure isolation and composability. While Rocket hasnt done much to disturb Dockers market share, the real competition between those companies, and several others, is happening up the stack.

To run apps at scale requires the ability to orchestrate interconnected groups of containers across clusters of server nodes. On that front, Docker released a native solution called Docker Swarm.

CoreOS, backed by Google as a major investor, countered with the first commercial version of Kubernetes, an orchestration engine Google developed internally to run the worlds largest container clusters, then open-sourced.

Other offerings are vying for that market, including Mesos, an open-source technology commercialized by Mesosphere that powers some massive container deployments at places like Twitter, eBay and Airbnb.

Orchestration has matured to the point where people are comfortable with large-scale workloads. Thats why theres a huge spike in container use, Suleman said, noting Flux7 has seen its Docker-based project revenue triple in the last year. The success of container orchestration engines like Swarm, Kubernetes and Mesos has again pushed the battlefield up the stack, where solutions demanded by enterprise customers lend themselves especially well to channel monetization.

The reality is when you start getting into larger organizations, they are going to have hundreds, maybe thousands of clusters, over time. So thats where another layer of technology gets developed, which is container management, Williams said. Rancher Labs open-source cluster management platform competes with Dockers flagship commercial product, called Docker Datacenter. CoreOS sells Tectonic for managing Kubernetes clusters and other offerings are hitting the market, including services from the hyper-scale public cloud providers, like Amazon EC2 Container Service.

Orchestration opened up the floodgates, Suleman said. And now the management layer is solving new problems.

Disrupting The Data Center

Rancher Labs released the 1.0 version of its container management platform in March and launched a channel program in October  more than a year earlier than planned. Global systems integrators to small consultants to managed cloud service providers have already joined the program, all envisioning different benefits from the technology, Williams said. Containers are going to be as impactful to service providers as the two waves that preceded it: cloud computing and virtualization, he said.

Within five years, and likely sooner, Docker expects most new applications to be built and deployed using containers. The vast majority of data centers will be using Docker and containers as the way they run applications, as opposed to pure VMs, Golub said.

But even the most avid Docker boosters say containers and virtual machines dont have to be mutually exclusive. Containers arent likely to sweep away VMs, Golub said, but they will replace many of the use cases that call for them, such as shuttling apps across hosting environments.

You still have the flexibility to use whatever you want underneath the containers, said Redapts Dickey. Youre free to use VMware infrastructure, OpenStack, AWS and Google. You dont have to retool your application. You develop it once and it runs anywhere.

Shippables Cavale also doesnt think containers will muscle VMs out of the market. But everyone involved in IT operations needs to consider the implications, and the evaluation window is shorter than it was the last time the data center was disrupted.

If you follow the life cycle of virtual machines and how it was adopted, at what point they became ubiquitous and went into production, it was about seven or eight years, he said. It took VMs several years. It took Docker 18 months.

Nebulaworks Ciborowski said his peers havent yet missed the boat. Those that want to catch up, however, should understand the moneys not in reselling licenses, but in consulting and managed services.

I think were going to see a new generation of reseller, he said. Not only do they become public cloud brokers, but they are then leveraging relationships working with companies like ours that have consulting services.

Docker is acutely aware of the importance of implementation partners and has turned its focus to crafting a channel-friendly business model, Golub said. The startup, to date, has just more than 20 resellers worldwide formally signed to its nascent program, including giants like Booz Allen, Accenture, HPE and IBM. But there are many more consultancies out there building solutions with the open-source product.

His message to solution providers: Ignore containers at your own peril. Theres a huge opportunity for the channel to build great businesses, he told CRN, or a great risk if they dont embrace it.
Applications & OS News

Containers And IoT  A Match Made In The Cloud

Joseph Tsidulko

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In an era in which the channel is navigating tectonic technological shifts, solution providers have been closely watching two rapidly emerging technologies associated with almost every significant IT infrastructure disruption of recent years.

Application containers and the Internet of Things both were thrust into the limelight about three years ago  after Docker introduced its groundbreaking Linux container runtime, and industry standards began to emerge for the networked devices that make "smart" our homes, cars, workplaces, hospitals, civic infrastructure and factories.

Precedents for both technologies had been around for decades, and while the near-simultaneousness of their mainstream breakouts was largely coincidental, IoT and container tech have since become intricately connected with each other and with all the other major trends in enterprise computing: cloud, mobility, big data and security.

[Related: Container Tech: Get On Board!]

"Containers are not just the foundation for IoT applications," said Sushil Kumar, CMO of Robin Systems, a container-focused software developer based in San Jose, Calif. "They are a key enabler."

Those game-changing technologies, especially when coupled together, are widely expected to have even more long-term consequences for how applications are developed, deployed and maintained throughout their life cycle, creating tremendous business opportunities and very real risks for solution providers.

IT pros were quick to recognize that the independently emerging technologies fed nicely into each other, achieving a synergy that had implications across the IT landscape, Kumar told CRN.

"Two key characteristics of IoT applications are enormous scale and extreme data-centricity," Kumar said.

Such applications -- collecting from remote devices, storing and analyzing what can amount to hundreds of petabytes of data -- must be capable of scaling well beyond standard web applications, he said.

And application containers, for which Docker has largely become a de facto standard, enable modern microservices architectures that naturally accommodate such scale, according to David Messina, senior vice president of marketing at Docker, San Francisco.

Containers also are inherently optimized for running applications on endpoint IoT devices in the field, which have limited resources and typically can't support "heavy" operating systems, Messina told CRN.

They're extremely portable across devices and require little resource overhead to operate because, unlike virtual machines, they don't need to run their own instances of an operating system, he said.

IoT implementations, from home electronics to medical devices to massive industrial systems, all rely on three components of infrastructure: the endpoint devices in the field, connectivity to data centers, and then the actual back-end computing systems.

Gartner estimates more than 20 billion interconnected devices will be deployed by 2020. Creating an environment for the front-end software running on those billions of devices is where container tech holds unique promise, said Aater Suleman, CEO of Flux7, a systems integrator based in Austin, Texas.

"Thats the real game-changer," Suleman said. "The front end is where containers really shine with IoT."

The endpoints themselves -- be they mobile devices, remote sensors, or actuators -- present the greatest challenges as far as developing software, managing updates, and making sure those updates don't cause catastrophic failures.

"Phones fail. Now imagine a device that doesnt have a screen," Suleman said. "Or if you have thousands in the desert that dont have a screen or a cable attached. Think about the challenges of delivery of software to those devices."

Because Docker containers are inherently portable and lightweight, they offer an elegant solution to those problems, he said.

Containers can run on client and server, and updated software can easily be sent to devices as container images that are "pretty much guaranteed to work at their destination," Suleman said.

While containers are also gaining traction powering back-end infrastructure, Suleman said, that's less due to a unique characteristic of the technology, and more in line with a larger, more-systemic shift. Because IoT applications are inherently greenfields, they are likely going to employ the latest-and-greatest technologies.

"IoT and Docker kind of coincided in time and the combination of the two makes it look like Docker is being used more in IoT," he told CRN. "But anyone starting after 2014 is automatically starting at Docker."

Robin Systems Kumar said that container technology has become the cornerstone of front-end IoT applications that follow microservices architecture.

Employing containers for those use cases "not only allows quick application dev and deployment, it also enables extremely rapid application scaling as new containers can be brought up in seconds," he told CRN.

But the back-end performance benefits also are significant, he said, where IoT applications running on shared servers have to deal with sophisticated data pipelines comprising messaging, search, NoSQL and big data technologies.

Robin Systems offers a product, the Robin Containerization Platform, specifically designed to maximize the speed, efficiency and agility of back-end data pipelines by leveraging containers, Kumar told CRN.

"Containers enable quick deployment, scaling and consolidation of these applications on shared hardware to ensure best performance, best hardware utilization, and the same degree of data agility that they provide to the front-end application," Kumar said.

Jeff Dickey, chief innovation officer at Redapt, a systems integrator based in Redmond, Wash., told CRN what most distinguishes container tech in the world of IoT could be its ability to facilitate frequent software updates of individual microservices.

Dickey called attention to one IoT application that has particularly captured the public imagination  self-driving cars.

"The compute power of autonomous vehicles is tremendous," Dickey said. "They're the equivalent of small data centers."

The emergence of so-called smart cities represents a further ramping of scale, requiring even greater compute and data resources, and more continual patching.

For those cutting-edge applications, containers are the natural choice because they lend themselves so well to continuous integration/continuous delivery processes that developers rely on to keep complex, distributed applications always up-to-date and running smoothly.

That's why "containers will be the default application distribution model for many of the billions of IoT devices coming online," Dickey told CRN.
Storage News

Dell EMC Reorganizes Its Hardware Divisions, Shifts XtremIO And DSSD Product Lines

Joseph F. Kovar

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Dell EMC has reorganized its hardware business to focus on specific products, a change from its previous distinctions of labeling core vs. emerging technologies.

Dell EMC's products will be divided into five divisions centered on servers, storage, data protection, networking and converged infrastructure, said David Goulden, president of Dell EMC.

As a result, Dell EMC's Core Technologies Division and Emerging Technologies Division, which were first formed in late 2013, are no longer, Goulden told CRN.

[Related: Former EMC Execs Depart Dell Technologies, Churchward Exits Dell To Become DataTorrent's CEO]

Dell EMC also shifted a number of technologies within divisions, including moving the DSSD rack-scale storage solutions into the company's Server Division, as a way to better take advantage of the technologies, Goulden said.

Inklings of a change in Dell EMC's product business organization first surfaced last week when CRN reported that two a couple of top Dell EMC executives were leaving the company.

They included Guy Churchward, until recently the president of the Core Technologies Division at Dell EMC, and Chirantan "CJ" Desai, until recently president of the company's Emerging Technologies Division.

"If you think about it logically, servers, storage, data protection, networking and converged  that's how customers think about our products, how the industry outside-in looks at us," Goulden said. "And obviously, to get there means changing from the way that ex-EMC was organized before around storage and data protection, where we had the core technology group and the emerging technology group to simplify things, to go back to basic segmentation."

Outside of these five product-focused divisions, Dell EMC still has other organizations around its Virtustream cloud and RSA security businesses, Goulden said.

"Core technologies and emerging technologies made sense a couple years ago when we set them up because we were trying to build a bunch of new storage products that were in incubation mode," he said. "Those have all kind of gone mainstream and beyond. So it makes sense to now go back to a more industry-standard, if you like, definition, a logical definition, of the organizational infrastructure."

With the new reorganization comes some new leaders.

These include Jeff Boudreau, the new president of the Dell EMC Storage Division, who first joined EMC in 1998 and until this week served as senior vice president and general manager for enterprise and midrange systems.

Also new is Beth Phalen, president of Dell EMC Data Protection Division. Phalen started EMC in 1999, and was the senior vice president and general manager for Dell EMC's data protection and availability solutions.

Boudreau and Phalen in their new roles join Ashley Gorakhpurwalla, president of the Dell EMC Server Division; Chad Sakac, president of the Dell EMC Converged Platforms and Solutions Division; and Tom Burns, senior vice president and general manager of the Dell EMC Networking, Service Provider & Enterprise Infrastructure Division, as heads of the new reorganized divisions reporting to Goulden.

Dell EMC is also shifting a couple of its key products organizationally, Goulden said.

The company's XtremIO all-flash array, which has over the past few months been rumored to be disappearing from the market, is being kept as part of the new Dell EMC Storage Division, Goulden said. XtremIO, along with the Fluid File System, or FluidFS, scale-out file system, are both now being managed by Dan Inbar, senior vice president and general manager, out of the company's Israel office, he said. Inbar reports to Boudreau.

"We've got a really exciting roadmap for XtremIO," he said.

The DSSD rack-scale storage technology is being moved to the Dell EMC Server Division under Ashley Gorakhpurwalla, Goulden said.

"There's a real affinity between rack-scale flash [storage] and server technology," he said. "If you think about it, rack-scale flash is direct PCIe connection into server technologies. So the DSSD team  is alive and well. We're aligning it, from an org structure point of view, with Ashley so it's closer to the server group so they can build server-storage solutions based on DSSD, and also so it can get connected to the server go-to-market because most of the use cases for DSSD are attached to the high-end servers and are application-specific."

Goulden also confirmed that Bill Moore, who was president of DSSD when that company was acquired by EMC in 2014, will leave Dell EMC. Moore had already transitioned out of his work with DSSD to be a part of the EMC chief technology officer office. "Bill's not actually been active with our business for 12 months-plus," he said.

Solution providers contacted by CRN reacted favorably to the Dell EMC reorganization.

Paul Clifford, president of Davenport Group, a St. Paul-based solution provider and Dell EMC channel partner, said companies have been trying different ways to re-organize for decades.

"Management probably said, 'Go back and do things the way they were," Clifford told CRN. "It makes sense."

Whether it is better to separate products according to product lines of whether they are core or emerging comes down to a company's philosophy about its product lines, Clifford said.

"The management team's philosophy and manner is what's important," he said. "If communications are done well, either way will work."

The new reorganization around product lines sounds like it makes sense, said Scott Winslow, president of Winslow Technology Group, a Boston-based solution provider and Dell EMC channel partner.

"EMC never had a server business before," Winslow told CRN. "Now it does. They need to accommodate it. Dell has passed Hewlett-Packard Enterprise in the number of servers shipped worldwide to become the number-one supplier."

Winslow said his company, which became a Dell partner after Dell acquired its biggest vendor, Compellent, has had several meetings recently with Boudreau. Boudreau told partners that all the EMC, Dell Compellent, and Dell EqualLogic products are "his children," Winslow said.

"We had concerns that Dell would not give Compellent its fair due," he said. "Boudreau flew out to Minnesota to meet the Compellent team, and made great strides in understanding the portfolio. He's done a great job of assimilating the different storage lines."
Ive been a fundraiser most of my life. At the age of 19 I started in the work of fundraising and never looked back.

In this career path, I have been exposed to generosity of the greatest magnitude. But Ive also seen that generosity is not something limited to the wealthy. Some of the most generous people I know are those who give from their small portions.

Over the course of my career, Ive frequently been asked, Tim, where do you get your motivation for this kind of career path?

Some put it more bluntly. This is one of my favorites: Why a fundraising career?

The answers to these questions are very simple.

I turn to the very book that Im working to provide a platform for, in our nations capital: the Bible!

I serve with Museum of the Bible as the Chief Development Officer. Im tasked to lead a campaign to raise $1 billion as we establish a museum for the ages to honor and engage people of any faith and background with this great book  its history, narrative, and impact.

Among the central themes of the Bible are money and stewardship. And as we see again and again, the Bible is not simply a historic volume; its living and vibrant, and relevant to peoples lives. So, the Bibles principles of stewardship are actually inspiring generous giving in our world today.

Let me show you how:

1. Generous people often give more than they are asked to give.

In Exodus 36:1-7 , we see Gods people bringing more than enough to meet the need  to the point that Moses must tell them to stop!

We dont see too many campaigns today where givers are asked to stop giving! But when it does happen, its a special moment.

Giving to a cause that makes you reach for your very best gift can bring some of the greatest fulfillment youll ever know!

Often, over-funding a project can create a broader impact. The project can accomplish more than it was originally designed to accomplish.

I worked on a project several years ago in response to the tsunami in Indonesia. Peoples response was so great that we were able to establish long-term community development in that region of the world. Long after the disaster relief, we were still there, helping the people most affected.

2. Generous people give in response to a great cause.

In 2 Corinthians 8-9 , we see the Corinthian church giving faithfully to help a community of people whom they have never met!

Ive sponsored a child with a great organization, Food for the Hungry, for many years. Ive never met this child. Ive seen his picture, Ive heard about his education and health care, but Ive never met him.

One of the most fulfilling things I do every month is read the reports about his progress, his spiritual growth. I will probably never meet him. But I believe so much in the cause championed by this organization, I can trust them to help this child through my giving.

3. Generous people give out of their substance, whether large or small.

In Luke 21:1-4 , Jesus compares the widows mite to the rich mans gifts  demonstrating that the gifts of all are needed and used in Gods economy.

This is a well-known story  youve probably heard or read it many times  yet it never gets old to me. In my world of generous giving efforts, and even the big project Im working on right now, the most powerful moments are when I hear stories of sacrifice, whether big or small, in peoples giving.

Ive seen young children give of their allowance. Ive seen people of means reach for the largest gift theyve ever given to take a stand for the Bible.

In each and every case, its the sacrifice that counts.

Among many major givers these days, there isnt actually much sacrifice involved in their giving. In spite of the volume of their contributions, their giving is small, relative to their total capacity. When you come across that person who sets something else aside in order to help accomplish a key task or vision  that is a special gift!

4. Generous people give more than just their money.

In Luke 10:25-37 , Jesus tells the classic story of the Good Samaritan  one who gave time, resources, and skill to meet the need of a man who had been left for dead at the side of the road. The Samaritan makes himself vulnerable and available  the very definition of hospitality.

Generosity and hospitality are often closely linked.

In todays culture, I see more and more that generous givers want to give of more than just their financial resources. This is especially true of younger givers. They want to get their feet on the ground with the causes theyre supporting.

Volunteering with an organization youre passionate about is a great way to find a deeper connection to the cause. And sometimes  as in the story of the Good Samaritan  the opportunity is right there in front of you, without your having to search for it.

Jump in with whatever you should give  money, time, skills  and see what God will do both in you and through you.

5. Generous people give even when it doesnt make sense.

In Genesis 45 , we find Joseph responding graciously and generously to his family, even when logic would tell him not to.

Sometimes giving to a project or cause makes no sense to anyone but you! Like Joseph, you may have been mistreated or harmed in some way, by a church or a cause. You still believe in the mission of the organization, but there are hard feelings.

This kind of situation is a real test for me  a grace check. It gets at the very heart of my commitment to being a generous person.

Moving beyond our humanity is the hardest thing to overcome. Setting aside differences in order to help do the right thing with your generosity is an act of real maturity, true Christ-likeness.

6. Generous people give to help others, even when they differ from one another.

We see it in Luke 7:1-10 , as a Gentile builds a Jewish synagogue! Who could have predicted such a donor for such a cause?

Sometimes were given opportunities to help people outside of our worldview.

Of course your conscience has to guide you as to how and where to invest your resources, but its healthy to keep an open mind, to genuinely consider the potential of various projects to accomplish something good and valuable, and to imagine yourself contributing to such an endeavor.

It may become a character-growth opportunity for you ... and a boon to that worthwhile project.

7. Generous people give to see the impossible become possible.

A little boy offered Jesus his meager lunch in Matthew 14:14-21 . He only had a few loaves and fishes, and Jesus had 5,000 mouths to feed. But gifts in Gods hands can be  and often are  divinely multiplied to meet the demands of greater works.

This is one of the greatest-ever giving stories, a beautiful picture of the faith to see something profound happen because of your gifts.

First and foremost, the young man had enough faith to give his own lunch away! He was risking his own provision, his own comfort, in the hope of helping others. One boys faith is what set in motion the amazing miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000.

Sometimes we have to be willing to imagine something much greater than ourselves in order to get behind a project.

I have to work through this every day at Museum of the Bible. Its a project of such massive scale that it can be difficult for a prospective donor to comprehend how it could possibly come together.

Yet, almost daily, I encounter the miraculous  in responses from generous givers, people from all economic demographics. They are turning what seems impossible into the possible.

8. Generous people give as a byproduct of their own personal transformation.

The story of Zacchaeus, in Luke 19 , is the story of a transformed giver. I love this story: a tax collector forsaking the norm in order to give  moved by Jesus call to come back to Gods ways.

This is the story of someone who morphs from collector of money to giver of money!

In my own journey, perhaps the most deeply satisfying stories are those of people who have been radically transformed in their giving due to a spiritual transformation. Ive seen this repeatedly with givers who, at some extraordinary moment in time, suddenly realize why they are here: not simply to exploit their ability to accumulate wealth, but to create a story much greater than themselves.

This, in a way, is a picture of redemption  as people rise above their personal limitations and see the supernatural potential of their own lives through their generous giving.

9. Generous people give out of their own poverty.

We see it in Luke 21:1-4 , again, in Jesus observations about the widows mite:

He saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. Truly I tell you, he said, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to some of the most impoverished areas of east Africa. I was taken to many villages to speak, and I visited with the leaders in those communities. Ill never forget the moment I saw firsthand the generosity of people giving out of their own poverty.

After I had spent a full day in one village, the people came to send me off on my journey. They brought chickens, vegetables, fruit  even a goat. This was a very poor village  people had very little to spare. Yet they gave of their own poverty to thank me  someone from far away, who merely gave them a day in his life.

It took me years to fully grasp that moment of generous and sacrificial giving.

10. Generous people give when others will not.

In Philippians 4:15-16 , the apostle Paul laments the lack of response from the churches hes encountered.

Not one church shared with me, he says. Only you  the Christians at Philippi. Even when he was ministering to others, far away, in Thessalonica, the Philippians were giving to his ministry!

Most givers Ive known like to be part of a larger giving community. Its satisfying, perhaps comforting or reassuring, to know that youre one of many giving toward a project. Yet sometimes, we are called upon as givers to stand alone, to see a project through to completion even when others wont.

This is the kind of situation in which Paul found himself. Others ignored the need, but one church  at Philippi  was willing to give, to provide the needed support, even if it meant standing alone.

The day may come when you find yourself here too: You look around, and no one else is giving; but something inside you says, Go for it.

Your personal impact can be enormous. And your personal journey can be beautifully enriched for the experience.

I love reading stories about people and their generosity.

Generosity is not something that comes later after you accumulate wealth. Its something you live out wherever you are in life today. Its not something that shows up  its a lifestyle you cultivate.

Generous people in our culture today are no different from the generous people mentioned in the Bible. Generosity becomes part of a persons DNA; it permeates every area of their lives.

How generous are you? And just as important a question: How are you generous?

These are questions worth examining. The more generous you are, and the more ways you are generous, the richer you become!

Timothy L. Smith has over 35 years of experience with Non-Profit Organizations and currently serves as Chief Development Officer for Museum of the Bible. His book, Donors are People Too is required reading for many NPOs when developing a majoring funding program.

To learn more about the Museum of the Bible or to donate please visit MuseumoftheBible.org.

Photo Credit: GettyImages/Tony Baggett
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Istanbuls Besiktas district carried out on December 10, reports Hurriyet.

The first blast was a car bomb in a Chevrolet vehicle. According to Vice PM Nurman Kurtulmush, around 300-400kg explosive was used. The second bombing was carried out by a suicide attack.

41 people were killed, 155 wounded in the terror attack.
Dear Roger,

Ive celebrated Christmas more than 70 times in my lifetime. Tell me something I probably havent heard about the Christmas story.

Sincerely, Randy

Dear Randy,

One of the challenges facing pastors is how to be creative and do something special every year when Christmas rolls around. This problem reminds me of Solomons statement in Ecclesiastes: There is nothing new under the sun. It has all happened before.

One of my favorite Christmas lessons that you may not have heard is what I call the Bethlehem Principle. I recently preached on the Bethlehem Principle for the first time in my life. Maybe this will be something new for you.

According to the Bethlehem Principle, God can use the weakest things in our lives to be actually the strongest.

The Bethlehem Principle is my high school mentor, whose ravaging brain cancer gave him just three months to live, motioning me to draw near to his hospital bed and lean down close to his lips. Roger, he said,  watch me, I want you to see how a Christian dies.

By Gods grace, he was manifesting strength during weakness and glory for God.

The Bethlehem Principle applies in two ways.

First, God gives me grace to handle any weakness.

Second, God gets glory when I handle my weaknesses in a positive way.

The Bethlehem Principle. is found in Micah chapter five and Matthew chapter two.

Its 600 BC and the Babylonians are decimating the southern provinces of Israel. Micah, a minor prophet describes the scene in Micah 5:1: Marshal your troops for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israels ruler on the cheek with a rod.

Israel was weak and defenseless. No hope. All was lost. King Jehoikim lost his head. Unless God sent a Savior, the Babylonians would murder, steal, burn structures, kill babies, rape women, knock down the temple and enslave those who were still alive.

In the midst of this horror, Micah makes a startling, almost incomprehensible, promise. He declared that a Savior was coming out of one of the smallest cities in Israel: Bethlehem. But of course, no Savior arrived to defeat the Babylonians.

Micah 5:2: But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.

Israel was destroyed because no Messiah arrived. However, like many Old Testament prophecies, Micahs promise of the coming Messiah was an overarching prophecy spanning 600 BC to the birth of Christ.

Matthew picked up on the Bethlehem Principle.

Matthew 2:1-6: When Herod heard about the newly born baby King, he was disturbed. He asked the Temple priests where the Messiah was to be born. They replied, In Bethlehem just like Micah said.

First, the Bethlehem Principle provides strength to power us through the weakest of our weaknesses.

Of all the places for the Savior to come from, why in the world would God pick Jerusalem? Nobody who is anybody came from Bethlehem.

The Bethlehem Principle is the hope of Christmas. If the Messiah can come as a little baby from one of the weakest villages on earth, then he certainly can be down on my level to care for me.

The contemporary relevance for this aspect of the Bethlehem Principle for the Christmas season is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

But God said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ power can rest on me. That is why for Christ sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for when I am weak then I am strong.

In 2 Corinthians chapters 11-12, Paul details his sufferings for Jesus: imprisonments, beatings, near-by stoning, whippings by the Jews, beatings with metal rods by the Romans, shipwrecks, danger during frequent journeys, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, malaria, epilepsy, and to top it all off, God gave him a tormenting thorn from Satan to keep him humble.

To one degree or another, we are all like Paul in our weaknesses.

I know people whove had expectations for normal, well-adjusted, happy lives; but, like beasts from ambush, an accident or sickness leapt out from nowhere and now they must work with crippled machinery.

Others dream of love and marriage and missed it.

Many are heartbroken dream about a marriage that mightve been a thing of beauty, but was a tragedy instead.

Some children who were created as a blessing, became an inward agony.

In some households, the tie that binds has been ripped asunder.

Then comes the aha moment when we understand that God promises to give us the same grace for our weaknesses that he poured into Paul during his weaknesses.

Grace is not some sweet, petite, graceful ballerina. The working hypothesis behind grace is awesome, unleashed power.

Grace is experienced as a deep-inner strength and peace that carries us through the most difficult of circumstances.

Second, Gods grace is put on display as we power through our weaknesses.

God receives great glory by how we handle those weaknesses.

Paul sums up the second aspect of the Bethlehem Principle in 2 Corinthians 4:7-11:

We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.

Well Randy, perhaps youve heard of the Bethlehem Principle before. Maybe not. But if you have, hopefully it was good to hear it again from my perspective.

Love, Roger

Editor's Note : This Ask Roger article features insights from Roger's daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbee, a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.

Pastor Roger Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at roger@preachitteachit.org.
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Tram crash survivors have launched legal action against tram operator Transport for London and FirstGroup in a further bid to find out why the carriages derailed, killing seven people and injuring more than 50.

A number of survivors of the crash have instructed lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate and help them find out what happened on November 9.

They hope this will put pressure on both TfL, the owner of the network, and operator FirstGroup, which employs the drivers, to get answers sooner rather than later as investigations continue.

Another of the passengers who was injured in the tragedy has now spoken out about his experience on the tram that day.

Matthew Hewish, 25, was on his way to work in Merton on that Wednesday morning when the tram came off the tracks, throwing him from one side of the carriage to another.

He suffered hip and ankle injuries but has since suffered mental trauma from the crash, which has left him struggling to use public transport.

Matthew, from Croydon, said: "I can't remember much from the crash. I must have been knocked out or passed out, but when I came to I remember scrambling for my phone and using the light to try and see.

"I saw a guy whose face was covered in blood, but when I looked down at myself I seemed fine.

"It wasn't until the initial shock subsided that I realised my ankle was trapped and my work boot was missing. I was in a lot of pain and no one could see a way out. Of course now I know that I was one of the lucky ones.

"People died that day, and while I, and others like me, know how lucky we are to have survived, we have the same questions as the families of those who died. We want to know what happened.

"We want to know what could have been done, if anything to stop it and  most importantly  we need to stop it ever happening again.

"If there are lessons to be learned from this, those lessons need to be identified to stop anyone else suffering as the families of the dead and survivors are."

Matthew has had counselling since the crash and said getting married on December 10 to his girlfriend Amanda, 29, who has been caring for him, has helped with his recovery.

"When I was thrown through the air as the tram came off the rails, I thought 'this is it'," he said.

"But now I have a second chance, I'm not going to waste it. I just need to focus on moving on. Knowing what happened that day is part of that."

When legal action is launched, it can be resolved in number of ways, including sending an apology, financial compensation or disclosure of information.

Glen Edney, an expert injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing victims of the crash, said: "This was a very serious and deeply tragic incident in which people who were making a journey thousands make every day lost their lives or were seriously injured.

"It is vital that we get answers for the victims and that they have access to any treatment and rehabilitation they need for their injuries and to help them overcome the trauma of the crash.

"We are now helping to investigate exactly what went wrong to provide answers to the families as to what caused the crash and so that lessons can be learned from the incident to improve tram safety in future."

Two leading lawyers have already told the Advertiser how their clients were going to need professional counselling for what they saw on that horrific morning.

Criminal investigations are underway into the crash, by British Transport Police and the Office for Road and Rail.

The Rail Accident Investigation Board are conducting their own independent review, expected to be published in 10 to 12 months' time, while TfL are also investigating.

The Advertiser has approached TfL and FirstGroup for comment on the launching of legal action.

A FirstGroup spokesman said: "The cause of the tragic incident has yet to be established and it is absolutely essential that we find out exactly what happened.

"Our thoughts are with everyone involved and we are working closely with Transport for London and the authorities to continue providing assistance in any way possible to those who have been affected and to the ongoing investigations."

A TfL spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tram derailment.

"We continue to do all we can to offer support, including providing counselling and advising those affected to seek independent legal advice. Claims are being handled quickly and a number of interim payments have already been made.

"We completely understand the call for answers on what happened and what lessons should be learned and continue to assist with the investigations."
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced that Stella David will be appointed to its Board of Directors as a new independent member, as of January 1, 2017.

I am delighted to welcome Stella to our board of directors, said Walter L. Revell, chairman of the Board. 

Stellas experience overseeing a remarkable collection of global spirit brands and with successful marketing and brand building gives her a unique perspective thats an excellent complement to the diverse talents of our other Board members, continued Revell.

As the former chief executive officer of William Grant & Sons Limited, David was responsible for the growth of the business from 2009 through 2016, with a focus on developing brand awareness, including that of Glenfiddich and Hendricks Gin, global expansion into new markets, as well as acquisitions and innovations. Under her leadership, the company acquired Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey and Drambuie liqueur. Prior to that, Ms. David held a variety of key positions at Bacardi Limited over a 15-year period, including chief executive officer of the United Kingdom, Irish, Dutch and African businesses and global chief marketing officer.

Stellas strategic insights and marketing savvy will further position the Company for sustained growth and will support our operations in todays dynamic international business environment, said Frank J. Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and a member of the Company's Board.

Im thrilled to be joining the board of a company that has helped create memorable vacations for guests for the last 50 years, said Stella David. I look forward to sharing my insights with my fellow Board members and management to continue to build these great brands.
BRIDGEPORT - One of five former Connecticut teenagers whose life prison terms were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court was denied parole Monday for his double murder conviction.

Following a hearing in the Carl Robinson Correctional Center in Enfield, the state Board of Parole denied parole for Norman Gaines.

During the hearing the mother, sister and two daughters of one of the victims spoke in opposition of Gaines getting out.

Gaines was convicted in 1996 when he was 17 of killing a young couple who were sitting together in a car on a city street. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In June 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court threw out life without parole sentences for juveniles. At the time Gaines was one of five teens in this state who were serving that sentence.

In November 2014, the 34-year-old Gaines was about to go to trial for a second time for crime when instead he pleaded guilty under a plea bargain to two counts of murder. He was resentenced to 30 years for the crime.

Because he had already served 18 years for the crime the plea bargain made Gaines eligible for parole.

The system worked for my case and I am positive my future will be bright, Gaines told Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin at his sentencing hearing.

Gaines was 16 when he was charged with capital felony for the Oct. 29, 1996, fatal shootings of Gary Louis-Jeune and Marsha Larose.

The Bridgeport couple were found shot multiple times, sitting in their car parked on Maplewood Avenue in the city.
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Three weeks from the eve of the next legislative session, the Connecticut General Assembly is paralyzed because of the historic 18-18 standoff in the Senate.

No longer a minority after 20 years in the legislative backseat, GOP lawmakers now want at least a piece of the steering wheel.

No longer a majority, Democrats are trying to hold on to as much power as they can retain, with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who presides over the Senate, on board to break inevitable ties.

With the Jan. 4 session around the corner, everything from committee chairmanships to staff sizes and even parking spaces on the Capitol grounds are up for grabs, as Democratic and Republican Senate leaders grapple with little progress and a precedent that dates back to the horse-and-buggy era.

The current 27 legislative committees might get winnowed down by five or so, with the prospects of nonpartisan staff losing their jobs as ancillary damage.

Since the last time there was a tie in the state Senate was 1893, theres not much procedural memory, and if the stalemate continues much longer, the matter could get thrown across Capitol Avenue in Hartford to the state Supreme Court, forcing the judiciary to get involved in a legislative matter.

19th century precedent

Back 123 years ago, when lawmakers were still using horse-drawn carriages to make the trek to Hartford, Democrats retained the most powerful position of president pro tempore. That year, according to the 1893 State Register & Manual, Republicans were chairmen of at least 10 joint House and Senate committees, including Banks, Labor, School Funding, Agriculture, Fisheries, Claims and Prisons.

Democrats that year led the powerful budget-writing Appropriations and Finance Committees, the Judiciary Committee, the Education Committee and about a dozen other committees. Democratic Lt. Gov. Ernest Cady was there to break ties.

Were still talking, current Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said Monday. On Jan. 4, when 36 senators and 151 House members take the oath of office to start the five-month-long budget-setting session, his title will change to Senate Republican Leader. My hope is we can move the ball forward and have a real power-sharing agreement, now.

State Attorney General George Jepsens office confirmed Monday that Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, has asked for an advisory opinion on the tie. Democrats point out that the state Constitution says the lieutenant governor can break all deadlocks, so they expect to hold on to at least parliamentary power, if not the sheer power of numbers that they held with a 21-15 majority the last two years.

If Democrats retain chairmanships, it means they can kill Republican bills either before or after public hearings, without debate or votes in committee or on the floor of the House and Senate. Power sharing with Senate co-chairmen would undoubtedly complicate the legislative process.

The issue is respecting the wishes of the voters who said we would like shared power and equalization,  Fasano said in a phone interview. Fasano said Republicans retain the right to challenge any opinion on what the attorney general says about the trappings of power.

A Republican seat at the table

Looney said his meeting with Fasano went well.

I had a productive conversation today with Senator Fasano and I am hopeful that on opening day we will not be in an adversarial position on the topic on which we have asked the attorney general to opine, Looney said in a statement.

Current Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said Monday that leaders are working toward an agreeable resolution, but with equality comes responsibility.

For a long time, Republicans have asked for a seat at the table, and we expect them to produce votes, Duff said in an evening interview.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House-elect Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, was waiting to see what kind of accommodation the Senate reaches.

The Senate has to figure out internally within their chamber how things will be structured there going forward, and we havent been informed on exactly how that will be, Aresimowicz said in a statement. Things in the House are clearer, as are current rules regarding committee leadership and makeup. When everything is finalized in the Senate, we will ensure our joint committees are ready to move forward with the fairness and balance that reflects the equal chambers and corresponding membership.

kdixon@ctpost.com;
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. By the assistance of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria more than 13.000 civilians have been taken from Aleppos districts controlled by militants within the last 24 hours, the center representative said, reports TASS.

Over the past 24 hours 13,346 civilians, including 5,831 children, have been taken from the areas of Aleppo remaining under control of militants with the assistance of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties, the center said as quoted by TASS.

728 militants laid down the weapons and entered Aleppos western part.



Photo by EPA
Lazy, entitled, delusional, narcissistic and unreliable are just some of the buzzwords managers are using to describe millennials. Most people -- even people who are considered millennials -- seem to perpetuate this negative connotation that the millennial generation is the problem in todays workforce. In 2013, according to Hubspot, 68 percent of corporate recruiters said it was difficult to manage millennials.

While it is true some people from this generation are entitled, lazy and delusional, one-size doesnt fit all. To win with a millennial workforce, you need to give them a sense of purpose and the freedom to succeed on their terms. Adopt these principles to succeed with this age group.

Related: How to Motivate Millennials, By Millennials

1. Think differently, because they do.

In the good ol days managing people was easy. They came to work and cashed their paycheck every other Friday; lather, rinse, repeat for 30 years. For the most part, companies could count on a core of employees to be around for a lifetime. People found a groove and stuck with it. They became masters of a single skill and passed it on. I like to think of the past generations as the RONCO cooker, Just set it, and FORGET IT!!! However, this formula just doesnt work with younger employees.

Millennials think differently than past generations. They dont just want to find a groove and stick with it. They want to be challenged. They want to grow as a professional and as a person. They want to feel valued. They dont want to be managed; they want to be lead. They want to feel like they are making a difference. Yes, they love money, but millennials need to know theyre making an impact, even if it is a small one.

2. Give them purpose, not an assignment.

The millennial generation is all about being part of a greater purpose. To summarize an article published on HR.com, the millennial generation wants to believe in the companys mission. They want to know how each employee is helping to reach that mission. Help change the world should be your teams motto because 84 percent of millennials say that making a difference is more important than professional recognition. Ninety-two percent believe businesses should be measured by more than their profits.

Related: Millennials 'Are a Great Probem to Have'

3. Public outreach can equal employee outreach.

For a real-world example of this philosophy in action, take a look at how this law firm is quietly empowering their employees to help raise funds for St. Jude. This is a perfect example of giving purpose to millennials. It has absolutely nothing to do with the law firm, but it sends a message that they care about the world. So far theyve raised more than $91,000 for charity.

In the past, companies have always donated to charity in order to promote themselves to the public. It works. If you dont believe me, check out this list of 53 popular companies that donate to nonprofits. With the millennial generation entering the workforce, the benefits of donating to nonprofits has multiplied. It is something your team gets to be a part of -- giving them a sense of purpose the expands beyond the balance sheet; something they can tell their friends and family about. While you may not win an employee for life, you will give them some purpose outside of the typical day-to-day work, which ideally translates to less employee turnover.

4. Growth potential, not promises.

Millennials want to grow and learn as fast as they can. In return, they are eager to progress in their careers. More importantly, they dont want to wait. They often overlook the disadvantages of hopping jobs, and they dont want to be promised a better position in the near future. While this may seem selfish or entitled, it really is all about being appreciated. You have to understand, most of these people grew up watching parents work the same job, day in and day out, all of their lives. Most of those parents either worked the same job or the same field, rarely growing beyond that title or skill.

This younger generation dislikes bureaucracy and distrusts traditional hierarchies. Make them feel used and they will leave, or orse, become less than 100 percent engaged. If you have a secretive management team, this is an even bigger distraction for them. Show them how they bring value to the company, and be very open about how they can progress their careers within the company. Consider new titles that fit in-between traditional title steps. Each step adds a little more responsibility, challenging and growing their skillset.

Instead of telling them, show your team members that they can make a difference in the company by helping them grow.

Related: 4 Strategies to Connect With Millennials

The bottom line.

You can no longer expect employees to spend their entire career at your company. Take advantage of that. Let millennials experiment and grow your company by making an enthusiastic impact for the better. When they move on, move the next one in and repeat the process. Your company needs to be built on short-term enthusiasm, with the opportunity for long-term growth if an employee feels theyve found a home where they can be engaged.

Related:

Why a Purpose-Driven Mission Is Key to Motivating Millennials

Por que el salario emocional es el mas importante para los millennial

How Extreme Recruiting Is Winning Over Millennial Tech Talent



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Brazilian movie star Sonia Braga happy to be in Cuba

Submitted by: Juana

Cinema

Havana

international

Personalities

12 / 12 / 2016



Coming to Cuba is a dream come true, something I always wanted from my childhood, the renowned Brazilian actress Sonia Braga, special guest to the 38th edition of the Havana Film Festival, told the press.

Although Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez invited me on several occasions, I had never been able to do it because of work, said Braga, who presented Aquarius last Saturday, her most recent film under the direction of Kleber Mendonca Filho.

On this work, one of the 18 feature films competing for the Choral Award at the Festival, she emphasized that it is a metaphor of Brazilian and international resistance, immersed in denouncing the global dynamics that only support rich people.

It is the first time that I find my country so divided, families of radical positions separated; Aquarius speaks about these subjects and particularly my character, Clara, a complex woman with whom I feel identified because she expresses much of what I need to say as a citizen, she noted.

In 2014 Braga received the first Platinum Award of Honor for Ibero-American Cinema and recently she won the Best Actress Award with Aquarius itself, at the Lima Film Festival, in Peru.
Its a grueling process when a member decides to leave the Mormon Church, including submitting a letter that announces ones official resignation.The Daily BeastHALLIE GOLDENNovember 27, 2016Last weekend, McKay Nielsen took his daily scroll through the Reddit page Exmormon, a forum meant in part for those who have cut ties with the Mormon Church.He decided to post a hypothetical question: What might happen if the President of the Mormon Church, Thomas S. Monson, suddenly decided to tell the world that the religion is all a lie.There would still be believers, Nielsen told the more than 35,000 members of the forum.The post by the 22-year-old from South Jordan, Utah launched a nuanced discussion surrounding some Mormons seemingly unbreakable loyalty to their church.One followed up by writing that perhaps the religion is more like its own country, providing members with an intimate, safe community for the price of worship and strict lifestyle rules.Like many of the other members of the Reddit group, Nielsen recently left the Mormon Church. He had been raised in the faith, but resigned soon after he realized he was attracted to men.He said he has relied on the forum and other online and in-person ex-Mormon groups to get him through the transition. I cant really express my feelings here at home with that because it would just cause drama, said Nielsen, who lives with his parents and younger siblings, all active members of the church. I have to have some way of communicating with people who feel the same way.Nielsen is not alone.This month marks one year since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) updated its stance on same-sex unions, threatening expulsion for adults in same-sex marriages and withholding baptism for their kids.Although they updated that stance slightly last month by saying that members who are attracted to people of the same sex are not necessarily sinful, the effects on membership have had an impact.The immediate result was a group-resignation that involved about one hundred members leaving the some 15-million-member church. Since then, thousands more have followed suit. The policy came out like a significant bombshell, said Philip Barlow, who directs religious studies at Utah State University.But that policy decision is not the only reason people are choosing to leave, Barlow explained. At the same time that the Internets fountain of information on Mormonism--some true and some extremely misleading, said Barlow--is making some question what theyve been raised to believe, there is also an overall shift among young people in the U.S. who have opted to move away from organized religion altogether.Undoubtedly this is a historic time, said Barlow, who is a member of the LDS Church.Only about 64 percent of those raised Mormon continued to adhere to the faith when they entered adulthood, according to the 2014 Pew Religious Landscape Survey. That is six percent less than the numbers in 2007. This is especially true among Millennials, said Jana Riess, senior columnist for Religion News Service.And for those who stay, only about 25-percent of the young, single members are actually active in the faith, she said.The Mormon Church declined to provide a comment for this article.No matter why someone decides to leave the church, the process can be fairly grueling. In order to no longer be considered a member, you must submit a letter that announces your official resignation, according to Mormon No More, an organization that is meant to help people leave Mormonism. WARNING: If you live with people who are members of the church, they will almost certainly be told about your resignation, stated the website.Once the letter has been submitted, youll likely receive some follow-up messages attempting to change your mind, as well as a visit (through mail or sometimes even in-person) from a local bishop or branch president. The process can take a few months, so lately many members have started to resign through an attorney so that the church cant contact them.Nielsen said he opted to go the attorney route. Doing it without an attorney is a long-winded process, he said.There is also a substantial emotional toll that leaving Mormonism can take. The Mormon community is very close and reliant on one another, so breaking out of that group can be fairly traumatic. Mormonism as a whole is so knit together as a community, said Barlow.Thats where support groups come in. From PostMormon.org, a website full of personal resignation stories, blogs and support groups that has more than 10,000 current members, to Postmormons and Friends, a 2,100-member group that meets in Salt Lake City every Sunday morning so attendees can talk about their experience leaving the church, Utah has a wide array of resources.Im surprised at how many post-Mormon meet-ups there are, said Nielsen. And subscribers on the Reddit page just continue to grow.Natalie Harris, a 24-year-old from Bluffdale, Utah, recently started work as an organizer for two Meetup groups for former Mormons, Non-LDS Single Parents and Non-LDS Singles. She was raised Mormon, and began questioning the faith when she was a teenager, but it took a few years for her to leave.She said the groups allow her to be around other people who have gone through the same thing. Its nice because were all there to support each other, said Harris.At some of her meetings, Harris said the Mormon Church never even enters into the conversation. While at the beginning of the transition, venting frustrations and grief can feel very necessary, at some point that begins to lessen.Many start to adapt to their new life, sometimes with the support from their family and Mormon friends but sometimes not. In either case, this support group and many others like it then transforms--at least for one day--into simply a fun get-together for good friends.Harris recalled being at a BBQ for Non-LDS Singles a few months ago and meeting a young woman who told her that her parents dont want anything to do with her now that she left Mormonism. Harris said she completely understood the womans pain. So she gave the woman a hug and told her what she thought would help: If your parents dont love you for who you are they dont deserve to be in your life.
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 ...
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. South Koreas Constitutional Court held the first session on December 12 after the Parliament voted in favor of President Park Geun-hyes impeachment on December 9, reports Yonhap news agency.

According to the agency, the court will decide the day of starting hearings over the Presidents corruption scandal case, will appoint a working group and the procedure of holding the investigation, in order no later than 6 months to decide the fate of the leader of the country.

As a result of the impeachment, Park Geun-hyes powers are suspended, and Prime Minister took over as acting President.

Photo by EPA/UPG
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations reports as of 11:00 highways in Armenia are mainly passable.

The Sotk-Karvajar highway is difficult to pass.

The ministry told ARMENPRESS the Saravan-Goris highways and the Vardenyats Pass are partly covered with clear ice.

According to the Georgian emergency situations authorities, the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles using snow chains, and for freight vehicles the highway is open only en route from Georgia to Russia.

According to the ministry, 340 freight vehicles are stuck in traffic in the Lars checkpoint.
Civil War Gala to be held Saturday in Somerset

The 14th annual Col. Robert Cummins Civil War Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Somerset Church of the Brethren, 606 Berlin Plank Road in Somerset.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Austria Sebastian Kurz once again emphasized the need to cease talks with Turkey over the EU membership, reports Deutsche Welle.

In an interview with the Austrian APA news agency, Kurz said if a decision is made to continue the talks with Turkey during the EU FMs meeting, he will put a veto.

We are not ready to approve the draft decision on continuing the membership talks since I think that the text of the decision doesnt adequately reflect the events taking place in Turkey. Turkey recorded a regress in terms of legal state, democracy and human rights, Kurz said, adding that it is necessary to include the requirement of freezing the talks in the decision to be adopted in the EU FMs session.

The EU Foreign Ministers will meet on December 12 in Brussels. They will discuss the issue of continuing the EU membership talks with Turkey.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The European Union and Cuba signed an agreement on normalizing the relations, reports TASS.

The agreement on political dialogue and cooperation was signed by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla at the EU FMs meeting in Brussels.

The first agreement in a history of the EU and Cuba presents the basis of the bilateral relations. It proposes an enhanced political dialogue, improved bilateral cooperation and joint actions in multilateral issues, the EU Council earlier said.

The EU Council on December 6 made a decision to sign the document.

Photo by EPA
Alexander Blackman with his wife Claire

At the start of this crucial week for Sgt Alexander Blackman, in which he may get his first taste of freedom for more than three years, his former commanding officer sums up everything this paper and fair-minded readers feel about his case.

Describing 'Marine A' as a 'caring and devoted family man', Lieutenant Colonel Simon Chapman says in a letter to be shown to a bail hearing, perhaps as early as Wednesday: 'Fundamentally he is not a bad man. In fact in almost every respect he is a normal citizen tainted only by the impact of war.'

At no stage has the Mail condoned Sgt Blackman's killing of a mortally wounded Taliban insurgent on an Afghanistan battlefield. Nor has he himself sought to excuse his appalling lapse of judgment in that split-second in 2011.

But like our generous, common-sense readers who contributed 800,000 to his appeal  and the four impeccable backers offering 50,000 each to guarantee his bail  we believe his life sentence for murder was grossly disproportionate, given the intense strain he was under on that 'tour from hell'.

Indeed, Sgt Blackman's loyalty to Mail readers is to be cited as one of many reasons to trust him with bail before his appeal next summer or autumn.

It is not only for him and his wife Claire that we hope he will be home for their wedding anniversary next Monday. It's for the sake of justice  and the morale of our brave forces, on whom we all depend.

End this rail anarchy

As the rail unions step up their crippling strikes in the run-up to Christmas, how much longer can the Transport Secretary protest this is none of his business?

For almost a year, the RMT and Aslef have disrupted services used by 500,000 passengers in the South East every day.

They've inflicted huge frustration on commuters, kept cancer patients away from hospital appointments and caused untold harm to the capital's economy, affecting the whole of the UK.

Yet the feeble Chris Grayling insists this political dispute (no cuts in jobs or pay are proposed) is entirely a matter between Southern Rail and the unions. If so, it could drag on for ever.

For almost a year, the RMT and Aslef have disrupted services used by 500,000 passengers in the South East every day

Even before the strikes, Southern was among the most incompetently run rail firms in Europe (though this didn't stop the boss of its parent company trousering 2.2million last year).

As for the unions, who wrongly claim the strikes are about safety, they have no support  except among Corbynistas who want to 'smash capitalism'.

Indeed, if Southern's legal bid to block the stoppages fails today, Mr Grayling must surely intervene, either throwing the Government's weight behind sacking strikers or giving the franchise to a firm that knows how to run a railway.

Failing that, shouldn't Theresa May step in  and show who wears the trousers?

Still so smug, Gary?

Encouraged by traffickers to lie about their ages, 'children' brought here from Calais have disappeared from council care, with some working in sweatshops and the sex trade.

Don't take the Mail's word for it. Listen to David Simmonds of the Local Government Association, whose members have to cope with the fallout. Of migrants undergoing age assessments, he predicts two-thirds will be found to be adults.

When this country offered asylum to unaccompanied minors, under a humane policy backed by this paper, Gary Lineker spoke for many unthinking liberals by tweeting that it was 'hideously racist' to question their ages.
If you're already dreading the morning after your office Christmas party, then you might not want to read any further.

US TV host and comedian Jimmy Fallon asked people to recount their most embarrassing work do anecdotes on Twitter using the hashtag #officepartyfails - and the entries range from the humiliating to the hilarious.

From being drunkenly sent home in a cab to showing up in the same outfit as the waiters - or worst of all, not being invited, these are some of the best office party fails Twitter has to offer.

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If you're dreading your office party this Christmas then you might not want to read some of these embarrassing stories that people have shared on Twitter using #officepartyfails

Jordan took to social media to share the tale that included two of his co-workers being caught 'making out' under his desk at work.

To make matters worse, when they were caught, one of them threw up.

Barnee recounted the time when a lady got so drunk at an office party that the boss said to get her out.

They put her in a taxi, only for her to get out at the next street and come back.

Then there's the boss who ordered two pizzas for 15 employees - and then ate one by herself.

Mark tweeted saying that he laughed at his girlfriend for sitting on her plate of food. In the end, he felt bad so went to get her some napkins, only to then sit down on his plate

Lisa made the slightly sad admission that her boss ordered two pizzas for 15 employees but then ended up eating a whole one by herself.

Glenn took to Twitter to say that he made an outfit blunder when he turned up wearing a red shirt and black tie to the Christmas meal - only to find the wait staff wearing the same thing.

Someone even gave him their drink order.

Mark had his comeuppance when he laughed at his girlfriend for sitting on her plate of food.

He felt bad afterwards so went to get her some napkins and ended sitting back down on his own plate full of food.

One woman got so drunk that she gave a striptease at her office party. As it turns out, she is no longer employed there

Jharana said that her boss fooled everybody by pouring apple juice into wine bottles for fun. Most people thought it was old wine and pretended to be drunk

Others got so drunk they did a striptease for their co-workers.

She then follows up with the fact that she is no longer employed there.

Heather admitted that a co-worker got mad at her when she wore a gift that they had given to her for an ugly Christmas sweater party.

The co-worker hadn't intended for it to be 'ugly.'

Jon simply admitted that he didn't get invited to his office party.

Another worker recalled her Love Actually moment when she was caught kissing a co-worker behind a conference stage, not realising it was projected onto a big screen.

One boss decided to play a a trick on their workers and poured apple juice in the wine bottles to be able to watch people pretend to be drunk.

One person admitted that they embarrassed themselves at the Christmas party not once but three times when they repeatedly walked into a sliding glass door

Pete Miles took to Twitter to share his story: 'I went to give friendly slap on the back to one of our managers, he moved and I smacked him in the face'

Daniel took to Twitter to describe something incredibly seedy that took place at his office party.

He says a 48-year-old co-worker got dressed up as Santa and kept asking girls to sit on his lap.

It wasn't even Christmas time. It was March.

Another employee said that they walked into the sliding glass door at their party - not once but three times.

Pete made the ultimate office party faux pas when he went to give a friendly slap on the back to one of his managers but accidentally smacked him in the face instead.

One 'buddy' showed up with an obvious escort and to make matters worse, the commanding officer knew her by name. His wife was not pleased

Lisa admitted that she tried to impress the IT guy by tying a cherry stem in her mouth. She ended up choking and spitting it out - and it hit his eye

Another office party fail tale came from John who said his 'buddy' showed up with an obvious escort.

To make things even worse, their commanding officer knew her name. His wife wasn't best pleased.

Kasia made an even bigger office fail when she decided not to go to the office party.

By missing it, she also missed out on the $300 gift cards all of the employees got and she even ended up breaking her toes on the couch leg.

One woman took to Twitter to recount her embarrassing tale and wrote: 'I tried to impress the IT guy by tying a cherry stem in my mouth.

'I choked, then spit it out and hit his eye.'

One poor office worker thought it would be funny to flash in the party photo booth - not realising that all of the photos would be put onto Facebook the day after

Somebody recounted the time that a girl flashed in the party photo booth - unaware that all of the photos would be put on Facebook the next day.

Another Twitter user said: 'My boss got drunk at an office party and he begged me to fix him up with 'the babe in the green dress.''

That 'babe' turned out to be a rubber tree.

Alex said that he experienced an embarrassing office party fail when he started a new job and a co-worker convinced him that everybody dressed up for Halloween.

As it turns out, nobody dresses up for Halloween.

Kate apparently looks so young that at her Christmas party last year somebody thought she was another employee's child.

One worker was feeling confident when they were flirting with a woman at the office party and even tried to get her number. It was only when a co-worker whispered in his ear that the woman was in face the boss's wife that he realised his #officepartyfail

Leah took to Twitter to say: 'There was a huge office party but no one invited the boss... He walked in during the party and got super mad'

One poor office worker was attempting to flirt with a woman at their annual party and even hoped to get her number.

It was only when a co-worker leaned over and whispered 'that's the boss's wife' that he realised his #officepartyfail.

Al decided to take what she thought would be the safe option and stay sober that she avoided embarrassing herself.

Her heel then broke and she fell into the punch bowl.

A boss failed big time when they decided to dance on the desk and later do a trust fall - hoping their employees would be there to catch them.

As it turns out, nobody caught him.

Proving it's not just employees that can be embarrassed but the big bosses too, Leah tweeted saying: 'There was a huge office party but no one invited the boss... He walked in during the party and got super mad.'


Girls love to cement their relationship status by stealing an oversized hoodie or two off their boyfriends.

But rarely are these items of clothing returned.

One man became so fed up after discovering all of his sweatshirts were at his ex-girlfriend's house that he decided to fight back.

Godswill Muofhe, a 21-year-old student from Houston, Texas, started the #TakeHerHoodie hashtag encouraging men to wear their girlfriends tops.

Fighting back: Godswill Muofhe started the #TakeHerHoodie trend after discovering his ex-girlfriend had taken all of his hoodies

Ladies, weve had enough, he wrote on Twitter, where his handle is @YoungAdolf_.

You cant just take our hoodies this year without giving them back. This year we are fighting back. #TakeHerHoodie.

He posted the message alongside a series of bathroom selfies in his ex-girlfriends clothes  including a tiny denim jacket and a couple of hoodies so small they expose his midriff.

The post went viral, attracting more than 77,000 likes and 46,000 retweets.

Revenge is sweet! These men shared pictures dressed in their girlfriends' hoodies

Viral: Mr Muofhe started a massive trend, with men across the world sharing their own selfies in their girlfriends sweatshirts  regardless of how small, pink or revealing

Men unite: 'They take our sweater it's time we fight back,' one man said

And it also started a massive trend, with men across the world sharing their own selfies in their girlfriends sweatshirts  regardless of how small, pink or revealing.

'I started it as a response after I checked my closet and found out that all of my sweaters and hoodies were at my ex-girlfriends house,' Mr Muofhe told Daily Mail Australia.

'I found some of her sweaters that she left over at my place and I wore them.'

He added that the response had been mostly positive.

Exposed: Men from across the world shared pictures of themselves in their girlfriends' hoodies

Nothing to wear! 'I started it as a response after my I checked my closet and found out that all of my sweaters and hoodies were at my ex-girlfriends house,' Mr Muofhe told Daily Mail Australia

'People really resonated with the hashtag and it was funny. So I came out with a little rap song for the hashtag and people loved it too.'

I stand in solidarity with the #TakeHerHoodie movement, one man responded on Twitter, along with some pictures in too-tight clothing.

Another Twitter user added: 'They take our sweater it's time we fight back.'

I'm tired of never knowing where my hoodies are, time for us men to fight back #takeherhoodie, one man added along with a picture in a tight pink sweatshirt.

Some are even looking for new girlfriends in order to acquire warm clothing.
They're decades apart in age and sartorial tastes.

But nine-year-old Princess Isabella is looking more and more like her mother, Crown Princess Mary.

Photographs of the Danish Royal family at a Christmas concert in their hometown of Copenhagen show little Isabella is already the perfect reflection of her mother.

The Tasmanian-born Princess, Prince Frederik, and their children visited Isaiah Church, where they are patrons of the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

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Like mother like daughter: Nine-year-old Princess Isabella (right) is fast becoming the spitting image of her mother, Australian born Crown Princess Mary (left)

Festive cheer: Princess Mary and her family attended a carol concert in Copenhagen on Sunday, she and Isabella both wearing blue trench coats

Spitting image: Little Princess Isabella (pictured) bore an uncanny resemblance to her mother, Princess Mary (also pictured) at the concert

With their centre partings, huge expressive eyes and dark-coloured dresses, Mary and Isabella looked one and the same when they walked in to the church together.

Both arrived at the concert in oversized navy coats, dark frocks and opaque tights.

While the nine-year-old Isabella wore elegant flat shoes to the concert, Princess Mary sported a pair of suede knee-high boots.

The family enjoyed the choral concert, which showcased the esteemed Children's Choir.

Happy: In keeping with recent traditions, five-year-old Princess Josephine stole the show once again, with a bouquet of flowers and a huge smile

It's the most wonderful time of the year: Earlier in the week, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik also went on another family outing to see The Nutcracker

In keeping with recent traditions, five-year-old Princess Josephine stole the show once again, thanks to a bouquet of flowers and a huge smile on her face.

In the past, Princess Isabella has been likened to her father, Prince Frederik.

When official photographs were taken to mark her ninth birthday earlier this year, many commented on the uncanny resemblance - thanks to their similar blue eyes.

However, the eldest daughter of the Crown Prince and Princess is also starting to look more like her mother, as these most recent pictures show.

Similarities: In the past, Princess Isabella has been likened to her father, Prince Frederik, especially when she had official photos taken for her ninth birthday

Resemblance: However, she is starting to look more like her mother too - while Mary wore her oversized blue coat with suede knee-high boots (right), Princess Isabella wore flat shoes

With the festive season well and truly in full swing, the family have been enjoying a busy December so far.

Earlier in the week, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik went on another family outing to see The Nutcracker.

And most recently, Princess Mary hosted a Christmas party at her home in Amalienborg Palace.
Advertisement

It's a love story like many others, albeit with a rather modern twist.

Katie Cook, 30, from the Gold Coast, swiped right on the first man she saw and liked on Tinder, got a match and ended up marrying Michael Cook, 34, from the Central Coast, earlier this month.

'I met one guy on Tinder and married him,' Ms Cook, nee Eadeh, told Daily Mail Australia.

'I had never wanted to get married, so I'd never hoped for anything in my wedding. That was until I met Michael... the rest is history.'

Happily ever after: Katie Cook, nee Eadeh, 30, from the Gold Coast, met her husband, Michael Cook, 34, from the Central Coast on Tinder - the pair married earlier this month (pictured)

Modern marriage: While Ms Cook told Daily Mail Australia she wasn't looking for a long-term relationship, she said that as soon as she met Michael, her feelings changed

New dream: 'I met one guy on Tinder and married him,' Ms Cook said. 'I had never wanted to get married, so I'd never hoped for anything in my wedding. That was until I met Michael... the rest is history'

Ms Cook first laid eyes on her now-husband, Michael Cook, on Sunday, October 20, 2013.

'The first thing I saw on his Tinder profile was his eyes,' she said.

'They were so gorgeous, as was he. We chatted for a day or two back and forth, before he added me on Facebook and I deleted all of my not so nice photos.

'Michael asked if he could phone me on the Wednesday of the following week, and after two hours on the phone we arranged a date for the Friday.'

All the trimmings: The couple tied the knot up in the Sunshine Coast, alongside bridesmaids and their pet dog, Lola, who was a bridesmaid also (all pictured)

Beginnings: They had their first date as early as 2013, when the pair both first swiped right - they went out for dinner and tequilas at a tapas bar

Finding love: According to Ms Cook, the thing that drew her to Michael was his eyes - she said that the conversation also flowed on their dates

Proposal day: When it came to proposing, Michael Cook took Ms Cook back to the bar where they had first had dinner - once again, they had tequilas and dinner - but this time, he proposed

However, as the couple were so excited to meet each other in the flesh, they brought the date forward to Thursday, settling on a beach walk with Ms Cook's dog.

'I remember we arranged to meet a 7pm when he called me just before and said: "I'm really sorry but my car has broken down".

'I just thought what any woman would - that he didn't want to meet up with me - and said the same to Michael.

We got tipsy, conversation flowed, and Michael pointed out I was wearing rose gold jewellery. He asked me whether I would want a rose gold wedding ring...

'When he insisted he was telling the truth, and told me he and his car were nearby, I said I would come to meet him.'

After she arrived to find him stuck ten minutes down the road, Ms Cook said their first date improved instantly.

'We had a quick wander down to the beach, where we got attacked by dozens of bats, and then settled on going to the pub.'

The couple chatted for several hours, arranged to meet up the following evening for a 'real date', upon which point they went out for 'some tequilas and dinner'.

'We got tipsy, conversation flowed, and Michael pointed out I was wearing rose gold jewellery. He asked me whether I would want a rose gold wedding ring...

'I was so attracted to him, and that attraction hasn't dulled for me.'

Growing love: 'I was so attracted to him, and that attraction hasn't dulled for me,' Ms Cook told Daily Mail Australia - their nuptials took place at Maleny Manor, and Ms Cook wore a custom-made dress by Diana Toscano of Toscano Designs

Chilled vibe: Ms Cook described the ceremony as perfect and relaxed (pictured) - she said that they had all of their friends there, it was like a big party and she was barefoot for the majority of the day

Fellow friends: Ms Cook said that she was surrounded by friends (pictured) throughout the day

Ms Cook said that the proposal took place in the very same tapas bar that they had their first dinner date.

'We had dinner and a few tequilas exactly like 18 months previously,' she said.

Though she was surprised at Mr Cook's proposal, she was also delighted. Mr Cook had always been a fan of grand romantic gestures.

As well as flying and driving across the country to see her at the weekends, he also knew exactly how he wanted the proposal to turn out.

Love online: As the couple face an upcoming honeymoon to Sri Lanka, Ms Cook said that she thoroughly believes that it's possible to find love on the Internet

Happy days: 'I wasn't looking for a relationship when I started on Tinder. But since I met Michael, I've never been more in love,' she said

The couple's wedding took place on December 2, at Maleny Manor on the Sunshine Coast.

Ms Cook wore a custom-made dress by Diana Toscano of Toscano Designs in Brisbane.

'The whole thing was beautiful, and had a very chilled vibe, but it was also a great big party,' Ms Cook said.

'We had all of our friends there, Lola the red and white boxer was our chief bridesmaid, and I was barefoot for most of the day. It was perfect.'

As the couple face an upcoming honeymoon to Sri Lanka, Ms Cook said that she thoroughly believes that it's possible to find love on the Internet.

'Think about it this way. You can meet plenty of d**kheads in real life, and everyone goes by levels of attractiveness when they first meet someone anyway,' she said.

'I wasn't looking for a relationship when I started on Tinder. But since I met Michael, I've never been more in love.'
A Perth model has spoken out about her heartbreaking battle with anorexia  and how she feared she would die after her weight plummeted to just 34 kilograms.

Tatyana Gillam said her eating disorder began when she was 16 and had returned to Australia after living in Malaysia for eight months.

In a candid video on YouTube, she recalled details about her difficult journey to get better  a journey that took her five years.

Now 21, Miss Gillam is signed with Chic Model Management and has recently shot campaigns for Becca Cosmetics and Kevin Murphy.

She said she wanted to share her story to help others  and posted a picture of her 37 kilograms frame from two years ago and a recent picture to show the progress she has made.

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Journey: Perth model Tatyana Gillam shared details about her struggle with anorexia in an 18-minute YouTube vlog (above)

Miss Gilliam said it was a 'control thing' when her weight began to plummet at school  and the sicker she became, the more she suffered from anxiety, depression and insomnia.

She had been signed to a local modelling agency at 17, but ended up not able to work or go to school because of her condition.

'Girls, I remember one time, went to the school counsellor and told the school counsellor that I was sick. I lost a lot of friends and it was a really horrible time,' Miss Gillam said.

'I started to get skinnier and skinnier and skinnier. It was a control thing.

'I used to lay awake at night because I couldn't sleep because I was so hungry. And I remember laying awake crying because I couldn't sleep for so long.'

Despite her family's desperate efforts to help Miss Gillam, she ultimately left school due to her anorexia.

Progress: Miss Gillam shared these pictures of when she weighed 37kg (left) and how she is now (right) to show how far she's come

Her mother was forced to quit her job to look after her.

Despite extensive help from her family, Gillam got so sick she couldn't attend school and her mum had to quit work to look after her.

'I literally became a shell. I was this empty shell. I couldn't even be around my family half the time because I was vacant and I was so anxious all the time and so stressed,' she said.

'I just wanted every single day to end and I just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up because I thought every day was going to be a battle and was going to be a struggle.'

I used to lay awake at night because I couldn't sleep because I was so hungry

At her lowest, Gillam weighed just 34 kilos  and despite trying hard, she wasn't able to get better.

'People were staring at me in the streets, you know, it was horrible,' she recalled.

At the time, her father had been working in Singapore.

After months apart, Miss Gillam tearfully recalled how her father had cried when he saw her.

'He was so worried about me,' she said.

'My family did everything to try to get me better. They are the most amazing people in the whole world.'

Despite knowing that she was sick, Miss Gillam explained that her mindset didn't allow her to eat properly.

Struggle: Gilliam (pictured recently) said it was a 'control thing' when her weight began to plummet when she was a teenager

'I remember I got a pizza ordered to the room once, the hotel room, and I threw it across the room onto the wall because I didn't want to eat it. Cause I didn't want to waste my calories on it.'

The trip to Singapore became a turning point, she revealed, when she realised that she had to face the fact that she had to recover.

'It got better. It did,' she said.

She said she thought: 'You know what, either you get better or you go to hospital or you die. What's it gonna be?'

By the time she turned 18, she weighed 46 kilos  and on a trip to Sydney, she was scoured by IMG Models and moved to the city.

Six months later, she returned home to Perth after the pressure of modelling and overexercising led to her getting the shingles.

A few months later Miss Gillam moved to London, where she lived in a model house and 'things just started to go downhill again'.

Stress: Miss illam added the pressure of working in the modeling industry made her illness worse

Again, she returned home after breaking her wrist, which she called a 'blessing in disguise.'

But things didn't get better straight away, and soon she was back down to 37 kilos.

'I got sick again and this time the depression got really bad and the anxiety and the stress got really bad,' she said.

'I remember waking up in the morning to go on the bike and do bike sprints before I had breakfast, with my heart beating out of my chest, tying on my shoe laces and thinking I could full well have a heart attack doing this but I'd still do it.'

It was finally when she contacted a nutritionist who introduced her to weight training four months ago that led to Miss Gillam becoming healthy again.

'When I started training, something amazing happened,' she said.

'I started enjoying gaining weight. I was gaining muscle. I was getting stronger. I was starting to get happy again.'

Having found the balance between healthy eating and exercise, Miss Gillam decided to share her struggle with the hope that she can inspire others with similar problems.

'I think it is so important for us all not matter what struggle we are going through to know that we are strong and we can overcome anything,' she wrote alongside her vlog.

'Life isn't always easy and has its ups and downs but we have to fight and try to stay positive and know that we can overcome almost anything we put our minds to.'
Model, Steph Claire Smith's, enviable Instagram page is filled with sun, sand and hundreds of bikinis.

So who better to model for the popular swim label, Moana Bikini?

The 22-year-old Melbourne model headed to Hawaii to pose in swimwear for the Gold Coast-based company's new Island Time collection.

Sizzling! Steph Claire Smith models Moana Bikini's new Island Time collection in Hawaii

Bold: The Melbourne model posed in a range of bright and colorful swimwear from the range

Island Time: The new Moana Bikini range is inspired by tropical island vacations

The pictures, shared on the Moana Bikini Instagram page, show Ms Smith modelling several of the range's colorful bikinis.

Inspired by tropical islands, each bikini features a vibrant pattern that appears even bolder against her deep bronze tan and bikini body.

She is seen in various locations on the island - from a yacht surrounded by clear, blue water to reclining on an inflatable in a pool.

Ms Smith is also seen frolicking in the sea at night - her mismatched bright bikini standing out against the dark background.

Whimsical: In one picture, Ms Smith is seen wearing a bikini with a print featuring birds

Lazy days: Another of the pictures shows Ms Smith reclining on an inflatable pool raft

Bright: She is also seen frolicking in the sea at night - her mismatched bright bikini standing out against the dark background

Sultry: Ms Smith is also seen reclining in a seductive pose on the beach in another Moana Bikini

Fun in the sun: Fellow model Eryn Krouse is featured in a couple of the pictures, posing with a pineapple alongside Ms Smith (pictured)

Fellow model, Eryn Krouse, from LA, is also featured in a couple of the pictures.

She poses with a pineapple alongside Steph in one picture and enjoys the pool in another.

Both models sport different-style bikinis, including floral patterns and off-the-shoulder cuts.

Fun: The collection celebrates 'every Moana Babe's desire to escape to a tropical paradise with their closest friend'

Contrast: Each bikini features a vibrant pattern that appears even bolder against Smith's tan

Skimpy: Ms Smith shows off her tan in another of the collection's brightly colored bikinis

Aim: The range is designed for women who want 'to explore, adventure and thrive in bikinis that communicate their individuality'

'Highly anticipated, uniquely designed and eagerly awaited  Moana Bikini's Island Time is a whimsical, colourful, vibrant expression of a life lived in, on and around the ocean,' the company said in a post on Facebook.

'The Island Time collection celebrates every Moana Babe's desire to escape to a tropical paradise with their closest friend; to explore, adventure and thrive in bikinis that communicate their individuality.'
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Bright Armenia, Republic and Civil contract parties were able to demonstrate political will by putting aside the existing disagreements and giving much more emphasis to the interests of Armenia, and they will take part in the 2017 parliamentary and Yerevan city councils elections with an electoral alliance, reports Armenpress.

Chairman of the Board of Civil contract party Sasun Mikayelyan congratulated on signing a memorandum on December 12 and attached importance to demonstrating a tolerance. I want we have an atmosphere of tolerance and trust in order to be able to carry out more large-scale activity.

Chairman of the Political Council of the Republic party Aram Sargsyan said this alliance is already the third for their party, but it is different from the previous ones. First of all, the alliance has been formed at the ideological base. All geopolitical, strategic and tactical issues were discussed and were agreed. We hope due to our right work we will be able to have a public support, Sargsyan said.

Bright Armenia party Council Chairman Edmon Marukyan said the three forces believe in cooperation and the success of this alliance. We will make all efforts to turn the Armenian statehood into a well-being not only in Armenia but also for Armenians worldwide, Marukyan said.
A woman who drove her husband 500 miles to Switzerland's Dignitas clinic so he could die peacefully revealed his last words to her were 'I have always loved you'.

Sandra Barclay, 67, had This Morning viewers in floods of tears as she spoke about her husband Andrew Barclay, 65, from Folkestone in Kent, who had spent 24 years suffering from multiple sclerosis .

The heartbreaking revelation was too much to bear for those watching at home: 'Crying my eyes out watching This Morning. What a brave lady.'

Andrew Barclay, 65, pictured with his wife Sandra, 67, ahead of his trip to Switzerland last week where he died via assisted suicide

Andrew has suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1992 and was confined to a wheelchair, he made the decision to go to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich with the support from his wife

Andrew and his wife Sandra seen here on their wedding day in 1974, the couple made the decision together and now Sandra may face a police investigation

It was an emotional moment as Sandra shared her last words with her husband Andrew for the first time on This Morning

The revelation was too much to bear for those watching This Morning at home as they tweeted that they were in tears

'Literally in tears. What a strong woman,' added another.

' Sat crying at #ThisMorning so heatbreaking. #dyingwithdignity brave family.'

Sandra revealed her husband's last words to her were: "Goodbye Ive always loved you" and I said "Cheerio Ive always loved you too".

Sandra, 67, explained to the presenters that she never wanted to say a final goodbye instead opting for "cheerio".

Grandfather Andrew, 65, had suffered with the debilitating MS since 1992 and visited Dignitas after he could no longer cope with the strain it had on his day-to-day life.

Sandra made the decision to open up about her husband Andrew following his decision to give an interview, which was published in a Saturday newspaper, following his death at the Dignitas clinic last Thursday.

Sandra wants to raise the legality of euthanasia in the UK and suggested to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that if assisted suicide was legal in the UK there might have been a chance Andrew could have enjoyed one last Christmas and New Year.

It was the first time she had chosen to speak in depth and it was clearly an emotional moment for her as opened up about risking prosecution by helping her husband to die rather than continue to suffer with MS.

Viewers at home were clearly left moved by her words: 'Crying my eyes out watching #ThisMorning such a brave woman.'

'In tears at #ThisMorning that lady has so much strength! I could never do that, knowing it was the last time we spent together!' one person said of Sandra.

'Bawling my eyes out. What a beautiful, strong family they must be. All my love to them. #ThisMorning'

She opened up about her decision to support her husband as they travelled to Switzerland to the Dignitas clinic

Andrew spoke about his decision in an interview over the weekend and Sandra waited until today to share her side of their story

Viewers praised Sandra for her composed and honest interview and some agreed that euthanasia should be made legal in the UK

Some people were in support of Sandra wanting to raise awareness of euthanasia being made legal in the UK: '#ThisMorning what an amazing composed lady. We should all have the right to choose when we want to die.'

'Wow what an incredible brave lady #ThisMorning sat here crying my eyes out for their suffering. #RIPAndrew hope the UK brings it in #Dignitas,' added another.

Sandra said she driven her husband to Switzerland because it was too difficult for him to fly there.

Sandra's decision to support her husband means she may be at risk of facing a police investigation under the 1961 Suicide Act, which states anyone helping someone to take life can be prosecuted.

She told Holly and Phillip: The fact remains if this is available in the UK. We could have possibly had Christmas and new year together but when the date come through we knew he could possibly get worse.

Sandra said that she and her husband enjoyed their last days sightseeing in Zurich before Andrew then went to an apartment to take a lethal dose

There were people who agreed with Sandra about the laws in the UK and praised her for being brave in wanting to raise awareness of dying with dignity

There are others that say, you should no way take your own life. Everyone is entitiled to their own opinion and those are the ones that wont go down that route.

For the rest of us that do, you can go down that route.'

Asked by Phillip if she felt bitter about not getting extra time she said: 'No Phillip, we werent, we were able to do it, we could afford to do it.

'But we were able to go there it took a great effort, but bitter? No.'

She explained how they enjoyed Andrew's last days sightseeing in Zurich before he arrived at the apartment where he was to end his life.

'We had an appointment on Tuesday afternoon, it was for about ten minutes and we enjoyed our stay,' she said.

Sandra told how Andrew was given an anti-sickness drink and then asked one last time to confirm he wanted to take the lethal dose, which he then went ahead and consumed.

'You can lay in a bed or sit in a chair, and Andrew decided to sit in a chair and I am glad he did. Twenty minutes later they came in and checked his pulse.

It was very peaceful. Why it cannot be done here I do not know, we can do it for our dogs and cats why not our loved ones?' Sandra asked.

His last words were "Goodbye Ive always loved you" and I said "Cheerio Ive always loved you too".

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am
Kris appears on Supershoppers do Christmas tonight where he admits that he prefers the

Many people will be delighted if they get a Molton Brown gift set in their stocking this Christmas.

The British beauty brand has established a reputation for producing high quality soaps, shower gels and moisturisers.

Its luxurious products, sold in department stores like Harrods, come with a hefty price tag  at 18, their 300ml hand soap is so expensive, it costs more per mml than Champagne.

Scroll down for video

Kris Murie (pictured) is a huge Molton Brown fan s and he agreed to test his favourite toiletry brand against the Aldi equivalent in a new episode of Supershoppers do Christmas

In contrast, budget supermarket Aldi produce a similar product for just 89p.

Its 'luxurious' handsoap for less than a pound comes in a similar-looking bottle to Molton Brown and is sold under the brand name Abbott and Broome.

So would a Molton Brown devotee be able to tell the difference between the cut-price version and the bottle that costs 20 times more?

Kris tests the 18 Orange and Bergamot handwash from Molton Brown against Aldi's Abbott and Broome Sweet Clementine and Grapefruit 'luxourious' handwash sold for 89p

In a twist presenters Anna Richardson and Andi Osho swap the bottles of the two soaps to prevent Kris from being biased

Kris Murie, 26, who has a huge collection of Molton Brown products at his home in Glasgow, tested the soaps for Channel 4 show Supershoppers do Christmas - and picked Aldis version over his usual favourite.

Presenters Anna Richardson and Andi Osho asked Kris to test the 18 Orange and Bergamot handwash against Aldi's Abbott and Broome Sweet Clementine and Grapefruit 'luxourious' handwash sold for 89p.

Kris Murie, 26, who has a huge collection of Molton Brown products at his home in Glasgow, agreed to test the two products and a third 'Proupps and Sheers'  which he was told was new to the market.

Thinking the Molton Brown bottle contained the luxury product he marked that the best

It was in fact a hand soap the Supershoppers team rustled up themselves using cheap ingredients (with the name an anagram of Supershoppers).

That wasn't the only way they pulled the wool over Kris's eyes. To test whether he was influenced by the soaps' brand and packaging, they swapped the contents of the Aldi and Molton Brown bottles.

During the experiment Kris said: 'My first impressions of the bottles are I like Proupps and Sheers the least but I have changed my mind slightly. It does seem to last a long time and leaves your hands feeling as if they are moisturised so it is a two in one type.'

On testing what he thought was the Aldi soap, but was actually his beloved Molton Brown, he said: 'It feels a bit thick, it leaves a clean but false feel.'

However, Anna Richardson (pictured) soon reveals the truth and that actually he favoured the Aldi version of the soap

After testing the three products, Kris concluded that he liked the Molton Brown soap best (which was actually Aldi), ranking the Proupps and Sheers second and the Aldi one (actually Molton Brown) last.

It was then presenter Anna Richardson revealed the truth, and told him the soap he had liked best was from the low-cost German supermarket, while he had liked his favourite brand the least.

On hearing how he had been duped, Kris laughed and said: 'That's very cheeky! I feel a wee bit shocked!'

He admitted that when reviewing the soaps, he has been 'led by the design and the brand'.

He said it has changed his opinion of other brands and he may shop around more in the future.

'Having seen this I may now try some different soaps. I think I will have to go to Aldi and give it a go, he said.
A man is using his resemblance to Vice-President-elect Mike Pence to tour New York City in underpants raising thousands of dollars for causes he fears will suffer under the new administration.

Glen Pannell, also known as 'Mike Hot-Pence', goes to Times Square and other Manhattan hotspots wearing a suit and tie with no pants to collect money.

The 51-year-old graphic director, actor and director from New York City told Daily News that he came up with the idea after being compared to the Republican multiple times and dressed as him for Halloween.

Activism: Glen Pannell, 51, pictured left, has raised thousands of dollars for causes that he claims could be at increased risk when Mike Pence, pictured right, becomes Vice President

Successful: The graphic designer, actor and director, also known as 'Mike Hot-Pence', has so far raised thousands of dollars for causes such as Planned Parenthood

Charitable: Glen - who looks like Pence, pictured - has also donated to LGBT youth charity Trevor Project and climate change non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council

Glen, who is gay, wants to use his similarity to help charities working on issues that Pence has spoken out against. So far he has raised $2,336.

Pence has previously spoken against same-sex marriage and Planned Parenthood. Earlier this year he signed a controversial anti-abortion bill in Indiana.

Glen raised more than $300 for Planned Parenthood and the Natural Resources Defense Council in just one weekend.

He has also collected donations for LGBT youth organization Trevor Project.

'I am raising money for groups that would be especially vulnerable during a Trump/Pence administration,' he said.

Glen uses Twitter to document contributions to charities by sharing a screenshot each time he submits a donation.

On Sunday alone he raised nearly $450 for Trevor Project. People can also donate to the organisation online where he has raised over $1,000.

Resemblance: Glen, pictured left, came up with the idea after being compared to the Republican, pictured right, multiple times and dressed as him for Halloween

He said the Vice-President-elect's political track record makes him anxious about what the Trump-Pence administration will mean for America.

'His policy over the last 16 years makes me very afraid for the next four years. I want to make it about the issues,' he said.

Glen said people have embraced his Mike Hot-Pence persona.

He told Daily Mail Online: 'The reaction has been amazing, both online and in person. People love the costume and the name. They want to give and they want to talk.

'It almost feels therapeutic, both for me and for them. I want to get back to Times Square later this month to collect for the International Refugee Assistance Project.
This stomach-churning footage shows a man having a five-foot long tapeworm removed from his nose.

Since the clip, believed to have been filmed in Australia, was uploaded to LiveLeak yesterday, it has amassed more than 4,000 views.

As the doctor in the unnamed clinic pulls several feet of the parasitic worm from the horrified man's right nostril with a pair of tweezers, he moans in pain.

'It's so uncomfortable,' he says coughing and gasping for air.

Finally with the worm removed, the doctor gives him a handkerchief to wipe his nose.

The parasites, which can be caught from uncooked beef or pork, can grow to incredible lengths.

However, it is unsure how they can end up living in someone's nose.

Since the revolting clip was uploaded to LiveLeak, it has amassed more than 4,000 views

'It's so uncomfortable,' he says coughing and gasping for air. Finally with the worm removed, the doctor gives him a handkerchief to wipe his nose

In March this year, medical staff were left stunned after they removed a five-metre tapeworm from a man's intestine.

Chen, 45, from Nanning, Guangxi, south China, told doctors he was a fan of raw beef and fish and had been experiencing stomach problems for a while, according to People's Daily Online.

WHAT ARE TAPEWORMS? Tapeworms have evolved specialised 'heads' that carry an arsenal of spines or retractable hooks to attach themselves to the intestines of their hosts. These parasites don't have a gut of their own. Instead, they use their outer surface to absorb nutrients and excrete waste. Beyond the 'head' and 'neck,' areas, a tapeworm is just a series of segments, each with its own male and female sexual parts. Eventually, they mature and make eggs. Tapeworms infest a wide variety of animals. Whales get tapeworms, and in these huge mammals the parasites can grow to 100 feet or more. If left untreated in human, the patient's life may be in danger as the infestation can affect key areas of the organ. The removal of a tape worm from an affected person's nose is rare - but has been documented frequently in medical literature. However, experts are not sure exactly why this happens. Advertisement

The city's Department of Gastroenterology had conducted several initial tests on Chen before finding the 16 feet long pest lurking within his bowels. It then took five days before they were able to remove the creature.

Doctors deduced that it had come from contaminated raw meat.

Taenia saginata, or the beef tapeworm, has eggs which hatch in the intestines of cattle and are carried throughout the body of the cow.

Three months after they are consumed by a human, the eggs hatch and develop into adults in the small intestine - and have a life expectancy of up to 60 years according to scientists.

Doctors have advised that meat and fish fans should be wary when eating unregulated and under cooked-produce - and that if raw beef is consumed, it should be chilled well beforehand.

Pork tapeworms are even more dangerous, due to their ability to migrate to vital organs in the body.

In 2014 a 50-year old man underwent surgery in the Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge to remove a pork tapeworm that was hiding in his brain.

Pork tape worms can also be caught from uncooked or under-cooked pork and infest the human gut.
Many GPs are no longer providing long-term contraception methods due to funding cuts, new research suggests.

Experts have warned that a lack of implants and coils could lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and the number of women seeking abortions.

Local councils' - which fund contraception through their public health budget - will face a cut of 800million over the next six years.

Some GPs no longer have enough funding for long-term contraceptive devices, like the coil

According to research by the Advisory Group on Contraception (AGC), some of the most effective methods are under consideration to be cut, or are already no longer provided, by one in three councils.

Its findings came from a Freedom of Information request to 152 councils in April.

The group, made up of health professionals, found that 3.9 million women live in an area where contraceptive services are 'limited'.

While one in seven councils may close some of their contraceptive services to cope with the reduced budget in the near future.

Tracey Forsyth, a contraceptive nurse for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, told BBC Two's Victoria Derbyshire: 'We've spent years doing really good work on contraception and sexual health.

'But now with all the cuts, what we're looking at is an increase in unwanted pregnancies.'

While contraception is provided for free on the NHS, 800million is being cut from councils' publich health budgets over six years

In another survey, two per cent of GPs were found to offer the full range of contraceptive methods to women.

The separate research, conducted by the Family Planning Association, found more than half say they don't have enough time to give women all the advice they require regarding contraceptives.

In 2015, former Chancellor George Osborne revealed council's would face a 200million cut to their health budgets.

While the Government announced a further 600million reduction in their public health budgets.

The Department of Health said councils were best at deciding what public health services they provided for their residents.
Syphilis could become impossible to treat with key antibiotics, doctors warn amid concerns over a new drug-resistant strain.

Once a death sentence, the vast majority of syphilis cases today are curable with penicillin injections.

However, a new study reveals an aggressive new strain of the infection is more widespread than previously thought - and there are limited ways to control it.

There are two common types of syphilis: Nichols and Street Strain 14 (SS14).

In an analysis of syphilis samples, researchers by the University of Zurich found the most common to be SS14-, a sub-set of SS14.

Alarmingly, 90 per cent of the SS14- samples they analysed were resistant to antibiotics.

A new study reveals an aggressive new strain of syphilis is more widespread than previously thought - and there are limited means to control it

Although scientists have yet to detect any penicillin-resistant strains, the discovery is an ominous sign that it is adapting to modern medicine.

Cases of the chronic bacterial infection have shot up by 71 per cent in England since 2011, according to the latest figures.

Syphilis cases are also increasingly more common in the US. Infections rose 15 percent between 2013 and 14; and another 19 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to CDC data.

Scientists are unsure just how many of these cases can be put down to the relatively new strain that is growing resistant to key antibiotics.

SYPHILIS: WHAT IS IT, WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS, AND HOW IS IT TREATED? What is it? A chronic bacterial disease, syphilis can be contracted by other means but is typically a sexually-transmitted disease. In very rare cases, it can be spread through prolonged kissing, as well as the more common routes of transmission: vaginal, anal and oral sex. It comes from the bacteria Treponema pallidum. What are the symptoms? Sufferers develop sores, though these can often go ignored. The infection develops in stages. Stage one: Small, painless sores (like ulcers) on genitals or in the mouth

Appear within 10-90 days after exposure

They disappear within six weeks, and do not leave a scar, before developing to stage two Stage two: Rosy rash on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet

Moist warts in the groin

White patches inside the mouth

Swollen glands

Fever

Weight loss

This all fades away without treatment before developing into stage three Latent syphilis: Dormant, no symptoms Stage three: Without treatment it can progress to more severe issues with the heart, brain and nerves

Paralysis

Blindness

Dementia

Deafness

Impotence

Death How is it treated? In the early stages, patients can receive an injection of Benzathine penicillin G. This will not undo the internal damage but will eliminate the infection. For those with latent syphilis - and are unsure how long they had it - doctors recommend having three doses of the penicillin injection, seven days apart from each other. Advertisement

But they say the emergence of a drug-resistant forms could make syphilis, a potentially fatal STI, even harder to treat.

A study of syphilis infections in 13 countries in 2012 to 2013 shows how a drug resistant strain of the disease is far more widespread than previously thought.

SS14- is particularly resistant to the class of antibiotics called macrolides, the researchers from the University of Zurich say in the journal Nature Microbiology.

The possibility that the second-line medication for the disease - used when penicillin injections are not appropriate - might lose their effectiveness has alarmed experts.

Lola Stamm, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, said the findings should serve as a warning to doctors not to oversubscribe antibiotics.

'Physicians need to be extremely wary about using macrolide drugs to treat syphilis,' she said.

Dr Stamm said syphilis wasnt yet resistant to multiple types of antibiotics - but she said that scenario could not be discounted in the future.

Doctors say that complacency and the difficulty in treating a disease that can remain symptomless for years has led to a rise in cases around the world.

Estimates suggest that there were 10.6 million cases worldwide in 2008, with many carrying the disease unaware they are actually infected.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, from Public Health England, said the return of syphilis was particularly worrying in London - which has increased by 163 per cent since 2010.

'While we've seen increases in many STIs in recent years, syphilis is fast emerging as a serious public health concern in the capital,' she said.

Cases of syphilis have been reported among both heterosexuals and men who have sex with men - but the latter group has been more affected.

Commonly, someone who is infected with syphilis may develop a painless ulcer or rash on the genitals, rectum or inside the mouth within a month.

Secondary syphilis will then follow. This is characterised by general symptoms such as a fever, headaches and night sweats.

If this is not treated with antibiotics it can then progress into late stage syphilis.

At this point the disease causes much more serious health complications that can include cardiovascular problems, central nervous disease and paralysis -- and can prove be fatal.

Doctors say regular sexual health check ups in sexually active people are the key to preventing the disease.

This comes after research commissioned by then Prime Minister David Cameron found antibiotic resistance will have caused 300 million premature deaths.

Globally, at least 700,000 die each year of drug resistance in illnesses such as bacterial infections, malaria, HIV/Aids or tuberculosis.
Rural areas have seen a devastating rise in the number of babies born addicted to drugs, new figures show.

Newborns exposed to opioids in the womb and who experience withdrawal symptoms after birth are more likely to have seizures, low birth weight, breathing, sleeping and feeding problems.

Ten years ago, fewer than one baby per 1,000 would be born suffering withdrawal from their mother's opioids in rural America.

In 2013, that figure had rocketed 80 percent to around 8 babies per 1,000 births.

Cities, meanwhile, saw a 30 percent rise over the same time period.

While both staggering increases, the figures lay bare the devastating impact the current drug epidemic is having on poorer communities.

Rural vs urban: The blue line shows the staggering increase in the number of babies born suffering withdrawal from drugs (also know as neonatal abstinence syndrome). The yellow line shows rates for the same condition but in urban areas

Unsurprisingly, rural infants and mothers with opioid-related conditions were more likely to be from lower-income families with public insurance.

And the study highlights that families in urban areas typically have wider access to treatment and addiction services that can help affected babies survive.

Researchers from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University warn the study should trigger urgent action to help fund rehab programs for pregnant women.

'The opioid epidemic has hit rural communities especially hard and we found that these geographical disparities also affect pregnant women and infants,' says lead author and Mott pediatrician Nicole Villapiano, M.D.

'Our study highlights an urgent need to fund providers and programs that will help improve access to opioid prevention and treatment services for rural women and children.

'Maternal opioid use requires special attention given the poor outcomes and high costs.

'If we can provide resources to the areas that need them the most, we can do more on the frontlines to address the opioid crisis for our most vulnerable patients.'

The opioid addiction epidemic has killed thousands of people in just three years, with the CDC branding the crisis 'unprecedented'.

The study, published today in JAMA Pediatrics, highlights a dramatic and disproportional rise in opioid-related complications among rural pregnant women and their infants.

In 2012, maternal opiate use in rural counties was 70 percent higher than in urban counties

The researchers tracked newborns treated for opioid-related issues over 10 years.

Using national data, researchers found that between 2012 and 2013, rural infants accounted for over 21 percent of all infants born suffering withdrawal - which is also known as neonatal abstinence syndrome.

That is a significant increase from 2003 when rural infants made up only 13 percent of the neonatal abstinence syndrome cases in the U.S.

Geographical differences were mirrored by trends in national maternal opioid use, the study also found.

In 2012, maternal opiate use in rural counties was nearly 70 percent higher than in urban counties.
You rush to the chemist in your lunch hour, only to be told the medicine your GP has prescribed isn't available.

The pharmacist is very apologetic, but no one has it in stock as there are 'supply issues', she says. 'Try again tomorrow.'

But how would you feel if you knew the reason your prescription couldn't be filled is because someone had snapped up all the stock to sell for a profit elsewhere in Europe?

It's not only frustrating, it's dangerous: as a result of drug shortages patients are being harmed and even hospitalised, according to a survey of GPs and pharmacists for the parliamentary All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG).

As a result of drug shortages patients are being harmed and even hospitalised, according to a survey of GPs and pharmacists for the parliamentary All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG)

The APPG first noted the problem back in 2012, blaming 'speculators'  licensed traders who snap up medicines on the cheap in the UK to sell abroad.

It highlighted the shameful case of a pregnant woman whose pharmacist was unable to get the progesterone tablets prescribed to her to prevent her suffering yet another miscarriage.

It took five days to track down the drug. The fate of the woman's unborn child is unknown.

In other incidents, shortages meant patients with mental health conditions had not got the drugs they needed and diabetic patients had suffered hypoglycaemic attacks and ended up in hospital.

Now, almost five years on, not only has the APPG's call to restrict the export of UK medicines been ignored, but the number of licensed dealers has risen by a third  and shortages of medicines are worse than ever.

There's a fortune to be made. Drug companies price medicines differently in different markets  and, thanks to the bargaining power of the NHS, the UK pays much less for drugs than others.

That's good news for NHS budgets  but also tempting to dealers, especially when the exchange rate between sterling and the euro makes export all the more attractive.

Last December researchers led by the Austrian Public Health Institute unearthed the price of cancer drugs in 16 countries and found huge variations.

While these are not drugs you'd get from your pharmacist, they show the kind of profit that can be made.

For example, bortezomib (marketed as Velcade), a treatment for cancer of the bone marrow, is priced at 799 in the UK, but fetches 1,138 in Germany, according to the report in the journal Lancet Oncology Research.

Bortezomib (marketed as Velcade), a treatment for cancer of the bone marrow, is priced at 799 in the UK, but fetches 1,138 in Germany

That's a quick windfall of almost 50 per cent. Even greater profits are possible with prescription drugs, as an investigation in 2013 by the Irish Economic and Social Research Institute discovered.

Researchers calculated the average wholesale price per dose of 210 prescription drugs sold in eight European countries, and found the NHS consistently paid the least.

Overall, the basket of drugs cost on average 46 per dose in the UK, compared with more than 78 in Germany and as much as 83 in Ireland  two clear opportunities for dealers to export drugs for profits of 63 and 81 per cent.

The practice is legal  but if exporting a drug creates a shortage for the NHS, it becomes a criminal offence, punishable by an unlimited fine and up to two years in prison.

In 2013 the Department of Health promised action, saying the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) would carry out 'a series of targeted inspections' of licence-holders, promising 'those breaching existing duties to supply medicines will face the consequences'.

But three years on, not a single one has been prosecuted or had their licence revoked.

Researchers calculated the average wholesale price per dose of 210 prescription drugs sold in eight European countries, and found the NHS consistently paid the least

In fact, now there are even more licence-holders able to profit from the scandal. In 2012 there were 1,700 UK licence-holders.

Today there are more than 2,200 and more licences are being issued daily in exchange for the 1,803 fee  65 were granted in November alone.

And drug shortages continue. In a survey carried out for the APPG between October 2015 and January 2016 over half of pharmacists said drugs were 'almost certain' to be out of stock once a day. Nearly 40 per cent of GPs said the same.

Pharmacists reported delays, or the prescription of alternatives, 'may have or did require patients to receive moderate medical treatment'.

In some cases where the pharmacy was unable to find the prescribed drug, as many as 3 per cent reported that this may have or did lead to the patient being hospitalised.

Further evidence emerged in August when a survey by GP magazine also found patients were 'coming to harm'.

In a survey carried out for the APPG between October 2015 and January 2016 over half of pharmacists said drugs were 'almost certain' to be out of stock once a day

More than 80 per cent of GPs said that in the previous 12 months, shortages had forced them to prescribe a second-choice drug and in one in five cases patients suffered negative effects as a result, 'including harm or slower recovery'.

Hunting for missing drugs is also costing the NHS valuable time. In the APPG survey, half of pharmacists said they spent 21 to 50 hours a month dealing with shortages.

Shortages of branded medicines have now become so routine pharmacists aren't bothering to report them, says the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), which represents NHS pharmacists and runs an online reporting system to list shortages.

Now, says the PSNC, cheaper generic drugs  copies of branded drugs on which the patent has expired  are also increasingly in short supply.

Prices of drugs go up when they are in short supply and more and more generic drugs are costing above the price agreed with the NHS.

Each month there are more and more of these so-called concession drugs, for which the NHS allows pharmacists to pay more than the agreed price.

Shortages of branded medicines have now become so routine pharmacists aren't bothering to report them, says the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee

What isn't clear is which of the 2,200 licencees, from individual GPs and High Street pharmacists to pharmaceutical manufacturers and specialist wholesalers, are responsible for the trade.

Several witnesses at the 2012 APPG inquiry pointed the finger at pharmacists.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the trade organisation for the branded drugs industry, claimed then that some medicines intended for use in the UK were being 'traded and sold abroad for a profit by a small number of retail pharmacies'.

The ABPI says there is still a problem with shortages in which trading by pharmacists plays a part.

'The reasons for medicine shortages are often complex and varied and occur when demand outstrips supply,' said Dr Rick Greville, director of distribution and supply for the ABPI.

This, he told Good Health, could be caused by manufacturing problems, companies recalling medicines for quality or safety concerns, 'or the export of medicines intended for UK patients'.

If you ban the drugs export the whole system will collapse, says Martin Sawer of the Healthcare Distribution Association

Like the APPG, the ABPI wants the number of Wholesale Distributor Authorisation licences in the UK, which is 'well above the European average', reduced  or, at least, 'the activities undertaken when wearing the 'hat of a wholesaler' or the 'hat of a retail pharmacy' should be clearly separated and declared'.

This, Dr Greville told Good Health, 'would help manufacturers and suppliers better understand whether an order for a medicine is for local UK use or to be traded'.

Solving the shortage is not as simple as clamping down on export, suggests Martin Sawer, executive director of the Healthcare Distribution Association, which represents the major drugs wholesalers.

Ban exports, he says, and 'the whole system will collapse... yes, there are occasional shortages but the system also allows imports to make up for those and save the NHS a lot of money'.

And therein perhaps lies a clue to why so little seems to be being done to tackle shortages.

Asked why it had disregarded the call to reduce the number of licences, a spokesman said only that the MHRA 'recognises that there are a large number of licensed wholesale dealers in the UK.

'This has traditionally been the case and there is a legitimate role for [them].'

The UK, the spokesman added, 'has had an active and diverse licensed wholesale dealing market [that] in the past . . . has seemed to help protect [it] from shortages'.

That isn't how the APPG saw it. In 2012 it called on the Government to 'unequivocally state that the interests of UK patients must come first, not provisions concerning the free movement of goods'.

In June this year, MP Sir Kevin Barron, chair of the APPG, wrote to the Department of Health seeking a meeting 'to consider actions that would improve the situation'.

Five months on, Sir Kevin has not even received a reply to his letter.
An article on 19 June ('Clement Freud drank with Maddie suspect Robert Murat in Praia da Luz bar  and his local pub was dubbed the Plough and Paedo') reported claims in another newspaper that Robert Murat had known Sir Clement Freud in the Portuguese town where Madeleine McCann went missing. In fact, Mr Murat, who was totally cleared of any involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, never met or had any connection with the alleged paedophile ex-MP. We are happy to make this clear and apologise to Mr Murat for any suggestion he was involved in wrongdoing.

To report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@dailymail.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.dailymail.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-to-use complaints form. You can also write to Readers Editor, Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received an unpleasant jolt on Sunday when four of its members, including Colonel CM Lakhanpal, a founder member and vice-president of the party's Punjab wing, quit and decided to join the Congress.

Lakhanpal joined Captain Amarinder Singh for a press conference on Sunday and said he had quit the party because AAP was losing support as it had compromised on its principles.

Besides Colonel CM Lakhanpal, PK Sharma, Colonel Iqbal Pannu and Barpur, all leaders who have played a significant role in the internal matters of AAP have also quit the party to join the Congress.

Punjab Squad: AAP leaders of Punjab Col. C.M. Lakhanpal, P.K. Sharma, Col Iqbal Pannu and Barpur Singh joins Congress in the presence of Punjab Pradesh Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh in New Delhi

Congress's Punjab president Amarinder Singh, while speaking to the media said that while new entrants were joining the Congress party, people were leaving its rival AAP.

However, he said not all the new entrants would get automatic tickets and only where the Congress does not have a clear choice will the 'newbies' get a chance to prove themselves.

Singh said that AAP has no standing in Punjab and the party is fooling itself if it thinks it has a chance.

'AAP had absolutely no standing in Punjab and had brought 50,000 people from other states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for campaigning,' he claimed.

Colonel Lakhanpal said that he was the one responsible for holding all major functions of the party in Punjab, and backed Singh's claim of outside support for AAP.

He told India Today, 'AAP was once a principle-based party but had compromised on those and had started bringing in people with not so clean background as candidates.'

Citing the example of the party's alliance with Bains brothers, who have been implicated in over a dozen assault cases, he said it was no longer possible to continue with AAP, given its current state.

'The party that once had corruption as its main plank now has more than 60 of the party candidates with not so clean background,' he said.

The three others who quit the party include group coordinator PK Sharma, who is the grandson of Pt Ramgopal Sharma, who was a Congress member.

Sharma had left Canada to join AAP during the Anna Hazare movement, but he said he soon got disillusioned with the deep-rooted malaise in the party and decided to join the Congress.

Capt. Amarinder Singh is leading the GOP charge in poll-bound Punjab

Another important person to join Congress is founder member Colonel Iqbal Pannu, senior vice-president of trade and transport, as well as the industrial wing of AAP.

Barpur Singh was the sector coordinator for AAP, handling three assembly constituencies of Punjab and was also the leader of the Ramgarhia SC wing.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. President of Syria Bashar al-Assad received a letter from Pope Francis delivered by Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari, who was received by the President on December 12, Armenpress reports, citing SANA.

Pope Francis expressed his heartfelt sympathy for Syria and its people in light of the difficult circumstances the country is going through, and asserted the Vaticans condemnation of all forms of extremism and terrorism.

The Pope called in his letter for uniting all efforts to put an end to the war in Syria and restore peace in it so that it can remain a model for coexistence among cultures and religions as it always has been.

For his part, President al-Assad congratulated Zenari on being ordained Cardinal, noting that keeping him as the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria after becoming Cardinal  which is the only such case in the world  is apolitical, historic, and humanitarian president that shows Pope Francis great care for Syria and its people.

His Excellency asserted that Syria, as a state and as a people, is determined to restore security and stability and is continuing to achieve reconciliations, as they are the optimal way for achieving that goal.

For his part, Cardinal Zenari said he is glad to remain as Apostolic Nuncio to Syria after being ordained Cardinal, stressing that Syria, the cradle of Christianity and religions, is a very important state that plays a pivotal role in the region, and it must overcome the ordeal it is going through and become better than it was before.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday using his speaker phone after his flight could not land due to poor visibility.

The flight was carrying Modi from Lucknow. However, he did not want to disappoint the crowd of over four lakh that had turned up to hear him, hence the innovative use of mobile technology.

Modi listed his government's achievements and the crackdown on black money as UP BJP Chief Keshav Prasad Maurya held the phone close to the microphone for people to listen to the Prime Minister's address.

Bahraich: UP BJP President Keshav Prasad Maurya holds a mobile phone near the mikes so that people may listen to PM Narendra Modi's address at Parivartan Maharally in Bahraich

Modi reiterated that his government is for the poor and those who have stock-piled black money will not be spared.

'Those having black money will not be spared and will land in jail within 2-4 months,' he said.

'You must have seen that the government is after people who have stashed black money. The government is committed to empowering the poor. People are also taking pain to ensure the country moves on the path of development,' he added.

'The Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress are speaking in the same tone. All these parties are facing hardships due to the note ban.

'Those who looted the poor will not be spared,' Modi further said.

'I am sorry as the climate did not allow me to land in Bahraich, but I will definitely come back to meet you people,' the PM added.

Expressing concern over the virtual washout of the winter session of Parliament amidst continued protest by the Opposition on demonetisation, Modi said parties discarded by the people have stalled proceedings in both Houses.

'The Parliament has not been allowed to function for 20 days. We are ready for a debate (on demonetisation), but we are not allowed to present our view point by those very parties that have been discarded by the electorate,' he said.

'They (Opposition) come to the well of the House and throw papers at the Speaker. We want to put forth the government's view point, but they do not allow us to,' he added.

Modi was national general secretary of the BJP when he visited Bahraich in 2001 for the first time. His second visit was in November 2013. This was BJP's fifth Parivartan Yatra to be addressed by the Prime Minister in the state.

Modi said that only the BJP could fulfil the aspirations of the people of UP and appealed to the electorate to vote for the party in the upcoming Assembly polls next year.

'For Uttar Pradesh to progress, poverty and goonda raj need to be removed. Police are also helping those who are indulging in hooliganism. We have to crush those patronising hooliganism,' he said.

Asking people to learn to use mobile banking, Modi said, 'I am addressing you through mobile. You can turn your mobile into your bank. You have to learn it slowly.'

Modi was national general secretary of the BJP when he visited Bahraich in 2001 for the first time. His second visit was in November 2013. This was BJP's fifth Parivartan Yatra to be addressed by the Prime Minister in the state.

Modi has earlier addressed four rallies at Ghazipur, Agra, Kushinagar and Moradabad. His next rally is scheduled to be held in Kanpur on December 19.
BJP chief Amit Shah gave a clarion call to party workers to uproot the 'corrupt government' in Himachal Pradesh and make India Congress-free by bringing BJP to power with majority in the Assembly elections next year.

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vijay Rath will reach Himachal Pradesh after conquering Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in Assembly polls.

'The Congress government in the state will also fall and India will become Congress-free,' he said at a conclave for booth-level BJP office bearers of Shimla (Reserve) Parliamentary constituency here.

BJP chief Amit Shah has called on party workers to uproot the 'corrupt' government in Himachal Pradesh and make India Congress-free

Defending the Centre's demonetisation move, Shah attacked previous UPA governments and the Virbhadra Singh dispensation for patronising corruption.

Hitting out at those raising a hue and cry over note ban, he claimed that only those with piles of black money are feeling the heat.

'The common man has no problem and has welcomed the move. Demonetisation is a lethal step to destroy a parallel economy that runs on black money, choke funding to terrorists, stop extortions by Naxalites and take on fake note rackets,' he said.

Shah claims that the Prime Minister had recognised that there would be some inconvenience for the initial 50-day period of the note ban.

'Twenty-five per cent of black money deposited with banks will be used for the welfare of the poor; 50 per cent will be deducted as tax and 85 per cent penalty will be imposed on undisclosed money,' the BJP chief said.

Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh for criticising the government, he said, 'Scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore surfaced in the UPA regime but not a single case of corruption has been reported in the two-and-a-half years of the NDA government.

The country has a Prime Minister who speaks out, has dialogues with people, understands problems of the masses, cracked down on black money and rolled out 92 public welfare schemes, Shah said.
The Union Home minister Rajnath Singh has lashed out at Pakistan for its approach to fighting internal terrorism.

Singh said that the Narendra Modi government has done everything possible to normalise the relationship with the western neighbour, Islamabad was unfortunately choosing not to listen.

Rajanath Singh said, 'Did we not invite (Pakistani PM) Nawaz Sharif to shake hands with him on the oath taking ceremony in 2014? We wanted to work together in cordial manner.'

The Union Home minister Rajnath Singh has lashed out at Pakistan for its approach to fighting internal terrorism

The minister added 'Pakistan is conspiring to divide India on religious lines but it will not succeed. We were divided in 1947 on religious basis. We have not been able to forget that.

'All Indians are brothers, whether they are born from the womb of a Hindu mother or a Muslim mother. Rajnath has also said ,'Despite our best efforts, Pakistan remained non-committal in fight against terrorism.

It rather responded with cowardly terror attacks at Pathankot, Uri and other places.'

The minister added 'Pakistan is conspiring to divide India on religious lines but it will not succeed. We were divided in 1947 on religious basis. We have not been able to forget that.' (pictured Muslims leaving India for Pakistan in 1947)

Singh accused Pakistan of making a U-turn after promising cooperation in investigation into Pathankot terror attack.

'When our security officials were seeing off the Pakistani investigation team at the airport, they said the Indian team will soon be invited to their country for further probe.

'But, once reaching Pakistan they retracted and did not fulfill their promise,' Rajnath lamented.

The Home Minister warned Pakistan about the dangers of patronising terrorism. Rajnath Singh said, 'Pakistan should understand the fact that terrorism is not a weapon of brave people. This is a tool of cowardice.'

With huge surge in the number of ceasefire violations from Pakistan along the LoC and the international border, the Union Home Minister said that forces 'have been asked not to count their bullets while retalliating any attack.'

In a stern warning to the Nawaz Sharif government, Rajnath Singh said Pakistan is in danger of another dismemberment should it not detest from supporting terrorism.

Rajnath Singh was speaking at the Shahidi Diwas programme at Kathua, Jammu.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took a jibe at Rajnath Singh, and said on Twitter, 'Yes Rajnath Singhji Pakistan is trying to divide India along religious lines; has it struck you that you & your boss have been doing the same?
A central agency has claimed that negligence from the Delhi city zoo led to the death of half a dozen langurs, while officials tried to bury the issue by suppressing facts and manipulating records.

Wildlife activists have called for a thorough investigation and a sweeping review of animal care procedures at the National Zoological Park Delhi.

The park, where annual footfall is close to 22 lakh, hit the headlines in May after 50 spotted deer reportedly died due to rabies.

Missing monkeys: A central agency has claimed that negligence from the Delhi city zoo led to the death of half a dozen langurs, while officials tried to bury the issue by suppressing facts and manipulating records

According to a senior official in the Ministry of Environment, forests and climate Change (MoEF&CC), in June this year Union Minister Maneka Gandhi raised questions regarding the upkeep and healthcare of animals at the Delhi Zoo and also expressed concerns over the disappearance of its entire langur population.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a regulatory body for zoos under the government of India, in its report to the MoEF&CC blamed the deaths on gross negligence of officials.

It also wrote that five such deaths were suppressed and officials submitted factually incorrect statutory information to the CZA repeatedly.

A senior official in the ministry told Mail Today that the role of top zoo functionaries is under the scanner as the veterinary officer at the park prepared and submitted a bogus post-mortem report.

The park, where annual footfall is close to 22 lakh, hit the headlines in May after 50 spotted deer died reportedly due to rabies

They also allegedly provided false reports regarding the disposal of langurs. The zoo also failed to maintain records of animals received under exchange programmes or through rescue processes, which is mandatory.

Gandhi demanded action against the Delhi Zoo director for his negligence.

'He must be prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 for his deliberate inaction which has led to the death of so many animals. He has even failed to prevent routine harassment of wild animals at the zoo by the visitors,' she said.

The Common Langur (Presbytis entellus) is a schedule II animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and classified as an 'endangered animal' under Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.

The report highlights that the animals were not quarantined properly and appropriate treatment records were not maintained.

Maneka Gandhi has demanded action against the Delhi Zoo director for negligence

Zoo officials said the langurs were released in the campus but here they again failed to follow protocol as no permission was sought from competent authorities.

There was no observation of either of the released animals.

Ministry officials said as per the inventory report submitted by the zoo for 2015-16, the number of deaths of langurs has been shown as two - a male and a female.

However, the director of the zoo in a letter dated December 2, mentioned that four langurs, all males, died during 2015-16. On further scrutiny, even the 'four deaths' figure was found to be inaccurate.

Finally, zoo officials said seven langurs died in that period.

The zoo at present does not have a single langur and maintains that some were released in the wild within the campus.

The zoo director replied that 'the woodlands of the zoo provide excellent habitat for these animals and now they are rehabilitated in the zoo living freely in the zoo campus moving in and out of the arena of the enclosure'.

However, he did not respond to calls from Mail Today.

The CZA in its report found several lapses and requested appropriate disciplinary action against all officials concerned.

'We found that zoo officials are not maintaining inventory and were also not conducting post-mortem properly, which is mandatory,' said animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi.
In the first indication of the government's future policy on currency, a top RSS ideologue consulted in decision-making has said the new 2,000-rupee notes would also be phased out gradually (pictured - Gurumurthy)

In the first indication of the government's future policy on currency, a top RSS ideologue has said the new 2,000-rupee notes would also be phased out gradually in the years to come.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, S. Gurumurthy supported the notion of lower-denomination banknotes for the country.

Gurumurthy, a key member of the Sanghbacked Vivekananda Foundation, has been advising seniors in the government over ways to deal with demonetisation.

His comments came in the middle of the furore over the abrupt scrapping of 86 per cent of the nation's currency by the Modi government.

Gurumurthy described the new Rs 2,000 bills as a 'bridge' to meet the gap in cash while it is being taken out of circulation.

But the new biggest notes, he said, would also be 'phased out' gradually.

'If you introduce new currency, it takes five to seven years to fake it,' Gurumurthy said. 'But before that, you will withdraw Rs 2,000 notes. The Rs 2,000 note is only a bridge,' he said.

The 2,000-rupee bills, added Gurumurthy, only aimed to replace the void of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Swaminathan Gurumurthy's comments came in the middle of the furore over the abrupt scrapping of 86 per cent of the nation's currency by the Modi government

'It is obvious that they (the government press) are not able to print Rs 500-1,000 notes. The only way they could do it is by printing Rs 2,000 notes. After that, they will remonetise it without demonetising and then withdraw it,' he explained.

Prodded further on if he believes that the 2,000-rupee bills would be pulled back without demonetising at some point in the next five years, he said the government would withdraw them gradually.

'Obviously... banks will be told that when you get Rs 2,000 notes, you don't return them. Slowly, banks will accumulate Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination.

'If anything remains, like 5-10 to 20 per cent notes, they will say, in next one month or so, you change your Rs 2,000 notes for Rs 500 notes,' he said.

Gurumurthy cited practices the country had adopted in the past to replace old series with the new currency.

A bank employee counting new Rs 2000 notes before issuing to the customers in Srinagar

'It is called phasing out. We have phased out many such series in the past,' said the RSS leader, also a renowned chartered accountant.

'The government is, however, committed to moving towards smaller denomination notes', Gurumurthy added. Indian currency, according to the ideologue, should have Rs 500 as its highest denomination followed by Rs 250 and Rs 100.

Gurumurthy defended the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his November 8 demonetisation announcement, which came under heavy attack both from the Opposition and independent economists.
Furious campaigners have accused Royal Bank of Scotland of trying to silence small business owners who claim it destroyed their livelihoods during the financial crisis.

The lender has sent out hundreds of letters telling firms which fell into the hands of its notorious Global Restructuring Group that they would not automatically get compensation from the 400million pot that has been set aside.

The bank has pledged to refund certain complex fees in full  but has told businesses that did not pay them that they are not entitled to any pay-out.

Compensation: It is the second time in a week that RBS has been accused of denying compensation to those who many believe should be entitled to make a claim

It is the second time in a week that RBS has been accused of denying compensation to those who many believe should be entitled to make a claim.

Earlier in the week the Mail revealed how RBS was set to deny compensation to 30,000 shareholders who hadnt signed up to a court action over its 2008 fundraising drive. These shareholders will miss out on sharing in a pot worth 800million.

The latest revelation follows years of wrangling and reports into the GRG, which was set up as a crack turnaround unit to keep struggling firms afloat as they sought to pay off loans from RBS.

But a stream of entrepreneurs have since claimed they were instead deliberately pushed into administration.

They allege the bank then seized their assets to bolster its own ailing balance sheet.

RBS denies these claims but has admitted that it fell short of acceptable standards.

SNP MP George Kerevan, who is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Business Banking and a member of the Treasury Select Committee, said: The letter sent by RBS to its customers who were forced into GRG is disingenuous and misleading.

Cat MacLean of law firm MBM Commercial, which represents former GRG customers, said: The amount of cash available under the compensation scheme doesnt come anywhere close to actually being adequate for the number of clients affected. The bank is looking to exclude people wherever possible.

It came as Treasury Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie issued a series of questions to RBS asking for more detail on the compensation scheme.

He also urged the Financial Conduct Authority watchdog to release a full report it commissioned into the GRG, as only a summary has so far been made public.
The former Health Secretary - who was forced to quit after he was caught flouting his own Covid lockdown rules with his married aide Gina Coladangelo - has sparked a storm which has seen him ridiculed and even booted out of the parliamentary Tory party. Justifying his decision to fly Down Under, landing in Brisbane this morning, Mr Hancock denied he had 'lost his marbles'. He insisted it was so he can 'go to where the people are - not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster' - and claimed that he will 'promote his dyslexia campaign' and make a donation to a hospice - although not his entire estimated 350,000 pay deal from ITV. But millions are set to punish him for his decision, including MPs. One former minister has threatened 'to vote for him to eat armadillo c**k every night'. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said today that he should 'step down' and didn't deny he would also vote for Hancock to face Bushtucker Trials, smiling as he said: 'That will be between me and my phone'. In Mr Hancock's West Suffolk constituency, Andy Drummond, the cheesed off deputy chairman of the local Conservative Association, said: 'I'm looking forward to him eating a kangaroo's penis'. Incredibly the now independent MP insists that he will still be doing his job as an MP, meaning he will not forego his taxpayer-funded salary for the duration of his trip. He said: 'As an MP, my first priority is to my constituents. I have agreed with the show's producers that I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters'. Yesterday the Prime Minister said he was doing the opposite. The former health secretary also revealed he had twice asked to appear on the show before but accepted the third offer because the government is now 'stable'. Many have pondered whether he made up his mind when he was snubbed by new PM Rishi Sunak at his victory rally last week, which was tacit confirmation his career as a senior MP is over.
Virginia prison officials have paid a secret compounding pharmacy $66,000 to obtain lethal injection drugs for its next two executions, receipts have shown.

The sum is roughly 63 times last year's going price for the state's three-drug lethal injection package.

Virginia and other states have struggled to obtain execution drugs because pharmaceutical companies block their sale to avoid public backlash.

But under a new law, the state can have the drugs made at a compounding pharmacy and shield its identity from the public.

Virginia and other states have struggled to obtain these drugs because pharmaceutical companies block their sale for executions to avoid public backlash. Pictured is the execution chamber at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt

An execution date of January 18 has been set for Ricky Gray (pictured), who was convicted of slaying a well-known family-of-four in Richmond on New Years' Day in 2006

Virginia's lethal injection protocol calls for the use of a sedative  pentobarbital or midazolam  followed by rocuronium bromide to halt breathing, and potassium chloride to stop the heart.

The Virginia Department of Corrections has paid this pharmacy $66,000 since September for vials of midazolam and potassium chloride, according to receipts provided to The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The pharmacy's identifying information was redacted.

Virginia also recently purchased about $340 worth of rocuronium bromide from Cardinal Health, an Ohio-based pharmaceutical wholesaler, invoices show.

This gives the state enough drugs to execute two inmates, according to Virginia Department of Corrections spokeswoman Lisa Kinney, as long as legal appeals don't continue beyond the drugs' early-2017 expiration dates.

An execution date of January 18 has been set for Ricky Gray, who was convicted of slaying a well-known family-of-four in Richmond on New Years' Day in 2006.

The US Supreme Court also recently rejected an appeal by Virginia inmate Ivan Teleguz (pictured) who was convicted in 2006 of hiring a man to kill his ex-girlfriend

The US Supreme Court also recently rejected an appeal by another Virginia inmate  Ivan Teleguz  who was convicted in 2006 of hiring a man to kill his ex-girlfriend. Teleguz has another appeal pending in the 4th Circuit US Court of Appeals.

Virginia added midazolam to its drug protocol in 2014 but has not yet used it. Megan McCracken, a lethal injection expert at Berkeley law school, said Virginia would be the first state she knows of to use compounded midazolam to execute an inmate.

Death penalty opponents have objected to midazolam after problematic executions elsewhere. An Alabama inmate coughed repeatedly and his body heaved for 13 minutes as he was being sedated during his execution on Thursday.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in September that the state had agreed to pay the compounding pharmacy $16,500 per drug per execution. The documents obtained by the AP show the state went ahead with those purchases.

EXECUTION DRUG MIDAZOLAM HAS BEEN CRITICIZED BEFORE Midazolam has been criticized after executions in Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio and Arizona during which inmates writhed or gasped, or after the execution process extended for unusually long periods of time. Ronald Smith, a 45-year-old death row inmate, coughed repeatedly and his body heaved for 13 minutes as he was being sedated during his execution last week in Atmore, Alabama. Lawyers for Ronald Smith said that movements he made during the execution demonstrate that he wasn't anesthetized. Oklahoma's use of midazolam as the first in a three-drug protocol was challenged after the April 2014 execution of Clayton Lockett, who writhed on a gurney, moaned and clenched his teeth for several minutes before prison officials tried to halt the process. Lockett died after 43 minutes. A state investigation into Lockett's execution revealed that a failed line caused the drugs to be administered locally instead of into Lockett's blood. Ohio and Arizona have used midazolam as the first in a two-drug protocol. Ohio inmate Dennis McGuire repeatedly gasped and snorted over 26 minutes during his January 2014 execution. The state abandoned that method afterward and has yet to resume executions. Arizona halted executions after the July 2014 lethal injection of convicted killer Joseph Rudolph Wood, who took nearly two hours to die. Smith and other Alabama inmates argued in a court case that the drug was an unreliable sedative and could cause them to feel pain, citing its use in problematic executions. The US Supreme Court ruled in a challenge by Oklahoma death row inmates that they had failed to prove that the use of midazolam was unconstitutional. Robert Dunham is executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit that does not take an official stance on capital punishment but is critical of its application. He said Smith's execution reinforces the argument that midazolam shouldn't be used in executions. 'What occurred during the execution itself is exactly what the medical experts have been saying is likely to occur when midazolam is asked to do something that drug is not designed to do,' he said. 'It is not designed to render somebody unconscious and insensate.' Source: Associated Press Advertisement

The drugs for Virginia's last execution, carried out in 2015, came cheap by comparison. Serial killer Alfredo Prieto was put to death using compounded pentobarbital provided by the state of Texas, along with other drugs Virginia had in store. The going price for a supply of the three drugs needed for a single execution early last year was about $525, Kinney said.

The costs have shot up nationwide since opponents of the death penalty threatened to shame any conventional pharmaceutical company supplying these drugs.

'When fewer suppliers are willing to participate, the law of supply and demand says that the price will go up,' said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, which advocates against capital punishment. 'And when there are business risks of becoming known as a pharmacy that kills rather than preserves life, the pharmacy will charge more.'

Virginia got its latest supply of rocuronium bromide at a bargain price, apparently unbeknownst to its manufacturer.

'We don't really want any part of this issue from a public standpoint,' said Jeff Granger, vice president of business strategies for X-GEN Pharmaceuticals.

Granger told the AP he was surprised and concerned to learn that X-GEN's rocuronium bromide had been resold by a wholesaler to Virginia's prison system. He said X-GEN had tried to put controls in place to prevent its products from being used in executions.

A spokesman for Governor Terry McAuliffe  who signed the law allowing Virginia to obtain lethal injection drugs from the secret compounding pharmacy  declined to comment. Brian Coy told the Times-Dispatch in September that in the 'modern atmosphere, with respect to lethal injections, this is the cost of enforcing the law.'
Immigration was the key issue for Brexiteers in the historic EU referendum battle, according to a huge analysis of social media.

A groundbreaking study of nearly three million tweets by a team at the University of Sheffield shows control of borders came up far more than sovereignty or the NHS.

It was mentioned 66,000 times by Leave supporters between June and November - with the overwhelming majority of the references coming before the vote on June 23.

By contrast Remain backers talked about the issue just 40,000 times.

A groundbreaking study of nearly three million tweets by a team at the University of Sheffield shows control of borders came up far more than sovereignty or the NHS

Immigration was mentioned 66,000 times by Leave supporters between June and November - with the overwhelming majority of the references coming before the vote on June 23. By contrast Remain backers talked about the issue just 40,000 times

The findings also demonstrate how little attention was paid to the details of Article 50 - the formal mechanism for cutting ties with Brussels - before the referendum.

It was tweeted about just 750 times by those on either side of the debate.

The research, highlighted by BuzzFeed News, identified 41,443 Leave supporters and 41,445 who were in favour of Remain based on their use of campaign hashtags.

The team then tracked the Brexit-related issues those users tweeted about every day for six months.

The Leave backers sent twice as many messages about immigration as they did about sovereignty, laws, or the NHS.

Alongside border controls, the influence of European courts seems to have been a major issue for Brexiteers - who referred to the subject four times as many times as Remainers.

While there were only 753 tweets collected about Article 50 before June 23, it has come to the fore since.

On November 3 alone  the day the High Court ruled that Theresa May cannot trigger the process without parliamentary approval - it was mentioned more than 50,000 times.

Senior researcher Kalina Bontcheva said the analysis gave an insight into how voters responded to the frantic developments before and after the referendum.

She also pointed to the greater use Leave supporters made of social media in the run-up to the historic poll.

'With only around 7 per cent of all tweets being replies and over 58 per cent retweets, this resembles more an echo chamber, rather than a debate,' Ms Bontcheva told Buzzfeed.

'It was interesting to see also that Leave supporters engaged significantly more in the debate through replies and retweets, i.e. made more effort to spread further their views.'

The research identified 41,443 Leave supporters and 41,445 who were in favour of Remain based on their use of campaign hashtags

But the research also revealed that many Leave supporters avoided actively engaging in debate about the referendum and operated within an echo chamber where the majority of posts were retweets, with just a third being original and just 7 per cent were replies

A graph of the research created by Buzzfeed shows immigration was mentioned 66,000 times by Leave supporters between June and November - with the overwhelming majority of the references coming before the vote on June 23. By contrast Remain backers talked about the issue just 40,000 times

The analysis emerged as a poll increased pressure on Theresa May by suggesting Leave voters will not tolerate losing out financially.

Research by YouGov for the Open Britain campaign group found 51 per cent are not willing to be left a penny worse off as a result of cutting ties with Brussels.

The level rose to 59 per cent in the North - although a significant proportion were ready to take a hit if necessary to regain control over borders and law.

The findings underline the scale of the challenge facing the Prime Minister as she prepares to launch negotiations with the EU.

Mrs May has repeatedly refused to give details of her demands, but insisted she can secure a 'Red White and Blue' Brexit tailored to the country's needs.

There has been intense lobbying from the City of London and other sectors to keep the UK within the single market.

A YouGov poll has found 51 per cent of those who voted Brexit do not think they should lose a penny from the new deal set to be negotiated by Theresa May

There are fears that failing to do so would put at risk so-called 'passporting' arrangements for doing business on the continent - and possibly trigger an exodus of financial firms.

But European leaders have made clear they are not willing to compromise on the principle that members of the single market must accept free movement of people within the bloc.

Ministers have stated that regaining control over immigration will be one of their red lines in the process to come.

A carelessly-carried note of a briefing captured by cameras in Downing Street last month described the government's approach as 'have cake and eat it'.
The Iranian defense minister has warned that Donald Trump could trigger a world war and the 'destruction' of Israel and small Gulf Arab states if he provokes the Middle Eastern power.

Trump's election victory has raised the prospect the US will pull out of the nuclear pact signed by Barack Obama last year.

During his campaign, Trump was strongly critical of the agreement that saw Iran agree to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances.

During his campaign, Trump, pictured with his wife Melania was strongly critical of the agreement that saw Iran agree to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances

In September 2015, the billionaire told a crowd: 'Any commander-in-chief worthy of defending this nation should be prepared to stand up on 20 January 2017 [inauguration day] and rip to shreds this catastrophic deal.'

He also called the deal a 'disaster' and 'the worst deal ever negotiated'.

This has led to panic among US allies in the Gulf, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan has claimed.

'Even though a businessman, the assistants that ... (Trump) has chosen may map a different path for him, and this has led to unease, particularly among Persian Gulf countries,' Dehghan told a security conference in Tehran, according to Iran's Mehr news agency.

Warning: Hossein Dehghan, Iran's defense minister has warned that strong action taken by Trump against his country could lead to a world war

'Considering Trump's character and that he measures the cost of everything in dollars, it does not seem likely that he would take strong action against our country,' he said.

'Enemies may want to impose a war on us based on false calculations and only taking into consideration their material capabilities...

'Such a war would mean the destruction of the Zionist regime (Israel) ... and will engulf the whole region and could lead to a world war,' Mehr quoted Dehghan as saying.

'Among other consequences of the war, would be the destruction of the city-states on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf, because they lack popular support,' Dehghan said, referring to small Western-allied Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.

However Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a fierce critic of the agreement, hoped he could work with Trump to dismantle the deal.

He said: 'I know Donald Trump. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people.'

Pressed on what those options might be, Netanyahu said he had 'about five things in my mind', but did not elaborate.

John Brennan, the outgoing director of the CIA, last month warned that Trump's opposition to the Iran deal was the 'height of folly'.

'I think it would be disastrous,' he told the BBC. 'It really would: for one administration to tear up an agreement that a previous administration made would be almost unprecedented.'

He added that it 'could lead to a weapons program inside of Iran that could lead other states in the region to embark on their own programs with military conflict, so I think it would be the height of folly if the next administration were to tear up that agreement.'

Jacob Parakilas, an expert on US foreign policy at the London-based think tank Chatham House, told Reuters: 'It's difficult to see the advantage for the US in abrogating the deal at this stage.

'It would be nearly impossible to convince Europe, Russia and China to restore their sanctions on Iran int he absence of clear evidence of Iranian violations of the deal. So any sanctions to the US restored would have much less impact on the Iranian economy.

THE IRAN DEAL: WHAT TRUMP SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL I hate seeing President Obama today saying that Iran has violated our agreement. I mean what did he think? Hes now complaining about Iran violating the agreement. What the hell did he think? Hes like a baby. Hes like a baby. Now can you imagine, the agreements two seconds old. The ink isnt even dry. I hear Obama is very unhappy with Iran because he feels they havent lived up to the spirit of the agreement. What the hell did he think was going to happen? They defaulted on day one. I mean they were doing things on day one and everyone is telling him. He said that cant be possible. Thats the way life works. These are vicious people... But the saddest part of that deal is so much of this money is already gone. Just gone. $150billion right out the tubes. And what do we get? We got nothing. We got nothing. They got they money and the prisoners should have been released years ago before we started negotiating. Advertisement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a fierce critic of the agreement, hoped he could work with Trump to dismantle the deal

Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israel's destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map.

Israel fears Iran's nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Aram Ateshian expressed condolences to the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on behalf of local Armenians in Turkey on the occasion of terror act that occurred in Istanbul on December 10. Armenpress reports during the remembrance event organized at Dolmabahce by Besiktas municipality priest Maghakya Beskizisian from Ortakoy Armenian Church read the telegram of Ateshian addressed to Erdogan.

The General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople mentioned that he learned about the attack that killed mostly law enforcement officers with deep sorrow.

Terrorism is an attack against the right to life granted by the God to the people. Similar acts, irrespective of their root causes, always deserve condemnation by reasonable people. We wish that such crimes leading to no benefits and only bringing harm are ended.

As Armenians of Turkey we join to the prayers offered for the unity, peace and tranquility of our fatherland, reads the statement of Ateshian.

On December 10 a terror attack was carried out in Istanbuls Besiktas district. The first blast was a car bomb in a Chevrolet vehicle. According to Vice PM Nurman Kurtulmush, around 300-400kg explosive was used. The second bombing was carried out by a suicide attack. Over 40 were killed and 155 were wounded in the terror attack.

The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed responsibility for the terror attack, however, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the Kurdistan Workers Party is responsible for the attack.
West Virginia statesman and author Ken Hechler, whose seven-decade career included stints in the Truman White House and Congress, has died. He was 102.

Hechler's wife, Carol Hechler, said Sunday her husband died Saturday night at their home in Romney.

In a statement Sunday, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin called Ken Hechler 'a true West Virginia treasure.'

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Democratic US Senate candidate Ken Hechler shows off his 'Ken Do' jeep in Charleston, the sixth in a long line of jeep purchases that began during Hechler's 1960 run for re-election to the US House of Representatives

Former West Virginia congressman and Secretary of State Ken Hechler, left, discusses his novel 'Working with Truman,' with filmmaker Russ Barbour before watching an advance screening of the new documentary about Ken's career in public office at the Marshall University Drinko Library in 2008

Courtesy of WSAZ

Hechler served nine terms in Congress, where he championed civil rights legislation and fought for coal mine safety, strip mine regulations and black lung compensation.

He later served four terms as West Virginia's secretary of state, becoming a common sight driving around Charleston in his trademark red Jeep.

'Ken was a man of his word - a fierce advocate for West Virginians who was always willing to help any person in need,' US Senator Joe Manchin said in a statement.

An Army combat historian in Europe during World War II, Hechler interviewed generals and front-line soldiers.

He later was assigned to interview key German Third Reich leaders before they were charged and tried for war crimes.

Rep. Ken Hechler (right) confers with consumer advocate Ralph Nader in Washington, Dec. 1, 1969

(left to right) Dr. Wernher von Braun, Hechler, Chiarman Overton Brooks (D-LA) and Rep. Victor Anfuso (D-NY) check out a model of the Saturn rocket in 1960

After President Harry S. Truman's 1948 re-election, Hechler landed research projects for the White House and eventually became a special assistant to Truman.

He helped compile the official papers of Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Truman.

Hechler holds the 35-star flag he displayed on the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington on June 20, 1962 to honor his state's inclusion in the union as the 35th state

Among his writings included 'The Bridge at Remagen,' a 1955 nonfiction best-seller about a key Allied victory that became a 1969 film.

Born September 20, 1914, in Roslyn, New York, Hechler graduated from Swarthmore College and earned a master's degree and a doctoral degree in history and government from Columbia University.

Hechler salutes during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia in 2008

Drafted into the Army in 1942, Hechler trained to become a tank commander, although a violation of base regulations at Fort Knox, Kentucky, pushed his career in a different direction.

In a 1985 interview with the Truman Presidential Museum and Library, he said the camp general caught him writing an autobiography after lights' out.

'I was using a flashlight under my blanket in bed,' Hechler recalled. 'He said, 'This is the most remarkable autobiography. I don't think you ought to be a tank commander. I think we ought to assign you to something a little bit more useful in the Army.''

Hechler died Saturday night at his home in Romney, West Virginia - he was known for his ever-present smile

Hechler helped chronicle the 1944 Normandy invasion, the liberation of France, the Battle of the Bulge and the drive into Nazi Germany.

In the thick of all but the D-Day landings, Hechler was awarded five battle stars as well as a Bronze Star.

As a captain, Hechler recalled getting a tongue-lashing from General George Patton for smearing the shiny officer's insignia on his uniform with grease to deter snipers.

After the German surrender, Hechler interviewed field marshals Albert Kesselring and Wilhelm Keitel, Gen. Alfred Jodl, Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and supreme marshal Hermann Goering, among others.

Hechler often recounted how Goering offered to lead Germany's remaining military alongside US forces to 'knock hell out of the Russians.'

Hechler returned to teaching at Princeton following his discharge. After Truman's 1948 re-election, Hechler landed some White House research projects and eventually became a special assistant to Truman, writing speeches and other tasks, including helping the president tailor his whistle-stop train speeches.

In 1957, Hechler landed a teaching job at Marshall University in Huntington and won the district's US House seat the following year.

While in Congress, Hechler marched to Selma, Alabama, with the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. He was re-elected eight times before a 1976 failed run for governor.

He was elected secretary of state in 1984. As West Virginia's chief elections officer, his office helped uncover evidence that then-Mingo County Sheriff Johnie Owens arranged to sell his office for $100,000. Owens was convicted in 1988.

Outspoken on environmental issues, Hechler ran in the 2010 special US Senate race in West Virginia, largely so foes of mountaintop removal mining could register their opposition. He attracted more than 16,000 votes in the Democratic primary.

He is the author of 'Working with Truman,' 'The Bridge at Remagen,' 'The Fight for Coalmine Health and Safety' and other books.
Jeremy Corbyn has chosen a white dove on a Labour-red background as the image for his official Christmas cards.

Bucking this year's trend for children's drawings, the Opposition leader instead opted for the single simple image to convoy his greetings for the festive season.

Mr Corbyn last year came under fire for his card, which was criticised for its austere appearance.

Jeremy Corbyn chose a white dove on a Labour-red background as the image for his official Christmas cards

The photo on the Labour leader's card last year showed a snow-covered bike locked to a bike rack in front of a red telephone box and was widely ridiculed for its lack of Christmas spirit

The photo on the Labour leader's card last year showed a snow-covered bike locked to a bike rack in front of a red telephone box and was widely ridiculed for its lack of Christmas spirit.

The Labour leader used a photograph taken on February 2, 2009, when heavy snow caused chaos in London. It was taken outside Queensway Tube Station in west London, close to Hyde Park.

Inside this year's card, the message reads: 'With warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'.

Prime Minister Theresa May chose three pictures by schoolchildren from her Maidenhead constituency for her Christmas cards.

The Prime Minister followed constituency tradition of inviting school children to submit designs - unlike the glossy posed photographs common under her predecessor David Cameron.

Bucking this year's trend for children's drawings, the Opposition leader instead opted for the single simple image to convoy his greetings for the festive season

Inside the card, the message reads: 'With warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'

Mrs May chose three from Isabelle Milnes, 5, Jade Winsor, 11, and Sophie Brazil, 11, who were all invited to Downing Street today to help her switch on the Christmas tree lights outside No 10 this evening.

Santa is seen flying his sleigh over the PM's residence, while a policeman smiles as children sing carols and the Downing Street cat stretches out under a Christmas tree.

Chancellor Philip Hammond released his first Downing Street card on Monday, posing his dogs Rex and Oscar on the steps of No 11.
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He may be the king of daytime television, but presenter Phillip Schofield met his match when offered the interview of a lifetime with Prince Philip.

In a one-hour special to be shown tonight to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Duke of Edinburghs Award (DofE), the notoriously dour  and sometime cantankerous  prince made clear he had little time for Schofields apparent sycophancy.

When the presenter revealed he would take part in a wing walk to raise funds for the scheme, Philip, in his typically pithy manner, asked: Who is trying to get rid of you?

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In a one-hour special to be shown tonight to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Duke of Edinburghs Award (DofE), the notoriously dour  and sometime cantankerous  prince made clear he had little time for Schofields apparent sycophancy

A black and white photograph of the Queen and Prince Philip on their 1947 wedding day is featured in the ITV documentary

This photograph of a young Prince Philip painting is also shown as the documentary tracks his work with the DofE Award

Royals including Sophie, Countess of Wessex (left), and Prince Edward (right) share stories about the prince on the ITV show

Could have been Bond: The prince and Joanna Lumley (pictured), who said: I think he is an extraordinary character. He rides, sails, drives horses, fishes and swims and does stuff. He really could have been James Bond, actually'

He then added brusquely: Are you going to stand there on the wing and say hello folks? I wouldnt open your mouth if I were you.

In another conversation, in answer to a particularly obvious question, a dismissive Philip replied: What am I supposed to say?

But Schofield is not the only celebrity to have drawn the dukes ire. Comedian David Walliams told the programme he had been called a nut by Philip in front of his mother.

Recalling his meeting with the Duke and the Queen, Walliams said: It was the year that I swam the Channel and he asked, Is this the nut who swam the channel?

And he went, to my mum, Any more nuts in your family? To which my mum said, No, just the one Prince Philip, as he walked out the door.

But there is little doubt that even at the grand old age of 95, Philip is still very much on the ball.

After one interview, the visibly impressed Schofield told the cameras: He is as sharp as a pin. There was no question, more so than any interview that Ive ever done in my life, I was just thinking: one false move, one wrong word and he is going to be on me like a terrier.

Other celebrity tributes to the prince include actress Joanna Lumley, who said: I think he is an extraordinary character. He rides, sails, drives horses, fishes and swims and does stuff. He really could have been James Bond, actually.

And he was a naval commander as well, like Commander Bond. He is good fun to be around but he is quite shy. I think sometimes at some huge event I have seen him say, Oh God I have to do that. But then he puts his head up, chin out and goes and does it.

A screening of home footage of the Royal Family includes Prince Philip playing with his sons and, in one scene, he lobs what appears to be dried cow pats at Charles to bat away with a stick

When Phillip Met Prince Philip: The television host met his match when he interviewed the Duke of Edinburgh

'Called me a nut': Comedian David Walliams told the programme he had been called a nut by Prince Philip in front of his mother

Sophie, Countess of Wessex (pictured with Phillip Schofield) is one member of the Royal Family who shares stories of the Duke

After one interview, the visibly impressed Schofield told the cameras: He is as sharp as a pin. There was no question, more so than any interview that Ive ever done in my life'

The television presenter said: 'I was just thinking: one false move, one wrong word and he is going to be on me like a terrier'

At one point in the programme Schofield attends a private screening at the British Film Institute of home footage of the Royal Family.

It includes Prince Philip playing with his sons and, in one scene, he lobs what appears to be dried cow pats at Charles to bat away with a stick.

The Duke of Edinburghs Award was founded by Philip in 1956 to encourage young people to push themselves. The scheme has now expanded to 144 countries.

When Phillip met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburghs Award is on ITV tonight at 9pm.

Feeling brave, the presenter decided to celebrate 60 years of the Duke of Edinburgh's award by doing a wing walk

The hour-long special, When Phillip met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburghs Award, is on ITV tonight at 9pm
in a decade for start of the week

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Australia's east coast is bracing for the hottest pre-Christmas weather in a decade, with the mercury tipped to his as high as 38 degrees.

A hot air mass moving across the country will spark a heatwave on Tuesday with both Melbourne and Adelaide expected to reach 34 degrees.

Strong winds will block a cooling sea breeze in Sydney for the start of the week and residents are in for a restless sleep on Tuesday night with temperatures not expected to drop below the mid 20s.

Australia's east coast is set to sizzle in the lead up to Christmas, with the mercury tipped to hit as high as 38 degrees in some parts of Sydney. These women were pictured lapping up the sun at Bondi Beach in Sydney's east earlier this month

Strong winds will block a cooling sea breeze in Sydney for the start of the week and the western suburbs have been warned of temperatures soaring to almost 40 degrees in the lead up to Christmas

Residents in Sydney's western suburbs have been warned of temperatures soaring to almost 40 degrees during the day on Tuesday.

The city centre will reach 35 degrees on Tuesday drop slightly overnight for an expected 34 degrees on Wednesday.

Sydneysiders have been issued a heatwave warning for the start of the week with coastal regions bracing for 'severe' temperatures, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

But, the sizzling east coast weather is not expected to last through to the weekend with a cool change forecast overnight on Wednesday.

In Sydney, the mercury could drop by up to 14 degrees by Thursday morning.

In Sydney, residents have flocked to the beach most weekends with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees

Sydneysiders have been issued a heatwave warning for the start of the week with coastal regions bracing for 'severe' temperatures. Bondi Beach on Sunday is pictured

But the scorching temperatures aren't expected to last through to the weekend with a cool change forecast overnight on Wednesday

Many beachgoers will lap up the sun while it lasts, but a cool change overnight on Wednesday will bring the mercury down by up to 14 degrees

These young women had no problem with the hot weather in Sydney over the weekend

A hot air mass moving across Australia's south-east will cause the mercury to hit 34 in parts of the country on Tuesday (pictured)

Melbourne and Adelaide will also see drastic temperature drops of up to 13 degrees by Wednesday morning and light showers are expected to set in.

Across the rest of the country, a low pressure trough will generate warm winds and showers in Western Australia and Queensland.

Perth could see a thunderstorm on Monday, but will remain relatively dry for the remainder of the week with a top of 30 on Friday.

These young women made the most of the hot weekend weather and paddle boarded at a stunning beach on Sydney Harbour

Iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney's east was overrun with beachgoers looking to cool off on Sunday afternoon (pictured)

A hot air mass moving across the country will spark a heatwave on Tuesday with both Melbourne (St Kilda, pictured) and Adelaide expected to reach 34 degrees

Every weekend for the start of summer, Bondi Beach in Sydney's east has been overrun with beachgoers looking to cool off

FORECAST: WHAT THE WEATHER LOOKS LIKE AROUND AUSTRALIA SYDNEY Monday : Min 15, Max 28. Mostly sunny Tuesday: Min 21, Max 35. Mostly sunny Wednesday: Min 25, Max 34. Possible rain Thursday: Min 20, Max 23. Shower or two BRISBANE: Monday : Min 16, Max 28. Partly cloudy Tuesday: Min 19, Max 29. Mostly sunny Wednesday : Min 19, Max 30. Sunny Thursday: Min 20, Max 32. Sunny ADELAIDE Monday : Min 24, Max 36. Sunny Tuesday : Min 23, Max 34. Partly cloudy Wednesday : Min 16, Max 25. Possible late shower Thursday: Min 12, Max 24. Shower or two DARWIN Monday: Min 25, Max 33. Showers. Likely storm Tuesday : Min 26, Max 33. Showers. Possible storm Wednesday: Min 25, Max 33. Showers. Possible storm Thursday: Min 25, Max 33. Showers. Possible storm MELBOURNE Monday : Min 19, Max 30. Mostly sunny Tuesday : Min 20, Max 34. Possible late shower Wednesday: Min 16, Max 20. Possible shower Thursday: Min 12, Max 20. Partly cloudy CANBERRA Monday : Min 15, Max 31. Mostly sunny Tuesday : Min 14, Max 32. Partly cloudy Wednesday : Min 19, Max 29. Possible rain Thursday: Min 12, Max 21. Possible shower PERTH Monday : Min 13, Max 23. Showers. Possible storm Tuesday: Min 12, Max 25. Mostly sunny Wednesday : Min 13, Max 28. Sunny Thursday: Min 16, Max 31. Sunny HOBART Monday : Min 10, Max 22. Partly cloudy Tuesday : Min 16, Max 28. Shower or two Wednesday : Min 13, Max 16. Shower or two Thursday: Min 10, Max 19. Partly cloudy Advertisement

Brisbane will hover just below 30 degrees until Wednesday and Thursday, where a top of 32 can be expected.

A severe fire weather warning has been issued for parts of Adelaide with balmy northwesterly winds reaching 25-30 km/h.

The West Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Yorke and Peninsula have been warned to strengthen their bushfire survival plan, according to The Bureau of Meterology.

In Sydney, residents have flocked to the beach most weekends with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees. Bondi Beach in Sydney's east has been overrun with beachgoers looking to cool off.

The east coast has not experienced pre-Christmas weather this hot in a decade, Nine News reported.

In Sydney, residents have flocked to the beach most weekends with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees

The Sydney heatwave isn't expected to last long and cool change will sweep across east coast on Wednesday evening
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Hundreds gathered to pay their last respects on Sunday to a young Georgia police officer who was gunned down in the line of duty along with his fellow officer and best friend.

A horse-drawn carriage led by an honor guard carried the body of Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr, 25, through a procession lined with mourners, his casket draped with the American flag, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

Smarr and Jody Smith, a 26-year-old officer with Georgia Southwestern State University, were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call Wednesday in the south Georgian town of Americus. The shooter, Minquell Lembrick, 32, shot and killed himself on Thursday after a manhunt and stand-off.

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Americus police officers salute the casket of fallen police officer Nicholas Smarr at his funeral service at the Georgia Southwestern State University Storm Dome on Sunday. He and best pal, Officer Jody Smith, were shot dead on Wednesday

Smarr performed CPR on Smith despite being hit in the head, but died on the scene. Smith, also hit in the head, died in hospital. Both men had been friends since childhood

Smarr (in left photo, right-hand side) was called to a domestic disturbance near Georgia Southwestern university, where Smith (pictured with Smarr) was an officer. Smith provided backup but both were killed by Minquell Lembrick (right)

A mourner reacts as Smarr's procession travels through the town. Lembrick led the police on a manhunt until Thursday when, after a stand-off, he shot himself

Hundreds lines the streets of Amicus to watch the officer's procession. The ceremony itself was held in the Georgia Southwestern State University Storm Dome

The mourners that lined the casket's route somberly waved flags; some wiped away tears.

Speaking at the funeral before the procession, Americus Police Chief Mark Scott said that even after Smarr was shot, he performed CPR on his wounded friend. Smarr died at the scene, and Smith a day later at a hospital.

The pair had been best friends since their school days, and graduated from Americus-Sumter High School together in 2009.

Scott's secretary, Brinda Middleton, said Smarr, who was also a former Marine, was 'the most respectful' and 'one of the nicest people youd ever want to meet'.

'He never had anything negative to say about anybody. He's just a real sweetheart and were going to miss him terribly,' she added.

Smarr had been working to save up for a trip to Disney World so he could propose to his girlfriend, Rachel Harrod, it emerged earlier this week. The pair had planned to fly to Florida the same day Smarr was buried.

'I had a feeling about it,' Harrod told the Journal on Saturday. 'I'd always dreamed of getting a ring at Disney World. We didn't quite make it.'

A makeshift memorial to the two officers is pictured outside Americus Police Headquarters. A candlelight vigil for the pair was also held at Georgia Southwestern on Friday

Smarr was planning to propose to girlfriend Rachel Herrod (pictured with him) on Sunday. He had been working to save up for a trip to Disney World, where she had always dreamed of receiving a marriage proposal

Police accompanied Smarr to his place of burial, while locals somberly waved flags on the edges of the procession. Smarr, who was also in the Marines before joining the police , was described as a polite and welcoming young man by locals

An honor guard loads Smarr's casket on to a caisson following his funeral service

Locals turned out in their hundreds to give their respects to the fallen young officer

Sheila Newton, whose daughter is best friends with Harrod, said that the bereaved woman had been very happy with Smarr.

'You could tell that Rachel, I mean, that was her person,' Newton said. 'My heart just breaks for her.'

Local George Saratsiotis said the two officers were regular customers at his menswear shop. He said the close-knit Georgia community has been shocked by the slayings, adding 'the atmosphere in the town is very sad. Everybody is talking to each other and trying to help each other right now.'

'It's not fair for them to go so young,' he said.

Smarr was buried after the procession at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Friends and family had gathered Friday at Georgia Southwestern to remember the officers, who had been friends since fourth grade and shared an apartment in Sumter County.

'I have cried and cried and I know I'm going to cry and cry for a long time,' Sharron Johnson said to about 200 people who'd gathered for that candle-light vigil for her son, Jody Smith, and Smarr.

Funeral services for Smith have not yet been announced.

People watch as Smarr's procession passes on the way to the burial site at Oak Grove Cemetery

A message in memory of the two officers is seen on Sunday

Gwinnett County Police officers arrive at the Georgia Southwestern State University Storm Dome before Smarr's funeral, which was followed by the procession and then burial

Honor guard members roll Smarr's casket into the Georgia Southwestern State University Storm Dome prior to the funeral

Smarr died responding to a domestic disturbance call Wednesday near Georgia Southwestern. Smith had provided backup to his best friend since the apartment was so close to his beat.

They encountered the suspect - Lembrick - who also had a warrant out for his arrest in a kidnapping case. Lembrick opened fire, hitting both men in the head.

Smarr died on the scene; Smith was taken to hospital and later died there. Lembrick posted farewell messages on Facebook and later shot himself during a stand-off with police.

Smarr was the sixth law enforcement officer fatally shot in Georgia this year, double the total killed by guns in the previous two years combined, according to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

When Smith died the following day, he became the seventh officer killed by gunfire in 2016, the newspaper added.
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When the Queen attends the funeral of her cousin Margaret Rhodes in Windsor today it will be a doubly poignant occasion. For Her Majesty was informed this weekend that another of her bridesmaids had died.

Lady Elizabeth Longman, a childhood playmate of the Queen and member of the Buckingham Palace Girl Guides troop, died on Thursday aged 92 after a short illness. It means that just two of the Queens eight bridesmaids are still alive ahead of her 70th wedding anniversary next year.

Her Majesty will be deeply saddened, a courtier tells me. To lose two of her lifelong friends in succession is a terrible blow.

Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, in the throne room at Buckingham Palace, at their wedding on November 20, 1947

Called Lady Elizabeth Lambart at the time of the Queens wedding, she was the daughter of the 10th Earl of Cavan, a World War I commander and friend of George V. Queen Mary was her godmother.

The two girls grew up together and were taken for outings such as to the Royal Tournament. They both learned to dance at Madame Vacanis studio in London.

When the Queen married Prince Philip in 1947, Lady Elizabeth was one of only two non-royal attendants. Resolutely discreet, she never spoke publicly about her close relationship with the Royal Family.

She did, though, reveal that Philip had given the bridesmaids Art Deco silver compacts with a gold crown above the bride and grooms entwined initials, and a row of five small sapphires. He dealt them out like playing cards, she said.

Companions: Margaret Rhodes with Lady Elizabeth Lambert later Lady Mark Longman

When Lady Elizabeth married publisher Mark Longman two years later, the Queen, her mother and Princess Margaret were among the guests. Sadly HM will not be able to attend the funeral next week, at St Johns Church in Bishopstone, near Salisbury.

The eldest of Lady Elizabeths three daughters, Caroline Longman, is one of the Queens godchildren and was one of Prince Charles first girlfriends in the Seventies, when they were pictured at polo matches and out in his Aston Martin.

Caroline has spoken about how her mother used to drive her to meetings of the 1st Buckingham Palace Brownies.

There was one week when she couldnt, so my nanny hailed a cab outside our house in Bayswater, Caroline recalled.

She said to the driver: Buckingham Palace please, and he replied: Pull the other one  its got bells on. A perfectly natural reaction, of course, but at the time I didnt realise just how special I was.

The Queens only two surviving bridesmaids are Lady Pamela Hicks, 87, daughter of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, and Princess Alexandra, who turns 80 on Christmas Day.

Lady Elizabeths granddaughter is former model Rose Hanbury, who is married to the Marquess of Cholmondeley, Lord Great Chamberlain to the Queen and seen on state occasions such as the Opening of Parliament.
One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson has launched a scathing attack on Centrelink and called out party leaders for condoning polygamy.

The controversial senator was up-in-arms after Centrelink was accused of paying spousal benefits to the second and third wives of Muslim men all living under the same roof.

Senator Hanson said Muslims were 'abusing' the Australian culture and called for a royal commission into 'Islam and the impact on this country', according to The Australian.

Senator Hanson said Muslims were 'abusing' the Australian culture and called for a royal commission into 'Islam and the impact on this country', according to The Australian

One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson has launched a scathing attack on Centrelink and party leaders for condoning polygamy

'They will keep going on and abusing us, our generosity and our culture,' she told the publication.

Turning her attention to party leaders, Senator Hanson said the taxpayer was being fooled as it was against the law to enter into multiple marriages.

'They haven't spoken about it because they are too gutless,' she said. 'We have been taken for fools.

'Second marriages are not acknowledged in this country or their children, and they should not be funded at all.

'It is against the law to have multiple marriages, but we are condoning it as taxpayers.'

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison also weighed in on the welfare system rorting, claiming the government will be cracking down on any 'crooks' outwitting Centrelink.

The controversial senator was up-in-arms after it was claimed Centrelink were paying Australian Muslim families - with more than one wife - multiple tax benefits for children living under the same roof (Stock Image)

'Sometimes the crooks move quicker than the welfare cops on these things,' he said Monday morning on 2GB Radio.

'We've got $6 billion of welfare savings measures before the parliament right now. Labor are like that guy on the roadside when they're doing roadwork, but they've got the sign on stop when it comes to fixing the economy.'

Treasurer Morrison claimed reported cases of polygamy by Muslim men and women in order to claim multiple spousal benefits from Centrelink is '100 per cent wrong'.

The welfare company has confirmed the agency does 'not hold data based on polygamous relationships or religion'.

Former chief of staff Peta Credlin has revealed how Tony Abbott had fought to ensure such households were not rewarded before he lost his prime ministership.

The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Keysar Trad, said while he is aware of polygamous families, they are not rorting the system.

'I know families that are polyamorous,' he told Ten News.

'The cases I am aware of, everybody is a professional with a full time job and actually pay their taxesthey are not abusing the system and if they were I would be the first one cracking down on them.'

'The parties are professionals, working, paying their taxes'.

In her call for a royal commission, Senator Hanson told the publication an Australian identity card could be used to deter people rorting the welfare system.
The body of a 64-year-old male skier who disappeared under an avalanche at a ski resort outside of Reno, Nevada has been found.

The man was swept away in the 'Jackpot Chute' area at the Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe resort on Saturday around 10:18am.

He was in a closed area of the resort, said Mike Pierce, spokesman for Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, according to NBC 4.

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Rescue teams searched diligently for a man who disappeared under an avalanche at the Mt. Rose ski resort in Reno, unfortunately he was found too late

Rescue teams fanned out across the Mt. Rose resort ski chute to find the buried victim of an avalanche

Rescue teams from Placer and Nevada counties in California as well as the Washoe County searched the area

The victim's body was found shortly before 1pm on Sunday buried in eight to ten feet of snow, according to KOLO-TV.

At the time of the avalanche, the unidentified man was with a male companion who was also in his 60s. Because the lift was not running, the pair had to hike to the area, said the outlet.

The victim and his friend were said to be on Jackpot Chute, which was a closed area of the resort

The victim reportedly did not have on any snow protection gear or have a shovel, beacon or probe

Rescue crews worked from the time they got the call Saturday morning until 5pm and then resumed Sunday morning

'They definitely had to hike up the traverse to get to this closed area,' Pierce told NBC 4. 'So, yeah, it's one of those things where, in general, there's a reason those areas are closed.'

The victim reportedly was not wearing any snow safety protection nor did he or his companion have a beacon, shovel, or probe.

The search stopped around 5pm on Saturday because of dangerous conditions.

The Mt. Rose spokesman said the pair had to hike to get to the chute as the lift was closed

'That's a safety decision for our searchers,' Bob Harmon, spokesman for the Washoe County Sheriff's Office told the outlet. 'We've got one person missing out there in the snow, we certainly don't want to add to that.'

The search, which combined crews and search dogs from Placer and Nevada counties in California as well as the Washoe County, Nevada Sheriff's Office, resumed on Sunday morning around 9am.

After four hours of searching, the man's body was located.

The sheriff's office is not identifying the man pending informing his family.
Commentator Prue MacSween has slammed calls for parents to buy their sons a Barbie doll for Christmas to improve gender equality as 'stupid'.

A grassroots campaign to break down gender stereotypes is encouraging parents to think outside the box when buying presents this festive season to teach gender equality from a young age.

But appearing on Today Extra on Monday, Ms MacSween attacked the academic-backed movement No Gender December.

The outraged commentator claimed that after parents bought their sons the popular dolls, 'hairy-armpitted lefties' would next want every baby to be dressed 'in a frock'.

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Commentator Prue MacSween (pictured) has slammed calls for parents to buy their sons a Barbie doll for Christmas to teach gender equality as 'stupid'

The movement to de-gender presents this Christmas and buy a Barbie for a boy in a campaign to break down gender stereotypes

'We should just throw in the towel and put every boy baby in a frock,' Ms MacSween said of the movement.

'And then we'll say to them, you opt out if you want to be a bloke - this is the way it's going isn't it?

'You know, it's just so bloody stupid. These people need to get a job, these hairy-armpitted lefties.

'[They say] let's find an issue and let's just bloody do it, let's just start a bloody movement - get a job.'

While the outraged commentator slammed No Gender December, an education expert said it was important to educate children from a young age.

'Encourage parents to try and de-gender their presents - the best present for your daughter this Christmas may not necessarily be a nerf gun, but rather a 'Jewelbot,' a 'Roominate set' or 'Goldieblox', The Good Education Group CEO Chris Lester told the Daily Telegraph.

Ms MacSween's outraged rant left Today Extra host David Campbell (left) in fits of laughter, while co-host Sonia Kruger (right) looks perplexed

'There's an exciting new wave of gender-neutral toys designed to encourage more girls to develop fundamental skills in maths and science beyond stereotypes'

The Gender December campaign seeks to break down the perception that only men can work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

This misperception and gender imbalance spreads to everyday life such as toy stores which are similarly divided by gender.

'There's an exciting new wave of gender-neutral toys designed to encourage more girls to develop fundamental skills in maths and science beyond stereotypes,' Mr Lester said.
A man had suffered a rare form of shared delusional schizophrenia with his mother when he stabbed a police officer to death, a court has heard.

Mitchell Barbieri was jailed for 35 years with a non-parole period of 26 after he pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson.

But on Monday, Barbieri had his minimum jail term slashed by 11 years after his lawyer argued his mental illness was not taken into consideration.

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal allowed his sentence appeal and imposed a 21 years and three months' term with a non-parole period of 15 years.

Outside court, the grief-stricken family of Det Insp Anderson, including his 13-year-old son Cain, broke down in tears following the shock re-sentencing.

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Cain Anderson - the 13-year-old son of Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson - broke down in tears outside the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday after the re-sentencing

Mitchell Barbieri (pictured being led into a van in 2014) who murdered a NSW police officer during a violent siege four years ago has had his minimum jail term slashed by 11 years

Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, 45, was killed at a rural property in Oakville, in 2012

The court heard Barbieri, then 19, was sharing mental delusions with his mother Fiona, when he stabbed Det Insp Anderson twice in the chest with a hunting knife.

His mother was given a non-parole six-and-a-half years for manslaughter.

Widow Donna Anderson was joined in court alongside her children - daughter Olivia and sons Darcy and Cain - as they were left outraged by the decision.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said he will challenge the appeal in the High Court of Australia over the reduced sentence after a majority decision.

'I need to make it clear that today has not been a good day for the NSW Police Force... I'm going to make sure this is going to be dealt with the right way,' he said.

'The police family is hurting but none more so than the family of Bryson.'

Det Insp Anderson's brother Warwick Anderson said they were not satisfied, but had understood, the original sentence for the 'spineless and cowardly act'.

'We came here today and were - to use my father's words - kicked in the guts by the decision that came down today,' he said outside court.

'How any informed member of the community could possibly think a sentence of 15 years for someone who stabs to death a policeman who turns up to help other people is what the community expects is absolutely beyond belief.'

Emotional scenes outside the Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday after the re-sentencing

Det Insp Anderson's grieving family outside the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal in Sydney on Monday (pictured from left: daughter Olivia, wife Donna and son Darcy)

Widow Donna Anderson tried to hold back her tears after Barbieri got his jail term slashed

The parents of Dept Insp Anderson, Red (right) and Shirley Anderson leave court on Monday

Det Insp Anderson was one of the officers who attended the Oakville rural property in north-west Sydney on December 6, 2012 after receiving a call from neighbours.

Barbieri and his mother had barricaded themselves in their home after a heated dispute with neighbours.

When police stormed the property during a siege at the pair's rural property in Oakville, Det Insp Anderson was stabbed to death.

In cutting Barbieri's term, two of the three appeal court judges found the sentencing judge erred in applying principles relevant to the sentencing of mentally-ill offenders.

'His mental illness diminished his moral culpability to a very significant degree,' Justice Carolyn Simpson said.

'His evidence persuades me that the applicant is genuinely remorseful, that he has accepted responsibility for his conduct, and that this indicates that he is unlikely to re-offend.'

Family and friends of Dept Insp Anderson consoled each other as they left court on Monday

The distraught Anderson family have been left outraged by the shock re-sentencing

Fiona Barbieri (pictured in 2014) was jailed after she pleaded guilty to manslaughter

The appeal court also found Barbieri's sentence was disproportionate to that imposed on his mother.

'The circumstances of his life were such that he had not had the opportunity to develop even the maturity that might be expected of an average 19-year-old,' Justice Simpson said.

'He lived alone on a rural property with a mentally-ill mother whose delusions he came to share.'

Outside court, Scott Weber, president of the NSW Police Association, described the court's decision as 'disgusting' and called for an appeal.

'How can we say to (the family) have a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. We can't.'
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Political consultations took place between the Armenia and Belgian Foreign Ministries on December 12; Armenpress was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia.

The Armenian and Belgian sides discussed issues of bilateral agenda, the activation of Armenian-Belgian political dialogue and the development of inter-parliamentary ties were highlighted, as well as measures to foster trade and economic relations were discussed. The sides referred to cooperation in international organizations.

Afterwards, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan received the delegation, during which urgent regional issues were touched upon. The Deputy Minister presented the consequences of the April war unleashed by Azerbaijan and the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement negotiations.
Almost 400 retired British soldiers have been sent unsolicited letters digging for information about their service in Northern Ireland, it can be revealed.

Former troops were quizzed about their involvement in the Troubles in post sent by Ministry of Defence officials.

The personnel, many in their 70s and 80s, were asked to volunteer any information that could help police in their re-investigation of every British Army killing.

Although they are addressed as witnesses, it is possible they could be later treated as a murder or manslaughter suspect over actions they took decades ago at the height of the IRAs terror campaign, sources say. Ex-troops and MPs last night condemned the disgusting witch-hunt. Officials first began sending the letters in 2013 at the request of the police, but they have continued in recent months.

A new probe has been launched into all 302 killings by British troops in Northern Ireland during The Troubles

Last week it emerged the Police Service of Northern Ireland is re-examining 302 deaths in Ulster as part of its taxpayer-funded Legacy Investigation Branch.

The MoD confirmed that close to 400 letters were sent to potential witnesses. Military witnesses would of course help ensure the courts hear every side of the story, added a spokesman. Paratroopers at the centre of a police probe into Bloody Sunday were among those who received letters. Members of 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, were asked about the deaths of ten civilians in another shooting in Belfast in 1971.

Nigel Kelsall, of campaign group UK Veterans One Voice, said the letters were creating an extraordinary amount of worry.

MP Colonel Bob Stewart, who served in Northern Ireland, said: I would tell the Ministry of Defence to stuff itself. And MP Andrew Murrison, a former Northern Ireland and defence minister, said: We must not let the message go out it is OK to hound elderly service personnel and their families.
in a letter to a journalist which has been published

Brady has explained how he has been bedridden for two years

The Moors murderer, Ian Brady is dying from a lung and chest condition, he has said.

Britain's longest serving prisoner has explained how he has been bedridden for two years with the terminal illness.

The 78-year-old who abused and murdered five children made the announcement in a letter to a Channel 5 journalist.

Brady is held at a high-security psychiatric hospital after being diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic in 1985. His physical condition is so weak that he has to be moved with a hoist.

Rumours about his health arose when he sent out Christmas cards four months early. He has also written a will, a friend said.

Brady was originally sent to prison in 1966 with his girlfriend and accomplice Myra Hindley. She died in 2002, aged 60.

In the letter sent to Channel 5's Julian Druker, Brady said: 'I'm still bedridden and have been for over two years. The lung and chest condition is terminal.'

Brady said in the two-page letter that he enjoyed spending time in jail with IRA prisoners.

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He also attacked the High Court's ruling that the Government doesn't have the power to begin the Brexit talks without Parliament's approval.

'Those three public school judges who dredged up a law from the seventeenth century to obstruct the people's vote for Brexit, additionally exemplify the corrupt establishment, and the myth of a politically independent judiciary,' he said.

Brady and Hindley were convicted of the murders of Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, Keith Bennett, 12, Lesley Ann Downey, ten, and Edward Evans, 17.
Almost 22million in taxpayers money has been paid to Iraqis feared to have helped kill and maim British troops.

Documents uncovered by the Daily Mail reveal the huge sums in compensation handed out in alleged human rights breaches.

The total, paid by the Ministry of Defence since 2004, includes individual payments of more than half a million pounds. In one case, an Iraqi received 611,000 for an incident involving UK soldiers, while in another an alleged victim won 475,000.

It is understood that a significant number of claimants were represented by the now disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner and his defunct firm Public Interest Lawyers (PIL)  and funded by legal aid.

Go-between: Abu Jamal, pictured left with his son, was paid to tout for claims

Most of the settlements were reached because of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which stipulated that UK troops had acted illegally in holding captives for more than 96 hours.

According to documents seen by this newspaper, MoD officials said the court had found the UK had no right to detain them and that their human rights had therefore been breached.

It is understood the majority of the Iraqis were represented either by PIL or another firm, Leigh Day.

According to families who received some of the money, a cut of the compensation in some cases was handed to Iraqi agent Abu Jamal, 59  who Mr Shiner paid to tout for business.

The Basra-based agent  also paid 110,000 in taxpayers money to ferry out witnesses  passed on cases to PIL and Leigh Day, which then lodged them in the courts. Former Army captain Johnny Mercer, who is leading an inquiry into the hounding of British war veterans, said: The idea you can go on operations and not detain anyone who is endangering your safety means you risk the lives of your own people.

'WITNESSES' ON 80 A DAY Iraqi witnesses were paid almost 80 a day of taxpayer cash to give evidence against British troops accused of war crimes, it emerged yesterday. Alleged victims were handed expenses of 47 plus 32 for loss of earnings as part of the Iraq Historical Allegations Team inquiry. Some 75 an hour was also paid to paralegals with now defunct firm Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), according to unpublished documents handed to MPs. A friend of an army major facing prosecution said Iraqi witnesses were lying in some cases  but paid enough to return home very rich men. Advertisement

What these payments show is how we have switched from innocent until proven guilty to if you are in the military you are guilty until proven innocent. The MoD just pay out.

According to the documents, the MoD paid out 21.8million in total since 2004, when claims against the department starting flooding in.

In the papers, the MoD said the great majority of these settlements were reached on the basis of an ECHR ruling. The payouts were calculated using a tariff, based on a statement by the ECHR, which said detention as practised by the UK in Iraq was illegal and compensation was required.

Typically, court documents seen by the Mail show suspected insurgents claiming 20,000 for a detention of 52 days. Claims started slowly, with only two payments in 2004-2005  for 10,000 and 790.

But by 2008-2009 claims swelled to 46. In 2011-2012, 9.89million was paid out  with an average sum of 51,500. One payout was for the bizarre amount of 1p.

However, an ECHR judgment in September 2014 meant that the legal position regarding detention became less clear and the MoD stopped paying out for claims. Instead, three claims were paid out for ill-treatment or killings in 2014-15  for 40,000, 180,000 and 170,000. The Government is now fighting in the Supreme Court to stop the department having to hand out millions more to Iraqis and Afghans detained during the two wars. In February the court heard that troops could face a lethal Catch 22 in which they could neither hold enemy fighters nor hand them over to authorities in case they are tortured.

Among those claiming he was wrongly detained is Afghan Serdar Mohammed  who was helping make roadside bombs but maintains his human rights were breached because he was detained longer than 96 hours.
Prime Minister Theresa May, pictured, will take aim at Labour as Britain becomes one of the first countries to adopt a new international definition of anti-Semitism

Theresa May slammed Labour today over its abject failure to clamp down on anti-Semitism in its ranks.

The Prime Minister announced Britain will become one of the first countries to adopt a new international definition of anti-Semitism.

The move will make it easier to fight the hatred of Jews by ensuring culprits cannot get away with being anti-Semitic just because the term is ill-defined.

But in a blistering attack on Jeremy Corbyn's Labour, Mrs May said: 'Let me be clear: it is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country.

'It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise.

'And it is disgusting that these twisted views are being found in British politics.

'Of course, I am talking mainly about the Labour Party and their hard-left allies.'

Mrs May said Labour deputy leader Tom Watson had led a rendition of Am Yisrael Hai at a parallel event.

But she warmed: 'But let me say this: no amount of karaoke can make up for turning a blind eye to anti-Semitism.

'No matter what Labour say  or sing  they cannot ignore what has been happening in their party.'

Labour was condemned earlier this year after senior figures including former London mayor Ken Livingstone were accused of spouting anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Mr Corbyn commissioned civil liberties campaigner Shami Chakrabarti to write a report about the partys problem with it  but the result was dismissed as a whitewash by Jewish groups.

She was later nominated for a peerage by the Labour leader  and now sits in the Shadow Cabinet.

MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee slammed the report for not even defining what anti-Semitism was  meaning it would be easier for Labour members to wriggle out of claims they had been offensive.

Speaking at a lunch hosted by the Conservative Friends of Israel group, Mrs May revealed that the UK is formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism.

Speaking in London, she said: Israel guarantees the rights of people of all religions, races and sexualities, and it wants to enable everyone to flourish.

'Our aim in Britain is the same: to create a better, fairer society, helping everyone to reach as far as their talents will allow.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, pictured, and Labour have come under fire this year after senior figures allegedly 'spouted anti-Semitic rhetoric'

Mrs May continued: 'As a government we are making a real difference and adopting this measure is a ground-breaking step.

It means there will be one definition of anti-Semitism  in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews  and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it.

Britain will be one of the first countries to adopt the definition, agreed by the IHRA, an intergovernmental body made up of 31 member countries, in May this year.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party share the view that language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews is anti-Semitism, and is as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism.

Jeremy has consistently spoken out against all forms of anti-Semitism and condemned all anti-Semitic abuse.'
Birmingham city council runs 'a rotten borough beyond redemption' where youngsters are at risk of radicalisation, the chief inspector of schools said yesterday.

In a parting shot at the Labour-run authority before he steps down, Sir Michael Wilshaw said the 'appalling' children's services and schools in the city had been his greatest cause for concern.

The Ofsted chief warned that a repeat of the Trojan Horse scandal  an attempt to introduce a radical Islamist ethos into several schools in the city  was likely. Birmingham's children's services department has been rated as inadequate by Ofsted since 2008.

Birmingham city council runs 'a rotten borough beyond redemption' where youngsters are at risk of radicalisation, the chief inspector of schools said yesterday. Pictured: Birmingham town hall

A report from the watchdog last month identified 'serious and widespread failings' while acknowledging a 'sharper focus' on front-line services.

In what was billed as his final interview before stepping down after five years, Sir Michael said: 'Birmingham is the equivalent of the 19th century rotten borough.

'If the Government does not act in Birmingham in terms of corporate governance, I am concerned we will see a return to Trojan Horse issues at some stage.

'It is up to a commission of inquiry to reform Birmingham. It is not acceptable that our second city should be second division in terms of education and children's services.'

Last December, Sir Michael called for a commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate Bradford schools, which he said were leaving youths feeling alienated from society and 'mired in mediocrity'.

Sir Michael Wilshaw said the 'appalling' children's services and schools in the city had been his greatest cause for concern

He said Birmingham had the most worrying cases of segregation of the type identified in a recent report by Dame Louise Casey, the Government's social cohesion tsar.

Nine of 21 schools in the east of the city where all the pupils are from ethnic minorities had been rated 'less than good' in their latest Ofsted inspections.

'These schools need to be good if they are going to counter radicalisation and promote British values,' Sir Michael told the Sunday Times.

He said Birmingham was the most pressing issue for his successor, Amanda Spielman.

Brigid Jones, council cabinet member for children, families and schools, said: 'We do not recognise this caricature of Birmingham.
Former CIA operative Robert Baer (above) has called for a new round of voting in the presidential election after evidence sufaced suggesting Russia meddled in the result

A former CIA operative has called for a new round of voting after intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered to make sure Donald Trump got into the White House.

Robert Baer appeared on CNN on Sunday and said: 'If we had been caught interfering in European elections or Asian elections or anywhere in the world, those countries would call for new elections. And any democracy would.'

He also urged the CIA to release evidence of the Kremlin's influence before members of the electoral college cast their ballots on December 19.

Baer, a 21-year veteran of the CIA who received a Career Intelligence Medal after retiring in 1997, said he was 'deeply disturbed' by Moscow's meddling.

While he conceded that 'we'll never be able to decide whether they changed the outcome', he said evidence should be released before the electoral college votes.

'The electoral college before the 19th has got to know, whether the Russians had an effect, if they went to Wikileaks, whether they hacked email, and whether they affected American opinion.'

'And they had a good reason to go after Hillary Clinton. Putin hates her for the Ukraine,' he added, in a reference to Clinton's stance on the Crimean crisis.

The CIA told Senators that Russia's interference with the presidential elections went beyond an attempt to undermine American democracy as a whole - and actively favored Donald Trump

Clinton previously announced her commitment to defend Ukraine 'in the face of Russian aggression' and vowed to strengthen the US' relationship with the county if elected.

When Baer was pressed about the feasibility of holding another presidential election, he emphasized that the legitimacy of the government was in doubt while conceding that he wasn't sure how it would work constitutionally.

But he said: 'I'm deeply disturbed by the fact that the Russians interfered, and I would like to see the evidence. If the evidence is there, I don't see any other way than to vote again.'

While Obama has ordered a review of the cyber attacks that targeted Democratic organizations and operatives during the 2016 elections, and members of Senate have demanded a bipartisan inquiry into the matter, Trump dismissed the claims.

'I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it,' the president-elect said during an interview with Fox News Sunday that was taped the day before.

'I don't know why and I think it's just - you know, they talked about all sorts of things. Every week it's another excuse.'

Obama is also pushing for a full review, with the goal of publishing the findings before Trump's inauguration on January 20

When asked whether he thought that the CIA was trying to overturn the election results, Trump said he didn't think 'they're saying anything'.

'If you look at the story and you take a look at what they said, there's great confusion. Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting,' he said.

'Once they hack if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them.

'They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place. I mean, they have no idea.'

He also said that he believed Democrats were behind the reveal of the CIA's assessment of the hacks.

'I'm not sure [the CIA] put it out,' he said. 'I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics, and frankly I think its ridiculous.'

He also said he would be making 'changes at the top' in the intelligence community, 'because we have our people and they have their people.'

His transition team also issued a statement that read: 'These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," before adding, "It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again.'"
From Britney Spears' shaved head in 2007 to Kanye West's new blonde dye job, the stars are famous for making dramatic hair transformations after traumatic events.

Now it seems the women of Washington, DC are following suit, with salons noticing a number of customers suddenly requesting dramatic transformations.

But it's not career changes, bad break-ups or money problems that are inspiring these women - it's the man who will be moving into the White House in January.

A number of DC stylists noticed that they were suddenly getting an influx of appointments in the usually quiet month of November after the election took place.

Salons in Washington DC (pictured is Daniel's Salon) have noticed a number of customers began requesting drastic hair transformations after Donald Trump was elected president

Nicole Butler, the creative director and master colorist at Daniel's Salon, said at least three women a day that came to her chair wanted a drastic change.

'Usually stuff like this is planned for weeks and put on the books after several consultations, but this was very spontaneous,' Butler told New York Magazine.

'It was like a mass declaration of independence.'

Butler said many of her female clients, especially those over the age of 40, felt at a loss after Donald Trump was elected president.

Julianna Evans, 45, was one such DC woman who decided she needed a change after watching Hillary Clinton lose the election.

'I cried for three days,' she told the magazine. 'I felt like it was the worst thing, politically, that ever happened in my lifetime. It was catastrophic.'

On that third day Evans went to the store and was struck by inspiration when she saw the 'Natural Black' box by Garnier.

That's when she decided to say goodbye to the brown locks she had been coloring for the past 20 years.

'I was like f**k it! The election deadened my soul,' she said. 'I think I wanted to do something defiant to feel stronger.'

While some critics may call the response dramatic, psychologists have long studied how our hair is intimately tied to our emotions.

November is usually a quiet season, but stylists have reported getting clients daily who suddenly want to chop off all their locks or try and completely different hair color

A drastic cut or color change can 'serve as a distraction and a coping mechanism', Dr Laura Berman told InStyle.

'When you feel poorly, it is natural to make changes to your external body in the hopes that it will make you feel better internally as well,' she said.

Berman noted that a hair cut can feel cathartic after a breakup, but for Dr Kristian Henderson it was exactly what she needed after the election.

Henderson, a George Washington University instructor, decided after Trump's victory that she no longer wanted to tie her 'femininity to the length of my hair'.

'The election results felt like an attack on minorities, women, and marginalized people in general,' she told New York Magazine.

'Having long hair was my attempt to fit into society. After the election, I felt a need to exert my uniqueness.'

Georgetown Salon & Spa colorist and stylist Mariangela Moore said a number of her clients are dyeing their hair darker colors and chopping off their locks.

'One of my clients said, "Think of Melania Trump and go in the opposite direction". She said, "I don't want to be that person people see as sexual, I want to be seen as strong."'

Georgetown Salon & Spa colorist and stylist Mariangela Moore said one of her clients told her: 'Think of Melania Trump and go in the opposite direction'

'I don't know if it's that their right to choose could be in jeopardy, or that the glass ceiling is still there, but I'm seeing more professional women, from all walks of life, changing the way they look,' Moore added.

Moore said even some clients who didn't vote for Clinton have asked for dramatic changes after they 'were so heavily criticized for not voting for the "right" candidate'.

'The way they style their hair is a message they can control,' she said.

Evans isn't surprised that DC women have been so psychologically affected by the election.

'You have to live here to understand that we are immersed in politics every day,' she told the magazine.

'For many of us, with this election, it's like your boyfriend dumped you in a really shocking way with no explanation and then moved in next door.'

Butler believes that a hair change for women has been a kind of 'compensation' after not getting the result they had hoped and dreamed for.

'By changing our hair,' she said, 'We can control the outcome.'
Lawyers for Alexander Blackman, pictured with wife Claire, will tell a bail hearing that he is a 'man of integrity' who deserves to be reunited with his family

The overwhelming case to free a Royal Marine jailed for killing a fatally-wounded insurgent can be revealed today.

Alexander Blackmans lawyers will say he is a man of integrity who deserves bail while awaiting the start of a fresh appeal against his murder conviction.

They will also highlight his acute debt of gratitude to his supporters  including Daily Mail readers  as among the reasons he would not flee if released.

A former SAS chief has offered a 50,000 guarantee for the 42-year-old sergeants bail application lodged at the weekend.

Major General John Holmes, who was director of all UK special forces, said: I have supported Sgt Blackmans cause since the outset.

'I am more than happy to help stand his bail so he can be reunited with his family.

If the application is successful, it would see him reunited with his wife Claire the same day, and home in time for their seventh wedding anniversary next Monday.

Sgt Blackman, who was known at his court martial as Marine A, shot the Taliban insurgent who had been wounded during an attack on a British base in Afghanistan in 2011.

Sgt Blackman's lawyer Jonathan Goldberg QC (pictured) and his two junior barristers were confident they had made a compelling case for bail, which is rare in cases of murder

He was sentenced to a minimum of ten years, later cut to eight.

Last week he was granted a fresh appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission which said there was a real possibility his 2013 conviction would be quashed.

His lawyers believe he has a good chance of being granted release on bail pending the new appeal, which will not be heard until the summer or autumn. They want the bail hearing to be in public.

Three further backers  Tory MP Richard Drax, thriller writer Frederick Forsyth and former Marine John Davies  have offered identical 50,000 bail guarantees, known as sureties.

Described as citizens of impeccable character, they would forfeit their money if Sgt Blackman absconded.

His lawyer Jonathan Goldberg QC will tell this weeks hearing: Tens of thousands of ordinary people have contributed donations to the Justice for Sgt Blackman campaign organised by the Daily Mail which has paid the legal fees to prepare this fresh appeal.

Sgt Blackman, pictured with Claire on their wedding day, was jailed for murder for killing a wounded Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan in 2011

Thousands of former Royal Marines have peacefully held rallies and demonstrated in Parliament Square and Birmingham.

'He is a man of great integrity who acutely feels a duty and a debt of gratitude to them. He will follow due process meticulously.

HIS FOUR 50K BACKERS Major General John Holmes DSO OBE MC Army career spanning 40 years included command of 22 SAS Regiment during the first Gulf War and later director of all UK special forces. Holder of the Military Cross. John Davies Ex-Royal Marine who left the corps due to combat injuries and now runs a training firm. Richard Drax MP Former Coldstream Guards officer and BBC journalist but now Conservative MP for South Dorset. Member of the European Scrutiny Committee in the Commons. Frederick Forsyth CBE Former RAF pilot and internationally acclaimed bestselling author best known for The Day of the Jackal. Advertisement

The judge at his court martial observed that he would never have committed this sort of offence at home in the UK.

His application says that the last time he was on bail, awaiting his court martial, he was allowed to work as a heavy machine gun instructor to younger Marines, using live ammunition, which itself is manifestly exceptional for a person awaiting trial for murder and shows the confidence which his commanders must have placed in him.

Mr Goldberg said he and his two junior barristers, Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong, were confident they had made a compelling case for bail, which is rare in cases of murder.

Sgt Blackmans former commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Chapman, has described him as a caring and devoted family man who was destined for promotion to company sergeant major or even the rank of a commissioned officer, prior to the incident.

A letter of support written by Lt Col Chapman to the sentencing judge in 2013 will be shown to the court again this week.

He said: Regrettably none of this talent and ability will ever be realised by Sergeant Blackman as a Royal Marine.

'His momentary lapse of judgement on a battlefield not only served to end an enemy combatants life prematurely but it also altered his own life and that of his family immeasurably.

Sgt Blackman admitted making a split-second mistake on a tour from hell that saw comrades tortured and their body parts hung from trees.

He is the only British serviceman known to have been convicted of murder on a foreign battlefield.

A former SAS chief has offered to put up a 50,000 guarantee on his bail as a campaign to overturn his conviction continues to gather momentum

His supporters maintained however that he was locked up as a political scapegoat for failings by top brass, that he was suffering from combat stress at the time of the shooting and that supportive colleagues had been prevented from testifying on his behalf.

His case will be considered by the Courts Martial Appeal Court which has the power to quash his murder conviction, commute it to manslaughter, or order a retrial.

Three eminent psychiatrists now agree that combat stress disorder made him momentarily and temporarily lose control.

The fresh psychiatric evidence would support a defence of diminished responsibility, seeing his murder conviction commuted to manslaughter.

The CCRC said a key reason for granting an appeal was the fact the alternative verdict of manslaughter was not considered by his court martial.
A Gold Coast man attacked police officers while being treated for self-inflicted stabbing wounds in a shocking attack caught on video.

Paramedics were called to treat the man on a residential street in the Gold Coast suburb of Broadbeach Waters at around 4.20pm Sunday, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.

The 29-year-old man was suffering from mental health issues and was believed to have injured himself, Queensland Police said.

A Gold Coast man was caught on video Sunday as he tried to attack police while being treated for stab wounds

The man suffers from mental health issues and was believed to have injured himself, police said

Video shows the man breaking loose from a stretcher and lunging towards police officers

Video footage, which was first published by 9 News, shows the man getting off a stretcher as medical officials try to grab hold of him.

The shirtless man, who appears to have blood smeared across his chest, legs, and feet, can be seen walking towards a group of police officers standing nearby.

After two police officers try to grab the man, he begins waving his arms at them and tries to strike them with his fists, the footage shows.

The man's chest, legs and feet were smeared with blood as he broke loose from the stretcher and walked toward police officers

Police officers tried to grab the man before he tried to strike them with his fists, the shocking footage shows

After a violent confrontation with police, the man was eventually restrained and transported to hospital in serious condition

The man and the officers then tumble to the ground before two more officers rush forward to try to restrain him.

Forty minutes after paramedics were first called, officials were able to transport the man to the Gold Coast University Hospital in serious condition. He was treated for chest wounds, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
A British man has taken more than 100 photos and videos of women in changing rooms, police allege.

The 28-year-old allegedly put his mobile phone over the top of the changing room wall to take photos of a woman in the cubicle next to him about 1.30pm on Saturday.

The woman caught him and complained to staff at the beachwear store in Noosa Civic Shopping Centre on the Sunshine Coast.

More than 100 images of women in change rooms at Noosa Civic Shopping Centre (stock image) and Sunshine Plaza have been found on a man's mobile phone

Police seized his mobile phone and allegedly found more than 100 photos and videos of 'different women in various stages of undress'.

Many of the photographs appear to have been uploaded to a private Facebook account.

Women who used change rooms at Noosa Civic or Sunshine Plaza between November 18 and December 10 are being asked to come forward.

The British-national was charged with 54 counts of recording in breach of privacy.

He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their enquiries should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Women who used change rooms at Noosa Civic or Sunshine Plaza between November 18 and December 10 are being asked to come forward (stock image)
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has captured the hearts of the fans of Manchester United since his transfer from Borussia, Armenpress reports British The Sun writes, adding that Mkhitaryan does not fear meetings with media after matches despite the fact that Jose Mourinho does not hurry to include Mkhitaryan in the starting line-up of the team.

It is not amazing that he feels confident in front of cameras considering his level of fluency in English. And it is only one of the 7 languages he speaks. Apart from his native Armenian and English that he learned during younger years, he Micky also speaks French. Zinedine Zidane is his idol. He lived in France until he was 7 before returning to Armenia, the newspaper writes. The author also reminds that Mkhitaryan learned Portuguese when living in Brazil aged 14, while he is fluent in Russian thank to his grandmother.

Micky also learned Ukrainian, since he lived and played in Ukraine for 5 years, as well as is rather fluent in German due to the 3 years with Dortmund, The Sun concludes.
Kinsella is the third cousin of former Eastenders actress Brooke (pictured)

A cousin of anti-knife campaigner Brooke Kinsella was found in possession of drugs and a bladed weapon.

Rhys Kinsella, 18, from Islington in North London, was caught by police with 12 wraps of cocaine and a lock knife.

He was given a nine-month rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to having the blade and drugs.

Rhys is the third cousin of former Eastenders actress Brooke. He shares the same great-grandparents with the 33-year-old.

Brooke has campaigned against knife crime in the UK and was even honoured with an MBE for her work.

She set up the Ben Kinsella Trust in memory of her brother, who was stabbed to death in 2008, aged 16.

A spokesperson for the group said: 'The Kinsella family are shocked, saddened and disappointed by the actions of Rhys Kinsella.'

Rhys' father, Daniel, 38, told The Sun: 'The knife wasn't his. He was advised to plead guilty so that he could get community service and it wouldn't go on his record. Rhys hasn't got anything to do with Brooke.

'He's never met her and doesn't know her. I haven't seen Brooke since I was about ten. She's done a lot of good work.'

The murder of talented 16-year-old Ben while on a night out celebrating the end of his GCSEs in June 2008 shocked the nation and left his family devastated.

Brooke responded to the tragedy by setting up the Ben Kinsella Trust in her brother's memory and becoming a prominent anti-knife crime activist.

Brooke has campaigned about knife crime in the UK and was even honoured with an MBE for her work

The murder of talented 16-year-old Ben (pictured) while on a night out celebrating the end of his GCSEs in June 2008 shocked the nation and left his family devastated

After she worked with the Conservatives on knife crime, then-Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May asked her to report on the effectiveness of projects designed to keep young people away from violent crime.
Patients are being turned away at the doors of A&E if they are not in a serious or life-threatening condition, the Mail can reveal today.

Nurses and GPs are carrying out quick assessments of arrivals in the latest measure to ease pressure on the NHS.

Those deemed to have a mild illness face being told to make an appointment at their surgery or sent home.

One patient took a picture of Aintree Hospital in Liverpool where 20 paramedics and technicians were waiting along with patients

Sicker patients whose illness is not life-threatening may be sent to an urgent care centre.

It comes at a time when the health service is straining to meet targets, with almost half a million patients waiting on trolleys in A&E for more than four hours last year.

One patient took a picture of Aintree Hospital in Liverpool where 20 paramedics and technicians were waiting along with patients  including a 92-year-old war veteran  for admission to the emergency ward.

The front door schemes are being rolled out in 14 A&Es across England in preparation for the busiest winter on record.

One hospital  Southampton General  is even effectively bribing patients with free parking if they agree to seek help elsewhere.

Some NHS bosses say it has been so successful it could be rolled out elsewhere in England.

But some senior doctors and campaigners say the tactic is worrying, particularly for the elderly.

One hospital  Southampton General (pictured)  is even effectively bribing patients with free parking if they agree to seek help elsewhere

The numbers of patients showing up in A&E has soared by more than a fifth in a decade and there were 22.9 million attendances last year  fuelled by immigration, the rising elderly population and difficulties in getting a GP appointment.

Many anxious patients or parents with sick children feel they have nowhere to go except A&E particularly if they are ill at nights or weekends.

Even the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted taking his children to casualty out-of-hours because he didnt want to wait for a GP. Health bosses behind the schemes claim that a third of patients who go to A&E should not be there.

Some hospitals have put up warning notices saying visitors face being turned away if their condition is inappropriate. They say A&E should be reserved for those who are unconscious, struggling to breathe, bleeding heavily or suspected of having a heart attack.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted taking his children to casualty out-of-hours because he didnt want to wait for a GP

Patients with abdominal pain, chest infections, flu-like symptoms or a rash  which may also be very serious  should try to see their GP. The Mail used Freedom of Information laws to reveal that 14 health boards in England  known as Clinical Commissioning Groups  had front door measures to stop patients using A&E inappropriately. Some 178 of 209 authorities replied.

The policy mostly involved a nurse, GP or occasionally a consultant at the entrance to carry out four-minute assessments.

Patients with non-serious illnesses are redirected to a pharmacist, told to go home or to make a GP appointment.

Some hospitals claim to have redirected a quarter of patients  many of them parents with sick children. At Southampton General Hospital, visitors are given a free ticket for a nearby multi-storey car park if they agree to visit a GP or urgent care centre.

Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, said: It is appalling that patients are being encouraged to go away in such huge numbers.

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said the policies could have unintended consequences for older people, adding: Blanket messages encouraging the public to go elsewhere could put off some older people from attending A&E, even though they are seriously unwell and in need of urgent help.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth called the development extremely worrying  especially as the NHS enters the busy winter period.

Dr Taj Hassan, president of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the NHS has wasted a huge amount of time and money on attempts to redirect patients with very limited success. Research by the RCEM in 2014 found that 85 per cent of patients attending casualty genuinely needed to be there.

Hospitals imposing the front door policy include Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, Scarborough Hospital, Whipps Cross in London, Croydon University Hospital, Gloucester General and Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said it was about helping patients get the right care in the right place. This is not about telling anyone they were wrong to come to A&E, she said.
TJ Miller called Donald Trump a 'troll' during his opening monologue at the Critics Choice Awards and sidestepped mentions of his arrest after he reportedly slapped an Uber driver during a heated argument about the president-elect.

Hours before he took to the stage at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar, the comedian enticed audiences with a cryptic tweet suggesting he would address his arrest at the awards ceremony.

While Miller mentioned the 'elephant in the room' twice during his opening monologue, he dodged his own personal controversy and turned the spotlight on Trump instead.

He set the audience up by saying, 'Its been in the news all weekend, and its really affected me,' before declaring: 'The election was definitely hacked by the Russians.'

Miller took another dig at Trump moments later, saying: 'Trolls did well this year. Not the movie, the ones on the internet. One got elected president.'

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Host TJ Miller appeared topless with a face painted over his torso in a bizarre entrance and was quick to mention the 'elephant in the room' before shining the spotlight on Trump instead

Miller donned a suit jacket and called Donald Trump a 'troll' while sidestepping mentions of his arrest on Friday

Hours before he took to the stage at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar, the comedian enticed audiences with a cryptic tweet suggesting he would address his arrest

Pictured left, Miller with a fake neck wound alongside actor Christian Slater on Sunday. Right, Miller dressed as Jackie Kennedy, who actress Natalie Portman portrayed in the film Jackie

On Friday morning, Miller ordered an Uber after attending the GQ Men of the Year party in Los Angeles, California, and soon found himself in an argument with the driver over Trump, according to TMZ.

When the car arrived at Miller's home, the driver claimed the Silicon Valley actor slapped him in the head, TMZ reported.

Police were called to the scene, and Miller was taken into custody before he was released and given a citation to appear in court at a later date.

Many Trump supporters were dismayed that the actor and comedian was allowed to take on his role as host on Sunday, and Miller suggested he would clear the air.

He tweeted earlier on Sunday: 'Tonight I will address the elephant in the room at @CriticsChoice on A&E. Tune in and find out.'

But Miller did just the opposite, setting the audience up on two occasions before diverting the subject.

Miller pictured with his wife Kate Gorney at the GQ Men of the Year Awards on Friday with a fake gash on his ear. He took an Uber home after the event and was arrested after he reportedly slapped the driver in the head during an argument over Donald Trump

On Election Day, Miller tweeted: 'Please prevent @realDonaldTrump from putting his name on the White House in cheap gold'

The comedian shot to fame for his role in the HBO show Silicon Valley (pictured)

He appeared topless with a face painted over his torso in a bizarre entrance and was quick to mention the 'elephant in the room'.

But instead of acknowledging his own arrest, he declared, 'The Russians hacked the election.'

The announcement was a reference to reports that the CIA concluded Russian hacks interfered in the elections with the goal of seeing Trump in the White House.

When Miller brought up the 'elephant' a second time, he resorted to the same tactic, saying: 'It is the 31st anniversary of the Chorus Line on Broadway.'

He also insulted Trump by calling him a 'troll', before ending the monologue on a note of unity.

Miller pleaded with the audience, saying 'let's not be upset tonight', and made the case that 'TV and film can bring us together'.

Viewers at home took to Twitter to bash Miller's hosting performance, calling it 'cringe worthy' and 'painfully unfunny'.
A man has been arrested at the airport five months after he allegedly left a baby girl with serious brain injuries and fled the state.

The 39-year-old allegedly assaulted the four-month-old baby in July in Upper Coomera of the Gold Coast.

He allegedly left the state but was arrested at Brisbane Airport on Sunday night when he returned from Western Australia, Queensland Police said.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at Brisbane Airport (stock image) on Sunday night when he returned from Western Australia

The man, of no fixed address, was charged with grievous bodily harm and is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

The baby girl was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital when she became unresponsive following the alleged assault.

She was transferred to a Brisbane hospital where she remains with 'very serious brain injuries', police said.

The baby girl remains in hospital with 'very serious brain injuries' (stock image)
Concerns about Donald Trumps relationship with Russia were fuelled yesterday when he lined up a friend of Vladimir Putins for the key role of US Secretary of State.

ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson built strong ties with Moscow when his 290billion firm exploited huge oil and gas reserves in the Russian Arctic.

But the 64-year-old multi-millionaire has no experience outside the oil industry, having joined ExxonMobil as an engineer straight from university and spent his entire career there.

Mr Trump boasted yesterday that the Texans chummy relations with the Kremlin would be useful as Secretary of State.

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Exxon chief Rex Tillerson (right) is expected to be named as the country's top diplomat

Hes more than a business executive  hes a world-class player, Mr Trump said.

He called it a great advantage that Mr Tillerson, who is also chairman of the energy giant, knew many of the players, and did massive deals in Russia.

Mr Trump added: Hes in charge of an oil company thats pretty much double the size of its next nearest competitor.

A father-of-four, committed Christian and ex-president of the Boy Scouts of America, Mr Tillerson was dubbed T Rex by former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

His nomination is reportedly close to being confirmed, although it has drawn sharp criticism in the US. It could even be blocked if just three Republican senators join forces with Democrats in the Senate.

I dont know what Mr Tillersons relationship with Vladimir Putin was, but Ill tell you it is a matter of concern to me, said Senator John McCain, a former Republican presidential candidate.

You want to give the President of the United States the benefit of the doubt because the people have spoken. But Vladimir Putin is a thug, bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying.

Trump is said to be snubbing Mitt Romney. The former Governor of Massachusetts was interviewed for the role twice. They are seen above having dinner in New York in November

Mr McCain insisted the Senate would give Mr Tillerson a fair hearing if he was chosen by the president-elect.

Mr Tillerson, who has made several large donations to the Republican Party, is expected to be named as Americas top diplomat next week. Ex-US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, has been mooted as his deputy.

However, former senior McCain aide Mark Salter predicted Mr Tillerson would struggle to pass the confirmation process.

He tweeted: Tillerson would sell out Nato for... his pal, Vlad.

Should be a rough confirmation hearing, and a no vote on the Senate floor. Before Mr Tillerson took over the worlds biggest publicly owned oil firm ten years ago, he was head of its Russian operation, which inevitably involved establishing friendly relations with the Kremlin.

He hammered out multi-billion-dollar deals with Russias state oil company, Rosneft, and is friends with Igor Sechin, Rosnefts executive chairman.

Mr Sechin was formerly Mr Putins deputy prime minister, and has been described as Russias second most powerful man.

Mr Tillerson negotiated a 2011 energy partnership with Mr Putin to exploit oil in the Arctic that the Russian president said would be worth as much as 397billion.

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks with Rex Tillerson in Sochi in 2011

The following year, Mr Putin awarded the American oil baron the Russian Order of Friendship  the highest honour Russia can bestow on foreigners.

But the energy deal was put on hold when the US and European allies imposed sanctions against Russia for annexing Crimea.

ExxonMobil is said to have vowed to resume the agreement once sanctions are lifted  and as Secretary of State, Mr Tillerson would be deeply involved in deciding whether to end the trade penalties.

Mr Tillerson has already spoken out against sanctions on Russia, claiming they damage the countrys ordinary people.

He could also face conflict-of-interest issues over his pension. Due to retire from ExxonMobil next year, the value of his pension of tens of millions of dollars is tied to the fortunes of the oil firm.

However, supporters claim he is an experienced negotiator  a vital skill for a Secretary of State, and as head of a global firm, he is used to dealing with world leaders.

Under his ten-year leadership, oil prices broke records and Exxons profit soared, making it the worlds most valuable public company.

But his record at the helm has been chequered as the firm struggled to cope with falling oil prices. Last year, he took an 18 per cent pay cut worth nearly 22million to placate shareholders who were angered when the companys share price barely rose in five years.

Unlike Mr Trump, he accepts that climate change is a real threat and will have catastrophic consequences if it is not tackled.

In 2014, he was accused of nimbyism after joining neighbours near Dallas to oppose the construction of a large water tower.
The longtime boyfriend of 'catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein has been arrested after the socialite claimed he assaulted her while trying to collect some of his personal belongings from their shared ritzy New York apartment.

Canadian couturier Lloyd Klein, 49, was taken into custody just before 6am on Sunday at Trump World Tower following the incident just after 12am, authorities said.

He is facing several charges including assault, robbery, grand larceny and criminal mischief, police told Dailymail.com.

Klein was pictured in Manhattan Criminal Court on Sunday while being arraigned on charges related to the incident.

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Lloyd Klein, 49, left, the longtime boyfriend of 'catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein, right, has been arrested after the socialite claimed he assaulted her at their shared New York apartment

Klein is pictured on Sunday outside of court after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting Wildenstein

Wildenstein, 71, claims the Canadian-born fashion mogul grabbed and pushed her to the ground and that the belt she was wearing broke when he shoved her around.

Klein - who has designed clothes for A-list celebs including Nicki Minaj, Pink and Joan Collins - allegedly stormed into her bedroom without her permission taking an iPhone, a Swiss ID, a cell phone case and a credit card.

Wildenstein refused medical attention, but complained of minor injuries to her back and neck, as well as bruising on her arms, according to the New York Daily News.

Melanie A Bonvicino, Klein's rep, told People her client was arrested 'after patently false allegations were made to the NYPD by Mrs Wildenstein alleging a physical altercation with Mr Klein today.'

Bonvicino said they are fully cooperating with authorities to 'clear Mr Klein of these allegations and expect this matter to be dismissed shortly.'

Klein's rep said her client was arrested 'after patently false allegations were made to the NYPD by Mrs Wildenstein'

Klein pictured during court as he is arraigned on charges following an alleged early-morning assault

Klein's arrest comes just days after the couple's turbulent relationship hit headlines last Wednesday when Wildenstein was arrested for attacking Klein at their $5million apartment.

Sources say she threw hot wax over Klein and scratched his face with her manicured nails before stabbing at his chest with a pair of scissors.

During that incident, Klein was forced to bundle Wildenstein into a walk-in closet to bring the attack to a halt.

Wildenstein called the cops herself to say she was locked up against her will but officers took one look at her partner's bloodied face and chest and booked her on felony and misdemeanor assault charges.

Klein (pictured left and right outside of court) is facing several charges including assault, robbery, grand larceny and criminal mischief, police told Dailymail.com

Klein was taken into custody just before 6am on Sunday at the ritzy Trump World Tower (file photo) apartment he shares with Wildenstein

She was later arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and released without bail.

Last week, exclusive video obtained by DailyMail.com showed Wildenstein battering Klein with a metal tray and called his mother a 'b***h' during an explosion of rage caught on camera.

The glamorous duo have been dating since 2003 but the relationship is now over because Klein considers Wildenstein a 'ticking time bomb'.

The Swiss-born Wildenstein is best known for her surgically-altered look and her multiple surgeries.

She also made headlines in 1999 when she won the largest settlement in divorce history.

Wildenstein was awarded $2.5billion and an additional $100million a year for 13 years after splitting from her husband of 21 years, Alec Wildenstein.

The glamorous duo (pictured together in October 2015) have been dating since 2003 but the relationship is now over because Klein considers Wildenstein a 'ticking time bomb'

Klein's arrest comes just days after the couple's turbulent relationship hit headlines last Wednesday when Wildenstein (mugshot, left) was arrested for attacking Klein (pictured bruised and bloodied, right) at their apartment

Alec, who married Liouba Stoupakova in 2000, passed away in 2008 of prostate cancer.

Wildenstein's attorney said on Sunday that Klein's arrest should be a reminder that there are 'two sides to each story.'

'The new arrest certainly complicates the situation,' Alan Kachalsky told People.

'It should remind people that there are two sides to each story.

'People shouldn't draw any inferences that she is guilty from only hearing Lloyd Klein's version of the story.

'Now he's going to see what it's like to be the one arrested and spend 18 hours locked up.'
As a choirmaster he's used to a loud burst of song.

But Gareth Malone claims everyday life in Britain is now so noisy he's forced to wear earplugs at all times.

The star of The Choir said: 'I wear earplugs all the time now, even on the tube.'

'I am a self-confessed old fogey. Everyone plays music too loudly and it drives me insane.

Gareth Malone claims everyday life in Britain is now so noisy he's forced to wear earplugs at all times

'My ears are the tools of my trade and I don't want to do anything to endanger them.

'If wearing a pink suit and dancing down the street would protect them I would do it in a heartbeat.'

The 41-year-old told Love Sunday magazine he is happy to 'look like a geek' if it means preserving his hearing  and with good reason.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), noise pollution is one of the most pressing threats to public health, second only to air pollution, and responsible for a conditions from stress and sleep problems to heart disease and strokes.

Loud sounds from traffic and aircraft noise, music and household machinery are all linked to the phenomenon.

Malone and wife Becky have two children  Esther, six, and Gilbert, three.

He is best known for his appearances in BBC show The Choir. Malone was handed an OBE in the 2012 Birthday Honours, for services to music.

The WHO estimates 40 per cent of Europe's population is exposed to noise levels in excess of 55 decibels in the home, which is about the same level as a noisy office.

When these noises have to be listened to for too long or at the wrong time, they can inflict physical and mental harm, possibly even disrupting children's learning. Increasing evidence shows this damage is not just to the ears, but to blood vessels and the heart as well.

The star of The Choir said: 'I wear earplugs all the time now, even on the tube.'

Recent research showed road traffic and aircraft noise increase the risk of high blood pressure, especially at night.

A study around London's Heathrow airport found high levels of aircraft noise was associated with increased risks of hospital admission and death for stroke and heart disease in the nearby area.

Scientists found a correlation between noise exposure and the risk of a heart attack due to the increase in 'psychological and physiological stress' on the body.

It activates the sympathetic nervous system  which controls the 'fight or flight response' raising blood pressure and pulse  which over time can damage the cardiovascular system.

Due to the sheer number of people who are affected by noise pollution, researchers have argued action must be taken to address it.

Experts have recommend interventions to reduce noise at its source by masking or screening it using barriers or sound insulation, or even by designing society to be less noisy in the first place.
A lobby group founded by Lord Mandelson has instructed lawyers to begin a third legal challenge designed to thwart Brexit

The director of a lobby group, originally founded by Lord Mandelson, has instructed lawyers to begin a third legal challenge designed to thwart Brexit.

Peter Wilding, director of British Influence and Adrian Yalland, a Conservative lobbyist who voted to leave, want a judicial review into whether leaving the EU means automatic withdrawal from the single market.

The British Influence think-tank, founded by the architect of New Labour and close ally of Tony Blair, wants a judicial review into whether leaving the EU means automatic withdrawal from the single market.

If it succeeds, it would mean MPs  many of whom are opposed to a hard Brexit  would be given a say.

Leave supporters say remaining in the single market would mean businesses would still have to abide by stifling red tape, and Britain would have to sign up to continued freedom of movement of people.

It is the third such case brought forward this time by people who were on either side of the debate.

The Dail Mail reported on Saturday that Europhile lawyers have launched proceedings in the Irish courts in a bid to get EU judges to rule that Brexit can be cancelled. Last week the Supreme Court met to consider the first legal challenge, and to decide whether MPs should get a vote on invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which formally begins the process of leaving the EU.

As Remain supporters step up their efforts to frustrate Brexit, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott again refused to rule out the prospect that Labour could vote against Article 50 next month if the Government does not come up with enough detail on its Brexit plan.

Meanwhile, the anti-Brexit group Open Britain claimed that if Britain leaves the EU customs union as it departs from the EU it will cause an avalanche of paperwork for UK businesses.

It claimed thousands of importing and exporting businesses will have to deal with 60million more pieces of paperwork each year if they are forced to fill out similar forms to those required in moving goods and services beyond the EU. Tory former chancellor Ken Clarke compared Brexit with the Iraq War, saying the fact they were both supported by the public did not mean they were right.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott again refused to rule out the prospect that Labour could vote against Article 50 next month

In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, he defended his decision to vote against invoking Article 50. If I ever voted to leave the EU I would be the biggest unhung hypocrite, he said. The idea that I should just because I was on the losing side in the referendum by a couple of per cent is nonsense. Seventy per cent supported the Iraq War at the time.

The latest British Influence challenge would see judges ruling on the validity of the Governments legal position on membership of the wider European Economic Area, which forms the single market.

The think-tank believes leaving the EU does not mean quitting the EEA, which extends the single markets tariff-free trade in goods to countries including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Ministers insist that leaving the EU means leaving the EEA, unless we come to some special arrangement. A legal challenge could result in Parliament being given the final say on EEA membership.

A spokesman for British Influence said: There is no need for a hard Brexit and there is no mandate for a hard Brexit.

The group believes the UK does not need to quit the single market to control immigration, end payments to EU coffers or return powers to Parliament. It also says voters did not decide to leave the trading arrangement when they backed Brexit in the June 23 referendum.

Group chairman Peter Wilding, a Remain supporter, said: This is not stopping Brexit, this is shaping it.

The country demands a win-win, smart Brexit, not a lose-lose ideological hard Brexit, which will damage the UK, damage Europe and for which there is no mandate.

The case is also being supported by Adrian Yalland, a Tory lobbyist who voted to leave. Mr Yalland told the Daily Mail, The purpose of the claim is not to "thwart" Brexit but to establish if the Government's position that we leave the single market "automatically" when we leave the EU is correct - because if we are correct, and the UK can stay in the single market after Breixt, this will prevent the EU using the single market as a "bargaining chip". This will shorten the negotiations, speed Brexit up and give the Government more options.

I am in favour of Brexit, for which I have campaigned for over 20 years. Mr Wilding, although a "remainer", is not a "remoaner" - he fully accepts the democratic mandate for Brexit and, like me wants to make it the win-win Brexit we promised - outside the EU, outside the customs union, border control and legal sovereignty returned, no more payments to the EU but full membership of the single market - which is not an EU institution and which the Government does not have a mandate to withdraw us from. Winning our legal challenge will help the Government "take control" of the Brexit negotiations, because the "high ace" will be in their hand, not the EU's.

But Tory former attorney general Dominic Grieve  one of Open Britains supporters in parliament  cast doubt on the legal basis for the new challenge.

Last night a Government spokesman said: The UK is party to the EEA agreement only in its capacity as an EU member state. Once the UK leaves the EU, the EEA agreement will automatically cease to apply to the UK.
They may be headed to the altar on television, but Meghan Markle had to miss out on co-star Patrick J. Adams' wedding this weekend.

Markle was spotted out and about bundled up in Toronto's chilly weather while Adams said 'I do' to Pretty Little Liars' actress Troian Bellisario in sunny California.

It appears Markle's own budding fame was to blame for her absence.

The 35-year-old actress - who plays Adams' fiancee on the USA Network show - did not want to overshadow the newlyweds on their special day as she continues to make headlines for her relationship with Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle was spotted out shopping with a friend believed to be Jessica Mulroney, daughter-in-law of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, in Toronto on Sunday

Markle and Mrs Mulroney walked arm in arm as they walked through the snow, the actress holding two shopping bags from the successful trip

A source told US Weekly the co-stars spoke before the wedding and agreed that 'maybe her coming would attract too much (of the wrong kind of attention).'

'They both thought it sucked,' the source added.

The absence was no doubt hard for the co-stars, who have worked on Suits together since it premiered in 2011, but Markle found ways to pass the time this weekend.

She was spotted heading to a yoga class in Toronto on Saturday, dressed down in a pair of white sneakers and a khaki green jacket with a matching scarf.

And on Sunday the actress didn't let a little snow stop her from hitting the shops with girlfriend Jessica Mulroney, the daughter-in-law of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney.

Markle was dressed casually for the outing, wearing ripped blue jeans and a green coat with a fur collar, while a simple black beanie protected her hair.

She capped off the outfit with a pair of stylish suede camel ankle booties.

Markle and her friend walked arm in arm as they trudged through the falling snow as the actress grasped two shopping bags before getting into a car.

The Suits star has yet to mention Adams' wedding on social media, but did post a new Instagram on Saturday

Markle was dressed casually for the outing, wearing ripped blue jeans and a green coat with a fur collar, while a simple black beanie protected her hair

Earlier this weekend Markle made her way to a yoga class, dressed down in a pair of white sneakers and a khaki green jacket with a matching scarf

Markle's absence from Adam's wedding was no doubt hard for the co-stars (pictured together in a promo shot), who have worked on Suits together since it premiered in 2011

The Suits star has yet to mention Adams' wedding on social media, but did post a new Instagram on Saturday

Markle posted a photo of a girl sitting on a train, looking up at a sign that reads: 'In a society that profits from your self doubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act.'

She then captioned the photo: 'In that case, be a rebel, friends'.

The prince and Markle were reunited just last weekend when he made a 1,700-mile detour to visit her on the way home from a 14-day tour of the Caribbean.

Harry, 32, had been scheduled to fly directly to London from Barbados but instead stopped off in Toronto, where Suits is filmed.

A source has said the couple will reunite soon for a week-long romantic getaway.

Meanwhile Adams and Bellisario, who got engaged in January 2014 after three years of dating, tied the knot in front of 200 guests in Southern California on Saturday.

Us Weekly reports that the camping themed event was part of a three-day celebration and that some of the actors' co-stars were in attendance.

Adams and Troian Bellisario married in an outdoor ceremony in southern California on Saturday, as they are seen in an Instagram posted by Marlene King

First dance: Ashley Benson shared a snapshot of the newlyweds on the dance floor

The Pretty Little Liars beauty, 31, wore a white Cortana gown with sheer sleeves while Patrick, 35, wore a navy blue three-piece Ralph Lauren suit.

Guests included Suits star Sarah Rafferty, Star Trek's Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto and Scandal's Katie Lowes and husband Adam Shapiro.

Troian's co-stars Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Sasha Pieterse, Keegan Allen, Ian Harding and Tyler Blackburn were all in attendance as well.

The ceremony itself took place in a secluded wooded area with guests sitting on vintage wooden theater chairs.

Guests were put up in glamorous tents around the venue and the couple, as well as some friends and family were transported to the reception in a converted school bus with the words 'Almost Married' written on the back.

Instead of gifts Patrick and Troian encouraged guests to donate to the David Suzuki Foundation and SickKids Hospital.

The TV stars met in 2009 while co-starring in the play Equivocation.
Normally children will do anything to avoid getting into a bath, but this little girl needed help getting out again after becoming trapped.

Fire crews were called to a home in Dandenong, Victoria, on Sunday at around 10pm after a 15-month-old girl got three fingers stuck in the plug hole.

In total it took firefighters and medics four hours to free the trapped girl, who had to be taken to hospital with a piece of the tub still attached before it was removed.

Firefighters and medics spent more than four hours on Sunday cutting a 15-month-old girl free from a bath tub after she got her fingers stuck in the plug hole

The little girl's parents had tried using soap and detergent to slip her fingers free, but were forced to dial 000 after the refused to budge

Crews told 3AW that they were forced to use 'just about every tool in the toolbox' - including the jaws of life, electric saws and drills - during the operation.

The jaws of life are pneumatic slicing arms usually reserved for cutting apart crashed cars, rather than cast-iron bath tubs.

Firefighter Ryan Vague said the family tried using detergent and soap to slip the girl's fingers free, but had to call emergency services when they refused to budge.

He added that it took almost two hours to disconnect part of the bath, though the plug remained stuck around the girl's fingers.

He said: 'The older design of the bath made it difficult to free her fingers.

Fire crews were forced to use drills, saws and the jaws of life to cut the girl free from the bath, but could only free two of her three fingers

The toddler had to be taken to hospital with part of the bath still attached before medics were able to free her final finger around 2am

'We had to disconnect the pipes and cut a section out the bath which was then transported to the hospital with the little girl.

'We used just about every tool in the toolbox including impact drivers and drills, a battery operated saw and high resolution cutting disks.'

While firefighters were able to free two of her three stuck fingers, one remained trapped, so she was taken to hospital with part of the tub still attached.

There medics were able to get the last digit free after another two hours. Thankfully the little girl was uninjured.
Human Rights Defender of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ruben Melikyan responded to statement of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan, issued by APA news agency of Azerbaijan that, allegedly according to ICRC, judicial sanctions against Azerbaijani saboteurs Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Guliev sentenced in Artsakh Republic, are not in accordance with the principles of international law.

December 11, 2016, 19:51 Statement of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman's is very unsuccessful expression of interaction with ICRC: NKR Ombudsman

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 11, ARTSAKHPRESS: As "Artsakhpress" reports, in this regard the Human Rights Defender of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic made a statement on his official Facebook page, on Dec.10.

"On December 9, APA news agency of Azerbaijan released a statement of the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan on two Azerbaijani citizens serving sentence in Artsakh in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Artsakh. In particular, according to her, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told her that these persons conviction by illegal court are not in accordance with the principles of international law and contradicts them.

Clearly, the statement of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman's is very unsuccessful expression of a interaction with the National Human Rights Institution and the ICRC.

Besides, such a statement is incompatible with any Ombudsman. The ICRC needed to respond to the statement appropriately, as it damages the ICRC reputation, as an exclusive international body led by neutral and impartial absolute principles and public perception. At the same time, I call on the competent state bodies of the Republic of Artsakh, do not tie further relations with the ICRC Stepanakert Office with Azerbaijani Ombudsman's statement and its consequences, taking into account the humanitarian mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross," Ruben Melikyan said in a statement.

Remind, APA reports that Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan Elmira Suleymanova said: "I met and carried out discussions with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in connection with Dilgam Askerov and Shakhbaz Guliyev and was told that judicial samnctions against Askerov and Guliev do not meet rules of international law."
An Arizona hospital employee was arrested after admitting he stole credit card numbers from patients so that he could buy gun parts to build an AR-15, police said.

Filip Chudziak, 40, was taken into custody on several charges including identity theft, fraudulent schemes and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Chudziak purchased gun parts, tools and other items online from a store in Kansas using the stolen credit card numbers to build an AR-15, authorities said.

Filip Chudziak, 40, (pictured left and right) has been arrested on several charges including identity theft, fraudulent schemes and fraudulent use of a credit card

He told deputies money was tight and that he always wanted to purchase an AR-15, and noted he made the purchases without his wife knowing.

Chudziak is an employee at Banner Bowell Hospital where his job is to transport patients and their property while they are being treated at the facility, deputies said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said it was contacted by Kansas police last week about a credit card fraud scheme that occurred at Joe Bob's Outfitters in Hays

The owner of the store reported several online credit card orders that occurred over the last three months and appeared to be fraudulent, authorities said.

Chudziak (pictured with his wife) purchased gun part, tools and other items online from a store in Kansas using the stolen credit card numbers to build an AR-15, authorities said. He told deputies money was tight and noted he made the purchases without his wife knowing

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said it was contacted by police in Kansas about a credit card fraud scheme that occurred at Joe Bob's Outfitters in Hays, Kansas (pictured)

The credit cards all had different billing addresses and the victims had all reported fraudulent charges to authorities, according to deputies.

Detectives were then able to locate the suspect by tracking the mailing address, however all the packages had the name Doherty and Dean on the packages.

Deputies said through their investigation, detectives were able to determine those were the names of Chudziaks mother-in-law, Marion Dean.

Dean confirmed that Chudziak was her son-in-law but told deputies she did not authorize or purchase any items from Joe Bob's Outfitters.

Chudziak was arrested at the hospital and has since been booked into jail.
Dylan Voller, now aged 19, gave evidence at the royal commission into the Northern Territory youth detention system

The teenager who was infamously hooded and shackled to a chair at a youth prison centre has claimed he was forced to defecate into a pillow case because guards prevented him from using the toilet.

Shocking video emerged earlier this year of Dylan Voller - now aged 19 - being restrained and pinned to a 'spit hood' at the Northern Territory's Don Dale Detention Centre.

The horrifying footage led the Federal government to announce a Royal Commission into the region's youth detention system.

And on Monday, Voller spoke in public about his ordeal for the first time.

Voller became emotional as he told the commission how guards told him his family did not care about him.

He alleged he was regularly 'punished' by guards who would refuse him access to food, water and toilets.

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Voller was caught on camera placed in a mechanical restraint chair in footage aired by the ABC

Graffiti is pictured on the walls of Voller's old cell at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre

Speaking of an alleged incident while in detention at the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre, he claimed: 'I had been asking for at least four or five hours...I ended up having to defecate into a pillowcase because they wouldn't let me go the toilet.'

In another incident, a guard at Don Dale offered him water- but then allegedly threw it on the ground saying 'there you go'.

The young offender also recounted how he was regularly strip-searched from the age of 11 - including after every trip to the bathroom when he was in isolation.

He also claimed to the commission that he had to defecate into his shirt after being denied toilet stops while being driven from Alice Springs to Darwin in a hot van.

Voller was jailed in 2014 for a violent drug-fuelled binge.

He was brought from the Darwin Correctional Centre - the adult jail where he was serving time - to give evidence at the NT Supreme Court complex on Monday.

Voller will not be cross-examined despite making allegations against 31 guards. He is concerned about giving evidence while still in custody, and fears repercussions from prison guards.

Voller (pictured left, right) was jailed in 2014 for a violent drug-fuelled binge. He was brought from an adult jail in Darwin to give evidence on Monday

Royal commissioners Mick Gooda and Margaret White inspect Voller's cell at the centre

A youth identified as AD gave confidential evidence on Friday after the NT government last week lost a bid to delay further witnesses.

Last week the commission tried to exclude local reporters from a tour of the old and new Don Dale centres with co-commissioners Margaret White and Mick Gooda, prompting the press to walk out of the hearings in protest.

Complaints from Chief Minister Michael Gunner's office eventually reversed the decision and allowed press access.

It comes as Sky News reports the commission is paying a private spin doctor more than $1100 a day amid rumblings about the need for a 12-month extension beyond the March 31 deadline .
A student has been suspended from his high school for wearing a Confederate flag hoodie to class, but he insists it represents relatives who rescued slaves.

Noah Leech, who attends Plum Senior High School in Plum, Pennsylvania, says he was suspended from school and could even end up expelled, according to WIS-TV.

Leech says he's worn the hoodie dozens of times but didn't get into trouble until Friday when at least students complained.

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Noah Leech, above, has been suspended from Plum Senior High School in Pennsylvania because of his Confederate flag hoodie

Leech says the hoodie's colors aren't racist but actually honor his family, who he claims saved slaves by 'moving them from the South into the North under the Confederate flag'

Leech insists his hoodie isn't racist and only honors his family, who he says saved slaves.

'A lot of these students think it stands for slavery and racism,' Leech told WTAE . 'It did fall into that but it really did stand for the Southern states and they wanted their independence.'

'Our bloodline comes from West Virginia. They were helping move slaves from the South into the North under the Confederate flag, so that's what I stand for,' he said.

But some students and parents aren't happy with the hoodie and several pulled their children from the school over safety concerns.

'I spoke with at least one parent who is considering transferring his kid out of the school district because he doesn't feel like his child is safe,' said Robert Williams, who has a 16-year-old daughter at the school.

Leech says he won't stop wearing the hoodie, even though some students and parents thought it was disrespectful

Plum Senior High School at first said the flag couldn't be worn, then said it could, now it can't

Another student, Desiree Ulmer, told the outlet she had no problem with the hoodie until other kids began brandishing the flag, including some draping it over their vehicles.

'OK, this is getting a little too disrespectful for me,' she said.

Leech, however, says he won't go hoodie-less.

'I'm sorry that I've ever offended anyone about it, but I'm going to continue to wear my hoodie and support what I support,' he said.

Concern mounted when other students, such as the one above, began brandishing the flag on their vehicles

The student and his hoodie has been the subject of controversy this past week, with the school initially banning the flag clothing, then reversing itself and saying that the student's right to wear the flag was protected by free speech, then banning it again.

On Thursday, Plum Borough School District Superintendent Timothy Glasspool told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the decision to allow the hoodie was justified by the fact that it did not cause enough of a disruption among other students.

'We cannot restrict students' speech absent of something that would disrupt the school day,' Glasspool said.

But on Friday, he told WMUR: 'This seems like a spin off from the elections. I hope parents use this opportunity to talk about symbols of hatred and oppression. If it causes a disturbance, it doesn't belong in our school.'
Australia Post has been accused of ruining Christmas after a Torquay postman was told to remove holiday decorations from his decked-out delivery bike.

Cam McFarlane has become something of a local Christmas staple, riding around the seaside Victoria town each holiday delivering gifts and letters.

But this year, Australia Post tried to curb the fun by limiting the decorations, according to a protest group on Facebook.

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Cam McFarlane has become something of a local Christmas staple, riding around the seaside Victoria town each holiday delivering gifts and letters

A protest group on Facebook is lobbying Australia Post to allow Cam McFarlane to delive parcels with his usual flair

In a comment on Australia Post's Facebook group, a woman named Ginni Bilston wrote:

'Absolute disgrace that Cam the postie from Torquay has been told to remove all xmas decorations from his bike. He brings so much joy and cheer to the people of our community all year round.'

Australia Post defended its actions, saying it only asked McFarlane to remove decorations that were considered a safety hazard.

'We love it when our people share the Christmas spirit, but safety is our highest priority and we expect them to adopt safe work practices,' an Australia Post spokesperson wrote.

Australia Post defended its actions, saying it only asked McFarlane to remove decorations that were considered a safety hazard

McFarlane enjoys 'transforming his Honda motorcycle into a real-life sleigh complete with tinsel and reindeer,' as a local newspaper wrote last Christmas

A woman started a protest group against Australia Post's decision to limit McFarlane's decorations

'Absolute disgrace that Cam the postie from Torquay has been told to remove all xmas decorations from his bike,' one woman wrote in a comment to Australia Post

'We're very happy for Cam to apply some decorations, as long as they don't obstruct his visions, pose any risk of becoming tangled in his wheels, or compromise the handling of the bike.'

Some members of the protest group weren't satisfied with the explanation. One commenter called the Post's actions 'Unaustralian nanny state crap.'

'His vision is not obscured, yours is! Cam is the best ambassador your organisation has and we all know you need them!! Scrooge Mc duck!! I don't think santa is coming to your house this year you have not been nice!!' the commenter wrote.
Republican Senator John McCain said he doesn't know what to make of Donald Trump's dismissal of CIA claims that Russia interfered in the presidential election.

McCain called for a select committee to further investigate the extent of Russia's intentions after CIA claims that hacks on Democratic email accounts were made to help Trump win the presidency.

'The facts are there,' McCain told CBS Face the Nation.

'I don't know what to make of it because it's clear the Russians interfered,' McCain said of Trump's reaction.

'Whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think that's a subject of investigation. But facts are stubborn things. They did hack into this campaign.'

U.S. Republican Senator John McCain said he doesn't know what to make of Donald Trump's dismissal of CIA claims that Russia interfered in the presidential election

It came after Trump hit out at the CIA claims labeling them 'ridiculous' during an interview with Fox News Sunday.

'I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it,' Trump said.

'I don't know why and I think it's just - you know, they talked about all sorts of things. Every week it's another excuse.'

In a statement released Saturday morning, Senators John McCain (R-Arizona), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) asked Congress 'to examine these recent incidents thoroughly'.

'This cannot become a partisan issue. The stakes are too high for our country. We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner,' they added.

The group also called for solutions to be devised to defend against future cyber-attacks.

In his interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump went on to blame Democrats for putting out reports about the CIA's remarks, made after a secret assessment of Russia's role in the mid-election cyber attacks on the DNC and Clinton campaign chair John Podesta.

Trump hit out at the CIA claims that hacks on Democratic email accounts were made to help him win. He called the claims 'ridiculous' during an interview with Fox News Sunday

The CIA told senators in a secret meeting that they believed hacks on Democratic emails in the election were intended to aid Trump's victory. That meeting was revealed by press on Friday

In a secret meeting that emerged Friday through The Washington Post, the CIA told a group of senators that Russian hacks had the specific goal of getting Trump elected.

Previously, the Agency had suggested that the hacks might have been intended to more generally undermine the public's faith in the electoral system, without favoring a particular candidate.

When asked whether he thought that the CIA was trying to overturn the election results, Trump said he didn't think 'they're saying anything'.

'If you look at the story and you take a look at what they said, there's great confusion. Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting,' he said.

'Once they hack if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them.

'They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place. I mean, they have no idea.'

He also said that he believed Democrats were behind the reveal of the CIA's assessment of the hacks.

'I'm not sure [the CIA] put it out,' he said. 'I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics, and frankly I think it's ridiculous.'

He also said he would be making 'changes at the top' in the intelligence community, 'because we have our people and they have their people,' adding that 'I have great respect for them'.

Donald Trump dismissed CIA claims that Russian hacks were intended to help him win the election as 'ridiculous', also claiming that Democrats were pushing the reports in the media

And in a Capitol meeting, a senior FBI official also doubted the claim, saying there wasn't enough proof that Russia had a specific aim or favorite in the presidential race

Trump isn't the only one who is unsure about the startling claim of Russian collusion.

In a secret House Intelligence Committee meeting, a senior FBI official refused to conclusively say that the Russian hacks into Democratic emails were intended to help Trump, an official from the briefing told The Washington Post.

'It was shocking to hold these [CIA] statements made about Russian intentions and activities, and to hear this guy basically saying nothing with certainty and allowing that all was possible,' the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

But despite repeated prodding for two hours by Republicans and Democrats in the committee, the FBI counterintelligence official would not back the CIA's new direction.

CIA director John Brennan (pictured in 2014) may be looking for a new job when Trump takes over, as the President-elect has promised 'changes at the top'

While his CIA equivalent had been 'direct and bald and unqualified' about Russia's scheme to aid the new president-elect, the FBI agent's statements wee 'fuzzy' and 'ambiguous'.

There just wasn't enough evidence of intention, the FBI said.

'There's no question that [the Russians'] efforts went one way, but it's not clear that they have a specific goal or mix of related goals,' a US official who was at the meeting said.

Part of the problem is the way that two two organizations view the disparate and incomplete evidence available to law enforcement and intelligence operatives.

'The FBI briefers think in terms of criminal standards - 'Can we prove this in court?'' one official said.

'The CIA briefers weigh the preponderance of intelligence and then make judgment calls to help policymakers make informed decisions.

'High confidence for them means 'We're pretty damn sure.' It doesn't mean they can prove it in court.'

The hacks, including one on the emails of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta (pictured) and another on DNC staff, led to much bad publicity for the Democrats during the election

The division between the FBI and CIA's opinions of the case was mirrored in the Republicans and Democrats at the hearing.

Many Republicans agreed with the FBI's caution, saying that the CIA's analysis lacked concrete evidence.

Some also suggested that Russia would have preferred Clinton - a politician with whom the country is familiar - over a firebrand who has talked about expanding the US military.

One even joked that 'Republicans are from Mars, Democrats are from Venus,' a source said.

President Obama has ordered an investigation into the Russian hacks, to be completed before he leaves office next month.

And a bipartisan group of lawmakers have demanded that it be accompanied by a joint congressional investigation into the cyber-attacks.

One observer said it was due to a difference in philosophies: The FBI wants a case that could stand up in court; the CIA is more comfortable backing less concrete theories

In his extensive Fox News Sunday interview, Trump also explained his positions on a series of issues, and revealed some of his plans for the presidency.

Controversially, he said that he doesn't see why the US should be bound to the 37-year-old 'one China' policy that recognizes China as the true owner of Taiwanese territory.

That policy was introduced by Jimmy Carter in 1979, in line with an identical UN motion passed that year, but Trump impinged on it last week when he received a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing complained, but Trump told the channel that he didn't think a foreign country should dictate who he spoke to, and suggested that the one-China policy might be changed if China doesn't offer a better 'deal'.

Trump also said that despite claims that his business created a conflict of interest with his presidential plans, he has turned down 'billions' of dollars in offers in just one week.

He said he turned the deals down last week because they might be 'perceived as a conflict'. He will reveal his plans for his business interests on Thursday.

Trump also said in the Fox News interview Sunday that he might end the 'one China' policy, and that he and Melania would indeed move into the White House

The President-elect also said that despite rumors he would indeed be moving out of New York's Trump Tower and into the White House once he takes over.

He said Melania would stay in New York for a little longer while son Barron finishes school, but they would then relocate to Washington.

Until then, he said, he wouldn't be lonely: 'No, I'll be working. I'll be working. It's a very special place and it represents so much and there's a lot to do, there's a lot to do, more than I ever thought.

He also said that he would look at how daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner could be involved in his administration - depending on 'how the laws read'.

The mid-election hacks resulted in leaks of 19,252 emails and 8,034 attachments from the DNC that showed staffers mocking and apparently undermining Bernie Sanders' campaign to be the Democratic candidate.

A second hack saw emails being leaked from the account of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, including some that apparently discussed payments to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for meetings with Bill Clinton.

The FBI has also been under fire of late because of Director James Comey's decision to publicize the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails - going against FBI policy, which prohibits influencing an election.
Milo Sturgeon's parents were just getting over the shock of learning their happy, 'chilled-out' baby boy would likely never walk or talk.

But then the gorgeous 11-month-old was suddenly taken from them by a heart attack unrelated to his incredibly rare genetic disorder.

Seven months earlier the blue-eyed, fair-haired baby was diagnosed with MECP2 duplication syndrome, which causes moderate to severe intellectual disability.

Milo Sturgeon died after a heart attack aged just 11 months, seven months after he was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that only has 200 cases worldwide

Kirsten and Craig Sturgeon sold their house to downsize their mortgage and moved to Southport on the Gold Coast to be closer to the hospital and special school Milo would need.

'We were preparing for the challenges ahead and just trying to enjoy him at the same time,' Ms Sturgeon told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

His disorder was so rare - there are only 200 cases worldwide - the only clue the couple had that something was wrong was that he was not eating enough or putting on enough weight in the first six weeks of his life.

The hospital had never seen MECP2 before so after all the tests it ran didn't show any medical issues Milo was sent home. Three weeks later he was back.

His parents were warned it would leave him with profound mental retardation, and he would be unlikely to walk or talk and suffer from epileptic seizures

Finally at four months old, genetic testing revealed the horrible cause of Milo's stunted development.

His parents were warned it would leave him with profound mental retardation, and he would be unlikely to walk or talk and suffer from epileptic seizures.

'We were prepared that he might have a few challenges but never thought he would be completely disabled,' Ms Sturgeon said.

But Milo was at least happy and besides needing a feeding tube so far did not have many symptoms that would cause anyone to think he was not just a normal baby.

Milo with his four-year-old brother Seth who proposed visiting him in heaven on a spaceship

Then last month he started vomiting after being fed, so the Sturgeons took him to hospital - not knowing he would never come home.

He started to get irritable, have trouble sleeping and then 'puffed up' in a way his parents had never seen before.

Doctors transferred Milo to Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital in Brisbane for specialist care and after a battery of tests he was diagnosed with another very rare condition.

It was this heart problem, idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension which puts huge pressure on the organ's right side, his parents believe killed him.

After the doctor told Ms Sturgeon the news and resolved to let him rest over the weekend before coming up with a treatment plan, Milo suddenly went into cardiac arrest

After the doctor told Ms Sturgeon the news and resolved to let him rest over the weekend before coming up with a treatment plan, Milo suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

'[The doctor] literally walked out of the room, Milo woke up and as I was trying to comfort him, he just changed colour, his eyes rolled back and he stopped breathing,' his mother said of the moment she will never forget.

More than a dozen people gave him 48 minutes of CPR before he had to be hooked up to life support to keep his tiny heart and lungs working.

A booklet handed out at Milo's funeral celebrating his life

Sadly Milo's brain was so badly damaged by the heart attack that he never woke up, and died two days later after his four-year-old brother Seth said goodbye.

'We told him Milo has gone to heaven and the other day his idea was we could go see him on a spaceship. He said it like hed come up with a solution no one had thought of,' Mr Sturgeon said.

Milo's grandmother Kim penned a touching tribute the day after his passing, saying the family was 'heartbroken beyond measure'.

'Milo fought so hard to stay, but it was not to be, he will be so lovingly remembered for blessing us all with bubbly babbling, rollie pollie-ing, easy going nature, the world longest eyelashes and beautiful blue eyes, pouty mouth great hair, and a gorgeous cute face,' she wrote.

The family held a memorial service on December 4 and asked that instead of floral tributes that mourners make a donation to Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital (pictured) in his memory

'He was loveable playful and well on the way to developing his own unique personality. Our lives are so much richer for being blessed by your presence. Another gorgeous angel for heaven.'

The family held a memorial service on December 4 and asked that instead of floral tributes that mourners make a donation to Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital in his memory.

Family and friends who could not attend, along with dozens of strangers, raised more than $5,600 online.

'The PICU truly went above and beyond in caring for Milo during his final days and we would like to show our gratitude by raising this money in Milo's memory,' his parents said.
Study the aircraft, dress like a celebrity and never order a 'special' meal - these are the top ten cheats for scoring a first-class upgrade on a flight.

With passengers expected to fork out an extra $8000 for a single seat in the first class cabin from Sydney to London on both Emirates and Qantas, flying in luxury is often just a dream to most travellers.

But the odds of achieving an upgrade to business or first-class without paying can be greatly increased with these insider tips.

The top cheats for scoring a free upgrade to First (American Airlines, pictured) or Business Class on a flight have been revealed

Those jumping on a flight to celebrate a honeymoon, wedding or anniversary should let check-in staff know in order to score an upgrade (stock image)

STUDY THE AIRCRAFT

Passengers who take some time to familiarise themselves with the aircraft they'll be travelling on before their flight can heighten their chances for an upgrade at check-in.

Cheap Flights claim by selecting a flight with more spots in Business or First Class, there is a higher possibility some of the luxury seats will be available, Escape reported.

For examples, on a Virgin Airbus A330 there are 20 flat-bed seats up for grabs in Business Class, but on a Boeing 737 there are only eight.

Qantas leaves much more room for its Business Class travellers with 64 seats on its Airbus 380 and 14 in First Class.

But the Qantas Boeing 747 leaves more room for economy passengers and drops the number of Business seats to 52.

TELL STAFF IF YOU ARE CELEBRATING

Those jumping on a flight to celebrate a honeymoon, wedding or anniversary should let check-in staff know in order to score an upgrade.

While untruthful passengers often invent a milestone to try and charm staff, there are some celebrations that cannot be faked.

When handing over an ID or passport at the check-in counter, passengers should make it known if they are heading elsewhere to celebrate their birthday.

Flights are more likely to be emptier in non-peak travel times including public holidays and afternoon or nighttime flights

Although school holiday periods are often a busy time for airlines, most families travel in economy (pictured) - leaving more seats available in business

IF YOU HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE TITLE, USE IT

Doctors, professors and judges are more likely to be upgraded if they use their title when checking in.

When booking through a travel agent, let them know if you carry a title.

But it can also be entered when booking most domestic flights and the check-in staff will see it when accessing the ticket.

GAIN WEIGHT

According to Sky Scanner, those who weigh over a certain amount are more likely to be upgraded for their comfort.

Sky Scanner's Influencer Marketing Manager, Tika Larasati, said her ex-husband was often allowed to take an extra seat in Business Class because he was overweight while she remained in economy.

Airlines are more likely to issue a free upgrade to passengers if they are part of a loyalty program

Those who also book hotels, restaurants and hire cars through the airline's partners as part of loyalty programs are more likely to be rewarded with an upgrade. The washroom in First Class on an Emirates A380 is pictured

JOIN A FREQUENT FLYER SCHEME

Airlines are more likely to issue a free upgrade to passengers if they are part of a loyalty program.

Earning points by travelling often can help flyers to earn an upgrade without forking out thousands of dollars, but just being part of Velocity or Qantas Frequent Flyer can help.

Those who also book hotels, restaurants and hire cars through the airline's partners as part of loyalty programs are more likely to be rewarded with an upgrade.

FLY SOLO

Those flying alone make it easier for check-in staff to slot them into Business or First class seats than if they were with family or friends.

A 2015 Skyscanner study found that almost 72 per cent of flight attendants are more inclined to offer a free upgrade to a passenger who is flying alone.

Passengers who order a vegetarian, vegan or 'religious' meal might be turned down for an upgrade purely because they ordered off the 'special' menu

Those flying alone make it easier for check-in staff to slot them into Business or First class seats than if they were with family or friends

DRESS LIKE A CELEBRITY

Passengers who dress up as if they expect to be photographed at their destination are more likely to score an upgrade.

Those travelling in Business Class on domestic flights in Australia often fly for work and don suits or a conservative outfit.

Experts advise to lose the jeans and t-shirt and instead opt for a conservative outfit to 'fit in'.

DON'T ORDER SPECIAL MEALS

First and Business Class often don't carry extra meals for empty seats.

Passengers who order a vegetarian, vegan or 'religious' meal might be turned down for an upgrade purely because they ordered off the 'special' menu.

On domestic flights, passengers who waited until last minute to book are often 'bumped' to a later flight and can use this to their advantage to score an upgrade

Passengers who take some time to familiarise themselves with the aircraft they'll be travelling on before their flight can heighten their chances for an upgrade

Passengers who dress up as if they expect to be photographed at their destination are more likely to score an upgrade. The bar available to premium passengers on an Emirates Airbus is pictured

BE FLEXIBLE

On domestic flights, passengers who waited until last minute to book are often 'bumped' to a later flight.

These travellers can appeal to airline staff's sympathetic side by making it known the delay is in someway upsetting.

Those passengers not in a hurry should check their flight details 24 hours prior to see how full the aircraft is and volunteer to be bumped with the hope of an upgrade.

TRAVEL ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Flights are more likely to be emptier in non-peak travel times including public holidays and afternoon or nighttime flights.

Although school holiday periods are often a busy time for airlines, most families travel in economy.

This leaves room in Business and First Class for solo travellers.

On domestic flights in Australia, Business Class is more likely to be full on early morning flights, especially on a Monday.

Therefore, booking a mid-morning or afternoon flight can improve chances of scoring an upgrade.

Booking a mid-morning or afternoon flight can improve chances of scoring an upgrade from economy (pictured)
John Glenn's hometown church in Ohio last night held a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life and legacy of the hero-astronaut.

People gathered Sunday night at Westminster Presbyterian Church in New Concord, where Glenn was a lifelong member.

They said prayers, sang songs and shared stories of the man many of them knew and loved, according to the Zanesville Times Recorder.

Jane Castor was one of many who attended the service to honor Glenn, cousin of her husband Don. Castor spoke during the ceremony about how the astronaut and his wife Annie were not pretentious.

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Guests raise their candles as they sing during a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life and legacy of John Glenn at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ohio on Sunday, where Glenn was a lifelong member

New Concord mayor Brett Essex reflects on the life of Glenn during the memorial service

'He was such a special person, and we are so honored to have had him as New Concord resident,' said Castor. 'I hope that people get the true picture of John. He was just a normal guy.'

George St Clair remembered attending church with Glenn. St Clair now serves on the board of directors of the John and Annie Glenn Museum.

He became emotional when speaking about the couple's impact on the New Concord community.

'They are just all-around genuine people, and they never forgot New Concord,' said St Clair. 'I hope people remember him for what a great, accomplished man he was, and for being a hometown hero.'

Glenn became a national hero in 1962 when he became the first American to orbit the Earth. He then spent 24 years as a Democrat from Ohio in the US Senate. He died Thursday at the age of 95.

Portraits of Glenn sit on a table as members of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Muskingum University, his alma mater, sing during the candlelight vigil

Katelyn Bennett, center, lights a candle for her sister, Julie, 13, an eighth-grader at John Glenn Middle School, during a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life and legacy of Glenn

Guests enter Westminster Presbyterian Church on Sunday night to remember Glenn

The space trailblazer was fondly remembered last week by the cast of Hidden Figures, a new movie about three black female maths wizards who helped launch Glenn into space.

'He's a hero. John Glenn was always on the right side of history. During a time when these women, because of their gender and the color of their skin, were often times treated like second-class citizens, he extended his hand out, and he trusted women, and women of color, with his life,' said Janelle Monae, one of the movie's stars at its premiere.

Taraji P. Henson, who portrays Katherine Johnson, the woman responsible for the calculations that led to Glenn's orbit, said he signified what America is supposed to represent.

Glenn is expected to lie in state from noon to 8pm on Friday in the Statehouse Rotunda. The event will be open to the public.

Glenn in his Mercury flight suit. He was chosen by NASA as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, and became the first American to orbit the earth in the 1962 Friendship 7 mission

The former astronaut and senator served in the US Marine Corps, and flew combat mission in WWII and the Korean War. He went on to test pilot school and was assigned to Fighter Design Branch of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, now known as the Bureau of Naval Weapons

Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin also paid tribute to Glenn last week, describing him as a world icon.

'I was very saddened to hear that John was ill over the past year. Since he was the last remaining Mercury astronaut, I was always lobbying him to encourage the Apollo guys to do regular reunions annually since were not getting any younger,' Aldrin, 86, said from his hospital bed in New Zealand where he was recovering from a health scare on a trip to the South Pole.

'With the news today I'm saddened again to hear that we have lost the pioneer of space flight for the United States, second only to Yuri Gagarin, and he will always go down in history as certainly one of the most influential officers in the Marine Corps.'
Kate McKinnon and Alec Baldwin were both winners at the Critics Choice Awards for their spot-on impersonations of the presidential candidates on Saturday Night Live.

While president-elect Donald Trump has lashed out at Baldwin's portrayal of him and branded Saturday Night Live 'unwatchable', the Broadcast Films Critics Association certainly disagreed on Sunday.

McKinnon was awarded Best Actress in a Comedy Series while Baldwin was recognized as Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series.

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Kate McKinnon and Alec Baldwin were both winners at the Critics Choice Awards for their spot-on impersonations of the presidential candidates on Saturday Night Live

McKinnon was awarded Best Actress in a Comedy Series while Baldwin was recognized as Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series (pictured, the two in New York City in November)

Neither of them attended the ceremony on Sunday, although Baldwin acknowledged his award on Twitter

Neither McKinnon nor Baldwin attended the ceremony at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar in California on Sunday.

McKinnon was also been nominated for her role in the Ghostbusters reboot, but lost out to Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins for Best Actress in a Comedy.

It was ultimately McKinnon's work on SNL that snagged the prize against Ellie Kemper, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Tracee Ellis Ross, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Constance Wu.

The 32-year-old comedian has shown an impressive range playing everyone from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway on SNL.

But it was her pitch-perfect role as Clinton alongside Baldwin's squinting and pouting caricature of Trump that really won the attention of viewers in the lead-up to the elections.

McKinnon's pitch-perfect role as Clinton (left) alongside Baldwin's squinting and pouting caricature of Trump (right) provided comic relief in the lead up to the elections

Just last week, Trump took to Twitter to say he wasn't impressed with the show's portrayal of him

Alec Baldwin, tweeting under his foundation's account, challenged the president-elect to release his tax returns in response

The show attracted the ire of Trump on numerous occasions, and he launched Twitter attacks against the show week after week.

Just last week, Trump tweeted: 'J ust tried watching Saturday Night Live - unwatchable! Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad.'

Baldwin shot back at Trump writing: '@realDonaldTrump, release your tax returns and I'll stop. Ha.'

The awards ceremony on Sunday also took on a political note, with host TJ Miller incorporating several digs at Trump in his opening monologue.

He said: 'Trolls did well this year. Not the movie, the ones on the internet. One got elected president.'
For some 50,000 Year 12 students in Victoria, the nerves were high when waking up on Monday morning.

As ATAR scores are delivered by text, mail or loaded on the internet, futures can be decided or thrown into chaos in the blink of an eye.

While not everyone achieves the score they need to get directly into the university degree of their dreams, some students do - and didn't they let social media know.

From a young couple with identical scores, to celebratory selfies and some humble bragging, the country's brightest young minds aren't afraid to share their greatness.

As Victorian Year 12 students found out their ATAR results on Monday, couple Mikayla Kidd and Matthew Simpson (pictured) shared the bragging rights after receiving identical scores

'When you get the exact same ATAR as your girlfriend #couplegoals,' Mr Simpson wrote

Bridget Kelly (left) was the dux of Assumption College with a 99.4 while her twin Monica (right) - who is also the school captain - scored a similarly impressive result of 98.8

'Mission accomplished! That's more than my hope of 98.5... hello there interviews,' Jiang Zhu wrote alongside a photo of her 98.70 ATAR.

While her high result will enable her to get into the university of her choice, for one boyfriend and girlfriend their ATARs ensured neither held bragging rights.

'When you get the exact same atar as your girlfriend,' Matthew Simpson wrote on Facebook, tagging his girlfriend Mikayla Kidd.

A set of twins from Assumption College in Kilmore were also both high achievers, with Bridget Kellly scoring 99.4 and her sister Monica 98.8.

Other seemingly chuffed students just posted photos of their scores with everything from high-five emojis to smiley faces telling the story.

A record 50,000 students completed their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) studies in 2016, while close to 30,000 did other Year 12 studies.

Jiang Zhu (pictured) took to Instagram to humbly brag about her impressive 98.70 score

Jehad Akkad (pictured) was seemingly proud of his 90.15 score and took to social media to celebrate with his friends

A result of 83.95 was enough for Erin (pictured) to share with her friends on social media on Monday

Presbyterian Ladies' College led the state with 58 per cent of their VCE students receiving a score over 90. Pictured are a group of seven of the prestigious college's top performers

Of those a total of 35 students achieved the perfect ATAR of 99.95 - 24 boys and 11 girls while overall girls had a higher average than boys.

Unsurprisingly, private schools far outperformed their public counterparts.

Leading the state was Presbyterian Ladies' College's with 58 per cent of their VCE students scoring over 90.

At Melbourne Girls' Grammar that number was 49 per cent, while 45 per cent of students at Melbourne Grammar School were in the top bracket.

While many call it a 'score', the number is actually a ranking comparing the student to all others who completed their education in that same year.

The average ATAR across all Victorian students was 65.20 with an average of 63.76 for boys and a sightly higher 66.45 for girls.

Many nervous students enjoyed a night out before receiving the results they've worked for throughout their schooling lives

'When what you thought was gonna be the worst day of your summer, turns out to be the best,' said this Year 12 student who got her licence as well as being seemingly pleased with her ATAR

'There will be no inbetween emotions tomorrow,' this Year 12 student wrote on Tuesday night

'All students should be incredibly proud of their achievement,' Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) director Catherine Wills said in a statement.

'It is important that students remember the ATAR is simply one of many factors such as interviews, folios, auditions or tests, and special consideration schemes used for tertiary selection by universities, TAFE institutes and private colleges.'

As many as 2000 Year 12 students received their results via SMS on Wednesday night - five days early - following a computer meltdown.
STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 12, ARTSAKHPRESS:The Ministrys announcement reads:

Overnight December 11-12 the Azerbaijani side shelled 14 times from 82 mm mortars at the Armenian positions from their positions located at the southern direction (Horadiz) of the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. Overall, during that period, the Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime over 30 times across certain directions of the frontline by firing more than 400 shots from various caliber small arms at the Armenian positions.

The Defense Army forces mainly refrained from taking countermeasures and took counter actions only in case of strict necessity.

At this moment the situation along the entire length of the line of contact is relatively calm."
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Tradies are leaving the mining industry for the chance to work in the coldest, driest and windiest place on Earth - Antarctica.

This is where temperatures on an Australian base station can plummet below minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter, as the sun refuses to rise.

Eight out of 10 expeditioners at Antarctica are tradies, with plumbers, electricians, diesel mechanics and boilermakers outnumbering scientists.

Plumber Brendan Hopkins will be spending a whole year at the Casey base station, one of three Australian outposts on the Antarctic continent.

Melbourne plumber Brendan Hopkins has swapped teaching apprentices at TAFE for a year in Antarctica as a tradie

At the Casey base station in Antarctica, scientists and tradies experience 24-hour sunlight during summer

The TAFE teacher has swapped teaching apprentices in Melbourne for summer temperatures of minus 10C, roughly the temperature of the ski fields in New South Wales and Victoria during winter.

The 37-year-old tradie, who has previously worked in commercial construction, said the chance to get three meals a day and not have to pay rent was much better than anything the mining industry had to offer.

'If you're looking at raw numbers, this mightn't be as good as mining however you're able to put some dollars in the bank,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Monday from his room on the Antarctic base.

'You're not paying for anything while you're down here.'

Australia's Casey base at Antarctica is a long way from anywhere but it's the place to form lifelong friendships

There's also the chance to work alongside some of the world's best climate scientists, see spectacular scenery every day and experience the occasional blizzard.

'Down here, it's not just a job, it really is much bigger,' Mr Hopkins said.

'It's definitely a great way to develop some friendships with people you just never would have thought - it's not uncommon to be sitting across the table from a PhD candidate and research scientist and that just doesn't happen almost anywhere else in Australia.

'It's all gorgeous. Even miserable days can look brilliant.'

Plumber Brendan Hopkins (pictured) also works as an engineering services supervisor at the Casey base station

Temperatures at the Casey base station in Antarctica can rise above 10 degrees Celsius in summer

Australia runs three permanent base stations on the Antarctic continent.

Of the 469 expeditioners involved in the Australian Antarctic Program 370 of them, or 79 per cent, are tradies with scientists making up the rest.

The Australian Antarctic Division is looking for tradies to work with the world's leading climate scientists.

Electricians, plumbers and boilermakers are being asked to apply for a chance to be based at Antarctica in 2017 and 2018, as part of the Jobs in Antarctica program.

Tradies have until January 27, Hobart time, to apply for the adventure of a lifetime.

Mr Hopkins is now on his fourth tour of duty to Antarctica since 2007, and has been stationed at the Casey and Davis bases, both near the coast, as a plumber in charge of the water supply, maintenance and engineering services.

TEMPERATURES EXTREMES AT THE COLDEST, DRIEST, WINDIEST PLACE ON EARTH

The average annual temperature ranges from about 10C on the Antarctic coast to 60C at the highest parts of the inland areas. Near the coast, the temperature can rise above 10C in summer and fall to below 40C in winter. At the elevated areas inland, it can rise to about 30C in summer but fall below 80C in winter. The lowest temperature yet recorded on the Earth's surface was 89.2C at Vostok station on July 21, 1983. Source: Australian Antarctic Division, federal Department of Environment and Energy Advertisement

'It's definitely for someone who is looking for something outside the norm,' he said.

'There's icebergs, there's penguins, there's birds, there's seals, there's all sorts of beautiful views.'

The plumber, who has experienced minus 39C temperatures, prefers the 24-hour darkness of winter to the constant daylight of summer.

'I cope quite well with the 24-hour darkness in the winter period,' he said.

'It's the summer period that can be troublesome to me so I am currently sitting in my bedroom.

'I have my windows boarded up and the curtains drawn because when I come back to my room after dinner I don't want sunlight coming in through the window. I try and keep my body clock as normal as I can.'
China today said it has 'serious concerns' about Donald Trump's attitude to the Taiwan issue as an official newspaper called him 'as ignorant as a child'.

Beijing's comments come a day after Trump said he saw no reason why the US should continue abiding by the 'One China' policy - under which Washington does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.

Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said the policy was the 'political foundation' of any diplomatic relationship between China and the US.

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'As ignorant as a child': Beijing was already angered by The Donald's phone call on December 2 with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured right)

'We urge the new US leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the One China policy,' he said.

Since recognizing the People's Republic of China in 1979, the US has adhered to the One China policy, recognizing Beijing as the capital of China and maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan.

American law, however, requires the US to ensure Taiwan has the means to defend itself and to treat all threats to the island as matters of serious concern.

China split from Taiwan amid civil war in 1949 and continues to regard the island as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Geng's comments are the strongest public condemnation China has made of Trump's criticisms of current American policy toward Taiwan.

Beijing was already furious about Trump's phone call on December 2 with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

That was the first such conversation between a US President or President-elect and a leader of the self-ruled island since ties between America and Taiwan were severed.

China considers any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Beijing's comments come a day after Trump said he saw no reason why the US should continue abiding by the 'One China' policy

Trump followed the call with two tweets accusing China of manipulating its currency, unfairly taxing American imports and provoking tensions in the South China Sea.

Over the weekend, he told Fox News Sunday that he wouldn't feel 'bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.'

Trump claimed his call with Tsai was 'very nice' and was merely meant to congratulate him on winning the presidential election.

The brash billionaire said: 'Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call? I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it.'

Hours after the interview aired, China's Communist Party-controlled Global Times, published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: 'Trump, please listen clearly: "One China" cannot be traded.'

The editorial went on: 'China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him. Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception.

'Many people might be surprised at how the new US leader is truly a "businessman" through-and-through. But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child.'

Chinese officials have thus far been more restrained.

Dali Yang, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, said they may be still be sizing Trump up as he insisted he wasn't going to be pushed around by China.

However, Trump's suggestion he could negotiate on Taiwan was a step too far for Beijing, Yang said.

He added: 'He expected for China to bargain again for the One China position, perhaps by giving up something on trade or something of that nature.

'This is actually the foundation of the US-China relationship, rather than something to be bargained over.'

However, in a move that was widely seen as an attempt to ease tensions, Trump appointed the Iowa governor, Terry Branstad  a man China called 'an old friend of the Chinese people'  as ambassador to Beijing.

Orville Schell, the head of the Centre on US-China Relations at New York's Asia Society, told the Guardian: 'He sometimes punches Beijing and he sometimes seems to reach out and hug them.
Jetstar has announced cut-price flights to the tropical Whitsundays for just $59.

The cheap fares from Sydney to the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine are on sale for the new, three-times-weekly service beginning on April 4, 2017.

Passengers will make the flight to the airport - the main gateway for visitors heading to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef - aboard an Airbus A320 with the capacity for 180 people.

But those who want to pick up a deal will have to get in quick - the Jetstar sale ends at midnight on Thursday December 15.

A swimmer soaks up the sun at the popular Whitehaven Beach, which is made up of 98 per cent pure silica, giving it its bright, white colour

Lush bush fringes a river feeding into the ocean at one end of Whitehaven Beach

One of the stunning locations in the Whitsunday Islands, Palm Bay Resort on Long Island, near Shute Harbour. Pictured is the resort's swimming pool

A boat belonging to Whitsunday Paradise Explorer at Long Island

The Whitsunday Coast Airport is the gateway for locations like the Great Barrier Reef, pictured

A sunbather soaks up the rays on the stunning white sand in the Whitsundays

The on-sale fares one-way from Sydney are based on seats without optional extras added.

Also being introduced are more frequent flights to the airport from Brisbane during peak periods and Melbourne, beginning this week and in March, respectively.

Flights from Sydney to the Whitsunday Coast Airport take about two-and-a-half hours.

The new flights will mean an extra 170,000 visitors to the region each year and millions to the local economy.

In the year ending September, 508,000 domestic travellers visited the Whitsunday region and its 74 islands, while 229,000 people headed there from overseas.

Tourism Whitsunday CEO Craig Turner said the announcement of the new flights were an early Christmas present for the tourism industry that would deliver massive economic benefits to the region.

Beachgoers soak up the sun on the seven-kilometre long Whitehaven beach

Tropical fish and coral at Chalkies Beach, a short boat trip from the vastly popular Whitehaven Beach

Heart Reef (centre) is the most photographed location on the Great Barrier Reef

Jetstar is having a sale on $59 flights to the Whitehaven Coast Airport - but the sale ends on Thursday

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox said he was 'over the moon' with the news.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand Head of Commercial Carly Povey said the region had been compared to the Noosa of 15 years ago, increasing in popularity.

TigerAir has also announced 55,000 extra seats per year to the Whitsunday Coast Airport, increasing the number of flights from Brisbane and Sydney, Tourism Queensland told Daily Mail Australia.

Queensland Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said: 'We know every extra visitor means more money for local businesses, which supports jobs for locals.

'The tourism industry in Mackay and the Whitsundays is worth more than $3 billion to the local economy, supporting more than 13,000 jobs. We know more than 330 jobs are expected to be created in the local tourism industry in the next five years.

'The Whitsundays has welcomed more than 720,000 visitors in the last year, including more than half a million domestic visitors and these new flights will see this number grow even further.'

Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, one of 74 islands in the region

A sunbather at Hamilton Island, a hub for those visiting the Whitsundays
A missing North Carolina teenager who disappeared more than five years ago has been found safe in Ohio after assuming a false identity.

Rachel Natacha Owens, who went missing in May 2011 at the age of 15, was located on Friday afternoon in Columbus.

Owens, now 21, had 'left and remained away on her own will' and went to 'great lengths to intentionally conceal her whereabouts,' authorities said.

The young woman had even assumed a false identity and date of birth, Brunswick County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

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Rachel Natacha Owens (left and right), who was reported missing in May 2011 in North Carolina at 15, was found safe on Friday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio, authorities said

Owens was reported missing on May 5, 2011 after she was last seen getting off her school bus at South Brunswick High School in North Carolina. Surveillance footage shown above

Owens was reported missing on May 5, 2011 after she was seen getting off her school bus at South Brunswick High School in Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina.

She was then spotted getting into a car in the parking lot and after that vanished, according to StarNews Online.

Before she was reported missing, Owens had previously run away but she was never gone for very long, according to the newspaper.

The FBI along with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office worked tirelessly around several leads in both the U.S. and Mexico, FBI Special Agent Rich Novelli said.

Owens was then spotted getting into a car in the parking lot and after that vanished

A spokeswoman for the FBI Charlotte Field Office said the FBI had received information as recently as 2014 indicating Owens may have been in the Ohio area.

During the investigation, some leads included a story Owens wrote before she left in which she expressed a desire to travel to Mexico, StarNews Online reported.

Her friends also reportedly told investigators they had heard Owens was in Mexico.

The FBI had offered a $5,000 reward for information in Owens' disappearance.

After finding Owens safe on Friday afternoon, investigators said there is no foul play in her disappearance and that no charges will be pursued at this time.

A missing person flyer for Owens is shown above. The FBI had offered a $5,000 reward in for information in Owens' disappearance

Courtesy PortCityDaily.com/Christina Haley

Novelli said he met with Owens' family on Friday and informed them that she was found alive and safe, adding that now they can 'move on with rebuilding their relationship.'

The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office thanked all of the agencies that insisted in the investigation and for those who submitted tips that led to finding Owens.
A shocking video of a man violently assaulting and verbally abusing passengers on a train has emerged online.

The mobile phone footage appears to show the man yelling at a fellow passenger and punching them several times.

A frightened female passenger in the seat behind quickly flees the scene.

The man continues to terrify passengers, leaning across the carriage to scratch graffiti onto the train window, his underwear clearly visible as his tracksuit pants slip down.

The man also appears to taunt other passenger at random before leaving the train.

Crazed man attacks fellow commuters aboard a city-bound train in Adelaide

The alarming footage was captured by a fellow passenger on Sunday night in Adelaide.

Adelaide police are investigating the incident, but it is understood that the man has not reported to police.
Refugee scored incredible 96.65 ATAR and was the dux of his Melbourne school

He mastered the language watching 'Question Time' from Federal Parliament

Saad Al-Kassab fled war-torn Syria in 2013 and began learning English a year on

A Syrian refugee has scored an incredible 96.65 on his final Year 12 exams and become the dux of his school, despite only learning English two years ago.

Saad Al-Kassab, 18, and his brother Omar managed to flee the war-torn country in 2014 and travel to Melbourne after the pair were captured and tortured for protesting for peace at a rally.

The brothers learnt English within two years by watching 'Question Time' from Federal Parliament and studying an English-Arabic dictionary, according to The Herald Sun.

Saad Al-Kassab, 18, and his brother Omar managed to flee the war-torn country in 2014 and travel to Melbourne

Saad scored an incredible 96.65 on his final Year 12 exams and become the dux of his school, gaining a lot of media attention on Monday (pictured)

Saad attended Melbourne's Catholic Regional College Sydenham and principal Brendan Watson said few of his students have had the 'impact' Saad and Omar have had.

During his Year 12 studies, Saad received devastating news from Syria about the death of his old school friends.

But he remained committed to his studies and discovered his 96.65 score on Monday morning.

Just last week, Omar and Saad gave a TEDx talk in Canberra about their journey to Australia. They spoke about the Syrian Civil War where Omar was arrested, tortured and shot.

'Whether their journey is VCE, VCAL or VET, their teachers are proud to support their achievements,' Mr Watson said.

'But few have the impact that Saad  and Omar  have had in a such a short time, since their arrival in Australia in June 2014.'

Saad attended Melbourne's Catholic Regional College Sydenham and principal Brendan Watson said few of his students have had the 'impact' Saad and Omar have had

Just last week, Omar and Saad gave a TEDx talk in Canberra about their journey to Australia

Of the 35 students to receive a top Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99.95 on Monday some 24 were boys and 11 were girls.

The average ATAR across all Victorian students was 65.20 with an average of 63.76 for boys and a sightly higher 66.45 for girls.

'All students should be incredibly proud of their achievement,' Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) director Catherine Wills said in a statement.

'It is important that students remember the ATAR is simply one of many factors such as interviews, folios, auditions or tests, and special consideration schemes used for tertiary selection by universities, TAFE institutes and private colleges.'

As many as 2000 Year 12 students received their results via SMS on Wednesday night - five days early - following a computer meltdown.

Saad learnt English within two years by watching 'Question Time' from Federal Parliament and studying an English-Arabic dictionary

During his Year 12 studies, Saad received devastating news from Syria about the death of his old school friends. He is pictured here speaking with media on Monday

Education officials confirmed at the time the results were correct but said they wouldn't release ATARs to the other 44,000-odd eligible VCE students until Monday.

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a score between 99.95 and zero determined by a student's Year 12 exam results and shows their ranking against their peers in the rest of the country.

In Victoria, students receive their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) after successfully completing secondary schooling. They are then sent university offers respective to both their choices and ATAR score through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
Amazon has been accused of abuse and exploitation following claims workers are threatened with the sack if they are off sick for more than four days.

The US web retailer is also under fire after it emerged that some staff are living in tents in freezing conditions close to one of its British distribution centres.

MPs are to investigate the allegations, which centre on Amazons vast distribution centre warehouse in Dunfermline, Scotland.

The retailer, which last year made more than 6billion of revenues in Britain, has a disciplinary system where staff are given penalty points for taking time off sick.

High pressure: Some Amazon staff are living in tents in freezing conditions close to one of its British distribution centres, Dunfermline, in Scotland

Home: At least two other tents have reportedly been spotted -including this one next to a dual carriageway

Retail giant: The Dunfermline site is Amazon's biggest UK distribution centre and is the size of 14 football pitches

More than one point will result in a series of counselling and disciplinary meetings and between four and six points can result in dismissal.

In one case, a woman who spent three days in hospital with a kidney infection was docked two points, reduced to one on appeal, despite providing a hospital note.

The allegations stem from an investigation in which a reporter went undercover with the temporary workers.

She was paid 7.35 an hour by an agency supplying workers to Amazon, but was left with less than the minimum wage after paying 10 for the agencys bus taking her to the site 40 miles from her home in Glasgow.

An undercover investigation also discovered:

They faced relentless time targets for every task, with disciplinary action taken against those who could not keep up;

Workers faced disciplinary action if they were deemed to have taken too long during bathroom breaks;

Workers received 7.35 an hour  just pennies more than the minimum wage  from a company recently branded the most valuable retailer in the world and valued at 198 billion;

Staff had to work 'compulsory' extra days and hours  and were given short notice of shift changes;

There was an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion, with handheld scanners tracking workers' whereabouts, plus CCTV cameras monitoring the warehouse, and airport-style security checks.

Staff were left with blistered feet after walking up to 14 miles a day

The Mail on Sunday went undercover at one of the firm's 'fulfilment centres' at Gourock, near Glasgow, over the Black Friday period, one of the busiest times for online shopping.

Amazon was last night accused of 'dehumanising' its staff battling to deliver gifts to millions of customers in time for Christmas

The race against the clock: Amazons buzzing warehouse relies on a monitoring system that tracks every item for sale and all staff movements

Workers have to ship hundreds of products a day each  deadlines cannot be missed. On Black Friday, the Gourock depot alone exported 150,000 items

Taking a job as a 'picker'  one of the thousands of seasonal workers employed to collect items from shelves before they are sent to customers  we worked up to 11-and-a-half hours a day for nine days at one of Amazon's huge warehouses.

It might be comforting to imagine the firm's premises are staffed by happy bands of Santa's elves. But one worker told us: 'It's all about being bossed around by a scanner and having no thoughts beyond the next shelf number.'

It has emerged that some staff are camping in woodland near the depot to avoid paying the bus costs. At least three tents have been pitched near the site.

The Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy select committee said it will investigate the warehouse working practices.

AMAZON DRIVERS FORCED TO 'DEFECATE IN BAGS' These allegations come in the wake of recent reports that Amazon workers were denied proper bathroom breaks due to the harrowing demands of the holiday season - forcing them to relieve themselves in whatever means possible. Van drivers were under such pressure to make deliveries on time that they used bottles or plastic bags in lieu of a loo, an investigation by the BBC revealed. A reporter got a job with AHC Services, one of the firms that provides drivers for Amazon in southern England. For two weeks, the investigator was based at the Amazon depot in Avonmouth, Bristol, and said drivers told him they were expected to deliver as many as 200 parcels a day, for which they were paid 110. The drivers also admitted to having to 'defecate in bags' and 'urinate in bottles' because they did not have enough time for toilet breaks. The investigation also claimed that Amazon delivery drivers are having to speed in order to fit in all the firm's deliveries on time. Advertisement

Chairman, Labour MP Iain Wright, said: It is a terrible example of exploitation and abuse that you have to go in even if youre sick because if you dont youll get a point. The warnings of disciplinary action are included in Amazons handbook for temporary staff. The firm says this was a mistake and it is not official policy.

The reporter was employed as a temporary warehouse operative by PMP Recruitment, one of two agencies providing staff to Amazon. This involved working at least ten hours a day, with an unpaid 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minute paid breaks.

The reporter was told she had to sign an opt-out of the working time directive, which limits weekly hours to 48, in order to get a job.

Under the system in the handbook, half a point is issued to recruits late to work or late back from a break; one point for one period of sickness; and three for no call, no show.

The reporter was told anyone more than 30 seconds late to work or returning after a break would receive the half-point penalty. Workers were also told that more than one error a week in collecting items or failing to hit productivity targets could lead to a disciplinary process, which could end in dismissal.

Amazon said an employee with six points would be spoken to for an understanding of why those points had been accrued, but would not automatically be dismissed.
Eric Schmitt-Matzen, 60, fulfilled a terminally-ill child's wish to see Santa Claus, and then held the boy as he died in his arms

A terminally-ill five-year-old boy has died in Father Christmas's arms after having his final wish to see Santa Claus fulfilled.

Eric Schmitt-Matzen plays Santa at 80 different gigs every year, but it was one boy in a Tennessee hospital who he will never forget.

Schmitt-Matzen, a mechanical engineer and co-owner of Packaging Seals & Engineering, had just gotten home from work just over a month ago, when he got an urgent phone call.

It was a nurse who worked at the hospital where Schmitt-Matzen, 60, often spreads joy and Christmas cheer.

The nurse said there was a 'very sick five-year-old boy' who wanted to see Santa Claus, Schmitt-Matzen told the Knoxville News Sentinel.

He told the nurse he would change into his suit and come right away, but she said the boy didn't have much time left.

'Your Santa suspenders are good enough,' she then said. 'Come right now.'

Fifteen minutes later, Schmitt-Matzen arrived. The boy's mother held out a toy from the popular children's show PAW Patrol, and asked him to give it to her son.

'I sized up the situation and told everyone, "If you think you're going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I'll break down and can't do my job,'" he said.

'When I turned around, where is everyone? Already outside, crying in the hallway,' he told DailyMail.com.

As the boy's relatives watched from a window looking into the Intensive Care Unit, Schmitt-Matzen walked inside and saw the boy.

'He was laying there, so weak it looked like he was ready to fall asleep,' he said.

'I sat down on his bed and asked, "Say, what's this I hear about you're gonna miss Christmas? There's no way you can miss Christmas.'

'Why, you're my Number One elf!'

The little boy looked up at Schmitt-Matzen and his perfect Santa Claus beard and asked: 'I am?'

Schmitt-Matzen assured the child that he was, and then gave him the toy.

Schmitt-Matzen works 80 gigs as Santa Claus a year, even bringing along his wife as Mrs Claus, but it was this visit to the hospital that he will never forget

'He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down.'

The little boy then had a big question for Santa.

'They say I'm gonna die,' he told Schmitt-Matzen. 'How can I tell when I get to where I'm going?'

Schmitt-Matzen then asked the little boy to do him a 'big favor'.

'When you get there, you tell them you're Santa's Number One elf, and I know they'll let you in,' he told the boy.

'They will?' the child asked.

'Sure!' Schmitt-Matzen confidently replied.

The little boy sat up and gave him a big hug. He had one more question: 'Santa, can you help me?'

It would be his final words.

'I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there,' Schmitt-Matzen said.

'He was in my arms when I felt him pass.

The mechanical engineer said he was so shaken by the experience he considered hanging up his Santa suit for good

'I kinda looked up in the air, and tears started coming down my face,' he told DailyMail.com, choking up again at the memory.

'I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him.'

Schmitt-Matzen said everyone outside the room then realized what had just happened, and the little boy's mother ran into the room screaming.

'I handed her son back and left as fast as I could,' he said.

'I spent four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers, and Ive seen my share of (stuff). But I ran by the nurses station bawling my head off.

The entire experience completely rattled Schmitt-Matzen, who cried the entire drive back home.

'I even had to pull over a couple of times,' he admitted.

'My wife and I were scheduled to visit our grandchildren in Nashville the next day, but I told her to go by herself,' he said.

'I was a basket case for three days. It took me a week or two to stop thinking about it all the time,' he added of the experience, which occurred more than a month ago.

Schmitt-Matzen was so affected he even considered leaving Santa Claus behind for good.

Schmitt-Matzen said he decided to become a professional Santa six years ago, after agreeing to play him for his local church. He even studied at 'Santa School' before he was allowed to become a fully fledged Santa Claus

But he dragged himself to another show, and remembered just what had inspired him to wear Father Christmas' suit in the first place.

'When I saw all those children laughing, it brought me back into the fold,' he said.

'It made me realize the role I have to play.'

Schmitt-Matzen said that he knew many people who had played Santa for decades without ever having to make a deathbed visit.

Yet, since putting on his jolly red hat and coat six years ago, he has made no less than four - including one adult who wanted to knock 'a picture with Santa' off their bucket list.

But this was the one that has stayed with him the most.

'This one hit me a little harder because he died in my arms,' he said.

Schmitt-Matzen said his second ever Santa request had been to make a deathbed visit.

'(The grandmother) was crying so hard I could barely understand her when she called,' he said.

Schmitt-Matzen had visited the hospital room of her granddaughter with his elves and Mrs Claus, but when he walked in last, 'all the (medical) alarms in that place went off' as the sick little nine-year-old girl spotted her hero.

'I thought I'd killed her,' he said. 'She had so many tubes and things down down her.'

He had spent time with the youngster, as his elves and Mrs Claus entertained the family. She died a short while after.

The 60-year-old said that often, terminally ill children are more upset about missing their next Christmas than they are about the difficult concept of death.

He and his wife Sharon Byrne Schmitt-Matzen, pose together as Mr and Mrs Claus

'The kids know they are going to miss Christmas which is a fun time for them. That has them more worried about missing Christmas than dying.

'It may sound ridiculous to us adults, but that's what they understand.'

Yet, while he says he says he is always willing to do whatever is necessary to make a little boy or girl's last wishes come true, he has deep admiration for the Santas that 'do nothing but go to burns units and children's hospitals' to visit the sick and dying.

He added he was 'too empathetic' to be able to do that everyday without taking the tragedies he'd seen home with him.

Schmitt-Matzen said he decided to become a professional Santa six years ago, after agreeing to play him for his local church. He even studied at 'Santa School' before he was allowed to become a fully fledged Santa Claus.

Since then, he's been growing his long bushy beard for the role, although he says there have been the odd 'mishap'.

'I burned half of it off burning leaves,' he admitted, adding that children sitting on his lap also have a tendency to pull on it.

'After each season it's pretty beat up.

'My wife calls me high maintenance,' he joked. 'I have more hair products than she does.'

Even when he's not in costume, Schmitt-Matzen's 'cotton candy' beard and twinkly eyes earns him plenty of double glances - even in the summer months.

'It makes for great conversations,' he said. You meet people you wouldn't have seen before.

'Sometimes you'll catch kids looking at you. And when they catch you looking them look down.

'I'm like, I saw you looking,' he said with a chuckle.

Schmitt-Matzen added that when he and his wife Mrs Claus, aka Sharon Byrne Schmitt-Matzen, went on a trip to Alaska, they stopped for close to 4,000 pictures.

'People can be walking down the street, and they wave to Santa.

'I was walking through Downtown L.A., to visit my daughter, and some of the gangs were sitting out there.

'And they all wanted to take a photo with me. I like to see them walk away laughing.
Actress Rita Wilson angled for equal representation at the Critics Choice Awards, accusing the awards ceremony for failing to show the film clips for female nominees.

She joined husband Tom Hanks, who was up for the Best Actor category for his performance in Sully, at the Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar on Sunday.

About 45 minutes into the ceremony, she took to Twitter and asked: '@CriticsChoice why do the male nominees get film clips but not the female nominees?'

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Actress Rita Wilson angled for equal representation at the Critics Choice Awards, accusing the awards ceremony for failing to show the film clips for female nominees

About 45 minutes into the ceremony, she took to Twitter and asked: '@CriticsChoice why do the male nominees get film clips but not the female nominees?'

She joined husband Tom Hanks, who was up for the Best Actor category for his performance in Sully, at the Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar on Sunday

It appears Wilson was referring to the brief clips played on screen as the nominees for each category were announced moments before a winner was declared.

But it remains unclear which female nominees she was advocating for, since the producers of the show included footage for some not others.

For Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, for example, the producers included clips of the actress' work, while choosing to simply announce the names in the corresponding Supporting Actors category.

On the flip side, clips for women in the Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series were not played, while film reels were shown for actors in the parallel group.

In other cases, film reels were shown for both the men and women nominated for the Best Actor and Actress in a Drama Series.

They were accompanied by Chesley Sullenberger, 65, his wife Lorrie. Sullenberger was portrayed by Hanks in the movie which bears his nickname 'Sully'

Despite her complaint, Wilson looked chipper wearing a plunging floor-length black gown as she accompanied Hanks, who sported a dusting of salt and pepper facial hair and a pair of spectacles along with his black suit.

They stood next to Chesley Sullenberger, 65, his wife Lorrie.

Sullenberger successfully executed the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City, on January 15, 2009.

He's portrayed by Hanks in the movie which bears his nickname 'Sully', and tells the story of the remarkable escape of everyone on board after the aircraft was disabled by striking a flock of Canada geese during its climb out from LaGuardia Airport.

Hanks was nominated for Best Actor, but was beat out by Casey Affleck who won for his performance in Manchester By the Sea.

The Critics' Choice Awards nominees and winners are selected by members of The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

They have been conducting the Critics' Choice awards since 1995 and are considered to represent most fully - out of awards handed out by film critics - the general public's taste.

The awards show is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.
Britain has handed 274million to a controversial climate change organisation and admits it doesn't even know what it was spent on.

The foreign aid donation to the Strategic Climate Fund was agreed so the Government can can meet its pledge to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on foreign aid.

The fund runs projects in Haiti, Yemen and Cambodia but the United States has warned it might stop sending aid to these countries because their governments are considered among the most corrupt in the world.

The Strategic Climate Change Fund has an $8billion (6.3billion) annual budget and Britain is among its biggest donors.

Controversial: The donation to the Strategic Climate Fund, set up by George W Bush in 2008, pictured, was agreed so the Government can can meet its pledge to spend 0.7% of national income on foreign aid

But when The Times asked The Department for International Development (DfID) how it 274million donation was spent on it responded: 'DfID does not hold the information relevant to your request'.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel, pictured, has launched an investigation into aid spending as yet revelations emerged

But critics have expressed worry that they don't know where the cash is going.

Benny Peiser, director of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, told the newspaper: 'It's hard to believe they can get away with this kind of answer. Development funding in itself is highly contentious but this takes it to a different level.'

The Strategic Climate Fund was set up by President George W Bush in 2008 to help poorer nations tackle climate change but there are deep concerns in the US about the countries it is spent in. The Senate has even threatened to clock investment.

Revelations about the payouts came as it emerged that billions of pounds earmarked to help impoverished countries is being handed to wealthy consultants.

Executives are earning six-figure salaries paid in public money to complete dubious projects and reports despite Government promises to prevent misuse of aid cash.

Its insistence that payments to consultancy firms had all but stopped was rubbished as Whitehall documents revealed that the annual bill for private contractors had doubled to almost 1billion.

Some consultants are raking in more than 1,000-a-day to provide advice and guidance on how the UK should spend money that is supposed to help poor communities throughout the world.

2015: Britain's overall foreign aid budget is now so swollen it accounts for 1 in every 7 given by rich countries. A global study shows the 28 leading industrialised nations handed out 86billion between them last year

Downing Street said last week that Theresa May wanted to see an end to the lavish payments.

Her official spokesman said: The Government has been very clear that we want to make sure that taxpayers money is being spent in the most effective and efficient way. There have already been steps taken to make sure that aid ends up where it should be  helping the worlds poorest.

Funding: In 2014 the Department for International Development (DfiD) paid 26,000 to hire Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Muthy to host a session at a two-day aid conference in Mexico.

Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy was paid 15,000 in taxpayer cash from Britains foreign aid budget for just several hours work at a junket.

He faced embarrassment when he claimed to be unaware that the money for his trip to Mexico came from the public purse, and promised to give it back to charity.

Mr Guru-Murthy was joined at the summit by BBC News presenter Zeinab Badawi, who cost 14,000 to hire through an agency.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel has launched an investigation following the revelations, including the payment to Mr Guru-Murthy. She is considering forcing aid providers to publish all their contracts for scrutiny.

The agency through which Mr Guru-Murthy was hired charged 26,000. Both he and Miss Badawi chaired meetings attended by ministers at the two-day event in Mexico in 2014 hosted by the Global Partnership for Effective Development.

It is understood that Mr Guru-Murthy received 15,000 and paid his agent 2,250. He has promised to donate his fee to a development charity and said he would not have carried out the work if he had known it was being funded by the Department for International Development (DfiD).

Official documents state that DfiD has spent no money on consultancy payments in the past three years. It also said payments for external consultancy and advisory services currently stood at 200,000, a reduction of almost 99 per cent in the past seven years.

But an analysis of 72,000 documents detailing financial transactions between DfiD and consultants carried out by The Times found that it paid a staggering 3.4billion between 2011 and 2015.

Britains huge aid budget  which now exceeds 12billion  has been mired in controversy over claims that much of the money is wasted on bureaucracy. A series of reports in the Daily Mail have also revealed numerous cases in which the cash is squandered on controversial projects.

Hundreds of businesses and other organisations providing consultancy firms are known to have benefited from the significant increase in payments.

Accounting giant PwC earned an astonishing 6.3million in fees from an aid project costing 8.5million to help Papua, Indonesia, according to The Times. It has received 168.8million from the foreign aid budget since 2011. London-based consultants Adam Smith International was paid 296million in the same period.

A DFiD spokesman said: 'Our investment helps developing countries tackle the global threat of climate change, which is firmly in the UK's national interest.
STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: At the meeting the sides discussed the democratic nature and transparency of the electoral processes in the CSTO and the EAEU member states.

Sharmazanov attached importance to the cooperated, mutually beneficial work of the CSTO member states in the international platforms and congratulated on the successful holding of the referendum.

The sides also discussed the necessity on developing the economic relations taking into account the opportunities provided by the Eurasian Economic Union.
The one-year-old girl who tragically drowned in a backyard swimming pool in Sydney's southwest has been identified.

Aria Dunn, aged 20-months, was found floating in the pool by her distraught father Craig at their home on Thunderbolt Drive in Raby on Sunday.

The young father tried desperately to revive his daughter before paramedics arrived on the scene who continued resuscitation attempts but unfortunately she was pronounced dead at Campbelltown Hospital a short time later.

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The one-year-old girl who tragically drowned in a backyard swimming pool in Sydney's southwest has been identified as Aria Dunn (right with mum Holly)

Aria (pictured with mum Holly, brother Jett and father Craig) was found floating in the pool by her distraught father Craig at their home in Raby on Sunday

Reports suggest that Aria slipped into the fenced pool area unnoticed and fell into the pool while her parents were only metres away inside the house.

Acting Superintendent Michael Rochester urged people to remain vigilant with children around water especially with school holidays just around the corner.

'It's a timely reminder that you can never be too vigilant with children and swimming pools,' Supt Rochester said.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The tragic death comes less than a day after a 22-month-old boy fell into a backyard pool in Castle Hill, north-west of Sydney, at 4pm on Saturday.

He was rushed to The Children's Hospital at Westmead after he was found unconscious following a near-drowning incident.

Aria's (centre with Mum Holly and brother Jett) death comes less than a day after a 22-month-old boy fell into a backyard pool in Castle Hill

The young father tried desperately to revive his daughter (right with brother Jett) before paramedics arrived on the scene

A one-year-old girl has drowned in a backyard pool (pictured) in Sydney's southwest

Police say that at about 4.15pm on Sunday the girl was found floating in the pool

The families home and pool where the 20-month-old drowned (pictured)

The little boy was revived by family members and paramedics at the scene before he was airlifted the Children's Hospital in a critical condition.

The toddler is fighting for his life but due to privacy restrictions, his current condition is unknown.

The boy was believed to have been in the pool for five minutes before he was found, Seven Network reported.

The little girl was pulled from the water and rushed to Campbelltown Hospital by ambulance
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A giant alien-like object covered in barnacles that washed up on a New Zealand beach has sparked debate online and left locals baffled.

Melissa Doubleday was driving past Muriwai Beach near Auckland when she encountered the strange scene about five kilometres down the shore.

'Just curious to know if anyone knows what this is?' she asked a community Facebook group. 'I drove past and was like what the?'

Stunning photographs capture the mysterious object, dubbed the 'Muriwai Monster', in all its glory - with rows of pearly-white barnacles clinging on to thick strings of algae.

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A mysterious alien-like object washed up on the shores of Muriwai Beach near Auckland, New Zealand

The shaggy object, dubbed the 'Muriwai Monster', has sparked fierce debate online and left locals baffled

Social media users suggested the object could be a Maori canoe, a shipwreck, artwork, a Caribbean walrus, a Rastafarian whale or an alien time capsule

But experts quickly chimed in to claim that the object was in fact a large piece of driftwood covered in gooseneck barnacles

Social media users suggested the object could be a Maori canoe, a monster from the 1980s television series Under the Mountain, a shipwreck, artwork, a Caribbean walrus, a Rastafarian whale or an alien time capsule.

But experts quickly chimed in to claim that the shaggy object was in fact a large piece of driftwood covered in gooseneck barnacles.

Gooseneck barnacles - sometimes referred to as stalked barnacles or simply goose barnacles - are crustaceans that grow in clusters and cling to rocks in areas where waves frequently crash and tides regularly change.

Despite their scary appearance, the sea creatures are not dangerous to humans.

Goose barnacles are also known to cling to shipwrecks.

Gooseneck barnacles are crustaceans that grow in clusters and cling to rocks in areas where waves frequently crash

Gooseneck barnacles are known to cling to stones and shipwrecks, and are considered a delicacy to eat in Spain and Portugal

In parts of Europe, gooseneck barnacles (known as percebes) can cost upwards of $500 per kilogram

The woman who first spotted the object said she initially believed it was a washed up whale as she approached it

In countries such as Spain and Portugal, goose barnacles are called percebes and are considered a delicacy to eat.

In parts of Europe percebes can cost upwards of $500 per kilogram, namely because they are so difficult to gather.

'I actually thought it was a washed up whale as I approached it, so weird,' Ms Doubleday said.

The bizarre object was reminiscent of scenes on NZ's beaches after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake lifted the seabed two metres and exploded through the sand.

Once submerged, the rocks - covered in barnacles, limpets and seaweed - were pushed up above the surface.

As a result of the sudden uplift, sea life including lobster and abalone, were stranded out of water.
Germany has admitted Schengen zone nations must bring back border checks amid fears terrorists pretending to be refugees are moving freely across the continent.

Minutes from a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels suggest introducing a 'filter function of the external borders', according to reports in Germany.

Although free movement is allowed within Europe's Schengen area, some member states have brought passport border checks back in.

Germany has admitted Schengen zone nations must bring back border checks amid fears terrorists pretending to be refugees are moving freely across the continent (file picture)

Germany's Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has said such controls are only 'temporary' but they have been extended on a number of occasions with the current measures in place until February.

According to Der Spiegel, minutes from the ambassador's meeting suggest Germany wants to extend the controls following a tip-off over terror suspects trying to enter the country disguised as asylum seekers.

The magazine says Germany will need have to give the EU Commission 'detailed' intelligence about any terror threat before an extension of border controls can be granted.

Brussels commissioners want a return to the Schengen agreement - no frontier controls - as soon as possible after agreeing a suspension last year at the height of the refugee crisis.

But a few weeks ago interior commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos rejected an extension to February, putting him on a collision course with Berlin.

The Federal Government and the State of Bavaria sought an extension of border controls until after the general election in September next year.

Merkel, whose popularity slumped after Germany let in 890,000 migrants last year, will seek a fourth term in office in a national election due in autumn 2017

If Europe fails to give a green light on the issue German media report that federal and state officials are ready to defy the EU and keep the checks on the border with Austria anyway.

The domestic policy spokesman of Merkel's government in the Bundestag, Stephan Mayer, told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper: 'I am convinced that border controls need to be urgently extended beyond February 2017 also.'

The politician, who comes from the border area to Austria, added: 'If the commission does not approve the extension, for which I have no understanding, the federal government must continue its own border controls on the Bavarian-Austrian border.'

Magazine Der Spiegel reported on an internal meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels in which Germany said it needed to keep the checks in place in order to thwart Islamic terror plots.

The BND, Germany's foreign intelligence agency, said that ISIS was training its agents how to apply for asylum and answer questions from officials that did not betray their true intentions.

Intelligence officials estimate hundreds of Isis Jihadists have infiltrated into the country in the refugee wave, waiting for orders from the middle east to carry out attacks.

With Germany struggling to cope with around 17,500 new asylum seekers each month, the government is adamant that the border controls must stay in place.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has slammed the 11-year reduction of a jail sentence handed to a man who stabbed a police officer to death with a hunting knife.

Mitchell Barbieri was jailed for 35 years with a non-parole period of 26 after he pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson.

But on Monday, Barbieri had his minimum jail term slashed by 11 years after his lawyer argued his mental illness was not taken into consideration.

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Cain Anderson - the 13-year-old son of Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson - broke down in tears outside the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday after the re-sentencing

Mitchell Barbieri (pictured being led into a van in 2014) who murdered a NSW police officer during a violent siege four years ago has had his minimum jail term slashed by 11 years

Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, 45, was killed at a rural property in Oakville, in 2012

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal allowed his sentence appeal and imposed a 21 years and three months' term with a non-parole period of 15 years.

Outside court, the grief-stricken family of Det Insp Anderson, including his 13-year-old son Cain, broke down in tears following the shock re-sentencing.

The court heard Barbieri, then 19, was sharing mental delusions with his mother Fiona, when he stabbed Det Insp Anderson twice in the chest with a hunting knife.

His mother was given a non-parole six-and-a-half years for manslaughter.

Widow Donna Anderson was joined in court alongside her children - daughter Olivia and sons Darcy and Cain - as they were left outraged by the decision.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said he will challenge the appeal in the High Court of Australia over the reduced sentence after a majority decision.

'I need to make it clear that today has not been a good day for the NSW Police Force... I'm going to make sure this is going to be dealt with the right way,' he said.

'The police family is hurting but none more so than the family of Bryson.'

Det Insp Anderson's brother Warwick Anderson said they were not satisfied, but had understood, the original sentence for the 'spineless and cowardly act'.

'We came here today and were - to use my father's words - kicked in the guts by the decision that came down today,' he said outside court.

'How any informed member of the community could possibly think a sentence of 15 years for someone who stabs to death a policeman who turns up to help other people is what the community expects is absolutely beyond belief.'

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said he will challenge the appeal in the High Court of Australia over the reduced sentence after a majority decision

Emotional scenes outside the Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday after the re-sentencing

Det Insp Anderson's grieving family outside the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal in Sydney on Monday (pictured from left: daughter Olivia, wife Donna and son Darcy)

Widow Donna Anderson tried to hold back her tears after Barbieri got his jail term slashed

The parents of Dept Insp Anderson, Red (right) and Shirley Anderson leave court on Monday

Det Insp Anderson was one of the officers who attended the Oakville rural property in north-west Sydney on December 6, 2012 after receiving a call from neighbours.

Barbieri and his mother had barricaded themselves in their home after a heated dispute with neighbours.

When police stormed the property during a siege at the pair's rural property in Oakville, Det Insp Anderson was stabbed to death.

In cutting Barbieri's term, two of the three appeal court judges found the sentencing judge erred in applying principles relevant to the sentencing of mentally-ill offenders.

'His mental illness diminished his moral culpability to a very significant degree,' Justice Carolyn Simpson said.

'His evidence persuades me that the applicant is genuinely remorseful, that he has accepted responsibility for his conduct, and that this indicates that he is unlikely to re-offend.'

Family and friends of Dept Insp Anderson consoled each other as they left court on Monday

The distraught Anderson family have been left outraged by the shock re-sentencing

Fiona Barbieri (pictured in 2014) was jailed after she pleaded guilty to manslaughter

The appeal court also found Barbieri's sentence was disproportionate to that imposed on his mother.

'The circumstances of his life were such that he had not had the opportunity to develop even the maturity that might be expected of an average 19-year-old,' Justice Simpson said.

'He lived alone on a rural property with a mentally-ill mother whose delusions he came to share.'

Outside court, Scott Weber, president of the NSW Police Association, described the court's decision as 'disgusting' and called for an appeal.

'How can we say to (the family) have a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. We can't.'
The party of populist anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders is now the most popular party in Holland after he was found guilty of discrimination against Moroccans last week.

Wilders, 53, was acquitted of hate-speech in a trial which got enormous coverage in the Dutch press ahead of key elections next year.

Elections are due in March and a poll by the Maurice de Hond Institute says that if they were held today Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) would pick up 36 out of 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, making it the biggest party.

Amid a string of populist victories in Europe and the November election of Donald Trump as the next US president, the outcome of the Dutch vote will be keenly watched.

With his blond bouffant hairstyle and politically incorrect statements, Wilders (pictured) is easily the most well known politician in Holland. And despite now having a criminal record for discrimination against Moroccans, the trial has only improve his and his party's popularity

The PVV currently has 12 seats in the lower house, which is elected on a system of proportional representation.

The same poll found Wilders' party would overtake Prime Minister Mark Rutte's Liberals, who would have 23 seats (down from the 40 they currently hold) and his coalition partners, the Labour Party (PvdA), would fall from 35 to 10 seats.

But even though his party would be the biggest in the Dutch parliament, it remains to be seen whether they could find enough coalition partners to take power.

Wilders and his party have got a bounce in the polls despite the judges saying, in their verdict: 'The inflammatory character of the way in which (his) statements were made have incited others to discriminate people of Moroccan origin.'

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Wilders said the judges who presided over his trial (pictured, left to right) Elianne van Rens, Henry Stone House and Sijbrand Wreath were 'on the wrong side of history'

Wilders, who was not present at the trial, commented on the character of the judges who delivered his verdict

Wilders, is appealing his conviction, which he said was 'a big loss for freedom of speech.'

Observers say his trial has boosted his popularity among Dutch voters, worried about the influx of immigrants and driven by eurosceptic sentiments.

The comments were made at a 2014 rally where he asked supporters if they wanted 'fewer or more Moroccans in your city and in the Netherlands'

The three-week trial of Wilders had focused in particular on a statement made at a 2014 local government election rally in The Hague, when he asked supporters whether they wanted 'fewer or more Moroccans in your city and in the Netherlands'.

When the crowd shouted back 'Fewer! Fewer!' a smiling Wilders answered: 'We're going to organise that.'

Prosecutors told the trial they had taken Wilders to court because 'racist remarks need to be stopped' after police received 6,400 complaints about his comments.

'Wilders singled out an entire group of citizens without making any distinction,' the judges ruled.

'This group has less rights to reside in the Netherlands. Therewith, this statement can be regarded as affecting the dignity of this group as a whole. It is insulting for the entire group.'

Throughout their case, prosecutors quoted numerous examples of Dutch-Moroccans who said they felt like 'third-rate citizens' and that even 'children are afraid' because of the politician's statements.

Wilders boycotted most of the high-profile trial, and refused to appear in court for the verdict.

If elected as the lowlands country's new prime minister, Wilders has vowed to confiscate Korans, close mosques and Islamic schools, shut Dutch borders and ban migrants from Islamic countries among a raft of other anti-Islamic moves.

His views have seen him receive death threats including from terror groups such as the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda. He is guarded at all times and called the 'best protected man in The Netherlands'.
A small Indiana town is locked in a legal battle over its Christmas decorations, which some say violate the Constitution because they are overtly religious.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indianapolis is suing Knightstown, home to 2,000 people, for displaying an illuminated cross at the top of its community Christmas tree.

The ACLU and resident Joseph Tompkins say the cross violates the First Amendment, effectively blurring the line between church and state because the tree is displayed prominently in the town square.

A lighted cross at the top of a Christmas tree in Knightstown, Indiana has sparked a lawsuit between the ACLU and the town

According to court documents, Tompkins 'objects to any of his tax dollars going to pay for the erection or maintenance of the display or the lighting of it', as reported by the Indianapolis Star.

The lawsuit also states Tompkins has been 'forced to come into unwelcome contact' with the display, causing him 'irreparable harm'.

He is seeking immediate removal of the cross and and monetary damages.

But not every resident in Knightstown believes the religious symbol should be taken down.

Resident Joseph Tompkins say the cross violates the First Amendment and caused him 'irreparable harm'

But not every resident in Knightstown believes the religious symbol should be taken down; many have said the cross should be allowed to stay

'I think we can find people in this town that can replace that 0.0004 cents to give to him and not have to worry about it,' Knightstown businessman Lau Ghioc told Fox 59 Indianapolis in response.

A relative of the plaintiff, Mark Tompkins, has a plan for expressing his faith if the ACLU lawsuit wins and the cross is removed.

'He can take it down and I tell you what, Ill park this car here until Christmas Day with three crosses on it,' Tompkins told the station.
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Spanish animal rights activists stripped naked and covered themselves in fake blood as part of a gruesome protest against the fur industry.

Dozens of campaigners piled together to imitate a heap of animal carcasses in an area popular with tourists in Barcelona.

In the middle of the activists, Luisa Escribano, 53, and her daughter Barbara, 21, held up a sign reading: 'How many lives just for a coat?'

Luisa said: 'It is very important to draw attention to what happens to the animals, and which goes largely unnoticed. They suffer and die on farms, but their lives matter for me and my family.'

Each year over 60 million animals - including over 32 million in the EU - are killed around the world to make coats and other items from their skin, according to international animal rights group AnimaNaturalis which staged the demonstration.

Europe produces 70 percent of the world's mink fur and 63 percent of its fox fur, according to the group. Denmark and Finland are the world's largest producers and exporters of mink and fox fur. Other major producers are Russia, Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Gruesome: Spanish animal rights activists have staged a lie-in as part of protests against the fur industry in Europe

Dozens of campaigners stripped naked and piled together to imitate a heap of animal carcasses in an area popular with tourists in Barcelona

Naked and covered in fake blood, protesters lay on the street to replicate a heap of carcasses as part of a campaign against the fur industry

Each year over 60 million animals - including over 32 million in the EU - are killed around the world to make coats and other items from their skin, according to international animal rights group AnimaNaturalis which staged the demonstration

In the middle of the activists, Luisa Escribano, 53, and her daughter Barbara, 21, held up a sign reading: 'How many lives just for a coat?

Europe produces 70 percent of the world's mink fur and 63 percent of its fox fur, according to the protesters

Denmark and Finland are the world's largest producers and exporters of mink and fox fur. Other major producers are Russia, Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands

Making a point: Naked animal rights activists covered with fake blood denounce the use of animal skins and fur

Animal rights activists Anima Naturalis stage a naked protest against the use of leather and fur in the textile industry in Barcelona

The campaign group, AnimaNaturalis created a mountain of bodies in the middle of Barcelona to represent a pile of dead animals

Tourists looked on in surprise as more than 100 activists stripped naked and daubed themselves with fake blood to protest about the leather and fur coat industry

Luisa (holding the sign with her daughter) said it was 'very important to draw attention to what happens to the animals, and which goes largely unnoticed'

Shocked tourists watched as more than a hundred activists huddled together on the ground, covering themselves in fake blood

Male and female campaigners staged a lie-in protest in the heart of Barcelona to the surprose of tourists walking past
Council tax could be hiked by up to 7 per cent to fill a black hole in social care funding under plans being considered by ministers.

Town halls are scrambling to find ways to raise money to fund services for the elderly after government grants were slashed by more than 40 per cent since 2010.

A rise of 7 per cent would add 100 to a typical band D council tax bill of 1,484 a year. It would raise hundreds of millions in extra revenue for local authorities.

No 10 today refused to comment on 'speculation' but said the biggest number of problems with social care were concentrated in a handful of poorly performing local authorities.

Health Minster David Mowat admitted to MPs the system was 'under strain' but said the Government was already providing for a 5 per cent spending increase by 2020.

Theresa May, pictured yesterday attending church, blocked Chancellor Philip Hammond from announcing new measures on social care in last month's Autumn Statement

Theresa May reportedly blocked Chancellor Philip Hammond from announcing new measures on social care in last month's Autumn Statement.

Mr Hammond denied the claim today in evidence to the Treasury committee.

Ex-chancellor George Osborne allowed a 2 per cent increase in council tax 12 months ago to fund social care, raising 380million for local authorities across England.

But amid fears this will not be enough, ministers have held talks with senior council leaders about further rises to cover the spiralling costs.

The rising minimum wage alone is adding 600million to council costs, while a shortfall across England of 2.6billion is forecast 2020.

ALTMANN DEMANDS A 21ST CENTURY CARE SYSTEM Former pensions minister Ros Altmann today warned the Government must get a grip on a 'stuck in the past' social care system. The Tory peer said care had never been included in the NHS because when it was established the idea of millions of ill older people was 'unthinkable'. Baroness Altmann said: 'Either their families or local communities would look after them, or they would not live very long. '21st Century life is totally different, but our social care system is stuck in the past. 'Government must wake up to the reality that social care cannot be left unfunded: Failing to fund social care means millions of people do not get decent, or any, care.' Baroness Altmann said the burden would eventually fall on taxpayers. She warned: 'Until the Government properly integrates social care with healthcare and insists on higher standards across the industry, the current crisis will only worsen.' Advertisement

The Times said today the cap could be taken off the social care 'precept' - prompting speculation of a 7 per cent increase.

A lower figure could initially be set when Communities Secretary confirms local government funding before next Tuesday.

Izzi Seccombe, a Tory councillor who chairs the Local Government Association's community and wellbeing board, confirmed talks had taken place.

She told the Today programme: 'We've had some dialogue with ministers about this and the concern for us is the ability for this to actually fill the gap that we have for long now said that there is in social care.'

The Government has also been warned that any increase would favour richer areas with a higher tax base, creating a 'postcode lottery'.

'We need an injection now, we need 1.3 billion now because there is a shortfall by the end of 2020 of 2.6 billion,' Ms Seccombe said.

Mrs May's official spokeswoman today refused to confirm the details of any discussions.

At a regular briefing, she said: 'We now have millions more people over 65 than in 2010, putting pressure on social care services.

'We have been working with the health service and with councils to look at how we can address some of the challenges we face.'

Tory councillor Izzi Seccombe confirmed today ministers had held discussions on new council tax rises to cover spiralling social care bills (file picture at Conservative conference)

The spokeswoman said an extra 2billion a year would be available on current plans by 2020.

She said: 'We are already taking action to make sure that local authorities have more funding available to deal with the challenges that they face.

'This is not just about funding, it's also about how we deliver an effective and efficient social care system.'

She added: 'We do think theres a significant variety in how councils manage social care services ... We think its to do with management.'

The spokeswoman quoted 'government statistics' which show the 10 per cent worst performing councils on social care are 20-times worse than the best 10 per cent.

The rising minimum wage is adding 600million to council costs for social care for the elderly, while a shortfall across England of 2.6billion is forecast by 2020 (file picture)

She said half of all delayed discharges - where older patients have to stay in hospital because there is no care home or other support available - in England take place in just 20 council areas.

Tory former health secretary Stephen Dorrell said he was in favour of a hike in the precept as a step in the right direction but warned that 'people will suffer' without wider change.

Suggesting the Government was facing a crisis that is developing 'out of control', he told Today: 'What we need to look to do is to have a review of the funding of the whole of the health and care system.

'Because what we're talking about this morning is a cash shortage that is threatening the stability not just of local government, but of the National Health Service.

'And unless we address this seriously we simply see a developing failure of service across the range of local public services and people will suffer as a consequence of that failure.'

Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, which represents care home providers said there were 'serious problems' about how money raised from the precept reaches the frontline.

He said the care sector was now at a 'tipping point', telling the programme: 'We saw some research recently which said that about 40 per cent of care services will no longer be viable in the medium term, so this is a huge number of care services that will be lost.'

Asked if care companies will go bankrupt, he replied: 'Oh definitely.'

Ex chancellor George Osborne allowed a 2 per cent increase in council tax 12 months ago to fund social care, raising 380million for local authorities across England but councils have warned this is not enough

Mr Green said that would mean care homes closing and a shortage of beds for those that need them.

He said: 'When you look at the dependency levels of people in care homes, the only other place they can be is in the NHS - well we all know the NHS is at breaking point, so the Government needs to have a clear strategy on social care and if they don't there will be a crisis right across both health and social care.'

Former Liberal Democrat health minister Norman Lamb blasted 'dreadful' crisis management

Shadow social care minister Barbara Keeley said: 'There is a crisis in the funding of social care caused by savage Tory cuts to the budgets of local councils - 4.6 billion has been cut from adult social care since 2010, meaning 400,000 fewer people now have publicly funded care.

'The right solution would be for Theresa May to admit the Tories have got it wrong and deliver the needed funding for social care.

'Asking taxpayers and councils to pick up the bill for the Tories' failure is no substitute for a proper plan.'

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: 'This is dreadful crisis management from the Conservatives.

'They are lurching from crisis to crisis and this is yet another desperate sticking plaster solution which falls short of what is needed.

'Making councils bear all the burden will increase the postcode lottery which already exists.

'It will mean that wealthy parts of the country will find it easier to meet rising demand whilst those areas where council tax raises less money will be left struggling.
Gang members of El Chapo's feared cartel had to dig a second tunnel under his high-security prison after arriving at the wrong cell with their first attempt, it has emerged.

Engineers targeted the Altiplano high-security prison outside Mexico City to free the cartel boss last year.

However, after making the mistake, the engineers adjusted their bearings and continued to the correct location.

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Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, pictured, escaped from the high-security Altiplano prison in Mexico City in a tunnel which stretched for a mile from outside the jail's perimeter

Guzman escaped through a shaft which descended into a tunnel underneath his cell, pictured

The drugs king pin used a modified motorbike running on rails to traverse the one-mile tunnel

On July 11, 2015, El Chapo, real name Joaquin Guzman, managed to escape on a modified motorbike which ran him underground more than a mile to freedom.

According to Mexican magazine Proceso, Guzman told prosecutors who questioned him following his recapture: 'It was not complicated. The first time they wanted to get me out they got the cell wrong, but later they corrected and I left.'

Guzman managed to escape from jail in July 2015, much to the embarrassment of Mexican authorities.

It is likely he could be extradited to the United States early next year.

His lawyers have filed appeals to block the transfer. His lawyer Andres Granados has filed lodged papers in Mexico City.

He believes the court could take six months to issue its ruling, which will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.

El Chapo walked down these metal steps before entering the second escape tunnel

Guzman, emerged through this manhole cover outside the jail's perimeter in July 2015

El Chapo is believed to have clambered up out of this shaft after his dramatic escape

He said: 'We know it's a high-profile case, which is very complex because it has to do with Mr Guzman.'

The Mexican government has said the Sinaloa drug cartel leader could be extradited to the United States by January or February.

Guzman is facing two extradition bids, one in California for drug distribution and another in Texas on charges that include murder and money laundering.

Approving the extradition in May, the foreign ministry said in a statement that the US government had given 'enough guarantees that the death penalty will not be applied'.

Mexico, which has no capital punishment, has previously criticized the execution of Mexican nationals in the United States.

Another Guzman lawyer, Jose Refugio Rodriguez, said the guarantee is not ironclad because it was issued by the US embassy, whose real function in the matter is 'only to present' the extradition document.

The drug lord was recaptured in January, six months after his brazen escape from the Altiplano maximum-security prison through a one-mile tunnel that opened in his cell's shower.

He had previously escaped from another prison in 2001 and was arrested in 2014.

He was taken back to Altiplano after his January arrest, but was abruptly transferred in May to a prison in Ciudad Juarez, a city bordering Texas.

Guzman's extradition would lead to a major drug trial for the head of a cartel accused of providing tons of drugs to addicts in the United States while fueling violence in Mexico.

President Enrique Pena Nieto had balked at extraditing Guzman before his July 2015 escape, preferring to put him on trial in Mexico.
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This house boasts Britain's best Christmas lights after the owners spent four months turning their home into a winter wonderland.

Sheila Gill, 76, and John Reynolds, 72, from Newport in south Wales, have spent thousands of pounds perfecting their massive festive display to raise money for charity.

And their house has been called one of the 'best decorated in Europe' for its light show - which they started putting together back in August.

In fact their home has even been compared to the Christmas film Deck the Halls starring Danny DeVito - where he tries to adorn his house with so many lights it can be seen from space.

Sheila Gill, 76, and John Reynolds, 72, from Newport, have spent thousands of pounds perfecting their festive display

The couple say they have 'no idea' how many lights are now on the house but believe there are hundreds and thousands

Last year the couple had people come from all across the country visintg the house, including Manchester and London

Speaking to ITV Wales, Mr Reynolds said: 'It's all effort, it's all for a good cause. We'll have to build a bigger shed.

'It takes a while to take everything down as they have to be wrapped up well.' When asked why they do it every year he joked: 'Well we've nothing else to do really!'

The couple, who are former pub landlords, say they have 'no idea' how many lights are now on the house but believe there are hundreds and thousands of individual bulbs.

John said: 'We used to run the Irish pub and we were known then for having the best Christmas lights. When we sold up and moved four years ago, we decided to carry on the tradition at our house.

Sheila and John (both pictured) inside their house which they have opened up to visitors over the festive season

Last year the couple, who live in Newport, raised 17,500 for various charities by charging 2 per entry to their home

Hundreds of people each year gather outside some of the most popular houses who have made this an annual tradition

Some of the most popular Christmas houses, such as this one in Newport, South Wales attract thousands of visitors annually

Not only are homes now decorated, but some people also adorn their gardens and driveways with thousands of lights

'It is a lot of hard work but it is worth it because every penny goes to charity. We have had people come from all over to see the lights, even from Ireland.

'Last year we had people come from all across the country including Manchester and London. It's great when you see the kids' faces.

'We have nearly twice as many lights as last year for people to come and see.

Last year the couple, who live in Newport, South Wales, raised 17,500 for various charities by charging 2 per entry to their home.

Christmas fan Jane Cohen said: 'I love this house, it must have the best Christmas decorations in Britain.

'It's just like the Christmas film Deck the Halls, but I think they might need a few more lights to be seen from space.'

It takes the couple 12 weeks to decorate their home - but the results are spectacular and it attracts hundreds of visitors
The Azerbaijani armed forces do not cease to violate ceasefire by also using mortars and grenade launchers, aside from small arms, said Davit Babayan, Spokesperson of the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

December 12, 2016, 15:30 Azerbaijan does not stop violating ceasefire: David Babayan

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: He noted this commenting, at the request of NEWS.am on the latest actions by the adversary.

As already reported, the Azerbaijani armed forces shelled the NKR Defense Army positions last night, stated Babayan. This is not new; but today, it was symbolic, so to speak.

On December 12, Azerbaijan marks the anniversary of the death of this countrys [previous] president, Heydar Aliyev; he died in 2003. Thus, they observe this event this year for the fourteenth time. And the fourteen shots fired from a mortar are not accidental at all. In this way, Azerbaijan marks the death of Heydar Aliyev.

But naturally, we will not know especially what the son, incumbent Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, was marking. His fathers death? Or his joy over ascending the throne? For had Heydar Aliyev not died, Ilham would not have become president, or he would have become much later, and history would have unrolled differently."
A Chinese man was tied to a utility pole, stripped and publicly shamed after he dared to try to steal a chicken.

Villagers in Maoming city in Guangdong province taunted the thief as one man is heard chanting 'chicken thief, chicken thief' in Cantonese, a dialect common to southern China and Hong Kong.

Chickens hung around his neck during the brutal taunts. The would-be chicken bandit entered the village with another thief who managed to escape on December 9.

Close up: The public humiliation was filmed and the thief was forced to look into the camera

Close up: The public humiliation was filmed and the thief was forced to look into the camera

The 24 second video was uploaded by Miao Pai Tou Tiao yesterday. One woman berates the man who was stripped of his trousers as she says 'you deserve it.'

The man looked downwards during the humiliating incident.

Someone lifted the thief's head so he has to make eye contact with the camera. Many people gathered to watch the public shaming.

The villagers kept the thief there until police arrived on the scene to properly investigate him.

Public shaming for stealing in China isn't a new concept.

In 2013 a store owner pinned shoplifter Li Wu to the ground, took a pair of scissors and hacked off her long dark hair.
The host, for the Vasculitis Foundation, denied the alleged incident

Three people including a Roosters NRL forward were taken to

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The friends of a socialite liquor store heir who hosted an out-of-control Palm Beach charity party claim he 'deeply regrets' the wild antics.

A host of celebrities and more than 600 guests attended the exclusive gathering on Saturday night celebrating the return of summer.

Celebrity guests included Kyle Sandilands' girlfriend Imogen Anthony, models Krystal Dawson and Amelia Schubert, Australia's Next Top Model contestant Vitoria Triboni.

It was held by Theo Chambers, son of Chambers Cellar founder Steven Chambers, at his beach house and raised money for the Vasculitis Foundation.

The friends of a socialite liquor store heir Theo Chambers, son of Chambers Cellar founder Steven Chambers, who hosted an out-of-control Palm Beach charity party claim he 'deeply regrets' the wild antics

A host of celebrities and more than 600 guests attended an exclusive Palm Beach charity party on Saturday night celebrating the return of summer

A few friends dressed as nuns while what appeared to be a naughty nurse struck a revealing pose

A masked woman takes a breather with a bottle of soft drink but poses for the camera

Partygoers dressed up in all sorts of costumers from Captain America, to native Indians and sailors.

A neighbour from the Palm Beach mansion said the music stopped at around 10pm, but people appeared to hang around.

'The music stopped at 10pm but the party continued on until the early hours of the next morning. You could hear a commotion with people talking and yelling and all the rest for hours,' she told the publication.

But after the party was claimed to be shut down, an ugly incident allegedly occurred sending three people to Mona Vale Hospital, including Roosters forward Dylan Napa.

The NRL player was allegedly knocked unconscious by a fire poker-wielding cleaner hired for the exclusive party he was attending.

Mr Chambers' lawyer and friend Jared Zak told the Daily Telegraph that what was supposed to be a harmless celebration turned into a 'tragedy' for Theo.

'This has turned into a tragedy for Theo who worked tirelessly to put the event together,' he said.

'The party ended at 10pm after which a series of unsavoury events happened where fighting broke out in the house.

'Theo has found himself the victim of a crime scene. What happened after he locked up the house was deeply regrettable.'

The playboy bunnies were out in force as the men's magazine was a sponsor of the charity party

They were joined by a few lucky guests in this shot, who looked very excited to be sharing the stage

A woman strikes a post as she reclines on some furniture inside the house

She then got up and made a different pose on the window sill, knowing the camera was on her

The 24-year-old was asleep at the house in the early hours of Sunday morning and was allegedly woken up by screaming.

He allegedly stumbled upon a man yelling at a 26-year-old woman and destroying property, who punched Napa unconscious when he tried to intervene.

The woman then allegedly stabbed the 33-year-old. Police recovered a 30 centimetre kitchen knife from the blood-soaked driveway on Sunday.

The pair were believed to be cleaners hired for the party through website AirTasker, but were fired by Mr Chambers during the night.

Celebrity guests included Kyle Sandilands' girlfriend Imogen Anthony, models Krystal Dawson and Amelia Schubert, Australia's Next Top Model contestant Vitoria Triboni

It was held by Theo Chambers, son of Chambers Cellar founder Steven Chambers, at his beach house and raised money for the Vasculitis Foundation

A couple share a passionate kiss as the party shifted into high gear late in the afternoon

A girl dressed as Wonder Woman and her scantily-clad friend pose for a mirror selfie in the party's bathroom

A party-goer licks the face of her friend during the party

Some of the first to arrive at the Palm Beach house soak up some sun before the party gets going

A reveler puts on a cheeky display as she and a friend down vodka-branded beverages

A woman dressed as a cat shares her outfit online before getting out of the car when she arrives at the party

Model Vitoria Triboni (R) wore an American-themed outfit for the party

A reveler shows off her elaborate costume featuring a complicated set of chains

Another blonde woman poses as Wonder Woman as she arrives at the popular party

Some of the more creative outfits included this pair, who obviously put lots of effort into making the event memorable

A young woman dressed in a tutu takes a break from the dance floor with two male friends

These girls opted for princess-inspired outfits to go with the theme

A man who returned to the party at the time of the attack with his girlfriend told the Daily Telegraph they claimed to be cleaners who were owed money.

The man allegedly threatened them with the fire poker but then offered to do shot of alcohol with them.

The witness said he and his girlfriend tried to calm them down and thought they were on drugs.

'The man looked really 'icy', they both did,' he told the newspaper.

This group put some effort into dressing up for the party with a sailor, mariachi bandsman, baseball player and latin dancer represented

Many beverages were poured in red cups as is the tradition for many parties

This well-dressed party attendee wearing a blonde wig and gold dress has a whole bottle of vodka to herself

A group of costumed women pose for a photo inside the Palm Beach house during the party

Angels, devils and the church are all represented in this group shot on the balcony

A group of men, one dressed as Game of Thrones character Kal Drogo, pose with bottles of alcohol

Early arrivals to the party dressed as a fairytale character, a tennis player and a flight attendant

These party-goers put on leggy displays with American indian-inspired outfits

Two girls pose for a selfie together while taking a break from the dance floor

It didn't take long for the dance floor to get crowded overlooking the great view

Guests embracing the theme - and the warm weather - dance as the party got into full swing

This man's four friends will likely be giving him a hard time for this pose while dressed as an American indian

A couple of friends enjoy the dance floor as the music pumps all day and night

This group stole the show dressing as bank robbers including masks and a bag of ill-gotten cash

These good friends cuddled up for a photo while taking a look inside the party house

A good mix of costumes for these women, dressing as a mermaid, soldier, maid and in leopard print

The woman in the centre dressed for the warm weather while her friend wore a hospital patient outfit

This crowded selfie was taken on the party's huge dance floor

This pair took their costume cues from ancient Egypt

He didn't see either of the duo at the party and the man was shorts and T-shirt while the woman wore a tight bra-top and pants. They also had no cleaning equipment.

A woman who was at the party told Daily Mail Australia the cleaners started partying themselves and later tried to steal handbags, setting off the fight.

The Telegraph reported the brawl began in the kitchen before spilling out onto the driveway.

Neighbours said they here a loud commotion at about 3am.

Guests excitedly arrive at the event with their luxury cars parked by sharply-dressed valets

A woman dressed as a nurse appears to be having fun as she poses for a photo with her friend dressed as a princess

The warm weather saw many guests opt for outfits with little covering to keep cool

The dance floor was crowded early on with DJ cycling through beats to keep the party going all day

All three injured were released from Mona Vale Hospital on Sunday. Napa has reportedly spoken with police but the other two refused.

No one has been charged over the alleged incident.

Mr Chambers said security had cleared his property of partygoers by the time of the incident and they were not related.

'There is no information suggesting that the charity event and [incident] were in any way connected,' he told the publication.

Het Tonkin (left), model Hannah Cooper (left) and footballer Sam Fong (right) attended event held by Theo Chambers, son of Chambers Cellar founder Steven Chambers, at his beach house property in Palm Beach

Models Amelia Schubert (left) and Julliette Perkins (right) were among the guests at the annual Palmbu party

NRL forward Dylan Napa (left, playing for the Roosters, right with female friend) was allegedly knocked unconscious by a man with a fire iron outside the property at about 3am. He was taken to Mona Vale Hospital and released on Sunday

Around 600 people attended the event, which shut down the music around 10pm

But after the music stopped and the party apparently ended, an alleged incident sent three people to Mona Vale Hospital, including Roosters forward Dylan Napa (party revellers Chantelle Lunt and model Casey Cotelloe are pictured)

Esther Cronin (pictured) is pictured at the fancy dress party, which is held in support of the Vasculitis Foundation

Dylan Napa a 33-year-old man and a woman in her twenties were all taken to hospital with injuries but were released shortly afterwards (not pictured)

Host Theo Chambers denied any incident occurred at the annual party (pictured is Imogen Anthony at the event on Saturday)

Model Krystal Dawson (right) is seen at the party with Imogen Anthony (centre)

Partygoers dressed up in all sorts of costumers from Captain America, to native Indians and sailors

'The music stopped at 10pm but the party continued on until the early hours of the next morning. You could hear a commotion with people talking and yelling and all the rest for hours,' a neighbour said
The Syrian army says it has gained control of 98 per cent of eastern Aleppo, leaving only a tiny enclave packed with rebels and civilians, with the battle for the city entering its 'final phase'.

The military's statement said pro-government forces have seized control of al-Fardous, one of the largest neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo, which has been held by the rebels since 2012.

Crowds of civilians have been seen celebrating the advances in Assad-held sectors of the city, waving their country's national flag in the air along with portraits of the president.

Syrian troops, backed by Russian airstrikes, launched a wide-scale offensive on eastern Aleppo earlier this month.

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Crowds of Syrians have been celebrating, pictured, in Assad regime-held sectors of the city as the national army claims it has taken 98 per cent of Aleppo

Families with young children have even taken to the streets to revel in the victory

Huge numbers of people, including several children, flocked to the streets for the celebration

Others jumped on the back of trucks driving through the city as Syrian army officials announced the 'final phase' of the battle was drawing near

Some Assad supporters carried national flags bearing the president's face on them

Others stood proudly on top of cars to welcome the Assad-regime army's victories

They have taken advantage of the political limbo in the United States as the lame duck President Obama prepares to hand over to President-elect Donald Trump.

The bombardment of rebel areas went on non-stop overnight and a civilian trapped in al-Fardous described it as resembling Doomsday.

Syrian government commander, Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, said: 'The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly.

'They don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die.'

'We're now past the point where the opposition has any hope of pulling things back,' said Yezid Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.

Assad 'will have in effect broken the back of the armed opposition... and the idea that the regime can be overcome militarily will be finally put to rest,' he added.

Another Syrian military official in Aleppo said late Monday: 'We're living the final moments before victory.'

'The operation in eastern neighbourhoods is entering its final phase', he said earlier, as fierce clashes were reported in the few districts still under rebel control.

Some even brought portraits of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, left, while others were seen driving around and leaning out of their cars shouting and screaming, right

The roads were clogged full of Syrians who were packing out cars for drive-along celebrations

National forces even fired rounds into the sky, pictured, in Aleppo to mark the occasion

The fall of Aleppo would be the worst defeat for Syrian rebels since the conflict began in 2011

The citizens continued to take to the streets while others celebrated from their balconies

One elderly couple was even spotted waving a welcome to advancing troops earlier in the day as the rebels were ordered to 'surrender or die'

In the Mashhad neighbourhood, residents fleeing the army advance crowded the streets earlier Monday, witnesses said.

Displaced civilians - many hungry after fleeing without food - sat on pavements or lay on the street with nowhere else to go, they said.

It is understood the bombardment of rebel areas was among the heaviest seen in recent days.

'The regime is advancing in east Aleppo under gunfire, missiles and shelling,' Bassam Mustafa from the political office of the Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group in Aleppo said.

'The fighters (rebels) are retreating under pressure and the situation is very bad,' he said.

State television also aired live footage from inside Salhin district, one of the areas fully retaken on Monday, showing widespread destruction.

Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on November 15.

Meanwhile Syrian national army soldiers have been spotted resting after making major advances in Aleppo

Many of them were seen propped up against walls after fierce fighting over the past month

Syrian soldiers fire a heavy machine gun at rebel lines in Aleppo. The Syrian military said today it had gained control of 98 percent of eastern Aleppo, previously a rebel-held enclave

Syrian government forces stand on a street in al-Maadi district of eastern Aleppo yesterday. The last rebel resistance is crumbling, it would appear

Women, some of them on the verge of tears, wait outside a government military police centre yesterday to visit their relatives, who were evacuated from eastern Aleppo

Smoke and flames rise after air strikes on rebel-controlled besieged area of Aleppo

Government forces took Sheikh Saeed in the south of Aleppo and Saliheen in the east and only a tiny pocket in al-Fardous is holding out.

Zakaria Malahifji, of the Fastaqim rebel group, said: 'The situation is extremely difficult today.'

The battle for Aleppo has begun to enter the final phase Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

A Syrian military source said the rebels' recent defeats represented a 'big collapse in terrorist morale'.

But Rami Abdurrahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the fighting was not over in al-Fardous.

'The battle for Aleppo has begun to enter the final phase,' he said.

If President Bashar al-Assad seizes complete control of the city it would be his greatest victory yet in the five-year civil war.

The fall of Aleppo would deal rebels their worst blow since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five biggest cities.

Government troops inspect a building. The city of Aleppo, which was the beating economic heart of Syria before war broke out in 2011, has been left devastated by five years of fighting

A tank rumbles through Aleppo's Ithaa district after Syrian pro-government forces retook the area from rebel fighters

Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on November 15.

The Observatory said today another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left - mostly to government-held territory - to 130,000.

Yesterday Syria's state news agency SANA said 8,000 people fled rebel districts through government-run crossings.

It said approximately half were transferred to temporary shelters, while the rest were staying with relatives in the west of the city.

The government assault on Aleppo has killed at least 415 civilians since mid-November, according to the Observatory. Another 139 civilians have been killed in rebel fire on the west of the city in the same period, it says.

Syria's rebels seized control of east Aleppo in 2012, a year into an uprising that began with anti-government protests but spiralled into a civil war after a regime crackdown.

The UN children's agency said children in Aleppo were suffering from trauma.

'I have never seen in my life such a dramatic situation as what is happening to children in Aleppo,' said Radoslaw Rzehak, UNICEF's field office head inside the devastated city.

Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict have repeatedly failed.

The war has become a complex multi-front conflict, drawing in proxy powers and jihadists like ISIS, which yesterday overran the city of Palmyra nine months after being expelled.

ISIS began a new offensive in the desert east of Homs province last week, seizing government positions and oil fields before advancing on Palmyra.

IS held Palmyra between May 2015 and March 2016, carrying out a campaign of destruction against ancient ruins in the city that are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today the jihadists were reportedly advancing south and west of Palmyra, fighting fierce clashes with the army near the town of Al-Qaryatain as Russian warplanes carried out fresh strikes.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, and over half the country's population forced to move out of their homes.

The Syrian regime launched its offensive to retake all of east Aleppo on November 15 George Ourfalian (AFP/File)

More than 10,000 civilians have fled eastern parts of Aleppo in the past 24 hours, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights George Ourfalian (AFP/File)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces have captured more than 90 percent of the onetime rebel stronghold of eastern Aleppo George Ourfalian (AFP)
Boris Johnson has knocked back a bid from Tony Blair for more resources amid alarm at the taxpayer's 3million annual bill for the former PM.

Mr Blair is understood to have been racking up huge costs in expenses and security as he tours the world on his various projects.

Sources said the millionaire ex-premier presented a request for more resources at a private meeting with the Foreign Secretary - who is responsible for signing off spending for dignitaries - in October.

Mr Blair is understood to have been racking up huge costs in expenses and security as he tours the world on his various projects

The request is said to have included more armoured cars and escort vehicles for Mr Blair's Middle East work, drivers to operate them, and the installation of diplomatic number plates.

Officials estimated the extra resources to be worth an additional 100,000 a year.

But Mr Johnson turned down the bid after being told that the total burden on the public purse was approaching 3million a year.

In a letter to the former Labour leader, Mr Johnson made a cheeky nod to one of his best-known quotes, writing: 'Sadly I feel the hand of prudence on my shoulder.

'At this time, I can't provide you with additional money'.

Security concerns mean Mr Blair's day trips into Gaza alone cost 10,000.

A spokesman for the former PM said he had offered to pay for use of armoured cars.

'Mr Blair is not asking for more security resources,' the spokesman said.

'Any security requests come from the Metropolitan Police not his office. This story may refer to a request to use the armoured vehicles in the Tel Aviv Embassy which are largely unused and which we offered to pay for.

Boris Johnson (pictured in Saudi Arabia this weekend) turned down Mr Blair's bid for resources after being told that the total burden on the public purse was approaching 3million a year

'This is in connection with the Middle East peace process work he continues to do. The request was refused and other arrangements have been made.'

Mr Blair receives a 115,000 a year allowance from the government for running his office.

The 63-year-old has also been receiving around 80,000 a year from a platinum-plated pension deal since the day he left office nine years ago.

A Government source told The Sun: 'Blair is costing us an awful lot of money, and nobody is clear exactly what he's achieving by it.

'We can't take it all away, as he's entitled as an ex-Prime Minister. But we can stop him from spending any more.
A violent gang chased a man into a takeaway and began smashing its windows using a hammer in violent scenes 'like the Wild West'.

Footage taken from inside the takeaway appears to show a man throwing an object at a vehicle on Killinghall Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire.

The passengers in the car then spring after the person and end up running towards Killingall Fisheries takeaway on the busy road.

One of the gang pulled out a hammer and started to smash the door and window using the tool.

Later in the disturbing video a man attacked a BMW with a hammer and smashed the passenger's window.

Police are now urging witnesses and members of the gang to come forward following the shocking incident.

Riaz Ahmed, Lib Dem councillor for Bradford Moor, said the images of the attack on Friday afternoon shocked him, reports the Telegraph & Argus.

Cllr Ahmed said: 'I was very saddened to see the video of this vicious attack.

'It was like a scene from out of the Wild West and as a councillor I thought 'what has happened to this area?'

Police today arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of affray following the attack and after issuing an appeal.

A spokesman said: 'A 41-year old man has been arrested on suspicion of affray in relation to an incident in Killinghall Road, Bradford on Friday.

'He was later bailed pending further enquiries and enquiries are continuing.'

The gang chased the man into the takeaway and one man used a hammer to smash the window (left). The men also started to shout at the man who was inside (right)

Killinghall Fisheries owner Mohammed Shahban said it cost him around 2,000 to repair his damaged building.

A spokesman for the Madni Jamia Masjad mosque, in nearby Thornbury Road, uploaded a statement on Facebook following the attack.

He wrote: 'A group of mindless yobs carried out acts of senseless thuggery, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to a motor vehicle, as well the shop front of Killinghall Fisheries, after Jummah.

'First and foremost, these acts are condemned in their entirety not only by Madni Jamia Masjid, but our community as a whole.

'The thugs who were involved in the events of yesterday do not represent our community, our peaceful religion, nor humanity - the savagery of their actions was clear for all to see.

One man then went back to a BMW (left) and began to smash the passenger side window (right)

'We as Muslims, complain that we are targeted unfairly and that Islamophobia is on the rise (true), but when such despicable occurrences take place, is it any surprise that we are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons?

'Finally, regardless of the circumstances responsible for those heinous acts, the perpetrators are not a part of our peace-loving and close-knit community.
Tragedy: Lauren Atkinson, 19, died after taking Ecstasy after attending a sell-out rave with girlfriends in Manchester.

A 19-year-old beautician who died after taking teddy bear shaped Ecstasy on a night out has today been named by her heartbroken family who said: 'The world has lost one amazing girl.'

Lauren Atkinson was found dead after taking the party drug during an all-night rave with girlfriends in Manchester.

Miss Atkinson, the daughter of a rugby club boss who lived 100 miles away in the Lake District, was discovered in her room by friends at their rented apartment at 6.30am on Saturday.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the teenager but was she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Four people have since been arrested by police investigating Lauren's death.

Police in Cumbria say Lauren, from Ulverston in Cumbria, is understood to

have taken a 'pink teddy bear' pill.

Det Insp Helen Ellis said: 'Unfortunately it is unlikely that this girl is

the only one to have been offered one of these tablets, and I am urging

people to simply not take them if they still have them in their possession.

'You can never be sure of what a drug contains and as this tragic case shows, it can have fatal consequences.

'Anyone who has taken such a drug is urged to seek medical assistance.

Police would also like to speak to anyone who has any information in relation to the existence of these types of tablets in Cumbria.'

It is thought the tragedy occurred after the teenager attended a 35 a ticket rave known as the Heldeep which is run by the events firm Warehouse Project at a car park underneath Manchester's Piccadilly Railway Station.

Just 24 hours earlier she posted a message about the event saying: 'So excited - roll on tomorrow.'

Today Lauren's father Nigel, 50, who runs Ulverston Rugby league Club with wife Alison declined to comment, but posted a message on Facebook saying: 'As parents we were blessed to have a daughter who touched so many.

'And was loved by everyone. The world has lost one amazing girl.

'On behalf of myself and Alison and all the family, I can't thank you enough for your kindness'.

Lauren has been described by friends as a 'lovely, bubbly girl' who was a 'treasured daughter, sister and amazing friend'.

Miss Atkinson, the daughter of a rugby club boss Nigel, pictured, who lived 100 miles away in the Lake District

Heartbroken: Today Lauren's father Nigel, 50, posted a message on Facebook saying: 'As parents we were blessed to have a daughter who touched so many. And was loved by everyone. The world has lost one amazing girl'

Probe: Four people have since been arrested by police investigating Lauren's death

Friday night's rave had featured 15 DJ's across four separate rooms at the underground car park which was formerly an air raid shelter.

Lauren, from Ulverston was attending the event with seven friends after booking into The City Warehouse ApartHotel in Great Ancoats Street, Manchester.

Much loved: Lauren's friends and family have paid tribute to the popular beautician

The alarm was raised when friends of Lauren tried to wake her up at 6am and found her unresponsive.

One of her friends Shannon Mansell said: 'Absolutely heartbroken. Miss her so much already', adding: 'Absolutely devastated. She is an absolute angel and one that will never be forgotten'.

Lauren's mother, Alison Atkinson commented on one of the girls pictures, saying: 'Hard to believe that was just over 24 hours ago' to which Sophie Jackson replied: 'I would do absolutely anything to go back in time Alison.'

Chelsea Sumner, cabin crew for Ryanair, uploaded a picture on to Facebook on December 10 with the caption: 'God only takes the best'. Shortly after, she added: 'Can't even believe it'.

Eleanor Edwards boss of the beauty salon where Lauren worked as an apprentice closed the shop as a mark of respect. She also shared a tribute to their 'dearest' friend who has been described as the 'heart and soul of the salon'.

Miss Edwards said: 'It is with heart breaking sadness that I must inform you of the passing of our dearest friend and colleague Lauren. Could I kindly ask for your patience and understanding at this dreadful time. You will be missed by all my darling.

'Heart and soul of the salon. Our little Lauren. So blessed to have been a huge part of your life, I'll always be in your words ' the best boss ever' and also one of your bestest friends.

'My hearts go out to your family, love you always, god bless. sleep tight you angel'.

Police were called to The City Warehouse ApartHotel, pictured, in the city centre, at around 6.30am yesterday after reports of a sudden death.

Excited: 24 hours before her death she posted a message about the event saying: 'So excited - roll on tomorrow'

Jade Smedley said: 'Thinking of you girls and the family at such a sad time!! That girl will be missed by many, an absolute pleasure to have known her'.

Shock: Friends have said they would do anything to 'go back in time' to prevent their friend taking the drug

Lucy Lambeth said: 'Such sad news it doesn't seems real, truly a lovely young vibrant girl always smiling and laughing and always had time for every one. I can't imagine what her family must be through. A big loss for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her'.

Toni Hill said: 'My heart goes out to you all. Lauren was a beautiful kind and exceptional young woman.'

Sharon Tyrer added: 'Thinking of you all at this unbelievably sad time... An absolute pleasure to have known her.' Louise Storey said: 'So very tragic, she was a ray of sun and laughter.'

Winder Anastasia posted on Facebook: 'It doesn't seem real to me, just seen her last week for my appointment, RIP Lauren, thinking of u lovely girl'.

Police confirmed Lauren had taken MDMA - and they are now extremely concerned that others may fall ill.

They said two women aged 24 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs on the day of the teenager's death. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on Sunday for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. All were bailed until February.

Police are urging anyone who may have taken the drug to seek medical attention as soon as possible after Lauren's death

Senior officers have issued a plea to anyone who has taken the drug to seek urgent medical attention.

ECSTASY: THE DESIGNER DRUG WITH POTENTIALLY FATAL EFFECTS Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is one of the original 'designer drugs', becoming popular on the rave scene in the later 1980s and early 1990s. The effects make a person feel happy, energised and able to stay awake longer, and usually last for between three to six hours, taking around 30 minutes to kick in. But with those highs come anxiety and potential panic attacks, and continued use risks paranoia, memory loss and psychosis. The drug also carries serious risk of dehydration and hyperthermia (extreme temperature rise in the body), which can both be fatal. A notable victim of the drug was Leah Betts, who died on November 16, 1995, five days after taking a pill and then drinking seven litres of water in around 90 minutes. An inquest determined her death was not down to the MDMA but to excessive water consumption in an attempt to avoid dehydration. The water over-hydrated her body, causing swelling on her brain and a coma from which she never awoke. A subsequent media campaign raised awareness of the dangers of the drugs and her father Paul became a leading figure in the anti-drugs movement. Advertisement

Supt Stephen Howard, of Greater Manchester Police said: 'This is a tragic situation, the death of a young person is always devastating, but in these circumstances, it is all the more heart breaking. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

'Sadly, we know it is very unlikely that the girl was the only person to have taken this drug.

'We are appealing to anyone who may have taken ecstasy, to get checked out. Even if you took it some hours ago, this pill will still be in your system and could be seriously harming your health.

'Anyone with any information about what happened or where this drug may have come from should contact police as soon as possible.'

The Warehouse Project was started by two nightclub promoters and uses various locations in Manchester to stage events which attracts clubbers from across the UK and has included internationally acclaimed DJs such as Sven Vath, Aphex Twin and Richie Hawtin as well as bands like De La Soul, Happy Mondays, The Prodigy and Basement Jaxx.

But the event has been shrouded by the deaths of Nick Bonnie, 30, from Gloucestershire who died after taking Ecstasy at one of events in 2013 and Souvik Pal, 18, who drowned on New Years Eve 2012 after being ejected from one of its raves amid allegations of poor security arrangements.

Sixteeen people were hospitalised during one weekend from taking drugs at the venue - including drug dealers who attempted to avoid arrest by swallowing all their stash.
A drunken air passenger who forced a plane to divert en route to Turkey has been jailed for four months.

Toseef Qureshi demanded drink and abused cabin crew and fellow passengers on the flight from Leeds Bradford to Antalya in August.

The 35-year-old, from Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, has now been jailed for his behaviour, which meant the plane was forced to land in Hungary.

A Jet2 airliner, like that pictured, was forced to put down in Hungary after a drunken passengers abused air crew. The man, Toseef Qureshi, has now been jailed.

Leeds Crown Court heard that how Qureshi ordered drinks as soon as service after the Jet2 flight took off on August 29 this year.

Dave Mackay, prosecuting, said he ordered two bottles of vodka, a bottle of champagne and a 'wife beater', which the crew took to be Stella Artois.

Qureshi shared the drinks with a woman sitting with him and another couple, but he later got to his feet and demanded more champagne.

He swore and shouted: 'You need to listen to me. I deserve more champagne. I have been good. When am I going to get this champagne?'

He was told others had to be served first but continued to shout and swear at the crew member, claiming to be in a gang who could 'sort her out'.

He argued with another passenger and waved money around saying: 'Get the police on here. I will pay my way out.'

A court heard Qureshi began ordering drinks after the plane took off from Leeds Bradford

Fearing he might endanger the aircraft, a decision was made to divert to Budapest. The captain only announced turbulence when he put the 'seatbelt on' sign to avoid alarm.

Qureshi refused to take his seat for landing and accused the crew member of being racist. He called a passenger a 'fat b****' and said to a child: 'What are you looking at? You are not even mine.'

He was escorted off the plane after it landed. It then continued to Turkey two and a half hours late, with the incident costing Jet2 6,500.

Qureshi admitted interfering with a cabin crew member's duties. His lawyer said he had developed a phobia of travelling following a car accident and had been drinking before boarding.

Jailing Qureshi, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said: 'Being confined within a small tube high in the sky when somebody misbehaves can become a very frightening experience for all.'
A family is calling for an inquiry after a man was wrongly pronounced dead after a car accident and spent two days alive in a mortuary fridge, only to die hours after his pulse was discovered.

Msizi Mkhize, 28, was hit by a car as he walked home late at night in the township of Kwa-Mashu, near Durban, South Africa last week.

Paramedics thought he was dead and his body was left for two days in a refrigerated mortuary compartment.

A pulse was only discovered when his family came to collect his body for the funeral two days later. He was taken to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital but doctors and nurses were unable to save him and he died five hours later.

His father, Peter Mkhize, told the Daily News: 'I have no words to express how I feel about what happened to my child.

'To spend the entire night and morning in the mortuary refrigerator is wrong.'

Doctors at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital (pictured) were praised for their efforts in trying to resuscitate Mr Mkhize but Dr Rishigen Viranna said they had missed the 'golden hour'

Dr Rishigen Viranna has called for a full investigation into the 'horror incident'.

He said: 'There is a concept in emergency medicine care known as the "golden hour", where after trauma a patient has the best chance of good outcome if hospital or medical treatment is received within the first hour. This did not occur in this case.'

Dr Viranna praised the staff at the hospital who had spent five hours trying to save Mr Mkhize's life.

The family of Msizi Mkhize want to know why he was wrongly pronounced dead and left in a mortuary for two days STOCK PHOTO

Mr Mkhize's sister, Hlobisile, said: 'We want to know who declared him dead. Is that person experienced enough to handle and make decisions in such situations?'

'This is painful and stressful for the family to establish that our brother and son had spent the night in the morgue,' she said.

'Somewhere, somehow someone did not do their job. We want a full explanation from all concerned,' she added.
A Western Australian beautician who touched his clients inappropriately during hair removal treatments has lost his appeal.

Don Subasinghe sexually assaulted the six women at the Canning Vale beauty salon he co-owned between November 2010 and January 2011, PerthNow reported.

In 2013, a jury found him guilty for seven counts of sexual penetration without consent. He was sentenced to four years and eight months behind bars.

A Western Australian beautician who touched his clients inappropriately during hair removal treatments has lost his appeal

The beauty therapist was performing intense pulse light treatments on their genital areas when he sexually assaulted them.

But he refuted the allegations during the trial, claiming that he pressed down on their genital areas to relieve pain after a zap.

Subasinghe applied for an appeal on March 30 this year on the grounds of new evidence that the rubbing sensation the victims felt was caused by a Serenity Pro Pneumatic Skin Flattering Attachment device and not his hands.

He also argued that the trial judge erred in the directions given to the jury and that there was no interpreter during the trial.

But the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal as they found that the new evidence was not reliable and that Subasinghe did not use the device on his victims.

They also found that the trial judge's directions were accurate and that the beautician did not ask for, or need, an interpreter.

Further reasons for the dismissal included Subasinghe's failure to appeal on time.

Don Subasinghe sexually assaulted the six women at the Canning Vale beauty salon he co-owned between November 2010 and January 2011. He claimed he was using the Serenity Pro Pneumatic Skin Flattering Attachment device and not his hands
Cologne will deploy ten times the number of police officers it had on the streets last December at its 2016 New Year's Eve celebrations.

Officials are determined to avoid at all costs a repetition of the disgraceful scenes of the last day of the year in 2015 when mobs of immigrant men sexually assaulted and robbed hundreds of women in and around the main railway station.

Cologne released details of its security plan for the festivities on Monday with the highlight being a deployment of 1,500 police officers.

Last year police responded too late and in too few numbers to assist the hundreds of women who fell prey to the marauding gangs of - mostly - North African men.

Cologne will deploy 1,500 police officers this year at the city's New Year's Eve festivities. At last year's celebration, 600 women reported that they were sexually assaulted by groups of migrant men

There will also be an additional 600 public order officers and 'significantly more' private security workers, according to a city spokesman.

Cologne's police chief was suspended from his position after the mayor said police had failed to inform her fully of the sexual assaults and was later replaced.

This year the main area where the assaults occurred - between the cathedral and the main train station - will see a total ban on fireworks. Last year many rockets and powerful air bombs were released into the crowd of milling revellers.

Extra video cameras are being installed too. It is understood that Chancellor Angela Merkel's staff have been kept informed of the security measures: what happened last year severely dented her popularity and called into question the wisdom of her open door immigration policy.

Twitter and Facebook will also come under special cyber police scrutiny to stave off the potential for attackers to use social media to organise mayhem.

'We want above all to know what the atmosphere is like,' a police spokesman said regarding the online surveillance. Police have drafted in translators fluent in Arabic languages to pinpoint potential troublemakers.

To keep watch, there will be extra video cameras installed, 600 additional public order officers and 'significantly more' private security workers

A light show by artist Philipp Geist, involving words, shapes and colours projected onto the ground and building facades, is the highlight of the celebrations this year and choirs will be performing for free.

'The best answer to the fright of last year is to develop other imagery through a positive art event,' said Geist.

A police spokesman added: 'We are determined that everyone will be safe.'
As the bus moves along, Jyotis friend notices it is not taking the expected route and he questions the driver.

Wanting to return home, they board an off-duty public bus after being old it is heading towards their destination. On board are five male passengers, including a youth, and the driver.

IT is around 9:30pm on 16 December, 2012. Jyoti Singh, a 23-year old paramedical student, and her male companion have just watched a screening of Life of Pi.

The fellow passengers respond with jeers of cultural and moral shaming. Why are an unmarried Indian man and woman out so late at night?



What follows is the horrific gang-rape of Jyoti. In the struggle, Jyoti is sexually brutalised, including with the use of an iron rod.

The male friend attempts to intervene. He is beaten and gagged. Then, almost naked, both are then thrown out of the bus.

Days later in Singapore, Jyoti dies in hospital from what the doctors describe as unspeakable damage to her body. Jyoti becomes known as Nirbhaya' - the fearless one.

******

This tragic event sparked widespread outrage. Men and women, young and old, led protests that spilled into the streets of Delhi, then to the rest of India and then throughout the world.

It forced the government of India to respond swiftly to the peoples demands for better treatment and protection of girls and women.

On 23 December 2012, just one week later, the three-member Justice Verma Committee was given 30 days to deliver recommendations for amendments to Indias criminal and related laws. On 23 January 2013, the recommendations were delivered to prime minister Manmohan Singh.

On that committee was retired chief justice Leila Seth; the first woman judge in the Delhi high court and also chief justice of the state high court.

In her assessment, Seth suggested that the report assist break the silence on sexual violence against women by reducing the stigma and encouraging men and women to report cases and speak about their trauma.

Seths commentary is amongst the 2016 collection of essays and short stories, Walking Towards Ourselves: Indian Women Tell Their Stories, articulating the experience of being a woman in contemporary Indian society.

Nineteen writers of varying age, religion, caste, profession, political and sexual orientation narrate individual accounts mutually influenced by social pressures deeply entrenched in Indias religious and socio-economic roots.

Some of these personal struggles will resonate with Papua New Guineans  bride price, sexual orientation, economic abuse within relationships and moral shaming for dress choice are all there.

And Seths book reinforces two possibilities.

First, individuals through personal action can influence the shifting of cultural barriers.

Secondly, writing about these things enables society to steer its way through exploitation, power and oppression  behaviour which is not only condemned but can be abolished through dialogue with citizens.

It is from this example of literary social activism that I drew inspiration for the theme My Walk to Equality - the first collection of writing by Papua New Guinean women writers due for launch on International Womens Day, 8 March 2017.

******

We expect more women in leadership positions but our cultural mindset remains the constraint hindering progress in this regard. More constructive efforts are needed to change attitudes, change mindsets and address critical cultural barriers - Professor Betty Lovai, 3 November 2016.

Whether it be family and sexual violence, access to safe and compassionate health care and education or promoting non-discriminatory workplace practices, I continue to hold the view that, in issues of inequality, both sides of the equation must participate.

I am encouraged by my fellow Papua New Guinean women writers whose submissions acknowledge the contributions, significance and aspirations of PNGs boys and men as supporters of women in reducing inequality.

When a societys primary decision makers are consistently men, it is necessary to even more strenuously support avenues for women to contribute as decision makers.

In this process, PNG-authored literature is a valuable mechanism  even though it is substantially underrated at home.

Would the course of PNGs history be changed if it became a nation that advocated that its women contributed to decision-making through literature?

Would a more pervasive womens literature caused the PNG government to have reacted more strongly (as happened in India) to the sorcery-related murder of Kepari Leniata in the highlands? Would the perpetrators have been swiftly brought to justice?

In the case of the Papua New Guinean woman who was allegedly gang-raped by expatriate men in Manus have led to justice instead of silence if PNG had a tradition of a tough and credible womens literature?

If women were encouraged to write about their experience of giving birth in understaffed, under resourced and often non-compassionate settings, might this influence the prime minister to develop and fund sensible policies to reduce infant and maternal mortality?

The PNG government, international donors and organisations, private corporations and individuals must acknowledge and explore the potential of literature to have a positive impact upon generations of girls, boys, men and women.

These stakeholders must acknowledge (as do Pukpuk Publications, Paga Hill Development Company, Jo Holman and PNG Attitude) that literature can be an important mechanism for reducing inequality, particularly where it is fostered by dysfunctional cultural practices.
The sister of a murdered hairdresser who was stabbed 56 times in a frenzied attack by her own husband has spoken of her heartbreak at losing her closest friend.

Leila Alavi, 26, was brutally killed by her estranged husband Mokhtar Hosseiniamraei last year after she left him and took out a domestic violence order against him.

Hosseiniamraei, who was jailed for 21 years, repeatedly stabbed Ms Alavi in the heart with a pair of scissors in a car park below the Sydney hairdressing salon she worked in revenge for her leaving him.

Ms Alavi's sister, Mitra Alavi, spoke of her anguish in a harrowing interview on Monday, detailing the suffering she has gone through since losing her sister.

Leila Alavi, 26, was killed by her estranged husband Mokhtar Hosseiniamraei (pictured togwether) last year after she left him and took out a domestic violence order against him

Ms Alavi's sister, Mitra Alavi, spoke of her anguish in a harrowing interview on Monday, detailing the suffering she has gone through since losing her sister

Tragic: Hairdresser Ms Alavi was stabbed 56 times in the chest by her estranged husband

'No one will understand how much I miss her and how much pain I feel,' she told ABC's 7.30.

Mitra said she told her sister, who had a 'good heart', not to marry Hosseiniamraei, who she met in Turkey while she was waiting for an Australian visa.

Despite her pleas, the marriage went ahead, but Mitra said she quickly noticed tell-tale signs of domestic violence.

'I went to visit Leila and kissed her and hugged and i saw her neck was very black. All of her neck. Two times I called the police and the police went to Leila's home, but Mokhtar was there. Maybe she was scared and couldn't talk very well.'

In October 2014, Leila moved out of the home in western Sydney and tried to find a place in a women's refuge.

However, several safe houses had no space for her and she was constantly moved onto different accommodation.

Hosseiniamraei was jailed for 21 years earlier following the attack, which saw him stab Ms Alavi in the heart with a pair of scissors in a car park below her Sydney hairdressing salon

Ms Alavi was warned by her sister not to marry Hosseiniamraei, but went ahead with it

HUSBAND'S CHILLING ADMISSION TO POLICE Detective: 'How was she injured?' Hosseiniamraei: 'I hit her with the scissors.' Detective: 'Where did you hit her with the scissors on her body?' Hosseiniamraei: 'In her heart and in her neck. Because she did not obey the rule of the marriage'. Detective: 'Why did you kill Leila?' Hosseiniamraei: 'Because we were married and before divorce, she broke the contract. I could not tolerate it.' Police interview, January 17, 2015 Advertisement

Three months later, Hosseiniamraei turned up at Leila's work and demanded she come down to the car park with him so he could pick up some clothes.

When they got down to the car, he stabbed her 56 times with the pair of scissors and later confessed that he was aiming for her heart.

During a police interview, Hosseiniamraei's admitted killing his wife because she 'dod not obey the rule of the marriage'.

At Hosseiniamraei's trial, judge Robert Allan Hulme described how the 'defenceless' Ms Alavi lost her life because of what Hosseiniamraei perceived as her 'disobedience'.

'Her dying moments must have been entirely terrifying,' the judge said.

In October 2014, Leila moved out of the home in western Sydney and tried to find a place in a women's refuge, but was unable to

Mitra Alavi, sister of murder victim Leila Alavi, leaves NSW Supreme Court after Hosseiniamraei was jailed earlier this year

Hosseiniamraei's efforts to paint his victim as responsible for her death also 'discloses a breathtakingly arrogant and misogynistic attitude towards the right of his wife to choose her own destiny', the judge added.

He said the 21-year sentence would have been longer if the killer had not pleaded guilty.

While Hosseiniamraei is locked up, Mitra will never get her sister back.

'I can't believe Leila's dead,' she said, wiping away tears.
Terrifying footage has captured the moment a 'crazy' van driver stopped across two lanes of motorway traffic after taking the wrong turn off.

The dashcam footage, taken on the M11 near London, shows vehicles swerving to avoid the van, which was straddled across two lanes.

The driver had mistakenly gone up a slip road and the manoeuvre has been described by experts as 'one of the dumbest' they have ever seen.

At the start of the video, the driver of the dash cam vehicle is slowing down, and many other vehicles can be seen with their brake lights on.

The dashcam footage, taken on the M11 near London, shows vehicles swerving to avoid the van, which was straddled across two lanes

One driver flashed their hazard lights to warn other motorists about what was up ahead.

Moments into the 15-second clip, the white van comes into view, parked across the two lanes of the motorway.

One vehicle, travelling at around 50mph swerves to avoid the van, which was trying to cross the centre chevrons back onto the main carriageway.

At the end of the video, the person filming the clip grinds to a halt just behind the van, which eventually manages to successfully merge with the traffic in the next lane.

The video has gone viral after being uploaded onto the Idiot UK Drivers Exposed Facebook page last night.

The video, uploaded with the caption 'Unbelievable! Idiot Van driver of the year!' has been viewed almost 60,000 times.

A spokesman for Scotland's Worst Drivers said he hoped the van driver lost their license.

He said: 'This manoeuvre is one of the dumbest I have seen in a very long time.

'Leaving the M11 you are still doing close to 70 as you slow to 50. Lucky the driver has seen him because had they not, this could have been a very bad accident.

'What's more crazy about this stupid move, is had he continued up the slip road, he could have rejoined at the other side.

One vehicle, travelling at around 50mph swerves to avoid the van, which was trying to cross the centre chevrons back onto the main carriageway

Moments into the 15-second clip, the white van comes into view, parked across the two lanes of the motorway

'I wonder if the driver even has a driving license, and if he does I sure hope it won't be for much longer.'

Facebook users were quick to slam the van driver in the video.

Anthony Linford said: 'Ballsy move eh? I mean he had stuff to deliver and that's much more important than human life! The t**t will try the same or worse again, so be vigilant people.'

Paul Price quipped: 'That level of stupidity takes practice and determination.'

Mike Byrne added: 'Typical he did not even have his indicator on what a silly man.'

But some users actually blamed the cam car for not slowing down quick enough when approaching the obstruction.
Tosin Femi Olasemo, 38, pretended to be an American serviceman fighting in Afghanistan and duped women into paying him money

A fake soldier who posed as a US Army captain to scam lonely women out of their life savings after meeting them on Match.com has been ordered to repay 200,000.

Tosin Femi Olasemo, 38, pretended to be an American serviceman fighting in Afghanistan and duped women into believing his name was Captain Morgan Travis.

The Nigerian national - in Britain on a student visa - used a picture of a soldier wearing full military uniform as his profile picture on dating website Match.com.

He began 'intense online relationships' with the women before asking for small amounts of money to help pay for 'leave' to visit them.

Prosecutor Ruth Smith said Olasemo 'brainwashed' women into believing they were in a real relationship, with the money he requested increasing as his lies continued.

Ms Smith said: 'He conducted and online dating fraud exploiting lonely and vulnerable women by pretending he was an American soldier in Afghanistan to get money.'

Cardiff Crown Court heard Olasemo's main victim was Tine Jorgensen, 47, from Denmark, who had two children and was recently widowed.

In May 2011 her husband died and by December 2012 she had signed up to Match.com to see if she could find love again.

Olasemo told her he was serving in Camp Joyce and sent her a picture of a soldier with the name 'Travis' embroidered on his military jacket.

Ms Smith said: 'She began talking to him over the video service Yahoo Messenger but he informed her he couldn't send live video of himself due to security risks in Afghanistan - something she accepted.

Deceit: The Nigerian national - in Britain on a student visa - used a picture of a soldier wearing full military uniform (pictured) as his profile picture on dating website Match.com

'Olasemo said he could get some leave but would have to pay administration fees and she said she would help him on the understanding she would get her money back.'

The court heard she paid out more than 200,000 before her bank reported the case to police as possible fraud.

And despite discovering Morgan Travis was a lie dreamt up by Olasemo, Mrs Jorgensen continued the online relationship with him.

Olasemeo told her he committed the fraud because he had borrowed money from Nigerian militants and now owed them money under pain of death.

Ms Smith said: 'Unfortunately she still felt an attachment to the defendant and stayed in contact for some time and sent him more money until a lady claiming to be the Danish wife of Olasemo contacted her.

'As a result of that she contacted police and he was arrested at his home in Cardiff.'

When police searched his computer in January 2015 they found 'conversations with numerous other women as Travis.'

They also found several false Nigerian passports and driving licenses.

Olasemo pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud between December 2012 and October 2014.

He admitted four counts of fraud, four counts of possession of false identity documents, three counts of possession for use in fraud and one count of acquiring criminal property.

In July last year Judge Eleri Rees QC jailed him for four and a half years and told him he had created a 'tissue of lies'.

Fraudster: Olasemo duped women he met on the dating website Match.com (file photo)

She told him: 'This was a sophisticated, sustained and planned conduct against ladies who became vulnerable in their dealings with you.'

Olasemo claimed he was stationed at Camp Joyce, a remote base in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, where about 700 US soldiers lived.

Police contacted the United States military to try and work out who the soldier was - but they were unable to identify him.

Olasemo returned to court and was ordered to repay more than 200,000 of the money he had duped from the women.

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: 'An investigation took place which revealed that Olasemo had links to Nigerian bank accounts containing more than 150,000 and land purchased in Nigeria for around 47,000.

'In addition, he was found in possession of more than 1,100 when he was arrested.

'Olasemo had a benefit from his crime totalling 253,347.

'The court ordered that 200,707 is repaid to his two victims who reside in Denmark.'

Olasemo must also sell his land in Nigeria within three months or have a further two-and-a-half years added to his sentence.

When he is released from prison he will be booted out of the country.

DI Paul Giess, from the South Wales Police Economic Crime Unit, said: 'This case has demonstrated the dangers of providing personal details and sending money to strangers online.

'Fraudsters use a variety of tactics to con their victims, such as pretending to be in need of urgent medical attention or having been discharged from the armed services into a life of poverty.

'The actions of Olasemo had a devastating impact on his victims and we hope that the pursuit of his assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act will provide some comfort to them.
Two Georgia police officers have been shot while serving a search warrant in Crawford County.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent J.T. Ricketson tells local news outlets that members of the Peach County Drug Task Force went to serve a warrant at around 2.10am Monday to a home on state Highway 42.

The Byron officers knocked on the door of the Crawford County home and announced themselves, but no one answered.

Ricketson says the officers then went inside the house and an occupant started shooting at them.

The officers returned fire, killing the 35-year-old white man, whose identity has not been revealed at this time.

He was inside the home with his girlfriend and their young child at the time.

Officer William Patterson was treated at a local hospital and released while Officer James Wynn had to undergo surgery after suffering a more serious injury, which is non-life threatening.

Scroll down for video

Officer William Patterson (left) was treated at a local hospital and released while Officer James Wynn (right) had to undergo surgery after suffering a more serious injury

Tragedy: Two Georgia police officers were shot while serving a warrant at around 2.10am on Monday morning (police on the scene above)

Scene: The men knocked on the door of the Crawford County home (street view above) and then entered the residence when there was no answer

Video courtesy of WMAZ

'They knocked on the back door and announced their presence and that they were performing a search warrant,' said Ricketson.

'No one responded so they gained entry by going through the back door. As the officers were entering inside the residence an occupant inside the residence fired at least one round. It may be more.'

He then added: 'These officers returned fire after they were fired upon. I don't know how many rounds they fired. We will be determining that. One subject was struck and he is actually deceased.'

GBI agents have locked down the scene and were securing search warrants.

This comes just one month after two other officers were fatally shot in the same county.

Peach County Sheriff's Deputy Daryl Smallwood and Sgt Patrick Sondron died after they too took fire in the line of duty.

The two deputies were shot upon approaching Ralph Stanley Elrod's home on November 7 while responding to a report that he used a rifle to threaten his neighbor's two nephews who were riding a motorcycle and a four-wheeler near his property.

The two officers were taken to a hospital in Macon and are being treated for non-life threatening injuries

GBI agents have locked down the scene and were securing search warrants

During the fatal encounter, Elrod fired more than 50 rounds at Sondron and Smallwood from his handgun.

He then went back inside his house and came out with a rifle while wearing a bulletproof vest when more officers arrived on the scene.

Police were able to take down Elrod and he was later charged with two counts of murder.

Two police officers were also shot responding to a domestic dispute call at an apartment in nearby Americus last weekend.

Americus Officer Nicholas Smarr died Wednesday and fellow officer Jody Smith died on Thursday.

The shooter was later found dead of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
An eight-year-old boy in Arkansas was killed after a tombstone broke and fell on top of him while he was played in a church cemetery.

The boy had been attending a birthday party at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon.

He went into the Dry Creek Cemetery to play when the accident happened in the town of Lynn, about 100 miles northeast of Little Rock, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

An eight-year-old boy in Arkansas was killed after a tombstone broke and fell on top of him while he was played at the Dry Creek Cemetery in Lynn (pictured)

The boy had been attending a birthday party at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church (pictured) on Saturday afternoon when he went into the graveyard

The boy was rushed to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to KAIT.

Detective Andrew Turner said investigators do not believe foul play was involved.

The boy's name hasn't been released.

Church members were shocked by the accident.

Pastor Jeff Neely said that the boy was 'just an eight-year-old rambunctious young man, just like many eight-year-old young menand full of life.'

Pastor Jeff Neely (pictured) said the eight-year-old boy was 'full of life,' just a 'rambunctious young man'

Detectives believe no foul play was involved in the incident at Dry Creek Cemetery (pictured)

'There is definitely a lot of prayer being sent up on behalf of their family,' the pastor added to the station.

Neely said church members plan to support the boy's family, both financially and in prayer.
This is the moment a documentary maker says he was punched, kicked and choked by five migrants after entering a 'no-go' zone in Stockholm.

US producer Ami Horowitz travelled to the Swedish capital to examine the effects of immigration in the country.

But after entering the Husby area of the city, he claims he was immediately set upon by a gang of men who took objection to him filming.

A sound recording captures the moment he says he was set upon in an 'unprovoked attack' before being dragged off to a nearby building.

US producer Ami Horowitz (pictured) travelled to the Swedish capital to examine the effects of immigration in the country only to be attacked by five men in a city neighbourhood

Horowitz (pictured) said he travelled to Sweden to determine the accuracy of reports that so-called no-go zones had formed in Swedish cities

After entering the Husby area of the city, he claims he was immediately set upon by a gang of men who took objection to him filming. At one point in the audio recording a man says 'let me see' before Horowitz shouts 'help, help'

Horowitz can be heard asking 'How come it's a problem to film here?' before an unidentified man answers: 'I don't want to be filmed.'

When Horowitz asks why, the men start talking in Arabic before the film-maker is apparently grabbed - despite demonstrating he is not filming anything.

A man then says 'let me see' before Horowitz shouts 'help, help.' The audio soon goes silent when his microphone goes out of range.

Mr Horowitz, from Los Angeles, feared he was going to be 'finished off' before someone entered the property, scaring off his attackers.

'Nothing prompted the assault other then our presence,' he said.

'My crew ran off when they approached, but since I was miked we have the first few seconds of the attack.

Ami Horowitz interviewed a number of Swedes about their attitudes towards immigration

Horowitz said he told police about the attack but that he was told that nothing could be done

'They repeatedly punched, kicked and choked me, as a number of bystanders watched. Eventually they dragged me into a building, which at the time I assumed was to finish me off.

'Once inside the apartment building vestibule, they resumed their vicious attack. But seconds later someone opened an apartment door directly above us, and it luckily spooked them enough to run away.'

Horowitz, who also made a documentary called UN Me criticising the United Nations, said he told police about the attack but that he was told that nothing could be done.

Husby, home to large communities of migrants, was the starting point for mass riots that spread across the capital's poorer suburbs in 2013.

The riots started a debate about social inequality, poverty and immigration in Sweden.

Horowitz interview Swedes and migrants as he examined attitudes towards immigration in the country

The film maker said he travelled to Sweden to determine the accuracy of reports that so-called no-go zones had formed in Swedish cities

Horowitz said he travelled to Sweden to determine the accuracy of reports that so-called no-go zones had formed in major cities.

He said Sweden had taken in 'more refugees from Islamic countries over the past several years, per capita, than any other Western country'.

'These actions also happen to be a great source of pride among Swedes for doing something that one could only characterize as a selfless act of humanity.'

He added: 'I am a product of immigration and not only do I not have an issue with immigration I am one of its biggest proponents.
Detective Julien Baptiste won over the nation as the hero at the heart of The Missing.

But few might know the character was based on a real-life French police officer.

Brothers Jack and Harry Williams, who co-wrote the hit BBC drama, revealed they were inspired by 'genius' detective Jean-Francois Abgrall, who cracked the case of a serial killer responsible for the deaths of at least 40 victims.

The creators of The Missing have revealed the inspiration behind the character Julien Baptiste, right, is real-life police officer Jean-Francois Abgrall

Abgrall, 57, worked tirelessly to catch murderer Francis Heaulme - even when his police officer colleagues had given up on the case.

In a blog post from October, Harry Williams explained how they learnt about Abgrall after their father, Nigel, a writer and director for the BBC, made a 2008 documentary about the detective called Dance With A Serial Killer.

He said: '[Abgrall] was a very impressive fellow and he spent a lot of time with us when they were making it. We were struck by his humanity and that he was this regular, charming, lovely man that everybody completely fell in love with.

Abgrall, 57, worked tirelessly to catch murderer Francis Heaulme, who has killed at least 40 people

'He would tell us these stories about impressive cases he had solved. He was clearly just a genius detective, so he was the inspiration for Julien.'

Abgrall spent four years trying to bring Heaulme to justice after being first brought into investigate the murder of nurse Aline Peres, 49, in May 1989.

She had been attacked from behind and stabbed in the heart before her body was dumped after she had her throat slit.

Her body was discovered on a beach in Brest close to a local Emmaus centre - the French equivalent of a Salvation Army hostel.

Abgrall and his team were assigned to the case, but there seemed to be no motives and nobody had actually witnessed the crime.

However, in his memoir, Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer, Abgrall tells how he was able to identify clues that his colleagues overlooked - a trait inherited by his on-screen counter-part.

And eventually in January 1992, Heaulme was arrested for Ms Peres' murder. He was also convicted of many other killings including that of an eight-year-old boy in Port-Grimaud and a 14-year-old girl in Metz, who was also raped.

Much like Baptiste, pictured, Abgrall also favoured a gentle approach to interrogation and always found a way to connect to even the most dangerous criminals

Much like Baptiste, Abgrall also favoured a gentle approach to interrogation and always found a way to connect to even the most dangerous criminals, the Observer reported.

But while Abgrall went on to become a private investigator at the end of his policing career, Baptiste's future remains to be seen.

The last season of The Missing ended on a cliffhanger, with a cancer-stricken Baptiste finally going into surgery for his brain tumour.
Advertisement

Mexican drugs lords are spending up to $300,000 building air-conditioned tombs featuring bulletproof glass, security systems and living rooms where their relatives can visit.

The ostentatious buildings often spread over two levels and feature large portraits of the often-slain mobsters.

Members of the Sinaloa cartel, which is headed by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman are buried in the Jarines del Humaya cemetery in the regional capital Culiacan.

These are the outrageous tombs built to house the remains of slain leaders of the feared Sinaloa cartel in Mexico

Many of the buildings feature high-tech security systems including bulletproof windows and air-conditioning

Some of those interred at the Jardines del Humaya cemetery in Culiacan, Sinaloa have only traditional-style headstones

In the ten years since the Mexican government first deployed troops against the cartels in the war against drugs,tens of thousands of people have been murdered. Many of those victims have been left to rot in mass graves, or unceremoniously dumped by the roadside.

The senior cartel leaders, however, are often buried in style, despite being responsible for the murder and mayhem.

One crypt looks like a chapel with white columns, angels on stained glass windows and a statue of Jesus Christ standing on the roof.

Others resemble small modern apartments with glass doors, stairs leading to a second floor and living rooms with couches for mourners. At least two of them were adorned with Christmas trees.

A crypt said to hold the remains of a Sinaloa drug cartel hitman has a bulletproof glass door, a cross that lights up in the dark on top of a dome, and surveillance cameras pointing toward the entrance. Inside, a glass case holds four small swords.

Some of the massive structures cost in the region of $300,000 to build as a permanent memorial to the slain cartel chiefs

Many of the garish tombs also have very extravagant lighting systems which automatically come on at night fall

The massive crypts are built to show that the dead people are still respected despite no longer being in control

As night falls, lights are automatically activated outside several tombs. Many have alarm systems. One has fort-like towers, and another has a roof terrace with fans.

Most crypts have large pictures or paintings of the deceased on the wall - several look like young men in their 20s or 30s - but many of these tombs have no name to identify the person.

Juan Carlos Ayala, philosophy professor at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, who specializes in 'Narco Culture' said the ostentatious graves are important for the drugs lords. He said: 'It's an expression of the power that they once had and a manifestation of their desire for eternity, which is natural in any human being.

'It's also a demonstration for those who survive them that this man was important.'

New lavish mausoleums were under construction this week, awaiting for more drug cartel honchos to be gunned down. Ayala estimates that some of the crypts cost as much as $290,000 to build.

Large stone pillars are particularly popular among the designers of Sinaloa's drug cartel mausoleums

While some tombs are covered in stone, others have wide expanses of glass with portraits of the deceased

Some of the tombs look like competing churches standing side-by-side in the increasingly-crowded graveyard

Some of those in the graveyard, such as Oscar Javier Torres Manjarrez, have less elaborate structures for their remains

The luxurious graves have become one of the symbols of the 'narco culture' that has spread in the past decade, adding a religious facet to an underworld that has also inspired music, television shows, movies and fashion.

'Drug trafficking is permeating the community, through traditional culture, and now we almost have trouble seeing where one ends and the other begins,' Ayala said.

Some local governments have fined musicians who publicly perform polka-like ballads known as 'narco corridos' that sing the praises of drug barons.

Some federal lawmakers wanted last month to prevent television networks from broadcasting 'narco series' during primetime hours over concerns they could influence children.

The actors Sean Penn and Kate Del Castillo met with Guzman while he was on the run last year. After his capture in January, it was revealed that Del Castillo, who is Mexican-American, wanted to make a film about Guzman.

Criminals, and millions of Mexicans, worship a skeletal death saint known as Santa Muerte, which is rejected by the Roman Catholic church as blasphemous but has even gained followers in the United States.

But many also pray to another folk saint called Jesus Malverde, who according to legend was a Robin Hood-type bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor until he was hanged in Culiacan in 1909.

'There's a strong religious component to narco culture because if anyone needs supernatural protection it's narcos who could be gunned down by rivals or law enforcement at any minute,' said Andrew Chesnut, professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of the book 'Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint.'

To the uninitiated, the graveyard looks almost like a street featuring a distinct religious theme

Here, Melesio Beltran Medina, who was a gunman for the Sinaloa cartel was buried following his death in May 2014

Some of the tombs are rather narrow, such is the demand for space within the drug dealers' favorite cemetery

Many of the tombs are lit up at night and are tended regularly by gardeners, cleaners and other staff

A green Jesus Malverde Chapel was built in his honor in Culiacan, where people can kneel in front of a bust of the dark-haired and mustachioed saint to pray for miracles.

People have left pesos on the walls but also dollar bills and currencies from Canada, Colombia and Cuba, along with pictures and thank you notes.

Fernando Lopez, a 35-year-old banker on vacation from central Mexico, visited the chapel 'out of curiosity' because 'you hear about this place all over Mexico.'

Nestor Paul Torres, a local 29-year-old flower seller, said he prayed to Malverde after he was wrongly jailed on bank robbery charges. He was acquitted two years later.

While in jail, he made an ornate wooden bust of Malverde, which now stands among other gifts left by worshippers whose prayers were answered.

'I got out thanks to him,' Torres, a Catholic who wears a cross, said after praying in front of the altar, which is surrounded by candles in a small room.

'A lot of people who come here are poor. That doesn't mean we are narcos,' he said.

'Right now I'm asking for another miracle,' said Torres, who plans to hire a musician to sing to Malverde if he helps him buy a car. 'I know that he will be able to do it.'

The elaborate graves prove the amount of money made by the cartel bosses and the failure of the government to seize it

Those buried in these ostentatious crypts are responsible for either directly killing or ordering the deaths of many people

Many of the victims of drugs violence are dumped on the side of the street or even left hanging from bridges as a warning
Josh Collins was told to leave his law and morality class because he was dressed in his full police uniform

A police sergeant and part-time student was told to leave his law and morality class because he was dressed in his full police uniform.

Josh Collins, a sheriff's sergeant in New Orleans, attends the classes at the city's Loyola University.

In a Facebook post he explained how he arrived at class this week in his uniform as he didn't have time to change.

However a fellow classmate complained to the professor of being 'uncomfortable' at having an armed police officer in the room.

He said the professor pulled him out the class and, ironically, called the police because of the student's complaint.

In a post that has been shared almost 3,000 times, Sergeant Collins said: 'You know, as a white male conservative, I have put up with a lot of prejudicial and biased comments directed towards me while attending Loyola University New Orleans.

'I usually think the comments are funny because the ideals of a 18-year-old ultra socialist frankly are funny to me.

'But today made me sad for the youth and the college I have attended for eight years.'

He continued: 'Given how busy we have been this past week, including today, I showed up to class late and was still in full uniform because I didn't have time to change.

'Obviously, being in full police uniform, I was armed. This is the first time after having six previous classes that anyone became aware of my profession.

'Shortly after my arrival, a fellow classmate complained to the professor of being uncomfortable at having an armed police officer in the class.

'My professor then called the police. Of course I was not privileged to either of these conversations as they took place behind my back.

'My professor then pulled me out of class and told me that he had called the police based on the student complaint. The police obviously never came and told him over the phone that I was perfectly within the law.'

Sergeant Collins said he been made to feel 'ostracized' for wearing his police uniform

Sergeant Collins added: 'What type of over-sensitive indoctrinated liberal flower petal has this generation created that they are scared of going to school with a uniformed police officer?

'Secondly, how ironical and dumbfounding is it that you called the police to tell them that there was a police officer sitting in your class?

'As a police officer, I feel as though I must hide my profession in order to obtain a fair education.'

In response the university claimed the incident had been a misunderstanding.

A spokesman said: 'A student in the class saw another student with a firearm, and during a class break said something to the teacher. The teacher contacted campus security to determine university policy.

'Campus security directed the teacher to confirm that the student with the firearm works in law enforcement. The teacher confirmed that the student worked in law enforcement and the class resumed at the end of the break.'

He added: 'Loyola University New Orleans unequivocally supports police officers and the courageous women and men of our nation's armed forces.
A foreign tourist has been killed after clambering on top of a temple in Thailand and crashing down through the roof into a children's eating area.

The unidentified man, in his 40s, fell to his death after the ceiling at the Chaimongkol Temple in Pattaya apparently gave way.

Shocking pictures show the 'heavily built' tourist lying dead on the ground close to seats in a canteen normally used by children at the temple.

A foreign tourist has been killed after clambering on top of a temple in Thailand and crashing down through the roof into a children's eating area

Another image from the scene shows a hole in the roof of the building.

According to Pattaya One News, the incident unfolded at about 6am this morning.

Police were called amid reports a foreigner had fallen through the roof at the 'Children's Centre' though it is not clear if anyone was present at the time.

Shocking pictures show the 'heavily built' tourist lying dead on the ground close to seats in a canteen normally used by children at the temple. Another image shows a hole in the roof of the building (above)

Authorities were alerted when a 78-year-old temple staff member heard a noise and believed a burglar was on the roof.

Medics then rushed to help the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
President-elect Donald Trump officially announced Monday that he intends to nominate retired Marine Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Kelly's military service spans more than four decades. He most recently served as commander of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Central and South America.

"Gen. John Kelly's decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," Trump said in a statement.

Trump added that Kelly is "the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining (the Transportation Security Administration) and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies."

Kelly must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The confirmation wouldn't come until after Jan. 20, when Trump is sworn in as the 45th president.

If he's confirmed to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Kelly will be responsible for several agencies under the department's umbrella. The agencies include U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service and the Transportation Security Administration.

U.S. Rep. John Katko, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, said he's looking to have a "productive relationship" with Kelly.

"I am hopeful that we can work together to strengthen airport security, secure our nation's borders and address the ever-changing threats posed by global terrorism to keep this country safe," Katko, R-Camillus, said in a statement Monday.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, echoed that sentiment.

McCaul's name was floated as a candidate to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Ultimately, Trump went with Kelly.

"General John Kelly is a strong leader with in-depth knowledge about the most crucial homeland security issues facing the United States," McCaul said in a statement. "I am confident he will serve our country well as the next secretary of Homeland Security."

Kelly, a Boston native, joined the Marine Corps in 1970 and was initially discharged in 1972.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, he was commissioned as an officer with the Marines in 1976. He held various posts throughout his career until he retired earlier this year.
An expecting orangutan has her own baby registry at Target, which lists 'stimulating' gifts for her babies and fellow residents at her Texas zoo.

Mei an 18-year-old orangutan at Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, is due to give birth in late January. Zookeepers have set up the registry on her behalf, asking among other things for a Dolly Parton album and Britney Spears body mist.

The presents, which also include a 'Zootopia' DVD, Johnson's baby oil and SpongeBob bubble bath, will help Mei take care of her baby and will also benefit other animals at the zoo.

Several items have been bought, including microfiber towels, a crib mobile and the childhood classic 'Goodnight Moon'. Mei and father-to-be KJ will open their gifts on Sunday in front of human guests, who will be served cake - as is customary for a baby shower.

Scroll down for video

Mei (pictured on her 18th birthday), an orangutan at Waco's Cameron Park Zoo in Texas, is due to give birth in late January and has her own baby registry at Target

The baby's gender remains unclear and will only be known after birth, despite weekly ultrasounds. Mei's latest sonogram (pictured) features the baby's audible heartbeat

Mei has had weekly ultrasounds but the gender of her baby remains unclear. It will only be known after the birth. A video posted on the zoo's Facebook page shows Mei's latest ultrasound, with the baby's audible heartbeat.

Towels and sheets are great gifts for orangutans, who build nests every night, zoo curator Terri Cox told the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Other presents on the registry will be enjoyed by other animals at the zoo, during activities aimed at stimulating them mentally and physically.

Some items can also help young animals get used to their home at the zoo. When Mei first arrived at Cameron Park, at the tender age of 10, she loved watching 'The Jungle Book'.

'That was the one thing that would bring her up to the front until she got used to her surroundings,' Cox said.

The baby registry includes Britney Spears' Fantasy fragrance mist (left) as well as Dolly Parton's 'Pure & Simple' album (right). Zookeepers have asked for items that will stimulate animals mentally and physically

Mei (pictured), who has previously lost a baby due to bleeding in the lungs after birth, has an OBGYN and nurses from a neonatal intensive car unit on standby

Certain animals, such as otters, giraffes and orangutans, can even paint - hence the presence of Crayola paint, chalk and crayons on Mei's baby registry.

Some will enjoy listening to Dolly Parton's 'Pure & Simple' album, but others will prefer 'The Very Best Of Simon & Garfunkel', which is also listed. If CDs stop working, they can be used to create eye-catching mobiles.

The zoo does have a budget for what Cox called 'enrichment items', but it's not enough to do everything zookeepers hope to do with the animals.
School officials in Texas are in trouble after putting up a poster of Charlie Brown reciting a verse from the Bible.

The six-foot poster was taped to a door of a middle school office and depicts Linus reading scripture about the birth of Christ.

'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. ... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,' the image reads.

But education administrators in Killeen demanded the poster be removed citing a law that forbids teachers from 'imposing their personal beliefs on students'.

A school staffer posted door decorations featuring a religious quote from Charlie Brown, but was asked by the principal for it to be removed because it 'imposed personal beliefs'

A quote on a poster from 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' has caused a rift at a middle school in Killeen, Texas

Dedra Shannon, a staffer at Patterson Middle School in Killeen, Texas, had been inspired to decorate the door to the nurse's office from a Charlie Brown Christmas TV special.

She created the poster showing a picture of Linus, along with a scrawny Christmas tree and a brief passage that sums up the meaning of the holiday.

Ms. Shannon told Fox News that just days after putting it up, she was told by the school's principal to remove it.

'She said, 'please don't hate me, but unfortunately you're going to have to take your poster down. I'm disappointed. It is a slap in the face of Christianity.'

Administrators at Patterson Middle School say the district is obeying the Merry Christmas Bill which took effect in 2013 which states decorations cannot encourage adherence to a religion

The principal went on to explain that the poster violated the U.S. Constitution.

'She said my poster is an issue of separation of church and state. She said the poster had to come down because it might offend kids from other religions or those who do not have a religion.'

The view was echoed by education officials at the school district: 'Our employees are free to celebrate the Christmas and holiday season in the manner of their choosing,' the district said Friday in a statement to KWTX-TV. 'However, employees are not permitted to impose their personal beliefs on students.'

But Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the display was protected by the Merry Christmas law the Legislature passed in 2013.

'We passed that law precisely because of this type of discrimination against people of faith,' Paxton said in the statement.

'No school official in Texas can silence a Biblical reference to Christmas. This is an attack on religious liberty and a violation of the First Amendment and state law. I am calling on the school board of the Killeen ISD to immediately reverse their unlawful decision,

The Merry Christmas Law that Texas legislators passed in 2013 removes 'legal risks' from exchanging holiday greetings in classrooms and protects symbols such as Christmas trees, menorahs or Nativity scenes, so long as more than one religion is represented and a secular symbol such as a snowman is displayed.
Parents of students from a public girls' high school are being charged to see their daughters awarded on their annual presentation day.

Cheltenham Girls High is charging families $30 a ticket to see the students receive their award at the Sydney Opera House.

The public girls school is among 25 other schools that have hired places such as the Opera House and Sydney Town Hall to host student award ceremonies, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Cheltenham Girls High charged $30 a ticket for families to see their student receive their award at the Sydney Opera House

This comes after Kevin Rudd's failed 'building the education revolution' scheme saw tax payers money spent on developing school halls.

A government public school principal from another school said: 'No one out here can afford the Opera House. Charging $30 to watch your kid get an award, or not get one, is a bit rich.'

'It is dumbfounding to me as this really is an equity issue at a time near Christmas when families have a lot of other expenses,' the principal added.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said choosing a venue for presentation and whether there was a charge for attendees is a decision made by the schools themselves.

Sharryn Brownlee, spokeswoman for the Central Coast P & C, said it was disappointing to see parents had to pay to see their child being awarded for their achievements.

'Providing glamorous venues and photo opportunities sounds like a nice idea, but in reality it turns a very special event for the children into a show and has the potential to alienate some families,' she said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said choosing a venue for presentation day and whether there was a fee attendees is a decision made by the schools themselves

However, some parents of Cheltenham Girls students praised the school for booking the world class venue for the awards ceremony.
Students from non-English speaking backgrounds are outperforming their English-speaking counterparts in the National Assessment Program, NAPLAN.

The NAPLAN national report revealed that more than half of all students in the year 9 cohort this year received a Band 7 or below for the reading, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy tests.

It comes after NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli announced that year 9 students will need to achieve a mark of Band 8 or above in their NAPLAN tests to qualify for their Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Students from non-English speaking backgrounds are outperforming their English-speaking counterparts in the NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy)

This year's NAPLAN results reveal that the minimum standards are not being met by Australian students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

'Our concern is we're not seeing improvement in these results, on all the measures,' Robert Randall, chief executive of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) said.

'As we have also seen recently with Australia's performance in international assessments, there is broad scope for improvement in achievement.

'We need to raise our expectations and strive for improved results across the board.'

But students from non-English speaking backgrounds have excelled over their English-speaking counterparts since 2008.

They scored 2.9 more points in year 3 reading.

On average, girls are outperforming boys in the literacy components while boys are performing more strongly in the numeracy tests.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham told The Australian: 'Australia cannot afford to follow the status quo in schooling. We must be focused on delivering reforms that evidence from teachers and researchers have shown us will boost student outcomes.'

By 2019, NAPLAN will no longer be paper-based and all students will sit the test online.

It is part of a controversial overhaul which could force students to undergo fitness testing.

The assessments are undertaken every year in May, right across the country.

It tests reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy levels.

The results are then released publicly so parents, educators and the community can make educated comparisons between schools.

This year's NAPLAN results reveal that the minimum standards are not being met by Australian students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9
Royal Navy, in Australia, Israel and others including Canada

Planes are also being bought by U.S. allies to serve in Britain's Royal Air Force and

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump took aim at another major defense contractor on Monday, saying the cost of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet program was too high.

'The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th,' Trump said on Twitter.

The aerospace giant's shares dropped 2.6 percent in premarket trade after Trump's tweet.

'Out of control': The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - seen in its Navy version - program came under fierce attack from the president-elect

Attack: Trump tweeted about the F-35's problems on Monday morning

The Pentagon's director of testing said it is 'not on a path toward success but instead on a path toward failing to deliver' the plane's full combat capabilities on time, according to Bloomberg.

A week before Trump won the Nov. 8 presidential election, the U.S. Defense Department and Lockheed Martin concluded negotiations on their ninth contract for F-35 fighter jets after 14 months of negotiations on the deal of more than $6.1 billion, the Pentagon said.

Lockheed Martin attempted to play down the row, with a spokesman telling the Wall Street Journal: 'We look forward to working with the president-elect and his administration to further build on the F-35 programs record of demonstrated performance and affordability.'

Trump campaigned on a promise to cut waste in federal government.

Last week, he also used Twitter to target Boeing Co for its 'out of control' costs on a new fleet of Air Force One planes, urging the federal government to 'Cancel order!'

Trump's intervention is far from the first politician's critique of the F-35 program.

Dubbed 'the most expensive weapon in history', the multirole stealth jet has been dogged by problems.

The total cost of the program, $379 billion at current estimates, is the biggest for a fighter jet, and decisions over it will be one of the first items to land on the desk of Trump's choice to lead the Pentagon, retired Marine General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis.

It is intended to replace a variety of planes, the F-16, A-10 Warthog, and F/A-18 Hornet, which fulfill a variety of roles and take off both from land and sea.

Its three variations include carrier-launched and ground-launched planes, and ones capable of landing vertically.

But the contract signed in 1996 has been hit time after time by cost upgrades, delays and questions over the effectiveness of the plane.

In 2011, President Obama's then defense secretary Robert Gates put the whole program 'on probation, saying: 'The culture of endless money that has taken hold must be replaced by a culture of restraint.'

Two years later his successor Leon Panetta took it off probation, but since then there have been other issues.

In 2014, the General Audit Office put the operating costs of the F-35 at 79 per cent higher than the jets it was replacing, while a report that year put the cost increase in the program since 2001 at 43 per cent above inflation.

Notoriously, an F-35 lost a simulated dogfight to an F-16, the 1970s-era fighter it was supposed to replace.

The Army have expressed concern at the loss of the A-10 Warthog - a cold war 'tank-buster' which is beloved by ground troops for its ability to 'loiter' over enemy targets at slow speed and rain down weapons on them - saying the F-35 may not be good enough in that role.

And there have been safety concerns too - including test pilots warning that visibility was inadequate for combat, while the ejector seat's problems mean pilots under 135lbs cannot use the planes.


NRL star Bryce Cartwright has become the victim of a revenge porn attack after his 'jilted lover' ex-girlfriend reportedly posted explicit images of him online.

A naked photograph of the Penrith Panthers player, 22, was posted on Twitter by his former long-term partner Brittany Hura, the Daily Telegraph reported.

In the selfie, Cartwright is seen posing in front of a mirror completely nude.

She shared another photograph to social media showing a tattoo which reads 'Bryce' that has had the letters 'R.I.P' added underneath it.

Hura has also threatened to kill Cartwright and claimed text messages he sent her showed he engaged in inappropriate behaviour, according to the Daily Telegraph.

NRL star Bryce Cartwright (right) has become the victim of a revenge porn attack after his 'jilted lover' ex-girlfriend Brittany Hura (left) reportedly posted explicit images of him online

Hura appears to have altered a tattoo which bears the name 'Bryce' to have the letters 'R.I.P' underneath it

The pair had previously posed for a number of happy snaps posted to social media

After reportedly posting the revenge porn, Hura's social media accounts were suspended, however her Facebook was reactivated last night.

Not long later, she published a video threatening to kill Cartwright and said she would put him 'six feet under', according to the Daily Telegraph.

In the footage, which has since been deleted, Hura also claimed her ex-boyfriend was unable to 'pleasure' women, the report said.

In her social media diatribe she also reportedly claimed Cartwright had been involved in illicit behaviour, but the NRL said it was not investigating the Panthers forward.

In one of the videos, the Daily Telegraph reported her as saying: 'You think I'm laughing because I'm mentally f***ed up?

'I'm not mentally f***ed up I'm just laughing at you ... you're going to be dead soon.

A naked photograph of the Penrith Panthers' Cartwright, 22, was reportedly posted on Twitter by his former long-term partner Brittany Hura. The former couple are pictured together

In Ms Hura's social media diatribe she reportedly claimed Cartwright had been involved in illicit behaviour

'In the grave ... six feet under ... you don't even know what's coming at you.

'Don't worry about me I'll be somewhere ... on CCTV.

'You can't even pleasure a girl ... all you have to do is throw money at them. Bro you're gone.'

All of the videos have been deleted.

Hura also tweeted a screenshot showing her uploading a photograph titled 'Bryce Cartwright' to a porn website, according to the Daily Telegraph report.

She has also reportedly added 'RIP' to the end of a tattoo on her body that spells out Cartwright's name.

Cartwright and Hura dated for six years before their recent break-up, which was allegedly over another woman, according to the report.

Ms Hura also claimed her ex-boyfriend was unable to 'pleasure' women

Cartwright and Hura dated for six years before their recent break-up, which was allegedly over another woman, according to a report

Last month she ranted on Facebook about the end of the relationship.

'You can call me a slag, crazy, psycho, liar or b**** ... but is that honestly fair?' she wrote.

'It's not just about me ... it's about all females. Men should not be allowed to get away with this. We are instead replaced and shut out.'

Allan Gainey, Cartwright's manager, said Hura was 'nothing more than a jilted lover'.

Branding her 'very troubled', he added: 'I understand her Facebook has been shut down and I know she has been warned multiple times.'
centre for more than a millennium

Experts said the ancient city had been a prosperous

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Archaeologists are unearthing an ancient city that was wiped out by floods, according to Chinese media.

Bairen, located in central China, dates back more than 2,600 years to China's Spring and Autumn period.

The city is thought to have been a prosperous trading hub until its sudden disappearance about 1,400 years ago in China's Tang Dynasty.

Tracing history: Chinese experts have started unearthing the ruins of Bairen, an ancient trading city that was wiped out by floods. The above picture shows staff members working at the site on December 8

Experts have started unearthing the ruins of Bairen since October in the modern day Yaolong county, Hebei Province, reported Hebei News.

This is the first time an excavation has been carried out on the site since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the report said.

Pictures of the dig were released by state-run Xinhua News Agency on December 8.

Archaeologists from Longyao County Relics Protection Bureau, Xingtai Relics Protection Office and Culture Relics Institute of Hebei Province are working together to unearth precious relics, such as clay tiles and stone mills.

Bairen was founded in 624 BC during China's Spring and Autumn period, according to historical records.

Bairen is thought to have been a prosperous trading hub until its sudden disappearance about 1,400 years ago in China's Tang Dynasty. The above picture shows an archaeologist working at the site on December 8

The ruins is situated to the east of modern day Yicheng Village in Shuangbei Township of Longyao County, Hebei Province

Experts believe it was an a vital trading city and economic centre when the Zhao Kingdom ruled the area between 403BC to 222BC.

Cao Lianbin, the former head of Longyao County Relics Protection Bureau, told reporters from Yanzhao Evening News that the residents of Longyao had in the past found bronze blades that were thought to be rare ancient currency.

Mr Cao added in the same interview that only Bairen and Handa, the capital of Zhao Kingdom, produced coins at the time, and this shows the economic importance of Bairen.

Bronze swords, mirrors and hooks have also been discovered by residents in the area over the years.

Bairen's prosperity lasted for more than a millennium, but it came to a sudden halt when the city was wiped out by floods in 742AD during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.

Archaeologists think the ruins of Bairen could carry great historic importance as the city had been buried by mud as a whole and remained intact for more than 1,200 years.

SEALED BY TIME: THE IMPRESSIVE BAIREN RUINS DISCOVERED IN CHINA The ruins of Bairen, surrounded by an 8,000-metre-long (five miles) wall, occupy four square kilometres (1.5 square miles). Around 600 square metres (6,458 square feet), or 1/6,666th of the total area, are expected to be excavated this year. The ruins is situated to the east of modern day Yicheng Village in Shuangbei Township of Longyao County. The ancient city was surrounded by hills on three sides and waters on one side. Three-thirds of the city wall, which is 16.5 metres (61 feet) in width and two to four metres (6.5 to 13 feet) in height, remain in good condition. Nine city gates have been found, three on the east side and west side respectively, one on the south and one on the north. Source: Hebei News Advertisement
December 13 marks the third official Day of R

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Behind their kind, weathered eyes, the survivors of the Nanjing Massacre have witnessed unspeakable tragedy that has left them shaken but astoundingly resilient.

Portraits of survivors of the Nanjing Massacre were unveiled in honour of China's third official Day of Remembrance which acknowledges the horrific six weeks that began December 13, 1937.

This year marks the 79th anniversary of the tragedy that killed 300,000 people and left tens of thousands of women sexually assaulted by Imperial Japanese soldiers.

These are some of the faces of the 108 remaining survivors of the Nanjing Massacre where 300,000 people were killed

When Zhang Fuzhi, 89, passed away on Nov. 26, 2016. The photos of him were taken 10 days before he died

Zhang Fuzhi eats a fried cake in his home. Injuries from being beaten up during the Nanjing Massacre left him blind

Born in 1927, Zhang Fuzhi was just a boy when he was beaten up by Japanese soldiers during the Nanjing Massacre

The faces of the survivors are a powerful reminder to never forget the slaughter in 1937. They watched Chinese soldiers and their families mercilessly killed in World War II.

Chinese state media Xinhua News Agency published the astounding photos on Monday showing 30 of the 108 remaining survivors. They were shared on multiple other Chinese media sites.

Tomorrow will be China's third National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre victims. The National People's Congress made the anniversary an official day of remembrance in 2014. State media reported 10,000 people attended the first memorial ceremony which is held at the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall was built in 1985 and expanded in 1995 at one of the group execution and burial sites.

Photos were released to honour the few survivors of the Nanjing Massacre that killed 300,000

Nanjing, the former capital of Nationalist China, was invaded during the Second World War. For six weeks the city was ransacked as soldiers and civilians were slaughtered and women were taken as 'comfort women' for the Japanese soldiers.

These photos show the emotional toll of war and reveal the trauma suffered by the survivors of the Nanjing Massacre. For example: Zhang Fuzhi is not able to recognise his family or tell directions.

He was beaten by Japanese soldiers and went blind in his right eye. He died in November just 10 days after this portrait was taken.

Yi Cuilan hid in refugee camps after escaping Nanjing. She currently rents a home in the former capital of Nationalist China

Yi Cuilan, 93, still suffers pain from the assaults by soldiers from 79 years ago

HOW DID THE NANJING MASSACRE HAPPEN? Bodies litter the street during the Nanjing Massacre On December 13, 1937 Imperial Japanese troops invaded the capital city of Nanjing where they ransacked, pillaged and slaughtered civilians for six weeks. The city was essentially abandoned by Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-Shek who called for the removal of most official troops following a brutal loss in Shanghai. He forbade official evacuation of civilians and ordered the untrained troops left to defend the city at any cost. The soldiers who remained were tracked down by the Japanese and killed. They were lumped into mass graves along with civilians who happened to be in the way. They even had killing contests to see who could get the highest body count. Decaying bodies filled the streets and the safety zone which was established for the protection of civilians was ignored. According to History.com, the safety zone was about the size of Central Park. In addition to the slaughtering of 300,000 people in six weeks, women were raped in the thousands. There were 40 military brothels in the city alone where Japanese soldiers would rape women as young as 12 years old. They were referred to as 'comfort women'. Advertisement

Many told the story of how they survived the horrors of 1937. Yi Cuilan, 93, hid from the soldiers by pretending to be a boy.

Several of the survivors posed with their certificate indicating their were survivors of the massacre. They talked about how exactly they managed to escape such a slaughtering that killed so many.

Sometimes the Nanjing Massacre is referred to as the Rape of Nanjing because of the thousands of women who were raped by Japanese soldiers.

Some of the survivors escaped the slaughtering by running away to refugee camps. The horrific experience robbed them of their childhood.

People posed with their certificates that indicated they are survivors of the Nanjing Massacre

Zhu Sizi relaxes on her porch. She survived the massacre by hiding in a burrow with her family

The unspeakable horrors suffered by these survivors are clear once one looks into their eyes where you can witness their pain and exhaustion.

This is especially clear in the photo of Zhu Sizi as she sits outside of her home. She recalled her family hiding in a burrow behind her house to hide from the troops. The soldiers burned childhood down her home.

Every year the number of survivors shrinks which is what makes these portraits special. Most were just children when the soldiers invaded their city.

Zhu Sizi's home was burned when she was 17 and Japanese soldiers invaded Nanjing

Ma Xiuying escaped the horrors of the Nanjing Massacre by escaping to a refugee camp with his mother

Zhang Fuzhi died on November 26 and was one of the last 109 survivors. His death brought the number down to 108

These photos show people living normal lives 79 years after the terror. Zhu Sizi sits in her bedroom with colourful posters lining the wall.

Ma Xiuying calmly plays cards decades after escaping to a refugee zone with his mother. Zhang Fuzhi walks down the stairs with his daughter.

The horrors they witnessed have often been brushed off by the Japanese government. In 1994 justice minister Shigeto Nagato even said the massacre was fabricated. There has not yet been a formal apology for the Nanjing Massacre.
While fishing off the coast of Miami, a famous fisherman and his crew scooped up what appeared to be a bale of cocaine.

Renowned fisherman Mark 'The Shark' Quartiano was taking clients fishing last week when he and his crew noticed something bobbing in the water about two miles off shore.

'We just happened to come across a strange looking parcel,' Quartiano told WPLG-TV. 'Lo and behold, it was one of those square grouper.'

Quartiano's first mate used a net to bring the 2.2lb parcel, thickly wrapped in package tape and studded with barnacles, aboard the Striker-1.

Scroll down for video

Celebrity fisherman Mark 'The Shark' Quartiano posted this photo on Instagram of himself with the bale of cocaine he and his crew found off the coast of Miami on Wednesday

Although Quartiano's customers reeled in a large hammerhead shark on Wednesday, the old-school fisherman said the cocaine - worth an estimated $28,500 - is more of a rare find for him.

Never in his 40-year career has he hauled in a big one quite like this, said Quartiano, who captured the milestone on Instagram, said.

'I've found marijuana, but never cocaine like this,' Quartiano told the Miami New Times. 'One of my friends said - he was an old smuggler back in the day - that it could be cash, lots of cash. So I don't know, we'll have to see, but if it's cash, it belongs to me.'

'It's worth a lot of money street value,' said Quartiano, playfully adding, 'I could use some renovations for my boat. We'll see.'

Quartiano, a prolific Instagrammer, has been a charter boat captain since 1965

He's earned an international reputation for his skill in reeling in deep-sea creatures

After making the find, the celebrity shark hunter contacted the Coast Guard, who began searching the area, and turned in the drugs when they returned to shore.

While it's not uncommon for strange objects to wash up on Florida beaches, drug windfalls are relatively rare.

In March, $2million in cocaine was found washed on shore near Jupiter Island.
A juror's Facebook posts could jeopardize a $2million verdict awarded to a drug suspect who claimed he was illegally strip-searched by now-former Milwaukee Police Officer Michael Vagnini (pictured)

A juror's Facebook posts during a federal civil rights trial could jeopardize a $2million verdict awarded to a man who claimed he was illegally strip-searched by a Milwaukee police officer.

On November 23, jurors found that former officer Michael Vagnini had violated 39-year-old Willie Newman's civil rights during a 2010 arrest and awarded him $1,995,000 in damages.

In the wake of the verdict, attorneys for the City of Milwaukee have asked the judge to question jurors under oath after they say they found 'Juror No 1' had posted about Vagnini's trial on Facebook, and also had shared a post by anti-police activist Tory Lowe, which included a photo of Michael Vagnini.

If US District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller determines that outside information entered the jury panel's deliberations, he could throw out the verdict, reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Vagnini was one of four officers convicted of crimes in illegal strip and cavity searches from 2008 to 2012.

According to a federal complaint, on the morning of April 30, 2010, Willie Newman was coming out of Haji's Red Hot restaurant on Milwaukees north side when he was approached by then-officer Michael Vagnini.

Newman claimed Vagnini drew his firearm, ordered him to raise his hands and proceeded to strip search him by pulling down his pants and underwear.

The search yielded a plastic bag containing marijuana, which was found tucked under the mans scrotum, and Newman was arrested on a charge of possession with intent to deliver.

Bad cop: Vagnini, pictured in court in 2013, was one of four officers convicted of crimes in illegal strip and cavity searches from 2008 to 2012

Newman ended up pleading guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Newman's attorney, Rob Bornstein, said the officer's actions made his client feel humiliated and 'less than human.'

After the jury returned the nearly $2million verdict at the conclusion of a two-day civil trial last month, the lawyer thanked them profusely for doing 'a remarkably fine job,' according to Fox 6 Now.

It restores his dignity and it was really appreciated and the jury did what we believe was a wonderful job,' he added.

Jurors are prohibited by law from discussing the case they are assigned with anyone, not even their fellow jurors until deliberations get under way. They are also not allowed to research the case on their own.

But according to city attorneys, 'Juror No 1' in Newman's case might have independently researched damages paid out in similar lawsuits and in Facebook comments said he or she was an 'advocate' and a 'bridge' for those who have a hard time expressing themselves.

In 2013, Michael Vagnini, who is white, was sentenced to 26 months in prison after pleading no contest to four felonies and four misdemeanors for inflicting invasive cavity searches on dozens of black drug suspects.

Six months later, two other white ex-Milwaukee police officers, Jeffrey Dollhopf and Brian Kozelek, were each fined $300 and were ordered to perform community service after also pleading no contest for failing to stop Vagnini from performing the illegal strip searches.

A fourth officer, Jacob Knight, took a plea deal in which he agreed to resign from the department and was sentenced to 20 days in jail, community service and a $300 fine.

Controversial figure: Juror No 1 in the federal civil rights trial had shared on Facebook a post by anti-police activist Tory Lowe (pictured)

Wisconsin law clearly prohibits police officers from administering cavity searches. Only medical professionals may do so, and only when authorized by a warrant.

But Vagnini even conducted the illegal search on a 15-year-old boy, touching his anus and genitals during a traffic stop in December of 2011.

The assaults happened over two years, according to a criminal complaint.

The victims, identified only by their initials, told prosecutors the officers searched them between February 2010 and February 2012.

Prosecutors say the stories are strikingly similar: The men allege that Vagnini stopped them, placed his hand down their pants and probed their anus or shifted their genitals, saying he was looking for drugs.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm charged Vagnini with 25 counts, including conducting an illegal strip search, misconduct in office, sexual assault and conducting an illegal body cavity search.

One of the victims testified under oath that officers stopped him in July 2011.

Vagnini pinched his anus, causing him to yell out 'Man, what are you doing? Don't touch me like that! You can't be doing that!' Vagnini replied with words to the effect of 'Be a man and give it up.'

Vagnini took the man to a room in a district police station, throwing a box in the room and told him if he defecated once in the box he would let him go.

The man tried to comply, investigators said in the complaint, but couldn't and was released with a ticket for driving with a suspended license.

A similar scenario allegedly took place that September, when Vagnini took a man he stopped to a room in the same police station after saying 'I want to see what he's got in his butt.'

Accomplices: Former officer Brian Kozelek, left, was given a small fine and ordered to perform 20 hours of community service for failing to stop Vagnini from illegally strip-searching suspects. Another ex-officer, Jacob Knight, right, took a plea deal

Cop punished: Former officer Jeffrey Dollhopf, pictured, was sentenced in 2013 to a $300 fine for his role in illegal anal cavity probes inflicted on male suspects

He allegedly inserted his finger into the man's anus, prompting the man to call out 'This ain't right! Call my attorney!'

Vagnini then told the man to get the drugs out on his own, gave him a garbage can and had the man push the drugs out and place them into the can.

The complaint stated that officer Dollhopf and Officer Jacob Knight were in the room and didn't try to stop Vagnini or report him.

Another victim testified that, in February, Vagnini saw him coming out of his aunt's house, cuffed him, and then searched his anus.
Dec. 12, 1936

The Cayuga County delegation of the State Grange sessions in Utica this week returned home last night. The delegates were Julian Root of Cato, Mr. and Mrs. Burt Schwartz of Conquest, Mrs. David Weldon of Cato, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Frair of West Niles, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Salley of East Scipio.

Others attending were C.E. Bradley, county deputy; Mrs. Florence Brown, juvenile deputy; Miss Elizabeth Goodrich, former county deputy; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Manrow, Mrs. Esther Lyon, Mrs. Myrtle Eysman, Mrs. Luella Comstock, Mrs. Elmer Nye, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riley of Sennett.

Dec. 12, 1961

The city Monday placed a 25-foot silver spruce Christmas tree at Five Points for merchants and then went looking for a bigger crane to put its 40-foot blue spruce up in Richardson Square. The Five Points Merchants Association had requested a tree which they began decorating yesterday in preparation for a Christmas party Friday.

Superintendent of Parks Patsy DeLuca said that the Five Points tree had been donated by Mr. and Mrs. Carmen LoCastro of 20 Van Patten St. They are now looking for a bigger crane to place in the traditional spot in Richardson Square, the spruce donated by Mrs. Anthony Wilczynski of 118 Perrine St.

Dec. 12, 2006

A call will go out for interested residents to become committee members to discuss the future of a system the village has used for more than half a century. The Town and Village of Skaneateles plan to create a joint committee for the dispatch center.

Dec. 12, 2011
Nicola Sturgeon has been bizarrely likened to a 'rampant lioness' looking after 'lucky cubs' by a Scottish film star.

Alan Cumming made the comparison as he heaped praise on the Scottish First Minister during an interview.

The X-Men and Good Wife actor now lives in the US, but has taken a keen interest in his homeland's politics and joined the failed campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum in 2014.

Nicola Sturgeon was compared to a 'rampant lioness' by actor Alan Cumming during a slightly odd interview

Cumming is a long-time supporter of the SNP who backed the unsuccessful campaign for Scottish indepedence in the 2014 referendum

He returned to Scotland to interview the SNP leader for the latest edition of the Big Issue.

And Cumming seemed to get slightly carried away as he described how the world was living in the 'Nicola Sturgeon era'.

'For me, she is the most respected politician in Britain,' he gushed.

'Her brand of down-to-earth, compassionate, yet take-no-prisoners rhetoric eviscerated David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nigel Farage in the televised debates of the last general election.

'And her appearance on the steps of Bute House the morning after the Brexit result with a considered plan about Scotland's latest political schism brought her increased respect and admiration, even from people who might not completely agree with all her policies.

'Nicola Sturgeon manages to transcend the everyday political wrangling and connect with people in an inspirational way  but one that is practical, manageable and makes perfect sense.

'She is the well-mannered yet rampant lioness and we are her lucky cubs.'

Mrs Sturgeon appears to have been relatively unperturbed by the outlandish comparison.

Asked for her assessment of 2016, she replied:

'It's been crazy! We're going to look back on 2016 and think: what happened?

'I thought 2014 would be hard to beat in the craziness stakes  but, yeah Brexit, the US election, I still think we'll wake up and it'll all have been a dream.'
An exiled Russian dissident and friend of Alexander Litvinenko accused of downloading more than 20,000 indecent images of children told police they looked like they 'enjoyed' being sexually abused, a court heard today.

Vladimir Bukovsky, 74, would 'constantly' download indecent material of children, with a particular emphasis on young boys, over a 15 year period, the court heard.

Police said the wheelchair-bound Russian, who is regarded as a 'hero' in Russia by pro-democracy supporters, was downloading child porn when they arrived to arrest him.

The pensioner, who was living alone in Cambridge when he was arrested, said it had become something of a hobby, comparing it to stamp collecting.

Bukovsky is a former Russian political prisoner and founder of the 1960's human rights movement in the country who moved to Britain to be a writer and scientist.

In the dock: Vladimir Bukovsky, 74, pictured outside Cambridge Crown Court today, would 'constantly' download indecent material of children, with a particular emphasis on young boys, over a 15 year period, the jury in his trial heard

Close: Marina Litvinenko talks with Russian exile Vladimir Bukovsky at the funeral service of the murdered Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko at Highgate cemetery in London in December 2006

The academic was jailed by the KGB before the Soviet Union fell and exposed the Kremlin's use of psychiatric treatment against dissidents.

Prosecutor William Carter told the jury of eight men and four women at Cambridge crown court he would 'punch' certain terms into the internet like 'pre-teen hardcore'.

He would also search 'gerbys' an acronym for German boys and trawl through various websites for images he hadn't already downloaded, the court heard.

'He said several of the files also involved sadomasochism,' Mr Carter told the court.

Famed: Vladimir Bukovsky is a former Russian political prisoner and founder of the 1960's human rights movement in the country who moved to Britain to be a writer and scientist.

'One of the things he was curious was whether those sort of images were real or staged.

'He concluded it was staged because the children were giggling.'

The defendant, who was a close friend of murdered dissident Alexander Litvinenko, was arrested by police at his home on October 28, 2014 after officers linked his IP address with a site well-known for having indecent images.

When they arrived, his computer was in the process of downloading indecent images, Mr Carter told the court.

Opening the case to, Mr Carter said: 'On October 28, 2014, police officers went to his home.

'He answered the door. He was immediately arrested on suspicion of downloading and possession of indecent images of children.

'Mr Bukovsky responded immediately by saying that he did indeed download movies.

'They would be in the computer in his study. He said that he lived alone.

'Occasionally friends might come to stay with him but he certainly didn't say that anybody else may be responsible for the possession of such material.'

Following his arrest the dissident, who was kicked out of the Soviet Union after protesting against the communist regime for more than a decade in 1976, was taken to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge.

Mr Carter said: 'In essence Mr Bukovsky did not see what harm he was doing.

'So far as the children were concerned, it looked to him as though they were enjoying themselves.'

Prosecution: Police said the wheelchair-bound Russian, who is regarded as a 'hero' in Russia by pro-democracy supporters, was downloading child porn when they arrived to arrest him

Bukovsky told officers that he was the only one who had access to the material and he hadn't told anyone about its existence.

Mr Carter revealed that the downloading was pretty constant, but that there were peaks in 1999, 2004, 2010 on his machines.

In his defence Bukovsky told police that he became aware of indecent images of children online in the late 1990s.

He said that he began his 'research' into the images after a becomng interested in the debate surrounding the issue of censorship on the internet.

Mr Carter said: 'His initial curiosity turned into a hobby rather like stamp collecting.

Defence: Bukovsky told police that he became aware of indecent images of children online in the late 1990s and said that he began his 'research' into the images after a becoming interested in the debate surrounding the issue of censorship on the internet

He explained that the defendant is seen by man as a 'hero' in Russia for wanting to extend the democratic rights.

However, he said: 'The prosecution say that there was another side to this man which was from from laudable, an extensive interest in real children, really being abused.'

In total he is accused of five counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, five counts of possession of indecent photographs of children and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Throughout the hearing the wheelchair bound defendant say motionless with a hearing loop on.

PC Darren Clark, a forensic examiner with Cambridgeshire police's hi-tech crime unit, went to Bukovsky's house in Cambridge at around 7.30am on October 28, 2014.

He seized computers and several hard drives from his property.

The following day he examined the equipment and found it contained some malware, a software used to hack into computers.

However he told the court that none of it indicated that indecent images of children were externally placed on the devices,

Some of the files included a Japanese boy being tied up before being sexually abused on a bed. Other files involved incest, while others were called "boy love", the court heard.

He searched online "PT", an acronym for pre-teen, for boys as young as 10, the court heard.

Bukovsky would also go online and talk on forums about the child abuse, specifically one woman called Carol O'Hallaran.

He extracted these contacts between Bukovsky and passed them on to another police department to examine.
Bogus dentist: Robert 'Robbie' Rheinlander, 53, has been charged with practicing dentistry without a license in Florida

An unlicensed Florida dentist faces criminal charges after police say he extracted 10 teeth without anesthetic and made dentures during house calls to save people money.

Robert 'Robbie' Rheinlander, 53, claimed he was a dentist in South Carolina before moving to Florida, according to investigators. He was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of practicing dentistry without a license.

A couple told a Manatee County Sheriff's detective in late September that Rheinlander extracted the woman's tooth, leaving a tooth fragment that caused medical complications, reported the Bradenton Herald.

The extraction was performed at Rheinlander's home and not at a dental office because he claimed he wanted to keep the costs down for his patients.

When the couple looked up Rheinlander, they discovered he was not a licensed dentist.

The husband and wife told the authorities that before they found out the truth about Rheinlander, they had introduced him to another potential client.

Setting teeth on edge:This photo that was first posted on his Facebook page in 2013 depicts Rheinlander doing what appears to be dental work on a male patient, but records show he was only licensed as a dental technician in South Carolina between 2004 and 2006

When interviewed by police, that patient said that Rheinlander had extracted 10 teeth without anesthesia and made dentures for him.

Rheinlander was apprehended after an undercover detective arranged to meet him for dental work.

The 53-year-old suspect was released from jail on Thursday after posting $1,500 bond.

Records show Rheinlander was licensed as a dental technician in South Carolina between 2004 and 2006. He has no dental license in Florida.

Information available on his social media account suggests Rheinlander is married.

A photo that was first posted on his Facebook page in 2013 depicts Rheinlander in a white lab coat and gloves, doing what appears to be dental work on a male patient reclining in a dental chair.
The South Australian government is set for a huge financial windfall when the first regular direct flight from China lands on Tuesday.

The new route which will see up to 120,000 extra visitors enter South Australia each year is predicted to reap the tourism industry $23 million-a-year.

Three direct flights a week operated by China Southern Airlines will land in Adelaide direct from Ghanzou, China's third most populous city.

The South Australian government is set for a huge financial windfall when the first regular direct flight from China operated by China Southern Airlines (above) lands on Tuesday

But Tuesdays flight which lands at 9.30am will be extra special with the flight expected to be greeted with some very special guests, according to The Advertiser.

Several native animals are being brought onto the tarmac to welcome tourists, Chinese media and dignitaries.

Premier Jay Weatherill will also be on hand.

South Australia welcomed 38,000 tourists last year ending september, according to tourism figures, the new route will boost that by 300 per cent.

Three direct flights a week will land in Adelaide direct from Ghanzou, China's third most populous city

The new route which will see up to 120,000 extra visitors enter South Australia each year is predicted to reap the tourism industry $23 million ( pictured crew of China Southern Airlines)

The direct flights will create between 100 to 150 direct jobs in more good news for the government ( pictured crew of China Southern Airlines)

The direct flights will create between 100 to 150 direct jobs in more good news for the government.

'This partnership will not only provide positive impacts for tourism, trade, education and investment but will create hundreds of jobs across the state,' Premier Weatherill told The Advertiser.
by the state medical board and had his license suspended for seven years - he died in 2015 aged 70

Victim speaks: Thelma Brumett, 46, of Indiana, says she had endured years of horrendous abuse at the hands of her gynecologist, who also performed two medically unnecessary sterilization procedures on her

When Thelma Brumett read her former OB/GYNs obituary last year, which lauded him as devoted husband and father-of-two who had helped welcome more than 2,000 babies into the world, she cried tears of relief knowing that the man who had sexually exploited her for years and robbed her of the ability to bear children was gone.

The 46-year-old woman from Washington, Indiana, says her late doctor pressured her into a sexual relationship, performed a medically unnecessary tubal ligation on her, followed by an equally pointless hysterectomy, which made it impossible for her to ever have children with her husband of 11 years, Brian.

Brumett, who has two grown children from previous relationships, says she had trusted and respected Dr John C Roberts, who had been her gynecologist from the time she was a teenager.

So when the respected physician first suggested to her, then a woman in her 20s of little education, struggling with a bi-polar disorder and a host of other psychological problems, that having sex with him would help boost her self-esteem, she acquiesced.

What followed next, according to Brumett and a cache of documents filed in the case and obtained by the Atlanta Journal Constitutions investigation into doctors and sex abuse, was three years of horror the likes of which her attorney said he had never come across before.

The persistent sexual exploitation fueled by drugs drove Brumett, who has a reported IQ of 62 (average IQ is a score of 90 - 100), to try to commit suicide several times by slashing her wrists and overdosing.

I was humiliated and abused by Dr. Roberts, Brumett wrote in a court filing seeking to collect money from Indianas Patient Compensation Fund.

I understand now that he was just using me for sex and taking advantage of me, even though he told me he was doing it for my own good and to raise my self-esteem.'

Thelma, pictured here with her husband of 11 years, Brian, was able to collect $950,000 after filing medical malpractice lawsuits, but the couple are unable to have children

Dr Roberts eventually admitted to carrying on an inappropriate sexual relationship with Brumett while she was his patient and had his medical license suspended in 2007, with the option of reapplying for a license renewal in 2014, which he never exercised. A year later, he passed away.

Brumett never pressed criminal charges against Roberts, explaining that she was afraid to get in trouble with the law because she took drugs that Roberts was giving her.

Roberts, a former US Navy flight surgeon who flew small planes, was a well-regarded gynecologist in Washington, Indiana - a town of 11,500 people.

He and his wife, Karon, were married for 44 years and had two children grown together, a son and daughter, as well as three grandchildren.

'Dedicated to his practice and his patients, he delivered an estimated 2,000 or more babies and one million corny jokes before retiring in 2003,' his obituary read.

But the respected physician and family man was living a double life, according to Brumett, which involved furtive sexual encounters in a records room at Daviess Community Hospital in Washington.

The woman recounted how Roberts would ply her with painkillers and antidepressants, and then have sex her while she was sedated, or outright unconscious.

Thelma came forward with information about the abuse and the sterilization procedures after Brian (left) urged her to speak up

She also told the paper about one disturbing incident in which she claimed Roberts allowed several strange men to have sex with her aboard a plane he was flying.

On the eve of her 30th birthday, Dr Roberts performed a tubal ligation on Brumett, writing in his notes that she was 'firm in her decision for sterilization, does not wish to be childbearing,' according to the Journal Constitution report.

But Brumett told the paper that Roberts was aware she wanted to have more children and told her that the procedure, which he claimed she required to help with her menstrual problems, was reversible.

A year later, Roberts performed a hysterectomy on Brumett, writing later she needed to have her uterus removed because she was suffering from severe cramps, bleeding and chronic pain.

An expert would later determine that the hysterectomy was not medically necessary.

Brumett said just hours after the surgery, Roberts forced himself on her, even though she still had stitches, and she contracted an infection as a result of that sexual encounter.

After keeping mum about the abuse for years, Brumett confided about her torment to Brian Brumett, an old friend who would later become her husband.

At Brian's urging, Thelma then came forward to an official at Daviess Community Hospital, where Roberts had privileges, who sent her to be examined by a nurse practitioner.

During the examination, Brumett detailed the sexual exploitation she had endured, talked about the hysterectomy, and also said that Roberts had made threats to keep her quiet.

Ultimately, Brumett filed a medical malpractice lawsuit and collected $950,000, while Roberts was reprimanded by the state medical board and temporarily stripped of his license.

But no amount of money could buy Thelma Brumett the one thing she wanted above all else: the ability to conceive a child with her husband, Brian.

To fill the aching void in her life, the 46-year-old woman got a Chihuahua, which she dresses up in outfits and treats as a human being.

Thats my baby, because I cant have one, she told the Journal Constitution.
A woman who received death threats after going out without her abaya in Saudi Arabia has been arrested and now faces being lashed.

The woman, who has been identified as Malak Al Shehri, shared a photograph of herself without a hijab or abaya - a traditional body covering - on a street in the capital city of Riyadh.

The ultra-conservative Muslim country enforces a strict dress code for women in public, banned them from driving and prohibits the mixing of sexes.

The Arabic-language al-Sharq newspaper said the woman was detained after a complaint was filed by the religious police.

'Police officers have detained a girl who had removed her abaya on al-Tahliya street, implementing a challenge she announced on social media several days ago,' Colonel Fawaz al-Maiman, a Riyadh police spokesman, was quoted as saying.

The woman, who has been identified as Malak Al Shehri, shared a photograph of herself without a hijab or abaya - a traditional body covering - in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Another Twitter user said that many Saudis are now 'demanding her execution'

The 21-year-old student said the woman had received abuse such as 'Kill her and throw her body to the dogs'

The woman had faced calls to be executed after she was pictured wearing a black jacket over an ankle-length orange and pink dress and boots.

The post had drawn a furious reaction from some Saudis.

One message of abuse reportedly read: 'The least punishment for her is beheading her.'

Another wrote: 'Kill her and throw her body to the dogs', while one said 'we want blood' after the picture went viral.

Following news of her arrest, one Twitter user said: 'We demand utmost punishment, for the state has rules that she did not respect.'

Despite the threats, other social media users have been praising the woman for her bravery

Despite the threats, other social media users praised the woman for her bravery and expressed their support.

One person, posting under the username @MajedAbboud, wrote: 'I'm amazed by the courage and the resilience of Saudi women'.

Farah Aqqad added: 'Its about time to protest against this discriminative abaya prison against women #shout_for_freedom'.

Another wrote: 'Bravest girl on earth...hope she is okay', while one compared her to a modern day Rosa Parks.

All women in Saudi Arabia  local and foreign  are legally required to wear an abaya  which is a traditional full-body covering.

Muslim women must also wear a headscarf  or hijab  but foreigners do not need to.
Noel Rodriguez (pictured), from Caldwell, Idaho, allegedly attacked police officers with his pickup truck and was armed with a screwdriver and a wrench before he was shot

A Boise police officer who shot and killed a suspected drunk driver in June has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Noel Rodriguez, 50 from Caldwell, Idaho, allegedly attacked officers with his pickup truck and was armed with a screwdriver and a wrench when he was shot in the early morning hours of June 14, police said.

The Critical Incident Task Force investigation released its findings on Friday, announcing that Officer Rob Rainford, who fired the fatal shot, was justified in his actions.

A member of the public had called in the night of the incident and reported a suspected drunk driver.

Body cameras worn by two officers reveal that after Rodriguez was stopped and surrounded by patrol cars, he tried to escape for the second time and attempted to use his truck as a deadly weapon.

Warning: disturbing footage

Body cameras worn by two officers reveal that after Rodriguez was stopped and blocked in by patrol cars

In footage from the body cameras, an officer can be seen approaching the truck with his gun drawn

Footage from the cameras show police surrounding the truck as smoke pours from the right side of the vehicle.

Rodriguez can be seen revving his engine and police give him multiple commands to stand down. An officer approaches the truck with his gun drawn.

Prosecutor Grant Loebs concluded on Friday that Rodriguez presented a clear and immediate danger to to law enforcement officers and the general public.

The tense stand-off unfolded just blocks away from Capital High School in Boise.

Footage also shows police surrounding the truck as smoke pours from the right side of the vehicle

Police reported that this is the first time a body camera video has recorded an officer involved in a shooting

The Boise Police Department also said this is also the first time a body camera video has recorded an officer involved in a shooting.

Police hope transparency between them and the public will continue to grow now that body cams are being used more widely throughout the force.

'The purpose of going through the cameras is for the police department to be as transparent to the community or to the city as possible," Chief Deputy Eugene Smith told KTVB.com.
Donald Trump on Monday issued his most forceful pushback to date against claims that Russian hacks of Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman and the Democratic National Committee were carried out in order to help Trump win the presidential election.

'Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!' the president-elect wrote on Twitter.

Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway agreed, saying on 'Good Morning America' that liberal partisans were blaming Moscow for their defeat instead of being critical of Clinton's shortcomings.

Trump went a step further, tweeting his doubt that Russia was behind the infamous cyber intrusion in the first place.

Scroll down for video

Donald Trump dismissed CIA claims that Russian hacks were intended to help him win the election, saying it would be considered a 'conspiracy theory' if the tables were turned

Trump tweeted Monday that it's 'hard' to know who hacked Democrats' emails before the November election since they weren't caught in the act

'Unless you catch "hackers" in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?' he asked.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that he supports calls for a congressional investigation into whether Russia interfered in the Nov. 8 election.

'Obviously any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts,' McConnell said during a press conference at the Capitol.

Foreign meddling in U.S. elections 'simply cannot be a partisan issue,' he added, saying that the Senate's existing committees can handle the job.

'It's an important subject and we intend to review it on a bipartisan basis,' McConnell said, before adding that 'the Russians are not our friends.'

Trump said on 'Fox News Sunday that Democratic critics were grasping at straws to explain the beating Clinton took on Election Day, and the spinner had landed on Russia.

The CIA told senators in a secret meeting that they believed hacks on Democratic emails in the election were intended to aid Trump's victory, but the FBI disagrees

'I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it,' he said.

'I don't know why, and I think it's just  you know, they talked about all sorts of things. Every week it's another excuse.'

Trump spokesman Jason Miller told reporters Monday morning that 'this overall narrative that's in the news right now' about Russia 'is an attempt to try to delegitimize President-elect Trump's win. That really seems to be the  what's going on here.'

'First after the election it was the recount nonsense. Then it was discussions of the popular vote. Now it's the anonymous off-the-record sources with conflicting information, trying to raise other issues,' he said.

Trump on Sunday also blamed Democrats for reports about a reported CIA briefing before a group of U.S. senators, which purportedly included an assessment of Russia's role in the hacks.

'I'm not sure [the CIA] put it out,' he said. 'I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics, and frankly I think its ridiculous.'

A senior FBI official doubted the CIA's claim, saying there wasn't enough proof that Russia had a specific aim or favorite in the presidential race

Trump said on 'Fox News Sunday' that claims he was elected as a result of Russian hacks were 'ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it'

The Washington Post reported over the weekend that the CIA believes Russia's specific goal was to help elect Trump.

Previously, the Agency had suggested that the hacks might have been intended to more generally undermine the public's faith in the electoral system, without favoring a particular candidate.

That, it emerged Saturday, is the view the FBI currently holds.

In a secret House Intelligence Committee meeting, a senior FBI official refused to conclusively say that the Russian hacks into Democratic emails were intended to help Trump, an official who was in that briefing told the Post.

'It was shocking to hold these [CIA] statements made about Russian intentions and activities, and to hear this guy basically saying nothing with certainty and allowing that all was possible,' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Despite repeated prodding for two hours by Republicans and Democrats in the committee, the FBI counterintelligence official would not back the CIA's new direction.

While his CIA equivalent had been 'direct and bald and unqualified' about Russia's scheme to aid the new president-elect, the FBI agent's statements wee 'fuzzy' and 'ambiguous.'

There just wasn't enough evidence of intention, the FBI said.

The hacks, including one on the emails of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta (pictured) and another on DNC staff, led to devastating publicity for the Democrats during the election

'There's no question that [the Russians'] efforts went one way, but it's not clear that they have a specific goal or mix of related goals,' a US official who was at the meeting said.

Part of the problem is the way that two two organizations view the disparate and incomplete evidence available to law enforcement and intelligence operatives.

'The FBI briefers think in terms of criminal standards - "Can we prove this in court?"' one official said.

'The CIA briefers weigh the preponderance of intelligence and then make judgment calls to help policymakers make informed decisions.

'High confidence for them means "We're pretty damn sure." It doesn't mean they can prove it in court.'

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said Sunday that it's possible the cyber attacks were 'false flag' operations, since the digital intruders left telltale signs pointing to Russian intelligence.

Bolton, who is considered a potential deputy secretary of state appointee, noted that other hacks attributed to the Russians have left no 'fingerprints' behind.

Trump said Sunday that he would be making 'changes at the top' in the intelligence community, 'because we have our people and they have their people'  adding that 'I have great respect for them.'

CIA director John Brennan (pictured in 2014) may be looking for a new job when Trump takes over, as the President-elect has promised 'changes at the top'

President Obama has ordered an investigation into the Russian hacks, to be completed before he leaves office next month.

And a bipartisan group of lawmakers have demanded that it be accompanied by a joint congressional investigation into the cyber-attacks.

In a statement released Saturday morning, Republican Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina along with Democrats Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Chuck Schumer of New York, asked Congress 'to examine these recent incidents thoroughly.'

'This cannot become a partisan issue. The stakes are too high for our country. We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner,' they added.

The group also called for solutions to be devised to defend against future cyber attacks.

The mid-election hacks resulted in leaks of 19,252 emails and 8,034 attachments from the DNC that showed staffers mocking and apparently undermining Bernie Sanders' campaign to be the Democratic candidate.

A second hack saw emails being leaked from the account of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, including some that apparently discussed payments to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for meetings with Bill Clinton.
A U.S. judge in Pennsylvania on Monday rejected Green Party candidate Jill Stein's request for a recount of the state's ballots in last month's presidential election and an examination of voting machines for evidence of hacking.

The decision came on the same day that Wisconsin election officials expect to complete their state's recount, although the results will not change the outcome.

Stein, who finished fourth in the election behind President-elect Donald Trump, had challenged the results in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. All of those traditionally Democratic strongholds supported Trump, a Republican, in the Nov. 8 vote.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday denied Stein's last-ditch appeal to secure a recount there.

All over: The three recount efforts are now a dead end with the Wisconsin one finishing Monday without changing the result and Michigan and Pennsylvania blocked by federal judges

Wasted effort: The recount in Michigan was under way when it was blocked by a federal judge. Now the Pennsylvania one will not happen

Even if all three recounts had taken place, it was considered highly unlikely that they would flip the overall result from Trump to Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

Stein had argued that Pennsylvania's use of electronic voting machines with no paper trail in some districts left the system vulnerable to hacking.

In a 31-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond in Philadelphia said there was no evidence suggesting hacking had occurred. He also emphasized that the deadline to certify the state's electoral votes is Tuesday, making it impossible to hold a recount in time.

Diamond said 'suspicion of a 'hacked' Pennsylvania election borders on the irrational.'

Stein could appeal the court's decision. Her campaign did not immediately comment.

Winner: Trump's seat behind the Oval Office desk is not going to be stopped by a recount

While there is no evidence of large-scale voting machine hacking, U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia targeted Clinton in a series of cyberattacks on Democratic Party groups. Trump has questioned those reports.

U.S. presidential elections are determined not by the overall national popular vote but by the Electoral College, which awards votes based on the outcome in each state.

Trump, who won a projected 306 Electoral College votes to Clinton's 232, is set to take office on Jan. 20. Clinton won the popular vote by more than 2.6 million ballots nationwide, according to the latest count.

Stein did not win any electoral college votes.

As of Monday morning, the Wisconsin recount was 95 percent complete and showed Trump with a increase of 628 votes, Clinton with an increase of 653 votes and Stein with an increase of 68 votes.
The fashion designer ex-boyfriend of 'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein claims she has falsely accused him of assault as 'revenge' for ending their 14-year-romance after his arrest on Sunday.

Klein, who was also accused of stealing an iPhone, a Swiss ID, a cell phone case and a credit card, has told friends that the feline-faced socialite is virtually penniless and was financially reliant on him - despite her previously being handed one of the biggest divorce settlements in history - and that he was footing the bills.

The plastic-surgery fanatic was awarded $2.5 billion after her 1999 split from art dealer Alec Wildenstein but the money has 'gone with the wind', according to Klein's camp.

'The reality is that Lloyd has been carrying this woman for some time now,' a source alleged. 'She faces financial ruin and wants to destroy everything in her wake - including Lloyd.'

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Lloyd Klein, 49, left, the longtime boyfriend of 'catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein was arrested after the socialite claimed he assaulted her at their shared New York apartment. Klein's arrest comes just days after the couple's turbulent relationship hit headlines last Wednesday when Wildenstein (right) was arrested for attacking Klein

The 'bride of Wildenstein' was arrested last Wednesday for clawing Klein across the face and slashing him with scissors in a late night brawl at their $5 million Manhattan apartment.

He was forced to bundle Wildenstein into a walk-in closet to bring the attack to a halt before cops arrived and arrested her.

The catfight took a fresh turn Sunday morning when it was Klein's turn to be hauled off into custody for supposedly hurling 71-year-old Wildenstein to the ground when he returned for his possessions.

Klein, 49, who has designed clothes for A-list celebs including Nicki Minaj, Pink and Joan Collins, is also accused of stealing an iPhone, a Swiss ID, a cell phone case and a credit card.

But his supporters claim the accusations are nothing but a spiteful tit-for-tat bid to discredit him for walking out on the couple's turbulent relationship.

They also question whether Canadian-born Klein, who is in remission from cancer, was even physically capable of the attack.

Klein pictured bruised and bloodied after he was taken to NYU Langone hospital for treatment after last Wednesday's altercation

Wildenstein's attorney blamed Klein for exacerbating the situation by going back to the couple's apartment on Sunday

Jocelyn Wildenstein, in her mugshot was charged with assault, accused of slashing his face with a pair of scissors and gouging his face with her nails

'Lloyd has been a shell of himself since last Wednesday's assault,' said one. 'He was in quite a bit of pain; he hadn't slept for three days. He's still recovering from the lymphoma and is really frail.'

The warring couple are now banned from going within 1,000 yards of one another or speaking by phone, email or text as authorities weigh up their competing accusations.

Klein is said to have burst into Wildenstein's bedroom during 'round two' of their explosive conflict which erupted just after midnight Sunday.

According to Wildenstein's criminal complaint, he then pushed her to the ground, injuring her back and breaking her belt in the process.

DailyMail.com understands that Klein left the $5 million apartment and got into the elevator, with Wildenstein chasing after him into the lobby in a cocktail dress and bare feet.

Lloyd Klein is arraigned for assault against Jocelyn Wildenstein in Manhattan Criminal court

Klein is pictured on Sunday outside of court after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting Wildenstein

'He returned to a woman in a rage,' said a friend. 'She was absolutely unreachable. She was screaming about her keys being lost.

'She didn't talk about being beaten or marked in any way. There was no physical evidence of an altercation.'

Klein had left the glitzy high-rise by the time police arrived but agreed to go back to speak with detectives.

They finally took him into custody at 6am and he was arraigned Sunday night at Manhattan criminal court on charges of assault, robbery, grand larceny and criminal mischief.

Klein has told friends the 'stolen' card was actually a business credit card from his fashion company. He claims the phone was registered in his name and he paid the bill.

Alan Kachalsky, Wildenstein's attorney, blamed Klein for exacerbating the situation by going back to the couple's apartment.

'At this point I'm going to refrain from commenting until I speak with her in more detail,' he told DailyMail.com. 'You have the charges.

'Apparently he returned to the apartment to pick up certain items and some of those items didn't belong to him.

'He probably shouldn't have returned to the apartment unescorted. It is her apartment so once he's gone he should stay away.

'I can see how it can look like tit-for-tat but he was the one who filed the first charges and maybe he should have thought about that before going to war.

'Really that's all I can say at this point. I'm not prepared to speak on her finances as that is something that at this point goes beyond the criminal matter at hand.'

Wildenstein, a mother-of-two, landed one of the largest divorce settlements in history in 1999 after splitting from her late husband, Alec.

She was awarded $2.5billion and an additional $100million a year for 13 years but Klein has told friends that the volatile divorcee has frittered away most of the money on surgeries and extravagance.

Meanwhile Klein, whose brother is the world-renowned artist Jean-Yves Klein, is said to have built a large fortune himself as a globally famous designer.

'Lloyd is depicted in the media as being tied to a wealthy woman or a toyboy but quite honestly he's very well-heeled,' added the friend.

'Jocelyn is out of money. She has no assets, no cash flow, the apartment is up for foreclosure. Her children have no relationship with her.

'Her world is collapsing around her and Lloyd is a victim of that collapse. Lloyd didn't want any of this to happen; her was in love with her and wanted the relationship to work. It was like he was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.'

Claims that Wildenstein's finances are in turmoil appear to be corroborated by several pending lawsuits alleging that she has massive unpaid bills.

According to New York records, law firm Carter Ledyard & Milburn says she owes them $124,000 for legal work from 2014 to 2015.

The glamorous duo (pictured together in October 2015) have been dating since 2003 but the relationship is now over because Klein considers Wildenstein a 'ticking time bomb'

Klein was taken into custody just before 6am on Sunday at the ritzy Trump World Tower (file photo) apartment he shares with Wildenstein

Richard R. Brown Associates are also suing her for the remaining balance of $98,000 for architectural work done on her Manhattan apartment.

Wildenstein's temper is said to be as notorious as her feline looks, according to friends who say she has frequent violent outbursts.

A video obtained last week by DailyMail.com showed hitting Klein twice with a metal tray and screaming abuse at him while he begged her to calm down.

Last night Klein's rep Melanie A. Bonvicino insisted her client was innocent of all the charges and confirmed the relationship between him and Wildenstein was over.

'Mr. Klein is quite clear this evening that a chapter in his life has drawn to a close,' she told DailyMail.com.

'He bids Mrs. Wildenstein the best in all of her future endeavors and especially in her quest for inner peace.
A Horseheads man is facing charges for his alleged role in a murder-for-hire plot, according to the New York State Police.

Brandon McPherson, 30, of Horseheads, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree conspiracy. He is accused of conspiring with another individual to commit murder.

More information about the alleged plot wasn't revealed.

McPherson, who's on active duty with the U.S. Navy and assigned to the recruiting office at the Arnot Mall in Horseheads, was arraigned before Avoca Justice Pat McMahon. He was remanded to the Steuben County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 property bond.

He's scheduled to reappear in court at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Mr Dinsdale was made to delete the photos by another guard, but they were saved in his 'recently

The guard wanted to keep it

A British tourist captured the total amazement of a North Korean border railway guard after he smoked an e-cigarette for the first time.

Del Dinsdale, 34, was travelling from China into the communist country when his bags were searched by a guard.

Initially the official thought the e-cig was a 'bomb' and when Mr Dinsdale told him it was a cigarette, he seemed baffled and wanted to try it.

A North Korean border railway crossing guard tries an electronic cigarette for the first time. British tourist Del Dinsdale said the official initially thought his vapour cigarette was a 'bomb'

Mr Dinsdale said: 'He thought it was an illegal item being taken into his country but I showed him what it was and he was delighted.'

Strict rules in the secretive country means tourists are usually forbidden from taking photos of officials - especially in a relaxed setting.

But Mr Dinsdale said the guard at the crossing into Democratic People's Republic of Korea was so baffled by his vape cigarette that he happily posed for photos.

Del Dinsdale (left) took photos of the baffled guard after the North Korean official searched his bags. Mr Dinsdale was travelling into the country from China

'He began to smoke it with such delight as he had never seen an electric cigarette in his life.

'He then began to show all the other border guards and asked if I could give him it.

'I explained he would not be able to buy the liquids in his country so he gave it back and presented me with some North Korean cigarettes.

The guard is seen exhaling a large puff of water vapour. Mr Dinsdale was made to delete the photos by another guard but they were still in his 'recently deleted' folder on his phone

'It's highly illegal taking photos of army guards and for him to allow me to do this is very strange.

'I suppose it shows that perhaps they are getting more lenient.

'I believe it's the only photo of its kind.'
Nicholas Keeton, 20, allegedly identified himself as a St Louis police office when he pulled over an off-duty cop on Thursday

A St Louis man, impersonating a police officer, attempted to pull over the wrong motorist - a real cop.

The man, 20-year-old Nicholas Keeton, was charged on Friday with false impersonation of a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

On Thursday afternoon, Keeton parked his tricked-out Impala with flashing lights and a siren beside another vehicle at an intersection near the St Louis police station.

Keeton, who is 6ft 5in tall and weighs 260lb, allegedly identified himself as a city police officer to the driver of the other vehicle - who happened to be real off-duty cop Andrei Nikolov, according to Riverfront Times.

Keeton hit the flashing lights and siren on his Impala (file photo)

Nikolov wasn't fooled by Keeton and reported him to police.

Other officers arrived on the scene and arrested Keeton.
Best Buy employees in Long Island noticed a boy who came every day to play on the store's WiiU - and ended up buying him his own console.

A video posted on YouTube shows an employee at the Valley Stream, New York store walking up to the boy and handing him a brand-new WiiU in a box.

'On behalf of all of us here at Best Buy, we got you a WiiU so you don't have to come here every day to play,' the employee told the boy.

The worker showed the boy the receipt, telling him he would walk out with him. The console, sold at Best Buy as part of a set that also includes a Mario Kart game, is worth $300.

Best Buy employees in Long Island chipped in to buy a WiiU for a young customer (pictured) who came in every day to play on the store's demonstration model

The man who uploaded the video, Rahiem Storr, said he was a manager at Best Buy.

His clip, shared last week, shows a Best Buy employee walking up to the young customer, who was playing with the free WiiU.

'This is something we did for you. Everyone here that you see, we all got together and chipped in so you could have it,' the employee told the boy.

But the young customer seemed taken aback by the act of kindness and didn't quite dare grab the box.

'No for real, this is for you,' the employee said, telling him it would be an early Christmas present.

The boy, according to Storr, has two 'very loving' parents who couldn't afford to buy him a WiiU.

He eventually accepted the gift and workers gave him a ride home.

A Best Buy employee (pictured) walked up to the boy with a brand new WiiU in hand and told him it was for him - but the boy seemed taken aback at first

The employee in Valley Stream, Long Island, kept reassuring the boy and told him the console (file picture), worth $300 as part of a set at Best Buy, was for him
A stunned woman who was driving behind the incident shouted out in shock

, the bike went into it and the man fell off

As a Renault Clio pulled out of a

Shocking footage has emerged showing the moment a motorcyclist got thrown from his bike after clipping the side of a car.

The video, filmed by a driving instructor in Edinburgh, shows the nasty collision between a Suzuki bike and Renault Clio.

A woman in the car who appeared to be driving immediately shouted out 'oh my god' four times after watching the man fall off his bike.

The motorist pulled out of the junction and the biker went straight into the Renault Clio

The motorist in the Clio then quickly got out of his car and walked over to the injured biker.

Other witnesses also get out of their vehicles and rush over to the biker - who remarkably suffered minor leg injuries.

The male motorcyclist was taken to hospital after the incident in March earlier this year.

Footage of the terrifying incident has emerged for the first time today.

The biker then

The motorist quickly got out of his car and went over to the man who had just come off the bike

At the time, a police spokesman said: 'We are currently attending a road traffic collision on Salamander Street in the north of Edinburgh.

'The incident, involving a grey coloured Renault Clio and the Suzuki motorbike, happened shortly before 4.40pm on Monday, near to the junction with Carron Place.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called for a probe of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election  although he wants it to be carried out by the existing Senate Intelligence panel.

'Obviously any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts,' McConnell told reporters in the Senate on Monday.

'Its an important subject and we intend to review it on a bipartisan basis,' McConnell said. Then he added: 'The Russians are not our friends.' He added: 'This simply cannot be a partisan issue.'

Rejecting a call to set up a special committee to do an inquiry, McConnell called for doing it through 'regular order.'

The Intelligence panel has a tradition of bipartisanship compared to some of the other Senate committees. It is 'is more than capable of conducting a complete review of this matter,' McConnell said.

McConnell got off the fence after four senators issued a bipartisan call for an inquiry Saturday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is calling for a probe of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, after remaining silent on the issue

In a statement issued Monday, House Speaker Paul Ryan said the House Intelligence panel has been 'working diligently' on cyber threat and 'will continue and has my support,' but did not appear to express support for a new investigation.

'We must condemn and push back forcefully against any state-sponsored cyberattacks on our democratic process,' Ryan said.

'Throughout this Congress, Chairman [Devin] Nunes and the Intelligence Committee have been working diligently on the cyber threats posed by foreign governments and terrorist organizations to the security and institutions of the United States. This important work will continue and has my support,' Ryan said.

'As Ive said before, any foreign intervention in our elections is entirely unacceptable. And any intervention by Russia is especially problematic because, under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests,' he added.

But Ryan warned that 'exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professionals and potentially jeopardizes our national security. As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election.'

Senators John McCain (R-Arizona), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) asked Congress 'to examine these recent incidents thoroughly'.

'This cannot become a partisan issue. The stakes are too high for our country. We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner,' the group said in a statement.

McCain, a longtime critic of Russia and its foreign policy, said Monday he had ' no doubt about the hacking' Russian intelligence directed against Democrats during the elections. He called it 'another form of warfare' an appearance on CBS 'This Morning.'

Schumer added on the same program: 'We dont want to point a finger and I dont want this to turn into a Benghazi investigation, which seemed at least to many people to be highly political.' He added: 'This is serious stuff.'

The Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chair, John Podesta, got hacked during the campaign, leading to a series of embarrassing emails dumps on WikiLeaks.

In a secret meeting that emerged Friday in a Washington Post report, the CIA told a group of senators that Russian hacks had the specific goal of getting Trump elected.

Previously, the Agency had suggested that the hacks might have been intended to more generally undermine the public's faith in the electoral system, without favoring a particular candidate.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday that experts working for the CIA are patriots with specialized skills they could take to the private sector and make more money, yet they continue to serve their country.

President Obama has benefited enormously from their work their expertise, from their advice and from their service to the country, Earnest said. I'm confident the president-elect would benefit from that advice if he remains open to it.

On Monday, Trump, who referenced some of the damaging emails that surfaced about his rival during the campaign, aired his skepticism on Twitter.

'Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!' Trump tweeted.

In another tweet he said, 'Unless you catch "hackers" in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?'

McCain said Sunday he doesn't know what to make of Donald Trump's dismissal of CIA claims that Russia interfered in the presidential election, as he called for a select committee to further investigate the extent of Russia's intentions after CIA claims that hacks on Democratic email accounts were made to help Trump win the presidency.

U.S. Republican Senator John McCain said he doesn't know what to make of Donald Trump's dismissal of CIA claims that Russia interfered in the presidential election

Trump hit out at the CIA claims that hacks on Democratic email accounts were made to help him win. He called the claims 'ridiculous' during an interview with Fox News Sunday

The CIA told senators in a secret meeting that they believed hacks on Democratic emails in the election were intended to aid Trump's victory. That meeting was revealed by press on Friday

'The facts are there,' McCain told CBS Face the Nation.

'I don't know what to make of it because it's clear the Russians interfered,' McCain said of Trump's reaction.

'Whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think that's a subject of investigation. But facts are stubborn things. They did hack into this campaign.'

It came after Trump hit out at the CIA claims labeling them 'ridiculous' during an interview with Fox News Sunday.

'I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it,' Trump said.

'I don't know why and I think it's just - you know, they talked about all sorts of things. Every week it's another excuse.'

In his interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump went on to blame Democrats for putting out reports about the CIA's remarks, made after a secret assessment of Russia's role in the mid-election cyber attacks on the DNC and Clinton campaign chair John Podesta.

When asked whether he thought that the CIA was trying to overturn the election results, Trump said he didn't think 'they're saying anything'.

'If you look at the story and you take a look at what they said, there's great confusion. Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting,' he said.

'Once they hack if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them.

'They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place. I mean, they have no idea.'

He also said that he believed Democrats were behind the reveal of the CIA's assessment of the hacks.

'I'm not sure [the CIA] put it out,' he said. 'I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics, and frankly I think it's ridiculous.'

He also said he would be making 'changes at the top' in the intelligence community, 'because we have our people and they have their people,' adding that 'I have great respect for them'.

Donald Trump dismissed CIA claims that Russian hacks were intended to help him win the election as 'ridiculous', also claiming that Democrats were pushing the reports in the media

Trump isn't the only one who is unsure about the startling claim of Russian collusion.

In a secret House Intelligence Committee meeting, a senior FBI official refused to conclusively say that the Russian hacks into Democratic emails were intended to help Trump, an official from the briefing told The Washington Post.

'It was shocking to hold these [CIA] statements made about Russian intentions and activities, and to hear this guy basically saying nothing with certainty and allowing that all was possible,' the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

But despite repeated prodding for two hours by Republicans and Democrats in the committee, the FBI counterintelligence official would not back the CIA's new direction.

CIA director John Brennan (pictured in 2014) may be looking for a new job when Trump takes over, as the President-elect has promised 'changes at the top'

While his CIA equivalent had been 'direct and bald and unqualified' about Russia's scheme to aid the new president-elect, the FBI agent's statements wee 'fuzzy' and 'ambiguous'.

There just wasn't enough evidence of intention, the FBI said.

'There's no question that [the Russians'] efforts went one way, but it's not clear that they have a specific goal or mix of related goals,' a US official who was at the meeting said.

Part of the problem is the way that two two organizations view the disparate and incomplete evidence available to law enforcement and intelligence operatives.

'The FBI briefers think in terms of criminal standards - 'Can we prove this in court?'' one official said.

'The CIA briefers weigh the preponderance of intelligence and then make judgment calls to help policymakers make informed decisions.

'High confidence for them means 'We're pretty damn sure.' It doesn't mean they can prove it in court.'

The division between the FBI and CIA's opinions of the case was mirrored in the Republicans and Democrats at the hearing.

Many Republicans agreed with the FBI's caution, saying that the CIA's analysis lacked concrete evidence.

Some also suggested that Russia would have preferred Clinton - a politician with whom the country is familiar - over a firebrand who has talked about expanding the US military.

One even joked that 'Republicans are from Mars, Democrats are from Venus,' a source said.

President Obama has ordered an investigation into the Russian hacks, to be completed before he leaves office next month.

And a bipartisan group of lawmakers have demanded that it be accompanied by a joint congressional investigation into the cyber-attacks.

One observer said it was due to a difference in philosophies: The FBI wants a case that could stand up in court; the CIA is more comfortable backing less concrete theories

In his extensive Fox News Sunday interview, Trump also explained his positions on a series of issues, and revealed some of his plans for the presidency.

Controversially, he said that he doesn't see why the US should be bound to the 37-year-old 'one China' policy that recognizes China as the true owner of Taiwanese territory.

That policy was introduced by Jimmy Carter in 1979, in line with an identical UN motion passed that year, but Trump impinged on it last week when he received a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing complained, but Trump told the channel that he didn't think a foreign country should dictate who he spoke to, and suggested that the one-China policy might be changed if China doesn't offer a better 'deal'.

Trump also said that despite claims that his business created a conflict of interest with his presidential plans, he has turned down 'billions' of dollars in offers in just one week.

He said he turned the deals down last week because they might be 'perceived as a conflict'. He will reveal his plans for his business interests on Thursday.

The President-elect also said that despite rumors he would indeed be moving out of New York's Trump Tower and into the White House once he takes over.

He said Melania would stay in New York for a little longer while son Barron finishes school, but they would then relocate to Washington.

Until then, he said, he wouldn't be lonely: 'No, I'll be working. I'll be working. It's a very special place and it represents so much and there's a lot to do, there's a lot to do, more than I ever thought.

He also said that he would look at how daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner could be involved in his administration - depending on 'how the laws read'.

The mid-election hacks resulted in leaks of 19,252 emails and 8,034 attachments from the DNC that showed staffers mocking and apparently undermining Bernie Sanders' campaign to be the Democratic candidate.

A second hack saw emails being leaked from the account of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, including some that apparently discussed payments to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for meetings with Bill Clinton.

The FBI has also been under fire of late because of Director James Comey's decision to publicize the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails - going against FBI policy, which prohibits influencing an election.
Kim Kardashian is living 'day by day' and is feeling 'overwhelmed' following her husband Kanye West's breakdown at the end of November.

The reality star is also said to be 'conflicted' over the future of her marriage - and is staying with her mother Kris Jenner in Calabasas, California, while West recovers at the couple's $11 million Bel Air mansion.

A close friend of the star, speaking on condition of anonymity, also told DailyMail.com that Kardashian, 36, will make a decision about her relationship over the holidays, but does not want to discuss the situation with her husband until she is sure that he has recovered.

Kim Kardashian has been feeling 'overwhelmed' since Kanye West's breakdown on November 21, which left him hospitalized. West made return to public life last week and was seen with a head of freshly dyed blond hair at a furniture exhibition in West Hollywood

'It's just been a very difficult time for her,' said the source. 'She wasn't even recovered from the ordeal she had been through and then he [Kanye] goes crazy and takes all the attention off of her.

'She has two kids at home and she is really upset because now she also has to deal with him.

'He's been at the Bel Air house with a staff of nurses and doctors and she's just been staying at her mom's.'

The source added: 'Kim really concerned about him and wants him to be well but the thing is, she's still recovering herself and it would be nice if she had a partner who was able to take care of her.'

Rapper West, 39, who has been using his recovery time to oversee further renovations at the couple's Calabasas home, was taken to hospital on November 21 after suffering a 'psychotic break'.

He had been taking part in a gym session at the West Hollywood home of trainer Harley Pasternak when he became agitated and allegedly began screaming that people were trying to kill him.

Dr Michael Farzam was called to the scene and West was placed on a 5150 hold, which allows a physician to forcibly admit a patient to hospital, before being taken to the UCLA Medical Center.

West is said to have been handcuffed to a gurney during the journey, which came two days after he launched a bizarre rant on stage in Sacramento, California, and 24 hours after he announced that he was canceling all remaining dates on his Life of Pablo tour.

Kardashian has been staying with her mother, Kris Jenner, in Calabasas, California, while West recovers

Rapper West, 39, has been living in the couple's Bel Air home (pictured above) as he recovers. He's been using his free time time to oversee further renovations at the couple's Calabasas home

Kardashian, who had traveled to New York to attend the ritzy Angel Ball with her mother and sisters Khloe and Kourtney, was forced to dash back across the country to be at his side - and was seen disembarking from a private jet at Van Nuys airport later the same day.

Although West has not spoken publicly about what happened, the breakdown is thought to have been sparked by his ongoing grief over the death of his mother Donda in 2007 and by exhaustion caused by his heavy work schedule.

He and Kardashian are thought to have been arguing a lot in the run-up to his meltdown, while the attack on her in Paris on October 3 is also believed to have contributed.

Nevertheless, West has made a return of sorts to public life and was seen on December 9 with a head of freshly dyed blond hair at a furniture exhibition being held at the MOCA Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

Kardashian is said to be 'hopeful' of West making a complete recovery - but is reluctant to discuss the subject of their marriage for fear of West relapsing

A day later, the Famous hitmaker was seen enjoying a bike ride close to his Bel Air home, accompanied by friends and a posse of security guards.

'He's getting better,' a well-placed source told DailyMail.com. 'He's stabilized but he still needs some time to recover.

'He's still a little bit out of sorts. He's getting really good care and treatment right now at home, in private. He's resting a lot, he's on the right medication and he's really on the right path.'

Kardashian, meanwhile, is said to be 'hopeful' of him making a complete recovery - but is reluctant to broach the subject of their marriage for fear of a relapse.

'Kim is hopeful but by the same token, she is proceeding with caution because she's been through so much recently,' explained the source.

'She's really reassessing everything around her, all of her relationships. She wants to surround herself with positive people, healthy people, sane people, so she's in a really difficult position.

'She's taking time for herself through the holidays to decide how she wants to proceed but right now, she's not sure she if she wants to stay married to him or if she wants to get a divorce.

'She's really conflicted about everything and she's going to make a decision when he gets better. That's when she'll break the news to him because she doesn't want him to go crazy again.'

Meanwhile, her own public reemergence, which had been scheduled for last month's Angel Ball, has now been put on hold 'indefinitely'.

Instead, Kardashian, who has been using her time off to plot a conservative new look, will make her return to the red carpet 'at some point next year'.

'[Her public reemergence] is on hold indefinitely,' said the friend. 'She was planning to come out [into public life] again around the holidays but in light of what happened to Kanye, she needs more time and he needs to heal.

'So probably at some point next year, she'll reemerge. But right now, and through the holidays, she's going to stay in seclusion.'
Denies sexual assault: Rachid Nejjar, 71, allegedly crept up behind four young women watching the ceremony in London in July

A pensioner accused of rubbing himself against a sightseer outside Buckingham Palace was cleared today after claiming he was just trying to get a better view of the Changing of the Guard.

Rachid Nejjar, 71, allegedly crept up behind four young women watching the ceremony at The Royal Mews in London.

Plain clothes police say they spotted Nejjar fiddling with his trousers before he closed in behind a woman at the railings and rubbed his genitals against her bottom in a slow thrusting motion.

When a uniformed officer spoke to the Moroccan man about his behaviour he allegedly walked off at speed before he was arrested at Constitution Hill.

Police say they saw Nejjar engaged in a deliberate pattern of behaviour as he moved up behind women without paying any attention to the ceremony.

But Nejjar, who gave evidence through a French interpreter, maintained his poor vision accounted for his 'unintentional' movements and said he is 'disappointed that anyone would think that of him'.

The bespectacled tourist from Casablanca, Morocco, denied one count of sexual assault on July 18 and was cleared by a jury at Southwark Crown Court today.

Plain clothes police say they spotted Nejjar fiddling with his trousers at The Royal Mews (file picture) before he closed in behind a woman at the railings and rubbed his genitals against her

Kirsty Brimelow QC, for Nejjar, said: The allegation is you went behind a woman and rubbed your penis against her bottom.

Did you notice whether there was a woman in front of you just before the end of the changing of the guards?

He answered: No, no. Honestly I dont remember anything of somebody being there because for me it was just for the ceremony.

Miss Brimelow continued: Did you see a woman and rub your penis against her bottom sexually, deliberately?

Nejjar replied: No, absolutely not. The pensioner said of his arrest: I was petrified. It was the first time ever this is happening to me in 72 years of life.

When asked if he had been fiddling with his private parts during the ceremony, he said he had been tucking his baggy T-shirt into his trousers.

Prosecutor Nigel May asked: Were you looking, instead of looking at the Changing of the Guard, looking at females in the crowd?

Nejjar said: I was there to watch the Changing of the Guard and thats what I was doing. I dont have any other reason to be looking at women.

Ceremony: Nejjar said he was 'there to watch the Changing of the Guard and thats what I was doing'. He added: 'I dont have any other reason to be looking at women' (file image)

Mr May continued: Well the reason I suggest was you were looking for a woman, a young woman on their own.

Do you agree or disagree with the next proposition, which is you went up behind a succession of four different young women?

The defendant replied: I repeat I was there trying to watch the ceremony and trying to find a good spot for a better view.

Mr May moved on to the alleged assault and asked: Do you agree or disagree? You pushed your hips forward into the female in front in a slow thrusting motion.

Nejjar said: Thats the same [answer] really I have for you sir, the same thing, do you want me to repeat?

Mr May continued: Disagree. Do you agree or disagree? You then moved your hips from side to side, rubbing your penis against the females bottom.

He answered: Completely disagree.
The director of a West Virginia nonprofit whose racist post about Michelle Obama got her suspended from her position will return to work this month.

'It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels,' Clay County Development Corporation director Pamela Ramsey Taylor wrote after Donald Trump was elected as president.

She was then placed on a suspension that, according to a letter written by the agency's acting director and obtained by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, will end on December 23.

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Clay County Development Corporation director Pamela Ramsey Taylor was suspended after she wrote a Facebook post about Michelle Obama. She returns to work on December 23

'I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels,' Taylor, the director of Clay County Development Corporation (CCDC), wrote about Michelle Obama in November

Taylor compared Obama (left) to 'the classy, beautiful, dignified' Melania Trump (right). This wasn't the first rough time that Taylor has had since working at the CCED

This isn't the first time that Taylor, who has worked at the CCDC since the late '90s and became director in 2007, has seen trouble there.

She was dismissed in 2002 after being accused of taking fundraising money, but then hired back again shortly after, according to a lawsuit deposition seen by the Gazette-Mail.

It wasn't clear which suit that deposition was for, but Taylor was sued in 2007 by a former employee for wrongful dismissal.

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling also got in trouble for liking the post. In 2002, Taylor was dismissed after allegations that she stole fundraising money, but was then rehired

Brenda Baird, a bookkeeper there from 2000-2007, claimed she was unfairly fired by Taylor in 2007 for questioning how money was spent in the organization.

Baird said that she spotted discrepancies on Taylor's tax forms - discrepancies that Baird claims she was told to ignore. She received a written reprimand after arguing with an employee about the issue.

Then, in 2007, she questioned the board of directors about employees apparently getting double the typical raises, and receiving bonus checks.

That complaint was passed on to Taylor, who accused Baird of 'trying to her get fired' according to the suit.

Baird was dismissed for 'gross misconduct and insubordination', but said she hadn't been formally reprimanded for insubordination since 2002.

Taylor said in her own deposition that Baird had tried to make her look incompetent, and was the one who signed off on the bonus checks. It was settled out of court for an unspecified amount in 2009.

Taylor's racist post also had consequences for Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling, who 'liked' it, and added the comment 'Just made my day Pam'. She resigned from her position on November 16.

Whaling wrote 'Just made my day Pam' on the post. She resigned shortly afterward. Taylor was sued in 2007 by a former bookkeeper who claimed she spotted tax and salary irregularities

Video courtesy of WSAZ 3

The post was deleted, but not before it was shared hundreds of times on social media. Taylor has also suspended her Facebook account.

The two women apologized for their remarks after controversy began to build.

'My comment was not intended to be racist at all,' Whaling said in a statement to The Washington Post.

'I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I'm not of any way racist!

'Again, I would like to apologize for this getting out of hand!'

Pamela Ramsey Taylor also said sorry on her Facebook account, which she set to private.

Earlier, their comments sparked a huge furor in the small county, with many branding the post 'racist' and 'vile' and demanding that both officials stand down.

Tinna-Jamie Conner, addressing the two officials, said in a Facebook post: 'Here's a news flash for you deplorable classless beings. OUR First Lady, Michelle Obama personifies and exudes beauty, grace, class, intelligence, humility, strength, patience, passion and HOPE.

Many in Clay County derided the post. The 2007 suit claimed Taylor unfairly dismissed the bookkeeper for trying to 'make her look incompetent'. The suit was settled out of court in 2009

'Neither of you idiots could hold a candle to her on your hottest day. Say what you will, but your hate and racism is ugly.'

Dianne Degen Joyce added that Taylor's comments was not only 'vile' but incorrect.

Others agreed: 'That goes without saying. Michelle Obama is the epitome of class, grace and style,' Celeste DuMas Reinhard said.

Some Facebook users pointed out that president-elect Trump's wife Melania had previously stripped off for modelling jobs, while Michelle Obama had been involved in politics.

Others simply demanded Taylor and Whaling be fired.

Robin Brown said: 'Women can and SHOULD make them lose those jobs. They should be publicly humiliated.'

On November 14, the state bureaus commissioner, Robert Roswall, warned the non-profit's staff that 'any discrimination of staff or the customers [they] serve' could lead to federal and state funding being cut, the Gazette-Mail said.

That letter was sent around the same time that Taylor's post began to receive major media attention.

In 2014, the organization, which services and financial assistance to Clay County's low-income and elderly residents, received about $1.5 million in federal funding and $363,000 in state funding.
After actor Judge Reinhold claimed he was 'embarrassed' after being taken to jail following a confrontation with security agents at Dallas airport last week, the 59-year-old has taken to Twitter to poke fun at himself.

Reinhold was arrested Thursday afternoon on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge after Transportation Security Administration workers reported he refused to submit to screening at a security checkpoint.

After apologizing to the Dallas Police for 'wasting their time' in a series of tweets posted on Saturday night, Reinhold thanked his friends and fans for their support through his recent misadventures.

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Judge Reinhold made his own version of recent MasterCard commercials, stating that telling his mother he went to jail was priceless

The 59-year-old actor thanked his friends for his support over the last couple of days

Reinhold was seen smirking as he was paraded past television news crews to be booked

He went on to tweet about the cost of his arrest at Love Field airport being 'priceless' - a take on the MasterCard slogan.

In another, he joked about the booking officer calling him by his character's name in Beverly Hills Cop where he played Detective Billy Rosewood.

'Hey, Billy! Can't you book yourself?' he was apparently asked.

In another tweet he thanked his friends for their laughter and support.

'No man is poor who has friends!' he said.

Even the police appeared to show some humor as they referred to the actor by the name of one of the characters he played in Beverley Hills Cop

The Thursday afteroon fracas occured when the star was selected by TSA agents for a random pat-down.

Judge Reinhold is seen above in his mugshot

Reinhold refused to comply, even after security guards offered to do the search in a separate room, TMZ reports.

A source told WFAA that Reinhold took off his shirt and used explicit language.

Officers had tried to calm him down but he again became belligerent.

Police arrived on the scene and arrested him for disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor that carries a $363 fine.

Reinhold was reportedly on his way to New Mexico where he has a home in Santa Fe.

He was transported to Dallas County Jail.

His attorney, Steve Stodghill, said Reinhold was stopped after his bag set off an alarm. He had already successfully passed through the scanner, Dallas News reports.

Stodghill said his client couldn't understand why TSA agents needed to pat him down after he had already gone through the scanner without any incident.

Reinhold was featured in 1980s movies including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Beverly Hills Cop and Gremlims.

He more recently appeared in Arrested Development and alongside Tim Allen in the The Santa Claus movie franchise.

Actor Judge Reinhold, 59, was arrested at Dallas' Love Field airport on Thursday after causing a disturbance in the security line

Reinhold was arrested after he allegedly refused to be given a pat down in the security line

JUDGE REINHOLD STATEMENT FOLLOWING HIS ARREST 'I have to say that the past 48 hours have been the most unusual, hair-raising and regrettable two days of my life. At best, it's a cautionary tale. No matter how seemingly harmless a medication can be, don't ever introduce anything into your body chemistry when you're about to travel. I was prescribed the antibiotic Cipro for a respiratory infection the night before a flight. Within 20 minutes of taking it I looked like I'd been bitten by Spiderman and blew up like the Macy's day parade. Thankfully, against my protest, my wife called 9-1-1. Paramedics arrived with epinephrine and super-Benadryl and took me to the hospital for observation. They gave me Zantax and Prednisone to ward off any recurrence of the reaction while in flight. I was calmly told that if my wife had not called 9-1-1 there was a good chance I may not have made it there. Rescheduled flights for the next morning. Successfully walked through the TSA scanner only to be told by a trainee that it looked like I had a mysterious shape in by backpack. This turned out to be a dense stack of DVD and CDs I ALWAYS carry without incident. Because of my bag I was told I had to get the pat down. It was then I started to argue with TSA over something I had no control over. Never a good idea. Two Dallas police officers came over and gave me every opportunity to keep my mouth shut. I didn't comply with the pat down or their suggestions. This led to my arrest. I knew better, I just didn't do the right thing. I feel especially embarrassed about self righteous indignation when I've enjoyed 30 years of support and camaraderie with law enforcement. I want to apologize to the Dallas police for wasting their time today. I want to acknowledge TSA's experienced agents as well as the recent influx of trainees that seem unprepared to detain people.' Advertisement

The Beverly Hills Cop star was reportedly belligerent when he was selected by Transportation Security Administration agents for a random pat-down at about 2pm

He is best known for his role in the Beverly Hills Cop movies. Pictured above with Eddie Murphy in a promotional image for Beverly Hills Cop III
In the waning days of the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton's aides  and the Democratic National Committee  claim they were again targeted by hackers working for Russian intelligence.

Yahoo News reported that Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri received an alert from Google in mid-October that warned her that her personal Gmail account had been targeted by a 'foreign state,' she told the news site.

'They were targeting us throughout the election,' another former senior Clinton aide told Yahoo News. 'They never stopped trying to get back in.'

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Hillary Clinton's Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri told Yahoo News that a 'foreign state' tried to get into her Gmail account in the election's final days

Late in the cycle, Hillary Clinton's team was attacked with 'phishing' emails, though the previous cyberattacks on John Podesta and the DNC ensured that they didn't take the bait

These new claims come on the heels of the CIA's assessment that Russia was behind a number of cyberattacks with the intention of throwing the election to Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Previously, U.S. intelligence officials said they were 'confident' that the Russian government was behind a number of election-related cyberattacks, but didn't outline a motive.

But the Washington Post reported Saturday that the CIA had briefed members of Congress and told lawmakers that the Russians deliberately targeted Democratic political organizations and Clinton campaign officials in an effort to elect Trump.

Both the CIA and FBI identified individuals close to the Russian government who handed over emails from Democrats to Wikileaks.

Trump won an Electoral College victory in the November election, though Clinton won the popular vote.

Late in the cycle, the Clinton team was attacked with 'phishing' emails, sent to nearly a dozen campaign and committee staffers, Yahoo News was told by Dmitri Alperovitch, the co-founder and CTO of Crowdstrike, the cybersecurity firm hired by the DNC to investigate the political party's initial hack.

Thanks to the highly-publicized DNC hack and Wikileaks' release of the emails of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, Clinton and Democratic staffers knew better than to click on the bait.

Trump, likely in an effort not to delegitimize his Electoral College win, has called the intelligence community's findings 'ridiculous.'

'If you look at the story and you take a look at what they said, theres great confusion,' the president-elect told Chris Wallace during an interview for 'Fox News Sunday.'

'Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting,' Trump continued. 'Once they hack, if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them.'

'They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace. I mean, they have no idea,' Trump added.

Trump made similar statements about the hacks back in October, during the second presidential debate, when he listed Russia and China and added 'it could also be lots of other people.'

'It could be somebody sitting on their bed that weights 400 pounds, OK?' Trump said back then.

Talking to Yahoo, Alperovitch said he was 'puzzled' by Trump's dismissal of the intelligence community's findings, suggesting that perhaps the president-elect hasn't been fully briefed on the matter.

Trump also told Wallace that he wasn't getting intelligence briefings every day, like most presidents and presidents-elect.

'At this point, the matter of attribution on the intrusions has been settled,' Alperovitch told Yahoo. 'There is nobody that looks at the evidence who disputes this.'

As for his confidence in Russia's fingerprints being all over the Democratic hacks, he said it was at '100 percent.'

While Trump continues to refuse the findings, other Republicans are asking for answers.

Yesterday, Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, joined Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed, in calling for a congressional investigation into what the intelligence agencies found.

Today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  who reportedly dragged his feet on a White House-led effort before the election to condemn Russia's actions  said he supported a congressional investigation into the cyberattacks.

'The Russians are not our friends,' he declared.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, in a statement, said he was open to the intelligence committee looking into Russian cyber threats.

'At the same time, exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professionals and potentially jeopardizes our national security,' he said as a warning to Democrats.
Darren Byrne faces a life sentence for setting fire to his wife and then trying to cover up her murder

A banker burnt his wife alive after she discovered he was having an affair - then claimed she died whilst making him a BLT sandwich.

Darren Byrne was today found guilty of murdering spouse Maria, 35, in the kitchen of their 450,000 home in Theydon Bois, Essex.

Judge Charles Gratwicke told the murderer: 'You have been convicted of what can only be described as a wicked and heinous crime.

'I say nothing further at this stage save that you can expect an exceedingly long sentence.'

Byrne, 40, frantically trying to cover his tracks after knocking out his wife, 35, by dousing her in white spirit and setting her ablaze.

He even called 999 and a recording played to the court showed him pretending to have found his wife dead after an horrific accident.

Mrs Byrne was killed she found a text between her husband and his London osteopath revealing an illicit relationship.

A jury heard how furious Maria confronted her husband as he had promised he would stop seeing married Deborah Houlihan.

Ms Houlihan had told the court she carried on seeing Byrne despite both of their partners believing the affair was over.

She said: 'Deep down in my heart I knew it was wrong but we made each each other feel good and I felt excited by the spark we had between us.'

Police have released extracts of Byrne's 999 call and CCTV of him walking his dog

Maria Byrne was brutally attacked by her husband after she discovered he was having an affair

Byrne had told his wife, who was also the mother of his two children, that the affair was over on February 13, but she discovered a text on a secret phone he used to speak to his mistress and a furious argument ensued.

Byrne knocked Maria out and, as she lay on the floor, he poured white spirit on her and set her alight. He then turned on the gas stove in a bid to set fire to his house.

After this failed, he moved the his wife's body to make it look like a tragic cooking accident. He then called the emergency services, saying 'My wife is dead she is dead. She's burnt badly.'

Byrne told police he been out walking the dog whilst his wife made him a BLT sandwich but returned home to find her lying on the floor.

The court heard how the couple met in the City when they both worked at banks and fell in love before having two children who 'mercifully' were not present when their mother was killed.

Jurors heard they were a 'happy family unit' until she discovered her husband's infidelity and their relationship deteriorated.

Mrs Byrne had agreed to give it another go and took Byrne back when he promised he would change. The couple had planned to go to America to celebrate his 40th birthday.

Mr Jackson said: 'She was extremely hurt and upset by what she had discovered and we heard her immediate reaction was for the defendant to leave their home.

'[Mrs Byrne] did all that she could do to save and revive their marriage - they had two children and the defendant was told by her that he could come back to the family home.'

Byrne decided to carry on seeing Mrs Houlihan and bought a second phone, determined his wife would not 'catch him out'.

Mr Jackson added: 'He was determined his wife wouldn't catch him out and he bought an unregistered pay as you go mobile phone.

'The purpose of that was simple, it was to contact Mrs Houlihan.'

Byrne was found guilty of murder by a majority verdict of 11/1 and arson unanimously.

Police outside the couple's home in Theydon Bois, Essex following the murder

Speaking after the verdict, Mrs Bryne's devastated mother Linda Biggs said: 'I hope he is sentenced to life, whole life. And after death that he rots in eternal damnation.'

She added: 'What Darren Byrne has done is beyond any human comprehension. Justice has been served today for our beautiful, loving, loyal, kind gentle and loving daughter.

'She was everything to us, our whole world. Our world ended on 13th February this year when we were told by the police that she was dead.

'Eight years ago we entrusted her, the most precious thing we had to Darren Byrne. We loved him and treated him like our own son.

'This person instead of loving and protecting her, took her life in the most degrading way.

'Until Darren gave evidence in this trial we as a family had no idea what had happened that day because he had never told anyone.

'Having to sit in court and hear what Darren said he had done to Maria was beyond words.

'The utter devastation this has caused our family is indescribable and we feel immense pain. None more so than Maria's two sons.

'They will have to grow up without a Mummy or a Father and are now in effect orphans by Darren's actions. Darren did not think of the boys at all when he took Maria's life.'




In yet another instance of Donald Trump making peace with a former rival, the president-elect met with former Hewlett-Packard exec and presidential candidate Carly Fiorina at Trump Tower Monday.

The position the two were to discuss was the Director of National Intelligence, a post created after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Fiorina does not have any experience in government and has not worked in the intelligence area, although she did sit on a civilian oversight board of the Central Intelligence Agency.

'It was such an honor to meet with the president elect,' she said after the meeting.

Fiorina said the two talked at length about China, whom she called a 'rising adversary,' then used language that echoed Trump's skepticism about whether Russia was behind hacking during the elections.

'We talked about hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking. We talked about the opportunity that the president elect has to literally reset things,' including 'America's role in the world and how we're perceived in the world.'

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Former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina (L) walks with Donald Trump transition advisor Kellyanne Conway. Fiorina was set to meet with Trump about the position of director of national intelligence

While running HP, she helped deliver a truckload of sophisticated computer equipment to the National Security Agency a week after the Sept. 11 attacks, according to an account in the National Review.

The New York Times reported that the two were to discuss the intelligence post.

The meeting comes after Trump clashed with the CIA and the intelligence community following reports that government intelligence believes Russia hacked into Democratic organizations with the intention of helping Trump in the elections.

Trump transition official Kellyanne Conway told CBS 'Face the Nation' on Sunday that Trump 'absolutely respects' the intelligence community.

'He's made very clear he's going to put his own people in there as well,' suggesting Trump would take steps gain authority over the type of intelligence information that is being produced.

Trump appeared to mock Fiorina's physical appearance during the primaries when, during a Rolling Stone interview when she appeared on screen, he mocked her as 'that face!'

Fiorina, who clashed with Trump during the GOP primaries and even called for him to pull out of the race, was escorted into Trump Tower by transition advisor Kellyanne Conway

He later denied he was talking about her appearance, saying he was talking about her 'persona.'

Fiorina delivered one of her sharpest lines of the primaries in the next debate, when she said: 'I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said,' earning a big round of applause.

Trump responded: 'I think shes got a beautiful face and shes a beautiful woman.'

Trump later said on 'The View' that Fiorina 'failed miserably at Hewlett Packard and ran for the Senate and lost in a landslide and now running for president. I'm talking about her persona.'

After she dropped out, Fiorina appeared with Trump rival Senator Ted Cruz as his 'running mate.' She called on Trump to pull out of the race after the emergence of the infamous Access Hollywood 'p****' tape.

'Donald Trump does not represent me or my party,' she wrote on Facebook.

Trump and Fiorina clashed during presidential primary debates
A delivery driver who killed a 'devoted couple' when he lost control of his lorry while smoking one handed at the wheel has been jailed for two years.

Michael Boothman, 38, was also caught on his dashboard camera as he ate a sandwich and packet of crisps before causing the deaths of Brian Dickinson, 82, and his wife Ruth, 77.

A judge told Boothman, from Leeds, the fact he was smoking at the wheel of the Mercedes box truck made his offence worse. He was also in in breach of his employer's policy not to smoke while driving.

Brian Dickinson, left, and his wife Ruth, right were killed in a tragic accident on January 11

The scene of the tragedy: In the minutes leading up to the fatal double crash Boothman was filmed eating a sandwich and crisps and driving with one hand on the steering wheel

In the minutes leading up to the fatal double crash Boothman was filmed eating a snack of a sandwich and crisps while continuing to drive, Lincoln Crown Court heard. He appeared to not be fully concentrating as at times he was driving with one hand on the steering wheel.

Michael Boothman from Leeds, pictured, was jailed for two years after he crashed into the elderly couple while smoking a cigarette and driving his truck one handed in January

The collision occurred after he entered a right hand bend too fast on the B1188 at Metheringham, Lincolnshire, and went onto the opposite carriageway where he collided head on with an oncoming Lexus.

The Lexus driver, Mr Dickinson, an 82 year old farmer, and his wife Ruth,77, a retired nurse were both killed.

The devoted couple from Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, had been married for 56 years and were affectionately known by their family as 'Grannie and Grandpa Greengrass.' They had two daughters and four grandchildren.

Boothman, who worked for a logistics company, and his passenger Robert Fagg, were both seriously injured. Neither was wearing a seat belt at the time.

Boothman , 38, of Kirkstall, Leeds, admitted two charges of causing death by careless driving as a result of the incident on the morning of 11 January this year. He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pass a re-test before he can have his licence back.

The collision occurred on a dark and gloomy morning when the road surface was wet as a result of earlier rain.

Boothman was in breach of his employer's policy not to smoke while driving and, although he was never charged, it was committing a criminal offence as he was smoking while his co-worker was in the cab alongside him.

The collision occurred after Boothman entered a right hand bend too fast on the B1188 at Metheringham, Lincolnshire

Passing sentence Judge Michael Heath told Boothman 'You simply took the bend too fast and your vehicle went into the oncoming carriageway. Mr Dickinson was driving perfectly properly and had no chance to avoid a collision.

'There are a number of aggravating factors in this case. The first is the fact that there were two deaths caused by your careless driving.

'Secondly there are the serious injuries caused to Mr Fagg and then there is the fact that you were smoking at the time.

'In these circumstances that was unlawful. It was illegal but also it was in breach of your company's policy. Their policy was that drivers should not smoke while driving so as to avoid distraction.'

Clive Stockwell, prosecuting, said that Boothman dropped his speed to 40 mph as he reached the bend and began to brake heavily.

'He was still smoking a cigarette with one hand. He took the bend too fast in respect of the road conditions that prevailed at the time.

'His vehicle veered to the left and in an effort to correct it he over-compensated with the result that his lorry crossed the centre line and headed towards oncoming traffic. This was an accident waiting to happen. The Dickinsons were travelling in the opposite direction.

'Mr and Mrs Dickinson did not stand a chance. They did not have any opportunity to take evasive action.'

Three air ambulances were called to the crash. Mrs Dickinson was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was airlifted to hospital in Nottingham where he passed away three days later.

In a victim impact statement which was read out in court Lynn Richardson, one of the couple's two daughters, admitted being 'very angry' with the lorry driver in the month after the collision which took her parents' lives.

Emergency services raced to the scene but Mr and Mrs Dickinson were killed in the crash

Lincoln Crown Court heard Boothman had ignored his company's policy on not smoking

She said 'We went to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham to dad's bedside. He still had his humour and a determination to get better. We were able to say our full goodbyes to him before he died. I never got to say goodbye to mum.

'During February I felt very angry with the driver of the lorry.

'Mum and dad should have lived many more years. They have missed many future family events.

'During harvest we got a new combine. I so wanted to tell dad and to take him to see it.

'I don't think a day has passed when I haven't shed a tear. It should never have happened and my life will never be the same.'

James Leonard, for Boothman, said his client suffered significant injuries himself and has since had to have a total hip replacement.

He said Boothman has since shown genuine remorse and an immediate jail sentence would have a serious impact on his family.
A Moroccan asylum seeker allegedly followed a woman into the toilet of a nightclub in Germany and raped her when she rejected his advances.

The alleged incident happened on Sunday morning at around 3.45am in the Bar 99 Cent in Hamburg.

The 34-year-old Moroccan man had apparently been rebuffed by the woman, 24, earlier in the evening when she was dancing with friends.

The alleged incident happened on Sunday morning at around 3.45am in the Bar 99 Cent in Hamburg

Police were called to the scene and arrested the suspect in the toilet cubicles

When she went to the toilets, he allegedly followed her into a toilet cubicle, locked the door and then attacked her.

The victim eventually managed to escape and told her friends what had happened.

Police were called to the scene and arrested the suspect in the toilet cubicles.

Local media reported the Moroccan man came to Germany as an asylum seeker in 2005. He allegedly has no permanent residence in the country.

He was taken to a detention centre pending further investigation.

Last week it emerged migrants committed 1,576 sex crimes in Germany in 2015 and in the first half of 2016, that figure had already reached 1,683.

Most offenders were apparently from Muslim countries.

At the same time, it was also revealed an Iraqi refugee had been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two Chinese students.

Elsewhere today, it was announced Cologne will deploy ten times the number of police officers it had on the streets last December at its 2016 New Year's Eve celebrations

Elsewhere today, it was announced Cologne will deploy ten times the number of police officers it had on the streets last December at its 2016 New Year's Eve celebrations.

Officials are determined to avoid at all costs a repetition of the disgraceful scenes of the last day of the year in 2015 when mobs of immigrant men sexually assaulted and robbed hundreds of women in and around the main railway station.

Twitter and Facebook will also come under special cyber police scrutiny to stave off the potential for attackers to use social media to organise mayhem.
A white stray dog was found dyed bright pink - sparking outrage online and a police investigation to find those responsible.

The animal was spotted by locals in the area of Gagarina Street, in the city of Izhevsk in central Russia's Udmurt Republic, who reported it to wildlife volunteers through social networks.

Volunteer Vera Ivanova said: 'I got the information about the dog from witnesses in our group on social media.

A white stray dog was found dyed pink on the streets of central Russia by locals who called wildlife volunteers

'So, I went there to check it out and the dog was indeed there.'

Vera approached the dog, nicknamed Pink Elephant on social media, and drove it to the local dog shelter.

Once at the shelter, other volunteers washed the animal and tried to get the dog back to its normal white colour.

Ms Ivanova added: 'The dye is slowly washing off.

'The dog visually looks healthy, but it has been vomiting. Maybe this is due to the fact that it was recently dyed.'

The dog, nicknamed 'Pink Elephant' was taken to a local dog where the dye is washing off and is slowly recovering

The case was reported to local police, who are now on the hunt for the thugs responsible. When found, they could be charged with animal cruelty

The case was reported to the local police. According to local media, officers are currently hunting for the perpetrators and they may be charged with animal cruelty.

Pink Elephant remains in the animal centre, where its bright pink is fading by the day.

On social media, people expressed their sympathy for the dog's condition.

Netizen zastenchiviy skunskik said: 'Looks like somebody is still a child and needs to colour in everything around them.
Canadian firefighters got out the axes to rescue a freezing almost 500-pound female moose from the ice on the weekend.

The Shediac fire department in Canada's East Coast province of New Brunswick got a call Saturday morning from a homeowner on the Shediac River who spotted a moose stuck in ice.

'We had all the boys dispatched to retrieve him,' Firefighter Jos LeBlanc said Monday.

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Dramatic rescue: Shediac firefighters lead a moose to shore after it fell through the ice on the Shediac River in Shediac, New Brunswick, on Saturday morning

Stuck: Six firefighters used axes to break open the ice and create a path to the animal

He said the moose first appeared agitated by firefighters but then calmed down and simply watched them work.

He took a video of the rescue that involved three firefighters on the ice with axes and three more on the shore with ropes and life jackets.

LeBlanc said they smashed a path to the shore, but the animal seemed reluctant to mount the riverbank.

So they returned to scare the moose, which responded by mounting the bank before running off.

The rescue took 90 minutes. He said it is unclear whether the moose was otherwise able to recover from its time in the frigid river.

Mission accomplished: Shediac firefighters lead a moose to shore after it fell through the ice on the Shediac River in Shediac, New Brunswick, on Sunday morning

Several deer have died recently while trying to cross the Miramichi River, which is also in New Brunswick.

'When they splice, their legs go to the sides and do a lot of internal damage, and they can no longer walk after that,' New Brunswick Department of Energy and Resource Development biologist Eric Sullivan told CTV Atlantic.
Tech giants are headed to New York for a pow-wow on Wednesday with Donald Trump's transition team.

Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump, said Monday 'some very big-league names' are coming to the president-elect's summit for industry leaders at Trump Tower.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos and Apple's Tim Cook will join the pilgrimage to Trump's New York City headquarters,Yahoo News reports.

So will Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, Google co-founder Larry Page and Erick Schmidt, chairman of Google's parent company, Alphabet. Oracle co-CEO Safra Catz and Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins have confirmed their participation.

Cook hosted a million-dollar fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in Los Angeles last August. Bezos owns the Washington Post and has tussled with Trump.

'Some very big-league names' are coming to the president-elect's summit for industry leaders at Trump Tower on Wednesday. Amazon's Jeff Bezos and Apple's Tim Cook will join the pilgrimage to Trump's New York City headquarters, Yahoo News reports

So will Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg. Trump is set to be represented by tech investor Peter Thiel, a member of Facebook's board

Google co-founder Larry Page, left, and Erick Schmidt, right, chairman of Google's parent company, Alphabet, are coming, too

'Amazon is getting away with murder, tax-wise, Trump said in a May interview with Sean Hannity.

The billionaire claimed Bezos was 'using The Washington Post for power so that the politicians in Washington don't tax Amazon like they should be taxed.'

Trump also said his campaign was being flooded with calls from Post reporters asking 'ridiculous' questions.

The president-elect, who doesn't use a computer but tweets from his phone with great frequency, is set to be represented by tech investor Peter Thiel, who spoke at the GOP convention in Cleveland and is one of the few major players in the industry to back Trump.

Thiel is on the board of Facebook with Sandberg.

Execs from Microsoft and Intel are reportedly invited, too. Recode reports that Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was invited, but he's out of the country on Wednesday. The same goes for Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky.

Twitter's Jack Dorsey may or may not have been invited. He told Recode he wasn't sure. Netflix, Salesforce and Dropbox executives are not attending, the tech pub said.

Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller said Monday the president-elect's office would have more information to provide on the summit tomorrow or Wednesday.

Tech mogul Peter Thiel, a Trump supporter who spoke at the GOP convention, will represent the president-elect at the meeting

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner was also slated to participate, as was incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus.

President Obama had close relations with leading tech executives, including Google's Schmidt, a frequent White House visitor during his tenure.

Trump's relationship with the industry has been considerably more contentious. He called for a 'boycott' of Apple during the early days following the San Bernardino attacks in an effort to pressure the company to help the FBI unlock the rampage suspect's phone.

He also blasted the firm's manufacturing model, including production in China and other overseas nations, although Trump companies have also done manufacturing overseas.

He met last week with former vice president Al Gore, a Clinton backer and Apple board member.

Contributors identified with Internet firms gave $5.6 million to rival Hillary Clinton, according to OpenSecrets.org. Trump, by contrast, merely got $54,000.

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, is slated to participate in the meeting with tech gurus

Trump railed against Apple during the campaign, even calling for a boycott at one point. He skewered Amazon and Bezos, too

According to a study referenced in the Economist, employment in the tech sector in Democratic counties increased 35 per cent between 2000 and 2016. But in Republican counties, it dropped by nearly the same amount, 37 per cent.

Trump met at Trump Tower on Monday with former Hewlett-Packard exec Carly Fiorina.

Fiorina, a rival to Trump for the Republican nomination this year, said they spent a 'fair amount of time talking about China as probably our most important adversary.'

'We talked about hacking, whether its Chinese hacking or reported Russian hacking,' she said.

'We talked about the opportunity that the president elect has to literally reset things, to reset the trajectory of this economy, to reset the role of government, to reset Americas role in the world and how we're perceived in the world.'

Last week Japanese tech mogul Masayoshi Son said he would pour $50 billion in investments into new U.S. startups and committed to producing 50,000 jobs here.

Son is the CEO of SoftBank, which owns Sprint.

'We are going to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and commit to create 50,000 new jobs,' Son told reporters with Trump standing by. 'We (will) invest into the new startup companies in the United States."

The pledge would come from the $100 billion investment fund the firm has already announced in a partnership with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fun, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Tells MPs transitional deal will be discussed 'early on in negotiations' with the EU

Says 'large numbers of people' will be needed to hire and train new border staff

Interim deal is needed to put 'significant infrastructure' in place to deal with adjustment of Brexit

Hammond takes swipe at Brexit colleagues by saying 'thoughtful politicians' want a transitional deal with the EU

Brexit could take more than two years to deliver, Philip Hammond warned today as he widened Cabinet splits by saying publicly for the first time that he wants to strike a transitional deal with the EU.

Taking a swipe at Cabinet colleagues opposed to the idea, the Chancellor said there was an 'emerging view' among business leaders, regulators and 'thoughtful politicians' that a transitional deal after Brexit will be needed.

Interim arrangements relating to Britain's relationship with the EU immediately after Brexit are needed to avoid financial disruption, he said.

Mr Hammond also warned that 'large numbers of people' will be needed to be hired and trained to deal with a five-fold increase in border checks, which would cost 'hundreds of millions of pounds'.

But the added costs could be offset by new tariffs by any new tariffs charged on imports by the UK Government, he added.

Brexit could take more than two years to deliver, Philip Hammond, pictured at the Treasury Committee today, warned as he widened Cabinet splits by saying publicly for the first time that he wants to strike a transitional deal with the EU

He told MPs on the Treasury committee that the issue of transitional arrangements will need to be discussed at the start of Brexit negotiations next spring.

'Collectively I think transitional arrangements would be beneficial to us,' the Chancellor said in the firmest statement in support of a transitional deal.

This has put him in direct opposition to some of his pro-Brexit Cabinet colleagues, who fear a transitional deal will effectively keep Britain in the EU for years as we would be forced to continue paying billions into the EU while a permanent arrangement is agreed.

Just last week a leaked memo revealed Brexit Secretary David Davis told representatives from the City of London Corporation (CLC) that he is 'not really interested' in seeking a transitional deal with the EU.

He said he thought it 'unlikely' Britain would stay in the European single market after Brexit, as the EU would be 'inflexible' about the need to retain freedom of movement.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, pictured at the Treasury Select Committee today, said that the issue of transitional arrangements will need to be discussed at the start of Brexit negotiations next spring

And last month a sheet of notes accidentally exposed to photographers revealed some ministers are 'loathe' to seek a transitional deal with the EU because 'Whitehall will hold on to it' and try to keep Britain in EU schemes for years.

The idea of a transitional deal is one of the issues that is dividing the Government over its Brexit strategy. Businesses have called for an interim deal to avoid the sudden hit to trade when Britain cuts ties with Brussels.

Last month Theresa May signalled she supported the idea after she told business leaders they would not face a 'cliff edge' when we leave.

And today Mr Hammond said a transitional deal would help smooth Britain's adjustment to life outside the EU.

Just last week a leaked memo revealed Brexit Secretary David Davis, pictured told representatives from the City of London Corporation that he is 'not really interested' in seeking a transitional deal with the EU

He told the Treasury committee: 'There is, I think, an emerging view among businesses, among regulators and among thoughtful politicians as well as I think quite a universal view among civil servants on both sides of the English Channel that having a longer period to manage the adjustment between where we are now as full members of the European Union and where we get to in the future as a result of the negotiations that we will be conducting, would be generally helpful, would tend towards a smoother transition and would run less risks of disruption, including - crucially - risks to financial stability, which must be a very real concern.'

Asked if this meant he supported a transitional deal, Mr Hammond replied: 'That's another way of putting it, yes.'

Alarmingly, he suggested a transitional deal could cover more than two years, which could restrict the Prime Minister's ability to reduce immigration.

Asked whether a couple of years was the 'bare minimum' needed to adjust to life outside the EU, Mr Hammond explained there was a conflict between the 'political will to get things done and move on' and the 'bureaucratic and or business desire to have the longest period possible to make any change'.

He said it wasn't just businesses that needed a period of time to adjust to cutting ties with Brussels.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, left, took a swipe at Cabinet colleagues - including Brexit Secretary David Davis, right, who are opposed to the idea of a transitional deal, saying there was an 'emerging view' among business leaders, regulators and 'thoughtful politicians' that a an interim deal will be needed

'I wouldn't like anyone to think this is just about financial services,' Mr Hammond said.

'For example, depending on what future custom arrangements are between the UK and European Union there could be quite significant infrastructure changes that need to be changed at ports of entry and exit, not only in the UK but on the continental Europe as well.

'There could be a need to train large numbers of people in anticipation of a much more intensive process at borders.'

VAT RAISED FROM JO COX SINGLE WILL GO TO CHARITY, HAMMOND ANNOUNCES The money raised will go to a range of different charities Jo Cox, pictured, supported VAT raised from sales of the Christmas single in memory of the late Labour MP Jo Cox will go to charity, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced today. A cross party group of MPs have recorded a special version of The Rolling Stones' hit 'You Can't Always Get What you Want'. It is due out on Friday and also includes Kaiser Chiefs' frontman Ricky Wilson, Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley, KT Tunstall and David Gray. The money raised will go to a range of different charities Ms Cox supported, including the Royal Voluntary Service and White Helmets, the volunteer search and rescue civilians who risk their lives to help victims of the civil war in Syria. Mr Hammond said: 'Jo Cox dedicated so much of her life to helping people less fortunate than herself and the charity named in her honour is carrying on that excellent work. 'It is only right that we do what we can to support that work and I am pleased to confirm that every single penny of sales from this single will go towards the good causes the Jo Cox Foundation supports.' Advertisement

He added: 'It is true that in certain conceivable outcomes, there would be a very substantial increase in the numbers of customs submissions and customs inspections. We are talking about - in EU trade - perhaps five times as many submissions and inspections being required.

'It could certainly add hundreds of millions of pounds to the cost of operating the customs services.'

Mr Hammond continued: 'So it's not just the business sector, it's also the government sector that has to think about how long it takes to make changes, hire people, train people, introduce IT changes and I think the further we go into this discussion the more likely it is that we will mutually conclude that we need a longer period to deliver.'

His strong public backing for a transitional deal suggests he is at odds with Mr Davis.

The two were understood to be allies over the need for a pragmatic solution to Britain's departure from the EU, in contrast to other Cabinet Brexit supporters, such as International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Just last week leaked notes about Mr Davis' meeting with representatives from the City, which were obtained by the Financial Times, revealed that he suggested Britain could secure a trade deal like the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada, which will remove most trade tariffs.

The memo said he was looking for a future trading relationship 'somewhere in the middle of the models for Turkey, Switzerland and Norway'.

And he was quoted as saying that Britain's opening approach to the EU would be to offer 'open access on all services and goods without tariffs in the UK'.

A spokesman for Mr Davis's Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) insisted that the document did not 'properly reflect' his views or Government policy. The Brexit Secretary was 'looking at all options' to deliver a smooth and orderly exit from the EU, said the spokesman.

Business has been pushing for a transitional arrangement with the EU to prevent a sudden 'cliff edge' change in regulations and tariffs on the day when the UK leaves - probably in 2019.

CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn told MPs this week that her members wanted 'an adjustment period' to adapt to the new arrangements, and Mrs May told the organisation's conference last month that she understood their concerns on the issue.

But the memo taken by a CLC representative of the November 15 meeting with Mr Davis recorded that he was 'not really interested' in the discussion around the arrangements (and) did not foresee any benefits'. A transition deal 'could be perceived as a delay to the process that is not something the Government can abide', the note said.

Today the Chancellor said both the UK and the remaining 27 members would need to agree on the need for a transitional arrangement rather than it being demanded by Mrs May during the negotiations.

Last month Theresa May, pictured earlier this week at a Gulf summit in Bahrain, signalled she supported the idea after she told business leaders they would not face a 'cliff edge' when we leave

Mr Hammond said: 'I don't think we should approach this on the basis that we need transitional arrangements, because I think we can only get to a situation where we have a transition if there is a genuine meeting of minds on both sides of this negotiation.'

He added: 'The further we go into this discussion, the more likely it is that we will mutually conclude that we need a longer period to deliver.'

In today's committee hearing Mr Hammond also cautioned that the UK's desire to engage in the freest possible trade after Brexit may not bear immediate fruit.

It was 'not necessarily' the case that 'because we have a desire for freer and more open trade, the short-term deliverable is more trade', said Mr Hammond. 'It may take time during the transition process to see the benefits of that.'

Mr Hammond said he had heard concerns about the stability of the financial services sector due to the change of regulatory systems expected as a result of Brexit. He told the committee: 'I would expect that this would be one of the process issues that we would want to discuss early on in the negotiations.'

And he said that he would like the UK to continue to participate in a number of cross-European programmes following Brexit.

'Programmes like science, technology, research and development, academic exchange programmes are hugely beneficial to this country and countries across Europe,' said the Chancellor.
But Chapman's injuries are too severe to be helped by the new

A bride who was paralyzed from the neck down when she was pushed into a pool at her own bachelorette party has opened up about her sex life with the husband who has stood by her since the freak accident.

Rachelle Friedman Chapman, 29, from Raleigh, North Carolina, was scared she would never have a normal sex life again after the incident before her wedding in 2010 left her as a quadriplegic.

'I was like  am I ever going to feel an orgasm again?' she told Tonic. 'Am I going to enjoy sex when I do it, even if I figure it out? Is it going to feel like nothing for me?'

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Rachelle Friedman Chapman, pictured with husband Chris and daughter Kaylee, who she had via surrogate, says that sexual sensation and function is so important, that most people confined to wheelchairs would choose that over being able to walk again

Rachelle Friedman Chapman, 29, (pictured during a sexy photo shoot to empower other disabled women) from Raleigh, North Carolina, was scared she would never have a normal sex life again after the freak accident before her wedding left her as a quadriplegic

Chapman says that sexual sensation and function is so important, that most people confined to wheelchairs would choose that over being able to walk again.

'For someone like me who's a quadriplegic, it's a toss-up between hand function and sexual function.'

The mom-of-one, who had her first child Kaylee with her husband Chris last year, via a surrogate, said that she was always able to physically have sex after her accident.

But she cannot climax like she used to because the sensation below her neck is gone.

Instead, she has learned to enjoy sex in other ways.

With the help of her rehabilitation team, she has discovered new ways to enjoy love making with her husband, focusing on the small pleasurable sensations, such as the simple kissing of her neck which has become an erogenous zone since the accident.

Wheelchair-bound bride: Rachelle was injured when she was pushed in a swimming pool before she married husband Chris, pictured

She added that she still felt aroused by sex, even if she could not enjoy it in the same physical way.

'Your brain still feels stimulated,' explains Chapman, 'because a lot of sex is signals sent to your brain. And you get endorphins. And it feels good,' she says, if you know what to focus on.

While Chapman is learning a new way to experience pleasure, she is hopeful that one day new technology will be able to restore her former sensation and mobility.

And that technology may not be far away.

Operations to restore sexual sensation for men who have suffered a permanent spinal cord injury have been carried out for the past 15 years.

Chapman (pictured before her accident) says she has focused her efforts on small pleasures as she learns to enjoy sex again with her husband

The procedure works by hotwiring the nerves that control sensation in the genitals around their spinal injury. A surgeon takes nerves from the network serving the inner thigh and reattaches them to the nerves to one side of the genitals.

As the nerves serving the thigh typically attach to the spine at a higher point than the nerves serving the genitals, the re-routing is able to restore sensation in patients with lower spine injuries.

And in January, the Dutch surgeon who has been pioneering the treatment, Max Overgoor, will perform the first operation to restore sensation to a female patient.

Sadly, Chapman's spinal injury extends from the neck down and so she would not be a suitable candidate for the operation.

But the surgery is one step closer to restoring sexual sensation in the hundreds of patients who have not only been robbed of their ability to walk, but to enjoy a healthy sex life.

It is also helping to break the taboo of sex among the disabled who can often be viewed as asexual, unwilling or unable to have sex.

Chapman herself decided to challenge that taboo last year, by s tripping down to her underwear for a sexy photo shoot as part of an empowering social media campaign, which she opened up about in an interview with People.

In the photos, Rachelle poses on a bed in a variety of sexy underthings, from a matching pink lace set to a pair of purple panties.

'I'm hoping it will inspire others to just focus on the things they love about themselves and not be so critical,' she said last year, adding that she is sharing the pictures on Facebook and Twitter. 'I'm encouraging everyone to get on social media and mention something they love about themselves with the hashtag #WhatMakesMeSexy.'

Chapman wanted to challenge the taboo of sex among the disabled who can often be viewed as asexual, unwilling or unable to have sex

She said she had posed for the shoot after realizing that there were people who suddenly viewed her as 'un-datable' after she was paralyzed.

But while she found the courage to bare all doesn't mean that she doesn't still struggle with insecurities - especially about her catheter, which is visible in all of the pictures.

'The big thing that I am self-conscious about is the catheter I have to wear all the time,' she said. 'I have to accept it, and I wanted to show people that just because you have this, just own it. It doesn't have to be the focus of what you are, what you look like.'

'I want to put a different face to disability,' she said, adding that she hopes that her message will resonate with women who aren't disabled, too: 'We all have flaws [and] we all have things going for us, and for the first time I'm not hiding my catheter. I'm not hiding anymore.'

Happy Family: The Chapman family in their first Christmas photo (Chris, Kaylee and Rachelle)

Chapman's life all changed in May 2010, when she was celebrating her upcoming marriage to her now-husband Chris Chapman, 32, and a friend playfully pushed her into a swimming pool.

Rachelle's head hit the bottom of the pool, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left her unable to walk. Though doctors told her she would still be able to have children, she later learned that the blood pressure medication she had to take because of her injury would be dangerous to a fetus.

Happily for the Chapmans, who married a year after Rachelle's accident in 2011, Rachelle's college friend Laurel Humes agreed to be a surrogate for the couple - and they welcomed daughter Kaylee Rae Champman on Sunday.

Rachelle said baby Kaylee, who is 'amazing but exhausting', came home from the hospital in a gown that the new mom herself wore as an infant.

'She looked beautiful in it, and it was so symbolic  until she pooped,' she told People.

Adjusting to life with an infant is a big change for any parent, but Rachelle has a unique set of struggles.

Though she has some use of her hands, she has to learn how to care for her daughter with a limited range of motion. Since bringing Kaylee home, Rachelle has burped and fed her, but has trouble shifting the new baby from one position to another.

She has also had to find furniture that can accommodate her wheelchair; the couple has a specially built crib that she can roll under, as well as a low changing table that's actually a desk.

'It's taking some practice but I'm getting it,' she said.

Rachelle admitted that there was a time when she was disappointed because she thought she would be a mom by the age of 27, but she now believes that waiting longer to become a mother was for the best.

'It didn't quite happen [the way I planned], but it did finally happen and I think I'm much more comfortable with my injury now,' she explained. 'I understand my body and I'm ready to be a mom.'

That better awareness of her strengths and limitations is also helpful in an educational capacity, as Rachelle wants to teach others more about what it means to be a quadriplegic.
Former Democratic Representative Chaka Fattah has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of a litany of federal corruption charges.

Fattah, 60, was convicted in June for 22 charges including racketeering, money laundering, and mail and wire fraud. On Monday he received ten years in prison.

That was the end result of a long campaign of corruption designed to pay back the illegal $1million loan he took when trying to become mayor of his hometown of Philadelphia, CBS reported.

Sentenced: Chaka Fattah was sentenced to ten years in prison Monday, following his federal corruption conviction in June. He was found to have overseen fraud, bribery and other crimes

Bribe: Fattah took $18,000 from a friend to lobby for President Barack Obama (pictured with wife Michelle at the Phoenix Awards Dinner in 2013) to make the pal an ambassador

Despite his safe seat on the Appropriations Committee - which allowed him to earmark funds for his home state - Fattah, who was elected to Congress in 1994, really wanted to be a big name back home.

He leaped into the running for the Philadelphia mayor's office in 2007, but found himself hamstrung by new campaign funding laws.

Fattah then took an illegal $1million loan from wealthy pal, ex-Sallie Mae chairman Albert Lord, but came fourth in the race.

And despite an annual income of more than $500,000 with then-NBC anchor wife Renee Chenault-Fattah the then-Congressman turned to crime to pay back Lord.

In once instance, Fattah routed money from NASA to an educational nonprofit run by former staff, then used that to pay back the loan.

The nonprofit was also used to promote Fattah during the campaign, paying for a mobile science classroom branded with his name that traveled around Philadelphia.

Fattah also used illegal means to pay off other debts in his life.

In other instances of corruption, Fattah used $23,000 of nonprofit funds to pay off his son's college loans.

He also reportedly received an $18,000 bribe to lobby President Obama on behalfd of Philadelphia deputy mayor Herbert Vederman, of Palm Springs, Florida, who wanted to be an ambassador.

The money was used as a deposit on a house.

Debt: Fattah (pictured in June) turned to crime to pay back an illegal $1m loan he took when running for mayor of Philadelphia in 2007. But later he used illegal money in other areas of life

Fattah was found to have run a corruption team staffed by loyal ex-aides and consultants - two of whom pleaded guilty and testified against him.

The four others who were convicted alongside Fattah will be sentenced later this week, including Vederman.

Fattah has been told to give himself up to prison before January 25, 2017.

His son, Chaka Fattah Jr, is currently serving five years in an overlapping corruption case.

Renee Chenault-Fattah, who is also a lawyer, quit her job at NBC's WCAU-TV after she was alleged to have been involved in the bribery plot - but she was never charged.

Fattah's seat in the house is now held by Democratic former state Representative Dwight Evans.
rebels before they go to

Footage has emerged showing Russian troops engaging in battle on the ground in Syria for the first time.

The footage was broadcast on state-owned TV channel Rossiya 24 yesterday and shows special forces assassinating rebels, carrying out sniper attacks and employing robot tanks to roll around the streets.

It also shows Putin's elite units taking part in search and rescue operations, and co-ordintating airstrikes.

Footage has emerged showing Russian troops engaging in battle on the ground in Syria for the first time

The footage was broadcast on state-owned TV channel Rossiya 24 yesterday and shows troops with Russia's most elite units

In some of the more gruesome footage the soldiers can also be seen shooting targets at close range before going in to inspect the rebel's corpses.

The presenter of the weekly news show that broadcast the footage said it was filmed in Syria but would not give any more details on the exact location.

Russia first acknowledged the presence of its special forces in Syria during the recapture of the city of Palmyra from ISIS in March.

But so far it has provided no information on the number of deployed or their exact location.

However, it was reported today that ISIS has recaptured territory close to Palmyra and that a suspected gas attack had been carried out.

In one clip a van with rebels standing on the back can be seen being driven down the street

The next moment, the vehicle is the target of an explosion and the van explodes into a fireball

Citing local sources near the site of the attack in eastern Hama province, the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights said there were cases of suffocation and that 52 people had been killed.

The reported attack came from the air and took place near the town of Uqairabat, which lies on a main road leading south into Palmyra from government-held territory, the Observatory said, without specifying who might have been responsible.

Amaq, a news service linked to ISIS, said in an online statement that 20 people had died and around 200 were injured from breathing problems 'as a result of a Russian air attack with sarin gas'.

But both the Syrian army and Russia have denied using chemical weapons.

The footage also shows special forces assassinating rebels, carrying out sniper attacks and employing robot tanks to roll around the streets

The presenter of the weekly news show that broadcast the footage said it was filmed in Syria but would not give any more details on the exact location

On Sunday, Islamic State militants recaptured Palmyra despite dozens of Russian air strikes attempting to push them back. It had previously been driven from the city in March.

Meanwhile, the EU has no plans to impose sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Syria, foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday ahead of a leaders' summit this week.

'No, we didn't discuss at all sanctions, and there was no member state asking for additional work on sanctions' against Russia, Mogherini said after a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

EU leaders backed down from threatening sanctions on Moscow over the carnage in Aleppo at their last summit in October amid deep divisions in the bloc about how tough to be on Russia.
Democrats put on a united bid to question the legitimacy of Donald Trump's election victory on Monday with the Clinton campaign returning from the dead to join in.

In a series of developments the White House, the Clinton campaign and Democrat members of the electoral college all pounced on reports that the CIA believe Russian wanted Trump to win the election.

A group of electoral college members - aided by an anti-Trump Republican - demanded a security briefing on the CIA's findings - a clear attempt to influence other members of the college who are not bound to vote for Trump.

Then they were backed by John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chairman, who launched a tirade against the media, claiming - in the teeth of overwhelming evidence - that claims of Russia interfering in the election had not been covered enough before voting day.

Next to the fray was the White House, which accused Trump of inviting Russia to hack Hillary Clinton, ending weeks of detente in the wake of the election result.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Hillary Clinton's campaign is piggybacking on a call from 10 presidential electors for a briefing on open investigations into Donald Trump and Russia meddling in last month's election

A group of Democrats are pushing for an intelligence briefing before they cast their ballots. Among them: House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Christine

The attacks appear to be a concerted attempt by the Democrats to turn next week's vote by members of the electoral college into a massive question over the legitimacy of the result.

The three attacks came in the wake of a report in the Washington Post that the CIA had concluded Russia hacked both parties' systems but released only material which would embarrass the Democrats.

That was roundly rejected by Trump at the weekend and on Monday morning, as he said it was impossible to know who had hacked Clinton's efforts, and his campaign compared the CIA conclusion to the intelligence consensus that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

The White House's intervention came when spokesman Josh Earnest was asked to respond to Trump's position.

'He called on Russia to hack his opponent. He called on Russia to attack Secretary Clinton,' Josh Earnest said. 'So, he certainly had a pretty good sense of which side this activity was coming down on.'

But he spoke knowing that just hours earlier Clinton's campaign chairman had given public support to a letter from 10 members of the electoral college who are demanding an intelligence briefing on claims Russia interfered in the election's result before they cast their votes.

THE 10 WHO WANT TO FRUSTRATE DEMOCRACY The 10 electors are: Christine Pelosi (CO) - Democrat Micheal Baca (CO) - Democrat Anita Bonds (DC) - Democrat Courtney Watson (MD) - Democrat Dudley Dudley (NH) - Democrat Bev Hollingworth (NH) - Democrat Terie Norelli (NH) - Democrat Carol Shea-Porter (NH) - Democrat Clay Pell (RI) - Democrat Chris Suprun (TX) - Republican Advertisement

John Podesta, the aide whose leaked emails were a source of embarrassment as they revealed Clinton's campaign secrets, said the electors should 'have their questions addressed'.

The demand from the electors was made in a letter posted on Medium and led by Christine Pelosi, whose mother is the Democrats' leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

They described themselves as a 'bipartisan' group although only one is a Republican, who had already stood down from the college so he would not have to vote for Donald Trump.

The Electoral College members will cast their ballots on December 19 for President of the United States.

Delegates from a majority of states are required to mark down the candidate who won the most votes in their statewide election.

But 20 states allow free votes - and the group of nine Democrats and one Republican are trying to influence them to vote against Trump.

Most of the 10 will be voting in line with their party loyalties. But the 10 include a leading advocate of the faithless elector strategy who was a 'never Trump Republican'.

They want an intelligence briefing before they cast their ballots. The move would imply that they think Trump would be considered tainted by the college and not be voted into office.

The electoral college has never defied the will of voters. In two cases it was unable to reach a majority, and the election went to the House of Representatives - in 1800 and 1824.

In the letter they say: 'The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations.

'We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.'

Podesta responded with an accusation that the media had ignored their claims that Russia was hacking - a counter-factual claim which flies in the face of what actually happened in the campaign.

Podesta said in a statement: 'Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed.'

'Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump.

'Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign. We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American.'

Electors from five states and the District of Columbia signed the document. In addition to Pelosi's daughter Christie, former New Hampshire Rep. Carol Shea-Porter is part of the effort.

John Podesta, the senior Clinton aide whose personal emails were hacked and disseminated, said Russia's interference in the election did not receive enough attention during the campaign. 'Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed'

Faithless: Michael Baca, a Colorado elector, is one of those asking for an intelligence briefing. So too is Anita Bonds, Anita Bonds of Washington D.C. Both are Democrats

Faithless: New Hampshire Democrats Dudley Dudley (left), Bev Hollingworth ( center) and Terie Norelli (right) also backed the demand for an intelligence briefing

Faithless: Democrats Carol Shea-Porter, Clay Pell (center) and Republican never-Trump activist Chris Suprun (right) were signatories to Nancy Pelosi's daughter's demands to frustrate democracy

Another name familiar to the electoral fight is Michael Baca, a Colorado Democrat pushing Republican electors to change their votes from Trump to Mitt Romney, John Kasich or some other consensus candidate.

Only one of the electors who signed the open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is a Republican - Texas' Chris Suprun. He has already indicated he will stand down before the vote because he will not vote for Trump.

Christine Pelosi posted the letter to Medium.

It points to 'allegations that Donald Trump was receiving assistance from a hostile foreign power,' reports that the Kremlin interfered in the U.S. election and Trump's invitation to Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's email address.

It also takes aim at Trump's rejection of an October intel report expressing high confidence that Vladimir Putin's government was behind the hacking.

Trump told Fox News Sunday that the CIA's assertion that the Russian government ordered the hacking is 'ridiculous.'

'It's just another excuse. I don't believe it,' Trump said. 'Every week it's another excuse. We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College.'

On Monday he tweeted further on the topic, saying that unless a hacker was caught in the act, it was 'very hard to determine who was doing the hacking'.

He added: 'Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!'

The electors have not voted yet. Trump is due to receive 306 votes to Clinton's 232. He needs 270 to win.

'Trump's willingness to disregard conclusions made by the intelligence community and his continuing defense of Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin demand close scrutiny and deliberation from the Electoral College,' Pelosi said on Medium.

Roger Stone, a Trump confidante who did not work for the campaign but acted as an advocate of the billionaire, back-channeled with Wikileaks Julian Assange, she said.

Former Trump advisor Carter Page traveled to Moscow just before a hack on the Democratic National Committee, and he's there this week.

Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn came to Russia in 2015 for a dinner celebrating the government's state-run new organization, RT.

'The Electors will separately require from Donald Trump conclusive evidence that he and his staff and advisors did not accept Russian interference, or otherwise collaborate during the campaign, and conclusive disavowal and repudiation of such collaboration and interference going forward,' Pelosi writes.

She told Politico the electors want 'temporary security clearance' so they can review the evidence and the 'American people can learn the truth about our election.

Clinton's campaign chairman said, 'The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security.

'Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed,' John Podesta said.

The senior aide to Clinton, who was seen at her arm on Thursday when she came to Capitol Hill, noted that their campaign tried to draw attention to this very issue before the election.

'Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump,' he said in a statement. 'Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave his blessing today to a Senate probe into Russian hacking

Referring to a recent report on the hacking he said, 'We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American.'

The hack on Podesta's emails was devastating to the Clinton campaign. Day after day, week after week, Wikileaks pushed out messages from Podesta's account revealing disputes within the ranks of the Clinton Foundation and the Democratic nominee's presidential campaign.

Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri and other aides told Yahoo News that they were targeted by foreign actors toward the end the of the campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave his blessing today to a Senate probe into Russian hacking.

Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senators Jack Reed and Chuck Schumer, soon-to-be the highest ranking Democrat, asked Congress 'to examine these recent incidents thoroughly'.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, a former ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said Monday in a statement, after her daughter's letter to Clapper went up on Medium, 'there must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions.'

'Regardless of the outcome of the election, the American people deserve to know the truth and a commitment to protect our democracy from foreign meddling,' hse said.

Pelosi put her support behind a proposal from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings and Intelligence Committee member Eric Swalwell to establish an independent commission to review the matter.

House Speaker Paul Ryan is refusing to authorize such a commission.

'Exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professionals and potentially jeopardizes our national security,' he said Monday. 'As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election.'

President Barack Obama has ordered a separate review of the hacking the intelligence community for his own purposes.

The report may not be made public because it will contain classified information, the White House said.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing on Monday that the Oval Office believes the matter should also be investigated by Congress.

He also said, in response to a claim from Trump that the government couldn't know who did the hacking, 'You didn't need a security clearance to figure out who benefited from malicious Russian cyber activity.'

Trump called on the Russians to infiltrate Clinton's email, Earnest said, incredulously.
A Spanish sex shop has caused quite a stir after it displayed sex toys depicting the Nativity scene in their shop window.

Hector Valdivielso, who owns Non Sit Peccatum located in the city Talavera de la Reina, in Toldedo, commissioned an artist to paint the figures of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus on ceramic sex toys.

While the display was quite popular with people pausing to take pictures, the display began to draw negative attention with several claiming they were offended, reported The Local - Spain.

The controversial toys went on display in Non Sit Peccatum's store window to a mix of positive and negative reaction, with many saying they were offended

Residents of Nazareth re-enact the Nativity scene. A group called Children of the Virgin called for a boycott of the sex shop

Mr Valdivielso wrote on Facebook: 'A man with his wife ordered me to remove the offending scene and said that if I didnt he would remove it himself.

He added that he received several insults and had to call the police.

The shop sign was vandalised with the word pecadores - meaning sinners.

Additional incidents include a group calling themselves the Children of the Virgin Mary also launched a boycott on the store.

Crowds have even gathered outside the shop to harass customers.

The owner took the display down and put up a poster asking if he should reinstate it. The response was an overwhelming 'yes' with 78.5 per cent of those polled in favor

'It was affecting my business. Who wants to come to a store like this to hear a sermon?' said Mr Validvielso.

Last week, he took down the window display and replaced it with a poster that asked passersby to vote on whether or not he should reinstate it.

The public overwhelmingly voted for its return, with 78.5 percent of the 988 people who took part voting 'yes'.
Thousands of postal workers are set to stage five days of strikes next week in a dispute over jobs, pensions and branch closures.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) who work as counter staff plan to walk out for three days on December 19, 20 and 24.

Their fellow members who are cash-handlers and deliver money to post office branches will call a 48-hour strike for December 22 and 23, according to the CWU.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) who work as counter staff plan to walk out for December 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24

Hundreds more smaller branches, many in rural areas, will struggle to operate because they will not receive their usual cash delivery.

The combined industrial action across the country will involve more than 4,000 workers and will result in 300 larger post offices closing entirely or operating a skeleton service during Christmas week.

The union is embroiled in a long-running dispute over job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices, the larger branches usually sited on high streets.

CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: 'All of the blame for this unfortunate turn of events is 100 per cent down to the intransigence of the company, who have launched an unprecedented attack on the jobs, job security, and pensions of thousands of hard-working and loyal Post Office workers.

'Our members want the Post Office management to pause its closure and privatisation programme, hold off on its planned pensions changes, and commit to sitting down with us and with the other key stakeholders of this Great British institution and, together, construct a lasting vision.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU Both the Post Office and Royal Mail insist that last posting dates for Christmas deliveries will not be affected by the strike action planned by the Communication Workers Union. To ensure items reach their destinations in time, second-class letters and parcels should be posted by Tuesday, December 20. First-class post must be sent by Wednesday, December 21. Royal Mail say they will be delivering up to and including Christmas Eve, which this year falls on a Saturday. Advertisement

'We want to work together to build a positive future for the Post Office, its workforce and, of course, the people who we serve.

'The CWU can be a constructive partner to work with, but sadly, the people currently running the company have, so far, chosen the path of conflict and industrial disputes.'

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: 'Our members are being forced into fighting to save their jobs and this great institution from terminal decline.

'We didn't want to be in this position, but unless we stand up now, the Post Office as we know it will cease to exist. We are defending the very future of the Post Office in this country.

'We want a Post Office that works for everyone, for communities, for small and medium-sized businesses, and for the people who serve them - our hard-working members, but the people running the Post Office have no serious plan other than further closures and managed decline and we won't accept that.'

'We will be making a firm proposal for meaningful talks to establish a vision for the future and, if the company respond to that positively, then this dispute can be avoided.'

The Government has previously defended its decision to restructure the Post Office to try to halt huge losses  which were running at 40 million a year up to 2013.

Both the Post Office and Royal Mail insist that last posting dates for Christmas deliveries will not be affected by the strike action

Last week Kevin Gilliland, Post Office network and sales director, insisted that even if the Christmas strike went ahead, the majority of branches would remain open.

He said: We have not received any formal notification of action from our unions and, should further action be taken, we can reassure our customers that at least 97 per cent of our network will be open for business as usual.
A 101-year-old man accused of child sex offences claims two women invented lies about his past but admitted carrying out assaults on a young boy in the 1970s.

Ralph Clarke told Birmingham Crown Court the offences against the schoolboy were 'something that happened' and said he was 'immune to feelings' following his arrest last year.

The retired haulier pleaded guilty last week to two counts of attempting to commit a serious sexual offence, two of indecency with a child, and five indecent assaults on a male person.

But Clarke, of Erdington, Birmingham, denies 22 other counts of indecent assault and indecency relating to two other complainants in the case.

Ralph Clarke told Birmingham Crown Court the offences against the schoolboy were 'something that happened' and said he was 'immune to feelings'

Dressed in a long coat and grey trousers, Clarke, who is being assisted by an intermediary, was allowed to sit throughout his evidence on the sixth day of his trial.

Asked to describe how he felt when he learned of the allegations last December, Clarke told the jury of six men and six women: 'I am pretty well immune to feelings.

'I just take everything in life as granted. I just asked the detective constable that came to my house who it was that had laid charges against me.

'I don't know. I am rather hard. I take life as it comes.'

Responding to questions from his own counsel, Clarke, a former RAF serviceman, denied there was room in his makeshift workshop for anything to have occurred between him and the girls he is accused of attacking.

'What room was in there, I needed,' he told the jury.

'I had always got a pile of kids around the garage because I used to repair all the bikes for them. They'd come from all over.

'All the children used to know me as 'Nobby'.'

Under cross-examination from prosecutor Miranda Moore QC, Clarke rejected her claim that he believed he had 'got away with it after all these years' until his arrest.

Maintaining that he had done nothing to prompt one of his victims to describe him as a 'monster', Clarke told Miss Moore: 'People have got funny ways. Some people hate you for no reason at all.'
The Queen has paid her last respects to her beloved first cousin and close friend Margaret Rhodes.

The monarch, who rarely attends funerals apart from for members of the Royal Family, demonstrated her affection for her confidante by joining mourners at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park.

At her side in her time of grief was the Duke of Edinburgh and a large contingent from the Royal Family including the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Close friends: Queen Elizabeth and her friend and first cousin, the late Margaret Rhodes, take a break during a trek through the deer stalking area at Balmoral, Scotland

This photograph shows a young Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and their cousin Margaret Elphinstone, later Rhodes

Mrs Rhodes (left) who was 91 and less than a year older than the Queen, died on November 25 after a short illness. She was one of the Queen's playmates as a child

The congregation, which included many of the Queen Mother's descendants, heard of the Hon Mrs Rhodes's 'adventurous spirit' and her encouragement for her children.

The Queen, dressed in black, gathered with Mrs Rhodes's family for the private service in the packed gothic Victorian chapel in the grounds of the Royal Lodge.

It is unusual for the Queen to attend the funerals of those who are not HRHs, but Mrs Rhodes, whom she was related to on her mother's side, was a childhood companion of the monarch's.

Last year, at the same chapel, the Queen surprised the congregation by attending a service for her corgi keeper Nancy Fenwick - who spent decades looking after her dogs.

A piper's lament was played in honour of Mrs Rhodes by Max Stewart, the Queen's former personal piper at Balmoral, and the hymns sung were The Lord is My Shepherd, Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

Mrs Rhodes, who was 91 and less than a year older than the Queen, died on November 25 after a short illness. She was one of the Queen's playmates as a child.

Margaret Rhodes' mother Lady Mary Bowes-Lyon was a sister of the Queen Mother (right)

Mrs Rhodes seen centre with the Queen, left, and lady-in-waiting Susan Hussey at Balmoral in a picture taken from the book The Queen's Story

The Queen and her first cousin enjoy lunch at Glen Beg, Her Majesty's log cabin on the Balmoral estate in Scotland

The pair maintained a close friendship and Mrs Rhodes was a bridesmaid at the Queen's 1947 wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen regularly visited her at her Windsor home.

Mrs Rhodes once described how they would play 'at being horses' when they were children.

'We were circus horses, or riding ponies or anything you like but it involved a lot of neighing, and cantering and galloping,' she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme in 2006.

She was born the Honourable Margaret Elphinstone in 1925 and her mother was the Queen Mother's eldest sister.

She married Denys Gravenor Rhodes in 1950 and the couple had two sons and two daughters together. Her husband died in 1981.

She served as lady-in-waiting to her aunt, the Queen Mother, for 10 years and was at her bedside when she died in 2002.

During World War II, Mrs Rhodes - who was born in London - lived at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle when she worked as a secretary for MI6.

The Honourable Margaret Rhodes appeared on This Morning to mark the Queen's Jubilee in 2011

She shared stories from behind the palace doors in an appearance on This Morning in 2011

Before the Queen's 80th birthday ten years ago she gave an interview and confirmed that the Queen would not retire, despite rumours.

In 2013, she was asked whether she was excited about the upcoming birth of Prince George.

She famously replied: 'Not terribly, everybody has babies so I wouldn't get terribly excited about it.'

The 19th century chapel is well known to the Queen and she usually worships there each weekend. It is offers more privacy than the closer St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

It is considered an informal parish church for the inhabitants and staff of Windsor Great Park, and was where the Queen Mother's coffin rested before being moved to London ahead of lying in state.
One was a pen-and-ink study of the martyred Saint Sebastian tied to a tree

A previously unknown drawing by Leonardo da Vinci has been valued at 12.6m after being brought in for valuation out of the blue by a retired French doctor.

Paris auctioneer Tajan said that extraordinary discovery came after the owner pulled out a bundle of unframed sketches.

The drawing by Leonardo was nearly missed by Thaddee Prate, director of old master pictures at the auction house, because he was in a hurry that day.

A true original: A recently discovered Leonardo da Vinci drawing of the martyred San Sebastian tied to a tree inscribed on the Michelangelo mount is valued at 12.6m

But after consulting other experts he confirmed its identity and today it was formally unveiled in Paris.

The sketch was one of eight drawings of the Martyred Saint Sebastian and marks the first time a Leonardo has surfaced like this since 2000.

It sparked shock among art experts who said that their eyes jumped out of their sockets when they saw it.

Carmen Bambach, a curator of Italian and Spanish drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York, who helped in the confirmation, said: The attribution is quite incontestable.

What we have here is an open-and-shut case. Its an exciting discovery.

Nearly missed: Auction house director Thaddee Prate found the drawing, the back of which is seen above in bundle of unframed sketches after it was donated to the museum by a doctor

Mr Prate told the New York Times that the fairytale story began in March when the doctor came to see him with the drawings collected by his bibliophile father.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his stunning artwork but the Italian Renaissance painter had many talents. He was also a sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. The Mona Lisa is his most famous and most parodied portrait while his painting of The Last Supper is the most reproduced religious painting of all time. Leonardo's drawing of the Vitruvian Man is also regarded as a cultural icon - being reproduced on items as varied as the euro coin, textbooks, and T-shirts. Only around fifteen of his paintings survive because of his constant, and frequently disastrous, experimentation with new techniques, and his chronic procrastination. Leonardo is also revered for his technological ingenuity. He conceptualised a helicopter, a tank, concentrated solar power, a calculator, and the double hull, also outlining a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. Relatively few of his designs were constructed or were even feasible during his lifetime, but some of his smaller inventions, such as an automated bobbin winder and a machine for testing the tensile strength of wire, entered the world of manufacturing unheralded. He made important discoveries in anatomy, civil engineering, optics, and hydrodynamics, but he did not publish his findings and they had no direct influence on later science . Advertisement

Mr Prate was going through them when he spotted a pen and ink study of Saint Sebastian tied to a tree inscribed on the mount Michelange (Michelangelo).

Mr Prate said he was in a bit of a rush but was intrigued enough to seek a second opinion from Patrick de Bayser, an independent dealer and adviser in old master drawings.

Mr de Bayser found some smaller scientific drawings on the back of the sheet with tiny Renaissance style notes.

He also deduced the artists was left handed and recalled asking Mr Prate: You cant believe this is by Leonardo? But that would have been so incredible.

Mr Prate sought Dr Bambachs opinion too and she confirmed it was indeed a Leonardo.

She said: My heart will always pound when I think about that drawing. It has so many changes of ideas, so much energy in the way he explores the figure. It has a furious spontaneity

Little is known about the owner other than that he is from central France and that his identity is a closely guarded secret.

According to the New York Times, when told of the value the owner said: Im very pleased. But I have other interests in life other than money.

Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519, is seen as the ultimate universal genius and was a painter, sculptor, architect, scientist and inventor.

The last such discovery of one of his works was in 2000 when Sothebys in London unearthed a black chalk and pen study of Hercules.
Voracious squirrels are going nuts for Christmas lights in Boston.

The Boston Globe reports the furry rodents have chewed through electrical wires on the colorful, festive lights strung among in trees on Boston Common.

City parks officials say they've received numerous reports about holiday light outages on the city's online reporting app.

Squirrels have taken out nearly half the lights on one of the Boston Common's 47-foot trees

The rodents are being blamed for cutting off the colorful glow of the holiday season.

One recent visitor noted nearly half the lights on the Common's 47-foot Christmas tree were out, an issue the city says has since been addressed.

The lights are hanging in about 60 trees, the visitor's center and other buildings in the historic downtown park.

The contractor hired to string and maintain the lights has turned to using an animal repellent derived from hot peppers to deter the animals.

Since the lights were first switched on December 1, they have sporadically gone dark

One of great multitude of tame squirrels roaming Boston Common (not actual suspect)

A parks department spokesman says the squirrels appear to have a fondness for the wiring.

The holiday lights were turned on December. 1, during the annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common ceremony, which is hosted by Mayor Martin J. Walsh's office.

Since then, lights around the park have sporadically gone dark.

The animals appear to be chewing chew through the copper wires where it meets the sockets

In the nine days leading up to light switch-on, crews had to constantly replace the lights after the rodents chewed through the wire where it meets the sockets.

'The squirrels have been bad this year,' said Ryan Woods, a spokesman for the department told the Boston Globe.

'We are told they like the taste of copper. They are drawn to it, I guess.'
Paintings such as The Scream and The Laughing Cavalier have graced art books and walls for so long now that they almost seem commonplace.

But within those paintings - and many more - lie rarely known details that bring them to life all over again.

Those details form the basis for Susie Hodge's new book Art in Detail: 100 Masterpieces, CNN reported - and some of the most fascinating can be found below.

The Scream (1893) by Edvard Munch

The painting: In 1893's The Scream, Norwegian expressionist Edvard Munch created one of the most enduring and memorable images in modern art: A distorted, skeletal figure, mouth open and face grasped in horror in front of a malevolent red sky.

Munch was inspired when, feeling tired and ill while crossing a fjord on a bridge, he gazed out across the sunset and 'sensed a scream passing through nature'.

'It seemed to me that I heard the scream,' he wrote in his diary. 'I painted this picture, painted the clouds as actual blood. The color shrieked. This became The Scream.'

The detail: The viewer's gaze is drawn almost instantly to the iconic, terrified figure, the sickly near-black fjord, and the apocalyptic skies above.

Less obvious are the shadowy figures in the background. They look threatening, but in reality, they are representations of Munch's two friends, who were with him on the bridge but oblivious to his vision.

The incident was written by Munch on the frame of one of the four versions of the image that he created, in the form of a poem.

It read: 'I was walking along the road with two friends - the sun was setting - suddenly the sky turned blood red - I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence - there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city - my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety - and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.'

The Laughing Cavalier (1624) by Frans Hals

The painting: One of the most celebrated Baroque portraits of all time, Dutch painter Hals put an extraordinary amount of detail into his subject's clothing and appearance - particularly his wry and enigmatic smile.

It's not known who the cavalier is - although the Latin in the top-right of the picture says he was 26, and it was painted in 1624.

It was originally untitled, being called only Portrait d'un homme ('Portrait of a man') when listed in France in 1791; it gained the name The Cavalier after it was exhibited to critical acclaim in London shortly afterward and had gained its familiar name by 1888.

The detail: While we know nothing about Hals's puckish subject, the round, golden pommel of a sword can be seen in the crook of his left arm.

That would suggest that the subject, or at least his character, was a proficient swordfighter - the sign of a gentleman at the time.

The Ambassadors (1533) by Hans Holbein the Younger

The painting: The Ambassadors has been the subject of debate by art historians for years, who have pondered the symbolism of the items on the tables between the two men, and the identities of the figures themselves.

Holbein added details such as a lute with a broken string, a symbol of disharmony, next to a copy of Martin Luther's translation of a hymnbook - perhaps representing the religious strife seen at the time.

Even the globe on the table is carefully recreated, right down to the names of the countries and seas.

The anamorphic skull at the bottom of The Ambassadors, digitally adjusted to correct its perspective

The detail: The Ambassadors clearly doesn't lack for details to consider, one startling addition is often overlooked at first glance: the stretched skull in the bottom-center of the image.

Shown in anamorphic perspective - an invention of the early Renaissance that renders 3D objects 'flat', the skull is commonly regarded as a 'memento mori' - a humbling reminder of death common in paintings of the time.

Why Holbein stretched the skull out isn't known, but it's been suggested that the painting might have been intended to hang in a stairwell - where people approaching it from the left would have seen it in the correct perspective.

Others simply think it was done to show off Holbein's talent, and garner more commissions.

The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck

The painting: Early Netherlandish painter van Eyck has also inspired much discussion about his paintings - particularly this intricate portrait of what is believed to be rich trader Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife.

There are many signs of the Arnolfinis' wealth in the image, such as the fur trim on the woman's dress and her gold necklace and rings - both of which appear to be small details but would have been extremely expensive.

Other signs of the couple's wealth include the oriental rug by the bed, the brass chandelier and the convex mirror at the back - which was larger than could have been made at the time, and is likely a little artists' license on Eyck's part.

The detail: Above the mirror can be seen a message in elaborate handwriting, looking to the untrained eye like some ancient passage or motto, befitting the noble subjects.

That would fit the realistic tone of the room - the portrait is thought to be one of the first paintings of everyday life in modern times - as people at the time would have such phrases inscribed on their walls.

In fact, it's a naughty little message from Eyck that simply reads 'Johannes de eyck fuit hic 1434' - literally 'Johannes van Eyck was here 1434'.

Oath of the Horatii (1784) by Jacques-Louis David

The painting: David's masterful painting depicts a scene from Roman legend in which two warring cities agreed to end their fight by sending three men each to battle one another, with the survivors' city winnin.

In this scene, three bothers of the ultimately victorious Horatii family salute their father, who holds out their swords for them. All four, in accepting death and duty, are symbolic of patriotism and moral strength.

Meanwhile, the women of the household - knowing that near-certain death awaits the young men - swoon on the side.

The detail: One of the women, in black, clutches a little boy and girl - the children of one of the brothers - to herself. The girl buries her head in the woman's clothes, upset about the unfolding scene.

But the boy looks up at the men in, impressed by their devotion and bravery, reinforcing the idea that their patriotism is to be admired and mirrored.

Joseph the Carpenter (1645) by Georges de La Tour

The painting: The image, which was created in the tenebrist style, featuring deep, dark shadows and strong contrast between light and dark, shows the infant Jesus holding a dangle while his father, Joseph is at work.

The symbolism of Jesus lighting up the dark is clear, and his left hand is held up in manner used during the Catholic Benediction.

The carpenter Joseph, meanwhile, is hard at work using a auger to drill a hole in wood by hand. The painting is said to be symbolic of duty - to parents and to god.

The detail: The scene, with hard-working Jospeh and helpful young Jesus - seems gentle and calm.

But there is dark foreshadowing here: The wood is laid crosswise from Jesus, while the angle of the auger resembles a crucifix.

Both are symbolic of Jesus's eventual sacrifice, and play into the theme of duty to fathers - heavenly and otherwise.

Las Meninas (1656) by Diego Velazquez

The painting: Las Meninas (Spanish for 'Ladies in Waiting' in Spanish) shows the infant Margaret Theresa of Spain - daughter of King Philip IV of Spain - surrounded by an entourage including a dog, two dwarfs and the titular ladies in waiting.

The painting is notable for complexity of its composition, with some of those in the painting look out at the viewer, as in a traditional portrait, while others appear to be caught 'off-guard'.

In the rear of the image, next to an open door - through which the keeper of the queen's tapestries can be seen - is a mirror reflecting the king and queen themselves - apparently standing somewhere near the viewer.

The detail: Almost lost in shadow, above the kneeling lady in waiting, is a painter stood in front of a large canvas, gazing out at the viewer, palette in hand.

His appearance twists the meaning of the painting and reveals that it has been drawn from the point of view of the king or queen, who are themselves waiting to be painted.

And the painter? Velazquez himself, in his only known self-portrait.

Entry of the Crusaders in Constantinople (1840) by Eugene Delacroix

The painting: Delacroix's oil painting depicts the moment in the Fourth Crusade (on 12 April 1204) in which the Crusaders turned away from their invasion of Muslim Egypt and Jerusalem.

Instead, they sacked the Christian city of Constantinople after being refused long-promised aid.

The leader, Baldwin, can be seen at the front of the parade, backed by his soldiers and surrounded by scenes of chaos and fear.

He subsequently became Baldwin I of Constantinople.

Delacroix had studied the old masters, as seen in his use of light and shadow - although the Romantic style was controversial among viewers at the time.

The detail: Among the huddled masses is a young child, looking up to his wizened father, who clutches his wife and begs Baldwin for mercy.

Though Baldwin was a vassal of the French king, and although this painting was commissioned by King Louis-Philippe I of France, Delacroix made the effort to humanize the victims of the invasion.

The Battle of San Romano (c. 14381440) by Paolo Uccello

The painting: Ucello painted the battle between Florentine and Sienese forces in 1432 - which took place within his lifetime - three times, each time employing spectacular color and - for the time - great realism.

The secrets revealed in this article are included in the new book Art in Detail: 100 Masterpieces by Susie Hodge (pictured)

It's believed that the three images - of which this is the first - were intended to be hung side-by-side as a triptych.

In the center of the image, leading the ultimately victorious charge for the Florentines, is Niccolo da Tolentino.

The detail: Although the painting has a perspective similar to that of tapestries, in which the background rises up towards the top of the image rather than receding into the distance, the figures are details and realistic.

Particularly impressive are the soldiers on the right-hand side of the image, who can be seen swinging their weapons atop their horses.

But despite being largely realistic, the painting does have an inevitable break from reality: All of the horses are drawn in static positions, except for one galloping horse that is partly hidden from view.

That's because artists of the time had not yet worked out how to draw realistically running horses.
Peak Family Dental Care is taking some of the fear and pain out of going to the dentist.

The facility recently purchased a new Solea laser drill from Convergent Dental that makes filling cavities and other dental work nearly pain-free and without anesthetic. The drill is one of 300 units in use in the world.

The drills wavelength and pulse rate create a numbing effect, said Dr. Bryan Shanahan. This effect can be used to numb an area before work is done, like when a crown has to be seated, without having to use a chemical anesthetic. It also works while the drill is in use, such as when a dentist is clearing out a cavity.

Because the patient and dentist dont have to wait for a chemical anesthetic to take effect, the whole procedure takes much less time, is less painful and a patient isnt numb for hours after the procedure, he said. This allows a patient to eat, drink and carry on with their life almost immediately after the procedure is done.

It also allows a dentist to do multiple procedures in one visit, Shanahan said. For example, if a patient has several cavities in different areas of the mouth that need to be drilled and filled. Instead of numbing each area with a cavity with an anesthetic and then waiting for it to take effect in each area before starting work, Shanahan can move from one spot to another in succession with the laser.

The laser is also helpful for patients who may be allergic to certain anesthetics and for younger patients who may be frightened by a conventional drill. He gives patients he uses the drill on a little bit of nitrous oxide, laughing gas, in order to make them more comfortable.

I tell my younger patients that its a light saber, he said. Its an all-around better experience for the patient.

There is a small number of people that the numbing effect of the laser doesnt work on, Shananhan said, but he hasnt had a patient like that yet.

The drill can also be used to numb an area before a procedure that requires a conventional drill, such as a root canal. The drill can cut into both hard and soft tissue such as a persons gum or even into the jaw bone. Theres very little bleeding with the drill.

When I built this office in 1991, I wanted to make sure that the Flagstaff community had the best dental technology available, Shanahan said.

He said he researches all of the latest dental equipment to make sure that it is effective and beneficial for his patients before purchasing it. The Solea drill is expandable and the company is working on new tools and ways of using it.

Shanahan said hes wanted to be a dentist since he was 15. His older cousin wanted to be a dentist and he followed in his footsteps.

He grew up on the south side of Chicago and came to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University in the late 1980s. He returned to Chicago to attend the University Of Illinois College of Dentistry and then returned to Flagstaff after getting his degree.

I loved NAU and Flagstaff. I had to come back, he said.

Shananhan said hes been working in dentistry for at least 30 years and strives to treat all of his patients like family.
A man allegedly used a front-end loader to repeatedly pick up and drop his son's mobile home during a family dispute and only stopped when he found out his 7-year-old grandson was inside.

John Bubar, 50, was arrested after he got into a fight with his 27-year-old son Michael Bubar at his home in Parsonsfield, Maine on Sunday over rent payments and debris in the yard.

The son and his family, including his own seven-year-old son, live in a mobile home on Bubar's property.

John Bubar, 50, was arrested in Maine on Sunday after he allegedly used this front-end loader to repeatedly pick up and drop his son's mobile home during a family dispute

The York County sheriff's department said they were called to the property after 2pm on Sunday following reports Bubar had damaged the mobile home with a front-end loader and backhoe.

'John Bubar took the extraordinary step of using a large construction grade front-end loader and backhoe to damage the mobile home,' the sheriff's office said.

Witnesses said Bubar used the front-end loader to pick up and drop the mobile home three times.

'John then started to drive the bucket into the home and only stopped when he learned that his 7-year-old grandson was inside the residence,' the sheriff's office said.

John Bubar (pictured) was arrested after he got into a fight with his 27-year-old son Michael Bubar at his home in Parsonsfield, Maine on Sunday over rent payments and debris in the yard

Police said Bubar took the extraordinary step of using the large construction grade front-end loader and backhoe to damage the mobile home by picking it up and dropping it

Michael Bubar, 27, and his wife and three young sons live in a mobile home on Bubar's property

The child was not hurt during the incident.

Bubar was arrested on a charge of domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

His bail was set at $5,000.

He is expected to appear in Your County Superior Court on February 10.

Police say Bubar only stopped damaging the home when he realized his seven-year-old grandson was still inside the mobile residence
Britain's most successful hedge fund boss took a 150million dividend to pay for his 300million divorce from his wife.

Sir Chris Hohn, 50, resigned from his role as a 'designated member' of TCI Advisory Services in June last year, but on the same day TCI Fund Holdings - the company which he is the sole director of - replaced his name.

It generated 56.7m profits, down 68 per cent, in the year to February and the fund paid out annual awards to certain members - the highest being 154m.

Last year he took 57m after the hedge fund produced its best set of profits since the financial crisis, according to the The Telegraph.

It followed his divorce from his American wife Jamie-Cooper Hohn, where he was ordered to give her a third of his fortune - 337m.

Sir Chris took 56m last year following his divorce from his American wife Jamie-Cooper Hohn, where he was ordered to give her a third of his fortune - 337m

Sir Chris Hohn, who runs The Children's Investment Fund Management, was ranked tenth on a Rich List of the world's highest earning hedge fund managers for 2015.

He was the only Briton on the list, which was dominated by Americans but also included one Norwegian  Ole Andreas Halvorsen of Viking Global Investors.

Sir Chris is one of Britain's leading hedge fund managers having set up The Children's Investment Fund Management, or TCI, in 2003.

He was caught up in the row over the privatisation of Royal Mail after it emerged TCI made a huge profit buying and then selling shares for a profit  fanning the flames in the row over whether the Government had sold the company too cheaply.

Hohn's wealth is estimated at 720million even after he was told to hand over 337million in 2014 following the collapse of his marriage to Jamie Cooper-Hohn.

The couple  who had homes in London, the United States and the West Indies  had fought over assets totalling more than 700million at the High Court before a judge finally settled on the staggering sum.

The couple's long-running divorce case bordered on farce at times with Hohn accusing his ex-wife of seeking maintenance payments for a dog that never existed.

They married in Washington DC in 1995 and had four children, including triplets, before divorcing in April 2013.

Hohn, who was born in Addlestone, Surrey, was knighted in the Queen's birthday honour's list in 2014 for services to philanthropy and international development.

The star hedge fund manager has given more than 1billion to charity through The Children's Investment Fund Foundation which is linked to his business and was run by his wife.

Sir Chris is one of Britain's leading hedge fund managers having set up The Children's Investment Fund Management, or TCI, in 2003

The foundation was set up by Hohn and Cooper-Hohn in 2004 to improve the lives of children living in poverty in developing countries around the world.

Hohn, whose father was a Jamaican-born car mechanic who moved to Britain in the 1960s, and whose mother was a legal secretary from East Sussex, graduated from the University of Southampton with a first in accounting and business economics.

He then completed the MBA, or Master of Business Administration, course at Harvard Business School where he was among the top 5 per cent of all graduates.

Before setting up TCI he worked for private equity group Apax Partners and Wall Street hedge fund Perry Capital.

In an interview with the Financial Times in December, Hohn described TCI as 'the antithesis of the classic hedge fund' as it celebrated a bumper year while rivals floundered. 'We take risk,' he said.

'They are short term whereas we are long term. They are passive, and we are engaged. They charge high fees, we charge less.'

Alpha magazine calculates the earnings of hedge fund managers by counting gains on their capital in their funds as well as their share of the fees. Hohn and TCI declined to comment.

Cooper-Hohn had said the wealth had been created as a result of their 'partnership'. But Justice Roberts concluded that Hohn  who was educated at a state school  was a 'financial genius' who had made a 'special contribution' to the creation of the couple's fortune.

Hohn had told the judge: 'Over the long term I am an unbelievable money-maker.'
,' saying because of him people would board spacecrafts one day like they

Jeff Bezos got a very special message from John Glenn hours after the astronaut's death last Thursday.

The Amazon founder was being honored by Smithsonian Magazine at the American Ingenuity Awards, and Glenn had been scheduled to make an appearance at the event.

His declining health made it impossible for him to travel however so he wrote a note that was read aloud at the ceremony.

'As the original Glenn, I can tell you I see the day coming when people will board spacecraft the same way millions of us now board jetliner,' wrote Glenn in his letter.

'When that happens, it will be largely because of your epic achievements this year.'

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Space pioneers: Jeff Bezos (left) was honored by Smithsonian Magazine at the American Ingenuity Awards and got a letter from John Glenn (right)

Last words: Glenn was set to attend but could not so he wrote a note to Bezos that was to be read at the event

Bezos received his award last week for the work he has done with reusable rocket technology, which is made by his Blue Origin company.

Glenn penned the letter to Bezos on November 28 when he realized he would not be able to attended the ceremony.

It was then read aloud by Mae Jemison at the event, the first African-American woman in space.

Glenn started off his letter by writing how 'thrilled' he was for Bezos, before saying: 'When I first orbited the Earth in 1962, you were still two years from being born. And when I returned to space in 1998, Blue Origin was still two years in the future.'

He went on to write: 'But you were already driven by a vision of space travel accessible not only to highly trained pilots and engineers and scientists, but to all of us.'

Bezos spoke about Blue Origin back in October at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit in San Francisco.

'What I want to achieve with Blue Origin is to build the heavy lifting infrastructure that allows for the kind of dynamic, entrepreneurial explosion of thousands of companies in space that I have witnessed over the last 21 years on the internet,' said Bezos.

Bezos explained that when he started Amazon, the infrastructure he needed, such as payment systems and a postal network, were already in place.

What he wants to do is provide a similar network for space entrepreneurs to build on.

One of his key aims is to make launching into space more affordable and accessible for the masses.

'Vehicles have to be reusable, you can't throw them away,' he explained.

'Throw away space vehicles every time, you're never going to lower the cost.

'We're trying to lower the price of admission into space so that thousands of entrepreneurs can then do amazing, surprising things'.
The White House pressed pause on a post-election detente with President-elect Donald Trump on Monday to harangue him for rejecting the CIA's assessment that Russia engineered a series of hacks on Democrats to get him elected.

Trump said Sunday 'no one really knows' who was behind the hacks and claimed the opposing party was looking for an 'excuse' for Hillary Clinton's electoral loss. He continued to defend the Kremlin on his Twitter account Monday morning.

President Barack Obama's spokesman subsequently broke his self-imposed silence on Trump's tweeting in his afternoon briefing.

'He called on Russia to hack his opponent. He called on Russia to attack Secretary Clinton,' Josh Earnest said. 'So, he certainly had a pretty good sense of which side this activity was coming down on.'

The White House pressed pause on a post-election detente with President-elect Donald Trump on Monday to harangue him for rejecting the CIA's assessment that Russia engineered a series of hacks on Democrats to get him elected

Earnest was referring to Trump's plea at a July rally that the Kremlin look for Clinton's deleted emails next after it was revealed that top Democrats had been hacked, likely by Russia.

'Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,' Trump said. 'I think you'll be rewarded mightily by our press!'

Democrats hit him for encouraging foreign espionage.

Today Earnest said he was presenting 'objective facts'.

It is the intelligence community's belief that Russia engaged in 'malicious cyber activity in an attempt to destabilize our political system,' he repeatedly said.

That was covered in an October report with the input of 17 intelligence agencies.

'You didn't need a security clearance to figure out who benefited from malicious Russian cyber activity,' Earnest contended.

Furthermore, the hackers pushed out emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, the White House official said. 'Not from the RNC and Steve Bannon.'

Earnest rattled off a list of Trump's alleged ties to Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin, through financial deals and advisers, including former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

'It was the president-elect who over the course of campaign indicated that he thought that President Putin was a strong leader,' Earnest said. 'It was the president-elect who indicated the potential that he would withdraw from some of our critically important NATO commitments.'

He said, 'The president-elect and his campaign didn't make any effort to obscure this.'

All of that information appeared in the news prior to the election. None of it originated with the White House, he said.

'And its all information that is, as far as I can tell, undisputed,' he stated.

Trump and his aides have disputed several reports that linked them to the Kremlin.

Trump said Sunday 'no one really knows' who was behind the hacks and claimed the opposing party was looking for an 'excuse' for Hillary Clinton's electoral loss

Earnest later stated that 'there certainly should be no dispute' about the intelligence community's assessment after a reporter noted that Trump had already taken issue with some of his statements.

'We had an opportunity to have that debate and that was the subject of an extensive debate, and the election didn't turn out the way that we had hoped, and since then I have gone to great lengths to try to avoid getting into a debate with the president-elect's team,' he said.

The White House official said he wasn't trying to start a fight with them now, either.

'What I've stated is not an argument, but really just a presentation of objective facts about what all of you and the American public knew in advance of the election.'

He redirected his ire to Republicans in Congress, some of whom have called for legislative investigations into the hacking.

The information he referenced was known to lawmakers who backed Trump, he said.

'How they reconcile their political strategy and their patriotism is something they're going to have to explain.'

Trump tweeted Monday that it's 'hard' to know who hacked Democrats' emails before the November election since they weren't caught in the act

A Washington Post report this weekend said the CIA believes that the Kremlin instigated the attacks intending to aid the Republican presidential nominee. The October report confirmed that Russia was behind the hacking but did not conclude the goal was to elect Trump.

The president-elect told Fox News Sunday, 'I think its ridiculous. I think its just another excuse. I dont believe it.'

'Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting. Once they hack, if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them,' he said. 'They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place.'

Trump continued to tweet about Russian espionage this morning, saying, 'Unless you catch "hackers" in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?'

'Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!' he wrote.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller told reporters Monday morning that 'this overall narrative that's in the news right now' about Russia 'is an attempt to try to delegitimize President-elect Trump's win. That really seems to be the  what's going on here.'

'First after the election it was the recount nonsense. Then it was discussions of the popular vote. Now it's the anonymous off-the-record sources with conflicting information, trying to raise other issues,' he said.

President Barack Obama has ordered a review of the hacking from the intelligence community for his own purposes.

The report may not be made public because it will contain classified information, the White House said.
At least one Romney is getting the stamp of approval from President-elect Donald Trump.

Ronna Romney McDaniel, the 2012 GOP nominee's niece, is Trump's pick to take over the Republican National Committee, a source close to the process told CNN.

McDaniel currently chairs the Michigan Republican Party.

Mitt Romney's niece, Ronna Romney McDaniel, will get the blessing of President-elect Donald Trump to become the next Republican National Committee chair

Ronna Romney McDaniel, speaking at a Donald Trump 'thank you' rally on Friday, will have to be voted into the role by committee members in January

It's customary for the incoming president to pick his party's chairman, which reportedly will be Ronna Romney McDaniel, the GOP chairwoman in the state of Michigan

The official announcement will likely come this week from Trump's transition team.

While committee members will have to approve of McDaniel at their January meeting, it's customary for the incoming president to name a party leader.

The current head of the Republican National Committee, chairman Reince Priebus, will be heading to the White House as Trump's chief of staff.

While many Republicans held out support from their party's' controversial nominee, Preibus gave Trump complete access of the RNC's data, allowing his campaign to run a Silicon Valley-esque operation, widely credited for winning him the White House as he campaigned in the final run-up to the election in some traditionally blue states.

Since the election, Priebus has become one of Trump's most potent surrogates.

For example, he had a rough and tumble interview on 'Meet the Press' with Chuck Todd, as he pushed back on CIA claims that Russia meddled in the election for the benefit of electing Trump.

Priebus refuted news reports that said the Republican National Committee was also hacked, but those documents were withheld, while emails from the Democratic National Committee were publicly leaked.

After winning the election, Trump met with Mitt Romney, who never supported his candidacy, and actively considered him for secretary of state.

Now it's likely that Trump will go in a different direction, as he'll reportedly name ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to head up his State Department.

As for McDaniel, she stood alongside Trump Friday night at a Grand Rapids, Michigan 'thank you' rally that the president-elect put on.

'They said a Republican could never win Michigan,' she said. 'I knew better, you knew better. We all know  never underestimate Michigan.'
A Pennsylvania woman has been jailed on charges that she collected $130,000 in state welfare benefits for three children who don't exist.

Sabrina Strothers is accused of claiming to give birth to three children in 2008 named Thomas, Tomalyia and Tyreik Wilson, investigators determined.

The Allegheny County district attorney announced the charges Monday against the 23-year-old.

Sabrina Strothers (left and right), 23, has been jailed on charges that she collected $130,000 in state welfare benefits for three children who don't exist

Strothers' cousin reported her to Pittsburgh officials in January.

When investigators checked the children's Social Security numbers against government records, they determined the numbers belonged to people born in 1887, 1945 and 1960.

Strothers is accused of receiving nearly $130,000 in illegal benefits.

Online court records don't list an attorney for her.
She said the teen laid on top of her 'like a pile of bricks' and continued assaulting her despite her repeated pleas to stop and call 911

After stealing a bag full of clothes, Robert ordered the woman back in the bedroom, where he proceeded to rape and sodomize her

how Robert put a knife to her neck, pushed her onto her bed and demanded money

Guilty: Asa Robert, now aged 20, has been convicted of rape, seual abuse and other charges after he broke into the Brooklyn home of an 82-year-old widow and raped her last year

A 20-year-old Brooklyn man has been found guilty of raping and assaulting an 82-year-old woman after sneaking into her Brighton Beach home last year.

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that Asa Robert was convicted Monday of first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act, following his conviction last week of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree criminal trespass.

This defendant committed a reprehensible and terrifying assault on a vulnerable elderly woman who had the courage to face her attacker in court, Gonzales said in a statement after the verdict. This defendant has now been brought to justice and held accountable for his actions.

Robert could get up to 122 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 10.

Last month, the victim, who is now 83 years old, came face-to-face with her attacker, recounting for the jury in harrowing detail how Robert broke into her home, put a knife to her neck and proceeded to sexually assault her.

Robert, who was 18 years old at the time, was arrested in July 2015 on a slew of charges stemming from the attack targeting the octogenarian.

The incident took place on the morning of July 13, 2015, when police said Robert slipped into the woman's home in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn while she was sweeping her front yard and laid in wait for her with a knife in his hands.

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Cuffed: Robert was arrested in Bedford-Stuyvesant in mid-July 2015, just a few days after the brutal rape and home invasion

During Robert's trial in late November, the 4-foot-5, 90-pound victim, who has been using a wheelchair since the day of the brutal attack, recounted for the jury how Robert pounced on her when she went to lay down, grabbed her by the neck, pushed her onto her bed and threatened her with the knife.

'He started to yell, "Gimme the money,"' she recalled, according to a report by the New York Daily News. 'I said, "I'm a poor old lady, my family handles all my money."'

The widow, who is not being named because she is believed to be the victim of a sexual assault, said Robert proceeded to ransack her home, shoving clothes into a bag. He also reportedly pilfered an umbrella.

The victim even offered the teen her late husbands Hawaiian shirt in the hope that he would leave without harming her, reported the New York Post.

As Robert was making his way toward the door, the widow told the court he suddenly turned around and ordered her back into the bedroom, where he proceeded to rape, sodomize and suffocate the octogenarian, despite her repeated pleas to stop and call 911.

This was the most disgusting thing that has ever happened to me, she told jurors of the attack. He was on top of me like a pile of bricks. It felt like he was trying to crush me to death.'

Merciless: The octogenarian testified in court last month that Robert (pictured) sexually assaulted and sodomized her for a long time, despite her repeated pleas to stop and call 911

The woman said Robert stayed on her for a long time and continued assaulting her 'no matter what I said.'

After he finally got off the woman, she said Robert brought her a bottle of water and her medical alert button.

When he left her home, the victim called her son-in-law for help and he summoned police to her home. However, it was not until a week later that she told her daughter about the rape.

Police used surveillance video to identify Asa Robert as a suspect, and he was picked up in Bedford Stuyvesant just a few days later. PIX11 reported that his past criminal record included at least eight arrests, including for robbery, gang assault and resisting arrest.
Russian Ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko and his Nana

Russia's top UK diplomat last night accused Britain of overt hostility and of working with Nato to prepare for a major war in Europe.

Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko said the Kremlin did not see Britain as a threat and hoped for real co-operation, as he downplayed Russias ships in the English Channel as no grounds for conflict.

And with the battle for Aleppo almost over, he declared Russia will never walk away from the conflict in Syria in the same way the Soviet Union did not stop until the Nazis were defeated in Germany.

In his first major interview amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Mr Yakovenko, 62, told the Mail: Russia is ready to restore its relations with the UK insofar as the British Government is willing to do likewise.

We will take reciprocal steps if the British leadership decides to change its stance towards Russia.

He said the UK-Russia political relationship in recent years had been quite volatile, with abrupt changes from relatively good to overt hostility. But he added that Russia had never considered Nato and Great Britain as a threat, as he accused the alliance of confrontational measures that had forced Russian president Vladimir Putin to respond with a military build-up.

Just weeks after the UK announced it would send hundreds of soldiers to the Baltic States to deter Russian aggression, Mr Yakovenko said Britains eastward steps contribute to the deterioration of the current situation, adding: It looks like Nato is getting prepared for a major war in Europe, but still doesnt know how to handle such an eventuality, which will require a decade-long arms race.

All these confrontational measures make us respond by ensuring that our defences are strong enough in case of any contingency.

He said Natos build-up close to Russias borders is the essence of the systemic problems that have soured Russias relations with the United States and other Nato members. Career diplomat Mr Yakovenko said the greatest problems in relations were due to the lack of trust as he called for a collective security between all the nations.

Mr Putins military has repeatedly sent warships through the Channel and despatched planes to buzz the UKs airspace in what have been described as acts of provocation.

But Mr Yakovenko, who was handed the ambassadorial role in London in 2011 and has been forced to defend the Kremlin on controversial issues such as the downing of the MH17 flight over the Ukraine and the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, said: There is no grounds for conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to speak during a reception marking the Heroes of the Farherland's Day at the Grand Kremlin Palace on December 9, 2016 in Moscow

He added: One should not forget that Russia is a major military power and we have got to keep our military in good shape and that means flying and sailing past the British Isles. That is pure geography. I can assure you that Russia doesnt view Britain as a strategic adversary, and it just cannot be. There is nothing strategic for us to contest.

He said Russia wanted co-operation in the fight against terrorism, including having the countries military and Special Forces working together. Moscow was hopeful that Britains decision to leave the European Union would lead to greater co-operation between the two world powers.

The Soviet Union is gone and the historical West is going, too. We are witnessing the end of ideology, which offers a unique opportunity to mend Europes divide and put in place a truly regional system of collective security for all.

Sir Michael Fallon accused Mr Putin of causing an intolerable situation in Aleppo

He dismissed claims of a new Cold War, adding that Britain, the US and Russia were again on the same side, hopefully, the side of history.

He added: This holds the promise of bringing the great post-Cold War misunderstanding between Russian and the West to an end.

Diplomatic tensions between the UK and Russia have deteriorated over Moscows bombing campaign in Aleppo  described as a humanitarian catastrophe.

Asked about Britain and other Western leaders accusations that Russia was helping to prop up Syrian president Bashar al-Assads regime and bomb civilians in the process, Mr Yakovenko denied any war crimes.

He said: Over the past few days our military helped over 80,000 civilians leave Aleppo, still under the control of the jihadists, mostly foreigners, who intend to fight to the bitter end.

Russia will never walk away and leave the business of fighting terror unfinished, like we didnt stop on our borders fighting Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany.

In the Commons yesterday, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon accused Mr Putin of causing an intolerable situation in Aleppo where hospitals were being bombed and aid could not get through.

Yesterday the Syrian military said the battle for the city was almost over, with government forces in control of 99 per cent of the formerly rebel-held suburbs.

An emergency Commons debate on what the UK can do to help rescue civilians from Aleppo will take place today.
Journalist, writer, broadcaster and filmmaker Anne Deveson has died aged 86, only three days after her writer daughter died of brain cancer.

Ms Deveson lost her two-year battle with Alzheimer's disease on Monday.

Her 51-year-old daughter Georgia Blain, also a writer, died on Friday, which meant Ms Deveson outlived two of her three children.

She is being remembered for her arts career and community work, focused particularly on campaigning for the mentally ill.

Writer, filmmaker and mental health campaigner Anne Deveson has died aged 86 in Sydney

Anne Deveson's daughter Georgia Blain (pictured) died on Friday from brain cancer

Feminist Eva Cox has paid tribute to her friend's work to improve mental health services

Veteran feminist Eva Cox has paid tribute to her friend's campaign for a better society.

'Vale Anne Deveson, you gave us so much over a long productive life so your friends honour your contributions to making society more civil,' she said in a tweet.

Ms Deveson was awarded an Order of Australia in 1983 for her services to the media.

She had also campaigned for better public awareness of schizophrenia after her son Jonathan developed the mental illness and later died.
Spotted leaving a fish and chip shop, Britain's most hated mother Karen Matthews is seen on the street just days after demanding plastic surgery to avoid being attacked.

The 41-year-old was jailed for eight years in 2008 after faking the kidnap of her own daughter, Shannon, then nine.

Now Matthews has reportedly told a friend she wants to change her appearance in a bid to stop people recognising her and out of fear of being attacked.

Shannon was found drugged and tethered inside the base of a double bed in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, because her mother and accomplice Michael Donovan were desperate to grab 50,000 in reward money.

Out and abut: Spotted leaving a fish and chip shop, Britain's most hated mother Karen Matthews is seen on the street days after demanding plastic surgery to avoid being attacked

The 41-year-old was jailed for eight years in 2008 after faking the kidnap of her own daughter

Karen Matthews (left) was jailed for eight years in 2008 after faking the kidnap of her own daughter, nine-year-old Shannon (right)

Matthews was also seen leaving charity shop Cancer Research after being spotted shopping

Scared: Now Matthews has reportedly told a friend she wants to change her appearance in a bid to stop people recognising her and out of fear of being attacked

They had planned to release the schoolgirl, 'discover her' then take her to a police station and claim the reward before splitting it 50/50.

However, the pair's horrific crime was discovered by police and Matthews, a mother of seven, and Donovan were jailed for eight years for kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

As reported in The Mirror, Matthews wants to get plastic surgery to make her nose smaller, allegedly telling her friend: 'I was walking along the main road and someone shouted, 'Look at that nonce,' and I said, 'Get a life.'

Matthews says she has fireworks thrown at her in the street but 'deserves everything she gets'.

She has also claimed she was repeatedly attacked by other inmates while in prison and feels particularly lonely at Christmas when she 'sees other families'.

She said her past has put her off finding love, reportedly telling her friend, 'I'm done with men' - despite claiming she was bombarded with letters from men while she was in jail.

Following her release from prison in April 2012 after serving half her sentence, Matthews is now a teetotal born-again Christian, living on benefits in southern England under a new name.

Matthews says she has fireworks thrown at her in the street but 'deserves everything she gets'

Karen Matthews was a regular fixture on TV during the search, often seen crying for her missing daughter, when she knew where she was all along

Her mother's trial heard the ordeal left Shannon 'disturbed and traumatised' and suffering from nightmares

She is also struggling to get by on benefits, she has told friends.

The disappearance of Shannon in 2008 sparked a 3.2million police hunt while her mother appeared before the media pretending to be distraught as hundreds of local people helped in the search.

Now 18, she is not believed to have any contact with her mother after she was found a new home when Karen was jailed.

The dramatic events surrounding the disappearance of Shannon, who turned 18 this year, is likely to be dragged back into the spotlight in the new year with the release of a BBC TV film about the saga.

The Moorside Project will feature Game Of Thrones star Gemma Whelan as Matthews and will focus on her friend, Julie Bushby, played by Sheridan Smith, who led the community's search for Shannon.

Shannon was found in Donovan's flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, in the base of a divan bed.
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Nasa is working with Stephen Hawking to send a tiny nano-spacecraft to Alpha Centauri at one fifth the speed of light.

The starship - dubbed 'StarChip' - was first announced in April as part of the Breakthrough Starshot project, which also includes Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Russian billionaire Yuri Milner among its backers.

The team have been working on the challenge of how the spacecraft could survive the intense interstellar radiation on the 20-year trip to Earth's closest start system.

New research suggests that 'self-healing' silicon chips could be the answer.

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Stephen Hawking (left), Yuri Milner (center) and Mark Zuckerberg (right) have teamed up to launch a $100 million hunt for alien life. The project, dubbed 'Breakthrough Starshot', was announced in New York today

WHAT IS ALPHA CENTURI? The Alpha Centauri star system is 25 trillion miles (4.37 light years) away. With today's fastest spacecraft, it would take about 30,000 years to get there. Breakthrough Starshot aims to establish whether a gram-scale nanocraft, on a sail pushed by a light beam, can fly over a thousand times faster. Astronomers estimate that there is a reasonable chance of an Earth-like planet existing in the 'habitable zones' of Alpha Centauri's three-star system. Advertisement

Announced in April on the 55th anniversary of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's historic flight, in which he became the first man in space, the Breakthrough Starshot project involves tiny so-called 'nanocraft' flying on sails pushed by beams of light through the universe.

They will travel to the Alpha Centauri star system 25 trillion miles (4.37 light years) to look for alien life.

Astronomers estimate that there is a reasonable chance of an Earth-like planet existing in the 'habitable zones' of Alpha Centauri's three-star system.

There are still numerous technological challenges to be overcome before the mission can launch, not least the problem of space radiation.

Re-routing the mission to avoid high-radiation areas could add years to the mission, while protective shielding would add too much weight to the tiny spacecraft.

A new study from researchers at Nasa and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) says that self-healing silicon chips could be used to prolong the life of the tiny spacecraft.

The chip's tiny 20-nanometer features, make them lightweight and as well as resilient to cosmic rays, said the researchers.

'Therefore, the lifetime of devices can be extended, which opens an opportunity for nano-spacecraft sustainable for more than 20 years of deep space exploration,' says the paper.

The findings were presented at the International Electron Devices Meeting in San Francisco last week.

The project, dubbed Breakthrough Starshot, will rely on tiny so-called 'nanocraft' flying on sails, similar to the one illustrated, pushed by beams of light. Each of these tiny craft will carry cameras and a built in GPS

'For the first time in human history, we can do more than look at the stars, we can reach them,' said Yuri Milner, founder of the Breakthrough Initiatives, in April.

Each of these 'interstellar sailboats' is expected to carry cameras and a built in GPS to search deep space for habitable planets.

'Fifty five years ago today, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.

'Today, we are preparing for the next great leap.'

'Earth is a wonderful place, but it might not last forever,' commented Stephen Hawking, 'Sooner or later, we must look to the stars.

'Breakthrough Starshot is a very exciting first step on that journey.

'With light beams, light sails and the lightest spacecraft ever built we can launch a mission to Alpha Centauri within a generation,' said Hawking.

The $100 million research and engineering program will seek proof of concept for using light beam to propel super lightweight nanocraft to 20 per cent of light speed.

A possible fly-by mission could reach Alpha Centauri within about 20 years of its launch, Milner said, and also revealed Mark Zuckerberg is joining the project's board.

These craft are designed to take images of planets and other scientific data in our nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, just over 20 years after their launch.

The Alpha Centauri star system is 25 trillion miles (4.37 light years) away (right). With today's fastest spacecraft, it would take about 30,000 years to get there. Breakthrough Starshot aims to establish whether a gram-scale nanocraft, on a sail pushed by a light beam, can fly over a thousand times faster (left)

'Today we commit to this next great leap into this cosmos, because we are human and our nature is to fly.'

The program will be led by Pete Worden, the former director of Nasa Ames Research Center, and advised by a committee of world-class scientists and engineers.

'We take inspiration from Vostok, Voyager, Apollo and the other great missions,' said Worden.

'It's time to open the era of interstellar flight, but we need to keep our feet on the ground to achieve this.'

WHO IS YURI MILNER? A onetime physics PhD student in Moscow who dropped out to move to the United States in 1990, Milner is one of a handful of technology tycoons devoting time and money to space exploration. Yuri Milner was born into a Jewish family on 11 November 1961 in Moscow and studied theoretical physics at Moscow State University, graduating in 1985. He began his business career selling illegal DOS computers in the Soviet Union. When the national government collapsed enrolled at Wharton School of Business to earn an MBA. He then went on to work for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., as a Russian banking specialist tasked with the development of the private sector banking. He rose up in the banking world, and from 1997 to 2000, Milner was Director General of the investment fund New Trinity Investments But his real success came when he founded investment firms Digital Sky Technologies (DST) - now called Mail.ru Group - and DST Global. DST Global has invested in a number of major technology firms including Facebook, Spotify, Twitter and Alibaba. An aerial view of Yuri Milner's mansion. Milner currently works as an investor and has earned his fortune from backing successful technology firms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram In 2012, Milner established The Breakthrough Prize - a set of international awards recognize three fields of endeavour: Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences and Mathematics. Laureates receive $3 million each in prize money, making the Breakthrough Prizes the largest scientific awards in the world. Earlier this year, he teamed up with Stephen Hawking in the search for alien life as part of the 'Breakthrough Initiatives.' The $100 million quest will see telescopes scour one million of the closest stars to Earth for faint signals thrown out into space by intelligent life beyond our own world. As part of his long-term vision, Milner believes that the internet will develop into a 'global brain' that will work as a type of nervous system for Earth. Advertisement

When in orbit, the tiny craft would unfold thin sails and then be propelled by powerful laser beams from Earth

The Alpha Centauri star system is 25 trillion miles (4.37 light years) away.

With today's fastest spacecraft, it would take about 30,000 years to get there.

Breakthrough Starshot aims to establish whether a gram-scale nanocraft, on a sail pushed by a light beam, can fly over a thousand times faster.

It brings the Silicon Valley approach to space travel, capitalising on exponential advances in certain areas of technology since the beginning of the 21st century.

Nanocrafts are gram-scale robotic spacecrafts comprising two main parts: A Starchip and Lightchip.

'Starchip is about the size of a postage stamp, although a little bit thicker. It can be massed produced at the cost of an iPhone,' said Milner.

The light beamer is modular and scalable.

Once it is assembled and the technology matures, the cost of each launch is expected to fall to a few hundred thousand dollars.

The research and engineering phase is expected to last a number of years.

'The thing would look like the chip from your cell phone with this very thin gauzy light sail,' said Nasa's Pete Worden. 'It would be something like 10, 12 feet across'. Pictured on the left is Yuri Milner holding a prototype chip and on the right is an aritst's impression of what the 'interstellar sailboat' would look like

'Earth is a wonderful place, but it might not last forever,' commented Stephen Hawking, 'Sooner or later, we must look to the stars. 'Breakthrough Starshot is a very exciting first step on that journey'

A still image taken from a video rendering shows phased arrays of lasers which could be used on Breakthrough Starshot, a $100 million research and engineering program aiming to demonstrate proof of concept for light-propelled spacecrafts

'55 years ago today, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space,' said Yuri Milner in April, who was named after the pioneering astronaut (shown on screen). 'Today, we are preparing for the next great leap'

Breakthrough Starshot is likely to target Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to Earth, where an an Earth-like planet may exist within its 'habitable zone.' It could also help confirm the existence of Planet Nine (illustrated)

THE CHALLENGES The idea has precedents with mixed results. Two years ago, Cornell University's KickSat fizzled after the craft carrrying 104 micro-satellites into space failed to release them. The plan was to let the tiny satellites orbit and collect data for a few weeks. Nasa's Peter Worden acknowledges challenges, including the nanocraft surviving impact on launch. They would then endure 20 years of travel through the punishing environment of interstellar space, with obstacles such as dust collisions. 'The problems remaining to be solved - any one of them are showstoppers,' Worden said. Governments likely would not take on the research due to its speculative nature, he said, yet the technology is promising enough to merit pursuing. Advertisement

Following that, development of the ultimate mission to Alpha Centauri would require a budget comparable to the largest current scientific experiments.

However, the key elements of the proposed system design are based on technology either already available or likely to be attainable in the near future under reasonable assumptions.

The proposed light propulsion system is on a scale significantly exceeding any currently operational analog.

The very nature of the project calls for global co-operation and support.

Clearance for launches would be required from all the appropriate government and international organizations.

As the technology required for interstellar travel matures, a number of additional opportunities will emerge, including the following:

Astronomers estimate that there is a reasonable chance of an Earth-like planet existing in the 'habitable zones' of Alpha Centauri's three-star system.

A number of scientific instruments, ground-based and space-based, are being developed and enhanced, which will soon identify and characterize planets around nearby stars.

A separate Breakthrough Initiative will support some of these projects.

The Breakthrough Starshot initiative will establish a research grant program, and will make available other funding to support relevant scientific and engineering research and development.

The idea for a spacecraft to be equipped with a solar sail to use the solar wind for propulsion was described by the late astrophysicist Carl Sagan four decades ago.

It was theorised that solar sails could accelerate spacecraft far beyond the speeds of traditional fuels, to make interplanetary - and interstellar - travel more feasible.

12: Scientist and investor Yuri Milner holds up a prototype of the "Star Chip", a small robotic space craft that will enable intersteller travel as he poses with Professor Stephen Hawking and Professor Freeman Dyson

The team envisions sending a larger conventional spacecraft containing thousands of nanocraft into orbit, and then launching the nanocraft

'For the first time in human history, we can do more than look at the stars, we can reach them,' said Yuri Milner (left), founder of the Breakthrough Initiatives. 'Earth is a wonderful place, but it might not last forever,' added Stephen Hawking (right), 'Sooner or later, we must look to the stars'

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOLAR SAILS LightSail is not the first spacecraft to test this innovative form of propulsion. Japan's Ikaros probe successfully 'sailed' on its way to Venus in 2010. Ikaros measured 2,000 square ft (185 square metres) in size. Nasa also tested solar sails with its NanoSail-D2 satellite in January 2011, with a sail expanding to 110sq ft (10 square metres). The spacecraft burned up in Earth's atmosphere as planned in November 2011. Advertisement

The most recent version of this technology has four triangular sails, made of mylar, that create a rectangular-shaped surface.

It can send a cubesat to an orbital altitude of 500 miles (800 km), before sails deploy creating a total surface area of 32 square metres.

The Planetary Society recently released a video showing a sail deployment test at Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation in Pasadena.

LightSail 1 was launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on 20 May from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

At its core is a tiny craft made up of three 'CubeSats', which are essentially tiny spacecraft that can be launched relatively cheaply.

In total, the core of the vehicle weighs 22lbs (10kg) and is just 11.8-inches (30cm) high and 3.9-inches (10cm) wide - about the size of a loaf of bread.

At the bottom of the spacecraft on each of its four sides, a huge solar sail has been 'folded up'.

This sail, measuring 345 square ft (32 square metres) in size, is made of an extremely reflective material called Mylar.

The idea for a spacecraft to be equipped with a solar sail to use the solar wind for propulsion was described by the late astrophysicist Carl Sagan four decades ago. Although not confirmed, the project is likely to use technology that developed by The Planetaru Society's LightSail (pictured)

It is just 4.5 microns thick - about a quarter of the thickness of a bin bag.

If it is unfurled, photons from the sun will strike the sail and push it forwards, similar to how a sail on Earth catches the wind.

The push is extremely minimal - less than holding a sheet of paper in your hand - but it is theorised that, over time, this push could build up enough to reach high speeds.

The latest project is part of Milner's decade-long search for extraterrestrial intelligence , which he set up last year, under the banner Breakthrough Initiatives.

Milner, who is worth $2.9 billion, has collaborated with Hawking before.

BREAKTHROUGH STARSHOT The project involves deploying thousands of tiny spacecraft to travel to our nearest star system and send back pictures. If successful, scientists could determine if Alpha Centauri, a star system about 25 trillion miles away, contains an Earth-like planet. The catch: It could take years to develop the project, dubbed Breakthrough Starshot, and there is no guarantee it will work. The small light-propelled vehicles will carry equipment like cameras and communication equipment. Scientists hope the vehicles, known as nanocraft, will eventually fly at 20 per cent of the speed of lightt. 'The thing would look like the chip from your cell phone with this very thin gauzy light sail,' said Nasa's Pete Worden 'It would be something like 10, 12 feet across.' He envisions sending a larger conventional spacecraft containing thousands of nanocraft into orbit, and then launching the nanocraft. If they reach the star system and succeed in taking photographs, it would take about another four years to transmit them back. Advertisement

In July 2015, the two revealed a $100 million plan, called 'Breakthrough Listen', to look for alien life.

Worden said today that in the near future, Breakthrough Listen, will observe all stars within 25 light years from Earth.

'In the last five years, we have discovered that planets in the habitable zone of stars are common,' Breakthrough Initiatives' the website states.

'Based on the numbers discovered so far, there are estimated to be billions more in our galaxy alone.

'And there are hundreds of billions of galaxies in the visible Universe.

'Yet we are still in the dark about life. Are we really alone? Or are there others out there?

'It's one of the biggest questions. And only science can answer it.'

From left to right; Freeman Dyson, Professor, Princeton Institute for Advanced Study; Ann Druyan, CEO of Cosmos Studios; Avi Loeb, Professor of Science at Harvard University; Mae Jamison, Nasa Astronaut; and Peter Worden, Chairman, Breaktrough Prize Foundation




Robotic arms have been used in production lines for decades to automate and speed up the assembly of everything from computer components to cars.

But despite their utility, these machine lack the human touch.

That could be set to change thanks to a soft robotic hand which can sense the texture and shape of objects by touching them.

The hope is that by creating soft, tactile robots which can feel the world around them, researchers can develop better prosthetic limbs or help surgeons to train for, or even perform risky surgery.

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Robotics engineers have created a soft robotic hand which can sense the texture and shape of objects by touching them (pictured)

With current technology, in order for a machine to grasp an object, it typically requires motorised or hydraulic joints which can conduct an electrical signal.

But engineers at Cornell University in New York took have looked to a different approach, incorporating stretchable sensors which use light to carry signals.

These optical waveguides can sense their external environment by changes to light signals they carry  with the light being distorted or bent.

In a test of the sensors, a team at Cornell incorporated these sensors into a soft robotic hand.

The hope is that by creating soft, tactile robots which can feel the world around them, researchers can develop better prosthetics limbs (stock image used) or squeeze into even help surgeons to train

ROBOT HANDS THAT FEEL WITH LIGHT Engineers at Cornell University in New York took incorporated stretchable sensors which use light to carry signals into a robotic hand. The sensors work in the same way as fibre optic wires, sensing their external environment by changes to light signals they carry  with the light being distorted or bent as the surface touches an object. The sensors can stretch to more than 500 per cent of their initial length. What's more, the materials for the hand are tough, with previous experiments seeing a similar object run over with a car, with no damage. As the sensors are composed of the same material as the soft robots themselves, it means they could potentially be moulded into more complex machines. Advertisement

The robo-hand could run its digits over three tomatoes, pressing them to work out how firm they were  based on distortions to the light signals  and so find the ripe fruit in the bunch.

In essence, as the hand deforms, it loses light, which is detected by a photodiode.

These sensors operate identically to fibre optic wires, except ours can stretch to more than 500 per cent their initial length, explained Dr Robert Shepherd, whose lab carried out the research.

Another difference is that ours do not transmit data perfectly.

He told MailOnline: We actually lose a lot of signal across the length of the wire, which is a good thing  we need that signal loss to measure the shape of the sensor.

The materials for the hand are tough, with previous experiments seeing a similar object run over with a car, with no damage.

As the sensors are composed of the same material as the soft robots themselves, it means they could potentially be moulded into more complex machines.

Speaking to NPR, Cornell PhD student Huichan Zhao, who led the work, said: Our human hand is not functioning using motors to drive each of the joints; our human hand is soft with a lot of sensors ... on the surface and inside the hand.

Soft robotics provides a chance to make a soft hand that is more close to a human hand.

Beyond prosthetics, such soft robotics could find uses in space exploration to swim through alien oceans, like that of Jupiters moon Europa.

The technology, which has been developed through a grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research could also be combined with virtual reality to help surgeons.

Dr Shepherd told MailOnline: I think that haptic interfaces for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality are going to be desirable for simulating and even performing risky tasks such as surgery.

The need to sense the interaction forces of an actor in these tasks will be important for appropriate touch sensation.
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A new hypersonic jet could ferry passengers from London to New York in just two hours, its designers claim.

On its flight, the Paradoxal aircraft would also include a short suborbital trip to space, enabling passengers to gaze down at the Earth and stars.

The experimental aircraft, which has a blended wing body similar to Nasa concept designs, is still very much at concept phase.

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A new hypersonic jet could ferry passengers from London to New York in just two hours, its designers claim. On its flight, the Paradoxal aircraft would also include a short suborbital trip to space, enabling passengers to gaze down at the Earth and stars

The designs were published on Canadian site Imaginactive, a hub for vehicle designers.

While the Paradoxal's primary use would be super-fast travel, the passenger jet could also be developed for various other users by government agencies.

'It can also be perceived as an aircraft that mixes space tourism with business travel,' said Juan Garcia Mansilla, an industrial designer based in Buenos Aires and the designer behind the jet.

The air-breathing engines would provide enough power to lift off, climb to 60,000 feet (18,000 metres), and reach a supersonic speed of Mach 3.

The velocity would means that the 7,585 mile (12,206 km) trip from Los Angeles to Sydney could be undertaken in less than 3 hours.

As well as being able to fly the 7,585 mile (12,206 km) trip from Los Angeles to Sydney in less than 3 hours, the jet would also offer passengers a suborbital view of the Earth and a minute of weightlessness

While its primary use would be super-fast travel, it could also be developed for various other users by government agencies. 'It can also be perceived as an aircraft that mixes space tourism with business travel,' said Juan Garcia Mansilla, an industrial designer based in Buenos Aires and the designer behind the jet

HOW IT WORKS 'It uses a Rotary Ramjet engine as the air-breathing engine and then converts to a rocket to reach a suborbital altitude,' explains designer Juan Garcia Mansilla. 'A line of counterflowing jets of air on the aircrafts leading edges reduces heat and drag during the ascent and re-entry phases of the flight'. After reaching Mach 3, the engine would turn into a rocket engine by injecting liquid oxygen into the gas exhaust port, pusing the jet towards its suboribtal trajectory at supersonic speeds. At this point, as well as getting a breath-taking view of Earth, passenger would be to experience a minute of weightlessness. 'The leading edge of the planes wings would be fitted with linear Long Penetration Mode (LPM) nozzles so that air could flow out of them to create a paradoxal effect whereby the plane could fly faster,' explains the designer. 'As the speed increased to first supersonic, then hypersonic velocities, the engines or onboard tanks of compressed air would supply air to the LPM nozzles along the leading edges of the plane. 'As the Parodoxal accelerates and climbs, the LPM effect would reduce thermal loads while also reducing overall drag'. Advertisement

'It uses a Rotary Ramjet engine as the air-breathing engine and then converts to a rocket to reach a suborbital altitude,' explains designer Juan Garcia Mansilla.

'A line of counterflowing jets of air on the aircrafts leading edges reduces heat and drag during the ascent and re-entry phases of the flight'.

After reaching Mach 3, the engine would turn into a rocket engine by injecting liquid oxygen into the gas exhaust port, pusing the jet towards its suborbital trajectory at supersonic speeds.

At this point, as well as getting a breath-taking view of Earth, passenger would be to experience a minute of weightlessness.

'The leading edge of the planes wings would be fitted with linear Long Penetration Mode (LPM) nozzles so that air could flow out of them to create a paradoxal effect whereby the plane could fly faster,' explains the designer.

'As the speed increased to first supersonic, then hypersonic velocities, the engines or onboard tanks of compressed air would supply air to the LPM nozzles along the leading edges of the plane.

'As the Parodoxal accelerates and climbs, the LPM effect would reduce thermal loads while also reducing overall drag'.

The LPM system was designed by Nasa engineers while the engine concept came from researchers at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec.

Because of the way it works, the aircraft has a blended wing body shape with one long leading edge.

This would mean that hundreds of passengers would sit in one large, theatre-like cabin with all galleys and baggage stowage at the back.

To enjoy the view, 'a large panoramic rooftop would definitely be a plus if it can be designed to endure the heat and stress' said the designer.

'Gone are the days of tube-and-wing planes with their long rows of cramped seats,' he added.

The plane would be cooled down during re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere, after which it would gradually return to subsonic speeds.

It would then drop below Mach 1 after reaching 50,000 feet (15,000 metres) in order to land on a 6,000-foot (1,800 m) runway.

While Juan Garcia Mansilla designed the look of the futuristic jet, the concept was thought up by Charles Bombadier, the founder of Imaginactive, while technical input was given by Nasa engineers led by Rebecca Farr.

While the idea of a hypersonic jet is ambitious, it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

Nasa recently tested a scale version of its 'Blended Wing Body' (BWB) hypersonic aircraft.

The plane would be cooled down during re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere, after which it would gradually return to subsonic speeds.

Because of the way it works, the aircraft has a blended wing body shape with one long leading edge. This would mean that hundreds of passengers would sit in one large, theatre-like cabin with all galleys and baggage stowage at the back.

A graphic shows a selection of international routes and how long it might take the hypersonic jet to complete them, including London to New York in two hours and LA to Sydney in three hours

The triangle-shaped plane, that could one day be used by the US military, is reminiscent of spy planes and designed to cut through the air more efficiently.

Boeing is developing the plane alongside Nasa, and testing at the Nasa Langley Research Center in Virginia, in a 14- by 22-foot (4.2 by 6.7 metre) subsonic tunnel.

In October, aviation giants said that hypersonic flight is an 'inevitable' step that will revolutionize travel.

At the Forum on American Aeronautics late last month, officials from top aeronautics agencies including NASA, the Air Force, and Lockheed Martin, said we are now on the brink of a new era in air transportation.

According to the experts, however, bringing this technology to practical use over land will require significant reductions in the sonic booms caused by the craft, and numerous firms are now working to tackle this challenge.
In a bid to tackle climate change, Bill Gates has joined forces with some of the richest people in the world, including Sir Richard Branson and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, to create a 800 million ($1 billion) fund.

The initiative, named Breakthrough Energy Ventures, plans to invest in green energy over 20 years.

Its funders hope that this long-term approach will help to deliver the next generation of reliable and affordable energy to the world.

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In a bid to tackle the growing issue of climate change, Bill Gates has joined forces with some of the richest people in the world, including Sir Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, to create a 800 million ($1 billion) fund

THE INVESTORS A full list of investors has not yet been announced, but a small list of names has been released: Directors - Jack Ma (Founder of Alibaba) - Mukesh Ambani (Chairman of Reliance Industries - John Doerr (venture capitalist) - Vinod Khosla (venture capitalist), - John Arnold (former energy hedge fund manager) - Hasso Plattner (SAP cofounder) Other investors - HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal (Kingdom Holding Company) - Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) - Richard Branson (founder of Virgin) - Ray Dalio (founder of Bridgewater Associates) - Patrice Motsepe (founder of African Rainbow Minerals) - Xavier Niel (founder of Iliad Group) - Masayoshi Son (founder of SoftBank) - Zhang Xin and Pan Shiyi (founders of SOHO China) Advertisement

While many prior investments have expected returns within a few years, Breakthrough Energy Ventures will take a long-term approach, backing cheap and reliable energy sources.

The backers are worth an estimated 135 billion ($170 billion), giving the fund one of the richest collections of investors in history.

They formed the coalition in support of clean energy at the Paris climate talks in 2015, and the fund's launch today marks the first significant venture for the group.

Bill Gates, who is leading the fund, said: 'Our goal is to build companies that will help deliver the next generation of reliable, affordable, and emissions-free energy to the world.

'I am honoured to work along with these investors to build on the powerful foundation of public investment in basic research.'

Having already given more than 22 billion ($28 billion) towards initiatives that predominantly focus on health, education, and economic development in developing countries, Bill Gates is one of the world's leading philanthropists.

Speaking to Quartz, Gates said: 'Anything that leads to cheap, clean, reliable energy we're open-minded to.'

The fund is predicted to invest in efficient transportation and storage of energy, as well as production.

Other investors in the group include Jeff Bezos (pictured left), founder of Amazon, and Jack Ma (pictured right), founder of the Alibaba Group

The backers, including Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, are worth an estimated 135 billion ($170 billion), giving the fund one of the richest collections of investors in history

John Arnold, one of the most successful energy traders in the world, who is also an investor in the fund, said there is a lack of funding for green energy technology, as many investors see little short-term returns.

He said: 'The dearth of venture funding for clean energy technologies threatens to create a valley of death for the industry, with emerging ideas unable to find the necessary capital to reach commercialisation.

'As an investor-led effort, Breakthrough Energy Ventures is designed as a source of patient capital to spur innovation to meet the growing demand for low-cost, clean energy solutions.'
Last year, astronomers spotted an explosion a trillion times brighter than the sun that they dubbed the 'brightest supernova ever seen.'

But that massive explosion of light - which outshone the whole Milky Way - wasn't a supernova at all, but a supermassive black hole.

According to a new study, the black hole was in the process of shredding a distant star that wandered to close, creating an incredible amount of light.

Last year, astronomers spotted an explosion a trillion times brighter than the sun that they dubbed the 'brightest supernova ever seen.' But that massive explosion of light - which outshone the whole Milky Way - wasn't a supernova at all, but a supermassive black hole (artist's impression pictured)

WHAT ARE SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES? Supermassive black holes are incredibly dense areas in the centre of galaxies with masses that can be billions of times that of the sun. They act as intense sources of gravity which hoover up dust and gas around them. Their intense gravitational pull is thought to be what stars in galaxies orbit around. How they are formed is still poorly understood. Astronomers believe they may form when a large cloud of gas up to 100,000 times bigger than the sun, collapses into a black hole. Many of these black hole seeds then merge to form much larger supermassive black holes. Alternatively, a supermassive black hole seed could come from a giant star, about 100 times the sun's mass, that ultimately forms into a black hole after it runs out of fuel and collapses. Advertisement

The team of researchers was led by Dr Giorgos Leloudas at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and the Dark Cosmology Centre in Denmark.

The observations were made as part of the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN).

Dr Leloudas said: 'We observed the source for 10 months following the event and have concluded that the explanation is unlikely to lie with an extraordinarily bright supernova.

'Our results indicate that the event was probably caused by a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole as it destroyed a low-mass star.'

The extreme gravitational forces of the supermassive black hole located in the the centre of the host galaxy ripped the sun-like star apart when it came too close to it.

The event, which is called a tidal disruption event, occurs when stars get too close to a black hole's event horizon - the boundary within which nothing is able to escape its gravitational pull.

Tidal disruption events have only been observed 10 times before.

In the process of the star being destroyed, it was spaghettified: a process where objects are vertically stretched and horizontally compressed into long thin shapes, much like spaghetti.

The colliding debris approaching the hole, as well as the heat generated from the debris coming together to form larger bodies, led to a burst of light.

The bright light made the black hole event appear to be a supernova, even though that specific star could not have become a supernova as its mass was too small.

Morgan Fraser from the University of Cambridge said: 'There are several independent aspects to the observations that suggest that this event was indeed a tidal disruption and not a superluminous supernova.'

The aftermath: An artist's depiction of a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole surrounded the rotating leftovers of a star that was ripped apart by the tidal forces of the black hole.

The team observed the events using telescopes on Earth and in space.

Two of the telescopes used, the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the New Technology Telescope, are based in Chile and run by the European Southern Observatory.

One of the other telescopes used was the Nasa/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope which is in low orbit of the Earth.

WHAT IS SPAGHETTIFICATION? If you stray too close to a black hole, then you will stretch out, just like spaghetti, due to a gravitation gradient across your body. Imagine that you are headed feet first towards a black hole. Since your feet are physically closer to the black hole, they will feel a stronger gravitation pull towards it than your head will. You arms, by virtue of the fact that they're not at the centre of your body, will be attracted in a slightly different direction than your head is. This will cause parts of the body toward the edges to be brought inwards. The net result is not only an elongation of the body overall, but also a thinning out in the middle. Hence, your body or any other object, such as Earth, will start to resemble spaghetti long before it hits the centre of the black hole. Advertisement

The data shows that the event went through three distinct phases over the 10 months of follow-up observations and more closely resemble what is expected for a tidal disruption rather than a superluminous supernova.

The scientists observed an overall re-brightening in ultraviolet light as well as a temperature increase, further reducing the likelihood of a supernova event.

The location of the event was also strange.

It took place in a red, massive and passive galaxy, which is not the usual location for a superluminous supernova explosion.

These normally occur in blue, star-forming dwarf galaxies.

The mass of the host galaxy suggests that the supermassive black hole at its centre has a mass of at least 100 million times that of the sun (artist's impression pictured)

Although the team say a supernova source is very unlikely, they also say that a classical tidal disruption event would not be an adequate explanation for the event either.

Research team member Nicholas Stone from Columbia University, said: 'The tidal disruption event we propose cannot be explained with a non-spinning supermassive black hole.

'We argue that ASASSN-15lh was a tidal disruption event arising from a very particular kind of black hole.'

The mass of the host galaxy suggests that the supermassive black hole at its centre has a mass of at least 100 million times that of the sun.

A black hole of this mass would normally be unable to disrupt stars outside of its event horizon. However, if the black hole is a particular kind that happens to be rapidly spinning - a Kerr black hole - then it could disrupt those stars.

'Even with all the collected data we cannot say with 100 per cent certainty that the ASASSN-15lh event was a tidal disruption event,' said Dr Leloudas.
The Geminids meteor shower hits its peak on Tuesday, but a full moon will outshine the celestial show this year.

NASA says the Geminids are one of the best and most reliable meteor showers. At its peak, 120 meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions.

This year, the peak coincides with a full moon and that could make all but the brightest meteors invisible to the naked eye.

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The Geminids meteor shower hits its peak on Tuesday, but a full moon will outshine the celestial show this year. Pictured, a meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Geminid meteor shower over Springville, Ala

YOUR DECEMBER CALENDAR There are several astronomical events occurring throughout December including: December 3 - Moon and Venus align December 4 - Moon and Mars align December 12 - Moon's Bullseye December 13 - Geminid meteor shower December 14 - Supermoon December 16 - Moon and Beehive December 21 - December Solstice December 22 - Ursid meteor shower and the moon and Jupiter align Advertisement

NASA says sky watchers looking to see the shower should head somewhere away from city lights to a spot with a wide open view of the sky.

Meteors can be seen starting around 9 or 10 p.m. local time and are viewable until the early morning hours.

And with 2016 drawing to a close, December looks set to offer some stunning astronomical events to viewers around the world.

The coming month will feature back-to-back meteor showers, a stunning supermoon and our lunar satellite posing with planets.

To catch a glimpse of the celestial events stargazers will need to be eagle eyed, but our calendar should help ensure nothing is missed.

DECEMBER 12  MOON'S BULLSEYE

On December 12, the moon will appear near the eye of the constellation Taurus, the bull.

What is referred to as the 'eye' is really the red giant star Aldebaran, which sits 67 light-years from Earth and is the brightest in its constellation.

This year, the geminid peak coincides with a full moon and that could make all but the brightest meteors invisible to the naked eye

DECEMBER 13  GEMINID METEOR SHOWER

WHAT ARE THE GEMINIDS? The Geminids are pieces of debris from an object called 3200 Phaethon. Long thought to be an asteroid, Phaethon is now classified as an extinct comet. Nasa says it's essentially a rocky skeleton of a comet that lost its ice after too many close encounters with the sun. Earth runs into a stream of debris from 3200 Phaethon every year in mid-December, causing meteors to fly from the constellation Gemini. The Geminids can be seen from December 4 to 16 every year, peaking on the December 12 to 14. They travel at 22 miles (35km) a second. When the Geminids first appeared in the early 19th century, shortly before the US Civil War, the shower was weak and attracted little attention. There was no hint that it would ever become a major display. Advertisement

The Geminid meteor shower is known as one of the most spectacular events in the night sky each year and can usually be seen across the world.

Meteors are the result of particles smaller than one centimetre entering the Earth's atmosphere at high speed, burning up and heating the air around them.

They appear as a streak of light against the dark sky.

In this case, the debris is associated with the object 3200 Phaethon, which many astronomers believe to be an extinct comet.

The meteors appear to originate from a 'radiant' point in the constellation of Gemini, which is why they have been given the name Geminids.

Geminid meteors travel fairly slowly, at around 22 miles (35 km) per second.

They are bright and have a yellowish hue, making them distinct and easy to spot.

Professor Martin Barstow, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: 'A good meteor shower is a spectacular sight.

'If you have clear skies, there are few better and easier ways to get an impression of the dynamism of the universe we live in, and how the Earth is directly connected to events in the rest of the Solar System.'

Usually you don't need any special equipment to watch the shower  just a dark sky.

The peak tends to be around 2am local time, no matter where the viewer is around the world.

The Geminid shower is less well known than those at other times of year, probably because, in the UK at least, the weather in December is less reliable

The meteors appear to originate from a 'radiant' point in the constellation of Gemini, which is why they have been given the name Geminids

This is because the constellation, Gemini, which is the radiant point of the shower, reaches its highest point at around 2am.

Generally, the higher the Gemini constellation climbs into the sky, the more meteors are likely to be seen.

But a supermoon is also scheduled around the same time as the shower, which could make viewing more difficult.

A post on Nasa's website claims: 'Bright moonlight will reduce the visibility of faint meteors five to ten fold, transforming the usually fantastic Geminids into an astronomical footnote.'

On 14 December, the moon will be at its closet point to Earth, making it appear larger than usual

FIVE SUPERMOON FACTS It was not until 1979 that Astrologer Richard Nolle first defined the supermoon, which is now a widely-used term, as 'a new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (within 90 per cent of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit'. The moon has to be 226,000 miles (363,711 km) away from the Earth to be considered 'super' which normally happens only once every 14 months. However, there will be no supermoons in 2017. Because of its close proximity to the Earth, the moon's surface appears a lot bigger when a supermoon occurs, which makes for stunning photography. A winter supermoon is supersized, as the Earth is closest to the sun in December each year, which means its gravity pulls the moon closer to the planet making it appear brighter and larger than those that occur during the rest of the year. Supermoons will get smaller in the future as the moon is slowly propelling itself out of Earth's orbit, moving 1.5 inches (3.8cm) further from the Earth each year. Advertisement

DECEMBER 14  SUPERMOON

The moon's orbit is elliptical rather than perfectly circular, so as the moon moves around the Earth it is sometimes a little bit closer and sometimes a bit further away from us.

On 14 December, the moon will be at its closet point to Earth, making it appear larger than usual.

'If a full moon happens to occur when the Moon is also at its closest point then it will look slightly larger and brighter than usual  this is what is popularly known as a 'supermoon',' Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich told MailOnline.

'It's a natural part of the moon's cycle and happens around once a year.

'The differences in apparent size and brightness amount to few percent but they can enhance the already beautiful sight of the full moon, making a supermoon worth looking up for.'

For this reason, it appears to be bigger than normal - by about 10 per cent.

DECEMBER 16  MOON AND BEEHIVE

While it won't be the easiest astronomical event to spot all month, the waning gibbous moon is set to point the way to the Beehive star cluster in the Cancer constellation on 16 December.

The cluster will be visible as a faint patch in the night sky, but viewers may need to use binoculars to spot it.

DECEMBER 21 - DECEMBER SOLSTICE

The shortest day of the year for those north of the equator will be 21 December, as the sun will be at its lowest point in the sky.

Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun will be at its highest point, making December 21 the longest day of the year.

Solstices occur because Earth is tilted on its axis as it orbits the sun.

In winter, the Earth is tipped slightly away from the sun, so the Southern Hemisphere receives more sunlight, and the Northern Hemisphere less.

In winter, the Earth is tipped slightly away from the sun, so the Southern Hemisphere receives more sunlight, and the Northern Hemisphere less. Pictured is the December solstice over Washington in 2011

DECEMBER 22  URSID METEOR SHOWER

There is good news for those who may be disappointed that the Geminids meteor shower may be outshone by a supermoon this year.

The Ursid metor shower will be occurring on December 22, which is named after the Ursa Minor constellation where it originates.

People in the UK will be able to spot meteors in the sky around midnight, while those in the US will see the peak in the predawn hours of December 22.

A waxing gibbous moon will also be occurring around this time, which could make viewing the meteors a bit more difficult.

There is good news for those people disappointed that the Geminids meteor shower (pictured in 2012) may be outshone by a supermoon this year. The Ursid meteor shower will be occurring on December 22

DECEMBER 22  MOON AND JUPITER

The final major astronomical event scheduled this year will be the alignment of Jupiter and the moon on December 22.

From mid-northern latitudes, such as those in the US and Europe, Jupiter will rise about one hour after midnight, while those in mid-southern latitudes, such as Australia, will see the phenomenon around midnight.
says small increases in greenhouse gases delayed the next ice age

Over the last two and a half million years the Earth has undergone more than 50 major ice ages, each having a profound effect on our planet's climate.

But what causes them and how do we predict when the next big ice age will hit?

About 40 years ago, scientists realised that ice ages were driven by changes in the Earth's orbit.

But, as I recently argued in Nature, it's not that simple.

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During the last ice age, only 21,000 years ago, there was nearly continuous ice across North America from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists are still trying to understand how wobbles interact with the climate system,to push the planet in to or out of an ice age

DID WE KILL THE ICE AGES? The last ice age was nearly 21,000 years ago. In December 1976, a team of researchers published a study showing that climate records contained the same cycles as the three parameters that vary the Earth's orbit: eccentricity, obliquity and precession. The combined effects of these two components and the eccentricity produce an approximately 21,000-year cycle. Experts discovered that greenhouse gases had an important role in controlling climate. In particular atmospheric carbon dioxide had to be low enough for the planet to start cooling before it could tip into an ice age. The small increases in greenhouse gases due to the expansion of agriculture have delayed the next ice age. Researchers believe if we continue emitting greenhouse gases at the same rate, we might have put off the next ice age for at least half a million years. Advertisement

Scientists are still trying to understand how such wobbles interact with the climate system, particularly greenhouse gases, to push the planet in to or out of an ice age.

During the last ice age, only 21,000 years ago, there was nearly continuous ice across North America from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.

At its deepest over the Hudson Bay, it was over two miles thick and reached as far south as what would now be New York and Cincinnati.

In Europe, there were two major ice sheets: the British ice sheet which reached as far south as what would now be Norfolk, and the Scandinavian ice sheet that extended all the way from Norway to the Ural mountains in Russia.

In the Southern Hemisphere there were significant ice sheets on Patagonia, South Africa, southern Australia and New Zealand.

So much water was locked up in these ice sheets that the global sea level dropped by over 125 metres  around ten metres lower than the height of the London Eye.

In comparison if all the ice on Antarctica and Greenland melted today it would only raise sea level by 70 metres.

So what caused these great ice ages?

In 1941, Milutin Milankovitch suggested that wobbles in the Earth's orbit changed the distribution of solar energy on the planet's surface, driving the ice age cycles.

He believed that the amount of incoming solar radiation (insolation) just south of the Arctic Circle, at a latitude of 65N, was essential.

Climate records contained the same cycles as the three parameters that vary the Earth's orbit: eccentricity, obliquity and precession. The combined effects of these two components and the eccentricity produce an approximately 21,000-year cycle

Here, insolation can vary by as much as 25%.

When there was less insolation during the summer months, the average temperature would be slightly lower and some of the ice in this region could survive and build up  eventually producing an ice sheet.

But it wasn't until 30 years later that three scientists used long-term climate records from analysing marine sediments to put this to the test.

EXPERTS SAYS ICE AGES HAPPEN IN 100,000 YEAR INTERVALS An analysis has revealed evidence of an abundance of CO2 stored deep in the ocean during the 100,000 year intervals, suggesting extra carbon dioxide was sequestered during these periods, lowering the temperature on Earth. Researchers from Cardiff University now say the oceans could be to blame for 100,000 year ice age intervals. While Earth once experienced ice ages at 40,000 year intervals, this changed about a million years ago in what's known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Now, it happens every 100,000 years. Researchers say this could be the result of the oceans 'inhaling' larger amounts of carbon dioxide during these times. Doing this removes CO2 from the atmosphere and lowers the temperatures on Earth. Advertisement

Jim Hays used fossil assemblages to estimate past sea surface temperatures.

Nick Shackleton calculated changes in past global ice volume by measuring oxygen isotopes (atoms with different numbers of neutrons in the nuclues) in calcium carbon fossil in marine sediments.

John Imbrie used time-series analysis to statistically compare the timing and cycles in the sea surface temperature and global ice volume records with patterns of the Earth's orbit.

In December 1976 they published a landmark climate paper in Science, showing that climate records contained the same cycles as the three parameters that vary the Earth's orbit: eccentricity, obliquity and precession (shown in Figure 1).

Eccentricity describes the shape of the Earth's orbit around the sun, varying from nearly a circle to an ellipse with a period of about 96,000 years.

Obliquity is the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation with respect to the plane of its orbit, which changes with a period of about 41,000 years.

Increases in greenhouse gases due to the expansion of agriculture that started 8,000 years ago have in fact delayed the next ice age. Pictured is a satellite map by the NOAA in 2011 that shows the extent of the snow blanketing

Precession refers to the fact that both Earth's rotational axis and orbital path precess (rotate) over time  the combined effects of these two components and the eccentricity produce an approximately 21,000-year cycle.

The researchers also found that these parameters have different effects at different places on our globe.

Obliquity has a strong influence at high latitudes, whereas precession has a notable impact on tropical seasons.

For example precession has been linked to the rise and fall of the African rift valley lakes and so may have even influenced the evolution of our ancestors.

Evidence for such 'orbital forcing' of climate has now been found as far back as 1.4 billion years ago.

EXPERTS SAY SUN WILL 'GO TO SLEEP' IN 2030 A recent study claims to have cracked predicting solar cycles - and says that between 2020 and 2030 solar cycles will cancel each other out. This, they say, will lead to a phenomenon known as the 'Maunder minimum' - which has previously been known as a mini ice age when it hit between 1646 and 1715, even causing London's River Thames to freeze over. The new model of the Sun's solar cycle is producing unprecedentedly accurate predictions of irregularities within the Sun's 11-year heartbeat. It draws on dynamo effects in two layers of the Sun, one close to the surface and one deep within its convection zone. Predictions from the model suggest that solar activity will fall by 60 per cent during the 2030s to conditions last seen during the 'mini ice age' that began in 1645, according to the results presented by Prof Valentina Zharkova at the National Astronomy Meeting in Llandudno. The model predicts that the pair of waves become increasingly offset during Cycle 25, which peaks in 2022. During Cycle 26, which covers the decade from 2030-2040, the two waves will become exactly out of synch and this will cause a significant reduction in solar activity. Advertisement

However, the scientists realised that there were limitations and challenges of their research  many of which remain today.

In particular, they recognised that variations in the Earth's orbit did not cause the ice age cycles per se  they rather paced them.

A certain orbit of the Earth can be associated with many different climates.

The one we have today is in fact similar to the one we had during the most intense part of the last ice age.

Small changes in insolation driven by changes in the Earth's orbit can push the planet into or out of an ice age through the planet's 'climate feedback' mechanisms.

For example when summer solar radiation in reduced it allows some ice to remain after the winter.

HUMAN CARBON EMISSIONS COULD PUT OFF ICE AGE Cambridge university scientists say that a new Ice Age is due to start within 1,500 years. But due to human carbon emissions, the lethal 'big freeze' could be put off. Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere could actually insulate against a catastrophic ice age which would see glaciers advance over Europe and North America. The scientists admit that we would be 'better off' in a warmer world - but caution that this is 'missing the point'. In a paper published in Nature Geoscience, Cambridge University paleoclimatologist Luke Skinner says that even if carbon emissions stopped today, levels would remain elevated for at least 1,000 years, and stored heat could prevent the next Ice Age from happening. Instead, things would cool down, but not quite so severely. Thanks to elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the earth would not experience 'glaciation' - periods of severe cold where glaciers advance. The current level of carbon dioxide is 390 parts per million. Scientists believe that level would need to drop to 240 parts per million to allow glaciation to take place. Advertisement

This white ice reflects more sunlight, which cools the area further and allows more ice to build up, which reflects even more sunlight and so forth.

Therefore, the researchers' next step was to understand the relative importance of ice sheet, ocean and atmospheric feedbacks.

They discovered that greenhouse gases had an important role in controlling climate.

In particular atmospheric carbon dioxide had to be low enough for the planet to start cooling before it could tip into an ice age.

So how can all this help us understand future climate?

If we continue emitting greenhouse gases at the same rate, we might have put off the next ice age for at least half a million years. If we have merely delayed the next ice age, we will still be in the Quaternary Period  the last 2.58m years defined by the ice age cycles

One idea is that small increases in greenhouse gases due to the expansion of agriculture that started 8,000 years ago have in fact delayed the next ice age.

What's more, if we continue emitting greenhouse gases at the same rate, we might have put off the next ice age for at least half a million years.

If we have merely delayed the next ice age, we will still be in the Quaternary Period  the last 2.58m years defined by the ice age cycles.

But if we have stopped the ice ages, humans will have caused a much greater change and so have entered the Anthropocene period as some argue.

If I had to put money on it, I'd say the Earth has experienced its last ice age for a very, very long time.
Off-road Land Rover driving experience in Yorkshire and clay pigeon shooting can be added to the break

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Wearing an eye patch and brandishing a gun is not how I spend an average weekend, it has to be said.

No, I was not rehearsing for a stage production of Pirates of the Caribbean (although that would have been fun) but trying out clay pigeon shooting deep in the Yorkshire countryside.

When young and inexperienced I thought the north was dreary. I associated it purely with visiting my house-bound grandmother in Huddersfield  trips that mostly saw my parents and me desperately racking our brains for interesting conversational titbits over badly made tea while grey clouds loomed outside.

Harriet recently spent a long weekend at Northcote hotel in the beautiful Ribble Valley enjoying its new Gourmet Country Pursuit Experience

The break welcomes guests to the luxury hotel and its Michelin-starred restaurant for one or two nights with the option to add on a Land Rover driving experience and/or a clay pigeon shoot

The rooms are both cosy and sumptuous and, Harriet noted, bigger than her entire London flat. Although hunting for the hair dryer proved a surprisingly difficult mission given the plethora of nook and crannies

Thankfully, a trip to visit a friend in the Yorkshire countryside aged 16 made me realise there was an awful lot more to the North than Id given it credit for - a belief that was firmly cemented when I recently spent a long weekend at Northcote hotel in the beautiful Ribble Valley enjoying its new Gourmet Country Pursuit Experience.

The break welcomes guests to the luxury hotel and its Michelin-starred restaurant for one or two nights with the added option of a Land Rover driving experience and/or a clay pigeon shoot.

Which is how I found myself holding a gun, sticky tape over one eye (as I am apparently incapable of closing just my left eye effectively) aiming at inanimate targets flying over my head.

Its like getting a boyfriend, my silver-haired instructor Michael tells me out of the blue as I fail to aim and miss my shot. Its no use sitting at home and waiting for him to come to you, you have to go out and get him.

Who knew a shooting range was the place to get romantic advice.

The half-day clay pigeon experience at Kelbrook Shooting School provides guests with full training and practice over four layouts including pheasant, rabbit, snipe and duck, as well as competitions

To Harriet's surprise, she hit multiple targets and felt a sense of exhilaration as her group divided into teams and went head to head. She even won a prize for being the best in her team. 'Finally, a sport that didnt see me being graded an A for effort and a D for achievement,' she wrote

It turned out however  to everyones surprise  that my chances of getting a boyfriend are apparently rather high as I then proceeded to hit multiple targets and feel a sense of exhilaration I hadnt anticipated, even winning a prize for being the best in my team.

Finally, a sport that didnt see me being graded an A for effort and a D for achievement

Overall the half-day experience at Kelbrook Shooting School provides guests with full training and practice over four layouts, including pheasant, rabbit, snipe and duck as well as competitions.

And relationship counselling  if youre lucky.

The morning spent off-roading with Land Rover Experience Yorkshire was equally thrilling. Together with two others I clambered into a Land Rover Discovery 4 (I say clambered as it proved hard to get into such a beast of a car with elegance) shortly after breakfast  a meal I would have skipped had I realised the half-day experience would be so akin to a theme park ride.

We spent the next few hours trialling out all the fascinating functions the car boasts: zooming up and down terrifyingly steep hills, navigating obstacles and driving though rivers.

The morning spent off-roading with Land Rover Experience Yorkshire was equally thrilling

Harriet clambered into a Land Rover Discovery 4 shortly after breakfast  a meal she said she would have skipped had she realised the half-day experience would be so akin to a theme park ride

Harriet spent hours trialing out all the fascinating functions the car boasts, zooming up and down terrifyingly steep hills, navigating obstacles and driving though a river

Not only was Harriet (pictured) endlessly impressed with what the Land Rover could do, but the drive also provided the perfect opportunity to admire the beautiful countryside around the Broughton Hall estate

Not only was I endlessly impressed with what the Land Rover could do, but the drive also provided the perfect opportunity to admire the beautiful countryside around the Broughton Hall estate.

Keats would no doubt say that the autumnal season of mist and mellow fruitfulness was in full glory here. The green hills rolled under the chill, clouded sky; semi-clad trees brushed with red, yellow and orange, shed their leaves like discarded garments whenever the wind blew  and I just couldnt get enough of the view.

I even found myself inhaling huge gulps of fresh air as though I were capable of storing it in my lungs for safe keeping once I was back in the city.

Back at the hotel, just over the border in Lancashire, however, even more treats lay in store.

Not only was my sumptuous, cosy room the size of my whole London flat - complete with a most convincing imitation coal fire and the best toiletry selection I've seen - but I spent the evening eating what I strongly believe is the best meal I have ever eaten. Northcotes restaurant clearly didnt get its Michelin star for nothing.

We dined at the Chefs table right in the heart of Northcotes kitchen, giving us a full view of the masters at work. Executive Head Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen was creating our five course gourmet meal  and I think I might be a little bit in love with her.

Like King Midas and his gold, Goodwin-Allen transformed what I had previously considered uninteresting foods into mouthfuls of heaven.

Harriet dined at the Chefs table right in the heart of Northcotes kitchen, giving her a full view of the masters at work. Executive Head Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen created her five course gourmet meal

Like King Midas and his gold, Goodwin-Allen transformed what Harriet had previously considered uninteresting foods into mouthfuls of heaven. Pictured: Orkney scallop tartare, organic leeks, fresh wasabi and caviar

Red leg partridge, bitter sweet barbecued orange, parfait and chicory was a divine second course out of the five

Particularly stand out was the caramelised celeriac and chestnut ravioli with celeriac tea and trompettes. It tastes pretty good for a vegetable doesnt it! Harriet's neighbour observed  which was spot on if not a dramatic understatement

The third course - wood-fired veal hanger, mead caramel, roasted chokes, truffle cream and skins xinomavro - was paired with Greek wine

Another highlight was the Brockhall Orchard apple cheesecake served with salted caramel and apple cider sorbet. This was no slap dash triangular slice but a magnificent concoction hidden inside the caramelised form of an apple, recreated right down to both the green and red hues of the fruit, which split open satisfactorily when cracked with a spoon

Each of the five courses came with a specially chosen wine complement the flavours. A superb array of local cheeses and Ramos Pinto tawny port rounded off the spectacular feast

My favourite was hands-down the caramelised celeriac and chestnut ravioli with celeriac tea and trompettes. It tastes pretty good for a vegetable doesnt it! my neighbour observed  which was something of a dramatic understatement.

This rich and flavoursome dish was paired with ikekame sake  a drink I had initially confused for wine that gave me quite a surprise upon my first gulp. However, when sipped following a bite of ravioli I felt all my Christmases had come at once.

Another highlight was the Brockhall Orchard Apple Cheesecake served with salted caramel and apple cider sorbet. This was no slap-dash triangular slice but a magnificent concoction hidden inside the caramelised form of an apple, recreated right down to both the green and red hues of the fruit, which split open most satisfactorily when cracked with a spoon. A glass of Louis Roederer  the hotels house champagne  complimented the dessert perfectly.

A superb array of local cheeses and Ramos Pinto tawny port rounded off the spectacular feast  not that I wanted any of it to come to an end  before we headed back to our palatial quarters, truly contented.

In short, northern England, I would like to extend my severe apologies for the initial underestimation.

It wasnt you, it was me.
They're the mysterious trains that aren't advertised and stop at stations where there are no passengers waiting.

These 'ghost trains' are scheduled passenger trains that are nearly empty, and run very infrequently and inconsistently, at strange hours. They're usually empty, except for a crew member or two.

Although rail companies would rather not serve these routes, they operate to save money.

Ghost trains are scheduled passenger trains that are nearly empty, and run very infrequently and inconsistently, at strange hours (file image)

If the routes were discontinued entirely, they would be legally obligated to abandon the lines, which would be expensive and time-consuming.

Mark Smith, who runs the website The Man in Seat Sixty One, explained the services.

He told MailOnline Travel: 'Basically, it's a long and extensive process to go through the closure procedures for a railway, so you can avoid them by running a very limited train, perhaps once a week.

'Usually these services are chords, so small sections of a line that could just be a few hundred yards long that nobody wants to run, but to avoid closure, they will run maybe once a week. I think once a week is the minimum.

'A good example used to be between Manchester and Stalybridge. This Stalybridge 'chord' provided a link between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly. But when they started running everything through Piccadilly, there was no need for the link, but they didn't want to close it.

'Also, if a line wants to resume a passenger service, the line is still there and the drivers still have route knowledge.

'It tends to happen more on regional networks, who have a little corner where they have to run something once a week.

Except for a crew member or two, ghost trains are usually empty (file image)

'Is it a loophole? Yes and no, most of the time these services aren't hugely popular. But with lengthy and convoluted [shutting down] processes it's just easier to run the trains once a week.'

There are some people who have made it their mission to travel every open route on the UK railways, and are chasing these so called 'ghost trains'.

Mr Smith said: 'Some people chase these trains, because they want to travel on all routes open for passenger traffic. But, if they want to travel every inch they have to do these strange little bits of network with just one train a week, and have to get themselves on these obscure trains to do it.'
Inverness is set to welcome a surge of visitors next year, new figures show.

The Scottish city was named eighth on a list of the top destinations for European travellers in 2017, based on growth in forward bookings compared with last year.

A travel firm recorded a staggering 80 per cent increase in demand for Inverness.

Inverness (pictured) is set to welcome a surge of visitors next year, new figures show

EDreams Odigeo, the parent company of eDreams and Opodo, in its European Traveller Insights Report revealed that Inverness, often regarded as the capital of the Highlands, is set for a larger tourism boost than locations such as Fez, Morocco (75 per cent), and Hanoi, Vietnam (67 per cent).

The company believes this demand could be fuelled by the fall in the value of sterling following the EU referendum, and British Airways reinstating its daily Heathrow-Inverness flights in May for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Turin in northern Italy came top of the list with a 316 per cent rise in bookings for next year, followed by Astana, Kazakhstan (176 per cent), Rotterdam, the Netherlands (174 per cent) and Havana, Cuba (134 per cent).

Turin in northern Italy came top of the list with a 316 per cent rise in bookings for next year, followed by Astana (pictured), Kazakhstan (176 per cent), Rotterdam, the Netherlands (174 per cent) and Havana, Cuba (134 per cent)

Dana Dunne, chief executive of eDreams Odigeo, said: 'Increased accessibility has offered a boost to many destinations.

'Turin has seen an increase in flight routes across Europe, which may well have contributed to its significant rise in bookings, while the recent lift in US travel restrictions to Cuba seems to have had a knock-on effect, also attracting visitors from across the rest of the world.

'Furthermore, it's particularly interesting to see Inverness make the top ten for 2017, with European travellers perhaps drawn to explore new UK destinations following the fall of the pound.'
Galashiels baker John Gorman passed away recently at the age of 90, having spent 60 years in the trade.

He started working as a baker in 1940 at the age of 14, for Andersons of Bridgeton in Glasgow.

Gorman then met his future wife, who was working in the bakery as a shop girl. Having worked in various bakeries in Glasgow he enrolled in national service and served the army in Palestine and Greece as a baker until 1948.

On his return from the army, he married and moved to Pumpherston, West Lothian, to work at the Co-op bakery there.

Gorman then ran his own bakery in Mid Calder before working for Milanda in Sighthill, Edinburgh. In the late 1960s he became production manager at Border Bakeries in Galashiels, which later became Robertsons (Bakers) Ltd.

Robertsons subsequently moved production to Carlisle but closed in 1983, and Gorman became a partner in Border Wholesale Bakery before retiring at the age of 75.

His son, Eric, described him as a true baker and a hardworking man all his life, leaving us so many memories of his life in the trade he loved. He worked seven days a week to earn a crust for his family and spent over 60 years as a journeyman in the trade.

Eric remembers reading British Baker from cover to cover as a child in the 1970s, whilst waiting for my father to finish his shift in the bakery.
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There was no shortage of glamour on the Critics' Choice Awards red carpet, with some of the biggest names in film and TV gathering to kick-off awards season.

Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams, Emma Stone and Kate Beckinsale made their mark donning stylish gowns in black and white as they arrived at the event held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in Los Angeles.

Kidman, 49, who stars in Lion and is up for the supporting actress award, looked simply stylish in a black off-the-shoulder two-piece gown by Brandon Maxwell.

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Monochrome mavens: Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams, Emma Stone and Kate Beckinsale made their mark on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday

Lady in black: Kidman, 49, flashed some leg in an off-the-shoulder Brandon Maxwell gown with sexy slit

The Aussie beauty wore her hair swept back in a bun and sported a pop of red lipstick, whilst she elevated her already lofty 5ft 11in frame in some black ankle-strap heels.

She was accompanied on the red carpet by her co-stars Dev Pattel, 26, and eight-year-old Sunny Pawar, who both looked dashing in their evening dress.

Nicole was one of the many stars who took to the stage in the evening, and despite losing out on the Best Supporting Actress gong, the star managed to keep a beaming smile on her face as she helped to present another segment of the awards.

Three nominees! Kidman stars in Lion alongside Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar - she is up for a supporting actress award

Adorable: She also showed off her maternal instincts as she kept her Sunny company at the table throughout the ceremony, giving the adorable actor a hug

She also showed off her maternal instincts as she kept her Sunny company at the table throughout the ceremony, giving the adorable actor a hug.

Amy meanwhile stunned in a white figure-hugging Atelier Versace dress and pinned her locks up in a youthful ponytail, which she teamed wit diamond cluster earrings and rings, which added a little sparkle to her look.

The Nocturnal Animals star cuddled up to her husband Darren Le Gallo at the event, the Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice actress was nominated for best actress in Arrival.

Oscar-worthy look: Best actress nominee Amy Adams was the epitome of Hollywood glamour in a white off-the-shoulder Atelier Versace gown

Supportive spouse: The 42-year-old actress was joined by husband Darren Le Gallo

Pucker up! The Nocturnal Animals star shared a smooch with her husband in front of cameras

Best actress nominee Emma, 28, rocked a black cut-out Roland Mouret halterneck gown with glittery embellishments on the bodice.

And it seems that she had plenty to celebrate on the night, as her hit musical movie, La La Land, swept the board, taking home eight top prizes, including the coveted Best Picture.

It was no easy task as there were some impressive contenders in the same field including: Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Lion, Loving, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight and Sully.

The film - a musical set in modern day Tinseltown - landed 12 nominations, and took home gongs for Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Screenplay, Best Production, Best Score, Best Editing and Best Song.

She never gets it wrong: Nominee Stone stole the spotlight in a black cut-out Roland Mouret gown and berry red lipstick

Winners: The critics have certainly lapped up every bit of the stunning actress' latest project, La La Land, which sees her and Ryan Gosling star in a modern day musical set in tinsel town

Oscar contenders? The duos movie was a success on the night, managing to sweep the board with in La La Land which swept the board at the ceremony with eight wins, including Best Picture

You can't win everything: Unfortunately for Emma she lost out on the Best Actress gong to Natalie Portman, who clinched the coveted gong for her role in Jackie

Unfortunately for Emma she lost out on the Best Actress gong to Natalie Portman, who clinched the coveted gong for her role in Jackie - playing the former First Lady Jackie Kennedy in the film which charts the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

Another star turn on the red carpet at the bash was British star Kate Beckinsale , who appeared to be on the same page as Stone with a jewel-encrusted sheer black ballgown by Reem Acra.

Meanwhile Emmy Rossum's plunging sequin-encrusted dress by Giorgio Armani was also a winner and she teamed it with towering Christian Louboutin heels.

Kerry Washington was another star opting for black and flashed her legs in a star-print mini dress.

Meanwhile Jessica Biel, 34, looked simply gorgeous in a plunging teal and black striped gown by Elie Saab with patent belt cinching in her waist.

Seeing stars: Kate's sheer Reem Acra creation was quite something with a plunging neckline under sheer fabric

Belle of the ball: The 43-year-old star flashed her legs under the sheer skirt which was embellished with jewels

Killing it: The Love and Friendship beauty wore her brunette locks up in a tousled ponytail

The New Year's Eve actress sported beachy waves in her brunette tresses and opted for a natural makeup palette.

Mandy Moore flattered her figure in a navy cut-out Solace London dress.

The 32-year-old This Is Us star wore her brunette locks in gentle waves and accessorised with understated jewelry.

Another actress taking the plunge in a low-cut gown was Bryce Dallas Howard who opted for a flowing flowing chartreuse number.

Low-cut lovely: Emmy Rossum glittered in a stylish black Giorgio Armani dress

Star-spangled: Kerry Washington opted for a playful Elie Saab number which flashed her legs

Bejeweled: Ariel Winter flashed some flesh in a backless black gown

Simply stunning: Jessica Biel and Mandy Moore looked gorgeous in plunging frocks

Looking good! The 34-year-old actress wore an Elie Saab gown and was escorted by her husband Justin Timberlake

Beauty in blue: Moore took the plunge in a navy Solance London gown and understated jewelry

Sheer daring: Bella Thorne opted for a flimsy gown with glittery embellishments

Red hot: The 19-year-old actress flashed lots of flesh in the transparent number

WINNERS: 2016 CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS Best Picture: Arrival Fences Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water La La Land - WINNER Lion Loving Manchester by the Sea Moonlight Sully Best Actor: Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea - WINNER Joel Edgerton - Loving Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge Ryan Gosling - La La Land Tom Hanks - Sully Denzel Washington - Fences Best Actress: Amy Adams - Arrival Annette Bening - 20th Century Women Isabelle Huppert - Elle Ruth Negga - Loving Natalie Portman - Jackie - WINNER Emma Stone - La La Land Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali - Moonlight - WINNER Jeff Bridges - Hell or High Water Ben Foster - Hell or High Water Lucas Hedges - Manchester by the Sea Dev Patel - Lion Michael Shannon - Nocturnal Animals Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis - Fences - WINNER Greta Gerwig - 20th Century Women Naomie Harris - Moonlight Nicole Kidman - Lion Janelle Monae - Hidden Figures Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea Best Young Actor/Actress Lucas Hedges - Manchester by the Sea - WINNER Alex R. Hibbert - Moonlight Lewis MacDougall - A Monster Calls Madina Nalwanga - Queen of Katwe Sunny Pawar -- Lion Hailee Steinfeld - The Edge of Seventeen Best Acting Ensemble: 20th Century Women Fences Hell or High Water Hidden Figures Manchester by the Sea Moonlight - WINNER Best Director: Damien Chazelle - La La Land - WINNER Mel Gibson - Hacksaw Ridge Barry Jenkins - Moonlight Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea David Mackenzie - Hell or High Water Denis Villeneuve - Arrival Denzel Washington - Fences Best Original Screenplay: Damien Chazelle - La La Land - WINNER - TIE Barry Jenkins -- Moonlight Yorgos Lanthimos/Efthimis Filippou - The Lobster Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea - WINNER - TIE Jeff Nichols - Loving Taylor Sheridan - Hell or High Water Best Adapted Screenplay: Luke Davies - Lion Tom Ford - Nocturnal Animals Eric Heisserer - Arrival - WINNER Todd Komarnicki - Sully Allison Schroeder/Theodore Melfi - Hidden Figures August Wilson - Fences Best Cinematography: Stephane Fontaine - Jackie James Laxton - Moonlight Seamus McGarvey - Nocturnal Animals Linus Sandgren - La La Land - WINNER Bradford Young - Arrival Best Production Design: Arrival - Patrice Vermette, Paul Hotte/Andre Valade Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Stuart Craig/James Hambridge, Anna Pinnock Jackie - Jean Rabasse, Veronique Melery La La Land - David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco - WINNER Live by Night - Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh Best Editing: Tom Cross - La La Land - WINNER John Gilbert - Hacksaw Ridge Blu Murray - Sully Nat Sanders/Joi McMillon -- Moonlight Joe Walker - Arrival Best Movie Made For Television or Limited Series: All the Way  HBO Confirmation  HBO Killing Reagan  National Geographic Roots  History The Night Manager  AMC The People v. O.J. Simpson  FX - WINNER Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: Olivia Colman  The Night Manager Felicity Huffman  American Crime Cynthia Nixon  Killing Reagan Sarah Paulson  The People v. O.J. Simpson  WINNER Lili Taylor  American Crime Kerry Washington  Confirmation Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: Bryan Cranston  All the Way Benedict Cumberbatch  Sherlock: The Abominable Bride Cuba Gooding Jr.  The People v. O.J. Simpson Tom Hiddleston  The Night Manager Tim Matheson  Killing Reagan Courtney B. Vance  The People v. O.J. Simpson  WINNER Best Actor In A Drama Series: Sam Heughan  Outlander Rami Malek  Mr. Robot Bob Odenkirk  Better Call Saul - WINNER Matthew Rhys  The Americans Liev Schreiber  Ray Donovan Kevin Spacey  House of Cards Best Actress In A Drama Series: Caitriona Balfe  Outlander Viola Davis  How to Get Away with Murder Tatiana Maslany  Orphan Black Keri Russell  The Americans Evan Rachel Wood  Westworld - WINNER Robin Wright  House of Cards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Dinklage  Game of Thrones Kit Harington  Game of Thrones John Lithgow  The Crown - WINNER Mandy Patinkin  Homeland Christian Slater  Mr. Robot Jon Voight  Ray Donovan Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Christine Baranski  The Good Wife Emilia Clarke  Game of Thrones Lena Headey  Game of Thrones Thandie Newton  Westworld - WINNER Maura Tierney  The Affair Constance Zimmer  UnREAL Best Drama Series: Better Call Saul  AMC Game of Thrones  HBO - WINNER Mr. Robot  USA Network Stranger Things  Netflix The Crown  Netflix This Is Us  NBC Westworld  HBO Best Comedy Series: Atlanta  FX Black-ish  ABC Fleabag  Amazon Modern Family  ABC Silicon Valley  HBO - WINNER Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt  Netflix Veep  HBO Best Costume Design: Colleen Atwood - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Consolata Boyle - Florence Foster Jenkins Madeline Fontaine - Jackie - WINNER Joanna Johnston - Allied Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh - Love & Friendship Mary Zophres - La La Land Best Hair and Make-Up: Doctor Strange Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Hacksaw Ridge Jackie - WINNER Star Trek Beyond Best Visual Effects: A Monster Calls Arrival Doctor Strange Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them The Jungle Book - WINNER Best Animated Feature: Finding Dory Kubo and the Two Strings Moana The Red Turtle Trolls Zootopia - WINNER Best Action Movie: Captain America: Civil War Deadpool Doctor Strange Hacksaw Ridge - WINNER Jason Bourne Best Actor in an Action Movie: Benedict Cumberbatch - Doctor Strange Matt Damon - Jason Bourne Chris Evans - Captain America: Civil War Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge - WINNER Ryan Reynolds - Deadpool Best Actress in an Action Movie: Gal Gadot - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Scarlett Johansson - Captain America: Civil War Margot Robbie - Suicide Squad - WINNER Tilda Swinton - Doctor Strange Best Comedy: Central Intelligence Deadpool - WINNER Don't Think Twice The Edge of Seventeen Hail, Caesar! The Nice Guys Best Actor in a Comedy: Ryan Gosling - The Nice Guys Hugh Grant - Florence Foster Jenkins Dwayne Johnson - Central Intelligence Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic Ryan Reynolds - Deadpool - WINNER Best Actress in a Comedy: Kate Beckinsale - Love & Friendship Sally Field - Hello, My Name Is Doris Kate McKinnon - Ghostbusters Hailee Steinfeld - The Edge of Seventeen Meryl Streep - Florence Foster Jenkins - WINNER Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Ellie Kemper  Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Julia Louis-Dreyfus  Veep Kate McKinnon  Saturday Night Live - WINNER Tracee Ellis Ross  Black-ish Phoebe Waller-Bridge  Fleabag Constance Wu  Fresh Off the Boat Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson  Black-ish Will Forte  The Last Man on Earth Donald Glover  Atlanta - WINNER Bill Hader  Documentary Now! Patrick Stewart  Blunt Talk Jeffrey Tambor  Transparent Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Julie Bowen  Modern Family Anna Chlumsky  Veep Allison Janney  Mom Jane Krakowski  Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - WINNER Judith Light  Transparent Allison Williams  Girls Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Louie Anderson  Baskets - WINNER Andre Braugher  Brooklyn Nine-Nine Tituss Burgess  Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Ty Burrell  Modern Family Tony Hale  Veep T.J. Miller  Silicon Valley Best Sci Fi/Horror Movie: 10 Cloverfield Lane Arrival - WINNER Doctor Strange Don't Breathe Star Trek Beyond The Witch Best Foreign Language Film: Elle - WINNER The Handmaiden Julieta Neruda The Salesman Toni Erdmann Best Song: Audition (The Fools Who Dream) - La La Land Can't Stop the Feeling - Trolls City of Stars - La La Land - WINNER Drive It Like You Stole It - Sing Street How Far Ill Go -- Moana The Rules Don't Apply - Rules Don't Apply Best Score: Nicholas Britell - Moonlight Johann Johannsson - Arrival Justin Hurwitz - La La Land - WINNER Micachu - Jackie Dustin OHalloran, Hauschka - Lion Advertisement

The Jurassic World star sported her strawberry blonde locks in a low ponytail with soft fringe framing her face.

The Critics' Choice Awards nominees and winners are selected by members of The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

This year's big winner was La La Land, setting the movie up for possible success in January at the Golden Globe Awards.

Casey Affleck was named Best Actor for his role as the reluctant guardian of a 16-year-old nephew in Manchester by the Sea.

This year's big winner was La La Land, setting the movie up for possible success in January at the Golden Globe Awards - with Damien Chazelle's project sweeping the board, and bagging the director a gong

On the road to success: The movie was a run-away success at the awards, though leads Emma and Ryan failed to win a gong in their respective categories

Viola Davis' reprisal of her Broadway role as a concerned mother and wife in the film adaptation of August Wilson's play Fences landed her the Best Supporting Actress award.

Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his depiction of a crack dealer in the drama Moonlight.

Accolades were also given to the top television series and stars in several categories. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story was recognised as the Best Movie Made For Television or Limited Series.

Evening chic: Constance Zimmer wore a dramatic look by designer John Paul Ataker while Kate Micucci went for a playful LBD and Michelle Monaghan opted for sexy lace blazer and sheer trousers

Lovely in lace: Michelle Williams (wearing Louis Vuitton) and Busy Philipps (Martha Medeiros dress) sported pretty gowns in contrasting hues

Firm friends: The actresses - who starred in Dawson's Creek together - had a giggle as they cosied up for pictures

Suits you! Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Hart, Andrew Garfield and Tom Ford looked very smart in their fitted tuxedos

Hello sunshine! Bryce Dallas Howard stunned in a flowing chartreuse Topshop gown

Mid-length mavens: Katheryn Winnick, Felicity Huffman and Sarah Hyland looked stylish in monochrome numbers

Coordinated couple: Huffman was joined by husband William H. Macy

Glam look: Shiri Appleby looked gorgeous in an asymmetric dress with feather skirt

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

They have been conducting the Critics' Choice awards since 1995 and are considered to represent most fully - out of awards handed out by film critics - the general public's taste.

This is the 22nd year the ceremony has taken place and it is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.

Over the last 10 years, eight of the Best Picture winners have gone on to take the same accolade at the Academy Awards.

Hollywood heartthrobs: Norman Reedus, John Travolta and Ryan Gosling looked great all tux'd up

Nailed it: Rhea Seehorn and Sarah Paulson (wearing Vera Wang) were super chic in white pencil two-pieces

Getting it right: Lily Collins stunned in a delicate high-neck dress with gothic hair and makeup

Pretty in pastels: Tracee Ellis Ross opted for a colourful striped number and glittery heels while Linda Cardellini opted for a flirty mini dress

Got the memo: Gillian Jacobs (wearing Delpozo), Constance Wu and Julie Bowan were on the same page with their floral motif white dresses

Hollywood couples: Hugh Grant made an appearance with partner Anna Elisabet Eberstein as did Jeff Bridges and his wife Susan

White stuff: Amanda Peet and Patrick Simondac dazzled in bright white

From the years 2000 to 2013 the Critics' Choice Awards' pick for Best Picture also saw these films crowned at the Oscars: 12 Years a Slave (2013), Argo (2012), The Artist (2011), The Hurt Locker (2009), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), No Country for Old Men (2007), The Departed (2006), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Chicago (2002), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Gladiator (2000).

While for Best Actor the Critics' Choice named 12 out of the 13 Oscar winners during that same span of years.

The annual awards ceremony also predicted, by choosing its own winners, eight Best Actress winners at the Oscars in that 13 year stretch.

This year the show was hosted by comedic actor TJ Miller.

Straight out of GQ: Joel Edgerton, Donald Glover and Christian Slater all rocked suits with an edge

Host with the most: T.J. Miller and wife Kate Gorney looked very snazzy

Radiant: Cynthia Nixon and Greta Gerwig popped in swathes of red

Shades of blue: Samantha Harris, Susan Kelechi and Allison Williams looked glam

Stand out star: Viola Davis looked sensational in aqua blue

LBD ladies: Rachel Bloom and Robin Tunney donned sophisticated knee-length numbers

Something a little different: Maura Tierney, wearing earrings by Randall Scott Fine Jewelry, Lili Taylor and Evan Rachel Wood looked ready for business in black trouser suits

Couldn't decide? Actress Carly Chaikin wore trousers and a dress. She accessorized her outfit with a Naeem Khan clutch and a Yossi Harari earring

Deadpool's a winner: Ryan Reynolds won Best Comedy Actor for the action-comedy romp, Deadpool

Barry Jenkins' coming-of-age drama Moonlight and Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi thriller Arrival followed with 10 nominations, though each picture failed to math La La Land's take-home with both only nabbing two wins a-piece.

While Ali bagged his Best Supporting Actor gang, the film also scored a win for Best Ensemble, while Arrival nabbed Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Horror/Sci-Fi.

Accolades were also given to the top television series and stars in several categories. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story was recognised as the Best Movie Made For Television or Limited Series.

The FX drama won the Best Limited TV category as well as gongs for Courtney Vance and Sarah Paulson.

Sartorial savvy: Anna Baryshnikov and Judith Light were fashion forward in their outfit choices

Mum to be: Pregnant Katy Mixon glowed in a floaty wrap dress

Sexy silhouettes: Naomie Harris and Eniko Parrish were absolutely stunning in their black floor-length numbers

Posing up a storm: Veep star Anna Chlumsky wowed in a slinky red number

In the pink! Kaley Cuoco donned a pastel pink two piece (by Noon By Noor) including frilly strapless top

Hand-in-hand: The actress arrived with her boyfriend Karl Cook

Flirty frocks! Leslie Mann and Kylie Bunbury stunned in citrus hues

Manchester by the Sea scored heavily in the acting categories, though Casey's win for Best Actor and a tie with La La Land in the Best Original Screenplay category were its only wins.

Mel Gibson scored a nomination in the director category for Hacksaw Ridge, but failed to convert that to a win, though ti did snag Best Action and Best Action Actor for Andrew Garfield.

Dark action/comedy Deadpool rewarded lead actor Ryan Reynolds with a win for Best Actor in an Comedy Movie, while Marvel rival DC scooped a win with Margot Robbie bagging Best Action Actress for her role as Harley Quinn in the much derided Suicide Squad.

Bold in black and white: Lisa Bonet and Janelle Monae opted for striking patterns

Tropical temptress: Actress Auli'i Cravalho also wore a bold leaf print as she made her entrance

Slightly sheer: Carrie Keagan and Renee Bargh rocked sexy red carpet looks

Stylish stars: Mel Gibson and pregnant girlfriend Rosalind Ross coordinated in midnight blue

Hello petal! Hailee Steinfeld looked great in a strapless Jason Wu floral gown and strappy heels

Blooming marvelous: Chrissy Metz and Tatiana Maslany opted for fabulous florals

Suited up: The boys from Netflix hit Stranger Things look super stylish

Suit and tie: TV personality RuPaul Charles and Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet and Ty Burrell also made a very dapper appearance
Zootopia won Best Animated Feature, Hacksaw Ridge was Best Action Movie and Deadpool was Best Comedy

Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight, the film also took Best Acting Ensemble

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Hollywood's award season kicked off in spectacular fashion at the Critics' Choice Awards ceremony on Sunday night, with Natalie Portman and Casey Affeck securing top honours.

The 35-year-old actress and 41-year-old actor won Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, at the 22nd annual ceremony which was held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in Los Angeles.

Natalie was recognized for her role as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in biopic Jackie as Casey won for his portrayal of loner Lee Chandler in drama Manchester By The Sea.

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Big night: Natalie Portman won Best Actress as Casey Affleck took home Best Actor at the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards

Top honors: La La Land was given Best Picture as it captured eight awards total

However the last award of the night was given to Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling fronted musical La La Land as it took home Best Picture.

It was no easy task as there were very impressive contenders in the same field including: Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Lion, Loving, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight and Sully.

No doubt many anticipated big wins for the musical set in modern day Tinseltown which landed 12 nominations, including best picture, best director for Damien Chazelle and nods for its stars, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

Happy: During her acceptance speech, pregnant Portman thanked her husband and son and ended the speech by saying: 'This is really nice'

Helping hand: Jeremy Renner put his arm around Natalie as they walked off stage together

Rewarded: Casey won for his portrayal of loner Lee Chandler in drama Manchester By The Sea

Back in black: Nicole Kidman put on a leggy display as she presented the Best Actor gong

Gosling also scored a nod for Best Actor in a Comedy for his turn in The Nice Guys.

All in all the musical came away from the award show with eight gongs for the most of any project at the event.

La La Land also took home Best Song for City Of Stars written by Justin Hurwitz and Best Director taken home by Damien Chazelle during the aired portion of the programme.

During her acceptance speech, pregnant Portman thanked her husband and son and ended the speech by saying: 'This is really nice.'

Eyes on the prize: Director Damien Chazelle was presented with the Best Picture award for La La Land by John Travolta

Inspired: The director proudly accepted the last award of the night

Squad: Damian thanked the cast and crew for their work which included Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling

Proud: Emma gave the director a big hug at the end of his speech

Earned it: Damian also won Best Director

Stunning: The award was presented by William H. Macy and Kate Beckinsale

It was a competitive field as she was up against Amy Adams, Emma Stone, Annette Bening, Isabelle Huppert and Ruth Negga.

Affleck did not have an easy route to the win as he was pitted against Joel Edgerton, Andrew Garfield, Ryan Gosling, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.

Another one of the biggest honorees was Ryan Reynolds who received the Entertainer of the Year prize presented by Entertainment Weekly.

Handsome: Ryan Reynolds accepted the Entertainer of the Year award presented by Entertainment Weekly

Sweet: The handsome actor said: 'I would like to dedicate this to the Make A Wish Foundation and the Sick Kids Foundation in Toronto'

Respect: Ryan was also given the Best Actor in a Comedy award by Cuba Gooding Jr

As he was one of the biggest driving forces in the making of his hit superhero movie Deadpool, he accepted the prize and even dedicated it to all the sick children who were inspired by the film.

The handsome actor said: 'I would like to dedicate this to the Make A Wish Foundation and the Sick Kids Foundation in Toronto.'

Later on in the night he picked up his second award of the night as he won Best Actor in a Comedy for his work in Deadpool.

The Marvel action movie was also a bit of a surprise winner as it also took home Best Comedy later on in the evening.

Big moment: As the prize is aimed at fighting bias against women in the media, the 51-year-old actress inspired as she talked about the struggles of being a woman in the industry including fluctuating in weight for roles

Iconic: Another standout honoree was Viola Davis who was the recipient of the first ever See Her Award presented by Amy Adams, which resulted in one of the most emotional moments of the night

Sense of humor: She also began the acceptance speech by joking: 'Thank you. It's hard to accept being a role model for women when you're trying to lose weight.'

Wonder in white: Amy Adams looked gorgeous as she presented the prize to the veteran actress

Another win: Later in the night Viola was given the Best Supporting Actress gong by Kevin Hart

Another standout honoree was Viola Davis who was the recipient of the first ever See Her Award presented by Amy Adams, which resulted in one of the most emotional moments of the night.

As the prize is aimed at fighting bias against women in the media, the 51-year-old actress inspired as she talked about the struggles of being a woman in the industry including having to fluctuate in weight for her roles.

She said: 'I truly believe that the privilege of a lifetime is being who you are and I just recently embraced that at 51.'

Viola also began the acceptance speech by joking: 'Thank you. It's hard to accept being a role model for women when you're trying to lose weight.'

Dapper: The first presenter of the night was Justin Timberlake

Big winners: The 35-year-old actor gave the first gong of Best Ensemble Cast to the performers in Moonlight

It was quite the night for the veteran actress as she later took home the Best Supporting Actress gong for her role in Fences.

The event was hosted by comedic actor TJ Miller as many wonder if he would continue hosting the gig after an alleged incident.

As the Silicon Valley star was arrested earlier this week after a run-in with an Uber driver, many wondered if he would address the incident on-stage.

Big moment: Mahershala Ali accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight

Emotional: The talented actor teared up while thanking his wife

Quite the future ahead of him: Lucas Hedges accepted the Best Younger Actor award

During the opening monologue he did repeatedly say he was going to address 'the elephant in the room' but it was never that alleged run-in as he deflected to jokes about Donald Trump and even performed a choreographed dance.

Despite the number, the monologue did feel a bit off-beat with the funniest gag being his background dancers mimicking his every move as he performed his bits.

The first presenter of the night was Justin Timberlake who even poked fun at the interesting opening segment by joking: ''How about TJ's monologue? it made so much sense.'

Man of the hour: TJ Miller was host of the show after his arrest earlier this week

Showing off: He came out in an interesting outfit as his body was painted

Back-up plan: After doing a dance number TJ told some interesting jokes

Altogether now: His backing dancers mimicked his moves during his monologue

First man: TJ later dressed up as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in a gag

Having a blast: Natalie Portman portrayed the former Fist Lady in the film Jackie as she had a laugh during the gag

Chopped: TJ ended the show with his head on a platter

The 35-year-old actor gave the first gong of Best Ensemble Cast to the performers in Moonlight.

Barry Jenkins' coming-of-age drama was tied with Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi thriller Arrival as they had the second most nominations with 10 each.

The Critics' Choice Awards nominees and winners are selected by members of The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

Golden girl: Bryce Dallas Howard was among the presenters at the star-studded event

Dynamic duo: James Marsden and Lily Collins hit the stage together

They have been conducting the Critics' Choice awards since 1995 and are considered to represent most fully - out of awards handed out by film critics - the general public's taste.

This is the 22nd year the ceremony has taken place and it is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.

Over the last 10 years, eight of the Best Picture winners have gone on to take the same accolade at the Academy Awards.

Looking good: Common presented Best Song

Reunited: Cuba Gooding Jr and Nia Long hit the stage to present as they previously starred together in Boyz N TheHood

Stunners: Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer had fun as they presented

From the years 2000 to 2013 the Critics' Choice Awards' pick for Best Picture also saw these films crowned at the Oscars: 12 Years a Slave (2013), Argo (2012), The Artist (2011), The Hurt Locker (2009), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), No Country for Old Men (2007), The Departed (2006), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Chicago (2002), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Gladiator (2000).

While for Best Actor the Critics' Choice named 12 out of the 13 Oscar winners during that same span of years.

The annual awards ceremony also predicted, by choosing its own winners, eight Best Actress winners at the Oscars in that 13 year stretch.

Handsome contest: Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling posed for a picture backstage
Their marriage has been said to be on the rocks for the past year.

And Kate Ritchie's husband Stuart Webb, 36, cut a lonely figure recently while out with their two-year-old, Mae.

Stuart's smile 'masked a hidden sadness' when the father-daughter duo paid a low-key visit to a local park on November 25, New Idea reported on Monday.

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Bonding: Kate Ritchie's husband, former NFL player Stuart Webb, reportedly cut a lonely figure while out with their two-year-old, Mae recently. He is pictured here with Mae on Father's Day earlier this year

As they enjoyed their casual day out, Kate was hobnobbing at a Christmas function with work colleague Tim Blackwell and fellow Nova 96.9 co-host Marty Sheargold.

Kate and Tim sparked controversy after she posted a photo of them to her Instagram (which has since been deleted) with the married father of two's hand comfortably placed on her bottom.

The snap was taken during Nova's Melbourne Cup celebrations in Sydney last month.

Work duties: As Stuart and Mae enjoyed a casual day out, Kate was at a Christmas function with work colleague Tim Blackwell [Left] and fellow Nova 96.9 co-host Marty Sheargold [Right]

Fans immediately drew their own conclusions from the image and didn't hesitate to show their disdain.

'Friends don't touch a married woman's a**,' one person commented, while another wrote, 'Better call HR'.

Kate and her former NRL player husband met in 2008 and married in an intimate country wedding in 2010, a year after getting engaged on holiday in Europe.

Watch that hand! Fans were left outraged after Tim posed with his co-host Kate during Nova's Melbourne Cup celebrations in Sydney recently, while placing his hand on her behind

In August 2014 the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Mae.

Earlier this year speculation was ignited when they both stepped out without their wedding rings and it was claimed they were living separately, with Stuart residing in their Southern Highlands home while Kate and their daughter stayed in Sydney.

Kate gushed about her husband recently and was quick to downplay break-up rumours in an interview with Jules Sebastian: 'He is very kind and he is very nurturing,' she said.

Happier times? The handsome couple are no strangers to the red carpet, seen here attending the Australian premiere of Les Miserables in December 2012
She is rarely left speechless.

But on Monday, Sophie Monk was lost for words as she interviewed a YouTube user who has two vaginas and uteri on KIIS FM's Summer Fling with Matty Acton.

During the chat, where the Cassandra Bankston spoke openly about her condition, the 36-year-old host giggled: 'She's more woman than I'll ever be'.

Sharing their story: Sophie Monk (L) was lost for words on Monday as she interviewed a YouTube user (R) who has two vaginas and uteri on KIIS FM's Summer Fling

While speaking to Sophie and Matty from her San Francisco home, the 24-year-old revealed she was diagnosed with uterus didelphys three years ago during a medical screening.

'I found out during a medical screening when they were looking for kidney issues,' she explained.

She added that while growing up 'I would had two periods...there was even this one time where I was hospitalised because I was bleeding for 28 days straight.'

Wishful thinking: During the chat, where the Cassandra Bankston spoke openly about her condition, Sophie (pictured) giggled: 'She's more woman than I'll ever be'

Opening up: Speaking to Sophie and Matty (pictured) from her San Francisco home, Cassandra said she was diagnosed with uterus didelphys three years ago during a screening

Sophie was left stunned by Cassandra's story and awkwardly asked: 'I dont know how to word this probably, but is there two, ummm, openings?'

'No and that is why we didnt know until the last three years,' the blogger said, adding: 'Everything is normal externally but internally there is two uteri and two vaginas.'

Cassandra added that she discovered the condition was 'more common than I initially thought' after she decided to go public and document it on social media.

Having kids? But when it comes to having children, Cassandra revealed: 'If it is possible, I will probably have issues. It is also likely that I could have multipleit is possible I could have multiple twins in each uteri'

Condition explained: Uterine didelphys is when a female is born with two vaginas, two cervixes and two uteri

But when it comes to the possibility of having children in the future, she admitted the ability to produce was unknown.

'When it comes to pregnancy, I have not tried to become pregnant and I do not know if it is possible,' she told the KIIS FM hosts.

'But if it is possible, I will probably have issues. It is also likely that I could have multiple it is possible I could have multiple twins in each uteri.'
The Bahamas is one island that a whole lot of people would no doubt love to be stuck on right now.

Supermodel pals Bella Hadid and Elsa Hosk are currently enjoying a bikini getaway there with stars including Hailey Baldwin, Emily Ratajkowski and Alessandra Ambrosio.

While they did not say specifically what their trip was for, it is believed to be for work as well as a vacation.

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Vacation or work? Elsa Hosk, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski enjoyed a trip to the Bahamas

A snap was seen of three of the girls alondside additional models posing in a cabana.

All six stunner were clad in various items of swimwear, with white being the popular choice.

Prior to the girls' flight to the Bahamas, the ladies, including Hailey Baldwin, got in some pre-flight fun.

Hailey, clad in a cropped sweater and boyfriend trousers, shared a snap with her best friend and captioned it 'Bellz'.

Chest too much! Emily made sure to populate her social media with some chesty snaps

Just booty-ful! There was certainly no shortage of bikini snaps for her eager fans

Chest is best! The model certainly knows how to entertain her fanbase

Always working: Emily and Bella took time to pose on a jet ski

Eyes up here! Yet another snap proved just why she is so popular

Bella, dressed in a white button-down, cropped denim jacket and skinny jeans, playfully pushed her friend, both girls visibly happy to be with each other.

Also on board for the island vacation was stunner Elsa Hosk, 28.

The blonde bombshell took part in the cropped trend with a white T-shirt, which she later covered with a grey sweater.

'Bellz': Pals Bella Hadid, 19, and Hailey Baldwin, 20, reunited for a girls trip over the weekend

Girls' trip: Also on board for the island vacation was stunner Elsa Hosk, 28

Being silly: The supermodel posed for several playful snaps with Bella, 19, using their private plane as a backdrop

The supermodel posed for several playful snaps with Bella, 19, using their private plane as a backdrop.

'Warmer weather @hoskelsa,' wrote the sister of Gigi Hadid.

In another snap, the girls made kissing faces into the air as the Swedish-born star announced: 'We r off.'

Beach day: Elsa shared a snap in a swimsuit top

Glowing: Bella displayed beautiful make-up in an up-close shot of her face

Heated weather: Emily Ratajkowski, 25, was also there for the adventure. She is the second from the left

Emily Ratajkowski was also there for the adventure.

While the girls did not specifically detail what their trip was for, it appears it was for a photo shoot.

Hairstylist Frankie Foye noted that she was taking part in a '#secretshoot,' according to a post on Instagram.

She also tagged Alessandra's clothing line, Ale by Alessandra, which could be an indicator that it was for the supermodel's own collection.

Surprise! Hairstylist Frankie Foye noted that she was taking part in a '#secretshoot,' according to her post on Instagram
Amber Heard enjoyed a low-key dinner out in Los Angeles on Saturday, just over a week after it emerged her ex Johnny Depp will directly pay her $6.8 million in their divorce settlement.

It's the first time the 30-year-old has been spotted since the news emerged, and the actress looked relaxed and in good spirits for dinner with a friend.

The star cut an effortlessly stylish figure in her jeans, ankle boots, and black long-sleeved shirt.

Time to dine: Amber Heard looked relaxed and in good spirits as she headed out to dinner with a pal in Los Angeles on Saturday

She accessorized the look with a silver and turquoise bracelets and several silver rings.

The Rum Diary actress wore her blonde locks down in loose waves, while keeping her makeup to just blush and mascara.

Heard's outing comes after it emerged earlier this month that she will reportedly follow through on an initial promise to donate her $7 million divorce settlement to charity within the next two years, according to TMZ.

The actress elected to gift the multi-million dollar pay-out to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles following an acrimonious and highly publicised split with Hollywood star Johnny in August.

Dressing it up: She accessorized the look with a silver and turquoise bracelets and several silver rings

But while the promised donation is yet to be made, sources tell TMZ she will begin the process of handing over her settlement money in its entirety as soon as it is paid.

Depp, 53, who previously gifted both organisations $200,000 in his ex-wifes name, is expected to pay Amber the remaining $6.8 million.

She is expected to receive the payment within the next 12-months, with Heard reportedly aiming to fulfil her promise by the end of 2018.

Money matters: Amber's outing comes after it emerged earlier this month that she will reportedly follow through on an initial promise to donate her $7 million divorce settlement to charity within the next two years

The former couple now are close to finalizing their divorce, a source previously told People.

TMZ previously claimed that Depp intended to pay the full amount directly to each of the charities, but Heard wanted him to pay the money to her so that she can donate it herself.

The website alleges that Heard does not want her ex-husband to receive a tax deduction on the donations.

Heard filed for divorce from the Pirates Of The Caribbean star in May after one year of marriage, and obtained a temporary restraining order against him five days later.

Details: Depp, 53, who previously gifted both organisations $200,000 in his ex-wifes name, is expected to release the remaining $6.8 million within the next 12-months, with Heard reportedly aiming to fulfil her promise by the end of 2018 (Johnny Depp and Heard pictured in February 2016 in Los Angeles)

She alleged that the actor was 'verbally and physically abusive' throughout their relationship and provided photographs of her battered face as evidence of abuse, along with witness statements.

However Depp's lawyers alleged that Heard was 'attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse' because on an occasion that police were called to her home, she said there had been a 'verbal dispute only' and officers saw no evidence of a crime at the time.

Heard and Depp reached a settlement in August, with Amber receiving the $7million and dismissing her restraining order against Johnny.

In a joint statement to announce their divorce settlement, Johnny and Amber said: 'Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love.

'Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.'
They starred alongside each other in EastEnders for five years.

But actor Aaron Sidwell became embroiled in a Twitter feud with Joe Swash on Sunday - after he criticised his co-star's girlfriend Stacey Solomon.

The actor, known for playing Steve Beale on the BBC soap, reprimanded the blonde for taking her script onstage during her first panto performance - which was met with fiery response from Joe, who told him to 'pipe down' and 'be ashamed'.

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At war: Aaron Sidwell (L) became embroiled in a Twitter feud with Joe Swash (R) on Sunday after he criticised Joe's girlfriend Stacey Solomon

Stacey was pictured earlier this week reading her script onstage in her debut performance of pantomime Dick Whittington, in Milton Keynes.

Addressing her behaviour on his Twitter page, Aaron, 28, first kicked things off by writing: 'This is shameful. Shouldn't cash her pay check!'

However Joe, who is currently dating the recent stage star, was quick to come to her defense as he hit back with a fiery response.

Standing hjs ground: Joe, who is currently dating the recent stage star, was quick to come to her defense as he hit back with a fiery response

He furiously replied: 'Why don't you PIPE DOWN mate and do your own thing BADLY!'

Before adding in further rage: 'What a little hater YOU you should be ashamed and I will tell you when I see u next.'

Clearly taken aback by the actor's sudden outburst, Aaron next posted a calm response which read: 'Twitter is for sharing your opinion. You have yours, I have mine. I'm not hating.'

Not backing down: Aaron argued back that Twitter was for 'sharing your opinion', but Joe was quick to strike him down, adding that he didn't think 'acting is your game'

Joe was not backing down however, not taking that argument as justification for his 'hating' on his girlfriend.

The actor retorted: 'Yer and yours is SHIT! And now I'm hating on you!! Worry about yourself! I don't think this acting is your game!! That's my opinion!NightXXX' (sic)

Wanting to ease the tension between the former co-stars, Aaron then ended the argument by simply writing: 'But enough now. I wish you both successful runs in panto. #Namaste'

Cooling off: Wanting to ease the tension between the former co-stars, Aaron then ended the argument

Co-stars: Aaron and Joe both starred in the soap between the years of 2003-2008

However the drama did not stop there - as several of Joe's fans came to his side to support him in the matter, by argumentatively Tweeting Aaron themselves.

One user called him up on his acting in light of the criticism, writing: 'Let's see you actually do something live you over paid fool!! No balls! Hide behind a camera and a dying programme.'

To which Aaron coolly replied: 'Worked in theatre for 8 years but whatever you say.'

Another fan then deemed him 'a d*** on and off TV' to which he wrote back wittily: 'Well I have always prided myself on being a Slytherin #guilty.'

Fuel to the fire: However the drama did not stop there - as several of Joe's fans came to his side to support him in the matter, by argumentatively Tweeting Aaron themselves

Former X Factor star Stacey caused a stir earlier this week when she performed to her first live paying audience in Milton Keynes with her script in hand.

Representatives of the star confirmed to MailOnline she had needed her lines in front of her as she had only landed from Australia - where she had been presenting I'm A Celebrity spin off Extra Camp for three weeks - the previous day.

She was sent the songs, script and a video while away in the Gold Coast, but she had little time to practice in isolation from her co-presenters due to such a busy filming schedule.

Her spokesperson said: 'She arrived at the theatre jet lagged and shattered, and got straight on with it.'

Controversial: Former X Factor star Stacey (L) caused a stir earlier this week when she performed to her first live paying audience in Milton Keynes with her script in hand

'After 2 hours prep with the director and cast she went on and performed in front of a packed theatre. I could not be prouder of this woman right now. She's an absolute fighter.'

'She didn't want to let one person down so she went on, clipboard in hand, and smashed it.'

Her boyfriend was perhaps quick to fight her corner having presented the ITV2 show alongside her while Down Under - experiencing her apparent busy schedule first hand.

The pair confirmed their romance in January of this year, after getting together in 2015.

The relationship, although fairly new, appears to be going from strength to strength - with the EastEnders actor admitting he planned to propose at some point in the future on the Xtra Factor in September.
She's known to turn heads on the red carpet.

And Nicole Kidman certainly didn't disappoint with her latest look at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Monday.

Dressed in black from head to toe, the 49-year-old oozed elegance while baring her tummy and legs in a daring black gown.

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Gorgeous: Actress Nicole Kidman stunned in a racy black gown as she appeared on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles

The floor-length frock featured a high-waisted skirt and a large triangle cut-out that showed off the Australian beauty's midriff.

Nicole's decolletage was also on display thanks to the outfit's very plunging neckline.

Adding a pair of strappy black heels to the ensemble, the mother-of-four made sure to flaunt her endless pins, which could be seen through the dress' very high slit.

Turning heads: The 49-year-old star flaunted her flawless complexion while sporting a bold red lip for the star-studded event

Putting her best foot forward: The Australian beauty wasn't afraid to show plenty of skin as she posed in the daring black gown, which featured a cut-out at the midriff and a high slit

If you've got it! Nicole's decolletage was also on display thanks to the outfit's very plunging neckline

Flawless: Her strawberry blonde locks were worn in a slick up-do, with strands of hair left loose to frame her slender face

She added dainty diamond earrings and a thin bracelet, as well as a sparkly brooch pinned to her dress' right sleeve.

Her strawberry blonde locks were worn in a slick up-do, with strands of hair left loose to frame her slender face.

For makeup, the Lion star kept her complexion flawless with foundation and a hint of peach blush, mascara and eye shadow.

Beautiful: For makeup, the Lion star kept her complexion flawless with foundation and a hint of peach blush, mascara and eye shadow

Doing her thing: Nicole is seen here presenting on stage at the awards

Strutting her stuff: Nicole is known for films including Eyes Wide Shut and The Others

Catching up: Nicole is seen here laughing with actress Sarah Paulson at the event

She added a pop of colour to the entire look with a bold red lip, while maintaining the dark theme with a black manicure.

Starring in the adoption tale Lion, Nicole will go up against Janelle Monae, Greta Gerwig, Naomi Harris, Michelle Williams and Viola Davis for the Best Supporting Actress Award at the event.

Her co-star Dev Patel, who plays her adopted son in the movie, is also up for an award for his role.

Recognised: The mother-of-four received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Lion

Oscar buzz: The film has been touted as a possible winner at next year's Oscars, with Nicole already scoring the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Hollywood Film Awards previously

Fancy seeing you here! Nicole also rubbed shoulders with Hugh Grant while at the event

Star studded: Nicole is seen here with Casey Affleck

After its release in November, Lion has been touted as a possible winner at next year's Oscars - with Nicole already picking up the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Hollywood Film Awards for her role as Sue Brierley.

While promoting the film, Nicole explained her own experiences drew her to the movie and noted the bond between mother and child goes beyond blood.

'We have many mothers, biological...adoptive but the way in which mothers can love and the power of that and that launches you off into the world.'

The actress adopted her son Connor and daughter Isabella in 1992 and 1995 with her then-husband Tom Cruise.

Winner: Nicole presented Casey with an award

Star-studded cast: Nicole's co-star Dev Patel (left) was also nominated for an award on the night for his role in the film about adoption
She recently spent time in Australia marketing her new cosmetics collaboration with ModelCo. and just before she left she finished up her media tour with a sizzling photo shoot for Gritty Pretty.

A spread for the Sydney-based online magazine shows Hailey Baldwin flaunting her natural beauty in a high-cut black one piece with waist cut-outs.

The model showcases her sun-kissed skin in the steamy shoot, which she says is the result of her Brazilian heritage and not from a bottle.

Working it: Hailey Baldwin showed off her lithe limbs and toned torso in a swimwear shoot before jetting out of Australia last week

Shooting at the Intercontinental in Double Bay, the cosmetics collaborator posed in three different swimsuits, one purple and two black, all which highlighted her lithe limbs and toned torso.

Her blonde locks were pulled back off her face into a relaxed ponytail and loose strands at the front were teased out to frame her face.

Later, Hailey donned what appeared to be a white silk kimono as she reclined seductively on the lounge, resting her arms on the pillows as she glanced up at the camera.

All natural: The model says she never uses fake tan, and achieves her bronzed look through her Brazilian heritage

Speaking to the magazine, she reveals her friends Kylie and Kendall Jenner played a big part in the creation of her cosmetics line.

'I named this lipstick after my friend, Kendall [Jenner],' she said.

'We nicknamed her "Kendo Bendo" so this one is named after her.'

I get by with a little help from my friends: Hailey named a lipstick after her friend Kendall Jenner, and took business advice from Kylie Jenner, who has her own hugely successful cosmetics line

[Not so] make up free! The 20-year-old told Gritty Pretty when she isn't on set she tries to avoid wearing heavy make up

As for Kylie, she served as business inspiration having launched her own line of cosmetics recently.

'I took a lot of advice from my friend, Kylie [Jenner]. I'm really proud of her and her makeup range,' she said.

Hailey has big ambitions for her future - and says she soaked up the opportunity to spend time with Shelley Sullivan, the founder of ModelCo makeup.

The 20-year-old sees herself and her high profile friends as 'businesswomen'.

'Yes, modelling is one of our businesses right now but were not trying to discredit the past,' she said.
He was romantically linked to Sunrise host Samantha Armytage last week.

And Sydney Confidential has also revealed Channel Seven news reporter Peter Fegan previously dated blonde radio host Mel Greig.

The publication reports that the pair's relationship consisted of dates in Sydney's Double Bay.

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It's a small world: After being linked to Samantha Armytage on Saturday, it's been reported Channel Seven newsreader Peter Fegan (left) also previously dated radio star Mel Greig (right)

The news outlet also reports that Peter is in the midst of a divorce, while Mel split from her husband of one year, Steve Pollock, earlier this year in April.

The Wollongong resident - who was famously at the centre of the 2012 Royal prank scandal which led to a nurse committing to suicide - is known for her quirky online columns in which she candidly opens up about her dating life.

Peter meanwhile, found himself linked to his colleague Sam when The Daily Telegraph reported that the pair are 'are taking things slowly'.

Controversial: Mel was at the centre of the 2012 Royal prank scandal which led to a nurse committing to suicide and now works as a radio host in Wollongong

A source pointed out that the happy couple are in no rush to go public.

'They get along well....it has been going on for a little while now,' said the insider.

'With her busy schedule and the paps [paparazzi] constantly following her, things have been difficult.'

Linked: On Saturday, Peter was linked to Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, with The Daily Telegraph reporting the pair are dating and 'taking things slowly'

Speculation last week surrounded the 40-year-old's friendship with another Channel Seven reporter, Shaun White.

During a segment on Sunrise's show on Friday, the pair exchanged some friendly banter to keep viewers entertained.

When Sam and co-host Michael Usher, who was filling in for David Kochie, tossed to a special report from Shaun on property predictions for the new year, she broke into a big smile at the simple mention of his name.

Unlucky in love: Days earlier, speculation of a romance swirled as the blonde TV host posed for photos with fellow Sunrise reporter Shaun White

But on Sunday, Sam hit back at rumours via an Instagram post, in which she slammed all reports of her dating anyone at the moment.

Taking to social media, the blonde TV host wrote: 'In the past week or so, I've been "in love with" with; a gay colleague, a straight colleague, a bloke I stood next to at the races 3 months ago, a Gladiator, a British boy-band member & 17 other people I've never met.'

She continued: 'All these men & I have a bedtime of 7.30pm...I'm amaaaazing (sic). (Why haven't they linked me to Prince Harry yet!? I'm insulted...)

Breaking her silence: Sam hit back at all the rumours on Sunday, slamming reports that she's currently dating anyone

'If I stand next to someone, it DOES NOT MEAN I'M DATING THEM? As you were... #happysunday.'

The television presenter went on to urge her 157,000 followers to 'not believe' the claims as she labelled them 'rubbish'.

Alongside the statement, Samantha included an image of a female wearing a T-shirt, which read: 'I'm not dating anyone. No...I don't know what I'm doing with my life. Yes, I do want another slice of pie.'
David Kerr

is a self-taught landscape photographer who gained most of his skills working in advertising agencies in 1980s England. In those pre-computer days visuals were hand-drawn with marker pens, and the key element was to create a visual image with punch. David has carried this skill forward to today, shooting images with strong composition, powerful lighting, and excellent location choice.

Patience has also been an essential ingredient in Davids photography, many hours have been spent waiting for the right light (or a cooperating tide) before the photo has been taken.
She met the father of her baby in the Celebrity Big Brother house in January.

And pregnant Stephanie Davis, who is set to give birth in the New Year, has reportedly been approached by producers to return to the show - yet this time she is said to be bringing her newborn.

Sources tell The Sun that the 23-year-old former Hollyoaks actress, who is said to be expecting with ex-flame Jeremy McConnell, is in talks with Channel 5 to make the unprecedented move on the fly-on-the-wall show.

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Way back when: Stephanie Davis, who is set to give birth in the New Year, has reportedly been approached by producers to return to Celebrity Big Brother - yet this time she is said to be bringing her newborn (pictured with the baby's reported father Jeremy McConnell

Stephanie entered the famed house in January among a bevy of stars including the Irish hunk, who had his first taste of TV fame on now-defunct MTV reality show Beauty School Cop Outs in 2013, with the pair immediately hitting it off.

Despite the actress being in a relationship with model Sam Reece, she enjoyed a flirtation with Jeremy, leading in their toxic romance on the outside world, which dissolved in May, after which she announced her pregnancy.

Stephanie, who has dismissed Jeremy's determined denials of the paternity of the child, is reportedly set to return to where it all began - this time with a tot in tow.

Sources tell the publication: ' Big Brother producers have asked Steph to go on the series in January for three days with her baby. They think it would make a great story as if the baby definitely is Jeremys then it is all a result of their appearance on CBB last year.

Happier than ever: Sources tell The Sun that the 23-year-old former Hollyoaks actress, who is said to be expecting with ex-flame Jeremy McConnell, is in talks with Channel 5 to make the unprecedented move on the fly-on-the-wall show

Bad times: Stephanie entered the famed house in January among a bevy of stars including the Irish hunk, who had his first taste of TV fame on now-defunct MTV reality show Beauty School Cop Outs in 2013, with the pair immediately hitting it off

'Steph has told them she would love to do it but discussions are ongoing. It is just a matter of working out logistics and whether they can make it work.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Stephanie and Celebrity Big Brother for comment.

It seems Stephanie is determined to keep her pregnancy intimately documented as she revealed she is planning on filming the birth.

Happier times: Stephanie, who has dismissed Jeremy's determined denials of the paternity of the child, is reportedly set to return to where it all began - this time with a tot in tow

Those were the days: Sources tell the publication: ' Big Brother producers have asked Steph to go on the series in January for three days with her baby. They think it would make a great story as if the baby definitely is Jeremys then it is all a result of their appearance on CBB last year'

Last week she wrote in her blog for OK! magazine: '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.'

The star is convinced her little one will come earlier than planned as he's already measuring bigger than he should be.

She said: 'I had my latest growth scan in preparation and I can officially confirm by baby is all ready to go! On the growth chart he's already above the average line and we've still got weeks to go - he's going to be one healthy boy!

'I just can't wait to meet him now. They've booked me in for another appointment before Christmas to keep a close eye on us both.'
There are rumours she is expecting her first child.

But Irina Shayk made sure to give no visual confirmation of those reports as she bundled up on her latest outing.

The 30-year-old Russian model was spotted leaving boyfriend Bradley Cooper's residence in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Bundled up: Irina Shayk covered up while leaving Bradley Cooper's home in Los Angeles on Sunday amid rumours they are expecting

The stunner covered up in a large billowy coat as she made her way out of the 41-year-old actor's mansion.

Irina looked typically stylish as under the coat she wore a brown knit sweater, leggings and thigh-high black leather boots.

She accessorised with designer pieces including a red leather bag and large black shades.

Her secret: The 30-year-old Russian model covered up in a large billowy coat as she made her way out of the 41-year-old actor's mansion

Designer duds: Irina looked typically stylish as under the coat she wore a brown knit sweater, leggings and thigh-high black leather boots

The runway star had her brunette tresses up in a bun as she let her natural looks show by going make-up free.

Since spring 2015, Irina has been dating Bradley Cooper, who is 11 years her senior.

Last week, the Yemanzhelinsk native was among the platoon of models who glided across the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris.

It was her first time on the catwalk for the worldwide lingerie brand.

Hidden middle: The Russian model made her first ever appearance in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 30

In the wake of the show, which saw her in a fringe-laden outfit that concealed her midriff, rumours have flown that she's carrying his baby.

If the chatter is true, their impending child will be a first for both of them, Cooper's yearlong marriage to Jennifer Esposito having yielded no offspring.

People reported as much on Wednesday, and to cap it all, quoted a source who dished that 'No one suspected backstage, thats for sure!'

Neither Irina nor Bradley has yet commented on the pregnancy reports.
She's the multi-talented model, actress, mother, and wife of Australian A-lister Chris Hemsworth.

So it was no surprise to see Elsa Pataky hard at work on Monday, wearing nothing but her underwear as she shot a mysterious project in Los Angeles.

The 40-year-old took to Instagram to share the black and white photo, which she captioned: 'Shooting in LA with my friends, such an amazing team!'

'Shooting in LA with my friends, such an amazing team!' Elsa Pataky stripped down to her smalls for a racy photoshoot on Monday

The racy shoot comes just days after the mother-of-three's husband Chris shared an image of the two filming a love scene for the upcoming war drama Horse Soldiers.

In the photo, Chris, 33, can be seen spooning his wife from behind on a bed.

'Day 2 on the set of Horse Soldiers and found myself in bed with @elsapatakyconfidential,' wrote the Hemsworth hunk.

He continued: 'Usually work means she's gets a break from me, not today honey.'

Cheeky girl! The mother-of-three is no stranger to showing off her enviable physique

Snuggle: Elsa recently shared a still of herself snuggling with real life husband Chris Hemsworth in their upcoming film, Horse Soldiers

The sneak peek picture is believed to have been taken from a raw cut of the film's recording, as the frame was surrounded by technical codes and camera settings.

Horse Soldiers was first announced in September, as being a film based on the true story of CIA agents and a U.S. special forces team who were sent to Afghanistan in an attempt to dismantle the Taliban in the aftermath of 9/11.

Elsa is also set to star in the next Fast & Furious sequel, The Fate of the Furious.
After 19 years as married actors, Felicity Huffman and William H Macy have quite a bit of red carpet experience between them.

So on Sunday night, when they trod the blue carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, they decided to wring some fun out of it.

They adorably posed facing away from the camera, turning their heads so the photos would capture the two of them chuckling.

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All smiles: William H Macy and Felicity Hoffman seemed to be having a marvellous time on the blue carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday night

At the night's festivities, Huffman may take home the award for Best Actress In A Movie Made For Television Or Limited Series, honouring her work on the ABC anthology drama American Crime.

The Desperate Housewives star had slipped into a tight dress that elegantly framed her svelte figure as she moved.

Above the waist, the sleeveless, backless ensemble was off-white. A thin slit ran down its front, from just below the neckline down to the midriff.

Her waistband sparkled in various shades of grey, transitioning down to flowing black fabric hemmed just above the ankle.

Still got it: The Desperate Housewives star had slipped into a tight dress that elegantly framed her svelte figure

The 54-year-old had pulled her blonde hair up and popped on black platform stilettos. Teardrop earrings glinted at the sides of her head.

Meanwhile, her 66-year-old husband, had slipped into an Oxford blue tuxedo with a bit of black fringe.

A white bow tie clashed against his white dress shirt, and on occasion, he popped a pair of stylish black sunglasses onto his face.

Once sat next to each other inside the hangar, they appeared to be having a grand old time, laughing along as the revelries hosted by TJ Miller progressed.

The classic look: The 54-year-old had pulled her blonde hair up and popped on black platform stilettos

Huffman gave her Instagram followers a glimpse behind the curtain at the preparation that had gone into her look that evening.

She began with a 'Before!' photo, in which she was wearing what appeared to be a grainy grey top and staring somewhat exasperatedly away from the camera.

At either side of her were her exhausted-looking makeup artist Austin Evans and her hairstylist Richard Marin, whose face was screwed up in concentration.

Dapper Dan: On occasion, the 66-year-old popped a pair of stylish black sunglasses onto his face

In the 'AFTER!' photo, she smiled on the couch, bedecked in the full ensemble she was seen in later on the carpet.

She spent her caption crediting not only Evans and Martin, but also her stylist Linda Medvene and the brand Couturissimo for her dress.

Martin Katz got a shout-out as well for her jewellery, which included a sparkling bracelet on her right wrist.

Location, location, location: The event was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica

The Critics' Choice Awards nominees and winners are selected by members of The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

They have been conducting the Critics' Choice awards since 1995 and are considered to represent most fully - out of awards handed out by film critics - the general public's taste.

Skidding toward the milestone: The actors have been married for 19 years

The awards show is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.

Over the last 10 years, eight of the Best Picture winners have gone on to take the same accolade at the Academy Awards.

From the years 2000 to 2013 the Critics' Choice Awards' pick for Best Picture also saw these films crowned at the Oscars: 12 Years a Slave (2013), Argo (2012), The Artist (2011), The Hurt Locker (2009), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), No Country for Old Men (2007), The Departed (2006), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Chicago (2002), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Gladiator (2000).

What they may take home: Huffman's up for the award for Best Actress In A Movie Made For Television Or Limited Series, honouring her work on the ABC anthology drama American Crime

Enjoying the act: Once sat next to each other inside the hangar, they appeared to be having a grand old time, laughing along as the revelries progressed

Cheers to us! The happy couple held up glasses of champagne at the ceremony

While for Best Actor the Critics' Choice named 12 out of the 13 Oscar winners during that same span of years.

The annual awards ceremony also predicted, by choosing its own champions, eight Best Actress winners at the Oscars in that 13 year stretch.

The 22nd annual ceremony was held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in Los Angeles and was hosted by comedic actor TJ Miller.

'Before!': She'd given her Instagram followers a glimpse of her preparation process with her makeup artist Austin Evans and her hairstylist Richard Marin

'AFTER!': Her next photo saw her bedecked in the ensemble she was seen in on the red carpet as the evening progressed
She's moved from Dawson's Creek to Manchester By The Sea.

And Michelle Williams has maintained her friendship with Busy Phillips the whole time.

The duo hugged it out on the blue carpet of the Critic's Choice Awards on Sunday.

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Best actress supporting! Busy Phillips and Michelle Williams had a mini Dawson's Creek reunion on the Critics' Choice blue carpet on Sunday

Michelle, 36, looked stunning in a sleeveless ankle-length black and white floral patterned dress, with a daring split almost to her hip.

She wore her platinum blonde hair in a side part, and finished the outfit off in a pair of invisible heel ankle straps.

Her former co-star meanwhile looked equally beautiful in a floor-length sheer red lace gown, which she paired with a cute gold clutch.

It's been 15 years since Busy's Audrey Liddell joined Michelle's Jen Lindley for the final two seasons of Dawson's Creek.

Still pals: It's been 15 years since Busy's Audrey Liddell joined Michelle's Jen Lindley for the final two seasons of Dawson's Creek

Lady in red: Busy looked beautiful in a floor-length sheer red lace gown, which she paired with a cute gold clutch

Gorgeous: Michelle, 36, looked stunning in a sleeveless ankle-length black and white floral patterned dress, with a daring split almost to her hip

A decade and a half later and Busy was there to support her friend after her Best Supporting Actress nomination for the hotly tipped Manchester By The Sea.

She goes up against Viola Davis for Fences, Greta Gerwig for 20th Century Women, Naomie Harris for Moonlight, Nicole Kidman for Lion, and Janelle Monae for Hidden Figures.

Manchester By The Sea meanwhile is nominated for in five more categories, including Best Picture, Best Acting Ensemble, and Best Actor for Casey Affleck.

Cute date! The duo sat together at the industry event

So supportive: The two looked to still be the best of friends

Lucas Hedges, 20, is also nominated for Best Supporting Actor, as well as Best Young Actor/Actress, and a absolute shoo-in for the latter, being the only nominee also in a main category.

The Critics' Choice Awards nominees and winners are selected by members of The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

The awards show is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.
New photos have surfaced of Apollo Nida, the ex-husband of Real Housewives Of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks, and his new fiancee, Pennsylvania realtor Sherien Almufti.

In the shots, which were snapped last month, according to TMZ, the incarcerated reality star, 38, is embracing the wavy-haired beauty Almufti, who's wearing a black shirt and pants. Nida is clad in a prison uniform of a short-sleeved khaki shirt and slacks.

Apollo and his fiancee, who announced their engagement last month, are posed in front of a romantic background the prison provides for photo sessions, according to the outlet.

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We found love in a hopeless place: Apollo Nida, 38, the estranged husband of Real Housewives Of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks, embraced fiancee Sherien Almufti in these shots taken at Fort Dix prison in New Jersey last month

Holding tight: The couple's interesting relationship will be chronicled on RHOA's ninth season

Home is where the heart is: The duo posed in front of a banner used for photo shoots at the correctional institution

While Bravo producers tried to keep Almufti's identity a secret - to preserve intrigue as she's featured on the Real Housewives Of Atlanta's upcoming ninth season - her name has since become revealed publicly.

One of the storylines on the Southern branch of the housewives franchise will show Nida's exchanges with his bride-to-be over the phone and in the prison.

Almufti is an East Coast native who pays multiple visits weekly to Fort Dix, the prison where Apollo's serving his eight-year sentence in his fraud conviction.

Better times: The couple looked to be doing well in November 2014 at an event in Atlanta

She's been wearing a makeshift ring in place of an actual piece of jewelry, according to the site.

The romantic shots come amid a rash of recent ongoing courtroom conflicts between Nida and Parks, a 43-year-old attorney, after a judge last month awarded her a divorce from the convicted felon.

Under terms of the split, Parks received full custody of her two sons with Nida, six-year-old Ayden and three-year-old Dylan. Apollo will be able to have visits upon his release from the correctional institution, the judge ordered.

Nida had previously attempted to filed for divorce from Parks, but the split had already been processed through the family court system.

Natural beauty: Almufti showed off her beautiful face in this Instagram shot as she captured what looked to be a moment of deep thought
They have become stars overnight after appearing in sleeper hit Stranger Things.

And the show's popular groovy gang of children had a great time hamming it up with aplomb as they took to the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Matarazzo looked like they were having the time of their lives as they pulled a variety of ridiculous poses for the photographers.

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The groovy gang: Stranger Things kids Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Matarazzo hammed it up at the Critics' Choice Awards in LA Sunday

And no wonder the fantastic foursome were in such high spirits, for their sleeper hit was in the running for the prestigious Best Drama Series gong.

It was facing off against such high-profile shows as Game Of Thrones, Westworld and Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul.

Young show star Finn Wolfhard, 13, who plays main character Mike Wheeler, opted for a classic look of black tuxedo, white shirt and black tie.

His 14-year-old co-star Gaten Matarazzo meanwhile opted for an all-black look, though he differentiated himself by wearing a dark shirt.

Ham sandwich: Noah was caught in the middle as Gaten and Caleb made the most of the moment

Causing a raspbery ripple: Show star Finn proved to be a formidable gurner

Stand up straight lads: Eventually they posed up for a regulation snap

Caleb McLaughlin, 15, meanwhile had opted for a cheeky plaid number, which he twinned with a purple tie and smart leather shoes.

Finally Noah Schnapp, 12, whose character Will Byers was abducted by a strange creature from another realm on the hit show, stood out from his sidekicks by donning a pair of garish pink shoes.

He also posted an Instagram picture with his friends as they got ready to head to the event, which he captioned, 'we're ready.'

Suit you sirs: Finn and Gaten opted for classic dark suits for their big night

Well plaid: But Caleb undoubtedly won the fashion battle with this cheeky number

In the pink: Noah unveiled his garish pink boots when he posted this amusing pre-show snap

Some big names have signed up to appear in the second season of the show, which won praise for its retro 80s stylings.

Gooneys favourite Sean Astin is to play RadioShack manager Bob Newby, who went to the same school as Winona Ryder's character Joyce and David Harbour's Hopper.

And comedy star Paul Reiser will play Department of Energy representative Dr. Owens, who is ordered to contain the events of that occurred in the show's first season.

Working boys: But before going to the event they attened a SAG screening of their show

A couple of Duffers: They were joined by the show's sibling creators Ross and Matt

On yer bikes: The boys play Dungeons And Dragons obsessed geeks in the sleeper hit
She recently slammed accusations from online trolls that she's suffering for an eating disorder.

And on Sunday, Bridget Malcolm sent a message to her haters by confidently posing topless on Instagram.

'Working on a Sunday...' wrote the talented 25-year-old as she bravely posed half-naked by a window while flashing two peace signs with her fingers.

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Peace, haters! Bridget Malcolm boldly posed topless on Instagram after slamming reports that she's suffering from an eating disorder

The stunner recently walked in the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Bridget's bold Instagram update comes just days after she was forced to defend herself over accusations of an eating disorder.

The slender Victoria's Secret model firmly told The Daily Telegraph this week that she doesn't suffer from the 'horrific' disorder,

'I don't have an eating disorder': The Victoria Secret's model recently denied that she has an eating disorder after trolls questioned her on social media

The blonde beauty also used the opportunity to take a jab at the haters and online trolls who made the accusations in the first place.

'There's a whole world out there beyond your screen. Go fill your short time on this earth seeing it,' said the fed-up star.

The Perth-born beauty explained that a model's job is like that of an athlete's - in that being health-conscious and taking good care of their bodies is part of her job.

'There's a whole world out there beyond your screen. Go fill your short time on this earth seeing it,' said the fed-up star.

'I have worked hard to look like this and am proud of my body,' the model wrote last year

Speaking to Stellar magazine recently the blonde vegan spoke candidly about her experience with 'body shamers.'

'Whether it's fat or skinny-shaming, it's such a superfluous thing to do to someone,' said the Seafolly model.

She made headlines last year after responding to social media trolls who claimed she had an eating disorder.

'Eating disorders are a mental disorder and a horrific thing for people and their loved ones to go through,' said Bridget to The Daily Telegraph on Saturday

'Can we STOP with the skinny shaming please?' she wrote at the time.

'I am extremely fit and healthy and am not in the slightest way anorexic.'

She explained: 'I have worked hard to look like this and am proud of my body.

'It's so irrelevant to who they are as a person': The 24-year-old Victoria's Secret model spoke candidly about the experience in an interview with Stellar magazine on Sunday

'I may not be the curviest but I am a woman who has every right to look the way I do.

'Maybe today take a look inside yourself and wonder why you feel the need to shame strangers over the Internet about their bodies.'

Bridget previously spoke to Daily Mail Australia about trolls, saying: ' I know that those people are hurting inside and I hope that they find some happiness really.'
He's an acting legend with one of the strongest marriages in Hollywood.

And Tom Hanks was accompanied to the Critics' Choice Awards by the one person who can eclipse him as the most impressive person in the room - Chesley Sullenberger, 65.

Sully joined Tom, 60, and his wife Rita Wilson, also 60, in Santa Monica, California, on Sunday evening.

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Stellar: Tom Hanks was accompanied to the Critics' Choice Awards by Chesley Sullenberger, 65, his wife Lorrie, and his own spouse Rita Wilson

Looking sartorially on point, Tom sported a dusting of salt and pepper facial hair and a pair of spectacles as he posed next to the hero pilot.

Sully, who successfully executed the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City, on January 15, 2009, chose to wear a well-cut dinner suit.

He's portrayed by Hanks in the movie which bears his nickname, and tells the story of the remarkable escape of everyone on board, after the aircraft was disabled by striking a flock of Canada geese during its climb out from LaGuardia Airport.

Quite the pair: Tom took the one person who can eclipse him as the most impressive person in the room - hero pilot Sully

Happy couple: Rita showcased her toned arms and cleavage in her luxurious velvet outfit, and added a skinny scarf alongside her husband

Rita looked radiant alongside her double Oscar-winner husband, in a plunging floor-length black gown.

She showcased her toned arms and cleavage in the luxurious velvet outfit, and added a skinny scarf.

Her honey locks were in corkscrew curls, framing her immaculately made-up face.

Nominee: Sully is portrayed by Hanks in the movie which bears his nickname (pictured with Aaron Eckhart)

The Critics' Choice Awards nominees and winners are selected by members of The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

They have been conducting the Critics' Choice awards since 1995 and are considered to represent most fully - out of awards handed out by film critics - the general public's taste.

The awards show is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.

Over the last 10 years, eight of the Best Picture winners have gone on to take the same accolade at the Academy Awards.

From the years 2000 to 2013 the Critics' Choice Awards' pick for Best Picture also saw these films crowned at the Oscars: 12 Years a Slave (2013), Argo (2012), The Artist (2011), The Hurt Locker (2009), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), No Country for Old Men (2007), The Departed (2006), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Chicago (2002), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Gladiator (2000).

While for Best Actor the Critics' Choice named 12 out of the 13 Oscar winners during that same span of years.

The annual awards ceremony also predicted, by choosing its own champions, eight Best Actress winners at the Oscars in that 13 year stretch.

The 22nd annual ceremony was held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in Los Angeles and was hosted by comedic actor TJ Miller.
Her new film, Moonlight, has been receiving glowing reviews.

And Naomie Harris looked nothing short of stellar as she attended the Critics' Choice Awards in support of her critically acclaimed movie in Santa Monica on Saturday.

The 40-year-old star, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, cut an extremely stylish figure as she took the red carpet by storm in a striking LBD.

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Stellar style! Naomie Harris looked nothing short of amazing as she attended the Critics' Choice Awards in support of her critically acclaimed film Moonlight in Santa Monica on Saturday

Naomie's edgy sleeveless frock had a triangular-cut neckline and a sheer skirt that draped to the floor.

The Collateral Beauty actress rocked a strappy pair of black heels and carried a boxy clutch.

Just gorgeous: Naomie's edgy sleeveless frock had a triangular-cut neckline and a sheer skirt that draped to the floor

Striking: Her face was simply radiant with light coral pink blush, lip gloss, and smoky eye shadow to bring out her brown eyes

Her hair was slicked back over head head and worn down in a sleek, straight style.

And her face was simply radiant with light coral pink blush, lip gloss, and smoky eye shadow to bring out her brown eyes.

Naomie was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Paula, a drug-addicted mother.

Leading ladies: Harris was joined by her Moonlight co-star, Janelle Monae

Success story: Naomie was on stage alongside co-stars Monae, Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Mahershala Ali to accept the award for Best Acting Ensemble

The award ended up going to Fences star Viola Davis.

Having received plenty of critical acclaim, it's no wonder Moonlight has been nominated for ten Critics' Choice Awards - including Best Picture.

The film is set in a rough Miami neighborhood and chronicles one man's lifetime.

It's so far won Best Acting Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.

Moonlight also stars Janelle Monae, and was written and directed by Barry Jenkins.

It's an honour: The young star graciously shook Justin Timberlake's hand as he and his co-stars were recognised for their work behind-the-camera

Moving: Mahershala expressed his gratitude as he accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor
Beaufort County's governing board of commissioners met June 28, 2022 to discuss a continuing issue of how to best handle solid waste here in Beaufort County by employing the concept of two "mega sites;" one on the north side of the Pamlico River, the other on the south side.
She has previously opened up about her struggles to locate her estranged father.

And on Monday, Pia Miller showed off her close relationship with her mother Angelica Blanco on social media.

Taking to Instagram, the 33-year-old shared an adorable image of the pair as they cuddled up closely and displayed identical smiles.

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Nothing like a mother's love: Pia Miller has shared an adorable image of herself and mother Angelica Blanco cuddling up closely and displaying identical smiles to social media

While resting her head gently beside her mum's, Pia showcased her natural beauty as she opted for minimal makeup and pulled her hair back into two buns.

Angelica also looked effortlessly flawless as she wore her matching brunette hair out and parted to the right.

Pia simply captioned the priceless image: 'Me & Ma'.

The rare picture of the Home And Away star and her mother comes months after she opened up about her desperate struggle to track down her estranged father online.

Her support: The rare picture of the Home And Away star and her mother comes months after she opened up about her desperate struggle to track down her estranged father online

She told Marie Claire in April that she started making calls and reaching out to people who fit his description online.

Pia added she had no memory of her father and had not seen him since the rest of her family packed up and left for Australia.

The mother-of-two immigrated to Australia from Chile when she was just four along with her mother, brother and sister.

She described her first, brief, phone conversation with her father as 'really overwhelming'.

No memory: Earlier this year, she said she no memory of her father and had not seen him since the rest of her family packed up and left for Australia when she was four

'It was one of those life moments that was, at the time, so difficult to grasp. There were all of these feelings, emotions and curiosities. But looking back now, I'm glad I did it,' she told.

She travelled to Chile in 2011 to meet him face-to-face, but she was left a little disappointed.

'I thought that [meeting my father] would be a story about getting to know him, but it ended up being a story about appreciating and loving my mother so much,' Pia said.

The beauty now has no contact with him and has been left with a fresh appreciation for her mother, former fashion designer Angelica Blanco.
She is expecting her third child in April.

And Jenna Jameson showed off how well her baby bump is coming along on Sunday.

The heavily pregnant former porn star highlighted her burgeoning belly in a tight black sleeveless catsuit.

Mum-to-be: Jenna Jameson showed off how well her baby bump is coming along on Sunday

The adult film actress was barely recognisable from her on-screen persona as she stepped out in The Grove in LA with fiance Lior Bitton.

She finished the look in a cosy pair of knee high black boots, a long brown cardigan, and a black beanie.

The 42-year-old announced in August that she and her Israeli diamond dealer beau were expecting a child, who is due in April.

She already has twin seven-year-old boys - Jesse and Journey - with her UFC star ex-husband Tito Ortiz.

Who's that girl: The adult film actress was barely recognisable from her on-screen persona as she stepped out with fiance Lior Bitton

During his stint on season seven of Celebrity Apprentice, Jenna met now-President-Elect Donald Trump - whom she supported during his election campaign - when she appeared on two episodes to assist Tito in his tasks.

One month ago Jenna announced on Twitter she had completed her conversion to Judaism.

One religion she certainly won't be converting to any time soon is Islam, if her Twitter feed is anything to go by.

On Sunday night she launched into something of an anti-Muslim rant, posting graphic images of atrocities and suggesting that the religion was to blame.

Last week she got embroiled in a Twitter spat with ex-KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, after he had a dig at her for tweeted she had a crush Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu.
With Lionel Richie as her father and Justin Bieber as her ex-boyfriend, Sofia Richie's life would certainly make for very entertaining TV.

But the 18-year-old has insisted she won't be starring in her own reality series any time in the near future, despite having been approached.

'I don't think I'd survive,' the young model told NW.

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Not cut out for it? Sofia Richie has admitted she 'won't survive' as the star of her own reality TV show

Admitting she has been courted to star in her own show, Sofia said: 'Someone has offered me that. They came to my dad and they wanted to do it.'

The stunner added: 'I don't think I'd be interested. That's not like me.'

Despite her lack of interest in having a program of her own, Sofia has made cameo appearances in her half-sister Nicole's web series Candidly Nicole.

Not interested: The 18-year-old said she's been approached to star in her own show, much like her sister Nicole, but turned it down

Music royalty: The model is the daughter of Lionel Richie and his second wife Diana Alexander

Nicole, of course, first rose to fame in the early 2000s as Paris Hilton's best friend in one of the first reality shows ever, The Simple Life.

The success of the four-year series turned Lionel Richie's eldest daughter into a household name.

Meanwhile, Sofia has become a star in her own right, making a name for herself in the modelling world.

Rise to fame: The teen has made a name for herself in the modelling world, walking for Kanye West and Chanel

The teen made her runway debut for Kanye West's Yeezy fashion show in September, telling Complex: 'I didn't know what to expect walking into it but it was really comforting, Kanye is the sweetest guy ever and super creative.'

And the catwalk queen has also walked for Chanel for the first time last week, appearing in the annual Metiers dArt show in Paris.

The Hollywood it-girl has also collaborated with online fashion chain Pretty Little Thing as the face of their new campaign.

It-girl: Sofia has also collaborated with online fashion chain Pretty Little Thing as the face of their new campaign
She welcomed her first child less than a month ago.

And on Monday, Laura Csortan was already back at work, juggling her duties as a new mother with her busy schedule as a model and TV presenter.

The 40-year-old Australian stunner shared a photo to her Instagram account that showed her breastfeeding daughter Layla Rose on the set of a photo shoot.

'We got this': On Monday, Laura Csortan was already back at work, juggling her duties as a new mother with her busy schedule as a model and TV presenter

The brown-eyed beauty shielded her newborn from view beneath a baby blanket that was patterned with pink animals.

It was a juggling act for the star, who was also getting her makeup done as she sat in a chair backstage.

The former Miss Universe Australia, who is a regular on Channel Sevens The Morning Show, gave a slight smile in the photo.

Working mum: Laura is juggling raising Layla Rose with her busy career as a model and presenter

Laura captioned the snap, Feeding on set, accompanied by the hashtags wegotthis, mummalife and babylayla.

In addition to getting back to work, Laura is also getting back to her workout routine, recently sharing a picture whilst out on a morning walk with Layla Rose.

And the star is certainly doing her share of reminiscing, posting a pic that showed her working out on outdoor exercise bars on Sydneys famous Bondi to Bronte beach walk.

Throwback: Laura uploaded this throwback selfie that showed off her sensational physique

Cant wait to start training outdoors again, she captioned the snap.

Late last week Laura also posted a throwback photo from 2015 that showed off her trim physique.

She wore a black crop top that showed off her toned stomach as she pouted in the mirror.

'Throw back to LA last year on a girls night out because I've forgotten how those go',' she captioned.

Laura has stated that she will be a single mum, and has not publicly revealed who the father of her unborn child is.
Kenya Moore was left upset and shaken after an explosive confrontation with her estranged boyfriend on Sunday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta.

The 45-year-old reality star was left sobbing to a series producer after Matt Jordan came to her house in the early hours and kicked in her garage door when she would not let him in.

The drama unfolded after Matt jetted into Atlanta from California to try and straighten out their relationship.

Rocky relationship: Keny Moore confronted her estranged boyfriend Matt after he kicked in her garage on Sunday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta

Things did not go smoothly and viewers were shown security footage of Matt kicking in the garage door at 2am after a night out.

'Matt came home from California, it was 2am, he had been drinking. We have not talked so I was not going to open the door,' explained Kenya.

'I don't know what to do. He gets angry and is acting out, he is acting like a child,' she told pal Cynthia Bailey on the phone.

Cynthia told her friend that she 'was nervous' about Matt's behavior but Kenya told her she did not think he was a danger to her.

Car talk: Matt stayed in his vehicle as Kenya confronted him about his behaviour

'I know you are really trying with this guy but I just don't have a good feeling about it. You really need to think about taking time away form this guy, seriously,' said Cynthia.

Kenya then burst into tears and could be heard sobbing to one of the show's producers away from the cameras.

'I feel like he is a good person but he's just so f***ed up, he really is, he just has demons,' she said through tears.

Fourth wall: Kenya broke the fourth wall and asked to speak to a producer about the Matt situation

Showing support: Cynthia Bailey talked to Kenya about Matt and urged her to take a break

'He just feels like he's not really supposed to be with me. And it just messes with him because he's just a regular guy that came out of nowhere and I just wasn't the nicest person to him in the beginning and it's like he holds on to all of that.

'I just think he resents me at this point and I'm just like, I don't know what to do. I really love him but sometimes I just don't want to be like fighting with him all the time,' Kenya said.

Kenya then called Matt who asked her to forgive him and take him back if he promised to change.

On the phone: Matt pleaded on the phone for Kenya to forgive him

One more time: Kenya listened as Matt pleaded for another chance

She told him that they should not talk about it on the phone and that she wanted to talk to him in person.

When Matt arrived he was angry that the show's crew had not yet left and they continued to let the cameras roll.

'This is who I am, you need to tell me what we are going to do or not,' she said.

Tough talk: Matt listened as Kenya went off with the cameras rolling

Matt stayed in the car and told her that she should not treat him as 'disposable.'

'You are making me look bad as I have got your back every time. I don't call the police, I don't make reports and why? Because if I wanted to bury you I could and you know it,' she told him.

Matt refused to get out of the car as Kenya said being with him made her 'look like a crazy person.'

Crazy person: Kenya told Matt that being with him made her look like a 'crazy person'

Security footage: Matt was shown kicking in Kenya's door in security footage

'And you don't do anything to me, verbally? Or those little side pokes that go on for weeks and months and then eventually a door gets kicked. I am not trying to justify that, my action, with what you have done, but you always make it seem like I act out all of a sudden out of nowhere and you have done nothing prior to it,' he told her.

'I am a young man, I get upset, I might break something, but you are disrespectful almost constantly with your mouth and that causes things to escalate. As long as I don't touch anybody I can run my mouth like crazy,' Matt said.

When Matt said he had so many things he could say 'it was embarrassing' Kenya pointed to the smashed door and screamed, 'This is embarrassing!'.

That's embarrassing: Kenya pointed to her smashed garage and said it was 'embarrassing'

'Either you walk away or you stay here but all the other stuff I don't do it,' she said.

'You talk to me like a farm animal. You are manipulative and fundamentally deceptive,' Matt told her.

'What you are trying to tell me is that ''Kenya you are responsible for me breaking your garage.'' The next thing it will be is ''Kenya you are responsible because I whipped your ass'',' she told him.

Four-letter word: Matt told Kenya that he loved her before speeding off

A visibly shocked Matt told Kenya that she had taken it 'too far.'

Kenya then grabbed her bag from his car as he told her that he loved her and sped off.

The sixth episode of the ninth season, entitled Tastes Like Trouble, kicked off with Phaedra Parks talking to the press about the bomb threat at her office building.

Bomb scare: Phaedra Parks talked about the bomb threat at her office building

Media reports: The bomb threat made the news and prompted Phaedra to respond

She told reporters that the man arrested for the threat was a former legal client and rapper who had told her he was going to drop off some music.

Phaedra said she had known him for 20 years and that it was a huge misunderstanding.

'He never had a bomb, he just wanted to drop off some bomb new music but because he used the word bomb it sent everyone into a ''bomb threat'' frenzy,' she revealed.

Huge misunderstanding: A friend of Phaedra's was dropping off 'some bomb new music' that sparked a bomb threat frenzy

'This seems like another case of racial profiling because he went to the wrong law office and the lawyers in that office look nothing like me and were quite alarmed, and they didn't realize that we were very good friends,' she explained.

Phaedra's staff talked her through their interviews with Homeland Security and went through a security briefing from '10,000 Fearless' about dealing with potential threats.

'Thank God it was not a real threat.This incident has made me cognizant of being prepared for the unexpected and I have to be ready to protect my family and my staff,' Phaedra said.

Security meeting: Devonte Jordan of 10,000 Fearless Prevention Trainers talked security with Phaedra

Kenya talked to Cynthia about the struggles in her relationship with Matt and Cynthia told her that she needed a 'strong man.'

Cynthia then discussed with Kenya how estranged husband Peter appeared on the Wendy Williams show to talk about being 'blindsided' by their break-up.

'I felt a little bit betrayed as I have always said that I want this divorce to be smooth and respectful. I still feel a little guilty about initiating the divorce but now it is feeling like it is starting to get a little ugly,' Cynthia told the cameras.

Chat show: Peter went on The Wendy Williams Show to talk about his divorce from Cynthia

Kenya told her she wanted 'a successful relationship' and wanted to be 'vulnerable' with her partner.

The tears flowed as Kenya told her that she felt that having everything in her life 'was not in my reach.'

Kandi Burruss and husband Todd struggled to get construction done on their restaurant project as he took over as general contractor and promised his wife it would be done in 30 days.

Behind schedule: Todd and Kandi Burruss discussed their behind schedule restaurant project

Porsha Williams continued her search for a new home having finally got her credit in a good place.

'When I finally get this house it is going to be a huge accomplishment for me,' said Porsha who had 45 days left on her current lease to find a house.

'I am a little scared, it is a first real house for me,' said Porsha who told her mom that she wanted a larger hone as she was ready for a family.

Family time: Porsha Williams talked about buying a house and having a child

Her mom asked if she had a man yet and Porsha told them she was with a father-of-two called Todd Stewart, who had been pursuing her for a while.

'Although I was reluctant to get into this relationship with Todd I am super excited that he is back in my life and if we have a baby along the way - perfect,' she said.

Mama Joyce met with a lawyer to find out about divorces for women whose husband's are in prison, like Phaedra Parks.

Legal talk: Mama Joyce disguised herself to meet with a lawyer

'I don't care if Phaedra gets a divorce or not but I know Phaedra Parks is out for my daughter so I am out for her,' Mama Joyce told the cameras.

'I wouldn't p*** in your mouth if your guts were on fire,' she said of Phaedra.

Pastor Regina, Phaedra's mother, was on hand to talk to her daughter about visiting jailbird husband Apollo Nida when the bomb threat happened.

Ulterior motive: Kandi's mom was looking for ammunition against Phaedra

'We had a great conversation about being good parents, making sure the kids were straight and hopefully getting this divorce wrapped up,' said Phaedra.

Phaedra told the cameras that Apollo had initially wanted a divorce so she filed paperwork but he had subsequently changed his mind and was dragging the situation on.

'Now I feel like he is back on board with the divorce so I see the light at the end of the tunnel,' she said.

End of tunnel: Phaedra said that her estranged husband Apollo Nida was back on board with their divorce

After the lawyer explained divorce settlements to her Mama Joyce then told the cameras that she was 'tired of Phaedra's lies.'

Kandi then threw a tasting lunch for the ladies ahead of the restaurant opening and Mama Joyce was keen to educate Phaedra about divorce.

Mama Joyce was warned by Kandi about joking over Phaedra's bomb threat situation and when Phaedra arrived she explained what happened.

Food sample: Kandi invited the women over to sample food from the upcoming restaurant

And as soon as she saw Phaedra, Mama Joyce told her how sorry she was that she and Apollo were still not divorced.

'Mama come on,' said Kandi breaking it up.

'Mama Joyce came for me like I owed her money, thank God she kept her shoes on,' Phaedra told the cameras.

On a mission: Mama Joyce went right for Phaedra when she arrived, but Kandi kept her at bay

Phaedra then told the women about the bomb threat.

'It was one of my clients that had come to my office to deliver some CDs. He had CDs and a FedEx package and some lyrics. No, he didn't have a bomb,' she said.

But Mama Joyce was not having that explanation.

Not buying it: Mama Joyce was not believing Phaedra's explanation

'From what he said, from what they had written down, is he was tired of being messed around,' she told the women.

'He was looking for you and he was going to blow you the f*** up. He said he was going to blow her the f*** up. That's what's on my cell phone,' Mama Joyce said.

But Phaedra was insistent that was not the case.

Her story: Phaedra stuck by her story about the bomb threat

'I don't know where Mama Joyce is getting her info but it seems like she is back on the streets doing 'hood reporting,' said Phaedra.

'He's not upset with me. Homeland Security said that was false. He said he never made a threat against me at all. What I do know is that if you come to the place where I work, which is very conservative, and you are a person of color you can really be profiled and Black Lives Matter,' Phaedra said.

Kandi was not impressed at what she heard, telling the cameras Phaedra had a bodyguard and that she 'was faking.'

Not impressed: Kandi also had some reservations about Phaedra's story

And Kandi was even less impressed when Sheree Whitfield asked her about her ex-partner Russell 'Block' Spencer, the father of her daughter, Riley.

Sheree continued to stir the pot by asking Porsha about also dating Block and Kandi told the women that he had 'never taken the initiative' to be in her daughter's life.

'Oh Sheree, doing what she does best, being messy,' said an unimpressed Porsha.

Stirring it up: Sheree Whitfield brought up Kandi's ex who also dated Porsha

Cynthia then met with her lawyer and reinforced that she did not want a 'mean-spirited' divorce.

The lawyer told her the split should move quickly and should be resolved in 45 to 50 days without any court appearances.

'I have not spent a lot of time thinking about not being his wife anymore, okay. Let me make sure that I am ready for my new life. I am happy but I am sad that it did not work out,' Cynthia said.
At least they know how to take a joke.

Atlanta star Lakeith Stanfield did a Kanye at the Critics' Choice Awards after Silicon Valley, and not his show, won.

The 25-year-old - who also goes by just Keith - decided to collect the Best Comedy Series Award despite his FX program not making the cut on Sunday night.

Scroll down for video and for all the Critics' Choice Award winners

Pulled a Kanye: Atlanta star Lakeith Stanfield gatecrashed the Critics' Choice Awards stage after Silicon Valley, and not his show, won Best Comedy Series on Sunday

The actor and rapper - who was comically dressed in a captain's hat - managed to beat Silicon Valley's executive producer Tom Lassally to the microphone.

While Leslie Mann - who presented the category with Christian Slater - do not hand over the trophy, Lakeith gave an acceptance speech.

The star - who also goes by just Keith - said: 'I want to thank everyone for honouring us in this way.

'We worked very hard on Silicon Valley and here we are. Thank you.'

Beat you to it: The actor and rapper - who was comically dressed in a captain's hat - managed to beat Silicon Valley's executive producer Tom Lassally to the microphone

Not for you: While Leslie Mann - who presented the category with Christian Slater - do not hand over the trophy, Lakeith gave an acceptance speech

Nice sentiment at least: The star said, 'I want to thank everyone for honouring us in this way. We worked very hard on Silicon Valley'

As he spoke, Silicon Valley's Lassally was shocked but took it well.

The executive producer went for laughs by joking slinking off behind Lakeith and then hiding behind Leslie and Christian.

When Lakeith wrapped up his 'acceptance' speech he walked off the stage allowing Lassally to finally take to the microphone.

Rolled with it: As the 25-year-old spoke, Silicon Valley's Lassally was shocked but took it well

Improvised: The executive producer went for laughs by joking slinking off behind Lakeith and then hiding behind Leslie and Christian

And goodnight: When Lakeith wrapped up his 'acceptance' speech he walked off the stage allowing Lassally to finally take to the microphone

The bemused producer laughed off the interruption, saying: 'No idea who that was.'

'Unfortunately [executive producer] Alec Berg was sick tonight, so [Lakeith] and I are both substitutions.'

Lakeith's antics got a mixed response from the star-studded audience, with a mixture of shocked faces and big laughs happening in unison.

While Atlanta did miss out on the big gong, star and creator Donald Glover won the award for Best Actor In A Comedy Series.

Now he does: The bemused executive producer laughed off the interruption, saying, 'No idea who that was'

Still got his moment: Lassally recovered nicely and was able to do his own real acceptance speech finally

Not empty handed: While Atlanta did miss out on the big gong, star and creator Donald Glover won the award for Best Actor In A Comedy Series

Lakeith was certainly having a big night at the awards from the moment he stepped on to the blue carpet.

Instead of just walking in and posing for pictures in front of the mandated backdrop, he decided to make good use of the event's blue carpet.

The Straight Out Of Compton star threw himself down on the unusual coloured red carpet and pose for snaps lying down.

What is going on!?! Lakeith's antics got a mixed response from the star-studded audience, with a mixture of shocked faces and big laughs happening in unison

Came to party: Lakeith was certainly having a big night at the awards from the moment he stepped on to the blue carpet

That's different: Instead of just walking in and posing for pictures in front of the mandated backdrop, he decided to make good use of the event's blue carpet

But while his behaviour may have been a little out there, the star took to social media to assure fans that's just him.

The actor said on Twitter simply, 'Not crazy'.

Before he was stealing awards, he has long been stealing scenes in the popular Atlanta in which he plays Darius, an upcoming rapper's right hand man.

Ready for his close up: The Straight Out Of Compton star threw himself down on the unusual coloured red carpet and pose for snaps lying down

Clearing that up: But while his behaviour may have been a little out there, the star took to social media to assure fans that's just him

Lakeith also played Snoop Dogg in last year's mega hit Straight Out Of Compton.

While his stage invasion was largely good humoured it was reminiscent of Kaye West's infamous 2009 stage storming at the MTV Music Awards.

Then Kanye snatched the microphone to protest that Beyince did not win the Album Of The Year when it was given to his now-nemesis Taylor Swift.

Imma let you finish: While his stage invasion was largely good humoured it was reminiscent of Kaye West's infamous 2009 stage storming at the MTV Music Awards when Taylor Swift won
Her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber deleted his Instagram account to the dismay of over 77 million fans back in August.

But Sofia Richie's take on social media is much more relaxed, with the 18-year-old telling NW magazine she doesn't take it so seriously.

'I just post what I think is cool and what I enjoy,' the model said.

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'I just post what I think is cool': Sofia Richie says she doesn't have restrictions when it comes to her social media posts

'I'm not trying to post some revealing picture to get more followers, so I don't get in trouble,' she added.

Sofia's comments come after her ex Justin, whom she dated for a month in August, removed his Instagram account following backlash from fans.

Justin, 22, had asked his 'Beliebers' to back off Sofia following some unpleasant comments on his Instagram posts of the two of them together.

Drama: Sofia's comments come after her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber deleted his own Instagram account, following backlash from his fans back in August

He wrote: 'I'm gonna make my Instagram private if you guys don't stop the hate this is getting out of hand, if you guys are really fans you wouldn't be so mean to people that I like.'

Out of the blue, his ex-girlfriend Selena took a swipe, exclaiming: 'If you cant handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol - it should be special between you two only. Don't be mad at your fans. They love you.'

That prompted a war of words between the pop stars, with both accusing each other of cheating and Justin hinting Selena had hooked up with former One Direction star Zayn Malik.

Controversial: At the time, Justin asked his fans to leave Sofia alone following some unpleasant comments on his Instagram posts of the two of them together

Things quickly ignited as Justin hit back: 'It's funny to see people that used me for attention and still trying to point the finger this way. Sad. All love. I'm not one for anyone receiving hate.'

The blows continued, with Selena posting: 'Funny how the ones that cheated multiple times, are pointing the finger at the ones that were forgiving and supportive, no wonder fans are mad. Sad. All love.'

This elicited the most shocking response yet from Bieber: 'I cheated... Oh I forgot about You and Zayn?'  apparently suggesting she had been unfaithful with the former One Directioner.

Weighing in: Justin's comments prompted his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez to take a swipe, exclaiming: 'If you cant handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol'

Sofia and Justin's romance got off to a roaring start in August as they frolicked in Laguna Beach, California. By mid-month they were holding hands in Tokyo.

And for her 18th birthday in late August, they hit The Doheny Room in Hollywood.

A trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, followed where they got their PDA on while hanging out on a yacht.

Gushing about the Where Are You Now hitmaker, Sofia told Billboard in September: 'We have a special relationship. Justin is very easy to talk to, and that's hard to find with people in Los Angeles.'

Music royalty: Sofia is the daughter of Lionel Richie and his second wife Diana Alexander
Roxy Jacenko and her glamorous mother Doreen are known for their close relationship - and for loving the finer things in life.

So it was hardly a surprise to see the pair arriving back in Sydney on Roxy's private jet on Sunday after a weekend away.

It was unclear if the mother daughter duo were visiting Roxy's incarcerated husband Oliver Curtis in Cooma's Correctional Facility, or if they simply took off for a few days of rest and relaxation.

Where did you go? Roxy Jacenko cut a casual figure as she stepped off a private jet in Sydney on Sunday after taking what appeared to be a day trip

Roxy looked simple but stylish as she entered a sleek black car dressed in fitted blue jeans and a loose white T-shirt with an asymmetrical neckline.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle and straightened to fall just past her shoulders.

If the 35-year-old had gone to see her husband via private plane, it would not have been the first time.

Travelling in style: After stepping off the private jet, Roxy and her mother Doreen jumped in to a Bentley to head home

The full set up: Roxy shared a picture to Instagram of the hangar, complete with private plane and luxury cars

In September, the Daily Telegraph reported she had flown down to see him for the first time since he was transported from Parklea prison in Sydney's west the month before.

While it is a ten-hour round trip from Sydney to Cooma by car, it is about one hour each way via plane.

The paper reported at the time the trip would have cost Roxy about $5700.

Short trip then? The day before and the day after, Roxy shared photos to Instagram of herself and her children, who did not accompany the women on their trip

It is likely wherever she went, it was a very short trip - as the day before and the day after she shared photographs of herself and her children.

Roxy's husband Oliver was jailed in June this year after a Supreme Court jury found him guilty of insider trading.

He was sentenced to two years jail, to be released after one on good behaviour.
They've been married for 42 years with two adult children and four grandchildren together.

But it appears Bert and Patti Newton's plans for their annual family Christmas gathering might not include son Matthew this year.

In an interview with Woman's Day the media power couple detailed their usual family traditions and how things have changed over the years.

'Our celebrations have changed': Bert and Patti Newton share plans for Christmas gathering, in which son Matthew doesn't feature, in recent Woman's Day double page spread on Monday

Not coming home? The exclusive Christmas photoshoot and interview only mentioned their troubled son once, in which they said he 'was happy and settled in New York'

Within the two page spread, which featured an exclusive Christmas photoshoot, Patti and Bert only made mention of their troubled son once.

The comment announced they were excited that the 39-year-old was happy and settled in New York, after making headlines in 2006 after he was convicted of assaulting his then-fiancee, actress Brooke Satchwell.

News of Matthew's engagement to American girlfriend Catherine Schneiderman broke in November, with the article suggesting he intends to spend Christmas with her overseas.

After welcoming a new grandchild from daughter Lauren and partner Matt Welsh earlier this year, Patti said while they'll be entertaining the most people in their smallest space yet.

'There's four grandchildren, Matt, Lauren, Bert and me...For a little house it really comes alive,' the TV and radio personality said without mentioning her eldest.

Full house: Bert and Patti mentioned their four grandchildren as well as daughter Lauren and partner Matt would be in attendance, but they did not mention their eldest son Matt (pictured)

''Our celebrations have changed over recent years': Since welcoming their fourth grandchild they detailed the new traditions they've formed, which include setting up presents and going to Mass on Christmas Eve

While they joked to spending a lot of Christmases together over their lengthy marriage, they addressed that traditions change.

'Our celebrations have changed over recent years...Since the passing of our mums, we've had a different sort of Christmas - but one that has become traditional over the last six or seven years,' Bert said.

Their daughter Lauren will bring children - Sam, 8, Eva, 7, Lola, 4 and nine-month-old Monty - to 'Nan and Poppy's' home to open a horde of presents and celebrate the festivities.

Traditional: Patti revealed they are 'traditional people' when it comes to Christmas, while Bert said Patti prepares her decorations from the first of November

Patti revealed they are 'traditional people' and take the kids to Mass the night before, watch carols and open presents the day of.

Bert also dobbed his wife in for being extra festive in the lead up to Christmas.

'It's not unusual to decorate your home with Christmas lights and lots of lovely things... but Patti institutes this from the first of November,' he said.
She was recognized for her role in HBO's hit show Westworld on Sunday.

And Evan Rachel Wood looked fantastic as she walked the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles.

The 29-year-old looked stylish in an Altuzarra suit tied at the waist and satin pumps as she made her appearance at the ceremony which kicks off awards season.

Scroll down for video

Simply chic: Evan Rachel Wood looked fantastic as she walked the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday

Her bleached locks were swept over to the side and she sported smokey eye-makeup for dramatic effect.

In Westworld Evan plays Dolores, an artificially intelligent 'host' at an amusement park who slowly gains sentience - unbeknownst to her creators.

On stage Evan said: '[Dolores] gave me as a strength I didnt know that I had,

'I am forever grateful to [Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy] and to our incredible writers and producers and our hardworking crew.'

Winner: Evan picked up the gong for best actress in a drama series

All black: The actress wore a Altuzarra suit tied at the waist and satin pumps

'To my son, who I love, and I do all this for you.' Evan said as she accepted her award. She shares a three-year-old boy with ex Jamie Bell

She continued: 'To my son, who I love, and I do all this for you.'

Evan shares a three-year-old son with British actor Jamie Bell who she separated from in May 2014.

The BFCA has approximately 250 members - comprised of critics working in television, radio and online media.

'I am forever grateful to [Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy] and to our incredible writers and producers and our hardworking crew.' the 29-year-old star said

Glitzy affair: Evan posed with Westworld co-star James Marsden at the event

In Westworld Evan plays Dolores, an artificially intelligent 'host' at an amusement park who slowly gains sentience - unbeknownst to her creators

They have been conducting the Critics' Choice awards since 1995 and are considered to represent most fully - out of awards handed out by film critics - the general public's taste.

This is the 22nd year the ceremony has taken place and it is often seen as one of the best indicators for how films will fare in awards season.

Over the last 10 years, eight of the Best Picture winners have gone on to take the same accolade at the Academy Awards.


Three Russians, two Americans and one French astronauts currently share the space station.

I feel better now, Class dismissed.

'You cannot trust them Ruskies' is not breaking news. Give me a frigging break, we have a long history of working with the Russians on some matters and opposing them in other matters. There is a huge difference between offending a country and obliterating them. I sometimes wonder why the Liberals equate the two on one hand and then lecture us about 'agreeing to disagree' on the other hand. There is a continuum between outright enemy through opponent to ally. While there may have been a time when we were in mortal fear of the Communist threat, we have learned to neutralize the threat to some extent.In 1962 when the world was on theover the Cuban missile crisis, we had backdoor channels to the Russian government. The crisis was de-escalated because of private negotiations with contacts who had access to Russian leadership. JFK was hailed as a great leader for avoiding war by secretly negotiating with the Russians. There was a movie in 1966 which made fun of the paranoia surrounding the Russian threat. Facts are one thing but paranoia is entirely another matter. Anyone or group that hypes fear and paranoia without facts is not helpful to the international community.It is not a secret that both the Russians and USA often advise each other of maneuvers so there is no misunderstanding on the military movements of both governments. I have a friend in the submarine service who has told me unclassified stories of the cat and mouse games that each fleet of nuclear submarines play against one another.So if you cannot trust them Russians as we are now being told why are we putting astronauts lives on the line at the International Space Station in full co-operation with the Russians. There is probably no more complicated relationship than the mutual teamwork required by thousands of people in the space arena. NASA International Space Station Here are the NASA links to the Bio of the current crew:While we are demonizing the Russians in the press, we are at the same time cooperating with them in space. Perhaps this is a tempest in a teapot. If we intend to make Putin an enemy, perhaps someone needs to tell President Obama that so he can get our astronauts back down to earth before the war starts. He will have to get the Russians to bring them back because we no longer have the capability to do it since the Shuttle has been retired.All nations spy on each other, friend, and foe alike, as we should.arebecause they are. Anyone who has ashould be smart enough to prevent others from finding out their. Even the United States has spied on allies and enemies alike. Grow up people. Back when we actually had adults running the country there was a prase used to set the tone.With all the hubbub about the Fake News, why won't someone tell us what specific details were fake and what was real. We celebrated Woodward and Bernstein for publishing leaked information on the front pages of the Washington Post. They kept Deep Throat's identity secrete until he died. It brought down a sitting president. When Wikileaks did the same thing on the internet, it brought down a candidate for presidential office. We know who published the leaks and where they came from. What we do not know is how Julian Assange got the information. We can be pretty sure he did not get it in a parking lot in Washington DC in the middle of the night. Is there a difference between these two scenarios?One thing you can say about the Russians is that they are predictable and responsible with their control of the, which they possess.If he is wrong about everything else he has said and done, Donald Trump is at least right about one thing. We should putin our dealings with the world. Every other country in the world does that with their own interest. I guess one of the news channels hit on a nerve with me. This latest brouhaha about hacking is nothing more than politics. Both sides play these games and we should expect it and make provisions accordingly. I am in favor of a full investigation into the hacking and if we can find out who and how it was done, there should be grave consequences both for individuals and countries that participated in the hacking. If for no other reason we should try to find out how to prevent the hacking in the future. That is separate matter from the information disclosed from someone or group that is too damn dumb to insure the privacy and security of emails when communicating over commercial networks.
Vanderpump Rules is preparing to launch its first spin-off with reformed bad boy Jax Taylor and his Kentucky-born girlfriend Brittany Cartwright.

And now Jax's on-again/off-again best friend Tom Sandoval and his girlfriend Ariana Madix are hoping to follow Jax's lead by landing a spin-off of their own.

'We definitely want our own show,' Ariana told Australia's NW magazine.

What about us? Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval want their own Vanderpump Rules spin-off after co-stars Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright landed their own show

The lovebirds explained that their hypothetical show would be different to Vanderpump Rules, with less 'petty' drama and a focus on travel and food instead.

'I'd love to have a younger Anthony Bourdain-type show,' explained Ariana, referring to the popular American chef and TV personality.

The 31-year-old continued: 'Travel, eat amazing food, meet amazing people, go on adventures, help some people out along the way.

Superstars! Brittany and Jax recently filmed their own spin-off series

'Travel, eat amazing food, meet amazing people, go on adventures, help some people out along the way,' explained Ariana of her hypothetical show with Tom

'But I also want my boyfriend [Tom] there with me. Sometimes we would fight!'

Radar Online first broke the news of a Jax Taylor spin-off with his Midwestern girlfriend Brittany back in October.

An unnamed insider told the tabloid: ' With fame comes jealousy so there are definitely some cast members that are bothered by this but for the most part they are all really happy for Jax because they know that they will get to be on two shows instead of just one now.'

Confirmed: Tom Schwartz confirmed that Jax and Brittany's spin-off would be a limited series instead of a full-length season

Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz later confirmed the reports during an appearance on the Reality Life podcast.

However, Schwartz revealed that the spin-off wouldn't be a full series, explaining that it would be much shorter in length - similar to other Bravo spin-offs like Kandi's Ski Trip and Tamra's OC Wedding.

The fifth season of Vanderpump Rules is currently airing now.
It would seem the ideal form of dress was obvious.

But that did not stop Charlotte McKinney from wearing leather and fur to the opening of a denim shop in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The busty model looked in fine form indeed as she showcased her knockout body at the store launch for RtA Denim in West Hollywood.

Imperial in leather: But Charlotte McKinney's cowskin and fur look seemed incongruous at the launch of a denin shop in Los Angeles on Sunday

However the 23-year-old glamour model seemed dressed for a different event entirely in her black fur coat, black T-shirt and leather skirt.

It is not the first time in the last week the Baywatch babe has made a fashion faux pas.

On Thursday, the former Dancing With the Stars contestant attended the GQ Men of the Year party in LA, clad in a revealing ensemble.

However, the stunning star accidentally showed off a little more than she bargained for, revealing a liberal amount of support tape holding the look together as she wore a menswear-inspired vest that featured a lace-up front.

Fur goodness sake: She did not even make the effort to wear a denim shirt

Bust on show: The voluptuous model also caused a stir at the GQ Men of the Year party on Thursday

Tale of the tape: For her revealing top showed more than she bargained for, with her wardrobe tape on full display

The Late Bloomer actress, who shot to fame advertising hamburgers in the nude, has a packed schedule in the upcoming year.

Charlotte will appear in Baywatch, no doubt a potential award-winner, alongside Zac Efron, Pamela Anderson and Dwayne Johnson.

The blonde beauty will also take the lead among acting heavyweights such as Nina Dobrev, Diego Luna and Kiefer Sutherland in the horror sci-fi flick, Flatliners.

The film tells of medical students and their studies on near death experiences.

Knot amused: She no doubt rued her choice of menswear-inspired vest with lace-up front

Thighly impressive: But she did a sterling job of showcasing her toned legs
She married Buddy Franklin in a secret ceremony wearing a traditional white gown and veil.

But on Monday, Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) was seen rocking a one piece swimsuit with her AFL superstar hubby by her side.

Taking to Instagram, the Australian model shared a snap with her 384,000 followers showing the pair relaxing by the water in Sydney.

'Weekends with you': Jesinta Franklin posted a loved-up snap with AFL star hubby Buddy as the newlyweds relax by the water in Sydney on Monday

'Weekends with you,' Jesinta captioned the photo, adding a love heart emoji.

A shirtless Buddy stared pensively over the water as his stunning wife sat between his legs.

Sporting a red bathing suit, Jesinta's enviable legs and flawless complexion were on full display.

Newlyweds: The couple married last month in a private ceremony in the Blue Mountains

She wore her trademark brunette locks down over her slender shoulders, while completing her look with a pair of designer shades.

The couple married last month in a private ceremony in the Blue Mountains.

Sydney Swans star Buddy proposed with a diamond ring with an estimated worth between $75,000 and $100,000.

'Mr & Mrs Franklin': Jesinta and Buddy took the public and media by surprise when they announced the news at 1am on November 5

The couple had previously postponed their wedding, which was originally scheduled to take place in January this year.

They took the public and media by surprise when they announced the news at 1am on November 5.

'Mr & Mrs Franklin,' Jesinta wrote alongside a picture of the newlyweds on their special day.
Sleigh bells aren't exactly ringing for Glee's Becca Tobin and her new spouse Zach Martin - but we doubt they're complaining.

Tobin and Martin on Sunday were enjoying their honeymoon from the tropical island of Mauritius, a stunning vacation destination in the Indian Ocean where temperatures this time of year were forecast in the mid-to-high 80s.

And the newlyweds looked to be enjoying every bit of it, chronicling their breathtaking honeymoon in a series of shots they shared on Instagram over the weekend.

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Fab: Glee's Becca Tobin shared some mind-blowing shots from her Mauritius island honeymoon

The world is yours: Tobin and her husband Zach Martin looked to be enjoying a luxurious and romantic holiday

Artistry: The exhilarating backdrops only added to the beauty and romance in each shot, such as this one of Tobin in a white one-piece

Heaven on earth: Martin wasn't bashful about sharing the amazing sights from their resort honeymoon

Tobin, a 30-year-old Georgia native who's also been seen on shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles and Dropping the Soap, showed off her fab figure in a number of resort fashions, most notably a colorful two-piece Farm Rio bikini she wore with a necklace and a black straw hat.

'Just an old married lady and her Instagram hubby,' said Tobin, who played Kitty Wilde over 49 episodes of Ryan Murphy's famed musical series.

She also showed off her svelte form in a white one-piece, looking gorgeous standing in the clear waters with a background of the resort and a cloudy sky.

Cute couple: The bride and groom look happy and wholesome in this shot the TV songstress uploaded to social media

The gang's all here! Tobin had plenty of familiar faces from her days on Glee, as many co-stars, most notably Lea Michele (third from left) were there to cheer her trek to the altar

In another magnificent display of photography, Tobin posted a shot of herself and her spouse seemingly walking on water - it was actually very shallow - beaming amid a magnificent cloudy skyline.

In the shot, in which both are wearing matching white robes - his comes to his knees, while her's are down to her feet - Zach wrote, 'These robes are the same size....'

Tobin also posted the image, telling more than 622,000 followers, 'We just took a 6hr nap.'

Tobin and Martin exchanged vows December 3 at the Amangani Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in front of a star-studded crowd that featured many of Tobin's former Glee co-stars, such as Lea Michele, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz. Some of the show's writers and production workers were also in attendance for the proceedings.
He's known for his role in Billions playing the ambitious manager of a hedge fund Bobby 'Axe' Axelrod.

But English actor Damian Lewis, 45, has revealed the lavish lifestyle led by his character is a stark contrast to the life he leads off screen.

Speaking to TV Week, Damian said that although he enjoys playing the role of a rich business man, money isn't that important to him or his family.

'We don't think money is terribly important': English actor Damian Lewis, 45, has revealed that playing a rich person in the popular television show Billions is a contrast to his regular life

'We don't think money is terribly important in our family.

'I spend money on my children's school fees, and I just renovated my house but I don't own a second home or have a yacht.'

Billions follows the power war between two hedge fund kings, Bobby and US Attorney General Chuck Rhoades played by Paul Giamatti.

Damian, also known for his role in Netflix series Homeland, has said he was reluctant to consider another US based-show with the hope of being home with his family.

Popular: Billions follows the power war between two hedge fund kings, Bobby (Damian) and US Attorney General Chuck Rhoades played by Paul Giamatti

But said: 'I went on instinct with Homeland, and Billions was a similar decision.'

Damian won an Emmy Award and Golden Globe for his role as Sergeant Nick Brody in Homeland.

The 45-year-old is married to fellow actor Helen McCrory, 47, with the pair living in Tuffnel Park north-west London.

The smitten couple share two children, one eight-year-old son and one nine-year-old daughter and often comment on the importance of family.

Loved up: The 45-year-old is married to fellow actor Helen McCrory, 47, with the pair living in Tuffnel Park north-west London

Damian made headlines earlier this year when he decided that he wouldn't send his children to boarding school calling the experience 'very violent'.

The awarding-winning Homeland star said he would not send them to board at that age because of the hardship that comes with living apart from parents.

'I went at eight and I think that's very hard. You go through something which, at that age, defines you and your ability to cope,' he told The Sunday Times Magazine.

'There's a sudden lack of intimacy with a parent, and your ability to get through that defines you emotionally for the rest of your life,' he finished.
Bachelorette reject Samuel Johnston has no problem getting naked for the cameras, as seen in several 'modelling' shots posted to Instagram over the years.

And in celebration of his birthday, the Bachelorette 'villain' posted yet another nude picture on social media, this time seen smiling as he lazed in a bath tub.

Naked pictures appear to be a tradition for the brunette hunk on his birthday who was spotted lying on a bed without clothes in a picture posted last year.

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'Birthday suit!': Bachelorette reject Sam Johnston posted a naked picture of himself in a bath tub (similar to the one pictured on Instagram) to commemorate his 28th birthday on Instagram

Sam will be celebrating his 28th birthday and wrote himself some sound advice in the caption of the raunchy image.

He wrote: 'Birthday suit on my birthday! Should probably start acting my age, but that's not going to happen.'

The larrikin reality star added: 'But that's not going to happen.'

Relaxing back in a bathtub full of milky water, Sam was spotted smiling while flexing his bulging muscles and rippling abs.

Dare to bare: The Bachelorette reject has no problem getting naked for the cameras and is often seen posed topless in photos posted to social media

The 28-year-old was visibly without clothing as he soaked himself head-to-toe in the opaque water.

Fans gushed over Sam's envy-inducing physique some commenting that they wished the water was more transparent.

One fan wrote: 'OMFG I wish that water was clear.' While another commented: 'Best present I have ever received.'

What's going on here? Meanwhile, Sam made headlines earlier this year when he posed when he stripped down to nothing, in a racy photo shoot presumably promoting office furniture

Meanwhile, Sam made headlines earlier this year when he posed when he stripped down to nothing, in a racy photo shoot presumably promoting office furniture.

In one sizzling frame captured by photographer, Sam is seen straddling a stool which he had his legs wrapped around while firmly gripping its adjustable lever.

Sam found fame after appearing on The Bachelorette Australia with Georgia Love before being sent home after brutally revealing he was on there to further his career.

'This has just given me like a little kick to get moving quicker': Sam Johnston signed his early exit papers on The Bachelorette after admitting he'd joined to further his acting career

'It was like freight train right into the face': Georgia Love was not impressed by his honesty

'I think presenting's kinda cool ... it was kind of heading that direction before this,' he explained on the show when on a date with Georgia.

Adding: 'If I left this experience without you, I wouldn't, you know, be absolutely heartbroken.'

It was the line, that clinched Georgia's decision to send Sam packing from the Bachelorette mansion.
He added a splash of Hollywood glamour to proceedings as the 22nd annual Critics Choice Awards got underway in Santa Monica on Sunday evening.

But John Travoltas welcome presence at the Barkers Hanger venue was once again undermined by his questionable weave as he posed for photos before making his way inside.

The actors carefully coiffed hairpiece was present and correct, albeit vastly different to the thick, natural locks he sported during his heyday in career-defining films Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

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Hard to miss: John Travoltas welcome presence at the 22nd annual Critics Choice Awards was undermined by his questionable weave as he posed for photos before making his way inside

Travolta, 62, has worn a variety of weaves down the years with decidedly mixed results as he continues to battle hair loss.

Seemingly in high spirits, the veteran star beamed while rubbing shoulders with his co-stars from The People V O.J Simpson, which triumphed in the category for Best Movie Made for Television or Limited Series.

Actress Sarah Paulson, Marcia Clark in the hit drama, also won on the night on thew category for Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series.

Previously: The actor's weave was vastly different to the thick, natural locks he sported during his heyday in carer defining films Grease and Saturday Night Fever

Old hand: Travolta, 62, has worn a variety of weaves down the years with decidedly mixed results as he continues to battle hair loss

Travolta, whose role as non nonsense lawyer Robert Shapiro saw him nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Move Made for Television or Limited Series, was also on hand to present director Damien Chazelle with an award for La La Land.

The musical sweep the board, taking home eight top prizes, including the coveted Best Picture.

It was no easy task as there were very impressive contenders in the same field including: Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Lion, Loving, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight and Sully.

Winners: (L-R) The People V O.J Simpson co-stars Nina Jacobson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, Sarah Paulson, John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Sterling K. Brown with the award for Best Movie Made for Television or Limited Series

Triumph: Actress Sarah Paulson, Marcia Clark in the hit drama, also won on the night on thew category for Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series

The film - a musical set in modern day Tinseltown - landed 12 nominations, and took home gongs for Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Screenplay, Best Production, Best Score, Best Editing and Best Song.

The movie's leading stars certainly enjoyed the attention lavished on their efforts, and looked in high spirits as they shared a joke together.

The Critics' Choice Awards is usually a good indicator for potential nominees at the Academy Awards, which take place in February.
They are currently planning their wedding for next year.

But on Sunday night, Tom Daley let his partner Dustin Lance Black take centre stage at the Roma Fiction Fest in Italy.

The Olympic diver, 22, was by his screenwriter fiance's side as they turned out for the the premiere of When We Rise.

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Supportive: Tom Daley let his partner Dustin Lance Black take centre stage at the Roma Fiction Fest in Italy as his new miniseries We Will Rise premiered

The Oscar winner's new series focus on the trials and tribulations of LGBT activists as they try to get equal rights in the 1960s.

Starring a stellar cast including Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths, Mary-Louise Parker, Rosie ODonnell, Michael K. Williams and Whoopi Goldberg the seven-part miniseries has already attracted some major attention.

It was premiered at the Italian festival and the Milk writer also scooped the Excellence Award for the show's first episode.

Taking to Twitter, Dustin wrote: 'Thank you Rome and the Roma Fiction Fest for a magnificent premiere of, and the for episode one of When We Rise.'

Big night: Dustin looked dapper alongside fiance Tom ahead of him winning the Excellence Award

Ecstatic: Taking to Twitter, Dustin wrote: 'Thank you Rome and the Roma Fiction Fest for a magnificent premiere of, and the for episode one of When We Rise'

Tom was equally as pleased about the 42-year-old's achievements, tweeting: 'So proud of this one tonight. :) I can't wait for you to see "When We Rise"! It's never been more important to be excepting and inclusive.'

The new period piece tells the history of the gay rights movement, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

It follows on from Dustin's hugely acclaimed film Milk, which focused on the story of activist and politician, Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.

Sean Penn played the figure - who was assassinated in 1978 - in the 2008 biographical movie and won Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

The movie scooped another seven gongs, including Dustin's Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
They found love on The Bachelorette.

And while it's well known Georgia Love and Lee Elliott remain smitten for each other, the pair have also managed to raise $10,000, and counting, for charity.

After Georgia's mother lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in October, the reality star couple have organised to gather The Bachelorette lads to raise money to fight the disease.

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'My goodness!' Georgia Love and beau Lee Elliott have raised $10,000 for pancreatic cancer research after her mother died from the disease... and there's plenty more to come

Georgia and Lee will join the cast of the hit show to meet in Melbourne for a fundraiser for the Pancare Foundation.

The single Bachelors will offer themselves up for a date at the function on Saturday, with the highest bidders taking the prize, according to the Herald Sun.

Lee told the paper the potentially uncomfortable situation of reuniting with the other men who were vying for Georgia's heart was nothing of the sort.

Smitten: Lee and Georgia fell for each other on this series hit season of The Bachelorette

'It could have been an awkward situation for everyone, but these guys are all amazing, incredible guys and so generous with everything,' he said.

'I did a phone around and gave them a call, I'm so proud to call them all mates,' he said.

'Nothing was an issue, they are flying in from all around the country, all out of their own pockets.'

Just getting started! Georgia and Lee will join the cast of The Bachelorette to meet in Melbourne for a fundraiser for the Pancare Foundation

On Monday, Georgia took to Instagram to express her excitement about how much money the initiative had already raised.

'My goodness! On bids alone, we've raised almost $10,000 for @pancareaus through the boys' charity luncheon in conjunction,' she wrote.

'I am so proud of my man for not only coming up with the idea but organising the whole thing and am so humbled and touched that so many of the boys are getting on board to help out such an important and worthy cause.'

'It could have been awkward': Lee said the potentially uncomfortable situation of reuniting with the other men who were vying for Georgia's heart was nothing of the sort

The reality star also urged single ladies to attend the event, but said Lee was off limits.

'Now to those of you lucky enough to be going along on Saturday, have fun!'

'And remember @leeroyelliott is chaperoning, not dating!' she wrote, adding several hashtags including 'hands off he's mine' and 'joking but not really.'
Donna Hay has prepared plenty of meals as a celebrated chef and food stylist.

But she has a momentous task ahead of her as she prepares for the coveted Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race later this month.

The 45-year-old is set to board the Beau Geste and prepare meals for the crew, telling The Daily Telegraph: 'My main aim is to not be ill.'

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Adventure time: Chef Donna Hay (seen earlier this month in Sydney) has a momentous task ahead of her as she prepares for the coveted Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race later this month

'The only thing I am concerned about is being sick, because I do have to feed the crew and I don't want to let them down,' Donna said.

The brunette cooking extraordinaire said she has to feed sixteen men and joked about how small the galley of the boat is and that she has to wear a head torch to prepare the meals.

She added she has had previous sailing experience and said the race is 'something that Ive always wanted to do.'

It will be interesting! The brunette cooking extraordinaire said she has to feed sixteen men and joked about how small the galley of the boat is

'Amazing day training': Donna also shared on Instagram on Monday, a shot of the boat's sails saying how much she is looking forward to the race

Taking to the seas: Seen is the Beau Geste in the race in 2013

Donna also shared on Instagram on Monday, a shot of the boat's sails saying how much she is looking forward to the race.

'Amazing day training on Beau Geste. All in preparation of fulfilling my dream of racing in The Rolex Sydney to Hobart,' Donna wrote.

'Couldn't think of a better way to end such a fantastic year.'

Donna has recently made headlines for dropping three dress sizes by eating healthily and embracing exercise, mainly running and stand-up paddle boarding.

Looking good! Donna has recently made headlines for dropping three dress sizes by eating healthily and embracing exercise, mainly running and stand-up paddle boarding (seen this month)

Strugles: But her journey to weight-loss was not without its setbacks (seen in 2012)

But her journey to weight-loss was not without its setbacks, as Donna was hospitalised is 2010 after she collapsed from excruciating pain which doctors found to be a missing disc in her back.

I had to learn to walk again, she told The Daily Telegraph at the time.

Meanwhile, Donna has also had the praises of celebrities, with Hollywood star Cameron Diaz previously telling GOOP that the brunette is her 'food inspiration.'

Donna is known for her cookbooks and magazine and has penned 25- award-winning cookbooks, selling over six million copies worldwide.

She is also close to renowned English chef, Jamie Oliver.

The former Marie Claire food editor has two sons, Tom and Angus, and resides in Sydney, Australia.
Tillis Led Effort To Secure More Than $300 Million For North Carolina's Recovery Efforts

Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG - DR ), which will support community needs including housing, infrastructure and jobs. This funding will be critical for long-term recovery efforts in eastern North Carolina.

), which will support community needs including housing, infrastructure and jobs. This funding will be critical for long-term recovery efforts in eastern North Carolina. USDA Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) , which will assist with repairing farm roads, restoring fencing, conservation practices and debris removal.

, which will assist with repairing farm roads, restoring fencing, conservation practices and debris removal. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Highway Funding, which will help restore damaged roads, clear debris, and reopen critical roadways that were damaged.

Emergency Highway Funding, which will help restore damaged roads, clear debris, and reopen critical roadways that were damaged. The Army Corps of Engineers, which will repair damage on Army Corp properties in North Carolina caused by Hurricane Matthew.

Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. Tonight, the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) that keeps the government funded until April and provides North Carolina with more than $300 million in recovery assistance for damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) led the North Carolina Congressional delegation's effort to secure the disaster assistance for North Carolina, which will soon be allocated to the state for initial immediate needs to assist the recovery effort."The continuing resolution passed by Congress will provide North Carolina with more than $300 million in immediate assistance to rebuild homes, businesses, schools and roads in wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew," said Senator Tillis. "The recovery process will be long and tough, and in the months ahead, I will be working closely with Governor-elect Cooper and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that North Carolina has the financial resources it needs to become whole again."The Hurricane Matthew recovery assistance for North Carolina contained in the CR includes funding for:
She was widely criticised for taking a clipboard onstage during her debut panto performance last week.

But Stacey Solomon praised her boyfriend Joe Swash for fiercely defending her after his EastEnders co-star Aaron Sidwell branded her actions 'shameful'.

Speaking on Loose Women on Monday, the 27-year-old said: 'I adore Joe so much and everything he does is from his heart. He saw how hard I worked and how important it was for me.'

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Candid: Stacey Solomon, 27, praised boyfriend Joe Swash for fiercely defending her after his EastEnders co-star Aaron Sidwell criticised her decision to take a clipboard onstage during panto

Elaborating on the Twitter spat yesterday, she added: 'I don't think he appreciated somebody in the industry knowing what I'd done and what I had to do saying something like that.

'I was worried that he might get some backlash for saying something like that and then another part of me thought it's so amazing to have somebody support me like that.'

While some suggested Stacey hadn't learnt her lines, the mother-of-two insisted she took her clipboard onstage because of technical problems.

She told the panel: 'This really upset me because I landed (from Australia), took the boys to school, and went to rehearsals. They knew the schedule I had and what was going on and they were fine with it.

Oh dear: Stacey was pictured earlier this week reading her script onstage in her debut performance of pantomime Dick Whittington, in Milton Keynes

Grateful: Speaking on Loose Women on Monday, the 27-year-old said: 'I adore Joe so much and everything he does is from his heart. He saw how hard I worked and how important it was for me'

Honest: She said: 'I did know my lines, but I hadn't been there for any of the technical rehearsals. 'They said it would be fine and told me, "Just go on, let the audience know that it's your first time" '

'When I got there they said you're gonna cue the lights and the band. I had to cue the right people at the right time. I did know my lines, but I hadn't been there for any of the technical rehearsals.

'They said it would be fine and told me, "Just go on, let the audience know that it's your first time." The audience were lovely - everyone was lovely - and I did know my lines.'

Meanwhile Stacey is fresh from shooting the spin-off show I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp in Australia, and admitted her fears about hosting live.

'It's the scariest thing I've ever done,' she confessed.

'You get up at 11pm and you go into the studio and you don't get out until 3 or 4. I only got to sunbathe twice. When I was going to bed I saw everyone going down to the pool.'

Confession: Meanwhile Stacey is fresh from shooting the spin-off show I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp in Australia, and admitted her fears about hosting live

Insistent: While some suggested Stacey hadn't learnt her lines, the mother-of-two insisted she took her clipboard onstage because of technical problems

Praise: The mother-of-two gushed over her Joe's Tweet defending her, which was shown on the screen behind the panel

Speaking about what it was like presenting with Joe, she added: 'It was really lovely because there was somebody there to support me.

'And it was the first ever live show that I'd presented. It made me anxious but having him there was amazing. But it was testing a couple of times.'

And their bond is clearly stronger than ever after Joe defended Stacey after actor Aaron Sidwell criticised her on Sunday.

Wintry chic: The presenter looked stylish in a mauve embellished skater dress layered over a dusky pink poloneck

Legs for days: She teamed the sweet feminine outfit with some plum suede ankle boots

The actor, known for playing Steve Beale on the BBC soap, reprimanded the blonde for taking her script onstage during her first panto performance - which was met with fiery response from Joe, that told him to 'pipe down' and 'be ashamed'.

Stacey was pictured earlier this week reading her script onstage in her debut performance of pantomime Dick Whittington, in Milton Keynes.

Addressing her behaviour on his Twitter page, Aaron, 28, first kicked things off by writing: 'This is shameful. Shouldn't cash her pay check!'

Laidback cool: She changed into a brocade jumper and black skinny jeans as she left the ITV studios

Looking good! Opting for comfort, she rocked a black tasseled coat and Nike trainers

However Joe, who is currently dating the recent stage star, was quick to come to her defense as he hit back with a fiery response.

He furiously replied: 'Why don't you PIPE DOWN mate and do your own thing BADLY!'

Before adding in further rage: 'What a little hater YOU you should be ashamed and I will tell you when I see u next.'

Clearly taken aback by the actor's sudden outburst, Aaron next posted a calm response which read: 'Twitter is for sharing your opinion. You have yours, I have mine. I'm not hating.'

At war: Aaron Sidwell (L) became embroiled in a Twitter feud with Joe Swash (R) on Sunday after he criticised Joe's girlfriend Stacey Solomon

Standing hjs ground: Joe, who is currently dating the recent stage star, was quick to come to her defense as he hit back with a fiery response

Not backing down: Aaron argued back that Twitter was for 'sharing your opinion', but Joe was quick to strike him down, adding that he didn't think 'acting is your game'

Joe was not backing down however, not taking that argument as justification for his 'hating' on his girlfriend.

The actor retorted: 'Yer and yours is SHIT! And now I'm hating on you!! Worry about yourself! I don't think this acting is your game!! That's my opinion!NightXXX' (sic)

Wanting to ease the tension between the former co-stars, Aaron then ended the argument by simply writing: 'But enough now. I wish you both successful runs in panto. #Namaste'

Cooling off: Wanting to ease the tension between the former co-stars, Aaron then ended the argument

Co-stars: Aaron and Joe both starred in the soap between the years of 2003-2008

However the drama did not stop there - as several of Joe's fans came to his side to support him in the matter, by argumentatively Tweeting Aaron themselves.

One user called him up on his acting in light of the criticism, writing: 'Let's see you actually do something live you over paid fool!! No balls! Hide behind a camera and a dying programme.'

To which Aaron coolly replied: 'Worked in theatre for 8 years but whatever you say.'

Another fan then deemed him 'a d*** on and off TV' to which he wrote back wittily: 'Well I have always prided myself on being a Slytherin #guilty.'

Fuel to the fire: However the drama did not stop there - as several of Joe's fans came to his side to support him in the matter, by argumentatively Tweeting Aaron themselves

Former X Factor star Stacey caused a stir earlier this week when she performed to her first live paying audience in Milton Keynes with her script in hand.

Representatives of the star confirmed to MailOnline she had needed her lines in front of her as she had only landed from Australia - where she had been presenting I'm A Celebrity spin off Extra Camp for three weeks - the previous day.

She was sent the songs, script and a video while away in the Gold Coast, but she had little time to practice in isolation from her co-presenters due to such a busy filming schedule.

Her spokesperson said: 'She arrived at the theatre jet lagged and shattered, and got straight on with it.'

Controversial: Former X Factor star Stacey (L) caused a stir earlier this week when she performed to her first live paying audience in Milton Keynes with her script in hand

'After 2 hours prep with the director and cast she went on and performed in front of a packed theatre. I could not be prouder of this woman right now. She's an absolute fighter.'

'She didn't want to let one person down so she went on, clipboard in hand, and smashed it.'

Her boyfriend was perhaps quick to fight her corner having presented the ITV2 show alongside her while Down Under - experiencing her apparent busy schedule first hand.

The pair confirmed their romance in January of this year, after getting together in 2015.

The relationship, although fairly new, appears to be going from strength to strength - with the EastEnders actor admitting he planned to propose at some point in the future on the Xtra Factor in September.
No GG love: Matthew McConaughey was not given a Golden Globe nomination on Monday morning for his movie Gold. Here he is seen in early December

The Golden Globe nominees were announced on Monday morning with La La Land coming out on top and the film's stars, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, also getting singled out.

But there were plenty of names left off the list, too.

Tom Hanks was not recognized for his work in the film Sully, Matthew McConaughey did not pick up a nod for Gold and Taraji P Henson was left out in the cold even though she delivered an impressive performance in Hidden Figures (her co-star Kevin Costner also got the cold shoulder).

Hanks played Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger in the Clint Eastwood directed film about how the pilot tried to make an emergency landing in New York's Hudson River after US Airways Flight 1549 strikes a flock of geese.

Miraculously, all of the 155 passengers and crew survive the harrowing ordeal, and Sullenberger becomes a national hero.

Henson made a splash in Hidden Figures, but it was co-star Octavia Spencer who got a Supporting Actress nomination.

Not flying high: Tom Hanks was not recognized for his work in the film Sully (pictured, left, in November) and Taraji P Henson (pictured right on Sunday) was left out in the cold even though she delivered an impressive performance in Hidden Figures. Her co-star Kevin Costner also got the cold shoulder

Taraji is best known for her TV series Empire.

McConaughey has been given attention by the Globes before, most notably when he won for Dallas Buyers Club.

But he did not get noticed for his new movie Gold, about a prospector who draws the attention of the FBI and the Indonesian military after finding an enormous amount of gold in the jungles of Indonesia in 1993.

Emily Blunt delivered an incredible performance in The Girl On The Train, but she was shut out.

Director Martin Scorsese was left out in the cold with his film Silence. He is best known for GoodFellas and Gangs Of New York.

There was talk that Jeffrey Dean Morgan could get noticed for The Walking Dead but that did not happen.

Michael Keaton was not recognized for The Founder.

Not noted: Martin Scorsese (left) was not nominated for his film Silence; Milo Ventimiglia (right) did not get a nod for This Is Us

She got off on the wrong stop: Emily Blunt delivered an incredible performance in The Girl On The Train, but she was shut out. Here she is seen with her husband in August

Some thought Milo Ventimiglia should get noticed for his TV series This Is Us, but he was overlooked.

The film Fences was ignored, though its star Denzel Washington did get a nod.

The Seth Rogen film Sausage Party was passed over as was Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, House Of Cards, Better Things, Silicon Valley, Black Mirror and Empire were not noticed.

Variety noted that two cable channels had less love this year: Netflix and Amazon hit lows. Netflix had five nominations (The Crown, Claire Foy, John Lithgow, Stranger Things, Winona Ryder).

Amazon also landed five noms this year (Mozart And The Jungl, Transparent and their stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Jeffrey Tambor). Billy Bob Thornton is in contention for lead actor in a drama series for the legal drama Goliath.

La La Land looks set to dance its way to the top this awards season as it picked up a staggering seven nominations.

The musical - led by Emma and Ryan - picked up nods in almost all major film categories outside the Drama nominees.

2017 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATIONS - TELEVISION Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX) Felicity Huffman, American Crime (ABC) Kerry Washington, Confirmation (HBO) Riley Keough, The Girlfriend Experience (Starz) Charlotte Rampling, London Spy (BBC America) Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX) Riz Ahmed, The Night Of (HBO) John Turturro, The Night Of (HBO) Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager (AMC) Bryan Cranston, All the Way (HBO) Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series  Drama Winona Ryder, Stranger Things (Netflix) Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix) Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld (HBO) Caitriona Balfe, Outlander (Starz) Keri Russell, The Americans (FX) Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series  Drama Rami Malek, Mr. Robot (USA) Matthew Rhys, The Americans (FX) Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul (AMC) Billy Bob Thornton, Goliath (Amazon) Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan (Showtime) Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series  Musical or Comedy Donald Glover, Atlanta (FX) Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon) Anthony Anderson, Black-ish (ABC) Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent (Amazon) Nick Nolte, Graves (Epix) Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series  Musical or Comedy Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Veep (HBO) Issa Rae, Insecure (HBO) Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW) Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin (CW) Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish (ABC) Sarah Jessica Parker, Divorce (HBO) Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television Olivia Colman, The Night Manager (AMC) Chrissy Metz, This Is Us (NBC) Lena Headey, Game of Thrones (HBO) Mandy Moore, This Is Us (NBC) Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO) Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX) John Travolta, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX) Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager (AMC) John Lithgow, The Crown (Netflix) Christian Slater, Mr. Robot (USA) Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX) The Night Manager (AMC) The Night Of (HBO) The Dresser (Starz) American Crime (ABC) Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy Transparent (Amazon) Atlanta (FX) Veep (HBO) Black-ish (ABC) Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon) Best Television Series - Drama Game of Thrones (HBO) Stranger Things (Netflix) The Crown (Netflix) Westworld (HBO) This Is Us (NBC) Advertisement

2017 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATIONS - FILM Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama Amy Adams (Arrival) Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane) Ruth Negga (Loving) Natalie Portman (Jackie) Isabelle Huppert (Elle) Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea) Joel Edgerton (Loving) Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) Denzel Washington (Fences) Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Colin Farrell (The Lobster) Ryan Gosling (La La Land) Hugh Grant (Florence Foster Jenkins) Jonah Hill (War Dogs) Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Annette Bening (20th Century Women) Lily Collins (Rules Don't Apply) Hailee Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen) Emma Stone (La La Land) Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) Best Screenplay Motion Picture La La Land Nocturnal Animals Moonlight Manchester By The Sea Hell or High Water Best Original Song Motion Picture Cant Stop The Feeling, Trolls City of Stars, La La Land Faith, Sing Gold, SIng How Far Ill Go, Moana Best Motion Picture - Drama Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water Lion Manchester By The Sea Moonlight Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy 20th Century Women Deadpool Sing Street Florence Foster Jenkins La La Land Best Motion Picture - Animated Kubo and the Two Strings Moana My Life as a Zucchini Sing Zootopia Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language Divines Elle Neruda The Salesman Toni Erdmann Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture Viola Davis (Fences) Naomie Harris (Moonlight) Nicole Kidman (Lion) Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea) Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture Jeff Bridges (To Hell and High Water) Simon Helberg (Florence Foster Jenkins) Dev Patel (Lion) Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Nocturnal Animals) Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) Best Director Motion Picture Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Tom Ford (Nocturnal Animals) Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge) Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester By The Sea) Best Original Score Motion Picture Moonlight La La Land Arrival Lion Hidden Figures Advertisement

The film picked up acting nominations for its leads Stone and Gosling in the Musical Or Comedy categories, as well as Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy, Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Song.

La La Land harks back to Tinseltown's golden era of big musicals, with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling playing an odd couple who find themselves house-sitting after a string of personal disasters and swept the board at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday.

The list of potential winners were revealed at dawn in Beverly Hills by Don Cheadle, Laura Dern and Anna Kendrick and are decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

Tops: La La Land looks set to dance its way to the top this awards season as it picked up a staggering seven nominations

This year's nominations break tradition and come before those of the revered Screen Actors Guild, making the Golden Globes nods the biggest indicator of you will be up for Hollywood's most-sought after prize, the Academy Award.

Up against La La Land for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy are 20th Century Women, Deadpool, Sing Street and Florence Foster Jenkins.

La La Land looks set to dance its way to the top this awards season as it picked up a staggering seven nominations for the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

The musical - led by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling - picked up nods in almost all major film categories outside the Drama nominees.

The film picked up acting nominations for its leads Stone and Gosling in the Musical Or Comedy categories, as well as Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy, Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Song.

In the Best Motion Picture - Drama the battle is between Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Lion, Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight.

Up against this year's golden couple Emma and Ryan are an established crowd - against Emma in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy are Annette Bening (20th Century Women), Lily Collins (Rules Dont Apply), Hailee Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen) and the evergreen Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins).

Regal: Natalie Portman, pictured left on Sunday, was nominated for her film Jackie, and Ryan Reynolds (right at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, was nominated for Deadpool

Ryan will face Colin Farrell (The Lobster), Hugh Grant (Florence Foster Jenkins), Jonah Hill (War Dogs) and Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool).

In the acting categories for Drama - Best Actor is between Casey Affleck, Joel Edgerton, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen and Denzel Washington. Best Actress will be between Amy Adams (Arrival), Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane), Ruth Negga (Loving), Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Isabelle Huppert (Elle).

Other big nominees include Moonlight (six nominations), Manchester by the Sea (five nominations) and TV movie The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (five nominations).
The issue of same-sex marriage has been at the centre of heated debate in Australia, with critics and supporters at a stalemate on whether or not to legalise it.

The Bachelor's Megan Marx, who recently confirmed her relationship with co-star Tiffany Scanlon, hopes that her story will help to 'normalise' same-sex relationships.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the impassioned Bachelor star posted a powerful image of a woman running with a flame and wrote a lengthy note on the issue.

Inspiration: Bachelor's Megan Marx, who recently confirmed her relationship with co-star Tiffany Scanlon, hopes that her story will help to 'normalise' same-sex relationships

'I've been wanting my story with Tiffany to 'pleasantly' and without force try to help normalise same-sex relationships and desires.

'Unfortunately, the more stories I hear and people I talk to, the more vividly I see the social, political and mental oppression the Australian government has inflicted on sexual minorities with a law created by privileged white men, a very long time ago.

'It was 1902 when women in Australia were granted the right to vote and 1962 before Aboriginal people were granted this same right.

'Before this, voting essentially was a privilege made and utilised by white men.

'All human beings are born free and equal': Megan went on to explain that it is a basic human right for people to get married regardless of their relationship being same-sex or otherwise

''All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights', is not an opinion or some quote you put on a f***ing fridge magnet- it's a moral obligation- and the first article point in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was proclaimed by the UN and signed by Australia in 1948.

'Sixty eight years later our liberal, secular democracy upholds an outdated and oppressive law that states you cannot marry who you love if it is out of the script of what is 'traditional'.

'Voting was made for white men- and we have changed the law despite its inception. Why can't we do the same with marriage?

'If you are a man, and you find the idea of being with another man sexually disgusting.

Support: Other celebrities including Margot Robbie and Kylie Minogue have also openly supported the efforts to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia

'I guess the answer is to not f**k another dude, instead of using political and social means to instil personal inclinations on minorities with different sexual agendas,' she finished.

Megan and Tiffany confirmed their relationship to Daily Mail Australia in November at Maxim's Hot 100 party.

Tiffany said that the pair confessed their love in June during a trip together to Bali, Indonesia.

'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.

'I guess the answer is to not f**k another dude': Megan explained that rather than using 'political and social means to instil personal inclinations' to do what makes them comfortable

Although Megan and Tiffany have never spoken out about same-sex marriage the post comes as a refreshing reminder that the law is 'out-dated'.

Last month, Australia's parliament rejected the government's proposal for a national vote on whether to legalise same-sex marriage.

The upper house Senate voted 33-29 against the coalition government's bid to hold a plebiscite on the issue.

Other celebrities including Margot Robbie and Kylie Minogue have also openly supported the efforts to legalise same-sex marriage.
She enjoyed a romance-filled weekend in Vienna with her boyfriend John Noble to celebrate his birthday.

And Vicky Pattison looked more loved-up than ever with her new partner as she arrived back at Gatwick airport on Sunday night.

The fresh-faced former Geordie Shore star, 29, beamed as she returned home, looking casual and well-rested in a grey tracksuit and pink satin bomber jacket.

Scroll down for video

Pucker up: Vicky Pattison stole a cheeky kiss from her boyfriend John Noble as they arrived back at Gatwick airport on Sunday after a weekend break in Vienna

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here winner added a luxe touch to her low-key outfit with a pair of white and pink cult Valentino trainers.

Sticking to an upmarket theme with her accessories, she also carried a cream Prada Saffiano tote bag.

Perhaps feeling the effects of the delayed flight - which is said to have landed at 2am - the reality star appeared to go make-up free.

Wearing her raven tresses in tousled waves, Vicky seemed to be in high spirits as she strolled down the arrivals lounge holding hands with John.

Loved up: The fresh-faced former Geordie Shore star, 29, beamed as she returned home, looking casual and well-rested in a grey tracksuit and pink satin bomber jacket

Fancy footwear: The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here winner added a luxe touch to her lowkey outfit with a pair of white and pink cult Valentino trainers

John, meanwhile, opted for a marginally dressier vibe - rocking a black bomber jacket over a shirt and distressed skinny jeans.

The couple were clearly incredibly pleased with their city break in Austria, littering their social media accounts with loved-up selfies together.

Kicking off the snap-happy action, Vicky uploaded a selfie of the pair sipping on cocktails at the airport, which she captioned: 'Vienna here we come....'

Their trip was packed full of activities, including rooftop cocktails, a horse-drawn carriage ride and a visit to the opera.

Summing up the mood of the getaway, Vicky captioned one panoramic shot of their drinks at a bar: 'Vienna for @johnnoblejn 's birthday is everything'.

Well-rested: The couple were clearly incredibly pleased with their city break in Austria, littering their social media accounts with loved-up selfies together

Romantic! They enjoyed a special tour of the city with a ride in a horse-drawn carriage

The pair appear to be spending some much-needed alone time together during their European break in Austria, after being separated by Vicky's presenting job on the other side of the world.

However her new beau flew out to meet her in Australia, where she was filming ITV2's I'm A Celebrity... Extra Camp, as a sweet surprise for her 29th birthday.

Vicky then made the relationship public on her Instagram, when she posted a selfie of the pair alongside her mum enjoying a dinner Down Under to celebrate the milestone.

She has since shared a number of lovey-dovey snaps of the couple, proving they are truly smitten.

John is often at the heart of the Newcastle social scene, frequently sharing snaps with Vicky's former co-stars Gary 'Gaz' Beadle and Scott Timlin, so it is no wonder the pair crossed paths.

Keeping it classy! Vicky dressed up in patent red stilettos and a graphic print dress for a trip to the opera

'Casual...We're so edgy': The couple perfected their pouts for one artful shot against a graffiti laden backdrop

However their romance has already been plagued with drama - despite having only hit headlines this month.

Her former flame Jordan Wright slammed the star while she was Down Under for moving on with John just a day after their own romance ended - a claim Vicky staunchly denies.

Talking to The Sun, he said: 'The day after we split up was the day she went on X Factor. We split on the Friday and the Saturday she went on the show and necked off with the guy she's in Australia with.'

'Less than 24 hours after we split she had her tongue down another geezer's neck!'

Cute couple: The pair appear to be spending some much-needed alone time together during their European break in Austria, after being separated by Vicky's presenting job on the other side of the world

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, by posting a quote 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 added to her followers in one final blow: 'Hatred and anger are curved blades that turn inward and only hurt those harbouring it.

'Sooooooo, move on, lighten up and chill out! Oh and always try not to be a helmet. Namaste.'

Quite a view: Summing up the mood of the trip, Vicky captioned one panoramic shot of their drinks at a bar: 'Vienna for @johnnoblejn 's birthday is everything'




It's not the first poop joke Deadpool has ever unleashed, nor is it likely to be the last.

Ryan Reynolds revealed he was 'staring down the barrel of one hell of a dirty diaper' when he received the news of his surprise Golden Globe nomination on Monday morning.

'I heard my phone and I knew that could only mean one thing: A family member had died,' he joked to Entertainment Weekly. 'My brother finally ate it.'

Scroll down for list of nominees...

Deadpoop: Ryan Reynolds revealed he was 'staring down the barrel of one hell of a dirty diaper' when he received the news of his surprise Golden Globe nomination on Monday morning

The 40-year-old was nominated for best comedy/musical actor for his eponymous turn in the comicbook smash hit Deadpool, which was also nominated for best comedy/musical film.

'It is meaningful to me,' he said. 'Ive been acting professionally for 25 years, to varying degrees of success, and its a special moment to see something that youve stuck with for the long game pay off.

'There were many times when I thought this movie wouldnt ever be made or it would made 20 years in the future, when Id be too geriatric to be in it.'

The Vancouver native admitted he was shocked to see the film nominated in two categories; it is the first comicbook superhero movie to ever get a nod from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Clever: Ryan was one of the first stars to react to his nom; the actor shared a funny tweet with Deadpool wearing a Santa hat

'Seeing the movie nominated is a real glass ceiling moment for the genre,' he continued.

'Ive always said that I wish the Oscars had a category for comedy as well. Its not an easy job.

'Oftentimes with comedies you have to have some pathos and real grit that in turn earns you the right to subvert expectations and be funny. It takes a lot of construction. And Rhett Reece and Paul Wernick, our writers, are amazing architects.'

Regal: Pregnant Natalie Portman, seen here on Sunday, was nominated for her film Jackie

Reynolds, who landed the Critics' Choice Award for Entertainer Of The Year just hours earlier, was one of the first stars to react to his on Monday morning.

The actor shared a funny tweet with the Deadpool character wearing a Santa hat.

The husband of Blake Lively, 29, wrote in his caption: 'Thank you, Golden Globes! As we speak, the entire Deadpool team in engaged in a grotesque, early morning tickle-fight.'

A risk: The star said, ''I had such a beautiful experience making this film with the most wonderful cast and crew, and particularly with our great director, Pablo Larrain, that it feels like icing on the cake to be nominated'

Ryan told ET Canada that he and Blake were going to celebrate the nomination with a date night.

'I think tonight, were gonna go out for a nice dinner. I think were going to have date night, just she and I,' said Ryan, who called his wife an 'invisible partner'.

'She was so helpful with Deadpool and I bounced so many ideas off of her, and I worked with her with so many of the little nuances on the character. Shes been a de facto coach for me in so many ways,' he added.

On top: Kerry Washington was Golden Globe nominated for her turn in Confirmation. The actress took to Twitter to express her joy

Natalie Portman, who was nominated for Jackie, said: 'I'm so honored to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

'I had such a beautiful experience making this film with the most wonderful cast and crew, and particularly with our great director, Pablo Larrain, that it feels like icing on the cake to be nominated.'

The star is pregnant with her second child.

A message: 'We must champion brave voices in times of Adversity,' the Scandal vet wrote. 'Thank u Golden Globes 4 acknowledging Confirmation in this way! Humbled by the nom.'

Nicole Kidman, who was nominated for Lion, said, 'This nomination is even more emotional and I'm more grateful than ever before. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press!'

Kerry Washington was Golden Globe nominated for her turn in Confirmation.

The actress took to Twitter to express her joy.

New to the scene: Lily Collins seemed to be in shock. She shared a photo where she had her hand over her mouth after being nominated for Rules Don't Apply, which was directed by Warren Beatty

'We must champion brave voices in times of Adversity,' the Scandal vet wrote. 'Thank u Golden Globes 4 acknowledging Confirmation in this way! Humbled by the nom.'

Liev Schreiber, nominated for Ray Donovan, said, 'What a great wake up call...Thank you to all the writers on Ray Donovan, Ann Biderman, David Hollander, David Nevins, and the extraordinary cast of actors who carry me through every season of this show. Huge thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for continuing to support our show and for giving me another great excuse to play dress up with the boys. We are thrilled!'

Shock: The star tweeted: 'The moment your mom captures you being nominated for your first Golden Globe. Priceless. I still can't breathe. Beyond honored, thankful, and proud. This can't be real!... '

Lily Collins seemed to be in shock.

The brunette beauty shared a photo where she had her hand over her mouth after being nominated for Rules Don't Apply, which was directed by Warren Beatty.

The star tweeted: 'The moment your mom captures you being nominated for your first Golden Globe. Priceless. I still can't breathe. Beyond honored, thankful, and proud. This can't be real!... '

She later added: 'I've never felt so shocked, honored, and proud. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my fearless leader and mentor Warren Beatty, the Hollywood Foreign Press, and to all those involved with Rules Don't Apply. Sharing this moment with my mom sitting on our couch in the dark is something I'll never forget. It's a complete dream come true. I still can't breathe.'

He's happy: Liev Schreiber wrote, 'Liev Schreiber, nominated for Ray Donovan, said, 'What a great wake up call.' Then the Instagram account for the Showtime series added a big congratulations to the actor

Matt Damon, who produced Manchester By The Sea, said: 'Congratulations to our incredible crew and a deep thank you to Kenny Lonergan and the entire cast who poured their hearts and souls into this, and thank you as well to the HFPA for championing a little movie like ours.'

Amy Adams, who got a nod for her turn in The Arrival, said: 'Thank you so much to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who have always been so incredibly supportive of me throughout my career.

'I'm really honored to be recognized for Arrival, a film I so deeply loved working on. Thank you to Eric for his brilliant script, Jeremy for being an amazing partner and Denis for his incredible guidance and capturing the true heart and soul of this film. I'd also like to congratulate Tom Ford and Aaron Taylor Johnson for their Nocturnal Animals nominations.'

Class act: Miss Sloane star Jessica Chastain said: 'I'm thrilled to be acknowledged in this talented peer group with such amazing actresses. I would not be here without the brilliant direction of John Madden'; here she is seen in April

Miss Sloane star Jessica Chastain said: 'I'm thrilled to be acknowledged in this talented peer group with such amazing actresses. I would not be here without the brilliant direction of John Madden. Thank you to EuropaCorp for making such a daring film, particularly now, and thank you to the HFPA for this honor.'

Rachel Bloom said: 'WOW. Once again, you have made my dreams come true, @goldenglobes. I and everyone at #CrazyExGirlfriend are BEYOND grateful!!!'

Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame was nominated for his song How Far I'll Go for Moana. He wrote: 'But of a day.'

Hailee Steinfeld shared that she was in tears over her nom for The Edge Of Seventeen.

Still a top draw: Nicole Kidman, who was nominated for Lion, said, 'This nomination is even more emotional and I'm more grateful than ever before. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press!' Here she is seen Sunday at the Critics' Choice Awards

Riz Ahmed said: 'Thank you HFPA! I'm absolutely thrilled to be counted amongst this year's nominees. I'm deeply indebted to Steve Zaillian, Richard Price, HBO, to all the cast and crew of The Night Of for their dedication in bringing this timely story to life, and all those who shared their stories of prison and prejudice with me in researching this role. It was an honour to portray Nas, and through him the untold stories of so many.'

And Christian Slater tweeted: 'Can't express the level of excitement and gratitude I felt to wake up to a Golden Globes nomination. Thank you HFPA!' He was nominated for his TV show Mr Robot.

The cast of Stranger Things seems floored. Noah Schnapp said, 'I am so excited! Stranger Things received a Golden Globe nomination!! Thank you HFPA for this honor. I am especially thankful to the Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen and the entire Netflix team for having given me this amazing opportunity to be a part of something so special.'

Good daddy: Justin Timberlake said he was happy with his nod for Can't Stop The Feeling from the movie Sing, then noted he was playing with his son

Pleased: Rachel Bloom said: 'WOW. Once again, you have made my dreams come true, @goldenglobes. I and everyone at #CrazyExGirlfriend are BEYOND grateful!!!'

Meryl Streep, who received her 30th nomination for Florence Foster Jenkins, wrote, 'AAAAGGGGHHHH!' Her costar Hugh Grant added: 'It's extremely nice of the HFPA to nominate me, and I'm very grateful and touched. I'm forever indebted to Stephen Frears for offering me such a juicy role in such a classy film. I'm also thrilled to see that my co-stars - up and comer Meryl Streep and the always peerless Simon Helberg - have also been nominated. My thanks again to the HFPA for their support.'

Octavia Spencer shared: 'I am deeply humbled to be nominated for a Golden Globe for playing this particular role. The women of Hidden Figures story are hidden no more. Thank you HFPA.'

Julia Louis-Dreyfus said: 'Huge thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Russian hackers that made our nominations possible.'

Shock and ahhh: The cast of Stranger Things shared this note from a sofa

Jeffrey Tambor added: 'Maura Pfefferman continues to be the role of a lifetime, and I'm honored to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. I'm very excited to celebrate our series nomination with the amazing Jill Soloway and my extraordinary co-stars.'

Viggo Mortensen, who was given a nomination for Captain Fantastic, said: 'It's a privilege to have participated in a great ensemble story like Captain Fantastic, one that has steadily earned its place among the most admired movies of the year by virtue of the passionate response it has received from audiences everywhere. Matt Ross has made that rare kind of film that prompts people to look at the world with fresh eyes, to laugh and cry and think. I'm very proud to be a part of it.'

There is already a clear favorite on the list. La La Land looks set to dance its way to the top this awards season as it picked up a staggering seven nominations.

The musical - led by Emma and Ryan - picked up nods in almost all major film categories outside the Drama nominees.

Sweet note: Anthony Anderson congratulated Tracee Ellis Ross on her nod for black-ish

A 90s icon does good: Christian Slater tweeted: 'Can't express the level of excitement and gratitude I felt to wake up to a Golden Globes nomination. Thank you HFPA!' He was nominated for his TV show Mr Robot

The young one made it: Hailee Steinfeld shared that she was in tears over her nom for The Edge Of Seventeen

He has another hit on his hands: Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame was nominated for his song How Far I'll Go for Moana. He wrote: 'But of a day'

The film picked up acting nominations for its leads Stone and Gosling in the Musical Or Comedy categories, as well as Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy, Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Song.

La La Land harks back to Tinseltown's golden era of big musicals, with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling playing an odd couple who find themselves house-sitting after a string of personal disasters and swept the board at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday.

The list of potential winners were revealed at dawn in Beverly Hills by Don Cheadle, Laura Dern and Anna Kendrick and are decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

She named other too: Evan Rachel Wood acknowledged vets Keri Russell and Winona Ryder

This Is Her! Chrissy Metz was thrilled with her nod for the TV series This Is Us

Nice shout out: Roz Ahmed wrote, 'Thank you HFPA for ur support and recognition! Congrats to all the amazing team, Steve Zaillian & Richard Price, & my bro @JohnMTurturro'

This year's nominations break tradition and come before those of the revered Screen Actors Guild, making the Golden Globes nods the biggest indicator of you will be up for Hollywood's most-sought after prize, the Academy Award.

Up against La La Land for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy are 20th Century Women, Deadpool, Sing Street and Florence Foster Jenkins.

La La Land looks set to dance its way to the top this awards season as it picked up a staggering seven nominations for the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

Tops: La La Land looks set to dance its way to the top this awards season as it picked up a staggering seven nominations

GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS - FILM Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama Amy Adams (Arrival) Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane) Ruth Negga (Loving) Natalie Portman (Jackie) Isabelle Huppert (Elle) Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea) Joel Edgerton (Loving) Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) Denzel Washington (Fences) Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Colin Farrell (The Lobster) Ryan Gosling (La La Land) Hugh Grant (Florence Foster Jenkins) Jonah Hill (War Dogs) Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Annette Bening (20th Century Women) Lily Collins (Rules Don't Apply) Hailee Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen) Emma Stone (La La Land) Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) Best Screenplay Motion Picture La La Land Nocturnal Animals Moonlight Manchester By The Sea Hell or High Water Best Original Song Motion Picture Cant Stop The Feeling, Trolls City of Stars, La La Land Faith, Sing Gold, SIng How Far Ill Go, Moana Best Motion Picture - Drama Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water Lion Manchester By The Sea Moonlight Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy 20th Century Women Deadpool Sing Street Florence Foster Jenkins La La Land Best Motion Picture - Animated Kubo and the Two Strings Moana My Life as a Zucchini Sing Zootopia Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language Divines Elle Neruda The Salesman Toni Erdmann Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture Viola Davis (Fences) Naomie Harris (Moonlight) Nicole Kidman (Lion) Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea) Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture Jeff Bridges (To Hell and High Water) Simon Helberg (Florence Foster Jenkins) Dev Patel (Lion) Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Nocturnal Animals) Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) Best Director Motion Picture Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Tom Ford (Nocturnal Animals) Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge) Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester By The Sea) Best Original Score Motion Picture Moonlight La La Land Arrival Lion Hidden Figures Advertisement

The musical - led by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling - picked up nods in almost all major film categories outside the Drama nominees.

The film picked up acting nominations for its leads Stone and Gosling in the Musical Or Comedy categories, as well as Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy, Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Song.

In the Best Motion Picture - Drama the battle is between Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Lion, Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight.

Up against this year's golden couple Emma and Ryan are an established crowd - against Emma in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy are Annette Bening (20th Century Women), Lily Collins (Rules Dont Apply), Hailee Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen) and the evergreen Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins).

She got it: Meryl Streep was nominated for Florence Foster Jenkins

He got it too: Her co-star Hugh Grant was given a nod as well

Ryan will face Colin Farrell (The Lobster), Hugh Grant (Florence Foster Jenkins), Jonah Hill (War Dogs) and Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool).

In the acting categories for Drama - Best Actor is between Casey Affleck, Joel Edgerton, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen and Denzel Washington. Best Actress will be between Amy Adams (Arrival), Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane), Ruth Negga (Loving), Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Isabelle Huppert (Elle).

Other big nominees include Moonlight (six nominations), Manchester by the Sea (five nominations) and TV movie The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (five nominations).

The 74th Golden Globe Awards will air live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on Sunday, January 8 and will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon.
He's had an eventful year to say the least.

So it wasn't any surprise to see that Marco Pierre White Jr was embracing the more party-fueled aspects of the festive season over the weekend.

Heading out dressed as Father Christmas, the 21-year-old reality flop was seen chugging wine from the bottle as he waited at a London bus stop.

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Bad Santa! Marco Pierre White Jr looked to be embracing the more party-fueled aspects of the festive season over the weekend

Dressed in a thread-bare Father Christmas costume, the son of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White was recognizable thanks to his array of tattoos - which were prominently on display.

Wearing a fake white bear and a red hat, Marco rounded off his Santa get-up in a slightly odd-ball way by clutching two bottles of wine in his hands.

Playing the merry fool, it appears that the reality star-wannabe had indulged in too much Yuletide cheer as he lolled around on the bench at a bus stop.

Much too merry? Heading out dressed as Father Christmas, the 21-year-old reality flop was seen chugging wine from the bottle as he waited at a London bus stop

The Celebrity Big Brother contestant looked to have started his party before he even arrived at his destination, as Marco unashamedly relieved himself in a nearby alleyway.

The eldest of Marco Senior's two sons from his marriage to Matti Conejero, Marco shot to notoriety earlier this year when he made an ill-fated appearance on CBB.

His festive frolic came just days after he was spared jail for fraudulently racking up 2,500 on his ex-girlfriend's bank card after buying Apple store goods and sunglasses it is thought he sold for drugs.

Swigging St. NickPlaying the merry fool, it appears that the reality star-wannabe had indulged in too much Yuletide cheer as he lolled around on the bench at a bus stop

No shame: The Celebrity Big Brother contestant looked to have started his party before he even arrived at his destination, as Marco unashamedly relieved himself in a nearby alleyway

He was spared jail but ordered to perform unpaid work after admitting making a 'high volume' of payments on Carina Evans's card after she lent it to him to buy food on February 28.

After the card was blocked, the celebrity chef's son then tricked her into unblocking it - pretending he had been arrested and needed to pay bail.

Marco then went on a shopping spree that saw him visit the Apple Store and Sunglasses Hut, where he proceeded to make further unauthorised transactions, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

In court: Big Brother star Marco Pierre White Jr arrived at court to be sentenced for spending 2,500 on his ex-girlfriend's bank card when she lent it to him to buy food

Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, who admonished the defendant for 'smirking' in the dock, said the fraud was 'to obtain goods which I assume you then sold to buy drugs'.

She added: 'There is no doubt this is serious enough for a community order.'

Between May and August, Pierre White Jr went into rehabilitation for his drug problem, the court heard.

He was told he had to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, while paying 2,500 in compensation to his victim.

The reality TV star, who gave his address as a hotel in Corsham, near Bath, had previously pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false representation during a hearing at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court on November 23.
HGTV stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa have called it quits after seven years of marriage.

The Flip Or Flop stars - who had police called out to their home six months ago after receiving a call of 'a possibly suicidal male with a gun' who turned out to be Tarek - announced their separation to People on Monday.

'Like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage. We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution. There was no violence and no charges were filed,' the pair released in a statement.

A source later told the magazine that the couple, who have two young children, has been living apart since that incident in May, and that they are both seeing other people.

Christina's friendship with a 'fellow design industry professional' has turned romantic as Tarek is also dating, though it was not infidelity that led to their split.

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Split! HGTV stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa have called it quits after seven years of marriage following a police-involved altercation at their home six months ago. Here they are seen in March

The husband and wife real estate agent couple told the publication they attended marriage counseling but decided to separate while assessing 'the future of our marriage.'

Tarek, 35, and Christina, 33 - who star in the home makeover program - added in their statement: 'During the process, we are committed to our kids and being the best parents we can be.'

'We will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together.'

Former flames: The couple - who tied the knot in 2009 - share two children, daughter Taylor, six, and one-year-old Brayden, and appeared happier than ever at their son's first birthday in August

The couple - who tied the knot in 2009 - share two children, daughter Taylor, six, and 15-month-old Brayden.

On the same day the shocking announcement was made, Christina shared a sweet Christmas snapshot of her little ones visiting Santa which she shared with her Instagram followers.

Back in May cops were called to the couple's home after an altercation involving guns and a possible suicide attempt, according to TMZ.

Taking aim: Christina, 33, called police back in May to say that Tarek, 35, was suicidal and had a gun - Tarek on the firing range with an AR-15 last week in an Instagram video which has since been deleted

Great news: Tarek announced two weeks ago that he was cancer free after discovering he had thyroid cancer when a viewer of the program noticed a lump in his throat - pictured after surgery when he was fist diagnosed

A helicopter and nearly a dozen deputies responded as witnesses told the site they saw Tarek run out the back door of his home with a gun and tried to escape down a hiking trail.

Sources added they saw Christina run out of the house sobbing and trembling just shortly after.

The site reported that Tarek was eventually spotted by officers and ordered to drop his weapon.

The father-of-two allegedly told police he had no intention of injuring himself and simply wanted to 'blow off some steam.'

Five guns were later seized from the home, including an AR-15.

Precious! The same day their split was announced, Christina shared a sweet Christmas snapshot of her two kids - daughter Taylor, 6, and son Brayden, 15 months - visiting Santa

'Raising kids is the most important thing': Tarek also took to Instagram on the day of the separation announcement with a photo of a book entitled '10 Things Great Dads Do'

That weapon seemed to be back in Tarek's hands however, as he showed off his trigger skills on the firing range with an AR-15 last week in an Instagram video which has since been deleted.

Their separation comes two weeks after Tarek announced he was cancer free after discovering he had thyroid cancer when a viewer of the program noticed a lump in his throat.

A woman watching an episode of their popular show got in contact with Tarek to tell him he should get tested to see if he had cancer after noticing an odd lump in his throat.

It turned out that he did have thyroid cancer, and just two weeks ago he got some great news which he posted on Instagram.

Dramatic altercation: Back in May cops were called to the couple's home after responding to a call of 'a possibly suicidal male with a gun' - according to TMZ

'Rough couple of years.. Today I Went in for another cancer screening and it was all clear!' he captioned a photo of himself and his wife by his side in a hospital bed from when he had his first surgery.

He instead took to Instagram on the day of the separation announcement with a photo of a book entitled '10 Things Great Dads Do.'

He wrote in the caption: 'Raising kids is the most important thing a parent can do. Like anything in life... The harder you work at it the better they will be!'

HGTV announced that Flip or Flop 'will continue production as scheduled,' and comply with any decision the couple makes for their show and their children.
Nicki Minaj hinted on Instagram she has split with Meek Mill.

On Sunday she quoted Beyonce's 2011 breakup ballad Best Thing I Never Had when she wrote: 'Thank God u blew it. Thank God I dodged the bullet. I'm so over u. Baby good lookin out. #BestThingUNeverHad.'

The same day the 29-year-old rapper deleted his Instagram account.

Over? Nicki Minaj hinted on Instagram she has split with Meek Mill. On Sunday she quoted Beyonce's 2011 breakup ballad Best Thing I Never Had when she wrote: 'Thank God u blew it. Thank God I dodged the bullet.' Pictured August

Bullet dodger: The 33-year-old singer shared his note that added

The note was in the caption for a pair of bright blue Chanel slides.

The Anaconda star added: 'Thank u for this epic gift @sincerearmani' in reference to her stylist, Sincere Armani.

Perhaps the shoe photo was a modern day Cinderella reference - as on Monday Nicki made sure she showed her former Prince Charming what he's missing with a busty poolside snap.

Wearing the distinctive $700 sandals, Nicki flaunted her assets in a bikini top and multi-coloured kimono wrap.

Her kicks: The note was in the caption for a pair of bright blue Chanel slides. The Anaconda star added: 'Thank u for this epic gift @sincerearmani' in reference to her stylist, Sincere Armani

What he's missing? Perhaps the shoe photo was a modern day Cinderella reference - as on Monday Nicki made sure she showed her former Prince Charming what he's missing with a busty poolside snap

Sexy: Nicki flaunted her assets in a bikini top and multi-coloured kimono wrap

She captioned: 'Sex me on the beach in Turks & Caicos.'

Nicki has been staying in the same $35million estate where Kylie Jenner celebrated her 19th birthday in August.

According to TMZ, Airbnb footed the bill for the reality star to stay there, but Nicki forked out a heavy sum for the property, which costs around $10,000 per night for three villas.

The star was celebrating her 34th birthday on December 8 with an idyllic beach break, and it appeared Meek was also there as he had posted a picture of her.

There was a sign of trouble in paradise on Saturday when Nicki shared a post which read: 'Your value doesn't decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth.'

Pointed: There was a sign of trouble in paradise on Saturday when Nicki shared a post which read: 'Your value doesn't decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth'

Meanwhile, Meek completely deleted his own Instagram account.

The couple went public with their relationship in 2015, and had been rumoured to be engaged.

Nicki was seen wearing a giant diamond ring on her left hand ring finger.

Early this year, Us Weekly reported she was a source of support during his 90 days of house arrest. His sentence was for violating the probation he'd incurred from a drug dealing and gun possession conviction dating back to 2008.

Birthday girl: The star has been enjoying a beach break, and it appeared Meek was also there as he posted a picture of her

Life's a beach: The star was celebrating her 34th birthday on December 8 in Turks And Caicos

By April, she'd gone on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and confirmed that she and Mill were not, in fact, engaged. To a laugh from the room, she referred to her boyfriend merely as 'this boy that likes me.'

And only last weekend, the pair were seen arriving to the Gold Room in Atlanta, Georgia together.

The rapper showed off her curves in a bright mini Versace dress while toting a $4,500 Chanel bag for his album release party.

One day after the bash, Nicki posted an Instagram snap with Mill as they shared a sweet kiss.

She captioned the PDA moment: 'Ion wanna hype ya, but u a lucky n***a if my mean a** like ya. U kno I wrote #Favorite about u right? - his coat by #Gucci - shades #ChristianDior dress #Versace shoes #GianvitoRossi.'

She is refering to her song Favorite featuring Jeremih, which she released in 2014 on The Pinkprint album.

Then they had a night out at LIV in Miami together on December 4, with Lil Wayne, Tyson Beckford and A$AP Rocky.
She's always been known for dressing a bit unconventionally.

But Cara Delevingne went all out when she wore a peculiar yet particularly comfortable ensemble as she landed at LAX from London's Heathrow Airport on Monday.

In a daring move, the 24-year-old supermodel hid her toned pins in flashy multi-coloured trousers as she made her way out of the terminal.

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Eccentric fashionista: Cara Delevingne went all out when she wore a peculiar ensemble as she landed at LAX from London on Monday

BOLD look! In a daring move, the 24-year-old supermodel hid her toned pins when she rocked flashy multi-coloured trousers as she made her way out of the terminal

The Suicide Squad actress ditched the grey hoody she had worn under her jacket in London earlier that day as she landed in the warmer Californian climate.

Her quirky outfit consisted of a loose black T-shirt, which she layered beneath a chic raven black denim jacket.

She paired her mostly plain top section with a wild and wacky set of multi-coloured trousers - which softly skimmed her famously long pins and kept her comfy for the long journey to the States.

Warmer climates: The model had removed her grey hoody worn back in London as she landed in the nicer temperatures of LA and wearily headed to her next destination

Sporting sleek coal suede boots along with a spiked oily bag, Cara was hard to miss loosely donning a white beanie to control her blonde mane.

As a top model, she also appeared to switch her set of sunglasses during the long haul journey - swapping her oversized mirrored aviators for a set of lighter shades with a gold rim.

The beautiful bombshell wore no makeup to flaunt her enviable complexion but accessorised with a choker and a variety of silver necklaces to tie her wacky outfit together.

Keeping comfy: The actress had sported the same outfit as she arrived at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 for her flight

Ready for the cold: The Suicide Squad actress wore a loose black tee which she layered with a grey zipper hoodie and a raven jacket as she rushed to make her flight and avoid cameras

A bit of chic: Sporting sleek coal suede boots along with a spiked oily bag, Cara was hard to miss loosely donning a white beanie to control her blonde mane

Cara recently got back to London after she, her sister Poppy and 160 of their closest friends spent the last week partying on a private island in Maldives.

The group of models along with their ginormous entourage spent their week partying and featured themed functions, fancy dress attired events, and plenty of jealousy from those who didn't go.

Among the guests, who posted more than 600 photos between them, were model Arizona Muse, Kate Mosss make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, Helena Bonham Carters niece Rose, Ray Winstones actress daughter Jaime and Bryan Ferrys ex-wife Amanda Sheppard.

The beautiful bombshell wore no makeup but had her striking eyes concealed behind beefy shades and accessorised with a choker and a variety of silver necklaces to tie her wacky outfit together

Wild Thang! Cara recently got back to London after she, her sister Poppy and 160 of their closest friends spent the last week partying on a private island in Maldives
Australians Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman and Joel Edgerton have been nominated for Golden Globe awards as awards season kicks off in the US.

Hollywood actor Mel, 60, scored a nod for Best Director for his World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, which retells the emotional story of based on the true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss.

The film, which recently won a Critics' Choice Award, also scored a nod for Best Picture (Drama) and Best Actor (Andrew Garfield).

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Recognition: Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, 60, scored a nod for Best Director for his World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, which retells the emotional story of based on the true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss

Australian actress Nicole, 49, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Garth Davis-directed drama, Lion.

She plays adoptive mother Sue Brierley in the film about a man adopted by an Australian family at a young age who goes searching for his biological family using Google Earth.

'This nomination is even more emotional and I'm more grateful than ever before. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press!' she said of her 11th Golden Globe nomination.

Acclaimed filmmaker: Hacksaw Ridge is Mel's latest directorial debut

Dramatic: The film, which recently won a Critics' Choice Award, also scored a nod for Best Picture (Drama) and Best Actor (Andrew Garfield)

Australian actress Nicole, 49, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Garth Davis-directed drama, Lion

Emotional story: She plays adoptive mother Sue Brierley in the film about a man adopted by an Australian family at a young age who goes searching for his biological family using Google Earth

Actor Joel Edgerton, 42, is nominated for best actor in a film drama for his role in the historical drama Loving, based on the 1967 US Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia.

'To the #HFPA thank you!! Truly a great honor! To the amazing #ruthnegga congratulations and, eternal thanks to the incredible #jeffnichols @lovingthefilm,' he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

The Golden Globes recognise excellence in film and television with 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association selecting recipients.

Rising star: Actor Joel Edgerton, 42, is nominated for best actor in a film drama for his role in the historical drama Loving, based on the 1967 US Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia

'To the #HFPA thank you!! Truly a great honor! To the amazing #ruthnegga congratulations and, eternal thanks to the incredible #jeffnichols @lovingthefilm,' he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday

American TV host will officially announce winners during a televised ceremony on January 8.

Sydney-born star Joel was also recently nominated for Best Actor at the Critics' Choice Awards for the same film.

Mel took home the award for Best Action Movie at awards ceremony held in Los Angeles last week.


ECU staff members and volunteer firefighters Kevin Byrum (left) and Chris Wilson traveled to Lake Lure in November to help fight the Party Rock wildfire. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

Kevin Byrum volunteers with the Winterville Community Fire Department and Chris Wilson works with the Belvoir Fire Department.



Wilson, (fourth from right) pictured with his Party Rock fire team.

For three days in November two East Carolina University employees joined more than 900 firefighters from across the country battling the Party Rock wildfire near Lake Lure.Grounds worker Kevin Byrum and equipment operator Chris Wilson balance working at ECU with family and volunteering at local fire departments in Pitt County. Both have experience responding to emergencies and natural disasters like Hurricane Matthew in eastern North Carolina.When they heard a request for help from first responders in the mountains, they didn't hesitate - exemplifying one of ECU's core values: service.Byrum said.The two men traveled to Shumont Mountain with four other firefighters from Pitt County. Wilson volunteers with Belvoir Fire Department and Byrum is a captain with the Winterville Community Fire Department.The Party Rock fire was originally reported on Nov. 5 and threatened homes and buildings requiring evacuations in areas such as Chimney Rock and the Fairfield Mountains. When Byrum and Wilson arrived on Nov. 18, the sky was filled with a smoky haze from nearby fires. The town's residents had left, but firefighters and their equipment had taken over the quiet streets.The men worked 12-hour shifts on six-person teams; Wilson worked during the day and Byrum at night. They were assigned to structural support - protecting homes in the event flames jumped the fire line. Wilson explained that a fire line is an area where heavy equipment is used to remove brush and other flammable material several yards wide to prevent the fire from spreading.Wilson's team was stationed near the fire line at a farm that was evacuated by residents who had to leave livestock behind. Wilson said he could see the fire burning just a few hundred yards from the property. It never made it to the farm but his team did have a day when it came close.Wilson said.Fortunately, the flames never made it past the fire line. No structures were lost during the Party Rock fire but it did cause approximately $7.65 million in damages. The fire consumed more than 7,000 acres by the time it was fully contained November 30.The rocky terrain and steep slopes of the mountains were new experiences for the two seasoned firefighters who are used to tackling brush fires in the eastern part of the state.The first night, Byrum's team helped pump water from a pond into brush trucks. The rest of the nights were busy protecting homes in the Fairfield Mountains. He said the homes were spread out so they spent their time walking along the side of the mountain between the residences and clearing leaves.It was Byrum's his first time volunteering for an event like the wildfire and he described it as an eye-opening experience.Byrum said.Wilson said he liked helping and it was good to get the experience of working such a large fire. While there, they met firefighters from all over the country including Alaska, California and Oregon.Byrum and Wilson said that volunteering with the local fire departments is their way of giving back and helping others in the community. Byrum said it's a passion and he enjoys the work which includes coordinating training for the firefighters in his department.he said.
Her stint in the spotlight kicked off when she starred as Francis Boulle's love interest on Made In Chelsea.

Yet Ashley James proved she is world away from the flame haired entreupeneur at E4 screens as she scored an A-list DJing gig at the Global Gift Gala in Dubai on Monday evening.

The 29-year-old DJ, model and blogger looked phenomenal as she prepared to rub shoulders with the A-list as she slipped her famous curves into a stunning black fishtail gown which boosted her eye-popping cleavage.

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Twit twoo! Yet Ashley James proved she is world away from the flame haired entreupeneur at E4 screens as she scored an A-list DJing gig at the Global Gift Gala in Dubai on Monday evening

Ashley ensured she looked her very best for her turn on the red carpet, where she was mingling with the creme de la creme of Hollywood including the evening's host Eva Longoria.

Showing off the curves she has become known for, the blonde beauty cut a classic figure in the sizzling gown which was biased cut to her incredible figure.

The strapless sweetheart neckline sat perfectly on her extremely ample bust, before nipping in at her tiny waist to create the perfect hourglass silhouette for her stunning frame.

As the dress moved down on her figure, the shape tucked in at her thigh while the base flicked out into to a mermaid hem - making for an over all dramatic ensemble.

Looking her best: The 29-year-old DJ, model and blogger looked phenomenal as she prepared to rub shoulders with the A-list as she slipped her famous curves into a stunning black fishtail gown which boosted her eye-popping cleavage

High profile pals: Ashley has headed to Dubai alongside actors Kola Bokinni and Will Pouter as well as her roomate and best pal Charlotte De Carle (left-right)

Keeping the look thematic, she wore her blonde tresses in huge waves created with a wide barrelled styling tong and falling over her eye in a dramatic side parting.

Ensuring she was camera ready from every angle, Ashley's make-up was perfectly applied, with her eyes fluttering under the weight of false eyelashes and a slick of nude lipstick plumping her pout.

As no Hollywood beauty is complete without diamonds, the blonde beauty wore an eye-popping 20,000 worth of diamonds from Dubai Rocks.

Ashley has headed to Dubai alongside actors Will Poulter and Kola Bokinni as well as her roomate and best pal Charlotte De Carle.

Oh my! Ashley was no doubt honoured to meet stars of Eva Longoria's caliber, as she ensured she looked as glam as the event's host

Sizzling: The blonde beauty has been littering her social media feeds with images in the lead up to the bash - as she has been preparing for the event with some relaxation at the beach

The blonde beauty has been littering her social media feeds with images in the lead up to the bash - as she has been preparing for the event with some relaxation at the beach.

Frequently stripping down to her bikini Ashley has been showcasing her envy-inducing curves while soaking up the sun in Dubai over the weekend.
John Travolta is 'not interested' in watching Leah Remini's new docu-series about Scientology.

The 62-year-old defended the controversial religious movement on a personal level as he explained to E! News why he would not watch the series.

The film legend asserted he was not concerned with his former friend's claims of abuse as it contradicted his own feelings about the church.

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John Travolta said he was 'not interested' in watching Leah Remini's new docu-series about Scientology during an interview on Sunday at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles

Travolta was asked about the docu-series during a red carpet interview at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

E! News' Marc Malkin asked: 'Have you watched the Leah Remini documentary about Scientology?'

'Nah,' the Saturday Night Fever star said. 'Not interested.'

E! News' Marc Malkin asked: 'Have you watched the Leah Remini documentary about Scientology?'

'Nah,' the Saturday Night Fever star said. 'Not interested.'

'Why not?' Malkin said.

'Because it has been nothing but helpful to me for 40 years,' Travolta replied with emotion in his voice, 'Through all my losses - through my mother, my girlfriend, my son [dying].'

'And they've [Scientology] never left my side,' he added. 'So why would I want to buy into something that is other than what I feel?'

Personal history: The actor traveled in the same circles both in Hollywood and Scientology with Remini, whose family began practicing Scientology when she was nine in 1979

'Were you surprised that she [Remini] did something like this?' the red carpet reporter asked.

Travolta dated actress Diana Hyland, who he met on set of 1976's The Boy In The Plastic Bubble, for a year; She died of breast cancer in 1977

'Kind of,' the star admitted. 'I don't know. I just... as long I get to still do it and my family gets to do it I am happy.'

During the interview Travolta referenced a series of tragic losses in his own life.

Travolta dated actress Diana Hyland, who he met on set of 1976's The Boy In The Plastic Bubble, for a year. She died of breast cancer in 1977. Travolta was just 23 years old when she passed.

One year later his mother, actress Helen Cecilia, died at age 66.

Travolta experienced his most devastating loss in 2009 when his son Jett died at the age of 16 while on Christmas holiday in the Bahamas.

The death certificate issued by the Bahamian government listed the cause of death to be a seizure. The young man had special needs. Since his tragic passing the bereaved father founded the Jett Travolta Foundation, a non-profit organization to help children with special needs.

A criminal case arose from the death of his son. Travolta told police he was the victim of an attempted $25 million extortion plot hatched by one of the paramedics called to the scene, Tarino Lightbourne.

In trial it was claimed that Lightbourne and his attorney demanded $25 million from Travolta for the return of an indemnity form signed by the star  which allegedly proved hed refused to send his son to the local hospital.

Devastating loss: Travolta experienced his most devastating loss in 2009 when his son Jett died at the age of 16 while on Christmas holiday in the Bahamas (Travolta pictured with his wife Kelly Preston and their children Jett (2nd R) and Ella)

A judge ordered a retrial following an initial five weeks in court after a Bahamian politician prematurely claimed on television that one of the defendants had been found not guilty.

Travolta later dropped the case. He said in a statement: The long-pending status of this matter continued to take a heavy emotional toll on my family, causing us to conclude that it was finally time to put this matter behind us.

Travolta first encountered Scientology in 1975 when he read founder L. Ron Hubbard's book Dianetics while filming The Devil's Rain in Mexico.

In his honour: Since his tragic passing the bereaved father founded the Jett Travolta Foundation, a non-profit organization to help children with special needs

The actor traveled in the same circles both in Hollywood and Scientology with Remini, whose family began practicing Scientology when she was nine in 1979.

Remini, who previously admitted she did not expect to hear a response from Travolta, has been airing her new documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on the heels of her best-selling book Troublemaker.

The docu-series promises to take a look into allegations of abuse, lies and sexual misconduct with interviews from former church members.

A Scientology representative has fiercely denied all of Remini's allegations, claiming that she 'is in it for the money and now tries to pretend otherwise.'
She's been flying all over attending world premieres.

But Felicity Jones and director boyfriend Charles Guard dressed casually as they made their way through Heathrow ahead of the London premiere of her film Star Wars: Rogue One on Monday.

The 33-year-old film heroine wore a lengthy comfortable but sleek black pea coat that kept her cosy and prevented any insight into what she wore underneath.

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Just landed: But Felicity Jones and director boyfriend Charles Guard sported casual looks as they made their way through Heathrow ahead of the London premier of Rogue One on Monday

Clad in casual jeans and basic white trainers, the Inferno actress looked very dressed down as she left her flight.

The brunette beauty radiated as she complemented her looks with a red lip and light eye makeup finishing her outfit with sunglasses and a scarlet bag to accessorise.

Her beau looked cool in a navy jumper and matching trousers with a white button up to go with the look.

A simple look: Clad in casual jeans and basic white trainers, the Inferno actress looked very dressed down as she left her flight

Charles also wore white trainers and layered with a tan jacket.

Felicity cut a ladylike figure when she attended the world premiere for the highly-anticipated film in Hollywood on Saturday.

The 33-year-old actress looked majestic as she hit the red carpet in a semi-sheer corset style gown.

Felicity Jones cut a ladylike figure as she attended the world premiere for the highly-anticipated Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on Saturday

The Academy Award-nominated actress was radiant in the low-cut flowing number which flashed a hint of decolletage.

She stood out from the crowd in the lustrous silver and gold metallic garb which was adorned with floral embroidering throughout.

Felicity will hit the big screen as Jyn Erso in the epic space opera flick which is the first stand alone Star Wars anthology film.

Showstopper! The 33-year-old actress made sure to turn heads as she hit the red carpet in a semi-sheer corset style gown
She's hot off the Victoria's Secret runway in Paris.

And Bridget Malcolm has completed the final of her model duties for this year, sharing a glimpse of her last shoot of 2016 via Instagram.

Showing off her chiselled abs and lithe limbs in a cream lingerie set, the 25-year-old captioned the selfie: 'Such a gratuitous shot. But yolo (sic) - last job of the year ladies and jellyfish.'

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'Yolo': Bridget Malcolm isn't shy about flaunting her chiselled abs and lithe limbs as she completes her final modelling job for this year

With one arm raised to sweep her blonde lock off her face, the catwalk star smiled as she snapped the photo while standing in front of the hair and makeup mirror.

Bridget's latest post comes after the Perth-born beauty spoke out against internet trolls who accused her of having an eating disorder.

The slender Victoria's Secret model firmly told The Daily Telegraph this week that she doesn't suffer from the 'horrific' disorder.

Hot off the runway: The 25-year-old walked the runway at this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris last month

Breaking her silence: The slender model also recently slammed online trolls who accused her of having an eating disorder

The blonde beauty also used the opportunity to take a jab at the haters and online trolls who made the accusations in the first place.

'There's a whole world out there beyond your screen. Go fill your short time on this earth seeing it,' said the fed-up star.

The Perth-born beauty explained that a model's job is like that of an athlete's - in that being health-conscious and taking good care of their bodies is part of her job.

'I don't have an eating disorder': The Victoria Secret's model denied that she has an eating disorder after trolls questioned her on social media

'It's so irrelevant to who they are as a person': The Perth-born model also spoke candidly about body shamers in an interview with Stellar magazine recently

Speaking to Stellar magazine recently the vegan spoke candidly about her experience with 'body shamers'.

'Whether it's fat or skinny-shaming, it's such a superfluous thing to do to someone,' said the Seafolly model.

It's a topic Bridget has become all too familiar with, having made headlines last year after responding to social media trolls who claimed she had an eating disorder.

'Can we STOP with the skinny shaming please?' she wrote at the time.

'I am extremely fit and healthy and am not in the slightest way anorexic': Bridget previously insisted her slim frame comes naturally and with hard work at the gym

'I am extremely fit and healthy and am not in the slightest way anorexic.'

She explained: 'I have worked hard to look like this and am proud of my body.

'I may not be the curviest but I am a woman who has every right to look the way I do.

'Maybe today take a look inside yourself and wonder why you feel the need to shame strangers over the Internet about their bodies.'

Bridget previously spoke to Daily Mail Australia about trolls, saying: ' I know that those people are hurting inside and I hope that they find some happiness really.'
The festive season is well and truly underway in Sam Wood's household.

And The Bachelor star has shared a snap of his fiancee Snezana Markoski and her daughter Eve taking a short break from decorating their family Christmas tree in their Melbourne home, to pose for the photo.

'And so it begins. My girls have started decorating this beauty,' 36-year-old Sam wrote alongside the shot, shared via Instagram on Monday night.

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Decking the halls! Sam Wood's fiancee Snezana Markoski and her daughter Eve was seen posing in front of their Christmas tree on Monday night as they began decorating the beauty in their Melbourne home

The 2015 Bachelor star added the hash-tag: 'going to be a long night' to his post.

Snezana, 35, looked gorgeous in a blue mini-dress as she cuddled her 11-year-old daughter while posing in front of the lit up tree.

The lookalike mother-daughter duo both wore their long brunette locks up in a high ponytail for the decorating session.

Feeling festive: The candid snap was shared by the Bachelor on his Instagram page, with the 36-year-old writing: 'And so it begins. My girls have started decorating this beauty'

The home's French doors behind the tree also received the festive treatment, with golden snowflake and star-shaped decals running vertically on the glass.

And it's not just the humans of the house who've gotten into the Christmas spirit, with their dog Hendrix seen sporting a Santa hat last week.

Sharing a photo of the pooch in front of another lit-up tree via Instagram, Sam added the caption: 'No comment required.'

Santa's little helper: It appears the family's dog Hendrix was also getting into the festive spirit, sporting his own little Santa hat

It's been almost one year since the personal trainer popped the question, asking his Bachelor girlfriend to marry him during a trip to his hometown in Tasmania.

He previously claimed to have put the wedding plans on hold while fiancee Snezana Markoski and her daughter Eve settled into life in Melbourne after relocating from Perth.

And now that the move is well and finally over, Sam recently opened up about the couple's wedding plans.

Relocating: Sam previously revealed the couple's wedding plans has been put on hold while Snezana and her 10-year-old daughter Eve settle into their new life in Melbourne

'Snez wanted some time to settle into Melbourne and now Eve is loving school and has settled in, we've just started to look at a few different venues,' he told The Daily Telegraph last month.

While he didn't give away the timing of the nuptials, he did say: 'We want something summery and outdoors.'

'Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we'll find something we both love and start planning it,' he added.

Sam declared his love for the Macedonian beauty in the dramatic finale of the Channel Ten reality show in September last year, before proposing just several months later in December.
She was robbed at gunpoint in her Paris apartment on October 2.

Now over two months since the harrowing incident Kim Kardashian looks to be no closer to justice.

A Paris police official told Us Weekly authorities are 'nowhere near finding who the robbers are.'

Police 'nowhere near' catching thieves: Now over two months since she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris Kim Kardashian looks to be no closer to justice (pictured on October 2 the day she was robbed)

The reality star, 36, was robbed by five armed men dressed in police uniforms, who bound and gagged her.

She was then placed in a bathtub after she reportedly begged for her life.

The heist saw the thieves rob Kim of over $10 million worth of her personal jewelry.

Reemerging: Kanye West seen here on December 8 after being hospitalized the month before for a 'psychotic breakdown'

'Two months on and we're nowhere near finding who the robbers are,' the police source told Us. 'You could call it strange, but actually it can take many months, even years to solve a heist mystery.'

'There's a lot that goes on beyond the initial evidence collecting.  It can take a long time.'

The law enforcement insider also revealed that police have been updating Kim's legal of any progress made in the case.

The star has been reclusive since the robbery, avoiding red carpet events and scarcely posing on social media.

Kim's husband Kanye West has recently been released from hospital following a series of bizarre incidents.

The 39-year-old was taken to hospital on November 21 after suffering a 'psychotic break'.

He had been taking part in a gym session at the West Hollywood home of trainer Harley Pasternak when he became agitated and allegedly began screaming that people were trying to kill him.

Dr Michael Farzam was called to the scene and West was placed on a 5150 hold, which allows a physician to forcibly admit a patient to hospital, before being taken to the UCLA Medical Center.

West is said to have been handcuffed to a gurney during the journey, which came two days after he launched a bizarre rant on stage in Sacramento, California, and 24 hours after he announced that he was canceling all remaining dates on his Life of Pablo tour.
They have been lapping up their last few days in the Caribbean sunshine.

But it seems the holiday is over for Lottie Moss and Alex Mytton, as they were seen arriving at Barbados airport on Monday.

The new lovebirds showed off deep golden tans as they chatted happily on their way to their flight - with close friend and Alex's former flame Jess Woodley following close behind.

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The holiday is over: Lottie Moss and Alex Mytton arrived at Barbados airport on Monday as they headed home from their idyllic getaway

Good things come in threes: Also heading home on the same day was close friend and Alex's former flame Jess Woodley - who had joined them for the trip

The good-looking couple looked disappointed to be leaving the idyllic island as they made their way through the terminal, laden with their luggage.

However Lottie was still in the holiday spirit as she dressed for the warmer weather in a thigh-skimming playsuit - despite jetting home to far chillier temperatures.

The stylish one-piece featured a summery tribal print of blue and pink, and cut across her shoulders in a bardot neckline to flash her sunkissed skin and delicate decolletage.

Bye Barbs: The good-looking couple looked disappointed to be leaving the idyllic island as they made their way through the terminal, laden with their luggage

Holiday spirit: However Lottie still dressed for the warmer weather in a thigh-skimming playsuit - despite jetting home to far chillier temperatures

Cinching in at her petite frame with an elasticated waistband, the playsuit then cut off at an eye-watering height to display her tanned and toned pins to all.

Maintaining her trademark youthful and trendy style, the 18-year-old paired the cute outfit with a set of sporty Nike Air Max trainers, and her oversized white shades as she headed to passport control.

As a budding model however, Lottie was of course not without a hint of high-fashion as she carried a beige Celine bag on her arm, tying the summer-chic look together.

Model material: Cinching in at her petite frame with an elasticated waistband, the playsuit then cut off at an eye-watering height to display her tanned and toned pins to all

Summer chic: Maintaining her trademark youthful and trendy style, the 18-year-old paired the cute outfit with a set of sporty Nike Air Max trainers, and her oversized white shades

Meanwhile her Made in Chelsea beau Alex, 25, covered up more in simple black skinny jeans and a plain grey T-shirt.

Adding only a set of mirrored round sunglasses and a chunky black jacket, which he draped over one shoulder, the reality star displayed his killer tan as he made for the UK.

The pair still looked smitten as their holiday came to an end - chatting happily after checking their bags in, before Alex helped his girl handle her bags and jacket.

Monochrome: Meanwhile her Made in Chelsea beau Alex, 25, covered up more in simple black skinny jeans and a plain grey T-shirt

S-mytton! The pair still looked loved-up as their holiday came to an end - chatting happily after checking their bags in

Gentleman: Alex later helped his girl handle her bags and jacket

However Jess Woodley, who had ventured on the beach getaway with the couple, appeared to arrive at the airport separately.

Clad in a soft yellow vest, tracksuit bottoms and Dr Martens boots, his fellow MIC co-star looked casual but cool as she too made her way to the plane, minutes later.

The trio had jetted to the holiday hotspot last week - and have been seen frolicking in the sea and topping up their tans on the golden sands daily ever since.

Flying solo: However Jess Woodley, who had ventured on the beach getaway with the couple, appeared to arrive at the airport separately

Taking a break: The trio had jetted to the holiday hotspot last week - and have been seen frolicking in the sea and topping up their tans on the golden sands daily ever since

Lottie and Alex met through her ex-boyfriend Sam - who mingle in the same Chelsea set as the brunette hunk and his reality star pals.

She and Sam were reportedly spotted cosying up at Embargo nightclub in Chelsea in July but the reunion was short-lived after he reportedly strayed away.

The blonde beauty has been linked to several very different suitors in the past - having enjoyed lunch in June with pop star Conor Maynard, and flirted with Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio on Twitter.

However she and Binky Felstead's ex Alex have been romantically linked since October.
She has been patiently waiting for the arrival of her second child.

And on Monday, Sally Obermeder welcomed daughter Elyssa Rose, after the TV host had the newborn via a surrogate in the U.S.

The 43-year-old announced the news on social media by sharing an adorable image of herself cuddling up the the tiny tot.

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It's a girl! Sally Obermeder has welcomed her second daughter Elyssa Rose, after the TV host had the newborn via a surrogate in the U.S

While holding the baby close to her chest, Sally displayed a proud smile as she glued her eyes on her newborn daughter.

The Daily Edition host arrived in the US state of Milwaukee last week with her five-year-old daughter Annabelle as they counted down the days until the baby's arrival.

Sally's Channel Seven colleague Larry Emdur was quick to send his well wishes to the new family-of-four, writing on Instagram:' Wooooooooooohooooooo...so much love .. xxxxxxxx.'

Spreading the news: The 43-year-old simply announced the news by captioning an Instagram photo with 'Elyssa Rose Obermeder' along with a single love heart

Long time coming: The Daily Edition host arrived in the US state of Milwaukee last week with her five-year-old daughter Annabelle as they counted down the days until the baby's arrival

Reality TV star Anna Heinrich shared, 'CONGRATS Sally. Xx,' as Edwina Bartholomew commented: 'Wonderful news Sal xx'.

News reader Natalie Barr added: 'Huge congrats Sal!!!! Such an amazingly emotional ride you have all been on. Sending love and best wishes. Beautiful name. Nat.'

On Saturday, Sally took to Instagram to share a special moment, seemingly inside the obstetrician's office, as Annabelle met with her then-unborn sibling.

The image showed the five-year-old with her little hand spread out out across surrogate Rachel's belly as she gently touched the baby bump.

First meeting: On Saturday, Sally took to Instagram to share a special moment, seemingly inside the obstetrician's office, as Annabelle met with her then-unborn sibling

'Everything about this picture makes my heart explode with love and gratitude,' Sally captioned the heart-warming photograph.

The published author chose to use a surrogate mother for her second pregnancy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before giving birth to Annabelle in 2011.

Though extensive treatment, including 16 rounds of chemotherapy put her in remission, doctors warned her becoming pregnant again would be incredibly dangerous for her health, reported Woman's Day.

Expanding: Sally and her husband Marcus chose to use a surrogate mother for their second child after she was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before giving birth to their first daughter Annabelle in 2011

She and her husband Marcus first met Rachel, from Wisconsin, in 2014 and the already mother-of-three agreed to carry her child for no financial gain.

Newborn Elyssa is something Sally feels she could never truly repay the American woman for.

'How do you even repay someone, like a bottle of perfume just doesn't cut it. The gift, I mean, it is priceless,' she gushed during an interview with Sunday Night.

'How amazing that there are people like Rachel in this world, like a woman from the other side of the world who I don't even know who would do this for me?'
Sydney New Year fireworks to be live streamed on Facebook

Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks, which traditionally kick off the world's major celebrations, are set to be streamed live on Facebook for the first time, officials said on Monday.

The visual extravaganza in Australia's biggest city is already watched by more than a million people at Sydney Harbour and a further one billion via a television audience.

Organisers hope the live stream will be viewed by more than 10 million Facebook users around the world.

New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional display held at midnight early on January 1, 2016 Peter Parks (AFP/File)

The announcement marks the latest push by the US social media giant to tap into live video as it competes with similar offerings from Twitter and Tumblr.

"By making the most of digital technology only available this year, we can put Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks show in the palm of people's hands around the world - right as it happens," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said in a statement.

Some 90 percent of visitors to Sydney during New Year's Eve say they travel to the harbour city specifically for the fireworks, according to a survey by research analyst group StollzNow.

Live video streaming has become a popular tool on social media in recent months with the launch of Twitter's Periscope last year and Facebook Live, which opened to all users earlier this year.
China fighter jet claim 'untrue': Japan

Japan has lashed out at China over claims its fighter jets obstructed Beijing's military aircraft, saying the allegation was "clearly untrue".

China's defence ministry said two Japanese F-15s launched "decoy flares" in international airspace over the East China Sea on Saturday, actions it called "dangerous and unprofessional".

Tokyo denied anything was fired during the encounter, and said it had protested to Beijing over the allegation.

A Japanese F-15 jet approaching a Chinese plane in a spot where the two countries' air defence zones overlap PLA Ministry of Defense (PLA Ministry of Defense/AFP/File)

"It is extremely regrettable that the Chinese defence ministry one-sidedly made a clearly untrue announcement," Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Sunday.

The two countries intermittently spar over claims of air and sea misconduct in and above the waters of the East China Sea, where they are engaged in a row over the ownership of uninhabited islands.

China did not give details about its manoeuvres, but said its aircraft had been carrying out "routine far seas training" when they passed through the Miyako Strait in the Okinawan chain.

The strait is a pinch point in Japan-China relations because it is one of the few egresses into the Pacific Ocean for Chinese ships and aircraft that avoid Japanese airspace.
Ken Schmidt has suffered through tough times before. And the veteran Solen, N.D., rancher has this advice for cattle producers now:

Dont dwell on past mistakes. Focus on the present.

I dont care who you are, nobody makes the right move all the time, he said. When you come into these bad times, you cant just focus on the bad. It will make you crazy. Theres a reason youre in business, so you did some things right, too.

He added, This is easier said than done, I know, but its what you have to do.

Most sectors of the U.S. agricultural economy are struggling this winter, but the cattle industry has been hit especially hard. Large amounts of unsold meat  sometimes described as mountains of meat  have pushed down beef prices and hammered producers. One measure: Cash receipts for cattle and calves in 2016 will have fallen almost 15 percent from the previous year, according to projections from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service.

Schmidt, whos been in the cattle business for 35 years and has been in cow-calf and feeder operations, said the cattle industry is inherently cyclical and brings both good and bad times.

Differences this time

But there are differences in the current downswing, he said.

For one thing, The market moves around a lot more than it used to, he said. Its just so volatile. Its hard to understand sometimes.

Market fluctuations complicate risk management, Schmidt said.

Of course, you notice the down more than you do the up, he adds.

In August, CME Group made some changes that cattle producers requested, but producers say more action is needed to reduce market volatility. CME Group was formed by the 2007 merger of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of trade; futures and options offered by the organization help ranchers and others manage risk.

Another difference now from past downswings in the cattle industry is that grain prices are depressed, too. Schmidt also raises wheat, corn, sunflowers and forage for the cattle.

Normally, having both cattle and crops provides some protection for ag producers. Not now.

Its basic ag econ: diversify, diversify, Schmidt says. Usually it works. Usually one or the other one is OK. But when theyre both down, like they are now, its a bad deal.

Came up really fast

The current slump in the cattle industry also is unusual because of how quickly it happened, Schmidt said. It caught a lot of people off guard, including myself.

But ranchers and others in the cattle industry shouldnt spend time worrying about that, he said.

Thats water on the bridge, he said. Dont fight what you should have done. Learn from your mistakes. Anybody with experience in this business has made some mistakes, but theyve learned from them. Just try to be smarter next time.

Schmidts experience in the cattle industry has given him a long-term perspective. Good times dont last forever," he said. "Neither do the bad ones.
Pakistan grounds ATR planes after fatal crash

Pakistan's national carrier on Monday grounded its 10 ATR turboprop planes after a crash last week killed 47 people and a second aircraft reported technical issues shortly before it was supposed to take off overnight.

Pakistan International Airlines flight 661 smashed into a hillside in the country's north while travelling from the city of Chitral to the capital Islamabad last Wednesday. The airline has said one of the plane's two turboprop engines failed.

Another PIA ATR faced "technical issues" late Sunday just before it was set to take off from the central city of Multan on a flight to southern Karachi and was called back to its parking bay, though the airline denied media reports that one of the engines caught fire.

Investigators inspect the wreckage of the crashed PIA passenger plane, flight PK661, near the village of Saddha Batolni in the Abbottabad district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on December 8, 2016 Aamir QURESHI (AFP/File)

The fleet would now undergo thorough testing after the two incidents, the airline said.

"In view of Civil Aviation Authority's decision of holding shakedown tests of PIA's entire ATR fleet, it has been decided to keep all 10 ATR aircraft grounded till they are cleared after thorough examination," PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani said in a statement.

ATR is a Toulouse, France-based turboprop aircraft maker and "the world leader in the market for regional aircraft up to 90 seats", according to the company's website.

The company was established in 1981 and is a partnership between two European aeronautics firms, the Airbus Group and Leonardo.

Its ATR 42-500 is a twin turboprop plane that carries 48 passengers in standard configuration and is capable of operations on both paved and unpaved strips. The engines are built by Pratt & Whitney Canada, a division of the US manufacturer.
Bahrain upholds jail sentence for opposition chief

Bahrain's appeals court on Monday upheld a nine-year jail sentence against Shiite opposition chief Sheikh Ali Salman for inciting hatred and calling for regime change by force, a judicial source said.

The verdict against Salman, whose Al-Wefaq movement was dissolved in July, was reimposed after the court of cassation had overturned the nine-year jail term in October.

Salman, 51, is considered a moderate who has pushed for a constitutional monarchy in Bahrain, unlike hardline groups who have demanded the toppling the Al-Khalifa dynasty

A man holds a placard bearing an image of Sheikh Ali Salman, head of Bahrain's Shiite opposition movement Al-Wefaq, during a protest against his arrest, on the outskirts of Manama, in May 2016 Mohammed Al-Shaikh (AFP/File)

His arrest in December 2014 had sparked protests in Shiite-majority Bahrain.

The Shiite cleric was sentenced in July 2015 to four years in jail after being convicted of inciting hatred in the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom.

But the appeals court in May more than doubled his jail term to nine years after reversing an earlier acquittal on charges of calling for regime change by force.

The court of cassation overturned that sentence on October 17 and ordered a retrial before the appeals court.

It also rejected a request to release the cleric.

In July, a court ordered Al-Wefaq's dissolution for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife.

The decision drew strong criticism from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, Bahrain's allies in Washington and London, and Shiite-dominated Iran.

Al-Wefaq had the largest bloc in parliament before lawmakers walked out in February 2011 in protest over a deadly crackdown on Arab Spring-inspired protests.

Salman was widely considered one of the leaders of the uprising and he was arrested several times by the authorities.

Bahrain has harshly cracked down over the past five years on dissent by the Shiite majority, which they accuse of being manipulated by Iran.

The number of arrests and trials have spiralled.

The kingdom stripped 31 Shiite activists of their nationality in October 2012 for breaching state security, and Human Rights Watch says most of them have been left stateless.

It has repeatedly arrested and detained other opposition leaders, including Nabil Rajab, the founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Rajab was most recently arrested on June 13 for comments on his Twitter account that criticised Bahrain's participation in Saudi Arabia-led military operations in Yemen, according to HRW.

The New York-based rights watchdog on Monday issued a statement calling for Rajab's immediate release, saying the charges against him "inherently violate the right to free expression".
Egypt arrests four over deadly church blast

Egypt said Monday it had arrested four people suspected of involvement in a devastating bombing of a Cairo Coptic church, as grief-stricken mourners gathered for the funeral of the dead.

The health ministry said 25 people had been killed in the bombing at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church on Sunday.

It was the deadliest attack in recent memory on the Christian minority, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population.

Egyptian clergymen and officials carry the coffins of the victims of a church bombing in Cairo, on December 12, 2016 Khaled DESOUKI (AFP)

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, speaking at the funeral, said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who had been identified as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa.

One of the four people arrested was a woman, Sisi said, and authorities were looking for two other suspects he did not identify.

Most of the victims were women, authorities have said.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at the church adjacent to Saint Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing, but Coptic Christians have been previously targeted in Egypt.

Wooden coffins, each bearing a cross, were covered with the country's flag and lined up at the Saint Mary and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in the Nasr City district on Monday.

A woman who lost two daughters in the attack cried and fell to the ground next to their coffins as other mourners prayed silently.

- Sisi leads mourning -

In the streets of Nasr City, Sisi and Tawadros led black-clad mourners behind soldiers carrying the coffins of the victims.

Troops marched to the sound of military music.

"This blow has caused us a lot of pain, but never will we let it break us," Sisi said.

Pope Tawadros II said: "We are hurting from this evil."

Sunday's blast was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian community since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of Alexandria.

The health ministry said in a statement late Monday the death toll had risen to 25 after a 40-year-old woman died of extensive injuries.

Copts have faced persecution and discrimination dating back to the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

After the 2013 ouster of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi, his Islamist supporters accused the Christian community of supporting his overthrow.

They pointed to the appearance of Tawadros next to Sisi in July 2013, when the then army chief -- also surrounded by Muslim and opposition figures -- announced Morsi's removal on television.

Following the deadly dispersal by security forces of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo in August 2013, at least 42 churches were attacked, as well as dozens of schools, houses and businesses belonging to Copts, according to Human Rights Watch.

"Egypt's authorities have for many years failed to protect the personal safety or basic rights of Coptic citizens," HRW said on Monday.

- 'Slap for the government' -

Analysts said Sunday's bombing revealed the weaknesses of the government, which human rights groups have slammed for its brutal crackdown on Islamists.

Victor Salama, a politics professor at Cairo University, said the attack could be in retaliation for the church's perceived support for Sisi's administration.

The Islamists "could be saying they're making the Copts pay for their support for the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood," said Salama.

"It's a slap for the government. The Coptic church is Christian of course, but it's also an Egyptian institution that was easily destroyed with just 12 kilogrammes of explosives," said Salama.

Abdalla al-Sennawi, a columnist at the privately owned Al-Shorouk newspaper, agreed that the attack could be seen as "a sort of revenge" against the Copts.

But the bombing also "reveals the absence of any real strategy to fight terrorism and the carelessness of the security services", he said.

"Such attacks may repeat themselves if the role of security services is not reviewed."

Egypt is fighting a jihadist insurgency that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers.

On Friday, two bombings killed six policemen in Cairo and a civilian north of the capital in attacks claimed by the Hassam militant group.

Hazem Hosni, a politics professor at Cairo university, said: "The objective of this attack will be truly known only if the perpetrators of the attack are identified or if they claim it."

Sunday's bombing "will have great international impact because those targeted are Christians", he said.

Egypt has jailed thousands and sentenced hundreds of Islamists to death since Morsi's ouster.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offers his condolences to Coptic Pope Tawadros II after a funeral for the victims of a church bombing in Cairo, on December 12, 2016 HO (EGYPTIAN PRESIDENCY/AFP)

Damage following a bomb explosion at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on December 11, 2016 KHALED DESOUKI (AFP)

Mourners gathered in Cairo for the funeral of 24 people killed when a blast tore through a Coptic church Khaled DESOUKI (AFP)
Gambia president-elect demands Jammeh step down 'now'

Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow said on Monday that longtime leader Yahya Jammeh should leave power immediately, as the diplomatic community threatened "draconian" measures if he failed to quit.

In a speech on Friday, Jammeh said he would reject the results of a December 1 election he lost "in totality", and called for new polls after a vote recount showed his defeat was narrower than first announced.

"I think he should step down now," Barrow told AFP. "He has lost the election, we don't want to waste time, we want this country to start moving."

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File)

Barrow is due to welcome a heavyweight group of African heads of state and UN representatives to persuade Jammeh to leave, following the ruling party's declaration on Saturday it will challenge the results in court.

The high level delegation will include UN West Africa envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, and Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her capacity as head of the west African ECOWAS bloc, the Senegalese foreign ministry confirmed.

If Jammeh and the delegation did not reach an agreement, west African states "will contemplate more draconian decisions", top ECOWAS official Marcel Alain de Souza told French radio station RFI.

Jammeh's swift concession of defeat had initially stunned observers and led to celebrations across the country.

But Jammeh's party complicated what was expected to be a peaceful handover when it announced on Saturday that the legal complaint would be filed with the Supreme Court.

The US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, warned that The Gambia faced "a very dangerous moment", citing reports that some military officers have sided with Jammeh in the standoff.

- Legal case -

Barrow has urged Jammeh to meet the heads of state when they arrive but could not confirm that the longtime leader would be present, saying that he had not spoken to him since December 2.

"I urge him and advise him to meet the international community. They are partners to The Gambia and The Gambia is a signatory to those institutions, so we have to give them that respect," he said.

Outgoing Ghanaian President John Mahama is also expected to join the group on Tuesday, who recently lost his own election but is expected to hand over power without issue.

The president-elect said Jammeh's threat to use the courts over a vote recount was baseless and that he had no power to appoint new Supreme Court judges needed to hear the case. The court has sat dormant since May 2015.

"We don't have time to fight again. The Supreme Court wasn't existing for the last one year. There are a pile of cases that are waiting... but he doesn't care about it," Barrow told AFP.

Late on Monday the Gambian Bar Association, an organisation representing the country's most powerful lawyers, described the court challenge as "tantamount to treason".

It condemned the "illegitimate and destabilising actions of the outgoing president" and called for a boycott of the courts until Jammeh handed over power.

The Bar Association said there was "no legitimate legal mechanism available in The Gambia to hear and determine the election petition", as he would have to stuff the court with his own appointees.

A readjustment of the votes counted in the election was made on Monday last week, reducing numbers of ballots for all three candidates but ultimately confirming Barrow's victory.

The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission Alieu Momar Njie told AFP on Monday "we were not covering up any mistake".

"(Last) Monday we held a meeting with all the parties involved. They all accepted the result," he said.

Jammeh has led the tiny sliver of a nation of just under two million people for 22 years since taking power in a coup.

Gambia afp (AFP)
Donald Trump announced Monday he will nominate retired general John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security, the third ex-military man tapped for a top job in his presidential administration.

'General John Kelly's decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,' Trump said in a statement.

'He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies,' Trump said.

Meeting: Retired General John Kelly met Trump at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club late in November. His nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security is now official

John Kelly is being nominated for Homeland Security. He met with the president-elect on November 30 and the transition team made his nomination official today

Kelly led the US Southern Command, covering US military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs across the US southern border and end human trafficking.

'I am humbled and grateful to be nominated to serve in President-elect Trump's cabinet as Homeland Security Secretary,' Kelly said in the statement issued by the president-elect.

'The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security.

'I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country, and our people.'

The third general chosen for Trump's cabinet, Kelly spent 45 years in the US Marines, holding a range of positions from field commands in Iraq to political liaison in Congress before finishing his career as commander of the US armed forces Southern Command.

A Boston native, Kelly joined the Marines in 1970 and retired from the force in January of this year.

He is also the highest ranking military official to have lost a child in combat.

1st Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly, the nominee's 29-year-old son, was killed in Afghanistan on November 9, 2010.

The younger Kelly stepped on a landmine and was killed instantly.

Previous to that, he had been involved in some of the fiercest fighting against the Taliban, leading a platoon of Marines in Sangin, Afghanistan.

'He went quickly and thank God he did not suffer,' John Kelly said of his son's landmine death in Afghanistan in 2010

'He went quickly and thank God he did not suffer', John Kelly said of his son's death, according to the Los Angeles Times. 'In combat that is as good as it gets.'

Trump also chose retired Marine General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis to lead his defense department and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security advisor.

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin remarked yesterday on 'Meet the Press' that Trump's selection of generals for his cabinet was 'a great thing.'

'I mean they know leadership more than anybody else,' she explained.

'They're not going to send people into battle as easily as they need to,' she added.
Syrian government poised for Aleppo victory

Syrian troops were poised to recapture all of second city Aleppo on Tuesday, in what would be the biggest blow to rebels since they launched their uprising in 2011.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon voiced alarm at reports of atrocities against civilians in Aleppo, where entire districts are in ruins and unclaimed bodies lie in the streets.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have said the battle for the city is in its "final phase" after they seized more than 90 percent of the eastern districts which had been held by the rebels since 2012.

Fighters of the Free Syrian Army fire an anti-aircraft weapon in the rebel-held Mashhad area in southeastern Aleppo, on December 12, 2016 STRINGER (AFP)

The turnaround in the government's fortunes has come through decisive support from its allies Iran and Russia, which has waged a bombing campaign in support of Assad since September last year.

Early on Tuesday, troops were conducting searches in newly recaptured neighbourhoods around Aleppo's Old City, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"The regime is combing the districts of Bustan al-Qasr, Kalasseh, Fardaws, and other neighbourhoods it seized yesterday (Monday)," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

He said the regime was consolidating its control over those areas but had not made any fresh advances on Tuesday morning.

The fall of Aleppo would be the rebel's worst defeat of the civil war and put the government in control of all five of Syria's main cities.

An AFP correspondent in government-held west Aleppo said bombardment was heard overnight but had quietened by morning, when thick fog shrouded the city.

Residents of the sector gathered in the streets late into the night despite the rain, launching celebratory gunfire in a show of support for the army.

- 'Last chance' -

UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed alarm over reports of atrocities against "a large number of civilians, including women and children" in Aleppo, his spokesman Stephan Dujarric said Monday.

"While stressing that the United Nations is not able to independently verify these reports, the secretary general is conveying his grave concern to the relevant parties."

The east of the city had been under army siege almost continuously since July.

On November 15, the army launched a blistering offensive to retake it with the support of Iran-backed militias.

A Syrian military official in Aleppo said late Monday: "We're living the final moments before victory. "

Rebel fighters withdrew from six residential districts on Monday after government forces overran the key Sheikh Saeed neighbourhood on the city's southeastern outskirts.

The pullout leaves the rebels confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in the southeast of the city, including Mashhad and part of Sukkari.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned Tuesday that thousands of civilians were at risk "as front lines close in around them in eastern Aleppo."

"As the battle reaches new peaks and the area is plunged into chaos, thousands with no part in the violence have literally nowhere safe to run.

"This may be the last chance to save lives," it said.

- 'It's hell' -

The government assault on east Aleppo has killed at least 415 civilians since mid-November, the Observatory says. Another 130 civilians have been killed by rebel fire on the west.

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have repeatedly failed, and weekend talks between Russia and the United States on a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of civilians made no breakthrough.

The White Helmets emergency service, which operates in rebel-held areas across Syria, said it had been unable to pull bodies out from under collapsed buildings because of the ferocity of the bombardment.

"It's hell," it said on Twitter on Tuesday.

According to the Observatory, an estimated 130,000 people have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army has advanced.

In the rebel-held Mashhad neighbourhood, residents fleeing the army advance crowded the streets on Monday, witnesses said.

Displaced civilians -- many hungry after fleeing without food -- sat on pavements or lay on the street with nowhere else to go.

The government's lightning advance in Aleppo has not come without cost.

While the army's firepower has been focused on recapturing it, the Islamic State group has retaken the ancient city of Palmyra from which it was driven out in a high-profile Russian-backed offensive in March.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in nearly six years of civil war. Millions more have fled their homes.

Aleppo's human tragedy Valentina BRESCHI, Simon MALFATTO (AFP)

Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern city of Aleppo on December 12, 2016, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances George OURFALIAN (AFP)
EU, US sanction DR Congo officials over protest violence

The United States and the EU on Monday imposed sanctions on top DR Congo officials after clashes with protesters against President Joseph Kabila in September left more than 50 people dead.

DR Congo -- once ruled from Brussels as a Belgian colony -- immediately slammed the EU move as an "illegal" throw-back to imperial days, warning it would take unspecified action against them.

Washington had previously targeted several senior figures close to the president and on Monday added Deputy Prime Minister Evariste Boshab and Kalev Mutondo, head of the national intelligence agency, for rights abuses.

Evariste Boshab is one of the senior Congolese officials being targetted by the US sanctions

"The Congolese government continues to undermine democratic processes in the DRC and to repress the political rights and freedoms of the Congolese people, putting the long-term stability and prosperity of the country at risk," the US Treasury said in a statement.

European Union foreign ministers had made clear in October they would go ahead with sanctions if Kabila showed no sign of leaving office when his term ends on December 19.

The 28-nation bloc accordingly hit seven officials with travel bans and asset freezes for their role in the September deaths when the security apparatus "exercised a disproportionate use of force," a statement said.

The seven included army commander Major General Gabriel Amisi Kumba, former inspector of police General John Numbi, and Celestin Kayama, chief of police, who were previously sanctioned by the United States.

- 'Imperial law' -

The bloc also listed Ilunga Kampete, head of the president's Republican Guard; Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, commander of the anti-riot squad; Roger Kibelisa, in charge of internal security and Delphin Kaimbi, alias Kahimbi, who ran military intelligence.

The EU said it would follow developments in DR Congo very closely and further sanctions "may be considered in the event of further violence or the political process being impeded".

It also called on the government to cooperate with a "transparent and independent investigation" to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.

Last week, the Catholic Church launched "reconciliation talks" in an effort to broker a deal between the opposition and Kabila on holding new elections.

The EU wants polls and a new government to ensure stability in DR Congo, a mineral-rich and strife-torn former Belgian colony which sits astride Africa's strategic crossroads.

Kabila first took office in 2001 after the assassination of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila and a 2006 constitutional provision limited the presidency to two terms.

Kinshasa immediately condemned the move.
Saudi police arrest woman for removing veil on Twitter

Police in the Saudi capital said on Monday they had arrested a woman for taking off her veil in public and posting pictures of her daring action on Twitter.

Police spokesman Fawaz al-Maiman did not name the woman, but several websites identified her as Malak al-Shehri, who triggered a huge backlash on social media after posing without the hijab in a main Riyadh street last month.

Maiman said in a statement that the police in the ultra-conservative kingdom acted in line with their duty to monitor "violations of general morals".

Women in Saudi Arabia are expected to cover from head to toe when in public Fayez Nureldine (AFP)

He said the women posted a tweet of herself standing next to a popular Riyadh cafe but without wearing the Islamic headscarf that is required in Saudi society.

The woman, in her 20s, was taken to prison, he said, also accusing her of "speaking openly about prohibited relations with (non-related) men".

"Riyadh police stress that the action of this woman violates the laws applied in this country," Maiman said, urging the public to "adhere to the teachings of Islam".

The oil-rich desert kingdom has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women and is the only country where they are not allowed to drive.
After glitch, NASA satellite launch set for Wednesday

A technical problem has delayed until Wednesday the planned launch of a series of NASA satellites designed to study hurricanes, officials said Monday.

The new, one-hour launch window opens Wednesday at 8:20 am (1320 GMT), said Orbital ATK, the operator of the Stargazer L-1011 aircraft which deploys the Pegasus XL rocket in mid-flight.

On Monday, the Stargazer took off as planned from Cape Canaveral with the rocket attached to its underside, but the in-air launch was foiled by a problem with the hydraulic system that appeared after takeoff.

Orbital ATK's Stargazer L-1011 airplane took off as planned from Cape Canaveral with a rocket attached to its underside, but the in-air launch was foiled by a problem with the hydraulic system that appeared after takeoff. Bill Ingalls (NASA/AFP/File)

After the problem was discovered, the aircraft returned to the Florida launchpad.

Rescheduling to Wednesday "will allow for a replacement L-1011 carrier aircraft component to arrive from Mojave, California, and be installed, as well as support the required crew rest requirements," said a statement from Orbital ATK.

The Stargazer aircraft climbs to a height of 39,000 feet (11,890 meters) -- 10,000 feet higher than Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth -- before dropping the rocket, which then ignites its engines in mid-air and deploys the satellites.

The Pegasus rocket is supposed to launch eight micro-satellites for NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System mission, or CYGNSS.

The satellites "will probe the inner core of hurricanes to learn about their rapid intensification," NASA said.
A robber with a criminal history dating to 1987 was sentenced to 15 years in the Montana State Prison on Monday morning.

Kenneth Clifford Kelly, 61, was charged with felony robbery last year after pulling a gun on a Heights Wendy's store manager and stealing $930.

The robbery occurred on Nov. 19, 2015, when the restaurant's manager was confronted by Kelly claiming to be an undercover police officer, according to court documents. Kelly went into a back room and pulled a gun on the manager and then left with the money.

Kelly was arrested the next day for possessing meth and marijuana. While in jail on the possession charge, he was charged with the Wendy's robbery. Kelly told investigators he'd been on meth during the robbery and needed money after a "string of bad luck."

Kelly's previous convictions include forgery, burglary, robbery, theft, escape and use of a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors recommended Kelly never again be released into society.

Kelly asked for one more chance to get and stay clean.

Kelly's addiction took hold of him, he said. Unlike his previous crimes, he said he felt real remorse for this crime. He was ashamed to be standing before the court, he said.

"I do have an extensive history, I'm not going to make any excuses," Kelly said.

Yellowstone County District Court Judge Russell Fagg sentenced Kelly to five years at the Montana State Prison for the possession charges and 10 years for the robbery.

The sentence included a recommendation that Kelly serve his time at the Nexus Treatment Center, a contracted program for the treatment of male drug offenders.

Nexus is a nine-month program. Over a seven-year period, 75.2 percent of all admissions to Nexus completed their nine-month stay as sentenced. If an offender completes the program during the first three years of their term, the remainder of the term must be suspended. Most offenders spend more like 15 months in the program, according to an Evaluation of Nexus Treatment Center by the Montana Department of Corrections. The last six months are spent at a prerelease center.

About 76 percent of men at Nexus spent some of their lifetime in prison prior to the program, according to a 2013 evaluation of the program.
John Kelly, the Marine General to head Homeland Security

John Kelly, the retired Marine Corps general picked Monday by Donald Trump to be Homeland Security secretary, will take the lead in the new administration's promised fight against Islamic extremists and illegal immigration.

The third former general chosen for President-elect Trump's cabinet, Kelly capped a 45-year military career as head of the US Southern Command, an assignment that immersed him in border security issues, migrant flows and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

That experience -- and his record running large organizations -- will be useful if he is confirmed by Congress to take charge of the Department of Homeland Security, a sprawling bureaucracy responsible for border protection and internal security.

Retired US Marine Corps General John Kelly, pictured in 2014, will have a pivotal figure in carrying out Donald Trump's election promises to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport undocumented immigrants and tighten legal immigration processes MANDEL NGAN (AFP/File)

With 240,000 civil servants, Homeland Security includes the Secret Service, the Coast Guard, immigration and customs enforcement, and the agency that protects airports.

It also has an intelligence arm and an office dedicated to preventing nuclear terrorism.

Those functions would make Kelly a pivotal figure in carrying out Trump's election promises to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport undocumented immigrants and tighten legal immigration processes to screen out potential extremists.

The blunt-talking Kelly is close to retired general James Mattis, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. Kelly served as Mattis's top aide in the 2003 assault on Baghdad that crushed Saddam Hussein's army.

He is also shaped by the experience of having his own son, also a Marine, die in battle. First Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.

A native of Boston, Kelly, 66, enlisted in the Marines when he was 20, spent two years in an infantry company, and then left to go to university.

After graduating he rejoined the Corps as a second lieutenant and rose steadily through a number of positions, including company and battalion commands.

In the late 1990s, he was the Marine Corps commandant's liaison to Congress, the first of two such stints that exposed him to the political give-and-take between the military and legislators.

In 1999, he began a two-year stint as special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in Mons, Belgium.

In 2002-3, as a colonel and then brigadier general, Kelly returned to the 1st Marine Division, serving under then major general Mattis in the successful assault on Baghdad.

Five years later he was back in Iraq for the US occupation, holding two posts over the 2008-2011 period. He earned his fourth star when he was named to head the US Southern Command in 2012, a position he held until retiring in January 2016.

Besides contending with violent drug gangs operating across the region and deep inside the United States, Kelly also was responsible for the prison for war on terror detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The facility still houses 59 men, including the alleged masterminds of the September 11, 2001 attacks, despite President Barack Obama unfulfilled pledge to shut it down.

- Massive security bureaucracy -

Managing the Department of Homeland Security, which was established after the 9/11 attacks, will be a massive task in itself.

Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, recently said it needs a sweeping overhaul.

"It's time to undertake wholesale reform at DHS, including eliminating bureaucratic bloat, scrapping failing offices, and cutting through the red tape," he said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation conservative think tank.
Shakeup at Alexion Pharmaceuticals hits stock price

Shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals plunged Monday after it announced the sudden departure of its chief executive and chief financial officer amid an internal investigation of the pricing of a high-cost drug.

Alexion said it was nearing completion of an internal probe on its pricing of Soliris, which treats rare blood ailments, the annual cost of which is $440,000, according to some estimates.

Alexion said it had not uncovered evidence that would require it to restate financial results.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals CEO David Hallal resigned for "personal reasons" BERTRAND GUAY (AFP/File)

"The Company continues to assess these matters from an accounting, disclosure and internal controls perspective," Alexion said.

Credit Suisse said in a note it was "very surprised" by the management shakeup.

Shares stood at $111.33 in late-morning trading, down 15.7 percent.

Chief executive David Hallal resigned for "personal reasons," while chief financial officer Vikas Sinha left "to pursue other opportunities," the company said. Sinha had delivered a presentation at a Wall Street health conference only last Wednesday.

Alexion said it tapped former AstraZeneca chief executive David Brennan as interim chief executive, while it searches for a permanent leader.

The drugmaker named David Anderson, a former chief financial officer at Honeywell, as chief financial officer.

"With strong new leaders in place, we will continue to be relentlessly focused on serving patients and families with devastating and rare diseases," said Leonard Bell, chairman of the Alexion board.

In November, Alexion announced it would file its quarterly report late to the Securities and Exchange Commission due to an investigation into the pricing prompted by a former employee on Soliris.

The company hired outside counsel to determine "whether Company personnel have engaged in sales practices that were inconsistent with Company policies and procedures and the related disclosure and other considerations raised by such practices."

The company said Monday will file the quarterly report in January or earlier.
'Solitaire' brings Lebanon-Syria tensions to big screen

Therese is a Lebanese mother keen to meet her daughter's groom-to-be but she gets the shock of her life when she hears his Syrian accent.

"Solitaire", which premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival, reflects a history of animosity accumulated over years of Syrian military intervention in neighbouring Lebanon.

It also highlights the mounting tension between Lebanon's small population and the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have fled their own country's devastating war since 2011.

(L to R) Actors Nicole Kamato, Jaber Jokhadar, Serena Chami, director Sophie Boutros and actresses Julia Kassar, and Betty Taoutel pose upon their arrival for the screening of their movie "Solitaire" during 13th Dubai International Film Festival KARIM SAHIB (AFP/File)

Therese's brother was killed in Syrian bombing during 1975-1990 Lebanon's civil war. His portrait on the wall loomed large over Samer and his family as they sat in Therese's living room.

"Send them away to where they came from," she ordered her daughter Ghada, who met Samir in Dubai.

"Your future mother-in-law seems racist!" followed the warning from the Syrian suitor's mother.

For film director Sophie Boutros, the antagonism in her feature film is "rooted in an unpleasant history between the Lebanese and the Syrians during Lebanon's war".

Syria was the powerbroker in Lebanon where it deployed troops for decades until they had to withdraw following ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri's assassination in February 2005, despite its denial of any involvement.

The conflict in Syria over the past five years has sent more than one million Syrians to seek shelter in Lebanon, where they now make up a quarter of the population.

The film is "an observation of something that is real and that we should shed a light on", Boutros told AFP on the red carpet.

Lebanese and Syrian actors star in the 92-minute film, whose script was written jointly by Boutros and Jordan's Nadia Eliewat.

"The timing of the movie is good because of the current tension," said Lebanese actress Betty Taoutel, who plays the role of Ghada's aunt.

"People hate each other sometimes because of politics, despite the fact that we are all victims of these politics," she said.

The movie comes to a climax when Ghada tells Samir he should be grateful that her mother has finally accepted their engagement "despite (him) being Syrian".

At that point, Samir walks out with his family.

Television producer Elie Aramouni said Boutros has managed in her first movie to "strike a balance in a very sensitive story".

"The best thing about Solitaire is that it does not preach. It introduces the problem as is," he said.

Instead of focusing on the problems that distort relations, Solitaire tries to focus on the similarities between the two peoples, including cuisine and music.

"This film brings us closer to each other more than it pushes us apart," said a member of the audience, Zeina al-Sayyed, as she left the theatre.
Western modernity 'not best' for Muslim women: Azhar head

The head of al-Azhar, Egypt's top Sunni authority, said on Monday that the Western concept of modernity is not the "best example" for Muslim women to follow.

"Islam has done justice to the Muslim woman and freed her from shackles and restrictions," said Al-Azhar's grand imam, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb.

Muslim women were "influenced more by tradition and customs than by the precepts of Islam," he told the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliaments in Abu Dhabi.

Egypt's Grand Imam of al-Azhar Mosque, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed al-Tayeb, delivers a speech during the international summit of women parliamentary speakers on December 12, 2016, in Abu Dhabi NEZAR BALOUT (AFP)

The sheikh said that in some ways the situation of women had deteriorated to a pre-Islam state, in an apparent reference to the influence of radical Islamists.

However he insisted that emulating life in the West was not the solution.

"The Western concept of modernity is not the best example to be followed by the rest of the world," he said, acknowledging, however, the "positive aspects" of scientific and humanitarian progress.
Status of main battle fronts in Syria and Iraq

Here are the latest developments on the main battle fronts in Syria and Iraq, as of 1730 GMT on Monday:

SYRIA

- Battle for Aleppo -

Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's Sheikh Saeed district, on December 12, 2016, after troops retook the area from rebel fighters GEORGE OURFALIAN (AFP)

The crucial battle for Aleppo entered what the army called its "final phase" on Monday after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces held more than 90 percent of the onetime opposition stronghold of east Aleppo, a monitor and military official said, and appeared on the verge of retaking the entire city.

An estimated 130,000 people have poured out of east Aleppo since late November, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said on Monday that 10,000 of those had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours.

The government assault on Aleppo has killed at least 415 civilians since it began in mid-November, according to the Observatory.

Another 130 civilians have been killed by rebel fire into the city's west over the same period, it says.

The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities.

- Raqa -

A US-backed alliance said on Saturday it would launch the second phase of its battle for the Islamic State jihadist group's de facto Syrian capital of Raqa, which is east of Aleppo.

Backed by air strikes from the US-led coalition, members of the Syrian Democratic Forces have pushed south from areas near the Turkish border, advancing to within 25 kilometres (15 miles) of the city.

Washington has announced it is sending an additional 200 troops to join the 300 it has already deployed to support the campaign for Raqa.

- Palmyra -

In central Syria, IS recaptured all of the desert city of Palmyra on Sunday, sparking new concerns about the remaining ancient treasures at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

IS retaking Palmyra has given the jihadist group an important propaganda boost as it faces offensives against its two most important bastions -- Raqa and Iraq's Mosul.

The Syrian army backed by air strikes from regime ally Russia had expelled the jihadists from Palmyra in March, after IS first seized the city in May 2015.

IRAQ

- Battle for Mosul -

In Iraq, Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitaries battled IS southwest of Mosul on a front aimed at cutting the jihadists' supply lines to Syria.

Pro-government forces launched an assault on October 17 to eject IS from its last Iraqi stronghold, and they have taken almost half of eastern Mosul.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Service now controls several eastern neighbourhoods and is closing in on the river Tigris that divides the city.

Federal police and interior ministry forces have mostly been fighting on a southern front, which has stalled within striking distance of Mosul airport south of the city.

The United Nations says a total of 90,000 people have been displaced as a result of the Mosul operation.

The collapse of Aleppo's rebel resistance Kun TIAN, Simon MALFATTO, Laurence SAUBADU (AFP)
Two Al-Jazeera journalists deported from Gambia

Two journalists working for the Arabic-language service of international news organisation Al-Jazeera were held by security forces in The Gambia and deported, Gambian and Mauritanian sources told AFP on Monday.

The channel's Mauritania bureau chief Zeinebou Mint Erebih and cameraman Mohamed Ould Beidar were taken away from their upmarket hotel by plainclothes officers and detained on Sunday night, sources close to the journalists said.

They were quickly released and transported to Banjul airport where they were deported to neighbouring Senegal, according to Mauritanian sources.

Al-Jazeera journalists were refused accreditation prior to the December 1 vote won by opposition leader Adama Barrow after 22 years of rule by President Yahya Jammeh FRANCK FIFE (AFP/File)

The pair are believed to have entered the country on Tuesday, five days after a contested presidential election was held.

Al-Jazeera journalists were refused accreditation prior to the December 1 vote won by opposition leader Adama Barrow after 22 years of rule by President Yahya Jammeh, who is now challenging the result.

The network is well known in The Gambia for broadcasting several hard-hitting reports including of street protests in April that led to the jailing of dozens of opposition figures.

Separate sources close to the Gambian communications ministry said the journalists had recently requested an interview with minister Sheriff Bojang, but were told Al-Jazeera was "banned" in the country.
UN urges urges Gambia's Jammeh to meet with mediators

The UN Security Council on Monday urged Gambia's longtime leader Yahya Jammeh to meet with international mediators who have been dispatched to Banjul to persuade him to hand over power.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf along with the presidents of Sierra Leone, Ghana and the UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, are set to arrive in Banjul on Tuesday.

Council members "urge President Jammeh to meet and cooperate with the UN-ECOWAS high-level delegation that will visit Banjul tomorrow," said Spanish Deputy Ambassador Juan Manuel Gonzalez de Linares.

A man walks on a ripped electoral poster of Gambia's outgoing president Yahya Jammeh, in a street of Bijilo, on December 4, 2016 SEYLLOU (AFP/File)

Spain holds the council presidency this month.

The council met behind closed doors at Senegal's request to discuss the crisis over Jammeh's refusal to recognize the outcome of the December 1 election.

Jammeh, in power for 22 years, had accepted defeat a day after the vote, but backtracked a week later, saying he rejected the outcome and calling for a new vote.

US Ambassador Samantha Power said it was a "very dangerous moment" for the West African country, citing reports that some military officers have sided with Jammeh in the standoff.

The Security Council on Saturday released a unanimous statement demanding that Jammeh "transfer, without condition and undue delay, power to President-elect Adama Barrow."

Gonzales said the council "reiterated the full contents" of that statement during their meeting on Monday and called for maximum restraint.

The deputy ambassador said there was no specific discussion of measures to force Jammeh to step down.

"In this moment, our maximum priority is to support the high-level visit that is going to take place tomorrow in Banjul," he said.

The envoys will convey a message to Jammeh on behalf of the African leaders and the United Nations, he said.
Burundi refugees mark anniversary of worst bloodshed

In a church in Rwanda, sobs ring out and candles flicker as refugees from neighbouring Burundi mark a year since one of the deadliest episodes of violence in their crisis-wracked country.

Darcy, 32, is one of about 200 Burundians who gathered to commemorate those killed when an attack on military installations by gunmen opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza lead to a violent crackdown by security forces against those seen as "enemies" of the state.

"They entered homes, killing anything that moved inside. They raped the women they found inside, even though they were state police, soldiers who should have protected the population," said Darcy, who fled Burundi two weeks after the violence of December 11 and 12 last year.

Burundi has a long history of violence between its Hutu and Tutsi communities, which led to a 12-year civil war that ended in 2006

In the church, a weeping woman recounts how her brother was killed in the crackdown.

The rampage of violence in which several witnesses described door-to-door killings in opposition strongholds of the capital Bujumbura, left 87 dead according to the government.

The United Nations estimates the figure could be as high as 200.

"When you see someone you know dead, it is like a nightmare," said Carmel, 19, who fled Burundi with her family in October 2015.

Burundi was plunged into crisis in April 2015 when Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term in office, sparking a failed coup attempt and months of protests that led to a government crackdown, armed attacks and assassinations.

The UN estimates that more than 500 people have been killed and some 300,000 have fled since the crisis began.

A September report by UN rights experts recounted spine-chilling cases of torture and horrific sexual violence, mass arrests and disappearances and warned that "the crime of genocide also looms large".

Burundi has a long history of violence between its Hutu and Tutsi communities, which led to a 12-year civil war that ended in 2006.

Bujumbura has reacted to the mounting criticism by cutting ties with the UN's main human rights body and pulling out of the International Criminal Court (ICC), while slamming a "foreign plot" to destabilise the country.

-'Forgotten' -

The latest effort to get peace talks off the ground ran into trouble on Friday when mediator Benjamin Mkapa -- a former Tanzanian president -- urged the opposition to focus on 2020 polls and not those in 2015, which he said had come to a "legitimate conclusion".

The main umbrella opposition movement, the National Council for the Restoration of Arusha Agreement and Rule of Law (CNARED) -- which is exiled in Brussels -- was furious and asked the United Nations to take over as mediator.

"It really hurts me. I think that the international community, the region, has forgotten Burundi," said former bank employee Serge Barahinduka, 52.
Gary Cohn: another Goldman banker in Trump's inner circle

Gary Cohn, tapped Monday by President-elect Donald Trump to head the White House's National Economic Council, is second-in-command at investment banking giant Goldman Sachs, which he once hoped to lead.

Cohn, 56, has worked on Wall Street since the 1990s and is one the firm's best known public faces. He makes frequent television appearances to talk about the health of financial markets and the global economy.

Before joining the Wall Street powerhouse, the married father of three -- who comes from a humble family background and struggled with dyslexia in his youth -- started out selling windows and worked in the steel industry.

Goldman Sachs president and COO Gary Cohn has worked on Wall Street since the 1990s and is one the firm's best known public faces Bryan R. Smith (AFP/File)

At Goldman, Cohn was in charge of some of the firm's cash-cow businesses, including the division overseeing fixed income, currency and commodities. As president and chief operating officer, he has been heir apparent to CEO Lloyd Blankfein since 2006.

But after it became clear that Blankfein, who announced early this year he was "probably cured" of lymphoma, would not hand over the reins any time soon, senior figures in the bank began to consider Cohn's future there, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

- A Goldman government? -

Cohn's selection for the Trump administration will require a new line of succession within Goldman, and the bank could take advantage of the opportunity to promote a new generation of leaders.

It doubtless also will fuel criticism that Trump's inner circle is packed with Goldman alumni, with Cohn being the fourth to join.

Trump already had picked Steven Mnuchin to lead the Treasury Department, and Steve Bannon as chief strategist in the White House, while Anthony Scaramucci is a member of Trump's transition team, all former Goldman bankers.

The nominations fly in the face of Trump's attitude toward the bank on the campaign trail, when he attacked rival Hillary Clinton's ties to it.

In the campaign's closing moments, Trump went as far as to use Blankfein's face in a TV spot accusing elites of illegitimately holding the "levers of power," drawing outraged accusations of anti-Semitism.

But the bank's shares have soared more than 32 percent since Trump's shock triumph at the polls last month over Clinton -- a $24 billion capital gain in about a month.

Two former Treasury secretaries were Goldman alumni: Robert Rubin and Henry Paulson, under the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

- Top economic advisor -

Clinton established the National Economic Council in 1993 to advise the president on domestic and global economic policy, and named Rubin to head the body. Larry Summers and Larry Lindsey were subsequent leaders.

President Barack Obama's NEC director is Jeffrey Zients.

Trump has promised tax cuts, boosts to infrastructure spending and the return of industrial jobs to the United States, all while dismantling the post-crisis financial reforms of the Obama administration and calling US trade agreements into serious doubt.

He said Cohn will be his key advisor.

"As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people," Trump said in a statement.

"He will help craft economic policies that will grow wages for our workers, stop the exodus of jobs overseas and create many great new opportunities for Americans who have been struggling."

Cohn, who during the campaign had been a supporter of Florida Senator Marco Rubio, but who also contributed to Democrats in the past, said he was honored to be chosen.
Haiti police say officer killed at his home by gang members

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  Officials in Haiti say a rookie police officer was fatally attacked at his home by gang members wielding machetes.

Police spokesman Garry Desrosiers says the young officer was attacked Sunday at his home in Petionville, a hillside district above the capital of Port-au-Prince.
An active-duty U.S. Army sergeant awaiting trial for the rape of a 17-year-old girl was granted permission Monday to travel out of the country for Christmas.

Marcial Mejia Jr., 34, was charged in September 2015 with sexual intercourse without consent. His trial is set for March 2017.

Mejia appeared Monday before Yellowstone County District Court Judge Russell Fagg and requested permission to travel to Mexico for Christmas. Mejia will sign an international extradition waiver before traveling out of the country.

Mejia will face serious charges for going AWOL from the military if he does not return, Fagg said. For that reason, Fagg granted the request.

Mejia will be in Mexico from Dec. 20-28.

According to court documents, Mejia was arrested after a 17-year-old girl said Mejia had raped her three years earlier and that she had contracted chlamydia from the assault.

The girl said she never reported the incident, but that Mejia had contacted her sister over Facebook, and she was concerned he was assaulting other women.

The girl said Mejia had messaged her over Facebook three years ago and told her he was new in town and wanted to meet people. He gave her his number, and one evening when she needed a ride she called him and he picked her up.

Mejia, employed by the military as a supply sergeant, was wearing his military uniform when he arrived. The girl said she felt like he was trustworthy because of this, so when he invited her into his house instead of taking her home, she accepted.

According to documents, the girl said Mejia told her he wasnt going to take her home until she took care of him. Mejia then allegedly raped her.

The detectives investigating the case confirmed the girl was treated for chlamydia in 2013.
Homeless advocate who lost leg returns to LA's Skid Row

LOS ANGELES (AP)  A homeless advocate who lost his leg to the streets has returned to Skid Row in a wheelchair.

The Rev. Andy Bales rolled through the area nine weeks after his lower right leg was amputated.

He has diabetes and developed a leg blister that made him more prone to infections. His leg became infected with E. coli, streptococcus and staphylococcus that doctors say he probably picked up from Skid Row, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported (http://bit.ly/2gpeUvP).

In this Nov. 9, 2016, photo, Union Rescue Mission CEO The Rev. Andy Bales poses for a photo outside the mission in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. Bales has diabetes and developed a leg blister that made him more prone to infections. His leg became infected with E. coli, streptococcus and staphylococcus that doctors say he probably picked up from Skid Row, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported. (Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News via AP)

Bales, 58, is CEO of Union Rescue Mission, the city's oldest and largest homeless shelter.

He had been making daily walks around the downtown area where the homeless, drug-addicted and mentally ill congregate. On Friday, Bales rolled through an area strewn with trash, lined with tents and running with urine.

He came up to another wheelchair occupied by Donovan Figgers and gave him a high-five.

"He's cool," said Figgers, 48, who is missing a right leg and has been living on the streets for nearly a dozen years.

"I resemble Job," Bales said, referring to the biblical figure. "I've had some heart attacks. A kidney transplant. Spent two years in a wheelchair before the amputation. I know the Redeemer lives. I'd give my other leg and more if we could get a roof over everyone's head."

Bales noted the soaring number of homeless people in Los Angeles, which is suffering a severe housing shortage and has an estimated 28,000 people living in cars or on the street. The Union Rescue Mission alone is housing around 1,300 people daily, including many women  about double what it handled last year.

Last month, Los Angeles voters approved a $1.2 billion bond measure to pay for long-term housing and services for the homeless. On Tuesday, Los Angeles County supervisors voted to put a measure on the March ballot that asks voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax to help fund supportive services for the homeless. There are an estimated 47,000 homeless people in the county.

However, Bales said the city and county aid will help only a percentage of homeless and could take years to complete. He called on officials to issue a state of emergency to free up immediate resources, especially with cold weather coming.

Bales wants the city to permit regulated tent cities, allow churches to open up parking lots to people living in vehicles, and convert unused buildings into emergency shelters.

"New York puts a roof immediately over 90 percent of people experiencing homelessness, and is embarrassed about the 10 percent on the streets," said Bales. "We, in turn, put a roof over 25 percent and are not embarrassed about the 75 percent on the street."

"The answer is immediate shelter," he said. "You can't leave a precious human being on the streets."
Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea

BANGKOK (AP)  A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves:

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest key developments in the South China Sea, home to several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region.

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2016, file photo, protesters burn a mock American flag during a protest against the planned joint US-Philippines military exercise in central Philippines in front of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines. The Philippines has again thumbed its nose at the U.S., its longtime defense ally, saying it won't be used as a springboard for U.S. ships and planes conducting operations that challenge China in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File )

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PHILIPPINES DOESN'T WANT TO BE USED FOR U.S. FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION MISSIONS

The Philippines has again thumbed its nose at the U.S., its longtime defense ally, saying it won't be used as a springboard for U.S. ships and planes conducting operations that challenge China in the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the Philippines will not allow its territory to be used as a staging ground for U.S. patrols  a possible departure from the current policy that allows U.S. aircraft, ships and submarines access to designated Philippine military bases under a 2014 defense agreement.

Lorenzana said U.S. ships and planes can use Guam or Okinawa in Japan for South China Sea missions. But he said they can still refuel and resupply in the Philippines after conducting such maneuvers, not before.

State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said she could not comment on Lorenzana's remarks as she hadn't seen them, but added: "Our adherence to freedom of navigation is well known. You know, we will fly, we will sail anywhere within international waters and we will continue that."

Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, the commander of the U.S. Army's I Corps who leads international military exercises in the Pacific, said that the U.S. military was prepared to change next year's joint exercises with the Philippines to humanitarian and disaster relief training.

"If we change the training, we would probably look at putting a different force and a different capability in the Philippines versus the initial one that had been planned to go there," he told Voice of America, referring to the initial focus on the Philippines' territorial defense.

President Rodrigo Duterte has reached out to China to try to smooth over the territorial disputes. He also said he wants to scale back the Philippines' military engagements with the U.S., including scuttling a plan to carry out joint patrols with the U.S. Navy in the disputed waters, which he said China opposes.

But Manila still continues to rely on Washington. On Friday, the Philippine navy took delivery of a third frigate decommissioned from the U.S. Coast Guard.

___

US, CHINA REACT TO VIETNAM'S REPORTED ISLAND DREDGING

The United States has called on Vietnam and other claimants to refrain from reclamation and militarization activities in contested South China Sea waters following reports that Hanoi has carried out dredging on one of the features it occupies in the Spratlys.

State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters that the U.S. is aware of the reports.

"We have consistently warned that reclamation and militarization in contested areas of the South China Sea will risk driving a destabilizing and escalatory trend. We encourage all claimants to take steps to lower tensions and peacefully resolve differences," she said.

Vietnam's government has not commented on satellite imagery purportedly showing dredging activities inside a channel on Ladd Reef, about 15 nautical miles (28 kilometers) west of Spratly Island where Hanoi recently began extending a runway and building hangers. It wasn't clear if the latest activity was meant as repair or construction work.

Ladd Reef, which is submerged at high tide, has a lighthouse, which also serves as quarters for Vietnamese troops.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang urged Vietnam to "respect China's sovereignty and rights, stop illegal invasion and construction activities, and not to take actions that could complicate the situation."

He repeated Friday that China has "indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea.

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CHINA WARNS BRITAIN AGAINST SOUTH CHINA SEA PATROLS

China has reacted angrily to Britain's announcement that its four Typhoon fighter jets on a training visit to Japan will patrol the skies over the East and South China sea, where Beijing is embroiled in territorial disputes with neighbors.

The British ambassador in Washington, Kim Darroch, also said last week that his government plans to conduct freedom of navigation operations involving its newest aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, when it becomes operational in 2020. He said that Britain "absolutely shares" the U.S. objective to protect freedom of navigation in what it considers international waters despite China's claiming virtually the entire South China Sea as its territory.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, in an opinion piece, said Darroch was perhaps trying to impress his Japanese colleague and that his remarks create the impression that London may soon deviate from "a largely aloof attitude" toward the South China Sea issue and start to meddle like the U.S. and Japan.

"Should a British warplane embark on a so-called 'freedom of navigation' mission in the South China Sea, it would only serve to further complicate the issue and weigh on thriving China-Britain ties," Xinhua said.

It says China has never denied any legitimate passage of ships or planes in the area.

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CHINA ADDS SECOND CRUISE IN THE PARACELS

China is adding a second cruise ship to the Paracel Islands, a tropical paradise of pristine beaches and little else.

The new cruise ship called Nanhai Zhi Meng will start its maiden four-day voyage in late December from Sanya, a port on southern Hainan Island, to Yinyu, Quanfu and Yagong islands in the Paracels, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

The first cruise was launched in April 2013 and so far has attracted 23,000 Chinese tourists.

The tours only serve islands with no military installations and are only open to Chinese nationals. Unlike the largest island in the Paracels, Woody Island, which is also an administrative center founded in 2012, the coral reefs on the cruise tour have no accommodation or any significant infrastructure.

Prices range from $580 to $1,450 per person.

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Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, and Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow Hrvoje Hranjski at www.twitter.com/hatbangkok

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2016, file photo, protesters display placards during a protest against the planned joint US-Philippines military exercise in central Philippines in front of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines. The Philippines has again thumbed its nose at the U.S., its longtime defense ally, saying it won't be used as a springboard for U.S. ships and planes conducting operations that challenge China in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
'La La Land,' 'Moonlight' among winners at Critics Choice

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP)  "La La Land" earned the best picture prize at the Critics Choice Awards, which kicked off awards show season a bit earlier than usual Sunday night.

Other big winners included Casey Affleck for best actor for "Manchester by the Sea" and Natalie Portman for her role as Jacqueline Kennedy in "Jackie."

Viola Davis was honored with the first-ever #SEEHER Award, which is an outgrowth of an effort to eliminate bias against women in entertainment.

Amy Adams, right, presents Viola Davis with the #SEEHER award at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The "How to Get Away With Murder" star remarked in an emotional acceptance speech that "it's hard to accept being a role model for women when you're trying to lose weight." Davis said she has overcome her initial apprehension of the taking on the role in the ABC drama because she thought she would have to conform to preconceived notions of body image and style.

"I truly believe that the privilege of a lifetime is being who you are, and I just recently embraced that at 51," said Davis, who also won an award for her supporting work in the film "Fences."

"Silicon Valley" star T.J. Miller hosted for the second straight year and avoided discussing his Friday night arrest. Police say Miller slapped a car service driver on the head after remarks about President-elect Donald Trump.

The awards were moved up by a month from its traditional mid-January slot. The move gave them an edge over the Golden Globes, which announces nominees Monday and hands out its trophies on Jan. 8.

The big winners at the show include:

IN THE FILM CATEGORIES

 "La La Land" for best picture.

 Casey Affleck for best actor for his lead role in "Manchester by the Sea."

 Natalie Portman for best actress for her lead role in "Jackie."

 Mahershala Ali for his supporting role in "Moonlight."

 Viola Davis for her supporting role in "Fences"

IN THE TELEVISION CATEGORIES

 Courtney B. Vance for his "The People v. O. J. Simpson" role as Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran.

 Donald Glover as lead actor in a comedy series for his role in "Atlanta."

 Thandie Newton as supporting actress in a drama series for her role in the "Westworld."

___

Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/

Damien Chazelle poses in the press room with the awards for best picture and best director for "La La Land" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Damien Chazelle poses in the press room with the awards for best picture and best director for "La La Land" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Larry Karaszewski, foreground from left, Courtney B. Vance, Nina Jacobson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ryan Murphy, John Travolta, Sarah Paulson, Sterling K. Brown and Scott Alexander pose in the press room with the award for best movie made for television or limited series for "The People v. O.J. Simpson" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Director Damien Chazelle, center, accepts the award for best picture for "La La Land" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. Pictured on stage from left, Gary Gilbert, Jordan Horowitz, Mary Zophres, Emma Stone, and Ryan Gosling. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Ryan Murphy, from left, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Sarah Paulson wave as the cast and crew of "The People v. O.J. Simpson," winners of the award for best movie made for television or limited series, walk off stage at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Kristian Nairn accepts the award for best drama series for "Game of Thrones" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Gary Gilbert, from left, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Damien Chazelle, Jordan Horowitz, Justin Hurwitz, and Mary Zophres pose in the press room with the award for best picture for "La La Land" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Sterling K. Brown poses in the press room with the award for best supporting actor in a movie made for television or limited series for "The People v. O.J. Simpson" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Sterling K. Brown poses in the press room with the award for best supporting actor in a movie made for television or limited series for "The People v. O.J. Simpson" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Casey Affleck poses in the press room with the award for best actor for "Manchester by the Sea" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Host T.J. Miller, left, and Kate Miller pose in the press room at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Host T.J. Miller speaks in the press room at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Justin Hurwitz poses in the press room with the awards for best song for "City of Stars," and best picture for "La La Land," at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Emma Stone, left, and Ryan Gosling, winners of the award for best picture for "La La Land," pose in the press room at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Keith Stanfield, right, from "Atlanta," interrupts as Leslie Mann, from left, and Christian Slater present the award for best comedy series to "Silicon Valley" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Casey Affleck accepts the award for best actor for "Manchester by the Sea" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Simon Kinberg, left, and Ryan Reynolds accept the award for best comedy for "Deadpool" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

John Travolta presents the award for best picture at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Kylie Bunbury arrives at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Justin Hurwitz accepts the award for best song for "City of Stars" from "La La Land" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Tom Lassally accepts the award for best comedy series for "Silicon Valley" at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Top GOP leaders back congressional probes of Russia hacking

WASHINGTON (AP)  Congress' top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIA's belief that Russia meddled in last month's election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.

Meanwhile, Trump said he would announce his choice for secretary of state Tuesday morning. He has chosen Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, two people close to Trump's transition said Monday night, insisting on anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the decision ahead of that announcement.

Congressional GOP leaders steered toward a path contrasting starkly with the president-elect's belittling dismissal of the CIA and his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The Russians are not our friends," declared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The Senate's intelligence panel, led by Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct a bipartisan inquiry, according to McConnell, who also expressed support for a related probe by the Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Though declining to say whether he believes Russia tried tilting the election toward Trump, McConnell said, "I hope that those who are going to be in positions of responsibility in the new administration share my view" about Moscow.

Shortly afterward, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a statement backing an investigation the House Intelligence Committee has already started on cyber threats posed by foreign countries and extremist groups. He called any Russian intervention "especially problematic because under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests."

Underscoring the possible collisions ahead between Trump and the men leading his party in Congress, McConnell and Ryan struck tones markedly more confrontational toward Russia than he has.

Trump on Sunday called the CIA's contention "ridiculous" and blamed the disclosures concerning its assessment on Democrats who he said were embarrassed over losing last month's election.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., released a letter Monday to National Intelligence Director James Clapper complaining that recent reports of the CIA's conclusion clashed with Clapper's prior statement that he lacked "good insight" about the connection between Russian hacking of Democratic campaign documents and their release by WikiLeaks. Nunes requested a briefing on the subject for this week.

The GOP leaders expressed their views after a weekend in which Trump also said he would not need daily intelligence briefings, a staple of presidents' days for decades and a flouting of a convention common for presidential transitions.

The president-elect continued his cavalcade of meetings in his Trump Tower offices in New York on Monday with potential appointees for his new administration and other leading GOP, congressional and corporate figures. Among them was Carly Fiorina, who unsuccessfully vied with Trump this year for their party's nomination.

Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, was there to discuss national security issues and is seen by some Trump advisers as a candidate to be director of national intelligence, overseeing the government's 17 intelligence agencies. She chaired an external CIA advisory board under President George W. Bush but has not worked for the federal government.

Fiorina said her conversation with Trump included "hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking."

Others meeting with Trump included moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, No. 3 House GOP leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another GOP presidential contender whom Trump defeated.

The campaign chairman for defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged the Obama administration Monday to reveal what it knows about any Russian efforts to help Trump win. John Podesta, whose emails were stolen and posted online, said the administration "owes it to the American people" to release details of the intrusions, which included the hacking of Democratic Party files.

Podesta said the Clinton campaigns also supports a call by 10 of the 538 members of the Electoral College for Clapper to provide information that intelligence agencies have gathered on the subject.

All 10 are unlikely to vote for Trump when the Electoral College meets next Monday. Nine are Democrats, and Texas Republican Chris Suprun has said he won't vote for Trump.

Other Democrats calling for congressional investigations of Russia's role in the elections include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

"There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions," she said.

McConnell said he has "the highest confidence" in U.S. intelligence agencies and said it "defies belief" that Senate Republicans would be reluctant to scrutinize Russian tactics. He recounted Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, said Baltic nation leaders are nervous about Moscow and pointedly praised NATO, the alliance that Trump criticized repeatedly during his campaign.

"I think we ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well," McConnell said.

In a nod to the Trump assertion about Democrats' motives, Ryan said the congressional inquiries "should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election."

As expected, Trump's transition team formally announced he would name Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, 56, to head the White House National Economic Council. The council provides policy advice to the president.

Trump's team also said he'd picked Gen. John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly is a former commander of U.S. Southern Command.

___

AP White House Correspondent Julie Pace and reporter Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., arrives in Trump Tower, in New York, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

General Michael Flynn, left, greets a visitor in the Trump Tower lobby, in New York, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The new giant panda cubs at the Atlanta zoo now have names.

Zoo Atlanta announced that the twin cubs' names are Ya Lun and Xi Lun. The names were revealed at a naming celebration Monday, their 100th day of life, in accordance with Chinese tradition.

The zoo says Ya means elegant and Xi means happy. Lun is a reference to the cubs' mother, Lun Lun.

Happy naming day: Giant panda twins Ya Lun (right) and Xi Lun were named at a celebration on Monday at Zoo Atlanta, in accordance with Chinese tradition

'We're thrilled to announce two beautiful and meaningful names for two healthy, thriving, 100-day-old giant panda cubs, said Raymond B. King, President and CEO.

'This is a celebration we share with the City of Atlanta, our longtime partners at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, and with our Zoo Atlanta family, which includes friends and fans from around the world.

'As we wish Ya Lun and Xi Lun well today, we celebrate the future of their species together.'

The zoo offered online voting to let the public choose among seven sets of names supplied by a panda conservation center in Chengdu, China.

The zoo said that Ya means elegant and Xi means happy. Lun is a reference to the cubs' mother, Lun Lun

Voting ran from November 21 through December 4, and more than 23,400 votes were recorded.

The cubs are expected to make their public debut in the coming weeks.

They were born on September 3, 2016, and are still learning to walk.

It's estimated that fewer than 1,900 giant pandas remain in the wild in China's Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.
EU signs deal with Mali to boost return of migrants

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union has signed an agreement with Mali to boost the return of asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected in the first such deal with an African nation to persuade refugees to stay closer to home.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, who signed on behalf of the EU, said that "only through his kind of cooperation we can tackle the problem of migration at its roots."

Officials said Monday that the agreement is an integral part of the EU's attempt to manage its biggest refugee emergency since World War II. The deal includes agreements to improve employment opportunities in Mali and cooperation with authorities to tackle human trafficking networks.
Smuggler or survivor? Migrants forced to help, face arrest

PACHINO, Sicily (AP)  All migrant Marc Samie has of his fiancee is a picture in his mind. Louise, seven and a half months pregnant, is standing silently on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers force him at gunpoint into a rubber dinghy with a compass.

The armed men had ordered Samie to hold the compass and a satellite phone for navigation on the journey to Italy. He refused. So they fired a Kalashnikov at the ground between his legs, and told him to take the compass or they would kill the couple. They said she would be on the next boat.

That was last July, and he hasn't laid eyes on her since. But instead of being treated as a victim in Italy, Samie was arrested by police and charged with facilitating illegal immigration.

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, Marc Samie sits by the sea in Pachino, Sicily. All Marc Samie has of Louise is a picture in his mind. Louise, his 19-year-old fiance, seven and a half months pregnant with their child, standing silent on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers forced him into a rubber dinghy at gunpoint. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Samie, a 21-year-old from Togo, is one of hundreds of migrants who are caught up in the Italian legal system as police, prosecutors and judges struggle to combat human trafficking. They are the victims of a new tactic where professional smugglers avoid being caught by forcing migrants, many of them minors, to take the helm of the boats.

Almost every day, Italian officials detain men accused of driving the boats, but don't know if they are traffickers or migrants. While overall numbers are not available, 179 smugglers  26 of them minors  were detained this year at the port of Pozzallo alone, where Samie came in. That compares to 147 last year.

In another port, Augusta, more than 190 smugglers have been arrested so far this year, according to police. And in Catania district, trafficking arrests have risen dramatically from 13 in 2013 to 79 as of August.

Police are well aware that they aren't reaching the criminals who are behind the trafficking and reaping the profits. To date, Italian police haven't obtained the arrest of a migrant trafficker in Libya, said Andrea Bonomo, deputy prosecutor for Catania.

"(We are) making the arrests at what I would define as the lowest level, the so-called smugglers, the ones who drive the boats and who are often migrants," he said. "They risk their lives together with the others."

There are no numbers on convictions. But smugglers can get five to 15 years in prison, Bonomo added.

In early November, police stood in the port of Augusta watching hundreds of migrants disembark from a navy rescue ship. Interpreters interviewed them to try to figure out who was driving the boats and holding the compasses.

Trafficking organizations in Libya now make cheap dinghies that can only last for eight to nine hours in the water before they sink, Marshal Tonio Panzanaro said. The traffickers then take what he calls "last-minute" smugglers, migrants who are sometimes given a free ride, and make them drive the boat. Behind it all is a "huge movement of money," he noted, with professional traffickers earning 100,000 euros ($105,000) from a dinghy that costs just 2,000 ($2,100).

"Our problem is that we know how they are operating in Libya, but since there is no government we can't take the final step, that of arresting the organizers," he said.

Not all boat drivers and navigators are treated as smugglers. On Sept. 7, Gigi Modica, a judge in Palermo threw out the case against two accused smugglers, a Somali and a Gambian. The men were driving and holding the compass on a rubber dinghy with 118 migrants on board. A dozen passengers died, and the men were accused of multiple manslaughter.

Modica concluded that the two presumed smugglers were actually migrants forced by armed Libyans to drive the boat. Neither seemed to have any experience, they spoke different languages and they couldn't communicate with one another. In his statement, he wrote that they had been threatened with death, and he ordered them to be freed immediately.

Modica said Libyan traffickers are choosing sub-Saharan Africans to drive the boats and take the compasses. He said defendants had told of friends being killed by traffickers because they refused to lead the boats.

He added that it is clear when those directing the boat aren't the real smugglers.

"They are weak. They are fragile. They are scared. They can only talk with lots of difficulty," he said. "It's evident that they aren't part of the problem. They are a victim of the problem."

In the small Sicilian town of Pachino, eight young African men live in a home run by an organization called Open Europe. Like Samie, many of them were accused of either driving the boat or holding the compass. Several received expulsion orders.

The organization allowed The Associated Press to talk to a Gambian who says he is 15 years old, on condition that his name not be used because he is a minor.

He was on the beach in Libya waiting to climb into a dinghy when armed men told him he had to hold the compass. He replied that he didn't even know how to use a compass. They threatened to kill him, and beat him with a pipe. He slides up the sleeve of his green sweat suit to reveal a 6-centimeter (2-inch) scar.

"I got inside the boat before they killed me and my mother wouldn't see me again," he said.

When he arrived in Italy, he was arrested and held for 15 days before receiving an expulsion order, which he is appealing.

Samie also spent 15 days in jail before he was asked to sign an expulsion order. He then headed back to the port in search of news of Louise, but there was nothing.

He is now appealing his expulsion order. In the meantime, he has sent off various emails to organizations, looking for Louise. He has no idea if she is alive or gave birth to their baby.

"The last time I saw her, she cried," he said. "I just said to her, we'll meet here ... I will wait for her."

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, 15-year-old migrant boy from Gambia, interviewed on condition of anonymity, shows a scar where he says he was beaten with a pipe by Libyan traffickers who forced him to act as compass man on a rubber dinghy used to smuggle illegal immigrants, in Pachino. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, Marc Samie watches the sea in Pachino, Sicily. All Marc Samie has of Louise is a picture in his mind. Louise, his 19-year-old fiance, seven and a half months pregnant with their child, standing silent on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers forced him into a rubber dinghy at gunpoint. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, Dampha, left, and Marc Samie, who were forced to hold the compass and then accused of being smugglers after arriving to Italy, write in Italian on a blackboard in the kitchen of their home in Pachino, Sicily. Almost every day Italian officials detain men accused of driving the boats, but are they smugglers or are they victims? (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, Marc Samie sits on a sofa in Pachino, Sicily. All Marc Samie has of Louise is a picture in his mind. Louise, his 19-year-old fiance, seven and a half months pregnant with their child, standing silent on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers forced him into a rubber dinghy at gunpoint. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, Marc Samie watches the sea in Pachino, Sicily. All Marc Samie has of Louise is a picture in his mind. Louise, his 19-year-old fiance, seven and a half months pregnant with their child, standing silent on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers forced him into a rubber dinghy at gunpoint. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Srebrenica massacre trial opening postponed in Serbia

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  The opening of the landmark trial of eight former Bosnian Serb police officers charged with taking part in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre was postponed Monday, reflecting hurdles in attempts to bring war crimes suspects to justice by Serbian courts.

The long-awaited trial at the War Crimes court in Belgrade is seen as a test of Serbia's pledge to deal with its wartime past and an important step in Balkan reconciliation efforts more than two decades after the Bosnian war ended.

Monday was supposed to be the first day of the trial. But it was interrupted over defense lawyers' demand for the replacement of the presiding three-judge panel, which rejected their request to reveal the names of protected witnesses.

Family members of killed Bosnian Muslim men and boys arrive at the special court building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Eight former Bosnian Serb special police troops went on trial Monday in Serbia charged with taking part in the massacre of thousands of Muslims in Srebrenica in 1995 - a landmark proceedings testing the Balkan country's proclaimed pledge to deal with its wartime past. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A ruling on the defense motion is expected by Tuesday.

The proceedings will mark the first time that a Serbian court will deal with the killing of around 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb troops  Europe's worst single atrocity since World War II.

Serbia has pledged to punish war criminals to advance toward EU membership. Its current nationalist government has faced criticism for stalling on the pledge.

The eight suspects are charged with participating in the killing of hundreds of Muslims in a warehouse in Kravica, a village outside Srebrenica, as they tried to escape the Serb onslaught.

Around 1,300 were crammed into the warehouse in the village and then killed with grenades and machine guns in a rampage that lasted all night.

The group was apprehended more than a year ago. They were later released despite the gravity of the charges, pending the start of the trial, which has been repeatedly delayed over legal procedures.

"The criminals were allowed to come to the trial as if they were witnesses. They walk free and live normally in Serbia," said Munira Subasic, head of the Mothers of Srebrenica group, who came to Belgrade to monitor the trial.

"I don't have any expectations from this trial," said Subasic, whose son was killed in the Kravica warehouse.

Among the suspects is a special police unit commander, Nedeljko Milidragovic, also known as "Nedjo the Butcher," accused of ordering the killings.

Experts have warned that other war crimes trials in Serbia also have been marred by legal hurdles, slow proceedings and overturned verdicts in a number of cases, enabling suspects to remain free for years.

"I believe the justice system is convenient for them (war criminals)," Milica Kostic, of the Humanitarian Law Center group, recently told The Associated Press. "There is not a single aspect (of war crimes trials) without serious problems."

For nearly a year, Serbia's nationalist government has failed to appoint a chief war crimes prosecutor after the previous one, Vladimir Vukcevic, retired in January.

Vukcevic was instrumental in the capture of the accused masterminds of the Srebrenica massacres  Bosnian Serb political and military leaders, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. They were charged with genocide at the Netherlands-based U.N. war crimes court, but many Serbs still view them as heroes.

The tribunal's chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, criticized Serbia at the U.N. Security Council last week for the refusal to hand over three ultranationalist politicians sought in contempt of the court.

Brammertz said that "there is little evidence Serbia is implementing its commitments to support war crimes prosecutions."

A Bosnian Muslim woman waits for the start of a trial in front of the Serbia's War Crimes court building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Eight former Bosnian Serb special police troops went on trial Monday in Serbia charged with taking part in the massacre of thousands of Muslims in Srebrenica in 1995 - 2a landmark proceedings testing the Balkan country's proclaimed pledge to deal with its wartime past. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Greece's Tsipras to meet Germany's Merkel in Berlin Friday

BERLIN (AP)  The German government says Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will travel to Berlin this week to discuss the migrant situation, Cyprus and Greece's financial issues with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said Monday that the meeting will take place on Friday.

She said that major issues would include negotiations on the future of Cyprus; migrants and relations between the European Union and Greece's eastern neighbor, Turkey; and "on the margins," the financial and economic situation.

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. Greek parliament votes on 2017 budget, as the country's left-wing government is still negotiating a new series of cost-cutting reforms that are expected to remove protection measures for private sector jobs and distressed mortgage holders. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Nicole Walksalong was at her sons school in Billings last December when she took a break and saw on Facebook that police had found a body at the Super 8 motel in Missoula. Her heart skipped a beat. Her mother had worked there for the past 21 years, and barely ever missed a day. Unable to reach her mom, she texted other family members, but they hadnt heard anything. So she went on with her day.

The sinking feeling became more acute when her husband called to tell her a police officer had stopped by their house to do a welfare check. When she got home, the officer circled the block and then came to the door, asking for Walksalong by name. He started to talk, explaining his role and that there had been an incident in Missoula. Before he finished, Walksalong collapsed on the floor, screaming.

Most people in Missoula really only knew two things about Lonette Keehner: that she was stabbed to death by a meth-fueled killer and that she worked as a housekeeper at the Super 8.

For Walksalong, the injustice of her mothers murder was aggravated by the fact that the details of her rich, full life  her unwavering devotion to her children, her Native American heritage and her contagious laugh  were lost in the reporting of her death. Lonette Keehner became simply the name of a victim. In the minds of many, she was a murdered housekeeper. For Walksalong, that exacerbated the tragedy.

In the days and weeks after the attack on Dec. 21, 2015, the stories were focused on the details of the crime and the backgrounds of the two people arrested for her murder.

Scott Austin Price, a Great Falls man with white supremacist ties, pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide and other crimes. His accomplice, Sara Rae McKnight, also pleaded guilty in May to deliberate homicide.

Prosecutors say both admitted they were on meth when they went to the motel looking for a car to steal and found Keehner cleaning a room. Keehners last moments  forced into a bathtub by a drug-addled stranger with a knife  surely were spent in terror. She died even after volunteering her car keys.

The bloody knife tied Price and McKnight to the murder, and the two were tracked down in Idaho. Last week, Price was sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing a 78-year-old Miles City man, Ed Martin, a week before he came to Missoula.

On Monday, Price and McKnight are scheduled to be sentenced in a Missoula courtroom for murdering Keehner.

As much as the crime shocked the Missoula community, where murders are extremely rare, it was unimaginable for Walksalong.

After the police broke the news to her, she and her husband piled their four children into the car and raced to Missoula, making it by 2 a.m.

My 6-year-old daughter took it the hardest, Walksalong said. I just had to tell her that Grandmas an angel now.

Walksalong wants people to know how much her mother meant to the family and that she was more than just a victim of a random, inexplicable crime.

Lonette Marie (Sangsland) Keehner was 56 when she died. She was born a triplet, actually the first set of triplets born to the Blackfeet Nation. She and one of her sisters were adopted together and spent as many birthdays as possible with each other. Lonette and her husband, Dave Keehner, settled in Missoula, where they raised Walksalong and her siblings. Walksalong graduated from Big Sky High School in 2005 before attending Rocky Mountain College.

Mom was really involved, she said. We would get home from school and right away have to sit down and do our homework. Mom would have us do work out of workbooks, and we would go to the library all the time. She would check out books and read to us.

Putting others first

Keehner had an associates degree, and she pushed her kids to work hard and get a college education.

She worked as a housekeeper at Super 8 for 21 years, Walksalong said. I think she was maybe sick once in the 21 years she worked there. But she mentioned that specifically. She told us, 'Get an education because you dont want to do the work that I do.'"

Walksalong said her mother never complained about work, and even won a regional award  and was featured in local newspapers  for her bed-making speed and precision.

She did the work that nobody wanted to do, and it was for her family, Walksalong recalled. I hated that job. I wanted her to quit. I would tell her, 'Just take time off and Ill pay your salary.' But she didnt want to. She thought of the other girls. She didnt want to leave the other girls with more work. She always put others before her. She was a great person. She was so much more than just a housekeeper. She was smart and she was full of life.

Walksalong paints a portrait of a kind woman who liked to go fishing or four-wheeling and who barbecued with her husband almost every day.

My mom wanted  despite living in Missoula and being raised in a non-Native home  she suggested we go back and get in touch with our culture, Walksalong said. She introduced me to powwow dancing. My mom made my first dress. So I continue that tradition with my children, having them dance.

Walksalong admits she was far from perfect during her rebellious teenage years.

I definitely put my parents through a lot of stuff growing up, she said. I would sneak out and party. But my parents always pushed the education. So when I got a full-ride scholarship to Rocky (Mountain College) and earned my college degree, it was a big deal for me to do all this despite what mistakes I had made. They were both really proud.

Walksalong began in October as the Indian Child Welfare Act program coordinator for Yellowstone County's Court Appointed Special Advocates. Part of her job is helping agencies and programs understand the cultural background of Native American children.

Details overlooked

After Keehner's death, Walksalong said she wasnt surprised that her mothers life was boiled down to the bare minimum.

Thats the style of journalism and how our media is today, she said. But we know who our mother was. We know how great she was. We know how caring she was, and how she would help anybody. It didnt matter who. Anything, she was willing to help. She loved her children and loved her grandchildren.

Before she agreed to an interview, she wanted to make sure it was focused on her mother.

I grew up in Missoula and she had a lot of friends, they know who my mom was, she said. But its good to do pieces like this that let people know who crime victims were. Yes, a crime was committed, but it puts that in perspective. They had a family. They had this many kids, they did really well. Instead of that person that was stabbed or killed.

For her mothers killers though, Walksalong has no sympathy.

I am still angry because I work in a field where I am around addicts and people with mental health issues, she said. There are a lot of people struggling at the bottom or feeling like they are at the bottom. But this was pure evil. They are pure evil. It cant be the excuse of drugs or meth, when their lifestyle echoes that white supremacy lifestyle. They both have tattoos that signify they are a part of that. So, I have not forgiven them.

Walksalong said she felt little relief when the suspects both pleaded guilty.

I felt some relief, but they are just a sorry excuse, she said. Thats all they are. They are not human. Its just a sorry excuse for taxpayers to fund them to keep them happy in prison for the rest of their lives.

As time has gone on, Walksalong has focused on healing and making sure her children have fond memories of their grandmother.

She found some closure when she and about 30 other family members spread her mothers ashes at Chief Mountain, a sacred Blackfeet site on the eastern border of Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

It felt good, she said. That was always her wish, and we had her family there. It felt really good.
Pope to Egypt Copts: "United in the blood of our martyrs"

VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis has phoned the Coptic patriarch of Egypt to offer his condolences for the 25 Christians killed in a church bombing in Cairo.

The Vatican says Francis told Patriarch Tawadros II Monday that the Catholic Church was "united in the blood of our martyrs."

Francis has frequently denounced the indiscriminate nature of Islamic attacks against Christians.

The Vatican said Francis promised to pray for Egypt's Coptic community during his Monday Mass for the Virgin of Guadalupe, a feast day that is particularly dear to history's first Latin American pope.
Gambia coalition calls for leader to step down immediately

DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Gambia's opposition has called on defeated President Yahya Jammeh to immediately step down from power, calling his rejection of the Dec. 1 election results illegal.

President Jammeh initially conceded defeat after official results showed that Gambians voted in president-elect Adama Barrow on Dec. 1. However last week Jammeh said that he no longer accepted his election loss and called for another vote, saying there were irregularities.

Jammeh's ruling party said late Saturday that Jammeh's statement was simply a prelude to the party challenging the results in a petition to the Supreme Court. By law, election results can be contested up to 10 days after the vote.

On Monday president-elect Barrow and the opposition coalition backing him denounced Jammeh's statements.

"President Jammeh's intentions were crystal clear ... He rejected the results of the elections and declared them null and void. He also announced that new elections would be held under the auspices of a new (Independent Electoral Commission)," said coalition member Mai Fatty, in a statement.

The coalition said that any petition filed in the Supreme Court would show that Jammeh and his party "have no respect or regard for the Gambian people, are bent on ignoring their aspirations, and on undermining the transition process."

The coalition also will not recognize any attempts by the outgoing president to appoint any Supreme Court judge to receive the petition, as he has no constitutional authority to do so, said Fatty, adding that Gambia's Supreme Court hasn't met for a year.

The coalition, made up of eight opposition parties who joined together to unseat Jammeh in elections, called on the ruling party to urge the outgoing president to respect the vote, and to "immediately stop inciting ethnic division and spreading false rumors."

The president of the West Africa regional bloc, ECOWAS, has warned that Gambia could be plunged into violence by the president's decision to reject election results. A number of international organizations and neighboring countries have called for Jammeh, accused by human rights groups of abuses of power and suppressing political opponents, to step down.

___
Man who dissolved UK police officer in acid gets life term

LONDON (AP)  A judge in London has given a crystal meth addict a life term in prison for killing a police officer during a bondage sex session and then attempting to cook and eat his body parts.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard sentenced Stefano Brizzi on Monday to life in prison with at least 24 years to serve for killing 59-year-old Gordon Semple, whose dissolving body was found in an acid bath.

Brizzi, a former Morgan Stanley IT developer, met Semple on a gay dating app. The 50-year-old Brizzi arranged a meeting at his apartment near London's Tate Modern gallery on April 1 and later tried to cover up his tracks online.

This undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police shows Stefano Brizzi, 50. A judge in London has given a crystal meth addict a life term in prison on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 for killing a police officer during a bondage sex session and then attempting to cook and eat his body parts. Judge Nicholas Hilliard sentenced Stefano Brizzi on Monday to life in prison with at least 24 years to serve for killing 59-year-old Gordon Semple, whose dissolving body was found in an acid bath. (Metropolitan Police via AP)

After his arrest, Brizzi had admitted killing and trying to dissolve the body because "Satan told me to."
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state on Tuesday morning after former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney ruled himself out.

Trump, who teased an announcement on Monday night, met with Tillerson twice during the past week and pointed to the CEO's deep relations with Moscow as a selling point during an interview with Fox News on Sunday.

As ExxonMobil's head, Tillerson maintained close ties with Russia and was awarded the Order of Friendship by President Vladimir Putin - a sticking point among several Republican senators who find his cozy relationship troublesome.

After the initial favorite, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani withdrew himself from consideration, Tillerson emerged as a frontrunner several weeks into the deliberation.

Romney and other contenders such as former CIA director David Petraeus and Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, all received calls on Monday informing them of Trump's decision to nominate Tillerson, the New York Times reported.

Romney shared a statement on his Facebook that read: 'It was an honor to have been considered for Secretary of State of our great country. My discussions with President-elect Trump have been both enjoyable and enlightening.

'I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace,' he added.

Scroll down for video

Trump (left) is expected to nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson (right) as the US secretary of state after they met twice during the past week

Trump revealed his plans on Monday night. He praised Tillerson on Sunday and told his Twitter follower to 'stay tuned'

Trump reportedly called Romney to break the news that he was not selected

Romney then ruled himself out of the running, saying it was an 'honor to be considered'

Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, was a vocal critic of Trump, although the two appeared to make up as the president-elect considered him to head the State Department.

But some of Trump's senior advisers warned that tapping Romney for the job would anger the president-elect's loyal supporters.

Trump was not familiar with Tillerson until he was recommended by former defense secretary Robert Gates and James Baker III, who worked as secretary of state under George H. W. Bush, the Times reported.

Both Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and his chief strategist Stephen Bannon backed Tillerson, who hit it off with Trump, according to the Times.

NBC News first reported Tillerson would be chosen as secretary of state, citing two sources close to the transition team. Fox News also reported the ExxonMobil executive as Trump's pick on Monday.

The president-elect praised Tillerson during a Fox News interview that aired Sunday, saying: 'Hes more than a business executive  hes a world-class player.'

He added that it was a great advantage that Tillerson knew many of the players, and did massive deals in Russia.

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks with Rex Tillerson in Sochi in 2011

In 2011, ExxonMobil signed a deal with Rosneft, Russia's largest state-owned oil company, for joint oil exploration and production. Since then, the companies have formed 10 joint ventures for projects in Russia.

In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Tillerson his nation's Order of Friendship.

But the energy deal was put on hold when the US and European allies imposed sanctions against Russia for annexing Crimea.

ExxonMobil reportedly vowed to resume the agreement once sanctions were lifted  and Tillerson has already spoken out against trade penalties on Russia, claiming they harm ordinary people in the country.

Tillerson, who is expected to retire from ExxonMobil next year, also has tens of millions of dollars of his pension tied to the oil firm, presenting possible conflicts of interest.

Supporters, however, claim he is a skilled negotiator who has vital experience dealing with world leaders.

'He has had more interactive time with Vladimir Putin than probably any other American with the exception of Henry Kissinger,' John Hamre, a deputy defense secretary to Bill Clinton told the Wall Street Journal.

Tillerson emerged on Friday as Trump's leading candidate after former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (left) formally withdrew from consideration for secretary of state

Romney and other contenders received calls on Monday informing them of Trump's decision to nominate Tillerson. Pictured, Romney and Trump having dinner in New York in November

Tillerson's close ties to the Kremlin, however, is a worrisome sign to many, especially after the CIA's conclusion that Russia interfered in the US elections with the goal of seeing Trump in the White House.

Republican Senator John McCain, along with majority leader Mitch McConnell, have voiced their support for a congressional investigation into Russia's involvement.

McCain also told Fox News that Tillerson's links to Putin were a 'matter of concern to me.'

'You want to give the president of the United States the benefit of the doubt because the people have spoken. But Vladimir Putin is a thug, a bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying,' McCain said.

Senator Marco Rubio also tweeted his displeasure about the potential pick on Sunday.

'Being a 'friend of Vladimir' is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState,' Rubio wrote, initialing the tweet to ensure Americans knew it was coming directly from the senator's mouth.

If Tillerson is nominated, climate change could be another divisive issue. ExxonMobile is under investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office for allegedly misleading investors, regulators and the public on what it knew about global warming.

On Monday, Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway was forced to defend Tillerson against claims he's too friendly with Russia, saying: 'It's not like he's pounding down vodka with Vladimir Putin at the local bar'.

Tillerson 'has dealt with Russia for many years,' Conway said, adding that he has dealt with Putin 'in a business context.'

'We know we don't have a good relationship with many countries around the world, including Russia,' she insisted.

'If, as secretary of state, Rex Tillerson or whomever the president-elect chooses ... if he can go ahead and improve relationships and advance American interests and advance the Trump doctrine, then we should all welcome that,' Conway added.

She noted that Tillerson 'has been at Exxon for 41 years, employs 70,000 people [and] is in charge of a $320 billion global corporation.'

Tillerson emerged as Trump's leading candidate after former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani formally withdrew from consideration for secretary of state.
Ex-Illinois US Rep. Schock pleads not guilty to funds misuse

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Former Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock, who just two years ago was the future face of the Republican Party, pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court to charges that he misused government and campaign money for personal use.

The 35-year-old Republican from Peoria pronounced his plea and gave short answers to questions by U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough, who set a trial date of Feb. 7.

Appearing calm and dressed in a dark suit with thin stripes, the one-time formidable fundraiser and rising GOP star faces federal corruption charges alleging he used his position to spend lavishly on travel, World Series and Super Bowl tickets and other amenities of an extravagant lifestyle.

Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock leaves the federal courthouse in Springfield, Ill., after entering a not-guilty plea in his federal fraud case at his arraignment Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. United States District Judge Sue Myerscough set a preliminary trial date of Feb. 7, 2017. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

The tickets were later sold for a profit, prosecutors allege.

Prosecutors claim he also pocketed thousands of constituents' dollars, hosting Washington tours and meet-and-greets, charging a fee and keeping some of the cash.

Schock has said he is innocent, referring to the spending in question as "honest mistakes."

In a brief statement to reporters after his arraignment, Schock said he looked "forward to all the facts coming out in this case."

"I have full confidence in my legal team, full confidence in the good people of this community, and I'm confident that in the end justice will prevail," he said.

The 24-count federal indictment was unveiled last month. It was the culmination of a 19-month investigation that included two grand juries.

Schock is from Peoria and had asked for the case to be moved there, but Myerscough ruled that proceedings should remain in Springfield.

Schock resigned in March 2015 amid intensifying scrutiny over real estate deals, extensive travel and other spending. Questions about his spending were sparked in part by word that he redecorated his congressional office in the lavish style of TV's "Downton Abbey."

The indictment alleges Schock spent $40,000 in government funds to redecorate his Washington office, including $5,000 on a chandelier.

When Schock risked missing a connecting flight for a European vacation, the indictment alleges, he paid a private aircraft company more than $8,000 out of his campaign account to fly him from Peoria to Washington.
EU fines Sony, Panasonic and Sanyo over battery cartel

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union's anti-trust watchdog has fined Sony, Panasonic and Sanyo for price fixing in the market for batteries used in laptops and mobile phones.

The European Commission, which polices competition issues in the EU, fined the three a total of 166 million euros ($176 million) for breaking antitrust rules along with Samsung SDI.

Samsung SDI avoided a fine because it blew the whistle on the cartel.

EU Competition Commission Margrethe Vestager said in a statement Monday that collusion among the four "affected the prices of a number of goods sold to European consumers."
Extradited Serb charged of war crimes in Kosovo

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo authorities have detained a Serb citizen suspected of war crimes during the 1998-99 war.

The capital Pristina court on Monday issued a one-month detention order for a Roma Serb, identified as S.B., charged of war crimes. Last weekend the suspect was arrested in Bosnia-Herzegovina and extradited to Kosovo.

The Serb is accused of being part of a paramilitary group that in March 1999 tortured Albanians in Fushe Kosove, close to Pristina, then separated men from women and took them away. At least one Albanian man was later found dead at a mass burial site.

Some 10,000 people died and 1,700 went missing during the 1998-1999 war as Kosovo fought to break away from Serbia.
EU imposes sanctions on 7 Congo security officials

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union has imposed travel bans and asset freezes on seven senior security officials in Congo.

EU foreign ministers said in a statement Monday that the seven "hold positions of authority in the chain of command over the Congolese security forces which have exercised a disproportionate use of force."

President Joseph Kabila's second term in office expires on Dec. 19, but Congo's courts have ruled the election can be delayed and Kabila can stay in power until a new leader is chosen.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, left, speaks with, from left, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, Malta's Foreign Minister George Vella and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault during a round table meeting of EU foreign ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. EU foreign ministers hold talks Monday on the conflict in Syria, relations with Africa and migration. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Anger over the delay has sparked violence including street clashes in September that killed dozens.

The ministers said that the EU would monitor the "crucial political developments" and could impose additional sanctions if there is more violence or interference with the political process.

European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini, center left, is greeted by Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, center right, during a round table meeting of EU foreign ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. EU foreign ministers hold talks Monday on the conflict in Syria, relations with Africa and migration. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Redstone firm calls off CBS, Viacom merger proposal

ATLANTA (AP)  Media mogul Sumner Redstone's National Amusements is abandoning a proposal that CBS and Viacom reunite after a 10 year split.

The news comes as Viacom named acting CEO Bob Bakish as its permanent head.

National Amusements, which owns most of the voting shares of the two companies, had urged the companies to combine in September, saying that a tie-up would help them compete better as technology and the entertainment industry rapidly evolve.

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2012, file photo, a CBS logo is displayed on the exterior of CBS Scene Restaurant and Bar, at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. Media mogul Sumner Redstone's National Amusements is abandoning a proposal that CBS and Viacom reunite after a 10 year split. National Amusements, which owns most of the voting shares of the two companies, had urged the companies to combine in September 2016. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Now, the company, run by Redstone and his daughter Shari, says that following management changes at Viacom and strength at CBS, which operates CBS, Showtime and other entities, it makes more sense for the companies to continue as separate entities.

Viacom, which owns the Paramount Pictures movie studio and pay TV channels such as Comedy Central, MTV, BET and others, has been struggling to improve its profit as Paramount has struggled to produce hits and cable viewership declines.

The company named Robert Bakish as acting president in late October and appointed him permanent president and CEO on Monday.

The appointment caps off a management saga that culminated earlier this year, when longtime Viacom CEO Phillipe Dauman was pushed out following a legal battle with media mogul Sumner Redstone's daughter, Shari Redstone, over control of the company. The fight ended with Shari Redstone as a Viacom director and president of National Amusements, which has a controlling stake in CBS and Viacom. At the time Tom Dooley was named interim CEO, but he announced unexpectedly he was leaving in October and Bakish was then named acting CEO.

Meanwhile, as more people cut the cable cord, choosing instead to stream TV shows or movies online at places like Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and Amazon.com, CBS has found success under Les Moonves streaming its popular shows like "NCIS" and "The Big Bang Theory," as well as its stand-alone, streaming Showtime channel.

There would have been cost savings if the companies combined, but strategically, the positives weren't as clear, said Instinet analyst Anthony DiClemente.

"This allows CBS to continue to operate in a very nimble and autonomous fashion," DiClemente said. "For Viacom, I think in terms of long term strategy, the verdict is still out."

Viacom said in a statement that it received the letter sent by National Amusements and will provide more updates later. CBS referred comment to National Amusements.

Viacom Inc. Class B shares fell $3.01, or 7.8 percent, to $35.61 in afternoon trading Monday. CBS Corp. Class B shares slipped 4 cents to $62.52.

FILE - This Aug. 3, 2011, file photo, shows the Viacom logo at Viacom headquarters in New York. Media mogul Sumner Redstone's National Amusements is abandoning a proposal that CBS and Viacom reunite after a 10 year split. National Amusements, which owns most of the voting shares of the two companies, had urged the companies to combine in September 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
As 2016 draws to a close, Paradise Valley has received a two-year federal reprieve from new gold mining, but Montana officials are working on an exploration request that could lead to the drilling of up to 30 test holes 1,200 feet deep into the valley.

Monday was the deadline for public comment on the draft environmental assessment of Lucky Minerals proposal to explore for gold and other minerals in the Emigrant Gulch area, about halfway between Livingston and Gardiner. As of Monday morning, 252 online comments had been received, plus a small number of email and hard copy comments, according to Kristi Ponozzo, spokeswoman for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. She said the agency will spend the next several months considering and responding to those comments as it completes the final EA.

The draft document recommended that Lucky Minerals receive the exploration permit with some requirements to mitigate environmental impacts.

Lucky Minerals is a small Canadian company that trades on the Penny Stock Exchange in Toronto. Its price has fluctuated between 3 cents and 15 cents per share over the past year. Among the public concerns raised with the DEQ is the companys ability to obtain a reclamation bond. The DEQ response was that Lucky Minerals wont be able to get the permit unless it posts the bond the state of Montana requires.

Ponnozo said the amount of bond needed will be calculated using the final EA.

Its important to understand that the EA doesnt include any analysis on the economic viability of a company or a permit request. The DEQ is focused only on the laws protecting Montana land, air and water.

The exploration proposal involves drilling only private land. Lucky Minerals initially sought permission to explore on land in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, but withdrew that part of its proposal.

Business coalition

Alarmed at the prospect of new mining in the Upper Yellowstone River valley, about 180 local businesses formed the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition to protect their livelihoods and quality of life. Their worries intensified when a second small company, Crevice Mining, proposed gold mining near Gardiner, virtually on the border of Yellowstone National Park. The Crevice Mining application is pending with the DEQ asking for additional information.

A study by University of Montana economist Larry Swanson confirmed that Park Countys thriving economy is based on tourism and agriculture. Unemployment is lower than the state average and income is higher. The fishing industry netted $70 million last year. Nonresident tourists spent $196 million in 2014. The county is home to 564 ranches and farms.

Mining is an important industry, but there are places where other uses  outdoor recreation and agriculture  are more valuable. Last summer, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke agreed that Paradise Valley is one of those rare places that deserves protection from mining development.

Since then, Tester has pressed the U.S. Department of Interior to put a temporary pause on any consideration of mining permits on federal land in the valley between Livingston and Yellowstone. Last month, Secretary Sally Jewell did just that, prohibiting mining claims on more than 30,000 acres of federal public land in Park County for two years.

Jewells decision doesnt bar Lucky Minerals from exploration, if it obtains DEQ permission. But the federal action would prevent development of large-scale mining in the valley. Tester has said he will introduce legislation in the next Congress to make the Paradise Valley ban on mining claims permanent.

Mining Law of 1872

With Donald Trump becoming president, theres uncertainty about protection for Paradise Valley. The order to pause mining claims for two years could be reversed.

This isnt the first time Montanans have seen proposals to mine on Yellowstones doorstep. The area has historic mine sites, but they are hardly an argument for mining today. Soda Butte Creek in the northeast corner of Yellowstone was polluted for more than a century by old mining runoff and only cleaned up in the past several years.

Park Countys 21st century economy depends on clean water, clear air, plentiful wildlife and spectacular landscapes that draw people from all over the world to Yellowstone. These natural assets bring artists and entrepreneurs to live in Paradise Valley, making the county a leader in creative businesses.

This outdoor economy and the value it provides to Montanans and our visitors is worth protecting. If Congress and the Trump administration fail to protect Paradise Valley, the antiquated Mining Law of 1872 will determine what happens to Yellowstones north gateway in 2017.
The Latest: At sentencing, Fattah says he's sad, grateful

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  The Latest on the sentencing of former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

Former U.S. Rep. Chaka (SHAH'-kuh) Fattah says he is saddened to find himself in court for sentencing in his criminal case but grateful for the work he was able to do.

FILE- In this June 21, 2016, file photo, Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., walks after leaving the federal courthouse in Philadelphia. Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 17 to 21 years for the former Pennsylvania congressman convicted of a racketeering scheme that included a string of illicit financial moves to cover up an illegal $1 million campaign loan. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The 60-year-old Philadelphia Democrat was sentenced Monday to 10 years for a racketeering scheme that included money laundering and bribery.

U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle called the crimes "astonishing."

Fattah told Bartle he "helped tens of millions of people" during his 37-year political career that focused on housing, education and other programs for his low-income district.

He says he's sorry the jury "found him on the wrong side of these questions" and apologized to the four aides and friends convicted with him.

His lawyers plan to appeal the 18-count conviction.

The judge gave Fattah until next month to report to prison.

___

11 a.m.

Former U.S. Rep. Chaka (SHAH'-kuh) Fattah has been sentenced to 10 years for a racketeering scheme that included money laundering and bribery.

U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle called the Philadelphia Democrat's crimes "astonishing" given that he and his TV anchor wife had a $500,000 annual income that put them at or near the "top 1 percent."

The jury found the 60-year-old now-ousted congressman took an illegal $1 million loan to prop up a failed 2007 run for Philadelphia mayor. Fattah then repaid it with funds that included NASA grant money steered through an education nonprofit run by former staffers.

Prosecutors say he also used $27,000 in charity funds to pay down his son's college loans and took an $18,000 bribe to help a friend become an ambassador.

Fattah insists the Justice Department racketeering case is politically motivated.

___

12:10 a.m.

A Philadelphia Democrat who spent two decades in Congress could spend that long in prison if federal prosecutors get their way.

The decision day for 60-year-old Chaka (SHAH'-kuh) Fattah comes after he was convicted of misspending federal grants and charity money to fund his campaign and personal expenses.

Fattah's sentencing is set for Monday.

The jury found he took an illegal $1 million loan to prop up a failed 2007 run for Philadelphia mayor. Fattah then repaid it with funds that included NASA grant money steered through an education nonprofit run by former staffers.

Prosecutors say he also used $27,000 in charity funds to pay down his son's college loans and took an $18,000 bribe to help a friend become an ambassador.
UK to ban extreme right wing group

LONDON (AP)  Britain's government is banning an extreme right wing group under the Terrorism Act 2000  the first time a right-wing organization has been banned under the legislation.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd banned National Action with an order that comes into effect on Friday. Being a member will then become a criminal offense.

Rudd, who described the group as a "racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organization," had decided to ban the group before the trial of Thomas Mair, who was convicted in the slaying of lawmaker Jo Cox.

A slogan used by Mair in court, "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain," appears in online results when searching for National Action.
Wolfsburg parts ways with general manager Klaus Allofs

WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP)  Relegation-threatened Bundesliga club Wolfsburg has parted ways with general manager Klaus Allofs in a bid to kick-start its troubled season.

Supervisory board chairman Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz said Monday it was time "to make a new start in view of the currently difficult sporting situation."

Only goal difference separates Wolfsburg from Hamburger SV in the relegation playoff place with two wins from 14 games.

"For me personally it's a sad day," Allofs said. "We came to this decision after intensive talks for the benefit of Wolfsburg."

Wolfgang Hotze was to take over from Allofs as spokesman for club management, while Olaf Rebbe remains as head of sport with responsibility for the coaching staff and team.

The season has been difficult from the start. Dieter Hecking was fired as coach after seven league games, with interim successor Valerien Ismael put in charge on a permanent basis when no other candidates were found. Ismael has one win and one draw from his seven league games.

Saturday's 5-0 loss at Bayern Munich was the last match for Allofs, who joined the club in 2012 after years in charge at league rival Werder Bremen. Wolfsburg occupied a relegation place at the time, but went on to secure its place in the top flight before qualifying for the Europa League by finishing fifth the following season.
'Black Mirror,' 'This Is Us,' 'Westworld' among year's best

NEW YORK (AP)  In this era of so-called Peak TV, the tally of scripted series aired in 2016 is closing in on 500. No wonder it's so hard to pick the best 2 percent of the crop. But that doesn't mean we aren't pleased to salute our 10 particular favorites. Here's our honor roll:

 "The A Word" (Sundance). Loving parents Alison and Paul tell themselves (and everyone else) that there's nothing wrong with Joe, their 5-year-old son. But evidence mounts. And then the unavoidable truth: Joe is on the autism spectrum. This bittersweet six-episode drama (with a second season announced) deals with a child growing up in rural England whose striking differences from other kids ignite the question: What constitutes "normal" and what becomes of those who don't meet that standard? A beautiful story, a terrific cast and a spectacular performance by young Max Vento, who plays Joe, makes "The A Word" a unique exploration of a family as loyal as it is in turmoil.

 "Atlanta" (FX). It takes a sure hand to craft a series that blends a pair of young musical strivers from a downtrodden urban neighborhood  while keeping the series touching, relatable and funny. In an age of TV comedy that takes refuge in either irony, absurdity, outrageousness or mawkishness, creator-star-writer Donald Glover has pulled off a minor miracle with this gritty little show that blazes its own path, strewn with setbacks yet powered by hope. A fresh take on the hip-hop world, "Atlanta" never strikes a false note.

In this image released by Netflix, Malachi Kirby appears in a scene from, "Black Mirror." (Laurie Sparham/Netflix via AP)

 "Billions" (Showtime). Chuck Rhoades, the powerful and perverse U.S. Attorney, is in a cage match with hedge-fund titan Bobby Axelrod. The result is a delicious drama of two Alpha Males butting heads: Rhoades (played by Paul Giamatti) wants to prosecute Axelrod for financial fraud, while the smooth, ever-calculating Axelrod (Damian Lewis) dares him to try. Adding to the spice is a third corner of this triangle: Rhoades' wife and Axe's trusted adviser (played by Maggie Siff) who, in confronting her divided loyalties, is as tough as either man. The result is a wealth of intrigue.

 "Black Mirror" (Netflix). Six new episodes on the Netflix site have supplemented seven hours of this nervous-making anthology previously aired by British television. The brainchild of British writer-producer-mischief-maker Charlie Brooker, this series defies clear definition other than to say (a) it deals with technology's sly cultural inroads, (b) it packs the mind-expanding punch of a latter-day "Twilight Zone," and (c) it reflects a certain, um, Brooker-esque brand of mordant humor. Every hour is different from the others while each, in its own way, is likely to leave you startled and disturbed. It should come with a warning: "Not To Be Missed, But Proceed with Caution."

 "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" (TBS). With her show teeing up for a second season in early 2017, the time is past to celebrate "Full Frontal" as an issues-and-comedy series hosted by (go figure!) a woman. So let's just celebrate Samantha Bee, who, now even more than during her dozen years as a "Daily Show" correspondent, stays true to her name: nimble and armed with a satirical sting for her deserving targets. She's a bold champion of women's interests, which are largely overlooked in political humor. But guys are welcome, too. They might learn something and have a laugh, along with getting stung now and then.

 "Making a Murderer" (Netflix). To be technical, this 10-part docuseries landed on the Netflix site in mid-December 2015. But early buzz spiked into a roar in the new year. Filmed over a decade, it tells the riveting, true-life story of Steven Avery, who is first seen in 2003 returning home to Wisconsin's rural Manitowoc County after 18 years' imprisonment for sexual assault. After his exoneration, Avery was a free man for just two years. He was then arrested for another crime  this time, a grisly rape and murder. So was his teenage nephew. Are they guilty or being railroaded? It's an arresting thriller of mini-victories and major setbacks in a halting but dogged pursuit of justice.

 "The Night Of" (HBO). This dark and irresistible murder mystery stars John Turturro as near-bottom-feeding lawyer John Stone who stumbles on a righteous case: Naz, a Pakistani-American college student implicated as the killer of an alluring young woman who, after a chance encounter with him one Friday night, brought him to her bedroom. Never mind if Naz did the crime (viewers don't find out until the end)  the legal system is stacked against him at every turn, and through the lengthy, often dismaying process, Stone fights on his behalf. Though a scripted drama, "The Night Of" is part of a new breed of law-and-order storytelling that also spawned "Making a Murderer" as well as "O.J.: Made in America."

 "O.J.: Made in America" (ESPN). Arriving two decades after O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder charges for the death of his ex-wife and her friend, this five-part documentary series covers those ghastly slayings and the so-called Trial of the Century in you-ain't-seen-nothing-yet detail. But it goes even further, framing Simpson's life and career against the racial turmoil and Civil Rights struggle from which he was largely insulated by the warm embrace of celebrity and the white mainstream. Packed with never-before-seen footage, unreported details and never-heard insights, it's a project that might have been dismissed as a true-crime rehash. Instead, it's not only illuminating but often jaw-dropping.

 "This Is Us" (NBC). It isn't often that a scripted TV series can be credited with being "humanistic"  at least, not a show you can sit through without grinding your teeth. And yet this gentle ensemble drama is pulling it off, and viewers are loving it. Here is that rare series that is neither aspirational nor derisive in how its characters are portrayed, but instead reflects its viewers at their most goodwilled and, well, humanistic. The intersecting sets of everyday characters are depicted by a cast including Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia and Sterling K. Brown in a display of middle-class diversity that serves as a welcome rebuttal to this polarized age. Come to think of it, maybe "This Is Us" shows us what to aspire to, after all.

 "Westworld" (HBO). This odyssey is simultaneously set in an imagined sci-fi future and the reimagined Old West in the form of an epic theme park where lifelike robots indulge every appetite of paying guests. What measure of depravity does this unleash in the humans who treat themselves to this dude ranch gone wild? And what measure of upheaval is triggered when the robots rebel? The series' visuals  both its western splendor and its futuristic labs  are spellbinding and seemingly as boundless as its thematic sprawl. Its ensemble (which includes Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton and Jeffrey Wright) populates an anything-goes getaway with aplomb and shock value: Who  or what  are the heroes here?

_____

EDITOR'S NOTE  Frazier Moore is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. He can be reached at fmoore@ap.org and at http://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier. Past stories are available at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/frazier-moore

This image released by Netflix shows, from left, Dean Strang, Jerry Buting and defendant Steven Avery in a scene from, "Making a Murderer." (Netflix via AP)

This image released by Showtime shows Damian Lewis as Bobby "Axe" Axelrod in a scene from "Billions." (Jeff Neumann/Showtime via AP)

In this image released by Sundance TV, Max Vento portrays Joe Hughes in a scene from the series, "The A Word," a six-episode drama about family, parenting and a child growing up in rural England who is diagnosed with autism. (Rory Mulvey/Sundance TV via AP)

This image released by FX shows Donald Glover as Earnest Marks, left, and Keith Standfield as Darius in a scene from "Atlanta." (Guy D'Alema/FX via AP)

This image released by HBO shows Anthony Hopkins in a scene from, "Westworld." (John P. Johnson/HBO via AP)

This image released by HBO shows John Turturro in a scene from "The Night Of." (Craig Blankenhorn/HBO via AP)
Thousands of unpaid Rio state workers protest in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Thousands of employees for Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state are protesting against government austerity measures being considered by lawmakers.

Police, firefighters and school teachers were among the workers gathering Monday outside Rio de Janeiro state's legislative assembly.

Amid a deep economic crisis the state hasn't been able to pay salaries and pensions on time.

A man leans on a sign that reads in Portuguese: "Out Temer, get out all of them!," during a protest against austerity measures outside the state legislature, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. . Police, firefighters and school teachers are among the workers for Brazils Rio de Janeiro state protesting against government austerity measures being considered by lawmakers. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Protesters blame a combination of poor management, a fall in oil prices and corruption for the state's woes.

Two former Rio state governors were recently arrested and are under investigation for corruption and vote buying.

Protesters clashed with police for hours during a similar protest last week.

Civil police union chief Francisco Chao says workers are desperate. In his words, "Desperate people undertake desperate actions."

A demonstrator sits, wearing a Brazilian national flag, outside the state legislature during a protest against austerity measures, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Police, firefighters and school teachers are among the workers for Brazils Rio de Janeiro state protesting against government austerity measures being considered by lawmakers. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

An indigenous man sings during a protest against austerity measures outside the state legislature, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Police, firefighters and school teachers are among the workers from Brazils Rio de Janeiro state protesting against government austerity measures being considered by lawmakers. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Clinton campaign presses for intelligence on Russian hacking

WASHINGTON (AP)  Hillary Clinton's campaign Monday said that the Obama administration "owes it to the American people" to tell what it knows about Russian hacking of Clinton campaign emails and those of the Democratic National Committee as it attempted to sway last month's election.

Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, whose emails were stolen and posted on the internet, said "never before in the history of our Republic have we seen such an effort to undermine the bedrock of our democracy."

Podesta said the campaign supports an effort by a handful of members of the Electoral College, including a Republican who says he won't vote for President-elect Donald Trump, to be briefed on U.S. intelligence on potential links between Trump's campaign and Russia.

Ten electors on Monday released an "open letter" to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper requesting information about ongoing investigations on ties between Trump and "Russian government interference in the election."

Podesta agrees with Senate Intelligence Democrats who last week called for President Barack Obama to declassify and make public intelligence information on Russia's attempts to interfere in the election.

"The administration owes it to the American people to explain what it knows regarding the extent and manner of Russia's interference and this be done as soon as possible," Podesta said in a statement.

The letter from the electors, released on the social media site Medium, was written by Christine Pelosi, the daughter of top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California.

Minority Leader Pelosi, D-Calif., who receives super-secret intelligence as one of the top leaders of Congress, followed hours later with a call for an investigation by an independent commission.

"The U.S. intelligence community has determined that Russia interfered in U.S. elections," Pelosi said. "There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions."

None of the electors is likely to vote for Trump anyway. The votes are cast on Dec. 19.

Nine are Democrats and the sole Republican to sign the letter is Chris Suprun, a Texas paramedic who says he won't vote for Trump, citing a Federalist paper by Alexander Hamilton that says electors must determine that the president is qualified and independent from foreign influence.

Suprun attracted national attention with a New York Times column last week in which he said Trump is "someone who shows daily he is not qualified for the office."

The letter says the Founding Fathers envisioned the Electoral College as a deliberative body and not simply a rubber stamp to ratify the results.

"The Constitution envisions the Electoral College as a deliberative body that plays a critical role in our system of government  ensuring that the American people elect a president who is constitutionally qualified and fit to serve," the electors wrote.
Kosovo citizen charged with joining terror group in Syria

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Prosecutors in Kosovo say they have charged a citizen from the Balkan country with being part of a terror group for allegedly joining the Nusra Front in Syria.

Monday's statement said that the suspect, identified only as N.A., went to Turkey in 2014 and entered Syria from the town of Gaziantep to join al-Qaida-linked Nusra, which recently changed its name to the Fatah al-Sham Front. After a week, he returned to Kosovo. In his second attempt to go to Syria, Turkish authorities turned him back "because of his links to the war zone."

The suspect is charged with participation in a terror group and faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
4 children killed in Middle Tennessee house fire

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (AP)  Four children under the age of 10 were killed and another child and an adult were injured when a home in Middle Tennessee caught fire early Monday, a fire official said.

Springfield Fire Chief Jimmy Hamill said firefighters arrived within four minutes of getting the call at 3:34 a.m. to find heavy fire coming from the front of the house in Springfield. Crews fought their way into the small home to search for survivors and knocked the blaze down quickly, but found four children, ages 4, 7, 8 and 9, dead near the back of the house.

Hamill says the children's father and a female child were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He said the father was in very critical condition. He didn't have information on the child's condition.

Springfield Police officer Jay Pattie and Zoraida Luna of Animal Control remove a dog from the property of fatal house fire where multliple children died Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Springfield, Tenn. (Mark Zalesky/The Tennessean via AP)

Hamill said the mother and two other children escaped unharmed.

A neighbor, Ricardo Morales, told The Tennessean that his wife was woken by screams coming from the home.

"She looked out the window and saw the flames," Morales said in an interview translated from Spanish.

He said they called 911 and he went outside with his sons and nephews to help.

"We managed to get out a little girl and three others, including a man," Morales said. "He was badly burned but wanted to go back inside the house."

The flames were too hot and they held him back. "He wanted to save his children," Morales said.

They tried to get more of the children out through a window, but they weren't successful.

"We wish we could have done more," he said.

The fire appears to be accidental, Hamill said. According to the preliminary investigation, officials think the blaze began in the living room of the home because that room that sustained the most damage. The rest of the house had heavy heat and smoke damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A dog stands from a side entrance door porch looking in after a fatal house fireon Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Springfield, Tenn. where multiple children died. The dog belongs to the owners of the house. Springfield Animal Control removed the dog from the property. (Mark Zalesky/The Tennessean via AP)

Springfield police investigators examine the scene of a fatal house fire where multiple children died on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Springfield, Tenn. (Mark Zalesky/The Tennessean via AP)

Springfield firefighters secure the scene of a fatal house fire where multiple children died on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Springfield, Tenn. (Mark Zalesky/The Tennessean via AP)

A Springfield firefighter examines the scene of a fatal house fire where multiple children died on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Springfield, Tenn. (Mark Zalesky/The Tennessean via AP)
First lady: Skiing does for her what golf does for president

WASHINGTON (AP)  Michelle Obama says skiing does for her what golf does for President Barack Obama.

Appearing at a children's hospital Monday and answering some patients' questions, Mrs. Obama said her favorite winter activity is skiing because it helps gets her out of a White House that is "basically hermetically sealed" and into the fresh air.

She said she understands why her husband plays golf whenever he can. "It's one of the few opportunities he has to be outside, walking around like a normal person for long periods of time," Mrs. Obama said.

First lady Michelle Obama, right, with television and radio host Ryan Seacrest, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas," during a holiday event at Children's National Health System on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 in Washington. Obama toured the facility, visited with patients and families, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to children and participated in a broadcast with Seacrest. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"Skiing does that for me in the winter," she said during her annual Christmastime appearance at Children's National Health System. "And it's great exercise. And it's fun. And it's a little scary, too. All at the same time."

Obama plays golf most weekends in Washington. He also plays regularly during the family's summer vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and during their Christmas vacation in his native Hawaii. Mrs. Obama is known to have enjoyed skiing Colorado's slopes.

"It just gets messy and complicated" when she and the president venture out in public, she said. "But when I'm skiing, that's, like, one of the few places in the winter where I feel free. Because nobody can take a selfie with you when you're skiing down a mountain," Mrs. Obama said.

It was her final Christmastime event at the hospital as first lady, continuing a tradition that dates to the 1940s, when Bess Truman began stopping by to cheer up the children who were too sick to be home for the holidays.

Joined by radio and television host Ryan Seacrest, Mrs. Obama said visiting for the past eight years had been "an honor."

The first lady and Seacrest toured the hospital's heart and kidney unit before coming to the atrium to sit in front of a large Christmas tree and read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" to a group of children seated on the floor in front of them.

She also let the kids pet Bo and Sunny, the family dogs who accompanied her to the hospital.

"They're probably the most popular living creatures in the White House," Mrs. Obama said.

After the appearance, the first lady answered several more questions during a brief round-table interview that Seacrest hosted with patients from the hospital's LGBTQ clinic. The program was broadcast to patients throughout the hospital.

Perhaps foreshadowing a future relationship, Dr. Kurt Newman, president and CEO of Children's National, said he looked forward to having Mrs. Obama back at the hospital. He noted she was an executive at a Chicago hospital before she became first lady.

"I can always put her to work," Newman said.

___

Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap

First lady Michelle Obama, right, with television and radio host Ryan Seacrest, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas," during a holiday event at Children's National Health System on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 in Washington. Obama toured the facility, visited with patients and families, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to children and participated in a broadcast with Seacrest. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

First lady Michelle Obama, right, answers a question from a child, with television and radio host Ryan Seacrest, during a holiday event at Children's National Health System on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 in Washington. bama toured the facility, visited with patients and families, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to children and participated in a broadcast with Seacrest. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Commissioner Clayton Christian has announced that Royce Engstrom will be stepping down as president of the University of Montana, effective Dec. 31. I read this news with sadness  sadness for the state of my alma mater and sadness for Royce and his wife Mary, who I hold as dear friends and mentors.

The Montana Kaimin called Engstroms legacy at Montanas flagship university complicated, a characterization I cannot refute. As Engstrom transitions out, there will be many opinions on his legacy/tenure, some complimentary to his leadership decisions, and others less so. Regardless, it is irrefutable that his presidency was marked with relentless obstacles, difficult decisions, numerous controversies, and fundamentally, a shifting economic landscape that has left many in the higher education community looking for new answers (or solutions). I write to share my perspective, as a young Montanan engaged in public service, on the leadership legacy that Royce and Mary Engstrom will leave behind them at the University of Montana.

I first met Royce as an undergraduate student senator at UM. He was in his first year as president, inheriting an institution ripe with opportunities as well as chronic issues. We worked through many of those opportunities and challenges in conjunction, as I led the student body during his third year, a time which brought a massive overhaul of his cabinet, controversies with the Legislature, and of course, the infamous NCAA, Department of Education and Department of Justice investigations. I watched closely as he deliberated during some of his most distressing and difficult times. I met with him one-on-one every week. Sometimes I agreed with his actions. More than once, I disagreed with his ultimate decisions. In almost every decision, I wrestled with the complicated dynamics at play.

Throughout the two years we spent working side-by-side, above all else I came to respect him for his integrity. He imparted a model of ethical leadership at UM that will have lasting impact. Unlike other academic or political leaders I have observed and worked alongside, I saw in Royce an openness to diverse viewpoints, and a commitment to democratic decision making. Royce created a model of leadership dependent on surrounding himself with people he respected and trusted. People who had different experiences than him, or had differing values or perspectives  people he could can learn from! Then, when faced with a controversy or difficult decision, he honestly and openly consulted with these trusted advisers. There were no yes men in the Engstrom cabinet. There were leaders and independent thinkers whom he trusted, listened to, and together, he made difficult decisions with his leadership team.

The other quality I consistently observed in Royce and Mary was a deep commitment to lifelong learning. Even as president, Royce remained the consummate educator. For example, he responded to pressure from Republican legislators to support the coal industry by reading everything he could get his hands on regarding the future of our energy economy. He traveled to eastern Montana to meet with coal miners and his critics. And back home, he held regular seminars in his office with Climate Change Studies students. He listened genuinely and consistently considered both sides of contentious issues.

Royce Engstrom led the University of Montana with integrity and grit. He dedicated his entire self to our university community, often at the expense of his own career advancement and professional reputation. After much reflection over recent days, I believe that the Engstroms are leaving the University of Montana better than they found it. For that  and for their grace, optimism, fortitude, and genuine good nature  Royce and Mary Engstrom have earned my deepest gratitude.
Historians reach deal for Revolutionary War battlefield

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP)  Historical activists on Monday announced an agreement to save a portion of a Revolutionary War battlefield in New Jersey from development.

The Civil War Trust told The Associated Press it has an agreement to buy nearly 15 acres of land across from Princeton Battlefield State Park for $4 million. The group has raised $1.4 million to buy the land from the Institute for Advanced Study and will now begin fundraising for the rest, spokesman Jim Campi said.

The Maxwell's Field site is where historians believe George Washington's charge first struck British lines during the Battle of Princeton in January 1777. The land will be donated to the state to become part of the park.

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2015 file photo, cars pass the sign for the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. Historical activists have reached an agreement to save a portion of a Revolutionary War battlefield in New Jersey from development. The Civil War Trust tells The Associated Press on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, that it will pay an academic institute $4 million for nearly 15 acres across from Princeton Battlefield State Park. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

The institute where Albert Einstein worked  is building faculty housing on the part of the land it is keeping. The institute, which is not affiliated with Princeton University, will replace seven proposed single-family home lots with eight additional townhouses. The deal hinges on approval from the Princeton planning board and Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission.

"This landmark agreement will enable us to preserve one of the defining moments in American history," said James Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Trust.

The institute donated 32 acres to the state in the 1970s for the development of the park, said spokeswoman Christine Ferrara.

"We are confident that this new plan and partnership will enhance the experience of the park for all who visit," said Robbert Dijkgraaf, director of the institute.

Supporters of preservation say the tract is one of the most endangered historic sites in the nation, noting it's where Washington's successful charge helped raise morale and arguably saved the American Revolution.

Roger Williams, secretary of the Princeton Battlefield Society, said that the compromise gives the group and historians the ability to "interpret the battle to be able to give a sense of what happened on this land."

"We have to be practical preservationists here," he said. "The land on which they are building was land on which troops marched, but you know what, so was the institute. There were other parts of Princeton where major action took place."

Federal officials long assumed that battlefield sites in private hands would keep their agriculture use, as no one envisioned the rampant growth that followed World War II. In the decades before that, battlefield preservation mostly focused on preserving small parcels around monuments and battlefield features such as fortifications and earthworks.

Experts also note that Revolutionary War battlefield sites were not well documented, so researchers still are learning about the size and extent of these sites.

Bruce Afran, the attorney for the Princeton Battlefield Society, said archaeological surveys show both British and American artillery shells scattered at the site in a pattern that shows the American advance and British retreat.
Juror Facebook posts could impact $2 million jury verdict

MILWAUKEE (AP)  A juror's Facebook posts during a federal civil rights trial could jeopardize a $2 million verdict awarded to a man who said he was illegally strip-searched by a Milwaukee police officer.

Jurors last month found that former officer Michael Vagnini had violated Willie Newman's civil rights during a 2010 arrest.

The city's lawyers have asked U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller to question jurors under oath after the city says it found "Juror No. 1" had posted about the trial on Facebook, and also had shared a post by an anti-police activist, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/2hEtfpw ) reported.

The city's lawyers also said the juror agreed with comments on Facebook and said he or she would defend "those (who need) help expressing themselves." The city has asked that a printout of the juror's Facebook activity be filed under seal to protect the juror's identity.

If Stadtmueller determines that outside information entered the deliberations, he could throw out the verdict.

Jurors are not allowed to discuss a case they are hearing with anyone, which includes other jurors until deliberations begin. They are also not to independently research any aspects or questions related to the case. Jurors are to rely solely on the evidence presented during the trial.

Vagnini was one of four officers convicted of crimes in illegal strip and cavity searches from 2008 to 2012. The officers were forced to resign.

Vagini pleaded no contest to four felonies and four misdemeanors, and he was sentence to 26 months in prison. The other officers were convicted of misdemeanors.

___
Authorities: Man freed 2 years after wife's false accusation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Authorities say a man has been freed from a Tennessee prison more than two years after his wife lied about him threatening her.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/2hFojk2 ) reports 33-year-old Robert E. Polk of Nashville was released Nov. 23, days after the state parole board agreed to reinstate his parole. Polk's parole in a drug case had been revoked in 2014 after his wife claimed he had threatened her with a gun.

Assistant District Attorney General Vince Wyatt told the parole board in September that Polk's wife acknowledged she made up the incident. She has been convicted of perjury.

The report says Polk's incarceration cost state taxpayers more than $54,000 and he also lost his job doing electrical work and was separated from his children. He's seeking work through staffing agencies.

___

This story has been corrected to show that wife had claimed the man had threatened her with gun.

___
Trump ups US ante on Taiwan, but China has leverage too

WASHINGTON (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump sounds ready to use U.S. policy toward Taiwan as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from China, but both of the world powers could play at that game.

China's rising economic and military clout means its communist leadership has leverage over Washington too. Beijing could erect more obstacles for U.S. companies working in China. It could ramp up tensions in the seas of East Asia. And if differences spike over Taiwan, the Trump administration could face tough choices on whether to send U.S. forces to defend the island that China regards as part of its territory.

There's been a delicate diplomatic balance since 1979 when the U.S. shifted formal recognition to China from Taiwan. Under the so-called "one China" policy, Washington acknowledges China's claim to Taiwan but retains close informal ties and supplies the self-governing island with weapons. Trump said Sunday that he didn't feel "bound by a one-China policy," drawing Chinese condemnation.

In this Dec. 9, 2016, photo, President-elect Donald Trump smiles during a rally at DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. Trump sounds ready to use U.S. policy toward Taiwan as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from China, but both of the world powers could play at that game. Chinas rising economic and military clout means its communist leadership has leverage over Washington too. Beijing could erect more obstacles for U.S. companies working in China. It could ramp up tensions in the seas of East Asia. And if differences spike over Taiwan, the Trump administration could face tough choices on whether to send U.S. forces to defend the island that China regards as part of its territory.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

"This was the agreement that underpinned the normalization of U.S.-China relations. If you throw that out the window then China may very well see this as opening up every other issue," said Michael Fuchs, a former U.S. senior diplomat on East Asia.

A look at some of the areas in which China could make life difficult for the United States:

TAIWAN

If China saw its national interests were threatened by a Trump administration it could squeeze the U.S. ally economically, politically and militarily. China has far superior air and naval power to Taiwan and has hundreds of missiles arrayed against the island. China could ramp up military exercises in the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait to demonstrate its resolve to retake Taiwan by force if necessary.

The U.S. has no legal obligation to defend Taiwan but has previously flexed its muscles when the island was under threat. In 1996, the Bill Clinton administration permitted Taiwan's then-leader Lee Teng-hui, who was seen as challenging the one-China policy, to address his alma mater Cornell University. China reacted with missile tests in waters near Taiwan. The U.S. responded by sending two aircraft carrier battle groups and China backed down.

Twenty years on, and China is now much stronger and challenges American military pre-eminence. Patrick Cronin at the Center for a New American Security said it would seriously hurt U.S. credibility with its other allies if it failed to stand up for Taiwan after Trump encouraged its current leader Tsai Ing-wen to directly engage with him. It would also risk angering a strongly pro-Taiwan U.S. Congress.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

U.S.-China trade in goods and services reached nearly $660 billion last year, heavily in China's favor. Trump has suggested imposing 45 percent tariffs on Chinese products to correct the imbalance. China, suffering a slowdown in its growth, could retaliate in kind, setting off a trade war that would also hurt the U.S. economy. The Chinese state has heavy involvement in the economy and has previously used trade to punish Japan and the Philippines over territorial disputes.

Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said China could choose to buy big-ticket products like airplanes from France-based Airbus instead of U.S.-based Boeing. It could also restrict imports of U.S. goods that it can obtain elsewhere and dial back growing Chinese investment in America.

MILITARIZATION IN EAST ASIA

Trump on Sunday accused China of building "a massive fortress" in the South China Sea  a reference to artificial islands Beijing has built in disputed waters there. China could expedite militarization of the islands over U.S. objections. Further north in the East China Sea, Beijing could step up operations by its boats and aircraft challenging Japan's control of other islands which are covered by a U.S.-Japan mutual defense treaty.

COOPERATING ON NORTH KOREA

Trump also said China was "not helping us at all with North Korea." That's a familiar refrain in Washington. Pyongyang depends on its trade with China for its economic survival. While China has supported stiffer U.N. sanctions and won't endorse a nuclear North Korea, it remains reluctant to impose economic costs that could threaten the survival of Kim Jong Un's government.

Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute of Strategic Studies said Beijing still holds the key to applying the kind of pressure that might get Kim to scale back his nuclear and missile programs. "Persuading Beijing to cooperate will be all the more difficult if Trump causes problems over Taiwan," he said.

China won't necessarily change tack on other global issues like climate change because of a rift with Washington. But Glaser said there could be a deeper Chinese alignment with Russia in international affairs. She said that would depend upon the evolution of U.S.-Russia relations under Trump, who appears to want warmer ties with Moscow.

CYBERSECURITY
US still cutting ties with for-profit college accreditor

WASHINGTON (AP)  Education Secretary John B. King Jr. has upheld his department's decision to cut ties with the nation's largest accreditor of for-profit colleges.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools was appealing a previous decision to revoke its oversight of hundreds of for-profit colleges. The U.S. Department of Education made that decision in September after the council was accused of lax oversight.

Some of the council's schools had been investigated for fraud and other misconduct, including the now-defunct Cortina College and ITT Technical Institute chains.

King cited the accreditor's "pervasive noncompliance" with regulations.
Atheist who fought Illinois laws dies in small plane crash

MARENGO, Ill. (AP)  An Illinois man who was one of the better-known atheists in the country and an activist for keeping religious and government affairs separate died in a plane crash last week, officials said Monday.

The McHenry County coroner said an autopsy Monday revealed that Robert I. Sherman, 63, of Poplar Grove, died from multiple crash injuries. Authorities said Sherman was piloting a small plane that crashed into a cornfield either Friday night or Saturday morning. The crash is under investigation.

Sherman was an outspoken atheist and critic of using state money for religious purposes and having religious displays in public spaces. He also hosted a radio show and ran for public office several times.

FILE - In this May 25, 2012 file photo, atheist Rob Sherman addresses the Friends of the Cross board in Alto Pass, Ill. Suburban Chicago authorities say Sherman who described himself as "the best known atheist-activist in the Midwest" has died in a small plane crash. The McHenry County coroner's office on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 said 63-year-old Robert I. Sherman of Poplar Grove died in the crash. Sherman was an outspoken atheist known across Illinois for going to court to challenge religious displays in public spaces or using state money for religious purposes. (Chuck Novara/The Southern Illinoisan via AP, File)

"He was a proud fighter for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. He was a great activist and a great person," David Silverman, president of American Atheists Inc., said in an email to the Chicago Tribune. "I've flown with him in that very plane when he gave me a tour of Chicago. He loved that plane and loved flying it."

Legal challenges he filed included a 1989 lawsuit over an Illinois law requiring public school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. He said the words "under God" contained in the pledge were unconstitutional.

In 2007, he and his daughter, Dawn, sued over a state law requiring schools to have a moment of silence.

Sherman also took a case to the U.S. Supreme Court involving a 2008 state grant that went toward restoring an 11-story cross in southern Illinois known as the Bald Knob Cross of Peace.

Sherman was behind a 2002 federal lawsuit complaining that it was unconstitutional to read a prayer at a Sept. 11 memorial service hosted by Chicago's mayor. A federal judge ruled against him.

In 2008, Sherman sued to stop then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to give a $1 million state grant to help Pilgrim Baptist Church, a historic landmark on Chicago's South Side that had been badly damaged by fire.
Kansas couple pleads guilty in drug money laundering case

WICHITA, Kan. (AP)  A husband and wife accused of laundering drug money for a Mexican cartel at a small southwest Kansas bank have admitted their roles in the conspiracy.

George Enns and his wife, Agatha, of Meade, Kansas, each pleaded guilty Monday to one count of money laundering conspiracy under a deal with prosecutors that spares them prison time.

The two acknowledged they deposited at least $1.6 million in cash and $5.2 million in third party checks brought in from Mexico at Plains State Bank. The account funds were used to buy corn seed that was then transported into Mexico.

Prosecutors say the process is known as trade-based money laundering.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 27.
Boy, 17, to face court on double murder charge

A teenage boy will appear before court today charged with the murder of two men in Ipswich.

The 17-year-old, who has not been named, is expected to appear via video link at Ipswich Youth Court, Suffolk Police said.

He was held by police following the deaths of Barry Street, 32 and Nathan Oakley,18, who died on Thursday from suspected stab wounds.

The boy will appear via video link at Ipswich Youth Court

Police had first responded to reports of a stabbing at West Meadows, Ipswich. They received another call 15 minutes later reporting a male had collapsed outside Ipswich Hospital with suspected stab wounds.
Theresa May accuses Labour of 'turning a blind eye' to anti-Semitism

Prime Minister Theresa May has accused Labour of "turning a blind eye" to anti-Semitism, as she announced new measures to "call out" perpetrators of hatred against Jewish people.

Speaking at a private lunch of the Conservative Friends of Israel in London, Mrs May announced the UK is adopting an international formal definition of anti-Semitism as part of its efforts to eradicate the prejudice.

And she said it was "disgusting" that anti-Semitic views were found in British politics, making clear to her audience that she believed this happened mainly within "the Labour Party and their hard-left allies".

Theresa May announced the UK is adopting an international formal definition of anti-Semitism as part of its efforts to eradicate the prejudice

Labour has backed the Government's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, and a spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said the party believed that "language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews is anti-Semitism, and is as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism".

But Mrs May said it was the Conservatives who were taking "the firmest stand" against anti-Semitism.

"Let me be clear: it is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country," she said. " It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise.

"And it is disgusting that these twisted views are being found in British politics. Of course, I am talking mainly about the Labour Party and their hard-left allies."

Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson made a declaration of support for Israel by singing the anthem Am Yisrael Chai - The People of Israel Live - at a Westminster lunch last month.

But Mrs May said: "N o amount of karaoke can make up for turning a blind eye to anti-Semitism.

"No matter what Labour say - or sing - they cannot ignore what has been happening in their party."

Her comments are the latest in a series of accusations that the Labour Party has failed to tackle anti-Semitism within its ranks.

A report into the claims by the former director of civil liberties organisation Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, was denounced as a ''whitewash'' by Jewish groups, and there was further controversy when she was made a life peer by Mr Corbyn.

The Government is set to publish its response to a Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into anti-Semitism. The report was described as biased by Mr Corbyn after it found he had failed to provide ''consistent leadership'' in tackling the problem within his party.

In a comment released before Mrs May's speech, a spokesman for the Labour leader said: " Jeremy has consistently spoken out against all forms of anti-Semitism and condemned all anti-Semitic abuse, and set up the Chakrabarti inquiry into anti-Semitism and other forms of racism.

"Its recommendations have already led to far-reaching changes to the rules and practice of the Labour Party. He has also taken decisive disciplinary action over allegations of anti-Semitism, including a series of suspensions and exclusions from membership."

In May this year the IHRA - an intergovernmental organisation backed by 31 countries - agreed a definition of anti-Semitism it hopes will become widely adopted globally.

It states: "Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

Police already use a version of the definition but it will now be used by councils, universities and other public bodies.

Mrs May said its adoption in the UK " means there will be one definition of anti-Semitism - in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews - and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it".

The move was saluted by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who said he hoped it would " provide a clarity which will herald a far more effective discourse on the ways that we can highlight and challenge anti-Semitism wherever it is found".

He added: "I would also like to welcome the Labour Party's support for the definition and call upon other political parties and organisations worldwide to do likewise."

The chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock, said: "This definition will leave people in no doubt when a line has been crossed - a crucial step in the fight against anti-Semitism."

Mrs May said that the UK regarded Israel as a "crucial" partner in its future outside the European Union, and would mark "with pride" the centenary of the 1917 Balfour Declaration of British support for a national home for the Jewish people.

She restated UK support for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and warned that the construction of illegal settlements on Palestinian land was "wr ong (and) not conducive to peace and it must stop".

But she hailed Israel as " a thriving democracy, a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages".
Calls to guarantee permanent residence for EU nationals ahead of Brexit talks

European Union nationals living in Britain before Brexit formally begins should be guaranteed permanent residence now to ease the risk of NHS and social care staff leaving the country, health chiefs have said.

The Cavendish Coalition group of health and social care representatives backed calls for nearly three million EU nationals to be allowed to remain in the UK, saying it would ease "uncertainty and anxiety" in the under-pressure sectors.

According to the House of Lords library, EU nationals make up around 4.95% of the staff in NHS trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups, and 5% of the social care workforce.

Prime Minister Theresa May has refused to agree the status of the nearly 3m Europeans in the UK unless the rights of Britons living on the continent are guaranteed

The coalition spoke a s a group of UK-resident Europeans travelled to Downing Street to urge Theresa May to stop using them as "bargaining chips" in negotiations.

The Prime Minister was told to act on the recommendations of an inquiry chaired by a Brexit-supporting MP and run by think-tank British Future.

It said Mrs May's refusal to agree the status of Europeans in the country unless the rights of Britons living on the continent are guaranteed was "morally wrong".

Responding to the report, the Cavendish Coalition, which includes the likes of the NHS Confederation and British Medical Association, told Mrs May to take the "fair and reasonable" proposals "very seriously".

Danny Mortimer, chair of the coalition and chief executive of NHS Employers, said: "Quickly confirming the right to remain for EU nationals currently working in social care and health across the UK removes the uncertainty and anxiety for individuals and their families and mitigates the risk of staff leaving.

"After consulting a wide array of organisations including the Cavendish Coalition, British Future has put forward a set of recommendations which would provide this certainty."

British Future called for the UK to "make the first move" to demonstrate "goodwill" as it embarks on its divorce negotiations.

The panel, which included a cross-party group of MPs, said all 2.8 million EU nationals should be eligible for permanent residence with the same health, social and education rights as British citizens.

If found that setting the date that Article 50 is triggered as the cut-off point would be fair and legally watertight but would not lead to a surge in migration from across the bloc and European Economic Area nations.

Labour's Gisela Stuart, a Leave campaigner who chaired the inquiry, said: "Britain should make clear at the start of the Brexit negotiations that EU citizens already here before that date can stay.

"This would send a clear signal about the kind of country the UK will be after Brexit and the relationship we want with Europe. We should expect reciprocal deals for Britons living in European countries, but Britain should make the first move to demonstrate goodwill."

At Downing Street, campaign group The 3 Million, which represents EU nationals in the UK, warned Mrs May she would face a "bureaucratic nightmare" to register them unless she backs the recommendations.

Its French chair Nicolas Hatton, a former marketing worker who has lived in the UK for 21 years, told the Press Association: "We don't want to be bargaining chips because we don't believe you can negotiate people's lives.

"At the same time we don't want to be the victims of a bureaucratic nightmare because it would be crazy for the Government not to act now and then be left with an impossible task of registering everybody."

Mr Hatton was joined by former Labour MP Roger Casale, founder of New Europeans, a membership organisation which represents EU nationals, including British expats.

Mr Casale said expats living in Europe also want Mrs May to guarantee the status of EU nationals in the UK to pave the way for their own rights to be secured.

"They don't want to be treated as bargaining chips any more than EU nationals here want to be treated as bargaining chips, they don't like this rhetoric, it sends the wrong message and it doesn't help," he said.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: "There is mounting sense of very real injustice about this. Labour will continue to push the Government to act and to ensure EU nationals are not used as part of the negotiation process."

The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman told reporters that Mrs May had set out "very clearly" soon after the referendum that "we would expect to be able to guarantee the rights of EU citizens here".
BUTTE  Montana's methamphetamine problem, once thought to be on the wane, has bounced back with a vengeance as Mexican cartels flood the state with the highly addictive, destructive drug. And at least one top drug cop says Southwest Montana is the hottest meth trouble spot in the state.

Super labs can produce more than 500 pounds of high-quality methamphetamine at a time and operate in Southern California and northern Mexico, where the majority of production takes place, said Mark Long, chief of the state Department of Criminal Investigation Narcotics Bureau.

One-pot meth labs peaked in Montana in the 90s through early 2000, with law enforcement seeing 100 to 150 a year. The labs took a hit as federal and state laws placed restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine  ingredients used to manufacture meth.

The labs slowly ticked back up a couple of years ago, but the purity and low cost of Mexican meth will likely thwart their resurgence in the state, said Long.

The Sinaloa Cartel is the dominant Mexican cartel basically doing business in our back yard, said Bryan Lockerby, administrator of Montanas Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigation, adding that the footholds cartels have in the U.S. are evidence of the scope of what law enforcement is up against. The intricate smuggling methods include placing drugs in the cavities of puppies and humans, concealing crystal meth in candy, and hiding marijuana inside individual onions stored in bags on a pallet.

The drug pipeline north to Montana utilizes the Interstate 15 corridor from Los Angeles through Las Vegas and up to Salt Lake City and into the Treasure State. Meth also travels Interstate 5 to Yakima, the Tri-Cities, Seattle, and Spokane, where it meets Interstate 90, said Long.

In southwest Montana, Long said, the outlook is dismal. Thats the hottest problem spot for meth in the state, he said, though he added that narcotics agents in Billings would argue that, because of its larger population and being a jumping-off point to two Indian reservations and the Bakken, where drug cases increased by 55 percent in 2014-15.

Butte-Silver Bow Detective Kevin Maloughney said meth has grown immensely since he worked eight years with the Powell County Sheriffs Office in Deer Lodge, two of those with the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force. He recalled the drug scene in 2003 was similar to what were seeing today.

Whats changed is the enormous growth of meth and now the purity is ridiculous  95, 99 percent, the Butte native said.

Maloughney said the business has also become violent, with dealers and users often either packing or having access to multiple weapons. Law enforcement is also seeing a ridiculous amount of money that dealers are making.

With the influx of potent meth comes an insatiable hunger for the next fix, which drives thefts, burglaries, and assaults, the detective said. As a young boy, he recalled residents leaving doors unlocked and having a rifle in a gun rack in their pickup. Now, he said, people have to secure their homes and their vehicles to prevent themselves from being victims.

Despite meths top rank in the state's list of abused drugs, followed by prescription pills and marijuana, state law enforcement officials say a tsunami of heroin is coming.

We have to prepare for it, because its on its way, said Lockerby. What we have is a bunch of rookie heroin users, and thats what makes it dangerous.

For an agency thats stretched pretty thin, the reality of too little resources for a burgeoning drug problem means casting a wider net beyond what the upcoming Legislature could approve.

Were just going to have to practice triage like an emergency room and take whatever happens to be the biggest problem at the time and deal with it.  Were just adding more and more issues here and no more resources at any level  treatment, prevention, or law enforcement, said Long.

The agency has 112 full-time employees with 41 sworn agents, 21 of which work in narcotics and average about 500 cases a year.

Lockerby said his team manages two of seven drug task forces across Montana, focusing on local impact cases and upper level drug traffickers in an attempt to cut the head off the snake of whats coming into the state. Agents are also involved in federal task forces such as the FBI and may assist in cases on tribal lands.

Butte-Silver Bow health officer Karen Sullivan said its difficult to quantify the health impact from methamphetamine on the city of about 34,000 without data. Some officials say it is a statewide epidemic; others believe thats too dramatic a label to assign.

But Sullivan is calling for a multi-agency collaboration to batten down the hatches and find answers to a scourge that threatens the resilient and close-knit community.

If were going to attack meth use on a statewide level and on a local level, it will require a huge collaborative effort of every agency that might have an impact on this, and that could include doctors, she said. Without a collaborative  almost a continuum of approaches  I dont think were going to lick it.
Jose Mourinho hopes to have Henrikh Mkhitaryan fit in time for Christmas

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is hopeful Henrikh Mkhitaryan will shake off his ankle injury in time for the Christmas fixture schedule.

Mkhitaryan had turned in another man-of-the-match display during Sunday's home win against Tottenham before a tackle from Danny Rose led to the summer signing being stretchered off.

The Armenian marked his performance with the winning goal and although he will play no part in the away games at Crystal Palace on Wednesday and West Brom on Saturday, Mourinho is expecting him back sooner rather than later.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be fit for Manchester United's game against Sunderland on Boxing Day

"Hopefully he can play at Christmas," Mourinho told a press conference at Carrington. "We believe it's possible, so when I saw him on a stretcher I thought it was more difficult.

"When I watched the tackle on TV I was a bit scared. It's a pity because he's going to miss matches in his best period, but at least we don't lose the player for so long."

Mourinho was full of praise for Mkhitaryan's strength of mind in turning his fortunes round.

The former Borussia Dortmund player has taken his time to shine in the Premier League, but scored his first goal for the club in last Thursday's Europa League win against Zorya Luhansk and followed up with an emphatic finish on Sunday.

"We bought him because I asked the club to do it because I like the player, I analysed the player," Mourinho said.

"So it would be even more frustrating for me if everything went wrong, but he needed a period of adaptation at every level.

"In that period he was a great professional because maybe another guy in his position would find excuses, would blame the manager, the pitch, the weather, like many of the players now, they do.

"He was quiet, closed his mouth and worked really hard, waiting for an opportunity and he was playing so good now.

"But hopefully a few matches out is not going to stop his evolution."

Mourinho said he had plenty of options in Mkhitaryan's absence and that filling the gap was not the issue.

"Rooney, Rashford, Lingard, Ashley Young, Memphis Depay - that's a position where we have lots of players," he added.

"So that would not be a problem to choose a player to play. The problem is he was playing so well and now he's not playing."
Charities in Supreme Court fight over payout to woman left out of mother's will

A six-figure award to an estranged daughter who was left out of her mother's will has come under challenge at the UK's highest court.

Supreme Court justices have been asked to rule in the latest round of a lengthy legal fight which began after Heather Ilott's late mother Melita Jackson left the majority of her 486,000 estate to three animal charities.

Mother-of-five Mrs Ilott, from Great Munden, Hertfordshire, who has no pension and lived on state benefits, went to court and was originally awarded 50,000 from the estate - but Court of Appeal judges upped the sum to 163,000 last year.

The case over is being heard at the Supreme Court

The Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals now argue that the appeal judges "fell into error" in deciding to increase the maintenance payout, which included 143,000 for Mrs Ilott to buy her housing association home.

Seven Supreme Court justices have been urged to overturn the Court of Appeal's ruling and either make an "appropriate" order for Mrs Ilott's "provision", or to restore the order made by a district judge in 2007 that the sum should be 50,000.

Only child Mrs Ilott was rejected by her mother at the age of 17 after she left home without her knowledge or agreement in 1978, to live with her boyfriend Nicholas Ilott, who she later married.

Attempts at reconciliation failed and when 70-year-old Mrs Jackson died in 2004 her will made no provision for her estranged daughter.

Mrs Ilott, who is in her 50s, made an application under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for "reasonable financial provision" from her mother's estate.

The Act confers the right on a child of a deceased parent to apply for an order if a will does not make reasonable provision for their maintenance.

It is the first time that an appeal under the 1975 Act has reached the Supreme Court. The challenge is opposed by lawyers for Mrs Ilott, who attended the London hearing.

The charities say their case before the panel of justices, headed by the court's president Lord Neuberger, is to "affirm the importance of testamentary freedom and secure crucial guidance for the future".

In a statement they said: "The charities have appealed this decision in order to obtain essential clarity from the Supreme Court regarding the scope of the court's power to interfere with a person's testamentary wishes using the 1975 Act."

In 2007, District Judge Clive Million said Mrs Ilott's financial circumstances were ''straitened and needy'', and concluded that her exclusion from the will had been unfair - deciding that the ''appropriate provision'' from the estate was 50,000.

Mrs Ilott challenged the size of the award which led to the increase by three judges in July last year. As well as the 143,000, it was also for the "amount of the reasonable costs of acquisition".

Lady Justice Arden, who announced the court's decision, said: "I would additionally award her an option to take a further maximum capital sum of 20,000 to provide an immediate capital sum from which further income needs can be met. I have expressed the award in these terms in order to preserve her state benefits."

The justices are expected to reserve their decision at the end of the one-day hearing.

Before the hearing, James Aspden, a partner at Wilsons Solicitors who is representing the three charities, said in a statement: "The charities trust that the court will provide essential guidance on the scope of the court's powers under the Inheritance Act and clarify the other important issues this case has highlighted."

In a joint statement the charities said: "We are immensely grateful for the generosity of those who leave a gift to a charity about which they feel passionately.

"Their generosity is vital to the valuable work that we do and we take very seriously our duty to honour the wishes of our generous supporters who choose to remember us in their will.

"We look forward to the resulting clarity that the Supreme Court decision will be able to bring for the charity sector as a whole, and to the renewed confidence that a clear decision at the highest level will give to those making their wills, that their wishes will be respected."

The charities say that in April 2002 Mrs Jackson wrote "a heartfelt letter to accompany her will in which she explained her decision and instructed her executors to defend any attempt by her daughter to contest it".

They said that in the letter she wrote: "If my daughter should bring a claim against my estate I instruct my Executors to defend such a claim as I can see no reason why my daughter should benefit in any way from my estate ... I have made it clear to my daughter during her lifetime that she can expect no inheritance from me when I die".

The justices have been asked to rule on five issues relating to the 1975 Act.

They include whether the appeal judges were wrong to "set aside" the district judge's award, whether they "erred" in taking account of the factual position "as at the date of the appeal rather than the date of the original hearing", and also whether the court was wrong to "structure" an award under the 1975 Act in a way which allowed Mrs Illott to preserve her entitlement to state benefits.

Presenting argument on behalf of the charities, Penelope Reed QC argued that the Court of Appeal was "wrong to interfere" with the discretion of District Judge Million "because his exercise of discretion indicated no error of law, was not plainly wrong and there had been no other procedural irregularity".

She told the justices that the appeal judges "failed to give due weight" to the fact that Mrs Illott had been "independent of the deceased her entire adult life, had been estranged from her and had no expectation of benefiting from her estate".
Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames attacks Nicky Morgan over trousers row

A senior Tory has attacked ex-education secretary Nicky Morgan's "unacceptable" comments on Theresa May's 995 leather trousers because they "trivialised" Brexit.

Sir Nicholas Soames, who is part of a group of Tory MPs that includes Ms Morgan which is seeking a "soft Brexit", expressed frustration that the former Cabinet minister's remarks on the designer legwear had diverted attention from serious issues surrounding the EU withdrawal.

The Tory grandee said that he was "not surprised" Ms Morgan had been stopped from attending a Downing Street meeting between Mrs May and backbenchers over Brexit plans following her criticism of the Prime Minister's decision to wear the Amanda Wakeley "bitter chocolate" trousers in a photo-shoot.

Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames has joined in on the 'trouser-gate' debate

"What Nicky Morgan said of the Prime Minister was completely unacceptable and succeeded in trivialising a very important argument that a group of us was making about Brexit.

"I am not the least surprised that the Prime Minister said she did not want Nicky Morgan to come. I very much regret it. I'm fond of Nicky but it is a great pity she said that," he told the Evening Standard.

The spat escalated after Mrs May's joint chief of staff Fiona Hill warned Tory MP Alistair Burt not to bring Ms Morgan to Number 10 for Brexit talks this week.

Text messages obtained by the Mail on Sunday show that Ms Hill texted Mr Burt to tell him "Don't bring that woman to No 10 again" after she criticised the expense of the trousers.

However, Ms Morgan found out about the message and sent the aide a stinging riposte.

The message seen by the Mail on Sunday said: "If you don't like something I have said or done, please tell me directly. No man brings me to any meeting. Your team invites me. If you don't want my views in future meetings you need to tell them."

Ms Hill, believed to be referring to Mr Burt and Ms Morgan attending a previous meeting together, replied: "Well, he just did. So there!".

As the so-called "Trouser Gate" row gained momentum, Mrs May insisted she was not out of touch with ordinary people because she opted to wear costly clothing.

Speaking during an official visit to Bahrain for a Gulf summit, the PM said: ''Look, I stood on the steps of Downing Street and said what I did about the importance of a country that works for everyone because that is what I have heard from people as I have gone around the country, as I have met people in a whole variety of circumstances.

''I believe it is important for politicians to get out and about and that's exactly what I continue to do. It is important that we have a country that works for everyone.'

Loughborough MP Ms Morgan had expressed doubts about the expensive fashion choice, insisting: ''My barometer is always: 'How am I going to explain this in Loughborough market?'''

The MP said the trousers had been ''noticed and discussed'' in Tory circles. Mrs Morgan said: ''I don't have leather trousers. I don't think I've ever spent that much on anything apart from my wedding dress.''

Mrs May's official spokeswoman declined to discuss the meeting with backbenchers over Brexit, telling a regular Westminster media briefing: "The PM meets MPs and others regularly."

Asked whether the PM had bought the trousers using her Amanda Wakeley discount card, which she records having held since 2013 in the House of Commons Register of MPs' Interests, the spokeswoman said: "I'm not going to get into the details of the Prime Minister's purchases for her wardrobe."
Host of Golden Globe nods for La La Land with British talent also in reckoning

Musical La La Land has received the most nominations for the Golden Globes, where a host of British talent will compete for awards.

Damien Chazelle's film, which is being tipped as a favourite for Oscar success, is up for seven honours including nods for stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

Coming-of age drama Moonlight earned six nominations, with Briton Naomie Harris up for best supporting actress for her performance as a crack-addict in the film.

Tom Hiddleston is nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in The Night Manager

Hugh Grant is nominated for best actor in a musical or comedy film for Florence Foster Jenkins, while Dev Patel and Aaron Taylor Johnson will compete for best supporting actor for their roles in Lion and Nocturnal Animals respectively.

Lily Collins - the daughter of musician Phil Collins - is nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy for her performance in Warren Beatty's Rules Don't Apply.

Meanwhile, Andrew Garfield is nominated for best actor in a film drama for his portrayal of conscientious objector Desmond Doss in Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge.

Gibson received a best director nomination for the Second World War drama, which marked his return to directing for the first time in 10 years following his controversial anti-Semitic rant in 2006.

In the television categories, BBC show The Night Manager scored four nominations including best limited series and nods for stars Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie.

Hiddleston will compete for best actor in a limited series along with fellow Briton Riz Ahmed, who is nominated for his role in The Night Of.

Colman will battle for the award for best supporting actress in a limited series with British stars Thandie Newton, who is nominated for Westworld, and Lena Headey from Game Of Thrones.

Laurie is nominated for best supporting actor and will go head to head with John Lithgow, who is nominated for his portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill in The Crown.

Lithgow's co-star, Briton Claire Foy, is nominated for best actress in a television drama series for her portrayal of the Queen in the Netflix drama about the monarch's early reign.

The Crown will battle for best television drama series with Game Of Thrones, Stranger Things, US drama This Is Us and Westworld.

Another Briton, Charlotte Rampling, is nominated for best actress in a limited television series for her performance in London Spy.

Meanwhile, Welsh actor Matthew Rhys is up for best actor in a television series for The Americans.

The movie acting awards will see Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Isabelle Huppert, Ruth Negga and Natalie Portman compete for best actress in a film drama.

Casey Affleck is nominated for best actor in a film drama for his performance in Manchester By The Sea. He will compete with Joel Edgerton (Loving), Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge), Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) and Denzel Washington (Fences)

La La Land is up for best musical comedy film along with superhero film Deadpool, Florence Foster Jenkins, Sing Street and 20th Century Women.

Hacksaw Ridge, Hell Or High Water, Lion, Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight are nominated for best film in the drama category.

The People Versus OJ Simpson: American Crime Story received a number of nominations including best limited series or film made for television.

John Travolta, Sarah Paulson, Courtney B Vance and Sterling K Brown are up for acting awards for their performances in the drama about the murder trial of former American footballer Simpson.

Meryl Streep, who will receive the Cecil B DeMille Award for career achievement, is nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy film for Florence Foster Jenkins.
Six people arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences are being questioned by police  as an Army bomb disposal team was called in during a series of raids this morning.

(Chris Radburn/PA)

Four men from Derby aged 22, 27, 35 and 36, a 27-year-old man from Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire and a 32-year-old woman from London have all been arrested on suspicion of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism.

Counter-terrorism officers are continuing to question those detained on Monday morning, while properties in Derby, Burton and London have been searched.

Police activity in Leopold Street, Derby.

Police said the six arrests were linked to international-related terrorism.

An Army bomb squad was called to the Normanton area of Derby in what police described as a precautionary measure, however no homes have been evacuated.

A police cordon has remained in place and forensics team have been seen entering a house in Leopold Street, Derby, in a location thought to be linked to the on-going inquiry.

Police activity in Leopold Street, Derby.

Steven Allen, 32, who lives in the road, said: Ive just come out of my flat, saw a police car there, thought it a bit odd.

I heard absolutely nothing, I literally got out my flat door, saw a police car, saw the vans.

Its usually a very quiet street. Its just such a shock to the system really because this is a very quiet street.

(Alex Britton/PA)

The investigation is being led by the North East counter terrorism unit (Nectu) supported by officers from Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Metropolitan Police.

In a statement, Nectu said: All six arrests this morning were carried out under terrorism legislation, meaning officers have an initial 48 hours to charge, release or apply for a warrant of further detention.

The arrests are linked to International-related terrorism.

Four men from #Derby have this morning been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences https://t.co/ZmczaZj6ci  Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) December 12, 2016

If you suspect #terrorism or #extremism, report it via the Anti-Terrorism Hotline number 0800 789 321. #ATH https://t.co/mYykX90kxU  Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) December 12, 2016

Chief Superintendent Jack Atwal, of Derbyshire Police, said: People living and working in Normanton will have seen a large police presence in the area today.

He added: I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while officers remain in the area, supporting the investigation.
Zurich Insurance agrees to buy Australia's Cover-More for $551 mln

By Jamie Freed

SYDNEY, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Switzerland's Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to buy Australia's biggest travel insurance provider, Cover-More Group, for A$741 million ($551 million), stepping up its investment in the Australian market.

Global buyers have been drawn to the broader Australian insurance sector, where returns on equity are healthy and banks have been selling insurance assets due in part to regulatory changes requiring them to hold more capital.

Zurich had already bolstered its presence in Australia in March through the purchase Macquarie Group's life insurance division for an undisclosed sum.

Other recent transactions include National Australia Bank's sale of 80 percent its life insurance division to Nippon Life for A$2.4 billion in October.

Cover-More shares surged 43 percent to A$1.875 on Monday after Zurich's A$1.95 cash a share offer, a 48 percent premium to the target's last closing price of A$1.32 on Friday.

The company floated by private equity firm Crescent Capital in December 2013 at A$2 a share.

Noel Webster, a senior portfolio manager at BT Investment Management, which owns 5.7 percent of Cover-More, said the premium appeared reasonable but there was potential for a counter-bid.

"Maybe this draws attention to the fact that there is quite good market share and global positioning," Webster told Reuters.

Cover-More Chief Executive Officer Mike Emmett said the company had not run an auction process after receiving an unsolicited approach from Zurich.

The Swiss insurer had been able to access confidential information when competing for a separate underwriting contract won last week by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc , he added.

"From now until closing  by definition anyone else can come forward with a bid," Emmett told Reuters. "The board has a fiduciary responsibility to evaluate every bid."

Bell Potter analyst John O'Shea said Cover-More was appealing as a growth business given increasing outbound travel volumes in Australia, driven in part by low airfares.

The company has a 40 percent share of the Australian travel insurance market, and as of the end of September, outbound travel was growing by 4.8 percent a year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australia's second largest travel insurer, Allianz , has a 25 percent share of the market, according to research firm IBISWorld, while Suncorp and QBE Insurance Group each hold around 6 percent.

Cover-More Chairman Louis Carroll said Zurich planned to operate Cover-More as a discrete business and retain the existing management team.

The deal will be executed via a scheme of arrangement requiring the approval of 75 percent of Cover-More shareholders at a meeting the insurer said was expected to be held by early April 2017. Zurich has the right to match any competing offers and will receive a 1 percent break fee if the deal does not proceed.
Pakistan names new military intelligence chief

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan has named a new head of its powerful military Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), two weeks after replacing the chief of army staff in a significant shift for the military that wields huge influence.

Lt. Gen Naveed Mukhtar was appointed as director-general of the ISI, replacing Lt. Gen Rizwan Akhtar, who is being moved to the post of president of the National Defence University, according to a statement by the military's press wing late on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday picked Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa to replace outgoing army chief Raheel Sharif, the popular military leader credited with improving security and driving back Islamist militant groups.

The army is arguably the most influential institution in Pakistan, with the military having ruled the country for about half of its 69-year history since independence from Britain and enjoying extensive powers even under civilian administrations.

By turn, the head of the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan. The agency has long been accused of supporting Islamist militants targeting neighbour and arch-foe India as well as sheltering the Afghan Taliban and other militants.

Pakistan's government and military deny any links to militants.
Poland - Factors to Watch Dec 12

Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour):

DATA

Poland's statistics office to release November CPI data at 1300 GMT.

ALIOR BANK

Alior Bank should focus on organic growth and its pending merger with Bank BPH, Alior's main shareholder PZU Chief Executive Officer Michal Krupinski told Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily.

STOCK EXCHANGE

The Warsaw Stock Exchange will hold a shareholders meeting on Jan. 4 on state request to vote on changes in the bourse management board and appoint a new CEO, the company said in a statement on Friday.

CCC

Polish shoe retailer CCC plans to issue convertible bonds worth around 150 million euros ($158.37 million), the company said late on Friday. CCC plans to list the 5-7 year bonds on the Frankfurt bourse, it said.

G2A

G2A, a platform for second-hand computer games trade, is considering a debut on one of the foreign stock exchanges, Puls Biznesu daily said.

****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.****
Air France drops plans for forming subsidiary for maintenance arm

PARIS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Air France has abandoned plans to study forming a subsidiary unit for its maintenance arm, its chief executive told trade unions in a letter.

Maintenance is one of the most profitable business units for the Franco-Dutch airline group, whose French passenger operations have been engulfed by strikes and restructuring.
Japan protests over China's complaint about fighter jets

TOKYO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Japan said on Monday it had protested to China over a Chinese complaint that Japanese fighter jets had engaged in "dangerous and unprofessional" behaviour when they scrambled at the weekend as Chinese aircraft flew near Japanese islands.

Chinese military aircraft on Saturday flew between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako islands, and over waterways near self-ruled Taiwan - seen by Beijing as a renegade province - as part of long-range exercises, Taiwan said.

Chinese defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in a statement on Saturday that two Japanese F-15 fighter jets flew over the Miyako Strait and conducted "close range interference", firing decoy flares and "jeopardizing the security of Chinese aircraft and pilots".

Yang said China had grave concerns and lodged a protest over the behaviour of the Japanese aircraft during what he called "routine" drills in international waters.

But Japan rejected China's assertion.

"I have received a report from the defence minister that the Japanese planes did not conduct any close-range interference toward the Chinese military planes ... or threaten the safety of Chinese military planes or its personnel," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

"The fact that China's military unilaterally announced something clearly different from the facts is extremely regrettable and harms the improvement of relations between Japan and China, and we have strictly protested to the Chinese side," he said.

Suga said Japan would watch the actions of the Chinese military, "which are expanding and increasing", and make every effort towards "firmly protecting our country's land, sea and air space and, in accordance with international and domestic law, take strict measures against any invasion of our airspace".

In Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang urged Japan to take steps to prevent "safety problems on the sea and in the air".
The group of lawmakers who will create the first draft of Wyomings budget will have hearings, beginning Monday, with state agency heads, asking them to justify their requests for new money at a time of lower revenues.

The Joint Appropriations Committees hearings will last all week. Lawmakers penciled in Saturday as a hearing day, too, in case they need extra time.

Decisions on which programs will be cut or increased will be made in January. But members of the public who listen to the webcast will better understand where lawmakers are heading, said Buck McVeigh of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association.

They get kind of long, as there is a lot of budget jargon that people wont be able to necessarily follow along with, he said. But I will say this: If a citizen is listening to the budget hearings and they do get a sense of concern of an area thats near and dear to them, it could give them a heads up that they need to visit Cheyenne to provide public testimony.

In March, the Legislature adopted a $3 billion, two-year budget. Over the summer, Gov. Matt Mead had to cut $250 million from the budget because revenues from oil, gas and coal plunged.

McVeigh, who worked for the state for 30 years on budget issues before the Taxpayers Association, doesnt anticipate many more reductions in general government operations.

I think most of the cutting thats going to get done has already been done, he said.

His group, which represents large companies, will oppose increasing taxes if revenue projections due in January show the state will continue to be in the red.

I think the savings that we have used strategically will in fact get us through the general fund, operational piece of state government, McVeigh said. The big hurdle, the big challenge that we face is with K-12 funding and with school capital facilities, and how were going to fund those programs moving forward with the loss of the coal lease bonus moneys. I think thats the big challenge.

Federal money from coal companies leasing public land has paid for public school construction and large project maintenance. But that account is running dry, since there have been no bids for years to expand mines.

Gov. Matt Mead sent lawmakers budget recommendations recently that balanced the states operations budget with no new cuts. He said Wednesday that he anticipates K-12 funding, however, will need new reductions. In the budget cycle that begins July 1, 2018, Mead said there could be a shortfall in education by as much as $700 million.

The public can listen in through the Wyoming Legislatures website: www.wyoleg.gov. An agenda will also be on the homepage, listing when the committee is scheduled to meet with each agency representative.

The Wyoming Legislature convenes Jan. 10 in Cheyenne.
German couple decorate their house with over 100 Christmas trees

RINTELN, Germany, Dec 12 (Reuters) - For one German couple, putting up the Christmas decorations takes eight long weeks.

With around 16,000 baubles needed to be placed on over 100 Christmas trees, Thomas and Susanne Jeromin's annual winter wonderland at their house in the small German town of Rinteln has become a seasonal labour of love.

"We started off with a normal Christmas tree in the living room as you'd expect and then we thought we could put one in the hallway, one in the kitchen, and over the last five years it's exploded," Thomas Jeromin told Reuters.

The Christmas-obsessed couple began decorating the 105 square metres (1,130 square feet) of space in their home, 60 km (37 miles) south west of Hannover, in early October, with lights, ornaments and Father Christmas decorations dotted throughout.

The Jeromin's bedroom is the only festive-free zone.
Russia sees Exxon boss, tipped to be Secretary of State, as an old friend

By Denis Pinchuk and Olesya Astakhova

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Soon after the United States imposed sanctions on Moscow in 2014, Russian oil tsar Igor Sechin told a Reuters reporter he would miss three things: exploring U.S. culture, the chance to show his children American landscapes, and riding motor-bikes with Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson.

Tillerson is now front-runner to be Secretary of State in the cabinet of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and Russian officials are relishing the prospect of having someone with long-standing ties to Russia as the chief U.S. diplomat.

Those same ties -- Tillerson has met Russian President Vladimir Putin several times and even received a medal from him -- are causing disquiet among some policymakers in Washington, who see the relationships as a potential liability.

Few people in Moscow expect that the bitter rifts with Washington, over Syria, Ukraine, and NATO's presence in eastern Europe, will be healed overnight with Tillerson at the State Department.

But his emergence as front-runner for the job was seen in Moscow as confirmation the Trump administration would put aside old enmity and do deals with the Kremlin.

Trump is expected to name Tillerson, a 64-year-old Texan, as Secretary of State, a source familiar with the situation said on Saturday. Tillerson would join other figures with Russia ties already in the Trump cabinet.

"The choice of Tillerson is a sensation," said Alexei Pushkov, a pro-Kremlin lawmaker in the upper house of the Russian parliament. "This is a businessmen, by definition a pragmatist, who also has lots of experience working with Russia."

"Judging by the appointments to the key posts in the administration, Trump wants to see a decisive and strong America, but does not see reasons for conflicts with Russia," Pushkov wrote on Twitter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was cautious on Tillerson's cabinet prospects, saying the appointment had not been confirmed. But he praised his personal qualities.

"As part of his duties as head of one of the biggest oil companies, he had contacts with our representatives," Peskov, said on a conference call with reporters. "He carries out his duties in a highly professional way."

Asked about how close Tillerson is to Putin, Peskov said: "They had working meetings. Indeed, the president received Mr. Tillerson several times."

CLOSE COOPERATION

Though he and Putin know each other, the most important relationship Tillerson forged in Russia is with Sechin, one of Putin's closest lieutenants.

Tillerson started coming into regular contact with Russian officials when, in January 1998, he was made vice president of an Exxon unit involved in exploration projects in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

The flagship project was the Sakhalin 1 offshore project in the Pacific Ocean. Exxon was the operator and Rosneft, the Russian state oil giant headed by Sechin, was a major shareholder.

"He knows this whole sphere excellently," said an oil executive close to Rosneft and Exxon, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "He was involved in the negotiations and the implementation of Sakhalin 1.. From the start. And he knows the peculiarities of the Russian mind-set very well."

In 2012, Rosneft and Exxon deepened their cooperation, signing an agreement on joint development of oil fields in Western Siberia. Putin, Tillerson and Sechin came together for the signing ceremony.

Later the same year Zeljko Runje, who until then had been vice president of Exxon's Russian operations, moved to Rosneft to take up the post of vice president and member of the management board.

Their next big joint project was launched in June 2013, when they set up a joint venture to explore for oil in the Kara Sea, in the Arctic, and in the Black Sea. Sechin and Tillerson both attended the signing ceremony.

In the same month, Putin awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, a Russian state honour. The citation said it was for his "significant contribution to strengthening cooperation in the energy sector."

TIES TESTED

Then the Ukraine conflict intervened in 2014, testing Tillerson's relations with his Russian partners.

After Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region and backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, the United States started several rounds of sanctions.

Tillerson, like other U.S. energy CEOs under pressure from the White House, stayed away from an annual investors' meeting with Putin in St Petersburg in June. He sent a senior Exxon executive in his place.

By August 2014, Exxon was poised to start drilling on the Kara Sea's Universitetskaya exploratory well but an imminent fresh round of sanctions could have halted work.

According to two offshore drilling sources familiar with the Kara Sea project, Tillerson and his team went into crisis mode. They managed to sign the contract to supply a drilling rig just before one round of sanctions was imposed, giving them some legal breathing space.

The Exxon managers then pushed through the drilling programme in two months before a further round of sanctions eventually knocked it off course, the sources said. They found large reserves of crude.

An Exxon representative was not immediately available for comment.

Soon after, obstacles arising from the sanctions forced Exxon to suspend its cooperation with Rosneft in the Kara Sea. The project has since been idling. But Exxon's Russian partners remember its effort to get the well drilled.
PRESS DIGEST - RUSSIA - Dec 12

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

VEDOMOSTI

www.vedomosti.ru

The Russian finance ministry believes that all state-controlled companies, without exception, should pay 50 percent of their net profit in dividends, daily reports.

Investors associated with the financial group Safmar bought electronics and appliances retailer Eldorado.

Representatives of Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukraine failed to agree on the resumption of gas supplies to Ukraine.

Russian company AVTOVAZ plans to produce 10,000 Lada cars in Kazakhstan in 2017, the daily reports.

The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of Russia initiated a case against Apple on suspicion of abuse of a dominant position on the market, the daily reports.

The export of sunflower oil from Russia in 2016 is 80 percent up on the same period last year, the newspaper reports.

IZVESTIA

www.izvestia.ru

Depositors of banks which lost their licenses in 2016 have lost about 50 billion roubles ($790 million), the newspaper said.

ROSSYISKAYA GAZETA

www.rg.ru

More than 100 credit institutions in Russia have lost their licenses this year, the daily reports.
Saudi police detain young woman for removing abaya - media

DUBAI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Saudi police detained a young woman for violating modesty rules after she removed her abaya, the loose-fitting, full-length robes women are required to wear, on a main street in the capital Riyadh, local media reported on Monday.

The conservative Muslim country enforces a strict dress code for women in public, bans them from driving and prohibits the mixing of sexes.

The Arabic-language al-Sharq newspaper reported that the woman was detained after a complaint was filed by the religious police.

"Police officers have detained a girl who had removed her abaya on al-Tahliya street, implementing a challenge she announced on social media several days ago," the newspaper quoted Colonel Fawaz al-Maiman, a Riyadh police spokesman, as saying.

The sabq.org news website said the unnamed woman had posted on Twitter that she would go out in public without her abaya.

Both sabq.org and another news website, alweeam.com.sa, carried a picture of the woman wearing a black jacket over an ankle-length orange and pink dress. Sabq.org concealed the exposed parts of her body.

The post had drawn an angry reaction from some Saudis.
Kenya president indicates Nairobi may reconsider its ICC membership

NAIROBI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Monday the country will have to think seriously about its membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), signalling another African country may quit the embattled court.

Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have both faced charges at the ICC over their alleged roles in the deadly inter-ethnic violence after Kenya's 2007 elections in which about 1,200 people died. Both cases collapsed due to insufficient evidence.

His announcement put new pressure on the world's first permanent war crimes court, which has had to fight off allegations of pursuing a neo-colonial agenda in Africa.

South Africa, Burundi and Gambia have officially notified the United Nations of their intent to pull out of the Rome Statute, the 1998 treaty establishing The Hague-based court. Those withdrawals will take effect in 2017.

In a televised speech to mark the establishment of Kenya as a republic in 1964, Kenyatta said the ICC had become a "tool of global power politics" and not an institution to dispense international justice.

"We have sought the changes that will align the ICC to respect national sovereignty. Those changes have not been forthcoming. We will therefore need to give serious thought to our membership," he said.

Kenya's parliament has already passed two resolutions since 2010 calling for the country to withdrawal from the court.

Kenyatta, who is standing for re-election in elections scheduled for August next year, cautioned against foreign interference, citing unnamed foreign actors whom he said were already bringing money into the country to influence the vote.

"There's already money coming into Kenya from abroad ... its true intention is to influence our electoral choices," he said.

Investors are keen to see whether Kenya, East Africa's dominant economy, can avoid violence in the next election.

Political tensions rose early this year over a disagreement on replacing electoral officials who the opposition said were incompetent and biased against them.

After multiple violent protests, the government eventually agreed to remove all senior officials of the poll body.

Namibia's President Hage Geingob told Reuters in London this month that his feeling was that Namibia would go ahead with a plan to exit the ICC as it was mainly targeting African leaders.
Millions of Cambodian farmers receive land titles under state plan

By Chris Arsenault

PHNOM PENH, Dec 12 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Cambodia is moving fast to provide millions of land titles to farmers in an effort to reduce conflicts over territory in the Southeast Asian nation, a senior government official said.

About 770,000 Cambodians - more than five percent of the population - have been affected by land conflicts pitting small farmers against plantation owners in the past 15 years, according to human rights lawyers.

Restoring tenure has been one of the government's top priorities with more than 400,000 small farmers given the official paperwork to secure land ownership each year, said Seng Laut, spokesman for Cambodia's Land Ministry.

The authorities have issued 4.3 million titles in the last two decades and are on track to meeting their goal of seven million land title deeds by 2023, Laut said.

"When all of the land plots are registered, the conflicts will be over," Laut told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview at his office in the capital, Phnom Penh.

"We want to speed up land registration that makes land property safe."

'SOLVING CONFLICTS'

Following Cambodia's genocide in the late 1970s and the destruction of land records by Khmer Rouge fighters, the government says it has been working to re-establish who owns different pieces of territory.

University students have been sent to rural areas to interview farmers and conduct surveys to help get land titles to growers, Laut said.

The government has also set up special dispute resolution bodies in farming regions to help mediate land conflicts.

"The committees solve conflicts based on consensus and compromise," Laut said. "There is no need (for rural residents) to hire a lawyer and spend money: it's win - win."

Nevertheless, campaigners say that well-connected politicians and businessmen have used the country's weak land tenure regime to usurp territory from local residents.

BIG CONCESSIONS

Cambodia is the country with the second highest number of large-scale land transactions signed globally, after Indonesia, according to a report entitled "Tainted Lands: Corruption in Large-Scale Land Deals" by the U.N.'s former Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food in November.

With 104 documented large-scale territorial deals signed since 2000, Cambodia is at the centre of what campaigners call the "great land rush" and increasing disputes between investors and farmers.

There are now about 800 ongoing land conflicts in Cambodia, down from 7,500 in 2003, Laut said.

The government stopped issuing new Economic Land Concessions (ELCs) - a type of large-scale investment which campaigners say have forced villagers off their land - to private companies in 2012 amid an outcry from rights groups.

Existing concessions must work around small farmers living inside the areas they have leased or they will lose their right to operate, Laut said.

He said the government has taken back tens of thousands of hectares that were granted to companies as ELCs to show that they will target firms who displace farmers.

"The government will cancel contracts of companies who do wrong ... they have to protect the land of the people," he said.

"You will see in the near future, some (more) contracts will be cancelled."
Indonesia police to boost security at Jakarta governor's blasphemy trial

JAKARTA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Indonesian police said on Monday they would deploy plainclothes officers to oversee security at the blasphemy trial of Jakarta's Christian governor, seen by many as a test of religious freedom in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

Members of Islamic groups are expected to rally outside the courthouse in central Jakarta on Tuesday, demanding that governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, who they claim insulted the Koran, be taken immeditely into custody under arrest.

"The court has requested security for the judges, attendees and for the area in general," said senior police official Martinus Sitompul. "Among them will be (plainclothes) personnel who will mingle in with attendees."

Purnama's comments, made in late September, on his opponents' use of the Koran in political campaigning has incensed many Muslim groups.

Tens of thousands of Muslims, led by hardliners, took to the streets in December and November, to call for Purnama's arrest and urge voters not to reelect him in an election for governor in February. The rallies, with over 150,000 participants each, were the biggest Jakarta has seen in nearly two decades.

President Joko Widodo, seen as an ally to Purnama, has blamed "political actors" for fueling the protests, but declined to elaborate. Widodo has faced widespread criticism for not doing enough to protect the country's religious minorities.

Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, but the country of 250 million also has sizeable Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities and dozens of groups that adhere to traditional beliefs.

Purnama, if found guilty of blasphemy, faces up to five years in prison. Almost all blasphemy cases in recent years have ended in conviction.

As Jakarta's first ethnic Chinese governor, Purnama won kudos for shaking up the city's sleepy bureaucracy and for taking steps to ease the city's notorious traffic. But his abrasive language and insistence on clearing the city's slums has alienated many voters.
Italian PM unveils new government, but centre-right ally threatens to quit

By Crispian Balmer and Antonella Cinelli

ROME, Dec 12 (Reuters) - New Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni unveiled his government on Monday, keeping almost all former ministers in place in a move aimed at reassuring financial markets.

But a small centre-right party that had supported the previous premier, Matteo Renzi, said it might not back the new government, raising doubts over whether Gentiloni will have the numbers in parliament to form a majority.

In a rapid transfer of power from Renzi, who quit last week after losing a Dec. 4 referendum on constitutional reform, Gentiloni took just a day to put his team together.

"I've done my best to form this government as quickly as possible," Gentiloni, 62, told reporters after presenting his list of ministers to President Sergio Mattarella.

Gentiloni, who was Renzi's foreign minister, said he would follow policies similar to those of his predecessor and urge the European Union to be more "growth-oriented".

He also pledged particular attention to the under-developed south which voted overwhelmingly against Renzi in the referendum, creating a minister for the region.

Among those reconfirmed in their post was Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who is overseeing Treasury efforts to prevent Italy's third largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, from collapsing under its bad loans.

Many other key ministers, including for defence, industry, health and justice, remained unchanged, with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) maintaining the lions' share of positions.

Gentiloni passed his former job of foreign minister to Angelino Alfano, who was previously interior minister.

The new cabinet will face confidence votes in both houses of parliament this week before Gentiloni can formally take office at the head of Italy's 64th government in just 70 years.

However, the vote in the highly fragmented upper house, the Senate, was thrown into doubt when Denis Verdini, head of the small Liberal-Popular Alliance for Autonomies party (ALA), said it would not back Gentiloni if it was not sufficiently represented in the cabinet.

Renzi relied on the support of Verdini, a seasoned parliamentary wheeler-dealer, who used to be the right-hand-man of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

ALA and its sister party, Civic Choice, founded by former prime minister Mario Monti, have 18 senators. They could deprive Gentiloni of a majority if they all vote against him. If they take no part in the vote, the new government should be able to take office.

Assuming he passes this hurdle, one of Gentiloni's main tasks will be to draw up a new electoral law. If this reform is completed quickly it could open the way to an election in the first half of 2017, a year ahead of schedule.

Italy has different electoral laws for its two chambers and the president has said they need to be harmonised to try to make sure a solid government can emerge from the next ballot.

The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement is pushing for a rapid reform and a vote as soon as possible. Renzi also wants an early election, hoping to steam-roller critics within his PD and present himself as the party's prime ministerial candidate.
Syrian general says Aleppo offensive in final stages

By Laila Bassam and Lisa Barrington

ALEPPO, Syria/BEIRUT, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The Syrian army and its allies are in the "last moments before declaring victory" in Aleppo, a Syrian military source said, after rebel defences collapsed on Monday, leaving insurgents in a tiny, heavily bombarded pocket of ground.

A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas of the city continued non-stop on Monday, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling "Doomsday".

"The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city.

Rebels withdrew from all districts on the east side of the Aleppo river on Monday afternoon after losing Sheikh Saeed in the south of their pocket in overnight fighting, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

In government-held districts, soldiers started to fire into the air in celebration, carving tracer bullets into Aleppo's night sky, and car drivers honked their horns at what they believed was imminent victory, state television showed.

The rebels' rapidly diminishing enclave had halved in only a few hours and Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman described the battle for Aleppo as having reached its end.

"The situation is extremely difficult today," said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group fighting in Aleppo.

An official from Jabha Shamiya, a rebel faction that is also present in Aleppo, said the insurgents might make a new stand along the west bank of the river.

"It is expected there will be a new front line," said the official, who is based in Turkey.

The White Helmets civil defence organisation and three other trapped aid groups made a desperate appeal for the international community to arrange safe passage for 100,000 civilians across a 4-km (2.5-mile) stretch of government-held territory.

"If we stay, we fear for our lives. The women may be taken to camps, the men disappeared and anyone who is known to have supported civilians will face detention or execution," they said in a statement time stamped 9 p.m. (1900 GMT).

Activists and two residents inside the remaining rebel enclave said at least 79 civilians were summarily executed in the Fardous and Saliheen districts by pro-government militias.

"There are more than 100 corpses and others who could be still alive under the rubble whom no one is able to get to," said civil defence chief Ammar al Selmo.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was alarmed by unverified reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children, Ban's spokesman said.

Jan Egeland, the U.N. humanitarian adviser on Syria, tweeted that Russia's and Syria's governments would be responsible for any such abuses.

"The Gov'ts of Syria & Russia are accountable for any and all atrocities that the victorious militias in Aleppo are now committing!," Egeland wrote.

The rebels' sudden retreat represented a "big collapse in terrorist morale", a Syrian military source said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria's most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict.

"We are in the final moments before declaring the victory of the Arab Syrian army in the battle of East Aleppo. We could announce this any moment," the military source told Reuters.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had surrendered and 100,000 civilians had left areas of the city that were controlled by militants.

"People run from one shelling to another to escape death and just to save their souls. ... It's doomsday in Aleppo, yes doomsday in Aleppo," said Abu Amer Iqab, a former government employee in the Sukkari district in the heart of the rebel enclave.

State television footage from Saliheen, one of the districts that had just fallen to the army, showed mounds of rubble and half-collapsed buildings, with bodies still lying on the ground and a few bewildered civilians carrying children or suitcases.

REBELS

While Aleppo's fall would deal a stunning blow to rebels trying to remove Assad from power, he would still be far from restoring control across Syria. Swathes of the country remain in rebel hands, and Islamic State retook Palmyra on Sunday.

Tens of thousands of civilians remain in rebel-held areas, hemmed in by ever-changing front lines, pounded by air strikes and shelling, and without basic supplies, according to the Observatory, a British-based monitoring group.

In the Sheikh Saeed district, an elderly couple stood lamenting their fate.

"May every son return to his mother. I have suffered that loss. May other women not endure the same," said the woman, her arms raised to the sky. "I have lost my three children. Two died in battle and the third is kidnapped," she added, as an army officer attempted to calm her.

Rebel groups in Aleppo received a U.S.-Russian proposal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the city's opposition areas, but Moscow said no agreement had been reached yet in talks in Geneva to end the crisis peacefully .

The U.S. State Department said Russia had turned down the U.S. proposal for an immediate ceasefire and said it could not start for several days.

The U.N. mediator for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other State Department officials on Monday, State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.

"During their discussions, Department officials stressed the U.S.' unwavering commitment to a de-escalation of violence, the safe departure of Aleppo for all who want to leave, delivery of critical humanitarian aid and future inta-Syrian talks for a political solution to the crisis," Toner said.

FIGHTING

The Syrian army is backed by Russian war planes and Lebanese and Iraqi Shi'ite militias supported by Iran. Its advances on Monday were aided by a militia of Palestinian refugees in Syria, the Liwa al-Quds or Jerusalem Brigade, the general said.

The mostly Sunni rebels include groups backed by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies as well as hardline jihadists who are not supported by the West.

A correspondent for Syria's official SANA news agency said the army had taken control of Sheikh Saeed, and more than 3,500 people had left at dawn.

A Syrian official told Reuters: "We managed to take full control of the Sheikh Saeed district. This area is very important because it facilitates access to al-Amariya and allows us to secure a greater part of the Aleppo-Ramousah road." The road is the main entry point to the city from the south.

Riad Hijab, Syria's chief opposition coordinator, said the rebels' defeat in Aleppo would not weaken the resolve of Assad's opponents, or push them to water down the demand that he quit.

"If Assad and his allies think that a military advance in certain quarters of Aleppo will signify that we make concessions, then (I say) that will not happen," he told reporters after meeting French President Francois Hollande.

The loss of Palmyra, an ancient desert city whose recapture from Islamic State in March was heralded by Damascus and Moscow as vindicating Russia's entry into the war, was an embarrassing setback to Assad.

The Observatory reported that the jihadist group carried out eight executions of Syrian soldiers and allied militiamen in Palmyra on Monday while warplanes bombarded their positions around the city.

Still, Islamic State made further advances around Palmyra, it and the Observatory said on Monday, including coming close to a military air base.

Four other people, including two children, were shot dead while the jihadists cleared the city, the Observatory said.

It said at least 34 people had died in air raids on an Islamic State-held village north of Palmyra, and that local officials said poison gas had been used. Islamic State accused Russia of the attack. Both Russia and Syria's military deny using chemical weapons.

The Observatory said that four weeks into the army offensive in Aleppo, at least 415 civilians, including 47 children, had been killed in rebel-held parts of the city.

It added that 364 rebel fighters had been killed in the eastern sector. It said rebel shelling of government-held west Aleppo had killed 130 civilians including 40 children.
EU retreats from threat of Russia sanctions over Aleppo

By Robin Emmott and Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The European Union has backed away from an October threat to impose sanctions on Russia over the bombing of Aleppo despite an intensification of Moscow's air campaign and accusations by France that the Kremlin is lying in peace talks.

Foreign ministers avoided on Monday any discussion of punitive measures on Moscow, in an apparent reluctance to make good on a pledge by EU leaders at a summit on Oct.21 to consider "all available options, should the current atrocities continue."

"There is a lot of talk about the need to identify war crimes taking place there. We spoke of sanctions on the Syrian regime," Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told reporters in Brussels following a lunch discussion on Syria.

"There was no talk of sanctions on Russia," he said, in comments echoed by Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

EU leaders will not decide on additional sanctions on Russia over Syria at a summit on Thursday in Brussels, diplomats said.

Rights groups say Syria's renewed, Russian-backed, assault on rebels in Aleppo since late November has left tens of thousands of civilians trapped in an ever shrinking enclave, pounded by air strikes and without basic supplies.

With Syrian generals claiming Aleppo's imminent fall, state television footage showed mounds of rubble and half-collapsed buildings, with bodies still lying on the ground and a few bewildered civilians carrying children or suitcases.

Such scenes two months ago galvanised an often-divided EU to seek to isolate Russian diplomatically, with France and Britain pushing the other governments in the bloc to agree sharp criticism of Russia and consider fresh sanctions on Moscow.

In a tough statement berating Moscow on Friday night, the EU's top diplomat said more sanctions were looming on Damascus but did not mention punishing Russia.

The scale of the destruction unleashed by Russian bombers was not enough to convince Moscow's long-time backers in Athens, Budapest and Nicosia, to enact asset freezes and travel bans on senior Russian officials, diplomats said.

"Governments that support sanctions still want them, but those that resist have not changed their position," said an EU diplomat, citing Greece, Hungary and Cyprus as the main obstacles for sanctions to be agreed, which requires unanimity.

The European Union has separate sanctions on Russia's financial, energy and defence sectors, which were imposed following the Kremlin's 2014 annexation of Crimea and its support for rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Some governments, including Austria and parts of the German government, worry about worsening ties further with Russia.

The divisions left France's foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault exasperated after peace talks in Paris failed at the weekend and he accused Moscow of intentionally deceiving its partners.
Dozens of people fled late Sunday afternoon from a 12-unit apartment fire at 131 Bismarck Expressway, but no injuries were reported, according to Battalion Chief Kurt Leben of the Bismarck Fire Department. The temperature had only tipped to 1 degree above zero with wind chills of 17 below outside.

The fire was contained within 20 minutes, but occupants evacuated themselves.

Leben believes the fire started just before 4 p.m. "The fire was located in southwest corner of the third floor. The fire is out. They are just checking to make sure it hasn't extended anywhere. It sounds like the fire damage is in the apartment, but then there is going to be smoke and heat damage."

He could not confirm the cause of the fire and said crews were still investigating. "We're in the process of doing overhaul, making sure there aren't any hidden hot spots. Once we've that done, we have MDU en route to try and restore some of the utilities and then we'll turn the building over to the property manager to get things sealed up."

"We're not going to let anybody in until we're able to clear. My understanding is the top floor is not going to be inhabitable and couple units below the fire-damaged unit (won't be) because of some water pipes melted off and there's water running down," he added.

He estimated there could be two dozen to four dozen people that fled the fire.

Resident of unit No. 10 P.J. Joseph said she believed the blaze started in the kitchen in apartment No. 11. Her mother also lives in the apartment in a level below her.

"I was in my (apartment) and I heard screaming and hollering, and running. All of a sudden 'Beep. Beep. Beep.' I could smell burnt plastic or something. So I opened my door and I was hit in the face with flames and smoke. I had a bucket of water because I was soaking that bucket," Joseph said.

"And I just grabbed that bucket and threw it out at the hallway and grabbed my coat, threw it over my head and headed it out the door and ran," she said.

She was told the residents "were cooking something in 11 and the stove blew up."

Leben said, "When I pulled up, there was people being picked up by people in cars."
(OFFICIAL)-UPDATE 4-Trump tweet hits Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet costs

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Donald Trump on Monday criticized Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet program as too expensive, the latest attack by the U.S. president-elect on large defense contractors.

Lockheed shares dropped 5.1 percent and shares of several other defense contractors also tumbled.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump said on Twitter, echoing campaign promises to cut waste in federal spending. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

Last week, he also used Twitter to target Boeing Co for its "out of control" costs on a new fleet of Air Force One planes, urging the federal government to "Cancel order!"

Lockheed Martin's F-35 program leader, Jeff Babione, responded by saying the company understands concerns about affordability and has invested millions of dollars to reduce the jet's price.

Babione said Lockheed's goal was to reduce the price of the F-35 by 60 percent from its original estimates. "We project it to be about 85 million dollars in the 2019 or 2020 time frame," he told reporters in Israel.

A week before Trump won the Nov. 8 presidential election, the U.S. Defense Department and Lockheed Martin concluded negotiations on their ninth contract for 90 F-35 fighter jets, the Pentagon said. Lockheed won the contract, valued at up to $7.18 billion, in late November and has received an interim payment.

The Pentagon is paying about $102 million for each of the conventional takeoff A-model jets being built for the U.S. Air Force, Israel and many other countries, according to sources familiar with the program. That marks savings of over 50 percent from the initial jets ordered, reflecting larger quantities and the fact that many technical issues have been ironed out.

The F-35 program has been dogged by problems since its inception, with the Pentagon's chief arms buyer once describing as "acquisition malpractice" the decision of previous officials to start producing the jets before their development had been completed. That decision led to a series of costly retrofits on early production jets.

The Pentagon's chief weapons tester has continued to criticize the program, but the jets are now in operational use by the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, and the jets are being flown by six countries: Australia, Britain, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands and Israel. Japan took delivery of its first jet last week, according to a spokesman for the program.

Still, cost overruns have made the F-35 a target for criticism. With an estimated price tag of $400 billion, the F-35 program has been described as the most expensive weapon system in history.

Lockheed and its key partners, Northrop Grumman Corp , United Technologies Corp unit Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems, are developing and building three variants of the F-35s for the U.S. military and 10 allies including Britain, Australia, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Japan and South Korea.

After Trump's tweet, shares of Lockheed Martin were down 5.1 percent. Shares of General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman Boeing, BAE and Raytheon were lower, while United Technologies shares were flat.

United Technologies recently came under fire from the President-elect over a plan to ship 2,100 Carrier air conditioning jobs to Mexico from Indiana. The company agreed to keep about 800 of the manufacturing jobs in Indiana and retain another 300 headquarters jobs, in return for state tax incentives.

The attacks on Boeing and Lockheed Martin raise concerns that the incoming Trump administration will threaten defense contractors' profit margins.

"His emerging habit of using Twitter as a bully pulpit could become a threat to controversial high-profile programs," Cowen analysts wrote last week after Trump criticized the cost of Boeing's Air Force One replacement program. "Even if Trump only launches a bombastic Twitter shout-out, this more aggressive approach to contractor relations could impact the stocks."

Earlier this month, the Pentagon's chief arms buyer said he was hopeful that Lockheed F-35 block buy will proceed.
Make those profiting from trafficking pay, says documentary host

By Anuradha Nagaraj

CHENNAI, India, Dec 12 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Too little is being done to go after people who fund and profit from the global trade in human beings, the host of a television series on trafficking said, adding that victims must have a say in the justice process.

"Everyone is able to say it is not my fault and get away with their role in the trafficking chain," said Nelufar Hedayat, host of an eight-part documentary series "The Traffickers".

"We hear of small time agents being caught but there appears to be no political, economic or social will to apprehend the big players who profit from this illegal trade."

Hedayat travelled across 22 countries, including Colombia, India, Bulgaria, Greece and Nigeria, to document the criminal networks that fuel the international web of trafficking.

An estimated 45.8 million people in 167 countries live in some form of modern slavery, according to the latest Global Slavery Index by Walk Free Foundation.

The series documents issues including women and child refugees being trafficked in Bulgaria, Greece and Amsterdam, illegal international adoptions and trade in human organs.

"There is such an obvious disconnect between the victims, smugglers and suppliers," she said of trafficking networks.

"I almost didn't believe this was happening till I actually started documenting how it is done from Africa," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Produced by U.S.-based Fusion Media Group, and available across their digital and social platforms, the first season of the series ends next week with an investigation of how girls are traded into Western Europe's sex industry.

Having fled war-torn Afghanistan as a child, 28-year-old presenter Hedayat said she understood the vulnerability of the victims, but the audacity of the traffickers shocked her.

"Making these films has transformed my life and how I see the world," she said. "I have realized we are all more interconnected than we believe, and that includes our involvement in the world's largest black markets."
Portugal's Guterres sworn in as next U.N. secretary-general

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres was sworn in on Monday as the ninth United Nations Secretary-General, pledging to personally help broker peace in various conflicts and reform the 71-year old world body to become more effective.

Guterres, 67, will replace Ban Ki-moon, 72, of South Korea on Jan. 1. Ban steps down at the end of 2016 after two five-year terms. Guterres was Portugal's prime minister from 1995 to 2002 and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015.

"From the acute crises in Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and elsewhere, to long-running disputes including the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, we need mediation, arbitration as well as creative diplomacy," Guterres said.

"As part of my good offices I am ready to engage personally in conflict resolution where it brings added value," he told the 193-member General Assembly.

Guterres beat out 12 other candidates, seven of whom were women, amid a push for the first woman to be elected. He said on Monday he aimed to have gender parity among senior U.N. leadership within his five year term.

Diplomats said Guterres is expected to shortly name Nigeria's environment minister Amina Mohammed as his deputy secretary-general. He is also planning to appoint a woman as his chief of staff before the end of the year, diplomats said.

Before her appointment as environment minister a year ago, Mohammed was U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special adviser on post-2015 development planning - a role that culminated last year with the adoption by the General Assembly of sustainable development goals for the next 15 years.

Guterres is the first former head of government to be elected to run the world body and that experience will be reflected in how he operates, diplomats said.

"He's looking for a big shake-up, reshuffle," said a senior U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "He's looking to create ... a different feeling, with the under-secretary-generals much more part of a collective leadership of the U.N."

"Having what he calls a cabinet, like when he was prime minister, his senior officials would come together every week and collectively they would have responsibility for the totality of the organization," the diplomat said.
Albanian voters swing to Social Democrats in Macedonia poll

By Ivana Sekularac and Kole Casule

SKOPJE, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Albanian voters in Macedonia shifted towards the main opposition party in significant numbers in Sunday's parliamentary election for the first time since a 2001 interethnic conflict, putting victory within its grasp.

The provisional result suggested ethnic factors were playing a lesser role in politics, reducing the dangers of nationalist frictions that have beset Macedonia in the past.

The final result of the poll, in which veteran nationalist VRMO-DPMNE leader Nikokla Gruevski sought re-election, has yet to be declared. The state electoral commission put the VMRO-DPMNE on 38 percent, just ahead of Zoran Zaev's opposition Social Democrat SDSM at 36.7 percent, on Monday evening.

Albanians make up about a third of the 2.1 million population of the landlocked former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, and have traditionally voted for ethnic Albanian parties, one of whom then becomes the junior party in a coalition government.

This time, the Albanian DUI political party - which formed the last coalition government with Gruevski - expects to lose half its seats, mainly to the SDSM. DUI won 7.3 percent of the vote and a new, anti-establishment Albanian party, Besa, picked up 4.9 percent, according to preliminary figures.

"With anger, I say the Albanians lost their mandate," DUI leader Ali Ahmeti said after the vote on Sunday.

ETHNIC TENSIONS

Sunday's snap election was called after Gruevski stepped down and handed over to a caretaker government in January to end a national crisis caused by opposition allegations that he and his counter-intelligence chief had wiretapped the phones of more than 20,000 people.

Zaev released recordings that appeared to show abuses of power by senior government figures. Gruevski denied wrongdoing.

Both Gruevski and Zaev proclaimed victory on Sunday evening and their supporters celebrated on the streets of Skopje.

International observers called on Monday for national unity to give Macedonia a chance of resuming stalled talks to join the European Union and put years of conflict behind it.

"The country is at a new crossroads, which opens a path towards normality in political life," said Stefan Schennach, head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"Now the entire country must replace ethnic separation with nation-building co-operation."

Victories of the Social Democrats in towns such as Aracinovo and Brest clearly show that Albanians voted for it, said Artan Sadiku of Skopje's Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities.

"It is clearly a significant shift and a departure from an ethnically determined vote," he told Reuters, adding that political parties might no longer be able to use nationalism to generate further instability.

Ethnic tensions over regional autonomy, political representation and Albanian-language schooling brought Macedonia to the brink of war in 2001. It was ended by the so-called Ohrid Accord, brokered by NATO and the European Union, which gave Albanians greater rights.
Fire hits apartment block on Dubai's artificial Palm island

DUBAI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Fire broke out at an upmarket apartment block on the artificial Palm island in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Monday but there were no immediate reports of any casualties, the emirate's media office said.

It was the latest in a series of fires to hit tall buildings, including residential compounds and hotels, in the Gulf's tourism and business hub over the past two years.

The Dubai Media Office said on its Twitter account that civil defence teams were battling the blaze which broke out at the Oceana, a residential compound on the palm-shaped island.

"The building was safely evacuated and no injuries were reported," the Dubai Media Office said on its Twitter account.

In August a fire swept through a 28-storey building under construction in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, injuring 13 people, including ten civil defence and other emergency personnel.

Earlier in August, a fire damaged part of a multi-storey building under construction in Dubai and in July another fire broke out in the residential 75-storey Sulafa Tower in Dubai's upscale Marina District.
U.S. says "one China" policy should not be used as bargaining chip

By Ayesha Rascoe and Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The White House on Monday insisted that Washington's "one China" policy should not be used as a "bargaining chip" with Beijing after President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to be bound by its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of China.

Signaling further resistance Trump will face in Washington if he tries to overturn a principle that has underpinned more than four decades of U.S.-China relations, Republican U.S. Senator John McCain said he personally backed the "China policy" and no one should "leap to conclusions" that the president-elect would abandon it.

"I do not respond to every comment by the president-elect because it may be reversed the next day," McCain told Reuters when asked about Trump's statement in an interview broadcast over the weekend.

Trump set off a diplomatic firestorm when he told Fox News: "I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade." This followed an earlier protest from China over the Republican president-elect's decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Dec. 2.

The issue is highly sensitive for China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province, and Beijing expressed "serious concern" about Trump's latest remarks.

It called the "one China" policy the basis for relations, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned against moves to damage China's "core interests," saying that "in the end, they are lifting a rock only to drop it on their feet."

Some U.S. analysts warn that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far. Scott Kennedy, director of the Project on Chinese Business & Political Economy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington called Taiwan "the third rail of U.S.-China relations."

"DISRUPTIVE EFFECT"

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States is committed to the "one China" principle and will not use the Taiwan issue to gain leverage in any dealings with Beijing.

"The United States does not view Taiwan and our relationship with Taiwan as a bargaining chip," he told a daily briefing, calling Taiwan a "close partner." "And bargaining that away is not something that this administration believes is our best interest.

"Disrupting this policy," he said, "could have a disruptive effect on our ability to work with China in those areas where our interests do align. That reflects the high priority that China puts on the policy and on Taiwan."

While saying the "one China" policy should remain intact, McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an outspoken critic of Democratic President Barack Obama's foreign policy, said that "somebody should hold China responsible" for its behavior with regard to Taiwan, Hong Kong, island building in the South China Sea and "propping up" North Korea.

After Trump's phone conversation with Taiwan's president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washington's "one China" policy remained unchanged.

China's official Xinhua news agency said in a commentary on Tuesday it was clear Trump did not understand the policy.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone for any country, including the United States, to engage with China diplomatically, and is simply non-negotiable: no exceptions," Xinhua said.

The State Department's senior diplomat for Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, was due to speak to China's ambassador to Washington on Monday, the State Department said.

Trump has tempered his strong criticisms of China and call to Taiwan's president by announcing plans last week to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China.

However, he is also considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Serbian PM cuts short Brussels trip after row with Croatia over EU accession

BELGRADE, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic cut short a visit to Brussels on Monday after a row with Croatia, which Serbia says is blocking its progress towards European Union membership, Serbian news agency Tanjug reported.

Vucic had been due to attend a meeting of the EU Intergovernmental Conference on Tuesday, which was expected to approve the opening of three new accession chapters in Serbia's application for membership.

But Croatia, one of two former Yugoslav nations to have joined the EU so far, is objecting to the opening of the chapter on culture and education because of a dispute about the translation of textbooks, Croatia's HINA news agency said.

"There are things Serbia must implement along its EU path," Croatian minister for foreign and European affairs, Davor Ivo Stier, was quoted by Tanjug as saying. "Full protection of national minorities is one of those matters."

Croatians account for less than one percent of Serbia's population. Their languages are very similar and were part of a common language before the collapse of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

"Serbia was patient so far, but now it will talk differently," Vucic said in remarks broadcast by the Belgrade-based Prva TV before he left Brussels.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic accused Croatia of acting in an unprincipled way.
Seven women and a male doctor were arrested by the Nugegoda Police last evening on charges of operating a brothel under the guise of a spa at a luxury house in Pelawatta.

Police said the arrested women are aged between 18 and 28 and were identified as residents of Matara, Galle, Balangoda, Gampaha and Mathugama. (Muditha Dayananda)
avy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne was caught on camera assaulting a journalist assisted by an armed group of Navy personnel on Saturday while they were attempting to disperse a group of demonstrating port workers. The demonstrators are said to have taken control of two foreign ships during their agitation, demanding permanency in their jobs. Since everything that happened including what was said by the people concerned had been electronically-recorded and were seen and heard by the entire country, it would be very difficult for the authorities to justify the attack on the journalist.

The Navy was seen in action, in TV news bulletins on Saturday, dispersing the demonstrating harbour workers. They were seen encountering a person who did not run away and identified himself as a journalist, thats it, a fat person in shorts pounces on him followed by a group of Navy personnel. Some apparent filthy words uttered by somebody were suppressed by the television channels with a beep. The entire country was able to see the journalist who did not provoke the Navy personnel or obstruct them from performing their duties being manhandled. What went wrong and where?

It is true that journalists should be concerned about their safety while attempting to capture the total picture of an incident or an event they are supposed to cover. During a dispersal of a demonstration by the armed forces or the police, they have to expect teargasing or even shooting. But, why should they expect intentional attacks by any party who thus far during the event had showed a friendly attitude?



The Navy can justify the attack at least within themselves, if they had something to hide. But here they were said to have been deployed to release two foreign ships from the captivity of the demonstrators which was their legitimate duty. Also, they might have compelled even to use force to release the ships, had the demonstrators stood in their way. Had everything been done by them within the perimeters of the law, what aspect of the journalists coverage provoked the navy commander? On the other hand, the scene was not prohibited to the journalists. Nor had they disguised themselves as demonstrators. The entire country heard them identifying themselves.

We are living under a government which boasts of pursuing good governance which includes media freedom as well. In fact, the current government had included peoples right to information in the countrys basic law through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that was adopted in April last year. Also, the government recently passed the Right to Information Act in order to streamline the implementation of the peoples right to information. The government seems to take a great effort to educate the officials and the general public on the right to information, spending a lot of money from the public coffers. If the authorities are serious and genuine in their efforts to promote the right to information, they cannot justify any attack on the journalists who are implementing what they attempt to promote, the right to information.



The government is striving to regain the GSP+ concessions from the European Union (EU), giving assurances to the world that it upheld the democratic values. It has to be recalled that the concessions were annulled by the EU in 2010, imposing fifteen conditions including taking steps to ensure journalists can exercise their professional duties without harassment to be fulfilled by the government. The attack on the journalists at the Hambantota harbour runs counter to these assurances.



The government would not be able to absolve itself from taking moral responsibility for the ugly scene staged at the Hambantota Magampura harbour on Saturday. It must be recalled that the gradual accumulation of attacks on the media during the past regime took a horrendous toll on that regime.
The MV Hoyanger, which was the other vessel to be taken control of by the Navy after the Hambantota Port employees seized it last week, is still berthed at the pier under naval security, Navy spokesman Akram Alavi said today.

He said the ship was yet to unload its cargo before proceeding to the next port of call.

The vessel 'Hyperion Highway' sailed to Oman after leaving the harbour under a navy escort.

Meanwhile, the sathyagraha staged by the Magampura Port Workers Committee continued to its fifth day over demands that all 483 workers be absorbed into the permanent cadre of the Ports Authority.

Magampura Port Workers Committee Secretary Gayan Sandaruwan said none of the senior officials of the Ports Authority had intervened to solve this matter. (Darshana Sanjeewa and Kalathma Jayawardhane)
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up and thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

Winter travel can prove frustrating since you are often at the mercy of others. Last weeks blizzard stalled many people across the state. The Bismarck Airport, however, continued to operate because of the determination of the maintenance crew. They kept the runway open and the apron cleared. As long as the flights had a one-quarter-mile visibility they kept coming and going. For those trying to reach a destination it was welcome news that the airport was operating.

Down

We cant control the weather, but we can complain about it. Two storms in two weeks, one a blizzard, followed by subzero temperatures was a little much to take after a mild fall. As usual, North Dakotans handled the bad conditions fairly well. The state needed the moisture, so there was one positive about the snow. Many people would have preferred the temperature remained in the 40s and 50s and it had rained. No such luck. We are likely facing a long spell of cold and snowy weather, so we better deal with it. Unless, of course, you can afford to hop a plane to Hawaii or Florida.

Up

Security has been increased at the Capitol as the legislative session nears. Theres some concern that Dakota Access Pipeline protesters might try to disrupt the session. Those concerns arent prompting legislators to keep personal contact information like phone numbers for home or businesses under wraps. Instead, their cellphone numbers and email addresses are available to their constituents. Legislators decided its more important to be accessible during the short but intense session. A lot of important legislation will be handled starting next month, and residents need to be able to voice their opinions. Hopefully, it will be business as usual at the Legislature.

Down

The new medical marijuana law approved by voters was to take effect on Thursday, but it didnt. Thats unfortunate. The delay is being blamed on the measures complex and contradictory provisions. In some states it has taken years to launch similar programs. We hope that doesnt happen in North Dakota. While the Tribune opposed the measure, once it was approved the expectation should be that it is implemented in a speedy manner. Its too bad some of the problems with the measure couldnt have been ironed out before it was placed on the ballot.

Up

The nation lost the last of the Mercury 7 astronauts with the death of John Glenn on Thursday. He was 95. Younger North Dakotans didnt experience the excitement of early space exploration. Just orbiting the Earth was a major achievement, and filled with peril. When Glenn was launched into space in 1962, the children of the baby boomer generation gathered in schools to watch the historic event on TV (usually in black and white). How many of those children Glenn inspired to follow their dreams is unknown, but the number has to be large. Glenn fit the mold of an American hero. He had served his country in war and later served in the Senate. There are a lot of reasons the now adults remember the space launch and they are all good.

Down

Oil and gas royalty owners are complaining about more deductions from their checks. What bothers them is the deductions and adjustments on the royalty statements arent clearly explained. They want to know where their money is going. The Industrial Commission is taking steps to strengthen state requirements involving royalty payments. The Legislature also should examine the issue to see if legislation is warranted. The deductions may be fine, but a clear explanation is needed.
An emphatic aspect of the glorious life of Podihamuduruvo, (Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Nayaka Maha Thera), is the new tradition of spiritual leadership he has initiated. His concerned attention is focused not only on what are generally described as religious issues. His trajectory extends far beyond, into a vast range of domains which include education, social service, economic fields and of course, the future of our land.

(By Prof. Sampath Amaratunga, Vice Chancellor, Sri Jayawardanapura University).

The Buddhist prelate, known extensively by the sobriquet of adoration as Podihamuduruvo, is a direct tutelary descendant of the line of prestigious Buddhist monks, tracing their spiritual ancestry to the erudite, leading monk Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera.

Maha Nayaka Thera, I too, can state with all the humility I can muster, that I too am a product of the line of lay pupils descending from that Ven. Maha Nayaka Thera.

I am quite certain, that Podihamaduruvo, will allow me to pay him a birthday tribute, as a felicitation from a lay descendant of the spiritual line which he so brilliantly belongs to.

In historical hindsight, it becomes quite clear, that from the days of the far past, the prelates of Sri Lanka have contributed substantially towards the progress of Sri Lankas cultural heritage, especially literature and allied disciplines. This highly praiseworthy tradition is continued without an interruption by the Podihamaduruvo in an epic style.

His 73rd birthday is the ideal moment, to enter into a timely public discourse about his unparalleled leadership assets, that invariably elevate the quality of Sri Lankas culture, at a multiplicity of levels.



His main tenet is to walk the talk

While the generality of leaders, would confine their assistance to mere lip-service, Podihamuduruvo would take pragmatic strides, to convert ideals into living reality. His dynamic philosophy is firmly built on a steady and solid foundation. His true conviction is that to enable a person to reach spiritual goals, his or her, worldly problems should be satisfactorily solved. Appreciating this human condition with stark reality Podihamuduruvo, concentrates unswervingly on providing the essential needs of life, as a practical prelude to the teaching of the basic and crucial spiritual principles.

Podihamuduruvo is deeply aware of the strong bonds that the generality of people have to material well-being. He is equally conscious of the difficulties people experience in breaking away from these worldly ties. In terms of that enlightened view, Podihamuduruvo is an erudite Buddhist monk, with his feet firmly established on the terra firma of the realities of the modern world.

"Transforms Gangarama, into a veritable residential University, with Podihamuduruvo as the Guide, Guru, Presiding Genius and in modern academic parlance, Un-official Chancellor"



The Gangarama Monastery, the temple of which he is the incumbent Prelate, is a living and pulsating centre, that radiates the spiritual waves, that entice the devotees to a tranquil and virtuous life. His spiritual pragmatism is not at all restricted by an urge to win short-term, ephemeral results. He is eminently far-sighted. This aspect of his leadership is likely to be missed by some, who are not quite capable of understanding the fullest significance of some his moves. Those Venerable disciples, who evolve both spiritually and in terms of personality enhancement, receive a widely-scoped training. This in effect, transforms Gangarama, into a veritable residential University, with Podihamuduruvo as the Guide, Guru, Presiding Genius and in modern academic parlance, Un-official Chancellor.

The noble outcome of this development, is the spirit of social service, and of helping the lay people in terms of their needs, that the Gangarama disciples imbibe, through the example vehemently set by their chief prelate, the Podihamuduruvo. Along with that process, all those who come under his influence get fully attuned to the idea of transcending such cleavages as race, caste, creed and community.

Podihamuduruvo has been able to reach this peak of serene and objective spirituality, because he has fully eschewed the pursuit of worldly gains. This attitude is adequately reflected by the series of free services, provided by Gangarama to one and all, with no discrimination whatsoever. It is this attitude of astonishing selflessness, that has conferred upon Podihamuduruvo, the strength and the audacity to oppose even the most powerful in the land when they go wrong and to give his approving nod, when they tread the right path.

"Podihamuduruvo has been able to reach this peak of serene and objective spirituality, because he has fully eschewed the pursuit of worldly gains"



Podihamuduruvo has contributed an oriental factor, to the prestigious tomes of western managerial theories. The leadership characteristic, emphasized by him is the influence traditional leadership has on the emergence of leaders. He is fully aware of the dynamic role played by followers, towards wholesome and uninterrupted leadership.

The range of followers of the Gangarama Monastery, is amazingly wide. From the First Citizen of the land to the least important person - all the people at large, both lay and clergy, come within the category of those, who could be defined

as followers.

Podihamuduruvo assumed the position of Incumbent Prelate, from his early youth. Being fully aware of the need of disciples, who would continue the unparalleled ideals for which this institution stands, he provided his young followers the opportunity to pursue higher education abroad. These youthful and dynamic monks returned to their spiritual home Gangarama and committed themselves fully to the promotion of this spiritual centre, under the charismatic leadership of Podihamuduruvo.

Today in scrupulence adherence to the guidelines set by their Pre-eminent Guru - Podihamuduruvo - these young, erudite and efficient monks, devote their total beings to this unique spiritual and humane Institution. Among these young leading monks, Ven. (Dr.) Kirinde Assaji Thera and Ven. Dr. Pallegama Ratanasara Thera, could be cited as brilliant instances of young spiritual leadership. At each and every crucial turn, they follow the lead advocated by their pre-eminent leader - Podihamuduruvo.

When Ven. (Dr.) Kirinde Assaji Thera was nominated to the council of The Sri Jayawardanapura University, he sought the approval of Podihamuduruvo, his spiritual superior and Nayaka Maha Thero.



Podihamuduruvo possesses a keen vision that enables him to see through their young lives - the future potentialities they indicate. The vivid and legendary witness to the miraculous leadership prowess of Podihamuduruvo, he brought about in the locality where Gangarama Monastery is currently located.

In the early days, this area was the domain of unruly and lawless hordes, notorious for all kinds of heinous crimes. Over the years, Podihamuduruvo has been able to transform this into a haven of virtue, spirituality and learning.

In a nutshell, with all the emphasis that one could muster, it is possible to state, that, Podihamuduruvo is a living presence, that converts into dynamic objectivity all the accepted norms and theories of proper, positive and above all, effective management. In sum, one could very well characterize Podihamuduruvos pragmatic approach to management, as the Gangarama Theory of Management.

We all wish Podihamuduruvo, success, good health and long life, for the well being of many, for the benefit of everyone.
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Sri Lanka this evening with a delegation of 12 officials including Tajikistani Foreign Minister for a three-day official visit.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport to welcome the Tajikistan President. (T.K.G.Kapila)
Several political parties and Indian non-governmental organisations in Malaysia have threatened to hold demonstrations if the Government allowed Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to make a visit to the country.

He is scheduled to visit Malaysia on December 15 to sign several memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with the Government and also to launch the Sri Lanka Food and Cultural Festival.

Johor PKR Vice-Chairman Rony Murugan expressed his dismay over Mr. Sirisena's scheduled visit here, adding that the Government should take into consideration the sentiments of the Tamilians in the country.

He said Mr. Sirisena should not be allowed into the country because of his alleged role in the killing of civilians during the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Rony, who is also the coordinator for the Johor Coalition Against the Visit of the President of Sri Lanka, said the coalition would be lodging police reports in 10 stations throughout the state, as a sign of protest.

The coalition, which was formed to protest against the visit, consists of 10 non-governmental organisations including the Johor Tamilar Sangam and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) as well as PKR, DAP, Amanah and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).

Tebrau PKR chief Mohammad Annuar Abdullah added that the coalition was not protesting against diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.

"We are not protesting against the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, but there are many more respectable figures from Sri Lanka that we can welcome to the country," he said.

A meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, a number of Malaysian Tamil NGOs are also set to protest against Mr. Sirisena's visit.

The group said in a short press statement that it would stage a protest outside the Sri Lanka High Commission on Sunday over the president's visit. (The Star)
Leaders of Tamil Nadu, across the political divide, privately but effectively supported the Indian governments policy of opposing efforts by the US and Norway to rescue Velupillai Prabhakaran so that his Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) lived to fight another day, says Shivshankar Menon, Indias former National Security Adviser (NSA) in his book; Choices: Inside the Making of Indias Foreign Policy.

Political leaders across the political divide in Tamil Nadu knew that the only way Prabhakaran could lead Tamil Eelam would be to physically eliminate the real leaders of the Tamils who were in India, just as he had already done to other Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka, Menon says in the chapter entitled Force Works.

Despite differences in public posture on the issue in Tamil Nadu and Delhi, there was cross party private understanding on the basics of the policy toward Sri Lanka with both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and the All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam Party (AIADMK) party, as a result of considerable hard work by Pranab Mukherjee (the then Foreign Minister) and Narayanan (the then NSA), as I found when I met alone with very senior Tamil Nadu politicians in Chennai, away from the glare of publicity, Menon recalls.

Ironically, by murdering Rajiv Gandhi, the LTTE had caused a shift in broader Indian attitudes, which came to be more in line with those of the Sri Lankan government, he says.

According to Menon, Indias policy options were limited. New Delhi was aware that a victorious Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be less dependent on India and therefore less responsive. Rajapaksa not only had a firm grip on the levers of power, including the military, but also the backing of China, Pakistan and to an extent, the United States.

As regards the US he makes the interesting observation that the United States was willing to help him (Rajapaksa) in practice with intelligence and military training, but was constrained to express human rights concerns, without letting them to rise to the level of affecting his conduct of the war against terrorism.

On the issues before India, Menon says: If India had stood aside and asked him (Rajapaksa) to desist, in effect, defending the killers of an Indian Prime Minister, we would have effectively written ourselves out of Sri Lanka for the next decade or more, sacrificing our maritime and other interests in Sri Lanka and abdicating a geopolitically strategic neighbor to other powers. We could hardly abandon Sri Lanka to potentially hostile influences. In effect, Sri Lanka is an aircraft carrier parked fourteen miles off the Indian coast.

Knowing that victory was round the corner, Rajapaksa was in no mood to agree to Western ceasefire proposals or to any idea that the LTTE leadership might be evacuated to safety, even if that was the only certain way to prevent casualties among civilians that the LTTE had driven onto to the peninsula as their hostages and human shields, Menon notes.

But Rajapaksas obduracy was matched by Prabkarans whose thoughts and plans were increasingly remote from reality. He had either sidelined or killed people who could have advised him better. Prabhakarans obduracy resulted in the complete elimination of the LTTEs military machine and its leadership, including himself and his family.

The way the Sri Lankans fought the war, though criticized for its brutality in the final stages, might have taken a higher toll if delay and stalemate were brought about, Menon feels in his assessment of the war.

It is arguable that some brutality was inevitable in a war of this kind against a violent terrorist group that had shown no qualms about terrorizing its own people and physically eliminating all its potential adversaries, Tamil or Sinhala.

Indeed, one must logically ask the question, would an earlier adoption of the more brutal methods of the last thirty months of the war have brought it to an earlier end and actually saved lives and minimized the wars deleterious effects?. This is a recurrent problem in state craft. It is also the strongest justification for the use of atomic weapons to end World War II.

The strategist Edward Luttwak argues that there are situations in which one should give war a chance. Was Sri Lanka one of them, where peace building efforts and international mediation only prolonged and worsened the agony?, Menon asks and concludes by saying:  These are difficult counterfactuals that go against the grain of liberal thinking, but they do seem appropriate to the Sri Lankan case. (New Indian Express)
This country is no stranger to protests, demonstrations and trade union strikes. However, not every protest is the same. Take for instance; there were protests, pretty much every other day in Colombo and some corner of the country during the former administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa. But they were just protests. Disgruntled workers, teachers, parents of disappeared Tamils, university students and battered journalists converged somewhere, generally the place of choice being opposite the Fort Railway station, held their placards, shouted slogans, registered their anger (though the government barely took notice of them)and went home.



Next day, life went on as usual, the protests at best were relegated to some inside pages of newspapers. There were two concerted protest campaigns then, one was against a glove maker in Rathupaswala, which ended with terrible consequences when the army fired at the protesters. The other was to ask 6% of the GDP for education, which ended half way after the university dons received a salary hike.

Those days, government doctors did not blackmail the government. Private bus owners knew well enough as to where to draw the line, failing which one could have hitched a hike in a white van. Even most contentious measures, which no other previous government dared to implement such as slum relocation were carried out rather smoothly, save minor on site protests that you would see anywhere.

However, protests that are taking place at present are not exactly the type of the recent past. They appear more like the usual quasi militant, quasi Marxist organized pushback, which takes place when a reformist government tries to implement its reform policy in a society that has relative political freedom. We have seen this happen again and again since the independence and forcing successive governments to fold up their reform agenda. That was mainly why Sri Lanka could not register any meaningful economic growth for the first three decades of the independence; the next three decades were robbed by the war.

Two weeks back, over 100 SLTB buses that were deployed during a strike by the private bus operators were damaged by stone-throwing protesters. The government did precious little to bring the perpetrators to justice. Last week, striking port workers at the Hambantota port seized two foreign-owned ships during a trade union stoppage. The Navy was deployed to take control of the ships, however, the operation ended in a public relation debacle for the government. (The Navy Commander who was at the scene reportedly commanding the operation in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, is accused of assaulting a journalist. The State media czars as usual blamed the victim for getting thrashed).

"The government would face more concerted and organized protests if it forged ahead, so does it claim, to implement its development programmes"



However, this new wave of protests would do no good to the country, and to the groups that the protestors claim to represent. Nor would a government that reacted to them erratically solve the problem. If the perpetrators of attacks on buses were arrested and produced before the court, it could have set a precedent and could have discouraged others crossing the line of legitimate protest. Instead, the government, initially gave into protestors, with the President Sirisena promising that there would be no hike in traffic fines (though now the government has gone back on that assurance as evident in contradictory statements).

Then the port workers seized two foreign cargo ships and the Navy had to be deployed. The use of the Navy may have averted more trouble or could well have created trouble. However, while the government claims that damage was done to property and that the seizure of ships were illegal and near piracy, no legal action has been taken against the saboteurs. The problem in this country is most problems are addressed by some kind of knee jerk reaction. Then the government feigns that everything is under control and that everyone is happy. However, protests are an integral part of a free society and are not going to disappear. What the government should do is establish that borderline of legitimate protest vs wanton sabotage, and while addressing legitimate grievances, also hold accountable those who cross the boundary of legitimate expression of discontent.

"The government should try to enhance its autonomy through civilized means. It can make use of the available legal system."



The government would face more concerted and organized protests if it forged ahead, so does it claim, to implement its development programmes. The success of projects like Western Region Megapolis and Hambantota Export Zone would depend on the governments ability to negotiate a bargain with many thousands of people who would be affected in the short term. The problem in this country, and indeed many in our part of world is that our social structures and ethos are not conducive for fast track development. They loath the change and prefer to wallow in the rot. The root of this problem lies in the fact that masses in our countries were prematurely politically empowered, partly by the colonial British themselves, before they reached the minimum threshold of economic empowerment and before our state institutions were strong enough to withstand the popular impulses of the vast swathes of poor and often backward population. Successive governments were compelled to indulge in bread and butter politics in order to ensure their electability. Those social factors seriously compromised the government autonomy from social pressure. Though that was a necessary trade off in representative democracy, it severely hampered the state power, which is the governments ability to extract and mobilize its resources to achieve its policy ends. That may also explain why only Asian and Latin American states that managed to achieve sustainable long term growth -- ranging from South Korea, Taiwan to Singapore in the past and China and Vietnam recently (plus Mahathirs Malaysia) to Pinochets Chile -- were pro-growth authoritarian states, where the government could implement the policy and tell the protestors go and hang.

That luxury is not available for the leaders of this country, nor would our society tolerate that degree of latitude given to a government. Mahinda Rajapaksa tried to offset limited government autonomy through extra-judiciary means and he was voted out. Though in retrospect it would appear as callous, there were celebratory firecrackers when former president R. Premadasa was killed by LTTE terrorists.

The government should try to enhance its autonomy through civilized means. It can make use of the available legal system. And also it can make the public know that a short term pain, if any would be in long term benefit. People themselves have had enough of this long term stagnation, and would probably listen.



Follow RangaJayasuriya @RangaJayasuriya on twitter
Last Friday, Maulvi Saheb again said that God's wrath is soon going to descend on the United States of America and the Muslim World will rise again. Although these are two entirely different things - fall of America and rise of Muslims more so the Asian Muslims - quite unrelated; nevertheless, he bundled them together as is the understanding in the entire Muslim world these days. So far so good.

For the last 30 years of my life in Kashmir, I have often heard this prediction being made by "God's own middlemen" that this Islamophobic, zionist, kafir America will fall apart one day and recently after Donald Trump got elected as President, I saw America-haters full of hope again.

But 30 years down the line I have got an answer to why these predictions are not working at all and why they will never work in the future too.

I believe that America is the greatest Islamic Caliphate that has ever existed after the times of Rashidoon if we go by the true idea of a Caliphate and not its spurious and obnoxious version that we saw in the form of ISIL.

I'm saying this with a complete sense of responsibility. The universal ideas of goodness, the principles of Quran and the tradition of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which Muslims and Muslim nations have intentionally and so conveniently excluded from their political and social life, Americans practice consciously and compulsorily in every bit they do.

Here is why America is there to stay and prosper and why America is in the good books of Allah.

1) On a morning walk in Baltimore, every American who jogged past me greeted me with a smile although I was a complete stranger to them. Baltimore is otherwise considered to be one of the least-sophisticated cities of US and I didn't expect these courtesies here. Forget a smile or a greeting, do we even look at each other with respect in our part of the world?

2) Whenever I had to cross the road and even if I wrongly crossed it like we cross it here, without waiting for the lights to be green, swanky cars would screech to a halt and the driver would smilingly ask me to walk over. In India or Pakistan, I would have either been run over or my past five generations would have been abused. Such is the courtesy towards a guest in the city.

3) At many places I saw give-aways kept on neat shelves for the needy. Clothes, toys, food, electronic items kept by unknown samaritans for those who might need them. If you buy new sofas you can keep the old ones there and someone will come to take the old ones home. Focus is on giving rather than asking. Not unlike us that we will give a coin to someone and then talk at 50 places about it.

4) In a Maryland restaurant, the moment Shaida Andrabi and I finished eating, the waiter politely packed the leftovers and requested us to take it along. We had not even asked for it. For Americans, wasting food is a sin and the way we throw away heaps of half-pinched ristas and goshtabas after wedding wazwans, is nowhere else in the world.

5) Sarkari schools are very well managed and rich people send their kids to public schools. Education is free and focus is on camaraderie, humanism, inclusiveness, tolerance and creativity. Teachers are highly respected. Education is being used as an effective tool to fight racism.

American courts have very little pendency and justice is timely.

6) Police officers are very respectful to civilians and will come to your help wherever you want. But the rule of law is there. Bureaucracy is almost nonexistent.

7) Most politicians begin their careers as members of the school management committees, not like us where mediocrity and criminal antecedents are a prerequisite to be in politics.

8) People are very honest in their dealings and you won't be cheated in a bus or on a shop. If you tell a fruit-seller in Srinagar that you will choose the oranges from his basket, he will refuse to sell things to you. We consider cheating and shortchanging people as our birthright.

9) Americans are by and large extremely open to diversity. In most high-end locations in DC and NY you can find that outsiders are living in large numbers. In our countries we don't want anyone to come and live and do business. We are extremely insecure when it comes to facing competition.

10) American courts have very little pendency and justice is timely.

11) Americans are considered conservative and the notions of family, community, kinship are quite strong. But when it comes to nepotism or chacha bhateejawad it's almost nonexistent. Honesty is the rule.

12) Academicians, scientists, doctors and teachers are highly respected and people don't show off their wealth or power. Charity and a sense of giving is extremely strong and both the state and the people are doing their bit for the poor and homeless people.

13) Most American Muslims are godfearing, with a progressive outlook and are happy there, praying to God to make it great again, unlike most of us who want a war back home but want our kids to study in America.

14) Now think of the 50-odd Muslim countries in the world and think of the freedoms, the democracy, the sense of justice and peace, economic prosperity and quality of life there. There is no match.

Let's pray to God to give us sense and help us understand that America and other western democracies are not our enemies. Our enemy, blind-faith and ignorance, is within us.

God bless America.
GRAND FORKS  The drug dealing model hasnt changed much over the years -- ship it, sort it, bag it, sell it.

What has changed is how dealers use technology to further their efforts, said Christopher Myers, U.S. attorney for the North Dakota District.

As technology evolves, so does the business of drug trafficking, said Myers, who has spent roughly two decades fighting drugs -- both as a prosecutor at the county, state and federal levels and as a North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation agent. There is an increased use of the internet to purchase substances and have the substances shipped, whether it is by private carrier or U.S. mail, into North Dakota.

The challenge is keeping up with drug traffickers ever-changing tactics, Grand Forks Police Lt. Brett Johnson said. Today, more cases include the use of electronics and online media, Johnson said.

Obviously, there is still the traditional hand-to-hand, on-the-street-corner types of transactions, but I think more and more people are using electronic media, the commander of Grand Forks Criminal Investigations Bureau said of drug dealing.

The challenge includes adapting to trends, following what drugs are popular and using information and technology to make North Dakota an undesirable place to deal, Myers said.

How drugs get here

Researchers estimate the illegal U.S. drug market is a $200 billion to $700 billion business -- and investigators say most of the drugs being sold here are coming from Mexico and South America. A National Drug Threat Assessment issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration said criminal organizations from Mexico remain the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States.

In fiscal year 2015, the U.S. Border Patrol confiscated more than 1.5 million pounds of marijuana, nearly 4,300 pounds of cocaine, more than 8,200 ounces of heroin and close to 6,400 pounds of meth in the southwest border sectors.

But illegal drugs are seeping through the northern border, too. In the same fiscal year, agents along the Canadian border seized 654 pounds of marijuana, 42 pounds of cocaine, 46 ounces of heroin and 11 pounds of meth at portals along the U.S. northern border.

Johnson agreed most of the illegals drugs circulating in North Dakota and western Minnesota tend to come across the southern border, though exactly where they originate is anyones guess, he said.

I think it is probably common that a lot of it comes out of Mexico, but I dont think it would be totally out of the realm of possibility that a portion of it comes out of Canada (and) from overseas, he said.

Dealers and users transport drugs via mail, but the primary shipping method to North Dakota is over the road. Drugs tend to follow major highways and interstates before they get to dealers in the Midwest, Myers said. From there, the narcotics likely are divided up to sell to local customers.

Trying to beat detection, smugglers use new and countless techniques to conceal their contraband.

Some (methods are) very sophisticated and some not, Ryan Gilberg, the operations officer for the Grand Forks Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, wrote in an email. Examples of concealment methods include hidden compartments in vehicles, (hiding drugs) within legitimate merchandise and (covering it) with substances intended to mask smell.

Hierarchy of dealing

Johnson compared the hierarchy of drug dealing to layers. Its a well-documented pattern in court affidavits, including a Polk County case in which four men were charged with trafficking four ounces of cocaine and other drugs in northwestern Minnesota. Officers worked their way up from street-level dealers to the main distributor in Polk County.

Its just like any other organization, Myers said. They have distributors that receive the drugs here in North Dakota and they, in turn, distribute those to street-level traffickers who distribute it to the end user.

Local law enforcement tend to focus on local drug dealers, while state and federal agents generally deal with large-scale, multijurisdictional, national and international dealers, Myers said. The goal is the same -- work up the chain of dealers with the hopes of finding the head of the operation.

Such was the case with Operation Denial, an international drug investigation launched after the 2015 fentanyl-related death of Bailey Henke, 18, of Grand Forks.

Local law enforcement from Grand Forks worked with Border Patrol agents and other federal agencies, including the U.S. Attorneys Office, to prosecute several suspects, including Daniel Vivas Ceron, a Colombian man accused of being the leader of the international drug ring.

Our job is to identify, target and dismantle the worst of the worst, the largest trafficking organizations in the country at the federal level, Myers said.

Changing game

The types of drugs circulating in Grand Forks come in cycles, Johnson said. Meth is still prevalent and remains a large problem in North Dakota, according to Myers.

It used to be made in the state, but enforcement and laws passed by federal and state lawmakers have made it more difficult to obtain ingredients to make the drug, forcing dealers to look at other sources.

In Grand Forks, that meant addicts turned to synthetics, then prescription drugs before jumping to fentanyl, Johnson said.

Fentanyl is still a big issue, he said. I wouldnt say that it has completely run its course, but I think the one we battle the most is heroin and other opiates.

Johnsons opinion appears to be supported by national numbers from the DEA. In 2007, the National Drug Threat Assessment deemed cocaine the most threatening drug in the U.S., with 40 percent of the surveys respondents reporting the drug as the greatest threat. Meth came in a close second with 35 percent. The threat of cocaine diminished in the 2010s, and by 2015, heroin was the greatest threat, according to roughly 37 percent of the respondents. Meth consistently has remained the second-most-threatening drug.

Just like any industry, large-scale drug operations focus on demand, Myers said.

The demand right now is for opiates, heroin and fentanyl, so the market is responding in kind, he said.

Johnson added that the number of distribution layers has shifted over the years.

With some drugs, those layers can be very compressed, he explained. In other words, it didnt have nearly as many layers, and people could get it right from the manufacturer, so to speak.

Drug users and dealers have used the advancement of technology to further operations, Johnson said. In particular, they have made use of the dark web, a part of the internet thats usually inaccessible to the general public. Popular search engines such as Google cannot be used to find dark websites, which are intentionally hidden to keep others from tracking online activity.

They will order it a lot of times from overseas, Johnson said, adding its difficult to track the origin of drugs ordered on the dark web. They can get it direct, so that really changes things.

Keeping up

The advancement of technology and its anonymity continues to be a challenge for prosecutors and law enforcement, Myers said.

People can sit in their home, not have to go meet anybody and just order the substances online, he said. You dont have to go to your local dealer on the corner. You can jump on your smartphone, order fentanyl and get it shipped to your house or P.O. box or your friends house.

Investigators are trained to learn how drug dealers use that technology to their advantage, Johnson said. The Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force keeps up with evolving trends as well, he added.

He said law enforcement agencies work hard to maintain good relationships with other agencies so together they can take down dealers. Officers from all ranks share a passion to fight drug dealers, he said.

I think we are fortunate that we are very big on teamwork and agencies coming together, and I think our drug task force is a big part of that, he said.

In addition to working with other law enforcement agencies, the Border Patrol has adopted strategic plans and has added agents to task forces throughout the sector.

Specifically in the Grand Forks sector, we have grown our K-9 program, Gilberg wrote, adding K-9 teams serve as a valuable resource to our state, local and tribal partners in the areas in which they work.

There also has been a move to educate the public, Johnson said. Anti-drug groups in Grand Forks have produced videos warning of fentanyl use, and law enforcement agencies across the region have held forums to educate the public.

Myers gave credit to law enforcement in the Grand Forks area for taking down drug dealers, particularly during Operation Denial. He called the officers some of the best in the country, adding they work quickly to shut down drug rings in North Dakota and western Minnesota.

As a law enforcement community, we are not going to stop targeting these large-scale operations that are distributing poison into our communities and killing our children, he said.
Sitting Bull College has paved the way for masters degree programs at North Dakota tribal colleges  its latest program focuses on studies on water quality.

SBC Agriculture Division Director Gary Halvorson said SBC is the first tribal college to offer a masters degree in the state and, to Halvorsons knowledge, the first nationwide to offer it in the sciences.

Now United Tribes Technical College Vice President of Academic Affairs Lisa Azure said its part of UTTC's plan to offer a master's degree in education within the next three years.

SBCs two-year masters program started in fall 2014, graduating its first students this past spring. For the schools next round of the masters program, four applied and two more students were accepted. The focus of the program is on water quality.

Halvorson said the first graduates have both gotten good jobs  one working as the schools lab director as he prepares to leave for a job with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the other working for an environmental consulting company in Texas.

Bruz Van Dusen of McLaughlin, S.D., was finishing a four-year degree when he heard a rumor about the masters program getting started.

I thought it couldnt hurt, he said.

For his masters thesis, he examined lead concentrate in river sediment near highway bridges. His cohort studied mercury in river sediments. After many lakes in the area were closed to fishing due to high mercury content, the student wanted to find out if the cause for high mercury in the lake fish was getting into the river, too, Halvorson said.

Van Dusen likes the outdoors. Its what drew him to environmental science. He said the masters program opened his realm of learning and knowledge base.

When he starts with NRCS, hell be working on soil conservation near Selfridge, a job he never imagined himself having before now. He said the masters program has rounded me out for the job.

Like many students, Saul Bobtail Bear, of Little Eagle, S.D., entered college unsure of what he wanted to do until he took an introduction to environmental science class. Now, hes a junior preparing to start his second undergraduate research project. His first project was a summer research program studying Costa Rican fish species.

Bobtail Bear works in the lab as Van Dusens lab assistant. He said he would walk by and see Van Dusen in the lab and the research drew his interest. Now, hes considering pursuing a masters degree as well.

Halvorson said 10 percent of the roughly 300 students enrolled at the college are in the environmental science program. The degree involves a lot of hands-on work, which he thinks students appreciate.

Students do two research projects as undergraduates and Halvorsons analytical chemistry class familiarizes students with the labs equipment to measure fluoride, mercury, magnesium, sodium, potassium, trace metals and numerous other elements.

Van Dusen said he has noticed interest in the program from quite a few of his fellow students. In fact, the program had been enough to draw him from a tribal college in Arizona to North Dakota to study.

SBC sought masters accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission in education, business and was approved for accreditation in environmental science. There are five instructors with doctoral degrees in the environmental science department at the college, which helped make accreditation possible.

Halvorson said it has put SBC more into the research realm  a big step that doesnt just happen overnight.

He said now the school is in talks with NASA about getting an air quality station at the college so the agency can record measurements on climate change and the ecology of the area. The agency doesnt have a station in this region, Halvorson said.

Halvorson said SBC hopes to diversify its masters offering in the coming years with a new area of focus.

He expects the masters program to keep growing as other students see it giving graduates a leg up on getting a job. The school is aiming to eventually have a six-student program and start a new class of masters students every year instead of every two years.
Police say a Grand Forks woman shot by her adult son before he took his own life has died of her injuries. Authorities say 53-year-old Jennifer Harrison died at Altru Hospital days after she was found in her home with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso and head. According to officials, 21-year-old Tyler Harrison shot his mother Wednesday at the home they shared in Grand Forks. Police say he turned the gun on himself and was found dead in their driveway. Officials say the shooting was domestic-related, but that their investigation is continuing.
Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
FARGO -- Republican legislative leaders are a bit more gloomy about North Dakotas revenue prospects than those built into Gov. Jack Dalyrmples recommendations for the 2017-19 budget.

After Dalrymple presented his budget plan last week, the House and Senate majority leaders announced they would not automatically accept the revenue forecast in the budget, but likely would instead craft their own, more cautious prediction in light of slumping oil and farm commodity prices.

In shaping his budget proposal, Dalrymple asked departments to submit requests for the 2017-19 budget that were 10 percent lower than the current budget. The governor said another $60 million in spending reductions were identified beyond the 10 percent target.

Agencies had to accept cutbacks, called allotments, for the current budget. Dalrymple is recommending $13.48 billion in total spending, including a general fund budget of $4.78 billion, a 21 percent reduction from current spending.

Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, and House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, both said they are more cautious after revenue collections dropped sharply, falling below estimates that had been revised downward for the current budget.

Things went south on us a lot faster and a lot further than we expected, Wardner said. Were a little bit more cautious this time, because we dont like to live with allotments.

Wardner and Carlson said they were skeptical that oil prices would reach levels predicted in Dalrymples budget proposal, with a North Dakota price of $51 per barrel, Wardner said.

The key thing is to err on the side of being conservative, Carlson said. You can always go up, but its hard to go down.

In addition to being wary of the revenue forecast, the legislative leaders said the governors budget recommendations also borrow a lot from special funds. Theres a lot of money that moved in that budget, Carlson said.

Dalrymple, who recently met with The Forum Editorial Board, shrugged off the leaders reluctance to embrace the revenue forecast in his final budget recommendation. He noted that its not the first time his budget proposals have received a cool reception.

It happens almost every time, said Dalrymple, who leaves office Thursday, Dec. 15, to be replaced by fellow Republican Doug Burgum, a Fargo businessman. They like to act like the governors budget proposal is totally meaningless.

The North Dakota Constitution and statutory law call for the governor to make budget recommendations, he said. Whatever games they might try wont change that.

Carlson agreed that it has become pretty normal for legislative leaders to balk at executive revenue predictions, and repeated his earlier criticism of forecasts by Moodys Analytics, used by the state Office of Management and Budget.

For the 2017-19 budget, Carlson said, legislators likely will embrace a zero-based budgeting process, which Burgum has endorsed, instead of using the last budget as the starting point. Were still going to have the governors proposal, he added, referring to Dalrymples recommendations.

Well do our due diligence like we always do, Carlson said.
The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc..

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United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, investment, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. It also provides a suite of banking and capital market products, such as syndicated finance, debt and equity capital market products, commercial payments, equipment finance, commercial mortgage banking, derivatives, foreign exchange, financial advisory, and public finance, as well as commercial mortgage loans comprising consumer, energy, healthcare, industrial, public sector, real estate, and technology loans for middle market clients. In addition, the company offers community development financing, securities underwriting, brokerage, and investment banking services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated through a network of approximately 999 branches and 1,317 ATMs in 15 states, as well as additional offices, online and mobile banking capabilities, and a telephone banking call center. KeyCorp was founded in 1849 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
The following companies are subsidiares of PPG Industries: AIPCF V Texstars Blocker Inc., AkzoNobel, Alpha Coating Technologies LLC, Alpha Coatings Inc., Broad Range Development Limited, CG Holdings Manufacturing Co., Centro de Investigacion en Polimeros S.A. de C.V., Chemfil Canada Limited, Chorlton Trade Paints Limited, Comercial Mexicana de Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Comex, Comex Industrial Coatings S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Comex S.A. de C.V., Cristacol S.A., Cuming Microwave Corporation, Deutek SA, Dexmet Corporation, Dexmet Holding Corporation, Distribuidora Kroma S.A. de C.V., EPIC Insurance Co. Ltd., Eberle Design Inc., Empresa Aga S.A. de C.V., Ennis Canadian Holding Company, Ennis Paint Canada ULC, Ennis Paint Netherlands Holdings LLC, Ennis Paint U.K. Holding Company Limited, Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Ennis-Flint, Ennis-Flint Inc., Foshan Bairun Chemicals Co. Ltd., Fpu Industrial S.A. de C.V., Grupo Comex S.A. de C.V., Hemmelrath Automotive Coatings (Jilin) Co. Ltd., Hemmelrath International Trade (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hodij Coatings B.V., Homax Products, Industria Chimica Reggiana I.C.R. SPA, Johnstones Paints Limited, Kalon Investment Company Limited, Kalon South Africa Proprietary Limited, Karl Woerwag Lack-und Farbenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Masterwork Paint, MetoKote Corporation, MetoKote Mexico Holdings Inc., MetoKote UK Limited, MetoKote de Mexico S. de RL de CV, Milamar Coatings LLC, OOO Tikkurila, PPG A P Resinas S.A. de C.V., PPG AC - France SA, PPG ALESCO Automotive Finishes Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PPG Aerospace Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Architectural Coatings (Puerto Rico) Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Inc./PPG Revetements Architecturaux Canada Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Ireland Limited, PPG Architectural Coatings Italy S.r.l, PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., PPG Asian Paints Private Ltd., PPG Business Services S.A. de C.V., PPG COATINGS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., PPG Canada Inc., PPG Cetelon Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Cieszyn S.A., PPG Coatings (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, PPG Coatings (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., PPG Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Thailand) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Wuhu) Company Ltd., PPG Coatings (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings B.V., PPG Coatings Belgium BV, PPG Coatings Danmark A/S, PPG Coatings Deutschland GmbH, PPG Coatings Europe B.V., PPG Coatings Nederland BV, PPG Coatings S.A., PPG Coatings South Africa (Pty) Ltd., PPG DYRUP S.A., PPG Deco Czech a.s., PPG Deco Polska sp. z.o.o., PPG Deco Slovakia s.r.o., PPG Deutschland Business Support GmbH, PPG Deutschland Sales & Services GmbH, PPG Distribution S.A.S., PPG Europe B.V., PPG Finance B.V., PPG Finland Oy, PPG France Business Support S.A.S., PPG France Manufacturing S.A.S., PPG Guadeloupe SAS, PPG Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Holdco SAS, PPG Holdings (U.K.) Limited, PPG Holdings Argentina USA LLC, PPG Holdings Latin America USA LLC, PPG Iberica S.A., PPG Iberica Sales & Services S.L., PPG Industrial Coatings B.V., PPG Industrial do Brasil - Tintas E. Vernizes - Ltda., PPG Industries (Korea) Ltd., PPG Industries (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Industries (UK) Ltd, PPG Industries Argentina S.R.L., PPG Industries Australia PTY Limited A.C.N. 055 500 939, PPG Industries Colombia Ltda., PPG Industries Delfzijl B.V., PPG Industries Europe Sarl, PPG Industries France S.A.S., PPG Industries International Inc., PPG Industries Italia S.r.l., PPG Industries Kimya a Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, PPG Industries LLC, PPG Industries Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Industries Lipetsk LLC, PPG Industries Middle East FZE, PPG Industries Netherlands B.V., PPG Industries New Zealand Limited, PPG Industries Ohio Inc., PPG Industries Poland Sp. Z.o.o., PPG Industries Securities LLC, PPG Industries de Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Investment (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Italia Business Support S.r.l., PPG Italia Sales & Services S.r.l., PPG Japan Ltd., PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes Canada LP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.K. LLP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.S. LLC, PPG Luxembourg Finance S.aR.L., PPG Luxembourg Holdings S.aR.L., PPG Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Packaging Coatings (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Performance Coatings (Hong Kong) Limited, PPG Powder Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Refinish Distribution Limited, PPG Romania S.A., PPG Reunion SAS, PPG SSC Co. Ltd., PPG Switzerland GmbH, PPG Trilak Korlatolt FelelosseguTarasasag (PPG Trilak Kft.), PPG Vietnam Co. Ltd., PRC-DeSoto Australia Pty Ltd., PRC-DeSoto International Inc., PT. PPG Coatings Indonesia, Painter's Supply, Paintzen, Peintures de Paris SAS, Plasticos Envolventes S.A. de C.V., Polymeric Systems Inc., ProCoatings B.V., ProCoatings BV, Protec Pty Ltd, Reno A&E LLC, Revocoat France SAS, Revocoat Holding SAS, Revocoat Iberica SLU, Revocoat S.A.S, Road Infrastructure Investment Holdings Inc., SEM Products Inc., Sealants Europe SAS, Sierracin Corporation, Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation, Sigma Marine & Protective Coatings Holding B.V., SigmaKalon (BC) UK Limited, SigmaKalon Group, Sikar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Spraylat International Ltd, Texstars LLC, The Crown Group Co., The Crown Group Inc, The Homax Group, Tikkurila Group, Tikkurila Oyj, Tikkurila Sverige AB, Traffic Safety Intermediate LLC, Traffic Safety Parent LLC, VF Specialty Products LLC, Vanex Inc., Vernisol S.p.A., VersaFlex Acquisition Corp., VersaFlex Inc., VersaFlex Intermediate Holdings LLC, Versaflex, Viasa S.A. de C.V., Whitford, Whitford B.V., Whitford Corporation, Whitford Jiangmen Ltd., Whitford Ltd. (HK), Whitford Ltd. (UK), Whitford Pte. Ltd., Whitford S.r.l., Whitford Worldwide Company LLC, and Worwag Coatings.

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Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, renewable generation, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity. It also engages in the wholesale of electricity to municipalities, electric cooperative utilities, and load-serving entities. This segment serves approximately 8.2 million customers in 6 states in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States covering a service territory of approximately 91,000 square miles; and owns approximately 50,259 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segment distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation natural gas customers; and owns, operates, and invests in pipeline transmission and natural gas storage facilities. It has approximately 1.6 million customers, including 1.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as 550,000 customers in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. The Commercial Renewables segment acquires, owns, develops, builds, and operates wind and solar renewable generation projects, including nonregulated renewable energy and energy storage services to utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and corporate customers. It has 23 wind, 178 solar, and 2 battery storage facilities, as well as 71 fuel cell locations with a capacity of 3,554 MW across 22 states. The company was formerly known as Duke Energy Holding Corp. and changed its name to Duke Energy Corporation in April 2005. The company was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
BlackRock, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. It also provides global risk management and advisory services. The firm manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios. It also launches and manages open-end and closed-end mutual funds, offshore funds, unit trusts, and alternative investment vehicles including structured funds. The firm launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and real estate mutual funds. It also launches equity, fixed income, balanced, currency, commodity, and multi-asset exchange traded funds. The firm also launches and manages hedge funds. It invests in the public equity, fixed income, real estate, currency, commodity, and alternative markets across the globe. The firm primarily invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, SMID-cap, large-cap, and multi-cap companies. It also invests in dividend-paying equity securities. The firm invests in investment grade municipal securities, government securities including securities issued or guaranteed by a government or a government agency or instrumentality, corporate bonds, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. It employs fundamental and quantitative analysis with a focus on bottom-up and top-down approach to make its investments. The firm employs liquidity, asset allocation, balanced, real estate, and alternative strategies to make its investments. In real estate sector, it seeks to invest in Poland and Germany. The firm benchmarks the performance of its portfolios against various S&P, Russell, Barclays, MSCI, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch indices. BlackRock, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in New York City with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; London, United Kingdom; Gurgaon, India; Hong Kong; Greenwich, Connecticut; Princeton, New Jersey; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Sydney, Australia; Taipei, Taiwan; Singapore; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, District of Columbia; Toronto, Canada; Wilmington, Delaware; and San Francisco, California.
Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. It also operates the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas; and the Haynesville shale and Cotton Valley plays in Northwest Louisiana. In addition, the company conducts midstream operations in support of its exploration, development, and production operations; provides natural gas processing and oil transportation services; and offers oil, natural gas, and produced water gathering services, as well as produced water disposal services to third parties. As of December 31, 2021, its estimated total proved oil and natural gas reserves were 323.4 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 181.3 million stock tank barrels of oil and 852.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The company was formerly known as Matador Holdco, Inc. and changed its name to Matador Resources Company in August 2011. Matador Resources Company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan.

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Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, a technology company, focuses in the areas of automation and digitalization in Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. It operates through Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, Siemens Healthineers, and Siemens Financial Services segments. The Digital Industries segment offers automation systems and software for factories, numerical control systems, motors, drives and inverters, and integrated automation systems for machine tools and production machines; process control systems, machine-to-machine communication products, sensors and radio frequency identification systems; software for production and product lifecycle management, and simulation and testing of mechatronic systems; and cloud-based industrial Internet of Things operating systems. The Smart Infrastructure segment offers products, systems, solutions, services, and software to support sustainable transition in energy generation from fossil and renewable sources; sustainable buildings and communities; and buildings, electrification, and electrical products. The Mobility segment provides passenger and freight transportation, such as vehicles, trams and light rail, and commuter trains, as well as trains and passenger coaches; locomotives for freight or passenger transport and solutions for automated transportation; products and solutions for rail automation; electrification products; and intermodal solutions. The Siemens Healthineers segment develops, manufactures, and sells various diagnostic and therapeutic products and services; and provides clinical consulting services. The Siemens Financial Services segment offers debt and equity investments; leasing, lending, and working capital financing solutions; and equipment, project, and structured financing solutions. Siemens Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
NGL Energy Partners LP is a vertically integrated master limited partnership operating a network of midstream pipelines and storage facilities. The company is a diversified play on mid-stream operations offering multiple services for producers and consumers alike. Founded in 1944, the company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The company, through a network of subsidiaries, is in business to transport, store, blend, and market crude oil, natural gas liquids, refined products, renewables, and water solutions in the United States. The company seeks to generate positive cash flow through its businesses and deliver returns to shareholders in the form of dividends, organic, and accretive growth. Organic growth is achieved by investing in new assets while accretive growth includes the acquisition of assets that complement the existing portfolio.

NGL Energy Partners operates in three segments that include Water Solutions, Crude Oil Logistics, and Natural Gas Liquids Logistics.

The Water Solutions segment transports, sells, reclaims, and recycles water for oil and natural gas production. This segment also aggregates recovered crude oil for sale, disposes of wastes, and performs cleaning services for trucks and fracking tanks along with other services.

The Crude Oil Logistics segment buys and transports crude oil and equivalents to refiners for processing and sale at pipeline heads and other trade hubs. This segment also provides storage and transportation services for third parties.

The Liquids Logistics segment supplies LNG, refined petroleum products, and biodiesel to commercial, retail, and industrial consumers in North America. This segment operates through a network of 24 terminals that are supported by third-party storage facilities, common carrier pipelines, and a fleet of leased railcars.








According to Investors Business Daily, over 300 businesses are cutting employee hours and jobs to avoid Obamacare. If employers restrict employee work hours to 30 per week, then they avoid Obamacare mandates for health insurance. Jed Graham of Investors Business Daily says, Data also point to a record low workweek in low-wage industries.

Casinos are one industry that exemply these cuts. In Grantville, Penn., the Hollywood Casino has told part-time workers they are now limited to no more than 30 hours a week. Gene Barr of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry had this to say:

Government has decided that you as a business will pay this if you meet a certain size. Theyve put these conditions on and of course companies will have to work around and with those conditions in order to make sure they can stay as a successful business. Businesses have to take the steps they can to keep themselves profitable and keep the people that are now employed employed.



Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA) and House Minority Leader, remains optimistic, however. In a CNN interview, she says these changes will allow Americans to follow their passions as they are liberated from the 40 hour work week.

Try telling all this to Kelli Ramirez from Louisville, Ky.

In the waiting room of the Family Health Center on Portland Avenue, Kelli Ramirez, an uninsured restaurant server, appears to be a perfect example of someone ready to benefit from the Affordable Care Act. I dont have any (insurance). I cant afford it. I come here, Ramirez said. Yet, Ramirez, 35, is not embracing the ACA, even as it makes her eligible for free health insurance. I dont like it, Ramirez said. I dont like it. I dont like it at all, because she is already paying a steep price for her free health insurance. I got my hours cut in half because they put a new computer system in orders, Ramirez explained Ramirez said her hours have been cut from 32 per week to 16 per week, though a superior was working to add more to her schedule. They only have so many people that can be full time because of the cost of health insurance, Ramirez said, defending her employer. And so now most of us that are working lower jobs are going to have to get a second job just to be able to make it.

Heres hoping that second job will help Ramirez follow her passion.

[product sku=1007]
 FBI: American Jews Most Targeted Minority for Hate Crimes in 2015 | Main | A Puzzling Omission at Politico 

December 10, 2016

Sen. George Mitchells Head-Scratcher on C-SPAN About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

... Palestinian authorities have long since renounced violence and accepted Israel's existence and have opted for peace negotiations to achieve a state.?

This assertion by George Mitchell (Democrat)  former U.S. diplomat (Israeli-Palestinian conflict) and Senate Majority Leader  was stated 17 minutes into an hour-long interview aired on the C-SPAN BookTV After Words? program. It was in connection with admonishing Israels government to wait no longer to make a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by Mahmoud Abbas.

The program was recorded on Nov. 16, 2016 but not aired until Dec. 3, 2016. It was repeated on subsequent days.

Interviewer Jane Harman, former Member of Congress, now president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Center, spoke with Mitchell about his new book, "A Path to Peace: A Brief History of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations and a Way Forward in the Middle East." The conversation was generally unremarkable except notably for the assertion cited here. Except for the fact that Harman here represented C-SPAN, whose record concerning Israel is generally one of journalistic malpractice, it would have been surprising that the former ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee failed to challenge the highly dubious assertion.

When have the Palestinian authorities renounced violence and accepted Israel's existence as a Jewish state? Acceptance of Israel's existence other than as a Jewish state is a non-sequitor. Furthermore, while most of the 22 Arab Muslim countries treat non-Muslim citizens as second-class ones, Israel has never seen a contradiction between its Jewishness and the need to respect and protect non-Jewish minorities. Under Israeli law, all (including Arab minorities) are provided full civil rights. Indeed, Israel is one of the few places in the Middle East where Arab women may vote in local and national elections.

Palestinian public opinion polling shows consistent large majority opposition to Israels existence as a Jewish state while approving of terrorism against the Jewish state. A recent example of this is a December 2015 poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR).

Recurring violence has been incited by longstanding and relentless anti-Israel and anti-Jewish invective from the Palestinian media, mosques and schools. Recent Palestinian violence  a year-long spate of stabbings, shootings and car rammings  has been fueled by daily Palestinian incitement against Jews by PA officials who honor terrorists and praise their acts of violence. The most recent wave of terror began around the time that an incendiary declaration was broadcast to Palestinians by PA controlled media.

Among the sources reporting on this matter was The Wall Street Journal on Oct. 18, 2015: "Mr. Abbas, the PA president, said the following on Palestinian television on Sept. 16: We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem. This is pure blood, clean blood, blood on its way to Allah. With the help of Allah, every martyr will be in heaven, and every wounded will get his reward.'"

Palestinian Authority President Abbas has insisted that the recent Palestinian terror attacks against Israelis is a natural consequence of despair but the evidence shows that Palestinian incitement plays a major part in the phenomenon.

Meanwhile Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu awaits a meaningful response regarding negotiations from the Palestinian side while his Palestinian counterpart Abbas has repeatedly and explicitly rejected the idea of two states for two peoples. Palestinian leaders rejected U.S. and Israeli offers of two-state solutions in 2000, 2001, 2008 and spurned renewed talks on such an agreement proposed by Secretary of State John Kerry in 2014.

The PA insists on various conditions unlikely to be accepted by any Israeli government before peace negotiations can take place, including: Israel must abide by Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state (evidently 22 Arab Muslim states is fine but one Jewish state is one too many) and Israel must accept a "right of return" (that does not exist in international law) for millions of Arabs (nearly all of whom have never lived in Israel) which would inevitably result in the Jewish state becoming unviable.

Questions for Mitchell, Harman and C-SPAN: What is the evidence that the PA has renounced violence against Israel? What is the evidence that the PA has accepted Israels existence as a Jewish state? What is the evidence that the PA has opted for peace negotiations without preconditions? There being none, Mitchell's assertion has little or no basis in reality.

Posted by MK at December 10, 2016 05:04 PM

What about all the land and property lost by Jews when they were thrown out of Arab countries.

Posted by: Julian Mannino at December 12, 2016 01:34 PM

The PA, while acknowledging Israel's right to exist, does not have to recognize it as a Jewish state. This is simply an issue without "whataboutism" attached, meaning what happened in other countries to Jews there should not be considered by Israel, as Israel should try to prove that is is better and fairer than other countries;

Posted by: Mick at December 13, 2016 06:54 AM

you did not mention the stipends to attackers & their families

Posted by: em at December 13, 2016 12:13 PM

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Many among Mexicos 31 states and one federal district forbid dogfighting, but its essential that a national policy be developed to root out this activity and to establish a bright-line federal policy on animal cruelty. Photo by Larry French/AP Images for The HSUS

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Last Thursday, Mexicos Chamber of Deputies (the analog to our U.S. House of Representatives) gave its approval to national anti-dogfighting legislation, bringing us one major step closer to a countrywide ban on the barbaric practice. Many among Mexicos 31 states and one federal district forbid the practice, but its essential that a national policy be developed to root out this activity and to establish a bright-line federal policy on animal cruelty.

Earlier this year, HSI-Mexico launched an anti-dogfighting campaign with the support of legislators, celebrities, and high-level Mexico City officials, collecting over 200,000 signatures against this cruel spectacle  and winning the vote in the Chamber of Deputies by a count of 291 to 1. The legislation prohibits organizing fights, owning or trading a fighting dog, possessing a property used to hold fights, and attending a fight as a spectator. This initiative has now been sent to the Senate, where we expect it to be voted upon and signed into law in 2017.

Im just returning today from Mexico City, and I cannot tell you how pleased I am that HSI has a major presence in the nation. We are extending U.S.-based anti-cruelty campaigns to so many parts of the world, but a particular priority for me is our work in Mexico and Canada. These are the biggest neighbors and trading partners of the United States, with so much movement and commerce between the nations. We cannot simply take action in the United States on abuses like dogfighting, horse slaughter, factory farming, and trophy hunting, and then allow the bad practices of businesses or U.S. citizens to migrate to our neighboring countries. We need a North American solution to animal cruelty.

Some may think that Mexico is lagging in addressing animal protection issues, but lets remember that it wasnt until 2007 that the United States had a very strong national anti-dogfighting policy. As with so many things, it takes leadership to drive change, and you can draw a straight line from HSI setting up its office in Mexico City in March of this year (just as our leadership in the United States led the enactment of the national anti-dogfighting policy at home), to this important new policy idea that is now gaining such traction. (By the way, within the last year, weve also passed anti-cruelty and anti-dogfighting laws in the Central American countries of El Salvador and Honduras, and introduced such legislation in Guatemala.)

In less than a year, weve been able to make remarkable gains in Mexico. Here are just a few of them:

HSI-Mexico and the Izamal (Yucatan) Municipality ended the Kots Kaal Pato fiesta the cruel 100-year- old festival in which animals were hung up like pinatas and beaten to death. An agreement was signed in April to continue to collaborate on providing non-cruel alternatives to celebrate the fiesta. HSI-Mexico signed memoranda of understanding in April with agencies in three cities  Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, and Aguascalientes  to enhance the enforcement of anti-cruelty laws in their jurisdictions. Dozens of trainings have been offered and hundreds of animal-handling equipment items and humane education materials have been donated.

Alsea, the largest restaurant operator in Latin America and Spain, announced a cage-free egg policy after several years of talks with HSI. Alsea operates the brands Burger King, Dominos, Starbucks, VIPs, Chilis, California Pizza Kitchen, PF Changs, El Porton, Fosters Hollywood, Pei Wei, Italiannis, and Cheesecake Factory. This policy applies to the 3,000 units that Alsea operates in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Spain. Two other major restaurant operators, CMR and Grupo Toks, also announced cage-free policies in partnership with HSI. CMR operates the brands Wings, Fonda Mexicana, La Destileria, El Lago, Bistro Chapultepec, Chili s, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and The Capital Grille in Mexico. Grupo Toks operates 226 restaurants in Mexico, including Toks, Panda Express, Cup Stop, Restaurantes California, and Beer Factory.

A team of Mexican veterinarians from HSI spent a week in Haiti providing emergency animal rescue and treatment following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Matthew. The team set up emergency clinics in four communities near Port au Prince and provided treatment for 1,236 animals, including horses, cows, donkeys, cats, dogs, goats, sheep, pigs, mules, calves, and chickens.

We also learned just today that Mexico Citys Constitutional Assemblys Rights Commission has approved an article on animal welfare to be included in the constitution the city will adopt on February. HSI Mexico has worked on building a consensus around enshrining animal protection in the new constitution, once Mexico City becomes a federal entity similar to a state early next year.

HSI and The HSUS have global footprints, and that work is expanding. But our presence is biggest now in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Thats major progress for us, and I hope youll help us fortify and grow our presence in these two enormous and important nations.
GOV CANDIDATE COLLAGE.jpg

Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

With another Pennsylvania Society weekend officially over, we thought now was a good time to cull through our copious notes from the weekend and take the measure of the emerging field of 2018 GOP gubernatorial candidates.

At least a half-dozen Republicans are lining up to challenge Gov. Tom Wolf in less than two years' time.

And while it's still early days, a strong presence at the annual bash in Midtown Manhattan is considered critical for building legitimacy.

"This is going to end up a battle between the outsider and the establishment figure," Jim Broussard, a veteran Society-goer and political science professor at Lebanon Valley College, said of the eventual primary fight.

While in numerical order below, our list is, by no means based on the statistical likelihood of these various and sundry Republicans actually winning their party's eventual nomination.

Rather, we base it on how pithily evasive they were.

1. Former Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley: Asked if he was considering a run for the top spot, Tom Corbett's former second banana smiled beatifically on Saturday morning and simply said, "I think about a great many things."

2. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre: The Republican floor leader had a busy weekend, making the rounds of cocktail parties and receptions, including one of his own on Friday night on the Lower West Side. Asked if he was considering a run, Corman he was going to "to do my job for the next six months and then make a decision. It's important to do my job first and that's what I'll be focusing on."

3. State House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny: "I have not ruled out anything for the future," the House's presiding officer said during a brief conversation on Friday night. But, naturally, Turzai is focused on the coming legislative session and the job ahead of him (which is what one is supposed to say when one is actively considering a run for governor): "We need to get the job done for Pennsylvania."

4. U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11th District: Barletta's name hasn't popped up in the gubernatorial sweepstakes yet. But because he happened to be standing there at the time, it seemed worth asking. He, too, is "happy with what I'm doing now." But, he added, "I've never planned ahead. When I see something where I can do a better job, that's when I get motivated." So ... you never know ...

5. State Sen. Scott Wagner, R-York: We didn't bother asking. He's so totally running.

6. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd District: We spotted Kelly across the room at Saturday morning's Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association seminar. And while we didn't get a chance to ask, it's widely expected that the northwestern Republican will be throwing his hat into the ring as well. One impediment: Kelly, while popular, doesn't have a lot of statewide name recognition. But then again, neither did another guy from the northwest who went on to win two terms - former Gov. Tom Ridge.

Oh .. and that Tom Wolf guy? Pennsylvania's Democratic chief executive bagged the gala weekend to stay home and work in soup kitchens, sticking a very symbolic, but no less important, two fingers up to Society-goers.

"He's running for re-election," former Gov. Ed Rendell said on Saturday morning. But, he added, Wolf shouldn't expect an easy campaign.

"In this era, I don't think any incumbent is invulnerable," he said. "I think Gov. Wolf has a fight on his hands."
Day 9

The bus to Machu Picchu starts at 5:30 am, we got to the bus station at 5:20 am and were shocked to see the line for the bus was already half a mile long and this was the low season! Good things they got over a dozen buses ready to go at 5:30 am. We boarded around 5:50 am and arrived at Machu Picchu probably around 6:20 am.

After getting off the bus, Dave saw this girl who was asking if we need a guide, her English sounded pretty good, she asked for 60 USD for a 2 hours tour, we were a little hesitant since it only cost 60 Soles (less than $18) at Saqsaywaman for a 1-hour tour, so she lowered the price to $50, we said OK. She said you may want to use the bathroom now, since there is no bathroom inside. So we waited in line for the tiny bathroom. By the time we were done and found her again, she introduced us to her husband who would be our guide. His English was clearly not as good as hers, so she pulled a bait and switch on us. Anyway he wasn't bad, still better than having no guide at all. He explained a lot of things, answered a lot of questions, and took photos for us for 2 hours. He also told us: "since today is Sunday, it is a free day for local Cusco people to visit Machu Picchu, the line for the bus to go down could be longer than usual, make sure you get to the bus station 2+ hours ahead of your train departs".

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. Temple of Sun.

6.

7. The Main Temple.

8. Temple of the three windows.

9.

10. Intihuatana (The Hitching Post of the Sun).

11.

12.

13.

14. Ceremonial Rock. Supposedly it looks like the mountain behind.

15.

16. Free workers (keep the grass cut) of Machu Picchu :)

17. Temple of the Condor.

18. Our tour ended here. The guide told us to get the classic Machu Picchu picture, we needed to climb to the Guardhouse up there.

So in our free time, we hiked the Machu Picchu Mountain for a little bit, and then the Inka Bridge, before hanging around the Guardhouse for a long time.

19.

20.

21. View from Machu Picchu Mountain. We only hiked 20 - 30 minutes one way. It was a steep climb. To hike to the top, you need 1.5 - 2 hours one way.

22. Came down from Machu Picchu Mountain, going to Inka Bridge.

23. Inka Bridge.

24. Inka Bridge.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

After spending 6 hours at Machu Picchu, we finally left around 12:30 pm. I had bought the buffet lunch ($35 PP online with the Vistadome train ticket, $40 at the door) at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge earlier, it was really good. They had Peruvian corn, tasty chicken, lamb and even ceviche I liked.

31. While waiting for the bus to go down the mountain, guess what I did :)

After we came back to Aguas Calientes, it started to rain. Gosh we really lucked out on the weather today. Except later on our way back to Poroy / Cusco, the train stopped in the middle of nowhere for a long time (30 minutes to an hour). The attendants finally told us that there was a landslide, they were trying to fix it as soon as possible, and if they couldn't fix it, they would call in buses to drive us to Cusco. We waited for another 30 minutes or so, the buses came. Later we were all dropped off at Cusco near San Francisco plaza 2 hours behind our scheduled train arrival.



(To be continued)
Among the most gorgeous images in Thai manuscript painting are those of forest animals. Illustrations of the heavenly forest Himmaphan (Pali: Himavanta), which in Buddhist cosmology is thought to surround the base of the mythical Mount Meru, are unthinkable without squirrels, rabbits, birds, lions, tigers, monkeys, elephants and deer. Scenes involving birds, elephants and deer, usually against a background of trees, plants and rocks, express an atmosphere of tranquillity and peace. Deer seem to be of particular importance as they often feature in funeral books containing extracts from the Pali canon. In Thai Buddhism, symbolic meanings of deer include harmony, happiness and serenity, but also sensitivity and watchfulness. According to the Buddhist scriptures, there could have been no better place for Gautama Buddha to give his first sermon than in the tranquil landscape of the Deer Park at Sarnath.



A pair of deer, one looking watchfully backward, frolicking in a rocky landscape with a blossoming tree and flowers. Illustration from a Thai folding book containing extracts from the Tipitaka in Pali language, late 18th or early 19th century. British Library, Or 14027, f.54



Some of Buddhas Birth Stories (Jataka) also involve deer, like for example the King Banyan Deer Jataka or the Suvannasama Jataka. The King Banyan Deer Jataka tells of one of Buddhas former incarnations as a golden deer king whose herd was captured and held in a park for the King of Benares to hunt. The king granted the golden deer immunity, but wished to hunt the other deer and eat venison meat every day. When it was the turn of a pregnant doe to be slaughtered, King Banyan Deer sacrificed himself and laid his golden neck on the butchers block. The King of Benares was surprised to see this and asked why the deer king offered his own life. When he heard that King Banyan Deer had taken upon himself the plight of the pregnant doe, the king prohibited hunting of deer and all other animals in his kingdom.





Scenes from the Sama Jataka in a rare 18th century folding book from Thailand. This manuscript contains short extracts from the Tipitaka, including a text on the great qualities of the Buddha (Mahabuddhaguna) which are illustrated by scenes from the Ten Birth Tales. British Library, Or 14068, f.5

A popular Jataka involving deer is part of the circle of the last Ten Birth Tales of the Buddha with the title Sama Jataka (in Thailand also known as Suvannasama Jataka). Illustrations of this Jataka can often be found in Thai funeral or commemoration volumes in folding book format containing a text on the Buddhas great qualities, and sometimes the legend of the Buddhist saint Phra Malai. The painting style and preference of certain colours varies according to the period in which a manuscript was created. Whereas deer in 18th century illustrations usually appear static, a century later they are often shown in motion.



Naturalistic scene from the Sama Jataka with deer fleeing the violent event of Sama being shot by the King of Benares. Illustration from a 19th century Thai folding book containing extracts from the Tipitaka and the legend of Phra Malai. British Library, Or 14559, f.6

The Sama Jataka tells of a son who, with great devotion, cared for his parents who had lost their sight as a result of snake bites. Every day, he fetched water from the forest. Because of his gentle, peaceful character the deer in the forest would always follow him. One day the King of Benares went hunting in the same forest and accidentally shot Sama in the chest. Realising his mistake, he went to Samas parents to inform them and to apologise. The parents, however, remained calm and asked him to lead them to their dead sons body where they pleaded with the gods to restore his life, and due to his extraordinary merit he did indeed come back to life and the king was forgiven. The parents also regained their eyesight.



On the left, an illustration in an innovative, dynamic style shows Sama who was shot in the chest stumbling into the river. Two deer are by his side, the spilling water pot between them. On the right are Samas blind parents waiting for their sons return from the forest. From a 19th century Thai folding book containing extracts from the Tipitaka. British Library, Or 16552, f.9

The Jataka best known Thailand is without doubt the Vessantara Jataka, the last of the Ten Birth Tales of the Buddha. This Jataka symbolises the virtue of generosity and narrates the life of prince Vessantara who from early childhood on showed a great sense of charity. He gave away all his possessions, including an elephant that he grew up with, his horses, even his children and finally his beloved wife Maddi. However, as a result of his great merits, his sacrifices and acts of generosity were always rewarded. For example, when he gave away his horses that were pulling his carriage to a forest hermitage a marvellous deer appeared immediately to replace the horses. In the end, the whole family and their animals got together again with a great celebration.



Scene from the Vessantara Jataka showing a marvellous deer with gold decorations replacing the horses that Vessantara, standing on the carriage, had given away. From a 19th century Thai folding book containing extracts from the Tipitaka. British Library, Or 16552, f.26

Not only in Thai manuscript paintings can one find images of deer, but also on manuscript covers and manuscript chests in the form of gold-on-lacquer decorations. These would usually represent scenes from the heavenly forest Himmaphan. The lavishly decorated manuscript cover below shows a deer in the centre, standing gracefully between two mythical lions and smaller forest animals, perhaps squirrels, before a delicate background of flowers and foliage.





Gilt and lacquered cover of a Thai folding book containing extracts from the Tipitaka and the legend of Phra Malai, 19th century. British Library, Or 15257, front cover


Most people have taken President-elect Donald Trumps decision to tap billionaire GOP donor and school choice champion Betsy DeVos as his education secretary as a sign that he wants to make good on his campaign promise to create a massive new school choice program .

One problem? School choice, at least in the form of vouchers or brick-and-mortar charter schools, isnt easy to do in the rural states and communities that played such a large part in Trumps victory in the electoral College .

Just ask Don German, the executive director of the Arizona Rural Schools Association. His state has embraced school choice, both in the form of education savings accounts and charter schools. But, for the most part, those options havent reached isolated districts.

Theres very few charters that want to set up in the very small and rural communities in Arizona, he said. In fact, nationally, just 7.5 percent of charter school students live in rural areas, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. About 57 percent live in urban areas.

And if there was a big federal voucher program, along the lines of the $20 billion proposal Trump pitched on the campaign trail? I dont think it would affect rural kids that much, German said. Are their parents going to want to drive 40 miles to take them to a private school, he asked. Are they going to want to drive 25 miles? The vast majority of rural students are going to stay at their home schools.

One option for rural schools is, of course, virtual education. But theres evidence that virtual charters generally dont perform as well as regular public schools . (See Edweeks investigation into the sector here .) And some especially isolated areas may not have access to the broadband necessary to offer those options .

Some rural state chiefs though, think they might be able to work with the incoming administration and other policymakers interested in championing choice through another avenue: offering students and parents the chance to better tailor traditional public schooling to their needs through a more-customized approach to learning.

Our population density is just not there to realistically support choices of different schools, said Kirsten Baesler, North Dakotas superintendent of public instruction. What I think will be an opportunity for North Dakota to improve [our] education system will be student rather than school choice. Options. Student options. And Im eager about that. That personalized learning, individual education plan.

Melody Schopp, the state chief in neighboring South Dakota, is on the same page.

I feel that we should make sure that our education system is providing school choice from within the school, from within the public school system. If were doing school right, that kid should be able to choose how they want to learn, Schopp said. School choice doesnt mean that you have to leave the public school system to go to something better. ... We should make our choices within the school.

Of course, Trumps large-scale choice program may not materialize anywaythanks in part to GOP lawmakers representing rural states.

When Congress was working on the Every Student Succeeds Act last year, lawmakers considered a proposal that looked a lot like the program Trump pitched on the campaign trail. Called the Scholarship for Kids Act, the legislation would have allowed federal funds for poor children and students in special education to follow children to the school of their choice.

But it failed on a vote of 45-52, with a handful of Republicans joining all of the chambers Democrats to defeat it . And most of the GOP dissenters included rural senators, including Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

In fact, Marty West, a professor of education at Harvard University who helped craft the Scholarships for Kids proposal while working as a senior adviser to Alexander, isnt sure that the votes for something like that would materialize even if there were 60 Republicans in the Senateenough to clear procedural hurdlesbecause of the objections of rural lawmakers.

If any large-scale federal choice program happens, West said, it would likely be voluntarily for states, as Scholarships for Kids would have been. And he expects that many rural states would opt to keep their federal money flowing to public schools only, in part because of pressure from their local school districts.

So will Trump voters be disappointed if the big voucher plan he ran on doesnt happen? Probably not, Chester E. Finn, who worked at the U.S. Department of Education under President Ronald Reagan, wrote on Flypaper, the Thomas B. Fordham Institutes blog.

Thats partly because, if a voucher program benefits anyone, its likely to be children in urban areas, whose parents, for the most part, didnt vote for Trump.

The rural voters who supported him, on the other hand, Finn wrote, are probably not itching for vouchers, in part because theyre not very practical for their communities.

Choice, save for the virtual kind, is harder to make work in spread-out suburbs, small towns, and rural areas, where one seldom has workable access to multiple schools, Finn wrote. I strongly suspect that most Trump voters with kidsto the extent that education is on their mindsare chiefly interested in having their current schools work better, ensure a decent and prosperous future for their students, including readiness for real jobs.

Bonus: Check out this smart piece at Chalkbeat by former Edweek reporter Alan Richard on this issue. Richard, who is chairman of the board for the Rural School and Community Trust, an advocacy group, also offers suggestions for what a Trump administrationor any administrationcan do to help rural schools improve.

Photo: Carolyn Nelson is the lone teacher at Glenwood Elementary school, located in the heart of the GIla National Forest. (Swikar Patel/Education Week.)

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
The United States is making progress in improving the pipeline from high school to college, but there is still significant work to do, a new report says.

Challenges facing students today are threatening to impede the countrys progress in educational attainment, says the report from Civic Enterprises and the Everyone Graduates Center at John Hopkins Universitys School of Education. The report was sponsored by AT&T and the Lumina Foundation as part of a campaign to increase the U.S. graduation rate to 90 percent for the class of 2020.

The report examined new and existing longitudinal data on three cohorts of young adultsthe 25-to-34-year-olds of today, the 25-to-34-year-olds of 2025, and the 25-to-34-year-olds of 2035. The findings, said John Bridgeland, the CEO of Civic Enterprises, were that of promise and alarm.

The first cohortthe young adults of todayhave the highest postsecondary attainment rates in history. About half have an associate degree or more. Women, particularly those from affluent families, drove much of this growth: 50 percent of young women have earned a degree of some type, compared to 42 percent of young men. And while more black and Hispanic young adults are earning degrees, there is a 15-percentage-point gap between white-black degree attainment, and a 30-percentage-point gap between white-Hispanic attainment.

The second cohorttodays high school and college studentshas seen gains in high school graduation rates, particularly among black, Hispanic, and low-income students. The report projects that this group is on track to be the first cohort of young adults in the past half-century that will experience both rising educational attainments for everyone and the closing of opportunity gaps for students of color and low-income students.

Latino student enrollment in higher education institutions more than doubled between 2000 and 2014, and black and low-income students are on a similar upward trend. But the report notes that there is an unequal breakdown in access and the types of institutions students of color are often attendingstudents of color, particularly Hispanic students, live in areas with fewer postsecondary options, especially institutions that offer four-year degrees.

The third cohorttodays 1st through10th graderswill not see the same progress as their predecessors without significant reforms, the report warns. Data shows that the vast majority of students who graduate from high school and do not immediately enroll in college are not adequately prepared to succeed. And by 2020, the majority of jobs will require some postsecondary credential or degree. This cohort is also comprised mostly of students who are nonwhite or low-incomeand less than 60 percent of low-income high school graduates enroll immediately in college after high school.

Were making progress and boosting outcomes in high school and also college, but [we need to] put our foot on the gasmake sure we close these opportunity gaps, Bridgeland said in an interview.

The report outlines possible solutions to three big challenges facing the country, in order to ensure that college attainment rates continue to rise and opportunity gaps narrow.

First, improve results in the 800 to 1,000 low-graduation-rate high schools throughout the country. Bridgeland said he hopes that the Every Student Succeeds Act will help with this goal. ESSA has a laser-like focusstates have to identify those high schools and develop comprehensive plans to which theyre accountable, he said. And 7 percent of Title I money can be used by districts to reform those schools, which Bridgeland said is a significant change.

Second, policymakers must support access to higher education in education deserts and low education-attainment communities. Students who are low-income and students of color are often reluctant to travel beyond their hometowns, Bridgeland said. Asking or expecting students to move is not the solution, he saidinstead, policymakers should support community colleges and other institutions that are already there, and expand four-year institutions into those areas.

Third, educators must work to help students with low GPAs go on to succeed in college. Bridgeland said there needs to be more of an emphasis on identifying struggling students early on. Also, he said, educators need to focus on the transition from high school to collegedo students have the suite of academic knowledge and social and emotional skills to succeed in school? Are students taking a sequence of classes that prepare them for college, or will they need additional supports or remediation? One important finding, Bridgeland said, was that students didnt see a connection between learning in school and what they want to do in life.

Bridgeland said he hopes the report will start a deeper conversation about how both K-12 and higher education systems can help support student success throughout the pipeline.
Hong Kong: Energy firms in Asia surged with rocketing oil prices on Monday after 11 non-OPEC countries agreed to huge cuts in crude production, while Saudi Arabia also signalled a bigger reduction in output than previously agreed.

The 11 nations, led by Russia, said they would pump more than half a million fewer barrels a day from next month in an effort to address a global supply glut that has scythed prices over the past two years.

The cut will contribute to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' own initiative unveiled with Russia on November 30.

Also at the weekend OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia said it would slash production beyond what was previously agreed by OPEC last month, providing an additional boost for prices.

"This is a very powerful message that producers want to balance the market higher," said Chris Weston, chief market strategist in Melbourne at IG, told Bloomberg News. "As a statement of intent, this is about as bullish as it gets."

Both main contracts surged almost five percent in early Asian trade on Monday, setting a fire under energy firms in the region.

Hong Kong-listed CNOOC added 0.8 per cent and PetroChina gained 1.1 percent while in Sydney Woodside Petroleum was up 2.9 percent and Japan Petroleum jumped 3.8 per cent in Tokyo.
Mumbai: The Reserve Bank today said it has "not initiated any action" to cancel Axis Bank's licence following allegations of irregularities at some of its branches after the demonetisation of high value notes last month.

"The Reserve Bank clarifies that it has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of Specified Bank Notes in a few branches of the bank," said the notification.

The clarification comes amid rumours in a segment of the media that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence, RBI stated further. Refuting the reports in a clarification to BSE, Axis Bank said: "We strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the Bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by RBI."

It added: "We firmly believe that said news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the Bank. "We take this opportunity to assure customers/investors/ members of the public that the bank has a strong code of conduct with zero tolerance to any deviations from prescribed processes. We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of governance in all aspects our business and to provide the best services to our valued customers."

Axis Bank said that this is "without prejudice to our rights and contentions in the matter and to take appropriate measures to counter the irresponsible and mala fide report published by the said newspaper, as advised." Stock of Axis Bank closed 2.56 per cent down at Rs 444.60 on BSE.
SBI Cards is also planning to offer existing card holders additional benefits apart from points that they earn on purchases.

New Delhi: To tap opportunities arising out of limited cash supply following demonetisation, SBI Cards will soon launch credit cards aimed at the lower income group who have the capacity to pay but don't have cards, besides quickening card delivery period to 2-3 days.

"From the issuer side, what we can do is acquire more people and acquire faster. Another thing that we are launching is for the lower strata of society who do not have credit worthiness to get card. We understand that each bank account has some money, so we can give them secured card, even if they don't have any credit history.

"Say for example, card with limit of Rs 25,000 against the security of bank deposit can be given to anyone," SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Cards) Chief Executive Vijay Jasuja told PTI.

The problem is not that these people don't have money to spend, but they don't have cards to use, Jasuja said, adding SBI Cards will offer them secured cards in about two-three months.

After government's decision to ban old banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, SBI Cards has been witnessing a surge in card usage and expects to add 20-25 per cent more customers.

"Since this move (demonetisation), there is a surge in the usage of cards both in terms of number of transactions and volume. Our plan was to grow by 900,000 to 100,000 cards in one year but with this change, it will be extra by at least 20-25 per cent new set of customers," he said.

He also said that the company has simplified card acquisition process and is planning to reduce the income cut-off criteria for giving credit cards to potential customers. Jasuja said that even Jan Dhan account holders can be potential customers.

SBI Cards is also in the process of speeding up customer acquisition process by reducing the delivery period so that more and more people are added to the network.

"Today, the delivery time is 9-11 days, what we are doing is trying to reduce it to 2-3 days, that is the minimum," said the official.

The company will also deploy more people on the field who will be present in all prominent markets and malls so that if anyone wants a card, the team can talk to such people, accept their application, document and quicken the period of processing and delivery.

With less encouragement for cash transaction post demonetisation, Jasuja is of the view that there will be major shift in consumers' spending behaviour.

"The kind of people who use credit cards are already using cards, but may be, they spend 20 per cent by card and 80 per cent by cash. That component will shift. Now, they will spend 90 per cent on card and 10 per cent in cash," he said further.

SBI Cards is also planning to offer existing card holders additional benefits apart from points that they earn on purchases.

"So when you are developing a culture of using cards, the user gets something apart from convenience, that is over and above reward points. So these benefits are more in credit cards as comapred to other cards. We are working on added benefits for existing customers for more card usage," he said.

However, Jasuja is of the view that it will take about a year for normality to return post demonetisation as infrastru- ture like Point of Sale (PoS) terminals' acceptance, manufacturing capacity and regulations are time consuming.

Pointing at the changing needs of the people, Jasuja said the company is now getting calls from customers to re-activate the cards which had become dormant.

"There is large number of customers who are inactive, so now we are getting calls from them pro-actively from their side for activation of the cards. We have also very aggressively launched the scheme to go back to inactive customers for activation of cards and the results are quite encouraging," he said.

He further said the company's strategy is now that people should be able to get cards in a relatively hassle-free manner and that more and more people should be covered.
In March, DGAD had recommended to the revenue department to impose provisional levy on import of certain types of iron and steel pipes from China used in oil and gas exploration in a bid to protect the domestic industry from cheap imports.

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has recommended imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of steel tubes and pipes from China.

Earlier this year in May, the government had imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty for six months on seamless tubes and steel pipes, among others, imported from China.

In March, DGAD had recommended to the revenue department to impose provisional levy on import of certain types of iron and steel pipes from China used in oil and gas exploration in a bid to protect the domestic industry from cheap imports.

In its latest notification, DGAD said: "The product under consideration has been exported to India from the subject country below its normal value, resulting in dumping.

The domestic industry has suffered material injury due to dumping of the product under consideration from the subject country." Its Final Findings report further said: "The material injury has been caused by the dumped imports from the subject country."

ISMT and Maharashtra Seamless had moved DGAD for imposition of the duty on "seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron, alloy or non-alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel), whether hot finished or cold drawn or cold rolled of an external diameter not exceeding 355.6 mm".

It also includes boiler pipes or line pipes used in the hydrocarbon industry and casing and tubing of a kind used in drilling for oil and gas exploration. In the report, DGAD said it had initiated and conducted investigation into dumping, injury and causal links... and having established positive dumping margin as well as material injury to the domestic industry caused by such dumped imports, the Authority is of the view that imposition of definitive duty is required to offset dumping and injury.

"Therefore, the Authority recommends imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of subject goods from the subject country...," it added. "Having regard to the lesser duty rule, the Authority recommends imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty (equal to the lesser of margin of dumping and margin of injury), so as to remove the injury to the domestic industry."
London: Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata was on Sunday hailed as the saviour of the UK steel industry after the Tata Group announced a 10-year commitment of one billion pounds investment to save thousands of jobs for its embattled steelworks in the country last week.

In a special feature titled 'Man of Steel', the Sunday Times attributes the thousands of jobs saved in the industry largely to the sacking of Cyrus Mistry and Ratan Tata stepping in as interim chairman.

"Last week's abrupt change of heart owes much to a terse board meeting in Mumbai on October 24. At that meeting the board of Tata Sons, the parent company that sits astride an empire spanning steel to tea, sacked its chairman Cyrus Mistry and reinstated his predecessor Ratan Tata," the report said.

Describing Ratan Tata as the "architect" of the 6.1-billion-pound acquisition of Corus in 2007, it quotes insiders as saying that the 78-year-old tycoon was never comfortable with the idea of abandoning Tata Steel's Welsh plant at Port Talbot the UK's largest steelworks."Now he is back at the helm, Port Talbot has won a reprieve," it notes.

Tata is said to have been painfully aware that the closure of Port Talbot would devastate the town already marred by poverty.

"As the head of the (Tata company) charity, Ratan is not like that. You don't want to get rid of vast chunks of people and create mass unemployment. Ratan was quite upset at the way he (Mistry) was dealing with Tata Steel. There were all these whispers that he (Ratan) did the wrong thing in buying Corus," the newspaper quotes an insider as saying.

Nearly 11,000 British workers at Tata Steel have been rejoicing after the company has indicated that it would not take any dividends from its British plants until their profit tops 200 million pounds a year.

The company made the pledge last week as part of a plan that will keep the Port Talbot site in south Wales open until at least 2021. It promised no job cuts for five years and to pump 1 billion pounds into its UK plants over 10 years.

Tata said in a statement, "The immediate target of 200 million pounds provides sufficient funds to invest in the business and to manage working capital needs. However, beyond this level the business will balance the needs of all its stakeholders, including the financing of dividends".

In return, workers must accept the closure of the British Steel Pension Scheme to future accruals. .
Revenue intelligence agencies are learnt to have send notice to a prominent private sector bank about a suspicious transaction which some sources quoted to be as high as Rs 100 crore.

New Delhi: Income Tax department, enforcement directorate and FIU among other intelligence agencies are investigating money laundering taking place in banks after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

Revenue intelligence agencies are learnt to have send notice to a prominent private sector bank about a suspicious transaction which some sources quoted to be as high as Rs 100 crore.

The bank, when contacted by this newspaper said that they had received an inquiry from the revenue intelligence agencies last week. It was a routine inquiry and we have replied to the concerned agencies. As per norms when a high value transaction takes place FIU has to be informed. And we had followed the norm by informing the agency about the transaction, said a senior official from the bank.

However, he refused to speak on what was the amount involved in the suspicious transaction. Meanwhile what has aggravated the cash crunch situation is that people have not been able to take out money for their monthly expenses after pay-day due to rationing of cash.
New Delhi: Investors pumped in over Rs 36,000 crore into various mutual fund schemes in November, with equity and debt schemes cornering the maximum inflow.

With this, the total net inflow in MF schemes reached Rs 3.03 lakh crore in April-November of the current fiscal. MFs had witnessed an inflow of Rs 1.84 crore in the same period last year.

According to the data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), investors poured in a net Rs 36,021 crore in these schemes last month as against Rs 32,334 crore in the preceding month.

The latest inflow has been mainly driven by contribution from income fund or debt schemes. Besides, equity ones continued to see positive inflows.

Income funds, which invest in government securities, saw an inflow of Rs 18,306 crore while equity- and equity-linked saving schemes registered an infusion of Rs 9,079 crore.

Balanced funds, which invest in equity and debt instruments, saw an inflow of Rs 3,632 crore. However, gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) saw a pullout of Rs 69 crore during the period under review.

Bajaj Capital Group CEO and Director Anil Chopra said net inflows in most categories are positive and much higher than in the previous months. Over Rs 19,000 crore have also flown into various debt funds on a net basis.

"Demonetisation has played a major role in this buoyancy. Bank accounts of citizens are flush with liquidity as a huge amount of surplus funds has shifted from parallel economy to financial systems and equity markets have reacted negatively to demonetisation, giving a fresh set of opportunities to investors who were waiting for correction or decline in prices," Chopra said.

The outlook for next month seems to be even more positive as a massive shift will be experienced when excess liquidity in savings and Jan Dhan accounts are channelised into debt and equity mutual funds, he added.

Overall, the asset under management of the country's 43 active fund houses increased to a historic high of Rs 16.5 lakh crore at the end of November, from Rs 16.28 akh crore in October-end.
The government had in September extended the stockholding limits on pulses traders by one year till September 30, 2017

New Delhi: The government should remove stock limit on pulses importers, wholesalers and millers to ensure smooth supply of the commodity as well as start selling dals through ration shops to incentivise farmers to produce more, industry body IPGA has demanded in its Budget wish-list.

The government had in September extended the stockholding limits on pulses traders by one year till September 30, 2017, to check hoarding and control price rise. In its recommendations for the Union Budget of 2017-18, India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) Chairman Pravin Dongre said: "..importers, wholesalers and millers should be exempted from stock limits, both by quantity and time".

Stating that private trade has contracted about 3 million tonnes of pulses which is expected to arrive from September till December, he said: "With the existing stock limits imposed on the value chain, millers, traders, brokers and wholesalers are finding it difficult to maintain an efficient flow of supply through the pipeline".

IPGA also suggested inclusion of pulses in the public distribution system, saying that this would not only benefit the farmer to produce more but would also contribute in increasing the nourishment levels.

"To begin with, the government could look at certain states where the nourishment levels require inclusion of pulses on an urgent basis," Dongre said.

Citing benefits for inclusion of pulses in PDS, he said: with the government procurement being certain, it will prove to be a huge incentive for farmers to cultivate more pulses. IPGA has also demanded a dedicated scheme for modernisation scheme of dal mills.

"India has over 10,000 pulses mills and less than 10 per cent of the industry has adequate scale, modern technology and organised operations. The average milling capacity of small and medium-size mills is around 20 metric tonnes per day and for the larger mills around 100 metric tonnes per day," Dongre said.

"As a commodity business, scale of operations is critical to be able to add economic value to the industry. And, scale is not possible without modernisation," he added.

India is the largest producer of pulses but it is still dependent on import to meet the domestic demand. The country imported 5.8 million tonnes last fiscal as production was affected due to drought.
New Delhi: Shares of Tata Motors today plunged nearly 2 per cent after the company announced that it will hike prices of its passenger vehicles by up to Rs 25,000 from next month in order to offset increased input costs.

At close, the stock of the company was quoted at Rs 454.55, down 2.05 per cent on BSE. During the day, the stock had fallen by 2.80 per cent to touch intra-day low of Rs 451.05.

On the NSE, the stock settled at Rs 455.05, down 1.95 per cent. In the intra-day, the stock had plunged 2.81 per cent to a low of Rs 451.05. The company will be increasing prices of its passenger vehicles starting from Rs 5,000 up to Rs 25,000, depending on the model. The increase is effective from January 1, Tata Motors said in a statement.

"The increase in prices of raw material commodities like steel, aluminium, copper and rubber over a period of time has put a lot of pressure on us and as a result, we are forced to hike prices of our passenger vehicles," Tata Motors President (passenger vehicle business) Mayank Pareek said.
Mumbai: Aditya Chopra's 'Befikre' had released with a lot of hope and hype riding on it, since the industry has been reeling under the debacles that were the string of sequels that November played host to.

Its leading man, Ranveer Singh, has been the toast of the town for over a year now and the music had been fairly successful as well.

However, upon release, the critics predominantly panned the film, and the word of mouth has been generally negative as well.

Despite of that, the tremendous promotional campaigns paid off and the film had a decent opening of approximately 10.36 crore rupees on Friday. However the numbers stagnated and failed to grow substantially, as per trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

The film grossed 11.60 crore rupees and 12.40 rupees approximately, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

For the film to sail through, it's imperative for a good Monday score, followed by good weekday numbers.

But with the word of mouth and generic consensus around the film being this cynical, the plausibility seems highly bleak.
What's the Criminal Punishment for Assaulting an Uber Driver?

Rideshare drivers have to put up with quite a bit of nonsense from riders, but one thing they don't have to put up with is a beat down. No matter how bad your Uber or Lyft driver messes up the route to your favorite mojito serving Scandinavian Jazz bistro, you can't hit them. As a former Taco Bell executive can attest to, attacking a rideshare driver can have far reaching consequences, including civil and criminal charges, as well as public humiliation and getting fired.

While riders that attack their drivers might not have their entire lives unravel like a wet, poorly rolled soft-taco, they can face criminal penalties just like an assault on any other person (FYI: the legal term for a physical attack on someone is actually "battery" not "assault"). Like many other crimes, assault (and/or battery) charges usually have varying degrees which differ depending on each state's criminal laws. And like all criminal charges, even a little misdemeanor can have far reaching consequences.

Bad Bad Bachman

T.J. Miller, better known as HBO's Silicon Valley's Erlich Bachman, was recently arrested and immediately released for attacking a car service driver. The driver called the police after the attack and insisted that Miller be arrested. The police investigated the incident, arrested Miller, charged him with a misdemeanor, and then released him.

Generally, depending on the severity of the assault, law enforcement has some discretion on how to handle the situation. Had Miller caused the driver serious injuries, rather than just annoyance or some bumps and bruises, it is likely he would not have been so quickly cited and released.

Special Penalties Like Taxi/Bus Driver Assault Laws?

While assaulting a rideshare driver can get you charged with an assault and battery, there are situations that can make the charges much worse. A recent incident in Nebraska illustrates how the motive for an attack matters. Because the attacker was insulting the driver's ethnicity, he is being charged with a hate crime, which increases the severity of the penalties.

Most localities have special laws that make an assault on a taxi, bus, or other public transportation, driver a more serious crime than a standard assault. However, because of the relative newness of ridesharing services, these laws may not cover ride share drivers.

Related Resources:
Abhishek Bachchan, the real one, wished him on his birthday, saying, Happy birthday my football bro @DinoMorea9 have a FIT year. To which, Morea replied, @juniorbachchan my brother, thanks so much. To a fitter, fun year.

Mumbai: Junior Bachchan is probably not half as famous as his parody account, we have evidence to back this one up. Once famous model-actor Dino Morea is the latest in the block to fall prey to Abhisheks almost real parody account on Twitter.

Dipped in sarcasm, the other account wished Morea in a way that the actor took offence and got back at Mr. Bachchan. Here is how Dino was wished: Wishing @DinoMorea9 a very happy birthday, though me & Uday are very angry as you went to the toilet when the bill of our table arrived!

Ouch! Isnt it? After all a fairly known personality will find it hard to digest something as humiliating as this post, that too on a social media platform. Shocked by Abhisheks uncalled for frankness, a furious Dino reacted saying, Okay, so 3 things, firstly where in lies the issue?Secondly,am missing the bigger picture here, thirdly, maybe the food made me rush 2 d loo.

Now, you know the unforgiving ways of the social media world, Dino was not spared even on his birthday. The actor was trolled till he could possibly take it. Here are some of the hilarious responses:
Raj Thackeray's MNS had earlier threatened to stall 'Raees' for the casting of a Pakistani actor.

Mumbai: Raj Thackerays political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had threatened to stall the release of Karan Johars recent film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The party later allowed the release of film only after the makers agreed to donate money to the martyrs of the terrorists attacks in Uri.

Another film that could also face problems due to the casting of a Pakistani actor, could be Shah Rukh Khan's Raees which features Mahira Khan. While one of the producers of the film, Ritesh Sidhwani, had stated that if needed she would promote the film.

But Shah Rukh Khan on Sunday evening visited Thackeray at his residence to assure him that the reports of Mahira coming to India were false.

After the interaction, Raj Thackeray told media, He (Shah Rukh Khan) had come to inform that rumours about Mahira Khan promoting Raees are false.

Raees is gearing up for release on January 25.
Mumbai: There was not even an iota of doubt that this was going to be the most entertaining of all episodes, ever! What came as a complete shocker, a very pleasant one indeed, was the fact that these three, subconsciously, inculcated family values in us.

Not that we dont love our families but the trio was plain goals. Their equation with each other is testimony to the fact that sans superstardom, they are just regular guys who cannot and will not move an inch without the love & support of one another.

The usually talkative host Karan Johar was utterly mesmerised whilst learning about the strength of their bond.

I dont think we can survive without each other, revealed Sohail with pride.

Time and again we have seen instances of siblings turning their backs on the lesser successful sibling, but Salman Khan is one exception we all ought to learn from.

Talking about how their father, Salim Khan, deals with all three of them, the brothers unanimously agreed that they have found a friend in their father and even labelled him as the coolest Dad one can ever have.

He (Salim Khan) is close to everyone, at every point of time when each (one of us) needed him, probably Salman needed him the mostwe have a celebrity in the house but we never felt sidelined or loved any less, thats not happened with our father, said Arbaaz Khan.

My father told me a mind-blowing thing once, he realised salman bhai was in the limelight, he was getting all the attention, not that it bothered us because he (salman) never made us feel that wayOver drinks my father told me, beta duniya main ek salman khan hain, main teen nahin produce kar sakta ek gharme , added the youngest of the lot, Sohail.

Dont know about you but we are already motivated to go home and strengthen our family ties.

Salman bhai may have been your favourite actor but the superstar feels his brothers are far more talented than him.

I lucked out; both of them (sohail and arbaaz) are far more talented than I am and I 100% believe that. Everything that I have put into movies I have either heard from Arbaaz or Sohail or I have heard from my father. Now I could put it there because I got a chance to put it thereas directors and producers (both Sohail and Arbaaz) are very competent and doing very well for themselves, said the big brother about his younger siblings.

Truly an awww moment.

So when the celebrity chat show host, who reached the 100 episodes benchmark with the Khans, asked them the secret to having a dream-like family bond like theirs, Sohail summed it up.

One thing about our family is that we dont judge each other.
Shah Rukh Khan paid the MNS chief Raj Thackeray a visit to assure him that the leading lady of Raees from Pakistan wont be coming to India to promote the film.

A source close to the film says the visit was entirely Shah Rukhs own decision: He didnt take anyone from the films team into confidence. But being the films co-producer, he initiated a move to ensure his films smooth release.

The source feels the extra-constitutional authority being attributed to political factions could spell trouble for the future of our cinema.

Today Shah Rukh goes to the MNS to ensure them that Mahira Khan is not coming to India. Tomorrow, the MNS may demand that individuals from specific communities will not be allowed to work in our films at all, says the source.

However a source close to Raees reveals that Shah Rukhs visit to the MNS chief was necessity dictated by the rumour that he intended to shoot a song with Mahira Khan in Dubai to avoid the anti-Pakistan glare in Mumbai.

This was completely wrong. Weve shot all the portions that were needed with Mahira Khan. There was no need or any move to shoot a new song with Shah Rukh and Mahira in Dubai or anywhere else. Such loose talk was damaging the smooth release of Raees, says the source. Producer Ritesh Sidhvani confirms that rumours of extra shooting with Mahira are completely false.

Bullying Tactics: Personalities give us their thoughts

Actors are entitled to meet any political leader they wish to, but when the government has made its position clear, I see no need to plead another political leader. Anyone who adheres to the law neednt be scared of what may happen.

 Shaina N.C., BJP spokesperson/fashion designer

I dont approve of having to take permission from Raj Thackeray but Shah Rukh Khan has crores of Rupees riding on this. The makers are taking all precautions to ensure there are no losses. As a filmmaker, though, I wouldnt have resorted to meeting politicians to ensure my movie gets an easy release. I would have asked the government for help... there is no need for a parallel power structure.

 Ashoke Pandit, Filmmaker/VP of the Indian Motion Pictures Artists Association

I am disappointed with the Maharashtra government that constantly allows this kind of political bullying to continue in the city. I did a little research on MNS and found that in the last state civic election they won only 0.4 per cent of the total vote. What is appalling is the fact that we are giving so much precedence to a party that barely won one per cent of vote in the civic election or for that matter general election. One the other hand, lot of people are also stating that the government intervention on this matter is not prominent because some believe that Bollywood is full of anti-social elements and anti-national elements and its not an industry that deserves protection. I dont think I need to be convinced to watch a SRK film on the basis on some never heard Pakistani actress is in the movie. I am going watch a SRK movie if its good, so its a strange thing that this is what we are defending now. Getting down to defending the nitty-gritty of film production. I think its going to reach a point where we have to run lines by different political party.

 Sorabh Pant, stand-up comedian

Shah Rukh Khan (or Karan Johar before) has been failed by his admirers and fans who refused to take a strong stand against the verdict of MNS. Only one person from the Indian Army spoke out earlier that the Army doesnt need the money acquired through extortion. Only if we Indians were united through sanity and not divided by religion/community/politics, our cultural icons would not have been grounded with such an unfortunate demand.

 Koral Dasgupta, author

People have to run their businesses and if certain others are going to be creating a ruckus, people have to go meet them and sort things out. Filmmaking is still a business at the end of the day with money and investors that ride on it. Was it necessary for Shah Rukh to do this? I would not have, but if Shah Rukh Khan feels he must, he must. Theres a lot at stake for him, I guess.

 Karan Anshuman, filmmaker
Tom Holland was last seen in 'The Lost City of Z'.

Washington D.C: Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker in the latest and upcoming superhero movie 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', had to pretend to be a new student at Bronx High School of Science to prepare for the role.

The 20-year-old actor revealed his undercover operation in a recent Facebook Live session, where he said, "The coolest thing I think I did for the movie was I was enrolled in a high school in New York City, in the Bronx, as a secret."

"No one knew who I was or what I was doing. I had a fake name, a fake accent. I went to school for three days, I think. It was really fun," he revealed.

Apparently Holland found New York high schools "really interesting" because they were "so different" than those schools he went to in London.

"When I went to school, you had to wear a suit and tie and it's all boys and for me, it was the first time I was in a classroom with girls. It was like a really strange experience. It was really fun," he shared.

Holland did not keep his secret for long, but naturally, the school kids failed to believe him.

"I told one kid at the school, I was like, 'Hey man, I'm actually Spider-Man.' He did not believe me, was like, 'What? No.' I said, 'No, seriously, I'm Spider-Man. Like, no joke. Like, let's not mess around anymore. I'm Spider-Man.' He's like, 'I don't believe you,'" Holland said.

"And at the time, I hadn't made the movie so I didn't have any pictures to show him, to prove that I was Spider-Man. And he did not believe me at all," he sighed.

Another girl seemed highly suspicious of him from the start. "She was sitting next to me and she was like, 'What's your deal, man? Like, why are you at our school? Like, this is a science school, you can't just enroll, you have to come from the beginning,'" Holland said.

"And I was like, 'Oh, well, I have a secret. I have a secret.' And she was like, 'What? This guy's a freak.

Like, what the hell? ...and then I started doing an English accent...'I'm actually Spider-Man.' And she was like, 'Dude, you're nuts. You are literally the craziest guy I've ever met in my life,'" he added.

Also starring Robert Downey Junior, 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' is set for release on July 7.
Aimed at helping the rural population the clinics provide a simple diagnostic tool to remote rural clinics that patients can make use of. (Representational Image)

Bengaluru: While cardiovascular diseases have quadrupled in the last 40 years, 50 per cent of the affected patients arrive too late for treatment, going by doctors. As a solution, chest pain clinics have come up in the city to provide timely and quality emergency cardiac care and save lives.

Our campus has developed chest pain clinics in small hospitals and nursing homes to provide emergency cardiac care, says Mr Srinivas Prasad, CEO, Philips Innovation Campus, Bengaluru.

Each clinic is a small healthcare facility equipped with Philips Efficia ECG-100 system that wirelessly transmits the ECGs of patients in real time to a hub that is equipped to read it. Once a patient is confirmed as suffering from a heart attack, he or she is immediately transported in an ambulance to a hospital for further treatment within the golden hour.

Aimed at helping the rural population the clinics provide a simple diagnostic tool to remote rural clinics that patients can make use of.

People in rural areas do not have adequate, affordable access to even basic cardiac care. As a result, many rural patients delay seeking diagnosis and treatment for cardiac ailments even when they are symptomatic, until they are too late to treat or an expensive procedure is required. These patients often go to the nearest rural primary clinic where neither the equipment nor the clinical expertise exist to diagnose their condition. We are trying to fill this gap," explains Mr Prasad. In a pilot study conducted by Philips with Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, five rural clinics were linked to the teaching hospital to provide remote ECG diagnosis for patients.

ECGs of 380 patients, which were done at these clinics and transmitted to the hospital, showed that 23 per cent of patients had abnormal readings or required secondary investigation, and three needed immediate intervention, and were transported by ambulance and treated within the golden hour, saving their lives.

It is suggested that primary care physicians (PCPs) at rural clinics should be trained to recognise symptoms of a cardiac problem and perform an initial triage and the nursing/technical staff should be trained to perform basic diagnostic tests such as a 12-lead electrocardiogram and transmit the report along with a brief history of the patient to a hospital, that can advice on how best to treat him or her.
The team analysed the genomes of four wild populations of pollution-tolerant killifish compared with four non-tolerant populations (Photo: AFP)

Washington: A recent research identifies the genetic mechanism responsible for evolutionary adaptation to toxic pollution observed in wild Atlantic killifish populations.

The study has been published in the journal Science. The Atlantic killifish is renowned for its ability to tolerate large fluctuations in temperature, salinity and oxygen levels.

However, its rapid adaptation to the normally lethal levels of toxic pollution found in some urban estuaries in the US is unusual, even for such a hardy species.

A report by a collaborative team of research institutions including the University of Birmingham, found that some populations of killifish are up to 8,000 times more resistant than others to highly toxic industrial pollutants such as dioxins, heavy metals and hydrocarbons.

The team analysed the genomes of four wild populations of pollution-tolerant killifish compared with four non-tolerant populations, to identify the mechanism behind this adaptation.

They found that the genes responsible for the trait were those involved in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signalling pathway, which combined with observations of desensitisation of this pathway in tolerant populations, led them to conclude that the AHR pathway is a key target of natural selection.

The team also showed that the potentially negative effects of desensitisation of the AHR pathway were ameliorated through compensatory adaptations in terms of cell cycle regulation and immune system function.

This, combined with the diversity of pollutants present in estuaries, results in a relatively complex adaptive genotype in wild populations compared to that of laboratory models.

John Colbourne, who oversaw the sequencing of the genomes, said: "This report highlights the complexity of the processes involved in the adaptation of wild fish to lethal levels of environmental pollution. It also demonstrates how the DNA of populations that differ in their susceptibility to pollutants can reveal signatures of the adverse effects of chemicals in the environment."

"The Atlantic killifish seem particularly well-positioned to evolve the necessary adaptations to survive in radically altered habitats, because of their large population sizes and the relatively high level of DNA diversity seen in their populations," he added.

The researchers warn that these findings should not be used to justify the harm caused by human pollution of the natural environment.
She says she was sold by her husband like an animal (Photo: YouTube)

Mysore: Women in Indian society have to face a lot of issues from day to day life and then there are those for whom life can turn into a nightmare as domestic violence, dowry harassment and human trafficking are rampant in the society even today.

While a lot of women are forced to silently suffer such an ordeal, some refuse to endure the darkness and fight back despite lack of support in the society and constant repression. One such woman is Ayesha from Mysore, who fought her way out of a bad marriage and being forced into prostitution, as she is now refusing to stop at anything.

Married off at the age of 18, Ayeshas ordeal begin when her in-laws started torturing her for dowry and aborted her child when she got pregnant. But things turned worse when her husband took her to a place saying her it was for a job, and sold her to a brothel instead.

She tried to escape several times and was angry at her parents who didnt back her out of her suffering. Finally she managed to tell a customer about her situation, as the person informed member of Justice and Care, who locked down the brothel and saved Ayesha.

Although Ayesha was triumphant in a battle against evils imposed on many women in India, she is now hitting out and shattering every gender stereotype and is working hard to become an IPS officer and help more women suffering a fate similar to hers.

Click below to watch Ayesha in action
Jaipur: A 6-year-old girl was raped by a 15-year-old boy at Rudawal village of Bharatpur district when she had gone to answer nature's call, police said today.



Rudawal SHO Deepak Ojha said the incident happened when the girl had gone to the fields to relieve herself.



He said the incident came to light when the girl reported the matter to her parents, who then lodged a complaint with the police.



He said the accused, a resident of Singhada town, has been booked section 376 of IPC and relevant sections of POCSO Act.



He said the accused has been detained and further investigations are on.
The sixteen gold biscuits, of one kg each, were found cleverly concealed in the diapers and towel of the two babies they were carrying. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

New Delhi: At least 16 kg gold biscuits hidden in baby diapers were on Monday recovered from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after a group of fliers coming from Dubai were intercepted by security agencies.

Officials said the recovery was made around 7:00 am when a group of six passengers arrived in New Delhi from Dubai and were intercepted for a thorough check.

"Gold biscuits weighing about 16 kgs have been recovered from the passengers. The sixteen gold biscuits, of one kg each, were found cleverly concealed in the diapers and towel of the two babies they were carrying. The two groups comprising a couple and a baby each are from Surat," they said.

The fliers are being interrogated by Customs officials, they added.
Kolkata: Led by Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, a 72-member delegation of war veterans and "Mukti Jodahas" (freedom fighters) from the neighbouring country will take part in Vijay Diwas celebrations at Fort William in Kolkata this Friday.

Held annually to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 liberation war on December 16, the celebration will begin on Tuesday with a military band concert at Princep Ghat, an Army officials said.

On December 14 and 15, a horse show, para jump and band display will be held at RCTC grounds while on December 16 the wreath laying ceremony will be at the historic Vijay Smarak memorial in Fort William.

Altogether, a 72-member delegation comprising war veterans, 'Mukti Jodhaas', senior retired officers and serving personnel of all the three services will pay homage to our valiant martyrs.

"Massive security arrangement has been made," said Major General R Nagraj, MGGS of Eastern Command.

Mukti Jodhaas" who had participated in the 1971 war have been coming for the annual reunion for the last 10 years.
The Home Ministry voiced concern over the ongoing blockade on NH 37 in Manipur and the consequent shortages of essential commodities faced by the people of Nagaland. (Photo: Representational Image/PTI)

New Delhi: With indefinite blockade of highways in Manipur by a Naga group creating crisis, the Centre on Monday warned that no one will be allowed to take law in their hands and denounced the "illegal" action as a crime against humanity.

In a statement, the Home Ministry voiced concern over the ongoing blockade on NH 37 in Manipur and the consequent shortages of essential commodities faced by the people of the state. It asked the United Naga Council (UNC) to remove the blockade, saying all contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means.

"The Government of India is firmly committed to maintaining rule of law. It considers blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity causing untold suffering to countless humans. No individual or organisation will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," the Ministry said.

It is hoped that state government will act with responsibility and maturity to ensure both maintenance of supplies to Manipur as well as social harmony. Ministry of

Home Affairs will provide additional forces to the state government if necessary, it said.

Manipur is facing an acute crisis of essential commodities and petrol due to the indefinite blockade called by the UNC in the state.

The blockade has continued for more than 40 days, bringing transportation services to a standstill due to scarcity of petrol, apart from hampering other businesses.

It has adversely affected the people of Manipur, particularly those living in the Valley.

The statement said that the Centre has remained committed to ensuring that the routes to Manipur are open and remain accessible to all including supplies of petroleum products, and other essential commodities including foodstuff.

Accordingly, it had placed 15 companies (around 100 personnel in each company) of central forces stationed in Manipur at the disposal of the state government.

Last week, another 15 companies of central forces were made available to the state government to enable the state government to have the blockade lifted.

"The Government of India expects all to cooperate with the Government of India's resolve to both maintain rule of law and supplies of commodities to Manipur," the statement said.

It also appealed to the United Naga Council to remove its illegal blockade in view of the difficulties faced by the people of Manipur.

"All contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means," the statement said.
260 trees and 37 electric poles had fallen and 190 trees removed. As many 224 roads were blocked and 24 huts damaged.

Chennai: Two persons were killed as heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds on Monday pounded the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu due to severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" which began making landfall near Chennai, uprooting hundreds of trees, disrupting land and air transport and throwing normal life out of gear.

The wind speed had considerably reduced when the cyclone made landfall. The Navy said that while the leading edge of the storm was inland, the trailing edge would soon hit.

RK Pachnanda, DG of NDRF said that the location of the landfall was Pulicat in Tamil Nadu.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that the entire landfall process will be completed during the next 1-2 hours but conditions would remain rough even thereafter.

"The landfall process of cyclone Vardah has begun," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier said.

According to M Mohapatra, Additional Director General (Services) of IMD, the "eye" of the Cyclone is 20 kms off Chennai.

"The wind speed near Chennai 90-100 kmph. Heavy rains and storm surge is expected. Landfall process has commenced at 2 PM. The cyclone will cross between 2-5 PM," Mohapatra said.

Heavy rains are expected to continue for the next 8 to 12 hours, said ANI.

Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure.

Flight operations at the airport in Chennai have been suspended till 5 pm.

Long distance buses have been stalled and traffic came to a grinding halt in most areas with uprooted trees and electric poles blocking the roads.

All suburban train services have also been suspended.

Southern Railway announced cancellation of all 17 trains originating from Chennai central, as well as Egmore.

State Principal Secretary (Revenue Administration) K Satyagopal said "human loss is two", without elaborating.

In a statement, he said 260 trees and 37 electric poles had fallen and 190 trees removed. As many 224 roads were blocked and 24 huts damaged.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the Nellore district administration to evacuate people in about 255 low-lying areas to safer places even as the district started receiving rainfall since morning.

Food and other essential commodities have been kept ready in adequate quantities, said Naidu. He also added that fishermen should not venture out to sea for the next 36 hours.

The Tamil Nadu government for its part has advised people not to leave their homes until 4 pm.

7357 people are evacuated to 54 relief centres safely so far in Tamil Nadu. Over 9,400 people have also been evacuated from along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

10 diving teams have embarked on ships Shivalik and Kadmat, the Navy said.

Furthermore, 22 diving teams have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment.

Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for ten more persons feared trapped at sea.

"The police and CISF personnel are on the job and all the ten fishermen are safe. But they are somehow reluctant to come to the shore. We will soon bring them out," Nellore Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni told PTI over phone.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana said.

In Sullurpeta mandal in Nellore district, 30 persons were shifted to a relief camp this morning.

The South Central Railway has cancelled some passenger trains between Sullurpeta and Chennai in view of the cyclone.

The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam. Some other Express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam.

Meanwhile, all operations at Chennai airport have been suspended till 6 pm.

The earlier forecast made by the IMD was that it would weaken into a cyclonic storm, thereby reducing its intensity considerably.

At 9:30 am, the cyclone was lay centered around 105 kms east-northeast of Chennai. By the time it makes a landfall, its wind speed is expected to be 100-110 kmph with winds gusting up to 120 kmph.

The wind speed during a very severe cyclonic storm is 120 to 130 kmph. In a severe cyclonic storm the wind speed is somewhere between 110 to 80 kmph.

One of the major reasons for destruction in any cyclone is the wind velocity, apart from heavy to heavy rains and flooding.

Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is very likely during the next 36 hours.

The rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on December 12, the IMD said.


Amaravati: Severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' spared Andhra Pradesh from any major destruction on Monday but heavy rains in Chittoor and SPS Nellore districts affected normal life under its influence even as official machinery continues to be on alert with forecast of heavy downpour in next 24 hours in at least four districts.

Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district were evacuated to relief camps earlier in the day as 'Vardah' was set to make landfall between Sriharikota and Chennai. The severe cyclonic storm finally made a landfall near Chennai in evening.

As many as 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who strayed into the Bay of Bengal on Sunday despite warnings, were rescued near the Sriharikota high altitude range in afternoon.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in evening that Andhra Pradesh was ready to extend all necessary help to neighbouring Tamil Nadu that bore the brunt of 'Vardah'.

He asked the state officials to speak to their Tamil Nadu counterparts and provide required assistance.

With forecast of heavy rains for the next 24 hours in Nellore, Chittoor, Prakasam and Anantapuramu districts, the official machinery has been asked to remain on alert, mostly to prevent breach of tanks.

Temple town Tirupati and Tirumala Hills received heavy rainfall as also Nellore town, paralysing normal life.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao, who has been monitoring the situation, asked the temple staff to ensure pilgrims visiting the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara did not face any inconvenience.

He also put the TTD engineering and forest wings on alert to ensure traffic movement on the two ghat roads to Tirumala was not affected because of heavy rain.

Heavy rain, coupled with gale, disrupted power supply in seven mandals in Chittoor and Nellore districts as electricity poles were uprooted.

Sullurpeta town and 11 villages in the mandal suffered complete power outage even as the AP Southern Power

Distribution Company personnel swung into action to carry out restoration works on a war footing.

The CM held a teleconference with all officials concerned and directed them to ensure all repair works to the power systems were completed at the earliest.

An oil tanker overturned at Sullurpeta this afternoon because of heavy rain and wind, causing an oil spill and traffic disruption on the national highway.

By evening, however, the overturned tanker was removed and the road cleared.

Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is camping in Nellore to oversee the rescue and relief operations, said in afternoon that Vakadu and Tada received

4.8 and 3 cms of rain respectively, since today morning.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," he said.
22 diving teams have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment. (Photo: PTI)

Vishakapatnam: Cyclone 'Vardah' is set to pass through south Goa on Wednesday, which will lead to rise in temperature and light rains in the state from tomorrow onwards, an official said today.

"The cyclone, which hit Tamil Nadu today, will reach Karnataka by tomorrow," M L Sahu, Director of India Meteorological Department's observatory in Goa, told reporters.

"The cyclone will pass through south of Goa on December 14, due to which the state will witness a rise in the temperature and also light rains for two days starting tomorrow," the official said.

Two persons were killed as heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds on Monday pounded Chennai and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu due to severe cyclonic storm "Vardah", which began making landfall there, uprooting hundreds of trees, disrupting land and air transport and throwing normal life out of gear.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to take stock of the situation.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea during the next 36 hours.

The Chief Minister said that food and other essential commodities have been kept ready in adequate quantities.

Naidu is monitoring the situation through teleconference with top officials. Meanwhile, all operations at the Chennai airport have been suspended till 3 pm on Monday.

The Indian Navy said a survey ship has been kept on standby to undertake harbour survey in case of requirement.

"Naval aircraft also standing-by at the Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to be pressed into action to augment HADR operation," the Navy added.

22 diving teams have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment.

As many as 19 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

We have Deployed 6 teams in AP, 7 in TN, can handle any situation. Shifted people to safer places and educated them about precautions, said Santosh Kumar, NDRF official.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam earlier in the day reviewed the state government's preparation to counter cyclone Vardah.

The Chief Minister also requested the people not to venture out of their houses between 1 pm to 4 pm.

The state government has reportedly evacuated at least 7,357 people to 54 relief centres. As per sources, seven army columns have been placed on standby to carry out rescue and relief operations.

The latest bulletin released by the Meteorological Department said the cyclone is likely to move west wards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra coast and is likely to cross the coasts, close to Chennai as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 80 to 90 kmph to 100 kmph by this afternoon.

At the time of the landfall, squally wind warning has been predicted for Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
A man runs for safety as an uprooted tree blocks the road during heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Vardah in Chennai on Monday. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai: Heavy rains accompanied by high-velocity winds pounded the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu as severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" commenced its landfall through the coast, killing four persons and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from low-lying areas.

While two people died in Chennai, 1 died in Kancheepuram and 1 in Nagapattinam.

The cyclone shows signs of weakening and will turn into a 'cyclonic storm' in next 3-4 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Vardah, which triggered strong winds of nearly 100 km/h, uprooted hundreds of trees and disrupted power supply lines besides land and air transport, throwing normal life out of gear.

"The cyclone is still crossing, only the eye portion has crossed... Presently it is calm. The entire system is expected to fully cross coast between 6 pm and 7 pm," a top IMD official told PTI in Chennai.

Showers and heavy winds will resume once the eastern portion of the system begins to blow over, the official said.

However, the respite is Vardah is "weakening" and is expected to be turn into a "cyclonic storm" in next three hours, said M Mohapatra, IMD Additional Director General (Services).

"The Cyclone made its landfall near Chennai between 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm bringing in winds clocking 11-120 kmph. It is showing signs of weakening and the wind speed will reduce to 60-70 kmph in next 3-4 hours," he said.

Read: Chennai: Battery-run woodcutters used to remove trees uprooted by cyclone

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged people in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts  where Vardah brought life to a virtual halt - not to venture out of their homes till an official announcement was made.

Two persons had died and 24 huts were damaged, most of them in Tiruvallur district, according to an official statement.

About 8,000 people from low-lying areas in north Chennai, Pazhaverkadu in Tiruvallur district and villages off Mamallapuram, in Kanchipuram district were safely evacuated to 95 relief shelters, officials said.

Authorities here were seen swiftly removing uprooted trees and restoring snapped power lines, trying to bring normalcy to enable vehicular traffic to resume.

The IMD's latest inputs indicated that heavy wind and rains would continue till about 7 PM, Panneerselvam said, adding all arrangements are in place to handle the situation.

Coastal regions of northern Tamil Nadu - Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram - continue to be on high alert even as people in low-lying areas were accommodated in relief centres.

Fishermen from Adyar and Tiruvanmiyur areas were accommodated in local schools and food and blankets were being distributed to them. State Ministers are visiting relief

centres and inspecting distribution of food to the people, an official release said.

Under the impact of "Vardah", hundreds of trees were uprooted, land and air transport was disrupted and normal life was thrown out of gear in many areas.

Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for ten more persons feared trapped at sea.

"The police and CISF personnel are on the job and all the ten fishermen are safe. But they are somehow reluctant to come to the shore. We will soon bring them out," Nellore Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni told PTI over phone.

The South Central Railway has cancelled some passenger trains between Sullurpeta and Chennai in view of the cyclone.

The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam. Some other Express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam.

Meanwhile, all operations at Chennai airport have been suspended till 10 pm.

The earlier forecast made by the IMD was that it would weaken into a cyclonic storm, thereby reducing its intensity considerably.

At 9:30 am, the cyclone was lay centered around 105 kms east-northeast of Chennai. By the time it makes a landfall, its wind speed is expected to be 100-110 kmph with winds gusting up to 120 kmph.

The wind speed during a very severe cyclonic storm is 120 to 130 kmph. In a severe cyclonic storm the wind speed is somewhere between 110 to 80 kmph.

One of the major reasons for destruction in any cyclone is the wind velocity, apart from heavy to heavy rains and flooding.

Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is very likely during the next 36 hours.

The rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on December 12, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, operations at Chennai airport were suspended for the entire night, with nearly 170 services being disrupted through the day even as 10 flights were cancelled.

A total of 44 international and 123 domestic services were affected as they were diverted to nearby airports like Bengaluru even as many stranded passengers were still waiting at waiting halls of Domestic and International terminals. Steps were being taken to distribute food to them, they said.

Departing flights to cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were cancelled. Subsequently, there was no possibility of resuming operations, which were earlier announced suspended till 5 PM, officials said.

The strong winds damaged seven glass panels and roof at three places, officials said, adding that a car was damaged after an uprooted tree fell on it.

The Navy, Coast Guard and the Army have also pitched in with their assets for the relief operations.

Two Indian naval ships Shivalik and Kadmatt sailed out from Visakhapatnam early morning and proceeded to Chennai to augment relief efforts as part of 'Operation Madad'.

These ships had embarked additional medical teams, divers, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopter and relief material which include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets.

Additional ships have been kept on standby to supplement efforts for undertaking Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, should the situation demand.

The army had kept about seven columns (around 700 personnel) on standby along with equipment.

Army officials said one column from Garrison battalion in Chennai has been rushed to Ponneri and Thiruvalur districts. Coast Guard authorities said three ships have been deployed for rendering search and rescue assistance.

All ships at Chennai, Vishakapatnam, and Karaikal among other places have been kept standby and ready for deployment. One ship has already being deployed for search of two missing fishermen near Kakinada.

In addition to 10 diving teams embarked on Shivalik and Kadmatt, Flag Officer Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) has readied six diving teams for immediate deployment in consultation with the state administration while 22 diving teams have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate

deployment, should the situation warrant.

Shelter places have been identified and medical teams are also kept on standby for providing humanitarian assistance.

One Survey ship has been kept on standby to undertake harbour survey in case of requirement. Naval aircraft are also standing-by at the naval air stations Rajali and Dega to be pressed into action to augment relief operations.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and assured all help from the Centre.
Chennai: Heavy to heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds will lash the metropolis and neighbouring districts on Monday as the very severe cyclonic storm Vardah is expected to make landfall off Chennai coast. Chennai is expected to witness squally winds of more than 100 kmph after 22 years  the last such event being in October 1994 when the wind speed varied between 116 and 132 kmph.

Cyclone Vardah has raised hopes of citizens of parched-Chennai and Tamil Nadu, which have so far recorded a deficit of around 60 per cent this northeast monsoon. Unlike Cyclone Jal (2010) and Nilam (2012), which ended up as damp squibs, weather experts predict a dynamic cyclone, which could note a record in peak wind speed tomorrow.

Moderate to heavy rainfall can be witnessed in North Tamil Nadu, with few places predicted to receive heavy to heavy rainfall. Extreme rains exceeding 20 cm can be witnessed in one or two places near the landfall, S Balachandran, Director of Regional Meteorological Centre, told Deccan Chronicle.

Acting swiftly, the Tamil Nadu Government announced public holiday in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram and a few taluks in Villupuram on account of Vardah. Chief Minister O Pannerselvam appointed senior IAS officers as monitoring officers for the four districts that could be affected by the cyclone.

The State Government also made arrangements to evacuate people living in low-lying areas to safety.

The MeT Department has issued heavy rainfall alert to Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, he said, adding that Vellore and Villupuram could receive moderate rains. The RMC has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Analysing the data, Weather blogger, Sai Praneeth said, Despite having a landfall at Chennai, Nilam and Jal disappointed Chennaiites as they got sheared off near the coast. Wind shear around the current system has reduced prominently, favouring significant rains to North Tamil Nadu.

The strong winds, which may break the record of 22 years, could be more severe than in any of the recent cyclones. Despite witnessing a landfall at Chennai, the peak wind speeds of Nilam and Jal were 74Kmph and 61Kmph respectively. Devastating winds above 100 kmph could be witnessed when the severe cyclonic storm makes a landfall, said weather blogger, Pradeep John.

During the time of landfall, storm surge of above 1 metre can be witnessed. Contradicting the Indian Meteorological Centres statement on experiencing heavy rainfall in the state, astro meteorologist, S. Ramachandran claims that the city would receive moderate rains on Monday.

The city would receive moderate rains which would not exceed 7  8cms as the cyclone will weaken in the sea. It will cross Chennai coast as a depression, said Ramachandran, who follows Vedic meteorology.
Chennai: Late AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa scribbled a note meant for Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hospital on December 2, urging him not to interfere with the amount of gold owned by Indians as it was a "matter of sentiment".

According to a report in Firstpost, Jayalalithaa with some difficulty, scribbled the short note addressed to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao, to be forwarded to Modis representative in the state.

The note was later shown to Tamil Nadu in-charge Governor Vidyasagar Rao, perhaps with an intention that the message will be conveyed by the Centre's representative in Tamil Nadu to the Prime Minister, said the report.

The report claims this as proof that Jayalalithaa was fully aware of what was happening around her, especially the chaos caused by demonetisation, just three days before she suffered a cardiac arrest which would turn out to be fatal.

On Sunday evening, sometime between 4.30 pm and 5 pm, Jayalalithaa was watching TV in her room when she suffered a cardiac arrest. She never recovered from this, being declared dead at 11:30 pm the next day at Apollo Hospitals.

The report also adds that every single decision from then on, on what and how to do next, was taken with Sasikala's concurrence. No one had any problems receiving instructions from Sasikala, Jayalalithaas confidante for nearly 30 years.

The report states that it was Sasikala who took the decision that Jayalalithaa's resting place will be next to the MGR Memorial on Marina Beach.

Meanwhile, Governor Rao was keeping the PM informed directly about the developments at Apollo Hospitals. Modi and Rao interacted via telephone several times, said the report.

The PM was keen that the Governor ensure there was no breakdown of law and order situation, and asked him to take charge till the new government was in control.

It was decided around 4 pm that Jayalalithaa's demise will be announced at 7 pm, says the Firstpost report, adding that the AIADMK top brass panicked when a Tamil news channel claimed , at 5:30 pm itself that Jayalalithaa had died.

Fearing that the emotional AIADMK cadre would take matters into their own hands, it was then decided that the announcement of Jayalalithaas death would be made close to midnight, by which time the crowds would have thinned.

Earlier, another report had said that Jayalalithaa had died in the Critical Care Unit at 2 pm itself.

Apollo Hospitals however, denies that it put out any wrong information under pressure from the political dispensation, claiming that the end came only at 11:30 pm.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has written to Union minister Sushma Swaraj, expressing disappointment at the resignation of Nalanda University Chancellor George Yeo over the Centre's "intervention in the functioning of the institution" and urging the NDA government not to "tamper with the essence behind the idea of Nalanda".

In his strong-worded two-page letter to Swaraj, he said the Chancellor alleged that "he was not taken into confidence on the decision to dissolve the previous governing board or constitute a new one".

"Yoe has reportedly resigned from his post citing central government's interventions as affecting the autonomy of the institution. He has emphasised that he was not taken into confidence on the decision to dissolve the previous governing board or constitute a new one," Kumar said in the letter, a copy of which was made available to the media last night.

He went on to say that "the fact that an important decision was taken without consulting the Chancellor of the university is disturbing and raises questions about the autonomous nature of the university".

Kumar, the prime mover behind the idea of reviving ancient glory of Nalanda University and conceptualising establishment of Nalanda International University, also questioned the constitution of new governing body by the Centre "when no amendment in the Nalanda University Act, 2010 has taken place".

The amendment in the Central Act was proposed after it came to light that there were flaws in provisions related to formulation of the governing body, he said.

"All the stakeholders are worried about the direction in which this University is headed.

"Under the circumstances, it is requested that the Central government should not tamper with the essence behind the 'idea of Nalanda'. Its importance that dignity should be kept in perspective while furthering the activities of the University," he said.

The university will flourish only if the academic autonomy and continuity is allowed and maintained, Kumar said, adding his government will continue to support the varsity.
Widodo arrived in New Delhi last tonight on a two-day visit to India. (Photo: ANI)

New Delhi: President of Indonesia Joko Widodo will hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi this afternoon where a range of agreements will be signed after the dialogues.

The Indonesian President will be given ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning, following which he will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari.

Widodo arrived in New Delhi last tonight on a two-day visit to India. This is his first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014.

President Widodo is accompanied by a high level delegation including several cabinet ministers, senior officials and a 22 member business delegation.
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has batted for fixing reservation depending on the population of the respective communities rather than fixing a figure blindly.

Addressing huge rally of the Madiga community here on Sunday, he said in order to extend the benefit of reservation to downtrodden communities, the existing cap on reservation should be enhanced to 70 per cent . The Union government would be requested to bring necessary changes in the law to meet the demand.

Despite having reservation, the majority of Dalits and Madigas in particular, have not benefited compared to other backward communities. The only solution was increasing the threshold limit set by the Supreme Court. As reservation is upto 69 per cent in Tamil Nadu, the state will explore legal options and press the Central government to take action to get the Apex court order relaxed, he said.

The chief minister also assured community members that in the next cabinet meeting, an appropriate decision would be taken to implement recommendations of Justice A.J. Sadashiva panel. Social Welfare Minister H. Anjeneya has been asked bring this issue to the notice of the Cabinet.

When those in the crowd insisted that Mr Siddaramaiah make a concrete announcement in this regard, the latter said, such decisions cannot be announced from the stage as there are procedures to follow. But I assure you that an appropriate decision will be taken in the next cabinet meeting, have faith in us. The caste census report will be available in January. Considering both reports the government will make a suitable decision, he promised.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar said, the Bharatiya Janata Party would fully support the government's view and they were the ones who were advocating change in the reservation matrix according to community strength.

He assured all support to implement the Sadashiva Panel recommendations.

Former Union minister K.H. Muniyappa requested the chief minister to establish a separate corporation for the development of Madiga community.

Compensation for kin of accident victims

Six people who were on their way to attend the Madigara Mahasamavesha in Hubballi were killed on the spot after the vehicle in which they were travelling met with an accident near Kulgeri Cross in Bagalkot district. When the organisers disclosed details of the accident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased.
According to the data with the Ministry of External Affairs, out of 916 women who went to the Gulf countries from the 25 districts this year, 710 were from Kerala and 115 of them from Kottayam, followed by 94 from Pathanamthitta. (Representational image)

Thiruvananthapuram: The unskilled women workers from Kerala continue to seek their fortunes in the Gulf countries with Kottayam district sending the maximum number. There are 25 districts in the country from where a significant number of women are employed in those countries and all the 14 districts in Kerala come in this list.

According to the data with the Ministry of External Affairs, out of 916 women who went to the Gulf countries from the 25 districts this year, 710 were from Kerala and 115 of them from Kottayam, followed by 94 from Pathanamthitta.

There are 50 districts in the country that send the maximum number of both men and women to the 18 countries to which emigration clearance is required. Only two districts in Kerala figure in the list with Malappuram coming in the 41st position (3,336 emigrants) and Thrissur in the 49th position (3,003). Murshidabad in West Bengal topped the list with 19,333. The total number of emigrants from the 50 districts this year was 3.07 lakh.

According to sources in the emigration sector, a major chunk of women was seeking jobs as maids. However, considering the widespread exploitation, the centre had recently insisted on the recruitments of maids through the government-run recruiting agencies, including NORKA-Roots and Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Council.

The UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia were the major destinations for the women workforce. Of the 916 women from the 25 districts, 468 were to the UAE, 229 to Oman and 154 to Saudi Arabia.

During 2015 also, all the 14 districts from Kerala figured in the list of 25 districts and Kottayam topped the list then too. However, there was a slight decline in the number this year with only 916 women going abroad while it was 1,167 in 2015.
A huge hoarding requesting Sasikala to take over the leadership of AIADMK by ex-MLA and South Chennai district secretary V.P. Kalairajan on Dr R.K. Salai in Chennai. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai on Sunday exhorted Sasikala to take over the leadership of the AIADMK and lead its 1.5 crore members. The party cadre as well as the people of Tamil Nadu know very well that she is the political heir of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Mr Thambidurai said.

In a three-page statement issued through the AIADMK headquarters, the senior AIADMK leader said Sasikala has been guiding Ms Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK for more than three decades and she is the only one who could guide the party towards prosperity in the footsteps of Dravidian stalwart C.N. Annadurai and late Chief Minister MGR.

I sincerely request Chinamma (Sasikala) to accept the request of cadre like me and take over the reins of the AIADMK to lead the 1.5 crore strong cadre of the party and protect the people of Tamil Nadu, Mr Thambidurai, one of the senior leaders of the party, said in an emotional appeal.

Many senior AIADMK leaders have been requesting Sasikala to take over as General Secretary of the party after the demise of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who had also held the post of the party supremo.

Since its inception in 1972, the AIADMK has always been fighting for the rights and betterment of the people of Tamil Nadu and the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa dedicated her entire life for the people of the state.

In the present scenario where Puratchi Thalaivi Amma is no more, Chinamma (Sasikala) is the only one who has capacity to lead the AIADMK from hereshe is the gift given by Amma to lead the AIADMK and its cadre, Mr. Thambidurai said.

The Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker noted the sacrifices made by Sasikala in protecting the party along with late J. Jayalalithaa and said she had even be jailed in cases foisted due to political vendetta. She had also guided late Amma in running the administration and the party, Mr Thambidurai argued.

During the election time, Amma had instructed leaders like to work under the guidance of Chinamma and she has always helped me in carrying out my responsibilitiesAmma herself had allowed us to call her (Sasikala) Chinamma, Thambidurai said.
The police said that Tanuja was declared dead on arrival at Sion Hospital. (Photo: File)

Mumbai: A dentist from Mumbais Matunga area stabbed his 36-year-old wife to death following an argument over finances on Sunday.

According to reports, to make matters worse, Umesh Babole then sat by the body for three hours before calling the police to inform them of his crime.

On Sunday morning, Umesh reportedly had a particularly nasty dispute with Tanuja at 6.30 in the morning that spiraled out of hand. Following this, Babole killed her in a fit of rage and sat beside the body, now lying in a pool of blood, till 9:30 am.

Police then questioned him over the phone on his location and reached the spot immediately. Babole was arrested immediately and the knife used to kill Tanuja was also recovered from his possession, said reports.

The couple had been married for 7 years and have a 4-year-old child who was sleeping in another room at the time of the incident.

A police officer from Shivaji Park police station said that the couple argued frequently. Tanuja had been living at her parents' residence but had returned to her husband on Saturday. On Sunday morning, the two had a heated argument following which he killed her.

However, a resident of the building said, "We did not hear any commotion between the two. They rarely spoke to the residents of the building and only greeted us with a smile when we saw them around. We came to know about the incident only after the police reached their house."

The police said that Tanuja was declared dead on arrival at Sion Hospital. They added that she had filed a domestic violence case against her husband eight months ago.

The husband has been arrested under section 302 of the IPC. He was also produced in a court on Sunday evening and sent to police custody.
Kolkata: A Muslim cleric on Monday said he has issued a fatwa against Dilip Ghosh for making 'filthy' comments against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, drawing a bitter reaction from the state BJP president. Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Maulana Noor-ur Rahman Barkati told a press conference on Monday that he has issued the fatwa against Ghosh for "making filthy comments against the chief minister".

"From where does he get such audacity to make filthy comments against our beloved chief minister who is the most secular leader of our country? I issued the fatwa which states that he should be pelted with stones and then kicked out of Bengal. He does not deserve to stay in Bengal," Barkati said.

Barkati was accompanied by TMC MP Idris Ali, who too condemned Ghosh for his comments.

Reacting to the Barkati's charges, Ghosh lashed out at him and said this country is neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh that he could issue fatwa and would go scot-free.

"What does Barkati think, is this Bangladesh or Pakistan that he will issue fatwa against me? He can issue fatwa against TMC, they will listen to him, but not BJP. It seems that Barkati no longer wishes to stay in Bengal or India. I think he is planning to migrate to Pakistan or Bangladesh," Ghosh told PTI.

The Trinamool Congress had yesterday condemned Ghosh for using "abusive and goonda-like" language against Banerjee, while announcing a three-day protest against the Centre's demonetisation of high-value notes.
Andhra Pradesh government has shelved e-auctions for sand mining in the state. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has directed Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments to ensure that there is no mechanical sand mining on the riverbeds in the states.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took note of photographs filed by an NGO and directed both the states to file affidavits of secretaries concerned on the issue of sand mining in major rivers like Krishna, Godavari, Vamsadhara, Penna, Pranahita and their tributaries.

"Both the states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana shall file affidavits of Secretaries concerned as it is specifically contended by the applicant that largescale illegal and unauthorised mining is going on in both the States.

"In the meanwhile we restrain both the States, any corporation, authority or person for carrying on mechanical mining in the river bed," the bench said.

The green panel's direction came while hearing a plea by NGO Readiness for Empowerment through Legitimate Action (RELA) and Polavaram Mandal ex-president Vara Laxmi seeking directions to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odissa and Maharashtra governments to ban illegal sand mining.

The matter is now listed for hearing on January 25, 2017.

The plea, filed through advocate Sravan Kumar, had also sought directions to formulate and place on record strategy to prevent illegal mining and a cumulative impact study on rampant sand mining in these states.
New Delhi: Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel on Sunday said the poor and farmers have been hit the most by the note ban and it cannot be termed as a surgical strike against black money.



"As far as curbing black money is concerned, it is a right decision but it is not a surgical strike against the wealth amassed illegally," he said.



"I could not see the son of Jaitley, Adani or Ambani in the queues. I saw only farmers and poor people there," Patel added.



Asked whether he supported demonetisation, he said, "It is a welcome step against corruption. But if it is merely a gimmick then it is not good."



It is okay if the government continues with the note ban but it should also address the problems of farmers and the poor, the Patidar leader said.



Asked if he will join protests against demonetisation, he said, "No. I will not protest demonetisation. I will protest corruption."



At a "Kisan Panchayat" organised by suspended AAP MLA from Bijwasan Col Devendra Sehrawat, Patel claimed that there is no development in Gujarat and the state is reeling under "a debt of Rs 3 lakh crore".
Kalaburagi: Union Minister for Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu termed as kiddish and immature AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhis statement that there would be an earthquake if he was allowed to speak on the demonetisation issue in Parliament.

During an interaction with this newspaper Mr Naidu sarcastically asked: Has he (Rahul) has gone to Meghalaya where the earthquake took place today? Mr Naidu, who was here to take part in Kalyana Karnataka Vikas Yatre organised by Kottala Basaveshwara Shikshana Samsthe went on ask, Who has prevented him (Mr Rahul) from speaking in the Lok Sabha? Its known to everybody that he comes to the Lok Sabha on a vacation. And because of his speeches the Congress has been shrinking in size. The party which many times had over 350 members has now a pitiable strength of 44. The major credit for bringing the Congress to this state should go to Mr Rahul. First let him take care of his party before thinking of causing an earthquake in Parliament.

While defending the decision of PM Modi on demonetization as a revolutionary step, Mr Naidu came down on the Opposition for willfully obstructing proceedings in Lok Sabha. When a chemotherapy is given for cancer afflicting the countrys economy, there is bound to be some pain. But after some time the pain will subside and the patient would be cured. Earlier speaking at the function, Mr Naidu called upon people to lend r support to the Modi (Making of Developed India ) Abhiyaan aimed at cleanising the country of black money and corruption.
After sneaking into the camp from the rear side, which had thick vegetation that provided natural cover of elephant grass, one of the terrorists fired at the sentry using a silencer-fitted weapon, official sources said. (Photo: PTI)

Srinagar: Terrorists, who stormed the army camp at Nagrota in Jammu region on November 29, used a silencer-fitted weapon to kill a sentry before gaining entry into the premises, a tactic adopted by 'fidayeen' (suicide attackers) for the first time in the troubled state.

After sneaking into the camp from the rear side, which had thick vegetation that provided natural cover of elephant grass, one of the terrorists fired at the sentry using a silencer-fitted weapon, official sources said.

As someone noticed the fall of the sentry, panic gripped the army camp, which houses an artillery unit having presence of families of soldiers. Soon firing erupted.

The sources said night illuminators were fired to locate the terrorists who had by then taken entered an adjacent two-storey building where families of soldiers were staying.

Anticipating a hostage-like situation, the army troops with the help of para-commandos rescued the women and children first before launching a final onslaught on the terrorists.

Drones were pressed into the service which helped the snipers eliminate the terrorists inside the camp, the sources said.

Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in the attack by the three terrorists, who were also eliminated in the counteroffensive which lasted nearly four hours.

Seeking to joining the dots related to the attack, multiple security agencies have indicated that three attackers had infiltrated into India from across the international border at Hiranagar in Kathua district of Jammu region.

The security agencies had recovered an iCom wireless set near a tree in Hirnagar that matched the frequency of the sets carried by the militants, sources said.

Not ruling out the possibility of local assistance being provided to the terrorists, sources said they had possibly entered into India on the night of November 28-29 and travelled a distance of 78 kms to the army camp using a well connected national highway before mounting the assault in the morning.

Initially it was speculated that the terrorists could have travelled to the army camp from Kashmir, a possibility that was rejected after the vehicular movement was scrutinised from the CCTVs installed at vantage points along the national highway linking the Valley to the rest of the country.

There were some intelligence leads suggesting that a militant sympathiser from Poonch had ferried the terrorists to the army camp, they said.

BSF officials had initially rejected suggestions that terrorists entered through the international border but after the recovery of the wireless set, they started their internal probe. The case is now being probed by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
New Delhi: Former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh vehmently denied ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry's allegations of having played a key role in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP choppers scam, saying the Cabinet had approved the deal well after he had retired from government service.

"I was defence secretary from 2007-2009 and the present cases being prosecuted by CBI pertain to 2004-2005. The Augusta Westland acquisition was approved by the Cabinet well after my retirement," he said in an emailed statement. Singh in one of the directors of the Tata group.

Earlier on Sunday, Mistry had alleged: "As Defence Secretary, Singh was a key official involved in award of Rs 3600 crore VVIP helicopter contract to AugustaWestland in 2010".

"To connect me with this matter is slanderous and malicious," Singh, an independent director on Tata Sons board, said.
Pakistani artistes, technicians and TV people come to India to earn money, while touting words like friendship and ties, Shiv Sena said. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a cue from US President-elect Donald Trump's decision to protect jobs for "sons of the soil" and act against Pakistani artistes "snatching" jobs from Indians in the country.

"Pakistani artistes, technicians and TV people come to India to earn money, while touting words like friendship and ties. They snatch away livelihood of locals here. Can India implement a policy like Trump and say that these Pakistanis won't get a job here and also declare that those who give work to Pakistanis are the enemies of India," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

President-elect Trump had recently said that he would not allow Americans to be replaced by foreign workers, in an apparent reference to cases like that of Disney World and other American companies wherein people hired on H-1B visas, including Indians, displaced US workers.

"What someone like Trump can do, our PM, who is known as courageous and knowledgeable, can certainly do," the Sena said.

The Sena claimed that Trump seems to have been inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray on his slogan of 'jobs in the US for sons of soil only'.

India is going to bear the maximum impact of Trump's stance and it should be seen how Modi government deals with it by talking to Trump, the editorial said.

Incidentally, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan called upon MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday ahead of his upcoming film "Raees", which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

The issue of Pakistani artists created a storm this year after the MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies citing their involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

In October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. But they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following 'mediation' by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to calm tempers.
Kolkata: Notwithstanding West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's complaint about Army exercise at toll gates, a senior Army official on Monday said that its working relationship with the state government had not changed.

"We have good communication at the local level. There has been no change in our working relationship," Eastern Command's Major General General Staff, Maj Gen R Nagraj, told reporters in Kolkata.

Earlier in the month, Banerjee had accused the Centre of deploying the Army at toll plazas in the state without informing the state government and described it as "unprecedented" and "a very serious situation worse than Emergency".

The CM had refused to leave her office in Kolkata till the armymen were withdrawn from toll plazas, and had asked whether it was an "Army coup", drawing sharp reaction from the Centre.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had last week written to the chief minister expressing "deep pain" over her allegations and said it can "adversely" impact the morale of the armed forces.

Asked to comment on the allegation of collection of money by Army personnel, the Major General says that the Army is a powerful organisation and they do not tolerate such incidents.

"There was no such news before us. This is against the ethos of the Indian Army," he said.

On Army's preparedness to tackle challenges from across the border, Nagraj said they are always ready.

"Given the current circumstances all units and formations of the Army are fully alert. We are ready for action and also for lending a helping hand to our fellow citizens," he said.
Chennai: A day after senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) members met Sasikala Natarajan to convince her to take charge, expelled lawmaker Sasikala Pushpa on Sunday said that she would fight till her last breath to ensure that former chief minister Jayalalithaa's confidante doesn't become the party general secretary.

She alleged that the cadre and people feel it would be unfair to elect a person like Natarajan to the party.

"Everyone believes that something happened to Amma (Jayalalithaa) just because of this group. Some foul play happened in her death. So, in this situation how can one say that she can be the future leader because she is not even a member, how can she be a general secretary, it would be unfair to call her the general secretary," Pushpa told ANI.

When asked about the recent support Natarajan has received from senior members like Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai and Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam, Pushpa said, "Senior leaders are being threatened by her family; everyone feels that. They are being compelled to accept her as the general secretary. Who is that lady to take the constitutional authority of the party? Sasikala has been calling the shots ever since Jayalalithaa was ill, even I was not allowed to attend the funeral. From the bottom of the heart no one likes Sasikala Natrajan."

"Just because she was with Jayalalithaa for 35 years, it is not the only criteria. Even my servant is with me for 25 years. However, it doesn't mean that she would become the homemaker of my house," she added.

Pushpa expressed hope that the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would guide the party in the right direction.

"AIADMK is a very big party, it is not easy to choose a general secretary on its own. I think the Election Commission and PM Modi will take this matter in the right way because the people of Tamil Nadu have greater concern on this issue. So just because few members of the party are requesting her to take charge of the party, it doesn't mean she will become one," she said.

"People of Tamil Nadu will not accept the leadership of any other member other than senior members who are there. Till my last breath is there I will fight to stop it," she added.

Senior functionaries of the AIADMK met Sasikala on Saturday, requesting her to lead the party.

AIADMK spokesperson, C. Ponnaiyan said the party would have a new general secretary soon and a decision in this regard would be unanimous.

Rumours are doing rounds that if the decision is unanimous, then Sasikala would assume the role of new party chief.

Jayalalithaa who passed away on Monday evening after suffering cardiac arrest was the party's general secretary from 1989 to 2016.
Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday dismissed as "wrong" the concept that the state was not investor-friendly due to agitations like hartals.

The Chief Minister slammed "certain centres" engaged in spreading "wrong propaganda" that Kerala was not investor-friendly because of such agitations.

He cited success stories of investors from within the state who emerged as successful by investing in Kerala.

"Success stories of organisations like IBS Software company prove that such propaganda is wrong," he said after the ground-breaking ceremony of the company's new building at Infopark in Kochi.

Vijayan said though Kerala is a small state, government has allocated a big amount of Rs 300 crore for new investments like startups.

The Chief Minister lamented that the new education system being followed in Kerala has resulted in creating a generation unaware of the ethos of the state and even the mother tongue, Malayalam.

"There are highly educated people in the state who do not even know Malayalam letters written on boards displayed on buses plying between two destinations. This scenario should change," Vijayan said, emphasising the need to bring about a qualitative change in the education system.
Hyderabad: Mobile courts of GHMC, fined 12 persons to the tune of Rs 800 for urinating at Imax road on Monday. Those fined were auto drivers and commuters. GHMC Circle 10 B officers were inspecting Imax road when they found individuals urinating near Indira Gandhi statue. Spot challans were issued to them.

The GHMC has set up mobile courts to deal with violations, particularly those pertaining to trade licences, littering or urinating in places. After 15 years, GHMC has brought back mobile courts on the streets of the city. Mobile courts will be set up across all 30 circles of the corporation. They will function on the lines of mobile courts set up by the erstwhile APSRTC in undivided AP to penalise travelers without tickets in buses, said GHMC Commissioner, B Janardhan Reddy.

The decision was taken after First Metropolitan Magistrate (Municipal Court), Hyderabad, P Anjaneyulu addressed a letter to the GHMC, urging it to set up mobile courts in the city limits to book cases under the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act (HMC Act). Anjaneyulu had requested the civic commissioner to look into the matter.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday showered praise on Ibrahimpur village in Siddipet constituency for becoming the first cashless transaction village in the state. He said the same spirit should continue and Telangana should become a cashless transactions state in the near future.

The Chief Minister on Monday held a review meeting of the strategy to be framed in the backdrop of demonetisation. Mr Rao said that actions like demonetisation were taken by the Centre and the state has no role to play, but its adverse impact is felt on the state and its people.
The owner of the under-construction residential building that had collapsed in Nanakramguda a few days ago, has confessed to the police, admitting that the base foundation of the structure was constructed only for a ground plus three-floor building.

Hyderabad: The owner of the under-construction residential building that had collapsed in Nanakramguda a few days ago, has confessed to the police, admitting that the base foundation of the structure was constructed only for a ground plus three-floor building, but he had later decided to add three more floors. Sathyanarayana Singh, also reduced his construction costs by compromising on the quality of materials such as cement and metal.

In his confession to police, Singh said he had planned to rent out the building to IT professionals and wanted more space for the parking of vehicles. In order to create that parking space, he compelled the contractor to remove the crucial middle column of the foundation. As per the initial design, it was a three-column foundation with enough number of pillars. But Singh wanted maximum space for car parking and he made the builder and architect remove the middle column, weakening the structure, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police, Sandeep Shandilya, said.

Singh was also expecting to earn around Rs 1.2 lakh in total from the 12 flats as rent, per month. He was also planning to build more such buildings in the future, he confessed. All these changes (in the number of storeys) were made during the construction, which meant the foundation was designed for a three-storey building. But they built double the number of stories, said an investigating official.

It has been revealed that Singh was warned by the building contractor about the weakness of the foundation and the possible damage that might occur in the future. Greed, however, seems to have compelled Singh to ignore the warning. Investigating officials and structural experts are now checking how much initial damage was caused to the collapsed building by the deep excavation at the construction site of the neighbouring Sumadhura Acropolis building.
Hyderabad: A public interest litigation seeking the takeover of the assets of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been filed with the High Court.

Gareeb Guide, a voluntary organisation, wants the assets taken over as public property as per the Succession Act.

The NGO asked the court to declare the action of the Telangana state government in not moving on the matter illegal. The organisation represented by its president G. Bhargavi moved the plea stating that if a person had not nominated a heir to own the property, in accordance with the provisions of Hindu Succession Act 1956, such property should devolve on the government.

It said the government should take over the property subject to all the obligations and liabilities to which a heir would have been liable. The petitioner told the court that Jayalalithaa in an affidavit filed along with her nomination papers for the May 2016 Assembly elections declared movable and immovable properties worth over Rs 113.73 crore.

According to the affidavit, Jayalalithaa had 14 acres of agriculture land in Medchal village of Malkajgiri district and a commercial complex in Srinagar Colony in Hyderabad and that she had no spouse and no dependents.

The petitioner told the court that as per available information, Jayalalithaa had never married. Her parents were no more and her brother Jayakumar had died in an accident in 1995 and there was no Will left by her specifying who gets what assets. The petitioner alleged that Ms Sasikala Natarajan, a confidante of Jayala-lithaa, was trying to grab the properties.
Deposits in Jan Dhan accounts in Telangana have swelled after the note ban, but there has not been a great decrease in the zero balance accounts as anticipated earlier.

Hyderabad: Deposits in Jan Dhan accounts in Telangana have swelled after the note ban, but there has not been a great decrease in the zero balance accounts as anticipated earlier. After the reports of the rich using the poors Jan Dhan accounts to convert their black money into the new notes, the Union finance ministry has asked banks to track these accounts for unusual fund inflows.

The banks, however, found that deposits in these accounts in the state have grown from Rs 940 crore to Rs 1,570 crore since the note ban. However, the zero balance accounts came down from 23.65 lakh to 23.31 lakh. Jan Dhan scheme has two types of accounts  one with some balance in account and the other without any money.

According to officials, the drop in zero balance could have happened also because some of these accounts become non-operational after being inactive for two years. The latest statistics reveal that there was not much of an abnormal rise in deposits or decrease in zero balance accounts as was anticipated. Since people had no option but to deposit their old notes in banks after demonetisation, there was a sudden increase in deposits in the first two weeks, which has now come down significantly, said finance minister Etela Rajender.
New Delhi: The government is set to announce a committee headed by an eminent educationist in the next 10 days which would draft the National Education Policy (NEP), Union human resource Development minister Prakash Javadekar said on Monday.

We will have a committee headed by an eminent educationist in the

next ten days. We are discussing some names but we also have to ask them whether they are ready because they will also have to work for three to four months, the HRD minister told agencies.

This newspaper was the first to report on October 25 that the government is soon likely to constitute a committee headed by an academician for preparing the draft NEP. This move has also ensured that the proposed policy is in for another major delay and is unlikely to be finalised for another few months.

The report prepared by T.S.R. Subramanian panel  convened during the tenure of former HRD minister Smriti Irani  has effectively been put in cold storage.

The ministry has already held comprehensive discussions with all the stakeholders including the states, educational institutes, parliamentarians and experts, he said, adding that even the recommendations of T.S.R. Subramanian committee will be considered as an input.
Barbara Graham was guilty of many things in her life, but if you believe 'I Want to Live!,' director Robert Wise's harrowing indictment of capital punishment, murder wasn't one of them. This edgy 1958 film paints an unvarnished yet decidedly sympathetic portrait of Graham, a so-called "good time girl" whose litany of petty crimes - fraud, prostitution, perjury, and quite possibly the worst of all, bad judgment - have been well documented. But when she hooked up with small-time crooks Emmett Perkins and Jack Santo, she upped the ante, and after a wealthy retired widow, Mabel Monohan, was found murdered in her California home, Graham's cohorts reportedly inflated her involvement in the crime, leading to her arrest, conviction, and ultimate execution in the gas chamber at San Quentin.

Graham continually and vociferously proclaimed her innocence, but a rabid press, who labeled her "Bloody Babs" and mercilessly exploited her checkered past, smeared her with biased stories while a shady police force did its best to seal her fate. Victimized by circumstance and society almost since birth, Graham - who was married three times, had three children, and compiled an impressive rap sheet in her short 31 years - defiantly lived outside the lines and paid a dear price for her transgressions.

'I Want to Live!' is a riveting account of the most celebrated episode in Graham's life. Though it vehemently professes to be factual, the film has since been exposed as a hodgepodge of truth and fiction. (Court records show Graham was present at the crime scene, but the movie puts her at home with her baby and drug-addicted husband, whom she conveniently kicks out shortly before the murder occurs, giving her no credible alibi.) Writers Nelson Gidding and Don Mankiewicz based their screenplay on Graham's personal letters, court testimony, and an array of newspaper stories by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Edward Montgomery - who at first preyed upon Graham, then championed her - but they also try hard to humanize and engender sympathy for their headstrong and often belligerent "heroine."

And they succeed. Yet any liberties the script takes with Graham's story don't diminish the ultimate impact of Wise's uncompromising depiction of it. Without trivializing her lawless actions and reckless behavior, the movie fast forwards through Graham's formative years so it can focus on the sensational crime, trial, and incarceration that defined her. The last half hour transpires on death row, and with a keen eye and firm resolve, Wise - who went to San Quentin to observe an execution so he could get the details right - methodically and meticulously chronicles the clinical procedures that must be conducted before a prisoner is put to death. We see orderlies unloading the cyanide eggs, mixing the dissolving solution, and preparing the gas chamber. We see the press soberly file in to bear witness, and watch Graham as she anxiously awaits her final reckoning while hoping for a miraculous last-minute stay. Wise doesn't sugarcoat any of these scenes, and though his recreation truncates the agonizing process, it is still almost unbearable to watch, producing uncomfortable squirms and a proper sense of outrage and repugnance.

Susan Hayward pulls out all the stops as Graham, embodying her wild, consequences-be-damned spirit. Graham doesn't just have a chip on her shoulder, she harbors a gaping chunk that she often brandishes with pride, and in a let-it-all-hang-out portrayal, Hayward sinks her teeth into Graham's outspoken, independent character. Though she tries a bit too hard during the film's early sequences, overdoing Graham's energy and spitfire, Hayward settles down once Graham lands in prison, beautifully expressing her anger, desperation, and, most powerfully of all, quiet resignation leading up to her final torturous moments.

From beginning to end, this is Hayward's show, and her tour de force performance screams Oscar. Her natural, raw acting style - she was electrifying as the alcoholic Lillian Roth in 'I'll Cry Tomorrow' a few years earlier - often won raves, but many of the pictures she appeared in weren't worthy of her talent. 'I Want to Live!' was a rare exception, and after four previous nominations, Hayward at last nabbed the Best Actress Academy Award.

And Wise, wisely, doesn't make her share the spotlight. First-rate actors like Theodore Bikel and Simon Oakland (best known for playing the psychiatrist in the final scene of 'Psycho') surround Hayward, but none had yet achieved a lofty stature, so they disappear inside their roles and never come close to overshadowing her. Their lack of renown also adds an extra hint of realism to the presentation.

The film is also noteworthy for its groundbreaking progressive jazz score, which won composer Johnny Mandel (billed here as John) a Grammy Award. As loud and unbridled as Graham herself, with a furious rhythm and passion galore, the often turbulent music perfectly complements the movie's themes and tempos, and paved the way for more non-traditional soundtracks in the future. (This is one score that really benefits from Twilight Time's standard issue isolated track [see below].)

'I Want to Live!' did not receive a Best Picture nomination, but Wise's superior direction earned a nod, as did the film's screenplay, black-and-white cinematography, sound, and editing. All the elements contribute to a powerful experience that - try as we might - is not easily forgotten. Few movies, before or since, have transmitted the anti death penalty message as cogently and succinctly - and without the aid of preachy speeches - as this unnerving drama, which carries more weight than dozens of public service announcements. Wise lays the issue bare, and lets his stark, indelible images do most of the talking. And they speak volumes.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'I Want to Live!' arrives on Blu-ray in a limited to 3,000 edition packaged in a standard case. An eight-page booklet featuring an essay by film historian Julie Kirgo, black-and-white scene shots, and a color reproduction of the film's cover art is tucked inside the front cover. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.
Shivamogga: Calling Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs statement that he would go to jail once again as childish and meaningless, state BJP president, B.S. Yeddyurappa hit back, saying that someone who ruled the state with corrupt officers, had no moral right to comment on him.

The ongoing investigation of officers in Bengaluru to unearth black money will lead to the resignation of five or six ministers within a week, he declared.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that one officer, Jayachandra, who had been arrested for hoarding black money, appeared to have spilled the beans on the involvement of some ministers in his case.

And the much hyped Yettinahole project is in doldrums as even before it could take off, pipes worth crores of rupees have been purchased for it, leading to suspicion of corruption. Also, despite several objections, the government is still planning to build a steel bridge in Bengaluru, which makes one suspect there is something fishy about the project, he added, advising Mr.Siddaramaiah to clarify on these issues before pointing fingers at him.

Digressing, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that he would visit Chikkamagalur and wear the Datta Mala on the eve of Datta Jayanti and also participate in the Datta Jayanti events at Bababudangiri on Tuesday.
Police said that a group of youngsters who preferred to be seated while the anthem was being played, was allegedly manhandled by another group.

Chennai: Two groups in the audience allegedly clashed with each other in a cinema theatre in Chennai on Sunday over issue of standing up while National Anthem being played. The incident happened on Sunday afternoon at Kasi theatre in Jafferkhanpet where the movie, Chennai-28 II innings, was being screened.

Police said that a group of youngsters who preferred to be seated while the anthem was being played, was allegedly manhandled by another group. Though management representatives intervened immediately to pacify both sides, the fight spilled over to the parking lot when the movie was over.

The Supreme Court, ordered that standing up for the National Anthem be mandatory in all cinema halls in the country before the screening of the movie. Police said that the trouble started during interval when one Vijayakumar picked up an argument with the youngsters who remained seated when the anthem was played. The argument ended in exchange of blows from both sides, the police said. Theatre officials intervened and posted a security guard near them throughout the movie in the theatre But an argument and another round of clashes broke out again in the parking lot after the show ended.

Based on an alert, a police team from the MGR Nagar station reached the theatre. The group which refused to stand told the police that they decided not to stand up not because they were unpatriotic, but that they were against imposing such things.

Both the groups were taken to the MGR Nagar Police station where the two sides lodged complaints against each other. Police claimed that they were browsing through the CCTV footage from the theatre to understand the issue.
Chennai: Two days after writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in raising questions about the secrecy and isolation during the illness, treatment and eventual death of late Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, Tamil actor Gautami Tadimalla on Sunday sought answers to specific questions.

I am rather puzzled as to why there are so many responses to me regarding the treatments given to Amma during her hospitalisation. I appreciate the reiteration on their part of bulletins issued by the hospital authorities at intervals through the 75-day period, but I have not requested those reminders in my letter. I have some understanding of the importance of patient-doctor confidentiality and besides, the information had been provided, she wrote in her latest blog on Sunday.

Pointing to the questions raised in the letter to PM, she urged, I humbly request these kind individuals / organisations to throw light on these questions of ours if they are able.

AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi asked the actor to get the information from the PMO. She said that the PMO was monitoring the health of Amma on daily basis and the AIIMS doctors who treated her were deputed by the Centre and they submitted a report to PMO.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was a close friend of Amma, was aware of her treatment and many central ministers who visited her had spoken to the doctors treating her, she said.
Thiruvananthapuram: Six delegates of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) were booked at a screening venue for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem by not standing up while it was being played on Monday. The incident took place at Nishagandhi auditorium before the screening of Egyptian film 'Clash' when the six, including three journalists and a woman hailing from different districts in Kerala, sat on the chair. Police officers who were present there picked them after some audience brought this to their notice.

They were taken to the Museum police station where they claimed that they were not ready to leave the seats which they had struggled to get after arriving late for the show. They were booked under section 188 r/w of IPC for disobedience to the order duly promulgated by the public servant and were released on personal bonds. The Supreme Court had recently ordered that cinema halls in the country should play the national anthem before screening movies and the citizens barring people with disabilities should stand up for the anthem.

The police action came after Yuva Morcha workers complained on Monday with pictorial evidence that several delegates refused to stand up during screening of movies at another IFFK venue at Tagore theatre. State police chief Loknath Behera had ordered Cantonment Assistant Commissioner of Police, K.E. Baiju, to keep a tab on such violations using plain-clothed police officers.Meanwhile, five more IFFK delegates including a woman has surrendered claiming they had sat down while national anthem was being played at Nishagandhi as a mark of protest. They were being interrogated at the time of going to print.
Mumbai: To ascertain the amount of counterfeit currency, the Reserve Bank has asked all banks to send details of all fake notes detected during exchange and deposits of defunct old high-value notes post demonetisation.

Banks are required to send details of fake currencies in three different dates, the first of which is December 16.

The RBI in an advisory issued to banks earlier had said that banks needed to report daily the counterfeit notes detected from specified bank notes (ie scrapped old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes) received by them till December 30, 2016.

"In continuation by the same, the banks are advised to send branch-wise report on detection of counterfeit notes," the RBI said in a notification.

For counterfeit notes detected between November 10 to December 9, banks need to furnish the report in a specified sheet prescribed by the RBI on December 16.

For reporting period December 10-16, the details are to be sent on December 23, while for December 17 to 30 period, RBI has asked them to send report on January 6, 2017.

The RBI has also asked banks to keep details on specified bank notes (SBNs) separately for analysis later on.

"Further, counterfeit notes detected in the SBNs received in exchange and deposits should be kept branch-wise, in a secured and segregated manner, so that further analysis, as necessary, can be conducted at a later stage," read the RBI notification.

Though the RBI is publishing data on SBNs regarding the amount exchanged/deposited at banks and RBI counters on a regular basis, there is no data as to what percentage of it contains the counterfeit notes in SBNs.

Giving the rationale behind scrapping SBNs in November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address to the nation on November 8 said it is aimed at eliminating fake notes and unaccounted money from the system apart from checking terrorism financing.
President Joko Widodo (left) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: India and Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, on Monday agreed to strengthen defense and security ties with a major focus on maritime space and deepen cooperation for effectively combating terror, its financing, money laundering and arms smuggling.

In talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the two countries with impressive growth rates also decided to boost bilateral trade and investment, particularly in areas like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, IT and skill development.

A joint statement issued after the talks said the two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, emphasizing "zero tolerance" for acts of terror.

Referring to the South China Sea disputes, where Indonesia is also a party, the two leaders called for resolving the issue through peaceful means and in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea).

Emphasizing on the need to improve connectivity and encourage people-to-people contact, the two leaders also welcome Garuda, Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights from Jakarta to Mumbai.

On combating terrorism, the joint statement said Modi and Widodo called upon all countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities, in an apparent reference to China blocking India's move to get Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the UN.

The two leaders also asked all countries to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing channels, besides stopping cross-border terrorism, seen as a message to Pakistan.

Modi and Widodo also underlined the need for all nations to deal with trans-national terrorism emanating from their territory by effective criminal justice response while agreeing to extend bilateral cooperation to combating terror, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking, money laundering and arms smuggling.

In his media statement, Modi said the talks focused on the full range of bilateral cooperation and both sides agreed to prioritize defense and security cooperation, besides enhancing efforts to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes.

"As the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia stands for democracy, diversity, pluralism, and social harmony. These are also our values. Our nations and societies have nurtured strong bonds of commerce and culture throughout our history," he said.

The Prime Minister said both sides agreed that early implementation of Indo-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment, and finalization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership would be important steps to further boost trade ties.

"To sustain the momentum of our partnership, President Widodo and I have directed for an early meeting of the existing ministerial-level mechanisms to carry forward the bilateral cooperation agenda," he said.

The Indonesian President, on his first visit to New Delhi, said there were detailed talks on ways to strengthen economic partnership, adding Indonesia wants to diversify exports to India.

Indonesia has emerged to become the second largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region. Bilateral trade has increased from $6.9 billion in 2007-08 to $19.03 billion in 2014-15.

In 2015-16, the trade volume fell to $9 billion due to global economic situation, fall in commodity prices and less overall imports by Indonesia.

"It is the largest economy in South East Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. As two large democracies and major emerging economies, we have shared economic and strategic interests," Modi said.

He said the two countries also decided to ramp up investment in infrastructure and leverage each other's capabilities. In this regard, he said the CEOs' Forum should take the lead in identifying new avenues of wider and deeper industry-to-industry engagement.

A separate Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation, outlining the agenda of bilateral engagement in the area was also issued.

Regarding defense and security ties, the two leaders gave a directive for early convening of the Defense Ministers' Dialogue and the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meetings to review and upgrade the existing 'Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Fields of Defense' to a substantive bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement.

On fighting terror, the two leaders called for enhanced cooperation including through greater exchange of information and intelligence between the two sides.

They resolved to significantly enhance bilateral cooperation in combating terror, its financing, money laundering, arms smuggling, trafficking in human beings and cyber crime.

With regard to maritime issues, Modi and Widodo reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS.

"In this context, they urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions," the joint statement said.

It said the two leaders underscored the importance of pluralism, democracy, and rule of law as key values to achieve peaceful co-existence.

"They welcomed the convergence in the political, economic and strategic interests of the two countries that provides an enduring basis for a long-term strategic partnership," it said.

The Indonesian President and Modi agreed to hold annual Summit meetings, including on the margins of multilateral events.

"As strategic partners and maritime neighbours, the two leaders emphasized the importance of further consolidating the security and defense cooperation between the two countries," the statement said.
New Delhi: Demonetisation decision is the equivalent of 'Financial Pokhran', RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy said, on Monday, visualizing a paradigm shift in economy that will begin a process of bringing down real estate prices and encourage transparency.

Terming the demonetisation a "Financial Pokhran", Gurumurthy said when people have excess cash there is always an urge to buy things which are not necessary and that leads to "irresponsible and heartless spending". Demonetisation would bring about a huge change.

"Just like Pokhran brought about a change which was unimaginable. Who would have thought America would look at India. If you had not exploded atom bomb they won't have looked at you....

"That is why post Pokhran India is a paradigm shift likewise this 'Financial Pokhran' is a paradigm shift but it requires a very different mind to understand, articulate this and make people understand," he said.

India conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998 that catapult the country into a select nuclear club.

Referring to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comment that demonetisation was a "monumental mismanagement", that might dent GDP by 2%, Gurumurthy said the demonetisation move undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a correction for the "monumental mismanagement of the economy by the UPA government from 2004", and if not now, demonetisation would have "remained undoable" in near future.

Gurumurthy, who is also the co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an RSS-affiliate, said demonetisation was planned two months after the change of guard at the Reserve Bank, and it was implied that there would be some errors in implementing the decision in short time while maintaining secrecy.

Asked why the Rs 2,000 note was brought in and that it could encourage black money, Gurumurthy said, "In the short time of two months you do not have time to print Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. This 2000 rupee note must be phased out...Demonetisation is not a one-stop solution for black money. This requires a very major agenda...the nation is rebooting."

He said black money is a psychological disease which has to be changed and also requires cleansing of the corrupt Income Tax department.

"So far as the Rs 14 lakh crore has come into the banking system, many people may declare and pay tax, may be Rs 20,000-30,000 crore tax may come in. Others may conceal tax and put money in Jan Dhan accounts. Government will chase them," Gurumurthy said.

He said for generating this amount of black money in the system it would take another 10 years and the government will do a "definite follow up" action to not let black economy prosper.

"Organising the unorganised economy is what will happen through this," he said, adding that demonetisation would put a break to the black money.
Karachi: Goebbels would have loved Facebook. The Nazi minister for propaganda would have immediately realised the potential of this medium to spread lies, and you can be sure he would be an avid WhatsApper too, That we now live in the era of fake news is undeniable. Theres nothing new about lies and misinformation. Whats different now is the speed at which such falsifications spread, and whats frightening is the number of people who believe them. It wasnt supposed to be this way; many believed that the information age would usher in a period of enlightenment in which we would be empowered to seek out and find truth. Instead, lies have gone global, circling the world several times through fibre optic lines before the truth has even put its pants on. Nowhere was the impact of this felt more greatly than in the US election. Yes, it is an industry: teenagers in Macedonia and Georgia are making thousands of dollars per month creating fake news and counting clicks and cash, and in a recent interview, Pal Horner, a famous manufacturer of fake news claimed to have made up to $10,000 a month during the US vote. Asked about the secret of his success, he replied: Theres nothing you cant write that people wont believe.

But fake news can have real consequences, as we saw in Washington D.C. a few weeks back when a man named Edgar Welch walked into a Pizza Parlour armed with an automatic rifle claiming he was there to free children he believed were being held captive and sexually abused in the restaurant. The basis for his beliefs was an outrageously false story dubbed pizzagate, which alleges that Hillary Clinton is part of an elite devil-worshipping cabal which sexually abuses and murders children, in the secret chambers of the said restaurant. He believed this because pizzagate was one of the most widely shared stories on Facebook, and was propagated by none other than the son of Trumps NSA pick, Gen. Flynn. Debunking such stories takes a lot more energy than spreading them does. You have to check sources, analyse any pics or videos that have been posted, while the person spreading it only has to click a button. When sharing is easier than fact-checking, the odds are stacked against truth.

After the tragic crash of PK661, an audio recording began circulating which purported to be of the last minutes of the ill-fated plane. It was heart-wrenching to listen to, was widely shared by laymen, politicians and journalists alike, and was a fake. Well not precisely a fake: the recording was from an Etihad Airways flight which encountered severe turbulence en route to Jakarta but which thankfully managed to reach its destination safely. Despite the fact that references to Jakarta can be heard in the audio, people continue to share it. Another spurious video made it from WhatsApp to the TV screen. In this video (allegedly shot from a mobile phone) a plane is shown flying normally and then suddenly taking a 90-degree dive towards the ground. This too was fake, and the effect of crashing was created by the video-maker simply turning the phone sideways. Detecting and debunking such stories is often a complex task, especially with fakers refining their techniques but there are tools and methods that can be found online. Ultimately though, the best defence is common sense, a healthy dose of scepticism, and the ability to recognise that while you may desperately want to believe something is true, that doesnt necessarily make it so.

By arrangement with Dawn
The Bengaluru based company is known for its capabilities in delivering advanced defence electronics and aero structures, as well as R&D and manufacturing.

Alpha Design Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru based manufacturer and technological services provider in India's defence and paramilitary markets, announced the signing of a contract with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indias space agency, for assembly, integration and testing of IRNSS satellites. The Bengaluru based company is known for its capabilities in delivering advanced defence electronics and aero structures, as well as R&D and manufacturing.

In the next two years, with the help of ISRO, Alpha Design Technologies will be investing in creating, an ultra-modern satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing and qualification facilities, with a view to independently supply four to five satellites to ISRO.

At present, the company is selecting 70 of their top rated employees which include engineers, diploma holders and ITI qualified, for them to be trained at ISRO for nine months. During the training at ISRO, the Alpha Design Technologies team would be assisted in on-job learning followed by actual assembly, integration and testing.

Speaking at the announcement, Colonel H. S. Shankar, Chairman and Managing Director, Alpha Design Technologies, said, As part of the contract, initially our teams would get minimum ISRO supervision and later would independently be making complete satellites.

Looking at the future prospective engagements with ISRO, Alpha Design Technologies is expecting to add more than 400 engineers, diploma holders and ITI qualified personnel to be part of Alpha Group, with annual turnover of Rs. 200 crore to Rs. 250 crore. The company had recently signed a multi-million dollar contract with Elbit Systems for manufacturing of 600 VHF communication devices for exports and later for large scale manufacture to cater for the requirements of the Armoured Corps.

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While globally it may appear as if Apple may be beating Samsung as far as the smartphone sales are concerned; it is a whole new ball game in India all together. E-commerce app Cashify recently published a report that suggests that the South Korean electronics giant has managed to sell more devices than Apple in India.

Samsung captures a total of 28.52 per cent of the Indian phone market, followed by Apple with its 14.87 per cent capture. On the third position was Motorola with approximately 10.75 per cent market share.

Samsungs most successful model was its Galaxy Grand Duos I9082 occupying a total of 3.02 per cent market share. Motorolas most sold model was its Moto-G with about 2.71 per cent market share. Moto-G was followed by Apples iPhone 5s with 2.34 per cent market share and OnePlus with 1.78 market share.

With a minefield of flagship launches, the resale market picked up pace in the last few months as the number of people queuing up to trade their old smartphones with the latest market entrants went up significantly," the report stated.

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"Speak not to me of blasphemy, man; I'd strike the sun if it insulted me."

Very rarely is a film considered a genuine classic upon its initial release. Often times, a period of time and reflection is required for audiences to evaluate a particular work and decide whether or not it's deserving of the prestigious moniker "classic." When John Huston's 1956 adaptation of the Herman Melville's seminal novel 'Moby Dick' reached screens, it was met by lukewarm-to-negative reviews. Some critics knocked the performances as well as the inconsistent age of lead star Gregory Peck and his literary counterpart Captain Ahab. While the then 38-year-old actor may have been a bit too young for the part, 60 years this film's release it's difficult to imagine anyone else playing the revenge-driven mad captain of the Pequod.

His name was Ishmael (Richard Basehart). As a young man with an adventurer's spirit, Ishmael has a desire to see the world. After crewing on a couple of merchant ships, he's got it in his mind to crew up on a whaling vessel and be a part of the thriving industry. After falling in with the crew of the Pequod as they celebrate their last night in port, Ishmael can't help but soak in the excitement. Even after being roomed with the head-hunting native Queequeg (Friedrich von Ledebur), Ishmael's excitement only grows. Even when he hears the stories of the scarred and crippled Captain Ahab, Ishmael only becomes more excited at the idea of a grand adventure.

For days after leaving port, Ishmael, Queequeg, the boisterous Stubb (Harry Andrews), and Second Mate Starbuck (Leo Genn) don't see their captain. They hear him at night pacing the deck with his ivory leg thumping on the boards, but they never see him. They toil to move the ship out to sea and only when they are past the point of no return does Captain Ahab (Gregory Peck) emerge to address his crew. What was supposed to be a simple and fairly routine whaling voyage is actually a mission of revenge. Ahab want's Moby Dick, the white whale that took his leg and scarred his face. As he blinds the crew with promises of riches and Spanish gold coins, Ahab's obsession for vengeance puts everyone's life at risk when the white whale breaches the seas.

Like any number of kids in high school, I had to read Melville's classic literary adventure. I remember some of my classmates getting bogged down by the terminology, the lack of punctuation, and the long passages relating to the details of whaling. While certain segments of the book were near-incomprehensible, I loved the sense of adventure the story had and it's very relevant life lessons about revenge and not hitching yourself to someone else's obsessions. As a 'Star Trek' fan, I was also happy to finally get all of the references from 'Wrath of Khan' and 'First Contact.' When we finally finished the book, our teacher fired up this film adaptation. I've never felt that it was the most faithful of book-to-screen adaptations ever made, but it captured the spirit and the heart of the key characters and Peck was perfect as the iconic Ahab.

Looking back on the film now, I'm able to see that it really was a labor of love. John Huston worked for years to get this film made. Initially, he intended to cast his father Walter as Ahab, but the senior Huston passed away before filming could begin. Then he tried to get Orson Welles on board, but Welles decided to take the smaller, but no less interesting role of the Father Mapple to deal with a period of stage fright he was enduring. Without Welles, Huston was ordered to hire a bankable actor - namely Gregory Peck. Peck, who was too young for the part of Ahab by about 30 years. In 1956, the critics and even Peck himself felt he was too young and miscast for the central character. 60 years later, can you picture anyone else but Peck in the lead role? Sure, Patrick Stewart and William Hurt have come around to toss a harpoon at the character Ahab, but their volleys had a high target to shoot at. While Stewart and Hurt are both great, they don't capture Ahab's insane drive in the same way that Peck manages with a simple glance.

As for the rest of the cast and crew, Basehart manages a fine Ishmael, even if he may have been too old for the part as he was older than both Gregory Peck and Orson Welles. Ishmael is the outside observer, the man recounting the tale of Ahab's disastrous quest for vengeance. Due to time limitations, the film goes long stretches without pulling Ishmael into the story. To all credit, I have to tip my hat to Huston for being able to bring as much of the story to the screen as he was able to without the film becoming a four-hour long slog. Added to Richard Basehart, I was always impressed with Friedrich von Ledebur as the native Queequeg. Sure, the Austrian-Hungarian actor is far and away from being a genuine South Pacific islander, but the actor plays the man with a true heart and without devolving into some sort of overblown stereotype making.

With the unique look of the film (which I'll speak more of in the transfer section), a great cast, and an energetic pace set by Director John Huston, 'Moby Dick' is a classic film. It may not have lit up the screens upon its initial release, but like so many other films that have been deemed "classics," 'Moby Dick' requires reevaluation. If you're already a fan of the film, you're already well aware of the impressive merits of the film. If you haven't seen 'Moby Dick' since high school or for a number of years, it's a long time past due for you to take another look at this film.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'Moby Dick' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Twilight Time. Pressed onto a Region Free BD50 disc, the disc comes housed in a clear sturdy Blu-ray case. Also included is a booklet containing stills and an essay by Film Historian Julie Kirgo. The disc loads directly to a static image main menu with traditional navigation options.
Nokia will launch two variants of Nokia D1C a 2GB RAM variant at a price of Rs $150 (approx. Rs 9,999) and a 3GB RAM model at a price of $200 (approx. Rs 12,999).

Nokias much awaited Android-powered smartphone, dubbed as Nokia D1C, will be available at a starting price of less than Rs 10,000 in India.

According to recent reports, Nokia will launch two variants of Nokia D1C a 2GB RAM variant at a price of $150 (approx. Rs 9,999) and a 3GB RAM model at a price of $200 (approx. Rs 12,999).

Nokia D1C is expected to be unveiled next year in the Mobile World Conference (MWC) to be held in February 2017 in Barcelona.

Nokia D1C is rumoured to feature a 5.5-inch full HD display, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC with Adreno 505 GPU atop. The smartphone is also said to run on Android Nougat 7.0 operating system, and sport 13/16MP rear camera and 8MP front camera.

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The Xperia Concept developer team currently has the source code and is waiting for the application suite (GMS apps) and the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) from Google.

Sony has already begun rolling Google Android 7.0 Nougat on its Xperia X and Xperia XZ, but the company aims to be the first manufacturers to release the next version of Nougat on its smartphones.

Sonys dev team said that this is our (the Concept teams) number 1 priority and that if you spot any other vendor (excluding Google) releasing this faster than us, prepare your rotten tomatoes!

The Xperia Concept developer team currently has the source code and is waiting for the application suite (GMS apps) and the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) from Google, according to Xperiablog.net

Considering previous Android roll outs, Google always release Android software updates to its own devicesNexus, and now the newly launched Pixel phones. According to the reports, Google has already kicked off the rollout of Android 7.1.1 Nougat updates for a couple of Nexus and Pixel phones. As a result, the Japanese company Sony can not be the first to bring the Android update to its devices.

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Netanyahu gave no details on what he will be proposing when he meets with Trump. (Photo: AP)

Washington, United States: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to discuss with US President-elect Donald Trump ways to get rid of the Iran nuclear deal, he said in an interview to be broadcast Sunday.

"I think what options we have are much more than you think. Many more," Netanyahu said in the interview with CBS's "60 minutes."

Netanyahu gave no details on what he will be proposing when he meets with Trump, but minimized the downside of Washington backing out of an accord that includes other world powers, including its European allies.

"There are ways, various ways of undoing it," he said. "I have about five things in my mind."

Netanyahu has been an ardent opponent of the 2015 agreement, which places curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from US and other international sanctions.

He alienated the administration of outgoing President Barack Obama by denouncing it in an address to a joint meeting of the US Congress.

Trump has criticized the nuclear agreement as a "disastrous deal," but has stopped short of saying he would rip it up, instead suggesting he would renegotiate or dismantle it.

His pick for defense secretary, retired general James Mattis, considered a hawk on Iran, has advocated working closely with allies to enforce its terms.
Washington: President-elect Donald Trump on Monday blasted the F-35 stealth fighter, saying the cost is too high for the aircraft, said to be the most expensive military weapon systems in history.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th," Trump said on Twitter, as Defence Secretary Ash Carter was in Israel to celebrate delivery of the country's first two of the Lockheed Martin fighters.

The US aerospace company has a $1.5 trillion contract through 2070 for the latest generation of the fighter jets, at a cost of about $100 million each.

The US Air Force declared the fighter "battle ready," in August, after reports of cost overruns and delays.

Lockheed Martin stock was down 2.5% in pre-market trading.

Trump has frequently turned to Twitter to vent his outrage from anything from critiques of Saturday Night Live, a weekly comedy-variety television show, to attacking Boeing for the cost of designing a new version of Air Force One, the presidential plane.
'I don't want China dictating to me,' said Trump as he made a vehement defense of his recent phone conversation with the president of Taiwan. (Photo: AP)

Washington: President-elect Donald Trump questioned in an interview broadcast Sunday whether the United States should continue its "one China policy" unless Beijing makes concessions on trade and other issues, threatening to upend decades of Sino-American diplomacy.

"I don't want China dictating to me," Trump said as he made a vehement defense of his recent phone conversation with the president of Taiwan.

"I don't know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," he added in the interview with Fox News Sunday.

He was responding to a question about taking a call earlier this month from Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, a self-ruling island that Beijing considers a rogue province awaiting unification.

It was a break from decades of US diplomatic tradition that recognizes Beijing as the sole representative of China, an understanding that has been a cornerstone of the relationship between the countries since Richard Nixon went to China in 1972.

From trade to Taiwan

Trump also repeated earlier accusations that China is manipulating its currency, saying "we're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation."

He piled on the criticism in other hot-button areas: "With taxing us at the borders when we don't tax them -- with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea -- which they shouldn't be doing."

Concerning nuclear weapons, Trump argued that China as North Korea's main patron "could solve that problem."

"Frankly, they're not helping us at all with North Korea," he said.

Trump said it would have been disrespectful not to take the call from Tsai, who he said wanted to congratulate him on his election win.

The real estate magnate said he had had just a couple hours' notice that the call from Taiwan was coming, not weeks or longer as has been reported.

"It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" Trump asked.

Official reaction from Beijing has been muted so far, but state-controlled media have savaged the president-elect.

"Provoking friction and messing up China-US relations won't help 'make America great again,'" read a front-page opinion piece last week in the overseas edition of Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily.

Heartland diplomacy

But Trump has also made moves to assuage Chinese ire by tapping Iowa Governor Terry Branstad -- who has links to Chinese President Xi Jinping dating back to the mid-1980s -- as ambassador to Beijing.

Xi visited Branstad's state in 1985 as the leader of an agricultural research delegation, and the two men have stayed in touch as Xi ascended to the Chinese presidency.

Branstad has overseen the growth of Iowa's farm exports to China, notably soybeans, soar into the billions.

China called the governor "an old friend" after hearing reports of the nomination.

Branstad will likely have to walk a fine line in his new role, experts said.

It is difficult to imagine the United States not taking some sort of trade action against China in 2017, "on currency or subsidies or cyber-theft of intellectual property," said Derek Scissors, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and an expert on US-China relations.

Even if such action is limited, "Branstad would then need to smooth ruffled feathers, where his relationship with Xi should help," Scissors said.
It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump, who is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week, said that he does not need to receive intelligence briefings on a daily basis. He further stated that he gets the briefings only when he needs it.

I dont have to be told  you know, Im, like, a smart person. I dont have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day, Trump said in an interview with the Fox News.

President-elects in the past have welcomed the opportunity to receive the President's Daily Brief (PDB), the most highly classified and closely held document in the government, on a regular basis.

It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently, or whether that has made any difference in his presidential preparations.

An official on the transition team said on Thursday that Trump has been receiving national security briefings, including "routine" PDBs and other special briefings, but declined to specify their content or frequency, saying these matters were classified.

Trump has asked for at least one briefing, and possibly more, from intelligence agencies on specific subjects, one of the officials said. The source declined to identify what subjects interested the president-elect, but said that so far they have not included Russia or Iran.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump's vice president-elect, has been receiving his own PDB at least six days a week, the sources familiar with the matter said.
Parents Nicole Marie Finn and Joseph Michael Finn (inset top left), the house where the children were kept (inset bottom left) and Natalie Finn (right). (Photo: Facebook)

Des Moines, Iowa: Natalie Finn, 16, from Iowa died of starvation and lack of proper medical health care, after her parents allegedly kept her captive and tortured her.

According to the Polk County Medical Examiners Office, Finn, of West Des Moines, died of emaciation, possibly due to the lack of adequate food and lack of critical care.

Both the parents, Nicole Marie Finn, 42, and Joseph Michael Finn, 45, have been booked under suspicion of her death and have been charged with first-degree kidnapping, child endangerment causing serious injury and neglect of a dependent person. The mother has also been charged with murder in first degree and child endangerment causing death.

Court reports, according to the Daily Mail UK, stated that Nicole Finn killed her daughter intentionally, wilfully, deliberately, with premeditation and malice aforethought.

Natalie was not the only one. Along with her, the parents also kept two of her siblings, a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, inside the house at Des Moines, in confinement.

The complaints registered against the accused parents also note that substantial physical and mental harm was caused due to the lack of proper food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and supervision, which in Natalies case caused her death.

The police started investigating the family after an emergency call was made when Natalie was suffering a cardiac arrest. It was found by them that along with the three children listed, the Finns also have two other children. The eldest of the two children is about to turn 23, while the other is 15-years-old.

Natalie was a student of Walnut Creek Campus School, but she had not been enrolled in 2016, WLBZ2 reported.

The childrens well-being came under question five months prior to this incident, when one of the neighbours reported that Natalie would wear the same clothes for several days and would smell due to the lack of hygiene. She would even ask for food from neighbours for herself and her siblings.
Beijing: China on Monday warned US President-elect Donald Trump that bilateral ties will be damaged if he "compromised" with 'one-China policy' by giving weightage to Taiwan, the strongest public condemnation by Beijing against his criticism of America's long-standing policy towards the self-governing island.

"Adherence to one-China principle is the political bedrock of the China-US relations. If it is compromised or disrupted, the sound and steady growth of China-US relationship as well as bilateral cooperation in major field would be out of question," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang told a media briefing here while reacting to Trumps comments.

"Chinese side has noted the relevant report and (is) seriously concerned about that," Geng said.

China's comments came a day after Trump in a television interview questioned the relevance of continuing the 'One-China' policy if Beijing refuses to make any concessions on trade.

The US since 1979 has respected China's stance on Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province. But Trump said without concessions from China, he did not see why it should continue.

Replying to a spate of questions over Trump's comments, the first such by US leader on Taiwan in recent years, Geng said, "I want to stress that Taiwan question has a bearing on Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is related to Chinas core interests."

But despite stern reaction with strong words, China has not lodged any diplomatic protest unlike few days back when Trump riled Beijing by holding telephone talk with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, which was an unprecedented move as no US leader has done it so far.

Geng said China wants that the new US administration and its leadership fully recognise the sensitivity of the Taiwan question, stick to One-China policy as well as principles established by the three joint communiques between China and US and properly deal with the Taiwan related questions in a prudent manner so as not to disrupt or damage over all interests of the bilateral relationship.

The Chinese protest reportedly infuriated Trump further as on Sunday night he came out with even sterner comments hinting that he may alter US' decades old adherence to One-China policy by having low key back channel relationship with Taiwan.

He also said China was not cooperating with the US on its handling of its currency, on North Korea, or on tensions in the South China Sea.

About his phone call with Tsai, Trump said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan's leader.

"I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call". I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," he had said.

Significantly the US President-elect's provocative comments came after China's State Councillor and top diplomat Yang Jiechi for the first time met Michael Flynn, who is Trump's nominee for the post of National Security Adviser.

Acknowledging the meeting in New York, Geng said the two sides exchanged views on mutual concern and bilateral ties.

While Trump's phone call with Tsai surprised China, his comments came as a shock raising concerns over how relations between the top two world economies will pan out in the Trump administration as China too is flexing muscles under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, regarded as the most powerful Chinese leader after Mao Zedong.

A commentary by state-run Xinhua news agency said the 'One-China' policy is part of the consensus that Chinese government and successive US administrations have honoured over past decades.

"No country is willing to bargain over core national interests, and China is no exception. China views the One China principle as a bottom line and there is no room for any compromise," it said.

The commentary said that China can be a principal partner in cooperation with the new US administration, provided it respects China's "core interests".

"Differences can also be managed by the two sides in a constructive manner," it said.

"The world is watching Trump as he prepares to assume office. The new US administration needs to be rational and respectful, rather than impulsive," it said.

"A country must be responsible for its commitments to other countries, and despite the change of government, the new US administration should act in accordance with the current framework of China-US ties, rather than ignoring it in an impulsive and self-deceiving way," Xinhua said.

Hitting out at Trump for his comments, China's hawkish tabloid Global Times said he might use the One China policy, "the cornerstone of Sino-US relations, as a bargaining chip to peddle America's short-term interests."

"With Trump's new remarks on Taiwan, many people marvelled at Trump's commercial thinking and naivety for diplomacy. The One China policy has gone through the ages since the Richard Nixon administration. In addition, the policy has become a fundamental principle of international order. Leaders all around the world, including US leaders, understand the importance of the policy," it said.

"Trump is naive to think he can use the One China policy as a bargaining chip to win economic benefits from China," it said in an editorial.

"Eventually, those who advocate Taiwan independence will tremble. Taiwanese authorities may regret to being a pawn of Trump and his radical policies. And Tsai will refuse to answer Trump's call some day. Nothing is impossible if the Trump administration goes too far," it said.

"One China policy is not for selling. Trump thinks that everything can be valued and, as long as his leverage is strong enough, he can sell or buy. If a price can be put on the US Constitution, will the American people sell their country's constitution and implement the political systems of Saudi Arabia or Singapore?" the editorial said.

The daily warned that the 'One-China' policy has maintained peace and prosperity in Taiwan, and, if abandoned, cross-Straits ties would see a real storm.

"China would introduce a series of new Taiwan polices, and may not prioritise peaceful reunification over a military takeover if Trump insisted on his provocations," it said.
Beijing: Describing India's $1 billion aid to Mongolia as a "bribe", China's official media, on Monday, said that there may be "endless trouble" in Sino-India ties if New Delhi viewed China's cargo service with Nepal as a threat to the sale of Indian goods.

Highlighting China's efforts to step up rail-road connectivity with Nepal, an article in the state-run Global Times said India is also boosting its relations with China's neighbour Mongolia with a USD one billion "bribe".

It emphasised that India reportedly said last week that it would help Mongolia use $1 billion of aid offered in 2015 to overcome its current financial and economic crisis after Mongolia sought clear support from India against 'China's blockade', in reaction to the visit of the Dalai Lama to Ulaanbaatar.

"China won't be overly sensitive about India's cooperation with Mongolia, and won't mistake India's assistance as a counter to China," the article said.

"Mongolia's economy is highly dependent on China, with more than 90 percent of its imports and exports traded directly with China. As such, China's influence on Mongolia's economy cannot be replaced by India in the short run, and efforts will be in vain if India attempts to 'bribe' Mongolia's loyalty with only USD one billion," it said.

The $1 billion credit line was offered to Mongolia during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in May, 2015, which is expected to be availed by Ulaanbaatar.

Defending the new rail-road cargo route via Tibet to Nepal which launched on Friday, the article said it will boost trade with Nepal as China pushes forward with its Belt and Road (Silk Road) initiative.

Last Friday, dozens of trucks carrying USD 2.8 million worth of products such as clothes, appliances, electronics and building materials left the Chinese border for their destination in Nepal. The new rail and road cargo service, links Guangdong, Tibet and Nepal, official media reported.

"But the move doesn't mean that Chinese goods will push Indian products out of the country. In fact, when it comes to cooperation with other countries, both China and India should refrain from excessive sensitivity," the article said.

"Additionally, in May, China started a rail and road cargo service to the South Asian country as a means to shorten the time spent in sea transport," it said.

"There may be endless trouble in the future if India views efforts to facilitate the export of goods from China's enterprises as a potential threat to the sale of India-made products in Nepal," it added.

Last week, another article in the same daily had warned Mongolia that, "It is even more politically harebrained to ask for support from India, a move that will only complicate the situation and leave a narrower space to sort the issue out. We hope the crisis-hit Mongolia will learn its lessons."

Mentioning the construction of a new railway line, the article stated, "Strategic suspicion has prompted some people to overly interpreted China and India's respective cooperation with another country," it said.

"China is likely to welcome India to expand its influence through more active participation in regional economic affairs to promote positive development of areas around China. Hopefully India could also adopt an open-minded attitude toward China's cooperation with South Asian countries," it added.
Tokyo denied anything was fired during the encounter, and said it had protested to Beijing over the allegation. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Tokyo: Japan has lashed out at China over claims its fighter jets obstructed Beijing's military aircraft, saying the allegation was "clearly untrue".

China's defence ministry said two Japanese F-15s launched "decoy flares" in international airspace over the East China Sea on Saturday, actions it called "dangerous and unprofessional".

Tokyo denied anything was fired during the encounter, and said it had protested to Beijing over the allegation.

"It is extremely regrettable that the Chinese defence ministry one-sidedly made a clearly untrue announcement," Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Sunday.

The two countries intermittently spar over claims of air and sea misconduct in and above the waters of the East China Sea, where they are engaged in a row over the ownership of uninhabited islands.

China did not give details about its manoeuvres, but said its aircraft had been carrying out "routine far seas training" when they passed through the Miyako Strait in the Okinawan chain.

The strait is a pinch point in Japan-China relations because it is one of the few egresses into the Pacific Ocean for Chinese ships and aircraft that avoid Japanese airspace.

Beijing's growing military is keen to flex its muscles and push further afield as it develops a "blue seas" navy capable of operating far from home waters, but is hemmed in by the Japanese archipelago.
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.
Bangkok: Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued a mass prisoner pardon, a first act of "mercy" as monarch as he reaches out to his subjects following the death of his beloved father.

Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October aged 88 after a seven-decade reign, leaving the politically febrile nation without its unifying figure.

His only son, 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, was proclaimed king in early December.

But the thrice-divorced monarch is yet to draw the same level of devotion from a public well-versed in rumours over his private life.

The prisoner pardon was Vajiralongkorn's "first chance since he succeeded the throne to show the king's mercy", according to a statement published Sunday in palace mouthpiece the Royal Gazette. Pardons were annual events under Bhumibol.

Women jailed for first offences, some inmates who have served one third of their sentences, and prisoners with disabilities or serious illness were among those pardoned. The decree did not say how many prisoners will be freed.

Ritual, propaganda and law underpin the status of Thailand's monarchy. Thai schoolchildren are taught the primacy of the institution, while huge portraits of key royals adorn virtually every main street.

Like his father, Vajiralongkorn is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law that carries up to 15 years in jail per charge. That has embedded a culture of self-censorship across the media, academia and the arts.

The prisoner pardons follow a slew of public appearances by the new king, whose four decades as designated heir were characterised by publicity-shyness and long trips overseas.

Since he was proclaimed King Rama X, the new monarch has offered flood relief, opened a town hall and been honoured in a video tribute played in cinemas.
In a move set to be imposed at Cambridge University too, students hope the use of gender neutral pronouns will be extended to lectures and seminars. (Photo: Pixabay)

London: Oxford University wants students to use the gender neutral "ze" instead of "he" or "she" when addressing fellow students.

One of the world's leading educational institutions has outlined the new guidelines in a students' union leaflet as part of a move to prevent transgender students being offended, The Sunday Times reported.

Deliberately using the wrong pronoun for a transgender person is already an offence under Oxford's behaviour code.

In a move set to be imposed at Cambridge University too, students hope the use of gender neutral pronouns will be extended to lectures and seminars.

"Gender neutral pronouns are good...It should happen in lectures, too," said Franky Sissons, a transgender student at King's College, University of Cambridge.

Last month, an Oxford college became one of the first to introduce gender-neutral lavatories marked with a new symbol.

St Catherine's College, which hopes the move will be replicated across the university, unveiled the new lavatories with a sign combining the familiar scientific symbols for male and female.
Beirut: A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says the unwillingness of the United States to work with Moscow in Syria contributed to the loss of the ancient city of Palmyra to the Islamic State group.

Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday that "the US does not want to cooperate," adding that "cooperation would have probably allowed us to more effectively avoid such attacks from terrorists."

Syrian troops aided by Russian airstrikes drove IS from Palmyra in March, but the militants stormed back into the city over the weekend, forcing the army to retreat despite a wave of Russian airstrikes.

The Syrian government and Russia had been focused on Aleppo, where they are close to defeating rebels that have held the eastern half of the northern city for four years.

Peskov said many of the IS fighters involved in the Palmyra assault had recently left the Iraqi city of Mosul, where US-backed Iraqi forces have been waging a nearly two-month-old offensive against the militants.
A group of civilians pass close to the body of an Islamic State militant. (Photo: AP)

Aleppo, Syria: The Syrian army captured a major district of Aleppo on Monday from rebel fighters, now confined to a small pocket of their former bastion in the city's east.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces held more than 90% of the one-time opposition stronghold, a monitor said, and appeared on the verge of retaking the whole city.

The fall of Aleppo would deal rebels their worst blow since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported early on Monday that the army had captured the large Sheikh Saeed district in southeast Aleppo, leaving only two neighbourhoods under opposition control.

"The areas still under opposition control are very small, and they could fall at any moment," said Rami Abdel Rahman, the Director of the Britain-based Observatory.

"The battle for Aleppo has begun to enter the final phase," he said.

Syrian official media confirmed the army had recaptured Sheikh Saeed, with state television showing what it said was live footage from the neighbourhood.

Overnight and into Monday morning, government warplanes and artillery pounded the remaining rebel-held territory in the east of the city.

A correspondent in the government-held west of Aleppo said the bombardment could be heard from there and was some of the heaviest in recent days.

Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on November 15.

Thousands more flee

The Observatory said, Monday another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left - mostly to government-held territory - to 130,000.

On Sunday alone, state news agency SANA said, 8,000 people fled rebel districts through government-run crossings.

It said approximately half were transferred to temporary shelters, while the rest were staying with relatives in west Aleppo.

Syria's rebels seized control of east Aleppo in 2012, a year into an uprising that began with anti-government protests but spiralled into a civil war after a regime crackdown.

The war has become a complex multi-front conflict, drawing in proxy powers and jihadists like the Islamic State group, which on Sunday overran the city of Palmyra nine months after being expelled.

IS began a new offensive in the desert east of Homs province last week, seizing government positions and oil fields before advancing on Palmyra.

It was briefly forced back from the city early Sunday, after heavy Russian air strikes and the arrival of Syrian troop reinforcements.

But despite the efforts, the Observatory said Sunday afternoon that the group had recaptured all of the city.

IS held Palmyra between May 2015 and March 2016, carrying out a campaign of destruction against ancient ruins in the city that are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On Monday, the jihadists were advancing south and west of Palmyra, fighting fierce clashes with the army near the town of Al-Qaryatain, the monitor said, as Russian warplanes carried out fresh strikes.

Dramatic situation

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, and over half the country displaced.

The government assault on Aleppo has killed at least 413 civilians since mid-November, according to the Observatory. Another 139 civilians have been killed in rebel fire on the west of the city in the same period, it says.

The UN children's agency said Sunday that all children in Aleppo were suffering from trauma.

"I have never seen in my life such a dramatic situation (as) what is happening to children in Aleppo," said Radoslaw Rzehak, UNICEF's field office head inside the devastated city.

Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict have repeatedly failed.

Russia last week said talks were underway with US officials on securing a ceasefire in Aleppo and the withdrawal of all rebel forces from the city.

But despite a series of high-level meetings there was no progress in halting the fighting.

Experts say the government's recapture of Aleppo appeared to be only a matter of time.

"We're now past the point where the opposition has any hope of pulling things back," said Yezid Sayigh, a Senior Associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.

Assad "will have in effect broken the back of the armed opposition... and the idea that the regime can be overcome militarily will be finally put to rest.
Islamabad: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Monday, said certain elements have "distorted" Islam's image by spreading anarchy and bloodshed and appealed to religious scholars to play their role in elimination of root causes of extremism in the society.

He was addressing the National Seerat Conference in Lahore, which was organized to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammad.

Sharif said Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance and "it is regrettable that certain elements have distorted this very image by spreading anarchy and bloodshed," Radio Pakistan reported.

He pointed out that due to the efforts and sacrifices of the national leadership, religious scholars, armed forces and police, the hideouts of the terrorists have almost been eliminated.

"It is the responsibility of religious scholars to re-establish the link between Islam and peace by taking guidance from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet," he said.

Sharif said respect of humanity and human life is the inevitable part of Islamic teachings and the holy Prophet Mohammad laid the foundation of a society based on high moral values.

Quoting different incidents from the life of holy Prophet, the Prime Minister said the Prophet gave first written constitution in the form of Misaq-e-Madina and also the first charter of human rights in his last Hajj Sermon. Sharif said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal had envisioned Pakistan as a modern Islamic state.

The theme of the conference was "Interfaith harmony in light of the teaching of Islam and life of Prophet Mohammad" and it was attended by scholars belonging to different religions.

The objective of the Conference is to highlight the glorious teachings of the final messenger of Allah, Mohammad and disseminate the peace message of Islam all over the world.
Beijing: India's diplomatic efforts to get China's backing for NSG membership bid and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN seems to be making no headway with Beijing on Monday saying its stand on the two key issues "remains unchanged".

"As for India's application for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), China's position remains unchanged," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing.

His assertion that China's stand remains unchanged on both NSG and Azhar issues was made while answering a question on Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's remarks at an India-China think tank forum in New Delhi last week when he said China should not give a political colour to New Delhi's efforts to access civilian nuclear technology.

Jaishankar had also expressed dismay over the two countries not being able to come together on the issue of "fundamentalist terrorism" at critical international forums, a reference to China blocking India's bid to get Azhar banned by the UN.

China's second 'technical hold' on Azhar's banning in UN is due to expire at the end of this month and the two countries are in talks on both the NSG and Azhar issues.

Officials here are not clear about the complex process of the UN 1267 committee where China, a veto-wielding member, has blocked India's application twice already, while the rest of the members supported it.

On Jaishankar's remarks that China should respect each other's legitimate aspirations, Geng said as major developing countries it is natural that two countries need not see eye to eye on every issue.

"Thanks to the concerted efforts of China and India the strategic cooperation between the two sides have made all round progress," he said.

"The two sides have been moving toward establishing a more closely knit strategic partnership for cooperation. As two major developing countries it is only natural for us to not see eye to eye on all issues, but the mainstream of the bilateral relationship is cooperation and the two of us are staying in communication on relevant issues," he said.

The Chinese side is looking to work together with the Indian side to expand bilateral mutual beneficial cooperation and manage differences based on consensus reached by leaders of both countries, he said.

On the US Congress clearing the decks for India to become a Major Defence Partner of America, Geng gave a guarded reaction saying that both America and India are important countries.

"We welcome normal state to state relationship between different countries. We hope that the bilateral relationship and cooperation will be conducive to regional peace and development," he said.
Islamabad: Javed Khanani, a director of Javed Khanani and Kalia International (KKI) money changers, died after reportedly falling from an under construction building in Karachi, according to the Dawn newspaper. However, according to some media reports Khanani reportedly committed suicide.

Khanani and partner Munaf Kalia were arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in November 2008. While looking into a complaint lodged against one of their franchises, authorities discovered a parallel money transfer system being operated by KKI for illegally transferring money out of the country.

The case sparked speculations that the KKI was largely responsible for the massive flight of capital from Pakistan, putting serious pressure on the exchange rate and prompting an emergency appeal from the government to the International Monetary Fund.

Their company reportedly carried out 40 per cent of all money exchange transactions in the country at the time, according to the FIA officials connected with the investigation.

Javeds brother, Altaf Khanani, pleaded guilty to money laundering charges before a United States court in November 2016 and was facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison plus a fine of $2,50,000, the Dawn reported.
The severe cyclonic storm Vardah will make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh on Monday.



Both the coastal states have put in place a number of measures to deal with the storm. Tamil Nadu has announced a holiday for educational institutions in four districts.



The Regional Meteorological Centre said Vardah lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 2.30 am on Sunday and would move westwards, and make landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by Monday

afternoon.



Under its impact, rain will start on Sunday night and gradually increase on Monday in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, said Director of Area

Cyclone Warning Centre S Balachandran.



On December 12, heavy to very heavy rain is likely in some places in these districts, he said, adding strong winds could gust up to 80-90 kph.



The sea would be rough, he said, and asked fishermen not to venture into the waters for the next 48 hours.



Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting with the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority, which also asked the armed forces to be on standby.



A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides the coastal taluks of Viluppuram.



They should take necessary steps for ensuring the safety of their students, especially hostel inmates, and their water and food requirements, stated an official release, detailing the discussions the chief minister had with his senior officials,

including Chief Secretary B Ramamohana Rao.



Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation via a teleconference with collectors and top officials.



He directed them to be alert and undertake necessary rescue and relief efforts in view of the cyclone threat. Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities, he said.



Take all steps to prevent loss of lives and to minimise damages to crops and property, Naidu told the officials.



The Tamil Nadu government also asked private establishments and undertakings in these districts and Viluppuram to allow their staff to avail a holiday or work from home.



Panneerselvam gave instructions for the appointment of senior IAS officials as monitoring officers for these districts to oversee and monitor cyclone-related works, it said.



Arrangements will be made for evacuating people in low lying and vulnerable areas. Relief centres to be kept in readiness along with necessary food, water and other arrangements. The army, navy, air force and coast guard have been alerted to be on standby, it said.


Severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' spared Andhra Pradesh from any major destruction today but heavy rains in Chittoor and SPS Nellore districts affected normal life under its influence even as official machinery continues to be on alert with forecast of heavy downpour in next 24 hours in at least four districts.





Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district were evacuated to relief camps earlier in the day as 'Vardah' was set to make landfall between Sriharikota and Chennai. The severe cyclonic storm finally made a landfall near Chennai in evening.



As many as 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who strayed into the Bay of Bengal yesterday despite warnings, were rescued near the Sriharikota high altitude range in afternoon.



Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in evening that Andhra Pradesh was

ready to extend all necessary help to neighbouring Tamil Nadu that bore the brunt of 'Vardah'.



He asked the state officials to speak to their Tamil Nadu counterparts and provide required assistance.



With forecast of heavy rains for the next 24 hours in Nellore, Chittoor, Prakasam and Anantapuramu districts, the official machinery has been asked to remain on alert, mostly to prevent breach of tanks.



Temple town Tirupati and Tirumala Hills received heavy rainfall as also Nellore town, paralysing normal life.



The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao, who has been monitoring the situation, asked the temple staff to ensure pilgrims visiting the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara did not face any inconvenience.



He also put the TTD engineering and forest wings on alert to ensure traffic movement on the two ghat roads to Tirumala was not affected because of heavy rain.



Heavy rain, coupled with gale, disrupted power supply in seven mandals in Chittoor and Nellore districts as electricity poles were uprooted.



Sullurpeta town and 11 villages in the mandal suffered complete power outage even as the AP Southern Power Distribution Company personnel swung into action to carry out restoration works on a war footing.



The CM held a teleconference with all officials concerned and directed them to ensure all repair works to the power systems were completed at the earliest.



An oil tanker overturned at Sullurpeta this afternoon because of heavy rain and wind, causing an oil spill and traffic disruption on the national highway. By evening, however, the overturned tanker was removed and the road cleared.



Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is camping in Nellore to oversee the rescue and relief operations, said in afternoon that Vakadu and Tada received 4.8 and 3 cms of rain respectively, since today morning.



"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," he said.
A woman driver has clocked up what is believed to be the longest Uber ride on record when a customer who wanted to meet her boyfriend undertook a nearly 650 km-long journey from Virginia to Brooklyn.



Uber driver Janis Rogers picked up the customer from Williamsburg, Virginia, and drove her nearly eight hours and 644 km to Brooklyn, New York. The average Uber ride of 8.7 km.



After reaching Brooklyn, the 64-year-old driver turned right around and drove back to her home in Newport News, Virginia. Even more impressive, she did it all without stopping to use the restroom. "I was wide awake and kept on going. I don't have a problem with going for a long time," Rogers was quoted as saying by the New York Post.



The journey was undertaken in June and is believed to be the longest Uber ride on record. The bill for the gruelling over 600 km, 7-hour-42-minute ride, however, was just USD 294.09.



A New York City yellow cab making the same trip in reverse would cost USD 1,182, the report said. Rogers said she was happy for the long-distance haul. She said her passenger looked "about 19 or 20" with "long brown hair".

"She was pretty. She was sitting outside with a suitcase and a bag. I did not get her name. I think she had been Ubering up the coast," he said.

Rogers said that when the stranger got in the car she asked, "How far north can you take me?"



"I said, 'Well, I'm not doing too much today, so I'll take you all the way. 'Really? That would be great', she said," according to Rogers. The woman then curled up in a blanket Rogers keeps in the back seat of her 2005 Prius and "slept the entire way".



Though she took the rigourous journey to meet her boyfriend, Rogers said, "She didn't seem excited to see her boyfriend. She was kind of blase. She looked tired."



Rogers reached her Putnam Avenue destination by nightfall. The two said good bye -- no tip was offered -- and she turned right around and drove back to Virginia.



Rogers, who didn't even own a cellphone before joining Uber in May, did not make much money on the longest ride.



After driving 15 and a half hours round-trip and spending USD 32 for gas and tolls (she did not spend a dime on food or drinks), the trip earned her about USD 9 per hour. "This was not lucrative. I did it because it was an adventure," she said.
Yury Azhichakov, a retired ecological engineer, set out early by bike for Senogda Bay, his favourite beach, on the northwestern shore of Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia.





The worlds oldest, deepest and most voluminous lake, Baikal holds 20% of the planets unfrozen freshwater. It is often described as the worlds cleanest lake. As Yury discovered, that is no longer the case. Senogdas once pristine sands were buried under thick mats of reeking greenish-black goo.



The muck, scientists have discovered, follows mass algal blooms at dozens of sites around Lake Baikals 1,240-mile perimeter. Confined to shallow water and shores near towns and villages, the problem seems to stem from an influx of untreated sewage  the result of inadequate wastewater treatment. Algal blooms threaten iconic freshwater bodies around the world. But Lake Baikal is especially precious: a World

Heritage site home to more than 3,700 species, more than half found nowhere else.



Extensive damage



People are dumping sewage, waste and rubbish around the lake, creating pretty appalling conditions in some places, said Anson MacKay, an environmental scientist at University College London, United Kingdom. Runoff from fertilisers and other pollutants leads to so-called eutrophication, an excessive growth of algae. These blooms eventually deplete the water of oxygen, suffocating aquatic plants and animals.



Russian scientists had assumed that Lake Baikal is simply too vast to suffer such a fate, but recent growth in tourism and development seem to be changing the calculus. We have a saying in Russia: A clever person is trained on the mistakes of others, said Oleg Timoshkin, a biologist at the Russian Academy of Sciences Limnological Institute in Irkutsk, 40 miles from Baikals southwestern shore. Unfortunately, were now repeating the mistakes of so many other countries.



Oleg and his colleagues have found that Spirogyra, a type of green algae that had rarely grown in Lake Baikals shallow zones, accounts for the outbreaks. In Severobaikalsk, the researchers traced Spirogyra blooms to locations downstream of the towns wastewater facility, as well as to an illegal sewage dumping site.



The researchers also found little difference in phosphorus and nitrogen content in treated and untreated water entering the lake. And, as it turned out, Russian Railways had been adding industrial-grade waste to the towns sewage system, overwhelming it. Despite remedial action, high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in Severobaikalsks wastewater persist even today, and fecal bacteria in treated wastewater have turned up at various sites around Lake Baikal. Olegs team is trying to figure out which nutrients are fueling Spirogyras growth.



Intervention is vital



Spirogyra smothers other species of algae, and thousands of empty snail shells regularly wash up alongside the blooms. But the damage is more extensive. Underwater forests of native Lake Baikal sponges have begun dying off. In nearly 90 dives around the lake, researchers have found that 30 to 100% of sponges are affected in a given area. The cause of death is unknown,

although Oleg and his colleagues suspect that pathogens from sewage may be

causing disease outbreaks, or that the influx of nutrients is causing symbiotic algae to vacate the sponges. Without intervention, the researchers believe that the environmental damage will worsen.



Earlier this year, Oleg and his colleagues also published their findings in The Journal of Great Lakes Research. They are calling for an immediate ban on synthetic detergents and for help from the federal government in reforming sewage facilities around the lake. But such fixes will probably be slow to come. Some government officials and academics insist that the problems are caused by climate change, not pollution.



Russias Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has yet to formally acknowledge that the lakes health is in question at all. One of the tragedies of Baikal is that top-level, senior scientists who are themselves never on a field expedition mistakenly believe that the lake can never be eutrophied because it is too huge, too pure and full of too much water, Oleg said. Its an easy idea to have, but its wrong.



Eutrophication, however, is not the only threat to Lake Baikal. Mongolia is planning to build up to eight hydroelectric dams on River Selenga and its tributaries, the source of 50% of Lake Baikals surface water. Despite hearings and protests in Russia and Mongolia, the Mongolian government argues that the dams will help achieve energy independence. Researchers predict that Mongolias dams would have significant ecological effects on Lake Baikal, including disrupting the flow of water and sediment into the lake, effecting the quality of breeding sites for birds and fish, and blocking migration routes.



Heeding such warnings, China, which is funding the largest of the projects, froze all dam construction until Mongolia and Russia jointly assess potential effects. This is important, but just a small step in the right direction, Eugene Simonov, an international coordinator with the nonprofit Rivers Without Boundaries Coalition said.




After the boardroom battle, its time for the investors to take over. Starting from Wednesday, extraordinary general meetings (EGMs) of major listed as well as unlisted Tata Group companies are set to vote for or against the removal of Cyrus Mistry as a director.





Tata Consultancy Services, which had announced the nomination of Ishaat Hussain as the chairman of the board of directors of TCS in place of Cyrus Mistry, will commence the long list of EGMs.



TCS EGM will be followed by the EGMs of Indian Hotels, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Chemicals and Tata Power. State-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will be one of the key players in the EGMs as they are a key shareholder in many of the Tata Group companies.



Both Ratan Tata, the interim chairman of Tata Sons and Mistry, the ousted chairman of Tata Sons, have been writing to shareholders requesting their support.



New leadership



If the current situation has caused you uncertainty in recent weeks, it is our firm resolve to focus the group on growth through the induction of new leadership which is currently underway, Tata had said in a letter to the shareholders on December 7.

As a long-standing partner in the Tata Group companies, we seek your support of the EGM resolutions to enable our companies to continue on the path of growth and value creation, as they have done over their long-standing past history, the letter said.



The Tata Group is no ones personal fiefdom: it does not belong to any individual, not to the trustees of Tata Trusts, not to the Tata Sons directors, and not to the directors of the operating companies, Mistry had said in an address to shareholders of Tata Group companies.



It belongs to all stakeholders, including everyone of you. I, therefore, urge all of you to think beyond the here and now. I urge you to have your voice heard loud and clear. I ask you to be a part of defining the future, Mistry said.



EGMscalled for



December 13: TCS EGM (For removal as Director)

December 14: Tata Teleservices EGM

December 20: Indian Hotels EGM

December 21: Tata Steel EGM (For removal as Director)

December 22: Tata Motors EGM

December 23: Tata Chemicals EGM

December 26: Tata Power EGM




Launching a fresh attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Amit Shah today asked him to shed his "Italian glasses" and switch to "Indian" ones to see the development taking place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.





"Rahul baba questions what the BJP government has done in last two-and-half years. Rahul baba you spend more time on vacation therefore you do not have the news. Your glass is Italian-made. Switch to Indian glasses, then it will be clearly evident that India is changing," he said addressing a massive gathering of party workers at Science College grounds here.



Shah was in town to participate in an event to mark the completion of 13 years of the Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh.



In an apparent dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the BJP president said the party has provided a Prime Minister who can speak.



"Rahul baba asked what we have done? Let me answer the first thing, we have given a prime minster who speaks. You (Rahul) had given us a prime minster whose voice was never heard by people of the country, except by you and your mother (in a reference to Sonia Gandhi).



"We have given a prime minister who considers problem of people as personal," he said.



Shah said BJP has provided a "clean and transparent" government and not a single accusation of corruption could be levelled against it by the opposition, in contrast to the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government "which was involved in corruption to the tune of Rs 12 lakh crore in its ten-year rule."



"In just two-and-a-half year tenure of the NDA government, Prime Minister Modi has launched 92 welfare schemes for the benefit of poor and ensured that implementation of these schemes takes place properly across the country.



"..Congress and other opposition parties used to raise question what the BJP government has done against black money, but after November 8 (when demonetisation was announced) they are asking why such strong step was taken," Shah said.



Continuing his tirade against the Opposition, the BJP chief said, "During the last 60-year rule of Congress a disease called black money had paralysed the country, but with one strike Modi has not only wiped out the disease, but its consequences like corruption, terrorism and naxalism."



Referring to the demonetisation decision and its aftermath, Shah said the PM was "pained" to see people standing in queues outside banks.



"But if any operation is done to cure the disease, the pain persists for some days," he said.

The BJP leader said the economy had suffered "paralysis of black money" during the last 60-year rule of Congress, "which is not possible to be cured without demonetisation operation."



He said black money received by the government after demonetisation will be used for the welfare of farmers, dalits, tribals, women and backward classes.



"The war against black money will continue," Shah said.



Accusing the Congress of "insulting martyrs", Shah said, "During tenure of the UPA government, Army had to wait for permission from Delhi to retaliate against firing on the border from Pakistan side.



"But after the NDA government came to power, even if a single bullet is fired from the border it is retaliated by our Army by firing shells. Brave soldiers have taken revenge for their slain colleagues in Uri by giving a befitting reply to Pakistan through surgical strike," he said.



Shah said Chief Minister Raman Singh and his team have brought a "bimaru" state like Chhattisgarh in the frontline among the developed states in the country.



"In 2004, the BJP government under Raman Singh came to power and since then the state has achieved new heights of development right from rural to urban areas. As BJP does politics based on performance and not on caste, the party has registered consecutive victories in different states," he said.



Shah said BJP would definitely win the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections in 2018.

Earlier, he inaugurated late Nanaji Deshmukh Granthalaya (central library) at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the BJP's state headquarters in the capital.
Expressing concern over the ongoing blockade of a national highway, the Centre has warned that obstruction anywhere in the country is a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity.





Over a month ago, the United Naga Council had called for a road blockade on NH-2 and NH-37 to protest the Manipur governments move to carve separate districts out of Jiribam and Sadar Hills, without consulting the Naga inhabitants.



The Union home ministry hoped the state government will act with responsibility and maturity, probably hinting at Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singhs statement clouding the tripartite talks, to ensure both smooth flow of supplies as well as restoring social harmony in Manipur.



The ministry also stated it was willing to provide additional paramilitary forces. The government of India is firmly committed to maintaining rule of law. It considers blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity causing untold suffering to countless humans, the ministry said.


The effect of cyclone Vardah will be experienced by South Interior Karnataka resulting in rains in the districts of Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Ramanagaram and Bengaluru Urban and Rural in the next couple of days, bringing succour to people affected by a failed Northeast monsoon, Cyclone Vardah, which hit the Tamil Nadu coast on Monday, is turning into a depression and is likely to end the prolonged dry spell in some of the North Karnataka districts, according to officials of the Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSDMC).





The rains due to cyclone Vardah will come as a much needed succour as it will at least result in filling up of a few tanks and improving the ground water levels in pockets of South Interior Karnataka, KSDMC Director G S Srinivasa Reddy said.



Reddy said that water bodies in villages of Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts have completely dried up and farmers are providing water to their cattle by drawing it from borewells.



Cyclone Vardah has started losing its strength and has become a deep depression and will turn into a depression. The low pressure due to the depression will help in attracting moisture bearing clouds over the state. The forecast is that it will rain initially in Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Ramanagaram, Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru Urban and later in Kodagu and Uttara Kannada, Reddy told DH on Monday evening.



The rains will, however, have not much effect on agricultural activities. The prolonged dry spell has already affected standing crops on 23.79 lakh hectares. There is no scope for any sowing in the coming months, he said.



Rains in Kodagu district and its surrounding areas could help in pushing up the water levels in the KRS, the Kabini and the Harangi, three of the four reservoirs in states Cauvery basin.



The total capacity of live storage in the major reservoirs of the Cauvery basin is 104.5 tmcft while the present storage is only 16 tmcft, the lowest in the last 46 years.




Karnataka has seen crop loss on over 10 lakh acres owing to the failure of the Northeast monsoon, Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa said.





Addressing journalists here on Monday, he said deputy commissioners of all districts had submitted reports on crop loss, and the Cabinet sub-committee on drought would examine the matter.



The sub-committees recommendations will be placed before the Cabinet. The government is hopeful that the Centre will release compensation to farmers, he added.



Thimmappa said it was wrong on the part of the prime minister to not meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when he went to New Delhi recently.



The prime minister is always busy. But when a chief minister visits him, he should prioritise.

Its not right to do this, especially when Karnataka is facing acute drought, he added.


With the South China Sea crisis showing no signs of abatement, India and Indonesia have asked the sparring nations to sort out the dispute peacefully.





The two countries recognised the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Laws Of the Sea, read a statement on maritime cooperation issued after a summit meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia president Joko Widodo here on Monday.



While the joint statement has a reference to the South China Sea dispute, a separate document on maritime cooperation between India and Indonesia assumes significance as it comes a day after China flew its Xian H-6 strategic bomber aircraft along the nine-dash line.



This is the second time Beijing flew its bombers in the disputed area since Donald Trump was elected the president of the US. The US officials believe the flight was intended to send a message to Trump, who had a telephonic conversation with Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen.



The issue of South China Sea figured prominently in the talks between Modi and Widodo. In a message to Beijing, both sides said the dispute must be resolved through peaceful means and without resorting to threat or the use of force.



The two countries have decided to start negotiating a comprehensive defence cooperation agreement, which would include higher level of military exchanges and training as well as exploring collaboration between defence industries.



The two defence ministers have been tasked to look for opportunities for joint production of equipment with technology transfer and technical assistance.



While Indonesia began to develop its defence industrial base since the 1980s with the aerospace manufacturer PT DI, naval ship builder PT PAL and land system manufacturer PT Pindad, a successful collaboration may augur well for Indian ordnance factories.



Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, has also agreed to expand cooperation to combat terrorism.



The first direct flight between India and Indonesia was flagged off on Monday morning when Garuda Indonesia launched its flight from Jakarta to Mumbai.




State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said on Monday that three to four senior ministers might have to resign over the next 15 days for their involvement in the steel bridge, Yettinahole project and money laundering scams, totally worth Rs around 5,000 crore.





Speaking to journalists at the party office here, he said S C Jayachandra, chief project officer of State Highways Project, now in the custody of Enforcement Directorate, had revealed that he had given crores of rupees to a senior minister, who is a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa is preparing to seek anticipatory bail on December 13, the former chief minister said.



It is the duty of the chief minister to inform people about the money received by the minister. But, Siddaramaiah is trying to shield the corrupt ministers, he said.



Referring to the steel flyover project in Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa said that the L&T company contractor had admitted during investigation that he had given a kickback of Rs 500 crore to a close aide of the chief minister.



Who is the minster? Siddaramaiah should clarify this, Yeddyurappa said.



He said the government had released Rs 14,000 crore for the implementation of the controversial Yettinahole project. Even before the commencement of the work, pipes have been purchased in a haste.



The contractor concerned has admitted that he had given a huge sum of money to a

senior minister. The chief minister may also have received his share in the kickback. If Siddaramaiah is honest, he should reveal the names of the corrupt ministers, he said.



Asked about BJP leader

K S Eshwarappas participation in the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade convention, he said the partys central leaders would take action against him.


Amid reports of a severe cash crunch at many places in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told doubting Thomases within the BJP to stand by the government to ride out of the crisis.





Modi met several BJP functionaries in the past few days to underline that he was aware of the difficulties faced by the people as several hundreds of ATMs have gone dry. The government, he maintained, is working overtime to sort out issues even as it pushes for digital transactions.



The prime ministers bid to assuage party leaders has come following news about cash shortage hitting the morale of BJP cadres in poll-bound states like Uttar Pradesh, where the euphoria in some places is giving away to fears of a political setback.



In his interactions with Union ministers and BJP leaders, Modi is said to have conceded that there were several gaps in the implementation of the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. But he believed that this was not the time to waste energy on what had not been done so far, but to focus on removing the bottlenecks.



Modi said that they (party leaders) should trust the sincerity and commitment to fix the problems and not get disheartened or entertain doubts about his ability to resolve the crisis, BJP officials said.



Modi asked BJP president Amit Shah to frequently interact with MPs and other leaders to obtain a honest feedback on the ground situation, but some MPs have said they are not too sure if the top brass is willing to hear some hard truth.



They see the Opposition waiting for the opportune moment to pin down the government in case the situation at ATMs deteriorates further, and there are no visible signs of easing the cash flow.



Meanwhile, Union ministers have reacted strongly to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who accused the government of partiality in dispensing cash in minority-dominated areas. At a rally in Hyderabad, Owaisi said the Muslim community is being unnecessarily troubled by the government due to the demonetisation drive.




Sriram Sene activists on Monday lodged a complaint with police alleging that a youth from Dharwad has posted his photo on the Facebook, holding Pakistan flag. According to the complaint, Altaf Tadkod uploaded the photograph on his Facebook wall at 8 pm on Sunday.



We have no objection if the youth had displayed the flag of his religion. But, holding Pakistan flag and posting its photograph on Facebook, has hurt the sentiments of Indians, they said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has completed three years of her second five-year term in power.





Weathering many storms, she has initiated several programmes for the state.

Well aware that her arch rival, the Congress, has been trying hard to regroup and mount a strong opposition in the state, she is ensuring that the Modi wave, which was there in the state when she took charge, does not slacken, and BJP maintains the lead.



It became evident when the state BJP won 19 out of 37 seats in the by-polls held on November 30 for the local bodies, despite an intense debate over demonetisation, which was implemented on the midnight of November 8.



On Sunday afternoon, within a day of her Cabinet expansion, she exuded complete confidence while speaking to DH, sitting against the backdrop of a majestic Shiva painting at her residence.



Elaborating on her plans, she said, My eyes are on the 2018 polls and right now I am focusing on celebrating three years of the BJP rule in Rajasthan. We came up with 12 successful projects and would like to pursue them till the last day of our government. Prominent among them are the Direct Benefit Transfer; Bhamashah Yojana, a health and insurance scheme; Annapurna Bhandars; updation of ration shops with POS machines; and accident insurance of Rs 5 lakh for farmers.



I would specially like to mention the Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Yojna. I am keen to start Annapurna Rasois (on the lines of Amma canteens that are running successfully in Tamil Nadu), which would provide quality food to the weaker sections at a highly subsidised rate, the chief minister said.



Determined to implement the schemes, she added: I think time has come for us to focus more on ground activities and get the projects executed very well. The promises made during the Resurgent Rajasthan and Global Rural Agritech Meet (GRAM)



are being implemented. Encouraged by the success of GRAM, we are planning to have similar a meet at the divisional level as well. Niti Aayog has included Rajasthan among the top three states for agri-reforms.



Raje said that in the next two years there will be no more announcements as six big Central projects are in the offing.



Hopefully, we will be getting five more projects  a food and craft institute, hotel management institute, pharmaceutical college (sixth in the country) and world class universities. These have been approved in last years budget, Vasundhara added.



Taking a cue from Bhutan, she laid emphasis on increasing the states happiness index by expanding projects like toy banks, book banks and a mobile library.


Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has assured the Gujjar community that her government will not step back from providing reservation to them under the Special Backward Classes (SBC) quota.





Raje is aware of the discontent shown by the Gujjars after the Rajasthan High Court on Friday struck down the 5% quota under the SBC category.



After the community held the BJP responsible for the high courts decision and threatened to launch a mass agitation in the state, Raje openly came out in support of them.



After a meeting with some members of the community at her residence, Raje told DH: The government will not step back from providing reservation to special backward classes. I addressed people from Gujjar community at my residence, and I have assured them that the government will take care of their rights. She also said that the state government will file an appeal, and their (Gujjars) due rights will be given to them.



Patidar reservation agitation leader Hardik Patel also met Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla to extend support.
Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer L Bheema Naik, who was arrested along with his personal driver Mohammed in Kalaburagi on Sunday, was produced before the Second Additional Civil Judge at Maddur on Monday evening.





The state government suspended him for dereliction of duty.



Naik, special land acquisition officer, Bengaluru, and Mohammed were brought to Maddur around 7.30 am and taken to a farmhouse on the outskirts of Somanahalli. They were interrogated by Ida Martin Marbanaing, Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Mandya SP C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy for over six hours.



Thereafter, their medical examination was conducted by Dr Boregowda at the taluk government hospital in Maddur.



In the evening, the two men were produced before the judge, P M Prakash, at his residence as the court was closed by then. The judge remanded him in the CID custody for five days.

The officers advocate Krishna Naik is consulting local lawyers to file his bail application.



Speaking to journalists later, Naik claimed he was innocent and that truth would prevail in the investigation.



The two men were arrested for abetting the suicide of K C Ramesh Gowda, a resident of Kadukothanahalli in Maddur taluk, who was Naiks official driver. Gowda ended his life in a lodge in Maddur on December 6 and left behind a 12-page handwritten note, blaming Naik and Mohammad for his death.



Gowda stated that there was a threat to his life as he was aware of the illegalities reportedly committed by the officer, especially how he helped mining baron and BJP leader G Janardhana Reddy launder Rs 125 crore for 20% commission for his daughters wedding last month.



Gowda also listed the assets reportedly amassed by Naik and how he purportedly bribed officials and politicians to close cases of corruption against him. The note also named a recently retired judge of the Supreme Court.


Police detained six people, including a woman, on Monday for remaining seated while the national anthem was being played ahead of a movie screening at the ongoing 21st edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).





The police later released them after registering a case under provisions of Section 188 of the IPC.



The incident took place at the Nishagandhi open theatre ahead of an evening screening in the competition category, of the Egyptian film Clash.



What they did was in violation of the recent Supreme Court order in this connection. We are considering the options before registering a case, Circle Inspector Anilkumar told DH.



Amid debates



It was earlier revealed through posts on social media and newspaper photographs that some of the festival delegates remained seated during the national anthem during the screenings at the IFFK, which commenced here on December 9.



Even as a debate on nationalism through legal interventions continues, some political leaders have come out criticising what they called the delegates rebellion without a reason and their tendency to insult the national anthem.



The BJP-affiliated Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha also handed over a complaint in this connection to state police chief Loknath Behera.



An ACP is learnt to have been assigned to monitor adherence to the Supreme Court order during screenings at the IFFK.

The festival concludes on Friday.




A report that analysed the Central Pollution Control Boards 2015 pollution data from the Indo-Gangetic plains has revealed that Varanasi, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modis Lok Sabha constituency, did not witness a single good air quality day in 2015.





While the pollution in the Ganga at Varanasi has been spoken about for years, this report turned the spotlight on the holy citys air quality, which it said is among the most toxic in the country.



Out of 227 days for which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has data showing air quality, Varanasi did not have a single good air quality day.



Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed 10 Indian cities among the 20 most polluted cities in the world. Out of those 10, four are in the heavily populated Uttar Pradesh.



While the top slot went to the Iranian city of Zabol, where PM-2.5 level stands at a whopping 217 micrograms per cubic metre, it was followed by Gwalior (170), Allahabad (170), Patna (149) and Raipur (144).



However, Varanasi is not on the list.

The WHO report mentions Allahabad, Kanpur, Firozabad and Lucknow, but leaves out Varanasi, which is one of Indias three most polluted cities, according to the 2015 CPCB bulletin. said Aishwarya Madineni, author of the report Varanasi Chokes released by Greenpeace on Monday.



Despite being one of the most polluted cities in India, Varanasi lacks adequate air quality monitoring stations to gauge the amount of pollution in the city.



Only one online air quality monitoring station, capable of measuring PM-2.5 and PM-10, has been installed, while no Air Quality Index (AQI) score is available for the city. In comparison, Delhi has 13 online CPCB monitoring stations capable of measuring both PM-10 and PM-2.5 and an AQI score is available every day, the report states.



There is also significant discrepancy in data collected by two manual air quality stations in Varanasi, the report notes. A combination of factors such as the presence of coal-fired thermal power plants, vehicle emissions, biomass burning, diesel generators and industrial units may have contributed to Varanasis deteriorating air quality.



Child specialists say theres been an eight-fold rise in the respiratory ailments in the city and cited rising air pollution levels as the key cause, said Madineni.



The CPCB data is in sync with the WHO report, which found that four out of the worlds top five polluting cities are in India.



The air quality data came from the CPCB monitoring units in 41 cities with a population of more than one million. Coimbatore and Rajkot are the two cities with best air quality index.






Two dogs attached to the dog squad of the City Armed Reserve (South), Bengaluru city, bagged the first prize at a national-level competition for police dogs.





Deepa (2) and Jonny (3) beat all other dogs and excelled in the competition held in Haryana. Dogs from eight states, including Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, participated in the competition held at the National Security Guard (NSG) grounds between December 1 and 8.



Deepa and Jonny excelled in each of the five rounds. Raw explosives were used for the competition.



The two dogs successfully detected explosives buried under the ground and in rooms in multi-storey buildings. They also exhibited skills in anti-sabotage checks for events of high-profile personalities.



Other criteria

The relationship of dogs with handlers (constables and head constables) and the control of handlers over the dogs were also taken into account before announcing the prizes. The dogs were trained by handlers Basavaraju Neeralgi, Jithendra Rathod and Ramesh.

Senior officers of the NSG felicitated the dogs and the handlers.


With a herd of eight male elephants creating a havoc on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the Forest department is planning to capture and relocate them into the wild.





G S Kariyappa, Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Bengaluru, told DH that the Forest department held a meeting on Monday to capture two of the eight tuskers. However, the meeting could not take a decision.



The forest divisions of Ramanagaram, Bengaluru Urban and Rural mooted the idea of capturing the eight tuskers The proposal has been placed before the Chief Wildlife Warden for approval, Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahesh Kumar said.



The Forest department and experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) are keeping a watch on the movement of these elephants, aged between 10 and 35 years.



During the day, they take shelter in woods and raid crops in the night.



Elephants are roaming around in different socio-patterns. Sometimes they raid crops and stray into urban lands in group of two or three and some times all the eight together. The route they tread is Ramanagaram-Savandurga-Bantarakuppe-Adrangi-Mijigal-Nelamanagala-Tumakuru and back. There have been stray cases where these elephants have even moved into Tamil Nadu forests.



The Forest department has found a similarity in raiding patterns of these elephants with those in Kodagu. Interestingly, Ranga, one of the notorious wild tuskers of Bannerghatta National Park, joins this herd near Savandurga and Bannerghatta.



A team from IISc first reported these elephants raiding crops in Ramanagaram in 1997. Researchers have been studying their movement, pattern and behaviour, Kumar said.

Noted elephant expert Raman Sukumar from IISc said there is also a plan to radio-collar these elephants. Earlier, the idea was to drive them towards Tamil Nadu. But, that did not materialise. It is in an interesting group to study as males are persistent raiders. In 1980s, we had seen males coming together to raid private areas located inside forests. In the last 10 years they are congregating and raiding outside forest patches, he said.



Sukumar said that it cannot be assured that these elephants will not stray out of the forest again. There was a case earlier when a young tusker was shifted into the forest and he traveled till Bheemgad and continued to stay inside the forest. The young ones are more likely to settle in forests, compared to the old, mature males, he added.


A cyclonic storm swept the Tamil Nadu coast on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least four lives.





Heavy rain battered Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Cuddalore districts in Tamil Nadu, and Nellore and Chittoor districts in Andhra Pradesh. Hundreds of houses were damaged when the cyclone, named Vardah, hit the coast between 2 pm and 6 pm.



The cyclone was described as the most intense since 1994, and weather officials said the winds swept the coast at a furious 100 km an hour.



Thousands of people living in low-lying areas were evacuated to camps run by the government. In Chennai, hundreds of trees were uprooted and traffic came to a standstill. Power and phone lines lay tangled on the streets, hampering relief efforts. A central disaster response team was deployed in the worst-affected areas.



A government release said about 250 trees and 40 electric poles had fallen. The damage could not be assessed immediately as the relief teams were primarily engaged in rescuing people.



1 dead in AP



Cyclonic storm Vardah battered Nellore, Chittoor, YSR Kadapa and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh.



An uprooted electric pole claimed a mans life in Aligirivaripalem near Chittoor. Power supply to several villages was disrupted in the Nellore area.



According to the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority, about 12,000 people living along the Nellore coast have been evacuated.



In Tirumala, the main entrance of the temple was inundated. Fire tenders were called in to pump out rain water.



In Chittoor, standing crops of sugarcane and mango were damaged in hundreds of acres.



Travel update



Airline, train and bus services have remained suspended in Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh since Monday morning.

Several domestic and international flights were cancelled.The South Central Railway and the APSRTC cancelled services on the Vijayawada-SullurpetaChennai route. The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam.



Some other express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam. Many trains bound for the northern states are stranded.



The South Western Railway has cancelled and diverted seven trains on Monday and

Tuesday.



Weather officials expect the rain to continue through Tuesday. People remained indoors after the Tamil Nadu government issued flood warnings.



Two fishermen were reported missing off the Andhra Pradesh coast in Kakinada. The Coast Guard has deployed a ship for search and rescue operations.



After 1994, this is the first very severe cyclonic storm to hit the Chennai coast, a senior Met official said. A Home Ministry spokesperson said in Delhi that four people were killed in the storm in Tamil Nadu.



Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and promised all help.



Several flights diverted to city



Several flights bound for Chennai were diverted to Bengaluru on Monday as the runway was flooded. Sixteen of the flights landed at 8 pm in the city, reports DHNS.



Rain in south interior Ktaka



Under the influence of cyclone Vardah, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Ramanagaram, Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts will receive rain in the next couple of days, bringing succour to people affected by a failed monsoon.








The Bengaluru Urban district administration is cracking down on encroachments on government land. Bengaluru Urban Assistant Commissioner D B Natesh has issued notice to 45 properties, including SS Hospital, which is run by the family of former minister Shamanur Shivashankappa.





The notices have been issued under Section 67 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. A survey conducted by the tahsildar showed that many properties in Rajarajeshwari Nagar had come up on public land or were built on B Kharab land (wasteland) which belongs to the government.



A technical survey conducted by BBMP also confirmed the encroachments. The matter went to the High Court in September, which ordered the tahsildar and the deputy commissioner to look into all the cases. SS Hospital is accused of encroaching on 0.51 acre of government land, while the Ideal Homes township has grabbed 53.9 acres of public land and a stormwater drain.

Speaking to DH, the official said encroachers had been ordered to vacate the land by December 16 or appear before him with documents to support their claims. Actor Darshans house is also said to be built on a drain. The matter is before the high court.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) will instal five automated ambient air quality monitoring stations in Bengaluru soon. The new stations, besides the two existing ones, will help make a better assessment of the increasing levels of air pollution in different parts of the city, officials said.





The board has 15 manual and two automated stations functioning across the city. It has now floated tenders to open more automated centres which are likely to start functioning in the next three months, KSPCB chairman Lakshman told DH. The two existing automated centres are located at Bengaluru City (Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna) railway station and the KSPCBs regional office in Basaveshwaranagar.



The equipment are being imported from Australia and the US for about Rs 23 crore. These automated centres will check the suspended particulate matter (PM) 10, PM 2.5, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia, carbon monoxide, ozone and benzene. As part of the programme, an automated display board will also be installed at Anil Kumble Circle on MG Road, said an official.



The existing manual stations on Mysuru Road, in Whitefield and at Nimhans will be replaced with automated centres while the two new centres will come up at the Saint Philomenas Hospital and the Freedom Park, he added.



Another KSPCB official said the automated stations were better than manual stations as chances of errors were minimal and data was assessed every 15 minutes and updated to the server located at the head office. These can also be tuned to display air quality to the assigned boards, he said.



The official said that as per the Central Pollution Control Board standards, Bengaluru should have 22 such stations. The KSPCB is also planning to have air quality monitoring stations at BEL Circle, Sarjapur Road, near Central Silk Board, in Hebbal, JP Nagar and Jayanagar in a phased manner. The exact locations would be finalised based on availability of land. To set up an automated station, a 30x30-sq ft is sufficient and preference is given to government land, the official said.


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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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News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

An a 80 year old woman and her daughter ganged up to assault her son's wife in a dispute over an unspecified issue.This was heard by a Bulawayo magistrate when Lisa Behane (22) and her mother Magaret Behane (80) all of Ntabazinduna appeared in court charged with assault.The magistrate sentenced Lisa was sentenced to 3 months in jail which was wholly suspended for three years on condition of good behavior.Her mother's sentence was postponed for three years on condition of good behavior due to her age.The court was told that the complainant in the matter is Simiso Mpala (26) and on November 3 this year at 11am she went to the in-laws's home to fetch water. On arrival an altercation ensued between her and Africa Behane who has since been sentenced for this offence.Their mother joined in the dispute by picking a brick and hitting Mpala on the back of the head. Lisa also joined and bite her twice on the left hand once on the right hand and once on the chest. She sustained lacerations. A report made to the police led to the arrest of the accused persons.
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

Beitbridge

Thandi

Ncube

Zimbabweans returning for the festive season from South Africa have expressed deep frustration over delays at theborder post.On Sunday, Bulawayo24.com reported that immigration officials at the South African side are on a go-slow.Travellers said they are forced to wait for more than 18 hours to be cleared."I am going back to Bulawayo, their service is bad. It seems they are not willing to have us visit their country."I went into the SA border post at 3am yesterday (Sunday) and I am still here after immigration changed shifts twice," a woman identified asis quoted saying.Reports indicate that more than 20 buses cleared before midnight from the Zimbabwean side on Sunday were yet to be attended to at 4pm yesterday.Traditionally, the festive season is usually the busiest period at the border post.About 18 000 people could be processed daily.
Dylan McGrath, EETimes

12/6/2016 02:50 PM EST

SAN FRANCISCOA group of U.S. lawmakers has written a letter to Treasury Dept. Secretary Jack Lew urging him to reject the proposed acquisition of programmable logic supplier Lattice Corp. by an investment firmed with ties to Chinas central government, saying it represents a threat to U.S. semiconductor leadership.

The letter, authored by Representative Mark Pittenger and signed by 22 members of Congress, warns that the acquisition of Lattice by Canyon Bridge Partners would distort the market and undermine the innovation system.

Click here to read more ...








Welcome to the sixth issue of DSCENE Magazine, which is filled with beautiful fashion stories, brilliant writing, and inspiring cover stars. One of the pleasures of editing DSCENE Magazine is working closely with talented new creatives as well as established names. This time  as always  we remain true to the sentiment of DSCENE Publishing and everything scene, by enlisting five truly remarkable cover stars. Im also proud to once again reunite with our prolific contributors such as Chuando & Frey, the creative force coming from Singapore as well as the rising stars of the fashion scene Marie Schuller and Mazen Abusrour. While in a true DSCENE manner, always on the lookout for new talent, we teamed up with the incredibly talented young photographer Olivier Yoan for two of our cover stories photographed in London.

In fashion, as in life, December tends to be associated with a turning point of the year  new resolutions and fresh start, but also a moment to reflect on the year behind us allowing us to slow down and take a break. And of course, while it is likely that some of you will be reading the new DSCENE on holiday, others may be still waiting for a much needed escape. With this in mind, we hope you will be as inspired as we were by the different locations that appear in DSCENEs latest fashion editorials, from Anne Vs fifties journey to suburbs of New York, to the elegant Milan town-house in our Bottega Veneta photo shoot, to Toby Huntington Whiteleys own take on Londons neighborhoods.

We have also taken the opportunity to catch up with Yasmin Le Bon, photographed for this issue in a London office by Olivier Yoan featuring an After Hours mood masterfully styled by our Fashion Director Christopher Maul. Its an appropriate setting for an industry icon, whos comeback is truly remarkable, and in todays messy social media buzzed industry, shows the meaning of a true supermodel. Meanwhile, our Christopher had the pleasure of going to meet Holly Fulton one of my favourite young contemporary designers. Hollys elegant collections are consistently inspiring, while she is creating something that feels entirely her own, she manages to stay ahead of trends with garments resulting in timeless elegance.

That sense of creative freedom should, I think, be at the heart of DSCENE; which brings me to our feisty cover star, Anne V, photographed by Chuando & Frey as an unforgettable Hitchock muse. Elsewhere in the issue, we feature Anais Pouliot in a dramatic story costarring Jacob Morton with whom we reunite for Mazen Abusrours NYC shoot. There is also a connection between two of our cover stars, reality television (The Face), a show which alongside Naomi Campbell introduced to the public Anne V as well as Caroline Winberg. The stunning Swede sits down with Harriet May for a thoughtful interview reflecting on everything from Victorias Secret mania to Social Media craze.

As always in DSCENE, with its intents of commissioning the best and brightest photography upandcomers we are excited to present the showstopping beauty story envisioned by photographer Takahiro Ogawa. Photographed in New York in early fall, Takahiro prepared an artful story exasperated by the wilder excesses of makeup and hair style trends finding solace in DSCENEs beauty pages.

Finally, dont miss the intricate A Form of Passion Story created by our Singapore team and photography duo Ivanho Harlim and Shysilia Novita.

Contributing Photographers Olivier Yoan, Chuando & Frey, Takahiro Ogawa, Amilcare & Alex, Marie Schuller, Mazen Abusrour, Trisha Ward, Ivanho Harlim and Shysilia Novita

Contributing Stylists Kisha C Jones, Lisa Jarvis, Marie Liang

Contributing Writers Harriet May, Max Williams, Matti Bygod, Sarah Waldron

Fashion Director Christopher Maul

Deputy Editor Ana Markovic

Fashion Features Editor Katarina Djoric

Art Director Igor Cvoro

Asia Fashion Editor Randolph Tan

Milan Fashion Editor Emily Lee

Publishing Manager Marios Stavrou

Words by Editor In Chief Zarko Davinic
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has signed a deal with Sakunda Holdings for the supply of 160 million litres of fuel to nine local fuel companies to avert the impending fuel shortages owing to limited foreign exchange.The structured fuel facility between the RBZ and Sakunda is expected to ensure smooth fuel supplies during the festive season.The agreement is supported by a US$24 million dollar letter of credit from a local Pan-African bank, Ecobank.According to sources within the central bank, the agreement was reached after Sakunda Holdings indicated that they have 250 million litres of fuel in stock, hence there is no need for motorists and the travelling public to panic.Documents gleaned by ZBC News show that under the structured fuel facility, fuel will be supplied upfront without any nostro account payments but a commitment by the central bank to pay US$4 million weekly to Sakunda Holdings for the two months of December and January.Sources close to the deal revealed that for the supply of fuel, there are no payments upfront needed, and the arrangementAA guarantees the full utilisation of the Beira-Feruka pipeline and availability of fuel at all times.Ecobank has issued a 360 day differed letter of credit backed by part retention of export proceeds.According to sources within the bank, the financial institution will get US$2 million monthly.The deal will also come as a relief to motorists and the travelling public as government has been facing challenges in securing foreign exchange to redeem the fuel.The structured fuel facility will go a long way in ensuring constant and reliable fuel supplies during the festive season considering the stocks are already in the country which also restores confidence and fuel market stability.
Michael Kors MKT5001 Bradshaw

Brands like Huawei, Asus, Sony, Samsung and more have introduced their own Android Wear based offerings in the market. On those lines, the first smartwatch from a major designer is the Michael Kors Access range. The device offers an almost seamless connection with your phone; most updates received on your phone show up almost instantly on the watch. It also has WiFi so you dont need your phone around to be connected for updates.

When it comes to the size, the Bradshaw is thicker and heavier than your typical smartwatch. It has a host of features like 5 supported gestures, preloaded replies and music playback. If youre ok with a trip to your local watchsmith to get the huge wrist band adjusted, this is a brilliant luxury smartwatch.

Lehmann Aviation L-A Series Drones

Lehmann Aviations new L-A Series is made up of three fully automatic drones, each of which is targeted towards a specific application. The LA500 is a high-end drone designed mostly for professional use and the high-end consumer, the LA500-AG is meant for agricultural purposes and lastly, the LA500-RTK is meant for highly accurate mapping and DEM.

The drones are made of aluminum, carbon fibre and EPP foam. Theyve also got a new modular design along with more rugged and reliable systems, and a powerful new autopilot. Thanks to the modular design, owners can replace or upgrade any part of the drone as they see fit when the need arises. The Drones come with small detachable winglets that keep the weight as low as 1250g, and thats including the camera, which is amazing. This also makes the L-A series drones much easier to transport thanks to their compactness.

All of the aircraft / drones are controlled through the OperationCenter software for Windows 10. The new OperationCenter v2 software comes with lots of new features and an improved UI for more ease. These drones dont come cheap though, the launch prices for the L-A drones starts at $3490(Rs.2,40,000/- approx) for the LA500 to $7990(Rs.5,45,000/- approx) for the LA500-AG.

URWERK UR-105

The UR-105 Raging Gold, as Felix Baumgartner, URWERK co-founder, explains, is the result of golds lure on him. The UR-105 Raging Gold features a shield of red gold on its titanium body. On top of that, the shield itself has a pattern carved into it which makes it a pleasure to touch as well. The pattern is derived from the hobnail motif Clou de Paris. URWERK watchmaking revolves around one particular concept, that of the wandering hour principle, where each hour travels across a 60 minute arc. This method makes telling the time easier, where a mask on the watch face hides the hours that have already finished their 60 minutes. The UR-105 also makes use of this concept, in addition to the all latest developments at URWERK. The UR-105 utilizes the finest of craftsmanship and the feeling cannot truly be described, only felt with the watch itself in your hands. Isnt that the case with all true craftsmanship?

MB&F Astrograph

Weve all pretended our pens were rocketships during our childhood. Classes could get pretty boring and all we had to entertain us was our imaginations. But we dont really need to imagine a pen as a rocket anymore, because the Astrograph is not just a luxury pen, this mechanical pen IS a rocket pen, complete with a rocket-shaped fuselage, shock-absorbing landing gear and even a launch pad which doubles as a case. Youve basically got a mini rocket and launch pad for your desk. The MB&F Astrograph has been in the making for four years, so you may have heard of this pen in the past, but after four years in the works, theres no doubt that the Astrograph is one of the most complex writing instruments to ever grace us, period. The Astrograph comes with sand blasted, satin-finished, and rhodium-components. To add to that, its got a lever which controls the stabilizer legs, which once lowered makes it possible for you to stand the Astrograph up vertically. As a bonus, theyve thrown in a miniature astronaut too!

Vertu Aster Chevron

Vertu has been holding the flag for luxury smartphone manufacturing for several years now. This time, they have included a really powerful camera module never seen before in any other smartphone. Housing a 13-megapixel Hasselblad camera, you can expect really high quality pictures from this phone. The Aster is powered by a Snapdragon 801 CPU, which seems like a bad move considering theyre using an old generation CPU rather than the latest one. But then again, the 801 isnt that bad and it can handle current apps pretty well. One of the premium features on this phone are the ringtones which are composed and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Other premium experiences, such as the concierge service are also available, which is present on every Vertu phone. Available in several colour options, the phone will set you back by a staggering Rs.2.8 lakh.

This article was first published in December 2016 issue of Digit magazine. To read Digit's articles first, subscribe here or download the Digit e-magazine app for Android and iOS. You could also buy Digit's previous issues here.
Lenovo K6 Power detailed review

The budget segment has always been fiercely competitive, and massively overcrowded. The Lenovo K6 Power is somewhat late to the party, but it may have a better shot at the competition than the companys earlier phones. In our reviews, we found the Xiaomi Redmi 3s and Redmi Note 3 to be well ahead of Lenovos Vibe K5 and K5 Plus. The K6 Power is an upgrade from those. But is that enough to qualify as the best budget phone? Lets find out.





Build and Design

As far as design is concerned, this seems like a vox populi approach at the moment. The Lenovo K6 Power has the same design as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 or the Meizu M3 Note etc. In fact, given its smaller footprint, its pretty much a replica of the Meizu M3s or Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime. Imagine the same designs, with different camera placement and you have hit the K6 Powers design spot on.

In terms of design or even build quality, the K6 Power brings absolutely nothing new. It has a metal back, the camera module and fingerprint scanner have the same central location and there are no-onscreen navigation keys. There are subtle changes to the power and volume keys, and speaker placement, but thats about it. You would be forgiven for mistaking this for literally any other budget phone in the market today.

That, however, means that like those other phones, the K6 Power is also well built and ergonomic, and can withstand a knock or two (we dropped the phone once). The smaller footprint and the rounded edges make it comfortable to hold. Perhaps 2.5D glass on top would have added to the design.

Display and UI

The Lenovo K6 Power is equipped with a 1080p panel. Thats an upgrade to the usual specs, since 5-inch panels are often limited to 720p resolution. Phones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, have 5.5-inch 1080p panels.

The ppi count lies at 441ppi. While resolution is indeed better than most budget phones, the contrast ratios and colour saturation of the 720p panel on the Redmi 3S Prime are better. The display on the Redmi is also warmer, which looks pleasant.

Unlike Meizu, Xiaomi or other Chinese vendors, the K6 Power offers an app drawer. There are not a lot of preinstalled applications and the UI itself feels light. In fact, Vibe UI has been light recently. While we cant be sure whether Lenovo will eventually bring a completely stock UI, like Motorola, it seems to be headed that way.

That said, there are still certain UI features, which add to overall experience of the phone. You can lock apps and click pictures by touching the fingerprint scanner at the back. For privacy, you also get the secure zone functionality, which sets up a secure instance of the whole phone, locked by password. You can put separate apps and contacts in this zone, but you can share them between instances as well.

Performance

The Lenovo K6 Power with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC, Adreno 505 GPU and 3GB of RAM performs very similar to the Xiaomi Redmi 3S Prime. App load times and multitasking performance are better than last generation K-series phones. However, this one is still slower than a 16GB Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. The synthetic benchmarks represent this pretty accurately.

The K6 Power is a hair faster than the Redmi 3s Prime, on benchmarks, but real world performance is more or less the same. It's only when you tax the phone with heavier games such as Asphalt 8, that you find stutters and occasional lags. For a budget phone, its quite acceptable, being surpassed only by the Redmi Note 3.

Audio Quality

For music lovers, the audio output of the device is good with headphones, but not very loud without them. You get an equaliser with the Dolby Atmos enhancements, and turning it off lowers the volume a bit. In general, its good audio quality for a budget smartphone, and music lovers will like it, with respect to the asking price.

Battery

The K6 Power has a 4000mAh battery, which is an important feature. Lenovo claims about 13-14 hours of battery life, but we got about 12 hours on a single charge. This included music streaming, a lot of youtube, half a dozen calls and some light photography. We also used the phone for 30-minute navigation session and the battery drop was just 5 percent.

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S Prime on other hand manages a good 16 hours. So, the K6 Power isnt the best for the budget, but just about satisfactory. If youre not a power user or use the battery saver modes aggressively, the phone will last you a full 24 hours easily.

Camera

The K6 Power shines with its good rear camera. Colour reproduction is good, and it offers better details than most sub-10K phones. Low light image quality on the other hand is average and at par with that of Redmi 3S Prime. Images lose details, exhibiting quite a bit of noise. The only phone, which has a better camera than this is the Redmi Note 3. Our budget comparison using the Lenovo K6 Power should give you a better idea of the camera quality.

Lenovo has also incorporated a manual mode in the camera app, taken from the Vibe Shot. This makes the camera experience better for photography enthusiasts.

The front facing 8MP camera is also quite good and definitely better than almost every budget phone available today. Images taken are sharp, detailed and boast decent contrast.

Bottomline

Good performance, decent battery, reliable build and good camera, those are the reasons to consider the Lenovo K6 Power. It is a really good budget smartphone. Barring the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 16GB, theres no other phone that surpasses the K6 Power in any way. Given that you get an extra gig of RAM with this one and double the storage, this is a very good smartphone to buy.
AIM-listed Secure Property Development & Investment has gained regulatory approval to sell its Ukraine property to Temania Enterprises, a Cyprus based investor, for $16m.

The Ukrainian Antimonopoly Commission approved the sale of the companys Terminal Brovary logistics park in Kiev, and the sale is subject to final approval by the lender which is expected shortly.

The $16m valuation obtained in October is before the deduction of the outstanding loan from the lender and is higher than the $13.4m at which the property was valued on 31 December 2015.

The sale is expected to generate a profit of over $2.5m for the company and a net cash flow of over $3m.

Following completion of the sale, the company's portfolio will comprise of assets in Athens and Bucharest, offices in Bucharest, as well as a retail site in Craiova, Romania. It also owns a residential portfolio in Bucharest and Sofia, as well as land assets in Ukraine, all of which are debt free.

The company said its strategy is to generate income from properties with blue chip tenants in high-yielding locations that have favourable demand and supply dynamics, as they command low prices.
LGO Energy updated the market on its plans to recommence production drilling at the Goudron Field in Trinidad on Monday, following its announcements on 7 and 9 December confirming the refinancing of the company's loan facility.

The AIM-traded firms local operating subsidiary, Goudron E&P, submitted the formal request for authority to drill the first of its planned Mayaro Sandstone infill wells to the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the board confirmed.

It said that well, currently designated H18 G-11, will be drilled vertically to a total depth of 1,250 feet and was expected to intersect oil pay between 650 and 1,050 feet.

Receipt of drilling approvals from Petrotrin and the MEEI reportedly typically take less than 15 days.

Approvals for the drilling of further wells would be submitted in the coming weeks, and the cost of the first well was estimated to be less than $0.5m, and was expected to take approximately 12 days to drill and complete.

Currently GEPL had outline approval for 45 new wells in the Goudron Field and well H18 G-11 will be the first in a campaign of infill wells designed to increase production from the ubiquitously present shallow oil pay in the Mayaro Sandstones.

During the 2014 and 2015 C-sand drilling campaign, the board said 15 wells were drilled through the Mayaro Sandstone reservoir interval and electric logs showed an average net oil pay of approximately 200 feet per well.

Funding for the first well in the program was now available from GEPL bank accounts and the drilling campaign could be advanced over time on the basis of free-cash flows from Trinidad production.

To take advantage of the current market conditions, GEPL has re-tendered the drilling program and was currently in the final stages of negotiating a contract for a rig, signature of which was anticipated before Christmas.

The drilling contractor selected will provide efficient and flexible drilling capability, the board said, and offered a turnkey drilling package in line with the company's cost and risk management processes.

Preparation of the small drilling site required for the footprint of the lightweight rig is anticipated to commence soon after the rig contract is signed.

GEPL is looking to take advantage of the current lower rig rates and rig availability to recommence the drilling program at Goudron at the earliest opportunity, said LGO chief operating officer Fergus Jenkins.

We anticipate having the approvals in place before January and will then start the drilling as soon as practical.

With the current oil price and expected cost of drilling the economic payback on the incremental production from Mayaro Sandstone wells is expected to be less than 12 months.
Natural resources investing company Metal Tiger provided an update on the drilling and exploration progress at the Logrosan Minerals joint venture in Extremadura, Spain on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said the Logrosan Minerals venture was targeting gold and antimony at the Maria Project, and tungsten and gold at the Logrosan Project.

It said two new significant gold targets were identified at Logrosan, with Logrosan West consisting of a 2.5km long gold anomaly within a 4km long arsenic anomaly.

The other, El Seranillo East, consisted of a 1km by 500m wide arsenic anomaly, adding that infill gold analysis was ongoing but initial results from four profiles showed gold over a central 250m by 500m zone.

There were four prospective gold targets within the Logrosan Project licence group to supplement the gold and antimony under investigation in the nearby Maria Project area, Metal Tigers board said.

Rotary Air Blast drilling remained on schedule, with work set down to resume in the new year.

A total of 38 drill holes totalling 775m were completed during the autumn season, with 18 holes totalling 316m at the Maria Gold and Antimony Target and 20 holes totalling 459m at the Logrosan South Gold Target.

Available assay results from the summer and autumn drilling included eight RAB drill holes with intersections between 1g/t Au to 3.94g/t, including 4.0m at 1.47 g/t.

There were also 15 holes with intersections of between less than 1% Sb and 1.7% Sb, with the widest intersection being 7m at 1.0% Sb.

The discovery of two new significant gold anomalies in the Logrosan licence group, brings the current number of qualified gold targets to four, said Metal Tiger CEO Michael McNeilly.

Whilst exploration is still at an early stage and deeper drilling is clearly warranted to test mineralisation at depth, the RAB Drilling is proving to be an effective exploration tool with downhole intersections of upto 4.0m at 1.47 g/t Au and 7.0m at 1.0% Sb in the latest results from Maria.

McNeilly said the company was excited by the possibility that through the application of systematic modern exploration techniques and hard work on the part of its JV field team, Metal Tiger may have identified a new gold camp in the centre of Spain.

Whilst gold and antimony have historically been mined in the Maria project area the Logrosan licences have previously been known only for their phosphate, tin and tungsten.

He said the addition of deep-drill ready gold targets to the two tungsten deposits outlined during 2015 added significantly to the potential of the Metal Tiger Spanish holdings.

With the additional exploration potential provided by the existence of historical lead-zinc mines in the Maria licence area, and the historical phosphate mine and tin workings in the Logrosan licence group, it is clear that, with the application of modern exploration techniques, the project areas have potential for becoming a multi-commodity hub.
Shares in US defense and space engineering group Lockheed Martin were sent lower at the start of the week following criticism from US President-elect via social platform Twitter.

In a tweet posted to his account, Donald Trump echoed fairly prevalent criticism in the industry of cost overruns in the companys F-35 next-generation fighter jet development programme.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th," Trump said.

The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

The F-35 Lightining II is a so-called 5th Generation fighter sporting advanced stealth capabilities which is meant to become the next leading-edge platform for the US Air Force, Navy and Marines, as well for the armed forces of nearly 10 US allies, including the UK, Netherlands and Australia.

As of 1402 GMT shares in the engineer were down 2.70% at $252.51.
Donald Trump's favoured pick for the secretary of state job, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson , has been praised by a spokesperson for the Russian government.

The Kremlin pointed towards the oil corporation boss's "professionalism", after reports that president-elect Trump is said to favour Tillerson for one of the highest posts in his administration.

Tillerson has forged close ties with Russia through Exxon business interests in the country, and is said to have a good working relationship with president Vladimir Putin.

Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow on Monday that Tillerson's work in Russia is evidence that he would make a great secretary of state.

"On account of his work as the head of one of the largest oil companies, he had contacts with our representatives more than once," Peskov said. "He fulfills his responsibilities in a highly professional manner."

Despite Russian blessing for the appointment, Tillerson would still be a controversial pick for the highly important position of secretary of state, due to his connections with Russia and the oil industry.

Trump has already made several choices from major Wall Street banks despite threatening to "drain the swamp" of business interests in Washington during his successful election campaign.

Relations between Russia and the United States have been frosty due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, and signs are that the president-elect will aim to repair that relationship, despite further complications regarding repeated accusations that Russia-sponsored hackers have breached accounts of both Republicans and Democrats.
Donald Trump has blasted a CIA report which concluded that Russia attempted to influence the result of the US presidential election through the leaking of files to Wikileaks.

The billionaire property developer emerged victorious against Hillary Clinton last month after a bitter campaign in which whistle-blowing site Wikipedia released thousands of emails from the Democratic National Committee, including those of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta.

The New York Times reported at the weekend that US intelligence agency had "high confidence" that Russian authorities hacked files from both the Republican and Democrat sides during the latter stages of the election, but only released those from the latter group.

This followed a story in the Washington Post that cited unnamed sources who said the CIA had judged that "Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency", claiming that US intelligence agencies had identified "individuals with connections to the Russian government who provided WikiLeaks with thousands of hacked emails" from both the DNC and Podesta.

With none of the evidence for these claims disclosed, President-elect Trump rubbished the claims from the CIA in an interview with Fox News.

"I think it's ridiculous," Trump said. "I think it's just another excuse."

"We had a massive landslide victory as you know in the Electoral College," he added. "I guess the final numbers are 306, and she's down to a very low number. No, I don't believe that at all."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was less decisive in the report it delivered, concluding that it was not 100% sure the Republican National Committee was directly breached, though FBI investigators did find that a breach of a third-party entity that held data belonging to the RNC.

A senior Democrat senator has called on the head of the FBI James Comey to resign after claiming that the organisation covered up the information about Republican emails in the final weeks of the campaign. Minority leader Harry Reid made the claim on Saturday, accusing Comey of partisanship.

"The FBI had this material for a long time but Comey, who is of course a Republican, refused to divulge specific information about Russia and the presidential election," Reid said.

I think he should be investigated by the Senate. He should be investigated by other agencies of the government including the security agencies because if ever there was a matter of security its this  I dont think any of us understood how partisan Comey was," the senator added.

Trump has previously faced criticism for his relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin, after both men praised each other's work in the run up to the election.

Trump has praised Putin's leadership skills, and lauded his ability to keep "very strong control over his country", while the Russian leader has referred to the incoming president as a "very outstanding man".

Trump is rumoured to be close to nominating ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, according to widespread reports on Sunday, with the Wall Street Journal noting that Tillerson has close ties to Putin.
Markets in Asia were mostly weaker on Monday, as oil prices soared after a gathering of OPEC and other oil producers at the weekend, to agree on a production freeze.

Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 outperformed the region, tacking on 0.84% to close at 19,155.03, with a relatively weaker yen contributing.

It was last 0.42% weaker at JPY 115.8 per $1.

The weekends oil production cut meeting in Vienna led to a 3.76% rise in the stock price of Japan Petroleum Exploration and a 0.76% gain for Inpex.

Markets on the mainland stumbled, after the countrys insurance regulators said they would curb barbaric share purchases by insurers.

The Shanghai Composite was down 2.49% at 3,152.47m and the Shenzhen Composite slid 4.86% to 1,929.32.

South Koreas Kospi was up 0.13% at 2,027.24, as the political corruption scandal continued following parliaments vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye on Friday.

The countrys finance minister warned in media reports on Sunday that the impeachment could have a serious impact on sentiment in the domestic economy.

Two former government officials - an ex-presidential aide and a former vice minister - had also been indicted by authorities.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index finished down 1.44% at 22,433.02.

During the session, the financial secretary of the special administrative region John Tsang resigned from his role, after confirming he was going to run for the role of Hong Kongs chief executive.

On the energy front, Hong Kong-listed shares in Petrochina were 0.92% higher by the close.

Oil prices were significantly higher during early Asian hours, as investors got their first chance to react to the first output-cutting meeting between OPEC producers and non-OPEC countries since 2001 in Vienna.

Analysts said any deal which results in a real cut to output would help to ease a glut of supply, which has kept prices low for two years.

The question of whether the production agreements are adhered to is one for the future, noted CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner.

At this stage the safe assumption is that they will be, especially in the first few months.

Brent crude was still surging early in European trading, with Brent crude last up 4.15% at $56.68 and West Texas Intermediate adding 4.38% to $53.86 per barrel.

Australias S&P/ASX 200 was up marginally, adding 0.04% to 5,562.80, with the energy sector propelling itself 2.85% to its highest levels since October last year.

On the energy front, Santos was up 5.12% and Oil Search grew 3.62%.

Further east, New Zealands S&P/NZX 50 finished down 0.25%, as the ruling right-wing National party confirmed former finance minister Bill English to the post of Prime Minister.

Incumbent PM John Key shocked the country and the markets by resigning at lunchtime last Monday, far earlier than expected, after almost three three-year terms in power.

Both of the down under dollars were stronger, with the Kiwi last ahead 0.48% on the greenback at NZD 1.3952 and the Aussie 0.35% stronger at AUD 1.3376 per $1.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Two Zimbabweans accused of armed robbery have pleaded with the Botswana's Broadhurst Magistrate Faith Ngandu to order the state to hand over their travelling documents.The two men, Ngxabutho Mbele and Stanley Ndlovu, together with Thuso Mabiza, have been charged with a single count of armed robbery for a crime that happened in 2011.The trio are alleged to have robbed Unique Superstore Mascom airtime valued at P12,188.70, Orange airtime (P5,118.75), beMobile airtime (P7,515.45) and quick recharge worth P50,000 at gun point in 2011.In court, the two tried in vain to plead with the magistrate to order the state to hand over their passports which were confiscated at the time of their arrest in South Africa back in 2011. The first accused, Mbele, said that the passport will help him in his defence. He said he had requested in writing to the South African authorities to hand over his passport, but was advised to talk to Botswana authorities as they (South Africans) had been passed it to Botswana through Interpol."They have told me that the passports will be handed to Botswana Interpol, so I should talk to local authorities," said Mbele. His co-accused Ndlovu said the police took his passport and $800 (about P8,500). The two further argued against their trial commencing in July 2017.They contended that the magistrate should set a nearer date for their trial because they have been in prison since their 2011 arrest in South Africa. Third accused Mabiza pleaded to be given bail.In response Ngandu said the South African authorities can better answer about the issue of the passports. She advised the accused to write to the authorities and demand their passports. The magistrate wondered, on hindsight, how the passports will help the accused in their defence. Ngandu also explained to the accused that the court will not give them special treatment.She said cases are dealt with according to how they appear in the system. She said this case was registered in 2016, and will be dealt with accordingly, as any other matter. She further said she could not comment on the time the accused were in prison in South Africa as she did not know what they were doing there.She ordered the prosecution to avail the Investigating Officer in the next mention to deal with the bail application of the third accused, Mabiza.The trio were remanded in custody and will appear again on December 19
A sharp move up in crude oil futures pulled government bond yields higher along with them, weighing on stocks two days ahead of the US central banks next policy meeting.

On Saturday, non-OPEC and OPEC members reached a deal to cut production for the first time since 2001, lifting oil prices.

The FTSE 100 finished down 0.92% to 6,890.42 amid profit-taking in Banks and Life insurers. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate was up 3.05% to $53.12 a barrel and Brent crude was 2.95% higher at $56.0.

Non-OPEC countries agreed to cut production by 558,000 barrels per day, with the majority of the cuts pledged by Russia. This is in addition to OPECs recent agreement to slash output by 1.2m barrels a day. Comments from Saudi Arabias energy minister Khalid al Falih also helped to underpin oil prices, as he said the country will cut substantially to be below the target agreed in November with OPEC members.

BP shares rose 1.51%, while Royal Dutch Shell was 1.49% higher and Tullow Oil rallied more than 4%.

"In case of full compliance, market could be balanced as early as 1Q17, with stocks drawing thereafter," Morgan Stanley said.

IGs Chris Beauchamp said: "The index itself is coming under pressure from banks and other financial stocks, and without the bounce in major oil firms we would be even further in the red.

With an-almost empty corporate and economic calendar today, investors are already looking towards Wednesdays Fed meeting as the key event of the week.

On that note, yields on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note hit 2.53% at one point in the session, their highest mark since September 2014.

Nonetheless, CMC Markets' Michael Hewson chipped in: There should be no surprises around this [Fed] meeting, though the press conference will take on an even greater significance in the context of the signalling of Fed intentions in 2017, as regards further rate rises.

Acting as a backdrop, overnight the Shanghai Stock Exchanges Composite Index lost 2.47% to 3,152.97, alongside a retreat in the yuan and in Chinese government bonds.

Analysts referenced news that the state insurance regulator had banned Evergrande Life, a subsidiary of the nations second biggest developer, from investing in the countrys stocks as one of the chief triggers behind the selling.

However, some market commentary also noted how US President-elect Donald Trump had told Fox News Sunday that his support for the decades-old 'One China' policy would hinge in part on being able to reach a better deal on trade.

Investors were also digesting a report by property website Rightmove, which said that asking prices for UK properties are likely to rise by 2% in 2017, which is down from the 3.4% estimated growth this year.

In inner London, however, asking prices are expected to fall by 5% next year as its price bubble continues to deflate.

Rightmove said house prices fell 2.1% month-on-month in December, giving an average price of 299,159.

Glencore, Sky fall back

In corporate news, Glencore moved lower after saying that it and the Qatar Investment Authority have concluded various agreements providing for the establishment of a 50:50 consortium, to take a chunk of Russian state gas operation Rosneft.

Shares in Sky retreated after surging on Friday following a $14bn takeover bid from 21st Century Fox.

Marks & Spencer was in the black as Bank of America Merrill Lynch upgraded the stock to buy from neutral.

DFS Furniture ticked lower after it said chairman Richard Baker will step down in spring next year after more than six years in the role.

Engineering firm WS Atkins edged higher as it agreed to sell its minority investment in the M25 motorway to a consortium of institutional investors for 66.3m.

ASOS was on the back foot as the online retailer said it will hire an additional 1,500 people at its London headquarters over the next three years.

Polymetal International lost its shine after RBC Capital Markets downgraded the stock to sector perform from outperform and slashed the price target to 810p from 1,460p.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,890.42 -0.92%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,641.15 -0.52%

techMARK (TASX) 3,251.86 -0.55%

FTSE 100 - Risers

BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,400.50p 3.36%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 774.50p 2.38%

Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,218.50p 1.58%

BP (BP.) 483.40p 1.51%

Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,118.50p 1.49%

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 343.30p 1.39%

Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) 8,360.00p 0.97%

Severn Trent (SVT) 2,165.00p 0.84%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,245.00p 0.67%

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 3,369.00p 0.57%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Capita (CPI) 454.70p -5.27%

Polymetal International (POLY) 746.50p -4.66%

Old Mutual (OML) 190.80p -3.44%

Croda International (CRDA) 3,084.00p -3.38%

Fresnillo (FRES) 1,145.00p -3.29%

Mondi (MNDI) 1,558.00p -3.29%

ITV (ITV) 185.20p -3.29%

HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 651.80p -3.27%

Barratt Developments (BDEV) 452.40p -3.25%

Glencore (GLEN) 290.25p -3.25%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Evraz (EVR) 273.00p 16.37%

Mitie Group (MTO) 224.90p 5.79%

Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 915.00p 5.17%

Allied Minds (ALM) 414.40p 4.88%

Greencore Group (GNC) 234.00p 4.46%

Tullow Oil (TLW) 326.00p 4.39%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 240.20p 3.98%

Vedanta Resources (VED) 963.00p 3.66%

International Personal Finance (IPF) 164.60p 2.68%

Hunting (HTG) 630.50p 2.60%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Ladbrokes Coral Group (LCL) 119.10p -8.81%

CMC Markets (CMCX) 94.55p -5.45%

Marshalls (MSLH) 281.70p -5.12%

BGEO Group (BGEO) 3,237.00p -4.20%

Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 643.00p -3.96%

Beazley (BEZ) 372.80p -3.52%

Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 85.70p -3.38%

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,774.00p -3.38%

Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 295.00p -3.34%

Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 450.30p -3.10%
European stocks started the session on a mixed note following moderate losses in Chinese assets overnight and amid sharp gains in oil futures after non-OPEC producers agreed to cut their output and Saudi said it might slash production by more than it had previously promised.

As of 0900 GMT, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was off by 0.04% to 355.24, while the Dax was losing 0.22% to 11,178.82. Pariss Cac-40 on the other hand was trading higher by 0.16% to 4,771.97 and the FTSE Mibtel was ahead by 1.20% to 18,512.38.

Chinas Shanghai Stock Exchanges composite index lost 2.47% to 3,152.97, alongside a retreat in the yuan and in Chinese government bonds.

Traders cited poor liquidity ahead of the year-end as one factor behind the losses, together with remarks by US President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend on Fox News Sunday according to which his support for the decades-old 'One China' policy would hinge in part on being able to reach a better deal on trade.

Italian assets on the other hand were benefitting from news that Rome had apppointed PD party foreign minister Gentiloni as Prime Minister. In parallel, speculation was rife that a state bail-in for Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena would be forthcoming shortly, trigerring a rise of 7.54% in the stricken lenders shares.

Amundi SA, which is owned by Credit Agricole, said it would acquire UniCredits Pioneer Investments arm for roughly 3.5bn.

Royal Philips NV agreed to sell its lighting components business to Apollo Global Management for approximately $2.0bn.

In other corporate news, Allianz Renewable Energy announced it had bought a 330m portfolio of windparks from PNE Wind.

Deutsche Bank's asset management arm was planning to rejoin the group of the worlds top ten firms in that space, Welt am Sonntag cited division chief Nicolas Moreau as having said. Moreau did not comment on rumours about an upcoming flotation of the unit.

Stada has received expressions of interest from Mylan and Novartis, SonntagsZeitung reported.

Oil prices shot higher after non-OPEC producers agreed to reduce their output by 568,000 barrels a day in parallel to the cut announced by the oil cartel itself on 30 November.

Adding to the buying pressure in crude oil futures, shortly after the announcement OPECs linchpin Saudi Arabia said it would lower its production by more than it committed to at OPECs last meeting.

As of 0917 GMT, front month Brent crude oil futures were higher by 4.85% to $57.10 per barrel on the ICE.
Stocks in London were little changed in early trade although energy shares racked up healthy gains as oil prices surged after non-OPEC and OPEC members reached a deal on Saturday to cut production for the first time since 2001.

At 0825 GMT, the FTSE 100 was up 0.1% to 6,964.35. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate was up 5.4% to $54.46 a barrel and Brent crude was 5% higher at $57.23.

Non-OPEC countries agreed to cut production by 558,000 barrels per day. This is in addition to OPECs recent agreement to slash output by 1.2m barrels a day.

BP shares rose 2%, while Royal Dutch Shell was 2.8% higher and Tullow Oil rallied more than 8%.

Spreadexs Connor Campbell said: With little to rival it, oil slipped into the spotlight this Monday following news of yet another historic output cut.

Following the lead of their OPEC peers, a cabal of 11 countries  which includes the likes of Mexico, Malaysia and, crucially, Russia  has agreed to slash their oil output by just over half a million barrels a day. Understandably Brent crude was overjoyed at the news, the black stuff surging by 5.5% to cross the $57 per barrel mark; thats the commoditys best price in almost a year and a half, and an increase that has had quite the effect on the oil sector this morning.

In corporate news, Glencore edged up after saying that it and the Qatar Investment Authority have concluded various agreements providing for the establishment of a 50:50 consortium, to take a chunk of Russian state gas operation Rosneft.

DFS Furniture ticked lower after it said chairman Richard Baker will step down in spring next year after just over six years in the role.

Engineering firm WS Atkins was also a touch weaker as it agreed to sell its minority investment in the M25 motorway to a consortium of institutional investors for 66.3m.

ASOS was on the back foot as the online retailer said it will hire an additional 1,500 people at its London headquarters over the next three years.

Investors were also digesting a report by property website Rightmove, which said that asking prices for UK properties are likely to rise by 2% in 2017, which is down from the 3.4% estimated growth this year.

In inner London, however, asking prices are expected to fall by 5% next year as its price bubble continues to deflate.

Rightmove said house prices fell 2.1% month-on-month in December, giving an average price of 299,159.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, the focus will turn to the Federal Reserve rate announcement on Wednesday, as markets have largely priced in a hike.

There should be no surprises around this meeting, though the press conference will take on an even greater significance in the context of the signalling of Fed intentions in 2017, as regards further rate rises, said CMC Markets Michael Hewson.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,967.11 0.19%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,762.84 0.17%

techMARK (TASX) 3,258.06 -0.36%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 349.90p 3.34%

Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,256.50p 3.32%

Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,154.50p 3.21%

BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,398.00p 3.17%

Anglo American (AAL) 1,249.00p 2.88%

BP (BP.) 485.75p 2.01%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 770.50p 1.85%

Glencore (GLEN) 304.60p 1.53%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,265.00p 1.29%

Dixons Carphone (DC.) 364.80p 1.28%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Mondi (MNDI) 1,583.00p -1.74%

AstraZeneca (AZN) 4,213.50p -1.55%

HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 663.80p -1.48%

Shire Plc (SHP) 4,375.00p -1.30%

Capita (CPI) 473.90p -1.27%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 435.80p -1.27%

Worldpay Group (WPG) 262.50p -1.24%

Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,795.00p -1.19%

3i Group (III) 685.50p -1.15%

Sky (SKY) 989.50p -1.05%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Tullow Oil (TLW) 345.60p 10.66%

Evraz (EVR) 255.00p 8.70%

Cairn Energy (CNE) 231.10p 5.86%

Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 900.50p 3.51%

Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 470.00p 3.30%

Weir Group (WEIR) 1,891.00p 2.77%

Hunting (HTG) 631.50p 2.77%

Vedanta Resources (VED) 953.00p 2.58%

IP Group (IPO) 155.50p 2.57%

Wood Group (John) (WG.) 871.00p 2.53%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Ladbrokes Coral Group (LCL) 123.10p -5.74%

CMC Markets (CMCX) 96.60p -3.40%

Diploma (DPLM) 928.50p -2.77%

TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 160.30p -2.08%

Bodycote (BOY) 615.00p -1.52%

William Hill (WMH) 286.50p -1.31%

BGEO Group (BGEO) 3,336.00p -1.27%

IG Group Holdings (IGG) 451.30p -1.27%

BTG (BTG) 568.50p -1.22%

PayPoint (PAY) 915.50p -1.13%
As two PricewaterhouseCooper employees who exposed favourable tax deals Luxembourg made with about 340 multinationals begin their appeal on Monday, Oxfam has labelled the Grand Duchy along with Bermuda, the Netherlands and Ireland as some of the worlds top tax havens.

Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet were found guilty in the Lux Leak case in June and were handed 12 and nine months suspended sentences respectively, for blowing the whistle in 2014 on deals negotiated by tax authorities in Luxembourg that enabled multinationals to dodge millions of dollars in tax. Oxfam has called for the whistle-blowers to be protected, not prosecuted.

Oxfam said that Luxembourg is the seventh worst corporate tax haven, and according to Eurodad, an NGO, the country had 519 deals in force in 2015, up from 172 in 2014, the year the scandal broke.

The charity compiled the list by assessing the extent to which countries employ damaging tax policies, such as zero corporate tax rates, the provision of unfair and unproductive tax incentives, and lack of co-operation with measures against tax avoidance.

Bermuda, a British territory, topped the list, followed by the Cayman Islands, another British territory, then the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore and Ireland.

Esme Berkhout, tax policy advisor for Oxfam said: Corporate tax havens are helping big business cheat countries out of billions of dollars every year. They are propping up a dangerously unequal economic system that is leaving millions of people with few opportunities for a better life.

Ireland has been implicated with an alleged sweetheart deal with technology giant Apple to pay 0.005% corporate tax, while the British Virgin Islands was home to more than half of the 200,000 offshore companies set up by law firm Mossack Fonseca, exposed in the Panama Papers scandal.

Sweetheart tax deals cost the EU up to 70bn a year in lost tax revenue, while Oxfam claims that tax dodging costs poor countries at least $100bn a year.

Berkhout said: There are no winners in the race to the bottom on corporate tax. Ordinary people  particularly the poorest  are paying the price for this reckless competition through increases in personal taxes and cuts to essential services, such as healthcare and education. Governments must work together to stop this crazy race to the bottom on corporate tax and ensure companies pay their fair share.

One way to encourage investment in a country is to cut corporation tax, and according to the Oxford University centre for business taxation the average corporate tax rate across G20 countries is less than 30% today, down from 40% 25 years ago.

British companies pay 20% of their profits on corporation tax and that is expected to fall to 19% in April next year and 17% in April 2020. Corporation tax is not the only tax that companies pay.

The charity said it is calling on governments to stop unfair and unproductive tax incentives and work together to set corporate tax at a level that is fair, progressive and contributes to the collective good, and ensure tax blacklists are based on objective, comprehensive criteria including whether or not a country offers zero rates of corporate tax.

It also wants governments to improve tax transparency by requiring all multinational companies to publish financial reports for every country in which they operate, so it is clear what taxes companies are paying and where.

The top 15 tax havens, according to Oxfam:

1. Bermuda

2. the Cayman Islands

3. the Netherlands

4. Switzerland

5. Singapore

6. Ireland

7. Luxembourg

8. Curacao

9. Hong Kong

10. Cyprus

11. Bahamas

12. Jersey

13. Barbados

14. Mauritius

15. the British Virgin Islands
BGEO Group 's water utility business issued a 30m Georgian lari currency bond (about 9m), the largest ever issued in local currency by a non-financial institution from the central Asian country.

Georgia Global Utilities, with the companys banking arm Galt & Taggart, has placed a GEL30m local currency bond with a five-year tenor and an annual coupon rate of National Bank of Georgia local currency refinancing rate plus 3.5%.

Chief executive Irakli Gilauri said the bond was in line with Georgia Global Utilitiess funding strategy to raise new funding in local currency with longer-term maturity.

Georgia Global Utilities is diversifying its sources of local currency funding through this bond placement, following its conversion of foreign currency borrowings into local currency, through local commercial banks, earlier this year."

He added: I am glad that Galt & Taggart, our investment banking and brokerage subsidiary, acted as a placement agent, and thus successfully continues to lead the local capital market development in Georgia."

On 5 December, the company's other subsidiary, the Bank of Georgia, issued a two year local currency linked global note worth GEL21m, which was to be settled in US dollars. This was the first Georgian lari-linked global note issued in the country and would enable the bank to diversify its funding and provide overseas investors access to local currency notes issued by the private sector.
Telecoms company BT Group has announced plans to create another 500 customer service jobs in the UK and Ireland.

Most of the jobs will be in contact centres in Swansea, Warrington, Doncaster and Accrington and are in addition to the previously-announced target of 1,000 UK and Ireland customer service roles by the end of March 2017.

BT will also be offering current Manpower agency staff the chance to convert their role into a permanent job working directly with the company.

Libby Barr, managing director of customer care at BT Consumer, said: We are proud to be creating these new jobs in the UK and Ireland. BT is completely changing the way we serve our customers in order to boost our service levels.

We are going to answer 90% our customers calls in the UK and Ireland by the end of March, and we have been taking on great people to fill full time jobs working for BT. In fact, we will be recruiting for an extra 500 positions, which will be a dramatic increase in what we said wed do.
Manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded cider, beer, wine and soft drinks in Ireland and the UK, C&C Group , announced on Monday that it has entered into expanded distribution and contract brewing agreements with AB InBev UK , in respect of that companys respective cider and beer portfolios in the UK and Ireland.

The Dublin and London-listed firm said under a new distribution agreement, AB InBev will be responsible for the sale and trade marketing of C&Cs cider portfolio - Magners, Chaplin & Corks and Blackthorn - in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, including on and off-trade national accounts.

It said the existing contract brewing arrangements with AB InBev had been renewed and extended, whereby C&C will continue brewing, kegging, bottling and canning certain AB InBev products, including Stella Artois at C&Cs Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow.

The existing distribution arrangements with AB InBev, by which C&C distributes AB InBevs beer portfolio - Becks, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Corona - in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland had been amended and reconfirmed.

No consideration was payable by either party on the signing of the Expanded Partnership Agreements, which were expected to come into effect over the coming months, and are long term, multi-year contracts.

The Expanded Partnership Agreements are expected to be earnings neutral for C&C in the first full year of operation and accretive thereafter, driven by increased volumes and value, particularly in cider in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

We are delighted to renew and expand the scope of our long term partnership with AB InBev, the worlds leading beverages company, said C&C CEO Stephen Glancey.

The agreements leverage the manufacturing, distribution and portfolio strengths of our two businesses in our core markets in the UK and Ireland.

Glancey said C&C was excited by the increased opportunities from combining Magners and its other cider brands with AB InBevs portfolio of beers, marketing expertise and distribution capability; particularly in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and amongst national accounts.

Magners Original transformed cider-drinking 10 years ago and this rich heritage is resonating with consumers again as the brand is firmly back in volume growth.

We are confident that it will flourish further within the enhanced platform that our expanded partnership with AB InBev will bring.

He added that C&C has been manufacturing and distributing AB InBevs beer brand portfolio in its core territories of Scotland and Ireland since the acquisition of the Tennents business from AB InBev in 2009.

Todays renewal of these agreements is testament to the strength of our distribution networks across Ireland and Scotland and our leading positions and brands in these territories; and underscores the quality and efficiency of our manufacturing facilities.

Jason Warner, president of AB InBev UK & Ireland, said his companys close, strategic partnership with C&C has existed since 2009 and the board was very happy to announce the strengthening of business ties.

The new and extended contracts will utilise AB InBevs world class distribution network to bring people in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man more choice in the cider category.

This partnership will provide our customers in both the on and off-trade with a renowned, complementary portfolio including Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, Goose, Camden, Magners, Chaplin & Corks, Blackthorn and K from AB InBev.
Oil prices rose as non-OPEC members including Russia agreed to cut production by 558,000 barrels per day, less than the 600,000 barrels a day they had been asked for but with Saudi Arabia signalling deeper cuts minutes after the meeting.

Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih said: "I can tell you with absolute certainty that effective Jan. 1 were going to cut and cut substantially to be below the level that we have committed to on 30 November." Shares in Tullow Oil, Hunting, Vedanta Resources and Petrofac gained after his comments.

Metal prices rose, with Chinese steel rebar up to $524.5 per tonne from $500.1/t and Iron ore rising to $79.8/t from $76.4/t, putting shares in miner Evraz well in the green.

Hochschild Mining advanced on the back of a 0.99% bump up in silver prices.

Meanwhile, BGEO group was in the red after it announced that its wholly-owned energy and utilities subsidiary had issued a 30m Georgian lari currency (9m) bond; the largest ever local-currency bond placed by a non-financial institution in Georgia. Chief executive Irakli Gilauri said the bond was in line with Georgia Global Utilities funding strategy to raise new funding in local currency with longer-term maturity.

Risers

Evraz (EVR) 272.50p 16.16%

Tullow Oil (TLW) 331.30p 6.08%

Mitie Group (MTO) 225.40p 6.02%

Allied Minds (ALM) 416.20p 5.34%

Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 916.00p 5.29%

International Personal Finance (IPF) 169.00p 5.23%

Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 233.50p 5.04%

Vedanta Resources (VED) 968.00p 4.20%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 239.50p 3.68%

Hunting (HTG) 635.50p 3.42%

Fallers

Ladbrokes Coral Group (LCL) 119.10p -8.81%

Marshalls (MSLH) 281.40p -5.22%

Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 645.00p -3.66%

Beazley (BEZ) 372.90p -3.49%

Restaurant Group (RTN) 328.00p -3.36%

BGEO Group (BGEO) 3,267.00p -3.31%

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,780.00p -3.17%

Galliford Try (GFRD) 1,253.00p -3.17%

BTG (BTG) 559.50p -2.78%

Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 86.30p -2.71%
Evraz led its sector to the top of the leaderboard with its stock hitting a new 52-week high as steel rebar prices notched up fresh gains.

Overnight, Chinese steel rebar futures rose from $500.1 a tonne to $524.5 even as Chinese securities traded mostly lower on news that the state insurance regulator had banned Evergrande Life, a subsidiary of the nations second biggest developer, from investing in the countrys stocks.

The Shanghai Stock Exchanges Composite Index lost 2.47% to 3,152.97, alongside a retreat in the yuan and in Chinese government bonds.

Right behind on the leaderboard were oil stocks after eleven non-OPEC countries agreed on Saturday to cut their combined output by 558,000 barrels a day on top of the cuts the oil cartel had already announced on 30 November.

Furthermore, Saudi eliminated a previous 'red line' saying it could lower its own output below the 10.0m b/d mark, analysts at Morgan Stanley pointed out.

Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih said: "I can tell you with absolute certainty that effective Jan. 1 were going to cut and cut substantially to be below the level that we have committed to on 30 November."

At the cartels last meeting, Saudi had pledged to reduce production from 10.7m b/d to 10.06m b/d.

"In case of full compliance, market could be balanced asearlyas 1Q17, with stocks drawing thereafter," Morgan Stanley said.

The broker reiterated its 'overweight' stance on shares of: Shell, BP, Tullow, Technip, Vallourec, Subsea 7.



Heading the other way were Banks and Life insurers, on profit-taking.

Fixed line telecoms were another weak spot in the market, with UBS slashing its target price on Talk Talk from 215p to 160p. Its analysts highlighted how the company had dropped guidance for revenue growth in fiscal year 2017, "following the initial impacts of price plans launched in October 2016".

TalkTalk was also facing greater competition from the likes of Sky, which was pushing into the value end of the UK broadband market, the same broker added..

"This may put pressure on TalkTalk's pricing and/or ability to retain subscribers," UBS said.



Top performing sectors so far today

Industrial Metals & Mining 2,702.49 +16.97%

Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 16,431.37 +2.85%

Oil & Gas Producers 8,088.51 +2.15%

Mining 15,516.72 +1.07%

Technology Hardware & Equipment 1,031.41 +0.84%

Bottom performing sectors so far today

Forestry & Paper 16,889.49 -2.67%

Banks 4,125.31 -2.13%

Fixed Line Telecommunications 3,941.79 -1.77%

Real Estate Investment Trusts 2,766.14 -1.77%

Life Insurance 7,633.88 -1.70%
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News / National

by Staff reporter

After losing his fanciful claims in both the Labour Court last year and the Supreme Court earlier this year, that Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ) - publishers of the Daily News, the Daily News on Sunday and the Weekend Post - employed and then dismissed him unfairly in 2010, journalist Geoffrey Nyarota will now also have to repay the company $60 000.High Court judge, Justice Amy Tsanga, ruled last Thursday that Nyarota should not only reimburse ANZ with the $60 000 that he pocketed when he sold his Zimbabwe Times website to the company in 2009 - and then failed to fulfill the terms of the agreement - but also pay the requisite interest on the money, as well as ANZ's court costs.Tsanga dismissed Nyarota's arguments that he had not only fulfilled the terms of the sale agreement, but also that the said agreement had allegedly been linked to his false claims that ANZ ever employed him."Clearly behind the facade of seeming co-operation, Mr Nyarota had a festering grievance relating to the divesture of control of the website from his hands, which he had been prepared to countenance in expectation of a role to play."The issue of his role, or lack there of, within ANZ was in fact for the greater part what formed his initial defence. The end result is ... the website was not delivered."There is no reason in my view why ANZ should not recover its money back when it did not receive a website. Accordingly, it be and is hereby ordered that defendant (Nyarota) pays plaintiff as follows: (a) payment of the sum of US$60 000, (b) interest on the sum of US$60 000 at the prescribed rate from date of demand being 9 June 2010 to the date of payment in full and (c) costs of suit," Tsanga ruled.Early this year, the Supreme Court upheld an appeal by ANZ against an arbitral order that had been erroneously registered in Nyarota's favour by a lower court last year.This followed fictitious claims by Nyarota that ANZ had dismissed him unlawfully in 2010, leading to Harare arbitrator John Mawire wrongly determining in August 2011 that he had a legitimate claim, and that he was, therefore, entitled to compensation of $90 921.It was this unfounded claim that Nyarota tried to affirm in the High Court in July last year, notwithstanding the fact that the Labour Court had subsequently dismissed the claim with costs, and which led to the Supreme Court also repudiating the claim.Nyarota had for the past few years made song and dance about this non-existent claim, particularly in State media which gave him ample space at the time to launch sustained, but ultimately futile attacks against ANZ and its staff.An ANZ spokesperson described Nyarota then as a "troubled hack with an uncanny knack of getting himself into unnecessary difficulties", adding after the Supreme Court ruling that the company was happy that it had been fully vindicated by the courts "in this silly matter"."There was never a case here other than Mr Nyarota's fertile imagination and fatal propensity for unnecessary fights, which ultimately only serve to disadvantage him."This is why ANZ never felt the need to respond to his many delusional rants against the company, its leading industry position and staff in some gullible sections of the media," the spokesperson said.The company also thanked its lawyers Mordecai Mahlangu - the veteran lawyer and senior partner with law firm Gill, Godlonton and Gerrans - and Advocate Thabani Mpofu, for having dealt with "Mr Nyarota's often provocative tendencies with admirable patience and dignity" throughout the lengthy court processes.
A plan may close Catholic churches in Columbus. What you need to know.
News / National

by Staff reporter

VICE-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been accused of trying to advance his Zanu-PF factional interests after the Justice ministry's shock revelations that plans are afoot to amend the new Constitution and change the way the next chief justice will be selected.Virginia Mabhiza, the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary tendered an affidavit detailing the proposed amendments in a shock move during a High Court hearing on Friday.A University of Zimbabwe law student Romeo Zibani is challenging the role of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in the selection of the next chief justice as the incumbent Godfrey Chidyausiku's retirement draws close.Mnangagwa's ministry has now indicated that it wants Mugabe to be given unfettered powers to appoint the chief justice, deputy chief justice and judge president, but the VP's critics say Zanu-PF's succession politics is at play.However, what has shocked observers is the government's willingness to tinker with a popularly-endorsed constitution so soon after its adoption.Former Finance minister Tendai Biti led the charge against Mnangagwa's manoeuvres, describing them as an attempt to capture the state."The whole motive is continued state capture," he tweeted. "Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa knows his preferred candidate is not fit enough or competent enough to be appointed chief justice and wants him appointed using unconstitutional means."Biti, a constitutional law expert, said Mabhiza's affidavit should not be entertained because the constitution was clear on the selection of the chief justice."The constitution is very clear on the selection and appointment process of judges," he charged. "Until the law has been changed, a concession can't be made on the basis of future law."MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said Mugabe's succession was now threatening constitutionalism in Zimbabwe."This is a well-choreographed attempt to reverse the gains of the constitution and usurp the powers of the JSC by Zanu-PF, which is now taking its succession wars to the constitution. this is very retrogressive," he said.United Kingdom-based constitutional law expert Alex Magaisa echoed the same sentiments, saying the legal intervention could be an attempt to keep Chidyausiku out of the selection of his successor."It's shocking that the Constitution is becoming a casualty of succession wars," he tweeted."Changing the constitution to suit a parochial agenda. He's the choice of a group which seems to fear that he will be overlooked by the Chidyausiku-led JSC."According to impeccable Zanu-PF sources, Mabhiza's affidavit was a desperate attempt to stop the interviews for Cdidyausiku's successor because they fear their preferred candidate would stand the rigorous process."Section 180 of the constitution which was adopted only three years ago provides for a public and transparent process for the nomination of judges by the Judicial Services Commission for appointment by the president," the source said. "The process which has already been used by the JSC has won public confidence following widespread complaints against the previous system through which judicial appointments were handpicked by the president on the advice of the minister of Justice."The source said it was curious that Mnangagwa's ministry had tendered the affidavit supporting the law student, which was based on a "memorandum to Cabinet and a draft bill that had not been considered or reviewed by anyone else outside the Justice ministry."Mnangagwa, who is cited as the third respondent in the case filed by Zibani claimed Cabinet was already seized with a Constitutional Amendment Bill to bring back the opaque system of having judges picked by Mugabe. Several ministers who spoke to The Standard said no such deliberations had taken place.The VP's faction allegedly prefers High Court judge president Justice George Chiweshe to take over as chief justice but they fear Chidyausiku prefers JSC secretary Rita Makarau.Other contenders for the influential post include Chidyausiku's deputy Luke Malaba and Paddington Garwe who is serving on the Constitutional Court desk. Other sources said Mnangagwa's faction could was facing an uphill struggle in trying to delay the selection of Chidyausiku's successor."It is impossible to suspend Section 180 of the constitution and to put on hold the selection of a new chief justice pending a constitional amendment," the source said. "That would put Zimbabwe in the throes of a banana republic."Higher Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, a critic of Mnangagwa's political ambitions also criticised the move on Twitter yesterday."How can a perm secretary in Justice Ministry file an affidavit in Court on behalf of Justice minister arguing a memo is above Constitution," he questioned?"Worrying. The rule of law is based on supremacy of the Constitution & not promissory notes. Justice ministry must respect the Constitution."Moyo has in the past accused Mnangagwa of abusing state institutions in the alleged plot to grab power from Mugabe.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Two construction companies have agreed to pay a combined $147,500 in fines over safety violations in the death of one worker and injuries to another during construction of the Minnesota Vikings' new stadium last year.

Berwald Roofing is paying $113,200 for three violations, while Mortenson is paying $34,300 for one violation. The penalties are lower than Minnesota's Occupational Safety and Health Administration originally proposed, but the contractors disputed the original fines.





. . .
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COOS BAY, Ore. (AP)  Federal regulators are refusing to reconsider a natural gas pipeline that would terminate in the southern Oregon coastal town of Coos Bay.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday denied requests from the Jordan Cove Energy Project, the state of Wyoming and the Wyoming Pipeline Authority to reopen the case.





. . .
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Cabinet minister has inadvertently revealed that President Robert Mugabe will use the army if his continued rule is threatened in the 2018 elections as infighting continues to weaken the ruling party.Mugabe early this year revealed that he survived after an embarrassing defeat in the first round of the 2008 presidential election at the hands of MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai after the army intervened.Hundreds of MDC-T supporters were killed and several were displaced in the electoral violence that followed the veteran ruler's defeat and put Zimbabwe on the international spotlight for the wrong reasons.Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe told a recent Zanu-PF inter district meeting in Masvingo that the ruling party would not hesitate to resort to such tactics if its rule came under threat.Hungwe, who is believed to be part of a Zanu-PF faction loyal to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was one of the people who addressed the meeting held at Masvingo Polytechnic College two weeks ago.The meeting was reportedly attended by Masvingo provincial minister Shuvai Mahofa, Zanu-PF chief whip Lovemore Matuke and provincial commissar Jeppy Jaboon, among others."Yes, we can go to war. We can hire our army our soldiers can come in to help us. We will never allow opposition political parties to rule this country," the minister was recently quoted by a Masvingo provincial weekly newspaper, Tell Zimbabwe."We are going to have President Mugabe as our candidate in 2018 and his succesors must have war credentials."Hungwe constantly quoted the Bible as he reminded party members of how a senior army official helped Zanu-PF in the run-up to the June 2008 presidential election run-off campaign."Don't forget what Major General Rugeje [Engelbert] did in Masvingo in 2008. We can call him again in 2018," he threatened, while mocking ex-party members, notably former Energy minister Dzikamai Mavhaire, who defected to former vice-president Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First."We must make sure that People First does not win this is very Biblical because it started in the Bible where the army was being hired to defend the king."In our case, President Mugabe is our king, hence, the need to use soldiers to defend him and his party."Hungwe was not picking calls since Monday last week and had by last night not responded to text messages.However, acting Masvingo provincial chairperson Amasa Nenjana tried to downplay the gravity of the minister's threats.Nenjana said Hungwe had only said the army would be unleashed in the event of foreign invasion."He was referring to foreign invasion. He said the duty of the soldiers was to protect everyone, including the president," Nenjana said, struggling to justify what triggered reference to the army."Soldiers protect the country and this means the people and their leader."He only referred to [senior military officials] when he was saying if the country is invaded, we turn to the soldiers, pointing to him because he is a soldier."But party sources who attended the meeting said Hungwe's threats were directed at opposition supporters, among them former Zanu-PF members."He even threatened to unleash the army if the going gets tough in the Bikita West by-election, saying it was within the powers of the Karanga people to retain the seat," a source who attended the meeting said.According to the source, Hungwe, who is considered to be the Zanu-PF Masvingo godfather, has been clashing with party members for imposing Chief Fortune Charumbira and Major General Rugeje  all believed to be aligned to the Team Lacoste faction as the provincial bigwigs behind him in the hierarchy."He has of late been using Major General Rugeje to distribute inputs to villagers, bypassing the MPs. The issue is causing friction because both Chief Charumbira and Major Gen Rugeje are not in the Zanu-PF hierarchy, but are being preferred by Hungwe because they are Mnangagwa loyalists to counter G40," the source added.Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore declined to comment on the matter, referring questions to Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi.Contacted for comment, Mugwisi said: "We could have commented if he had claimed that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said it, not his personal opinions."Zanu-PF has already endorsed Mugabe as its sole candidate for the 2018 polls when he will be 94.
Minister for Health Simon Harris has attributed the beds crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital, and other hospitals around the country, to a significant outbreak of infections, but has given assurances of more investment in health services.

The health minister was speaking today during a visit to the hospital to open the new Donegal Medical Academy, the new integrated Blood Sciences Department and the new Postgraduate Medical Learning Centre.

The hospital has been experiencing one of its worst winters for overcrowding at its emergency department in recent years. The minister said the recruitment and retention of staff and a significant outbreak of infections had put additional pressure on hospitals.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) there were 22 patients waiting on beds at the emergency department this morning, a figure the minister put at just ten.

Local campaigners for increased funding for health services protested outside the hospital ahead of the visit. Protesters in the hospital foyer shouted beds not trolleys as the minister passed them on a tour of the new facilities.

He said more will be spent on health in 2017 than ever before and Letterkenny University Hospitals 2016 budget of 120m will be increased further next year.

The minister said there will be an extra 1,000 nurses and doctors recruited for the health service.

For all that you do hear politically about some people who wish to portray the health situation, we are investing more in health in 2017 than ever before, including in the heyday of the Celtic Tiger, he said.

What I can say is that we are back in an era of reinvesting in health. I would be the first to say that we have come through an extraordinary difficult time and there is some brilliant people that work here in this hospital people, and indeed in our health service right through the country, and we need to support them.

The minister said health services in Donegal are safe. Only only are your services safe, I want to see your services enhanced. Donegal, like much of the country, has seen a number of very, very difficult years, indeed it has been an extraordinary difficult number of years for our public services in general, but we are back now in a period of reinvesting in our health system. This hospital had a budget of 210m in 2016 and I expect that to increase in 2017.

The minister was due to meet with local health service campaign groups after officially opening the new facilities.
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Aston Martin is set to follow Jaguar's lead by reviving one of its classic models as a new car.

The British brand is set to reproduce the 1959 Aston Martin DB4 GT as a run of 25 track-only cars for wealthy collectors around the world.

The 25 new models will build on the original run of 75 cars built between 1959 and 1963, following the same design of eight limited-edition lightweight versions of the "gentleman's racer".

Each model will be powered by a 3.7-litre six-cylinder engine that sends more than 250kW to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission.

The short-wheelbase machines will take shape in Aston Martin's spiritual home of Newport Pagnell before owners take part in a round-the-world racetrack tour taking in circuits such as the Yas Marina grand prix facility in Abu Dhabi.

Aston Martin has not issued prices for the new cars, which are expected to cost more than any of its current production models.

An original DB4 GT built in 1960 sold by RM Sothebys in September fetched 2,408,000, or more than $4 million.

Aston Martin says the first examples of the DB4 GT will reach customers in the third quarter of 2017.
Home Off beat Video: The Fate Of The Furious (Fast & Furious 8)  This Time Its Serious oi-Sreejith

The eighth instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise - The Fate of the Furious first trailer has landed. The trailer was released following a live premiere on the streets of Time Square in New York City.

In it, Dominic Toretto played by Vin Diesel is recruited by a mysterious terrorist Cipher played by Charlize Theron and sets him against his family.

Like any other F&F film since Fast Five, the trailer shows explosions and insane actions. It is clear that the fast crew will go head to head with Toretto and Cipher. The movie was shot in places like Cuba, Ohio and Iceland.

Speaking about vehicles, we can see a number of Dodge Challengers, some military vehicles including a tank, a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, a submarine breaking through ice and a lot more.

The F8 will hit the theatres on April 14, 2017.
News / National

by Justice Maphosa

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.Who is Zimbabwe? It is all those who are inhabitants (different colours [one people], different languages, either disabled or not, brave men and women, our children etc.)."There comes a time when silence is betrayal." Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.If God helped Daniel from a lion's den, he can do the same for us as Zimbabwe (people are Zimbabwe). If the Lord Almighty led Moses and his people out of Egypt from slavery by Pharaoh, he can also change the fortunes for us by ending Mugabe and ZANU PF's reign of terror.Good citizens, Dr Martin King Luther Jnr once said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you do not see the whole staircase."Brave men and women have over the past voiced dissatisfaction on how Mugabe and ZANU PF have destroyed our livelihoods for self-enrichment. Of recent we have seen some sporadic protests ( #Mugabe and ZUNU PF must fall, #Thatcannotcarryon #Tajamuka etc.). Some have paid with their lives, tortured, doing time as the case maybe. The truth of the matter is that they sent a very good message (loud and clear) to Mugabe and cronies as they were shaken (though haven't fallen as yet) but are losing the grip by the minute. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere." Dr Martin Luther King Jnr. He went on to say that nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity as we have seen in Mugabe and his ZANU cadres."No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they die for." Dr Martin Luther King.The highways/streets with potholes/sinkholes, bond notes, mishaps are a representation of what we have become as Zimbabwe. It is just a basketful of problems to say the least. Let us act now and save ourselves and future generations from further harm. Let us cry loud to God every day, pray for ourselves, and request Jesus' intervention. Tell your Jesus that we have suffered a lot and cannot risk further deterioration that is making us move away from him our saviour. Fruitful protests (as one) would be built from that."We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope." Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.Zimbabwe, I urge you to forget about your favourite prophet regarding our sufferings, your favourite church etc. Please have a one on one conversation with your Saviour in your language of preference. Plead with him that we have suffered a lot and we feel that it's enough. We have been used, misused, abused and then discarded into the dungeon while looking 9or not looking). It's suffer continue for Zimbabwe (you and me)."One is too small a number to achieve greatness." John MaxwellHolding mass prayers from now on should be the key focus. We can do it in stadiums, open areas, in churches as different congregations etc. We need NEW BLOOD and NEW THINKING' and out with Mugabe and ZANU PF (all must be bowled out for 36 runs). We have this December 2016 and 17 April 2017 to make this a reality."You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." Malcom X. We must always remind ourselves of that.Those who have benefited from ZANU PF (drive train of the ZANU's engine), you must just know that such gains are most likely to evaporate in thin given our situation. The great Malcom X once reminded us not to be so blind with patriotism to such an extent that we cannot face reality; wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.We cannot have rain but successive droughts until such a time when ZANU is all out; thereafter we will have plenty of rain and bumper harvests.We must do the right thing now by saving ourselves from further harm because we are Zimbabwe. Remember that if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything and that includes being a slave of the Bond Note (Malcom X).We must not forget that everybody is great and because anybody can serve, you do not have to have a college degree to serve, you don't have to make your subject and verb agrees to serve but only need a heart full of grace and that is a soul generated by love (Dr Martin Luther Jnr).Below is my WhatsApp number, let us use it constructively to come with ways to reclaim our land and put the right people to lead us.Barwe , Chichewa, Dombe, English, Kalanga, Nambya, Ndebele, Shona, Tonga, Tsoa, Tsonga, Tswa, Tswana, Venda, Zimbabwe Sign Language, Lozi and Nsenga; Speaking a different language, different skin etc. does not mean that we are different species in Zimbabwe. People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't each other because they have not communicated with each other (Dr Martin Luther King Jnr). This country belongs to all hence let us not be dictated at by 0.006% greedy individuals out of a population of 15 million. Note that portion is not smarter than all of us hence let's ACT NOW ZIMBABWE. No one not even Mugabe has the right to rain on your dreams (Dr Martin Luther King Jnr).Please play your part Zimbabwe. If you can't fly then run; if you can't run then walk; if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to be moving forward (Dr Martin Luther King Jnr). Let us not allow a few greedy individuals to either hold us to ransom or move us backwards. China's 30 years into democracy was a much needed turnaround strategy which resulted in the country being in a class of its own (creates millionaires every week) while most of our own are languishing in a pool of poverty (have become a province of South Africa; worse part a dumping ground of expired and genetically modified foods as well as used goods from many countries).Zimbabwe, God bless you and just know that Freedom is coming come 2017', play your part to bowl out ZANU PF for 36 runs.+278 977 7388Justucemaphosa@hotmail.com
Where does time go? It doesnt feel like a year ago since last Christmas, more like a few months yet here we are again, on the cusp of the festivities.

Stephen Morrissey once said correctly that Life is very long when you are lonely but life gets shorter the longer you have been here and lately Ive been obsessed with time slipping away or to use the Neil Young album title, Time Fades away. Inevitably. Silently. Unstoppable.

Last Wednesday night I was invited to a screening of the George Galloway documentary about Tony Blair, subtly titled The Killings of Tony Blair, held downstairs in Film Base, Dublin.

The word killings here referencing the vast sums of money the former Prime Minister of Britain has made since he left office, rather than any of the many specific killings his and Bushs illegal war in Iraq led to, though one is of course supposed to keep both in mind when watching the film as they are both inevitably linked.

Its hard to believe that the war in Iraq or invasion of Iraq was so long ago now but it was. Some thirteen years ago in fact and its repercussions are still being felt.

Such has been the blur of violence and bloodshed and further wars, that this event led to including, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria and the mess that is the so called Caliphate - founded by the reprehensible Isis which that war unleashed- it would not be incorrect to pinpoint this as one of, if not the, defining moments of the recent past that has shaped the world we live in today.

The film itself is presented by Galloway, dressed in Black from head to toe complete with black hat, as he interviews people who worked with Tony Blair in Government or as opposition, various thinkers and commentators such as the linguist and political commentator Noam Chomsky and former Guardian editor Seamus Milne, even Tony Blairs sister in law is enlisted to help tell this quite dizzying tale of greed and corruption.

The vast amounts of money discussed here are mind boggling in scale, even if Blair himself has always played down how much he is worth, he never has offered an alternative to the figures bandied about, topping 100s of millions.

Since leaving the role of Prime Minister he has been an advisor to nearly every type of despot and dictator you can imagine and Tony does not come cheap, even his bizarre and almost satirical appointment as Middle East Peace Envoy is just another bonkers moment in a political life that takes on the realm of the nonsensical and unbelievable when examined close up.

It is true that Galloway was never a fan of Tony Blair and many reading this might say the same of themselves and Galloway, but having issues with a person does not mean that all their work is made redundant and watching this film about Blair it is hard not to feel enraged that someone who has caused so much destruction, pain and misery while never once offering a mea culpa or an apology, should be living such a jet setting lifestyle and enjoy such wealth, seemingly beyond the reproach of the law or being affected by any common sense prevailing.

At times here Blair comes across like a madman, someone unwilling to apply any of the same standards to himself that he applies to the world around him.

The film mostly consists of eye opening archive material and Galloway points out during the Q & A which follows that more than half of the films budget, in total over 600,000, was spent on acquiring it. While not being the most cinematic of experiences it is a better film than some reviews would suggest and its hard to find fault with its analysis of Blair as a man bereft of conscious and seemingly above the law who continues onward much like time, unstoppable, unimpeachable and with horrible inevitability.

As Kofi Annan says in the film: The Iraq war was an illegal war and someone else: If Iraq wasnt a war crime then I dont know what is.

I dont think anyone does anymore.

The film should be released on Netflix next year and is worth your time.

The Q and A afterwards took up more time than I expected.

It was what one would expect though it didnt really get that heated probably due to the overall consensus in the room (indeed in any room apart from the Blair living room) when it comes to Blair.

Though Galloways championing of Russia and Putin is certainly problematic, more so due to his television work for the Russia Today news channel, though thats another days discussion, even if we are running out of them.

Due to the gargantuan running time of the Q&A I nearly missed all of the Primal Scream concert which was taking place around the corner in the Olympia Theatre but managed to catch the last 45 minutes or so of Bobby Gillespie and co.

Happily, this part of the set consisted of all the songs I know by the band, including some choice numbers from their wonderful career high point Exterminator rather than their sub Stones drivel.

Even the last song Country Girl while never being a song I loved particularly does manage to bring the house down and dispel any more thoughts of Mr Blair and all his ill gained wonga for at least a few hours.

Thursday night in the same venue we are treated to a wonderful gig by the brilliant Super Furry Animals. Tonight they are playing their first two albums back to back, Fuzzy Logic and Radiator respectively.

Having been on hiatus until the last year or so the band seem surprisingly as fresh faced and vital as ever as they fire through songs some of which they have never played live before. The playing of the two records together like this gives an insightful glimpse into the sonic development of the band, who while great songwriters from the off, matured significantly between the two releases and by the end of Mountain People the last track on Radiator everyone in attendance is sure that they have just witnessed something special.

After the non-album closer The Man Dont Give a F**k which the band perform in Yeti costumes they hold up a sign which reads: The End.

On this evidence one can only hope the end is not the end.

If only we could turn back time like this all the time but then we would be living in a sort of Quantum Leap situation and might never get home again.

Its all relative I suppose.


Of all organized violence that recently arose in Africa and Asia, none can be directly linked to water scarcity. That was the good news brought by assistant professor Nina von Uexkull at Uppsala University, Sweden, at the second Planetary Security conference in The Hague, the Netherlands.

As a researcher Uexkull is involved in the development of a system for early warning of armed conflicts. Uexhulls contribution focusses on the dynamics of climate change, such as droughts. Her bad news was that water scarcity is one of the very powerful drivers of armed conflicts, next to poverty and politically marginalised groups.

The Planetary security conference took place in the Peace Palace on 5 and 6 December in The Hague and included several workshops on the water-related issues of climate change and prevention of conflicts.

The conference is part of the Planetary Security Initiative launched in 2015 by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assistant professor Nina von Uexkull at Uppsala University

No scientific evidence

It is often argued that the war in Syria arose from the long period of drought, resulting in less food production, resulting in less income for rural communities, resulting in the migration into the cities and causing new tensions there.

The scientific community has not yet reached consensus on such a specific link between climate and political violence and scientists are studying the climate-conflict linkages in relative simple and direct manners.

Uexkull studied all armed conflicts in Africa and Asia that started the past 25 years and did not find such direct linkage to the eruption.

However, her study showed that droughts in growing season, can lead to poverty in rural areas. This can be of paramount importance when this hits a group that is excluded from political power.

She specifically mentioned Africa where groups constantly fighting for power.

Many different needs

The workshop included discussions on the different levels of actions  at global, local and river basin - that are needed to reduce the risk of geopolitical water disputes. Von Uexkull mentioned the lack of understanding of the many different needs and the different constrains.

Debates on water disputes are very complex, she said, often involving different languages and different technical insights. Van Uexhull advised to organise cross sectoral dialogues.

Director-general Hans Mommaas at PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

Global accountability platform

The issue of potential action at global level was addressed by director-general Hans Mommaas at PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. He suggested to monitor the progress by nations to implement their climate adaptation plans. The effects are piling up, Mommaas said. It is not about water scarcity only. It is also about the growing demand for biomass as an alternative fuel, about more hydropower that displaces people in transboundary river basins.

Mommaas advocated the creation of a global accountability platform. We have to cope with many uncertainties to solve these wicked problems. There is not one solution. We need adaptive and learning strategies.

According to Mommaas such a global platform can monitor the implementation of such strategies and explore the global dimensions and exchange best practises.

The workshop was hosted by PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and research institute Deltares that will publish a policy brief on the relation between climate, water and conflicts. The input from the workshop will be used in this policy brief.

Read also on this website

 Multi-track framework for water diplomacy launched at Planetary Security conference, The Hague, 8 December 2016

 Successful water diplomacy begins with joint fact finding, 19 November 2013



More information

The Hague Institute for Global Justice

The Hague, the Netherlands

+31 70 30 28 130

www.thehagueinstituteforglobaljustice.org

The Netherlands Permanent Representative Karel van Oosterom addressing the UN council on the need for more water diplomacy.
We all do better when we all do better

In a few short weeks, Michigan has fallen from being part of the blue wall to a state that some suggest Democrats should give up on in favor of sunbelt states like North Carolina, Arizona and Georgia. Nothing would be more depressing if life werent a Golden Corral filled with things to be depressed about right now.

Giving up on Michigan would be ridiculous for a few reasons.

Trump barely eked out a win in Michigan by a margin much smaller than what third-party candidates received blasting a message aimed toward the working class that has already proven to hollow with Trumps attack on organized labor and the massive giveaways to the rich hes plotting that have given Wall Street an orgasm now heading into its fifth week.

If we take this glancing win and the suppressive ID law proposed since as a harbinger of doom for Midwest Democrats, that means the GOP will likely get a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and Democrats start off 2020 needing to win states they havent won in decades.

Its also ridiculous because Democrats showed that they know how to win in these states just two years ago. In 2014, which was a nightmare for Democrats, Tom Wolf was elected governor of Pennsylvania as Gary Peters and Al Franken won their respective Senate seats easily. And Frankens convincing relection was stark contrast to his win in 2008, which was one of the closet wins in U.S. Senate history in the midst of a historic Obama landslide.

Peters and Franken were both strong enough candidates that they managed to draw relatively weak Republican opponents. But both candidates ran exactly the kind of race that provides a convincing alternative Trumps faux populism.

While other top-of-the-ticket Democrats ran to the middle, these candidates planted their feet where they were, Bob Moser wrote in the American Prospect.

Frankens message emphasized his ability to be pragmatic and work across the aisle but also emphasized what he was againt  a key element of effective populism.

I work for all Minnesotans, the Senator said. Wall Street wasnt happy about that. But I dont work for Wall Street. I work for you.

Through the magic of Twitter I reached out to Matt Burgess, Frankens 2014 campaign manager, to ask him about the race.

Did you consider that campaign to be populist at the time?

A lot of the messaging was absolutely populist, but most importantly, it highlighted how Sen. Franken was working hard for Minnesota. The ads Rigged, Hedge and All Together are great examples of how he is taking on Wall Street, working so people can refinance student loans and in general fighting for the middle class.

You also might remember that Sen. Franken holds the seat once held by his friend Sen. Paul Wellstone. His famous quote We all do better when we all do better, definitely played a big role in our campaign from Als speeches to being written on the wall in our campaign offices. And its true too!

What went wrong for Democrats in 2016?

There is a lot that didnt go right in 2016 and its important to look at every race and its individual dynamics on its own. You often learn a lot more by losing than you do by winning  and that gives me hope.

Overall, it is clearly important that Democrats have a strong economic message demonstrating how they are fighting for the middle class and also taking on the institutions that are holding people back.

Some argue the Senator is the closest thing to a Trump-like elected official in the Democratic Party. Do you think an outsider is better choice for opposing Trump in 2020?

I think voters are looking for someone who will stand up and fight for them. There is a heck of a lot of time between now and 2020 and I think Democrats will have a lot of good candidates who will want to run. Whether they are an elected official or a total outsider  theyll have to make an honest and thoughtful case about why them  why they are running and what they want to do for the American people.

***

Id sum the Franken message up as reinforcing the ideal of empathy for all Americans while standing up corporate greed. Its not much different than the message that Obama used to win hold the blue wall twice. And it can work again.
Facebook last week released six videos to educate people about artificial intelligence.

AI will bring major changes to society, and will be the backbone of many of the most innovative apps and services of the future, but it remains mysterious, noted Yann LeCun, Facebooks director of AI research, and Joaquin Candela, the companys director of applied machine learning in an online post.

The videos are simple and short introductions that will help everyone understand how this complex field of computer science works, they said.

The announcement immediately sparked speculation that Facebook would use its AI technology to tackle the fake news items posted on its pages.

However, tackling fake news is more a question of ethics than technology, LeCun told reporters, with questions coming into play about the trade-off between filtering and censorship versus free expression and democracy.

Mysteries of the Mind

Understanding the videos, which LeCun created, does require a certain amount of grounding in science.

Still, they set a baseline  help explain what an AI can do in the near term, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Watching the videos likely makes the topic less frightening, he told TechNewsWorld.

Facebook is trying to reset the perception of AI, and from that standpoint, theyre dead-on, observed Jim McGregor, a principal analyst at Tirias Research.

This is what the market needs, he told TechNewsWorld, to counter unrealistic Hollywood scenarios and sensationalism in the general press.

Facebooks long-term goal is to understand intelligence and build intelligent machines, according to LeCun and Candela.

Trying to understand intelligence and how to reproduce it in machines will help us not just build intelligent machines, they suggested, but develop keener insight into how the mysterious human mind and brain work.

Corralling Fake News

AI might help clamp down on the proliferation of fake news stories, which circulated in unprecedented numbers during the recent presidential election, and may have influenced voters.

One motive for the creation of fake news stories is money, according to one fake-news writer who told The Washington Post that he believed his made-up stories helped President-Elect Donald Trump win votes.

In separate investigations, both BuzzFeed and The Guardian earlier this year found upwards of 100 pro-Trump sites in Macedonia  many apparently run by teenagers looking to make a quick buck.

Fake news also comes from partisan news sites slanted strongly toward one candidate.

Thirty-eight percent of stories generated by right-wing, pro-Trump sites were false or contained falsehoods blended with facts, according to a study BuzzFeed published this fall.

First Amendment Issues

AI can help filter abusive or fraudulent content, improve security, analyze user interests, perform image recognition and classification, Tirias McGregor pointed out.

There are so many facets that Facebook can benefit from, he said.

However, AI would need to have absolute control over all incoming posts and filters to be effective, suggested Enderle. It really is the only tool that we have that can handle the kind of scale Facebooks needs.

That might raise a storm of protests over the issue of First Amendment rights.

The stakes are extremely high for Facebook, Enderle said, as not addressing the fake news issue in a timely fashion, or addressing it badly, could lead to everything from excessive litigation to company failure.

The question at the heart of the matter, suggested McGregor, is how do you get something right that has not been done before? The answer is, you try and learn from your mistakes.

However, AIs will never be 100 percent perfect, he said, because, just like us, they are always learning.
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Man Tries Extreme Pickup Lines On College Campus With Mixed Results

Trending News: This Guy Tried Some Extreme Pickup Lines And They Kind Of Worked

Quick Take

The best way to get in good with college girls is to be in a cool fraternity and have some booze that's not Natty or Beast Light. The second best way, apparently, is to say the most outlandish things that come to mind and see what sticks. This guy opted for the latter.

Are these the most SAVAGE pickup lines, as the video's title would suggest? No. But they're pretty out there, and some of them are legitimately clever (the one concerning Rosie O'donnell's queefs is downright poetic). Most of his overtures are met with groans and eye-rolls, but in a few instances, he manages to score a phone number.

Proper "pickup lines" are little more than joke fodder at this point, but if you want to meet women at some point you DO have to walk up and talk to them. In a way, the first thing you say, no matter what you say, is a pickup line. Much better to make a joke about her being Harambe than to stammer and awkwardly introduce yourself.

At one point he introduces a puppy to the equation, which is always a solid move.

Drop This Fact

Think pickup lines are new? Eric Berne's Games People Play, which discusses using common interests as a means of opening a conversation, was published in 1964.
|

Donald J. Trump seems to be patterning his administration on the Eisenhower model, and why not? Neither man was a professional politician. Trump is a businessman, a successful real estate developer and television entrepreneur, Eisenhower was a soldier, a victorious wartime commander and president of Columbia University. Both men were caricatured as unsuited to the presidency and, well, dumb. Similarities abound. The big difference is temperament. Ike had his genial grin. Trump has his imperious scowl and his Twitter account.

As did Eisenhower, Trump is populating his cabinet  its most important positions, at least  with men who made their careers in the military-industrial and banking-finance complexes. Retired Marine Corps General James Mattis has been nominated to be Secretary of Defense; Steven Mnuchin and Gary Cohn, both of Goldman Sachs, as Treasury Secretary and presumed senior economic adviser.

Similar is next weeks widely anticipated choice of Rex Tillerson, 64, chief executive of Exxon Corp., for Secretary of State. Leave aside, for the moment, the issue of climate change, and Exxons battle with the great-grandchildren of John D. Rockefeller, the subject of two recent articles in The New York Review of Books. The promising thing about the prospect of a Tillerson appointment is the path it offers to normalize one of the most the most unsettling and confusing areas of contention of the presidential campaign  Trumps conviction that Russia is not an enemy of the United States, as opposed to a rival for power. Tillerson, an executive with far greater experience in the matter, plainly agrees. Exxon has several large-scale investments in Russia.

The contretemps flared sharply yesterday after The Washington Post published an account of a secret CIA assessment that Russia had intervened to help Trump with the presidency, rather than simply to undermine confidence in the electoral system. The New York Times reported separately that hackers has broken into the Republican National Committee computers as well, but released only what they found in Democratic National Committee files.

Trump quickly disparaged the CIA findings and the press accounts of them. These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, he said in a statement released by his transition team. The president-elects skepticism put him at odds, not just with much of Washingtons national security establishment, but with Congressional leadership of both parties. Republicans and Democratic leaders in the Senate have announced plans to hold public hearings to highlight Russian meddling in the election.

The new CIA report is a leak from an administration clearly disappointed that Hillary Clinton didnt win the election. You dont have to be as dismissive as Trump to remember that CIA analysts have done a poor job generally of keeping track of the former Soviet Union over the decades, having first overestimated its economic strength, then failed to foresee the empires collapse. For a skeptical view of present-day claims that the Russian government engaged in especially aggressive conduct during the election, see The New Red Scare, by journalist Andrew Cockburn, in the December issue of Harpers.

In fact, it is hard to say much of anything about Russia without reiterating a short history of the thirty years since Mikhail Gorbachev took over and instituted the deregulatory program he called perestroika, meaning restructuring. The Russian economy clearly failed to enter the world economy as smoothly as did that of China. Much responsibility must fall on the Russians. But a share of the blame belongs to the United States and its policy of NATO enlargement.

Gorbachevs government agreed to East German membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization following reunification on the strength of an oral promise, given by then Secretary of State James Baker, that there would be no further NATO expansion to the East. Bill Clinton defeated George H. W. Bush in the 1992 election and, in 1997, presided over the entry into the alliance of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. George W. Bush completed a second round of admissions, which included the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and initiated a third, which precipitated a brief Russian war on the border of Georgia in 2008. The Obama administration pursued the Bush plan, over Russian objections. When a newly-installed Ukraine government made overtures to NATO in 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. During the campaign, Hillary Clinton burnished her hawkish credentials.

Exxons Tillerson is a throwback to the tradition of George H.W. Bush. Administration officials from the first Bush administration have been critical of US conduct towards Russia all along, but none more than Jack Matlock, US ambassador during the last days of the Soviet Union. The original Bush teams claims to wisdom in foreign affairs were greatly impaired by the sons ill-advised invasion of Iraq. Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Trump Tower to recommend Tillerson.

What about Tillersons opinion on accelerating climate change  and those of the Exxon research scientists behind him? Thats a subject for another day. Here it is enough to say that the energy company says that it accepts most scientific judgments regarding greenhouse gas emissions and supports a carbon tax. Here, too, the Exxon exec may be a stabilizing presence in an administration that otherwise says it rejects those views.

Adam Smith famously observed that There is a great deal of ruin in a nation. Fortunately, theres a fair amount of salvation, too, in the form of forward-looking vested interests. Trump is no Eisenhower, but, like Ike, he will enjoy powerful establishment support once in office.

. xxx

No irony is intended in the headline, but if the adjectives in the headline seem familiar to you, its because, like me, you have been watching Mad Hot Ballroom, a two-hour 2006 documentary about young New York City kids learning to dance. If you havent seen it, maybe you should. Its a beguiling piece of reporting that goes to the heart of the problem Harvard Universitys Robert Putnam discussed in his 2001 best-seller, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Renewal of American Community.
REINACH - Archroma, a global leader in colour and specialty chemicals, has received an award for eco-innovation from WWF Pakistan at the organisation's Annual Green Office Network Meeting in Karachi. The award is in recognition of Archroma's efforts to "foster sustainable innovations aimed at preserving dwindling ground water reserves, and developing eco-efficient processes that reduce energy, process time and resource consumption."
As President-elect Donald Trumps climate-skeptic/pro-fossil fuels cabinet takes shape, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, Alibaba founder Jack Ma and other very wealthy and very influential individuals have launched a $1 billion fund dedicated to clean energy innovation.

Our goal is to build companies that will help deliver the next generation of reliable, affordable and emissions-free energy to the world, Gates said in a statement.

The Breakthrough Energy Ventures Fund (BEV) will focus on five key areas that are the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions: electricity, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and buildings.

Anything that leads to cheap, clean, reliable energy were open-minded to, Gates, who serves as BEV chairman, told

Quartz.

I discuss with @qz a major announcement for @btenergy and our vision for the future https://t.co/VJMZypx0X3  Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 12, 2016

The fund, which has a 20-year duration, seeks to answer some of the most pressing questions facing our warming planet:

How can we deliver reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity to the world?

How can we get around our communities and the world without emitting carbon?

How can we feed the planet without contributing to climate change?

How can we make everything we use without emitting greenhouse gases?

How can we eliminate emissions from our homes, offices, hospitals, and schools?

Gates and his BEV co-directorsAlibabas Ma, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, venture capitalists John Doerr and Vinod Khosla, former energy hedge fund manager John Arnold and SAP cofounder Hasso Plattnerhave a combined net worth of nearly $170 billion, according to estimates from Bloomberg and Forbes.

Too often, we let what we think we know limit what is possible, Ma said in a statement. When it comes to energy, people say you cannot make money, meet demand and also benefit the environment. But we can and we will.

Other BEV investors are some of the worlds richest and most powerful, such as Richard Branson of Virgin Group Ltd., billionaire natural gas trader John Arnold, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of Kingdom Holding, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates, Patrice Motsepe of African Rainbow Minerals, Xavier Niel of Iliad Group, Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, and Zhang Xin and Pan Shiyi of SOHO China.

The launch of the fund, a year after the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, comes at an important time as we try to accelerate the uptake of clean energy throughout the world, Virgins Branson wrote in a company blog post. The sustainable energy revolution is well underway, but we need new tools and solutions to help us reduce our carbon output and continue moving in the right direction.

Breakthrough Energy Ventures is a wonderful way to expand this effort, Branson added.

Quartz writes that the BEV will likely expand its war chest as more like-minded backers hop onboard:

The fund, which wont charge investors management fees beyond its operating costs, will likely start with a temporary office in the heart of the US venture capital industry on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. Its expected that the size of the initial fund will increase, with more investors coming on board, and its possible that Breakthrough Energy Ventures eventually launches additional funds.

BEV will likely focus on energy storage technology for the first wave of investments, since improvements in renewable energy storage, such as batteries, expedite a transition to sustainable energy.

Gates first announced his intention to launch the fund at the Paris climate talks last year. The worlds richest man and renowned philanthropist told Quartz that he is surprised that clean-energy innovation is not often mentioned as an option to fight climate change.

All of that takes place just as a normal market mechanism as you replace energy sources with other ways to do it, Gates explained.

This week, a group of top tech executives from Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and more will reportedly meet with the president-elect at the so-called 

tech summit.

The dialogue with the new administration as it comes in about how they see energy research will be important, Gates told Quartz. The general idea that research is a good deal fortunately is not a partisan thing.

Watch Gates talk about the importance of energy innovation and investment here:
By Matt Davis

Californias environmental protections are not for sale. Thats the message California voters sent to out-of-state plastic bag manufacturers when they upheld Proposition 67 by 53 to 47 percent in November. But how did the Golden State manage to win a state-wide bag ban against a national political backdrop that went the other way?

We Were Massively Outspent, But Had Broader Support

Five out-of-state plastic bag makers spent more than $6 million on the campaign to repeal the ban. Whereas as the campaign to ban plastic bags had a meagre budget of $1.9 million.

Rarely in California history do local organizations running a shoestring campaign beat out-of-state deep pockets, said Dan Jacobson, with Environment California, who spent weeks in the run-up to the election driving around the state with an enormous inflatable turtle, aiming to draw voters attention to the risks plastic bags pose to wildlife.

Save the Plastic Bag Ban Campaign brought their inflated Turtle mascot on UC Berkeley campus to raise awareness about Prop 67 and the ban of single use plastic bags in California. Khaled Sayed

The bag-makers campaign had just four contributors. The campaign to ban plastic bags was backed by more than 500 organizations, from environmental groups to business organizations and dozens of cities and counties. More than 70 percent of the campaigns funding came from contributions from the environmental community. More than 40 newspapers endorsed the campaign.

For me personally, as a movement-leader, I was deeply impressed by the energy and organization of this diverse coalition, said Shana DeClercq from The Story of Stuff Project. Cities, mayors, non-profits large and small, individual advocates all pulled together in a cohesive way.

The Save the Plastic Bag Ban Campaign began at the grassroots level long before the election, said Marce Gutierrez-Graudins, founder and director of Azul, an organization seeking to raise up Latino voices on marine conservation issues.

Legislators told us Latinos were either too poor to care or didnt support legislation to ban plastic bags at all, Gutierrez-Graudins said. We actually knew better and this is where the bag campaign really took off.

Azul enlisted the help of civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, who penned a couple of op-eds on the issue, as well as Jose Hernandez, a very well-known former astronaut who signed an op-ed of his own, stressing the science behind bag bans.

Azul helped to organize a poll, which reached only people of color throughout the state, and showed an overwhelming support of Latinos and African Americans for a plastic bag ban. They ran in-language focus groups in Los Angeles and San Jose to refine messaging.

We flipped the script, so to speak, where now Latino staff, elected and community leaders saw themselves as trend setters versus followers, Gutierrez-Graudins said.

I believe it is extremely important to highlight the enthusiastic support from the Latino community for Prop 67, she said.

California Had a Huge Problem on Our Hands

When Californians become fed up with a problem, we fix it, said Ryan Kallabis, a spokesman for Save Our Shores. Nothing that is used for less than five minutes should pollute our environment for centuries.

And yet, plastic pollution was posing a huge problem for the worlds sixth-largest economy. California Sec. of State Alex Padilla, who introduced SB-270, the legislation that led to the statewide ban, said that three years ago, California retailers were distributing 19 billion single-use plastic shopping bags every year.

In 2017, he said, that number will be zero.

In the weeks since the ban passed, an estimated 25 million plastic bags each day will have been eliminated from the waste stream.

We Started Local and It Worked

Plastic bags kill wildlife and pollute our environment. The evidence is overwhelming that banning plastic bags in local jurisdictions save wildlife and reduce pollution. At the time of the election, more than 40 percent of California communities were already living without plastic shopping bags through local ordinance. Those communities didnt want to roll back.

Ironically, the same bag makers behind trying to overturn our statewide ban have been working with the American Legislative Exchange Council to pass statewide bans on local bag bans. They say states should have the right to decide on bans as a whole, but local bans pave the way for state bans like in California, and are crucially important.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/715189889042489344 expand=1]

We Got Creative and Worked With Our Allies to Spread the Word

We knew that because we were working with a small budget, the Yes on Prop 67 campaign would be won or lost on the outreach and free media components, said Wendy James, CEO of Better World Group, which chaired the statewide campaign. We had to rely on our NGO partners. And we had to build a broad coalition. We never turned down a request for a speaking engagement or debate, an opportunity for a letter to the editor or op-ed, and we used our broad base of supporters in a statewide media tour the final month, doing close to 20 news conferences in every media market in the state.

Clean Water Action and our allies at Save The Bay led a loose coalition of Northern California environmental groups in brainstorming creative ways to get out the liberal Bay Area vote. The groups worked closely with Save The Bay and took thousands of plastic bags back to the headquarters of Novolex, the worlds biggest plastic bag manufacturer, based in South Carolina, broadcasting the action in partnership with Courage Campaign on Facebook Live.

We worked with a local dance studio to stage a Thriller-themed plastic flash mob, taking over a downtown street in Oakland on the eve of Halloween.

[facebook https://www.facebook.com/CleanWaterActionCA/videos/1229363083776354/

More than 50,000 Californians signed a petition to the CEO of Novolex, Stan Bikulege, following a mass email organized in partnership with the Daily Kos. The Story of Stuff used its extensive global network to pump out our message to plastic pollution activists all over the world, and garner added support.

The Story of Stuff global community was passionately interested in the outcome here, DeClerq said. We heard voices all over the world encouraging Californians to stand up against Big Plastic. From Ireland to Buenos Aires to Botswana, people cheered us on.

Celebrities also got involved, said Dianna Cohen with the Plastic Pollution Coalition. Her organizations video of movie star Jeff Bridges was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, drawing precious attention to the issue.

California Took the Lead

Statewide bans are now in the offing in Oregon and New Hampshire, and a state representative in North Carolina said he is planning to introduce legislation modeled on California proposition.

At Clean Water Action, were keen to serve as guides for people considering similar laws around the country. Were also trying to stop waste at its source, by working with businesses and institutions to redesign the way they use single-use disposable packaging with our ReThink Disposable program.

If youd like to learn more, please get in touch.

Matt Davis is the California communications director for Clean Water Action. He can be reached at mattdavis@cleanwater.org.
By Daniel Ross

With much of North America still in the grips of a drought going back years, managing dwindling drinking water resources is a pressing topic. And in a year when bottled water sales in the U.S. are expected to exceed soda sales for the first time, Nestle Watersa water-for-profit poster child that dominates the bottled water industry, with multiple operations across the U.S. and Canadais at the front lines of numerous battles being waged in local communities across North America.

Nestle Waters is at the front lines of numerous battles being waged in local communities across North America.

In recent years, a number of Nestles plants have come under heightened scrutiny for all sorts of environmental and legal reasons, like the matter of where all the waste plastic ends up. Plastic bottles are one of the biggest sources of trash in national parks, and parks that have enacted bans have seen a significant reduction in their total waste stream. All the while, water companies like Nestle have been currying political favors through donations to successfully push back against a wholesale federal ban on the sale of bottled water in national parks.

For Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental nonprofit based in Tucson, the privatization of water resources is a cause for great concern, especially the amount of profit in this bottled water phenomenon, she said. Theyre basically just taking tap water, putting it into bottles and charging us a lot of money for it. Whereas really, it should be available for all humans to use.

According to some estimates, customers nationwide end up paying between 300 to 2,000 times more for bottled water than for tap water.

Heres a look at six places in the U.S. and Canada where Nestles bottled water plans are under fire.

1. Ontario, Canada

A nearly decade-long struggle by campaigners against Nestles bottled water operations in Ontario has reached a watershed, with the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change recently announcing a two-year moratorium on new water-taking permits, which includes the bottled water sector.

Boycott Launched After Nestle Outbids Drought-Stricken Town to Buy Well for Bottled Water via @EcoWatch https://t.co/4FmNDKLz1Z  Sunnydays ????? (@Sunnydays180) October 4, 2016

This means thatpending new permitting regulationsNestle can still operate under its expired permit in Aberfoyle and draw some 3.6 million liters of water per day from an aquifer that is soon expected to additionally support the nearby City of Guelph. Water levels in the aquifer are reported to have dropped in recent years.

Nestles water-taking permit is also up for renewal next year in Hillsburgh, where the company is allowed to draw about 1.1 million liters of water per day. Again, as a result of the moratorium, the company is unable to perform vital pump tests at a well recently acquired in Centre Wellington.

These permits are located in highly water stressed areas, said Mike Nagy, chair of Wellington Water Watchers, an environmental nonprofit in Guelph. Nagy said that proposed regulations require water-taking permits to prove and factor-in a variety of considerations, including their benefit for future generations, their accumulative impacts, as well as the effects from population growth and climate change.

Nestle likes to argue that it only takes a small percentage from the watershed, but thats a smokescreen, said Nagy. What theyre actually doing is taking a lot of water from very small areas. In Aberfoyle, for example, theyre very big users.

2. San Bernardino, California

While Nestles critics have made headway in Ontario, campaigners in Southern California have hit a wall. Last year, a Desert Sun investigation revealed how Nestle had been drawing water from Strawberry Creek, in the San Bernardino Mountains, using a permit that had expired 28 years prior.

https://twitter.com/rustygreen59/statuses/780126747257778177  Taking more water from it would only stress it even further.

4. Stanwood, Michigan

A near decade-long dispute between Nestle and environmental campaigners was resolved in 2009 when the bottled water company agreed to nearly halve the amount of water it drew from a spring that fed the nearby Dead Stream and Thompson Lake watersheds, after it was determined that Nestles operations adversely impacted their ecologies and water levels.

A little over seven year later, however, the reverse is happening. Nestle is attempting to more than double the permitted amount of water it can pump from another spring in a nearby county that local environmentalists say feeds bodies of water equally as threatened as those involved in the 2009 lawsuit.

Theyre being impacted already, said Peggy Case, president of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation. Theyre drawing down two cold-water streams. Theres already no trout left in one of themthey were trout streamsand there are places where its dry already.

Nestle is looking to increase its permitted water drawing capacity from 150 gallons a minute to 400 gallons. Though last year, the company began drawing 250 gallons per minute from the well without any permit needing to be issued. Its all part of a $36 million dollar expansion of Nestles bottling plant in Stanwood, which is expected to create 20 new jobs.

Nestles making a huge profit out of this water at the same time that there are people in Flint and Detroit who dont have water, said Case. Its just criminal.

5. Sacramento, California

In March and December of last year, campaigners formed a human barricade around the entrances to Nestles bottled water plant in Sacramento, in an attempt to hold the plant hostage for the day. Their main complaint: Nestles permit to bottle some 80 million gallons of water a year in one of Americas most drought-stricken regions.

Nestle bought 52.9 million gallons from the capitals municipal water supply in 2015less than one percent of total water demand within the city, argues Nestle. The company also sourced approximately 32.4 million gallons in 2015 from five separate springs in the northern part of the state. On its website, Nestle writes how it conducts regular monitoring of these springs, looking at things like recharge, water withdrawal and water levels. Robert Saunders of the Crunch Nestle Alliance, an activist group that impaired operations at Nestles Sacramento bottling plant in in March 2015 and October 2014, disputes these claims.

He points to NASA data showing parts of the San Joaquin Valley sinking by nearly 2 inches every month due to the over-pumping of underground aquifersas well as the reduction in water levels of Strawberry Creekas proof that Nestles monitoring programs dont work. People dont understand, aquifers dont come back, said Saunders, who himself was a link in last years human barricades. You drain them significantly, they dont recharge.

6. Phoenix, Arizona

Next spring will mark the unveiling of Nestles bottled water plant in Phoenix. According to Nestle, the plant will buy (at the same rate as metered commercial water users) some 35 million gallons of water each year from the state capitalless than one percent of the citys total water usage. The company says the plant will also create between 40 and 50 new jobs.

Phoenix draws its water from four main sources, including Arizonas Salt and Verde rivers, as well as from a diversion in the Colorado River, which snakes down through Arizona from Lake Mead. Because of water levels in the lake reaching record lows and the ongoing drought parching the west, campaigners argue that even though the city has water reserves that can act as a cushion during dry periods, the city still needs to be vigilant with its water.

While Nestle has made a lot of enemies in several North American communities, its worth noting that the company isnt the only one that taps local water resources to support its business model. Sarah Porter is the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State Universitys Morrison Institute. While she is a critic of the bottled water industry, she believes its wrong to point the finger squarely at Nestle.

This is a manufacturing operation like many other manufacturing operations in the valley that use water, she said. Some of these businesses will use a lot more water than the Nestle bottled water plant will. Nobody is looking into that. Nobodys looking into the craft beer companies and all kinds of other water-using businesses.

Reposted with permission from our media associate AlterNet.
It took two weeks, but now its officialOhio is the nations first state to roll back renewable energy standards.

After the state House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 310 in May, Gov. John Kasich signature was all that was missing to ensure Ohios clean-energy fall from grace. The standardsfirst passed in 2008 and reauthorized two years agopreviously required the states utilities to sell more solar and wind energy each year and charged them with finding efficiency solutions for their customers. Kasichs signing means the standards are put on hold until 2017, when a committee formed by the bills passage could agree to permanently freeze them.

Kasich signed the bill Friday without any comment to the media, The Plain Dealer reported.

John Kasich signed a bill on Friday that freezes renewable energy for at least two years. Video screenshot: JohnKasich2010/YouTube

Dirtier air. Higher electric bills. Lost jobs and investment. These are the new dividends in store for Ohio from this major divestiture in clean energy, said Trish Demeter, managing director of Energy and Clean Air Programs for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC).

Groups like the American Wind Energy Association made a late push for Kasich to veto the bill, but they had no such luck. They tried reminding the governor of success stories like the Blue Creek Wind Farm, spread across two counties and six townships in Northwest Ohio. In February, Iberdrola Renewables presented $2.7 million worth of checks to two communities to commemorate the first of the annual payments in lieu of taxes for the states largest wind farm. In all, environmental groups like the OEC estimate that consumers have saved a combined $1 billion on their bills over the life of the standards, while others say the standards have brought in $1 billion in investment commitments.

With this legislation, Gov. Kasich is moving the state backwards while monopoly utilities like FirstEnergy and AEP will see even greater profits, Sierra Club campaign representative Daniel Sawmiller said in a statement. Ohioans can now expect higher electricity bills, fewer jobs in the clean energy manufacturing and construction industries, and increased pollution.

Gov. Kasich promised Ohioans he would protect Ohio families, create Ohio jobs, and champion clean energy technologies. By signing this devastating bill, he has decided to ignore the health and economic interests of everyday Ohioans in favor of big corporations. We need Gov. Kasich to be strong on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green jobs to move Ohio forward.
By Joe Catron

As completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline remains on standby after the Army Corps of Engineers announced on Dec. 5 that it would not authorize the development company to drill under the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, similar projects continue to encroach on indigenous communities across the U.S.

Standing Rock Celebrates as Army Corps Denies Key Permit, Halts Project https://t.co/2gR870B9Em @FoEAustralia @OhioEnviro  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) December 5, 2016

There are probably 20 or so pipelines being protested in various ways at any given time, and they affect many more reservations and traditional homelands than that, Aaron Carapella, a Cherokee cartographer in Warner, Oklahoma, told MintPress News.

Carapella recently designed a map showing how pipelines under development in the U.S. cross dozens of indigenous territories, many of which are the sites of contemporary Native communities.

There are tens of thousands of existing pipelines throughout the land, so I chose to focus on those projects that are not quite completed, that are being resisted or that are only in proposal stages, he said.

No Resistance Equals Always Losing

Carapella, whose maps illustrate the past and present indigenous presence in the Americas, combined them with new information from various sources.

I used the governments own proposed pipelines lists and maps, as well as activist and tribal websites, and overlaid them onto my existing map, he said.

He added that a task of this nature is difficult to complete.

I need to include more pipelines on my map, like Comanche Trail and Pecos, both of [which] are being protested, he said.

There is one running through a remote part of the Navajo Nation at the Chuska Mountains that is being protested, as well as several across the Great Lakes.

But he hopes that his project will help to magnify the scale of a continental conflict between Native communities and pipeline projects that, when it breaks into the headlines, is usually framed as a singular issue at a particular location.

We won some victories and lost some good causes, but no resistance equals always losing, so resistance is necessary, he said.

Campaigns to get out the word are necessary.

Endangering the Water of Millions

In one little-remarked struggle, the Ramapough Lunaape Nation, a small community nestled among the Ramapo Mountains chain of the Appalachians in northern New Jersey and southern New York, face the looming threat of the Pilgrim Pipeline.

Members of the Ramapough Lunaap demonstrate during the Clean Energy March in Philadelphia on July 24. Mark Dixon / Flickr

The Pilgrim Pipeline is another of the many needless pipelines running through the Lunaape homeland which is endangering the water of millions, while it appears to be criminally circumventing federal law, Ramapough Lunaape Chief Dwaine Perry told MintPress.

The Ramapough Lunaape have long been the targets of outside attention, ranging from innocent curiosity to racist invective, due to their traditional lifeseemingly paradoxical to somecentered 25 miles from New York City amid the suburbs of New Jersey.

Despite the long record of Lunaape contact with European settlers, dating to Giovanni da Verrazzanos 1524 voyage into the Hudson River, the Ramapugh Lunaapes relative isolation throughout much of colonial and U.S. history lent the group an air of mystery, with their very existence more likely to be mentioned as legend than fact until the 20th century.

A map of the controversial 178-mile-long parallel Pilgrim pipelines proposed for New Yorks Hudson Valley/Northern New Jersey. FracTracker Alliance

Is this logical, you ask yourself, that here so close to Times Square, several thousand people like these live and have their being? an irate local historian wrote in 1941.

No it isnt logical at all, its 150 years and across the world.

They Bribed, Threatened, Even Murdered

Over the ensuing decades, the harsh logic of a surging industrial economy would reach deep into the Ramapough Lunaapes mountain enclaves.

Most destructively, Mafia-controlled haulers operating on behalf of the Ford Motor Companys nearby Mahwah Assembly plant dumped millions of gallons of toxic paint sludge before the facility closed in 1980.

An analysis of public records and interviews with truckers who hauled Fords waste shows mob-controlled contractors dumped anywhere they could get away with it, an investigative report by NorthJersey.com found in 2009.

They bribed, threatened, even murdered to maintain control of Fords trash.

Fords lucrative contracts sparked clashes between rival mobsters that at times turned deadly.

In a notorious incident that spurred a rare federal investigation of the Mafias stranglehold on industrial waste disposal, Genovese crime family figure Joseph Joey Surprise Feola was lured to a garage in 1965 and strangled as a favor to the notorious godfather Carlo Gambino, NorthJersey.com reported.

His offense? Stealing the Mahwah stoplocated in the heart of Ramapough Lunaape territoryfrom a Gambino-controlled company.

Watch Hudson River at Risk 6: A Pipeline Runs Through It:

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/182799847 expand=1]

Government at all Levels

Despite this momentary attention, the regional news portal also found that [g]overnment at all levels shares the blame for Fords colluding with the mob and poisoning the Ramapough Lunaape and other communities near the plant.

For years, it allowed mobsters to turn New Jersey into a toxic dumping ground.

Toxic Legacy, an investigative series conducted by the Bergen Record in 2005, explored the deadly effects of Fords deposits in the old Ringwood Mines landfill site on the surrounding Ramapough Lunaape.

The newspapers soil tests found levels of lead, arsenic and xylenes at more than 100 times the recommended maximums, while nearby levels of both health disorders, ranging from nosebleeds to cancer, and learning disabilities had skyrocketed.

A lawsuit against Ford by hundreds of Ramapough Lunaape, chronicled in the HBO documentary Mann v. Ford, ended in 2010 with a disappointing settlement.

Their hands forced by the specter of a possible Ford bankruptcy, 633 individual plaintiffs accepted one-time payouts between $4,368 and $34,594 each.

Its probably a vacation for a CEO for a week with his family, lead plaintiff Wayne Mann told NorthJersey.com.

A healthy family.

The Very Same Watershed

Steeled by the legacy of Ford, today the Ramapough Lunaape confront the threat of Pilgrim.

A proposed 178-mile, double-barreled pipeline, project would run from Albany, New York, to Linden, New Jersey, transporting Bakken crude oil south and refined petroleum products north.

We are adamantly opposed to any pipeline that has no internal market and endangers all of our water, including one of only seven sole source aquifers in the United States, Perry said.

In July, the Ramapough Lunaape mobilized to Philadelphia, where more than 100 helped to lead the March for a Clean Energy Revolution during the Democratic National Convention.

Pilgrim is proposing to cut through the very same watershed lands where Ford dumped paint sludge into the shafts of the abandoned iron mines once worked by our ancestors, Perry wrote at the time.

Learning from our long history of struggle against the toxic effects of environmental injustice, we are now organizing with the broader community to stop Pilgrims dirty pipelines before theyre built.

We Need Help Now

The word Hate was scrawled, along with other hateful graffiti, on the sacred home of the Ramapough Lunaape. Chief Dwaine Perry

In recent months, the Ramapough Lunaape have joined their struggle with that of the Sioux water protectors at Standing Rock, even offering the Split Rock Sweetwater Camp as a smaller reflection of the massive gatherings blocking the Dakota Access Pipeline half a continent away.

Perry calls it a site that we have been using for Native American ceremony for over a quarter of a century, and have invited all to enjoy the land and to share in our culture.

Currently, the prayers of Split Rock have been directed toward Standing Rock.

But like Standing Rock, the camp is surrounded by threats.

Recently the Split Rock Sweetwater Camp has come under a great deal of duress, both from the local Polo Club community, of whom we are the largest landowners, and the Mahwah municipality, in an apparent push to deny us the right to open air prayer and the right to assembly, Perry said.

He added that opposition has come not only from local police and other public bodies, but also racist vigilantes.

We have had swastikas and the word hate drawn on our sacred home, and an eleven-car police raid on two of the land guardians for charging their phone.

While the backlash against indigenous self-determination that has included attack dogs, concussion grenades, pepper spray and water cannons in North Dakota takes different forms in New Jersey, it nevertheless seems familiar.

Perry has appealed online for supporters to gather at the site on Friday, when he says it faces the threat of eviction by police, days after Mahwah officials warned in a letter that use of the indigenous land as a place of public assembly requires zoning approval from the local government.

In effect Split Rock Sweetwater is now under the same kind of duress as Standing Rock, Perry told MintPress.

We need help now, legal and tangible, to help us keep and occupy our own land through this threat.

Resist One Pipeline at a Time

As similar struggles develop across the U.S., the effects of the unprecedented Native mobilization at Standing Rock and its overwhelming public support remain to be seen.

By all accounts, Dakota Access garnered such massive opposition not because of the developments exceptionality, but rather its familiarity.

And with a historic, if provisional, victory under its belt, many expect a burgeoning indigenous movement to intensify its resistance to similar projects elsewhere.

This is an ongoing problem, and we are probably going to have to resist one pipeline at a time for many decades to come, and maybe longer, Carapella, the cartographer, said.

This is one victory in a very long battle, a battle that has gone on for 500 years, he added of the permit denial at Standing Rock.

We are very aware of the next steps forward.

Cherokee cartographer Aaron Carapellas map of pipeline development of tribal lands:

Aaron Carapella

Reposted with permission from our media associate MintPress News.
Plastic bagsthose non-biodegradable menaces that clog up our drawers, waterways and roadways alikehave been public enemy No. 1 in many cities and even entire states which have legislated bans on these single-use pesks. But now, a growing number of pro-plastic states are spearheading bans on bag bans.

Multiple states are considering laws that will block local plastic bag bans. Photo credit: Flickr

1. Arizona

As Plastic News reported, it all started last April when Gov. Douglas Ducey (R) signed into law a measure that would stop any local government from putting any restrictions on plastic bags, bottles, foam containers, cans and boxes. State lawmakers who wanted to stop the bans argued that excessive regulation on bags and other disposable containers would stifle economic growth. Ducey also signed another bill that would give state legislators the right to ask the attorney generals office to investigate a local policy that is acting contrary to the state law.

2. Missouri

A bill that would have prevented cities from banning the use of plastic grocery bags passed in the House but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon (D) in July. Rep. Dan Shaul (R), who sponsored the bill, had strongly opposed plastic bag bans, such as the one being considered in the city of Columbia.

There are things that local municipalities can do to benefit their communities, Shaul said in September. Theres a whole list of things that fit in that, but I dont think prohibiting retailers from using a plastic bag is anything anyone should be restricting. It gives ultimate local control to their consumers.

3. Idaho

While no cities in the state currently enforce plastic bag bans, that detail did not stop the Senate from voting to make it illegal for local governments to impose bag bans without getting state approval first. Gov. C.L. Butch Otter (R) is expected to sign the bill into law any day now. According to Plastic News, Idaho is home to a major plastic film and bag factory.

4. Indiana

Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a new state law this week that prohibits city and county officials from taxing or restricting the use of disposable plastic bags by grocery stores and other retailers, the Associated Press reported. The measure, which immediately takes effect, will stop cities such as Bloomington from considering bag restrictions.

The Indiana ban on plastic bag restrictions is needless state meddling in local control. #Disappointed @GovPenceIN https://t.co/0LmiVFnY63  Julia Spangler (@JuliaSpangler) March 25, 2016

5. Wisconsin

The state is another step closer to entirely blocking bag bans after the State Assembly easily approved a bill that would strip communities of the right to ban the bags earlier this month, MPR reported. Like Idaho, the move to pre-empt plastic bag bans comes despite the absence of such bans in any city across the state.

6. Utah

A bill from Sen. Jani Iwamoto (D) called for a state-wide 10-cent fee on single-use paper and plastic bags but the state legislature wrapped up its 2016 session without voting on the bill, according to Plastic News. However, another version is expected to return next year.

Meanwhile, the two states that have actually passed plastic bags bans are facing hurdles. California banned plastic bags outright in 2015, but opponents of the ban have qualified a referendum on the law, which will be decided this November by voters.

Hawaii also has a ban on plastic bags but certain loopholes have allowed the distribution of reusable bagswhich are just thicker plastic bagsthat could actually be worse for the environment.

Students spend their spring break trying to save California's plastic bag ban https://t.co/NxBGRJQfRc pic.twitter.com/DtNlJw4P0h  NBC 7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) March 26, 2016

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A private schoolboy at an elite central Victorian school has been charged with drug trafficking after establishing a "sophisticated" syndicate within the school.Police have confirmed that a 16-year-old student at Girton Grammar, Bendigo, has been charged with drug trafficking and possession, along with four counts of graffiti. The student was arrested on school grounds in September following questioning by police about drugs circulating among students.Earlier this year parents at the school had described the student's operation as a "sophisticated drug syndicate"."He will appear at a Children's Court at a later date," said a spokesperson for Victorian Police.Girton Grammar's headmaster, Matthew Maruff, insisted that the school had no knowledge that such an operation was taking place on school grounds and that the school was co-operating with police. The headmaster did, however, have prior knowledge in September that the arrest of the student would occur.The school has expelled the pupil at the centre of the allegations and suspended five others.News of the charges against the Girton Grammar schoolboy come days after an 18-year-old, just weeks after finishing at Byron Bay High on the north coast of New South Wales, was charged with 13 counts of supplying prohibited drugs including ice, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, and heroin-laced pills.Flynn Brown allegedly sold drugs to fellow school students, as well as others in the local area. Earlier this year police set up a special taskforce, Strike Force ARBDO, to target Brown while he was still at school. The operation intercepted 7,700 phone calls and text messages and saw officers engaging in undercover drug transactions.Brown appeared in Byron Bay Local Court where he was granted bail with surety of $200,000. However, he remains in custody after his family failed to raise the funds.
With President-elect Donald Trump waiting in the wings, the Republican majority in Congress will have the opportunity to tackle a host of education issues when its next session begins in 2017, from funding for disadvantaged and special education students and college access and affordability issues, to student-data privacy and career and technical education.

At the same time, there will be significant turnover in some key positions: In addition to Trumps selection of school choice advocate Betsy DeVos to be education secretary, the House education committee will have a new leader, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.

But whats probably at the top of the list for leading GOP lawmakers is deciding which regulations from President Barack Obamas administration pertaining to the Every Student Succeeds Act they may wish to overturn through the Congressional Review Act. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. and the Senate education committee chairman, has indicated his intent to toss out final ESSA rules from the Obama administration if he decides they go beyond the scope of the law.

The outgoing administration has yet to release final ESSA spending regulations that could shift more state and local money to disadvantaged students. If it does before leaving office, the odds are that GOP lawmakersmany of whom have said the proposal represents federal overreachwould use the review act to get rid of them.

Fate of Final Rules

Less certain is the fate of final ESSA accountability and testing regulations the department released in recent weeks, as well as rules on teacher preparation the administration released in October.

The future of the accountability regulations will be closely watched by states and districts, whose input could be a big factor in whether Republicans move to toss them and possibly start a new round of rulemaking. The year-old law, the successor to the No Child Left Behind Act, is due to kick in for the 2017-18 school year.

People are anxious to get going, said Michele McLaughlin, the president of the Knowledge Alliance, an advocacy and policy-research group.

Congress also already has a running start or has expressed clear interest in a number of specific policy areas. Earlier this year, bills to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act breezed through the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, only to stall in the Senate. Both could have a relatively easy path through Congress starting next year.

Theres a decent chance [DeVos] would be interested in CTE, said Sasha Pudelski, an assistant director of AASA, the Schools Superintendents Association. She cited the involvement by DeVos and her husband in an aviation-focused charter school in Michigan.

And I think Congress came pretty far [on passing a CTE bill], Pudelski said. I anticipate that will not be a difficult bill to pass next year.

But one of the education policy areas that could be at the top of the list for many members of Congress isnt about public schools.

DeVos, the prominent GOP donor who is Trumps education secretary nominee, is best known for her work to expand school choice. She does not have significant experience dealing with policies affecting colleges and universities. But Alexander, the chairman of the Senate education committee, used the Nov. 23 news of her selection to signal his interest in reauthorizing the Higher Education Act.

In a statement, the senator said DeVos work with Congress would provide an opportunity to clear out the jungle of red tape that makes it more difficult for students to obtain financial aid and for administrators to manage Americas 6,000 colleges and universities. The HEA is now three years overdue for renewal.

Leadership Direction

Alexanders omission of school choice in his initial public reaction to DeVos nomination could mean hes more interested in revamping the higher education law than in pushing a major school choice plan like the $20 billion voucher program Trump proposed during the campaign. (Alexander previously proposed a Pell Grants for Kids bill to allow states to redirect federal aid to school choice programs.)

DeVos is not experienced in [higher education]. The senator is absolutely experienced in this. Thats to his advantage, said David DeSchryver, the senior vice president and co-director of Whiteboard Advisors, a consulting organization. The majority of the work is going to be in higher education.

In a statement, Sheridan Watson, Foxxs spokeswoman, said the North Carolina Republican would like to see the next [Higher Education Act] reauthorization focus on increasing transparency, improving the accessibility and affordability of postsecondary education, reforming the accreditation process, and encouraging innovation in the classroom.

Watson added that reauthorizing the Perkins Career and Technical Education law and the Child Nutrition Act would also be top priorities for Foxx in the next Congress.

Right now, Foxx leads the subcommittee on higher education and workforce training. In 2014 she helped shepherd through a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., an education committee member, said in an interview last month that he was optimistic that reauthorization of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act would get consideration, given productive bipartisan work on the issue of student-data privacy over the last two years. Messer crafted a bill with Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., to overhaul federal law governing student-privacy issues.

They just have so much on their plate that theyre going to be focused on, Pudelski said of lawmakers.
What Are Blue Balls? Understanding Epidydimal Hypertension & How to Get Rid of It

Yes, Blue Balls Are a Thing, So Here Are the Best Ways to Beat It

You might not know what "blue balls" are (they don't usually cover them in health class!), but chances are you've experienced them. Described as epidydimal hypertension in medical terminology, they're that unfamiliar pain you get in your testicles when you're extremely aroused for a prolonged period of time, but unable to achieve the relief of orgasm.

RELATED: Keeping Your Balls Dry

Masturbation or sex might be your immediate thought as an obvious cure, but is there anything else you can do in order to achieve some relief? Also, what's actually going on down there when blue balls occur? Do they ever really turn blue? Do women ever experience the equivalent?

To answer all of these questions and more, we spoke with Eric M. Garrison, clinical sexologist, best-selling author and professor of masculinity studies at William & Mary. Read on for what he had to say about everything you need to know about blue balls, including answers to frequently asked questions.

1. What Is Blue Balls?

When men are sexually aroused, their organs start to swell with blood necessary for penile erection. That blood is not released until either after a short period of time, or very close to orgasm. When you become aroused sans release, you're stuck with too much blood in your male member  that's where the 'blue' part of this situation comes into play.

"If there's too much oxygenated blood in the penis, this will make the testicles look blue," says Garrison. "Which is how the phenomenon gets its name."

2. What Causes Blue Balls?

You got all hot and bothered but stopped short for whatever reason, and never actually finished the job. As Garrison explains, the occurrence of blue balls is all a matter of blood flow.

"Blue balls, or 'involuntary testicular vasocongestion,' happens when the male sex organs aren't able to release the blood that swells during the arousal process," he explains.

3. Blue Ball Symptoms

The more easily you're aroused, the more likely you'll suffer the wrath of blue balls. This is especially true for anyone young enough (or vigorous enough) to receive frequent, random erections.

"Young teenage men might have it worse," says Garrison, "because young men are more easily stimulated. For a teenager experiencing those constant erections, plus probably a lot of outercourse and heavy petting, there may not be that release. Plus, they may not be familiar with the process, or know that masturbation can get rid of it."

4. Can Girls Get Blue Balls?

The short answer? They sure can. When women become aroused, blood rushes to the clitoris in the same way it does for men when they get an erection. "Women get erections," explains Garrison, "but we only see a small portion, since the clitoral legs go back and down into the female anatomy."

"Blue lips" mimics the same feeling men get when things get stopped short, and though it's common, it's less recognized.

"I've never heard a single person describe it as blue lips, but it can be described as that," says Garrison. "I hear more cases of that vasocongestion in the labia than I do the scrotum."

5. How to Get Rid of Blue Balls

Of course, the obvious, quickest fix is to rub one out (or become unaroused).

"If a person is experiencing that vasocongestion, the only thing that will alleviate it is if they walk away from feeling aroused," says Garrison. "Eventually everything goes back to normal. Or if if that's not the case, they can have an orgasm, which will allow everything to pack up and go home."

But if getting yourself off isn't in the cards, and you're impatient about this whole "waiting to become unaroused" thing, there's something that may bring you relief faster.

According to Garrison, anything that'll immediately take you out of the fantasy or situation that's turning you on will help get rid of blue balls faster.

"If you were right in the middle of sex and you heard someone behind you start a chainsaw, or if lightning struck, any of those things would cause an immediate drop in sex drive," he states. "Any immediate response like that will cause vasocongestion to go away faster."

6. How to Talk to Your Partner About Blue Balls

If the person you're with is constantly giving you blue balls, you should probably talk to them about it. However, you don't want to bring it up in a way that makes it seem like you're pressuring them to do something that they're not comfortable with yet. How can you approach the subject, you ask?

According to dating and relationship expert James Anderson, the way you frame it is important.

"When you are talking to a woman about blue balls, you have to realize that many of them will not understand what it is, what causes it or what it feels like," he says. "Broach the subject by saying that you know that both of you want your sex life to be as amazing as possible and that honest communication is critical for that. Just as you would want her to talk to you about anything causing discomfort in your sex life you want her to be aware of what blue balls is so you can prevent it together. You are not accusing her of anything here."

Just make sure you're not coming off as a complainer.

"A confident guy doesn't need to whine or complain when it comes to blue balls," adds Anderson. "Your best bet is to lay out the facts and approach it as an opportunity for the two of your to prevent this from happening in the future together. If you whine or complain at this point she is much more likely to think you are just using this as an excuse for more sex."

Truth be told, blue balls has a stigma that comes with it that you're going to be up against if brought up. To combat this, certified counselor and relationship expert David Bennett suggests taking your partner what it feels like for you.

"Many women simply don't understand that blue balls is an issue that many men experience when they are highly aroused, which causes intense testicular pain and pressure," he says. "It's not simply a way of saying a man is sexually frustrated or desires sex, nor is it some sort of thing guys make up just to get sex. A guy should explain the pain that he feels at the moment and how it's treated via sexual release/ejaculation. However, he needs to explain it in a way that doesn't imply a woman should feel pressured into having sex with him simply because he has blue balls. A woman shouldn't feel pressured into doing something against her values over this."

And if the two of you aren't there yet in terms of going all the way, sex expert Louisa Knight suggests exploring other ways of getting off together that you're more comfortable with in order to prevent blue balls.

"Reframe your understanding of sex to include a variety of sexual activities, including mutual masturbation," she says. "This generally means that masturbation can be both a solitary and partnered activity, and a good way to connect sexually without full sex."

If you're not on the same page sexually, Knight suggests addressing that as well in order to avoid blue balls.

"Talk to your partner about why your sex drives are currently out of line, and be sensitive to that," she says. "Consider the times of day when you and partner typically have sex  are you defaulting to sex just before bed when you're both tired? Trying to find alternative times to have sex might more mutually rewarding and help you both feel more satisfied. Don't pressure a partner for sex even when you're horny, as nothing kills ardor faster than a sense of pressure and expectation."

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More than 400 children are being held in Israeli military jails, for crimes as minor as throwing rocks. Australia needs to speak out, writes Kristen Zornada.

a surge in Palestinian minors incarcerated during a wave of violence that has killed about 30 Israelis in the last seven months.

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.

.

..Honest Reporting..11 November '16..The issue of Palestinian child prisoners in Israeli jails has become something of a cause celebre in Australian political and media circles of late. Now, the New Matilda adds its own one-sided contribution to the debate. It opens:Just how minor is the crime of throwing rocks? When they are thrown at people or vehicles, they have the potential to kill. Kristen Zornada downplays the threat that even children can pose as she avoids addressing the question as to why there are currently over 400 Palestinian children in Israeli military jails, which is really the crux of the problem.Even thecovered this issue in April 2016 in a more thorough and informed manner than the, where it discusses
French Minister hid money in Manx account



Jerome Cahuzac

A French Minister who hid undeclared funds in an Isle of Man bank account has been jailed.

Jerome Cahuzac was found to have an undeclared Swiss bank account as well as a Manx account containing 2.7m.

The 64-year-old was appointed by President Francois Hollande to tackle tax evasion, but quit the role in 2013 after it emerged he had lied about his own finances.

A trial heard the former cosmetic surgeon and his now ex-wife Patricia Menard hid profits from his hair transplant business in offshore accounts during the 1990s.

Cahuzac was sentenced to three years in prison, while Menard will serve a two-year sentence for her involvement.
The blessings of bourgeois sanity By Michael Moriarty

As radical as the Mainstream Press and its Leftist disciples wish to paint Donald Trump and his coming Presidency? I, and I think most of the electoral majority that voted for him, believe, by contrast to the Lefts New World Order, Donald Trump is divinely cursed with bourgeois sanity. The likes of Madonna and Lady Gaga are congenitally French Revolutionaries. Heatedly inspired by the Fall of The Bastille, both ladies are still, as fans of both President Obama and failed Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, in revolutionary mode and, I assume, always will be. For them and many others who have threatened to leave the United States because of Trumps success, the American Constitution and Bill of Rights have been bourgeois rags. President Obamas own proven contempt for those documents and, to cite a fashionable title awarded by Voltaire to Catherine The Great, the Obama Nations high-handed challenges to all of conventional America are the battle cries of the New World Orders enlightened despots. Individual freedom, however, is Americas hallmark. The signature achievement of the American Revolution! The French Revolutions victory?! The triumph of whatever is indisputably fashionable. Tragically, America, during the last 25 years, has become so French! How so? What has been fashionable, until Donald Trump of course, has been The New World Order and The United Nations! Obviously, a majority of voting Americans discovered that the United States, during the last four Presidencies  two Bushes, a Clinton and The Obama Nation  had been sold out right from under their own feet. What a disaster another Clinton Presidency would have been. A final nail in the nations coffin. The America I knew before I faced the secretly tyrannical subtext of the Clinton Administration and its Attorney General Janet Reno? The United States was heaven itself. The secret society of Skull and Bones ambitions within the Bush Family and its New World Order goal line hadnt registered with me yet. Since then they have marked history indelibly; and the Bush/Clinton/Obama/Soros foundations to this New World Order are now shamelessly and undeniably treasonous facts. Only the brief Reagan Renaissance interrupted what had clearly begun with the Kennedy assassination. Kennedys divinely eloquent speech of warning  that echoed President Eisenhowers concerns about the military-industrial-complex  provoked his powerful enemies to have him executed. Of all the turning points in American History, the cold-blooded plot to eliminate President Kennedys commitment to American individual freedom, his pledge to keep American individuals free and independent?! These words of courage provoked his assassination. The very monster he cautioned us about? Destroyed him and then, with the exception of Ronald Reagan, took possession of the White House and almost all of American power. Even Congress seemed to have surrendered under the Obama Administration. Why? The seeming inevitability of a New World Order run by the United Nations. The seemingly unavoidable end of American sovereignty. No wonder the old and seemingly antiquated but profoundly American vision and objectives within the Trump Administrations plans for the first 100 days horrify this New World Order Cabal. Donald Trump is beyond bourgeois! He is the essence of The Ugly American! He certainly doesnt belong in Paris. Or any other fashionable capital of Europe. It was, as I have said before, the ugly likes of George Patton that saved Europe from its own cowardice and corruption. God bless the so-called Ugly American!!! Without him, where would human freedom be?! Michael Moriarty is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor who starred in the landmark television series Law and Order from 1990 to 1994. His recent film and TV credits include The Yellow Wallpaper, 12 Hours to Live, Santa Baby and Deadly Skies. Contact Michael at rainbowfamily2008@yahoo.com. He can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/@MGMoriarty. Home
A patriots' bucket list for terminating the failed Obama presidency



By John W. Lillpop





Over the past eight years. at times it seemed as though Barack Obamas tyranny-dictatorship would never end. But, alas, thanks to a merciful and compassionate creator, in just a few weeks, America's eight years of blight at the hands of the worse president in US history will finally come to an end. Shortly after noon on January 20, 2017, Americans will unite in gratitude as the dictatorial tyranny imposed by Obama, made all the more offensive by his arrogant loathing of the US Constitution, the rule of law, and by his bitter, racist hatred for American history, values, and culture will be forced out of the Oval Office and off the federal payroll. On that monumental and magnificent day, Obama will be forced to surrender his undeserved position as the most powerful man in the world, and will presumably return to the violent, bloody streets of Chicago to resume his jihad against America, the American people, and the American way. However, before Barack Obama is consigned to the back alleys of Chicago and the trash bin of history, his ruthless legacy must be indelibly drilled into the consciousness of all Americans as a stark reminder of what civilized people must never do again. Thus, the following PATRIOTS BUCKET LIST of political, social, and economic objectives must be achieved before Barack Obama escapes...these actions must be completed before noon, January 20, 2017: ( )ObamaCare must be expunged in total and recorded as a complete failure, perpetrated by Marxist racketeers who destroyed the worlds most successful health- care system in order to troll for political power;

( )Congress must definitively declare all-out war against Islam and terrorist extremism, and declare that radical Islam is the primary and most dangerous US enemy in history; ( )Obamas nuclear deal with Iran must be permanently rendered null and void; ( )All Executive Orders issued by Barack Obama must be revoked by newly installed President Donald Trump immediately upon taking possession of the Oval Office. ( ) Deportations of illegal aliens must resume immediately and continue at a pace which will effect the removal of all illegals from America by not later than July 4th, 2019. ( )Ground-breaking ceremonies for construction of the border Wall between Mexico and the US must be held by not later than January 25, 2017. President Trump must document how funds for the Wall will be garnered from Mexico. ( )Gitmo must be recovered, revitalized, and reestablished as a viable, funded resource for lifetime detention and interrogation of anti-American terrorists and advocates; ( )Voter ID laws must be implemented in all US states and territories; ( )A declaration of fact and policy should be issued in which the EPA, State Department, Pentagon, and White House affirm that global warming and climate change are epic progressive scams without scientific merit, and which exist solely for enriching liberal politicians (like Al Gore) and falsely impugning the exceptional accomplishments of US capitalism; Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of changes that must be made to make America Great Again. Rather this list documents the actions with the highest priority in the movement to Make America Great Again! Let's support our new president in his battle to drain the swamp! John W. Lillpop is a California-based writer.  2016 John W. Lillpop Home
A new state of Sierra Nevada? By Bruce Walker

The Calexit is the profound silliness of the whining of coastal Californians for independence because the rest of America is not in step with them. California is the third largest state in the union in geographical area and most of that state, in geographical area, is out of step with those coastal Californians. The electoral map of California by county shows the stark divide. In the 2016 presidential election, 21 contiguous counties in the northeastern third of the state voted for Donald Trump and the shift of a few thousand votes in three counties would have given Trump a contiguous area equal to half the size of the state and half of the counties in that state. Romney in 2012 carried half of the geographical area of California and about half the counties in the state. McCain in 2008 carried almost the same half of California and in 2004 Bush carried a contiguous area from Oregon to the Mexican border which included most of California, in geographical area. If the Calexit folks feel that the presidential election shows that California does not have the same values as the rest of America, then the same election showed that a wide swath of California which supported Trump is out of synch with the ruling coastal areas. What is true in presidential elections is also true in gubernatorial elections. In 2014, Jerry Brown won reelection easily, but his Republican opponent Neel Kashkari carried a contiguous area which had most of the area of the state and most of the counties of the state. Meg Whitman four years earlier did even better against Brown carrying a region which included two thirds of the area of the state and two thirds of the counties in the state. Indeed, it is hard to escape the feeling, after looking at how Californians voted by county in presidential, gubernatorial and senatorial elections over the last twenty years that Los Angeles and San Francisco are wildly out of synch with the rest of the state and that, in any event, there is a stark and clear divide between the populous coastal California from those urban areas and the rest of the state. These Californians are about as safe from Sacramento as blacks in the Jim Crow South from state government in those states. President-Elect Trump and Republican in Congress are, in many ways, the protectors of the people in the Sierra Nevada area of California, against the oppression of the gang in Sacramento which need only worry about what people in Los Angeles and San Francisco want. Those who want California to leave the United States ought to at least grant to those people trapped in that half of California whose values are submerged within the values of the majority in Sacramento. Those who proposed Calexit ought to allow these seven million Californians to do what those Virginians in the northwest part of that state did at the time of the Civil War when West Virginia was born and to form their own new state. While the Constitution may or may not allow secession, it is clear under Article IV, Section 3 that a new state may be created out of part of California if the California Legislature and Congress both consent. This process is fairly straightforward and this was how the first states which entered the union after the original 13 were created: Vermont out of New York, Maine out of Massachusetts, Kentucky out of Virginia and Tennessee out of North Carolina. The California Legislature ought to pass a bill which would allow the counties of California to remain within the United States, if California secedes, and to form a new state, Sierra Nevada, after that mountain range which largely includes those counties which are much more conservative and Republican than the rest of the state. If that is asking too much, Calexit supporters ought to ask the California Legislature to allow a nonbinding vote of the people in every county of the state which asked voters in that county if California were to secede from the union if these voters would like their county to remain as part of a new state including those parts of California which did not want to secede. If that is too much, then we know how utterly unserious and pouting the nominal Calexit folks are in fact: they are angry because America is unwilling to let them run the nation, so like all spoiled children, they are pouting. Bruce Walker is the author of book Poor Lenin's Almanac: Perverse Leftists Proverbs for Modern Life and a contributing editor to Enter Stage Right. Home
Inconvenient truths about the man-made global warming scam By Dr. Robert Owens

Experts said Arctic sea ice would melt entirely by September 2016 - they were wrong. Texas has been cooling since 1895, but that doesnt suit NOAAs global warming agenda. So they keep cooling the past further and further to create the appearance of a warming trend. The UN bans skeptical journalists from climate summit for holding views not particularly helpful. The Earth is heading towards another ice age as solar magnetic activity is set to drop by up to sixty per cent in the next fifteen years. Winters may be getting colder in the Northeast. The Weather Channel video uses young kids, scaring them about their lack of a future to promote global warming fears. Looking to the hypocrites who are perpetrating this scam we have our Secretary of State who never saw a Global Warming photo op he didnt like. On one Trip to the Antarctic, Kerry produced as much CO2 as an average American does in one year. The whole Global Warming scam is nothing more than a power grab. The collectivists lost their homeland when that great gulag of nations the USSR imploded in 1991. Since then they have been trying to use the mythical man-made global warming campaign as a back door to world-wide power. Feeling that they have enough cover to state openly what is really going on the U.N.s climate chief Christina Figueres candidly admitted that the organizers ultimate goal was to change the [capitalist] economic development model that has been reigning for at least 150 years, since the Industrial Revolution. Another U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) official, Ottmar Edenhofer confirmed the travesty of global warming treaties,  . . . one has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. Instead, climate change policy is about how we redistribute de facto the worlds wealth . . .  As reported on the Deplorable Climate Science Blog site; NOAA claimed record heat in numerous locations is September in Africa and the Middle East. This is a remarkable feat, given that they dont have any actual thermometers in those regions. In fact, NOAA doesnt have any thermometers on about half of the land surface. Satellite temperatures showed that September was close to normal in those regions which NOAA declared to be record hot. Not only is the land data fake, but much of the ocean data is fake too. The global surface temperature record is garbage. This is the 21st century, and it needs to be replaced by satellite temperatures which show little or no warming this century. The climate bullies are afraid that Donald Trump is going to do what he said he was going to do, free America from the wealth draining insanity of man-made global warming reparations. Consequently at the recent giant carbon footprint that marks their latest confab in Marrakesh Morocco. In a statement, the ministers at the meeting said momentum for cutting greenhouse gases was "irreversible" and reaffirmed their commitment to "full implementation" of the Paris accord. They went on to say, "We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority," in the Marrakesh Action Proclamation. And, "Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate and we have an urgent duty to respond. After which the elite delegates applauded, joined hands above their heads in standing ovation after the proclamation was read out having one of their international kumbaya moments that always end up costing the American tax payer a fortune. This one is estimated at 100 billion, thats, billion with a b from both public and private sources, by 2020 to help developing countries. Sounds like income redistribution to me and I wonder if any of these climate collectivists will be riding to the airport in a wind powered limo or flying home in a solar powered jet? President Obama and the American Progressives have been willing conspirators in this attack on American sovereignty. They have negotiated treaties and signed accords which are designed to impoverish the US and transfer that wealth to the UN. Up until now the collectivists have had an easy path using this alternative approach to enslaving mankind. They have brainwashed generations to live in fear of man-made global warming though none has taken place since before most of them were born. They have had the Corporations Once Known as the Mainstream Media and their cable network step sisters blaring out their propaganda for decades. They have made major movies about the day after and other apocalyptic scenarios. They have recorded hit songs, staged protest rallies, and in general done everything they can to scare people into putting the noose around the neck of Western Civilization. Now we are living in the post-wave election world of 2016. President-elect Trump has promised to reverse the course. He has labeled man-made global warming for the scam it is and promised to free America from the mass of threads with which the Lilliputians have ensnared us. Trump has pledged to follow the GOP platform committees call for  . . . an immediate halt to U.S. funding for the U.N.s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in accordance with the 1994 Foreign Relations Authorization Act. What about that disaster waiting to be implemented: the Paris Climate Agreement? Since in his hubris President Obama never bothered to even try to have it ratified by the Senate as required by the Constitution, the newly invigorated Republican-controlled House and Senate can pass a law stating that it is null and void. And if that is too bold for the Ryan-led House or the McConnell-led Senate a President Trump, according to the agreement itself, can pull out of it by issuing a one-year notice. Trump has said he will have no part in funding a $100 billion annual U.N. pledge by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to help poor countries adapt to global warming. During the campaign the Republican presidential nominee told supporters at a Florida campaign, We will also cancel billions in global warming payments to the United Nations, and use that money to support Americas vital environmental infrastructure and natural resources. In his economic speech at the New York Economic Club he summed it all up, Were going to keep our money here and our jobs here and bring our jobs back. One way to judge the reality of the man-made global warming scam has been pointed out by Rush Limbaugh for many years. If we decided we wanted to raise the temperature of the globe by one degree by 2020 what would we do? What program could we follow or what steps would be implemented to make this happen? Obviously all can see that this would be impossible. If we cannot raise the worlds temperature deliberately what a ridiculous thought that we could do it just by living in a modern word using electricity and driving cars. Another way of looking at the man-made global warming issue is to remember that our records only go back a few hundred years at most. The Earth is billions of years old. In the past there have been multiple ice ages and even a snowball Earth when the entire planet was frozen from pole to pole. Each of these multi-million year freeze events have been followed by warm periods. Where were the SUVs and smokestacks responsible for all that warming? For that matter how do we explain the cooling? I may be way out in right field here, but I believe that gigantic nuclear fusion explosion we revolve around that rises and sets every day of our lives might have more to do with global warming or cooling than anything anyone or all of us could ever do. Lets get over ourselves and admit there is only One who can hold the world in His hand. There is only One who was there when the heavens were made and the limit was set for the sea. There is only One who knows the end from the beginning. And there is only One who controls the thermostat for this planet and it isnt us. Dr. Robert Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com  2016 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens Home
National security  Beyond the Mattis memes By Mark Alexander

In 1790, George Washington outlined in his first annual message to the nation his maxim of peace through superior firepower: "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." The "peace through strength" principle was cyclically borne out over the 200 years between Washington and Ronald Reagan. As President Reagan said famously, "'Deterrence' means simply this: making sure any adversary who thinks about attacking the United States, or our allies, or our vital interests, concludes that the risks to him outweigh any potential gains. Once he understands that, he won't attack. We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression." But our restored strength after the Jimmy Carter fiasco was squandered by Bill Clinton, who ignored the growing Islamist threat and repeatedly failed to neutralize Osama bin Laden. Again, cyclically, after the catastrophic 9/11 attack on our nation, President George W. Bush endeavored to rebuild our military might in order to prosecute Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to win a hard-fought military victory in Iraq. But no sooner had Bush left office than Barack Obama and his secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, maliciously began to undermine our standing in the world  so much so that our nation's security is, once again, at great risk. In 1815, John Adams wrote, "National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman." From a constitutional perspective, and in light of global threats we face today  including catastrophic nuclear threats that our Founders could not have envisioned  I would argue that national defense is THE cardinal duty of a statesman.

Mattis Enter President-elect Donald Trump, who announced that he would nominate Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis as secretary of defense. Putting the Pentagon under the charge of a man nicknamed "Mad Dog" puts the worldwide enemies of Liberty on notice. Consider how different our military response to Iran's hijacking of our Navy vessel and its seamen would have been if a Marine named "Mad Dog" was at the helm of DoD. Those Iranians would have been toast. Of course, if "Mad Dog" was at the helm, Iranian regulars would never have ventured into firing range of one of our vessels. Our allies respect James Mattis for his fearless courage and character, and our adversaries fear him for the same reason. Gen. Mattis served until March 2013 as the 11th commander of U.S. CentCom, when Barack Obama forced him into early retirement. After 41 years in Marine leadership, Gen. Mattis was not willing to play along with Obama's political retreat from Iraq, which was directly responsible for the rise of the Islamic State and the humanitarian crisis that followed. After his retirement ceremony, Mattis planned a cross-country drive back to his home state of Washington, but, according to his colleague, MajGen. Michael Ennis, "The route he chose was dictated by the Gold Star Mothers he had to visit along the way ... zig-zagging to get to as many as he could to personally talk to them. He personally wrote hand-written notes to every parent whose son or daughter was killed under his command." The revered 63-year-old officer became an Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and was later named the Davies Distinguished Visiting Fellow. Reflecting on Obama's retreat from prosecuting ISIL, in 2014 Gen. Mattis testified, "You just don't take anything off the table up front, which it appears the administration has tried to do. Specifically, if this threat to our nation is determined to be as significant as I believe it is, we may not wish to reassure our enemies in advance that they will not see American 'boots on the ground.' If a brigade of our paratroopers or a battalion landing team of our Marines would strengthen our allies at a key juncture and create havoc [and] humiliation for our adversaries, then we should do what is necessary with our forces that exist for that very purpose. We have the most skilled, fierce and certainly the most ethical ground forces in the world and I don't think we should reassure the enemy in advance that they will never face him." Mattis summarized Obama's foreign policy as "strategic atrophy." He was much too kind... The incoming administration faces what all incoming Republican administrations have faced in the last century after Democrats depart: Foreign policy FUBAR! I have never met Jim Mattis, but several of our National Advisory Board military members have served beside him in senior military billets. They describe Mattis as a modern-day George Patton, but without all the warm fuzzies! They concur with the Marine Corps Times' assessment that Mattis is the "most revered Marine in a generation," deserving of a place alongside legendary Leathernecks such as LtGen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller and LtGen. John A. Lejeune. James Mattis is known as a student of history. In this respect, he's similar to his World War II Army predecessor, Gen. George "Old Blood and Guts" Patton, who was also a prolific reader  particularly of his enemy's writings. Mattis has a personal library that exceeds 7,000 volumes and is known as the "Warrior Monk" both for his intellect and for being a lifelong bachelor. He has a long history of publishing required reading lists for his Marines, subjecting them to his personal standards of intellectual rigor and aptitude. He believes as he has often preached, "The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears." (You can read Gen. Mattis' views on developing warrior intelligence, ponder some of his more memorable quotes and listen to a few of his lectures on The Patriot Post's Mattis page.) His decades-long career is rich with anecdotes, but in this season I'll reflect on one in particular that exemplifies his care for those under his command. As told by retired Gen. Charles Krulak, who was the Marine Corps Commandant at the time, on Christmas Day 1998 then-BGen. Mattis stood duty for a young Marine officer so he could spend the day with his family. It is not unusual for senior Marine officers to relieve junior officers from Christmas duty posts, but when told by one General officer about another, it is worth retelling. Every year, Gen. Krulak and his wife baked countless cookies in the days ahead of Christmas, put them in little packages and, beginning at 0400 on Christmas Day, he would deliver cookies to all the Marine duty posts around Washington. Making his final delivery of the day, Gen. Krulak asked the Marine Lance Corporal on duty who the officer of the day was. The answer: "Sir, it's Brigadier General Mattis." Normally, of course, the officer of the day would've been a junior officer, not a general officer. According to Krulak, he replied to the Corporal, "No, I know who Gen. Mattis is. I mean, who's the officer of the day?" The young Marine gave the same response: "Sir, General Mattis." "I looked around the duty hut. In the back there were two cots: One for the officer of the day and one for the enlisted Marine. I said, 'OK, who was the officer who slept on that cot last night?'" "The Corporal said again, 'Sir, General Mattis.'" No sooner had the question been answered a third time than BGen. Mattis entered the room. Krulak recalls, "So I said to him, 'Jim, what are you standing the duty for?' And he said, 'Sir, I looked at the duty roster for today and there was a young major who had it, who is married with a family. I'm a bachelor and I thought, "Why should the major miss out on the fun of having Christmas with his family?" And so I took the duty for him.'" Krulak concluded, "It says volumes about Jim Mattis and his leadership style. He did it very unobtrusively. He just took the duty." Indeed it does, and the same could be said for most Marine officers. Because of his recent release from uniformed service, Gen. Mattis will require House and Senate waivers for the seven-year moratorium on military officers taking a civilian appointment at the Pentagon. GOP leaders have proposed a stopgap spending bill including a bypass for the Mattis waiver. Even if that fails, it's unlikely the waiver will be an issue given the high esteem in which he is held with most on Capitol Hill. However, expect to hear objections from a few braying congressional cupcakes who think some of his "Mattisisms" are insensitive. Frankly, I find his remarks to be very sensitive  to the support and defense of our Constitution and Liberty. For example: "Find the enemy that wants to end this experiment [in American democracy] and kill every one of them until they're so sick of the killing that they leave us and our freedoms intact." "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." "Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everybody you meet." "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some aholes in the world that just need to be shot." "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fk with me, I'll kill you all." "We've backed off in good faith to try and give you a chance to straighten this problem out. But I am going to beg with you for a minute. I'm 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." S/F Gen. Mattis! Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Home
Trump could fuel a nuclear energy boom in 2017



By James Stafford

With Trump at the helm, sentiment gives way to practicality in the energy industry. For the vast untapped potential of the nuclear energy industry and the uranium that feeds it, this could contribute to a market-disrupting revival that no longer bows to fear and the politics of economy.



While there have been some oversupply issues keeping uranium prices down, the bigger problem has been negative sentiment rather than real fundamentals, but the Trump presidency will see through that.



Trump's take on nuclear energy is quite simple. As he noted after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan: "If a plane goes down, people keep flying. If you get into an auto crash, people keep driving."



Now more than ever, demand for uranium appears to be assured. But more than that, it's about to truly explode as a number of situations combine to form the new era of nuclear power.



"If you are going to acquire uranium assets, now is the right time," IsoEnergy Ltd. CEO and President Craig Parry told Oilprice.com. "If it's not the bottom yet, you can certainly see it. And on that front we see the market at the early stage of what will become a roaring bull market."



Parry might be onto something, and IsoEnergy is indeed in high acquisition mode, targeting the discovery and development of high-grade uranium deposits in and around the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewanhome to some of the world's biggest high-grade deposits.



Getting Ready for Uranium to Become an Irresistibly Hot Commodity



While Trump might inject a major boost of energy into the U.S. nuclear industry and the uranium market through deregulation, there are other factors coalescing around the world to make this a stellar new beginning for uranium and nuclear energy.



We're already seeing the biggest uranium producers stocks reacting, including Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ), AREVA (EPA:AREVA), BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP), and Uranium One (TSE:UUU). Canadian Cameco's stock was up 25 percent in November, and while the spot prices are low and set to rise, Parry points out that spot prices are all but irrelevant in this market, as almost all uranium is sold at long-term contract prices, which are presently coming in upwards of US$40 per pound, significantly higher than the current spot prices.



The outlook for uranium looks even more bullish when you consider that these contracts are now coming to a close, and uranium is poised to become a very hot commodity once again. Major American and European nuclear reactors are coming off supply in 2017 and 2018, and will be looking for long-term contracts once again.



The biggest uranium producer in the world, Canadian Cameco, said earlier this month that some 500 million pounds of uranium will be needed for nuclear reactors in the next ten years, and it hasn't been contracted out yet. Buyers of this uranium will have to hit the market sooner rather than later.



Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald recently predicted that there would be a "violent increase" in uranium prices at some point, theorizing that as much as 80 percent of the uranium market might be uncovered in terms of supply by 2025, and that demand would by then outstrip supply.



"The low-price environment has choked off exploration activity for uranium and we are at the point where there are not enough uranium projects in the pipeline that can adequately meet the coming demand," the London Telegraph quoted Cantor as saying.



All of this coincides with a phenomenal number of new nuclear reactors being built, which will also enter the market at the same time.







The end result? We're looking at the biggest deficit ever in the uranium market by 2018.



So we have over 20 Chinese nuclear reactors already under construction, plans from India to significantly increase its nuclear demand, and plans to restart over 20 Japanese reactors. These three things are major demand drivers that will wake the sleeping giant that is uranium.



And as demand soars, North America is sure to play a key role in the future of uranium supply.



In North Americaand even from a global standpointthere is no better place to explore for uranium than Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, which is to uranium what Saudi Arabia is to oil.







Two of the largest producing uranium mines in the worldMcArthur River and Cigar Lake--are in the Athabasca Basin. In and around this area, where Canada's Cameco is the key player, junior IsoEnergy is focusing on new exploration and development at Thorburn Lake, Radio, North Thorburn and Madison.



Now that Trump is president-elect, the speculation is that Trump will make good on promises to reform the licensing and permitting processes for nuclear power plants. What this means is that we could be sitting right on the edge of a revolution in next generation nuclear technology.



This means a major push for next-generation nuclear projects such as PRISM, the brainchild of General Electric and Hitachi.



So not only does demand for uranium across the next two decades seem assured, it is poised to paint an attractively tight supply picture in the coming decades.



As the New Year is ushered in, falsely negative sentiment on uranium is likely to be ushered out the door and the real fundamentals will become more visible.



The bottom line is this: While uranium prices have been on a very long and gradual decline for some 13 years, analysts agree that they've reached their bottom and the climb back up is poised to be a lot faster than the decline.



Trump is all about harnessing untapped potential, and as atomic energy advocates are quick to point out: Nothing has more untapped potential on multiple fronts than nuclear energy, and right now is the time to buy into quality assets while uranium is at a multi-year low but at the early stage of a bull market.



James Stafford is the editor of Oilprice.com where this essay originally appeared. Home
Looking at the structural problems of Canadian conservatism at the close of 2016 (Part Three) By Mark Wegierski

The impact of the so-called right-wing blogosphere is certainly far less in Canada than in the United States. The impact of various personal blogs (such as those of Kate McMillan, Kathy Shaidle, or Richard Klagsbrun) is difficult to accurately gauge. There are as well the party-based Blogging Tories. The website conservativeforum.org is only an archive site. Free Dominion could be called a self-posting forum where commentary is not formally structured. Unfortunately, Free Dominion has been recently subjected to vicious lawfare and its situation is highly tenuous. Enter Stage Right is an independent, formally structured, consistently-edited, frequently updated, conservative Canadian e-zine. There is also Judi McLeods Canada Free Press. In the wake of the failure of the Sun News Network, Ezra Levant has launched a major website, The Rebel Media, with dozens of bloggers regularly contributing to it. Two websites of the culturalist opposition are capforcanada.com and eurocanadian.ca . In July 2013, there arose with great fanfare, the daily webzine, Freedom Press Canada Journal, but it was forced to greatly reduce the frequency of its postings as of November 30, 2013, and, in subsequent months, appears to have been completely removed from the Internet. Since mid-2014, short article postings have begun to very sporadically appear on the website. Freedom Press Canada has also published, over the last several years, a number of hard-hitting conservative books. It is also commonly considered that mass-circulation newspapers like The National Post,

Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen, and The Toronto Sun are heavily right-wing. However, that is not really the case. There are also a considerable number of blogs of varying political complexion now associated with major newspapers and magazines, such as that, for example, of Colby Cosh  who had previously had a long-running personal blog. There had also arisen, in April 2011, a right-leaning cable-based news station  Sun News Network. However, it completely shut down on February 13, 2015. In the U.S., there are hundreds of private, frequently religiously-affiliated colleges, which may constitute the basis for a network of conservative dissent. There is clearly some conservative presence in much of the U.S. academy. In Canada, conservative professors are few and far between; perhaps the University of Calgary is the only public university with a significant conservative presence (in its department of political science). And, there are only a few private colleges, notably, Trinity Western University in British Columbia, and Redeemer University College in Ontario. Trinity Western University has recently faced strong opposition when it endeavoured to launch a law school. The law school was rejected as legitimate by the Ontario and Nova Scotia bar associations, meaning that its graduates would be unable to practice law in those provinces. There is also agitation continuing against its earlier recognition by the British Columbia bar association. On October 30, 2014, the result of a binding referendum of the B.C. bar association members was to instruct the bar associations benchers to withdraw the recognition of Trinity Westerns law school. There is indeed a highly orchestrated campaign against the recognition of the law school. Taking into account the disparity in resources as between small-c conservatives and left-liberals in Canada  which is clearly astronomical  the situation of conservatism in Canada may indeed be seen as rather difficult. One supposes that one of the few possible reassurances for so-called small-c conservatives is that they, after all, have human nature and commonsense on their side. However, what traditionalists call human nature is considered merely a fiction by most left-liberals  who believe that human beings are almost entirely determined by their immediate environment, and can indeed be shaped in any direction left-liberalism chooses. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
Conservatives must strongly support Trump on climate change By Tom Harris

President-elect Donald Trumps opposition to the global warming alarm is a refreshing change from the Obama administrations naive and hugely expensive crusade to lead the world to save the climate. Not only has Trump been right on the money in his descriptions of the sub-prime science underlying the scare. He also clearly understands that there is little chance the developing world, the source of most of humanitys greenhouse gas emissions, will follow the US lead anyway, as it strives to lift billions out of poverty. These nations dont even have to. There is an out clause for developing countries in the United Nations treaty on which the Paris Agreement is based. Trump has started out well. First, he appointed Myron Ebell, director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and chair of the Cooler Heads Coalition, to head up the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transition team. As one of the climate criminals targeted by activists in wanted posters across Paris during the December 2015 UN climate conference, Ebell is no stranger to controversy. He has faced up to aggressive global warming campaigners for years on television and radio, in newspapers and public presentations, and in his advocacy for solid science and affordable, plentiful, reliable energy. Next, Trump selected Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to run the EPA. Like Ebell, Pruitt is a climate realist. He wrote in the National Review in May of this year, Scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind. That debate should be encouraged  in classrooms, public forums and the halls of Congress. It should not be silenced with threats of prosecution. Dissent is not a crime. Climate activists are outraged that such people will now have significant influence over Americas, and indeed the worlds climate, environment and energy policies. Craig Rucker, Executive Director of the Washington DC-based Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, sums up the reaction to Trumps appointments: The sheer panic and harsh criticism emanating from the Left, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan, only validates that he must be saying and doing all the right things. Despite listening to people from across the political spectrum on these issues, even meeting with former Vice-President Al Gore on Tuesday, it seems unlikely that Trump will change his mind on climate change. Yet, conservatives cannot afford to withdraw from the fight and simply assume that things will continue to go their way after Inauguration Day. After all, Trump has not been a consistent opponent of global warming hysteria over the years. He was a registered Democrat from 2001 to 2008, and a major donor to the Clinton Foundation, which identifies climate change as its first issue area. In 2009, Trump, along with Ivanka, Donald Junior and Eric Trump, signed an open letter to President Obama and Congress supporting measures to control climate change, even though doing so is a physical impossibility. The letter, published in the New York Times December 6, 2009, implored: Please dont postpone the Earth. If we fail to act now, it is scientifically irrefutable that there will be catastrophic and irreversible consequences for humanity and our planet. So, like former Canadian prime Minister Stephen Harper, who campaigned for office as a climate skeptic, but changed sides after being elected, Trump could end up again supporting climate alarmism if realists dont strongly support his current policies  and hold his feet to the fire if he waivers. Already, climate activists and their allies in the scientific community are working hard to change Trumps mind on global warming: * November 17: An open letter signed by thousands of women scientists was released. They claimed to fear that scientific progress and momentum in tackling our biggest challenges, including staving off the worst impacts of climate change, will be severely hindered under this next U.S. administration. Our planet cannot afford to lose any time. Yet, the 2013 report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) cited hundreds of research papers published in leading science journals, demonstrating that todays climate change is nothing to fear. In particular, they concluded that neither the rate nor magnitude of the reported late twentieth century surface warming (19792000) lies outside normal natural variability, nor was it in any way unusual compared to earlier episodes in Earths climatic history. Current climate change is so slow  1.5 degrees between 1880 and 2012, according to the United Nations  that we have plenty of time to properly consider alternative points of view on this complex topic. * November 30: The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) released an open letter it had coordinated to Trump and Congress. The 2,300 scientist endorsers worried that, without adequate research resources, we will be less prepared to limit the impacts of increasing extreme weather. This too is misleading. As the NIPCC report explained: The commonly held perception that twentieth century warming was accompanied by an increase in extreme weather events is a misconception fostered by excessive media attention, and has no basis in facts. * December 6: Over 800 energy and earth science researchers signed another open letter to Trump, urging him to take immediate and sustained action against human-caused climate change. The letter is riddled with mistakes. Besides the UCS extreme weather blunder, they erroneously labelled plant-fertilizing carbon dioxide as carbon pollution. They claim the science backing the scare is unequivocal, a claim that is irrational in any scientific endeavor and especially one this immature. They said that virtually all climate scientists disagree with Trump, an assertion easily disproved by the NIPCC reports; dozens of open letters and other documents endorsed by leading climate experts; former space scientists, engineers and astronauts with The Right Climate Stuff group; and a statement by 31,487 American scientists expressing extreme doubt about manmade climate cataclysms. Backing all this up is the continuous global warming drumbeat from mainstream media. The National Geographic Society provided a good example in The Global Dangers of Trumps Climate Denial, in which it erroneously claimed that Trumps stance on climate change runs counter to physical evidence [and] near-universal scientific consensus.... To counter such reporting, Trump must promote solid science to justify his position. In particular, the president-elect must be convinced to make full use of reports such as those of the NIPCC to demonstrate that much of what activists say about climate change is simply wrong. Otherwise, history may repeat itself  and like Harper and both President Bushes, Trump may yield to the aggressive climate movement. That would be a disaster for the United States, and indeed for all nations that rely on a prosperous America for freedom. Republicans ... and what is left of moderate Democrats who care about working class Americans ... must get behind EPA Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt. He is truly a leader who has the character, wisdom, legal skills and understanding to lead the EPA in a new, more constructive direction. Tom Harris is executive director of the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition. Home
Sea level rise  or land subsidence? By Paul Driessen and Roger Bezdek

In his 2006 Inconvenient Truth mockumentary, Al Gore infamously predicted melting ice caps would cause oceans to rise up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) in the near future. Kevin Costners 1995 action thriller Water World presumed totally melting planetary ice would almost submerge the continents. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated in 2007 that seas might rise up to only 2 feet by 2107. By comparison, oceans have risen nearly 400 feet since the last ice age ended, reflecting how much water was trapped in mile-thick glaciers that buried much of North America, Europe and Asia. In recent decades, though, global sea level rise has averaged just 7 inches per century  which may explain why Mr. Gore bought an $8.5-million mansion on the California coast in 2010. And yet rising seas due to dangerous manmade climate change remains a contentious issue, with profound land use, wildlife, economic, insurance and policy implications  especially for certain regions, like the Atlantic Coasts Chesapeake Bay region. Some say seas could rise 2.5 to 7 feet (2.1 meters) or more by the end of the century around Norfolk, Virginia, a huge population and agricultural center and home to Americas largest Navy base. Even if that happens, the prediction combines multiple causes. Saltwater intrusion clearly has been an increasing problem across much of this region for several decades, and storms have sent tides and waves further inland than in the past, flooding and battering homes, croplands and wildlife habitats. Climate alarmists attribute this danger to human fossil fuel use. As a new report by Dr. Bezdek explains, reality is much different. (His report awaits publication in a scientific journal.) At least for the Chesapeake region, Houston-Galveston, Texas area, Santa Clara Valley, California and other places around the globe, the primary cause of seawater intrusions is not rising oceans  but land subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal from subsurface shale and sandstone formations, and to glacial isostatic adjustments that have been ongoing since the last glaciers melted. The solution therefore is not to continue trying to control Earths climate  an impossible, economy-busting task that would further impede fossil fuel use, economic development, job creation, and human health and welfare. The solution requires reducing groundwater removal in these coastal areas. Ice age glaciers buried continental land masses under trillions of tons of ice. Land under the ice was pushed downward, while areas somewhat beyond the glaciers were forced up. Once the ice was gone, the compressed areas began to rise, while lands that had bulged upward began to sink. Isostatic subsidence is still occurring, at about 1 millimeter a year (4.4 inches per century) in the Chesapeake region. While Chesapeake farms and cities have been utilizing groundwater for centuries, withdrawal rates from Virginia Coastal Plain aquifers skyrocketed between 1950 and 1970, as modern pumps took over. The rates have remained high ever since, causing significant land subsidence. The aquifer systems involve layers of porous sandstone with water in the interstices between sand grains. These layers are sandwiched between layers (lenses) of impermeable but wet shale and clay. As water is pumped from the sandy layers, the shale-clay layers are squeezed like a sponge by hundreds of feet of overlying rock and sediment, forcing their water into less compressible sands, and then into pumps. The amount of water in a system, its recharge rates (from rain, snowmelt and other sources), and the degree of compaction depend on how much water is being withdrawn, the thickness of sand and clay layers, and how compressible the layers are. Most of the pumped water ultimately comes from the clays, as they are squeezed dry. Analysts have estimated that 95% of water removed from Virginia Coastal Plain aquifers between 1891 and 1980 came from their clay layers, which have steadily compressed as a result. Compression means subsidence, at 1.1-4.8 mm/yr  for an average rate of 11 inches per century, on top of the 4.4 in. per century in isostatic subsidence, and compared to the average sea level rise of 7 in. a century. The net effect in Virginias Coastal Plain can thus be nearly 2 feet of subsidence per century. The impacts on land, habitat and property loss, saltwater intrusions, inland storm surges, farming, homes and other buildings, regional economics, wharves, piers and naval bases, and insurance rates is easy to discern. Confusion arises because discussions often involve relative sea level rise  which combines glacial isostatic and groundwater subsidence, along with actual sea level rise  just as we just did with our 2 feet per century total. However, the term obscures what is really going on and lends itself to climate alarmism, by leaving the false impression that the entire problem is melting icecaps and rising seas. It clearly is not. Focusing attention on alleged manmade climate cataclysms, supposedly driven by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, will result in our spending hundreds of billions of dollars to replace oil, gas and coal with expensive, subsidized, land-intensive renewable energy systems  while foregoing hundreds of billions of dollars in jobs and economic growth. Meanwhile, China, India, Indonesia and other developing nations will continue doing what they must to lift billions out of abject poverty and disease: burn more fossil fuels, thereby emitting more CO2. Those nations are not about to succumb to the Obama EPA social cost of carbon con game. This is the fraudulent scheme under which bureaucrats blame US oil, gas and coal for every climate and weather event, habitat and species loss, and other problem that they can possibly conjure up anywhere in the world  while completely ignoring the phenomenal and undeniable benefits of using those fuels, and the equally important benefits of having more plant-fertilizing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. President-Elect Trumps nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the EPA underscores his intent to end climate-obsessed government by junk science and Executive Branch decree. What can be done about the real-world problems of relative sea level rise? Sea levels will continue to rise (or fall) in response to ice growth and melting, caused by powerful natural forces over which humans have no control. Glacial isostatic subsidence will continue  albeit at a glacial or geologic pace  unless another ice age buries continents under more miles of ice, again lowering sea levels hundreds of feet, and wiping out arable land, growing seasons and agricultural productivity. Moreover, once water has been squeezed out of the clay and shale, it cannot easily be replenished. That means the subsidence process cannot be reversed. However, we can nevertheless reduce or even halt subsidence due to groundwater extraction. Rates and locations of land subsidence and relative sea level rise change over time. Accurate predictive tools and measurements are thus needed to improve our understanding of subsidence in particular areas. Although subsidence rates are not as high on the Atlantic Coast as they have been in the Houston-Galveston area or Santa Clara Valley, the problem is nonetheless serious because of the southern Chesapeake Bay regions low-lying topography and consequent susceptibility to ocean water intrusion. In the Houston-Galveston area and Santa Clara Valley, resource managers have moved groundwater pumping away from the coast, reduced groundwater withdrawal rates, increased aquifer recharge and substituted surface water for groundwater supplies. These actions have successfully stopped subsidence in the Santa Clara Valley and slowed the process in the Houston-Galveston area. Similar steps could be taken in Virginias Tidewater or Coastal Plain region. In addition, pipelines could bring fresh water from nearby lakes and rivers, replacing at least some of what is now provided by wells. Yet another option might be to construct one or more desalination plants (in California and Texas, as well), utilizing nuclear or natural gas power to operate facilities that utilize new Israeli technologies that employ a chemical-free reverse osmosis process that converts seawater into freshwater for pennies per gallon. The new Congress and Executive Branch need to focus our limited money and resources on real problems and viable solutions  not on their false, politically correct, anti-development alter egos. Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org), and author of Eco-Imperialism: Green power - Black death. Roger Bezdek is an internationally recognized energy analyst and president of Management Information Services, Inc. (www.MISI-net.com). Home
Maximilian Auffhammer at the Energy Institute at Haas blog with no cute name:

The GOP has long prayed at the temple of Milton Friedman. Friedman, who was one of the most brilliant thinkers of this past century ... was at the forefront of arguments that markets are incredibly effective at allocating scarce resources. At the heart of (t)his argument lies the assumption that markets are perfectly competitive. This means that everyone has perfect information, no individual firm or person can influence price, transactions costs are low, there is no public goods or externality problem and the list goes on. If such a unicorn market is left alone, agents in it will maximize social welfare, so there is no need for government intervention. ...

The classic case of a market failure is an externality. If a power plant emits a pollutant, which causes kids in a neighboring city to fall ill, the absence of government intervention will lead to an inefficiently large amount of pollution.

Government should intervene to maximize welfare at the output level where the marginal benefit from emitting the last unit of pollution is equal to the marginal damage it causes. That amount in most cases is not zero ...

... The archbishop (=department chair) in the church of Milton Friedman is . an environmental economist! The holder of the Milton Friedman chair in economist at the University of Chicago Economics department is  an environmental economist: Michael Greenstone. ... To top this, last week he was also named head the University of Chicagos Becker-Friedman Institute for Research in Economics, named for two conservative Nobel Prize winning economists who spent their careers there. See what Im getting at here? The worlds top economists at conservative departments *do not* believe in laissez faire all the time. This, you would think, should make it more palatable for the GOP leadership to support sensible environmental regulation.

If the Trump administration is going to increase efficiency of environmental regulation by replacing costly standards with more efficient incentive based regulations, you will see me dance a Schuhplattler. Ill post a video on this blog for you.

But no matter where you look, there is almost obsessive talk of government overreach. ... While killing off the Clean Power Plan will not bring coal back from the dead, it will certainly significantly hamper the necessary progress on the rollout of renewables and energy efficiency required to make progress towards the scientifically determined targets to avoid the worst consequences from climate change. The possible abandonment of the Paris Agreement will surely result in a higher emissions path for the US and possibly the rest of the world. (China and India only signed on because the US did.) Further, we have recently learned that the Social Cost of Carbon in federal rulemaking is at risk. The Social Cost of Carbon is a number used in federal benefit cost analysis, to incorporate the global damages from greenhouse gas emissions. The president could, for example, instruct agencies to use a domestic cost of carbon, which is a fraction of the true damages from carbon emissions. This would further increase emissions. ...

I have said this before. The GOP is the party of markets. Most environmental and energy economists love nothing better than a good market based regulation. I hope that the GOP and Trump administration will relearn what free market economics is all about. Its not about the absences of regulation. Its about sensible regulation.
Firmly established on the global map as a progressive business hub with a thriving economy, Mauritius is becoming a breeding ground for professionals, this despite the fact that this small island in the Indian Ocean only has a population of about 1.3 million inhabitants.

Currently Mauritius is home to approximately 120 Chartered Surveyors, of which more than 65 percent are from the field of quantity surveying.

Notable among these is Keshav Padaruth, who is the current Vice President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Mauritius and also the Registrar of the Professional Quantity Surveyors Council (PQSC) of Mauritius. Impressively, at the age of only 31, he has been admitted as the youngest ever RICS Fellow in Africa and one of the youngest worldwide.

Following a high school education at the Royal College of Curepipe, Keshav travelled to the UK to complete his BSc in Quantity Surveying at the University of Reading, known to be one of the best in the field. He also holds an MSc in Project Management and Diploma in Employment Law, both from the UK.

Returning to the island by the end of 2009, Padaruth joined the Ministry of Public Infrastructure as Assistant QS in January 2010. In May 2012 at the age of 26, he was accepted as a Member of RICS  becoming the youngest Chartered QS practising in Mauritius at that time. His first-time achievements continued as in February 2013, he became the youngest QS or Senior QS ever at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Following the proclamation of the Professional Quantity Surveyors Council (PQSC) Act in Mauritius in September 2013, Padaruth also became the first ever Registrar of the PQSC, shouldering the responsibilities of the setting up of the Council itself together with the daily running and administration of the Council. He also has to act both as secretary and treasurer of the Council.

Adding another feather to his cap, the young Mauritian QS is also a Registered Trainer in the same field with the Mauritius Qualification Authority (MQA) and is a part-time lecturer. In addition, he is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Since 2010 he worked on several Government projects, then at the end of 2015 acted as the Project Quantity Surveyor for the new Government Quantity Surveying Office whose procurement proceeding was the maiden electronic public Invitation for Bids for construction works issued on the Government e-Procurement System (e-PS). The e-PS is a project driven by the Procurement Policy Office (PPO) of Mauritius.

To date, Padaruth still works for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and has now become the first Chartered QS working for the Government of Mauritius, and among the few Chartered Surveyors on the island who have been admitted as a Fellow of RICS. He is also still acting Registrar of the PQSC and acting Vice President of RICS Mauritius.

Mauritius might be considered a relatively small country, but Keshavs achievement is a clear reflection why RICS is described as the mark of property professionalism worldwide.
Is India a weak state which punishes only the small and weak? The rich and well-connected wrongdoer is virtually going scot-free  No one wants to go after the rich and well-connected wrongdoer, which means they get away with even more. If we are to have strong sustainable growth, this culture of impunity should stop. (Indian Express 2016)
Coal is one of the main sources of energy in India and has contributed significantly to rapid industrialisation of the country. About 75% of the total coal produced in India is used for power generation (Senapati 2011). The importance of coal in the energy basket can be attributed to the availability of large coal resources in India. According to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM 2012), gross geological coal resources are estimated at 286 billion tonnes, which are sufficient to meet Indias demand for at least the next 100 years. The importance of coal also stems from the current non-viability of large-scale use of alternate sources of energy. Coal currently accounts for 55% of Indias total energy consumption (CSO 2013), and according to many projections, it will remain the most viable fuel for driving economic growth for many years to come (see TERI and PSA 2006; Ministry of Coal 2005; Planning Commission 2005). Accordingly, affordable and sustainable supply of coal is inextricably linked to the goal of ensuring energy security in India.

The need for a larger and efficient production of coal was realised at the time of Indias independence in 1947. At that time, Indias power generation capacity was limited and mostly consisting of small hydro and high-grade-lumpy-coal-fired thermal power stations. Factors such as low cost of production, easy availability of technology and large indigenous reserves made coal a natural choice for nurturing industrial growth. Until 1970, most of the coal mines in India were exploited by the private sector. In the early 1970s, however, the government felt the need to nationalise these mines owing to the two related events: (i) the oil price shocks of the early 1970s forced the government to closely scrutinise its energy options, with coal being identified as the main source and its commercial development becoming a priority; (ii) while private miners did not invest much in the growth of the sector, the poor working conditions and low safety standards in mines were an added concern. It was felt that the nationalisation would not only ensure adequate investments in the sector, but also improve safety standards and the quality of life of the workforce.1 The coal industry was thus nationalised in two phases: coking coal mines in 1971 and non-coking coal mines in 1973. The Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act of 19732 brought coal resources within the public sector. In 1975, the nationalised coal industry was restructured with the establishment of the public sector enterprise (PSE), Coal India Limited (CIL). The Ministry of Coal (MoC) was given the overall responsibility for developing policies and strategies for exploration and development of coal. Although the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 restricted the role of private players in coal mining, subsequent amendments were made to the act to allow captive mining by private companies for selected end-use sectors such as power, iron and steel, cement, washing and coal gasification. The rationale for these amendments was to increase coal production by allowing greater private sector participation.
The EU has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims of yesterdays terrorist bombing at Cairos Coptic cathedral during a Sunday mass (11 December). The EU said that the attack has exacted a terrible toll of civilian deaths and injuries and sadly it is not the first terrorist attack in recent days, following two other bombings in different parts of the country.

A bomb blast wounded at least 49 people and killed at least 25 in St Peters Church close to the main Coptic Christian Cathedral at around 10 am local time. St Peters Church is close to St Marks Cathedral, which is the seat of Egypts Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II. Approximately a tenth of Egypts 82 million populations are Christians.

According to a state-run TV, a bomb was lobbed inside the church, although there are some witnesses saying that the bomb was planted inside the church itself. I found bodies, many of them women, lying on the pews. It was a horrible scene, said cathedral worker Attiya Mahrous. Many of the victims are women and children who were worshipping in the smaller church as the Coptic cathedral is being renovated.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that the bombing was a terror attack that has no place in Egypt. No extremist group immediately claimed responsibility, although the Islamic State (ISIS) supporters celebrated the bloodshed on social media. Exiled Brotherhood leaders and homegrown militant groups condemned the attack. According to Mohamad Elmasry, an associate professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, [the attack] represents the continuation of a cycle of violence that has continued unabated since Egypts July 2013 military coup.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.

This Christmas, were headed up to Las Vegas to spend a few days with my parents and my little brother, who will be home from college.

I actually really love staying home for Christmas  our girls are old enough that its really magical and fun, we have a house that I enjoy decorating, and there are lots of holiday things to do in the Phoenix area.

Also, its so convenient not to have to pack anything up and to have all the gifts delivered right to my front door and not worry about how theyll fit in the car on the way home after the holidays.

Last year, my parents came down to spend Christmas with us, and it was a delightful time.

This year, though, when we brought up our Christmas plans, both Ella and Ani BEGGED to go to my parents house for Christmas (90% of this might be that my dad is the best Elf on the Shelf hider in the family).

One of the reasons we picked Arizona after Barts MBA was to be within driving distance of our families and be able to spend more time with them, so we werent a particularly hard sell.

Which means that in a few weeks, well be making the drive up to Las Vegas as a family.

In the past, the majority of travel has been by airplane, since we lived far away from our family or we were going abroad, but the other night, Bart mentioned that our girls (with the exception of Star) havent been on an airplane since we returned from London two years ago this week.

In the past year, weve driven to San Diego, twice to visit my sister and her family in southern California, to LA for a weekend at Universal Studios with my family, twice to Utah, twice to Las Vegas, and twice to Sedona.

Basically, weve logged quite a few miles on our car this year.

Bart and I have long loved listening to audiobooks on car trips together, but this past year is when weve really started being able to listen as a family, which has added a whole new element of fun to our traveling.

Ive used basically every platform for listening to audiobooks there is, and Audible is hands-down the best one (almost every year, Bart asks my parents for a subscription as a gift for either his birthday or Christmas). Its the only place Ive EVER been able to find every single title Ive ever been looking for and not had to wait through ridiculous hold lines to finally get my hands on a copy of something I want.

The app is super easy to navigate and I love that there is a rating both for the book and for the narration, because in my nearly decade of consistent audiobook listening, Ive discovered that many a great book can be ruined by a terrible narrator.

I also love that, if youre unhappy with an audiobook for any reason, you can exchange it for a different one, no questions asked, which removes a lot of the stress of picking a title for me.

We just download a book or two to one of our iPhones, plug it in to our car stereo and everyone can easily listen as we cruise along the highway and the girls (and sometimes me!) color while listening. Im surprised by how well even Ani can follow along with most books.

When were picking a title for the car, we tend to stick to the classics (I have a LONG list of things to get through with the girls, so its nice to check some off our list and save my voice at the same time).

I love that many classics are being released with great new narrators, and I was delighted to see that Audible just added a new audio version of Anne of Green Gables narrated by Rachel McAdams (who has a voice I could listen to all day long).



I think my girls are still a tiny bit young for Anne, but I cant wait to introduce them to her in a few more years. I think Anne is one of the most holiday-feeling stories with her adventures with family and friends and home, and if theres anything to make you feel cheerful, its Anne Shirley.

You can try out Audible with a free 1-month trial, and their catalog is so enormous, youll have no trouble finding something to listen to, whether youre driving for the holidays too or just facing a giant pile of presents to wrap after your kids are in bed and could use something fun to distract you.

And if one of your goals for 2017 is to read more books, this is the perfect way to get a jump on it!
Over the last few decades, as I have debated issues of bioethics and biotech and observed the field, I have come to the conclusion that the scientists believe themselves entitled to do what they want, in the way they want  regardless of whether the population they claim to serve accept what they are doing as moral or right.

Gainsay this, and you are branded with the dreaded pejorative, anti-science. But expressing differences over ethics isnt the same thing as opposing the method. Of course, scientists should have a very loud voice in determining the proper regulatory parameters in these areas. But theirs should not be the only voice. We all have a stake in such portentous issues.

To avoid true public oversight, scientific organizations go through the motions of holding ethics symposia, creating voluntary guidelines, and the like. And they may even agree to prohibit certain types of investigation. But theres a cynical trick often deployed here. The areas they agree to constrain often are things that cannot yet be done.

Then, when research gets them to the point of being able to do the prohibited and once undoable, they break the promise and move the boundary line.

We see this dynamic playing out now in embryo research. During the last few decades, the scientists agreed to limit their experiments to embryos no farther along than 14 days. Of course, maintaining an embryo in a dish for longer that was not doable.

But now, with improving technology, arguments are being heard to extend the time to 24 days. From the story in The Guardian:

Later this week some of the worlds leading scientists will gather at University College London to debate a simple but highly controversial notion: that it is time to scrap the 14-day limit on embryo research. Thanks to recent scientific breakthroughs, researchers have reached a point where they can begin to think of experimenting on embryos up to 28 days in age. The benefits for medical science would be considerable. As a result, many are pressing for the 14-day rule  which has been enshrined in British law for more than 25 years  to be replaced with one allowing research to be carried out on embryos that have lived for double that period.

And so the familiar song and dance begins. After 24 days, as technology improves, we will eventually see calls for one month. Then two. Then six.

Come to think of it, given the utilitarian ideological bent within the sciences and bioethics  evidenced by the call in some of the worlds most respected journals to permit live experimentation on people with PVS, and the fact that scientists previously conducted live fetal experimentation  Im not sure I can predict what permanent line the scientists would ever agree never to cross when it comes to biotechnological experimentation on the unborn.

Image: Human blastocyst, by Harimiao (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.
Natural is a curious word. It has many meanings. The design theorist distinguishes between natural and intelligent causes. But to a Darwinist, everything must be natural, because scientific materialists reduce everything (including their minds) to matter and energy. So on what basis can Hendrik F.T. Klare and Martin Oestreich offer the following title: Teaching nature the unnatural? Writing in Science, they describe a fascinating experiment in the same issue of the journal by Kan et al.

Silicon is found in nature in many inorganic forms, some of which are constructed by living organisms. Yet, no known biological molecule contains a carbon-silicon (C-Si) bond, and no biological processes to form C-Si bonds have been identified. On page 1048 of this issue, Kan et al. show that natural as well as reengineered enzymes can promote C-Si bond formation. The resulting chiral compounds mostly consist of one of the two possible stereoisomers (enantiomers). [Emphasis added.]

Chemists are interested in carbon-silicon bonds for semiconductors, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. Over the past few decades, they have achieved some success with inorganic catalysts, but since cells are so good at evolving new functions, why not teach a cell to do it? It would be an added plus to get homochiral (one-handed) compounds. Traditional methods require isolating one-handed compounds through the use of elaborate chiral ligands or small peptides, Klare and Oestreich point out. But Kan et al. performed their experiments in vitro with non-natural, tailor-made substrates that are not likely to survive in a real biological system.

The four Caltech scientists taught nature to do the unnatural by first isolating a microbe that lives in the hot springs of Iceland. The microbe contains a heat-tolerant version of the well-known enzyme cytochrome c, which New Scientist says typically transports electrons around the cell. Noticing that this version of cytochrome c was robust, and having a good map of its active site, they taught this enzyme to create carbon-silicon bonds through repeated rounds of directed evolution (which New Scientist accurately points out is really artificial selection as opposed to natural selection). Looking into the active site, they figured out what they needed evolution to do:

Following this approach, Kan et al. selected methionine residue M100, which needs to dissociate to make room for iron-carbenoid formation, as well as valine V75 and methionine M103, which are in close proximity to the active iron heme center (see the figure). They prepared mutants of the wild-type protein with sequential site-saturation mutagenesis.

Even though they left the candidates up to chance, their criteria for success were known in advance. They selected the mutants that did the job they wanted: creating a carbon-silicon bond. They watched and selected until they had a version with good productivity and good enantioselectivity (ability to isolate homochiral products). When the work was done, they had an enzyme that could make C-Si bonds 15 times more efficiently than the best inorganic catalyst.

The beauty and value of Kan et al.s accomplishment lie in the enzyme-promoted formation of an unnatural bond. This closes a crucial gap between biological and chemical catalysis. The impact is unforeseeable, but it seems that we are a big step closer to potentially facilitating industrially relevant reactions such as alkene hydrosilylation with biomolecules.

Its a long, long way from silicon-based life portrayed on Star Trek. They only got a C-Si bond, not a version of life that replaces carbon with silicon entirely. It works in a dish and in a bacterium, but getting the product out of a cell membrane without it hydrolyzing on the way will be a big challenge. But its a start with a bright future. New Scientist quotes Caltech co-author Frances Arnold:

Its a wonderful demonstration of how rapidly nature can adapt to solve problems, says Arnold. All of this diversity in the natural world is poised to do entirely new chemistry if you provide these new niches, so to speak.

So to speak. To speak so is to confuse two very different kinds of causation: natural and rational. The first they attribute to blind chance; the second they intuitively know requires intelligence. Notice the cognitive dissonance; their worldview does not allow the intrusion of anything unnatural within the closed system of undirected causes, yet to jump between the two kinds of causation, they either have to deny their own rationality or attribute rationality to nature. Arnold did it in the quote above. Watch how Kan et al. do it in this paragraph, paying attention to the word natural and all the instances of purposeful, goal-directed activity:

Because of their ability to accelerate chemical transformations with exquisite specificity and selectivity, enzymes are increasingly sought-after complements to, or even replacements for, chemical synthesis methods. Biocatalysts that are fully genetically encoded and assembled inside of cells are readily tunable with molecular biology techniques. They can be produced at low cost from renewable resources in microbial systems and perform catalysis under mild conditions. Although nature does not use enzymes to form carbon-silicon bonds, the protein machineries of living systems are often promiscuous  that is, capable of catalyzing reactions distinct from their biological functions. Evolution, natural or in the laboratory, can use these promiscuous functions to generate catalytic novelty. For example, heme proteins can catalyze a variety of non-natural carbene-transfer reactions in aqueous media, including N-H and S-H insertions, which can be greatly enhanced and made exquisitely selective by directed evolution.

The only way this paragraph makes sense is by attributing rational thought to cells and molecules. Cells can be taught. They can be trained. They are ready to learn. Give them the opportunity, and they will generate novelty, using their machineries that are encoded and assembled. They have purpose that can be repurposed. They explore.

These in vitro and in vivo examples of carbon-silicon bond formation using an enzyme and Earth-abundant iron affirm the notion that natures protein repertoire is highly evolvable and poised for adaptation: With only a few mutations, existing proteins can be repurposed to efficiently forge chemical bonds not found in biology and grant access to areas of chemical space that living systems have not explored.

Progress in the Darwin-vs-design debate will require clarity. When we find our worthy opponents equivocating about evolution, equating natural evolution with directed evolution, we should stop and ask for clarification. By directed evolution, are you talking about intelligent design? When we find them equivocating about nature, using the words unnatural or non-natural, we should stop and ask for clarification. I thought nature was all there is. What do you mean by unnatural? These questions might steer the discussion into more productive paths than quibbling about a particular enzymes function or speculating about silicon-based Hortas evolving on planet Janus VI.

Image credit: Organosilicon-based life as envisioned by artist, Lei Chen and Yan Liang (BeautyOfScience.com) via Caltech.
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Oil rose to its highest level since July 2015 after Saudi Arabia signaled its ready to cut output more than earlier agreed and non-OPEC countries including Russia pledged to pump less next year.

Futures climbed 2.6 percent in New York and 2.5 percent in London.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Saturday the biggest crude exporter will cut substantially to be below the target agreed on last month with members of OPEC. His comments followed a deal by 11 non-OPEC countries to join forces with the group and trim output by 558,000 barrels a day next year, the first pact between the rivals in 15 years.

The non-OPEC cut was expected, but nobody foresaw the Saudi statement, said Bob Yawger, director of the futures division at Mizuho Securities USA Inc. in New York. The markets giving bonus points because the Saudis are willing to do whatever has to be done to balance the market. We wouldnt be up anywhere near as much on the agreement alone.

U.S. oil futures have gained almost 20 percent since the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed on Nov. 30 to cut output for the first time in eight years. Saudi Arabia, which initiated OPECs decision in 2014 to pump without limits, is leading efforts to regain control of the market. The OPEC and non-OPEC plan encompasses countries that produce about 60 percent of the worlds crude.

West Texas Intermediate for January delivery rose $1.33 to settle at $52.83 a barrel at on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Its the highest close since July 14, 2015. Brent for February settlement climbed $1.36 to $55.69 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract closed at the highest since July 22, 2015. The global benchmark crude ended the session at a $1.94 premium to February WTI.

The main impact of the non-OPEC collaboration is to pull the global market into balance, if not in deficit, in the second quarter of 2017, rather than in the third quarter, said Sarah Emerson, managing director of ESAI Energy in Wakefield, Massachusetts. On an annual average basis, this pushed the global balance into a 200,000 to 300,000 barrel-a-day deficit for the year.

Oil and gas companies advanced in the U.S. and Europe. Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., the biggest U.S. energy producers, closed up 2 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.

I can tell you with absolute certainty that effective Jan. 1, were going to cut and cut substantially, to be below the level that we have committed to on Nov. 30, al-Falih said Saturday in Vienna. The Saudi minister added that the country was ready to take production below 10 million barrels a day, a level it has sustained since March 2015.

The Nov. 30 OPEC agreement calls for reducing output by 1.2 million barrels a day to try to end a global surplus and firm up prices. Non-OPEC producers on Saturday reinforced the groups decision with a commitment to cut an additional 558,000 barrels a day. But in advance of that meeting, OPECs members boosted the groups overall output according to independent estimates, with Nigeria, Libya and Angola all pumping more oil, a person familiar with the data said.

OPEC production increased from 33.79 million barrels a day in November from 33.71 million barrels a day in October, the person said, citing data from secondary sources such as news agencies and intergovernmental institutions. The person asked not to be identified because the information isnt public.

There are no doubts that OPECs members will increase output to the last day of this month, before the production-cut agreement goes into effect from Jan. 1, Sadad al-Husseini, a Saudi-based analyst and a former official at Saudi Arabian Oil Co., said Monday by phone. No one wants to give away his share in the export market easily.

But the urgency felt by OPEC and its partners to end the oil rout will ensure they adhere to their pledges to cut supplies, Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Emmanuel Kachikwu said in a Bloomberg Television interview Monday. The accord should push prices  at about $56 today  a bit higher, yet not enough to trigger a comeback in U.S. shale, according to the minister.

Sixty I think would be ideal, he said. Once you begin to trend past the mid-$60s, youre going to have a surfeit of shale producers jump back into the market. Technology is improving with shale every day, and so the cost of production is continuing to drop.

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 ministers view of the resilience of U.S. production diverges from that of his Saudi counterpart, al-Falih, who said Saturday he expects little response from the U.S. industry next year.

While crude may rise to over $60 a barrel if OPEC members and other nations cut production as promised, a rebound in U.S. shale output would bring prices back to $55, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a report.

Greater than expected compliance to the announced cuts, or Saudis willingness to cut production further are two upside risks to our forecasts, analysts including Damien Courvalin and Jeffrey Currie said in a Sunday report. We disagree however with Saturdays comment by Saudis energy minister that shale would not respond in 2017.

At the current U.S. horizontal oil rig count, shale output is already on track to sequentially grow from the first quarter of 2017, according to Goldman. American producers can achieve 800,000 barrels a day of annual production growth at a price of $55 a barrel for benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude, with limited outspend of cash flow and declining leverage, the bank said.

The U.S. supply response and the resumption of OPEC and Russia production growth once inventories have normalized will further keep the market balance in 2018, even under our optimistic demand forecast, capping the medium term upside to oil prices, the analysts wrote in the report. The goal of the planned output cuts is to curb oil inventories rather than higher crude prices, they added.

Al-Falih and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak also revealed Saturday that they have been working for nearly a year on the agreement, meeting multiple times in secret. OPEC two weeks ago agreed to reduce its own production by 1.2 million barrels a day, and Saudi Arabia has long insisted that any cuts by the group be accompanied by action from other suppliers.
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SAN ANTONIO  When Ric Marmolejo moved into a 3,000-square-foot townhouse near his hair salon and art gallery in Alamo Heights three years ago, he was not short of furnishings, having lived in the Majestic Building's penthouse for five years. But the master bedroom was smaller than his downtown.

In deciding how to furnish his new bedroom, Marmalejo hit on a hotel theme. I wanted the whole feel to remind me of going into a suite somewhere, like the Ritz-Carlton, he said, to open the door and look like you were going into a suite.

He created that sense by using vertical striped beige and gold wallpaper and textured wall-to-wall carpeting with a geometric fleur-de-lis-like pattern. He covered a small custom-made sofa and facing chairs with soothing seafoam green velvet.

Above the king-size bed he hung a suite of old-fashioned French prints relating to food. They have all these prints in suites, he explained. Adding to the high-end hotel illusion are an antique-style secretary and a pair of slipper chairs with gilded legs. The chairs flank a wide full-length mirror framed in gold.

Beyond the bedroom, Marmolejo used furnishings he had on hand, except for works by artists such as Franco Mondini-Ruiz and Michael Wayne, both represented in his salon/gallery.

More Information Got space? Do you know of a beautiful, unique house that would be great in Spaces? Email your suggestions to Home & Garden Editor Tracy Hobson Lehmann, home@express-news.net. See More Collapse

Over a three-month period, Marmolejo updated his new space while living there. Tile-floored areas at front and back were replaced with oak, challenging him to match the stain to that on existing oak flooring. The carpenter and I worked on that one night until 2 a.m., he said. We were on our knees swashing all these colors on.

Thanks to recessed lighting he installed in high white ceilings and to natural light filtered in through white plantation shutters, walls could be painted dark. It makes everything pop, said Marmolejo, who favors fringe and gilding, sparkly chandeliers and crystal, ornate Napoleonic-style furniture, marble top console tables and animal print fabrics  an aesthetic he describes as dark and rich and goopy.

The exuberant dark chocolate-walled living room is accented with a cat print area rug, chairs with griffin legs and leopard-print leather upholstery, a large chandelier, a carved stone fireplace mantel with lion supports and a massive mirror with a baroque gold frame.

In the adjoining dining room a collection of crystal decanters creates a centerpiece for the dark wood dining table set on a zebra rug. A framed black and gold Versace scarf hangs above a marble top sideboard with ormulu decoration.

Beyond the kitchen, where Marmolejo updated all the counters with granite, is what he calls my go-to place, a cozy area where he relaxes after work on a comfy sofa covered in crocodile-pattern embossed leather added.

But the sanctum of choice in Marmolejo's condo is the master bedroom. Here, he said, I feel like I can walk out, go down in the elevator and go to the bar. The only thing lacking, he said, is room service. Darn it!
It started with classroom tensions and escalated to heated exchanges, shouting matches and scared students coming to Catherine Nolan-Ferrells office, crying and asking for support.

Nolan-Ferrell, associate professor of Latin American history at the University of Texas at San Antonio, was witnessing the ripple effect of a polarizing presidential election, one in which President-elect Donald Trump promised to end an immigration program that protects hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

The potential threat to that program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, has left universities in San Antonio and around the country struggling to come to terms with that promise.

At UTSA, Nolan-Ferrell is circulating a petition to make the university a sanctuary campus. It is a controversial effort, but its supporters are undaunted.

We vow not to be silent or passive when members of our community face fear and intimidation, the petition reads.

Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted last week that he would cut funding for any state campus that establishes sanctuary status for those students, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said much the same thing  although how a sanctuary campus is defined varies. The name is similar to the term sanctuary cities, often referring to cities such as San Antonio that encourage police officers not to ask about immigrants status at routine traffic stops, though even that term has legislators quibbling over its exact definition.

At some schools, administrations have come forward, writing open letters to the student body expressing their support for DACA. But at many others, including Texas State University and University of Texas campuses, faculty and staff are demanding that their administrations take a stronger stand, urging them to make their university a sanctuary for those students.

Nolan-Ferrell said she drafted a petition to UTSA President Ricardo Romo on Nov. 18 asking him to make the university a sanctuary campus because she sensed a growing climate of oppression, particularly toward student immigrants, and because at the time there had been no word from the UTSA administration on its stance on DACA students.

Since then, Romo and UT System Chancellor William McRaven have joined more than 300 other colleges in signing an open letter defending DACA. The leadership at St. Marys University, the University of the Incarnate Word and San Antonio College also have signed the letter.

Thats an important show of support, Nolan-Ferrell agreed, but she said it doesnt go far enough and continued to circulate the petition, which had almost 500 signatures when it was presented to Romo last week. Meanwhile, the faculty senate is conducting an electronic vote on a resolution to support the DACA students; it doesnt mention the term sanctuary campus. Nolan-Ferrell; Omar Valerio-Jimenez, a professor who helped draft the petition; Alistair Welchman, a faculty senator; and student representatives are scheduled to discuss the issue with university administration Tuesday.

By the numbers

UTSA reported 284 undocumented students, and Texas A&M University-San Antonio reported 55. Both campuses said they do not track how many DACA students they serve. The Alamo Colleges district of five community colleges has 746 students taking classes this semester who are listed as residents under DACA, according to spokesman Mario Muniz.

Representatives of Our Lady of the Lake University, the University of the Incarnate Word and St. Marys University said they dont track the number of students protected by DACA but indicated that they do provide support for those students. St. Marys Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, for example, held informational sessions for DACA students Nov. 29 and Dec. 1.

While Romo hasnt publicly mentioned the sanctuary campus issue, he issued a written statement: I am grateful to our campus community for its expression of support and unity with our DACA students. I remain hopeful that our nations leaders will continue to recognize the value of allowing these students to pursue their education in the United States.

Leaders at Texas A&M University and A&M-San Antonio did not sign the open letter of 300-plus colleges support. After requests by community members that A&M-San Antonio become a sanctuary campus, however, President Cynthia Teniente-Matson sent an email campus-wide that was published in the universitys newspaper, the Mesquite, last week.

As an institution that embraces all forms of diversity, it is important that we act thoughtfully and project visible signs of commitment, equity and inclusive excellence for everyone, she said, but she also reminded the community that the university most comply with state and federal laws, which include immigration laws in addition to certain student protections.

At Alamo Colleges, Chancellor Bruce Leslie sent a letter just before Thanksgiving to the districts 52,000 students, directed at undocumented students who came here as children, known as DREAMers.

I pledge to you on behalf of the entire Alamo Colleges family that we will continue to do all that is possible to ensure that you are supported at the Alamo Colleges, Leslie wrote. We value your success and that of your families and community. We are committed to increasing the achievement of your personal and professional goals, and those of each and all of our students.

Although there was no pledge to become a sanctuary campus, Leslie said in an email that he and trustees would advocate for appropriate immigration policies along with other elected officials.

We will work with them closely should change be proposed that would impact our students, Leslie said, adding that the board of trustees has the authority to direct him in responding to any changes in current practice.

Though exact definitions of sanctuary campuses vary, asking to be one seems to go one step further beyond symbolic support. The UTSA petition asks the university to promise not to release the immigration status of its students, to assign an office that would solely assist DACA students and to guarantee in-state tuition to students should their DACA protection get removed. It also urges that the university provide anti-bullying and de-escalation intervention training for faculty and students and that it provide information on what rights the campus has in the face of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Nolan-Ferrell has been outspoken about protecting the students she perceives as vulnerable to oppression on campus, and she has been both a source of support and recently, a target. Last week, she got a phone call she perceives as threatening. A young voice with a bad Spanish accent yelled expletives at her in a voicemail, she said, which she reported to UTSA police.

We can disagree, but we can disagree respectfully. We dont have to say this person should not be here, or this person is fundamentally wrong  as in they dont have the right to exist. Its that stripping them of humanity, stripping them of their very basic protections, thats happening, she said. The goal (of the petition) is to essentially have the administration reaffirm that UTSA respects diversity and that we will not tolerate hate speech.

Looking to the future

Carlos Aguilar, 25, remembers when President Barack Obama signed DACA into law.

They said Carlos, watch the TV because something big is going to happen. And I saw it on TV and I just started crying. It was like a telenovela. I was crying and crying and so excited, said Aguilar, who is getting his masters degree at UTSA. He moved to Texas when he was 14 because his mother married a U.S. citizen.

When Aguilar got DACA status in May 2013, a lot of things changed: He could legally drive a car, hold a job and receive financial aid. He didnt have to live with the constant feeling that he had something more to fear than his peers did. He didnt have to keep a secret.

One of the things that (DACA) did is give students hope that they were going to be able to pursue an education in this country, said Erica Schommer, a clinical assistant professor of law at St. Marys University.

While Aguilar had told select friends and mentors about his immigration status, it wasnt until he attended a highly publicized roundtable hosted by actress America Ferrera in February that he came out publicly.

I thought I was living a double life: the undocumented student who couldnt work and do this and that, but also the American student whose education system raises him to think he has all the opportunity to achieve the American dream, he said. But after that I was like, why cant I be the same person? An undocumented American?

If termination of the DACA program did come to pass, its students could be forced to drop out of college  not because theyre not allowed to attend, but because they could lose their ability to pay for school, Schommer said. Without DACA, she said, students might lose their financial aid, might not be able to participate in work-study and would likely be unable to continue any part-time job they have.

Aguilar, now the leader of a student group he founded called the Immigrant Youth Leadership Organization, said he is optimistic. He said his community persevered before, noting that the Obama administration conducted the largest number of deportations in the history of the presidency. And so they will persevere now.

For the longest time, our community has been scared to act. They think if we come out of the shadows, its going to affect us. But thats not the case. I think if we all unite and call for action, we can do something about it, Aguilar said. We shouldnt be freaking out at this moment until whatever happens, happens. And whatever happens, were going to be OK because were all together.

sfosterfrau@express-news.net

Staff Writers Alia Malik and Lauren Caruba contributed to this report.
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SAN MARCOS  Andy Gluesenkamp and Bekky Muscher-Hodges slid back a heavy metal plate, letting a shaft of light shine into the depths of a century-old well, a window into the world below.

They hauled up a wire cage with a pantyhose sack full of bait  dried shrimp and pistachios  inside. The cage had two holes in either side, just large enough for a Texas blind salamander to squeeze through.

They and fellow biologist Dante Fenolio have set up this trap and others as part of their scientific research into this endangered and fragile cave creature.

About two weeks ago, the Texas blind salamander population suffered a serious blow at a research center just a few miles from this well.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, roughly 250 to 300 Texas blind salamanders disappeared from a federal facility in south San Marcos, local police said. The salamander is a pale, almost translucent, creature 3- to 5 inches long with no eyes and pink feathery external gills.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center, is not saying exactly what happened, citing an open investigation.

Gluesenkamp, Fenolio and Muscher-Hodges work for the San Antonio Zoos conservation department and are among a handful of cave-exploring reptile and amphibian experts who know Texas blind salamanders and their kin well. The zoos conservation department also keeps Texas blind salamanders in captivity, along with other cave-dwelling species from around the world.

They have often worked with Fish and Wildlife biologists stationed at the San Marcos center, but even these three have no clue what happened to the salamanders there over Thanksgiving.

I hate to see it, Fenolio said, discussing the disappearance at the facility, a refuge that houses a captive breeding program that aims to restore the species and others if they are ever wiped out in the wild. Its not like you can go to the pet store and buy a new colony.

Texas blind salamanders are the most well-known of 14 to 16 salamander species living in the fractured limestone of the Texas Hill Country. Gluesenkamp and Fenolio believe they may have discovered a new species six years ago in a monitoring well outside a New Braunfels bowling alley but are waiting on the genetic research to prove it.

Theyre something thats uniquely Texan, Gluesenkamp said. They live nowhere else.

Luckily for the salamanders, plenty of habitat still lies below ground, as long as the ever-growing human population above does not destroy the salamanders home  and with it contaminate the water supply for the region.

Across Central Texas, roughly 2 million people depend on the Edwards Aquifer for life and livelihood. Hays and Comal counties are among the top 10 fastest-growing in population in the U.S.

None of the water systems that draw water from the Edwards Aquifer use any kind of treatment process to remove pollution, except for a little chlorine to kill bacteria. Many rural residents depend solely on groundwater wells.

Rare species such as the Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs salamanders and Texas wild rice also depend on constant, clean flow from aquifer-fed springs in New Braunfels and San Marcos. Like most salamanders, those in the springs have eyes and pigments in their skins.

But deep underground is a bizarre world that gets less attention. Blind salamanders and other species like pale, eyeless catfish live in tiny crevices in total darkness.

The springs are gorgeous and should be protected, but they are just the end of the pipeof a vast network of underground passages, Gluesenkamp said.

A massive pipeline leak, a toxic chemical spill or an out-of-control pathogen could easily wipe out a subterranean population or even an entire species, he and Fenolio said.

That may have already happened at one point in the pool of the Edwards Aquifer below San Antonio, which should in theory be good blind salamander habitat.

No one has ever found them below San Antonio, Fenolio said, though he acknowledges that biologists do not search as thoroughly there as they do in other parts of the Hill Country.

Gluesenkamp and Fenolio actively look for them in San Marcos and across the Hill Country, often in old hand-dug ranch wells that tap natural fissures in the limestone. Salamanders can live in tiny cracks in the rock but often congregate around well openings, where dirt, leaves, bugs and other surface debris fall into the caves, offering a source of nutrients.

They believe the wild population of Texas blind salamanders could range from hundreds to thousands on the low end all the way up to 2 million, but its hard to know for sure.

Biologists are hard at work coming up with new ways to find out.

Genetic studies by Paul Chippendale of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with help from Gluesenkamp, indicate that the genes in individual Texas blind salamanders vary more widely than expected. Their genes may be more diverse than those of some species that seem more common to us surface dwellers.

Darwins finches aint got nothing on these salamanders, Gluesenkamp said.

That could mean there are many of them in the wild, but theyre frustratingly elusive. After checking three traps in San Marcos weekly over six months this year, they caught only about 24, Gluesenkamp said.

Its like ice fishing, he said. You drill a little hole and all you can see is right down that hole.

On Dec. 5, none of three traps yielded any salamanders. The biologists want to keep their locations top secret to deter poachers and illegal dumping.

Sometimes, they catch a salamander, then release it back into the wild, and later that same one shows up in a trap again. They tell them apart using high-resolution photography that captures each salamanders pattern of pigments  freckles, literally.

Future methods of studying them might include superfine filters placed over the ends of wells with gaps tiny enough to screen out pieces of DNA.

That means a lot in the sterile, empty world underground. By testing the DNA found in screens filtering the aquifer, the biologists could learn exactly whats been living in the limestone below.

bgibbons@express-news.net

Twitter: @bgibbs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar scheduled meetings this week hoping to take advantage of newly passed legislation enabling cities and businesses to provide unlimited financial support for Customs and Border Protection to help speed goods and people across the border.

Cuellar, D-Laredo, said he believes the city of Laredo may want to help pay for a fast lane on the World Trade International Bridge under terms of the bill.

Immediately, it could have some positive effects, Cuellar said.

Cuellar and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, engineered final passage on Saturday of potentially far-reaching legislation expanding public and private partnerships with perennially underfunded CBP to share costs of services along the border.

Cuellar said Monday he expects President Obama's signature on the bill soon.

Pilot projects authorized by Congress three years ago enabled some two-dozen of the partnerships, which have financed overtime for customs agents and underwritten other services along the borders with Mexico and Canada.

The new legislation, which has received broad backing, enables more agreements ranging from construction to border security to checking farm produce for unwanted pests.

In Texas, the overwhelming success of these pilot programs has proven that we can significantly reduce wait times and increase efficiency at our points of entry, Cornyn said in a statement.

The legislation overcame 11th hour suspense during Congresss last week before adjournment when changes were needed to comply with provisions when the federal government raises revenue.

Supporters were eager to finish the legislation before next year given looming questions about trade with Mexico in the new administration.

In the end, the legislation passed without controversy. Cuellar thanked Cornyn, the Senates No. 2 leader, and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

This is an example of how friendships can pay dividends. Ive never passed something this quick," said Cuellar, who won re-election last month to a seventh term.

bill.lambrecht@hearstdc.com
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TEXARKANA  An invisible boundary runs along the center lane of State Line Avenue. A flick of a turn signal one way is Texas, the other way is Arkansas.

That turn matters these days. Living on one side of the street rather than the other can mean the difference between getting better or staying sick.

Erika Castaneda lives on the Arkansas side, just outside Texarkana, in a small house in the country. Some days, the nerve damage in her legs from diabetes was so bad that she couldnt stand. But a doctor over at a clinic cost $75, so she put off going. Like so many around her, she was uninsured.

Until suddenly she wasnt anymore, becoming part of a grand experiment in the time of Obamacare.

In her red state of Arkansas, where the Affordable Care Act is often cursed, lawmakers three years ago found a politically palatable way to use an underpinning of the law and expand Medicaid to cover hundreds of thousands of people without actually calling it that.

Soon, the states uninsured rate began to drop  faster and more dramatically than any other in the nation except Kentucky, which it tied. In 2013, the Arkansas uninsured rate for adults was 22.5 percent. By 2015 it was 9.6 percent, according to a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

People in Arkansas began to go to the doctor more because they could.

Cheryl Nunn lives up the road on the Texas side, a place where lawmakers wont consider expanding Medicaid.

As a nurse, she knew that taking the nine steps from bedroom to kitchen in her narrow trailer should not leave her collapsed against a table struggling to breathe. But she would pull herself up and head for the door anyway.

I am the only breadwinner, she thought. If I dont work, we dont eat.

Her husband, Jimmy, 56, is disabled after a heart attack. Without insurance, the medical bills were already stacked tall. She promised herself a checkup soon at the clinic a few miles away in Texarkana, by coincidence the same one Castaneda uses.

Then came the day in July when her breath turned ragged and her calf swelled so much that she could not roll up her pant leg. Her daughter drove her to the emergency room, where tests found that a potentially fatal blood clot had traveled to her lungs. She had undiagnosed heart disease, too. The doctor worried for her life. She worried about the money. She checked herself out the next day.

A month later, the 51-year-old was back, this time by ambulance after blacking out at work.

It was scary for me, remembered Dr. James Miller, the second-year resident who treated her. I can only imagine how scary it was for her.

This is what being uninsured can look like in Texas. The latest estimate is that 4.6 million people, the most in the nation, dwell on that dangerous cliff, put there, in part, by politics, kept there by the whim of geography.

Insurance alone does not guarantee good health. But often, as Diane Rowland, executive vice president for the national Kaiser Family Foundation, explained, it is the key to the door.

Such a door opened in Arkansas.

Once home to some of the highest rates of stroke, heart disease and lung problems in the country, Arkansas appears to be getting healthier. The poor go to the doctor sooner. They go to the emergency room less. They manage chronic conditions better.

The exact opposite is happening in Texas, a recent Harvard University public health study reveals. For instance, three years ago, 8 percent of poor Texans used the emergency room as their doctor. In 2014, it was 10 percent. Last year, it was 11.3 percent.

The ER is the last place in the world you want to send someone who doesnt have an emergency. Its expensive; there is no continuity of care, no follow-up, said Dr. Joe Thompson, director of the nonpartisan Arkansas Center for Health Improvements, a Little Rock-based health policy center.

The Arkansas turnaround grew out of the 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the ACA that said each state could decide whether to expand Medicaid. Texas said no; Arkansas said maybe.

With a Democrat in the Arkansas governors mansion and a Republican majority in the Legislature, a customized version of Medicaid expansion was negotiated with federal authorities to develop what they called the Private Option.

Arkansas took the money earmarked to expand Medicaid and instead bought private insurance for the poor off the ACA-mandated exchange. The measure found bipartisan support because it touted a free-market sensibility to soothe objections against expanding entitlements.

Regardless of what you think of the Affordable Care Act, there was a duty to pull together to do what was responsible, to do what was in the best interest of their constituents, said Dr. Dan Rahn, chancellor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services, which operates a network of clinics for low-income people such as the one where Nunn and Castaneda go.

Today, more than 300,000 in a state of just under 3 million get their insurance under the law. The path has never been smooth politically, as conservatives continue to be skeptical of promises that it will not explode the state budget. Still, the law survived a challenge this year but retooled.

The new version, backed by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson and approved recently by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, is called Arkansas Works. It encourages the unemployed to look for work and some enrollees to contribute toward premiums so they will be more involved in their own health.

The election of Donald Trump, who carried both Texas and Arkansas handily, throws into question what happens in Arkansas and the 30 other states that expanded Medicaid to millions of Americans.

The president-elect and his administration picks have signaled a preference for block grants to states for access to health care for the poor instead of the existing federal funding system. The current way could be among the first casualties in the march to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

A block grant system typically returns more power to individual states and allows them to decide criteria for low-income programs.

But it could perpetuate the disparities, cautioned Rowland of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

There already are different levels of federal funding to states, depending on whether they expanded Medicaid. If that continued unchanged, states such as Texas could start out behind, Rowland said. States also might set widely different rules on coverage.

For Arkansan Castaneda, when a little white card arrived in the mail, she had no idea what it was. It said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arkansas. She almost threw it away.

She had been uninsured so long that she didnt know what being covered looked like.

The 35-year-old works in collections. Her husband has a landscaping business. Together, they bring in about $3,000 a month but too often skate near the edge of poverty.

She always made sure her four kids had insurance through ARKids First, the states program for low-income children, even when she and her husband were without.

In fall 2014, Castaneda was renewing her kids enrollment and asked if there was anything for her. It was a joke. She had applied for Arkansas Medicaid before but was always turned down.

The woman behind the counter said there was something new.

Yeah, right, Castaneda thought, filling out the paperwork anyway.

Then came the call that she was approved, followed by the card. She didnt believe any of it up to the moment she handed over the card at the clinic.

That will be $8, the receptionist said as she collected the co-payment.

Dang, this feels good, Castaneda thought.

Looking back, Texas state Rep. John Zerwas, a doctor and five-term Republican from Richmond, wonders if he was being naive.

In spring 2013, about the time Arkansas lawmakers were forging the Private Option, Zerwas came up with House Bill 3791, known as the Texas Solution.

More than the humanitarian goal of helping the poor, he thought he could win over opponents with a fiscal argument. Using federal money would help local hospital districts staggering under the weight of unreimbursed care while putting a lid on property taxes that were covering the shortfalls.

But even a whisper of expansion was, and continues to be, radioactive.

Then-Gov. Rick Perry and other opponents said at the time that they would consider only a no-strings-attached block grant to fund coverage for the poor.

The bill died before reaching the floor.

Any talk of resurrecting it is usually quickly silenced. Moderate Republicans have feared being targeted by conservative forces in primary challenges.

Ive pretty much come to realize its a lost cause, Zerwas said.

Texan Nunn spreads the medical bills  hers and her husbands  across her table, each one a mile marker in a run of terrible luck.

The total is close to $165,000. She makes $35,000 a year. Her husband gets $4,104 a year in disability.

Last month, she met with a lawyer to file for bankruptcy.

Thats not the way I do things, she said. I hate it, but what choice do I have?

Last year, she had insurance for a couple of months when she worked as a licensed vocational nurse at a long-term care facility for $19 per hour. She quit to take a job as a home health nurse that paid $22 an hour, plus mileage. There was no insurance until she accrued enough hours. When she went to the hospital the first time, she was a few hours short.

When she left the hospital, Miller, her doctor, said she needed a long list of medications, none of which she could afford. He spent the better part of an afternoon calling pharmacies, pleading for deals.

If she had health insurance, her health, her whole life would be different, Miller said.

Nunn now works at another long-term care facility for $19 per hour. This month, she is eligible for insurance through her new job but will skip it because it takes $600 from her paycheck each month.

She considered a plan through the ACA, but even with the subsidy to lower costs, it would be $400 a month. She also thought about applying for disability, but the process takes too long.

She voted for Trump because she hopes he will fix the problem. She heard about what they did over in Arkansas and wishes Texas would do something like it.

Theres just no in-between in Texas, she said. Its black or white. Apparently in Arkansas, there is gray. I guess Im just stuck.

jenny.deam@chron.com

twitter.com/jenny_deam
WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that he did not believe U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia had intervened to help his candidacy, casting blame for the reports on Democrats, who he said were embarrassed about losing to him.

I think its ridiculous. I think its just another excuse, Trump said in the interview, on Fox News Sunday. I dont believe it.

He also indicated that as president, he would not take the daily intelligence briefing that President Barack Obama and his predecessors have received. Trump, who has received the briefing sparingly as president-elect, said that it was often repetitive and that he would take it when I need it. He said his vice president, Mike Pence, would receive the daily briefing.

You know, Im, like, a smart person, he said. I dont have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years.

He added that he had instructed the officials who give the briefing: If something should change from this point, immediately call me. Im available on a one-minutes notice.

Trumps seeming dismissal of the importance of that daily interaction with intelligence agencies, as well as his claims of politically tainted intelligence reports on Russia, widened a remarkable breach between a president-elect and the agencies he will have to rely on to carry out priorities like fighting terrorism and deterring cyberattacks.

His stance on the issue is also putting him increasingly at odds with senior lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including members of his own party, who say that the evidence of Russian interference is clear and warrants a congressional investigation.

The Obama administration reached a consensus months ago that Russia was trying to meddle in the election. After initially believing that Russias goal was to undermine American democratic processes, the intelligence agencies concluded a week after the vote that the Russian efforts had been intended, at least in their latter stages, to help Trump.

The president-elect said those new reports were politically motivated. I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country, he said in the interview, recorded on Saturday. During the campaign, he also dismissed any suggestion of Russian meddling.

Pressed about why he did not believe the intelligence agencies conclusions, Trump said there was disagreement among intelligence agencies about the extent and the origin of the hacking.

Theyre fighting among themselves, he said. Theyre not sure.

The Washington Post and The New York Times reported on Friday that U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded that Russia took covert action during the campaign to harm the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. The new conclusion, The Times reported, was based in part on evidence found by the CIA that Russian hackers had penetrated the Republican National Committees computer system, as well as that of the Democrats and several of Clintons senior aides, but had leaked only Democratic correspondence.

Trumps transition office responded to those reports with a blistering statement on Friday night dismissing the intelligence agencies as the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The office said it was time to move on from the election.

The Iraq case has been the subject of a long-running debate over whether the intelligence was tainted or whether the Bush White House read it selectively to support its decision to go to war.

On the subject of Russian interference, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said Sunday that it would be dangerous to dismiss the issue as a matter of partisan politics. He urged Trump to accept the agencies conclusions, and called on his colleagues to move forward with an investigation  an idea that was gaining momentum on Capitol Hill Sunday.

You cant make this issue partisan; its too important, McCain said on the CBS program Face the Nation. A fundamental of democracy is a free and fair election.

Its clear the Russians interfered, he continued. Now, whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think thats a subject of further investigation.

Referring to the hacking efforts, McCain added, The Russians have been using it as a tool as part of Vladimir Putins ambition to regain Russian prominence and dominance in some parts of the world.

McCain was among a bipartisan group of four senior lawmakers, including the coming minority leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, who issued a statement Sunday morning pledging to work to respond to the incursions. The statement adds pressure to Republicans, who control Congress, to investigate the hacking.

Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks, the statement said.

Several senators, including Rand Paul of Kentucky and James Lankford of Oklahoma, both Republicans, expressed their support for such an investigation Sunday.

The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has not spoken publicly on the matter since the reports on Friday about the intelligence agencies new assessment.

McCain said on Face the Nation that he would like to see a select committee formed to look into the CIAs conclusions, but that in the meantime, an armed services subcommittee under his control would go to work on it.
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The mother and child showed little sign that theyd been through a firestorm of events and emotions. If they felt weary, confused or scared after an arduous trek from their native Guatemala, through Mexico and across the U.S. border, it wasnt immediately obvious.

Resilience was shining through instead.

They ended up in one of two detention centers near San Antonio. About 10 days ago, they were among 470 people the centers released in 48 hours.

The still unexplained decision triggered a crisis in San Antonio, but the citys faith and social service communities quickly banded together.

It was a show of force and proof of a citys capacity to love.

The mother and child landed at the San Antonio Mennonite Church, where they could rest and make arrangements for more travel. All the refugees were on journeys west, north and east to relatives or friends.

An exhausted Pastor John Garland couldnt help doing what everyone else at the church did over those hectic days: They fell in love with the children. The mothers 2-year-old son, Israel, a sweet boy with a ready smile and a gracious disposition far beyond his years, was no exception.

As much trauma as the two travelers might have experienced, Israel never, ever cried, Garland said. It was extraordinary.

When Israels mother had to be transported to an area hospital to be treated for an infection in her leg, the boy wasnt allowed to go with her.

Yet he stayed calm and was passed from one set of arms to another at the church. There was great symbolism in the removal of a large Nativity scene in the sanctuary to make room for a real-life posada, reminding everyone of the true Christmas story.

Garland took Israel home that night, and the boy slept alongside his two daughters.

So when an unfamiliar Guatemalan man walked through the doors of Casa RAICES to collect a wife hed not seen in several years and a son hed never met, the scene seemed to unfold in slow motion.

Israel jumped to greet someone, but it was into Garlands arms that he vaulted.

Over the next 15 minutes, he listened as his mother softly repeated in Spanish, Este es tu papa. This is your father.

While others wiped away tears, the man waited. When Israel allowed his father to carry him, they smiled into each other faces, mirror images of one another.

It was a gift to witness.

Their reunion, like so many others in the past 10 days, reminded Garland of the biblical Flight to Egypt. Its told in the Gospel of Matthew, when the Holy Family fled after King Herod ordered the execution of 2-year-old males. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees running from violence and to safe haven.

The crisis here has seemed to run its course, at least as of Friday. The number of people being released from detention centers seems to be returning to routine levels.

But every day throughout the world, people are journeying, reminding us that the history of human existence has been one of migration.

Have I said how much I love San Antonio? Garland said. He said it despite the church receiving hate mail and death threats for mobilizing as it did.

And despite that, volunteers kept showing up to clean bathrooms and mop floors, wash clothes and bedding, haul water and prepare for another wave, if it arrives.

Like others, Israels mother was fitted with an ankle monitor and given a court date. Garland said she will need legal representation to maneuver the web of laws that will lead to permanent residency.

The reunion of Israels family might be the exception. In other instances, women and children are separated from men, who are deported more readily, he said.

Little deters them, however, from trying. Not even dangerous journeys, harsh treatment or traumatizing detention. Theyre fleeing people with guns, Garland said. They are not deterred at all.

This, he says of the crisis San Antonio just experienced, is nothing.

So, if the numbers of people released from detention centers rises and falls, people of faith like Garland want to be ready to help them, especially those like Israel and his family with the resilience to journey to safety and to success.

eayala@express-news.net

Twitter: @ElaineAyala
AUSTIN  The only thing surprising about the attention bestowed on Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller for leaving a critical note at an Amarillo restaurant was that it surprised him.

Miller wrote comments including terrible meal on the receipt after he was served a steak that wasnt to his liking. He left his card, ensuring that there was no doubt about who was complaining.

The restaurants chef and manager wrote about the incident on his personal Facebook page, a local television station picked it up and Miller took his outrage over this to his own Facebook page.

Journalism is dead in America, Miller wrote, providing a link to the television story and asking people to agree if they found this to be FAKE NEWS.

The last bit of the rant was interesting because Miller recently was taken to task in a Texas Tribune story for including links to some fake or misleading stories on his page. Miller said there was no intention to mislead and that the highlighted posts constituted just a few of many thousands over two years.

But back to Steak-gate. If a statewide elected official leaves a crabby note to a server, its going to get attention  and not only if it comes from someone like Miller, who regularly raises eyebrows and blood pressures with his social media posts.

I was kind of blown away that he acted that way, said Josh Fuller, chef and manager of OHMS Cafe & Bar, which is owned by his mom. OHMS stands for On Her Majestys Service, he said, crediting the restaurants British former owner with the name.

Fuller said he recounted the incident on Facebook because of Millers position and history.

A normal customer, it would have been a nonissue. Wed just chalk it up to somebody being a jerk, Fuller said. But hes an elected official. People have a right to know hes a jerk.

Miller said he doesnt have to put up with food he doesnt like just because hes an elected official. He said any business owner should appreciate it when a problem is called to his attention.

I never thought it would get out. Whos going to go to the media and say, I served this guy a bad steak? Miller said. I dont have to get a bad steak (as an elected official). I think I still have every right to complain about bad service or bad food.

Miller said he had ordered a rib-eye but was served two sirloins. Rather than being grilled, he said, they were roasted: It was the consistency of prime rib.

He said he couldnt eat the steak and instead ate only his side dish of macaroni and cheese. He said his server returned to the table too late for him to accept her offer of another steak, since his dining companions were basically through eating. He said he put the rejected steak on the next table and set his business card on it.

When the bill came  There it was, full price for the steak  Miller said he paid and left a 20 percent tip. He also wrote his opinion of the meal and included his business card.

I didnt throw a fit or cause a scene or demand to see the owner or any of that. It was more or less to let em know they had a problem with their product, and they probably need to correct that, Miller said.

He surmised from Fullers disclosure of the incident that he must have been a liberal Democrat or something.

Fuller disputed Millers account.

He ordered a rib-eye medium rare, and thats what he got, Fuller said. I cooked it myself.

Fuller also said that while Miller was unhappy, his behavior toward the server was fine. He didnt treat her poorly. I asked her multiple times about that, he said.

Fuller said hes neither a Republican nor Democrat and that he didnt vote in 2014, when Miller was elected to the state post. But I will make sure and do that when hes up for re-election, Fuller said.

How will he vote? Not for him.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
Passage To America, 1750

Printer Friendly Version >>> At the end of the seventeenth century approximately 200,000 people inhabited the British colonies in North America. The following century saw an explosion in numbers with the population doubling about every 25 years. The majority of these new immigrants were Scotch-Irish, Germans or African slaves. Between 1700 and the beginning of the American Revolution, approximately 250,000 Africans, 210,000 Europeans and 50,000 convicts had reached the colonial shores. The passage to America was treacherous by any standard. Many of the immigrants were too poor to pay for the journey and therefore indentured themselves to wealthier colonialists - selling their services for a period of years in return for the price of the passage. Crammed into a small wooden ship, rolling and rocking at the mercy of the sea, the voyagers - men, women and children - endured hardships unimaginable to us today. Misery was the most common description of a journey that typically lasted seven weeks. "Few of this class escape with their lives." Gottleb Mittelberger was an organ master and schoolmaster who left one of the small German states in May 1750 to make his way to America. He arrived at the port of Philadelphia on October 10. He represents the thousands of Germans who settled in middle Pennsylvania during this period. He returned to his homeland in 1754. His diary was published in this country in 1898: "...during the voyage there is on board these ships terrible misery, stench, fumes, horror, vomiting, many kinds of seasickness, fever, dysentery, headache, heat, constipation, boils, scurvy, cancer, mouth rot, and the like, all of which come from old and sharply-salted food and meat, also from very bad and foul water, so that many die miserably. ADVERTISMENT Add to this want of provisions, hunger, thirst, frost, heat, dampness, anxiety, want, afflictions and lamentations, together with other trouble, as e.g., the lice abound so frightfully, especially on sick people, that they can be scraped off the body. The misery reaches a climax when a gale rages for two or three nights and days, so that every one believes that the ship will go to the bottom with all human beings on board. In such a visitation the people cry and pray most piteously. No one can have an idea of the sufferings which women in confinement have to bear with their innocent children on board these ships. Few of this class escape with their lives; many a mother is cast into the water with her child as soon as she is dead. One day, just as we had a heavy gale, a woman in our ship, who was to give birth and could not give birth under the circumstances, was pushed through a loophole (porthole) in the ship and dropped into the sea, because she was far in the rear of the ship and could not be brought forward. Children from one to seven years rarely survive the voyage; and many a time parents are compelled to see their children miserably suffer and die from hunger, thirst, and sickness, and then to see them cast into the water. I witnessed such misery in no less than thirty-two children in our ship, all of whom were thrown into the sea. The parents grieve all the more since their children find no resting place in the earth, but are devoured by the monsters of the sea. It is a notable fact that children who have not yet had the measles or smallpox generally get them on board the ship, and mostly die of them. When the ships have landed at Philadelphia after their long voyage, no one is permitted to leave them except those who pay for their passage or can give good security; the others, who cannot pay, must remain on board the ships till they are purchased and are released from the ships by their purchasers. The sick always fare the worst, for the healthy are naturally preferred and purchased first; and so the sick and wretched must often remain on board in front of the city for two or three weeks, and frequently die, whereas many a one, if he could pay his debt and were permitted to leave the ship immediately, might recover and remain alive. The sale of human beings in the market on board the ship is carried on thus: Every day Englishmen, Dutchmen, and High German people come from the city of Philadelphia and other places, in part from a great distance, say twenty, thirty, or forty hours away, and go on board the newly-arrived ship that has brought and offers for sale passengers from Europe, and select among the healthy persons such as they deem suitable for their business, and bargain with them how long they will serve for their passage money, which most of them are still in debt for, When they have come to an agreement, it happens that adult persons bind themselves in writing to serve three, four, five, or six years for the amount due by them, according to their age and strength. But very young people, from ten to fifteen years, must serve till they are twenty-one years old. Many parents must sell and trade away their children like so many head of cattle, for if their children take the debt upon them- selves, the parents can leave the ship free and unrestrained; but as the parents often do not know where and to what people their children are going, it often happens that such parents and children, after leaving the ship, do not see each other again for many years, perhaps no more in all their lives. It often happens that whole families, husband, wife, and children, are separated by being sold to different purchasers, especially when they have not paid any part of their passage money. When a husband or wife has died at sea, when the ship has made more than half of her trip, the survivor must pay or serve not only for himself or herself, but also for the deceased. When both parents have died over halfway at sea, their children, especially when they are young and have nothing to pawn or to pay, must stand for their own and their parents' passage, and serve till they are twenty-one years old. When one has served his or her term, he or she is entitled to a new suit of clothes at parting; and if it has been so stipulated, a man gets in addition a horse, a woman, a cow." References:

Mittelberger, Gottleb, Gottleb Mittelberger's Journey to Pennsylvania in the Year 1750 and Return to Germany in the year 1754 (published by the German Society of Pennsylvania 1898) How To Cite This Article:

"Passage To America, 1750," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2000).
Welsh farming union NFU Cymru has given evidence to the National Assembly for Wales Environment and Rural Affairs Committee to emphasise the 'devastating impact' that bovine TB is having on farms across Wales.

NFU Cymru President Stephen James and County Adviser Peter Howells visited the Senedd on Thursday 8th December to highlight to politicians that the disease continues to cause 'untold heartache and stress' to cattle farmers across Wales, while also placing enormous emotional and financial strain on farming families.

NFU Cymru has explained the union has been 'clear and consistent' in calling on the Welsh Government to put in place a TB eradication strategy in Wales that removes disease from cattle and wildlife sources.

Wales has announced a regionalised approach to tackle bovine TB

Speaking after giving evidence at the meeting, NFU Cymru President Stephen James, said: Farmers are playing their part in tackling bovine TB through cattle-based measures, but there remains a lot of frustration in the industry that the reservoir of infection that exists in wildlife has not been confronted. The disease must be actively removed from the badger population in areas where TB is endemic.

Today we made it clear that future TB eradication measures implemented by the Welsh Government should be based on sound evidence and science-based policy decision making and that all sources of the disease must be tackled effectively if were ever to have any chance of eradicating bovine TB in Wales.

Welsh Governments A refreshed TB Eradication Programme consultation closes on Tuesday 10th January 2017.

'New regionalised approach'

In October, the Welsh government has announced a new 'regionalised approach' to tackle the cattle disease bovine TB.

As part of the Welsh governments refreshed bovine TB Eradication Programme, 'Low, Intermediate and High TB Areas' will be established across Wales based on bovine TB incidence levels. The government is consulting on the measures to be applied to protect the Low TB Area and to reduce disease in the Intermediate and High TB Areas.

Bovine TB is the biggest threat to beef and dairy farmers across large parts of Wales. Over the past 12 months nearly 9,500 cattle have been slaughtered as a result of this disease, a 38% increase from last year.

The situation is worse in endemic areas of the country with Pembrokeshire suffering a 40% increase in slaughtered cattle, Carmarthenshire 78% and Clwyd an increase of 137% in the 12 months to July 2016 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Since January 1996 the number of animals slaughtered in Wales as a result of bovine TB has reached a staggering figure of 118,488 animals - that is equivalent to 23% of the total number of adult cattle on farms across Wales today.
Farmers in Ireland risk being decimated by Brexit with 40% of the nation's agriculture and drinks exports going to the UK, according to an influential parliamentary committee.

The chairman of the House of Lords committee Tim Boswell said Northern Ireland must not become the 'collateral damage' of the UKs departure from the EU, as the first of six reports on the impact of Brexit on Britain are published.

The committee says the UK and Ireland should be allowed to negotiate a separate deal as quickly as possible to prevent damaging economic fallout that could even put at risk peace in Northern Ireland.

Lord Boswell has said that the impact of Brexit on the Republic of Ireland will be more profound than for any of the other member states and that he is urging the other 27 countries in the European Union to give the country special dispensation to enter talks on a draft bilateral agreement with the UK.

Lord Boswell said Brexit means that there is now a 'question mark' over past achievements

Lord Boswell said: The burgeoning peace process following the Good Friday Agreement has improved peoples lives right across the island of Ireland.

That progress has in part been based on the fact that both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are EU Member States, with free movement and trade across an open border. Brexit means that there is now a question mark over these achievements.

Both the UK and Irish governments desperately want to avoid a return to hard borders. But the Republic of Ireland will remain in the EU, and any agreement to allow an open border to remain will have to be agreed by all the other EU Member States. Thats not a given.

We need early agreement on all sides that the UK and Ireland should be allowed to reach a draft bilateral agreement, one that protects the unique nature of UK-Irish relations, of Northern Ireland, and of North-South relations on the island of Ireland.

Deal urged to avoid farming disaster

Cross border trade for farm product must be protected during Brexit negotiations, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) have urged.

The UK is Irelands number-one export destination, with as much as 50% of Irish beef, 60% of cheese and 90% of mushrooms ending up on British tables. Northern Irelands economy is also deeply intertwined with the Irish economy, with 38% of its exports, including 350,000 lambs a year, going south of the border.

UFU deputy President Victor Chestnutt warned that without this protection for trade Brexit would have a negative impact on livestock farms: "There are many established links between the livestock sector in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for both breeding and finished stock.

"This historic trade, in place for generations, is crucial if we are to sustain a vibrant and economically viable livestock sector north and south of the border," he said.

"From a Northern Ireland perspective, this year we have exported half our lambs and a significant number of cattle to processors south of the border. This trade, facilitated by the live markets, has encouraged competition and ensured farmers get the best possible price for their stock."

He added that while the sterling/euro exchange rate has a major bearing on the success of this trade, government must recognise that additional complications as a result of Brexit would undermine farm incomes and this must be avoided.
Farm parks are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK visitor attractions market according to research from Visit England.

The National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) is at the heart of the industry and celebrates the sectors champions with its annual awards.

Says Colin Evans, NFAN Chairman: With over 20 million visits annually, farm attractions are one of the success stories of UK domestic tourism. Our members provide jobs for over 6000 people, and in the rural communities where they are based will often be one of the largest employers. We welcome hundreds of thousands of school children a year onto our farms to teach them about farming and show them where their food comes from.

The NFAN annual awards celebrate the best of the best in the farm attractions sector; the educators and the innovators, the award winning farm restaurants and the customer service champions. We also recognise the key role played by our industry partners, from the architects and designers to play equipment manufacturers with our Trade Supplier of the Year award.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at a glittering awards dinner as part of a three day Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in Brighton.

The annual gathering of farm attraction owners and industry suppliers is the highlight event of the year and includes visits to two nearby farm attractions, trade exhibition and conference.

Full list of 2017 Awards Finalists

Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Over 75,000 visitors)

Sponsored by Regency Purchasing

Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey

Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex

Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire

The Big Sheep, Devon

Walby Farm Park, Cumbria

York Maze, York

Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Under 75,000 visitors)

Sponsored by David Taylor Designs

Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales

Hall Hill Farm, Durham

Little Owl Farm Park, Worcestershire

Spring Barn Farm Park, East Sussex

Innovation Award

Sponsored by Marsh & Co Insurance

Hasty's Adventure Farm, Essex

Marsh Farm, Essex

Mead Open Farm, Buckinghamshire

Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire

Best Food and Beverage Award

Sponsored by Booker Wholesale

Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex

Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire

Thrift Farm, Milton Keynes

Walby Farm Park, Cumbria

Best in Education

Sponsored by Colour Heroes

Barleylands, Essex

Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey

Hall Hill Farm, Durham

Stockley Farm Park, Cheshire

Walby Farm Park, Cumbria

Best Digital Presence

Sponsored by Partners Leisure

Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire

Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales

Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire

Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Sheffield

Day Maker Award

Adam Price - Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales

Danny Mitchard - 4 Kingdoms, Berkshire

Dee Naylor - Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Sheffield

Fran Smith - Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Essex

Graham Barclay - Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucstershire

Jim Thompson - Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire

Toni Powell - Walby Farm Park, Cumbria

Best Trade Supplier

Sponsored by NFAN

David Taylor Design, Cornwall

Kids Play Childcare, Milton Keynes

Marsh & Co. Insurance, Leicester

Timberplay, Sheffield
Grahams The Family Dairy has been awarded the highly coveted Outstanding Contribution Award at The Heralds Scottish Family Business Awards.

The Scottish Family Business Awards celebrate the countrys diverse and dynamic family business sector, while highlighting its contributions to local communities and beyond.

Dr Robert Graham was honoured with the top prize in recognition of his dedication, hard work and success in growing the three-generation strong, Bridge of Allan-based family business to the company it is today.

Dr Robert Graham, Chairman at Grahams The Family Dairy said: It is an incredible and unexpected honour to be recognised with the Outstanding Contribution award. To have the opportunity to celebrate what is a wonderful career highlight with my family, who have helped shaped the business into the success it is today, is just wonderful.

Ive spent my life working on the farm, its in my blood. My father started us off with twelve cows and a horse and cart in 1939, and the fact that we have now grown to become Scotlands largest independent dairy means the world to me. The Grahams values of farming, family and a commitment to delivering delicious high quality products with a strong local provenance have been paramount to us over the years, and I couldnt be prouder to pick up this award  for me and my family, and the whole team at Grahams.

Dr Graham began delivering milk for his father at the tender age of 12, before taking over the family business in 1960, aged just 19. For the last 56 years, Dr Graham has worked in every area of the farm and dairy and, to this day, continues to play a hands-on role in the family business. His dedication has seen Grahams grow from a small farm producing just 400 pints per day, to become Scotlands largest independent dairy, producing more than 800,000 pints a day.
A Lincolnshire farmer has been found guilty of eight offences relating to the welfare of his pigs.

Mark Haynes (53) from Donington near Spalding, was convicted of the eight charges after inspectors found pigs on his farm suffering from untreated wounds. The inspectors were forced to euthanise a number of animals in the worst conditions.

The charges followed an animal welfare investigation by Lincolnshire Trading Standards which ran between May 2015 and February 2016.

Ian Newell, of Lincolnshire Trading Standards, said described the case as 'shocking'.

He said: During our investigation we found that Mr Haynes was keeping pigs in inadequate conditions, with poorly maintained buildings and an inadequate regime for feeding and watering.

Some also had bad wounds and other ailments that had not been adequately treated and would have caused considerable pain, distress and unnecessary suffering to the animals.

Despite our officers making attempts to provide support and advice over many months, subsequent visits showed that no improvements had been made.

This culminated with a visit on October 20, 2015 with an APHA Veterinary Inspector, where five pigs were found to be suffering serious wounds, including one with chronic injuries to the hind leg and chest, and another which could not bear its weight on its hind legs. It was necessary to euthanise them immediately.

Despite the guilty verdict, the judge decided to defer sentencing for six months, during which time Mr Haynes has the opportunity to improve the conditions on his farm. We will be closely monitoring the situation, and will offer Mr Haynes further support and advice in a bid to prevent further animals suffering.
A farmer from Lincolnshire has said it is becoming 'increasingly harder' to hire seasonal staff to help on his farm since the Brexit result.

Tim Casey from Coningsby, Lincolnshire told BBC Radio Lincolnshire he can see his business having 'acute problems' in finding workers which will present 'real problems' for the future.

"In about three to five years I can see us starting to have some quite acute problems in finding workers and there are going to be some real problems in what we are able to do."

Negative impacts on the flow of migrant labourers was seen as the pound devalued after the Brexit result with two employment agencies that bring Eastern Europeans to work on British farms saying they failed to fill 600 positions. Miss Capper said the message since the vote to leave is 'they were not welcome here.'

"The agricultural industry has a decades-long history of delivering 98 per cent worker return rates. Seasonal labour is not tied up in the immigration argument and never should be, because people come here to work and go home again," she said.

'Seeing less numbers'

During the Conservative Party conference, the farming industry told the government that it would struggle to survive without seasonal flow of labour from the continent. CLA President Ross Murray said workers from the EU and beyond play a "crucial role" in the rural economy.

"In agriculture alone more than 30,000 permanent workers and an estimated 67,000 seasonal workers overseas help keep our shops and market stalls stocked with UK produce. Farms and other rural businesses need to know that after Brexit there will still be a flexible, skilled and secure workforce so they can plan for the future, invest in their businesses and secure or create jobs."

Deputy of the National Farmers Union Minette Batters told the radio station the lack of workers is a big problem.

She said: "We have already been seeing less numbers actually wanting to come to this country to do the work and that has been exacerbated since the referendum with people feeling that they are not welcome. Also with the exchange rate they are coming here and earning less money, so the problem has been fast tracked and that is why we are asking the government to stretch the net wider and to trial a global visa restricted scheme."
Holyrood could gain powers over Scottish fishing and farming once the UK leaves the EU, Scotland's only Conservative MEP Ian Duncan has said.

The SNP administration is expected to call for more control in the week before Christmas and has already written to Scottish secretary David Mundell to urge a meeting to clarify what powers might be devolved further.

Mr Duncan MEP said: "I would argue those powers would be given to Scotland but I would hope there would be UK-wide standards. There are opportunities to streamline some of the rules and reduce some of the compliance costs.

"I think it will come to the Scottish Parliament and I think they need to be ready and realise the challenge."

Mr Duncan's words echoed what Mr Mundell said last month that a raft of further powers could be transferred as a result of Brexit. He said the devolution settlement could be affected to a 'similar extent' as that proposed by 'Calman and Smith.'

Mr Mundell told the Daily Express: "What I think hasn't been fully understood - is that by leaving the EU that will have a fundamental change on the devolved settlement here in Scotland."

He also told the BBC1's Sunday Politics Scotland that new agriculture powers could be granted.

"What I think hasnt been fully understood and is only just beginning to be debated is that by leaving the EU, that will have a fundamental change on the devolved settlements here in Scotland, and indeed elsewhere in the UK, because these settlements were predicated on the basis that the UK was in the EU. Therefore there are a number of powers and responsibilities that are currently exercised by the EU which will have to return to the UK or Scotland."

Mr Duncan MEP backed the remain side in the EU referendum but said leaving would grant an opportunity to find a better environmental policy for Scotland and expected those powers to be given.

Fin Carson, the fishing and farming spokesman for the Conservatives, told the Courier: "We have to ensure the Scottish Government don't spend all their time talking about how bad Brexit is and about getting a special deal. We are going down the road, there is no turning back, and we have got to prepare for it."

'Significant amount of money'

In October, Prof Alan Page, an expert on public law at Dundee University, told a committee of MSPs that Scotland stood to gain significant levels of independence over farming and fisheries.

Prof Page said the UK would acquire the majority of the responsibilities following withdrawal but Scotland would gain responsibilities that were once a part of the Scottish Office including home affairs, agriculture, fisheries and environment.

He told the Centre of Constitutional Change: "The scale of the challenge facing the Scottish Parliament in terms of EU withdrawal is thus much smaller than that facing the UK Parliament, and does not include anything that will not be faced by the UK Parliament. As with much EU-related Scottish government activity this opens up the possibility of relying on the UK, a possibility the implications of which in terms of parliamentary oversight I come back to below."

Drew Scott, the professor of European Union Studies at the University of Edinburgh, told BBC's Scotland 2016 programme that it would have more immediate consequences for the constitution.

Prof Scott, who advised the Scottish government ahead of the independence referendum in 2014, said: "If the UK leaves the EU, then by default these powers will come back to the Scottish Parliament, not to the UK. That would create, in my view, a significant constitutional debate about how these powers should be exercised, how the policies should be paid for and how the relationship between the two governments will proceed".

He said half of the EU's budget currently goes on agriculture, "so you are talking about a significant amount of money".

"Agriculture has been reformed really since devolution and what we have seen is the Scottish Parliament has had more competence over the implementation of agricultural policy in Scotland, albeit it is still governed at EU level. If it were to be the case that Britain left the EU, competence for farming would come back to the Scottish Parliament, full stop. It would have to be financed, so a new financial deal would have to be agreed between Edinburgh and London to pay for farming, which of course is not at all included in the current Smith negotiations or anything preceding that."
"The old days of the dairy scientists and extension officers working for DAFWA (Department of Agriculture and Food WA) while industry watched on is now replaced by the efficiency of a small team of science, business and extension practitioners working for, or contracted to, the very people whose farm businesses they are assisting," he said.
Where to eat and drink in the Fayetteville area this weekend
BSG Resources Limited said it sent a letter to Rio Tinto plc Monday alleging that Rio Tinto contributed to the loss of BSGRs mining rights in Simandou, Guinea by paying bribes and making false allegations.

The 14-page letter before action provided to the FCPA Blog demanded a response from Rio Tinto by January 3, 2017, including proposals to pay BSGR damages.

BSGR said it will sue Rio Tinto in the UK High Court unless it receives a satisfactory response by the January 3 deadline.

The Guinea Simandou site contains the worlds biggest untapped iron-ore deposit.

BSGRs estimate of its loss runs to billions of U.S. dollars, the letter said.

Last month Rio Tinto said in a U.S. securities filing that it suspended the chief executive of its energy and minerals division while it investigates more than $10.5 million paid to a consultant for the Simandou project.

Alan Davies was in charge of Simandou in 2011 when the payments for advisory services were allegedly made, according to Rio Tintos filing.

London-based Rio Tinto said it learned about the payments in August this year from internal email correspondence.

BSGR cited some of those emails and quoted from them in its letter Monday.

Rio Tintos Legal & Regulatory Affairs group executive Debra Valentine stepped down last month. She previously notified the company of her intention to retire on May 1, 2017.

BSGR said in Mondays letter that Rio Tinto paid a facilitation fee / bribe to Francois de Combret in return for assistance with negotiations with [Guineas president] Alpha Conde, his son Mohamed Conde, and the [government of Guinea].

BSGR said Guinea then awarded mining rights to Rio Tinto. This was only possible by means of a facilitation fee / bribe paid to Francois de Combret, the letter said.

BSGR is the mining arm of Israeli billonaire Beny Steinmetzs family-controlled conglomerate.

In addition to the alleged bribe, BSGR said Rio Tinto spread false information to Guinea officials about Steinmetz.

The BSGR letter said a delegation from Rio Tinto met with Guineas mining minister in early 2009.

The letter said,

The delegation made very serious allegations of corruption against BSGR, although they did not provide any evidence in support of their allegations. These included that BSGR was a corrupt organisation involved in arms trading, that Beny Steinmetzs French passport had been revoked on account of his connection to corruption, that no major bank was prepared to do business with BSGR and that the company had no experience in the mining sector.

There was no truth to those allegations at all, as Rio Tinto well knew, BSGR said in Mondays letter.

The government of Guinea stripped Rio Tinto of half the Simandou project in 2008 for alleged non-performance.

The rights then went to BSGR. BSGR teamed up with Brazils Vale SA to acquire control of Simandou.

But Rio Tinto won the rights back in 2011 after the Guinea government stripped them from BSGR and Vale, alleging the companies had acquired them illegally.

In November last year, a U.S. federal judge dismissed a RICO lawsuit filed by Rio Tinto that alleged Steinmetz and BSGR conspired to steal the Simandou project.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman in New York ruled that Rio Tintos claims in 2014 were barred by the four-year statute of limitations.

The judge also said Rio Tinto failed to alleged ia pattern of racketeering activity by the defendants that could support a RICO claim.

BSGR and Vale have denied any wrongdoing.

In Mondays letter, BSGR said the revocation of Rio Tintos rights in Simandou Blocks 1 and 2 had nothing to do with BSGR, and everything to do with Rio Tintos breaches of the 1995 Mining Code and its persistent failure to develop its iron ore project.

The [government of Guinea] made this absolutely clear at the time, and subsequent legal advice to President Conde confirmed it. However, from the start Rio Tinto held BSGR responsible and set out to recover its rights, the letter said.

UK practice rules require so-called pre-action letters before certain civil lawsuits can be filed.

BSGR said its letter to Rio Tinto set out the basis for claims for inducement to breach a contract and intentionally causing loss by unlawful means.

* * *

BSGRs December 12, 2016 letter before action to Rio Tinto plc is here (pdf).

___

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
The DOJ said Friday it has created a new position for a lawyer wholl be seconded to the UK for two years to collaborate on financial fraud and foreign bribery cases.

The lawyer will work at the Financial Conduct Authority for a year and then at the Serious Fraud Office for a year.

The position calls for a third year in Washington with the DOJs Fraud Section of the Criminal Division. The duties that year will be to investigate and prosecute transnational economic crimes in the United States and to provide additional training to other Fraud Section prosecutors on the best practices and experiences learned at the FCA and the SFO.

The DOJs Leslie Caldwell said Friday on the DOJ blog: Today, transnational criminal enterprises and global corporate misconduct are the new normal.

The new position helps fight crime on a global scale, Caldwell said, by forging deep coalitions with our international enforcement and regulatory counterparts.

According to the job description, While assigned to the UK, the Attorney will collaborate on financial fraud and foreign bribery cases at the FCA and the SFO.

David Green, Director of the SFO, said the new DOJ position is a concrete demonstration of the close and valued relationship we have built with our American colleagues, which has been so evident in our casework.

The job is posted here. Applications are open until December 22.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
The son of a former Prime Minister of Gabon pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by bribing government officials in Africa.

Samuel Mebiame, 43, a Gabonese national, was a consultant to a mining company owned by an Och-Ziff joint venture. He worked for the joint venture from 2007 to 2012.

In Niger, Mebiame paid more than $3 million in bribes to a top official. He also gave the official luxury cars. In return, the Och-Ziff joint venture received licenses for uranium concessions.

In Chad, Mebiame bribed a high-ranking government official with cash and luxury foreign travel for the official and the officials wife. The Och-Ziff JV was granted uranium concessions including an asset stripped from a French-owned company at Mebiames urging.

In Guinea, Mebiame obtained confidential government information by bribing officials with cash, the use of private jets, and an S-Class Mercedes Benz.

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC agreed in September to a $412 million FCPA settlement with the DOJ and SEC. The violations related to Mebiames bribery in Africa and to other offenses in Libya. It was the fourth biggest FCPA enforcement action ever.

As part of the settlement, an Och-Ziff Africa unit pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information. The company was charged with a conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Formal sentencing is set for March 29, 2017.

Och-Ziff CEO Daniel Och agreed to pay nearly $2.2 million to settle SEC charges that he caused FCPA violations.

Och founded the New York-based hedge fund manager in 1994. Its one of the biggest institutional alternative asset managers in the world, with about $40 billion under management.

The DOJ and SEC started sending subpoenas to Och-Ziff in 2011. The SEC uncovered the bribery when examining how Och-Ziff attracted an investment from Libyas sovereign wealth fund.

Mebiame was arrested in August in Brooklyn. He faces up to five years in prison. Sentencing is set for April 6.

His father, Leon Mebiame, was prime minister of Gabon from 1975 to 1990. He died in December 2015.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Samuel L. Jackson has hit out at "Oscar bait movies".

Samuel L. Jackson

The 67-year-old actor insists films such as Will Smith's 'Collateral Beauty' - which tells the story of an ad executive who suffers a great tragedy and seeks answers from life by writing to Love, Time and Death - are clearly attempting to tug at the heart strings of Academy Awards voters.

He said: "There are all these 'Oscar bait' movies. I was looking at the trailer for this Will Smith movie the other day and I'm like, really? It's another one of those, 'Oh my God, life is so wonderful, take time to sniff the roses.' "

Jackson also pointed towards 'Manchester by the Sea' and 'Moonlight' as movies which could be perceived as white and black films respectively because of the skin colour of the majority of actors and actresses in each of the films.

Speaking at the Dubai International Film Festival, he added: "The politics of what happens during this time of year is very interesting in Hollywood.

"The movies they choose to say are amazing and great, you know - 'Manchester by the Sea,' oh my god, you must see it, it's an amazing film!' But, eh, I guess it is - to somebody.

"It's not an inclusive film, you know what I mean? And I'm sure that 'Moonlight' will be thought of the same way.

"They'll say, 'Well, that's a black movie. Where are the white people?' We'll say the same thing about 'Manchester by the Sea.'"

Earlier this year, several stars opted to boycott the Oscars over a lack of diversity among the nominees.

But actress Charlotte Rampling later claimed those who planned to boycott the Oscars over the lack of nominations for black people were being "racist to whites".

She later apologised and clarified her comments, saying: "I simply meant to say that in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration.

"I am very honoured to be included in this year's wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses."
In a bid to improve the quality of garment accessories manufactured in the country, Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) has launched a testing laboratory. This will help in attracting global buyers, said Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, senior secretary of Bangladesh ministry of industries.

Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of RMG. The testing lab will help manufacturers improve the product quality and meet the demand of global consumers, said Bhuiyan during the inauguration of the lab in Tongi industrial area.

Financial assistance from EU will help in production of top quality accessory items, which will improve selling across the world, he said, according to a Bangladesh leading daily.

In a bid to improve the quality of garment accessories manufactured in the country, Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) has launched a testing laboratory. This will help in attracting global buyers, said Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, senior secretary of Bangladesh ministry of industries.#

Funded by EU in association with Bangladesh ministry of industries, the testing lab has been set up under the Integrated Support to Poverty and Inequality Reduction through Enterprise Development (INSPIRED) project.

INSPIRED programme aims to reduce poverty by supporting the development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The project also promotes enhanced competitiveness and sustainable pro-poor growth of SMEs in selected sub-sectors of the economy.

The garment accessories and packaging industry contributed $6.12 billion to apparel exports in the last fiscal, recording a growth of 9.28 per cent compared to $5.6 billion in the previous year. The accessories used in readymade garments are produced by about 1,400 manufacturers in Bangladesh, who collectively employ around 3 lakh people. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Aussie cotton farmers have hailed the Queensland Government's decision to offer an Au $10 million regional business support package. The funding is designed to allow energy users to better understand their energy usage and billing, which would allow users to adjust in order to minimise costs and also includes funding for meters and impact trials.The initiative will help better understand the impact of bills under different tariff options and promotion of energy audit services to cotton farmers.

Aussie cotton farmers have hailed the Queensland Government's decision to offer an Au $10 million regional business support package. The funding is designed to allow energy users to better understand their energy usage and billing, which would allow users to adjust in order to minimise costs and also includes funding for meters and impact trials.#

Cotton Australia, the apex body for the Aussie cotton industry, however argued that the Queensland Government could do more to guarantee lower energy costs for farmers."The issue of electricity pricing is critical to cotton growers in Queensland, who have faced continuous price increases over a considerable length of time, Cotton Australia general manager, Michael Murray said. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Brussels based Foreign Trade Association (FTA), has appointed a new country representative in the United States to services its members, located in both, Canada and the US. Kelli Hoggle will offer support and guidance in two FTA programmes, the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI).Kelli Hoggle, will also assist FTA members sourcing from the region and actively engage with producers on the ground to support their sustainability efforts.

Brussels based Foreign Trade Association (FTA), has appointed a new country representative in the United States to services its members, located in both, Canada and the US. Kelli Hoggle will offer support and guidance in two FTA programmes, the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI).#

FTA represents over 1,900 retailers, importers, brands and national associations to promote and defend international trade and supports their business by providing information and practical solutions towards sustainability in the global supply chain.The association provides the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) to support participants to improve working conditions in factories and farms worldwide. It also provides the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) to facilitate improved environmental performance in global supply chains. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, at its meeting on Sunday, was unable to arrive at a consensus on the issue of dual control of assessees. This means that the roll-out of GST may be delayed beyond the April 1, 2017, deadline. The GST Council has all finance ministers of all states as its members.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, at its meeting on Sunday, was unable to arrive at a consensus on the issue of dual control of assessees. This means that the roll-out of GST may be delayed beyond the April 1, 2017, deadline. The GST Council has all finance ministers of all states as its members.#

The Council will now meet again on December 22-23. Once the Council arrives at a consensus on all issues, it would need to prepare three draft legislationsthe Central GST, the Inter-state GST and the Compensation Law. All the three legislations will then need to be passed by the Parliament. Though Parliament would meet for the 2017 budget session in the last week of January, the time frame would be too close for GST implementation by April 1.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, at its meeting on Sunday, was unable to arrive at a consensus on the issue of dual control of assessees. This means that the roll-out of GST may be delayed beyond the April 1, 2017, deadline. The GST Council has all finance ministers of all states as its members.#

The Budget session starts in January We do not have the luxury of time to have any discretion. By September 16, 2017 the curtains will draw on the old taxation rules, said Jaitley after the Council meeting.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, at its meeting on Sunday, was unable to arrive at a consensus on the issue of dual control of assessees. This means that the roll-out of GST may be delayed beyond the April 1, 2017, deadline. The GST Council has all finance ministers of all states as its members.#

We are not looking at April 1. That's out of the picture now but GST will be implemented by September next year, Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac told reporters after the meeting. Since the Constitutional amendment bill for GST was notified on September 16, 2016, the new taxation regime has to be in place within 12 months from that date, effectively setting September 16, 2017 as Constitutional deadline for GST implementation.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, at its meeting on Sunday, was unable to arrive at a consensus on the issue of dual control of assessees. This means that the roll-out of GST may be delayed beyond the April 1, 2017, deadline. The GST Council has all finance ministers of all states as its members.#

On the same lines, Jaitley said, Our target is April 1 and we stand by it. We do not have the luxury of time, as April 1 is the first possible day when GST can be implemented and the last possible day is September 16, 2017. So, the discretion for the rollout is only five months and 16 days.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, at its meeting on Sunday, was unable to arrive at a consensus on the issue of dual control of assessees. This means that the roll-out of GST may be delayed beyond the April 1, 2017, deadline. The GST Council has all finance ministers of all states as its members.#

Meanwhile, some states have informed the Centre that they are not in a position to handle two big financial reformsdemonetisation and GSTat the same time. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
After wrapping up his portions for Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's Bareilly Ki Barfi co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao returned to Lucknow to shoot for Ajay Pannalal's Behen Hogi Teri where Shruti Haasan plays his leading lady.

We recently came across recently came a picture of him walking around on the sets of the film dressed as Lord Shiva.

A Mumbai Mirror report quoted him saying, "My character is called Gattu. He is a part of a jagran mandali that is owned by Shruti in the film. It is a part-time job for him and a very interesting character. It took me two hours to dress like Lord Shiva. The Lucknow cold made it even more challenging as I wasn't wearing much."

He further said, "My mother was very religious and I like to dance. I was seven or eight when I performed tandava (a divine dance performed by Lord Shiva) in them," says Rao, adding that he'd like to do the routine in his film too if his director wants it.

Meanwhile, he will be shooting in Lucknow till the month end but will return to Lucknow in January to shoot the last schedule. The actor will also be seen in Bareilly Ki Barfi, Omerta and Newton.

Behen Hogi Teri also stars Gautam Gulati who was last seen in Emraan Hashmi starrer Azhar.
Celebrated Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence says that she had once embarrassed her Passengers co-star and actor Chris Pratt on the film sets with her girly scream and then passed the blame on to Chris.

The 26-year-old star explains that her high-pitched scream had made Chris Pratt's face turn red with embarrassment after a light bulb exploded on the sets. However, Lawrence holds Chris Pratt responsible for that incident.

"We were sitting in our chairs waiting for the next shot and a big set light bulb exploded nearby and she screamed. High pitched. Very feminine. Then she immediately looked over at me and said, 'Jesus Chris! You scream like a woman! Did everyone just hear Chris?'" said Pratt.

He continued, "and for the rest of the shoot I couldn't convince anyone it wasn't me. I just had to own it."

The 37-year-old actor, also opened up regarding his shooting for 'Jurassic World' sequel which was very toiling and rigorous, and said that he almost thought that he would not be able to make it through the film alive.

"It's amazing I made it out alive. The sequel shoots in a few months. I already have nervous diahrea, diarreah, diarreeah, how the f**k do you spell that? Anyways. Yeah. I'm probably gonna die on the sequel." Chris Pratt added further.
Dileep and Kavya Madhavan, one of the most loved on-screen couples, who turned a real life couple recently, are all set for their first public appearance after their marriage.

Much to the surprise of many people, in and out of the film industry, both the actors, tied the knot on November 25, 2016, in a star-studded ceremony that was held in Kochi.

Later, the couple headed to Dubai and Singapore for their honeymoon. Now, both Dileep and Kavya Madhavan are back to their homeland and would make their first public appearance in this year's IFFK.

Interestingly, both of them will attend a function which would be held to felicitate Adoor Gopalakrishnan for completing 50 years in films. The programme would be held today (December 12, 2016), at 6:30 PM.

Later, Adoor Gopalakrishnan's most recent film Pinneyum would also be screened at the IFFK. Interestingly, Pinneyum had Dileep and Kavya Madhavan in the lead roles. The film, which released this year did mark the comeback of the pair, after a brief break.

Meanwhile, Dileep's upcoming film, which has been titled as Ramaleela has gone on floors. Dileep had also attended the pooja ceremony of the movie, which was held recently.
During Bigg Boss 10 weekend episode, Sahil Anand was evicted. Salman Khan also shocked the contestants as well as the viewers by announcing another eviction!

Priyanka Jagga, who re-entered the house as a wild card contestant, was eliminated. Priyanka is disappointed with her eviction and doesn't talk to anyone. While Lopa was happy, Om Swami cried as Priyanka left the house. He also requested Bigg Boss to bring his 'daughter' back. But, the fact is that she hasn't been evicted, but sent to the secret room!



According to the latest reports, Manu Punjabi, who made an emergency exit due to his mother's demise, is back on the show. Apparently, he too will join Priyanka in the secret room!

It has to be recalled that Priyanka is not the first person to be sent to the secret room. Previously, Om Swami was also in the secret room for some time, and shocked the contestants with his re-entry!

Also, there are reports that Jason Shah, who was out of the show because of medical emergency (Jason was suffering from stomach pain and infection), might also be back in the Bigg Boss house!

Why were Priyanka and Manu sent to the secret room? How will they re-enter the house?

Stay locked to this space for the latest updates of the show...
FinanceAsia is pleased to announce the winners of our 2016 Deal Awards for Australia and New Zealand.

The following deals stood out for clever origination and textbook execution across a range of categories. A full write-up of the awards will feature in the March 2017 issue of the magazine.

Please click here for our Achievement Awards for the rest of the region.

The award winners and their clients will be honoured at our 14th annual Australia and New Zealand awards celebration dinner on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the Park Hyatt on Sydney Harbour. For more information on this event, please contact Vicki Shaw at [email protected] or +61 2 9967 5774.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the announcement of our House Awards.

BEST IPO

Reliance Worldwide, A$919 million

JPMorgan, Macquarie Capital

BEST SECONDARY OFFERING

Mayne Pharma entitlement offer and placement, A$888 million

Credit Suisse, UBS

BEST M&A DEAL

Ausgrid long-term lease, A$16.2 billion

Advisers to NSW Government: Deutsche Bank, UBS

Advisers to IFM Investors/AustralianSuper: Macquarie Capital

BEST LOCAL BOND DEAL

DBS covered Kangaroo bond, A$750 million

Barclays, DBS, National Australia Bank, RBC Capital Markets, Westpac

BEST INTERNATIONAL BOND DEAL

ANZ perpetual NC10 Tier One notes, $1 billion

ANZ, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley

BEST HYBRID DEAL

AusNet 60NC5.5 hybrid, $375 million

Citi, UBS

BEST DEBT FINANCE DEAL

Flexigroup ABS Trust 2016-1, A$260 million

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank

BEST PROJECT FINANCE DEAL

Victoria International Container Terminal, A$398 million

Bank of China, Cathay United, Citi, DBS, Investec, KfW IPEX-Bank, Standard Chartered Bank

MOST INNOVATIVE DEAL

Asciano takeover, A$12.2 billion

Advisers to Asciano: Goldman Sachs and Gresham

Advisers to Brookfield consortium: Macquarie Capital and Citi

Advisers to Qube consortium: UBS and Credit Suisse

BEST NEW ZEALAND DEAL

Z Energys acquisition of Chevron NZ, NZ$785 million

Adviser to Z Energy: Goldman Sachs
HAMILTON, Bermuda, 2016-12-11 22:46 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new Oxfam report that targets Bermuda as a corporate "tax haven" ignores the substantial global economic contribution of this British Overseas Territory, according to the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA)."Unfortunately, many of the Oxfam assertions are based on flawed economics and lack of understanding," said Ross Webber, Chief Executive Officer of the BDA. "We consider it an inaccurate, ill-informed and disturbingly prejudiced attack on a small north-Atlantic archipelago that exerts an enormously positive impact globally-including on the very regions and populations Oxfam wrongly accuses us of threatening."Bermuda's economic model is different to any other international financial centre," Webber said. "We support close to a half-million jobs globally, creating employment not only on the island itself, but also in onshore trading partners. That amounts to an estimated 300,000 jobs in the US and more than 70,000 in the UK through trade, foreign direct investment, and portfolio investment capacity. In this way, our 21-square-mile country facilitates critical economic globalisation."In particular, Bermuda helps preserve and grow the pensions of millions of onshore workers, including those in the UK. The island is a destination for financial investment by onshore pensions and governments amounting to more than $20 billion, he said.The island's global reinsurance market is also vital to other countries' economic health and survival. Bermuda is home to companies that provide 35 percent of capacity for Lloyd's of London, and through payment of insurance claims, they are responsible for the rebuilding of cities, coastlines and communities around the world after the worst disasters. These include:-- 20% of December 2015 UK flood losses -- 62% of claims for the UK's Buncefield oil-terminal fires of 2005 -- 9% of the World Trade Centre 9/11 claims -- 25% of US medical-liability re/insurance -- $22 billion to rebuild the US Gulf coast after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma -- Over half of reported liabilities from the 2010 New Zealand earthquakeA notable example of Bermuda's value, especially to those most vulnerable, is the African Risk Capacity (ARC), Webber noted. The ground-breaking initiative leverages Bermuda's financial infrastructure and expertise to help African states become more resilient and recover faster from crippling drought and other weather-related disasters-allowing relief for the world's least developed nations.Another project, Blue Marble Microinsurance, involves a consortium of eight insurance companies, with operations in Bermuda, that have joint ventures designed to close the protection gap in the developing world. The first venture, in Zimbabwe, was announced last month; its aims are to provide food security, financial inclusion, and the advancement of microentrepreneurs.Oxfam's labelling of Bermuda as a tax haven contradicts the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Webber said. In its 2009 report, Countering Offshore Tax Evasion, the OECD identified four factors that must all be met to qualify as a tax haven: lack of transparency; lack of information exchange; no substantial activity; no or nominal tax on income. By contrast, Bermuda has real business conducted by physical companies in its jurisdiction; is transparent and compliant; and exchanges information via Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) and the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. Bermuda also levies a 15.5-percent income tax on payroll."Our unique tax system was designed to support our island's infrastructure," explained Webber. "For over a century, we've used a consumption-based, duty-tax system to provide revenue for our government. Our fiscal sovereignty is an international right that should not be ignored.""We have long been at the forefront of transparency, cooperation and compliance with the highest international standards. That is more than evident in Bermuda's numerous treaty partnerships with nations around the world and our leadership on guiding the evolution of regulatory best practices," he said."Oxfam's assertions may make great headlines, but they just don't reflect economic reality," Webber concluded. "Cross-border trade via multi-national enterprises is the fuel that keeps global financial systems running smoothly. And Bermuda, as a genuine example of a quality financial centre, helps pave the way for growth in both developed and emerging markets, providing for vital economic development around the world."CONNECTING BUSINESSThe BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial.MEDIA CONTACT: Rosemary Jones Communications Manager rosemary@bda.bm 441 278-6558 441 337-4696
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan will on Monday release October numbers for core machine orders, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Machine orders are expected to rise 1.1 percent on month and fall 4.9 percent on year after shedding 3.3 percent on month and rising 4.3 percent on year in September. Japan also will see November figures for producer prices and machine tool orders, plus October results for the tertiary industry index. Producer prices are expected to increase 0.3 percent on month and decline of 2.3 percent on year following the 0.1 percent monthly decline and the 2.7 percent yearly fall in October. Tool orders fell 8.9 percent on year in October, while the tertiary industry index is expected to add 0.3 percent on month after slipping 0.1 percent in September. Australia will see October figures for credit card purchases and balances; in September, they were at A$25.3 billion and A$51.4 billion, respectively. Finally, the markets in Malaysia and Indonesia are closed on Monday in observance of the birth of the prophet Muhammad. Thailand's markets also are shuttered for Constitution Day. All three will resume trade on Tuesday. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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.
BOSTON, MA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- Corporate banks must reinvent themselves to adapt to a new climate in which digitally enabled business models are redefining the movement of data and money and challenging banks' traditional advantages, according to a new report by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report, Global Corporate Banking 2016: The Next-Generation Corporate Bank, is being released today.

Drawing on insights from BCG's most recent Corporate Banking Performance Benchmarking survey -- involving 300 small-business, midmarket, and large corporate banking divisions from around the world -- the report explores the current state of the industry, the growing need for cutting-edge digital capabilities, and the scenarios in which next-generation corporate banks will likely have to operate. The report further offers clear steps that players can take to begin their digital transformations and best position themselves for the future.

"Our benchmarking data confirms the hazards of clinging to traditional credit-centric revenue models and static, inflexible operating practices," said Carsten Baumgartner, the global leader of BCG's corporate banking segment and a coauthor of the report. "Incumbent banks must embrace deep, systemic digitization to stay relevant, open up new paths to economic profit generation, and overhaul all key levers."

The State of the Industry. According to the report, relatively few corporate banking divisions -- less than one-third in North America and Asia and less than half in Europe -- reported positive and growing economic profit from 2013 through 2015. In addition, while these top players achieved returns above the hurdle rate, bottom-quartile performers fell below the hurdle rate in almost every region and segment. (BCG's methodology uses a 16% pretax hurdle rate and assumes that regulatory capital is 10.5% of risk-weighted assets.)

The survey revealed some favorable developments as well. The economic profit of around 70% of corporate banking divisions in Western Europe improved during the same period despite ongoing economic challenges -- a marked contrast to BCG's 2011-2013 study, when economic profit improved for just one-third of Western European divisions. Conversely, the economic profit of more than half of North American corporate banking divisions shrank during the 2013-2015 period, a worrying trend that has been somewhat camouflaged by the fact that many divisions in the region still post relatively high returns on capital compared with those in other parts of the world. In Asia, meanwhile, some banks reported improved economic profit -- but two-thirds suffered declines.

Digital Capabilities. The report says that corporate banks are being disrupted by digitization whether or not they are fully ready -- and most are not. With the contours of the next-generation banking environment already taking shape, the only way that corporate banks can stay relevant is by adapting their operating models swiftly and aggressively. But they have a narrow window of time in which to free up resources and develop the capabilities needed for the sweeping transformation that is required. Leading banks, for their part, are already well on the way to digitizing the traditional enablers of value. In the process, they are overhauling their client strategies, revenue models, cost approach, and risk management. Banks must start by addressing pricing -- usually the single biggest source of untapped funding for digital investment.

The Next-Generation Corporate Bank. Although the exact nature of the industry in 20 years is impossible to predict, the report discusses three possible evolutionary scenarios: Industry 4.0, ecosystem banking, and the Internet of Things.

The rise of Industry 4.0 shows how technology can alter the nature of specific industries and the financial services they use, the report says. Industry 4.0 will connect buildings, vehicles, sensors, and machines, enabling faster, more flexible, and more efficient processes that, in turn, will generate significant increases in productivity and radical new business models. These capabilities will also fundamentally change traditional relationships among banks, suppliers, producers, and customers.

In ecosystem banking, the report says -- noting that digital leaders in many industries are often also platform leaders (such as Amazon) -- corporate banks would be able to serve not only the platform leader itself but the many individual suppliers and distributers that operate on it. The result would be a powerful ecosystem that allows corporate banking divisions to support a diffuse network of companies in a particular industry-specific value chain.

It is also possible to envision an even more ambitious future built on the Internet of Things and blockchain-enabled smart contracts, the report says, citing a hypothetical example of trucks that are not only self-driving but also operate as autonomous business units. A truck could be programmed to join an Uber-style system for shipping containers, and when empty could log on to a platform and sign up for whichever shipping container journey was identified as optimal by its profit-maximizing algorithm. One result would be far more payments that are fully digital. The bank would increasingly be seen as a trusted provider and fraud risk manager, potentially generating new service opportunities and revenue streams.

Beginning the Transformation. According to the report, although all corporate banks have taken at least tentative steps down the path to digitization, launching a long-term strategic transformation can be daunting. Rather than focusing on specific projects or products, it is important to identify a transformation path that keeps options open while building digital capabilities and generating near-term cash to fund the ongoing journey. This path comprises five imperatives:

Determine the bank's digital aspirations and future strategy

Review client journeys and redesign the most important ones

Consider which potentially game-changing disruptive businesses to invest in, and at what level

Develop a comprehensive plan to fund the journey

Commit to a rigorously executed change-management program

"Corporate banking divisions have emerged from the financial crisis only to be hit by a massive digital disruption," said Baumgartner. "To stay viable, they need to understand the client journeys that matter most, invest in continual client-centric innovation, adopt agile ways of working, and create more effective and collaborative sales cultures. The example of early movers makes clear that the next-generation bank is around the corner. The only question is which banks will be among them."

A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.bcgperspectives.com.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or gregoire.eric@bcg.com.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 85 offices in 48 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.

About bcgperspectives.com

Bcgperspectives.com features the latest thinking from BCG experts as well as from CEOs, academics, and other leaders. It covers issues at the top of senior management's agenda. It also provides unprecedented access to BCG's extensive archive of thought leadership stretching back 50 years to the days of Bruce Henderson, the firm's founder and one of the architects of modern management consulting. All of our content -- including videos, podcasts, commentaries, and reports -- can be accessed by PC, mobile, iPad, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Royal Philips (PHG) announced that it has signed an agreement to sell an 80.1% interest in Lumileds, a supplier of LED components and automotive lighting, to certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC (APO). The transaction values Lumileds at an enterprise value of about US$2 billion, including debt and debt-like items. As part of the agreement, Philips will retain its 19.9% interest in Lumileds for a minimum period of three years following completion of the transaction, subject to customary drag-along and tag-along conditions or an IPO. Philips expects to receive cash proceeds, before tax and transaction-related costs, of approximately US$1.5 billion and participating preferred equity. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2017, subject to customary closing conditions, including the relevant regulatory approvals. Lumileds is a supplier of lighting components to the general illumination, automotive and consumer electronics markets with operations in more than 30 countries and has approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. In 2015, Lumileds generated sales of approximately US$2 billion. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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 U.K.'s Department for International Development (DFID) in Uganda has signed an Energy Africa Compact agreement with Ugandan officials that will work towards improving access to solar energy to the estimated 30 million people in the country without access to electricity. According to the DFID, four out of every five Ugandans do not have access to a reliable source of power, and so the agreement's chief aim will be to reduce this number by documenting strategic areas where the adoption of solar home power and lighting systems can be installed quickly and cheaply. The aim of the Compact is to electrify the entire country by 2030, and the Ugandan Ministry for Energy and Mineral Development has created a conducive environment to enable solar to thrive, including a VAT exemption on major solar components, financial support for private sector companies, provision of solar end-user subsidies, capacity building through the training of technicians, as well as the establishment of innovative solar financing models. The U.K.'s involvement will be largely as a facilitator, removing market barriers and enabling companies and Uganda's government to come together and see through their aims. According to Jennie Barugh, head of the DFID Uganda office, the aim is to expedite Uganda's ...

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.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- Recent research conducted by The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and the University of Toronto's Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) provides an unprecedented analysis of the impact of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses on Canadian retirement security.

The study's findings demonstrate that approximately 323,000 Canadians have inadequate retirement income once long-term care costs are factored in, which can grow to approximately 815,500 by 2038 if factors remain unchanged.

And the percentage of 85-year old women with inadequate retirement income rises from 25% to 44% when long-term care costs are considered (the study defines inadequate retirement income as those with less than a 50% net income replacement rate).

"There is a domino effect caused by the erosion of personal savings and earnings among the elderly," says Victoria Hubbell, Senior Vice-President - Strategy & Stakeholder Relations at HOOPP. "This retirement insecurity will eventually impact Canadians who support the GIS, OAS and the entire healthcare system."

HOOPP's research takes into consideration the wide range of costs associated with long-term care including:

-- Publicly funded nursing homes; -- Publicly funded home care; -- Privately funded assisted living in seniors' residences.

In 2015, there were 500,000 women in Canada over the age of 85 of which 13.2% experienced negative net income replacement rates. For these individuals, post-retirement consumable income is too little to cover long-term care costs, leaving no room for anything else.

A full overview of the research can be found at: https://hoopp.com/newsroom?type=Researcharticles

Contacts:

The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Joe Vecsi

Senior Manager, Public Affairs

416.369-9212 ext 4315




SEATTLE, WASHINGTON -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- Versatile Systems Inc. (TSX VENTURE: VV) (the "Company") is providing this bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203") for the Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on October 31, 2016. On November 1st, 2016, the Company announced by way of press release that the filings of the Company's annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and the related management's discussion and analysis (collectively, the "2016 Annual Financial Statements") were not completed by the legal deadline of October 28, 2016. The Company made an application to the provincial securities commissions under NP 12-203 and on October 31, 2016, received the MCTO in respect of the late filing. The MCTO does not affect the ability of other shareholders of the Company to trade their securities, however, Bertrande des Pallieres, the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Andrew Lynch, the President of the Company, will not be able to trade the Company's shares.

As previously reported, the Company's failure to file the 2016 Annual Financial Statements by the prescribed deadline is due to a data corruption issue with its inventory count and the Company's management, together with its audit committee will continue to cooperate with its auditors to provide the information as soon as possible. The Company is not yet in a position to file the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines found in NP 12-203 for so long as it is delayed in filing the 2016 Annual Financial Statements. The Company further reports that since October 31, 2016, except as stated in this default status report, there have not been any material changes to the information contained in its press releases dated November 1st, 2016, November 15, 2016 and November 28, 2016; nor any failure by Company to fulfill its intentions as stated therein with respect to satisfying the provisions of NP 12-203, and there are no additional defaults or anticipated defaults subsequent to the disclosure therein, other than the delay in filing the 2016 Annual Financial Statements. Further, the Company confirms that, at the date hereof, it is not aware of any other material information concerning its affairs which has not been generally disclosed.

About Versatile

Versatile is a multi-disciplinary technology company with solutions across the mobile software and hardware landscape. The company's products are utilized by Fortune 500 retailers, as well as large and small distribution companies representing grocery, dairy, beverage and consumer packaged goods. For more information please visit www.versatile.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to Versatile's operations, filing of annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and the related management's discussion and analysis or to the environment in which it operates, which are based on Versatile's operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or are beyond Versatile's control. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. Versatile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Versatile Systems Inc.

Andrew Lynch

President

(425) 778-8577

inquiries@versatile.com




BOSTON, MA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- Vesper, developer of the world's most advanced acoustic sensors, won two Annual Creativity in Electronics (ACE) Awards -- Innovator of the Year and Ultimate Products -- at an awards ceremony held on December 7, 2016 at Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley in San Jose, CA.

Recognized as Innovator of the Year for his pioneering work in designing the first piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, Vesper CTO Bobby Littrell initially conceived of Vesper's VM1000 -- which won the ACE Award for Ultimate Products: Sensors -- while a PhD student at the University of Michigan. Securing several Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants -- from NASA, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) -- Bobby was able to refine his product design and hire a team of MEMS industry experts to launch Vesper in September 2014.

"MEMS microphones have the potential to make voice a pervasive user interface for the smart speakers, smartphones, wearables/hearables and Internet of Things devices that we use regularly," said Bobby Littrell, CTO and Co-founder, Vesper. "In order to realize this potential, however, we had to make more reliable and resilient MEMS microphones that are better-suited to microphone arrays. We employed a fundamentally new architecture and material to achieve this: piezoelectric MEMS. Our first product, VM1000, was the result. It is waterproof, dustproof, particle-resistant, highly stable and produces well-matched microphone arrays."

"I am thrilled and honored by this tremendous industry honor," added Bobby, "and I feel humbled to have been considered in a group of amazing technologists in the innovator category."

Having recently announced $15M in its Series A funding round, Vesper is well-positioned to launch more broadly to meet customer demand, develop second-generation products, and expand operations and distribution. Accomplice led the round. Vesper also received funding from Amazon's Alexa Fund, AAC Technologies, Hyperplane, Miraenano Tech and other undisclosed investors. See: Vesper Raises $15M Series A to Drive Pervasive Voice Interfaces (December 9, 2016).

About the ACE Awards

The ACE (Annual Creativity in Electronics) Awards, in partnership with EE Times and EDN, highlight the best of the best in today's electronics industry, including the hottest new products, startup companies, design teams, executives and more. ACE celebrates the promise of new talent and innovation, and pays tribute to the lifetime achievement of a top industry veteran whose contributions have had a demonstrable impact on technological, business and cultural advancements in the world.

The ACE Awards event took place December 7, 2016 at the San Jose Convention Center in conjunction with Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley.

About Vesper

Vesper is a privately held advanced sensor company based in Boston, MA. With origins at the University of Michigan, Vesper microphones are driving a new era of pervasive voice interfaces and acoustic event detection via a proprietary piezoelectric MEMS technology. These products include smartphones, smart cities, smart speakers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and connected cars. Vesper is funded by Accomplice, Amazon's Alexa Fund, AAC Technologies, Hyperplane, Miraenano Tech, XinGang Electronics and other strategic partners. For more information about Vesper, please contact us via email: info@vespermems.com or web: www.vespermems.com.

The Vesper logo is a registered trademark of Vesper. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3090221



Press Contacts:

Matt Crowley

Vesper

Email: Email Contact



Maria Vetrano

Vetrano Communications

Email: Email Contact




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 12, 2016) - Diamond Fields International Ltd. (TSXV: DFI), is pleased to announce that all matters set before shareholders at its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held today were approved, including the election of two new Board members: Francois Colette and Bertrand Boulle.

Mr. Bertrand Boulle was born in Mauritius, educated in South Africa & UK and worked for De Beers and independent diamond producers in Democratic Republic Congo (Kinshasa, Tshikapa and Luebo), Angola (Luanda, Lucapa, Andrada, Cuango), Sierra Leone (Kono and Freetown) and Guinea Conakry (Gbenko). Mr Boulle has over 20 years' experience as a senior executive in global financial markets within the EU and Mauritius.

Mr. Colette has more than 25 years' experience in mining in Africa having worked for Gecamines and AMFI-Adastra. While at AMFI-Adastra he was in charge of their copper, cobalt and zinc projects, including Kolwezi Tailings. Between 1990 and 1996, Mr. Colette worked as a consultant mainly to Sofremines (France) in relation to a number of copper, cobalt, zinc and gold projects in Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, Zaire, and Cuba.

The Company wishes to thank Mr. Ransome, who did not stand for re-election at the AGM, for his years of services to DFI since 2007 in various positions ranging from Chief Operating Officer (from October 2007 to October 2014) to President and CEO (from July 2010 to October 2014) and his directorship since 2010.

For clarification, the Company's officers and directors are now comprised as follows:





Sybrand van der Spuy:

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director Earl Young: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director Al Gourley:

Non-executive Chairman and Director Norman Roderic Baker:

Director Francoise Colette:

Director Bertrand Boulle:

Director



The Company also announces that following the 5:1 consolidation that was effected on September 22, 2016, it increased its Fixed Less than 10% Stock Option Plan from 1,528,380 pre-consolidated shares to 4,700,000 post-consolidated shares (the "Amended Plan"), which remains less than 10% of the Company's current 47,344,996 issued and outstanding share capital. The Amended Plan is subject to receipt of acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Company also announces the grant of stock options entitling eligible participants to purchase up to 2,962,800 common shares at an exercise price of $0.145 per share for a five year term, expiring at close of business on December 11, 2021. These options will vest as to 1/3 on the date of grant, 1/3 on the first anniversary from the date of grant, and the final 1/3 on the 2nd anniversary from the date of grant.

Following this stock option grant a balance of 1,107,200 options remain available for future grants under the Company's Fixed (less than 10%) Stock Option Plan.

DIAMOND FIELDS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

SIGNED: "Sybrand van der Spuy"

Sybrand van der Spuy, CEO/President

Contact: Earl Young (214) 566-3709

Website: www.diamondfields.com

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 release.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- In a joint statement released today, 27 prominent Canadian CEOs and civil society leaders congratulated Canada's Prime Minister and Premiers for achieving a Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. The historic plan was announced following the First Ministers' Meeting last Friday.

The leaders behind the joint statement are members of the Smart Prosperity Initiative and represent diverse sectors and constituencies across the country, including Loblaw, RBC, Shell Canada, United Steelworkers, World Wildlife Fund Canada, and Aluminum Association of Canada, among others.

Their statement reads:

We congratulate the Prime Minister and Premiers on achieving a national plan to drive clean growth and make real progress on climate change. This plan includes the key elements needed to do so, including a rising price on carbon, world class standards for clean power and energy efficiency, major investments in clean infrastructure like buildings, transportation and energy systems, and strong support for clean innovation and technology.

The shift to a high performance, low carbon economy is underway across Canada and around the world, and it offers tremendous opportunity for all parts of the economy. This kind of coordinated government leadership is critical to accelerate our progress and help us keep pace with global leaders, by catalyzing private initiative and innovation across the country.

This plan sets the right direction. The next challenge is to turn these commitments into action. This will require smart policy design and effective implementation - to enable Canada to meet its global climate commitments and boost clean growth across the economy, while helping vulnerable populations to adjust and businesses to be globally competitive.

We offer our full support in helping Canada to seize this critical economic and environmental opportunity, and we commit to lead by example in our own organizations and networks.

Sincerely,

Dominic Barton, Global Managing Director, McKinsey and Company Ross Beaty, Chairman, Pan American Silver Corp; Executive Chairman, Alterra Power Corp Guy Cormier, President and CEO, Desjardins Group John Coyne, Vice-President, Legal and External Affairs, Unilever Canada Inc. Michael Crothers, President and Canada Country Chair, Shell Canada Arlene Dickinson, CEO, Venture Communications Stewart Elgie, Professor, University of Ottawa; co-Chair, Smart Prosperity Phil Fontaine, Former National Chief, Assembly of First Nations Robert Hardt, President and CEO, Siemens Canada Jean-Francois Huc, President and CEO, BioAmber Greg Kiessling, President, UpCapital Ltd. Jim Lopez, President and CEO, Tembec John Lounds, President and CEO, Nature Conservancy of Canada David Miller, President and CEO, WWF - Canada; Former Mayor, City of Toronto Lorraine Mitchelmore, co-Chair, Smart Prosperity; former President, Canada Country Chair, Shell Canada Ken Neumann, Canadian National Director, United Steelworkers Merrell-Ann Phare, Founding Executive Director, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Vicky Sharpe, Founding President and CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada Jean Simard, President, Aluminum Association of Canada; co-Founder and Director, SWITCH Merran Smith, Executive Director, Clean Energy Canada Rick Smith, Executive Director, Broadbent Institute John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO, Royal Bank of Canada Kali Taylor, Founding Executive Director, Student Energy Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO, NRStor; co-Chair, Smart Prosperity Robert Wesseling, President and CEO, The Co-operators Galen Weston, President and Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Ltd. Ed Whittingham, Executive Director, Pembina Institute

The Smart Prosperity Initiative was launched by respected Canadian leaders from business, think tanks, labour, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and NGO communities. Our purpose: To harness new thinking to accelerate Canada's transition to a stronger, cleaner economy. www.smartprosperity.ca

Contacts:

Eric Campbell

613-462-3375

eric@smartprosperity.ca




Regulatory News:

Vivendi (Paris:VIV) announced on April 8, 2016 that it had concluded a strategic and industrial partnership with Mediaset. This partnership, with an international scope, included, on the one hand, various initiatives in the joint production and distribution of ambitious audiovisual content and, on the other hand, the creation of a global over-the-top (OTT) television delivery platform. As a first step, Vivendi was to acquire 3.5% of Mediaset's share capital and 100% of the share capital of the Mediaset Premium pay-television company, in exchange for 3.5% of Vivendi's share capital.

The envisaged Mediaset Premium acquisition unfortunately led to a lawsuit and Vivendi's proposals aimed at finding an amicable solution to the dispute were not agreed by Mediaset and its shareholder Fininvest.

As Vivendi believes that the strategic interest of the industrial partnership announced on April 8, 2016 supersedes the stakes of the lawsuit, Vivendi announces that it has crossed today the 3% threshold of the Mediaset share capital, and that it now owns 3.01%.

Becoming a Mediaset shareholder is, for Vivendi, in line with the Group's intention to develop its activities in Southern Europe and its strategic ambitions as a major international, European-based, media and content group.

In accordance with applicable regulations, the Consob (the Italian Securities authority) and Mediaset have both been informed that this threshold has been crossed.

Vivendi intends to continue to acquire Mediaset shares depending on market conditions, until possibly becoming Mediaset's second largest industrial shareholder, which, to begin with, could represent between 10% and 20% of the Mediaset share capital.

Important Disclaimers

This press release contains information that may have characterized, before becoming public, inside information as defined by Article 7, par. 1, of the European Regulation 596/2014 regarding Vivendi's acquisition of a participation in the capital of Mediaset. It also contains forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy, plans and outlook of Vivendi. Although Vivendi believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including but not limited to the risks related to antitrust and other regulatory approvals as well as any other approvals which may be required in connection with certain transactions and the risks described in the documents Vivendi filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (French securities regulator), which are also available in English on Vivendi's website (www.vivendi.com). Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by Vivendi with the Autorite des Marches Financiers at www.amf-france.org, or directly from Vivendi. Accordingly, we caution readers against relying on such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Vivendi disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Unsponsored ADRs. Vivendi does not sponsor an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) facility in respect of its shares. Any ADR facility currently in existence is "unsponsored" and has no ties whatsoever to Vivendi. Vivendi disclaims any liability in respect of any such facility.

About Vivendi

Vivendi is an integrated media and content group. The company operates businesses throughout the media value chain, from talent discovery to the creation, production and distribution of content. The main subsidiaries of Vivendi comprise Canal+ Group and Universal Music Group. Canal+ Group is the leading pay-TV operator in France, and also serves markets in Africa, Poland and Vietnam. Canal+ Group operations also include Studiocanal, a leading European player in production, sales and distribution of film and TV series. Universal Music Group is the world leader in recorded music, music publishing and merchandising, with more than 50 labels covering all genres. A separate division, Vivendi Village, brings together Vivendi Ticketing (ticketing in the UK, the U.S and France), MyBestPro (experts counseling), Watchever (subscription video-on-demand), Radionomy (digital radio), Olympia Production, the L'Olympia and the Theatre de L'Oeuvre venues in Paris and the CanalOlympia venues in Africa. With 3.5 billion videos viewed each month, Dailymotion is one of the biggest video content aggregation and distribution platforms in the world. Gameloft is a worldwide leading video games on mobile, with 2 million games downloaded per day.

www.vivendi.comwww.cultureswithvivendi.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212006051/en/

Contacts:

Vivendi
AHF UKRAINE: ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR HIV-INFECTED DRUG USERS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO OVERCOME THE EPIDEMICS OF HIV AND TUBERCULOSIS IN KYIV

The first integrated care center in Kyiv opened on the World AIDS Day where HIV-positive patients who use drugs can receive services related to chemical dependency, HIV and tuberculosis. Right now, only one third of HIV-positive drug users in Kyiv have access to lifesaving services, including antiretroviral therapy, which is a key condition to overcome the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis.

Creation of the integrated care center is a project that is implemented by the Representative Office of American AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in Ukraine based in the Kyiv City Narcological Hospital "Sotsioterapiya" and in partnership with Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 5, ICF "Alliance of Public Health" and with support from the Kyiv State City Administration.

Zoya Shabarova, Europe Bureau Chief of AHF, said: "Establishing of such a center in Kyiv was made possible due to joint efforts of organizations from the governmental and non-governmental sectors. This is an example of effective partnership to help HIV-positive patients and an essential condition for the progress in achieving objectives of the AHF strategy 20 by 20 which stands for 20 million people receiving HIV treatment all over the world by 2020). This model of integrated care should become the gold standard for all the points of substitution therapy all over the country.

All the conditions needed for comprehensive HIV and TB care are created at the integrated site. A person can receive full continuum of services starting from HIV rapid test through support in HIV treatment initiation, successful retention in care with assistance of substitution therapy and TB prevention or care.

"Opening of this center will help HIV-positive patients to receive simultaneous treatment in one place. Previously, these people had to visit different hospitals to obtain three different medications and services. Not surprisingly, more than 70% of patients missed treatment or did not come back to receive care. Owing to this project, access to continuum of care for HIV-positive patients who use drugs will be assured," saidVolodymyr Yaryi, chief physician of KCNCH "Sotsioterapiya."

"Kyiv took another important step to overcome the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis by joining Fast-Track Cities initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to finally defeat AIDS by 2030 through actions and commitment of large cities, where almost 70% of all HIV-positive people reside," saidMykola Yuriyovych Povoroznyk, deputy head of Kyiv City State Administration.

Sergei Filippovich, treatment director, the Alliance of Public Health, said"Since 2005, the Alliance has been supporting substitution therapy (ST) sites across the country as a part of the Global Fund programs. Now more than 9000 clients have access to ST in 173 sites. We support partnership initiatives of the Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 5, Kyiv City Narcological Hospital 'Sotsioterapiya,' AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Ukraine, to provide integrated services in Kiev."

Today in Kyiv, 939 people are receiving substitution therapy, 368 of them are HIV positive and need ARV drugs.

Reference:

Opening the integrated care center is a project that is implemented by the Representative Office of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in Ukraine based in the Kyiv City Narcological Hospital "Sotsioterapiya" and in partnership with Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 5, ICF "Alliance of Public Health" and with support from the Kyiv State City Administration,

AIDS Healthcare Foundation was established in 1987 in Los Angeles, as a small community association, whose members were trying to alleviate the suffering of people who were doomed to die of AIDS. At present, as part of comprehensive health programs, AHF in partnership with other organizations provides care, treatment and services to almost 600,000 patients living with HIV in 36 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin and North America.

KCNCH "Sotsioterapiya" is the unique national system of treatment and rehabilitation for patients who have problems with alcohol and drug abuse and members of their families. KCNCH "Sotsioterapiya" is a narcological service that serves for the entire Kyiv (about 6,000 hospital patients, 1,500 ambulatory patients and narcological monitoring of 27,000 narcological patients).

Kyiv City Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS (KCCH No. 5 was established in 1999 to provide specialized medical care to HIV-positive persons and AIDS patients residing in Kyiv. It is located at the clinical hospital No. 5, 11, Vidpochynku St. The AIDS center includes an outpatient department, an inpatient department and an intensive care unit.

"Alliance of Public Health" is aninternational Charity Foundation which in cooperation with government partners and NGOs in all regions of Ukraine have spent more than 10 years implementing comprehensive programs of prevention and treatment of HIV, TB and HCV, which cover more than 250,000 people. Since 2005, direct support for Alliance number of SMT patients in Ukraine increased by 130 times (from 70 to 9,073 patients).

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161201006580/en/

Contacts:

AHF Europe

Anna Zakowicz, +31 6 28744655

Deputy Bureau Chief

anna.zakowicz@aidshealth.org

or

AHF Europe

Denis Godlevskiy, +7 911 1101310

Advocacy and marketing manager in Russia and Ukraine

denis.godlevskiy@aidshealth.org
BRASILIA (dpa-AFX) - Mining behemoth Vale (VALE) won a 10-year operating license for the exploration of S11D iron ore mine in the Amazonian state of Para. This is the largest iron ore project in the history of the company and in Brazil's mining industry, according to reports. The massive mine is expected to produce about 90 million tons a year, compared to the company's overall target of 340-350 million tons in 2016. S11D is Vale's largest-ever investment, valued at about $17 billion. It is expected to start operations before year-end, with first shipments slated for in early 2017. Last year, Vale told that S11D would help the company lower its cash costs per ton to below $10 from the current $12.30. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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.
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX: SJR.B)(TSX: SJR.PR.A)(TSX: SJR.PR.B)(NYSE: SJR)(TSX VENTURE: SJR.A) will be releasing its consolidated results for the First Quarter (ending November 30, 2016) the morning of Thursday, January 12, 2017.

A conference call with Shaw Senior Management and the financial community is scheduled as follows. Press/Media and the public will be able to participate in listen-only mode.

Conference Call Details:

Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time Canada & USA Toll Free: 1-800-319-4610 Calgary Toll: 1-403-351-0324 Montreal Toll: 1-514-375-0364 Toronto Toll: 1-416-915-3239 International Toll: 1-604-638-5340

Please call 5 to 10 minutes before the start of the conference call.

Replay Dial In: (available until midnight Eastern Time, Thursday, February 23, 2017) Canada & USA Toll Free: 1-800-319-6413 Outside Canada & USA Call: 1-855-669-9658 Code: 1033 followed by the # sign

Webcast:

You can listen to the live or recorded broadcast at: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/shaw20170112.html

The webcast is available until midnight Eastern Time, Sunday, February 12, 2017

Note:

If you wish to be added to our distribution lists for conference call notices/press releases, please send your request to investor.relations@sjrb.ca.

About Shaw

Shaw is an enhanced connectivity provider. Our Consumer division serves consumers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video and digital phone. Our Wireless division provides wireless voice and data services through an expanding and improving mobile wireless network infrastructure. The Business Network Services division provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, video and fleet tracking services. The Business Infrastructure Services division, through ViaWest, provides hybrid IT solutions including colocation, cloud computing and security and compliance for North American enterprises.

Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (TSX: SJR.B)(TSX: SJR.PR.A)(TSX: SJR.PR.B)(NYSE: SJR)(TSX VENTURE: SJR.A). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca.

Contacts:

Shaw Communications Inc.

Investor Relations

investor.relations@sjrb.ca

www.shaw.ca




BETHESDA (dpa-AFX) - President-elect Donald Trump heavily criticized the rising costs of F-35 fighter jet program, which negatively impacted the shares of contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. 'The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th,' tweeted Trump on Monday. Trump claims he will save billions of dollars on military programs once he takes control as the US President next month. LMT shares slipped $6.42 or 2.47% on Monday's regular trading. F-35, which was initially expected to enter full-scale production in 2008, has become the world's most expensive weapons project with estimated cost of about $379 billion. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet that is designed to be largely invisible to radar, fly faster than the speed of sound and incorporate advanced sensors. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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.
Kina Securities Ltd, a Papua New Guinea bank listed on the ASX, will release its full year results in February 2017. In the meantime, the bank has provided a trading update about the likely profit its shareholders can expect.The bank says it experienced solid growth in lending and deposits, low levels of bad debt and strong net interest margins.Kina expects its total lending to reach around K600 million (AU$252.4 million) at the end of this year, which represents around 60% growth.And total customer deposits are forecast to reach around K880 million (AU$370.1 million) at year end, which is an increase of 28% since June 2016.Kina has forecast that its FY17statutory profit after tax will range from K39 million to K41million, which is AU$16.4million to AU$17.2 million at todays exchange rate.In comparison, Kina Securities posted a net profit of AU$8.7 million at 30 June 2016.
Blackmore Sensors and Analytics, Inc., a Bozeman, Mont., Canada-based developer of frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar, raised $3.5m in Series A funding.

The round was led by Next Frontier Capital and Millennium Technology Value Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to miniaturize its FMCW lidar engine and deliver lidar sensors to the automotive and surveillance markets.

Led by Dr. Randy Reibel, CEO, Blackmore develops compact frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar imaging and its supporting analytic tools software for a variety of automotive, military and industrial environments.

The companys HRS-3D surveillance lidar pairs long-range sensing capabilities with advanced algorithms to provide real-time mapping and situational awareness to its surveillance customers.

FinSMEs

12/12/2016
GastroHero, a Dortmund-Holzwickede, Germany-based B2B platform for for the food sector, received an eight-digit euro investment.

Genui, a Hamburg-based private investment firm, provided the financial resources. In conjunction with the funding, Patrick Gehlen of Genui will join GastroHeros board.

The company intends to use the funds to grow internationally.

Co-founded in 2013 by Mark Baukmann, Jens Schutte e Andreas Korsus, Gastro-Hero is a B2B platform for restaurant and gastronomy industry players to buy equipment and tools via verified partners. The service is mainly used in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

The company, which currently employs approx. 100 people, expects to end the year with a 35m turnover.

FinSMEs

12/12/2016
By Ben Blanchard

| BEIJING

BEIJING China said on Monday it had launched a complaint at the World Trade Organisation over the approach used by the United States and European Union to calculate anti-dumping measures against Chinese exports.When China joined the WTO in 2001, its accession terms allowed other WTO members to treat it as a non-market economy when assessing dumping duties for 15 years. That gave trade partners the advantage of using a third country's prices to gauge whether China was selling its goods below market value.But part of that clause expired on Dec. 11, which China says means trading partners must drop their use of such surrogate pricing.U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said in November the time was "not ripe" for the United States to change the way it evaluates whether China has achieved market economy status, and there was no international trade rules requiring changes in the way U.S. anti-dumping duties are calculated.China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement on its website that 15 years on, all WTO members had an obligation to stop using the surrogate country approach.

"Regretfully, the United States and European Union have yet to fulfil this obligation," the ministry said.The European Commission said it had received the request for consultations, the first step in a WTO dispute."We regret that China is launching this dispute now despite the fact that the Commission has already made a proposal to amend the legislation in question," a Commission spokesman said.

The Commission proposed last month a new way of treating China, but its plans await approval from the EU's 28 members and the European Parliament.Last week it angered Beijing by launching an anti-dumping case under the old system - using the prices of a third country - just days before the Dec. 11 deadline.Separately, a Chinese ministry official said in another statement a U.S. investigation into what it regards as Chinese dumping of plywood products launched last week amounted to abuse of emergency trade relief measures.

The United States and European Union are some of the biggest levellers of anti-dumping measures under this process against China. The measures have seriously affected exports and employment for Chinese firms, the ministry added."China reserves the right under WTO rules to resolutely defend its legal rights," it added, without elaborating.The United States has repeatedly argued that China's market reforms have fallen short of expectations, especially in aluminium and steel, where state intervention has led to overcapacity, threatening industries around the world. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels and Beijing monitoring team; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Robert Birsel)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New York: On Monday, Donald Trump announced he will nominate retired general John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security, the third ex-military man tapped for a top job in his presidential administration.

"General John Kelly's decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," Trump said in a statement.

"He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies," Trump said.

Kelly led the US Southern Command, covering US military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs across the US southern border and end human trafficking.

"I am humbled and grateful to be nominated to serve in President-elect Trump's cabinet as Homeland Security Secretary," Kelly said in the statement issued by the president-elect.

"The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security.

"I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honoured for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country, and our people."

The third general chosen for Trump's cabinet, Kelly spent 45 years in the US Marines, holding a range of positions from field commands in Iraq to political liaison in Congress before finishing his career as commander of the US armed forces Southern Command.
By Ruma Paul

| DHAKA

DHAKA Some Bangladesh central bank officials deliberately exposed its computer systems and enabled hackers to steal $81 million from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February, a top investigator in Dhaka told Reuters on Monday.The comments by Mohammad Shah Alam of the Dhaka police are the first sign that investigators have got a firm lead in one of the world's biggest cyber heists. Arrests are soon likely, he said.On Thursday, the head of a Bangladesh government panel that investigated the heist said five bank officials were guilty of negligence but that they were only unwitting accomplices.Alam told Reuters his investigations had discovered that some bank officials had knowingly created vulnerabilities in the bank's connection to the SWIFT system, used for global transactions.

"Bangladesh Bank's SWIFT network was made insecure by some bank employees in connivance with some foreign people," he said. "They knew what they were doing."He said investigators were now trying to find out how the mid-ranking officials were connected to the hackers and whether they benefited financially from the heist. Asked if the officials would be arrested, Alam said: "We are very close to it."

Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha declined to comment.Another investigator, who declined to be named, said more than 100 Bangladesh Bank employees had been interviewed in connection with the heist, and some were barred from leaving the country.

The hackers used fake orders to order the transfer of nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank's account at the New York Fed, using the international SWIFT payments network.Many of the transfer orders were blocked or reversed but $81 million was successfully transferred to four fake accounts in a branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) in the Philippines. Most of the funds then disappeared into Manila's loosely regulated casino industry. (Additional reporting and writing by Krishna N. Das; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
MILAN Ailing Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI) will press ahead with a last-ditch 5-billion euro ($5.27 billion) privately-funded rescue plan after the European Central Bank refused to give it more time to raise the money, a source close to the matter said.The source said the 11th-hour plan involved reopening a debt to equity swap offer to retail investors and a private placement of shares in the lender on the market.

(Reporting by Silvia Aloisi)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
This year's Winter Session looks like it's a washout. Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's grouse that the Opposition has been stalling the proceedings, not letting him address the Parliament on demonetisation and instead addressing the "Jan Sabha", the Winter Session has left a lot of bills in the cold.

There are only three more days left for the Winter Session to end (16 November to 16 December) and the government says it's ready for a debate on demonetisation, so is the Opposition but with certain conditions. According to The Tribune, many key legislative bills face a logjam in Parliament and "every minute of running a session costs over than Rs 2.5 lakh". Earlier this month, Firstpost put out a similar piece on how Rajya Sabha scores zero on the productivity scale and that both the Houses have failed to conduct any meaningful business, unless you count slogan-chanting and disrupting the motion.

Delhi think tank PRS Legislative that tracks the functioning of Parliament found that this Winter Session the productivity of Lok Sabha was 14 percent and that of Rajya Sabha was 20 percent. The data also showed that Rajya Sabha spent zero hour on questions, whereas the Lok Sabha spent 5.1 hours. Rajya Sabha spent 11.8 hours on non-legislative issues while the Lok Sabha spent 4.3 hours on the same.

The future of the GST Bill especially hangs in the balance  Bloomberg Quint reports that the GST Council met for the sixth time on Sunday and will continue to discuss the central and state GST Bills on 22 December. The GST rollout from 1 April

next year looks impossible now, reports PTI.

In 2013, when the BJP was the Opposition it wasn't any different: The party has disrupted Parliament the most in the last five decades. PRS Legislature noted that in the 2013 Winter Session of Parliament that ran from 5 to 18 December, both the Houses of Parliament adjourned sine die on 18 December, and that several hours were lost thanks to the disruption on issues relating to Telangana's separate statehood. Lok Sabha worked for six percent of the scheduled hours and Rajya Sabha for 19 percent; six legislative bills were introduced and one legislative and two appropriation bills were passed by both Houses, and two bills were withdrawn during the session, it noted.

BJP, which has been crying about being interrupted in Parliament, should note that in 2013 more than half the Parliament's time was wasted  Parliament met for 63 days and was productive for only 44 percent of the time, according to this Business Standard report. The Winter Session was also the shortest, that of 10 days and since it wasn't prorogued, the second part was held from 5 to 21 February, 2014. This again witnessed several disruptions with a pending non-confidence motion not taken up. Lok Sabha worked for a total of 21 percent and Rajya Sabha, 27 percent. PRS Legislature's report on that session says that 15 bills were introduced and 12 of them were passed (of those 5 related to General and Railways budgets).

With inputs from PTI
Pakistani media has hailed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project as a game changer. Pakistan is optimistic that China is about to transform their country with the $46 billion project. Interestingly, this corridor also runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which is likely to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi uncomfortable.

There is, however, a new player in this game. Donald Trump  the President-elect of the United States  recently held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. According to a report by Pakistani daily Dawn, Trump said, "Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. 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."

Trump's remarks on Pakistan's 'outstanding problems' has posed a serious question over US' involvement in India-Pakistan ties and his stance on the CPEC project which makes China a dominant player in the South-Asian region. Many hailed Trump's phone call and the upcoming CPEC project which will provide Pakistan the economic boost it requires.

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, 43, who is under house arrest, told The Economic Times, "We had zero expectation from Trump, considering the discourse during his election campaign. However, Trumps phone call to Pakistan, and the remarks of Vice-President-elect Mike Pence on Kashmir are very important. I guess South Asia is going to be the focus for the new dispensation in the US. If Trump administration gets involved in the region, it will be a huge diplomatic shift, which would help us."

When asked how does he thinks CPEC will impact Jammu and Kashmir politics, he said that the project poses a good opportunity for J&K and allows them to be a part of the Silk Route once again. He said, "We can be part of the CPEC, even before the resolution of Kashmir issue and become a part of the Central Asian discourse rather than South Asian discourse. Kashmir can be gateway for India as well." He was optimistic about India's involvement in the project and noted 2017 will be an interesting year as economic and political equations are changing amid Trump's victory and the engagement of many countries in CPEC.

However, it is a well-known fact that Pakistan has been feeling the pressure from global powers after India took a strong stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in light of the 2016 Uri attack in which 18 Indian soldiers were killed. The dip in relations with America was reflected in the US bill introduced on 20 September which sought to officially designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Pakistan in turn has taken the route to gaining grace in China and treating it as a new source of weapons and economic growth. The CPEC reflects the growing friendship between China and Pakistan. As an emerging superpower, China has proven to be a thorn in America's side. The US has been monitoring the Pakistan-China relations, but has not directly intervened.

India, on the other hand, is trying to balance the scales with Pakistan by trying to make its own inroads in China through the development of a road spanning Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) which is a 2,800 km-long corridor that starts from Kolkata and passes through Bangladesh and Myanmar before ending at Kunming in China.

China's growing favour towards the success of CPEC has made Modi uneasy which was reflected during the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in September where Modi raised Indias concerns over the CPEC being laid through PoK.

Besides a host of energy-related projects, the CPEC consists of rail, road and pipelines to ferry oil and gas from Gwadar port on Arabian Sea to Kashghar in Chinas Muslim-dominated Xinjiang province through PoK.

Maybe Trump's victory will play a significant role in the growing tension between India-Pakistan, but the official stance as of now is that the US will be a 'peaceful mediator'. Only time will tell if that is the case.

With input from agencies
While coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are experiencing heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Vardah, there are some who seem to have found humour in the situation  especially since the storm has coincided with the birthday of superstar Rajinikanth. Thailavaa (as Rajini is fondly called) turns 66 today and the cyclone-related birthday wishes for the actor just won't stop.

The most popular meme seems to be that Cyclone Vardah is nothing but a result of Rajini blowing out his birthday candles. Clearly, Thailavaa's fans seem to be on a different tangent altogether while the Tamil Nadu government has asked people not to step out of their houses till Monday evening at the very least.

Cyclone Vardah LIVE: Storm moves closer to Chennai coast; winds clock 100 kmph

#cyclonevardah happened when #Rajinikanth sir blew his birthday candle! More & more power to you!!#HBDSuperstarRajinikanth

  Hena Prasun (@Hena19) December 12, 2016

So while businesses come to a halt, as does routine life, the Rajinikanth-Vardah jokes continue unabated.

Cyclone Vardah: Heavy rains hit Tamil Nadu coastal districts, high winds uprooot many trees

Cyclone Vardah disrupts normal life in Chennai, rail and flight services delayed
Amaravati: Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh were on Monday evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rains due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm Vardah.

Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for ten more persons feared trapped at sea.

With the cyclonic storm Vardah set to make landfall between Sriharikota and Chennai, a state of high alert is being maintained in SPS Nellore district.

"The police and CISF personnel are on the job and all the ten fishermen are safe. But they are somehow reluctant to come to the shore. We will soon bring them out," Nellore Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni told PTI over phone.

Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is camping in Nellore to oversee the rescue and relief operations, said Vakadu and Tada received 4.8 and 3 cms of rain, respectively, since on Monday morning.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," he said.

Earlier, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed the Nellore district administration to evacuate people in about 255 low-lying areas to safer places.

The Chief Minister reviewed the situation through teleconference and asked the official machinery to remain on high alert to prevent loss of lives.

The holy Tirumala Hills have been receiving rainfall since last night, causing some hardship to devotees visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara.

Temple Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao has directed the temple staff to make necessary arrangements for the comfort of the pilgrims in view of the inclement weather.

Under the influence of Vardah, Nellore and Chittoor districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall.

In Sullurpeta mandal in Nellore district, 30 persons were shifted to a relief camp this morning.

The South Central Railway has cancelled some passenger trains between Sullurpeta and Chennai in view of the cyclone.

The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam. Some other Express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam.
New Delhi: Khalistani Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo was on Monday sent to judicial custody till 14 December by a Delhi Court when the Punjab Police plea for his transit remand will be considered.

Metropolitan Magistrate Satvir Singh Lamba sent the accused to Tihar Jail after the Delhi Police said they did not require him for further custodial interrogation, asking the probe agency to produce him before the court concerned on the next date of hearing.

After that, Punjab Police personnel moved a plea seeking Mintoo's transit remand, claiming that they require him for unearthing the larger conspiracy. The plea will also be taken up on 14 December.

The court had on 28 November sent Mintoo to Delhi Police custody for seven days which was later extended till on Monday.

The Delhi Police had earlier submitted that they needed his custody to know about the role of "insiders and outsiders" who assisted him and five others in fleeing from Nabha jail in Patiala.

It had said that the role of Inter-Services Intelligence and some terror organisations was required to be probed in the case as he had also visited Pakistan.

According to the Delhi Police, one loaded pistol and six live cartridges were recovered from his possession. He was earlier a member of Babbar Khalsa International and later floated his own group, they said.

Mintoo was nabbed from a Delhi railway station, a day after he escaped with five other inmates from the prison.

UP Police had on 27 November arrested the alleged "mastermind" of the daring daylight jailbreak, Parminder Singh, from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district when the getaway vehicle  a Toyota Fortuner  was stopped at a police picket.

He had escaped along with five other prisoners in a sensational prison break after armed men in police uniform tricked the sentries into opening the gates and fled with the inmates while firing a hail of bullets.

Mintoo, who was wanted in ten terror cases, was arrested by Punjab Police after he was deported from Thailand in November 2014.
In these troubled times, the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have seen opportunity. As demonetisation and the subsequent cash crunch hit the country hard, chief ministers of AP and neighbouring Telangana are vying with each other to become digitally enabled, a move being seen as key to insulate themselves politically and beef up their already deficit state economies.

Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of AP are offering themselves up as role model Digital CMs to the Narendra Modi regime and have designed strategies individually.

Naidu launched 'AP Purse' last week, a government sponsored payment platform with 13 mobile banking and 10 mobile wallets. In turn, KCR launched an e-wallet enterprise in collaboration with ICICI Bank. Why should we oppose demonetisation blindly? If Telangana has to survive, we have to go for cashless transactions to increase our revenue by five times, said KCR at the Secretariat on Saturday.

The idea behind trying to push the cashless transactions agenda is a banal one. Both states are hopeful of enhancing the prospects of central assistance for their mega infrastructure development agenda. Hence the push to leapfrog financial platforms  in an effort to project their states as the choicest destinations for infusion of global investment, technology and project monetisation in the near future.

AP Purse

Launching the new platform AP Purse on Tuesday, Naidu said that the government introduced Marpu Nestam (Friend for change), to educate people on digital financial literacy. The government will pay incentives to agents who train people in digital financial literacy.

AP Purse is an app which will provide links to 13 mobile banking and 10 mobile wallets with Aadhaar card to pay bills and purchases to retail traders and vendors in a cashless way. We will train engineering students to enlighten the traders, vendors and also the common man on use of bank accounts and RUpay cards, he said. He made 90 lakh DWCRA (self-help groups of women) members and 70 lakh beneficiaries of the MGNREGS to open bank accounts in villages.

Naidu, who interacted with bankers and RBI representatives, said that Rs 2,472 crores was available with banks and that they would get another Rs 1,100 crores in December to tide over the cash crunch but emphasised that a cashless regime by 2017 was a stark reality. A document released by the CMO ahead of the launch of AP Purse said that there were only 46,126 (rural) and 60,173 (urban) banking outlets with internet facility, out of a total of 3.83 branches. There were only 10,516 ATMs of which nearly 6,250 were in urban areas. The Naidu government has let loose a blitzkrieg of advertisements in newspapers, Telugu TV channels and radio on use of cards, particularly the RUpay card of Jan Dhan accounts.

Telangana e-wallet and the Siddipet experiment

KCR has introduced the e-wallet in collaboration with ICICI Bank to address grievances of farmers, traders and Jan Dhan account holders.

KCR said that the state was geared to go digital at all levels. To begin with, stamps and registrations, civil supplies, excise and all government payments, including salaries to govt employees, would be on cashless platform of UPIS (Uniform Payment Interface System). It will not be possible to change peoples habits overnight. Cash transactions are part of our life and culture. Initially all transactions above Rs 500 will be cashless, he said.

The Telangana government has introduced a cashless transaction model in Rythu Bazaars (farmer markets) for the benefit of vegetable vendors in Hyderabad and Siddipet in collaboration with HDFC Bank. Customers can buy daily vegetables with tokens linked to their Aadhaar and HDFC cards. Besides Siddipet, the facility of Aadhaar linking for debit cards has been launched in Gajwel and Warangal market yards as well. This is a temporary arrangement until the change crisis is resolved and banks link to markets is completed, says T Harish Rao, state marketing minister.

Telangana has 5,200 bank branches with one bank for every three to four villages and has one lakh POS machines. For a complete cashless regime, Telangana needs 20 lakh POS (swiping machines), says a state finance ministry official. He said Rs 75,000 crores of cash was in circulation in the state before demonetisation, accounting for 86 percent of the total money in the state but so far only Rs 35,000 crores in banned notes were deposited in banks and the Centre has pumped in Rs 12,500 crores.

Telangana has fewer banks and ATMs than Andhra  5,212 bank branches and 10,000 ATMs. Hardly one tenth of banks and ATMs are in rural areas and Hyderabad accounts for 90 percent of branches and ATMs. Internet connectivity is very poor and only 60 percent of ATMs function in Hyderabad, said Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Opposition leader in the Telangana Legislative Council. He also termed KCRs claim of achieving cashless regime by 2017 as deceptive since there was only one bank branch to service 10 villages and just 88 lakhs people out of 4-crore population had bank accounts, he said.

The Effect

Opposition criticisms apart, Hyderabad and many towns of Telangana and Andhra Pradeshs Vijayawada and Rajahmundry witnessed public furore with large queues in front of ATMs and banks. Satrol ho gaya (business has gone kaput) say wholesale traders at Goshamahal, Feelkhana, Begum Bazar, Siddiambar Bazar, Monda and Pathergatti where traders took cash from retailers for bulk purchases. We had roaring business with 80 percent in cash and 20 percent on cheques and now everybody is demanding credit, says Syed Aneesuddin, a bulk goods trader at Feelkhana.

Many traders say business is down now as they cannot give discounts to retailers  thanks to online payments, they have to pay Goods and Service Tax. According to RBI figures, there are about 13 lakh POS units in Telangana and the demand was for a minimum of 54 lakh.

The decision to go digital immediately by the two states is to get the early bird benefits from the Centre and also to improve their monthly revenues. If we prove to be enabled for cashless transactions, our credentials in international markets will be benchmarked for big global investments, Naidu told reporters on Saturday at Vijayawada.

Both these revenue-starved states are willing to go to great lengths in order to increase fund inflow  even at the cost of spending heavily on improving infrastructure and reducing liquidity in the market. While AP claimed that it had lost over Rs 1,300 crores in revenue generation in just one month, Telangana says it lost nearly Rs 800 crores. Both the governments have promised lavish welfare measures and freebies. Coffers cannot be empty for too long. And so the Telugu speaking neighbours have decided to join the Centres chorus on encouraging cashless transactions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to convey his wishes on Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi or Eid-e-Milad. He tweeted:

Greetings on Milad-un-Nabi. May this occasion deepen the spirit of harmony & unity in our society & may there always be peace & prosperity.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and many Union Ministers also greeted the nation on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi and appealed to recall his message to work towards universal brotherhood, tolerance and well-being of all.

Heartiest greetings & best wishes to all my fellow countrymen, in India and abroad on Milad-un-Nabi #PresidentMukherjee  President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 12, 2016

May Holy Prophets message, inspire us to work towards universal brotherhood, compassion, tolerance & well-being of all #PresidentMukherjee  President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 12, 2016

Let us on this day recall the life & ideals of Hazrat Mohammed Saheb & re-dedicate ourselves to the service of humanity #PresidentMukherjee  President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 12, 2016

The Islamic festival is dedicated to Prophet Mohammad and his teachings. Eid-e-Milad is the birth anniversary of the Prophet and a day to remember the Islamic icon's teachings, message. Processions will be carried out in full swing in Pakistan as well, especially in Rawalpindi with 1541 processions that will be carried to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammad.

The government in Pakistan has also declared a holiday  as many as 40 cinema houses and theatres will be closed as per the notification issued by the City District Government Lahore. All educational institutions and offices will also remain closed, according to Daily Times.
It is time for Hult Prize 2017 and the hunt is on for the most innovative change the world concept. The Hult Prize Foundation is a start-up accelerator for budding young social entrepreneurs emerging from the worlds universities. Named as one of the top five ideas changing the world by President Bill Clinton and TIME Magazine, the annual competition for the Hult Prize aims to create and launch the most compelling social business ideasstart-up enterprises that tackle grave issues faced by billions of people. Winners receive US $1 million in seed capital, as well as mentorship and advice from the international business community.

The Hult Prize came to India in 2016 as a National Program with over 50 campuses initiating the Hult Prize as an on campus event. The Hult Prize foundation partnered with Aravindam Foundation in India to create Hult Prize India dedicated to enhance participation from India and help generate more winners.

The Hult Prize 2017 is about creating scalable and sustainable startup enterprises to reawaken the potential of displaced people (refugees). This year has also been a water shed year for Indian campus participation. The Aravindam Foundation in India partnered with the Hult Prize foundation and rapidly built upon existing resources to take participation to over 50 campuses. Abhimanyu Abrol (IIT KGP), Ewelina Janus (Poland, Founder Director, Aravindam) and Dr.Lokesh Abrol (Doctor, Social Entrepreneur) together spearheaded the Hult Prize India with support from a nationwide team of volunteers.

The Hult prize

Founded in 2009 by Ahmad Ashkar and sponsored by Bertil Hult, Swedish entrepreneur and Education First founder, Hult Prize is the social game changer. Today, it has a massive over 650 universities representing more than 150 countries and spends over 2 million man-hours on solving the worlds most gripping issues. In the current year itself eight of the Forbes Top 30, Under 30, Entrepreneurs Changing the World were individuals who, founded their companies as part of the Hult Prize annual accelerator.

Teams from India have been participating in the Hult Prize since 2011 as standalone applicants. In 2014, campus-level events were held in four campuses in India. In 2015, it grew to 11 campuses, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, IIT BHU, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore, ISB Hyderabad, IMT Ghaziabad,Jadavpur University, BITS Pilani and Sri Ram College of Commerce.

Hult Prize is about social enterprise ideas and startups in a university environment. With 761 universities, a vibrant educational environment and a vast population below poverty line, India is a natural laboratory and fertile ground for Social enterprise, says Lokesh Abrol, Director, Hult Prize India. The scale, the opportunity and the talent pool available are simply immense. We will not be surprised if Hult Prize in India becomes larger than the global parent in coming years, he said.

The Hult Prize is present in over 650 universities in 130 countries in the world and is growing by the year. It is rapidly becoming a community of motivated, inspired and passionate students around the world, united by a common idea of doing good in a sustainable and profitable way.

The prize is open to students from every campus in all countries of the world. The launch of a National Chapter depends upon the readiness of the ecosystem in the form of extent and quality of participation and availability of local sponsors and high calibre teams.

Process, selection

Action starts with recruitment of campus directors who are university students who apply online in June/July. Selections are done by telephonic or Skype interviews of shortlisted candidates. Those with demonstrable organisational skills are preferred.

Last year, the challenge was related to crowded urban places and how one can better connect people to goods and services, says Abrol. The objective was to double the income of one million people by 2020. Magic Bus from Earlham college, USA won it.

The Magic Bus founders  Iman Cooper, Sonia Kabra, Wyclife Omondi, and Leslie Ossete are from USA, India, Nairobi, and Kenya. Not many people from poor communities had smartphones, so the team came up with the idea of an offline service that would use Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) gateway and SMS service to help people book their seats on in-city buses, know the time of arrival of the buses, fares, etc. They reduced the time spent in waiting for buses in Kenya, from several hours every week to minutes and enhanced productivity.

The prize money is US$ one million, which incidentally is the biggest ever prize money for any student award. One of the highlights of the Foundation is that former US President Bill Clinton is the Hult Prize Partner. He announces the challenge of the competition each year and hosts the Hult Prize Global Finals.

India focus

This year has seen a 400 percent increase in participation with over 50 top campuses taking part. After selection of campus directors, they are supported with planning, information, webinars, competition modules and mentoring. The Campus Directors spread the word, gather teams, organise seminars and discussions on the problem statement, lead fund raising, reach out to prospective judges of exceptional calibre and hold the campus event for teams that register on the Hult Prize India website.

Each campus needs to have at least ten competing teams with each team having 3 to 5 members. One team from each eligible campus advances to the National event. There is an additional avenue of application for teams that do not have a campus event or want to give it a second chance. the campus Directors can also use this avenue after their campus event has been completed. Online applications are scrutinised by a central panel of judges for shortlisting.
Islamabad: India's dream of splitting Pakistan into several geographical entities is "nothing but a fallacy", Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said on Monday, a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh warned that Pakistan would get "splintered" into 10 pieces if it failed to quell terrorism.

"BJP's dream of splitting Pakistan is nothing but a fallacy," Nisar said, describing Rajnath's remarks as just a "shallow claim".

"India is being divided not by any other country, but its own policies," Khan was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.

Addressing a Martyrs' Day function in Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said on Sunday, "Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it."

Responding to Singh's remarks, Khan claimed that life has become miserable for minorities in India and they are "facing risks and threats under the Modi government."

"Indian government has erected a wall of hatred in the whole country. BJP government's hands are stained with the blood of innocent Kashmiris," he said.

Khan went on to accuse India of openly interfering in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan.

"We wish peace in the region, however, will not accept Indian hegemony," he asserted.

Khan claimed arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav and other Indian agents in Pakistan is "clear proof of Indian meddling into Pakistan affairs."

Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country.
'Missing' is writ large at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. A 27-year-old student Najeeb Ahmad has been missing for almost two months now, after an alleged scuffle with some other students. Mother, sister, friends and fellow students of Najeeb have been protesting at the JNU campus, at Jantar Mantar, Mandi House and anywhere they can.

In last two months, a number of posters of Najeeb has increased inside JNU campus and around Delhi and so has the reward to find him.

As the days passed, following Najeebs disappearance, a spree of allegations and counter-allegations was made by the Left and the Right in JNU campus against each other, following which, the police swung into action. Police teams were dispatched to Bihar and other places and news of Najeeb being spotted in Aligarh surfaced.

But among all this what was most intriguing was the manner in which Najeeb disappeared, like smoke.

Now a press release by JNU administration (issued on 8 December) has tried to put the record straight in the case: Of the alleged scuffle between the two groups in MahiMandovi hostel on 14 October after which Najeeb disappeared without informing anyone. Just two days to go and it will be a full two months since he disappeared.

The 8 December press release issued by the JNU administration is conclusive in its judgement about the incident. In an attempt to put the record straight, the JNU administration has shunned the logic. It reads, "The Office of the Chief Proctor has submitted its Proctorial Enquiry Report on the incident of MahiMandovi Hostel. The report has identified the students involved in the reported scuffle, and has recommended their immediate transfer from their present hostel. It has also recommended that a strong warning should be issued to these students against repeating such scuffle in future."

It adds, "The Vicechancellor has approved the report and has suggested that after Najeeb Ahmed is found, the disciplinary action awarded by the Wardens Committee for vacating hostel premises by Mr. Ahmed may be revisited."

And it concludes, "The JNU Administration appeals to Mr. Najeeb Ahmed, M.Sc. student of Biotechnology, to return to university and resume academic pursuits without apprehensions."

The Delhi High Court on 28 November, while listening the plea on Najeebs disappearance asked the Delhi police to "cut across all political barriers" to find Najeeb and said that there could be "something more" to his disappearance as no one can just vanish from the heart of the national capital.

The court further stated, "This is the heart of India, the national capital. No one can just disappear from here. It creates a sense of insecurity in people. If he disappeared, then there is something more to that. All angles have to be explored. Forty five days is a long period for someone to be underground."

While the courts observation was reflective of genuine concern, the straightness of the press statement issued by JNU administration on 8 December has twisted all the logic.

Consider this: In plain term, it states that those allegedly involved in the scuffle have been identified. And like the intimidating bullies we all face in schools, they were punished by changing their seats (read hostel).

Also, the JNU administration through its appeal to Najeeb to come back has decided and made it clear that he has gone missing on his own and steers clear of any foul play.

In this absurd play where a man disappears without any trace, there are many questions that remain unanswered.

A press note titled Summary & update of the Events MahiMandovi Hostel issued by JNU, states that according to the wardens report, the incident took place during the election campaign for members of the hostel committee. A student, Vikrant Kumar, went to canvass and when he knocked at the door of Najeeb Ahmed was slapped without any provocation in the presence of in presence of two other students. The warden has relied on the version of two people who accompanied Vikrant for canvassing. The wardens report does not mention the testimony of any neutral eyewitness.

The second big question is that how JNUs proctorial inquiry has assumed that Najeeb has been hiding or gone missing on his own, hence making an appeal to him to return.

The third big question that raises a major concern is that how can a student be in hiding for so long. How come the entire police administration (receiving direct direction from the home minister of the country) is unable to trace a 27-year-old student?

There is rising concern for Najeeb, that is now cutting across party and ideological lines. ABVP member Saurabh Sharma and former Joint Secretary of JNUSU too calls for looking beyond narrow interests and making all efforts should be made towards finding Najeeb.

"Almost two months have passed since a bizarre incident of slapping followed by Najeeb's disappearance took place in JNU. SIT and then Crime Branch of Delhi Police have tried hard to find out Najeeb's whereabouts, but all in vain. Given the situation that a student has disappeared right from the heart of the capital, questions must be raised about the efficacy of Delhi Police. A police force that has successfully busted organised crimes of international order in the past seems too helpless in this case. Is it really that tough to trace a student or is it a deliberate attempt on the part of Delhi Police to take it too lightly? The nature of politicking that has occurred in the periphery of the event also speaks volumes regarding the special nature of Najeeb's disappearance," says Sharma.

He adds, "Having said that, one must not forget that all that matters is a human life, the complexity of which is hard to fathom. Medical reports suggest that Najeeb was under depression and was receiving proper treatment. Thus, there is all possibility that he might have escaped for psychological reasons. If it's so, still the police should have found him out by now. Hence, one must focus on the fact that between politics and concerns of individual life, Najeeb's life and career is at stake. Let's look beyond our narrow interests and channelise all efforts toward finding out Najeeb."

As rightly pointed out by Sharma the inability of the Delhi police in tracing Najeeb raises serious questions on its ability and intent. The same press note mentioned above states that, "On 17th November 2016, the administration came to know about the police (Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime) investigation stating that they have traced the driver of the autorickshaw who Ahmed hired on October 15 from Jawaharlal Nehru University to reach the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia, as reported in the newspapers."

A month has now passed since police got this input but no breakthrough has been made in the case. Given the fact that police has been slammed by the court for its inability to find Najeeb, it is only in the formers interest to find him. And its inability to find a 27-year-old student can be due to two reasons: Because of complete ineptness of police that cannot trace a student and a probability of some unfortunate incident that had struck Najeeb.

While the former can only be a matter of embarrassment for police, the possibility of the latter coming true can seriously change the narrative of the student politics in Indias one of the best universities.
New Delhi: India and Indonesia on Monday affirmed their commitment to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

"Both leaders affirmed that India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours whose relations are rooted in civilisational contacts developed through the seas and who share similar perceptions of the evolving maritime environment in the region and the world at large," said a joint statement on maritime cooperation issued following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"Both leaders recognised their shared commitment to democracy, pluralistic society, human rights and the rule of law," it stated

It stated that both Modi and Widodo affirmed the countries' "deep respect for each other's contribution to promoting peace, stability and development in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and beyond".

"Both leaders committed to maintaining a maritime legal order based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos)."

The joint statement assumes significance as several Southeast Asian nations have problems with China over South China Sea.

In July, an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the busiest commercial shipping routes in the world.

The court accused China of interfering with the Philippines' fishing and petroleum exploration, building artificial islands in the waters and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone.

China reacted angrily, calling the verdict null and void with no binding force and that "China neither accepts it nor recognises it". But Beijing has since decided to go for bilateral talks with Manila.

India urged all stakeholders to follow the Unclos.

Indonesia, the largest of the Southeast Asian nations, however, does not have any such issue with China.

"Both leaders recognised that India and Indonesia share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication," Monday's joint statement said.

"Both leaders recognised the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the Unclos."

The statement said Modi and Widodo affirmed the need to combat, prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing.

"Both leaders recognised transnational organised fisheries crime as one of the emerging crimes, which has become an ever-growing threat to the world," it said.

"Both leaders agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation between Indonesia and India in order to further strengthen and accelerate maritime cooperation inter alia in maritime safety and security, and promotion of maritime industries, as one of the important pillars towards enhancing the bilateral relationship."
Billed as the most anticipated celebration of contemporary art in South Asia, the 108-day-long, third edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) commenced, at multiple venues in Kochi, from Monday, 12 December 2016.

Titled "Forming in the pupil of an eye", KMB 2016 will features performances and productions of 97 artists from 31 countries.

Curator Sudarshan Shetty explained why the theme was chosen: because the eye is the only reflective organ in the body and it reflects as much back into the world as it takes.

"'Forming in the pupil of an eye' is not an image of one reality, but a reflection of multiple realities and of multiple possibilities in time. My curatorial approach was shaped therefore as a conversation between different streams and forms of art practice. This Biennale is intended as a dialogue between multiple perspectives and possibilities as it evolves within the space and through the duration of the Biennale and beyond," he said.

"In aid of this, there are art projects this year that will involve spaces and individuals not traditionally associated with the Biennale. Latvian artist Voldemars Johansons has changed the horn sounds on a number of auto rickshaws making them ambassadors of the Biennale as they drive around the city while Argentine writer Sergio Chejfec is writing a 88-chapter novel while moving through Kochi," added Shetty.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the third edition on Monday evening.

The event is spread across 12 venues in and around Kochi and will also include ancillary programme of events that includes the Students' Biennale, conversations, talks, seminars, the Art By Children and the Pepper House Residency exhibitions, workshops, artists' cinema and music sessions, among other activities.

The artists whose works will be on display are drawn from various disciplines, forms, styles and include writers, dancers, poets, musicians and theatre practitioners.

"The final list of artists is but a sampling of the richness and range to be found along the art spectrum. The coming together of, and the conversations between, their diverse approaches, sensibilities, practices, creations and performances as they unfold in Kochi will showcase to the world what the 'People's Biennale' is all about," said Shetty.

Visit www.kochimuzirisbiennale.org for more information about the schedule and participating artists
A Nerul teacher, who had raped a Standard 7 student earlier this year, and was on the run for the last two months, has been traced to Delhi, reports said on Monday.

According to a report published in DNA, the 40-year-old teacher of an English medium school "has been named as an accused in the FIR and has been identified as Harishankar Awadh Shukla alias Raj Shukla".

The Nerul police had registered the FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

The complaint filed by the girl's parents has revealed that the accused had raped her in April and August, DNA said, adding, "In April, when all the students had gone out to the ground for a PT class, Shukla had allegedly raped the girl and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident."

According to reports, the parents of the girl came to know of the pregnancy five months after the incident when she was taken to a local doctor after she complained of vomiting and nausea. The teacher, however, had denied the allegations.

The teacher, who is married and has one son was fired from his job after which he fled from his Koparkhairane residence. Soon afterwards his family also left the flat.

However, according to The Times of India, the Nerul police has managed to track down his location in Delhi. "A couple of days ago, we tracked down his location to Delhi," Adikrao Pol, senior inspector of Nerul police station, told the newspaper.

According to the report, a team has reached Delhi and is coordinating with the local law-enforcement officials to arrest the accused.
When the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed decided to enter his party into wedlock with a surging BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, in what he described as the coming together of the "North Pole and South Pole", his calculation was that the merger of two radically different political entities in a coalition will tide over the trust deficit between the Hindu-majority Jammu and Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley.

Another rationale offered by the PDP leaders is that the economic disempowerment of Jammu and Kashmir by successive regimes at the Centre was also playing heavily on Mufti's mind. So, seeing a glimpse of Atal Bihari Vajpayee  with whom he had a good equation  in Narendra Modi, the PDP-BJP coalition seemed to Mufti a perfect recipe to address all the problem in the turmoil-hit state. He was banking on the saffron party's benevolence.

However, people who had voted, as well as those who didn't for Mufti's party in the Valley were sceptical. They saw in PDP-BJP coalition a ripe plot for disaster. After all, how could the green party, which appealed to voters during election rallies to vote for them in order to keep the saffron party at bay, marry into the very alt-right brigade. Surely there must have been some closed-door deal. As conspiracies grew, so did Mufti's resolve to solemnise the wedding, perhaps at the cost of his party's constituency  the Kashmir Valley.

Two years down the line, the gap between Jammu and Kashmir has widened like never before and the Centre's political and economic rigidity towards Jammu and Kashmir has also shot up to the point that there has been a complete silence, if not subversion, by the BJP on some of the key issues agreed to between the two parties in their governance framework called 'Agenda of the Alliance'.

Forget bridging the divide between Jammu and Kashmir, the two parties have not been able to bridge the divide between themselves first. In a cabinet meeting recently, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was reportedly told by the deputy chief minister Dr Nirmal Singh, that he will have to seek consent from the party "high command" in New Delhi before clearing an order which would have given level playing field for KPS and IPS cadre officers.

Also, during the meeting, there was also some verbal exchanges over the replacement of the chief secretary which the BJP opposed. Unable to keep the coalition flock together, Mehbooba walked out of the meeting she was supposed to chair and shut herself at her official residence.

A question arises here: If, after being in power for nearly two years the BJP has to seek permission from the "high command" to give its consent to a simple administrative issue, what is the role of the chief minister then? It gets more embarrassing than this. Why should even an administrative issue get New Delhi's nod? Is the state or its political leadership not competent enough to take decisions for the welfare of the state?

In doing so, the state BJP may have inferred its powerlessness or how incapacitated it feels in front of the Central leadership. However, that is not exactly the case. The BJP's oblique reference shows who gets to call the shots in Jammu and Kashmir. Opposing the decision of providing a level playing field to KPS officers has the contempt of the BJP for the police officers, who gave their blood for the state's better tomorrow, written all over it. In not taking a decision, the BJP has not only shown that it only trusts a section of Jammu and Kashmir Police, not the police force in itself which has been at the forefront of fighting militancy in the state, but also showed the party's lack of trust in Mehbooba.

Issuing provocative statements has been the hallmark of the BJP since it allied with the PDP. It started on the day the government came into office. Today, a common belief in Kashmir is that Burhan Wani's death was trigger of a volcano which was building up not just against the PDP-BJP government but especially against the BJP as a party in power which talks about abrogation of Article 370 and refuses to even consider the request of PDP for phase-wise demilitarisation of the State.

A sad reality of this, which is yet to dawn on the PDP leadership, is that it is not the BJP which is losing the plot. It is the Mufti's PDP. His vision of tiding over the political and cultural difference lies frozen. If there were to be held polls in Kashmir tomorrow, the BJP may most likely retain its strength, but the PDP would surely be decimated. That is what Mehbooba must reflect upon. Her time is running out.
United Nations, United Nations: Incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vowed on Monday to improve the world body's ability to respond to global crises after taking the oath of office.

The first former head of government at the UN helm, Guterres takes over from Ban Ki-moon on 1 January amid bloodshed in Syria and uncertainty following the election of Donald Trump.

"The organization is the cornerstone of multilateralism, and has contributed to decades of relative peace, but the challenges are now surpassing our ability to respond," Guterres told the General Assembly.

"UN must be ready to change," he added.

The 67-year-old socialist politician said the United Nations must "recognize its shortcomings and reform the way it works" and singled out the failure to prevent crisis as the most serious failure.

The former prime minister of Portugal was sworn in during a formal ceremony as Syrian forces were on the verge retaking the entire city of Aleppo in a potential turning point in the six-year war.

He will begin his new post just weeks before Trump moves into the White House.

In a reference to Trump's shock election victory and the surge in populism worldwide, Guterres said "fear is driving the decisions of many people around the world."

Citizens worldwide are losing confidence in their governments and in global institutions, he said, adding that it was "time to reconstruct relations" between leaders and their people.

Guterres laid out three priorities for change during his five-year term: work for peace, supporting sustainable development and internal reforms.

An engineer by training and practising Catholic, Guterres fought for migrants' rights over a decade as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015.

He served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, anchoring his country to the European Union and working to raise living standards.
Aleppo: The Syrian army captured a major district of Aleppo on Monday from rebel fighters, now confined to a small pocket of their former bastion in the city's east. President Bashar al-Assad's forces held more than 90 percent of the one-time opposition stronghold, a monitor said, and appeared on the verge of retaking the whole city. The fall of Aleppo would deal rebels their worst blow since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported early on Monday that the army had captured the large Sheikh Saeed district in southeast Aleppo, leaving only two neighbourhoods under opposition control.

"The areas still under opposition control are very small, and they could fall at any moment," said Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Britain-based Observatory. "The battle for Aleppo has begun to enter the final phase," he said.

Syrian official media confirmed the army had recaptured Sheikh Saeed, with state television showing what it said was live footage from the neighbourhood.

Overnight and into Monday morning, government warplanes and artillery pounded the remaining rebel-held territory in the east of the city.

An AFP correspondent in the government-held west of Aleppo said the bombardment could be heard from there and was some of the heaviest in recent days.

Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on 15 November.

Thousands more flee

The Observatory said Monday another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left  mostly to government-held territory  to 130,000. On Sunday alone, state news agency SANA said, 8,000 people fled rebel districts through government-run crossings.

It said approximately half were transferred to temporary shelters, while the rest were staying with relatives in west Aleppo. Syria's rebels seized control of east Aleppo in 2012, a year into an uprising that began with anti-government protests but spiraled into a civil war after a regime crackdown.

The war has become a complex multi-front conflict, drawing in proxy powers and jihadists like the Islamic State group, which on Sunday overran the city of Palmyra nine months after being expelled.

Islamic State began a new offensive in the desert east of Homs province last week, seizing government positions and oil fields before advancing on Palmyra.

It was briefly forced back from the city early Sunday, after heavy Russian air strikes and the arrival of Syrian troop reinforcements.

But despite the efforts, the Observatory said Sunday afternoon that the group had recaptured all of the city.

Islamic State held Palmyra between May 2015 and March 2016, carrying out a campaign of destruction against ancient ruins in the city that are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On Monday, the jihadists were advancing south and west of Palmyra, fighting fierce clashes with the army near the town of Al-Qaryatain, the monitor said, as Russian warplanes carried out fresh strikes.

'Dramatic situation'

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, and over half the country displaced.

The government assault on Aleppo has killed at least 413 civilians since mid-November, according to the Observatory. Another 139 civilians have been killed in rebel fire on the west of the city in the same period, it says.

The UN children's agency said Sunday that all children in Aleppo were suffering from trauma.

"I have never seen in my life such a dramatic situation (as) what is happening to children in Aleppo," said Radoslaw Rzehak, UNICEF's field office head inside the devastated city.

Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict have repeatedly failed. Russia last week said talks were underway with US officials on securing a ceasefire in Aleppo and the withdrawal of all rebel forces from the city.

But despite a series of high-level meetings there was no progress in halting the fighting. Experts say the government's recapture of Aleppo appeared to be only a matter of time.

"We're now past the point where the opposition has any hope of pulling things back," said Yezid Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. Assad "will have in effect broken the back of the armed opposition... and the idea that the regime can be overcome militarily will be finally put to rest."
London: One campaigned to leave the European Union, the other to stay. Now, nearly six months after Britain's shock referendum vote for Brexit, two thirty-somethings prove the debate is still very much alive, and just as painful.

"I'm very, very excited about the future," says Chris Mendes, a 31-year-old software engineer who supports the anti-EU, anti-immigration UK Independence Party (Ukip), which helped drive the "Leave" vote.

But Thomas Cole, a 33-year-old political analyst who used to work at the European Commission in Brussels, says the future is still up for play.

Since the vote on 23 June, many Britons have had to wrestle with some of the stark and unsettling realities of what "leaving Europe" actually means.

And, for Cole and others who voted "Remain", this jolt gives cause to stay in the fight. "Just because the referendum has taken place doesn't mean you say, 'OK, I give up now'," he says.

Outwardly similar, the two men are passionately divided on Brexit, reflecting the split that saw Britons vote 52 percent to leave the EU and 48 percent to stay.

Introduced by AFP, they traded views at cafe in London's St Pancras station, the gateway for travellers arriving from and leaving to continental Europe. Mendes, sporting a brown T-shirt and a three-day-old beard, acknowledges there are challenges to leaving the EU, not least pro-European MPs seeking to delay or soften the divorce.

"There's obviously a clear resistance to Brexit, there's no question about that, but we expected that," he says.

But Cole, wearing a smart jumper and striped scarf tied at the neck, argues that the referendum was "legally not binding". He came home to campaign against Brexit and is a member of the pro-EU, centrist Liberal Democrats, who want a second referendum on the final terms of the exit deal.

Cole suggests that if the exit negotiations "become complicated", then the 2020 general election could be effectively run as a second referendum.

"I couldn't disagree more," chips in Mendes, accusing Cole of a "morally bankrupt" position. Cole hits back: "You have to pass things through parliament, I think that's normal."

Taking back control

Under pressure from members of her Conservative party and EU leaders, Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to begin formal exit talks by the end of March.

But she is fighting a legal challenge against calls for MPs to take the final decision on triggering Brexit, amid concerns that parliament, which overwhelmingly wanted Britain to stay in the EU, will try to block it.

Meanwhile the cabinet itself appears divided on the key issue of whether or not to stay in the single market.

Remainers say quitting the world's biggest trade bloc will destroy swathes of British jobs. Brexit supporters say Britain will forge new trade deals with the rest of the world.

For Mendes, a principle is at stake. "We want to come out of the single market, we voted to take back control of our laws completely, we voted to take back control of our borders completely," he says.

He reflects the government's outward confidence that it will get the "best possible deal" for Britain  even if it has yet to set out how this will happen.

Unsurprisingly, Cole says he would like to stay in the single market  and would be unhappy with some of the proposed compromises.

One option is for Britain to leave the market of 500 million consumers but continue to pay for access, while being unable to shape its rules.

"From a democratic point of view it's frankly terrible," he says.

An upside of a clean break with Brussels is that "you wouldn't have somebody else telling you what to do. Having said that, for the economy, would it be good? No."

Healthy debate?

"In an ideal scenario, I want things to be as they are," Cole admits, before he is cut off by Mendes, insisting: "That's not going to happen."

The discussion is lively but good-natured, although elsewhere in Britain tensions are high, with reports of an increase in hate crime after the vote, and death threats against leading campaigners on both sides.

Mendes says the national debate is "very healthy", adding: "We have not discussed these things for about 40 years  and now, for the first time, we are.

"The natural consequence of that is an explosion, a massive clash, a violent clash, intellectually speaking, of ideas."

Cole agrees, and notes the recent election of Donald Trump as US president. "Ignoring people's concerns is essentially dangerous," he says.
Beijing: Chinese media warned Donald Trump on Monday that the one-China policy is "non-negotiable" and dropping it could lead to Beijing supporting US enemies, after the president-elect said he might do so unless Beijing made concessions.

"The one-China policy cannot be traded," an unsigned online commentary in the nationalistic Global Times said on Monday, calling Trump "as ignorant of diplomacy as a child".

It warned that if the US openly supports Taiwan's independence and ramps up arms sales to the democratically self-ruled island, China could aid "forces hostile to the US".

"Why couldn't we publicly support them, or secretly sell arms to them?" it demanded.

The Chinese-language commentary was in response to Trump's remark in a Fox News interview Sunday that he did not see why the US must "be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade".

He vehemently defended taking a call earlier this month from Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, which Beijing has not controlled for more than 60 years but considers a rogue province awaiting unification.

Although the United States is Taiwan's main ally and arms supplier, it has not had official diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

The Global Times commentary sounded a more openly menacing tone than previous state-media responses, which had largely blamed Taiwan for the phone call and advocated a wait-and-see response.

But this time it warned that if Trump "openly abandons the one-China policy, there will be a real storm. At that point, what need does mainland China have for prioritising peaceful unification with Taiwan over retaking the island by military force?"

The English-language edition of the Global Times quoted a Chinese scholar calling Trump a "novice" in diplomacy with a "very superficial" understanding of Taiwan and Sino-US relations.

"As a businessman, he thinks it's quite normal to do business, but he hasn't realised that the Taiwan question is not a business to China. The Taiwan question is not negotiable," it quoted Li Haidong, professor at China Foreign Affairs University, as saying.

But Li cautioned it was "too early" to conclude Trump intended to follow through on his threats.

"He's very fickle as well, he may eat his words sometime soon."
New York: Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will nominate retired general John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security, the third ex-military man tapped for a top job in his presidential administration.

"General John Kelly's decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," Trump said in a statement.

"He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies," Trump said.

Kelly led the US Southern Command, covering US military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs across the US southern border and end human trafficking.

"I am humbled and grateful to be nominated to serve in President-elect Trump's cabinet as Homeland Security Secretary," Kelly said in the statement issued by the president-elect.

"The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security.

"I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country, and our people."

The third general chosen for Trump's cabinet, Kelly spent 45 years in the US Marines, holding a range of positions from field commands in Iraq to political liaison in Congress before finishing his career as commander of the US armed forces Southern Command.
Damascus: The Islamic State militant group has recaptured Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, just nine months after losing it to the government forces, a monitor group has reported.

Following four days of clashes with the Syrian army, the group on Sunday successfully recaptured the millennia-old oasis city of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs province, Xinhua news agency quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.

The city as well as its airbase, ancient part and citadel fell to the Islamic State, said the observatory.

Over 120 Syrian soldiers lost their lives during the offensive and tens of IS militants were also killed.

The Syrian army withdrew to the desert in southern Palmyra, amid intense Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the IS positions there, SANA news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Homs Governor Talal Barazi said the army had withdrawn from the city.

The IS started its offensive on Palmyra on Thursday, after bringing in around 4,000 fighters for retaking the city, SANA reported.

The Syrian army captured Palmyra on 27 March this year, after losing the city to the IS last year.

Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world.

The city has an importance to the IS as it connects areas under the terror group's control in Deir al-Zour province with the central province of Homs.

The recapture of Palmyra is also important as the group's fighters in Iraq have started entering Syria recently after suffering great losses in battles against the Iraqi army and the US-anti-terror coalition.
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Nordic companies, highly dependent on supply chains in Asia, lag behind international standards in guaranteeing children's rights, according to a report by an international rights group. The study of 300 of the Nordic region's largest companies by Global Child Forum found companies scored below the global average on a combination of issues including child labour, charitable initiatives for children, and accountability."Nordic countries are small, open economies that are highly dependent on supply chain operations, especially in Southeast Asia where child labour is a concern," Global Child Forum said in a statement on Monday. Fiona Rotberg, research director at the rights group, said despite the reputation of the Nordic region's companies for innovation and social responsibility, the majority of companies fell short in policies to combat child labour.

Only 10 percent of the companies reported that their board took responsibility for children's rights issues.The report said major Nordic IT companies such as Telenor, Tele2, and Telia Company stood out for initiatives that address children's rights issues such as online bullying. Electricals producer Clas Ohlson, clothing retailer H&M, and engineering firm Trelleborg scored highly across the board.

"They have become leaders as a result of increased awareness, increased pressure within the industry," Rotberg told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.But companies in healthcare, financial services, food, travel, and oil industries scored far lower.

Across all companies surveyed, three out of four have a policy banning child labour but only 17 percent of companies report the results of these policies. (Reporting by Matthew Ponsford, Editing by Ros Russell.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, traficking, property rights and climate change. Visit news.trust.org)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar has been appointed chief of Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI as part of the first major reshuffle in the military's top brass after new army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa took over the reins last month.

The army issued a statement in which it said that Bajwa, who took over from Gen Raheel Sharif two weeks ago, appointed Mukhtar as Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) replacing Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, who was at the centre of a controversy following a Dawn newspaper report which said that the Nawaz Sharif government had told the army to either act against terrorists or the country would face international isolation. Lt Gen Akhtar has been appointed as President of the National Defence University.

By turn, the head of the covert arm of the Pakistani military, the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan. The agency has long been accused of supporting Islamist militants targeting neighbour and arch-foe India as well as sheltering the Afghan Taliban and other militants. Pakistan's government and military deny any links to militants.

According to an article by The Nation, the position of the Director General ISI is key, as theoretically he must report to the prime minister, but in reality is to report to the army chief. Thus the ISI has often been accused of undermining the civilian government. And the ISI has often also faced criticism for its alleged meddling in the politics of Pakistan and its control over several secret and militant groups. Mukhtar was in the run to be chief of the ISI in 2014 when Gen Rizwan Akhtar was given the spot. As the ISI DG he has to handle the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Pakistan and India.

In an earlier article in October, The Nation had reported on the likelihood of these developments even as they were denied by the then chief army spokesperson Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa. The position of the ISI DG is typically held for three-years but Akhtar took office in November 2014, thus he won't be finishing his whole tenure, which has led to the speculation by certain Indian media agencies that the surgical strikes undertaken by the Indian Army might have possibly caused these turn of events.

Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar is an intelligence veteran  this first big reshuffle is said to tighten Bajwa's hold on the military that plays a key role in the country's affairs. A graduate of the Command and Staff College, Quetta, National Defence University, Islamabad, and War Course USA, Mukhtar has also commanded a Mechanised Division. There was speculation sometime back that Prime Minister Sharif wanted to appoint Mukhtar as ISI chief but then army chief Raheel Sharif resisted the move.

It is believed that the new ISI chief enjoys the confidence of both the civilian and military leadership and it would go a long way in healing differences between them, observers said. According to a Dawn report, Mukhtar served in the Armoured Corps regiment in 1983 and till 7 December, served as corps commander of Karachi. He was also promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and posted to Corps V in 2014. Mukhtar has also headed the counter-terrorism wing of the ISI in Islamabad.

Challenges

A report in The Nation mentions that Mukhtar's challenges include the decaying relations with Afghanistan, with the country accusing that Pakistan's spy agency of supporting Taliban, while ISI denies the accusations. It also remains to be seen what policies Mukhtar will be taking towards India. Especially after the surgical strikes across Line of Control and the Kashmir issue with both the countries having kicked out several diplomats.

With inputs from agencies
Islamabad: Pakistan's top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz has said Islamabad was striving to hold peace dialogue with Afghanistan.

"It was disappointing that some elements in Afghanistan were not willing to have the dialogue process with Pakistan and these elements are creating suspicion over Pakistan's role," The Nation quoted Aziz as saying in an interview on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs blamed the Afghan Intelligence Agency for hindering the dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan government.

Aziz said that the second session of dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan government was cancelled when the National Directorate of Security issued reports regarding death of Mullah Omar, the former chief of Taliban.

He said that the doors for bilateral dialogues were further closed when Mullah Omar's successor Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike in Balochistan.

"Pakistan endeavours to have a dialogue process but the condemnable statements from Afghan politicians against Pakistan are negatively impacting the environment," Aziz said.

He said massive withdrawal of international forces and increase in operations of armed insurgents after 2014 has led to the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan.

Aziz said the remarks by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia Conference, recently held in Amritsar, India, were indicative of the growing frustration in Afghanistan. "It is imprecise to blame Pakistan for backing Taliban," he said.

The advisor said that the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb has destroyed the Haqqani Network established in the tribal areas and it was no longer operating on Pakistan's soil.

However, he said that the possibility of presence of scattered extremists in the country could not be overlooked.

"Such elements were creating hurdles for the peace process of the two countries and therefore we had asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia Conference to make efforts for improving the security system on Pakistan-Afghan border," Aziz said.
By Laila Bassam and Lisa Barrington

| ALEPPO, Syria/BEIRUT

ALEPPO, Syria/BEIRUT The Syrian army and its allies are in the "final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in an ever-shrinking enclave, a Syrian general said on Monday.A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas of the city had continued non-stop overnight, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling "Doomsday"."The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city.Rebels withdrew from all districts on the east side of the Aleppo river after losing Sheikh Saeed in the south of their pocket in overnight fighting, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.It meant their rapidly diminishing enclave had halved in only a few hours and Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman described the battle for Aleppo as having reached its end. "The situation is extremely difficult today," said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group fighting in Aleppo. An official from Jabha Shamiya, a rebel faction that is also present in Aleppo, said the insurgents might make a new stand along the west bank of the river. "It is expected there will be a new front line," said the official, who is based in Turkey. The rebels' sudden retreat represented a "big collapse in terrorist morale", a Syrian military source said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria's most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict.The Russian Defence Ministry said that since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had surrendered and 100,000 civilians had left areas of the city that were controlled by militants. "People run from one shelling to another to escape death and just to save their souls ... It's doomsday in Aleppo, yes doomsday in Aleppo," said Abu Amer Iqab, a former government employee in the Sukkari district in the heart of the rebel enclave.State television footage from Saliheen, one of the districts that had just fallen to the army, showed mounds of rubble and half-collapsed buildings, with bodies still lying on the ground and a few bewildered civilians carrying children or suitcases.

REBELS

While Aleppo's fall would deal a stunning blow to rebels trying to remove Assad from power, he would still be far from restoring control across Syria. Swathes of the country remain in rebel hands, and on Sunday Islamic State retook Palmyra.Tens of thousands of civilians remain in rebel-held areas, hemmed in by ever-changing front lines, pounded by air strikes and shelling, and without basic supplies, according to the Observatory, a British-based monitoring group. In the Sheikh Saeed district, an elderly couple stood lamenting their fate. "May every son return to his mother. I have suffered that loss. May other women not endure the same," said the woman, her arms raised to the sky. "I have lost my three children. Two died in battle and the third is kidnapped," she added, as an army officer attempted to calm her. Rebel groups in Aleppo received a U.S.-Russian proposal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the city's opposition areas, but Moscow said no agreement had been reached yet in talks in Geneva to end the crisis peacefully. The rebel official blamed Russia for the lack of progress in talks, saying it had no incentive to compromise while Assad was gaining ground. "The Russians are being evasive. They are looking at the military situation. Now they are advancing," he said. The U.S. National Security Council also said, in a message passed on by the American mission in Geneva, that Moscow had rejected a ceasefire. "We proposed an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow for safe departures and the Russians so far have refused," it said in a statement.

FIGHTING

The Syrian army is backed by Russian war planes and Lebanese and Iraqi Shi'ite militias supported by Iran. Its advances on Monday were aided by a militia of Palestinian refugees in Syria, the Liwa al-Quds or Jerusalem Brigade, the general said. The mostly Sunni rebels include groups backed by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies as well as hardline jihadists who are not supported by the West.A correspondent for Syria's official SANA news agency said the army had taken control of Sheikh Saeed, and more than 3,500 people had left at dawn.A Syrian official told Reuters: "We managed to take full control of the Sheikh Saeed district. This area is very important because it facilitates access to al-Amariya and allows us to secure a greater part of the Aleppo-Ramousah road." The road is the main entry point to the city from the south.Riad Hijab, Syria's chief opposition coordinator, said the rebels' defeat in Aleppo would not weaken the resolve of Assad's opponents, or push them to water down the demand that he quit.

"If Assad and his allies think that a military advance in certain quarters of Aleppo will signify that we make concessions, then (I say) that will not happen," he told reporters after meeting French President Francois Hollande. The loss of Palmyra, an ancient desert city whose recapture from Islamic State in March was heralded by Damascus and Moscow as vindicating Russia's entry into the war, is an embarrassing setback to Assad. The Observatory reported that the jihadist group carried out eight executions of Syrian soldiers and allied militiamen in Palmyra on Monday while warplanes bombarded their positions around the city. Still, Islamic State made further advances around Palmyra, it and the Observatory said on Monday, including coming close to a military air base. Another four people, including two children, were shot dead while the jihadists cleared the city, the Observatory said. It said at least 34 people had died in air raids on an Islamic State-held village north of Palmyra, and that local officials said poison gas had been used. Islamic State accused Russia of the attack. Both Russia and Syria's military deny using chemical weapons. CIVILIANS

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Monday that 728 rebels had laid down their weapons over the previous 24 hours and relocated to western Aleppo. It said 13,346 civilians left rebel-controlled districts of Aleppo over the same period."Displaced people are moving," said an Aleppo resident. Some were moving from areas controlled by the army to opposition areas, while others were going in the opposite direction. Some were staying at home waiting for the army.The Observatory said that four weeks into the army offensive at least 415 civilians, including 47 children, had been killed in rebel-held parts of the city.The Observatory said 364 rebel fighters had been killed in the eastern sector. It said rebel shelling of government-held west Aleppo had killed 130 civilians including 40 children. (Reporting by Laila Bassam in Aleppo, Lisa Barrington and Tom Perry in Beirut, Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Giles Elgood)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Alwyn Scott

| SEATTLE

SEATTLE Donald Trump on Monday widened his attack on defence contractors, slamming Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) F-35 fighter jet program as too expensive as aides to the president-elect said he intends to keep pushing to cut the costs of military hardware. Trump's latest Twitter broadside sent defence shares tumbling and fanned concerns that the incoming administration will reduce defence contractors' profit margins and cut broader federal spending, threatening U.S. factory jobs even as Trump promises to boost manufacturing employment."The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump said on Twitter, echoing campaign promises to cut waste in federal spending. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."Last week, Trump targeted Boeing Co (BA.N) with tweets for "out of control" costs on new Air Force One planes, urging the federal government to "Cancel order!"The new administration's focus is likely to be "wide-reaching and impact all of government as we look to come up with better deals," Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller said. "We're going to look for opportunities to go back through and make sure that we're not getting taken advantage of." Trump's F-35 tweet drew support from U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, who has voiced support for the fighter jet in the past. While a president cannot cancel a program after funds have been allocated, it can purchase less.

"He can reduce the buy over time, next year, as we look at it again, McCain told Reuters.But Trump's off-the-cuff remarks bristled others in Congress. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, home to F-35 engine maker Pratt & Whitney, said the program supports 2,000 Pratt jobs and thousands more at suppliers. "The suggestion that costs are out of control is just plain wrong," he said. Trump should "learn more about the facts" before discussing "arbitrary cuts in the program, he added. "He's the president-elect. What he says matters."Lockheed shares fell 2.5 percent after being down 5.4 percent earlier. Shares of General Dynamics (GD.N), Northrop Grumman, BAE and Raytheon also fell, while United Technologies and Boeing shares were slightly higher.

'ACQUISITION MALPRACTICE'

The F-35 has been dogged by problems, with the Pentagons chief arms buyer once describing as "acquisition malpractice" the decision to produce jets before completing development. That led to retrofits and helped escalate costs to an estimated $400 billion, prompting the F-35 to be described as the most expensive weapon system in history.

The Pentagon's chief weapons tester has continued to criticize it, but the jets are now in use by the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, and by six countries: Australia, Britain, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands and Israel. Japan took delivery of its first jet last week, according to a program spokesman.Lockheed's F-35 program leader, Jeff Babione, said Monday the company had invested millions to reduce the jet's price by 60 percent from original estimates. "We project it to be about $85 million in the 2019 or 2020 timeframe," he told reporters in Israel.The Pentagon is now paying about $102 million each for the conventional takeoff A-model, according to sources familiar with the program. The savings reflect larger quantities and the ironing out of technical issues. As a practical matter, it was unlikely the U.S. would unwind such a large program involving contractors in nearly every U.S. state and eight partner nations, Baird Equity Research analyst Peter Arment wrote in a note Monday. "But what is likely ... is the message to the industry of potentially more risk-sharing on costs," he said. "This is potentially a new paradigm for the industry." (Reporting by Alwyn Scott, Andrea Shalal, Patricia Zengerle, Matt Spetalnick, Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart, Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; Editing by Bill Trott and Nick Zieminski)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Since the beginning of this year we read reports about Samsungs plans to release a foldable smartphone in 2017. Now a recent report from ET News states that the company is working on two different types of foldable smartphones.

According to the report, Samsung is pursuing a two-track strategy for these devices and is therefore developing two different types of foldable smartphones. The South Korean smartphone maker is developing dual-screen smartphone that will sport flat display on each side. The other foldable smartphone will feature a single flexible OLED display.

Samsung is apparently going to examine responses from markets after releasing its dual-screen smartphone first and considering market responses it will introduce its foldable smartphone. The report claims that the first flexible smartphone from Samsung is expected to launch sometime next year while the second smartphone, featuring a single flexible display panel could debut in 2018.

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Ingredients supplier Azelis has entered a new partnership with flavor house Symrise in India and Indonesia. This collaboration is expected to bring new solutions that... Read More
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ -1.54%) shareholders can't complain too much about the stock's performance in 2016. However, there's certainly room for improvement when a member of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) trails the broader index's results -- as J&J did this year. Will 2017 bring more success for the healthcare giant? Perhaps, but Johnson & Johnson must navigate these three major risks.

Remicade biosimilar

One quite worrisome risk ahead of Johnson & Johnson is Pfizer's (PFE -1.96%) launch of a biosimilar to Remicade. The autoimmune disease drug is by far J&J's biggest moneymaker in its pharmaceutical lineup, generating sales of over $5.3 billion in the first nine months of 2016.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Celltrion's Remicade biosimilar, Inflectra, in April. J&J has been trying to prevent the biosimilar from being marketed through patent litigation. However, in August the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that a key J&J patent for Remicade was invalid.

Pfizer owns exclusive U.S. marketing rights to Inflectra. The big drugmaker launched the biosimilar in late November. Although Johnson & Johnson continues to fight a legal battle to take Inflectra off the market, there's no guarantee that it will win. Introduction of the Remicade biosimilar in markets outside of the U.S. have already taken a bite out of J&J's sales.

Currency headwinds

Johnson & Johnson faced significant problems with currency fluctuations this year. During the first nine months of 2016, the company reported year-over-year sales growth of 2.9%. Were it not for the negative impact of currency fluctuations, that increase would have been 1.6% higher.

The problem this year wasn't in J&J's Asia Pacific and Africa regions, which didn't experience any real currency headwinds. However, the currency impact was severe in the Americas (excluding the U.S.), with an 11.7% negative impact on sales due to currency fluctuations. J&J also felt the negative effects in Europe, where sales were 2.4% lower because of foreign exchange rates.

It's impossible to know how significant the company's currency woes will be in 2017. There are simply too many variables that impact exchange rates. Because of its significant international presence, though, one thing is certain: Currency fluctuations will remain a key risk that could hurt J&J's results.

Potential trade war with China

Speaking of that major international presence, there's another big risk that Johnson & Johnson could face in 2017: a potential trade war with China. President-elect Donald Trump's phone call with Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen along with his tweets about China have raised concerns about the prospects of a trade war.

Should the U.S. and China get into an economic battle by raising tariffs or changing trade policies to the other nation's detriment, multinational companies, including Johnson & Johnson, could feel the brunt of the dispute. Although J&J doesn't break out its results for China, the company reported sales of $12.3 billion in 2015 from its Asia Pacific and Africa regions.

China has been important for several of J&J's products this year. In particular, the company credited the launch of Zytiga in China earlier this year as a key factor behind solid sales growth for the prostate cancer drug in the last quarter.

Riskiest risk

Of these three risks, I'd say the launch of the Remicade biosimilar is the scariest. If Pfizer is able to take away significant market share, it would make a big financial impact on Johnson & Johnson -- in 2017 and for years to come.

Currency fluctuations are just a cost that must be paid for doing business internationally. Some years are worse than others. While J&J could experience more currency pain next year, it's not something that investors would likely lose sleep over.

As for a potential trade war with China, who knows what will happen? A clash would hurt both countries, so there's reason to hope that the current tensions will ease.

Even with all of these risks, however, Johnson & Johnson remains one of the steadier stocks on the market. The company has been around for 130 years. It has racked up 32 consecutive years of adjusted earnings increases and 54 consecutive years of dividend increases. We'll probably be able to add a year to those totals in 2017. That's definitely not something shareholders will complain about.
Back in June, Boeing (BA 2.81%) and Iranian flag carrier Iran Air signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering the purchase of 80 Boeing jets. On Sunday, Boeing announced that Iran Air had firmed up this order -- with a few modest changes.

However, there is immense political opposition in the U.S. to doing business with Iran. Indeed, President-elect Donald Trump is one of the most vocal critics of President Obama's decision to ease sanctions on Iran. This means that Boeing faces a significant risk of having this deal upended before it delivers a single plane.

Iran Air's order evolves

The initial MoU signed six months ago between Boeing and Iran Air covered 80 airplanes, according to The Wall Street Journal, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2017. The order included 46 737s (including 40 of the 737 MAX), four 747-8 jumbo jets, 15 current-generation 777s, and 15 next-gen 777X wide-body planes.

The official order announced by Boeing on Sunday was somewhat different. The first delivery has been postponed until 2018. Additionally, Iran Air no longer wants to buy any 747s or current-generation 737 models. Instead, it wants to acquire 50 737 MAX 8s.

On the other hand, Iran Air's plan to acquire 30 777s -- 15 of the 777-300ER and 15 of the 777X -- remains intact. Thus, the total number of jets to be ordered hasn't changed.

There will be trouble

Trump has vowed to dismantle the Iran nuclear agreement, which called for the U.S. and European governments to reduce sanctions on the Iranian regime in return for Iran accepting curbs on its nuclear activities.

More specifically, Trump and congressional Republicans have made no secret of their opposition to any sale of airplanes to Iran. There is evidence that the Iranian regime uses commercial flights to smuggle weapons to U.S. enemies such as Hezbollah and Syria's Assad regime. Thus, opponents of easing sanctions argue that selling airplanes to Iran is tantamount to arming an enemy country.

This is problematic for Boeing -- and also for its European rival, Airbus. The U.S. government has the power to block export sales by either company, because their planes include sensitive U.S.-developed technology.

Boeing turns up the heat

Boeing recognizes that government interference could easily upend any aircraft deal with Iran. Its press release announcing the deal contained an extensive discussion of all the jobs that would be supported by building airplanes for Iran.

"Today's agreement will support tens of thousands of U.S. jobs directly associated with production and delivery of the 777-300ERs and nearly 100,000 U.S. jobs in the U.S. aerospace value stream for the full course of deliveries," according to the company.

Boeing will surely continue to tout the number of jobs supported by its production as it lobbies Trump and Republican lawmakers not to squelch its deal with Iran Air. The implicit threat of layoffs if the sale is canceled is Boeing's only real leverage over hostile lawmakers.

This is an important order

Boeing has thousands of orders for the 737 MAX, so getting another 50 from Iran Air isn't a big deal. By contrast, the 777 orders are very important for Boeing as it confronts a slump in wide-body demand.

As of the end of November, Boeing had just 150 unfilled orders for the current-generation 777. The company is already reducing production from 8.3 per month to seven per month in order to match output to orders for 2017. Monthly deliveries are currently scheduled to fall to 5.5 per month in 2018 as Boeing starts to build 777X test models.

Even with this massive planned output reduction, Boeing still faces an order shortfall for 2018 and 2019. As a result, it is widely expected to announce another 777 production cut next month. The Iran Air 777-300ERs would help Boeing fill in its order gap. There aren't many alternative buyers that Boeing could turn to if the order falls through.

The 777X order is also important, insofar as Boeing hasn't recorded a single order for its future flagship model since June 2015. With 306 firm orders and no deliveries scheduled until 2020, Boeing doesn't have any immediate need to sell lots of 777Xs. However, investors have still been concerned about the apparent lack of interest from airlines.

Boeing has made a good case for the economic benefits of doing business with Iran Air. Indeed, if Iran Air's 777-300ER orders fall through, Boeing will have to cut production even more than it otherwise would. Nevertheless, political and security concerns could still undermine Boeing's efforts.
According to a report by Forbes, Kinder Morgan Inc (KMI -1.86%) is looking for a buyer for its enhanced oil production business in Texas' Permian Basin. Furthermore, according to Forbes' sources, a potential deal could fetch more than $10 billion, which the company would then use to retire a significant amount of debt. It is an asset sale that would make sense given the weight this business has been on Kinder Morgan's earnings over the past year, though completing the deal is much easier said than done.

Drilling down into the oil business

While known primarily as a natural gas pipeline company, Kinder Morgan is also one of the largest oil producers in the state of Texas. The company currently owns stakes in several legacy oil fields, which produced 53,700 barrels of oil per day last quarter along with 21.7 million barrels of natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company houses the oil production business within its carbon dioxide segment because it produces the bulk of that oil via the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method of injecting CO2 into the ground to coax the oil out. In fact, the company uses a significant portion of the CO2 it produces to flood these fields.

These oil assets generate roughly 7% of Kinder Morgan's earnings, which equates to approximately $560 million of 2016's EBDA. Meanwhile, the CO2 supply and transportation business contributes another 4% of earnings or $320 million of 2016 EBDA. That said, the carbon dioxide segment's contributions to the company's earnings have fallen due to its direct exposure to commodity prices:

Earnings could continue falling in 2017 unless oil prices rebound sharply because a significant portion of Kinder Morgan's oil hedges expire at the end of this year. In fact, after hedging 83% of its production during the current quarter at $62 per barrel, the company only has 63% of its production hedged in 2017 at $62 per barrel, which leaves it more exposed to the current mid-$50 per barrel price.

Drilling down into the potential buyers

The Forbes article lists several potential buyers including leading Permian Basin producer Occidental Petroleum (OXY -3.66%). That certainly makes sense considering it recently completed $2 billion worth of transactions to bolster its Permian position, including an EOR-focused deal. That deal saw Occidental Petroleum acquire working interests in several EOR floods that are currently producing 4,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) as well as related infrastructure. What's worth noting about that acquisition is the value, which analysts peg at $800 million, or $200,000 per flowing barrel.

That transaction valuation gives analysts reason to believe Kinder Morgan could fetch more than $10 billion for its properties given how much oil they are producing these days. That said, outside of Occidental Petroleum, few buyers have the financial wherewithal and the focus on EOR to consider bidding. However, that did not stop analysts from tossing out potential candidates, including private equity-backed Windy Cove Energy, led by the former VP of Kinder Morgan's CO2 unit, and Fleur de Lis Energy, which recently bought CO2 properties of Anadarko Petroleum (APC). However, both seem to be a stretch given the potential price tag of Kinder Morgan's assets.

Meanwhile, Denbury Resources (DNR) would also appear to be a logical fit given its EOR-focus. However, Denbury Resources' finances are tight right now given its massive debt load, which would make an all-cash purchase impossible for the company. Furthermore, it does not currently own any assets in the Permian, with its focus instead on the Gulf Coast and the Rockies.

Because there are not too many obvious buyers, it could be tough for Kinder Morgan to hold out for a premium price for these assets despite the recent rise in oil prices and OPEC's maneuvers to push prices higher. Instead, the company might need to be creative should it decide to part with these assets such as seeking a partial monetization of the unit through a spin-off or IPO. Either option would enable the company to unlock value and pare debt while holding on to some upside to the improving oil market.

Investor takeaway

If true, the reports that Kinder Morgan is considering the sale of its oil properties makes sense. The assets have weighed on earnings due to their direct exposure to oil prices, which made its debt issues worse. That said, finding a buyer will be tough, so investors should not get their hopes up that the company has a game-changing transaction up its sleeve because it seems highly unlikely at the moment.
What happened

Shares of Baytex Energy (BTEG.F -1.88%) surged on Monday and were up more than 11% at 10:45 a.m. EST. Fueling that rally was an OPEC-inspired oil price rebound as well as three company-specific catalysts.

So what

Over the weekend, OPEC agreed to an output reduction deal with 11 non-producing nations, which will combine in a historic agreement to remove nearly 2% of global production from the market to drain supplies. That deal sent oil prices up almost 4% to roughly $53.50 a barrel by mid-morning. In addition, Baytex Energy also announced CEO succession plans, its 2017 capex budget, and the closing of a bought deal financing transaction in Canada.

Baytex announced that CEO James Bowzer would hand the reins over to President Ed LaFehr in May in a seamless transition of leadership. LaFehr joined the company this past July after serving in various roles across the industry in recent years. Since joining Baytex, he has worked on several important initiatives, including its recent Pease River acquisition and the development of the company's 2017 budget.

That budget will see the company spend between 300 million Canadian dollars to CA$350 million, which is an increase from the CA$225 million it intends to spend this year. The company will use that capital to boost its output by 3% to 4% next year, which will reverse its recent production slide. Driving that reversal is the company's intention to restart its dormant Canadian drilling program, which it paused earlier this year due to lower oil prices. In doing so, it joins Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ -0.76%), which also recently restarted its heavy oil drilling program in Canada. That decision enabled Canadian Natural Resources to keep its primary heavy crude oil production decline to just 1% sequentially last quarter, as it took the first steps toward reversing an 18% year-over-year decline.

Finally, Baytex Energy also closed its recently announced bought deal financing transaction in Canada. The company raised a total of CA$115 million, which was above its CA$100 million target. That cash infusion will fund the CA$65 million heavy oil acquisition in Pease River as well as pay down debt and provide additional flexibility for capex.

Now what

After more than two years of cuts, Baytex Energy is finally in the position where it can start ramping up drilling activities. That is a noteworthy accomplishment because the company can reverse its production slide by resuming drilling operations in Canada. That said, while Baytex does see low-single-digit production growth next year, many of its peers will grow much faster, including Canadian Natural Resources, which will benefit from the completion of two major expansion projects over the next year. It is Baytex Energy's low growth rate versus its peers that could cause its stock to underperform other oil stocks in 2017.
When it comes to the financial crisis of 2008, few banks that survived it suffered more than Bank of America (BAC -0.30%). But just how much did the crisis cost the North Carolina-based bank?

We've had a pretty good idea about this for a while but got a reminder of it last week, when Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan presented at the 2016 Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference. According to Moynihan's presentation deck, the answer is $191 billion.

That's a lot of money. It's larger than the market cap of every company on the S&P 500 outside of the 18 biggest members.

The losses can be broken down into four different categories.

$83 billion came from the charge-off of bad loans, the majority of which were in Bank of America's credit card division.

$44 billion came from costs associated with Bank of America's now-shuttered legacy assets and servicing division, which administered the bank's toxic and non-core assets dating back to the crisis.

$36 billion was spent on litigation expenses -- paying legal settlements, attorneys' fees, court costs, etc.

$28 billion stemmed from representation and warranties claims when institutional investors forced Bank of America to repurchase soured mortgages that had been originated by Countrywide Financial, a mortgage originator the bank acquired in early 2008.

The damage from these costs was substantial. As a result of them, Bank of America not only needed a $45 billion capital injection from the federal government to survive the crisis but it was also forced to dramatically dilute its shareholders in order to raise additional capital after its stock price had already plummeted.

The net result is that, even after the recent post-election rally in Bank of America's stock, its shares are still trading for roughly half their pre-crisis levels.

Fortunately, all of these costs are now in the rearview mirror. It's settled all material legal claims from the crisis. It closed its legacy assets and servicing division earlier this year, and the quality of its asset portfolio is beyond repute.

This bodes well for current holders of Bank of America's stock, who no longer need to be worried about how much the financial crisis cost the nation's second biggest bank by assets.
Image source: Disney.

Attendance has been sluggish atDisney's(NYSE: DIS)largest theme park resort this year, but Disney World is finding ways to boost its top line by generating more revenue from its visitors. The resort's latest premium offering -- Express Transportation -- rolled out last week.

The new service allows guests with park-hopper tickets -- premium-priced passes that allow visitors access to multiple theme parks on the same day -- the right to pay for an expedited park-to-park bus service. Disney World already offers complimentary bus, boat, and monorail transportation that takes guests around the massive resort, but they have to exit the park -- only to queue up for security clearance and admission scans at the next park -- to make that happen. Express Transportation picks up guests within the actual theme park and transports them through backstage areas to drop-off and pick-up hubs inside another park.

It's a brilliant deal, and at $15 a day for park-hopper or annual pass holders, it's a decent deal considering the time, walking, and check-in aggravation that's bypassed. Folks with park-hopper tickets can pay $24 for an entire week of access to Express Transportation.

Disney is making it easier to get from park to park for folks willing to pay a reasonable price, and it also stands to benefit from keeping guests on its property. Getting from park to park can be a chore sometimes, and it's often tempting to just head offsite for cheaper dining options. Express Transportation should spur an uptick in the sale of park-hopper tickets as well as keep guests on its property longer.

It's a win-win, and it's not going to be as controversial or head-turning as some of the other offerings Disney World has rolled out this year. With attendance declining through the March and June quarters before bouncing back slighting during the summer, Disney has been ramping up its premium-priced perks to get folks to spend more at the House of Mouse. Some are brilliant -- like the Express Transportation that kicked off last Wednesday -- and others have been outrageous. Let's look at some of the other services that have been introduced in 2016 to encourage visitors to spend more at Disney World.

Cabana rentals

Disney World's Magic Kingdom is the only theme park in the world that attracts more than 20 million guests a year, and last month, it swiped a page out of your local water park or high-end resort by offering up cabanas for visitors.

The Magic Kingdom cabanas aren't cheap, at $649 for the day, but that includes shady respite and cozy private lounge seating for as many as eight guests with complimentary beverages, charging stations, and storage. It's Disney's most extremely priced new perk, but with just a few cabanas available each day in the heart of Tomorrowland, it can afford to be selective.

Pay up for premium parking

Parking at any of Central Florida's leading theme parks isn't cheap, and until March of this year, it was basically $20 to enter one of Disney World's four theme park parking lots. Then Disney began to square away its primo parking spaces, offering them up to folks willing to pay $35 for a shorter walk to the park entrance.

Disney wasn't breaking new ground with this move. It's actually the last of the major area park operators to offer different pricing tiers.

Exclusive park access

Disney has offered guests staying at its resorts access to its gated attractions before and after the parks open to day guests for decades, but it raised the bar earlier this year when it rolled outDisney After Hoursin April. Magic Kingdom guests paying $149 would have access to roughly two dozen rides and character greeting stations for three hours after the official park closing on select nights. Bottled sodas and ice cream novelties were also included in the late-night event.

Disney would go on to offer cheaper morning-access events at the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Those offerings had shorter operating hours of exclusivity, but they did include breakfast. Disney recently announced that it's bringing back Disney After Hours come January, now calling it Disney After Dark at a slightly less insane price of $119 per person.Annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members can buy their way in at a discounted rate of $89.

Tiered one-day pricing

Disney shifted toon-demand pricingfor its single-day tickets in February. It split up its operating calendar into three distinct seasons, and now it costs as much as 18% more to visit a Disney World park during seasonally potent periods than it does during the value season lull.

Disney justified the shift as a way to reduce crowding on its busiest days, but we'll see if the park hits capacity later this month, as it did during last year's holiday season. Most visitors aren't on single-day tickets, so let's not assume that if the parks hit capacity later this month, Disney is generating 18% more per visitor. However, the shift will likely nudge infrequent visitors to consider multiday tickets, or even annual passes. There's always a method to the Mouse's madness.

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Rick Munarriz owns shares of Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Walt Disney. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Federal education officials are standing by their decision to cut ties with the nation's largest accreditor of for-profit colleges  a ruling that will bar hundreds of schools from providing federal financial aid and likely force some to close.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which oversees more than 250 institutions nationwide with a combined enrollment of 600,000 students, had appealed a September Education Department decision to strip it of credentialing authority.

Both Education Department staff and a federal advisory panel overseeing educational accreditors recommended the action based on ACICS' alleged longstanding failure to competently handle its oversight duties.

Education Secretary John B. King Jr. denied an appeal by the group on Monday on the grounds of "a profound lack of compliance" with federal standards for accreditors. King dismissed ACICS's argument that stripping its accreditor status would hurt currently enrolled students.

"The interests of students are of foremost concern to me and this department, but students' interests are best served by proper application of the recognition criteria," King wrote.

For students at closed schools, the government would offer forgiveness of federally guaranteed student loan debt.

Among the government's concerns were the poor employment outcomes among students at the ACICS institutions and findings of falsified graduate employment rates. Some of the council's schools had been investigated for fraud and other misconduct, including the now-defunct Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institute chains. At Corinthian alone, thousands of its former students are asking the Education Department to forgive their federal loans, in a taxpayer bailout that could top $3 billion.

The department's fall decision to terminate ACICS was made by Emma Vadehra, King's chief of staff at the time. She said "ACICS' track record does not inspire confidence that it can address all of the problems effectively."

In a statement, ACICS interim president Roger Williams said the organization would "seek immediate redress from the courts" to avoid de-recognition as an accreditor.

The move comes after the high-profile failure of major for-profit college chains amid questions about their business practices and the quality of the education they offered. In September, ITT Technical Institute announced it was shutting down all 130 of its U.S. campuses, leaving more than 35,000 students scrambling across more than 30 states. The chain was banned in late August from enrolling new students who used federal financial aid because Education Department officials said the company had become a risk to students and taxpayers.

Schools accredited by ACICS received $4.7 billion in federal student aid last year, money that will be cut off after 18 months if the schools do not find a new accrediting agency. Because the overwhelming majority of students use federal loans to finance their educations, ACICS accredited schools will need to find new accreditors or shut down in most instances.

Under federal rules, students who attend schools that shut down during their education are eligible to have their federal loans forgiven, meaning that the action against ACICS could prove costly for the government. But critics of for-profit education say that continuing to allow failing schools to enroll students would cost far more.

____

Associated Press writers Jennifer C. Kerr in Washington and Collin Binkley in Boston contributed to this report.
Image source: Getty Images.

Both Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) and Unilever plc (NYSE: UL) are prized by investors for their relative safety and generous dividends. As established consumer goods conglomerates, which between them sell everything from mayonnaise to diapers, the two companies provide a measure of safety against riskier holdings in investors' stock portfolios.

Recent sluggish global consumption trends have forced both companies to rethink their operating assumptions, and both have instituted significant change over the last two years -- although they've chosen markedly different paths. These decisions will inform our conclusion in this edition of The Motley Fool's "better buy" series.

Before discussing Procter & Gamble's and Unilever's business strategies, however, let's review their financial metrics to get a sense of how they compare. Note that since Unilever only releases full financial statements at mid-year and year-end, the following table is based on both organizations' trailin-12-month performance and balance sheet data as of June 30, 2016:

Data sources: SEC Filings, Ycharts, Yahoo! Finance.

The first few metrics reveal marked differences. Procter & Gamble recorded 12% more revenue than Unilever during the 12-month period. It also enjoyed a higher operating margin of roughly 6 percentage points, as well as a higher net profit margin of approximately 6.5 percentage points.

These advantages allowed P&G to deliver nearly double Unilever's net profit in absolute dollars, booking $10.5 billion in net profit versus $5.5 billion for Unilever.Procter & Gamble's margin advantage translates into higher operating cash flow, as it produced nearly 70% more operating cash than Unilever during the period.

If you're wondering about currency effects on the comparison, Unilever reports its earnings in euros, while P&G reports in U.S. dollars. During the 12-month measurement period, however, the net dollar-to-euro exchange rate shifted less than one-half a percent, albeit with a fair amount of fluctuation in between.

As for liquidity, Procter & Gamble has gradually improved its working capital position over the last several years, and has an acceptable current ratio of just over 1.0, meaning that it holds slightly more in current assets than it's obligated for in current liabilities. Unilever doesn't enjoy quite as high a current ratio.

A similar outcome is found when comparing solvency (a corporation's ability to pay long-term debt). While neither company can be said to have a solvency problem, P&G's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53 is preferable to Unilever's ratio, in which long-term debt of $16.4 billion slightly exceeds total equity of $15.1 billion.

The last few measures demonstrate some of the similarities between P&G and Unilever. Both offer significant dividends with rich yields, making them popular with dividend investors, and both pay out roughly three-quarters of net income in the form of dividends. They also bear fairly similar forward price-to-earnings valuations: Investors pay between 19 and 20 times one-year earnings per share for each of the two competitors.

What differentiates P&G and Unilever

As I mentioned above, consumer goods companies which compete globally are grappling with crimped consumer spending in a lukewarm economic environment. Over the last two trailing years, P&G and Unilever have each seen a total revenue decline of roughly 7%.

Unilever has dealt with curbed growth by focusing on portfolio innovation, revenue management strategies, zero-based budgeting, and "Connected 4 Growth," a type of organizational change described by CEO Paul Polman as an initiative which will make Unilever "more agile, lower cost, and more efficient."

The Netherlands and U.K. dual-domiciled company has also shown a willingness to experiment with sales. An example is its $1 billion acquisition ofDollar Shave Club, the subscription-based razor blade and men's grooming company. This purchase will assist Unilever in competing more effectively in the male shaving market with P&G, which owns blade giant Gillette. It will also help Unilever decrease its learning curve in offering more direct-to-consumer online retail sales.

Procter & Gamble has taken quite a different path in responding to revenue challenges, choosing to trim its portfolio down to 65 brands within 10 product categories. Over the past two years, the company has exited a total of 55 brands, with 50 more currently to be sold or discontinued. Yet these 105 brands represented only 6% of annual profit. The 10 remaining business units have historically grown at a faster pace, and with a higher margin, than overall company growth. During the company's most recent earnings call, management reiterated that it looked to maintain a market leadership position (i.e., No. 1 or 2) in each of the 10 categories going forward.

It's this broader stroke which ultimately lends P&G more potential for stock price appreciation in the near term.Unilever is enjoying fairly decent organic growth -- organic revenue is up 4.2% during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.Unilever's mission is to sustain this momentum while increasing operating leverage.

Procter & Gamble, on the other hand, has experienced fairly disappointing organic growth over several quarters. But by dispensing with lower-growth brands and product lines, the path of least resistance may be clearing.After achieving organic revenue growth of just one-half of 1% during fiscal 2016, which concluded in June, P&G reported an organic revenue increase of 3% in Q1 2017.

In sum, one can make a persuasive case to park money in either of these blue-chip conglomerates. But as our analysis reveals, P&G has one inherent edge in the form of higher operating margins. Moreover,for the next two- to three-year period, unless conditions change, Procter & Gamble's recent product trim will prove a greater catalyst for outperformance than the initiatives currently found in Unilever's playbook.

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With only two weeks left in 2016, one former oil executive has a hefty prediction regarding the price of black gold by the time the New Year arrives.

Recently, oil has been trading above $50 a barrel on optimism that an OPEC production cut will reduce the global supply glut.

Joe Petrowski, the former CEO of Gulf Oil and a self-proclaimed bull on oil, is forecasting that oil prices will rise even higherto $75 per barrel by the end of the year.

Demand is back in the U.S. rather strongly. World demand is up. There are supply problems, apart from the OPEC agreement, he explained to FOX Business Networks Neil Cavuto. Venezuela is a basket case. Mexicos production is falling off the cliff. Russia is struggling to meet production quotas. Chinas demand is strong and their industry needs a lot of capital to develop their shale formations, especially in the South China Sea.

Petrowski expressed concern about the state of independent refiners in the United States, which he says have been negatively impacted by renewable fuel mandates.

Most of the refiners have gotten out of their downstream distribution, so the small and independent refinerslike Philadelphia Energy, PBF, Western Refining are all in trouble, he said. And we need more refining capacity in the United States. So I think that will have its effect on refining margins and on refined products, which would be stronger.

The former oil exec also commented on speculation ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson could be President-elect Trumps choice for Secretary of State. Tillerson has come under fire from both liberals and conservatives for his reported ties to Russia.

Yes, hes met with the Russians a lot and hes dealt with them, but I find that to be a positive, Petrowski said. I know Rex and he will take on Russia. I think, unfortunately, hes in a difficult position because Im sure the left will kill him no matter what he does.

He added: If he takes sanctions off of Russia [then] they will accuse him of trying to benefit Exxon. If he leaves sanctions on, Russian production will collapse in a few years. Its already on a slippery slope because of the sanctions, and they need lots of capital to keep their industry going I think hell do whats in the interest of the American people.
Republican Gov.-elect Phil Scott said on Monday he expects to sell his share of his business, a construction company that has won millions of dollars in state contracts, before he takes office in January.

But Scott said he expects to act like a bank in financing the deal, which would give him a continuing interest in the company.

Scott, a part-time lieutenant governor who won election to the top job in November, is co-owner of Dubois Construction, a Middlesex-based heavy construction firm.

The Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times Argus reported in July 2015 that the company had won $3.785 million in state contracts since 2001, when Scott became a state senator from Washington County. Most of that, $2.657 million, was after he became lieutenant governor in 2011.

During the campaign, Scott said he would avoid any appearance of impropriety by selling his share of the company if elected governor before taking office.

On Monday, he said that he still planned to close that sale "before the end of the year" but that his financing the deal would be "part of the discussion."

"It'd be like being a bank," he said.

Asked if that gave him a continuing stake in the success of the business, Scott said, "No more than a bank would. ... They just want to protect their interests, but they don't advocate for your business. They don't make sure the business prospers. They're just there as the bank and make sure that they're paid in the end."

Scott's remarks drew criticism from Conor Casey, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party, and Paul Ryan, vice president of the Washington-based government ethics group Common Cause.

"He would have a direct financial interest in the company going forward," Casey said. "I don't think that's how it was advertised on the campaign trail."

Scott acknowledged it would be a cleaner break if the company got bank or other commercial financing to buy him out.

"If they could get one, sure," he said. "I don't know if you've been out in the business climate to get, to secure a loan of this nature."

Ryan said Scott had not solved the ethical problem he promised to solve during the campaign. He said Scott "has an ongoing conflict" by financing "a private business that's doing business with his government."

Ryan said he feared Scott may have been "emboldened" by the approach being taken by Republican President-elect Donald Trump to his own "massive conflicts of interest."

Trump, a New York real estate mogul, has said he'll step away from managing his business empire while he's in office but isn't going to sell it. If he follows through, he'll shatter a presidential precedent on conflicts of interest, and ethics experts say he'll open the door to investigations and lawsuits that could hobble his administration.

Scott reiterated he had not supported Trump during the campaign and disagreed with him on many issues.

Ryan, told of Scott's stance, said, "Though the governor may disagree with Trump on many issues, he seems to agree that conflicts of interest are no big deal."
A federal judge in Texas reversed course on Monday and canceled a scheduled deposition from a Massachusetts official who is looking into whether Exxon Mobil misled the public about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change.

Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, was to have been deposed in Dallas on Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by the company claiming that her investigation was politically motivated.

U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade canceled the deposition in a one-sentence order without explanation. The judge last week declined to issue a stay pending an ongoing review by a federal appeals court.

The legal battle began this year when Healey and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, also a Democrat, demanded documents from Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp. in what they said was an effort to determine if the company deceived investors and consumers by hiding what it knew about the link between burning fossil fuels and climate change.

Healey's office said it was authorized under Massachusetts law to investigate corporate actions that could affect residents of the state.

"We are pleased that the federal judge has canceled this unprecedented deposition order," Healey spokeswoman Chloe Gotsis said. "Our office has argued strongly that the Texas court has no jurisdiction over our investigation and we will continue to urge it to dismiss Exxon's lawsuit against us."

Exxon Mobil said it would have no comment on the judge's ruling.

The company originally agreed to turn over documents to New York and had initially sued only Healey but later amended the lawsuit to add Schneiderman and asked the federal court to throw out New York's subpoena.

Schneiderman spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said the company's litigation represents "a blatant attempt to avoid accountability under New York law."
Sometimes when McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) tries a bizarre product in an overseas market, it's a trial run before bringing it to the United States. That's not the case with the Gurakoro burger, a fried shrimp and macaroni croquette served with lettuce on a bun. The slightly spicy, puffed-up patty comes topped with either a thick egg sauce or cheddar cheese and a demi-glace sauce. It's a treat aimed specifically at the Japanese market where it has a cult-like following, much like the McRib does in the United States, according to The Daily Meal.

The limited-time-offering, which has been dubbed the "SuperGurakoro," costs the equivalent of about $3 and McDonald's has been selling it with "tomato cream" seasoning for fries. While that sounds like a liquid, it's actually a shake-on powder that you put in the bag with the fries, shake, and eat. That's a concept that the company has tested in its home market (though not with the tomato cream flavor).

The fried patty is filled with shrimp and macaroni. Image source: McDonald's.

McDonald's is a truly global company

While McDonald's locations across the world sell many of the staples on the American menu that made the company famous, the chain does tweak its offerings for local markets. That has made the fast-food company both an American icon and a global company.

In fact, in 2015, the last full year McDonald's has reported on [opens in PDF], the U.S. only accounted for 34% of total revenues while "lead markets" (established markets including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) accounted for 30%. "high growth markets" (markets believed to have relatively higher restaurant expansion and franchising potential, including China, Italy, Korea, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands) brought in 24% of the total and the rest (about 12%) came from corporate activities as well as "foundational" markets believed to have potential, but largely unexplored by the company.

The U.S. market has been a growth struggle for McDonald's, and the numbers were better in its most recent reporting period in the rest of the world. Domestic stores only posted a 1.3% comparable growth rate while the international lead segment increased 3.3%, the high-growth markets grew by 1.5%, and sales in foundational markets climbed by 10.1%.

It's global growth that has been a driver for the chain for the past few years, though all-day breakfast has spurred a U.S. turnaround since it was launched in October 2015. Offers like the SuperGurakoro, while it will almost certainly never be sold in the U.S.,have an important place in the company's global lineup.

"Our third quarter results, including our fifth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales across all segments as well as improved restaurant profitability, are a testament to the progress we are making to satisfy the needs of today's dynamic customers," said CEO Steve Easterbook in the earnings release.

McDonald's has been a leader

In some cases on the global stage, it's easy for American companies to rely on their domestic success to wow international audiences. That works, for a time, but at some point the novelty wears off and the chain must at least partly cater to local tastes.

McDonald's has shown a strong ability to do this. The company has regularly launched products in all its major markets that appeal to those customers, while also offering U.S. favorites where appropriate. The Gurakoro has been an annual hit and this tweak on it, the SuperGurakoro, should drive strong sales in Japan while the new fries will further test a product that has potential in all the chain's markets.

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To the surprise of many, OPEC's most recently proposed production cut is actually going through.

In this clip from Industry Focus: Energy, Motley Fool analyst Sean O'Reilly and Fool contributor Adam Levine-Weinberg talk about how this will change the oil market given how the industry stands right now and whether investors might want to use this as an opportunity to buy stock in some oil companies.

A full transcript follows the video.

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Sean O'Reilly: We have to talk about the big news of the week, which is OPEC actually pulling off a production cut. Did your jaw hit the floor?

Adam Levine-Weinberg: A little bit. It seemed likeit was going that way, but there were a lot of questions about whether OPEC would reallyget to a final agreement among its members,especially Iraq and Iran which werepushing back a lot on the idea thatthey would have to cut production.

O'Reilly:They werevery publicly meanto each other at times. AndI assume that's part of the negotiation process.

Levine-Weinberg:Yeah,it's part of the negotiation process, but you also have this problem where everybody in OPEC basically wants for OPEC to cut production. They just can't agree onwho is going to do the cutting. Iran and Iraq would love foreverybody else to cut production,because then they get to sell more at a higher price. The problem is, when you need to cut, unless it's spread evenly,then you have certain countries --and in the past, it's usually been Saudi Arabia --taking a lot of the brunt of lower production.

O'Reilly:Yeah.I remember when I was in high school economics class,talking about perfect competition and monopolyand all this stuff, and my professor talked about a cartel, andOPEC is the quintessential example. He was like, "You haveevery incentive to cheat." Itdoesn't make sense, because it would be like, if everybody just cuts production 2%, the price will double, and everybody wins dollar-wise. It is amazing to me how he was right.

Levine-Weinberg:Yeah. That'sexactly true. Now,we should not, right now, assume that the price of oilis going to double. There are several factors --

O'Reilly:That washypothetical, I apologize.

Levine-Weinberg:No, I see the point. Oil prices will, all things equal, go up. Butthere are some factors that are going to keep it down. First,you have really high inventories out there, because the past two or three years, everybody's been pumping way too much, at least a million barrels per dayabove what the actual demand has been. So, that's just all gone into storage. Andeven with this production cut it, it's probably going to take a couple of years to getinventoriesback down to a more normal level. On top of that, if oil prices go up by $10 or,especially if they go up by $20 a barrel, you'regoing to see a lot of activity by U.S. shale oil companies. In the past two years, they have been forced to cut their costs by a lot andbecome much more efficient. In 2013 and 2014 you would hear people throwing out $70 or $80 a barrel as breakeven. A lot of these companies are making money -- not a lot of money, but they are making some money at $50 a barrel. If you see those prices go to $70, they're going to be back in the market in a big way.

O'Reilly:For sure. Those guysdown in the Permian Basin, you look at the cost curves of these companies, since 2012,you kind of have to tip your hat to them. Bottom line, does today's newsmake you interested in any oil stocks?

Levine-Weinberg:Marginally. I think,if you're looking to get into the oil market,it's not a terrible time to start thinking about those companies,I would really focus on the best in class, lowest cost producers,because those are the ones that are going to be able to ramp upproduction while actually still making money, as opposed to, a few years ago, ramping upproduction and not making any money.

O'Reilly:Wouldn't that be nice, toactually make money?

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Long term investors are, generally speaking, an optimistic group. You have to be if you're going to entrust your hard-earned savings to total strangers and hope they do the right thing, let alone make you money along the way. And that trust, or lack thereof, is the simple reason I won't buy Energy Transfer Equity (NYSE: ETE).

Image Source: Energy Transfer Equity

The big busted deal

The big news surrounding Energy Transfer Equity not too long ago was a plan to acquire The Williams Companies (NYSE: WMB). There was a significant cash component to the deal that would have required Energy Transfer Equity to issue units or take on debt. After the drop in oil prices roiled the energy markets, either of those actions would have been a big problem.

Essentially, a big drop in Energy Transfer Equity's price would have made selling units highly dilutive. And adding debt would likely have led to a distribution cut. In short, buying Williams turned out to be a really bad call. That's why Energy Transfer Equity worked so hard to get out of the deal.

That was probably the right move for investors, but the actions taken to scuttle the agreement were, to my mind, suspect. For example, the partnership sold convertible shares to make the deal less likely to happen because of contractual issues. Purposely running afoul of contract terms you agreed to isn't the type of thing I like to see, though I might have been able to forgive the move in time.

What I can't forgive is that roughly half of the convertible sale went to Kelsey Warren, Energy Transfer Equity's CEO. The convertible could have shielded the CEO from some of the pain of a distribution cut if the deal went through. That's not exactly putting shareholders first, in my eyes.

The logic makes sense, but why now? Image source: Energy Transfer Equity

Water under the bridge?

That acquisition never went through. You could easily argue that the actions the company, and CEO, took were, in the end, good for investors. But at what cost to the company's image? And now two of the partnerships that Energy Transfer Equity controls are merging. Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL) is buying Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) in an all-stock deal.

Energy Transfer Partners unitholders were given a 10% premium to the price before the deal was announced -- not great but not bad. The acquisition logic, meanwhile, is centered on increased scale, cost synergies, and strengthened finances. Since Energy Transfer Equity essentially controls both of these partnerships, there's little doubt in my mind that this deal actually gets consummated.

However, because of the botched Williams deal I have to wonder what's really behind the acquisition. Could it be an attempt to get rid of what might be considered a tainted Energy Transfer name, since the smaller company is buying the larger one? Why weren't these two partnerships merged long ago if the synergies are so great? And, the real kicker, who's going to benefit most from the deal?

The minnow swallows the whale? Image Source: Energy Transfer Equity

For example, a key highlight of the deal is that the merger will allow for near-term distribution increases at the combined entity. Energy Transfer Equity, however, is the general partner and has the opportunity to benefit from incentive payments for distribution increases at the partnerships it runs. Maybe this deal, over the long haul, will be more beneficial for Energy Transfer Equity than either Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. or Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.

Gotta have trust

Here's the thing: I don't have a good answer to these questions. In fact, only time will tell if my skepticism is justified. But that I'm even thinking such things is a big problem, driven by management's past actions. I simply don't believe management has the best interest of its stakeholders at heart after watching what happened with Williams. And because of that, I don't feel comfortable touching anything associated with the Energy Transfer name. If you're looking at any of the Energy Transfer companies, I suggest you think long and hard about the recent past before you give the top brass your hard-earned savings.

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's challenges to China on trade and Taiwan are rattling American companies who have long benefited from stable relations between the two countries but now fear retaliation by Beijing if Trump were to act.

Trump jarred Chinese officials on Sunday by saying the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China." Beijing expressed "serious concern" about Trumps remarks.

Four U.S. industry sources who follow China policy closely said they were unsettled by any suggestion of abandoning the "one China" policy, which they said had served the business community well for several decades.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, stressed the importance of stability for businesses. They said Beijing could retaliate against U.S. companies that do business in China if Trump takes his tougher line too far.

"The Chinese are deeply concerned and we hear now from reliable sources in Beijing who suggest the Chinese government, the Communist Party, are developing lists of U.S. interests against which they could retaliate, commercial interests, and obviously one merely has to look at top U.S. exports to China to get a quick sense of whose heads may be on the chopping block," said one China trade policy expert who interacts closely with U.S. business.

The expert pointed out that more than 30 states have over $1 billion in exports to China and that there is over $500 billion in commercial engagements by U.S. companies in China. All of that would be at risk if China retaliated.

"That commercial engagement supports American jobs, many American jobs here in the United States," the expert said.

Another source said there had been "quiet outreach" by the U.S. business community to Trump's advisers but companies were wary of discussing their concerns about the China policy publicly for fear of becoming a target for the president-elect, who has singled out companies such as Carrier and Boeing.

From Detroit's car makers to Silicon Valley's technology champions, China is both a critical source of revenue and profits, and a vital link in global supply chains.

More than four decades after President Richard Nixon upset the status quo of his time with a surprise visit to Beijing, what's good for U.S.-China relations is good for General Motors and Starbucks and Apple and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

China has hit U.S. goods with retaliatory tariffs in the past when disputes flared. China in 2011 slapped duties on U.S.-made large cars and sport utilities as part of a trade dispute.

The stakes are higher now.

More than one-third of the 9.96 million vehicles General Motors Co sold globally in 2015 were delivered to Chinese customers. Profits from Chinese operations, including joint ventures, accounted for about 20 percent of GM's global net income of $9.7 billion in 2015. Ford Motor Co's China JVs represented about 16 percent of its global pre-tax profit of $9.4 billion in 2015.

U.S. retail giant Wall Mart Stores Inc has 432 stores in China, while coffee chain Starbucks Corp has 2,500 stores there and outgoing CEO Howard Schultz told investors China will one day be a bigger market for the firm than the United States.

Aircraft maker Boeing Co plans to build a "completion" factory in China for its 737 jets, anticipating the country will need 6,800 new jetliners worth $1 trillion over the next 20 years.

"The United States and China are in a symbiotic relationship, we are wed to each other and do best when we grow together," said Susan Aaronson, a professor at George Washington University who teaches corruption and good governance.

The total value of U.S. trade with China was $599 billion in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, of which $116 billion was exports to China from U.S. producers, while U.S. companies imported $483 billion in goods from China.

Alan Deardorff, professor of international economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, said that if U.S.-China trade tensions were to reach a boiling point, "the pain would be widespread and deep for U.S. businesses.

Trump and his advisers have said the U.S.-China trade deficit reflects bad trade deals and currency manipulation by the Chinese government, which they said justifies a tougher response than in the past.

George Washington University's Aaronson said that while Taiwan is a sensitive topic, if Trump pushes ahead with trade tariffs that is far more likely to translate into retaliation against U.S. firms in China.

"China's leaders need stability and Trump is totally disruptive," Aaronson said. "They will need to signal their strength in return."

(Reporting by Nick Carey in Chicago and Ginger Gibson in Washington; additional reporting by Paul Lienert and Bernie Woodall in Detroit, Meredith Davis and Tom Polansek in Chicago, Alwyn Scott in Seattle, Caren Bohan and David Brunnstrom in Washington; editing by Joseph White and Grant McCool)
U.S. shale production is set to snap a five-month decline in January, the U.S. government said on Monday, a move that comes just days after OPEC and rival producers agreed to reduce crude output in an effort to boost prices.

The month-on-month increase in production would be the first since July and the second rise in a year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's drilling productivity report.

January production will edge up 1,400 barrels per day to 4.542 million bpd, the EIA said. In December, it was expected to drop by 29,000 bpd.

In the Permian Basin of West Texas, output is projected to rise by 37,000 bpd to 2.13 million bpd, the data showed.

North Dakota's Bakken oil production was set to drop by 13,000 bpd to 906,000 bpd. Eagle Ford output in South Texas was set to drop by 23,000 bpd to 980,000 bpd.

On Saturday, members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and rival producers agreed to cut global output in their first such deal since 2001. As part of the deal, non-OPEC producers would scale back output by 558,000 bpd.

The cutbacks, on top of the 1.2 million bpd by OPEC, would start in January.

Analysts point out, however, that production cuts globally would encourage further price increases, allowing U.S. shale drillers to ramp up output following a two-year oil rout.

Goldman Sachs said on Sunday that U.S. shale production is on track to grow in the first quarter, with producers achieving 800,000 bpd of annual production growth at $55 a barrel.

Total natural gas production was forecast to increase in January for the first time in five months to 47.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd), the EIA said. That would be up almost 0.1 bcfd from December.

The biggest regional decline was expected to be in the Eagle Ford, down almost 0.2 bcfd to 5.4 bcfd in January, the lowest level of output in the basin since November 2013, the EIA said.

Output in the Marcellus formation in the eastern U.S. was set to rise by almost 0.2 bcfd to 18.5 bcfd in January, a third consecutive increase.

EIA also said producers drilled 635 wells and completed 570 in the biggest shale basins in November, leaving total drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) up 65 at 5,218, the most since May.
Education Secretary John B. King Jr. has upheld his department's decision to cut ties with the nation's largest accreditor of for-profit colleges.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools was appealing a previous decision to revoke its oversight of hundreds of for-profit colleges. The U.S. Department of Education made that decision in September after the council was accused of lax oversight.

Some of the council's schools had been investigated for fraud and other misconduct, including the now-defunct Cortina College and ITT Technical Institute chains.

King cited the accreditor's "pervasive noncompliance" with regulations.

The council's schools now have 18 months to find a new accreditor or lose access to federal funding, which could force some to close.
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The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected former American International Group CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg's bid to escape civil fraud charges in New York accusing him of orchestrating sham transactions at the insurer.

The justices left in place a June ruling by the New York Court of Appeals that his trial on charges brought by the New York Attorney General's Office could proceed. The non-jury trial of Greenberg, 91, started in September. He has already testified in his own defense.

But the parties agreed at the end of November to put the trial on hold until January while they enter into mediation aimed at resolving the case.

Greenberg's lawyers declined to comment on the Supreme Court action. A spokesman for New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had no immediate comment.

Greenberg led the New York-based insurance giant for four decades before he was ousted in 2005. The following year, AIG paid $1.64 billion to settle federal and state probes into its business practices.

He has asserted that the case should have been over in 2013 when a $115 million settlement with AIG shareholders over improper accounting received court approval. New York was forced to drop its damages claims because of that decision.

Justice Charles Ramos of New York state court in Manhattan is presiding over Greenberg's trial, and in September began directly questioning Greenberg.

The appeals court also ruled in June that the state could seek to recoup from Greenberg and co-defendant Howard Smith, AIG's former chief financial officer, tens of millions of dollars in bonuses and interest covering the 2000-2005 period when the alleged fraud occurred. More than $55 million may be at stake.

In addition, the court said the state could seek to ban Greenberg and Smith from the securities industry and from serving as officers or directors of public companies.

Greenberg currently is chairman and CEO of CV Starr & Co, a private insurance company. Smith is its vice chairman of finance.

AIG was rescued by the U.S. government in September 2008 to stave off bankruptcy after the company ran up billions of dollars in losses stemming from insurance it wrote on shoddy mortgage securities.

The case was brought under the Martin Act, the 1921 New York law that former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer revived in the early 2000s to go after major financial institutions. In November, Schneiderman raised concerns that President-elect Donald Trump would seek to weaken the state law.

At issue are two transactions, the first concerning General Re, a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. The suit claims Greenberg orchestrated a $500 million transaction that boosted loss reserves without transferring risk.

The second transaction, with Capco Reinsurance Co, allegedly hid a $210 million underwriting loss in an auto-warranty program.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley. Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Will Dunham)
China's 22nd-century-esque Traffic Elevated Bus (TEB) once promised to drastically reduce congestion in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. A recent report finds the project has reached a dead end after getting attention -- and money -- from numerous investors.

The only functional TEB prototype is covered by a thick layer of dust and grime in a large, makeshift hangar located in the coastal city of Qinhuangdao. It hasn't moved in months, and the security guards in charge of keeping an eye on the site say that no one has gone near the two-story-tall behemoth in weeks. They're concerned the project has been shelved once and for all.

"The managers from the company have long drifted away, and I am unable to contact them," explained one of the guards in an interview with The Shanghaiist.

More: Hyperloop just took a major step toward becoming a reality in Dubai

The TEB's future looked promising last August when the now-idle prototype began testing on a 328-meter stretch of road that Huaying Group, the company in charge of the project, leased from Qinhuangdao. However, observers quickly began raising serious doubts about how the TEB could be neatly integrated into China's oft-chaotic streets. Notably, skeptics pointed out taller vehicles such as delivery trucks would be unable to drive under the bus because it only has 82 inches of clearance. Others noted that it's a train, not a bus, because it rides on tracks.

More serious issues followed. About a month after the first test was carried out, Chinese media outlets reported the TEB project was a pipe dream fabricated by Huaying Group to scam investors out of billions of yuan. Further investigation revealed the company hadn't started building its first factory yet; in fact, government officials hadn't even given Huaying permission to develop the site. Reporters who traveled to the location of the factory found kids playing on a slightly littered vacant plot of land, not bulldozers, cranes, and cement mixers in action.

Investors soon walked away from the project, sometimes asking for their money back, which left Huaying strapped for cash. No one has ever managed to prove the TEB project was a scam -- it could have been the victim of a smear campaign by the Chinese media. Of course, it could also simply be a half-baked, under-funded idea that's too impractical for mass implementation. Qinhuangdao residents don't want to find out why the project screeched to a halt; the TEB hangar was built on a public road so they want the prototype gone as fast as possible.

One thing is certain: The futuristic, traffic-hopping bus that promised to alleviate China's chronic traffic woes will remain a prototype in the foreseeable future.
When Hollywood hottie Ryan Gosling sat down with GQ magazine he opened up about the rumored fight he had with movie icon Harrison Ford.

Working with Ford on Blade Runner 2049, Gosling confirmed the man he called his hero punched him while on set but played down the incident, adding that people say you shouldnt meet your heroes ..unless they're Harrison Ford Cause he's a cool motherf--ker.

About the punch, Gosling revealed, "We were just doing a fight scene and, you know, it just happened.

Raised in Cornwall, Ontario, Gosling told GQ that Ford did offer a gesture of apology. He came by afterward with this bottle of scotch, and I thought, Oh, I knew this was coming. And he pulled out a glass from his pocket, poured me a glass, and walked away with the rest of the bottle. So I guess he felt like he didn't connect enough to earn a whole bottle.

Gosling chose to meet the GQ writer in the unlikely spot of a tomb in Budapest, Hungary, supposedly inhabited by Dracula  a setting as surreal as his life at the moment.

Although currently living in Hungary for the last four months while shooting Blade Runner 2049, Gosling is hot off the new movie La La Land, where the former-Mickey Mouse Club member and Oscar nominee sings and dances as a jazz pianist.

The film received seven Golden Globe nominations on Monday.

Gosling told GQ he was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend three months working with a jazz pianist so that he could really try and understand and embody a Thelonious Monk piece and also learning how to do some of the styles of dance I wish I had spent time on when I was a kid.

Despite the accolades, Gosling worries people wont understand La La Land.

"You know, people are breaking into song and dancing and flying in the stars, and [the audience is] also having to accept them as real people in the world. That was a challenge. There's nothing cynical about this movie, and there's no out for us to say, 'Just kidding!' We can't be ironic about it," he told GQ. "There's no avenue for that in this. It wears its heart on its sleeve, this film."

Goslings wife, Eva Mendes, and two daughters, Esmeralda and Amanda, are with him in Hungary. Gosling gushed, Evas the dream mother, and theyre dream babies, and its like a dream that Im having right now. Im dreaming it all.

Gosling, who will grace the cover in January, says fatherhood encourages him to be a better man.

"When you meet your kids you realize that they deserve great parents," he explains. "And then you have your marching orders and you have to try and become the person that they deserve."

GQ's January 2017 issue is on newsstands nationwide Dec. 20.
Bill Cosby hopes to cop a plea that will allow him to avoid any prison time for his alleged sex crimes, according to a source close to the disgraced comedian.

After a Pennsylvania judge ruled the shocking testimony in a 2005 civil lawsuit in which he admitted to giving women drugs before having sex with them admissible, Cosby plans to ask his attorneys to seek a plea deal to avoid a trial, the source said.

Cosby has been charged with three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault in a 2004 incident involving a former Temple University student. A criminal trial is scheduled to begin in June.

He has been accused of drugging and raping more than 50 women.

He and his family, including his wife, Camille, are adamant that Bill wont be able to convince a jury to let him off, a source close to the Cosbys told The Post.

Cosby and his family believe hell be eligible for a sentence of just probation . . . and remove the threat of him dying in prison, the source said.

Click for more from the New York Post.
"Legends & Lies: The Patriots" is airing a special "Forgotten Heroes" episode Sunday examining the Revolutionary War from the perspective of slaves who, despite their subjugation, took up arms to fight the British.

Throughout the war, black troops were an essential component in a war effort marked by razor thin margins of victory. By the time the Battle of Yorktown commenced, nearly one quarter of the rebel forces on hand were slaves.

These troops prove essential to victory, the surrender of the British, and the American independence that, ironically, they were not able to share in.

This special "Forgotten Heroes" installment is part of the 10-episode "Legends & Lies" series that dispels historical exaggerations and falsehoods that have developed over the years.

Executive Producer Bill O'Reilly combines his own research with the knowledge of leading experts to paint a new picture of the heroes and patriots who shaped America.

"Legends & Lies: The Patriots" airs Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on FOX News Channel.
Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid showed off their insane bikini bodies as they enjoyed a break in the sun before Christmas.

The top models looked sensational in a pair of black bikinis as they posed seductively on a jet ski together, The Sun reports.

Bella, 20, was taking a much-needed break with her pals after making her Victorias Secret debut in Paris. Also on her trip to an unknown exotic location was her fellow Angel Elsa Hosk.

The girls all shared some sexy Instagram snaps with Emily showing off her sand-covered peachy bum in one racy pic.

PICS: Best and worst celebrity beach bodies (okay mostly best)

Emily, 25, has been busy filming the sexy Love Magazine advent calendar which saw her writhing around in a leopard print coat.

It comes after she slammed photographer Jonathan Leder for releasing nude photos of her. The model stripped down to her bare body for a shoot four years ago and the pics have since been leaked.

The "Gone Girl" star thinks the published pictures are a violation of her privacy because they have been used out of context.

The brunette beauty took to social media to share her upset, tweeting: Ive been resisting speaking publicly on the recently released photos by Jonathan Leder to avoid giving him publicity. But Ive had enough. This book and the images within them are a violation.

5 out of the now 100s of released photos were used for what they were intended: an artful magazine shoot back in 2012 (sic).

Emily  who shot to fame after prancing around without her clothes on in Pharrell Williams and Robin Thickes "Blurred Lines" music video  believes Jonathans actions go against everything she in believes in.

She continued: These photos being used w/out my permission is an example of exactly the opposite of what I stand for. Women choosing when and how they want to share their sexuality and bodies. (sic).

The explicit pictures, which have reportedly been published without her permission, have been printed in a book titled "The Emily Ratajkowski Collectors Edition" by Imperial Pictures Publishing and include over 70 portraits of Emily in her birthday suit.

In the images, Emily can be seen kneeling up against a chair clutching at her breasts at the Cape House in Woodstock in New York, while looking seductively into the camera.

This story originally appeared in The Sun and has been republished here with permission.
In the face of a life-threatening diagnosis, Eva Ekvall, a former Miss Venezuela and fourth runner-up to Miss Universe, embarked on a campaign to raise breast cancer awareness, going from school to school, visiting a long list of organizations and making commercials exhorting women to get screened early. She wrote a book about her life, hoping it would make a difference.

Ekvalls crusade to inform women about breast cancer was cut short when she died at the age of 28. And now her husband, radio producer John Fabio Bermudez, is struggling to continue her legacy.

With her life ending so abruptly, her family is unsure how she should best be remembered.

She reached many people, many young people with her story. A lot more people are more aware of cancer and cancer screening because of her. The whole country was moved by her story. She had such an impact, Bermudez told Fox News Latino. Now I have to figure out how to continue what she started.

Ekvall was 26 and a new mom when she was diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy, with a photographer chronicling every step of the process.

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"I feel its changed my life for the better. Now I feel I have this great responsibility as a spokeswoman about this sickness that is so horrible to some," she told Fox News Latino eight months before her death. "To me...its been eye-opening and its helped me to understand who I am and where I am going."

She ended up publishing Fuera de Foco, a personal account which took readers on her excruciating yet moving journey through chemotherapy and a double mastectomy.



She became Venezuela's public face of cancer, reminding people young and old that anyone could end up with cancer. It didn't discriminate, striking even the rich and the beautiful.

She wanted her book to go far, to reach outside of Venezuela. Hopefully, that can still happen.  John Fabio Bermudez, Eva Ekvall's husband

Months after the book was released, when her life seemed to be in an upswing, she made an alarming discovery. Despite the fact that she no longer had breasts --only a partial millimeter left of her lymph nodes-- her breast cancer had returned. And it had spread to four organs.

"The news was devastating," her husband said. "All she wanted to do was continue her message. To continue making an impact."

This time though, Ekvall was too weak to continue the work she started when she was first diagnosed.

She wanted to continue writing. This time though, she had no energy.



Village of Dwarfs May Hold Clues to Cure Cancer

"She got to write three pages from sheets she tore from a notebook. She wrote any time she felt better," Bermudez said. "But most of the time, she was too weak to write."

Ekvall died at the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston, a facility that treats clients with advanced stages of cancer. While the facility is controversial because it uses unconventional methods to treat cancer  Ekvall refused to undergo more rounds of chemotherapy  it successfully treated a cancer survivor friend of hers, ex-Menudo member Robi Draco Rosa.

Bermudez said his wife's cause of death was complications from pneumonia.

There is talk now of starting a foundation in Ekvall's honor, though the idea is in the early stages.

"I'm trying to restart my life now," said Bermudez, who spent time with relatives in Florida before returning with his 2-year-old girl to Venezuela recently. "Right now I'm just concentrating on rebuilding my life."

Bermudez said Ekvall would have wanted her work to continue. But toward the end, she was too weak to tell him how.

One thing she did want was for her book to reach the U.S. market in English.

Miss Universe 2011: 7 of 16 Semi-Finalists Were Latinas

Bermudez said while Ekvall was in Houston, patients would inquire about her book. He said nurses would read aloud and translate it to groups who wanted to read it but couldn't comprehend Spanish.

"She wanted her book to go far, to reach outside of Venezuela," Bermudez said. "Hopefully, that can still happen."

As for the second book, it may remain unfinished. It was cut too short, just like her life.

"I won't even try to finish it," Bermudez said. "She was the talented one. I'm not."

Watch Ekvall during an interview with Fox News Latino

To reach the writer, email carolyn.salazar@foxnewslatino.com

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Yarelis Bonilla, a 5-year-old cancer patient who found herself in a limbo due to a visa dispute involving her older sister, left a New Jersey hospital Monday and is ready to resume her life.

Doctors at Hackensack University Medical Center's Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital are optimistic that Yarelis Bonilla will make a full recovery after spending the last six weeks in the hospital, several months after being diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Former Miss Venezuela Loses Battle with Breast Cancer

"She was very lucky to have a matched sibling donor; those are the patients who usually do the best," said Dr. Alfred Gillio, who performed the transplant last month. "We had a great time with her," he added. "She was a great patient."

That transplant almost didn't happen. The State Department twice denied her sister a visitor's visa to travel from El Salvador so that she could save Yarelis' life.

According to the doctor, Bonilla spent 28 days in isolation during which she did art projects, played with makeup and typed on a computer. One thing she didn't do much of was eat, he said.

Asked what she looked forward to eating when she got home, she said shyly: "Eggs."

She should be able to return to school in three months, Gillio said.

Quinceanera Party Despite Cancer

Her sister, Gisselle Bonilla Ramirez, was determined to be a perfect match for her sister after the whole family was tested.

Bonilla Ramirez lives with her grandmother in El Salvador, while Yarelis lives with her parents in Elizabeth.

After Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, stepped in to help, federal officials agreed to provide her with a humanitarian visa in early December. She arrived at Newark Liberty Airport to much fanfare two days before Christmas. She is scheduled to return to El Salvador on March 21.

Bonilla Ramirez said she felt good and "didn't feel anything" after donating the bone marrow, and said she thought her sister looked pretty without hair.

Village of Dwarves May Hold Secret to Cure Cancer

"The most difficult part was trying to get Gisselle to the U.S.," the girls' grandfather, Gertrudis Ramirez, said. "But we're a very close family, and that helped us get through everything."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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California health officials have found mercury in an illegal skin-lightening cream smuggled in from Mexico.

Medical officials became alarmed when a 39-year-old Mexican-American woman in Alameda County was diagnosed with mercury poisoning, giving her headaches, numbness, depression and forgetfulness. After scouring her home for the likely culprit, they determined that the lightening cream was to blame.

Health investigators are currently going undercover in some San Francisco Bay Area ethnic communities to root out the foreign-made products whose pigment-busting ingredient can have damaging side effects.

The unlabeled jars of mercury-laced cream are typically used to lighten skin, fade freckles and age spots, as well as treat acne.

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The investigators are working with health and beauty workers in the immigrant communities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose to hunt for the skin creams in shops and at swap meets, while encouraging families to dispose of the products safely.

The California Department of Public Health sent out a medical alert to health care professionals earlier this month, calling on them to notify the state of potential mercury poisoning cases and to ask their patients to stop using their creams.

California health officials worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to write a report in January that indicated at least 22 people in five households in California and Virginia had shared skin-lightening creams made in Mexico. Twelve people in California and 10 in Virginia had mercury in their bloodstream; the highest levels were among women who typically used the cream at least twice a day.

Officials would not release the names of the people in the study that began in 2010, saying they wanted to protect their privacy. After the study began, samples of the cream tested in Virginia showed that it contained 5 to 6 percent mercury, according to state health officials there.

The Minnesota Department of Health warned residents last year that skin lightening products being sold in African, Asian, Latino and Middle Eastern communities in the Twin Cities contained dangerous levels of mercury. The Environmental Protection Agency has warned about the presence of the heavy metal in creams sold in the Chicago area.

Venezuelan Beauty Queen Turned Breast Cancer Crusader Dies

California health officials believe there likely are many more people who are using the cream and are unaware of its dangers. The products often enter this country hidden in luggage, or are smuggled across the border. Then the creams are sold under the counter at shops and pharmacies that cater to ethnic communities whose cultural norms lean toward lighter skin as a marker of beauty.

"That is the largest incidence that we're aware of here in California," said Dr. Rupali Das, chief of the exposure assessment section at the California Department of Public Health, of the Alameda County cases.

Mercury poisoning can harm the body's nervous system and kidneys, and even affect personality, health officials say.

The CDC report found that six of those in the study had symptoms consistent with chronic exposure to mercury, including numbness, tingling, dizziness, forgetfulness, headaches and depression. All reported getting their creams either directly from Mexico or from relatives in Virginia who had purchased the creams in Mexico.

Twelve of those with mercury levels found in their urine had not used the creams, but likely were exposed to it by hands that still carried traces of the heavy metal. The youngest among those was an 8-month-old baby.

"It is most harmful on the nervous system and the kidneys and then can also cause changes in personality and a variety of other problems," said Das, a co-author of the CDC report. "We're concerned about the harmful effects that mercury can have on children. It can delay their development and they might not catch up  ever."

The mercury blocks melanin, which gives skin and hair its pigmentation.

Village of Dwarfs May Hold Clues to Cure Cancer

But even mild to moderate toxicity due to inorganic mercury can include irritability, difficulty with concentration and memory loss. Insomnia and weight loss can also be side effects and so can tingling in hands, feet or around the lips.

Some of the creams collected and analyzed by California medical officials contained mercury levels 20,000 to 56,000 parts per million. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows only trace levels of mercury in creams, or less than 1 part per million.

Latinas, Asians and Filipinas were the predominant users of the creams in California, Das said. For some members of those cultures, traditionally darker skinned people were the laborers who worked outside in the sun, she said, while lighter skin was often considered a symbol of higher social status and wealth.

The family in Alameda used unlabeled face cream in a white plastic jar that was produced in Jalisco or Michoacan, Mexico. They got the cream from a relative in Virginia who has been purchasing the jars from an individual in Mexico.

The highest mercury levels were in the woman and her 4-year-old child. The woman had 100 times the safe level.

The California Department of Public Health advisory said the woman experienced mild to moderate symptoms of tingling in her hands and lips, dizziness, forgetfulness, headaches, depression and irritability and anxiety.

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Her 4-year-old child, whose mercury levels were 25 times higher than normal, appeared to have no serious symptoms. Investigators determined the woman used the cream twice a day and her husband once a day for about three years to fade freckles and age spots.

The CDC says inorganic mercury can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin; then excreted in urine, sweat and breast milk. The half-life of inorganic mercury is one to two months, so mercury levels can increase with repeated application of the creams.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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A man claiming to be a doctor lured unsuspecting patients into his home, where they were sexually assaulted while sedated.

That's according to North Las Vegas police, who on Thursday announced criminal charges against 44-year-old Juan Alberto Ruan-Rivera.

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The criminal case goes back to 2006, when Ruan-Rivera was posing as a physician who was licensed in Mexico, according to a police report.

Detectives said he would target uninsured Hispanics who had few options for treatment and invite them to his North Las Vegas home.

After being given drugs to make the victims drowsy, police said, Ruan-Rivera committed unspecified acts of sexual assault.

Village of Dwarfs May Hold Clues to Cure Cancer

The victims, police said, include a 5-year-old boy.

A 51-year-old North Las Vega woman and a 27-year-old woman from Victorville, CA were also attacked by the "doctor," according to police.

Ruan-Rivera is being held on $173,000 bail and faces three counts of sexual assault, including one with a victim under 14. He's also charged with violating of a temporary protection order and attempting to subjorn perjury.

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Police are looking for additional witnesses, noting that Ruan-Rivera has also spent time in the California communities of Blythe and Chula Vista, Texas, and Anchorage, AK.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

For more stories go to fox5vegas.com

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Keeping up with vaccines is not always easy, particularly if you live in a household with family members of different ages. Vaccination needs can also change quickly if there's an outburst of a disease.

These days, however, figuring out who needs to get vaccinated, when and where is as easy as visiting Vaccines.gov, the federal governments centralized portal for everything related to vaccines. The portal recently launched a Spanish-language version of the site.

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"Vaccinations protect you but also protect family members and the community, and this website will help everybody get answers to some of the most basic questions about vaccines," said Guillermo Aviles-Mendoza, a Public Health Advisor to the National Vaccine Program Office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Useful Information about Vaccines

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The site offers information about vaccines from a practical and useful perspective. You'll find, for example, vaccination calendars, explanations on how vaccines work and resources on which vaccines you need to take before going abroad.

In addition, you can:

 Read about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

 Learn which diseases are preventable through vaccines.

 Become familiar with the many acronyms and abbreviations surrounding vaccinations.

"It's a place where you can find practical and useful tools," said Guillermo Aviles-Mendoza.

Who Needs to Get Vaccinated and When

It's a myth that vaccinations are only for children, pregnant women and senior citizens. In fact, every year thousands of adults get vaccinated against flu. There are different factors that determine if you need to get vaccinated, including your age, lifestyle, medical conditions and the places you visit. You might also want to get vaccinated if there's an outburst of a particular disease, like whooping cough.

Village of Dwarfs May Hold Clues to Cure Cancer

Dozens of people died during an outbreak in 2010, most of them children under the age of one who couldn't get vaccinated because they were too young. That's why the federal government recommends that 11 or 12 year-olds get a booster of whooping cough vaccine, and that all adults get vaccinated against the whooping cough and get a booster every 10 years.

"The vaccine protects the person who took it, but also those who can't get vaccinated, such as small children and people with weak immune systems," said Aviles-Mendoza.

Find out who needs to get vaccinated and when.

Where to Get Vaccinated

Vaccinations are available in many places, from your doctors office and hospitals to pharmacies, churches and even schools and colleges. And many insurance companies cover the cost of vaccines. But what if you don't have insurance?

You can always get vaccinated at the many community clinics funded by the federal government across the country. These clinics offer low cost vaccinations, so you pay what you are able to afford. Vaccinations.gov has a community clinic locator. Just type in your ZIP code.

"These clinics are great because they also offer other types of services such as prenatal care, dental and mental health services," said Aviles-Mendoza.

USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov are the U.S. Governments official web portals in English and Spanish, and part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). This article was written with the help of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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New research is beginning to try to uncover why minority children tend to be diagnosed with autism later than white children - a find that could prove to be vital considering early diagnosis is key for treating autism.

Researchers are also hoping to raise awareness of the warning signs so more parents know they can seek help even for a toddler.

"The biggest thing I want parents to know is we can do something about it to help your child," says Dr. Rebecca Landa, autism director at Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute, who is exploring the barriers that different populations face in getting that help.

Her preliminary research suggests even when diagnosed in toddlerhood, minority youngsters have more severe developmental delays than their white counterparts. She says cultural differences in how parents view developmental milestones, and how they interact with doctors, may play a role.

Consider: Tots tend to point before they talk, but pointing is rude in some cultures and may not be missed by a new parent, Landa says. Or maybe mom's worried that her son isn't talking yet but the family matriarch, her grandmother, says don't worry  Cousin Harry spoke late, too, and he's fine. Or maybe the pediatrician dismissed the parents' concern, and they were taught not to question doctors.

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Doctors in Peru Remove 'Parasitic Twin' from Stomach of 3 Year-Old

It's possible to detect autism as early as 14 months of age, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that youngsters be screened for it starting at 18 months. While there's no cure, behavioral and other therapies are thought to work best when started very young.

Yet on average, U.S. children aren't diagnosed until they're about 4 years old, according to government statistics.

And troubling studies show that white kids may be diagnosed with autism as much as a year and a half earlier than black and other minority children, says University of Pennsylvania autism expert David Mandell, who led much of that work. Socioeconomics can play a role, if minority families have less access to health care or less education.

But Mandell says the full story is more complex. One of his own studies, for example, found that black children with autism were more likely than whites to get the wrong diagnosis during their first visit with a specialist.

At Kennedy Krieger, Landa leads a well-known toddler treatment program and decided to look more closely at those youngsters to begin examining the racial and ethnic disparity. She found something startling: Even when autism was detected early, minority children had more severe symptoms than their white counterparts.

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By one measure of language development, the minority patients lagged four months behind the white autistic kids, Landa reported in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

It was a small study, with 84 participants, just 19 of whom were black, Asian or Hispanic. But the enrolled families all were middle class, Landa said, meaning socioeconomics couldn't explain the difference.

One of the study's participants, Marlo Lemon, ignored family and friends who told her not to worry that her son Matthew, then 14 months, wasn't babbling. Boys are slower to talk than girls, they said.

"I just knew something was wrong," recalls Lemon, of Randallstown, Md.

Her pediatrician listened and knew to send the family to a government "early intervention" program that, like in most states, provides free testing and treatment for young children's developmental delays. Matthew was enrolled in developmental therapy by age 18 months, and was formally diagnosed with autism when he turned 2 and Lemon enrolled him in Kennedy Krieger's toddler program as well. In many of his therapy classes, Lemon says, Matthew was the only African-American.

Now 7, Matthew still doesn't speak but Lemon says he is making huge strides, learning letters by tracing them in shaving cream to tap his sensory side, for example, and using a computer-like tablet that "speaks" when he pushes the right buttons. But Lemon quit working full-time so she could shuttle Matthew from therapy to therapy every day.

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"I want other minority families to get involved early, be relentless," says Lemon, who now works part-time counseling families about how to find services early.

For a campaign called "Why wait and see?" Landa is developing videos that show typical and atypical behaviors and plans to ask Maryland pediatricians to show them to parents. Among early warning signs:

Not responding to their name by 12 months, or pointing to show interest by 14 months.

Avoiding eye contact, wanting to play alone, not smiling when smiled at.

Saying few words. Landa says between 18 and 26 months, kids should make short phrases like "my shoe" or "where's mommy," and should be adding to their vocabulary weekly.

Not following simple multi-step commands.

Not playing pretend.

Behavioral problems such as flapping their hands or spinning in circles.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The death of a 10-year-old girl after what seems like an ordinary fist-fight (no weapons appeared to have been used) has left a California community in shock and sadness. But the medical community says while rare, a fatal punch can and does happen.

Joanna Ramos, 10, died from blunt force trauma after emergency surgery for a blood clot on her brain, investigators and family members said. As far as police can tell, the blow did not come from a weapon, or a wall, or a windshield, but only the fists of another young girl, who is 11, whom she fought hours earlier.

While the specific circumstances of Joanna's death are especially tragic and extremely unusual, medical experts said a blow in just the right spot can often prove fatal.

"This is rare, in that I've never seen it in a female, certainly not in a female adolescent," said Dr. Keith Black, a neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Black, who was not involved in Joanna's medical care, sees such injuries all the time among older patients and said a blow to the head from one young girl to another could "absolutely" be sufficient to cause enough trauma to lead to death.

Punches to the head can often lead to delayed bleeding if a vein is torn, and that can lead to a clot when blood collects on the surface of the brain.

Coroner's Lt. Fred Corral said Ramos died of blunt force trauma to the head and said her death has been ruled a homicide, but he didn't immediately have further details about her injuries.

The finding rattled the already shaken school community at Willard Elementary, where Joanna attended the fifth grade. She died Friday, about six hours after a brief fight with another girl in an alley near the school in a working-class neighborhood in the port city of Long Beach.

Joanna, who would have turned 11 on March 12, was unconscious by the time she arrived at the emergency room and underwent emergency surgery for a blood clot on her brain late Friday after she began vomiting and complained of a headache, her older sister, 17-year-old Vanessa Urbina, told The Associated Press.

"After surgery the doctor said she was still alive, and then a few minutes later he comes back and tells us that her heart stopped and they couldn't bring her back," Urbina said, crying as she sat on the steps of the school near a memorial of flowers and balloons.

Police said they have made no arrests and were conducting an investigation that will be presented to prosecutors when it's completed.

Worried parents lingered as they dropped off their children Monday in a light rain and wondered aloud how the school, tucked a few blocks off a major city street, could have become the scene of such unexpected violence.

"I'm just so confused at this moment, thinking should I take my daughter out of this school," said Victoria Pyles, whose daughter started classes at the school last week. "If this is what is going on, I don't like it. It's very scary."

School officials believe the fight occurred near the school in a 15-minute window between the time school let out and the start of Joanna's after-school program at 2:30 p.m., said Chris Eftychiou, a spokesman for the Long Beach Unified School District.

Joanna didn't have any visible injuries or show any signs of distress for about an hour, but she eventually told staff she felt unwell and was picked up by a relative, he said.

Urbina, the older sister, said Joanna's cousin picked her up. After her mother retrieved her, Joanna vomited in the car all the way home and told her mother she felt sleepy and wanted to go to bed.

Symptoms  such as headache, nausea, lethargy  may not set in for hours and people can mistakenly think that they're fine, Black said.

Typically, he said, the hit to the head would have to be fairly significant to cause a blood clot and often involves the head hitting walls or the ground, but a punch is enough.

"You can certainly get enough of an impact to get enough movement in the brain by a fist to tear a vein, if it's in the right location," Black said.

Police have said the fight lasted less than a minute, did not involve weapons, and no one was knocked to the ground.

A friend of Joanna's saw her as she reported to the after-school program after the fight and said she had blood on her knuckles from wiping at a bloody nose, said Cristina Perez, the friend's mother.

Perez said her daughter, who is 10, heard about plans for the fight, apparently over a boy, during recess earlier in the day and knew to stay away from the alley after school.

Fights involving young children, including girls, are increasing nationally, in part because of the wired world children now live in, said Travis Brown, a national expert on bullying and school violence.

Children used to have a disagreement at school and would have a night or a weekend to cool down, but social media and text messaging mean students can continue their dispute 24 hours a day, he said.

"There was a time when a kid had a way to escape the things at school, but now there's no escape," Brown said. "That stuff just escalates to a point where it gets out of hand. This is an everyday occurrence."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The World Health Organization has some shocking new stats on the memory loss disease dementia.

In the coming decades, as life expectancy and medical care improve in poorer countries, cases of dementia, along with the heavy social and financial burdens associated with them, are set to soar.

While 35.6 million people were living with dementia in 2010, the figure is set to double to 65.7 million by 2030, the U.N. health agency said Wednesday. In 2050, the agency expects the number of cases to even triple to 115.4 million.

"The numbers are already large and are increasing rather rapidly," said Dr. Shekhar Saxena, the head of WHO's mental health division.

Most dementia patients are cared for by relatives that can shoulder the burden of the diseases current estimated annual costs of $604 billion. But now with WHOs most recent report, the cost will shift as the financial burden is expected to rise even faster than the number of cases.

Baby Found Alive After 12 Hours in Argentine Morgue

"The catastrophic cost drives millions of households below the poverty line," warned the agency's director-general, Margaret Chan.

Dementia, a brain illness that affects memory, behavior and the ability to perform even common tasks, affects mostly older people. About 70 percent of cases are believed to be caused by Alzheimer's.

In the last few decades, dementia has become a major public health issue in rich countries. But with populations in poor and middle-income countries projected to grow and age rapidly over the coming decades, WHO appealed for greater public awareness and better support programs everywhere.

The share of cases in poor and middle-income countries is expected to rise from just below 60 percent today to over 70 percent by 2050.

According to WHO, only eight countries, including Britain, France and Japan, currently have national programs to address dementia. Several others, such as the United States, have plans for programs at the state level.

While the report shies away from making specific recommendations to policy makers, it does urge them to address the challenges of dementia as soon as possible.

Emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil, for example, have health care systems that lack the capacity to deal with the massive rise in dementia, said Saxena.

A good starting point though will be ensuring that doctors and nurses can spot the diseases symptoms as a lack of proper diagnosis is one of the main obstacles in the pursuit of better treatment. Even in rich countries, more than half of dementia cases are overlooked until the disease has reached a late stage, according to the report.

One common misconception is that dementia is inevitable.

Marta Montenegro: 10 Surprising Tips from Health and Fitness Journals

"Most people regard dementia as a normal sign of aging, which is not correct," said Saxena. "Older people have problems of memory and cognition, but dementia is a disease with much more rapid symptoms and progression."

If badly treated or ignored, dementia sufferers can become isolated and vulnerable, especially if they also have poor eyesight or hearing.

And rich countries like the United States should reconsider the drive to place dementia patients in institutions, said Saxena. "That's a mistake that some developed countries have made that is neither financially viable nor providing the best care," he said.

To Saxena, the increasing rate of dementia is a "paradox" of medical progress.

"The better we do, the more we expect to have problems with dementia and we need to be prepared for that," he said.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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A baby found alive in a coffin in an Argentine morgue nearly 12 hours after the girl had been declared dead is improving, but questions remain for the hospital responsible for the near-fatal mistake.

The mother, Analia Bouter, says she fell to her knees in shock after finding her baby alive in a coffin.

Bouter named her newborn Luz Milagros, or "Miracle Light." The tiny girl, born three months premature, was in critical but improving condition Wednesday in the same hospital where the staff pronounced her stillborn on April 3.

The case became public Tuesday when Rafael Sabatinelli, the deputy health minister in the northern province of Chaco, announced in a news conference that five medical professionals involved have been suspended pending an official investigation.

Bouter told the TeleNoticias TV channel in an interview Tuesday night that doctors gave her the death certificate just 20 minutes after the baby was born, and that she still hasn't received a birth certificate for her tiny girl.

'Stillborn' Baby Found Alive in Morgue

Bouter said the baby was quickly put in a coffin and taken to the morgue's refrigeration room. Twelve hours passed before she and her husband were able to open the coffin to say their last goodbyes.

She said that's when the baby trembled. She thought it was her imagination  then she realized the little girl was alive and dropped to her knees on the morgue floor in shock.

A morgue worker quickly picked up the girl and confirmed she was alive. Then, Bouter's brother grabbed the baby and ran to the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, shouting for the doctors. The baby was so cold, Bouter said, that "it was like carrying a bottle of ice."

Bouter said she still has many unanswered questions about what happened. She said she had given birth normally to four other children and doesn't understand why doctors gave her general anesthesia this time. She said she also doesn't know why she wasn't allowed to see her baby before it was put into a coffin.

Palm-sized Baby Among the World's Smallest

She said she had to insist on going to the morgue's refrigeration room, where she brought her sister's cellphone to take a picture of the newborn for the funeral. Her husband struggled to open the lid, and then stepped aside to let her see inside.

"I moved the coverings aside and saw the tiny hand, with all five fingers, and I touched her hand and then uncovered her face," she said in the TeleNoticias interview. "That's where I heard a tiny little cry. I told myself I was imagining it  it was my imagination. And then I stepped back and saw her waking up. It was as if she was saying 'Mama, you came for me!'

"That was when I fell to my knees. My husband didn't know what to do. We were just crying and I laughed and cried, cries and laughter. We must have seemed crazy."

She says the family plans to sue the staff at Hospital Perrando in the city of Resistencia for malpractice, and still wants answers. But they've been focused for now on their little girl, whom she described as amazingly healthy despite being born after just 26 weeks of gestation. So far, she hasn't needed oxygen or other support commonly provided to preemies, she said.

"I'm a believer. All of this was a miracle from God," she told Telam, Argentina's state news agency.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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An Argentine newborn who survived nearly 12 hours in a coffin in a morgue after hospital workers gave her up for dead is in critical condition suffering from sepsis and convulsions along with signs of neurological damage.

Tiny Luz Milagros, or "Miracle Light," is suffering from a series of complications common among infants born three months premature, said Dr. Diana Vesco, neonatology chief at the Perrando hospital in Resistencia in northern Chaco province. She said the baby is on a ventilator and being treated with antibiotics.

Her mother, Analia Bouter, said she got a supportive call from President Cristina Fernandez on Wednesday asking to see the baby once she's out of intensive care.

That could be a while.

Luz Milagros, whose weight has dropped from 800 grams to 750 grams (1.8 pounds to 1.7 pounds) since she was born 10 days ago, faces a "risk of death commonly associated with her weight and gestational age at birth," said Vesco.

'Stillborn' Baby Found Alive in Morgue

Pronouncing somebody dead has to be done fairly carefully.  Edward Bell, a University of Iowa specialist in premature infants

The case became public Tuesday when Chaco's deputy health minister, Rafael Sabatinelli, announced that five medical professionals had been suspended pending an official investigation of what happened.

Bouter told the TeleNoticias TV channel that doctors gave her a death certificate just 20 minutes after the baby was born and the baby was quickly put in a coffin and taken to the morgue's refrigeration room. Twelve hours passed before she and her husband were able to open the coffin to say their last goodbyes.

She said the baby trembled and let out a little cry when she touched its face. She thought it was her imagination  then realized the little girl was alive and dropped to her knees on the morgue floor in shock.

The baby was so cold that "it was like carrying a bottle of ice," Bouter said.

The hospital's medical director, Jose Luis Meirino, said the facility has strict procedures and the girl was born "with no apparent vital signs." The newborn was attended by obstetricians, gynecologists and a neonatologist, he said.

"About what happened afterward, we have no explanation," he said.

Edward Bell, a University of Iowa specialist in premature infants, called it "a remarkable story."

While there are many unanswered questions about the case, Bell offered a few theories about how it might have happened.

Babies born after only 26 weeks "aren't considered to have much of a chance" of surviving in many parts of the world, he said. So, "perhaps justifiably," that might have affected how they treated the baby.

'Miracle' Morgue Baby Improving

"Pronouncing somebody dead has to be done fairly carefully," Bell said. "It does raise questions about how careful they were in assessing the baby."

Still, he said, declaring death isn't always as straightforward as some people think. Metabolism and heartbeat may slow down gradually and the body stops moving. Most of the time, when movement has stopped and there's no detectable heartbeat, the person is declared dead.

"Ordinarily when you get to that point it's hopeless," even if there is still some electrical activity in the heart, he said.

Bell said there are no standard guidelines on how long to wait until declaring death.

"There are very unusual cases where somebody has been declared clinically dead and then signs of life return," he said.

Under ordinary circumstances, a premature newborn would need immediate care to survive. But Bell said in this case, the morgue's refrigeration may have saved the baby's life because it likely cooled down the infant's metabolism and reduced the need for oxygen.

Bell said parents should not worry that the same mistake might happen with their children.

"It's such an extraordinary thing, that's why it has made the news worldwide."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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A New York City police officer is expected to survive after pulling a knife out of his own head, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in a press conference on Tuesday.

Doctors say officer Eder Loor, who is in critical condition after he was stabbed with a three-inch switch blade, is expected to "make a complete recovery" and is lucky to be alive.

I was telling his wife that he is probably the luckiest unlucky man you could ever have, the doctor, Joshua B. Bederson, head of neuro-surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, said.

Officer Loors wife, Dina Loor, said her husband told her that he had removed the knife from his left temple himself.

I think he pulled his own knife out, she said while sitting next to Dr. Bederson. Since hes an E.M.T., he somehow managed to hold the pressure. And somebody on the street, I believe, handed him a towel.

Dr. Bederson used a model of a head showing how the three-inch blade of the knife sliced through the officer's temple, into the temporal lobe while just nicking a major vein, according to the New York Times. The knife did not penetrate a major artery, but it did pass a half an inch from structures that control vision while touching the nerve that gives sensation to the face.

It couldnt have been closer, Dr. Bederson said.

Officer Loor had complained of "some numbness," the doctor said before surgery. But after the four-hour procedure, Loor awoke moving all four extremities, speaking seeing, and moving his eyes normally.

His young age and incredible physical condition are probably going to speed a rapid recovery, the doctor said. Im hoping and expecting him to make a complete recovery.

Loor was stabbed while answering a call about an emotionally disturbed person Tuesday in East Harlem, when the disturbed person allegedly stabbed Loor.

The knife penetrated his skull, causing bleeding on the brain that required emergency surgery, authorities said.

Loor and his partner, Luckson Merisme, were responding to the call, when they met the 911 caller, the mother of the stabbing suspect, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

She told them her son, Terrence Hale, was in the apartment upstairs, and needed to go to the hospital. They found Hall and told him they were taking him to a hospital but he brandished a knife and stabbed Loor, Kelly said. Then he took off.

Loor's partner raced after the attacker, calling for backup, and Hale was apprehended about a block away, Kelly said.

Hale, who was brought to Metropolitan Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, was arrested on charges of attempted aggravated murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.

Bloomberg said he and Kelly made a visit at Mount Sinai Hospital, where Loor and his partner were taken.

The mayor said he spoke to Merisme, who was treated for high blood pressure, "to get him to calm down."

"Unfortunately, even when you do the right thing, policing, as we all know, is a very dangerous job," Bloomberg said.

Loor, 28, has been a member of the force since 2006 and is also a member of the Air Force National Guard. He's the father of a young girl, and he and his wife are expecting a son.

"This serious attack," along with FDNY Lt. Richard Nappi's death Monday at a Brooklyn fire, serves as a reminder that "New York's bravest and New York's finest risk their lives every day to protect the rest of us," Bloomberg said.

Hale was previously arrested in 2002 for robbery, and in 2006 for an assault in which he stabbed the victim with a knife, police said. He was also arrested in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

"Today is another reminder of how, in a split second, a police officer's life may be jeopardized," Kelly said.

It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The New York cop who survived a knife stab to the brain will leave the hospital Wednesday.

In his first interview since the miraculous ordeal, Officer Eder Loor told the New York Daily News he is grateful for recovering.

Im just happy to be alive, Loor said, according to the Daily News. "God gave me a second chance."

Loor was stabbed while answering a call about an emotionally disturbed person in East Harlem. After getting stabbed, Loor apparently removed the knife himself from his left temple. His doctors have said his survival is a miracle.

I was telling his wife that he is probably the luckiest unlucky man you could ever have, the doctor, Joshua B. Bederson, head of neuro-surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, said during a press conference after the stabbing.

Loor and his partner, Luckson Merisme, were responding to a call when they met the 911 caller, the mother of the stabbing suspect, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

She told them her son, Terrence Hale, was in the apartment upstairs, and needed to go to the hospital. They found Hall and told him they were taking him to a hospital but he brandished a knife and stabbed Loor, Kelly said. Then he took off.

The knife penetrated his skull, causing bleeding on the brain that required emergency surgery, authorities said.

Loor's partner raced after the attacker, calling for backup, and Hale was apprehended about a block away, Kelly said.

Hale, who was brought to Metropolitan Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, was arrested on charges of attempted aggravated murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.

Includes reporting from the Associated Press.

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In an effort to project the image of healthy models, Vogue magazine is making a statement about its own models: Too-young and too-thin is no longer in.

The 19 editors of Vogue magazines around the world made a pact to have healthy models on their pages, according to a Conde Nast International announcement Thursday.

They agreed to "not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder," and said they will ask casting directors to check IDs at photo shoots and fashion shows and for ad campaigns.

The move is an important one for the fashion world, said former model Sara Ziff, who was discovered at 14 and has since founded The Model Alliance, dedicated to improving the working conditions of models and persuading the industry to take better care of its young.

"Most editions of Vogue regularly hire models who are minors, so for Vogue to commit to no longer using models under the age of 16 marks an evolution in the industry," she said. "We hope other magazines and fashion brands will follow Vogue's impressive lead."

American, French, Chinese and British editions of the fashion glossies are among those that will start following the new guidelines with their June issues; the Japanese edition will begin with its July book.

The use of under-aged models is linked to financial exploitation, eating disorders, interrupted schooling, and contributes to models' overall lack of empowerment in the workplace.  Elissa J. Brown, professor of psychology at St. John University and founder of The Partners Program

"Vogue believes that good health is beautiful. Vogue Editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the well-being of their readers," said Conde Nast International Chairman Jonathan Newhouse in a statement.

Models' health - and especially their weight - has been a lightning rod the past few years, especially after the death of two models from apparent complications from eating disorders in 2006-07, but the focus, until now, has been on runway fashion shows.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America adopted a voluntary initiative in 2007, which emphasizes age minimums and healthy working environments during New York Fashion Week, and London Fashion Week designers sign a contract with the British Fashion Council to use models who are at least 16.

The primary fashion organizations in Italy and Spain banned catwalk models who fall below a certain Body Mass Index level, and earlier this year, Israel's government passed an anti-skinny-model law.

Still, there is persistent criticism that the fashion world creates a largely unattainable and unhealthy standard that particularly affects impressionable young girls.

"We know that there is an impact for young girls - and boys, by the way - of what is put in front of them in terms of media," said Elissa J. Brown, professor of psychology at St. John University and founder of The Partners Program, a specialized therapy program for children and adolescents.

A change in what they see on the pages of prestigious fashion magazines could change the image of what they would strive for, she said.

It wouldn't hurt for parents to take a look at healthier looking models, too, she added. "I'm a mother and I hear other mothers talk about the parts of their bodies they don't like in front of their daughters instead of talking about health. If the message becomes about health, it could have a tremendous impact."

The Vogue guidelines are largely similar to the CFDA's - no surprise since U.S. editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was instrumental in crafting them.

"CFDA is pleased to see all the Vogue magazines unite in support of model health," CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said. "This increased level of support makes the message of 'Health is Beauty' even stronger."

Conde Nast, in its announcement, recognized that fashion models serve as role models for "many women," and the publisher wants to ensure that the models in its pages "are well cared for and educated in ways that will encourage and help them to take care of themselves, addressing as many of the pressing issues relating to ill-health in the industry as can realistically be tackled."

Ziff said the age restriction is important for other reasons, too.

"The use of underaged models is linked to financial exploitation, eating disorders, interrupted schooling, and contributes to models' overall lack of empowerment in the workplace," she said. "We simply believe that 14 is too young to be working in this very grown-up industry, and we're glad that Conde Nast International is making this commitment.

In addition to agreeing not to knowingly work with models under 16 or with eating disorders, the Vogue pact says the magazines will help "structure mentoring programs" for younger models and raise awareness of the problem of model health. The magazines said they would encourage healthy working conditions backstage and encourage designers "to consider the consequences of unrealistically small sample sizes of their clothing, which limits the range of women who can be photographed in their clothes, and encourages the use of extremely thin models."

Conde Nast publishes other magazines, including Glamour and Allure, but a spokeswoman said there are no current plans for these guidelines to be adopted across the company.

Runway model Coco Rocha applauded the changes.

"I've long been a vocal supporter of setting reasonable standards in the modeling industry," she said in an email. "Not every model appears in Vogue, but every model and every magazine looks up to them as the standard (bearer). I can only imagine this will be a solid step in a direction that will benefit models for generations to come. "

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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Summer is just around the corner and again we need to be reminded about the skin cancer risks we faced, especially this time of the year.

The warnings about skin cancer from too much sun don't seem to be getting through.

Half of U.S. adults under 30 say they have had a sunburn at least once in the previous year  about the same as a decade ago, according to a government survey released Thursday. In fact, the modest progress reported five years ago has been wiped out.

Not only that, but women in their 20s are going to tanning salons almost twice a month on average.

"I don't know that we're making any headway," said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society's deputy chief medical officer.

Experts say that even one blistering burn can double the risk of developing melanoma, an often lethal form of skin cancer.

The study was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and was based on a 2010 survey of about 5,000 U.S. adults ages 18 to 29.

The share of those who said they had a sunburn in the preceding year dropped from about 51 percent in 2000 to 45 percent in 2005, then went back up to 50 percent in 2010.

Researchers don't know for sure why the sunburn rate picked up again, said Dr. Marcus Plescia, director of the CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

The CDC found that more than one-third of those surveyed said they use sunscreen when they are out in the sun  a modest increase from 2005. But some experts said the increasing rate of sunburns suggests many people are not putting on enough sunscreen or are not re-applying it adequately.

Also on Thursday, the CDC released a survey on the use of tanning beds, booths or sun lamps, and Lichtenfeld said of the findings: "I am astounded."

While about 6 percent of adults of all ages said they had done indoor tanning in the previous year, the rates were much, much higher among young white women: about 32 percent among those ages 18 to 21.

Also, women in their 20s said they tanned indoors more than 20 times in the previous year, on average.

A similar survey in 2005 found about 27 percent of young women said they had done indoor tanning.

Several experts said there is no longer significant scientific debate that indoor tanning causes cancer. In 2009, tanning devices were classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization, which analyzed 20 studies and found the risk of melanoma rose 75 percent in people who started indoor tanning before age 30.

"It's not a question of whether tanning beds cause cancer anymore. We've been able to prove that," said Dr. Jerry Brewer, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist and researcher.

But Joseph Levy, executive director of International Smart Tan Network, representing the tanning salon industry, said the WHO finding was based on old and flawed studies. He also noted the risk of melanoma is very small.

"Saying categorically that (ultraviolet light) exposure is harmful and should be avoided is like saying that water causes drowning, and therefore we should avoid water. It's a totally misleading oversimplification," Levy said in an email.

Indoor tanning took off about 30 years ago. There are nearly 22,000 salons across the U.S., serving an estimated 28 million customers, according to IBISWorld, an industry research firm.

Melanoma rates have also been increasing for at least three decades. About 76,000 cases will be diagnosed in U.S. adults this year, and about 9,200 people are expected to die of the disease, according to the cancer society. The rates for other skin cancers have been rising as well.

The CDC's Plescia said tanning beds are driving "an epidemic in the making."

Others shared that concern.

"It's the sunburn you got when you were 18 that leads to the cancer you get when you're 40. That sunburn will come back to haunt you," warned Dr. Zoe Draelos, vice president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Clearly, many people have recognized the risks of tanning.

Witness the public revulsion last month over the case of a deeply bronzed New Jersey woman arrested for allegedly taking her 5-year-old daughter into a tanning booth. Police said the kindergartner suffered a burn. (The mother denied taking her into the booth and said the girl got sunburned outdoors.)

To be safe, experts say to avoid direct sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or cover your body. And sunscreen needs to be applied often.

But who listens?

Danielle Itgen, 22, said skin cancer runs in her family but she still likes to sunbathe in the summer  while wearing sunscreen. "I feel like when I'm really pale, I look sick," she said during a visit to Miami Beach, Fla.

Elizabeth Garrido, 40, used to sunbathe every day when she was younger and still goes to the beach twice a week to soak up the rays.

Does she worry about skin cancer?

"Not at all," the Miami Beach resident said. "What's going to happen is going to happen. Besides, I like the beach. It's therapeutical."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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Shocking or no big deal? Time magazine's newest cover, with mom Jamie Lynne Grumet breast-feeding her 3-year-old son, is drawing fire on the Web.

The photo showed Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, a stay-at-home mom in Los Angeles who says her mother breastfed her until she was 6 years old. She told the magazine in an interview that she's given up reasoning with strangers who see her son nursing and threaten "to call social services on me or that it's child molestation."

"People have to realize this is biologically normal," she said, adding, "The more people see it, the more it'll become normal in our culture. That's what I'm hoping. I want people to see it."

Some questioned why the magazine used the photo of Grumet, a slim blonde pretty enough to be a model, to illustrate a story about a style of childrearing that's been around for a generation. The issue includes a profile of the attachment parenting guru, Dr. Bill Sears, who wrote one of the movement's bibles, "The Baby Book," 20 years ago.

Mika Brzezisnki, co-host of MSNBC's weekday morning program "Morning Joe," suggested on the air that the cover was needlessly sensational: "I'll tell you why it bothers me  because it's a profile of Bill Sears!"

On Twitter, the cover inspired X-rated jokes along with concerns that the child might be teased when he's older. But on many message boards, there was debate about whether it's OK to breastfeed beyond babyhood.

Bobbi Miller, a mother of six who lives in Arkansas, expressed disapproval in a tweet and said in a phone interview, "Even a cow knows when to wean their child." Of the cover, she said: "Why would this even be out there? It's ludicrous. It's almost on the verge of voyeurism."

But Bettina Forbes, co-founder of an organization called Best for Babes that promotes breastfeeding and supports women who want to nurse their children beyond babyhood, said she hopes the cover "will make mainstream America less squeamish" about women breastfeeding children of any age. "It's high time we talk about these things," she said.

Reaction to the cover underscored a cultural rift between traditional childrearing and what some have deemed "extreme parenting." The attachment philosophy encourages mothers to respond to their babies' every cry and form close bonds with near-constant physical contact through "co-sleeping" (letting them sleep in the bed with parents rather than in cribs) and "baby-wearing" (carrying them on slings instead of pushing them in strollers).

Retail chains including Target, Wal-Mart and Safeway did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the magazine, which goes on sale Friday, would be displayed in stores.

Time Managing Editor Rick Stengel said he had not heard of any retailers concerned about displaying the cover. But he acknowledged that the image is "provocative. We're posing an interesting question about a subject that couldn't be more important  how we raise our children. People have all kinds of mixed feelings about that."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The ball is rolling, the first National Alzheimer's Plan has set a deadline for 2025 to finally find effective ways to treat, or at least stall, the mind-destroying disease.

The Obama administration finalizes the landmark national strategy on Tuesday, laying out numerous steps the government and private partners can take over the coming years to fight what is poised to become a defining disease of the rapidly aging population.

But some of the work is beginning right away.

Starting Tuesday, embattled families and caregivers can check a new one-stop website  www.alzheimers.gov  for easy-to-understand information about dementia and where to get help in their own communities.

The National Institutes of Health is funding some major new studies of possible therapies, including a form of insulin that's squirted into the nose.

"These actions are the cornerstones of an historic effort to fight Alzheimer's disease," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement. She was announcing the steps Tuesday at the NIH.

The first National Alzheimer's Plan comes as the world's top Alzheimer's scientists are gathered at the NIH this week to debate what research needs to be given priority in order to meet that ambitious 2025 deadline. They said it may be time to start testing potential therapies differently, before people have full-blown Alzheimer's symptoms, when it may be too late to help.

"There's a sense of optimism" thanks to some new discoveries, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told scientists at the Alzheimer's Research Summit on Monday.

But, "we need to figure out exactly where is the best window of opportunity" to battle back Alzheimer's, Collins said. He noted that cardiologists don't test cholesterol-lowering drugs on people already near death from heart failure.

It's clear that Alzheimer's quietly brews in the brain, killing off cells, for 10 years or more before symptoms appear, Dr. Reisa Sperling of Harvard Medical School told the meeting. She called that time period an important opportunity to try to stave off the disease, at least postponing the memory loss and other symptoms.

Already, 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Barring a research breakthrough, those numbers will rise significantly by 2050, when up to 16 million Americans are projected to have Alzheimer's. Already, it's the sixth-leading killer, and there is no cure. Treatments only temporarily ease some symptoms.

Beyond the suffering, it's a budget-busting disease for Medicare, Medicaid and families. Caring for people with dementia will cost the U.S. $200 billion this year alone, and $1 trillion by 2050, the Alzheimer's Association estimates. Even that staggering figure doesn't fully reflect the toll. Sufferers lose the ability to do the simplest activities of daily life and can survive that way for a decade or more. Family members provide most of the care, unpaid, and too often their own health crumbles under the stress.

So the National Alzheimer's Plan, required by Congress, takes a two-pronged approach: focusing on future treatments plus help for families suffering today.

"There is a reinvigorated focus on this disease," Donald Moulds of HHS told The Associated Press.

Among the first steps:

A planned $8 million study of an insulin nasal spray that pilot-testing suggests could help Alzheimer's. It's based on growing evidence that diabetes and Alzheimer's are related, damaging how the brain is fueled. The insulin nasal spray can reach the brain without affecting blood-sugar levels.

Also, NIH was contributing $16 million to an international study of whether a treatment targeting amyloid, Alzheimer's hallmark brain plaque, could prevent the disease. The study will include people at highest risk, genetically, of the disease, including Americans and a unique group in Colombia.

The government will begin offering training to doctors and other health providers on the best ways to care for patients and their families.

Beyond the initial steps, the plan lays out ways that federal and state governments plus private and nonprofit organizations can collaborate to battle Alzheimer's  from improving early diagnosis to creating more resources to help families with long-term care of their loved ones at home.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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A man suing after a major medical mistake left him disfigured gave testimony Thursday that revealed the intimate details of his misery.

Late Thursday afternoon, Enrique Milla testified at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse from his new home in Lima, Peru via Skype. He said he wanted a penile implant to improve his sex life in 2007. "About a year before I realized I had problems," Milla said through a translator. "I had problems having intimate relations with my wife. As time went by, that problem got worse."

He has to sit down to urinate. He'll never have any intimate relationships with anyone, and he's lost his manhood.  Enrique Milla's attorney, Spencer Aronfeld

Milla's attorney argues that an anesthesiologist overlooked his client's pre-existing medical conditions, which resulted in Milla having no more external male genitalia. According to the lawyer, Milla should have never been allowed to undergo elective penile implant surgery to treat erectile dysfunction back in August 2007.

The anesthesiologist involved in the surgery, Dr. Laurentia Boeru, should have never allowed the surgery, the attorney said, because Milla had an extreme case of diabetes and high blood pressure, and his blood sugar levels were way too high on the day of his surgery. He had not seen a doctor in 15 years until that point. "Did he take your blood pressure?" asked the attorney of Milla.

"No," Milla responded.

"Did he take your blood sugar?"

"No."

Milla's attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, has argued that his client should have never been allowed to have a penile implant due to his uncontrolled diabetes. "The one and only person who cleared him for this surgery, on that day, was Dr. Boeru," said Aronfeld, "and our entire case is, that at that particular time, he should have said, 'Wait a second, let's treat the medical conditions first.'"

Boeru swore under oath that his obligations and risks only relate to the anesthesia, not the actual implant of the penis and potential risks. "I addressed a small period of time of contact with the patient, which is the preoperative period of time," Boeru said on the stand. "My role is stopped when the epidural catheter, that's what you do in Obstetrics, is out or the patient is out of recovery."

Milla's problems began after a Gangrene infection spread through his penis about nine days after the surgery. Aronfeld detailed the traumatic experience his client went through. "Turned into a flesh-eating bacteria that ate his penis centimeter by centimeter," he said, " and as a result of this, he has to spend the rest of his life without a functioning penis. He has to sit down to urinate. He'll never have any intimate relationships with anyone, and he's lost his manhood."

Boeru's attorney will have a chance to question Milla in the coming days. Then jurors will have to decided of Boeru acted as his physician and at any point committed any medical malpractice.

Read more at WSVN.

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Massive bluefin tuna have carried radioactive contamination across 6,000 miles of the Pacific Ocean to the California shores -- the first time a large migrating fish has been shown to carry radioactivity such a long distance.

"We were frankly kind of startled," said Nicholas Fisher, one of the researchers reporting the findings online Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The levels of radioactive cesium were 10 times higher than the amount measured in tuna off the California coast in previous years. But even so, that's still far below safe-to-eat limits set by the U.S. and Japanese governments.

Previously, smaller fish and plankton were found with elevated levels of radiation in Japanese waters after a magnitude-9 earthquake in March 2011 triggered a tsunami that badly damaged the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors.

Radioactive Tuna

The levels of radioactive cesium were 10 times higher than the amount measured in tuna off the California coast in previous years. But even so, that's still far below safe-to-eat limits set by the U.S. and Japanese governments.

But scientists did not expect the nuclear fallout to linger in huge fish that sail the world because such fish can metabolize and shed radioactive substances.

One of the largest and speediest fish, Pacific bluefin tuna can grow to 10 feet and weigh more than 1,000 pounds. They spawn off the Japan coast and swim east at breakneck speed to school in waters off California and the tip of Baja California, Mexico.

Five months after the Fukushima disaster, Fisher of Stony Brook University in New York and a team decided to test Pacific bluefin that were caught off the coast of San Diego. To their surprise, tissue samples from all 15 tuna captured contained levels of two radioactive substances  ceisum-134 and cesium-137  that were higher than in previous catches.

To rule out the possibility that the radiation was carried by ocean currents or deposited in the sea through the atmosphere, the team also analyzed yellowfin tuna, found in the eastern Pacific, and bluefin that migrated to Southern California before the nuclear crisis. They found no trace of cesium-134 and only background levels of cesium-137 left over from nuclear weapons testing in the 1960s.

The results "are unequivocal. Fukushima was the source," said Ken Buesseler of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who had no role in the research.

Bluefin tuna absorbed radioactive cesium from swimming in contaminated waters and feeding on contaminated prey such as krill and squid, the scientists said. As the predators made the journey east, they shed some of the radiation through metabolism and as they grew larger. Even so, they weren't able to completely flush out all the contamination from their system.

"That's a big ocean. To swim across it and still retain these radionuclides is pretty amazing," Fisher said.

Pacific bluefin tuna are prized in Japan where a thin slice of the tender red meat prepared as sushi can fetch $24 per piece at top Tokyo restaurants. Japanese consume 80 percent of the world's Pacific and Atlantic bluefin tuna.

The real test of how radioactivity affects tuna populations comes this summer when researchers planned to repeat the study with a larger number of samples. Bluefin tuna that journeyed last year were exposed to radiation for about a month. The upcoming travelers have been swimming in radioactive waters for a longer period. How this will affect concentrations of contamination remains to be seen.

Now that scientists know that bluefin tuna can transport radiation, they also want to track the movements of other migratory species including sea turtles, sharks and seabirds.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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Sierra Leone restricted travel Thursday into and within three more "hotspots" of Ebola where 1.5 million people live, meaning that more than a third of the country's population is now under quarantine.

Sierra Leone is one of the hardest hit countries in an Ebola outbreak sweeping West Africa that is believed to have killed more than 2,900 people, according to World Health Organization tolls published Thursday. The agency says the situation in Sierra Leone continues to deteriorate, driven primarily by a sharp increase of cases in the capital, Freetown.

In an address to the nation on Wednesday night, President Ernest Bai Koroma put Port Loko, Bombali, and Moyamba districts under isolation, meaning only people delivering essential services can enter and circulate within these areas. WHO also noted that these districts were seeing a rise in cases.

In other areas, including in the capital, homes will be put under quarantine when cases are identified, a government statement after the address said.

The Ebola outbreak, the largest ever, has also hit Liberia and Guinea and is believed to have sickened more than 6,200 people. An Ebola patient also slipped into Senegal from Guinea but the disease does not appear to have spread there. Nigeria has linked 20 cases to the disease and eight deaths after a man infected with Ebola traveled there from Liberia; the outbreak seems to have been contained there as well.

"Nigeria is free of the virus now but we know that to be permanently free from it, we must remain vigilant and work with WHO and the international community to eradicate it completely from our sub-region and forestall the possibility of its re-emergence on our shores through migration," Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said Wednesday night.

The outbreak's unprecedented scale and geographic spread have pushed governments to impose severe measures, like the cordoning off of entire towns or regions. Last week, Sierra Leone imposed a three-day nationwide lockdown, confining its 6 million people to their homes while health teams spread out to look for the sick and educate people about the disease.

That exercise revealed that the outbreak is worse than thought, the government said, with 160 Ebola cases found during the shutdown.

"There is a desperate need to step up our response to this dreaded disease," the Sierra Leone government statement said. "The prognosis is that without additional interventions or changes in community behavior, the numbers will increase exponentially and the situation will rapidly deteriorate."

Two districts near the outbreak's epicenter -- Kenema and Kailahun -- had already been isolated. Liberia, the country hardest-hit by the disease, cordoned off areas of its capital at one point to slow transmission.
Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty's family says the 36-year-old Egyptian woman hasn't left her home in 25 years, the BBC reports. Her extreme weight forced her to crawl instead of walk by age 11, and an ensuing stroke left her bedridden.

Her family says she weighs more than 1,100 pounds, which would make her the heaviest woman alivethe current Guinness record-holder is only 643 poundsand close to the heaviest woman ever, according to the Washington Post.

While Abd El Aty's weight hasn't been confirmed, Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala in India estimates she is at least 990 pounds based on photos of her. "My initial reaction was 'How is she even alive?'" he says.

His next reaction was to try to save her. Abd El Aty is expected to arrive in Mumbai for surgery in the next 10 days, but it won't be an easy journey.

"In every sense, she's a challenge," Lakdawala says. The bariatric surgeon has been raising money to get her to Mumbai and will be operating pro bono, the Times of India reports.

But it's not just money that's an issue. Because she can't leave her room, Abd El Aty was unable to make it to the Indian embassy to be fingerprinted for a visa; only a personal plea from Lakdawala secured her an exemption.

And while transporting Abd El Aty will be challenging in its own right, Lakdawala says the surgery itself is "very high risk." He says he's "hopeful" but not "confident" he can help Abd El Aty lose up to 300 pounds.

(For the obese, objects are closer than they appear.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: 1,100-Pound Woman to Leave Home for 1st Time in 25 Years
Medical marijuana research is at an all-time high these days and more states are moving toward legalizing the drug for its potential health benefits.

Scientists are studying its effects on a variety of conditions from seizure disorders to cancer, and even chronic pain. But can it be used on pets?

We recently received this question from a viewer:

Hi Dr. Manny,

My dog has arthritis and takes daily medication that has a lot of side effects. I've been hearing about the potential for medical marijuana to help cure many ailments, but does it work on pets?

Thanks,

Brigette

Studies suggest compounds found in marijuana have medicinal properties.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been shown to help protect the brain without providing a psychoactive high associated with smoking marijuana. Some studies suggest it can even help stop the spread of cancer. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, may help alleviate pain and anxiety, though it may bring risks.

As a growing number of states relax their marijuana laws, research is underway to fully understand the potential for treating an array of illnesses. In fact, a lawmaker in Nevada recently proposed a bill that would make medical marijuana legal for owners to obtain for their ailing pets.

We do know from use in humans and also anecdotal use in pets that the cannabidiol has anti-anxiety effects, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-pain, said Dr. Jeff Werber, a veterinarian in Los Angeles. And even the THC has some positive benefits as well, but its also a euphoric agent and hallucinogen.

Werber noted that many of the toxicities seen in pets brought to emergency rooms around the country are due to the THC found in marijuana.

In Colorado, where the use of marijuana is now legal, theres been a four-fold increase in the number of dogs brought to emergency facilities because of the toxic effects, he said.

Werber again stressed that all the evidence of the benefits of medical marijuana in pets is anecdotal at this point, but said he has some colleagues who have recommended it to owners and seen positive effects.

One colleague that I read an article about has used it for tumors, and the cannabidiol was instrumental in causing tumor regression, Werber said. Hopefully we can learn more as time goes on as more states legalize marijuana, well learn a lot more and be able to prove scientifically, the benefits of the use of cannabidiols for pets.

Do you have a health question for Dr. Manny? Send it to DrManny@foxnews.com.
Instead of being urged to simply "be more compassionate," doctors should learn specific empathy skills during their training to improve their care of patients, one doctor argues in a new paper.

According to Dr. David Jeffrey, an honorary lecturer in palliative medicine at the Center for Population Health Sciences in Edinburgh, Scotland, who wrote the paper, there is concern about a general lack of psychological and social support for patients from doctors. Some studies have found that medical students experience a decline in empathy for their patients as they get further along in their training.

In addition, the "commercialization of health care leaves people vulnerable" to being treated as though their care is simply an instrument to bring in money to the system, Jeffrey said. Patients can become dehumanized by the system, he said.

But there is also concern that if doctors become too emotionally involved with their patients, they may experience psychological distress and burnout, Jeffrey said.

In his article, Jeffrey distinguishes among the three terms that are often used interchangeably  empathy, sympathy and compassion  in an attempt to provide some clarity to this problem. Jeffrey argues that doctors would best serve their patients by striving to have empathy for their patients, rather than sympathy or compassion.

For example, having empathy means imagining what it is like to be a specific person undergoing a specific experience, rather than imagining that they themselves are undergoing that experience, Jeffrey said.

"This more sophisticated approach requires mental flexibility, an ability to regulate one's emotions and to suppress one's own perspective in the patient's interests," Jeffrey told said.

In contrast, having sympathy means taking a more "self-oriented" approach, and imagining what it would be like for yourself to be in another person's situation.

This is a way of trying to identify with a person, but it means that you assume that people will think and feel the way you do, Jeffrey said. Also, a doctor who attempts to sympathize with a patient may focus on the doctor's own distress, and risk burning out, he said.

Having compassion means being aware of the suffering of others, but not necessarily understanding their views, Jeffrey said.

What's more, Jeffrey said, compassion and sympathy are simply reactions, that don't involve much reflection.

It takes skill to develop empathy, and developing this skill should be a goal for medical education, Jeffrey said.

In Jeffrey's view, doctors should develop empathy by learning to build a connection with their patients that involves emotional sharing, as well as an "other-oriented" perspective, in which the doctor tries to imagine what it is like to be the patient. Doctors can then act appropriately on the understanding they have gained to help the patient, Jeffrey said.

"A benefit of this model of empathy is that it focuses on developing skills, attitudes and moral concern rather than just urging medical students and doctors to be more compassionate," Jeffrey said. "Empathy, unlike compassion or sympathy, is not something that just happens to us, it is a choice to make to pay attention to extend ourselves. It requires an effort."

The paper was published Dec. 6 in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Original article on Live Science.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to four tobacco manufacturers for selling flavored cigarettes labeled as cigars, the agency said on Friday.

The companies - Swisher International Inc, Cheyenne International LLC, Prime Time International Co and Southern Cross Tobacco Co Inc - are selling the products under brands such as "Swisher Sweets", "Cheyenne", "Prime Time" and "Criss-Cross" in various youth-appealing flavors such as grape, wild cherry and strawberry.

The Tobacco Control Act, which was signed into law in 2009, banned cigarettes containing candy or fruit flavors, to reduce the likelihood of smoking and addiction to tobacco in youth.
As the smoke cleared after Election Day 2016, we found ourselves at the dawn of a new era for cannabis in the United States.

As early as this week in Massachusetts, and over the course of the next few weeks and months elsewhere, new marijuana laws will go into effect. On Election Day, four states, including California (the most populous state in the union), voted to legalize recreational marijuana, bringing the national total to eight states plus the District of Columbia. Four other states voted to allow the use of cannabis in a medical capacity, which means that medical marijuana is now legal in more than half of all states.

To put the election results into perspective, the percentage of Americans now living in an area where recreational marijuana is legal, or will soon be, rose from 5 percent to 20 percent.

Given the accelerated acceptance for the use of cannabis, its worth considering the consequences of these new laws. There has been plenty of hand-wringing about how these new laws might harm society, but I believe they have the potential to help in a range of societal issues.

Prominent among them is the opioid crisis facing our nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 health care providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for opioid pain medications. Thats enough for every adult in the United States to have his or her own bottle of pills.

That proliferation is taking a staggering toll. The CDC estimates that nearly half a million Americans are rushed to emergency departments for the misuse or abuse of these drugs each year. More than 33,000 Americans died in 2015 by an overdose of opioids in the form of prescription pain medicines or heroin.

But in states where medical marijuana has been legalized, the numbers are actually going down. In the years following implementation of marijuana laws, some states have seen a drop in opioid-related deaths by as much as 25 percent.

If the primary objective of opioids is pain control, nearly two decades of research have shown that these drugs dont work that well when used chronically for non-cancer pain, offering relief for only about 30 percent of people. Marijuana can be an effective alternative or add-on, particularly for people with nerve pain of the kind that often accompanies diabetes or chemotherapy.

As a palliative care physician at the University of California, Los Angeles, Ive seen patients who use marijuana to help control pain in conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Many of them simply didnt get adequate pain control from first- and second-line drugs or with interventional treatments like nerve blocks. For some, marijuana improved symptom control, often resulting in the need for less opioids or other prescription pain medications.

Beyond marijuanas ability to relieve symptoms, there is also the potential for considerable cost savings with it. One recent study showed that when cannabis was a legally available alternative to traditional pain, sleep, and anti-anxiety medications, prescription drug costs among Medicare Part D recipients plunged significantly. In fact, prescribing marijuana instead of pharmaceutical medications saved an estimated $165.2 million in 2013 alone.

It seems possible, perhaps even likely, that broader national access to legalized marijuana will continue to drive down those costs even further. In addition to helping patients control pain, marijuana has also been reported to offer relief for other conditions, like spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Less well-supported by science are a host of other possible uses, including reducing seizures in certain kinds of epilepsy, easing the symptoms of lupus, and helping control inflammatory bowel disease. To date, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting those other uses, but the potential cost savings for treating a wide range of conditions is compelling.

There are legitimate concerns, of course, that the more marijuana use becomes accepted among adults, the more likely it is to be misused by adults or to fall into the hands of minors.

The human brain is still developing well into the third decade of life. Heavy recreational use of marijuana can harm that development and alter certain brain functions. High doses of THC, one of the most widely studied molecules in marijuana, can hasten the onset of psychotic illnesses, cause low motivation and diminish activity, and eventually increases the risk of respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and periodontal diseases.

To be fair, however, marijuana does not appear to pose the same long-term medical risks associated with the use of tobacco, like an increased risk of cancer, obesity, stroke, or heart disease.

Just because marijuana may be more readily available doesnt necessarily mean younger people are more likely to use it. The 2015 Healthy Kids Survey by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed that 4 out of 5 Colorado high school students abstained from using marijuana in the last year. And since the use of recreational marijuana was legalized there in 2009, overall use among high schoolers has actually dropped. Other national studies show a nationwide decline in rates of marijuana use or abuse among children and adolescents of almost 25 percent between 2002 and 2013.

With new marijuana use laws set to take effect across the country, we need to work diligently to make sure marijuana is used safely and kept out of the hands of children and teenagers. But as this historic shift in public opinion continues to unfold, we need to appreciate the circumstances before us and maximize the medical opportunities the use of cannabis may offer. This must, of course, include much more clinical and basic science and thoughtful, scientifically informed public policy.

Thomas Strouse, MD, is a palliative care physician and medical director of the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA.
Government statistics released this week claiming that 77 minors in the U.S. were killed by unintentional gun discharges last year significantly understate the scope of an enduring public health problem.

A review of shootings nationwide by The Associated Press and USA TODAY Network found that at least 141 deaths of minors were attributed to unintentional or accidental shootings in 2015 - 83 percent higher than what the Centers for Disease Control reported.

Advocates for stricter laws and new technology meant to keep guns away from children argue that many of the deaths are preventable, and the undercount is significant because it can skew the public policy debate. Lobbyists for the firearms industry, including the National Rifle Association, cite the CDC statistics to argue that such deaths are so rare that voluntary education - not additional laws or regulations - are needed.

CDC officials have acknowledged that their statistics are low because they rely on how coroners classify the fatalities on death certificates. Some coroners rule deaths in which one child unintentionally shoots another as a homicide - rather than an accidental discharge - because they fit the definition of being killed by another. They also can classify them as undetermined if the intent is unclear - for example, if it's not certain whether a minor committed suicide or accidentally shot himself.

AP and USA TODAY Network counted fatal shootings that were declared accidental or unintentional by investigating agencies. The media organizations' review did not include deaths where guns were fired on purpose, such as cases of stray bullets or celebratory gunfire.

The undercount for 2015 is in line with, but more significant than, the one observed for 2014, when the CDC missed one-third of the 113 deaths documented by the media outlets.

The CDC data, released Thursday, does track a trend identified in the media organizations' review in which deaths of all minors are most common among 3-year-olds, who typically pick up unsecured, loaded guns in their homes and fire back at themselves. The data also shows another spike in deaths among 15- to 17-year-olds, who are more likely to be shot by another teen playing with a gun.

Mark Rosenberg, former director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, said he believes the nation could eliminate all unintentional gun deaths involving children. He said "it's crazy" the government isn't doing more research into how to prevent them, in part because of a 1996 law that declared the CDC cannot use research funding to advocate or promote gun control.

"I think people 30 years from now are going to look back at this time and say, 'My God, how did we, as parents, as a nation, tolerate these deaths? These shooting deaths where a toddler kills a sibling or where a child is gunned down by a gun that they found in their home - how did we ever put up with that?'" Rosenberg said. "We use the word 'accident' and lull ourselves into this deadly complacency that says, 'This is just the cost of having firearms in our country'. It's not."

Rosenberg said accurate data is needed to persuade lawmakers and firearm owners to make changes, for instance to adopt smart gun technology that would only allow the owner to fire the weapon.

The NRA said Friday that its Eddie Eagle gun safety program, which tells students not to pick up any guns they see, has helped reduce the number of unintentional shootings in the last two decades but that more can be done.

"The NRA believes firearms education, safety, and training is the key to preventing accidental shootings," spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen said.

Cecily Wallman-Stokes, senior research manager for Everytown for Gun Safety, an advocacy group founded by Michael Bloomberg, said the problem of inadequate data about gun violence goes far beyond unintentional shootings. For example, she said the government can't say how many people are injured by guns or how many women are shot to death by their dating partners.

"Timely, reliable data have led to lifesaving advances in other public health issues like traffic safety, tobacco use, and lead exposure," she said. "Gun violence deserves the same."
A Spanish couple arrested for allegedly exploiting the rare illness of their daughter in a charity scam spent almost 600,000 euros ($633,000) of donations on a ritzy lifestyle, according to Spanish police.

Court documents issued by the investigating judge on Friday said that Fernando Blanco and Magarita Garau spent nearly two-thirds of the over 900,000 euros ($950,000) they received in charitable donations on personal expenses, including their rent, a car, travel and a collection of luxury watches.

The couple raised that money since 2009, when they established a charity in the name of their now 11-year-old daughter, Nadia Nerea, who they said suffered from the rare disease trichothiodystrophy.

The judge in the court in the northern Catalan town of Seu D'Urgell, where the couple who were arrested Wednesday lived, said police investigations indicated either they had misrepresented the seriousness of their daughter's illness or had invented it altogether. The judge ordered the girl to be removed from her parents' custody and placed in care of an aunt.

"The couple under investigation appears to have turned charity into their way of life," the judge wrote.

After questioning both parents, the judge kept the father in jail without the right to bail. The mother was released.

The couple's lawyer, Alberto Martin, told Spanish media his clients denied any wrongdoing to the judge.

Police searching the family's home found "a massive amount of clothes and electronic goods" and a collection of watches worth around ?60,000 ($63,000). The police investigation indicates the couple spent money raised for their daughter's care on regular expenditures at supermarkets, hardware stores, shopping malls, vacations, hotels, restaurants and elsewhere.

Prior to his arrest, Blanco said in a recent televised interview that he and his wife had "exaggerated" the seriousness of his daughter's illness to generate interest in her case and asked for forgiveness from people who had made donations.

Last weekend, the couple posted a statement on their charity's Facebook page saying they would return all the money they had received. Besides using social media, the couple had held events and made media appearances asking for help to pay for their daughter's medical costs.

The U.S. National Institute for Health says trichothiodystrophy is a rare genetic disease whose severity can span from brittle hair in mild cases to intellectual disabilities and even death.
A 60-year-old Tennessee man who spends time volunteering as Santa Claus at a local hospital granted a 5-year-old terminally ill boy his final wish this holiday season, and held him as he died in his arms.

I spent four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers, and Ive seen my share of [stuff], Eric Schmitt-Matzen told USA Today. But I ran by the nurses station bawling my head off. I know nurses and doctors see things like that every day, but I dont know how they can take it.

Schmitt-Matzen, a mechanical engineer and president of Packing Seals & Engineering in Jacksboro, Tennessee, had arrived at the unidentified hospital and met the boys mother and family members, who were also unidentified. A nurse had called with the special request and given him a toy to offer the child during his visit, USA Today reported.

When I walked in, he was laying there so weak, it looked like he was ready to fall asleep, Schmitt-Matzen told the news outlet. I sat down on his bed and asked, Say, whats this I hear about youre going to miss Christmas? Theres no way you can miss Christmas! Youre my No. 1 elf!

He looked up and said, I am? I said Sure.

Schmitt-Matzen told USA Today that he watched him open the present and smile before he lay back down.

They say Im going to die, he told me. How can I tell when I get to where Im going? I said, Can you do me a big favor? He said Sure! 'When you get there, you tell them youre Santas No. 1 elf and I know theyll let you in. He said, They will? I said, Sure.

He kind of sat up, and gave me a big hug and asked one more question: Santa can you help me? I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him, Schmitt-Matzen told USA Today.

The boys death left Schmitt-Matzen questioning whether he could continue donning the signature white beard and red suit, but he returned for other sick children and saw the effect it had on them.

When I saw all those children laughing, it brought me back into the fold. It made me realize the role I have to play. For them and for me, he told USA Today.
As someone who has lived in several places in the Caribbean, I am well aware of the fragility and pride that exist in the nations there. I have been able to visit Haiti many times and Ive seen firsthand the misery that saturates the entire country.

The 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti to its very foundation, is just the latest in a string of seemingly endless tragedies.

Let me start with a little history. Haiti, a nation neighboring the Dominican Republic to its east, is on the island Hispaniola. Hispaniola was discovered -- well before what we now call North America -- by Christopher Columbus.

Like other Caribbean nations, Haiti saw its share of upheaval as it went from Spanish control to British, Dutch and eventually being taken over by the French. It fought and won its independence in the 1800s, but at a heavy price.

In 1957, Dr. Francios Duvalier was elected the country president. During his early years, Duvalier was known for his humanitarian efforts, which quickly disappeared into one of modern historys most corrupt and repressive regimes.

Under Duvalier it is estimated that 30,000 Haitians lost their lives. In 1964, Papa Doc, as Duvalier was then known, declared himself, President for Life. The Tonton Macoutes, a paramilitary group was put under his control. They were created with the simple purpose of enforcing Duvaliers will by way of threats, voodoo and other forms of intimidation.

After Papa Doc died in 1971, his son, Jean-Claude, was placed in power and control of Haiti. Baby Doc as he became to be known, stole hundreds of millions through the tobacco administration.

In 1986, Duvalier resigned from power and left to live in exile, but not without sending Haiti deeper into economic despair.

Fast forward to 2010. The 7.0 earthquake has taken a country already in deep despair to utterly dire straits. Haiti now has two options if it is to survive.

The first option is to leave things as they are. To stick with the status quo, in other words. This would mean a continuation of policies (or lack thereof) that have already created many problems: piecemeal assistance in the form of aid from around the world, little enforcement of the rule of law and little oversight with just a sliver of hope for a brighter future for Haiti.

The second and more radical option is to integrate Haiti with the Dominican Republic. Like the reunification of East Germany and West Germany, there will be structural, political and sovereignty issues to contend with.

Haiti is a destitute nation that suffers not only from the lack of a strategic vision of what it should be, but also from a lack of any kind of effective leadership.

Haiti is a nation where government has little if any powers. There are only a few people in the Haitian government -- and that number could be even smaller now -- who possess the will, skills and know-how required for true nation building.

Instead there is widespread corruption throughout the government at all levels and an unemployment rate that exceeds eighty percent. It is a country in which many go hungry every day and resort to eating clay pies made of dirt. Corruption, unemployment and yes, hunger, exists in many developed nations, and even in the mightiest of them all, the United States of America -- but nowhere is this as pervasive as in Haiti.

I propose that Haiti be merged with the Dominican Republic.

My proposal is to use a business-style approach much like that used by major corporations where the merger process brings forth each company's strengths and weaknesses, and like the merger of two corporations, each can be analyzed to assure that the new company will be an entity that will bring about positive and long lasting change.

This new nation state, perhaps called the Dominican Haiti Republic, can evolve into a nation with a combined population of 19 million, who would be able to harness its natural resources collaboratively and govern in unison.

There will inevitably be power struggles and fights over who gets what and how, and who will lead this new nation, but just like the merger of major corporations, these issues can be re-mediated at the beginning.

Economic powers from throughout the world can come together to provide guidance and funds for this bold initiative, rather then just funding something that has failed to provide even a semblance of a return on investment.

Of course, there will be those critics who will deride this as too much experimentation with a nation that has refused to accept change, but I say this, that doing nothing will continue to perpetuate a vicious cycle in which Haitians will only survive in the smallest of senses; while others will seek to migrate to other places in order to find a better life.

We are all now opening our wallets and our hearts to the fallen of Haiti, but what they need most now is for our collective brainpower to be brought to bear on a very sad and destitute nation with a people whose great faith and hope is rapidly diminishing for a future filled with a better tomorrow.

Nothing but the most radical of approaches must be attempted. Doing nothing is not an option. If we choose to do nothing Haiti will become a nation that will continue to exist in even greater poverty and greater loss. And it will become a nation populated by the most physically and emotionally scarred people on earth.

Daniel Rodriguez is co-founder of the Alliance for Economic Stability and an adjunct professor of International Business at Mercy College in New York.
During his trip to the United States Mexico's President Felipe Calderon received a lot of attention for falsely claiming that Arizona's new immigration law uses "racial profiling." Calderon's attacks on U.S. policies continued during his address to Congress on Thursday. Immigration wasnt his only topic. He spent over four minutes of his address lecturing Americans and calling them on to renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that sunset in September 2004.

Calderon's message was simple: the reason that Mexicans are losing the drug war is because the U.S. assault weapons ban expired. Yet, Calderon's understanding of what the Federal Assault Weapons Ban is no more accurate than it is about Arizona's new immigration law. Let's review the assertions he made to Congress:

-- Calderon claimed that these were "powerful weapons." It is a common misunderstanding as the "assault weapons" ban conjures up images of machine guns used by militaries. Yet the 1994 federal assault weapons ban had nothing to do with machine guns, only semiautomatics, which fire one bullet per pull of the trigger. The AK-47s banned by the assaults weapons ban were civilian, semiautomatic versions of the gun. The banned guns fired the same type of bullets, with the same rapidity, and doing the same damage as deer hunting rifles. Their inside guts are essentially the same as deer hunting rifles -- some people just like to own these "military-style" weapons because of the way they look on the outside. The firing mechanisms in semiautomatics and machine guns are completely different. The entire firing mechanism of a semi-automatic gun has to be gutted and replaced to turn it into a military AK-47.

Just as Mexican drug cartels are able to bring drugs into their country, they are also able to bring in really powerful weapons from around the world to defend both their valuable drugs as well their turf against competing drug dealers. Reports indicate that grenades and rocket launchers are not even available for sale in the United States and come from countries such as South Korea, Israel, and Spain. Two thousand two hundred thirty nine grenades were seized by the Mexican government from 2007 to 2009. Similarly, machine guns in Mexico originate from China, Israel, and South Africa.

It is hard to believe that Mexican drug cartels would want to get look-alike "military-style" weapons from the U.S., when they can get the real military weapons elsewhere.

Calderon also asserted: "And if you look carefully you will notice that the violence in Mexico started to grow a couple of years before I took office in 2006. This coincides, at least, with the lifting of the assault weapons ban in 2004."

Calderon took office on December 1, 2006. And it is understandable that he would want to claim that the increase in murder rates started before he became president. It is also understandable that he would want to blame his countrys rising crime rate on the United States, but it simply isn't true. As *this* graph from The Los Angeles Times demonstrates, Mexico's homicide rate fell from 15.8 homicides per 100,000 people in 1997 to less than 10 per 100,000 people in 2006. This is a fact, despite Calderon's contention that if "you look carefully" you will see an increase in violence from the U.S. Assault Weapons Ban sunsetting. The 2007 and 2008 homicide rates were both lower than the rate in 2004. It seems pretty clear that the homicide rate in 2009 was higher than 2008, but it isn't clear why a change in U.S. law should take five years to cause an increase in crime especially in Mexico.

-- Calderon also warned: "And with all due respect, if you do not regulate the sale of these weapons in the right way, nothing guarantees that criminals here in the United States with access to the same power of weapons will not decide to challenge American authorities and civilians."

There has been no increase in murder rates in the U.S. since the Federal Assault Weapons sunset in September 2004. The U.S. murder rate was 5.7 per 100,000 people in 2003, the last full year without the law, and in only one year since then has the murder rate been as high as 5.7. In 2008, the murder rate was down to 5.4. In fact, the just released third edition of my book "More Guns, Less Crime covers the years from 1977 to 2005 and shows that the federal and state assault weapon bans coincides with slight, but very statistically significant, increases in murder and robbery rates.

-- Calderon said, "Just to give you an idea, we have seized 75,000 guns and assault weapons in Mexico in the past three years, and more than 80 percent of those we have been able to trace came from the United States," Calderon told Congress.

As Fox News reported last year, not all the weapons seized in Mexico even have serial numbers that allow them to be traced and those weapons come from countries other than the United States. "Not every weapon seized in Mexico has a serial number on it that would make it traceable, and the U.S. effort to trace weapons really only extends to weapons that have been in the U.S. market," Matt Allen, special agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), told Fox News for the investigation that they conducted. All that the more than 80 percent number cited by Calderon means is that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives could trace that percentage of the guns that had been submitted by Mexico to the U.S.

The true percentage of guns that have gone from the United States to Mexico isn't known, but if American-made guns without serial numbers are excluded, the percentage is probably around 20 percent. (All American-made guns were required to have serial numbers after 1968 and many guns were made with serial numbers at least as far back as the 1930s.) Even if these very old guns are included the percentage rises to at most to 36 percent. It isn't clear how any new American gun laws are going to effect guns probably taken to Mexico more than 40 years ago.

President Calderon really needs to read American laws before he lectures us about how we should change them. More worrisome, the vast majority of Democrats appeared to stand up and give him a long 20 second standing ovation when Calderon called for renewing the Assault Weapons Ban. Banning guns based on their looks and not how they function doesn't make a lot of sense for reducing crime.

John R. Lott, Jr. is a FoxNews.com contributor. He is an economist and author of "More Guns, Less Crime (University of Chicago Press, 2010), the third edition was published this month.
Politics can be creepy; but one of the efforts to suppress Latino voter turnout in key battleground states, principally Nevada, was a throwback to Jim Crow. Claiming financial support from unnamed Latino businessmen, Robert dePosada, a former Republican operative, created an odious print and TV ad campaign carrying the tagline, Dont Vote. The angle dePosada used to justify a message so negative and anti-social was that since neither party did much to further the cause of immigration reform, Latinos should refrain from voting altogether. By withholding their vote, the premise went; Latinos would be sending a message that they will not be taken for granted.

Aside from the obvious fact that boycotting elections only strengthens the party most opposed to your point of view, dePosada and his anonymous backers likely had a more insidious agenda. Recognizing the enormous potential impact of the Latino vote on close races in California and Nevada and elsewhere, he tried to create a disincentive, a principled excuse for Hispanics to stay home. And it might have worked had not Univision, the powerful Spanish language network, blocked access to any of their affiliates and stations. In rejecting the ad, the media giant said it prides itself on promoting civic engagement.

Similarly, rival Spanish-language network Telemundo launched its own Tu Voto, Tu Futuro (Your Vote, Your Future) campaign to encourage voter turnout.

Once dePosada and his Dont Vote ad were stymied by the big two TV networks, other outlets and journalists picked up on his scurrilous attempt to undermine decades of struggle by minorities to win voting rights. The image of an elderly Latino, who gained citizenship in the United States after a lifetime of struggle a sacrifice, being confronted by a slickly produced, bilingual ad urging the old-timer to stay home on Election Day is an obscenity; grossly antithetical to the ideals of giants like Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. and the legion of others who gave everything to win the right for every American, and those who fought and died to preserve it.

Geraldo Rivera is anchor of "At Large" on Fox News Channel. To continue reading his column for Fox News Latino, click here.
What is behind the past years Arab street protests? Extremism? A cry for democracy? Something else? Former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft recently cautioned against interpreting these Middle East protests as an upsurge of an innate instinct for democracy. While speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago, he suggested that the Arab Spring is an urge for dignity rather than democracy as we know it. The outcome will not be apparent for a long time.

Fortunately this Independence Day weekend, our nations history is clear. What started out as colonial cries for dignity led to the radical Declaration of Independence that we celebrate today. Dignity was the heart and soul of it all.

When Thomas Jefferson began writing the Declaration of Independence in June 1776, he knew his fellow colonists had done their best to reconcile their differences with their British king. From signing peaceful petitions against the notorious Stamp Act in 1765 to violently throwing 300 chests of tea into Boston harbor in 1773, they had tried every antidote they could prescribe. Yet, the more these British subjects demanded dignity, the more invasive, tyrannical and sickly their monarchy became.

Over time the colonists lost their right to assemble in legislatures, receive jury trials and trade in commerce. The crown imposed taxes on us without our consent and worst of all, took away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws.

While he wrestled with finding the right words for this now-famous document, Jefferson knew the final blow had come after the Continental Congress sent an olive branch petition to King George III. Referring to the shots fired at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, they called on him to use all the means . . . for stopping the further effusion of blood. The petition beseeched his Majesty . . . to settle peace through every part of our dominions.

How did King George III respond to their olive branch petition? He refused to even read it. Instead he issued his own document, the Declaration of Rebellion, which called America dangerous and in open and avowed rebellion.

When they learned in January 1776 that the king had rejected their peace petition and declared war against them, Jefferson and other leaders knew they had to do something. As the famous pamphleteer Thomas Paine put it: We have it in our power to begin the world over again. . . . Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, TIS TIME TO PART.

And it was time. The Continental Congress was ready to take Paines advice and begin the world over again. Central to their Declaration was a cry for dignity.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, Jefferson famously wrote, with editorial oversight from committee members Ben Franklin and John Adams, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Dignity is the heart of this belief that Godnot a government or kinggives humanity its rights. Massachusetts minister Nathanael Emmons described it this way: The dignity of man appears from his bearing the image of his Maker.

These founders hoped that dignity would lead to a form of democracy.

For, in free republics, where liberty is equally enjoyed, every man has weight and influence in proportion to his abilities, and a fair opportunity of rising, by the dint of merit, to the first offices and honors of the state, Emmons proclaimed.

Jefferson believed that dignity could be best upheld when government came from representation, not royalty.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

This primal cry for dignity led 56 patriots to put their lives on the line by issuing the Declaration of Independence, earning them a place on the kings most-wanted list. On that day, July 4, 1776, they boldly declared: That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States. And so we are today.

Jefferson had one last word for the king: A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Indeed. He was right.

It remains to be seen where the Arab Spring will ultimately lead the Middle Eastto forms of democracy, stable governments or tyrannical kingdoms. Yet, as we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember Thomas Paines optimism about the promise of liberty: The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.

Jane Hampton Cook, is the author of "Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War" and a new book for children on presidents and technology: "What Does the President Look Like?' She will be a guest speaker at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 30.
All of us can remember where we were the day a foreign enemy attacked us on our own soil ten years ago. On that day in September, thousands of innocent Americans lost their lives. We will never forget them.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks forever changed our perception of what it means to be safe but it didnt change who we are. While the threat of terrorism is now a part of our daily lives, we have resolved to continue defending our freedom and securing the blessings of liberty.

In the aftermath of 9/11, we collectively asked ourselves how an attack of this magnitude could have happened.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks demonstrated the need to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws to keep terrorists from entering the U.S. Although we have made significant strides to protect the homeland, cracks in our immigration system and along the border remain.

For example, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we learned that our immigration system had been used by foreign terrorists to gain a safe haven in the United States. All of the 9/11 hijackers received visas to come to the U.S. And once they were here, all but one of the 9/11 hijackers acquired some form of a U.S. identification document. These forms of ID helped them board commercial flights on 9/11.

Following the devastating attacks, Congress appointed the 9/11 Commission to examine intelligence failures that led to September 11. The 9/11 Commission recognized these immigration-related weaknesses as part of the problem.

To keep terroristswho may be in the U.S. illegallyfrom getting valid forms of ID, Congress passed the REAL ID Act. The law prohibits illegal immigrants, including terrorists, from obtaining forms of identification that can be used to board planes and enter federal buildings. Regrettably, the Obama administration has continued to delay its implementation until January 2013.

To address visa security, Congress created the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Visa Security Program. The goal was simple: increase the security of the visa process at U.S. embassies and consulates in highest-risk countries. At visa-issuing posts where the program exists today, all applicants receive additional screening. Unfortunately, such screening only exists at 19 locations out of a list of about 50 designated highest-risk posts worldwide. At other posts, less than 2% receive additional screening.

Those who wish to do America harm are aware of our continued vulnerability. Last February, Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, a 20-year-old citizen of Saudi Arabia living in Texas, came to the U.S. on a student visa and was charged with the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.

According to the affidavit, Aldawsari had planned to commit a terrorist attack against the U.S. for years. That is precisely why he applied for a student visa in order to gain entry to the U.S. and carry out his plot. Aldawsari also wrote in his journal that to avoid detection and to help carry out his plot, he would need multiple drivers licenses and a forged U.S. birth certificate.

And this isnt the only time a terrorist has used our immigration system to come to the U.S. since 9/11. Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, the terrorist who attempted to blow up a plane going to Detroit on Christmas Day 2009, had a valid visa at the time of the attempted terror attack. Abdulmutallab was issued a visa in July 2008, and even after his father expressed concerns to U.S. authorities about his sons radicalization, his visa was not revoked.

Terrorists may also be exploiting weaknesses in the Southwest border to enter the U.S. illegally. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), only 44% of the Southwest border is under the operational control of the Border Patrol. Major gaps like these are an open invitation to illegal immigrants and terrorists. As long as the entire border is not secure, the country is not secure.

Each year, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants enter the U.S. from countries other than Mexico (OTM) including some countries with strong ties to terrorist organizations. In Fiscal Year 2010, more than 59,000 OTMS were apprehended while entering the U.S. These individuals come from countries such as Syria, Iran, Somalia, Nigeria and Pakistan. If we dont know who is coming into the country, then we dont know what harm they might do.

The diversity visa program also could allow terrorists to come into the U.S. Created in 1990, this program is better known as the visa lottery since thousands of immigrants are selected at random to receive visas.

Basing our immigration system on the luck of the draw is not smart immigration policyits a jackpot for terrorists. Each year, diversity visas are issued to individuals from countries listed as State Sponsors of Terrorism. For the 2011 program, 1,842 Iranians, 553 Sudanese, and 32 Syrians were issued diversity visas. We should eliminate this program.

Strong immigration enforcement and border security are the first line of defense against terrorists. Until we do that, Americans will remain vulnerable to attacks.

Republican Rep. Lamar Smith represents Texas as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
This week's Supreme Court decision to weigh in on the constitutionality of Arizonas immigration law, SB1070, will have an enormous effect on the course of the national immigration debate and, potentially, on the direction of the nation as a whole.

Proponents of SB1070 claim it is necessary because the federal government was not acting to secure Arizonas borders.

The bills chief sponsor, former Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce, working closely with Washington-based anti-immigrant lobbyists, drafted the most heavy handed immigration legislation in history.

It goes well beyond the reach of the federal law by effectively criminalizing undocumented immigrants. The most onerous passage, sarcastically dubbed by detractors as the show me your papers provision, requires that state law enforcement agents determine the immigration status of anyone they stop if they have a reasonable suspicion the individual may be undocumented. Opponents fear the law will lead to racial profiling of Latinos, Asians, and other citizens of color.

The Obama administration has mounted a fierce legal challenge to SB1070 arguing that it runs afoul of the Constitution which gives the federal government the exclusive power to regulate immigration. Several key provisions of the Arizona law have been enjoined by the lower courts.

In the meantime, other states, including Utah, Georgia, and Alabama have enacted similar legislation.

Alabamas law, by far most punitive, was signed into law last spring. Despite a similar legal challenge by the administration, some of its harshest provisions have taken effect, including one which effectively criminalizes undocumented immigrants and requires that school children prove their lawful immigration status.

The Alabama experience has provided an alarming preview of what to expect if in Arizona under the full force of SB1070. The citizens of Alabama have been plagued by due process violations, acute shortages of essential workers, and the creation of a climate of fear which has lead to decisions by Latinosdocumented and undocumented aliketo flee the state.

The media has been replete with graphic images of produce rotting in unattended Alabama fields and idle machinery abandoned amid the flight of terrified workers.

Alabama officials have been repeatedly embarrassed by the shocking arrests of foreign auto executives who were detained by local law enforcement for failure to produce immigration papers.

The Supreme Court has long taken the position that immigration is about national sovereigntythe right of a country to protect its borders. Its decision on the Constitutionality of SB 1070 will be felt not only in states that have enacted copy cat legislation, but throughout the country.

Should the Court strike down the Arizona immigration law it will reaffirm the well established principle that immigration policy is exclusively a federal matter; inextricably tied to the idea of the United States as a sovereign nation.

However, if the Court allows SB 1070 to stand, more states will undoubtedly follow Arizonas lead, resulting in a disparate patchwork of state immigration laws throughout the country. The challenge then will no longer be limited to the federal governments authority to regulate immigration, but to very idea of the United States as an indivisible nation.

David Leopold who is an immigration attorney in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the immediate past president of the American immigration lawyers association. Follow him on Twitter @davidleopold.
As Congress, Republican presidential candidates, and much of the U.S., South American, and European media are sounding the alarm on suspicious activities by Iran and Hezbollah in Latin America, the State Department is hitting the snooze button.

State also has turned a blind eye to abuses of the administrations liberalized rules for traveling to Cuba, causing Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to hold up the nominations of two members of President Obamas Latin America team.

Congress is right to scrutinize policies and policy makers that fail to advance our values or protect our security.



Heres fresh evidence of the problem at Foggy Bottom. A December 8 Univision documentary on The Iranian Threat in Latin America caught Venezuelan diplomat Livia Acosta on hidden camera instructing purported Mexican hackers to crack U.S. national security websites on behalf of anti-U.S. dictator Hugo Chavez. Accusers also have released a document that appears to identify Acosta, now posted in Chavezs consulate in Miami, as an undeclared (read illegal) agent of Venezuelas intelligence service.



Bipartisan congressional leaders immediately called for an investigation into the Acosta scandal and the broader threat of Irans network in the Americas. Rather than echoing these concerns, last week, two senior U.S. diplomats held a cordial meeting with Venezuelas senior representative in Washington, Angelo Rivero, to reassure him that the State Department hopes to improve bilateral cooperation despite the Acosta affair.

Far from expelling Acosta or even raising the serious accusations against her, a senior American diplomat advised Rivero to increase security to protect Acosta from U.S. protestors in Miami and warned that the U.S. Congress or other U.S. agencies might continue to investigate the case.



This recent episode, revealed to me by sources within the Chavez regime, is one of many examples of a U.S. Latin America policy that is dangerously out of touch with the grave and growing threats in our own neighborhood. Here are a few others.



Despite documentary evidence that Iran has been exploring for uranium in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia for many years and is conducting mining in these countries today, U.S. officials are unable to confirm whether Teheran is illegally obtaining this critical ingredient to fuel its rogue nuclear program right here in this hemisphere.



On two occasions in recent months, U.S. diplomats have testified before Congress that a Caracas-Damascus-Teheran flight is no longer flying, in spite of recent eyewitness accounts to the contrary. Billions of Iranian funds being laundered through Venezuelan banks have escaped U.S. scrutiny. U.S. law enforcement authorities  particularly the Drug Enforcement Agency  seeking to sanction Venezuelan state-run enterprises that abet Iran, Hezbollah, and narcotraffickers must overcome State Department resistance at every turn.



Rather than ask the intelligence community to increase its capabilities, these diplomats would rather not know what Chavez is up to sothey do not have to confront the problem. When it comes to Chavezs dangerous conspiracy with Iran, Cuba, Russia, and China, ignorance is indefensible.



This disorientation is not limited to Venezuela. Soon after taking power, the Obama administration joined a stampede orchestrated by Chavez to condemn the June 2009 ouster of his acolyte in Honduras, who had forfeited his office by plotting to violate a constitutional ban on re-election.

In contrast, U.S. diplomats have effectively ignored the illegal maneuvers and outright electoral fraud that Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega has used to secure another term in office just last month. SenatorRobert Menendez (D-N.J.), who chairs the Foreign Relations Committees panel on Latin America, said this month, It is time for the United States  to pay attention to what is occurring in Nicaragua and take action to ensure that the democratic values in the region arent further eroded. Instead, U.S. diplomats in Managua have been instructed by Washington not to confront Ortega.



Coddling hostile regimes may be the lone organizing principle of U.S. Latin America policy today. Ecuadors mercurial president, Rafael Correa, expelled U.S. envoy Heather Hodges in April after a Wikileaked telegram from the U.S. embassy in Quito referred in passing to official corruption. In September, for no particular reason, the White House announced the appointment of Adam Namm to replace Hodges; Namms is one of the nominations frozen by Rubio.



In November, when Bolivias anti-U.S. leader Evo Morales was grappling with an internal uprising, the State Department threw him a political lifeline by signing a compact to restore bilateral ties. Never mind that Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador and the DEA for no reason, refuses U.S. anti-drug aid, forbids U.S. democracy support, and levels unfounded accusations against the United States on a weekly basis.



The foregoing examples send an unmistakable signal that there is no cost for being an avowed enemy of the United States and little benefit for being a friend. Congress is right in thinking we can do better than this and in insisting that we do.



Roger F. Noriega was Ambassador to the Organization of American States from 2001-03 and Assistant Secretary of State from 2003-05. He is a visiting fellow at the American EnterpriseInstitute and managing director of Vision Americas LLC, which represents U.S. and foreign clients, and he contributes to www.interamericansecuritywatch.com.
President-elect Donald Trumps choice of Betsy DeVos as his nominee to head the Department of Education is a strong sign that his administration could increase the use of revolutionary educational technology (edtech) to dramatically improve instruction for millions of children in Americas schools.

While she is better known for her support of charter schools and school voucher programs to provide families with public funds to send their children to private schools, DeVos is also a longtime advocate of edtech. She favors computer-assisted instruction to meet the individual educational needs of each child, providing a digital version of what a one-on-one tutor would do.

DeVos serves on the board of the Foundation For Excellence in Education, a reform group headed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The group states in its Reform Agenda: Technology can revolutionize education and help ensure no student is bored or left behind. The Foundation supports the use of technology to offer students access to a high-quality, customized education and empower teachers to help their students succeed.

Through the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, DeVos and her husband support the West Michigan Aviation Academy, a public charter school they founded in Grand Rapids. The school is full of personalized learning facilities, including a separate computer science program and instruction in robotics. It even has a computer-aided drafting and design course.

In accepting her nomination DeVos said she is looking to do big things. The status quo in education is not acceptable, she said in a statement. Together, we can work to make transformational change that ensures every student in America has the opportunity to fulfill his or her highest potential.

Another important edtech advocate is Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, who spoke on Trumps behalf at the Republican National Convention and was a major donor to the president-elects campaign. The billionaire investor is a partner of Y Combinator, a seed accelerator that funds startups, and OpenAI, a nonprofit research company that promises to develop friendly artificial intelligence.

Thiel has also invested in a string of education software companies. These include Knewton, which develops adaptive teaching software, and Clever, which helps connect software products for schools so that data can be more easily shared.

The single biggest roadblock to accelerating the adoption of effective edtech in American classrooms is a lack of sufficient knowledge by local school district officials about what to buy and who to buy it from.

Each edtech company salesperson claims the product he or she is selling is best. Sorting through these competing claims poses an enormous challenge for school purchasing officials, who are in most cases not edtech experts.

To solve this problem, more and more school superintendents are working together to share their knowledge and experience about edtech products.

More than 2,900 school superintendents have already signed up for the Future Ready Schools initiative, which helps school district leaders plan and implement personalized edtech learning strategies to benefit students. Each participating school district commits to install infrastructure so classrooms have high-speed internet connectivity.

Many other organizations have been formed to evaluate edtech in individual school districts around the country. These include iZone in New York City, the LearnLaunch Institute in Boston and the Instructional Technology Initiative in Los Angeles.

In addition, a nonprofit called TEC (the Technology for Education Consortium), where I am chairman of the board, was created this year to help school districts work together to get the most value for every dollar they spend on edtech and buy the most appropriate products. Funded with a $750,000 seed grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, TEC has brought together 44 school districts  including some of the nations largest  to share edtech purchasing knowledge at no charge to the districts.

When I was in elementary and secondary school in the 1950s and 60s, edtech consisted of the occasional film or filmstrip we saw in class. Teachers relied on blackboards as the primary visual aid for lectures and discussions. My classmates and I did research by finding books through the card catalogue housed in enormous filing cabinets at the library.

We live in a far different world today. To cite just one example: The G Suite for Education (formerly called Google Apps for Education) enables students to work with each other and with teachers in collaborative ways no one could imagine a few decades ago. Features get critiqued by the Google community in lightning-fast time and frequently are improved as quickly by the vendors, or are jettisoned by the community. It is a virtual ecosystem with the potential to make serious progress.

ln the years ahead, learning and working with computers and other technology will only grow in importance. To enable our children to thrive and get good jobs in the future, edtech must become an integral part of their classrooms quickly. This should be a high priority for the Trump administration, other government officials and schools across the nation.
Make no mistake: its payback time. In ordering up a deep dive into possible Russian interference in the election of Donald Trump, sore loser Barack Obama wants to delegitimize the real estate magnates win. His motive? Punishing Trump for the years the mogul spent publicly questioning whether Obama was an American citizen, which cast doubts on the legitimacy of his presidency. Ah, how sweet the revenge. And how pitiful.

President Obama has searched high and, increasingly, low, for the reasons he and Hillary Clinton lost the election. He has blamed Fox News, insufficient grass-roots campaigning by Hillary, fake news, and now has singled out Russian meddling for the loss of 194 of 207 counties that voted for him in either 2008 or 2012.

The suggestion is that Vladimir Putin wanted Trump to win; the liberal media has hinted darkly that the president-elect and his campaign team have ties to the Russian head of state.

As most Americans review Trumps defense and security picks, the notion that the new administration will go easy on our adversaries  including Russia  is laughable. Retired General James Mattis, whom Trump has nominated to head Defense, has described Russias annexation of Crimea as a severe threat, one underestimated by the Obama White House. Mattis is not to be trifled with.

The media has ignored the reality that Moscows possible hacking of DNC and Podestas emails were retaliation for Hillary Clintons assertions that Russian elections in 2011 were rigged  an accusation that infuriated Putin. When protests erupted in Russia over the election outcome, Putin blamed Clinton. She said they were dishonest and unfair, Putin said at the time. He accused then Secretary of State Clinton for giving a signal to demonstrators organized with the support of the U.S. State DepartmentWe need to safeguard ourselves from this interference in our internal affairs, Putin said. Does this sound familiar? Turnabout is fair play, and Putin has made it clear that if we mess with his elections, he will mess with ours.

Obama knows this. Politico reported in a July piece entitled Why Putin Hates Hillary that the Russian leaders anger about Clintons interference was communicated directly to President Barack Obama. Former administration officials involved with Russian policy say the Kremlin saw Clinton as taking a harder line against Russia  reset notwithstanding  than others in the White House. And they say Putin sees Clinton as a forceful proponent of regime change policies that the Russian leader considers a grave threat to his own survival.

That is why the Russians may have tried to undermine Hillary Clinton, not because they see Trump as an ally. Like most of the world, Moscow no doubt expected Clinton to win. Coming into office weakened by Putins meddling would have undoubtedly pleased Moscow no end.

Obamas call for an investigation is transparently bogus. First, the CIA offers up only scant circumstantial evidence  evidence that even the New York Times admits does not support firm judgements -- to make the charge that Russia worked to favor Trump. The FBI isnt even on board with the conclusion.

Second, everyone knows that no serious inquiry could possibly be completed by January 20, when Trump will be sworn in. The federal government operates with glacial pacing; Obama knows the report will likely never be completed, and so the issue of Russian hacking will hang like a cloud  like the birther rumors  over the Trump White House.

While muttering about how the need for transparency might inspire the investigation into the hacking, the Times et al ignore the reality: the emails released via WikiLeaks that outed cheating by the DNC in favor of Hillary Clinton, or showed how disrespectful her camp was of Catholics and average Americans, actually increased the transparency of the election. The United States should not tolerate cyberattacks from a foreign government; nor should we tolerate cheating in our politics.

Obama is still smarting from having put himself on the line during the campaign, telling the Black Congressional Caucus, for instance, I will consider it a personal insult, an insult to my legacy, if this community lets down its guard and fails to activate itself in this election.

He made Hillarys campaign all about him, but she lost anyway. That has to sting. Especially since Americans, in choosing Trump, also chose to undo most of Obamas most precious accomplishments.

On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to toss Obamas climate agenda, his Iran deal and, most importantly, ObamaCare. In recent weeks, he has nominated cabinet officials who are well suited to carrying out those promises. Lofting Scott Pruit, the Oklahoma Attorney General, to the EPA: good-bye overreaching anti-fossil fuel regulations. Rep. Tom Price for HHS: so long ObamaCare. Mad Dog Mattis for Defense: the Iran deal is toast. For a president who has put such stock in his legacy, and who took office being compared to Abraham Lincoln, the erasure of his eight years must be intolerable.

What will be left of the Obama presidency, which chose to act unilaterally through executive actions and regulations rather than work through Congress? Not much.

Actually, with his embarrassing reluctance to shoulder any responsibility for the drubbing given Democrats over the past eight years, his legacy will begin with a very sour taste in the countrys mouth.
Latino rights group Respect Respeto sent a letter on Monday to the Justice Department asking for a probe into allegations that Sheriff Paul Babeu threatened a Mexican immigrant ex-lover.

The organization said the allegations, if proven true, may constitute an abuse of power as an elected official.

The Pinal County sheriff, who is running for the GOP nomination for a congressional seat, resigned as Arizona co-chair of the Mitt Romney presidential campaign Saturday, after the Phoenix New Times reported a story alleging Babeu had threatened a Mexican immigrant ex-boyfriend with deportation if he made their relationship public.

Celebrities Who Were Once Undocumented

Babeu denies the allegations, but the story prompted him to confirm publicly that he is gay -- a development that may wind up damaging his reputation among his conservative base.

KNXV-TV reports Respect Respeto wants the sheriff investigated on behalf of every immigrant who has been threatened with deportation.

The group alleges in its request to the Justice Department that Babeu made "text messages, pictures and threats that are unbecoming of an elected sheriff."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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A Hispanic of national stature on the GOP presidential ticket would help the party rebuild bridges with the community and harness the Latino vote, the Governor of Puerto Rico said.

In an interview with Fox News Latino, Luis Fortuno spoke candidly about a number of issues -- from the national elections, his first term as governor, his chances for re-election, and the buzz around conservative circles that peg him as a possible vice presidential candidate.

The GOP cant even envision winning the White House if we lose a significant percentage of the Hispanic vote, said Fortuno, who is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday.

Fortuno believes that the party has an opportunity to engage the fastest growing voting bloc in the nation with a ticket that carries a unique Hispanic perspective.

That person can be a Puerto Rican or a Cuban, or whomever, Fortuno said, but that person can bring that perspective and I believe commence to rebuild bridges that have been burned with the Hispanic community.

The Latino population grew from 35.3 million in 2000, to 50.5 million in 2010.

Latinos represent 9 percent of all eligible voters. Many live in key battleground states such as Florida, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

For the Republican Party, the stakes are high.

It is wrong to believe that Hispanics are Democrats, he said. Hispanics are traditionally and historically conservative, not just socially conservative, but fiscally conservative.

Unsolved Murder Mysteries Pile Up In Puerto Rico

He pointed out that the Latino community is deeply diverse, made up of Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Cubans and many others, but united in its aspirations.

Education is extremely important to the Hispanic community, as well as faith, and certainly working hard, he said. I believe that whether it is this time around, or the next time around, whoever that nominee will be will look at different Hispanics with national stature such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl), Gov. Brian Sandoval (R-NV) or Gov. Susana Martinez (R-NM) and others that have the credentials certainly to occupy that position."

A rising GOP star, Fortuno himself has been singled out as a possible candidate for vice president.

His recent endorsement of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, frontrunner in the GOP primary, before the crucial Florida primaries further added to the speculation. When asked if he would give serious consideration to a request to be on the GOP ticket, he didnt quite say no.

I dont foresee that happening, he said. Really, I dont foresee Gov. Romney asking me to do that. I foresee Gov. Romney asking me to help him get elected, and I certainly would love to assist him to the extent that my campaign allows me.

For now, Fortuno is seeking re-election.

He said that even though a year and a half ago he was not electable, the economic turnaround achieved by his administration will probably lead him to a second term.

Upon entering office in 2009, he inherited a bankrupt government with a huge 3.3 billion budget deficit.

In order to set the course for a balanced budget, he implemented a series of painful and unpopular measures.

What is the LEAST Latino State of the Union?

He slashed government expenses by 20 percent, including his own salary by 10 percent. He cut the state work force by more than 20,000, prompting widespread protests against his administration.

His critics feel that the measures were draconian and have done far more harm than good, leaving many unemployed in a difficult economy.

Public discontent also spilled over into student protests, when his administration shaved the University of Puerto Ricos budget by a quarter and upped tuition by $800 a semester.

A New York Times story noted that Fortuno was criticized for excessive force by police against student demonstrating who were protesting higher university fees.

Riot police hit protesters, bystanders and journalists with batons and used pepper spray and choke holds, in incidents that were videotaped and are discussed in the report, the publication said, referring to a U.S. Justice Department report that assailed the problems in the police department, which Fortuno oversees.

His supporters tout his economic measures.

In three years, the deficit is a little over six percent.

Puerto Rico achieved its first bond rating increase in 27 years and a major tax reform has been put in place.From a high of almost 17 percent, unemployment is at 13 percent, after a six-year recession.

Barring of Latina Candidate in Arizona Stirs Criticism of English Proficiency Law

The island is still besieged by a wave of violent crime, in large part due to the illegal drug trade. Fortuno has repeatedly called for federal government intervention.

This coming Nov. 6th will see a referendum to address the islands political status, which he hopes will start a dialogue with Washington. Fortuno states that his major achievement has been bringing common sense back to government, but he is fully aware of the political collateral damage.

I came into office to do what was correct, not to see what was politically expedient to get re-elected, he said. Especially in the day and age that we are living in, that is required of elected officials. And if it just so happens that you dont get re-elected, so be it, as long as you are doing the right thing.

Susanne Ramirez de Arellano is a freelance writer based in New York City. She is a former News Director for Univision Puerto Rico and has worked for ABC News, the Associated Press Television News in London and CNN International. She writes a Blog for www.magacin.com called Susanne en la Ciudad.

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Last month, we were at the California Republican convention and had the privilege of attending a town hall on attracting Latino voters. At least the California State GOP have identified the problem, now it's on to finding solutions.

Heres a suggestion: Propose a specific immigration policy that engenders good will among California Mexicans, e.g. a Republican version of the federal DREAM Act that would provide a path to residency/citizenship for individuals brought to the U.S. at a young age.

Instead of finding ourselves in a perpetually defensive posture, the party would finally have a proactive stance with respect to immigration, and one that is very popular in the California Mexican community.

"Brilliant!" you say, the silver bullet Republicans have been searching for at their town halls and forums!

The party leadership isnt interested. We asked. They think stressing tougher border security is the winning message.

Border security?...Really? (And we wonder why the party's registration is 30 percent in California and shrinking.)

GOP Hopefuls Losing Ground Among Latinos: Fox News Latino Exclusive Poll

It should come as no surprise that the current California GOP leadership is presiding over a spectacular collapse, one that began in the early 1990s.

At 30 percent voter registration, the party is on track to be eclipsed by voters registered as "other," currently at 26 percent.

Put another way, the California GOP may soon be third in a two-party system.

This is not rocket science. Simply take the most sympathetic case (e.g. undocumented youth raised in American since infancy), come up with a proposal, and show that the party actually has solutions for Americas cumbersome immigration quagmire.

A Republican DREAM Act isnt a political version of a Hail Mary pass either; Gallup and Rasmussen polls show that a majority of Americans support a path to residency or citizenship for these undocumented youth, if they earn it.

Imagine what the poll numbers are among Californians, 38 percent of whom are Hispanic?

A recent Fox News Latino poll shows that 86 percent of likely Latino voters nationwide support the federal DREAM Act.

Former Republican Attorney General Alberto Gonzales recently penned an Op-Ed on Fox News Latino stating the need for the GOP to get it right on this issue.

The authors of this Op-Ed are conservative, believe in free markets, a strong national defense, traditional family values, and individual liberty. We also oppose the summary deportation of individuals raised in America from a young age, and who have committed no wrong.

For Latinos, Immigration More Personal than Political, Poll Says

Despite what some critics of the DREAM Act seem to imply, there is no causal link between conservative ideals and unequivocal opposition to the DREAM Act.

And, to compound the problem, the endorsement of hard-line anti-immigration candidates such as Tim Donnelly is killing the California GOP!

As they say in poker when a guy donks-off all of his chips, you dont like money?

In the political arena, it would appear that the California GOP dont like winning.

If the GOP wants to win statewide races in California, or have even a modicum of power in Sacramento, it must appeal to the Latino community  and be on the right side of this issue. The irony is, behind the scenes many prominent California GOP figures support the concept in principle, but believe it is politically untenable.

Hard-Hit by Recession, Latino Voters Stay Optimistic about Future

There's the rub. Party leaders misunderstand both California Mexicans voters AND the base. Que lastima!

Unless irrelevance is an acceptable fate, the party better figure it out, and fast.

Tony Carlos is a prosecutor and congressional candidate in California's 3rd District (R). Roberto Marquez is an attorney from California and former prosecutor.

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The closest those attending the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerces (USHCC) Legislative Summit will get to the cherry blossoms now in season is a meeting room, make that many meeting rooms. Entrepreneurs have signed up for a crash course in Washington, D.C., to learn how to influence the players in government who can help Hispanic-owned businesses grow. This includes a new alliance between the USHCC and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced at this conference with the aim to grow the number of Hispanic-owned small businesses participating in SBA programs.

This measure intends to streamline access to funds such as loans and create trade opportunities or secure government contracts.

USHCC President and CEO Javier Palomarez calls this partnerships an investment in Latino-owned businesses that will help the economic recovery.

Despite the challenges brought about by the recession, Hispanic businesses have still managed to thrive, growing over 44 percent in the past five years and generating new ventures three times faster than the general population, Palomarez said.

About 64 percent of all jobs in America are created by small businesses, with those owned by Hispanics being the fastest-growing segment. More than three million businesses are owned by Latinos and this groups purchasing power has ballooned to more than $1 trillion dollars. But how can these statistics be leveraged further to strengthen families, communities, enterprises, and the economy? The USHCC believes in access to some of the top leaders at the White House, on Capitol Hill, in public policy, and the private sector which is why it hosts this annual legislative conference, now in its 22nd year.

Members of more than 200 chambers are attending trainings, round table discussions, and panels on our countrys energy future and manufacturing in the 21st century. A few highlights include: the procurement matching sessions which pair up business owners who want to sell their goods and services to federal agencies looking to buy. One example is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which has $19 billion set aside to purchase everything from technology to uniforms, said the Honorable Rafael Borras, DHS Undersecretary of Management at Wednesdays opening breakfast, where I was the MC.

Another key event is Hill Day when small business owners meet their lawmakers and lobby to advance their legislative priorities. The Chairmans Gala honors Anna Maria Chavez, the CEO of the Girl Scouts and celebrates the contributions of women entrepreneurs: of all companies owned by minority women, 36 percent are owned by Latinas, a number that continues growing and is generating $55 billion a year, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Viviana Hurtados blog The Wise Latina Club has won "Best Politics Blogger" awards by LATISM and Blogs by Latinas. She is a regular columnist for Fox News Latino. You can follow her on twitter at: @vivianahurtado

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New Jersey's immigration detention center is representative of the entire, deeply flawed system and offers proof that federal reforms are falling short, immigration advocates said Friday at a conference on the issue.

A report by a coalition of immigration rights groups and New York University's law school focused on conditions at an immigration detention facility in Essex County as emblematic of problems with immigration detention system nationwide.

The report finds that despite the emphasis by President Barack Obama's administration on reforming the civil detention system, facilities like the one in Essex County fail to meet several national detention standards for immigrants, issued in 2008 and 2011 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which cover everything from access to attorneys to recreation and health care.

"We feel this is only the tip of the iceberg of what's occurring," said Alina Das, co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic at NYU's law school, who worked on the report. "We're very concerned about the conditions in New Jersey."

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In New Jersey, the report's authors said they received more than 200 detainee grievances from the newly expanded detention facility at the Essex County Correctional Facility and nearby, privately operated Delaney Hall. Arguing that the facilities do not fully comply with ICE standards, the report documents problems with everything from access to legal assistance and worship services to adequate health care, food and other basic services for detainees.

The concern, Das said, is that federal immigration authorities have touted the new agreement between ICE and Essex County to expand detention bed space in the New York metropolitan area, as well as a new facility opened this month in Karnes City, Texas, as more humane, reform-minded facilities.

"Whatever Delaney Hall is, it's not a model detention facility," Das said.

ICE Spokesman Harold Ort said the agency has made "tremendous strides" toward reforming the immigration detention system, including the hiring of more than 40 detention services managers to increase oversight at detention facilities and conduct inspections and regular visits. The agency has also reduced the overall number of detention facilities from 370 to 255 nationwide, Ort said, and is committed to a closer working relationship with non-governmental groups to improve detainee treatment, as well was efficiency and oversight at detention facilities.

Alfaro Ortiz, the director of the Essex County Correctional Facility, disputed the report's findings and said it was part of an ongoing campaign to discredit his facility. The county signed a new agreement with ICE in 2011 to increase the number of immigration detainees in the Essex jail and an adjoining privately run facility from about 500 to 1,250.

Ortiz insists the Essex facilities provide safe, humane and decent accommodations that provide closer access for detainees to family members and immigration lawyers. The jail is accredited by the National Commission for Correctional Health Care and has earned a 100 percent rating from the New Jersey Department of Corrections for the past four years, Ortiz added.

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"We look forward to working with ICE to provide the detainees with the best service possible," Ortiz said.

The conference on immigration detention, held at the Newark campus of Rutgers University, focused on eliminating mandatory detention altogether.

Immigrant under mandatory detention are classified as civil and not criminal detainees, and advocates have long argued that the majority are low-risk individuals who do not need to be detained in order to comply with deportation orders or court-related obligations.

Judy Rabinovitz, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants' Rights Project who spoke at Friday's conference, said much of the huge expansion in immigrant detention facilities was largely unnecessary, as the majority of immigrant detainees pose neither a danger nor a flight risk.

"A fundamental shift is needed in how we look at detention, and to see detention as a last resort," she said.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The Republican National Committee on Monday announced the launch of an assertive Hispanic outreach campaign in six battleground states, with the assertion that President Obama lied to the community.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said the campaign has set up Hispanic outreach directors in Florida, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina and Virginia.

Priebus emphasized that the party will be pursuing Latino voters in Florida like never before. He noted that the Florida outreach campaign will have a specific Cuban component.

I want to engage at a grassroots and door-to-door level, he said in a telephone press conference.

"The Hispanic community is the country's fastest growing demographic, Priebus said, "and will play a pivotal role in helping the country change direction from the failed leadership and policies of Barack Obama.

President Barack Obama begins his re-election campaign defending traditionally Republican territory that he carried when he won the White House four years ago. Republican Mitt Romney is looking to reclaim any combination of these GOP strongholds now in flux.

The political spotlight will shine brightly again on Florida, and the Upper Midwest, especially Ohio. But changes in the nation's demographics will mean heavy attention paid to the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest.

"For a long time the map was static. I don't think that holds true anymore," said Tad Devine, a senior adviser to former Democratic presidential nominees Al Gore and John Kerry. "Places like North Carolina and Virginia are changing, and they are getting a fresh look."

If the election were held now, Obama would safely carry 14 states, mainly the East and West Coasts, and the District of Columbia, with a total of 186 electoral votes. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, probably would prevail in 20 states, primarily in the South and West, worth 156.

Both campaigns agree the election will turn on the 16 remaining states, and probably in those won by Obama in 2008 against Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Obama expanded the Democratic footprint on an electoral map that had changed little between George W. Bush's narrow 2000 election and 2004 re-election. Against McCain, Obama captured nine states that Bush had won four years earlier.

Besides Florida and Ohio, Obama took North Carolina and Virginia, where a Democrat had not won in a generation. There were victories as well in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico and Nevada.

In Florida, unemployment tops 9 percent, tourism is slow to recover, gas prices are high and trouble persists in the housing market; all that works against Obama.

But his team is aggressively organizing in the state, and his visit Friday was his 16th since taking office, more than almost any other swing state.

Romney's battle with Rick Santorum for the GOP nomination slowed his preparations for the fall showdown in Florida. If Romney were to win the state's 29 electoral votes, it would block Obama's clearest path to 270, said Rick Wiley, RNC political director.

"Deny him Florida and his map alters significantly," Wiley said.

"Within the coming months, the RNC will tirelessly work to engage the Hispanic community not only in battleground states but across the United States,  Preibus said.

With the unemployment rate for Hispanics over ten percent, two points higher than the national average, Hispanics across the country are frustrated with rising gas prices and skyrocketing debt."

RNC officials said that their message would focus on the economy and how Latinos have suffered financially under the Obama administration.

Many Latino and immigration advocacy groups have criticized Obama for not coming through on his 2008 campaign promise of delivering comprehensive immigration reform  which was to have a included a pathway to legalization.

Republicans have not won these critics over with their own comments on immigration, which generally have leaned toward a refusal to back measures that would be seen as rewarding people who have broken the countrys immigration laws.

Asked by a reporter during the press conference about the GOPs apparent preference to focus on the economy over immigration, Priebus said Republicans both in and outside the campaign have addressed the matter.

He then said that while Obama addressed the issue in high-profile ways, the GOP was going to cast him to Latino voters as a president who has either lied or been so grossly negligent on his promises about immigration.

Hispanic voters helped Obama win last time in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, and, according to polls, they prefer him over Romney. Romney described GOP primary rivals Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich as soft on illegal immigration, and has said he would veto legislation that would allow certain illegal residents to become U.S. citizens.

But Romney expects to be competitive in all three states. For one, Nevada has a popular Republican governor, Brian Sandoval, who endorsed Romney on Wednesday. Also, unemployment tops 12 percent in Nevada, the heart of the housing crisis.

The Obama campaign is confident it will carry Colorado, where suburban women, a strong suit nationally for the president, in the Denver area are seen as key.

New Mexico has gone back and forth for the past three presidential cycles, and elected a Republican governor in 2010. But the boom in the Hispanic voting population is a challenge for Romney.

"Those Western states are going to depend on the Hispanic turnout and the percentage we get," said Charlie Black, a veteran Republican presidential consultant. "And if we voted today, we wouldn't do well. But we've got plenty of time to work on it."

This story contains material from The Associated Press.

Follow Elizabeth Llorente on Twitter: @Liz_Llorente

Elizabeth Llorente can be reached elizabeth.llorente@foxnewslatino.com

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The perception that violence along the southwest border is linked to immigration is a false straw man argument used to prevent a real reform of our broken immigration system. A recent report shows that 16 murders occurred in El Paso in 2011, while over 2,000 murders were reported across the border in Ciudad Juarez.

The reality is violence along the border has been contained to the Mexican side, but is overwhelmingly done with American guns. Over the last 10 years, Congress has spent 90 billion dollars on border security measures.

There are clear signs of success, but now more must be done.

If Congress is serious about bringing the violence on the Mexican side of the border down, it would be smart to also find ways to stop the flow of American guns into Mexico and reform the legal pathways for migrants to enter and leave the country.



Mexico has some of the strictest gun laws in the world. Unfortunately, they share a border with a country that has one of the most lenient, and that has created a dynamic of violence south of the border. As terrible as this dynamic is, the real cost of American guns crossing into Mexico is three-fold: brutal cartel violence on the Mexican side of the border, Congressional refusal to take common sense legislative action, and the crippling of any real debate over reforming our broken immigration system.



It is undeniable that American assault rifles are fueling increasingly bloody Mexican cartel battles. According to a report by the Washington Post, over the last four years federal authorities have identified more then 60,000 U.S. guns contributing to 30,000 deaths south of the border.

Violence in Mexico is a problem for both countries. The current strategy of increasing military and Border Patrol presence on the American side of the border has been successful in minimizing spillover bloodshed.



The Straw Purchaser Penalty Enhancement Act, which would create a new two-year jail sentence for certain straw purchasers of firearms is a step in the right direction. Straw purchasers are Americans who purchase multiple assault rifles at a time for Mexican cartel members. They are responsible for many of the illegal firearm transfers to the Mexican drug cartels.

Congressman Adam Schiff, who introduced the legislation, thinks that the federal government can do much more to stop this dangerous dynamic. Current federal law does not give prosecutors sufficient leverage against straw purchasers who are providing guns to drug cartels and gangs. Drug and gun violence has reached a dangerous level along the border and in Mexico. We know that the guns that drug cartels use to kill civilians and law enforcement officers are largely purchased in the United States.



With the Republican Primary race over, immigration and the border are sure to come up in a general election match up between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. President Obama has overseen the single largest buildup of Border Patrol and military personnel along the southwest border in the history of the country.

Despite this, Romneys embrace of immigration hard liners from the Southwest such as Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Russell Pearce almost ensures that border issues will be tied to immigration in a detrimental way.



Safety on the American side of our shared border has never been better, trade between the United States and Mexico is increasing, and the number of undocumented immigrants entering the United States is at the lowest point it has been since the Nixon administration. Politicians who continually tie immigration and violence on the Mexican side of the border are hurting our nations ability to rationally deal with piecemeal immigration reform.

Sadly, so much of the current debate revolves around a view of the southwest border region which denies a very simple truth; lax American gun laws contribute far more to the violence in Mexico or any type of residual unrest in the United States than undocumented immigrants attempting to enter our country.

Politicians cant have it both ways on this. If there is real concern about violence in their borders, then they have to stop the flow of guns into Mexico.

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The junior U.S. Senator from Florida seems to have all the goods -- he's attractive, charismatic, and a rising star in the Republican party.

And while all those ingredients have propelled Marco Rubio's name to the upper ranks of those who might be the GOP vice presidential candidate, that star quality may also be what disqualifies him.

Likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's choice of a running-mate  a search he announced Monday he has begun  will be guided by both his methodical, risk-averse corporate training and the lessons his party learned from Sarah Palin's selection.

Preparedness to serve and loyalty to Romney are likely to trump other credentials as the all-but-sure Republican nominee looks to avoid the blowback John McCain faced four years ago with his surprise choice of the little-known, first-term Alaska governor for the GOP ticket. Questions about Palin's readiness to serve, McCain's decision-making and his advisers' vetting came to define the Arizona senator's flawed campaign.

Mindful of that, Romney will put experience at the top of his list of qualities as he chooses a No. 2, according to senior advisers and GOP operatives familiar with his thinking. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak candidly about a process Romney himself is trying to keep as private as possible as he works to narrow a field that may begin with as many as a dozen prospective candidates.

"The hallmark for Governor Romney's candidacy, and how he would be as president, is that he approaches these decisions in a well-thought-out methodical way," said Steve Duprey, a former McCain adviser and current New Hampshire-based member of the Republican National Committee. "It won't be like the McCain campaign where there was a big surprise and effort to create a game changer."

For all the secrecy surrounding the process, the former Massachusetts governor did give a few hints about his plans Monday, disclosing that he had chosen his former chief of staff and 2008 presidential campaign manager, Beth Myers, to lead the vetting and analysis of prospective running mates. Several other members of the tight-knit cadre that has surrounded Romney for years also are likely to be involved.

Romney was largely tight-lipped beyond the staffing announcement. He said the selection would certainly happen before the Republican National Convention in late August. But he wouldn't provide any more guidance on any internal deadline his team has set. And when asked about potential choices  and Rubio, specifically  Romney hedged, as he has consistently in recent months.

"Well I think he's one of the terrific leaders in our party, but I think it's way too early to begin narrowing down who the potential vice presidential nominees might be," Romney said in an interview with Diane Sawyer of ABC News outside Fenway Park in Boston.

"But we're beginning that process, we'll talk about a lot of folks, and then go through he kind of vetting and review process that you have to go through to make sure whoever you select will pass the evaluation that's required by the American people."

In addition to his running mate being prepared to assume the presidency, Romney has laid out only one other public criterion: that he or she oppose abortion rights. The condition could help reassure social conservatives that Romney is serious about his opposition to abortion  a sore point because he supported abortion rights when he ran for the Senate in 1994.

Several Republicans familiar with Romney's thinking downplay the importance of choosing a running mate from a particular battleground state or an important voting demographic.

Romney also is expected to avoid a candidate with the kind of star power that might distract too much attention from the party's main campaign themes  Republicans are working to make the election a referendum on President Barack Obama  or overshadow the GOP presidential nominee himself.

Rubio, 40, is one such celebrity candidate. And the junior Florida senator also has little experience, in the midst of only his second year on Capitol Hill.

Still, Rubio is both a conservative favorite and potential bridge to the growing Hispanic voting bloc, which typically favors Democrats. He's a rising star within the Republican Party.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman also is near the top of many speculative lists of potential running mates. Portman endorsed Romney early and campaigned hard for him in his home state. Romney, who won Ohio by a slim margin, knows Portman and is said to respect him.

The Ohio senator also is unlikely to spring any surprises on the Romney campaign. He's been confirmed to two Cabinet posts  he served as U.S. trade representative under President George H.W. Bush and then as Bush's director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Romney also is likely to consider conservative favorites talked about often, such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. Still, if he's looking for experience, that group has just five years of gubernatorial experience among the three.

More experienced Republicans also are likely to be in the mix, and they could help Romney mitigate some political liabilities. Chief among those vulnerabilities is his wealth of as much as $250 million and his struggle to connect with working-class voters.

Former two-term Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty comes from a working-class background that could help. He's been aggressively campaigning on Romney's behalf since suspending his presidential campaign last year.

GOP budget guru Paul Ryan, R-Wis., also came from humble beginnings. Ryan campaigned at Romney's side for several days ahead of Wisconsin's recent Republican primary, a victory that helped push Rick Santorum out of the race. It's unclear whether Ryan's role as face of the Congressional Republican budget plan, which includes a fundamental transformation of Medicare, would present too much political risk.

Over the coming months, the only thing that's certain in an otherwise uncertain process is that Palin's shadow  and the troubles of 2008  will be looming large.

"There's one thing the people in the Republican establishment agree on: There was clearly not a thorough thought process or vetting that went into the vetting of Sarah Palin. They didn't ask the fundamental questions or spend enough time with her," said Sara Fagen, a former political director for President George W. Bush. "I don't think they're going to make the same mistake."

All told, the buzz about possible vice presidential nominees may be far larger than the actual difference the choice will make to voters.

An article in the New York Times noted: "Theres the supposed electoral weight some candidates bring: Mr. Rubio in Florida or Mr. Portman in Ohio. Yet over the past 40 years and 10 presidential elections, no running mate has made the difference in carrying a state."

This story is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALFONSO OCHOA-MONTANO, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-1849 Decided: December 09, 2016

Before DIANE P. WOOD, Chief Judge WILLIAM J. BAUER, Circuit Judge DIANE S. SYKES, Circuit Judge

ORDER

Alfonso Ochoa-Montano, a native and citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty to being in the United States without authorization after his removal. See 8 U.S.C.  1326(a). He had been removed from the country four times, most recently in 2002 after a federal conviction for money laundering, an aggravated felony under the Immigration and Nationality Act. See 18 U.S.C.  1957; 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(43)(D). He thus faced a statutory maximum of 20 years' imprisonment. See 8 U.S.C.  1326(b)(2). The district court sentenced him at the top of the Guidelines range to 24 months. On appeal Ochoa-Montano contends that the judge overemphasized the need to deter future violations of  1326(a) and gave too little weight to other sentencing factors. We reject this argument.

Ochoa-Montano was arrested in 2015 for a traffic offense in southern Illinois, and local police turned him over to immigration authorities. Before this arrest he had been removed from the United States four times. The first three timestwice in 1999 and again in 2000he departed voluntarily after being detained. When he returned to the United States after the third voluntary departure, he was paid by a smuggler to harbor aliens who were on their way to other locations. He was caught and convicted in 2001 of money laundering, then removed on March 27, 2002, immediately after completing his 15-month sentence. He returned to the United States just days later.

Ochoa-Montano pleaded guilty to a charge of being unlawfully present in the United States following removal in violation of  1326(a). He told a probation officer that he has three children living with ex-wives in Mexico and three more children in the United States. His three U.S. citizen children were born after he last entered the United States unlawfully. Ochoa-Montano was apparently living with the children's mother (a Mexican citizen) and her 17-year-old son from another relationship (also a Mexican citizen). Ochoa-Montano also told the probation officer that the couple's two oldest children are enrolled in special-needs classes at school and that the youngest, then 9, suffers from birth defects that have left him completely disabled and in need of full-time care. According to Ochoa-Montano, the 17-year-old left school to help support the family. The probation officer was unable to verify any of this information (language barriers prevented communication with Ochoa-Montano's girlfriend). Nor could the probation officer verify the defendant's claim of long-term employment with a flooring company; the company's accountant said that Ochoa-Montano had never worked there. Ochoa-Montano promised to supply medical records for his son but he never did.

The probation officer calculated a Guidelines imprisonment range of 18 to 24 months based on a total offense level of 13 and a criminal history category of III. She concluded her report by saying that she had not identified any factors that would warrant a departure from the applicable sentencing guidelines range, though she also acknowledged that the district court could consider a variance and impose a non-guideline sentence based on the factors in 18 U.S.C.  3553(a). At sentencing the district judge adopted the presentence report without objection. The judge then announced that she did not intend to depart for any reason noted in the [G]uidelines manual but would, as always, consider the possibility of the appropriateness of any variances pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  3553(a). The government recommended a low-end sentence of 18 months to deter Ochoa-Montano from doing exactly the same thing he's been doing for nine years. Defense counsel argued for either time served or a year and a day in prison. Neither side offered testimony or other evidence.

Defense counsel asked the judge to consider that the  1326(a) violation was nonviolent and argued that the crime was mitigated by Ochoa-Montano's current family situation: The family lived in poverty and faced eviction, his youngest son is disabled and requires full-time medical attention, and his stepson had quit school to support his disabled brother. Counsel further asserted that Ochoa-Montano had known it was a crime to return to the United States but did so to help his family (though his children in the United States had not yet been born when he reentered in 2002, and his other children were in Mexico). Counsel insisted that Ochoa-Montano's criminal history was weighted too heavily in the Guidelines range because of the 8-level increase he received based on his conviction for an aggravated felony. See U.S.S.G.  2L1.2(b)(1)(C). The lawyer added that Ochoa-Montano intended to apply for asylum and thus would be detained after completing his prison sentence while waiting for a decision on that application.

The judge acknowledged the general difficulty of fashioning a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary in light of the nature of the crime and the defendant's character. The judge was not insensitive to Mr. Montano in terms of his family situation [and] his children and acknowledged her belief that he did what he did for his family. But she said that one of her jobs is to impose a sentence that promotes respect for the law and a few of the factors in this case  st[ood] out more than others. She reasoned that although  1326(a) is not a violent crime, it nevertheless is a very serious offense. Ochoa-Montano's repeated illegal entries demonstrated that he does not respect the law, the judge elaborated, so no departure or variance, certainly downward variance, [was] warranted here. The judge rejected the contention that the 8-level increase under  2L1.2(b)(1)(C) was too harsh as applied to Ochoa-Montano, whom she described as the poster child for an upward variance. Ochoa-Montano's family situation, the court added, may explain some things but did not excuse his lack of respect for the law. The judge concluded that a 24-month prison term was appropriate because of Mr. Montano's history and characteristics in particular, the nature of his prior criminal history, the repeated reentries, and his complete disregard for the law with respect to entry as well as apparently employment.

On appeal Ochoa-Montano asserts that the judge did not properly consider the factors articulated in 18 U.S.C.  3553(a) in imposing its sentence. As we understand his argument, however, what he actually contends is that the court should have weighed the  3553(a) factors more favorably to him. Ochoa-Montano repeats the arguments he made in his sentencing memorandum and at the sentencing hearing, and he accuses the judge of prematurely announcing her intention to sentence him within the Guidelines range and then sentencing him too harshly after fleetingly rejecting his grounds in mitigation. He also says the judge overemphasized the need to deter him from committing the same offense in the future.

A sentence within the Guidelines range, like this one, is presumptively reasonable. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007); United States v. Grzegorczyk, 800 F.3d 402, 405 (7th Cir. 2015). The sentencing judge must consider the  3553(a) factors, e.g., Gall, 552 U.S. at 51; United States v. Lockwood, 789 F.3d 773, 781 (7th Cir. 2015), but what weight to give those factors is left to the judge's discretion, see United States v. Melendez, 819 F.3d 1006, 1013 (7th Cir. 2016); United States v. Smith, 721 F.3d 904, 908 (7th Cir. 2013); United States v. Busara, 551 F.3d 669, 674 (7th Cir. 2008); United States v. Johnson, 471 F.3d 764, 766 (7th Cir. 2006). We do not conduct our own weighing of the  3553(a) factors. United States v. Warner, 792 F.3d 847, 856 (7th Cir. 2015); United States v. Gammicchia, 498 F.3d 467, 469 (7th Cir. 2007).

Ochoa-Montano first criticizes the judge for announcing early on in the hearing that she intended to impose a sentence within the suggested Guidelines. But that criticism mischaracterizes what the judge did. The judge actually said, in line with the probation officer's uncontested representation that no ground for a departure had been identified, that she did not intend to depart for any reason noted in the [G]uidelines manual. But the judge immediately added that she would, as always, consider the possibility of the appropriateness of any variances pursuant to  3553(a). What is more, there is no reason why a judge cannot have a particular sentence in mind after reviewing the presentence report and the parties' written submissions so long as the judge is open to further argument during the sentencing hearing. United States v. Dill, 799 F.3d 821, 825 (7th Cir. 2015). And here the judge thoroughly addressed the points raised at sentencing. Ochoa-Montano does not contend otherwise.

What he does contend is that the judge relied entirely on the need to deter his conduct. This too misreads the record. The judge also discussed the need to promote respect for the law, for which Ochoa-Montano had shown total disregard. And the judge was not unsympathetic to Ochoa-Montano's argument that he reentered the United States in 2002 to support his family. But she ultimately rejected Ochoa-Montano's attempt to use his family situation as an excuse and assigned greater weight to Ochoa-Montano's repeated criminal conduct, including not just his unlawful entries but also smuggling illegal aliens for profit and obtaining employment illegally. Ochoa-Montano does not like how the judge weighed the various factors, but dissatisfaction with the weight given to the particular  3553(a) factors is not ground for reversal. Warner, 792 F.3d at 856.

Finally, Ochoa-Montano asserts that the judge fleetingly rejected his arguments in mitigation, in particular that [a sentence of] time served could be taken into account in order to render a downward variance. A fleeting rejection is not the same as a failure to consider an argument in mitigation. Once again, Ochoa-Montano simply expresses disagreement with how the judge weighed his arguments in mitigation.

A district court need only address principal arguments in mitigation, Grzegorczyk, 800 F.3d at 406; United States v. Villegas-Miranda, 579 F.3d 798, 801 (7th Cir. 2009), and most of the arguments advanced by Ochoa-Montano are stock arguments that could have been passed over without comment, see United States v. White, 582 F.3d 787, 798 (7th Cir. 2009); United States v. Tahzib, 513 F.3d 692, 695 (7th Cir. 2008); United States v. Cunningham, 429 F.3d 673, 678 (7th Cir. 2005). The argument Ochoa-Montano singles out herethat his time spent in pretrial detention should have been consideredis not a principal argument in mitigation. Counsel exaggerates its importance to the sentencing as a whole: It is mentioned in just two sentences in the 27-page sentencing transcript. During the sentencing hearing, Ochoa-Montano's principal argument was that he deserved a lighter sentence based on his family's hardships, including their poverty and their disabled son. The judge took into consideration Ochoa-Montano's family situation but concluded that just like anybody else's family situation, it did not excuse his crime.

As to Ochoa-Montano's contention that his sentence is simply too harsh, especially given that the government recommended less time, we note only that a district judge has great discretion in sentencing, even within the guidelines range. United States v. Rushton, 738 F.3d 854, 861 (7th Cir. 2013). That discretion was properly exercised in this case.

AFFIRMED.
The hints that U.S. Supreme Court justices seemed to drop last week indicating support for at least some parts of Arizona's immigration enforcement law give hope to the measure's architect, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

But Kobach, who has also been a force behind the immigration enforcement laws passed by several other states, acknowledges that passing a similar law in his own state is an uphill battle.

He and his legislative allies who want laws that will crack down on undocumented immigrants must overcome opposition from influential business groups and a rift among Republicans.

The GOP's split over immigration has prevented legislation from passing -- proposals favored by Kobach and a plan from a business coalition that includes the powerful Kansas Chamber of Commerce to create a state program to place some undocumented immigrants in hard-to-fill jobs. Kobach and legislators don't expect the stalemate to be broken before lawmakers adjourn.

Kobach, a Republican and a former law professor known nationally for advising officials in other states on immigration, believes the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold much or all of the Arizona law and spur a wave of legislation next year. But it is this year's legislative elections that will determine whether Kansas joins the trend, he said.

"One thing we know, and that is that lots of legislators will walk their districts again," Kobach told The Associated Press during an interview. "I am absolutely 100 percent certain that immigration will be one of the top two or three things."

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week on a legal challenge to the Arizona law from President Barack Obama's administration. The 2010 law requires police officers to check the immigration status of people they suspect are in the country illegally.

When Obama's solicitor general argued that Arizona improperly infringed upon the federal government's authority to set immigration policy, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sonia Sotomayor were skeptical.

Roberts said the state simply wanted to notify federal authorities of possible undocumented immigrants, and Sotomayor commented, "You can see it's not selling very well."

A proposal for a similar law in Kansas is stuck in a House committee, along with two other measures. One would make it a crime to knowingly harbor an undocumented immigrant, and the other would require state and local government contractors to use the federal E-Verify database to check whether new employees are in the U.S. legally.

A narrower E-Verify bill cleared a committee in the House, but Speaker Mike O'Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, refused to schedule a debate. He didn't think he could prevent a debate on tougher measures -- or the business coalition's proposal -- and told fellow Republicans he wanted to avoid a "bloody" dispute that would split his party's huge majority.

"If there is going to be something, I want something that gets broad support," O'Neal said last week. "There's much more to this issue than, `What part of illegal don't you understand?' "

O'Neal and Kobach said legislators will want to examine the high court's decision on the Arizona law instead of relying on justices' public comments. The Legislature expects to adjourn by mid-May, weeks before the court is expected to rule.

Rep. Anthony Brown, a Eudora Republican, said legislators should concentrate on an E-Verify bill.

"Some of the other stuff, I don't think, is going to get through the system anyway, in the current makeup of the Legislature," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said lawmakers simply don't have enough time left in a session that's crowded with other issues, such as cutting taxes, approving a budget and redrawing political boundaries.

The Senate's GOP leaders have been cool to immigration proposals favored by Kobach, but their hold on the chamber will be tested by primary challenges. All 40 Senate seats and 125 House seats are on the ballot this year, but Kobach said immigration legislation is "entirely dependent" on what happens in the Senate races.

"Fighting pitched battles in the House is futile when everybody knows that the Senate is going to kill it anyway," Kobach said.

Kobach, who traveled to Washington to observe the arguments in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, was confident the court will uphold most, if not all, of the Arizona law. Emler, however, believes Kobach's prediction is "pure conjecture."

Eric Stafford, a state chamber lobbyist, acknowledged that even if the court rules as Kobach expects, the secretary of state and his allies will still face concerns that their proposals will harm the economy by leaving some industries, including agriculture, with worker shortages.

"Regardless of the outcome, we need to encourage the federal government to do something," Stafford said. "Comprehensive immigration reform isn't just enforcement."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Special Report 's Bret Baier spoke to rising politician Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Full script below.

BAIER: This evening, we begin our series, "Running with Romney," a look at possible running mates for presumptive Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. We begin with a rising political star, Florida senator, Marco Rubio.

BAIER (voice-over): From West Miami City commissioner to Florida State House representative, to the youngest speaker of the Florida house.

To a long shot U.S. Senate candidate backed by the Tea Party --

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R) FLORIDA: What I think this debate should be about is the future of America.

BAIER: To the republican frontrunner in one of the most watched Senate races of 2010.

BAIER: To a U.S. senator in the spotlight, and now, to something else.

You are 41 at the end of May?

RUBIO: Yes.

BAIER: You're a U.S. senator.

RUBIO: I feel 42.

BAIER: Do you?

RUBIO: Yes.

BAIER: You're a U.S. senator who made it through a campaign that was at the beginning. There was no chance for you. Now, you're on a short list, whether you say so or not, for vice president. Do you ever pinch yourself and say, holy cow, how am I here?

RUBIO: I pinch myself because of the understanding that I've been blessed with a real rare opportunity that few Americans ever get, to serve their government and their people at this level. It doesn't escape me that less than half a decade ago, my family lived very different circumstances. My dad was a bartender. My mom was maid.

It was unimaginable that anybody in the next generation would be able to obtain. I mean, this is what other people. They're not, you know, people that came from where they came from. So, those things strike me. The other stuff is fleeting, you know? What will matter is what I do here.

BAIER: Rubio's resonate shows a politician on the move and one who largely credit his success to hard-working parents who came to the U.S. from Cuba.

RUBIO: I think that's a tribute to them. No doubt about it. But I think it's an even greater tribute to America, because it's one of the few societies in all human history where a story like that would even be possible.

BAIER: Rubio is the father of four young children, also he says, a driving force in his life.

RUBIO: My kids are going to come back to Washington 20, 30 years from now, and I hope that they can say, you know, my dad was away a lot, but it was for a reason. And he made a difference. And I want them to be proud of my service and what I've been able to do here.

BAIER: On the stump, Rubio hits home a message of fiscal discipline and limited government.

RUBIO: What we need most from government is to create an environment that encourages people to go out and start businesses and grow their existing business. And you do that through a regulatory framework and a tax code that people understand and is predictable and they can comply with.

BAIER: As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Rubio says the biggest foreign policy issue is American leadership in the world.

RUBIO: Only America can put together the kind of international coalitions that it takes to confront everything from human trafficking to the issues involving Iran and Syria. So an example of Syria, the friends of Syria is a collection of a bunch of countries, all the Gulf states -- about 80 countries are part of the friends of Syria. And yet they can't get their act together because in the absence of American leadership, there's no catalyst to put a group together to confront that very important issue.

BAIER (on camera): So do you think that the U.S. should be leading the way in some kind of...

RUBIO: Sure.

BAIER: ... military action in Syria?

RUBIO: Military options are the last options on the table. They always have to be. The Syrian people aren't asking Americans to send troops to the ground. They're just asking for some help in being able to defend themselves and further their -- their democratic aspirations.

So I think there's all sorts of things that can be done there, whether it's the creation of a safe haven, whether it's in Turkey or even on the Syrian side of the border, providing communications equipment, potentially providing warfare equipment, not through the United States but through some of our allies as part of the friends of Syria.

There's all sorts of options on the table. But none of those things are going to happen if there isn't frontal (ph) American leadership.

BAIER (voice-over): All answers that analysts say show why Rubio is a rising star.

KARL ROVE, FMR. BUSH SR. ADVISER, FOX CONTRIBUTOR: A strong philosophical conservative with an ability to communicate that message in a way that attracts people across the political spectrum. But young.

BAIER: Senator Rubio reportedly wowed foreign policy experts at theBrookings Institution last week in a private question and answer session. However, he mostly read his public speech and received media attention not for substance but for misplacing his draft.

RUBIO: I lost my last page of the speech. Does anybody have my last page?

BAIER: Other analysts say Rubio's appeal, especially Latino voters, will be very hard for the Romney campaign to ignore.

JOE TRIPPI, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST, FOX CONTRIBUTOR: Someone like Marco Rubio, that helps you with Hispanics, closes that gap in the West, but also helps you deliver Florida -- that's a -- that's a pretty compelling case, political case for Marco Rubio being on the ticket.

BAIER: Rubio says it's important to remember Latinos don't vote as a bloc.

RUBIO: There is something that unites the Hispanic community, however, and that's this burning desire for economic empowerment. They desperately want to give their kids every chance and every opportunity that they didn't have. So the question is, which one of these two gentlemen that are running has the best idea for them? I think it's going to be Mitt Romney at the end of the day.

BAIER: Senator Rubio is working on a Republican alternative to the Dream Act, dealing with children of illegal immigrants who serve in the U.S. military or get a four-year college degree.

(on camera): Can Republicans pass that? Can you get the Republican Party on board?

RUBIO: The difference between my bill and the Dream Act is the Dream Act creates a special category to get your residency. And I think that would be counterproductive. So that's what we're working on. Again, the details is what people deserve before they take a firm position. And I hope people will give it a chance because it's a good faith endeavor to deal with what I think is a compelling issue.

BAIER: There are a lot of people out there who would like to see you on the ticket. Some have concerns about your past. One is this credit card.

RUBIO: Right.

BAIER: When you were speaker of the Florida house, you charged personal expenses on this party-issued credit card. What happened with that?

RUBIO: At the end of every month, we would get those statements. We would see what was on there that was party-related, and the party would pay that. If it wasn't party-related, I would pay that directly to American Express.

Now, obviously, in hindsight, it looks bad, right? I mean, why are you using a party credit card at all? Well, some of these expenses were because a travel agent had the number, you know, the credit card number, and they billed it to that card instead of the other card. Sometimes, it was just a mistake, you know, literally just reached for the wrong card.

But it's important people understand I did not bill personal expenses to the Republican Party of Florida. The Republican Party of Florida never paid my personal expenses. Never. But look, you know, I shouldn't have done it that way. It was -- it was -- lesson learned.

BAIER: Another thing that people raise concerns about -- what is your relationship with Representative Rivera?

RUBIO: He's a friend. I mean, he's a friend I've known on a personal level even before I was elected or he was elected to office. So look, I know he's going through a tough time. And we've all read the press reports and none of us like to see that about anybody, much less a friend. And he's going to have to deal with those issues.

BAIER (voice-over): Those issues, in case you haven't seen the press reports, are allegations that Miami Republican congressman David Rivera misused various offices and campaigns for personal gain. He's reportedly been under investigation by at least five different law enforcement agencies for a range of violations, including payments of more than a half million dollars from gambling operations after legislation passed in the statehouse that he lobbied for, money authorities say he received through a company set up by his mother and godmother.

RUBIO: I guess it's because I'm new to Washington, but I've never felt it -- I mean, maybe it's acceptable here -- it isn't to me -- to turn your back on friends when they're going through a difficult time, no matter, you know, what they may have done or not done, you know? And so in his case, he's a friend and I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

BAIER (on camera): And you're raising money for him.

RUBIO: Yes. You know, again...

BAIER: You're holding a fund-raiser for him.

RUBIO: Well, he's a friend. He's -- and he's asked me to attend a fund-raiser. He's accountable to the people of his district who elect -- who elected him and are going to have to reelect him.

BAIER (voice-over): Rubio is hosting a fund-raiser for Rivera in May. Adding to the media questions, Rivera and Rubio bought a house together in Tallahassee during their time in the statehouse, a house the bank was moving to foreclose.

RUBIO: There was a disagreement with the bank about how much the monthly payments were. And it all got confusing. The bank turned it over to a -- one of these lawfirm in Florida that specialized in quick foreclosure proceedings. And before we could figure it all out with them, they filed this paperwork. So we quickly addressed it, and we've never had a problem since.

BAIER (on camera): You were not not making payments.

RUBIO: Yes, there was a disagreement over the amount per month. And so to them, that's not -- those are not complete payments. And -- and -- so there were all kinds of other things that happened as a result of that. But that all got worked out as soon as we found out about it. Certainly, as soon as I found out about it, we addressed it and we moved on with it. Now, I've been handling that personally.

BAIER (voice-over): Whether those issues are enough to keep Rubio off a Romney ticket will be up to the vetting.

RUBIO: We have a broken tax code.

BAIER: But all analysts seem to agree Florida's junior senator has one thing -- buzz.

MIKE MURPHY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST, FOX CONTRIBUTOR: I think the media is paying Marco Rubio the great compliment of putting him under the electron microscope early because I think they see him as a possible real contender.

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Stoking the fears of a Trump presidency, liberal activist groups have launched campaigns online and around the nation to help people cope  and even survive  their version of democratic doomsday.

Some are based on Trumps mixed signals about illegal immigration, while others seem aimed at a more generalized sense of unease. One effort that launched this week, called WhatDoIDoAboutTrump.com, is depicted by its organizers as a non-partisan website [that] turns Trump angst into action  online and off.

Not sure how to protect yourself if some of Trumps campaign promises become reality? the San Francisco-based site asks.

It provides links to websites of organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which advise people about what steps to take or what they may face if Donald Trump follows through on some of his promises. One link leads to Welcome to the OH CRAP! WHAT NOW? SURVIVAL GUIDE, which describes itself as a crowdsourced collection of health, legal, and safety plans and resources + social, digital and economic security related resources urgent now as an outcome of the recent US election.

Experts say scaring consituencies about politics is standard operating procedure for activist groups, but what's different this time are the intensity, and the fact that it has started well before Jan. 20, 2017, when Trump will be sworn in.

Corinna Kester, one of the founders, says the group, which includes a former national press secretary for the Democratic National Committee, is not pushing an agenda.

If people are upset about the election, we encourage them to figure out how to get involved and work with that, from donating to petitions to protests.

We can say, in one sense, it is intensifying divisions in America.  Fred Siegel, senior fellow, Manhattan Institute

Organizations and, in many cases, lawyers, are urging people and groups they deem at-risk under a Trump presidency to take action now to protect themselves. School administrators are assuring students concerned about immigration raids that they wont be spirited away, some city officials are vowing to provide a sort-of buffer to any federal attempts to strip benefits or programs. On Monday, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced that it was setting up a hotline and "support sites" in response to the deep anxiety among students about Trump as president.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is organizing a rally of black activists and lawmakers in Washington D.C. days before Trumps inauguration in mid-January to, as he told The Hill, put the Democrats on notice to use the confirmation hearings to really go after Trumps nominees.

One of the most high-profile efforts aimed at creating preemptive buffers against Trump policies are so-called sanctuaries for immigrants who are here illegally.

Students at various colleges are pushing their campuses to be designated sanctuaries. Some cities are moving toward declaring themselves safe zones for such immigrants, saying they will not report them to immigration authorities if they come across them during the course of providing a service.

On Tuesday, the Santa Ana City Council voted to designate the municipality a sanctuary, a non-binding action that they may make enforceable through an ordinance, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Times noted that the move is in direct defiance of President-elect Donald Trump, who was critical of illegal immigration and sanctuary cities during his campaign.

The day after Donald Trump got elected, our kids were falling apart emotionally, the Times quoted Councilmember Sal Tinajero, who is a high school teacher, as saying. They thought their parents would be deported.

The reason youre seeing this push now is that us leaders ... want to tell them they are going to be protected. If they are going to come for them, they have to come through us first.

Trump has denounced such efforts as divisive and the people who have protested his election as crybabies. His supporters, as well as some who voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton or third party candidates, say it behooves everyone to accept the results of the election and work to be united.

This sounds like a large group therapy session, said Fred Siegel, a historian who is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and professor at Saint Francis College. Theres a way in which this is all good and right in democratic terms.

Siegel said the trend to organize in advance of Trump assuming the presidency is intriguing, and more in line with the kind of actions taken against policies and governments that are seen in Europe, particularly France.

We can say, in one sense, it is intensifying divisions in American society, Siegel said to FoxNews.com, What that represents is President Obamas success in Europeanizing American politics.

In France, the argument has always been when something occurs in Parliament that is unacceptable to you, you take to the streets. These [actions] are occurring in advance of  not in response to  policy being initiated.

Louis DeSipio, a political science professor at the University of California-Irvine, said that the patchwork efforts to organize against Trump and his expected policies reflect an already-divided nation.

President-elect Trump set out broad principles, and wasnt specific about some policies, DeSipio said. There will always be people who are unhappy about an election. In any election, you can see a complete reversal of fortunes. The challenge for any president in this situation is to build bridges to some of his former opponents.

President George W. Bush did so in response to concerns  among those who did not support his election  over how he would handle education and Medicare prescription costs, DeSipio said.

He worked with Democrats, with Sen. Ted Kennedy, on both of those issues, he said.

DeSipio expressed misgivings about efforts underpinned by a refusal to accept Trump as president, a movement that has a hashtag -- #notmypresident.

Philosophically, I dont accept it, DeSipio said. He was accepted by rules in place before the election.

The approach of some groups to try to influence policy and laws at the local level can be both healthier and more practical in many cases, he added.

We may get some criticism from Trump supporters, said Kester. But were all getting involved in a democracy.
A China official said Monday that there is serious concern about President-elect Donald Trumps latest comments suggesting hes reconsidering a relationship with Taiwan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a television interview that Trumps comments over the weekend raised the possibility that U.S.-China relations would be badly affected. Geng added that the one China policy was the political foundation of any Sino-American ties.

We urge the new U.S. leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy," Geng said.

Trump said on Fox News Sunday that he doesnt feel bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

Chinas response to Trumps call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and critical tweets has mostly been muted. Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed the call on a Taiwanese "trick," and the ministry has repeatedly reaffirmed that Taiwan is part of China without directly criticizing the president-elect.

Gengs comments were the strongest public condemnation of Trumps criticisms since his Dec. 2 remarks.

Trump, though, seemed to have backed off of reports that his call with Tsai was planned well in advance by advisers positioning him to confront China over the island. He said he heard about the call probably an hour or two before.

"Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" he said. "I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it."

Trumps call with Taiwan was the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades. China considers the self-governing island to be its territory and any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Chinese media went on the attack Sunday after Trumps latest comments on the U.S. one-China policy, calling the president-elect as ignorant as a child. The Global Times published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: "Trump, please listen clearly: 'One China' cannot be traded."

"China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him," the editorial said. "Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception."

"Many people might be surprised at how the new U.S. leader is truly a 'businessman' through-and-through," the paper said, referring to Trump's suggestion of using the "one China" policy as a bargaining chip. "But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child."

The Global Times, which is published by the Communist Party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, often runs commentaries that target nationalistic sentiment with provocative language.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Allegations that Russia interfered in the presidential election in a bid to boost Donald Trumps campaign have roiled Republicans, as prominent GOP lawmakers pursue a bipartisan congressional investigation while President-elect Trumps team tries to tamp down the controversy and move on.

Trump told Fox News Sunday the CIAs reported assessment was ridiculous and described the claim as another excuse pushed by Democrats to explain his upset victory.

Nobody really knows, he said. ... They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place.

He continued to push back Monday morning on Twitter:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., though, said Monday that the Senate intelligence committee will review the matter.

The Russians are not our friends, McConnell said, while saying he has the highest confidence in the CIA and the rest of the intelligence community.

The debate follows a Washington Post report that the CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia interfered in the race to boost Trump, not just undermine confidence in the system.

Intelligence agencies reportedly found individuals connected to the Russian government gave WikiLeaks hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, as well as from Hillary Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta  though did not have specific intelligence showing Kremlin officials directed the activity.

GOP SENATORS SEEKING PROBE

TRUMP RIPS CLAIM OF RUSSIA INTERFERENCE

In response to this report, and following White House confirmation that President Obama has ordered an intelligence review of election hacking before he leaves office, the Trump transition team also put out a statement saying: These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. Its now time to move on and Make America Great Again.

Key Republican and Democratic senators, though, want to pursue the claims.

Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham joined Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed in calling Sunday for a congressional investigation.

While protecting classified material, we have an obligation to inform the public about recent cyberattacks that have cut to the heart of our free society. Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks, they said in a statement. This cannot become a partisan issue. The stakes are too high for our country. We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner, and we will seek to unify our colleagues around the goal of investigating and stopping the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security.

McConnell, R-Ky., backed the push for a congressional review during his press conference Monday.

Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday the investigation should be one of the first orders of business for the new Congress in January.

McCain, R-Ariz., told CBS News Face the Nation that Obamas intelligence agency review is not going to be able to uncover everything in the month before Obama leaves office.

We need to look at it, he told Fox News Americas Newsroom on Monday. McCain said the point is to make sure we dont make it a partisan issue.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., seemed to back the call for an investigation on ABCs This Week.

I think there should be an investigation because in order to defend ourselves against other adversarial countries, we have to protect our information, he said.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., also tweeted that he agreed with the call for a congressional probe. #CyberSecurity investigation of Russian interference can't be partisan, he wrote.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., however, has not yet specifically endorsed such calls.

Ryan said in a statement Monday he supports general congressional efforts to examine cyber threats and considers any foreign intervention in U.S. elections unacceptable, especially involving Russia.

At the same time, he said, exploiting the work of our intelligence community for partisan purposes does a grave disservice to those professionals and potentially jeopardizes our national security. As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, a Republican under consideration for a leadership post in Trumps State Department, told Fox News he supports the calls for an investigation  but suggested that Trumps pick for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., is the one to lead it.

Any effort by any foreign government to influence an American election is a direct assault on the Constitution, Bolton said Sunday. If the facts prove out that Russia did try to influence our election, they should face very grave consequences.

Bolton said hes worried Obama is rushing to put out a report and raised questions about the reported conclusions of the CIA  namely, whether Russia really would have left fingerprints on its operation.

If you think the Russians did this, then why did they leave fingerprints? he said. Im not by any means trying to exonerate [Russia].  It is absolutely critical as well that we get the facts right on this.

Bolton suggested it could have been a false flag operation. He said Monday that a foreign intelligence service from China, Iran, North Korea or elsewhere could have left evidence pointing the finger at somebody else.
Just over a month after he called claims of a rigged election delusional, Hillary Clintons presidential campaign chairman on Monday backed calls for a group of renegade electors to receive an intelligence briefing on alleged political interference by Russia  days before the Electoral College is set to vote.

We now know that the CIA has determined Russias interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump, John Podesta said in a statement. This should distress every American. Never before in the history of our Republic have we seen such an effort to undermine the bedrock of our democracy.

Podestas statement follows mounting calls by Democrats and some Republicans to fully investigate whether Russia was behind a spate of hackings in the run-up to the election -- as Trump tries to tamp down the controversy.

CIA REPORT OF RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE DIVIDES REPUBLICANS

Podesta, though, went a step further by describing the intelligence findings so far as important for electors' upcoming meeting.

The Electoral College is set to vote Dec. 19 in a typically routine exercise where electors essentially rubber stamp the results of the general election. But a group of 10 electors, in an open letter Monday to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, requested a briefing on Trump-Russia connections. These electors have argued they shouldn't be bound to the Nov. 8 result, and in their letter cited their role as a "deliberative body" designed in part to prevent foreign powers from trying to influence the election.

The bipartisan electors letter raises very grave issues involving our national security, Podesta said in his statement. Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed.

The CIA and FBI have produced somewhat dueling narratives; the CIA reportedly told Congress that Russia no doubt tried to exert influence to help Trump win, while the FBI was not ready to reach the same conclusion.

Podesta and the electors have seized on the CIA's findings. But they're not alone in seeking to drill down into allegations over Russian meddling.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Ky., said Monday he supports a bipartisan investigation and believes the Senate intelligence committee is more than capable of conducting a complete review -- after Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and other senior Republicans sought a probe.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R.-Wis., in a statement called any foreign intervention in our elections  entirely unacceptable. However, Ryan stopped short of calling for a formal congressional inquiry.

His Democratic counterpart, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in turn pressured Ryan to "join the bipartisan call for a formal investigation into Russias unprecedented assault on our democracy."

Trump and others have sharply questioned the CIAs assessment of Russian intrusion. The president-elect called the report "ridiculous" in an interview with "Fox News Sunday."

Trumps campaign didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from FoxNews.com, but Trump tweeted about the situation earlier Monday.

Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card, Trump asked. It would be called conspiracy theory!

While Wikileaks release of more than 50,000 Podesta emails, and the hack of the Democratic National Committee, would seem to clearly hurt Clinton, the hack of former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powells email earlier this year cut the other way -- revealing several critical exchanges about Trump.

Democrats nevertheless have pointed to the CIA report to revive concerns about Trump-Russia ties.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Monday hit Trump and anyone else questioning the CIAs findings, saying critics didnt need a security clearance to figure out who benefited from malicious Russian cyber activity.

Earnest also said Congress has a special responsibility to take a close look at this.

While Earnest said Republicans were wringing their hands about the potential Russian connection, Democrats also are finding themselves in a complicated position. President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Podesta and Clinton all were vocal prior to the election  when Clinton held a comfortable polling lead  that Trump not try to challenge the results or question the integrity of the vote.

Donald Trump refused to say that hed respect the results of this election, Clinton tweeted on Oct. 21. By doing that, hes threatening our democracy.

Said Obama: When you try to sow the seeds of doubt in peoples minds about the legitimacy of our elections  then that undermines our democracy.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes late Monday broke with other senior Republicans, issuing a statement that said he didn't believe additional investigations into a Russian connection were needed. He also fired a warning shot at any in the Democratic leadership or intelligence communities who might try to use a perceived Russian connection to make political hay.



"We will also closely oversee the production of the report on these attacks requested by President Obama to ensure its analytical integrity," Nunes said.

Fox News' Mike Emanuel contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trumps expected pick of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state would mark the latest blow for Democrats and environmentalists trying to turn the energy giant into a pariah over its alleged role hiding the threat of global warming.

Democratic attorneys general have pursued a high-profile, multi-state probe into ExxonMobil that has sputtered in recent months.

With transition sources saying Trump plans to nominate Tillerson to lead his State Department, environmentalists are condemning the selection. May Boeve, executive director of 350.org, called Tillerson an unfathomable pick.

We cant let Trump put the worlds largest oil company in charge of our international climate policy, Boeve said in a statement. Tillerson may be a friend of Putins, but hes no friend of the planet. ExxonMobil is still a leading funder of climate denial and is pursuing a business plan that will destroy our future. Tillerson deserves a federal investigation, not federal office.

Tillerson's selection as top American diplomat also would mark another notch for the company over the Democratic attorneys general, led by New Yorks Eric Schneiderman, who have accused ExxonMobil of misleading investors by downplaying the risks of climate change.

Schneiderman subpoenaed the company for documents related to the probe in November 2015, with Massachusetts' and the Virgin Islands' attorneys general announcing similar investigations in March.

Yet the movement has been hit by a number of setbacks, as Exxon fights back and puts the AGs on the defensive.

In June, Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker dropped his subpoena on the condition Exxon agreed to drop a related lawsuit, shortly after Walker withdrew a connected subpoena against the Competitive Enterprise Institute  a libertarian think tank  for climate documents relating to the probe.

Also in June, Exxon sued Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in a Texas federal court, later adding Schneiderman to the lawsuit in November, claiming the probes were conducted for political reasons and in bad faith.

In its lawsuit against Healey in June, ExxonMobil said the attorney generals probe was a pretextual use of law enforcement power to deter ExxonMobil from participating in ongoing public deliberations about climate change.

Attorney General Healey is abusing the power of government to silence a speaker she disfavors, the lawsuit said.

Since the lawsuit, Schneiderman has shifted his position somewhat, saying in a Aug. 19 interview with The New York Times that the probe is to focus less on what ExxonMobil knew in the past, and more on what it has been predicting more recently about its assets, namely the value of its oil reserves.

Schneiderman said Exxons claims in 2014 that it would not have to leave oil reserves in the ground as stranded assets as part of a global effort to end climate change may be false, meaning that the company could be overvaluing its assets and could point to securities fraud.

If, collectively, the fossil fuel companies are overstating their assets by trillions of dollars, thats a big deal, Schneiderman told the Times.

Should Tillerson be nominated, and confirmed, the anti-Exxon attorneys general could be heading for a showdown with the new secretary of state. In the August interview with the Times, Schneiderman pointed to comments Tillerson made in 2010 testimony in which he said it's not yet clear to what extent humans affected the climate and therefore what can you do about it.

Schneidermans office declined to comment on the reported Tillerson pick, but had strong words about Exxons pushback.

Exxon will do everything it can to distract, delay, and deflect the NY AGs investigation. Exxons unprecedented litigation in Texas represents nothing more than a blatant attempt to avoid accountability under New York law in New York courts wherejust the other day, in open courtExxon again acknowledged the legitimacy of our investigation and agreed to comply with the Attorney Generals subpoenas, a spokeswoman for the AG told FoxNews.com.

Schneiderman and Healey were handed a victory Monday when a federal court judge canceled a scheduled deposition of Healey by ExxonMobil lawyers. The judge had initially ruled that Healy would have to appear for a deposition in Texas on Tuesday.

We are pleased that the federal judge has canceled this unprecedented deposition order. Our office has argued strongly that the Texas court has no jurisdiction over our investigation and we will continue to urge it to dismiss Exxons lawsuit against us, Chloe Gotsis, deputy press secretary at Healys office, told FoxNews.com.
The most expensive weapons program in American military history just got its most powerful critic: President-elect Donald Trump.

The incoming commander-in-chief took aim Monday at the costly F-35 fighter jet program on Twitter, after earlier calling out the program during a Fox News interview.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump tweeted. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after [Inauguration Day] January 20th."

The complaints echo the charges Trump leveled last week against another major government venture. Trump last Tuesday blasted Boeing for the projected bill of a new fleet of Air Force One planes.

FIGHTER JET GIANTS LOOK TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO INDIA

In taking on the controversial F-35, Trump is picking a fight with another contractor giant, Lockheed Martin.

Trump also criticized the program during an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday.

If you look at the F-35 program with the money, the hundreds of billions of dollars, and its out of control, Trump said. And the people that are making these deals for the government, they should never be allowed to go to work for these companies.

TRUMP RIPS BOEING FOR COST OVERRUNS

F-35 program:

Cost: $400 billion

Cost has nearly doubled since launching in 2001

4 yrs behind schedule

U.S. to buy 2,400+ F-35 jets https://t.co/JTCErrTLBi  Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) December 12, 2016

While Trump had called for a cancellation of Boeings Air Force One replacement deal, he didnt go that far with the F-35, instead shining a light on the nearly $400 billion endeavor that is already four years behind schedule. The initial costs to produce the more than 2,400 jets to be bought by the U.S. -- and 600 more by other nations -- have almost doubled since the undertaking began 15 years ago.

We look forward to working with the president-elect and his administration to further build on the F-35 programs record of demonstrated performance and affordability, a Lockheed Martin spokesman told The Wall Street Journal after Trumps Sunday remarks.

Lockheed Martins shares dropped 2.6 percent in premarket trade after Trump tweeted at 8:26 a.m., Reuters reported. Other manufacturers with stakes in the F-35 experienced similar early drops.

Trumps criticism of the F-35 puts him in the company of sometime-rivals such as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who in April referred to the program as a scandal and a tragedy.

Pentagon officials also have been criticized as giving misleading answers to congressional critics of the F-35 in an effort to paint the program in a positive light, according to an internal November memo from the director of operational test and evaluation published Wednesday by Bloomberg.
An Illinois GOP official said Sunday that federal authorities told the states Republican Party months before the presidential election that its email accounts may have been hacked, and party officials later found some of its emails on a website reportedly tied to Russias military intelligence agency.

Illinois GOP executive director Nick Klitzing told the Chicago Tribune that the FBI had raised concerns with the state party in June about four inactive or rarely used accounts that couldve been hacked dating back to 2015.

The FBI didnt disclose to the state party that the possible security breach was part of a larger investigation into alleged Russian activity in the U.S. political system but urged officials to change passwords take other steps to secure their emails accounts.

"We thought it was weird that the FBI was giving IT advice," Klitzing said.

Klitzing said the Illinois GOP found 18 of its emails on the website DCLeaks.com, which has posted more than 200 emails involving Republican activists and state parties. The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence officials and private security firms believe the site was created by a unit controlled by GRU, Russias military intelligence agency.

The Chicago Tribune reviewed the emails provided by the state GOP and reported they dealt with such things as training requests, invitations to party events and a discussion about whether Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois should run for speaker of the House.

Trump called the CIA's assessment "ridiculous," and his incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, insisted on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday that the RNC was not hacked.

In June, a cyberattack of the Illinois State Board of Elections involved as many as 90,000 voters, though board officials said no voting files were erased or modified. Still, after that cyberattack and another attempt in Arizona, the FBI issue a "flash alert" to states about alleged attempts to obtain voter registration information.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., has been sentenced to 10 years for a racketeering scheme that included money laundering and bribery.

U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle called the Philadelphia-area lawmaker's crimes "astonishing" given that he and his TV anchor wife had a $500,000 annual income that put them at or near the "top 1 percent."

Fattah this summer resigned from Congress, under pressure.

The jury found the 60-year-old now-ousted congressman took an illegal $1 million loan to prop up a failed 2007 run for Philadelphia mayor. Fattah then repaid it with funds that included NASA grant money steered through an education nonprofit run by former staffers.

Prosecutors say he also used $27,000 in charity funds to pay down his son's college loans and took an $18,000 bribe to help a friend become an ambassador.

Fattah insists the Justice Department racketeering case is politically motivated.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who built a reputation during the raucous GOP presidential primaries as an affable and moderate alternative, is suddenly finding himself at the center of the national abortion debate -- and under pressure to cast a decision bound to make him more unpopular with one side or the other.

Two bills passed by the legislature await his signature or veto. If signed into law, they would become two of the most restrictive time-based abortion measures in the country.

The more controversial is known as the heartbeat bill. It would ban abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected -- roughly around the six-week mark. The second prohibits abortions after the 20-week mark in almost all circumstances.

Kasich, who said during the Republican presidential primaries that hes pro-life with the exceptions of rape, incest and the life of the mother, faces a looming deadline for a decision.

After receiving the bills, he has 10 days to sign or veto.

If he does nothing, the bills become law. However, with the "heartbeat bill" which passed as an amendment to another measure, the governor could use his line item veto and nix only the amendment.

The "heartbeat bill" passed last Tuesday, and the 20-week ban passed the following day.

Kasich's press secretary Emmalee Kalmbach told FoxNews.com the governor's office has not officially received the bills.

So far, the governor's office has stayed quiet on his intentions.

"A hallmark of lame duck is a flood of bills, including, bills inside of bills and we will closely examine everything we receive," Kalmbach said.

Anti-abortion advocates are fighting hard against the "heartbeat bill," arguing it would in some cases prohibit abortion before women even realize they are pregnant. Critics argue such a strict cut-off denies women time to weigh their options.

The bill also includes no exceptions for rape or incest and would criminalize the procedure for doctors.

NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland said the bill is out of touch with Ohio values and is completely unacceptable.

Once a woman has made the decision to end a pregnancy, she needs access to safe, legal healthcare in her community, Copeland said in a written statement. This bill would effectively outlaw abortion and criminalize physicians that provide this care to their patients.

If Kasich signs the bill, it would pose a direct challenge to multiple Supreme Court rulings that say women have a constitutional right to abortion until the point of viability, which occurs around 24 weeks.

Similar heartbeat bills in North Dakota and Arkansas were blocked by lower courts this year. They were appealed to the Supreme Court, which refused to hear the cases in January.

But conservative lawmakers in Ohio say this year may be different.

They point to the presidential election of Donald Trump and cite his campaign promise to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade, a 1973 decision that made abortion legal, as a positive sign the legislation has a shot.

A new president, new Supreme Court appointees change the dynamic, and there was consensus in our caucus to move forward, Senate President Keith Faber recently told reporters, adding that he believes the bills chance of surviving a constitutional challenge is greater now.

But if the measure becomes law, the ACLU has already vowed to fight it.

The ACLU of Ohio tweeted, Just a reminder, if the unconstitutional #HeartBeatBill passes and become law, we will challenge it in court.

The Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit research organization that supports pro-choice and tracks abortion legislation, said if the measures become law, they would be some of the most restrictive in the land.

In the four decades since Roe v. Wade was handed down, states have enacted 1,074 abortion restrictions. Of those, 288  or about 27 percent  have been put in place since 2010, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The 20-week pain capable bill, meanwhile, would change the time abortions could be performed to 20 weeks from 26 weeks, which is the current law in Ohio.

Since hes been in office, Kasich has signed 17 bills sponsored by Ohio Right to Life. If Kasich signs the "pain capable" bill, Ohio would become the 15th state in the nation to pass a 20-week abortion ban.
The press has hurled just about every possible charge at Donald Trump. Now theres a new accusation: cyberbully.

Its true that Trump picks more public fights than just about anyone whos ever ascended to the highest office in the land. Its also true that when punched, he punches back harder.

So it was that the New York Times published a story with this headline: Trump as Cyberbully-in-Chief? Twitter Attack on Union Boss Draws Fire.

Now maybe it wasnt the greatest idea for Trump to unsheathe his Twitter account against Chuck Jones, president of a steelworkers union in Indiana. Such digital assaults tend to generate plenty of online abuse and death threats aimed at the target, as they did in this case.

Therefore, the Times intoned, Mr. Trumps decision to single out Mr. Jones for ridicule has drawn condemnation from historians and White House veterans.

But lets be clear on the timeline here.

After Trump made the deal with Carrier to use tax breaks to save what he said were 1,100 jobs slated for Mexico, Jones charged that his numbers were overstated by several hundred.

Whats more, he told the Washington Post, Trump lied his ass off.

Jones, who voted for Hillary Clinton, said Trump and Mike Pence pulled a dog and pony show on the numbersI almost threw up in my mouth.

Then Jones went on Erin Burnetts CNN show and said some workers were being betrayed: So, those folks probably had to think, okay, I'm keeping my job. Only to find out last Friday, well, no, there are 550 being laid off. Now, that never was mentioned by anybody. Trump, Pence or any of them never mentioned about 550 moving to Mexico.

Minutes later, Trump tweeted this:

Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!

Whether that was a good idea or not, he hardly struck the first blow.

Jones now says he takes Trumps comments with a grain of salt and stresses that hes just an ordinary working guy.

The transition has produced a whole lot of journalistic tut-tutting about Trump going on offense: Against Boeing and its Air Force One contract. Against another Indiana company threatening to ship jobs to Mexico. Against the media, of course. Even against Alec Baldwin.

I get critics saying that hes punching down. But every president brings his own style. Trump makes everything personal. Hes been doing that since his feud with Rosie ODonnell.

Another president-elect might have ordered a review of the Boeing plane deal. Trump says Cancel the order! Whether the contract is eventually axed or just negotiated downward isnt the point. By then hell be on to other controversies.

Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Henninger says hes a performance artist. Kinda like Lady Gaga.

Anti-Trumpers will say: Precisely. We can't have a performance artist as president of the United States. That's irrelevant now.

In four years it may be possible to say that making a performance artist president was a mistake. But that will only be true if he fails. If the Trump method succeeds, even reasonably so, it will be important to understand his art from the start. So far, the media and the comedians are stuck in pre-Trump consciousness.

I worry, in this age of online abuse, about the impact of Trump singling out people, especially if theyre not major public figures. His wife Melania has expressed concern about online bullying.

The Post has a story about an 18-year-old college student who asked Trump a skeptical question at a town hall a year ago, saying she didnt think he was a friend to women. He tweeted that she was an arrogant young woman and a plant by Jeb Bush, and she now says she was flooded with threats, many of a sexual nature.



That was in the heat of a campaign. Trump is president-elect now, and his every syllable has even more impact.

I dont have a problem with Trump taking on a big corporation or responding to sharp criticism from a union leader. I do think he ought to measure his words carefully, given the size of his megaphone.
President-elect Donald Trump will nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, according to two sources close to the transition.

The sources warned that nothing is official until the president-elect announces it, which is likely to come over the next few days. Trump told Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday that he was getting very, very close to an official announcement.

In another Cabinet development, Trump officially announced Monday morning that he plans to nominate retired Marine Gen. John Kelly for secretary of the Homeland Security Department. Trump had been widely expected to announce the former U.S. Southern Command leader for the post.

Trump met with Tillerson earlier this week, whose company is based in dozens of countries across six continents and has business dealings in Russia, Yemen and other political hot spots. A source close to Trump told Fox News on Friday that the president-elect was impressed with Tillerson.

Trump spoke highly of Tillerson on Fox News Sunday, saying that he was much more than a business executive.

He's in charge of an oil company that's pretty much double the size of his next nearest competitor. Its been a company that's been unbelievably managed-and to me a great advantage is he knows many of the players-and he knows them well, he does massive deals in Russia, he does massive deals-for the company, not for himself for the company.

Trumps potential Tillerson selection came under earlier Sunday as Sen. Marco Rubio and other GOP senators raised concerns about his reported Russian ties. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Tillerson has close ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and other world leaders.

Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState - MR  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 11, 2016

Rubio posted a thinly veiled warning about Tillerson on Twitter without mentioning him by name.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Armed Services Committee, told Fox News on Saturday that Putin is a thug and while he doesnt know the nature of Tillersons relationship with the Russian leader, its a matter of concern.

Speaking Sunday with CBS News Face the Nation, McCain said the Senate would give him a fair hearing and noted Tillersons ties could be strictly commercial.

But he reiterated that it should be a matter of concern. He voiced concern that Tillersons relationship could color his approach toward Putin and the Russian threat.

The 64-year-old Tillerson began his career at Exxon in 1975 as an engineer, rising through the ranks and becoming president and director in 2004 and CEO two years later. He was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and studied civil engineering at University of Texas.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures that Tillerson would be a smart pick.

Speaking on ABC News This Week, incoming Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus also defended Tillerson as an incredible businessman and American patriot.

While noting a conclusion has not been made, he stressed that Tillerson is in the business of finding oil around the world, and said the fact that he actually has a relationship with people like Vladimir Putin and others across the globe is something that [we] shouldn't be ... embarrassed by.

Asked about tough questions from Republican senators, he said, We don't have concerns about confirmation.

Should he become America's top diplomat, he will have a pay cut and complicated financial situation to sort out. Tillerson reportedly makes more than $40 million per year and owns more than $100 million of stock in a company that has holdings and dealings throughout the world.

Fox News was told last week that former U.N. ambassador John Bolton and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who were also in the mix for secretary of state, were being considered for deputy secretary.

Fox News Serafin Gomez and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trump's victories in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were certified Monday, further affirming his win over Democrat Hillary Clinton in last month's presidential election.

Wisconsin finalized its recount, which showed Trump beating Clinton by more than 22,000 votes, on the same day that a federal judge issued a stinging rejection of a Green Party-backed request to recount paper ballots in Pennsylvania's presidential election and scan some counties' election systems for signs of hacking.

Later Monday, Pennsylvania certified the state's results in the Nov. 8 election, which saw Trump defeat Clinton by more than 44,000 votes.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein successfully requested, and paid for, the Wisconsin recount. In addition to her failed Pennsylvania recount attempt, Stein's bid for a similar statewide recount in Michigan was blocked by the courts. Stein only got about 1 percent of the vote in each of the three states, which Trump swept on his way to the White House. She argued, without evidence, that voting machines in all three states were susceptible to hacking.



The numbers barely budged in Wisconsin after nearly 3 million votes were recounted. Trump picked up a net 131 votes and the final results changed just 0.06 percent.

In Pennsylvania, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond said there were at least six grounds that required him to reject the Green Party's lawsuit, which had been opposed by Trump, the Pennsylvania Republican Party and the Pennsylvania attorney general's office.

Suspicion of a hacked Pennsylvania election "borders on the irrational" while granting the Green Party's recount bid could "ensure that no Pennsylvania vote counts" given Tuesday's federal deadline to certify the vote for the Electoral College, wrote Diamond, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, a Republican.



"Most importantly, there is no credible evidence that any `hack' occurred, and compelling evidence that Pennsylvania's voting system was not in any way compromised," Diamond wrote. He also said the lawsuit suffered from a lack of standing, potentially the lack of federal jurisdiction and an "unexplained, highly prejudicial" wait before filing last week's lawsuit, four weeks after the Nov. 8 election.



The decision was the Green Party's latest roadblock in Pennsylvania after hitting numerous walls in county and state courts. Green Party-backed lawyers argue that it was possible that computer hackers changed the election outcome and that Pennsylvania's heavy use of paperless machines makes it a prime target. Stein also contended that Pennsylvania has erected unconstitutional barriers to voters seeking a recount.



A lawyer for the Green Party said Monday they were disappointed and unable to immediately say whether they would appeal.



"But one thing is clear," said the lawyer, Ilann Maazel. "The Pennsylvania election system is not fair to voters and voters don't know if their votes counted, and that's a very large problem."



A federal judge halted Michigan's recount last week after three days. Trump won Michigan by fewer than 11,000 votes out of nearly 4.8 million votes cast. It was not immediately clear when the state would certify its results.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The director of a West Virginia nonprofit group suspended for making a racist comment about first lady Michelle Obama on Facebook is set to return to her job later this month.

Clay County Development director Pamela Ramsey Taylor was placed on leave last month after she made the post following the presidential election, saying: It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. Im tired of seeing a Ape in heels.

The Charleston-Gazette reported that a letter from the agencys acting director Leslie McGlothlin to the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services says Taylor is scheduled to return to work Dec. 23 after her suspension.

The nonprofit provides services to elderly and low-income residents in Clay County. It is funded through state and federal grants and local fees.

Taylor was not the only one under fire because of the post.

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling resigned after responding to the post, saying: Just made my day Pam.

Whaling has said her comment wasn't intended to be racist.

I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I'm not in any way racist!"

African-Americans make up about 4 percent of West Virginia's 1.8 million residents, according to the U.S. Census.

About 77 percent of Clay County residents supported Trump in the Nov. 8 election. In 2012, President Barack Obama received 31 percent of the county vote when Republican Mitt Romney easily carried the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A rare drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, valued at almost $16 million, has been discovered by a French auction house.

Paris-based auction house Tajan announced the discovery of The Martyred Saint Sebastian drawing Monday. This is the first work by da Vinci to be discovered in over 15 years, according to Tajan, which has valued the drawing at $15.8 million.

The sketch is one of 14 unframed drawings brought into the auction house in March by a retired doctor, the New York Times reports. The drawings had been collected by the mans father.

DA VINCI DISCOVERED: ART SLEUTHING REVEALS LEONARDO ENGRAVING

Thaddee Prate, Tajans director of old master pictures, realized that a drawing that depicts St. Sebastian tied to a tree was noteworthy. Prate sought a second opinion from independent art dealer Patrick de Bayser, who noticed that the drawing was by a left-handed artist (da Vinci was left handed). De Bayser also found two small scientific drawings of candlelight on the back of the sheet, accompanied by minute notes, according to the New York Times.

Tajan then reached out to renowned da Vinci authority Carmen C. Bambach, curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, who confirmed the drawings authenticity.

This is an exciting new discovery of an authentic double-sided sheet by the master (1452-1519), representing on the recto the full figure of the martyred Saint Sebastian tied to a tree in a landscape, and on the verso, notes and diagrams about light and shadow, which relate to Leonardos study of optics, said The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in a statement.

WINNING BID FOR ANNE FRANK POEM STUNS AUCTIONEERS

Bambach believes that the drawing is one of three known works associated with what may be a lost painting of St. Sebastian.

A total of eight works depicting St. Sebastian are mentioned in the Codex Atlanticus, a list of da Vincis work compiled by the famous artist, scientist and inventor.

The drawings owner does not want his identity revealed, according to Tajan.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S BLOOMERS UP FOR AUCTION IN THE UK

A spokesman for the auction house told FoxNews.com that the drawing will be auctioned in June.

Last year experts identified a 500-year-old engraving that may show Leonardo da Vinci playing a musical instrument.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Joe Sheahan is in the fight of his life to save his familys Nevada mine from being swallowed up by the federal government's mysterious Area 51.

Technically, Sheahans family no longer even holds title to Groom Mine, which it owned for 130 years. The federal government took the deed through eminent domain after first offering the Sheahans $333,300, a price family lawyer James Leavitt called embarrassingly low. The family is fighting back in federal court, but if the Sheahans and Uncle Sam cant agree on a value, it could wind up before a jury.

Possibly more interesting is what the federal government wants with a parched stretch of rural Nevada desert and an old mine that hasnt been active in decades. The area is known for two of the feds most closely guarded secrets: nuclear testing and UFOs.

So far, the family has not been paid for the land. Initially, the family was sued by the federal government in September of 2015 in a complaint case of eminent domain. A few days later the government then filed a motion to take the over the property. Now, Appraisal reports are being exchanged in the discovery phase of the litigation. If the parties cannot reach a sufficient value for the land, the Sheahans are prepared to fight it in a jury trial.

The mine hasnt been in full operation since 1954, but until fall of 2015 family members went out from time to time to blast for minerals. The 400 acres of land sits almost 6,000 feet above sea level with panoramic views of the surrounding Groom Mountain Range and borders the Nevada Test and Training Range, which includes Area 51. According to Sheahan, his familys land had always been highly sought after by the U.S. Air Force base looking to expand its flight-testing range, They told me the land was like a suit hemmed in too tight that needed to breathe, thats why they want our land Sheahan said.

REAL-LIFE 'X-FILES'? CIA POSTS TROVE OF UFO DOCUMENTS

Sheahan told Fox News that Air Force officials started showing up unannounced on the property in the 40s and 50s, intimidating his grandparents. He said his family complained to the Air Force, but nothing happened. Then nuclear tests came without warning. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal archives, on Jan. 27, 1951, the Air Force detonated the first above-ground test on land next to the Groom Mine. Sheahan says his family wasnt told about the test. This bomb goes off, who do you call, who do you Google, theres no one  those blasts did significant damage to the property, not only in radiation, he said. Sheahan claims family members and mine workers suffered long-term radiation effects and says some livestock died from beta burns.

In the winter of 2014, government officials from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force approached the Sheahan family about purchasing the property. At that time, Sheahan and other family members had never had the property appraised but he says the family thought offers of $2.4 million, $5.2 million, and $1.5 million from the Air Force were too low and so they rejected them. Were not going to sit down with those numbers at the table. said Sheahan.

The Air Force confiscated the property on Sept. 16, 2015 through a federal court ruling in US District Court in Nevada. The family had three outside experts appraise the property after the seizure. Due to its proximity to Area 51 and the mineral rights to the land, each appraiser recognized the unique value of the property and came to the conclusion that the real value of the land was worth upwards of $44 million to $116 million dollars, Leavitt told Fox News.

AUSTRALIAN TELESCOPE JOINS $100 MILLION SEARCH FOR ALIEN LIFE

In a statement on Nov. 9, 2016 obtained by Fox News, a prior commander at Nellis Air Force Base, Col. Thomas E. Dempsey explained the reason for seizing the land; Over the years, technology has increased demand for the test and training range assets and the Air Force has developed infrastructure that directly supports range activities that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Leavitt is fighting to get the family just compensation, which real estate expert and Fox News Legal Analyst Bob Massi explains as an objective understanding of the value of that property.

Fox News reached out for a comment from Justice Department, which is representing the Air Force but was told by deputy press secretary Wyn Hornbuckle the department will not comment on pending litigation.

'IT WAS NOT FROM THIS WORLD': WITNESS TO 'BRITAIN'S ROSWELL' UFO INCIDENT BREAKS 36-YEAR SILENCE

Freelance local investigative reporter Glen Meek has been researching the Sheahan case since the government seized the land and is making a documentary about the land dispute. He noted governments unwillingness to provide answers and boiled it down to two major fundamental issues - individual rights and national security, saying the governments position is pretty much, the testing thats going on there now is incompatible with civilians having private land in that area.

The case is currently in discovery. Sheahan says he is a God-loving American and does not want to be portrayed as unpatriotic but wants his family to receive just compensation. Sheahan and Leavitt expect a late spring or early summer court date where a jury will decide on the matter of just compensation.
The best tablets of 2016 are not just tablets but, in some cases, double as laptops.

Here are a handful of some of the best you can buy in 2016.

iPad Pro (9.7-inch): Apple still rules the tablet world. To keep apace, the company introduced the iPad Pro in the fall of 2015, looking to tap into the popularity of detachables, which are tablets that connect to a separate keyboard. The initial Pro offering has a big, gorgeous display and is laptop-fast. But its big for a tablet, at 12.9 inches, and expensive, starting at $799. The second Pro released in March of 2016 comes closer to the sweet spot: it is much smaller at 9.7 inches and starts at $599. In short, the 9.7-incher is Apples best tablet yet with top-notch quality, fast performance, a brighter display, great speakers, support for Apple Pencil, and the option for a Smart Keyboard.

5 BEST FITNESS TRACKERS AND SMARTWATCHES OF 2016

The last two items (Pencil and keyboard) are what give it the Pro moniker. Snap on a Smart Keyboard (sold separately) and you can emulate a laptop experience. But note that iOS is not Apples desktop macOS, so it can be frustrating at times if youre expecting a full-blown laptop experience. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at $599 for Wi-Fi only and $729 for Wi-Fi + cellular.

iPad Mini 4: The is the best small tablet out there. Its extremely compact and light (about 0.65 pounds), approaching the grab-and-go portability of large smartphones. It tops the previous generation of iPad Mini with an updated camera, better 7.9-inch Retina display, and a faster processor. It can also handle limited multitasking via split-screen apps. And like the iPhone, it runs Apples iOS, which means you have access to probably the broadest selection of quality apps. The Mini 4 is one of Apples cheapest tablets too, starting at $399. The iPad Mini 2 (still being sold) is cheaper at $269, but its slow and showing its age going into 2017.

Google Pixel C: Googles Pixel brand is fast becoming the premier Android brand after the release of the well-received Pixel phone. Google has stuffed the 10.2-inch tablet with top-notch hardware including a fast Nvidia Tegra X1 processor, a very good high-resolution 10.2-inch display, long-lasting battery, and an anodized aluminum frame thats as good as anything Apple makes. There is a well-conceived keyboard option (sold separately) that also serves as the tablets cover. The Pixel C starts at $499.

APPLE MAY BE EYEING SMART GLASSES BUT ARE WE READY FOR THEM?

Microsoft Surface Pro 4: Microsoft is the undisputed leader in the detachable market. In fact, you could say that Microsoft invented the modern detachable, which combines a tablet with a separate keyboard. The 12.3-inch Surface Pro 4 is the latest iteration of the popular detachable and adds a larger, higher-resolution display, a better stylus, a 6th-generation Core Intel processor, and an improved optional keyboard with a bigger trackpad. The Surface Pro 4 starts at $899, but is often on sale. Because it runs the full version of Windows 10, there are applications galore. The excellent Surface Pro Type Cover keyboard is $129.99.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2: Easily one of the thinnest, lightest high-quality tablets out there, the Tab S2 has a bright, vivid AMOLED display and a speedy 8-core processor for running Android  and the smaller version is cheap, to boot. The 8-inch version, weighing in at a mere 0.58 pounds, starts at $399. The 9.7-inch version starts at $499.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has found an unlikely supporter in former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, who in a recent statement to People magazine said shed like him to be freed and called him a hero.

Assange, who faces extradition to Sweden following a rape accusation, took shelter at Ecuadors Embassy in London in 2012. His organization has been mired in controversy because of its role in the U.S. election, during which it published hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton aide John Podesta.

Its crazy that Julian is still being held as a political prisoner  after the UN has stated (and recently for a second time) that there is no reason for his detention and has ordered that the UK and Sweden release him, Anderson said in the statement provided to People magazine, referring to a February finding by the United Nations.

Julian is an editor and a publisher, Anderson said, in the statement. There are laws in place to protect him. But they are not being applied. He still cannot leave the Embassy of Ecuador in London while elaborate plots against him and made up sexual allegations could result in him being extradited to the US  where he would not be treated fairly  because of his exposure of truths.

HOW IS WIKILEAKS PUBLISHING FILES EVEN AFTER ASSANGE'S INTERNET WAS CUT?

Last month, at the Ecuadorian embassy, Assange answered questions about the rape accusation that were prepared by Swedish prosecutors. He recently published his detailed responses to the questions.

And back in October, Ecuador cut off Assanges internet access, a move that didnt prevent Wikileaks from continuing to publish hacked documents.

Anderson would also like the U.S. to pardon Edward Snowden and release Chelsea Manning.

[Assange] is a hero, she said, according to People. One day everyone will realize. But until now, this man has missed 7 Christmases with his children and is kept in difficult and tremendously stressful conditions-while doing us all a great service. Everyone in the world has benefited because of WikiLeaks  he has sacrificed so much  to simply share the truth.
British Airways has issued an official apology to a customer who did not take kindly to being told not to use multiple teabags at one time at an airport lounge.

According to The Telegraph, British Airways provides a selection of teas in its Heathrow International Airport guest lounge. One customer reportedly saw the array of different flavors and decided to get creative.

Posting anonymously on the commuter blog Flyertalk, the customer says he found an elderflower darjeeling and an elderflower apple, and decided to use both bags at once to create a uniquely floral-fruit flavored tea.

After he added hot water, the airline lounge guest says he looked up and saw a British Airways staff member staring at him.

The flier wrote that "a staff member who was clearingtables and looked at me insistently. I smiled, she did not move. 'Are you all right sir?' -- 'yes, thanks I'm just looking at what teas you have trying to decide'."

He continued to create his mixed tea concoction when the lounge worker allegedly interrupted, saying, "''sir, just to inform you that it is only one tea bag at a time and for lounge consumption only'."

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Police Called Because Customer Was Served Wrong Tea Bag

The customer called the lounge hostess' actions petty when complaining on the Internet travel board late November.

It took several weeks but the complaint reached British Airways corporate.

A British Airways spokeswoman told the Telegraph, As Brits we have strong feelings about how we like our tea, so we're disappointed that someone would dare to stand in the way of our customer producing the perfect cuppa.

We'd like to assure all our customers that they are, of course, free to blend their tea as they wish."
Southwest Airlines is hoping to resume recently suspended flights between Los Angeles and three resort cities in Mexico beginning Sunday.

The airline had cancelled all its flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun since Wednesday because all the necessary paperwork hadn't been completed.

SOUTHWEST PILOT 'CONGRATULATES' PASSENGERS FOR CLEARING OUT PLANE'S LIQUOR

Southwest says Mexican authorities issued the permits Friday night to clear the way for the airline to resume its Los Angeles service to and from the cities affected by the shutdown.

A total of 40 flights were canceled during the four-day suspension of service.

SOUTHWEST FLIGHT ATTENDANT DELIGHTS PASSENGERS WITH 'LOONEY TUNES' SAFETY SPEECH

Southwest says it is trying to rebook the passengers on the canceled flights.

Separately, American Airlines says it also has received the paperwork it needed to begin service between Miami and the Mexico city of Merida.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime after police say he stabbed a worshipper near a Simi Valley mosque.

Police said reports of people fighting sent them to a shopping center parking lot near the mosque around 11:15 p.m. Saturday. Officers separated the combatants and found that one person had been stabbed.

Police say the fight began after a man confronted a worshipper and got into a verbal dispute.

Twenty-nine-year-old John Matteson was arrested nearby.

Police say the victim had non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

According to a Ventura County sheriff's website, Matteson remained jailed Sunday on suspicion of making criminal threats, violating civil rights and disturbing the peace by fighting.
More South Texas teens than ever are getting themselves in big trouble by illegally smuggling immigrants at the U.S. border.

Arrest records from Hidalgo County show 11 teens were arrested this year on human smuggling charges. Five of those arrests are teen girls -- that's more than double the total number of teen girls arrested from 2011 to 2015.

One of the teens arrested this year, twice, is 17-year-old Brittany Lizeth Roque.

According to a police affidavit, an officer pulled her over back in August when she was spotted driving too close to another vehicle without her seatbelt. The officer discovered she didn't have a driver's license, observed five passengers in the car with her and notified border patrol. Roque admitted she had just picked up the men nearby and was being paid $250 per person to smuggle them into the U.S.

La Joya Independent School District Police Chief Raul Gonzalez told FoxNews.com many of these kids do it because they come from low income families and need the money. The school district, just south of Hidalgo County in Brownsville, has about 29,000 students.

"Some of them may feel their backs against the walls and desperate times call for desperate measures," he said.

"They're good kids and unfortunately because of their circumstances they look at their options and they feel this may be something that can help out financially," he said, noting how exposed they are to danger.

He said one good thing is that, once in custody, these kids become an important source of information.

"There's a saying that says that kids and drunks always tell the truth, he said. Kids tell us."

In addition to teens, more young adults under 25 are getting involved in this illegal activity, Hidalgo County records show. In 2011, just one person under 25 was arrested for human smuggling --- two years later, the number increased to nearly 50 and has remained around 30 arrests per year since.

In the State of Texas, anyone who's above the age of 10 is considered responsible for their own actions, so even minors are charged.

"I've driven to county jail many young adults who were emotional and crying and regretting their actions but at that point its too late," said Hidalgo County Sheriff's Sergeant J.P. Rodriguez.

"And you feel for some of these kids you know. I'm a father myself and we don't want to see our youth destroy their future," he added.
A dispute over a proposed Muslim cemetery in a small Central Massachusetts town is deepening, as the state attorney general and the U.S. attorneys office have intervened, warning local officials they could be violating civil-rights laws.

CONTROVERSIAL ISLAMIC CENTER HOSTS INTERFAITH CALL FOR PEACE, DESPITE TERROR TIES

Dudley, a rural town of about 11,000 on the Connecticut border, has faced off against the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester, which wants to build a Muslim cemetery on former farmland there.

Town officials have cited concerns about the scale of the project, potential traffic issues and its environmental impact, in questioning the appropriateness of the cemetery.

MAN HELD FOR ALLEGEDLY STABBING WORSHIPPER NEAR CALIFORNIA MOSQUE

The Islamic Society says anti-Muslim prejudice is at play. This is 100% fear and bias, said Jason Talerman, a lawyer for the Islamic Society, which is based in the city of Worcester and runs a mosque about 30 miles from Dudley.

Gary Brackett, a lawyer for Dudley, on Friday denied the town is biased against Muslims. The same concerns would have been raised whether it was a Catholic, or Jewish, or Protestant cemetery, he said.

Similar tension over Muslim burial grounds has surfaced in other states. The American Civil Liberties Union, the nations largest public-interest law group, says anti-Muslim sentiment has grown amid fears of terrorism, leading to efforts in some places to block zoning permits for Muslim organizations.

The Islamic Society of Greater Worcester says it serves more than 350 families, many of whom bury relatives at a Muslim cemetery in Connecticut that is filling up. The society is looking to establish the new burial ground on 55 acres of land it wants to buy in Dudley.

The group said much of the property is wetlands and that up to 12 acres of it would be used for the cemetery. The grounds would hold 10 to 12 burials a year and could incorporate as many as 10,000 plots over time, Mr. Talerman said. An early estimate suggested there could be as many as 16,000 plots, but that was scaled back to allow for more natural buffers around the burial ground, he said.

Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.
An 8-year-old boy who was playing in a cemetery -- while his friends were celebrating a birthday party at a nearby church in Arkansas -- died when a tombstone broke and fell on top of him, officials announced on Sunday.

FACEBOOK HELPS REUNITE WOMAN WITH PHOTO OF BOYFRIEND WHO DIED IN WAREHOUSE FIRE

Paramedics rushed the boy to a hospital near the cemetery in Lynn on Saturday afternoon, but doctors could not save him, detective Andrew Turner told KAIT.

It was unlikely that foul play was involved, Turner added. Officials did not release the child's name.

Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Neely said the boy was "full of life" and "just an 8-year-old rambunctious young man." He said church members planned to support the boy's family with donations.

"There is definitely a lot of prayer being sent up on behalf of their family," Neely added.

Lynn is about 100 miles northeast of Little Rock.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An off-duty deputy sheriff in Ohio died after a bullet fired from a gun flew through a wall and struck him inside his home accidentally, investigators said Monday.

CENTRAL GEORGIA POLICE OFFICERS SHOT AND WOUNDED WHILE SERVING WARRANT

Stark County Chief Deputy John Campbell was shot Sunday in Lake Township near Canton, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators did not say who fired the weapon. It was unclear what type of gun it was.

Stark County has asked the Summit County Sheriff's Office to investigate.

Campbell had a wife and two sons, Fox 8 reported.

Campbell was hired by the Stark County Sheriff's Office in February 2015. He previously served as agent in-charge for the Ohio Investigative Unit's Canton, Toledo and Cleveland districts.

Click for more from Fox 8.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Los Angeles woman was reunited Thursday with a special photo of her and her boyfriend who was one of the victims in the deadly Oakland warehouse fire that claimed the lives of 36 people.

Saya Tomioka posted on Facebook on Dec. 4 asking for help finding the image and the random photographer who took her and her boyfriend Griffin Maddens picture in Times Square in June 2015.

"This morning I remembered the first time I went to Times Square, June 16 of 2015," she said in a Facebook post. "I cried, and we kissed. Some random photographer captured this very moment, this very kiss."

She added that she wanted to track down the photographer, but never got their name.

According to ABC News, a New York-based photographer named Arken Avan was informed of the womans story. He said he checked two hard drivers and luckily he found the photo that happened to be placed in a different folder. The 28-year-old said he had to go through about 2,000 photos before finding the right one.

"I found the photo. I was shocked," he told ABC News. "I couldnt believe it. I was happy, but at the same time I was very sad."

Avan posted the picture on Tomioka's status at 3 a.m. Thursday morning, saying Miracles happen, Saya.

Avan also offered his condolences and said he would be posting more photos from that night.

Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have completed their work of the warehouse inferno.

ATF spokeswoman Alexandria Corneiro said Sunday the agency's team has left the site but that the scene in Oakland is still being secured. The deadliest building fire in the U.S. in more than a decade ripped through the warehouse during a dance party on the night of Dec. 2.

Corneiro says in a statement that ATF special agent Jill Snyder, who leads the bureau's San Francisco field division, and representatives from partner agencies will hold a news conference on Tuesday to talk about the investigation.

Snyder said Friday investigators had ruled out a refrigerator as the source of the fire, but they were still looking at electrical systems as potential causes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A former St. Louis police sergeant has been ordered to spend a year and a day in federal prison for stealing more than $80,000 from the organization for black police officers that he once led.

Forty-two-year-old Darren Randal Wilson was sentenced Monday in St. Louis. That's where he pleaded guilty in September to nine counts of wire fraud.

Wilson was the Ethical Society of Police's president in 2013 and 2014, giving him access to bank account funds made up primarily of members' dues.

Prosecutors say Wilson used the money on a side business promoting nightclub comedy shows. He was indicted in April 2014.

Wilson is not related to former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in August 2014. The shooting set off massive protests.
A search of Dylann Roof's car turned up a handwritten list containing the names and addresses of several predominantly black churches -- including the site of the Charleston church massacre, a former investigator who collected evidence in the case testified on Monday.

CENTRAL GEORGIA POLICE OFFICERS SHOT AND WOUNDED WHILE SERVING WARRANT

Prosecutors showed other pictures of items retrieved from the shooting suspect's car, including a gun, ammunition, a phone, a laptop and an American flag that had been burned. The investigator who testified, former State Law Enforcement Division agent Brittany Burke, helped process evidence when Roof was arrested.

Also Monday, FBI Special Agent Tracy Sicks read from Roof's so-called manifesto discovered online. It had appeared on a website along with photos showing the defendant posing with the Confederate flag and burning an American flag.

Roof, facing 33 charges in connection with the June 2015 shooting that killed nine people at a Bible study, was looking around the courtroom and drinking from a white cup during trial proceedings Monday. A jury began hearing testimony in his case last week.

STRUGGLE WITH DUI SUSPECT LEAVES DEPUTY WITHOUT AN EYE

Roof is consistently looking up. 2nd time during the trial. The 1st was during the showing of body cam footage. #DylannRoofTrial @FoxNews  Terace Garnier (@TeraceGarnier) December 12, 2016

The list of churches -- on a series of yellow pages -- was found in the outside pocket of a backpack in the car, Burke told the jury. She said it included the name, address and phone number of the Emanuel AME Church, where the deadly attack unfolded.

The backpack also contained CDs and a thumb drive, Burke said.

The charges against Roof included hate crimes and obstruction of the practice of a religion.

Burke stated a laser for a gun was found between the two seats. #DylannRoof #DylannRoofTrial #MotherEmanuel @FoxNews  Terace Garnier (@TeraceGarnier) December 12, 2016

Later in the day, the manager of a store that sold a handgun to Roof said the suspect went through a typical background check. Ronnie Thrailkill testified that Roof filled out the paperwork required by federal law when he came into Shooter's Choice in April 2015.

Roof had been arrested for drugs two months earlier, but Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon told The Associated Press that a jail clerk entered incorrect information that wasn't ever fixed in a state database.

When Roof sought to buy the gun, an FBI examiner spotted the arrest, but called the wrong agency to get his record. Without the necessary documents, the purchase had to go through after three days as is federally required.

Victims' families are suing the FBI for negligence in allowing the sale. FBI Director James Comey has said Roof should have never been allowed to buy the gun and promised a full review.

Also Monday, State Law Enforcement Division Agent James Green said he verified that 70 bullets and fragments found at the church were fired by a gun recovered from Roof's car.

Fox News Multimedia Reporter Terace Garnier in Charleston and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hundreds of people paid their last respects during a funeral and burial Sunday for a Georgia police officer shot and killed with his best friend and fellow officer last week.

TWO CENTRAL GEORGIA POLICE OFFICERS SHOT AND WOUNDED WHILE SERVING WARRANT

A horse-drawn carriage carried the body of Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr, 25, his casket draped with the American flag and led by an honor guard, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported. Mourners lined the route of the procession, somberly waving flags as some wiped away tears.

Smarr and Jody Smith, a 26-year-old officer with Georgia Southwestern State University, were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call Wednesday in Americus in south Georgia. Authorities said the suspected shooter died Thursday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a manhunt.

DEPUTY SHERIFF SHOT, KILLED AT HOME IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT, INVESTIGATORS SAY

Americus Police Chief Mark Scott spoke at Sunday's funeral. He said that even after Smarr was shot, he performed CPR on his wounded friend. Smarr died at the scene, and Smith a day later at a hospital.

George Saratsiotis, proprietor of an area menswear shop, said the two officers were regular customers of his. He said the close-knit Georgia community has been shocked by the slayings, adding "the atmosphere in the town is very sad. Everybody is talking to each other and trying to help each other right now."

"It's not fair for them to go so young," he told the newspaper.

Smarr was the sixth law enforcement officer fatally shot in Georgia this year, double the total killed by guns in the previous two years combined, according to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. When Smith died the following day, he became the seventh officer killed by gunfire in 2016, the newspaper added.

Police have said Smarr was responding to the call Wednesday when he and Smith were fired upon. They were both shot after Smith went to back up Smarr at an apartment complex just south of the university campus, according to authorities.

Minquell Lembrick, 32, the suspect in the shootings, was found dead Thursday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police have said.

Friends and family had gathered Friday at Georgia Southwestern to remember the officers, who had been friends since fourth grade and shared an apartment in Sumter County. "I have cried and cried and I know I'm going to cry and cry for a long time," Sharron Johnson said to about 200 people who'd gathered for that candle-light vigil for her son, Jody Smith, and Smarr.

Funeral services for Smith have not yet been announced.
Deaconbluz a/k/a Clark White will headline a blues benefit concert for the Woodmore Elementary school children on Sunday from 6-10 p.m. at Bessie Smith Hall, 200 East M.L. King Blvd.

The donation admission is $20 per person with all donations going to the Woodmore Fund of the United Way/Community Foundation.

Also appearing are the Drew Sterchi Blues Tribe and the Atlanta Horns along with other special guests.

For more information call either Clark White at 505-1933 or Karen Diamond at 227-1505.
An arrest has been made for a missing Columbia County, Ga., teenager believed to be in extreme danger.

Suspect Jason Johnson and teen Calah Waskow were spotted in Tennessee Saturday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. A motorist spotted their vehicle and called 911.

Police arrived on the scene and waited for Johnson to come out of a store. Once the two came out of the store, Johnson was arrested. He was taken to Sevierville County Jail.

Waskow is currently undergoing evaluation, but she is safe.

Calah Noel Waskow, 15, was last seen in Evans, Georgia. Authorities believe she ran away from home and she's with 37-year-old Jason Arlis Johnson, who's wanted for aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Click for more from Fox 5.
A scuffle with a drunken driving suspect in Arizona left a sheriff's deputy without his left eye, investigators said Sunday.

Pima County deputies had handcuffed 28-year-old Yesennia Gonzalez, but she put up a fight as they tried getting her into a patrol car in Tucson on Saturday, Fox 10 reported.

She deliberately kicked Traffic Unit Sgt. Mark Bustamante in his eye with her boot's heel, investigators said, adding that doctors could not repair the damage.

Gonzalez faced charges including aggravated assault on a police officer and driving under the influence.

She also was accused of kicking another deputy during the arrest, KNXV reported. Investigators did not give details on the injuries to the second deputy.

Click for more from Fox 10.
New Orleans resident Cardell Hayes has been convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith, whose death earlier this year shocked the country. Here's a look at the timeline of events related to the case:

 April 9: A driver in a Hummer runs into the back of Smith's SUV. An argument ensues. Smith is fatally shot and his wife Raquel is wounded in the legs. Hayes is arrested on the scene.

 April 11: Surveillance video shows Smith's SUV bumping Hayes' Hummer moments before the crash that preceded the shooting.

 April 12: Police say they found a loaded handgun in Smith's car, that Hayes told officers on the scene he was the shooter and that in addition to the .45 used in the shooting officers found a revolver in Hayes' vehicle.

 April 13: An attorney for Smith's family holds wide-ranging news conference during which he says Smith didn't brandish a gun during the altercation and had a concealed-carry permit. But a lawyer for Hayes says a witness saw Smith with a gun that night. A coroner says Smith was shot seven times in the back and once in the side.

 April 15: Hayes' lawyer calls for the New Orleans police to recuse themselves from the investigation, claiming their competency and honesty are questionable. The request is later rejected.

 April 16: Funeral services are held for Smith.

 April 28: Grand jury indicts Hayes on one charge of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence, and one charge of attempted second-degree murder.

 May 5: Smith's wife, Racquel, accepts his posthumous degree from the University of Miami.

 June 3: A defense lawyer says test results show Smith was legally drunk the night he died.

 July 14: Hayes' lawyer tries to get the New Orleans District Attorney's Office off the case, saying the DA made "baseless and inflammatory" statements about him in a report sent to law enforcement agencies.

 July 22: The judge refuses to remove the New Orleans DA and his staff from the Hayes case.

 Oct. 28: Racquel Smith offers her first public remarks since her husband's death, speaking at Will Smith's induction into the Saints' Hall of Fame.

 Nov. 16: Judge rules the jury will be sequestered during Hayes' trial, which begins Dec. 5.

 Dec. 5: Trial begins.

 Dec. 11: A jury convicts Hayes of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter.
Georgia police officers executing a search warrant early Monday morning shot and killed a man after he allegedly opened fire on cops, wounding two of them, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said.

MOURNERS HONOR NJ TROOPER KILLED IN HEAD-ON CRASH

Both police officers were taken to a medical center in Macon and were expected to recover, authorities told Fox 5 Atlanta. Officer William Patterson, 26, was treated and released from the hospital. Officer James Wynn, 27, was shot once in his vest and in his left arm. He underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

Patterson and Wynn were shot during a multi-jurisdictional drug task force operation at a Byron home off state Highway 42 at about 2:30 a.m. GBI Special Agent J.T. Ricketson told reporters the eight-member team knocked on the door three times and announced themselves but there was no answer. Eventually police knocked down the door and entered.

MARYLAND POLICE FIND, DELIVER DOZENS OF PACKAGES STOLEN FROM HOMES

An occupant was in one room and fired at least one round and it struck the two officers, Ricketson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Officers returned fire, killing the gunman, who was not named, Ricketson said.

Ricketson identified the deceased man as 31-year-old Rainer Tyler Smith.

The man's girlfriend and baby were inside the home when the shooting occurred, though neither were injured, Ricketson said.



Ricketson said officers from Peach and Crawford counties, Byron and Fort Valley take part in the drug task force.

Officials were investigating the incident.

The shooting comes at what has been a dangerous time for law enforcement officers in Georgia. At least seven officers have been killed by gunmen in the line of duty this year.

Most recently, two police officers were shot last week while responding to a domestic dispute call in Americus, a city in rural southwest Georgia. Americus Officer Nicholas Smarr died Wednesday and fellow officer and lifelong friend Jody Smith died the following day. The suspected gunman was found dead later  apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound  inside a home where he was hiding.

Click for more from Fox 5 Atlanta.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  Former President George W. Bush ambled into a steamy, fragrant mango warehouse in Haiti on Tuesday and surveyed several long tables neatly packed with the luscious fruit.

He clapped Ralph Perry, the warehouse owner, on the shoulder. He shook hands with farmers, dressed in button-down shirts and ties for the occasion. Then Bush  who is co-leading a fund to help Haiti since the Jan. 12 earthquake, along with former President Bill Clinton  talked of rebuilding.

He confidently said that mangoes will help the country "grow into prosperity" and spoke of a half-million dollar grant to help 25,000 mango farmers.

In Haiti, the mango is a symbol of both the country's potential, and its dysfunction.

There are 10 million mango trees in Haiti, and tens of thousands of mango farmers scattered about the country. Mangoes are the Caribbean nation's second-biggest export, behind coffee, and are a $10 million a year industry. Fruit industry leaders think they have the potential to blossom into a tasty, $90 million a year export business.

Most of Perry's mangoes are exported to New York and Miami, home to large Caribbean populations that grew up with the fruit. But Perry and others say there are vast untapped markets of future mango lovers elsewhere in the United States and that the fruit is also growing more popular in Europe.

"Twenty years ago, mainstream America didn't know what a mango was," Perry said.

Yet bruising and a lack of irrigation thwart many crops. Bad roads and the unavailability of seemingly simple tools such as plastic crates have also threatened the success of the country's mango export in recent years. In 2009, only about 10 percent of the crop was shipped abroad.

And that was before the quake.

Now a number of groups, businesses and people  from Bush to the Coca-Cola Co.  are trying to rebuild Haiti with the mighty mango.

Haiti grows a specific variety that is indigenous to the country. Called the "Madame Francis," it is juicy and sweet, and a bit fibrous.

"It is most appreciated by the mango connoisseur," said Jean Buteau, a mango exporter in Port-au-Prince.

Perry, who also has an export business that ships to stores such as Whole Foods in the United States, said there are many obstacles from getting the fruit from "tree to truck."

Sometimes farmers sell too early, allowing it to be picked when unripe. In other cases, they lack proper pruning tools. And the fruit is often so damaged that 20 percent to 40 percent of the harvest is lost somewhere between picking and exporting. And Perry knows that customers at Whole Foods, who pay $2 a mango, don't want bruised fruit.

Another knotty problem is transportation. Even before the earthquake, most roads were a disaster; today, piles of rubble, demolished cars and construction trucks clog traffic.

"We need to fix the roads and have better transportation conditions to the warehouses," acknowledged Haitian Agriculture Minister Joanas Gue.

In spite of the setbacks, Haiti actually produced a decent mango crop this year, which gives exporters hope.

"If you had asked me in January, February, after the earthquake, if we were going to have some kind of a season, I would not really think so," Perry said. "We're lucky and maybe next year we will get a better one."

Perry will work closely with TechnoServe, the nonprofit group receiving the $500,000 grant from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

The money will go to help Haitian farmers with everything from improving their crop yields to building regional drop-off centers where they can sell the fruit to exporters.

"Right now, at every step, there are challenges," said Bruce McNamer, president and CEO of TechnoServe. "And the crop has languished. But the beauty of this program is that there is a serious market for mangoes, and that ultimately, (the program) aspires to improve the income of 25,000 farmers."

In March, Coca-Cola announced a similar, $7.5 million, five-year project to help mango farmers. The Atlanta-based beverage giant said it will invest $3.5 million in the project, with the Inter-American Development Bank also contributing an undisclosed amount.

Proceeds from the sale of Haiti Hope Mango Lime-Aid made by Odwalla Inc., will go toward the project.

Karen Christensen, global produce coordinator for Whole Foods Market, said the upscale grocery chain has increased sales of organic and conventionally grown Haitian mangoes by 40 percent this year, compared to last.

Christensen said they would buy more from Haiti  if more were available.

"There's a lack of infrastructure in Haiti that makes purchasing there quite challenging," Christensen said in an e-mail. "Bringing the fruit to market is a complex endeavor  it may involve several layers of middlemen who provide financing, transportation and resale functions."

Still, Christensen said, Whole Foods wants to push Haiti to export more mangoes. Because so much of the countryside in Haiti has been deforested over the years, Christensen and others believe that giving farmers incentives to plant and cultivate mango trees will help reduce the impacts of deforestation and erosion  and provide much-needed cash for the Haitian people.

Mango farmer Paul Joseph Merize  who eagerly shook Bush's hand Tuesday at the Port-au-Prince warehouse  is convinced that mangoes can lift the Haitian economy. The 33-year-old lives and works in a region that was devastated by hurricanes in 2007 and hit hard by the earthquake.

Merize, whose home was destroyed in January, isn't surprised to hear that people pay so much for a single mango in the United States, while folks here pay about 50 cents for three.

"They are delicious mangoes," he said.

___

Associated Press Writer Evens Sanon and APTN reporter Flora Charner contributed to this report.
Dressed in long skirts, embroidered shawls and bowler hats, 17 indigenous women in Bolivia vied for the title of "Cholita Pacena 2013."

The beauty contest held Sunday in La Paz was won by Delia Gutierrez, a 28-year-old rice and noodle vendor in a market in the capital.

In the contest, held every year in Bolivia's capital, contestants dance to folkloric music and answer questions put to them by a jury.

The head of La Paz's Office to Promote Folklore and Popular Arts, Nicolas Huallpara, said the purpose of the contest is to preserve the identity of the traditional La Paz "chola."

Cholitas  indigenous women who wear traditional bowler hats, pollera skirts and embroidered shawls  now regularly anchor TV newscasts in Bolivia. "Miss Cholita" beauty pageants are in vogue.
Argentina's Supreme Court has upheld the 15-year prison sentence of a priest convicted of sexually abusing a boy in his "Happy Children" foundation, prompting the victim's attorney on Thursday to call for the cleric's immediate arrest.

The Rev. Julio Cesar Grassi maintained his innocence during the appeal, continuing to live in a home across the street from the foundation despite the conviction and additional allegations he abused more than a dozen children there. The court found him guilty of abusing one boy, with the rest of the charges dismissed for lack of evidence.

That victim's attorney, Juan Pablo Gallego, said Grassi should be arrested lest he try to escape now that his pedophilia conviction has been confirmed.

The Supreme Court of Justice in Buenos Aires province late Wednesday upheld Grassi's conviction for two cases of aggravated sexual abuse and a third of corruption committed against Gallego's client, who was a teenager in 1996.

Gallego told the cable network Todo Noticias that Grassi is "a dangerous pedophile" who could try to escape. The priest's attorneys have made no comment on their client's current situation.

Over the past year, the priest was held under house arrest, and then was freed under certain conditions as his sentence was delayed pending the appeal's outcome.

Grassi was well known for his work as president of the Happy Children foundation, which operated several children's homes.

Through television appearances and other campaigns, Grassi raised millions of dollars for the foundation, many of the donations coming from prominent figures who distanced themselves from the priest after the allegations surfaced.
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Paraguay has started to clean up a contaminated lake that is among the South American country's top tourist attractions.

A group of Korean experts began work in the Ypacarai lake in San Bernardino, near the capital of Asuncion. Nearby residents complain that the polluted lake emits a strong foul smell and they can no longer drink its waters infested with bacteria.

About 9,500 local people used to drink, cook and bathe using water from the lake. Now some use government-supplied bottled water. Others have started to dig wells looking for fresh water.
Vice President Juan Carlos Varela was declared the victor of Panama's presidential election Sunday, thwarting an attempt by former ally President Ricardo Martinelli to extend his grip on power by electing a hand-picked successor.

With 60 percent of ballots counted, officials said Varela led with 39 percent of the votes, compared to 32 percent for former Housing Minister Jose Domingo Arias, the preferred choice of Martinelli. Juan Carlos Navarro, a former mayor of the capital, was in third in the seven-candidate field with 27 percent.

Varela, who takes office July 1, dedicated his victory to Panama's democracy when the Electoral Tribunal's chief magistrate notified him by telephone of his victory.

The incumbent party has still never won re-election to Panama's presidency since the United States' 1989 overthrow of military strongman Manuel Noriega.

Election day began with opinion polls pointing to a tight race among the top three candidates, but none of the major surveys had Varela with a lead. Most gave a razor-thin edge to Arias.

Although Martinelli wasn't on the ballot, the billionaire supermarket magnate's presence loomed large during the campaign, with many worried that he would be the power behind the throne if voters chose Arias, a soft-spoken newcomer.

As the race narrowed in recent weeks, Martinelli crisscrossed the isthmus inaugurating hospitals, stadiums and Central America's first subway while warning the 3.2 million Panamanians that record-low unemployment and economic growth averaging more than 8 percent since he took office in 2009 could be jeopardized if his opponents won.

His use of the bully pulpit drew widespread criticism, as did his decision to place his wife, Marta Linares, as Arias' running mate on the Democratic Center ticket.

Varela, a 50-year-old engineer, is the scion of one of Panama's richest families and owner of a namesake rum distillery. He left the 2009 presidential race to throw his conservative Panamenista party's support behind Martinelli in exchange for the vice presidency.

But the political marriage didn't last, and Martinelli dismissed him from an additional role as foreign minister in 2011 for refusing to back a plan for a referendum to allow president's to serve consecutive terms.

Since then, Varela has been the president's fiercest critic, accusing him of taking kickbacks for a government radar system contract. Martinelli denied the charges.

In turn, Martinelli all but marginalized Varela from decision-making and called the vice president for collecting his government paycheck without doing any work.

A free-market conservative, Varela also has strong social credentials, having been the architect of a popular program at the start of Martinelli's presidency to provide a $100 monthly stipend to Panamanians over age 70 without a pension or retirement benefits.

As campaigning turned ugly in the final stretch, Varela was hit by accusations that he had received payments from the daughter of a political ally convicted in the U.S. of laundering money for an illegal online gambling ring.

Varela vigorously defended himself after the accusations first appeared last month on a Florida-run website, Diario Las America, and he accused Martinelli of leaking the story trying to derail his campaign. He said the checks he received from accounts managed by Michele Lasso were connected to legitimate business dealings with her father, a former Panamanian ambassador to South Korea, and donations to his 2009 presidential campaign, which he reported to the nation's electoral tribunal.
Police in the Dominican Republic say they questioned 16 U.S. citizens following a raid on a home that authorities say was being used for prostitution.

The raid took place in Agua Clara near the beach town of Sosua on the country's north coast. A statement issued by local police on Thursday says seven Dominicans were also held for questioning after the raid the previous day.

Police say 29 prostitutes were found at the home and some were younger than 18.

Authorities have not identified any of the people who were detained and prosecutors decline comment because the case remains under investigation.

Prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic, but anyone hiring a prostitute or running a brothel can face charges of sexual exploitation. Arrests, however, are rare.
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William Machado worked all winter harvesting palm-sized yellow cacao pods and drying the flavorful beans inside. He's part of a chocolate trade that is one of this South American county's most prized industries, but Machado increasingly fears his hard work may be in vain, squandered by a freeze on exports.

"We have nothing. We're not reaping any benefits from our harvest because we don't have buyers for the cacao," he said amid a grove of spindly cacao trees in a densely vegetated farming village on Venezuela's northern coast.

Two weeks after Venezuela's agriculture minister announced that he would make the resumption of cacao exports a priority, piles of beans are still sitting in warehouses.

The government's surprise revocation of export licenses this winter for some of Venezuela's biggest cacao exporters adds to a string of problems plaguing an industry that the socialist government once saw as a way to help wean the nation off its dependence on petroleum, which accounts for 96 percent of the country's export revenue.

Venezuela's fine cacao, the raw ingredient for chocolate, is among the most sought-after in the world. Yet sellers can't get the crop to those who want it. The beans Machado processed with techniques in use since the 18th century are still sitting in burlap sacks on the same land where they were harvested with machetes and spread in the sun with wooden rakes. Workers say some of it is starting to go bad.

Alejandro Prosperi, a spokesman for Venezuela's cacao association, said exporters have not been able to make shipments since January, and have 5,000 tons of cacao sitting in warehouses. Some smaller exporters had their licenses reinstated quickly, but larger firms remain shut down.

Agriculture Minister Jose Luis Berroteran has not explained why the government cancelled export permits, but said the administration is working to resolve the issue and would make resuming exports a priority.

The government itself sees great promise in what is now a niche industry. In 2011, the late President Hugo Chavez called cacao a strategic commodity, like oil, and pledged to convert the country into a "world cacao power."

It's not an unrealistic goal. For centuries, Venezuela was among the world's biggest cacao producers, though the industry stagnated decades ago as oil came to dominate the economy. Today the country exports just 8,000 tons a year, for revenue of about $30 million, slightly less than it earns from exporting another signature product, rum.

But connoisseurs still rhapsodize about Venezuelan beans  their complex flavor, the way they linger in the mouth, and the high and low notes they lend to the chocolate sold in places like Switzerland and Belgium.

"It is one of the most harmonious, symphonic cacaos. Even the lowliest cacao in Venezuela is fine cacao," said Maricel Presilla, the New Jersey-based author of "The New Taste of Chocolate." ''But whoever depends on cacao is in trouble there now."

While many growers complain that exports are over-regulated, others say the government has been slow to protect the crop's reputation.

Venezuela's most prized cacao comes from the tiny seaside village of Chuao, naturally irrigated by cascading rivers and accessible only by fisherman's skiff. Life there has revolved around chocolate since the sixteenth century, when pirates frequented the cove and European kings sipped drinks made with the village's beans. Today they sell for three times the price of other Venezuelan beans.

Chuao cacao is legally protected by the same system that ensures only sparkling wine from a specific region in France is entitled to the label Champagne. But the government is not issuing this certificate because it hasn't established a mechanism to verify the origin.

Venezuelan chocolatier Patrick Pineda last year took over the contract for exporting all of Chuao's chocolate, and he's created his own makeshift certificate of origin. Chocolate experts say there is still generally six times more Chuao-labeled cacao on the market than is actually being harvested each year, which depresses the price.

"Since people can just make up the fact that they have Chuao, they're not going to pay that premium," Pineda said.

Presilla, the author, has been watching all of this from the U.S. with frustration. But she said that if the cacao industry is able to right itself in Venezuela, the beans might command an even higher price.

"There might be better cacaos elsewhere, but few have the history and the genetics. And the harder it is to get it, the more people want it," she said.

___

Hannah Dreier reported from Chuao, Venezuela.

___

Follow Hannah Dreier on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hannahdreier
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Street demonstrations, the resignation of cabinet ministers and the arrest of his former vice president are pushing Guatemalan president Otto Perez Molina into a corner.

Protesters demanding Perez Molina's resignation blocked roads on the outskirts of Guatemala City on Tuesday, and a judge is expected to issue a ruling on allegations that former Vice President Roxana Baldetti accepted $3.7 million in bribes as part of a scandal that forced her from office.

Since Friday, five of Perez Molina's 13 cabinet secretaries have resigned, mainly because of the scandal.

Tensions are mounting ahead of the Sept. 6 elections, which are to elect Perez Molina's successor.

Some protesters are demanding the elections be postponed until the corruption scandal is resolved and Perez Molina resigns.
The unbelievable destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti has prompted the United States to put on hold a new policy that would deport Haitian immigrants who are in the United States without permission.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, speaking in Mexico City where he held talks with Cabinet officials on border, migration and security issues, said the hold is only temporary and that the government intends to return to it in the future.

We will have to deal with that situation, address it, be sympathetic to the plight of the people of Haiti as a result of the hurricane, he said, noting that some flights to the Caribbean country have been suspended in the wake of the fatal storm. But after that situation, after that condition has been addressed, we intend to resume the policy change that I brought about several weeks ago.

The United States stopped deporting Haitians after the Caribbean country was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2010, freeing them on humanitarian parole instead. But on Sept. 21, Homeland Security began putting Haitians in detention facilities as a prelude to sending them home.

The idea behind the new practice was that "Haitian migrants who come to our country illegally would be treated like immigrants from just about every other country who entered our country illegally," Johnson said.

Thousands of Haitians have been arriving at Tijuana, Mexico, in recent weeks hoping to cross into the United States, creating a migratory logjam at the border. They have also overwhelmed Mexican migrant shelters while they wait, with many of them sleeping outside on sheets of cardboard.

Mexican Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said the Haitian migrants were a subject of talks with Johnson and it was Mexico's responsibility to try to improve their conditions while they are in the country.

He also expressed hope that the United States, which has been processing only about 75 Haitian migrants per day at the San Ysidro crossing in San Diego, may be able to speed that up.

"Very possibly (their numbers) may rise following the hurricane's passage," Osorio Chong said.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration had representatives visit Tijuana this week to take stock of the situation.

With the U.S. presidential election in its closing weeks and Mexicans scheduled to pick a successor to President Enrique Pena Nieto in 2018, officials in Tuesday's meetings in the capital had their sights set on future cooperation.

"We have agreed to institute a high-level work group to follow through beyond our governments, beyond the administrations of which we are currently part," Osorio Chong said.

Mexico and the United States have pursued a diverse bilateral agenda, moving away from focusing just on security and incorporating other areas, such as innovation and competitiveness, during the Obama administration, said Foreign Relations Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu.

"The mechanisms of cooperation have been institutionalized," Ruiz Massieu said.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press. EFE contributed to this report.

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Eleven women from Colombia, one of them pregnant, were detained at Barajas airport in Madrid, each with 1.6 pounds of cocaine concealed in the vagina, police said.

The arrests took place two weeks ago, on Nov. 27, but Spanish police made it public on Monday.

The women, aged between 22 and 47, had arrived in Madrid on a flight from Medellin, Colombia, and carried the drug in a cylindrical container inserted in their body.

One of the women disclosed she was pregnant and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where the drug was removed safely.

Confidencial Colombia reported that five of the women were arrested at first, and a few hours later the other six. They all carried the drug in a similar fashion.

The story is reminiscent of the 2004 hit movie Maria Full of Grace, whose lead character  also pregnant- agrees to fly to the U.S. with 62 pellets of cocaine n her stomach.

Based on reporting by EFE.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Monday that a suicide bomber caused the blast that killed 24 Christians during Sunday Mass at a Cairo chapel adjacent to St. Mark's Cathedral, the seat of Egypt's ancient Coptic Orthodox Church.

TWO MEN WHO GAVE CASH TO BRUSSELS TERROR SUSPECT ARE SENTENCED

It was among the deadliest attacks to ever target Egypt's Coptic minority, which makes up around 10 percent of the country's population and strongly supported the military overthrow of an elected Islamist president in 2013, which was led by el-Sissi.

Since then, Islamic militants have carried out scores of attacks mainly targeting the security forces, while the government has waged a wide-scale crackdown on dissent.

TURKISH POLICE ROUND UP HUNDREDS IN ANTI-TERROR RAID

Speaking after a state funeral for the victims, el-Sissi identified the bomber as 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohammed Mustafa, and said three men and a woman were arrested in connection with the attack, which wounded 49 people. Two other suspects were on the run, he added.

El-Sissi did not link the bomber to any militant groups, but a top Interior Ministry official -- police Maj. Gen. Tarek Attia -- told The Associated Press that he was arrested in Fayoum province, southwest of Cairo, in 2014 on charges of being a member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

The president spoke after Health Ministry officials revised down the number of victims to 24, suggesting that the 25th body belonged to the bomber. The victims are thought to include 22 women.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"This strike really hurt us and caused us much pain, but it will not break us," el-Sissi said. "God willing, we will win this war."

He also called on the government and parliament to introduce legislation that would allow more "decisive" methods of dealing with militants. He did not elaborate.

"As long as we are together as one, we will definitely win, because we are people of goodness, not evil, and people of building, not destruction," he said.

The coffins were wrapped in Egyptian flags. Pope Tawadros II, spiritual leader of Egypt's Orthodox Christians, and top government and military officials attended the funeral, held amid tight security provided by hundreds of army soldiers. Earlier on Monday, the Coptic community held its own funeral service.

"God, protect us and your people from the conspiracies of the evil ones," Tawadros prayed after waving incense over coffins lined up in front of the altar along with crosses made of white roses. "It is the destiny of our church to offer martyrs."

Only victims' relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City. Some screamed out in grief or shouted out victims' names, while the rest sat in silence or quietly wept.

Outside the church, a crowd scuffled with security forces when they were barred from attending the service. An unspecified number of arrests were made, several witnesses said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety.

"People have a volcano of anger inside their chests," said Nora Sedki, a Christian government employee who joined a demonstration of several hundred protesters outside the church.

"The blood of our brothers is dear," chanted the protesters, who carried Egyptian flags and crosses made of tree branches.

Egypt has seen a wave of attacks by Islamic militants since 2013, when the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi of the Brotherhood amid mass protests against his divisive rule.

Many of his supporters lashed out at Christians after his ouster, ransacking and destroying scores of churches and Christian-owned properties in southern Egypt, where sectarian tensions are more pronounced.

For decades, Christians have complained of discrimination, saying they are denied top jobs in many fields, including academia and the security forces. They have also accused the security forces of failing to do enough to protect them from Muslim extremists, a complaint that has persisted under el-Sissi's rule.
Colombia's president has reiterated a call for a new approach in the drug war and cautioned that countries won't succeed alone.

Juan Manuel Santos said Monday that "no single country" can solve the drugs problem on its own and that "a multilateral, international approach" was needed, adding that "fortunately, we are moving in that direction."

Speaking to reporters two days after picking up this year's Nobel Peace Prize, Santos said the award had helped his country achieve the "impossible dream" of ending a civil war that had lasted more than a half-century.

The initial peace deal was narrowly rejected in a Colombian referendum before the Nobel Peace Prize announcement in October, but a revised deal between the government and rebels was approved by Colombia's Congress last week.
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Egyptians are holding prayers for 25 Christians killed the day before at a church next to the city's main Coptic cathedral in what was one of the deadliest attacks on the religious minority in recent memory.

The bomb went off during Sunday Mass at a chapel adjacent to St. Mark's Cathedral. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The coffins of the 25 have been laid in front of the altar on Monday, with the names of each victim displayed on the side facing the congregation.

Only victims' relatives were allowed to attend the service. Some screamed out in grief, while the rest quietly sobbed or sat somberly as a priest led the service.

The worst previous attack against Christians was a 2011 bombing in Alexandria that killed 21.
The European Union has imposed travel bans and asset freezes on seven senior security officials in Congo.

EU foreign ministers said in a statement Monday that the seven "hold positions of authority in the chain of command over the Congolese security forces which have exercised a disproportionate use of force."

President Joseph Kabila's second term in office expires on Dec. 19, but Congo's courts have ruled the election can be delayed and Kabila can stay in power until a new leader is chosen.

Anger over the delay has sparked violence including street clashes in September that killed dozens.

The ministers said that the EU would monitor the "crucial political developments" and could impose additional sanctions if there is more violence or interference with the political process.
Kosovo authorities have detained a Serb citizen suspected of war crimes during the 1998-99 war.

The capital Pristina court on Monday issued a one-month detention order for a Roma Serb, identified as S.B., charged of war crimes. Last weekend the suspect was arrested in Bosnia-Herzegovina and extradited to Kosovo.

The Serb is accused of being part of a paramilitary group that in March 1999 tortured Albanians in Fushe Kosove, close to Pristina, then separated men from women and took them away. At least one Albanian man was later found dead at a mass burial site.

Some 10,000 people died and 1,700 went missing during the 1998-1999 war as Kosovo fought to break away from Serbia.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Serbia has not recognized.
The mayor of Jerusalem says that under the incoming Trump administration, he hopes the U.S. embassy in Israel will soon be on the move  but Palestinians are already crying foul.

ISRAEL PM NETANYAHU HOPES TO WORK WITH TRUMP TO UNDO IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said he believed the embassy would be relocated to his city from Tel Aviv sooner rather than later, The New York Times reported Sunday.

It should have been done years ago, Barkat told the newspaper. My impression is, because I know some of the people and friends around Donald Trump, I believe that it will happen, sooner rather than later.

Israel views Jerusalem as its capital, but the Palestinians also view the eastern part of the city  captured by Israel during the 1967 war  as a capital for a future state.

Taking sides with Israel on such a sensitive and highly emotional issue will further escalate tension in an area that is already volatile, Rashid Areikat, the chief Palestine Liberation Organization representative to the United States, told the Times.

Past U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have made similar vows to move the embassy but backtracked amid concerns over the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Meantime, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he thought the U.S. and Israel would have a productive working relationship confronting Iran over its controversial nuclear program, among other issues. Speaking about President-elect Donald Trump, Netanyahu told CBS News' "60 Minutes," "I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. There's no question about that."
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Near complete results in Macedonia's early general elections show the country's conservative coalition in a slim victory over its Social Democratic rivals, but with neither party winning enough parliamentary seats to form a government.

The election was called as part of a Western-brokered deal to defuse a deep two-year political crisis sparked by a massive wiretapping scandal.

Monday results from 99.7 percent of polling stations show the conservative coalition led by former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE with 38.06 percent of the vote, slightly ahead of the leftist coalition, headed by opposition leader Zoran Zaev's Social Democrats, which garnered 36.69 percent.

The electoral commission gave no seat projections.

Without a majority in the 123-seat parliament, the winner will have to seek to form a governing coalition with a smaller party.
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All migrant Marc Samie has of his fiancee is a picture in his mind. Louise, seven and a half months pregnant, is standing silently on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers force him at gunpoint into a rubber dinghy with a compass.

The armed men had ordered Samie to hold the compass and a satellite phone for navigation on the journey to Italy. He refused. So they fired a Kalashnikov at the ground between his legs, and told him to take the compass or they would kill the couple. They said she would be on the next boat.

That was last July, and he hasn't laid eyes on her since. But instead of being treated as a victim in Italy, Samie was arrested by police and charged with facilitating illegal immigration.

Samie, a 21-year-old from Togo, is one of hundreds of migrants who are caught up in the Italian legal system as police, prosecutors and judges struggle to combat human trafficking. They are the victims of a new tactic where professional smugglers avoid being caught by forcing migrants, many of them minors, to take the helm of the boats.

Almost every day, Italian officials detain men accused of driving the boats, but don't know if they are traffickers or migrants. While overall numbers are not available, 179 smugglers  26 of them minors  were detained this year at the port of Pozzallo alone, where Samie came in. That compares to 147 last year.

In another port, Augusta, more than 190 smugglers have been arrested so far this year, according to police. And in Catania district, trafficking arrests have risen dramatically from 13 in 2013 to 79 as of August.

Police are well aware that they aren't reaching the criminals who are behind the trafficking and reaping the profits. To date, Italian police haven't obtained the arrest of a migrant trafficker in Libya, said Andrea Bonomo, deputy prosecutor for Catania.

"(We are) making the arrests at what I would define as the lowest level, the so-called smugglers, the ones who drive the boats and who are often migrants," he said. "They risk their lives together with the others."

There are no numbers on convictions. But smugglers can get five to 15 years in prison, Bonomo added.

In early November, police stood in the port of Augusta watching hundreds of migrants disembark from a navy rescue ship. Interpreters interviewed them to try to figure out who was driving the boats and holding the compasses.

Trafficking organizations in Libya now make cheap dinghies that can only last for eight to nine hours in the water before they sink, Marshal Tonio Panzanaro said. The traffickers then take what he calls "last-minute" smugglers, migrants who are sometimes given a free ride, and make them drive the boat. Behind it all is a "huge movement of money," he noted, with professional traffickers earning 100,000 euros ($105,000) from a dinghy that costs just 2,000 ($2,100).

"Our problem is that we know how they are operating in Libya, but since there is no government we can't take the final step, that of arresting the organizers," he said.

Not all boat drivers and navigators are treated as smugglers. On Sept. 7, Gigi Modica, a judge in Palermo threw out the case against two accused smugglers, a Somali and a Gambian. The men were driving and holding the compass on a rubber dinghy with 118 migrants on board. A dozen passengers died, and the men were accused of multiple manslaughter.

Modica concluded that the two presumed smugglers were actually migrants forced by armed Libyans to drive the boat. Neither seemed to have any experience, they spoke different languages and they couldn't communicate with one another. In his statement, he wrote that they had been threatened with death, and he ordered them to be freed immediately.

Modica said Libyan traffickers are choosing sub-Saharan Africans to drive the boats and take the compasses. He said defendants had told of friends being killed by traffickers because they refused to lead the boats.

He added that it is clear when those directing the boat aren't the real smugglers.

"They are weak. They are fragile. They are scared. They can only talk with lots of difficulty," he said. "It's evident that they aren't part of the problem. They are a victim of the problem."

In the small Sicilian town of Pachino, eight young African men live in a home run by an organization called Open Europe. Like Samie, many of them were accused of either driving the boat or holding the compass. Several received expulsion orders.

The organization allowed The Associated Press to talk to a Gambian who says he is 15 years old, on condition that his name not be used because he is a minor.

He was on the beach in Libya waiting to climb into a dinghy when armed men told him he had to hold the compass. He replied that he didn't even know how to use a compass. They threatened to kill him, and beat him with a pipe. He slides up the sleeve of his green sweat suit to reveal a 6-centimeter (2-inch) scar.

"I got inside the boat before they killed me and my mother wouldn't see me again," he said.

When he arrived in Italy, he was arrested and held for 15 days before receiving an expulsion order, which he is appealing.

Samie also spent 15 days in jail before he was asked to sign an expulsion order. He then headed back to the port in search of news of Louise, but there was nothing.

He is now appealing his expulsion order. In the meantime, he has sent off various emails to organizations, looking for Louise. He has no idea if she is alive or gave birth to their baby.

"The last time I saw her, she cried," he said. "I just said to her, we'll meet here ... I will wait for her."
Chihuahua reporter Jesus Adrian Rodriguez Samaniego became the 12th journalist killed in Mexico this year as a result of his professional duties. Rodriguez Samaniego, 41, was getting into his car outside his home when two men drove by and shot him several times.

He worked as a reporter for more than 15 years in print, radio and online, and had begun working for Antena 102.5 FM radio in April.

Mexico is becoming a cemetery for journalists, said Emmanuel Colombie, head of Reporters without Borders for the Americas.

The motive for Rodriguez Samaniegos killing is not known.

Several local outlets reported that while he did not directly cover a crime beat, he had been covering the story of a woman who said her brothers had been unjustly detained in relation to a case of an armed attack in 2009, as reported by La Silla Rota.

In the personal sphere, he was a responsible man in all aspects of his life, always smiling and happy for the things that happened with his companions, both in the office and in the street after the news, said news website Voz en Red, which is also part of the group Grupo Radio Divertida (GRD) Antena 102.5 FM belongs to.

According to Mexicos Human Rights Commission, a total of 119 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2000.

In the wake of the murder, Angel Zubia Garcia, president of the Forum of Journalists of Chihuahua, has asked the governor to adhere to the Protocol of Protection for Journalists, a law signed in June 2012 designed to protect journalists and human rights defenders, La Jornada reported.

Rodriguez Samaniego is survived by his girlfriend and two daughters.
Hundreds of men, women and children were found buried in mass graves in Iraq under the control of Saddam Hussein -- but for the captured dictator, a handful of scrapes and bruises was enough for him.

ISIS RETAKES ANCIENT SYRIAN CITY OF PALMYRA

The ruthless Iraqi ruler  who was pulled out of a hole in Ad-Dawr by U.S. special operations soldiers in 2003  complained about the way he was treated during his capture, says a former CIA analyst who first interrogated Hussein.

John Nixon needed to confirm Husseins identity after his capture -- but scars, tattoos and a few questions made it clear, the New York Daily News reported.

HUNDREDS DETAINED IN ANTI-TERROR RAIDS AFTER DEADLY ISTANBUL BOMBING

Nixon, who detailed the interrogation in a new book, said Saddam refused to answer a question about lethal gas unleashed on the Kurds in the town of Halabja during the final days of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988.

In fact, he wrote that Hussein was clueless about what was happening inside Iraq, during his final years in charge. He claimed the dictator had already handed over the reins of the Iraqi government so that he could write novels -- and was totally out of touch with his own country.

When was the last time you saw your sons alive? Nixon reportedly asked Saddam.

Who are you guys? Hussein shot back. Are you military intelligence? Answer me. Identify yourselves.

An Iraqi court sentenced him to death by hanging in 2006.

Click for more from the New York Daily News.
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The trial of eight former Bosnian Serb police officers charged with taking part in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre has been adjourned in a Serbian court after defense lawyers demanded the replacement of a three-judge panel.

The long-awaited trial at the War Crimes court is seen as a test of Serbia's pledge to deal with its wartime past and an important step in Balkan reconciliation efforts more than two decades after the Bosnian war ended.

A ruling on the defense demand is expected by Tuesday.

Around 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb troops in Srebrenica  Europe's worst atrocity since World War II.

Serbia has promised to punish war criminals to advance toward EU membership. Its nationalist government has faced criticism for stalling on that pledge.
The Syrian regime was in control of nearly all of Aleppo on Monday, the government and an opposition monitoring group said, as a proposal for the rebels safe passage from the city awaited approval from Russia, the regimes main military backer.

Syrian state media said President Bashar al-Assads forces had captured 98% of the eastern areas of Aleppo that have been largely rebel-held since 2012. The rebels and the monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said regime forces were in control of 90%.

The fall of almost all opposition-controlled neighborhoods to government forces came as rebels were pushed Monday from the Sheikh Saeed neighborhood after days of intense ground combat with regime forces backed by Russian airstrikes and militias comprised of thousands of Shiite Muslim foreign fighters.

Opposition officials estimated that more than 100,000 civilians remained in the devastated rebel-controlled areas of the city, huddled in homes and basements or seeking shelter as regime and Russian warplanes carry out attacks.

The opposition acknowledged earlier this month that it was facing defeat in Aleppo, its last urban foothold in Syria. It has pushed for a truce that would allow rebel fighters and civilians to leave the city unharmed for areas of their choosing.

A plan put forth this weekend by the U.S., which backs some moderate Syrian rebel groups, would guarantee the fighters, their families and other civilians safe exit from the city to other parts of the country, mostly to areas of northern Aleppo province that remain under opposition control.

But rebels said Monday that Russia hadnt approved the proposal.

Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.
Turkey's police rounded up more than 200 members of a Kurdish political party on Monday as the country mourned the dozens killed in a bombing attack near an Istanbul soccer stadium, state media reported.

The state-run Anadolu Agency there were 235 arrests in 11 cities on terrorism-related charges and for spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.

The report did not specify the name of the organization targeted or whether the individuals rounded up were suspected of involvement in a Saturday night attack outside a stadium in Istanbul that killed 44 people and wounded more 149 others, according to the latest tally.

Turkish state media earlier reported morning raids focused on individuals linked to the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, or HDP, in cities including Istanbul and Ankara, the capital.

Health Minister Recep Akdag said Monday the fatalities included 36 police officers and eight civilians. Funeral ceremonies continued in Istanbul with top officials in attendance.

The attack following a Turkish Super League match caused deep shock in the soccer-loving nation and triggered patriotic demonstrations denouncing terrorism.

Taxi drivers drove round the recently inaugurated Besiktas stadium, named after the team and neighborhood, waving Turkish flags.

Scores of demonstrators marched near Istanbul's main police station to denounce the twin bombings in a rally organized by a union.

Demonstrator Gulay Firat said she wanted for widows and widowers and orphans to be avenged. "No one can tear this country apart," she told The Associated Press.

"Damn the PKK" and "We don't want the PKK in parliament" chanted the crowd, calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish authorities accuse the HDP of supporting terrorism and having ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The party, which was democratically elected into parliament in 2014, denies the accusation. Its two leaders are currently behind bars on terrorism-related charges.

Turkey is facing renewed conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and has suffered a string of suicide bombings this year.

A Turkey-based Kurdish faction, known as the Freedom Falcons Movement, claimed responsibility for the twin bombings shortly after the end of a soccer match.

Known as TAK, the shadowy group is considered as an offshoot of the PKK. It has also claimed two suicide bombing attacks in Ankara this year.

The group says its actions are revenge for state violence in the southeast and for the detention of Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader and ideologue.

The decades-long conflict between PKK and the Turkish state has killed tens of thousands. Violence resumed after the collapse of peace talks in 2015.
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Turkey's ambassador to Israel has submitted his credentials as part of reconciliation efforts following a five-year spat.

Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem met President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem on Monday, where both spoke of opportunities ahead.

Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey last month.

Relations declined after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has roots in Turkey's Islamist movement, became prime minister in 2003. They imploded in 2010 after an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish activist ship trying to breach the blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish activists were killed and a 10th later died of his wounds.
Two British men who gave money to one of the main suspects in the Paris and Brussels atrocities have been sent to prison.

HUNDREDS DETAINED IN ANTI-TERROR RAIDS AFTER ISTANBUL BOMBING

Zakaria Boufassil and Mohammed Ali Ahmed secretly met Mohamed Abrini in a Birmingham park last year and handed him about $3,700 in cash - months before a terror attack in the French capital killed 130 people.

A jury was told how Abrini was sent to collect the money by alleged Paris ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

ISIS RE-ENTERS SYRIA'S HISTORIC PALMYRA

Abrini then allegedly went on to help with the attacks on Brussels airport and a metro station which killed 32 people on 22 March this year.

The 31-year-old Belgian national became known as the "man in the hat" after he was captured on CCTV with two suicide bombers at Zaventem airport.

Boufassil, 26, was given a three-year sentence after being found guilty of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism by a jury at Kingston Crown Court in London.

Ahmed, 27, had pleaded guilty to the same charge at the start of the trial and received an eight-year sentence.

The judge in the case noted that Ahmed's offending had also included engaging in physical training and researching "secure methods" to allow him and Boufassil's sister, Soumaya, to travel to Syria "undetected".

Soumaya Boufassil was initially charged on the same indictment as the two men but walked free from court last week after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against her.

Justice Baker told Ahmed: "I am sure that you are an individual who has for some time and continues to hold extreme Islamist beliefs, and that you are committed to the cause of Islamic State."

Click for more from Sky News.
"THEY KILLED AN ANGEL, MY FIRST BORN SON RICHARD SHEJA"

Author : Esperance Mukashema, Editions la Pagaie, 15

Date of publication : December 27, 2016

My name is Esperance Mukashema, I was born in Kigali in the district of Muhima.

I am married and have four children, including my twins.

I have attended Remera-Rukoma School and also an institution ran by the Bernardine Nuns.

I used to work for Radio Rwanda (public radio station), and have also worked as a stenographer at the district court in Gitarama and Kigali.

I am a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide; I lost loved ones killed by the Interahamwe militias during the genocide targeting Tutsis.

However my ordeal didnt end when the Interahamwe were defeated; in fact RPF soldiers would go on to kill my firstborn son during their infamous killing of clergymen including several bishops at Gakurazo. This sacrilegious massacre was carried out by the 157th battalion led by Fred Ibingira who would late be rewarded with a promotion to the rank of General.

My son killed during this massacre was called Richard Sheja, he was born on 15 October 1985.

I remember the day he was born, his father had just returned from a trip to Italy where he was able to meet Pope John Paul II.

Richard was a very bright child with a loving nature; he was very outgoing, well-mannered and enjoyed playing with other children.

He began attending pre-school in 1990, and was in his second year of primary school just before the war in 1994. He would amaze all those who had come to know him by his maturity beyond his years and was very attentive and loving to his younger siblings.

He once came home with a child he had seen on the streets begging, and asked me if this child could come to our home every day for some food.

During the genocide, he would often recite a prayer asking the Lord to protect all peoples from the evildoers and murders, he and his siblings had learned this prayer from a Burundian catholic friar who was providing us shelter and protection during the killings in 1994.

The Lord protected him from the Interahamwe evil killers, but unfortunately he would be taken from us by other murderers from the RPF. His father had been killed by the Interahamwe and Richard would be mercilessly murdered by the RPF who were supposed to be ending the massacres against Tutsi.

They killed him as he was begging for his life with his hands up; they couldnt take pity on an 8 year old child begging for his life and they shot him dead.

We will always remember you my dear Richard, your family, mum and siblings will always keep you in our hearts. You have joined your father, grandparents, uncles and other relatives that you had loved so much.

Website www.rwandatheque.com

Or email editionslapagaie@yahoo.fr or lapagaie@rwandatheque.com
Dryer Vent Wizard Knows How To Make Customers Smile

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - (Marketwired - Dec 12, 2016) - Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to call a customer service line, only to get a recorded message that gives you a long menu of options and numbers to select?

Imagine the surprise of callers to Dryer Vent Wizard (DVW) when the phone is answered by a customer service team member who says, "How can I make you smile today?"

Dryer Vent Wizard is a fast-growing North American franchise that specializes in

dryer vent repair, replacement, alteration, cleaning and maintenance for residential and commercial clients. The company's services help ensure energy savings and prevent dryer fires, which are a leading cause of appliance fires.

"We are committed to answering each call with a smile and tone of voice that makes people feel glad they called," said Delores White, manager of the Customer Wizard Scheduling Center, the centralized call center for the company's nearly 80 franchisees.

With more than 20 years' experience in customer service, White is a strong believer in team work. "My first job was working for one of the largest international call centers in the country," said White. "I learned that it's the people who make it work so well."

According to White, each new team member in the Customer Wizard Scheduling Center goes through extensive training on the call center database system along with the different services that Dryer Vent Wizard provides. Then it's hands on, side-by-side training on the phone.

Team members are trained to serve as "virtual" assistants to franchisees. Jim Buie, a DVW franchisee for nearly 10 years, is quick to praise the team members. He provides services to North Carolina's "Triangle" which includes Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham.

"I don't have to hire someone to answer the phone for me," said Buie. "It's very convenient, and they allow me to do my job." He shared that he also appreciates the extra effort when a team member scheduling an appointment asks if he can squeeze in another customer on a busy day.

"The call center has made me a lot of money, and I appreciate the efforts of everyone," added Buie. "I couldn't do my job without them."

Nevada Franchisee Jeff Knudtzon, who provides services to Reno/Sparks, along with Carson City and North Lake Tahoe, likes the flexibility of the Customer Wizard system, which is continuously being refined to meet the needs of customers and franchisees.

"Because I have such a large service area, I can adjust the zip codes and locations of where my technician and I will be on certain days so team members know when and where to schedule us," said Knudtzon. "I can also add special notes for the call center about different customer jobs, and the call center can email me items that immediately show up on my calendar."

Both Buie and Knudtzon agree that the number one compliment they receive from customers is how nice the people in the scheduling center are. Knudtzon added, "Everyone has a very good attitude."

It's good news for White, who doesn't hesitate to take a call herself to keep a customer from waiting. "We're the front door to making a good impression about the services our Dryer Vent Wizard provides, and to keep people smiling."

About Dryer Vent Wizard

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Dryer Vent Wizard is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). DVW's nearly 80 franchisees serve more than 9,000 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information and to learn more about franchise opportunities, visit www.DryerVentWizard.com or call 866-498-SAFE (7233) in the U.S. and 866-395-SAFE (7233) in Canada.

SOURCE Dryer Vent Wizard

Media Contacts:

Terry Reuer

President & CEO

Dryer Vent Wizard International

586-619-2160, ext. 550

Margaret Blohm

APR

Margaux & Associates, LLC

313-406-3467

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Local Business Named Best Of The Best Out Of Nearly 200 Locations

December 08, 2016 // Franchising.com // SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Brad and Sheri Beller, owners of Image360 Scottsdale, located at 8230 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 101, were recently named Best of the Best out of all of the Alliance Franchise Brands Sign & Graphics locations across the United States, Canada and the U.K.

The Best of the Best Award is the franchise companys most prestigious achievement and is given to one center in the network annually. The award is given by the Sign & Graphics Division of Alliance Franchise Brands and is based on a combination sales volume, sales growth and participation in corporate programs, including performance groups and operational studies.

We are extremely fortunate to have seasoned veterans Brad and Sheri in our system, remarked Division President Ray Palmer. In addition to their leadership and longevity, they consistently post positive sales numbers and set a great example for our other owners.

Formerly Signs By Tomorrow Scottsdale, the company recently changed its name to Image360  Scottsdale. With the new name comes a fresh approach to professional graphic solutions with enhanced customer service. Image360 provides professional graphic solutions to regional businesses and organizations. From the simplest projects to the most complex, trained graphics specialists will work closely with clients to maximize the creativity and visual impact of environmental graphics, mobile graphics, way-finding solutions and promotional displays.

Located at 8230 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 101, Image360 in Scottsdale is locally-owned and operated, and is a member of Alliance Franchise Brands franchise network, a world leader in visual and graphics communications, linking more than 650 locations in the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom. For more information, contact Image360 at (480) 368-7446, or visit the companys website at http://www.image360scottsdale.com.

SOURCE Image360

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Musicians from China's Southwest University for Nationalities paid homage to Chilean musician, Violeta Parra, in Santiago on Saturday to mark the centenary of her birth.

As part of a year-long celebration of the life and works of Parra, a folklorist and songwriter who is known as "The Mother of Latin American Folk", the performance was organized by the Chile-China Cultural Institute and the Chinese People's Friendship Association with Foreign Countries.

Held at the Violeta Parra Museum, the Chinese musicians sang Parra's songs, including "Gracias a la Vida" in Chinese, and performed her pieces, being met with strong applause by the crowd.

The musicians from the Southwest University for Nationalities also performed in the city of Valparaiso on Friday, as well as meeting with music students and professors at Andres Bello National University, and establishing a musical exchange program between the two institutions.

Tan Yong, a music professor and leader of the group, told Xinhua that "through this visit, we have been able to get to know Chilean culture more deeply."

His group of musicians have performed numerous concerts of Latin American music in China and have visited Cuba in the past.
A man wanted in Caroline County on a felony credit card fraud charge was involved in a fatal car crash Saturday and Virginia State Police say he was fleeing from a state trooper at speeds of up to 120 mph at the time.

Tyquanne Corelle McCargo, 24, of Charlotte, N.C., had been stopped for speeding on northbound Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County at 8:38 a.m., state police said in a news release. He pulled his Nissan Pathfinder to the side of the road, but sped away when Trooper J.S. Marshall started walking back to his car after confirming his arrest warrant in Caroline, the release said.

With the state trooper in pursuit, the Nissan passed multiple vehicles using the roads shoulder before getting off I-81 at Exit 200, according to state police.

The Nissan struck an embankment at the end of the exit ramp and spun out, the release stated. The vehicle then headed west on Route 710, and the state trooper slowed down because of the rural, winding nature of the road and lost sight of the Nissan, according to state police.

Moments later, the trooper came upon a crash on Route 710, the news release said. The Nissan had crossed the center line and struck a Dodge Ram head-on, according to police.

The Dodge Rams driver, Ricky Stuart Deacon, 55, of Fairfield died at the scene, according to state police. McCargo was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital to be treated for what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The police pursuit and crash remain under investigation by state police and the Rockbridge Commonwealths Attorney.
Given enough time and distance from warfare, humans can romanticize and rationalize conflict.

This weekend countered such sentiments for the hundreds of people who commemorated the Battle of Fredericksburgs 154th anniversary.

Hearing how shot and ball slew men in city streets, on the Rappahannock riverfront and Spotsylvania fields brought home combats brutality. So, too, did descriptions of the damage done to Fredericksburg homes and shops by the pre-battle Union bombardment of the first martyred city of the South, and the subsequent looting by Union soldiers.

Town very much shattered. A monument to the barbarity of the Abolitionists, a Confederate officer noted in his diary.

The cursed Rebels brought it all on themselves by their own maddened folly, wrote a Northern soldier incensed by Southerners rupture of the Union.

The National Park Services Remembrance Weekend programs approached the battle from every angle. Visitors followed the action through the eyes of Confederate and Union soldiers along the seven-mile front as well as Fredericksburg civilians who suffered from the shelling and pillaging of their town.

Historians of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park led six walking tours in the city, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties on Saturday and Sunday. St. Georges Episcopal Church hosted the riveting Voices From the Storm a dramatic production that shared the words of witnesses to the bloodshed. And beside the battlefields famed Sunken Road, which Union troops never reached, historians, citizens and soldiers descendants honored the fallen with wreath layings, a keynote speech and a procession of the colors, North and South.

For a gritty, boots-the-ground perspective, historian Frank OReilly followed in soldiers footsteps along two different attack routes through the city. On Saturday, departing for Maryes Heights from downtowns Hurkamp Park, OReilly told his 60-plus listeners how the hilltop was a deadly place as bluecoats there took fire from the Confederates along the heights.

We had never experienced urban combat before this, he said. American soldiers had only fought in the streets of a town once prior to this, and that was in Monterey, Mexico.

With each step by the Yankees toward Sunken Road, the carnage increased in intensity. On his Across the Bloody Plain tour, OReilly paused near the historic Rowe house on Hanover Street to detail the foolish bravado of Union officer Andrew A. Humphreys, whose statue now adorns Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Humphreys, a neophyte who knew of battle only from storybooks, led his men to slaughter with a heedless, theatrical sense of derring do, OReilly said. Miraculously, he survived; hundreds of his troops did not.

In the Sunken Road, historian Rebekah Oakes described the fighting from Confederates vantage point. Standing in ranks two to four deep behind the roads stone wall and below artillery atop the heights, they fended off wave after wave of Union attackers.

It was almost impossible to miss, as they came by thousands, recalled W.T. Shumate of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry. Such destruction of life I have witnessed on no other battlefield. One could have walked hundreds of yards on the dead bodies without once stepping on the ground.

On Sunday, Barton A. Myers, an associate professor at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, delivered the anniversarys annual keynote speech at the Kirkland Monument. A former Fredericksburg park ranger, he explained how both sides fought for something larger than the self. Northern troops sought to preserve the Union. Southerners sought to create a new nation-state.

The battles victorious Confederate commander, Robert E. Lee, he said, remarked on the battles staggering human cost. Lees reflection sends a cautionary message through time to any who seek war for glory or national aggrandizement or some other transient cause, Myers said.

Service is always costly; that is what it means to serve, he said. The audacious acts of those men North and South that December help us 154 years later to still grasp at understanding the gravity of those days. But the service of the Union soldiers who fell in defeat at Fredericksburg, punctuated by the placement of a national cemetery on the heights they could not carry in mid-December 1862, demonstrate shocking, sobering, arresting sacrifice.

Saturday nights Voices program at St. Georges wove together those themes and more. In the dimly lit nave of the church, which was turned into a hospital ward for wounded soldiers after the battle, four congregants portrayed a slew of 19th-century individuals who recorded what they saw and experienced.

The Rev. Joe Hensley, St. Georges rector, shared a letter one of his predecessors. The churchs young wartime pastor, Alfred Randolph, wrote to his wife after strolling the streets of Fredericksburg 18 months after the fighting.

I walked home through the ruins in the moonlight12 houses in a row in ruins. It was cold and the wind whispered through themthe streets perfectly still and deserted and the moon clear and full. It gave me a chill. These ruins are already beginning to look historicunder the moonlight they are wonderfully significant. The grass is as green as ever and the cows are grazing in the fairground over the bones of 2,000 Yankees.

There was a skull being kicked about the roadside by boys as I passed. Nature has forgotten the carnage. The people still talk of the battles. ...
The Central Park Outback Steakhouse and the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated in Fredericksburg are joining forces to give kids in need toys this year.

The event, Wednesday from 1-3 p.m., will take place at Outback Steakhouse at 2941 Plank Road. People can bring unwrapped toys to the restaurants parking lot.

Santa Claus will greet customers at the right side of the parking lot and will be available to take photos with the nearby pond as a back drop. The photos will be taken by photographer and Outback employee Kenzie Hartless, who will send the photos free of charge to parents. The restaurant asks that people bring an upwrapped toy. Rusty Gilliam, district sales manager with Coca-Cola, will be dressed as Santa.

After the drive is over, Gilliam said the toys will be packed into the festive, red Coca-Cola tractor trailer that will be parked at the Outback restaurant. They will be distributed to local children through local schools.

According to Alayna Martin, manager at Outback, Outback restaurants across the country use Coca-Cola products, and representatives from the local Coca-Cola company have eaten at the restaurant before. It made sense for the two organizations to partner up, Martin said.

We thought, hey, why dont we unite on this front to make a difference? Martin said.

Gilliam, who had dressed as Santa for more than 20 years and has gone to events at area Giant, Ukrops and Walmart stores, said Coca-Cola is equally excited for the opportunity to give back.

This is something we are really looking forward to, Gilliam said, Every Christmas, Coca-Cola looks for ways to reach out in the community.

Martin said the toy drive will be a good way for people in the Fredericksburg area to come together for a common goal.

We want to make sure everyone has a good holiday, Martin said.
A large marina fire in eastern Henrico County sent flaming boats adrift on the James River and emergency crews from around the region rushing to respond Friday.

About 3:30 p.m., Henrico fire Capt. Taylor Goodman said the fire had been marked under control, but the cause still was not clear.

Henrico fire marshals will lead an investigation that could take days, or possibly weeks, said Goodman, who said it was too early to speculate about whether the fire was arson.

Tony Wolpert, who lives in a house several hundred feet from the marina, said he noticed from his window a billow of smoke near the marina about 7 a.m.

He ran down to the marina and saw some boats on fire, and smoke filled the air.

He called 911.

With no one else in sight and unsure whether anyone was aboard any of the boats, Wolpert said he ran up and down the docks screaming as loud as he could: Fire! Fire! Get out!

He said he saw at least three people get out of their boats after his warning.

One man told Wolpert he was asleep and did not realize there was a fire. The other two survivors, a couple, also were unaware of the fire, he said.

Some boats became unmoored and were floating on fire in the river, he said.

From what he first saw, Wolpert said he initially thought the marina and all of the boats would be a total loss.

But he said he was relieved to hear reports that no one was injured and called it a miracle.

Goodman said an unknown number of people were sleeping on boats at the marina at the time of the fire but that firefighters believe everyone was able to escape safely.

About 60 boats are kept at the marina, many of which are yachts, Richmond Yacht Basin president Max Walraven said.

Walraven said it appears that 11 boats were destroyed. In total, Goodman said 12 to 15 boats were destroyed or damaged.

About 30 firefighters were part of the initial response. That included crews from Henrico and Chesterfield County as well as Richmond International Airport. As local crews continued to battle the fires Friday, they were joined by Virginia Beach, Newport News and James City County firefighters.

The U.S. Coast Guard also assisted, and an official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency arrived to assess what, if any, measures need to be taken to deal with any potential oil leaks, Goodman said.

The Richmond Yacht Basin, situated just west of Interstate 295 in Henrico, calls itself Richmonds oldest and largest full-service marina.

Mary Hertzler of Williamsburg has had a yacht with her husband, Steve, at the marina for nearly two years and said the marina is a friendly community of people who look out for one another.

She said about 12 people live in yachts at the marina, while many others have houses elsewhere but still sleep occasionally on their yachts overnight.

The Hertzlers walked to the marina on Friday unsure whether their yacht had been damaged, and they discovered it indeed was untouched.

Mary Hertzler said she was relieved and saddened at the same time, knowing that others had lost their boats. But she said the most important thing is that everyone appeared to be safe.

Mitch Romig, on vacation from Lancaster, Pa., was renting a blue houseboat at the marina for the night.

We were sleeping and heard someone running around yelling that the marina was on fire. It was pretty big already when we woke up, he said.

Once we got out, I dont know how many boats on the end were already on fire.

Its our last day of vacation. We werent expecting to get up to that.

Millie Oakley cried as she approached the scene. She has kept a 42-foot boat shes restoring at the marina for five years and already had heard that it was destroyed.

Oh my God, its like a second home, she said. I was getting ready to take it down to Florida. So, dream gone.
The candidates for mayor in Richmond spent a combined $2.2 million on the race, making it by far the most expensive election in the citys history.

I think it showed a real interest that people had in the race, and it showed that two candidates in particular had a lot of friends who were happy to support them, political scientist Bob Holsworth said.

The biggest spender was not the winner. Former Venture Richmond Director Jack Berry came in second place, while his expenditures on the race through Dec. 1 topped $1 million.

His spending on campaign advertisements, mailings and staff worked out to just under $30 for each of the 34,380 votes he ultimately won.

Television ad buys made up the largest chunk of overall spending on the mayors race, with Berry and winner Levar Stoney paying nearly $700,000 for commercials, according to campaign finance data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Stoney reported $365,000 in advertising expenses through Dec. 1. Berry reported spending $326,000 over the course of the campaign.

In addition to leading spending, Berrys campaign is the only one to report closing out the election with significant debt. Berry said in a report filed with the Department of Elections that his campaign owes Richmond businessman Jim Ukrop $150,000, which the campaign said it borrowed to fund campaign expenses, some of which need to be prepaid.

Berry was not reachable for comment Friday but has recently said he has not yet determined how he will handle his campaign debt.

Holsworth said its typically very difficult for a losing candidate to raise money to repay outstanding debt.

Stoney, who won the race with 36 percent of the vote, reported spending $900,000 through Dec. 1, which works out to $25 for each of the 36,107 votes he won.

Former Del. Joe Morrissey, who came in third place with 21 percent of the vote, spent just less than $200,000 on the race, or about $9 for each of the 21,422 votes he won.

His biggest expense was $52,526 to pay the salaries of canvassers, phone bankers and poll workers. He reported spending another $34,000 for printing and mailings.

Overall, he was dependent on name recognition and he certainly did run some ads, but by no means did he have the full operation that the two candidates that bested him did, Holsworth said.

Michelle Mosby, who came in fourth, reported spending $44,000. Jon Baliles, who dropped out of the race and endorsed Stoney, reported spending $40,000.

The next most expensive election in Richmond came in 2008, when sitting mayor Dwight C. Jones was elected. Total spending then was $967,000, according to campaign finance data collected by the Virginia Public Access Project.
China's State Grid will build more charging facilities and expand public fast-charge networks for electric vehicles in future years, the company's chairman said in Beijing Sunday.

The company plans to build 10,000 charging stations and 120,000 charging poles by 2020, Shu Yinbiao, chairman of the State Grid, told a forum.

The company will expand its public fast-charge networks for electric cars in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, where a charging facility will be found within a radius of less than 1 km, according to Shu.

By 2015, the State Grid had built fast-charge networks covering 11,000 kilometers of highways between major cities, and it would further expand the networks to cover another 36,000 kilometers of inter-city highways by 2020, he said.

The company has also built an online system that helps electric vehicle drivers locate charging facilities nearby and pay charging fees, which has so far connected more than 80,000 charging poles, said Shu.

Data from the National Energy Administration showed that China had 107,000 charging poles for electric vehicles by the end of October this year, up 118 percent from a year ago. Besides, there are also more than 170,000 private ones.

According to China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), the country will build a nationwide charging-station network that will fulfill the power demands of five million electric vehicles by 2020.
STORIES about waste, fraud and abuse in the Department of Defense are often oversold, if not entirely fictitious.

The infamous $600 hammer actually cost the Pentagon only $15. And while DoD did pay too much for a $640 toilet seat, it was in fact a custom-made, molded plastic shroud designed specifically to fit lavatories on the Orion P-3 anti-submarine aircraft. You cant just pick those up at Home Depot.

Taxpayers should keep such cautionary tales in mind when they read about a new report, deep-sixed by top Pentagon brass, that identified vast amounts of waste and bloat in the Defense bureaucracy. But they also shouldand likely willbe alarmed by what it found.

The study by a federal advisory board reports that Defense has more than 1 million contractors, civilians and uniformed desk jockeys to support 1.3 million active-duty troopsa ratio that seems hard to justify. The Army alone employs nearly 200,000 full-time contractors, which is more than the number of employees in the departments of State, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy and HUD combined.

Those personnel run the core business operations of procurement, human resources, supply-chain management, accounting and health care. All told those services account for 23 percent of Pentagon operations. The study concluded that efficiency savings in those areas would free up $125 billion over five yearsenough to cover the cost of 50 Army brigades or 10 aircraft carrier strike groups.

When the panel presented its findings, the highest echelons of the Pentagon were not pleased. Reportedly, the chief weapons procurement officer, Frank Kendall III, warned about blowback from Congress: If the impression thats created is that weve got a bunch of money lying around and were being lazy and were not doing anything to save money, then its harder to justify getting budgets that we need.

A summary report posted on the Pentagon website was pulled. The contract with McKinsey, the consultant brought in to perform the study, stipulated that its data could not be released. Fortunately, the story got out anyway.

To be fair, McKinsey and the advisory panel might have exaggerated projected savings. As one defense expert noted recently in Commentary magazine, cutting fat is easier said than done: Back in 1991, then-Defense Secretary Dick Cheney . . . terminated the Navys A-12 Stealth fighter program and demanded the return of $1.3 billion from General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas. The result was 23 years of litigation, which resulted in the contractors being forced to give the government a $400 million discount.

Moreover, labor and civil-service rules prevent eliminating jobs with the stroke of a pen. Civilian employees and defense contractors also have powerful allies in the congressmen who represent their districts. Previous administrations have tried to trim the bloat at the Pentagon, and DoD has simply waited them out.

Still, its important for the new administration in Washington to try. The federal debt continues to increase to dangerous levels, and the warfighters in the armed services are suffering from deployments that come too often, training that comes too little, and aging equipment that grows harder to maintain.

Nobody wants a bloodbath in the back offices that keep the Defense Department running. But a bloodbath on a future battlefield would be even worse.

from the Richmond TimesDispatch
Muslims are here to contribute to our nation

When I hear the perspective that Muslims are not doing enough to denounce extremism, it is wearisome because it seems like American Muslims have been denouncing and condemning since 9/11. Yet, I recognize that the message can get drowned out. Perhaps there is a better forum to communicate through.

American Muslims are a diverse minority, and they dont have a central mouthpiece. They have distinct experiences and opinions. But they turn to the same religious sources for guidance. Islam teaches respect for human life, peace and mercy over war or retaliation. The term Islamic terrorism is an oxymoron as much as the term Christian murder would be. Muslims are the frequent victims of extremists and are on the front lines in combating terrorism. At a certain point, it starts to seem tiring, if not unnecessary, to denounce.

Radicalization does not happen in mosques, it happens in isolation and online. In mosques, I have consistently been taught to better my community, care for the vulnerable, honor my parents, love my neighbor and correct my mistakes. The Muslim community is here to contribute, and we have something positive and unique to offer. Inspired by our faith, we contribute as law-abiding professionals, business owners, employees and volunteers.

The Fredericksburg-area Muslim community needs a place where our children can grow in their faith as American citizens. Our kids need a community with positive role models to address feelings of marginalization and to answer questions about their own religion.

The wonderful support that amazing individuals and groups have shown the Muslim community here has made it easier for our kids to say: I am an American, I belong here, and I have a contribution to make.

Amr Ahmed

Spotsylvania
For the half of Merkel cell carcinoma patients who produce these antibodies, the rise and fall of that protein in their blood can be a powerful predictive tool, the researchers found. In their study, they showed that 98 percent of patients with decreasing levels of antibody in their blood over time had no recurrence of their cancer, while 88 percent of those with rising amounts of antibody did have their cancer return soon after the test.

The blood test, which is performed in a clinical laboratory at UW and costs about $200, is already in routine use for all Merkel cell carcinoma patients at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where Nghiem treats patients with the carcinoma and other skin cancers. Physicians from other institutes around the U.S. have begun ordering it for their patients as well, Nghiem said, and he hopes the teams recent publication will spur more doctors and patients to adopt the test.

Thats important because Merkel cell carcinoma, though rare, is a very aggressive cancer. Only about 2,000 new cases of the cancer are diagnosed every year in the U.S.  but more than 40 percent of those with the cancer will have a recurrence after their initial treatment, and close to a third will die of their disease. The cancer is about three times deadlier than the more well-known rare skin cancer melanoma.

But theres hope, especially if the recurrence is caught early. Nghiem and his colleagues published a study earlier this year showing that the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, or Keytruda, shows promise in keeping metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma in check  about half of the patients treated on their trial had lasting remissions. Historically, only 10 percent of patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma treated with chemotherapy had lengthy remissions.

Evidence from other cancers indicates that the earlier a recurrence is caught, the better immunotherapies such as pembrolizumab will work.

We really think its better to treat a grape-sized tumor instead of a grapefruit-sized tumor for lots of reasons, including that the larger cancer gets, the more tricks it has figured out to evade bodily controls, including the immune system, Nghiem said. We want to find it early and yet we dont want to expose people to too many unnecessary scans.

If the test signals cancers recurrence, its important for clinicians to follow up with imaging tests to pinpoint and assess the new tumor and decide how to proceed with treatment, Nghiem said. And the approximately 50 percent of patients who dont produce the antibody still need to be followed with traditional imaging. In their study, the researchers found that those who dont produce the antibodies are more likely to have their cancer recur, meaning they should be followed with even more careful screening tests. But for those patients whose tests show falling antibody levels, they may be spared the exposure to radiation and expense of traditional CT scans.

Detecting hidden tumors

In some cases in their study and in Nghiems practice at SCCA, the newly-developed blood test signaled a recurrence that imaging tests had yet to capture, meaning that it could herald cancers return earlier than conventional scans.
Competitive Motor Trade Insurance Service in UK Ensures Cheap Quotes

New website that will cut the cost of motor trade insurance. Now more than 20 brokers have signed up to offer their comparison insurance quotes to motor traders. This one stop insurance website changes the way commercial insurance is purchased.

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Motors Traders Insurance is a comparison website for motor traders that are seeking insurance. The website - www.motortraderinsurance.co.uk works on the basic principal of matching the client's needs with the best possible insurance brokerages in the business. The process entails the matching of the motor trader's requirements with the services of the top three insurance brokerages matched with the said requirements. Individual quotes are then presented to the trader for review.

The firm's mission is in alignment with the need of motor trade insurance that matches the trader's policy and gives them full coverage in all instances. Motor Trade Insurance has a wide network of insurance brokerages that have flexible policies and some even offer exclusive deals that are suited to the particular business in need. The firm has a concrete understanding of the fact that each business is different and that understanding comes into play while they choose the three best insurance policies for their clients to review.

The purpose of having a competition based service is to ensure that the client has a wide variety of flexible policies that suits their needs and gives them full coverage whether they are a full time trader or a part time trader in the business. With an extensive cover for elements, such as premises, public liability, or sales and service indemnity or the simple need of road risk safety, the firm offers a wide range of coverage policies.

The firm's brokers are in constant search of the best price quotes, which makes them the most highly competitive brokers in the market and ensures that the clients get the cheapest possible deals. The entire process of presenting the quotes is kept sharply efficient with the first quote available in a matter of minutes. The firm works closely with their brokers to develop new insurance cover options each day. This ensures diversity of coverage options and means that almost all kinds of traders are easily served by the firm. The firm offers insurance for:

o Road Risk Insurance

o Combined Motor Trade Insurance

o Car Trade Insurance

o Traders Insurance

Motor Trade Insurance is swift in their services with the offer of 3 individual quotes for comparison in a matter of minutes and the option of covering the client almost instantly. The documentation process is seamless and fast and ensures security of the client's information. Services are available via the website and the UK based call center. Professionals are highly trained to handle each client's needs accordingly and to deliver the best customer services in the business.

Apart from the information related to services, the website also has a plethora of informative content for traders to review to make informed decisions.

For more information, please visit http://www.motortraderinsurance.co.uk/

Contact Info:

Name: David James

Organization: SLGM Ltd

Address: Unit 7 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD

Phone: 0203 876 5050

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/competitive-motor-trade-insurance-service-in-uk-ensures-cheap-quotes/153586

Release ID: 153586

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Special Christmas Discount for The Popular Ultimate Card Tricks Magic Set

Magic Touches announced the continued availability of their The Ultimate Card Tricks Magic Set "The Ultimate Card Magic Set" available only from Amazon in the USA. More information can be found at https://www.amazon.com/MAGIC-CARD-TRICKS-SET/dp/B00PMI1YIC/.

--

Customers looking for an exceptional Card Tricks Magic Set are now able to purchase The Ultimate Card Magic Set by Magic Touches at a Special Discount in time for Christmas.

John Williamson - formerly professional entertainer and magician Johnnie Gentle, Owner of Magic Touches has just released more in depth details of The Ultimate Card Magic Set's development.

The Ultimate Card Magic Set is designed to appeal specifically to Magic enthusiasts and card magicians and includes:

Instructions and explanations for over 200 amazon card tricks - This was made part of the product, since it provides a wide range of card tricks that will satisfy the most discerning magician, no matter whether a complete beginner or a more experienced magician. Customers who buy The Ultimate Card Magic Set should enjoy this particular feature because It allows people of all ages and skills to learn some Amazing Card Tricks very quickly and easily.

The Huge Special Christmas Discount has been announced by Magic Touches in time for the festive season and party time. This lets the would-be magician get a hold of this great Magic Set at a very reasonable price in time for Christmas. Customers will likely appreciate this because If they order soon, they'll be in plenty of time to learn and practice a few tricks and be the life and soul of the Christmas Party or family gathering or simply entertaining the lads and girls at the pub or club.

There is also a 65 minute Instructional DVD , which fully explains several amazing Classics of Magic. This is great news for the consumer as the purchaser will be able to perform some of the amazing card tricks that are performed by professional magicians.

John Williamson - formerly professional entertainer and magician Johnnie Gentle, when asked about The Ultimate Card Magic Set said:

"Card Magic is possibly the most popular form of magic performed by the amateur and hobby magician to entertain and baffle friends and family and I'm particularly excited about this product because It's one of our two Amazing Magic Sets that have been our top sellers over the last few years and has been upgraded to provide even more magic... "

This Magic Touches card tricks set provides easy to follow instruction for tricks that anyone can do and is available only from Amazon in the USA at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PMI1YIC

Those interested in learning more about the business can do so on the business website at http://magictouches.com/magic-set

Those interested in purchasing can go directly to the product listing, here: https://www.amazon.com/

For more information, please visit http://www.MagicTouches.com

Contact Info:

Name: John Williamson

Organization: Magic Touches

Address: 3 Jordanhill Crescent, Glasgow, G13 1UN United Kingdom



Release ID: 153505

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Christian Inspirational Fiction Novelist Gripping Romance & Faith Book Launched

The Christian fiction author Heather Earles announced the release of her latest book, "To Know Her Calling", telling a story about listening to God's calling and releasing fears or self-doubt through the intriguing, challenging and gripping romance of its two main characters, Louise and Raul.

--

The up and coming author Heather Earles announced the release of her latest book entitled "To Know Her Calling", an inspiring and intriguing Christian fiction romance that deals with self-doubt, releasing fears and listening to God's calling.

More information is available at http://toknowhercalling.com.

Heather Earles in an up-and-coming fiction author and renowned blogger committed to sharing her passion for Christ and God's word or life lessons through her writing with unique Christian fiction thoughtfully created to leave readers feeling inspired and hopeful but also engaged and intrigued throughout.

The author has released her first Christian fiction romance, "To Know Her Calling", telling the inspiring story of two characters from completely different countries and backgrounds, Louise and Raul, who find each other and struggle between being torn apart by their differences or trusting in God to heal their past pains and fears to move forward without masks.

The inspiring story about listening to God's calling and releasing one's fears or self-doubt told through the adventures of Louise, a hard working girl raised in a loving home with a peaceful life and Raul, a masked man from a different country who is searching for something worth cherishing, is also mostly dialog-based to keep the reader engaged and ensures uncertainty for those who like to stay intrigued until the end.

An excerpt and more information on "To Know Her Calling" and its inspirational story about releasing one's fears or self-doubt and listening to God told through the engaging and challenging romance between Louise and Raul along with details on the author, Heather Earles, her inspiration or her upcoming work, including a second Christian fiction book coming out next Summer can be consulted on the website link provided above or at http://heatherearles.com.

The author, Heather Earles, explains that "this book is different from other Christian fiction. Most of it is dialog so there is always something happening to keep the reader engaged to the very end and the adventure of these two hearts from different countries who find each other will leave everyone feeling inspired and hopeful. It's a story about listening to God and releasing fears and self-doubt."

For more information, please visit http://heatherearles.com

Contact Info:

Name: Heather Earles

Email: heather@heatherearles.com

Organization: Heather Earles

Address: 12505 22nd street, North Dakota United States



Release ID: 153577

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Raj Prem - Reveals Plans To Publish New Book On His Career In Music Photography

Prem is in discussions with two publishing houses, which wish to distribute the yet untitled book.

--

Founder of Fine Art Photography, Raj Prem considers the 1960s and 1970s as the most revolutionary and artistically rich periods when it comes to Rock 'n' Roll music. With legendary groups such as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles turning the music world on its head, it was a time in history that changed the landscape for the future. The increased availability of portable photography meant that the combination of artistic passion with the mirroring of the music resulted in new pictures being taken of these musicians. Today, these remain some of the most iconic photographs ever taken. It is due to passionate individuals like internationally renowned collector, curator, and manager Raj Prem that many of these behind-the-scenes photographs can be viewed by the public. Now, Prem is preparing to publish a book about his documented career in music photography.

After starting in a career of music journalism, it quickly became clear that Raj Prem was more interested in the images of his favorite musicians rather than the stories on which he would report. His insider's view combined with tireless research revealed that top photographers had a myriad of work as stunning, if not more so, than their most famous pictures. He also realized that non-professionals who frequented the musicians' inner circles would often have memorable images of equal value. It was in this way that he became one of the pioneers of displaying music photography as fine art.

When asked why he decided to write a book about his career, he explained: "Because so many people have asked me to do it!" With nearly 20 years' experience working alongside the most valued music photographers in the world, it is certain that there will be a host of incredible stories to be told. The book will be available both online and in stores, and will feature interviews with top artists along with other industry leaders like Philip Townsend and Bruce Fleming. It is the autobiographical material, however, that many will be most interested in: reading the first-person account of what it entails to be the main organizer of historical exhibitions, such as one of the greatest Beatles displays of all time and the definitive Rolling Stones retrospective "The Decca Years." Prem is in discussions with two publishing houses, which wish to distribute the yet untitled book.

Prem first became enthralled with Rock 'n' Roll after witnessing one The Who's incendiary performances in the late 60's, which he claims changed his life - his ' Damascene conversion' as he describes it. The Who were for a brief period his favorite band, and he was an 'extra' in the 1974 film adaptation of The Who's ' Tommy', directed by Ken Russell. Prem describes Pete Townsend of The Who as, "the most impressive musician I ever met. The Who were iconoclasts, rock's greatest terrorists, unlike The Stones who were cultural icons but never truly revolutionary. The Who changed my life with their transcendent performances, though I had difficulty reconciling Townsend's capacity for shocking violence with his often articulate thoughtful pronouncements, indicative of a questing intellect".

Raj Prem is one of the world's most highly-respected curators and collectors of rock music photography. To date, his Raj Prem Fine Art Photography has worked with some of the leading photographers from the 60s and early 70s, including Robert Freeman, Michael Joseph, Iain Macmillan, Michael Cooper, Peter Webb, Jerry Schatzberg, Dominique Tarle, Terry O'Neill, and Pattie Boyd. He has also curated exhibitions or facilitated the use of photographs featuring rock royalty such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and others either through his relationships with the photographers or with his own world-famous Raj Prem Collection. His exhibitions and private collections feature some of the most iconic images from the 1960s and 70s. He has staged almost 100 exhibitions in just under two decades in countries including the USA, UK, Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Netherlands. He often collaborates with the Atlas Gallery, Snap Gallery, and Proud Galleries in London and San Francisco's SFAE Gallery.

Raj Prem - Fine Art Photography: http://rajpremnews.com

Raj Prem (@Raj_Prem_) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/raj_prem_

Raj Prem - Plans Unique Display of Beatles Photos in India: https://www.yahoo.com/news/raj-prem-plans-unique-display-004850838.html

For more information, please visit http://www.RajPremNews.com

Contact Info:

Name: RPN

Email: contact@rajpremnews.com

Organization: Raj Prem Fine Art Photography



Source: http://marketersmedia.com/raj-prem-reveals-plans-to-publish-new-book-on-his-career-in-music-photography/153535

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Upper West Side NYC Hair Salon Manicure Pedicure Waxing Services Launched

Robert Stuart Salon, an Upper West Side, NYC hair salon, launched a variety of hair styling and beauty services, including manicure, pedicure and waxing. The salon offers customized haircuts according to the client's preference, traditional and modern manicure and pedicure, and different waxing services.

--

Robert Stuart Salon, a New York hair salon based in the Upper West Side, launched a wide variety of hair styling and beauty services, including manicure, pedicure and waxing.

More information is available at https://robertstuartsalon.com/projects.

Recent decades have seen a surge in the number of people seeking professional hair styling and beauty services. While in the past the variety of haircuts was much more restricted, today a large number of people prefer varied hairstyles for both their professional and business life.

Furthermore, men are becoming more and more aware of their hairstyles, and no longer limit themselves to exclusively traditional haircuts. Men hair styling can be equally demanding and require similar professional expertise as some of the most sophisticate women's haircuts.

Finally, professional manicure and pedicure services are also growing in popularity. Modern techniques such as gel manicure are preferred because of their increased resistance, esthetic appeal and convenience.

Robert Stuart Salon launched a variety of beauty services including professional hair styling, manicure and pedicure, and waxing.

The Upper West Side hair salon offers personalized hair styling services for both men and women. The salon offers both standard and custom haircuts, and the stylists work with the client in deciding upon the final haircut. Factors such as hair texture, bone structure, profession and lifestyle are carefully considered, so that the final result will be adequate for a variety of social contexts.

Robert Stuart Salon also offers hair coloring services, including single process, touch up and glare coloring. Hair re-texturizing services are also provided, such as permanent wave, relaxing/straightening, keratin smoothing treatment, and thermal reconditioning.

The NYC salon provides a wide range of traditional and modern manicure and pedicure services, including essential and signature, gel, and polish change. Waxing services are also provided, including lip, chin, eyebrow, arms and legs. For New York City residents on the Upper West Side looking for a thinking haircut, customized to individual bone structure and hair texture, the Robert Stuart Salon is the perfect choice.

Interested clients can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website or calling 212-496-1530 to book an appointment.

For more information, please visit https://www.robertstuartsalon.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Robert Stuart

Email: INFO@ROBERTSTUARTSALON.COM

Organization: Robert Stuart Salon

Address: 461 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024 United States

Phone: 212-496-1530

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China will further improve quality and opening-up of its educational sector and raise cultural and personnel exchange to a national strategic level, said China's Deputy Education Minister Hao Ping on Sunday.

Efforts will be exerted to serve both overseas students in China and domestic students going abroad, and to support schools jointly-run by China and foreign countries, Hao said, adding that China planned to send 29,000 government-sponsored students this year as part of an initiative to train talent with global vision.

About 523,700 Chinese students studied abroad in 2015, making China world's top source of overseas students. China is also the world's third largest study destination following United States and Britain, which saw nearly 400,000 students from across the world last year.

Sino-foreign cooperative education has progressed well in recent years. China has established more than 2,400 cooperative programs with 700 strong overseas universities and, has signed agreements on mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas with 44 countries and regions.

"Education is the priority among priorities in cultural and personnel exchange. China has begun national-level educational cooperation with countries include the United States, Russia, Britain and France, and will raise such exchange to a national strategic level in the future," noted Hao.
A photo book documenting ninety 'comfort women' was released in Beijing on Saturday, reported the Beijing News.

Li Xiaofang, author of the book, talks about the 'comfort women' at the book's release in the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression in Beijing on Saturday, December 10, 2016. [Photo: The Beijing News]

'Comfort women' were women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Army before and during the Second World War. Historians estimate that there were as many as 200,000 'comfort women' mostly coming from China and South Korea.

The book is the first of its kind to document 'comfort women' from more than one country, telling the stories of almost all the surviving Chinese victims that have been found, as well as some from South and North Korea.

The book reveals the inhumanity of the Japanese army and the miserable fate of the victims through over 500 photos and detailed stories of the women.

Stories of 20 survivors were published for the first time.

Among the 90 surviving 'comfort women' recorded in the book, only 30 are still living, 16 of them from China.

The Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance will slowly post the stories of the 90 victims on its official WeChat account. There is also a special coverage of the album on its official website.
Xbox Latest News & Updates: Microsoft Looking At Xbox, Nintendo Crossover?

A high ranking Microsoft executive revealed of a possibility of an Xbox and Nintendo crossover following the resurging success on the remakes of classic video games like Super Mario and Pokemon Go. This as Nintendo has started to expand its development canvass towards non-Nintendo platform, while Xbox and the Kyoto-based video game company have successful partnership on embedding Minecraft onto Nintendo console.

In an interview with AusGamers, Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's Xbox, said hosting Nintendo's popular games like Super Mario would be great for Xbox. He highlighted on the success of the Xbox and Nintendo partnership on the Minecraft project."I love to see Mario on Xbox. As someone who's been in this industry and played games forever, I'll still say it, Nintendo has the strongest first-party of anybody," he said.

The Microsoft official was responding to query on the possibility of project cooperation considering that Super Mario and Pokemon have found their way on mobile space and non-Nintendo hardware. Having these games in Xbox, he said, would be great.

"They're just fantastic and the memories that they have instilled in so many of us, who've played their games and had those delightful experiences," he added. With Microsoft now optimizing the Holodeck technology, he said he wouldn't be surprise to see Super Mario in VR architecture in the near future.

For decades, it is evident that Nintendo has not lost the support from the gaming community. The overwhelming welcome on the revival of their iconic games, like Super Mario, is a testament of Nintendo's captive market.

Nintendo is currently exploring the golden era of technological advancement with its classic and retro games. With sour and shaky history with Sony, it wouldn't be impossible if its partner of choice would be Microsoft.Watch Microsoft Holodeck technology here:
Microsoft To Partner With Qualcomm To In Order To Bring Windows Software to Devices Under ARM Processors

Windows announced on Wednesday through Windows Hardware Engineering Community event (WinHEC) in China about a partnership with Qualcomm to expand its reach more in mobile devices ARM processors. This isn't the first time that Microsoft has done this. Previously, Microsoft made a version of Windows 8 called Windows RT that was meant for ARM processors.

However, that project flopped because most applications failed to run on Windows devices. The company learned from that mistake, and for this reason, Microsoft and Qualcomm partnership is established in order to make it possible for Windows to run on any devices that are powered by ARM processors include Qualcomm's Snapdragon. This time, Microsoft plans to use an emulation technology that will allow Windows 10 to run x86 Win 32 apps such as Microsoft Office, and Adobe Photoshop.

According to Terry Myerson, the executive vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, "For the first time ever, our customers will be able to experience the Windows they know with all the apps, peripherals and enterprise capabilities they require, on a truly mobile, power efficient, always connected cellular PC." If this project succeeds, Microsoft will be able to spread its reach on a wider support for Windows software that will include all types of mobile devices such mobile phones, and tablets.

A report from Wall Street Journal mentioned that the partnership will then result in an update of Windows 10's capability to run Snapdragon chips. This also allows Microsoft to not only depend on Intel chips which will create new opportunities for Qualcomm to penetrate higher markets and price margins.

Microsoft has been unsuccessful in breaking the smartphone space with Windows unable to run on certain devices. For now, the company is planning on developing cellular PCs built around x86 code of Windows that will use the ARM architecture.
Why President-Elect Donald Trump Says Air Force One Costs Out Of Control,The Numbers Behind The Sky-High Claims Here!

Anyone can assume that the Air Force One - the official aircraft of the US President designed specifically to guarantee his safety when flying out for trips, is very expensive to operate and maintain. Even President-elect Donald Trump himself share the same sentiments.

Trump, in typical bombastic fashion, took to Twitter to blast Boeing. He claimed that the Air Force One's exorbitant costs - reportedly within the region of $4 billion, would be enough for him to cancel the government's "order" with the company once he assumes office.

Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016

As shocking as that claim may be to US taxpayers, a closer look at the facts shows that Trump's hyperbolic tweet are, well, hyperbolic. Here are the numbers that provide clarity beyond the President-elect's rather-outlandish claims on the Air Force One.

2 - The number of aircraft currently designated as Air Force One. The government requires that at least one spare jet should be available for use as Air Force One in case the other one needs to undergo repairs, according to The Washington Post. The name "Air Force One" technically refers to the call sign to any jet that carries the US President, contrary to claims that it refers to the name of the jet itself.

30 - The number of years planned as the life cycle for the current Air Force One jets. Boeing delivered the two jets back in 1990. The Pentagon stated that the jets are facing a plethora of problems as it reaches its 30-year cycle: "capability gaps, rising maintenance costs, and parts obsolescence."

747-800 - The Boeing model selected to replace the current 747-200B Air Force One jets back in 2015. Boeing is currently on the research phase of the next-generation Air Force One project. The new jets are slated for delivery in 2024 - if Trump doesn't "cancel the order," or in far-more accurate terms, postpone the ongoing program indefinitely.

$170 million - The amount of the contract given to Boeing to research and design the next-generation Air Force One jets. Contrary to Trump's claims, Boeing isn't building anything yet, but it needs to spend as much to completely re-engineer the 748-800s slated to receive the Air Force One call sign. Re-engineering would then involve the creation of measures that will provide it with the latest security countermeasures - protection against nuclear wars being just one of them. So just imagine how much research Boeing needs just to protect the US President in-flight.

$2.8 billion - The amount specified by the Defense Department for its five-year plan to design and develop the new Air Force one jets. Fortune has provided a breakdown of the amount per fiscal year (FY):

FY 2017: $351.2 million

FY 2018: $625.6 million

FY 2019: $741 million

FY 2020: $573.7 million

FY 2021: $487.3 million

Interestingly, these costs - albeit not too far from Trump's $4 billion claim, are considered as one-time payments allotted for the replacement of the current Air Force One jets. Such is quite different from Trump's remark that the costs are "out of control." Besides, said plan has yet to gain the approval of Congress, which for its part would certainly deliberate some practical and doable cost-cutting measures.

But if anyone's going to point out the $206,337 hourly costs for the sophisticated airliner, then they should consider this instead: protecting the person running the most powerful country in the world doesn't, and will never, come cheap, what with the various threats the US constantly faces. Watch TIME Magazine's interview with Trump on Boeing's Air Force One contract below:
How The Galaxy Note 8 Can Be A Big Hit Next Year: Rumors & Expectations

The Galaxy Note 7 might have been a literal and figurative disaster, but this doesn't mean that the Samsung Note brand is doomed to fail. Apparently, despite the Galaxy Note 7 controversy, the phablet line is still embraced by the consumers. If you haven't heard about it, Samsung has to go the extra mile to have people return their Note 7. As reported, there are still quite a number of Note 7 buyers who rebel on Samsung and refuse to return their recalled devices. This only means that the Note series is quite an irreplaceable phone model. This also means that the Galaxy Note 8 can be one big hit come 2017.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 December Recall Extension

For the nth time, Samsung encourages all Note 7 owners to return their phones. Right now, the company goes beyond polite asking and simply goes ahead and limit the Note 7 devices from charging to a full hundred percent. On top of that, Samsung will also ban Note 7 phones from network providers. This may or may not be applicable to all locations and carriers but this is clearly Samsung's most stern step yet in connection to the recall.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Rumors

As of now, the only confirmed thing about the next Note phablet is that it isn't cancelled. As for its specs and features, not a lot has leaked. This is pretty understandable though since Samsung's next release is the Galaxy S8, so the limelight is still in its regular flagship. One thing is for sure about the Galaxy Note 8 though, it will be a top smartphone of choice for everyone who were reluctant to return their Note 7. The amount of rants the web has seen when Samsung recalled the Note 7 is pretty considerable.

This only means that there are people are not happy with the discontinuation of the recent Note. Undeniably, there isn't a lot of brands and models that can easily replace the Note 7 as a premium phablet. Going back to the Note 5 isn't exactly a welcome idea since most of its users say that the said Note has missed a lot of things and that the Note 4 was a better release. Needless to say, right now the Note 4 is an even unwelcome suggestion considering that it is too outdated. It's clearly the Galaxy Note 8 that can feed the consumers' hunger for a premium phablet.
Surface Pro 5 Release Date, News & Updates: Intels Core i7-7500U Kaby Lake, Understanding The Beast Behind Microsofts 2017 Flagship Device

The hype continue for the most-anticipated Microsoft product of 2017, the Surface Pro 5. Although Microsoft and Intel remains silent on the matter, it becomes an open secret that Surface Pro 5 will be powered by Intel Core i7 Kaby Lake processor.

Adding to the build-up of a Kaby Lake-powered Surface Pro 5 was when Microsoft failed to release the device in October during the public presentation of the Surface Book. Instead, news hitting the internet revealed that Surface Pro 5 is set for a Spring 2017 launch, coinciding the release of Kaby Lake processor.

Understanding Kaby Lake

Setting aside the expected superb and sleek design, Surface Pro 5's Kaby Lake processor played very important role in the ongoing craze in the tech market. But just how powerful this seventh generation Intel processor is? Is it worth the wait and money?

Surface Pro 5 Core i7 Kaby Lake processor has almost the same core architecture to its predecessor Skylake with no major change in design. In previous generations of processors, Intel would see reduction in process size with smaller and lower power consumption, and improved performance.

This is not the case with Kaby Lake. It retains the architecture of the 14nm+ (nanometer) process size of Skylake. Instead of shelving the 14nm+ technology in lieu of the upcoming processor, Intel decided to extend its life for another generation before upgrading onto Cannon Lake with 10nm+ design. The changes however become notable on the longer and thinner transistor fins of the Kaby Lake, which eventually increase drive current and processor performance for Surface Pro 5.

From the usual lower the power and increase the performance, Intel opted for same-power-increase-performance with Kaby Lake. Modifying the transistor fins will pave the way for the processor to "Turbo Boost" for higher speed of Surface Pro 5.

Trusted Reviews reported that this change to the processor will result to faster decoding of Ultra HD video on-chip without sacrificing battery life of the host device, in this case Surface Pro 5. The improvement in Kaby Lake's media engine will enable the device to decode VP9 and HEVC 10-bit codecs, which covers the most popular Ultra HD formats, especially for streaming.

This dual-core hyper-threaded Core i7-7500U chip claims to have 12 percent performance increase productivity and 19 percent increase in web performance. In short, with Kaby Lake, your frequently used applications and favorite website load significantly faster without sacrificing battery life of Surface Pro 5.

On top of this powerful Kaby Lake beast, Microsoft Surface Pro 5 will be armed with 16GB of RAM, 512GB massive storage space, 4K resolution video support, wireless charging Surface Pen, USB Type-C ports, Thunderbolt 3 support and screen fingerprint sensor. Its price could pitch from $899 to as high as $1999.Watch the preview of the power of Kaby Lake here:
iPhone 8 Release Date, News & Update: LG Innotek 3D Camera To 'Shake-Up' Expectators? Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Will Not Let It Happen?

iPhone 8 is expected to be among the upcoming handsets set to arrive in 2017 that promises to make the year exciting for the mobile technology. Rumors and speculations about Apple's new smartphone suggest that the company will bring incredible features and technology.

Based on the rumors, the iPhone 8 is likely getting a 3D camera, suggesting that the premium iPhone will come with an LG Innotek 3D dual-lens setup. Also being predicted to be included is the Gorilla Glass Sandwich, along with added polycarbonate materials. The iPhone 8 is also likely to feature the rumored OLED display, which means that the smartphone may come come with higher frame rate and polygon count compared to a high-end PC.

Another iPhone 8 rumor claims that the handset will include a wireless charging. As mentioned in a report, the glass casing of iPhone 8 will be used to accommodate the wireless charging feature, with support from Apple's supply partner Pegatron, the exclusive supplier of the technology for the premium phone. The iPhone 8 expectators are hoping that these rumors surrounding the smartphone will become true, as the mobile industry has been reported to need a shake-up, according to report.

Meanwhile, aside from reports that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be launched in 2017, plenty of rumors and leaks about the specs and features are said to be out and about. Among these is the rumor that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be coming with an update to the current Snapdragon 821 chip, which is called the Snapdragon 830. Based on reports, the Snapdragon 830 will bring even more power and increased efficiency rate, which means Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is going to be another amazing phablet to beat.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 rumors also suggest that a more interesting AI assistant may likely come. If Microsoft has Cortana and Apple has Siri, it looks like Samsung could also get an all new AI assist named Bixby that also comes from the original developers of Siri, Digital Cameras Planet reported. Watch iPHONE 8 - RUMORS & FEATURES (2017)
Nvidia Self Driving Car Release Date, News & Updates: Driver-Less Cars on California's Highways?

The Department of Motor Vehicles in the State of California announce recently its approval for Autonomous Vehicle Testing within its jurisdiction. The Nvidia Self-Driving Car was given a go signal to test its AI cars on public roads and highways of The Golden State.

Starting December 8, DMV has granted companies with self-driving cars permission to use public roads. These companies, include but is not limited to, Volkswagen Group of America, Mercedes-Benz, Google, Delphi motors, Drive.ai, Inc, Baidu USA LLC and NVIDIA Corporation. The companies that were granted the permit have to follow certain rules and regulations such as "Providing DMV with a Report Of Traffic Accident Involving an Autonomous Vehicle within 10 business days of the incident. Also, it was stated that "All the authorized manufacturer also have to provide an annual copy of "Disengaging Reports" to DMV.

Nvidia has been known to provide the AI processing power that supports some of the popular brands of self-driving cars. The Nvidia Self-Driving car known as BB8, have been practicing in parking lots and private roads for a while now. Going around strategically placed traffic cones, turning in blind curves, even driving at night time, this self-driving car already had a lot of experience.

According to reports, The test driving permit for self-driving cars of Nvidia was essential to the company to improve the quality and driving capability of its AI system. By giving access to the Nvidia Self-Driving Car to roam the public roads, more data will be collected by the system on such thing as following the traffic light and maneuvering on crossroads with real life drivers.

In other news, Nvidia had also been busy in marketing the GeForce graphics cards for VR Ready PCs. On a recent report, there have been 15 million VR ready PCs in the market. Zvi Greenstein also predicted that it might rise to 30 million by the end of the year.
'The Bold and the Beautiful' Dec. 12-16 Spoilers: Eric Appoints Steffy as CEO; Quinn Killed Katie Out of Jealousy?

"The Bold and the Beautiful" spoilers for Dec. 12 - 16 is up! This week's episodes will begin with big announcements from the Forrester patriarch. Things will also turn ugly when at one point Quinn loses control of her jealous emotions.

Eric Announces Changes at Forrester Creations

"The Bold and the Beautiful" starts off with Eric coming back to the company. Quinn will be with him and everyone in the company is happy to see him again. However, it appears that he did not return to stay long in the company, but he only wants to make a major announcement.

He declared Steffy as the Forrester Creation's new CEO and the newly appointed executive will be confused for a moment. "The Bold and the Beautiful" spoilers show that after a brief hesitation Steffy will accept the position. She thought this is her only chance and if she refused it now, she will forever regret it.

Quinn will remain the president of the company while Eric asked Wyatt to assist Steffy and work on the company's PR. Now, Liam is not happy with Steffy's appointment but he will try to go along with it.

Quinn's Dark Side Emerged!

The upcoming "The Bold and the Beautiful" episode is also filled with dark moments especially if it involves Quinn. In the previous broadcast, Eric's wife was starting to get jealous of Katie. She noticed the woman's growing closeness to Eric so she felt threatened.

In the "Bold and the Beautiful." Quinn's dislike for Katie grew when she found out that the latter was looking for a home to buy in their neighborhood. Quinn confronted Katie about this and told her she can pick another place to live and not somewhere near her home with Eric.

"The Bold and the Beautiful" spoilers hinted that the tension between the women escalated to staggering heights as Katie seemingly continues to flirt with Eric. The next scene shows Katie prowled on the floor and bloodied.

It turned out that Quinn attacked Katie with a candlestick. The furious Quinn appeared to have repeatedly hit Katie with the said object and now Eric's friend lay lifeless on the floor as Quinn tries to check her pulse.

Finally, the spoilers tease that the scene might just be a daydream. Or perhaps, the incident really happened? Is Katie already dead? Find out in this week's airing of "The Bold and the Beautiful."
Greys Anatomy Season 13 Part 2 Spoilers: Jessica Capshaw Reveals the Unconventional Arizona Robbins

Just before "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 part 1 kicked off on October, the remaining cast of the show went through series of interviews. But one in particular caught our attention, not only because of their unique love story, but how fun they are as part of the show. In the first three episodes of "Grey's Anatomy' Season 13, Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) was missing. That didn't mean we won't see something exciting about her role in the show.

In an interview with Variety, Capshaw shed some light on Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) leaving the "Grey's Anatomy;" hinting on what her future relationships will be like. When asked whether she's going to be in a relationship in the new season, Capshaw said "Absolutely! I think that is absolutely due, and I think that you will see that." By now, we all know it's Dr. Eliza Minnick 's (Marika Dominczyk) who will play that role.

But what about the rest of Arizona Robbins in the all new "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 episodes? Jessica Capshaw made some few revelations that might give as a hint on what to expect. According to Capshaw, she doesn't think there will be more babies for her. The character of Robbins in "Grey's Anatomy" is far from being the conventional type. It was surprising that she managed to asked Callie Torres to marry her and that that's about it.

So what do we expect of Robbins' character in "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 part 2? She might just return to the laid back lesbian doctor that she is. While she can't see herself getting into another serious relationship after divorcing Torres, she's nonetheless exploring and flirting with fellow doctor; Eiza Minnick.

When asked whether Callie Torres' character will be back in the loop, she said she didn't have the slightest idea. Are you hoping for an Arizona - Callie reunion in the future? Don't miss the exciting new "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 this January and make sure to get all the latest update and spoilers here on GameNGuide.
Samsung Latest News & Update: Rejoicing Over Supreme Court's Decision On Patent Case Against Apple?

The legal battle between Samsung and Apple is coming to an epic ending. The two giant leaders in the smartphone industry have been going at it for years. Smartphone users can now purchase the devices involved in the patent dispute.

In our previous report, it was explained that back in 2014 the jury decided over Apple which says that Samsung infringed on Apple's quick links patent. It also infringed on Apple's swipe to unlock patent. The court also ordered Apple to pay $158,400 for infringing on Samsung's patent video and photo gallery feature

The court's previous decision states that Apple won $400 million base on a percentage of the entire profit which Samsung has gotten from infringing Apple's smartphones. But according to The Verge, the South Korean company argued that it should not be wholly based on the "entire profit but only a part of the profit" as only part of the design of the smartphone was copied from Apple.

This December, the court released its decision which then ruled in favor of Samsung. It decided that the basis for calculating damages could be on the whole profit of infringing the product or based on an aliquot part of the product's profit. Clearly, the court declined to explain further on what really is the basis for calculating the damages and instead refer it back to Federal Circuit Court.

In fact on a report by The Hill, it states that the Supreme Court was persuaded by the letter of the law. It further explained that Justice Sotomayor, delivering the Court's majority opinion, wrote that the " article of manufacture" - a legal term that refers to both sold products to a consumer and a component of the said product - has a "broad meaning," and that an "article" could refer to "a particular thing.

Indeed the court's decision doesn't seem to be clear on such patent case. But referring it back might seem to suggest that Samsung will be getting a chance to reduce Apple's win.
'Spider-man: Homecoming' News and Updates: The Role Of Iron Man In Marvel Reboot

The recent release of the "Spider-man: Homecoming" trailer sent the internet on a blaze with giddy anticipation over what may become of the third wave of Spiderman franchise movies. With newcomer Tom Holland as the young Spiderman, the movie might prove another addition to the successful franchise.

The main difference between this version and the ones before it is that it shares the same reality as the other Marvel superheroes in the expanded Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the most anticipated characters seemingly locked in as a major player in how "Spider-man: Homecoming" pans out is the consistent appearances of Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr. In the trailer, seems to be playing some sort of mentor role for the young webspinner.

It seems that, after pitting Peter in an all stakes battle between Team Iron Man and Team Cap in the "Civil Wars", he seems to want to compensate him by being some sort of father figure. In the sequences seen in the "Spider-man: Homecoming" trailer, Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony drops Peter off in Queens and sort of gives him advice although not very clearly worded. When Tom Holland's Peter asks him if there are any trials or tests to becoming an Avenger, he Tony Stark gives confusing advice then proceeds to shoo him out of his car.

Another noticeable moment in the trailer is Stark advising Peter to "forget the fying monster guy," referring to The Vulture (played by Michael Keaton.) In another very short split second sequence towards the end, Spidey is seen swinging away across the New York skyline with Iron Man gliding along.

What's obvious is that The Iron Man character is in full use in this part of the franchise where Marvel is playing it safe. The studio is making sure that this little side project can become successful on opening night, and possibly end up just like how they treated the first Iron Man movie. "Spider-man: Homecoming" opens July 7, 2017. Watch the trailer here.
If The New Day can defend their title against Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson and Cesaro & Sheamus this week, they will become the longest reigning champions in the category in WWE history. Watch WWE Raw Dec. 12, 2016 online live stream, here.

A tough title defense for The New Day as they go up against Sheamus & Cesaro and Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match. Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have proved in the past they can bend rules to win the match. Can they become the longest reigning champions and create history in 2016?

Last week, Charlotte Flair delivered a public apology to humiliate her father Ric Flair and that led to a fight in the ring between Charlotte and Sasha Banks. The Boss was left battered in the ring. Later it was announced that Banks would defend her title in a 30-minute WWE Iron Match against Charlotte at Roadblock: End of the Line, WWE reported.

Will The Boss come after The Queen on Monday Night Raw to avenge last week's assault?

Also, this week, fans will witness Emma's makeover reach its final phase as Emmalina will debut on WWE Raw on Dec. 12. Will her premiere on Raw impact the Women's division?

The highlight of Monday Night Raw will be the Triple Threat Tag Team Title Match and The New Day are expected to retain the title.

WWR Raw airs Mondays on USA Network. Stay tuned for more WWE news, updates and rumors.
Galaxy Note 8 Specs, News & Update: 4k Resolution, VR & Foldable Screen Tech; Device Is Biggest Hit Of 2017

After the fire fiasco brought by Galaxy Note 7, the giant tech will be offering their new Galaxy Note 8 next year. Rumors at rife claiming that Note 8 is gonna be the next big thing next year due to Samsung's eagerness to attract again their consumer to their phablet once more. The Samsung has been severely injured cause by the event.

Despite the call of Samsung to return all the unit of Note 7, there are still a lot of people who just snubbed the instruction. So, in return the company has completely made the phablet useless, as the device will no longer have an access to the update. The device will be banned from the company and this could only mean one thing neither call nor text they will be disconnected, iTechPost has reported.

Samsung will release its new version of Galaxy Note earlier next year and reports suggest that giant tech will incorporate their experiment when the Note 8 reach its retailers next year. A two-screen and bendable models are the rumored experiment. The Galaxy Note 8 will come in a two models, first is the bendable OLED screen, and the second is a resemblance of a tablet computer.

According to Value Walk, There will no more Home Button as the Galaxy Note 8 will be ditching its home button and will replace it with a touch-sensitive operation. Samsung will always respond to a market trend so it is either reducing or increasing its overall size unit.

Improvised Dual-lens camera and powerful internals having a benefit from an Exynos 8895 chipset. The higher estimates are towards 6GB and at a minimum of 4GB of RAM. The S pen stylus will also be upgraded and suggest that a speaker will be included with the stylus.

Samsung seems to follow the footsteps of Apple as they have been considering the decision of removing the headphone jack. Samsung reportedly to utilize UST Type-C technology for a music playback.

The Galaxy Note 8 od Galaxy s8 will either be soon incorporate the 4k resolution and VR. The pressure is on Samsung's new phablet update referring to the Note 7, the giant tech will likely debuting the 4k resolution to attract consumers back to the company again, following a heavy loss they had.
HTC 11 Release Date, Specs, News & Updates: 'Sense Touch' With 8GB RAM & Latest Snapdragon Processor OnBoard? More Power Features Revealed!

HTC is expected to reveal its latest flagship phone in the first quarter of 2017, according to reports. The HTC 11 will allegedly sport the "Sense Touch," a new concept by HTC.

HTC, a Taiwan-based telecommunications company, is set to release its new flagship in 2017. No exact date have been announced yet but based on previous models, HTC had scheduled the release in the first quarter of the year with February, as the earliest and April as the latest, as with HTC 10. The next flagship of HTC is said to bring a couple of power features with it.

The new flagship is expected to have a fast-charging 3,700 mAh battery. This is an improvement from the previous HTC 10 model with only 3,000 mAh battery capacity. As for the screen, the size will slightly be more with a 5.5-inch but the display would remain on the 1440x2560 pixels range. The back camera is said to support a 12mp camera while the front camera is going to be 8MP. Not much on the cameras here since other brands are offering cameras with almost twice the megapixels HTC has.

HTC 11 will allegedly use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Processor. It is made on a 10nm manufacturing process. This makes the SD 835 more power efficient by up to 40 per cent on previous models. The quick charge 4.0 technology also decreases charging time by up to 20%. As for the software, many predictions are made that HTC 11 will have the latest Android 7.0 Nougat. A lot of bets are also placed on either a 6GB RAM or an 8 GB RAM.

The key feature of HTC 11 that many loyal users are excited about, according to sources, is the so-called "Sense Touch." This is a concept leaked by an HTC designer. This feature would allow the user to do some functions such as accessing some apps or adjusting the volume by tapping the edge of the phone. It is supposedly developed for HTC Ocean but many are optimistic that this will also be on the HTC 11. The HTC 11 phone is said to be priced between $400 to $500.
Family Guy Latest News & Update: Showrunner Promises Fresher Plots, While Creator Seth MacFarlane Cant Stop Tweeting About Trump

It's no secret that "Family Guy's" creator Seth MacFarlane has such disdain for Donald Trump; in fact, if you check MacFarlane's Twitter, a handful of his sentiments are about Trump. So you shouldn't be surprised if The Donald makes more cameos in future "Family Guy" episodes.

How's "Family Guy" Doing Anyway?

Meanwhile, "Family Guy" has been on a ratings decline, and the popular animated series has been bombarded with criticisms for its stale jokes in its recent seasons. While there's so much to point out on Seth MacFarlane's creation, showrunner Alec Sulkin has a few ideas on how to win back TV viewers.

"I acknowledge that the show has had challenges trying to keep things fresh. There is kind of a burnout factor," Sulkin said in an interview with Splitsider. "We know who these characters are at this point, so it can be hard to give them new insight, but it is something we work on." Whatever that means for "Family Guy" we'll never know until its next season airs.

"Family Guy" Creator Seth MacFarlane On Why Hollywood Hates Trump

MacFarlane has been a longtime Trump critic. In fact, "Family Guy" even used a Trump gag in its Emmy campaign earlier this year. The show has had misses, that's given, but MacFarlane is undoubtedly one of the funniest guys in Hollywood. The actor and director is a completely different person however, when talking about Trump.

In his recent Twitter rant is a theory why Hollywood hates Trump. The creator of "Family Guy" and "American Dad" suggested that Hollywood's abhorrence for Trump was rooted in their experiences with similarly shifty industry types. According to MacFarlane, Trump symbolizes the dark side of fame to those who had gained game in the acting world that actors still experience to this day.

MacFarlane continued on saying that Hollywood's disdain for Trump is not synonymous to the lack of patriotism whatsoever. "Family Guy's" future has been shaken upon Trump's win according to its creator, GamenGuide reports. While the connection between the show and the newly elected president is pretty vague, MacFarlane seems to view it as a threat.
Spider-Man: Homecoming' Spoilers, Easter Egg: Gwen Stacey Cast For Sequel?

The "Spider-Man: Homecoming" trailer contained several Easter Eggs and one teased the appearance of Gwen Stacey in the movie. Her cameo in the film might also lead to a bigger role in the confirmed sequel.

Gwen Stacey appeared in a blink-and-you'll-miss it moment in the first full "Spider-Man: Homecoming" trailer. Eagle-eyed fans caught sight of a young woman who resembles the Marvel character.

Stacey appeared as one of the new students Liz Allen gave a tour around the campus. She had blonde hair and wore a slim headband, just like how Gwen Stacey appears in the comics, and how Emma Stone's version of Peter's love interest looks like.

Fans may have missed the young woman since the focus was on Liz Allen. In the said scene from the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" trailer, Ned and Peter Parker also only have eyes for Liz as they stared at her from across the room.

Check out Gwen Stacey at the 0:36 time mark in the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" trailer below.

According to Comicbook, Gwen Stacey's appearance could just be a cameo, since she is not part of the movie. Peter Parker's (Tom Holland) love interest in the film is obviously Liz Allen. The young woman dressed like Gwen Stacey reportedly also does not have speaking lines in the movie.

However, Gwen Stacey's appearance could be an Easter Egg to her future appearance in the franchise. After all, Gwen is part of the Spider-Man canon. She is known as one of Peter Parker's love interest aside from Mary Jane. Perhaps she will factor more in the confirmed sequel.

According to Collider, Sony Pictures has given the green light for the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" sequel. The film has been given the release date of July 5, 2019. Perhaps this time Gwen Stacey appears as Peter Parker's main love interest.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Latest News And Updates: Devices Still Being Used Will Shut Down On December 19

Samsung recently reported that they might be releasing an update that will permanently disable the remaining units of the recalled device Samsung Galaxy Note 7 that are still in the wild and are still operating by Dec.19. According to Samsung, these are for units that are still being held by customers even at the risk of its battery exploding.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will soon roll out the update, the release date they projected will be on Dec. 19. According to a dedicated page for Galaxy Note 7 in Samsung's official website, there is over 93 percent of the recalled units being returned. Hinting that, there is overwhelming support for the program. Samsung Canada, in support of the new announcement, also stated that it will cut connectivity to all its Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices that are still in operation.

Verizon Not Participating In The Update

Verizon announced that they will not be participating in the update even though Samsung already stated that the update is to disable all Galaxy Note 7 devices that are still in use. According to Verizon global corporate communications VP Jeffrey Nelson, "We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season." This is quite a logical reason seeing as it is Christmas season, and many people would be traveling. They might not have another smartphone in hand that they could use in place of it while being in a foreign land.

However, there is no indication that Verizon will launch the new update at a later date but Nelson did call out for the owners of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to return the devices or have them exchanged. Samsung engineers believed that even though the devices have not exploded, the battery will still experience massive swelling, which can be harmful not only to the device but to the user as well.
Uber Established Community Guidelines for Safety Precautions

Uber is known as online transportation that headquartered in San Francisco, California. It creates, advertise, and works by Uber Application that permits clients with smartphones to submit a trip request. The legitimacy of Uber has been tested by government and taxi organizations, who affirm that its utilization of drivers who are not authorized to drive a taxi is unsafe and illegal.

According to YAHOO TECH, Uber wants everybody to be protected and make the most of their trips. However, the company recognizes that not everyone's concept of a good time may be on a similar wavelength. For that, Uber issued a Community Guidelines, to recommend riders what they can do to guarantee that everybody has a decent time.

Uber stated that it will begin with the great conduct proposals. According to the company, one method of showing respect is permitting others on their own personal space, and to clarify things keep your voice down, no commendation on others appearance, and no being teased or touching, and certainly no sex.

Digital Trends stated that there are other proposals for keeping the Uber encounter positively that include managing your children, giving feedbacks by rating drivers and riders, and taking local laws that include safety belt. For the driver, the rules stated that they should not exceed to speed limit, should not execute texting while driving, nor drive while the influence of alcohol or drugs or even tired or sluggish. However, Uber likewise asks for everybody to please leave their firearms at home.

There are behaviors that can riders get banned from Uber. It started with harming property while on the ride that includes smoking, spilling food or drink purposefully, and vomiting due to liquor. Physical contact amongst drivers and fellow riders. Hitting on another person implies your ticket to ride Uber will be permanently canceled.

And lastly, violating local laws while riding with Uber implies no more trips. If Uber knows you occupied with any of the above "problematic behaviors" the company will get in touch with you for investigation, and it may suspend your record amid the examination. And for repeated acts or individuals who decline to coordinate could lose their right to ride.

These guidelines will make sense for the driver and passenger for security and comfort. By establishing desires and principles of the company from defining what it implies by appropriate rider conduct at whatever point it becomes an issue.
'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End' Release Date, News & Updates: Co-Op Survival Mode Has Five Main Objectives?

The new Survival mode for "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" has been revealed a few weeks back and it will push players to the limits since the only way to finish it is by surviving against 50 waves of opponents. New details have also emerged for the upcoming game mode during the PlayStation Experience (PSX) 2016, and it seems that it is more than just surviving.

It was reported recently that Vinit Agarwal, one of Naughty Dog's designers, has given new info about the Survival mode of "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End." Beating the new mode will not just be done by eliminating all of the enemies, and there are five kinds of objectives in order to come out victorious. The first objective is called Survival and this is where gamers would need to kill the required number of enemies. Another one is Siege where gamers should work with each other in taking down opponents from a specific location.

Other objectives in the newest mode of "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" also include Treasure Race and the main goal is to gather the treasures situated around the map while dealing with the pirates. The fourth one Is Marked Man which only requires killing one specific enemy. Finally, the Boss Waves may be the most difficult objective since it will deal with pirate ghosts and will require a lot of teamwork with other players.

Furthermore, Survival mode will consist of 50 waves that are separated into 10 stages. Gamers will also need to dedicate a lot of time for "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" once again since it will take a lot of time before beating the Survival mode. There is a possibility that each stage will take about 15-20 minutes. If players are not able to play it online, an AI ally will support them instead.

There is no exact release date yet for the Survival mode of "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End." However, it is expected to launch within the week and new details will be announced during their live-stream event on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Ian Somerhalder, Nikki Reed Divorce: 'The Vampire Diaries' Actor, 'Twilight' Actress Not Splitting; Reed Pregnant?

Same as any other celebrity couple, the "The Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed of the "Twilight Saga" have their fair share of divorce rumors. But amidst the gossip about their split, the couple is said to welcome their first born youngster.

It has been months since the classy and positive couple has been enveloped with the unending conjectures about their marriage. Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed are both trying to brush off the rumored divorce. Many are even saying that the couple has remained steady and strong without being thrown away by the said rumors.

"The Vampire Diaries" star posted an intimate picture of Nikki Reed and himself, trying to put to bed the whispers. Ian Somerhalder captioned his post in Instagram being the luckiest man on earth. However, it seems fans are still not convinced of it.

According to reports, Nikki Reed from the "Twilight Saga" has expressed her desire to start a family with Ian Somerhalder. Her desire to have a family is said to have been fulfilled as it is already reported that she is expecting to have her first bundle of joy with husband Ian Somerhalder. It has been reported previously that the big announcement would come very soon. Surely, the rumors of their rocky marriage should be debunked.

Nikki Reed is said to demand that her husband should let go of this acting career and focus on their growing family. However, there has been no confirmation from "The Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder if he will or will not quit showbiz.

Meanwhile, fans of Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev are waiting in anticipation if the two will have their reunion and reprise their roles in The CW series "The Vampire Diaries". There are also speculations that Nikki Reed is doing what she can to keep the two from reuniting.

Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed have certainly debunked the rumored divorce. Stay glued here in Gamenguide for the latest scoop on the Hollywood couple.
 Flash

Italy's outgoing Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was named as new prime minister on Sunday for a transitional government, following the resignation of Matteo Renzi from the post earlier this week.

Paolo Gentiloni speaks to the press after he was officially authorized as the new prime minister at the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome, Italy, Dec. 11, 2016. Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Sunday asked outgoing Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to serve as new prime minister. (Xinhua/Jin Yu)

After three days of consultations with all party leaders, Italian President Sergio Mattarella summoned Gentiloni and officially gave him the mandate to form a new government.

Renzi stepped down as prime minister on Dec. 7, after suffering a defeat on Dec. 4 in a referendum on a constitutional reform package that he had strongly advocated.

Gentiloni is considered a staunched ally of Matteo Renzi, and both belong to the center-left Democratic Party (PD), which holds the majority of the seats in parliament.

He would count on the same political forces that had supported Renzi's cabinet, since oppositions told the president they would not take part in a national unity government.

"Consultations showed the unwillingness of major opposition forces to share responsibilities in a new government," Gentiloni told a press conference, after receiving the mandate.

"Therefore, not by choice but out of sense of responsibility, we will move within the framework of the outgoing government and majority."

The newly appointed prime minister immediately started talks with parliamentary forces, in order to draw a list of ministers.

He met with the speakers of the senate and lower house, Pietro Grasso and Laura Boldrini, then with several minor groups in both houses, according to his official schedule.

On Monday morning, he would consult with the main parties, including center-right Forza Italia(FI) of former premier Silvio Berlusconi, the New Centre Right (NCD) that was a minor ally in Renzi's cabinet, and right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party.

The last consultation would be with lawmakers of his PD party.

Euro-sceptic Five Star Movement (M5S) and anti-immigrant Northern League, two major opposition parties, announced they would not meet Gentiloni.

Both pressed hard to go to early elections, after having rallied their forces to reject the constitutional referendum, and both said they would not acknowledge any legitimacy to the new government.

Gentiloni was expected to return to the presidential palace as early as on Monday afternoon, according to local media.

He would report to the president on whether his efforts to form a new government had been successful, and, eventually, present the new cabinet list.

In his short address after being named, Gentiloni said he was aware of the urgency "to give Italy a full-functioning government."

Italy has some pressing issues at international and domestic level to address, including the financial crisis haunting Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), which is the country's third largest bank.

Gentiloni can count on a wide support within the PD, and is said to have quite good ties with center-right FI party.

This might help him in addressing another major domestic task: that is, to change or amend the electoral system, before the country goes again to the polls.

In fact, two different laws currently rule over the election of the lower house and of the senate.

In this perspective, he stressed a priority of his cabinet would indeed be to "accompany, and possibly facilitate, the work of parliamentary forces in defining new electoral rules."

If this task will be fulfilled in a short time, early elections might be called in spring 2017, ahead of the end of the legislative term in Feb. 2018.

Gentiloni is an experienced politician, firstly elected in parliament in 2001. He served as telecommunications minister with center-left Romano Prodi government between 2006 and 2008.

He became foreign minister in Renzi's cabinet in Oct. 2014, after previous foreign minister Federica Mogherini was appointed foreign policy chief of the European Union (EU).
Corvallis lawyers Jeanne Smith and Gretchen Morris will review "Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day OConnor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World" by Linda Hirshman at noon Wednesday at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library as part of the Random Review program.

The first two women justices of the Supreme Court could hardly have been more different. OConnor grew up on a cattle ranch in Arizona and Ginsburg grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

While these two very strong women approached making their mark on the court by different means, both were strongly influenced by the sexual discrimination they had experienced in their professional lives. Hirshmans book is packed with rich material that anyone interested in the court will find fascinating.

Jeanne Smiths law practice concentrates on representing small business ventures as well as estate planning. She graduated magna cum laude from Temple University School of Law. Before beginning her private practice Smith worked as an associate in a law firm and as a deputy corporate counsel.

Gretchen Morris graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law and earned an LLM Taxation from Georgetown University School of Law. She clerked for an Oregon Supreme Court justice and had a private law practice with a local firm. Later, her sole practice was in business, taxation and estate planning and administration.

Up next: Next month's program, on Jan. 11, will feature The Geography of Genius: A Search for the Worlds Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley. The reviewer is David Noakes.
WW II Bomb in Cologne deactivated : Evacuation lifted in Cologne-Deutz

Foto: dpa

Cologne An ICE railway station, a part of the city administration and even the RTL German Television network - all had to be evacuated on Monday due to the discovery of a World War II bomb.

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A part of the Cologne inner city was paralyzed on Monday after an aerial bomb from World War II was found and bomb disposal experts called in to defuse it. Network headquarters of German television RTL had to be evacuated along with several thousand office workers in Cologne-Deutz and around 1,100 persons who have apartments in the vicinity. Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) had to close its route over the Hohenzollern Bridge for 35 minutes, causing delays and cancellations. Air space over Deutz was also blocked.

The American World War II bomb was found this morning on a building site between the Deutz station and the south entrance to the Cologne exhibition grounds. A new insurance building is being constructed there. The bomb disposal unit for the Dusseldorf area ordered an evacuation radius of 500 metres. The area is home to many companies and administration offices.

Around 2,000 employees of RTL Television were affected. Everybody was calm and quiet as they left the building, said RTL spokesperson Konstantin von Stechow. Programming was not affected because a recorded program was being shown at 2 pm. Around 800 employees of the chemical firm Lanxess were also evacuated. 15 people who reside in apartments in the area needed help to evacuate.
American Compound in Bonn : Campaign group wants to rescue kindergarten

Plittersdorf The campaign group to rescue the American compound and politicians agreed at a meeting on Friday that the old kindergarten should not be demolished.

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At a round table discussion by the campaign group Rettet die Amerikanische Siedlung Plittersdorf (RASP - Rescue the American Compound in Plittersdorf) on the future of the empty kindergarten building on Friday evening, both politicians and campaigners agreed the kindergarten should not be demolished.

Lutz Beine (SPD), Nikolaus Kirchner (CDU) and Marcel Schmidt (Burger Bund Bonn) spoke in favour of retaining and restoring the kindergarten building. Although invited, no representative of Vebowag was present at the meeting.

Under the listed buildings law, the owner of a listed building is obliged to keep it in good condition and renovate it in good time. The head of RASP, Rolf Fischer, said as far as the kindergarten and the American Club are concerned, these obligations are not being met. Beine supported the renovation and continued use of the kindergarten and journalist Don Jordan asked why politicians were not putting pressure on Vebowag.

Nikolaus Kirchner said local committees had no influence on the decisions of district committees. He made clear that, The CDU showed support early on for the preservation of sites of historic interest. Vebowag pursues economic interests, but these should not interfere with the legal rules. Kirchner said it was not cost efficient for Vebowag to restore and run the kindergarten at the moment but this could soon change. An office for 600 to 900 employees of the Bundesamt fur Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (Federal Office for Information Security) is planned on Ludwig-Erhard-Allee and this would bring demand for public kindergarten places.

Marcel Schmitt warned against forcing the demolition of the kindergarten and said a new build could cause problems with the listed status of the compound. He said he could not understand why politicians were not insisting on the kindergarten being restored. Vebowag is intentionally banking on deteriorationIt seems as if the city administration does not have the will to implement the listed building status.
 Flash

The French government proposed to extend the state of emergency which was put in place since the attacks in Nov. 2015, for a further seven months to guarantee security at the 2017 presidential and parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Saturday.

"Continued terrorist threat makes (state of emergency) extension necessary," Cazeneuve said after an emergency cabinet meeting.

The French prime minister added emergency rules helped foil 17 terror attacks, arrest 517 suspects and seize 600 weapons so far this year.

The measure which offers extra powers to police to search homes, hold suspects and put people under house arrest, will run until July 15 to ensure calmness during the two-round presidential race in April 23 and May 7 and parliamentary election scheduled for June 11 and 18.

Gunmen stormed restaurants, coffees shops, theatre hall and stadium in central Paris, killing about 130 people in November 2015. French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency a day after the Paris attacks.

Four extensions of the measure have taken place since. It is set to expire on Jan. 15.

Lawmakers will discuss the government's proposal to fight terrorism on Dec. 13 before passing it to the the Senate next Thursday.

Despite persistent terror risks, prolonging the state of emergency gives fuel to domestic critics of the French government who say the law would undermine the Republic's values and freedom of expression and right to assembly.
Article

Protecting the worlds oceans  an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy

The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs.
Samsung to Launch Two New Foldable Smartphones With Dual Screen Display in 2017 News oi -Sneha Two foldable Samsung smartphones with dual screen display coming in 2017.

Samsung has been making headlines for almost throughout the year. Be it for the numerous battery explosion incidents or upcoming launches, the South Korean mobile manufacturer never fails to grab customers' attention. The company is now being talked about its foldable smartphones that Samsung is expected to launch in the upcoming year.

Samsung has been in news for its plans to introduce foldable smartphones, and as per reports, the mobile manufacturer will be able launching the two new foldable smartphones by early 2017.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Mi VR Play Headset Launched at Rs. 999, Availability Starts December 21



Though it's yet to be officially confirmed by the company, as per reports by ET News, Samsung is working on two foldable smartphones featuring a dual screen display, which is expected to be unveiled either at the Consumer Electronic Show in January 2017 to be held in Las Vegas or Mobile World Conference in February 2017 in Barcelona.

As per a few media reports, the dual screen foldable smartphones will appear like a book and will come in three orientations which will allow the users to easily fold out the phone's screen front and back, fold in to protect the display from being damaged or use it as a tablet.

SEE ALSO: Like AmazonBasics, Flipkart's SmartBuy Launched Today: Find Out Which Suits You Better



Samsung is expected to roll out only a limited number of these foldable phones as the company would want to check for the customers' verdict on these phones before proceeding further with the manufacturing.

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Overall, Double XL is a well-made film that might be liked by gentry in all shapes, sizes, and age too. By the way, do not miss the interval!!
Distrust growing between Trump, US intelligence agencies

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 3:48PM

US intelligence officials have expressed mounting concern and confusion about how to proceed in President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration because of its open hostility to the function and role of spy agencies.

The growing distrust between Trump and US intelligence agencies escalated into public antagonism Saturday after he rejected a CIA report that Russian hackers had intervened in the US presidential election to help Trump defeat his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

The Post reported Friday that the CIA had concluded that individuals with connections to Moscow provided thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others to WikiLeaks.

The hacked emails provided to WikiLeaks were a regular source of embarrassment to the Clinton campaign during the presidential race and may have contributed to her defeat.

"I don't know what the end game is here," a senior US intelligence official told the Washington Post. "After January 20, we're in uncharted territory," the official said, referring to the presidential inauguration day.

"Given his proclivity for revenge combined with his notorious thin skin, this threatens to result in a lasting relationship of distrust and ill will between the president and the intelligence community," said Paul Pillar, former deputy director of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center.

Pillar added: "Everything Trump has indicated with regard to his character and tendencies for vindictiveness might be worse" than former president Richard Nixon, who also had a dysfunctional relationship with the intelligence community.

US President Barack Obama on Friday ordered American intelligence agencies to provide him a comprehensive report on Russian intervention in the election before he leaves office in January.

The investigation, led by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, is aimed at reaching a definitive judgment about the Russian role in the election.

The tensions between Trump and spy agencies could escalate even further as dozens of analysts begin work on the project.

In October, the US government formally accused Russia of a campaign of cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations ahead of the November 8 presidential election.

Trump has repeatedly rejected past reports that Russian hackers were working to help his campaign and says the reports were politically motivated.

"I don't believe it. I don't believe they interfered," Trump told Time magazine in a recent interview.of the alleged Russians cyber attacks.

Trump's transition office issued a statement Friday questioning the credibility of the CIA assessment about Russian cyber attacks aimed at influencing the US election.

The statement said the CIA had discredited itself over faulty intelligence assessments about Iraq's weapons stockpile more than a dozen years ago. "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," it said.

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Inside look: A sensor operator's first weapons strike

By Senior Airman Christian Clausen, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / Published December 11, 2016

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The feelings experienced during combat missions can be intense for many aircrew members. For Airman 1st Class Matthew, a 20-year-old 15th Attack Squadron MQ-1 Predator sensor operator, his first air strike was an event he will never forget.

He became cold and his hands shook nervously as he moved the crosshairs over the target. Time dragged on inside the dark air-conditioned ground control station as he waited for the missile to explode on one of his many screens.

Matthew recalls the experience, clearly, as the day he was suddenly thrown into his first weapons employment, a day he had been trained for, but didn't expect so early in his career.

"We got the call from a joint terminal attack controller for a short-notice airstrike," Matthew said. "We were tasked to hit moving vehicles. One was a motorcycle and the other was a vehicle-borne [improvised explosive device]."

At his age, most individuals would be anxious about a job interview, college exam or a first date. Not Matthew. He was worried about supporting troops on the ground from an MQ-1 Predator, operating the Multi-Spectral Targeting System while tucked away in a ground control station in the Nevada desert.

"Matthew had to follow the moving vehicles with a laser in order to guide the weapons while determining the escape velocity of the target," said Master Sgt. Jesse, the 15th ATKS operations superintendent. "He would weaponeer the missile impact in order to neutralize the target and the cannon mounted in the truck."

All of this had to be done while dealing with a one and a half second delay.

"I was really nervous and got cold all of a sudden," Matthew said. "I didn't want anything to go wrong or to disappoint the supporting unit or squadron. I wanted to prove myself and I had to rely on what I had been taught and practiced."

Jesse said there are so many different variables to each weapons employment that, as sensor operators, there is a constant need to remember all of their training. Once the weapon is away, however, the entire shot comes down to the sensor operator to maintain the crosshairs and keep the weapon on target to achieve the ground commander's objective.

The pressure was on. If he missed the target, the enemy would reach an area where coalition forces were bedded down for the night.

Despite the pounding in his chest, Matthew's training paid off and he successfully guided the weapons to the target, saving the ground forces and boosting his confidence sky high.

"It was a great shot and he's had a couple more since then," Jesse said. "It's awesome to see. I'm glad things went well as this is what we train so hard to do."

Providing precision attack and dominant reconnaissance capabilities to the combatant commanders wasn't what he thought he would be doing after high school.

"My brother was my recruiter and after looking at what I qualified for, sensor operator sounded the most exciting," Matthew said. "I still wasn't 100 percent sure what I'd be doing but I had no idea I'd be taking bad guys off the battlefield for a living."

Matthew went on to say it's unreal that he lives up to the military image of neutralizing enemies every day.

"This job is awesome, but stressful, yet very crucial to the military," he said. "The information and strikes we provide are amazing. It's those things most people don't see or hear about that we do every day that keeps people safe."

While close-air support is a big part of the mission, there are other sensor operator opportunities such as raid support, intelligence gathering and combat search and rescue. After a long day of these and other mission sets, Jesse likes that he's still able to see his family after his combat shift. "What other precision strike platform can say that," he said.

"No other aircraft can stay aloft overhead as long as we can, let alone be as consistently precise with a (AGM-114) Hellfire," Jesse said. "This weapons system has truly changed the way we fight wars."

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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. 11, 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, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 18 strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed two oil pumpjacks.

-- Near Shadaddi, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a communications tower and a vehicle.

-- Near Raqqah, a strike destroyed an ISIL-held building.

-- Near Ayn Isa, 10 strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units, destroying an improvised bomb, three fighting positions and a weapons cache. Eight ISIL supply routes were damaged.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed five oil wellheads, an oil storage tank and an oil tanker truck.

-- Near Palmyra, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery conducted nine strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Bashir, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle bomb.

-- Near Beiji, two strikes destroyed a cave entrance, four ISIL fighting positions, two weapons caches and a heavy machine gun.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units, destroying seven front-end loaders, three fighting positions, two ISIL-held buildings, two tractor trailer trucks, a vehicle, a land bridge and three tunnels. Six tunnels were damaged and two bridges were disabled.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle.

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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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

No. NR-439-16 December 11, 2016

Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout:

Secretary Carter met today with Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani in Erbil, Iraq. The two discussed the latest developments in the fight against ISIL and the key role Peshmerga forces have played in the campaign against ISIL.

Secretary Carter and President Barzani both noted the unprecedented cooperation between the Government of Iraq and the KRG. The two agreed that all partners in the counter-ISIL fight must avoid distractions and remain focused on dealing the barbaric group a lasting defeat.

Secretary Carter thanked President Barzani for his close partnership, and recalled the many successes over the past year that were made possible by strong cooperation between the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the United States.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1026739/

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

No. NR-436-16 December 11, 2016

Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Secretary Carter's Visit to Iraq to Thank U.S. Troops, Discuss Next Steps in ISIL Fight

Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Iraq Sunday for a visit to recognize and thank U.S., coalition, and Iraqi troops engaged in the counter-ISIL campaign, survey key locations directly supporting the battle for Mosul, and discuss the next steps in the fight with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani as well as CJTF-OIR Commander Lt. Gen. Steve Townsend.

During his visit Secretary Carter will receive an update on the operation to retake Mosul. He will meet personally with members of the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga who have been engaged in the tough fight for the city. The secretary will also meet with U.S. and coalition military personnel who are enabling the Iraqi and Kurdish forces to thank them for their service and dedication.

Secretary Carter is in the midst of a round-the-world trip to thank deployed U.S. troops for their service over the holidays, meet with important regional partners, and advance U.S. priorities including the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and the lasting defeat of ISIL. The trip already has included visits to Japan, India, Afghanistan and Bahrain. The secretary will also travel to Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom, where he will conclude the trip by participating in the latest meeting of defense ministers from the leading military contributors to the international coalition to defeat ISIL.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1026668/

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Voters in Kyrgyzstan approve constitution reform

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:50PM

Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a set of controversial constitutional reforms that strengthen the hand of President Almazbek Atambayev and boost the executive powers of the prime minister.

Official preliminary results showed that almost 80 percent of the voters had thrown their support behind the reforms.

The election commission said that only 40 percent of eligible voters had participated in Sunday's referendum.

The amendments have been promoted by the incumbent president, with the aim of boosting the prime minister's powers.

The amendments would allow the prime minister, Atambayev's ally Sooronbay Jeenbekov, to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers and regional governors without parliamentary or presidential approval. The prime minister would also gain new powers over shaping the government budget.

The proposed amendments have been criticized by opposition groups, which claim that they could allow President Atambayev to shift into the prime minister's seat after his current term ends next year to prolong his rule. Atambayev has denied harboring such intentions.

Constitutionally, Atambayev is limited to only one presidential term, which will come to an end in 2017. He came to power in 2011.

Kyrgyzstan has a parliamentary political system, in which the president, himself elected in national elections, appoints an acting prime minister, who will then have to be confirmed by the Supreme Council in the parliament to become full prime minister.

This is the seventh time the country has put constitutional changes to vote since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.

Kyrgyzstan last voted for a constitutional amendment in 2010. The constitution was supposed to remain unchanged until 2020. But the parliament and judiciary said this year that new constitutional reforms need to be proposed and put to referendum.

Over the past 25 years, Kyrgyzstan has seen the violent overthrow of two presidents, one in 2005 and the other in 2010.

Kyrgyzstan, with a population of six million, is one of the two poorest countries to emerge from the former Soviet Union with a strong dependence on cash remittances sent home by hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz migrants working in Russia.

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Gambia's Jammeh to challenge election result in court

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 2:8PM

The Gambia's long-time President Yahya Jammeh is set to challenge in court opposition candidate Adama Barrow's election victory.

His party said in a statement released late Saturday that Jammeh's declaration was "a prelude to a petition that the (ruling) APRC Party is in the process of filing before the Supreme Court of the Gambia against a fraud decision of the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission)."

On December 9, Jammeh claimed that authorities had made "unacceptable errors," rejecting his defeat at the polls.

Investigations since the December 1 election, Jammeh said, have revealed a number of voting irregularities.

"I hereby reject the results in totality," Jammeh said, adding, "Let me repeat, I will not accept the results based on what has happened."

Jammeh, who has ruled the Gambia for more than 22 years, added that he had previously accepted the electoral results "believing that the Independent Electoral Commission was independent and honest and reliable."

The Supreme Court judges will have to be appointed before they can consider the president's legal complaint. Therefore, Barrow's inauguration may be delayed.

Jammeh has said that he will not tolerate street protests against his decision to reject the election result.

Sabrina Mahtani, Amnesty International's West Africa researcher, has voiced concern about the unfolding crisis in the African country.

"President Jammeh's rejection of the election results and his statement that he will not tolerate protest risks leading to instability and possible repression."

Latest official figures gave Barrow 43.29 percent of the vote in the presidential election, while Jammeh took 39.64 percent. The turnout was 59 percent.

A correction issued on December 5 by election authorities showed a slim victory for Barrow, just over 19,000 votes.

Western governments have been especially critical of Jammeh's rule in the Gambia due to his decisions to quit the Commonwealth of former British colonies and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In quitting the Commonwealth in 2013, Jammeh described the organization as a "neo-colonial institution." He also announced in October that the Gambia would leave the ICC, which he dismissed as "International Caucasian Court."

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Blasts leave casualties in Nigerian city

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 10:25AM

Two deadly bomb blasts near a crowded marketplace in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri have left more than a dozen casualties.

Police spokesman Victor Isuku confirmed that two blasts went off minutes apart in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State, on Sunday. He blamed the attacks on the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Survivors said they saw several dead bodies. At least 17 people were also injured in the explosions, according to rescue workers. The exact death toll from the twin attacks is still unknown, however.

On Friday, two similar blasts in a busy market in the town of Madagali, 150 kilometers southeast of Maiduguri, left 57 people dead and 177 others injured.

Madagali was liberated last year after months of occupation by Boko Haram terrorists.

Boko Haram started its terror campaign in 2009 with the aim of toppling the central government in Nigeria. The terrorist group has been increasingly targeting the civilian population ever since. Seven years of violence by the Takfiri group has left more than 20,000 people dead and displaced 2.6 million.

The group has extended its terror activities to Nigeria's neighboring countries, where troops from Chad, Cameroon and Niger have been jointly battling the terrorists.

The terrorist group has pledged allegiance to the Daesh terrorist group, which is mainly operating in Syria, Iraq, and to a lesser degree, in Libya.

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Yemeni lawmakers approve National Salvation Government

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 6:26AM

Yemen's recently-formed National Salvation Government wins a vote of confidence from the parliament, raising hopes that the ongoing political efforts would help restore peace to the conflict-ridden country.

During a voting session on Saturday, Yemeni lawmakers overwhelmingly endorsed the new administration that was formed by the Houthi Ansarullah movement and its allies late last month to replace the Supreme Political Council.

The government, which was sworn in on November 29, has drawn up a program focused on addressing the economic crisis exacerbated by the Saudi blockade and dealing with the kingdom's military aggression against the impoverished nation.

Led by the former governor of Aden, Abdul Aziz bin Habtoor, the new government has pledged to help UN efforts aimed at bringing back stability to Yemen.

Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said recently that the new administration was formed with the aim of boosting efforts to run domestic affairs and better serving the nation.

He has called on all Yemeni parties to throw their weight behind the new administration.

Iran welcomes vote of confidence

In another development, Iran has welcomed the Yemeni parliament's vote of confidence, expressing hope that the new establishment, along with the country's legislative chamber, will take effective steps to deal with the aftermath of the devastating Saudi war and improve services to violence-stricken citizens.

In a Saturday statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the Islamic Republic hopes that the new cabinet would help restore peace and stability to Yemen and resolve differences among different groups.

He also voiced regret over attempts by certain parties affiliated with the former Yemeni government to sabotage the political efforts aimed at ending the conflict in the Arabian Peninsula state.

He also underlined the need for the resumption of intra-Yemeni dialogue, an end to Saudi assaults and swift aid delivery to people across the country.

The last round of UN-backed peace talks was held between Yemen's warring sides in Kuwait in August, but the negotiations had no tangible results and ended in deadlock.

The Houthis took control of state affairs two years ago after the resignation of ex-president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Hadi refused Ansarullah's call to review his decision to step down and later fled to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, a move that led to more chaos in Yemen, which was already grappling with al-Qaeda terror threats. The former president returned to the country earlier this year and is now based in the port city of Aden.

Houthi fighters and the army soldiers have been defending the country against the Saudi military campaign, which was launched in March 2015 with the purpose of reinstalling Hadi, a close Riyadh ally.

At least 11,400 civilians have been killed in the Saudi offensive, according to a latest tally by a Yemeni monitoring group.

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UN, African Union urge Gambian rule to respect vote results

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 6:56AM

The United Nations and the African Union have urged the Gambian president to pave the way for a peaceful transfer of power to his successor a day after he rejected results from the recent presidential election in the country.

The December 1 polls saw President Yahya Jammeh narrowly losing to Adama Barrow, the candidate sent into the contest by a coalition of opposition groups.

Jammeh, who has ruled the African country for more than two decades, initially accepted defeat in a surprise announcement, which he later withdrew.

On Saturday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the world body's Security Council called on him not to stand in the way of the long-sought power transition.

Ban said he was "dismayed" by Jammeh's U-turn. The 15-nation Security Council, also urged the longtime ruler to "respect the choice of the sovereign people of The Gambia."

The African Union also called Jammeh's statement "null and void."

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to Gambia to defuse the crisis, but he was barred from entering the country.

"Johnson Sirleaf was supposed to fly in today, but Jammeh said 'not at the moment,'" said Senegal's Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye.

Meanwhile, the Gambian president-elect said, "The outgoing president has no constitutional authority to reject the result of the election and order for fresh elections to be held."

"I open up a channel of communication to convince him to facilitate a smooth transfer of executive powers in the supreme interest of this country," he said.

Senegal, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has requested a meeting to discuss the crisis, which could be held on Monday, diplomats said.

In a separate statement, the European Union also called for a peaceful power transition in Gambia.

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Kyrgyz Voters Back Amendments On Same-Sex Marriage, Presidential Power

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service December 11, 2016

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz election officials said voters have overwhelmingly backed amending the constitution to ban same-sex marriage and shift some presidential powers to the prime minister.

The two questions were among a package of 26 proposed amendments that voters in the mostly Muslim former Soviet republic were being asked to approve with a simple "yes-or-no" vote on December 11.

The Central Election Commission said 80 percent of voters backed the measures and just over 42 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.

There were some reports of alleged fraud.

Iskhak Masaliev of the Onuguu-Progress Party told RFE/RL that political parties had resorted to vote buying, saying "reliable people told me that they were offered 500 to 1,000 soms ($7 to $14) per vote."

Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Interior Minister Almaz Orozaliev reported five such cases -- three in the capital, Bishkek, and two in the northern Chui region.

Dinara Oshurahunova, a member of the nongovernmental Committee of Civil Control, told RFE/RL that schoolteachers had been posted at polling stations around the country and they were recording names of people who voted. She said they were also calling to students, and even their parents, to ensure they vote.

That was an indication authorities were illegally using administrative resources to get out the vote, she said.

The amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman -- a change that would effectively ban gay marriages -- had garnered wide attention.

The measure parallels related legislation making its way through parliament that toughens punishments for promoting "a homosexual way of life" and "nontraditional sexual relations." The bill passed a first reading in parliament but has not been given final approval.

While no same-sex marriages have believed to have been recorded by local marriage registries anywhere, some Kyrgyz same-sex couples may have gotten married anyway, through other means. The only restriction that was explicitly stated in the current constitution had been that married couples should be adults.

Neither same-sex marriage, nor homosexuality more broadly, have much support among most Kyrgyz and the issue has been condemned by some Islamic clerics and nationalist groups, who view it as Western values being imported into the country.

Some gay rights and feminist groups are known in the capital, Bishkek, and active on social networks, and there are several gay and lesbian cafes and bars in the city, as well.

The most controversial proposal that Kyrgyz were voting on, however, was a proposal to strengthen the authority of the prime minister while weakening the president.

One proposed amendment would allow the prime minister, with parliament's approval, to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers -- a power that now rests with the president.

The wording of another indicates that it would also enable the prime minister to appoint and dismiss local administration chiefs without waiting for a proposal from the local council, which is currently required.

And under an amendment to Article 64 of the constitution, the president would no longer chair the Defense Council -- essentially the head of the military and law-enforcement agencies in the country.

Those proposed changes have fueled long-standing suspicion among some in Kyrgyzstan that the referendum is designed to give President Almazbek Atambaev a way to stay in power -- or at least maintain influence -- after his seven-year term ends following an election next fall.

Kyrgyzstan is the only country in Central Asia with a single-term presidency.

Atambaev, 60, has said publicly that he will not seek political office, including the post of the prime minister, after his presidential term ends. But some Kyrgyz political analysts believe that he may intend to continue playing a powerful role behind the scenes.

Atambaev might wish to "install a puppet prime minister" in order to "extend his own political life," Bishkek-based analyst Edil Baisalov says.

Former lawmaker Bakyt Beshimov says that it would be "suicidal" for a "a president whose term is ending not to think about the future of his political legacy."

Atambaev's Social Democratic Party leads the ruling coalition in parliament, the 120-seat Jogorku Kenesh.

Kyrgyzstan has adopted a new constitution three times since it gained independence in the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

The first post-Soviet constitution was introduced in 1993 and the second was passed by referendum in 2007.

The current constitution, approved by referendum in June 2010, formally changed the country's political system, giving more authority to parliament and limiting the power of the president.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-constitutional referendum-voting/28168872.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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Explainer: An Unpredictable Election Unfolds In Moldova's Breakaway Transdniester

Lina Grau, Robert Coalson December 11, 2016

Moldova's unrecognized breakaway Transdniester region holds a presidential election on December 11 and, unexpectedly, the region's de facto leader finds himself fighting for his political life.

Transdniester broke away from the rest of Moldova after a brief war in 1992, and no countries have recognized it. But the de facto government is economically, politically, and militarily supported by Moscow.

Historically, elections in the region have been dull affairs. Here are a few reasons why things are different this time.

Why would an incumbent warn of possible election fraud?

There are six candidates running. But the race really boils down to a contest between incumbent President Yevgeny Shevchuk and a former head of the legislature, Vadim Krasnoselsky.

Shevchuk, 48, startled many people in 2011 when he defeated longtime leader Igor Smirnov, who was seeking a fifth term. The win was a surprise because Russia's ruling United Russia party had openly endorsed a third candidate. Shevchuk's power base is largely in the security organs and the executive branch, backed by the region's dominant state-controlled media.

Krasnoselsky, 46, is a former speaker of the region's legislature, the Supreme Soviet. His political leverage derives from the Renewal party, which controls 23 of the 43 mandates in the legislature.

In early December, Shevchuk's government publicly warned that the election could be stolen, a move that analysts see as a sign that Krasnoselsky wields considerable influence inside the region's Central Election Commission.

If no candidate wins 50 percent of the vote on December 11, a second-round runoff between the two top finishers will be held two weeks later.

What does Moscow think?

Predictably, all of the candidates are staunchly pro-Russian and favor the region's ultimate unification with Russia. In addition, a Moscow-friendly candidate, Socialist Igor Dodon, won Moldova's presidential election last month, although the results of that election have not been finalized.

Moscow has not signaled a favorite in the Transdniester race. Russian media have been largely silent about the event, and no high-level Russian officials have publicly visited Transdniester during the campaign. Moscow has not been "particularly active" in this election, says Chisinau-based journalist Ernest Vardanian.

However, both leading candidates have ties to Russian officials, according to Transdniester-based political analyst and former lawmaker Anatoly Dirun.

"But both [leading] candidates have their own established contacts in Russia," Dirun told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service. "For Krasnoselsky, these are contacts established through the legislature with the [Russian] State Duma, where United Russia has a majority. The president [Shevchuk] has contacts through his position with executive-branch organs in Russia."

What do the polls say?

The political system in Transdniester is notoriously opaque and the few opinion polls that exist are likely unreliable.

The latest poll by the Russian firm Socium Global Consulting -- it is unclear who ordered the survey -- concluded that nearly 53 percent of voters support Shevchuk, while about 31 percent back Krasnoselsky.

"At present, it is unknown how the voters are thinking, and that will only increase the tensions within both campaigns," says journalist Vardanian.

But with the Russian economy reeling from low global energy prices and Western sanctions, Transdniester has had to do with sharply reduced subsidies. Shevchuk has been forced to cut wages and pensions, and payments have often been irregular.

Public dissatisfaction is running high.

"It was better under Smirnov," one voter in the Transdniester capital, Tiraspol, told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service. "If he were running now, we'd vote for him. We thought and hoped that if we brought in a young person, he'd do things differently, in a new way. But now we see that they only know how to cheat us more, how to take more from people. Now there is nothing left to take from us -- we are down to our bare hands."

Transdniester Inc.

Sherif is a massive holding company that has become the dominant player in Transdniester's economy. Founded by oligarchs Viktor Gushan and Ilya Kazmaly in the early 1990s, Sherif controls dozens of companies from media and telecoms to grocery retailers and gasoline stations. In 2015, its companies accounted for one-third of the regional government's local tax revenues.

According to a June 2016 report by the independent investigative journalists' group RISE, Sherif is a "state within a state." In 2000, Sherif created the Renewal party, which now has a constitutional majority in the regional legislature and backs Krasnoselsky.

In December, RISE issued a follow-up report that found that more than one-third of the 43 deputies in the legislature have financial ties to Sherif companies.

Krasnoselsky was chairman of Interdnestrokom, Sherif's telecommunications and Internet company, from 2012 until he entered the legislature in 2015. Sherif's private television station, TSV, is said to have been campaigning nonstop for Krasnoselsky.

Sherif has been a shrewd political operator since it was formed on the rubble of the collapsed Soviet Union. Local media have reported that ex-President Smirnov's sons, Vladimir and Oleg, were silent partners in the firm, although those reports have never been confirmed.

Before becoming president, Shevchuk headed the Renewal party and is also believed to have had business ties with Sherif. As president, however, he appears to have tried to curb Sherif's power. For instance, he has called for legislation that would block deputies in the Supreme Soviet from holding outside jobs, an initiative that Renewal lawmakers rejected.

Will the election affect Transdniester's relations with the Moldovan government?

In a word, no.

"As regards external policy, Transdniester doesn't have a lot of opportunities -- its positions in negotiations are determined by Moscow," says Polish political analyst Piotr Oleksy. "So, as far as relations with [the rest of] Moldova go, the situation won't change. At present, we do not foresee any concessions on the part of Transdniester in the Chisinau-Tiraspol dialogue."

Journalist Vardanian agrees.

"I don't see any likelihood of changing anything [in Transdniester]," he tells RFE/RL. "The most a new government -- or the government of Shevchuk if it is returned -- can do is to deal with the socialeconomic situation: That is, stop cutting wages and pensions, make payments regularly, stabilize the macroeconomic situation. That is all that Transdniester can do, whoever wins, and, of course, that can only be done with the backing of Moscow."

Written by RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson on the basis of reporting by RFE/RL Moldova Service correspondent Lina Grau, with reporting by other RFE/RL Moldova Service correspondents

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/moldova- transdniester-election-russia -explainer/28169591.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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Moldova Condemns Election In Breakaway Transdniester Region

December 11, 2016

Six candidates are running to be the self-styled president of the unrecognized Transdniester state, including incumbent Yevgeny Shevchuk.

Moldova has declared the December 11 election illegal.

Polls have shown Shevchuk and Vadim Krasnoselsky, who resigned as head of the region's "Supreme Council" to run in the election, to be the leading candidates.

If no candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote, then a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters on December 25.

The other candidates are Communist Party chief Oleg Khorzhan, former court official Vladimir Grigoryev, Aleksandr Deli, and Irina Vasikakii.

A predominantly Russian-speaking region, Transdniester declared its independence from Moldova in 1990.

A brief war was fought between Moldovan forces and Transdniester separatists in 1992-93 that resulted in several hundred people killed on both sides.

There are some 2,000 Russian troops in Transdniester that the Moldovan government has repeatedly asked to leave.

Diplomatic attempts led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe since the end of the war to find a settlement to the conflict have been unsuccessful.

As Moldova's government has sought closer ties with the European Union in recent years, Moscow has made veiled threats to outright recognize Transdniester as independent.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service and TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/election-president -transdniester/28169376.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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20 Killed in Blast Near Mogadishu Port

By Harun Maruf, Abdulaziz Osman December 11, 2016

A massive truck bomb exploded outside Mogadishu's new seaport Sunday morning, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens others.

The militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred in a parking lot near the entrance to Mogadishu's port, causing massive damage to the surrounding areas.

Mogadishu residents said the blast could be heard across the city, and pictures of black smoke from the scene were circulated on social media.

Abdifitah Omar Halane, Mogadishu's regional administration spokesman told VOA's Somali Service that most of the victims were civilians.

"The blast occurred in a civilian place where poor mothers have tea shops, where the port workers buy breakfast and get ready to enter the port for the day-shift work." Halane Said.

Mogadishu's seaport is run by Al-Bayrak, a Turkish company that has a 20-year agreement with the Somali government to upgrade and manage the operations of the port.

It is unclear if any of the Turkish nationals were hurt.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has condemned the blast and called on security forces and Somalis to cooperate to eliminate terrorist groups who are targeting civilians.

Also Sunday, residents reported that al-Shabab militants have taken over a Somali town on the Somali-Kenya border. Unconfirmed reports say Somali troops fled the town of El Wak and crossed into the border with Kenya.

El Wak is a strategic town near the border and is a supply route used by Kenyan troops fighting militants in Somalia under an African Union mandate.

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Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 12, 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, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed seven oil tanker trucks and an oil wellhead.

-- Near Raqqa, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL chemical weapon facility and an armored vehicle.

-- Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed eight oil tanker trucks.

Strikes in Iraq

Rocket artillery and attack, bomber, fighter rotary and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 10 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Beiji, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Haditha, a strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.

-- Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed five ISIL-held buildings, two vehicle-borne-bomb facilities, three vehicle-borne bombs, six fighting positions, three mortar systems, a heavy machine gun, a weapons cache, two front-end loaders, two tactical vehicles, a tunnel and two pieces of engineering equipment; damaged 15 supply routes; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed an ISIL dump truck and damaged an artillery system.

-- Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle.

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 Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 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.

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Macedonia's Ruling Party Appears To Win Narrow Victory Over Opposition

December 12, 2016

Election results in Macedonia suggest the conservative ruling party beat out the opposition Social Democrats (SDSM) by a slim margin in the first parliamentary elections since a wiretapping scandal plunged the Balkan country into crisis.

The outcome may put conservative leader Nikola Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE party in a position to build a majority coalition with its longtime ally, the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI).

With nearly all of the votes from the December 11 election counted, official results showed VMRO-DPMNE with 38.06 percent of the vote compared to 36.69 percent for opposition leader Zoran Zaev's Social Democrats.

Gruevski's party said the results would give it 51 seats in parliament while the Social Democrats would control 49 seats.

It said that with 7.3 percent, the DUI is expected to control 10 seats in parliament.

That would be enough to form the smallest possible majority coalition if the DUI remains willing to work with the VMRO-DPMNE and if three seats decided in voting by the Macedonian diaspora are not filled -- an outcome that appears likely as turnout among the diaspora was low.

The Social Democrats were also claiming victory on December 12.

Repeated delays of data presentation since voting ended on December 11 mean the final results and seat distribution have yet to be confirmed by the state election commission.

Gruevski is seeking to regain the top post less than a year after he stepped down in the wake of major antigovernment protests over the tapes released by Zaev, which critics said implicated Gruevski and aides in corruption.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/ mecedoniaelections-gruevski-narrow- victory/28171971.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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Longtime Official Dismissed By Karimov Chosen As Uzbek Prime Minister

RFE/RL's Uzbek Service December 12, 2016

TASHKENT -- Uzbekistan's dominant party has nominated Abdulla Aripov to be prime minister, picking a veteran official who was dismissed by late leader Islam Karimov in 2012 but is seen as a loyal backer of President-elect Shavkat Mirziyaev.

The Liberal Democratic Party, which backed Mirziyaev in the former Soviet republic's December 4 presidential election, said in a statement on its website that Aripov was "capable of taking responsibility for reforms."

Mirziyaev had been prime minister since 2003. He easily won the election in the tightly controlled country after three months as interim president following the death of Karimov, who had ruled with an iron fist since 1989.

Aripov, 55, was a deputy prime minister between 2002 and 2012. He also served as Uzbekistan's General Director of Communications and Information and chairman of the supervisory board for state-owned Uzbektelecom.

Karimov removed Aripov from the cabinet in August 2012 amid a corruption scandal involving allegations that licenses were illegally granted to mobile operator Uzdunrobita, an Uzbek subsidiary of Russian telecom giant Mobile TeleSystems (MTS).

Uzdunrobita was controlled at the time by Karimov's elder daughter, Gulnara Karimova, who was once tipped as a potential successor to her father but vanished from public life amid the telecoms scandal and is widely reported to be under house arrest. Her son told the BBC earlier in December that she was being held in a small annex of her property in Tashkent.

Mirziyaev reappointed Aripov as a deputy prime minister in mid-September, one of his first personnel moves after becoming interim president.

Aripov had been working as a teacher at the Tashkent-based School of Communications.

Observers say his background suggests he is likely to be loyal and compliant as prime minister under Mirziyaev.

The government has not announced a date for Mirziyaev's inauguration as president.

The president is head of state in the Central Asian nation and holds much more power than the prime minister, who is in charge of the cabinet and responsible for the economy.

Mirziyaev has taken steps to improve relations with neighbors and eased visa requirements for tourists from several countries, apparently seeking to decrease the isolation of a country in hopes of improving the troubled economy.

He has also established channels aimed at improving communication between citizens and the authorities, but critics say such steps fall short of real reforms that could improve people's lives and provide them with basic human rights.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-prime- minister-nominated/28171532.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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Macedonia - Election 2016

Macedonia's nationalist VMRO-DPMNE led by ex-Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski won 51 of 120 seats in parliament in Sunday's election. The opposition Social Democrats won 49 seats in a tight-fought affair. The State Election Commission said the conservative coalition led by Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE won 38.06 percent of the vote, slightly ahead of the left-leaning coalition, headed by opposition leader Zoran Zaev's Social Democrats, which took 36.69 percent. The main ethnic Albanian political force - the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) - which has long been junior coalition partner in coalition with the VMRO-DPMNE, came third with 10 seats, giving VMRO-DPMNE a very fragile parliamentary majority. The Macedonian State Election Commission said 67 percent of registered voters participated in Sunday's election, one of the highest turnouts in recent national elections in Macedonia.

What looked like a typical internal Balkan conflict developed into a new chapter in the standoff between Russia and the West. At least that is what Moscow said. "The events in Macedonia are being orchestrated from the outside quite blatantly", Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on 20 May 2015. At the same time, he acknowledged Moscow's support for the conservative government in Skopje.

Police in Macedonia said 31 January 2015 they would charge four people, including the leader of the main opposition party, the Social Democrats, with trying to topple the government. A senior government official said that Zoran Zaev was defiant and threw the blame back at the government. The prospect of him going to jail threatens to further deepen divisions in the former Yugoslav republic and the Social Democrats had boycotted parliament for almost a year as they said the last parliamentary election was fraudulent.

The country's wire-tapping scandal that broke in 2015 involved reports that the government of Macedonia tapping the phones of as many as 20,000 people, including dozens of journalists over several years. The wire-tapping scandal prompted questions about how tightly the government controls the media, judges, and elections during Gruevskis nine years in power. Macedonia is in a crisis. Although the country is a democracy, at present it does not have the normal functioning of a democracy.

On April 21, 2015, an armed group of approximately 40 people seized weapons, ammunition, and radio communication supplies from a border police station in Goshince near the border with Kosovo. On May 9-10, 2015, the Macedonian police authorities carried out a police action in Kumanovo, ostensibly to recover the stolen equipment. This action resulted in the deaths of eight Macedonian police officers and 10 members of the armed group. Although the motives of the armed group remain unclear, the government of Macedonia classifies the incident as an act of terrorism and charged three suspects with leading a terrorist organization and 26 with participating in a terrorist organization.

In addition, there were several minor incidents that could be classified as terrorist acts. For example, unknown perpetrators placed an improvised explosive device at a government building housing the main court on February 18. The device failed to detonate properly and caused minimal property damage. Small explosions also caused minor property damage in April next to the Government Building in Skopje, in May near ethnic Albanian political party DUIs headquarters in Tetovo, in July 2015 in a parking garage in Kumanovo, in July at the Skopje City Police Station, and in October in a residential neighborhood of Skopje. The police have not identified suspects for any of these incidents, all of which remain under investigation.

Wiretapping, death threats, and politically motivated prosecutions have all contributed to pushing Macedonia to the bottom in Europe in terms of freedom of the press. In an 29 April 2015 report on press freedom around the world, US-based Freedom House rated Macedonia 125th out of a total of 199 countries surveyed. The result puts the Western Balkan state in the uncomfortable company of countries like Bhutan, Kuwait, and Uganda when it came to restricting freedom of the press. The country's ranking in a separate international survey by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) -- the World Press Freedom Index -- fell from 34th place in 2009 to 117th in 2015.

Macedonia had been plagued by increasing ethnic violence and anti-government protests as the government came out in support of building the Turkish Stream pipeline through its territory. Violence has erupted at both anti-government protests in which dozens of police officers were injured and in armed attacks against police by gunmen. Macedonia's ethnic divide between Albanians and Macedonians came to a head on May 9, when an attack by Albanian gunmen in the town of Kumanovo left at least 18 people dead.

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and main opposition leader Zoran Zaev began talks mediated by European Union officials 19 May 2015 in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis in the country. Pressure on Gruevski had been building since a wire-tapping scandal broke earlier in 2015, prompting questions about how tightly the government controlled the media, judges, and elections during his nine years in power. Zaev, the leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia has vowed the demonstrations would continue until the prime minister steps down.

Non-government organizations (NGOs) in the country were allegedly determined to see the overthrow of Nikola Gruevski's government over what has been seen as a lack of cooperation by not imposing sanctions on Russia. Among these groups is the 'Open Society Foundations,' which is one of the many NGOs set up by investor George Soros, while US government agency USAID also runs various programs in Macedonia.

Lavrov suggested the political discontent was being stoked as part of a wider geopolitical game, aimed at destabilizing the country, and subsequently scuppering any plans for Russia's Turkish stream gas line to pass through Macedonia. "There are attempts to pressure Gruevski's government for refusing to join in on sanctions against Russia and for backing the Turkish Stream [gas] pipeline [construction]," he said.

Gruevski found himself under huge pressure from the opposition in the country. There was evidence that he lost European and American support because of the wiretapping scandal and the violence in Kumanovo. His nine-year hold on power is often criticized as authoritarian by domestic and Western media and politicians.

On 02 June 2015 the European Union brokered a deal in which it was agreed that by the end of April 2016 year, there should be early elections. It was important to prepare the country with sound electoral codes, a revised voting list, and respecting the rights of minorities. It will be furthermore important to accept all the recommendations being given by the European Commission when it came to the independence of the judiciary.

Macedonia's parliament approved a cabinet reshuffle on 11 Novmeber 2015 that includes members of the left-wing opposition in the government, part of a Western-brokered deal that ended a months-long political crisis. The new government, which was approved by parliament on November 11, includes Social Democrat Oliver Spasovski as interior minister and gives the Labor Ministry portfolio to the opposition. The deal would also see Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski of the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party resigning by mid-January 2016 and early parliamentary elections held on 24 April 2016.

Early parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 were brokered by the European Union to end the anti-government protests in May 2015. One hundred twenty-three seats in the National Assembly are up for a vote in a mixed-member electoral system. Amid ongoing political tension and challenges resulting from the global migrant crisis, allegations of fraud and corruption in past elections will put the spotlight on the integrity of the process.

Violent protests that led to the ransacking of Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanovs office on April 15, 2016 were the culmination of public anger over a long-running scandal in which the government is accused of illegally wiretapping thousands of citizens' phone conversations. The outrage bubbled over into the streets of the capital, Skopje, just hours after Ivanov said during a nationwide televised address on April 12 that he was ending a special investigation into the individuals -- including former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski -- allegedly involved in the wiretapping. That effectively pardoned more than 50 officials from any possible wrongdoing.

U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Baily said Ivanovs decision will not only impede upcoming early elections that were scheduled to defuse the crisis, but will hinder Macedonias efforts to join NATO and the EU.

EU officials were focused on the successful holding of the elections, which were originally scheduled for April 24 but postponed until June 5 after complaints by the opposition of unfair conditions.

On 16 May 2016 Macedonia officially launched the start of the campaign period for elections that were scheduled for June 5. But only one party was participating -- the one heading the governing coalition of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's conservative VMRO-DPMNE. The opposition Social Democrats have announced a boycott of the elections, saying the conditions for a free and fair election do not exist. The two main parties of the country's minority ethnic Albanians also joined the boycott and are refusing to submit candidate lists. The European Union and United States have urged Macedonia to postpone the election.

Voting began 11 December 2016 across Macedonia as ex-prime minister Nikola Gruevski sought another chance to lead the country. He stepped down from his fourth term in January amid a corruption and surveillance scandal. The election was called as part of a European Union-brokered deal to bring about an end to a deep political crisis that has afflicted the tiny Balkan country over the past two years. Former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who led the center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, was looking to brush off a mass surveillance scandal and return as leader for a fifth term.

Macedonian citizens voted in almost historic numbers on Election Day, with the projected turnout nearing 70 percent. Both the ruling parties and the opposition told their followers during the election campaign that this was a battle for life or death. The early elections were supposed to put an end to nearly two years of deep political crisis which not only threatened Macedonia's ambitions of joining NATO and the European Union (EU), but also its very existence - 25 years after this small Balkan nation proclaimed independence from former Yugoslavia. Former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his party VMRO-DPMNE, during 10 years in power, created a semi-authoritarian illiberal system that now completely controls the administration, judiciary and the media. There is rampant corruption and complete lack of responsibility and transparency. Even the European Commission, in its latest report, called Macedonia a "captured state."

Gruevski managed to mobilize his usual supporters - an army of public administration employees, farmers, nationalists and socially vulnerable groups - and secured victory once more, although finding a partner to form a parliamentary majority might prove difficult.

The Social Democrats and their leader Zoran Zaev replied by gathering support from the ethnic Albanian community- the largest minority in the country accounting for around 25 percent of the population. In the end, they lost by the tiniest of margins - 1.5 percent at the national level. As a result, the traditional ethnic Albanian parties lost almost 10 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament.

The new parliament will reflect the deep political and ethnic divide in Macedonia, with two large ethnic Macedonian parties and four smaller groups of representatives of the Albanian community, and no clear majority.

A rerun vote in a tiny village secured victory for the conservatives led by former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. A single polling station opened on 26 December 2016 after reports of irregularities in the December 11 vote. The Christmas Day rerun involving about 700 registered voters in the village of Tearce failed to change the outcome of the December 11 parliamentary polls. The state election commission confirmed late on Sunday that the provisional and razor-thin victory for the ruling nationalist VMRO party stands. The new vote was ordered following complaints about voting irregularities from the opposition Social Democrats in the original poll.







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11 December 2016 Parliamentary Election

A year after leaving office in disgrace, the Social Democrats have scored a victory in parliamentary elections. With no clear candidate for prime minister, however, political uncertainty may continue in Bucharest. One year after exiting the political scene amidst scandal and unrest, Romania's center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD) staged a major comeback. Official partial results on Monday, with more than 60 percent of polling stations included, gave the PSD a clear lead over its rivals with around 45 percent of the vote in the country's general election. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said that his party and the small center-right ALDE will be in talks to form a coalition. With 5.5 percent of the vote, an alliance with ALDE would be enough to create a majority.

Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta said 04 November 2015 his government was resigning in response to protests demanding he and other top officials step down after a nightclub fire resulted in 32 deaths. The protesters allege several senior officials allowed themselves to be bribed in exchange for permits to put on shows in crowded and unsafe clubs.

Former EU agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos on 10 November 2015 was designated Romania's new prime minister. If approved by parliament, 46-year-old Ciolos was expected to put together a broadly backed government of technocrats with a limited mandate of one year. Parliamentary elections were scheduled for December 2016. "I see a government of technocrats as the solution for now," Romanian President Klaus Iohannis told reporters in Bucharest. "Political parties have agreed with this idea. I am convinced it is the right path for a year (until the election)."

On 05 June 2016 the leftist Social Democrats (PSD) re-emerged as the top party in nationwide local elections, boosting their chances to form a government after a parliament election later in the year. This was the first vote since anti-graft protests brought down Victor Pontas government in late 2015. Partial results from the central electoral bureau with 35 percent of polling stations, showed the PSD won most votes, or 45 percent for mayoral elections, followed by the centrist Liberal Party (PNL) with 35 percent. Results showed that ALDE, a PSD ally got about 6 percent.

In municipal councils, the PSD got 42 percent and the PNL garnered 32 percent of the ballot. Gabriela Firea, a 43-year-old former journalist backed by a leftist alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Union for the Progress of Romania, received 43.56 percent of the vote in the capital to become the first female mayor of Bucharest. Her win put the PSD back in control of the city, nine months after PSD-backed former mayor Sorin Oprescu was arrested on charges of taking bribes.

The technocrat government of Dacian Ciolos easily won a confidence vote in parliament on 15 November 2016, reinforcing its mandate for a one-year term to stamp out corruption. The technocrat cabinet won with the support of the biggest parties the Liberal Democrats and the former ruling Social Democrats. The previous government of Victor Ponta fell in November 2015 amidst public anger over a nightclub fire in the capital Bucharest that killed 56 people.

One of Europe's poorest countries, Romania is being run by an interim technocratic government until the next general election. There are some important changes regarding the election process that were adopted by the Parliament in 2015, namely the law of political parties, the financing of political parties, the law of local elections, parliamentary elections law and postal voting law which allows Romanians from abroad to vote electronically.

Romania will hold a parliamentary election on 11 December 2016. Romanias political landscape is growing increasingly hot, with mainstream politicians and parties resuming, after a relatively calm summer, stronger messaging. The premier, ex-EU Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, heading up a technocratic cabinet since December 2015, is still viewed as a reasonable leader, while he hesitated to embrace a political party, most likely the PNL. Ciolos was courted by PNL leaders.

For the parliamentary elections, Romanians once again vote on party lists, thereby reducing the number of deputies and senators from the one in 2012, when it was in force the uninominal vote. The rules of representation are a deputy of every 73,000 inhabitants and one senator for each 168,000 inhabitants. This rule means a total of 466 elected, a number very close to that of 2008, compared to 588 who had been elected in 2012, but much higher compared to 300 as was voted in a referendum in 2009.

Regarding the law on parties, starting 2015, parties may be established by at least 3 members. On the other hand, they must have, alone or in alliances, candidates in 75 localities in local elections or in a county full parliamentary elections, otherwise they will be dismantled. The law also removed the list of supporting signatures of 25,000 founding members as previously requested. For the parties and campaign financing law, the novelty is that the parties that passed the threshold of three percent will have the expenses disbursed from the budget election campaigns. If a party has obtained at least three percent, the Permanent Electoral Authority reimburses only amounts of expenditure incurred in the constituency in which he obtained at least three percent of valid votes.

The approaching December 2016 general elections increased the risk of further adhoc spending and slow-down in the implementation of structural reforms. A new source of financing of political parties was lending money from individuals and companies. In contrast, during the election campaign contributions may be filed by the candidate or the financial agent of donations only from individuals of their own income or from loans to individuals or contracted with banking institutions.

The National Liberal Party, Romanias main right-wing party, faced critical issues, such as its leadership (co-Presidents Alina Gorghiu and Vasile Blaga were not seen as electoral movers and shakers); internal cohesion; lacking a clear political strategy and messaging, which resulted in landing only third in the June 2016 local elections in the capital ( the PSD won the mayor of Bucharest and the mayors of the various sectors of the capital.) The Partidul Social Democrat positioned itself as the main opposition party and has, repeatedly, tried to brand the Ciolos cabinet as the zero government.

Historically, it had been really hard to manage grand coalitions in Romania. Previous experiments, in 2009 (PSD-PDL) and 2013 (USL, i.e. PSD-PNL) resulted in complete failure after just a year or two.

Polling stations in Romania opened on 11 December 2016, with the corruption-tainted left expected to surge back into power just one year after the party's prime minister stepped down in disgrace. The Social Democrats (PSD) - whose leader, Liviu Dragnea, was convicted of electoral fraud - appeared set to win 40 percent of the vote. The PSD, which would form a coalition with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE), enjoyed wide support from older and rural voters. The center-right National Liberal Party (PNL) and the new Save Romania Union (USR) were expected to receive a combined 35-40 percent. The PNL and the USR both said they supported the continuing rule of caretaker Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos. A PSD Government would install Dragnea as the new leader.

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New Zealand - Politics

In a modern society in which government assumes a central place it is easy to take it for granted that Parliament provides the jousting ground for continuous election campaigns that allow governments to demonstrate their prowess and Oppositions to put forward an alternative and to examine and criticise current policy. The recent adoption of mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) as New Zealands electoral system has broadened this combative atmosphere between contending groups so that a range of parties touts their wares, but it has not deflected the long-term trend towards the electorate and away from the arena of the chamber in which the countrys representatives are gathered.

The reforms to the New Zealand Parliament of the 1980s and 1990s shifted the balance between executive and legislature away from the former. The parliamentary reforms of the 1980s and 1990s shifted the balance to Parliament by giving the Speaker the responsibility for expenditure on services to Parliament and by enhancing the role of select committees. Through much of the twentieth century the executive had dominated. MMP has undermined the sense of assurance of governments that an unproblematic majority would emerge out of elections and that this would be sustained through a full parliamentary term. Mustering support in Parliament and finding the means to put through legislation have become much more salient.

The traditionally conservative National Party and left-leaning Labour Party have dominated New Zealand political life since a Labour government came to power in 1935. During its first 14 years in office, the Labour Party implemented a broad array of social and economic legislation, including comprehensive social security, a large-scale public works program, a 40-hour workweek, a minimum basic wage, and compulsory unionism.

The National Party won control of the government in 1949 and adopted many welfare measures instituted by the Labour Party. Except for two brief periods of Labour governments in 1957-60 and 1972-75, National held power until 1984. After regaining control in 1984, the Labour government instituted a series of radical market-oriented reforms in response to New Zealand's mounting external debt. It also enacted anti-nuclear legislation that effectively brought about New Zealand's suspension from the ANZUS security alliance with the United States and Australia.

In October 1990, the National Party again formed the government, for the first of three 3-year terms. In 1996, New Zealand inaugurated a mixed-member proportional (MMP) system to elect its parliament. The system was designed to increase representation of smaller parties in parliament and appears to have done so in the MMP elections to date. Since 1996, neither the National nor the Labour Party has had an absolute majority in parliament, and for all but one of those years, the government has been a minority one.

The Labour Party won elections in November 1999 and again in July 2002. In 2002 Labour formed a coalition, minority government with the Progressive Coalition, a left-wing party holding two seats in parliament. The government relied on support from the centrist United Future Party to pass legislation. New Zealand's Prime Minister since 1999, Helen Clark, came from the left wing of the New Zealand Labour Party. She has also been a leader of the anti-nuclear movement. New Zealand became a nuclear free zone in 1987. New Zealand had been an outspoken critic of French nuclear testing in the South Pacific. Pastnuclear differences between the United States and New Zealand have beenexacerbated in recent years by other policy differences. Clark did not help bilateral relations with the United States when she stated that the Iraq war would not have occurred under a Democrat-led American government.

Following a narrow victory in the September 2005 general elections, Labour formed a coalition with the one-seat Progressive Party. The government also entered into limited support agreements with the United Future New Zealand and NZ First Parties, whose leaders were respectively given the Revenue and Foreign Affairs ministerial positions outside of the cabinet. This gave Labour an effective one-seat majority with which to pass legislation in parliament. Labour also secured an assurance from the Green Party that it would abstain from a vote of confidence against the government. The 2005 elections saw the new Maori Party win four out of the seven reserved Maori seats. The additional seat in the 121-member parliament was the result of an overhang from 2005 elections. There were two independent members of parliament (MPs): a former Labour Party MP and a former United Future New Zealand MP, both of whom left their respective parties in 2007.

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Transdniester

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

Transnistria, a strip of land with about 470,000 people between Moldova and Ukraine, has been under the control of separatist authorities since a 1992 war with Moldova. After a series of mysterious attacks destroyed infrastructure in late April 2022 in Moldovas breakaway region of Transnistria, there were fears that the war is widening beyond Ukraines borders. Western intelligence chiefs along with Ukrainian and Moldovan officials believe Russia staged the attacks in order to justify mobilising around 1,500 or so Russian troops permanently based in Transnistria, along with several thousand Transnistrian conscripts. It followed recent comments from a Russian commander saying that the Kremlins latest strategy was to try to link Russian troops in the east and south of Ukraine with Russian forces in Transnistria. The comments caused alarm in Moldova, which only had six and a half thousand underequipped soldiers, making it vulnerable to a swift Russian invasion. And like Ukraine, Moldova isnt a member of the EU or NATO.

The breakaway Transnistria region saw a shocking population fall over the past 30 years, decreasing from 731,000 in 1991 to 306,000 in 2021. There are no countries without people. Throughout history, states have appeared and disappeared. Transnistria's population crises speaks about the validity of its existence as a state. Russia has between 1,500 and 2,000 soldiers in Transnistria, ostensibly as peacekeepers, and the status quo remains one of central Europe's longest "frozen conflicts". The region relies on financial assistance from Russia to survive and Russian troops have been stationed there since the Soviet era.

There are no serious value differences between the population of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) and the inhabitants of Moldova. Only corrupt officials, smugglers and politicians who make money on gray schemes do not want a peaceful settlement. From an international perspective, Transnistria is one of the poorest regions in Europe and notorious for being a smuggler's paradise on the edge of the European Union.

Transnistria, a region half as big as the Greek island of Crete, is a narrow strip of land along the Dniester River and the border to Ukraine. The self-proclaimed republic separated from Moldova after a military conflict in Moldova. A ceasefire was declared but a frozen conflict has existed since 1992. International diplomatic efforts  recently intensified by Germany  to resolve the conflict have not brought about any changes. Today, about half a million people live in the breakaway republic.

Transnistria is now split more or less into three equal minorities: Ukrainians, Russians, and Moldovans and in some cases have four passports, Ukrainian, Russian, Moldovan, and Romanian. Around half of those who live in Transnistria have Russian citizenship and its government is close to Moscow.

In early 2014 there was some concern about a possible Russian incursion across Ukraine to occupy Transdniester. Ukraine reported up to a thousand saboteurs of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the Russian Defence Ministry had been deployed to unrecognized Transnistria, who, presumably, had been tasked to destabilize Ukraine's south, Odesa region in particular.

They were also said to be developing a scenario of capturing administrative buildings by armed men in civilian clothes to evoke a forcible response of Ukrainian authorities, provoking a border conflict and imposing the state of emergency or martial law. This would break the conduct of early presidential elections in Ukraine, which is one of the main goals of Putin. Military experts also pointed to the vulnerability for defense of southern Ukraine, located between the unrecognized Transnistrian and annexed Crimea.

Russia, however, does not want to accept Transnistria. According to a foreign policy document signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of November 2016, Russia aims to give Transnistria a special status within Moldova. While Transnistria looks to Moscow, the present pro-West government in Moldova is seeking closer ties with the European Union.

Russia still had around 1,400 troops in the territory. Transnistria (aka Transdniestria - a Russian translated version - or Transdnestr, Pridnestrove) is the long and narrow strip of Moldova bounded on the west by the Dnestr River and on the east by Ukraine. The predominantly Russian and Ukrainian population of Transnistria attempted in 1990 to secede from Moldova and has maintained a separate but unrecognized government since then, known as the Dnestr Moldovan Republic (and other variations), or in Russian as Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublika - PMR - using the city of Tiraspol as its capital. The breakaway region has looked to Russia for unofficial support.

Moldova has sought peaceful solutions to its ethnic and security problems, including offering the largely Russian population of the separatist Transdniester region broad autonomy. Bolstered by the presence of Russian troops, Transdniester continues to hold out for independence, thus denying Moldova control over significant industrial assets and its border with Ukraine.

Transdniester -- a narrow stretch of land situated along the Dniester River between Moldova proper and Ukraine -- broke away from Moldova over fears the Soviet republic would seek reunification with neighboring Romania. In 1992, Moldova and Transdniester fought a short war that ended with a Russia-mediated settlement enforced by Russian troops already stationed in the region. No country has recognized the self-proclaimed Transdniester Republic.

In early 1994, the government of the "Dnestr Republic" had armed forces of about 5,000 which included the Dnestr battalion of the Republic Guard and some 1,000 "Cossacks." As of early 1994, the Russian 14th Army (about 9,200 troops) consisted of one army headquarters, one motor rifle division, one tank battalion, one artillery regiment, and one anti-aircraft brigade. Their equipment consisted of 120 main battle tanks, 180 armored combat vehicles, and 130 artillery/multiple rocket launchers/mortars. Peacekeepers in Transnistria consisted of six airborne battalions supplied by Russia, three infantry battalions supplied by Moldova, and three airborne battalions supplied by the "Dnestr Republic."

The Russian arsenal in Transdniester belongs to the former 14th Soviet Army -- later the Russian Army -- which has been deployed in the region for decades. The 14th Army -- which changed its name to the Transdniester Operative Group of Russian Troops -- still has some 2,500 soldiers in the region, which Moscow says are necessary to guard the weapons and ammunition depots.

Under growing international pressure, Russia at a 1999 OSCE summit in Istanbul signed the adapted Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, under which it pledged to withdraw all its troops and military equipment -- estimated at 50,000 weapons and more than 40,000 tons of ammunition -- from Transdniester by 2002. Much of the armaments, as well as the ammunition, were produced before World War II. About 2,500 Russian troops remain stationed in Transdniester as of late 2003.

Transdniester has a president, parliament, army and porice forces, but, as yet it is lacking International recognition. The official languages are Russian, Moldavian, and Ukrainian. Constitutional system: Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic is an independent democratic state. Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic is situated between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Ukraine. Territorially the state encompasses areas on the left bank of the Dniester river, the town of Bendery and some villages on the right bank. The capital of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic is Tiraspol (population 194,000 as of 1 September 1999). The distance from Tiraspol to Odessa is 100 km., and the distance from Tiraspol to Kishinev is 70 km. Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic has economic ties with many countries. The Republic exports its goods to 50 countries and imports from 40 countries. The Republic produces such export-oriented and well-known abroad kinds of goods as rolled steel, foundry equipment, electrical energy, cables, large electrical machinery, low-voltage gear, insulating materials, pumps, cement, furniture, textiles, footwear, ready-made garments, wine, brandy and other goods.

Transdniester separatists' have a long-time involvement in money-laundering and the manufacturing and smuggling of weapons, as well as trafficking in human beings and drugs. Secessionists in Russian-speaking Transdniester maintain control over the enclave's borders with Ukraine, across which most of the smuggling takes place. The region's leader, Igor Smirnov, and his son, Vladimir, are believed to have almost exclusive control over the lucrative criminal activities in the area.

Since the Soviet collapse, as much as half of Transdniesters working-age population has left - to work in Russia, or in the West. But Transdniestrans seem happy to live as Russias lost colony in Central Europe.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin warned in September 2013 that if Moldova made a move towards the EU, it can say goodbye to the Transdniester, the secessionist region guarded by 1,200 Russian peacekeeping troops. In December 2013, Transdniester passed a law mandating Russian-language legislation, saying the separatist region's major goal is integration into the Russia-led Customs Union.

One month after the presidential elections in Moldova, where the pro-Russian socialist leader Igor Dodon won, the internationally unrecognized separatist state of Transnistria voted 11 December 2016 for its own president. Current president, Yevgeny Shevchuk, and parliamentary speaker, Vadim Krasnoselski, have the best chances of winning. A Russian poll had Shevchuk ahead.

This was the second time 48-year-old president Shevchuk is running for president. He began ruling Transnistria in 2011 when he succeeded Igor Smirnov, who had ruled the separatist Moldovan region for two decades. "People put high hopes in Shevchuk, but not all of them have been fulfilled," said Galina Schelar, a political scientist in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau. The crisis in neighboring Ukraine has left its mark. Furthermore, tensions between the president and parliament have grown. "People are waiting for election day because tensions are running high," said Natalia Skurtul, a journalist in Transnistria. "Many are dreaming of the election campaign just being over."

Shevchuk's main opponent, Krasnoselski, enjoyed the support of "Renewal", an opposition party that entered a partner relationship in the summer with the Kremlin party "United Russia." The 46-year-old Krasnoselski was backed by the powerful corporation "Sheriff" where he once worked as head of security. Sheriff dominates the Transnistrian economy, and operates a supermarket chain, gas stations, a mobile phone provider and a television station.

Both Shevchuk and Krasnoselski were in favor of joining Russia. The vast majority of Transnistria inhabitants voted for this in an internationally unrecognized referendum. In the Transnistrian capital, Tiraspol, there have been signs of movement toward Moscow. In September 2016, the president issued a decree to adapt the Transnistrian legal system to the Russian one.

In July 2020, the authorities dispersed a public protest in Ribni?a in which participants voiced objections to pandemic-related travel restrictions that prevented them from reaching their places of employment. Activist Gennadiy Chorba was arrested on extremism charges for organizing the protest and was placed in pretrial detention. In September 2020, the authorities initiated a criminal case against Nadezhda Bondarenko, the acting chair of the Communist Party and the editor of its newspaper, for allegedly insulting the president. Aleksandr Samoniy, a Tiraspol city councilman for the Communist Party, was charged in June for posting critical and insulting posts against the authorities on Facebook. He subsequently fled the territory.

The legislative elections in November 2020 featured low voter turnout and a lack of basic competition, with candidates in more than two-thirds of the districts running unopposed. The ruling party captured nearly all of the seats, and no genuine opposition parties won representation. Legislation adopted in July 2019 reduced the size of the unicameral Supreme Council from 43 to 33 members, all serving five-year terms. Elections for the body were held in November 2020. A total of 51 candidates applied to run for seats, and only 45 were registered, with four denied registration and two withdrawing their applications. In 23 of the 33 electoral districts, the candidates ran unopposed; by comparison, only two candidates had run unopposed in each of the previous two legislative elections. Voter turnout was just 28 percent of the eligible electorate. The Renewal Party won 29 seats, and the remainder went to candidates who also had links to Sheriff Enterprises. As Transnistria is not internationally recognized, no established election monitoring organization sent a mission to observe the balloting.

The Transnistrian government escalated its crackdown on dissent during 2021, initiating criminal cases against several political and civic activists. The president is elected for up to two consecutive five-year terms. Constitutional amendments approved in 2011 created a relatively weak post of prime minister. The president appoints the prime minister, who must be approved by the parliament.

Parliamentary elections in Moldova took place on 11 July 2021 without the cooperation of the breakaway region of Transdniester. Most people in the region have Moldovan passports and can travel to nearby districts to vote, but only a few thousand are expected to do so, out of an estimated population of between 300,000 and half a million.

The Central Election Commission [CEC] of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic on 27 October 2021 registered the current head of the PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky as a candidate for the post. According to local legislation, a candidate who has been a citizen of the PMR for at least ten years and has the right to vote can be elected President of Transnistria. The candidate must be at least 35 years old and by the day of elections have permanently resided in the territory of the republic for at least ten years. The CEC press service quoted CEC Chairwoman Elena Gorodetskaya. She clarified that Krasnoselsky submitted 12,000 Pridnestrovian signatures to the CEC for his nomination, the protocol on the nomination and the protocol on the collection of signatures. As a result of checking the documents submitted by the candidate for compliance with the requirements of the law and as a result of checking the data contained in the subscription lists, the CEC adopted a unanimous decision to register Vadim Krasnoselsky as a candidate for the post of President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the press service quoted CEC Chairman Elena Gorodetskaya.

"As a presidential candidate, I think the elections should be democratic, free. This should not be a factor in the split of the Pridnestrovian people, Krasnoselsky said after registration. According to the electoral legislation, the registration procedure for candidates should be completed by November 20. In addition to Krasnoselsky, the head of the Tiraspol School of Political Studies Anatoly Dirun, a resident of Tiraspol Nikolai Malyshev and a resident of the Grigoriopol district Sergei Pynzar announced their desire to participate in the elections.

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FBI, CIA 'not on same page' about Russia's role in US election

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:3AM

The CIA and the FBI appear to be divided in their assessment of whether Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Republican Donald Trump clinch the White House, according to a report.

The Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that Russia was actively trying to help elect Trump as opposed to just "meddling with" the election process, according to The Washington Post.

During a closed-door briefing at the Senate Intelligence Committee early this month, the spy agency presented its assessment of Russia's role in the election.

Citing unnamed US officials briefed on the matter, The Post said individuals connected to Moscow had provided thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others to WikiLeaks.

The hacked emails were a regular source of embarrassment to the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton during the presidential race.

"Russia's goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected," said a senior US official briefed on the intelligence presentation made to key senators. "That's the consensus view."

In a secure meeting room under the Capitol last week, however, a senior FBI counterintelligence official told lawmakers that the agency and the bureau were not on the same page regarding Russia's alleged intervention.

The FBI official's remarks to the lawmakers in the House Intelligence Committee, who had a classified letter written by the senators summing up the secret CIA assessment, were "fuzzy" and "ambiguous," The Post said.

The divergent messages from the CIA and the FBI have angered many lawmakers who are demanding answers about the Kremlin's alleged role in the presidential race and its possible motives.

The clamor from Congress prompted the White House to announce Friday that President Barack Obama had ordered a full review of Russia's cyber attacks during the presidential campaign. Obama wants the review to be completed before he leaves office in January.

Meanwhile, Trump's transition team slammed the CIA on Friday over its assessment of Russian espionage operations targeting the 2016 race.

"These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," the transition said in a statement on Friday. "The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again.'"

The Clinton campaign has blamed FBI Director James Comey for the candidate's bruising loss to Trump as the bureau dropped a bombshell letter days before the election on the discovery of new emails potentially related to an investigation into Clinton's email practices.

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Trump Criticizes CIA Conclusions On Russia Election Interference

RFE/RL December 11, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the CIA's conclusion that Russia interfered in the presidential election, saying it was being used by Democrats as "just another excuse" for his defeat of Hillary Clinton.

Trump's comments, in an interview broadcast on December 11, put him in the extraordinary position of openly discounting the U.S. intelligence community's consensus even before he takes office next month.

They come amid growing clamor among congressional leaders for a deeper investigation into the extent of Russian cyberattacks, and their intent.

They also come two days after U.S. intelligence officials were quoted as saying they have "high confidence" that Russian hackers not only targeted Democratic Party organizations and leaders, but did so to undermine Clinton.

"I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it," Trump told Fox News.

Trump has long said the culprit could be China or just a random hacker sitting on a couch.

The Washington Post on December 9 reported that Russia hackers intervened in the election to help Trump win the presidency, not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system.

"It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia's goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected," The Washington Post quoted an unnamed senior U.S. official who it said had been briefed on an intelligence presentation made to senators. "That's the consensus view."

The New York Times also reported that intelligence officials had concluded Russian hackers accessed Republican Party computers but didn't release potentially damaging e-mails or other materials, like what many believe happened for the Democrats.

That led analysts to conclude that the intent of the Russian hacking was to in fact help propel Trump to the White House, The New York Times said.

A group of Democratic senators last week publicly called on President Barack Obama to provide more details about potential Russian hacking.

Obama appeared to accede to that demand on December 9, announcing that he had ordered a major review of campaign-season cyberattacks, but cautioning that it was not just about Russia or the election.

Meanwhile, four top senators, including two leading Republicans, called the reports of Russian hacking alarming and called for a bipartisan investigation.

"For years, foreign adversaries have directed cyberattacks at America's physical, economic, and military infrastructure, while stealing our intellectual property," said the statement released December 11 by John McCain (Republican-Arizona), Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina), Jack Reed (Democrat-Rhode Island), and Chuck Schumer (Democrat-New York). "Now our democratic institutions have been targeted."

"Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American," they said.

McCain and Graham are strident in their criticism of the Kremlin and its foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin, a position that potentially puts them on a collision course with the Trump administration's policies.

Schumer, meanwhile, is the leading Democrat in the Senate, while Reed is the leading Democrat on the Senate Armed Service Committee, which McCain and Graham also serve on.

With reporting by Fox News

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-criticizes-cia-russia- interference-elections/28169978.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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Trump, Staff Call Russia Hack Claims 'Ridiculous,' 'Insane;' Senators Want Probe

Sputnik News

22:11 11.12.2016(updated 01:27 12.12.2016)

President-elect Donald Trump and his staff have dismissed new claims of Russian election hacking, while Congressional leaders call for more action on cybersecurity.

The Washington Post story claiming the CIA has determined that Russia interfered in the US election to help him to victory is "ridiculous," Trump said.

"I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it," the president-elect told Chris Wallace of Fox News in an interview that aired December 11.

The Washington Post reported December 9 that a CIA assessment had found that Russia intervened in the US election through hacking political party documents and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton campaign staff, among other measures. The report relies on statements by anonymous intelligence officials.

Trump called it just "another excuse" from Democrats for losing the Electoral College in the US presidential election. (Clinton looks to have won the popular vote by several million votes.)

Trump suggested that the CIA itself hasn't actually said the election was affected. (The Post story mentioned some disagreement within the intelligence community about the report's conclusions, and several important unanswered questions.)

"If you look at the story and you take a look at what they said, there's great confusion. Nobody really knows," Trump said.

"And hacking is very interesting. Once they hack, if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them. They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place. I mean, they have no idea."

Rather, the president-elect suggested, the report has been publicized by the Democrats. "I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country."

"It's ridiculous," he repeated. The intelligence community is "fighting among themselves," he pointed it out.

Asked about President Barack Obama's order for a full review of Russia's involvement, Trump said, "I think President Obama's been terrific; he's been very respectful of the process. I don't want anyone hacking us. And I'm not only talking about countries, I'm talking about anyone, period."

In a press conference during the campaign in July, Trump caused a scandal by saying, "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing" from the ones Clinton turned over to the State Department as part of a probe into her use of a private email server. Minutes later, Pence said Russia should be held accountable if it was found to be behind the Democratic Party hack.

Trump's incoming Chief of Staff Reince Priebus also called the idea that Russia directed the course of the election "an insane analysis" on ABC's this week.

"The Russians didn't tell Hillary Clinton to ignore Wisconsin and Michigan, OK? I mean this is an insane analysis. She lost the election because her ideas were bad. She didn't fit the electorate. She ignored states that she shouldn't have and Donald Trump was the change agent, OK? So this is all very interesting, but Donald Trump won in an electoral landslide that had nothing to do with the Russians. Or whoever else," he said.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator John McCain, himself a former presidential candidate, joined the chorus of voices saying Russia obviously tried to manipulate the election and calling for an investigation.

"They did hack into this campaign,' he said on CBS's Face The Nation.

"[I]t's clear the Russian's interfered. Whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think that's a subject for investigation."

The Senator said he would have a subcommittee on the US Armed Services Committee begin looking into cyber attacks, particularly by Russia.

In a statement December 11, McCain, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, incoming Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senator Jack Reed urged their parties to work together to devise "comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks."

"For years, foreign adversaries have directed cyberattacks at America's physical, economic, and military infrastructure, while stealing our intellectual property. Now our democratic institutions have been targeted. Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American," the statement read.

Though Congress has worked to address cybersecurity issues, "more must be done," they said. "While protecting classified material, we have an obligation to inform the public about recent cyberattacks that have cut to the heart of our free society. Democrats and Republicans must work together to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks."

They also cautioned against allowing cybersecurity to become a partisan issue. "We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner, and we will seek to unify our colleagues around the goal of investigating and stopping the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the House Intelligence Committee last month about allegations that Russia was the source for documents WikiLeaks acquired, "As far as the WikiLeaks connection, the evidence there is not as strong and we don't have good insight into the sequencing of the releases or when the data may have been provided. We don't have as good insight into that."

 Sputnik

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Trump: CIA Conclusion 'Ridiculous' That Russia Interfered to Help Him Win Election

By Ken Bredemeier December 11, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says the Central Intelligence Agency's conclusion that Russia interfered in last month's presidential election to boost his chances of winning was "ridiculous," calling it "just another excuse" by Democrats for his upset of former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

"I don't believe it. If you take a look at what (the CIA) said, there's great confusion," Trump said Sunday. "Nobody really knows. They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace."

Trump told Fox News that he does not oppose President Barack Obama's order to review cyberattacks the CIA concluded came from Russia during the lengthy presidential campaign, but said "you should not just say 'Russia.' You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals." The CIA said it had "high confidence" that Russia sought to help Trump win.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the final stretch of the presidential campaign to help Trump win the presidency, and not simply meddle in the U.S. electoral process as previously believed, according to senior Obama administration officials. The conclusion is based to some extent on a finding that Russians hacked the Republican National Committee's computer systems, in addition to those of Democratic organizations, but disclosed only embarrassing emails from the Democrats, via WikiLeaks.

The Republican Trump's rejection of the CIA conclusion came as the party's losing 2008 presidential nominee, Arizona Senator John McCain, and three other senators called for an investigation into Moscow's interference in the election, saying that it "should alarm every American." McCain, along with Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrats Jack Reed and Chuck Schumer, said the United States needs to stop "the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."

Even before Trump mocked the CIA conclusion in the Fox interview, his transition team condemned the spy agency, saying, "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction." It said the election was over and "now it's time to move on and 'Make America Great Again.'"

Reservations about top diplomat pick

In the interview, Trump praised ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, his likely pick as the country's secretary of state, because of the contacts he has across the world and the oil deals he's made with Russia. But McCain and Graham also voiced concern about the selection of the 64-year-old Tillerson and his connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump aides say the president-elect has settled on Tillerson as the top U.S. diplomat after a month-long search although no announcement has been made. Trump, while not confirming the appointment, said Tillerson has the "great advantage" that he knows many world leaders across the globe and "knows them well."

But his longstanding support for free trade and an expansive presence in the Middle East are at odds with positions Trump took during the long U.S. presidential campain.

"He's much more than a business executive," Trump said. "He's a world class player. He's in charge of an oil company that pretty much doubled the size of his next nearest competitor. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company, not for himself, for the company."

McCain said the choice of Tillerson was "a matter of concern to me."

"You want to give the president of the United States the benefit of the doubt because the people have spoken," McCain said of the election. "But Vladimir Putin is a thug, a bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying."

After Tillerson's oil agreements with Russia, the Kremlin in 2013 awarded him the Order of Friendship, an honor reserved for foreigners. Tillerson's appointment would have to be confirmed by the Senate, and Graham said that with his award from Russia, "We'll have some questions. I don't want to prejudge the guy, but that's a bit unnerving."

Tillerson, chief executive of the world's largest publicly traded company, oversees operations in more than 50 countries, including Russia. ExxonMobil reached an oil exploration and production agreement in 2011 with Rosneft, Russia's largest state-owned oil company. Since 2011, the two companies have formed 10 joint operations in Russia.

Tillerson met privately with the president-elect Tuesday and again Saturday after recommendations from former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and former defense secretary Robert Gates. A transition official said Trump is impressed with Tillerson's style and experience.

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Blast at Cairo Coptic Cathedral Complex Kills 25

By VOA News December 11, 2016

An explosion at Cairo's Coptic Orthodox cathedral complex Sunday has killed at least 25 people and wounded nearly 50 others.

MENA, Egypt's official news agency, reports an assailant threw a bomb into a chapel at St. Mark's, in Cairo's Abbassia district.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.

A VOA reporter at the scene said the attack happened during the 10 a.m. service Sunday in an area with mostly women.

Video posted to social media showed pools of blood beneath debris inside the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, known in Arabic as El-Botroseya.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared a three-day state of mourning after the blast.

"The pain felt by Egyptians now will not go to waste, but will result in an uncompromising decisiveness to hunt down and bring to trial whoever helped through inciting, facilitating, participating or executing this heinous crime,'' a presidential statement quoted the Egyptian leader as saying.

More than 500 Coptic protesters gathered at the scene of the explosion, deriding the government and calling for the president to step down. The demonstration prompted small skirmishes with police until a priest called for calm. Dozens of Muslim supporters joined the Christian protesters.

The attack came two days after a bomb elsewhere in Cairo killed six policemen, an assault claimed by a group authorities link to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

St. Marks is the seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II, who is currently visiting Greece.

Human rights groups and the media have regularly documented cases of anti-Christian violence in the country, including a 2011 attack on New Year's Day at a Coptic church in Alexandria that killed 20 people.

Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 93 million.

Hamada Elrasam contributed information from Cairo to this report, which includes additional information from the Associated Press.

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Trump Fires New Broadside at CIA Conclusion Russia Helped Him Win Election

By Ken Bredemeier December 12, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump fired a new broadside Monday against the Central Intelligence Agency conclusion that Russia interfered in the presidential election to help him win, questioning why the claim wasn't made before last month's voting.

In a pair of comments on Twitter, Trump contended that if Democrat Hillary Clinton had won the election and Republicans "tried to play the Russia/CIA card, it would be called conspiracy theory."

He added, "Unless you catch 'hackers' in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?"

Trump spokesman Jason Miller called the CIA conclusion "an attempt to delegitimize President-elect Trump's win."

Trump's latest remarks came after he told Fox News in an interview aired Sunday that the CIA conclusion about Russian cyberattacks to boost his chances of winning was "ridiculous," calling it "just another excuse" by Democrats for his stunning upset of Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state.

"I don't believe it. If you take a look at what (the CIA) said, there's great confusion," Trump said Sunday. "Nobody really knows. They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace."

Bipartisan call for probe

Even before he assumes power next month, Trump's mocking of the CIA conclusion about Russian interference on his behalf put him at odds with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who Monday endorsed a bipartisan probe of the issue by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

"The Russians are not our friends," McConnell said. He added that the investigation should be undertaken with the idea that "the Russians do not wish us well."

McConnell did not call for a special congressional committee to lead the probe, saying existing committees can do the job. He weighed in as new questions arose about the relationship President-elect Donald Trump will have with intelligence agencies.

"I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community and, especially, the Central Intelligence Agency."

McConnell acted after Arizona Senator John McCain, the losing 2008 Republican presidential contender, and other key Republican and Democratic lawmakers called for the investigation.

Trump told Fox News that he does not oppose President Barack Obama's order to review cyberattacks the CIA concluded came from Russia during the lengthy presidential campaign, but said "you should not just say 'Russia.' You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals." The CIA said it had "high confidence" that Russia sought to help Trump win.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russia interfered in the final stretch of the presidential campaign to help Trump win the presidency, and not simply meddle in the U.S. electoral process as previously believed, according to senior Obama administration officials. The conclusion is based to some extent on a finding that Russians hacked the Republican National Committee's computer systems, in addition to those of Democratic organizations, but disclosed only embarrassing emails from the Democrats, via WikiLeaks.

Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee and Trump's pick for White House chief of staff, told ABC News the party was not hacked.

"The entire report is based on unnamed sources who are perhaps doing something they shouldn't be doing by speaking to reporters or someone talking out of line about something that is absolutely not true," Priebus said Sunday.

Trump's rejection of the CIA conclusion came as McCain and three other senators called for an investigation into Moscow's interference in the election, saying that it "should alarm every American." McCain, along with Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrats Jack Reed and Chuck Schumer said the United States needs to stop "the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."

Reservations about top diplomat pick

Any investigation of Russia's interference in the election could complicate Senate confirmation for ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, Trump's likely pick as the country's secretary of state.

In the Fox interview, Trump praised Tillerson for the contacts he has across the world and the oil deals he's made with Russia. But McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham voiced concern about the selection of the 64-year-old Tillerson and his connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump aides say the president-elect has settled on Tillerson as the top U.S. diplomat after a month-long search, although no announcement has been made. Trump, while not confirming the appointment, said Tillerson has the "great advantage" that he knows many world leaders across the globe and "knows them well."

But his longstanding support for free trade and an expansive presence in the Middle East are at odds with positions Trump took during the long U.S. presidential campaign.

"He's much more than a business executive," Trump said. "He's a world class player. He's in charge of an oil company that pretty much doubled the size of his next nearest competitor. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company, not for himself, for the company."

McCain said the choice of Tillerson was "a matter of concern to me."

"You want to give the president of the United States the benefit of the doubt because the people have spoken," McCain said of the election. "But Vladimir Putin is a thug, a bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying."

After Tillerson's oil agreements with Russia, the Kremlin in 2013 awarded him the Order of Friendship, an honor reserved for foreigners. Tillerson's appointment would have to be confirmed by the Senate, and Graham said that with his award from Russia, "We'll have some questions. I don't want to prejudge the guy, but that's a bit unnerving."

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway told television interviewers Monday that Tillerson and Putin are business partners, not close friends.

"It's not like Vladimir Putin and Rex Tillerson are pounding down vodka at the local bar," she said. "They're not intimate friends, but they deal with each other through business interests."

Capitol Hill correspondent Michael Bowman contributed to this report

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China to build its 2nd overseas observatory in Chile

People's Daily Online

(CRI Online) 15:18, December 10, 2016

China has signed an agreement to build an observatory in northern Chile, the best place in the world to observe the sky.

The agreement was signed by China's National Astronomical Observatories and the Catholic University of Chile in November, witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet during Xi's week-long Latin America tour.

Thanks to the high altitude, sunny nights and dry air, Chile is believed to be the best observatory site on earth and has attracted many developed countries to build observatory bases there.

As early as 2013, China established an astronomical research center at the Catholic University of Chile. Under its framework experts and scholars of the two countries can share research and observatory results.

Observatories built by other countries in Chile provide 10 percent of its observation time to Chilean experts. As Chile's cooperation partner, Chinese astronomers can also share the 10 percent time in observatories built by other countries.

As the 10 percent time has become insufficient since astronomy is fast developing, China decided to build its own observatory at the site.

It is China's second overseas observatory following the one in Antarctic, and 30 kilometers from Chile's famous Paranal Observatory.

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People vote to pick Election Committee members in Hong Kong

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 8:49AM

People in Hong Kong have taken to the polls to elect their representatives in the Election Committee, which is in turn responsible for choosing the autonomous region's new leader.

More than 230,000 registered voters began voting on Sunday in more than 110 polling stations, which are open from 07:30 local time (2330 GMT Saturday) to 10:30.

Over 1,230 candidates are competing for 733 seats in 25 sub-sectors in the broadly representative Election Committee. The body is comprised of 1,200 seats under 38 sub-sectors. The remaining 467 seats in 13 sub-sectors were returned uncontested.

The 1,200 members of the Election Committee come from the four main industrial, commercial, financial, and religious sectors.

The Election Committee, according to the Hong Kong Basic Law, the region's mini-constitution, is responsible for choosing a chief executive, who will be officially appointed by the Central People's Government of China.

Hong Kong's incumbent Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying recently said he would not seek reelection. He cited family reasons as the reason for his decision.

Leung, who assumed office on July 1st, 2012, has often been accused by the opposition anti-Beijing camp of putting Chinese mainland's interests above those of Hong Kong.

In 2014, massive anti-Beijing rallies in Hong Kong disrupted the people's regular life for months.

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Kim Jong Un Guides Combat Drill of Special Operation Battalion of KPA Unit 525

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, guided the combat drill of the service personnel of the special operation battalion of KPA Unit 525.

After hearing the report about the readiness of the personnel and equipment and the plan for the drill at the observation post, he ordered to kick off the drill.

Watching the brave service personnel independently and pro-actively perform their combat duty destroying specified targets of the enemy, he said with a broad smile on his face: "Well done, the enemy troops will have no space to hide themselves, far from taking any counteraction."

He highly praised the commanding officers and men for having bolstered up the unit to be invincible ranks.

He said that if the service personnel of the unit are to conduct bold combat actions with the southern part of Korea as their theatre, they should stage intensive drills for marching, firing, swimming, overcoming natural obstacles and acquiring ability to maneuver in fields under the simulated conditions of an actual battle and thus firmly prepare themselves to be stalwart fighters for guerrilla warfare.

He set forth strategic tasks to be carried out for increasing the combat readiness and bolstering up the combat capabilities of the People's Army.

He met the combatants who took part in the drill and highly praised them for their success in the rehearsal.

He gave a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle to the battalion before having a photo session with them. -0- (2016.12.11)

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DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hits out at U.S.-sponsored Anti-DPRK "Human Rights" Farce at UNSC

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to the question raised by KCNA Sunday as regards the U.S.-sponsored discussion of the "human rights issue" of the DPRK at the UN Security Council:

Recently, the U.S. and its followers held what they called an open meeting of the UNSC, where they tabled and discussed the non-existent "human rights issue" of the DPRK.

The DPRK vehemently denounces the anti-DPRK "human rights" racket staged at the UNSC again as a hideous act hostile to the DPRK.

The U.S., disregarding the UN Charter and the opposition of many countries, brought the above-said "issue" up for discussion at the UNSC in an illegal manner by mobilizing its vassal forces. This is just an outspoken mockery and insult to the UN and its member states.

Several member states of the UNSC said no to the discussion of the "issue" at the meeting. This reflects the unanimous stand of the overwhelming majority of the developing countries rejecting the tabling of the issue at the UNSC.

It is a hard fact that the Human Rights Council and other councils exist at the UN.

This notwithstanding, the U.S. brought the "human rights issue" of the DPRK to the UNSC utterly unrelated to human rights.

This is because the UNSC has been reduced to the one where the U.S. remains unrivaled in its high-handed and arbitrary practices in disregard of the UN Charter and international law.

All facts again prove that the UNSC has turned into a "comprehensive and all-mighty council" controlled by the U.S., bereft of its original mission to be responsible for ensuring global peace and security. In this context, the reform of the UNSC is an urgent requirement of the times that should be carried out without further delay.

A lackey of Obama who will soon be compelled to leave the Oval Office after sustaining his bitter defeat went so reckless as to dare hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK at the UNSC in a sinister bid to tarnish its image and stir up the atmosphere of pressurizing it. But the lackey is sadly mistaken if he calculates that such ill-minded act can work on the DPRK and other countries.

The DPRK will never pardon the hostile forces' "human rights" farce against the DPRK but thoroughly smash it through resolute toughest counteraction. -0-

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DPRK Will Bolster up Self-defensive Deterrent: Rodong Sinmun

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- Shortly ago, the UNSC, whose mission is to preserve international peace and security, followed the moves hostile to the DPRK under pressure of the U.S., being lost to impartiality. Therefore, it is denounced and cursed to have been reduced to the waiting maid of a specified country.

Frightened by the DPRK's successful nuclear warhead explosion test, a just option for self-defense, the U.S. and its followers cooked up the "sanctions resolution" against the DPRK by abusing the name of the UNSC.

Commenting on the fact, Rodong Sinmun Sunday says that it is an absurd action for the UNSC to pull up the DPRK over its nuclear warhead explosion test.

It goes on:

The DPRK's step to bolster up the nuclear force is an inevitable option for self-defence to preserve the country's sovereignty and the nation's right to existence from the U.S.-increased nuclear threat and blackmail. Therefore, this does not pose any problem.

The history and the present situation go to clearly prove that it is as clear as noonday that the UNSC is abused for realizing the U.S. sinister political purpose and has become a theater of outrageously violating the sovereignty and right to existence of sovereign states.

The DPRK will as ever hold fast to the line of simultaneously developing the two fronts as the strategic line and bolster up its self-defensive nuclear deterrent and dynamically advance toward the eminence of building a powerful socialist country along the road of independence, Songun and socialism, no matter what others may say and how the international situation and structure of international relations may change.

The world will clearly see how the DPRK puts an end to the crime-woven history of the UN which is reduced to a theatre for the U.S. and its stooges' high-handed actions. -0-



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North Korea Conducts Drills Imitating Takeover of Seoul

Sputnik News

23:47 11.12.2016

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended drills by his country's special forces unit that imitated the destruction and capture of specific strategic targets in South Korea, including the South Korean presidential residence, the Blue House.

According to a report by North Korean state news agency KCNA, who is supreme commander of the nation's Korean People's Army, guided the combat drill of the North Korean special operations unit called KPA Unit 525.

"[Kim] said that if the service personnel of the unit are to conduct bold combat actions with the southern part of Korea as their theatre, they should stage intensive drills and thus firmly prepare themselves to be stalwart fighters for guerrilla warfare," read the KCNA report.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, North Korean Central Television reports of the drills showed troops capturing various targets, including a model of the Blue House.

Several days earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea warned against possible provocations that could be carried out by North Korea during the ongoing political crisis in Seoul and said the South Korean army is on high alert. According to the JCS, North Korea might make such a decision "because of a wrong assessment of situation."

"If North Korean authorities conduct a provocation, it will be equal to suicide for them, because they will face a decisive response," head of public affairs at the JCS Jeon Ha-gyu said in a statement.

Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta notes that South Korea and the United States conduct their own military drills, which include imitating the capture of North Korean territories, the destruction of nuclear and missile objects and the assassination of Kim and other North Korean high officials.

 Sputnik

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Supreme Leader: US is not trustworthy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 11, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the US governments have always been at odds with sovereignty of the Islamic states such as Iraq and that no one should be deceived by their smiles.

The Supreme Leader made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of the National Iraqi Alliance Ammar al-Hakim and his entourage in Tehran.

The Supreme Leader said that he was pleased with formation of the Iraqi Alliance among Iraqi Shia Muslims and that the move was very significant.

The Supreme Leader advised the Iraqi political parties to protect and bolster pillars of unity in the Iraqi political spectrum.

The Supreme leader also congratulated recent victories of Iraqi forces in Mosul, saying that to achieve such lofty goals is possible only through unity and solidarity and that the government should go ahead with national solidarity.

Supporting the Iraqi governments is among prime duties of the Iraqi alliance, the Supreme Leader said adding that The People's Mobilization Forces (PMF) -- also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) al-Hashd al-Sha'abi) is regarded as a huge asset and a significant reserve for Iraq in all times and should be bolstered and supported.

Strengthening of universities and consolidation of pillars of science and research in Iraq should be heeded because the United States and other enemies have killed many scientists and scholars in the country, the Supreme Leader said.

You should never trust the US governments, the Supreme Leader advised the Iraqi Shia alliance.

The United States always opposes sovereignty and power of the Islamic countries such as Iraq and no one should be deceived by their apparant smiles, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran could win when they did not trust the US, but, whenever Iran did not consider such a reality and trusted them, it experienced failure, the Supreme Leader said.

Despite of their claims, they never seek to uproot Takfiri terrorism and even try to maintain part of the terrorists for their future goals, the Supreme Leader said.

In Mosul and Syria, the US government is not willing to fully defeat Takfiri terrorists, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Supreme Leader criticized the United States for inaction at a time when Daesh terrorists were selling Iraqi oil, saying that in that occasion, the United States kept watching the oil tankers and never created obstacles or gave warning to them. 'Therefore, the US is not trustworthy.'

The Supreme Leader said that Iraqi future is very promising, and that the Iraqi success and economic development will be to the benefit of the Islamic Republic of Iran and that cooperation between the two countries will bear fruits for both sides.

The Supreme Leader appreciated the Iraqi people and officials for hosting two million Iranian pilgrims during Arbaeen and called the Arbaeen procession very significant and unprecedented.

Prior to the Supreme Leader's remarks, Chairman of the National Iraqi Alliance Ammar al-Hakim briefed the Leader on formation of the Iraqi alliance and advances to bring about Iraqi national solidarity.

He also congratulated the Supreme Leader for recent victories in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

1430**1416

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Iran refutes UK PM for unfounded claims at Persian Gulf Cooperation Council

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 11, IRNA -- Minister of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan on Sunday refuted UK prime minister Theresa May for anti-Iran claims she made at the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

Dehqan made the remarks in his speech to the International Conference on Security opened in Tehran Sunday.

Dehqan said the claims show several things: First of all, her immaturity and being a new comer.

He said the second point is the vacuum in Britain now makes sense.

'After the US elections and the concerns the Arab states of the Persian Gulf feel with their future; the UK feels it can come back to the region.'

'However, by raising Iranophobia, they stir escalation with aim for marketing their arms. Naturally, to set up arms market, they spread a series of remarks which are miscalculated and they think those being the target of such claims, can easily understand the root causes of such statements.'

The minister said the third point is that the UK thinks it is in a new age and era and can revive the British colonialism in various parts of the world.'

'Here, they set up bases in Bahrain or various places; in another word, they have military presence for the same of their national interests and objectives in the region; so, we do not heed such claims.'

As for the role of such International Conferences on Security and the tools which might be used for restoration of order, stability and security in any region, he said, 'We consider an issue from the domestic standpoint of countries and region. It means that if all nations decide their destiny, national security will be established and in light of national security, stability will exist in the region practically.'

Dehqan said the first step in establishing regional order is to take heed of demand of nations to decide their fate.

'That the goals of countries depend on maintaining goals and interests of others, is of importance. Letting foreigners step into the region will actually create a sort of insecurity. In our opinion, presence of foreign forces in the region will cause insecurity and even Takfiri wings are the envoys of transregional powers and a kind of proxy war has been waged.'

'The best form, is collective security in which regional states try to form coalitions and collective efforts against aggressions and moves of the transregional countries. This is the only way which can be done.'

As for claims of the US President Donald Trump that Daesh is getting annihilated, Dehqan said he is joking.

International Conference on Security opened on Sunday morning with speeches of Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, Minister of Intelligence Hojjatoleslam Mahmoud Alavi, Head of the Strategic Studies Center of the Presidential Office Hessameddin Ashena, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi, and a group of thinkers and political experts.

Six educational workshops have been held on the sidelines.

1420**1416

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Iran Air, Boeing finalize plane purchase deal

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 10:5AM

Iran's flag carrier 'Iran Air' says it has signed a much-awaited agreement with US aviation giant Boeing to purchase 80 planes.

The agreement envisages the purchase of 50 twinjet narrow-body Boeing 737 planes and 30 long-range wide-body 777 aircraft at a total cost of $16.6 billion.

Iran Air Managing Director Farhad Parvaresh was quoted by local media as saying that the planes would to be handed over to Iran within 10 years, adding that the first deliveries are expected in 2018.

Fletcher Barkdull, Boeing's regional sales director, told IRNA that the company was happy to return to Iran after a hiatus of multiple decades.

Barkdull emphasized that the finalization of the plane purchase agreement with Iran Air had been carried out by virtue of the direct approval from the administration of US President Barack Obama.

Iran signed a basic plane purchase agreement with Boeing earlier this year. However, the agreement hit a bumpy road last month after US lawmakers approved a bill that banned the export, or re-export, of commercial aircraft to Iran by American financial institutions.

The country has signed another agreement with France's aviation giant Airbus to purchase scores of planes.

The deal is yet to be finalized but it has already received the go-ahead from the US Treasury Department.

The Department's seal for Iran-Airbus agreement was necessary given that at least 10 percent of Airbus' components are made in the US which has imposed a series of economic sanctions against Iran for years now.

The US Treasury Department has also given the green light to Boeing to sell planes to Iran.

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Army Ground Forces start large-scale wargames in SE Iran

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 8:17AM

The Iranian Army has launched large-scale military drills in the country's southeast in an effort to enhance the combat readiness of its Ground Forces.

Codenamed 'Muhammad Rasoulallah (Muhammad, the Messenger of God) Four', the three-day military maneuvers started early Sunday in the strategic southeastern parts of the country, covering an area of 220,000 square kilometers.

General Seyyed Kamal Peyambari, the maneuvers' spokesman, said the first day of the exercises is focused on practicing the transfer of rapid reaction units via ground and air from across the country to operation zones.

The enlisted units will also display their efficacy and work to enhance their readiness in responding to operational requirements and threats, he added.

Among other goals of the drills are testing new defense systems, reducing the average response time to potential threats as well as training younger commanders in modern battles, the senior official added.

Various units of Army Ground Forces are participating in the maneuvers, enjoying logistical support from the Army's Air Force and the country's Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.

Iran has conducted major military drills in recent years to enhance the defense capabilities of its Armed Forces and to test modern military tactics and state-of-the-art equipment.

Each year, the country inaugurates a host of new projects and hardware developed with reliance on domestic capabilities.

The Islamic Republic maintains that its defense power is driven by deterrence and poses no threat to any other country.

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Iran Makes Historic $16.6 Billion Deal With Boeing

Sputnik News

01:13 12.12.2016(updated 02:47 12.12.2016)

As a consequence of the American-led international nuclear deal with Iran, the Middle Eastern country signed a $16.6 billion deal with Boeing to renew its commercial fleet.

The new deal will allow the Islamic Republic to renew its aged commercial fleet. Iran has purchased 80 passenger planes, including 50 Boeing 737s and 30 Boeing 777s of two modifications.

According to the deal, all 80 machines will be delivered by Boeing over the next decade, with first plane scheduled for delivery in 2018. This is the largest US-Iranian deal since the Islamic Revolution and the takeover of US Embassy in Tehran.

Both sides praised the deal and underscored the positive impact it will have for jobs in both countries.

According to Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi, who attended the signing ceremony, this deal alone will create 8,000 jobs for Iranians.

"The deal has a clear message for the world: we support peace and security as well as the growth of Iran based on a win-win policy," the media quotes him saying.

In its press release, Boeing also underscored the positive impact of the deal.

"Today's agreement will support tens of thousands of US jobs directly associated with production and delivery of the 777-300ERs, and nearly 100,000 US jobs in the US aerospace value stream for the full course of deliveries," the statement reads.

Most of Iran's commercial fleet was purchased in 1979, and as a consequence its planes are extremely aged: 88 of 250 Iranian planes are currently grounded because of a lack of spare parts.

This deal was possible thanks to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iranian nuclear deal: the US and other Western countries agreed to lift sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for Iran opening its nuclear objects for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors for next 20 years to prove they are not being used to create of nuclear weapons.

This deal has been criticized by president-elect Donald Trump, who believes the 20 year limit won't prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon in distant future. Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi expressed his hope that the new US administration will not revise the terms of the agreement.

"We hope that despite changes in the US administration, the country will remain loyal to its commitments," he said during the Boeing deal signing ceremony.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Meets With Kurdistan Regional Government President in Iraq

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2016  Defense Secretary Ash Carter met today with Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani in Irbil, Iraq, where the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.

Carter and Barzani also discussed the key role Peshmerga forces have played in the counter-ISIL campaign, Cook said.

Unprecedented Cooperation

Carter and Barzani noted the unprecedented cooperation between Iraq's government and the Kurdistan regional government, Cook said.

The two leaders, he added, agreed that all partners in the counter-ISIL fight must avoid distractions and remain focused on dealing the barbaric group a lasting defeat.

Cook said Carter thanked Barzani for his close partnership, and recalled the many successes over the past year that were made possible by strong cooperation between the Iraqi government, the Kurdistan regional government, and the United States.

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Eight killed in Daesh car bombings in Fallujah

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 6:45PM

At least eight people have been killed and several others injured in two car bomb attacks at security checkpoints in Iraq's western city of Fallujah in western Anbar province.

Iraq's Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network reported that the first attack was carried out by an assailant, who detonated his explosives-laden car at a security checkpoint in western Fallujah on Sunday evening.

The second attack was carried out shortly after the first when some explosive devices were detonated in a parked car in the central areas of Fallujah near another security checkpoint and a busy restaurant.

The report added that most of the victims were security officers.

Amaq news agency, which is affiliated to the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, said in a statement that both attacks were carried out by the terror group.

Fallujah fell to Daesh in January 2014 and suffered major population loss but it was fully liberated by Iraq's army in June this year.

Meanwhile, another car bomb attack killed one person and injured at least five others east of the capital Baghdad.

Al-Sumaria also reported that security forces had discovered three explosives labs belonging to Daesh in the cities of Hit and Kabisa, both in Hit district, west of Anbar's provincial capital, Ramadi.

"These laboratories were found by the citizens of Hit and Kabisa, who informed the security forces. Army's engineering teams defused the explosive materials in these laboratories," a local source told al-Sumaria.

Iraqi army soldiers and their allied forces launched joint operations on October 17 to liberate Mosul, which is the last bastion of Daesh in the Arab country.

Iraqi forces advance has been slowed down due to the presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of whom are prevented from leaving Mosul by Daesh.

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Islamic State Mounting 'Fierce,' 'Creative' Defense of Mosul

By Jeff Seldin, Jamie Dettmer December 11, 2016

Nearly two months into the assault on the Islamic State's last major stronghold in Iraq, the unbridled optimism that accompanied the initial, rapid advance is gone.

Iraqi security forces, which had cut through IS defenses in the outer suburbs of the northern city of Mosul, have met with stiffer than expected resistance in the city's east. Their losses have been significant and, to both Iraqi and U.S. officials, surprising.

"They front-loaded the fight," a U.S. official told VOA, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "They threw a lot of their best fighters at east Mosul."

U.S. and Iraqi officials had expected the opposite, that IS would wait to make its strongest defense in the older, Western part of the city, making use of the narrower streets and counting, perhaps, on the support of Sunni-dominated neighborhoods.

Intelligence gathered prior to the assault on Mosul only served to reinforce that thinking, showing IS fighters concentrating their defenses to the West of the Tigris River, which cuts through the city. IS was ready, having made the most of the two years its fighters had occupied the city.

"They're pretty well defended throughout," said a second official, also requesting anonymity due to the subject's sensitivity.

The official said making the fight more difficult is that IS commanders have "been adapting all along," changing tactics to keep Iraqi forces off-balance as they push further into Mosul.

IS tactics

In defense, IS has used everything it can to slow advance, from mounting ambushes after appearing to be retreating, enticing Iraqi units forward, to launching an unexpected large number of suicide bombers in vehicles packed with huge amounts of explosives, to changing the design of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and where they plant them.

"It is a cat-and-mouse game for bomb disposal teams, IS bomb-makers are quick to alert other IS members about changes that make it harder to defuse devices," says Kurdish Gen. Mahmood Kakaye.

Iraqi security forces battling their way into Mosul, and Shi'ite militias in the countryside west of the city, are suffering heavy losses from the IEDs, much as the Kurds did in their battles close to Mosul, culminating in the seizing from IS of the town of Bashiqa last month.

The difficulty in taking territory from IS and then holding it was on clear display in Bashiqa.

Massively outnumbered by Kurdish forces, the up to 200 IS fighters, Kurdish military officials still can't agree on how many jihadists defended the town in the final assault, proved to be a cunning enemy. After the center of the town had been seized by the Kurds there was almost another day of riotous gunfire and what the peshmerga termed chase-the-jihadist.

IS fighters kept popping up from a labyrinthine of tunnels dug under houses, launching attacks from 360 degrees. In one attack a key Kurdish bomb-disposal expert died when a suicide bomber suddenly appeared before him and embraced him in a death-hug as he detonated an explosive vest.

"ISIS has been very creative in the way that they are fighting," Kurdistan Regional Security Council Chancellor Masrour Barzani said Thursday in Washington, using another acronym for the Islamic State group.

"When you go to the western bank of the Tigris River, we expect that the fighting is going to be even harder," he said.

But Iraqi forces ran into a prime example of IS' deadly creativity earlier this past Tuesday when they tried to take the city's al-Salam hospital.

After initially meeting little resistance, the Iraqis were met with a fierce counterattack. More than a dozen suicide car bombs later, the soldiers were forced to beat a retreat with the help of a U.S. airstrike and Iraq's elite Counter Terrorism Service.

Iraqi PM optimistic

Despite such setbacks, some optimism persists, with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi continuing to insist Mosul can be taken by year's end.

Other Iraqi officials, such as the governor of Kirkuk province, think while that timeline may be a bit ambitious, it is not necessarily far off.

"The Mosul operation is actually going as well as it was expected. Nobody thought it is going to be something very quick," Najmaldin Karim said during a visit to Washington late last month. "Maybe President [Barack] Obama will still be president [when it happens]."

Last week U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter agreed it was "certainly possible" Mosul could be taken before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.

"But this is a war, so I'm not going to predict that," Carter added. "It's going to be a tough fight."

Western diplomats based in Turkey are skeptical that the fight will be over before Trump is sworn-in.

"I think this could take another four months," said a European attache who asked not to be named in this article. "I am suspicious of the numbers being bandied about in terms of IS casualties and people also forget about the casualties on our side, the Iraqis, as the Kurds, won't give out the statistics about their own loses but I can tell you they are high."

He and other Western diplomats fear that by the time the Iraqi security forces have reached west Mosul, they will be exhausted, having fought for months, and will then have to call for help on the irregular Shi'ite militias around Tal Afar for assistance. The Iraqi government has promised not to use those militias, which have been accused of war crimes against Sunnis, in Mosul.

Help from Kurdish forces, at that point, is almost out of the question, Barzani indicated. "We are hoping the rest of the Iraqi security forces are able to finish the job."

The fight ahead

Yet there is reason to think the fight will get somewhat easier. Military officials say the IS strategy of "front loading" the fight in the eastern part of Mosul could backfire.

Many of the terror group's best fighters are dead. And U.S. officials insist the number of fighters has been whittled down considerably from an estimated 5,000 at the start of the Mosul operation in mid-October.

U.S. and coalition airstrikes have also destroyed four of the five Mosul bridges that span the Tigris River.

Other supply routes have also been cut off, either with the help of airstrikes or due to the advance of Iraqi militias, the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces or PMF, which have moved to cut-off Mosul from Tal Afar, a smaller IS stronghold to the west.

"Mosul is completely surrounded on all sides and Daesh have no ability to resupply or reinforce their fighters," said Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman, Col. John Dorrian, using the Arabic acronym for the terror group.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, who once led the Pentagon efforts against IEDs in Iraq, remains cautious and says holding on to the city after taking it "is a different ballgame."

Many current U.S. officials believe IS intends to use any and all tactics at its disposal to turn Iraq's second largest city into "hell on earth." They also point to what IS fighters were able to do in its former stronghold in Libya, as a model for what can be expected in Mosul.

Libyan forces, aided by hundreds of U.S. airstrikes, confined IS to just a few blocks in coastal city of Sirte. But it took hundreds of additional airstrikes and another month to finally rout IS from the city.

And there are worries about the preparations IS has made which cannot easily be seen. Some weapon experts fear IS will use mustard gas or other toxic material.

"They have totally dug into the sewer system," said one of the U.S. officials, referring to the challenges that still await in the western part of Mosul. "A lot of this is going to be underground."

And the Iraqis will face a lot more bombs.

According to a report to be published Wednesday by Conflict Armament Research, a Britain-based organization funded by the European Union that monitors the movement and use of conventional weapons, the jihadists' IEDs "are anything but improvised." The group will highlight in the report the high and rapid output of IEDs in IS's Mosul workshops, all part of a centrally managed weapon production system that can churn out bombs to high military standards.

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On Iraq Front Lines, Hope and Concern Over Trump War Policy

By Heather Murdock December 11, 2016

Bullets wiz into the sand outside the Iraqi Army base, an abandoned home on the edge of the village, as two wounded men are carried into pick-up trucks, just back from a nearby battle. The vehicles race into the desert, leaving plumes of dust in their wake.

Dozens of miles from Mosul, on the Iraqi Army's southern front, soldiers battling Islamic State here are moving forward, slowly capturing farms, towns and villages against fierce resistance.

Coalition support is more of a vague idea than an every day reality here, soldiers tell us, as the barrage of coalition airstrikes mainly focus on the city of Mosul. All agree more air support would be useful, but otherwise opinions vary on the United States' president elect Donald Trump, and what it will mean for their fight.

Some say he seems tough on terrorism, a stance they support. Many soldiers here have lost family and friends either fighting the militants, or murdered as civilians. Other soldiers say Trump seems to dislike Muslims, a stance abhorrent to them.

Still others hold both opinions.

"I hope things will change in a good way," says Col. Khayun Manati Jabor. "We have heard that he is a racist, but still if he helps us, it will be good."

The chief complaint about the U.S.-led coalition is not its current actions, but the fact that it took two and a half years to get here. Conspiracy theories about the current U.S. administration also run deep here, so change could be good, soldiers say.

On thing that is clear, is that it is not clear what President elect Donald Trump's Iraq policy will look like. He has been highly critical of the Mosul offensive, even suggesting it was a campaign tool for Hilary Clinton during an October debate. He has also railed against leaders for being soft on terrorism and told Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi that Iraq "will find strong and deep support" under his presidency about 10 days after he was elected.

Less than a kilometer away from the base in Iraq, dust and smoke spray into the air as IS mortar fire comes crashing to the ground, aiming at, but missing, Iraqi Army positions. The noise of bullets and mortar fire coming from the base and aimed at IS-occupied buildings is constant.

"We don't have any help and we don't want any," says a soldier named Kareem. "We are liberating Iraq."

Treacherous battles

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said last week the Iraqi Army could, in theory, control Mosul before Trump takes office, but only if the pace of what appears to be an imminent victory speeds up.

But nearly three months into the Mosul offensive, fighting is only getting tougher, soldiers say.

Forces must move slowly, they tell us, as militants force civilians into large groups of 'human shields' into increasingly smaller territories. IS-occupied villages where civilians have all fled are laced with IED's and held by sniper fire, car bombs and suicide bombers, adds Lt. Colonel Juma Annat above the hammering sound of outgoing fire.

"There are snipers everywhere and we don't want to risk our men's' lives more than we have to," he explains.

IS's vast network of tunnels has also been found everywhere the militants have fled. As militants move back, the network is expected to pose a considerable new challenge, adds Annat, with worries they could be used not just to flee, but to launch attacks.

One soldier quietly notes that he hopes the coalition will provide technology to allow them to see into the tunnels.

"We may have to fight in the tunnels," Annat continues. "The most important aim we have is to liberate the village 100 percent."

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Pour on the Gasoline: Berlin Reveals Plan to Train Saudi Military in Germany

Sputnik News

12:51 11.12.2016(updated 15:19 11.12.2016)

The German Bundeswehr is going to train Saudi military officers in Germany, despite concerns about atrocities committed by the Saudi military in Yemen.

Despite criticism of the Saudi Arabian government and its bombing campaign in Yemen, Germany's Federal Defense Ministry has revealed plans to train Saudi officers in Germany, Germany's Tagesspiegel newspaper reports.

During an official visit to Riyadh on Thursday, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen reportedly discussed the proposal with her Saudi counterpart Mohammad bin Salman.

Berlin first floated the idea of training some members of the Saudi armed forces in 2015, and it is initially planned that three to five Saudi officers will be trained by the Bundeswehr in Germany each year.

The proposal has elicited criticism from opposition parties, which object to Berlin's military ties with Riyadh, all the more since Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign on Yemen in March 2015.

In September the UN humanitarian coordinator said that at least 10,000 people had been killed or wounded in the Yemen conflict. In late August the UN had estimated the civilian death toll at 3,799, with air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition responsible for around 60 percent of deaths.

Green party defense spokeswoman Agnieszka Brugger said that Germany must not allow a situation in which "the brutal regime continues to be courted, gets German weapons deliveries and rolls out the red carpet for the German defense minister, without anything being said."

Brugger called on the German government to bring about "an end to the federal government's unspeakable, irresponsible policy of ducking away (from criticism of its relationship with Riyadh)."

The Greens and the left-wing party Die Linke have repeatedly expressed concern about German sales of military equipment to the Saudis.

In July German Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel announced the delivery of the first military patrol boats to Saudi Arabia, following a deal agreed in 2013 to sell 48 of the boats to Riyadh.

"Saudi Arabia is a lawless state and is waging war in Yemen. There isn't a single good reason to authorize the export of weapons," Die Linke's arms control expert Jan van Aken told Frankfurter Rundschau.

In 2012 it was reported that the German government had given approval for the sale of 270 Leopard 2 battle tanks to Saudi Arabia, although Gabriel has since denied the possibility of such a deal taking place.

The German government should be careful about military co-operation with Riyadh in light of Saudi support for extremist Islamic movements like Salafism and Wahhabism, which have links to terrorism, defense expert Alexander Neu told Tagesspiegel.

"Those who, like Saudi Arabia, support Islamists and jihadists, can't simultaneously combat them and provide stability and peace in the Middle East," he said.

Last month it was reported that Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) had discovered at least 20 "Islamists" serving in the country's armed forces, and another 60 soldiers under suspicion of having ties with radical Islamist groups.

The Daesh terror group has urged followers to join the armed forces, and specifically targeted ex-soldiers. At least 30 German veterans have traveled to fight in Syria and Iraq, Germany's Berliner Morgenpost reported.

 Sputnik

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Daesh pulls out of Syria's Palmyra under Russia air raids: Monitoring group

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 7:5AM

Daesh Takfiri terrorists have reportedly withdrawn from the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra amid counter-operations by government forces backed by Russian fighter jets.

"Intense Russian raids since last night forced IS (Daesh) out of Palmyra" hours after the terrorists briefly re-entered the city, said the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Sunday

The Observatory head, Rami Abdel Rahman, said a large number of Daesh militants were killed in the Russian airstrikes, without providing a precise figure.

On Thursday, Daesh began an offensive to regain a foothold in Palymra in the west-central Homs Province months after the Syrian army liberated the city from the terror group.

The militants had managed to seize areas to the northwest and southeast of the historic city, according to the Syrian army.

Damascus was, however, quick to deploy reinforcements to the outskirts of Palmyra, engaging in heavy clashes with the terrorists there.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that it had carried out 64 anti-terror air raids around Palmyra last night.

The strikes killed more than 300 Daesh elements and destroyed 11 tanks and 31 cars equipped with heavy machine guns.

"Over the past night, with active Russian air support, Syrian government forces repulsed all attacks by the terrorists on Palmyra," the statement read.

Terrorists held Palmyra for some 10 months, causing extensive damage to many of its ancient sites, before its liberation in March.

The developments in Palmyra come at a time when a crucial victory is firmly in sight for government forces in the northwestern city of Aleppo.

The Syrian army soldiers and their allies have dealt heavy blows to militants in Aleppo over the past few weeks, with Russia saying that the Damascus forces are now are in control of 93 percent of the strategic city.

Additionally on Sunday, the Observatory estimated that more than 10,000 people had escaped since midnight from the terrorist-held areas of Aleppo to the government-controlled regions.

"They fled towards government-held areas in west Aleppo and districts newly controlled by regime forces in the north and centre of the city," Rahman said.

Reports said fighting was underway on several fronts in southeast Aleppo as the Syrian forces continue their operations to rid the city of foreign-backed militants.

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Some 80% of Palmyra Residents Evacuated, Rest Still in Danger - Homs Governor

Sputnik News

23:55 11.12.2016(updated 04:01 12.12.2016)

Syrian government forces managed to evacuate some 80 percent of Palmyra population, the fate of the rest is cause for concerns, Homs Governor Talal Barazi announced.

"Some 80 percent of Palmyra residents have been evacuated, we are concerned with the fate of those who are remaining there," Barazi said in a statement on Sunday.

Barazi noted that the Syrian army with allies is regrouping promptly, suggesting that control over Palmyra could be reestablished in the near future.

On Saturday, Daesh reportedly reentered the ancient city, although the Russian Defense Ministry said fighting was underway in Palmyra's outskirts.The terrorists were driven back by Russia's Aersopace Forces. The Russian Defense Ministry's reconciliation center said it was not targeting residential areas.

On Sunday, local sources reported that the Syrian army was still fighting Daesh in city suburbs after residents had been evacuated.

According to the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation, more than 4,000 Daesh militants have regrouped and attempted to reclaim Palmyra.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Army Trying to Regain Control of Daesh-Attacked Palmyra - Homs Governor

Sputnik News

18:08 11.12.2016(updated 21:35 11.12.2016)

The Syrian Army has moved to the suburbs of Palmyra and is fighting Daesh, the governor of the Homs Province said on Sunday.

"The Syrian Army is maintaining stiff resistance and is inflicting losses on Daesh gangs," Governor Talal Barazi said on al-Ikhbariyah TV.

The decision was made in light of the enemy's "superior forces".

He noted that Daesh was attacking Palmyra on several directions.

A source has earlier told RIA Novosti Palmyra residents had been evacuated and the Army was fighting against the jihadists in the city suburbs.

Earlier on Sunday, Russia's center for Syrian reconciliation reported that Daesh managed to move considerable forces from Raqqa to Palmyra after the US-backed offensive of Arab and Kurdish rebels was stalled. More forces and equipment were relocated from the vicinity of Deir ez-Zor.

"Over 4,000 Daesh terrorists have regrouped <> to capture Palmyra," the center's statement said.

Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes.

Despite the defeat, the terrorists were again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, Syria's SANA news agency said.

Over the recent months, Daesh has several times tried to oust the government troops from their defense lines. Having amassed considerable forces to the west of Palmyra, the jihadist group sought to seize two oil and gas fields, but all of their attempts have been foiled. The terrorists intensified their attacks on the ancient city over the last week and managed to capture several high grounds in proximity to Palmyra.

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.

 Sputnik

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Palmyra Residents Evacuated, Syrian Army Fighting Daesh in Suburbs - Source

Sputnik News

16:30 11.12.2016(updated 17:29 11.12.2016)

The residents of Palmyra have been evacuated, and the Syrian Army is fighting Daesh in the suburbs of the ancient city, a source familiar with the situation told RIA Novosti on Sunday.

"After the evacuation of all residents last night, the Syrian Army has completely left the city of Palmyra. Fierce fighting against Daesh jihadists is going on in the city suburbs."

The source said aircraft are attacking the militants. Earlier in the day, Russia's center for Syrian reconciliation said the terrorists were trying to capture the city after regrouping. The center underscored Russian warplanes did not attack targets in Palmyra's residential areas.

Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes.

Despite the defeat, the terrorists were again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, Syria's SANA news agency said.

Over the recent months, Daesh has several times tried to oust the government troops from their defense lines. Having amassed considerable forces to the west of Palmyra, the jihadist group sought to seize two oil and gas fields, but all of their attempts have been foiled. The terrorists intensified their attacks on the ancient city over the last week and managed to capture several high grounds in proximity to Palmyra.

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.

 Sputnik

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Daesh Moves Reserves to Palmyra Thanks to Pause in US-Controlled Raqqa Offensive

Sputnik News

15:47 11.12.2016(updated 16:08 11.12.2016)

Daesh managed to move considerable forces from Raqqa to Palmyra after the US-backed offensive of Arab and Kurdish rebels was stalled, Russia's center for Syrian reconciliation said on Sunday.

More forces and equipment were relocated from the vicinity of Deir ez-Zor.

The Syrian Army backed by Russian aircraft is currently maintaining defense in the city.

Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes.

Despite the defeat, the terrorists are again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, Syria's SANA news agency said.

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.

Earlier in November, the Syrian Democratic Forces announced Operation Wrath of Euphrates to reclaim the city of Raqqa from the militants. Captured in 2013, Raqqa serves as Daesh's de facto capital in Syria.

 Sputnik

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Daesh Suffering Heavy Losses Trying to Seize Palmyra, Syrian Army Resisting

Sputnik News

15:43 11.12.2016(updated 18:13 11.12.2016)

Daesh terrorists have made another attempt to capture the city of Palmyra, Russia's center for Syrian reconciliation said on Sunday.

"Over 4,000 Daesh terrorists have regrouped and again tried to capture Palmyra," the center's statement said.

The center noted Daesh had moved considerable forces from their stronghold of Raqqa after the US-backed offensive of Arab and Kurdish rebels was stalled. More forces and equipment were relocated from the vicinity of Deir ez-Zor.

The center cited intelligence data that showed Daesh had moved up to 5,000 fighters to the cities of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor from the Iraqi stronghold of Mosul.

"Currently the Syrian troops are maintaining defense in Palmyra," the statement added.

The Syrian army is being backed by Russian aircraft.

"Despite huge losses, terrorists are trying to get closer to the city and entrench within the city, as the Russian Aerospace Forces do not target residential buildings in Palmyra," the statement said.

Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes.

Despite the defeat, the terrorists are again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, Syria's SANA news agency said.

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Army Waging Fierce Battle Repelling Daesh Attacks on Palmyra

Sputnik News

14:40 11.12.2016(updated 17:29 11.12.2016)

The Syrian Army continues repelling Daesh attacks on the city of Palmyra on Sunday, the country's state news agency SANA said.

Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes.

Despite the defeat, the terrorists are again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, the agency said reads.

SANA noted that the Syrian Air Force has pounded the jihadists who "incurred significant losses".

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.

 Sputnik

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Russian Jets Deliver 64 Strikes on Militants Near Palmyra, Shielding the City

Sputnik News

10:24 11.12.2016(updated 14:19 11.12.2016)

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered 64 airstrikes on militants and thwarted their attempt to break into Palmyra during the night.

The Syrian Army, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, repelled all attempts by militants to break into Palmyra during the night, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday morning.

"During the night, Syrian government forces, actively supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, repelled all attacks by terrorists on Palmyra. The attacking side actively used car bombs, armor and rocket artillery systems," the ministry's statement reads.

The Russian warplanes conducted 64 airstrikes on the militants' positions and reserves.

"Eleven battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, 31 cars with heavy machineguns, and over 300 militants were destroyed."

Earlier, a source in local militia said the Syrian Army had managed to repel a terrorist offensive and regain full control of the city.

The Syrian armed forces and local militias were engaged in fierce fights against Daesh on the outskirts of the ancient city.

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.

 Sputnik

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Islamic State Fighters Recapture Palmyra

By VOA News December 11, 2016

A Syrian monitor says Islamic State jihadists have recaptured the Syrian city of Palmrya, during what has become a back-and-forth battle for control of the famed desert city.

Rami Abdel Rahman of the British-based monitor group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday, "Despite the ongoing air raids, IS retook all of Palmyra after the Syrian army withdrew south of the city."

Earlier Sunday, the Observatory and the Russian Defense Ministry said more than 60 Russian airstrikes had forced Islamic State fighters to pull out of the ancient central Syrian city, not long after the extremists fought their way into the city.

The Observatory said fighting continued outside the city.

A Russian Defense Ministry statement said Russian warplanes conducted 64 air strikes against "positions, convoys and advancing reserves of militants" on the famed desert city that is on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Russia said it killed 300 militants who "actively used car bombs with suicide bombers, armored vehicles and rocket artillery." The ministry said 11 tanks and 31 vehicles were destroyed.

Islamic State extremists fought their way into Palmyra Saturday after two days of intense fighting against government forces.

The extremist push in Homs province comes nine months after militants were driven from the city by Syrian government forces and their Russian allies in a counter-offensive touted at the time by Syrian military officials as a "fatal blow" to the jihadist organization.

The government of President Bashar al-Assad had not commented on the Palmyra fighting by late Saturday, and no updated casualty figures were immediately available.

To the north, monitors reported heavy fighting in southeastern districts of the city of Aleppo, after a two-week offensive by the Russia-backed Syrian army and its Shi'ite allies that has split the city's rebel-held east and left rebel forces in disarray. Witnesses to Saturday's fighting said rebels were holding their ground in the devastated eastern sector.

The Observatory reported 24 civilians killed by government ordnance since Friday, and said at least nine others were killed by retaliatory rebel artillery fire into government-controlled sectors of the city during the same period.

In other developments, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the deployment of 200 more military personnel to northern Syria, to help the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the push capture the IS stronghold of Raqqa.

Carter said the 200 troops will include special forces trainers, advisers and explosive ordnance disposal teams. The new force will join some 300 U.S. military already deployed in the north to assist in the ongoing push to defeat Islamic State at Raqqa.

The U.S. Central Command tweeted Saturday the U.S. force will stand ready to "directly assist NATO ally Turkey" in the regional fight against extremist forces.

In Paris, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with other top diplomats Saturday in an attempt to revive stalled talks with Russia on easing the Aleppo crisis, which has left tens of thousands of civilians in the city's east without food or other humanitarian supplies.

U.S. and Russian diplomats were holding separate closed-door talks in Geneva at the same time, in an effort to find agreement between Moscow and Washington on the situation in Aleppo.

The Paris talks included foreign ministers from France, Germany, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and a representative of the European Union. France's Jean-Marc Ayrault said they agreed on sweeping aid provisions and a ban on torture and retaliatory killings once the fighting stops.

The French diplomat said the ministers' plan would only take hold if the Syrian government and Russia both agree to terms of the emerging post-battle plan for Aleppo.

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China's training missions near Taiwan a show of capability: experts

ROC Central News Agency

2016/12/11 20:30:12

Taipei, Dec. 11 (CNA) Two recent training missions by Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan can be regarded as strategical declaration by China that it is capable of engaging in military operations not just west of Taiwan, but also on the east side, according to two Taiwanese analysts.

Some 10 military aircraft from the Eastern Theater Command -- one of five war zones designated by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) -- embarked Saturday on a long-distance training mission, during which they flew over the Miyako Strait near Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.

Four of the aircraft then turned south toward the Bashi Channel, where they joined several fighter jets from the Southern Theater Command, circling outside Taiwan's air defense identification zone in the south before returning to base, the ministry said.

It was the second time in less than a month that Chinese military aircraft circled near Taiwan but did not enter the country's air defense identification zone, the MND said.

Commenting on the two training missions, former Kuomintang lawmaker Lin Yu-fang () said they were a strategical declaration by Beijing that it can "break through the first island chain" off the east coast of continental Asia.

This includes the Kuril Islands, Japanese Archipelago, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the northern Philippines, and Borneo, which was the chain of islands that the United States used to block China during the Cold War era, said Lin, who served five terms as a lawmaker and a member of the legislative Foreign and National Defense Committee.

He said the missions were also strategical training for Chinese military pilots, familiarizing them with the areas off eastern Taiwan, testing their ability to respond to Taiwan's air force, and allowing them to collect intelligence.

China wants to let Taiwan know that its so-called "safe base" on the east coast is now not so safe, Lin said.

He said that if China ever launches an attack on Taiwan, it will be a full-scale military operation.

Expressing similar views, Shih Hsiao-wei (), the host of the Taiwan-based Military and Aviation News website, told the press that the Chinese air force's recent actions were an indication that the PLA is now capable of launching long-distance strikes on eastern Taiwan.

The recent missions were also meant to send a warning signal to Washington, after the U.S. Senate passed a national defense authorization bill on Dec. 8 to allow high-level Pentagon officials to visit Taiwan, Shih said.

(By Chen Chun-hua, Claudia Liu and Elizabeth Hsu)

Enditem/pc

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Trump Questions Whether US Should Continue 'One China' Policy

By Ken Bredemeier December 11, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump questioned Sunday whether the United States should continue its "one China" policy that includes its Taiwan province, unless Beijing offers concessions on trade and other issues.

"I don't want China dictating to me," Trump said in a wide-ranging interview on Fox News. He defended his recent phone conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the first contact between a Taiwan leader and a U.S. president or president-elect since 1979, when the United States acknowledged that Taiwan was part of a unified China.

"I don't know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump said.

South China Sea

The president-elect criticized China over its currency policies, its military build-up in the South China Sea and its failure to block neighboring North Korea from conducting nuclear arms tests.

"We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all."

Trump's statement miscast Chinese and U.S. tariffs on exported products entering each country. China imposes levies ranging from five to 9.7 percent on U.S. goods, while the United States collects 2.5 to 2.9 percent tariffs.

Call to Taiwan leader

Trump said it would have been disrespectful to not take the call from the Taiwan leader congratulating him on his election, saying he had a couple hours notice that the call was coming, not weeks or longer as some U.S. media reports have indicated.

"It was a very nice call, short," Trump said. "And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?"

China criticized Trump's acceptance of the call, but had no immediate reaction to his comments in the interview. After Trump's phone conversation with the Taiwan leader, senior White House officials assured Chinese officials that the United States' "one China" policy remained intact.

Intelligence briefings

During the interview, Trump also said he does not need to receive a presidential intelligence briefing every day because he said they are repetitive from day to day.

"You know, I'm, like, a smart person," Trump said. "I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years. Could be eight years, but eight years I don't need that. But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'"

He said that when he becomes president on January 20, his eldest children and his Trump company executives would run his global business empire and he would have nothing to do with its management. But he stopped short of saying he would divest his holdings, as ethics critics have said he needs to do in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest with the decisions he makes as the U.S. leader.

Trump is planning to make a statement Thursday on the details of how he will separate himself from the Trump Organization when he assumes power.

He said he is "open-minded" on environmental issues and whether the United States should remain supportive of the worldwide agreement reached in Paris for controlling greenhouse gas emissions that scientists have concluded are leading to dangerous global climate changes.

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China: 'Serious Concern' About Trump's Taiwan Comments

By VOA News December 12, 2016

China said Monday it has "serious concern" about comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump questioning whether the United States should continue its "one China" policy unless the Chinese government offers trade concessions.

In the 1979 U.S.-China Joint Communique, the U.S. recognized Beijing as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the policy, which acknowledges Taiwan is part of China, is the foundation of U.S.-China relations and urged the Trump administration to "understand the seriousness" of the issue.

The state-controlled Global Times further said Trump is "naive" to think he can use Taiwan policy for leverage in economic negotiations and that he "needs to learn to handle foreign affairs modestly."

It also suggested that if Trump supports Taiwan independence or weapons sales then China "would have no grounds to partner with Washington on international affairs" and could offer military and other support to U.S. opponents.

Defends Taiwan call

During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Trump defended his recent phone conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the first contact between a Taiwan leader and a U.S. president or president-elect since 1979, when the United States acknowledged that Taiwan was part of a unified China.

He also said he does not want China telling him what to do.

"I don't know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump said.

The president-elect criticized China over its currency policies, its military build-up in the South China Sea and its failure to block neighboring North Korea from conducting nuclear arms tests.

"We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump said. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all."

Trump's statement miscast Chinese and U.S. tariffs on exported products entering each country. China imposes levies ranging from five to 9.7 percent on U.S. goods, while the United States collects 2.5 to 2.9 percent tariffs.

Trump said it would have been disrespectful to not take the call from the Taiwan leader congratulating him on his election, saying he had a couple hours notice that the call was coming, not weeks or longer as some U.S. media reports have indicated.

"It was a very nice call, short," Trump said."And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?"

China criticized Trump's acceptance of the call, but had no immediate reaction to his comments in the interview. After Trump's phone conversation with the Taiwan leader, senior White House officials assured Chinese officials that Washington's "one China" policy remained intact.

Doesn't need daily intelligence briefings

During the interview, Trump also said he does not need to receive a presidential intelligence briefing every day because he said they are repetitive from day to day.

"You know, I'm, like, a smart person," Trump said. "I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years. Could be eight years, but eight years I don't need that.But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'"

He said that when he becomes president on January 20, his eldest children and his Trump company executives would run his global business empire and he would have nothing to do with its management. But he stopped short of saying he would divest his holdings, as ethics critics have said he needs to do in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest with the decisions he makes as the U.S. leader.

Trump is planning to make a statement Thursday on the details of how he will separate himself from the Trump Organization when he assumes power.

He said he is "open-minded" on environmental issues and whether the United States should remain supportive of the worldwide agreement reached in Paris for controlling greenhouse gas emissions that scientists have concluded are leading to dangerous global climate changes.

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Turkish Authorities Suspect PKK Behind Istanbul Attack

Sputnik News

11:11 11.12.2016(updated 14:13 11.12.2016)

The Turkish authorities have reasons to believe that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants could have been behind the attack that shook Istanbul overnight, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Sunday.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  At least 29 people, including 27 police officers, died as result of the twin blasts in Istanbul, while 166 people were injured.

"It is not yet certain, but there are reasons to suspect the PKK," Kurtulmus said, as broadcast by the CNN Turk television channel.

He added that 300-400 kilograms (661-881 pounds) of explosives were used in the attack.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan postponed to a later date his visit to Kazakhstan in connection with the attack in Istanbul.

The NTV channel reportedly obtained the information from a source in the administration of the Turkish leader.

The visit to Kazakhstan was planned for December 11-12 at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The two leaders were expected to discuss bilateral relations, topical issues of the international agenda and the preparations for the third meeting of the strategic cooperation council between the two countries, set to be held in Turkey next year.

 Sputnik

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Kiev says 3 troops killed in eastern Ukraine clashes

Iran Press TV

Sun Dec 11, 2016 1:35PM

Kiev says fresh clashes between its soldiers and pro-Russia fighters have left three Ukrainian soldiers dead and two wounded in Ukraine's east.

"Over the past 24 hours three Ukrainian soldiers were killed in combat," Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said on Sunday.

"It happened as a result of an enemy mortar attack near Krasnogorivka," he said, warning about a "sharp increase" in tensions in the conflict zone.

Russian-speaking people in eastern Ukraine have witnessed deadly clashes between pro-Russia forces and Ukrainian army ever since Kiev launched military operations in April 2014 to crush protesters calling for greater autonomy in the region.

The United States and its allies in Europe accuse Moscow of having a hand in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, a claim Moscow denies.

International mediators, namely Russia, France, Germany and Belarus, have tried to persuade the two sides of the conflict to remain committed to a peace agreement between the conflicting sides. However, the peace process is stagnant and deadly clashes between Ukraine's troops and pro-Moscow forces are a frequent occurrence.

The autonomy-seeking regions of Donetsk and Lugansk blame Kiev for stalling the peace process.

The conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead and over 21,000 others injured, according to the United Nations.

A peacekeeping observatory force from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been deployed to the conflict zone to monitor the front line and record any ceasefire violations.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 12, 2016) - Cruz Capital Corp. (TSXV: CUZ) (OTC Pink: BKTPF) (FSE: A2AG5M) is pleased to announce that the company has increased its cobalt property holdings on its Coleman Cobalt Prospect, which is now comprising of approximately 900 contiguous acres. The Coleman Cobalt Prospect is 1 of 4 cobalt prospects in Ontario currently held by Cruz to go along with 3 in British Columbia and 1 in Idaho.

The Coleman Cobalt Prospect is located in the Larder Lake mining division of Ontario. According to the Province of Ontario mineral file MDl31M05N00197, the property returned grades of up to 13% cobalt and appear to be an extension of the Tretheway veins. We look forward to commencing operations on this prospect to evaluate and follow up on the historic data gathered.

Cruz President, James Nelson, stated, "We continue to expand our cobalt assets at a time when cobalt prices continue to move to year highs. Cruz has been able to acquire, what we feel is one of the best collections of cobalt prospects in North America. Cruz's 4 separate Ontario cobalt prospects, according to government mineral files, returned cobalt grades of 13% on the 900 acre Coleman Cobalt Prospect and 10.5% cobalt on the 900 acre Johnson Cobalt Prospect. The 5500 acre Hector Cobalt Prospect was a past producing cobalt mine and the 1480 acre Bucke Cobalt Prospect returned cobalt grades of 13%. Our War Eagle Cobalt Prospect in British Columbia covers a past producing mine as well and returned assays of 6.5% Cobalt. Based on these projects, management feels that Cruz has amassed a quality portfolio of Cobalt assets that have some of the highest historic cobalt grades in North America, which sets Cruz apart from most cobalt companies in the junior space. We feel that 2017 will be a break out year for cobalt prices and Cruz is well positioned to take full advantage of this. We plan to commence full operations on all of these projects with our goal to make Cruz the "go-to" North American Cobalt project generator and developer. 2017 will be an extremely active year for Cruz and management is optimistic about what will be discovered by Cruz on our cobalt properties."

Cruz is actively engaged in acquiring and developing high grade Cobalt projects in politically stable, environmentally responsible and ethical mining jurisdictions. Cruz has already acquired several high-grade cobalt projects across North America. Seven cobalt projects are located in Canada and one in Idaho. The goal of the company is to make Cruz the foremost cobalt project generator and developer on the TSX Venture Exchange. Management feels that cobalt is at the early stages of a significant bull market and we are pleased to be positioning Cruz at the forefront of this cycle. This new property was acquired via staking.

The technical contents of this release were approved by Greg Thomson, PGeo, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The property has not been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 report. All the data referenced in this release was taken directly from historic government mineral files and remains to be confirmed.

If you would like to be added to Cruz's email list please send an email to info@cruzcapitalcorp.com or twitter @CruzCapitalCorp

James Nelson

President

604.899.9150

Toll free 1.885.599.9150

www.cruzcapitalcorp.com

twitter @CruzCapitalCorp
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - December 12, 2016) - East Africa Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: EAM) ("East Africa" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its previously announced financing (see news release, November 2, 2016).

East Africa has received confirmation from Shandong Tyan Home Co. Ltd. ("STH") that it has completed legal, financial and technical due diligence, and that the subscription agreement to acquire 20M Units of East Africa has been executed.

The financing terms include:

STH to acquire 20 Million Units of East Africa at a price of $0.26 per Unit for gross proceeds of $5.2 Million;

Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant with an exercise price of $0.45;

STH also agreed to provide or identify a partner or lender to provide a US$10 Million Line of Credit to support the development of the Terakimti Oxide Gold Project, which is non-binding on STH;

Closing of the private placement is conditional on receiving TSX Venture Exchange approval, receipt of funds and issuance of securities.

Use of Proceeds

Once closing of the financing is complete, funds will be used for ongoing exploration and development of East Africa's Adyabo and Harvest projects located in the Tigray region of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and general working capital.

About Shandong Tyan Home Co. Ltd.

STH is a Chinese listed public company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, with an integrated business range including real estate, mining, finance and venture capital investment. The market capitalization of STH is 12.1B (US$1.6B). Gold is one of the key business sectors of STH, and STH recently acquired an Australian gold company, Minjar Gold Pty. Ltd., in 2014, which is mainly engaged in prospecting, mining and processing of gold.

About East Africa

The Company's principal assets and interests include both the 70% owned Harvest polymetallic VMS exploration Project, which hosts the Terakimti Deposit and which covers approximately 86 square kilometres in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, 600 kilometres north northwest of the capital city of Addis Ababa, and the Adyabo Project, hosting the Mato Bula trend Adyabo Resource, covering 225 square kilometres immediately west of the Harvest Project. The Company owns 100% of the Adyabo Project, subject to a 2% NSR. East Africa now has mineral resources defined at both projects in Ethiopia and plans to continue to test priority targets. Additionally, the Company owns the 93 square kilometre Handeni Property located in north-eastern Tanzania. Handeni includes the Magambazi Project, a gold deposit discovered in 2009. East Africa has entered into a definitive agreement with an arm's length private exploration and development company to advance the project.

More information on the Company can be viewed at the Company's website: www.eastafricametals.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo., CEO

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "project", "budget", "schedule", "may", "will", "could", "might", "should" or variations of such words or similar words or expressions. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by East Africa as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of East Africa to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: early exploration; the closing of the agreement with the exploration and development company to advance the Magambazi Project or identify any other corporate opportunities for the Company; mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of East Africa's projections and estimates, including the initial mineral resource for the Adyabo, Harvest and Magambazi Projects; estimated exploration licence extensions, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; foreign taxation risks; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; the speculative nature of strategic metal exploration and development including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves; contests over title to properties; and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, as well as those risk factors set out in East Africa's management's discussion and analysis for the year end December 31, 2015, management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and East Africa's listing application dated July 8, 2013. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the successful integration of Tigray Resources Inc.'s business with the Company; the price of gold, silver, copper and zinc; the demand for gold, silver, copper and zinc; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, the renewal or extension of exploration licences, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although East Africa has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. The Company does not update or revise forward looking information even if new information becomes available unless legislation requires the Company do so. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 12, 2016) - Dalradian Resources Inc. (TSX:DNA)(AIM:DALR) ("Dalradian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the independent Feasibility Study ("FS") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") for its 100% owned Curraghinalt Gold Project ("Curraghinalt" or the "Project") in Northern Ireland. Unless otherwise stated, all dollar amounts are quoted in U.S. dollars ("$").

Patrick F.N. Anderson, Dalradian's President and CEO, commented:

"The Feasibility Study outlines a project with high expected profitability and returns and demonstrates the strong economic case for advancing Curraghinalt to development. One of the project's main competitive strengths is the high reserve grade, which would place it in the top 10% of gold mines world-wide1. What is also very encouraging is that there are multiple opportunities to enhance the economics and extend the project life.

We are particularly pleased that our test-mining showed the viability of mechanized underground mining methods for this deposit and returned consistently higher grades than those predicted by the resource model. The FS sensitivities demonstrate considerable potential for grade upside, such that a 20% grade improvement increases after-tax NPV by 64% and after-tax IRR by 39%."

We aim to build Europe's leading gold mine using best-in-class mining, processing and environmental standards, while facilitating economic development in Northern Ireland with the creation of at least 350 permanent jobs during operations. We recently held community consultation events on the proposed mine, with more than 270 people in attendance. We are addressing community consultation feedback and incorporating it into our plans wherever possible."

1 Source: Canaccord Genuity analysis of the 2015 operating results of 232 gold mines worldwide

Feasibility Study Highlights

Net Present Value ("NPV") of $301 million (CDN$402 million) after tax (at a 5% discount rate) and

Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 24.4% after tax, at an assumed gold price of $1,250/ounce

Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 24.4% after tax, at an assumed gold price of $1,250/ounce Proven & Probable Mineral Reserves of 1.44 million ounces of gold and 0.66 million ounces of silver (5.24 million tonnes at 8.54 g/t Au and 3.9 g/t Ag), a subset of the Measured and Indicated Resources of 2.10 million ounces of gold (5.61 million tonnes at 11.61 g/t Au). The FS excludes Inferred Resources of 2.31 million ounces of gold (7.13 million tonnes at 10.06 g/t Au)

Life of mine ("LOM") production of approximately 1.36 million ounces of gold and 0.38 million ounces of silver over an initial 10.5 year mine life using an average overall gold recovery of 94.3%

Average annual gold production of 130,000 ounces in first 10 years with an average LOM total cash cost of $556/oz and a LOM all-in sustaining cash cost ("AISC") of $674/oz

Estimated initial capital cost, including contingency, of $192.0 million with payback of 4.0 years, and LOM sustaining capital costs of $165.1 million

At year five, production increases above 150,000 oz/yr, with peak production achieved in year 7, at 170,000 ounces. There is potential to maintain this higher rate of production beyond year 7 with conversion of existing Inferred Mineral Resources

Curraghinalt will be operated using automation, mechanized underground mining methods and best-in-class processing. The dry stack tailings from the process will not have not come into contact with cyanide.

Creation of several hundred new jobs: during the 18-24 month construction period, direct employment is estimated to be at least 300; once the mine is in operation, it is expected to employ at least 350 people in permanent positions

Project Enhancement Opportunities

There are numerous opportunities to further enhance Curraghinalt project economics including:

Enhancement of the deposit grade via tighter drill spacing and detailed definition of high grade ore shoots within mineralized zones (see Figures 1 and 2, all figures referenced in this news release can be accessed at http://www.dalradian.com/news-and-events/news-releases/news-releases-details/December-12-2016-News-Release-Figures)

Mine life extension from (i) conversion of Inferred Resources to Measured and Indicated Resources and then into reserves with infill drilling and (ii) overall resource and reserve growth from step-out drilling along strike and at depth combined with exploring the potential for new veins parallel to the those already defined

Reduction of operating costs with additional geotechnical programs to maximize long-hole mining methods

Ore sorting technology to increase the grade and reduce the tonnage of material entering the processing plant. Test work is currently underway and shows positive preliminary results, with final results expected in H1 2017.

The FS was prepared under the direction of JDS Energy & Mining Inc. ("JDS"), an international engineering firm with extensive experience in both the construction and operation of mining projects. The study was supported by SRK Consulting, and is being summarized into a Technical Report (the "Dalradian Technical Report") to be filed on SEDAR in accordance with NI 43-101. The FS confirms that the Project is expected to support an economically viable and robust, high grade underground gold mine.

Table 1 - NPV and IRR pre-tax and after-tax

Pre-Tax After-Tax Net Present Value @ 5% discount rate (NPV 5 ) $371.7 M $301.3 M Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 27.8% 24.4% Payback (Years) 3.6 4.0 Note: All figures are reported on a 100% equity project basis valuation. Capital payback is calculated based on start of production.

Table 2 - Cash flow over the initial three years of production and LOM

$M Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 LOM Total Revenue (Au & Ag) 120.2 164.2 172.9 1,700.5 Total Operating Costs 58.8 64.8 65.2 647.3 Transportation, Royalties & Refining 7.6 10.3 10.8 106.9 Operating Margin 53.9 89.1 96.8 946.4 Capital Costs 41.7 19.9 17.0 357.1 Working Capital 0.6 0.6 (0.4) - Corporate Taxes 0.7 7.6 9.7 96.7 Undiscounted After tax Cash Flow 10.9 61.1 70.4 492.6 Note: the cash flow is based on assumed prices of $1,250/ounce for gold and $17/ounce for silver and exchange rates of $1.20 USD:GBP and $0.75 USD:CAD

Gold Price Sensitivity

The Project sensitivity analysis shows that a $100/oz variation from the base case gold price had the following impact on the Project after tax economics, with silver held at $17/oz.

Table 3 - Gold price sensitivity

$1,150/oz Base Case $1,250/oz $1,350/oz NPV 5 ($M) 224.6 301.1 378.0 IRR (%) 20.1 24.4 28.4 Payback (Years) 4.5 4.0 3.4

Grade Sensitivity

The Project sensitivity analysis indicated that variations from the base case gold grade had the following impact on the Project after tax economics, with silver held at $17/oz.

Table 4 - Grade sensitivity

-20% -15% -10% -5% Base Case

8.54 g/t +5% +10% +15% +20% NPV 5 ($M) 108 157 206 253 301.1 349 397 445 493 IRR (%) 13% 16% 19% 22% 24.4 27% 29% 32% 34% Payback (Years) 5.6 5.1 4.6 4.3 4.0 3.6 3.3 3.1 2.9

Combined results from three test stopes completed in 2016 demonstrated a 50%-plus improvement in gold ounces recovered compared to the resource model on the V-75 vein (see news releases of September 14, 2016 and December 8, 2016 for details). This is a direct result of a higher than expected grade in those areas. At a broader scale, the resource table below shows that tighter drill spacing results in higher grade with gold grades increasing from 10.1 g/t in Inferred, to 11.5 g/t in Indicated to 27.0 g/t in Measured.

Economic Benefits to Northern Ireland

The FS confirms that development of Curraghinalt is expected to provide substantial economic benefits to Northern Ireland at the local, county and national levels, including:

During the 18-24 month construction period the project is expected to generate direct employment of at least 300 people

When the mine is in operation, it is projected to directly employ at least 350 people in permanent positions, excluding any contractors and support staff

It is estimated that the mine will pay annual wages of approximately $26 million (21 million) to direct employees

We believe the project will also generate several hundred indirect jobs with suppliers of products and services to support mine operations

Based on a gold price of $1,250 per ounce, the Project is anticipated to generate average payments annually to the Government totalling approximately $21 million (18 million) in the form of income tax, corporate tax and national insurance contributions

Training and skills development aimed at maximizing local employment at the project

Expected improvement of local and regional infrastructure

Continuation and increase of existing community investment programs, small business development and support of cultural development

Note that according to regulations a feasibility study is only permitted to incorporate Measured and Indicated resources in its calculations. Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources represent less than 50% of total Mineral Resource ounces identified to date at the deposit. However, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA") and Planning Application will take into consideration the Inferred Mineral Resource with a view to permitting a mine with a life of greater than 20 years.

FEASIBILITY STUDY DETAILS

Mineral Resources

The Curraghinalt gold deposit is an orogenic gold system consisting of a series of moderately to steeply dipping, structurally controlled, high-grade gold bearing quartz-carbonate veins. The deposit remains open in all directions. The Mineral Resource estimate incorporates information from 175 infill drill holes (51,215 metres) and underground samples from new and existing drifts along the T17, Sheep Dip, 106-16, V-75, Slap Shot and No. 1 Vein Zones. The Measured Mineral Resources are higher grade than the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources.

The current Mineral Resource estimate consists of 2.1 million ounces of contained gold in the Measured and Indicated categories (5.61 million tonnes at 11.61 g/t) and 2.3 million ounces of contained gold in the Inferred category (7.13 million tonnes at 10.06 g/t gold).

Table 5 - Mineral Resources, inclusive of Mineral Reserves (as set forth in Table 6 below) as at May 5, 2016

Mineral Resource Statement, Curraghinalt Gold Project, Northern Ireland SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., May 5, 2016

Resource Category

(Cut-off Grade of 5.0 g/t)

Million

Tonnes Contained

Grade

(g/t Au)

Gold

(ounces) Measured 0.03 26.99 25,000 Indicated 5.58 11.53 2,069,000 Measured + Indicated 5.61 11.61 2,094,000 Inferred 7.13 10.06 2,306,000

Notes: 1. Mineral Resource Statement prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. in accordance with NI 43-101 with an effective date of May 5, 2016 and the corresponding NI 43-101 technical report was filed on SEDAR. 2. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have no demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Mineral Resources have been classified according to the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014). 3. All figures have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. 4. The Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t gold, based on a gold price of $1,200 per ounce and 95% gold recovery.

Mineral Reserves and Mining

The estimated Mineral Reserves, presented by reserve class, are shown in the following table. The overall diluted gold grade of the mineralized material going to the mill is estimated at 8.54 g/t.

Table 6 - Probable Mineral Reserves as at December 12, 2016

Diluted

Tonnes Au

Grade Au

Ounces Ag

Grade Ag

Ounces Category (t) (g/t) (oz) (g/t) (oz) Proven 28,000 18.93 17,000 10.0 9,000 Probable 5,211,000 8.48 1,421,000 3.9 655,000 TOTAL 5,239,000 8.54 1,438,000 3.9 664,000

Notes:

The Qualified Person for the Mineral Reserve estimate is Michael Makarenko, P. Eng., of JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Mineral Reserves have an effective date of December 12, 2016. All Mineral Reserves in this table are Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Reserves are not in addition to the Mineral Resources, but are a subset thereof. Mineral Reserves were estimated using a $1,200/oz gold price and gold cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t. Other costs and factors used for gold cut-off grade determination were mining, process and other costs of $165/t, transport and treatment charges of $6.00/oz Au. A royalty of $71.50/oz Au and a gold metallurgical recovery of 94% were assumed. Silver was not used in the estimation of cut-off grades but is recovered and contributes to the revenue stream. Tonnages are rounded to the nearest 1,000 t, gold grades are rounded to two decimal places, and silver grades are rounded to one decimal place. Tonnage and grade measurements are in metric units; contained gold and silver are reported as thousands of troy ounces. Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in summation differences.

The Curraghinalt deposit is expected to be accessed by the existing exploration adit and a new ramp to be developed adjacent to the proposed plant site. This new ramp will serve as the primary access to the mine for personnel, materials and haulage of mineralized material to the plant site. Annual ore production of up to 511,000 tonnes (1,400 tonnes per day) is planned from a combination of primary longitudinal long-hole retreat, with some cut & fill mining methods and development along the veins. Sub-levels are set at 18 metre intervals (floor to floor) with primary cross cuts spaced approximately 200 metres apart to access the 16 mineralized veins in the deposit. The recent test stoping program at Curraghinalt successfully demonstrated the long-hole mining method at vein dips ranging between 55-75 degrees with good control on dilution. In zones of more challenging ground conditions or shallow dip, methods including cut & fill and uppers retreat will be used.

Processing

Curraghinalt mineralization is expected to be processed using a crush, grind, flotation and leach flowsheet to recover gold and silver into dore. Extensive metallurgical test work has shown overall gold and silver recoveries of 94.3% and 57.9% can be expected over the LOM using a coarse primary grind size of approximately 80% passing 240 microns. Gold in sulphide is concentrated in the flotation process with an average mass pull of 11.2% with over 97% of the gold recovered. After re-grinding the concentrate to approximately 80% passing 50 microns, the leaching circuit recovers approximately 96% of the gold after 48 hours of retention time. The process plant uses the industry standard S0 2 /air treatment process to destroy the cyanide and directs the tailings to the paste backfill plant to be stored in the underground mine. Tailings from the flotation circuit, which will not have come into contact with cyanide, are expected to be filtered and placed as dry stack material in the mine waste storage facility and also used to complete the underground paste backfill requirement. Throughout the process, water is expected to be recycled and returned back to the process plant to minimize the impact on the environment. The water treatment plant includes reverse osmosis.

Capital & Operating Costs

The initial capital cost is estimated to be $192.0 million. This capital cost was estimated under the assumption that any expenditures by the Company prior to the start of construction are a sunk cost and are not included the estimate shown in Table 7. The sustaining capital is estimated to be $165.1 million including reclamation and closure costs.

Table 7 - Capital Cost Summary

CAPEX Pre-Production Sustaining LOM $M $M $M Mining incl. Paste Plant 45.9 142.6 188.5 Site Development 8.7 2.0 10.7 Crushing & Handling 6.5 1.4 7.9 Mineral Processing Plant 36.9 4.1 41.0 On-Site Infrastructure 28.9 - 28.9 Off-Site Infrastructure 4.9 - 4.9 Tailings Management 1.4 2.6 4.0 Indirect Costs 20.4 2.2 22.6 Owners Costs 13.2 - 13.2 Closure Assurance 7.5 (7.5) - Closure Net of Salvage - 11.4 11.4 Contingency 17.6 6.4 24.0 Total 192.0 165.1 357.1

The LOM operating cost estimate is $143.94 per tonne of mineralized material. The operating costs were estimated based on process design criteria, equipment lease rates (if applicable), labour, reagents, power, fuel, explosives, maintenance and other miscellaneous costs. All costs are in Q4 2016 dollars and noted in Table 8 below.

Table 8 - LOM Operating Cost by Area

OPEX LOM Unit Cost $M $/tonne $/ payable Au oz Mining 442 84.44 326.43 Processing 146 27.83 107.60 General & Admin 59 11.27 43.57 Subtotal - On-Site OPEX 647 123.54 477.60 Refinement/Transport 5 0.93 3.60 Royalties 102 19.46 75.24 Subtotal - Off-Site OPEX 107 20.39 78.84 All-in OPEX 754 143.94 556.44

Note: all cash cost information is net of silver by-product credits of $4.77/oz.

Infrastructure

The Curraghinalt project has the advantage of being located approximately 100 km west of the City of Belfast and approximately 60 km south of Derry/Londonderry, both of which have port facilities. The proposed site is in a natural hollow surrounded by mature trees and near to the communities of Greencastle, Rouskey, Gortin and Omagh. The site is accessible by major highways with grid power and other services close by.

The power requirements are expected to be met by an extension to the regional high voltage transmission network. A single circuit 33 kV dedicated transmission line, 40 km long, will be built to feed the Project.

Next Steps

Continuing stakeholder engagement

ESIA completion

Planning application submission

Ore sorting test program results

Additional infill and geotechnical evaluation of deposit

Drilling program to potentially increase the Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources

Basic and detailed engineering

Technical Information

The Dalradian Technical Report summarizing the results of the FS is being prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release. The Qualified Persons (QPs) for the Dalradian Technical Report include:

JDS Energy & Mining: Garett Macdonald, P. Eng.; Michael Makarenko, P. Eng.; Stacy Freudigmann, P. Eng.; Indi Gopinathan, P. Eng.

SRK Consulting (UK): Jane Joughin, M. Sc., PrSciNat; Robert Bowell, Ph. D., C. Chem., C. Geol., E. Geol.; William Harding, M. Sc.

SRK Consulting (Canada): Cam Scott, P. Eng.; Bruce Murphy, P. Eng.

WSP Canada: Annie Lavoie, P. Eng.; Jean-Philippe Grenier, P. Eng.

In this news release, the QP for the Mineral Resource estimate is Dr. Jean-Francois Couture, P. Geo. (APGO#0197) and Dr. Oy Leuangthong, P. Eng, (PEO#90563867), both of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., and the QP for the Mineral Reserve estimate Michael Makarenko, P. Eng., of JDS.

Other than as set forth above, all scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Eric Tremblay, P. Eng., a mining engineer and the Company's COO, who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

For information on the Project, including the Mineral Resource estimate set forth above, please see the technical report filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, entitled, "Technical Report for the Northern Ireland Gold Project, Northern Ireland", dated June 17, 2016 and prepared by Dr. Jean-Francois Couture, PGeo (APGO#0197) and Dr. Oy Leuangthong, PEng (PEO#90563867), both of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and Stacy Freudigmann, PEng (APEGBC #33972) of JDS Energy & Mining Inc. (the "2016 Technical Report").

For information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters and risks associated with the results of the FS for the Project, the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates included therein and other technical information, please refer to the Dalradian Technical Report to be filed on SEDAR within the next 45 days.

Feasibility Study Conference Call

A conference call will be held on December 12, 2016 at 11:00am EST or 4:00pm GMT to discuss the Feasibility Study. Please call in 10 minutes before the conference call starts and stay on the line (an operator will be available to assist you).

Dial-In Numbers: Toll-Free North America: 1 (877) 481-4446 Toll-Free United Kingdom: +0 800 051-7107 International: +1 (647) 427-2479 Conference ID: 36057893

To view the live webcast presentation, please log on using this direct link:

http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/xcwhn3qe

The presentation slideshow will also be available in PDF format for download from the Dalradian website

http://www.dalradian.com/news-and-events/events-and-webcasts/event-details/2016/Feasibility-Study-Conference-Call-and-Webcast before the conference call.

About Dalradian Resources Inc.

Dalradian Resources Inc. is a gold exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its high-grade Curraghinalt Gold Project located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The Company is completing a work program in support of a planning (permitting) application for construction of an operating mine at Curraghinalt. Completed components of the program include a feasibility study and underground exploration (960 metres of development with associated test stoping). An environmental and social impact assessment, which is nearing completion, will also form part of the planning application.

In May 2016, Dalradian announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for Curraghinalt, including a 109% increase in gold ounces contained in the Measured and Indicated categories compared with the 2014 resource. The current Mineral Resource consists of 2.1 million ounces of contained gold in the Measured and Indicated categories (5.61 million tonnes at 11.61 g/t) and 2.3 million ounces of contained gold in the Inferred category (7.13 million tonnes at 10.06 g/t gold). For further information, see the 2016 Technical Report.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and its mineral project, the future price of metals, test work and confirming results from work performed to date, the estimation of Mineral Resources and Reserves (including potential increases in estimates and conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources), expected processing methods and estimated recoveries, the realization of Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, timing of the proposed ESIA, limitations of insurance coverage, the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters and the realization of the expected economics of the Curraghinalt gold deposit. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are based on various assumptions such as the continued political stability in Northern Ireland, that permits required for Dalradian's operations will be obtained on a timely basis in order to permit Dalradian to proceed on schedule with its planned exploration and development programs, that skilled personnel and contractors will be available as Dalradian's operations continue to grow, that the price of gold will be at levels that render Dalradian's mineral project economic, that the Company will be able to continue raising the necessary capital to finance its operations and realize on Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates and current mine plans, that the assumptions contained in each of the Dalradian Technical Report and the 2016 Technical Report are accurate and complete, that the results of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment will be positive and delivered in accordance with the currently anticipated timetable and that a permitting application for mine construction will be approved.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Dalradian to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; the actual results of reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - December 12, 2016) - Canada Rare Earth Corp. ("Canada Rare Earth" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: LL) is pleased to announce the signing of a significant agreement with Yongzhou Xiangjiang Rare Earth Resource Co. ("Xiangjiang Rare Earth" or the "Refinery") which is fully licensed by Chinese environmental law to import and process rare earth monazite concentrate. Pursuant to the mutually beneficial agreement, Canada Rare Earth has the opportunity to become the primary international supplier of monazite concentrate to the Refinery.

Our senior management team visited the Refinery in China on multiple occasions to conduct due diligence. During the investigations we confirmed that the Refinery has been fully operational for over fifteen years during which time it has consistently been highly regarded for its ability to process monazite concentrate and separate the concentrate into the complete spectrum of rare earth elements. All environmental standards established by Chinese law and international standards have continuously been met or exceeded. The Refinery is a technically advanced and automated facility that benefits from numerous patents and sizeable investments in environmental systems, controls and testing mechanisms.

The arrangement provides Xiangjiang Rare Earth with solid international sourcing of monazite through a close ally and provides Canada Rare Earth with direct access to the largest market involving rare earth products via a strategic partner. Under the terms of the agreement, Canada Rare Earth will represent the Refinery for all purchases of rare earth monazite concentrate from third party sources outside of China for an initial period of 5 years with the option to extend for additional terms so long as both parties are satisfied with the commercial and operational benefits of the arrangement. In the event Canada Rare Earth is unable to source monazite on commercially acceptable terms there will be no breach of underling terms of the agreement or the occurrence of legal or financial obligations.

Peter Shearing, the Chief Operating Officer of Canada Rare Earth noted, "We are developing a dependable base of multiple sources of rare earth concentrate supply including the recently announced multi-year purchase agreement in South America. This and other sources are intended to generate trading profits in the near, medium and longer term as well as providing consistent, reliable sources of concentrate for the refineries we are in the process of permitting, planning or building."

On behalf of the Board

Tracy A. Moore, CEO and Peter Shearing, COO

ABOUT CANADA RARE EARTH CORP.

Canada Rare Earth is developing an international integrated business within the global rare earth industry. Our key focus is to generate revenues and positive cash flow from a variety of profit centres in the rare earth production and sales chain by sourcing, adding value and selling rare earths in all stages and forms. We are in the process of establishing our own mining, concentrating and refinery capabilities in addition to working with affiliated and third party organizations.

"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 release." The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

For more information on the Company, interested parties should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Richmond Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: RMD) ("Richmond" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update for exploration work at the Company's Ridley Lake Gold Project located in the west central area of the Swayze Greenstone belt approximately 35 kilometres east of Goldcorp's Borden Gold Project.

In November 2016 the Company completed a Spectral Induced Polarization (IP)/Resistivity survey to expand to depth the earlier IP survey completed in July 2015 on Richmond's 100% owned Aguara East claims. As reported in July 2015, IP and Magnetic surveys were successful in identifying a well-defined IP anomaly characterized by high chargeability and resistivity and a prominent coincidental magnetic anomaly (the "Aguara East anomaly"), having a northeast orientation and a strike length in excess of 825 meters.

Modelling of the data obtained from the July 2015 and November 2016 combined surveys has identified multiple targets at vertical depths down to the latest IP survey limit of approximately 200 meters. These deeper model targets are observed below Phase II drill holes RS-16-20 (which returned an intersection of 1.26 grams per ton gold over 33 meters including 4.11 grams per ton gold over 7 meters) and RS-16-22 and may indicate stronger pyrite mineralization (and possibly gold mineralization) with increasing depth in this area of the Aguara East Anomaly. On Section 0, a very strong chargeability zone was identified beneath Phase I drill holes RS-16-14 and 15 that appears to extend beneath the IP survey's maximum penetration depth of 200 meters. In addition, a deep strong chargeability anomaly is also observed in the model along Section 3+75 meters east. It was also noted that Phase II drill holes RS-16-23 and 24 were drilled along the edge of these new deeper targets. Consequently a Phase III round of drilling with holes collared at 2+00 meters north is warranted.

Warren Hawkins, P.Eng, a "Qualified Person", within the meaning of Nation Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Hawkins is not considered to be "independent" of the Corporation (as defined in National Instrument 43-101), as he currently holds securities of the Corporation.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosure in this release constitutes forward-looking statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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.

On Behalf of Richmond Minerals,

Franz Kozich

President

SOURCE Richmond Minerals Inc.
The Great Recession was uniquely devastating for states and localities because it hit all three major tax revenue sources: income, sales and property. It was a scenario that few, if any governments, were really prepared to absorb. As a result, governments were forced to make massive budget cuts.Now, as the recovery trudges on longer than most, a growing number of states are making sure they arent blindsided by the next downturn.Enter stress testing. The idea, which was borrowed from the U.S. Federal Reserve, essentially throws different economic scenarios at a state budget to see how revenues would be impacted.Were in an environment where everyone is starting to think about the next downturn and what thats going to look like, said Emily Raimes, a Moodys Investors Service analyst. A stress test is a tool for states to think about what types of programs they should commit to and how much to save now.Credit rating agencies, in fact, are among the practices biggest fans. Earlier this year, Moodys stress-tested budgets of the 20 most populous states and found that Missouri, Texas and Washington are in the best position to handle a recession because of their strong reserves, spending flexibility and lower revenue volatility. (Low revenue volatility means a state's income doesn't change too drastically from one year to the next. In other words, it's more predictable.)California and Illinois, however, found themselves at the other end of the spectrum in Moody's stress test. California is endangered by its high revenue volatility and lower reserves, according to the report. And Illinois is vulnerable because of its extremely low reserves and inflexible governance.S&P Global Ratings also stress-tests state budgets. In August, the agency performed a stress test on the top 10 borrowing states' fiscal 2017 budgets. The scenario focused on what would happen if global economies like the United Kingdom or China slowed down more than anticipated.The results -- some of which overlap with Moody's -- show that Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are most likely to feel significant fiscal stress, while Florida, New York and Washington are best positioned for a downturn.A few states are forging the way with their own stress-testing systems, while even more are looking into the idea.Utah has the most robust practice, and it's something credit rating agencies have held up as an example.Last year, the state tested its budgets against a moderate and severe recession -- think 2001 versus 2008. The results told policymakers that Utah has enough in reserves to weather a moderate downturn, but a severe one would likely require cutting nearly $1 billion in spending over two to three years in addition to using most of the state's reserves.The process was so informative that Utah Office of Management and Budget Director Kristin Cox and her colleagues are developing additional scenarios to test. For instance, what happens to specific revenue streams if the states biomedical industry slows down? Or if oil prices shoot back up? (Utah's stress testing is one of the reasonsrecently awarded Cox with a Public Official of the Year award).Minnesota also uses a form of stress testing to evaluate its revenue volatility and inform its rainy day fund policy. It's one of just four states that requires periodic evaluations to make sure its savings targets actually reflect the states revenue volatility. It's also the only state to determine its risk tolerance -- that is, the tolerance policymakers have for not fully covering a potential shortfall. Its current savings target is the amount deemed necessary to cover 90 percent of all possible downturn scenarios.California, which saw its revenues drop 20 percent during the Great Recession, recently started using stress tests. The state Legislative Analysts Office now includes estimates of what would happen to the states budget under an economic growth scenario and a mild recession scenario. The most recent analysis concludes that, in the event of a mild recession in 2018, the state would have enough reserves to cover most of its operating deficits through the 20202021 fiscal year.Of course, no government can be fully prepared for every economic twist and turn.We're trying to create certainty in an environment that is inherently uncertain," said Cox. "Instead our approach should be, how prepared are we to respond to different scenarios?"The unusual recession and equally unusual recovery period has sent the message to budget officials that they can't afford to be caught unprepared. Since presenting Utahs stress-testing methods at a National Conference of State Legislatures meeting, Legislative Fiscal Analyst Jonathan Ball said hes gotten calls from Colorado, Nevada and Vermont, among others.Its gotten a lot of traction, he said. We didnt know if it was going to work at first. Were kind of learning as we go and sharing our experience with other states.
The FBI notified the Illinois Republican Party in June that some of its email accounts may have been hacked, but party officials were not told that it was part of a wide-ranging federal investigation of Russian activity in the nation's political system, the state GOP's executive director said Sunday.Nick Klitzing said the state GOP on its own found 18 of its emails on the website DCLeaks.com. The New York Times reported the website was an outlet that U.S. intelligence officials and private cybersecurity companies believe was created by a unit controlled by the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency.Klitzing said FBI agents raised questions about emails involving the state GOP accounts during their visit. The four email accounts involved were inactive or rarely used, and the hacked emails dated to 2015, long before the 2016 contests for president and Illinois offices, Klitzing said.A review of the emails provided by the state GOP shows the messages were largely rudimentary in nature, ranging from requests for training and local party event invitations to reports and discussion that U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton should be considered a "dark horse" candidate to replace House Speaker John Boehner, a contest ultimately won by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.The disclosure of the hacked email accounts comes amid reports by the Times and Washington Post that assessments by American intelligence agencies, including the CIA, concluded that Russia acted to influence the 2016 presidential election in favor of Republican President-elect Donald Trump and to hurt Democrat Hillary Clinton's chances.Trump, appearing on Fox News Sunday, dismissed the CIA assessment as "ridiculous.""Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting. Once they hack, if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them," he said. "They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place."The Republican National Committee also has vehemently disputed a New York Times report that its computer systems had been hacked, as had occurred to the Democratic National Committee.The compromised Illinois GOP emails provided to the Tribune were dated from August to October of 2015 and did not involve Trump, Clinton or the presidential contest. The emails were sent to the state Republican Party.The subjects of the compromised emails included a suburban York Township Republican Women's event; a request by McLean County GOP Chairman Chuck Erickson to attend a county training event that included Erickson's phone number; and a notification from Mike Bigger, a member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, that he would be attending an event "and bringing a $1,000 check" from the Stark County party organization.Other compromised emails included a half-dozen messages from Chicago businessman Peter Smith, chairman of Corporate Venture Alliances LLC, involving the October 2015 GOP contest to replace Boehner as House speaker. Smith is a longtime Republican conservative and has been a supporter of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.Smith's emails were sent to what Klitzing described as an unused email account for Richard Porter, the state's Republican national committeeman.Smith's emails discussed conversations he had with Matthew Boyle, Washington political editor for Breitbart News Network, as well as a link to a Breitbart story headlined, "Meet Peter Roskam, Dark Horse Candidate for Speaker," which Smith sought to tell Porter was "as good as it can get."Klitzing said the FBI came to the state GOP in June and asked about email accounts. The FBI urged officials to change passwords and take other steps commonly recommended by information technology experts to make email accounts more secure, he said."We thought it was weird that the FBI was giving IT advice," Klitzing said. The June visit was the last the Illinois GOP heard from the FBI and there was no discussion about who might have been the source of the hacking, he said.DCLinks.com has posted more than 200 emails involving Republican activists and GOP state parties, but gained greater notoriety over documents involving the Democratic Party and Clinton campaign officials. Many of the DCLinks.com Democratic emails also appeared on the more popular WikiLeaks website.The disclosure by the Illinois Republicans marks the second time that part of the state's political system was hacked through what is considered to be foreign involvement.In June of this year, information involving as many as 90,000 Illinois voters was hacked in a one-month cyberattack of potential foreign origin on the State Board of Elections. Board officials restated that no files of registered voters were erased or modified, and that no voting history information or voter signature images were captured.After the Illinois cyberattack and another attempt in Arizona, the FBI issued a "flash alert" to warn of malicious attempts to obtain access to states' election voter registration information. The FBI alerted Arizona officials in June that Russians were behind the assault on the election system in that state, the Washington Post reported.
On Saturday, in the evening, at the Commissariat Store, Brisbane, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC attended the launch of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland publication, Lost Brisbane 2 and Surrounding Years: The Later Years, and addressed guests.

In the evening, the Governor and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended a dinner at the Queensland Club.
On Sunday, in the evening, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey welcomed thousands of members of the community to the Christmas Lights display.
On Friday, in the morning, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC received Mr Neil Laurie, Clerk of the Queensland Parliament, for the presentation of five bills for Assent.

Following, in the afternoon, at Government House, the Governor and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted a luncheon in honour of Air Commodore Scott Winchester, outgoing Commander, Combat Support Group, Royal Australian Air Force. Other guests included: Mrs Mary-Anne, Miss Amy, Mr Jeffrey & Miss Kate Winchester; Mr Stephen Mallet CSM; Group Captain Martin Smith; Group Captain David Turner; Wing Commander George Hodgson; Wing Commander Michael Penman; Warrant Officer Michael Kearney; Mr Rob & Mrs Gloria Kilah; Mr Steven Kilah; Mr Colin & Mrs Pat Winchester; Air Commodore Mark Gower OAM; and Flight Lieutenant Rob Moran ADC (Hon).

Following, at the Playhouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the Queensland Ballet opening night performance of The Nutcracker.
Description

GIS - 12 December, 2016: A presentation on the theme The Commonwealth in an Emerging Global Architecture: Thought and Perspectives was made by the Deputy Secretary-General of Commonwealth (Economic and Social Development) Mr Deodat Maharaj, on Friday 09 December 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in Port-Louis. Mr Maharaj was on an official visit to Mauritius in the context of t he First Session of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub Steering Committee. A presentation on the themewas made bythe Deputy Secretary-General of Commonwealth (Economic and Social Development) Mr Deodat Maharaj, on Friday 09 December 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in Port-Louis. Mr Maharaj was on an official visit to Mauritius in the context of t

During his presentation, he underscored the role of the Commonwealth, an intergovernmental organisation of 52 member states which provides a platform for transatlantic partnership between small and big states to work together towards shared goals. However, he explained that in intellectual discussions, smaller states cannot actively participate because big states tend to contribute more which works to the disadvantage of smaller ones.

Speaking on the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, Mr D.Maharaj pointed out that this is indeed a good strategy for Mauritius to ponder over the issue of how to get access to funds in order to deal with the impacts of climate change. The main objective of the Climate Finance Access Hub is to help access to finance for urgent adaptation and mitigation actions in vulnerable states by allowing a placement of expertise to critically work on the strategies at national and regional levels.

He underlined that the global architecture of the world is changing rapidly and that it is difficult for small states to remain in isolation. This necessitates the need for Mauritius to link up with other small states like the Pacific notably Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. He stated that by hosting the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, Mauritius has fulfilled its global leadership role as a member of the Commonwealth.

Mr D. Maharaj, former Chief Division for Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme in New York, was appointed as Deputy Secretary-General, in 2014, to report on economic affairs, trade and debt, social development, and public sector governance. During his career, he has also served as Head of Secretariat on the Ministerial Council for social development with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
Description

GIS - 12 December, 2016: The Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Mr Deodat Maharaj, expressed his satisfaction with regards the establishment of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub in Mauritius following a courtesy call on 09 December on the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. The Deputy Secretary

In a statement, Mr Deodat Maharaj, described his meeting with Prime Minister Jugnauth as very cordial, positive and productive whereby both parties have exchanged views and ideas on the progress achieved so far regarding the setting up of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub.

He lauded Mauritius for championing this initiative and taking the lead role in assisting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDC) in putting in place an effective mechanism to have access to critical climate funds, adopted during the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in 2015 in the wake of challenges faced by climate change.

According to the Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Mauritius, in so doing, is demonstrating its concerns with regards the challenges faced by SIDS and LDCs in accessing crucial funding to mitigate and adapt to the socio-economic problems related to climate change.

It will be recalled that the agreement for the setting up of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub was signed by the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth on September 20 on the side lines of the United Nations General Assembly 2016.
Description

GIS - 12 December, 2016: As a major step to keep up with the rapid technological advancements in the field of maritime surveillance, a new state-of-the-art ship, CGS Victory, and two Chetak helicopters have been acquired by the Mauritius Police Force/National Coast Guard. The commissioning ceremony was held on Saturday 10 December 2016 at Quay A in Port Louis in the presence of the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and the Defence Minister of India, Mr Manohar Parrikar. As a major step to keep up with the rapid technological advancements in the field of maritime surveillance, a new state-of-the-art ship, CGS Victory, and two Chetak helicopters have been acquired by the Mauritius Police Force/National Coast Guard.The commissioning ceremony was held on Saturday 10 December 2016 at Quay A in Port Louis in the presence of the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and the Defence Minister of India, Mr Manohar Parrikar.

In his address, the Prime Minister pointed out that the acquisition of CGS Victory is yet another milestone in the countrys long journey towards enhancing maritime safety and security, especially in the combat against poaching of our marine and fish resources, illicit activities in our seas, including drug trafficking and other types of transnational crimes.

 Our Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters, our surrounding islands, national interests and security imperatives, regional commitments and an extremely dynamic geostrategic environment are giving rise to many challenges , he said.

The Prime Minister stated that with this latest induction, a new dimension is being added to the countrys maritime domain, with the Mauritius Police Force and the National Coast Guard (NCG) better equipped to meet the emerging challenges in the maritime security environment, especially taking into account the vast expanse of ocean that surrounds Mauritius. The NCG which was formally set up in 1988 has been growing at a very steady pace and acquiring assets to meet the challenges resulting out of our geographical set up, he added.

Speaking about the Indo-Mauritian strategic partnership which has reached new dimensions, Sir Anerood Jugnauth announced that the India will assist Mauritius in an integrated development project known as the Trident Project which will cater for appropriate infrastructure and facilities and would involve the construction of a new NCG headquarters at Fort William, upgrading of repair facilities for the NCG vessels and construction of a dry docking facility with flotilla support services.

The value of the project is estimated at USD 70 Million and will be financed jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Mauritius at the ratio of 80:20, respectively. For this project, funds to the tune of USD 52.3 Million will be provided under the Indian Line of credit and a one-time grant of USD 4 Million will also be made available by the Indian Government. The remaining USD 12 Million will be financed out of local funds.

For his part, the Defence Minister of India, Mr Manohar Parrikar, said that the induction of CGS Victory and CGS Valiant next year will considerably enhance the EEZ surveillance and patrolling capabilities of the NCG of Mauritius. The supply of the two Chetak helicopters is in line with Indias commitment to augmenting the capacities of the Mauritius Police Force, including in the critical area of search and rescue, he added.

Speaking about the intensification of close ties between the two countries in the coming years, Mr Parrikar pointed out that it will be marked by the implementation of major projects such as the Metro Express, the construction of the new building of the Supreme Court, the headquarters of the NCG of Mauritius, the construction of the new ENT Hospital, supply of digital tablets to primary school children and the social housing project.

The Defence Minister underscored the need to work together to harness the untapped potential of the Ocean Economy sector. There are exciting avenues for cooperation in this sector like fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, seabed exploration, and marine biotechnology, he said

CGS Victory and Chetak Helicopters

CGS Victory, built by Goa Shipyard Limited, is equipped with state of the art machineries and cutting-edge technology. Its induction into the NCG will greatly benefit the country in providing maritime security in our waters.

This 50 metres patrol vessel displaces about 288 tons in full load condition and is capable of attaining a maximum speed of 35 Knots. At economical cruising speed, it has an endurance of about 2,000 nautical miles. It can thus service certain of our outer islands as well. The ship is equipped with modern navigation systems, advanced machinery control systems and one Close Range Naval Gun Mount along with an optical fire control system for day and night usage.

The Chetak helicopters, which will form part of the Police Helicopter Squadron, are high performance, multi-role helicopters with tricycle undercarriage. At a maximum speed of maximum 113 kts, they can respond swiftly to any situation and have an endurance of 2 h 24 minutes.
Description

GIS - 12 December, 2016: The initiatives taken by the Lions Club International both on the national and international front were at the fore of discussions on 09 December during a courtesy call by the President of the Lions Club International, Chancellor Robert Corlew, on the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. The initiatives taken by the Lions Club International both on the national and international front were at the fore of discussions on 09 December during a courtesy call by the President of the Lions Club International, Chancellor Robert Corlew, on the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.

The different areas of focus of the Lions Club with particular emphasis on community volunteer work in Mauritius were highlighted by both parties. The actions are geared towards serving the various spheres of the society on a humanitarian basis with regards several programmes such as: sight programme, health programme with particular emphasis on diabetes, youth volunteer opportunities, community and environment programme, and disaster relief among others.

In a statement, the President of the Lions Club International, Chancellor Robert Corlew, expressed his appreciation regarding his meeting with the Prime Minister as well as the ongoing work by the members of the Lions Club in Mauritius.

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organisation in the world with about 1.4 million members across 210 countries with a common belief: Community is what we make it.
Description

GIS - 12 December, 2016: Some 257 families were handed cheques totalling Rs16 m on 8 December 2016 at Sir Harilal Vaghjee Memorial Hall in Port Louis, under the Roof Slab Grant Scheme.

The Roof Slab Grant Scheme, an ongoing project of the Ministry of Housing and Lands in collaboration with the National Housing Development Company (NHDC), provides financial assistance to low-income families for the casting of slabs as part of their housing project. Some Rs 20 m have been allocated to 313 families earlier this year, under the Scheme.

Present at the ceremony, the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr Showkutally Soodhun lauded the relentless efforts of the financially struggling families to acquire a house of their own.

He stressed that the Government will continue to provide support to the poor and vulnerable as part of its mission to upgrade the life of the population. This aid, he underlined, is not only a way to cater for the financial needs of the low-income families but also for the emotional well-being of the families by enabling them to live with dignity.

In line with this approach, several measures have been undertaken by the Government to enable more struggling families to benefit from various schemes. These include:

 Increase in the grant for casting of roof slab from Rs 65,000 to Rs 75,000;

 Broadening of the categories of households eligible for the grant to families earning between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 monthly;

 Extension of the size of new social housing units from 39 m2 to 50 m2, and;

 An upcoming construction of 1,200 social housing units.

It is recalled that m ore than 60,000 families have benefitted from the Roof Slab Grant Scheme since its inception in 1997, to the tune of Rs 3 billion. For the last two years, 2980 families have been reached for a total project value of Rs 183 m.
Charging county agencies only for the data center services used instead of the current annual appropriation from the county's general fund.

Using multiple private contractors to encourage competition, better service and lower costs.

Considering a three-year plan for the elimination of any jobs or retraining of workers.

(TNS) -- Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo wants to update the county's computer center by hiring a private company for information technology services, a move that could cut 30 county jobs."Technology has changed significantly in the last 10 years," Mingo said. "Franklin County has to be on the same level of competency as the rest of the world."The data center, with an $11 million budget in 2016, provides IT and computer services for 44 county government departments and offices. Mingo's office administers the data center and its 60 employees, but it is overseen by an appointed board.In July, Mingo brought to the board a proposal he said would save taxpayers millions while providing up-to-date, around-the clock IT services and security. To do that, though, about half of the current data center workers, whose skills and expertise may not have kept pace with technology, could lose their jobs In addition to saving $4.3 million over five years, Mingo's plan would modernize the data center, where some workers specialize in software that is 30 years old.Mingo suggested it would be too costly to retrain existing employees and far more efficient to hire a private company for those services.Franklin County Recorder Terry J. Brown, a data center board member, supports improvements and saving money."At the end of the day, the county still has to move forward," Brown said. "If those don't fit the needs of the county, we need to look at what works best for the county as a whole."Two other data center board members, though, suggested Mingo's original plan was insufficient, and the board commissioned a $250,000 study. The study recommends replacing some data center workers with a private company."The original plan was, in our opinion, rushed and not well thought out," Commissioner John O'Grady said. "This study far surpasses any recommendation that was made by the auditor. There is a blueprint here that was not part of the original plan."Ed Leonard served on the data center board as Franklin County Treasurer and continues to do so in his new job as head of the Board of Elections. He agreed that more questions needed to be answered after Mingo's summer proposal, resulting in the study."If we're going to look at this," Leonard said, "we need to look at it much more comprehensively."Mingo, a Republican, took exception to the comments from Democrats O'Grady and Leonard.The initial plan was well-conceived and cost-effective," Mingo responded. "Our collective goal should be progress through innovation, not conjecture over whose plan is best.The study also suggests:"When we agreed to do the study, I had an understanding we would follow the recommendation," O'Grady said. If that means fewer jobs, "we accept that."
(TNS) -- Two separate audits found the Oregon Department of Education didn't do enough to ensure that its huge cache of data on more than 600,000 students remains private.Hundreds of people in school districts and in state government have access to some or all of that data. That means keeping it safe is a daunting technological challenge. A report by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General found Oregon at risk of being unable to "prevent or detect unauthorized access and disclosure of personally identifiable information." A state audit, made public Thursday , also found insufficient security measures to keep confidential student data confidential."The department does not provide an appropriate layered defense," auditors wrote.Neither the state nor federal department issued a notice about the federal audit. The Oregon Department of Education provided it to The Oregonian/OregonLive in response to a public records request.Oregon Department of Education officials say they have taken careful and technically advanced steps to protect data, and are constantly updating and upgrading those efforts.Oregon student data in their possession has never been breached, said Susie Strangfield, the department's chief information officer But state and federal auditors both identified weaknesses in the steps and procedures the agency has used to ensure cyber security.Federal auditors named several highly technical details; state auditors disclosed only general information, saying they listed precise problems in a confidential letter to state education department, to avoid flagging them for hackers.The data doesn't include students' home addresses, health records or discipline write-ups.But hackers could potentially capture full names, birth dates, test scores, special education designations, expulsions, whether students qualify for free- or reduced-price meals, expulsions, whether students are pregnant or parenting, whether students have opted out of testing, and other educational and demographic information.The state tracks the identities of everyone who logs into the system, and it polices access to it. Officials also limit users to the portion of the data that's appropriate for them, such as information about their particular school or students in the grade they teach.The federal audit was conducted beginning in June 2015 and looked at the department's internal controls of the data from from June 2015 through January 2016.The Oregon Department of Education received preliminary findings in January and final results in September.Oregon officials largely disputed the federal findings, saying their procedures and controls meet international and industry standards."Our implementation of these controls ensure our student data is kept secure," Strangfield, the state education department's chief information officer, said Thursday. "Agency technical controls and technologies implemented were not raised by either audit as cause for concern."She said said the department "practices a defense-in-depth approach and continues to add layers of security to address emerging threats."According to written comments included in the federal audit report, state officials acknowledged some problems. But they said they were on track to have them fixed by July.The department, which had just one data security employee, hired three more, added software to detect unauthorized access, wrote down malware response procedures and trained staff on them, the federal audit said.The state audit was conducted in fall 2016.It found the department has done several things right, including ensuring the integrity of student data and accurately giving out and tracking state and federal funding.But beyond raising questions about security measures, state auditors also said the department failed to follow procedures to ensure bad code did not get programmed into its system. And, although it has adequate measures to back up files in case of a disaster, the department lacks a workable plan for restoring those files and quickly becoming operational again.State auditors said they were purposefully vague about inadequacies in the education department's data security system.Weaknesses "relate to the department's processes for planning, configuring, managing and monitoring information technology security components," they wrote."Because of the sensitive nature of IT security, we communicated the details" in a confidential memo, they said.
(TNS) -- On Dec. 9, a French company that has deployed about 30 self-driving vans in France, Switzerland and Australia debuted its 15-passenger electric shuttle at Mcity in Ann Arbor.Navya Technologies is a 2-year-old company based in Lyon, France, and its vehicle, the Arma, will be tested and used for tours at the 32-acre simulated village on the University of Michigan's North Campus.Slightly smaller than a typical airport shuttle van, the Arma is powered by a 33 kilowatt-hour battery pack that can be charged in five to eight hours. Its maximum speed is about 25 m.p.h. There is no steering wheel, which maximizes the space for passengers.At full capacity there are 11 seats, while four passengers have to stand.CEO Christophe Sapet said the vehicle is priced at about $250,000. So far they have been deployed in the French cities of Bordeaux and Lyon, where they are assembled, as well as to shuttle workers at a nuclear power plant near Civaux.Carrie Morton, deputy director of the Mobility Transformation Center, which manages Mcity, said the van will be used to give tours of the test center. Eventually it may be used to transport U-M students if it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards, but there is no specific timetable for that.Navya will give test rides in the Arma next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, said Andy Rogers, head of the company's U.S. operations.Henri Coron, vice president of sales, said there are eight LiDAR units that work together with radar, cameras and sensors to detect its path.The short loop around MCity took seven minutes to complete, included a short tunnel and was uneventful There was a little residue from Thursday's snowfall on the course that did not present any problem for the vehicle.Wintry weather, especially heavy snow, is still regarded as a challenge for autonomous vehicles because the navigating software and machine-driven vision can be hindered by falling snow.One Navya engineer said he tested the van Thursday during the snowfall and was able to add some software coding that instructed the cameras and sensors to ignore the snow.Rogers, who works from a small office near Boston, said Navya is looking for a location in the U.S. where it could produce more of the vans if demand grows. The company has quintupled its work force from 20 to 100 in the last year, Sapet said.In addition to testing at Mcity, Navya becomes the 62nd company affiliated with the center. Morton said Navya also will participate in TechLab, a venture launched this past summer to give U-M engineering students an opportunity to work with start-up companies in the autonomous and connected vehicle area.
The State of GovTech event in October ignited a conversation on how to pair government with technology entrepreneurs to bring about more effective digital government. But transforming service delivery means thinking differently internally too.In San Rafael, Calif., Senior Management Analyst Rebecca Woodbury convened a variety of voices from within the city to weigh in on the website redesign project. Here, she talks about who she called upon for input  and why it was important to include more than just IT and communications staff.
Two details about Arkansas' first-ever chief transformation officer Amy Fecher, who was appointed Monday by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, say a lot about her mission of helping state agencies do more with less.First, Fecher isn't taking a salary in her new position  one she'll hold as she works concurrently as executive vice president of operations for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and as the governor's designee to the Delta Regional Authority.And second, she heads a department of just one: herself  a move aimed at dispelling any notions of shrinking other areas of bureaucracy while simultaneously creating more of the same. She'll work with the governor's staff and members of agencies statewide, but her office is an army of one."The governor felt it was important and shows ... if hes asking state agencies to find efficiencies, he wants to do the same and lead from the top down in that regard," Fecher toldshorty after Hutchinson announced the creation of the Office of Transformation and named her as its leader.Since his inauguration Jan. 13, 2015, Hutchinson has emphasized economic development and job creation, creating more than 56,000 jobs statewide; a focus on computer science, now required to be taught in all high schools; and governmental efficiency and transformation.Creating an Office of Transformation to tackle redundancies and outdated procedures, and bring agencies into modern practice has been a priority for the governor since the beginning, said Fecher, who described it as "a big step in taking the next leap into efficiency and what that will mean to the state of Arkansas.""Increasing efficiencies to conserve state resources is the best way to return money to the pockets of hard-working taxpayers and deliver better state services to Arkansans," Hutchinson said Wednesday in a statement.One thing it most likely won't mean is layoffs. State Communications Director J.R. Davis said Hutchinson's first Executive Order was a hiring freeze and scrutiny of every position to be filled. Arkansas has shed around 1,100 jobs or around 4 percent of the state workforce statewide since, but through attrition.Davis compared state agencies to the private sector."If you look at retailers or you look at online business, you have to constantly adapt or todays practices are completely out of date by the next day. The governor sees the state that way as well," Davis said, noting the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority and its Department of Rural Services merged into the AEDC, and the state lottery's merged into the Department of Finance and Administration.Doing so saved money on resources and leasing, and eliminated duplication, he said.As she looks for efficiencies in her new role, Fecher will be guided by the Arkansas Efficiency Project, a new report from the nonprofit Arkansas Policy Foundation. It surveyed state agencies and identified 60 potential efficiencies that could save taxpayers more than $50 million.Fecher said she'll meet next week with report author Greg Kaza, as well as with Yessica Jones, who was named interim director of the Department of Information Services (DIS) last week after the resignation of DIS Director Mark Myers. "There are a lot of low-hanging fruit in that report. One thing is just having every state agency look at prioritizing efficiencies within their agency. But we want them not only to list the specific word in their mission statement, we want to make sure theyre walking the talk and finding the efficiencies," she said.Fecher and Davis emphasized Myers' departure is in no way connected to the creation of Fecher's new position.Fecher said she sees Jones' position as continuing to look at technology issues, while the Transformation Officer will examine "processes across state government as far as people and positions." but these, too, may involve an increased reliance on technology.Residents have suggested migrating key transactions online, including renewing driver's licenses and paying for vehicle registrations and vehicle sales tax, all of which the state will contemplate.Other potential changes include making the state's internal signature process electronic, and rolling out e-procurement  previously tested with a few agencies  statewide. Some agencies, Fecher said, still use paper for purchase orders and time-off requests.Another likely effort, Davis said, will be migrating data to one centralized data center. Currently many, but not all, state agencies utilize the DIS data center."We would benefit greatly by having an all-in-one approach," he said.The governor will release a statewide strategic plan next year. And by July 1, the start of the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Fecher said agencies may be required to create their own strategic plans and identify efficiencies that can be achieved."I believe thats very doable for many state agencies to identify efficiencies that can be carried into the next fiscal year by July 1," she said, noting the process statewide "will look very different from agency to agency so its hard to set a timeline."
(TNS) -- Elizabeth Hart, public information officer for the Shelby County, Tenn., Health Department, spends much of her workday on social media, using Facebook and Twitter to promote Health Department initiatives, share good news, necessary information or to pitch where county residents can get flu shots.Hart is as active after hours, celebrating the career of her brother, Parker Sawyers, who starred as Barack Obama in the independent film "Southside With You," cheering for her beloved Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers and praising the work at her church, St. Andrew AME.But never, Hart said, does she forget that she is in a public forum open to the world, that nothing posted online is ever really private."Im always mindful of my employer and my family, and I would never post anything that would jeopardize either of those two," she said.Across the nation, elected officials, private and public sector employees have felt the bite of public censure, forced resignations and termination over inappropriate posts or tweets on social media that cross racial or religious lines.Late last month former Shelby County corrections division deputy director David Barber resigned after Facebook posts surfaced that were supportive of the Ku Klux Klan.Barber's transgression made national news and prompted the county to revisit its employee social media policy, to tighten rules and inform workers of their responsibilities as government employees."Some feel that we needed to be a little more restrictive as it relates to our employees using social media in a way that might adversely reflect on county government," said county Mayor Mark Luttrell. "So weve pulled together a group to look at that, realizing there are freedom of speech issues, freedom of press issues that have to be recognized.""It's really going to be a balancing act in having something that does address the changing landscape of social media and the threats it can pose to government and also being cognizant to several rights that we do not want to infringe upon," said David E. McKinney, director of legislative affairs in Luttrell's office.McKinney, a senior assistant county attorney, is working with the county's Unified Personnel Policy Committee studying a wealth of policies already drafted by governments and private businesses."We want to be mindful of what we can recommend, what we can set as a guideline and what we can mandate," McKinney said. "But I dont think there is one policy out there that we can say is exactly what we want to offer and is reflective of the nuances of recommendations, guidelines and mandates."For governments, writing social media policies is a tightrope, said Thomas Castelli, legal director with the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee."Like any employer, the government has got an interest in efficiently running the offices. So what the (U.S.) Supreme Court has said is you have to balance that against the individual's free speech," Castelli said.It's a challenge to write a fair and legal policy that is as much for a "mouthpiece of the government" as a rank-and-file worker, he said.Context, Castelli said, is the key.For example, correctional officers had the right last year to complain about the shortage of officers working in state prisons.But "those guys couldnt talk about shift change times, how many people were on each floor, those kinds of things that might help somebody break out of prison," he said.Although many government employees, like Barber who was a mayoral appointee, are forced out over racist comments, there are limits even when that speech can be restricted."If you say racist or sexist or anti-Semitic things, then it can call into question your impartiality or the impartiality of the office and it can interfere with the mission," said Steve Mulroy, a professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Memphis' Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.The doesn't mean government workers can't express themselves even on touchy topics and the courts have ruled that can be protected speech, Mulroy said.However, each case must be looked at individually."If an employee says something so outrageous that public confidence in the office is being hurt, I think they have more authority to punish that person," Mulroy said.But, be it abortion, the anti-vaccine movement or Michelle Obama's healthy eating initiative for children, people always have the right to speak freely about issues, Castelli said"We dont want to put government in a situation where theyre vetting their employees political ideology," he said.And these policies can't stifle whistle blowers, said Mulroy, who as a county commissioner helped passed whistle blower legislation.Once the new policy is drafted it must be approved by the commission."We want to make sure that the policy is written with fidelity and that people understand that they do work for Shelby County and have to be careful and for the most part watch what theyre posting out there," Burgess said. "I know theres freedom of speech, but my goodness, youre representing county government."Burgess also hopes that the county will include training classes to make sure employees understand the policy.The commission made that point clear, McKinney said."I certainly believe the committee will come up with that recommendation and also ongoing training in that area," he said.But with so many variables and so many scenarios, McKinney wouldn't speculate on a timetable on completing their work."It's very much so a work in progress," he said.
HISTORY OF THE LAW

HEARINGS ARE RARE

A PUBLIC RECORDS ISSUE?

(TNS) -- The last time a legislative ethics panel held a hearing in Washington state 22 years ago, it involved a public official allegedly using state offices and a state computer to aid his nonprofit.This time, its about what a state lawmaker can and cant post on Facebook.State Rep. Melanie Stambaugh, R-Puyallup, will go before the Legislative Ethics Board on Tuesday to challenge the boards initial finding that she violated ethics rules 44 times by posting state-funded photos and videos to her campaign Facebook page.Stambaugh, who in 2014 became the youngest woman elected to the Legislature in nearly 80 years, says the videos and photos are public records available on the websites YouTube and Flickr, and that she shouldnt be restricted from using them to communicate with her constituents.She asserts the Ethics Board is interpreting the states 1994 ethics law in a way that doesnt account for how people use modern technology and that it subverts the states Public Records Act in the process.I see this as a threat to our ability to converse about government, said Stambaugh, 26, in an interview Thursday.This is about so much more than a Facebook post  this is truly about access to information in this technological age that were in.The Ethics Board says Stambaugh erred by embedding the state-produced videos on her campaign Facebook page in a way that allows them to be viewed there without leaving the site.The videos in question are periodic updates about Stambaughs work in Olympia that legislative staff produced during the 2015 and 2016 sessions.The board has previously said that lawmakers campaign websites can link to legislative materials and videos, but that those links must take visitors away from their campaign pages to create an appropriate separation between the campaign and the legislative materials.The rules are intended to enforce the states ethics law that says state resources cant be used for campaigning. The board said it was trying to strike a balance between maintaining access to public records and prohibiting the use of state resources in elections.Stambaugh said she thinks it is important to have the embedded videos  as opposed to unknown blue links that look like jargon  on her Facebook page to encourage people to click on the content and get them engaged them in government.Stambaugh has hired a lawyer who specializes in public records cases, Nick Power, to represent her before the Ethics Board this week.Power is asking the board to dismiss the complaints against Stambaugh and to re-evaluate its rules governing the use of legislative videos and photos on Facebook.He said the boards rulings infringe on Stambaughs First Amendment rights, while being tone deaf to how people are accustomed to interacting with content on social media.Its just on a collision course with the Constitution, its on a collision course with the Public Records Act, and its on a collision course with technology, Power said about the Ethics Boards interpretation of state law.Its something that needs to be fixed.Marty Brown, a former legislative director and budget director for Democratic Govs. Chris Gregoire and Gary Locke, said the advent of the internet and social media makes the issue more complicated than it was two decades ago when the states ethics laws were drafted.Nobody contemplated this kind of thing in 1994, said Brown, who served as caucus staff director for Senate Democrats in the early 1990s and later as secretary of the senate. There wasnt social media, and I dont think we had any (legislative) videos at all. ...It makes it lots more difficult, I think, to draw black and white lines.The 1994 ethics law was passed after an investigation by the state Public Disclosure Commission revealed that legislative caucus staff were actively working on campaigns on state time, contrary to state law.The ban on using public resources for campaigns is designed to avoid giving incumbents significant advantages over those who challenge them, Brown said.The investigation in 1992 revealed violations, such as legislative employees going out in the field to videotape opposing candidates, producing campaign literature on state time using state equipment and recruiting candidates to run for office.Legislative staffers also were organizing campaign fundraisers, training candidates and drafting campaign plans on state time, the investigation found.Allen Hayward, who spent 34 years as legal counsel for House Republican leaders, said what was happening in the early 1990s was dramatically different from the circumstances of Stambaughs case.Back then, photos and campaign pamphlets were being produced at state expense solely for use in an election, he said.By contrast, the videos and photos of Stambaugh are considered a legitimate use of public dollars to document her work in the Legislature.Its just how those videos and photos are used elsewhere that poses an issue for the Ethics Board.Hayward said he doesnt think posting the videos on a campaign Facebook page should constitute a violation because sharing the videos online doesnt create any additional cost to the state, unlike mailing or printing paper fliers or pamphlets.The public expenditure already occurred  it already happened, Hayward said. It was deemed perfectly appropriate state work at the time.While Hayward said it is possible that allowing the use of legislative videos on campaign sites could prompt lawmakers to try to make more of them during legislative sessions  the period when their production is allowed  putting a gag order on the products after the fact isnt the right solution.Unlike Stambaugh, most lawmakers dont fight the Ethics Boards decisions. Instead, they typically sign a document acknowledging they were in the wrong and agreeing to take down the content that the board said was in violation.Its rare for a complaint to progress to a public hearing like the one Stambaugh will have this week.According to Ethics Board staff, the last time a similar public hearing was held was in 1994, when former Senate Secretary Gordon Golob was hauled before the Senate Board of Legislative Ethics, a predecessor to the current Ethics Board.Today, the nine-member Ethics Board consists of four sitting legislators and five private citizens.Sometimes, lawmakers stipulate to the boards rulings so they can put the matter behind them and focus on their campaigns  not because they agree that the boards rules make sense.That was the situation this year with Republican state Reps. Teri Hickel and Linda Kochmar of Federal Way, who the board also found violated ethics rules by posting legislative videos on campaign websites.A spokesman for Hickel, Keith Schipper, said that although the boards rule has absolutely no merit, it wasnt worth fighting over during a competitive campaign. In the end, Hickel narrowly lost her seat to Democrat Kristine Reeves.Kochmar said she doesnt understand the boards rule either, but similarly chose not to challenge it so she could focus on her campaign. Kochmar lost her House seat to Democratic challenger Mike Pellicciotti in November.For me, its semantics, Kochmar said. You cant post a video, but you can post a link that takes you right to the video. That doesnt make sense.Calls to the chairman of the Legislative Ethics Board, Kenny Pittman, werent returned this week.State Rep. Drew Hansen, a Democratic lawmaker from Bainbridge Island who sits on the board, said Friday that he didnt think he should discuss Stambaughs case with a reporter, given that the board was about to hold a hearing.Another Democratic member of the Ethics Board, state Sen. Jamie Pedersen of Seattle, didnt return a phone call.Yet eight years ago, Pedersen indicated he disagreed with a series of board rulings finding lawmakers at fault for using legislative press releases on their campaign websites. His reasoning sounds much like what Stambaugh is now arguing: That the press releases produced by legislative staff are public documents and shouldnt be subject to restrictions on how they are used.Such documents should be broadly available to the general public, even (or especially) in the context of campaigns, Pedersen wrote in his dissent to a 2008 decision by the board.Here a legislators campaign, at its expense and no additional expense to the state, proposes to make public records more broadly available to the voters to help them make an informed decision at the next election, wrote Pedersen, who is a lawyer. In my view, that activity is not a violation.Toby Nixon, president of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, said he thinks it is time for the Ethics Board to take a comprehensive look at its rulings regarding lawmakers use of legislative products, such as press releases and videos.A former state lawmaker, Nixon was dinged for posting legislative press releases on his campaign website in 2006 and disagreed with the boards ruling at the time.Public information should be available, Nixon said.Anyone should be able to link to it, and you shouldnt be unable to link to it because youre a legislator.
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff are looking to put the controversy of the Abu Dhabi finale firmly in the past.

After the 2016 finale, Mercedes boss Wolff was said to be considering disciplining the triple world champion for ignoring team orders and backing Nico Rosberg into rival cars.

But Wolff has now been quoted as admitting he in fact regrets how Mercedes handled the saga, saying the team should have let the drivers race "in the way they deemed to be appropriate".

Now, Hamilton has revealed on social media that he personally met with Wolff at the weekend, at his boss's house.

"I just wanted to send on a message to let you know that we are going to be the strongest partnership next year," he said.

Marc Surer, a former driver turned German-language F1 pundit, thinks Wolff's swift reconciliation with Hamilton has a pragmatic side to it, following Rosberg's shock decision to quit.

"Perhaps the change has to do with the fact that Mercedes now has every reason to be kind to Lewis Hamilton, so he is not leaving too," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"After Nico retired, my second thought was that there would be no disciplinary action against Lewis Hamilton," Surer said.

(GMM)
Pirelli sounds determined to keep clamping down on how F1 teams are using their tyres.

The sport's official supplier was unpopular among many teams this year as it demanded controversially high operating tyre pressures.

So now with the tyres getting bigger and grippier for 2017, Pirelli F1 chief Mario Isola confirmed reports the brand is looking to monitor tyre data from F1 teams in real time.

"We need a different way to make sure they are following our prescriptions," he is quoted by Brazil's UOL.

"So far, we have been able to prescribe the initial pressures but not what happens next," said Isola, amid rumours teams have devised clever methods and technology to lower tyre pressures when the cars are actually running.

"Of course we are interested in the pressure of the tyre in the race, so if we find a way to track it in real time, it will be more accurate and better for everyone," he added.

(GMM)
On todays jet aircraft, the engines are typically located away from the aircrafts body to avoid ingesting the layer of slower flowing air that develops along the aircrafts surfaces, called boundary layer. Aerospace engineers believe they can reduce fuel burn by embedding an aircrafts engines into these surfaces and ingesting the boundary layer air flow to propel the aircraft through its mission.

Engineers at NASA Glenn are testing a new boundary layer ingesting (BLI) inlet-fan combinationthe first of its kind ever to be tested. Originally conceived of as a propulsion system for generation-after-next (N+2), the BLI system could increase fuel efficiency by 4-8% more than the advanced engines airlines are beginning to use.

MIT and NASA engineers earlier proposed the D8 Series as one future aircraft design concept that uses boundary layer ingestion. Projected as a replacement for the Airbus A320/Boeing 737 around 2035 (N+3 generation)the D8 could deliver fuel burn more than 70% lower than the 737-800assuming the BLI propulsor is feasible.

Studies backed by more detailed analyses have shown that boundary layer ingesting propulsors have the potential to significantly improve aircraft fuel efficiency. If this new design and its enabling technologies can be made to work, the BLI propulsor will produce the required thrust with less propulsive power input. Additional aircraft drag and weight reduction benefits have also been identified. David Arend, a BLI propulsion expert at NASA Glenn



Source: Hall (2016). Click to enlarge.

NASA is testing the propulsor, designed by United Technologies Research Center with research conducted by Virginia Polytechnic and State University, in its 8' x 6' Wind Tunnel at NASA Glenn in Cleveland, Ohio. The highly experimental tests have required years of preparation. Many industry, NASA and academic experts contributed to the design and analysis of the propulsor. NASA Glenn engineers also modified the wind tunnel to accept a larger model, a boundary layer control system and a way to power the experiment.

We have generated a unique test capability that doesnt exist anywhere in the country for testing boundary layer ingesting propulsors. Jim Heidmann, manager of NASAs Advanced Air Transport Technologies project

One of the key challenges facing BLI propulsors, noted Arend and his colleagues in a 2012 paper, is the ability of the turbomachinery to operate efficiently in highly distorted flow. In particular, a high-performance, distortion-tolerant fan will be required.

Throughout testing, the team will change the wind speed and vary the boundary layer thickness and fan operation to see how these changes affect the propulsors performance, operability and structure. Results of the tests will be applicable to multiple cutting-edge aircraft designs being pursued by NASA as well as by its academic and private industry partners.

Resources
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) in Massachusetts has purchased three 40' Proterra Catalyst FC buses, two fast chargers and one depot charger. Serving 24 member communities that rely upon its fleet of 186 mass transit buses, PVTA is the largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts.

The buses will serve communities along PVTAs Route P21E in Holyoke and Springfield. In addition to state-contributed funds, PVTA purchased the Proterra Catalyst FC buses with funds from the Federal Highway and Transit Administration.

PVTA is the second Massachusetts transit agency to acquire Proterra buses. Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) began deploying Proterra vehicles into its fleet in 2013.

To date, Proterra buses have completed more than 2.6 million miles of revenue service, displacing more than 540,000 gallons of diesel, and eliminating nearly 10 million pounds of carbon emissions across the United States.
I dont like talking about things that are unlikely to happen. Then again, the Newtown massacre was unlikely to happen.

No sane person could have imagined four years ago Wednesday that a deranged young man armed with a semiautomatic rifle would blast through the glass doors of Sandy Hook Elementary School to mow down 20 first-graders and their teachers.

No one thought that likely. But the unimaginable  it happened.

Connecticut lawmakers responded by outlawing possession of some semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, such as the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle Adam Lanza used to commit an act that would be called, in another context, a war crime.

That ban, and one like it in New York, withstood legal scrutiny in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused an appeal challenging the law. A lower court ruling was left standing.

The Second Circuit decided the government may impinge on Second Amendment rights in the name of public safety. The gun used to slaughter 6-year-old innocents was dangerous and unusual, and not the kind in common use for self-defense.

Well, the unimaginable could happen again. I think we should be thinking about it, and about ways to combat it. For now, lets say the solution may be insurance. Ill explain. Promise.

National reciprocity

With the election of Donald Trump, Connecticut could be forced to recognize the rights of people who reside in states that not only allow possession of semiautomatic rifles, but permit carrying them anywhere openly  even in elementary schools.

Thats what the National Rifle Association hopes to achieve with what are called reciprocity laws. Right now, its focusing on concealed handguns, which Connecticut allows. But eventually the most powerful gun lobby will push to compel all states to recognize all open-carry laws covering all kinds of guns.

Reciprocity means if Texas permits a man to walk into a coffee shop, a church or a school with a Bushmaster AR-15 slung over his shoulder, Connecticut must follow suit. It would mean that every time that happened, wed relive the horror of Dec. 14, 2012, while being forced to stand down, powerless to act.

Like I said. That seems unlikely.

That would require the legal universe to be turned upside down. Liberals and conservatives would have to swap roles that have been entrenched since the founding of the republic, with conservatives demanding an activist federal government and liberals protecting state sovereignty, as Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond once said, from the rocks of totalitarianism.

Unlikely, yes. But so was Sandy Hook.

If the NRA, President Trump and the Republican Party were to pass national reciprocity laws, and if those laws withstood legal challenge  bigly big ifs, all of them  what could we do?

The answer is insurance.

Whos responsible?

Weve been down this road.

A bill requiring insurance for gun owners was withdrawn in 2013 after the Connecticut Citizens Defense League cried foul, the insurance industry refused to underwrite crime, and individual gun owners said premiums would be prohibitively expensive.

All of which are valid.

All of which miss the point.

Who assumes the risk when a man walks around with a loaded semi-automatic rifle? As things stand, even in the absence of national reciprocity laws, that person is not the gun owner.

Some types of homeowners insurance cover injury to others. Even the NRA (yes, the NRA) offers liability insurance to members. Accidents happen, like it or not, and when they do, someone must pay. That someone should be the gun owner.

The insurance industry says it refuses to underwrite criminal acts, but thats coy. We dont expect automobile insurers to pay for the damage done by vehicular homicide. Why would we expect anything more in a context of gun violence?

The real reason insurers are wary is obvious. Guns are dangerous. Really dangerous. Actuarially speaking, standing anywhere near a firearm raises the risk of harm, injury or death. Thats why public schools in states that have lifted gun bans on school property are struggling to indemnify themselves.

Insurers dont want to touch guns, but they probably didnt want to touch cars, either. Eventually, they figured out how to influence policy, and regulate error-prone driving habits, in ways that were profitable. Im confident they could do the same with guns.

Im not confident gun insurance would have stopped Adam Lanza. But it might have given his mother, whom he also murdered, a reason to second-guess buying an AR-15. If Connecticut had required gun insurance in 2012, she would have paid a high premium. That might have been deterrence enough.

Thats all we can expect from this debate  a little bit more deterrence coupled with greater personal responsibility. Connecticut might not be able to stop the coming tide of reciprocity laws. But it can hold individuals accountable.

John Stoehr is a lecturer in political science at Yale. He can be reached at johnastoehr@gmail.com.
Niche recently revealed their picks for best high schools for college readiness in Connecticut, with a number of southwestern schools districts making the list-as usual. Here's a look at where high schoolers leave best prepared for their college experience.
All major US carriers have revealed exactly when they will roll out the last update to Samsung Galaxy Note7 units on their network. To begin with, T-Mobile will push out the update after Christmas, on December 27.

On the other hand, AT&T and Sprint will roll out the update early next year - January 5 and January 8, respectively.

Verizon, as you might already know, has made it clear that it's not participating in the roll-out of this update. The carrier explained the reason behind its decision in a detailed statement which you can read here.

To quickly refresh, unlike previous updates that capped the battery charge to certain levels, this new update won't allow the phone to charge at all, effectively making it useless.

Source 1 2
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Samsung has finally made its mobile payments service Samsung Pay available in Malaysia, although not officially - the South Korean company is currently conducting beta trials of the service in the Asian country.

At present, only users of Maybank Visa credit, debit, and prepaid cards can access the service. Supported mobile devices include the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy A7 (2016), and Galaxy A5 (2016).

Those interested in participating in the beta program can apply for registration by heading to the Register link below. The tech giant is accepting new registrations until December 16.

Via | Register
Published on 2016/12/11 | Source

Im Soo-hyang is on the verge of being caught with her lies.

Advertisement

On the thirty-second episode of the MBC drama "Blow Breeze", Park Shin-ae (Im Soo-hyang) almost got caught for lying that she was Kim Deok-cheon's (Byun Hee-bong) granddaughter.

Park Sin-ae enjoyed the riches in life with the ring that she took from Joo Yeong-ae (Lee Il-hwa) and pretending to be Kim Deok-cheon's grand-daughter. The only proof was the ring and Park Sin-ae had taken it from Joo Yeong-ae.

Park Sin-ae kept fooling the chairman and her husband Jo Hee-dong (Han Joo-wan). Kim Deok-cheon was blinded by the happiness of having found his grand-daughter and Jo Hee-dong was also fooled.

Jo Hee-dong and Kim Deok-cheon brought Kang Yoo-jin (Lee Han-seo) to the house. They thought of her as the daughter of the family that took in Park Sin-ae when she escaped from the north. However, Kang Yoo-jin was Park Sin-ae's actual daughter who she abandoned. Park Sin-ae told Kang Yoo-jin not to let out that she was her mother.

Kang Yoo-jin was happy that she could live with her mother although she had to call her 'auntie'. However, Kang Yoo-jin being in the house was a risk to Park Sin-ae. Kim Mi-poong's nephew Kim Yoo-seong (Hong Dong-yeong) and Kang Yoo-jin met at kindergarten and they went to play at Kim Deok-cheon's house.

Kim Yoo-seong found the ring in Kim Deok-cheon's room and said, "It looks like the one my grandmother has" and took the ring home.

Park Sin-ae later found the ring on Kang Yoo-jin's finger and yelled at her.

In the end, Joo Yeong-ae's ring which was taken from her by Park Sin-ae, might return to its rightful owner. If that happens, it may be proven that Kim Mi-poong and Joo Yeong-ae are Kim Deok-cheon's family.
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More than 30 killed after Ugandan road tanker explodes in Kenya

More than 30 people died when a fuel tanker crashed into other vehicles and burst into flames outside the town of Naivasha in Kenya late on December 10, local officials told AFP. A spokesperson for Kenya's National Disaster Unit said the death toll was 33 the following day, but that other bodies could be found.

Stock image

Police said the truck, which had Ugandan registration plates, was travelling fast when it hit a speed bump and lost control. At least 50 people were injured in the accident and have been admitted to hospital in Naivasha.

Witnesses described a fireball engulfing the vehicles with passengers inside. After firefighters put out the flames, rescue workers collected bodies from among the wreckage of charred cars strewn across the highway.

Kenya's Red Cross said the driver lost control of the tanker which then crashed into other vehicles and "burst into flames".

A passenger minibus and a police truck were among the vehicles gutted by the fire. The dead include 11 officers of the General Service Unit, a paramilitary police force.

In a statement issued by Kenya's State House, President Uhuru Kenyatta said "the tanker responsible for the deaths should not have been on that particular road at that hour" and called for a full investigation into a "tragic breach" of the rules restricting the movement of large trucks on certain roads and at certain times.

The accident occurred at Karai at the bottom of a long slope on the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway, the main cross-country road leading from Kenya's capital to the west of the country and on to Uganda.



The busy highway has been the site of many fatal accidents. In 2009 more than 100 people were killed and 200 injured on the same road after a petrol tanker overturned and local people gathered to collect the leaking fuel when a fire ignited.


Bulgaria freight train explosion kills seven

At least seven people were killed after a freight train derailed and exploded in Bulgaria on December 10. According to reports, a freight car carrying propane hit a power line, causing a blast which destroyed 50 buildings in the north eastern Bulgarian village of Hitrino. Some 29 people were sent to hospital with injuries and burns and at least three were in critical condition, health authorities said.

Twelve people were reported trapped in the rubble and all buildings within a 300 metre radius were destroyed by the blast, according to Novinite.com.

A police spokesperson said the village was evacuated, even though a second blast was not expected. Hitrino is some 380 km northeast of the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, and has a population of around 1000.

Some 150 firefighters were deployed to the site to control the fire and cool other derailed tanker cars as emergency teams drained off dangerous materials, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and propylene.

Biser Minchev, chief inspector at the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC), said it was not yet clear what caused the derailment, and that his agency would carry out an investigation alongside the local prosecutor's office.



Bulgaria's government said there would be a national day of mourning for the victims on December 12.


Earlier in December, Queensland became the first jurisdiction to legislate paid domestic and family violence for public sector workers.



However, the recent COAG meeting delayed a decision on a national scheme until 2017.



Various Labor state premiers and a number of unions are all calling for a new national standard of 10 days paid leave for victims.



But the Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the idea was not something that we are attracted to.



We just believe its another cost on our economy that will have an impact on our international competitiveness, he told Sky News on Sunday.



Its a matter of making sure that you get the balance right and that you pursue policy settings that dont have counter-productive consequences potentially.



Labor's employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor told the ABC it's a terrible indictment on the Government that they're so insensitive to the needs of victims of domestic violence.



Labor wants the Government to include its policy of five days' family violence leave in the National Employment Standards, which set out the minimum entitlements for Australian workers covered by the Fair Work Act.



"The National Employment Standards are enshrined in the Fair Work Act, they can always be, and indeed Parliament determines the national minima," O'Connor added.



Moreover, Labor family violence minister Terri Bulter slammed Corman, saying his comments were callous and clueless.



He's obviously confused: it's domestic violence, not domestic violence leave, that costs our economy and harms our international competitiveness, she said.



Butler also referenced KPMG research that estimated domestic violence cost Australia $13 billion a year.



If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National domestic violence helpline on 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT.'




BRCC Foundation honors top college employees

Jennifer Parrack-Rogers, with Dr. Molly Parkhill and BRCC board member Jim Rudisill, received the Dr. and Mrs. William D. Killian Outstanding Teacher Award for her commitment to teaching excellence.

The Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation recently honored outstanding BRCC employees for their service to the community, the College and its students.

The winners were announced Monday by Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors.

Jennifer Parrack-Rogers received the Dr. and Mrs. William D. Killian Outstanding Teacher Award for her commitment to teaching excellence. Nominated and chosen by fellow faculty members, Parrack-Rogers currently serves as English Instructor. In addition to be recognized for teaching excellence, Jennifer was also commended for being a dedicated teacher who inspires her students, a knowledgeable and caring academic advisor, an active student club advisor, and an amicable coworker.

Patricia Horlick received the Dr. Molly A. Parkhill Staff Person of the Year Award. As Instructional Designer, Patricia was recognized for her excellent assistance to faculty members throughout the College with online instruction development. Horlick is also serving as an Achieving the Dream Implementation Team leader to assist the College in identifying ways to increase student success.

Rachel Marsom-Richmond received the Dr. Eliza B. Graue Extra Mile Award for her dedicated investment in the lives of students at Blue Ridge Community College. Rachel was praised for her passion for her job and her students. Nominated by her students, she was cited for always helping students reach their goals and overcome obstacles. She currently serves as English Instructor.

Administrative Assistant Victoria Burke received the Wellness Award. She competed against other employees using a new point-based system designed by the College Wellness Committee to encourage long-term healthy lifestyles through friendly competition. Victoria participated in numerous wellness events and challenges throughout the year.

Cosmetology Instructor Darlene Cope received the Dr. David W. Sink Jr. Community Service Award. Darlene was recognized for her exceptional service to the community and for passing on her dedication for community involvement to her students. Through her leadership, Blue Ridge Community College cosmetology students attended training for American Cancer Societys Look Good Feel Better program where they learned to style wigs and apply makeup for women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Each recipient was honored with a framed award and a monetary gift from Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation.
Gardai enter the house in Finglas, where Anthony Campbell and Hyland were shot dead

Ten years ago today, Ireland witnessed one of its worst gangland murders when an innocent young plumber was shot dead by hitmen worried that he might identify them as the killers of drugs boss Martin 'Marlo' Hyland.

Despite a massive garda investigation, no one has ever been charged with the murders of Hyland and 20-year-old Anthony Campbell.

They died in a shockingly violent year. Their murders were the 21st and 22nd gun killings in a bloody 12- month period that saw Latvian mother-of-two Baiba Saulite (28) shot dead and all-out gang warfare terrorising the north inner city.

Danger

It is highly unlikely that Anthony was thinking of this violence when he agreed to do a job at a house in Scribblestown Park in Finglas to earn some money for Christmas.

Anthony and his boss, David Murphy, had been due to carry out a quick repair job on the house owned by Hyland's niece, Elaine, the previous night. However, they were too tired after a busy day and moved the job to the next morning.

Hyland (39) knew his life was in danger and had been staying with his niece, her partner and their two young daughters for three months.

The murder victims were alone in the house at the time of the shooting, and it is believed that Anthony opened the door to his killers.

Hyland was shot six times as he lay sleeping in an upstairs bedroom before the gunmen turned their attention to Anthony, who was downstairs in the living room.

He was killed by a single bullet fired at close range from a semi-automatic handgun.

An inquest heard he had both arms raised above his head in a defensive posture when the bullet passed through his left arm and entered his head, killing him almost imm- ediately. The nation was outraged by this double murder, and it did not take long for gardai to discover that Hyland had been murdered by his own gang. His partners in crime suspected he was touting to gardai who had set up a special operation codenamed Operation Oak under current Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes.

Hyland was murdered 15 months after the operation began, by which point gardai had seized 30kg of heroin with a street value of 8m, 35kg of cocaine worth 2.5m and 1.4 tonnes of cannabis worth 10m.

They had also seized four stolen vehicles, firearms, ammunition and cash.

The operation led to 41 arrests and 26 suspects being brought before the courts on charges ranging from possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply, robbery and possession of firearms.

Six years later, crime journalist Paul Williams gave evidence in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court alleging that Willie Hynes and John Mangan were responsible for the December 2006 double murder, and that the late Eamon 'The Don' Dunne acted as the getaway driver.

Williams' opinion is also the firm belief of gardai who could never get enough evidence to charge the two men who were key members of Hyland's gang.

Both are now serving lengthy jail sentences for the massive drugs bust that caused Hyland's outfit to implode in 2006, which ultimately led to his murder.

Hyland became a target because his associates believed he was tipping off gardai about drug collections to save his own skin. Hynes (50), of Park Close, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, and Mangan (48), of Whitestown Green, Blanchardstown, were snared after a massive operation by gardai at Browns Barn pub, south Co Dublin, on July 31, 2006.

More than 2m worth of cannabis resin in 14 boxes split between a Ford Transit van and an Opel Astra in the pub car park was seized.

The two men were arr- ested nearby, charged, convicted and ultimately jailed.

Only eight months after Hyland and Anthony were shot dead, Mangan was arrested with a loaded pistol down his trousers in the Comet pub in Santry. He was on bail on two charges of possession of cannabis at the time.

Mangan told gardai his life had been threatened between eight and 10 times that year and he was carrying the pistol only for his own safety.

Savage

He told detectives that both he and his home had been shot at during that period. However, he made no formal complaint to gardai.

Mangan is serving 10 years for the firearms charge on top of a 14-year sentence imposed on him in 2009 for the cannabis offences. Hynes is doing a 12-year stretch in relation to the drugs bust. Prison life has been tough for both men, particularly Mangan, who was savagely assaulted in Mountoy in 2014 by six other inmates.

After Hyland's murder, Eamon 'The Don' Dunne became the leader of the drugs gang.

He was linked to up to 15 murders, and was himself shot dead in a Cabra pub by the Kinahan cartel in 2010.
A man who claimed his "mate" pulled over and asked him to get into a van that was stolen earlier that day has been handed a fine and a ban after he failed to come up with 50 as a charitable donation.

David Moloney (23) was ordered to donate the money to the Peter McVerry Trust if he wanted to avoid a conviction for unauthorised carriage in a stolen vehicle.

However, as he could not come up with the money, Judge Dermot Dempsey fined him 50 and imposed a six-month driving ban.

Moloney claimed he was on antidepressants at the time and only remembers waking up in a cell.

"My mate pulled over and asked me to get into the van," he said.

Pressure

When asked by the judge what the name of that friend was, Moloney then denied his friend pulled over.

"I just said friend as I was under pressure. I just came out with that. I suffer anxiety and I can't take this," he said.

"No, he wasn't my mate. I can only remember what the garda told me."

Moloney, of Deanstown Park, Finglas, pleaded guilty at Swords District Court to unauthorised carriage.

Gda Eoin Brehony told the court that the Ford Transit van, which was stolen in Blanchardstown, had been fitted with a satellite tracker. The van was located in Swords and Moloney was found in the passenger seat.

"He said he got a lift off the man driving it and he was under the influence of medication at the time," said Gda Brehony.

Moloney's solicitor said the father-of-two had explained how he was in the van.

"But he said he can't remember, so how can he give an explanation?" said the judge.

The judge fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal.
A major gangland criminal is being investigated for the brutal murder of a 27-year-old man in front of his step-daughter, the Herald can reveal.

James 'Nellie' Walsh (30) is already being investigated for two other gun murders and in recent weeks was convicted of offences linked to a botched hit on criminal Michael Frazer.

Sources say that gardai plan to question 'Nellie' in the coming months about the gangland murder of Gerard Eglington more than four years ago.

Dublin Circuit Court heard this month that gang thug 'Nellie' Walsh (30) shot himself in the leg while escaping from the scene of where he shot Drimnagh criminal Michael Frazer (37) in a Clondalkin church car park on March 26, 2014.

He is now facing 10 years in jail on firearm offences.

Attack

Such is the threat against Walsh, that the jail van from the Midlands Prison transporting 'Nellie' Walsh, who is serving a separate sentence for burglary has been always accompanied by armed gardai.

Gerard Eglington was shot dead in Portarlington, Co Laois in September 2012.

Eglington was at home with his 11-year-old stepdaughter and three-year-old son when the attack occurred on September, 24, 2012, at Kilnacourt Woods, in Portarlington, Co Laois.

The victim was an associate of jailed gangland killer Brian Rattigan and his murder is classified as being part of the deadly Crumlin/Drimnagh feud.

Gardai are satisfied that the murder was linked to a savage attack in a Dublin pub 18 months earlier.

The 27-year-old victim, who had fled his base on the southside of Dublin to a bolthole with his family in Portarlington, Co Laois, had been under a death threat since the pub attack.

Eglington was warned five times by gardai in the months before his murder that his life was in danger. It is understood that he was in so much fear of being targeted at his home that he often hid in the attic.

The shooting was carried out in front of the 11-year-old daughter of Eglington's partner.

The Herald recently revealed that 'Nellie' was a suspect in the murders of Dean Johnson (21) in 2011 and Jason 'Jay' Carroll (39) in 2013.

Gardai believe that Mr Johnson, who was not involved in crime, was targeted because of a "local dispute" that he was involved in with associates of 'Nellie' Walsh.

Sources say that after the Johnson murder, 'Nellie' became a much bigger player in the Dublin crime scene and ended up getting involved in a bitter dispute with a Clondalkin mob with close links to the Kinahan cartel.

As the dispute intensified, the gang attempted to murder 'Nellie' in the early hours of August 24, 2013 at Harelawn Green in Clondalkin.

However, instead of shooting the criminal, an innocent 21-year-old man also called Dean Johnson, who had been socialising earlier with the mobster, was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity.

Bitter

This infuriated Nellie's gang who decided to take revenge.

Within five days, criminal Jason 'Jay' Carroll (39) was fatally shot at his home at Cherrywood Drive in Clondalkin

Meanwhile Michael Frazer, who was involved in the bitter Crumlin/Drimnagh feud, has rarely been seen in public in recent months.

After being shot by 'Nellie' Walsh, the 37-year-old survived separate murder attempts in the south inner city, Firhouse, Drimnagh and Islandbridge areas between July and November of 2014 before he finally fled the country.

However he is now believed to be back in Ireland.
Organisers of the annual 'Goal' Mile event considered pulling the popular event this year following the controversy surrounding the embattled charity.

However, the event - which takes place in Malahide each Christmas Day - is set to go ahead following discussions with charity bosses.

It will now enter its 10th year, having already raised more than 33,000 for charity.

Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell, who organises the event each year, admitted he considered whether the recent controversy would spell the end of the walk.

Reputation

Earlier this year it emerged the Department of Foreign Affairs had withheld millions of euro in funding from Goal following allegations of fraud.

The charity has been accused of a bribery scandal involving its multi-million-euro operation in Syria.

Goal has now embarked on rebuilding both its reputation and standing in the eyes of the public.

The charity's chief executive Barry Andrews announced he was stepping down as part of this process.

In October, the embattled charity appointed Celine Fitzgerald as its general manager following the resignation of Mr Andrews.

Speaking to the Herald, Mr Farrell admitted that he "agonised" over whether to stage the event for its 10th consecutive year.

He said it is a deeply rewarding walk for families and results in thousands of euro being raised for some of the world's poorest people.

Mr Farrell also said he is confident Goal will shortly be deemed to have conformed to best international practice.

"The annual Goal Mile event in Malahide, which is in its 10th year, provides an enjoyable way for local people to start their Christmas Day, while also raising vital funds for the important charitable work that Goal carries out," Mr Farrell said.

Donations

"Goal works with the poorest of the poor right across the world. In recent years, they have teams deployed in Syria, South Sudan and West Africa, to name but a few," the Dublin Fingal TD added.

The event in Malahide this year will take place on Christmas Day between 11am and noon, beginning at the rear car park of Malahide Castle, off the back road.

Donations can be made on the day or online at goal.ie.
Irish Water splashed out 5m on outside consultants six months after water charges were suspended, it has emerged.

The under-fire utility paid out more than 826,000 a month, says a new report.

Irish Water was effectively placed in limbo by the Government on May 1.

But that didn't stop it from spending close to 3,000 a month on outside public relations contracts despite its future being uncertain.

Public relations firm Murray Consultants was paid a total of 16,866.

At the same time, nearly a million people who paid out 144m in charges have been given no assurances they will be reimbursed.

Legal

Documents obtained by the Sunday Independent reveal that Irish Water spent 774,848 on so-called "business-change" services between May 1 and October 31. The payments include 406,268 to professional services giant Ernst & Young and another 123,570 to accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Legal advice cost the utility 340,830 while spending to "ensure the highest standards of governance" in areas such as data protection, information security and business analysis" cost 113,277.

Irish Water said in a statement that it was considered "more cost-effective" to employ third-party contractors as required rather than on a permanent basis.

Costs

It added that such costs represent just 1pc of its annual operating costs.

But critic Barry Cowen, Fianna Fail's environment spokesman, said that legislation is urgently needed to ensure that Irish Water is fully accountable for its spending and more transparent.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that James N. Mattis was his choice to lead the Department of Defense, what seemed to delight him most was the retired generals Iraq war nickname: Mad Dog.

Mad Dog Mattis! Trump told a post-election rally. Mad Dog. He is great, he is great.  They say he is the closest thing to Gen. George Patton that we have.

Over the next few weeks, were going to hear a lot about Mattis prowess as a combat commander and his salty exhortations to the troops he led.

Be professional, be polite, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet, he told his Marines. (A pretty good definition of what combat forces are for, actually.)

And he incautiously told a partly-civilian audience that fighting is a hell of a hoot.  Its fun to shoot some people. (He apologized for that one.)

But if Trump chose Mattis for his mad-dog reputation, he made a good choice for the wrong reason.

Yes, Mattis was a Marine who demanded ferocity from his troops in battle. But hes also a strategic thinker and scholar who ordered his officers to read military history, can quote Marcus Aurelius or Ulysses S. Grant  and never much liked the mad dog sobriquet his men bestowed on him in Anbar province.

Off the battlefield, hes soft-spoken, thoughtful, cautious  and, most important, un-Trumplike.

Indeed, Mattis has already disagreed with many of the foreign policy positions Trump adopted without evidence of deep study during his campaign.

Trump has suggested that the United States should adopt an America First foreign policy, shedding excess obligations and spending less on traditional alliances. Mattis has called for continued engagement in the world and stronger alliances, and said Trumps dismissal of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance was kooky.

When Trump called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States, Mattis said the proposal caused great damage to U.S. relationships in the Middle East. (Trump later softened the policy to extreme vetting.)

Trump has suggested that Vladimir Putins Russia could be a U.S. ally; Mattis considers Putin a major threat, and believes the U.S. should do more to help Ukraine.

And, as Trump himself reported, Mattis told the president-elect to his face that he was wrong to suggest that U.S. forces should torture suspected terrorists for information. Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers, and Ill do better, the general told the president-elect.

Trump and Mattis also differ on Iran, which could set up one of the new administrations first big foreign policy debates.

Trump has said dismantling Obamas 2015 nuclear arms deal with Tehran would be his top priority. Mattis says thats simply impractical.

Theres no going back, Mattis said in April. I dont think that we can take advantage of some new presidents (arrival) and say were not going to live up to our word on this agreement. I believe we would be alone if we did, and unilateral economic sanctions from us would not have near the impact of an allied approach.

Instead, he said, the priority should be to keep pressure on Iran to curb its intervention in the rest of the Middle East, and to deter Iran from abandoning the nuclear agreement in the years ahead.

I think were going to have to hold at risk the nuclear program in the future  in other words, make plans now of what wed do if in fact they restarted, he said.

Theres one big problem with Mattis nomination: the law that prohibits a former military officer from being secretary of Defense unless he or she has been retired for at least seven years.

Its a sensible law, meant to guarantee the principle of civilian control, and its only been waived once before, for George C. Marshall in 1950. Marshall was an extraordinary case: the chief of staff who organized victory in World War II and then served as a successful secretary of State.

This is an extraordinary case for a different reason: Trump needs Cabinet officers who are willing to stand up to him and push back when hes wrong. Mattis has already done that.

And Trump needs someone to balance the influence of his other favorite general, the volcanic Michael Flynn, who will be his national security advisor. Mattis and Flynn, who know each other well, are likely to go head-to-head on a long list of issues. (According to one report, Flynn wasnt thrilled with the idea of nominating Mattis, who outranked him four stars to three. Generals remember details like that.)

Trumps infatuation with generals  he boasted frequently in the campaign about their support  sometimes takes on an odd fanboy tone. (Mad Dog!)

But in this case, it might be a good thing. When Mad Dog Mattis tells Trump that blowing up the Iran nuclear agreement, weakening alliances, bombing civilians or reinstating torture is a bad idea, the boss might actually listen.
Candidates with no legislative history not uncommon

Maryland's candidates for governor do not have long legislative records. Wes Moore has none at all. Analysis shows that is not uncommon.
Unique, New Book about Sharing God's Love Provided as a Christmas Gift to Pastors, Christian Ministry Leaders, Missionaries, and Evangelists

Contact: Donald Mitchell, 781-647-4211

WESTON, Mass., Dec. 12, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Pastors, Christian ministry leaders, missionaries, and evangelists can receive a unique, new book as a Christmas gift that describes how to accomplish 20 times more in sharing God's love with neighbors, seekers, and those who have troubling questions and concerns. The 400 Year Project founder, Donald W. Mitchell, launches his latest book, "Investigation Centers: Open Minds to Expand and Improve God's Kingdom," which describes how Christians can better serve the lost, the hurting, the troubled, and the questioning people who would not think to enter a church for help or answers by establishing and operating investigation centers.

In Luke 10:25-37, we can read the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan who journeyed a roadway, finding a victim whose injuries were far worse than most troubles. The Good Samaritan tended to and then transported the injured man to an inn. By way of a loose analogy, an investigation center is like the inn and its owner. It's both a place and a set of sensitive, compassionate responders who serve those who enter. The benefits may be temporal or eternal, or both.

"Investigation Centers" draws on Bible verses and practical examples to show how to help create places where people who find obtaining answers to their deepest concerns and questions to be awkward, uncomfortable, and difficult will, instead, be eager to enter, joyfully learn, and make good use of the answers they find.

Mitchell described the writing experience as follows: "God through the Holy Spirit directed me to the Bible verses and provided the revelations and inspirations over more than 20 years that made this book possible. I happily give Him thanks and gratefully acknowledge that He deserves all the credit for the remarkable methods He revealed to me. Please join me in praising Him!"

Pastors, Christian leaders, missionaries, and evangelists may request their free copies of the book by sending a request by e-mail to donmitchell@fastforward400.com with their name, the name of their church, organization, or ministry, and their mailing address. Paperback or electronic copies will be sent in the United States. Electronic copies only will be sent to other nations.

The 400 Year Project conducts research and provides global educational services to leaders in how to accomplish much more with existing resources to expand and improve God's Kingdom.
Christianity Today's Church Law & Tax Receives $750,000 Grant to Build Robust Online Church Staff Compensation Resource

CAROL STREAM, Ill., Dec. 12, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $750,000 grant to Church Law & Tax (CLT) to support its online work in helping set fair and reasonable pastor and church worker compensation.

CLT is a ministry of Christianity Today.

"We are grateful to Lilly Endowment for this generous grant," said Matthew Branaugh, Editor of the Church Law & Tax Team. "It will be largely used to develop a web-based platform that churches and pastors can use to determine fair compensation levels.

"For years," Branaugh said, "our Compensation Handbook for Church Staff has provided pay and benefits data that helps congregations determine whether they are compensating their pastors and staff fairly. Through Lilly Endowment's National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders, we can now aggressively expand these efforts to ensure even more churches of all sizes, settings, and faith traditions nationwide can benefit from this powerful data."

In addition to the development of a web-based platform, the grant provides for additional staffing to expand the visibility and reach of the Church Law & Tax Team's current church financial resources, including its national compensation survey and reports, to bolster financial literacy among pastors and the churches they serve. Together, with the 50 organizations related to the national initiative, the Church Law & Tax Team will now be able to reach leaders at more than 100 denominations that shepherd more than 200,000 congregations in the U.S.

Finally, the grant will be used to expand and upgrade the National Church Compensation Survey to ensure the most current research practices are used to collect relevant data, generate more responses, and provide insightful analysis to churches and pastors.

To learn more or partner with Christianity Today, visit here

Christianity Today is a nonprofit, global media ministry centered on Beautiful Orthodoxystrengthening the church by richly communicating the breadth of the true, good, and beautiful gospel. Reaching over four million people monthly with various digital and print resources, the ministry equips Christians to renew their minds, serve the church, and create culture to the glory of God.
The Jewish Academy of Orlando has always prided itself for its award winning application and use of technology. Now, due to a very generous donation from one of its major benefactors, Marc and Henrietta Katzen, the school can continue to be a leader in this field. To coincide with Computer Science Education Week, the Jewish Academy will be rolling out the newest and latest iPad Pros as part of its one-to-one iPad program for the fourth and fifth grade students. The iPad Pros have a higher capacity and will help facilitate content creation, making videos, creating presentations, researching and writing reports, and utilizing digital textbooks. Each of the new iPad Pros will be equipped with the new Apple Pencil, the next generation digital stylus. Students will use the pencil for note taking, annotation, and digital arts.

The students in kindergarten through third grade will also be receiving new iPad Air 2s for their classroom iPad sets (10 per classroom). The new iPads throughout the school will also help facilitate a new program at the Jewish Academy. Students will be introduced to coding through the "Hour of Code" program, a worldwide educational initiative to teach students coding. (Coding is what makes it possible to create computer software, apps and websites.)

"This is a great addition to our curriculum," says Principal Shari Wladis. "It is a part of our continued commitment to educational trends and making sure we evolve with the times. This is a great addition to our existing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focused curriculum."

The students will not be the only ones benefiting from the Katzen's generosity. All of the teachers at the Jewish Academy will also be receiving new iPad Pros and Apple Pencils. As a result of the new iPads, the teachers will gain new educational management tools to facilitate focused instruction. Additionally, all of the classrooms will be receiving new Apple TVs, which will allow students to present wirelessly. The new Apple TVs also have new and exciting educational app capabilities that will enhance the classroom learning.

The Jewish Academy of Orlando has been recognized as an "Apple Distinguished School" for its use and integration of technology in the classroom. "This gift will allow our school to continue the high technology standards we tout," said Rusonik, Head of School. "We are grateful to the Katzens for helping the Jewish Academy grow and thrive through its use of technology."

To further support Jewish education and your local Jewish day school, to get involved or for any questions, please contact Alan Rusonik, Head of School, at 407-647-0713.
Evangelical Ministers Speak Out and Call on President-elect Trump to Protect and Safeguard Religious Freedom

Group to have prayer vigil and public witness on Tuesday, December 13, at 12:00 P.M. in front of Trump Tower on 725 5th Ave. New York City.

Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Activists will be holding signs with Christian women wearing head coverings to stand in solidarity with their Muslim neighbors and friends.

Ministers ask that Mr. Trump clarify his position on a Muslim Database and ensure that no one is targeted or forced to register because of their religious beliefs.

What: Prayer vigil and public witness

When: Tuesday, December 13, at 12:00 P.M.

Where: In front of Trump Tower on 725 5th Avenue, New York, NY

Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of the American experience and everyone should have the right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience without government intimidation or harassment.

Establishing a Muslim Database or targeting Muslims is a clear violation of these hallowed and sacred principles and a crushing of the values shared in the First Amendment.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and pastor of Church on the Hill both based in Washington, D.C., states:

"President-elect Trump's past comments about a Muslim Database along with statements on tracking Muslims are extremely troubling. We would prayerfully ask that Mr. Trump clarify his positions on these issues and ensure that no one is targeted or forced to register in a database because of their religious beliefs or convictions.

"Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of the American experience and everyone should have the right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience without government intimidation or harassment.

"Establishing a Muslim Database or targeting Muslims is a clear violation of these hallowed and sacred principles and a crushing of the values shared in the First Amendment."

Rev. Kris Keating, International Director of Hillside Missions Organization based in Richmond, Virginia, adds:

"Christianity in the United States has thrived because of the protection of religious freedom and civil liberties. Christians around the world pray and work to attain similar liberties. Our nation is a model of prosperity achieved as a result of the safeguarding of every person's rights.

"Any move on the part of our government to hinder the religious liberties of people residing in our nation would be counter to the example Christ gives us in scripture. I believe that it would also be destructive to the well-being of all faith communities in this country.

"Creating a system for registering Muslim people in the United States because of their religion would be an affront to religious freedom. A registry of that nature would be counter to the gospel and to the important freedoms enshrined in our system of laws. In our nation, Liberty must be the first guiding principle. In the church, love must be the first guiding principle.

"Today, there is a fervor against Islam and Muslim people among a subset of American people. One day, there may very well be a similar fervor against Christian people. The systems we establish in government should protect religious freedom for everyone.

"Because of the example and instruction of Christ, I love my neighbors. Because of Christ, I love my Muslim neighbors."

Rev. Mahoney and Keating have traveled extensively in Muslim nations and worked with the Muslim community here in America. Rev. Mahoney also flew down to Gainesville, Florida and talked Rev. Terry Jones out of burning over 200 Qurans.

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741
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The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, has launched a massive fund-raising drive for its national conference, scheduled to be held from December 24 to 27 in Indore.

AVBP members have been approaching businessmen, teachers, government officers and others, asking for contributions of Rs 500, 1,000 and Rs 5,000 by stating that their organisation works for the benefit of students and quality education, adding that the and the donated funds will be used to hold discussions on providing affordable, accessible and quality education to students.

In the past two months, the AVBP has collected Rs 1.5 crore, and with only a few days left for the event, party leaders hope that the estimated budget of Rs 5 crore will be collected with the help of its alumni.

The conference is being held after 22 years in Indore and it is a matter of pride for the MP wing. The workers are arduously collecting the fund as a huge budget is required, ABVP technical wing head Ankit Garg said.

Now, we are going to every market to collect the fund from shopkeepers and we are a getting good response, AVBP district president Harsh Chandel said.

However, a shopkeeper said, As people are not willing to give money to ABVP workers so they are coming with MLAs and local BJP political leaders. People cant deny MLA and political leaders.
A 50-year-old farmer was allegedly killed on Sunday by illegal miners while he was protesting their mining boulders and rubble from his agricultural land in Chhatarpur districts Hama village.

The accused crushed him under an earth excavating machine which they had brought with them, police said.

According to the police, farmer Kallu Yadav protested the mining activity being carried out on his land and asked the accused to stop it. The accused ignored him, only saying that they were mining on their own land. When Yadav continued to resist, the accused crushed him under the machine.

The deceased son witnessed the whole incident from a distance. Based on his statement and account, the police have registered a case against five absconding men, said town inspector RD Dwivedi, adding that the police have seized the excavating machine and investigations are on to nab the accused.
Kanha Tiger Reserves famous tiger Bheema died on Sunday, a week after it was wounded in a tussle with another tiger in the Mukki range of the reserve. After the injury, Bheema was shifted to an enclosure, but despite the best efforts of veterinary doctors, it died in the afternoon, said forest officials.

When our staff found him, he had multiple injuries. He was very weak as he had not been able to hunt. He could barely walk. We shifted him to the enclosure for treatment. We called two veterinary doctors from Jabalpur, but despite their best efforts to save him during last one week, Bheema finally died on Sunday, Kanha park superintendent PK Verma told HT.

Wildlife conservationist Sarosh Lodhi said Bheema was famous for his tourist-friendly nature, due to which many were able to photograph him. He had a large build, due to which he was named Bheema. His actual name was T-28, he said.

Kanha, spread over Mandla and Balaghat districts, has witnessed a rise in tiger numbers. In 2010, camera trap photographs captured images of 37 adult tigers and two cubs, and based on this data, a projection was made for the entire Kanha tiger habitat, which revealed there were roughly 60 cats in the reserve.

According to the latest camera trap photographs, there are a minimum of 83 tigers in Kanha.

However, this year, Kanha has reported very high tiger mortality, with 11 tigers losing their lives  the highest for any tiger reserve in the country.

Wildlife lovers have expressed their concern by the seemingly unprecedented surge in tiger mortality in the state. Overall, 29 tigers have died in MP this year, with three in the last one week. According to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) data, 90 tigers have died in the country this year, with nearly one-third from MP alone.

TIGER DEATHS IN KANHA TIGER RESERVE THIS YEAR

December 11: Bheema dies after it was injured in a clash with another tiger in Mukki range

October 28: Carcass of a male tiger found in Mukki range.

October 22: Carcass of a tiger found in Khatiya range, with all four paws missing.

June 16: A tiger dies in the reserve. It was a natural death.

May 21: Young female cub dies due to territorial fighting

April 26: Tiger dies in Kisli forest of reserve

April 18: Tigress dies while defending its cubs from male tiger in Mukki range

April 16: Tiger dies of old age and starvation in Supkhar range

April 8: Male cub dies of septicaemia infection. Another cub dies in Gorella Mukki forest

March 9: Tiger dies in Kisli forest
MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday apologised on the peoples behalf for defiling the Narmada by polluting its waters, perforating its body through sand mining, and defecating on its banks.

Flagging off the 144-day-long Narmada Sewa Yatra from Amarkantak in Annuppur district, the chief minister said the childhood days spent on its banks had given him an opportunity to witness how the river contributes to the states growth and prosperity. Narmada has given us so much water for drinking and growing crops and trees. But have we given it anything in return? We are offenders, Ma Narmada. We have polluted your waters and set up cities on your banks. We defecated on your banks, we perforated your body with sand mining, we reduced your waters to a trickle. Today, I bow before you and seek your apology, he added.

Chouhan claimed the campaign to protect the Narmada was an attempt at saving ourselves.

The pollution in our rivers and the atmosphere is causing a surge in ailments such as cancer, and the same was affecting people. It is high time we launched a mass campaign to protect the Narmada, he said, adding that his government would take a series of steps to protect the river as well as its ecology.

The 1,312-km-long Narmada, the fifth-largest river in India, flows through Madhya Pradesh (1,077 km) and Gujarat (161 km)  grazing Maharashtra at some point. It originates from Maikal Hills in Amarkantak and concludes its journey in the Arabian Sea at Gujarats Bharuch district.

Chouhan also led the people in a pledge to work for the protection of Narmada, plant trees along its banks, encourage people to adopt organic farming in its catchment areas, and clean the sacred river.

Chouhan flagged off the yatra by carrying the Narmada flag to Kabir Chabutra at Amarkantak in the presence of various saints. It will move through 16 districts over the next five months, finally concluding at the same point on May 5, 2017.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani praised Chouhans initiative, and said his government would also work towards returning the river to its past glory. Narmada played a key role in the development of the state, he added.

Various saints also spoke on sacredness of the Narmada, and the need to work collectively for its protection. Avdheshanand Giri, mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, said Narmada was not just a river but a historical narrative that has been running as the central thread in the states cultural ethos for centuries. He said the launch of a Narmada aarti (worship), on the lines of the Ganga aarti, will encourage many people to join the cause.

RSS sarkaryawah Bhaiyyaji Joshi claimed India was the only country in the world that worships its rivers. It is only here that we see divinity in water, he said, urging people to plant trees along the river banks.

INITIATIVES ANNOUNCED BY SHIVRAJ

Fruit trees will be planted on both sides of the Narmada over a one-kilometre stretch after the monsoon.

Farmers planting fruit trees will be provided an incentive of Rs 20,000 per hectare for three years.

Sewage treatment plants will be set up on the river bank to prevent pollutants from entering the Narmada.

Habitations along the river will be made open-defecation free at the earliest.

Funds amounting to Rs 15 crore approved for setting up a sewage treatment plant at Amarkantak.

Housing units with toilets to be constructed for poor at Amarkantak.

Amarkantak to be developed into a world-class pilgrimage city.

Crematoriums to be built along the Narmada, so people dont release bodies into its waters.

Changing rooms will be set up for women taking a dip in the river.
Bhopal/Rewa: A 55-year-old carpenter from Rewa district has gifted a wooden motorbike crafted by him using waste wood - to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fulfilling a wish of his daughter an adherent of the BJP leader.

Buddhsen Vishwakarma, a native of Baikunthpur in the district, gifted the three-ft high motorbike to Modi at latters residence in Delhi on December 4.

Vishwakarma on Sunday told HT that his 15-minute meeting with Modi would remain etched in memory forever.

The prime minister asked his officers to note down my details. I told the prime minister that I am the father of five children, including daughter Durga, who is a die-hard fan of him, he said.

He (Modi) also asked me what did me or my family want from him. I told him that I dont want anything. I just came to fulfill my 12-year-old daughters wish of gifting the mobike to him, said Vishwakarma, who worked on the motorbike for four months.

Notably, the carpenter had already gifted a wooden Ganesh idol to Amitabh Bachchan, a wooden bullock cart to former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh and a temple made of wood to present CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

I never asked any BJP leader for arranging an appointment with the prime minister. My son Suraj (22) helped me finding Modis residence address on internet, Vishwakarma told Hindustan Times on Sunday.

Vishwakarma meeting with Modi did not come easily. When he reached the main gate of the prime ministers residence, on duty security personnel laughed at him and did not allow entry.

They drove me away but I returned shamelessly as the gift was inspired by my daughter. Possibly seeing my perseverance, the security staff informed about my wish to their seniors.

Half an hour later, he was allowed to enter residential campus of Modi and the wooden motorbike was put through scanning machine.

After security checking, I waited for another two hours before being allowed to meet the prime minister.
An air-conditioner and television mechanic in MPs Seoni town allegedly killed his wifes brother on Saturday-Sunday intervening night over the latters habit of regularly borrowing money.

Fearing that he might be caught for killing Shailendra Patle, Nagendra Thackarey (38) subsequently went on a killing spree, attacking his mother Pramilla, wife Sarojni and elder daughter with a pick-axe. He, however, was unable to gather the courage to attack his four-year-old daughter.

His mother died en route to the hospital, while his wife and elder daughter are battling for their lives at a Nagpur hospital.

On Friday, Patle took Rs 1.70 lakh kept by Thackarey for buying a plot. On Saturday late night when Thackarey returned from Jabalpur and got to know about the same, he became angry, Seoni SP AK Pandey said.

While the rest of the family went to sleep, Thackarey took Patle outdoors and had a noisy brawl over the money, which turned violent after Thackarey attacked him with a pick-axe, police said.

Since the family had seen Thackarey get angry over Patle taking the money, the mechanic feared that his kin would help the police arrest him. He then attacked his family while they slept with the same weapon.

He first attacked his mother, then wife and finally his elder daughter, but could not kill his younger daughter, who had woken up by then and seen him commit the murders, the Seoni SP said.

The girl then ran out of the house and alerted the neighbours, but by then Thackarey had fled.

Based on information given by the little girl, we tracked her father and arrested him. He has confessed to the crime and has plunged into deep depression. Were keeping him under vigil to prevent him from a possible suicide, said Pandey.
The Balaghat Police have busted a wild animal skin smuggling racket, which was operated by a teacher of a government Industrial Training Institute (ITI).

Ganpat (40) was arrested with two aides while he was en route to Balaghat with a leopard skin worth Rs 5 lakh, Balaghat SP Amit Sanghi said on Sunday.

Based on information rendered by Ganpat and his aides, the police arrested two more men from Dhundhunwala village in Lanji area. A search of their house led to remains of a barahsingha (swamp deer), suggesting that they were old hands at animal parts smuggling racket.

All five have been booked under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Questioning of the five arrested men has so far revealed that Ganpat, who teaches in ITI Baihar, is the kingpin of the racket, which could be linked to some bigger inter-state wildlife smuggling rackets also, said Sanghi.

Till now those arrested with Ganpat seem to be middlemen, but its connectivity with other rackets and prospective customers is under investigation, said Sanghi.

Primary investigations by police and forest department suggest that the leopard skin is just a few months old, as it also contained traces of flesh. Further, with no gunshot wounds visible anywhere on the seven-foot-long skin of the leopard, it seems the animal could have been poisoned instead of being gunned down, the Balaghat SP said.
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, is following in the footsteps of Aamir Khan - she has said she doesnt believe in awards and doesnt attend award functions.

I dont go to your award functions and I dont believe in awards, said Kangana who walked the ramp for designer Manish Arora at the Blenders Pride fashion show on Saturday night.

Kangana Ranaut will soon be seen in Rangoon. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

Asked to choose between Alia Bhatt and Sonam Kapoor for the most deserving actress to win the best actor award, she said, I am not an awarding jury. Its not my job to decide who should win. I dont believe in awards, then why should I bother? I dont care who wins.

Kangana however, praised Alia. Alia is one of those people I reach out to. I have a very beautiful equation with her. Its very sweet that she wants to know my whereabouts. 

The Queen actress who was looking stunning in a neon pink lehenga and green crop top worn with an embellished jacket, expressed her happiness as the first actress to walk for the designer. As I have no release this year, walking for Manish is a great achievement for me. Manish is my favourite Indian designer and I am the first actress who has walked for him. This is the highest point of 2016, she said.

Kangana will be next seen in Vishal Bharadwajs Rangoon which is slated to release February 24, 2017.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Apart from films, actors are often in demand to endorse products. From clothing to cosmetics, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan have always been prominent names in the ad world. Now, it seems that Sanjay Dutt is receiving offers as well. A source close to the actor says that since his release from Yerwada jail, Pune, the actor has been in demand to endorse several brands  especially those related to fitness.

Watch: Sanjay Dutts song M Bole To from Munnabhai MBBS

A source says,Sanjay didnt have access to gym equipment when he was at Yerwada jail. However, he managed to exercise, and practiced his own routines to stay fit. Even today, the actor is working out religiously. Owing to his toned physique, several fitness brands have approached him to endorse their products.

Last night pic after a yummy...delicious meal at home #dutts #positivity #grace #love #hubby #dinner #home #instafam #selfie A photo posted by Maanayata Dutt (@maanayata) on Oct 26, 2016 at 9:22am PDT

The source further says that about six to seven brands are keen on getting the actor on board for their advertising campaigns. Sanjay is currently the face of an innerwear brand. Now, varied fitness-related labels want him to endorse their clothing lines, shoes, energy bars, etc. Sanjay remained unavailable for a comment but his spokesperson confirmed the news.
There is no evidence the Bombay Club ever existed, except that it did.

This is not the kind of club people born this side of 1991 would imagine it to be. This was a group of eight big industrialists who came together after the Narasimha Rao government opened up the economy. In a letter to the government on November 10, 1993, they sought protection against multinationals coming into the country. The Indian stalwarts said there was no way they could survive, because the MNCs had better technology and marketing acumen, and more money.

All these years later, they appear to be decidedly old-world, and all those men are actually old now; in fact, not all of them are around anymore. And none of them ever really admitted to forming a grouping against MNCs. However, listening to the young voices from the world of business these days, you wonder whether those days are back, of whether they ever went away.

What we need to do is what China did [15 years ago], and tell the world we need your capital, but we dont need your companies, said Sachin Bansal, founder and chairman of Flipkart, Indias largest e-commerce startup, at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit.

Read | Do Flipkart and Ola need protection?

He found a kindred spirit in Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder and CEO of Ola, who also spoke at the summit. Its much easier for non-Indian companies to raise capital because they have profitable markets elsewhere... its a very unfair playing field for Indian startups, said Aggarwal.

For good measure, he added: There is a glass ceiling for Indian start-ups. If I want to meet the Prime Minister, it wont be as easy as [for] a foreign guy coming to India.

Aggarwals bit about being able to meet the Prime Minister found resonance. TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education, told a newspaper it is good the Prime Minister meets people like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Elon Musk of Tesla, but he should also have one-on-one meetings with the technology leaders of India.

Now Bansal is the biggest star of Indian startups, having founded the most valued e-commerce company in the country. He was the CEO till the other day, before stepping down in favour of co-founder Binny Bansal and becoming the chairman. The street in Bengalurus Koramangala that houses Flipkarts HQ is a sort of mini-mecca for aspiring entrepreneurs. Olas Aggarwal is not far behind, having founded the countrys most popular app-based ride hailing service.

Pai is different from those two, but a legend in Bengalurus technology circles for having invested in several start-ups and being, in an earlier avatar, a big force at software star Infosys.

But their call to arms against the foreign guys is reminiscent of the Bombay Clubs clamour all those years ago. So much so its safe to see a rise of the Bangalore Club; not Bengaluru, in the spirit of the Bombay Club, not Mumbai.

Read | You dont sell churan, hing and call it real sales: Flipkarts Binny Bansal

Paytms HQ is on a decidedly working-class street in Noida, Delhis nearest suburb. But he is not to be left behind in the race to be seen as an Indian company. Of course, he has the most compelling reason.

In the wake of the governments cancelling old notes of 500 and 1,000 on November 8, Paytm has been seen as the biggest gainer, becoming a generic verb for payments using a mobile wallet. At the same time, tongues have wagged that a Chinese-owned company benefiting would take away from the nationalistic rhetoric of demonetisation. Chinas Alibaba Group, with its affiliate Ant Financial, owns more than 40% equity in One97, the holding company for Paytms ecommerce business and mobile wallet.

Flipkart, too, has Tiger Global, a big venture capital firm based in the United States, as a major investor, and its main corporate entity is registered in Singapore. And Ola has the backing of Japans internet and technology giant, SoftBank.

But they are splitting shareholding and identity. The crux of what makes a company Indian is the entrepreneur and the management team, and where they are based, said Aggarwal at the Carnegie conference.

Sharma of Paytm has gone several steps ahead and shifted the mobile wallet business to his new company, Paytm Payments Bank. Paytm Payments Bank has only two shareholders. Sharma, in his individual capacity, owns 51% equity, and One97 Communications owns 49%. So Alibaba has no direct shareholding in the wallet unit anymore. Finally, the Paytm wallet will be a perfect Indian product. The payments bank will have no foreign shareholder, and no foreigners on its board except an independent director, who has international citizenship, Sharma told HT.

This perhaps makes the Bangalore club different from the Bombay Club, which did not rely on foreign capital. The new club is not deterred by the foreign capital running in its veins.

Could that have something to do with the fact that for all the pressure Paytm has faced, Flipkart and Ola have their battles to fight? Amazon and Uber are not to be trifled with

Read | Everywhere the light touches Paytm sees opportunity

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Cyrus Mistry has been removed as the director of Tata Industries, a Tata Sons spokesperson said on Monday.

The decision, which was taken at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, is likely to further escalate the boardroom battle that erupted after Mistrys removal from the helm of the $103-billion business empire.

Mistry also ceased to be the chairman of the unlisted Tata Industries after shareholders voted him out. This move is likely to impact voting at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of software major and group jewel Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Tuesday.

Tata Sons called for the meetings to arrive at a resolution for replacing Mistry as the head of several group companies after he refused to step down after his unceremonious ouster in October. Ratan Tata, patriarch of the salt-to-software conglomerate, had then taken over as interim chairman while a company-appointed search panel was formed to find a replacement.

Read| Vijay Singh concocting theories to defend Ratan Tata: Cyrus Mistry

Ratan Tata later told shareholders that the continued presence of the ousted executive on various boards was a disruptive influence capable of making the companies dysfunctional. Mistry, for his part, accused the veteran industrialist of being insecure about his legacy.

Meanwhile, shareholders of TCS will vote on a resolution to remove Mistry as the companys director in a crucial phase of the tussle between the two parties. The Mistry camp has lashed out at the move as a reflection of the cloak and dagger machinations that define the angry strategy of the Ratan Tata camp.

Tomorrows voting by TCS shareholders will be the first of six such EGMs called by several listed group companies  including Indian Hotels Co Ltd (December 20), Tata Steel (December 21), Tata Motors (December 22), Tata Chemicals (December 23) and Tata Power (December 26)  to seek Mistrys ouster as their director.

In the case of Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals, the shareholders will also vote for a resolution to remove Nusli Wadia as independent director.

Read| Full text: Appeal from Tata Group to stakeholders over charges against Cyrus Mistry

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AN APPEAL FROM THE TATA GROUP

TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS OF TATA COMPANIES

Extraordinary General Meetings of various Tata Companies are coming up over the next few weeks. We, at Tata Sons Ltd., the principal shareholder and promoters of the various Tata Companies, would like to thank you for your continued support. In order to assist you to exercise your shareholder rights in an informed manner, it would be appropriate to bring to your attention some key facts which resulted in the loss of confidence in Mr. Cyrus P. Mistry by Tata Sons

Mr. Cyrus Mistry misled the Selection Committee set up in 2011 for selecting a Chairman of Tata Sons to succeed Mr. Ratan Tata, by making lofty statements about his plans for the Tata Group and more importantly indicated an elaborate management structure for managing the Tata Group, given its diversity of business, by suggesting a management structure aimed at dispersal of authority and responsibility. These statements and commitments from Mr. Cyrus Mistry played an important role in the Selection Committees final selection of Mr. Mistry as Chairman. After waiting for a period of four years, almost none of these management structures and plans have been given effect to. Clearly, in our opinion, the Selection Committee was misled in its choice of Mr. Mistry.

When Mr. Mistry was appointed as Executive Vice-Chairman in 2011, he was informed that he should distance himself from his family enterprise - Shapoorji Pallonji & Company and the other Shapoorji Pallonji Group entities of which he is a major shareholder by putting his shareholding in an arms-length Trust. This was suggested keeping in mind good corporate governance principles. Mr. Mistry agreed but after some time, Mr. Mistry retracted his position and indicated that he could not find a way of doing so. Such conduct by Mr. Mistry was inappropriate and created a sense of breach of trust on his part. It also posed a significant challenge to the high corporate governance principles Tata Sons strived for. This retraction, created grave concerns on Mr. Mistrys ability to lead the Tata Group devoid of personal conflicts and put to risk the high standards of self-less governance, that lies at the core of the Tata philosophy.

The Tata Sons Board has been concerned for some time about the financial performance of Tata Sons of which Mr. Mistry was the Executive Chairman and primarily responsible for its performance. During Mr. Mistrys tenure as Executive Chairman, dividend income (other than from TCS) declined continuously and on the other hand, staff costs more than doubled. All this would have resulted in losses but 2 for the TCS dividend. Mr. Mistry did not show concern about these issues and the increasing dependence of Tata Sons on TCS. The Board could not accept this any further as it had the potential to risk the financial viability of Tata Sons.

Mr. Mistry has gradually over the past three/four years concentrated all power and authority only in his own hands as Chairman in all the major Tata operating companies and gone about systematically diluting the representation of Tata Sons on the Boards of various Tata Companies, whilst being fully cognizant that Tata Sons is the main promoter and largest shareholding group. This was very much against the past practices and traditions of the Tata Group. Mr. Mistry has claimed that he was not given a "free hand". Ironical, it may be, but in our view, it was this "free hand" and trust in him that Mr. Mistry took advantage of, to weaken management structures in Tata Companies acting contrary to his fiduciary duties.

Mr. Mistry was appointed as the Chairman of the various Tata Companies only through his Chairmanship of the parent company Tata Sons Ltd. which has been a longstanding convention in the Tata Group. Therefore, when Mr. Mistry was removed as Chairman of Tata Sons, propriety and reason demanded that he step down from the Chairmanship of the various Tata Companies. Instead, Mr. Mistry has chosen to resort to selective media leaks, media statements and to make a public spectacle, knowing fully well that his actions would hurt and damage the companies even while remaining as their Chairman.

Mr. Mistry constantly complains about "bad" legacy issues. However, he was fully aware of these and nevertheless assumed the responsibility of Chairman of Tata Sons as a challenge to turn around and resolve these issues. Mr. Mistry conveniently ignores the good legacies which he inherited, namely TCS and JLR, which account for nearly 90% of the Groups total profits and which helped him to claim good aggregate Group results. It has always been Tatas policy to tackle difficult situations and turn them around but instead he has only taken the easy option of taking large amounts of writeoffs to huge detriment of the shareholders and blaming it all on the past management, while doing little to fix the challenges faced by certain companies. In its long history, Tatas have faced many critical problems in companies like Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Chemicals and even Jaguar Land Rover (before Mr. Mistrys tenure) which have been overcome by strong management action and financial support from Tata Sons at the group level and the shareholders and most importantly the motivation of employees and their resolve to overcome challenges. All such constituents have always rallied round to turn around difficult situations so as to protect their companies under the TATA flag. In our opinion, mature responses to challenges of business are at the core of the Tata philosophy, and in our opinion, Mr Mistry has failed to live up to it.

It was Mr. Mistry who decided to go on a public campaign in the media by making irresponsible and incorrect allegations to which Tata Sons was compelled to respond in a rather long public statement because there was a lot to be said. Mr. Mistrys statements have caused the Group (including the companies where he continues to 3 be the Chairman) enormous damage and caused considerable financial loss to all shareholders, running into tens of thousands of crores and in our opinion, Mr. Mistry alone is responsible for such losses directly arising from his irresponsible and incorrect statements. His actions and statements have also caused instability and confusion in these companies and their managements which would have been avoided if he had done the right thing by stepping down from the Chairmanships and Boards as is normally done. Instead, Mr. Mistry seems to have taken the stand that even if he ultimately has to relinquish, he would have the satisfaction of damaging a great institution built up over 150 years after just five years of his tenure. It is also ironical that Mr. Mistry is resisting his removal from the Boards of these very same Tata Companies which he has attacked by his false allegations and caused enormous harm to. On one hand, he alleges legacy issues faced by Tata Companies and on the other Mr. Mistry seeks to entrench himself in the Board of such Tata Companies, whilst making false allegations against such companies. In our opinion, his actions are driven by a perverse motivation to cause harm to the "Tata" brand and to intentionally erode shareholder value.

Finally - and most importantly - it must be recalled that the operating Tata companies and Tata Sons have, for many decades, worked cohesively and seamlessly for the benefit of all stakeholders, namely, the companies, their shareholders and employees and for society at large. There has been no other agenda or personal interest as ultimately even the dividends paid to Tata Sons and subsequently to its own shareholders went back to philanthropy except for those paid to the minority shareholders. The operating Tata companies have individually grown and prospered but they have also benefitted in no small measure from being part of the Tata Group. This encompasses the ability to attract and retain management and employees, use the TATA brand nationally and internationally, which has been painstakingly built up over the past decades, help in the marketing of their products and their ability to attract capital in all forms and give the comfort of safety because of the past default-free record. Therefore, Tata companies do not exist in a vacuum but benefit from being part of the Tata Group which is most evident in times of difficulty. All such benefits are likely to be at stake if Mr. Mistry continues to remain Chairman, as his continuance is likely to lead to fragmentation of the Tata Group. For this purpose alone, Tata Sons would need the support of all, big and small, shareholders who have stood with the Tata Group at all times.

It is the firm resolve of Tata Sons to put the current turmoil in the Group behind it and Tata Sons is sure that the managements and employees of the companies will also want to get back to normal. Tata companies have always been managed by dedicated professionals under the supervision of their Boards which, till recently, comprised a judicious mix of persons representing the promoters, the management and independents - as prescribed by the applicable regulations and which is also the case in almost all corporate entities in our country. This structure ensures that the interests of all constituents, namely, shareholders (big and small), employees and consumers are protected and good corporate governance is followed and constantly improved upon. Tata companies must therefore quickly return to focusing on 4 financial consolidation, prudent and strong Balance Sheets and sustainable returns and values to their shareholders, big and small.



Mr. Mistrys latest letter to the shareholders (which was released at a Press Conference) dwells at length on the subject of corporate governance. Tata Sons takes strong objection to his accusation of lack of corporate governance in Tatas which he also extends to the Tata Trusts. The Tata Group has functioned for 149 years and set standards of corporate governance all through this period. It is therefore shocking that Mr. Mistry, who was given the privilege of heading the Group, should, in a short period of four years, be now lecturing us on corporate governance. The corporate structure of the Group which prevailed under the leadership of Mr. J. R. D. Tata for over 50 years and thereafter Mr. Ratan Tata for over 20 years, exemplified the best corporate governance practices. Mr. Mistry consciously dismantled this long established corporate structure by identifying himself as the only Tata Sons representative on the boards of Tata operating companies. It is relevant to mention that under the Governance Guidelines Framework which Mr. Mistry himself introduced in 2015 (and referred to in his last Press Release), there is a clause to the effect that all employees of a Tata company should, after their employment ceases, immediately resign from the Boards of all Tata companies where they are functioning as Non-Executive Directors. Therefore Mr. Mistry, on ceasing to be the Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, should have immediately resigned from the Boards of all other companies under his own guidelines. Yet he has chosen not to do so in wilful breach of the Governance Guidelines Framework.



By extending his criticism of corporate governance to the Tata Trusts, he is betraying a total lack of knowledge and understanding of the role of the Tata Trusts who have benefitted millions of Indian lives over the past several decades with its annual disbursements for philanthropic and charitable causes now amounting to over ?800 crores per year. The Tata Trusts have been undertaking these activities for decades before the current mandatory CSR allocations recently came into force for the corporate sector. It is also the duty of the Trustees to protect the value of their assets represented by their corpus. A valuable component of these assets is the shareholdings of the Trusts in Tata Sons which were first donated by the sons of Jamsetji Tata. Surely, it is the duty of the Trustees to protect the 66% shareholding in Tata Sons by ensuring that the decisions of the company do not come in the way of the flow of adequate dividends from the company to the trusts, absent which the Tata Trusts would not be able to undertake their mission. Tata Sons is sure that the shareholders, big and small, and the public at large will see through the absurdity of these allegations.





APPEAL:

Tata Sons is therefore compelled to propose the removal of Mr. Cyrus P. Mistry as the Chairman and Director of all Tata Companies by convening Extraordinary General Meetings of shareholders as prescribed by the law. For this purpose, Tata Sons would need the support of all big and small shareholders who have stood with Tatas always.



Tata Sons therefore urges all the constituents of Tata companies to give serious thought to all that has been said above and support the resolutions placed before them.
Two weeks ago, Delhi Police had received information about Rohit Tandon, the owner of law firm, T&T, hoarding cash inside his office in Greater Kailash Part 1, south Delhi.

The income tax department too claimed that it had evidence against Tandons alleged investment in properties across Delhi and abroad through shell companies.

The police then in association with the I-T department started working on the leads and raided Tandons office on Saturday night and recovered Rs 13.56 crore in cash.

A total of 15 personnel both from polices crime branch and those from the I-T department took part in the raid.

It is suspected that Tandon was working as a consultant, facilitating exchange of money after demonetisation. It is unlikely for someone to keep so much cash at one place. Either he was receiving payments from all his clients in cash, that he was hoarding instead of declaring or he was facilitating exchange of money. The investigation to identify the source of this unaccounted money is underway, a police source said.

Read: Raid at south Delhi law firm office, cash worth Rs 8 crore recovered

Police sources said Tandons cash godown was being guarded by just one security guard. They believe Tandon himself kept a close watch on his money and had linked the CCTV network of his office with his mobile phone and the feed from the control room used to get directly transmitted to his phone.

When the police team raided the godown on Saturday, he watched it live on his phone and then went underground, a police officer said.

The cash at his office on first floor, sources revealed, was stashed not only in almirahs, trunks and suitcases but in secret cabins and courier packets. It appears Tandon was receiving cash even through courier. We spotted many such packets full of Rs 100 notes that we suspect came from across India and even Dubai. The source of the money is yet to be ascertained, a senior police officer said.

Tandon is also the founder of Zeus Law Associates, which he set up around 2005 and exited around February 2014 to start T&T, leaving his brother-in-law Sunil Tyagi and partner Vivek Kohli in-charge.
A 15-year-old girl was repeatedly being gang raped by four men, including a local builder, at Jamia Nagar area of Delhi, city police said on Monday.

Police said the assault on the girl first took place in July 2016 when the accused, identified as 40-year-old Sajid Khan, a resident of Shaheen Bagh area, raped the victim in his flat.

The victim is a Class 9 student in a government school. She met Khan through her classmate, the police said.

Sajid Khan also made an MMS clip of the sexual assault.

Khan started blackmailing the victim, saying he would upload the MMS on social media and often gang raped her along with his three masked associates. He has been raping the victim in various flats located in South Delhi, a senior police officer said.

The victims mother, who works as a maidservant, approached an NGO after her daughter narrated the entire ordeal to her last weak.

Shakil ul-Rehman, a social worker from the NGO, said, The victim is three months pregnant. Khan often threatened to kill her if she denied an abortion. The mother approached our organisation to help them file a police complaint.

The police registered a case of rape against the accused persons only after local residents and NGO workers intervened in the case, Rehman said.

Khan is married and has four children, he said.

We are looking for the accused persons, who are absconding, including Khan, and have recorded a statement from the victim, the officer said.
Struggling to find people willing to work as monkey catchers, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to hire them on contract.

At present, the civic agency has only one staff for catching and relocating hundreds of monkeys roaming in 104 wards. Due to manpower shortage, it could catch only 15 monkeys in the last one year, said an SDMC official.

Now, the corporation proposes to pay them a regular salary, even if they dont catch any monkey. So far, SDMC pays Rs1,200 for catching and relocation of one monkey.

We are waiting for the financial approval and possibly by next week we will start the tendering process for hiring monkey catchers at a monthly salary of 18,000. Thats the last thing we can do to attract monkey catchers, said a senior SDMC official.

For the past three years, the corporation has written letters to the state governments asking for help in procuring services of monkey catchers. We wrote to different states corporations such as Haryana, UP, HP and Andhra Pradesh for providing monkey catchers but failed to get any reply, said RBS Tyagi, director veterinary department, SDMC.

According to him, there are multiple reasons responsible for existing shortage of workforce.

The monkeys are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They are looked after by the wildlife department after theyre relocated at the Asola Bhatti Mines Sanctuary. So ideally it should be the departments responsibility to catch the monkeys, said Tyagi.

The SDMC claimed it shared the facts with the wildlife department and but didnt get any reply. Except for Rajasthan, no other state corporations are catching monkeys, said a senior SDMC official.

SDMC will soon file an affidavit in the Delhi high court, asking that the responsibility of catching and relocating monkeys be shifted to the Delhi governments wildlife department.

Officials said that the monkeys that are relocated to the forest of Asola Bhatti mines are coming back to the residential areas in search of food. We have received complaints from neighbouring schools, dispensaries and residential areas about simians coming in groups to steal food from peoples houses and attack them. But we are helpless, said a senior official.

Besides, the animal lovers also add to the problem by filing police complaints against corporations and monkey catchers when the simians are caught in ones and twos, not troops.

Such an incident happened in Nizamuddin and our staff was harassed unnecessarily. In fact, it is a major reason why monkey catchers dont want to work in Delhi, said an official.

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After Jeetendra, 50, woke up on Sunday morning and noticed a huge crowd gathered around a property dealers office in Deep Vihar, Rohini Sector 24, he was sure something was wrong.

When I saw the stunned crowd, I knew something was wrong. I just prayed that Joginder sahib was alright, said Jeetendra.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Joginder, 45, was shot dead along with a woman he was allegedly having an affair with, at his plot that he rented to a property dealer.

Read | Delhi: Partially-naked bodies of cop, woman found in Rohini

As Jeetendra pushed through the crowd and made towards the back door of the office, he was horrified. Joginders bloody legs were half way through the door. The upper part of his body was lying across the floor. He was only wearing underwear. His kurta and pyjama were lying nearby on the floor.

When Jeetendra came closer, he spotted a womans naked body on an adjacent bed. Her clothes  a top and jeans  were lying on on the floor, drenched in blood dripping from her body.

I was numb with fear. I had given tea to him and his friends in the evening a day before. Everything seemed normal back then, Jeetendra said.

According to him, Joginder had been sitting with six men in the front room of the office when he saw him last. He had asked for seven cups of tea from Jeetendra, who lives two houses away in the same block.

Joginder sahib always called me whenever he wanted anything. Be it namkeen, tea, water or ice, I used to bring it for him. He always came in a white Santro car in the evening and returned to his house in Mundka at night, said Jeetendra.

The locals are shocked at the incident. Joginder came to his plot at least three times a week. Nobody had reportedly seen him with a woman before.

Joginder sahib was a friendly person. I knew him since a year. He never got into fight with anyone. He just came here, sat in the office, ordered tea and snacks and then he would go back, the tea-seller said.

Locals were surprised when police told them that Joginder and the woman he was found with had bullet injuries. Nobody had heard any gunshot the previous night.

It is possible that some people heard it but assumed that it was the sound of firecrackers bursting from a wedding nearby. There is a a community centre in the same block where marriages are organised frequently, said Jeetendra.

A local spotted the bodies initially. He saw the back door open and Joginders legs were visible. The local then alerted the neighbours and the police was informed.

The accused, Jeet Dahiya and Sandeep have been arrested while a hunt is on for four of their accomplices. Police refused to disclose the identity of the deceased married woman.

Read | Delhi Police claim brutal murders of Munirka sex workers solved, arrest two

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Tucked behind the boundary wall of Delhi Metros sprawling Vinod Nagar depot, barely a kilometre from NH-24, Sheikh Ajgar (24) lives with his wife and two children. While workers wearing helmets, safety boots and fluorescent jackets are busy constructing the upcoming metro depot, Ajgar in his shanty is carefully removing straw and dirt from a big lump of womens hair.

For a week, he has been looking for a buyer to sell the 80 grams of hair which took him hours to clean. I bought this from a waste collector for Rs 106 and after cleaning, I sell it for Rs 130 or so. But for days, the man who comes to pick it up from us has not turned up. Now I collect hair myself from the Ghazipur landfill to save money. There are days when my children live only on one bowl of daal because of the cash crunch, Ajgar said.

For three years, he has been selling womens hair to wig manufacturers but survival has become tough after the currency ban kicked in on November 9, he rued. Demonetisation, he said, has squeezed dry more than 1.5 lakh people engaged in Delhis waste collection sector. Godown owners have stopped buying wastes and waste collectors havent received wages for a month.

Dipu, who segregates and sells junk items like plastic bottles, utensils, chairs, buckets, phones and bulbs, in the Ghazipur slum complained that his earnings had fallen by more than 50%

Read: Delhi: Long queues outside ATMs, next two days could be worse

Until a month ago, I used to earn Rs 300-400 per day. Now I barely make half of that. A kilo of copper used to fetch us Rs 300 earlier. It has come down to Rs 250 now. We get R 200 for brass, instead of R 250. Iron is down to Rs 11 from Rs 25 and a kilogram of plastic is being sold only for Rs 11 against Rs 18 before, he said.

The situation was no different in east Delhis Seemapuri, another place waste collectors reside in large numbers. For four days, the management of two Madarsas in Gujarat have been calling Habibullah Khan for fee payment of his 18-year old son and 16-year old daughter.

I have to send Rs 3000 as fees for my childrens education, but have no money. My shot is shut ever since the note ban was announced. Nobody is willing to buy recyclable waste anymore. People do not want to give away their new currency notes it seems, Khan said.

Several godowns and small waste shops have also shut in the crisis. I have more than a dozen workers under me, but havent been able to pay wages to any of them. What do I do? I am unable to get money from the bank. Most of the time I keep the godown shut. Business has never been so bad, said Mehmood, a godown owner in Ghazipur.

NGOs that work closely with such waste collectors have also said that they were also facing difficulties in paying them. We managed to pay some waste pickers associated with us two days ago because of a dearth of short change. Till now, we have been able to clear the wages of just 300 of them, said Chitra Mukherjee of Chintan.

She added that it was also extremely difficult to get bank accounts created for waste pickers. We have been able to create bank accounts for only 4,000 of them so far. It is difficult to get identification proofs for them. Demonetisation is the worst thing that could have happened to such people, Mukherjee said.

Buni Bibi, a waste dealer, says she has been paying commission to get change for her old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. If we give a Rs 1000 note then we get Rs 700 change. If we give Rs 500, then we get Rs 300 in return. For 2 days I stood in queues at the bank where I have an account and finally could withdraw only Rs 3000, she said while her 3-year old daughter played with an old 500-rupee note..

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Allauddin Qadri, a 65-year-old retired businessman, has dealt with cash all his life and has stayed away from the hassles of online banking. But the cash crunch has forced him to learn how to operate an ATM and do online banking.

Qadri lives in Lal Kuan near Fatehpuri Masjid in Old Delhi. I never thought I would have to learn how to swipe the ATM card and make transactions using computers at this age. This is all a new learning experience for me and I am not very sure I like it a lot, he said.

Many elderly like him, especially in the Walled City, are getting accustomed to the banking system after the Central government demonetised Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency notes on November 8. The citys banks and ATMs have been crowded due to paucity of cash even as Prime Minister appealed to people to move to online transactions.

Qadri and his friends have never used ATMs and online banking because they felt the new age banking system has made frauds easier. But now they are left with little choice.

This generation has no concept of personal space. My son does not think twice before entering his ATM pin online. What if some fraud happens? Maybe people of my generation think too much, he said.

Burhanuddin, 48, who taught his father Qadri to do online banking, said that many old people in Old Delhi are now being forced to learn the ways of digitalisation.

The governments announcement may have been made with good intention but it would have been more successful if the implementation was also strong. Many days the ATMs are out of cash and the banks do not even give the promised limit. People are going through too much trouble, this should be avoided, he said.

Read: Delhi: Long queues outside ATMs, next two days could be worse

A few kilometres away, at Ballimaran, 75-year-old Mohammad Yusuf is learning how to write cheques.

He keeps the cheque book on a padded notebook for steadiness and bends as close to the cheque leaf as he can for concentration. With shivering hands Yusuf tries to get his signature right to avoid going to the bank multiple times (in case the signature does not match). The entire process takes him at least 15 minutes.

Getting into a bank is a task in itself. The cheque getting rejected after reaching the counter would mean wasting time in the present scenario, he said.

Yusufs son, a 44-year-old spice trader in Khari Baoli, said that earlier he could just take money out of his own account but the cap of money withdrawals has made him take cash from his fathers account as well.

I know my father does not like doing the banking procedures, but I have no other option but to ask him for the money. I can just withdraw Rs24,000 from my bank account and all our dealings are in cash. We are a religious family so women do not have bank accounts. I am only left with his account, he said.

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You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion, United States politician Hillary Clinton once said in an interview. Thankfully, the Indian government too is thinking on these lines: According to a report in a national daily, the Union health ministry has recommended recognising failure of contraceptive and unplanned pregnancy as lawful reasons for abortion among all women, married or otherwise. As things stand now, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act recognises these two reasons for abortion only in the case married women. This proposed rule is part of series of recommendations made by the health ministry for amending the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. The proposal is likely to be taken up by the Cabinet soon after the ongoing Parliament session ends.

Read: The ugly abortion sales pitch in Rajasthan: Say its a girl even when it isnt

According to government data, while seven million abortions are conducted every year in India, only 50% are safe. Nearly 8% women opting for abortion die due to complications arising from unsafe procedures. Globally, 22 million unsafe abortions are reported every year. Women rights activists feel that women have a moral right to decide what to do with their bodies and the right to abortion is vital for gender equality and is critical for them to achieve their full potential. Plus, banning abortion puts women at risk by forcing them to use illegal abortionists.

Read: Women should be allowed to end pregnancy even when there is no risk: Bombay HC

Along with expanding the scope of the law, medico-legal experts feel that a revision of the legal limit for abortion too has to be done. This is because foetal abnormalities show up only at the end of 18 weeks, giving would-be parents a two-week window to take a discussion. Even for a doctor, this is too small a window to help patients decide. Moreover, these days, technology has moved ahead, which has taken prenatal diagnosis far beyond the illegal sex determination tests that have refused to die out completely. There is an urgent need to change the law because there is a rising incidence of sex crimes, and the urgent need to empower women with sexual rights and choices both in their own interest and for the sake of reducing the fertility rate as a whole.
Twenty three-year-old Shahnara, a mother of three, came to the city from West Bengal in the hope of making a living through her cooking expertise but she now lives in the fear of losing a leg after being crushed by a bus of a private university.

Shahnara is worried about what would happen to her children - two sons of eight and six years living in Gurgaon and a daughter studying in Kolkata -- if her leg is amputated.

The family lives in shanties in Sector 53. They shifted to Gurgaon from West Bengal for a better livelihood a month ago.

However, Shahnara is motivated by the fact that several people have offered to help the family after a person who helped her on the night of the incident posted her story on social networking site Facebook.

On December 8 night, Shahnara was crossing the road dividing sectors 53-56 when a bus, reportedly of KR Manglam University, came out of a fuel station and hit her . With her leg stuck under a tyre of the bus, she fell unconscious.

The bus driver fled the spot but after passersby raised an alarm, people living in nearby apartments rushed to the spot and managed to pull her out.

They rushed Shahnara to a nearby private hospital where she was given first aid. Her husband, Amjad -- a car cleaner -- reached the hospital and expressed helplessness in meeting medical expenses. The hospital reportedly waived off emergency charges.

She was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on the same day. On Monday, she was discharged from there and admitted to civil hospital, Gurgaon.

Had we not taken her to a hospital on time, her leg might have been amputated. We rushed her to nearby private hospital in an autorickshaw. The family was unable to meet medical expenses, Souniya Khurana, 27, who helped Shahnara with first aid, said.

Khurana shared the incident on Facebook and the post received several offers of help. By Monday evening, 14 people contributed 11,000 as monetary assistance to the family.

She is admitted at the civil hospital in Gurgaon. A medicolegal report was issued and her statement was recorded by police. Hope she recovers soon, Hemant Kapani, co-founder patron of road safety organisation, who took her to civil hospital, said.

Doctors at civil hospital said she will be taken for further tests, including a CT scan, on Tuesday.

An FIR has been registered at the Sushant Lok police station.

Mukesh Parashar, registrar of KR Manglam University, said, the institute was ready to assist the Shahnara as per procedure. Parashar said the university was ready to pay through insurance or other liabilities as per the law.

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New years inevitably bring new resolutions. Although sports and fitness-based activities are usually top of the list, according to recent studies, practising an artistic hobby on a daily basis could contribute to physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Theres no need to set unattainable goals. Just a few moments spent learning a creative activity each day can be enough to boost your mood.

A mood lifter

Recent research from New Zealand, studying 658 adults for 13 days, found that participants who practiced creative activities on a daily basis experienced a genuine feeling of well-being the next day.

The researchers also concluded that all forms of art could have a positive impact on the content of a workday, as well as the quality of social relations, from the moment people engage in a creative and sensorial process.

Switch off

Art is an excellent distraction, especially if youre often occupied by intellectually challenging tasks. With dance, singing or theater, attention is focused on the present moment, with no room for unwanted thoughts or musings. Such activities can also get you moving and wake up your senses without the same performance objectives as with sport.

Boost self-confidence

Painting, drawing, singing or improvisation sessions can help you achieve new, previously unattainable feats and rebuild confidence in your abilities. In fact, teaching hospitals in France are calling on art therapists and other professionals to help patients build their self-confidence.

In Grenoble, for example, 72% of children suffering from attention deficit issues and hyperactivity who followed seven drawing-based art-therapy sessions said they felt proud, 78% said they had renewed confidence in their abilities, 68% said they wanted to continue the sessions and 50% improved their interpersonal skills.

Train your brain



When learning new activities, new neuron networks are established in the brain. Recent scientific studies suggest that art, in general, could favour brain plasticity. This is currently being observed among recent stroke victims at the Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris.

Something to enjoy every day

With busy schedules of working and commuting, we sometimes forget to include fun, endorphin-stimulating activities in our day-to-day lives. Artistic activities can create a haven, like a bubble of enjoyment, triggering positive emotions  and even more so in a group.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
With yoga more popular than ever and with mindfulness a focus for many, it makes sense that yoga nidra, a practice in which yogis use the savasana relaxation stage to practice a guided meditation, would be enjoying a boost in popularity.

Here, a look at this traditional yoga style and how and why you should incorporate it into your practice.

Sometimes called yogic sleep, yoga nidra is defined by yoga master Anandmurti Gurumaa as a kind of deep sleep in which you dont lose consciousness. Devotees of the practice believe that during yoga nidra the body is allowed to go into a more restorative and healing state as brain waves switch from beta to alpha, and the mind is able to reach a new level of tranquility as it switches from activity to meditation.

Yoga nidra is a kind of deep sleep in which you dont lose consciousness. (Shutterstock)

As well as creating a more restorative state of relaxation, Gurumaa also explains that yoga nidra can relieve stress, frustration and insomnia as well as muscular, emotional and mental tensions. In short, in can help us all deal better with the stress of modern life.

The best way to do yoga nidra is lying down in savasana, also known as corpse pose, to allow for a moment, or longer, of pause and relaxation. During yoga nidra a blanket can also be used for warmth, as well as a bolster under your knees and a pillow propping your head.

Yoga nidra teachers will use specific instructions to guide students through relaxation and help to induce this state in the body, and some asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing), chanting and meditation may also be included.

For those wanting to try the practice, class offerings are currently growing across the United States, Europe and Asia thanks to the newfound demand for this more peaceful style of yoga.

Gurumaa also offers a variety of products on her website for those who would like to try the meditative practice at home. Online yoga site YogaGlo also offers classes to help you set up a home practice to take you through next year.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
TJ Miller, the host of the 22nd Critics Choice Awards chose not to discuss his legal troubles and instead focused on President-elect Donald Trump and the controversies surrounding his election, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Miller, a star of the TV series Silicon Valley, was arrested Friday after he police say he slapped a car service driver on the head after the driver made remarks about Trump.

Show host TJ Miller appears in a headless costume at the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California. (REUTERS)

The Times say that on Sunday night at the awards show, Miller joked about possible hacking of the election by Russia and the automation of jobs.

The big winners at the show include:

- La La Land for best picture.

Actress Emma Stone embraces director Damien Chazelle after they won the best picture award for La La Land at the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica. (REUTERS)

- Casey Affleck for best actor for his lead role in the film Manchester by the Sea.

Casey Affleck holds his best actor award for Manchester by the Sea at the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California. (REUTERS)

- Natalie Portman for best actress for her lead role in Jackie.

Actress Natalie Portman poses backstage with her award for Best Actress for Jackie during the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica. (REUTERS)

- Mahershala Ali for his supporting role in Moonlight.

- Viola Davis for her supporting role in Fences

- Courtney B Vance for his The People v. OJ Simpson role as Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran.

Santa Monica : Sarah Paulson, centre, winner of the award for best actress in a movie made for television or limited series for The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story poses in the press room with her co-stars Courtney B. Vance, from left, and Sterling K Brown at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards. (AP)

- Ryan Reynolds for lead actor in a comedy film for his role as Deadpool and for Entertainer of the Year.

Simon Kinberg, left, and Ryan Reynolds accept the award for best comedy for Deadpool at the 22nd annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

- Donald Glover as lead actor in a comedy series for his role in Atlanta.

- Thandie Newton as supporting actress in a drama series for her role in the Westworld TV series.

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The first trailer for the eighth film in the Fast & Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious, was released in a grand event on Times Square, New York, and subsequently online on Monday morning. Shall we discuss?

First things first, the trailer itself is very long (more than 3 minutes!), and nothing in it justifies that length. What Vin Diesel and Co. have been promising us for months now is a Fast & Furious movie unlike any weve seen before: More emotional, more action-packed, and more dramatic. We saw none of that in this trailer.

Instead, Vin Diesel, for some reason, went rogue - on his family, no less. Now we all know, this is just a major diversion tactic and hell probably come around sooner or later, but to balance the whole trailer on this one twist was an odd choice.

Then theres the issue of The Rock being in prison, for a reason just as unclear as that for Doms betrayal. Its almost as if Charlize Therons hacker villain is more like a hypnotist. But hey, its a Fast & Furious movie. All we need to distract ourselves from this confusing back-and-forth are a few action scenes - and there, it seems, the film will deliver.

But remember the Rio bank vault chase from Fast 5? Remember that endless runway from 6? And that Dubai skyscraper jump from 7? Fate of the Furious doesnt have one of those money shots, at least for now. That submarine at the end might turn into something bigger - it probably is - but at least as of now, theres nothing as over-the-top here.

As for all that dramatic heft those Oscar winners were supposed to bring? Forget it Dom, its a Fast & Furious movie.

Director F Gary Grays film also stars Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Ludacris Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Elsa Pataky, Kurt Russell, Scott Eastwood, and Helen Mirren. The Fate of the Furious opens in theatres on April 14, 2017.

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Seven people in Chennai and six in Kerala were booked for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem.

Last month, the Supreme Court asked all cinemas to play the national anthem before a film is screened, a controversial decision that many say will embolden right-wing Hindu groups pushing a strident brand of nationalism.

In Chennai, the seven people, including a woman, allegedly took selfies inside Chennais Kasi Theatre on Sunday when the national anthem was being played, leading to an altercation with another group.

The police action was based on a complaint filed by one Vijayakumar, who was part of the group which allegedly threatened the seven for not standing up when the 52-second-long Jana Gana Mana was being played.

Police said a patrol team saw two groups of cinema-goers fighting outside the theatre.

Read | SC order on national anthem in cinema halls mirrors aggressive hyper-nationalism

They were taken for questioning and the seven booked later.

They started verbally abusing us, which we tried to ignore. They then came up to us during the interval and began hitting us when we said it was our right to not stand for the anthem should we choose not to, said Leenus Roffun, one of the accused.

The accused woman, identified as M Shreela, also lodged a counter-complaint against Vijayakumar and his friends, accusing them of threatening and abusing her.

In Kerala, at least six persons were taken into custody for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem after they allegedly refused to stand up while it was being played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala(IFFK).

They refused to stand up while the national anthem was being played in Kannakakunnu Nishagandhi open air theatre at IFFK, police said. Later, police took them to Museum police station.

DGP Loknath Behra directed police to keep a watch all those who show disrespect to national anthem during the film festival.

He also directed the officials to take into custody those who insult the national anthem.
At least six people were taken in custody on Monday for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem after they refused to stand up while it was being played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram.

The national anthem was being played at the Kannakakunnu Nishagandhi open air theatre at IFFK, police said.

The policemen, IFFK organisers and director of Chalachitra Academy Charmin Kamal -- who were present at the hall -- requested them to stand but they did not budge.

Read | SC order on national anthem in cinema halls mirrors aggressive hyper-nationalism

Later, police took them to Museum police station.

DGP Loknath Behra directed police to keep a watch all those who show disrespect to national anthem during the film festival.

He also directed the officials to take into custody those who insult the national anthem.

Earlier in the day, BJP youth Yuvamorcha filed a complaint seeking action against the people for not standing during the national anthem, as per the recent directive of the Supreme Court.

Seven people were also booked for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem at a cinema hall in Chennai, police said. The seven people, including a woman, allegedly took selfies inside Chennais Kasi Theatre on Sunday when the national anthem was being played, leading to an altercation with another group.
The Andhra Pradesh governments decision to appoint 25 journalists on specifically for publicity work for chief minister N Chandababu Naidu has drawn flak from various quarters.

The government issued an order (GO Rt No. 2497, December 7, 2016), authorising the information and public relations department to establish special teams consisting of 25 journalists recruited on outsourcing basis with retrospective effect from September 1, 2016.

Each journalist would be paid monthly remuneration of Rs 51,468. The total burden on the state exchequer would be Rs 12,86,700 per month, which would be paid from the I&PR department budget.

Noted Supreme Court lawyer and founder of Swaraj Abhiyan Prashant Bhushan found fault with Naidus decision to recruit journalists for publicity works. Now AP CM officially bribes 25 journos to do his PR & publicly work! he tweeted on Monday.

The GO which has gone viral has been criticised by media groups. If journalists are engaged to do publicity work for the Andhra chief minister, where is the need then for the information and public relations department, which is supposed to take care of the publicity of the state government? Naidu can as well wind up the department, senior journalist Srinivasa Rao Manchala, who runs a popular Telugu news web portal Muchata, said.

But commissioner of I&PR department S Venkateshwar defended the government order.

He said after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, there was a severe dearth of staff in the department. We have not recruited any regular PROs in CMO or other ministries. So, we had to take experienced journalists on outsourcing. They are all paid salaries. How can anybody call salary as a bribe? he asked.

Venkateshwar pointed out that even the Telangana government has quite a few retired and senior journalists in the CMO and other departments on contract basis.

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Assam police seized more than Rs 1.5 crore in new currency notes from a 85-year-old businessmans house in Guwahati on Monday.

Investigators are puzzled about the source of cash seized from the ex-hotelier who lives on rental income.

Additional director general of police (CID), Anil Kumar Jha, said that police was acting on a tip-off when they found Rs 1,54,81,000 crore cash in the new 500- and 2000-rupee notes at Hardeep Singh Bedis house in Beltola area.

Out of the total amount, Rs 1,54,06,000 was in Rs 2,000 notes, while the remaining Rs 75,000 was in new Rs 500 notes, Jha said.

The police have handed over the case to the Income Tax department and its deputy commissioner, P Borah, is carrying out further investigation, the senior police official said.

(With inputs from PTI)
West Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress has slammed state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh for saying we could have thrown chief minister Mamata Banerjee out of Delhi by grabbing her hair while she was protesting against the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

Ghosh has said Banerjee had lost her mind after the demonetisation drive and that was the reason behind her recent visits to Delhi and Patna.

The Trinamool Congress later attacked Ghosh for making deeply dangerous and abusive personal remarks against Banerjee.

In a statement, party spokesperson Derek OBrien said Ghoshs utterances mark a new low in politics. He alleged that the BJP is desperate to silence the Opposition.

The BJP cannot fight Mamata Banerjee on policy, good governance and her principled stand on demonetisation on behalf of millions who are affected, read the statement by OBrien on their official website.

The BJP is desperate to silence the voice of the opposition. So, how low do they stoop? The Bengal BJP President spews deeply dangerous, threatening, abusive and completely false personal statements against her. A new low in politics, it read.

Speaking on the same lines, Trinamool secretary general Partha Chatterjee said the party is not taking Ghoshs comments lightly.

The language, which has been used against our respected Chief Minister and party chief, the distasteful comments that were uttered, we are not taking it lightly.

Actually, they want to raise their standing before (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji by making high-ptiched statements, Chatterjee told the media.

Ghosh has over the past few days made a series of controversial comments about Banerjee, who has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of demonetisation.

Addressing a rally at Jhargram of West Midnapore district on Saturday, Ghosh said: The Chief Minister of our state is semi-mad. She doesnt want to remain at home. She wanders on the streets.

On December 2, at a rally in Uluberia of Howrah district, Ghosh had made remarks about Banerjee going to Delhi and holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against demonetisation.

Our Chief Minister had gone to Delhi. She has made a lot of song and dance there. Tell me, we have our government there. If we had wanted, couldnt we have held her by the hair and thrown her out?

A day later, speaking at another rally in East Midnapore districts Tamluk, Ghosh said: She has lost her mind. What will happen if she jumps out of the 14th floor (of Nabanna, which houses Banerjees office)?
With indefinite blockade of highways in Manipur by a Naga group creating crisis, the Centre today warned that no one will be allowed to take law in their hands and denounced the illegal action as a crime against humanity.

In a statement, the Home Ministry voiced concern over the ongoing blockade on NH 37 in Manipur and the consequent shortages of essential commodities faced by the people of the state. It asked the United Naga Council (UNC) to remove the blockade, saying all contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means.

The Government of India is firmly committed to maintaining rule of law. It considers blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity causing untold suffering to countless humans. No individual or organisation will be allowed to take the law into their own hands, the Ministry said.

It is hoped that state government will act with responsibility and maturity to ensure both maintenance of supplies to Manipur as well as social harmony. Ministry of Home Affairs will provide additional forces to the state government if necessary, it said.

Manipur is facing an acute crisis of essential commodities and petrol due to the indefinite blockade called by the UNC in the state.

The blockade has continued for more than 40 days, bringing transportation services to a standstill due to scarcity of petrol, apart from hampering other businesses.

It has adversely affected the people of Manipur, particularly those living in the Valley.

The statement said that the Centre has remained committed to ensuring that the routes to Manipur are open and remain accessible to all including supplies of petroleum products, and other essential commodities including foodstuff.

Accordingly, it had placed 15 companies (around 100 personnel in each company) of central forces stationed in Manipur at the disposal of the state government.

Last week, another 15 companies of central forces were made available to the state government to enable the state government to have the blockade lifted.

The Government of India expects all to cooperate with the Government of Indias resolve to both maintain rule of law and supplies of commodities to Manipur, the statement said.

It also appealed to the United Naga Council to remove its illegal blockade in view of the difficulties faced by the people of Manipur.

All contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means, the statement said.
China said on Monday its policy on Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar hasnt changed, indicating it will continue to block Indias efforts to get the JeM chief sanctioned by the UN when the matter comes up for hearing this month.

Answering a query on India-China relations, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said that on the listing issue (under UN Security Council Resolution 1267) Chinas position remains unchanged.

Geng indicated Chinas position on Indias entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) hadnt changed either.

As two major developing countries, it is only natural for us not to see eye-to-eye on every issue, he told a news briefing. China is willing to work with India to expand bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation to reduce differences, he said.

Read | China again blocks UN ban on Masood Azhar over different views

As for Indias application to the NSG and the listing issue with regard to article 1267, Chinas position remains unchanged, Geng said.

China extended the technical hold or used its UN Security Council veto against Azhars banning in October, which was the second time since April.

It also said earlier that the UN committee dealing with sanctions was acting according to provisions of the UN charter, and this panel should work on true facts and make a decision according to the consensus of its members.

The foreign ministry had also said an application submitted to the 1267 Committee must comply with specific requirements of relevant resolutions.

On NSG, Gengs statement means China will continue to oppose Indias joining till a consensus emerges on allowing in countries that have not signed the Non-Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Indias bid to join the NSG in June was backed by the US and France but faltered after China, South Africa, New Zealand and Austria opposed the application. Beijing and its allies say only countries that have signed a global arms control pact  the NPT  will be allowed entry. India refuses to sign the pact because it would mean shutting down the countrys nuclear defence programme.

Chinas opposition was seen in India as support for its ally Pakistan, which applied for an NSG membership soon after New Delhi announced its bid.

Geng said both countries continue to be in communication on relevant issues. He added, Thanks to concerted efforts of China and India, strategic partnership of cooperation between the two sides made all-around progress. The two sides are moving towards establishing a more close strategic partnership for cooperation.

Read | PM Modi nudges China on Masood Azhar ban, NSG bid ahead of BRICS Summit
Leaders in Congress Uttar Pradesh unit feel an alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party is the need of the hour for both the parties as they prepare for the crucial 2017 assembly elections but say a respectable formula should be worked out before joining hands.

Many in the two parties are keen on an alliance following an internal assessment that Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to scrap high-value banknotes had pushed the BJP to the number three position in the state.

The main fight in the state polls  scheduled for February-March  is between the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), they feel.

Although no party leader is ready to speak on record on the issue, most say the Congress should not succumb to any pressure from the ruling party.

The SP needs an alliance as much as we need it. An alliance will check a division of Muslim votes. Any such alliance will get overwhelming support from the people upset with the BJP in the post-demonetisation scenario. But the Congress should not agree for less than 100 seats, a senior Congress leader said on the condition of anonymity.

We want a respectable alliance. An alliance with the BSP would have been better for the Congress. But the BSP has not shown any interest. The SP will have to leave 125 seats for alliance partners. The Congress should have 100 of these seats. The remaining 25 seats may be left for partners like Rashtriya Lok Dal and others, a leader from Bundelkhand said.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar, however, said he was not aware of any talks for an alliance with the SP.

There is no contact between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party leadership at any level. But well-wishers of both the Congress and the SP may be discussing this at their own level, Babbar told Hindustan Times on the telephone.

Another senior party leader said the SP was sending very confusing signals.

The SP has already announced tickets for some of the seats where the Congress has sitting MLAs. The SP will have to rework its ticket allocation plan if it was serious for an alliance, the leader said.

The SP leadership also appears divided over the issue of an alliance, he said.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had stated at HT Leadership Summit on December 2 that a Congress-SP alliance would win 300 seats. SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, has consistently attacked the Congress maintaining an equal distance with it and the BJP. The SP chief had called the BJP liar number 1 and the Congress liar number 2 while addressing a rally at Bareilly on December 7, he added.

UPCC minority department chairperson Siraj Mehandi, however, welcomed the chief ministers statement favouring an alliance with the Congress.

Akhilesh Yadav is the first SP leader who has felt the need for an alliance. We welcome his statement and hope that an alliance will be worked out, Mehandi said.

Others also stressed upon the need of secular forces coming together for an alliance.

Muslims in UP have same issues and it will be in their interest that secular forces come together, Abbas Raza Nayyar, the head of the Urdu at Lucknow University, said.

Peace Party president and MLA Mohammad Ayub also said the Congress should take the lead in bringing all the secular parties together for the assembly elections.
Cyclone Vardah barrelled into the southeast coast on Monday, bringing down trees and power lines as authorities moved thousands of people from low-lying areas. Heavy rains lashed parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the fourth major cyclone to hit the countrys coast this year. By nightfall, the storm had passed over, and the intensity weakened.

A quick take of the cyclone that battered the coast for the better part of Monday.

1. The eye of the storm -- the centre of the pressure system where mostly calm weather is found -- crossed Chennai late on Monday evening. The rest of the cyclone is expected to bring more rains and wind speed is expected to pick up.

2. According to latest reports, four people have died in Tamil Nadu - two in Chennai, one in Kancheepuram and one in Nagapattinam.

3. The cyclone is expected to reach Karnataka on Tuesday and pass through south Goa on Wednesday.

4. Chennai airport suspended operations, with domestic airlines notifying passengers through social media that flights in and out of Chennai were cancelled till Monday midnight. SriLankan Airlines also cancelled all Chennai-bound flights till Tuesday.

5. Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur will remain shut on Tuesday.

6. The Centre cautioned Tamil Nadu to maintain strict vigil at lakes in the districts expecting heavy rainfall. Good inflows are likely into the reservoirs of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other lakes around the Chennai city, Union ministry of water resources informed the state government.

7. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned people not to venture out as the rains and winds might intensify as the eastern part of the cyclone starts crossing.

8. Suburban rail services in Chennai have been suspended until further notice. Road transport was also effected but civic workers in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts brought out battery-run electric woodcutters to remove fallen trees and clear roads.

9. Amma canteens will be open throughout Chennai on Monday and free food will be served. Milk supply in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts was not affected on Monday and will continue as usual on Tuesday.

10. A status report from the NDMA gives a comprehensive picture of the extent of the cyclone in numbers

Revenue admin report on #Vardah. 2 people dead so far @htTweets pic.twitter.com/0q3r6kOrFT  Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) December 12, 2016

Also read | As it happened: Cyclone Vardah crosses Chennai, to weaken gradually in six hours
The cyclone Vardah ripped through Chennai and adjoining districts of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh at wind speeds of up to 90 kph on Monday, paralysing life and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Ten people were killed, the National Disaster Management Authority said, and scores injured as the cyclone landfall made its way through large swathes of southern India. The authorities were yet to gauge the property losses incurred.

At 3pm, Chennai and its surrounding areas recorded wind speeds of 110 to 120 kph accompanied by heavy rainfall. Though there was a lull in the evening, the Met office advised citizens to remain indoors because the cyclone could give rise to wind speeds of up to 90 kph on its way out.

Vardah was expected to weaken later in the day, before moving on to Andhra Pradesh.

Read | Meteorologist warns of second arm of Cyclone Vardah

Seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force, along with six army columns and a number of state disaster response personnel, were pressed into service to provide relief to affected people.

Chennai residents woke up on Monday to a drizzle that soon turned into a downpour accompanied by high-velocity winds that uprooted trees, electric poles, advertisement hoardings and  at some places  parapet walls of buildings. Around 260 trees and 37 electricity poles were uprooted in Chennai alone.

Power minister Thangamani said though electricity supply at many parts was disrupted by the cyclonic storm, it would be completely restored by Tuesday morning. Over 16,000 people were moved to more than 400 relief centres and cyclone shelters across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Read | 10 updates on Cyclone Vardah

People on a Chennai beach face the speedy winds after the landfall of Vardah (Vanne Srinivasulu / HT Photo)

Read | Roanu, Kyant, Nada and now Vardah: Who names Indian cyclones?

Transportation in Chennai and surrounding districts was affected after train and air services were halted in view of the extreme weather conditions. While flight take-offs and landings at the Chennai airport had to be put off, authorities suspended suburban railway services and diverted long-distance trains to other routes.

S Balachandran, director of the India Meteorological Departments regional cyclone warning centre, said the size of the cyclone was estimated at 700km  with the eye of the storm measuring 15km in diameter.

The state capital witnessed nearly 15 cm rainfall, the Met office said, adding that heavy to very heavy precipitation was expected in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore districts over the next 36 hours. The cyclone crossed the coast near Chennai Port Trust and weakened into a depression. But winds blowing at 70 kph continue will continue, an official said.

Read | Ten tips on how to survive a cyclone

The cyclone also wreaked havoc in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, especially Nellore and Chittoor districts. High velocity winds of up to 110 kph blew away the roofs of thousands of huts, and uprooted trees as well as electric poles.

An oil tanker overturned at Sullurpet on Nellore-Chennai national highway no 16, causing a huge spillage that disrupted the traffic for a long time.

According to reports, heavy rains ranging from 3 cm to 10 cm lashed several parts of Nellore and Chittoor district. Pilgrim flow to the Tirumala temple was impacted, with water flooding its premises.

The Andhra Pradesh government put the state official machinery on high alert to tackle any adverse situation  including power outage  arising from the cyclone. All flights from Hyderabad to Chennai and Tirupati were postponed in view of the weather phenomenon. The South Central Railway also cancelled some Chennai-bound trains and diverted others.

Also read | Live updates on Cyclone Vardah
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported deaths of 95 people across the country after the November 8 demonetisation.

How many more lives will be lost for Modi babu, Banerjee posed on Twitter.

The Trinamool Congress leader was alluding to a compiled list of 95 people who she said had died while standing in bank or ATM queues or who had committed suicide due to lack of cash after demonetisation.

The list was tweeted by Trinamool MP Derek OBrien.

Banerjee has been on the warpath with the Narendra Modi government over the issue of demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupees notes that has caused a severe cash crunch in the country.
The Bihar government will block pornography and other undesirable sites while providing free Wi-Fi in colleges and universities to ensure that the facility is used purely for educational purposes.

Restrictions would be put on data usage on the premises of educational institutions.

Providing free Wi-Fi in colleges and universities forms part of the seven resolves which the Nitish Kumar government has adopted as a policy of good governance.

Addressing a meeting in Purnea on Friday last during his Nischay Yatra, chief minister Kumar said free Wi-Fi facility in all colleges and universities would be in place by February next.

We have decided to block all pornography and other undesirable sites to enable the service for educational purpose only on the campuses of educational institutions, Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Beltron), Patna managing director Rahul Singh told PTI on Monday.

Beltron, which is an executive wing of the state IT department, has been entrusted with the job of providing Wi-Fi system in the educational institutions.

Beltron officials said free Wi-Fi service would be provided in over 300 colleges and nine universities of Bihar.

Besides, the information technology department has decided to put restrictions on data usage in all institutions which would be provided free Wi-Fi service.

We will put a data limit for usage, which will depend on usage. The quantum of data limit is being worked out, Singh said.

While colleges would be provided with internet speed of 10mbps, universities and other bigger institutions like IIT would be provided with the speed of 20mbps, Singh said.

In a Chetna Sabha at Purnea on Friday last, the CM had asked youths to use the facility for downloading books and knowledge materials and not for watching films.

Citing a case of how free Wi-Fi was being misused, he had said, It came to our knowledge that one gentleman has downloaded 300 movies on the 22km area of main city street where the facility is available.

Downloading one-two movies is OK, but the free Wi-Fi facility in colleges and universities is conceived to help students download books and knowledge material, Kumar had said.
In a significant development, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday dropped two of his Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party colleagues from cabinet following their outburst against the BJP-led government, raising prospects of new permutations and combinations in the state going to polls next year.

Parsekar faxed the communication to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha late night recommended dropping of Sudin Dhavlikar and Dipak Dhavlikar from the cabinet. With this, the total number of ministers in Parsekar-led cabinet is reduced to ten.

I have recommended that both the ministers be dropped under article 164 (1) of Constitution of India, the CM told PTI.

He said all the portfolios which were allotted to both the ministers are reverted to him, till they are allotted to anyone else.

MGP was represented by Sudin and Dipak Dhavlikar in the cabinet.

MGP had fought 2012 Assembly election in alliance with BJP. While BJP won 21 seats in the 40-member house, MGP was victorious on three. Hence, ouster of two MGP ministers wont pose any threat to the government.

While Sudin Dhavalikar held important portfolios like Transport and Public Works Department, Dipak Dhavlikar headed Rural Development Agency.

Responding to a question, Parsekar said he was yet to decide on filling both the vacancies.

When contacted, Dipak Dhavalikar said he was yet to receive any communication about his removal from the cabinet.

I cant comment as we are yet to receive any communication, he said.

MGP, the first regional ruling party after Goa was liberated from Portuguese in 1961, had recently decided not to have a pre-poll alliance with the BJP if Parsekar continues to lead the party.

Sudin recently accused Parsekar of taking Goa ten years backward during his rule of two-and-half years, while Dipak, the MGP president, had dared the BJP to dissolve the Assembly and face election on their own and win the majority seats.

So if BJP wants us to go, they should dissolve the Assembly. It is not the government of their own. We also have a share in it. Let BJP dissolve the Assembly and face election on their own and win the majority seats, Dipak said.

Interestingly, RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar-led Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) had proposed alliance with MGP for polls.

Hinting at this, Parsekar told reporters earlier in the day, What has happened that suddenly Dhavalikar has started reacting this way in last two-three days ? Has he met someone who has instigated him or he has started dreaming of becoming chief minister?
A 10-year-old boy was killed in celebratory firing at his uncles wedding ceremony in Girdharganj area of Gorakhpur on Sunday night, police said.

Shreyansh Singh, a class 5 student at the citys Mount Litera School, fell to a bullet fired from an unlicensed pistol by the grooms allegedly drunk friend Deepak Dubey. The police have arrested Dubey.

The boy was shooting a video of his uncle Om Singh (the groom) and the bride at the post-wedding dinner.

Dubey, who posed for a photo with the groom and bride, allegedly took out his pistol and fired a shot which hit the boy a few metres away.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him dead due to excessive loss of blood, the police said.

We received information about the incident late Sunday night. A 10-year-old boy has died in the incident. The police have arrested the accused, Hemraj Meena, superintendent of city police, told reporters in Lucknow on Monday.

Shreyansh was the only son of his parents. His father Shardesh Singh is an accountant at the Deoria district treasury.

The boys maternal grandfather Ram Naresh Singh said: The accused was known to us. We had invited him with his family. He fired the bullet that hit my grandson, causing his death. We have lodged a police complaint against him.

Police are searching for the video camera used by the boy and examining footage shot by others.
The hacker group Legion which broke into the Twitter accounts of the Congress Party, its vice-president Rahul Gandhi, liquor baron Vijay Mallya and TV journalists Barkha Dutt and Ravish Kumar has finally come out in the open.

In an interview with The Washington Post on Monday -- through an encrypted instant-messaging software -- Legion said the group had access to servers like that of Apollo Hospitals and it was unsure about releasing data from those servers because it might cause chaos in India.

Legion wasnt even interested in political data until a few weeks ago. ...the group was in possession of several terabytes of raw data concerning all sorts of interests and that within that trove the hackers had identified gigabytes worth of information relating to Indian public figures, the report quoted the user marked LC from Legion Crew as saying.

When I asked him how they came into possession of so much data, he was vague and said they just ended up with access to over 40k+ servers in India, and we decided -- hey, why not write a tool to sift through them for interesting data, said Max Bearak, who writes about foreign affairs for the Washington Post.

He said the data was choosing the targets for them, not the other way around. Whatever they were finding, they aimed to release. From Dutts Twitter account, they shared a link to a partial data dump of approximately 1.2 gigabytes of her emails, Bearak said.

Legion has warned that their next target is former IPL chairman Lalit Modi. As for upcoming targets, LC indicated that he and his fellow hackers had their sights set on bigger things, the report said.

Then again, he said, the hacking was taking away from precious time hed rather spend doing drugs and making electronic music... He said he particularly disliked spending time in Indias capital, New Delhi, and suggested that he might try to go to Russia -- to do some more drugs, it added.

As they hacked the Twitter accounts from India, the group sought public support claiming that they will be doing more such cracking in the coming weeks. Support Legion. We will bring you the info needed to bring these criminals to justice, a tweet said earlier.

This is just a partial dump. More data will be coming over the course of a few days ;) We are Legion, another tweet from the group said.
Police seized Rs 93.52 lakh in Rs 2,000 currency notes from seven people in Jaipur on Monday. Three people were arrested and the others detained in the two separate seizures.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID), with help from Vaishali Nagar Police, detained three people who were allegedly ferrying unaccounted money worth Rs 64 lakh in new currency -- of which Rs. 58 lakh was in 2,000-rupee notes and the rest in Rs 100 notes.

The three detained have been identified as Dipak Baredia from Hanumangarh, Sandeep Jain from Jaipur and Ayush from Sikar, said additional deputy commissioner of police (west) Ratan Singh.

The additional DCP added that the detained men will be handed over to the Income Tax department for further questioning.

Since the announcement of demonetization on November 8, the CID has been keeping an eye on people ferrying unaccounted money and passing on the information to the local police and the Income Tax department. Chances are that more such cases will be surface in the future, additional director general of police (crime) Pankaj Kumar Singh told HT

Read | Rs 32 crore cash in new notes, 82kg gold seized in multiple raids across country

In another incident, three people were arrested for allegedly robbing a Bikaner-based businessman of Rs 83 lakh in new currency.

Three of the five accused in the case have been arrested. All of them were friends of businessman Rajesh. Police have also seized Rs 28 lakh from their possession, DCP (West) Ashok Gupta said, adding the other accused, both policeman, are absconding.

The incident occurred a few days back when he had come here to meet them and exchange his money in demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said.

The accused took him to a flat where he was tricked into believing that two policemen had come into the complex. He was asked to throw the money in a plot adjacent to the flat, the DCP said, adding the accused policemen picked up the money.

The victim had registered a complaint following the incident, he said.

Read | Gold biscuits hidden inside baby diapers recovered at Delhi airport

In the outskirts of the city, police caught two residents when they were exchanging scrapped notes with new currency.

Rs 8 lakh, including Rs 7.52 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes, was recovered from Shyam Lal and Bhanwar who were exchanging notes in near Ajayrajpura village, SHO at SEZ police station Gayasuddin said.

The I-T department has been informed about the matter, he said.

(With inputs from agencies)
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo will hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday afternoon where a range of agreements will be signed after the dialogues.

The Indonesian President will be given ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning, following which he will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari.

Widodo arrived in New Delhi on Sunday night for a two-day visit to India. This is his first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014.

President Widodo is accompanied by a high level delegation including several cabinet ministers, senior officials and a 22 member business delegation.
Human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students should help police in their hunt for missing student Najeeb Ahmad instead of agitating against the institutes vice-chancellor.

Javadekar also disclosed plans to place a ceiling on the fees charged by CBSE-affiliated schools from students. He said the HRD ministry has asked all such schools to submit their income and expenditure account and balance sheets, following which appropriate action would be taken.

Yes, education has a cost, and if there is a private education, there will be a cost. If someone invests, they have to invest in a non-profit. Though there are costs (infrastructure, salaries etc), it is still a non-profit, he said.

The government has also asked the schools to place information regarding their facilities, infrastructure and fees in the public domain to prevent them from overcharging. There are 18,000 CBSE-affiliated schools across the country, a majority of which are private.

The government is expected take a call on such schools before the upcoming academic session. A CBSE official said affiliation bylaws stipulate that the fee should be in line with the facilities provided.

Speaking on Ahmad, Javadekar said he hoped the biotechnology student would be found soon but expressed disapproval over the protests being taken up against vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar.

I believe that ultimately police will be able to find him, and we also hope that he will be fine and healthy. Thats what our good wishes are. The issue is, it is a case of a missing student and, therefore, we must help the police by giving any possible leads. Agitation is right, but agitation for a thing that is beyond the control of the VC  how can you do that? I think giving leads is the way forward, he told HT in an interview.

Ahmad, a biotechnology student, had gone missing on October 15 after an alleged altercation with members of the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Though an internal enquiry found some of them guilty of assaulting Ahmad, no action was taken.

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In 2015, Kavita (name changed), a poor 17-year-old from Jharkand arrives in Delhi to work as a domestic help. Agents scour villages for vulnerable girls like her, offering them a better life. Often, the girls are minors, says Gaurav Tomar, a legal officer at the NGO, Chetanalaya. This is Kavitas story.

The main characters of this story are (from left to right): Kavita, her employer, Gaurav Tomar and Kavitas employers son.

Kavita is sent to work for a family of four  an old woman, her son and daughter-in-law and their child. She (the employer would scold and slap me, she says, and the young boy would tell tales to get her in trouble.

I wanted to leave, but didnt know how to, says Kavita. One day, she accidentally breaks some crockery. The boy sees this and threatens to tell his mother. I was so scared that I ran away. But the guard stopped me, says Kavita.

She is too scared to go back and even though it is winter, she spends the night hiding on the terrace.The next morning, after her employers leave for work, Kavita tries to leave again. Her employers have made no attempt to find her the night before.

But the guard again stops Kavita. A Chetanalaya worker who is passing by hears Kavita crying. The social worker goes to investigate.

On hearing Kavitas story, she calls Tomar. Tomar instructs her to call the police.

Kavita is rescued. Since she is a minor, she is taken to the Child Welfare Committee. Based on Kavitas statement, a case of cruelty is filed against her employers. The agents are accused of trafficking.

Text by Poulomi Banerjee and illustrations by Sudhir Shetty.
The Patiala House Court on Monday sent Khalistani Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo to judicial custody till December 14.

The court would also consider the Punjab courts plea seeking the transit remand of Mintoo on December 14.

Mintoo was nabbed on November 28 from New Delhi railway station, a day after he escaped with five other inmates from Punjabs Nabha Jail.

During his interrogation the self-styled KLF chief had reportedly told interrogators about expansion plans of the KLF through Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence.

Days before the Nabha jailbreak, he had his last Skype chat with his Pakistan handler Harmeet, a KLF militant who managed to flee to Pakistan, and is living in a safe house under protection of the ISI at Dera Chall village in Lahore.

The ISI had plans to bring militancy in Punjab through the KLF under Mintoos leadership, said sources.

Mintoo has bases in countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and ISI had plans to bring back militancy through these sleepers said sources, adding that Mintoo made these contacts during 2009-14.

Germany based KLF sympathisers were sending money to Mintoo through Western Union Money Transfer.

On the day of jailbreak, lakhs of rupees were deposited in a bank account, which was supposed to be handed over to Mintoo by Shagun Sweets owner, who was arrested by the Punjab Police, but Mintoo managed to flee, so he couldnt get the money, said sources

Sources said a KLF sympathiser, Sandeep, who is based in England, has also sent him money through Hawala channel. He was staying in Malaysia with a fake passport in the name of Bakshish Singh.

Harminder has accepted of being a Mastermind of the jailbreak. Six months back, he first contacted an inmate Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, who later contacted Vicky to arrange his local criminals to wait for the day suitable for the attack. Parminder being close to Satnam Kaur, Daughter of KLF militant, was given responsibility to arrange the arms. The Punjab police are probing arms trail with assistance of UP police, said sources.

Mintoo has revealed of having strong base in Goa. His family shifted to Goa in 1989 and raids are being carried out in Punjab to look for Satnam Kaur. Police teams will also be going to Goa to look for Mintoos aide, sources added.
In a harsh criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday called him a tyrant who has caused havoc in every house to satisfy his ego.

Owaisi said the revolution which Modi was dreaming to bring about with the November 8 demonetization would never come as it had pushed people into distress.

Stating that in one stroke the Prime Minister virtually destroyed the livelihood of the poor and deprived sections, the MP said he should remember that those standing in queues at banks and ATMs today will stand in queues on the polling day to vote him out.

You are in power today but tomorrow you will not be there. Many Prime Ministers came and left. You will also go, Owaisi told a public meeting here.

Thousands attended the meeting at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) headquarters to mark Milad-un-Nabi. The meeting, which began Sunday night, continued till the early hours of Monday.

Speaking in Urdu and liberally using Hyderabadi idioms, Owaisi ridiculed Modi for stating that he was a fakir.

Will a fakir wear Rs 15 lakh suit? What kind of fakir you are who wears new clothes and new shawl with new style every day, who wants to inconvenience the poor for 50 days and who is not worried over the loss of 120 lives. You are not fakir, you are zalim (tyrant), thundered Owaisi.

Owaisi said it would take one year and not 50 days for the post-note ban situation to return to normal.

He pointed out that economic experts have projected a loss of three percent GDP or Rs 4 lakh crore due to demonetization.

Stating that Rs.12.5 lakh crore in Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination notes were deposited in banks till November 30, he asked if this was black money.

He said Modi caused distress to every family at a time when there were good rains after two years and the marriage season had just started.

He claimed that Rs 3.5 lakh crore were deposited in bank accounts between September 15 and 30 while the average deposits for the two weeks was Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Whose money is this? he asked.

The MP said Modi failed on all fronts including his promise to control price rise and bring back black money to the country in 100 days.

He sometimes laughs, sometimes cries. He doesnt know what he is doing. He says there is threat to his life. We only pray that he live for 150 years, the AIMIM chief said.

Owaisi said the crisis offer an opportunity to Muslims to show their Islamic character and help the poor and the needy.

He urged people to ensure that no one in their neighborhood, irrespective of his religion or caste, goes hungry.

He said while everybody was facing great difficulty, it was the duty of Muslims to have empathy towards fellow human beings and share with them whatever little they have.
Nek Singh Khokh fears he might wilt, just the way the saplings in his sprawling nursery might.

Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled his demonetisation plan, scrapping big denomination currency to drain the economy of black money and counterfeits, Khokh has been struggling to pay labourers to tend to his saplings.

The owner of a nursery, some 25 km west of the Punjab town of Sirhind, Khokh sells seeds and saplings  from potatoes to onions, tomato and chilly  to farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. His sales have, however, dropped over the past month since buyers are low on cash. Now, the saplings too are currently threatened for want of farm hands.

Read | Demonetisation will hit farmers, informal workers; long-term outlook positive

Our business involves lot of cash rotation. The complications are mounting with every passing day. I have never seen such an uncertain scenario in the past 50 years since I took over my family business and started producing saplings, says Khokh, 70.

His problem is he has money, but cant access it. The day Modi made his announcement, Khokh had Rs2.8 lakh in high-value currency which he deposited in a bank. Since then, he has been struggling to withdraw cash for payment to the labourers.

He is in a labour intensive business and needs to pay anywhere between 20 and 60 workers daily. These days, I am cash strapped, and there are other expenses to buy fertiliser, pesticides, diesel and equipment which I am unable to do, Khokh laments.

Khokhs inconveniences spell bigger trouble for farmers who buy seeds and saplings from him. Coming amid the sowing season for rabi crop, the scarcity of cash is estimated to have delayed sowing in at least one-third of Punjabs 35 lakh hectares of crop land. Khokh says the sowing for vegetables scheduled to start in January could also be in jeopardy.

The demonetisation has adversely impacted agricultural activities, admits GS Kalkat, chairman of Punjabs state farmers commission.

Khokh could not have agreed more. He is currently preparing saplings of chilly over five acres which should be sufficient to grow the spicy ingredient over 900 acres. He needs money for that purpose but the squeeze in liquidity has put him in a tight spot.

He recently sold 1,500 quintals of potato seeds, one-third of which was on credit since farmers did not have the cash to buy. I am sure farmers who come to buy chilly seeds will seek credit again. My business will be finished, Khokh says.

Khokh is at one end of the agricultural chain. Sukhwinder Singh of Bhattian in Ludhiana is at the other by being a farmer who usually buys seeds from him.

A farmer who plans to grow potato over 10 acres needs a cash investment of around Rs3 lakh. Costs include saplings, festiliser and pesticides. Most of the purchases are in cash, something we hardly have these days, points out Singh.

The problem facing Jagdev Singh of Muteon is pressing. He had some cash savings which he spent on his daughters wedding recently. Now no one would give me saplings on credit. Banks are of little help. I do not know how to sow crop this season, he says.

Farmers  both growing seeds and crops  are predicting a slump in vegetable produce this coming season. Growing crops will be a challenge. Selling them will be no less a problem. Traders have already lowered the buying price citing cash crunch and farmers will be forced to sell in distress. Traders loss is also farmers loss, Khokh explains.

This is Part 5 of our ongoing series on the effect of demonetisation on rural India. The earlier parts focussed on Sunderbans, Bastar, Jammu & Kashmir and Vidarbha.

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The NDRF teams swung into action and cleared trees and electric poles from the roads which had fallen after the very strong cyclone Vardah made landfall near Chennai on Monday.

The landfall was at Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) and there are squally rains right now. It is reported that some tress and electric poles have fallen. NDRF teams have begun their operations in clearing theses trees, RK Pachnanda, director general of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), said on Monday .

Prachanda said 16 teams, eight each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, were prepositioned to take requisite action well in time.

Read | Cyclone Vardah live updates from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

A tree falls over a car in Chennai after Vardah made a landfall on Monday. (Vanne Srinivasulu / HT Photo)

In AP, teams were prepositioned in Nellore, Sullurpeta, Ongole in Prakasam and Chittoor districts, whereas in Tamil Nadu, three teams were prepositioned in Chennai, two each in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts and one was pre-positioned at Puducherry, said Pachnanda.

Read | Meteorologist warns of second arm of Cyclone Vardah

Besides, we have stand-by teams in reserve at Arakkonam, near Chennai, Guntur, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, and we have a regional response centre in Bengaluru, he said.

At least four people died on Monday after Cyclone Vardah pounded Tamil Nadu, reported the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA further said at least 24 huts were damaged and 8,008 people were accommodated in 95 relief camps.

Read | 10 updates on Cyclone Vardah: Wind speed reduces, storm to move towards Karnataka
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has hailed the army as he underlined a relative peace on the Indo-Pakistan border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir that had remained volatile for much of the last two months.

At the concluding ceremony of the BJPs Parivartan Yatra in Dehradun on Monday, Parrikar said They (Pakistan) made few strikes after which since last 11 days no ceasefire violation has been reported on border. He also condoled the death of the martyrs.

There have been over a hundred ceasefire violations since the Indian army carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC on September 29.

While he reiterated that the army is capable of repulsing any threat to the country, Parrikar also said India does not want to go to war.

He said the Modi government has successfully implemented One Rank One Pension (OROP) in the country which has benefitted 98% of 25 lakh ex-servicemen.

Some ex-servicemen have participated in World Wars, 1947-48 war. Their records are old or destroyed. We are working for such cases. The decision on Justice Reddy Committee will be out soon, he said. The committee handed over the report to Parrikar on October 26 highlighting anomalies on implementation of OROP.

Army only employer in Uttarakhand?

Parikar took a swipe at the Congress government led by Harish Rawat, saying that they failed to provide employment opportunities to people of Uttarakhand, leaving them with only one option  to join the army. He said the government even failed to leverage tourism to generate employment.

The state government hasnt done anything to boost employment for its people. Devbhoomi which is driven by tourism has failed to create job opportunities in various sectors because of which youngsters have no other option than to join army, he said.

He compared Uttarakhand with Goa where he served as chief minister from 2012 to 2014. He emphasized how his government generated employment from the tourism sector in his state where no one ever thought that BJP would get full majority.

Goa was also ailing with corruption and illegal mining like Uttarakhand. But, after I did Parivartan Yatra, the party won with full majority in 2012. Tourism sector multiplied more than three times and youngsters managed to get employment through it, he said.

Relaxation for army recruits in hill states

Parrikar said that central government is considering amending minimum height and education criteria for those in hilly states who want to join the army.

I was told that the height of hill people is less and education is also weak. I promised people of this state that will work positively towards this issue. The centre government is working on its solution, he said.

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AIMIM leader Asauddin Owaisi has added a twist to the demonetisation controversy, alleging that bank ATMs have been kept without cash deliberately in Muslim-majority areas.

Also, the Lok Sabha parliamentarian said at a rally in Hyderabad that barely 2% Muslims have access to credit cards, underlining the lack of access to digital money among the religious minorities.

In our areas, bank branches are not opened. In our areas, money for ATMs is not coming. But in other areas, money is flowing. Why should we opt for cashless economy? he asked his supporters.

He criticised PM Narendra Modi on Monday for wreaking havoc in every household.

The Modi government scrapped 500- and 1,000-rupee notes from November 9, wiping out 86% of the money in circulation from the countrys cash-driven economy.

Opposition parties have called the demonetisation drive a bad move because of poor planning.

The Congress, which is at the forefront of protests, didnt back Owaisi and asked him to prove his allegations instead.

We dont believe what he is saying. He should give proof if anything like this has happened. During the UPA rule, bank accounts were opened in all areas and no community was deprived, former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said.

His party colleague from Kerala, Shama Mohamed said Owaisis party and the BJP are both trying to divide the nation.

I come from a state with 27% Muslim population. In Mallapuram, there are no shortage of banks and ATMs. Hindus, Muslims, Christians  all are facing shortage of cash.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh has come down heavily on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for freezing 52,000 accounts of the State Bank of Sikkim (SBS), terming the decision seemingly unreasonable and based on specious ground.

When the attempt should be to smoothly implement the demonetisation announcement, this creation of an unnecessary roadblock will give both the programme and the government of India a bad name, Singh wrote to Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, urging him to persuade the RBI to withdraw its decision and allow Sikkimese people to withdraw money from the bank.

The home ministers intervention came in response to Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamlings letter to him.

The RBI stopped withdrawal from those 52,000 accounts on the ground that the SBS is not covered under the Banking Regulation Act. The SBS has been functioning since 1975 without being covered under the Banking Regulation Act.

Singh pointed out that the SBS enjoys protection under Article 371 F of the Constitution of India, which provides for special provisions for Sikkim.

At this stage, the reason given by the RBI seems at best to be a specious ground, Singh said in his letter dated December 8.

Sikkim is a politically sensitive state and the last message that needs to be given to them is that they are not at par with Indian citizens, he added.

On Saturday, Chamling said that he was extremely grateful to the Union home minister for upholding the sanctity and status of the SBS.
Terrorists, who stormed the army camp at Nagrota in Jammu region on November 29, used a silencer-fitted weapon to kill a sentry before gaining entry into the premises, a tactic adopted by fidayeen (suicide attackers) for the first time in the troubled state.

After sneaking into the camp from the rear side, which had thick vegetation that provided natural cover of elephant grass, one of the terrorists fired at the sentry using a silencer-fitted weapon, official sources said.

Read | 7 soldiers, including 2 officers, killed in militant attack on Nagrota army camp

As someone noticed the fall of the sentry, panic gripped the army camp, which houses an artillery unit having presence of families of soldiers. Soon firing erupted.

The sources said night illuminators were fired to locate the terrorists who had by then entered an adjacent two-storey building where families of soldiers were staying.

Anticipating a hostage-like situation, the army troops with the help of para-commandos rescued the women and children first before launching a final onslaught on the terrorists.

Drones were pressed into the service which helped the snipers eliminate the terrorists inside the camp, the sources said.

Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in the attack by the three terrorists, who were also eliminated in the counteroffensive which lasted nearly four hours.

Seeking to joining the dots related to the attack, multiple security agencies have indicated that three attackers had infiltrated into India from across the international border at Hiranagar in Kathua district of Jammu region.

The security agencies had recovered an iCom wireless set near a tree in Hirnagar that matched the frequency of the sets carried by the militants, sources said.

Read | Nagrota attack a message from Paks new army chief: Ex-home secretary R K Singh

Not ruling out the possibility of local assistance being provided to the terrorists, sources said they had possibly entered into India on the night of November 28-29 and travelled a distance of 78 kms to the army camp using a well connected national highway before mounting the assault in the morning.

Initially it was speculated that the terrorists could have travelled to the army camp from Kashmir, a possibility that was rejected after the vehicular movement was scrutinised from the CCTVs installed at vantage points along the national highway linking the Valley to the rest of the country.

There were some intelligence leads suggesting that a militant sympathiser from Poonch had ferried the terrorists to the army camp, they said.

BSF officials had initially rejected suggestions that terrorists entered through the international border but after the recovery of the wireless set, they started their internal probe. The case is now being probed by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Read more | Attack on Nagrota army base exposes major security, intelligence failures
Molamma didnt think she would return home alive from Oman. Promised a well-paying beauticians job in the Gulf, she ended up working brutal 13-hour shifts, with no break for rest or food.

This is my second life, she said, her eyes welling up with tears as she re-united with her family at Kochi international airport in October.

Thirty five-year-old Molamma was one of the few lucky women to escape those who run a ruthless human trafficking racket in the Sultanate of Oman. There are many unskilled and semi-skilled women like her, especially from south India, smuggled illegally overland from Dubai to Oman and Saudi Arabia and left with no avenues of escape.

The Centre for Indian Migrant Studies (CIMS), an organisation funded by the International Labour Organisations South Asia Labour Migration Governance (SALM), has received more than 50 complaints from Indian women workers in distress from various Gulf countries in the last eight months, according to its director Rafeek Ravuther.

Dubai is the main hub of the racket, say social workers. The women are bought here from agents and taken overland to Oman or Saudi Arabia, mostly without mandatory papers. This, in turns, makes the women vulnerable to exploitation by their employees and in no position to seek official help.

Trafficking on the rise?

According to estimates at the ministry of external affairs, there are more than 500,000 Indian maids, both legal and illegal, working in the Gulf States of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Social workers say the trafficking of housemaids to the Gulf rose in numbers after India introduced stringent regulations in 2011, which increased the cost to employers.

The new guidelines, applying to all GCC countries, stated that only those who earn more than $2,600 (equivalent Gulf currency) per month can hire housemaids. Also, the sponsor has to provide a bank guarantee of $2,850 (equivalent Gulf currency) as security deposit to the Indian embassy. This deposit is to be used as compensation for unpaid dues, salary and legal obligations.

The monthly minimum salary too is fixed at $280 (equivalent Gulf currency) in the revised guidelines for employers. In addition, the sponsor is required provide free food, accommodation, annual return airfare to India and a prepaid mobile phone with a SIM card.

The Indian government tightened the screws further with the introduction of the E-migrate website in June this year. Emigration clearance and visas for maids have to be channelized through this site.

Unfortunately, instead of bringing about the desired results, it sent the whole process of hiring migrant workers underground. The Indian government had increased the cost of hiring maids. So employers began to depend upon traffickers, said Sajad, an Indian social worker in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia signed a new deal with India in 2014 (after initially refusing to implement the 2011 Indian guidelines), which was aimed at improving the condition of housemaids. However, illegal immigration went up in just one year as employers and recruiting agencies found ways to work around the deal, he added.

How the racket works

Molammas story began in January this year when she was contacted by Vineesh, who claimed to be a recruiting agent for the Gulf. She paid him Rs 50,000 as commission and flew to Dubai.

Three weeks after she landed in Dubai, Molammas ordeal began  she was bought from her Dubai agent by the Omani beauty parlour owner and trafficked across the border without visa and work permit. He promised me a monthly salary of Omani Riyal 150 (approximately Rs 25,000), which I never got. When I complained about the horrible working conditions, he demanded Rs 2 lakh to send me home, she recalled.

Molamma finally found the nerve to secretly seek out Indian social workers who took up the case with the Indian embassy in Oman and the ministry of external affairs in India.

Muralidharan, a social worker in Dubai, explained the modus operandi of the racket  agents in Kerala send women to Dubai on a visit visa. They would then sell them to clients in Oman or Saudi Arabia, who would transport them to their countries without work permits. Some escape by contacting neighbours and social workers. Others resign themselves to their fate or end their lives unable to bear the torture.

An International Labour Association (ILO) study in 2015 identified the emigration route from Kerala to Gulf countries as one of the most frequented one for female domestic workers. A majority of workers depend on agents to facilitate migration and pay them large sums of money as service charges. The need for money to meet the present day exigencies is the major push factor for women, the report revealed.

Social workers are more pro-active than Indian embassies about helping trapped women. If we get to know about housemaids in distress, we alert the embassy and bring the worker home, said a social worker in Oman who chose to stay anonymous.

Indian embassies in all Gulf countries do run safe houses where migrant workers seeking escape are sheltered before being repatriated to India.

The hubs: Oman and Saudi Arabia

The human trafficking racket to Oman was highlighted in a report released this July by Human Rights Watch, the global non-governmental human rights organisation. They had interviewed 59 migrant labourers. In some cases, workers described abuses that amounted to forced labour or trafficking  often across Omans porous border with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Employers typically pay fees to recruitment agencies to secure domestic workers services, and several workers said that their employers told them they had bought them. Some employers demand that workers reimburse them for recruitment fees for their release, said the report.

Apart from Oman, Saudi Arabia is another major human trafficking destination in the Gulf region. Saudi citizens buy women from traffickers in Dubai and employ them as maids.

Feeding off desperation

Thirty-five-year-old Subaida from Kozhikode left for Saudi Arabia in March this year, to work as a maid for 1,200 Saudi Riyals (approximately Rs 22,000) a month. Her family, her mother and two daughters had rejoiced when she got her visa. This, they hoped, would be the end of their financial distress.

Soon, Subaida started complaining about physical and mental torture at the hands of her Saudi employer  she told her family she is made to work 18 hours a day without food or water, not allowed breaks and not given her salary on time. She calls us once a month and weeps inconsolably. I think the torture had taken a toll on her health. I request the government to bring her alive, said her 18-year-old elder daughter Shameena.

Subaida was abandoned by her husband when she was pregnant with her second daughter, Shana. She took to doing menial jobs to fend for her family, often travelling long distances in search of work.It was around this time that Rafeek, a man who introduced himself as a Gulf agent, offered her a maids job in Saudi Arabia. Subaida didnt think twice before accepting.

Rafeek helped her complete the medical and visa formalities and even accompanied her to Mumbai, from where she flew to Dubai. Subaida didnt have to shell out even a single paisa for visa or travel: it was all sponsored by the agent and his bosses.

A Saudi Arabian citizen bought her from an agent in Dubai, and took her to his house in the south-western city of Abha.

Rafeek confessed to this correspondent that the deal made him richer by Rs 20,000. I got her the job, I think she is working there now, he said. I am not aware of her difficulties in Saudi. It is not my duty to check her well-being. I have plenty of things to do in life.

Migrant activist Ravuther pointed out that the agents nonchalance revealed the size of the human trafficking racket in Kerala. If a local agent like Rafeek made Rs 20,000 in a single deal, imagine how much money his boss would have made, says Ravuther, who also directs Pravasalokam, a popular television programme on Kairali channel that delves into issues concerning migrant labour.

Follow the money

Though this trafficking racket is spread across India, it is concentrated mostly in the south  in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Agents prey on women who are in distress and offer them lucrative jobs. Some ask for huge commissions  between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh  while others do the deal for free. Muralidharan said agents charge a fee only if their clients are desperate. They dont seek money from someone who is not sure about working in the Gulf.

The only way out, he said, is for the Indian government to step in. The Indian government should take it up as a diplomatic issue. It should notify UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia governments about these incidents if it wanted to curb the menace.

Another emerging aspect of this trafficking is how sometimes recruiting agents in Kerala are able to influence political and religious leaders into cajoling women to migrate to the Gulf for work. Mini, a resident of Wayanad district, landed a housemaids job in Saudi Arabia after a priest from a local church asked her to meet Kunjettan, a recruiting agent.

There were 40 members in the house where I worked. I had to wash clothes and clean rooms. I worked for 13 long hours. This affected my health  I had swelling in my legs and I was often nauseous. If I rest my employers wife beat me. My husband Raveendran gave my agents Rs 1.5 lakh for my release and he had to sell our house to raise the money. Now we are in a huge debt trap and we have to vacate our house next month, said Mini, who managed to get home a little over a month ago.

Still missing

Many trafficked women are unable to contact their families because they are not allowed the use of mobile phones.

Thirty-five-year-old Hairunnisa has been waiting a call from her sister, Suhrabi, 40, who left for Ajman, an emirate in the UAE, three months ago. Two weeks ago Suhrabi did call her: She said she was lured into a housemaids job by one Aziz and Jyothi. She was first taken to the Ajman office of a recruiting agency frequented by Arabs looking to buy slaves. She told me that she was taken to Buraimi in Oman, along with 20 other women. After that I didnt get any calls from her. I tried to contact her, but in vain. I request the Indian government and embassy officials to find her immediately.

Recently, reports have also emerged from Hyderabad about 21 women who were sent to Saudi Arabia by agents in the Malakpet locality. The women have lost contacts with their families back home.

The families of these women had sought our help. Most of them have also approached the police, said Hyderabad-based social worker MBT Amjed Ullah Khan, who has been helping trafficked workers return home, in one report.

Meanwhile, Kerala Police too are keeping a close eye on the situation. V Gopal Krishnan, IPS, superintended of police, non-resident India cell, said his department has received many complaints about human trafficking to the Gulf. We have referred all the complaints to respective district police heads for further inquiry, he said.

Victims who have managed to return home feel that women in Kerala should be informed about the regular tricks of the trafficking racket to prey on them. These agents will do anything to please you and force you to accept their offer, said Mini. They will offer you money as part of their big ploy. Dont fall into their trap. I dont want to see my sisters suffering like slaves in a foreign land anymore.

(Published in arrangement with GRIST Media)
Patna Police claimed on Sunday they have recovered the sword used to hack a security guard manning an ATM of a state-run bank to death and detained two people in connection with his murder.

Kundan Kumar alias Pappu Malakar was on night duty on Friday at the Central Bank of India automated teller machine inside the Mauryalok shopping complex under the Kotwali police station when he was murdered.

Superintendent of police (rural) LM Prasad, who is heading the special investigation team formed to crack the case, said they have got vital clues in Kumars murder but refused to divulge the names of the detained men. We will disclose the details in a couple of days, he added.

Prasad said he has instructed all station house officers (SHOs) in the state capital to intensifPATy patrolling near ATMs.

A police officer said the sword used in the crime was recovered behind the Patna Museum with the help of a sniffer dog. The SIT team is still conducting raids near Mandiri and behind the museum in the search of criminals, he said.

We are also procuring footages of CCTVs installed near the museum. We hope to crack the case soon. This incident is a big challenge to the police, as it happened only a stones throw away from the Kotwali police station, he added.

The incident came to light on at around 5.30 am on Saturday when Kumars son, Aman, visited the ATM in search of his father after he failed to return home at the usual time. He found his father lying in a pool of blood and informed the police about the incident.

It appeared that Kumar had resisted the attackers and his body was hacked several times by the assailants.

Taking serious note of the incident, Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj removed Kotwali police station SHO Avinash Kumar for dereliction of duty.
Reshmi (name changed), was just 12 years old when she left home in Jharkhand in 2000 with a man who promised her a job and a better life in Delhi. Her father was an alcoholic, her mother struggling to provide for Reshmi and her three younger siblings. So Reshmi left home, without informing her family. For 15 years she worked as a live-in domestic help at the home of a family in the national capital. But when she started missing home and began asking for permission to visit her family, she was turned out by her employers, without being paid a single rupee for the work that she had done for 15 years.

Stories like Reshmis are unfortunately so commonplace that they hardly ever attract attention. A United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) report published earlier this year quotes a National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) estimate that in 2011-12 there were 3.9 million domestic workers in the country, with women domestic workers constituting 2.6 million. Migrants accounted for the largest share of domestic workers.

Substantial Numbers

Though the numbers employed in domestic work are substantial, in a country of surplus labour, the rights of those working in the unorganised sector  such as the domestic worker  are rarely the subject of contemplation or conversation. Till such time as an Indian living abroad gets into trouble for abusing his or her domestic worker in a way that many in India are used to doing. In 2013, it was Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade who was indicted in the US on the charge of paying her housekeeper less than the minimum wages allowed under American law. Khobrage has denied the charged. And earlier this year, Himanshu Bhatia, the Indian-American head of an IT consulting firm in the US, was accused by the American government of grossly underpaying her live-in maid from India, and of making her sleep in the garage with the family dogs when she was unwell. (Bhatias daughter Sabina Bhatia has issued a statement on behalf of her mother denying the accusations against her). May be it is the Indian mentality to ill-treat domestic workers. Cases like these are very common in India, says Gaurav Tomar, legal officer at Chetanalaya, an organisation that works to protect the rights of domestic workers.

Read:NRIs to diplomats: A history of ill treatment of domestic help

In the winter of 2015, Chetanalaya initiated a meeting with a group of Parliamentarians with the request that a Bill to safeguard the rights of these workers be tabled and passed by the legislature, says Anushikha Thompson, who also works with Chetanalaya.

May be it is the Indian mentality to ill-treat domestic workers. Cases like these are very common in India.

The parliamentarians told us that if we manage to draft the proposal for a Bill, one of them will present it in Parliament as a Private Member Bill, she says, adding, We reached out to other agencies and under the banner of National Platform of Domestic Workers (NPDW), an umbrella organisation of agencies working for the rights of domestic workers, a draft was prepared. Last week, we again met some members of Parliament and presented the draft to them and also invited their suggestions. We are really hoping that the Bill is proposed in the ongoing winter session, says Thompson. The Parliaments winter session is on till December 16.

AT A GLANCE: Salient features of the draft Domestic Workers Regulation of Work and Social Security Bill, 2016 It seeks registration of all domestic workers, employers and service providers The setting up of a domestic workers social security fund Regulation of working conditions, including hours of work, leave and weekly offs, minimum wages, discrimination at place of work It also attempts to safeguard workers from crimes such as sexual, physical or verbal assault, wrongful confinement and forced labour It details a mechanism of grievance redress and dispute resolution

Mobilising Workers

This is, however, not the first time that agencies working for the protection of the rights of domestic workers have tried to get a Bill to safeguard their rights passed in Parliament. In 2008, a taskforce had been created to draft a similar Bill. The Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Bill, 2010, was presented to the National Commission for Women (NCW) and is still available on the NCW website, though it was never tabled in Parliament. In the absence of specific national laws governing this sector, however, NGOs currently use various laws such as anti-trafficking laws, laws against forced labour, sexual harassment at workplace and Vishaka Guidelines or even the Labour Law and Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, in their work to help and protect domestic workers.

Most of the cases that come to us are of financial abuse, says Tomar. Often the domestic worker is told that her salary has already been paid to the agent who got her employed with the family. Even if the agent tells the employer that he will be sending the money to the domestic helps family, it is the responsibility of the employer to keep track of whether the money has reached them or not. In most cases the help is not even informed of this arrangement, he says . Take the case of 29-year-old Saroj. When, after working for a month at the house of her Faridabad-based employer, she started asking for her salary, she was informed that the money had been paid to the man who had brought her to work there. Saroj approached Chetanalaya and through their intervention was able to recover 9000 from the agent. But since domestic workers dont have any contract or proof that they have not been paid, our success rate in these cases are very low. In only 30 per cent of the cases have we managed to get the employer to pay up, says Tomar.

Read: Bai on call: How home service apps are changing domestic help market

In most cases, financial abuse does not happen in isolation, but is accompanied with verbal and physical abuse. Speaking to Hindustan Times, social sector worker Subhash Bhatnagar mentioned a case where the employer would repeatedly bite the domestic help. When we approached the employers, the husband said his wife was mentally unstable and offered to pay 50,000 as compensation in an out-of-court settlement, he says. There are also instances of sexual abuse. But in most cases the help does not want to talk about it, says Anchita Ghatak, a social sector worker in Kolkata .

In many cases, the abuse is more subtle. One big problem domestic workers experience is not being given enough to eat by their employers, Bhatnagar said. Saroj remembers being given stale food at the house of her employer. Getting leave is another issue. Even labour laws talk of an eight-hour work day and a system of weekly offs. But for domestic workers, getting leave depends on the whim of the employer. There is no social security, no safety net for the worker to fall back on in old age, he points out.

Little Legal Backing

According to the UNRISD report, the move to mobilise domestic workers to stand up for their rights began in the 1980s and gained strength in the 1990s and 2000. In 2011 domestic workers across the world and organisations working for their rights clinched a major victory at the International Labour Conference when most member countries voted in favour of a Convention to uphold the rights of domestic workers. Convention 189 and Recommendation 201 detail how domestic workers need to be protected and awarded. Though India is a signatory of the Convention, it is yet to ratify it, says Thompson.

As the UNRISD report points out, in India, domestic workers are implicitly excluded even from the Minimum Wages Act 1948. Although the benefits of the Act can be extended to domestic workers through state legislations, there are very few states where notifications have included domestic workers. A few states, such as Maharashtra, have attempted to regulate domestic work through the setting up of welfare boards for domestic workers. But by and large, agencies working with domestic workers feel that people in positions of power are often biased against this marginalised class.

If the woman (domestic worker) goes by herself, the police is not cooperative or sensitive most of the times.

Prachi and Sunita Thakur of Jagori, an NGO that works for the rights of women, including those working in homes, feels that workers are hesitant to approach the police only because they dont have any evidence to support what they are saying. If the woman (domestic worker) goes by herself, the police is not cooperative or sensitive most of the times. They presume that the employer is an educated person and therefore right. But if the process is channelised, and if she approaches an NGO/womens organisation , there is an active response from the police, they say. This is especially true in cases involving a minor, or where the NGOs complain that a domestic worker is being held by her employers against her wishes, says Tomar. He gives the example of 15-year-old Savita (name changed) who was trafficked to Delhi from Jharkhand by an agent and was working for a family in Pitampura. One day she managed to call her family and tell them she was in Delhi. Her family approached a local NGO who approached us. We told them to first inform the local police . The Jharkhand police then came to Delhi and with the help of Delhi police, we managed to track and rescue the girl, says Tomar.

Journey to Justice

The job of the agencies begins with making domestic workers aware of their rights. Chetanalaya is also working on a system of empowering domestic workers, so that those who are victims today, may help others in seeking justice in the future. We provide counselling, legal support and guidance to the workers, say Prachi and Sunita Thakur of Jagori. We help them make informed choices about righting the wrong that has been endured by them. Then once that choice has been made about how the domestic help wants to proceed, we intervene.

Where the worker is a minor, Tomar says, the first step, after a medical check-up and the recording of her statement by the police, is to take her to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Based on her statement to the CWC, appropriate charges are filed against the employers and agents, he says.

The journey to justice is a long one. At Chetanalayas New Delhi office, Reshmi waits patiently for help to get the money due to her over 15 long years. Ask her if there was any abuse, and she says reluctantly, they did slap me, especially in the beginning. I didnt know the work, you see. The resignation and acceptance of cruelty cuts deeper than the abuse.

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Controversy is Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghoshs middle name.

A veteran Sangh pracharak who was in charge of the Hindu Jagran Manch until his elevation to the BJPs top post, Ghosh has constantly stirred controversies. Even the uproar that erupted over his recent remarks regarding chief minister Mamata Banerjees protest meetings in New Delhi  followed by threats of legal action by the Trinamool Congress  has failed to faze him.

They cannot scare us off by threatening to drag us to court. I have done nothing wrong, given the way the chief minister abused our Prime Minister and the army in the past. She deserves no better treatment. We have a tit-for-tat policy for Trinamool, Ghosh said, adding that the partys legal cell will be filing a case of its own against Banerjee.

The latest controversy erupted when video clips of inflammatory speeches delivered by the BJP leader emerged on the social media. We could have thrown her out of Delhi simply by grabbing her by the hair. We are running the government in New Delhi, he said in one such address.

Partha Chatterjee, state education minister and Trinamool secretary general, said his party was not amused by Ghoshs remarks. We are mulling legal action against him. Dilip is polluting the political culture of the state, he added.

On Sunday afternoon, Trinamool chief national spokesperson Derek OBrien had described the remarks as a new low in politics.

An undeterred Ghosh, however, threw a fresh challenge to Bengals ruling party on Monday. They are welcome to take legal recourse, but why should they? They are in power. They can just use police and state power against me.

Ghosh, who says he prefers to call a spade a spade, doesnt believe in apologising for his remarks. In May 2016, he dubbed girl students of the Jadavpur University as shameless people who constantly crave the company of their male counterparts. Later, he said the universitys anti-national professors should be grabbed by the collar and thrown out of the campus.

The BJP leader also boasted of the RSS activists ability to break the necks of Trinamool workers with their bare hands and threatened to assault people shouting anti-national slogans such as Pakistan Zindabad.

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The US national, who was allegedly gangraped at a five-star hotel in Connaught Place in April, says she was not quite satisfied with the probe and was willing to come down to the country to join the investigation, despite the nightmarish experience.

In an email interaction with PTI, the woman shared how she was trying to cope up after the ordeal which still haunts her eight months on.

The 25-year-old, who works as a teaching aide in US, claimed she was drugged by the accused for several days and it was only later she could recollect the details of the incident.

Read: Delhi police to book five for raping American woman in five-star hotel

After returning, it was around end of July, 2016 that I started to remember what happened to me in India. I would get panic attacks, nightmares and anxiety.

Till date, I get panic attacks on occasions when the incident runs through my mind. I am trying to engage myself in my work and other activities, she said.

After she came to terms with the incident, the 25-year-old contacted an NGO that sent an email to the Delhi police on October 5.

The woman has spoken to a female police officer a couple of times on phone along with her lawyer and answered some questions but says that she is not satisfied with the pace of investigation.

I am not at all satisfied with the way the probe is going on. The Delhi police acknowledged the complaint filed by NGO on my behalf on October 17 but no investigation was launched by them. I have been reading media reports and it seems that the police did contact the main accused over phone. I am worried why the accused have not been arrested so far even though an FIR was registered on December 3.

Read: US womans gang rape: Delhi Police seek internal probe report from travel agencies

I did reply to some of their emails which they were slow to respond to. I fear that the accused might have destroyed any evidence, she claimed.

Even though she is not comfortable to come back here, she has assured the investigating agencies that she will be visiting the country to assist in case she is needed.

I was left with horrible memories. I am not comfortable in going to India but I want to go there to join the investigation so that accused may be convicted, she stressed.

The woman said she was trying to arrange financial assistance for coming to India and the US Embassy in Delhi and some NGOs in the US are helping her in this regard while her family had been providing her the much-needed moral and emotional support.

She had chosen India for her first trip abroad as she was interested in learning about Indian as well as Middle East culture, despite being told about concerns over women safety in the country.

People did warn me and tried to convince me not to go to India for these reasons. I somehow convinced my family for this trip, she recalled.

After she landed in India, she did not realise what happened to her as she was allegedly sedated by the accused who also made videos of the act and threatened her with dire consequences, the woman said in a police complaint.

I believe the accused kept drugging me in some form or the other at least for the first three days of my tour, she said.
Varanasi and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh had zero good air quality days last year, said a report released on Monday that uses the governments air quality data to conclude B-towns have the most toxic air in India.

Varanasi and Allahabad did not record a single day of good air quality day, said the report, which based its findings on the Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) 2015 dataset.

Out of the 227 days of recorded data on air pollution, Varanasi had zero good air quality days last year. And out of 263 days, Allahabad had zero good air quality days.

Good air is an Air Quality Index score below 50, above 100 is moderate, and over 150 indicates severe air pollution.

Source: Varanasi Chokes, 2016 (HT Graphics)

The levels recorded in Varanasi regularly cross 150, with the levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM) smaller than 2.5m  the most harmful because they go deep into the airways and lungs  routinely double the safe limit in October and November

SPM less than 10m were three times the safe limit in 2016 and had increased by more than one-third since 2010, said the report

Among six cities in Uttar Pradesh highlighted in the report, only Kanpur and Agra had more than 12 good air quality days each year.

The leading causes of pollution are the same across north India: agricultural fires, a mix of dust kicked up by traffic and construction sites, vehicular and industrial emissions, coal-fire power stations, brick kilns, smoke from private diesel generators and use of wood and coal fires for cooking.

The report, launched by Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED), IndiaSpend and Care4Air, concludes that heavy industrial activity across the Indo-Gangetic belt has led to rapid degradation of air quality across north Indian region.
Gusty winds and heavy rainfall lashed parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on Monday, with very severe Cyclone Vardah making landfall in the afternoon. TV visuals showed uprooted trees, even as land and air transport was thrown off gear amid reports of casualties.

Four dead

Four people were killed after heavy rains accompanied by high-velocity winds pounded Chennai and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu due to the severe cyclonic storm.

Initially, state principal secretary (revenue administration) K Satyagopal said human loss is two, but did not elaborate. The NDMA later revised the death toll to four - two in Chennai, one in Kancheepuram and one in Nagapattinam.

In a statement, Satyagopal said 260 trees and 37 electric poles had fallen and 190 tress removed. As many 224 roads were blocked and 24 huts damaged.

The wind speed near Chennai 90-100 kmph. Heavy rains and storm surge is expected. Landfall process has commenced at 2pm, said M Mohapatra, the additional director general (services) of IMD.

Life off track

Power supply was suspended in many parts of the affected regions as a precautionary measure. About 8,000 people from low-lying areas in north Chennai, Pazhaverkadu in Tiruvallur district and villages off Mamallapuram, in Kanchipuram district, were safely evacuated to 95 relief shelters, officials said.

Flight operations at the airport were suspended till 5pm. Around 500 passengers remained in the domestic terminal.

Long-distance buses were stalled and traffic came to a grinding halt in most areas with uprooted trees and electric poles blocking the roads.

All suburban train services were also suspended. Southern Railway announced the cancellation of all 17 trains originating from Chennai central, as well as Egmore. A tree fell on a car at Ekkatuthangal near Metro Railway Station.

Alarm sounded

The Met department predicted rainfall over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next 36 hours (till Wednesday). The rainfall intensity would increase gradually, becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places.

The weather department warned of squally winds reaching 50-60 kmph along and off Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coast.

The tidal wave of about one metre height above the astronomical tide was likely to inundate the low-lying areas of Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh during the landfall.

Union science and technology minister Harshvardhan said people have to remain cautious over the next 24 to 36 hours.

I am sure the people of Chennai and Tamil Nadu will show the nation the same courage with which they faced a similar calamity last year. Entire Congress party stands firmly by them, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.

Forces on alert, advisories

The army, navy, air force and the Coast Guard were geared up to lend a helping hand. Over 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed in various coastal regions.

Naval ships Shivalik and Kadmatt sailed out from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh early Monday morning to Chennai to augment relief efforts in the Tamil Nadu capital as part of Operation Madad, the Navy said.

The ships were carrying medical teams, divers, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopter, and relief material that includes food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets etc.

The government declared a holiday for all government, government-aided private schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts.

The Tamil Nadu government also advised private sector organisations to allow their workers to avail a holiday or work from home.

HELPLINE NUMBERS OF CHENNAI CORPORATION:



WhatsApp (+91): 9445477207, 9445477203, 9445477206, 9445477201, 9445477205



Landline (+91 44): 25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje completes three years in office on December 13. As she prepares to head into assembly elections two years later, Raje thinks its time to talk about solid results her work in the last three years has yielded.

In an interview to Rakesh Goswami, she talks about her pet projects and her equation with Centre.

Q. What do you think is your biggest achievement in the last three years?

A. Bhamashah Yojana, the financial inclusion scheme in which we made women head of their families. We integrated all social security schemes with the Bhamashah card, a bouncy, useful card. In 3 years, we have created an enormous database with this scheme. 1.5 crore bank accounts have been opened. We launched this scheme in 2008 but after we were voted out, the incumbent government stalled it. I can say that it was our first step towards racing on the digital economy highway. The Bhamashah has spawned a digital revolution in the state  you get ration through it, theres a health insurance linked to it and the benefits are transferred to your bank account. Only the woman in whose name the card is issued can withdraw that money.

Q. Only one scheme in 3 years?

A. Thats the biggest. Theres the Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana through which we increased the incentive to girl child from Rs 7,300 to Rs 50,000. All girls born after June 1, 2016, get Rs 50,000 in six installments  you get Rs 2,500 at birth, Rs 2,500 on completing one year, Rs 4,000 when she goes to Class 1, Rs 5,000 on completing primary school, Rs 11,000 when she gets into Class 10 and Rs 25,000 on completing school or 18 years. I dont think any other state in the country gives so much incentive to promote the birth of girls. We have also tightened screws on people indulging in sex determination tests, which lead to the killing of girls in wombs. Im happy to tell you that in January 2016, sex ratio at birth in Rajasthan was 929. Imagine we were having 888 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011 census.

Q. You started schemes such as this one but put brakes on schemes such as the free medicine scheme started by your predecessor.

A. We didnt stop any schemes  we introduced better ones. For example, we brought in Bhamashah health insurance to provide free indoor treatment to more than 1 crore people. We are preparing health data of our people through Aarogya Rajasthan. Under this, we have put data of 3.72 crore people online after a survey of 94.32 lakh families in rural Rajasthan.

Q. Is it true that you dont enjoy cordial relations with the Centre and that has delayed cabinet expansion?

A. There have been rumours that I will be replaced, did anything happen? We enjoy the full support of the Prime Minister. He launched Soil Health Card scheme from Rajasthan. The PM patted our back for Mukhyamantri Jal Svalamban Abhiyan (MJSA), plantation drives and for success in recent local body by-elections. Rajasthan got the opportunity to host FIPIC (the second summit of Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, a forum between India and 14 Pacific island nations, was held in Jaipur on August 21, 2015). All this is not possible without the Centres support.

Q. Your critics raise questions over the success of Resurgent Rajasthan and GRAM.

A. For the first time in 69 years of Independence, there was an event whose pivot was the farmer who gives us food. There were MoUs worth Rs 4,400 in this historic programme. Our farmers, who are experts of traditional farming, got a chance to come face to face with modern technology. We are moving towards doubling farmers income by 2020. In Resurgent Rajasthan, apart from solar energy projects, the proposed investment is of Rs 1.45 crore. Investments of Rs 1.08 crore are already in the process of implementation. This is countrys biggest and the fastest rate of bringing investments on ground.

Q. Your collectors often talk about increasing the happiness quotient of people. What is that?

A. We believe in unifying hearts to share a vision. When people share your vision, they work towards the same goal. We want our people to live and work in a salubrious atmosphere. I have told all my collectors to bring smiles to peoples faces. We started toy banks to share toys, mobile libraries for sharing books, we share clothes, we were working together towards water conservation, providing sanitary napkins to our adolescent girls so that they dont drop out of schools because of this, there are common exercise points, we are opening Annapurna rasois (kitchens) to provide subsidised food  These are all done to increase peoples happiness quotient.
Authorities in Indore have shifted 150 semi-feral geese and ducks from Sirpur Lake to Boat Club at Pipliyapala Park after HT published a report in November that these birds were agents of bird flu.

Sirpur Lake hosts over 150 species of resident and migratory birds.

The action by Indore Municipal Corporation and Indore Zoo comes after noted ornithologist Satish Pande urged them to immediately remove semi-feral geese, ducks and pigs from the water body. Pande is associated with National Institute of Virologys bird flu monitoring programme since 2004.

Nihar Parulekar, the curator and education officer of Indore Zoo, said they completed the exercise in two days.

Bhalu Mondhe, the president of The Nature Volunteers, We had written to the concerned authorities and shared Pandes concerns. We are happy that the wild birds of Sirpur are safe. I would request that these birds be quarantined and the pigs be removed, too.

Pande congratulated the civic body and the zoo for taking prompt action. He said semi-feral geese and ducks should not be kept in a public place because of the strong possibility of passing on bird flu to humans and also to dry poultry through bridge species of birds like crows as happened recently at Jamshedpur.

In December 2014, Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh had to be closed to the public because of outbreak of bird flu (H5N1) in semi feral geese. Similarly sites like Rajghat in New Delhi had to be closed to the public this year because of outbreak of the H5N8 variant of bird flu in semi-feral geese, Pande said.

The need of the hour is standard operating procedures and guidelines for wet poultry management in consultation with experts. The government is serious about this. Local bodies and organisations across the nation should cooperate, said Pande, the founder of Ela Foundation that is devoted to nature education and conservation.
Standing outside a popular eatery outlet with her sibling Shivam, while her mother ordered the food, was a turning point for Bobby Ramani.

Even as Shivam, who suffers from autism, stood restlessly frequently switching his attention, a common trait among autistic persons, Bobby waited patiently for her mother to signal when the food arrived. After a few minutes wait, the siblings went into the restaurant, had the meal and soon made their way out.

All this was done quickly so as to ensure Shivam (19) did not disturb other diners due to his hyper nature.

The incident left Bobby wondering about the problems faced by family of specially-abled children, who wanted to take their wards for a normal outing but were left at their wits end due to lack of facilities for them.

And thus was born Support Foundation, aimed at creating a helpful ambience for special children at eateries and cafes in the state capital. Speaking about the move, Bobby Ramani said, I have a brother with autism and understand the joy and struggles that revolve around taking a specially-abled kid out. One of the worst traits in people with autism is impatience.

The need for a special ambience was felt as usually specially-abled and autistic children are hyper in nature. They become restless to eat as soon as they step inside any restaurant. Waiters usually take 10-15 minutes to serve the order. But for specially-abled children this is too much of a time.

Bobby approached cafes to make them compatible for special children. Her efforts bore fruit, and five eateries in Lucknow took up the cause.

Cafe Mocha and Cafe Wrappers, both located at Patrakarpuram Chauraha in Gomti Nagar; Homeys cafe at Vivek Khand 2, Gomti Nagar; Lucknow Diaries at Madan Mohan Malviya Marg, Hazratganj and Seize The Day at Gokhale Marg, Opposite CID Office, Hazratganj are now better prepared to welcome differently-abled children.

These eateries are ready with helping kits for specially-abled children to keep them busy by the time they serve the food. In fact, serving families of special children on priority basis is also assured by cafe staff. The eateries now have colour pencils, crayons, building-blocks and other creative toys ready. When special kids enter the cafe, the waiter greets him/her with the kit.

This helps their parents have a good time with kids and also makes their time out enjoyable. The cafes in Gomti Nagar area also have a sticker that will read they are Differently-abled friendly. Buoyed by the success, Bobby says, In the first phase we have already finalised five cafes who have happily agreed to support us and are now differently-abled friendly. What next? In the second phase we shall be tagging various other public places like parks, gyms etc, she said.Meanwhile, Ankit, owner of Mocha in Patrakarpuram said, The concept is very new in the industry. And as the party session will start with Christmas and New Year celebrations, we hope to make a difference in the life of special kids.
Even as some enthusiasts are working on an electoral alliance between the SP and the Congress for the forthcoming 2017 elections, an analysis of the 2012 assembly election results puts forth insurmountable grey areas.

Going by the winner and the runner-up formula, often adopted for the sharing of assembly seats, 403 seats should be divided between the three partners (assuming Rashtriya Lok Dal is also an ally) in the order of 286 to the SP, 41 to the Congress and 18 to the RLD. On remaining 37 seats, BJP or BSP were either winner or runner-up.

The contentious seats are 21 seats, on which Congress and SP were either winner or runner up.

The solution sounds simple, but actually it is not considering the importance of the seats in question. Six of the 21 seats fall in Gandhis stronghold, said a source in the party.

The SP chief Mulayam has often spared the two Lok Sabha seats from a contest on a quid pro quo basis, but in an assembly election every seat will matter. For instance, Congress will want to contest the Amethi assembly constituency from where Mulayams favourite minister Gayatri Prajapati was declared elected. He had defeated Amita Singh, wife of Congress senior leader Sanjay Singh.

In fact, party sources reveal the Congress high command will want to contest all the 10 assembly segments that are part of Gandhis Lok Sabha constituencies -- Rae Bareli and Amethi.

After partys dismal performance in 2012, Priyanka Gandhi had conceded that the Congress defeat in the two prime constituencies sent a wrong signal across the nation.

Another difficult seat could be Marihan assembly constituency in east UP from where Lalitesh Pati Tripathi is trying to recreate the magic of the famous Tripathi family in the region, including parts of Bihar. Kamlapati Tripathi is his great grandfather. He is described as Rahul Gandhis yuva face.

Also, on many of these seats, the victory margin also ranges between a few hundred to 2000 votes.

Party sources indicate that often talks fail on a few prime seats even after bulk of seats have been agreed upon.

In fact, Congressmen are sceptical about seat sharing plans as efforts in the past have always come to a naught. The talks for the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 had not fructified. Mulayam had found an unnatural ally in Kalyan Singh.

Thus many believe the alliance talks are on to ensure that the BSP does not enter into an electoral understanding with the Congress to check a resurgent BJP and defeat arch rival Samajwadi Party.

Former chief minister Mayawati, who has already tasted alliance with the Congress in mid 1990s would prefer an independent trek.

READ MORE: Congress-Samajwadi Party must form an alliance for UP polls: Congress leaders

Though much water has flown down the Gomti since then, she is not inclined as in her own assessment seat sharing helps the poll partner more than her party, for the simple reason that while her own votes are transferable, others fail to transfer their votes to the BSP.

It is common knowledge that while younger leadership of the two parties may be willing to go in for an alliance, the Congress may push a wholesome plan up to 2019 general elections.

Some senior leaders insist that would happen only if the Congress agreed to play second fiddle to the SP in state elections and vice versa in Lok Sabha elections. Moreover, a key position will have to be offered to senior Yadav.

Seniors share a mutual mistrust for each other. Congress cannot be trusted is Mulayams repeated statement. On the other hand, Congress finds Mulayam undependable having betrayed several times.

While Rahuls voice will prevail in the Congress, its hard to say whether Akhilesh would have the same say in the SP where his father is seemingly siding with his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav.
If Trump can protect Americans interest over others, can Modi too in case of Pak artistes, asks Sena

The Shiv Sena on Monday expressed concerns that the US President-elect Donald Trumps sons of the soil agenda, though possibly inspired from the former Sena chief Bal Thackeray, may hurt the Indian economy. The party further said it waits to see what stance will Prime Minister Narendra Modi take on it. Read

Advocate killed in a bike-tempo collision in Mumbais Andheri

A 49-year-old advocate was killed in a road accident in Andheri (East) on Sunday afternoon after his bike and a tempo collided. The deceased was wearing a helmet but since he had not locked it, it came off and he suffered head injuries. Read

Senior citizen found murdered at his Kandivli home in Mumbai

A 65-year-old man was found murdered at his residence in Kandivli (west) on Sunday night. The police said the body was decomposed as he had been dead for a few days. Read

Maharashtra local polls phase II: 8% candidates have assets worth more than Rs 1cr, 51 have none

About 8% of all candidates in the fray for the second phase of local body elections in Maharashtra on December 14 have assets of over Rs1 crore, as per an analysis by the Association of Democratic Rights (ADR) and Maharashtra Election Watch. Read

Man held in Mumbai for duping 3 from Punjab of Rs4.5 lakh on promise of visa to Germany

A 42-year-old man was arrested on Saturday for allegedly duping three people from Punjab of Rs 4.5 lakh on the pretext of giving them visas to Germany. Read
The Shiv Sena on Monday expressed concerns that the US President-elect Donald Trumps sons of the soil agenda, though possibly inspired from the former Sena chief Bal Thackeray, may hurt the Indian economy. The party further said it waits to see what stance will Prime Minister Narendra Modi take on it.

However, on the other hand, the party also said that if Trump can espouse protectionist ideas and give priority to Americans for employment, even Modi should take a firm stand on not allowing Pakistani personalities to seek employment in India.

In the partys mouthpiece publication, Saamana, the Shiv Sena said, Trump has made a statement that the government will protect the interests of the Americans over others. Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi take such a firm stand in the case of Pakistani personalities? Pakistans artists, technical experts, television artists come to India in search of work and hamper employment opportunities of local Indian artists.

However, in the editorial, the Shiv Sena also said though lakhs of Indians settled in the US got Trump voted, hailing him as a second Modi, soon after being elected the American leader is planning to take measures to render his own Indian supporters jobless. He is not stopping at just the H1B visa holders, but has also targeted American companies who have set up their industries outside and create employment, the Sena said.

The party said Trump recently announced that American companies producing goods outside the country will have to pay 35% more tax to sell their produce in the US and this may hurt Modis ambitious Make in India mission.

Anyway unemployment is likely to increase due to the effect of demonetisation. Crores of people are going to end up losing their jobs in the next four months. On top of that if employment generation under Make in India dips and many Indian Americans have to come back unemployed in search of jobs, it will worsen the situation. Modi is going to have to find solutions to all this soon, the Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said.

The party, however, added that it is confident that Modi, being a friend of the world quite like former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, will find a solution to this predicament too.

Read

Shah Rukh calls on Raj Thackeray, says Pakistani co-star will not promote Raees

Madhur Bhandarkar, Shiv Sena slam Anurags Twitter rant about PM Modi

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About 8% of all candidates in the fray for the second phase of local body elections in Maharashtra on December 14 have assets of over Rs1 crore, as per an analysis by the Association of Democratic Rights (ADR) and Maharashtra Election Watch.

Fourteen municipal councils in Pune and Latur districts are headed to polls on December 14 with 1,184 candidates vying for 324 seats. As per the analysis by ADR and Maharashtra Election Watch, 96 candidates have assets of more than Rs 1 crore, while only two out of the 1,184 candidates have declared a total annual income of more than Rs 20 lakh.

The average assets of all candidates across the two districts this election is Rs 39 lakh, while 294 candidates have declared very low assets of below Rs 2 lakh and 51 have even declared their assets to be zero, the analysis further shows.

Ajit Ranade, a founder member of the National Election Watch, said, We have tried to analyse the information and put it before people in a user-friendly way from candidates affidavits so that they can see for themselves if the candidate is being transparent or not. In local elections, voters often know their candidates closely and have been seeing them regularly, so they can compare this with any unofficial information that they have to know if candidates have been truthful in their affidavits.

Ranade said, often information on the income-tax paid is not provided by all candidates and this could be a reason for the number of high earners declaring less assets. But over all, the country is looking for more tax compliance. We want more people to pay tax and even the prime minister has been insisting on it. This way, voters can find out if candidates are leading the way, Ranade added.

Raju Tukaram Bhosale, a candidate for the Shirur municipal council, has declared the highest assets of more than Rs 16 crore, with Rs 15.8 crore of it being in the form of immovable assets.

33% candidates, 390 to be exact, are in the age bracket of 31 to 40 years, followed by 298 candidates in the 41 to 50 age group, and another 213 who are 25 to 30 years of age. Sixty-three candidates are very young, aged between 21 and 24, while eight candidates are very old, falling in the 71-80 age group.

Read

Did parties give money to voters during Maharashtra council polls?

Other side of demonetisation: An election jackpot on its way in Maharashtra

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Ever watched an X-Men movie and wondered what it would be like to be able to move objects just by using your mind like Charles Xavier, more commonly known as Professor X? Heres your chance to observe telekinesis happen in real life.

Come Friday, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will display Puzzlebox Orbit, a drone controlled by human neuro senses, as part of an exhibition at its annual technology extravaganza  TechFest. At the three-day festival, spectators can watch the drone lift objects and move around without pressing any button or movement of a joystick. Just think and it will happen.

The exhibition remains the biggest attraction of TechFest. This year, in addition to the mind-controlled drone, IIT-B will also put on display a whole range of new, seemingly quirky, technological innovations from across the world. This includes another drone that mimics living objects, an electronic scooter that weighs only 4kg and a wide variety of robots.

READ: Students question IIT-Bs intellectual property rule, but alumni give it a thumbs up

However, according to organisers, theres more to these exhibits than mere visual spectacle. For example, the mind-controlled drones can be used by paralysed patients in order to communicate with others and ease their work. Morphofunctional drones from Switzerland (Drones that mimic the actions of bio creatures).

These robots mimic biological creatures and hence can be used to study them closely. Our aim is to introduce the latest technology to the people and give them a first experience of it. The drones are examples of what can be done with technology in daily lives, said Ashwin Gohte, who heads the exhibition at TechFest.

Buoyed by the successful launch of its microsatellite Pratham, IIT-B has named the theme of this years TechFest as A Space Expedition. At the exhibition, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will display small scale models of its rocket launcher. Data sent by Pratham will be on display in the exhibition tent.

The ISRO scientists will explain the mechanics of rocket launch and ejection of satellites, said Gohte.

Billed as the largest science and technology festival in Asia, TechFest boasts a footfall of more than 1,65,000 people. Apart from exhibition, the festival also hosts workshops, talks by scientists and academicians and many technical competitions.

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Despite a group protesting at the Kemps Corner gate of the Tower of Silence on Sunday, against heritage walks at the cemetery, around 24 participants that included a few foreigners were given a one-hour tour of the place.

Police watched the gates as Ramiyar Karanjia, religious scholar and principal of Dadar Athornan Institute, led the participants through a tour briefing them on Zoroastrianism.

The walk, organised by the Mumbai Research Centre (MRC) of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, had been criticised by community groups which said that the sanctity of the cemetery is violated by the tour. The three-century-old forested cemetery, called Doongerwadi, has prayers halls, a fire temple and circular stone structures known as Dakhmas, or towers of silence, where the dead are laid out for a sky burial. Zoroastrian tradition requires the bodies to be disposed of by natural elements like the sun and carrion birds. No one is allowed to go inside the tower except Parsi-Zoroastrian pall-bearers, while only some areas of the cemetery, such as a prayer hall, is open to non-Zoroastrians.

The tour organisers said that care was taken to not hurt religious sentiments. The initiative taken was to go beyond the curriculum and understand each other closely. It also gives a different perspective, said Shehernaz Nalwalla, member of the MRC managing committee and a professor at Wilson College. It was not done to hurt anyones religious sentiments but to make people understand the idea behind certain traditions. We did not take anyone to the consecrated places as was decided, she added.

Karanjia explained the Zoroastrian religion and its funeral practices as the participants looked on fascinated. The concept of death, philosophy of life, etymology of the word Tower of Silence and other relevant things about the (Zoroastrianism) religion in detail are the things which hardly anyone knows, he said. It also describes an important part of the history of a city like Mumbai.

A non-Parsi participant who took part in the walk, said, There is already very little knowledge about the community. The curiosity of the already-diminishing group is natural, considering their dominant role in Mumbai through the years. He also added that as part of studying and understanding the citys history and legacy, it is relevant to understand the community as well.

Li Xinjieung, a Chinese national who is in India on vacation, said he was interested in knowing different religions. I like to explore religions. This is my first visit to India and this was definitely worth it, he said, adding that he was initially scared over the bickering between the community people. But later on, it went peacefully and we enjoyed a lot, he added.

Earlier, the tour organisers had decided to keep a nominal registration fee for participants. However, participants were allowed free of charge.

READ: Citizen groups oppose heritage tour of Parsi Tower of Silence
Traditionally in Maharashtra politics, winter session of the state legislature often witnesses political events or developments that have an effect on the states politics.

This years winter session (which is always held in the states second capital Nagpur) has, however, not lived to this expectation so far. In fact, the session has been smooth sailing for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the divided and clueless Opposition has not cornered the government on any issue.

Moreover, the BJPs troublesome ally Shiv Sena has not caused any trouble as long as the state government is concerned.

In the first week of the session, the Sena was not much aggressive on the Assembly floor. The reason behind this is cordial relations between Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. The former is ensuring that the Sena leadership does not feel left out as he runs the government and that motivates the latter to not corner him.

The Sena leadership has not been comfortable with BJPs central leadership  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah. The duo has not forgotten the Senas attack on them during the Maharashtra Assembly polls. The Senas grudge is that PM Modi gives more importance to allies like Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal than the Sena, which has more members in the Parliament than these two parties. No wonder, the Sena continues to be vocal against the policies of the central government and doesnt leave any opportunity to embarrass the BJP nationally.

According to the BJP leaders in Maharashtra, the party top brass is not entirely sure on how to deal with the Sena at this juncture. As long as Maharashtra is concerned the major political event is the elections in civic bodies and Zilla Parishads (district councils) being held across the state till February-March next year in phases.

The elections are being held as the BJP-led government in the state is nearing its halfway mark in its five-year tenure. Though often civic and district polls are contested on local issues, they are also seen as an indicator of the popularity of the incumbent government. They are being touted as mini-Assembly elections and the outcome could set the tone for 2019 assembly elections.

For Fadnavis and his party, it is important to win maximum of civic and district bodies and show that the BJP is the main political party in the state and people are happy with its governance. As such, the BJP is likely to avoid friction with the Sena if it helps politically. As long as Mumbai is concerned, the party is still assessing the situation  whether it can win more seats than the Sena and gain control of Indias biggest and richest civic body on its terms. Party sources say the final decision would depend on the outcome of civic polls in small cities and district councils that will be conducted in the next few weeks.

If it continues winning as happened in the first phase, it would get more confident and could contest on its own. If the demonetisation and other issues turn out to be problematic for the party, it would try and work out an alliance with the Sena.

The Sena leadership too is assessing the situation on the similar lines. It wants to see how the voters respond to Modi governments move of demonetisation and whether they continue to vote for the BJP. If Uddhav Thackeray thinks it is right time to show his political might, he would not hesitate going solo. In 2014, we were in two minds about forging alliance with the BJP. This time there is clarity in the top brass. If we are benefitting from the alliance, there will be a tie-up. Else, we will go separate ways,said a key Sena leader. There is always an option of post-poll alliance, as we saw after the assembly polls,he added.

Read

Shiv Sena intensifies attack on ally BJP in Maharashtra

Shiv Sena may join demonetisation protest led by Kadu in Vidarbha

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The Yamuna Expressway industrial development authority (YEIDA) on Monday said it has decided to make changes to the layout of urban areas along the 165km expressway to resolve issues faced by plot allottees and to bring in investment in industries.

Yamuna Expressway connects Greater Noida with Agra.

The Uttar Pradesh government had on April 24, 2001, established YEIDA to build the expressway, set up industries and develop urban areas along this road. However, the authoritys proposal to acquire 2.5 lakh hectare agriculture land along the expressway to house 35 lakh people by 2031, as per its master plan, is yet to pick up pace.

Around 2.5 lakh hectare land in 1,187 villages of six districts  Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahar, Aligarh, Hathras, Mathura and Agra  have been notified under YEIDA. However, no industries have been set up by the authority in the last 15 years.

The authority said it will implement the changes on the ground once the board approves the proposal of making make changes to the plan.

We can easily make changes in the layout of a sector  institutional, industrial or commercial  as planned urban areas are lying vacant at present. Once buildings are constructed, we will not be able to make the required changes. Therefore, we will first approve this proposal in our board and later implement the same, Amarnath Upadhyay, the additional chief executive officer of YEIDA, said.

Around 21,000 allottees are failing to get possession of their residential plots because farmers are not parting with their land and have challenged the acquisition in court.

Approval of the new proposal will mean that the authority will be able to shift the location of an allotted plot. For example, if we have allotted a particular plot in a sector that is tied in a dispute, we will shift the same to a new location if the allottee agrees to it. Institutional or industrial plots that have been encroached upon will be shifted to a new location, Upadhyay said.

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For 23-year-old Arjun, a daily wage labourer, the ongoing cash crisis has deepened his miseries. His daily income has dropped to 50%, and, he had left his previous job for the exact reason.

I used to work in a shoe factory for a paltry salary of 7,000 per month. Six months ago, I began working as a daily-wage labourer and I would earn 500-600 a day. Now, the cash crunch has brought my income down to 5,000 per month, said Arjun.

There are thousands of daily wage labourers like Arjun in Noida who are facing the brunt of Union governments decision to ban higher currency notes. Every morning, they assemble at Labour Chowk in Sector 58 for contractors to hire them.

However, the demonetisation move has hit the construction industry badly and the worst victims are not builders or contractors, but the daily wagers.

We have not experienced such financial crisis in one decade. All our construction work stopped abruptly after November 8 as labourers had to be paid in cash, said Akhileshwar Thakur, an employee with a realtor in Greater Noida.

Many labourers claim their daily wage has reduced to half since November 8.

I am 24 years of age and contractors prefer younger men. Thus, Earlier, I would easily earn 600 per day. Nowadays, it is a struggle to even find a job that pays 250 a day, said Rahul, another labourer.

Like Rahul and Arjun, many labourers are facing the brunt of demonetisation as they neither have bank accounts nor plastic money.

We dont have a Jan Dhan account. Moreover, it is difficult for us to save from our daily earnings and deposit in a bank. I have three kids back in Bihar and I have to take care of their needs. I send them money from my galla every week, said Sudhir Singh, another labourer.

The extra number of labourers and the crunch in demand of construction jobs are the two major reasons behind the drop in the income of labourers.

Gone are the days when contractors used to bring a truck and hire 30 to 40 labourers for large-scale construction activities in Greater Noida. Business is bad and contractors want only two to three labourers for mostly a single houses construction, said Laxman, a Noida-based contractor.

Many labourers also accused contractors of paying them in old currencies.

Contractors make us work hard till evening and then pay us the now scrapped 500 and 1000 notes. We then exchange those notes for 300 and 700. I dont know whether Modi has taken a good decision or not but this is has hit us hard, said Rahul.

Contractors refuted the charge of paying labourers in old banknotes.

The cash crunch has hit all of us hard. There is not much work these days. These are daily-wage workers and not employed with us permanently so we can neither delay their salary nor pay them in old notes, said Anil, a contractor based in Sector 62.

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A 42-year-old man died and four of his family members, including wife and children, suffered severe injuries after their car was hit from behind by a speeding SUV near Guldhar on NH-58 in Ghaziabad on Monday night.

The police said that the driver of the SUV, a Tata Safari, was heavily drunk and also sustained multiple injuries.

The incident took place around 8pm, barely 2km from busy Raj Nagar Extension crossing. Indirapurams Naveen Kumar rammed the i-10 car driven by Arvind Goel, who was on way back home to Murad Nagar along with his wife and three children.

After being hit from behind, Goel lost control over the car and hit the road divider. All the cars occupants received injuries. Goel was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead. Kumars car also hit the driver and fell on the other side of the road, said Avnish Dixit, station house officer, Sihani Gate police station.

Sources said the SUV also hit another car coming from the other side. But the other car suffered minor damages only since the SUV had slowed down after hitting the driver.

Kumar, who hails from Dehradun, was heavily drunk. He lives in Indirapuram. We have taken him under custody and sent him for a medical examination and treatment as he also suffered multiple injuries, Dixit said.

Officials said that Goel is a property dealer. He came to Ghaziabad for shopping at a mall in Mohan Nagar. His son was later referred to a multi-specialty hospital in Ghaziabad for treatment, sources said.

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Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has urged the Centre to protect the academic autonomy of Nalanda University and maintain continuity so that it can achieve the objective of becoming a global institution of excellence.

In a letter to minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj, Kumar has said the essence behind the idea of Nalanda should not be tampered with and its importance should be kept in perspective while furthering its activities.

Nalanda University is an attempt to recreate the ancient Nalanda, which epitomised knowledge and learning across the world and its spirit should be preserved. Consultations with all the stakeholders and distinguished scholars will help in reestablishing the glory. The university will flourish only if its academic autonomy is maintained. The continuance of the people associated with NU since its inception is need to maintain continuity and progress, the CM has written.

Recently, a controversy erupted after former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo resigned as the Nalanda University chancellor. Yeo alleged that the autonomy of the institute was hurt. Yeo said he was not even given notice of a leadership change after the government reconstituted the board and severed Nobel laureate Amartya Sens association with the university.

Dwelling on the journey of NU since its conceptualisation and the enacting of a law for it in 2007, which was repealed after the central law was enacted in 2010, Kumar has written that all the assets of NU were subsequently transferred to the central government.

The university made commendable progress under leadership of Sen, Yeo and Lord Meghnad Desai. Now, Yeo has resigned citing central government intervention and for not being taken into confidence on constitution of a new board. The fact that an important decision was taken without consulting the chancellor is disturbing and raises question about the autonomous nature of the university, he added.

The chief minister has also raised the alleged delay in carrying out the amendments to the NU Act, which was said to be required for constituting the governing board. So far, there has been no amendment, but the board has been constituted without due consultation. This has affected the prestige and credibility of NU and all the stakeholders are worried about the direction it is headed to, he added.

On November 21, the Centre issued the notification reconstituting the NU governing board, with no place for founding chancellor Nobel laureate Prof Amartya Sen and others who were part of the Nalanda mentor group that continued as the governing board for six years due to delay in its constitution.

On November 24, the one year extension granted to NUs founding vice chancellor Gopa Sabharwal ended and as per the provisions in the act, the senior most dean took over as interim VC till a new VC is appointed. The process for the appointment of a new VC had been initiated in October itself and the governing board wanted Sabharwal to continue till the process was completed.

The very next day of the constitution of the governing board, an upset NU chancellor George Yeo also quit.

The order dissolving the governing board (GB) and creating a new one came as a complete surprise to me and to most members. I was neither involved in the preparation nor consulted beforehand. The circumstances under which the leadership change in Nalanda University has been suddenly and summarily effected is disturbing and possibly harmful to the Universitys development, Yeo had said in his statement.

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modis move to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes is apparently backfiring in the poll-bound Punjab a month after the surprise decision, it seems advantage Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress.

Other than the inconvenience for the common man, which has only multiplied since the beginning of this month with no end to the serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs, the small merchants, arhtiyas (commission agents) and shopkeepers are beginning to feel the pinch of the slowdown caused by demonetisation.

State Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh has already dared Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to contest Amritsar Lok Sabha byelections, calling it a referendum on demonetisation, which he termed as a dictatorial move.

Its a Rs 8 lakh crore scam to bail out Modis rich friends and killed 84 common men and women till date.

Also, the core votebank of the BJP, the business community, is on the brink of losing patience, with the Prime Ministers anti-corruption revolution. The move might cost the party the urban voter edge it had over the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), complementing the Akali hold in rural areas.

BJP MUM, SAD MURMURS COME OUT IN OPEN

The Punjab BJP is obviously quiet, but the underlying murmurs against the move within the Akalis came to the fore this weekend when state rural development minister Sikander Singh Maluka said the idea was good, but its implementation is faulty. The decision to pull out Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes to check black money is a good move, but the poor implementation has left the residents harassed, he said during a function in SAS Nagar on Saturday.

Also read | Ex-serviceman dies in cash queue

SAD minister Sikander Singh Maluka (HT File Photo)

The decision... to check black money is a good move, but the poor implementation has left the residents harassed.

Though both the Congress and AAP have been criticising the government over the move, the AAP has the first movers advantage in cashing in on the anti-BJP sentiment.

The AAP already has a strong presence in Malwa mandis  the small town trading spots  and have held large successful rallies in and around these mandis for the past six months. AAP MP Bhagwant Mann first held a series of two dozen rallies in these mandis followed by another dozen rallies addressed by party supremo and Delhi chief ministern Arvind Kejriwal last month.

KEJRIWALS FOCUS ON NOTE BAN

Kejriwals Saturday rally in Balachaur dana mandi on Saturday evening too primarily focused on notebandi (note ban). Beginning with his repetitive gripe that the Akalis and Congress were hand in glove, he continued to lash out on Modi for a large part of his speech, alleging a Rs 8 lakh crore scam that had bailed out Modis rich friends and killed 84 common men and women till date. At his Adampur rally earlier in the day, he had touched on the issue.

Also read | Cash crunch: Bride-to-bes father dies of heart attack

AAP MP Bhagwant Mann (centre) interacting with people in an ATM queue in Patiala on December 8. (HT File Photo)

We have been against the PMs decision from day one. The whole thing has led to the aam aadmi (common man) queuing up outside banks and people losing business and jobs. The situation has worsened after December 1 because salaries are blocked, said Mann.

We dont want to politicise the issue. Kejriwal ji is addressing rallies on demonetisation across the country, added AAP leader and Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh.

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Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh said on Monday that Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwals much-delayed reaction on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue was a bid to divert attention from the crisis in his party.

Kejriwal, at Jagraon in Ludhiana on Sunday, had accused the ruling SAD, and the Congress of befooling and misguiding people on the issue and held them responsible for constructing the canal.

Dubbing Kejriwals statement irrelevant and meaningless, Amarinder said, Now that his party has been plunged into an irrevocable mess with leaders, workers and volunteers quitting en masse, Kejriwal is looking for straws to grab in order to retain some semblance of a fight in the state.

Why did it take Kejriwal a month to come out with a comment supporting Punjab in the SYL issue? Was it such a big riddle that it took him a month to solve or does his warped mind, which is busy weaving conspiracy theories, find it difficult to think about more critical and relevant issues? he asked.
After Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said Punjab had no water to share with anyone on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link controversy, at his native town in Haryana, the local MLA called for his boycott if he ever visited the place again. Kejriwals native Siwani town in Bhiwani district falls under southern Haryana that is facing acute shortage of water. The SYL canal, if built, would ferry waters to this area.

Also read | Kejriwals delayed reaction on SYL is a bid to divert attention: Amarinder

People are extremely angry against Kejriwal here. They dont have water to drink and irrigation. He should see how people are forced to purchase water for most basic things. They are sad to know that he did not even think of them even once before giving his stand, Loharu INLD MLA Om Prakash Barwa said. By giving his stand, he has not only upset people but also disrespected Supreme Court order, he said.

Addressing a press conference, the INLD MLA asked Kejriwal to join his party in building the canal as redemption to his comment. The INLD has announced to start constructing the SYL on its own from February 23 if the government failed to do so by then.

INLDs double standards on SYL: Kiran

Congress legislative party leader Kiran Choudhry on Monday blamed the INLD for waters problem in Haryana. The CLP leader questioned INLD for announcing February 23 as the date to start building the canal. Everyone knows INLD is close to Badal government. They have announced this date because they know by then Punjab elections would be over and Badal government will be gone, she said.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday dared Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh to take him to court if allegations of his familys Swiss bank accounts are not true.

Addressing rallies in favour of party candidates in the district, he said: I have revealed the Swiss bank account numbers of Amarinders wife Preneet Kaur and son Raninder Singh so many times in public rallies. But to date, Amarinder has not contradicted even once that I was telling a lie. I challenge him to file a court case against me if I am telling lies.

Amarinder ke pass kali karwane ke paise bhi nahin the (he did not have enough money even to whitewash his house). But within years of becoming the Punjab chief minister, he made so much money that he had to stash it in Swiss bank. In 2007, when the government changed in Punjab, the flow of money stopped all of a sudden, said Kejriwal, daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get Amarinders bank accounts probed.

He said the Badal family took over from where Amarinder had left and pushed the state into bankruptcy. The Congress and the Akalis took turns to loot the people of Punjab, he alleged, claiming that this friendly match between the two parties would come to an end after the assembly elections.

People are waiting for the imposition of election code. They are eagerly waiting to teach these parties a lesson. In ke paapon ka ghara bhar chuka hai (the pot of their sins is full to the brim), he said.

Alleging Congress-SAD collusion, he said Amarinder never approached the central leadership for Punjabs welfare but met party president Sonia Gandhi to save Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. He had pleaded with Sonia to rescue his nephew (Majithia), Kejriwal alleged, adding the Akalis paid back Amarinder by dropping corruption charges against him.

Kejriwal addressed three rallies in Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur and Adda Saran but disgruntled party leaders remained absent. Partys NRI fund raising coordinator Virinder Parihar had put up banners outside the rally venues to call party chiefs attention towards corruption charges against some of his observers. He had planned to disrupt the rally in Chabbewal but was stopped from sneaking in.
The real estate sector was in the news all through the year, with the government announcing several major policy initiatives such as the passage of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 and the amendment to the Benami Transactions Act. But the most talked about was the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes used mostly for real estate transactions.

Some policy initiatives listed by international property consultants Colliers Research included the following 10 policy initiatives

1) Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016: The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 which came into force in March 2016 has laid down a regulatory framework which will change the way the real estate sector operates in India. It aims to enhance transparency, bring greater accountability in the realty sector and set disclosure norms to protect the interest of all stakeholders. Speedy execution of property disputes will also be ensured in due course .

Read more: Real Estate Act comes into effect from today

Read more: Buyers can stop payment to builders if construction milestones are not met

2) Amendment to the Benami Transactions Act: The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 lays down stringent rules and penalties associated with dealings related to benami transactions. It establishes a regulatory mechanism to deal with disputes arising from such transactions and levying penalties to increase the institution-investor participation and regulating the sector to make India an attractive investment destination.

Read more: Exit from benami properties to be tough after demonetisation drive

3)100% deduction in profits for affordable housing construction: To promote affordable housing, the finance minister proposed 100% deduction in profits to an undertaking from a housing project for flats of up to 30 sq metre in four metro cities and 60 sq metre in other cities. These projects have to be approved during June 2016 to March 2019. Another condition was that the project should be completed within three years of grant of approval.

4) Interest subsidy for first-time homebuyers: To stimulate housing demand from first- time home buyers, the Union Budget 2016-17 also proposed deduction of additional interest of Rs 50,000 per annum for first-time home buyers for loans of up to Rs 35 lakh sanctioned during the next financial year for houses with a value not exceeding Rs 50 lakh. This move should positively influence home sales in non-metros in the long term where residential product prices are not as high as those in metros.

5) Change in arbitration norms for construction companies: To help the ailing construction sector, the government has cleared reforms including speedier resolution of disputes and the release of 75% of amounts that are stuck in arbitration. The government will now release 75% of amounts against margin-free guarantee in cases where arbitral awards have been given but have been contested. The amount released will be used by contractors to complete projects or pay off debts. This is aimed at improving the cash flow position of large developers who have significant exposure in infrastructure and government contracts and eventually help in speedy execution of large infrastructure projects. Coming at a time when most developers are struggling with liquidity issues, this is a boon from an overall perspective..

6) Service tax exemption on construction of affordable housing: Exemption of service tax on construction of affordable houses of up to 60 square metre under any scheme of the Central or state government including public private participation or PPP schemes will propel construction in affordable segment across India and encourage greater collaboration between the public and private sector as well as participation in affordable home construction.

7) DDT exemption for SPVs to REITs: The Union Budget 2016-17 exempted any distribution made out of the income of the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvIT) from the levy of Dividend Distribution Tax. This paved the way for the REIT model to become financially viable for retail investors.

8) Implementation of Goods and Services Tax structure: Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a positive move towards simplification of Indian tax system. However, the real estate industry is still awaiting clarity on which items fall into sin and common use and whether they will attract 18%, or 12% possible tax rates. Additional clarification is also needed if the implementation of GST will subsume existing service tax and Value Added Tax (VAT), which are levied for under construction projects currently.

9) Currency demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes: The recent demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes by the prime minister is perceived as a significant reform. In the long run, this measure along with Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) will align the real estate sector to the international standards of doing business, resulting in more fund flow from institutional investors, banks and higher unit sales.

Read more: 50% fall in queries by homebuyers, sales slow after demonetisation

10) Permanent Residency Status for foreign investors: The Union Cabinet approved the grant of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors, subject to various conditions and with a provision for renewal for another 10 years. As PRS allows the holders spouse/dependents to take up employment in India, as well as the purchase of one residential property for end-use, the end user pool, mainly for high-end and luxury segment products stands increased which can promote the asset class in a big way.
Superstar Rajinikanth said at the Nadigar Sangam (South Indian Artistes Association) meet on Sunday that he was one of the main reasons why late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa lost the 1996 state elections.

If Jayalalithaa is voted back to power, even God cannot save Tamil Nadu, the actor had said back then.

The then DMK-Tamil Maanila Congress coalition swept the polls amid strong anti-incumbency and Jayalalithaas AIADMK managed to secure only four seats.

In the history of Indian cinema, this is, perhaps, the most candid a popular celebrity has got to acknowledge the influence they have over the masses.

It is no secret that cinema has a played an important role in influencing minds, more so in Tamil Nadu, where many movie stars (MR Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa) and scriptwriters (CN Annadurai and Karunanidhi) have gone on to become chief ministers of the state.

On his 66th birthday, here some of his films with political references:

Muthu (1995)

This is a typical story of an underdog who was once rich and must now fight for his right. His father was a just zamindar who was wronged by the evil designs of people close to him. The rest of story follows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist till he triumphs and his enemies meet a fitting end. Many believe that in the course of the story, Muthu makes an indirect reference to Jayalalithaa.

Mannan (1992)

Be it Rajinikanth or Amitabh Bachchan, there is no escaping from playing an underdog who fights for the less fortunate but eventually goes on to become successful (read rich and famous) but with a caring heart. Mannans plot too follows the similar line with Rajinikanth playing a kind-hearted pro-labour manager of a big business house. He takes on its dictatorial and arrogant owner, who happens to be a lady, whom he eventually marries! The Taming of the Shrew anybody? Some critics are of the view that a character in the film was modelled on Jayalalithaa.

Padayappa (1999)

With twists and turns that will put Yoga guru Ramdevs asanas to shame, Padayappa is yet another story of a wronged son of a village head who must fight all forces, inimical to him, and emerge victorious. Needless to say, our man has a heart of gold and is a do-gooder like nobody else. His bete noire is a stubborn and arrogant woman who is, and has been, madly in love with him though he himself loves another woman and gets married to her as well. Yet again, a character in the film is said to have been based on the former chief minister of the state.

Kabali (2016)

Playing a Kuala Lumpur-based don, who fights for the rights of Tamils in Malaysia, Rajinikanth plays a larger-than-life persona and a messiah of the underdog. As he takes on rival gangs, fights for the honour of his wife, perceived dead but might still be alive, and objects to illicit trade (drugs and prostitution), the film also liberally uses Dalit iconography to drop liberal hints about his characters background.

Kabali has been shown reading My Father Balaiah, a poignant 2011 book by a Hyderabad-based Dalit professor on caste discrimination and untouchability. Throughout the film, Kabali is seen wearing a three-piece suit, nearly in reflection to BR Ambedkars sartorial legacy, and tells his followers: Our clothes is our resistance.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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A look at Palmyra, the archaeological gem that Islamic State fighters retook Sunday from Syrian troops in a major advance after a year of setbacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq.

Location

A desert oasis surrounded by palm trees in central Syria, Palmyra is also a strategic crossroads linking the Syrian capital, Damascus, with the countrys east and neighbouring Iraq. Located 155 miles (215 kilometers) east of Damascus, the city was once home to 65,000 people before the Syrian civil war began. The Islamic State group captured the city in May 2015 and held it until May 2016, when they were forced out by a Syrian and Russian military campaign. However, most Palmyra residents did not return after it was retaken by the government. Activists estimated the city is now home to a few hundred families.

A file photo shows the ancient city of Palmyra in the central city of Homs, Syria, Thursday, April 14, 2016. (AP)

Historic Significance

A UNESCO world heritage site, Palmyra boasts 2,000-year-old towering Roman-era colonnades and priceless artifacts. Syrians affectionately refer to it as the Bride of the Desert.

Palmyra was the capital of an Arab client state of the Roman Empire that briefly rebelled and carved out its own kingdom in the 3rd Century, led by Queen Zenobia. Before the war, it was Syrias top tourist attraction, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Palmyra was first mentioned in the archives of Mari in the 2nd millennium B.C., according to UNICEFs website. The town was the hub of a network of caravan trails that carried silks and spices from eastern Asia to the Mediterranean.

Palmyra became a prosperous region during the Hellenistic period and later became part of the Roman Empire. But its rebellious Queen Zenobia challenged Romes authority. The city was plundered in A.D. 272 after she was captured during a long siege.

In more recent times, Palmyra has had darker associations for Syrians. It was home to the Tadmur prison, a notorious facility where thousands of opponents of President Bashar Assads government were reportedly tortured. IS demolished the prison when it first controlled the city.

Destruction

Last year, IS destroyed the Temple of Bel, which dated back to A.D. 32, and the Temple of Baalshamin, a structure of stone blocks several stories high fronted by six towering columns. The militants also blew up the Arch of Triumph, which had been built under the Roman emperor Septimius Severus between A.D. 193 and A.D. 211. Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syrias head of the Antiquities and Museums Department based in Damascus, said despite the destruction, some 80 percent of the ancient ruins remained intact.

The extremists have destroyed ancient sites across their self-styled Islamic caliphate in Syria and Iraq, viewing them as monuments to idolatry. In August, IS militants beheaded Khaled al-Asaad, an 81-year-old antiquities scholar who had devoted his life to studying Palmyra. His body was later hung from a Roman column.

Latest developments in the Syrian conflict. (AFP)

Strategic Importance

Over the last year, IS has suffered a string of defeats in both Syria and Iraq, losing several towns and cities it had captured in 2014. It is now under attack in Mosul, the last major urban center it controls in Iraq. A Kurdish-led Syrian force, backed by the U.S., is also pushing toward Raqqa, the groups de-facto capital in Syria, from the north. Meanwhile, Turkey is backing Syrian opposition fighters who have reached the outskirts of al-Bab, the IS stronghold in northern Syria.

In going for Palmyra, IS picked a soft target to demonstrate that despite its battlefield losses, it retains the ability to carry out large attacks.

With its losses in Iraq and elsewhere in Syria, the militants are eyeing new terrain. Mohammed Hassan al-Homsi, a native of the city who runs Palmyra News Network, said they chose Palmyra for its desert terrain linked to Iraqs and its surrounding oil and gas fields. It is also steering away from Syrias north, where the various anti-forces have focused their fight.

The extremist group also appeared to be taking advantage of the Syrian and Russian preoccupation with Aleppo, timing its attack to coincide with a massive government offensive to capture the last remaining opposition-held neighbourhoods in the northern city.
US President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of one China, questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing.

Trumps comments on Fox News Sunday came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwans president on Dec. 2.

I fully understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump told Fox.

Trumps call with President Tsai Ing-wen 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.

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China.

Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trumps remarks.

After Trumps phone conversation with Taiwans president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washingtons one China policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the U.S. relationship with China could be undermined by a flaring up of the Taiwan issue.

Following Trumps latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions.

Read| White House reaffirms One China policy after Trump calls Taiwan leader

In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwans leader.

I dont want China dictating to me and this was a call put in to me, Trump said. It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I cant take a call?

I think it actually wouldve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it, Trump added.

Trump plans to nominate a long-standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U.S. ambassador to China.

But Trump is considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In a Wall Street Journal article last January, Bolton said the next U.S. president should take bolder steps to halt China military aggressiveness in the South and East China seas.

Bolton said Washington should consider using a diplomatic ladder of escalation that could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department and lead to restoring full diplomatic recognition.

In the Fox interview, Trump brought up a litany of complaints about China that he emphasized during his presidential campaign.

Were being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we dont tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldnt be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea, Trump said. You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and theyre not helping us at all.

Economists, including those at the International Monetary Fund, have widely viewed Chinas efforts to prop up the yuans value over the past year as evidence that Beijing is no longer keeping its currency artificially low to make Chinese exports cheap.

Raising Likelihood of Misunderstanding

The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Communist Partys official Peoples Daily, said in an editorial that Trump was naive like a child on diplomacy and that the one China policy could not be bought or sold.

When the time comes, the Chinese mainland will launch a series of decisive new policies toward Taiwan, the paper said.

We will prove that all along the United States has been unable to dominate the Taiwan Strait and Trumps desire to sell the one China policy for commercial interests is a childish urge, it said.

Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at Beijings elite Renmin University, said Trump was possibly using the Taiwan issue to try and strike a bargain with the United States over trade.

He wants to get the best possible trade deal with China he can so that he can boost the U.S. economy, Wang said.

Some U.S. analysts warned that Trump could provoke a military confrontation if he presses the Taiwan issue too far.

China is more likely to let the whole relationship with the United States deteriorate in order to show its resolve on the Taiwan issue, said Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert in Chinese nationalism.

When the decision to end a decades-long practice is made with so little warning and clear communication, it raises the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation and sets the stage for a crisis between the United States and China over Taiwan, Chen Weiss said.

Mike Green, a former top adviser on Asia to former President George W. Bush, said ending the one China policy would be a mistake because it would throw the U.S.-China relationship into turmoil and jeopardize Beijings cooperation on issues such as North Korea.

But Green, who is now with the CSIS think tank, said he did not believe that Trump intended to go that far and there was logic to serving Beijing notice that he will not be dictated to on issues like Taiwan.

President Obama was too accommodating to Beijing early on and it reduced his leverage as China asserted itself on issues like the East and South China Seas later, Green said.

On Sunday, Chinas top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi was traveling to U.S. neighbor Mexico, according to the official news agency Xinhua, but Mexican officials could not offer details.

Mexico has been deepening ties with China, which is partly funding a multi-billion dollar wholesale mobile network while China Offshore Oil Corporation took two of the eight blocks of deep water oil fields offered in a historic auction this month.
At least 34 civilians, including 11 children, were killed on Monday in a series of air strikes on villages held by the Islamic State group in central Syria, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a barrage of air raids hit Oqayrabat and other nearby villages in the central province of Hama at dawn.

There are dozens of people wounded, and the toll may rise because some of them are in critical condition and because of the lack of medical capacities, the Britain-based Observatory said.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said he could not confirm if the strikes on the east of Hama province were carried out by Syrian or Russian warplanes.

Read | Where am I? What happened? Syrians return to see ravaged homes in Aleppo

He noted cases of suffocation but could not confirm accusations of a chemical attack.

A panel set up by the UN, known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism, has determined during a year-long probe that Syrian government forces carried out three chlorine gas attacks on villages in 2014 and 2015.

The panel consisting of UN and experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that the IS group -- which captured a large swathe of Iraq and Syria in 2014 -- was behind a mustard gas attack in Syria in August 2015.

Oqayrabat lies northwest of Palmyra, the ancient desert city that was recaptured by IS at the weekend.

Syrian government forces, backed by their Russian ally, had driven IS from Palmyra in May.

Read | Another 4,000 Syrians flee fighting against Islamic State in Aleppo
President-elect Donald Trumps questioning of the USs One China policy drew sharp criticism from Beijing on Monday, with the foreign ministry urging Washington to be cautious about dismantling what is considered the political bedrock of bilateral ties.

During a television interview, Trump questioned why Washington should be bound by the One China policy  which means the US has regarded Taiwan as part of China for several decades  if it doesnt get better trade deals with the Communist country.

I dont know why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump said.

His comments expectedly drew criticism from the Chinese government, with foreign ministry Geng Shuang telling reporters during a regular news briefing that ties with the US and the sound and steady growth of China-US relations would be out of the question were Trump to turn away from the One China policy.

We urge the incoming US administration and its leaders to fully recognise the sensitivity of the Taiwan question(and) to properly deal with Taiwan-related matters in a prudent manner so as not to disrupt or damage the overall interests of the bilateral relationship, Geng said, describing the One China principle as the political bedrock of ties.

The nationalistic Global Times tabloid began the criticism earlier in the day in a comment piece that was headlined: Trump, please listen clearly, the One China policy cannot be traded.

The Times warned Trump that China cannot be easily bullied and questioned: If Trump abandons the One China principle, why should China need to be US partner in most international affairs?

Most people would think Trump is ignorant like a child in handling diplomacy, the paper added.

As a businessman, he thinks its quite normal to do business, but he hasnt realised that the Taiwan question is not a business to China. The Taiwan question is not negotiable, Foreign Affairs University professor Li Haidong was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, the foreign ministry lodged a complaint with the US following a phone conversation between Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported Beijing had asked Washington to cautiously, properly handle the Taiwan issue to avoid unnecessary disturbance to Sino-US relations.

China considers Taiwan its own territory and most countries, including the US, diplomatically acknowledge the island as part of one China.
China has provided Rs 15.80 billion to Nepal for post-quake reconstruction activities, a senior minister said.

A cabinet meeting on Monday decided to accept the grants worth Nepalese Rupees 15.80 billion provided by China, said minister for information and communications Surendra Kumar Karki.

The meeting of the council of ministers also decided to register the election (crime and punishment) bill at the legislature-parliament.

A decision was made to send a proposal to the legislation committee on a work procedure to study the agreement government made with Govinda KC, and forward implementations accordingly, Karki said.

A committee will be formed by the government under the coordination of chief judge of appellate court Govinda Prasad Parajuli to study on the government employees and teachers who were sacked from the jobs on the basis of ideology during the conflict and agitation.

The members of the committee are deputy attorney general at the office of the attorney general Rewati Shivakoti, and director at department of education Ana Prasad Neupane.
Japan protested Chinas groundless accusations that Japanese fighter jets had fired jamming shells as six Chinese military planes flew over waters between Japans southern Okinawa and Miyako islands.

It is extremely regrettable that the Chinese military is making announcements that are clearly factually wrong, chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said. It also hurts the effort to improve our relations, so we lodged a strong protest.

Japan scrambled fighters on Saturday as Chinese planes flew over the Miyako Strait. Taiwans defense ministry said four Chinese planes also flew over the nearby Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines. The waterways and airspace are two of the connections between the contested South and East China seas and the Pacific Ocean.

China said two Japanese fighters launched jamming shells that endangered the safety of Chinese aircraft and crew. Such decoy flares are typically used by a pilot to draw away an incoming missile.

Suga denied the Japan did anything that posed a danger to the Chinese. Japan regularly scrambles jets to track Chinese military planes entering the area.

Separately, three Chinese ships patrolled waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea on Sunday. The uninhabited Senkaku islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu.

The Chinese exercises came shortly after the Taiwanese president spoke to US President-elect Donald Trump in a call strongly denounced by China, which considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory.
Donald Trump on Monday criticized Lockheed Martins F-35 fighter jet program as too expensive, the latest attack by the US President-elect on large defense contractors.

The aerospace giants shares dropped 4% after Trumps tweet, while shares of several other defense contractors also weakened.

The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

Last week, he also used Twitter to target Boeing Co for its out of control costs on a new fleet of Air Force One planes, urging the federal government to Cancel order!

Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016

Lockheed Martins F-35 program leader, Jeff Babione, responded by saying the company understands concerns about affordability and has invested millions of dollars to reduce the jets price.

Babione said Lockheeds goal was to reduce the price of the F-35 by 70% from its original estimates. We project it to be about $85 million in the 2019 or 2020 time frame, he told reporters in Israel.

A week before Trump won the Nov. 8 presidential election, the US Defense Department and Lockheed Martin concluded negotiations on their ninth contract for 90 F-35 fighter jets after 14 months of negotiations, the Pentagon said.

Lockheed won the contract, valued at up to $7.18 billion, in late November and has received an interim payment.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. The fifth-generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack and air defense missions. (AFP File Photo)

Trump campaigned on a promise to cut waste in federal government.

Lockheed and its key partners, Northrop Grumman Corp, Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems, are developing and building three variants of the F-35s for the U.S. military and 10 allies including Britain, Australia, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Japan and South Korea.

After Trumps Monday morning tweet, shares of Northrop Grumman were down 4.5 while shares of BAE Systems were 2.4% lower in London.

Shares of General Dynamics, Raytheon, and United Technologies were all lower Monday, as were shares of Boeing.

United Technologies Corp , which had a run-in with the President-elect over a plan to ship 2,100 jobs to Mexico from Indiana operations of its Carrier air conditioning unit. The company last week agreed with Trump to keep about 800 of the threatened manufacturing jobs in Indiana, and retain another 300 headquarters jobs, in return for state tax incentives.

The attacks on Boeing and Lockheed Martin raise concerns that the incoming Trump administration will threaten defense contractors profit margins.

His emerging habit of using Twitter as a bully pulpit could become a threat to controversial high profile programs, Cowen analysts wrote last week after Trump criticized the cost of Boeings Air Force One replacement program. Even if Trump only launches a bombastic Twitter shout-out, this more aggressive approach to contractor relations could impact the stocks.

Earlier this month, the Pentagons chief arms buyer said he was hopeful that Lockheed F-35 block buy will proceed.
Greek police found and later detonated an explosive device that had been left outside the labour ministry in central Athens on Monday, police sources said, after a newspaper was tipped off that a bomb had been planted.

Police found the device in a rucksack propped up against the shutters of the ministry, on a central thoroughfare in Athens. It was one of three suspect packages that police examined on the scene and then destroyed in controlled blasts.

Earlier, a telephone call to a Greek newspaper had warned that a blast outside the ministry was imminent.

There was no claim of responsibility for the incident.

Such attacks are not uncommon in Greece, which has a long history of political violence. Small-scale attacks have escalated since 2010, when the government first adopted unpopular austerity measures in exchange for multi-billion-euro bailouts from the European Union and the IMF.
The European Union and Cuba on Monday signed a deal to normalise ties that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.

Cuba was the only Latin American country not to have a dialogue and cooperation deal with the 28-nation EU covering issues such as trade, human rights and migration.

But EU ministers last week dropped a policy in place since 1996 which stated that Cuba first had to improve its human rights record before getting closer links with the bloc.

Mondays accord was signed by Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and representatives from the EU member states at a Brussels ceremony capping years of difficult negotiations.

Mogherini offered condolences on Castros death, telling reporters it was only natural that we are closer to Cuba as it undergoes profound change.

She said she was also very encouraged by dialogue with Havana on human rights and the accord would help foster Cubas social and political modernisation.

Castro died last month after more than 50 years at the helm of a self-styled Socialist paradise reviled by the West, with Cuba gradually opening up to the world, including bitter foe Washington.

In 2003, the EU imposed sanctions on Cuba and suspended cooperation over a crackdown on journalists and activists and it took until 2008 to get talks going again.

Trump election, no impact

Rodriguez Parrilla said we have had a few differences on the way but the removal of the (1996 EU) common position re-establishes normal relations based on mutual respect.

Asked what impact Donald Trumps election might have on US policy, he noted angrily that despite easing tensions, Washington had kept its economic embargo against Cuba.

EU-Cuba relations do not go via Washington, he added.

Mogherini said she saw no reason for concern although Trumps shock election victory has stoked doubts in Europe about Washingtons global stance and its crucial security guarantee.

Developments in Washington will not affect in any way relations between the EU and Cuba, she said, stressing Brussels had and would continue to raise concerns about the impact of the US economic blockade on other countries.

She also highlighted Europes wider ties with the region as a whole.

We are talking about a transatlantic link not only with the United States, but also with Cuba and Latin America.

On the campaign trail, Trump had threatened to end the thaw in US ties backed by President Barack Obama unless Havana made concessions on human rights and opened up its still largely state-run economy to private business.

Economic links with Europe will continue to be a priority for Cuba as we build a socialist economy, Rodriguez Parrilla said at the signing ceremony.

He recalled a speech in 2003 in which Castro hailed the historical importance of the EU as a counterweight to the United States which imposed the trade embargo and other sanctions on Cuba after it sided with Moscow in the Cold War.
India is all set to export an additional 220 MW electricity to Nepal in a bid to lessen the perennial power crisis in the energy-starved Himalayan nation.

Nepal will get 190 MW within three weeks and another 30 MW by another two months.

Nepal currently imports 300-320 MW electricity from India, the Indian embassy said in a tweet.

Both governments are working towards increasing this amount by additional 250 MW in next two months.

The electricity from India will be imported through various cross-border corridors.

Though Nepal has huge potential of generating hydro energy of over 80,000 MW round the year, it could not harness more than 800 MW as against the winter demand of more than 13,00 MW. The poor rate of production is attributed to lack of political consensus, instability and resource crunch.

Nepal is going through power cuts of more than 13 hours a day in winter season, but has been managing the power crisis during rainy seasons as its power stations run in full capacity.

After an upgrade of the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar cross border transmission line, Nepal and India will be able to export and import more energy.

The completion of this power corridor will allow Nepal to significantly increase its energy imports from India. Nepal is currently importing 80 MW from this station.

During a meeting in November in New Delhi, the Indian side had agreed to add 220 to 250 MW electricity to Nepal, a senior Nepal government official said.

As part of that agreement, Indias Power Trading Corporation had agreed to provide 30 MW electricity round the clock from Tanakpur substation located in far west of Nepal from Uttarakhand.

Several cross-border transmission lines are proposed between Nepal and India, and some are already under construction.
The Syrian army and its allies are in the final stages of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in an ever-shrinking enclave, a Syrian general said on Monday.

A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas of the city had continued non-stop overnight, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling Doomsday.

The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) dont have much time. They either have to surrender or die, lieutenant general Zaid al-Saleh, head of the governments Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city.

Rebels withdrew from all districts on the east side of the Aleppo river after losing Sheikh Saeed in the south of their pocket in overnight fighting, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It meant their rapidly diminishing enclave had halved in only a few hours and Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman described the battle for Aleppo as having reached its end.

The situation is extremely difficult today, said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group fighting in Aleppo.

An official from Jabha Shamiya, a rebel faction that is also present in Aleppo, said the insurgents might make a new stand along the west bank of the river.

It is expected there will be a new front line, said the official, who is based in Turkey.

The rebels sudden retreat represented a big collapse in terrorist morale, a Syrian military source said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syrias most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict.

The Russian defence ministry said that since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had surrendered and 100,000 civilians had left areas of the city that were controlled by militants.

People run from one shelling to another to escape death and just to save their souls ... Its doomsday in Aleppo, yes doomsday in Aleppo, said Abu Amer Iqab, a former government employee in the Sukkari district in the heart of the rebel enclave.

State television footage from Saliheen, one of the districts that had just fallen to the army, showed mounds of rubble and half-collapsed buildings, with bodies still lying on the ground and a few bewildered civilians carrying children or suitcases.

Rebels

While Aleppos fall would deal a stunning blow to rebels trying to remove Assad from power, he would still be far from restoring control across Syria. Swathes of the country remain in rebel hands, and on Sunday Islamic State retook Palmyra.

Tens of thousands of civilians remain in rebel-held areas, hemmed in by ever-changing front lines, pounded by air strikes and shelling, and without basic supplies, according to the Observatory, a British-based monitoring group.

In the Sheikh Saeed district, an elderly couple stood lamenting their fate.

May every son return to his mother. I have suffered that loss. May other women not endure the same, said the woman, her arms raised to the sky. I have lost my three children. Two died in battle and the third is kidnapped, she added, as an army officer attempted to calm her.

Rebel groups in Aleppo received a US-Russian proposal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the citys opposition areas, but Moscow said no agreement had been reached yet in talks in Geneva to end the crisis peacefully .

The rebel official blamed Russia for the lack of progress in talks, saying it had no incentive to compromise while Assad was gaining ground. The Russians are being evasive. They are looking at the military situation. Now they are advancing, he said.

The US National Security Council also said, in a message passed on by the American mission in Geneva, that Moscow had rejected a ceasefire. We proposed an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow for safe departures and the Russians so far have refused, it said in a statement.

Fighting

The Syrian army is backed by Russian war planes and Lebanese and Iraqi Shiite militias supported by Iran. Its advances on Monday were aided by a militia of Palestinian refugees in Syria, the Liwa al-Quds or Jerusalem Brigade, the general said.

The mostly Sunni rebels include groups backed by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies as well as hardline jihadists who are not supported by the West.

A correspondent for Syrias official Sana news agency said the army had taken control of Sheikh Saeed, and more than 3,500 people had left at dawn.

A Syrian official told Reuters: We managed to take full control of the Sheikh Saeed district. This area is very important because it facilitates access to al-Amariya and allows us to secure a greater part of the Aleppo-Ramousah road. The road is the main entry point to the city from the south.

The loss of Palmyra, an ancient desert city whose recapture from Islamic State in March was heralded by Damascus and Moscow as vindicating Russias entry into the war, is an embarrassing setback to Assad.

The Observatory reported that the jihadist group carried out eight executions of Syrian soldiers and allied militiamen in Palmyra on Monday while warplanes bombarded their positions around the city.

Another four people, including two children, were shot dead while the jihadists cleared the city, it said.

The Observatory said at least 34 people had died in air raids on an Islamic State-held village north of Palmyra, and that local officials said poison gas had been used. Islamic State accused Russia of the attack. Both Russia and Syrias military deny using chemical weapons.

Civilians

The Russian defence ministry said on Monday that 728 rebels had laid down their weapons over the previous 24 hours and relocated to western Aleppo. It said 13,346 civilians left rebel-controlled districts of Aleppo over the same period.

Displaced people are moving, said an Aleppo resident. Some were moving from areas controlled by the army to opposition areas, while others were going in the opposite direction. Some were staying at home waiting for the army.

The Observatory said that four weeks into the army offensive at least 415 civilians, including 47 children, had been killed in rebel-held parts of the city.

Hundreds had been injured by Russian and Syrian air strikes and shelling by government forces and its allies on the besieged eastern part of the city.

The Observatory said 364 rebel fighters had been killed in the eastern sector. It said rebel shelling of government-held west Aleppo had killed 130 civilians, including 40 children. Dozens had been injured.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Monday his country was seriously thinking of quitting the International Criminal Court, after three other African nations moved to pull out of the tribunal.

Kenya has been one of the most vocal critics of the court based in The Hague, which put Kenyatta and his Vice President William Ruto on trial for orchestrating political violence that left over 1,200 dead after 2007 elections.

Charges were dropped against both leaders, with ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda blaming a relentless campaign of victim intimidation, but bitterness remains in Kenya where the battle against imperialism became a cornerstone of Kenyatta and Rutos successful 2013 election bid.

Our experience at the ICC demonstrated a glaring lack of impartiality in this institution, Kenyatta said in a speech Monday.

We have sought the changes that will align the ICC to respect for national sovereignty. Those changes have not been forthcoming. We will therefore need to give serious thought to our membership.

Read | S Africa withdraws from International Criminal Court over Sudan leaders visit

African nations have long felt they are unfairly targeted by the ICC. Currently nine out of the 10 ICC investigations are in African countries. The other is in Georgia.

Numerous countries have failed in their duty to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was indicted by the ICC in 2009 for alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur conflict.

The African Union argues sitting heads of state should have immunity from prosecution and has publicly backed calls for African states to withdraw.

Kenya was actually the first country to hold a vote to leave the court in 2013 with a symbolic motion in parliament which was never formalised.

However it was Burundi which in October took formal steps to withdraw from the ICC which in April launched a preliminary investigation into allegations of killings, torture and other rights abuses in the country.

South Africa -- caught up in a dispute over its failure to arrest Bashir last year -- followed suit, as did Gambia.

Court hamstrung by own rules

The ICC was set up in 2002 in The Hague as a court of last resort to try the worlds worst crimes where national courts are unable or unwilling to act.

However the court is unable to carry out investigations in countries which have not ratified its founding Rome Statute, unless the United Nations refers a case for investigation.

Read | Gambia to withdraw from pro-West International Criminal Court

Of the 124 nations which have ratified the Rome Statute, 34 are African.

The United States, Russia and China have not ratified the statute and with their UN Security Council veto powers, efforts to investigate crimes in Iraq and Syria are often blocked.

Many of the current investigations -- in the Central African Republic, Uganda, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- were referred to the ICC by the governments of those states.

Kenyas 2007 elections were marred by allegations of vote rigging, but what began as political riots quickly turned into ethnic killings and reprisal attacks.

As elections loom in 2017, Kenyatta urged citizens to avoid ethnic violence and vowed to accept the electoral choice of Kenyans in all humility.

We will disagree robustly because we are a democracy. But that disagreement will have limits. We will not fight. We will either accept the results, or challenge them following the legal means laid down for that purpose.

Read more | Russia withdraws backing for International Criminal Court treaty
The Kremlin on Monday dismissed as unfounded reports of a secret CIA assessment that Russia tried to tip the US presidential poll in Donald Trumps favour by hacking political institutions.

Not one of these absolutely baseless allegations is supported by any kind of information, let alone evidence, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

This all looks like absolutely unfounded, unprofessional, amateur accusations that have nothing to do with reality.

According to a report in The Washington Post last week, the CIA believes that Russian cyberattacks against the US were aimed at helping the Republican candidate win the White House.

The report came on the heels of President Barack Obamas order to review all cyberattacks that took place during the 2016 election cycle amid growing calls from Congress for more information on the extent of Russian interference in the election campaign.

Republicans at the weekend dismissed the reports, with National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer saying the intelligence is wrong.

Trump himself dismissed the reports as ridiculous.

The Kremlin was propelled to the heart of American politics in July after Hillary Clintons campaign blamed Russia for an embarrassing leak of emails from the Democratic National Committee.

Washington in October formally accused the Russian government of trying to interfere in the elections by hacking the Democrats behind Clinton, charges the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed.

President Vladimir Putin said in October that the accusations were meant to divert American voters attention away from domestic issues.

Read more | Obama orders full review of 2016 election cyber attacks
A man was stabbed at a London suburban train station on Monday by an attacker said by eyewitnesses to have shouted that he wanted to kill Muslims.

Police said they had arrested a 38-year-old man following the attack on a train which left the victim, who is in his forties, in serious condition in hospital.

An eyewitness, 36-year-old Miguel Oliveira, told the Press Association news agency that he came face-to-face with the attacker, who was shouting uncontrollably.

He was walking towards me and he was shouting stuff like Death to Muslims and Go back to Syria, he said.

Local resident Shellby Curry, 24, told the agency that she saw a man waving what looked like a knife and screaming Muslims fucking hate them, kill them all.

British Transport Police said it had received reports that a man had been assaulted on a train at Forest Hill station in southeast London at 1:18pm (1318 GMT).

The man, who is in his forties, was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with having been stabbed. He remains in hospital in a serious, but not life threatening, condition, it said in a statement.

A 38-year-old man from London was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. He remains in police custody.

The circumstances are being investigated but the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related at this time.
A minor girl was killed and three children were injured on Monday in a roadside blast near a school in Pakistans restive northwestern Khyber-Pakthunkhwa province.

The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted next to the school gate in Spinwam tehsil of North Waziristan went off when the gate was opened, reports said.

The children were going to the school to play when the bomb planted outside it went off. The injured were rushed to Mir Ali Hospital and Miranshah Hospital.

Operations against militants in North Waziristan were stepped up after the government decided to implement the nation-wide National Action Plan for combating terrorism.

According to official statements, over 3,500 militants have been killed in operation Zarb-i-Azb. Suspected militants have also been killed in US drone strikes in the area.
The new ISI chief believes Pakistan could resort to aggressive measures to undermine Indias role in war-torn Afghanistan to prevent Kabul from becoming a proxy for New Delhi.

Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, named the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence as part of a major shake-up of the Pakistan Army top brass, also wrote in a paper five years ago that moderate Taliban factions should be accommodated in the government in Kabul before US troops withdraw from the country.

In the paper titled Afghanistan  alternative futures and their implications that he wrote while studying at the US Army War College, Mukhtar emphasised that Pakistan has to take steps to counter Indias influence in Afghanistan.

Pakistans past, present and future is closely linked with Afghanistan. A peaceful, united and stable Afghanistan is critical for Pakistans security and is a top policy objective, he wrote.

At the same time, Pakistan needs to prevent the opening of another hostile front should Afghanistan emerge as a proxy for India. Consequently, Pakistan will closely follow Indias efforts to influence Afghanistan and may take aggressive measures to undermine Indias efforts in this regard, he added in the section of the paper listing the key players in the region.

Mukhtars views on the Taliban and India are largely in line with the thinking within the higher echelons of the Pakistan Army. For a long time, the top generals in Rawalpindi have favoured an accommodation with the Afghan Taliban, whose leaders have sheltered in the Pakistani province of Balochistan for years.

Pakistani generals also believe a government in Kabul incorporating Taliban elements is their best bet to prevent India increasing its influence in Afghanistan.

India and the US have often accused Pakistan of backing the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network. The ISI has also been linked to several attacks on Indian interests in Afghanistan.

Mukhtar wrote in the paper that New Delhi is concerned about the perceived dangers posed by a return of a Taliban-controlled Afghan government that sponsors terrorism threatening India.

India strongly opposes any accommodation with the Taliban in the governance of Afghanistan in that it perceives a nexus between the Taliban, al Qaeda terrorists, and jihadist groups operating in Pakistan that are all hostile to India, he wrote.

This strong desire to avert a return of the Taliban in the governance of Afghanistan, at any level, may work at cross purposes with the US and Western exit strategy that may require the integration of less radical elements of the Taliban at local, provincial and national levels.

Mukhtar concluded that India could still move to be a major destabilising force if it perceives that a return of a radicalized Taliban government is likely.

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Pakistans national carrier Monday grounded its 10 ATR turboprop planes after a crash last week killed 47 people and a second aircraft reported technical issues shortly before it was supposed to take off overnight.

Pakistan International Airlines flight 661 smashed into a hillside in the countrys north while travelling from the city of Chitral to the capital Islamabad last Wednesday. The airline has said one of the planes two turboprop engines failed.

Read: Pakistan mourns 47 killed in plane crash, DNA tests to identify victims

Another PIA ATR faced technical issues late Sunday just before it was set to take off from the central city of Multan on a flight to southern Karachi and was called back to its parking bay, though the airline denied media reports that one of the engines caught fire.

The fleet will now undergo thorough testing after the two incidents, the airline said.

In view of civil aviation authoritys decision of holding shakedown tests of PIAs entire ATR fleet, it has been decided to keep all 10 ATR aircraft grounded till they are cleared after thorough examination, PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani said in a statement.

ATR is a Toulouse, France-based turboprop aircraft maker and the world leader in the market for regional aircraft up to 90 seats, according to the companys website.

The company was established in 1981 and is a partnership between two European aeronautics firms, the Airbus Group and Leonardo.

Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines Azam Saigol (C) along with officials offers funeral prayers for plane crash victims in Islamabad on December 8. (AFP file photo)

Its ATR 42-500 is a twin turboprop plane that carries 48 passengers in standard configuration and is capable of operations on both paved and unpaved strips. The engines are built by Pratt & Whitney Canada, a division of the US manufacturer.

ATR has so far declined to comment while Pakistani authorities investigate the causes of the crash.
For the second time in a row, a senior Pakistan Army officer overseeing security in the financial hub of Karachi has been picked to run the Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar was appointed chief of the powerful spy agency as part of the first major reshuffle of the army top brass by the new chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who took over the reins last month.

A military statement said Bajwa, who took over from Gen Raheel Sharif two weeks ago, had appointed Mukhtar as director general of the ISI, replacing Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, who was previously head of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in Karachi.

Lt. Gen Rizwan Akhtar is being moved to the post of president of the National Defence University.

Read | Pakistans new army chief Bajwa knows a lot about what India thinks

The statement said the new ISI chief possesses vast experience in the field of intelligence and earlier headed the ISIs counter-terrorism wing. He was commissioned in the Armoured Corps regiment in 1983.

A graduate of the Command and Staff College, Quetta, National Defence University, Islamabad, and War Course USA, Mukhtar also commanded a mechanised division.

Mukhtar had most recently been assigned as commander of the Karachi-based V Corps, a post he held for more than three years. He is known for his low profile and professional demeanour, according to those who have met him.

He was behind the army-led operation two years ago which led to an improvement in the law and order situation of Karachi, the countrys largest city.

Mukhtar was in the run to be chief of the ISI in 2014, when Akhtar was chosen for the spot. As the ISI chief, he has to handle the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Pakistan and India.

Local media reported that the outgoing ISI chief was removed after the controversy erupted following a report in the Dawn newspaper which said that the Nawaz Sharif government had told the army to either act against terrorists or the country would face international isolation.

Meanwhile, as part of other major changes in the armys top brass, newly-promoted Lt Gen Bilal Akbar has been appointed Chief of General Staff while Lt Gen Nazir Butt  currently president of the NDU  has been appointed Corps Commander Peshawar (11 Corps), replacing Lt Gen Hidayat-ur Rehman. Rehman has been appointed Inspector-General Training and Evaluation (IGT&E) at General Headquarters (GHQ).

Among other changes Bajwa undertook on Sunday, Lt Gen Asim Salim Bajwa, presently heading armys media wing, has been appointed Inspector-General Arms (IG Arms) at GHQ.

Newly-promoted Lt Gen Hamayun Aziz was appointed Inspector General Communications and IT at GHQ, while Lt Gen Qazi Ikram was appointed Chief of Logistic Staff. Lt Gen Sher Afgun was posted as 31 Corps Commander, which is based in Bahawalpur near the Indian border, while newly-promoted Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal will continue as DG FWO and Lt Gen Naeem Ashraf was appointed Chairman of the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).

The new army chief has not announced the names of incoming heads of Inter-Services Public Relations and Pakistan Rangers in Sindh.

Read | Nagrota attack a message from Paks new army chief: Ex-home secretary R K Singh
Antonio Guterres took the oath of office on Monday as the United Nations new secretary-general during a formal ceremony at the General Assembly.

The former prime minister of Portugal pledged to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience his duties as UN chief when he takes charge on January 1.

The 67-year-old was elected by acclamation in the General Assembly in October to become the ninth UN chief in the world bodys 71-year history.

Guterres will replace Ban Ki-moon, 72, of South Korea. Ban steps down at the end of 2016 after serving two five-year terms.

Guterres was Portugals prime minister from 1995 to 2002 and UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. He performed well in answering questions before the General Assembly while campaigning for the job, while his executive experience propelled him to first place among the 13 candidates vying for the job in informal polls in the Security Council.
Rescuers plucked 1,164 people from rubber and wooden boats in the Mediterranean under heavy thunderstorms on Sunday and recovered six dead bodies during the operations, relief services said.

Italian coastguard and naval ships, a vessel from the European Unions anti-smuggling mission and private aid groups rescued the people from seven boats in the central Mediterranean.

The coastguard gave no details about the six dead it found.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), one of the humanitarian groups that took part in Sundays rescues, wrote about the stormy weather on Twitter: It bucketed down during todays rescues. Winter on the Mediterranean is next-level grim.

Most of the 4,715 deaths in the Mediterranean counted by the International Organization for Migration so far this year were reported en route to Italy from Libya, where traffickers have taken advantage of lawlessness to set up profitable businesses.

One migrant told the crew of the Aquarius, a rescue ship run by the humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee, that he wanted to go to Tripoli airport to take a flight home to Bangladesh but trying to reach the Libyan capital was much more dangerous than taking this wooden boat and trying to cross to Europe.

But amid the distress, a Nigerian woman rescued on Saturday evening gave birth on Sunday to a baby boy on the ship, which was good news that cheered up the whole crew, the aid group said on its website.
Saudi police detained a young woman for violating modesty rules after she removed her abaya, the loose-fitting, full-length robes women are required to wear, on a main street in the capital Riyadh, local media reported on Monday.

The conservative Muslim country enforces a strict dress code for women in public, bans them from driving and prohibits the mixing of sexes.

The Arabic-language al-Sharq newspaper reported that the woman was detained after a complaint was filed by the religious police.

Police officers have detained a girl who had removed her abaya on al-Tahliya street, implementing a challenge she announced on social media several days ago, the newspaper quoted Colonel Fawaz al-Maiman, a Riyadh police spokesman, as saying.

The sabq.org news website said the unnamed woman had posted on Twitter that she would go out in public without her abaya.

Both sabq.org and another news website, alweeam.com.sa, carried a picture of the woman wearing a black jacket over an ankle-length orange and pink dress. Sabq.org concealed the exposed parts of her body.

The post had drawn an angry reaction from some Saudis.

She has been arrested and we demand utmost punishment, for the state has rules that she did not respect, one Twitter user said.
One campaigned to leave the European Union, the other to stay.

Now, nearly six months after Britains shock referendum vote for Brexit, two thirty-somethings prove the debate is still very much alive, and just as painful.

Im very, very excited about the future, says Chris Mendes, a 31-year-old software engineer who supports the anti-EU, anti-immigration UK Independence Party (UKIP), which helped drive the Leave vote.

But Thomas Cole, a 33-year-old political analyst who used to work at the European Commission in Brussels, says the future is still up for play.

Since the vote on June 23, many Britons have had to wrestle with some of the stark and unsettling realities of what leaving Europe actually means.

And, for Cole and others who voted Remain, this jolt gives cause to stay in the fight.

Just because the referendum has taken place doesnt mean you say, OK, I give up now, he says.

Outwardly similar, the two men are passionately divided on Brexit, reflecting the split that saw Britons vote 52 percent to leave the EU and 48 percent to stay.

Introduced by AFP, they traded views at cafe in Londons St Pancras station, the gateway for travellers arriving from and leaving to continental Europe.

Mendes, sporting a brown T-shirt and a three-day-old beard, acknowledges there are challenges to leaving the EU, not least pro-European MPs seeking to delay or soften the divorce.

Theres obviously a clear resistance to Brexit, theres no question about that, but we expected that, he says.

But Cole, wearing a smart jumper and striped scarf tied at the neck, argues that the referendum was legally not binding.

He came home to campaign against Brexit and is a member of the pro-EU, centrist Liberal Democrats, who want a second referendum on the final terms of the exit deal.

Cole suggests that if the exit negotiations become complicated, then the 2020 general election could be effectively run as a second referendum.

I couldnt disagree more, chips in Mendes, accusing Cole of a morally bankrupt position.

Cole hits back: You have to pass things through parliament, I think thats normal.

Taking back control

Under pressure from members of her Conservative party and EU leaders, Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to begin formal exit talks by the end of March.

But she is fighting a legal challenge against calls for MPs to take the final decision on triggering Brexit, amid concerns that parliament, which overwhelmingly wanted Britain to stay in the EU, will try to block it.

Meanwhile the cabinet itself appears divided on the key issue of whether or not to stay in the single market.

Remainers say quitting the worlds biggest trade bloc will destroy swathes of British jobs. Brexit supporters say Britain will forge new trade deals with the rest of the world.

For Mendes, a principle is at stake. We want to come out of the single market, we voted to take back control of our laws completely, we voted to take back control of our borders completely, he says.

He reflects the governments outward confidence that it will get the best possible deal for Britain -- even if it has yet to set out how this will happen.

Unsurprisingly, Cole says he would like to stay in the single market -- and would be unhappy with some of the proposed compromises.

One option is for Britain to leave the market of 500 million consumers but continue to pay for access, while being unable to shape its rules.

From a democratic point of view its frankly terrible, he says.

An upside of a clean break with Brussels is that you wouldnt have somebody else telling you what to do. Having said that, for the economy, would it be good? No.

Healthy debate?

In an ideal scenario, I want things to be as they are, Cole admits, before he is cut off by Mendes, insisting: Thats not going to happen.

The discussion is lively but good-natured, although elsewhere in Britain tensions are high, with reports of an increase in hate crime after the vote, and death threats against leading campaigners on both sides.

Mendes says the national debate is very healthy, adding: We have not discussed these things for about 40 years -- and now, for the first time, we are.

The natural consequence of that is an explosion, a massive clash, a violent clash, intellectually speaking, of ideas.

Cole agrees, and notes the recent election of Donald Trump as US president. Ignoring peoples concerns is essentially dangerous, he says.
The Syrian army captured a major district of Aleppo on Monday from rebel fighters, now confined to a small pocket of their former bastion in the citys east.

President Bashar al-Assads forces held more than 90 percent of the onetime opposition stronghold, a monitor said, and appeared on the verge of retaking the whole city.

The fall of Aleppo would deal rebels their worst blow since the beginning of Syrias conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the countrys five major cities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported early on Monday that the army had captured the large Sheikh Saeed district in southeast Aleppo, leaving only two neighbourhoods under opposition control.

The areas still under opposition control are very small, and they could fall at any moment, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Britain-based Observatory

The battle for Aleppo has begun to enter the final phase, he said.

Syrian official media confirmed the army had recaptured Sheikh Saeed, with state television showing what it said was live footage from the neighbourhood.

Overnight and into Monday morning, government warplanes and artillery pounded the remaining rebel-held territory in the east of the city.

An AFP correspondent in the government-held west of Aleppo said the bombardment could be heard from there and was some of the heaviest in recent days.

Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on November 15.

Thousands more flee

The Observatory said Monday another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left -- mostly to government-held territory -- to 130,000.

On Sunday alone, state news agency SANA said, 8,000 people fled rebel districts through government-run crossings.

It said approximately half were transferred to temporary shelters, while the rest were staying with relatives in west Aleppo.

Syrias rebels seized control of east Aleppo in 2012, a year into an uprising that began with anti-government protests but spiralled into a civil war after a regime crackdown.

The war has become a complex multi-front conflict, drawing in proxy powers and jihadists like the Islamic State group, which on Sunday overran the city of Palmyra nine months after being expelled.

IS began a new offensive in the desert east of Homs province last week, seizing government positions and oil fields before advancing on Palmyra.

It was briefly forced back from the city early Sunday, after heavy Russian air strikes and the arrival of Syrian troop reinforcements.

But despite the efforts, the Observatory said Sunday afternoon that the group had recaptured all of the city.

IS held Palmyra between May 2015 and March 2016, carrying out a campaign of destruction against ancient ruins in the city that are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On Monday, the jihadists were advancing south and west of Palmyra, fighting fierce clashes with the army near the town of Al-Qaryatain, the monitor said, as Russian warplanes carried out fresh strikes.

Dramatic situation

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syrias war, and over half the country displaced.

The government assault on Aleppo has killed at least 413 civilians since mid-November, according to the Observatory. Another 139 civilians have been killed in rebel fire on the west of the city in the same period, it says.

The UN childrens agency said Sunday that all children in Aleppo were suffering from trauma.

I have never seen in my life such a dramatic situation (as) what is happening to children in Aleppo, said Radoslaw Rzehak, UNICEFs field office head inside the devastated city.

Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict have repeatedly failed.

Russia last week said talks were underway with US officials on securing a ceasefire in Aleppo and the withdrawal of all rebel forces from the city.

But despite a series of high-level meetings there was no progress in halting the fighting.

Experts say the governments recapture of Aleppo appeared to be only a matter of time.

Were now past the point where the opposition has any hope of pulling things back, said Yezid Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.

Assad will have in effect broken the back of the armed opposition... and the idea that the regime can be overcome militarily will be finally put to rest.
Syrias army seized a major district on Aleppos southeastern edges Monday, putting it in control of 90% of areas once held by rebels in the city, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad seized the Sheikh Saeed district early Monday after fierce clashes, ongoing since the previous afternoon.

The army is now in full control of Sheikh Saeed, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Syrias second city Aleppo had been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and rebel groups in the east.

In less than a month, a blistering offensive by Syrias army and allied militia has overrun most of the rebel territory in the city.

Air strikes pounded the remaining opposition-controlled districts of Aleppo through the night and into the early morning on Monday, the Britain-based Observatory said.

At least 413 civilians have been killed in east Aleppo since the offensive began on November 15, the Observatory said, and 139 killed in rebel rocket fire on the citys west. More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syrias conflict first erupted in March 2011.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there had been a suspected gas attack in Islamic State-held territory near Palmyra on Monday, amid heavy aerial bombardment of the same area which together killed at least 53 people.

Citing local sources near the site of the attack in eastern Hama province, northwest of the ancient city of Palmyra, the Observatory said there were cases of suffocation and that dozens had been wounded during heavy rocket fire on the area.

The dead included 28 children, the Observatory said.

Local sources had reported seeing dead bodies with no visible injuries, said the Observatory, a British-based group that monitors the war in Syria through a network of contacts across the country.

Read | Despite Russian onslaught, IS captures Palmyra castle, claims Amaq news agency

The reported attack came from the air and took place near the town of Uqairabat, which lies on a main road leading south into Palmyra from government-held territory, the Observatory said, without specifying who might have been responsible.

Amaq, a news service linked to Islamic State, said in an online statement that 20 people had died and around 200 were injured from breathing problems as a result of a Russian air attack with sarin gas.

Ahmad al-Dbis, of the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), said about 86 people had died, and about 250 were injured in the attacks on Monday.

UOSSM is a coalition of international aid agencies which funds hospitals in Syria. It used to work with staff in the area of the attack before Islamic State took over.

Both the Syrian army and Russia have denied using chemical weapons.

UN investigators established that sarin gas was used in parts of the rebel-held Ghouta suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus in 2013. The United States accused Syrias government of conducting the attack, which it estimated killed around 1,400 people, but Damascus denied responsibility and blamed rebels.

A United Nations investigation this year found that the Syrian military had used chlorine in attacks on rebels and that Islamic State had also used chemical weapons in attacks.

Damascus has said that the conclusions of that investigation were wrong.

On Sunday, Islamic State militants recaptured Palmyra despite dozens of Russian air strikes attempting to push them back. It had previously been driven from the city in March.

Read more | A look at Palmyra, the historic Syrian city retaken by Islamic State
When Pakistani shopkeeper Abdur Rahims phone rang in mid-October, he was shocked to hear the voice of a senior militant commander demanding protection money from him and his fellow traders in the Swat Valley.

The menacing call was taken seriously in a northern pocket of the country where Pakistani Taliban insurgents took partial control in 2007, before being ousted two years later in a major military operation hailed as a telling blow against Islamist violence.

Locals fear that recent threats of extortion and a spate of targeted killings earlier this year mark an attempt by the Taliban to regain a foothold in the picturesque, mountainous area they once ruled with an iron fist.

Western powers, including the United States which has thousands of troops fighting other militant groups across the nearby border in Afghanistan, want to see jihadi networks along the frontier crushed.

During the Oct. 19 conversation, Mullah Akhtar, a commander close to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah, ordered Rahim to collect money from 15,000 members of the Swat Traders Federation, of which he is president.

But in a tense exchange, Rahim refused to cooperate, and told Akhtar militants were not welcome in Swat.

According to Rahim, Akhtar boiled over with rage: I will blow you up, so that even the doctors wont be able to find the pieces.

Since the call, Rahims life has changed.

Speaking to Reuters in Swats main town of Mingora, he stood flanked by two armed policemen, while plainclothed officers keep a watchful eye in the background. CCTV cameras monitor his home.

Swat Valley shopkeeper Abdur Rahim speaks with a Reuters correspondent as one of police bodyguards stands guard over him at his home in Mingora, Pakistan. (Reuters)

Motives unclear

Representatives of the militant movement could not be reached for comment on their tactics in Swat Valley; some residents believe demands for money and a rise in attacks in the first half of the year are signs of desperation.

Attacks have been a part of life there since 2010, including the attempted assassination of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012, but in recent months the murders have stopped after a series of arrests by police.

The Taliban have also struggled to build ideological support after their bloody two-year rule that saw them impose a harsh version of Islamic law on the valleys 2 million residents.

The group remains active elsewhere, however, particularly in southern Baluchistan province, where a faction of the Taliban and Islamic State have claimed responsibility for a series of bomb and gun attacks that have killed more than 180 people.

The Pakistani military will be desperate to keep the Taliban out of Swat, the first sizeable region outside lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan to fall to the militants.

The armys publicity wing did not respond to requests for comment on the situation in the area.

The military has been on alert for signs of a Taliban resurgence as it seeks to rebuild civilian institutions and win over the local population as a bulwark against radical ideology.

A force of more than 4,000 Pakistani soldiers is stationed in Swat, and last month the army began constructing a permanent garrison.

It (Swat) was always shown as the example of a successful military operation, said Zahid Hussain, a security analyst. But the main challenge is to hold that area, and to now establish a civilian authority.

Neutralising support networks

While officials tout the recent drop in assassinations by the Taliban as progress, locals on the groups hit-list are less sanguine.

Powerful tribal leaders, especially those who worked with anti-Taliban peace committees, say they are in danger.

Fazal Wahab, for example, walks through Mingoras bustling market hiding a pistol under his coat and wearing a black anti-pollution face mask to hide his identity.

I have received no support of any kind from the army, said Wahab, who has faced Taliban death threats for years due to his work.

But local officials say security has improved.

More than 2,000 Taliban fighters from Swat have been driven into mountainous areas on the Afghan side of the border nearby, according to officials.

A policeman stands guard at a market in Mingora, in Swat Valley, Pakistan. (REUTERS)

Police in Swat said TTP assassins used little-trodden mountain passes between Afghanistans Nuristan and Pakistans Chitral regions to sneak into the valley.

Its not difficult for one or two people to slip through, said Akhtar Hayat Khan, Swats police chief.

Khan said several intelligence-led swoops on local facilitators had disrupted the Talibans support network and limited the threat. In July, police arrested at least 12 people across the valley suspected of aiding attacks.

Dog eat dog

Local traders applauded Rahims stand against the Taliban, but some were not sure if they would follow his example if faced with demands for protection money themselves.

If we get a call, then what can we do? We will bear the decision like a stone on our hearts, but we have no choice, said Nisar Ahmed.

Rahim is steadfast in his resistance. Recently he started breeding dogs, widely considered unclean in Islam, for his own protection.

I used to hate keeping dogs. But you need to keep a dog to fight a dog, he said. They (the Taliban) are hungry now. And like a dog bites a man out of hunger, theyre biting, too.
Thailands new King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued a mass prisoner pardon, a first act of mercy as monarch as he reaches out to his subjects following the death of his beloved father.

Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October aged 88 after a seven-decade reign, leaving the politically febrile nation without its unifying figure.

His only son, 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, was proclaimed king in early December.

But the thrice-divorced monarch is yet to draw the same level of devotion from a public well-versed in rumours over his private life.

Read: Thailands new king makes first public appearance

The prisoner pardon was Vajiralongkorns first chance since he succeeded the throne to show the kings mercy, according to a statement published on Sunday in palace mouthpiece the Royal Gazette.

Pardons were annual events under Bhumibol. Women jailed for first offences, some inmates who have served one third of their sentences, and prisoners with disabilities or serious illness were among those pardoned. The decree did not say how many prisoners will be freed.

Ritual, propaganda and law underpin the status of Thailands monarchy. Thai schoolchildren are taught the primacy of the institution, while huge portraits of key royals adorn virtually every main street.

Like his father, Vajiralongkorn is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law that carries up to 15 years in jail per charge. It has embedded a culture of self-censorship across the media, academia and the arts.

People hold images of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej to commemorate his birthday on December 5. (AFP file photo)

The prisoner pardons follow a slew of public appearances by the new king, whose four decades as designated heir were characterised by publicity-shyness and long trips overseas.

Since he was proclaimed King Rama X, the new monarch has offered flood relief, opened a town hall and been honoured in a video tribute played in cinemas.
Even with Republicans joining the call for investigating Russian interference in the US election, President-elect Donald Trump is pushing back, questioning the intelligence communitys combined wisdom and conclusion about Moscows role.

According to multiple reports that havent been denied yet, the growing call for a probe could imperil Trumps plans, to appoint ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has ties with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, as secretary of state.

Unless you catch hackers in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasnt this brought up before election? Trump tweeted on Monday morning, omitting to mention that it did come up before.

The US formally accused Russia of directing the recent compromises of emails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organisations in October, but Trump, who was behind in polls then, may not have noticed.

Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory! Trump said in another tweet, getting right into the middle of the fight.

Trump and his advisers have pushed back hard against reports of Russian interference, even at the risk of been seen as questioning their own intelligence community, which has been noticed and commented on even by many conservatives.

And there are conspiracy theorists who are never too far behind in the Trump train. John Bolton, a former UN ambassador and contender for deputy secretary of state, has said the hacking was a false flag operation by the Obama administration.

Trumps Monday morning tweets could have been caused by two senior Republican senators joining their Democratic colleagues in calling for an investigation into Russian interference, which Moscow has dismissed as ridiculous.

Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American, Republican senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain said in a joint statement with Democratic senators Charles Schumer and Jack Reed.

Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks.

President Barack Obama has already ordered a full review of the reports and the evidence intelligence agencies claimed to have found of Russian interference. He has asked for a report before his term is up, in a few weeks.

The CIA told lawmakers in a secret briefing last week that it has found evidence not only of Russias interference but also its motive, which, it said, was to undermine Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the presidency.

US intelligence found the hackers had accessed the Republican Partys computer network, but did not release the stolen data as they did with those from the Democratic Party, passing it on, through intermediaries, to WikiLeaks.
Retired Gen John Kelly on Monday officially became the third general to join the incoming Trump administration in a senior position as the president-elects nominee to head the department of homeland security.

The two others before him were retired generals Michael Flynn, named national security adviser, and James Mad Dog Mattis, the secretary of defence.

Gen. John Kellys decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Trump said in a statement.

Kelly capped a 45-year military career as head of the US Southern Command, an assignment that immersed him in border security issues, migrant flows and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

That experience  and his record running large organisations  will be useful if he is confirmed by Congress to take charge of the Department of Homeland Security, a sprawling bureaucracy responsible for border protection and internal security.

With 240,000 civil servants, homeland security includes the secret service, the coast guard, immigration and customs enforcement, and the agency that protects airports.

It also has an intelligence arm and an office dedicated to preventing nuclear terrorism.

Trumps packing of his top team with generals, the most brassy team in recent US history, has raised concerns, specially his choice to head the military.
Myanmar has called an emergency ASEAN meeting to discuss the Rohingya crisis, a diplomat said on Monday, as regional tensions deepen over a bloody military crackdown on the countrys Muslim minority.

More than 20,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh over the past two months, fleeing a military campaign in Myanmars western Rakhine state.

Their stories of mass rape and murder at the hands of security forces have galvanised protests in Muslim nations around the region, with Buddhist-majority Myanmar facing diplomatic pressure from its neighbours.

Last week Malaysian Prime Minister lashed out at Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allowing genocide on her watch, speaking before thousands of angry protesters in Kuala Lumpur.

Read | Myanmar pursuing ethnic cleansing of Rohingya: UN official

Myanmar, which has vehemently denied the accusations, responded by angrily summoning Malaysias ambassador and banning its workers from going to the country.

A diplomatic source in the Philippines confirmed Myanmar had invited them for an emergency ASEAN meeting to discuss the Rohingya issue.

The source declined to give more details on the meeting, which the Nikkei reported would be held in Yangon on December 19. Myanmar officials could not be reached for comment.

The bloodshed presents the biggest challenge to Nobel Peace prize winner Suu Kyi since her party won the countrys first democratic elections in a generation last year.

Last week the UNs special adviser on Myanmar criticised her handling of the crisis, saying it had caused frustration locally and disappointment internationally.

Suu Kyi also held talks over Rakhine with the foreign minister of Indonesia, after cancelling a visit to the country in November following protests and an attempted attack on the Myanmar embassy.

Read | Aung San Suu Kyi should speak against the persecution of Rohingyas in Myanmar

State media report almost 100 people have been killed -- 17 soldiers and 76 suspects -- in the army operation in Rakhine that followed deadly raids on police border posts on October 9.

That includes six suspects who died during interrogations, the Global New Light of Myanmar said on Saturday, out of some 575 people who have been detained.

Advocacy groups put the death toll in the hundreds, but foreign journalists and independent investigators have been barred from visiting the area to verify the figures.

With the crisis showing no sign of abating, the government over the weekend extended a 7.00pm to 6.00am curfew across the locked-down area for another two months.

Read | Rohingyas: Its a case of State policy-feeding terror
UNESCO along with a UK University has started excavations at some of Nepals most famous monuments to provide a better understanding of their history and the condition of their foundations -- more than a year after the devastating earthquakes struck the country.

UNESCO, with a team of international and national experts from the department of archaeology and Durham University, UK, is undertaking excavations at the Jagannath and Gopinath Temples in Hanumandhoka Durbar Square.

Through the excavations, it is continuing a mission they initiated last year to restore the countrys cultural heritage.

The continued archaeological investigation of subsurface heritage and evaluation of the foundations of earthquake- damaged monuments are a key part of the process of the rehabilitation of the Kathmandu Valleys World Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value in advance of its reconstruction, said Christian Manhart, UNESCO representative to Nepal.

Due to the economic and social values of Nepals sites which lie at the crossroads of ancient civilisations of Asia, UNESCO has intensified its efforts in the ongoing programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation of iconic monuments, UNESCO quoted in a recent press release.

Last year, UNESCO led a team from the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo that undertook architectural evaluations of the two-tiered Jagannath Temple.

Built for Vishnu as the Lord of the Universe, with its outer shrines dedicated to Surya, Siva, Ganesh and Bhagavati, some historians believe it to be one of the oldest temples in Hanumandhoka.

The installation of an inscription by Mahendra Malla on its eastern base records the date as 1563 AD.

At present, less is known about the Gopinath Temple which is positioned directly to the north.
UNESCO has commissioned post-disaster rescue excavations at two earthquake-damaged monuments in the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, continuing a mission initiated last year to restore Nepals cultural heritage.

UNESCO, working with a team of experts from Nepals archaeology department and Durham University of UK, is undertaking excavations at the Jagannath and Gopinath temples in Hanumandhoka Durbar Square to have a better understanding of their history and the condition of their foundations.

The two monuments are popular touristic attractions in Kathmandu valley and were severally damaged by last years massive quakes.

Christian Manhart, the UNESCO representative for Nepal, said the archaeological investigation of subsurface heritage and evaluation of the foundations of the monuments are a key part of the rehabilitation of the Kathmandu valley World Heritage Sites monuments in advance of reconstruction.

Unesco welcomes this project that brings together archaeologists from Nepal and around the world to provide insights for architects and engineers in the rebuilding of this unique cultural heritage, he said.

The earthquakes were a human and cultural catastrophe that devastated lives and livelihoods across Nepal. They also damaged or destroyed much of Nepals unique cultural heritage, including monuments in the Kathmandu valley.

Due to the economic and social values of Nepals sites, which lie at the crossroads of ancient civilisations of Asia, UNESCO has intensified its efforts for reconstruction and rehabilitation of iconic monuments, including the Jagannath and Gopinath temples.

Last year, UNESCO led a team from the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo that undertook architectural evaluations of the two-tiered Jagannath temple. Built for Vishnu as the Lord of the Universe, with its outer shrines dedicated to Surya, Siva, Ganesh and Bhagavati, some historians believe it to be one of the oldest temples in Hanumandhoka.

The installation of an inscription by Mahendra Malla on its eastern base records the date as 1563 AD. Currently, less is known about the Gopinath temple, which is positioned directly to the north.

Kosh Prasad Acharya, project co-director and former director general of the archaeology department, said, Unesco-sponsored pilot excavations in 2015 illustrated the potential of multi-disciplinary investigations prior to reconstruction of monuments in the Kathmandu Valley. Building on this earlier research, these excavations will provide evidence of the origins and development of these monuments and lead to new information that will safeguard these monuments for future generations.
After releasing Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview 2 for Nexus and Pixel devices, Google has now started releasing the final and stable Android 7.1.1 Nougat update for the compatible devices. Latest Android 7.1.1 update also includes the monthly security update for December.

The stable version of the Android 7.1.1 Nougat was previously rumored to be launching on Dec. 6. The operating system update is said to agree with the December security patch.

However several reports are claiming that the Google has started to roll out Android 7.1.1 Nougat earlier than the mentioned date that means the owners of the devices who will receive the update can expect it to arrive very soon.

Android 7.1.1 is the most recent version of Android and Google itself released it to its Pixel and Nexus devices on Dec. 5. Famous search engine also made the source code available to manufacturers on the same day via the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), but the update availability depends upon each OEM.

Google has also released the Android 7.1.1 factory images and OTA files for the compatible devices.

The devices that are said to have already received the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update are a General Mobile 4G and a Cherry Mobile One G1. These both are the parts of Google's Android One project.

The screenshot that was sent in by the General Mobile 4G user, who is from Turkey that revealed a size of 240.6 MB for the update. Same screenshot also showed that the software update provides improvements to the security and stability of the Android device, while also fixing certain bugs.

In addition to Android One other devices that will be receiving the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update are the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL that are the latest smartphones released by Google. Apart from it several devices Nexus line, including the Nexus 6, the Nexus 5X, the Nexus 6P, the Nexus Player and the Nexus 9; and the Pixel C tablet are also getting the update.

Report says that Vodafone Australia has already listed Android 7.1.1 rollout date as December 6 for Nexus 6P, and the update is weighing about 650MB.

Sony also has announced it will make Android Nougat available to the following devices:

Xperia Z3+

Xperia Z4 Tablet

Xperia Z5

Xperia Z5 Compact

Xperia Z5 Premium

Xperia X

Xperia XA

Xperia XA Ultra

Xperia X Compact

Xperia X Performance

The rollout has begun for the Xperia XZ and X Performance as of 1 December 2016. The company is saying that the the update would come to devices "as quickly as we can".

Recent reports also has revealed that Samsung might be upgrading the Galaxy Note 5 to Android 7.0 Nougat soon, Huawei also is planning to launch Android 7.0 Nougat to six devices in the first quarter of next year.

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If you own Motorola device, then surely you will welcome the news that Moto Deutschland has confirmed that several smartphones of the company will get a taste of Android 7.0 Nougat this December.

On Dec. 6 Motorola's German operations took to its official Twitter page to affirm the dates of the Android 7.0 Nougat software update being rolled out to select devices from the company.

The tweet from Moto Deutschland shares that the much-awaited Android 7.0 Nougat update will be there for Moto G and Moto Play before Christmas. The Moto Z Play will benefit from the update in January 2017, followed by the Moto X line up and Nexus 6.

Earlier in the month of October Motorola has confirmed via an official blog post saying 15 smartphones from the company will be updated to the new Google OS. It had also disclosed at the time that Android 7.0 Nougat would be rolled out in Q4 2016 with the Moto Z and the Moto G4 series being the first in line.

Now the next handsets to receive the Android 7.0 Nougat update in the Moto Z series are the Moto Z Play and its Verizon-variant Moto Z Play Droid.

According to a report, the Moto Z series will benefit from the software update on Dec. 16. However, the Moto Z Play is slated to get the update in January in reference to on Moto Germany's tweet.

The Moto G4 series or the fourth gen Moto G phones are composed of the Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus and Moto G4 Play, which are slated to get the Android 7.0 Nougat updated before Christmas this year. .

Lenovo claimed that the rest of its devices which includes the Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus, Moto G Play (4thGen), Moto X Style, Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen), Moto X Force, Moto X Play, Droid Maxx 2, Droid Turbo 2, Moto Z, Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Play, Moto Z Play Droid and Nexus 6 will acquire the 7.0 Nougat.

Other devices which are not confirmed to receive the update are Moto X (2nd Gen), Moto X (3rd Gen), Moto E3, Moto E3 Power and Moto G3.

The Nexus 6 is also slated to get the software update in early 2017, alongside the Moto X lineup.

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Following the ascension of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the British Broadcasting Network (BBC) has released an article which the Thai government found to be offensive. A profile is believed to have been shared by the foreign journalist organization to the public.

The development has been on the heels of succeeding long-time royal leader King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died later this year. Although it has been anticipated that his only son will assume the throne, there are many who doubted the prince's capability.

Around ten policemen have been ordered to proceed to the BBC's office in Bangkok shortly after the narrative was in the news. However, the publication's branch has been closed. As of late, the Thai government has blocked the article nationwide considering that some of its contents have been found to be distressing to the new King.

It has been reported earlier that an individual, who has been critical of the current administration, was arrested for posting the narrative on his Facebook page. It should be noted that Thailand has strong laws against anyone heaping insults or criticisms against members of the royal family.

Although the BBC profile in Bangkok has already been taken down, an English-written article about the new King is still online. Among the details included in the profile is the crown prince's difficulty in completing his military college schooling in Australia's capital of Canberra.

Another item being pointed out is his 'Don Juan' image which apparently stemmed out from a 1981 quote of his mother Queen Sirikit who stated that Vajiralongkorn prefers to spend time around women instead of doing his functions as a prince. In addition, a narrative has also ridiculed the new King's rather low popularity rating compared to his sister Princess Sirindhorn.

Meanwhile, the BBC, whose Thai Facebook account remains online, has reiterated that the company's article complied with the editorial protocols of the news agency. However, the British network has faced scrutiny from some netizens who pointed out that adherence to Thai law is still significant.

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Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have evolved to become each other's rival it seems. Rumors have started to swirl that Prince Harry's girlfriend is all set to learn a set of things from the Duchess to finalize her place in the royal family.

According to Celeb Dirty Laundry, Middleton is trying hard to regain her royal status in the family and grab all the attention, especially after Markle came into limelight. Prince William's wife is apparently "depressed" over the fact that her importance in the royal family is slowly fading away.

The world love Prince Harry and Prince William's mother, Princess Diana. Middleton wants everyone to love and adore her in a similar way, however, she is not that much into humanitarian work as Princess Diana.

Markle, on the other hand, poses a serious threat to ever-stylish Middleton as she is a real humanitarian. Moreover, she is used to being in limelight as a celebrity, unlike Middleton, who comes from a common family.

This further adds to the fact that Middleton could actually be depressed about the changes that are about to take place. If she wants to remain everyone's favorite, she will have to do some humanitarian hard work, attend parties and movie premieres to ensure that all eyes are on her.

Meanwhile, The Inquisitr reports that Prince Harry has confirmed his relationship with the "Suits" actress, Markle, and has also urged media to not to interfere with her private life. The publication reports that the actress has even met Middleton and Prince William and has been pictured around the Kensington Palace for quite a few times.

Since the romantic relationship between Prince Harry and Markle has not become visible to all, people now expect the actress to show the same charm, dignity and grace as Middleton when she is in public. This places her in direct competition with Middleton, who despite having a common life, has poise that keeps her in the limelight.

It is speculated that it may be too soon for Markle to attend the royal Christmas celebrations. This is the reason why the couple may be planning a romantic getaway to spend some peaceful time together.

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Aliens, UFOs and extraterrestrial life have been on the radar of conspiracy theorists in the year 2016. Now a new claim by a UFO hunter states that the US Air Force may be testing alien crafts secretly at the air force base.

The Express reports that UFO hunter Steven Barone regularly monitors that activities conducted in and around the Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. He recently uploaded a footage on YouTube, claiming that the Air Force officers may be testing alien crafts at the base, at a time when no one can actually see what is happening out there.

Barone claims that using his specialist night vision recording equipment, he witnessed UFOs flying over the restricted air base at night. The UFO enthusiast further claims that he shot the video from his backyard in Nevada on Nov. 15, 2016.

The video appears that same as what Barone recorded on his specialist device. No artificial effects have been added to the clip to enhance what was seen.

He further claims that he constantly keeps a track of the UFOs seen in the Las Vegas Valley. The one recently recorded, he believed, came from the test and training range of the air base and a secret US Air Force Area in Nevada.

Meanwhile, Scott C. Waring of the UFO Sightings Daily confirmed that these objects are flying over high-security areas so that no one can enter and investigate. He further speculated that the US Air Force may be testing alien technology and that it could be some sought of alien craft gifted to the Air Force in good faith.

There is a popular conspiracy theory dubbed "Tall Whites," which suggests that there is an alien species that lives inside the US Air Force base in Las Vegas. This species helps the Air Force develop new, advanced technologies and in return, it takes away the mineral resources that it requires on their planet.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been divorced for months already but people are not yet clarified for the ultimate reason for the controversial split. And now, Jolie's motive behind this divorce has been exposed.

As reported by TMZ, Jolie's real motive for the split has something to do with her jib in the United Nations. The report went on saying that Angelina has e goal to become Secretary general of the United Nations and two of her confidants told her that she can be a good fit in that position if she play her cards right. So part of the ill processes that she has to employ is to split from Brad Pitt and top make him appear that he was in fact a bad father.

The report also added that part of her plans is to really involve the DCFS in the child abuse investigation so as to establish that Pitt really abused the kids and Angelina Jolie is actually the one thinking for the utmost welfare of their six children. But FBI cleared the actor of the said allegation.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been married for two years but was a couple for a decade. People looked up to them as the perfect and most powerful couple in the Hollywood but all of those shattered when Jolie filed for divorce last September. No one actually saw that coming not even, the "Allied" actor.

It has been speculated that Angie really want to move to London with the kids after the divorce that's why she is making it hard for Pitt to get a full or even a share custody of the children. Well, some say that this is part of her plans for her to get the most coveted UN position.

However, Angelina Jolie's representatives decide these rumors and say that Jolie doesn't have any plan to move out and that her priority is the health and well being of her children with Brad Pitt.

The child custody battle is now in court and Angelina Jolie wants full custody while Brad Pitt insists on joint custody.

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George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin are said to be heading for a divorce because of a certain report that suggests the couple's constant fighting over several matters.

As reported by economictimes.indiatimes.com, the couple are said to be living separate lives already and are really heading for a $300 million divorce. The reasons emanated from Amal's desire to have kids while Clooney is not amenable with it.

Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney got married last 2014 and before they tied the knot, their close friends already know that they are a perfect match. And now it seems like that has changed as the couple has realized that they are after all a good match. They seem to have different desires and perspective of things including having a family and a child.

The prominent British human rights lawyer has long wanted to have a baby but the actor doesn't buy this idea. What could be Clooney's reason why he would still insist that he doesn't want Amal to get pregnant despite his wife's extreme interest in starting a family?

The actor was said to be feeling the pressure already when Amal asked for it and he reluctantly agreed. But it did not last long, he backed away from that decision and his wife has been shattered by his change of mind.

Aside from this reason, it has been speculated that the couple's constant fighting is also caused by another reason which is Amal Alamuddin's rage and jealousy over George Clooney's many affairs and women. Well, before he married Amal, George was known as one of the most eligible bachelors in Hollywood so it already became normal for women to adore and show interest for him.

But even if he is already married to the stunning lawyer, speculations are claiming that he is still seeing other women and this makes Amal furious and jealous.

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin are said to be a perfect couple before but now, people wonder if it is still ideal to call them that.

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T he east London borough of Havering tops the list of boroughs with the fastest house price growth this year, with the average cost of buying rocketing by 40,000 over the past 12 months. An 11.4 per cent increase has taken prices to an average of 392,000.

The borough, which is home to Romford, has hugely benefited from the 'Crossrail effect', with the new station set to open in its main town at the end of 2018.

Since work began on the high-speed east-west line seven years ago, property prices along the route - that stretches from Shenfield and Abbey Wood to Reading - have been steadily rising and are expected to continue to outpace the rest of London following its opening.

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2016 IN REVIEW

However, due to uncertainty caused by this year's stamp duty changes and the Brexit vote, the pace of house price growth has stalled.

London's property market is in a very different place to where it was this time last year according to Rightmove's latest House Price Index. In 2015, all of the top 10 fastest-rising boroughs had seen double-digit growth with prices rising by up to 30 per cent in some parts of the capital.

This year Havering is the only borough with growth above 10 per cent. South London's Croydon makes it onto the list with a comparatively modest 6.6 per cent rise, which takes house prices to 419,000.

These boroughs have experienced an uplift in demand, as priced-out Londoners started looking to the furthest reaches of the capital where homes are around 200,000 cheaper than the capital's average of 616,000.

Inner London vs Outer London

As such, eight boroughs out of ten are classed as 'outer London', including Enfield in the north and Hillingdon in the west.

The only two 'inner' boroughs to make it onto this year's list are Lambeth in south London - home to up-coming areas Brixton, Streatham and the sought-after leafy enclave of west Dulwich - and the City of Westminster.

One to watch: Westminster

With homes averaging 1.9 million, Westminster has defied the Prime London trend of falling house prices. Areas such as Kensington and Chelsea have experienced losses of up to 14.7 per cent over the course of the year.

Driven by the regeneration of Victoria, Westminster is experiencing an influx of new development," explains Matthew Morton-Smith, Head of Savills Westminster.

"Traditionally Westminster has had a strong domestic market, and new developments and improved lifestyle benefits are creating a more diverse high-value prime market that offers a credible alternative to its more expensive neighbours.

2017 forecast

Westminster is the anomaly, however, and Rightmove predicts that inner London prices will fall by a further five per cent next year, while outer London prices will rise by three per cent.



"While sterlings depreciation has helped to make things more attractive in inner London, the pressing need to purchase because of rising prices has disappeared. We therefore predict further price falls," says Rightmove's Miles Shipside.

"Londons desperate need for affordable housing has moved to outer London, and we forecast that will lead to further modest price growth in 2017.
A while back we spoke with Stephen Minall, member of the HITEC Amsterdam Advisory Council and owner of Moving Food Ltd., to address the issue of whether the industry needs to elevate the role of IT Managers. Minall is a man of few words and a brilliant strategist. His answer back then was simple: "it should be a challenge to all hotels."

We continued our discussion with Stephen to cover other important matters, like shadow IT, less control over every aspect of technology, and mobile technology.

A pressing concern in the industry is how data privacy and nationalization impede capabilities to provide efficient IT operations that enhance guest service. As a response to the question, how should hospitality technology participate in lobbying efforts with governmental jurisdictions, Minall considers that petitioning "should be done at all levels but sadly most general managers rely on positioning, rather than looking at this themselves."

Lobbying may help prevent unintended consequences by opening a direct dialogue between professionals in the industry and governmental policymakers who make the decisions that affect business and the economy. Companies like Uber and Airbnb are already active lobbyists urging lawmakers to ease nationalization standards in cities all over the world. They extend their reach beyond city and state lobbying to create good will and to shift standards.

On to the matter of shadow IT which we previously addressed in an interview with Timo E. Kettern, IT Director at Lapithus Hotel Management, Minall insisted on the role of hotel chains:

"If chains were far-reaching, they could afford to ring-fence certain hotels or regions, and thoroughly test/trial innovation, take the plunge, take the risk, and look at the responses and results."

Concerning mobile technology and easing the guest experience, Minall sees the what and timing of purchasing such technology challenging, but recommends hospitality pros to stay abreast of innovation:

"It has to be a major headache on what and when to buy this new technology. Guests will now expect to book/buy/bargain and then pay as they are doing with every other form of purchase. Follow and lead or die on the vine!"

Concluding the interview, Minall addresses a challenge to industry pros to consider how hospitality IT should engage with gig technologies like AirBNB, Uber, or those that allow customers to order takeout online, and so on. His expert opinion is that these cannot be swept under the carpet.

A Talk with Stephen Minall  Photo by Hospitality Net

Planning for HITEC Amsterdam is in full swing with guidance from an advisory council representing eight European countries. The council is chaired by Carson Booth, CHTP and vice-chaired by Derek Wood. For the latest news, follow HFTP/HITEC on HITEC Bytes, PineappleSearch, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@HFTP) and Instagram (HFTP_HITEC). For more information about HITEC Amsterdam, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], +1 (512) 249-5333.

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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.
A Peruvian native with nearly 15 years of culinary experience, Bouroncle came to Aruba Marriott Resort by way of the JW Marriott in Cusco, Peru in 2014 and has cooked all over the world from Singapore and Spain to Columbia and the United States. In his new position as Director of F&B Operations, Bouroncle will be assisting the Complex Director of F&B in overseeing all the food and beverage outlets at the resort and ensuring culinary operations meet and exceed guests needs. Bouroncle will focus on increasing revenue and the financial performance of the resort while also supervising a team of employees and maximizing guest satisfaction.
American Liberty Hospitality Makes Owner Profitability Job One

Family Owned Operator Puts Leading Edge Financial Management Tools To Work for Stronger Property Performance

Nick Massad, Jr. and his wife Vicki purchased American Liberty Hospitality 26 years ago on a foundation of service to its owners and investors. They worked hard, hired good people and treated every penny as if it were their own. Today American Liberty Hospitality (ALH) operates 20 properties with Hilton, IHG and other flags in Texas and Louisiana. The company is a real American success story.

Nick Massad, Jr. started in the hotel business as a bellboy to help put himself through college. At graduation he took a job with American Liberty and worked his way up to general manager. He and his wife acquired ALH in 1990 when the companys owners decided to leave the hospitality industry. They never looked back.

ALH began with limited service properties. They expanded to more and larger properties because it delivered solid results for its owners, Today, we operate our 20-property portfolio for multiple owners and investors. We are price conscious operators, said Craig D. Kaplan vice president of corporate operations for ALH. Our management and development decisions are based on owner wellbeing regardless of property or brand. We manage each property as if the owner is us.

American Libertys portfolio growth quickly revealed that its financial system was unable to provide detailed property performance reporting. Kaplan said. As we expanded it was clear that our financial system was not designed for multi-property operations. ALHs owners wanted timely performance reports and the companys executive team wanted greater visibility into daily property operations for decision making. ALH was manually entering property audit numbers into Excel to track management-decision impact on revenue and expenses. It was too much work. ALHs success triggered our search for stronger hotel-specific accounting, forecasting, and business intelligence systems to help us hit our property goals.

ALH spoke to several hotel companies about their financial and operational software before selecting Aptech Computer Systems hotel software. ALH installed Aptechs entire suite of products, Profitvue enterprise accounting, Execuvue Business Intelligence (BI), and Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting. Timely Business Intelligence analysis is essential for any hotel company that manages by the numbers to reach its goals, Kaplan said. With Aptech we do same-day performance reporting. Profitvue automatically collects property audit data and seamlessly flows it into Execuvue for analysis and a variety of ownership and management reports.

Aptechs Execuvue definitely makes our operation more efficient. This benefits our owners, Kaplan said. We provide actionable property performance analysis reports whenever needed. The system lets us identify and act immediately on issues that may affect profitability. These hotel software financial tools make us proactive managers who are able to intelligently achieve our owners goals. Now we optimize property performance with strategies based on actual performance.

Aptech was also a factor in other areas of American Libertys business. As ALH evolved with the new financial platform we found more highly qualified executives to join our team, he said. We changed from a small company with staff who knew how to audit a hotel, to a group of management professionals who understood how to put BI data to work for owners. ALH uses Aptechs Targetvue to smoothly create efficient and accurate budgets and forecasts. The company communicates property financials with Profitvue Enterprise Financial Accounting and Webvue remote access to instantly communicate between properties and ALHs corporate offices. Aptechs systems may be premise-based or remotely hosted. Aptech hosts American Liberty Hospitalitys systems and data at its secure network operation center.

Aptechs people have a wealth of hotel operations experience based on their work with hundreds of companies, said Cindy Decker, Vice President of Revenue Management for Houston-based American Liberty. We meet with them to brainstorm strategies and create goals for the next 12 months. Our objective is to leverage the best technology to create the greatest profitability for our owners.

Kaplan agreed, saying, Prospective owners are impressed by how we use Aptechs solutions to create a highly effective management process that delivers a profit. Aptech is not just a vendor to us, it is a partner. We have a collaborative relationship and that creates success for our owners and all others involved.

Aptech is the leading provider of hotel software for business intelligence, budgeting, and enterprise financial accounting. Click here for more on Aptechs products and services.

About American Liberty Hospitality

American Liberty Hospitality (ALH) is a family owned and operated, hotel management and development company. Led by owners Nick and Vicki Massad, the company is incredibly passionate about all aspects of the hospitality industry. Its focus is always on people; the guests its privileged to serve, the team members who make that possible, and the investors with whom ALH is proud to partner. Its senior management at the corporate level average 20 plus years of tenure with ALH and its hands-on approach to daily operations yields tangible, positive results. As hotel operators at our core, ALH has also been very successful at developing new construction projects for many years. Most ALH executives are graduates of The Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston.

About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.

The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider.

Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include Profitvue, Execuvue, Webvue and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue and Profitvue are registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit www.aptech-inc.com.

CONTACTS:

American Liberty Hospitality

Craig Kaplan, Vice President of Operations

Cindy Decker, Vice President of Revenue

10700 Richmond Ave, Ste 120

Houston, TX 77042

Phone: 713-977-5556

Email: ckaplan@amliberty.com

www.amliberty.com

Aptech Computer Systems

Cam Troutman, Vice President

135 Delta Drive

Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Email: vueinfo@aptech-inc.com

Phone: 800-245-0720 or 412-963-7440

www.aptech-inc.com

Media Contact

Julie Keyser-Squires, APR

Softscribe Inc.

609 SW 8th Street, Ste 600

Bentonville, AR 72712

Phone: 404-256-5512

Email: Julie(at)softscribeinc.com

www.softscribeinc.com
Moxy Aberdeen Airport Hotel Opens

Moxy Aberdeen is the first in a pipeline of planned openings in the UK including London Excel, London Stratford and London Heathrow.

Moxy Hotels has debuted in the UK with the launch of Moxy Aberdeen Airport. Offering a spirited and stylish hotel experience at a surprisingly affordable price, the forward thinking brand offers a fresh take on traditional hospitality with playful communal spaces and inventive programming. Moxy Aberdeen is the first in a pipeline of planned openings in the UK including London Excel, London Stratford and London Heathrow.

"Moxy's newest outpost in the urban city of Aberdeen will embody the brand's contemporary and playful design in a tech enabled environment  a dynamic setting for the first Moxy Hotel in the United Kingdom," said Vicki Poulos, global brand director, Moxy Hotels. "As an established hub for business with a growing tourism industry, we look forward to introducing this experiential and affordable brand to fun hunter travellers."

Moxy Aberdeen will be a 24/7 spot for all things fun and impromptu. Moxy's lively communal spaces, including its Living Rooms, game rooms and bar, come alive with a thoughtfully-crafted assemblage of spontaneous and organic happenings designed to cater to travellers and locals who like to hang-out with their friends and meet new ones, without breaking the bank. The Moxy experience is 'no place like home,' it's better; a bartender greets guests with a complimentary cocktail upon arrival.

Moxy's fun, inclusive and youthful spirit is reflected in the combination of bold design and affordable style where communal engagement is at the centre of the experience. The interiors fuse refined and raw materials, organic and linear lines, and shared spaces. The Moxy experience kicks-off with a bright, airy and buzzing lobby. The contemporary lobby's modern furniture invites guests to relax, pick up a book from the Moxy library, connect and catch up with friends or retreat to the gym to re-energise by punching the pink Moxy punching bag. Guests of Moxy Aberdeen are encouraged to take a selfie in the photo booth inspired hotel elevators, complete with props.

Advertisement



Moxy Aberdeen's living room is the centre of activity, giving guests fun ways to work and play hard. Sealed concrete floors, walls lined with intriguing art and fun references to local culture including artistic beer jugs displayed on the walls are complemented by ambient lighting and comfortable accents of colour. The Living Room also features abundant power and USB outlets, and furiously fast and free Wi-Fi for ultimate connectivity. A high-energy yet cosy space for gatherings, special events or cocktails, the lounge plays host to eclectic upbeat music.

Located within walking distance of Aberdeen International Airport and just 20 minutes by car into Aberdeen city, the 200 contemporary guest rooms, ranging from Standard to Family size, are outfitted with sound-reducing walls, 42 LCD flat screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, abundant USB ports, comfortable bedding and deep-seated armchairs in calming, neutral fabrics. Every bedroom makes a statement with a fun floor to ceiling art piece. The design is functional, flexible and uncluttered with simple, thoughtful touches including glass shelving and open closets. Stylish bathrooms feature complimentary Muk toiletries, bright pink hair dryers, power showers and large mirrors alongside a spacious vanity area.

Moxy's 24/7 B&F (Beverage & Food), smart and fun self-service concept gives guests access to what they want, whenever they want it. The Moxy dining area offers lots of options for food and drink including fresh juices and a coffee bar. Guests can enjoy fresh sandwiches, pastries, and a range of healthy alternatives from salads to antipasti. An evening Crockpot entree will be served along with a variety of cocktails, craft beers and specialty wines. The bar is full-service and the hub of activity in the lobby  it also doubles as the hotel's physical check in (where guests are greeted with a complimentary 'Got Moxy' cocktail upon arrival).

Moxy Aberdeen has flexible meeting rooms flooded with natural daylight. The meeting table itself doubles as a shuffleboard providing participants the opportunity to refresh, reenergise or get competitive, with a quick game.

Moxy guests who are members of the award-winning Marriott Rewards loyalty programme will get exclusive access to even more digital features through the Marriott Mobile app when they book direct, including mobile check-in and check-out, keyless entry and Mobile Requests to make their travel experience seamless. Marriott Rewards members will also earn points for their stay at Moxy Hotels and can redeem for hotel stays across the Marriott Rewards portfolio of brands.

Special opening rates at the new Moxy Aberdeen begin at 59.

Moxy Hotels first launched in Milan in September 2014. Moxy Tempe and Moxy Munich Airport opened in March 2016, followed by Moxy New Orleans in May 2016, Moxy Frankfurt Eschborn in August 2016 and Moxy Berlin in October 2016. The brand is entering the market in a bold way, with several additional identified projects slated for major metropolitan locations across Europe, in London, Oslo and Vienna, all expected to open during 2017. Additional upcoming Moxy locations are planned for New York City, San Francisco, Nashville, Seattle and Chicago.
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Last week, Kimberly Houzah, a 27-year-old nurse from Calhoun County, AL, was kicked out of a Victorias Secret store at the Quintard Mall in Oxford, AL, seemingly due to her skin color. She posted Facebook Live video  which has since been viewed over 1 million times  of herself exiting the store and then venting about the incident, eventually breaking down into tears. Apparently a black woman had been caught shoplifting at the store, which caused the store manager to tell Houzah and another woman, both African American, to leave the store. Houzah claims no explanation was offered.

Early on in Houzahs video, one can see the other black woman  seemingly unrelated in the shoplifting accident  being told to exit the premises. It looks like the malls security had been called in order to assist in getting her out of the store.

You dont want to be that person that feels like everybodys racist, and I dont feel like everybodys racist, said Houzah, now out of the mall and still reacting to the incident in her car. But we just happen to be three black people in Victorias Secret and we got to be together. Shes going to say you, you and you, get out. All yall get out.

It turns out that Houzahs efforts in exposing the troubling profiling she experienced last week has paid off. Victorias Secret addressed the circumstances at the Quintard Mall in a statement posted on its Facebook page, in which it was revealed that the store associate involved in this matter is no longer employed with the company. Victorias Secret also claims to have reached out to Houzah directly to express our sincere apology. Victorias Secret is adamant that all customers regardless of race be treated with dignity and respect at all times, reads the statement.

Watch Houzahs Facebook live video below.

Victorias Secret
Six years ago, when President Barack Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law, America's retailers got a big reduction in the debit-card fees they pay banks. Now, with Donald Trump set to take office, they're preparing for a lobbying fight to defend that legislative victory - and the billions they've saved as a result.

Retail industry trade groups are rallying their base to try to beat back a part of the Financial Choice Act, a bill sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, that advanced in September after a 30-26 vote in an acrimonious panel markup. The measure takes a red pen to the core language of Dodd-Frank, including an amendment by Sen. Richard Durbin, the Illinois Democrat. His measure capped interchange fees - the payments retailers make to banks that issue debit cards whenever a customer swipes.
Mayra Beltran/Staff

Everything I knew about Houston when I came to interview for a job here three years ago, I learned from the movie documentary "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room." I wondered back then whether Enron's culture of greed was a total one-off, or said something larger about Houston.

I still don't have a hard and fast answer, though my hunch is that Enron was sui generis. Houston has many virtues, and its share of flaws, but unbridled greed doesn't seem to be one of them. Besides, it's been 15 years since the company's spectacular demise, and no one talks about Enron anymore  at least not to me.
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This story appeared in the Houston Chronicle on May 4, 1968. The words and headlines are reprinted as they ran then.

Doctors at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital here today transferred the heart of a young woman who died of a gunshot wound to a man whose "ragged" heart was faltering.

This afternoon, some 12 hours after the operation began, the patient's condition was reported "encouraging" and he was showing no indication of rejecting his new heart.

Recipient of the heart is Everett Claire Thomas 47, of Phoenix, Ariz., an accountant. He is the world's ninth heart transplant case.

Lungs Are Clear

Dr. Denton Cooley, who headed the team of surgeons of Baylor University college of medicine, told newsmen:

"I do not want to sound too optimistic, but the patient's condition is encouraging. The liver that previously was enlarged has been reduced, the lungs previously filled with fluid are now clear, and the kidneys are working well."

Dr. Grady Hallman, also of the heart transplant team, said "we have detected no sign that he is attempting to reject the heart."

The surgeons disclosed they modified techniques employed in earlier heart transplants.

A part of the donor's heart usually not removed was taken, and no effort was made to keep the donor heart supplied with blood during the operation.

Instead, speed was relied upon to let the transplanted heart resume functioning before tissue damage occurred from lack of blood.

Pulse Is Normal

Dr. Cooley said of the patient: "His blood pressure and pulse are normal. Three hours after the operation he was awake and responded to commands."

The surgeon added that "you must remember he has been a very sick man, bedridden for weeks and several times at the point of death. He is very weak, but we hope he can recover."

The team that performed the transplant operation included Dr. Cooley, Dr. Hallman and Dr. Robert E. Bloodwell. Dr. Cooley said they were assisted by about 20 nurses, technicians and other hospital personnel.

Thomas, who originally had been slated for replacement of all three heart valves, received the heart of a 15-year-old married woman.

The donor was identified by her father-in-law and Mrs. Kathleen Martin of 5509 Charrin Dr. in north Harris County. She and her husband, Charlie L. Martin III, 18, had been married about six months, said the father-in-law, Charlie L. Martin Jr.

The young woman was brought to St. Luke's about 6 p.m. Thursday gravely injured by a gunshot wound in the brain.

She was kept alive for three hours by artificial respiration. However, she remained in a coma and all attempts to resuscitate her failed, said a hospital spokesman.

A brain wave test using an electro encephalogram could find no indication of brain activity. Doctors concluded the brain was irreversibly damaged.

When she died shortly before midnight, Thomas was taken to the operating room. His chest was opened and his damaged heart examined. The surgeons found dense calcium deposits around one valve. The deposits extended into the wall between the two heart chambers and the opening where blood vessels enter the heart.

The donor heart was moved to the operating room.

The lower part of Thomas' heart was removed. The two lower chambers of the donor heart were sewed in place. This technique of heart transplant was developed by Dr. Norman Shumway of Stanford University Medical School, who only Thursday performed the eighth human heart transplant.

When the heart chambers were in place, the large blood vessels from the donor heart were attached to those of Thomas.

Clamps blocking the blood from the area were removed and heart action resumed. At first the heart beat was wildly erratic.

Hospital officials said a single electric shock restored the regular heart beat.

They said Thomas' blood pressure became normal.

The transplant began at 1:01 a.m. and ended at 1:36 a.m. The entire operation lasted three hours.

A heart lung machine, which provides oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide during open heart surgery, was used for 46 minutes.

Thomas, at 3 a.m., was taken to a special room inside the surgical suite. His condition was described as satisfactory.

Within this room, a germ-free environment is maintained.

The decision for a heart implant operation resulted from swiftly moving events that began when Mrs. Martin was taken to Ben Taub Hospital at 3:15 p.m. with a gunshot wound in the head. A sheriff's department report said the wound was self-inflicted.

Mrs. Martin had been a patient of Dr. Cooley, who earlier had performed an operation to correct a narrowing of an artery leading from her heart. Her family wanted Mrs. Martin to be treated by Dr. Cooley again, so she was transferred to St. Luke's about 6 p.m.

William Forster, administrator of Ben Taub, said the hospital board has forbidden release of bodies for transplant purposes except after "grave precautions" have been taken, including a ruling by a special committee that a transplant could be made.

In this case, the patient was transferred to St. Luke's while she was still alive. It was only after the physicians could find no indication of brain activity that the transplant decision was made.

Permission was obtained from Thomas and from members of Mrs. Martin's family.

The hospital said Thomas' heart was damaged extensively from rheumatic fever 15 years ago. Thomas, a Roman Catholic, entered the hospital for replacement of three heart valves. Surgery originally was scheduled for today.

Thomas, accompanied by his wife, Helen, came to the hospital Sunday. Mrs. Thomas was at the hospital when the historic operation was performed.

The couple has three sons, who remained in Phoenix. They are Karl, 12, Paul, 17, and Mark, 20.

The first human heart transplant was performed Dec. 3 by Dr. Christian Barnard in Cape Town, South Africa.

Three of the nine transplant patients still survive, including Thomas, Dr. Phillip Blaiberg, a South African dentist, is the only long time survivor. He has now returned home. His operation was performed on Jan. 2.

Surgeons in London today were attempting the 10th known transplant. They were putting the heart of an Irish construction worker, who died in a fall, into the body of another man.

UPDATE

Everett Thomas was the first U.S. heart transplant recipient well enough to go home from the hospital. On Nov. 21, 1968, Thomas received a second heart transplant at St. Luke's in Houston after showing signs of rejecting the first heart. Cooley led the team that performed the second operation. A Chronicle story at the time noted it was the Cooley team's 15th heart transplant and the 25th done in Houston.

Thomas died two days later. At the time he had been the longest-living American with a transplanted heart and the world's second man to get two transplanted hearts.

Cooley remained the president emeritus of the Texas Heart Institute, which he founded in 1962, until his death last month.

- Erin Mulvaney
Beer distributor and investor Frank Horlock, a longtime Houstonian, died last Monday in Corpus Christi. He was 91.

Horlock was active in city affairs, serving as director of the Houston Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Council in the 1980s. Then, he entertained visitors from around the world through Houston Proud, a campaign by the city's economic development council.

His business empire was built on beer distribution, and at one point, he owned the Miller Lite distributorship. He led Pearl Brewing Company as board chairman and CEO and was a past president of the Houston Wholesale Beer Distributors Association.

Born in 1925, Horlock eloped with his high-school sweetheart, Mary Grace in Bellville, dressed in his Texas A&M uniform. He served in the Army Air Forces in communications before they moved back to Houston, where he built his business.

When he was asked about marrying his wife upon her death in 2010, he laughed. "I just fooled her, I guess."

The couple moved to a 10,000-acre ranch near Riviera - complete with exotic wildlife - full time about 25 years ago. At the ranch, political and business leaders visited the Horlocks for quail and big- game hunting and socializing. Trophy buck hunters would pay $4,000 to stay at the plush ranch grounds for three days and hunt.

Later, the couple moved to a nearby bay house.

He is preceded in death by his wife and two of his children. He is survived by a son, a granddaughter and a son-in-law.

Services were held Saturday at 1 p.m. in Kingsville, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Cissy Horlock Taub Women's Center in Kingsville's Christus Spohn Kleberg Hospital.
GALVESTON - Reacting to a groundswell of concern about the effect of plastic bags on the environment, Galveston is on the forefront of a statewide controversy over cities' ability to ban plastic bags that are killing turtles, birds and fouling beaches.

A proposed ordinance with unanimous City Council support and strong community backing faces fierce opposition from outside forces, including conservative think tanks and plastic bag manufacturers who have already sent threatening letters.

About 11 cities in Texas ban plastic bags, and several of them are facing lawsuits over the bans. Dallas quickly rescinded a 5-cent tax on plastic bags last year after bag manufacturers filed a lawsuit.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Brownsville for imposing a $1 per transaction fee at businesses that continue to offer disposable bags, and a lawsuit against Laredo by the Laredo Merchants Association is before the Texas Supreme Court.

State Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, a self-described tea party activist, has introduced Senate Bill 103 to prevent municipalities from banning or taxing plastic bags.

Advocates say the bags are an annoying eyesore that clog sewers and are found drifting in the ocean, contributing to the "great Pacific garbage patch," a conglomeration of plastic the size of Texas in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Ranchers complain that cattle eat the bags and die, a problem that led Fort Stockton in West Texas to approve a ban.

After suffering state-wide bans in Hawaii and California, plastic bag manufacturers and their allies are taking a stand in Texas.

Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough LLP, a law firm based in Columbia, S.C., sent a warning letter that council members were given at a recent workshop where they discussed a draft of the bag-ban ordinance.

"It didn't faze me," said Councilman Craig Brown, who urged the city attorney to draft the ordinance.

The other council members appeared to be unaffected by the threat, voicing their unanimous support for the idea.

Brown said he expected the council to vote on the ordinance by the middle of next year. Once it takes effect, retailers will have a year to phase out plastic bags.

Custodians of the Gulf

A concerted attempt to organize support for reusable bags began in 2013 when a group of Galveston residents met and dubbed the campaign "Bring the Bag," said Joanie Steinhouse, who heads the Galveston office of the Turtle Island Restoration Network. Word of the effort reached Robert Lynch, president of the Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund, which made $20,000 available for purchasing reusable bags for small businesses affected by the new ordinance once it's approved.

Lynch saw nationwide plastic bag bans in his international travels, even in Rwanda, a small country in Africa. "If Rwanda can do this, why can't Galveston?" he asked.

"One of the major reasons we need to outlaw the bags is a lot of them are floating out on the water and thus killing a lot of marine life out there," Lynch said. "We are the custodians of our beach and our Gulf."

Not all businesses support the ban, but it has the backing of the influential Galveston Hotel and Lodging Association. "As business operators we typically don't like this type of business regulation," said Steve Cunningham, association president and manager of the Hotel Galvez. "But being on the Gulf, this one is necessary because of the damage to the wildlife and the environment."

City Attorney Don Glywasky drafted the Galveston ordinance to avoid the legal pitfalls encountered by cities such as Laredo. The Laredo bag ban was challenged under the 1993 Solid Waste Disposal law that bars local governments from adopting regulations to "prohibit or restrict, for solid waste management purposes, the sale or use of a container or package in a manner not authorized by state law."

Glywasky believes Galveston is unique. "I don't really see that this is a solid waste management issue," he said. "If we can cut down on some of the plastic bags that go into the marine environment, that is not something for the purpose of solid waste, it is for the protection of the marine environment on which we depend."

That argument drew no sympathy from an influential conservative organization, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. James Quintero, director of the foundation's Center for Local Governance and Think Local Liberty, said Galveston's proposed ordinance conflicts with state law.

"Our position would be that Galveston's ordinance, no matter what the stated reason would be, is still prohibiting containers," said Bryan Mathew, policy analyst for Texas Public Policy Foundation. "In our view, a lot of local governments have been attempting to regulate out of bounds by hiding under the term of local control."

'California-ized'

Mathew called anything that smacks of what Gov. Greg Abbott lamented were attempts to make Texas more like California "out of bounds."

"Texas is being California-ized and you may not even be noticing it," Abbott said last year during remarks at a Public Policy Foundation gathering, where he warned of "a patchwork quilt of bans and rules and regulations that is eroding the Texas model."

That erosion would include anything that hinders "people from being able to sell and buy with minimal government regulation and a low tax burden," Mathew said.

Mathew saw no contradiction with the traditional conservative support for local control, arguing that local control refers to legislatures, not local governments.

"Utter hogwash," said Zach Trahan, spokesman for Texas Campaign for the Environment. "They made it up this last year to justify their abandonment of local control."

Bills in previous legislative sessions aimed at shackling local authority to ban plastic bags have died quick deaths, but this year could be different, warned Melanie Scruggs, program director for the Texas Campaign for the Environment's Houston office.

Bills aiming at restricting cities' rights to ban plastic bags, like SB 103, are sure to run into stiff opposition from organizations like the Texas Municipal League. "It's an abandonment of the concept of local control," said Bennett Sandlin, Municipal League executive director. "Most cities will never do it, but for the cities that want to do it, they have good reasons."

He said it would be a mistake for the Legislature to impose a solution that might not be right for every city.

On the other side are powerful business organizations like the Texas Retailers Association. "The patchwork of requirements put in place by these bans on a local level make it increasingly difficult for retailers to accurately comply while also not being effective in making a positive environmental impact," association President George Kelemen said in an email. "TRA supports Sen. Hall's legislation as filed."

High court may decide

Scruggs said a coalition of diverse organizations is ready to back legislation strengthening local control, although a bill had not been introduced as of the last week in November.

A Texas Supreme Court decision in the Laredo case also could undermine or strengthen local authority. Laredo argued that its ban was for beautification and clogged sewer drains and had nothing to do with solid waste, but the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled otherwise in August. The city appealed and the Supreme Court is expected to rule sometime next year.

Galveston officials appear to know exactly what they are getting into.

"I'm proud of Galveston for moving forward on this even though they knew the industry bullies would be after them," said Trahan, the Campaign for the Environment spokesman.
The Houston Zoo announced Monday that it has abandoned the use of plastic bags in its two gift shops, opting for reusable bags that can be purchased at the register.

A line of canvas bags that can be reused, featuring artistic depictions of zoo animals, also is being expanded.
VICTORIA  Refugees, immigrants and other kids who do not speak English are entitled to the same special education services as native speakers. But in this Southeast Texas city, they seldom get them.

Just 39 of the nearly 1,000 English Language Learners here receive services like tutoring, counseling and speech therapy, 70 percent fewer per capita than a decade ago.

Many more need help, but usually, teachers say, their pleas are ignored.

"It's almost impossible to get my kids into special ed," said Arlene De Los Santos of Patti Welder Middle School. "They have to have very, very severe needs for the school to even consider it."

The situation in Victoria exemplifies a new reality playing out across Texas.

From Beaumont to El Paso, school districts facing pressure to lower their special education numbers have decided to do it by shutting out thousands of English Language Learners, the Houston Chronicle has found.

Districts have used a range of tactics, from refusing to conduct eligibility evaluations in other languages or accept medical records from other countries to blaming language barriers for problems caused by disabilities, according to data and interviews with dozens of current and former educators. Some have eliminated special education altogether from schools for international students.

Many districts have even held trainings to warn teachers that English learners are over-identified in special education, when statistics show the opposite is true.

The moves have taken place as immigration politics have become increasingly sensitive in Texas. Most English learners were born in the United States, studies show, but many have parents who are not American citizens.

The revelations add a civil rights dimension to the controversy over the Texas Education Agency's decision to set a special education enrollment target.

Statewide, only 7.3 percent of English learners now get special education , compared to 8.7 percent for native speakers. That 20 percent difference is three times higher than the gap that existed when the target began in 2004.

"Even if the policy was not meant to be discriminatory, it has clearly had that effect," said Gary Orfield, a prominent longtime social scientist and co-founder of The Civil Rights Project while at Harvard University, who called it the most outrageous education policy he's ever seen. "If schools are creating systems in which students are not getting services simply because of the language they speak, that's discrimination."

The TEA target, which the Chronicle revealed earlier this year, set 8.5 percent as the ideal maximum rate of students who should be in special education. Agency officials have audited school districts for exceeding the benchmark and penalized districts for over-identification of minorities. But they have not levied any punishments for under-identification.

As a result, Texas has lowered its overall special education rate from near the longtime national average of 13 percent to exactly 8.5 percent. That is the lowest of any state, by far.

If English Language Learners were in special education at the same rate as they were in 2004, about 40,000 more of them would now be receiving those services.

The U.S. Department of Education, which is hosting public "listening sessions" in five Texas cities this week as part of an investigation into the issue, has said it is particularly concerned about the low number of English learners in special ed.

In defending the benchmark to federal regulators last month, TEA officials acknowledged "some possible under-representation" of English learners.

They declined to answer questions for this story.

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

When Karen Aramburu moved from Mexico to Houston two years ago, she thought she would get help for her daughter, then 11 and dealing with autism, epilepsy and hypotania, a muscle disorder.

But when she asked Houston Independent School District for special education, she was told there was a "waiting list" for eligibility evaluations.

Aramburu, who cares for her daughter full time while her husband works as a candy distributor, did not get any information about the process in the only language she speaks  Spanish. She did not know there was no such thing as a waiting list. Or that she could compel the district to evaluate her daughter by filing a written request. HISD, which provides special education to 7.4 percent of students and just 5.3 percent of English learners, did not tell her or perform an evaluation, even as Alexia got failing grades, cried throughout classes and had bathroom accidents, records show.

More than a year later, an advocate finally told Aramburu how to force HISD to evaluate, and Alexia was found eligible for extensive services.

"Nobody told me until it was so late," Aramburu said in Spanish on a recent afternoon, grimacing as she gazed at her daughter.

The family now lives in Katy.

A HISD spokesman said the district does give families information in Spanish and focuses on proper identification of disabled English learners.

Many educators said immigrants often do not understand how special ed works. Part of the reason for the dramatic drop among English learners, they said, is that parents are less able to fight the hurdles the TEA target has brought for all families seeking special education.

"These parents don't understand the system," said Iliana Benitez, a social worker at Baylor College of Medicine. "Culturally, they're not inclined to speak up ... and nobody tells them they have rights."

Many school districts have actively worked to keep English learners out of special education so they can keep their overall numbers low, the Chronicle has found.

Dozens of current and former educators said they were made to attend trainings in which they were told that the TEA had concluded they were over-identifying English learners. Virtually all those districts were actually under-identifying them, data show.

At the trainings, the educators said they were told to assume struggles of English learners were the result of language issues and to request special ed evaluations only for failures lasting months or years.

"They always try to pass off deficits as due to language and cultural barriers," former Fort Worth teacher Megan Houston said. "So (the kids) have to fail classes to get tested, even when the teacher, counselor, principal, etc all can tell it's more than a language problem."

Parents reported more subtle discrimination.

Rosa Sanchez of El Paso said that when she asked that her kindergartener be tested for dyslexia, Canutillo ISD refused and only gave her information on how to appeal in English.

Evangelina Cardenas of Pflugerville, in Central Texas, said that when she noticed her shy daughter was struggling in school, she asked to observe her in class to see if she should request special education. She said she was turned away because "only parents with Social Security Numbers" can observe.

Her daughter, Ashley, fell further and further behind. The district warned the family about it in 2013, school records show, and she got a 24 percent on her first state math test.

But the district did not put her in special ed until this fall, when an advocate intervened  four years after her issues first arose.

In Desoto ISD, near Dallas, former school psychologist Marcy Barlow said her school decided that students could be classified as either English Language Learner or special education  but not both.

And in Beaumont ISD, multiple current and former employees said the district does not accept medical records from other countries, does not conduct evaluations in other languages and only rarely allows English learners to also be in special ed.

A spokeswoman denied those allegations and said the district gives special ed to all who need it.

The district, which has been under scrutiny for poor performance and dysfunction, now serves just 4.2 percent of English learners in special ed. Its overall rate is 7.5 percent.

"It's very important to the district to stay below the TEA cap," said Janice Brassard, who taught at the district for 27 years and then served on the school board for nine, up until 2014. "(English learners) are getting language services, so they say, 'Well, they're already serviced.'"

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

Federal law requires schools to provide both language and disability services to disabled English learners, and experts say both are critical.

"Think of a student as a flower," said Madeline Mavrogordato, an education professor at Michigan State University. "If you only give them language services and not disability services, you're giving them only sun and not water. It's not enough."

Mavrogordato and other experts also said English learners are just as likely as native speakers to have disabilities.

In fact, research has found English learners and other minorities are more prone to disabilities because they are more likely to be born prematurely, at low weight or with fetal alcohol system and to be malnourished or exposed to toxins like lead.

"There is absolutely no reason for them to be in special ed less often," said Jarice Butterfield, the director of special ed for California's Santa Barbara County and an expert on disabled English learners.

Nevertheless, unlike African Americans, who have been put in special ed at higher rates than white students nationwide, prompting concern from some academics and officials, English learners have historically been under-identified.

In the past, that has been partly due to difficulty in discerning whether student struggles were caused by linguistic problems or disabilities, but that issue has eased with new tests in other languages, said several experts, including Butterfield.

"That shouldn't be a major issue," she said.

In Texas, before the TEA benchmark, when about 12 percent of all students were in special ed, English learners had a lower rate (11 percent) and African Americans had a higher rate (14 percent), according to state data.

After a decade in which the state has pressured school districts to cut special education  and has penalized districts for over-identification  little has changed for African Americans. They are still more likely to get services than white students, and the divergence is almost exactly the same rate.

For English learners, however, there has been a significant decline.

Few places have been more affected than Victoria, a city near the Gulf of Mexico that is best known for hosting a country music festival called Bootfest.

The city gave special ed to 11.8 percent of students before the TEA target, including 13 percent of English learners.

Today, the rate for English learners has sunk to 4 percent, helping to drop the overall district rate to 8.9 percent.

De Los Santos and others said the district often cautions teachers against requesting that English learners be evaluated, citing "over-identification."

That has led to a 78 percent decline in English learners identified as having "learning disabilities," such as dyslexia, and a 55 percent drop in the speech impairment category.

In addition, according to Victoria ISD, none of its nearly 1,000 English learners has autism.

A spokeswoman said the district "has remained dedicated to addressing the needs of our ELL student population." She added that Victoria ISD does not pay special attention to the TEA benchmark.

A review of school board meeting notes shows otherwise.

The benchmark has been described as a goal at several meetings. At one, in October 2014, special education director Michelle Goebel said the district's special education rate had fallen to 8.6 percent, very close to the "TEA target" of 8.5 percent.

"We are definitely headed in the right direction," she said.

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

In some Texas schools for English learners, special ed does not exist at all.

Austin ISD's International High School, a new campus for foreign newcomers, had just one special ed student among its 368 kids and no special ed teachers in the 2014-15 year, state data show.

Similar dynamics now exist in many schools. Houston ISD's Las Americas school only evaluated one of its 144 students for special education last year, according to the district.

In Austin, four current and former International High School employees blamed the TEA benchmark for the lack of services, saying administrators have blocked their school's students from special ed to help keep the district's overall numbers low.

"The district decided to make it extraordinarily difficult for our students to get special education...," said Peggy Robinson, who retired from the district in August 2015. "I think the cap is the reason."

Austin ISD declined comment.

The lack of services has had disastrous consequences, educators said.

In August 2011, an International High School student named Marcos Cruz brandished a knife at several people, including two boys on their way to an East Austin bus stop. Cruz was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which can result in a lifelong prison sentence.

Before the incident, Cruz's teachers had tried to get him into psychiatric counseling. But administrators had turned them away, claiming he was struggling only because he could not speak English.

Five years later, former English teacher Melissa Arasin still wonders what would have happened if he had gotten special ed.

"It was clear it wasn't just a language issue. This kid needed help," she said. "Everybody knew it."

***

For others, the suffering has unfolded more slowly.

When Andres Hernandez arrived from Matamoros, Mexico in 2006, it was obvious he had special challenges. He was diagnosed with dyslexia, and his family hoped his school would help.

But they were in Beaumont, where schools were cutting back on English learners in special ed.

The district did not even test to see if Hernandez qualified for services, records show. Instead, according to his mother, Irene Aviles, the district told her it could not do evaluations in Spanish.

Aviles was a single mother working at two different restaurants. She could not fight the district.

Over the next few years, her son struggled. He had to repeat eighth grade. But he was never evaluated for special education.

Last year, he dropped out of school.

Now, Hernandez is about to turn 19. He is a friendly young man who loves to play the drums and wants to be a mechanic, but he is struggling to get a GED.

"I'm worried, and I feel guilty," Aviles said in Spanish. "I wish there was something more that I could have done."

Staff photographer Marie D. De Jesus contributed reporting to this story.
Texas parents have complained unsuccessfully for years to school districts and state officials about how hard it is to get special education services for their kids.

This week, they'll have the chance to air those grievances with an audience they hope will be more receptive: Officials from the U.S. Department of Education. They are coming to five cities across the state to hear from parents about how difficult it has been for them to obtain special education services for their children.

The "listening sessions" mark the latest step in a federal probe prompted by a Houston Chronicle investigation that found state officials quietly implemented an 8.5 percent benchmark on special education enrollments 12 years ago.

RELATED: Click here to read our full investigation

The benchmark saved the Texas Education Agency and local school districts billions of dollars but denied vital supports to tens of thousands of children with a range of serious disabilities, the Chronicle's investigation found.

In response to the revelations, the U.S. Department of Education ordered the TEA to end the benchmark unless it could prove that no children with disabilities have been deprived of services. Federal officials also asked the state to come up with a plan to "remedy" the past denial of services.

The TEA has vigorously defended the benchmark and said no students were denied access to services. Nonetheless, the agency told federal officials that it was suspending the benchmark and pledged to do away with it entirely.

More Information Houston listening session When: 6-8 p.m. today Where: McKinney Conference Center, Room 100 A-F, 7145 W. Tidwell, Houston, TX. See More Collapse

Disability rights advocates said they looked forward to the sessions, which start tonight in Houston and Dallas. Officials will hold sessions in Edinburg and El Paso on Tuesday and in Austin Thursday.

"We expect that these listening sessions will put pressure on TEA to abandon their misguided cap once and for all," said Dustin Rynders of Disability Rights Texas. "Once that happens, we can begin the work of changing the culture of denying students with disabilities needed services."

Districts oppose policy

Already, top school officials in nine of the biggest school districts in the state have expressed opposition to the TEA's benchmark. The group includes Houston Independent School District as well as Arlington ISD, Dallas ISD, San Antonio ISD and Northside ISD and districts in El Paso, Fort Bend County, Lewisville and Brownsville.

"There should not be a benchmark," said Anthony Tomasheski, the special education chief in El Paso ISD, which is among the 4 percent of school districts in the state that have not reduced their special education enrollments in the years since the TEA benchmark began. "It is crucial to service students not based on a number, but based on need."

More than a dozen others contacted by the Chronicle declined to say whether or not they opposed the TEA's policy.

State Senate Minority Leader Jose Rodriguez, who recently filed legislation seeking to abolish the benchmark limiting special ed enrollment, said he hoped the TEA would hold more listening sessions in other parts of the state in the future.

"It's important that the agency put faces to this issue, and hears from families who feel that their children were kept from needed educational services because of this enrollment indicator policy," he said in an email. "I hope these sessions will inform how TEA, and us lawmakers, can improve how Texas identifies and serves children with special needs."

A TEA spokesman said the agency had been working with the Department of Education and would be attending all of them to hear from parents.

"The listening sessions parallel our ongoing efforts on the state level to continue to get feedback on this important issue," Gene Acuna said in an email.

'Delayed and delayed'

In addition, by Sunday afternoon, more than 60 parents and teachers had submitted comments to the Department of Education in advance of the sessions, many describing roadblocks they had encountered in trying to obtain special education services for their students or children.

"I was often told that 'your numbers are too high,' one special education teacher wrote, describing pressure from administrators to reduce the number of students receiving special ed. "Students did not always receive the services they needed."

Another person who identified herself as a first-grade teacher in a South Texas district wrote that one year she had five students she thought might benefit from special ed services.

"I was told to choose one for testing," she wrote. "When I asked about testing for the others, I was told to hope that another teacher in their future would refer them."

The mother of child with cerebral palsy in Round Rock ISD wrote that officials there performed an extremely informal evaluation of their son before denying him help.

"They told us that eventually he would need services but was too young to need them at that age given he had physical challenges only," she wrote. "We didn't dispute the findings since we were new to the process and didn't realize we could dispute. Once the Chronicle story broke, we felt very strongly that our son was caught up in the 8.5% quota and the RRISD Special Ed Dept saw it as an easier one to deny to keep to their numbers."

The grandmother of a former Conroe ISD student wrote that officials there obstructed services to her grandchild, who has attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and a mood disorder.

"They delayed and delayed and set meetings and promised they would give some kind of 'informal' help but gave him nothing," she wrote. "It is one of the cruelest scams imaginable, to take money from a fund for special education - and even if it is one dollar - to do this to children. It would be much kinder to say, we have no special education for children, just to stop wasting years of children's precious formative years so that at least parents and children could know honestly what to do instead of waiting for help that never came."

Brian M. Rosenthal contributed to this story.
Robert Dean Smith and Cleta Maria Grogan of West Plains were united in marriage Dec. 22, 1956, in Tyrone. Dean and Maria are both graduates of Summersville High School.

After a brief stint in California, the couple returned to Houston and remained there until moving to West Plains, Mo. in 1994 upon Deans retirement from the Division of Family Services and Marias retirement from Verizon.

The Smiths have one son, one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to: 1903 Katherine Dr., West Plains, Mo. 65775. Submitted photo
Zoa Joanne Branson Spalinger, 72, of Shell Knob, passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

She was born Jan. 13, 1944, in Raymondville, daughter of Henry H. and Zoa P. Densmore Branson. She and Werner Spalinger were married Jan. 23, 1965.

She attended grade school at Friendship School, a two-room school east of Raymondville. She graduated from Houston High School in 1962.

She was a Christian and active member of a Baptist church in Shell Knob.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Werner; and a halfbrother, Floyd Branson.

Survivors include a son, Richard of Nixa; two stepsons; two stepdaughers; three sisters, Carol Davis of Duncan, Okla., Linda Armour of Pea Ridge, Ark., and Donna McDaniel of Bonne Terre; a brother, Kennedy Branson of Fort Worth, Texas; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were Friday, Dec. 2, at Chapel Hill Mortuary in Kirkwood. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Kirkwood.
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In a move that unions have long sought and employers, particularly franchise operations, have long feared, a recent party-line decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) vastly expanded the definition of an employer under federal labor law. The board redefined what it means to be a joint employer and in so doing made Browning-Ferris Industries the joint employer of the employees of one of its subcontractors, making it equally liable for its subcontractors labor law violations and exposing it to the possibility of being forced to negotiate with a union representing those same employees. The damage that this decision could do to businesses from franchisors and franchisees to staffing agencies and their clients could be devastating, particularly if it becomes the rule in the context of all federal labor and employment laws. Briefly, under prior board decisions to be a joint employer required that the putative employer have direct and immediate control over the wages, hours and working conditions of the employees in question. This standard allowed franchisors to exercise some general control, particularly to protect the integrity of the brand, but otherwise recognized a franchisees close control over actual working conditions. Under the new and, frankly, rather vague standard, a company may be a joint employer if it exercises even indirect control over working conditions or, more ominously, if it merely reserves th...
According to the latest Randstad Workmonitor report, employees in Singapore remain one of the most optimistic about receiving year-end bonuses and salary increases, despite the slowing economy and retrenchments in certain industries.



Sixty-eight per cent of workers surveyed in Singapore said they are confident that they will receive year-end bonuses while another 58% said that they expect to receive an increase in their salary in the coming year.



This is much higher than the global average of 49% for a year-end bonus and 53% for a salary increment, said the report.



Women employees were also much more confident about a year-end bonus than their male counterparts with 73% saying they were optimistic while only 63% of men believed the same, they said.



Where millennials aged 18 to 34 are concerned, 71% expected a salary increase, compared with only 51% of their older peers aged between 35 and 54, added a report by TODAYOnline.



While it remains to be seen how generous organisations are with regard to rewarding their employees this year, it is crucial for these companies to consider the importance of keeping their employees happy, claimed Michael Smith, managing director for Randstad Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.



Research has shown the cost of replacing an employee can surpass the cost of a raise and bonus by many multiples, he added.



Workers in Hong Kong placed greater emphasis on their salaries with 67% saying they expected a raise compared to 60% who expected a bonus.



However, Malaysian employees remained the most optimistic with 77% expecting a bonus and 74% expecting a raise.



It is interesting to see that despite the weaker economic climate, employees in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia have remained very confident about their remuneration, said Smith.


Over the years, "A Christmas Story" has become a must-watch movie over the holidays. The little 1983 indie film and Ralphie, its star character, only seem to grow in popularity over time.

How 'A Christmas Story' went from low-budget fluke to an American tradition https://t.co/Bai38KHGmGpic.twitter.com/pQffC755NT  VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) November 30, 2016

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People keep watching it over and over and over and over, Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie, told Buzzfeed. It just doesnt go away.

Billingsley is now 45 and mostly works behind the scenes in Hollywood these days.

His producer credits include "The Break-Up" and "Made." He also directed "Couples Retreat."

He is thankful for his success and credits his parents for the fact he didn't follow in the footsteps of some ill-fated child stars.

Well, you grew up faster, I think, in some ways, Billingsley told Buzzfeed about being a child actor. Theres a sense of responsibility that maybe other [kids] dont have. But my parents kept that very much in perspective. It was always regarded as a privilege [and] an honour to be a part of this stuff.

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To find out more about what he's doing now, watch the video above.

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Dramatic footage released by the RCMP shows just how real Alberta's opioid crisis has become.

In the short clip, a Mountie and a civilian can been seen performing CPR on a man in the bed of a moving pickup truck. It is believed the man was overdosing on the drug fentanyl.

According to RCMP, the Sept. 28 video was captured on the dashcam of an RCMP vehicle following behind the pickup truck in the town of Athabasca. The truck was heading to hospital when the footage was taken.

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"The officer was flagged down by somebody in a pickup truck who were frantically trying to get some help for this man, who was very clearly in medical distress, Cpl. Laurel Scott told Global News.

"So he assessed the situation, did a bit of a risk assessment, called EMS and decided he had to do something very, very quickly. He couldnt wait for EMS. I think he realized this may be a patient in medical distress due to a fentanyl overdose."

Story continues below:

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CBC News reports that the man in crisis was transferred to an Edmonton-area hospital in serious condition, and has since recovered.

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have been on the rise in Alberta in recent years  according to Alberta Health, there have been 193 deaths related to fentanyl from January to September of 2016. Last year, there were 257 fentanyl-related deaths reported in Alberta.

In October, police officers and health experts from across the country met in Calgary for a two-day conference to discuss Canada's ongoing opioid crisis.

Also on HuffPost
OTTAWA  Celebrity businessman Kevin OLeary unofficially launched his bid for the Conservative leadership Monday, promising that the next election will be an ugly fight against Justin Trudeaus Liberals.

2019 is not an election, it is an exorcism, OLeary told approximately 30 Tory MPs who gathered to hear his thoughts at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

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Over a catered lunch of carrot and ginger soup, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, lemon squares, and pinot noir and Stella Artois, OLeary told them he thinks he can win the next election with a ugly and nasty campaign but feels he needs their support.

Its going to be war, its going to be ugly, youre going to hear a lot of bad things, OLeary promised. I have to know you have my back if were going to start this. That is what Im asking for.

OLeary painted Trudeau as a complete incompetent who is mismanaging the Canadian economy and digging it into a dark hole.

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He suggested the prime ministers lack of business and negotiating experience is costing the country dearly.

Kevin O'Leary Speaks To Conservative Caucus Members Kevin O'Leary speaks to some members of the Conservative caucus. Posted by The Huffington Post Canada Politics on Monday, 12 December 2016

He is a fine surfer dude. And this is an excellent adventure for him, but he is killing our country, OLeary said.

By introducing a carbon price nationally while the United States moves in another direction, OLeary said Canada will miss out on billions of investment dollars.

Why would I invest here when I can invest in U.S. Texas shale and make a 30 per cent higher free cash flow? You dont have to be an idiot to understand that, he said.

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But Trudeau alone isnt responsible, the TV businessman declared. The prime ministers principal secretary, Gerald Butts, is really the person setting policy, OLeary said.

"He is a fine surfer dude. And this is an excellent adventure for him, but he is killing our country."

Butts, who served Ontario Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty up until 2008, was described as a dark and sinister force in the province who, OLeary suggested, is to blame for Ontarians crushing electricity costs. Ontarios debt is more than $280 billion and the province is one of the highest tax jurisdictions in North America, OLeary said, placing the blame on Butts.

He is now destroying all of the provinces with new taxes and initiatives that make this entire country uncompetitive. Time to shine the light on Gerald, OLeary said.

The television investor from Shark Tank, a business venture reality show on U.S. network ABC, and the Dragons Den on CBC told the Tories and a handful of media that, under his leadership, the partys next election would focus on: 1) Trudeau, 2) Butts and 3) Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

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Im going to make them famous, OLeary said, to laughter from the crowd. I want them to own this. They deserve all the credit for their policies and by chance the downside come 2019. These are the three riders of the economic apocalypse.

The longer Butts is in place, the more damage is going to be done, OLeary declared.

The likely leadership candidate repeatedly told the group of Tory MPs, which included veterans such as Gord Brown, Michelle Rempel, James Bezan, Cheryl Gallant, Dan Albas and Bernard Genereux, as well as newer MPs such as Larry McGuire, Arnold Viersen, Garnett Genuis, and Marilyn Gladu, that while he has a bunch of ideas that he believes can expand the Conservative party and bring a majority mandate, he needs to know caucus is behind him.

You have to have my back to do that. I need to have yours. This is the beginning of a journey, he said, likening the group to a board of directors. Im going to be a very, very, very unconventional candidate. Its going to get extremely nasty out there.

OLeary acknowledged that he doesnt speak French and cant speak to the seven million Canadians who claim it as their mother tongue.

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I dont speak French. However, I was born in Montreal, he told the small crowd, describing summers picking apples at his grandmothers in Quebec and attending McGill University.

Says he will try to learn French

This is a province I know very well. Will I learn French? Youre damn right Im going to try. I have three years to do it.

But OLeary also played down his need to know French, suggesting the provinces 18- to 35-year-olds  a group Trudeau successfully courted in 2015 and whom OLeary plans to engage with a jobs-based message  are almost all bilingual.

You can speak five languages and still not get anything done. To lead an economy out of a morass, an abyss, you have to be able to execute, regardless of your language skills, he said.

In language somewhat reminiscent of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, OLeary trumpeted his huge social media platform. He told MPs he reaches more people on Facebook Live than the networks reach in Canada. Im going to use it. Its going to be aggressive. It will be challenging sometimes, and it will not be business as usual.

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On his Twitter and Facebook accounts on Monday, OLeary posted about his trip to Ottawas Capitol Hill and was mocked online.

Had to do some business in #Ottawa this morning and thought I'd stop to say high at Parliament hill this afternoon...stay tuned for a live broadcast in the next hour! Posted by Kevin O'Leary on Monday, 12 December 2016

He told MPs he has no immediate plans to join the Conservative race but hinted that he will enter the fray in February  after Januarys French-only language debate.

Waiting for leadership race to thin out

I dont want to beat up 14 other Conservatives, OLeary said, by way of explanation.

I dont want to spend my energy fighting with fellow Conservatives; they have great ideas, all of them, he added, noting that some in the audience are already declared supporters of other candidates.

I would prefer that the natural Darwinian forces of finance cull that herd, because we are not going to have real debates until we are four or five  then we can talk to each other and bring forward to the members the concepts that they will decide on as to who should lead this party into the battle.

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Speaking to The Huffington Post Canada after his 17-minute speech, OLeary said he is still assessing the environment.

Im going to win

I wouldnt waste my time this way, I wouldnt be hiring all these people around me and going through the process of building infrastructure if I wasnt serious, but I am in the assessment phase for obvious reasons, he said.

I dont need to fight 14 Conservatives  because Im going to win.

Former Conservative Senate leader Marjory LeBreton, who is part of OLearys exploratory committee with Hill+Knowlton Strategies global vice-chairman Mike Coates, said a group of about eight to 10 people are canvassing to determine the feasibility of OLearys bid and plan to report back to him in January.

LeBreton is attracted to OLearys economic message, she said. I lived through Pierre Elliott Trudeaus economic regime, and that is sort of a movie Ive seen before and I didnt enjoy.

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Brown, the partys whip in the Commons, said he is neutral but clearly enjoyed OLearys speech, laughing several times.

He has some very interesting comments, Brown told HuffPost, adding that the Canadian electorate might be ready for a nasty fight after four years of damaging Trudeau policies, such as a carbon tax and larger than expected deficits.

Already, some people have to choose between paying their hydro bill and buying groceries, he said of Ontario policies in his riding. Canada is becoming less competitive. In a few months, we are going to have a government in the United States that is clearly opposed to all this [carbon pricing] and at the same time in Ontario our gasoline is going to go up, all of our transportation costs, all our energy costs are going up, he said.

Gladu said she felt a bit better about an OLeary candidacy after hearing his first exchange with the caucus. Where Kevin had previously said he speaks the language of jobs and he doesnt need to speak French, I think he recognizes that he does need to get there, and I think hes got a plan.

You cant subtract Quebec to become prime minister

She also said it was encouraging that OLeary had asked the Conservatives to have his back and promised not to make any more disparaging comments about the party.

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Genuis, who backs former House Speaker Andrew Scheer as leader, said he feels having a parliamentary track record is important but that having another voice will broaden the discussion and give the members more choice.

Genereux, the only Quebec MP in attendance, cautioned about an OLeary candidacy.

He is obviously an intelligent man. He is a man who knows how to count. In politics, you need to add, and you cannot subtract, he said. You cant subtract Quebec to become prime minister of Canada. So the ball is in his camp, the MP said.

There are currently 14 candidates for the Conservative party leadership. The deadline to enter the contest is Feb. 24, 2017.

With files from Catherine Levesque

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Luke Skywalker didn't notice any heat between Leia and Han!

Carrie Fisher recently revealed she and "Star Wars" costar Harrison Ford had a short-lived affair while shooting the first film in 1976, but if you'd asked Mark Hamill about it, he wouldn't have known what you were talking about.

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The 65-year-old actor spoke with ET last week, where he admitted he "was blissfully unaware" his on-screen sister was having a torrid affair with Ford.

"I was so self-involved at that point, they could've been doing it in front of me and I wouldn't have noticed," Hamill joked. "I was single and had my own agenda."

He also said he was glad he didn't know about Fisher and Ford's fling during the shoot, as he said it would have gotten in the way of filming.

"I think it might have been a distraction if I'd known what was going on," Hamill said.

He explained that while on-set romances are "commonplace," they can be "tricky" for the parties involved.

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"If the relationship doesn't last and you're on a TV series and you got four more seasons to go, it can be really awkward," Hamill said.

"It happened to me. I was with a girl who was playing my sister on a soap opera, 'General Hospital,'" he said, referring to his short romance with costar Anne Wyndham.

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher speak onstage at the Lucasfilm panel during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

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Speaking about the affair to People magazine, Fisher said, It was so intense. It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend."

The 60-year-old actress documented her romance with Ford in her new memoir, The Princess Diarist.

She also admitted to wishing that she fell for the handsome Hamill.

"I'm sorry it's not Mark [Hamill]  it could have been," she wrote in her journal soon after she and Ford began their three-month affair. "It should have been. It might've meant something. Maybe not much, but certainly more."

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After Donald Trump, a candidate whose arguably most defining moment in his campaign called for a "total and complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the country, became president-elect of the United States, many American Muslim women expressed a fear of wearing the hijab, thinking they may be the target of hate crimes.

My mom literally just texted me "don't wear the Hijab please" and she's the most religious person in our family....  nisha (@harryonmen) November 9, 2016

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But Nura Afia, who was named CoverGirl's first Muslim beauty ambassador in November, doesn't feel afraid for her life after Trump's win.

 A photo posted by Nura Afia *CoverGirl* (@nuralailalov) on Nov 19, 2016 at 3:46pm PST

In a new interview with Cosmopolitan, the 24-year-old beauty blogger discussed her public role during a time when Muslims are facing discrimination.

"It's a breath of fresh air for everyone," the Denver-based beauty told Cosmo of the reaction to her new role with CoverGirl. "As long as I've been alive, I don't think I've seen a hijabi in any type of commercial on U.S. television."

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 #Nuralailalov #babylailalov #blue #iceblue #ice #Denvermua #denvermakeupartist #bluemakeup A photo posted by Nura Afia *CoverGirl* (@nuralailalov) on Oct 14, 2016 at 4:41pm PDT

"A lot of people were intimidated and scared when Trump was elected and the response I saw to the campaign was very positive... everyone is happy that we're getting represented in a positive way instead of just bad all the time," she continued.

Afia is one of the faces of CoverGirl's #LashEquality mascara campaign alongside the brand's fist male ambassador, 17-year-old James Charles.

@covergirl  #lashequality #solashy #solashymascara #nuraafia #covergirl A video posted by Nura Afia *CoverGirl* (@nuralailalov) on Nov 27, 2016 at 10:36pm PST

"I [grew] up being insecure about wearing the hijab, [and] I never thought I would see Muslim women represented on such a large scale," Afia told Refinery29 of her new ambassadorship. "I hope [this campaign] will show Muslim women that brands care about us as consumers and we're important, especially hijabis. [We] can be featured on TV, [we] can be featured on billboards in Times Square. [We] can be represented."

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Afia believes Muslims have to "work harder on showing a different side" of their religion.

"Any time I hear someone saying something bad about Islam, I think that you just never know what experience they went through to get to that point," she said. "In my religion, we're taught to give people 70 excuses. I think that needs to be practiced a bit more. I feel sorry for them. I also feel like more people are going out of their way to be even nicer."

Right here in Canada, women wearing hijabs received flowers as they waited at an Edmonton light-rail transit station last week. The gesture came after two Muslim women were targeted in what police said was a hate crime.

The CoverGirl ambassador said since the election, more people are smiling at her and telling her she's beautiful. This makes her not afraid of what's to come when Donald Trump becomes President of the United States come January.

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"Maybe I don't know enough about what Trump plans on doing," she noted. "I also feel like it's a waiting process to see what he does. I don't feel afraid. My husband doesn't really either. We were scared of the unknown at first but we're not anymore."

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OTTAWA  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the beheading of two Canadian hostages in the Philippines was his biggest regret of the year.

If I had to pick a low point for me personally last year, it was the deaths of two Canadians by the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines, which was something that obviously was personally difficult for me as I had the responsibility for directing and articulating the Canadian position, but also the opportunity and the responsibility to speak with their families, he responded when asked about his biggest regret Monday by The Huffington Post Canada.

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Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall were kidnapped in September 2015 along with a Norwegian man and Halls Filipina partner from the marina in southern Philippines by Abu Sayyaf, a violent Islamic separatist group. The group reportedly demanded ransoms of $8 million each.

Ransom deadlines passed and Ridsdel, 68, was decapitated on camera in April.

Trudeau expressed his outrage and also declared Canada would not negotiate with Abu Sayyaf or any other terrorist groups, directly or indirectly. He tried to bring onside other countries that have paid ransoms, such as Italy, Germany and France. And, while federals sources say the government tried unsuccessfully to get the hostages out of the jungle where they were being kept, the prime ministers public policy pronouncements drew condemnation from consular experts.

Gar Pardy, a former Canadian diplomat who headed the Foreign Affairs departments consular bureau, wrote in the Ottawa Citizen that he had managed, in his 11 years at the bureau, the release of more than 100 kidnapped Canadians.

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All returned safely to Canada," he wrote. "I cannot provide details, but it can be said with certainty: If a kidnapped person has been released, then a ransom of some sort has been paid. To believe that kidnappers can have a change of heart is a fairy tale. And derring-do raids by special forces are largely fiction from the imagination of Hollywood."

Hall, 66, was beheaded two months after Risdels death.

I think reflecting on the fact that live in a very dangerous world and the responsibility that any government has to keep its citizens safe now and in the future needs to be top of mind, and anytime situations come up in which we lose lives like that is going to be difficult for any leader, Trudeau said Monday at a press conference in Ottawa.

Pushed if he could have done something differently to spare the men their lives  not declaring publicly that Canada would not pay ransoms, for example  Trudeau said he thinks Canadians understand his decision.

...the Canadians I've spoken with across the country in the months following certainly understand that any other position would not just provide source of significant funds to violent terrorists intent on causing more harm and taking more lives, but it would also endanger further the lives of any Canadian citizen who works, travels, or lives outside of our borders, he said.

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The government doesnt know who actually owns nearly half of the 100 most expensive houses in Vancouver, due to lax rules surrounding ownership of companies and trusts, says a report from the Canadian arm of Transparency International.

Only in Kenya and a select few U.S. states is it easier to set up an untraceable company than it is in Canada, said the report, released Friday. In Canada, more rigorous identity checks are done for individuals getting library cards than for those setting up companies.

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Of the 100 most expensive homes that study author Adam Ross looked at, 46 homes  worth a combined $1 billion or more  had unclear ownership.

Click for full size

These homes were owned by Canadian and offshore shell companies, trusts and nominees  meaning people who appear to be the owners of the home when they arent, such as students whose parents bought a home for them.

Its a getaway car with tinted windows really, and they can stick a chauffeur in there  a nominee  who drives the car but might not even know who the owner is and what theyre using it for, Ross said, as quoted at the Toronto Star.

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Ross says there is no way to know which homes are actually owned by nominees, but he assigned that label to homes owned by people whose occupations were listed as student or housewife.

Lax reporting standards have made real estate a target for money laundering, the report said, and causes government to miss out on tax revenue.

The report found that this kind of activity in Vancouvers housing market surged in 2011; before that, it was fairly uncommon to have shell companies or nominees owning Vancouvers priciest homes.

Coincidentally or not, 2011 was also the year that China secretly launched a program allowing individuals to transfer their wealth abroad by purchasing real estate overseas.

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British Columbia Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver said property investors have ways to evade the provinces land title and trust disclosure rules.

A lot of the disclosure is voluntary, and you can get around that, Weaver said, as quoted at the Vancouver Sun. What really needs to be done is to track where the money is coming from, more efficiently.

The Transparency International report calls on the government to require all companies and trusts set up in Canada to report their beneficial owner -- the actual owner of the property, not just the name on the property title.

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Peter Dazeley via Getty Images Encryption button on keyboard.

Stories of increasingly vicious cyber-attacks have dominated the headlines this year. It seems like every day we wake up to news of another attack on the scale of the Yahoo data breach, the Democratic National Committee hack, or the NSA source code leak. We are in a new era of threat in which 97 per cent of companies can expect to be the victim of a malware attack.

Cyber-attacks that make the news provide valuable insights, but they only scratch the surface as to what's out there. Many threats still go undetected, making it difficult to properly report on longer-term cyber missions.

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A recent report from Darktrace provides a rare glimpse into early-stage cyber-attacks. These emerging threats provide fascinating insights into the dangerous and often invisible world of cyber-warfare. In these real-world attacks, the report identified hackers using sophisticated methods, advanced technologies, and creative strategies, all designed with the explicit purpose of bypassing legacy security systems. These discoveries show three primary avenues that threat-actors are using to infiltrate networks -- through vulnerabilities in the Internet of Things, through social engineering tactics, and through overwhelming speed.

Internet of Things increases attack surface

The growing 'Internet of Things' is helping to transform businesses while simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit. Attackers are no longer limited to traditional entry points like mobile devices and laptops. Cyber-criminals can now launch attacks through network-connected coffee machines, video-conferencing units, and Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats. By using non-traditional access points, attackers can infiltrate corporate networks undetected.

We've seen a real-life example of this trend. A major retailer expands internationally and invests in a video conferencing equipment to facilitate communications. However, it comes to light that one video conferencing camera in particular was sending unusually large quantities of data outside the network and the camera was sending this information through Telnet -- a protocol normally restricted for internal network use -- which signified that an external attacker had gained remote access.

In this instance, without identifying these abnormalities in the normal pattern of life, an intruder would have been able to use the conference system for audio and video espionage or to launch a DDoS attack.

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Rising risk of insider threats

External attackers aren't necessarily the biggest cyber-threat facing businesses today. Attacks launched from the inside have the potential to be far more devastating. Anybody with network access -- whether a long-time employee or a temporary contractor -- can wreak havoc on an enterprise network, stealing troves of data or accidentally downloading malicious malware. With motivations ranging from monetary gain to carelessness, it is nearly impossible to flag high-risk users in advance.

In a real example, a charity's receptionist was recently targeted by a social engineering attack. The attacker forged an invoice from a legitimate stationary supplier that they had done business with in the past. The receptionist opened the attachment which connected the computer to a server in Ukraine and downloaded malware that tried to read and encrypt the company's files. Known as ransomware, the objective of this attack was to encrypt crucial files and demand payment for the key to unlock them. Any employee, no matter how well-trained, could have fallen for such a clever social engineering attack. However, the charity had a solution that detected the abnormal international web traffic, giving the charity enough time to shut down the ransomware before it spread.

Automated attacks are too fast for human detection

Simply put, cyber-attacks are getting faster. Much faster. Automated attacks move at machine-speed and are capable of crippling an entire network in a matter of minutes. Security teams can no longer keep up.

Earlier this year, a European airport was infected with malware. The attacker targeted a 'Lost and Found' computer, assuming that section of the network would receive minimal security attention. After gaining entry, the attacker attempted to avoid detection by disguising communications as DNS requests transmitted by UDP, rather than the usual TCP.

The airport's 'immune system' technology noticed abnormal network traffic extracting data through an unusual port. The airport security team was immediately altered, allowing them to rapidly respond by isolating the network device to stop the exfiltration.

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A cyber-attack like this would usually unfold more quickly than the human security team could deal with. In this case, the airport had recently installed a new network security solution that used advanced machine learning to alert their security analysts. They were able to isolate the infected computer before the malicious code could spread across the network.

In an age where threat-actors have easy access to advanced, turnkey malware -- often in the form of automated attacks -- cyber-warfare has become an arms race. No industry is immune. Malware has become more accessible, and the attack vectors have increased by an order of magnitude. With the rise of the vulnerable Internet of Things, the risk of insider threats, and the breakneck speed of modern attacks, organizations are more vulnerable than ever.

Modern businesses can't afford to adopt a retrospective view. Crafting a security strategy around attacks that made the news will fail to protect businesses from new, emerging threats. Organizations have to study early-stage threats like these, which signify the future of cyber-threat in which attackers have access to advanced malware designed to overwhelm networks with cleverly disguised attacks that move at machine-speed. This paradigm shift points toward a need for a self-learning technology that can keep pace with the evolving and increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.
Catherine Delahaye via Getty Images A 7 years old boy doing his homework

It is always much easier not to do the responsible, adult thing. No one gets pleasure from taking care of that sink full of dishes that collected over the weekend. If only we had the good luck to be the Alberta Tories, we could just ignore our responsibilities for years and then have someone else clean up.

The Alberta government has stripped accreditation and funding from the Trinity Christian School Association, which operates a private school based in Cold Lake and contracts a company that provides home schooling to thousands of Alberta students. The government's allegations of financial wrongdoing are outlined in recently released court documents.

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For years, Progressive Conservative governments in Alberta turned a blind eye to multiple red flags at Trinity Christian.

The signs that something was wrong go back more than 19 years.

Two families involved in running the association and affiliated organizations are alleged to have taken home $2.86 million in salaries from 2012 to 2015. A private school called the Wisdom Centre was built by the association with public dollars -- a clear violation of Alberta Education rules -- and sold to one of the affiliates. The documents also show questionable lease agreements, and $988,000 in public money that should have gone to parents for education expenses -- but instead was spent on gift cards, babysitting and booze.

The new New Democratic Party government in Alberta was forced to do the adult thing and clean up the mess.

The signs that something was wrong go back more than 19 years, the court documents show.

A September 1997 letter from Alberta Education to the most senior employee of Trinity Christian reads, somewhat prophetically: "It appears your school is reluctant to comply with all of Alberta Education's regulations." The Tory education minister at the time was Gary Mar.

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In January 2004, Alberta Education wrote to Trinity Christian to let it know again it was breaking the rules:

"It is evident that Alberta Learning funding has been used for purposes not permitted by the funding manual and AISI [Alberta Initiative for School Improvement] guidelines. More specifically, the purchase of the Wisdom Centre building and some of the listed AISI equipment should not have been purchased with Alberta Learning funding."

More than $500,000 in taxpayers' money was used to pay for the Wisdom Centre, in contravention of all law and precedent when it comes to private schools in Alberta, the documents say. Taxpayers do not build private schools in Alberta. Taxpayers finance private school students' education for up to 70 per cent of the amount that would be spent for a public school student. But private schools do not get money for capital projects.

Trinity Christian and the Tory government ignored this rule, and it is unclear if this money was ever returned or deducted from future funds sent to Trinity Christian. The court documents allege the Wisdom Centre was then sold at a substantial loss to Living Water College, an organization run by Kenneth and Marlane Noster, members of one of the families at the heart of this case. That building was then leased to the Wisdom Home Schooling Society of Alberta, an organization affiliated with Trinity Christian, at a very reasonable rate.

The Tory education minister, at the time a private school was built with public dollars, was Lyle Oberg.

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In 2009, Alberta Education started to question Trinity Christian's financial reporting. Why were funds being carried forward? What exactly was Wisdom Home Schooling doing, given that it was not a registered or accredited private school? Those concerns continued until 2015.

In February 2014, Alberta Education warned Trinity Christian it was not complying with the rules for homeschooling.

In March 2015, a couple of months before premier Jim Prentice and the Tories lost to the Alberta New Democrats, Alberta Education repeated that warning.

The Tory education ministers between 2009 and 2015 were Dave Hancock, Thomas Lukaszuk, Jeff Johnson and Gordon Dirks. All failed to act on red flags that something was wrong at Trinity Christian School Association and Wisdom Home Schooling.

Last fall, after an investigation by auditors, Trinity Christian was stripped of its accreditation. That decision was made by New Democrat Education Minister David Eggen. (The money and accreditation were temporarily restored through a court injunction.)

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It is no fun to do the responsible thing and deal with a long-festering problem. Six Tory education ministers had the chance. They all declined. It is worth asking why.

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By Robin Montgomery, Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)

In October 2015, the renewed UNAIDS Strategy was approved amidst cheers from the global community at the 37th meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). The renewed strategy is an ambitious but viable, comprehensive road map charting the end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and is couched within the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs).

Just twelve months later, the conversation at this week's 39th PCB has taken a much more somber tone as delegates grapple with the funding crisis that has rocked UNAIDS and that continues to stunt the broader community-led HIV response around the world. Ironically, this is where we find ourselves following a year that has been packed with high-level events, conferences, and meetings that have rallied the commitment of governments, donors and the global HIV community around a new 2016 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, to which Canada is a signatory.

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Among other requirements, these commitments call for significant increases in investment from donors as well as domestic and innovative financing mechanisms to reach the hardest to reach people and fast-track the end of the AIDS epidemic.

Delegates during the 39th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting, 6-8 December 2016.

While there has been debate as to what the precise figures may be, we now know that to get on the Fast-Track we must increase investments from $19 billion to at least $26.2 billion (and ideally $30 billion) by the year 2020. Yet, with competing global crises, the politics of scarcity, and the 13 per cent decline in HIV donor funding in 2015 compared to 2014 -- well, the math simply isn't adding up.

We are indeed seeing and hearing at global and country levels that a greater emphasis on community responses is a critical driver if we are to meet our global goals and targets. Widely touted as a "global public good" in the AIDS response, civil society is a critical partner in reaching key affected communities and in creating demand for and boosting uptake of health services and health-seeking behavior.

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Strong civil society systems and community engagement are also seen by UNAIDS and the Global Fund as vital to the successful implementation of their renewed strategies and to achieving gender and human rights agendas, particularly for the most marginalized populations.

Nonetheless, while funding targets suggest that investments in community mobilization should increase threefold to three per cent by 2020, and spending on social enablers rise to eight per cent of total global HIV expenditure, a recent UNAIDS survey found that 40 per cent of organizations working on the ground reported that their funding had decreased consistently since 2013. Two-thirds expected flat or declining funding in the future. Indeed, the success of the Fast-Track strategy and reaching the 90-90-90 targets depends on community and civil society, a community and civil society that may be invited to the table, but increasingly can no longer afford to be there.

And the barometer continues to rise.

While in some areas of the world we have been able to bend the trajectory downwards in new HIV infections -- this is neither uniform across regions nor consistent within country borders. Those at greatest risk of HIV, those who are the most marginalized in society, continue to face the greatest hurdles barring access to timely, quality and affordable prevention, treatment, care and support services. This is as true in Canada as it is in other areas of the world. Key affected populations include but are not limited to: gay men and men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs, transgender people, Indigenous Peoples, people in prison and other closed settings, women and adolescent girls, young people, and people with disabilities.

We are just three years away from being called to account for our progress towards the 2020 Fast-Track targets -- a critical milestone in ending the AIDS epidemic. We still have a great distance to travel before we're able to call it a success. Measures to close this gap are readily available -- we've got lots of tools in our toolbox -- but what we need is an all hands-on deck approach.

In lead-up to the June 2016 UN High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS, Canadian civil society and community groups issued a list of Canadian priorities to get us to the end of AIDS by 2030. These priorities remain unchanged today. Strengthened political commitment to the HIV response is fundamental -- but it is not stand alone, it must be met alongside:

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Increased financial commitment in our domestic and international response that is balanced between expenditures on HIV treatments, the scaling of prevention services, and efforts that get at the root social and structural drivers of HIV vulnerability. Barrier-free access to quality rights-based treatment, combination prevention, care and support services by addressing disparities within and across countries, including by: using fully the flexibilities regarding intellectual property that exist in current international trade agreements (including, but not limited to, compulsory licensing) to scale up access to affordable medicines. The recognized role of People Living with HIV in leading successful, community driven and community-led responses, including increased funding support to reach the most affected and the most marginalized. Meaningful investment in and engagement of key populations as leaders and game-changers to the HIV response. Sexual and reproductive health and rights that are firmly embedded in a comprehensive HIV response and that address gender-based inequalities and violence, poverty, harmful cultural practices, and policies and laws which unjustly criminalize same-sex practices. Harm reduction and drug policy redirecting 10 percent of global expenditure on enforcing drug prohibition to harm reduction interventions. Accelerated efforts to ensure that enabling environments flourish which enable personal and individual identities, eliminate stigma and discrimination and remove pressures in the social determinants of health (such as criminalization and punitive legal frameworks, gender and racial discrimination, affordable housing and homelessness, unemployment, barriers to education, etc.) Global strategies to support inclusive research for innovative health technologies including preventative HIV vaccines, new/ multi-purpose prevention technologies and microbicides, and HIV cure research as cornerstones to a sustainable HIV response. Robust accountability mechanisms to monitor and ensure commitments are upheld and that all stakeholders are meaningfully engaged to play an integrated role in the HIV response.

The stakes are high. Inaction is not an option. Let's do our part and not backtrack on the fast-track to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The barometer is rising.

Robin Montgomery is the Executive Director of the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), a coalition of over 100 AIDS Service organizations (ASOs), international development non-governmental organizations (INGOS), faith-based organizations, educational institutions, labour unions and individuals committed to improving the response to HIV and related co-infections in Canada and in countries globally.

This blog is part of the blog series: Barometer Rising: No time to backtrack the fast track to ending HIV as a global health threat by 2030 by the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) in recognition of World AIDS Day (1 December). The series features a selection of blogs written by our member and partner organizations. Contributors share their broad range of perspectives and insight on what they think needs to be done to strengthen our HIV prevention efforts at home and abroad in order for the world to meet the ambitious target of ending AIDS as an epidemic by 2030.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog series are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ICAD.

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KatarzynaBialasiewicz via Getty Images Young soldier suffering from depression after war

Why are so many military veterans reeling with "a sense of anger, hurt, frustration and betrayal?"

And why is a group of them marching on Parliament Hill?

Shockingly, it's because ex-servicemen with PTSD aren't getting our government's respect and full support.

Consequently, the suicide rate among ex-servicemen is at an all-time high. (I'll explain in a moment.)

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This disregard is going to accelerate an already alarming body count of ex-servicemen driven to suicide.

Consider this: Canadian soldiers on active duty in war-torn regions like Afghanistan have always had the benefit of a mighty military infrastructure to back them up. Whether help comes in the form of artillery fire, jet fighters, or helicopter gunships, no expense is spared to support and protect our troops when the bullets start flying.

But is the federal government willing to continue to fork out $85 a day to keep each of our veterans with PTSD out of harm's way?

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Apparently not!

And this disregard is going to accelerate an already alarming body count of ex-servicemen driven to suicide, according to some veterans' advocates.

Tragically, they're probably right.

What's at issue is Veterans Affairs' recent decision to severely curtail veterans' monthly allocations of medical marijuana -- a government-paid treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain.

On Monday, a small group of ex-servicemen mobilized from the headquarters of a veterans support group -- Marijuana for Trauma (MFT) -- in Oromocto, New Brunswick.

This winter march to Ottawa is expected to take 158 days -- a figure that corresponds with the number of veterans (so far) who have committed suicide after serving in Afghanistan.

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En-route to Ottawa, he and his comrades-in-arms expect to encounter snow, sleet, pounding rain and frigid sub-zero temperatures.

But none of this will chill their hearts as much as Veterans Affairs' "horrendous betrayal," Henry says. "They want to save money by playing Russian roulette with veterans' lives."

He deals with suffering, stressed-out veterans every day. So I'm pretty sure he's not being melodramatic.

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What's at stake is veterans' current legal access to as much as 10 grams of cannabis per day. That's meant to end on May 17 -- the day before MFT's protest march will culminate in a rally at Parliament.

The new ruling will ration each veteran to a maximum dosage of three grams a day. (Currently most consume about eight grams daily, Henry reckons.)

This is necessary because the estimated $75-million cost this year for ex-soldiers' medical marijuana prescriptions is excessive. So says the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Kent Hehr.

A lawyer by profession, Hehr hasn't put his life on the line for his country and presumably doesn't have job-related PTSD. So he may not be in the best position to regard our hurting heroes as a bunch of stoners who over-indulge at taxpayers' expense.

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Among those speaking out against the cutbacks is Shauna Davies, who served for 10 years in the military. Davies recently penned a heartfelt open letter to Hehr in which she referred to herself as "the wife of an injured veteran whose life has quite literally been saved by medical cannabis."

Her husband, Cyriaque, has battled severe PTSD for nearly a decade, ever since he returned from active duty as a medic in Afghanistan.

This must be why she writes that she finders herself "torn with a sense of anger, hurt, frustration and betrayal... Veterans should not have to fight their own government for the support and compensation they have earned."

The unacceptable alternative to cannabis for her husband and other veterans is a "smorgasbord" of debilitating pharmaceutical drugs that have the combined effect of a "chemical lobotomy," she writes.

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Some of these drugs can even cause veterans to become suicidal, she adds.

"I have helped my own husband from the brink after four suicide attempts, all which were proven to be directly caused by the medication interactions," the post continues. "In using medical cannabis, my husband has been able to cease using dangerous pharmaceutical medications. And he is far from alone."

Now she's terrified of what will happen if her husband's daily dosage is cut back to less than a third of what he needs. She concludes her poignant letter with a desperate plea: "This is life and death and the consequences will be devastating. I finally have my husband back. My children finally have their Daddy back. I beg you not to take him away from us again."

Even at a cost of $85 a day for 10 grams, it's still relatively inexpensive medicine. The alternative for each PTSD sufferer is a "toxic cocktail" of pharmaceutical drugs that can cost up to hundreds of dollars a day.

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Is Davies asking for too much?

Is her husband's mental and emotional health worth more than 25 bucks a day? Or should her daughters resign themselves to losing their daddy again?

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elenabs via Getty Images Crowd of people composing a world map, aerial view, global community, international communications and human rights concept

International Human Rights Day, the 68th anniversary of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), gives us an opportunity to look back and learn from the past. We also have an obligation to look to the future. Over the past year, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has done both, and launched a new Strategic Plan to guide us in making human rights a lived reality for

people across Ontario.

People continue to be personally invested in our work and to care deeply about our success. Extensive conversations with nearly 300 people representing over 80 organizations have strengthened our resolve to promote and enforce human rights, build relationships that embody dignity and respect, and create a culture of human rights compliance and accountability.

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We need to rethink how the OHRC engages with Indigenous peoples to realize the rights protected in the Human Rights Code but also in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The process will be as important as the outcome. Listening, understanding, and building trusting relationships are necessary first steps in our journey, as we move beyond "helping" or "educating" Indigenous peoples, towards working together to realize their own vision of a just, fair and free society.

We also heard about strained relationships between the police and many communities, including Indigenous peoples, African Canadians, Muslim and Arab people, other racialized peoples, Trans persons and people with mental health disabilities.

Beyond policing, we heard how we must focus on the entire criminal justice system to address the over-representation of vulnerable and marginalized people. We must consider "pipelines" to criminalization, court proceedings (including bail and remand), and corrections and conditional release.

We firmly believe that public safety and protecting Ontario's most marginalized groups are interdependent, and require a bold and progressive approach to criminal justice that is grounded in human rights. We commit to enforcing these rights and reducing systemic discrimination by seeking transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.

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Many people also noted the widening gap between rich and poor as a key concern. We believe poverty is often a manifestation, consequence, and product of systemic discrimination. For example, systemic discrimination in education or employment increases one's chances of being hungry or homeless, and can limit access to essential services such as healthcare. We commit to advancing the field of human rights law by making clear how systemic discrimination causes and sustains poverty, and to addressing poverty within a human rights framework.

We also heard repeatedly that we must be forward-thinking in creating and sustaining a culture of human rights. We believe that the most effective way to affect culture change is to focus on teaching children and youth. We will promote and strengthen a human rights culture in Ontario that encompasses both rights and responsibilities, with a special focus on educating children and youth and addressing systemic discrimination in education.

We are at a crossroads, a point where our society must make crucial decisions that will have far-reaching consequences for the human rights landscape going forward. As our society becomes even more diverse, the lived reality of people with privilege and power is easily contrasted with people who find themselves on the margins. In 2016, the voices of people who were once silent (or silenced) have grown louder in their demands for a more just society - not sometime in the future, but today.

The central question is whether human rights are the starting point to inform all public policy choices, or are they dispensable when they conflict with the majority's will or competing priorities? The answer is at the heart of broader social movements focused on anti-Black racism, Indigenous reconciliation, Trans rights, workers' rights, rights for people with disabilities, and sexual violence and women's equality.

Our new Strategic Plan positions the OHRC in this crossroads moment: as a leadership voice on critical and emerging human rights issues, and as an institution that will use its functions and powers to make sure that people and their human rights are at the very centre of the decisions our society makes.

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By focusing on reconciliation, the criminal justice system, poverty and education, we will address the discriminatory impacts of broader systems of colonialism, state power, resource allocation, and enculturation -- which marginalize nearly all Code-protected groups, and extend or exacerbate their disadvantage.

We will focus on our people, our community, developing evidence-informed approaches, and delivering practical advice. And we will continue to be a leadership voice across the full range of issues across all Code grounds and social areas.

Our society has come to a fork in the road: we must decide the core values that will drive social policy in the future. Ontarians have big ideas and want bold approaches to address persistent human rights problems, and we agree. Our work has the most impact when we amplify the voices of the most marginalized people, and when the public echoes our human rights message and demands action.

Together we can create a society where promoting, protecting and being accountable for human rights is everyone's responsibility.
Getty

The mental health of immigrants has been an abiding concern for policy-makers, health practitioners, as well as a small community of psychiatric researchers including myself.

Indeed, activists pushed to ensure that the recently-released 'Mental Health Strategy for Canada' included a section specifically devoted to immigrant mental health. This section states that immigrants "face significant barriers to their seeking or obtaining help...health organizations need to be attuned to differences...and take into account cultural diversity"

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To better understand underlying issues, I recently led a number of studies comparing the mental health of immigrants to non-immigrants. These have just been concluded and published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Results are somewhat surprising.

Study findings

Firstly, we found that (in general) immigrants had better mental health than non-immigrants. Immigrants had less psychological distress, less depression and less alcohol problems, in comparison to people born in Canada. Immigrants also had higher rates of well-being, as well as more satisfaction with daily life and personal relationships.

Secondly, immigrants had lower rates of health service use in comparison to people born in Canada. Immigrants who do use mental health services had higher rates of satisfaction than the Canadian-born. This was especially so for immigrants born in Asia or Africa.

Thirdly, a key concern for immigrants and non-immigrants alike was stigma associated with mental illness. People with mental illness in our studies, regardless of background, reported that stigma was the biggest barrier towards recovery, infecting every area of life including family, employment and social relationships.

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In other words, the studies indicate that immigrants tend to have have better mental health than non-immigrants. Why could this be? There are many reasons.

Strengths and Resiliency

To start, it takes strength of character to move from one country to another. People who do this may be especially resilient, and thus less vulnerable to mental health issues. Similarly, immigrants have to pass a strict medical exam to gain permanent residence; those with a mental illness may have their file rejected.

Additionally, studies indicate that immigrants are more likely to belong to close-knit families, tight ethnic communities and religious congregations. All this can provide valuable social support and a sense of belonging, both of which are known to protect mental health.

Immigrants have often been portrayed through a pathological lens in studies of mental health. However our studies indicate the strengths and resiliency of immigrants and immigrant communities. This side of the coin is rarely highlighted.

Stigma and Service Improvement

That said, our studies indicated that people with mental illness from immigrant communities still experience high levels of stigma from people inside and outside their own ethnic community. This suggests that educational, anti-stigma strategies might be useful within immigrant communities.

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Likewise, lower rates of service use imply that formal mental health services may not be appealing to immigrants. More could be done to make them more engaging in this regard.

The Mental Health Strategy for Canada states that immigrants face significant barriers. But immigrants also have significant strengths. Both should be considered when discussing immigrant mental health.
asiseeit via Getty Images Modern businesswomen shaking hands during meeting or interview in restaurant

This week I was on a panel at a professional association to talk about business networking. In my mind business networking is really no different than dating (I write a lot about dating, marriage, and other personal relationships). The same principles apply. Because we all love listicles (sigh), here are my five no-no's for business networking-dating.

1.Don't Play the Field: Business networking isn't Tinder where you indiscriminately swipe right. Having tons of hook-ups isn't the goal. Quality over quantity networking. I interviewed a sex educator last week for a feature story I'm writing. At one point in our conversation she said, "Oh, you're a sapiosexual"( someone who's turned on by intelligence.) That may explain why I've been married for decades--I am turned on by my husband's intellect. And that's my criteria for professional hook-ups too. I have several professional crushes. One of them is an award-winning documentary producer so I asked her about her views on networking. She said "There has to be a creative and fiscal need to come together." She doesn't have time to play the field. I sure don't. And I would suggest neither do you.

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2.Don't Put Out on the First "Date": We all have valuable information and connections so think about the right time to share these. I was having dinner with a writing pal a few days ago. It was fantastic networking. This person has good industry intel which she shared, and I made a connection for her to an editor. I would not have made this connection last year because I didn't know her work well enough, her reliability around deadlines, or her journalistic integrity. I love being a cheerleader for my professional friends but only once I believe in them. I don't want to make bad connections because it's my reputation on the line. Professional respect grows over time so be patient when deciding to help someone you don't know all that well yet.

3.Don't Underprepare for your Date: This seems so obvious that it's crazy I have to mention it. It's a real turn-off when you meet with someone who hasn't done their homework about you. I always go on LinkedIn, do a google search, and read their website. Even if I'm meeting a person I've known for a very long time I will always check out what they've been up to via their blog or FB or whatever social media they're on. It demonstrates respect and interest which will certainly get you past first base in any relationship. A few months ago I met with someone as a favour for a friend. This person was interested in becoming a relationship writer but it was clear she hadn't bothered to even check out my blog. Her questions were so generic she could have been talking to anybody. Be curious about your dates and ask insightful questions that are specific to them. Isn't it better to make someone feel special?

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4.Don't Ghost People: Real professional friends make an effort to keep in touch. Are there people you hear from only when they are in transition and then "poof" - once they are settled again they become ghosts? If so, you may want to evaluate whether they're a professional friend for you. Last year a client contacted me because she was looking for a consultant (not in my area of speciality). I diligently went through my LinkedIn roster and made a perfect match. They met and it was a lovefest. I was sure they were going to work together. A few months later the consultant called me to ask if the client was still with the organization because she wasn't returning his emails or calls. Perhaps her corporate priorities changed, perhaps she found a more perfect professional love interest. Maybe she was too busy in corporate la-la land to pick up the phone (a shabby excuse). Who knows. Ghosting isn't cool. And will I help her find a consultant in the future, or help her network when she's next "in transition"? I'll leave that to you to figure out.

5.Don't Sell Yourself Short. In networking that means value your time. Rona Maynard, previous editor-in-chief at Chatelaine, wrote a piece in Liisbeth (a zine for female entrepreneurs): INVASION OF THE BRAIN PICKERS: 9 WAYS TO DEAL WITH BIDS FOR FREE ADVICE. #1: Remember your time is valuable which is why someone wants a piece of it. #9: No more Ms. Nice Girl. She talks about a friend who was asked by a prominent business man to give free communication advice to one of his clients hinting that future work would come of it but there was nothing concrete. This "carrot" has been dangled so many times in front of me that I've lost track. I don't let it happen to me anymore. If I give away my time it's because there is legitimate strategic value or because I just really like the person. True professionals recognize the value of their time - and another person's time too.

Dating and professional networking are really two sides of the same coin. It's all about making a personal connection and investing your time, energy, and intellect in people who can enrich your life and hopefully your bottom line too--and who benefit from your professional friendship as well. How is your professional dating life going?

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Ian Daffern

The other day I was standing at an intersection. I glanced over at the post on the corner to be greeted by a flyer entitled "Hey, White Person." It was an invitation to join the "alt-right" white supremacist movement for those "sick of being blamed for all the world's problems caused by minority groups and immigrants."

Generally I am not in the habit of reading or even noticing street posters, but this piece of graffiti caught my attention. In fact, in over 50 years of being in Canada, this was the first time I had ever seen such a damning, public piece of overtly racist, xenophobic, anti-immigrant propaganda.

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It would seem that "closet" racists and sexists have now been provided with permission to express themselves with full voice.

What had changed? In the opinion of experts who watch these things, it is several things, including the Brexit vote, police violence against people of colour, the Syrian refugee crisis and perhaps the most influential anomaly -- the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States.

Of course, xenophobia, racism and sexism are not new. Organizations that monitor incidents of racism and hate crimes report that while racism has always existed in Canada the dramatic political changes south of the border have had an impact on the tolerance for overt displays of racist and sexist sentiments. It would seem that "closet" racists and sexists have now been provided with permission to express themselves with full voice inspired by the behaviour of president-elect Trump.

For example, a recent front-page newspaper article recounted a Korean bank customer experiencing a series of racist slurs while waiting to be served in line. When she asked the offending fellow customer to stop, she was apparently told "We can do anything we want to you guys. We own you."

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Xenophobia is defined as "a fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures or strangers."

Online searches related to xenophobia have increased exponentially since the U.S. election, and starting as far back as the June 22 Brexit vote. Perhaps we can understand the new intolerance by referencing an ancient Bedouin saying -- "Me against my brother, me and my brother against our cousin, me and my brother and cousins against the stranger."

As the new intolerance grows, it will undoubtedly spill over into the workplace and employees will face more overt acts of discrimination, harassment and general disrespect. According to the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, half of the most recent incidents of intolerance occur in the workplace.

The question is what will you do when you see it? Will you operate the way the fellow bank customers and staff did when they witnessed the racist attack cited above claiming "there was nothing they could do?" Or will you take some type of action?

How do we stop the rise of this new intolerance? Perhaps the great leader Martin Luther King gives us a hint when he said, "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."

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Or, as another great thinker once said, "What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying."

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By Cynthia Conlon, Ambassador for World Vision Canada

Photo: World Vision

With the holidays fast approaching, many Canadian kids can't wait for vacation to begin. Two glorious weeks of relaxing, and hanging out with friends and family. And absolutely no homework!

Like my own kids, many Canadian students take our educational system for granted. But I don't -- not any more. Not after travelling to Tanzania this fall as a volunteer with World Vision, and spending some time in a classroom there. Here's what I discovered.

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As a Canadian, it's hard to believe it's possible for teachers to successfully educate 104 children of different grades in a single classroom. Where children sit on a dirt floor, have an empty stomach, don't have sufficient school supplies for their needs. Children excited to be in school, no matter how far they had to walk under a blazing sun.

I will never forget the young girl overseeing the huge porridge pot over an open fire so her classmates could have a warm meal -- just metres away from the latrines and water sources that seemed certain to bring disease. And this is where children go to school.

My moment as a teacher

I was asked to step in and help out, as the teacher was away that day. As I walked into the classroom, my old nemesis -- shyness -- cropped up where I least expected or wanted him to appear. I was enlisted to teach a class of Swahili speaking children. I was paralyzed by fear at the thought. I tried to teach the children, armed with my Lion King movie Swahili.

As a parent, the words I knew fluently were: "Jambo", the greeting used for children; "Mambo", the greeting used for adults; "Assante-sana", meaning "nice to meet you" and my own version of "Rafiki", meaning friend. This one I used primarily for kids who were shy themselves or uncertain about a "muzungu"-- white person.

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After a lively group lesson of 'Heads, shoulders, knees and toes,' it was my turn to teach the alphabet in English. I took a deep breath while thinking "How did I get roped into teaching? Can I possibly do the real teachers justice?" Back home in Canada, I am a bookkeeper"! Numbers are my thing, analyses, papers.

Abandoning my fear

Then the realization hit me like a slap in the face. I had nothing to be afraid of. Just moments earlier, these very same children had storm-trooped our vehicles as we arrived at the school, singing songs of welcome. Most had never seen a "muzungu" yet embraced us wholeheartedly with open arms as we made our way to the classroom.

Astounded with this newfound comprehension, I began the task at hand. I thought about the real teachers who would normally be at school. I had met ladies and men who somehow did this job every day. I knew they did it without enough desks, school supplies, classroom space and learning materials.

Teachers I had spoken to travelled long distances to arrive at overcrowded classrooms, taking up to two hours each way to get to school. They were so dedicated they would walk, ride a bike, or take a crowded bus to get there. The disparity between this and my recent ride in an air conditioned jeep was not wasted on me as I thought about these unsung heroes.

The joy of learning

I thought about all of this as we recited the alphabet. Then gave the students a chance to teach, asking them to teach me and my fellow volunteers the alphabet in Swahili. The joy and excitement on their faces as they realized they were able to teach the Canadians something will be forever etched in my memory.

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Certainly these children never thought they had anything valuable to teach us. As we learned Swahili from our young teachers, they experienced a very valuable lesson in exchange. Perhaps I wasn't just a bookkeeper after all!

Giving girls a chance

It wasn't the only thing that encouraged me that day. I had been told that more and more girls were attending school in the area, and I could see this in the classroom. This made me smile. The message World Vision is teaching is getting across: education is critical for girls as well as boys. The future can look very bleak without it.

Photo: World Vision

For girls, education can mean escape from an early marriage, in which illiteracy keeps her trapped in poverty. Most girls in Africa don't go to school beyond the sixth grade because the cost to their families is too high. Even though education is free, books, school supplies and uniforms are not. In rural areas, families are used to keeping their children at home, to help cultivate the land, fetch the water and tend the livestock. Education has been seen as a luxury.

Slowly but surely, this mentality is changing, with education recognized as important to the future. I was humbly respectful of parents who seemed to be understanding and embracing this new idea. My female students' futures would be much brighter than the generations prior. They would be able to read, write, do arithmetic -- all things which are needed to prosper. I saw hope in the faces of my charges.

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A gift we take for granted

In Canada, our educational system is taken for granted by students. We know that education is guaranteed under our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I have never been in a position where I've had to choose between feeding my child and buying him a school uniform, although as a single mother raising two children, I could very well have been. I am thankful to be born in a country where I could rest easy, knowing that education is provided until my children graduate high school.

As we wrapped up our learning the Swahili alphabet (with the children giggling happily at our desecration of their language) I came to understand how these beautiful children were all empowered by having the chance for an education. I was able to see that lives are being changed.

I first sponsored a child through World Vision, with the intention of changing a child's life. I ended up changing my own.

Want to help children learn? Give the gift of school supplies through the World Vision Gift Catalogue to honour your child's teacher this holiday season!
WPA Pool via Getty Images

No-one could have missed Boris Johnson hitting the headlines last week over his comments that Saudi Arabia and Iran were acting as 'puppeteers' in proxy wars in the Middle East. Neither would they have missed No10 distancing itself from his comments, explaining: "Those are the Foreign Secretary's views, they are not the Government's views on Saudi..."

Essentially, the Foreign Secretary was arguing that we need more dialogue and less division - we need visionary leadership which rises above sectarian divisions and interests and seeks to stabilise the Middle East and end the series of proxy wars that have been taking place across the region.

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This is a sentiment few would disagree with. The question though, is how do you best achieve this goal and affect the desired change? Although publicly, being a critical friend may feel right - indeed it may be right - and will be welcomed by many who want their politicians to just be honest and say what they believe, it may not be the best way to affect policy change in our ally Saudi Arabia, or the most effective diplomacy.

As our chief diplomat, Johnson should be heeding the Foreign Office's convention of not criticising a key UK ally. The role calls for being a critical friend to our allies in private, but not in public. The Foreign Secretary should only be progressing to public as a last resort when diplomatic channels aren't working. And perhaps the Foreign Office's gilded doors diplomacy is not working - or at least not quickly enough?

It's very much a question of timing. We need long term investments in diplomatic relationships to secure change that will take place over the next couple of years, not months - no matter how much we might want change to happen sooner. The sectarian tensions Johnson rightly attributes to the wars ravaging the Middle East are not just a product of geopolitics, but have significant historical and religious groundings that require not just political leadership, but religious captaincy. Johnson's comments have been said before, and will be said again, but to achieve real change, they need to be laid out behind closed doors - not in the media.

In this way the Prime Minister is right when she says it's through dialogue that you can change partners' positions and support reform, for example trade and security ties. But is there a place for being more of a critical friend? Absolutely. But shouldn't that be our MPs role rather than the Foreign Secretary's?

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It must have been awkward for Johnson as he made his trip to Saudi on Sunday, but he was still resolute that he wouldn't apologise for his remarks. There is a convention of not criticising allies, but he really wasn't saying anything those who've worked in in the Foreign Office and across the country would not agree with. In fact, if anything, his comments will have raised awareness of an issue that needs addressing.

For too long proxy wars have laid waste to swathes of the Middle East and someone needs to step forward and at least attempt to end them. Interestingly, we have seen an increase in more critical comments from the US over the past few months - including a comment that their support is not a blank cheque for Saudi military activities, so he is not alone in making his concerns public.

However, his comments do not bring into doubt the UK's continued and strong support for Saudi Arabia. The UK and US has a longstanding position of supporting Saudi in security issues and this will not be undermined by his comments.
Michael Kempf via Getty Images

Just weeks after taking office, Carwyn Jones outlined a bold philosophy for government - describing education and skills as the key to Wales' success, and promising to strengthen the Welsh education system.

Fast forward seven years, and it's clear that it hasn't gone to plan.

This week the OECD published the latest edition of its triennial snapshot of international education performance, and Wales once again slipped backwards; firmly rooted to the bottom of the UK league table.

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For a First Minister who once served as Education Secretary, Labour's record on education is an embarrassment.

Successive generations of schoolchildren have been left behind by a government that freely admits to have taken its 'eye off the ball'. And, according to the latest Pisa results, more than 1-in-5 Welsh students do not attain the baseline level of proficiency in reading required to enable them to 'participate effectively and productively in life'. What that means is that the Welsh Government is abjectly failing thousands of pupils every year, denying them the skills they require to function properly as adults.

And it's not as though we haven't seen this coming. In 2010, after another set of appalling results, Leighton Andrews (then Education Minister) declared that there could be "no alibis and no excuses". He called for honesty and responsibility to be watchwords of Welsh Government.

In 2013, and the next release of figures, Huw Lewis - his replacement - pleaded for more time, promising that 2016 would be different. Well here we are, with a new minister offering plenty of excuses for a regime she once opposed, and very little honesty or leadership.

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In spite of all the tough talking and promises to do better from the First Minister, the latest figures place us in the bottom half of the global education league table and re-confirm Wales' status as the worst performing school system in the UK.

As the son of two teachers, Carwyn Jones made a big play on the importance of education and it's in that context his leadership must be judged.

After seven years in charge those warm words mean very little to the lost generations of Welsh students who struggled through an education system let down by Labour.

It is not just the one failure, however. There are a staggering array of failures which have littered Carwyn Jones' tenure as First Minister, and on the 7th anniversary of his leadership, let's reflect on 7 of the most high-profile...

A Lost Generation:

After 7 years in office, Carwyn Jones has led the Welsh education system to the bottom of the pile.

Record NHS Cuts:

Carwyn Jones' Labour: the only party in the UK to have ever cut the NHS budget.

Wasting Taxpayers' Money:

Carwyn Jones had to apologise after his government lost 10s of Millions selling publicly owned land.

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A Postcode Lottery:

For 7 years Carwyn Jones has refused to implement a Cancer Drug Fund, denying patients access to life-prolonging treatments.

Neglecting Rural Wales:

Under Carwyn Jones' Labour, rural councils have received the worst funding settlements and Welsh farming has been neglected.

Lowest Take-home Pay in the UK:

Under Carwyn Jones' Labour, Welsh working people continue to endure the lowest take-home pay in the UK.

Pulling up the Housing Ladder:

Carwyn Jones has presided over a Welsh housing crisis, pulling up the ladder on aspiration by scrapping the 'Right to Buy'.

Anniversaries offer an opportunity for reflection, and it might just be that when the First Minister wakes up this morning he reflects on the challenge he set himself seven years ago.

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His diagnosis - that education and skills are the key to Wales' prosperity - remains correct, but it's now abundantly clear that he cannot provide the cure.

In this context, Leighton Andrews' calls for honesty, leadership and a new approach to accountability seem somehow prescient. The First Minister has failed on the first two, but on the third there is still hope.

After seven years in office there is little to suggest that Carwyn Jones can arrest the decline, and whilst I respect the mandate he secured in May, he would do well to look around him - to reflect on whether it's time to pass on the baton to fresh thinking.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

Last week the OECD released an international study of academic attainment around the world which laid bare the consequences of the Tories' failed education agenda.

The PISA tests, which are taken every three years, showed that the attainment gap in England between the poorest kids and their better-off classmates is just as big as it was in 2012. The gap between the brightest and lowest performing kids is eight years of schooling, one of the worst performances in the developed world.

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Following six years of turmoil and a major restructuring of the schools system we learned that we have not made any of the progress we were promised by the Tories. But perhaps the most disappointing outcome of the day was the government's response - that lifting Labour's ban and opening new grammar schools will make everything better.

We don't even have to look too far to see what might happen in another three years if we were to believe them. In Northern Ireland, where nearly half of children attend a grammar school, the difference in attainment between those that attend a selective school and those that don't is, according to PISA, as much as three years in schooling. And we know from decades of research the group of kids that suffer the most in selective systems. Less than 3% of grammar school pupils are on free school meals, compared with 18% in non-selective schools.

The OECD are clear that education systems with grammar schools do not produce "superior results" and have found no evidence that countries with selective schooling systems are any better at helping disadvantaged children. They are even clearer that investment in early childhood education is the key for delivering the best outcomes for all children whatever their background. One of the arguments for why we need to bring back selection is that white working class boys are the least likely of any group to attend university, and that grammar schools can change all that.

But we know from their own statistics that selective systems actively drive down the results of these children, and make their chances of attending Oxford or Cambridge less likely. Analysis has shown that the opportunity gap between the most deprived kids and their wealthier peers is bigger where there are selective schools in the area, and these children are more likely to end up unemployed.

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The Tory argument that lifting the ban would drive up education standards for everyone and be good for social mobility just doesn't stand on any evidence. Educationalists, Think Tanks, the OECD, academics, teacher and headteacher groups in selective and non-selective authorities, The Labour Party and even some MPs from their own benches are in universal agreement that bringing back selection at 11 will do irrecoverable harm to the futures of thousands of children. Six months ago the Prime Minister stood on the steps of Downing Street with a promise of delivering a country "that works for everyone".

As the consultation for the Government Green Paper on grammar schools closes today, we are still waiting for an explanation of how an education system that only works for some is supposed to achieve this. We no longer live in a world where it makes sense for only a handful of kids to have access to the best academic education possible.

It is time the Tories recognised that their job is to build an education system for all, not just the lucky few. If they don't, by the time the PISA tests are taken again they will have wasted another three years on a reckless restructuring of the education system at the expense of investing in what we know actually works - excellent early years education and brilliant teaching. Our children deserve nothing less.
Two years ago, I was 33, and single for the first time in nearly a decade. My partner and I had been planning to buy a house in the country, but I found myself back living in a shared house in East London with friends. I felt as though my life was over.

I got the cliche break up haircut, and threw out everything that reminded me of my ex and our old life. I also decided to leave my job as a management consultant and start an online gifting business.

Everybody around me told me I was mad. It's difficult starting a business at the best of times - never mind when you're recovering from a messy break up - but two years on, I wouldn't change a thing.

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Far from being a big mistake, I've discovered there are some real positives to setting up a new business in a difficult period of your life. Here's what I learned from the experience:

A new project can give your life renewed focus and meaning

The first few weeks after I moved back to London I happily wallowed in bed with Netflix and regular deliveries of ice cream and pizza. And I saw no real reason to break out of this cycle any time soon. But with the constant threat of my savings running out and the excitement of brainstorming ideas with friends and creating my own business, this phase passed pretty quickly.

A change in lifestyle opens you up to new people and ideas

As part of a couple, my friendship group had dwindled over time into a small group of other couples, most with kids. Not only were my new housemates able to teach me how to be single again, they were also great for bouncing ideas off about my new business idea. For example, a conversation one evening where we discussed that so many people we knew seemed to be having their second or even third babies led to the creation of one of our most popular boxes - a gift that helps toddlers welcome a new baby into their family.

One more change in the context of big upheaval is less daunting

I had always had the idea that I would start a business 'one day'. Naturally risk averse, the right time or that perfect idea never quite developed. When everything was turned upside down, I got that push I needed to just jump off into the unknown. After all, I had nothing to lose

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I had all the time in the world to focus on my business

Without a partner to consider, I could stay up until 2am working on my website any time I liked. The freedom to work any and all hours that are required is really useful when you are first creating a business. I never knew when a new idea would strike and I could drop whatever I was doing and shift my focus across to that.

I could put myself first - and not feel guilty about it

While in the past I had felt guilty for working long hours, and would rush back to spend time together with my partner when I was able, I no longer had to think about anyone but myself. Being selfish is a useful tool that many driven, motivated and ambitious people regularly use. There was something incredibly freeing and confidence building about being my own boss and doing exactly what I wanted when I wanted to without having to consider anyone else.
You might think a reference to one of my school chemistry lessons is an odd way to start a blog but bear with me.

It was the first and most prominent theme that came to mind as I travelled back on a packed evening train from Paddington yesterday evening. I had spent the afternoon at an event held in Westminster with over 150 people from the Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) community. They included leaders in this field from a variety of specialties - Health Visitors, Midwifes, Obstetricians, GPs, Psychologists, Psychiatrists - all working in very diverse roles but united by the same objective - to improve care for women, men and their families experiencing PMH problems.

As well as professionals, there was a large number of women, and some men, who have been personally affected and listening to some of their stories told was a maelstrom of emotions. Empathy, concern, guilt, shock and above all, compassion. But a very rich source of fuel for this particular fire to be started.

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All those who speak publicly about their own personal tragedy deserve some respect but not all can make such a lasting impression as did Antoinette Sandbach, MP. She has become a passionate advocate for improved perinatal bereavement support, health professional training and hospital facilities after experiencing her own personal tragedy. She spoke with such honesty, such visible pain, that all of us came away knowing there is much work still to be done in this important area.

Cutting edge research on the economic and the biomedical arguments for the prevention, early detection and prompt treatment of PMH illness were persuasive. Dr Alain Gregoire, Prof Vivette Glover and Anna Day spoke with passion, conviction and their experienced words held everyone's attention. Some memorable points: 10% of childhood behavioural, cognitive development and emotional difficulties may be attributable to perinatal mental health problems although this is not an inevitable consequence for the vast majority of PMH illness. And as if this wasn't enough science to motivate us all to do more - 70% of our brain's development happens in the first 2 years of life, the other 30% happen in utero. Tackling PMH issues really is a chance to improve not only the lives of the parent in front of us, but their children as well.

Lindsay Robinson spoke eloquently, emotionally and connected with the audience in a very powerful way. Her delayed disclosure, diagnosis and appropriate treatment for postnatal depression which followed undetected antenatal depression was heart-wrenching to hear. But equally powerful was her courage to share her story in the hope of helping others to have a better experience of early motherhood than she had. Similar motivation had prompted Sanchita Islam to share her narrative which illustrated the huge challenges and complexities of living with a chronic severe mental illness like schizophrenia.

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Powerful fuel indeed.

There was also some news of policy progress from Dr Giles Berrisford, Associate National Clinical Director for Perinatal Mental Health. He outlined the current situation: only 15 % of the UK having robust perinatal services but that this postcode lottery is finally being addressed with 360 million investment coming over the next 5 years. As well as supporting the development of many specialist PMH community teams across the country, this money will also support 4 new Mother and Baby Units across England so offering many more beds than are currently available for those women with the most severe type of PMH problems.

However, there is no money pledged yet for a Mother and Baby Unit in Wales and there was a strong Welsh presence yesterday including Mark Williams who is one of the leading PMH voices in Wales raising awareness of how fathers as well as mothers may be affected. The impact and reach of his work is admirable and his story again is one that has, and will, motivate many others to come forward and seek the help they need.

As Beverley Turner outlined - the importance of words cannot be underestimated, women too often become "passengers" in their own journey when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenting. There needs to be more discussion, more debate, more myth busting - and we all have a role to play in that dialogue.

There is a feeling of momentum in PMH at the moment with more awareness, more investment and an increasingly vocal community on social media breaking down some of the stigma of PMH illness. This together with the collective buzz of optimism and tangible sense of hope as was seen in the audience yesterday must be the oxygen to this flame. Remembering the days of starched white coats and blue Bunsen burners - to ignite a fire with fuel and oxygen, all you need is a spark.

And that bright spark was Mr Raja Gangopadhyay, an obstetrician with a special interest in PMH, who by organising #Hopedec09, has done something very wonderful indeed. He has ignited a fire in the hearts and minds of those within the PMH community to continue in their work to improve the lives of all affected by PMH problems for this generation, and beyond.
Every year many Brits travel abroad in search of the beauty in our world. As the very fortunate individual chosen as 16-25 Railcard's first Chief Adventure Officer, it is my job to show the Great British public why they should be looking closer to home, embracing a staycation, and exploring all our nation has to offer.

I have been chosen by National Rail to travel by train to seven unique locations around Great Britain, in order to show the best of our diverse nation. In each location I will be producing a short vlog of my adventures and experiences in the hope of inspiring more of our population to explore the beauty we have on our doors step.

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It seems to be the consensus with most Britons that the weather and tranquillity that we search for abroad cannot be found on home soil. I want to put forward an argument against this notion and in turn boost the number of us considering a staycation rather than traveling abroad on the next holiday.

In my 19 years I have been fortunate to visit many beautiful parts of Great Britain. My favourites include: London, The Lake District, York and the south coast. I personally enjoy the diversity of our landscape, at one end we have one of the largest and most multi-cultural cities on Earth - London. At the other end, we have the immense beauty of our countryside, and the dramatic landscape of the Scottish highlands (with views that can challenge just about anywhere in the world!).

I will concede that sometimes our climate can let us down, but when the sun is beating down and there isn't a cloud in the sky, there is no better place be than here.

There is still a great deal of Great Britain that I am yet to explore, and this wonderful opportunity to be a professional adventurer now gives me the chance to explore new and exciting places, and encourage others to follow in my footsteps.

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During my time as the Chief Adventure Officer, I would like to take the opportunity to show off my favourite locations but also experience many new destinations. Top of my list of new places to explore is Edinburgh. Many of my friends and family have recommended the Scottish capital and spoken of a beautiful, historic city with world famous landmarks. This is what makes me so keen to explore this city. I'm also really excited to visit Liverpool and Brighton.

I really want to show how simple exploring this country can be. We have a brilliant rail network which reaches almost every corner of Great Britain, making it extremely easy to explore for just a day, a weekend or longer. It isn't always necessary to plan an entire week away like we often have to when going abroad.

I feel extremely privileged to have been given such a massive opportunity at my young age. I hope that I can entertain the Great British public and inspire everyone to get out and explore.
Diane Abbott

The Government likes to suggest that its post-Brexit settlement will lead to a Britain which is more open to the rest of the world. This is a dubious claim, and nowhere is this clearer than in its policy towards international students.

The most recent data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the total number of new international student has fallen steadily. In the 12 months to September 2011 246,000 international students arrived in the UK but this fell to 163,000 by June 2016. This is a direct result of Government policy while Theresa May was Home Secretary, as she announced a series of clampdowns on overseas enrolment. There are no winners in this situation. Not international students, and certainly not the British public.

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The policy of including international students in the total immigration data and then subjecting them to the same irrational net migration target is completely counter-productive. The Department of BIS estimates that the economic value of the contribution from international students was 14 billion in 2014/15 and that it is set to rise to 26 billion to 2025.

International students enrich us all. Reducing their numbers makes us poorer.

This purely factual point seems to be contentious, so it is worth spelling out. Technically, the income from international students resident here counts as exports. International students pay far higher fees to universities and colleges than UK-born students. As such, they are providing a subsidy to us all for UK higher education spending. In addition, both the students themselves and any friends and family who visit them also spend money here, boosting our incomes, adding jobs.

The benefits that international students offer are far wider than this narrow, but substantial increase in revenue. They enrich us socially and culturally too. Some of them also ask to stay on, and make an important contribution to our living standards. The NHS is just one sector which would collapse without the contribution of overseas students who come here to study and stay on to work.

The current Home Secretary and her predecessor act as if international students are a drain on the British economy and British society. It has been argued that there were large numbers of international students who overstayed their visas and so contributed to the breach of their immigration target. Both these claims are false.

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This hostile rhetorical campaign has been supplemented with legal cases against international students, the most recent of which collapsed in the Appeal Court despite the Home Office evidence.

Most students return home after study. In 2014/15 under 6,000 students applied for a Tier 2 visa, applicable to non-EU students who wish to work here. This actually may be too few for the overall needs of the economy, teaching institutions, the NHS and others. An unpublished report from the Home Office, drafted when Theresa May was Home Secretary, showed that the number of student overstayers is tiny, just 1% of the total, approximately 1,500. This makes no significant impact on the total immigration numbers.

A number of stakeholders are opposed to the clampdown on overseas students, including Universities UK, the teaching unions, the National Union of Students, and many local authorities where education is a much-needed growth industry. Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson both seem to disagree with the Prime Minister and have asked for international students to be removed from the Home Office immigration target.
KiltedArab via Getty Images

In the bushes by the side of a sleepy road on the outskirts of the Bhutanese capital, Thimpu, a group of men in traditional dress are playing Khuru. They wear long socks and knee length Ghos - the national costume - in bright colours, and hurl large darts at a small wooden target twenty metres away. Mostly, the darts miss, sometimes landing dangerously close to spectators who must leap laughing to safety. When one of the darts hits the target, the achievement is celebrated by donning a wreath made of leaves from nearby trees, and dancing in a circle arm in arm with fellow team members. Khuru is an exceptionally popular sport in the small mountain kingdom, and undoubtedly contributes significantly to the happiness of its players. This is important because Bhutan, total population around 700,000, measures its GNH or Gross National Happiness, and uses the data from the index to help decide how to share out government spending.

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The idea began in the 1970s when the previous King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, announced that the small predominantly Buddhist kingdom would henceforth focus its efforts on the increasing the happiness of its citizens, rather than predominantly their incomes. Some years later, Bhutan began to measure this happiness, and to attempt to identify what was driving it, as a guide for policy making. The Government website promoting this concept points out that if the forests of Bhutan were logged for profit, GDP would increase, but the Kingdom would not be better off. It goes on to quote Robert Kennedy speaking in 1968, who said of the USA that 'Our Gross National Product ...counts air pollution and cigarette advertising ... It counts the destruction of our redwoods... It measures everything, in short...except that which makes life worthwhile' (pull quote). The current Bhutanese King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has expanded on this theme to define GNH as 'our National Conscience guiding us towards making wise decisions for a better future'.

In recent years many other nations have looked to Bhutan as an example, and have begun to measure the happiness of their own citizens. However, it is not a simple as one might imagine. While the Bhutanese do measure the happiness of their citizens - in 2015 43.4 per cent were extensively or deeply happy, a rise of 2.5 per in five years - the Government makes some fairly firm assumptions as to what might be driving that happiness. They identify nine 'domains' in which they measure progress; living standards, education, health, environment, community vitality, time-use, psychological well being, good governance, and cultural resilience. These results range from the practical - most Bhutanese have access to surprisingly good free education - to the more dictatorial - anyone working for the Government and in many other jobs must wear the national dress, whether they like it or not, whatever the weather.

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Western nations, less confident of the ability of their governments to make wise decisions on behalf of their citizens, have struggled to find ways to define happiness. For several years, a group of economists and thinkers led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs have published a World Happiness Report, which explores some of these issues. Broadly, there are two ways of measuring happiness. First, simply asking people if they are happy, or satisfied, or some similar word. But this can produce odd results; a Eurobarometer survey found that 64 per cent of Danes were 'very satisfied', compared to only 16 per cent of French people. This may be amusing, but it's clearly not comparable.

Second, by using what is known as the 'Day Reconstruction Method', developing in part by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman, which asks people to recall what their mood was over a period of days. These two systems often produce very different results. A survey that compared Frenchwomen with women in Ohio found that the Americans were twice as likely to say they were satisfied with their lives, but the inhabitants of France spent much more of their day in a good mood. Professor Kahneman argues that 'there's a real need to distinguish between life satisfaction and mood or experienced happiness. They are quite distinct and have different causes or consequences'.

Both methods however generate interesting information for policy makers. The 2016 World Happiness Report found that factors that were driving life satisfaction were: GDP per capita, healthy years of life expectancy, social support, trust (an absence of corruption in government and business), freedom to make life decisions and generosity (measured by recent donations). However, these drivers are much less helpful in explaining our moods, which seem to be more dependent on what we are doing at any one time - broadly commuting and working make us feel unhappy, whereas sex and eating produce largely positive emotions.

This is useful information for policy makers, but much more complex than the Bhutanese experience would suggest. Perhaps that's why, although many countries including France and Britain now produce various official measures of happiness, economic numbers are still far more significant in guiding politicians. One could of course take this further; Professor Richard Layard, a British economist working at the LSE, and the author of one of the chapters of the World Happiness Report, argues that against a global decline of religious ethics, we should consider 'the principle of the greatest happiness' as an underlying ethical system for humanity (pull quote). Professor Layard has also written a book entitled Happiness, which points out that as societies become richer, they do not become happier.

This paradox is the subject of significant public debate in Bhutan. Tourism is the source of much of the Kingdom's foreign exchange, but it is limited by the government, which sets very high daily taxes on anyone entering the kingdom ($65 a day per person). This has the effect of discouraging all but the wealthiest foreigners from visiting the kingdom, a deliberate policy intended to limit the cultural impact on Bhutan of contact with outsiders. According to the Kingdom's definition of happiness, this is a good thing, because it helps protect traditional Bhutanese culture, but the country loses financially by not maximising tourist revenue. There is a lively debate about whether this is the right choice, ordinary Bhutanese do not dispute GNH as the right goal for their country, but they do disagree about the best way to maximise it. Their Prime Minister, speaking last year, admitted that there is much they don't yet understand, including whether their own happiness statistics are growing fast enough. 'Is this fast or slow? he asked, 'We do not yet know, we are still learning what is a good growth rate'.

One of the most revered teachers in Bhutan was Drupka Kunley, known as the Divine Madman, who lived 600 years ago, but who is still extensively worshipped in parts of the Kingdom. He was known for some eccentric views, and also for his songs. One of his more famous sayings was: 'If you think I have revealed any secrets, I apologise; If you think this a medley of nonsense, just enjoy it!'. Good advice, perhaps, for anyone currently trying to run a government right now on the basis of measuring the happiness of its citizens.

Ed Amory is a partner at freuds
BBC

For some time it seems as though Muslims have been constantly dominating the news headlines - and not in a positive way. Whether it's a terror attack or Asian men from Rotherham on trial, it's always deemed to be a Muslim problem. But have you ever thought what it's like to be a British Muslim at a time like this?

I began to work on a BBC specialist factual series, Muslims Like Us with Love Productions over 18 months ago. I wanted to find a way to make people aware of the voices that I would hear every time something like a terrorist attack happened and a Muslim was involved. The voices in Muslim households, in the work place, mosques and markets around the country are part of a lively yet usually unheard debate.

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The premise of the series is that for ten days, ten Muslim participants will share a house and discuss and debate what it means to be Muslim and British today as well as to explore a full range of attitudes and beliefs in the British Muslim community.

The casting is the result of months of research within communities by journalist Mobeen Azhar and his team of Muslim producers. The group includes men and women, young and old, converts, gay and straight, conservative and radical, Sunni and Shi'a and has been chosen to represent British Muslims as accurately as possible.

The inclusion of former professional boxer and convert to Islam, Abdul Haq (once known as Anthony Small) as a one of the contributors has attracted a lot of press coverage and debate - the majority of it criticising the BBC for providing a platform to an 'ISIS sympathiser' which is how certain sections of the press have described him.

We expected this. The decision to include him was one that was very considered and thought carefully through. His voice is represented because we felt that to exclude it would be to pretend that it doesn't exist; it would also not give us the opportunity to challenge and debate it, which it is, amongst the group themselves as well as by the film makers throughout the series. Let me be clear, this isn't an exercise in giving free vent to the loudest mouths but an opportunity to hear ten authentic voices from a range of backgrounds and opinions so the viewer can gain fresh insights and not just have their prejudices confirmed. Journalists who haven't seen the first episode have asked why we are offering him a platform but some of those who have understand the value of the other participants challenging him on his beliefs. He is outnumbered and often out-argued, mostly incidentally by the Muslim women in the programme.

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I believe that although some people might come to the programme expecting to be offended, they will end up concluding that people like Haq do not speak for Muslims as a whole and that moderate Muslims can, and do, challenge such voices. They will also see that British Muslims can just be as intelligent, compassionate, mean, rude, polite, and dysfunctional as any other community in Britain. In that sense, the programme is humanising.
Photograph Fi Bird

On Christmas Eve at around 4 o'clock you'll find me making mince pies listening to Carols from Kings College, Cambridge on BBC Radio 4. If I'm lucky all of our six grown up children are at home although a driver may have gone to collect the turkey. Somebody is making orange zest scented pastry (a Magimix is helpful), another is rolling out pastry as thinly as possible and then another will be stamping out lids and bases. Mince pie making is a family tradition I cherish.

My own mincemeat recipe is adapted from Katie Stewart's ( The Times Cookery Book). It's delicious. My Katie Stewart edition is battered and has travelled with me since university days. I always use fresh suet which I buy from from my local butcher. Try it and taste the difference. Nowadays, I add roasted and chopped chestnuts, lots of dried seaweed and finely chopped pickled kelp stipes too. The green seaweeds (Ulva spp.) are assertive, you can really taste them. I don't use green seaweeds in my Christmas cooking because it's traditional. It doesn't need a seaweed statement. Dried brown seaweeds are subtler and I add the red seaweed, dulse too, although take care with that species because it can be a wee bit shouty. Perhaps it's the warming colours that makes me plump for brown and red seaweeds but these species, dried, work well at Christmastide. I use dried seaweeds as one would a herb or spice. I often blend dried beetroot and dulse together, a pinch or two of this adds redness and sweetness to a Christmas cake.

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A seaweed stipe is rather like a plant's stalk but kelp stipes can be tough. There is an explanation of the evolution of my recipe for pickled kelp stipes in my book, Seaweed in the Kitchen. It owes a lot to a group of Victorian seaweed ladies and personal determination. Mark Stephen, a presenter on Radio Scotland's Out of Doors programme, suggested that the pickled stipes would be nice with ice-cream; indeed, mincemeat can be stirred into homemade ice-cream too. I've also added an elderberry syrup, called Pontack, to my mincemeat. Pontack is a rich, dark syrupy affair that like the pickled stipes improves with age. Old cookery books insist that it is kept in a dark place for over seven years before use. A Pontack recipe can be found in The Forager's Kitchen, which has recently been reissued.

A Coastal adaptation of Kate Stewart's Mincemeat Recipe

Makes 7-8, 450g jars

450g seedless raisons

450g currants

450g sultanas roughly chopped

175g candied peel, chopped

350g suet, shredded

100g chestnuts, roasted, peeled and chopped

100g almonds, blanched and chopped

450g apples, peeled, cored and grated

Medium carrot, peeled and grated

450g soft brown sugar

Tablespoon dried and finely ground kelp

Tablespoon dried and finely ground laver

Dessertspoon dried and finely ground dulse

2 teaspoons pickled kelp stipes, finely chopped

Large orange, rind and juice

2 tablespoons Pontack

250ml rosehip or sloe infused gin

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Cover with a cloth and leave overnight. Pot into sterile jars and store as Katie Stewart suggested, in a dry place.

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Credit Fi Bird
Funny how quickly life can change. Not so long ago I was living on social security, worrying if I had enough money left to buy enough food to see me through the week. A few months later I'm rubbing shouders with rock 'n' roll royalty, making headlines around the globe for simply doing my job and now have over 60,000 followers on Twitter. Bizarre - and all because I got a birth defect sorted out.

To borrow an Elvis tune, it was - for me - a Return to Gender. The gender I've always been, but up until recently, didn't have the body to match.Becoming Britain's first mainstream transgender reporter and presenter made news around the world. Which surprised me more than anyone else.

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I'd quit my original job on telly five years earlier before I transitioned, because - at the time - I could never imagine a reporter who happened to be trans being accepted in the traditionally uber-macho atmosphere of a newsroom. How times change.

So this year, I left the run-of-the-mill office job I'd been doing while transitioning in a different city to the one where I was known, and set my sights on getting back into television. Which I've managed to do.

I'm under no illusions that, for the moment, I'm something of a novelty and curiousity. I've had all sorts of media offers in the last few months since returning to the telly. Book deals, newspaper columns, reality shows - the lot. Suddenly my world has opened up - all because I was honest about something that I always thought would hold me back. Namely, being trans.

A revelation which recently led me to a guest panelist's spot on one of Britain's biggest daytime show, Loose Women - watched by at least one million viewers a day. It made me the first guest trans 'Loose Woman' in the show's history and in fact the first trans woman to ever co host an all female television show anywhere in the world - no one realised it at the time though which made it it all the more of a surprise that my single appearance on the show has now gone down in television history books forever.

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The particular episode was extra special to me as I've always been a big Elvis fan, and our star guest was Priscilla. Incredible. She was extremely open about her relationship with arguably the most famous man ever, and looked stunningly beautiful in the flesh and nothing like the strange pictures you see of her looking very plastic - in reality she's like a dainty little doll. I kept having to pinch myself that I was sat right alongside her and when she gave me a hug it really did feel surreal.

My fellow Loose Women on the day were equally fantastic to work with, and all treated me as just one of the gang. Exactly as it should be. Janet Street-Porter even went so far as to say live on the show that the reason I was there was for my brain and my long running career in journalism which was nice to hear when you are often referred to as a trans activist (which I'm not - I'm just a woman with an interesting past who tries to help raise awareness where I can but its not my career path)

The reaction to my appearance on the show from the viewers and press was incredibly positive and praising and while some die-hard dinosaurs still refuse to accept that trans people are normal, sane individuals who just happened to have been born in a body that didn't match their gender, the lack of criticism I received showed things ARE improving massively.

More people like me are finding the confidence to live as their true selves. Children are listened to. Parents offer support. We have come a long way very quickly, though there are still many misconceptions to put right.

I actually suffer from trans fatigue at the moment. At times I get sick to death hearing about it because awareness - powered by the internet, social and mainstream media - means it's everywhere. But then I realise that's a good thing. Being boring means we are becoming common place. Normal. 'So what' members of society. Trans people have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years, in every corner of the globe, in all cultures. It's not something people follow as a fashion, or lifestyle. It's the first generation to start stepping from the shadows.

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A friend said to me the other day: "It's as if you have re-booted." And that's exactly as I feel. Finally being in synch has given me a new thirst for life at the age of 50. Not all programmes have been as welcoming though.

On the back of my new found prominence, I was invited onto what you might describe as the 1950s version of Loose Women - BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. My reception there was very different. I turned up in a good mood and more than happy to chat about whatever topic the host, Jenni Murray, wanted. However, there was a definite chill in the air. Within a few minutes it was clear to everyone listening that she didn't really view someone like me as being a real woman.

"You're new to this" and "What was it like appearing on a WOMAN's show discussing WOMEN's issues?" were among just a few of the early exchanges, before quoting a well-known feminist who holds particularly odd (and totally incorrect) views on people who are transgender. And thats not to mention the researcher who asked me on the phone if i considered myself 'real woman' or a 'trans one').

We then moved on to a question about The Dorchester Hotel - an extremely posh five-star establishment, where rooms cost around 700 a night. The hotel recently introduced grooming guides for all staff (male and female), one of which was that staff should avoid having "excessive body hair" while on duty. Jenni though, only wanted to discuss hair on women's legs and asked for my view - which I was happy to give.

If I'm paying a lot of money to stay in a posh hotel, I would expect good grooming standards of the staff and no, I wouldn't want to be served by someone with obviously hairy legs which was just my personal preference - I didn't say leg shaving should be made compulsory by order of the law. But that set the cat among the pigeons.

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While I've had a mountain of messages in support, I've had others suggesting I'm an oppressor. Not so much Herr Hitler, as Hair Hitler.That I'm supporting a regime that imposes expensive treatments on women, who are being forced to alter their bodies.

Really? A tin of shaving gel costs 1. A packet of disposable razors the same. It's hardly water-boarding. Deodorant? 50p. Saying I think the Dorchester staff shouldn't whiff hardly makes me an oppressor of womens rights. And what about the men that I said had to stay groomed in that environment ? They have to shave their faces every day. Wear ties which they probably hate, be smart like the girls, and keep their hands and nails clean. Any hate mail from them? Nope. Not one.

Women have always come under greater scrutiny about their looks, which isn't right, but I genuinely don't detect any attempt by The Dorchester to single out the girls for special treatment here. And in recent years, the pressures on men to look buff and polished have also increased.

The Dorchester isn't chasing sexiness, and it's hardly introducing anything that most people staying in a five star hotel wouldn't expect as a matter of course. It merely wants staff that fit in with its meticulous standards.

The more radical feminists - who mostly have the word 'angry' somewhere on their profile - should maybe go for a nice long soak with a bath bomb. Get some perspective and stop saying that I, as a 'trans' woman (their words) don't have the right comment on 'women's issues' - ask me a question and I'll answer it. It's ok to disagree with me, healthy debate is what the UK media world is known for.

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A man shouted at me recently. He didn't just shout at me. He shouted at a whole stream of women. We were marching in silence in Claire Moore's 'Dead Women Walking' Murder March to commemorate all the women murdered by men over the past year as part of the 16 Days Of Activism to highlight male violence against women. We wear red capes and Claire reads out the names of the women who have died as she leads us through a City Centre.

The voluble man, who was Christmas shopping in Manchester, amidst festive lights and music and roasting chestnuts, found the sight of a group of women dressed in red, symbolising the blood of our dead sisters, distressing. He glanced at the sign, which said "Dead Women Walking" and shouted out "Well that's not very full of Christmas cheer is it?" and he sounded really annoyed.

He was right. Dead women aren't full of Christmas cheer. They are stuffed full of male violence in this case. So sick of feasting on it that they died.

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Katie Locke is one example. She was murdered last Christmas Eve after her first date with Carl Langdell. I'm sure she was hoping for love and a future. Not that he would strangle her and have sex with her corpse. Or Julia Tshabalala murdered by her husband Jan Tshabalala on Christmas Eve 2014 after being beaten for months by him. He was composed enough to arrange a babysitter for their 2 children before killing her.

Christmas is a time that many victims of domestic abusers fear more than normal. This is the time that the male perpetrator will drink more. This is not an excuse for his violence or control. He would be violent and/or controlling anyway. It just makes it more likely, makes him more incendiary and his attacks of greater intensity.

For the abusive men who aren't reliant on physical violence alone, this is a time when opportunities for coercive control present themselves more readily too. A woman is at home more if she works. He will be at home more if he does.

My own abuser ruined every Christmas. I have no memories of a good one and he ruined ones that came after I escaped his abuse too. He tried to ruin last year's. He turned up on Christmas Day and berated me in my own home and in front of my child for allegedly being a terrible mother. The home he is no longer allowed near since he threatened to burn it to the ground. Friends helped to make it fun after he had crawled back off to his lair. It was a day full of laughter. But it had his stain.

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Looking back on the Christmases with him the saddest thing was the expectation I had. I had no reason to expect anything good based on experience but I had the same expectations everyone else has. That friends might come round. That the dinner would be fun to eat and cook. That he would become the father he should be and would be involved with his child. Deep inside I knew that there would be no family and friends really. He never let people round to the house. I now know that it is because he couldn't trust himself not to reveal his cruel side. Anyone else would have seen what I tried to hide. One year I insisted on a friend and her family coming and he drank himself into a stupor and lay on the sofa until they left. I was ashamed and I was sad. Christmas was always lonely.

I remember my dread about the 'Lad's Christmas Night Out'. This involved him taking a substantial amount of cocaine and not coming home until 4am at the earliest. If at all. If he did come home there would be damage. Some of it would be the house and some of it would be me, or more usually at the later stages, my possessions. They never hurt their own things these men. He never urinated on anything he owned. My shoes. My bags. My photos. The baby's toys. He never smashed his own laptop. Mine was just to hand.

He would frequently elaborate on his visits to the lap dancing club. He once came home with a "dogging" video and put it on the cabinet next to the television in full view of his child. When challenged the reason was that I was frigid. I am not frigid. I did not want sex with him. He was repulsive to me for bringing home explicit porn. None of us feel sexually attracted to a man who hurts us and humiliates us. Every time a man has sex with us in that circumstance he is raping us and he need not tell himself otherwise.

Towards the end of our marriage I was afraid to fall asleep on the sofa. If I did he would put on hardcore porn and I would wake up to the sounds of a woman being horribly abused on camera. This made me physically sick but he would then suggest we had sex. If I refused then I was frigid. I gritted my teeth. Some women will know - that means only one thing.

There was a time I lay semi-conscious in the street after a Christmas meal with his friends. I lay in the street because he had thrown me there onto my face and I'd banged my head and jarred my neck. A woman called the police.

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A couple of nights previously he had visited a prostitute and called me on his phone so that I could listen while he exploited her. As I lay there on the cold tarmac thinking of all this, I hoped I would die. I just went into shock and thought.... "Well. That's it. That's an end to it at least."

But it wasn't. I went to hospital and that was when I got very scared. I was bullied by a male nurse who said I was wasting their time as I was scared to tell them my name. I didn't know what was going to happen to me, my blood pressure was dangerously low and I was very afraid of what he would do to me if the police prosecuted him. Our family unit relied upon him for our existence at that time. My daughter would be homeless. So what did I do? I got up somehow and found my clothes and I went and got him out of the police station. I said the woman had been drunk and I had simply fallen. I begged them to believe my statement not hers. They did. When the police officer brought him out to the car he stared in at me. My abuser who had jumped quickly in the car said "he's just deciding whether you seem stable or he is going to section you." In reality he was just checking to see if I was being abused. I got out of there quick. I wasn't mad. I was just controlled. I believed every word my abuser said.

And on it went.

Now I am free. I fought and I fought and I survived. I write this for all the women who are still fighting and who are not free. Christmas is the very worst of times for abused women. In a hell that we learn to see as normal this is when we really get burned. I hope with all my heart that those women make it to New Year intact. I hope with all my heart that there are more women who manage to find freedom in 2017 than ever have before.

When women march to respect their dead sisters lost to men who ruined not just their Christmas but their lives, don't shout at them. Help them.

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To the woman who watched me abused in the street and did something. Thank you. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to take your help that time. Women always need women to stand up for them. You didn't waste your time. I just wasn't ready.
2016 has been a tough year for all those who care about democracy and human rights, and for all those who want to see more tolerant, open and inclusive societies. This is why I urge you to do your bit, and to participate in Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign this month.

We have conflicts raging around us with no end in sight, and more and more countries seem to be sliding towards authoritarian jingoism. Whereas once upon a time we could rely on a common baseline of democratic values in the so-called 'Free World', Donald Trump's election and the Brexit referendum have thrown that seeming consensus into the wind.

While we have been absorbed with threats posed by Trump and Brexit, repressive regimes elsewhere have used the opportunity to clamp down on dissidence and inconvenient opposition. The EU's pressure often acted as a restraint in the past, but now those who violate human rights sense that no one is watching, and even if they are, there are bigger fish to fry.

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Beyond just holding onto power, we are seeing a worrying model of illiberal authoritarian government establishing itself as an alternative to liberal democracy. It comes equipped with ideologies of chauvinist strongman nationalism, ultra-conservatism, sophisticated propaganda and a rabid online social media presence.

The list of hotspots is long, and growing longer, with varying degrees of press coverage. Turkey's government has launched a massive crackdown on its civil service, judges and lawyers, academics, NGOs, artists and journalists, as well as opposition MPs from the HDP party. At the same time it has resumed a brutal war against its own Kurdish citizens in the south of the country, with war crimes going unreported and unchallenged.

The Russian government continues its efforts to stir up and sustain conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, while cracking down on journalists, activists and artists at home. Dozens of Ukrainian citizens taken from Russian-occupied Ukraine have been in imprisoned in Russia on trumped up charges.

Iran has used the cover of its nuclear deal and the global fight against ISIS to increase the number of executions (the highest of any country in the world), imprison journalists and dissidents, and also UK citizens. The situation of women's rights in the country continues to deteriorate and Western powers tiptoe around the issue.

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The Bahraini government has imprisoned human rights defenders and political opposition, a trend mirrored in Saudi Arabia and the region. Theresa May recently said, while on a visit, that such abuses should not get in the way of trade with the UK, including various dubious weapons deals.

The Israeli government has embarked on a large-scale campaign of demolitions of Palestinian houses in the West Bank, working to evict vulnerable communities, and expand settlements, seemingly trying to bury the two state solution, while at the same time demonising NGOs who work for peace and justice.

One of our highest civic responsibilities as citizens lucky enough to live in a democracy that upholds human rights, apart from fighting to protect what we have, is to show solidarity and support to those whose human rights are being grossly violated.

We are privileged to be living in an environment where our human rights are guaranteed by the rule of law. It is a fundamental human duty to provide support to those who suffer abuse, and who stand up for their rights, and the rights of others. I see this as a crucial part of my role as an elected representative, and a member of the European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee, which promotes citizen engagement.

At times like these, all those who want to protect democracy, human rights, and the rule of law must stand together internationally and support each other. We must make our voices heard in every way we can.

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Before I went into politics, I worked to do this through arts and culture, promoting democratic values through cultural diplomacy and dialogue. Now as a politician, I work to promote that dialogue, and support those who work to achieve it, particularly artists, writers, thinkers, and journalists who are imprisoned for their work.

One of the ways I decided to be more proactive was by focusing on specific regions, and "adopting" certain cases of political prisoners that have been brought to my attention over time.

One of the first was Nabeel Rajab from Bahrain, a renowned senior activist imprisoned for a tweet. The international campaign on his case secured his release twice, before he was re-arrested. The pressure does sometimes work. I have followed his case, and have subsequently developed a relationship with Bahraini activists.

I began to highlight human rights abuses in Iran early in my mandate, particularly the situation of women and children. I have recently begun to follow the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British Iranian citizen who was sentenced to five years in prison for no apparent reason and whose wellbeing is of particular concern due to her enforced separation from her baby, Gabriella.

The Ukrainian film maker Oleg Sentsov was detained in Crimea by Russian forces, and has since been transferred to be imprisoned illegally in Siberia. As an artist I felt strongly I should give a platform to his case and participated in a panel discussion with exiled Ukrainian artists as part of Belarus Free Theatre's 'Burning Doors' production, which was live streamed by Ukrainian TV, and included a reading of my letter to Sentsov's chief prison guard. I continue to work with the Open Dialogue Foundation on human rights in Ukraine, as they campaign tirelessly to improve prisoners' conditions and effect their release, with some notable successes.

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Since the July coup in Turkey, I have been active trying to do what I can to bring pressure to bear in a country that is fast becoming a fascist regime. I have made two recent visits to the Kurdish regions, and have been paired up as a sponsor to one of the imprisoned HDP MPs, Leyla Birlik. In November I was denied entry to visit her in prison near Istanbul, but I will keep on trying.

None of us, politicians or citizens from any walks of life, would be able to do any of this, or know of any of these cases, without the brave, gruelling, and selfless work of activists and professionals in the NGO field. They work for little reward or recognition, and often at real risk to their personal safety, in order to bring this information to decision-makers and the public eye, to make sure that the truth is told, and that the victims and their families see justice. And yet, many of these smaller NGOs do not always receive the funding or support they need.

Getting involved in cases and doing your research on these subjects can lead you to connect with and support these vital NGOs, and I recommend you do so.

Ahead of this holiday season, please think about participating in Amnesty's Write for Rights campaign to show your support to those around the world who are imprisoned for expressing their beliefs. The letters are meant to pressure governments to release these political prisoners, and also reach out to the prisoners directly, so that they may have a glimmer of hope from the outside world.
Drew Angerer via Getty Images

A couple of weeks ago, the US electorate put two fingers up to the neoliberal establishment and voted in Donald Trump to be the next president of the USA. While I, along with many others, watched in silent fascination as this was played out, I was also preparing to meet two politicians who may have a greater say in our world.

On Thursday evening we held the annual Margaret Horn Debate. The subject was a debate about the challenge of childcare in London. We hosted the newly appointed Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare for London, Joanne McCartney. I was chuffed to have her there as this is the first time that we have a dedicated Mayor for education and childcare, so a pat on the back to Sadiq Khan who has included this in his manifesto. Joanne was joined by colleagues to look at the wider issues including family friendly work spaces, the role of fathers and the huge issue of child poverty in London. Child poverty merits a blog of its own, but clearly childcare has a role to play in reducing it. I am keen that we understand that childcare is part of London's infrastructure, so the discussion needs to address the cost of affordable housing and transport for staff as well as childcare featuring as part of the city's economic partnerships.

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Joanne has begun a process of listening including organising a roundtable. This is a good start along with accepting the challenge to make London a beacon of excellence. I modestly pointed out that she has a good start as LEYF is the largest provider in London and has the highest number of Outstanding and Good Ofsted results despite the areas within which we work! However, the audience made it clear that patience was limited and the infrastructure of childcare itself such as funding, recruitment and quality improvement needed immediate attention.

Later that week , I met Tulip Siddiq MP who is the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Early Years Education. Clearly Tulip is smart and interested in her brief, particularly as she is a new Mum. She is also launching a Taskforce to look at childcare especially as a lever out of poverty. As a London MP she is also aware of the specifics of London, although of course she has the country wide brief.

As with Joanne, I pointed out the impact of poor policy such as the recruitment crisis on early years education. This highlights inadequate funding but also the inability of politicians to relate the complexity of childcare as infrastructure to the public. The public need to understand the purpose of childcare, the state subsidy, the financial contribution and the importance of childcare in evening out the widening disadvantage in Britain today. The Early Years sector has a fundamental role to play in social integration, bridging divides and including the marginalised at a time when the marginalised are increasingly turning to populist solutions (Brexit and Trump).

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What does this look like in practice? Social integration is about more than mere words; our children spend time with the elderly, we give youth at risk work experience in our nurseries to give purpose and confidence, our settings get to know their local communities by being present outside of our nursery doors. This creates connections between divided peoples, in turn creates cultural capital and acts as a preventative measure against isolation and the myriad anti-social dangers that come with isolation.

This took me straight to Donald Trump. Here is a man who had connected with the public, so watch this and see how he seduces the audience with promises of tax-reduced childcare including for those stay-at-home mums.

If Trump can teach us one thing, it could be how to influence the public to think the way you think and become your fans. Watch the link below - even when he makes the baby cry, he makes his parents smile. So is there is a lesson here for our politicians?
"too concerned with their own thoughts to think about the weather

But we see clouds like furious ink

Thick liquid sinks and whips the wind

Pitch shifted rumble screams from a swollen grin

There's a big storm rolling in" - Brews, Kate Tempest

At a panel discussion last week, political journalist Owen Jones compared today's sense of resignation at the world's injustice to Britain's acceptance of the weather: it is outside our control.

Jones spoke as part of a panel on the future of social justice at the University of Bristol, an event by Bristol's Festival of Ideas. This was three nights before spoken word artist Kate Tempest performed her new album Let Them Eat Chaos to a sold out crowd at the O2 Academy.

Tempest's album drops us in on a group of strangers united by being awake at 4.18am, just as the sky splits open and a furious storm breaks out. Let Them Eat Chaos is at once an aching rage at the world and a measured consideration of the human psyche. Tempest's command of language is delicate whilst her fury, underscored by Dan Carey's music, rips the world's wrongs apart.

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Though Jones and Tempest's professions are contrasting, they both ignited burning hearts and minds in Bristol this week, calling for a kind of revolution. Jones spoke alongside Melissa Benn, Danny Dorling and Kayleigh Garthwaite who in turn talked about the damage being done to our education system, the housing crisis and food banks. Spitting devastating facts and stories, the panel tried to find a glimmer of hope in the darkness of our time. But it was Jones, by far the most considered orator of the group, who gave real examples of ways we can be active in our anger. He and Tempest both spoke of the value of kindness in this age of outrage.

"you're more than the three or four you go to war for

You're part of a people that need your support" - Don't Fall In, Kate Tempest

It is easy, this year more than ever, to sit back and look on hopelessly as the headlines continue to roll in, where it is surprising if breaking news notifications are anything less than devastating. At 4.18am, when the world feels like it will never wake up, isolation and resignation are like a gulping black hole. It is easy to think there is nothing we can do and be sucked into the empathy fatigue of our time.

"When we gonna see that life is happening?

And that every single body bleeding on its knees is an abomination" - Tunnel Vision, Kate Tempest

Ordinary people like us- the ones without the political power- can't stop what's happening in Aleppo, or Aden, or Mosul. We can't get rid of Assad or Putin or Trump. We can't save Samia Omar, Aya Krenbe or Aylan Kurdi. We can't shut down ISIS, halt the rising of the alt-right or stop all gun crime. Jones says that there is an illusion of every age that now is the way it will always be, but that history continuously proves that wrong. We can still make a difference on a smaller scale, and the value of that should not be dismissed simply because we can't solve the enormous Rubick's Cube of the world's issues.

"Top down violence, a structural viciousness

Your kids are dosed up on medical sedatives

But don't worry bout that, man, worry 'bout terrorists" - Europe Is Lost, Kate Tempest

We can buy a homeless person dinner, or volunteer at a shelter, or stop for a chat as everyone else speeds on past. We can go into politics, we can stand up to discrimination and we can teach our children that eventually good will triumph. We can write to our local MPs, we can volunteer at a food bank, or we can go out to a refugee camp. We can look people in the eye in shops to make them feel valued, we can ask people how they are and actually listen for the answer and we can be kind to those struggling at the loneliest time of year. In her rage at the world, Tempest calls for us to "wake up and love more."

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There has been a lot of talk of echo chambers recently. Both Jones and Tempest argue the need to get out of this cycle of searching for confirmation bias then being surprised when people disagree. Jones asserts that Labour have a responsibility to be inclusive and to have a vision that resonates beyond the bubble. Tempest insists we need to expand our tunnel vision.

"In the future they will ask us what we did in this time," Jones declares. Both speakers have shown that it is our responsibility to make sure we have a good answer.

Tempest is emotional at the end of her set. It is as if she is saying the words for the last time. The weight they carry slumps her head down, her shoulders down, her body down past her knees. She uses the push of the crowd to stand up straight again, determination radiating out of her and flying from her mouth like electricity. Urging for change, her performance truly stands as testament for the value of the arts, and the power performance can have.

"What we gonna do to wake up?" -Tunnel Vision, Kate Tempest.
Today (December 10) is the International Day for Animal Rights and it is a perfect opportunity to confront the biggest challenge facing animal lovers and advocates alike: how to defend animal welfare legislation as Britain prepares to leave the EU.

Our status as a nation of animal lovers has been a proud hallmark of Britain for centuries. Animal welfare is undoubtedly important to a country that is home to 65 million pets and in which supporters of the two biggest animal charities in the country, the RSPCA, and the RSPB, happily donate almost 200m a year.

Much of the positive action taken on animal welfare over the last few decades has been driven by Britain's membership of the European Union. EU laws are currently protecting millions of British animals and acres of beloved wildlife.

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It was the EU that first recognised animals as sentient beings; ensuring that European animal protection laws are frequently stronger than those applied in other parts of the world.

Working together with our neighbours, the EU has improved conditions for animals in areas where national governments, including the UK, have failed to act. Crucially, the influence of these improvements has been felt beyond European borders too.

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The EU banned the use of veal crates for calves and narrow sow stalls for pigs that cruelly restrict movement, giving millions of farmed animals a higher quality of life. It also banned the use of barren battery cages for hens, a measure the UK egg industry lobbied to postpone. These measures are now paving the way for the implementation of similar laws across the world.

The future of these protections, however, is shrouded in uncertainty, as the UK prepares to secede from the EU.

The shape of UK-EU relations for decades to come are in the hands of a government with a worrying approach to animal welfare issues. Post-referendum, we have a foxhunt supporting Prime Minister who has appointed a badger cull supporting Environment Minister, looking to bring back fox hunting, and a Farming Minister, who has already tried to repeal farm animal welfare standards while denouncing 'spirit crushing' wildlife protections.

Although the government has failed to set out a clear plan for Britain's future outside the European Union, the moves made so far suggest the UK is heading towards for a destructive divorce. Aside from assuaging those desperate to make migration the scapegoat for Britain's many social, economic, and environmental justice failings, the wider impacts of such a divorce are little considered.

The UK-EU relationship options available in the above scenario are limited to the 'Canadian' or 'Hong Kong' models.

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In the 'Canadian model,' Britain would seek a free-trade deal with the EU modelled on the hugely controversial CETA deal, which has yet to come into force between Canada and the EU, removing most tariff barriers to trade.

In the 'Hong Kong model,' Britain would adopt a unilateral free-trade policy - dropping all tariffs and relying on the World Trade Organisation's framework. In both of these situations, the impact on animal welfare policies is likely to be negative. The lack of tariffs would be detrimental to the UK's agricultural sector, as importing food would, likely, be cheaper than producing it in the UK, driving calls for deregulation of animal welfare standards and a race to the bottom for farm animal protection.

Leaving the European Union also puts at risk the body of EU law which accounts for almost 80% of UK wildlife and animal welfare protections. Laws that only exist at EU level, for example, the Lisbon Treaty which recognises animals as sentient beings, will simply cease to apply upon secession. Other UK laws designed to comply with broader European standards and made under the 1972 European Communities Act, such as the Birds and Habitats directives, could be 'overlooked' when the act is repealed to allow the UK to leave the EU. The repeal of the European Communities Act, done without great care and consideration for animal welfare, would lead to an unravelling of animal welfare protections.
AIM's annual independent label conference Indie-Con is coming round on 1st February and whilst our events have always been better than industry norms in terms of having a diverse and gender-balanced selection of speakers, this year I decided to set the concrete goal of achieving a 50% female line-up. Complete gender equality. I mean, women make up half of the population, so it shouldn't be all that hard...right?

In reality it has been far more of a challenge than I expected beforehand, and has got me thinking about some really deep-rooted problems affecting women in business. As it stands, we have almost two thirds of our speakers in place and we currently have 19 women to 23 men, despite my commitment to this challenge frankly verging on obsession.

I have scoured the internet, industry magazines and social networks, looking for women who aren't already known to the AIM team but are doing brilliant things in music. The good news is, there are LOADS of them. I've read about and spoken to women who are kicking ass in artist management, A&R, brands, funding, live music, radio broadcasting, streaming, business development and countless other areas. It has been an enlightening process, and I am excited to have so many of these women involved in an AIM event for the first time. And yet no matter how hard I push, we haven't yet quite hit that magic 50%. Why?

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As far as I can see, there are two main reasons for this. The first is that the industry clearly does have a longstanding gender inequality problem, meaning there is a lack of women working at senior levels compared with men. I know an abundance of incredibly smart and ambitious young women working in entry and lower level management jobs in the industry, or running small companies and freelance operations of their own, but only a dozen or so women in the UK music business hold top level positions.

This fact leads to the problem of the same few female faces popping up on every industry event line-up. Music business conferences end up with panel after panel of older white men, peppered with these same few top level women. It's boring, repetitive and unimaginative.

There's a huge gap between the handful of 'go to' women at the top and the many hard-working but unrecognised women in less senior roles.

This gap is a problem that the music industry needs to act together to address (and is slowly doing so), not least because gender equality is proven to benefit business and economic performance. When it comes to conferences, this gap doesn't need to be an issue. I love the idea of younger, less senior women speaking for the first time in their career at an AIM conference. Many have done so and have shared incredible expertise and insight into their area of the business. Less senior does not mean less to say. In fact, given that the music industry was turned on its head by the internet just 12 or so years ago, it's often the younger and less senior speakers who share innovative and relevant ideas rather than war stories of the 'good old days'.

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So that brings me to the other reason why it's so hard to achieve a gender-balanced event programme, and this, I feel, is much more of an issue in the case of Indie-Con. Many women do not feel confident and knowledgeable enough to speak publicly, and fear that the holes in their knowledge will be exposed when on stage. Women are far more likely to reject an offer to speak publicly than their male counterparts. On counting the responses from those I have approached about speaking at Indie-Con, over 50% of women declined or did not respond to my invitation, versus only 15% of men. Every man who was unable to accept the speaking invitation stated that they were unavailable due to other commitments, whereas several women said they didn't like public speaking, and several more recommended a male colleague instead.

This isn't a music business problem, but an issue affecting women in every industry, and something Sheryl Sandberg details in her excellent book about women in business, 'Lean In'. Women are more likely to suffer from Imposter Syndrome, a nagging sense of self-doubt which prevents you from internally recognising your own talents, knowledge and achievements. This being the case, presenting a gender-balanced event programme is a huge challenge. Work needs to be done in the music industry, in every industry, and in fact even at school level to help women (indeed, anyone with confidence issues) to overcome these internal barriers that hold us back.

We continue to work towards achieving a gender-balanced INDIE-CON 2017, and I'm optimistic that we can get there as we put final speakers in place. If we do, I believe it will be the music industry's first fully gender-balanced conference programme, which is a very powerful message from AIM. It will also be a fantastic event; every speaker has been selected not for gender or diversity reasons, but because they are experts and innovators in their field. It takes research and hard work to identify people outside of the 'usual suspects', but the end result is a truly unique and exciting conversation. I'm looking forward to 1st February.
Doctors Of The World

It's that time of year when people draw up their Christmas card lists - we spend over 900m on packs of festive cards a year in the UK, according to the most recent figures, showing an attachment to this tradition despite the rise of social media. The cards we send out often show highly romanticised nativity scenes set in the Middle East, such as those painted in rich colours, covered in glitter, or even designed in a 3D pop-up style.

At Doctors of the World, an international medical charity, we recently launched some Christmas cards with a twist. Released at the start of Advent on 27 November, the cards starkly juxtapose those vintage nativity scenes with modern-day photos of conflict zones across the Middle East. The cards, with names including 'Not So Silent Night' and 'The Star of Bedlam', were designed for us pro bono by advertising agency McCann London and feature Press Association photos from the last year.

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Just like us, many of McCann London's creative team had been moved by the human tragedies taking place in the Middle East. So they approached us with this striking design because they wanted to use their expertise to make a difference.

Together, our aim is to remind the public that this year war has forced millions from their homes - and that those people really need our help. Armed conflicts in countries such as Syria and Iraq have made people of all faiths and of none lose their families, homes and livelihoods. One of our brilliant volunteer doctors, reflecting on her stints treating Iraqi refugees in transit camps, recently told us: "Every person I met had lost someone they loved."

We've been overwhelmed by the positive response to our cards, by the willingness of ordinary people to support our work and spread awareness of the realities of today's Middle East. Our first batches of cards sold out within 48 hours and we've since ordered thousands more to keep up with demand. We've had orders from across Europe, as well as the US, Japan and Australia.

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The money we receive from these sales will support our work with vulnerable people in the Middle East and around the world. In the Middle East, we run static and mobile clinics that help refugees and internally displaced people. We also work with local medical staff and support existing health facilities. Last year alone, our medics, midwives and psychologists provided over 580,000 people with medical care and carried out over 8,560 mental health consultations in Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.

Doctors of the World UK is part of the global Medecins du Monde network, which was founded over three decades ago and delivers projects in 80 countries through 3,000 volunteers. We believe in a world where people affected by war, natural disasters, disease, hunger, poverty or exclusion get the healthcare they need regardless of income or status. We are apolitical and non-religious.

A 5 donation to our charity can provide vaccines for three children, a 10 donation can provide a toiletries kit for someone forced to leave their home, and a 20 donation can psychological consultations for six survivors of conflict. A pack of our Christmas cards costs 10.

Last week, we also launched a petition to call on Prime Minister Theresa May to authorize air bridges that would allow aid to get into eastern Aleppo and besieged areas across Syria. We have also demanded that she work with other world leaders on an urgent strategy to protect eastern Aleppo's civilians.

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Since Syria's conflict began in 2011, over a quarter of a million Syrians have been killed, 1 million have been injured, and more than 11 million have been forced from their homes. The conflict has placed a huge strain on health systems across this region, resulting in overwhelming numbers of patients, overworked staff, and shortages of medicines. Over half of Syria's public hospitals are either closed or only partially functioning.

We're all delighted that so many people are seeing and sharing the cards, and that they're sparking broader conversations. Most importantly, we're delighted that funds are being raised so that we can continue making a difference to people's lives.

We're working hard to reach those in need. We hope that you will continue to show your amazing support for our campaign and to help us spread the most festive feeling of all: Hope.

A pack of four limited edition cards, each of a different design, can be purchased for 10 from Doctors of the World at its website: www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk or by calling 020 7167 5789.
While the world has been fixated on the American presidential race, Somalia, once the epitome of a failed state, is holding its first elections since 1969 after a quarter-century of internal conflict. However, the country is still under serious threat from terrorist group Al-Shabaab, including factions with allegiance to the Islamic State, who according to the Somali Prime Minister could be the "reality of tomorrow" in Somalia if action is not taken quickly.

In recent months, the group has attacked civilian and government targets and dismissed the legitimacy of both the Federal Government and the elections. The newly formed government must establish its credibility with the Somali people and counter the violent extremist movement of Al-Shabaab if the elections are to provide the stability Somalia so desperately needs.
Modern slavery isn't something that springs to mind when most people think of hotels. But sometimes it takes a trigger to inspire action. My efforts to fight modern slavery were first sparked after hearing about the horrific experiences of child trafficking five years ago at the Trust Women Conference, an annual event committed to finding real solutions to empower women and to fight slavery worldwide.

As the Head of Sustainability of Shiva Hotels - a hotel group which manages several major London hotels - I focused on looking at the risks facing that specific sector. Since doing so, I've realised the urgent need for action. I heard about Emily, a young girl, who was offered her first job by the alleged owner of a local restaurant. The restaurant, however, is not where Emily ended up. She was instead taken to a hotel where she was drugged, beaten and forced to have sex with 60 men over three days.

At this year's Trust Women Conference, which took place last week in London, hundreds of people gathered to hear many more stories of vulnerable individuals like Emily who face abuse and violence. The stories we heard inspired attendees to take action to tackle violence against women and modern slavery. Fittingly, the conference fell in the middle of the UN's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a period of focused action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

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Having been moved by the Trust Women Conference five years ago, I felt privileged to unveil the new Stop Slavery Hotel Industry Network at this year's conference. The initiative, which is led by Shiva Foundation, will help representatives from across the hotel industry globally address risks in their facilities, employment practices and supply chains. Working collaboratively, the members (including Hilton, Shiva Hotels and Bespoke Hotels, among others) will develop methods to be shared throughout the hotel and hospitality sector.

As Emily's story shows, hotels can unknowingly be used to traffick victims for sexual exploitation, a crime that is largely perpetrated against women. But sexual exploitation is just one of the issues the industry faces. Labour exploitation is of growing concern, as this harrowing story of a Bangladeshi man who became enslaved as a worker in a remote Scottish hotel demonstrates. Indeed, those looking for employment in hotels may be forced to work against their will, or mistreated and paid little to no wages. In addition, supply chains present a cause for concern. Goods and services purchased by hotels, including linen and bath products, can represent hidden risks in terms of workers within supply chains potentially being mistreated. The use of multi-tier recruitment systems combined with the layered structure of hotels, which often involves brands franchising their properties, can mean that unscrupulous practices are difficult to detect. Effective communication and collaboration are key to addressing these issues.

The hotel network, as a platform for collaboration, will raise awareness among hoteliers and guests of the risks of modern slavery in the sector, and enable solutions and pathways to emerge. In conjunction with the launch of the network, we at Shiva Hotels are currently piloting a blueprint to tackle these issues at the DoubleTree by Hilton in London, which is owned and managed by Shiva Hotels. We look forward to sharing the insights from this model, which includes practical guidance for all levels of hotel staff on how to reduce risk and fight against trafficking. With 180,000 businesses involved in UK hospitality and tourism, the potential impact of this network is huge.

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There are many practical ways consumers can help. For example, the TraffickCam app helps combat sex trafficking by encouraging hotel guests to upload photos of their rooms. These photographs can be vital evidence to prosecute sex traffickers. In addition, guests should feel confident to ask questions of the hotels they stay in to ensure they are comfortable with their employment practices and commitment to clean supply chains.
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Earlier this year the British Red Cross supported Barbara in Paignton, Devon. She has mobility limitations that meant she could no longer leave the house. She had to give up work, her routine, and seeing friends and family. She completely lost her independence.

This is why tackling loneliness and social isolation through our partnership with the Co-op is so important. Because people like Barbara are not alone.

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Loneliness and social isolation have clear impacts on people's health, wellbeing and behaviour. They can be linked to cardiovascular health risks and increased death rates, blood pressure, risk of dementia, signs of ageing and symptoms of depression. A lack of social connections has been reported to be as damaging to health as smoking and as strong a risk as obesity.

Research for our Co-op partnership found that, for many people, social isolation creates an identity crisis. We also found that loneliness is a serious and widespread issue. Eighty-eight per cent of people who took part in our public survey agreed that loneliness is a serious problem in the UK, and one in three felt that it is very serious.

Almost 80 per cent of people have experienced loneliness, with one in five saying they are regularly lonely. With a rising and ageing population, the number of people experiencing loneliness and social isolation is expected to grow.

The impacts of loneliness and social isolation go beyond older age groups who the issues are most frequently associated with. In identifying loneliness as an identity crisis, our research found that people experiencing big changes in their lives impact on their sense of self and ability to connect with other people. Our research focused in particular on the experiences of six groups of people who have undergone changes in their lives - young new mums, people who are recently bereaved, people who are recently divorced or separated, retired people or those living without children at home, those experiencing health issues, and people with mobility limitations.

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Our research has shown that interventions are most effective when preventing initial or temporary experiences of loneliness from becoming chronic. When left ignored, the impacts can escalate, leading to misery for individuals and unnecessary additional pressure on stretched NHS and care services.

Our long-established work on preventative projects - such as assisting somebody to return home from hospital, making sure they have enough to eat or take their medication - demonstrates real impacts on individuals. Many of the people we support live alone. Without us they would return home from hospital to an empty house and would not have enough support to live safely and independently. Our services are evidenced to improve wellbeing, social confidence, coping skills, and the ability to manage daily activities.

Our services helped Barbara to use a laptop so she could do her own supermarket shopping, Skype her family abroad and keep in touch with the outside world. She regained her confidence with the help of British Red Cross volunteer Alan, and the use of a computer created vital connections with others.

Alan was Barbara's vital lifeline. Now we must extend this lifeline even further so we can reach more people in crisis. Our research with the Co-op gives us a crucial insight into the causes of loneliness and social isolation, and more importantly - what we can do to tackle it.

Over the next two years the British Red Cross will provide direct, personalised support for up to 12,500 people experiencing loneliness or social isolation across all four nations of the UK. Brand new teams of dedicated staff and volunteers will deliver new services in 39 locations, from the north of Scotland to the west of Cornwall.

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With vital funds raised by Co-op staff and members, we are working together to help people reconnect with their communities. We want the voices of those experiencing loneliness to be heard, like Barbara, and we will show them they are not alone during a time of personal crisis.
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No I didn't have a bad experience with a mince pie, nor did I have an uncomfortable encounter with a bauble. I simply don't celebrate Christmas, I never have.

Don't get me wrong, I love everything about the holiday season. I love the way our cities are sprinkled with fairy lights, I love the smell of White Company candles, I love that perpetual hangovers become socially acceptable and I love that it's okay to go to parties just for the cheese. But that's about as far it goes for me.

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I come from a Jewish family, think My Big Fat Greek Wedding but with chicken soup. The thing is, aside from the odd bar-mitzvah and Friday night dinner, I've never been particularly religious. Sure, my cousins and I get together every now and then to drink some wine and share a challah, but I haven't set foot inside a synagogue in years. Apathy aside, mum would be a little confused if I were to suddenly start decking the halls with boughs of holly on 1 December. Put simply, we're not Jewish enough to celebrate Chanukah, but we're too Jewish to celebrate Christmas. This leaves me in festive limbo.

That's not to say I don't recognise Christmas Day, it would be pretty hard not to given that London turns into a gloriously silent ghost town. For some, the day is an amalgamation of board games, bucks fizz and family rows. My memories are somewhat different. Previous highlights have included Chinese takeaways, trips to the cinema (yes, some cinemas are open on Christmas Day) and the occasional low key lunch at an aunt's house- that's about as wild as it gets.

You'd be surprised at how much this has impacted my life. Telling someone you don't celebrate Christmas is like telling Kylie Jenner she's run out of lip fillers. There are gasps, sniffles and eyes filled with irreconcilable sadness. When I insipidly explain my yuletide negligence, the atmosphere turns slightly awkward; besides, small talk at Christmas parties becomes a little difficult when you take Christmas out of the equation. One year, a co-worker was so stumped she just gave me a hug and quickly scuttled back to the bar.

My friends sympathise. They say I've lived a sad life and perhaps in some ways I have. I'm sad that I don't have to tear through Oxford Circus spending hundreds of pounds on gifts that may or may not be returned. I'm sad that I won't be locked in a house with every member of my bickering family for 12 hours and I'm sad that I won't be gorging my face on a 2,000 calorie meal that will require me to take a nap afterwards. That's what the Grinch in me would say. But I'm not quite ready to go green and hairy just yet. Although, a recent event may have pushed me closer to Scrooge status.

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Last month, I was asked in a job interview to describe my ideal Christmas Day. I was stumped. Either, I could fling myself into an elaborate concoction of faux traditions and fictitious cereal box games. Or, I could be honest and bluntly enlighten my prospective employer by explaining that some people, myself included, don't actually celebrate Christmas and that the 25th December is much like any other quiet day for me. Every career advisor under the sun will tell you not to lie in a job interview, therefore, I opted for the latter. I didn't get the job.

Though I didn't show it in the interview, my interviewers' absurdly presumptuous question made my Jewish blood boil. Not only is it incredibly ignorant to assume that every Tom, Dick and Harry recognises Christmas, but how bloody rude to judge someone's personal ideologies in a job interview? I felt like a vegetarian that had been asked to describe their favourite steak. Call me a drama queen, but I don't think that is a fair or intelligent way to weigh up someone's suitability for a job.
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"Access to the single market and freedom of movement are inextricably linked, and it would be wrong... to put the economy anything other than first,' Diane Abbott told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.

Leaving aside that there is, in fact, no inextricable link between access to the single market and free movement (she may be confusing access with membership), what is most striking is that Abbott's argument here - that everything must be subordinated to economic imperatives, that policies must ultimately be judged not by their impact on society or quality of life but according to whether they boost GDP or make someone somewhere a fast buck - is the very embodiment of market-obsessed Thatcherism.

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Abbott isn't a Thatcherite, of course. Anything but. She is, on virtually all things, on the side of the angels in a head-to-head with Thatcher. Yet it is weird how, when it comes to the subject of immigration, she and so many others on the Left are willing to suddenly embrace the philosophy of a woman they have spent their lives opposing.

When did it become the norm for the Left to put the demands of the market above what was right for wider society? To allow the dictates of the balance sheet to trump all? To know the cost of everything but the value of nothing?

When Thatcher closed the mines and destroyed whole communities, didn't she do so because she wasn't prepared to 'put the economy anything other than first'?

We can argue until the cows come home about whether particular policies or strategies do indeed bring economic advantages. But, for the Left especially, that should never be the sole consideration - and certainly not when those policies or strategies give rise to profound consequences for society.

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How depressing it has been to witness so many on the Left fall into the trap of defending free movement almost unconditionally, presenting it as some kind of advancement for working people. One wonders whether they have ever stopped to ask themselves why the multinationals are so enthusiastic about it. In this case, they are guilty of defending a system which, in the quest for greater profits, commodifies humanity, uproots families and fragments communities. When that happens, the bonds of solidarity, mutuality and community are weakened, and instead we get loneliness, alienation and atomisation. 'Migrants are not to blame,' the free movement defenders will often retort. Well, of course they aren't. But that was never the argument. It's as meaningless as saying 'The unemployed are not to blame' as a response to opposition to unemployment.

One might have hoped that, in the months since millions of working-class people used the mechanism of the EU referendum to register their disquiet at the impact of unlimited immigration, those on the Left who for years had buried their heads in the sand over the issue would finally have got the message. Some have. But the tin-eared and politically-intractable still doggedly refuse to recognise the simple truths that are all too apparent. The truth that, for most of us, financial advancement, while important, isn't all that counts: what matters also are old-fashioned concepts such as community cohesion, and a sense of place and belonging. The truth that rapid and unfettered movements of labour have the same capacity to cause social and economic disruption as those of capital. The truth that its embrace of free movement has contributed to the fact that, even during the austerity years, the Left has been in no position to win sufficient levels of support among working-class communities to effectively take on the slash-and-burn Tories.

It isn't actually difficult to ascertain what most people think about immigration. A short visit to a conventional English town and a few conversations in a pub or on the high street should suffice. There will be the small number who wish to slam the doors shut - the hardcore for whom one foreigner is too many. But the vast majority will support immigration - provided it is managed. They don't support free movement; they want controls. They don't think current numbers are sustainable; they think there should be a reduction. They don't believe there should be a pecking order of countries from which we accept migrants; they think the system should be non-discriminatory. Their innate sense of fairness drives them to oppose any form of prejudice against migrants who are here legitimately.

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Some Labour figures previously uncritical of freedom of movement have at last begun to grasp that it is a policy ultimately designed to serve the interests of big business by forcing workers from highly-diverse economies to move across borders to improve their lot, with the inevitable consequent downward pressure on wages. Others need to catch up, not least Jeremy Corbyn and those around him.

Trade unions leaders, too, must face the hard reality that their enthusiasm for freedom of movement has negatively affected the very people they claim to represent. Too many in the trade union movement still see things entirely through the prism of the class war, meaning that nothing can be allowed to cut across the unity of all workers in the struggle against capitalism. The tragedy is that their approach has made the issue of immigration far more toxic than it would otherwise have been and resulted in less unity between workers of the world. A bit of humility from them, in place of the usual tired cliches, wouldn't go amiss.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

The United States of America's president-elect Donald Trump and defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton do have something in common: they both pursued a liberal arts degree before progressing to graduate schools.

Liberal arts education prepares young people for the complexities of modern society, typically by teaching them both science and humanities.

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However, on this side of the Atlantic, liberal arts is much less well rooted.

One of the reasons for that is our emphasis on employability: a professional qualification leads much faster to a job, so at first sight professional education is a much more solid investment. From an accountability perspective, the taxpayer can see a quick return on investment. Research shows that those with some form of professional education are much more likely to have a relevant job within six months, and typically will earn a higher salary. But, as so often, first impressions can be deceptive.

If we follow graduates over a longer period, the picture changes quite a lot. Evidence suggests that in the end, those with a generic liberal arts education actually do significantly better in terms of career and income.

The likely reason is that a broader education is a better preparation for a position with senior responsibility than a career-focused qualification. Also, because the scope of liberal arts is much wider, these graduates are more flexible and hence less vulnerable in their career than those who opted for a narrower professional path. Of course, we are talking about big number statistics - individual careers might show different patterns.

For governments, big numbers determine policies. Having students opting for professional, more career-focused education is attractive, as it gives a quick return in terms of economic usefulness.

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For graduates themselves, it is appealing to have a less anxious transition from study to work; and, of course, universities are rewarded for their focus on professional education with rosy employability statistics. But actually, a more generic education like liberal arts will probably serve you better if you have high ambitions - though not necessarily as high as president of the United States of America!

In the US, it is quite common to study at a liberal arts college followed by a degree from a school with a professional focus, ensuring the best of both worlds. In the case of Hillary Clinton, this was Yale Law School. That choice says a lot about her approach to her career path, and a combination of broad and highly specialised education plus considerable intelligence prepared her well to succeed in politics.

In contrast, Donald Trump opted for the equally prestigious Wharton Business School. One thing he learned there was that the only chance he had of defeating someone as strong, well-prepared, and experienced as Hillary Clinton was by ignoring all conventions.

Donald Trump's campaign effectively added a political dimension to the economic term of "disruptive".

Trump and Clinton went to very different colleges, though both were selective and prestigious. Hillary went to one of the so-called seven sisters, the all-female Wellesley College. Though in the end she failed to fully harness the women's vote, gender was certainly a very comfortable theme for her.

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Mr Trump went to Fordham University, which is a New York college founded by Jesuits. Over the last five centuries, this Catholic order has a record of teaching that leadership should be a selfless service and a humbling privilege - never to be driven by one's ego. Over the next four years, we shall find out how effective that educational message has been, and whether Mr Trump will turn out to be an alumnus that Fordham can be proud of.

All of this does contain a serious message. When it comes to choosing education, the longer route of a more generic first degree ideally followed by professional postgraduate education still offers the gold standard in higher education.

It might not fit the agenda of the UK government - which for funding purposes seems to prefer keeping tertiary education as short and focused as possible. But, by and large, it remains the strongest foundation for success in life.
A few days ago, I recorded one of those year-end radio discussions that help to fill the schedules between Christmas and the New Year. (It'll be on the online radio network Monocle24 on 26 December.)

You know the kind of thing: highs and lows of the year gone by; thoughts about the year to come; most influential political leaders. Right at the end, one of my fellow panellists remarked: 'You know, there's one thing we haven't mentioned yet, and that's climate change.'

The presenter suggested that it might make a good name for a new radio show: 'One thing we haven't mentioned yet'. And it would always be about climate change.

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Earlier this week, it was reported that sea ice levels in both the Antarctic and the Arctic have hit record lows, leading to fears that the effects of climate change might be far worse than previously thought.

According to Mark Serreze, director of the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado: 'There are some really crazy things going on.' In some parts of the Arctic, temperatures last month were 20 degrees Celsius higher than normal. I'll write that again: 20 degrees higher than normal.

Then on Thursday, the sainted Sir David Attenborough said: 'There has never been a time in history when the natural environment has been under greater threat than it is now.'

So why wasn't it splashed across all our front pages? Why do we pay more attention to the late-night online ravings of the US president-elect than to threats of impending global catastrophe?

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In fact, the two issues are not unrelated, given that Donald Trump has claimed (on Twitter, of course) that 'the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.'

And now he has appointed as the head of the US Environmental Protection Agency a man who still insists that the evidence for human-induced climate change is 'far from settled'. According to Michael Brune of the environmental campaign group the Sierra Club, Scott Pruitt is 'a climate science denier who, as attorney general for the state of Oklahoma, regularly conspired with the fossil fuel industry to attack EPA regulations.' The New York Times said his appointment signalled 'Mr. Trump's determination to dismantle President Obama's efforts to counter climate change -- and much of the EPA itself.'

Poor old Planet Earth. We journalists can't really cope with slow-moving stories, and we hate complexity. Climate change is both, which is why stories about it tend to get buried deep inside the newspapers, or way down at the bottom of their websites. In the words of Alan Rusbridger, who mounted one last major climate change campaign before he stepped down as editor of The Guardian last year: 'Journalism tends to be a rear-view mirror. We prefer to deal with what has happened, not what lies ahead. We favour what is exceptional and in full view over what is ordinary and hidden.'

Exceptional? Like the fact that 2016 is about to go down as the hottest year on record? Ask people where floods, storms, cyclones and hurricanes have devastated communities more frequently than ever before -- and then ask how exceptional things have to be before we take them seriously.

No one knows what Donald Trump really thinks about climate change because he blows hot and cold (sorry) about it. And it may well be that his new EPA director will not have things all his own way. According to Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit: 'It's unclear to what extent Mr Pruitt will be able to deliver, or what impact four years of trying will have in the real world. Many US states, headed by California, are heading inexorably in a clean energy direction, and both they and environment groups are promising legal action if the new administration tries to turn back the clock.' (Full disclosure: I am a member of the ECIU's advisory board.)

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Of course, no one believes experts any more, so perhaps there's no point quoting what they say. Senior military men are often thought to know what's what, however -- certainly, Mr Trump seems to trust them enough to stuff his administration with them -- so here's what some of them think about climate change.

Brigadier General Stephen Cheney, of the US State Department's Foreign Affairs Policy Board, for example: 'Climate change could lead to a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. We're already seeing migration of large numbers of people around the world because of food scarcity, water insecurity and extreme weather, and this is set to become the new normal.'

And Major General Munir Muniruzzaman, former military adviser to the President of Bangladesh and chairman of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change: 'South Asia is one of the most water-stressed regions of the world. A combination of water scarcity in the climate-induced conditions and regional politics has made the right brew for a potential conflict ... Climate change is the greatest security threat of the 21st century.'

When I was in northern Nigeria last month to report on the massive humanitarian crisis that is about to explode there following the Boko Haram insurgency, I saw for myself what can happen when huge numbers of people are displaced by violence caused at least in part by food scarcity. Yet it is so much simpler to blame the disaster on jihadi extremists than to confront the role played by changing climate patterns.

I have given up making predictions these days, but today I'll make an exception: I predict that this blogpost will be shared by far fewer people online than anything I've written over the past several weeks.

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For years a small yet vocal minority of committed Christians have sought to perpetuate the myth that Christians in the UK are being persecuted for their beliefs and that UK equality law 'marginalises' them.

So successful have they been in promulgating this myth, that the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched a major program of research to assess the effectiveness of the legal framework relating to religion or belief.

Its findings have been published in a new report, which concludes that the existing legislation is generally effective. It dismisses calls for a so called 'workplace duty of reasonable accommodation", reasoning that the existing legal framework provides sufficient protection for people manifesting their religion or belief.

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The report's findings give lie to the claim that Christians in Britain are treated unfairly in the workplace or in any way 'persecuted' for their beliefs. It does highlight a "lack of understanding of the law", which has led to "misinterpretation and confusion". Much of this confusion is down to the media's willingness to sensationalise cases involving Christians, ignoring the facts for the sexier 'persecution' narrative.

It would be nice to think that the findings of the EHRC, which followed many months of extensive consultation and over two years of research, would put the Christian persecution myth to bed. But there's little chance of that. The same week the report was published, the Respublica think tank called for the law to be changed to require employers to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees, even if that results in discrimination against others.

Neutral workplace rules relating to the wearing of jewelry, religious symbols or special clothes; employees' rights to time off work for religious observance; opting out of work duties and proselytism can only be perceived as discriminatory if you think your particular beliefs entitle you to special treatment.

Crying 'persecution' to lobby for special privileges is limited to a small and unrepresentative bunch of believers who no doubt embarrass many of the more secular-minded faithful. In 2013 then archbishop Rowan Williams said Christians complaining of persecution in Britain needed to "grow up". "When you have any contact with real persecuted minorities you learn to use the word persecuted very chastely," he said. Quite.

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But there are warning signs that Prime Minister Theresa May could give the myth mongers a more sympathetic ear. This is worrying given our probably exit from the European Convention on Human Rights and the prospect of a new British Bill of Rights means many of the battles secularists have won may have to be fought all over again.

Speaking in Parliament recently, the Prime Minister welcomed a new a report from the Evangelical Alliance and the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship which aims to equip Christians to proselytize and evangelise the "good news of Jesus" in the workplace.

May was responding to an intervention from evangelical Christian MP, Fiona Bruce, who raised the spectre of Christians becoming "fearful" of speaking about their religion in public.

This the PM agreed was an "important issue", despite the Church of England's own research showing over 70% of Christians feel "comfortable" talking about their faith to a non-Christian - although they often find their efforts to convert non-believers are counterproductive.

The PM also stressed that Christians should "feel able to speak quite freely about Christmas". The so called 'war on Christmas' is the festive strand of the Christian persecution myth which makes the bizarre and unsubstantiated claim that Christians are somehow prevented from celebrating Christmas.

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It must be blinding obvious to most people that Christmas is both a Christian and secular cultural festival. Just because many people aren't celebrating Christmas religiously, it doesn't mean they're doing it 'wrong' or in any way preventing others from celebrating it however they prefer. In fact, many secularists I know are serial midnight mass goers. When my daughters perform in their school nativity play, I'll be filming it, not protesting against it.

But according the press release accompanying the before-mentioned EHRC report, "Can I arrange an office Christmas party?" is a "common question" that businesses want answering. The negativity and resentment generated by this completely false narrative creates divisions where none need exist.

The simple truth is that Christianity is massively privileged in the UK. The taxpayer funds around 4,700 Christian 'faith schools'; 26 Church of England bishops are granted seats as of right in Parliament; sittings in both Houses begin with Christian prayers, as do many school days (by law). Christianity dominates our national ceremonies, not least the coronation of the monarch - who also happens to be the Supreme Governor of the Church. Despite its significant wealth, the Church is handed millions of pounds of public money to repair its places of worship. Church leaders are routinely given a platform by the national media to pontificate on all aspects of public life.

Many people in modern Britain have little interest in Christianity - or religion generally. Most are neither bigoted nor ignorant and they don't need remedial 'religious literacy' classes. They just have another way of seeing the world that doesn't involve or revolve around supernatural beliefs. Most are happy for others to hold whatever beliefs they want, so long as the way they manifest these beliefs has no unfair, detrimental or discriminatory impact on others. This is the essence of secularism.
The occurrence of enforced disappearance is nothing novel to mankind, whether committed in times of war or times of peace. However, the human rights violation or the crime of enforced or involuntary disappearance in the narrow sense is a more recent phenomenon. Professor Manfred Nowak, a former international judge and former UN Special Rapporteur, in his report as an independent expert to the UN Commission on Human Rights charged with examining the existing international legal framework for enforced or involuntary disappearances, declared that the notion was first raised by Adolf Hitler on 7 December 1941 by the issuance of the "Night and Fog Decree (Nacht und Nebel-Erlass)". This decree introduced the notion of conducting executions and then providing no information to the families on their fate and whereabouts. This practice was subsequently followed by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia between 1975-1979, the Latin American Military Regimes in the 1980s, the States of the former Yugoslavia between 1991-1995 and is still practiced today in many parts of the world.

According to Amnesty International, enforced disappearance is defined by an arrest or abduction by the State, or its agents, who then conceal the act by placing the individual outside the protection of the law. This definition is indeed wide in scope and would seem to indicate that a denial of acknowledgment, for however short a period, would amount to enforced disappearance. It is recognised that the denial must be for the purpose of placing a person outside the protection of the law. The definition recognises that it is the lack of acknowledgement or concealment that makes the act an enforced disappearance. Accordingly, the fact that a person held by the authorities may have been subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment does not mean that he is automatically the victim of enforced disappearance unless there is concealment of his whereabouts or a denial that he is being detained.

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The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (hereinafter: ICC Statute) now regulates the crime of enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity.

Under treaty-based human rights law enforced disappearance was first recognised in 1992 by the UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, the 1994 Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearances of Persons and the 2005 UN Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

The reason for defining enforced disappearance is to illustrate the gravity of the phenomenon and consider the impact that it has on the families of missing persons where no effective remedy exists and that the failure by national prosecutorial authorities to bring charges in a particular case for the crime of enforced disappearance may remove the right of victims to appropriate reparations. For that reason the constituent elements of enforced disappearance, such as arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and extra- judicial killings although grave in isolation are all the more serious when part of a practice of enforced disappearance.

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Bangladesh is a State Party to the ICCPR, the Rome Statute of the ICC and a number of other treaties for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, it has thus far refused to take any action regarding the UN Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and senior members of the Government, including the former Foreign Minister and the present Home Minister have stated that there are no enforced disappearances in Bangladesh and therefore refuses to taken any responsibility for the numerous, well documented, instances of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances.

I have written previously on the subject of international hypocrisy, drawing a parallel between the criticism of some countries against those who remain ignored, and the myopic approach that continues to be adopted by the international community.

I make no apology for highlighting these issues again however as the international community must be reminded time and time again that, as Moliere put it "it is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do".

Arguably, it is inaction that is remembered more, and it is inaction that highlights hypocrisy.

How many times over the years have we heard the words 'never again' being used after a tragic deterioration in human rights and the right to life, that, often, was entirely preventable and foreseeable, if only the international community had acted.

Srebrenica was preventable, Rwanda was preventable, Syria was preventable, and yet these three tragic episodes in human history were allowed to happen, all under the watchful eye of the international community and the United Nations.

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It is not fearmongering and it is not an exaggeration to suggest that we may be on the verge of another tragedy. Bangladesh society has now fractured to such an extent that there is a very real risk of implosion.

Six years ago the warning signs were there, and they have only become louder and more stark as the years have passed. Yet, the international community has remained steadfast in its myopia and have chosen to ignore what is unfolding.

Hundreds, if not thousands of citizens, have been arbitrarily detained, abducted, tortured forcibly disappeared by the State Security apparatus and no-one is held accountable. This impunity is entrenched further by the erosion, to the point of destruction, of those fundamental freedoms that we all take for granted.

There is no intention to reduce the seriousness of any episode of such an abhorrent crime, but three individuals deserve special mention, purely because of the circumstances.

In the first half of August 2016, three individuals were, quite separately, forcibly disappeared, and to date their fate and whereabouts remain unknown.

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These three, Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, Hummam Quader Chowdhury and Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem are the sons of three individuals who were tried and sentenced - two having been executed and one having died in custody - by the now almost universally condemned Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

It is simply nonsensical to suggest that the abduction and disappearance of the three is coincidental, and not as a consequence of their vocal opposition to the policies being adopted by the ruling Awami League, as a result of the flawed trials that their fathers were forced to endure.

The examples of the mass human rights violations occurring on an almost daily basis in Bangladesh are simply too numerous to list, the net result is clear however, and that result is the erosion to the point of destruction of democracy in Bangladesh.

The points being raised in this article are not new, they are not highlighting them for the first time; they are constantly referred to and highlighted by highly credible human rights NGOs such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and Odhikar, and many other critical commentators including UN bodies, Parliamentarians, Congressmen, Senators and senior jurists.

There is simply no justification for inaction and no justifiable argument for allowing these internationally recognised crimes to continue with absolute impunity.

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One of the founding principles of the United Nations was to "promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security".

The question must therefore be asked of the UN, EU and Governments of the United Kingdom and United States of America, Bangladesh's principle partners, as to why it has failed to apply universally recognised norms to the situation in Bangladesh. Equally, the ICC Prosecutor must be urged to conduct a preliminary examination into what are unquestionably crimes against humanity that, due to their gravity, warrant an international investigation.

It is not too late to address these violations in Bangladesh, the point of no return has not yet been reached. However, without action, and without public condemnation, the Government of Bangladesh will continue to act with impunity.

It will continue to silence dissent by force, it will continue to forcibly remove political opponents, and it will continue to silence its detractors.
This Op-Ed was co-authored by Adrian Grenier, Mark Ruffalo, Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Vic Mensa, and Antonique Smith.

What the world needs now is DivestInvest Culture: A bold, collective pivot away from the old energy that no longer serves us towards the 100% renewable energy future that will let the people and the planet thrive. We are so excited to help launch DivestInvest Culture today - we are actors, musicians and artists moving our money from the past to the future.

We have to keep 80% of all fossil fuels in the ground to keep the climate safe for the people and the planet. To achieve this, we need an energy revolution and a political revolution. For decades, Exxon and the fossil fuel industry knew that burning fossil fuels leads to climate change, and could have damaging consequences. Instead of changing their ways, they used their amassed wealth to spread climate denial and buy political influence. But they didn't count on the people fighting back.

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In just five years, the fossil free campaign, started by a band of determined college kids, has grown to a global movement recognized by leaders such as Paris climate chief Christiana Figueres as the most effective climate campaign of our time. American students launched the first fossil fuel divestment campaigns in August 2011, calling on their schools to divest their portfolios from coal. Today, almost 700 institutions - universities and pension funds, archdioceses and Islamic faith associations, individuals and sovereign wealth funds, global insurance companies and banks - have committed to divest over $5 trillion - from coal, oil, gas, and tar sands, in part or wholesale - recognizing that we can no longer afford to wreck the planet or allow the fossil fuel industry's lies to go unanswered.



It's not enough to divest either - we have to move the money from the past to the future, without delay. We can have a 100% renewable energy system based on wind, water and sun if we all take active steps toward it. More and more, investors are seizing the opportunities inherent in the great clean energy transition. Last year, total annual new investment in clean energy hit an all-time high at $329 billion. This is a 20 percent increase over the previous 5 years. Globally, renewable electric capacity has overtaken coal as the world's largest installed power source. In many parts of the world, electricity from wind and solar are already cheaper than fossil fuels.

These are just some of the reasons why we have personally committed to divest from fossil fuels and invest in our vision for the future - one that is built on clean, renewable energy and social equity. By moving money out of the problems and into the solutions, we have real power to accelerate the clean energy transition. DivestInvest is a tool available to everyone: It does not depend on who is president or what policy is in place. At a time when our nation's leadership on climate is uncertain, DivestInvest can be a gateway to profound and catalytic change.

Today, we are excited to announce the launch of DivestInvest Culture. We are actors, musicians, and artists divesting from fossil fuels and switching to clean energy investments, joining individuals, foundations, college, health, pension funds and religious endowments doing the same. Ethically, our investments shouldn't contribute to dangerous climate change. Financially, fossil fuel stocks are overvalued as most of their reserves cannot be burned. We can get good, safe returns while helping to build a new energy system.

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In the next five years, we will:

Stop any new investments in the top 200 fossil fuel companies. Drop coal, oil and gas from our investment portfolio by divesting from the top 200 fossil fuel companies. Invest at least 5 percent of our portfolio into climate solutions defined as renewable energy, sustainable food & water projects, energy efficiency, clean technology and clean energy access.

is a direct action every citizen can take -- whether it's greening your own portfolio, moving your money to a bank that has divested, or pressuring your city, college or faith group to divest and invest. It's the ultimate democratic tool for accelerating the clean energy transition and beating back climate change. The People have the Power.

Join us, take the pledge.
On the banks of the Mississippi River last week, I stood a stone's throw from the Old Courthouse where Dred and Harriet Scott entered in 1847 to petition for their freedom. The enslaved Africans and their white allies resolutely pursued the case all the way to the US Supreme Court, ultimately precipitating the Civil War. In that building events took place that resulted in the emancipation of approximately four million people from the scourge of human bondage in America.



Within the walls of this courthouse the energy of Dred and Harriet Scott and supporters in the fight for human dignity can yet be felt.

Looking to my right, the giant metal Gateway Arch symbolizing America's Western Expansion loomed, also a stone's throw away. The architectural miracle - comparable to France's Eiffel Tower - and the Old Courthouse constitute Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, a unit of the National Park System named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson, signer of the Declaration of Independence; authorizer of the Louisiana Purchase which instantly doubled the American landmass, and a man who simultaneously held people as slaves.

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The juxtaposition of these two pillars of American evolution shook me to my core. Revitalization efforts currently underway make it possible for you to walk from the Old Courthouse to the Arch "without stepping off the curb." I cannot think of another park in the system where I felt so close to history, or where I was overcome with feelings of such poignancy.





I tried to embrace the Gateway Arch in my arms and heal the conflicts from Western Expansion still being played out at Standing Rock.

Standing in an office building high above the city with both structures in view, the history learned in 179 units of our National Park System flashed before my eyes. I hurtled through the Arch back to the Revolutionary War; the Lewis & Clark Expedition; the oppression and dispossession of Natives; the establishment of Sequoia, Yosemite, and the spectacular natural parks I've visited west of the Mississippi.



This sculpture of Dred and Harriet Scott is a fitting tribute to our freedom seeking ancestors.

Coming back to the Old Courthouse I watched Dred and Harriet Scott enter the building with all the fear and hope and dread in their hearts. I saw and felt the courage that kept them continually striving to claim their freedom through verdicts that went repeatedly against them. I watched our white American brothers and sisters who "owned" them help fight for their liberation as human beings. In that very courthouse they finally tasted freedom.

Then with a start, I realized that we are on the verge of entering a new arc, one that turns away from our country's foundational values of "liberty and justice for all." For the first time, our incoming leadership is turning the value of unity on its head. Instead, it strives deliberately to foment division in the populace; proposes to run our country as a corporation, (a country is responsible for the well-being of its citizenry; a corporation looks to maximize profits for investors) and tells us there's no such thing as fact. The President-elect's business acumen can be gleaned from this article detailing his debts.

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From my perch at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial I thought, "Aha! You charlatans! You cannot UN-Make the fact of the Old Courthouse, which is a physical testament to the American struggle against our basest instincts. You cannot Un-Make the Mississippi River and the St. Louis sites from which the Western Migration began. These are facts, among so many other irrefutable touchstones in our National Park System."

I saw that our national parks are the antidote to the epidemic of mistrust that is being deliberately foisted upon us, appropriately termed "Gaslighting."

Our close friend Dr. Carolyn Finney and many other luminaries including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and current Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell serving on the Second Century Commission on National Parks, spent years studying the future of these treasures and concluded:

"National parks are among our most admired public institutions. We envision the second century National Park Service supporting vital public purposes, the national parks used by the American people as venues for learning and civic dialogue, as well as for recreation and refreshment. We see the national park system managed with explicit goals to preserve and interpret our nation's sweep of history and culture, sustain biological diversity, and protect ecological integrity . . ."



In her 2017 Year of Adventure I hope Oprah visits all 413 units of our National Park System and brings them to her adoring public.

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I'm greatly encouraged by the current issue of O Magazine, which features Oprah Winfrey's loving tribute to Nature at the Grand Canyon National Park. When this lifestyle icon extols the virtues of our national parks, it'll trigger millions of others to learn about and explore them. Oprah also encourages readers to support Native Americans' petition to President Obama asking him to designate Bears Ears as a National Monument. Our Next100 Coalition has been supporting the push for the ancient lands containing cliff dwellings and prehistoric villages to be protected from oil and gas drilling and damaging recreation.



Let's see more inspiring stories such as that of Ranger Mashawn Butler, at the Roosevelt Arch marking the entrance to Yellowstone National Park where she works.

What arc will America take next? What arch or portal will we go through? The answer to what we should do - move forward together - is a tactile, sensory experience in our national parks. Proximity to The Gateway Arch and the Old (Dred Scott) Courthouse privileged me to see the long view.
Donald Trump in Our Town

A few months ago, I experienced candidate Trump's foothold in my mostly white, but economically diverse New Hampshire town. He held a rally at the community center five miles from my home. I reserved a ticket because I wanted to see what the baffling frenzy was about. I feared what New Hampshire's own, Ken Burns, referred to last June as, "the troubling unfiltered Tourettes of Trump's tribalism" and how it could eviscerate our political system and God knows what else.

On the morning of the event, I stopped at the center to swim and ran into the regular weekday crowd: people with whom I've spent the last decade sharing smiles, stories about our hips and hearts, job frustrations, the rising costs of health care--the usual. When politics came up, we agreed to disagree. Our collective white privilege went unacknowledged.

This day was different. The lobby was raucous with the voices of Trump supporters. A few Brazilian cleaners mopped around us silently while preparing for the crowd ahead.

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"Bang, bang!" Someone laughed over the noise of a vacuum in the long corridor toward the snack machines-- a not so subtle reference to Trump's pro-gun position.

In the locker room, a few Hillary-aged women talked over their hairdryers. "I don't trust her," one said.

Beside the hot tub, George who'd survived an automobile accident, but lost his job, and another middle-aged man I recognized by face but not name, volleyed their opinions:

"People are calling me racist for supporting Trump. I voted for Obama last time. Gimme a break. The guy was too weak."

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"I just want somebody who knows how to balance the budget."

"I have a job, but I don't have money. I'm tired of giving a free ride to people who aren't from here."

"I don't care what the hell he does in his private life. We're voting for a President, not a Sunday School teacher."

I cringed and gripped the towel around my body. How can these two guys care more about a man's flashy wealth than who he hurts along the way?

How can it be that the parallel lines of experience between me and my neighbors of the last ten years have grown so wide with this election that it's increasingly hard to bridge the political distance between us? I saw a man running a divisive, clickbait campaign. Many of these neighbors saw a wealthy renegade who affirmed a myth of the American rugged individual. I envisioned an opportunity for our country to reflect inwardly and to confront the moral obligation of centuries institutionalized racism, sexism and climate change. These neighbors latched onto a man with an entrepreneurial drive who has profited personally and financially, making a career out of more than questionable acts and rigging his own system.

On my way back to the locker room, I passed a line of fidgety pre-schoolers waiting for their swim lessons, the ones whose European ancestors came of age expecting that America's dream institutions were open to them if they worked hard enough. By the time Trump made his debut in our little town, these children would be all tucked into bed, perhaps a few of them re-applying their "flesh" colored Band Aids that peeled off in the pool. To what extent, if at all, do their parents acknowledge that laws in our country have always existed to afford more opportunity to some than others, and to police certain kinds of bodies?

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Shifting geopolitics and the global economy make us all feel vulnerable, but I fail to see hope in an outcome where a man in power intimidates children and women, and threatens immigrant and minority families with registration, surveillance, and deportation. How can anyone overlook the lack of principles inherent in a man who tacitly condones his endorsement by white nationalists and the KKK, repudiating every civil right that so many people have lived and died and are still dying for?

"What are we supposed to do? Both candidates are lousy!" I heard again while I dressed, dried my hair and struggled with a creeping sensation that my day, my community, my country were collectively and uncontrollably slipping away.

Are our paychecks what actually ties us to the American dream? Bigger bank accounts have never truly eclipsed the value we entrust to human decency. The same value we uphold when we vote and hope to instill in our children when we send them to school or when they attend church, synagogue, mosque or temple?

On my way out of the building, I thanked the Brazilian cleaners wiping the glass doors and ran into Mike again. "Campaigns are always filled with hot air. Relax. He said.

"Why would a candidate for President say something he doesn't mean?" I asked, turning away.

I drove home thinking that this campaign has created a political future that feels more like a slot machine than a caucus, each of our votes, a pull of the lever --the outcome, random and independent, and our America, dazed and bleary-eyed, hoping it would somehow hit the jackpot. Instead, I feared we would all be going home with empty pockets, deep remorse and our American spirit broken.

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I didn't go to the rally that day. But five thousand other people from my community did. One was my neighbor, my ticket in his pocket.

Trump told the crowd, "We are going to start winning again."

Winning what?

The morning after the election, I chatted briefly with Mary, a health care worker who was swimming in the lane next to me. "He's going to get things done. Our country needed a change like this. It won't be so bad, you'll see." I took no solace in her words.

On the first weekend of December, the KKK held a victory rally for the election in Roxboro, NC. A convoy of 30 cars drove through the city draped in Confederate flags and their passengers shouting, "White power!" Their "imperial kommander" was reported by the Times-News as saying, "I think Donald Trump is going to do some really good things and turn this country around."

This is not the America I recognize or believe in.


"Metacognition is rising in importance as educators are realizing its importance and developing learning experiences to complement their existing assignments."

-- Charles Fadel

In an uncertain and rapidly changing world, Charles Fadel, founder of the Center for Curriculum Redesign (CCR), believes the ability "to reflect and adapt is at a premium." Fadel advocates for a holistic approach to 21st Century education. CCR recommends redesigning school curriculums to offer a complete framework across the 4 dimensions of an education, which include knowledge, skills, character and meta-learning. In the meta-learning dimension, students would practice "reflection, learn about their learning, internalize a growth mindset that encourages them to strive, and learn how to adapt their learning and behavior based on their goals."

Today in the final part of The Global Search for Education 5-part series with Charles Fadel, our focus is specifically on meta-learning. The OECD's Andreas Schleicher calls Fadel's book, Four-Dimensional Education: The Competencies Learners Need to Succeed, a "first of its kind organizing framework of competencies needed for this century which defines the spaces in which educators, curriculum planners, policy makers and learners can establish WHAT should be learned."

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Charles, would you please begin by defining Meta-Learning?

Meta-learning is originally described by Donald B. Maudsley (1979) as "the process by which learners become aware of and increasingly in control of habits of perception, inquiry, learning, and growth that they have internalized".

CCR defines meta-learning as two components, namely Metacognition - the process of thinking about thinking, and Growth Mindset - the inner belief that abilities can be developed through hard work.



"From a jobs standpoint, it is the latitude to improve one's learning on the job by learning how to learn continuously, with a 'can-do' attitude, to constantly stay ahead of 'jobsolescence'." -- Charles Fadel

Where have you seen meta-learning used successfully? Please share one or two practical examples that illustrate the impact this dimension of learning can have if it is executed well.

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Meta-learning is part of every single discipline, not a layer on top or a separate "course". Every discipline has a role in developing a growth mindset (for instance, mathematics or music or foreign language, so children learn that they can "do it").

Metacognition is rising in importance as educators are realizing its importance and developing learning experiences to complement their existing assignments. "Exam Wrappers," developed by Marsha C. Lovett, ask students to reflect on the questions they got right and wrong, what was effective in their studying and what wasn't, and prompts them to use this reflection to improve their habits for the next exam. In theory, there is no reason that these should be limited to exams, but can be used to help students reflect on homework, projects, collaborative work, etc. by highlighting the meaningful questions and scaffolding self-reflection. These exercises can be interwoven with the regular classroom activities as needed. For example, there is evidence that writing about one's worries before a stressful exam boosts performance on the exam.

At what part of the education journey should we assess meta-learning? How is it assessed?

Assessments are a huge question onto itself, but here's an example: All types of portfolios (showcase, process, and evaluation) can be used to enhance and assess metacognition. They are a very authentic method of assessment, and allow the opportunity for teachers to model metacognitive thinking (e.g. "I think this essay is a great example of how you carefully organized your ideas.") and to prompt students to reflect on their learning (e.g. "what was effective/not effective about the learning strategy I chose to use?").



"From a happy/healthy life perspective, the same thinking about thinking applies: a growth mindset as 'can-do', as well as an ability to monitor one's own behavior."

-- Charles Fadel

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What role does meta-learning play in providing the competencies needed for the jobs of today and the future? Additionally, what role does it play in students being able to living a happier and healthier life?

These issues are facets of the same problem - a holistic ability to deal with whatever life has in store.

From a jobs standpoint, it is the latitude to improve one's learning on the job by learning how to learn continuously, with a "can-do" attitude, to constantly stay ahead of "jobsolescence". But it is also how to deal effectively with crises, by examining one's behaviors as well as the content of the behavior. The vaunted "Emotional Quotient" rests not only on executive functions at the reaction level, but also on the deeper questioning and resolving of why the behavior exists in the first place. For instance, in a meeting, you'd be both participating as well as observing/modulating how you participate.

From a happy/healthy perspective, the same thinking about thinking applies: a growth mindset as "can-do", as well as an ability to monitor one's own behavior.

How well is meta-learning incorporated into current curriculum? How substantial are the additional efforts required to accomplish this?

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Meta-learning involves the learner reflecting on all three of the key learning processes in the CCR framework as they perform these learning tasks - gaining knowledge and understandings, building skills, and developing character qualities. Meta-learning is very sparsely incorporated into existing curricula, and in no way deliberately, systematically and demonstrably across curricula.



"Mathematics must nurture not only a positive growth mindset so missing in so many students - most of them afraid of the discipline - but also the deeper reflection about validity of content and processes they use in maths. The same holds true for all disciplines." -- Charles Fadel

What do you see as the most effective ways or places to integrate meta-learning into the key areas of curriculum? What do we need to do to make this happen?

Meta-learning activities involve reflecting on:

What one already knows, what levels of skills one has, and what character qualities one has developed: prior knowledge, skills and character qualities.

What one needs to know, what levels of skills one needs, and what character qualities are required for the learning task at hand: required knowledge, skills and character qualities.

Which learning strategies are best for the task: learning strategy choices.

How the learning processes are going: ongoing formative evaluations.

What learning achievements and outcomes have been reached from the learning experience: summative evaluations.

How knowledge, skills and character learning processes could be improved: learning improvement strategies.

.

Each discipline is responsible to develop its judicious blend of Knowledge, Skills and Character, and Meta-Learning follows the same requirements. For instance, mathematics must nurture not only a positive growth mindset so missing in so many students - most of them afraid of the discipline - but also the deeper reflection about validity of content and processes they use in maths. The same holds true for all disciplines. In language for instance, metacognition could be reflection on language structure, impact of/on culture, etc. In arts, it would include rebooting pre-conceptions; that techniques must be developed; failing safely; that experimentation matters; valuing critique; perceiving in multiple ways; and personal reflections on processes.

For More Information about

.

For More Information about the Center for Curriculum Redesign.

(All Photos are Courtesy of CMRubinWorld and the Center for Curriculum Redesign)



C. M. Rubin and Charles Fadel

Join me and globally renowned thought leaders including Sir Michael Barber (UK), Dr. Michael Block (U.S.), Dr. Leon Botstein (U.S.), Professor Clay Christensen (U.S.), Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond (U.S.), Dr. MadhavChavan (India), Professor Michael Fullan (Canada), Professor Howard Gardner (U.S.), Professor Andy Hargreaves (U.S.), Professor Yvonne Hellman (The Netherlands), Professor Kristin Helstad (Norway), Jean Hendrickson (U.S.), Professor Rose Hipkins (New Zealand), Professor Cornelia Hoogland (Canada), Honourable Jeff Johnson (Canada), Mme. Chantal Kaufmann (Belgium), Dr. EijaKauppinen (Finland), State Secretary TapioKosunen (Finland), Professor Dominique Lafontaine (Belgium), Professor Hugh Lauder (UK), Lord Ken Macdonald (UK), Professor Geoff Masters (Australia), Professor Barry McGaw (Australia), Shiv Nadar (India), Professor R. Natarajan (India), Dr. Pak Tee Ng (Singapore), Dr. Denise Pope (US), Sridhar Rajagopalan (India), Dr. Diane Ravitch (U.S.), Richard Wilson Riley (U.S.), Sir Ken Robinson (UK), Professor Pasi Sahlberg (Finland), Professor Manabu Sato (Japan), Andreas Schleicher (PISA, OECD), Dr. Anthony Seldon (UK), Dr. David Shaffer (U.S.), Dr. Kirsten Sivesind (Norway), Chancellor Stephen Spahn (U.S.), Yves Theze (LyceeFrancais U.S.), Professor Charles Ungerleider (Canada), Professor Tony Wagner (U.S.), Sir David Watson (UK), Professor Dylan Wiliam (UK), Dr. Mark Wormald (UK), Professor Theo Wubbels (The Netherlands), Professor Michael Young (UK), and Professor Minxuan Zhang (China) as they explore the big picture education questions that all nations face today.

The Global Search for Education Community Page

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The adventurous Rachel Grant jumps off the big screen as a Bond girl and is now starring on the small screen in an audacious role in the real life "Tour Group" docu-series on Bravo. Grant was born to be a leader, guide and adventurer. Whatever roles she has chosen to take on in her life, the raven haired beauty has succeeded fully in. Her role as a co-tour guide starring with Sandhurst Miggins and Brandon Presser on "Tour Group," Bravo's luxury docu-series, sends Grant with her fellow expert guides in search of the most exotic, thrilling and exclusive destinations on Earth. With 11 diverse and vibrant travelers in tow, the goal is to discover the world's ultimate vacation.



Photo courtesy of Rachel Grant



Destined life explorer

From birth, Grant was destined to be an explorer of life and aimed to flourish in whatever she put her mind to do. The stunning beauty and humanitarian was born into French royalty with the title The Honorable Rachel Louise Grant de Longueuil. King Louis XIV of France granted the barony title to Grant's ancestor Charles le Moyne de Longueuil to honor him for his North American explorations.

Ms. Grant took on dance as a child, and then sashayed her way to become a beauty queen, actress, writer, entrepreneur and social advocate. It is not surprising that along the way Rachel also fed her lust for travel turning into an expert in the field. She made unforgettable journeys to six continents and 70 countries and worked as a leader in a thrilling underground river discovery of the uncharted Angel Cave in the Philippines.

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Photo courtesy of Rachel Grant

Speaking with Grant, it is apparent that she is as intelligent, caring and a lover of life as she is beautiful.

Carol Ruth Weber: What first intrigued you in life to go beyond the beauty of dance?

Rachel Grant: My mother drove my three sisters and I into stage performance and dancing. I took acting at same time as dance and really enjoyed performing. From there I went to acting school.

CRW: When did travel become a passion?

RG: My mother came from the Philippines so as a child every year we would take a 36-hour flight to visit her home country. This yearly trip to the Philippines, that took us on a journey through different places, is what drove my passion for wanting to travel. I remember being four years old and coming off of the plane with the humidity hitting my face. I still get goosebumps to this day when I think about leaving England and how thrilling visiting a new place was.

When I was 16 years old I found an ad to apply for a beauty pageant. At 17 I entered a pageant because I wanted to go to the Bahamas. I ended up winning the pageant and got to travel to the Bahamas. The traveling took off from there. Since I have been asked to judge beauty pageants.



CRW: How did extreme exploring fit into your lifestyle?



RG: I get that from my father. It started with extreme cuisine. I started tasting unique food when I was young. My mom would cook traditional Philippine food. Balut, duck embryo, is my favorite. I started doing things that the guys usually would do, like scuba diving. There are a few things that I still can't believe that I did, like discovering a cave in a very obscure place. Now I realize what a dangerous experience it was, but I would probably still do it again.

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CRW: What types of extreme travel have you done?

RG: I went with my father to Ecuador five years ago and found someone to take me four hours into the Amazon to meet the Huaorani tribe. We went hunting with them. Even wilder is that I found out after that they had killed a group of missionaries that previously visited them before my trip.



CRW: What are you more comfortable in, couture or a wetsuit?

RG: I want a couture wetsuit. Actually looked up sexy wetsuits but realized it was not practical. When one travels you have to look simple.

CRW: What are your wishes for the future of the world?



RG: I really love to encourage people to travel in order to break down barriers and get to know other people. I want a world where people are more open to other lifestyles, traditions and foods, and culture. Travel brings understanding and openness to understanding.

With Rachel's mission declaration it is obvious that Bravo has chosen the perfect tour expert in Grant.

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"Travel inspires us to enjoy life in a variety of ays, to live it to the fullest and to allow our senses to be excited and tantalized. Life becomes richer, more beautiful and I am always looking beyond."



Photo courtesy of Rachel Grant

The fearless Grant takes on life in full force as a spirit of nature not to be reckoned with. As one who has lead expeditions of itineraries to the most exotic locals she has found around the globe, makes Grant a perfect guide for Bravo's exciting adventure series. When not roaming to some far away land to explore, the beautiful thrill seeker is at home in New York writing about travel, as well as designing a line of travel gear. As a world traveler Grant has become aware of the immense need to help the impoverished communities and people that she has met along the way. This led the wonderful woman to work with philanthropies to specifically give back and help.
Kipi Suites, Zagori region:

Travelling to the North of this diverse country has been a new experience for me. For those of you who read the first part of my double-header, I described my short but eventful visit to the mountain town of Metsovo in the Pindus mountain range.

As well as exploring the town, I enjoyed staying at the Katogi Averoff Hotel and Winery, member of Aria Hotels. Aria Hotels is a small family-owned boutique hotels and villas company and I'm now heading towards another Aria Hotel.

My next stop was about a couple of hours away in the village of Kipi. Kipi Suites is a boutique hotel in the small village of Kipi, in the Zagori region, which lies at an altitude of 800 metres - the lowest village in Zagori. Prior to the Balkan wars, Kipi was the central point of the region, but is now a quieter, more peaceful setting and just what you need after the long drive.

The manager, Aris, a friendly and helpful guy, showed me around the hotel, which retains the architectural feel of region with its stone-built houses. It is a small collection of converted houses dating back to 1850 and lends itself to the cosiness of winter and the longer summer days equally well. I ended the long day by enjoying a dinner accompanied by a glass of wine from the vineyards of Epirus at the 'Kipi Bites' a restaurant serving fresh, local produce. Afterwards I took a short walk - nothing beats the fresh mountain air especially when you live in a city.

I made the most of the next day, as it was my only chance to get around and see the surrounding areas. Monodendri, a nearby village and larger than Kipi, was one of the stops I made mainly because it's situated around the Vikos Gorge, which is on the slopes of Mount Tymfi, and is the deepest in the world. A hiking trail also leads into the gorge. The view walking down the path is simply breathtaking. At the end of the path, you come across the abandoned Agia Paraskevi monastery, founded in 1413, on the edge of the gorge.

This region remains popular year round with many activities, particularly during the summer period, such as rafting, trekking and horse-riding.The Zagori Race takes place annually, around July, and attracts many people to participate in numerous mountain races. Last year, over 2000 people took part.

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Later in the day, Aris kindly took me around a few locations. I saw the monument of 'The Woman of Pindus' (Pindus is the name of the mountain range), in honour of the women who assisted in defeating the Italians during the Greco-Italian War in 1940, which marked the entry of Greece into World War Two. From the monument, you see the path where the Greek army pushed the Italians back into Albania. We then stopped at Vela monastery, not far the Albanian border. Nearby lies the river Kalamas, known for being rich in flora and migrating birds. The source of the river is near the Kalpaki village, where we made a stop at the local taverna. It was a very eventful day and I enjoyed the discoveries made along the way. You get a sense of the history of the region; a region which has suffered greatly from multiple conflicts. However, the many villages still survive even without the level of tourism that the south of the country and the islands enjoy.
From DREAMer to Doer

The year is 1947.The location is a small farming town in Chihuahua, MX called Santa Rosalia de Cuevas. In this placed lived an 8-year-old girl by the name of Eva Estrada who was incredibly passionate about the idea of one day learning how to read. Eva's fondest memory is that of going to get eggs at the local shop for her mother, but it wasn't that she was thrilled about eating all these eggs, but yet the idea of unwrapping the newspapers in which those eggs came was the light in her day. Eva would stare at the words as if there were no tomorrow dreaming of the day in which she would be able to read them.

Eva went on to become an avid, intellectual reader who for long dreamt about the possibilities that an education could bring her, but her life would give a different turn as her father passed away and she had no option than to drop out and begin working to help her mother raise her 6 siblings. Eva would end up moving to the big city where she worked as a maid to wealthy families. Ultimately Eva went on to pay for her younger sisters education, which was a dream she never had the opportunity to do for herself.

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The story that connects Eva and I or as I like to call her My llalla aka my paternal grandmother is the one where she became my inspiration, my cross-generational mentor and most of all the interrupter against all adversity that came my way by always reminding me to stay strong and to remember that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Now, fast forward to 1997, the year in which I arrived to the US as a child with my parents and siblings from Chihuahua, MX.

According to research I had all the needed variables to be a statistical failure.

1.I was an immigrant

2.English was not my first language

3.I was of low-income status

4.My parents were not college educated

5.I was undocumented

6.I was a girl

My story is one of many struggles, hardships, and barriers but as I reflect on the journey life has taken me, I remind myself that I am not the only young woman who will encounter them and that is why I believe in the power of cross-generational mentorship to help young women in need up the path to success.

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Every single one of you can become an interrupter to the many struggling girls and young women fighting for the opportunity to make their dreams a reality and their path to leadership a tangible one.

Think of being an interrupter sort of like being a superhero or, perhaps even better

A SUPPER SHERO- who protects the coming generations of underprivileged girls and women against the many pitfalls of inequity life will bring them.

A Recent study states that women are much less likely than men to be considered leaders.

What do you think about this?

Further than that...The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) Notes that in the 114th US Congress, women occupy only 20 out of 100 seats in the senate and only 84 out of 435 seats in the house of representatives, and of the 104 women members of congress only 33 of them are women of color.



Concerning right?

As we can easily tell, rising into leadership while being an underprivileged woman is no easy task, much less if you area woman of color. But that is why I am, here to remove the depression and to fill you with motivation and inspiration to act.

This is for you:

 Young girl and women doubting yourselves day and night, wondering if you will ever be able to succeed.

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 This for the mothers out there who hope and dream that their daughters will have an equal opportunity to excel

This is for those men in the audience who have a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a niece or granddaughter who you want to watch rise to their full potential

It is For you, amazing, thriving working and retired women hoping to someday become the mentor you never had. And to the immigrant parents....

Esto es para todos los padres immigrantes que nunca pensaron que podrian contribuir como mentores de sus hijos por el simple hecho de no tener una educacion universitaria .

Or as I would say in English....

This is for the immigrant parents who never thought they could contribute to their children's education because they didn't have a college degree.

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I am proud to say that I come from a very humble family where my father until this day works as a hard working construction man and my mother as a devoted housekeeper.

I became the first in my family to graduate from high school and went on to become a passionate young woman involved in higher education, legislative systems, civic engagement, policy, and advocacy. It was during my undergraduate life that I began to face the inequities within systems that weren't inherently created to help underprivileged young women succeed.

It was here that I began to meet the "Interrupters" who like My llalla Eva Estrada Nava helped me achieve the unachievable for a girl like myself. But, now the question becomes how did these interrupters do such things? Well, I certainly can't go story by story because I would be here for months...But what I have done for you, is I have created what I would like to officially call:

Eva's 5 Steps to becoming a positive Interrupter for underprivileged young women.

Step #1. Acknowledge the inequities between men, underprivileged young women, and women of color in order to generate opportunities for change.

Just like the many NM state legislators who welcomed me as an intern and as an education advocate at the state legislature during the past 6 years, regardless of the fact that I held no legal status. Not only did they teach me the meaning of growing tough skin but they unconsciously helped me acquire a sense of belonging in a world so distant from my every day life.

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Step #2. Believe in us...believe in the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all underprivileged girls.

Just like Congresswoman. Michelle Lujan Grisham did in 2013 when she invited me to be her guest of honor at the Whitehouse where I met and spoke to the US President and Vice President. I recall it as if it were yesterday; my legs shook every step I took forward. It was nothing but a dream as I roamed the halls of history and contemplated the fact that an undocumented immigrant girl like myself would ever have the opportunity to do such thing.

Step #3.provide us with ripple effect opportunities to help us learn, thrive and advance. Just like my good friend and mentor Pablo Manriquez did when he helped me share my story as I became the first dreamer to ever intern with a national political party headquarters. His support connected me with the Huffington post and the opportunity to become a political blogger.

Not only did Pablo generate ripple effect opportunities for me but he stood in firm support when I was attacked by media for being allowed to serve as an intern while undocumented.

Step #4.Mentor, sponsor or guide us through mental, physical, academic or financial support. Just like the many incredible organizations and leaders, I have had the honor of being supported by:

From those who have financially supported my academic dreams, to those who mentored me since the day I arrived to college, to those who helped me through my struggle with mathematics, to those who taught me the meaning of self-care.

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Step #5. Help us find grounding and remind us who we are, where we come from, and who we represent.

Just like my dear llalla Eva did by always demonstrating her selfless courage through her love and encouragement until the moment in which she held my hand and took her very last breath of life this past June 28 at 4:12 am.

Nothing would have made me happier than to have her sitting in front of me right now, but I am confident that her angel self is right by my side.

My llalla's 5 steps were actions that she lived by and every time I was pushed down and told I would never succeed she would rescue me by simply INTERRUPTING the negative thoughts by telling me that I had the power to accomplish whatever I set my mind to.

Now, after becoming the first in my family to obtain a Bachelors Degree, and to have been accepted into a graduate program, I am compelled to reinforce the importance of mentorship for the many young underprivileged girls coming right behind.

We live in a world.... where girls and women are still fighting to obtain basic human rights. That is why we must empower our young women of color to lead the way as we create a world full of "HER-STORIES" that will continue the trail marked by the many SHEROES who have begun the path for us.

This is why I will continue to work to change the systems policies and laws that prevent or delay the success of our minority women.

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I will work to generate ripple effect opportunities through the creation of a "Cross-Generational Minority Women Leadership Institute" where we will follow Eva's 5 steps to help young women rise and lead in any field, path or career goal.

Ultimately

I hope that you acknowledge that YOU are a powerful, capable, transformational leader, who can become the interrupter -the GIRL right next to you might BE needing Right Now.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks on a mobile phone as he arrives for a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, U.S., December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

With the presumed designation of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, and former U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton as Deputy Secretary of State, Donald Trump will be sending a clear message to the world: the U.S. is open for business (presumably to the highest bidder), it will be carrying a big stick, there will be no speaking softly, and the operative word will be "bulldozer." There will effectively be no subtlety, no negotiation, and no shades of grey: starting in January, it will be Trump's way or the highway.

For those Trump voters who might have imagined that he would assemble a cabinet and team of advisors attuned to the needs of the blue-collar worker or man in the street, it should be becoming crystal clear by now that they have been hoodwinked. Instead, the Trump Administration is turning out to be the domain of big business, billionaires, and Goldman Sachs. How anyone could have imagined that a man who has never worked a blue-collar day in his life nor associated with ordinary people until his run for the presidency would be genuinely transformed into the champion of the working class always defied logic. Given that Trump has so far refused to personally divest himself of his business interests during his presidency, it is plain for all to see that he plans to enrich himself and his family on the backs of the American economy. Tillerson's appointment would be consistent with that objective.

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The very idea that Trump would propel Tillerson to the role of Secretary of State is a real slap in the face to the rest of the world. America's presumed top diplomat-in-waiting has no experience in government, or outside of Exxon Mobil. He is best known for arranging a $500 billion deal with Russia's Rosneft to jointly drill for oil in the Arctic and Siberia, until it was side tracked by the Obama Administration's sanctions against Russia in return for the forced annexation of Crimea. Tillerson knows how to get a deal done, but there is no evidence -- at all -- that he has any of the skills ordinarily associated with a diplomat, such as tactfulness, sensitivity, discretion, finesse, judiciousness, or prudence. Perhaps that is the point -- Trump did not want to put in place a Secretary of State with traditional skills of diplomacy, because, to him, the world is about extracting maximum advantage from one's allies and opponents, not arriving at solutions where all parties' needs are met.

By comparison, Bolton has good diplomatic credentials. Apart from his brief stint at the UN, Bolton was an Undersecretary of State, has held a number of other positions in government and at prestigious think tanks in Washington, and won praise for his work in establishing the Proliferation Security Initiative. However, some of his critics have alleged that Bolton has tried to spin intelligence to support his own political views. His bluntness has earned him a variety of governmental enemies, with Iran's foreign ministry having called him "rude" and "undiplomatic," and North Korea's government having referred to him as "human scum." This is not a particularly good place to start if one of the Trump Administration's foreign policy objectives is to make progress with America's most ardent foes. It would appear that his objective is exactly the opposite.

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What is clear is that one of Trump's near-term goals is to strengthen America's relationship with Russia. Given that Tillerson is extremely close with Putin, his role in the government would certainly be a step in that direction. But Russia is an issue in which Tillerson and Bolton will surely butt heads. As a high-profile neocon, Bolton has a traditional view of Russia as 'the enemy'. How the two will come to terms with that remains to be seen. While Bolton shares Trump's view vis-a-vis Iran, North Korea and a variety of other foreign policy concerns, as a member of the failed Washington foreign policy elite that Trump so frequently and virulently opposed on the campaign trail, Bolton's appointment is yet another fundamental contradiction that must leave Trump supporters scratching their heads.

Trump's approach to creating a government, running the government, and crafting a foreign policy has all the makings of a business transaction in which he imagines that everyone else in the world can't wait to 'do business' with America, and that the U.S. is the world's first choice - for everything. That is obviously his world view, which, he believes, has been the key to his success, and is central to America's future success. He, and America, are in for a rude awakening with this approach, however. Many of its allies -- particularly in Europe -- are already wondering if Trump's America is worth being allied with, questioning basic tenets of American post-war foreign policy, and whether the U.S. can be depended upon to adhere to its historical and 'binding' security, aid, and other commitments. America's enemies must already have come to the conclusion that, at least for the next four years, there is no point in even trying to negotiate with a U.S. president and administration that subscribes to a 'heads I win, tails you lose' view of the world.

What seems clear is that the next four years are going to be a period of profound transformation - for America and the world. Trump is riding an alternative political wave already under way in countries such as the UK, the Philippines and Turkey. Rather than attempting to put a lid on the unraveling of the West's post-war security and foreign policy architecture, Trump is intent on ensuring that it proceeds full throttle. America voted in a president who promised to be a change agent, and we are all now on an out of control roller coaster ride that will have previously unheard of twists, turns, and perils. With foreign policy being reduced to a series of business transactions, and with diplomacy now a function of who can shout the loudest and hurl the worst obscenity, anything is possible.
Scattershots from around the world of religion research, with special attention to findings indicating who is more likely to be nice this holiday season.

Giving the gift of life: Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the American Red Cross, and shortages can have critical consequences. Yet just about one of 10 Americans eligible to donate does so annually.

What role does religion play in this act of sacrifice that is almost always given anonymously to its recipients?

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A pretty significant one, according to a new study by researcher Kraig Beyerlein of the University of Notre Dame. He analyzed data from nearly 1,600 adults eligible to donate blood responding to the 2010 Science of Generosity Survey.

"Religious service attendance, religious group involvement, and importance of faith were all significant factors promoting blood donation," Beyerlein reported in the journal Sociology of Religion.

Worshipping more often and being active in religious groups promoted religious networks. These ties, Beyerlein noted, increased the extent to which people:

Were solicited to donate.

Were exposed to helping messages such as "it is better to give than to receive."

Felt personally capable of having an impact on the community.

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But faith also played a role.

The more important faith was in providing guidance for daily living, the more likely individuals were to have stronger religious ties and to more frequently hear messages about the importance of helping people in need, the study found.

God is watching over you: Are the faithful more likely to volunteer to help the poor, the sick, the immigrant and those in prison out of fear of disobeying God or gratitude for the support of a loving God?

Two new studies by Arizona State University researchers suggest it is the latter.

The idea that God is watching over individuals with mercy and compassion is more effective in helping Christians volunteer to care for people outside their family or religious group than the idea God is watching to punish or reward them for being naughty or nice, the studies indicated.

The studies - one of 454 Christian college students and the second a survey of 804 workers on the Mechanical Turk website - were reported in the latest issue of the American Psychological Association's Psychology of Religion and Spirituality journal.

Christians who viewed God as merciful, compassionate and caring were both more likely to value those same qualities in themselves and to see helping all others as a moral obligation. These beliefs are associated with the types of internal motivations that are "robust predictors" of secular volunteering, the researchers said.

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In contrast, viewing God as commanding, judging and punishing was not related to either considering oneself benevolent or a moral obligation to help the stranger.

The takeaway: Focusing on God's mercy rather than divine judgement may be a win-win situation for communities and religious groups and individuals.

Other research has found volunteering to be associated with well-being, self-esteem and a reduced risk of mortality, the researchers noted.

"Developing strategies focused on benevolence or on the benevolent nature of God may foster helping, generally--and volunteering, specifically, thereby serving ... the community as well as promoting the psychological well-being of volunteers."

A 'honeymoon effect' for pastors

You might notice a little more spring in the step and greater enthusiasm in the pulpit this Christmas if your pastor has just come on board.

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Researchers from Duke University and the University of Toronto expected to find the stresses of relocating may place a greater burden on clergy taking over a new pulpit.

But what they found was strong evidence of a "honeymoon effect."

Recently relocated clergy report lower levels of mental distress and higher workplace morale compared to those who do not relocate, according to the study analyzing data from surveys of nearly 1,400 United Methodist clergy in 2008 and 2010.

United Methodist clergy usually receive a pay hike with a new appointment, and the early months involve a getting-to-know-you period that can limit stress, the researchers noted.

"Pastors cannot shoulder the problems of church members with whom they have no relationship, nor are they likely to encounter criticism from members whom they have not met," they noted in the Review of Religious Research.

But the "honeymoon" does not last that long.

Researchers found the benefits fade within a year of being relocated as clergy start to assume a larger pastoral role "and also become aware of the flaws and conflicts present in the congregation."

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As more than a few married couples can testify, there is a reason for the so-called honeymoon effect.
What do today's most successful, fastest growing companies have in common? Companies like Yammer, which was sold to Microsoft for $1.2 Billion, or Salesforce which grew to $1 Billion in revenue in 10 years, all practice management by objectives (MBOs) for goal-focused, company alignment.

Inc. 500 companies (and even some Fortune 100 companies) all use a variety of slightly different models; Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), V2MOMs...etc... The common themes are creating objectives every quarter, implementing metrics to measure them, communicating along the way, and then discussing successes and missed opportunities when the clock runs out.

But when managers view and analyze performance metrics, they often need more context to determine the causes of success or failure, and how to take action. Rather than looking at performance figures in a vacuum, managers can take a step back to see what employee behaviors influenced the numbers. For example, a company can look at sales figures as a KPI, without looking into the quality of the demos that were done or the number of customer phone calls made. Those details are indispensable for understanding how to improve performance moving forward.

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The Rhythm of Communication

In his best-selling book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, Verne Harnish provides an overview of three habits that are crucial for successfully managing a business. Harnish, who has been described as "the guru of fast growth companies", observed that businesses need to do the following:

1) Create five overarching priorities for the year and the quarter, as well as priorities for individual employees that align with those of the organization. One of the company priorities should include a theme for the quarter or year.

2) The business must have sufficient data to provide daily or weekly insights, along with key performance metrics for each employee.

3) To maintain company-wide alignment and drive accountability, the company must have an effective communication rhythm of weekly check-ins, bi-monthy or monthly one-on-one meetings, and quarterly performance reviews.



When applied to OKRs, these three elements make for a powerful business practice:

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1) Priorities

The company establishes 3-5 top priorities every quarter. Each team and individual employee creates objectives that are in-line with the company-wide priorities.

2) Data

Every employee has measurable results that are tracked and updated each week. Employees regularly update their performance statistics so that management can see the performance of individuals, teams, and the entire organization at a glance.

3) Communication Rhythm

Create an overall theme for the quarterly goal, and implement a rhythm of feedback and meetings that maintain alignment and accountability. The communication rhythm is the most vital element for creating growth. Communication provides context to the data so that when employees and teams fall off target, managers have a method for discovering why.

Themes create the focus & the fun, but what makes a quarterly goal achievable is daily and weekly rhythm aimed at keeping everyone informed, aligned, and accountable.

~Verne Harnish, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits



The Complete Picture

Analyzing employee performance and team dynamics involves listening to employees to hear a story more subtle and complex than the numbers alone can convey. This qualitative analysis provides a complete picture of the health of organizations who know that their people are the main determining factor between success and failure.

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For more information and in-depth advice about how to implement OKRs, download The Ultimate Guide for Making OKRs Work at Your Company.

Holistic management practices like soliciting regular employee feedback coupled with management by objectives, allows managers to delve into the drivers of employee performance. Was productivity low for a certain time period? Why? Asking questions can provide valuable information to replicate what's working and to turn failures into wins.

When company leaders connect long term goals with regular communication, they tap into the human element of performance. People move naturally towards doing their best work and becoming their best selves. But without supplementing the numbers with context, leaders are just guessing about the future of their company. By asking the right questions every week, managers obtain deeper insight into the motivations, distractions and other issues that influence or hinder results.

Employee Feedback Provides Context

Soliciting employee feedback is not just about information gathering, but also aids in the establishment of trust. Asking team members "how do you feel?" or "where are you challenged?", elicits valuable information like, "I am stressed because we re-structured departmental procedures and it feels like there are still gaping holes in our new process", or "I am getting run down and can't do my best work". Managers can then respond to employee needs before they get out of hand.

Q&A allows managers to quickly and easily discover misalignments and make weekly course corrections. They can see where employees are challenged and offer just enough support to allow them to grow into their roles and achieve their objectives. Employees also have the opportunity to share triumphs and be acknowledged by management. Acknowledgements help motivate employees to perform and they boost morale team-wide.

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The quantitative by itself only provides half the picture, but when managers have conversations early enough, so much can be addressed before breakdown. When people can share openly because they don't feel that their jobs are at risk, managers learn where they are struggling beyond their capacity and become aware of the things that need improvement before it's too late.
Brussels - Greater security cooperation with Albania and Kosovo would augment Europe's existing security architecture, and advance US strategic interests. Albanians are staunchly pro-American. They crave closer security, cultural, and commercial cooperation with the US. Albania and Kosovo would welcome the expansion of US military bases on their territory.

Albania and Kosovo are all the more important given trends with Russia and Turkey. Steely-eyed realism: Russia is a strategic adversary; Turkey an uncertain ally.

Vladimir Putin has dangerous disregard for the international system. After illegally seizing Crimea, Putin threatened other parts of Ukraine as well as Poland and the Baltic States. Russia sponsors European far-right parties in a bid to erode European unity and trans-Atlantic consensus. Russia's insidious campaign to spread false news, propaganda, and disinformation may have influenced elections in the US and Italy.

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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has gone rogue. Erdogan is Islamist and anti-American. He hurls invectives at the US and targets "oppositionists" at home. Erdogan detained or dismissed 140,000 members of the military and police, as well as journalists, judges, mayors, parliamentarians, and teachers since the failed coup of July 2016. Turkey has more journalists in jail than any other country.

In response to this volatile environment and shifting alliances, the US needs a new security strategy.

Albania has been a NATO member since 2009. It currently contributes troops and medical personnel to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Albania also participates in Operation Active Endeavour, NATO's maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean. Albania contributed to the Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also supported peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, hosting a logistics support command that became a NATO regional military headquarters.

The Gjader Air Base in Albania could be expanded to complement other NATO facilities. Lengthening the runway and improved infrastructure would make Gjader a fully combat-ready air field for operations in the Middle East or to protect NATO members.

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Cooperation with Albania is multifaceted. The US and Albania signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2014. Further integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions would make Albania a stronger security, political, and commercial partner of the West.

Increasing Kosovo's capacity would also enhance NATO and US interests.

Camp Bondsteel is the main base of the US Army in Kosovo. Covering nearly 100 acres, Bondsteel hosts a Multinational Battle Group from NATO countries. Bondsteel could be transformed into a major transit hub for troops and equipment. It could also host a rapid reaction force for emergencies in the Baltics to the Black Sea.

Kosovo is more than willing. Kosovo Albanians are deeply grateful to the US for leading a NATO-led operation that drove out Serbian troops in 1999. They are also grateful to the US for spearheading Kosovo's coordinated declaration of independence in 2008.

America's presence in Southeast Europe also serves strategic interests. It would deter Russia from turning vulnerable states into proxies, or setting up bases in the Western Balkans. It would also act as a bulwark against Turkey's export of Islamism.

Preventing violent extremism (PVE) is an important element of US-Albanian relations. Both Albania and Kosovo are pluralist societies with Muslim majorities. The US is supporting local leaders to reintegrate returnees from Syria and Iraq. It is also helping to prevent the further radicalization of their societies. The PVE experience in Albania and Kosovo could be a model to other countries.

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Cooperation with Albanians transcends the territories of Albania and Kosovo. The Albanian neighborhood also includes Albanians in parts of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Greece. More than any other nation in Southeast Europe, Albanians have a commitment to the United States and a bond with Americans.

If the US is looking for partners in an increasingly complex world, it can rely on Albanians. President-elect Donald J. Trump knows the value of a diversified portfolio. Albania and Kosovo are indispensable assets. Albanians are reliable friends.
"Providing relevant answers has been the cornerstone of Google's approach to search from the very beginning. It would undermine the people's trust in our results and company if we were to change course."- Google, in response to SEME research.

SEME, in this context, is for those who Googled and found links to Japanese culture:

"The search engine manipulation effect (SEME) is the change in consumer preference from manipulations of search results by search engine providers."-Wiki

According to some, "Such manipulations...could shift the voting preferences of undecided voters by 20 percent or more and up to 80 percent in some demographics."

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Who knows? These days one has to be very careful sharing any information as the proliferation of fake news is so widespread and so deep.

Net fake/fake,

Fake based on truth

Truth clouded by fake

Fake creating more fake

Truth hard to ascertain

I am content to merely comment on Google's statement, as it strikes a chord of dissonance. After all, the whole monetization structure of the enterprise is based on its ability to affect key and hyper targeted audiences. Yet seemingly that only holds true for the purple whale pants with the pink embroidery and not for anything else...hmm.

Frankly, as in the past, my issue is less with fake news--let's be clear, I find the fabled New York Times guilty in that arena as well--than it is with the way algorithms are developing. To suggest that the Google algorithm is open, honest and neutral is disingenuous at best and, more likely, misleading.

"The amoral status of an algorithm does not negate its effects on society," wrote Amit Datta and Anupam Datta of Carnegie Mellon and Michael Carl Tschantz of the International Computer Science Institute, authors of a 2015 Google advertising study.

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Damien Tambini, an associate professor at the London School of Economics, who focuses on media regulation, was quoted by The Guardian as saying:

There's an editorial function to Google and Facebook but it's being done by sophisticated algorithms. They say it's machines not editors. But that's simply a mechanised editorial function.



It's a function I've written about, with respect and admiration, as the head of the Creative Data Jury at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.

I refer you to a recent article in The Guardian, "Google, democracy and the truth about internet search," written by Carole Cadwalladr, published Sunday, December 4, 2016.

It's a piece most worth reading, no matter your view, as it sets up the arguments in a coherent and rational way. The author documents her journey of typing "Jews/Muslims/Women (etc.) are" into the Google search bar and watching, with horror, the auto-fill that followed.

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To be fair, and clear, Google has cleaned up this mess since I first read Cadwalladr's article last week--try it and you'll see for yourself. Nevertheless, what was coming up just a short while ago were hateful terms and hate-filled links.

"Jews are evil." "Muslims need to be eradicated." "Women all have a little prostitute in them." Cadwalladr writes about typing in the questions "Was Hitler bad?"As I've just confirmed, here's Google's top result: "10 Reasons Why Hitler Was One of the Good Guys." Among other things, the article states, "He implemented social and cultural reform." Eight out of the other 10 search results agree: Hitler really wasn't that bad.

Cadwalladr continues by quoting Danny Sullivan, founding editor of SearchEngineLand.com:

He's been recommended to me by several academics as one of the most knowledgeable experts on search. Am I just being naive, I ask him? Should I have known this was out there? "No, you're not being naive," he says. "This is awful. It's horrible. It's the equivalent of going into a library and asking a librarian about Judaism and being handed 10 books of hate. Google is doing a horrible, horrible job of delivering answers here. It can and should do better."

You seek answers thinking you'll find the truth and the trusted librarian hands you books on hate...

Yet here's the thing.

While sources from the left and right are attacking Google and others for bias, mainstream media has jumped in as well. It's not a new issue; in fact, it's a problem identified as early as 1999 in the United States and now recognized globally.

In the words of acclaimed media critic Robert McChesney from his paper "Shaping the Web: Why the Politics of Search Engines Matters (2000)":

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The American media system is spinning out of control in a hyper-commercialized frenzy. Fewer than ten transnational media conglomerates dominate much of our media; fewer than two dozen account for the overwhelming majority of our newspapers, magazines, films, television, radio, and books. With every aspect of our media culture now fair game for commercial exploitation, we can look forward to the full-scale commercialization of sports, arts, and education, the disappearance of notions of public service from public discourse, and the degeneration of journalism, political coverage, and children's programming under commercial pressure.

Many, myself included, have written about the money at stake here. See "Google's Dance":

...from Google's perspective - and I don't mean Google's PR department, I mean Google's management - Google is an advertising company. Ninety-seven percent of Google's revenues, after all, come from advertising.

And we have all followed the fake news farms, whose farmers made a killing during the recent US election. Why look to Russian hackers (if it was them)--sadly they were sharing the truth--it was the novelists who were doing way worse damage.

I have shared this thought from The New York Times before, but it's critical enough to repeat:

There is a widespread belief that software and algorithms that rely on data are objective. But software is not free of human influence. Algorithms are written and maintained by people, and machine learning algorithms adjust what they do based on people's behavior. As a result, say researchers in computer science, ethics and law, algorithms can reinforce human prejudices.

And according to The Wall Street Journal,

The legacy media companies addressed this issue by trying, admittedly with varying degrees of success, to establish walls between the departments responsible for editorials, news reporting and advertising. This will be far more difficult in an era where algorithms--not editors--often control the content and ads a person consumes.

To be fair, there are many who would argue, rightly so, that the varying degrees of success referenced above have diminished over time and because of--you guessed it--monetization issues, is diminishing ever more quickly.

Robert Epstein, senior research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology in California, worries this is where it all leads:

Google has become the main gateway to virtually all knowledge, mainly because the search engine is so good at giving us exactly the information we are looking for, almost instantly and almost always in the first position of the list it shows us after we launch our search - the list of 'search results'. That ordered list is so good, in fact, that about 50 per cent of our clicks go to the top two items, and more than 90 per cent of our clicks go to the 10 items listed on the first page of results; few people look at other results pages, even though they often number in the thousands, which means they probably contain lots of good information. Google decides which of the billions of web pages it is going to include in our search results, and it also decides how to rank them. How it decides these things is a deep, dark secret - one of the best-kept secrets in the world, like the formula for Coca-Cola.

And in my first and only appearance before a congressional hearing, in a scene out of a movie, I, sitting at the green covered desk in front of a room full of people, warned of the dangers of an algorithm in the hands of a monopoly...any monopoly.

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So Google and the rest have to come to grips with who they are...Either they can influence or they can't. Either they can cause perception shifts or they can't. From Wired:

Jigsaw, the Google-owned tech incubator and think tank--until recently known as Google Ideas--has been working over the past year to develop a new program it hopes can use a combination of Google's search advertising algorithms and YouTube's video platform to target aspiring ISIS recruits and ultimately dissuade them from joining the group's cult of apocalyptic violence. The program, which Jigsaw calls the Redirect Method and plans to launch in a new phase this month, places advertising alongside results for any keywords and phrases that Jigsaw has determined people attracted to ISIS commonly search for. Those ads link to Arabic- and English-language YouTube channels that pull together preexisting videos Jigsaw believes can effectively undo ISIS's brainwashing--clips like testimonials from former extremists, imams denouncing ISIS's corruption of Islam, and surreptitiously filmed clips inside the group's dysfunctional caliphate in Northern Syria and Iraq. "This came out of an observation that there's a lot of online demand for ISIS material, but there are also a lot of credible organic voices online debunking their narratives," says Yasmin Green, Jigsaw's head of research and development. "The Redirect Method is at its heart a targeted advertising campaign: Let's take these individuals who are vulnerable to ISIS' recruitment messaging and instead show them information that refutes it."

And it would seem that when it comes to those whale pants and terrorists we don't want, the answer is they think they can.

We the people need to demand the truth....listen:

Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter? - John Milton, Areopagitica

Place your bets. Me? I'm an optimist.

What do you think?

Read more at The Weekly Ramble
Donald Trump's public contemplation of picking ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be U.S. Secretary of State raises a range of controversies, including Tillerson's dealmaking with Russia and close ties to Vladimir Putin. It also intensifies attention on ExxonMobil's escalating court battle with the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts over the question of whether the company improperly concealed information about climate change.

Just today, a federal judge in Texas, Ed Kinkeade, cancelled his controversial order directing the Massachusetts AG, Maura Healey, to come to his Dallas courtroom tomorrow morning to be questioned by ExxonMobil's lawyers.

Here's a summary of ExxonMobil's legal dispute with the attorneys general, so far:

Investigative reporting in the past year demonstrated that Exxon scientists have known and had told Exxon management for decades that burning fossil fuels was heating up the planet. But rather than educate the public on the dangers and change its business strategy, Exxon instead spent millions supporting efforts to question and deny the science of climate change. There also are questions as to whether ExxonMobil has properly accounted for its oil reserves in the wake of global price drops and evidence of global warming.

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Responding to those reports and other evidence, New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman issued a subpoena to ExxonMobil in November 2015. ExxonMobil has produced more than 700,000 pages of documents to Schneiderman in response to his subpoena. On October 26, 2016, a New York judge ordered ExxonMobil and its auditor, PwC, to comply with a subpoena issued by Schneiderman seeking additional information regarding PwC's auditing of the oil company.

A group of state attorneys general met in New York on March 29, 2016, and consulted with several outside lawyers and experts on climate change issues. Following the meeting, the AGs, along with former Vice President Al Gore, held a press conference under the banner "AGs United for Clean Power" and announced they had formed a coalition to investigate ExxonMobil's conduct. The coalition included the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, the District Of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Soon after, in April 2016, Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to ExxonMobil. U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general Claude Walker issued a subpoena to the company the same month.

ExxonMobil promptly sued Walker in Texas state court in Fort Worth to block the Virgin Islands subpoena.

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Then, on June 15, 2016, ExxonMobil sued Healey in federal court in Dallas to block her civil investigative demand.

On June 29, Walker, facing expensive litigation against ExxonMobil's legal team, agreed to withdraw his subpoena, and Exxon dropped its suit. Walker said then that he planned to continue to investigate ExxonMobil and would keep his eye on Healey's effort.

ExxonMobil argues in its suit against Healey that the Massachusetts AG is acting out of political motivation, and there is no legitimate basis for the AG probes, and that the First Amendment shields the company from scrutiny for its public statements -- a claim that leading constitutional law experts sharply dispute, because it is a settled legal principle that the First Amendment doesn't protect fraud.

In August 2016, fourteen attorneys general -- from Maryland, New York, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Virgin Islands -- filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Healey, while eleven AGs -- Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, and Nevada -- filed a brief supporting ExxonMobil.

On October 13, citing ExxonMobil's arguments, U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade issued an order permitting ExxonMobil to take limited discovery regarding attorney general Healey's comments and actions, in order to examine whether Healey served the CID in bad faith. Armed with this ruling, ExxonMobil, on October 24, served on attorney general Healey more than a hundred discovery requests.

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Exxon also asked Judge Kinkeade for permission to add New York attorney general Schneiderman as a defendant in the case, a motion the judge granted. On November 4, ExxonMobil sought depositions of Healey, Schneiderman, and two assistant attorneys general in each of their offices.

On November 17, Judge Kinkeade issued an order directing Healey and Schneiderman to come to his courtroom in Dallas on December 13 to face depositions from ExxonMobil's legal team.

On November 29, Exxon withdrew its deposition notice for Schneiderman; it continues to seek other discovery from Schneiderman's office, including depositions of two top environmental enforcement officials in that office.

ExxonMobil also has subpoenaed in the Texas lawsuit some of the non-profit organizations and lawyers who have provided Healey and Schneiderman with information and expertise regarding the matter.

Healey said she would "vigorously oppose" Judge Kinkeade's order for her to be deposed. "Our position in this ligation is that the authorities in Texas, and specifically the federal court down there, has no jurisdiction over state attorneys general and the work of their offices," Healey told reporters in Boston on November 21. "It's been disappointing to see Exxon fight the request for basic information. Our job as attorneys general is to be able to ask questions."

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Healey filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider his rulings. On December 6, 2016, Healey petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit for a writ of mandamus to reverse the order.

Schneiderman, as well as the outside groups and lawyers, are also opposing Exxon's efforts to take discovery in the Texas case. (Disclosure: I have advised some of these groups.)

On December 9, Judge Kinkeade denied Healey's motion to suspend Exxon's discovery in the case pending review by the 5th Circuit and also denied Schneiderman's motion to quash discovery.

On December 9, Schneiderman filed a motion with Judge Kinkeade to stay discovery against him pending appellate review -- the same type of motion that Kinkeade had denied Healey earlier that same day. In his papers, Schneiderman said that he intended to seek mandamus before the 5th Circuit on December 12.

On December 12, Judge Kinkeade issued a one-line order cancelling his prior order that Healey be deposed on December 13. The judge did not block any other discovery or indicate whether or when he would revisit the issue of deposing Healey.

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ExxonMobil's lawsuit is a virtually unprecedented effort by a corporation to sue and investigate state prosecutors who are conducting an investigation of that corporation. Although Judge Kinkeade stated that he found sufficient grounds for ExxonMobil to investigate whether the AGs had acted in bad faith, in fact the AGs have been engaged in activities that are commonplace and entirely appropriate for state prosecutors: (1) cooperating with AGs from other states, (2) consulting with experts about possible unlawful activity, (3) seeking documents to investigate that activity, and (4) speaking in public about the matters under review.

To the extent that ExxonMobil has substantive and procedural objections to the attorneys general demands for information, it has every right to raise those objections in the Massachusetts and New York state courts, and indeed ExxonMobil is already doing just that.

ExxonMobil now also faces an investigation from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, initiated in August 2016, examining a similar set of issues. In addition, in January 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice, responding to a congressional request to investigate ExxonMobil, referred the matter to the FBI.

Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the House Science Committee, has subpoenaed documents from Healey, Schneiderman, and other state attorneys general, as well as lawyers and outside groups connected to the ExxonMobil matter. Over the summer, Smith held a committee hearing regarding his demands. For the most part, the AGs, groups, and attorneys have declined to provide any information in response to the subpoenas.

UPDATE 12-14-16: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit yesterday dismissed Healey's mandamus petition and motion for a stay of Judge Kinkeade's orders as moot, meaning overtaken by events. It's unclear how the 5th Circuit judges think Healey's claims are moot, when all Judge Kinkeade did was cancel the deposition of Healey set for December 13; he didn't expressly stop all the other discovery that was part of Healey's motion. However, when he cancelled the Healey deposition, Judge Kinkeade issued a separate order directing all parties to submit new briefs by January 4 on the issue of whether his court has personal jurisdiction over the two AGs -- suggesting he might be reconsidering issues in the case.

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UPDATE 12-15-16: This morning Judge Kinkeade has issued a one-line order: "The Court hereby stays all discovery pending further order from this Court." Coupled with his order Monday cancelling Exxon's deposition of Attorney General Healey, this represents a dramatic reversal by Judge Kinkeade of his unusual prior rulings favoring ExxonMobil. The reversal came after Healey had petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals to block Kinkeade's orders (and of course after Trump's nomination of Tillerson increased public scrutiny of the matter). But this could be only a temporary reversal while Judge Kinkeade reconsiders some of the legal issues, including whether he has jurisdiction over the AGs in the first place.
Whether an infant child taking his first few steps to his loving father's outstretched arms or a fledgling startup with its first "real" money to invest in the growth of the business, you must inevitably trust the person on the other end of the equation that they will fulfill their end of the bargain. In the instance of a child's first steps, I have never seen a father not warmly embrace the child into his awaiting clutches.

In the corporate world... not so much.

At some point along the way, after hearing many pitches, you must choose to trust someone in the corporate world with the intention of furthering your agenda; startups have to do this all the time. They interview companies of all sizes and eventually make a hiring decision in hopes that this company will fulfill its obligations and do what they said they would do in their pitch -- to help the paying company attain their goal.

The problem arises when the company does NOT meet your expectations?

Scenario One:

Our company interviews a number of marketing firms in our local area. After a series of interviews, we decide on the largest and most noteworthy in the city. There are clear indications from the outset that things do not move as quickly as was promised. Our company asks for a meeting with the owners (principal) to explain our concerns. The principal agrees to do better. Another month passes. Again, a meeting with the principal. He agrees to discuss with his "team" if they are properly equipped to work with startups. He agrees they are, and we proceed. Two months later, we find out our two main contacts on our team have been fired. No explanation to us. Since things are now clearly not working, we ask to end the relationship. The marketing company says they fulfilled the letter and spirit of the contract, and we owe our full contract price. Melee ensues. We end up paying way more than we should have for an inferior work product.

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Scenario Two:

We hire a large media company to handle another kind of marketing for us. Our goals, like any startup, are to get more traffic and, in our case, more loans through the system. We are paying a substantial amount for a year-old company. We start out with one of their vendors (a company under their umbrella). It is not working. Our rep agrees. "They have too many clients. You need more specialized care." He routes us to another company; again under their umbrella of companies. We feel more confident and things start off well. But, after a few months, they lose momentum and we lose traffic, loans, well... momentum. We ask to get out of our contract, melee ensues... you get the idea.

The neophyte in me thinks: "Why do these companies not stand for something, admit their misgivings, and make it right or refund or credit their work?"

Please.

So, what can be done?

Memorialize everything: this goal, should be met on this date, and these are the ramifications if they are not met, and these are the succession plans if they are met.

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Learn from us.

Trust no one.

And when you find a company that actually stands for something, may you have a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them.

This post originally appeared on The Whole Magilla and was written by Chris Meyer, co-founder of MagillaLoans.com.


Jews Against Islamophobia (a coalition of JVP NY and Jews Say No) canvassing. Photo by Jeff Stirewalt.

Muslim organizations and others directly targeted by Islamophobia and racism are organizing to protect their communities, and fight for justice, in the short-term as well as for the long haul. This grows out of enormous work and community building that have been ongoing for years and years.

For those of us in Jewish communities committed to challenging Islamophobia,

we are thinking deeply about the different ways we can be consistent, principled, effective partners. How can we make it clear that Islamophobia is not ok: Not acts of Islamophobia and violence in public spaces, not state-sanctioned Islamophobia and violence that are part of both domestic and foreign policies. Not telling someone "you don't belong here;" not deporting someone for being Muslim.

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As part of this work, which has multiple dimensions to it, we want to be as visible as we can within our different spaces--to make clear in the public sphere that all of our communities will not stand by in the face of Islamophobia and racism.

One of the ways we are doing that is by canvassing in our neighborhoods--by asking storeowners and community members to put up posters that read: Standing with Muslims Against Islamophobia and Racism. The posters, beautifully designed by Sarah Sills, member of the Jewish Voice for Peace Artists and Cultural Workers council, are being shared across the US by JVP's Network Against Islamophobia.

Part of the power of the posters being displayed so visibly in neighborhood stores is that they convey a strong message that Islamophobia and racism are most definitely not welcome in the community.



JAI canvassing. Part of a series of photos by Pam Sporn, Jordan Moss, and Paul Foster.



Those who have been canvassing have spoken of the rich conversations they have been part of with shop owners and with passersby in multiple communities. People have described loving interactions and, in some cases, difficult but rewarding conversations. I don't mean to make this canvassing sound bigger than it is, but I am one of those who believe that the power of our organizing lies in the expansiveness of how we define and live it. Through visuals like this one and through other forms of creative cultural resistance and community education that are expressed in so many ways, multiple voices are sharing, and acting upon, their commitments.

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The following commentary was authored jointly by Dr Margaret Chan and Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Deputy Chair of The Elders and a former WHO Director-General.

When all 193 member states of the United Nations agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals in New York last year, they set out an ambitious agenda for a safer, fairer and healthier world by 2030.

The goals include a broad array of targets across different sectors. But one target in particular stood out as a beacon of hope for a healthier world: To achieve universal health coverage (UHC). UHC is based on the principle that all individuals and communities should receive the quality health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

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International and national policymakers and grassroots activists alike recognize that UHC is an idea whose time has come. In the words of Amartya Sen, the renowned Indian economist, it is an "affordable dream". And economics is on our side. We have known for many years that good health supports economic growth. The Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, in its report delivered in September, showed that investments in the health sector don't only result in healthier populations; they create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

UHC goes beyond safeguarding the health and well-being of individuals and communities. It also helps build fair, stable, and cohesive societies. Delivering on UHC offers employment and economic opportunities, particularly for women and youth while furthering the overarching objective of ending poverty. WHO estimates that out-of-pocket expenditures on health services push 100 million people into poverty every year. Implementing UHC would help to eliminate this impoverishment.

Some people may regard the goal of UHC as being utopian and unattainable. While it's true that no country can afford to provide every conceivable health service to every person, all countries can make progress. This has been demonstrated by the many countries in recent years that have extended coverage of vital services and improved financial protection for the population when accessing healthcare.

Japan, Moldova, Peru, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey, for example, show that countries can make dramatic progress towards UHC through health system reforms that can deliver substantial health, economic and political benefits.

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However, a number of countries are lagging behind their peers and are either making slow progress or leaving vulnerable groups behind. What appears to be lacking in these countries is the next generation of reforms that mobilize citizens to advocate for UHC, articulate their needs and build political momentum and commitment from governments and all stakeholders.

As WHO demonstrated in its World Health Report of 2010, health financing reforms are crucial for UHC. Most countries need to reduce reliance on private financing methods like user fees and voluntary health insurance, and instead move towards a system that is funded predominantly from public sources (i.e. various forms of taxation including compulsory social insurance contributions) that enable financial barriers to be reduced at the point of use.

Across the world, countries are realising that a free market in healthcare, with people buying and selling medical services like other commodities, will never result in UHC. In such a system, only the rich will receive adequate coverage and the poor and vulnerable will be excluded.

Increasing domestic public financing is essential. Foreign aid alone is not sufficient or sustainable. Mobilizing all segments of society to advocate for UHC is therefore vital to raise domestic financing and deliver successful reforms, often in the face of opposition from vested interests.

The evidence clearly shows that, with the right policies in place, greater public spending on health is associated with less dependence on out-of-pocket payments. This is a major challenge for some weaker economies with inadequate fiscal capacity to expand public finance significantly. For these countries in particular, strengthening domestic tax systems and cracking down on international tax evasion are essential to progress towards UHC, even as it must be recognized that the poorest countries will continue to need external aid at least for the short or medium term.

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Achieving UHC and the other health-related SDG targets isn't just about spending more money. Governments need to ensure these resources are used efficiently and fairly to scale-up the supply of quality health services for everyone, with enough well-trained and motivated health workers, and to transform health systems to address the needs of people, not diseases. Health systems that achieve this don't just have better health outcomes; they also save money for individuals, households and entire countries.

We therefore recommend that countries implement health reform strategies that move swiftly towards full population coverage in an equitable way. The vital first step is to scale up primary health care services, focussing on meeting the needs of vulnerable groups such as the poor, women, girls and adolescents, as well as the disabled and older populations. To reach everyone, essential health services need to be free at the point of delivery.

Strong primary care is the lifeblood of every health system, and no country or community can achieve UHC without it. Primary care is a vital first line of defence against infectious disease outbreaks as well as tackling the slow march of non-communicable diseases, and is particularly important for the health of women and children, who are its main users.

Of course, if countries are to achieve UHC, they must be able to measure it. Monitoring both the proportion of the population with access to essential health services and the proportion of households that spend more than 25% of their income on health are the two critical indicators that have been agreed on to track progress towards UHC. The good news is that many countries already have data on both and even have more specific measures tailored to their needs, but others don't. WHO and its partners are working with countries to strengthen their health information systems.

The inclusion of UHC as one of the targets in the Sustainable Development Goals provides the platform for moving towards all other health targets through the delivery of integrated, people-centred services that span the life course, bring prevention to the fore, and protect against financial hardship. UHC is the ultimate expression of fairness and one of the most powerful social equalizers among all policy options.

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Co-Authored by Ellen Offner, Principal, Offner Consulting, LLC, health care strategy and program development.



Muslim and Jewish women are banding together, using their common bonds to fight the bias imbedded in American culture and inflamed by Donald Trump during his boldly biased campaign marked by provocative rhetoric. As reported in the New York Times, these women get it! Their courageous actions reflect the famous poem by Martin Niemooller (1892-1984), a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

Are they heeding this message because now both groups of women are experiencing hate? Hatred is not new in America; what is new is that ethnic controversy is being actively encouraged rather than discouraged. Ethnic divisiveness has not worked well in Africa, the Middle East, or Asia. They have not worked in America either. The World War II Japanese internment camps are still thought of as a national shame. Why would we want to promote ethnic or racial divisiveness here other than for political gain?

Of course, people of color have always experienced discrimination and violence, including in their sacred places of worship. There was the recent horrifying fatal shooting of nine black people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., as a hate crime committed by a white man. Unfortunately, it's not a unique event in American history. Black churches have long been targets of white supremacists who burned and bombed them in an effort to terrorize the black communities those churches anchored. One of the most egregious terrorist acts in U.S. history was committed against a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. Four girls were killed when members of the Ku Klux Klan bombed the 16th Street Baptist Church, a tragedy that ignited the civil rights movement.

Jews know from past American experience that when well-meaning lawyers suggest it is unconstitutional to have a creche on public property, a spate of anti-Semitic letters to the editor ensue. Jewish politicians and writers have been receiving hate mail wishing they had been sent to the gas chambers for years. During this year's election writers with Jewish names who opposed Trump "received photos of themselves -- and in some cases their children -- dead, or in gas chambers. Jewish and Jewish-surnamed journalists were particular targets" received photos of themselves -- and in some cases their children -- dead, or in gas chambers. Jewish and Jewish-surnamed journalists were particular. . . . " targets.

Episcopalian friends of ours who have visited synagogues on Rosh Hashana were shocked to find out that in this very century Jews attend synagogue surrounded by armed guards. This is not nearly as bad as Jewish congregations around the world where IDs are required, mirrors go under the seats to check for bombs before each service, but it certainly doesn't comport with America's ideal of religious freedom. In fact it injures us all and changes our nation's definition of itself.

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The hate letters to mosques are meant to intimidate, just as the letters that forced synagogues to hire guards. It is wonderful for the military-industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about. Arms must be sold to equip the plainclothesmen sitting in the pew or kneeling on the floor. And if this continues we will soon find our spiritual sustenance only after walking through metal detectors.

Let us be clear. This is not a competition for who is more persecuted, this is a statement that the ideal of religious freedom is and always has been far from a complete reality in America. The white Supremacists would like us to believe that lies are protected speech. They are not.

We may not want or be able to to confront every slight. In fact, we are wise to have a whole repertoire of behaviors to deal with insults and selectively, including ignoring sometime. But if Muslims, African-Americans, Latinas, Asians, Jews, and other ethnic groups can band together, they will soon find many Caucasians joining them to combat bias and violence.
While there have been undeniably more wonderful films than what I've been able to watch at this year's Dubai International Film Festival, part of the excitement belonged to the talks, the conversations with international stars who kept coming "even after the opening night," as DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma reminded me earlier today.

More of course on that chat, with Juma himself, the man who year after year sets me straight on the business of cinema in the Arab world, and then figuratively sends me out into the world another year -- in between Dubai film fests, I mean -- to ponder, research and enlighten myself. Only to come back more excited about this incredible world of cinema from the MENA region. Yes, more on that in the next few days, and trust me, it's all worth waiting for.

So one of the highlights of the talks -- and there were many, too many to list -- was the "In Conversation with Samuel L. Jackson" moderated by DIFF programmer Nashen Moodley. Movie star Jackson has this earnest, honest way of getting to the heart of a matter, without mincing his words. When he first sat down to address the audience, someone shouted "We love you Samuel!" and without missing a beat Jackson replied "love's important!" Continuing, "how much I enjoy the sound of (clapping his hands) that."

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Starting from the very beginning of his career -- when Jackson admitted he was getting cast as "gang member, black guy, or bum" -- spanning through to his multiple films with both Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee, Jackson took us on a rollercoaster ride of fun, enthusiasm but also sobriety. His sobriety, which came after a period of overcompensating for the fun he was having as an actor. "I ended up with a drug addiction," Jackson candidly disclosed, but even that, in true super actor form, became his preparation for the grandiose role of Gator, the junkie in Lee's Jungle Fever. "I was two weeks out of rehab, so I didn't need any make up," Jackson joked, and that iconic crackhead look jumped right back into my mind, as if the film had just come out. Lets not forget, it's been 25 years. Wrap your head around that, twenty. Five. Years. And Gator lives on.

"In Jungle Fever, that was the first time I'd connected with a character clean and sober, and that's when I knew I'd been getting in my own way," which Jackson admitted became his motivation for staying sober. He's been there now for a quarter of a century, as long as Gator's character has been occupying our imagination.

Jackson also commented on the two directors he's worked with most often. With Lee, he called the filmmaker "very fortunate," and continued, "he had Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, Denzel, we could all fill in the gaps in his work," during that special moment in time, the NYC of the late Eighties, early Nineties. About Tarantino, Jackson said, "we both share a love of Hong Kong films. Do you realize Reservoir Dogs is a remake of City on Fire?!" And that's how the two first bonded.

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While the public chat was awesome, there will be more to come on these blogs from a more personal level, as I got to interview Jackson myself, up close and personal!

It was interesting to watch Ali F. Mustafa's film The Worthy here in Dubai, after attending the film's world premiere in London. While in London there was an otherworldly feel to the film, a "it could happen and then what would we do" anticipation to the dystopian nightmare portrayed in the apocalyptic film, in Dubai I squirmed in my seat, too familiar with the violence to come. It was also a weird side effect to hear the crowds applauding at every turn of death and destruction, which I've never experienced before in a movie theater. While I hold still my original opinion on Mustafa's film, I would say it's not a cinematic work that requires multiple viewings, although after my talk with Juma and his insight into the names used -- which all refer to world religion prophets like Jesus and Moses, and many more -- I may have to revisit that idea.

I also watched three short films from the Region, two Emirati shorts by women filmmakers and one, The Rooster by Salman Yusuf, a young filmmaker from Bahrain. The visual aspect of Yusuf's film was so vivid that I yearned to watch it on the big screen. Although its subject matter may feel a bit raw to Western audience, because the story deals with the sport of cockfighting and the film doesn't mince around with its images.

The next short I watched is A Night in a Taxi by Aisha Alzaabi and it tells the touching tale of a Pakistani taxi driver who is stuck in the Emirates at a crucial, tragic time in his life. The film has a Cinema verite feel to it, and the location, the eeriness of the disconnect between characters really hit me. While I always make it an effort to try and strike up a conversation with local taxi drivers, now I have even more motivation to do so.

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Last but not least, what they say is "dulcis in fundo" -- leaving what is sweetest for last -- Nayla Al Khaja's Animal blew me away. But the woman always blows everyone else out of the water when it comes to short films. In Animal, Al Khaja explores her own troubled relationship with her father and the result is so horribly cruel, yet perfectly filmed that the character played by Mohammed Ahmed will haunt me for days to come. Two things, this film is not for the faint of heart, and it's not sweet at all, quite the contrary, and I can't wait for Al Khaja to venture into full features territory with a similar story, something she promised she's working on when I interviewed her earlier today.

Can't wait and Inshallah.


Lavender Lentils



My lavender lentil recipe appeared at my Thanksgiving table. It also appears in "Pulses", the recipe book from Pulse Innovation Miami, along with recipes from fellow presenters Robyn Webb, Carolina Molea and Ron Pickarski.

Culinary lavender is available at many gourmet stores and online.. The rest comes together super-easily. Beluga lentils are fish-free but like their namesake, tiny, black and glossy. They hold their shape after cooking yet infuse beautifully with the herbs for a dish that's satisfying, savory, umami, and of course vegan.

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 pinch red pepper flakes

2 cups beluga lentils (small black lentils)

4 cups vegetable broth

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon herbs de Provence

1 teaspoon crushed culinary lavender

1 spring fresh thyme leaves

sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

1 bunch spinach or arugula, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a generous saute pan. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes, until the garlic and peppers sizzle start to sizzle. Add the lentils. Stir them in to coat with oil.

When they get a sheen, add herbs de Provence, lavender and thyme and stir. Pour in the vegetable broth and toss in the bay leaf.

Bring lentils to a full boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let lentils simmer for 30 minutes or until al dente with most of the liquid absorbed. Remove bay leaf.

Add the chopped greens by the handful and mix in gently until they start to wilt from the heat of the lentils.

Season generously with sea salt and pepper.

Serves 6.




Elected officials, community leaders, and others came together to celebrate the overwhelming support a DC Statehood Referendum received at the ballot on November 8th, 2016. Over 85% of all DC voters that participated in the general election voted to make part of the District of Columbia the 51st state in the union. Referendum B, as it showed on the ballot for DC voters, is part of an initiative led by the New Columbia Statehood Commission to revive the Tennessee Plan in the District of Columbia. The plan is a proactive approach to statehood, successfully used by at least 5 territories to achieve statehood. The plan calls for territories to execute the following four items, before asking admission into the union as a state: 1) agree that the territory should be admitted to the Union as a state (survey voters via Referendum); 2) approve a State Constitution; 3) approve the state's boundaries; and 4) agree that the state will guarantee an elected representative form of government. All these items were part of Referendum B on the ballot. More than 85% of DC voters supported the DC Statehood Referendum. At a holiday party held on December 10th, the community came together to celebrate the victory, and honor a few organizations and individuals that have worked to achieve statehood for the District of Columbia. The award recipients were: Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, DC Statehood Green Party, Neighbors United for DC Statehood, Councilmember David Grosso, Elinor Hart, Theodora Brown, DC for Democracy, Ann Loikow, DC Latino Caucus, Free DC/Anise Jenkins, and Louisa Meruvia. Awards were presented at a holiday party held at the home of US Representative Franklin Garcia. Senator Paul Strauss, Senator Michael Brown, and Representative Franklin Garcia presented the awards.
"The people are revolting", goes the classic gag in Mel Brook's History of the World Part I. Well, they are certainly angry, distrustful and fed up.

When the Open Government Partnership was founded five years ago, it seemed that a glorious new era of responsive government was upon us. Instead, government seems increasingly out of touch with its citizens. In Europe and Central Asia, one out of three people see corruption as a key problem facing government.

Yet, while political elites (rightly) panic and soul search, thousands of public servants are quietly toiling away to improve the basic functions of government, trying to modernize and update citizen services.

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Their days aren't filled with drama or the sugar rush of 'post truth' politics. Rather they are thinking about the basic building blocks of the state and its provision of services, trying to work out the best way to spend government's often dwindling public resources.

Contracting with private companies comprises about a third of government spending, a whopping US$9.5 trillion every year. It may not be a topic to immediately set the pulse racing but it is where government spending either does, or does not, get converted into tangible benefits such as roads, schools or hospitals that we all rely on.

Open contracting can revolutionise this public dealmaking by making documents and data throughout the contracting cycle 'open by default' based on a global best practice data schema, the Open Contracting Data Standard. This can make contracting information accessible and actionable to help business, citizens and journalists analyse, monitor and scrutinize the process to shape better outcomes.

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Turning yellowing stacks of paper into actionable information provides a basic building block for broader public benefit such as better deals by governments, a level playing field for business, less fraud and corruption, and quality goods and services for citizens.



Photo: Behead the hydra of corruption: a mural in Kiev

Ukraine has seen just that when a group of government officials, civic activists, businesspeople and citizens came together after the Revolution of Dignity in the winter of 2014, to radically open up traditional public procurement and overthrow an opaque and corrupt system run by self-serving elites. They put open data and participation at the foundation of what is now known as ProZorro - a fitting allusion to the heroic defender of the unjust. Now everyone can see everything. This has helped government get better value for money and has saved a fortune - over 13% in savings. It has also helped rebuild trust of companies doing business with government. Dismantling the country's kleptocracy will take time but the first round has gone to the reformers and to open contracting.

In the UK, small business, often shut out of complex contracting processes will soon benefit from having better access to data on government opportunities. The government is relaunching its Contract Finder portal for publishing contracts opportunities. Based around the Open Contracting Data Standard, it will make the data accessible and actionable. Infomediary businesses like the Spend Network can then analyze and share that information aspirant contractors, and provide targeted visualizations that explain where and when opportunities open up. Better data on how governments spend their money also let companies know if and when it is worth the time and money to prepare an offer. This is fundamental to create fairer competition and leveling the playing field for companies.

In Slovakia, full publication of government contracts has helped expose wasteful spending and fraud. In 2007, the Ministry of Development posted a tender request for construction services of  120 million hidden away on a small notice board in the hallway inside the ministry building. No surprise then that a firm known to have close ties to the head of the ruling party won the contract. People care: When Slovakia made it mandatory to publish contracts online, over 8% checked a public contract in the last year. Competition by businesses has doubled too.

But it can't be transparency for transparency's sake. What counts is real granular information that people can use, and ultimately check, that better works and services for citizens have been delivered. One great example is Budeshi, a Nigerian civil society collaboration that tracks public health and education budgets and contracts through to their delivery in remote villages. Open contracting needs to loop business, government and civil society into a virtuous circle if it is to succeed.

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Momentum is building. At the London Anti-Corruption Summit this year, 40 countries have agreed that public contracts should be open by default - a cornerstone of open contracting. Fifteen of this year's 40 or so new action plans in the Open Government Partnership include a commitment to open contracting.

This is good news. But more contracts need to be opened up so that all of the benefits can kick-in. Feedback loops have to become much smarter in capturing citizens and business needs and integrating these into open government ideas right from the start. Think of this as shift from 'supply led' transparency where the government tells you something to 'demand led' where the users shape the terms according to their needs. Openness needs to convert into something of real, tangible value if it is to succeed and be sustainable, especially in the current political environment.

When his musicians get stuck, composer and producer extraordinaire Brian Eno advises them to make a brick rather than build a wall. That is good advice in these uncertain times.

For us, it is about focussing back down onto the bricks - and the mortar - of public benefit - namely public contracting and encouraging sustainable, strategic changes to make sure that it delivers great results for public money.

The dream of a responsive and just government is the dream of citizens everywhere: better, smarter, more open public contracting can help cement those ideals in policy and practice.

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The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania pumps out a majority of financiers for the major firms on Wall Street. Huntsman Hall, the main building for Wharton, features regular conversations between Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, McKinsey, Bain, etc. interns and aspiring employees about cap tables, waterfall analyses, lack of sleep, and favorite caffeine ingestion methods. If you were to sum up this culture in a few words, institutional, excess, stress, and money would likely come to mind, but for George Lessner III, he sees it as casual.

Lessner by day works as an institutional investment consultant and helps manage over a billion dollars in assets, by night he is Captain Casual, the contemporary artist capturing the casual nature of excess and embodying the implicit gestures, movements, and actions of opulent lifestyles. As Lessner puts it, "stock market by day, paint by night."

While many artists have been artistic their whole lives and force themselves into the art scene after setting their mind this life path, Lessner took a much more casual approach. During college his walls were blank and made art out of necessity to fill this glaring void in his living space. Contemplating what to create to fill these blank canvases around him he said his thought process was to, "Make it fun and make a statement. Don't make art to match your current apartment, make art to match your future mansion. It's not supposed to match the couch; it's supposed to make a scene."

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From here he found a distinct aspect of modern culture not fully captured in the art world: dripping excess. As an investment manager and self-proclaimed 'stock market nerd' Lessner works with high net worth individuals and extremely influential individuals daily and the majority of America lacks an understanding of what this lifestyle is like. "It is hard to conceive going to steakhouses and dropping $1,000 on dinner with four people until that's your everyday life. At that point it becomes casual." Lessner told me explaining a bit of his inspiration for pursuing his art style full time after college.

Working in finance has allowed Lessner to do market research for his works even when he is working with numbers instead of a paint brush. A few executives and asset managers have begun collecting his work but as he says, "Most of my paintings are an explosion of color and demonstrate the desire of excess. I've made work for people from all walks of life and I hope it stays that way." His three current series are "The Casual Gentleman Collection" featuring figures without faces in overtly colorful suits in the middle of casual but opulent activities, "Pop (B)art" which merges Bart Simpson with wealth iconography such as counting money on a canvas plastered with pages from the Harvard Business Review, and "Money Talks" which will be debuting in Dallas on December 8th at the Conception Art Show.

When I sat with the casual artist himself to get a better sense of his life outlook and what his advice for aspiring artistic minds was, I learned on December 5th, 2015 he died for a few moments. Ever since that moment he has tried to bring the volatility he sees in his finance life into his personal life as, "people often forget going with the flow and living life the casual way is okay." Knowing the divide of what needs to be meticulously planned out and what needs to be left to the forces of nature and spontaneity has been critical in driving both Lessner's inspiration, lowering his overall stress, and increasing his enjoyment of life (after death).

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For all those creatives out there who dream of one day pumping out a series of art and becoming collected worldwide, Lessner asserts that the best thing any artist can do is just wing it and go with the flow. Do art for enjoyment, not for a living or for critics and that will lead to both a better artistic experience and likely better results. Lessner paints the background of his Casual Gentleman Collection "Lamborghini yellow" because of his obsession with the extravagant cars and the lavish lifestyle they embody. This simple color choice means that every piece in this series sets his mind to the perfect wavelength that vibes with him. Furthermore, for the aspiring art collectors out there, Lessner discourages art to be viewed of as an investment. As an investment manager he states, "Investing carries with it, to some degree, the need to avoid emotional attachment; which I strongly discourage in art and encourage in investing. It also implies that you one day intend to realize an increase in value of the asset by selling it and I like to keep art."
My husband, Shelly, and I are world travelers. I have been privileged to travel with my sidekick all over the world, experiencing one adventure after another.

We have flown into more airports than I can count. We have millions of flyer miles, and though we have had to zig and zag through airports, I would never expect the following words would come out of my mouth...

"I have never lived through more God-awful, atrocious, unacceptable, negligent and non-stop woeful problems than I encountered in the last two weeks in airports in Europe and the United States."

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Our trials and tribulations were caused by several factors. Bad weather led to late flights. Understaffed airports led to long lines that caused a ripple effect that was compounded by the bad weather. Untrained and irresponsible personnel are given jobs they are not equipped to handle. And last, but far from least, few working at the airport seem to care about the travelers. All of these elements caused multiple unplanned upsets that created a snowball effect.

At any age, and especially at our age, many travelers would cave under the pressure we endured. I know we saved ourselves from committing Hara Kiri because of our experience maneuvering through airports and our personalities. We grin; we bear whatever comes our way and always quip to one another, "It could be worse."

The problems started in our home in Rancho Mirage as we excitedly prepared to leave for France and England. Our problems continued in the Palm Springs airport where all of our flights had to be changed and then we had a few unexpected events on the flight to Chicago. (You can read my story 'How to adapt and thrive.') Once our problems started they never stopped.

THE STORY

We arrived at O'Hare airport in a down pour from Palm Springs. All of the flights were held up due to the weather. We finally boarded, an hour late, our British Air flight for London's Heathrow airport. We knew from experience we might be in trouble making our connection into the Nice airport, so before boarding, Shelly spoke to an attendant in the club lounge. She agreed. Her opinion was to book us on 'two flights' into Nice, leaving an hour apart. She felt we might make the first flight and would definitely make the later flight. She warned us if we missed both flights that the next flight would be nine hours later getting us into Nice after midnight. So dear readers, we had two sets of tickets connecting at different times.

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Arriving at Heathrow we made a mad dash to get our boarding passes to go through security. We handed the agent the two sets of different tickets, Shelly stressing to him we wanted boarding passes for the later flight. He prepared the paperwork putting us, we assumed, on that later flight. He told us to hurry; there were long lines at security and our gate was a long distance away. We cleared security, raced to our gate to make the Nice flight, hurriedly handed our boarding passes to the gate agent who looked us and said, "Your passes are for the flight that just left."

"That's impossible," Shelly said.

"We cannot put you on the next flight unless you go back to British Air and have your boarding passes changed," said the gate agent. "And by the way, you have to fly with your luggage which will never make the flight. So don't bother rushing for new boarding passes because the next flight is at 9:00 pm." It was noon.

"OMG," We said in unison. That untrained agent at British Air gave us boarding passes for the first flight rather than the second!

Shelly was beside himself. He was so aggravated. I forced myself to stay calm, so I could calm him.

We sat in the British Air lounge for nine hours waiting for the last Nice flight.

It really was our fault. Shelly always checks our tickets. In this case, we were so hassled by time that he put his trust in the agent, something he never does.

Fortunately, I had the common sense to email our travel agent to cancel our early afternoon pick-up at the Nice airport and she rescheduled a driver for midnight. When we arrived our driver was one of the few in the Nice airport. There were no taxis. We would have been stranded!

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We had a lovely time in Nice, Shelly's business meeting was a success and our flight back to the dreaded Heathrow was lovely.

Arriving at Heathrow, we entered the fast track lane so we could quickly clear customs, meet our driver outside of customs and begin enjoying London for the next five days.

No such luck. Unfortunately, the fast track line became 'a long walk to China' for over 500 passengers, two of them being yours truly. There were two agents to clear all of these passengers through passport control! We were in line for two hours! Everyone was complaining. People had connections they were sure to miss; we had a driver standing on his feet for two hours with a sign that said, 'Good.' It was bedlam! Shelly and I made the most of it talking to some interesting travelers. But it was not a picnic. This is airport travel today, dear readers.

Five days later we were back at Heathrow, fearful of what may lie ahead. Our experience was fine. Our return flight over the pond was uneventful.

Landing in Phoenix, Arizona we went through Global Entry and hurried to get our luggage because we had to go through customs, drop off our luggage at American Airlines, go through security and find our gate to board for Palm Springs and home.

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As we waited for our baggage, a security officer with a dog approached me. The dog started sniffing me.

I smiled and said, "I am not carrying drugs!"

The officer said, "I am not with Drug Enforcement. I am with the Agricultural Department and my dog is smelling food. You are not allowed to bring in any food or plants from a foreign country. What did you bring in from London? Plants or foods?"

I replied, "I have no food. I have no plants. I was served food on our flight. That must be the scent he is picking up."

He gave me a paper with a number. We went to customs and were told, "You have to go to Agricultural Control and have all your luggage and clothes and handbag checked."

I repeated to the custom control officer, "I have no plants or food. We have a connection to make!"

They could have cared less. We paraded ourselves to Agricultural Control. All of our luggage was checked. They found nothing. Time was running short.

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We went back after the search and cleared customs, left our baggage at American Airlines and proceeded to go through airport security! Again, I was stopped.

My carry-on was pulled. They thought I had a gun! Can you imagine? They took my jewelry case and ran it through the x-ray machine again and the machine happened to get stuck. We were frantic we would miss our flight home. Finally, the little bag came through.

The woman who checked my carry on showed Shelly and me the picture of why they suspected a gun. My jewelry from travel had slid around and the way it was laying in the case looked just like the shape of a gun!

I'd had it! I was frazzled and not dazzled by any stretch of the imagination. I was ready to cry. This time, Shelly came to my aid.

"Just relax and take a deep breath," he pleaded.

I tried, I really tried.

We made our flight by the skin of our teeth. It was pleasant enough. Landed in Palm Springs, collected our luggage and grabbed a taxi for home. Had our ordeal end? No!

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A few blocks out of the airport my phone rang. It was my mother's caregiver telling me my mom was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Dear readers, it is about 48 hours later. We are fine. My mother is out of the hospital.
Why should so many rust-belt citizens vote for President-Elect Donald Trump, who is patently against the interest of working class voters? I am speaking of his promise to revoke Obamacare, which will make the 20-30 million dependent on it poorer and sicker. And his selection of Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt to run the EPA, who we know wants to roll back environmental regulations, making everyone warmer, or House Speaker Ryan, who really wants to abolish Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher plan.

A recent Penn State study tells us why so many of the poorest and displaced white, blue collar workers voted for him. It was the desperation of depressed families and communities rampant with drug and alcohol abuse, in part from the loss of jobs and the identities that went with holding a decent paying job, who would trust a strong white male with authoritative tendencies who made enough pie-in-the-sky promises to defeat a female candidate with 30 years experience in government.

One can say that such desperation leads to an irrational kind of anger, against anything that looks like the old order. Yet it was the old, white male order that created both the Great Recession--because GW Bush's trickle-down economics cut regulations as well as taxes of the wealthiest, frittering away the budget surpluses of President Clinton's last 4 years in office--and obstructed a robust recovery by opposing almost any stimulus spending, even shutting down the government in 2011.

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The Penn State study showed how hopeless was the situation to the inhabitants now isolated from the modern multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-national economy. Most of those industrial, high-paying blue collar jobs are gone, replaced by high tech machines and little effort was made to replace them or rebuild those communities.



Graph: Econoday

The factory sector has been contracting since October 2014, but has recently shown signs of strength. Factory orders surged 2.7 percent in October. Both commercial and defense, were major positives, but the strength was well distributed with the monthly gain excluding all aircraft at a very strong 0.7 percent.



Donald Trump got significantly more votes in areas with high rates of drug addiction, alcohol abuse and suicide, according to the study done by Shannon Monnat, a Penn State researcher who specializes in rural issues.

"I think Trump's anti-free trade message resonated in these places and his rhetoric was very simple -- Make America great again," Monnat said. "And you have to understand that in some of these places that have experienced widespread decline in manufacturing and extraction and the types of jobs that pay livable wages, people there really feel like America is not so great anymore. I think the message that he was the change candidate really resonated with people in these places."

According to Swayne's article, the mortality rate from drugs, alcohol and suicide is 36 deaths per 100,000 people in the least economically distressed parts of the country. The rate is 49 deaths per 100,000 in the most economically distressed areas.

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There is now some hope for the rust belt if Trump can carry through on his infrastructure rebuilding promise. After two years in contraction, factory orders year-on-year rates are again positive, at 1.3 percent, and for shipments, at 0.4 percent. October details included a useful 0.4 percent rise in shipments and a 0.7 percent jump in unfilled orders that ended a long run of contraction for this reading.

We hope the manufacturing sector in general can recover, as the CDC reported in a 2007 report that more people now die from heroin overdose that gun homicides in those same rust-belt areas. And opioid deaths continued to surge in 2015, surpassing 30,000 for the first time in recent history, according to CDC data released Thursday. That marks an increase of nearly 5,000 deaths from 2014. Deaths involving powerful synthetic opiates, like fentanyl, rose by nearly 75 percent from 2014 to 2015.

Harlan Green  2016
Satirical news found every day in The Political Garbage Chute.

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY -- Republicans in the Kentucky state legislature have announced they will bring a resolution to the floor in 2017 that would drastically change how abortions are sought and carried out in the state.

"First of all, we didn't want Ohio having all the gender oppressive fun," State Rep. Tom Thompaulsen told reporters at a press conference announcing HB TK421, the new abortion law and fifteen other state legislators have cosponsored, "and secondly, and almost just as importantly, every life form on this planet is worth protecting until it's born and then that little taker better learn to get a job, know what I mean?"

Rep. Thompaulsen told the media that he and his fellow Republicans were "divinely inspired" by the so-called "heartbeat" abortion ban passed in Ohio this week, and wanted to make a similar "stab at protecting the unborn." Thompaulsen said, though, that Kentucky Republicans didn't feel Ohio's bill "went far enough" and they came up with the key difference between the two laws.

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"It's just not enough to set the arbitrary line at which we decide a zygote has a full compliment of constitutional protections that somehow supersede its host organism at six days after conception," Thompaulsen insisted, "we wanted to move the line of defense against the outright murder of blastocysts to the earliest point possible."

At first, Thompaulsen says Kentucky Republicans considered setting the line at the point a man ejaculates during sexual intercourse, but decided even that might be too late to protect the unborn.

"Some couples use what my family calls the quick stomach squirt method of birth control," Thompaulsen, "robbing a woman's lady bits of doing the one job God intended them to do, and thereby killing millions of potential Americans. I ask you, if there was a man who wanted to murder two million kindergartners, would you let him? Of course not, even though it's a horrific false equivalency, I'm saying this in a tone of conviction that will have my base believing it makes logical sense."

After hours of deliberation, Rep. Thompaulsen says he had a "spiritual, emotional, and legislative breakthrough."

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"I just looked at everyone in the room with me, all twenty five men I consider knowledgeable enough to decide for women how much legal dominion they have over their own reproductive decisions," Thompaulsen said, "and I told them if we really wanted to stop abortion, we'd make it illegal to have one as soon as you get a boner."

The room, Thompaulsen said, erupted in applause. He said that everyone in attendance knew they'd finally figured out the legal red line that no woman would be able to cross. There was only one problem.

"Sometimes you don't get an erection right away, even when she's super hot," Thompaulsen said, "so we decided that the very moment you think to yourself you'd like to sleep with a woman, that's when she should be legally forbidden from terminating your offspring."

There was one other benefit to setting the point of legal demarcation for abortions at the moment of a man's sexual attraction to a woman.

"It puts the decision power in terms of women's health where it has always, rightfully, belonged," Thompaulsen said, "with men."

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HB TK421 is scheduled for floor debate in the Kentucky State House in the first quarter of 2017. Thompaulsen said he hopes to have the bill through the state senate and on the governor's desk by summer.
Starting an ecommerce site is never easy, but the goal of setting up, launching, and maintaining sites where entrepreneurs, designers, and creators of all sorts can sell their wares is more attainable now than it ever has been.

Ecommerce businesses--which are businesses that transmit goods, services and funds over the internet--run the gamut in size and scope, from retail behemoths like Amazon to Etsy craft sites. Online shopping is just one of many arenas that has seen extensive growth over the past 5 years. There were over 1.2 billion digital buyers in 2015, and that number is expected to rise this year--meaning that commerce as we know it is moving in this direction.

Depending on the kind of business you're in, it might make sense to start the ecommerce side of your company before you consider any brick-and-mortar setting. There are some key differences in the approach to building an ecommerce site as opposed to a traditional business, however.

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"With ecommerce, you really need to build up trust, because people aren't seeing you in person... So they could be skeptical," according to Roxanne King, owner of The Holistic Mama, a long-running ecommerce site that sells King's own natural beauty and skin care products. "The good thing is, with blogs and social media, it's easier then ever to build that trust. Give them an inside look at your life and your business, and they'll want to support you."

Before working on building trust with future clientele, you'll need to lay the groundwork by filling out the proper paperwork and making sure you're compliant with all necessary agencies--just like you would with a business in a physical location.

Starting an Ecommerce Site? Work Through the Red Tape



There are some basic bureaucratic hoops to jump through on the way to starting an ecommerce site.

They include:

Selecting and registering a business name.

Locking down a domain name and website--a good company name isn't worth as much without a good website name to go with it.

Selecting the business structure that best suits your needs, including sole proprietor, partnership, LLC or corporation.

Getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN), necessary even for businesses with no employees.

Obtaining business permits and licenses, since operating online doesn't excuse businesses from needing sales tax or home businesses licenses, depending on the state.

At this point, brick-and-mortar businesses can go off and work on securing real estate or a commercial space for their business. Ecommerce site owners, on the other hand, need to start building their online presence.

Make It Easy to Use



Back in 2011, King--already a prolific healthy living blogger--began creating and refining her own natural skin care products at home in the wake of a pregnancy and years of issues with preservative-laden commercial products. It wasn't until a couple of years later that she made the transition from giving out her homemade cleansers as gifts to selling them in farmer's markets and online. That was her beginning to starting an ecommerce site.

"I would hardly call it a marketplace in the beginning. It was a page on my blog that I named 'Store' and I sold only one product for a few months," says King. "There was a button for people to pay with PayPal only, which I got using PayPal's site and copy-pasted onto my WordPress blog."

While she credits her small start as part of the reason for her future success--she was able to refine the process of selling and shipping before moving on to larger-scale selling--eventually a more usable and secure platform was needed.

King now uses Shopify, one of 4 main services that e-commerce sites opt to use in the present day. The other three are WooCommerce (the most popular solution by far), SquareSpace Commerce, and Magento.

These services help business owners create their online stores and facilitate purchases. WooCommerce, Shopify and Magento can be used as WordPress plugins to add to your existing site, while SquareSpace helps you create a new site from scratch. Here are fees and details about different packages from each of the big four:

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Free to download, this plugin has free themes for use but additional premium themes start at $39. There are additional extensions that range from free to $249. Some technological knowledge required.

This all-in-one-solution comes with two ecommerce levels--Basic at $30/month (or $26/month if billed annually) or Advanced at $80/month ($70/month if billed annually). No technological knowledge required.

Magento

This open-source framework requires a lot of technical know-how, but comes with the free Community Edition or the much more complex Enterprise solution at $18,000 a year.

Easy to use and integrate, this service offers four plans, ranging from Lite at $9/month to Unlimited at $179/month.

Prepare for Rising Costs When Starting an Ecommerce Site



While it's tempting to go for the cheaper options when choosing an e-commerce builder, King notes that some additional fees are unavoidable--and some are worth investing in. (Note that Shopify and other services might charge you additional percentages on purchases if you let customers pay by credit card. Usually these transactional fees can are between 1-5% for the best credit card processors.)

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"Once I opened the Shopify store, costs increased to $29 a month for the marketplace, plus merchant fees, which depend on sales," she says. "I also use some additional apps for my marketplace that give me more functionality, like an auto-ship feature and upsell pop-ups that cost an extra $50 per month."

There are also costs outside of the shop itself. King pays the cost of hosting her blog and email marketing software, which increases based on the number of subscribers. Having a blog with related content is a great way to funnel traffic to your site, as well as to increase the SEO ranking of both and make your brand more prominent.

You might also consider incorporating customer relationship management tools, like phone, email or chat customer service, in order to both help and retain existing customers and convert visitors into paying customers.

The Key to Starting an Ecommerce Site: Share, Share, Share



King credits "accidentally" having a blog two years before opening her store with helping jumpstart her business, and recommends others do the same... Though purposefully!

"I had so many followers already that when I offered a product for the first time, customers already trusted me," she says.

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The same goes for social media for entrepreneurs like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. This kind of early marketing is free and can be used to drop hints and build excitement about upcoming launches or product reveals.

Cross-Pollinate Your Ecommerce Platform



King's Holistic Mama products are now carried at Whole Foods as well as on her expanded store site. She also carries some of her products on Amazon as a third-party seller. Small business owners that have their own site but also sell through Amazon--often seen as a competitor--are simply covering every corner of the market.

"Amazon is a very small percentage of my sales, but it's important to be there because some people only shop on Amazon," King explains.

There are other benefits to selling through a larger outlet, including the ability to test whether your product will be as popular as you predict, lower shipping rates if you use Fulfillment by Amazon enough, and a built-in trust factor that often facilitates purchasing by customers on Amazon. Some consumers are still wary of online shopping, but trust that an Amazon-vetted seller will fulfill their order in a timely manner.

Maintaining your own store and vision is paramount to building an ecommerce store, but don't rule out using larger platforms to help elevate your sales and brand name.

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***

There are plenty of pros to starting an ecommerce business instead of a brick-and-mortar one.

The initial investment is much lower, it can be as tricked out or low-key as you'd like, and online stores have the luxury of operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and for customers all over the country (or the world, if you're willing to ship that far). It's also much easier and less costly to expand operations if need be.

There are, however, important steps to take and investments to make if you want your business to emerge as an internet success story. Treat your ecommerce business like any other--stay compliant with tax laws, obtain the necessary permits, invest in customer retention and communication, and don't skimp on building a mobile-friendly platform: King says 60% of her sales come through mobile devices. You'll triumph over your competitors who don't.
Grade: C-



With the end of the year, grades are due and Obama's presidency as now at its end so we can begin to evaluate the legacy of America's forty fourth and first African American president.

Presenting himself as the anti-Bush, Obama in his 2008 election campaign critiqued the war in Iraq and overextension of U.S. military power, and promised to close Guantanamo Bay and restore U.S. global prestige. However, in practice, Obama ended up perpetuating many Bush administration policies. His administration expanded the drone war to previously unimaginable levels, escalated arms sales to dictatorship like the Saudis, violated the Westphalian principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and perpetuated gargantuan military budgets and the U.S. empire of military bases. In his final speech on counter-terrorism delivered at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa Bay, Florida, Obama was greeted with applause when he said the U.S. had been at war for the duration of his two terms, signifying something new and terrifying in which a state of permanent warfare is the source of national pride.

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Mr. Obama's foreign policies are the product of the oligarchic takeover of American politics in an era of neoliberalism. Obama's election campaigns received hundreds of thousands of dollars from General Dynamics (GD), a huge weapons manufacturer which developed cruise missiles, Abrams tanks and the F-16 and made $30 billion in 2014. Obama has also been supported by private military contractors like Science Applications International Corporation (known as "NSA-West"), which recorded billion dollar profits through his presidency. Liberal fixations with Mr. Obama's stint as a community organizer ignored that Obama had worked for the CIA in the early 1980s, having a likely family connection to the agency, and that he had studied under imperial strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski at Columbia University. All along, Obama has been very much tied to the so-called military industrial complex and his policies as president have reflected this.

Accomplishments

The Obama administration to its credit orchestrated some diplomatic breakthroughs and changed the rhetorical tone from the Bush era.

A.Iran Nuclear Deal

The Iran nuclear deal signed in July 2015 kept Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program for the next ten years and obliges the lifting of sanctions.

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B. Restoring Diplomatic Relations with Cuba

Following years of backchannel diplomacy, the Obama administration took the historic step of restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, reopening the American embassy and taking Cuba off the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism.

C. Paris Climate Summit and John Kerry's Leadership on Climate Change

In the face of GOP obstructionism and climate change denial, the Obama administration signed the Paris summit on climate change, with John Kerry providing strong moral leadership on this issue. Though Obama could have done more from the beginning of his presidency, at least he did something and used his bully pulpit to sound the public alarm.

D. Pledging Bomb Removal Funds in Laos

In a visit to Vientiane as part of an Asian summit, Obama acknowledged that many villages were obliterated and countless civilians killed in the secret war and bombing undertaken by the United States as an extension of the Indochina War. Obama pledged $90 million over three years to dismantle unexploded bombs that continue to cripple and maim Laotian civilians.

E. Greater Commitment to Global Development than Bush

Even with all the military spending, the Obama administration increased investments in global health and poverty reduction initiatives, and provided moral leadership that boosted donor pledges. Obama's Feed the Future initiative assisted over nine million small farmers worldwide according to the White House. Power Africa leveraged public and private sector commitments to invest nearly $43 billion in power generation across sub-Saharan Africa. First Lady Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn initiative also promoted expanded educational opportunities for girls in conflict ridden countries.

Major Failings:

A.Perpetrating Endless War in Afghanistan

Obama's troop surge has embroiled the United States in an endless Vietnam-type quagmire, with the Taliban emerging stronger than ever. The bombing of a doctor's without borders hospital in Kunduz was one of many war crimes committed by U.S.-NATO forces over the last eight years.

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B.Destroying Libya

At the behest of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Obama administration deceived the public by claiming Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi had massacred ten times more protestors than he actually did during the Arab Spring, spreading disinformation that Qaddafi had provided African soldiers with Viagra to induce rape. The regime change operation was carried out without congressional sanction in alliance with Great Britain and France and killed many civilians, destroying Africa's richest economy. Libya became overrun by sectarian militias and Islamists and is a failed state the U.S. now has an open ended commitment to bombing.

C.Billions in Arms to Saudis and Support for Bombing of Yemen

The Obama administration provided over $115 billion in arms sales and military training to Saudi Arabia, one of the most repressive countries in the world which sponsors jihadi groups in Syria and elsewhere and aided in the crackdown of Arab Spring protestors in Bahrain, home of the U.S. 5th fleet. In violation of a 2014 treaty barring military aid to human rights violators, the State Department provided a fresh $1.29 billion sale as the Saudis were mercilessly bombing Yemen, whose Saudi-supported president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi reportedly offered the United Arab Emirates a 99-year lease to control the strategic island of Socotra, which the U.S. Navy has long coveted. Secretary of State John Kerry blamed Houthi-rebels for the thousands of Yemeni deaths, saying "they have a way of putting civilians into danger."

D. The Dronification of State Violence

Whereas George W. Bush initiated an estimated fifty or so drone strikes killing 296 terrorists and 195 civilians, Obama as of January 2016 had authorized 506 strikes that killed an estimated 3,040 terrorists and at minimum 391 civilians. Obama claimed the drone strikes were more humane than conventional weapons of war, however according to a rare outside observer, the New York Times journalist David Rhode, held hostage in Northern Waziristan between November 2008 and June 2009, life for the local population under the threat of drones was "hell on earth" as they never knew when an attack was coming and victims never hear the missile that kills them. The director of a charitable organization stated that an entire region was being "terrorized by the constant threat of death from the skies....kids are too terrified to go to school, adults are afraid to attend weddings, funerals, business meetings or anything that involves gathering in groups." Four U.S. citizens, including Yemeni cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki and his teenage son were among the victims of Obama's drone war, which has hastened the erosion of democratic control over war-making in a context in which U.S. soldiers do not have to place their own bodies at risk.

E.Escalating New Cold War with Russia

With Putin-bashing becoming something of a sport in Washington, the Obama administration worsened U.S.-Russian relations by expanding NATO in Eastern Europe and applying economic sanctions along with the European Union. Obama's State Department fanned protests that led to the violent overthrow of Ukraine's semi-autocratic but elected pro-Russian government, prompting Russia to annex (or according to some reunify with) Crimea, while providing nearly $760 million in security assistance to a neo-Nazi backed regime on Russia's border.

F.About Face on Nuclear Weapons

After winning the Nobel Peace Prize for pledging to cut back on nuclear weapons, Obama initiated a trillion dollar nuclear weapons modernization program prompted in part by lobbying undertaken by Bechtel Corporation which runs the Livermore nuclear weapons laboratory. Obama's program includes development of new "mini" nuclear weapon, whose size and "smart" technology says a leading General ensures that the use of nukes is "no longer unthinkable."

G.Pivot to Asia and Stationing Military bases in Cheju-do Island, site of Korean War Massacre

With blithe disregard for history, Obama re-concentrated U.S. military forces in the Asia Pacific as a means of containing Chinese power. The so-called "Asia Pivot" coincided with efforts to promote the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a secretive and corporatist free-trade policy which tramples on labor rights and environmental protections. Among the worst aspects of the "Asia Pivot" was the rearming of Indonesian military units implicated in past human rights abuses and the construction of a military base on the South Korean island of Cheju-do, the scene of a massacre backed by U.S. troops on the eve of the Korean War since designated as a world heritage and peace site.

H.Expansion of U.S. Military Base Network

According to journalist Fred Kaplan, Obama's base budget exceeded that of George W. Bush by $816.7 billion ($4,121.2 billion for Obama's two terms). Obama signed agreements for new military bases in Colombia and Honduras, upgraded and expanded U.S. base facilities in Europe and the Middle East and established bases in Darwin Australia and Singapore as part of the "pivot to Asia." Leaders who opposed base facilities were among those targeted for regime change, subjected to intimidation or treated icily. The list includes Muammar Qaddafi of Libya, Benewende Stanislas Sankara, a relative of the late leftist hero Thomas Sankara who would have jeopardized a U.S. Special Operations Air Detachment which flies drones throughout the Saharan region, and Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio who wanted to move the Futenma air station off Okinawa and opposed building a base in Henoko that threatened to damage coral reefs and wreck the last feeding ground of the dugong, an endangered species.

I.Financing Wasteful High-Weapons That Don't Make Us Safer

The Obama administration promoted a plan to acquire 2,443 joint strike F-35 stealth fighters over 20 years at a cost of nearly $400 billion, though the F-35 has been plagued by endless technical problems and is considered by military analysts to be a lemon. Jonathan Marshall in Consortium News reported that the U.S. Navy currently has only 272 deployable ships as investment by Obama's Pentagon in littoral combat ships (LCSs) has literally broke the Navy. Five of eight LCSs which cost taxpayers $478 million, have been crippled by construction defects, design errors or crew mistakes and have been found in a Pentagon audit to be "not operationally suitable in war" or capable of completing a thirty day mission.

Pentagon planning documents outline the goal of miniaturized and fully autonomous drones by 2030 armed with switchblades and mounted rockets which can make decisions without human intervention as well as an insect outfitted with micro-explosive bombs able to kill moving targets with just grams of explosives, and a small rhinoceros and cheetah robot that can run 28 miles per hour and jump over obstacles and carry four hundred pounds of military equipment. Is this what our society really wants to invest in when there are acute social and environmental problems science can be better applied in helping to solve?

J.Expanding the use of Private Military Contractors (PMCs)

As of April, there were at least 30,000 private contractors in Afghanistan and there are approximately 7,100 contractors supporting U.S. government operations in Iraq, doing jobs from washing laundry and providing security on bases to training police and military officers to advising the Kurdish regional government and Iraqi government in Baghdad.

Shawn McFate, author of The Modern Mercenary - Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order, told The Daily Beast that "contractors encourage mission creep because they allow the administration to put more people on the ground than they report to the American people." They also enable executive secrecy by performing covert operations the American public may not support like aspects of the drone war they are involved with and the smuggling of arms to the rebels in Syria purchased from al Qaeda militia leaders in Libya.

K.Loosening Arms Control Regulations

The Obama administration loosened control over military exports, leading the U.S. share of the global market for arms sales to reach an almost monopolistic 70% of all weapons sold in 2011. Arms sales facilitated by Obama's Pentagon topped $46 billion in 2015 and $40 billion in 2016. Recipients include major human rights violators like Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Pakistan, Iraq, Uganda, Nigeria and Colombia as well as Israel and the Saudis.

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L.Backing Right Wing Coup in Honduras as Part of Efforts to Contain the Bolivarian Revolution

The Obama administration tacitly supported the 2009 coup, led by two School of the Americas graduates that ousted progressive Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya. The Hillary-Clinton led State Department recognized and provided military support and police training to the post-coup government which has had a horrendous human rights record, symbolized in its complicity in the murder of environmental activist Berta Isabel Caceres Flores.

M.Failing to Close Guantanamo Bay or Prosecute Bush Administration Torturers

Alfred W. McCoy in Torture and Impunity: The CIAs Coercive Interrogation Doctrine (University of Wisconsin Press, 2012) brilliantly analyzes the ramifications of granting impunity to torturers. He adopts a comparative analysis with the Philippines where the failure to prosecute torturers from the era Ferdinand Marcos paved the way for more systematic state abuse.

N.Lying about Chemical Weapons and Supporting Jihadist Rebels in Syria

In Fall 2013, John Kerry and Samantha Power invoked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons to push for military intervention, though when British intelligence obtained a sample of Sarin gas used in the August 21st attack, lab analysis demonstrated that the gas used didn't match the batches known to exist in the Syrian army's chemical weapons arsenal. Actual exposure to Sarin appears to have been minimal or non-existent for 31 of the 36 people sampled (88%) in a UN probe. The Obama administration was thus using deception to try and sell another war, which luckily the public repudiated. His administration at the same time helped prolong Syria's civil war by covertly supplying Islamic rebels alongside the Saudis, some reported to be al Qaeda affiliates.

O.Reinvading Iraq

Obama supported creation of a $700 million embassy on a 104 acre compound which is bigger than the Vatican and broke his campaign pledge there would be "no boots on the ground" in military operations against the Islamic State by reinvading Iraq and sending troops into Syria. Besides precision guided bombs and drones, the Pentagon unveiled an unmanned [uncrewed] ground vehicle (UGV) with a remotely operated 12.7mm cannon equipped with thermal sights to take back Mosul and began incorporating cyber operators into its conventional military units in the attempt to neutralize ISIS's ability to communicate. The operations have yielded limited success, however, because as James Lewis, a cyber-policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies stated: "scruffy insurgents aren't the best target for high-tech weapons;" and they were able to switch their own servers and other hardware to stay ahead of cyber-attacks. After over a quarter century of military engagement, a 2016 poll found that more than 90 percent of young people in Iraq now consider the United States an "enemy" of their country, boding ill for any future military operations Donald Trump may be planning.

P.Expanding Military Aid to Israel

Obama provided billions in weapons to the Israelis including hellfire missiles and bunker buster bombs capable of penetrating six meters of reinforced concrete known as "Saddamizers," which were used to pummel Gaza's high rise towers and wipe out entire families as they sheltered in their homes in the 2014 Operation Protective Edge. At the end of his term, Obama expanded the annual military allotment to Israel from $3.1 to a whopping $3.8 billion per annum.

Q.Going After Whistle-Blowers like Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning

Where is the antiwar movement and solidarity committees to support Ms. Manning as she rots in prison for thirty years for exposing war crimes and other state abuses?

R.Betraying MLKs Legacy by Using His Nobel Prize Winning Speech to Oppose Pacifism

Obama said: "We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth: We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations -- acting individually or in concert -- will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.



I make this statement mindful of what Martin Luther King Jr. said in this same ceremony years ago: Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.' As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there's nothing weak -- nothing passive -- nothing naive -- in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.



But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force may sometimes be necessary is not a call to cynicism -- it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason."

This speech fits with the trend by which the United States like all other aggressive world powers presents its adoption of violence as a necessity in fighting evil. Left out is how the U.S. has helped to create the conditions breeding the growth of Al-Qaeda and its offshoots and has often supported Islamic fundamentalism. MLK referred to the U.S. government as the "greatest purveyor of violence in the world" which it has sadly remained in the Obama years.

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S.Dirty Wars and Recolonization of Africa

As a case in point, Nick Turse of tomdispatch.com reported that the U.S. under Obama amassed over 60 military outposts on the "dark continent" in 34 countries and in 2014 alone carried out 674 military activities, nearly two missions per day, an almost 300% jump in the number of annual operations, exercises, and military-to-military training activities since U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was established in 2008. One of the dirty wars was in Somalia where the U.S. admitted to 13 ground raids and air strikes in 2016, one of which killed over a dozen Somali government soldiers (instead of al Shabab targets) as a result of poor intelligence feeds.

T.Expanding the War and Drugs and Atrocious Plan Merida

Benefiting from the hip image his Madison Avenue sponsors cultivated for him that included his admitting to smoking cigarettes and marijuana as a rebellious youth, Obama made veiled comments about having "bigger fish to fry" than marijuana users. His administration however spent over $9 billion per year on narcotic law enforcement, tripling the total spent by War on Drugs guru Ronald Reagan. In 2009, Obama inaugurated the billion dollar Plan Merida, modeled after the Plan Colombia, which focused heavily on military and police assistance to Mexican security forces who are infamously corrupt. Many of the weapons actually bolstered the arsenal of the cartels responsible for grisly violence and were used by the Mexican army to suppress peasant uprisings. Coinciding with the militarization of the U.S.-Mexican border, Merida fueled escalating cycles of violence and has done little to curtail the drug supply.

Final Assessment: With a Democratic Congressional majority in both Houses following the 2008 election, Obama had political capital he could have used to uphold campaign pledges such as closing Guantanamo Bay and cutting back on nuclear weapons and towards reorienting U.S. foreign policy. Obama, however, demobilized progressives, and used executive authority to perpetuate or expand on Bush administration policies, including with the drone war. There were some diplomatic breakthroughs as in the Nixon years and relatively strong leadership on climate change in the second term, but the Obama years stand as a great disappointment when a state of permanent warfare was institutionalized and signs of imperial decay became more manifest.

* My next column will grade Obama's domestic policy

Jeremy Kuzmarov is author of Modernizing Repression: Police Training and Nation Building in the American Century (Massachusetts, 2012).
It has been over a month since the election and I am still struggling with what happened. I have been following presidential elections since the 1960s and I have successfully predicted the winner of each one until now.

Where did I go wrong? I guess my first clue should have been that this was not a predictable election season. Donald J. Trump was the most unconventional, chaotic, attention craving, rebellious, narcissistic, and negative presidential candidate ever while Hillary Clinton was the most qualified to run for higher office. Maybe I should have realized that it didn't work in 2008 when Barack Obama won on a hope and change message while HRC was running on experience. I just felt that at this time of national and global unrest a steady hand and knowledge and sanity are what is needed right now.

A certain segment of the population wanted chaos and change because they were so angry at DC and the economic situation of losing their blue collar jobs over decades. This man spoke their language. I must admit I did get a little nervous when DJT put on that miner's hat and pretended to dig coal in West Virginia because I could see the appeal in him then. Being a charismatic TV personality he is ever the showman. He exploited Hillary's gaffe of saying coal was a dying industry even though it is the truth. Actually, truth was the real casualty this election.

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I should have also worried when Trump said disqualifying statements about certain ethnic groups that would have sunk any normal politician and it didn't make a dent on his popularity with his fans but actually made his polls go up. But then again, this is the same crowd that booed a gay soldier, cheered executions, and shouted to let a person die if they didn't have health insurance during the 2012 debates.

There was nothing normal about this election. His detractors kept predicting his demise but it never came. I just thought his followers were in the minority even though he kept calling them the Silent Majority (not the only thing he stole from Richard Nixon. He was also the law and order candidate.)

How many poor uneducated white males are there in this country? I asked. Turns out more than we realized.

But enough about Donald Trump who is still causing chaos and heartburn with his cabinet picks that will dismantle every agency they are put in charge of and his refusal to acknowledge that Russia did hack his opponent's campaign emails.

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I miss Hillary. I saw a video recently of her greeting supporters at a recent event for Senator Harry Reid in DC and one woman was openly weeping as she shook her hand. That's how I and many HRC loyalists feel. I'm not in denial, I'm in withdrawal. I miss her informative speeches, her engaging debates with the Donald, her enlightening town hall meetings, her TV ads which were brilliantly done, the inspiring DNC convention and even her bout with pneumonia which proved she is human and from which she was able to valiantly bounce back.

Everything seemed to be going her way. That is until the Russian hacked DNC emails released by Wikileaks and fake news stories and FBI Director Comey's letter to Congress implying the investigation into her private emails was not over eleven days before the election. It seemed she would survive all of these unpredictable setbacks as she still led in the polls nationally and in the swing states and the firewall blue states. Even the exit polls on election night went her way and made us all think she would win.

That's why election night was such a shock. I had gone to her rally at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA the night before and there was a jubilant feeling from her and her supporters and her distinguished guests that she would become our first woman president. She said in her speech that she regretted the angry tone of the campaign. Someone in the crowd yelled out "Not your fault" and we all erupted in clapping and cheering. Hillary smiled and I felt this was the most humble and gracious and connecting I had ever seen her with her supporters.

Campaigning and communicating with large audiences are not her thing (as it is with her opponent). This was probably her largest crowd ever (over 33,000) and it felt very intimate and uplifting. We were all there for her. She was the main attraction even with the President and First Lady and her husband and her daughter all giving inspiring messages and Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen singing, she stole the show. I think it was her best speech ever.

This was the fourth Hillary rally I had been to. Two times I got to shake her hand and I even got a photo with her that is still my Facebook profile picture. I had a Trump supporter tell me on FB that I should change my profile picture. I said Never. I sometimes feel like I'm in the midst of a drug or alcohol withdrawal after a year of this election season except it is a disappointing outcome that I am detoxing from. It is not easy to let go of the dream and the candidate that I have been holding onto since 2008.

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I still have a slight glimmer of hope that these new CIA revelations about Russia influencing the election could lead to investigations that could force the Electoral College to postpone their votes until we know what really happened. Senators on both sides of the aisle are now pushing for congressional hearings.

The truth is that Hillary won the popular vote by 2.8 million and counting. This is something I keep bringing up when people try to blame Hillary for losing. She did not lose in my eyes. The majority of Americans voted for HER. It is amazing to me she won all those votes with everything going against her: the email scandal, Benghazi, the FBI letter, the Wikileaks, the Sanders revolution, the most dirty campaign in history being waged against her, the fake news, the attacks on her health, the calls of "lock her up", and the misogyny. She is a fighter who never gives up. And neither will I.

If you throw the third party candidates into the mix, 52% of the electorate voted against Donald Trump. 46% of the population did not vote at all. Maybe they were turned off by the negative nature of the campaign. The man has no mandate. How could Trump have won so many swing states that normally vote blue? The numbers don't add up. Hopefully, the recounts that Jill Stein and the Green Party are fighting for will shed some light on the subject, as will the investigations into the Russian hackings.
Trump's social media habits were a subject of amusement throughout the election season, but they have now become cause for alarm. His recent tweet criticizing Chuck Jones, president of United Steelworkers Union 1999, resulted in a swarm of anonymous threats to Jones and his family.

Other stories have since emerged, such as that of Lauren Batchelder, an 18 year-old student who was called "an arrogant young woman" and "a plant" by Trump on Twitter for challenging him about his support for women at a campaign event in New Hampshire a year ago. Trump's director of social media tweeted out screengrabs of Batchelder's social-media accounts just hours after the event, and supporters of the candidate immediately followed up with graphic, often sexual threats on email and Facebook, and the circulation of her home address online.

When asked about his aggressive tweeting, Trump likes to say that it provides a direct connection to the public, bypassing a corrupt media. As he said on the Today Show, "Frankly, it's a modern-day form of communication... I get it out much faster than a press release. I get it out much more honestly than dealing with dishonest reporters. So many reporters are dishonest."

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This populist call for an unmediated link between the president and the people -- which is in fact a strategy of mobilizing one segment of the population against others -- is rooted in the rise of the populist right in the U.S. and, perhaps not surprisingly, in Richard Nixon's famous "Silent Majority" speech.

In the fall of 1969, the Vietnam Moratorium Committee organized two massive demonstrations in Washington D.C. Nixon responded by scheduling a nationally televised speech to explain his administration's policy on the war. In the speech he depicted the antiwar movement as a small, antidemocratic force that threatened to subvert the national will. "And so tonight to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans, I ask for your support," he said. "Let us be united for peace. Let us be united against defeat. Because let us understand: North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that."

The speech was well received by the public, and to some degree Nixon was able to turn public opinion toward his war strategy and against the peace movement. Yet Nixon, who like Trump saw the press as a threat, was rankled by critical television network commentary that immediately followed the speech. At ABC for example, Averell Harriman said that he underplayed the breadth of antiwar opposition in the country, while Frank Reynolds said his pitch for unity likely caused more polarization.

In the days following the speech and its network reception, Nixon dispatched Vice President Spiro Agnew to discredit this "tiny and closed fraternity of privileged men, elected by no one." Agnew denounced what he now called "instant analysis," claiming that the president had a right to speak to the people without interference of "a small band of network commentators and self-appointed analysts, the majority of whom expressed in one way or another their hostility to what he had to say." Agnew went on to suggest darkly that "the networks be made to be more responsive to the views of the nation."

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Columnist William Safire, who was a speechwriter for Nixon at the time, later wrote that "Many of us felt strongly that no unelected personality clothed in the garb of network objectivity should be interposed between the elected leader in the 'bully pulpit' and the people. Television officials later saw the light or felt the heat, and the trend toward commentators' immediate rebuttal soon slowed." Jacksonian in its aggression, Rooseveltian in its belief that the president was the moral voice of the nation, the Nixonian view of presidential authority was deeply antidemocratic even as it claimed to voice popular will.

The president's populist showdown with the press began the era of what political scientist Stephen Skowronek has called "the plebiscitary presidency," in which presidents regularly appeal to the public "over the heads of the elites of the Washington establishment, hoping to use their public standing to compel that establishment into following their lead." Presidents from Reagan onward used the power of public appeal over against other political forces with which they had to contend.

In some sense, it was ever thus. Beyond the formal powers and duties laid down in the Constitution, the presidency is a cultural institution meant to represent--in a very literal sense--the American people. Presidents act as figures who symbolize what their supporters hold sacred about the nation, or what their opponents most hate. Presidents then must make the most of their public authority both to isolate opponents and leverage power against other institutions. Media tools are key to this strategy and since Obama, the first president with a Twitter account, social media has played an increasingly important role.

Trump's use of social media is generally treated as either rash or refreshingly honest depending on one's view of him, but impulsive nonetheless. This may be, but it is an impulsivity conditioned by years of experience in mass media, particularly on the set of The Apprentice and the continual focus-group and polling research that guided the show's success with a broad public. It should come as no surprise that he has decided to continue as executive producer on Celebrity Apprentice during his presidency.

Trump's social media assaults combine the popular power of the executive office with that of mass action by those who are willing to make threats on his behalf. The result is a terrifying form of presidential demagogy that the antifederalists warned of two and a half centuries ago, now greatly enhanced by changes in modern media technology.

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Much has been written already about the internet strategies of the Trump-associated "alt-right" which assails opponents with thousands of harassing or bullying social media posts, along with the humiliating violations of doxxing -- online public exposure of a victim's private life. Fake news and bots saturate the general knowledge environment while conspiracy theories borne on the air by Wikileaks, Infowars, or Russian operatives, incubated at Reddit and 4Chan now explode into open violence like the Pizzagate shooting attack.

This is a volatile media environment from which many institutional elites recoil, but one in which Trump thrives. He has over 17 million Twitter followers now, and will soon have 12.5 million followers at @POTUS. As he put it, "it's like owning the New York Times without the losses."

Trump understands how media works far more than Nixon ever did. But what they share is a demonized worldview in which critics are enemies and opponents must be crushed. Nixon's destructive paranoia was ultimately contained by what were then largely functional bourgeois institutions -- the press, Congress, and the party system. The ease with which Trump executes these tweets and the speed at which they are acted on are evidence of the potential power of the plebiscitary presidency laid bare.

Just before the election, Batchelder, the student who had the temerity to tell Trump on the campaign trail that she didn't think he was "a friend to women", received a Facebook message that read: "Wishing I could fucking punch you in the face. id then proceed to stomp your head on the curb and urinate in your bloodied mouth and i know where you live, so watch your fucking back punk."

Trump's Twitter strategy is essentially a demand that we all watch our backs. It is a threat not only to union leaders and college students, but to anyone who resists this administration.


ABT Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and ABT Dancer Alexandre Hammoudi

Photo Credit: Vince Bucci

As the holidays are here, nothing brings in the festive spirit more than watching The Nutcracker, featuring some of the best dancers in ballet.

This year, the ABT's annual holiday benefit was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on December 5, 2016, and featured excerpts from The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and Don Quixote.

During the cocktail hour, Jayne Seymour was in attendance among a group of patrons, donors, and dance supporters. When I asked her why she was attending this event, she replied with, "I was a dancer and got injured and became an actor by default." Seymour will be starring in a new television series, His Wives & Daughters, which will air on CMT and will start shooting in 2017.

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For this "One Night Only" event, the audience was treated eight dance pieces, including a spectacular performance of Romeo and Juliet with ABT Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and ABT Dancer Alexandre Hammoudi.

American Ballet Theatre Executive Director Kara Medoff Barnett thanked the dancers and told the guests that although their offices are in New York City, they consider Southern California their second home.

The ABT will present Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from December 9-18, 2016
The knowledge of how to fight corruption is growing, and the effect of these learnings can be amplified if business, governments and international institutions work together.

By Kristin Berglund, Head of Anti-Corruption & Foreign Trade Controls, Maersk Line

It is estimated that 90 percent of everything is transported by a ship. As the largest shipping company, Maersk Line contributes to the United Nation's agenda for sustainable development by enabling trade and thereby enhancing opportunities for employment and prosperity.

Critical to our business, are the realisation of two of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals: goal 16, to build transparent and accountable institutions, and goal 17, to form partnerships to drive the broader agenda.

Corruption is one of the most serious risks we face as a global business. The Asian Development Bank, for example, has found that corruption can cost a country up to 17 percent of its gross domestic product. Corruption is also increasingly recognised for its role in other global issues such as security, poverty, hunger and the threats against our environment - all included in various Sustainable Development Goals. For us in the maritime industry we experience corruption risks that can be described as acute.

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Seafarers have faced physical force, including a captain being shoved with a rifle; being pulled off their ship and interrogated, threatened with imprisonment; pilot boats refusing to guide a vessel to berth or even ramming the vessel; tug officials cutting a vessel's tug lines; nightly sweep type operations of the ship by officials performed as many times as it takes in order for a tired crew to give up- all for refusing to provide a carton of cigarettes or cases of soda in exchange for receiving routine government services. These risks are often labelled facilitation payment issues - but it is a misleading terminology. There is nothing facilitated or gained but safety and access to government services.

Mobilizing stakeholders

Recognising the need for collective action, Maersk Line in 2011 initiated the Maritime Anti-corruption Network (MACN) - the first of its kind in the maritime industry - which today has more than 60 members. The network aims to strengthen members' anti-corruption programmes and to improve their operating environments.

In one flagship project, MACN collaborated with the Nigerian government and the UN Development Programme on improving transparency and accountability in Nigerian ports. Out of that initiative, the Nigerian government in June unveiled a set of "Standard Operating Procedures" for port operations, to stem corrupt practices.

In a new partnership, Maersk Line paired with the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, to build anti-corruption training to the curriculum for maritime government officials from around the world. The course on integrity issues was held for all students in October this year.

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Creating change

For years, Maersk Line has tested various strategies and in 2015 rolled out a data driven strategy to clamp down on the extortions faced by our frontline. Based on incident tracking data, collected from each ship at each port call, 8 operations clusters around the world triaged their countries and began location specific support to the captains. The support included tackling the underlying frames often used to create an extortion, such as unclear local requirements, and a 24-hour support for vessels from each region's operations cluster, allowing a captain to escalate issues in real time.

The results have been dramatic. Since 2015 we have seen a more than 90% percent reduction of these so called facilitation payments in some of our most challenged trading areas.

While we have found effective strategies, one thing is clear - corruption cannot be fought by anyone acting alone and until more is done, the threat to our seafarers remain high. Industry, governments and organisations must collaborate even if doing so is not always easy or produces immediate rewards.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a "Thank You USA" tour rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. December 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

All Chuck Jones was trying to say is that presidential-elect exaggeration is a killer when it involves jobs. Its one thing for a candidate to inflate stuff like personal wealth. But when a president-elect tells the country hes saved 1,100 jobs at a Midwestern manufacturing plant, and its really only 800, that hurts real human beings.

Chuck Jones is president of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local Union 1999, which represents 1,330 workers at the Carrier furnace plant in Indianapolis. Hes the guy who had to tell them the bad news: 1,100 jobs hadnt been saved. Only 800 workers would be spared, 730 union and 70 management.

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Chuck Jones at the USW Local 1999 union hall

When President-elect Donald Trump announced 1,100 jobs saved, he included 300 research and development employees who Carrier never intended to move to Mexico.

The members of USW Local 1999 had thought when President-elect Trump said 1,100 that only a small number of blue-collar jobs would be lost. In the end, though, it turned out nearly 600 workers would be out in the cold, almost half of the union members at the Carrier plant.

Everyone was thankful that 730 jobs had been rescued. But the 1,100 figure had created false hope. When it was dashed, workers were devastated. It was worse than if the president-elect had given them no hope at all.

This is important because the president-elect has made many promises to working people across this country. He said, for example, that hed bring back manufacturing jobs from China, Mexico, Japan and elsewhere. He said hed impose on companies like Carrier that ship factories and jobs out of the country a 35 percent tariff on the manufactured goods when theyre imported into the United States for sale. He promised tax incentives for manufacturers to build or expand factories in the United States. He pledged to create 25 million jobs. These are hope-builders for workers. They are pledges that must be kept.

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The president-elects pledges are particularly important to members of the USW. Thats because the USW is the largest manufacturing union in North America. It represents workers who forge steel and aluminum, build tires, mold glass, refine oil, make paper and cardboard, mine taconite and copper, and perform dozens of other highly skilled factory jobs crucial to the U.S. economy, like construct Carrier furnaces and grind and machine Rexnord ball bearings. Rexnords a plant 1.5 miles from Carrier that announced in October that it, too, intended to move to Mexico.

Unfortunately for USW members, Chucks experience with Carrier and Mexico is just one part of a long-running tragedy. The USW has been battling the ill-effects of bad trade and seeking relief from currency manipulation by countries like China for decades. The USW actually filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of NAFTA. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear it.

The USW international has filed or participated in more than 50 trade cases in just the past decade. Almost all of these were done in partnership and cooperation with the employer companies. And most resulted in wins. In a couple of instances, the USW had to file by itself, with no help from the companies, whose positions were compromised because they had built plants in China. These cases are ridiculously expensive. But the union had to do it. It must pursue every avenue it can to protect members jobs against trade violators.

Some Wall Street and Washington wonks who never got grease under a fingernail in their lives want to slam American factory workers as unproductive, overpaid and obsolete. This just isnt the case. In fact, John P. Surma, the immediate past CEO of U.S. Steel, described his companys unionized steelworkers as the most productive and efficient in the world.

Whats really going on is some foreign countries are keeping their workers employed by manipulating their currency, subsidizing their manufacturers in ways that violate international trade law and absolving manufacturers of tax obligations, then exporting artificially cheap products.

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To sustain economic growth and employment, China continues to ramp up steel and aluminum production, even though the resulting excess capacity is roiling the entire world market. China is producing more steel and aluminum than the entire world needs, causing plummeting prices, bankruptcies, plant closures and massive layoffs from the United States, Canada and Mexico to India and the UK.

There are more than 16,000 steelworkers out of work in the United States right now. Since 2000, 18 aluminum smelters have closed in the United States, permanently destroying thousands of good, family-supporting jobs, and leaving the country with only five operating.

It is because China continues to break every rule it agreed to abide by when the United States granted it permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status in 2001. And, clearly, NAFTA has not worked for workers either, with manufacturers like Carrier and Rexnord still planning to flee across the border. Neither did the free trade agreement with South Korea called KORUS.

If the president-elect would like to repeal and replace all of those bad deals, the USW would like to work with him. The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal seems to be dead, and if the president-elect would like to start a new trade regime with workers and environmentalists and other interest groups at the table, not just corporate lobbyists, the USW would like to work with him to create fair trade that works for American workers and supports American manufacturing.

The local union that Chuck Jones serves as president also represents workers at the Rexnord ball bearing plant. The president-elect called out Rexnord on Twitter for its plans to renounce Indiana for Mexico.

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The USW hopes the president-elect can persuade Rexnord to keep those 300 good jobs in Indianapolis. If not, the USW believes President-elect Trump should fulfill his pledge to impose a 35 percent tariff on any ball bearings Rexnord would plan to import into the United States from a new Mexican plant where workers would receive a total of $6 an hour in wages and benefits.

On the campaign trail, the president-elect promised, The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Working people across this country who heard that and his jobs and trade enforcement promises voted for him on the belief that hed come through for them.
The United Nations is best setup to undertake matters related to development support. The reality we have witnessed over the past half century is that the UN has grown in the areas in which it has legitimacy. This is apparent in the diversity of organizations where the world actually desires its services.

This is why UN organizations that work and invest in the development nexus and that are primarily funded by public funds have grown so remarkably and deservedly over the past 50 years.

Analyze the historical growth of the UN Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in development, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the humanitarian sector. Or the strong legitimacy of specialized agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and how they have remained in vogue over the years, their services demanded everywhere.

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They remain relevant in the 21st century.

These organizations have been accepted by the world and embraced because of their usefulness in people's lives. They must undertake changes so that they are equipped to help countries meet complex and difficult challenges, but people and governments take an interest in these organizations as they work effectively for the public good.

Even new specialized agencies like IRENA -- the international organization that deals with renewable energy -- are growing, spreading wings rapidly and acquiring legitimacy for what they do, because countries need and demand their knowledge and services. IRENA, as like the organizations in the development nexus, reflects the needs of a 21st century world grappling with major upheavals, such as those caused by climate change.

I would go as far as to say that the fact that UNDP has not grown as rapidly over the last 15 years, and UNAIDS over the past three, is precisely because the world has witnessed less demand for their services as countries around the globe have progressed and are becoming better at meeting their own development needs and pursuing their ambitions.

This is an indication of success not failure. After all, development agencies are supposed to work themselves out of business, or at the very least adapt to match evolving demand.



The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a case in point. The UPU helped to create the international architecture for postal services. It was once an important and central agency. Regular mail was everything in a post-Victorian world and it helped to make the 19th and 20th centuries the high watermark of nation states. Not anymore. The UPU is now in a deep decline that reflects the state of postal services in a world where 'snail mail' has been overtaken by the transformative power of the internet and social media.

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Now contrast this dynamic history and current situation in the development and humanitarian nexus to that of the UN peace and security architecture.

In light of the demand for peace and security in the world, one would have expected that great, legitimate and popular arrangements would have evolved and arisen around these two important areas of global need. Nothing like that has happened.

Instead, UN's three bodies tasked with the maintenance of global peace and security - the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission - have remained anemic, mysterious to many, and ineffectual. The most famous of the three, the UN Security Council, is lacking in legitimacy and has struggled woefully over the past few years. Its glory days immediately after the Second World War and arguably through the early 1960s, are long gone and forgotten.

The UN peace and security operations first faced their legitimacy crisis in the face of the Cold War. These operations have never overcome the contradictions presented by the "first among lesser equals" role of the P5 powers in the Security Council. Over time, not only that these five powers consolidated their hold on the UN architecture for peace and security, but they were joined in semi-permanent roles by other emerging powers whose claims to prominence was driven not by an exemplary drive for human rights, or of social and economic equality, but rather by regional military might and dominance.

Thus, by the dawn of the 21st century, a sad irony has taken hold where the biggest claimants to the Security Council and its related institutions and operations in the peace and security are also the largest arms manufacturers and merchants in the world, and some of the most pernicious purveyors of war in modern history.

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This ironic circumstance and its blatant contradictions have delegitimized the entire UN peace and security architecture. Today, the Security Council appears to be incapable of resolving any war, large or small, and the Peacebuilding Commission can claim no transformative role in building peace anywhere. They play a marginal role at best. Peace and security arises, where it does, in spite of these bodies and not because of them. The peacekeeping operations of the Security Council are a sham, a cover for an expensive pretense to intervention, arms cartels and resources carpetbaggers.

The Security Council and the entire peace and security architecture will never grow in influence. Neither will it be effective and legitimate in the eyes of the world as long as this fundamental contradiction continues to prevail.

The Peacebuilding Commission will itself never come out of the dark shadow of the Security Council until and unless it embraces the primacy of politics and rejects solutions for peace building premised on military and securitized solutions. The same countries that create gridlock and ineffectiveness in the Security Council do the same in the Peacebuilding Commission.

Sadly and tragically, the same problem also goes to the heart of the problem that faces the Human Rights Council, although here the UN General Assembly has a role to play too. In the end, the legitimacy and viability of the Human Rights Council as a purposeful agent for the promotion of human rights in the world will also continue to fade. As long as some of the most heinous human rights abusing states continue to have pride of place and presence in this Council, we can never expect neither human rights to flourish nor the Council to grow in influence and legitimacy.

After eight years as Ambassador to the UN, I see little genuine appetite for reform of the Security Council. Neither, for similar reasons, of the Human Rights Council. The Peacebuilding Commission has shown a willingness to change. Its crafting of progressive resolutions this year to expand its mandate and deepen its work, which were subsequently adopted by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, shows what can be achieved with a little determination and grit.

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This brings me back to where I began. The UN is at its best doing development. Helping nations come together to promote prosperity, fight poverty, advance the cause of women and girls, build credible states, improve governance, while saving lives and reaching out to those left behind. It is also the only global institution that has the legitimacy to bring the world together to protect the planet and its biodiversity from the worst consequences of human activity and climate change.

The entire world agreed on a unified set of goals for sustainable development (the Sustainable Development Goals) in 2014, and on a universal agenda in 2015 (the Post 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) to help attain those goals. This is a remarkable proof that UN's work in the development field is universally accepted, legitimate and celebrated.
Ideologically speaking, Iran's hardliners, primarily Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who enjoy the final say in Iran's domestic and foreign policies, have made it clear that Iran will not change the core pillars of its religious and revolutionary establishment: Anti-Americanism or hatred and animosity towards the "Great Satan" and the "Little Satan", Israel. Supporters of Ayatollah Khamenei and the IRGC enthusiastically shouted "Death to America" in response to a recent speech that Khamenei gave, applauding the 1979 hostage-taking and takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran. In his latest public speech to thousands of people, which was televised via Iran's state TV, Khamenei made it clear that Trump's presidency will cause "no difference" to Iran-US relationships.

Militarily, strategically and geopolitically, Tehran's core pillars of damaging US national interests, and scuttling US foreign policy objectives will remain intact.

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Khamenei and IRGC are sending a strong message that Iran will neither alter its core religious and revolutionary pillar of anti-Americanism, nor change its foreign policy and military objectives of damaging US interests. Iran's policy towards the "Great Satan" will remain as it has been since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979.

This article was originally published by Gatestone Institute. For more details and nuances, you can read full version on here.

_____________________

You can sign up for Dr. Rafizadeh's newsletter for the latest news and analyses on Here.

Harvard-educated, Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an American political scientist, president of the International American Council on the Middle East, business advisor, and best-selling author. He serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review. Dr. Rafizadeh is frequently invited to brief governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as speak, as a featured speaker, at security, business, diplomatic, and social events. He has been recipient of several fellowships and scholarships including from Oxford University, Annenberg, University of California Santa Barbara, Fulbright program, to name few He is regularly quoted and invited to speak on national and international outlets including CNN, BBC World TV and Radio, ABC, Aljazeera English, Fox News, CTV, RT, CCTV America, Skynews, CTV, and France 24 International, to name a few. . He analyses have appeared on academic and non-academic publications including New York Times International, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Farred zakaria GPS, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, The Nation, The National. Aljazeera, The Daily Beast, The Nation, Jerusalem Post, The Economic Times, USA Today Yale Journal of International Affairs, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, and Harvard International Review. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Persian, English, and Arabic. He also speaks Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew. More at Harvard.

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You can also order his books on HERE.

You can learn more about Dr. Rafizadeh on HERE.


On a snow-cold winter's night in Sweden, a gay atheist and his husband entered Gothenburg Cathedral for the annual candlelit Lucia concert -- and, two hours later, emerged elated.

That atheist was me and in the months since that night the memory of that Saint Lucia celebration has reminded me anew of the power of music and beauty in the face of (post-election) darkness.

Few holidays in Sweden are as beloved as Saint Lucia Day, which is celebrated annually on the 13th of December. In the ancient Julian calendar, the Lucia tradition was associated with the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, a dangerous night marked by supernatural beings. As a bearer of light in the midst of a dark Swedish winter, Lucia appeared in white wearing "light in her hair."



"Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved Lucia Day," says Anders Ohrman, Editor in Chief of QX, Sweden's largest LGBT magazine. "As a little boy, I was a bit jealous of the girl who got to be Lucia -- she was always so beautiful and sparkled with light -- but since I was a boy I could only choose between being a star boy or a gingerbread boy in the parade. Not so glamorous."

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In the early 20th century, Saint Lucia processions began appearing in Swedish cities and today, nearly every city designates a "Queen of the Light." As Joachim Olausson, Managing Director of Hotel Skeppsholmen states, "One of my favorite days, Saint Lucia is the start of the Christmas season; it's so special to see the procession, which always reminds me of when I was as a star boy as a kid -- though, of course, as a gay boy, I actually wanted to be the Lucia with blond hair."

In Gothenburg, the Saint Lucia concert takes place at Domkyrkan, a yellow brick cathedral built in the classical style in honor of the city's founder King Gustav II Adolf. Surrounded by a cobblestone churchyard square, Domkyrkan provides a quiet, block-long oasis amidst Sweden's second largest city.

As my husband and I sat inside the cathedral, where every pew was packed from the portal to the pulpit, the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd. And then, from the organ loft rang a chorus of ethereal voices, which was followed by the procession of children: scores of girls and boys filing into the cathedral from adjacent rooms, all dressed in white full-length gowns bearing candles, their angelic voices joined in harmony as they sang "Sankta Lucia."

Though my husband and I attended church services throughout our childhoods, religion has been difficult for us as LGBT American adults. Our atheism is a natural progression of our own enlightenment. Which doesn't mean that we can no longer see the benefit of religion for those who choose to believe. Truth be told, both of us recognize that religion taught us a great deal about compassion and decency.

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On that evening in Gothenburg, midway through the Saint Lucia concert, a soloist sang "Maria Wiegenlied," German composer Max Reger's celestial Christmas lullaby, which, for us, has always lifted our hearts with hope -- and when combined with the beauty of the children's choirs and the multitude of musicians and soloists within Gothenburg Cathedral, we felt our spirits soar.

As Magnus Lindbergh of Visit Sweden attests, "The Lucia concerts are sublime and never fail to leave you feeling hopeful."

At concert's end, we walked out into the starry night to see Lucia's handmaidens and her star boys, still in their flowing white gowns, scampering across the churchyard and dashing behind doors before their return to everyday mufti.

In Sanskrit, the word sattva conveys goodness, purity and serenity -- and upon leaving Gothenburg Cathedral that night, my husband and I felt touched by the sattva of Saint Lucia.

While there are many beautiful holiday traditions throughout Sweden (including the traditional "Julbord" Swedish Christmas buffet tables), the Saint Lucia processions and concerts are the most beautiful reminder that, invariably, light will vanquish the darkness.

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at the USA Thank You Tour event at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., December 8, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

In 1964, when Barry Goldwater ran against Lyndon Johnson, a man named John A. Stormer self-published a book called None Dare Call It Treason. It accused America's left-leaning elites of paving the way for a Soviet victory in the Cold War. The book sold seven million copies, but Johnson crushed Goldwater in the election.

Now that the C.I.A. has determined that the Russians intervened in the presidential election to help Trump win, the Cold War politics of left and right have been flipped. If Stormer rewrote his book for 2016, its thesis might go like this:

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Beware of Donald Trump. Witlessly or willfully, he's doing the Kremlin's bidding. Anyone who enables him - on his payroll or in the press, by sucking up or by silence, out of good will or cowardice - is Vladimir Putin's useful idiot. This is a national emergency, and treating it like normal is criminally negligent of our duty to American democracy.

Trump as traitor: I can just imagine the reaction from the Tower penthouse. Lying media. Paranoid hyperbole. Partisan libel. Sour grapes. A pathetic bid for clicks. A desperate assault on the will of the people. Sad! (Note to Tweeter-in-Chief: You're welcome.)

As a kid in a New Jersey household where Adlai Stevenson was worshipped, I thought Stormer was a nut job, so I won't pretend that accepting the modern inverse of his case is a no-brainer. I'm also not trying to recast my political differences with the president-elect as a national security crisis. Trump won. Elections have consequences. I get that.

I may not like it, but I'm not surprised that Trump tapped Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a crusading climate change denier and an advocate of dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency, to run the E.P.A., presumably into the ground. Anyone who interpreted Al Gore's meeting with Trump as a sign of his open-mindedness on climate change got played, just like Gore got played.

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Similarly, I'm cynical, but not shocked that Trump's picks for treasury secretary, National Economic Council and chief adviser - Steven Mnuchin, Gary Cohn and Steve Bannon - are alumni of Goldman Sachs. A billionaire managed to hijack Bernie Sanders' indictment of Wall Street and brand Hillary Clinton as the stooge of Goldman Sachs. The success of that impersonation isn't on Trump, it's on us.

I'm infuriated, but not startled that Trump refuses to disclose his tax returns, divest his assets, create a credible blind trust, obey the constitutional prohibition of foreign emoluments or eliminate the conflict between fattening his family fortune and advancing American interests. That's not draining the swamp, it's drinking it.

It's abysmal that Democrats didn't have a good enough jobs message to convince enough Rust Belt voters to choose their economic alternative to Trump's tax cuts for the rich. It's disgraceful that the media normalized Trump, propagated his lies, monetized his notoriety and lapped up his tweet porn. It's maddening that the Electoral College apportions ballot power inequitably. But as enervating as any of that is, none of it is as dangerous to democracy as the C.I.A.'s finding that Putin hacked the 2016 election on Trump's behalf. Without firing a single shot, the Kremlin is weeks away from installing its puppet in the White House.

Within days, Trump is expected to name Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil's CEO, as his secretary of state. Putin bestowed the Order of Friendship, one of Russia's highest civilian honors, on Tillerson, after Exxon signed a deal with Rosneft, the Russian government-owned oil company, to jointly explore the Black Sea and Arctic. The plan died when the U.S. and E.U. sanctioned Russia for annexing Crimea; Tillerson, whose Exxon shares' value will skyrocket if sanctions are lifted, favors lifting them.

The Tillerson appointment is the latest dot in the pattern of Trump's Putinophilia. When 17 U.S. intelligence agencies concurred that Russia was behind the hacking of Democratic emails, Trump - who's refused most of his security briefings - rejected their conclusion, claiming at one point that it "could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds," at another that "it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey." I knew that Trump is a serial fat-shamer, but I didn't know until now that being a Newarker puts me in his crosshairs, too.

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It's entirely conceivable that Russia has something on Trump. They may hold hundreds of millions of dollars of Trump debt. They may have spousally unsettling video of him - a K.G.B. specialty, and a plausible Trump susceptibility. Surely the Kremlin has mapped his character disorder. In the third debate, when Trump said Putin had no respect for Clinton, and she shot back, "Well, that's because he'd rather have a puppet as president," Trump's interruption - "No puppet, no puppet, you're the puppet, no, you're the puppet" - sounded like a third-grader. Actually, it was a confession, what clinicians call projective identification. Putin's psy ops must know every such string on him to play.

Before the election, when both parties' congressional leaders were secretly informed that Russia had its thumb on the scale for Trump, Republican leader Mitch McConnell torpedoed a bipartisan plan to decry their intervention. Now that the news is out, Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee said Sunday that the intel "should alarm every American," and they called for a bipartisan investigation to stop "the grave threats that cyberattacks... pose to our national security."

Trump's response? "I think it is ridiculous. It's just another excuse. I don't believe it. Every week it's another excuse. We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College."

As we don't know. Trump's Electoral College margin will rank 44th among the 54 presidential elections that have been held since the 12th Amendment was ratified. Nate Silver called Trump's "landslide" claim "Orwellian." The Washington Post gave it Four Pinocchios. Why not just call it a lie?

Trump blew off the Kremlin's intervention in our election the way Putin denied Russia's intervention in Ukraine. Do we call that a lie, too?

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Maybe there's a better word we should dare to use.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks beneath a giant American Flag during a "Thank You USA" tour rally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S., December 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

It's now clear that Donald Trump is far more severely impaired than even his worst critics imagined. And the cracks in his presumed governing coalition are starting to show, before he even takes office.

For starters, leading Republicans are pushing back on his insistence that he knows intelligence better than the CIA and challenging the idea that the U.S. should be a puppet of Vladimir Putin.

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The best outcome, of course, would be for some constitutional Hail Mary pass to prevent Trump from becoming president: a group of electors who decide that he is just too much of a risk; or some kind of emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, to stay the election because its integrity and validity was hijacked by the Russians.

But, face it, this is magical thinking. Barring divine intervention, Donald Trump will take office on January 20.

If Trump is to be president, the second best line of defense against catastrophe is for a small band of Senate Republicans to form a Sanity Caucus, and put the survival of the Republic ahead of narrow partisan interests. Indeed, it's becoming evident that Trump is too much of a loose cannon even to serve those partisan interests.

They can start by voting to reject his more bizarre nominees as well as supporting the bipartisan inquiry on Russian cyber-warfare, and making it clear to Trump that he was elected president, not dictator. A few high-profile defeats would teach a salutary lesson--and these may come a lot sooner than expected.

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When it looked as if Hillary Clinton would beat Trump, many commentators predicted a crisis for the Republican Party. When Trump eked out a surprise win, most Republicans fell in line, assuming that he could be used for their ideological purposes, weirdness and all. But now, as his florid craziness becomes increasingly clear, the Republican crisis may come after all.

By my count, there are at least eight members of a possible Senate Republican Sanity Caucus. With just 52 Republicans in the Senate, it will take only three to begin imposing some limits.

John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Rand Paul of Kentucky have said they will cooperate with the bipartisan investigation of Russia's hacking of the Democrats. They've made clear that they reject Trump's alliance with Putin and trust the CIA more than they trust Trump's intuitions that maybe some guy in New Jersey hacked the Democrats' emails.

McCain, just re-elected, is in his last term. His war service and long suffering as a POW were mocked by Trump. Now he can perform one final service for his country.

Graham has had doubts about Trump all along. Ron Paul is a libertarian isolationist, but even Paul doesn't want Russia messing with the United States on its home territory.

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If Trump continues to insist that Russian cyber-warfare represents no threat to America and is not even worth investigating, he will be inviting the opposition of innumerable other Republicans. This marks the first of what will be several splits between Trump and a presumed docile Republican caucus--one that has just rediscovered separation of powers.

Susan Collins of Maine. She is the last remaining Republican moderate. Most of Trump's nominees have to be far too right wing or too weird for her. Will she stand up and vote no? She is immensely popular at home, and doesn't have to fear the retribution of Tea Party voters.

In August, Colins said could not vote for Trump. "My conclusion about Mr. Trump's unsuitability for office is based on his disregard for the precept of treating others with respect, an idea that should transcend politics," Sen. Collins wrote. "Instead, he opts to mock the vulnerable and inflame prejudices by attacking ethnic and religious minorities." Since then, Trump has only changed for the worse.



Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Not exactly a moderate, but not a wing-nut either. Do Murkowski and Collins really want to start hacking away at Social Security and Medicare, as proposed by Trump's nominee for HHS secretary, Rep Tom Price of Georgia? Murkowski sees the impact of climate change all over her home state. She is on record as saying that it's real "and we need to fight it." Does she really want an environment-basher and climate denier to head EPA?

Jeff Flake of Arizona. There is little love lost between Flake and Trump. Flake, a moderate on immigration, said in September that he could not vote for Trump, but disappointed many when he indicated he'd support Trump's far-right nominee for attorney general, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. But as other opposition builds, Flake may yet discover some spine.



Mike Lee of Utah and Ben Sasse of Nebraska. Both are conservative but both have made it clear that Trump is grossly unfit for office. In October, Lee asked Trump to step down as nominee. Sasse, who repeatedly criticized Trump, called on him to step aside in favor of Mike Pence. After the election, both seemed to fall in line behind Trump. But as other Republican senators defect on key issues like Trump's alliance with Putin, they could recover their voices as opponents.

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In theory, some of these senators might seem vulnerable to Tea Party or far-right retribution if they block Trump. But think harder. For every hater who voted for Trump as an avenging angel of personal vitriol, there were many who held their noses and supported him because of pocketbook frustrations, or because they didn't like Hillary Clinton. There is no groundswell of public opinion, even among Trump's base, for embracing Vladimir Putin, Goldman Sachs, or for deep cuts in Medicare and Social Security.

It's increasingly clear to anyone with a brain that Trump's personal temperament will be catastrophic in the White House. A president is called on to process complex information on dozens of issues, even in the absence of a crisis. Trump will simply be overwhelmed.

If closes his ears to facts, and governs by rumor, hunch and tweet, God only knows what will happen. This awful truth is beginning to sink in, even to Republicans who imagined Trump could serve their purposes.

It may be wishful to imagine an actual, coherent caucus of Republican Trump-resisters. More are likely are shifting alliances, in which some GOP senators block Trump on national security policy and appointments, while others challenge him on such issues as wildly unpopular cuts in Social Security and Medicare; and still others question his penchant for a perverse form of economic nationalism.

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But even before Trump takes office, the CIA/Putin affair suggests that the Trump-GOP honeymoon is over. There may even be a few old-fashioned Republicans whose first loyalty is to the Republic. Let's hope for some profiles in courage.
On October 17, Bernard Taper, one of my heroes, died. He was 98 years of age. Bernie spent his life as a journalist and educator. He also authored several outstanding books. But I knew him for his career as a Monuments Man. In 2005, when I chartered a course to tell these heroes' story, Bernie was the first Monuments Man I met; the first to open up and share his wartime experiences. In the years since, I would meet, interview--and become friends with--twenty others, but like most "firsts," the memory of that meeting made a lasting impression. His loss is a painful reminder that within the next five years, most of the World War II veterans--in our country we know them as the "Greatest Generation"--will be gone. My young son will grow up in a world where these brave men who saved and then changed our world will be known to him in history books, and through recounting my stories. That is an enormous loss for our society, and in the case of Bernie and the other thirteen Monuments Men and Women who have passed, a deeply personal loss for me.



My last meeting with Bernie at his home in Berkeley, CA.

Born in Scotland to Jewish immigrants from Poland and Romania, Bernie spent the first eleven years of his life living in London. In 1929, following the death of his father, this eleven-year old boy traversed the Atlantic aboard a small merchant ship that passed through the Panama Canal on its way to his new home, that of his grandparents who lived in Los Angeles.

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Bernie's curious mind was constantly absorbing knowledge: he learned to speak German listening to the radio. His interest in journalism blossomed at a young age. While attending Los Angeles High School he wrote and edited the school's newspaper. At the University of California at Berkeley he served as editor of the university's paper in addition to founding two student magazines. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 1943, he began writing articles for Agenda, the San Francisco-based magazine devoted to architecture and public planning. He later moved to New York City, where his journalistic ability flourished at some of the leading publications of the times including The Nation, The New Republic, and The New Yorker.

Following the United States' entry into World War II, Bernie was drafted into the U.S. Army. After working briefly in the San Francisco shipyards, he was officially inducted and attached to an anti-aircraft battalion. His unit trained in Death Valley, California, where the desert terrain was intended to prepare them for action against General Rommel's forces in Egypt and the Middle East. When I asked him why his battalion never saw active duty, he chuckled, and then told me that the only thing they ever hit was the plane towing the targets. Taper then enrolled in a thirteen-week Infantry Officer's Training School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he became a full United States citizen upon completion. He subsequently returned to the UC Berkeley to teach English to non-English speaking Army personnel.



Lt. Bernard Taper

In early summer 1946, Bernie become a Monuments Man stationed in Germany. He quickly put his journalistic skills to work tracking down leads to find still missing works of art that the Nazis had looted. Bernie worked alongside Monuments Men Edgar Breitenbach and Maj. Karol Estreicher, the Polish art restitution officer. His work with local German police forces created a vast network of information that helped the Monuments Men recover works of art looted from the famed Goudstikker collection, among others. He also pursued works of art belonging to the Adolphe Schloss collection, which the Nazis had stolen and stored in the basement of Hitler's Munich headquarters before mobs broke into the building and emptied it. One his more colorful cases involved hunting down works of art local townspeople in Berchtesgaden had taken from a train filled with objects looted by Nazi Reichsmarshall Hermann Goering. As too often happened during the void--the closing days before and after the official end of the war in Europe--looters had looted the Nazi loot making the work of the Monuments Men even more difficult. In 1948 Bernie visited Spandau prison, where he interrogated prominent Nazi officials including Albert Speer, Heinrich Hoffman, Baldur von Schirach, Walther Funk, Karl Haberstock, and Walter Hofer.

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Certainly Bernie's most prominent case remains a mystery today: the disappearance of Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man, stolen by the Nazis in 1939 from the Czartoryski collection in Kracow, Poland. Bernie and I discussed this case more than any other topic in our many hours of conversation. This painting, along with Leonardo da Vinci's Lady With an Ermine (also stolen from the Czartoryski collection), were the two most prominent masterpieces in Poland destined for Hitler's planned Fuhrermuseum. When the Monuments Men arrested Nazi Governor-General Hans Frank in early May 1945, they found the Leonardo, but there was no sign of the Raphael. When we last visited at his home in Berkeley, Bernie shared with me his various theories and recounted additional steps he wished he had taken. Sadly, despite his many accomplishments as a Monuments Officer, the missing Raphael haunted Bernie for the rest of his life.

Bernie left Germany in August 1948 and resumed his career as a successful journalist. During his service as a Monuments Man, he had continued writing and sent numerous articles back to the United States for publication. Following his years in New York City, Bernie returned to California. He worked for five years as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, during which time he received a Press Club award for his investigation of a housing discrimination case. In 1955 he returned to his academic studies and earned a Master's degree in English from Stanford University. The following year he began an almost forty-year term as a staff writer for the The New Yorker. From 1970 to 1998, in conjunction with his work with The New Yorker, Taper taught the next generation of journalists as Professor at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley.

A prolific writer, Bernie wrote numerous books, articles, and columns about subjects relating to the arts, civil rights, and urban affairs. His published works include Balanchine (1963), the authoritative biography of George Balanchine, the New York City Ballet's co-founder and hallmark choreographer, The Arts in Boston (1970), Cellist in Exile: A Portrait of Pablo Casals (1962), and Gomillion versus Lightfoot: The Right to Vote in Apartheid Alabama (1962). Taper also served as editor of the anthology Mark Twain's San Francisco (1963). In 2004 he donated his collection of photographs of George Balanchine to the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum.

I have many cherished memories in the company of this fine man. On June 6, 2007, the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings, we arranged for Bernie and his wife Gwen to travel to Washington to be present when I announced the creation of the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art. Earlier that day Congress had passed a resolution honoring the Monuments Men and women. Bernie, and three other Monuments Men he was meeting for the first time--Harry Ettlinger, James Reeds, and Horace Apgar--had a chance to be formally recognized for their service by several members of the House and Senate, including Congresswoman Kay Granger, and Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Hillary Clinton. But the prized moment was our visit to the National World War II Memorial. There, walking between the fountains representing the war's two theaters, looking at the names of the most prominent battles, I watched these aged war veterans, including my father, overwhelmed with gratitude to have survived, and grief for all those who did not.

In October 2015, Bernie would make one more journey before his death, once again to Washington, D.C., to attend the presentation ceremony of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the Monuments Men and Women, our nation's highest civilian honor. Four of the seven living Monuments Men and women attended, and nearly two-hundred family members of Monuments Men since passed. Seeing them honored by the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and praised by the leadership of both parties in Congress, fulfilled a dream I had held dear for nearly ten years. I can only imagine what it meant to them.



The Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in Washington, D.C. On October 22, 2015 (From left to right: Speaker of the House John Boehner; Monuments Men Harry Ettlinger and Richard Barancik; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; Monuments Woman Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite; Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; and Monuments Man Bernie Taper)

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That day, I was honored to be asked to speak about the Monuments Men before this august group. I closed my remarks with a thought about the importance of what men like Bernard Taper had achieved not just for their country, but for people of good will around the world. It bears repeating: "We live in hope that the wisdom of Monuments Man George Stout, the sacrifices of Monuments Men Balfour and Huchthausen, and the dedication of all those who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section, will not reside in our memory, rather that they will live on in our hearts to inspire us to do a far better job protecting and preserving those things of knowledge and beauty that we have inherited from the past."

Bernie hated war. Germany's smashed cities embarrassed him. But this only strengthened his resolve to do everything possible to help others by locating and returning works of art and other cultural objects to their rightful owners. Bernie believed that the work of the Monuments Men and Women was a noble endeavor, an undertaking that would reestablish the rule of law and for him at least, make some sense of the destruction that surrounded him. Yes, he was a journalist, and an educator, and an author, but he was also one of the millions of citizen soldiers who helped build and shape the world we have inherited, a world based on basic human decency and shared sacrifice. I miss Bernie; I miss that world.

With his death, there are now just six living Monuments Men; four men, and two women, one British.

* * *

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In this week's episode of Scheer Intelligence, Robert Scheer sits down with fellow USC Annenberg School for Communication professor Richard Reeves.

Reeves, a longtime journalist, recently published a new book, Infamy: The Shocking Story of Japanese American Internment in World War II. Using this knowledge, Reeves examines the parallels between president-elect Donald Trump's rhetoric and that used to justify the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII.

"What does this election mean for the country? Are we opening the doors to a kind of fascism?" Scheer asks Reeves.

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"With Trump, we're in uncharted waters," Reeves says. "He's a hyperactive kid who's lived in a bubble for his whole life."

The two also compare journalistic practices from the two eras, and Reeves argues that contemporary journalists didn't take Trump seriously during the primaries and that this contributed to his success.

Listen to the full interview below:
Most people don't realize that Dubai is more than just BurjKhalifa, shiny shopping malls and expensive cars.Infact, Dubai has some fascinating natural landscapes which people tend to overlook. In this article, I will break down all activities in the UAE based on the 3 different types of landscapes present in the country.

Landscape #1: Water/Sea

Probably the most important component of UAE's landscape is the shore line, with access to the waters of the Arabian Gulf (West Coast) and the Indian Ocean on the East Coast.

The sea has been historically an enormously important aspect of both local culture and trade. The UAE historically has placed itself on the map through Pearl Diving and Trade conducted on Dhows.

Scuba Diving

Although most people don't associate the UAE with a top tier diving destination, it's an activity that is very much alive in the country and on the West Coast - there are some extremely pleasant dives.

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There are plenty of healthy coral reefs, and divers are often shocked by the occasional Whale Shark.

The highlights of dives in Dubai are murray eels, sting rays, schools of barracuda and plenty of macro opportunities like nudibranchs.

Deep Sea Fishing

Most people don't associate the UAE with fishing. Although fishing in Dubai cannot be compared to the likes of the Bahamas, the fishing still stand as one of the nest outdoor experience in Dubai.

The best fishing season is December to March and the most common catch is barracuda, king fish, trevally, cobia and the occasional blue fin tuna.

This activity is not recommended for people prone to seasickness or families with small children.

Palm Island Sea Cruise

For those who are less into killing animals, or want a different kind of experience, the most common activity is a Cruise around the Palm Island and Dubai Marina Canal.

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This 'best of' route is common across virtually operators and covers:

Circumvent the Palm Island

Burj Al Arab from the Sea

Jumeirah Coastline

World Islands

Dubai Marina Canal

The trip is less scary for the less seafaring visitors since the shore-line is always insight.The duration of the trip is less and there is constant movement which usually reduces the chances of seasickness.Another possibility in this areas is Stand Up Paddle Boarding.

Dhow Cruise Dinner

A 'Dhow' is a traditional wooden Arabic vessel that historically has been used for trading as well as just general movement up and down the coast as well as to further destinations like India or Iran.

In recent years, local operators have converted these vessels into floating restaurants and created a very popular activity. The floating restaurants basically offer a cruise with a dinner and usually a live show onboard 'Dhows'.

These cruises are offered in 2 areas of Dubai - the Creek (old part of town) and Dubai Marina (new part of town). Both have their upsides, but Dubai Marina is usually offers a classier experience, with most of the boats in the creek quite run down.

This activity is perfect for non-seafaring visitors and eliminates the risk of seasickness entirely, as well as providing a comfortable dining experience to go along with the cruising.

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Landscape #2: Sand/Desert

The desert is definitely an extremely definitive component of the UAE. Like the sea, the desert is an extremely fascinating, beautiful, and mesmerizing landscape. The local Emiratis have been surviving in its unfriendly environment for centuries.

A very common activity in the UAE, amongst both locals and visitors is off-roading in the desert, aka 'dune bashing'.

Essentially, it is cruising around the desert on powerful SUV's with purposely deflated tyres. Sometimes it is done on quad bikes, buggies or motor bikes.

The most common & mainstream activity for visitors is the 'Desert Safari'.

Desert Safari

The standard desert safari trip sold by most operators usually consists of around 45 minutes of rather 'conservative' dune bashing, followed by arrival at a Desert Camp, where guests get fed a buffet dinner along with live performances of belly dancing and 'tanura' dancing.

Horse Riding

Another important aspect of life in the UAE is horse riding and is a great way to experience the desert is on a horse.

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Normally, the tours are perfect for beginners and will take you into rather flat parts of the desert where no special training is required. Interacting with the horses before and after the riding is definitely a big component of the appeal of this trip.

Landscape #3: Mountains

The least known aspect of the UAE is the mountains which are prevalent on the East Coast of the Country. It is rather unfortunate that most people are really not aware of this. The mountains are perhaps the most beautiful part of the country.

Musandam Trip

Musandam is an area which technically belongs to Oman, but is separated from the mainland of Oman.

The area is truly breath taking with 'fjords' dipping straight into the ocean.

The mix of mountains and the ocean is really beautiful and easily one of the most beautiful experiences in the UAE, and even the world.

It is also the best area to dive in the UAE.

From Dubai, most of the trips are day trips that pick you up, drive you to 'Dibba', where you board a Dhow and cruise up and down the Musandam Peninsula, usually with a lunch and some hand line fishing opportunities.

East Coast Tour

Another way to visit the East Coast is with an East Coast Tour- a day trip with a tour guide which will take you the country's oldest mosque, a drive to the area and a lunch at one of the hotels on the coast line.

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Although less breath taking than the Musandam Day trip - its still a good experience overall and a great way to view the East part of the country.

Mountain Climbing

For adrenaline junkies, viewing the mountains isn't enough, and climbing them is a must. The UAE is awesome since it offers some hikeable/climbable mountains without too much regulations and quite a few operators offering these services.

Although naturally a more risky endeavour, it will also take you to a view above the others.
Having been in the Washington D.C. area for a fair amount of time and having read a few of the really good contributions to the most recent Groundviews series, I got to thinking -- about initially trying to understand the country and getting acquainted with this website. In a way, we'll be going from Columbia University to Wayfarer's Inn on Rosmead Place to Omanthai to Jaffna. There'll be time for the byroads of Kilinochchi and the Eastern province too. We'll spend fleeting moments all over Colombo. We won't really spend any time on the beaches because I wouldn't know what I'm talking about.

In 2010, I remember sitting in a dull classroom at Columbia. I'd signed on with a small group of people to do a consultancy project with a Colombo-based grant-making organization. This was an integral part of the academic program and it would require travel to the island. Students rank preferences for projects and then are assigned in a somewhat opaque fashion.

To be clear, working on Egypt was my first choice. Sri Lanka was my second. For better or worse, being assigned to a Sri Lanka-related project in 2010 ended up changing, reshaping and redirecting the past six years of my life. That was the moment that led to all the other moments. That was a choice that didn't seem all that consequential at the time. In retrospect, it was a big deal. And it's humbling for me to say that because it's humbling to acknowledge that life can be that unpredictable, that one's situation can be that precarious, that you never really know what's going to happen.

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And so back to our group at Columbia in 2010.

The team was full of interesting, impressive people. Towards the end of that first meeting, we were talking about staying apprised of current events. Since our academic supervisor for the project was Sri Lankan, we just put the question to her directly.

"What should we be reading?"

"What are some good sites to check out?"

I don't remember precisely what was conveyed, but it was clear that Groundviews was an important site. And really, that's where things started to get interesting.

If you're new to the scene, or even relatively new, Groundviews, isn't the easiest site to navigate. It's not a website that has training wheels. There is no version for people who are not relatively familiar or deeply immersed in Sri Lankan affairs.

I really like and respect that.

So, there is a fairly steep Groundviews learning curve. Just as there is a steep Sri Lanka learning curve. And so, I was doing the reading as much as I could. And I did the consultancy project; we presented our findings publicly at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs shortly before our graduation in 2011. And I remember thinking that I really enjoyed the project and that Sri Lanka was an incredibly complicated and fascinating place.

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Then I went job searching.

Someone in Washington or New York would hire me, of course. Yet that didn't happen. And I'm not a patient person and I didn't wait around that long. There was a chance to go back to Sri Lanka, a unique opportunity, and I took it.

I moved to Sri Lanka in August of 2011. That's when I really started to appreciate Groundviews. In 2012, I appreciated the site even more. And then in 2013 and 2014 things got dark. There was Groundviews and there was gossip. There was Dharisha Bastians too. Of course, there were other journalists doing good work. However, when it came to really speaking out, plenty of the content on Groundviews and many of Dharisha's pieces truly stood out. That I remember vividly.

There was also me hiding at checkpoints and pretending that I didn't exist in the North. There was an almost constant reminder that I didn't belong, that I wasn't welcome. And, the space for dissent was shrinking somewhat quickly. I had friends and colleagues who were worried about what might come next.

I had the privilege of contributing a short piece to the Groundviews series that dealt with the end of the war, "Five Years On." It was a brief and emotional article that compelled me to really think (again) about my time in the country. Those reflections were another reminder that some of the most important human rights work is neither glamorous nor fully appreciated. In fact, some of the most impressive people I know don't have public profiles. And indirectly, yet certainly, Groundviews has played a role here as well. On the one hand, the site caters to a more sophisticated, English-speaking audience. On the other, it's a platform to tell stories, share and debate fervently. It's a wholehearted embrace of pluralism. It helps ensure that crucial perspectives are taken into consideration, that a range of significant voices are part of the discussion.

It's easy to wonder if the journey is more important than the destination. It's easy to wonder why life isn't a little bit easier to understand, or why the signals aren't a bit clearer. But again, there are no training wheels; there's only thinking and doing and acting and making mistakes and learning.

So, when you move to a new country, find the news or opinion outlets that matter. Stay out of your comfort zone. Be aware of how much you don't know. Let the local discussion be your lodestar. Read until your eyes hurt. Learn by listening -- and don't ever stop listening.

There is so much to learn.
It's this time of the year when the promise of peace and goodwill seems especially precious to me. Maybe even more so this year, which has unfolded against a backdrop of divisiveness, community unrest, a negative election cycle, and growing disparity. The images and messages affect all of us, including the youngest members of our society. A report by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that "teachers have noticed increased bullying, harassment and intimidation of students."

We know there is an antidote to this growing crisis. Volunteering gives young people the opportunity to practice putting themselves in others' shoes, to develop empathy and compassion. According to TeenLife.com, teens who volunteer develop an increased sense of social responsibility - a global view of society and a heart for giving back and helping others. In addition, Marilyn Price Mitchell, Ph.D., says that volunteer opportunities help "young people understand how they fit into society to how they can help solve societal problems. This developmental process grows empathy and fosters children's identities as engaged citizens."

Youth service drives compassion and inclusion and is key to creating change and uniting communities. Our goal is to support, celebrate and be led by kids and teens who are serving and solving real world problems through volunteerism, all while developing compassion for others.

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That's why I'm so excited about the Joy Maker Challenge, and so grateful to Hasbro, Inc. for sponsoring this effort, now in its seventh year. Powered by generationOn, the youth service division of Points of Light, the campaign gives kids and teens a way to give back and spread joy during the holiday season by engaging in volunteer service and acts of kindness. Since the Joy Maker Challenge campaign started in 2010, nearly 865,000 acts of service have been completed by youth worldwide, resulting in $6 million worth of toys and games being donated to Toys for Tots by Hasbro, Inc.

Xolo Mariduena is one of 100 Kindness Ambassadors for the Joy Maker Challenge. He recently led a joint service project in Los Angeles that brought young people together and connected them to the community. In this project, local youth from 9 Street Elementary, located in LA's Skid Row, wrote letters and made cards for senior citizens in nursing homes to let them know someone is thinking about them during the holidays. The activity gave them the chance to see that they can make a difference. After the service project, attendees had the opportunity to pick out a toy or game, enjoy music and holiday activities.

This is just one of the many incredible examples of young people who are leading positive change every day. And this year, through the Joy Maker Challenge, our goal is to engage 100,000 kids in service. From making gift packages for patients in children's hospitals, to making decorations for a local senior center - the Joy Maker Challenge encourages and celebrates young people's involvement in meaningful, hands-on service in their community.

As we look toward a New Year, I am so inspired by the young volunteers making a difference. I hope they inspire others to serve, and ultimately to see past differences and band together for a more unified, peaceful world. I challenge you to join us this year and be a Joy Maker!

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It's about 2 p.m. in July 15. An air force major, known only by his initials as H.A., leaves the military headquarters in Ankara. He is in a hurry, and very concerned. Stopping a taxi, he asks the driver to drive to the district of Yenimahalle.

He doesn't know the exacts address. 'Take me to the National Intelligence headquarters, to MIT compound' he says.

The driver assures him. 'I know where, right away sir!' he responds.

At 2.45 p.m. the major H.A. is inside the secret service headquarters, meeting a top official.

He explains that he had some some serious intel about an uprising underway in the military that day, and -- according to one version of the story -- adds that the head of the secret service, Hakan Fidan, would be kidnapped or assassinated.

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He is shortly after taken for another debrief by a superior MIT officer and is found credible.

This meeting sets to motion series of meetings in the Turkish capital, some eight hours before the bloody coup attempt that has shattered Turkey up to this day, with huge consequences.

These details emerged in a newly published book, titled '24 Saat' (24 Hours), by our colleague with CNNTurk, Hande Frat, whose FaceTime interview with President Erdogan in the night of the uprising is widely believed to have led to the failure of the putschists.

By and large, Frat's book is an eyewitness account of the intense hours, including those of the other witnesses, including also some data. Its value lies in the fact that it is first of its kind shedding some light on the course of events.

There is nothing odd about the fact that almost no books from independent observers were published in Turkey, although nearly five months passed since then. Unless one sticks to the official narrative or sheer propaganda by the AKP, author of any work which critically scrutinizes the deep background of the coup attempt, risks being declared as 'siding with the terrorists', branded by Erdogan, as FETO (Fethullahist Terror Organisation).

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Paradoxically, perhaps, Frat's book helps raise new questions and make the existing ones even more dense.

Who is major H.A.?

This remained a mystery until an AKP deputy, Selcuk Ozdag, who is also a member of the so-called 'Coup Inquiry Commission' of Turkish Parliament, revealed recently that not only the major but also a foot soldier had acted as an informant that afternoon about the uprising. Then, Ozdag told something that sounded bizarre, that both of them were since then kept in police custody. 'For their own safety' he added.

Logically, these two army members would have been declared heroes. Instead, they spend their days behind bars in the unknown.

One wonders, really, why.

Almost five months after the coup attempt, which cost 246 citizens' lives, for many Turkish journalists to get to the truth is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But there are a handful of us who are determined to put bits and pieces together, no matter how long it takes. We know that the truth has a habit of winning at the end.

There are many bits and pieces now, and they don't really add up.

One detail comes from the testimony of Colonel Davut Ala to the 'Coup Commission'. Ala was the commander of a military barrack in Istanbul. He testified that at 5.04 pm he received an SMS that was sent en masse to key officers in Istanbul area. The message lined up at least ten large districts and all land and sea public lines and said that alarm on 'acts of terror' was issued for three days, from July 15 through the end of July 17.

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Ala found it odd. 'Normally such an alarm would mention one area and one day, not full three days' said Ala. 'It was clear there was a preparation for uprising.' Nobody asked if he had informed his superiors.

What happened following the hasty visit by the major H.A. to MIT makes the plot even thicker.

At 4.20 pm, Hakan Fidan, secret service czar, has a telephone call with the Deputy Chief of Staff. At 4.30, he talks, over the phone again, with the top general of Turkish Army, Hulusi Akar. Fidan sends his deputy to the army headquarters at 6 pm. And, he goes to visit Akar at 6.30 pm.

What happened between 6.30 pm and 10 pm - when the coup attempt started - is more or less blank. What did Fidan and Akar talk about? Some reports say that Fidan briefed the general about suspicions on an assassination attempt to him from within the military. He mentions Aknc Air Base - the epicenter of putchists - and - the narrative goes - Akar, more or less shrugging, orders his Land Forces Commander 'to go and have a look what's going on there'. The commander leaves soon after, only to be manhanded and kidnapped at the base.

Meanwhile, Fidan - the alleged target of assassination rumours - walks out of the headquarters, to remain incommunicado until late after the coup attempt starts. (A news report said he had gone to a birthday party.) We know also, that he reports to neither Erdogan, nor Prime Minister Yldrm that day. The latter reproached him afterwards for his neglect to do.

Another baffling detail is that Akar continues to sit at his office, issues a flight ban of the military aircraft form bases, but fails to alarm the entire top echelon of the army nationwide. He remains bizarrely unalarmed even if he is not contacted back by his Land Forces Commander he sent to 'check' the military air base.

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He fails also - we may conclude at this point - to interpret such a major threat to head of secret service as a top national security matter, including a coup as a probability.

Then, he is himself taken hostage at about 8.30 pm by putschist units in his office. Two top air force generals are rounded up at a wedding in Istanbul at around 11 pm, seemingly uninformed about the havoc.

It is as if Akar had lost his judgment in alarming them- unless, of course, there is some other motive.

Did Erdogan and the army know something was 'cooking'? In hindsight, a colleague, Fehmi Koru, drew a week ago attention to two consecutive columns written by a staunchly pro-government and 'deeply informed' columnist, Fuat Ugur, in April 2 and 21.

In these columns published by Turkiye daily, Ugur claimed the prominent Gulenist figures had gathered in Ankara in early spring, and started plotting a coup with some officers, who were blackmailed by Gulenists to do as they wanted, he argued. Then, he concluded with a warning to 'Gulenist officers': 'The state and the top command knows everything you do, and is prepared for the crime that you intend to commit.'

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In a most recent indictment against some 60 officers, who in the night of the coup were part of attacking Istanbul's eastern airport, Sabiha Gokcen, the prosecutor argues that the putchists in greater Istanbul area had secretly met at a major military barracks between July 12 through the early morning of July 14 - in a total of 54 hours! Can there be any chance at all that the top command of the army had not known about meetings that last uninterruptibly for so long? Has nobody suspected anything subversive about it all?

Then comes the 'coup de grace' type of statement at a parliamentary debate, by Minister of Defence, Fikri some days ago. Pointing out that around 150 generals are in jail with alleged links to the coup attempt, Isk said: 'How come, that 150 generals attempt a coup and the headquarters do not know of it? We can not just pull it off by blaming a single chief of staff...' (One wonders, also, how come NATO intelligence was out of the loop in such clandestine activity, if it really was..)

Almost five months having passed, the 'Coup Inquiry Commission' has systematically rejected the opposition demands that the three key figures of July 15, President Erdogan, Chief of Staff Hulusi Akar and the MIT Chief, Hakan Fidan are called to testify. It emerges as clear that both Akar and Fidan failed to fulfill their duties that day, responsible for oversight in not alarming the state apparatus; yet, they are still in duty, oddly. It has been the chairman and members of the commission, who are members of the AKP, who keep voting against it. The issue of inviting Presdent himself was also swept under the carpet.

When asked two days ago, what he thinks about the work of the Commission, Erdogan was blunt and clear:

'It has achieved in its work what it was supposed to achieve' he said. 'Now, it will be appropriate, if it takes the final steps, finalise its report and submit it, and finish its mission.'

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Amid treasurer race, where Kansas puts its money is increasing an issue
A South Philadelphia man already convicted for attempted murder will face an extended prison term after being convicted for another count of attempted homicide and fraud for the alleged scams that operated out of his auto shop.Ronald Galati Sr. is facing from 14-and-a-half years to 29 years in prison for the offenses, and was ordered to pay almost $2 million to the companies he swindled and another $200,000 to the city, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said through his office.Regional publication The Metro also reported that Galati Sr.s son faces penalties for being an accessory to his offenses. Ronald Galati Jr. will spend nearly two years in house arrest, and pay up to $450,000 in damages to the city and to Erie Insurance.Robert Otterson, a former city employee who did not contest the charge of conspiracy for his role in the scam and perjury, will be sentenced within the week.Prosecutors alleged that while Otterson was bringing city vehicles to American Collision, the shop owned by the Galatis, for repairs, the senior Galati overbilled the city, charging as much as three times the job hours he actually completed.A March statement outlining the charges against the elder Galati said: Galati Sr. secured the contract because he colluded with Robert Otterson, who was a fleet management team leader and licensed appraiser, to manipulate the bidding process. Otterson not only told Galati the amount he should bid for the city contract, but he also passed American Collision through the preliminary inspection despite the fact that the shop did not own the required welder.
Congressman Prices state has already tested the waters of interstate insurance sales as Georgia legislature passed a law in 2011 that allows carriers to sell policies offered in other states to Georgia residents.

Proponents of the law say it allows them to go around Georgias required benefit inclusions, such as cervical cancer screenings, monitoring for prostate and colorectal cancer, and mammograms - which allows them to reduce the sticker price of their policies. Indeed the ACA has a similar provision, which has been in effect since January, which allows individual states to enter agreements to let health insurance companies sell policies across their borders.

However, critics are panning the measure because they believe it will undermine competitiveness in the market.

Cindy Zeldin, executive director of consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future, explained that interstate sales would erode rights and protections for health care consumers, complicate their efforts to find in-network providers, and do little to nothing to improve affordability in an interview with the Albany Herald.

More than half a million residents in Georgia could lose their coverage if ACA is replaced without an appropriate replacement, Zeldin added.

Buying a health insurance plan from Texas or Idaho isnt going to solve the problem, and would leave consumers in Georgia with little recourse if they were treated unfairly by an insurance company based in another state or in cases of fraud, she concluded.





Related stories:

Evergreen unable to sell insurance as it awaits approval

Insurance start-up Clover aims to "reinvent" health care
Drivers in Ohio say the state keeps checking the same people for proof of coverage, while the states insurance body insists the checks are random.Car insurance is mandatory in Ohio and the states Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sends letters to thousands of car owners to demand they provide evidence of coverage.The problem, drivers allege, is that the same people keep getting these letters while other drivers who may or may not have the mandatory insurance arent made to supply proof.Lawrence Dunlevy told an NBC affiliate in Dayton, WDTN, that his car is eight-years-old and in eight years hes been selected three times to prove he has car insurance.It just seems to be out of the eight million drivers in the state of Ohio we now know that Lawrence Dunlevy has insurance so maybe we should move on and start looking at other people that may or may not have insurance, Dunlevy said.The BMV said drivers arent being picked-on and its selection process goes through a mathematical sequence randomly picking out drivers from a poll of 10,000 at a time.The BMV doesnt make the selections, contracting out a third-party vendor instead.Drivers who have been selected to provide proof arent supposed to receive those letters again - the system is meant to skip over them when it selects 5,400 drivers out of the pool of 10,000.Almost all, 96%, of drivers send in their proof of insurance by the deadline, the BMV said.The remaining 4% are suspended.

Related stories:

From the road to the air, the evolving use of telematics

Japanese cars are the safest on the road in 2017, says IIHS
The Hoosic River, runs alongside the former Photech mill property, where one of the former mill buildings is proposed to be converted to apartments. The plan for the 5-acre town-owned site at 330 Cole Ave. in Williamstown. PreviousNext

Williamstown Conservation Commission OKs Cole Avenue Project



Andy Kawczak of the Hoosic River Watershed Association addresses the Conservation Commission on Thursday.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The effort to create 46 units of subsidized housing on a town-owned site cleared an important regulatory hurdle on Thursday night.



But it likely will be a couple of years before any shovels go in the ground.



The Conservation Commission has approved the development plan for the former Photech mill property at 330 Cole Ave.



The commission is responsible for reviewing the stormwater management plan both during and after construction as well as how the project will impact the flood control and the habitats associated with the Hoosic River, which runs alongside the 5-acre property to the north.



On Thursday, it continued a hearing on the 330 Cole Ave. project and reviewed rulings from the commonwealth's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and Fisheries and Wildlife.



With the condition that the developer follow those state-issued guidelines along with the rest of the 88-page development plan, the commissioners voted unanimously to allow Berkshire Housing Development Corp. and Boston's Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development to build four new town-house buildings while constructing apartments inside the existing former mill building, known in town as "the cube."



What is unknown to town officials or the developers is how long it will take to secure financing for the project. But planners want to have all the permitting in place and make sure the project is "shovel ready" for when that day comes.



BHDC President Elton Ogden told the Con Comm on Thursday that the developers hope to submit their application to the commonwealth's Office of Housing and Economic Development this winter.



"The intent is to be able to file the major application, which is due Feb. 16," Ogden said. "That will be for the lion's share of financing, including the tax credit allocation.  The generally make their announcements in July. Then it typically takes four to five months to close.



"The best case scenario is that by late 2017, we could be ready to mobilize and start construction.



"The reality is the line is long for that funding, and it's more likely it will go to a second application. That would extend the timeline out another year."



The last time Williamstown was home to a tax credit-funded project, the senior housing project at Highland Woods was approved by the state on an expedited timeline because it was helping to replace some of the homes lost at the former Spruces Mobile Home Park.



There is not the same urgency this time around, but Ogden said that he still thinks the developers have a strong case to get funding  if not in the 2017 allocations than in '18.



"This project has many attributes the state supports," Ogden said. "It's taking a vacant, brownfield site and putting it to use. It's producing housing that has great need. Frankly, there hadn't been a lot of affordable housing in this town. The town has been supportive of it of late. That makes a huge difference to the state as well.



"I don't anticipate a major, major delay."
Williams College Admits 257 to Class of 2021 in Early Decision Plan

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Williams College has offered admission to 257 students under its Early Decision plan. These students make up nearly 47 percent of the incoming Class of 2021, whose ultimate target size is 550.



Richard Nesbitt, director of admission, said 728 students applied, a 25 percent increase over last year and a record number for Early Decision.



"We were particularly pleased with the increase in applications from high-achieving, low-income students, which I attribute to our intensive efforts to extend our message of access and affordability to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds," he said.



The admitted students represent 209 secondary schools around the world. Thirty-four states are represented, with the largest numbers coming from New York (52), Massachusetts (45), California (28), Connecticut (13), Maryland (11), Florida (9), New Jersey (9), and Virginia (7). Six students come from each of the states of Illinois, Ohio, and Texas. The 12 international students admitted represent nine countries: Bangladesh, Canada, China, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.



Of the 257 admitted students, 140 identify as men, 94 as women. One identifies as agender and 22 students did not respond to an optional question about gender identity (but did answer a required binary question that appears on the application).






iciHaiti - FLASH : A Haitian trader shot dead in La Romana (DR)





A man of Haitian nationality was shot dead by two individuals while working in his poultry business located on the main street of the municipality of Villa Hermosa in La Romana in the Dominican Republic.



The victim, identified as "Ilevie Petisan", died when two people aboard a motorcycle came down and ordered goods, and then they shot him at close range before escaping, according to witnesses.



The units of the Criminal Investigation Department (DICRIM) and Prosecutor Victor Ramon Camacho Padua went to the scene to initiate an investigation accompanied by the forensic pathologist Dr. Benito Kelly for the lifting of the body which was taken to the morgue of the public hospital for legal purposes.



SL/ iciHaiti


















Hearing loss  when to see your physician and why

Rochester, Minnesota - Make an appointment to have your hearing evaluated now. Most health care providers recommend a baseline hearing check at 50 and then regularly scheduled follow-up assessments after that based on your individual needs.

Hearing loss that occurs gradually with age is common. About 25 percent of people in the U.S. between 55 and 64 have some hearing loss. For those older than 65, that number is closer to 50 percent.

In many people, hearing loss is related to the aging process, along with persistent exposure to loud noises over time. Genetics may play a role in some cases, too. Other factors, such as excessive earwax, can temporarily prevent your ears from conducting sounds as well as they should and may add to hearing problems.

Most types of hearing loss cannot be reversed. That doesnt mean, however, that you simply have to put up with not being able to hear. There are effective management options that can help improve your hearing and make it easier for you to interact with the people around you.

To identify the extent and cause of hearing loss, you need a comprehensive hearing evaluation. That usually involves your health care provider first doing a physical exam of your ears to see if factors such as earwax, inflammation or problems with the structure of your ears may be contributing to hearing loss. He or she may ask you questions about your medical history and any communication difficulties youve had.

If that points to possible hearing loss, your health care provider likely will recommend a more thorough hearing evaluation with an audiologist. For that, you sit in a soundproof room, wear earphones and hear sounds directed to one ear at a time. During the evaluation, a range of sounds in various tones are presented, and you indicate each time you hear the sound. Each tone is repeated at faint levels to find the softest you can hear. The responses are recorded on a graph known as an audiogram. You also may be asked to sit quietly as additional tests are performed to evaluate the function of your ears.

If your hearing assessment reveals hearing loss, your audiologist can talk with you about the management options that fit your situation, as well as any additional follow-up needed. A variety of hearing aids are available that can make sounds stronger and easier to hear. For more severe hearing loss, a cochlear implant may be an option. Unlike a hearing aid that amplifies sound and directs it into your ear, a cochlear implant compensates for parts of your inner ear that may not be working.

Even if you dont have hearing loss now, a hearing assessment at this time is useful. If you experience hearing loss over time, your health care provider can look at the results of this baseline test to see how your hearing has changed.

No matter what the outcome of your evaluation, take steps to protect your hearing. Remember, the louder the sound, the less time you should be around it. When you wear headphones, keep the volume safe. With headphones on, you should still be able to hear someone talking to you in a normal voice an arms length away. Wear hearing protection when youre around noisy tools, equipment or firearms.

Talk with your health care provider about how often you need your hearing checked. Many factors can impact your hearing health care. For example, people who frequently work around, or are exposed to, loud noise may need hearing tests more often. - Gayla Poling, Ph.D., Audiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Attack at St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo

Washington, DC - The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack today on Christian worshippers outside St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo that has killed more than 25 people and injured dozens more.

Secretary Kerry spoke this morning with Foreign Minister Shoukry to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and our best wishes to those who must now recover from their injuries.

As the Secretary also made clear, the United States will continue to stand with the people of Egypt as they face threats from terrorist organizations and work to achieve a stable, secure, and prosperous future.
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Star Wars fans have been waiting patiently a year for this, and not without a touch of trepidation.

Rogue One marks the first of Disney's ambitious set of spin-off anthology films, this first entry following a wayward band of Rebel fighters brought together for one improbable mission: steal the plans for the Death Star.

These events, of course, directly link into the first scenes of A New Hope; when Princess Leia is seen concealing the plans in R2-D2 before she's captured by the Galactic Empire.

It's been something of a risk for the studio, with the film's self-advertised gritty, war film tone an important step outside of what's come before; a crucial move in expanding the possibilities of what a Star Wars film can be ahead of the likes of the upcoming young Han Solo spin-off.

Well, there's good news aplenty to be found at the film's world premiere, with the first official reactions hailing Rogue One as a triumphant addition to the franchise; perfectly fitting in while providing both treats for hardcore fans, and blockbuster delights for the uninitiated.

The film largely centres around Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso: a criminal misfit who becomes entangled in the Rebellion's ambitious, and resolutely dangerous, schemes. Donnie Yen, Diego Luna, Jian Wen, Forest Whitaker, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen and Ben Mendelsohn also star.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits UK cinemas 15 December.
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It looks as if that first trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming was pretty well received, then.

Sony has jumped on the positive hype surrounding the hero's first film since Marvel Studios and Sony reached a deal to share rights to the character, and integrate him within the MCU, leading to his first onscreen appearance (as played by Tom Holland) in this year's Captain America: Civil War.

The studio has confirmed that not only will Homecoming be receiving (a yet unnamed) sequel, but the film will be set for a 5 July, 2019 release date (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Sony's announcement also involved a slight shift in release date for Bad Boys 4, which will now open 24 May, 2019; following a third announced Bad Boys film on 12 January, 2018.

The Spider-Man solo sequel will form part of a six-picture deal Holland has signed, including three solo films and three other appearances within the MCU - presumably including the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War.

Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Show all 10 1 /10 Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) First introduction, art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963) First solo series, art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Spider-Man (TV: 1967-70) Origin of the Spider-Man theme song, voiced by Paul Soles. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War The Amazing Spider-Man (TV: 1977-79) Played Nicholas Hammond. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Spider-Man (2002) Directed by Sam Raimi, played by Tobey Maguire. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Spider-Man 3 (2007) Symbiote Spider-Man. Directed by Sam Raimi, played by Tobey Maguire. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1 (2011) First introduction of Miles Morales as Spider-Man, art by Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) Directed by Marc Webb, played by Andrew Garfield. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) Directed by Marc Webb, played by Andrew Garfield. Evolution of Spider-Man: from the comics to Captain America: Civil War Captain America: Civil War (2016) Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, played by Tom Holland.



Spider-Man: Homecoming skips over the hero's overdone origin story and instead sees him attempting to balance high school drama and superhero responsibilities, hoping to prove himself to Tony Stark that he has what it takes to become an Avenger.

Spider-Man: Homecoming hits UK cinemas 7 July, 2017.
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When getting to know GIRLIs hyperactive, anything-goes pop, the best starting point is through one of her mixtapes. Shadowing as a twisted homage to pirate radio, her two GIRLI.FM shows are messed up, junk-filled introductions. On her latest, she impersonates Anne Robinson on The Weakest Link, envisages an episode of Take Me Out where Donald Trump gets buzzed off, and recounts late-night party conversations with her friends. All while this is happening, she throws in a dozen demos, half-finished ideas and off-the-cuff takes. In truth, these works are less like actual mixtapes, more like hearing her weird imagination spilled out in song form, warts and all.

As she neatly puts it, this is the sound of me vomiting out my brain. An exciting prospect for some, a gross one for others. In her short existence, the outspoken north London newcomer  real name Milly Toomey  has pissed off as many people as shes brought on board. Songs go for the jugular  new single F*** Right Off Back to LA being as brash as it gets  and its enough to make hesitant bystanders flock for the hills. Speaking ahead of another sold-out London show, however, its clear the all-pink-sporting star wouldnt have it any other way.

Ive been trolled quite a few times, she says, readily admitting that many dont see eye-to-eye with her music or opinions. I got trolled by The 1975 fans on Twitter. Ill probably get trolled again if this is in the article, she begins, clarifying: I like their songs. I respect them for where they are. But the album title [I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it]... I thought it was the most stupid thing ever. So I tweeted, I Like It When You Name Your Album A Twatty Title, For Youre So Pretentious Yet So Unaware Of It. I was on the train, thinking, Im so funny and that five people might pick up on it. I logged in two hours later and it was exploding with hate. Her account was invaded with abuse (Youre s***! I hate your hair!), mostly personal slights. I made fun of a bands album title, they said something about my family!

GIRLI, a star for 2017, has been accused of making up a persona and creating her own fictional world

At this point, GIRLI is fairly used to barrages of hate. At one of her first shows  not exactly subdued affairs, these tend to consist of tampons being thrown from the stage and screwed up beats breaking venue speakers  someone came up to her, while she was on stage, and handed her a note that read, Youre shit. Things could only get better. And for every naysayer willing to express their hate, she picks up a bunch of enthusiastic, sugar-pop-happy fans hanging off her every word.

After even just a few minutes in her company, its clear GIRLI The Popstar isnt remotely separate from Girli The Actual Person. In the past, shes been accused of making up a persona and creating her own fictional world. Not exactly a crime in the first place, but it doesnt hold true. Within seconds of saying hello, shes recounting stories from last weekends parties, dissing venue cloakrooms (Dont charge me 2 to keep my coat safe. I want to mosh) and talking about how live music in London is losing its dirtiness due to too many rules and restrictions. Everything is out in the open, right down to those troublemaking tweets and social medias latest additive, Instagram Stories (Thats been a bad development for me, she jokes).

With the hype wheel spinning, at this time of year talk begins to turn to 2017. GIRLI is right at the heart of the conversation, alongside a bunch of young, opinionated acts eager to make a point, even if it might ward off potential fans. Just last week, go-to tip Declan McKenna was arguing with Piers Morgan on Twitter. Fellow 2017 hopeful Jorja Smith penned her first song, Blue Lights, about police brutality. GIRLI is similarly screwed-on. Politics is part and parcel of her early material. Brash single Girls Get Angry Too, released earlier this year, is a vital celebration of female identity.

Its impossible to be a musician in 2016 without being partly politicised, but GIRLI has a history of this. At 15, she was the deputy Youth MP, campaigning after she felt the need to change the world. After being very academic in school, her brush with politics arrived exactly when she entered a massive rebellious grungy phase. Theres footage of her speaking in Parliament with an untucked shirt, sleeves rolled up. I remember being like, F*** you all! And I remember all these kids from the countryside coming up to me like, Oh, you live in Camden do you? With all the punks! But yeah, that happened.

With more extreme shit happening in politics, musicians are finding it hard to keep this neutral stance, she states. The Trump result felt like a personal assault, because as a bisexual, she fears of a future where she cant go to America and hold hands with a girl. And she has an issue with musicians who dont put their politics forward, particularly if theyre in a position of influence. The person I was really disappointed about was Taylor Swift. She said f*** all. F***. All. One of the most influential, famous people in the whole world. She has a responsibility to say something, she states.

Heading into 2017, its clear GIRLI isnt holding anything back. Being inoffensive is her worst nightmare, and for the time being, upsetting a few strangers is a fine sacrifice to make. Everyones watching the world burn. But I hope that people realise they cant sit still.

GIRLI's new single 'F*** Right Back Off to LA' is out now
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Europe is always a good idea.

However, some places might be a better idea than others next year.

We've put together the ultimate European bucket list for 2017. From celebrating Finland's independence to jetting to Bordeaux on a brand new high speed train, here are 12 trips everyone should take in Europe in 2017.

Malta

"Game of Thrones" thrust this Mediterranean island nation into the limelight. Visitors can expect tons of history, and three World Heritage sites, including its capital, Valletta, as well as seven temples that are believed to be some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

Malta is also famous for its beautiful beaches, and harbors filled with boats and boat side parties.

Lisbon, Portugal

Travel + Leisure voted Portugal its destination of the year, and picturesque Lisbon is definitely worth a visit, as the city is teeming with historical landmarks, museums, and churches.

Plus, it's cheaper than most of the rest of Europe, and closer for those flying from America's east coast.

Iceland

You've probably been seeing Iceland all over your Facebook feed, as it has been a hot destination for Americans for the past year.

This trend shows no signs of abating, as Iceland is safe, only a fairly short and inexpensive flight away, and offers stunning scenery from the Blue Lagoon to the Gullfoss waterfall.

St. Petersburg, Russia

St Petersburg, Russia (Harry Engels/Getty Images)

St. Petersburg was voted the best destination in Europe by the World Travel Awards for the second year in a row. The city's ornate palaces and churches, and rich history makes it an ideal destination for travellers.

Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus, the second-largest Danish city, was crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2017, and will feature a brand new light-rail system next year that will make it super easy to get around.

Don't miss a thriving New Nordic food scene, as well as the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, the oldest public art museum in Denmark outside of Copenhagen.

Finland

Finland's legendary wilderness (40 national parks, 12 wilderness areas, and six national hiking areas) is the perfect spot for adventurers, and one of the best places to see the Northern Lights (near the Arctic Circle they can be seen almost 200 days a year).

Even better, 2017 marks the country's 100 years of independence, which it will celebrate with four nationwide Finnish Nature Days (one per season).

Bordeaux, France

A new high speed train introduced this year allows for a quick, two-hour trip between Paris and Bordeaux. This, in addition to Bordeaux's rich wine and culinary scene, make this French city a must-visit in 2017.

Belfast, Ireland

A little-known attraction in Ireland has become more popular than the Eiffel Tower. Visit Belfast to see the Titanic attraction, which became Europes top travel destination for 2016, according to the World Travel Awards. The vote came from a mix of several hundred thousand industry professionals and members of the public. The attraction features replica cabins and a walking tour of the slip where the original ship was built.

Montenegro

Montenegro is similar to Croatia, boasting stunning shorelines and breathtaking beaches  there are over 180 miles of coastline and beaches in the country.

However, it's less expensive and less crowded, so visit before the secret is out.

London, UK

Brexit dramatically weakened the pound, making it the cheapest time in recent memory for foreigners to visit notoriously pricey London.

Switzerland

(AFP/Getty Images (AFP/Getty Images)

A country known for both its cleanliness and its beauty, Switzerland is full of picturesque towns that feature historic chalets nestled into the mountains. Canton Uri, a region in the middle of the country that's home to the village of Gurtnellen, was named one of National Geographic's best destinations for 2017.

Modena, Italy

It is perfectly acceptable to revolve a trip around food and eating. So why not head straight to the cream of the crop? Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, was voted the best restaurant in the world by The World's 50 Best Restaurants this year.

Try the celebrated Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano dish, which features a sampling of the area's famous cheese classified by temperature, texture and taste.

Read more:

 This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed

 How Uber became the world's most valuable startup

 These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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A man who had a stroke after a visit to the hairdressers developed a life-threatening blood clot when his head was bent back over the basin, doctors have said.

Dave Tyler, a 45-year-old sound engineer, developed headaches, felt his body go numb and collapsed in a business meeting two days after he went to a salon in Brighton.

Doctors believe Mr Tyler, who was paid 90,000 in damages by the salon, suffered what is known as beauty parlour syndrome.

This rare but dangerous injury occurs when one of the main arteries in the neck is over-extended and torn, resulting in a blockage or blood clot which limits the blood supply to the brain.

Mr Tyler, who has two daughters, told the Mail on Sunday he was in hospital for three months after the incident.

He said he is still in pain, uses a walking stick and can no longer drive due to vision complications caused by the stroke.

 New wearable device could transform treatment for stroke patients

When he collapsed, he felt the whole side of my body go numb and while waiting for the ambulance my eyes went ping and started rolling, Mr Tyler told the newspaper.

Doctors at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, where he was treated, asked Mr Tyler if he had had his hair cut recently.

The Stroke Association said the risk was very small, according to the BBC, but a number of cases of so-called beauty parlour syndrome have been reported over the years.

Recommended What your hairdresser wishes you would stop doing

Elizabeth Smith, a 48-year-old woman from California, suffered a serious stroke after having her hair shampooed for 10 minutes in 2013.

And in 1997, a 42-year-old woman had a stroke when she had her hair washed at a salon, according to a report published in The Lancet.

The term beauty parlour syndrome was first used in 1993 by American neurologist Dr Michael Weintraub.

Dr Weintraub published a survey describing five separate incidents in which women aged between 54 and 84 were hospitalised after having their hair washed at salons, reported the New York Times.

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Four out of five of the women suffered strokes resulting in permanent brain damage.

Mr Tyler has called for increased awareness of the risks among hairdressers and the possibility for customers to have their hair washed facing forward, while others have suggested hairdressers could use a cushion.
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The Obamas have sent out their final family Christmas card from the White House, triggering an emotional response from supporters pleading with them not to leave.

This years card is a photo of Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama from a state dinner honouring Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March which was the first state dinner the daughters, who are 18 and 15, attended.

The card was sent to friends, supporters and members of the media and paid for by the Democratic National Committee, reports People.

2015 in pictures from the White House Show all 25 1 /25 2015 in pictures from the White House 2015 in pictures from the White House Dec. 4, 2015 The President acquiesced to a selfie with 11-year-old Jacob Haynes and four-year-old James Haynes after taking a family photograph with departing White House staffer Heather Foster. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Dec. 22, 2015 When some of my friends heard that the President had hiked the grueling Koko Head Crater Trail, they sent me messages on whether I had made it to the top. The trail is 1,048 wooden steps, which climb more than 1,200 feet up the craters ridge. Some call it the Stairmaster from Hell. Ill admit that I was huffing and puffing up the trail, but to my friends, this photograph is proof that I indeed made it to the top with my boss. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Nov. 25, 2015 The President and his daughters Sasha and Malia participate in the annual National Thanksgiving Turkey pardon ceremony in the Rose Garden with National Turkey Federation Chairman Jihad Douglas. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Nov. 24, 2015 With the U.S. Marine Band playing the score from the movie, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the President feigns riding a bicycle in the sky as happened in the 1982 movie directed by Steven Spielberg, who had just been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Nov. 21, 2015 The President talks with a young refugee at a Dignity for Children Foundation classroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She was working on a painting. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Oct. 30, 2015 The President and First Lady react to a child in a pope costume and mini popemobile as they welcomed children during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Oct. 23, 2015 Afternoon autumn light bathes the President as he works at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Sept. 25, 2015 Two days after the visit of Pope Francis, the President and First Lady hosted President Xi Jinping of China and Madame Peng Liyuan for another State Visit. Before the formal State Dinner, the President showed President Xi and Madame Peng the Gettysburg Address in the Lincoln Bedroom. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Sept. 23, 2015 Though there were many poignant moments of the President and Pope Francis to choose from, but this frame, as they walked along the Colonnade, was one of my favorites because of the light and the way the President was interacting with His Holiness. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Sept. 18, 2015 This has to be the suit of the year. Matthew Lesko met the President before having a family photo taken with his son, Max Lesko, who was departing the White House after working in the Counsel Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House July 17, 2015 While visiting the Whitney Museum in New York City, the President hugged his daughter Malia as they looked at the art work. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House July 17, 2015 The President greets nine-month-old Josephine Gronniger, whose father, Tim Gronniger, brought his family by the Oval Office for a family photo. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House June 9, 2015 After a group photograph with Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Space Shuttle Columbia alumni, the President helped some of the participants move a sofa back in place in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House June 8, 2015 We were at the G7 Summit in Krun, Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel asked the leaders and outreach guests to make their way to a bench for a group photograph. The President happened to sit down first, followed closely by the Chancellor. I only had time to make a couple of frames before the background was cluttered with other people. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House June 4, 2015 At the Presidents insistence, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes brought his daughter Ella by for a visit. As she was crawling around the Oval Office, the President got down on his hands and knees to look her in the eye. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House May 18, 2015 Show us the Jeremy dance, the President said to departing Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard, during a farewell ceremony for Jeremy in the State Dining Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House May 14, 2015 The President had hosted a summit meeting at Camp David with the Gulf Cooperation Council. At the conclusion of the summit, each of the leaders was introduced before a final group photo in front of Laurel Cabin. Rather than shoot a tight shot of each leader, I used a wide angle lens to show more of the atmosphere of Camp David. Here, the President greets Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House May 12, 2015 The First Lady demonstrates her boxing skills during a #GimmeFive video taping. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) 2015 in pictures from the White House April 17, 2015 Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes needed some assistance with his wardrobe so the President joined Brian Mosteller, Director of Oval Office Operations, and Personal Aide Ferial Govashiri in helping to spruce him up. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) 2015 in pictures from the White House April 11, 2015 The culmination of years of talks resulted in this handshake between the President and Cuban President Raul Castro during the Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House March 31, 2015 Throughout the first half of the year, the President met often with our team during the P5+1 negotiations with Iran. Several times he conducted secure video conferences from the Situation Room while the negotiators were on the ground in Switzerland. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House March 27, 2015 The First Lady snuggled against the President during a video taping for the 2015 World Expo in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) 2015 in pictures from the White House March 7, 2015 I was moving around trying to capture different scenes away from the stage during the event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches. When I glanced back towards the stage, I noticed the President and First Lady holding hands as they listened to the remarks of Rep. John Lewis. I managed to squeeze off a couple of frames before they began to applaud, and the moment was gone. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Feb. 27, 2015 Its definitely true that former NBA player Shaquille ONeal is a big guy. But Ill admit that I used a wide angle lens and this angle to accentuate his size when he stopped by the Oval Office for a quick visit. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 2015 in pictures from the White House Feb. 23, 2015 The Presidents daughter Malia stopped by the Oval Office one afternoon to see her dad and, while they were talking, she wiped something from his face. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Inside, the message reads: As our family reflects on our many happy years spent in the White House, we are grateful for the friends weve made, the joy weve shared and the gifts of kindness weve received, and it is signed off by all members of the family including their dogs Bo and Sunny, who have previously been the stars of the annual holiday card.

On Twitter, the card served as a reminder to supporters that soon the family will vacate the White House leading the sentiments to pour out:

The family will vacate on 20 January 2017 when Donald Trump will be inaugurated and become the 45th president of the United States.
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Escaped Isis sex slave Nadia Murad has called on the EU to recognise the Jihadi group's ongoing genocide against the Yazidi people.

Ms Murad said the EU must work to prosecute members of Isis and establish a safe zone to protect vulnerable minorities.

She has been awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought along with Lamya Haji Bashar, another Yazidi woman who was also captured by Isis when the group launched a major assault across northern Iraq in 2014.

They escaped after several months of enslavement and now campaign for Yazidi women.

 Escaped Yazidi Isis sex slaves win Sakharov prize

In a joint statement, Ms Murad and Ms Bashar said: We are grateful and honoured to receive the Sakharov Prize, but the EU can and must do more. The EU must call this what it is: a genocide of our people.

The EU must call for its prosecution and international accountability for Isis, for example before the International Criminal Court, Tribunal, or a special court.

They added: We ask that the EU and all those concerned with the fate of Syria and Iraq establish a safe zone to protect the Yazidis, Christians and other vulnerable minorities in Sinjar and the Nineveh Plain.

If the world cant protect the Yazidis in our homeland, we ask Europe to give us a safe new home.

The ongoing genocide against the Yazidi people by Isis was recognised by the United States in March this year and by the United Nations in June.

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

The EU has not formally acknowledged the genocide, though the European Parliament asked EU member states to take action in February 2016.

In a letter, 104 Members of the European Parliament called on the High Representative of the EU, Federica Mogherini, to recognise the genocide and call for its prosecution.

Ms Murad, who has been appointed a UN Goodwill Ambassador and was presented with the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, has repeatedly spoken out about the atrocities Isis has committed.

She revealed how the group forced captives to pray and then raped them and described the moment Isis fighters massacred her six brothers and her mother.

Ms Bashar, 18, was captured alongside Murad and escpaed in March, but suffered injuries to her face and is blind in one eye after stepping over a land mine as she tried to flee her captors.

The prestigious Sakharov award is named in honour of the nuclear physicist and human rights activist Andrei Sakharov. The annual freedom of thought prize recognises exceptional contribution to the global fight for human rights and comes with 45,000.

More than 3,000 Yazidi women and children remain in Isis captivity.
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Nigel Farage and Donald Trump appear to have fostered a blossoming friendship in recent months. Since the President-elects victory, the former UK Independence Party leader has taken a leading role in building the special relationship between the US and the UK and has disrupted diplomatic protocol.

The breakout star of the Brexit campaign is now reported to be travelling to America this week where he likely to meet the billionaire property developer again. This would be their third meeting in the space of just under five weeks.

According to The Telegraph, Mr Farage is due to fly to the US this week alongside leave.EU communications director and businesman, Andy Wigmore, on Tuesday. The pair are due to stay in the US until Friday and could meet with Mr Trump during their time.

Despite the fact Mr Farage was the first foreign politician to meet the billionaire businessman in person, Theresa May has only spoken to Mr Trump twice on the phone thus far. On top of this, she is also thought to have been the ninth leader Mr Trump called after his shock win.

President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters

Mr Farage is reported to have met with Mr Trump for the second time at a heroes and villains costume party in New York last weekend. While the Brit is reported to have dressed as Lord Nelson, Mr Trump didnt don any fancy garb and simply went as himself.

Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, has made it clear that while Mr Farage has not been given an official advisor role in the UK, he will listened to by the Trump team.

His ideas will always be listened to seriously in a Trump White House, Bannon told Bloomberg last week.

While a spokesman for US senator Rand Paul said: Senator Rand Paul looks forward to supporting a robust post-EU trade deal with the United Kingdom. Nigel Farage will be an essential part in implementing a new treaty.

This follows on from the gold brexit gang photo from the middle of November. Mr Trump was pictured in his Trump Tower apartment alongside Mr Farage and his former chief aid Raheem Kassam, Leave.EU communications director Andy Wigmore, leave.EU campaigner Gerry Gunster, and UKIP donor Arron Banks. Dubbing themselves The Brex Pistols, Mr Farages key allies looked visibly jubilant in the widely-shared photo.

Diplomatic protocol was further thrown into array when Mr Trump said he thought Mr Farage would make a great US ambassador. The Government dismissed the suggestion Mr Farage should take on one of the most high-profile roles in British diplomacy. A Downing Street spokesman said: There is no vacancy. We have an excellent ambassador to the US.

A representative for Mr Farage did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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TJ Miller was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning for allegedly assaulting a cab driver over a political argument about Donald Trump.

The comedian, who is best known for his roles in Silicon Valley and Office Christmas Party, was arrested at 1am for battery on a taxi driver, according to police.

Los Angeles Police Department officer, Jenny Houser, told The Hollywood Reporter Miller allegedly assaulted the driver over a row involving the President-elect.

The official said the dispute was recorded as a private person's arrest, otherwise known as a citizens arrest and Miller was taken into custody by a LAPD officer and released without having to post bail. LAPD were not able to confirm which cab company the driver had been working for.

The incident did not stop Miller hosting the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night. While on stage, he joked about the elephant in the room but did not actually refer to what had happened.

People news in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 People news in pictures People news in pictures 7 October 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in an ice hockey match between former NHL stars and officials at the Shayba Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday on the ice, playing hockey with NHL stars against Russian officials and tycoons EPA People news in pictures 6 October 2015 German designer Karl Lagerfeld (R) and model Cara Delevingne (C) appear at the end of his Spring/Summer 2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Chanel at the Grand Palais which is transformed into a Chanel airport during the Fashion Week in Paris, France Reuters People news in pictures 5 October 2015 Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne addresses the Conservative party conference in Manchester. The Chancellor argued that reducing the payments to people in low paid jobs would give them economic security by reducing the Governments spending deficit Getty Images People news in pictures 4 October 2015 Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston, holding dark-skinned doll, after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The image quickly became the talking point of Australias National Rugby League Final and provoked a strong reaction on social media, with many praising Thurston for giving his child a toy that promotes inclusiveness and diversity Getty Images People news in pictures 3 October 2015 Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up as he greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of a meeting organized by the "Food Bank" at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican Getty Images People news in pictures 2 October 2015 Britain's Finance Minister George Osborne (L) throws an American football as he meets with former American football players Dan Marino (2nd R) and Curtis Martin (not pictured) at 11 Downing Street in London, ahead of the New York Jets playing against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium on 4 October Getty Images People news in pictures 1 October 2015 An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia People news in pictures 30 September 2015 Former Mrs America Lisa Christie, who alleges misconduct by Bill Cosby, holds up photos of her younger self during a news conference at the law office of attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Matt Damon has defended himself against claims that he instructed gay actors to remain in the closet. He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. The Fast and Furious star was killed when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a pole in California in 2013. The driver, his friend Roger Rodas, also died when the vehicle burst into flames. AP People news in pictures 28 September 2015 Robert Mugabe waits to address the United Nations General Assembly. The leader of Zimbabwe reportedly exclaimed 'We are not gay!' as he criticised Western nation's "double standards and attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs. In 2013 he described homosexuals as worse than pigs, goats and birds. Reuters People news in pictures 28 September 2015 South African comedian Trevor Noah hosts the first 'Daily Show' since taking over from Jon Stewart as host. Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 The Dalai Lama has said that Britain's policy towards China is just about 'Money, money, money.' And asked 'Where is morality?' People news in pictures 24 September 2015 Puff Daddy secured the number-one spot on the Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list, with the publication calculating he made an estimated $60million (39m) between June 2014 and June 2015.

Its been in the news all weekend, and its really affected me - the election was definitely hacked by the Russians, he said. So luckily, were doing an awards show here in an airplane hangar in Santa Monica, so were safe - what are they going to hack the teleprompter?

He pretended to discuss the scandal again later, saying: Okay, lets talk about the real elephant in the room. Everyones been asking me about it all weekend, people were asking me about it on the blue carpet, and yes  it is the 31st anniversary of A Chorus Line on Broadway.

Just before the ceremony, Miller quipped about it on Twitter, saying: Tonight I will address the elephant in the room at @CriticsChoice on A&E. Tune in and find out.

Miller is a vocal critic of Mr Trump and at the ceremony he took aim at trolls, including the one we elected for President. In November, he burned a Trump-brand tie on a late-night talk show, joking: Thats how shitty Donald Trumps ties are - theyre not even flammable.

A representative for Miller did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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The man who strangled police officer Gordon Semple during a bondage sex session and then tried to dispose of his body in acid has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 24 years.

Stefano Brizzi, 50, was sentenced at the Old Bailey today. He had admitted he was inspired by the TV series Breaking Bad when he attempted to get away with the murder by dismembering PC Semple's body. He was found guilty in November, after more than 30 hours of jury deliberation.

The court heard how the former Morgan Stanley IT developer met his victim on gay dating app Grindr and arranged a hot dirty sleazy session at his flat near Londons Tate Modern gallery on 1 April.

According to Brizzi, a crystal meth addict, PC Semple died when a dog leash he had been wearing as part of a sex game slipped. But a pathologist concluded that while strangulation was a possible cause of death, it would have taken minutes rather than moments, as the defendant had claimed.

Brizzi denied trying to cannibalise parts of Pc Semple by cooking and then biting into a rib found in his kitchen bin.

However, at his sentencing, the prosecution said an expert odontologist had since confirmed that even though Brizzi claimed not to remember it, he had in fact tried to eat human flesh.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC also him sentenced to seven years' prison for obstructing a coroner, which will run concurrently.

PC Gordon Semple worked for the Metropolitan Police's antisocial behaviour unit in Westminster (Metropolitan Police)

The judge said there were terrible features of the case and that Brizzi's drug addiction had ruined his life.

He told the Italian: Regret you express now for Mr Semple's death has to be seen against what you did over a number of days to his body.

The defendant sat in the dock with his head bowed throughout the hearing.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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The Home Secretary has approved a move to proscribe neo-Nazi group National Action, branding the organisation racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic.

Membership of the fascist group will become a criminal offence on Friday, marking the first time a far-right organisation has been banned under terrorism laws.

The self-styled "nationalist youth movement" had expressed admiration for terrorist Thomas Mair, who murdered Labour MP Jo Cox in June, and tweeted offensive language about Jewish people lifted directly from Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party.

Amber Rudd said: As Home Secretary, I am clear that the safety and security of our families, communities, and country comes first.

National Action is a racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic organisation which stirs up hatred, glorifies violence, and promotes a vile ideology, and I will not stand for it. It has absolutely no place in a Britain that works for everyone.

National Action is the first organisation engaged in far-right activities to ever be proscribed in the UK.

Proscription makes it a criminal offence to belong to the organisation, arrange meetings in support of the group, or wear clothing or carry articles in public which appear to promote it.

Proscription offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and an unlimited fine. Groups can also have their assets frozen.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the home secretary can proscribe any organisation she believes to be concerned in terrorism.

There are currently 70 organisations proscribed under the act. The majority are Islamist groups. A further 14 organisations in Northern Ireland were proscribed under previous legislation.

National Action has tweeted material appearing to glorify terrorist Mair in the past, including a photograph of the killer accompanied by the message: VoteLeave, dont let this mans sacrifice go in vain. Jo Cox would have filled Yorkshire with more subhumans!

Another read: Only 649 MPs to go.

The group has also altered its listing on Google to read: Death to traitors, freedom for Britain!, a slogan which echoes the phrase Mair said in court when asked to give his name soon after being charged with Ms Coxs murder.

Mair received a life sentence for the killing when he was convicted last month. The 53-year-old, who was described by a court as having committed a terrorism offence, was revealed to have a Third Reich eagle monument, embellished with a swastika, and other Nazi paraphernalia in his bedroom, along with information on white supremacist neo-Nazi movements in the UK and abroad.

The Yorkshire branch of National Action has also been accused of seeking to incite the murder of Jewish people, including tweeting a derogatory term used by the Nazis to describe Jews during the holocaust: Tykes gassin K#kes is our motto, #Yorkshire needs you #AntiCommunism #ProNationalSocialism #DefendBritain."

The groups Twitter account has now been suspended.

The move to ban the organisation coincides with the prime minister Theresa May's vow to tackle anti-Semitism in the UK, and the introduction of an expansive new official definition of anti-Jewish abuse.

National Actions monthly update for November, posted on the groups website, dismissed reports it could be proscribed as below discussion on grounds of extreme ignorance.

We neither sanction or endorse terrorism, it said. Today, MPs decided otherwise.

National Action is not unique in the UK. The North West Infidels said on social media the group believes Ms Cox got what she deserved because of her liberal views and pro-EU stance and urged supporters to fight extremism with extremism.

Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Show all 6 1 /6 Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Dover Police separate anti-fascists and right-wing protesters PA Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Dover Right-wing protesters and anti-fascist demonstrators clash PA Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Dover Anti-fascists break through police lines PA Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Dover Far-right protesters march on the streets of Dover PA Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Dover Diane Abbott MP speaks to anti-fascists in Dover PA Far right and anti-fascists clash in Dover, January, 2016 Dover Police hold back far-right demonstrators PA

People at risk from far-right indoctrination now account for 25 per cent of all cases receiving help from Channel, the official scheme for those deemed likely to engage in violent extremism.

The British government appears to be taking the threat posed by the far-right more seriously than in the past, leading to speculation other groups could be banned in the near future.

Speaking after Mairs conviction, Ms Rudd said: I am determined that we challenge extremism in all its forms, including the evil of far right extremism.
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Home Secretary Amber Rudd has hit out over this miserable period of rail strikes that are set to cause Christmas chaos.

Members of rail union Aslef have planned three days of strikes this week - a move the Hastings and Rye MP called totally unacceptable.

The strikes will halt all Southern Rail's services, disrupting the 500,000 passengers who use the service every day.

It is totally unacceptable that our local area and communities will suffer further strikes over driver-only operated trains when they already run safely across much of the UK network, and when current staff will take home the same pay following the changes proposed by the train company, the Daily Telegraph reported Ms Rudd as saying.

Southern's plans, opposed by the unions, will lead to better journeys for passengers. I call on both sides to come together and bring an end to this miserable period of strikes and industrial action suffered by our constituents.

A High Court ruling last week refused an injunction to prevent the strike by Aslef - a ruling which Southern's owners have lodged an appeal against.

UK rail operators ranked Show all 22 1 /22 UK rail operators ranked UK rail operators ranked Grand Central - 79% Here is the list of best and worst train operators with their overall customer score UK rail operators ranked Hull Trains - 73% UK rail operators ranked Merseyrail - 70% UK rail operators ranked Virgin Trains West Coast - 69% UK rail operators ranked C2C - 62% UK rail operators ranked East Coast/Virgin Trains East Coast - 61% UK rail operators ranked Chiltern Railways - 60% UK rail operators ranked Scotrail - 59% UK rail operators ranked East Midlands Trains - 58% UK rail operators ranked London Overground - 56% UK rail operators ranked Cross Country Trains - 55% UK rail operators ranked First TransPennine Express - 55% UK rail operators ranked London Midland - 55% UK rail operators ranked TfL Rail - 52% UK rail operators ranked South West Trains - 51% UK rail operators ranked First Great Western/Great Western Railway- 50% UK rail operators ranked Northern Rail - 50% Phil Sangwell UK rail operators ranked Arriva Trains Wales - 49% UK rail operators ranked Southern - 48% UK rail operators ranked Abellio Greater Anglia - 47% UK rail operators ranked Southeastern - 46% UK rail operators ranked Thameslink and Great Northern - 46%

Charles Horton, chief executive of Govia Thameslink Railway, said: Our passengers have suffered months of travel misery and we call again on the unions to call off their action and work with us to find a resolution to their dispute.

Drivers from Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are due to strike on Tuesday December 13, Wednesday December 14 and Friday December 16, and for six days in January.

PA
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The UKs international reputation has been put at risk by the Foreign Secretarys claims that Saudi Arabia is "puppeteering" in "proxy war" in Yemen, according to Yemeni-born Labour MP Keith Vaz.

In an urgent question in the House of Commons, Mr Vaz argued that, given the UKs links with Saudi Arabia, criticisms of that countrys conduct in Yemen undermined the UKs capacity to, for example, criticise Russias intervention in Syria.

Mr Vaz said: "Until now our foreign policy objectives in Yemen have been crystal clear - pursuing a cessation of hostilities and backing a UN-mandated intervention.

"Last week the Foreign Secretary was absolutely right to speak of his profound concern for the Yemeni people and correct to say that this conflict cannot be solved by force alone.

"However, his words also revealed an inconsistency in our foreign policy which if not addressed immediately threatens to wreck everything we're trying to accomplish.

"Please confirm that we would never be involved in any puppeteering or proxy wars anywhere in the world, including in Yemen."

But junior Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood rejected the comparison with Russia and Syria. "They are supporting a brutal regime which has used chemical weapons on its own people and barrel bombs as well, and actually compounded the situation," he said. "So the two cannot be compared in any like whatsoever."

Mr Ellwood said the conflice could not be won, "by military means alone."

"We need a long-term political solution to a country that has been fragmented... going back to its start, he added.
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Brexit Britains drive for a new World Trade Organisation settlement could be blocked by countries with which the UK has territorial disputes such as Argentina or Spain, experts warned today.

The UK will need unanimous agreement from all the WTOs 160-odd members for its new schedule to set baselines for future trade deals.

But specialists at the Institute of Export told The Independent some countries may use the opportunity to force the UK to compromise on other issues.

Recommended Britons will not accept being financially worse off through Brexit

It came as Labour called for a transition phase for Britain at the WTO to give time for the UK to lock in a new settlement after Brexit.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox announced earlier this month that he had now started the process of negotiating the UKs new WTO schedule.

Currently the terms of the UK's status at the WTO are governed by the EU's schedule. For Britain to negotiate post-Brexit deals within WTO rules, it will need its own document setting out the parameters for future agreements.

Lesley Batchelor, director general of the IOE, said Dr Fox was right to start the process of securing a new schedule now, but that it could be difficult and protracted.

She said: The challenge is that the UK wants to replicate the agreement, the schedule, that we had as a member of the EU, with other countries.

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

Thats fine and makes absolute sense. The only problem is that it could get blocked because we are looking for a consensus with more than 160 countries.

It could cause us problems and that depends on how we manage the smaller countries, those with whom historically we may have had problems before. Argentina is one example where we may face an issue.

The UK clashed with Argentina over the Falkland Islands  which the South American country calls Las Malvinas  under previous President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, but relations have improved since Mauricio Macri took over a year ago.

The countrys diplomatic officials told The Independent they want an open and internationally connected Argentina, willing to identify business opportunities and to cooperate with Britain and find common ground in areas such as infrastructure and renewable energies. But as recently as October the country complained about military exercises Britain was planning in the disputed islands.

Meanwhile, each of the EUs member states will also have opportunities to stymie the UKs WTO schedule. Spain recently heightened its rhetoric over Gibraltar, even presenting the UK with a plan for joint sovereignty that was rejected by the British Overseas Territory.

 Brexit Secretary fails to keep a straight face about 'always intending' to publish Brexit plans

But Ms Batchelor underlined that any country could make demands, adding: In our strategies around the world, we havent always thought it through when it comes to the little people, the smaller countries. This could be an opportunity for them to ensure we enter into a diplomatic relationship to say the least, or some sort of dialogue over a particular issue.

That could have an impact in two ways. It means the process could take longer because we need to have everyone on board; and it will also mean that we may have to make concessions.

Brexiteers have often cited the option of falling back on to WTO rules if the UK is unable to secure a deal with the European Union. Ms Batchelor said Britain would be under additional pressure to get its WTO schedule in place before Brexit happens, currently set for March 2019.

If the country were to leave the EU without a deal and also without a WTO schedule in place, it would be in limbo, she said.

 Angela Merkel: Theresa May cannot 'cherry pick' Brexit terms

Time is ticking now and as people get closer to the two-year cut-off, the deals will be less and less in our favour and more and more in favour of the people were dealing with.

They know we want to get things sorted out, they know our timescale. Thats the trouble. We are not in a blind negotiating position, or in an even-handed one. We will have to compromise.

This idea that any trade deal works with us being in the dominant position went out the window when we stopped using the Army as a sales force for the East India Company."

Shadow International Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner said: There may well be individual countries who feel that they are going to be disadvantaged by [the UKs new schedule] and will want to use it for leverage on other issues.

This is an extraordinarily complex process. If it is the route the Government is going down, it is one where we need a gradual phasing time scale to get to agreement in the WTO. Its right that they have begun this process, but we will need a transition phase after leaving the EU, whilst all of this is finally negotiated within the WTO.

 Theresa May aims for 'red, white and blue Brexit'

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron argued that being settled at the WTO would be even more critical if the UK were to leave the single market.

He said: If that were to happen then the double whammy to Britains economy of being torn out of the single market and being cast lose from any say at the WTO could do huge damage to our economy.

The time for meaningless platitudes of wanting a red, white and blue Brexit is over. Instead of spending time coming up with ever more inane slogans, Theresa Mays Government must spell out its plan and let people have a real say on it in a referendum.

The Government redirected The Independent to the statement made by Dr Fox earlier this month, which said: When we leave the EU we will need UK-specific schedules.

In order to minimise disruption to global trade as we leave the EU, over the coming period the Government will prepare the necessary draft schedules which replicate as far as possible our current obligations.

The Government will undertake this process in dialogue with the WTO membership. This work is a necessary part of our leaving the EU. It does not prejudge the outcome of the eventual UK-EU trading arrangements.
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Downing Street has signalled it may be willing to do a deal with European leaders that could grant Britons associate citizenship of the EU.

After being asked about the idea, Theresa Mays spokesperson confirmed the UK would want to find a way to allow people from the UK to live and work in the European Union after Brexit, though officials later underlined that the Government was not tied to any particular method of doing so.

The Independent first revealed how the EU was forming a proposal that would allow Brits to remain European citizens if they wish. The proposal is now being fast-tracked to the Brexit negotiating table by Guy Verhofstadt, who is leading the talks process for the European Parliament.

Responding to the idea, Ms Mays spokesperson said: As we go through these negotiations there will be a number of issues that well need to address. We will want to find a way, while being able to control migration from the EU, to also have a workable system for people that want to live and work in other countries.

No 10 officials later said that the Government is not yet expressing a view of what a "workable system" will look like.

However, the plan from the EU would see Brits offered individual "associate citizenship", letting them keep free movement to live and work across the bloc, as well as a vote in European Parliament elections.

 Will you be able to remain an EU citizen after Brexit?

Their proposal could potentially give Brits who live and work across borders a workaround to the disruption caused by the Leave vote, and also allow young people looking to live abroad greater choice over where to move.

The plan was first proposed by Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens for inclusion in the European Parliaments Committee on Constitutional Affairs report on long-term changes to the blocs structure.

However, Mr Verhofstadt explained it would now be taken forward independently after it had captured the imagination and hopes of many of the 48 per cent of Brits that have voted to remain in the EU.

He added: "It has therefore become a very important issue that cannot await treaty change  as envisaged by Charles when he first tabled it.

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

"I am therefore proposing to remove it from my report  which after all is concerned with treaty change  and to include it in the negotiations we will have with the UK Government.

"I as Brexit negotiator for the Parliament will ensure that it is included in the parliaments negotiating mandate."

Mr Verhofstadt is one of two chief negotiators representing different pillars of the European Union. He represents the Parliament, while former Commissioner Michel Barnier represents the Commission. Belgian diplomat Didier Seeuws will coordinate the European Councils negotiating position on behalf of the leaders of other EU states.

Think tank British Future called for the Prime Minister to demonstrate "goodwill" this week and "make the first move" in giving EU citizens who were in the UK before Brexit the right to stay here permanently.
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Britain and Ireland will be putting peace at risk if they do not start their own talks to decide what happens between the two countries after Brexit, an influential Lords committee has found.

The group of peers said the highly complex relationship between the two countries, due to the special circumstances in Northern Ireland, means leaders should themselves negotiate a draft bilateral agreement, which could then be formalised as part of any Brexit deal between the EU and the UK.

But failing to pay the issue adequate attention or allowing it to get lost in the wider Brexit talks would undermine the efforts of all those who have worked so hard for peace, they said.

Recommended Brexit Britain blames globalisation for low wages and inequality in UK

The House of Lords EU Committee said Brexit is a huge challenge for Ireland and demanded all parties to the forthcoming negotiations give official recognition to the special, unique nature of UK-Irish relations.

Chairman Lord Boswell said: The burgeoning peace process following the Good Friday Agreement has improved peoples lives right across the island of Ireland.

That progress has in part been based on the fact that both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are EU Member States, with free movement and trade across an open border. Brexit means that there is now a question mark over these achievements.

Both the UK and Irish governments desperately want to avoid a return to hard borders. But the Republic of Ireland will remain in the EU, and any agreement to allow an open border to remain will have to be agreed by all the other EU Member States. Thats not a given.

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters

We need early agreement on all sides that the UK and Ireland should be allowed to reach a draft bilateral agreement, one that protects the unique nature of UK-Irish relations, of Northern Ireland, and of North-South relations on the island of Ireland.

He added that the agreement should guarantee open land borders and sea boundaries, support cross-border trade and preserve EU funding for cross-border projects.

The Government has said it does not want to see the imposition of a new land border between the UK and Ireland after Brexit.
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The House of Commons will hold a two-hour emergency debate on the desperate humanitarian situation in eastern Aleppo on Tuesday, the Speaker has confirmed.

Former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell called for the debate, arguing that east Aleppo now resembles Stalingrad at the end of its destruction.

Syrian regime forces are thought to be close to recapturing east Aleppo after months of siege and a recent heavy bombardment. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the countrys government now controls 90 per cent of the previously contested territory.

He cited the reported use of Sarin and chlorine bombs by Assad regime forces during the Syrian civil war, and said the Commons should consider what in the name of humanity we the international community will do to save those two who are in such dreadful jeopardy.

The debate will begin before any other public business takes place as the first item of public business. It was granted by the Speaker under Standing Order 24, which makes provisions for emergency discussions of topical issues.

Mr Mitchell asked: I seek leave to propose that the House should debate a specific and important matter that should have leave for consideration  namely the need for immediate concerted international action to accurate from East Aleppo the remaining up to 40 doctors, 70 nursing staff and 500 children  along with thousands of terrified civilians caught between the various fighting groups in a ten by ten kilometre enclave where most of those trapped now are.

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

Noting that the issue had been discussed two months previously, he added: I make no apology to the House for raising this vital issue again.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, said: I have listened carefully to the application by the Honourable gentleman and I am satisfied that the matter raised by him is proper to be discussed under Standing Order 24.

The debate will be held tomorrow Tuesday 13 of December as the first item of public business  I have decided that the debate will last for two hours.
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Chancellor Philip Hammond has publicly challenged Cabinet colleagues to delay completing Brexit, warning of the risks to financial stability.

Mr Hammond called for a smoother transition to withdrawal  saying thoughtful politicians are now swinging behind an interim trade deal to cushion the harsh impact.

The comments go much further than Theresa Mays public statements, after her spokesman denied she was exploring a transitional deal.

Recommended David Davis says UK could pay money to EU for single market access

The reference to thoughtful politicians was seen as a coded attack on supporters of a hard Brexit  in particular Trade Secretary Liam Fox  who are itching to make a clean break, in 2019.

It came just hours before an influential Lords committee also said Theresa May must secure a transitional deal that will see the UK remain a part of the EUs customs union after 2019.

Giving evidence to MPs, the Chancellor also laid bare the huge bureaucratic costs of leaving the EUs customs union, which Labour opposes.

He warned of a five-fold increase in customs inspections if goods had to be checked in the same way as imports from non-EU countries.

 Will you be able to remain an EU citizen after Brexit?

That would require quite significant physical infrastructure, with many more staff, better training and new IT systems.

Mr Hammond told the Treasury select committee: "It could certainly add hundreds of millions of pounds to the operation of the customs service.

Meanwhile, transitional payments to retain access to the single market could cost around 4bn a year, it has been suggested in Brussels  half Britains current contribution.

Such outcomes would be embarrassing for Leave supporters, who have insisted Brexit will save billions which can be diverted to the NHS and other priorities.

The appearance confirmed Mr Hammonds role as the leading Cabinet big-hitter urging caution on the big decisions on the single market and the customs union.

He said there was an emerging view among businesses, among regulators and among thoughtful politicians that a transitional deal would be needed.

It would run less risks of disruption including, crucially, risks to financial stability which must be a fairly real concern.

Mr Hammond denied the Government was pushing for such a deal because it would require a genuine meeting of minds on both sides of this negotiation.

But he added: The further we go into this discussion, the more likely it is that we will mutually conclude that we need a longer period to deliver.

Asked if he personally favoured such a transition, Mr Hammond eventually replied yes  suggesting it would need to last longer than two years.

Later, he backed an interim deal even if Britain signed it not knowing the end state, with the final post-Brexit trade arrangements still up for grabs.

That puts him at odds with David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, who is known to fear that Whitehall will allow withdrawal to drag on and on, if no permanent eventual deal is agreed at the outset.

Mr Hammonds intervention was welcomed by senior Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, who said the alternative was sending the economy over a cliff edge.

He said: Not signing a transitional arrangement would mean punishing tariffs which would hit British businesses and raise prices in the shops.

But Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: These mixed messages are a sign of the confusion and division at the heart of this Conservative Brexit government.

The Prime Minister must take back control of her own Cabinet and make it clear whether Hammond was speaking on behalf of the government or not.

Mr Hammond also said cross-departmental studies are being carried out on the impacts of different tariff scenarios on different sectors.

If Britain leaves the EU without a transitional deal, it is expected to fall back on World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariffs, which vary for different goods.

The group of peers which also called for a transitional deal, said sorting out future arrangements with the EU will take longer than the two years allowed by the Article 50 process and require more civil servants.

As a result they backed a temporary post-Brexit extension of the UKs membership of the EU customs union, which removes the need for British traders to pay tariffs when exporting goods to the bloc.

Doing so however would impede the Governments ability to strike new trade deals with other countries, something Ms May has called for.

Chairman of the EU External Affairs Sub-Committee Baroness Verma said: It is unlikely that a bespoke EU trade agreement can be agreed within Article 50s two-year period, so a transitional deal is vital for protecting UK trade, and jobs that rely on trade.

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters

The peer went on to say the Government should focus on trade with the EU and its WTO schedules, rather than trying to prepare deals with non-EU countries.

She added: The complexity of the issues and the tight timetable require a significant scale-up in capacity in government departments and clear leadership across Whitehall.
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A Conservative MP has protested at having to wait for his shotgun licence  despite backing big spending cuts to his local police force.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgewater and Somerset West, revealed he will miss out on the winter shooting season, after forgetting to renew his licence.

He was left fuming when he was told it would take 16 weeks for Avon and Somerset to complete the necessary paperwork.

I was absolutely appalled. Sixteen weeks to complete one piece of paperwork looks like utter incompetence, he raged to his local newspaper.

But Mr Liddell-Grainger admitted the police told him that  as a Conservative MP  he had the option of not voting for steep cuts to police budgets.

Mr Liddell-Grainger has backed the Governments austerity drive, which includes 131m cuts to police funding in this financial year alone.

Since 2010, the number of police posts has plunged by 15,500, or 19.5 per cent  with much bigger percentage cuts in some areas.

By 2020, staffing levels could be down as low as 100,000  the smallest police force since the mid-1970s.

The shotgun licence row was laid bare in the pages of the Somerset County Gazette, where the MP voiced his dismay at having to miss out on the winter shooting season.

A descendent of Queen Victoria, Mr Liddell-Grainger revealed he had been forced to hand in his weapon after failing to renew his license in time.

And he said: Ive got the form and Ive filled it in, but you cannot simply hand these things in at your local police station any more: they have to be posted off.

When I rang the police to see how long it would take to get the new permit, I was absolutely appalled. Sixteen weeks to complete one piece of paperwork looks like utter incompetence.

I told the officer I thought it was an unrealistically long time and he just said the police had lots of other things to do. I could almost hear the shrug down the phone.

Mr Liddell-Grainger then added: When I mentioned the fact that I was a MP, it was suggested that if the Government gave the force some more money they might be able to get these things done more quickly.

In 2014, the MP said Avon and Somerset police had little choice but to close 27 police stations to adjust to much lower funding.

A recent report by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners warned that police forces will face a funding black hole as large as 1.2bn by 2020.

Frontline officers are having to be redeployed to carry out backroom tasks to plug the staffing shortfall, it said.

The comments echo a protest last year, when David Cameron lobbied against police cuts in his local area of Oxfordshire, despite overseeing austerity.
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Bermuda has dismissed a study suggesting it is the worlds worst tax haven, arguing that it is the countrys sovereign right to set a corporation tax of zero per cent.

The British Overseas Territory books more profit that China, Canada or Germany, despite having a smaller population than Basingstoke and being a remote island 1,000km off the eastern seaboard of the US.

The territorys Finance Minister Everard Richards expressed his surprise and disappointment at the Oxfam study, arguing that the country had been wrongly included in the list.

Oxfam warned that Bermudas approach to international finance  and that of three other UK-protected territories on its worlds worst tax haven list  undermines Britains efforts to be an outward-facing, responsible member of the international community.

The charity examined practices such as having zero or low corporation tax rates, unproductive tax incentives, or lack of cooperation with international efforts to crack down on tax avoidance.

It warned that the existence of tax regimes like Bermuda's deprived countries with actual productive industry of the tax revenue from economic activity based in their borders.

The Western world has mostly been in a period of austerity since the financial crisis of 2008, with deep cuts to public services and social security budgets across the world.

In recent years, Britian has forced down its own tax rate on corporations' profits in order to compete with other countries, with its tax take from the levy falling by billions in the latest round of figures released in October.

Other UK territories on the list of 15 were the Cayman Islands, Jersey and the British Virgin Islands.

Overseas territories rely on the UK for protection and foreign relations but are allowed to govern themselves.

Ana Arendar, Oxfams head of inequality, said: Tax dodging isnt an abstract accounting game  the lost revenue has devastating consequences for the worlds poorest people who miss out on life-saving medicines and the chance to go to school.

Allowing our overseas territories and Crown dependencies to operate as tax havens undermines Britains efforts to be an outward-facing, responsible member of the international community. Its time to end this embarrassing contradiction in our own backyard.

10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Show all 10 1 /10 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Luxembourg There are an estimated 2.5 trillion shares of mutual funds registered in the Grand Duchy, 1 trillion of which cannot be traced to an owner 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands contain 6% of the world's total banking assets, but just 0.000008% of its population 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Isle of Man David Cameron has said the Isle of Man, where there is no corporation, capital gains or inheritance tax, should not be considered a tax haven 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Jersey There are over 3.5 billion assets per square mile on the self-governing Channel Island 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Ireland Ireland made headlines last year when it emerged Apple was registered in the country in order to dodge over 40bn in taxes 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Mauritius The Mauritian government notionally charges corporation tax, but companies can easily make this back through generous tax credits for foreign businesses 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Bermuda Google holds more than 30bn in offshore cash reserves, primarily via Bermuda 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Monaco A popular domicile for super-rich private individuals, Monaco has the most expensive property in the world. 1 million will buy just 225 square feet 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Switzerland Switzerland has such secretive banking laws that it took until the 1990s to secure the release of Nazi cash reserves 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Bahamas David Cameron's father ran an offshore fund which hired Bahamas residents to complete paperwork, thus dodging British tax bills

However Bermudas finance minister accused the charity of using the wrong methodology in ranking based on the volume of assets.

It should be emphasised too that the right to set a corporate tax rate is recognised by the UN as a sovereign right and is considered by Bermuda to be an essential contributor to its world-leading reinsurance centre, along with political stability, regulatory excellence and geographic independence, he said.

He claimed that anonymous shell corporations simply do not exist in Bermuda and that the country was barely mentioned in the so-called Panama Papers leak.
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Theresa May should guarantee the rights of three million Europeans in the UK at the start of the Brexit process and her refusal to do so is morally wrong, a think tank has said.

British Future called for the Prime Minister to demonstrate goodwill and make the first move in giving EU citizens in the UK before Brexit the right to stay here permanently.

So far the Prime Minister has said she will guarantee the rights only as part of a reciprocal arrangement in which the status of UK citizens in EU states is secured at the same time.

The panel said all 2.8 million EU nationals in the UK at the point Article 50 is triggered should be eligible for permanent residence with the same health, social and education rights as British citizens.

Labour MP Gisela Stuart, a Leave campaigner who chaired the inquiry, said: Britain should make clear at the start of the Brexit negotiations that EU citizens already here before that date can stay.

This would send a clear signal about the kind of country the UK will be after Brexit and the relationship we want with Europe.

We should expect reciprocal deals for Britons living in European countries, but Britain should make the first move to demonstrate goodwill.

Just 3 per cent of European citizens living in Britain are unemployed, with 51 per cent classed as employees, 9 per cent self-employed, 4 per cent students and 7 per cent retired while 17 per cent are children, according to their report.

 Theresa May on immigration in conference speech

More than a quarter of the food and drink manufacturing workforce and about 15 per cent of academics are from other EU countries, it added. Around 1.2 million British nationals live in other EU countries.

Owen Tudor, TUC head of EU and international relations, said: EU nationals working in the UK and making a contribution are anxious about what happens to them when Britain leaves the EU. They need to know about their future rights to live and work here.

Everyone agrees this needs to be resolved quickly and fairly. Our inquiry now has practical recommendations for how to do it.

This shouldn't be a matter for negotiation. The Prime Minister should make the first move to unblock this ghastly uncertainty. It is morally right and pragmatically sensible.

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

The panel called for the permanent residence system, which is underpinned by EU law, to be converted into the indefinite leave to remain status available to international migrants living in the UK. But the complex and expensive process should be streamlined and costs capped, it said.

Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills policy at the Institute of Directors, said: Businesses throughout the UK are very clear that confirming the status of EU migrants resident here is the right thing to do.

The evidence the inquiry received showed that uncertainty from valued employees about what will happen to them is tangible in workplaces across the UK.

Our members can't plan for the future or give their employees the assurances they need until government sets out its plan.

Ending this worry and uncertainty, both swiftly and fairly, is not only the humane thing to do. It is also essential to avoid major disruptions to workforce planning and business development if British companies are to be able to prepare to succeed in life outside the EU.

Ms May has said she wants to see early agreement on an agreement that would protect the status of EU nationals already living here, but only as long as British citizens rights in European member states are protected in return.
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Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh has said he will challenge the results of last week's election, in which a shock opposition victory threatened to end 22 years of autocratic rule.

Celebrations erupted across the tiny West African nation last week when Mr Jammeh unexpectedly conceded defeat after the elections commission announced the victory of opposition candidate Adama Barrow.

However, in a dramatic U-turn the former coup leader rejected the outcome of the election and called for fresh polls, citing "serious and unacceptable abnormalities".

The move drew condemnation from the United Nations, African Union, European Union and the United States.

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. 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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. 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The ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) said it was preparing a petition "against the flawed decision of the Independent Elections Commission" in a statement broadcast on state TV late on Saturday.

The deadline for submitting a challenge to the court is Tuesday.

There is no sitting Supreme Court in Gambia, though there is currently a chief justice, who is Nigerian. In order to hear Mr Jammeh's complaint, legal experts believe at least four other judges must be hired.

Mr Barrow, who has pledged to serve as a transitional leader and step down after three years, said Mr Jammeh had no constitutional authority to reject the poll results.

The residence in the capital Banjul where Mr Barrow was staying on Sunday was surrounded by around 30 unarmed supporters who said they were providing security after the police and military declined to protect him.

Banjul was calm though armed soldiers were visible in the streets and manning checkpoints on some roads in the city. The head of the Gambian army pledged allegiance to Mr Barrow last week.

 Gambian opposition fears arrests, killings in election run-up

Omar Jallow, head of the People's Progressive Party, which backed Mr Barrow in the election, said Mr Jammeh's actions were "nothing more than a coup d'etat."

"We will not accept anything less than Adama Barrow being sworn in ... We will not take this lying down," Mr Jallow told Reuters.

Mr Jammeh, who seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1994, has long been accused of overseeing a government that imprisons, tortures and sometimes kills its opponents, according to human rights groups.
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It is said about people with albinism in East Africa that when they die, they simply disappear. After all, the logic of the superstition goes, have you ever been to an albinos funeral?

White-skinned babies born to black parents, people with the condition are teasingly referred to either as mzungu, meaning white man, or the more sinister zeru  Swahili for ghost.

When Isaac Mwaura became Kenyas first and thus far only albino MP, it was a major landmark for those in the country who, like him, have a congenital disorder affecting the production of melanin, the pigment that colours the skin, hair and eyes.

Albinism is often accompanied by poor eyesight, and the lack of natural protection from the sun means it also brings a high risk of skin cancer.

But thanks to the superstitions built up over generations to the profit of rural witch doctors, people with the condition also risk being snatched from their homes and carved up for their body parts. Peddlers of witchcraft say the leg of an albino can be used to detect precious metals for mining, that the hand of an albino will bring fishermen greater catches. On this darkest of black markets, it is reported that the full body of a person with albinism can be sold for up to $75,000 (50,000).

Ritual killings remain a challenge to this day across the region, Mr Mwaura tells The Independent in an interview at his home. In this house we have two little children, Gabriel and Bianca, who would have been killed for ritual purposes if we had not taken them in, he says.

The threat is there. Biancas mother disappeared, we dont know where she went, and it was the father who was actually the one who wanted to sacrifice her.

Many with albinism grow up in broken homes, making all the more difficult the challenges of dealing with the prejudice and discrimination that come from being so visibly different at a young age.

Mr Mwauras story is no different. When I was born, my parents were separated because of me, he says, with no emotion. My father said very nasty things to my mother, that I was not his child. He believed she had conceived me from somebody of caucasian or Asian origin.

Mr Mwaura was nominated for parliament by the opposition ODM party in 2013, when he was just 31 years old, to represent and advocate for marginalised communities.

 Kenyans take part in world's first albino beauty pageant

But his career in politics can be traced back to his decision, back in 2006, to help set up the Albinism Society of Kenya  that, and his friendship with a then-unknown actress by the name of Lupita Nyongo.

He met the now Oscar-winning star after her mother became a supporter of the society, and Nyongo produced and directed a film about living with albinism in 2009 called In My Genes.

Nyongos father, Peter Anyang Nyongo, was a former minister, Mr Mwaura says. This was a guy I used to look up to, even before I knew I could meet him. So I met him through the daughter, and that's how I was able to join a political party.

In 2013, Mr Mwaura was made an MP after working his way up through the partys ranks. That same year, 12 Years a Slave made Nyongo an international star.

We had been very good friends, and we both achieved our dreams together, he says. I remember one day I was looking at the newspapers: she was on the front page and I was on the back page. I can say we walked this journey together.

It is unquestionable that becoming an MP has changed Mr Mwauras life in a material sense. Though he lives just 20 minutes from the house where he grew up in Ruiru County outside the capital Nairobi, he has swapped the rural backdrop of his home with his single mother for a sprawling residence with servants and its own electric fence in a prestigious gated community.

But the prejudice and superstition about his albinism are still there, even in the smallest details. You find people don't want to shake your hand  they think albinism is contagious, he says. And people don't realise when they are doing it, but I can notice. They shake your hand, then they kind of try to wipe it off.

In Kenyas western Vihiga County, a 56-year-old man named Enoch was killed last year by a gang of three men who sliced off his fingers, his left ear and a part of his neck before fleeing, leaving him for dead.

But Mr Mwaura says the country has still more progress compared to the likes of Uganda, Malawi or Tanzania.

I feel it when I travel to those countries and I see how they treat people with albinism, even on a cultural level, I can tell that we have made some progress.

Speaking to The Independent from Kampala, the head of the African Albino Foundation of Uganda (AAFU) Olive Namutebi says life is still dangerous for people with albinism in that country. She says that albinos are marginalised from an early age and tend to struggle in school as a result, leading to a perception that people with albinism are stupid. She describes her own time in school as hard especially with kids following me down the road shouting mzungu, meaning white.

Not much advocacy has penetrated through to change society's beliefs, she says. Asked if people still get snatched for sacrifices she says: Yes, they do get kidnapped. Many incidents are not fully documented. It makes me want to be more determined, to save any life I can.

Ms Namutebi says Kenya may be better for albinos than Uganda, but Tanzania is surely far worse. Numbering at around 30,000, Tanzanias albino community is believed to be the largest in Africa, and at least 80 individuals are reported to have been killed since 2000 for their body parts.

Tanzanian journalist Vicky Ntetema, who won an award for a series of undercover investigations of witch doctors in 2010, has set up a charity which aims to respond to calls for help from albinos fearing for their lives.

Olive Namutebi works to champion the rights of people with albinism, and has been interviewed in the past by NTV Uganda (NTV)

She told Deutsche Welles WorldLink programme earlier this month that it is often women who need help.

Witch doctors tell their clients that if you rape a woman with albinism you will be healed of your illnesses, especially HIV and Aids, she said. Seeing these kinds of attacks led her to think something has to be done.

In his living room, Mr Mwaura has a given pride of place to a series of photographs from his wedding day last year. They are not just of the beaming bride and groom, but of the pairs surprise meeting immediately after the ceremony with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House.

Reported widely at the time in Kenyan media, it is just one of many incidents that have raised the MPs public profile and, in doing so, increased awareness of people with albinism throughout the country.

The Albinism Society of Kenya is working to distribute sunscreen, visiting schools, counselling parents and putting on events like the Mr and Mrs Albinism beauty pageant which proved such a success earlier this year.

But it is Mr Mwauras image that has the power to reach out to all corners of Kenya and make people with albinism realise they are not alone.

Contestants prepare backstage during a pageant hosted by the Albinism Society of Kenya in Nairobi (Getty)

I have young boys who tell me, I am even called your name in the village  Mwaura, that it has become like their second name. Girls tell me they are asked if they are my sisters.

Being in the public domain may not change everything but it really helps, to change those perceptions.

Mr Mwauras heavily pregnant wife Mukami told The Independent she lost friends when she started dating him  the ones who said things behind my back.

At first it was strange to get looks from people, with everyone staring and wondering what we were doing. It would attract attention when we went to a public place. For me that was a bit off, to begin with. But as you get used to it you become oblivious of other people.

She says her family were more concerned with his being a politician, though, and it helped that she and others had seen him before on TV.

Thanks to the way albinism is passed on genetically, and the fact it does not appear to run in Mukamis family, it is unlikely that their children will have the condition.

They will be carriers, however, and if they meet another carrier any grandchildren would have a strong chance of being born with albinism.

Of course we would welcome that, we would love it, Mukami says. And I believe that by then we will have created more awareness, and it will be easier than now. And I believe their children will have it easier than them. We are working now to create a better world for our grandchildren.
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A White House petition calling for President Obama to commute Chelsea Mannings sentence has reached 100,000 signatures. Forcing the current or next administration to respond within 60 days.

"We did it! Thank you so much for your love and support. =)," Manning wrote on her Twitter account Saturday.

I don't know what to say, she admitted in another post. I am just grateful that I am not forgotten. You've given me hope.

Back in 2010, Manning was arrested after leaking more than 700,000 military documents to Wikileaks and in 2013, she was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Since her incarceration, shes attempted multiple suicides and has undergone gender reassignment surgery.

In a letter to the sitting president, the American Civil Liberties Union and a dozen LGBT rights groups recently called Mannings sentencing unprecedented and urged him to grant her clemency.

The sole relief that Ms Manning is seeking is to be released from military prison after serving over six years in confinementlonger than any whistleblower in the history of our country.
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Donald Trump is on course to violate the US Constitution on day one of his presidency after insisting he will not relinquish ownership of his businesses while in office.

The US President-elect confirmed during a Fox News Sunday interview that he will hand the management of his companies to his children but will not give up ownership of the businesses.

Mr Trump said: When I ran, everybody knew that I was a very big owner of real estate all over the world.

Im not going to have anything to do with management of the company.

Retaining ownership of his companies was not necessarily a conflict of interest, he added.

It means Mr Trump is likely to violate Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution, which says no holder of public office can without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.

Mr Trump is thought to profit from foreign states through their use of his businesses. The state-owned Bank of China is reportedly a tenant in Trump Tower, New York, and the Bahraini Government last week held a reception at Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C, where hiring a room can cost many thousands of dollars.

In addition, sources have suggested overseas countries will use Mr Trumps hotels when he is President - something that could be interpreted as gift-giving. One diplomat from an unnamed Asian country told the Washington Post: Why wouldnt I stay at his hotel blocks from the White House, so I can tell the new president, I love your new hotel! Isnt it rude to come to his city and say, I am staying at your competitor?

Another diplomat from a Middle Eastern country added: Believe me, all the delegations will go there.

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

One possible way around the constitutional regulation could be for the President-elect to seek congressional approval to retain his businesses and be provided with permission to profit from foreign governments.

The rule is so strict that Barack Obama had to seek official advice on whether he could legally accept the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. Justice Department lawyers concluded that he could because the award is privately funded - but that accepting it would have been forbidden had it come from a foreign state.

Mr Trump has repeatedly come under fire over claims that retaining ownership of his companies while serving as president constitutes a major conflict of interest.

He has responded by saying his children will be managing the businesses and he is not going to be doing deals at all.

However, questions have been raised over the fact Mr Trumps daughter, Ivanka, has been closely involved in planning for the Trump presidency while she is also in charge of the family's business empire.

 Donald Trump brands Russian hacking claims 'ridiculous'

Ms Trump was present at a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and during a phone conversation with Mauricio Macri, the President of Argentina - both countries where the Trump family have business interests.

The Trump transition team responded by insisting no business matters had been discussed during the conversations.
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The Chinese government has said it is "seriously concerned" about Donald Trump's threat to change the US's stance on the recognition of Taiwan as an independent state.

The President-elect has suggested he could withdraw American support for the so-called "One China" principle unless Beijing makes concessions on other issues like trade.

The principle dictates that self-governing Taiwan is a part of China, and demands that any ally of Beijing has no official relations with Taipei.

China's foreign ministry said cooperation was out of the question if Washington could not recognise Beijing's core interest on Taiwan, indicating it would reject any effort by Mr Trump to use the issue as a bargaining chip in a long list of commercial and security problems facing the two countries.

China has noted the report and expresses serious concern about it. I want to stress that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and involves China's core interests, said ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

Upholding the 'one China' principle is the political basis for developing China-US ties. If this basis is interfered with or damaged then the healthy development of China-US relations and bilateral cooperation in important areas is out of the question, Mr Geng said.

It comes after a TV interview on Sunday in which Mr Trump said he wouldn't feel "bound by a 'One China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade".

The status of Taiwan is the most sensitive issue in US-China relations, and Mr Trump sparked the diplomatic row when he accept an official phone call from the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. It was the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades.

The foreign ministry cited foreign minister Wang Yi as warning during a trip to Switzerland against moves to damage the one China principle, having been asked by a reporter about Mr Trump's call with Ms Tsai.

China is paying close attention to developments, Mr Wang said. I can clearly say that no matter whether the Tsai Ing-wen authority, any other person in the world, or any other force, if they try and damage the one China principle and harm China's core interests, in the end they are lifting a rock only to drop it on their feet.

Despite China's discontent, it has reached out to Mr Trump. Spokesman Mr Geng said China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi, who outranks the foreign minister, had met with Trump advisers, including his pick for national security adviser, retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, during a transit in New York on his way to Latin America in recent days.

Both sides exchanged views on China-US ties and important issues both are concerned with, Mr Geng said, without elaborating.

He did not give a precise date for the meeting, and it was unclear if it occurred before or after Trump's latest remarks on Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.

Some reports have questioned whether Mr Trump was aware of the significance of the call with Ms Tsai, and he has admitted he was informed only "an hour or two before".

But on Sunday, Mr Trump defended the decision. "Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" he said. "I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it."

Earlier on Monday, an official Chinese newspaper called Mr Trump "as ignorant as a child" over his stance on Taiwan.

 Donald Trump breaks US policy stance with Taiwan call

Hours after Mr Trump's interview with Fox News aired, the Global Times published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: "Trump, please listen clearly: 'One China' cannot be traded."

It read: "China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him. Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception.

"Many people might be surprised at how the new US leader is truly a 'businessman' through-and-through," the paper said, referring to Mr Trump's suggestion of using the "One China" policy as a bargaining chip. "But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child."
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President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that nobody really knows whether climate change is real and that he is studying whether the United States should withdraw from the global warming agreement struck in Paris a year ago.

In an interview with Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace, Trump said hes very open-minded on whether climate change is underway but has serious concerns about how President Obamas efforts to cut carbon emissions have undercut Americas global competitiveness.

Im still open-minded. Nobody really knows, Trump said. Look, Im somebody that gets it, and nobody really knows. Its not something thats so hard and fast. I do know this: Other countries are eating our lunch.

There is a broad scientific consensus that human activity - including the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, heating and industrial manufacturing - is driving recent climate change. In its most recent report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that it is extremely likely that, since the 1950s, humans and their greenhouse gas emissions have been the dominant cause of the planets warming trend. The top 10 hottest years on record have all been since 1998, and 2016 is expected to be the hottest year since formal record-keeping began in 1880.

But its not the first time that Trump has disregarded that established scientific view.

During the presidential campaign, Trump referred to climate change as a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, a comment he later described as a joke. But during a town hall in New Hampshire, he also mocked the idea of global warming. At that event, Meghan Andrade, a volunteer for the League of Conservation Voters, asked Trump what he would do to address the issue, to which he replied: Let me ask you this - take it easy, fellas - how many people here believe in global warming? Do you believe in global warming?

After asking three times Who believes in global warming? and soliciting a show of hands, Trump concluded that nobody believed climate change was underway except for Andrade.

During Sundays interview with Wallace, Trump said he needed to balance any environmental regulation against the fact that manufacturers and other businesses in China and elsewhere are able to operate without the kind of restrictions faced by their US competitors.

If you look at what - I could name country after country. You look at whats happening in Mexico, where our people are just - plants are being built, and they dont wait 10 years to get an approval to build a plant, okay? he said. They build it like the following day or the following week. We cant let all of these permits that take forever to get stop our jobs.

The US has outpaced the rest of the developed world in terms of growth since the 2008 recession, though developing countries such as China boast higher growth rates. Typically, economists compare the US against other industrialised nations since developing countries typically grow faster than their developed counterparts.

The New York businessman made the same critique of the Environmental Protection Agency, to which he has nominated Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt - a climate change sceptic - as the head. Wallace asked whether he was going to take a wrecking ball to the Obama legacy, to which Trump replied, No. No. No. I dont want to do that at all. I just want whats right.

Paris climate talks in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Paris climate talks in pictures Paris climate talks in pictures A man is covered with a multi-coloured banner with the message, "Climate" as environmentalists attend a demonstration near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) that meets in Le Bourget, December 12, 2015 Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures French President Francois Hollande (C) and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (R) applaud after a statement at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line today with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures US Secretary of State John Kerry (C) speaks with China's Special Representative on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua (R) and officials at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line today with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures Delegates and members of NGO's read and work on copies of 'The adoption of the Paris agreement' is pictured after the announcement of the final draft by French Foreign Affairs minister Laurent Fabius at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning Getty Paris climate talks in pictures UN climate chief Christiana Figueres (C) speaks with French President Francois Hollande (L), United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2ndL) and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (R) after a statement at the COP21 Climate Conference in Le Bourget, north of Paris, on December 12, 2015. The years-long quest for a universal pact to avert catastrophic climate change neared the finish line today with conference host France announcing that the final draft had been completed in the early hours of the morning Getty Paris climate talks in pictures A Swiss Dominican priest poses with activists dressed as polar bears as activists gather for a demonstration to form a giant red line at the Avenue de la Grande armee boulevard in Paris on December 12, 2015, as a proposed 195-nation accord to curb emissions of the heat-trapping gases that threaten to wreak havoc on Earth's climate system is to be presented at the United Nations conference on climate change COP21 in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures Activists hold up a giant banner reading 'Climate justice' by association 'ourpowercampaign' during a demonstration near the Arc de Triomphe at the Avenue de la Grande armee boulevard in Paris on December 12, 2015, as a proposed 195-nation accord to curb emissions of the heat-trapping gases that threaten to wreak havoc on Earth's climate system is to be presented at the United Nations conference on climate change COP21 in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris. Getty Paris climate talks in pictures Representatives of indigenous peoples demonstrate in Paris, France, as the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) continues at Le Bourget, December 12, 2015. Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures Environmentalists demonstrate near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, as the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) continues at Le Bourget, December 12, 2015. Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures Environmentalists demonstrate near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, as the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) continues at Le Bourget, December 12, 2015. Reuters Paris climate talks in pictures Activists form a giant red line during a demonstration on the Avenue de la Grande armee boulevard in Paris on December 12, 2015, as a proposed 195-nation accord to curb emissions of the heat-trapping gases that threaten to wreak havoc on Earth's climate system is to be presented at the United Nations conference on climate change COP21 in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images Paris climate talks in pictures The slogan "No Plan B" is projected on the Eiffel Tower as part of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Paris, France, December 11, 2015. Reuters

EPA, you cant get things approved. I mean, people are waiting in line for 15 years before they get rejected, okay?  he said. Thats why people dont want to invest in this country.

It is unclear which permit application Trump was referring to, but he has repeatedly criticised EPA rules. And though he has given mixed signals on whether he would back out of the United States voluntary commitments under the Paris climate agreement, it would take several years for the next administration to withdraw now that the agreement has entered into force.

Last week Trumps transition team for the Energy Department asked officials there to identify which employees have participated in international climate negotiations or worked on domestic efforts to cut greenhouse gases, such as calculating the social cost of carbon. Several scientists, federal union officials and public watchdog groups have expressed concern that these individuals could be targeted for retaliation once Trump takes office.

At the urging of daughter Ivanka, Trump has met in the past week with former vice president Al Gore and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, both environmental activists. Trump described the sessions as good meetings but did not elaborate.

The Washington Post
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Moving the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will be a big priority for the incoming Trump administration, according to senior aide Kellyanne Conway.

The United Nations does not recognise the holy city as the capital of Israel, and many of its nations embassies remain in Tel Aviv. A formal acknowledgement of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital could spark diplomatic conflict, as it would appear that a country is taking sides in the ongoing dispute with Palestine over the rightful owner of the city.

Nevertheless, Mr Trump has made it clear that he wants to move the US embassy to Israels self-declared capital.

That is a very big priority for this president-elect, Donald Trump, Ms Conway told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. He made it pretty clear during the campaign  and as president-elect, Ive heard him repeat it several times privately, if not publicly.

She continued: It is something that our friend in Israel, a great friend in the Middle East, would appreciate, and something that a lot of Jewish-Americans have expressed their preference for.

It is a great move. It is an easy move to do based on how much he talked about that in the debates and in the sound bites.

Of course, Mr Trump will not be the first incoming president to have made such a promise.

 Netanyahu congratulates Trump

Both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush campaigned on moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. They later backed away from the promise so as not to seem they were reaching a conclusion on the dispute between Israel and Palestine.

In 1995, Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act that declared Jerusalem to be Israels capital and required the embassy to move there by 1999. But each president since the bills passage signed waivers every six months in fears of sparking conflict in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his support for Mr Trump in an interview with 60 Minutes, and said he had quite a positive outlook about the incoming administration.

I know Donald Trump. I know him very well. And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear, he said. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people and about Jewish people. Theres no question about that.

Mr Netanyahu said that he plans to meet with Mr Trump to lobby for reversing the Iran Nuclear Deal, which he opposed. The President-elect has called the deal stupid and a disgrace. But his pick for Secretary of Defence, Gen James Mattis, has warned Mr Trump against undoing the deal.

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

But the Israeli Prime Minister insisted that  despite he lobbied against the Iran Nuclear Deal in a speech before Congress  he never had any personal trouble with President Obama.

I think that suppose we had the greatest of personal chemistry, OK? So, what? he said. You think I wouldnt stand up against the Iran deal if I thought, as I did, that it endangers the existence of Israel. Of course I would.

On Monday, Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Obama and Defence Secretary Ash Carter for a new shipment of Israels first two F-35 stealth fighters.

Upon accepting the fleet, Mr Netanyahu issued a warning to the countrys enemies.

I want to also say clearly, anyone who thinks to attack us will be attacked, anyone who thinks to destroy us is positioning themselves to an existential threat, he said. That is a vital condition to ensure our future. History teaches us a simple thing: weak states dont survive.

Later Monday morning, Donald Trump lashed out against the F-35 programme.

The F-35 programme and cost is out of control, he tweeted. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.

The aircrafts manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, suffered a nearly $4bn drop in shares shortly after the tweet.
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Kellyanne Conway called the notion of Russian interference in the election to defeat Hillary Clinton and help Donald Trump win the presidency laughable and ridiculous.

On CBS's Face The Nation on Sunday morning, Trump's senior adviser and former campaign manager echoed statements made by her boss, who said in an interview with Fox News Sunday that he does not believe the CIA's conclusion that Russia had meddled in the presidential election to help him win.

Conway specifically mentioned a Washington Post story stating that intelligence agencies have identified individuals connected to the Russian government as having worked to hurt Clinton's chances of winning the presidency.

On Friday, The Post reported that administration officials broadly laid out the evidence that US spy agencies had collected, showing Russia's role in cyber-intrusions in at least two states and in email hacks of Democratic organisations and individuals. They also made the case for a united, bipartisan front in response to what one official described as the threat posed by unprecedented meddling by a foreign power in our election process.

The CIA shared its assessment with key senators in a recent closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill. The senators were told that it was quite clear that electing Trump was Russia's goal, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Conway said that there is no evidence that Russia had interfered to get Trump elected and that the Post story had no on-the-record sources.

He thinks that people are trying to re-litigate the election, Conway said of Trump, reiterating that the real estate mogul had won a significant victory.

Face The Nation host John Dickerson pressed Conway about the growing rift between Trump and the intelligence community and repeatedly asked how Trump, as president, could work harmoniously with the same intelligence agencies he has been criticising.

Conway said Trump does respect the intelligence community, adding that he did not divulge top-secret briefings he has received as president-elect.

But Dickerson pressed further.

How can he both respect the intelligence community and then think that what they're saying to him is laughable? he asked. There seems to be a disconnect.

Conway said respecting intelligence agencies and calling their findings laughable are completely compatible.

He absolutely respects the intelligence community, she said. He's made it very clear. He's going to put his own people in there, as well.

What Trump is questioning, Conway said, is the CIA's latest assessment that Russia meddled with the presidential election to get him elected.

What's laughable and ridiculous is the notion that somehow this was meant to defeat Hillary Clinton and elevate him to the presidency, she said.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) did not share the Trump camp's high doubts about the CIA's findings.

US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 US Presidential election: key moments in pictures US Presidential election: key moments in pictures The 2005 Access Hollywood video which showed Mr Trump bragging to Billy Bush Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Hillary Clinton and her health concerns Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Hillary Clinton and her health concerns Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Mr Trump suggests gun-supporters could kill Hillary Clinton to prevent her from picking the supreme court justices Reuters US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Melania Trump plagiarises Michelle Obamas speech Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Mr Trump said that judge Gonzalo Curiel would not be able to rule fairly, as he was of Mexican heritage United States Federal Court/AP US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Donald Trump anxious over securing black vote Reuters US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Hillary Clinton and concerns about securing black vote Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Pope Francis Questions Donald Trump's Christianity Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Donald Trump and his relentless remarks against Mexican people Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures Donald Trump and the sexual assault allegations Getty US Presidential election: key moments in pictures FBI director announced that there would be no charges for Hillary Clinton amid email scandal Getty

It's clear that Russians interfered. Whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think that should be the subject of investigation, McCain said in a separate interview on Face The Nation on Sunday morning.

McCain is one of four senators urging an investigation by Congress on Russia's role in the presidential election. In a joint statement, McCain and senators Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said recent reports of Russian interference should alarm every American.

McCain said that he hopes Trump would keep an open mind about the allegations.

Get the facts, he said. The facts are there about Russian behaviour.

The Washington Post
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Fox News host Jeanine Pirro unleashed a rant directed at Democrats who have called for further inquiry into Russias alleged role in interfering with the US election, suggesting that such scrutiny is unpatriotic.

The conservative pundit criticised the Obama administration for calling for a full review of election-related hacking that intelligence officials have linked to state-sponsored actors in Russia. A report last week suggested that the Kremlin ordered the hacks with the intent of swaying the election in Donald Trumps favour.

Look its time to take sides  the election is over  youre either with us or against us, Ms Pirro said on her programme Justice with Judge Jeanine. That is  with the United States or against the United States.

Why are you [Barack Obama] so obsessed with Russia? she added,

I despise all dictators, but between the dictator that thinks Im an infidel and [wants to] have our heads cut off and the dictator from whom I simply want to keep my distance  the choice is a no-brainer, she said, accusing Mr Obama of sympathising with Islamist extremists.

She continued: This isnt about the election, is it, Mr President? This is about domestic politics. Its not about November 2016, its about January 2017 and your attempt to prevent Donald Trump from the smooth transition of power and your inability to face the overwhelming electoral college win that the people gave him.

Mr Trump defeated Hillary Clinton 306 to 232  ranked 46th of the 58 US presidential elections.

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On Friday, the Washington Post reported that CIA officials conducted a secret assessment that determined Russia ordered the hacks against the Democratic National Committee, as well as Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, in order to influence the outcome of the election.

It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russias goal here was to favour one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected, a senior US intelligence official told the Post. Thats the consensus view.

Earlier that day, President Obama called for a full investigation into the hacks, and expects a report before he leaves office on 20 January.

Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed the claims of Russias involvement in the hacks.

Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card, he tweeted. It would be called conspiracy theory!

Unless you catch hackers in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasnt this brought up before the election? he added.

The intelligence community formally accused Russia of hacking the DNC precisely one month before the election.
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A former US ambassador to the United Nations (UN) has dismissed CIA claims that Russian hackers penetrated both of Americans main political parties and suggested that it could have been carried out by an American actor trying to frame Vladimir Putin's regime.

John Bolton, who is widely tipped for a senior post in Donald Trumps new regime, questioned the US spy agencys assessment of the evidence and said intelligence had become "politicised" under President Barack Obama.

Calling the CIA's findings into question, on Sunday Mr Bolton told Fox News' Eric Shawn that a really sophisticated foreign intelligence service would not leave any cyber fingerprints and yet people say they did leave cyber fingerprints in the hacks regarding our election.

"We have to know the facts here, he said of the hacks into both the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC). RNC chairman Reince Preibus has since denied that the party was infiltrated.

It's not at all clear to me, just viewing this from the outside, that this hacking into the DNC and the RNC computers was not a false flag operation, Mr Bolton suggested.

Recalling that FBI director James Comey said the Bureau had found no direct evidence of foreign intelligence service penetration on the private email server used by Hillary Clinton but said they hadnt expected to, Mr Bolton said it raised questions about Russian involvement.

He said: The question that has to be asked is, why did the Russians run their smart intelligence service against Hillary's server, but their dumb intelligence services against the election?"

Recommended Electoral College member files lawsuit to block Trump presidency

Mr Bolton, who served as US ambassador to the United Nations between August 2005 and December 2006, added: We just don't know. But I believe that intelligence has been politicised in the Obama administration to a very significant degree. Now I think the whole thing is called into question, which is why the notion of some kind of independent investigation becomes extremely important.

"I do think it's critical to answer the question I've posed. If you think the Russians did this, then why did they leave fingerprints? Let's hear the debate.

However, Mr Bolton, who is widely tipped for a senior role in the US State Department  the federal executive that advises the US president on foreign policy issues - under Donald Trump, said he believed the Russians had both the capability and the intention of doing it, and he was not by any means trying to exonerate them.

President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpis victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP

Mr Bolton, who on his blog has named Russia in his top five "gravest" threats to US security abroad, alongside Isis, Iran, North Korea and China, added: "If you say they've done that, let me be very clear: either in the cyber world or elsewhere, we should retaliate."

Asked if by using the phrase "false Flag" he was implying that the US government had played a role in the hacking, he said: "We just don't know", although he later insisted that he was not trying to blame the Obama administration for the hack.

"I have never believed that," he said. But he added that the US government under President Obama had tried to "politicise intelligence".

In a bipartisan statement on Sunday four senior US Senators urged Republicans and Democrats to work together to counter the threat of cyber attacks.

They said Russia had "targeted America's democratic institutions" and that the American public must be kept better informed.

Mr Trump's transition team dismissed the idea that Russia had tried to influence the election.
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In the infamous photo of Donald Trump and former foe Mitt Romney having a candlelit dinner together to discuss the position of secretary of state, commentators were unsure who was the villain.

Mr Romney had insulted Mr Trump only a few months prior to their post-election meeting, and he was branded as disloyal by Mr Trumps top aides.

But it could be that the president-elect never had any intention of appointing his critic to the top job.

Recommended Mitt Romney dines with Donald Trump and becomes instant meme

Roger Stone, Mr Trumps longtime adviser, told Infowars, the right-wing outlet of conspiracy theories, that the businessman-turned-president was just toying with Mr Romney.

"In retrospect it was very clear that Donald Trump was interviewing Mitt Romney for Secretary of State in order to torture him," Mr Stone said.

"To toy with him. And given the history, thats completely understandable. Mitt Romney crossed a line. He didnt just oppose Trump, which is his democratic right, he called him a phony and a fraud. And a con man. And thats not the kind of man you want as secretary of state."

Mr Stone, who wrote a book about the 2016 presidential race, said he was at the Trump Tower this month, but is not a formal adviser or part of the transition team.

 Donald Trump: Mitt Romney performs U-turn

In a statement on Facebook on Monday evening, just a few hours after Mr Trump said he would announce his pick on Tuesday morning, Mr Romney wrote: "It was an honor to have been considered for Secretary of State of our great country. My discussions with President-elect Trump have been both enjoyable and enlightening. I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace."

The battle for the top job was stacked against him without the support of Mr Trump's aides.

Mr Stone's call against "choker" Mr Romney mirrors campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, who used a live television interview as an opportunity to air her grievances against a man she perceived to be disloyal and who, she said, had prompted a backlash against her boss.

Mr Stone added that it "tickled" him that Mr Trump won "easily" in Ohio, a state which Mr Romney won to president Barack Obama in 2012.

Mr Trump previously donated money to Mr Romney four years ago.

The tide only publicly turned between the two politicians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

While the arguments over Mr Romney continue, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson has been described as the top candidate for secretary of sate.

The appointment for secretary of state has not yet been announced.

All eyes are on Mr Trumps twitter account and the gold, revolving doors of Trump Tower.
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Republicans are confident that a federal bill which would protect Americans right to express anti-LGBT views will be passed shortly after Donald Trump steps into the White House.

Republican Utah senator Mike Lee told BuzzFeed that he planned to reintroduce the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) next term, and said he was confident president-elect Trump would sign it.

FADA, or HR 2802, would grant protection to individuals who opposed same-sex marriage or premarital sex.

In other words, discriminatory action could not be taken against people who discriminate against LGBT members. Discriminatory action includes denying someone tax exemptions, withholding grants or contracts or denying federal benefits.

The bill is co-sponsored by Texas senator and former presidential candidate Ted Cruz. He said: The prospects for protecting religious freedom are brighter now than they have been in a long time.

"Hopefully Novembers results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year," Conn Carroll, Lees spokesman, told BuzzFeed. "We do plan to reintroduce FADA next Congress and we welcome Trumps positive words about the bill."

In North Carolina, popstars, athletes and big corporations all boycotted the state in response to an anti-LGBT bill which was signed under governor Pat McCrory. The bill is likely to be repealed under the newly elected Democratic governor, but the proposed FADA federal bill, if it came into power, would cast doubt over the legality of such a boycott.

USA: Activists block anti-LGBTQ protest outside Orlando shooting victim's funeral

In what is likely to be the final victory for the LGBT community under president Barack Obama, the senate declined to pass the "Russell Amendment", which would have required religious exemptions for every transaction made by the federal government under the National Defense Authorisation Act.

The Russell Amendments sponsor, Oklahoma representative Steve Russell, said he had received "very good assurances" from the Trump administration that similar bills would be considered in future.

The new head of the Justice Department will be Alabama senator Jeff Sessions and LGBT activists have not expressed confidence in his desire to protect them from discrimination.

Former principal deputy assistant attorney general Samuel Bagenstos wrote in a blog that the future looked bleak regarding civil rights.

"[] there is a substantial prospect that the Civil Rights Division will take an affirmatively anti-LGBT-rights position and intervene to make religious-freedom or free-speech arguments on behalf of the defendants in LGBT discrimination cases brought under state laws," he wrote.

As Think Progress reported, LGBT people might be able to get protection within the court system. A judge recently ruled against a bill in Mississippi that was similar to the proposed FADA bill.

"A law declaring that in general it shall be more difficult for one group of citizens than for all others to seek aid from the government is itself a denial of equal protection of the laws in the most literal sense," said judge Carlton Reeves.

The fight for so-called religious freedom comes as ethnic minorities and Muslims are facing their highest levels of hate crime and discrimination since 2001.

Mr Trump has proposed forcing Muslims to sign a "register" or take a religious "test" to see if they abide by Shariah law. If so, former house speaker Newt Gingrich argued, they should be deported.
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Amid the ongoing concern over the role Russia played in intervening in the US election, former vice presidential candidate and conservative firebrand Sarah Palin offered to lend a helping hand in monitoring the country.

The former governor of Alaska chimed in on the recent report that said CIA officials determined that Russian-sponsored hackers tried to help Donald Trump win the election. Mr Trump has dismissed the apparent findings of the intelligence community as another excuse for Democrats to explain Hillary Clintons loss.

Ms Palin appeared to question the report, as well.

Russias getting out of hand? So says the defeated, she tweeted. Remember, I can keep an eye on them from here.

 Sarah Palin compares Donald Trump's election run to Brexit

Ms Palin alluded to a comment  perhaps in jest  for which she earned criticism during the 2008 campaign with Arizona Sen John McCain.

Theyre our next-door neighbours, Ms Palin told ABC in 2008. And you can actually see Russia, from land, here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.

The remarks prompted criticism that Ms Palin did not have the foreign policy background to be the second in line for the presidency. But she later touted a remark she made in that election about Russia invading Ukraine if Barack Obama were elected.

In 2014, after Russian forces did in fact execute the invasion, Ms Palin boasted of her prediction in a Facebook statement.

Yes, I could see this one from Alaska, she said. Im usually not one to Told-Ya-So, but I did, despite my accurate prediction being derided as an extremely far-fetched scenario."
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Are you going live?

It would be the final question Brooke Miranda Hughes would hear before a tractor-trailer ploughed into the back of her car as it crawled down Interstate 380 in Pennsylvania just after midnight Tuesday.

Chaniya Morrison-Toomey, the passenger who posed the question, was referring to Facebook Live, which Hughes had just launched to broadcast live from her moving vehicle, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune.

The final moments of their young lives - marked by a flash of lights, screeching tires and then seven minutes of blackness - were captured on the live-streamed video after Hughes, sitting behind the wheel, held her phone near her face for the rest of the world to see.

Hughes, 18, and Morrison-Toomey, 19, were declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck that killed them was uninjured, according to the Associated Press.

Video of the incident, which began so innocuously, was posted on Hughes Facebook page, where it has been watched more than 7,000 times, according to the Times-Tribune.

Facebook Live launched in 2015 and allows users to stream live video to their Facebook pages, where others can watch in real time, or after the fact. The service is used in a variety of capacities, from broadcasting breaking news, protests and events to giving lectures or communicating with friends.

Chris Cox, Facebooks chief product officer, told CBS News in April that Facebook Live allows users to bring a little TV studio to their pockets.

It was via Facebook Live that Diamond Reynolds broadcast the aftermath of the fatal police shooting of her boyfriend during a traffic stop in a Twin Cities suburb.

Stay with me, she told Philando Castile. Her Facebook video quickly spread across social media and cable news, turning the deadly July confrontation into one of the highest-profile fatal police shootings in recent years. Last month, prosecutors in Minnesota charged the officer who killed Castile with second-degree manslaughter.

Following the fatal crash in the Poconos this week, Samantha Piasecki, a 17-year-old friend of the two victims, told the Times-Tribune that she had been in the car with Hughes and Morrison-Toomey earlier that night. But she asked to be dropped off at her mothers house in Scranton, before the wreck.

She told the paper that she ended up watching the crash video around 3am the same night.

It broke me, she said.

They were both down-to-Earth people, she told the paper. They had good personalities. They had smiles that could light up dark rooms. Anytime you were with them it was always fun.

Piasecki told the Times-Tribune that shes guilt-ridden now because she feels like she could have stopped it somehow had she still been in the car.

Police told the Times-Tribune that Hughes was driving slowly in the right southbound lane of I-380 when the wreck occurred.

One of the cars wheels had been replaced with a spare tire, but it did not have a flat tire, as some early reports suggested, police said.

Police, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday, told the Times-Tribune that the investigation is ongoing.

They have not determined whether the driver of the tractor-trailer, Michael Jay Parks of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, will face charges.

The video, however unsettling, is not considered a violation of Facebooks community standards, according to a Facebook spokesman.

However, the spokesman added, a graphic warning screen has been added, auto-play has been disabled and it is not accessible for users under the age of 18.

Additionally, the users account has been memorialised.

Hughes was a student at West Scranton High School, according to the Times-Tribune. Her Facebook page says she worked at McDonalds.

On a GoFundMe page started to raise money for Morrison-Toomeys funeral, she was described as having an energetic spirit.

Her jokes and faces that made you laugh, the pages description says. Although Chaniya was only 19 she was full of so much life, positivity, and love that she could bring anyone out of the darkest place and make you think the world was sunshine and rainbows.

Since Facebook Live launched in April, millions have used the service to offer a glimpse into the big moments and small details of their lives.

The view isnt always pretty.

In September, a man who had just critically injured his ex-wife and fatally shot his namesake son in North Carolina made a chilling confession on Facebook Live.

She lied on me, had warrants taken out on me, Earl Valentine told the camera while driving on a dark road. She drug me all the way down to nothing. I loved my wife, but she deserved what she had coming.

Valentine acknowledged that the violent chain of events he started could end in his own death.

Pleasure knowing all yall, he said. Ive been very sick for months. And this is something that I could not help. So I dont know if Im gonna make it where Im going, but if I dont, I wish all of you a good life.

Within hours, authorities located Valentine at a motel in Columbia, South Carolina, where, they said, he committed suicide after being surrounded.

Valentine yet another example of a person using Facebook Live to discuss a violent act - or to showcase the act itself.

In June, Larossi Abballa, a terrorism suspect accused of killing a French police captain and his partner in their home, broadcast the aftermath of the attack on Facebook Live. An occasionally tearful Abballa, speaking a mix of French and Arabic, swore allegiance to the Islamic State militant group and encouraged others to follow his example and kill police.

A month later, a Georgia mother went on her daughters Facebook account to broadcast herself beating the teenager - punishment for posting sexually explicit pictures on the site.

This is my page now, Shanavia Miller told the camera after she fixed her hair. Now Im gonna need yall to send this viral. Please share this because Im not done. More to come.

A July shooting in Norfolk that injured three men was inadvertently captured on Facebook Live. In the video, three men are sitting in a car, smoking and listening to rap music. Five minutes into the video, theres a series of 30 gunshots.

The nascent live-streaming service is raising philosophical questions about the power of unfiltered Internet video that can reach millions instantly.

As The Posts Caitlin Dewey wrote in July:

Facebook Live, which launched globally in April, has quickly emerged as one of the Internets dominant platforms for streaming unfiltered, real-time video. As Facebook has learned in the past week, however, that status comes with unique challenges.

Real-time video is exceedingly difficult to moderate, as it reaches its largest audience instantaneously and can be redacted only after that moment of impact. That limits the power of even a dedicated, 24-7 moderation team, which Facebook Live has. Despite growing concern that the tool could be abused - several shootings, a police standoff and an accused jihadists confession have streamed on Facebook already - the company has remained intentionally (and characteristically) vague on the composition and guidelines of its moderation team.

The deaths of the two Pensylvannia teens came shortly after a 20-year-old Rhode Island man broadcast himself on Facebook Live driving erratically and reaching speeds up to 115 mph before hitting a dump truck, skidding across three lanes and slamming into a median, according to ABC News.

In that video, Onasi Olio Roja can be seen weaving in and out of traffic, blasting rap music and yelling, Lets get it papi! - moments before he totals his car.

How lucky we are that no one else was hurt, said Capt. John Allen of the Rhode Island State Police said. Its a grand slam of things not to do.

He was charged with reckless driving and operating a suspended license and arraigned from his hospital bed over the weekend, according to CBS affiliate WPRI.

In February, an Ohio teenager pleaded not guilty after she was accused of using a different live-streaming service, Periscope, to broadcast the rape of her 17-year-old friend. Marina Lonina, 18, a student at New Albany High School, outside Columbus, was attempting to record the assault as evidence, her attorney, Sam Shamansky maintained.

Shes in the habit of filming everything with this app called Periscope, Shamansky acknowledged at a court hearing in April, according to ABC affiliate WSYX. She does everything possible to contain the situation even to the point of asking while its being filmed to these Periscope followers, What should I do now? What should I do now?

The Washington Post
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For much of her childhood, Ntaoleng Moloi's father was like a ghost. He missed birthdays and first days of school, family jokes and first snows. Months and then whole seasons passed without his presence. It felt, at times, like he was thousands of feet below the surface of her life, somewhere dark and unreachable.

That's because, for much of the time, he was. Moloi's father was a gold miner, and like many men of his generation in Lesotho  the mountainous speck of a country surrounded on all sides by South Africa  his life was cleaved neatly down the center: In Lesotho was everything and everyone he loved. In neighboring South Africa was the money they all needed to survive.

And so, for months at a time in the 1990s and 2000s, he was across the border in a gritty mining town called Welkom, blasting gold from the ground and waiting to go home again.

I don't know how he did that job; you have to be very brave, Moloi, who is 24, said recently outside the gates of the textile factory where she works in Lesotho's capital. No, I do know, actually. Money talks.

Money still talks just as loudly these days, of course, but Moloi's family is now reunited in Lesotho. That's thanks to an obscure American trade deal that has enabled the country's garment and textile industries to flourish, elevating a generation of young women like Moloi to the status of primary breadwinners and lessening the need for male relatives to seek dangerous work across the border in South Africa.

The trade deal, known as the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), has been a major economic boon for the people of Lesotho, especially the women who dominate factory floors. But it could soon become a casualty of the government's deteriorating record on human rights.

Because the government has failed to hold accountable the leaders of a 2014 attempted coup that turned violent, the U.S. Trade Representative could soon revoke Lesotho's eligibility for AGOA (a decision is expected by 1 January). That, says Lehlohonolo Chefa, executive director of the Policy Analysis and Research Institute of Lesotho (PARIL), would be catastrophic for tens of thousands of families like Moloi's who have benefitted from AGOA and bear no responsibility for their government's failures.

As an activist, my first thought was that this industry is just exploitative [because of low wages], but it's quite dramatic how it's changed the lives of women here, says Chefa, who is currently leading a study of women in the country's garment industry. When you look at whose actions will ultimately decide the fate of this deal, they're mostly men  in Maseru and Washington both  but if this deal goes they have little to lose. It's this country's women who will lose everything.

Signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 2000, AGOA has enabled some three-dozen African countries to sell a long list of goods  including oil, cars, and textiles  duty free in the United States. Part trade pact, part aid project, it was designed to help stitch some of the world's poorest countries into global markets they have long struggled to break into, and in so doing spur broad-based development.

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. 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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. 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In many ways, that mission has succeeded. Since 2001, non-oil exports from sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. have tripled, from $1.4 billion to $4.1 billion. In the capital of Lesotho, apparel factories now crowd the industrial district, churning out sweatshirts and skinny jeans for American brands like Levis, Walmart, and Costco. The garment industry is now the country's largest private employer, exporting more than $250 million a year in products to U.S. clothing companies.

Although AGOA was never specifically about gender empowerment, women especially have benefitted. They hold 85 per cent of the approximately 40,000 jobs in the garment sector, which, according to Chefa, has shifted the financial balance of power in many households, allowing women to make decisions about family spending and saving without consulting their husbands for the first time.

Everywhere you go now, the people making money are women, says Lerato Rannato, a 25-year-old textile worker in Maseru. A dozen women interviewed by Foreign Policy echoed this view: Women wield far more financial power than they ever have before, even if their jobs pay too little to truly lift them out of poverty.

But the AGOA-driven march of progress in countries like Lesotho is extraordinarily fragile. Most textile firms here rely on their special deal with the United States for survival, and the act's fine print requires that eligible countries must make continual progress toward good governance and the protection of human rights  or face being axed from the program at any time without recourse.

Like many African countries, Lesotho has often failed to deliver the kind of political progress AGOA makes conditional. In the enclaved, ethnically homogeneous nation-state of 2 million, politics is often viciously personal; coup attempts and dissolved governments have been a regular feature of the political landscape since achieving independence in 1966. So, when a section of the army which opposed the appointment of a new Lesotho Defence Force commander occupied Maseru's police stations and sent Prime Minister Tom Thabane fleeing into exile in August 2014, it was hardly extraordinary.

The ensuing chaos raised alarm bells in Washington. In June 2015, after Thabane had returned to Lesotho only to be ousted in a snap election, the government of his successor allegedly sent soldiers to arrest the army commander whose appointment had triggered the original coup. Instead, they shot him dead.

As a regional commission of inquiry clamored for accountability for the killing and security sector reform, American officials began to caution that democratic backsliding could soon imperil Lesotho's access to AGOA. Earlier this year, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman warned that the country's AGOA eligibility was on thin ice. Later, on a June trip to the country, Todd Haskell, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southern Africa and Public Diplomacy, cited concerns over accountability and rule of law issues which may affect Lesotho's eligibility for . . . trade benefits under AGOA.

The USTR conducts annual reviews of all AGOA-eligible countries, assessing their progress in developing market economies, strengthening the rule of law, reducing poverty, protecting human rights, and combating terrorism. But evidence suggests that politics can play a role in the review process as well. The United States has forgiven violence, vote rigging, and other breaches of good governance in AGOA partners such as Ethiopia and Uganda  whose militaries are also U.S. counterterrorism partners. But with less strategically important partners like Swaziland and The Gambia  both of which recently lost their AGOA eligibility  it has proved much less forgiving. Lesotho, with its tiny military and confined territory, is similarly unlikely to merit special treatment.

Officials here warn that cutting Lesotho from the program would imperil the livelihoods of thousands of ordinary labourers, many of them women. According to Joshua Setipa, Lesotho's minister of trade and industry, each of the estimated 40,000 garment workers supports an average of five other people, and crowded around the textile factories here are thousands of other informal sector jobs  food vendors, taxi drivers, and landlords who support the garment industry. If all those pieces of the economy withered away at once, Setipa warns, another political crack-up is almost inevitable.

Recommended Wales consign South Africa to eighth defeat of 2016

You put that many people on the street, you're going to have a social revolution, you're going to have a political revolution, he says.

Lesiamo Molopo, an advisor with ReMmoho Compliance Solutions, which consults on labour compliance in Lesotho's garment factories, raised similar concerns. If AGOA goes, there will be a domino effect through our economy, he said, adding that factory closures would eliminate both the informal jobs that have sprung up around the garment industry and the buying power of factory workers, which trickles down into other parts of the economy.

For women like Mamoleboheng Mopooane, a widowed mother of two teenagers, the loss of AGOA could mean inability to pay her children's school fees or support unemployed family members back home. AGOA's impact on her life, she explained, has not always been dramatic - her family still shares a single room, and sometimes called on payday loan companies for emergency cash - but it has been essential.

We have nothing to do with these politics, but we will be in big trouble if this thing goes, she said. We do this work to have bread, to have butter.

 Washington Post
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A former Florida lawmaker who met with Donald Trump about a possible Cabinet position has deleted a Facebook post suggesting the President-elect had chosen James Mad Dog Mattis as his Defence Secretary in order to exterminate Muslims.

A meme appeared on the Facebook page of Allen West, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and ex-member of the House of Representatives, showing a picture of General Mattis with a message that also criticised Barack Obama for an earlier decision to remove the general from his post "to please the Muslims.

The political commentator denied posting the image and a member of his staff, Michele Hickford, has since taken responsibility, saying she was deeply sorry for the distress.

On Friday night, without Allen Wests knowledge or consent, a meme was posted to this Facebook page which was reprehensible in its message, Ms Hickford said in an apology posted on Mr Wests Facebook page.

As editor in chief [of Mr West's personal news website], I must take full responsibility for this, although I was not the one who posted it, and it was posted without my knowledge. I neither condone nor support the message included in the meme.

This meme was not created by me or any of our writers. It was reposted from another source. The image has been removed. Its message was despicable, offensive to many, and a terrible error in judgement by the person who posted it. Furthermore, it does not reflect Col. West's beliefs, principles and values, Ms Hickford added.

The post was viewed at least 10,000 times before it was taken down, according to BuzzFeed.

The top comments it attracted said the meme had gone too far and called on Colonel Wests team to give a fuller explanation as to why the image was posted.

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

West visited Trump Tower in November to meet with members of the President-elects transition team.

We talked about some national security issues, and you know how maybe I can continue to serve my country, Colonel West told the Texas Tribune.
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Donald Trump lost the popular vote in last months US presidential election by a bigger margin than any other US president in history.

The Republican is currently trailing Democrat rival Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million votes as the last remaining postal ballots are counted  despite him winning the November 8 election because of the Electoral College system.

That deficit is more than five times bigger than the 544,000 by which George W. Bush lost to Al Gore in 2000 - the second biggest popular vote deficit in history for a candidate who has still gone on to become President.

 Electoral college members demand information on Russian relations before voting to make Donald Trump

Recommended Donald Trump could violate US Constitution on first day of presidency

Only five US presidents in history have been elected despite losing the popular vote: John Quincy Adams in 1824, Rutherford Hayes in 1876, Benjamin Harrison in 1888, George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump this November.

Mr Trump has previously responded angrily to people pointing out his defeat in the popular vote.

Last month he tweeted: In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.

"Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem!

The President-elect did not provide any evidence that illegal voting had taken place and has been criticised for making the unsubstantiated allegation.

President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpis victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP

Despite losing the public vote by some margin, Mr Trump still won the presidency after victory in the Electoral College, which sees each state assigned a number of votes that go to the candidate who wins the public vote in that state.

The Republican won the Electoral College after victory in swing states such as Florida, Ohio and North Carolina, in addition to surprise wins in previously Democrat-held states including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

However, Mrs Clintons lead in the popular vote has led to calls for the Electoral College delegates to ignore the vote outcome in their states and instead vote against Mr Trump.

Several lawsuits have been filed against laws in some states that mandate delegates must cast their votes in line with the popular vote result in their state, while a petition calling on electors to vote against Mr Trump has received 4.8 million signatures.

In 2012 Mr Trump called the Electoral College a disaster for democracy after mistakenly thinking it would lead to President Obama losing the popular vote but retaining the White House.

Following his election victory, however, the billionaire businessman praised the genius of the system.
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Ten members of the electoral college have requested more information from intelligence officials on the relationship between President-elect Donald Trump and Russia.

The electoral college addressed an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper prior to their 19 December vote that would finalise the election results.

US intelligence officials concluded that Russia conducted hacks against the Democratic National Committee and other associated officials in order to help Mr Trump win the election. President Barack Obama had earlier called for a "full review" of intelligence surrounding Russia's involvement in the hacks.

 Former ambassador to Russia: Putin wanted 'revenge' against Clinton

The electors have called for the release of information "to investigate, discuss, and deliberate with our colleagues about whom to vote for in the electoral college".

"The electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations," they wrote in an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpis victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP

"We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States."

The electors said they found the Trump transition team's dismissal of the findings of the CIA concerning, and outlined concerns about Trump associates who are linked to the hacks of the Democratic National Committee.

The Clinton campaign came out in support of the electors' push to have an intelligence briefing in the next week.

"The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security," Clinton campaign chair John Podesta said. "Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed."

"Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump," he added. "Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign.

"We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American."

Mr Trump and his team have repeatedly written off the intelligence official's reported findings.

"These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, the team incorrectly said in a perplexing statement. "The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest electoral college victories in history. It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again'."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that Congress will launch a probe into the CIA assessment, and broke with Mr Trump on his support for the US intelligence.

"Obvisouly any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts," he said.

News of the probe comes after Republican Sen John McCain and Democratic Sen Chuck Schumer issued a statement calling for a bipartisan investigation into the reports.

"When a foreign power tries to influence our election or damage our economy, for that matter, this is serious," Mr Schumer told CBS. "And a bipartisan investigation that's not aimed at one specific instance but looks at the broad scope of this is just what's needed."
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The Clinton campaign has spoken out in support of the Electoral College members' demand for information on Russia's involvement in tampering with the 2016 election.

Ten electors addressed an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper calling for access to intelligence prior to the 19 December vote that will finalise the results of the race.Their letter came after the CIA's determination that Russia tampered with the US election in order to sway votes in Donald Trump's favour  an accusation that Hillary Clinton herself made during the third presidential debate.

Recommended Electoral college members demand information on Russian relations

"The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security," said Hillary Clinton's top adviser John Podesta. "Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed."

"Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump, he added. "Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign.

"We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American."

Mr Trump has dismissed the the CIA's reported findings, calling them "ridiculous". The transition team issued a rebuke of the agency's assessment Friday night.

"These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction," the team incorrectly said in their statement. "The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest electoral college victories in history. It's now time to move on and 'Make America Great Again'."

Mr Trump's slim electoral victory is shrouded by Ms Clinton's popular vote margin, which has surpassed 2.8 million votes over the New York businessman's tally.
Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

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At first there was outrage. Kimberly Houzah told everyone watching her Facebook Live video to boycott Victorias Secret. She pledged to call the stores corporate headquarters and report the racist behaviour shed just been subjected to. She told her friends that shell never set foot inside the store again, even if Im down to my last pair of drawers.

Then, she began to sob.

I just, youre kidding me, she says, wiping tears, searching for words.

I already didnt need to be spending the money, but Im like, you know - Im going to treat myself... and I got to come down here and deal with this B.S.

Houzah, 27, a traveling nurse from Calhoun County, Alabama, detailed most of the experience - and the effect it had on her - in the Facebook Live post, which has been viewed more than a million times since Wednesday.

On Thursday she was shopping at Quintard Mall in Oxford, Alabama. She wanted to get a pair of boyfriend sweatpants, and she thought about splurging on a T-shirt. Instead, she got insulted and kicked out because, she says, shes the same race as a woman accused of a crime.

As Houzah was shopping, another black woman was caught shoplifting, she said.

Then, she said, the manager walked over to her and the only other black woman in the store and told them to leave.

On Houzahs video, the manager can be heard telling the other black woman: I just need yall to go. The malls security guards approached as well.

She cant tell us why, but were kicked out the store, Houzah said on the video. Because another black female gets caught stealing, me and the other black female here have to be affiliated, so were all put out.

Houzah said she didnt know either of the other black women at the store. None of the dozen or so white shoppers were asked to leave.

You dont want to be that person that feels like everybodys racist, and I dont feel like everybodys racist, she said after being kicked out, continuing the video from her car. But we just happen to be three black people in Victorias Secret and we got to be together. Shes going to say you, you and you, get out. All yall get out.

In a statement, Victorias Secret said it had reached out to Houzah directly to express our sincere apology.

What happened at our store should not have happened and does not represent who we are or what we stand for. The store associate involved in this matter is no longer employed with the company. Victorias Secret is adamant that all customers regardless of race be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Daymon Ward, the malls general manager, told the Anniston Star that the mall was conducting its own investigation into the incident and was committed to ensuring that all of our guests are treated with the utmost respect.

On Thursday, Houzah returned to the store with a group of supporters, according to the Birmingham News. Employees apologised.

She told the newspaper shed probably shop at her favourite store again, just not at the Oxford location.

Im a little more settled about it today, she said Thursday. I dont want anything bad to happen to anyone. I mean, I cant change who I am. Im an African American female and I just want to be treated like everybody else.

The Washington Post
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The director of a non-profit organisation in West Virginia will return to work after being suspended for referring to Michelle Obama as an ape.

Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director at Clay County Development Corporation, West Virginia, posted the comment on Facebook and was suspended from her role at the Development Corporation.

She is now set to return to her job later this month, according to a letter seen by Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Ms Taylor initially took to Facebook in support of Donald Trumps victory in the US election.

It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House, she wrote at the time. Im tired of seeing an ape in heels.

Beverly Whaling, the Mayor of Clay, was forced to resign after she apparently praised Taylors Facebook post.

I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that Im not in any way racist, Ms Whaling said, according to The Sun.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The Clay County Development Corporation is a private nonprofit organization and the second-largest employer in the county.

Ms Taylor became a director at the organisation in 2007 and was paid $83,000 (66,000) in 2014, according to tax returns from the group.
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The lights are on at North Korea's Ryugyong Hotel, the world's tallest unoccupied building.

Three rooms at the very top of the so-called 'hotel of doom', which is still not open and has seen a number of halts in construction over 29 years, were seen to be lit up in a grainy video.

An anonymous source told NK News it might have been due to a visit to Pyongyang by Naguib Sawiris, the chief executive of Orascom. The Egyptian telecommunications company previously carried out work on the building that included adding glass panels to the outside and a phone mast.

Peter Ward, a researcher based in South Korea, also told the site after the release of the October video: "Im very surprised to see the top of the Ryugyong lit.

"Maybe Orascom did more than give the building a fresh plate of glass.

"The fact they have added an aircraft warning light is interesting, if slightly puzzling."

After 25 years of construction a glimpse inside North Korea's still unfinished 'Hotel Of Doom' Show all 4 1 /4 After 25 years of construction a glimpse inside North Korea's still unfinished 'Hotel Of Doom' After 25 years of construction a glimpse inside North Korea's still unfinished 'Hotel Of Doom' AN9574830In-this-Sept.-23-2.jpg AP After 25 years of construction a glimpse inside North Korea's still unfinished 'Hotel Of Doom' AN9574975In-this-Sept.-23-2.jpg The pyramid-shaped 105-story Ryugyong Hotel stands in Pyongyang, North Korea. AP After 25 years of construction a glimpse inside North Korea's still unfinished 'Hotel Of Doom' AN9575005In-this-Sept.-23-2.jpg After 25 years of construction a glimpse inside North Korea's still unfinished 'Hotel Of Doom' AN9575001In-this-Sept.-23-2.jpg AP

Work began on the imposing structure in 1987, but construction was stalled for 16 years after the money for the project ran out.

The 330m tower has a total of 3.9 million ft floor space and should have initially opened in 1989.

At that time it would have been the tallest hotel in the world and the seventh largest skyscraper. Reports claim the building could have up to 3,000 rooms.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a military drill simulating a huge attack on Seoul's presidential office.

The dictator was pictured laughing as his special forces troops attacked a full-scale mock-up of the Blue House before setting it on fire.

The exercise was aimed at "destroying specified targets of the enemy," state-run news agency KCNA said.

Paratroopers from Korean People's Army Unit 525 attack a full-scale mock-up of South Korea's Blue House (Reuters)

Photos of the drill show the North Korean leader surrounded by his generals as he watched the attack through binoculars from an observation post.

KCNA reported him saying: "Well done, the enemy troops will have no space to hide themselves, far from taking any counteraction."

South Korea's military "strongly condemned" the drill and warned there could be "fatal" consequences for Pyongyang if it was provoked into a confrontation.

The defence ministry's joint chiefs of staff said: "If the enemy conducts a provocation based on its rash judgement, we will strongly and firmly retaliate with a fatal blow against the North Korean leadership."

The full-scale mock-up of South Korea's Blue House was set on fire by the North's troops (Reuters)

The military exercise comes as South Korea voted to impeach its first democratically elected female leader, Park Guen-hye.

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn, who has assumed the role of interim president, held an emergency cabinet meeting and ordered the military to be extra vigilant.

The United Nations Security Council recently voted to impose new sanctions on North Korea in response to its fifth nuclear test in September.
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All migrant Marc Samie has of his fiancee is a picture in his mind. Louise, seven and a half months pregnant, is standing silently on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers force him at gunpoint into a rubber dinghy with a compass.

The armed men had ordered Samie to hold the compass and a satellite phone for navigation on the journey to Italy. He refused. So they fired a Kalashnikov at the ground between his legs, and told him to take the compass or they would kill the couple. They said she would be on the next boat.

That was last July, and he hasnt laid eyes on her since. But instead of being treated as a victim in Italy, Samie was arrested by police and charged with facilitating illegal immigration.

Samie is currently being looked after by an organisation called Open Europe (AP)

Samie, a 21-year-old from Togo, is one of hundreds of migrants who are caught up in the Italian legal system as police, prosecutors and judges struggle to combat human trafficking. They are the victims of a new tactic where professional smugglers avoid being caught by forcing migrants, many of them minors, to take the helm of the boats.

Almost every day, Italian officials detain men accused of driving the boats, but dont know if they are traffickers or migrants. While overall numbers are not available, 179 smugglers  26 of them minors  were detained this year at the port of Pozzallo alone, where Samie came in. That compares to 147 last year.

In another port, Augusta, more than 190 smugglers have been arrested so far this year, according to police. And in Catania district, trafficking arrests have risen dramatically from 13 in 2013 to 79 as of August.

Police are well aware that they arent reaching the criminals who are behind the trafficking and reaping the profits. To date, Italian police havent obtained the arrest of a migrant trafficker in Libya, said Andrea Bonomo, deputy prosecutor for Catania.

[We are] making the arrests at what I would define as the lowest level, the so-called smugglers, the ones who drive the boats and who are often migrants, he said. They risk their lives together with the others.

There are no numbers on convictions. But smugglers can get five to 15 years in prison, Bonomo added.

In early November, police stood in the port of Augusta watching hundreds of migrants disembark from a navy rescue ship. Interpreters interviewed them to try to figure out who was driving the boats and holding the compasses.

Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Italy on MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie DeardenI Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing health checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing security checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily A man being taken to hospital from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden

Trafficking organisations in Libya now make cheap dinghies that can only last for eight to nine hours in the water before they sink, Marshal Tonio Panzanaro said. The traffickers then take what he calls last-minute smugglers, migrants who are sometimes given a free ride, and make them drive the boat. Behind it all is a huge movement of money, he noted, with professional traffickers earning 100,000 (84,000) from a dinghy that costs just 2,000.

Our problem is that we know how they are operating in Libya, but since there is no government we cant take the final step, that of arresting the organisers, he said.

Not all boat drivers and navigators are treated as smugglers. On 7 September, Gigi Modica, a judge in Palermo threw out a case against two accused smugglers, a Somalian and a Gambian. The men were driving and holding the compass on a rubber dinghy with 118 migrants on board. A dozen passengers died, and the men were accused of multiple manslaughter.

Modica concluded that the two presumed smugglers were actually migrants forced by armed Libyans to drive the boat. Neither seemed to have any experience, they spoke different languages and they couldnt communicate with one another. Modica wrote in his statement that they had been threatened with death, and he ordered them to be freed immediately.

The judge said Libyan traffickers are choosing sub-Saharan Africans to drive the boats and take the compasses. He said defendants had told of friends being killed by traffickers because they refused to lead the boats. He added that it is clear when those directing the boat arent the real smugglers.

Samie watches the sea in Pachino, Sicily. The Togolese migrant is struggling to find out what happened to his fiancee (AP)

They are weak. They are fragile. They are scared. They can only talk with lots of difficulty, he said. Its evident that they arent part of the problem. They are a victim of the problem.

In the small Sicilian town of Pachino, eight young African men live in a home run by an organisation called Open Europe. Like Samie, many of them were accused of either driving the boat or holding the compass. Several received expulsion orders.

The organisation allowed the Associated Press to talk to a Gambian who says he is 15 years old, on condition that his name not be used because he is a minor.

He was on the beach in Libya waiting to climb into a dinghy when armed men told him he had to hold the compass. He replied that he didnt even know how to use a compass. They threatened to kill him, and beat him with a pipe. He pulled up the sleeve of his green sweat suit to reveal a two-inch scar.

I got inside the boat before they killed me and my mother wouldnt see me again, he said.

When he arrived in Italy, he was arrested and held for 15 days before receiving an expulsion order, which he is appealing.

Samie also spent 15 days in jail before he was asked to sign an expulsion order. He then headed back to the port in search of news of Louise, but there was nothing.

He is now appealing his expulsion order. In the meantime, he has sent off various emails to organisations, looking for Louise. He has no idea if she is alive or gave birth to their baby.

The last time I saw her, she cried, he said. I just said to her, well meet here ... I will wait for her.

AP
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Vandals have spilled the equivalent of 400,000 bottles of Italian sparkling wine in an act of "sabotage".

The raiders broke into the grounds of the Conte Vistarino winery in the middle of the night and drained seven refrigerated tanks of mostly Pinot Grigio, local media reports.

The wine, from the 2016 harvest, was maturing in the tanks at the 1,000 hectare estate in the Lombardy hills in northern Italy before it would have been sold to third-party wine makers.

The loss is estimated to have cost the estate around 500,000 (420,000).

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

It was a tremendous shock, Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino, the countess who manages the family-owned winery, told The Daily Telegraph.

She said the family received no threats and has no idea who might be responsible for the act.

 2016 vintage wine: Incredible drone views of English vineyards

The raid has been reported to police, who are investigating.

Because the perpetrators did no other damage and did not steal anything from the property, the incident is being considered an act of sabotage.

If you have no idea why, you dont sleep at night, she added.

The team is shaken, but we wont let it stop us. Well just have to roll up our sleeves and get back to work.
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The battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo has reportedly ended after rebels withdrew from six remaining districts in the opposition-held east of the city.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said: It is just a matter of a small period of time until it's a total collapse."

The Syrian military claimed to have taken control of 98 per cent of rebel-held east Aleppo early on Monday morning after seizing the large industrial district of Sheikh Saeed.

"They [the rebels] don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters, adding that he expected the battle to end quickly.

Rebel fighters are now confined to tiny pockets in the south-east of the city after withdrawing from the east side of the Aleppo river following the loss of Sheikh Saeed. The situation is extremely difficult today, said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group.

Several last-minute UN, US and Russian-backed attempts to broker a humanitarian ceasefire in the decimated city failed.

The approximately 8,000 rebels  among them al-Qaeda affiliated fighters  and 250,000 civilians in the area have been cut off from reinforcements, aid and food supplies since August.

In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Children play underground in Syria In pictures: Children play underground in Syria A child plays in the ball pit at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Abdulaziz, 10, plays in the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Boys look through a show window inside the tunnel that provides a safe passage for children between the two basements that form the 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children play at the underground 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Two girls play at the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children on the ride on a ferris wheel at the 'Land of Childhood', an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Seven-year-old Massa at the "Land of Childhood" underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children wait in line to buy sweets at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef

An intense Russian-backed bombing campaign that began in September has killed hundreds of people, destroyed medical infrastructure and brought residents in the rebel enclave to their knees.

Thousands of people have fled the siege barricades since the aerial attack intensified two weeks ago. Approximately 10,000 people are thought to have gone to regime or Kurdish-held territory in the last 24 hours, and the exact number of people left in the area is unknown.

Families got together awaiting death together. This is what's happening, one activist wrote in a Whatsapp message to journalists on Monday.

Aleppo's Sheikh Saeed district was retaken from rebel fighters by the government on Monday December 12 2016. It was one of the last remaining rebel neighbourhoods. (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP)

The Independents attempts to contact other sources in east Aleppo went unanswered.

President Bashar al-Assad is now close to retaking the entire city of Aleppo, which has been contested since 2012 and seen some of the almost six-year-long conflict's fiercest fighting. Aleppo would be a major victory for the government, removing the last US-backed rebel groups from Syria's urban centres.

Yet the complex war  which according to the UN has killed more than 400,000 people and left half the country displaced from their homes  is far from over.

Mr Assad still faces Sunni opposition in the north and south of Syria, and Isis, despite military setbacks and heavy US-led coalition and Russian bombing, managed to retake the ancient city of Palmyra over the weekend.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is not worried about accusations of anti-Semitism levelled at both US President-elect Donald Trump and members of his administration such as chief strategist Steve Bannon.

The boss ultimately decides the policy, Mr Netanyahu told CBS News 60 Minutes from Jerusalem in an interview aired Sunday, adding that Mr Trump would be an ally of both Israel and Jewish-Americans and set the tone for the rest of his team.

Mr. Trump and his associates are going to be very strong, not merely in support of Israel, the Jewish state, but also in support of the Jewish people, he said.

Mr Bannon, despite calling his right-wing news website Breitbart a platform for the alt-right, denies any links to the neo-fascist movement. Several rights groups, among them Israeli detractors, have called for Mr Bannon to be removed from his post in Mr Trump's inner circle.

When asked whether Mr Trump has done enough to tackle the racist rhetoric and behaviour of some of his supporters, Mr Netanyahu said while he is not a referee it is just not true that Mr Trump is anti-Semitic.

I know his attitude toward Israel, towards the Jewish state, and the Jewish people and thats so powerful. For Gods sake, he has Jewish grandchildren, he has a Jewish daughter [Ivanka Trump], who converted to Judaism. I think we should keep sight of that, Mr Netanyahu said.

 Netanyahu congratulates Trump

The Israeli leader went on to say that he wants Mr Trumps help both in rolling back the US-Iran nuclear deal, and in finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr Netanyahu congratulated Mr Trump on his election last month but has been fairly quiet on his stance on relations with the incoming US administration since.

The Israeli leader had to caution his coalition government to refrain from speaking publicly about their views on the new US President-elect after Education Minister Naftali Bennett said Mr Trumps victory meant that the era of a Palestinian state was over.

Mr Trump has previously said that he will consider recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital. Shortly after winning the election he called Mr Netanyahu to invite him to visit the US at the first opportunity."
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Sixteen members of Israels coalition government have submitted a bill to parliament that would ban non-Orthodox religious ceremonies at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and severely limit womens participation in prayers at the site.

Men and women would not be allowed to hold mixed services, and women would be prevented from reading from the Torah or wearing prayer shawls in the vicinity on the grounds that such activity would offend worshippers at the place under the proposed legislation.

Violations of the Kotel Law, as it is known, would be punishable by six months in prison or a 10,000 shekel (2,100) fine.

The rights of a multidenominational feminist prayer group called Women of the Wall to hold a monthly prayer service at the holy site was held up by a Jerusalem court ruling in 2013.

The new bill, critics say, seeks to undo the courts decision.

Three members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ruling Likud party supported the bill in what Yizhar Hess, executive director of the Conservative-Masorti movement in Israel, said was a big slap in the face to the Israeli leader.

We expect [Mr Netanyahu] to declare in no uncertain terms that this bill will not move forward, Rabbi Gilad Kariv, executive director of the Reform movement in Israel, told Haaretz.
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An Israel-based charity providing health care for displaced Syrian women and children by taking them to Israeli hospitals is breaking down stereotypes and historical enmities, one case at a time.

Mordechai Moti Kahana, an Israeli-American businessman and philanthropist, poured his own money into helping those displaced by the Syrian civil war in 2011. He sold his company and founded Amaliah, a New York-run charity focused on getting aid into the war-torn country., in 2013.

Mr Kahana told The Independent he was inspired to devote his time to helping the victims of Syria's complex war after a visit to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem in 2010. "Never again - not to us and to no one else," he said.

"I cannot let these people suffer and die and walk away from it. I just cannot do it."

Mr Kahana had to convince the Israeli authorities to let Amaliah operate despite the safety concerns, coordinating with both the Israeli Defence Forces and the Free Syrian Army rebel alliance to reach people in need.

As of September, Amaliah has managed to start a healthcare programme which takes buses of women and children from southern Syria across the border to Israeli medical facilities for check-ups and treatment at day clinics.

In just one day we can save a kid's life from suffering, infection. Some kids they come in with one eye, they can't see, Mr Kahana said. "In Syria they cannot take care of it. In hospital [in Israel] one hour later, that's it, the kid can actually see again."

Demand for Amaliahs services is overwhelming. It is the only aid organisation of its kind operating in south Syria, and thousands of people get in touch through social media every day, the charity says.

Many of the adults and children treated havent seen a doctor in years, and those children in need of serious care end up staying.

In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Children play underground in Syria In pictures: Children play underground in Syria A child plays in the ball pit at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Abdulaziz, 10, plays in the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Boys look through a show window inside the tunnel that provides a safe passage for children between the two basements that form the 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children play at the underground 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Two girls play at the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children on the ride on a ferris wheel at the 'Land of Childhood', an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Seven-year-old Massa at the "Land of Childhood" underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children wait in line to buy sweets at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef

The Israeli state has by and large tried to stay out of Syrias bloody civil war. The initiative is notable for how it upends the political enmity traditionally felt by citizens of the two countries.

I think theyre actually probably really hesitant to go to Israel for the first time, it takes them time to warm up and once they see that were here to help them, Betsy Laikin, Amaliahs media director, told Israeli TV.

An American-Jewish organisation working out of Israel to help Syrians, does surprise people, Ms Laikin added. But Mr Kahanas efforts to help deal with the wars fallout over the past few years has strengthened relationships between the charity with Syrians both inside the country and those who have left, she said.

(Screenshot via Amaliah (Screenshot via Amaliah)

Each bus can transport around 45 people at a time. Amaliah is aiming for one more trip before the end of the year, and hopes to give 10,000 Syrian civilians access to medical treatment at Ziv Medical Center in Safed in 2017.

The charitys greater aim is to support projects that create partnership, stability and prosperity with the Middle East, their website reads.

Let me tell you one thing. Those people, these kids, its [sic] someone like you if we dont care for them, dont expect one day that something happens to us, somebody will care for us, founder Mr Kahana said.

To find out more about Amaliahs work, visit this link.
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An Iranian archaeologist has discovered what he believes could be some of the oldest rock etchings on the planet.

The markings, which have only been seen by a few people, were discovered by Dr Mohammed Naserifard among a rock formation outside the town of Khomeyn in western Iran.

The professor believes etchings found at the top of an untouched hillside could be tens of thousands of years old.

However, he says sanctions imposed by the US on Iranian scientists has made it difficult to access definitive data and the tools for analysis.

Since 2002 Dr Naserifard claims to have discovered 50,000 ancient paintings and engravings during his journeys, which have taken him through a range of provinces.

In 2008, archaeology experts from the Netherlands visited the area with Dr Naserifard and said a cluster of drawings made using cups could be more than 40,000 years old.

One of the most striking pieces is a 4,000-year-old engraving of an ibex deer, complete with long curled horns, at the top of a hill. There are thought to be several similar markings further along the trail.

In pride of place is an etching of an ibex deer, thought to be 4,000 years old (AFP/Getty Images)

Dr Naserifard said his discoveries support the growing evidence that humans may have started to develop a common art tradition before leaving the Middle East.

I was so excited, finding these works was like finding treasure, he told AFP. But sanctions have deprived us of the technology. We hope we can soon bring this technology to Iran and gain more accurate and scientific information on these engravings.

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. 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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. 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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. 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Iranian scientists are not allowed to use uranium analysis tools in their research due to US sanctions. The technology acts as a new form of carbon dating which can accurately estimate when something was created.

The professor is hoping to continue his research and involve archaeological institutions from around the world in his documentation project.
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International student numbers could be cut by as much as half at UK universities, following threats from the Home Office to reject thousands of visa applications on tenuous grounds.

The government has already pledged to reduce the number of international students, voicing fears that too many applicants were outstaying their visas once their courses ended.

In October Home Secretary Amber Rudd said tougher rules would be brought in for student visas, but the cutbacks could be more extreme than previously thought, the Guardian has revealed.

Recommended EU students still eligible for UK university loans despite Brexit

Senior university sources told the news source they had seen plans for dramatic immigration cuts, including one proposal to reduce international student numbers to 170,000, down from 300,000 per year.

The government has dismissed claims that other plans suggest cutbacks of more than two thirds.

Universities UK figures show that international students bring almost 11bn to the UK economy and provide 170,000 UK jobs.

One university head told the Guardian the government proposals were insane and that politics is trumping economics.

Responding to the reports, the National Union of Students said plans to systematically reduce the number of international students would be "disasterous for the education sector and the country as a whole".

NUS international students' officer, Mostafa Rajaai said: We are extremely worried how the basic rights of so many international students have been taken away from them over the past few years.

"Britain's reputation as a much desired destination for learning has already been tarnished across the globe due to how international students have been treated.

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

"These potential plans will further damage UK's reputation, to a point of no return."

We know many degrees at leading universities would not exist without contributions of international students," he added.

"With the number of international students falling in British universities and colleges, we believe the UK is losing its advantage of being one of the most diverse, progressive and exciting countries to study in."

Professor Colin Riordan, vice-chancellor of Cardiff University said: The Home Office seems to have decided that cutting international students is the only way of delivering the manifesto target of getting net migration down to the tens of thousands.

But it doesnt address peoples concerns about immigration. The problems people are seeing on the ground are certainly not caused by international university students or staff.

Recent widespread polls suggest that the vast majority of UK nationals are supportive of international students, and do not consider them as part of the immigrant population.

A ComRes poll found three-quarters of British people said they would like to see the same or an increased number of international students in the UK, and 91 per cent of British adults believe that international students should be able to stay and work in the UK after completing their studies.

The government has also made reassurances that EU students applying for UK courses will have their funding honoured post-Brexit.

But according to vice-chancellors, many students are being rejected for visas after failing tough application interviews which test individuals on their credibility.

Examples given included one applicant who had failed the test because he did not know the university library opening times, and another was rejects for not knowing the name of the vice-chancellor.

The Home Office has since denied modelling cuts to international students numbers.

A spokesperson said: Claims the Home Office is modelling cuts to reduce international students to a third [ie 100,000 a year] are categorically untrue.

We want to strengthen the system to support the best universities  and those that stick to the rules  to attract the best talent.

The British people have sent a clear message that they want more control of immigration and we are committed to getting net migration down to sustainable levels in the tens of thousands.
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Oxford University students have been urged to refer to each other using gender neutral pronouns such as ze instead of he or she, it has been reported. (*See update below.)

A leaflet distributed by the student union reportedly said they hoped the move would prevent transgender students feeling offended by the use of incorrect pronouns and cut down on discrimination.

Deliberately using the wrong pronoun for a transgender person is an offence under the universitys behaviour code.

It is hoped the use of ze may also be used in lectures and seminars, as well as socially.

Human rights campaigner and LGBT activist Peter Tatchell welcomed the notion, adding: This issue isnt about being PC.

He told The Times: Its about respecting peoples right to define themselves as neither male nor female.

Gender neutral pronouns such as xe and ze have already been brought into common use at the University of Tennessee, US, and this summer the Boarding Schools Association issued guidance for teachers to address transgender pupils as zie to avoid offence.

Cambridge University is moving in the same direction, The Times reported.

 Jeffrey Tambor: I hope Im the last cisgender man playing a transgender woman

Sophie Buck, welfare officer at its students union, said: Events start with a speaker introducing themselves using a gender neutral pronoun. Its part of a drive to make the union intersectional.

* Update: The Independent published a follow-up article on Tuesday 13 December following a statement from the Oxford University Student Union which indicated that claims it had told students to use gender-neutral pronouns were inaccurate. The follow-up report can be seen here.
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The Independent has found a wide range of policies for carrying Christmas crackers. Some airlines, including easyJet, explicitly allow you to take Christmas crackers in cabin baggage, so long as they are sealed in their original packaging and do not contain sharp objects.

Others, such as British Airways, insist that crackers must be packed in checked baggage.

Emirates includes Christmas crackers in the same category as guns and ammunition. You must apply for permission to carry them in checked bagagge at least three days in advance.

There is normally a limit on the number of crackers, typically 12 or 24. Party poppers and sparklers are banned from flights altogether.

Even if the airline is content with carrying crackers into the aircraft cabin, that concession may be over-ruled by what the airport says. Gatwick, Stansted and Bristol airports ban crackers from being taken through the security check.

Gatwick says: Christmas crackers must go in your hold luggage. They have to be in their original, unopened packaging and you must advise the check-in staff that you are carrying them.

The airport also warns about carrying condiments and other Christmas goodies in cabin baggage, in quantities of over 100ml. The list includes cranberry sauce, pickles, marmalade and brandy butter. The good news is you can take your frozen turkey and mincemeat for your minced pies, says Gatwick.

While cheese is generally allowed through airport checkpoints in the UK, security officials at French airports may confiscate fromage in quantities above 100ml. If there is no certainty about the volume, they may err on the side of caution.

Snow globes present another problem over their volume. Heathrow airport says: If youve bought one as a gift, we wouldnt want to shake things up but they contain liquid and are therefore subject to the standard restrictions. This means they must contain no more than 100ml and be clearly marked.

As most globes dont have the volume listed on the side, we suggest wrapping them carefully and packing them in your hold luggage.

Heathrow and other airports stress that passengers should not wrap presents they intend to take through the security check, as packages may be unwrapped so staff can inspect the contents.

Toy weapons can present problems. Gatwick points out: Some children's toys replicate prohibited items and these must be placed in your hold luggage. Please note even if the item is wrapped it will not be permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin.

In contrast to the strict rules on crackers at airports, the Channel Tunnel vehicle operator, Eurotunnel, is giving crackers away. Motorists need only go into the terminal at Folkestone and Calais and ask at the festive market stall.

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Plans for a new non-stop link from the UK to Australia have sharply divided prospective passengers. More than 1,200 travellers responded to a Twitter poll which asked Would you spend 17 hours on a plane or do you prefer to pause en route?

From March 2018, Qantas plans to fly from Heathrow to Perth, a distance of more than 9,000 miles, with no refuelling stops.

A solid 40 per cent were in favour of the move, opting for Yes, just get me there. But 30 per cent were dead against the idea, insisting: No, I'd go stir crazy. The remaining 30 per cent kept their options open, answering Maybe, at the right price. If this ambivalent category is omitted, the majority is 57:43 in favour of the non-stop option.

Peter Mugridge was among those in favour of flying straight through: A non-stop is definitely my choice. Would only consider a stopover flight if they revert to letting you stay on.

British Airways, the only European airline currently flying to Australia, insists passengers on its Heathrow-Singapore-Sydney flight get off the plane during the en-route stop.

But Kevin Wyatt claimed he would rather take a slow boat to China! 17 hours cooped up in main cabin. Not likely! And Sandy Young wrote: 17 hours of screaming kids & the same without tobacco will be a killer journey.

Some travellers were concerned by the potential dangers of ultra-long-haul. Betty Redondo feels the prospect of a 17-hour flight is: My idea of hell! Not too healthy either. And Alison Williams asked: What about the increased risk of DVTs [deep-vein thrombosis]?

Rob Chisholm observed: Not sure if thats progress, torture or forced imprisonment!

One problem with the flight is that Perth is only the fourth-largest Australian city. To to reach the bigger trio  Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane  requires an onward flight.

Tim Needham was among a number of respondents who noted: You still need two flights to Sydney. So might as well stick with SQ [Singapore Airlines].

The extra distance involved to the three larger cities would involve a weight penalty, with the aircraft unable to carry a full payload of passengers and cargo.

However, the new flight will also open up another stopover option en route to the eastern cities of Australia and Auckland in New Zealand. Qantas has a code-share partnership with Emirates, which means that travellers could fly out to Perth, spend 48 hours in the city and continue to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, flying back via Dubai.

Meanwhile, the view from airline staff was also reflected. Joe Smith, who works as cabin crew, said: Wow. VERY pleased I won't be working that one!

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The Syrian armed forces are close to capturing the remaining rebel-held districts in the enclave of east Aleppo, bringing them their biggest victory in five years of war. The insurgent armed forces, that were originally estimated to number between 8,000 and 10,000 fighters, have been retreating or giving up more readily than had been expected. It is still possible that a hard core will hold out in the ruins, but President Bashar al-Assad will be eager to crush any remaining resistance so he can present the fall of east Aleppo as a decisive turning point in the conflict.

Will this be true? There are so many players with such diverse agendas in the Syrian civil war that past turning points have turned out to be no such thing. But what is truly important about what we have just seen in Aleppo is that the outside allies of the armed opposition to Assad  Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and, in a somewhat different category, the US - have not come to the rescue of the rebels whom they have previously supported.

Over the last five years it has been foreign powers and not domestic parties in Syria who have dictated who is winning or losing at any particular moment. When Assad was losing he went to the Russians, Iranians, Iraqis and Hezbollah and asked for more support. Likewise, the insurgents looked to their external allies when they were on the retreat. This time round this has not happened. The Russian military intervention in September 2015 finally and permanently tipped the balance of power Assads favour.

 Video shows Syrian Army taking Aleppo

Turkey, unsupported by any foreign power and enmeshed in its struggle with the Kurds and Islamic State, has been largely mute about the fate of east Aleppo. Its main concern is the de facto Syrian Kurdish state that stretches across northern Syria just south of its frontier. The failed military coup of 15 July and the consequent purge makes it dubious how far President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can effectively intervene at this stage in the war.

Saudi Arabia took over in 2013 from Qatar as the biggest Arab ally of the insurgency. Until quite late in the day, the Saudis and the Arab Gulf states remained convinced that Assad would be defeated and overthrown like Muammar Gaddafi in Libya in 2011. They exaggerated the likelihood of US military intervention against Assad though President Obama had made clear his wish not to be sucked into another quagmire in the Middle East after the US experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters

In reality, Assad was always likely to stay in power because the upper ranks of his regime were united, he had a powerful army but, above all, because Russia and Iran were always more committed to his survival than Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the US were to regime change.

But there are limits to Assads military success. This has been underlined by the recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra by Isis fighters who are once again executing captured Syrian soldiers in the streets of the modern city. The Syrian army, like all other combatants in the Iraq-Syrian civil war, is short of troops to replace casualties. This is one reason why men of military age leaving east Aleppo are being conscripted straight into the army.

The conflict was and remains a civil war, primarily sectarian between Sunni and the rest but with ethnic and social aspects. The Syrian security forces may have taken the poorest and most religious part of Aleppo, but the countryside around Aleppo is largely Sunni. Better off urban areas tended to support the government, while the rural Sunni districts are the bed rock of the revolution.

 Seven-year-old girl tweeting from Aleppo siege pleads for help

These districts are likely to fight on, particularly when government forces move against Idlib province to the west of Aleppo city. These are heavily populated Sunni areas close to the Turkish border and will probably still be able to get supplies from Turkey. The more territory the Syrian army takes, the more it will have to hold and defend. Its enemies hope it will be vulnerable to guerrilla war and will never be able to reassert its hold over all of Syria. They may be right  much depends on the attitude of foreign powers  but many Syrians have always said that the struggle for Aleppo would decide the war. They may well be right.
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Prime Minister Theresa May today announced that the UK is formally adopting a definition of anti-Semitism agreed on earlier this year by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

This definition is not new, however, and it poses a familiar threat to legitimate criticism of the State of Israel.

The text of the IHRA definition is based on, and very similar to, a draft document first circulated by a European anti-racism agency in 2005, only to be subsequently abandoned as not fit for purpose.

That particular definition, drafted with the help of pro-Israel advocacy groups, was the subject of serious critique for its conflation of genuine anti-Semitic bigotry on the one hand, and criticism of or opposition to Zionism and the State of Israel on the other.

 Israel accept help from Palestine after forest fires

It is that definition which has now been resuscitated, and endorsed by a Tory government that has already sought to intimidate Palestine solidarity activism and undermine civil society boycotts.

I have experienced for myself how such a definition can have a chilling effect on free speech.

When I participated in a debate at the University of Birmingham on Israel and Palestine a few years ago, organisers told us not to use the term apartheid, for fear of falling foul of a definition of anti-Semitism recently passed on campus  the same definition now given a new lease of life.

In fact, the definition endorsed by May is almost identical to the one at the heart of a free speech furore in the US, pitching pro-Israel senators against groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Voice for Peace, who oppose efforts they see as intended to stifle pro-Palestine activism.

Writing in Israeli newspaper Haaretz last week, American Jewish commentator Peter Beinart suggested that such efforts to classify anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism, punishable by law are a direct response to the growing number of progressives who question Zionism.

Beinart dismissed the idea that denying Israel the right to exist constitutes anti-Semitism, noting that political Zionism  the belief that Jews enjoy the greatest safety and self-expression in their own state  has always been controversial even among Jews.

Such views are not uncommon in US or even Israeli publications, but rarely appear in British papers. This lack of critical thinking and dissent when it comes to Israel and Zionism  especially in terms of understanding the Palestinians decades-long experience  now seems unlikely to improve.

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 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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. 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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However, efforts to censor can often backfire. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, for example, has used the Israeli governments attacks to secure high-profile backing for the right to boycott from legal scholars and European diplomats, among others.

Interestingly, the Prime Minister announced the adoption of the new definition of anti-Semitism at a meeting with the Conservative Friends of Israel, where she described Israel as a state that guarantees the rights of people of all religions, races and sexualities.

Such a claim is met with scorn by the Palestinians, many NGOs championing human rights, and Israeli activists, who are familiar with historical mass expulsions, institutionalised discrimination, and a half-century long military regime of colonisation and displacement.

It is precisely because awareness of those facts is growing that the Israeli government and its friends and allies are desperate to smear and shush  even if it means compromising the fight against genuine anti-Semitism with muddled definitions.
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Donald Trump has blundered into a diplomatic quagmire by the simple act of taking a phone call of congratulation from the President of Taiwan. It is quite possible that Mr Trump and the staff managing his transition to the presidency  he will be inaugurated in 38 days time  were unaware of the niceties.

Since Richard Nixon opened up relations with communist China in the 1970s, the United States has respected Beijings One China policy, an important fiction of state propaganda which insists that the island of Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation, and which refuses to recognise the government in Taipei.

When the US restored diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China in 1979, relations with Taiwan, which still calls itself the Republic of China, broke off. By taking the phone call, the President-elect has, in effect, re-opened them.

Even if this was the product of ignorance, it may be no bad thing. It may have made sense for America to engage with China in the 1970s and draw it into the world community of nations and, just as importantly, into the world economy. That meant some rough justice for the Taiwanese, although they were compensated by economic prosperity long before their mainland cousins. But the value of continuing to go along with Chinese communist mythology has now expired.

There are many troubling aspects of Mr Trumps imminent presidency, but in fact there are some aspects of his foreign policy that might be welcome precisely because he is so little bound by the weight of diplomatic history. It may take a blundering innocent to expose assumptions that have served their purpose and may now be discarded.

It may now be time to welcome Taiwans adoption of democracy in the 1990s, and to make the point more forcefully that it belies the idea that democracy is somehow un-Chinese. It may now be time to make a bit more of an innocent, blundering fuss about human rights in China and about the Chinese governments appalling treatment of the Tibetan nation.

After all, if Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, can cause diplomatic Sir Humphreys to suck their teeth and ask if it is really wise to tell the truth about Saudi Arabias human rights record, let us apply the same principles all over the world.

Some of our writers, such as Mary Dejevsky and Patrick Cockburn, have made the point that Mr Trumps respectful attitude towards Vladimir Putin might be a sensible step towards reducing conflict. There are many reasons to be doubtful about that, not least Mr Putins apparent attempt to interfere with democracy in the US.

It is worth keeping an open mind. It may be that de-escalating the tension between Russia and Nato is no bad thing  as long as that does not mean turning a Realpolitik blind eye to Russian atrocities in Syria. Peter Tatchell makes an unlikely trio with Mr Trump and Mr Johnson, but he, too, spoke the innocent truth at the weekend when he interrupted Jeremy Corbyns worthy speech about the principles of human rights with an angry reminder of a difficult practical case: what to do about Russian-backed bombing of hospitals and schools in Aleppo.

There are many reasons to be fearful of a Trump presidency, but if it allows the shaking up of some of the assumptions about what can and cannot be said about democracy and human rights around the world, some good may come of it.
ANY negative impact of Brexit on the UK economy is likely to be "replicated, or even magnified" for Ireland, a report by the British House of Lords warns.

It said the European Union would have to allow the UK and Irish governments to find a "unique solution" and give "official recognition to the special, unique nature of UK-Irish relations".

The report, compiled by the House of Lords EU Committee, will be launched in Dublin and London today with its authors stressing Ireland faced a "huge challenge".

The committee warned that if the UK government and the EU Institutions failed to pay enough attention to the consequences of Brexit for Ireland, North and South, it risked undermining "the efforts of all those who have worked so hard for peace and good relations across these islands".

And it argued that the Northern Ireland Executive should retain the right to make decisions about the free movement of EU nationals within its jurisdiction.

"We need early agreement on all sides that the UK and Ireland should be allowed to reach a draft bilateral agreement, one that protects the unique nature of UK-Irish relations, of Northern Ireland, and of North-South relations on the island of Ireland. It should guarantee open land borders and sea boundaries, support cross-border trade, and preserve EU funding for cross-border projects," committee chairman Lord Boswell, speaking of the report's launch, said.

"That agreement can then be put to the other EU member states and agreed as part of the wider Brexit negotiations."

The committee noted that if the UK left the customs union the challenges facing Ireland would be heightened significantly.

It concluded this would result in customs checks and make the open border "impossible to retain unless the EU is willing to accept that the special circumstances in Ireland, North and South, demand a novel approach".

The report also said that free travel, both North-South and East-West, was crucial to stability, prosperity and confidence on both sides of the Border.

Among the key recommendations was a special deal which would include:

Continuation of the current open land border between the UK and Ireland.

Maintenance of the Common Travel Area.

Retention of the right to Irish (and therefore EU) citizenship for the people of Northern Ireland.

A customs and trade arrangement between the UK and Ireland if the UK left the customs union.

Continued access to EU funding for cross-border projects.

According to Lord Boswell, much of the progress achieved following the Good Friday Agreement had been "based on the fact that both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are EU member states, with free movement and trade across an open border".

"Both the UK and Irish governments desperately want to avoid a return to hard borders," he said. "But the Republic of Ireland will remain in the EU, and any agreement to allow an open border to remain will have to be agreed by all the other EU member states. That's not a given."

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan will meet his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders to discuss Brexit.
New figures from IBEC show that while the value of total goods exports were up by 4.6pc in the first nine months of the year, turnover in the agri-food sector may be back 700m this year.

The figures show that when the two high-tech sectors of pharma and electronic equipment are excluded, exports fell by over 800m or 2.6pc annually.

IBEC says that the depreciation of Sterling had a significant role to play in this slowdown and it says the value of Irish food exports to the UK is down 5.6pc year-on-year.

This accelerated to 12.5pc in July and August before some recovery in September. Despite Sterlings weakness Irish exports overall will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace, it predicts.

IBEC also said that output in traditional manufacturing fell by 1pc over the first nine months of the year, and food production has been the driver of the weakness in traditional manufacturing.

Food output fell by 2pc annually in the first three quarters of the year and turnover was down by over 2.8pc, the figures show.

The pace of deterioration has accelerated since the Brexit result in June with output down 5.6pc in Q3. Carried over a full year these figures point to turnover loss of almost 700m in the food industry in 2016.

This has important implications for rural areas, it says, as about 10pc of turnover in the sector is spent on wages and salaries and 40pc on intermediate purchases from the primary agri-sector.

As such the direct loss to incomes in rural areas (on and off-farm) is likely to be in the region of half of the loss in turnover, it says.

In the months following the Brexit referendum, the Euro/Sterling exchange rate averaged at 0.86. This means that Irish exports destined for the UK are now 20pc more expensive than they were last year.

This is already having an impact as total good exports to the UK (excluding machinery) were down 2pc in the months following the referendum.
Origin Enterprises plc and University College Dublin (UCD) have announced the establishment of a dedicated digital, precision agriculture and crop science collaborative research partnership.

This is a 17.6m five-year research programme that is supported through the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Strategic Partnership Programme.

A cornerstone of the partnership will be the creation of scalable, dynamic and integrated crop models which incorporate consistent and real-time data driven and data analytical approaches that optimise sustainable crop performance through enabling enhanced predictive intelligence capabilities at field level.

Commenting on the announcement, Origins Chief Executive Officer, Tom OMahony said: We are delighted to join forces and collaborate with UCD, a world-leading academic institution in agricultural science with excellent credentials in multi-disciplinary research.

"We are particularly pleased with the support of Science Foundation Ireland under its Strategic Partnership Programme, the aim of which is to foster and develop partnerships of scale.

Professor Orla Feely, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said the project put Irish research at the forefront of new and innovative approaches for future farming systems.

"The multi-disciplinary research teams at UCD will use our research expertise in data science and agriculture, together with Origins industry experts, to address the issue of crop sustainability, a major global food security challenge.

Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General, SFI and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government of Ireland welcomed the announcement saying that project will secure Irelands international position in the field of data-driven agriculture.

"The proposed integrated crop model will have global implications in the sustainable production of crops, addressing the challenge of food production for a rapidly expanding global population.
Eighty tractors, 32 counties. 5,500 km, no breakdowns, no fights, no accidents - the final report for this years Carlow to Cork tractor run.

The incredible tractor run, which hit the road last August, raised a staggering 31,250 in aid of The Childrens Medical and Research Foundation at Our Ladys Childrens Hospital in Dublin.

This brings total hospital funds raised by the small club, set up in 2005, to an amazing to 259,500 over the years.

The cheque and a selection of commemorative plaques were presented to Crumlin Hospital and all the tractor drivers at a special presentation last month.

Brendan Byrne, organiser, praised all those who played a part in their big success story.

We set up 12 years ago to do a run to Cork, our priorities were to be safe, enjoy and if we could manage it raise some money for charity. By god we have achieved in bucket loads.

Thanks to all our club members this year for their attendance at meetings and paying membership fees and taking safety seriously. Thanks to our breakdown crews, hotels, inns, organisers and all those involved for their support over the last 12 years.

"Already looking forward to heading back down in 196 days, he said.
The Minister for Employment Pat Breen has said it is "greatly concerning" that so many families are losing loved ones due to work activity.

Almost half of all work-related fatalities this year were in farming, a sector that accounts for only 6pc of the Irish workforce.

Minister Breen, who was talking at a farm safety walk in Clare, said no other sector is experiencing that level of fatal accidents.

"It is greatly concerning to me that so many families are losing loved ones due to work activity. I would appeal to farmers to take some time to consider the risks in every job they do and to work out a plan to manage the hazards before they start work."

Statistics from the Health and Safety Authority show that you are eight times more likely to die working on a farm in Ireland than in the general working population.

In the last 10 years almost half (48pc) of all farm deaths have involved tractors and machinery, while 14pc of fatal accidents involve livestock. However, 65pc of all farm injuries can be attributed to handling livestock.

The event was organised by the Health and Safety Authority and Teagasc and is designed to give local farmers an opportunity to learn first-hand about the practicalities of safety.

It allows farmers to see and discuss good practice, while learning how to minimise the risk of accidents to themselves and their families.

There were four key areas addressed; tractors and machinery, livestock handling, farm buildings and slurry management.

During the walk farmers were given advice and information on; risks around tractor use, changing and maintaining PTO guards, vehicle safety including a SAFE STOP procedure and the additional risks involved when carrying out maintenance work.

Farmers were encouraged to take more care when working at height, to use the appropriate equipment such as a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) and not to take risks particularly while carrying out maintenance on fragile roofs. The importance of removing livestock and only carrying out slurry agitation on a windy day was also emphasised.

Slurry presents two particular safety and health problems - drowning and gas poisoning. Drowning is by far the most common cause of death involving slurry. Children and the elderly are at particular risk.

In the period 2000-2010, 30pc of child fatal accidents on farms were caused by drowning in slurry or water. In the same period 8pc of deaths to elderly farmers were caused by drowning.

Smell is no indicator of the absence of gas, as many gases are odourless. Hydrogen sulphide has a 'rotten egg' smell at low levels, but cannot be smelt at higher levels. High levels can be released when slurry is agitated. One breath or lung-full at this level causes instant death.
Tom and Moya Power first met eight years ago on December 23 at Creation nightclub in Waterford. They were introduced by mutual friends, and Moya liked that Tom was a messer and great fun to be around. She also thought he was fit and good-looking, and had a roguish twinkle in his eye.

As for farmer Tom, he was equally smitten. "Moya is a stunner and we just clicked," he says. "It was easy, but the challenging part was that we met just as I was going into my crazy season at work with calving. Moya was working in Dublin, and I was in Dungarvan working seven days a week."

Moya, 37, says any prospective farming relationship will survive if the couple can make it through a calving season. She and Tom got engaged in August 2010 and were married in October 2011 in her hometown of Abbeyside, which is just 10km from where Tom grew up. She's the youngest of Donal and Moya Verling's three children.

Moya did a degree in food business at UCC, followed by a master's in food marketing. She then went to Portland, Oregon, working with the Irish Dairy Board. After two years, she returned home and worked with Unilever in Dublin, and moved to Musgrave in Cork after she met Tom. While she is currently on maternity leave, Moya is now brand manager with Flahavan's, best known for its porridge oats, and she says it's a fabulous place to work.

Tom, 39, and his four siblings grew up on Drumhills Farm in the hills of Dungarvan. Their parents, Jim and Brid, worked hard on the dairy and beef farm, which has been in the family for generations. Tom had a passion for farming, and spent a year learning dairy agriculture in New Zealand after he graduated from Rockwell Agricultural College. He is now the fifth generation of the family to run the farm, and he and Moya built their house on the grounds in 2012. He loves the animals, the land and being his own boss. "I have a very understanding wife," he says of the long hours, adding that Moya is a marvellous help and he gets great support on the farm from his cousin Shane.

Moya and Tom discovered that they were expecting their first baby in October 2012. What should have been a wonderful time turned into heartbreak at the 20-week scan, when they discovered that their baby, Fionn, had a syndrome called Trisomy 13 Patau. Caused by a chromosomal abnormality, it causes devastating neurological and physical defects and many babies with the condition don't survive. Sadly their beautiful little boy was born sleeping, on his mum's birthday in May 2013, when Moya was 34 weeks pregnant.

Moya kept a blog throughout this time (fionnsjourney.blogspot.ie).She and Tom were devastated, but supported each other through their grief. "Men either cower or stand up and support in these circumstances and Tom was amazing," says Moya. "Our families were incredible too." While baby Fionn remains firmly in their hearts, Moya and Tom also now have two daughters, Ella, two, and Chloe, who is six months old. Chloe shares her birthday with Tom's mum and grandmother Catherine, who is 102.

"We have great fun, but it's a busy household and it's challenging being married to a farmer, because Tom works such long hours and is gone by 5.30am." says Moya.

Tom and Moya were delighted that their passion for the farm was recognised at the National Dairy Council & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2016. They were nominated by Glanbia, to whom they supply their milk. They were really happy to be awarded a prize for excellence in milk production at the awards ceremony in Dublin, and shocked when they were declared the overall winners. "I was just so thrilled for my parents and Moya, and I hope that I can pass the love for the farm down to the next generation too," says Tom. "It takes such time and effort to produce what we do, but we do it because we love it."

Moya says that she and Tom have a very honest relationship, and the communication between them is first-rate. This, she reckons, is because of all they went through together when they lost Fionn. "I know I could tell Tom anything, well apart from how much I spent on a dress last week," she laughs. "We have a very fun and social relationship, and have a lot of friends and are spoiled with babysitters. Dungarvan is a very vibrant town and a great place to go out in."

When asked about the differences between them, Moya says that Tom can be slightly OCD when it comes to organising things, probably because he is so clinically clean with the farm. "He's great fun but managing stress isn't his strong point, whereas stressful things happen every day in my job so I have to be as cool as a cucumber," she says.

"And Moya's best quality is that she'd remain calm in an earthquake, while everyone around was losing their head," says Tom, smiling fondly at his lovely wife.

For further information on the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, which recognises Ireland's top dairy farmers, visit www.qualitymilkawards.ie
Phoenix companies are businesses that have been restarted under a new name after the original business has gone into liquidation (Stock picture)

A company whose directors include the chief executive of the Rose of Tralee festival, Anthony O'Gara, has been embroiled in allegations that it was liquidated this year only for the business to be effectively transferred the next day to another individual.

The Revenue Commissioners labels such activity as 'Phoenix Syndrome'.

The company at the centre of the case is Limerick-based Star Elm Frames. In 2013, the company - which made frames for windows and doors - exited examinership after a pledge that a 60,000 loan would be made to it, and an investment of 60,000 made in the business.

Revenue had opposed the scheme of arrangement, but the High Court approved it.

As part of the scheme, Mr O'Gara was to become an executive director of the business. An existing executive director of Star Elm, David Sage, was due to resign as part of the scheme.

In hearing a petition this year by the Revenue Commissioners for the compulsorily winding up of the firm, the High Court said that no loan or investment had been made in the business as per the scheme of arrangement. Details of the ruling have just been released by the court.

It also heard that Mr O'Gara appeared to be acting as a non-executive director, rather than in an executive capacity.

It was also questioned in court as to whether or not Mr Sage had continued to act as a shadow director.

Revenue alleged that it had been misled in relation to the 2013 examinership process. Other complaints made by the Revenue - including that Mr O'Gara had delegated various functions to Mr Sage such that the latter acted as a shadow director - were not denied.

On July 1 this year, the Revenue Commissioners placed public notices that a petition by them to have Star Elm compulsorily wound up would be heard on July 18. In March, the Revenue had issued Star Elm with a demand for almost 590,000.

On July 6, Star Elm ceased trading and, according to the High Court, appeared to have entered into a rental agreement the next day with David Sage. The court said that the Revenue Commissioner characterises that as a transfer of business and a "phoenix operation".

Phoenix companies are businesses that have been restarted under a new name after the original business has gone into liquidation.

Anthony Fitzpatrick was appointed liquidator of Star Elm by its creditors on July 18, but the judge said he had "misunderstood" his role as a voluntary liquidator. The judge added that Mr Fitzpatrick had been "considerably less than forthcoming to Revenue" in a letter on July 20 when he failed to mention a rental agreement that had been signed with Mr Sage on July 7.

Revenue wanted a compulsory winding-up to take the place of the creditors' winding-up. A barrister for the Revenue told the court that Star Elm was "stacked with the very people who require to be investigated", including Mr O'Gara and Mr Sage.

The judge ruled in favour of the Revenue petition and replaced Mr Fitzpatrick as liquidator with Mr Miles Kirby.
Irish construction firms are taking on extra staff, pushing the sharpest rise in employment since February, according to Ulster Bank's latest Construction PMI.

Construction firms continued to record strong growth of activity last month, supported by a further sharp increase in new orders.

Simon Barry, chief economist (RoI) at Ulster Bank, said whilst details across the main sub-sectors painted a "mixed picture", there was a very encouraging further acceleration in residential activity which took the Housing PMI to its highest level since February.

"This is further welcome evidence of sustained, solid expansion in an area where strong performance is badly needed given the housing supply shortfall," said Mr Barry.
The furniture and home furnishings giant, which this week posted annual sales of 152m at its Irish operations, plans to open a customer service hub at its Ballymun store next May

Up to 30 jobs are to be created by Ikea at a new customer support call centre in Dublin.

The furniture and home furnishings giant, which this week posted annual sales of 152m at its Irish operations, plans to open a customer service hub at its Ballymun store next May.

A support office in Peterborough in England currently deals with UK and Ireland inquiries. Ikea Ireland market manager Marsha Smith said the company wanted to "increase the post-sales customer experience" for Irish shoppers.

"If you ring a contact centre you want to speak to someone locally, and you want to talk about the store you've just been in. If you phoned Ikea today you would get put through to Peterborough, so we wanted something more local," said Smith.

The Swedish company is Ireland's largest home furnishings retailer with sales here making it Ikea's fastest growing market in Europe. Sales increased from 132m in 2015 to 152.5m for the financial year ending in August.

Staff numbers increased by 110 during the year, bringing the firm's total headcount in Ireland to 663.

In September, Ikea opened an order-and-collection point in Carrickmines, adding to its flagship store in Ballymun.
Ireland has reacted "swiftly" to address aggressive tax avoidance, according to a new book on Irish tax policy to be launched today by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

'Irish Tax Policy in Perspective', a collaboration between the Finance Deparment and the Irish Tax Institute, also cautions against the possible gains that might be recovered from a controversial wealth tax.

ITI president Mark Barrett said the changed shape of global economies and the Irish economy in recent years had brought about a more intense focus on tax.

"Tax affects our economy, our growth and our expenditure plans," said Mr Barrett.

"It's an important lever to drive innovation and expansion, and as such it is critical that we resist external threats to erode our tax sovereignty."

The collection of essays comes as Oxfam branded the Republic of Ireland the sixth-worst country for helping corporations to cheat their way out of billions of euro in tax bills each year.

Jim Clarken, chief executive of the charity's Irish division, said the country was part of a toxic global system that services the very wealthiest while ordinary people pay the price and lose out on essential public services.

"Around the world, we are known as a country of good fun, bad weather and awful tax policies that facilitate worsening inequality by allowing some of the world's richest companies to avoid paying their fair share to society," he said. "This is no badge of honour."

Bermuda was ranked the worst in a study of 15 countries.
Here are the main business stories from this morning's papers:

Irish Independent

* A company whose directors include the chief executive of the Rose of Tralee festival, Anthony O'Gara, has been embroiled in allegations that it was liquidated this year only for the business to be effectively transferred the next day to another individual.

The Revenue Commissioners labels such activity as 'Phoenix Syndrome'.

* Retail footfall in Northern Ireland grew 3.5pc in November, in a sign traders are benefiting from a cross-Border Brexit bounce.

There was growth across main streets, retail parks and shopping centres, according to information service Springboard. The North was the only UK region to experience growth across all three.

* Irish construction firms are taking on extra staff, pushing the sharpest rise in employment since February, according to Ulster Bank's latest Construction PMI.

Construction firms continued to record strong growth of activity last month, supported by a further sharp increase in new orders.

The Irish Times

* The EU committee of the House of Lords has recommended the British and Ireland governments should come to an agreement to minimise the effect of Brexit on cross-border and British and Irish trade.

According to a report from the committee, the deal should guarantee open land borders and sea boundaries. The agreement would be subject to EU approval.

* Permanent TSB has withdrawn from talk over buying 100m worth of mortgages from US group GE Capital.

The deal would have been the first since the crash for PTSB, who is now under pressure to rebuild its loan book.

* The Irish construction sector is appealing for builders that moved abroad to return home to help deal with the rising demand for newly built houses.

The Construction Industry Federation estimates it will need to find 112,000 workers to deal with projected demand over the coming years.

Irish Examiner

* Irish Water has cost the State in excess of 2bn over the past three years, and is expected to cost 844m in 2016, new figures have shown.

According to Government projections 678m and 621m was granted to the utility in 2014 and 2015 respectively with further capital contributions to the entity bringing the total spend on it to over 2bn.

* Irish employment levels are set to return to their pre-crash high by the end of the year despite the looming threat of Brexit, business group Ibec has said.

Ibec said spending increases and multinational expansion was leading to strong gains in the Irish economy.
Social media giant Twitter has named Sinead McSweeney as the new managing director of its Irish arm, Twitter Dublin.

Ms McSweeney will take on the position in addition to her current role as vice-president of public policy and communications for Twitter Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Twitter chief operating officer Anthony Noto announced the news on Twitter this morning, describing her as a person of "strong character" and an "inspirational leader".

Excited to announce @smcs as our new Managing Director of @TwitterDublin. A person of strong character and an inspirational leader.  Anthony Noto (@anthonynoto) December 12, 2016

The firm's new Irish MD joined Twitter four years ago. Prior to joining the micro-blogging giant Ms McSweeney was director of communications for An Garda Siochana from 2007 to 2012. Before that she was director of media and public relations for the Police Service of Northern Ireland for three years.

The Midleton native has also held a host of political advisory positions in the Irish government, inlcuding special advisor to the minister for justice, equality, and law reform.

Ms McSweeney studied law in University College Cork and qualified as a barrister in 1993.

Speaking about her announcement Mr Noto said she will bring a wealth of experience to her new role.

I have had the pleasure of working with Sinead since I joined Twitter and I have seen first hand how she exemplifies Twitters culture and leadership."

Speaking about her appointment Ms McSweeney said she was delighted to take on the role.

"Having been one of the first members of the Twitter team in Ireland, I have watched the office grow and its people develop over the past four and half years. The challenge of leading this great group of people through the next phase is one that I am excited to embrace.

She replaces Storyful founder Mark Little who stepped down from the role earlier in the month. Mr Little's departure came as a surprise to many having only joined Twitter in 2015.

"In October, the decision was made to restructure the team and locate its leadership roles in the US. I was asked to consider a possible return to the US, where I was living when I joined Twitter, or building on my role as Twitter's managing director in Dublin. I decided that neither would be the right fit for me or Twitter Dublin and I opted for a mutually agreed exit from the company," Mr Little said of leaving the company this month.
Native American reservations cover just 2pc of the United States, but may contain about a fifth of the nation's oil and gas, along with vast coal reserves.

Now, a group of advisers to US president-elect Donald Trump on Native American issues wants to free those resources from what it calls a suffocating federal bureaucracy that holds title to 56 million acres of tribal lands, two chairmen of the coalition said.

The group proposes to put those lands into private ownership - a politically explosive idea that could upend more than a century of policy designed to preserve Indian tribes on US-owned reservations, which are governed by tribal leaders as sovereign nations.

The tribes have rights to use the land, but do not own it. They can drill it and reap the profits, but only under regulations far more burdensome than those applied to private property.

"We should take tribal land away from public treatment," Markwayne Mullin said, a Republican US Representative from Oklahoma and a Cherokee tribe member who is co-chairing Mr Trump's Native American Affairs Coalition.

"As long as we can do it without unintended consequences, I think we will have broad support around Indian country."

The plan dovetails with Mr Trump's larger aim of slashing regulation to boost energy production. It could deeply divide Native American leaders, who hold a range of opinions on the proper balance between development and conservation.

The proposed path to deregulated drilling - privatising reservations - could prove even more divisive. Many Native Americans view such efforts as a violation of tribal self-determination and culture.

"Our spiritual leaders are opposed to the privatisation of our lands, which means the commoditisation of the nature, water, air we hold sacred," Tom Goldtooth said, a member of both the Navajo and the Dakota tribes who runs the Indigenous Environmental Network.

Reservations governed by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs are intended in part to keep Native American lands off the private real estate market, preventing sales to non-Indians.

The legal underpinnings for reservations date to treaties made between 1778 and 1871 to end wars between indigenous Indians and European settlers. Tribal governments decide how land and resources are allotted among tribe members.

Leaders of Mr Trump's coalition did not provide details of how they proposed to allocate ownership of the land or mineral rights - or to ensure they remained under Indian control.

One idea is to limit sales to non-Indian buyers, Ross Swimmer said, a co-chair on Mr Trump's advisory coalition and an ex-chief of the Cherokee nation who worked on Indian affairs in the Reagan administration.

"It has to be done with an eye toward protecting sovereignty," he said.

The Trump-appointed coalition's proposal comes against a backdrop of broader environmental tensions on Indian reservations, including protests against a petroleum pipeline by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their supporters in North Dakota.

Yesterday, amid rising opposition, the US Army Corps of Engineers said it had denied a permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline project, citing a need to explore alternative routes.

The Trump transition team has expressed support for the pipeline, however, and his administration could revisit the decision once it takes office.

Tribes and their members could potentially reap vast wealth from more easily tapping resources beneath reservations. The Council of Energy Resource Tribes, a tribal energy consortium, estimated in 2009 that Indian energy resources were worth about $1.5trn (1.42trn).

Deregulation could also benefit private oil drillers including Devon Energy Corp, Occidental Petroleum, BP and others that have sought to develop leases on reservations through deals with tribal governments.

Mr Trump's transition team commissioned the 27-member Native American Affairs Coalition to draw up a list of proposals to guide his Indian policy on issues ranging from energy to health care and education.

The backgrounds of the coalition's leadership are one sign of its pro-drilling bent. At least three of four chair-level members have links to the oil industry.

Several tribes, including the Crow Nation in Montana and the Southern Ute in Colorado, have entered into mining and drilling deals that generate much-needed revenue for tribe members and finance health, education and infrastructure projects on their reservations.

But a raft of federal permits are required to lease, mortgage, mine, or drill - a bureaucratic thicket that critics say contributes to higher poverty.
Mayo County Council has launched a campaign to reduce rowdiness outside nightclubs and encourage road safety this Christmas

Forget kebabs, it appears lollipops are the trick to calming people down after a night on the town.

Mayo County Council has launched a campaign to reduce rowdiness outside nightclubs and encourage road safety this Christmas.

The council is offering free lollipops for to club-goers in the lead up to the festive season.

Like giving candy to a grumpy baby, lollipops are said to have similar effects on grown men and women", road safety officer with Mayo County Council Noel Gibbons said. "Moreover, arguments fuelled by drunken bravado and macho attitudes often escalate following verbal exchanges.

"In other countries police noticed an immediate decrease in rowdy activity and an increase in calming energy and awareness created around the message on the lollipop."

The lollipops also come with a road safety messages such as 'Get Home Safely'.

The scheme, which is being led by Mayo County Council, is being put on trial after a similar project in the UK and Canada and in Mayo last year proved successful.

The scheme is being supported by Gardai in Mayo and Superintendent Joe Mc Kenna, who is based in Castlebar, said it was worth giving it a shot.

"Through this campaign we and our partners are using a whole range of ideas to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve road safety to make the Christmas period and New Year a enjoyable and safe time for all, he said.
Historian Conor Dodd at Glasnevin Cemetery with the remnants of the Jacobs 1916 flag. Photo: Frank McGrath

The largest known remnant of the tricolour flag hoisted at Jacob's Biscuit Factory during the 1916 Rising has been donated to Glasnevin Cemetery after 100 years in Jersey.

The flag had been located in Channel Islands since 1916, where it had been sent by John Le Provost, a member of the British infantry from the Jersey Pals Battalion who fought during the Rising.

It was returned to Ireland by Le Provost's great-grandson, David Blake, when he learned exactly what his family had been handed down.

"It is only correct and necessary that the Jacob's Tricolour comes back home," said Mr Blake at a ceremony in Glasnevin yesterday. "I feel as if I had it for a reason; as if the family had been caring for the flag so when the appropriate time came, it should go back. This year is the appropriate time."

John Green, chairman of Glasnevin Trust, said: "By having this flag presented to us we can tell this story more completely and hopefully encourage people to go away and learn a bit more about this complicated part of our history." He added that it brought the centenary celebrations at Glasnevin Cemetery to a worthy conclusion.

"The flag will go on permanent exhibit beside the original print of the 1916 Proclamation. For us it's a nice end to 1916, it's just so appropriate," he said.

"From the unveiling of the Statue of Sacrifice in 2014, and exactly one year and one day later the centenary of the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa, we've had a myriad of commemorations."

The event was also attended by Chief Minister of Jersey Government, Senator Ian Gorst.

"We are only small, but those decisions of Jersey men show that these islands are bound together and have been bound together through history," he said.

"We see today as a day of reconciliation, a day of reunion."

The Jacob's Tricolour was made upon the destruction of the GPO flag, which had either been shot or burned down after the GPO came under fire.

A replacement flag was fashioned by Thomas Meldon, George Ward and Derry Connell using bunting, and was then nailed to a flagpole above the factory. Meldon and Ward are now buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

The flag will be put on display in Glasnevin Museum and will be available for public viewing in early January.
Via The Globe and Mail: Canada mulls giving border guards broader powers to combat illicit fentanyl. Excerpt and then a comment:

The federal government is looking at arming Canadas border guards with broader powers to open and seize suspect packages, as a growing volume of illicit fentanyl is smuggled into the country.

Caroline Xavier, a vice-president at the Canada Border Services Agency, told a House of Commons committee examining the opioid crisis that the government is reviewing the Customs Act to determine whether restrictions that prevent guards from opening small packages should be removed.

Currently, border guards who inspect goods coming into the country are not authorized to open packages weighing less than 30 grams without the consent of the recipient. They can open and inspect any package exceeding that threshold and use detection technology to screen all mail.

A recent report prepared by the standing committee on health called on Ottawa to give agents the authority to search packages under 30 grams arriving through the mail and by courier. Ms. Xavier was not available for an interview.

Nicholas Dorion, a spokesman for the CBSA, said in an e-mail response to questions from The Globe and Mail that the agency reviews its operating procedures on a continuous basis to ensure that they support national security and public safety priorities. This includes stopping fentanyl at the border, he said.

The agency, the first line of defence in preventing illicit goods from entering the country, is responsible for clearing international mail. It has made 114 seizures of fentanyl since 2014, Jacques Cloutier, an associate vice-president at the CBSA, said at an opioid conference in Ottawa last month. So far this year, the number of fentanyl seizures has surpassed those for all of 2015, he said. Between May 13 and Nov. 10 of this year, the agency made 53 fentanyl seizures.

At this time, Mr. Cloutier said, most shipments of the powerful opioid are coming from China and Hong Kong.

I need to stress at this time, he told the conference, hosted by federal Health Minister Jane Philpott. As you disrupt one network, another network appears.

And we can safely assume that the exporters assume at least this much loss of product in their business plan. The profit is in what gets through the screen into what must be an extraordinarily sophisticated distribution system.
Gardai lock down the Malahide Road during the manhunt following the Tiger kidnapping in Bayside/Seabury in September 2014

Tiger kidnappers threatened to burn a postmistress, her daughter and an exchange student to death in a car before making off with 95,000 in cash, it has been alleged.

A court heard the masked raiders took the three women from their beds, tied them up and held them captive in the postmistresss car, which was doused with a liquid while the threats were made.

According to gardai, they were then forced to go to the post office, where the money was stolen.

One of two men charged in connection with the incident was refused bail at Dublin District Court.

Patrick Carroll (49) is charged with three counts of false imprisonment, burglary and unauthorised taking of a car at Seabury Drive, Malahide, on September 25, 2014.

Mr Carroll, a painter and decorator from Forest Way, Rivervalley, Swords, is also accused of robbery at Bayside post office and threatening to kill the three women on the same date.

Judge John Lindsay refused him bail and adjourned the case for the preparation of a book of evidence.

A second man is also currently before the courts charged with the same offences.

Det Gda Domhnall OConnell said he was objecting to bail because of the nature, degree and seriousness of the alleged offences.

forced

This is what is commonly known as a tiger kidnapping, he told the court.

He said it was alleged that the accused and another man forced entry into the home of the postmistress, Susan Lawlor, at 1am.

They woke up the woman, her daughter Emma Carter and an Italian exchange student, Gabriella Lousa, from their sleep, tied their hands and put tape over their eyes.

They were taken away from the house in Ms Lawlors car and held for a number of hours at an unknown location, believed to be in north Co Dublin.

The postmistress was allegedly threatened that the three of them would be burned to death in the car. A liquid of some sort was poured over the vehicle, Det Gda OConnell said.

At 6am, they went to Bayside post office where the three women remained tied up.

The money was taken in a post bag by the two men, who fled. The women were released by staff from an adjoining premises.

It was alleged that the raiders were stopped but fled the vehicle, leaving the money behind.

Follow-up searches led to the discovery of two mobile phones, a jacket, a hat and a face mask.

Det Gda OConnell said gardai had examined forensic and CCTV evidence.

The judge adjourned the case to a date next month and remanded the defendant in custody.
A WOMAN who suffered burns to her face in an unprovoked attack has been the subject of despicable online abuse from trolls supporting her attacker.

Shauna McHugh (24) was targeted as she answered the door to a hotel room in Letterkenny during last years Donegal Rally.

Expand Close Kevin Quinn: pleaded guilty to assault causing harm / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kevin Quinn: pleaded guilty to assault causing harm

Her attacker Kevin Quinn (23), from Ardboe in Co Tyrone, was jailed last week for pointing a deodorant aerosol can at Ms McHugh and setting it alight.

Ms McHugh had to give up her pharmaceutical science degree course after the incident as she became upset when using Bunsen burners during class experiments.

The mother-of-one, from Donegal Town, was forced to quit Facebook and other social media sites yesterday after a barrage of hate-filled messages from supporters of Quinn.

Read more: 'I didn't sleep for months' - Young mum (24) left scarred following horror hotel 'flamethrower' attack

Friends say she has been left traumatised at the level of bile directed towards her.

Where are your burns? asked one troll.

During the sentencing hearing last week, where Quinn pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, Judge John OHagan asked the victim to come to the front of the court.

When he asked to see her face, Ms McHugh told him: Its covered in make-up.

The judge, however, said marks from the attack were still clearly visible.

Quinns brother Ryan, who served four years in prison for manslaughter, also made a number of remarks on his Facebook page about the incident before later saying she should be left alone.

Ryan Quinn killed Finbar McVey (21) with a single punch to the back of his victims head in Co Tyrone in 2003.

For us to read an article that a can of deodorant and a lighter is a weapon and Kevin set out to assault a young girl with both I dont and wont except this, said the older brother.

Later he asked friends to leave Ms McHugh alone.

Lets all cool down. Newspapers calling Kevin Quinn a thug I wont stand for nor folks will I stand for a young girl being called awful names or wishing awful things to happen to her.

Kevin Quinn was so confident he would not be sent to prison, he had been organising a trips with friends to Las Vegas and California. He was jailed for a year.
A 77year-old bachelor farmer who was caught drink driving more than three years ago, and whom 'the girls never bothered with', will be allowed motor on for another year, a court has decided.

Tom Sullivan, from Lisheen, Firies, Killarney had pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol on October 22 2013 at Leamnaguilla, Beaufort, Killarney.

The blood-alcohol reading was 175 which meant a two-year mandatory suspension from driving, Killarney District Court was told.

Mr Sullivan's solicitor Padraig OConnell said he was seeking an adjournment just to keep him going.

The matter first came before Killarney District Court in June 2014 and was adjourned for various reasons, including at first for the standard disclosure of documents.

This is the cases seventh outing before the court, the State agreed to a final adjournment to November 2018.

Last week, at Killarney District Court, Judge James OConnor invited the slightly stooped, white-haired Mr Sullivan to sit up near him, on a low chair in front of the bench.

He lived on his own in an isolated area, and the neighbours were not that good to him, his solicitor synopsised from previous outings of the case, for Judge OConnor.

The judge questioned him closely on his circumstances. Mr Sullivan told the judge he lived two and a half miles from Firies village, on the Killarney side.

Im off the main road, he said.

He drove a 98 Nissan and he also had a bit of a tractor.

I had a good one, one time, he told Judge OConnor.

He had no stock now. His brother, also a bachelor farmer, lived not far  they had two farms. Mr Sullivan, the accused, had remained in the home place. Nieces in North Kerry called to him off and on but they also called to the brother, he told the judge. He would be totally stranded without his car.

The brother and himself led independent lives, he indicated. Do ye agree? Judge OConnor asked.

Yera, off and on, Mr Sullivan replied.

The reading was 175mg per 100 ml of blood, which carried a mandatory two years off the road, the court was told. Mr Sullivan, who was born on 15 September 1939, had no previous convictions.

His solicitor, Mr OConnell, said he was looking for an adjournment (of the driving ban) just to keep him going.

Judge OConnor remarked his heart mightnt be the strongest  but hes motoring on.

Judge OConnor agreed to a further adjournment, once more to the autumn of next year. There was consent from Inspector Niall Crowley, for the State.

The inspector said it would have to be finalised then. The matter has been adjourned to November 2017.

The judge enquired if he had ever bothered with women and as Mr Sullivan made his way from the bench to the body of the court.

They didnt bother with me! was the reply.

Judge O'Connor recently hit the headlines when he allowed another farmer in Kerry time to organise his cattle and a chance to go to Lisdoonvarna to find  a nice woman to drive him around during his disqualification for drink-driving.
A judge has jailed a rapist for 15 years after saying he needs to be removed from society until it's safe for him to return.

Richard O'Brien (57) lured a grandmother 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. Last July he was found guilty by a jury of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm earlier this year.

O'Brien with a former address in Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee was sentenced in early 2015 after being convicted of separate offences of rape and false imprisonment carried out two months earlier. He received a six year sentence for that, backdated to the date of his extradition from the UK.

At his sentencing hearing last month Mr Justice Tony Hunt had him removed from court after O'Brien repeatedly interrupted proceedings, calling his victim a filthy prostitute.

Today Mr Justice Hunt said that the harm done by O'Brien to the victim was very very great indeed with long term if not permanent damage.

Expand Close Richard O'Brien (57) of Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee, who was removed from his sentencing hearing after shouting at his victim, who he was convicted of raping / Facebook

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He said that O'Brien had identified her on the night as someone who was a vulnerable person. He had used deception by telling her there was a party while in reality he was bringing her to an isolated caravan.

He said he was tempted to impose a life sentence so that O'Brien would be kept away from the public until the executive determines it would be safe for him to be released.

He said O'Brien was a very serious threat indeed but said his case fell just short of one where a life sentence should be imposed.

Imposing a 15 year prison term, Mr Justice Hunt said O'Brien will be in jail for a large part of his remaining life span.

That's his fault. He needs to be removed from society until its safe for him to return, he said. He said he was giving some allowance in his sentencing to O'Brien's age and his medical issues.

He backdated the sentence to last August, when his previous sentence expired. He ordered that O'Brien be subject to post release supervision for three years and that he must notify authorities of his address, as per the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said she has had nightmares every night for the last five years. She said the attack led to the breakdown of her 23-year relationship and she had suicidal thoughts. She said her relationship with her children and grandchildren has suffered as a result.

For the last five years of my life I have been existing, not living, she said.

O'Brien left school at the age of 15 and worked in the UK as a labourer and truck driver. Mr Colgan said he suffers from arthritis and sciatica and has recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He has been married twice and has seven children, but is estranged from his family.

Last month 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 O'Brien 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.

At the hearing today Mr Colgan said he had been instructed by his client to offer an unreserved apology to the court and to the victim for the outbursts in November.

Garda Ruth Brett told Ms Rowland that the victim, who cannot be named, 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, but once inside he told her, There's no effing sister and there's no effing taxi either.

He then pushed her on to the bed, punched her repeatedly, bit her on the chest and neck and raped her. The woman fainted at one point during the attack, which went on for some time, the court heard.

It ended only after two men entered the caravan and stopped O'Brien. The woman fled the scene and was picked up by a couple in a car who took her to a garda station. She was then taken to a sexual assault treatment unit.

One of the men who entered the caravan also made a detailed statement to gardai about what he had seen.
A woman whose husband raped and brutally beat her in their marital bed after she declined to hold his hand has told a court how more than just (her) marriage died that night.

I feel like a ghost, the woman told the Central Criminal Court during an emotional victim impact statement.

The attack on me in my own bed was a complete shock. I couldn't breathe, move or make a sound. I was sure my life was over.

Last October, a jury found the 45-year-old Laois man guilty of raping his wife of on January 8, 2015. He had already pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to her by punching her repeatedly in the face prior to raping her.

His sentence hearing was told on Monday that he does not accept the rape guilty verdict.

A detective garda agreed with Pauline Walley SC, prosecuting, that during the attack the woman started screaming, Help me God before he told her, No God is going to help you.

He stuck his thumb in her mouth to stop her screaming for help from their son, leaving her unable to breathe for about one minute.

The court heard the attack was sparked by the man becoming annoyed when his wife did not hold his hand on the couch that night and told him begging is not attractive.

When she came to bed that night, he attacked her and told her, That will teach you not to disrespect me. I want to hear you beg for mercy, before saying, Now I am going to rape you and I am going to enjoy it.

The man told gardai he flipped because the woman accused him of being needy and he felt she implied he didn't know how to attract women. He said he punched her five or six times to the face before making her beg for mercy.

He said he then asked her for sex and she consented and seemed to enjoy it. He also said she had previously asked him to rape her during consensual sex and that she never refused sex.

The woman said she was not physically forced to have sex but that she felt it was her only way out. She said she never previously asked her husband to rape her.

Adjourning the matter for sentencing on December 20, Mr Justice Paul Butler said it was highly significant that the jury had returned a unanimous guilty verdict to the rape charge. He noted that the woman was more profoundly affected by the assault than the rape and she would never have claimed she was raped if it had not happened.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said she had little memory of the rape, which was completely overshadowed by the assault. I was in a state of shock at the time, she said, adding she thought she was going to die.

Something more than just my marriage must have died that night because I feel like a ghost, she said, adding she has not cried since the incident.

People who used to be close to me don't acknowledge me but I can still see them, she said, adding she has since moved to a new home where she doesn't know anyone.

I'm sure my emotions will return some day and I'll (find) a new identity and won't stay a ghost. I know God saved my life for a reason.

Defence barrister, Caroline Biggs SC, told the court her client was extremely remorseful for the assault, although he maintains he did not rape his wife. The court heard he has no previous convictions and has a low risk of re-offending.

A number of testimonials on his behalf were handed up to the court including two from his adult children, who said his actions that night did not reflect well on the father they knew growing up.

In a letter to the judge, the man said his wife was a good mother and a wife who did not deserve to be assaulted. I regret it very much, he said.
A man who admitted organising more than fifty marriages of convenience for asylum seekers has been deported following a major garda investigation.

Officers from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) smashed a network headed by Mauritian native, Resen Modeley, after an operation lasting 15 months.

Modeley was identified as a key player in the growing racket after Operation Vantage was set up in August last year.

Two weeks ago he was convicted in Dublin circuit criminal court of three counts of deception and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

The judge suspended 22 months of the sentence for five years on condition that Modeley consented to being deported to Mauritius. He was sent back at the weekend.

The operation was set up by the head of the bureau, Det Chief Supt Dave Dowling, after officers noted a huge increase in the number of number of asylum applications and marriages of convenience, also known as sham marriages, mainly involving males in the 18-35 age group from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The increase followed changes in visa policies in the UK and led to abuses of the common travel area, with applicants arriving across the Border from Northern Ireland and then marrying Portuguese women, in particular.

Detectives began focusing on "fixers", who were arranging these marriages and one of the top suspects was quickly identified as Moseley, who had been living here for several years and based in an apartment in Drumcondra on the northside of Dublin.

Modeley was found to be locating the women with the help of a female associate in Portugal and social media advertising, facilitating their transportation to Ireland, arranging short-term temporary accommodation and providing fraudulent documentation in an attempt to support their applications.

Most of the women did not stay here but flew in and out of the country after registering here.

By his own admission, Modeley arranged at least 50 bogus marriages, charging 7,000 for each of them and netting a total of 350,000 profit, minus relatively minor expenses.

A fee was agreed with the women but few of them received more than a small retainer while the marriages were being finalised.

Modeley had also taken part in a marriage of convenience but has long since separated from his "bride".

He was one of 15 suspected fixers identified by the immigration bureau during the investigation.

Read More

During the operation gardai received assistance from the authorities in Portugal, Latvia, the UK, Czech Republic, Estonia and other European countries.

In 2015 asylum applications jumped up by 127pc from 1,438 to 3,271, compared to the previous year.

Applications from Pakistani males rose from 292 in 2014 to 1,352 in 2015 and they accounted for 41pc of all asylum claims.

As a result of garda inquiries, sham marriages involving Pakistani males dropped from 461 between January and August last year to 120 in the corresponding period this year while those involving Indians dropped from 147 to 38 and Bangladeshi males from 68 to 17 and there was also a 95pc reduction in the number of Portuguese women taking part.

The breakthrough for the gardai came late last year when more than 200 officers carried out 42 searches across the nation. Half of them were at homes and business premises in Dublin while eight more swoops were in Mayo, four in Louth, three in Kildare, two each in Longford and one each in Meath and Cork.

These resulted in 13 arrests on the day of the operation and an overall total of 63 arrests to date.

A senior garda officer said the immigration bureau were determined to continue their inquiries to halt the racket involving sham marriage fixers.

The sham marriages flourished initially because of a loophole in the law, created after the High Court struck down legislation, which had allowed gardai to combat abuses.

But a new law, introduced by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, gave widespread powers to registrars to investigate a planned marriage, if suspicions had been aroused.

Officers from the Garda national fraud bureau have also examined a number of financial accounts to determine if money held there had been gleaned from the racket.
A man who was wiped out of his tree on drugs made three attempts to abduct children from a nursery school, a court has heard.

Drugged up William John Hamilton (27) arrived at the nursery last Tuesday and asked for a boy by his first name even though he had no connection to any pupil.

When he was told there was no such child he asked for two girls by name before staff alerted police.

At Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday, a CID officer said Hamilton had consumed a large amount amount of diazepam before going to the school in a drug-induced haze.

The officer said that staff at the school were intensely concerned at his protracted attempts to remove a child from the school even though he had no connection to any pupil at the school whatsoever.

He also said that Hamilton accepted he was the man that went to the school and that he has been addicted to diazepam for years.

A defence solicitor said that Hamilton, who currently lives at a Simon Community hostel on the Falls Road, was wiped out of his tree on drugs at the time.

It was also revealed that a friend had died from a drugs overdose at Hamiltons flat on the Ormeau Road in August this year but that had not motivated him to give up his addiction.

His lawyer argued that there was nothing sinister behind Hamiltons attempts to take a child from the school as he was just walking around in a haze.

He said that earlier that day Hamilton had been moved on by police after they found him standing in a telephone box shouting but not actually using the telephone.

Refusing bail, District Judge Bernadette Kelly said she was exceptionally concerned that a man with no connection with a school would seek to remove a child, asking where did that come from?

Judge Kelly said she had to consider all children and parents when deciding whether to grant him bail.

Hamilton was remanded in custody to appear again on December 15.
Figures released by Education Minister Richard Bruton shows that 199 schools, with around 35,000 pupils, are not being directly serviced by NEPS. Photo: Tom Burke

Almost 200 schools are without the direct services of an educational psychologist due to massive staff shortages.

The National Education Psychological Service (NEPS) is currently trying to recruit new practitioners, but in the meantime schools are having to outsource the work.

The situation is affecting children's access to Resource Teaching Hours and Learning Supports, and according to Opposition politicians, "privileging households that have the resources to opt for private assessment".

Figures released by Education Minister Richard Bruton shows that 199 schools, with around 35,000 pupils, are not being directly serviced by NEPS.

"In the case of some schools, NEPS psychologists may no longer be assigned to those schools as a result of retirement, resignation or transfer to another NEPs region, and while every effort was made to recruit a replacement from the existing PAS panels, sometimes this is not successful," Mr Bruton said.

He noted that the schools affected are given access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), where they can have an assessment carried out by private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees.

However, Fianna Fail's education spokesman Thomas Byrne told the Irish Independent that in most instances it takes over a year for students to be publicly assessed.

"This is why, the recruitment of 100 new NEPS psychologists was a condition of the our Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Government.

"However, these figures reveal that the situation is a lot worse for many schools who do not have an educational psychologist assigned to take care of their pupil's needs," he said.

The Meath East TD said schools which do not have an assigned psychologist are "severely disadvantaged in terms of delays to assessments for special education needs or behavioural difficulties, as well as having more limited access to psychological supports and counselling for children when a crisis presents itself".

He said all schools are able to access full NEP supports in the event of a critical incident.

Mr Bruton also noted that a national recruitment competition was has been put in place by PAS to fill vacancies within all NEPS Regions.

Work is currently ongoing in relation to the examination of applications and short-listing of candidates for interview.

"It is envisaged, following interviews, that recruitment panels will be formed and active filling of vacancies will commence in the New Year," Mr Bruton said.
The fire began shortly after 10am on Monday morning Photo: William O'Toole

Emergency services were called to a warehouse in Arklow, Co Wicklow this morning to battle a large fire.

Three units of the Arklow fire brigade attended the scene shortly after 10am this morning on South Quay.

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Locals reported that the asbestos roof became a health issue and that they were warned to stay away from the area.

The fire was brought under control at 4pm, but emergency services remain at the scene which is still closed.

No injuries have been reported.
Via The Globe and Mail: Surge of Afghanistan veterans to test Canadian mental-health care resources. Excerpt:

For the first time since Canada went to war in Afghanistan, the number of soldiers who served there and retired will outnumber those still in the military, a tipping point that will shift a significant mental-health care burden from the army to overstretched provinces and Veterans Affairs.

As of late November, 22,059 of the 40,026 military personnel who served in Afghanistan remained in the Canadian Armed Forces, according to the military. At the recent rate of retirement, the number will slip below half in 2017 and fall rapidly from there.

Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr says his department is ready for the sudden increase in volume of former soldiers with recent combat experience. Advocates and mental-health experts doubt the departments preparedness, noting civilian patients already face long waits for mental-health treatment.

A Globe and Mail investigation into suicide by men and women who served in the Afghanistan war confirmed 71 cases up until November. Among those people, 15 had been released from the military, but advocates like Mr. Harding say many more than 15 have died this way and gone undocumented. A study of Canadian veterans using data from a 2010 survey found 6 per cent had suicidal thoughts. Other surveys have found 25 per cent have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or drug and alcohol abuse.

The Canadian Armed Forces invest heavily in the well-being of its personnel and has made progress screening, tracking and studying mental-health issues in the ranks  particularly suicide rates that seem to be growing among soldiers who fought in Afghanistan.

But care shifts to overburdened provincial and territorial health-care providers as people leave the military and are no longer CAFs responsibility. Meanwhile, Veterans Affairs still has no comprehensive system for monitoring veterans health.
A former IRA boss, named by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams in his email to the Garda Commissioner, is being closely monitored by gardai after returning to the country.

The man, who gardai believe was once a close friend of Mr Adams, is facing very serious charges that are unrelated to the murder of Brian Stack.

The man's name was one of the four included in the email sent by Mr Adams to Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan - a move that has placed his political career under extreme pressure.

The ex-IRA commander, who is originally from Belfast, is now in the Republic on the back of an extradition order.

He was at the helm of the IRA when Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was killed in the mid-1990s but he later stepped down and moved abroad.

The Irish Independent can reveal that Mr Adams's former associate was placed under a separate garda investigation for a series of alleged crimes that rocked the republican movement. He is being monitored by gardai ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

Last week, it was stated in the Dail that Sinn Fein TDs Dessie Ellis and Martin Ferris were named in Mr Adams's email which was sent on February 23.

The fourth is also a senior Sinn Fein politician who has had a close working relationship with Mr Adams.

Along with Mr Ellis and Mr Ferris, he has denied involvement in the murder of the prison officer.

As the controversy deepened yesterday, Mr Adams said he was not willing to name a fifth person who met with Brian Stack's sons, Austin and Oliver, in 2013.

The Stack brothers travelled in a blacked-out van with the Sinn Fein president to meet this man who confirmed for the first time that members of the IRA carried out the 1983 murder.

Read more: 'I dont have information on a crime'  Gerry Adams insists he does not know who murdered Brian Stack

When asked repeatedly if he would encourage this individual to hand over details of the killing to gardai, Mr Adams said: "That's a matter entirely for him."

While denying that he is withholding information in relation to a murder inquiry, the Sinn Fein politician said the man's identity would not be revealed because he gave "his word".

"This isn't about me protecting anybody by the way. It's about the integrity and the possibility of getting truth and getting closure for all of those many families."

However, later in the same radio interview he contradicted this view, saying journalists are allowed to protect their sources and he wants to do likewise.

"So I will protect my sources, the same way they do," he said.

Mr Adams was also asked for more details about what 'sanctions' the IRA imposed on the killers of Brian Stack but replied that he didn't know and wouldn't make any attempt to find out.

"Why would I? I'm not an investigative agency. I have learned over the years that if you don't know, you can't tell," he said.

He accused Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of using the Stack case in an attempt to damage Sinn Fein, even claiming that they had undermined the Dail.

"In order to use this issue to damage Sinn Fein, it was resurrected again.

"It had no place it the Dail Chamber. What we've seen since actively undermines the Dail. Micheal Martin does this, as does the Taoiseach undermine the integrity of his own office. It undermines agreements which they are party to," Mr Adams said.

On RTE's 'The Week in Politics' programme, Government Chief Whip Regina Doherty said Mr Adams was "making a liar out of himself".

She said the Stack case "had absolutely nothing to do with the Troubles".
A refugee gestures his thanks as he is rescued by the crew of the LE Niamh

A hero from Irelands navy rescued and resuscitated a six-month-old baby girl twice in front of her family while on a mission in the Mediterranean.

Members of Irelands Defence Forces were presented with an award by the Taoiseach on Monday.

LS Alex Casey (33) from Cobh, Cork described it as his "proudest moment" when he rescued a baby girl during Operation Pontus - which aims to rescue migrants fleeing North Africa.

He was on the second ship deployed by Ireland, LE Niamh, and spent three months on the mission in 2015.

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He told Independent.ie that he resuscitated the child twice.

I passed her back to her father so I could aid the rest of my boats crew on recovering bodies. The child went unresponsive again, so I took her off the father and resuscitated her a second time.

The family were there, they were just screaming that their child wasnt breathing. It was all just heat of the moment. He said he felt an urge to act because his partner was heavily pregnant at the time.

So far 15,000 people have been recovered from the sea as part of Operation Pontus.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: Since the foundation of this state the Defence Forces have been a lynch pin of our democracy and a manifestation of our values. The work of the men and women of Oglaigh na hEireann have brought great honour to Ireland, and has enhanced our reputation and our influence at international events and affairs over very many years.

European Movement Ireland (EMI) gave the Defence Forces the 2016 European of the Year award for their international peacekeeping and humanitarian work overseas.

Twenty serving members from various branches of the Defence Forces attended the event.

Lt Col Mark Hearns from Dalkey in Dublin was deployed for six months on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission in the Middle East, where he was the Irish contingent commander.

The purpose of the mission is to supervise the end of conflict between Israeli and Syrian forces and began in 1974. He described it as a "very tense and volatile environment" but praised his family for their support.

Im married with a daughter. While I was away I missed my daughters 18th birthday and her graduation from school, and I missed her debs. But what we do we couldnt possibly do without the support of our families. We had a marvellous reception then when we came back to Dublin airport.

EMI have campaigned since 1954 for Ireland to be a part of the EU and have encouraged Irish people to become more involved.
A fire that broke out in a house in Dublin city centre this afternoon has been brought under control.

Residents in the semi-detached house on upper Gardiner street were alerted to the blaze when a fireman banged on their door and said they had to leave for their safety.

Lucas Oliveira said both himself and his roomate were sleeping when they were told of the danger.

He said: "I was sleeping and a fireman banged on my door and said 'you have to get out it's not safe'."

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Residents say the house is abandoned.

A Dublin Fire Brigade spokesperson confirmed that four units and a turntable attended the scene. The first call was received at 2.46pm.

The fire on Upper Gardiner Street has been dealt with. 3 fire engines from Phibsborough & Tara St stations attended #Dublin #fire pic.twitter.com/87gCfRJYil  Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) December 12, 2016

The blaze was brought under control after 3pm.

An official at the scene said the origin of the fire was most likely electrical, and could have been a fuse box.

They said there was 'significant damage' done, however it appears there was nobody inside.

The house is derelict and was boarded up. Residents have said people have broken in several times before.

Units from Phibsborough and Talbot street attended the scene.
GARDA sergeants and inspectors have described a report that urges the government to cut their pensions for five years after they go on strike as punitive and possibly illegal.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said the measure recommended by independent consultant John Horgan in a review of An Garda Siochana published today is an emotional knee-jerk reaction to the threat by individual people to withdraw their labour.

The association claimed the ability to discuss penalties for industrial action was not contained in Mr Horgans terms of reference.

However, the Garda Representative Association said the report had reaffirmed the right to trade union status and the unique status of the gardai.

It said it will need to discuss its implications fully as soon as possible.

The Review of An Garda Siochana says that gardai should be given trade union rights but should be penalised for taking industrial action.

Mr Horgan recommended that the Minister for Justice and Equality immediately amend the terms of the statutory pension scheme so that a member who engages in industrial action is ineligible to accrue pension rights in the five years after they engage in industrial action.

One of the unique features of the contract under which gardai are employed is a very valuable pension scheme, he said.

He says it is even more favourable than the civil service.

It recognises the special and unique nature of police work and it is, in my view, therefore appropriate that any member of AGS (gardai) who engages in industrial action should suffer an automatic reduction in his or her pension entitlement.

AGSI, which represents 2,100 sergeants and inspectors, said it hoped the review would finally bring a resolution to industrial relations confusion for gardai and undertake a forensic examination of pay and allowances.

However, it fails in this regard, it concluded.

It said Mr Horgans admission that he used rough and ready calculations of garda pay was irresponsible given his position and said the figures are grossly over-estimated.

The main recommendation is around penalties for Gardai if strike action is taken in the future, said President Antoinette Cunningham.

But surely, the framework to prevent threatened strike is what the report should have dealt with and not penalties based on the lack of clear industrial relations mechanisms.

We expected a root and branch review but instead it seems this was a rushed report which failed to address the key elements of the terms of reference.

In his review, Mr Horgan said he recognised that the potential loss of pension accrual is unprecedented and he expects it will be opposed by members of the garda associations.

However, he said it was reasonable in the context that garda will be gi9ven full negotiation rights and access to the Labour Court to resolve differences with their employer.

He said he told gardai and their employer he would drop the proposal if an effective alternative was put on the table but no suggestions that he considered effective were put forward.

He said the Garda Commissioner put forward a proposal that the ambiguity on gardai taking industrial action should be addressed through legislation.

This legislation should copperfasten the prohibition on gardai taking industrial action.

In my view the problem is not ambiguity but, as recent events have clearly shown, there is a disinclination to implement the law, he said.

The review by Mr Horgan was set up under the Haddington Road Agreement and reported today.

Mr Horgan says that garda pay is composed of basic pay, allowances and overtime and their pension entitlements, bringing their total compensation in the region of 100,000.

He notes that average pay for all members of the force was 63,450 last year.

He says the average rank and file gardas pay is 63,327, and 62,911 when new recruits are included, a sergeants pay is 72,690, an inspectors 85,423, and superintendents, 87,699.

A chief superintendents average pay is 101,161.

Mr Horgan says that the 50m pay package will provide extra remuneration of around 4,000 on average to a member of the force over the next 12 months.

As a result, the average garda pay scale will range from 30,400 to 50,448 from January 1.

A sergeants pay will range from 50,884 to 57,774 and an inspectors from 58,059 to 63,833.

Mr Horgan says the industrial relations system is effectively broeken and the GRA and AGSI are not appropriately constituted or governed.

He suggests that a dispute resolution agreement is set up that provides that all disputes are resolved without any form of industrial action or strike in line with a 1992 code of procedure on disputes in essential services.

AGSI claimed the report was contradictory. Although it recognised the uniqueness of gardai it said it suggested garda pay should be deal with in a forum with other public sector workers.

On one hand he suggests we enter into the Public Sector Pay Commission, then leave it if it doesnt deal with garda pay matters, then further suggests that an independent review should take place every three to five years to deal exclusively with garda pay, it said in a statement.

GRA President, Ciaran ONeill, said the association is still awaiting trade union status with the associated civil rights including full collective bargaining, which includes the freedom to strike.

The current generation of gardai are aware of international ideas and has shown an increased level of discontent towards the draconian and unnecessary impediments to the civil rights of the membership, he said.

He said the civil, social and industrial rights afforded police officers across the Europe, Scandinavia, North America, Australia and New Zealand has demonstrated how far behind Ireland is, and needs to catch up.

For gardai to be afforded equal status with other public servants in the upcoming Public Service Pay Commission this must include rights of affiliation and the attendant freedom to withdraw labour, he added.
Unions at Bus Eireann appear to be at loggerheads over the future of some Bus Eireann routes. (Stock picture)

Unions at Bus Eireann appear to be at loggerheads over the future of some routes.

Siptu's Willie Noone reacted with alarm last night when Dermot O'Leary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union was quoted in the 'Sunday Business Post' and on RTE news saying 150 jobs could be lost if the company closed some of Expressway's "over-subscribed" routes between Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford in order to salvage the loss-making bus company.

Siptu represents about 40pc of Bus Eireann drivers.

Read more: Transport Minister Shane Ross defends his response to turmoil at Bus Eireann

Mr Noone said he was shocked to hear what sounded to him like concessions before negotiations have even gotten under way.

"It's very strange that a union may say we may have to eliminate jobs. I believe it's a bit premature," he told the Irish Independent.

"Under no circumstances do we think any route should go. At this stage, the company hasn't proposed to eliminate any routes.

"Why a trade union would come out and say this is beyond me."

NBRU general secretary Mr O'Leary had earlier said that the union may have to accept some route closures as part of negotiations.

"There is no doubt, as part of that debate, some of those routes will come up for discussion," he told RTE.

"Will Bus Eireann be operating those routes into the future? Trade unions, because we come in the spirit of compromise, may have to accept some bitter medicine on that one."

Realistic

However, speaking to the Irish Independent last night, he said he was being realistic about negotiations given the company's financial viability.

"The position of Bus Eireann was Expressway may have to restructure, and restructuring in the past has led to redundancies," he said. "It's not about concessions."

But he emphasised that his remarks were based on a hypothetical situation and he does not want to see any situation where employees could lose their jobs.

Mr O'Leary said "we don't want any redundancies". "The bottom line is the unions will be approaching this in a spirit of partnership," he said.
I think I inadvertently insulted Juan Antonio "JA" Bayona, the diminutive Spanish director of A Monster Calls. "Did you enjoy it?" he asks eagerly and, rather clumsily I say "enjoy isn't the word I'd use".

Let me try to explain. A Monster Calls, based on the book of the same name by Patrick Ness (based on an idea by the late Siobhan Dowd), is an instant classic. It is a beautiful film, powerful and thought provoking. But it is indescribably sad. By the end of the screening I was biting hard on my fingers because I wasn't just crying, I was sobbing and I didn't want the other journalists to hear me. (I needn't have worried, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.) "Enjoy" just doesn't seem the appropriate word.

Apart from leaving me emotionally devastated the movie also succeeded in freaking me out as there were far too many parallels with my own life. Conor O'Malley is a sensitive young boy of 12 "a boy too old to be a kid and too young to be a man", who is bullied at school. He is the only child of single mother Felicity as his father lives in America.

His glamorous granny (Sigourney Weaver) has a job, a car, and a house full of antiques.

There are some differences - my little boy is nine, and my mum is a far more affectionate granny than Sigourney and, crucially, I'm not dying of cancer as Felicity is. Also we don't live beside a graveyard with a giant, ancient elm which comes to life and tells stories with the voice of Liam Neeson.

In a film that features acting heavyweights like Neeson and Weaver any actor would struggle to shine but newcomer Lewis MacDougall (Conor) gives an effortlessly outstanding performance.

Bayona previously directed The Impossible (2012) which starred Ewan McGregor and was the true story of a family caught up in the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The three boys in that cast Tom Holland (now Spiderman) Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast also put in wonderful performances. I wonder if Bayona has a special affinity for directing children.

"I think it's a question of how much energy you put in the work," he tells me. "For kids you feel less overwhelmed than when you work with a star. You start to play with them and do a lot of improvisations and try things that you would never dare to do with the adults. You learn so much from them and then you start to try things with the adults. I learn a lot when I work with kids and I love to work with kids because they are open to everything, it's a very interesting process."

Kids are people too - it seems so blindingly obvious yet is often forgotten by us grown ups. "The original idea for this film was to help kids deal with bullying and complicated emotions that they cannot process. The intention is to help kids process complicated emotions and ideas in... an accessible way." A Monster Calls will certainly facilitate opening up several dialogues between parents and children about life, death, bullying, violence and the fact that real life is not like a story.

The film is mainly live action but when the 'Monster' tells stories to Conor the stories are portrayed by beautiful water colour animation. The three stories are atypical of fairy tales in that there is no clear cut moral, the "happily ever after" sometimes comes at a price (as Conor's dad observes at one point the most people can hope for is "messily ever after",) that there isn't always a "bad guy" and sometimes there is no "good guy", that people can be good and bad at the same time and that sometimes, as the Monster tells Conor, "sometimes witches merit saving - quite often, you'd be surprised".

The beauty of the film is that it's not preachy or didactic. It is completely heart-breaking though and given the effect it had on a bunch of hardened film journalists; what effect would it have on a child? "There was a father who came to me and he had cancer," Bayona tells me.

"He wanted to see the film and then to show it to his son. I told my sister who is a psychologist and I said 'I don't know with his father sick with cancer how good is the idea of the kid watching the film?' And my sister told me 'Listen, there is nothing in the film that the kid doesn't think about every single day'." The director goes on to say "We are so overprotective of kids. And kids, they know about loneliness, about sadness, about rage, about self-blame - they have that every day in their lives. (This is) a film that tells them 'it's only a thought, don't worry about it as it's only a thought'."

When it came to casting the role of Conor, Bayona says: "We knew how important it was to get the right kid. We did massive auditions; we saw hundreds of kids. (Lewis) was so special and so different from the other ones. I remember we were using very emotional scenes - testing the range of the acting (skills of the children) and he didn't cry, he was reluctant to cry, he was more about rage and I thought that was more interesting. There was something so unique with Lewis that I knew from the very beginning he was very special."

I ask him why he cast Sigourney Weaver as the grandmother rather than a native English actor. "When I'm looking for an actor I like (someone) who can bring a lot of themselves with them and I think when you think of Sigourney Weaver you think of her persona as one of strength. And I thought we have to play with both - she's the grandmother for Conor but also the mother for Felicity."

Strangely since seeing the film my thoughts are never far from it. It is definitely a wonderful film and one that should be seen. But I still can't say that I 'enjoyed' it.

A Monster Calls will be in cinemas nationwide from January 1

'And kids, they know about loneliness, about sadness, about rage, about self-blame'
There's very little a parent wouldn't do to protect their child. I think most of us would take any kind of a hit to spare them suffering in any way. Luckily most kids aren't unwell or in danger so we never have to jump in front of that theoretical speeding train for them because they're grand - thank goodness. But one thing that parents often have to contend with is seeing kids getting bullied or even just excluded by their 'friends' from time to time and it's horrible.

There's a scale of things that can happen to your kids socially. It extends from everything going swimmingly, which is great, to them having frenemies - these are toxic friends who manage to make them feel bad all the time, to friends that capriciously exclude them from social gatherings which may or may not be malicious. Along to definite acts of bullying, when malice is certainly present and can mean everything from subtle meanness all the way along to physical harm.

And it can cause lasting problems for your child if it isn't properly sorted. Making them feel humiliated, isolated, hurt, angry, scared and leading to self-esteem and confidence issues and refusal to go to school, social withdrawal, depression or even suicidality.

It'll happen at some stage for every kid that they fall out with their pals or their peers, but how can you support them and equip them to be able to cope with the social fray - which particularly in the teenage years may not be all fun and games - especially when the one being bullied may not want the situation dealt with out of fear of it getting worse?

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Well it really depends on how bad it is. But facing it head on is generally best. So if it happens in school time, you need to get straight on to the school and see what their policy around bullying is and make sure that they're actually living up to what may sound good on paper but may lack substance in practice. Never just accept that there's nothing they can do - some schools are way better at this than others.

If it's happening online - then that's a very good reason to delete some social media apps. Online bullying is insidious as it comes right into your child's home so they've no safe space to escape it. They may not want to be cut off from social media, as it can add to their sense of isolation - but if it's a conduit for abuse, then they need to take a break and if they do return online - they should do so with tight privacy controls. Threatening messages can and should be reported to gardai as well as directly to the social media platform. If it's going on in public places in your locality and you know the parents of those doing the bullying, an attempt to talk to them first may be helpful - if that doesn't work or if there's serious or physical harassment - again gardai may need to be involved.

Of course as well as dealing with the bullies, you need to deal with the fallout for your child. Talking is hugely important. They're already feeling isolated so they need somewhere to offload. Make sure you keep lines of communication wide open and offer lots of reassurance, love and support. They may also need counselling, this stuff knocks the stuffing out of you even as an adult - when you're 14 that's a thousand times worse.

The main thing is that they know they don't have to accept it and that they will find new friends who won't behave like this. It isn't unheard of for a child to move schools to get away from established harassment, although it'd always be my contention that the bully not the bullied should be moved. If you're dealing with this - there's lots of other helpful advice on ie.reachout.com

@ciarakellydoc
sebastian Barry's 'Days Without End' is one of this year's best novels . Photo: David Conachy

The world may have rocked on its axis in 2016 but literature proved as enduring and uplifting as ever, Anne Marie Scanlon asked some well-known book lovers to select their best reads of the year.

Donal Ryan,

author

Billy Keane's columns are the best thing about Mondays and now there's a book of them it's like having a bunch of letters from an old friend, full of humour and humanity and joyful, unsneering irreverence, reminding me of what's really important in this life. Billy lifts people, even in the saddest of times. The Best of Billy Keane (Ballpoint Press Limited) should be in every home in Ireland.

A Last Loving: Collected Poems by Maeve Kelly (Syracuse University Press) and Playing The Octopus, (Carcanet Press) Mary O'Malley's sublime new collection, were two of the poetry events of the year, and are works to be savoured and cherished.

I read some amazing memoirs this year, including poet Patrick Deeley's achingly beautiful The Hurley Maker's Son (Doubleday Ireland) and Paul O'Connell's brilliant, bruising The Battle .

I've started to catch up on contemporary crime and thrillers: Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait is genius; Alex Barclay's The Drowning Child (Harper Collins) is mesmerising; Tana French continues to wow her huge global audience with The Trespasser (Hodder & Stoughton); and Sam Blake's debut Little Bones (Twenty7) is a truly engrossing read.

Sebastian Barry's Days Without End (Faber & Faber) is a magnificent novel, one of the best I've ever read. Sam Coll's towering debut The Abode of Fancy (The Lilliput Press) is a staggering display of linguistic gymnastics and a tall and enthralling tale to boot. Colm O'Regan's Bolloxology (Transworld Ireland) is a scream, a howl, a pure joy.

All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan (Transworld) is on sale now.

Cathy Kelly,

best-selling author

If more people had read Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things, (Hodder & Stoughton) then racist Mr Trump might not have got in.

Video of the Day

In this novel, Picoult writes from the point of view of a gifted African-American nurse/midwife who cares for a white supremacist's baby in a small hospital. After the baby dies, she is put on trial for the child's murder and race - what it means to be black in the US - is centre stage. Utterly compelling.

Dr Harry Barry, who is one of Ireland's foremost experts in depression and anxiety in people of all ages, deals with our modern bugbears in Flagging Anxiety and Panic, (Liberties Press) his fifth book dealing with stress.Dr Barry gives readers workable solutions. A must-have for all homes, like his brilliant Flagging the Screenager which is for both parents and teenagers.

Jilly Cooper is a legend; like the glorious horses she writes about in Mount! (Transworld) her latest blockbuster to feature the fabulous Rupert Campbell-Black, his darling wife Taggie, and a whole host of people - some vulnerable, some behaving very badly indeed. Give this to someone for Christmas and they will love you for it. Just don't expect any cooking done. Fabulous, sexy and written with Jilly's customary brilliance.

Cathy Kelly's current book, Secrets of a Happy Marriage (Orion) is out now.

David Murphy,

RTE's business editor and co-author of Banksters

Nutshell, Ian McEwan (Jonathan Cape) is a novella narrated by a foetus who overhears his mother and her lover plotting the murder of the unborn's father. I was hooked from the first page - it came from a unique perspective. There are echoes of Hamlet but it's done with subtlety.

Family Life, Akhil Sharma (Faber & Faber) is the story of a family tragedy, which shaped the upbringing of a boy from India whose family relocate to the US; it deservedly won the International Dublin Literary Award whose long-list is nominated by libraries worldwide.

You knew you were reading the real thing - it's fiction solidly grounded in personal experience.

Finally, The Wolf Wilder, Katherine Rundell (Bloomsbury) is a book aimed at 9-12 year olds which I looked at because I was on the board of Children's Books Ireland.

I found the story quite gripping: it centres on a young girl in Russia whose mother trains pet wolves - all the rage among aristocrats - to acclimatise to the wild. It has a strong female heroine and a kind-to-animals theme, what's not to like?

Alex Barclay,

crime writer

All We Shall Know, Donal Ryan (Doubleday Ireland) will forever be a special book to me; I was miserable, stressed, and unwilling to give myself a break, literal or otherwise, when the proof arrived. But I braked for Donal Ryan. I started reading. It was just so stunning, and so melancholic.

The happiness I felt - which I really needed to feel at the time - was in being reminded of the power and beauty of words in the right hands.

And as the story unfolded, there was further joy to be found in the quiet humanity and heart that is this gorgeous, shining thread through all of Donal's work.

With Little Bones, (Twenty7) Sam Blake had me at the premise: "Baby bones found in the hem of a wedding dress". Grim, intriguing, inspired.

Little Bones is also a lesson in how to create a really likeable crime fiction heroine, and match her to a clever, layered plot. Add to that a superb, shocking ending, and this one has everything.

More recently, for research, I picked up It Didn't Start With You, Mark Wolynn (Viking) - it's a fascinating insight into epigenetics, and how family trauma can impact on later generations.

Alex Barclay's latest book The Drowning Child (Harper Collins) is currently in bookshops.

Mike McCormack,

novelist

I loved EM Reapy's Red Dirt (Head of Zeus). This is the book which spills the beans on the young Irish emigrant experience in Australia. Her tale of drink and drugs and fatal mischance is driven along by crackling energy and a brilliant ear for dialogue. The pages keep turning and it is only when the book is completed that the reader gets to sit back and marvel at how skilfully the author has told her tale. A terrific debut.

Nothing came near Mia Gallagher's Beautiful Pictures of the Lost Homeland (New Island Books) for bravery and ambition this year. A skilful and fearless exploration of place, time and identity - it grapples the big themes to its heart. This is the Irish novel whose reputation will grow in the coming years. A new generation of Irish writers may well take their lead from it. Finally, something about the dry, cagey intimacy of Rachel Cusk's Transit (Jonathan Cape) kept me riveted on a long flight to San Francisco....beautiful and curious and compelling.

Solar Bones by Mike McCormack (Tramp Press) is currently on sale.

Keelin Shanley,

Broadcaster

My Name is Lucy Barton, Elizabeth Strout (Viking) is a really interesting study of a mother/daughter relationship. Very simply written but a complex story with abuse and hints of a very dark past. It also deals with memory and the difficulty of looking back and understanding a past that the protagonist has escaped.

Operation Thunderbolt - Flight 139 and the raid on Entebbe, Saul David (Hodder) is an intriguing account of the hijacking of an Air France jet en route from Tel Aviv to Paris in 1976. The plane landed at Entebbe airport in Uganda where Idi Amin facilitated the hostage takers. David has gone back to original sources and writes an almost novelistic account of the audacious operation launched by Israeli security forces which rescued most of the hostages. There are fascinating insights into Israeli politics especially around the role of Benjamin Netanyahu's older brother Yonatan who was killed during the operation. Hailed as a hero his legacy was instrumental in the rise to power of his younger brother. David details how rather than being a military hero, he very nearly destroyed the mission.

Another extraordinary novel from Donal Ryan. As soon as you pick up All We Shall Know (Doubleday Ireland) you're pulled into an intense story of a failed marriage and a relationship between a teacher and a teenage Traveller.

EM Reapy, author and winner of The Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year book award 2016 for her debut Red Dirt

Solar Bones, Mike McCormack (Tramp Press) is poetic, poignant and innovative. In this love story between a man and his wife, his family, his place, McCormack makes the ordinary extraordinary.

The Pier Falls, Mark Haddon (Jonathan Cape) is an enthralling short story collection; dark, immersive stories with lots of action. The writing is tight and inspiring.

I loved Sofia's narrative voice in Hot Milk by Deborah Levy (Hamish Hamilton) and the scene-stealing side characters. An eccentric, well crafted story.

Red Dirt (Head of Zeus) is available in paperback.

Journalist and

author Martina Devlin

The Years That Followed, Catherine Dunne (Macmillan). Theres an intensity to this novel that draws in the reader: seduction, betrayal and revenge  themes dont come much more primal. Inspired by Greek myth, this is a modern retelling of a classic revenge story set against Cyprus, Spain and Ireland. It follows the fortunes of two women escaping from difficult home lives, but vulnerable in their new surroundings. You can smell the Mediterranean as you read.

Any new Jennifer Johnston book is a cause for celebration in my view. Her latest Naming The Stars (Tinder Press) is a novella about festering secrets and keeping up appearances. Two elderly ladies  employer and employee, although their relationship is characterised by long-standing affection  live in an imposing period house which has seen better days and have a row over their dinner one night, as Jennifer describes it. That argument ventilates a hurt from the past. The novella is published in conjunction with one of my favourite earlier novels, Two Moons.

Ive bought half a dozen copies of Lying In Wait, by Liz Nugent because any time someone drops by, takes it off my shelves and reads a few lines, theyre hooked instantly and beg to borrow it. This is a taut, gripping, psychological thriller, with vivid storytelling  no wonder I swallowed it in one gulp. Obsessional mother love is the disturbing motif at its core.

Martinas latest novel About Sisterland (Poolbeg) is currently on sale.

Liz Nugent,

author and winner of RTE Radio 1 The Ryan Tubridy Show Listeners Choice Award 2016 for Lying in Wait

Two similarly titled and wonderful but totally different books by women caught my attention this year. My Name is Lucy Barton, Elizabeth Strout (Viking) examines the life of a woman as she is visited in a New York hospital by her estranged mother.

Our unreliable narrator tells her story with such subtlety and emotional disconnection that the result is compelling. A short, one-day read, more of the story here is in what is not written.

My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal (Viking) will tear the heart out of you. Our eponymous hero is a mixed-race nine-year-old boy whose white brother is adopted when their mother goes off the rails.

Leon is placed in foster care but cannot forget his attachment to his baby brother. Set in 1980s England with the backdrop of race riots and a royal wedding, this debut novel reads as the work of a much more experienced hand.

Days Without End, by Sebastian Barry (Faber & Faber) is the story of Irish boy Thomas McNulty and his lover John Cole forced into army life by poverty in 1850s America (after a short bout as cross-dressing entertainers).

It is extremely brutal in places with descriptions of violence that still haunt me, but the sweet naivety of these young men who barely know nor care for what they are fighting has us rooting for them and their surrogate Indian child as the tension racks up to the final page.

Lying in Wait is currently on sale.

John Connolly,

writer

Two of the most interesting books I read this year will be published in January 2017 but each is worthy of a post-Yule book token. Defender, GX Todd (Headline) is quite a remarkable debut novel, a violent dystopian fantasy set in a near-future America driven to its knees by violence incited by mysterious voices in peoples heads. After the recent election, it suddenly starts to seem somewhat prescient.

Meanwhile, I predict that the twist to Sarah Pinboroughs thriller Behind Her Eyes, (Harper Collins) is likely to be one of 2017s best-sellers, will divide mystery fans, and is therefore all the more fun for it.

Finally, some words in defence of The Pigeon Tunnel, John le Carres anecdotal memoir (Viking) which appears to have underwhelmed critics who were expecting the author to spill the beans on his espionage career.

I found The Pigeon Tunnel to be the literary equivalent of sharing a good lunch with a raconteur, and was quite happy to have Le Carre offer his memories of Alec Guinness and Richard Burton, and the unmasking of the traitor Kim Philby, as though over a glass of sherry. If we finish the book knowing little more of Le Carre himself than we did going in, then so be it. Writers, like spies, should have their secrets.

John Connollys latest book A Game of Ghosts will be published in April 2017.

Zig & Zag, aliens from the planet Zog

Historopedia, Fatti and John Burke (Gill Books)

We are big fans of Fattis coo-el drawings and Johns boffin stuff. Its a big book full of facts, figures and illustrations. If you liked their mega Irelandopedia, youll love this one too! Its funny and you actually learn stuff. However, we would like to point out our one gripe; we dont get a mention! Whats up with that Fatti? Were much easier to draw than Bosco, who gets two mentions!

Santa Claude, Alex T Smith (Hodder Childrens Books)

We love all the Claude books  the beret- wearing dog and his sidekick Sir Bobblysock are barking bonkers!

This is a great one for this Christmas (and every other Christmas to come!) Its all about Claude and Sir Bobblysock thinking theyve caught a burglar when in fact theyve handcuffed Santa and now theyve lost the key. So they have to save Christmas! Oh, Claude youve done it again!

The Darkest Dark, Astronaut Chris Hadfield (Macmillan Childrens Books)

We kinda feel sorry for Chris Hadfield as he only ever got as far as a space station, not even to the moon, let alone Mars or our home planet Zog.

But we do like his new book about Chris when he was little and dreamed of one day going to spacewhich he did.

Its a book about following your dreams, which is kinda what we did when we left our home planet to travel to Earth in search of jokes back in 1987.

FYI  still the best Earth joke ever  Whats red and invisible? No Tomato! Ha!

Zig & Zag can be seen on CBBC.
Rory O'Neill, famous for his drag queen persona Panti Bliss, boarded at Gormanston College in Meath during the 1980s. The all-boys school was founded by the Franciscan order.

"In boarding school it was a case of survival of the fittest," he tells Review. "For me, personally, it quite suited me. I was an independent kid and I was never homesick.

"I got on well with the bad boys and I got on well with the swots. There was nothing to mark me out. I wasn't ginger-haired or buck-toothed or fat.

"There were other boys who should never have been there, because they were bullied horribly every day of their lives. They had a miserable time."

Rory was at Gormanston during the time of Father Ronald Bennett. The priest acted as bursar of the school and was later sentenced to jail for indecently assaulting boys at the school.

"He was abusing boys and we all knew about it. The idea that nobody knew about it is bullshit. We talked about it and made jokes about it. You think it's part and parcel of what happens.

"He never touched me. I was a mouthy, independent kid, and abusers are probably wary of the type who would tell anybody.

"Because Fr Ronald was the bursar, you had to go to him if you ever needed money. The other bizarre thing about it is that he was the guy in charge of sex education. Twice a year in first year and twice a year in second year, every student had to go to his office for a private sex talk."

O'Neill says the school broadened his horizons after he came from his home in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo.

"I have no regrets about it and I think my parents made the right decision. It suited my temperament. You need to be a social personality to get on at boarding school. If you are a quiet loner, it is probably not good for you.

"You need to have social skills, and at that age - 12 or 13 - a lot of kids don't have them. Sometimes I wonder if it made me too independent. People sometimes say that about me.

"Gormanston wasn't a horror show. A modern kid might find the conditions spartan, but to me they were fine.

"There were plenty of nice people working there and Franciscans are relatively civil.

"Most of them were decent people. They weren't cruel to us, but having to look after 500 boys in an enclosed space is an almost impossible task."

At the time, Rory was not openly gay, and says he was very slow understanding his sexuality.
To paraphrase that massively annoying song by The Reynolds Girls in 1999, I'd rather Jack Lukeman than Fleetwood Mac.

The idiosyncratic showman from Athy, Co Kildare (who will release his new album Magic Days next month - his first new studio recording of original material since The Great Wall Of China in 2013) has never been one to take the ordinary route in his career. Or indeed at his extraordinary shows. Take, for instance, Jack's show in Brighton earlier this year...

"The venue was enormous and at the end of my set," Jack recalls, "I had the crowd singing along to a song of mine called Wicked Way - at which point I decided to jump off the stage and run through the audience to keep the vibe going and cause a bit of mayhem.

"Unfortunately, I got so far away from the stage that I couldn't quite find my way back. I also realised I probably couldn't get back up on the stage to take a bow because it was too high.

''So I opted for a side door in the hope I could run around and get back on stage to take that final bow, only to find myself locked out of the venue listening to the crowd still singing the refrain, God bless their hearts."

Jack laughs: "Not quite the finale I had hoped for!" His laughter soon vanishes when I ask him to look back on 2016 in personal terms.

"It's been tragic and ecstatic," he begins. "World weary but up for the eternal fight for the light as always. It's been a tough year as lots of loved ones were either sick or passed away.

''My dad had a stroke earlier in the year but is doing great now and showing us all how to bounce back and live every moment to the full. He's back singing in the local choir and is a force of nature to be reckoned with.

"My wonderful co-manager Trish Kavanagh passed away in June after a long courageous battle against cancer. She never stopped working all throughout several long bouts of chemo and all that goes with it. She taught us all a lot about grace and bravery. Then just last month, my cousin Nicola, whom I grew up with, died suddenly which was quite a shock to everyone - and most especially to her wonderful family.

''So it's been a sad year but I believe if the dead could speak to the living they would say 'Live every day to its fullest'. So I try to and I'm pretty sure we will see them all again some day, somewhere." Musically, Jack was in a better place mercifully this year. "I'm in the heart of the endless invisible landscape that is music," he explains. "It's the great river and giver that never lets me down." Jack then quotes the philosopher Heraclitus, who said 'you can never step in the same river twice'.

"And I think with music you can never step in the same river once because it's a constant learning curve playing, creating and listening to music. It stimulates both mentally and spiritually.

"Playing live is always a great buzz, as is writing songs. It's still a mysterious process no matter how much you try to pin it down in the material world. Some songs appear out of thin air like they were just waiting to be found. Others have a foundation that you build upon over time.

"I was pleased to hear Paul McCartney saying recently that it's still a baffling process for him too after all these years and all those classics," Jack says adding that his new album Magic Days is about finding the magic in the mundane.

"It's a step forward musically and song wise but also harnessing a lot of the different styles I've touched upon with the 10 or so albums I've released. It has varying musical influences - blues, rock, pop and swing - with themes varying from the wonders and woes of the world to the nature of consciousness."

Jack Lukeman plays Whelans in Dublin on December 21 and 22
Whatever really happened, Anton Savage's departure deprives Today FM of one of its most talented and under-rated broadcasters, and one who, unusually, seemed to be free of ego or pomposity.

Following the hugely popular Ray D'Arcy was always going to be a tall order, but, given time and sufficient trust from above, in the programme, it could have thrived. Too much fiddling and micro management from executives is invariably the kiss of death to good radio.

Now Anton has been expunged from the Today FM website. His picture is still there, but all his previous interviews going back months are suddenly attributed to his show's replacement, Mid-Mornings.

It would be unfair to judge station regular Alison Curtis's first week in the hot seat; but unless Today FM plans something radically different for the slot, then it's unclear why they allowed the relationship with Savage to deteriorate to such an extent that they parted ways.

In Italy's referendum, the political establishment was taking another punishment beating, and the voting public was being blamed once again for falling for the charms of those mad "populists".

Douglas Murray, director of the free market think tank the Henry Jackson Society, suggested a different way of seeing the result. "I'm sceptical of the term populism," he told Monday's Today programme on BBC Radio Four, "which increasingly people are using for anything that's just popular or anything they don't like and want to put scare quotes around".

He continued: "Instead of saying their brains are being stolen by crazy politicians and lying media, we should consider that the public have a real concern."

With "crisis after crisis" hitting the eurozone, he might just have a point.

Start The Week, which followed on the same station, illustrated how these mass movements, driven by new media, are not even that unusual. The 17th century radicals the Levellers were fuelled by pamphleteers whose rhetoric would make current voters' hair stand on end. Nothing is ever new. Radio is the perfect medium for discussing such issues in depth, but too much of RTE last week from Morning Ireland through Today With Sean O'Rourke to Drivetime concentrated on whether there would now be an election in Italy rather than on the deeper context.

On RTE Radio One's Late Debate, finally, panellists were asked what they thought of Donald Trump being named "Man Of The Year" by Time magazine.

Presenter Cormac O hEadhra joshingly suggested to guest Micheal O'Regan that this wouldn't have happened at the Irish Times. "Certainly not," Regan agreed.

Talk about missing the point. Time's title is not meant as an endorsement; it simply goes to the person who had the biggest impact on the world in the year in question. That's why Hitler once won. To suggest this was in any way deplorable is very silly.
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Billy Keane Opinion Even a dash to the Croke Park toilet wasnt enough to get rid of space invader who gave me Covid

I did the time, but there was no crime. Banged up I was, under house arrest after two red bars showed up on the Covid test. Im not too bad, thanks for asking. I have it down on a man who was nearly close enough to kiss me at the All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Galway.
HARRISBURG  The stress of the holiday season can be hard for many and even more challenging for those struggling with opioid addiction. Gov. Tom Wolf recently made an investment in drug treatment with the aim of tackling those holiday blues.

Wolf spent $15 million in state dollars and $5.4 million in federal dollars for the Centers of Excellence to battle the drug epidemic, which is taking 10 lives a day in Pennsylvania.

I was raised the oldest of three boys in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Jason Snyder said.

Snyder describes his family as blue collar, working class and typical until tragedy entered their lives.

Addiction became front and center in our lives, Snyder said. In 2005, my brother Todd at age 28 died of a heroin overdose.

Todds girlfriend called Snyder, who found his brother dead in the kitchen.

I had to make the phone call and told my mother Todd had overdosed, Snyder said. That set off a chain reaction of wailing.

Todd left behind his 5-year-old daughter Trinity.

When it happened again a little more than two and a half years later, we were devastated, Snyder said.

This time, Snyders mother called him to tell him the news. His brother Josh also died of a heroin overdose and never had the chance to meet his son, Paighton, who was born two months after he died.

I was left as the last man standing, so to speak, the last living child of my parents, which made it all the more difficult for me in 2011 to tell them that I was entering inpatient drug treatment for an addiction to prescription pain medication, Snyder explained.

Stigma is one of the obstacles that stopped Snyder from getting treatment.

I had been doing drugs and alcohol for 20 years, he said.

He was introduced to prescription pain killers and eventually bought them on the streets.

Snyder has been clean for five years and now helps others who were once in his shoes. He works at the Department of Human Services, which runs the Centers of Excellence.

Were going to treat the whole person, Snyder said. Were not just going to treat the individuals addiction, but were also going to treat any underlying mental health or physical health issues that may be driving that persons addiction.

Those receiving help at the centers will receive medication-assisted treatment, as well as employment opportunities and training.

The state has to respond, and we have to do a better job of providing quality care and ensure that people stay in treatment longer if we are to begin to reverse what has been over the last several years a steadily increasing death toll, Snyder said.

Snyder said only 48 percent of people with an opioid addiction in 2014 got treatment, and of that percentage, only 33 percent remained engaged in treatment for more than 30 days. He hopes the Centers of Excellence can change that.

This is Gov. Wolfs really signature response to addressing the opioid epidemic, Snyder said.

Six of the 45 Centers of Excellence are in the Midstate, including one in Harrisburg and Chambersburg. Patients can pay through insurance or Medicaid.

Addiction affects anyone, Snyder said. Its urban, its suburban, its families like mine, its comes from broken families, good families, wealthy families. It knows no boundaries.

Reports say 3,383 people died from drug overdoses in Pennsylvania in 2015. Thats up from more than 2,500 in 2014, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

The governor recently launched a toll-free hotline for people battling a heroin or prescription drug addiction. You can call 1-800-662-HELP 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline is staffed by trained professional and is available in both English and Spanish.
Former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres has been sworn in as Secretary General of the United Nations, becoming the ninth UN chief in the body's 71-year history.

The former UN refugee chief was elected to the top job by acclamation in the General Assembly in October.

He takes over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1.

Mr Guterres, 67, performed well in answering questions before assembly members and his executive experience as prime minister and as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005-2015 propelled him to first place among 13 candidates vying for the job in informal polls in the Security Council.

After the sixth poll, the council nominated him by acclamation and his name was sent to the assembly for final approval.

After being sworn in by General Assembly President John William Ashe, Mr Guterres addressed the 193 member nations, saying the world body must work to simplify, decentralise and make more flexible its sprawling bureaucracy.

"It benefits no one if takes nine months to deploy a staff member to the field," he said.

"The United Nations needs to be nimble, efficient and effective. It must focus more on delivery and less on process, more on people and less on bureaucracy."

The swearing-in came after the 193 General Assembly members paid tribute to Mr Ban, ending with a standing ovation for the native South Korean.

The swearing-in ceremony included the UN's top leaders and was attended by dignitaries including Burma politician and Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power lauded Mr Ban's accomplishments while in office and said she was confident Mr Guterres is the right person to replace him.

"He is the man for the job in such challenging times," she said.

The selection of a new secretary general had traditionally been decided behind closed doors by a few powerful countries.

But this year, the process involved public discussions with each candidate who was campaigning for the job.

UN chiefs are charged with promoting sustainable development, working for peace around the globe, protecting human rights and dealing with humanitarian catastrophes.

Mr Ban served two five-year terms.

AP
China has expressed "serious concern" about US President-elect Donald Trump's most recent comments concerning Taiwan, and warned that any changes to how America deals with the self-governing island could damage diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing.

China's comments came a day after Mr Trump said in a television interview that he did not feel "bound by a one-China policy".

Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said that established policy is the "political foundation" of any diplomatic relationship between China and the US, and that any damage to it could render co-operation between both sides to be "out of the question".

"We urge the new US leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy," Mr Geng said.

Since recognising the People's Republic of China in 1979, the US has adhered to the one-China policy, recognising Beijing as the capital of China and maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan.

US law, however, requires America to ensure Taiwan has the means to defend itself and to treat all threats to the island as matters of serious concern.

China split from Taiwan amid civil war in 1949 and continues to regard the island as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland by force if necessary.

Mr Geng's comments are the strongest public condemnation China has made of Mr Trump's criticisms of current American policy towards Taiwan.

Beijing was already angered by Mr Trump's December 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades. China considers any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Mr Trump followed the call with two tweets accusing China of manipulating its currency, unfairly taxing American imports and provoking tensions in the South China Sea.

On Sunday, he told Fox News Sunday that he would not feel "bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade".

Mr Trump said his call with Mr Tsai was "very nice" and strictly meant to congratulate him on his winning the presidential election.

"Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" he said. "I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it."

Hours after the interview aired, China's Communist Party-controlled Global Times published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: "Trump, please listen clearly: 'One China' cannot be traded."

"China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him," the editorial said. "Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception."

"Many people might be surprised at how the new US leader is truly a 'businessman' through and through," the paper said, referring to Mr Trump's suggestion of using the one-China policy as a bargaining chip. "But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child."

The Global Times, which is published by the Communist Party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, often runs commentaries that target nationalistic sentiment with provocative language.

AP
Police officers at Forest Hill train station, south-east London, after a man was arrested after reports of a stabbing incident at the railway station. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire

A knifeman reportedly stabbed a passenger on a train at Forest Hill station before chasing people outside shouting "I want to kill a Muslim".

The attacker allegedly shouted: "Who is a Muslim? I want to kill a Muslim."

A 38-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of GBH following the "serious incident", British Transport Police confirmed.

They said they were treating the incident as a "serious hate crime" but said there was "no suggestion of wider terrorist aspect".

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An eyewitness told The Daily Mirror: "The man came running out of the station with a knife and everybody started running and screaming.

"He was shouting 'Whoever is Muslim, I will kill you". He was looking for anybody that was Muslim.

"Everybody was running and screaming. He was walking up and down the street for about 15 minutes.

"The looks on some peoples faces, they looked terrified and very scared."

Other eyewitnesses said the man was shouting "death to Muslims" and "go back to Syria".

Miguel Oliveira told the Press Association he was met with a "wave of people" when he arrived at the station.

"The first few were shouting 'he's got a knife, he's got a knife' and then all of a sudden the next ones said 'Oh he's been stabbed call the police'," he said.

He added that some members of the crowd were shouting: "He wants to kill Muslims".

Shellby Curry was with her one-year old child when she saw a man "waving what looked to be a knife in his hand" near the station and screaming words like "Muslims f***ing hate them, kill them all".

She described the attacker as a black man with short hair, who she thought appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s.

The man also threatened a woman wearing a hijab before the stabbing, LBC News reports.

One man, who is in his forties, was treated by ambulance staff at the scene and then taken to hospital, British Transport Police confirmed.

A BTP spokeswoman said: "We are currently at Forest Hill railway station, after being called to a serious assault at 1.18pm.

"One person has been arrested following the incident and is currently in police custody.

"One man was treated by ambulance staff at the scene and is currently en route to hospital.

"We are still investigating the circumstances of this incident but at this time, we are not treating it as terrorism-related."
Moors Murderer Ian Brady was jailed for life at Chester Assizes in 1966

Notorious killer Ian Brady has claimed he is dying from a terminal illness.

The Moors murderer (78) has said he is bedridden.

According to the Sun newspaper the killer, who abused and tortured five children with his partner Myra Hindley has sent Christmas cards four months early.

In a letter to a Channel 5 correspondent, Julian Druker,Brady made the claims about a terminal lung and chest condition.

Brady has been detained in a high-security psychiatric ward In Ashworth, near Liverpool since he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1985.

A tribunal will decide whether he should be returned to jail later this month.
Darren Byrne (40) attacked his 34-year-old wife Maria then turned on the gas in the kitchen of their home in Theydon Bois, Essex, trying to make her death look like an accident while she was making a bacon sandwich Photo: Essex Police/PA Wire

A former city trader who killed his wife then tried to burn down the family home after she discovered he was having an affair has been convicted of murder.

Darren Byrne (40) attacked his 34-year-old wife Maria then turned on the gas in the kitchen of their home in Theydon Bois, Essex, trying to make her death look like an accident while she was making a bacon sandwich.

It happened while the couple's two young children were staying with their grandparents.

He was found guilty of murder and arson by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, Essex Police said.

In a statement released after the trial, Mrs Byrne's mother Linda Biggs said what Darren Byrne did to her daughter was "beyond any human comprehension".

She said: "Eight years ago we entrusted Maria, the most precious thing we had, to Darren Byrne.

"We loved him and treated him like our own son.

"This person, instead of loving and protecting her, took her life in the most degrading way."

The court heard that Byrne began an affair with an osteopath he was receiving treatment from in London. He was discovered a first time by his wife but then continued the affair.

When his wife discovered for the second time that he was having an affair he killed her on February 13, 2016.

When paramedics arrived Byrne told them his wife had been making him a bacon sandwich and when he returned home she was dead, the court heard.

Byrne told police he had been out walking his dog.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings said after the hearing: "Byrne brutally killed his wife before dousing her in white spirit and turning the gas on in the kitchen to cover up what he had done.

"He was motivated by his own selfishness and anger, needlessly ending Maria's life in a most horrific way and tearing apart his own family.

"Two young children have been robbed of their mother by their own father and my thoughts are very much with them and Maria's family as they continue to come to terms with their loss.

"Byrne has not shown any remorse and will now have to live with the consequences of what he has done and the devastating impact of his actions."

Byrne is expected to be sentenced later this week.
A Ferrari driver has been arrested after seven pedestrians were injured in a collision with his sports car.

Two people remain in hospital after the incident in Battersea Park Road, south London, shortly before 10.30am on Monday.

Five other pedestrians were treated for minor injuries but were later discharged from hospital.

The 35-year-old male driver of the red Ferrari 458 stopped at the scene and has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He remains in custody at a west London police station, Scotland Yard said.

Pictures taken at the scene showed the sports car on the road with a smashed windscreen.

Emergency services - including London's Air Ambulance - attended the incident and road closures were put in place.

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Detectives from the Metropolitan Police have appealed for witnesses and information.

Anyone with information about the collision should contact officers on 020 8543 1557.
Christine Lagarde is taking time off her day job solving the world's financial crises to face trial today, accused of negligence after the French state handed 405m to a tycoon close to then-president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.

The well-respected, silver-haired head of the International Monetary Fund has denied wrongdoing in the case, which dates to her time in the French government when she was economy and finance minister.

The trial is due to last until December 20.

Lagarde (60) faces up to a year in prison and a 15,000 fine if convicted of negligence. The judges were expected to return a verdict in the wake of the last hearing but they could also announce a ruling at a later date.

Lagarde's trial and possible conviction may raise concern about her ability to remain IMF boss. The Washington-based institution's credibility was already shaken when her predecessor, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also a French citizen, was forced to resign amid sexual assault allegations in 2011.

The IMF's board has so far supported Lagarde at all stages of the French legal proceedings, which began the month after her appointment in July 2011.
Paolo Gentiloni, right, with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan on a recent trip to Dublin

Italian foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni will take over from Matteo Renzi as prime minister, leading a government that will need to rapidly address a looming banking crisis and continue relief efforts after a series of earthquakes.

Mr Gentiloni was summoned to an hour-long meeting yesterday with Sergio Mattarella, Italy's president, at the Quirinal palace in central Rome.

He emerged to announce he had accepted the mandate to try to form a new government and serve as prime minister, calling it a "high honour".

"I am aware of the urgent need to give Italy a government with full powers," he said.

Mr Gentiloni's first task is likely to be overseeing a rescue of troubled bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

A state-funded salvage operation is seen as inevitable following the European Central Bank's refusal on Friday to allow more time for a private bailout.

Mr Renzi resigned last week after voters rejected his proposed constitutional reforms by a large margin.

Mr Gentiloni is a staunch ally of his predecessor and a pro-European who has called on willing EU states to work together on creating a joint permanent military force.

He will put his government to a confidence vote on Wednesday. If successful, Mr Gentiloni will attend a European summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Mr Gentiloni, a former journalist and Renzi loyalist, is set to be Italy's fifth prime minister in as many years and the fourth in a row to take office without winning a national election.

The soft-spoken 62-year-old immediately began consultations to form a government that would have to write a new electoral law and manage Italy's fragile banks.

Italy's social and political divisions were laid bare in campaigning for a December 4 referendum on constitutional reform that was roundly rejected, prompting Mr Renzi to resign.

All major parties have called for elections as soon as possible, but replacing the current electoral law, which applies only to the lower house and could be declared invalid in January by the Constitutional Court, is also likely to dictate the timetable.

Elections could be called as soon as parliament finishes rewriting the electoral law. Mr Gentiloni said he would "facilitate, if possible, the parliamentary forces' task of quickly defining new electoral rules".

"There are just two windows of opportunity for elections, either it's a snap election in Q2 2017 or it's the natural end of the legislature in 2018," Francesco Galietti, of risk consultancy Policy Sonar, said.

He said several factors could influence the election date, including dealing with the banking crisis, the summit of the G7 nations scheduled in Sicily in May, and the need to name chiefs for a raft of state-owned companies as tenures ran out. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Evidence of the world's oldest wine has been discovered (Stock picture)

A family-owned winery in northern Italy has lost the equivalent of 400,000 bottles of sparkling wine in the latest act of skulduggery apparently prompted by a fraud investigation.

Vandals broke into the grounds of the Conte Vistarino winery in the middle of the night and drained refrigerated steel tanks where riesling, pinot grigio, chardonnay and other white varieties were maturing.

"It was a tremendous shock," Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino, the 40-year-old countess who manages the winery in the hills south of Pavia, said. The raid wiped out an estimated 500,000 worth of wine at the Lombardy estate.

The saboteurs did not cause any other damage and did not steal anything, suggesting it was an act of spite.

A regional investigation is currently under way after reports some producers were 'cutting' their wines with inferior grape varieties.

Some 300 people are under investigation for crimes ranging from bribery to falsifying documents in a 20m fraud inquiry.

Prosecutors allege some wineries sold certified pinot grigio, that had been cut with other varieties.

The Conte Vistarino estate is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

Shaken

Ms Giorgi di Vistarino said the family had received no threats and had no idea who might be behind the sabotage.

"If you have no idea why, you don't sleep at night," she said. "The team is shaken, but we won't let it stop us."

The company paid local farmers in full for the grapes at the end of November. Less than a week later, the saboteurs drained approximately 10pc of the wine that was maturing to be sold to third-party sparkling wine producers.

Michele Rossetti, the president of the local wine consortium, expressed solidarity with the family and urged authorities to "find the guilty parties and bring them to justice as swiftly as possible".

Last week's break-in was the latest case of wine vandalism in Italy, where a recent export boom, particularly for sparkling wines, has sparked fierce market competition and concerns that organised crime is trying to infiltrate the lucrative sector.

In 2012 saboteurs drained 62,000 litres of prized Brunello di Montalcino from casks at the Case Basse winery in Tuscany, worth an estimated 13m.

There was a similar investigation into wine 'cutting' being conducted at the time. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
This is the terrifying moment a woman was abducted and forced into a van by a group of three men.

CCTV footage captured the moment the woman was abducted when she was walking along a road at approximately 12.30am on September 19.

The woman was driven to a pub in Astley, near Wigan and told to hand over cash.

The group of men used a cloth to cover her face and stifle her screams.

Police reported how the men also made threats to throw her into a canal.

Officers are now appealing for information and have asked people to contact police on 101 and quote the reference number 55 of 19/09/16, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.v
Candles burn next to a group of photographs at a makeshift memorial near the site of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland, California (AP)

Funeral services have been held for two victims of a fatal warehouse fire that broke out during a dance party in California, killing 36 people..

Separate funerals were held in the San Francisco Bay Area for video artist Jonathan Bernbaum and the youngest victim, 17-year-old Draven McGill, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Relatives and loved ones described Bernbaum, a 34-year-old Berkeley native and Oakland resident, as a smart man who loved all things media, had a penchant for arguing and was a loyal friend and son who kept in touch, the newspaper said.

Services were also held for McGill, the youngest person to die in the blaze in Oakland.

The private services, held at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hayward, included a performance by the Pacific Boychoir Academy, to which McGill belonged, the Chronicle reported.

His father is Alameda County sheriff's Deputy Phil McGill

Meanwhile, investigators with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have completed their work at the scene of the blaze.

ATF spokeswoman Alexandria Corneiro said the agency's team has left the site but that the scene is still being secured.

The deadliest building fire in the US in more than a decade ripped through the warehouse on the night of December 2.

Ms Corneiro said in a statement that ATF special agent Jill Snyder, who leads the bureau's San Francisco field division, and representatives from partner agencies will hold a news conference on Tuesday to talk about the investigation.

Ms Snyder said on Friday that investigators had ruled out a refrigerator as the source of the fire, but they were still looking at electrical systems as potential causes.

AP
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni is set to take over as prime minister (AP)

The Italian president's office says that foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni has formed a new government.

Palace official Ugo Zampetti told reporters that Mr Gentiloni would be sworn in as premier with the rest of his new Cabinet later on Monday night.

Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan will remain in his post as part of the new coalition government.

Mr Gentiloni was approached by President Sergio Matterella on Sunday to form a new government after Matteo Renzi resigned last week when voters rejected government-championed reforms.
A lawyer for International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde says he will ask judges to postpone a high-profile trial in which she is accused of negligence for allowing a huge handout to a well-connected businessman.

Ms Lagarde is due to appear in a special Paris court when the trial opens in the case, which dates to her time as French finance minister in 2008. She contests the charges.

The well-respected, silver-haired 60-year-old faces up to a year in prison if convicted.

The trial is due to last until December 20. The judges are expected to return a verdict in the wake of the last hearing, but they can also announce a ruling at a later date.

One of her lawyers, Patrick Maisonneuve, argued on Europe-1 radio that it does not make sense for Ms Lagarde to go on trial while a separate investigation in the case is still under way.

He said the then-minister was just following instructions from her administration, and did not have time to read all 15 years of legal files in the case.

The case revolves around a 403 million euro (336 million) arbitration deal given to tycoon Bernard Tapie in 2008 over the botched sale of sportswear maker Adidas in the 1990s. The amount of the award prompted indignation in France.

Soon after the arbitration deal was concluded, investigators suspected that the whole process was rigged in favour of Mr Tapie, a business magnate with close connections with political circles, including then-president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Civil courts have since quashed the unusually generous award, declared the arbitration process and deal fraudulent and ordered Tapie to pay the money back.

Separately, a criminal investigation into the case is still ongoing. In that case, Mr Tapie, his lawyer, one of the arbitrators and Ms Lagarde's chief of staff at the ministry, Stephane Richard, now the CEO of the telecom company Orange, were given criminal charges of gang-related fraud, and Ms Lagarde's Paris home was searched by police.

Mr Tapie later got another charge of misappropriation of funds.

Ms Lagarde's trial and possible conviction may raise concern about her ability to remain the head of the IMF.

The Washington-based institution's credibility was already shaken when her predecessor, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also a French citizen, was forced to resign amid sexual assault allegations in 2011.

The IMF's board has so far supported Ms Lagarde at all stages of the French legal proceedings, which began the month after her appointment in July 2011.

Ms Lagarde, the first woman to become finance minister of a Group of Eight country and to be appointed IMF chief, has said she is taking time off her day job during her trial.

As a former minister, Ms Lagarde cannot be tried in regular courts for any alleged wrongdoing while in office.

Instead, she is due to appear in the Court of Justice of the Republic, a special body that tries government ministers for alleged wrongdoing while in office.

She is accused of "serious negligence" which allegedly allowed other people in the case to commit a suspected major misappropriation of public funds.

Investigating judges say Ms Lagarde committed a series of serious errors when she made the arbitration choice and also, later on, when she refused to challenge the deal, suggesting she may have been influenced by the political connections between Mr Tapie and Mr Sarkozy, according to court documents.

"Ms Lagarde's behaviour proceeds not only from a questionable carelessness and precipitation, but also from a conjunction of faults which, by their nature, number and seriousness, exceed the level of mere negligence," the judges wrote at the end of their investigation.

Also unusual, Ms Lagarde was sent to trial by investigating judges even though prosecutors argued the case should be dropped.

The prosecutors in her trial will be the same as those who made the dismissal plea, which will help Ms Lagarde's lawyers in the upcoming proceedings.

AP
A nun reacts as security forces inspect the scene after a bomb ripped through Cairos Al-Bortosia chapel, killing at least 25 worshippers during Sunday Mass and injuring scores more Photo: AFP

It was supposed to be a typical Sunday Mass for the Coptic Christians who filed in to Cairo's Al-Bortosia chapel.

Situated in a complex at St Mark's Cathedral, the congregation was worshipping near the seat of the Church's pope and the heart of their religion.

As they took up their prayer books at around 9.45am, they had no idea that a bomb was about to rip through the church, killing 25 people and wounding scores of others.

In a split second, Al-Bortosia became the scene of a nightmare - the windows smashed, the floor littered with body parts and the pews smeared with blood.

It was unclear how the bomb came to be inside the church, with some eyewitnesses saying it was thrown through a window, while others claimed it was planted next to the altar.

What was certain by lunchtime was that Egypt's Coptic Christians had suffered their deadliest attack in recent memory, with Islamic extremists among the chief suspects.

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"Dead bodies were scattered everywhere, I saw people with their heads cut off," Qelleny Farag, a member of the congregation, said as he searched for his wife.

Mr Farag (80) managed to escape the chapel unharmed but was unable to find his wife, whose fate remained unknown.

As the bomb exploded on the left-hand side of the church, where female worshippers sat according to tradition, it was feared the majority of the dead are women and children.

Personal effects were left scattered among the shattered glass on the floor, including a broken pair of ladies' spectacles, a child's boot and a pink ribbon.

"As soon as the priest called us to prepare for prayer, the explosion happened," said Emad Shoukry, who was also inside the church when the bomb went off.

"The explosion shook the place...dust covered the hall and I was looking for the door, although I couldn't see anything. I managed to leave in the middle of screams and there were a lot of people thrown on the ground."

One witness said he had noticed a woman acting strangely before the service began, and claimed that she planted the bomb by the altar.

Others furiously accused Egypt's security services of incompetence as they failed to spot the attacker.

"There were no security, the security guards were having breakfast," Samia Naem said.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, reacted with horror to the "terrible attack".

"Let us pray in lament, protest and in hope for them, martyrs for Christ," he wrote on Twitter.

Magdy Zidan, a worker in a juice shop near the cathedral complex, said he entered the church about 15 minutes after the blast.

"I went inside the church after things calmed down and I helped in evacuating 10-12 bodies to the nearby churches," he said.

"I found everything destroyed. There were a lot of casualties. Most of the people inside the church were killed or injured."

"The police came late, about 45 [minutes] after the bombing. Before the ambulance came, after about 30 minutes, we had evacuated bodies and injured people to nearby hospitals by private cars."

Within a few hours, a small group of protesters had gathered outside the partially destroyed chapel, where they sobbed and angrily accused Egypt's interior ministry of security failures.

By lunchtime, their numbers has swelled to the hundreds, and soldiers armed with tear gas were sent to control the crowds.

"As long as Egyptian blood is cheap, down with any president," the protesters chanted, referring to Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
"I was terrified," the victim said after the sentencing. "I still am. I have no means to support myself and my children, but I was terrified Id end up dead if he came back ... I cant give up. I just cant. I want to. Trust me I cry every single day. I am scared and heartbroken for my kids. My sons cant grow up watching me be hit. My daughter cant watch me walk around with a black eye and me act like its okay."
A still from a video released by an Isil-affiliated news agency purports to show its fighters in front of silos at Palmyra Picture: Reuters

Syrian regime forces made further advances into Aleppo yesterday, but retreated from the historic city of Palmyra despite support from Russian airstrikes overnight. Yesterday, the army pounded a shrinking rebel enclave in south-east Aleppo with artillery and airstrikes, seizing several neighbourhoods, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that more than 10,000 people had fled the remaining rebel-held districts since midnight, heading for government-run west Aleppo and newly retaken areas in the city's north and centre. Meanwhile, Russian airstrikes overnight bolstered Syrian soldiers fighting off an Isil offensive in Palmyra.

But Isil militants launched a fresh offensive yesterday, recapturing all of the Unesco world heritage site after government forces pulled out. Within hours, Isil social media channels were flooded with photos of militants celebrating the win by handing out sweets in the group's self-declared capital in Raqqa. Observers and anti-regime activists said Palmyra's recapture showed President Assad and his allies were struggling to hold territory.

"The regime doesn't have enough manpower to hold Aleppo and Palmyra at the same time, so they gave Palmyra to Da'esh [Isil]," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory. "There is no way the Syrian regime is strong enough to hold both." Khaled Homsi, a former Palmyra local who now works as an activist from Turkey, said: "This is kind of like a game for the regime. The sense is that the regime isn't prioritising Tadmur right now," he said, using the Arabic term for Palmyra.

Analysts have previously predicted that Mr Assad would reach a saturation point where he could take no new territory without losing his grip on another, despite significant support from Russia. A senior pro-Damascus official told Reuters yesterday that Mr Assad had decided not to focus on Raqqa, Isil's de facto Syrian capital and the next target of the US-led anti-Isil coalition.

"The regime forgot about Raqqa a long time ago and made it the responsibility of the Americans," the official said. Palmyra opposition activists said the militants were going door to door in the city, looking for remnants of government forces. State news agency SANA, quoting an unnamed military official, said that Isil received reinforcements from Raqqa, enabling it to attack with "large numbers" against military checkpoints around the city.

Backed by Russian air power, the Syrian government had recaptured Palmyra, home to towering 2,000-year-old ruins, amid great fanfare in March. But the militants had been steadily advancing in recent days while the government had been focused on a major offensive against rebels in the northern city of Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Palmyra Co-ordination group said Isil militants fought their way into the town in a multi-pronged assault, forcing government forces to retreat to the south. A map by the Observatory showed the areas in control of Isil to extend east, south and north of Palmyra, securing a number of strategic hills around the city and expanding the group's presence in rural Homs. Palmyra lies in Syria's largest province, Homs, which is mostly under government control.

Osama al-Khatib, of the activist-run Palmyra Co-ordination group which keeps in touch with residents in the city, said remaining government and allied troops were escaping from the southwestern edge of the city where the ancient ruins were. He said the few remaining families in the city were also attempting to escape. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he takes the stage at a Thank You USA tour rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the weekend. Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar

Donald trump yesterday dismissed a CIA investigation that found that Russia intervened in the US election in an attempt to help him win as "ridiculous".

In a top secret report, the agency reportedly concluded with "high confidence" that Russian hackers accessed and made public embarrassing Democratic Party emails during the campaign with the specific aim of getting Mr Trump into the White House.

A group of Republican and Democratic senators called for an investigation, saying Russian meddling in the election should "alarm every American" and represented a "grave threat to our national security".

But the president-elect, who lost the popular vote by a margin of more than 2 million, told Fox News: "I don't believe it.

"I think it's ridiculous. It's another excuse. Every week it's another excuse. We had a massive landslide victory.

"They have no idea if it's Russia or China, or somebody.

"It could be somebody sitting a bed some place.

"I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the biggest defeats in the history of this country and they're embarrassed.

"Personally, it could be Russia, I don't really think it is, but who knows?"

The FBI did not concur with the findings of the CIA, opening up a split in the US intelligence community.

Reince Priebus, who will be Mr Trump's White House chief of staff, said the suggestion that Russia had influenced the outcome of the election was "insane".

Four high-profile Democratic and Republican senators yesterday issued a joint statement saying Russian interference in the US electoral process should be investigated further by Congress.

The 'Washington Post' reported on Friday that intelligence agencies had identified individuals with connections to the Russian government who provided hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee to WikiLeaks.

"For years, foreign adversaries have directed cyber attacks at America's physical, economic, and military infrastructure, while stealing our intellectual property," Democrat senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, said, along with John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

"Now our democratic institutions have been targeted. Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American.

"We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner, and we will seek to unify our colleagues around the goal of investigating and stopping the grave threats cyber attacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."

Mr Trump also explained why he had not been receiving intelligence briefings daily, as is customary for an incoming president.

He said: "I get them when I need them. I'm, like, a smart person. I don't need to be told every day 'Sir, nothing has changed'. If something changes let me know. Call me, I'm available on one minute's notice."

The billionaire also ramped up his rhetoric against China, saying he would not necessarily be bound by America's 'One China' policy, which includes not recognising Taiwan as a sovereign nation.

Brushing aside Chinese concerns that he accepted a call from the President of Taiwan, Mr Trump said: "I don't want China dictating to me. Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?"

The businessman said he had turned down several deals worth a total of $1bn last week because they could have been perceived as a conflict of interest.

Mr Trump also said he had been "surprised" by how well he got along with President Barack Obama and had spoken to him three times since the election.

He continued to express an "open mind" on the existence of climate change, saying: "Nobody really knows".

Asked if the US would withdraw from last year's Paris climate change agreement Mr Trump said he was "studying" it.

Mr Trump discussed his Cabinet appointments, which he said were not aimed at tearing down Mr Obama's legacy on issues such as the environment. ( Daily Telegraph London)
A Santa Claus said he "cried all the way home" after a terminally ill five-year-old boy passed away in his arms.

Eric Schmitt-Matzen, who works as an engineer in Jacksboro, Texas for his day job, works for Santa during the festive season.

The 60-year-old received a call from a nurse he knows at his local hospital who said there was a young child who was very sick and wanted to spend some time with him.

Eric told USA Today he went to change his outfit, but the nurse said there wasn't time and his staple suspenders were enough.

The young boy's mother met Eric at the hospital and handed him a PAW Patrol toy which he could give to the child.

Eric said he looked at the family members outside the room and said; "I sized up the situation and told everyone, If you think youre going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, Ill break down and cant do my job."

He described how he entered the room and spoke to the child.

"I gave him the present. He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down," he said.

When the boy questioned about where he was going to go when he passed away, Eric replied; "When you get there, you tell em youre Santas Number One elf, and I know theyll let you in."

He continued; "I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him.

Everyone outside the room realised what happened. His mother ran in. She was screaming, No, no, not yet! I handed her son back and left as fast as I could."

Eric said he has spent four years in the army and "seen his fair share of stuff", but he couldn't help but cry on the journey home.

I was crying so hard, I had a tough time seeing good enough to drive," he said.

My wife and I were scheduled to visit our grandchildren the next day, but I told her to go by herself.

"I was a basket case for three days. It took me a week or two to stop thinking about it all the time.

"Actually, I thought I might crack up and never be able to play the part again.
The head of the Social Democrat Party, Liviu Dragnea, speaks to media after exit polls were announced in the parliamentary elections, in Bucharest, Romania (AP)

Romania's left-leaning Social Democrats have easily won parliamentary elections a year after a major anti-corruption drive forced the last Socialist prime minister from power, near-final results show.

Election authorities said that with 99% of the votes from Sunday's balloting counted, the Social Democratic Party had won about 46% and the centre-right Liberals were second with more than 20%.

The chairman of the Social Democrats, Liviu Dragnea, speaking on Sunday after exit polls showed similar results, said: "There should be no doubt who won the elections. Romanians want to feel at home in their own country and I want Romania to be a good home for all Romanians."

Mr Dragnea was given a two-year suspended prison sentence in April for fraud for inflating voter numbers in a July 2012 referendum to impeach then-president Traian Basescu.

Under a 2001 law, Mr Dragnea is not allowed to be appointed prime minister because of the conviction, and last week he said the party would not try to change the law. However, he told Romania TV on Monday that he had not ruled himself out as a future premier.

President Klaus Iohannis has said he will not nominate a premier who has been convicted or who is a subject of a corruption investigation.

Mr Dragnea's party has pushed a populist agenda, but on Sunday he sought to strike a conciliatory note, saying he wanted to end bitter divisions in the country.

The Save Romania Union, a new party which ran on an anti-corruption ticket, finished third, allowing it to enter Parliament. A party needs 5% of the votes to enter the bicameral legislature. Votes from parties that do not make the threshold are redistributed.

Turnout for the election was low, at just 39.5% - more than two percentage points less than the 2012 parliamentary elections.

Former prime minister Victor Ponta, already the subject of a corruption probe, resigned after mass protests following a nightclub fire in October 2015 that killed 64 people. Romania is currently run by a government of technocrats headed by Premier Dacian Ciolos, a former European Union agriculture commissioner.

The country of about 19 million people is one of the poorest in the 28-member European Union and perceived as one of the most corrupt.

AP
A Syrian army soldier places a Syrian national flag during a battle with rebel fighters at the Ramouseh front line, east of Aleppo (AP)

Syria's military says it has gained control of 98% of eastern Aleppo, leaving only a tiny enclave packed with rebels and civilians.

The military statement said pro-government forces have seized control of al-Fardous, one of the largest neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo - which has been held by the rebels since 2012.

Rami Abdurrahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - an opposition-run monitoring group, said that the fighting is ongoing in the district.

Syrian troops backed by Russian airstrikes and militias from across the region launched a wide-scale offensive on eastern Aleppo earlier this month and are on the verge of driving the rebels from the city.

Doing so would hand President Bashar Assad his greatest victory yet in the five-year civil war.

A Syrian rebel spokesman said opposition fighters are retreating in eastern Aleppo under intense government fire that is putting thousands of civilians at risk, calling the collapse "terrifying".

The military statement came hours after Syrian forces, aided by Shiite militias from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran, took Sheik Saeed, one of the largest neighbourhoods in the southern part of the rebel territory, tightening the noose on the enclave.

"The situation is very, very critical," said Ibrahim al-Haj, a member of the Syrian Civil Defence.

"The military took many areas and we are now squeezed." Mr Al-Haj had been on the move to find a place to keep him and his family away from the clashes and possible government capture.

Bassam Haj Mustafa, a senior member of the rebel Nour el-Din el-Zinki group who is in contact with fighters inside the city, said the fighters are doing "their best to defend what is left".

"The collapse is terrifying," he said in a message to reporters.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled to government-held western Aleppo since the offensive began last month. But tens of thousands remain trapped in the ever-shrinking eastern enclave.

A rebel fighter from inside Aleppo said the fall of Sheik Saeed means the fall of the enclave's only mill and grains warehouse, which leaves the territory without access to bread or flour.

Most of the remaining civilians have now gathered in two or three neighbourhoods, packing thousands in a small space and threatening large casualty tolls in any new attack, he said.

A Turkey-based Syrian organisation that supported a number of medical facilities and agricultural projects in Aleppo said it was terminating all its activities in the besieged enclave because all of its eight ambulances have been destroyed.

The Shafak organisation said 47 of its 57 staff are stuck in areas still under rebel control and that it has lost communication with most of them.

The group ran a UN-funded primary health care facility in al-Fardous before it was captured by the government, along with Shafak's warehouses elsewhere in eastern Aleppo that stored fuel and medical supplies.

The offensive to retake rebel-held eastern Aleppo, which began on November 26, followed an intensive aerial bombing campaign that knocked out most of the eastern sector's medical facilities, targeted civil defence and municipal vehicles and blocked roads with rubble.

The eastern Aleppo rebel enclave was cut off from outside aid since July by a government siege.

AP

Meanwhile, a n administrator at the last functioning clinic in Aleppo's collapsing rebel-held enclave says he and other medical staff are taking cover in a shelter as Syrian troops move in.

Mohammed Abu Rajab said in an exchange of text messages that he does not know what is happening outside the building.

He says thousands of people are trapped in the rapidly shrinking rebel stronghold.

He says the large number of wounded overwhelmed the clinic and that the dead and wounded are now being left in the streets.
Mondays early morning mixture of light snow, wintry sleet and cold rain is just a taste of whats to come this week, though precipitation will remain light.

ABC27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso said there are a few storm systems he and others on the weather team are eyeing this week. He noted, however, that like expectations for Mondays storm, the area is unlikely to see much of the snow or sleet or rain that will hit area roads.

Its important to note that it wont be a lot of any type of precipitation, Tomaso said, noting that Monday overall will only see half an inch of liquid, regardless of the form it will take.

The timing of Mondays storm wasnt predicted to affect the morning commute, with the precipitation switching to col rain by 5 to 7 a.m. The ABC27 weather team continues to watch the timing of other storms to come this week.

Tomaso explained that, like Mondays storm, the area can expect the potential of snowfall when there is a shift if air masses. A warm front brought a coating of snow to the area Sunday, and the cold front brought the overnight storm Sunday night into Monday, he said.

That type of pattern will also be present Wednesday night into Thursday, and Tomaso said the Midstate could see light snow again.

A wintry mix may be in store for the coming weekend, about which Tomaso said he is already fielding calls. There will be another change to colder air, and that could transition to another wintry mix storm, he said.

However, that forecast is still a little farther away, and there may still be some immediate concerns for residents.

The National Weather Service predicted accumulations into Monday will be less than one inch of snow with a light glaze of ice. It issued a Winter Weather Advisory that will remain in effect until 1 p.m. Monday.

While the Midstate will only see some light snow, the wintry weather did affect travel around the Great Lakes and the Northeast. The Associated Press reported that the Chicago area received 3 to 4 inches of snow Sunday morning with more expected, which caused more than 1,200 flights to be canceled at OHare.
Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stand atop of a building in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past damaged buildings in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stand in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A woman waits with others outside a government military police centre to visit their relatives, who were evacuated from the eastern districts of Aleppo and are being prepared to begin their military service, in Aleppo, Syria December 11, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past a tank in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past along a street in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad gesture as they ride on a pick-up truck in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A member of Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walks past a damaged building in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

An elderly man reacts in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Syrian army and its allies are in the "final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in a shrinking enclave, a Syrian general said on Monday.

A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas of the city had continued non-stop overnight, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling "Doomsday."

"The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city.

Rebels withdrew from all districts on the east side of the Aleppo river after losing Sheikh Saeed in the south of their pocket in overnight fighting, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Expand Close Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past along a street in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki / Facebook

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Whatsapp Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past along a street in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

It meant their rapidly diminishing enclave had halved in only a few hours and Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman described the battle for Aleppo as having reached its end.

"The situation is extremely difficult today," said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group fighting in Aleppo.

Expand Close Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past a tank in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki / Facebook

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Whatsapp Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk past a tank in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The rebels' sudden retreat represented a "big collapse in terrorist morale," a Syrian military source said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria's most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had surrendered and 100,000 civilians had left areas of the city that were controlled by militants.

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"People run from one shelling to another to escape death and just to save their souls ... It's doomsday in Aleppo, yes doomsday in Aleppo," said Abu Amer Iqab, a former government employee in the Sukkari district in the heart of the rebel enclave.

Expand Close An elderly man reacts in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki / Facebook

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Whatsapp An elderly man reacts in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

State television footage from Saliheen, one of the districts that had just fallen to the army, showed mounds of rubble and half-collapsed buildings, with bodies still lying on the ground and a few bewildered civilians carrying children or suitcases.

While Aleppo's fall would deal a stunning blow to rebels trying to remove Assad from power, he would still be far from restoring control across Syria. Swathes of the country remain in rebel hands, and on Sunday Islamic State retook Palmyra.

Expand Close Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stand atop of a building in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki / Facebook

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Whatsapp Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stand atop of a building in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Tens of thousands of civilians remain in rebel-held areas, hemmed in by ever-changing front lines, pounded by air strikes and shelling, and without basic supplies, according to the Observatory, a British-based monitoring group.

In the Sheikh Saeed district on Monday, an elderly couple stood lamenting their fate.

"May every son return to his mother. I have suffered that loss. May other women not endure the same," said the woman, her arms raised to the sky. "I have lost my three children. Two died in battle and the third is kidnapped," she added, as an army officer attempted to calm her.

Rebel groups in Aleppo received a U.S.-Russian proposal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the city's opposition areas, but Moscow said no agreement had been reached yet in talks in Geneva to end the crisis peacefully .

Expand Close Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad gesture as they ride on a pick-up truck in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki / Facebook

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Whatsapp Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad gesture as they ride on a pick-up truck in the government held Sheikh Saeed district of Aleppo, during a media tour, Syria December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The rebel official blamed Russia for the lack of progress in talks, saying it had no incentive to compromise while its ally Assad was gaining ground. "The Russians are being evasive. They are looking at the military situation. Now they are advancing," he said.

The Syrian army is backed by Russian war planes and Shi'ite militias supported by Iran. The mostly Sunni rebels include groups backed by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies as well as hardline jihadists who are not supported by the West.

A correspondent for Syria's official SANA news agency said the army had taken control of Sheikh Saeed, and more than 3,500 people had left at dawn.

A Syrian official told Reuters: "We managed to take full control of the Sheikh Saeed district. This area is very important because it facilitates access to al-Amariya and allows us to secure a greater part of the Aleppo-Ramousah road." The road is the main entry point to the city from the south.

The loss of Palmyra, an ancient desert city whose recapture from Islamic State in March was heralded by Damascus and Moscow as vindicating Russia's entry into the war, is an embarrassing setback to Assad.

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The Observatory reported that the jihadist group carried out eight executions of Syrian soldiers and allied militiamen in Palmyra on Monday while warplanes bombarded their positions around the city.

Another four people, including two children, were shot dead while the jihadists cleared the city, it said.

The Observatory said at least 34 people had died in air raids on an Islamic State-held village north of Palmyra, and that local officials said poison gas had been used. Islamic State accused Russia of the attack. Both Russia and Syria's military deny using chemical weapons.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Monday that 728 rebels had laid down their weapons over the previous 24 hours and relocated to western Aleppo. It said 13,346 civilians left rebel-controlled districts of Aleppo over the same period.

The Observatory said that four weeks into the army offensive at least 415 civilians, including 47 children, had been killed in rebel-held parts of the city.

Hundreds had been injured by Russian and Syrian air strikes and shelling by government forces and its allies on the besieged eastern part of the city.

The Observatory said 364 rebel fighters had been killed in the eastern sector. It said rebel shelling of government-held west Aleppo had killed 130 civilians, including 40 children. Dozens had been injured.
CONCORD- The Concord Fire Department recently collected 36 childrens bicycles to donate to the 1st Reindeer Division, Marine Corps Base North Pole, home of Gunny Claus.

Gunny Claus is a North Carolina based effort to bring hope and cheer to thousands of families of active-duty stateside and deployed Marines and Hospital Corpsmen.

For the past 13 years, Gunny Claus has deployed to visit children and dependents at Camp Lejeune and the associated east coast bases and stations. Over 100,000 children have received a small gift and commemorative ornament for the year.

In 2013, Concord resident David Ward who is a former Marine and has two sons in the military started the 1st Bike Battalion with hopes to secure 24 bicycles for Gunny Claus to deliver. In 2015 over 500 bikes were delivered and the goal for this year is 1,000 bicycles.

Concord Fire Lieutenant Jason Starr and his Ladder Company 7 colleagues committed to supporting this effort when they heard about it, and encouraged fellow firefighters to make donations.

At first, we did not necessarily have a goal in mind, Lieutenant Starr said. We just wanted to do what we could and provide the children with something special during the holiday season.

Throughout the year the Concord Fire Department participates in many community events and outreach programs. During the holiday season, firefighters adopt and provide gifts for several Concord families in addition to local toy drives.

On Christmas day, firefighters will deliver gifts to the Jeff Gordons Childrens Hospital at Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast.
Single-digit reduction in NBS rates The revised NBS rates for ensuing Rabi season have been announced by the Government of India. New rates have not seen much steeper cuts as was widely anticipated; therefore, positive for complex (NPKs) fertilizer companies. This brings much comfort to the domestic complex fertilizer companies as a steeper cut would have entailed higher inventory losses. 03 Nov 2022 11:10 AM

October 2022 auto sales: PV and CV segments continue to impress Underlying demand trend has stayed strong for PV and CV segments. Analysts at IIFL Securities estimate October 2022 wholesale dispatches in PV, MHCV and LCV segments to have grown 30%, 24% and 14% YoY, respectively. They expect the above segments to clock 25-35% volume growth in FY23. 02 Nov 2022 11:43 AM

Initial signs of moderation in API cost pressures: IIFL Securities High raw-material inflation, elevated freight expenses, and normalization in marketing spends have impacted margins of Indian pharma players over the past 12 months. However, some of these API/RM cost pressures have started abating in Q3CY22. Cipla, Sun, JB Pharma and Torrent remain IIFL Securities top-picks in the pharma sector owing to lowest risk to IIFL Securities margin and earnings estimates for these companies. 01 Nov 2022 10:53 AM
As incarceration rates continue to grow around the United States, the enormous costs of some prison services are increasingly being paid by those who can least afford it - the families of inmates.

In 2001, when the DC Department of Corrections closed its notorious prison facility in Lorton, Virginia in 2001, Ulandis Forte, in prison for murder, was relocated to facilities far away from home, and family. His grandmother, Martha Wright, nearly blind and unable to travel, made frequent calls to prisons out of state -in New Mexico, then Arizona, then Kentucky  only to find herself deeply in hardship and debt due to exorbitant fees charged by the private companies contracted to provide prison phone services.

Forte and Wright are only the most well known among thousands of families struggling to stay in contact with incarcerated relatives. Their fight lies at the heart of more than a decade of work by lawyers and activists -in courts and before the Federal Communication Commission (FCC)  to find relief.

Yet fifteen years later, with only some successes to claim, the fight continues, stalled repeatedly by bureaucracy and the power of corporate lobbyists.

But even as that phone battle looks for resolution, the companies providing those phones are finding new and creative ways to make an array of new services essential to prison management. And nearly all come at a cost to inmates and their families.

PROGRESS, PUSHBACK AND KICKBACKS

The evidence is clear  inmates who stay in regular contact with families and friends fare much better in prison, adjust to life better upon release and have a dramatically better chance of staying out of prison. Phone calls are intended to solve a critical problem when visitation becomes both a financial and logistical burden.

According to the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the families of inmates are among Americas poorest, with nearly two-thirds falling under or near the poverty line and unable to meet basic food and housing needs. More than 53% of American inmates are housed from 100-500 miles from where their families resides with over 16,000 inmates, about 2%, as far away as 1000 miles (source: Prison Policy Initiative).

Steven Matthews, the former chief information officer for the Illinois Department of Corrections explained the dilemma, In Illinois, you have most prisoners being held downstate. For a family from Chicago, a visit in person can mean the cost of a rental car, gas, food, maybe loss of work. Then when you get there, a lockdown or any number of things can happen. So add to that the cost of lodging, food and another day lost. By the end of that, it can be upwards of $600 or more for a visit. And thats in the same state. Compared to that, a phone call is sometimes the only option.

Yet, that cheaper alternative has become its own costly barrier. For some families, they can mean hundreds, or thousands of dollars in fees in addition to more than $13,000 on average in already existing debt from court costs and other expenses related to incarceration.

The phone services are not provided by traditional telecom companies such AT&T, Sprint or other providers. At the center of the issue are handful of private contractors, led by industry leaders Securus and Global TelLink (GTL), who provide both equipment and calls centers through which the calls are routed and monitored for security reasons. In court cases, representatives of the industry say those security challenges are among the reasons calls come at such a high cost.

After many long years of effort, in 2015, part of the battle against high rates appeared to be won, when the FCC announced new rate caps that lowered rates to a range of $0.12 to $0.31 per minute, a sliding scale based on the size of a facility. Prior to that ruling, a family could be charged an average $1.21 per minute in some facilities, and as high as $40 per minute in some extreme cases. Inmates themselves make on average, $4.73 per day. At the rate before the proposed caps, a full days wages was equivalent to about 3-4 minutes of a phone call.

But any sense of long term relief was short-lived. Attorneys representing the major providers of phone services, went on the attack, arguing in courts that the FCC lacked jurisdiction over calls made intra-state. The argument was sufficient enough for a federal judge to stay the action and effectively put most new reforms on hold. While a new ruling is pending, some fees have been held to an interim cap, which may or may not remain.

Still, prices can vary wildly depending on where an inmate is housed, from as low as $0.45 for a 15-minute call in West Virginia to $5.65 for the same call just one state over the border in Maryland.

What was an obvious victory for the private phone companies was also cheered by an unexpected ally of the high price phone call game - the prisons themselves.

Through a complicated system of commissions, a practice the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice openly describes as kickbacks, Securus, GTL and their smaller competitors win contracts, in part, based on the level of commissions they pay to prison administrations and sheriffs offices on a per call basis.

In some proposals, those commissions can run as high as 60% or more. Often, the difference between the charge for a phone call, absent of commissions, and the charge including commissions can be dramatic.

Lee Petro, the Washington DC attorney who represented Martha Wright and other inmate families pro bono ahs has been working on the issue for more than 12 years, cites a North Dakota proposal as a prime example. Securus, in response to an RFP, proposed charging as little as $0.04 per minute without a commission, so they could presumable make a profit at that low a rate. But the rate they proposed, after commissions, was more than three times that rate at $0.13 a minute.

For their part, prisons claim the commissions are deposited in inmate services funds that, in turn are used to fund such programs as distance learning and rehabilitation programs. But according to Aleks Kajstura, legal director of the Prison Policy Initiative, which studied FOIA requests of expenditures, found that  the great bulk of money raised by phone commissions have gone to salaries and administration, not to inmate programming.

The prison industry also claims that their bottom lines would be hurt irreparably at greatly reduced rates. Yet in states such as New York, where lower mandatory caps have been implemented, all evidence shows that lowering rates results in a higher volume of calls, and higher revenue that before the rate cuts. Basically, the lower the cost, the more people make phone calls, said Kajstura.

Meanwhile, the families and inmates at the heart of the issue, wait in limbo as the FCC and advocates figure out their next best move against a powerful foe. Yet, one day after the election of Donald J. Trump, prison industry stocks went up significantly in the speculation that the new Administration would wipe away important gains made on the issue by the FCC.

According to Petro, Whats most alarming about all these costs is not just that they are high, but they represent what is essentially a growing transfer of the cost of prisons from the government to the families of inmates. People need to know this.
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar turned 94 birthday on December 11. Unfortunately, he was hospitalized in Lilavati Hospital due to high temperature and a swollen leg on 7th.

Twitter

Just a couple of days back, he had updated his fans about his health via Twitter, where he thanked them for their good wishes.

Feeling much better now. Was admitted to Lilavati hospital for routine checkup. Your prayers are with me. pic.twitter.com/ii3nCMJG3f  Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016

His wife Saira Banu in an interview with Bombay Times had said,

"I was anyway planning to take him for a routine check-up, but the swelling alarmed me. He was also complaining of cold and cough. I dont ignore anything even remotely suspicious when it comes to Dilip Saab's health. The doctors are examining him; hes under observation. Hes very comfortable with the team here. I just hope there is nothing serious. Inshallah, I will take him home before his birthday on Sunday."

However, Dilip Sahab is still in the hospital but that didnt deter him from celebrating his birthday. In a series of tweets, the actor shared a picture of himself and Saira cutting a cake while sitting on a hospital bed.

Saira, helps me cut a cake... pic.twitter.com/ANGFhW5NAn  Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 11, 2016

He captioned the image as, Saira, helps me cut a cake .

He even then thanked everyone for their amazing birthday wishes.

Thank you for all the beautiful and lovely messages. Your love and affection has been so enduring and so touching, your heartfelt messages on this medium brought tears to my eyes, he wrote.

Your love and affection has been so enduring and so touching, your heartfelt messages on this medium brought tears to my eyes.  Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 11, 2016

A lot of celebrities took to Twitter to wish the legendary actor:

T 2468 - To the greatest .. Dilip Kumar .. on his birthday Dec 11, wishes prayers and duas for good health and happiness ..  Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 10, 2016

To the Aakhri Mughal of the Hindi film industry.. Salgirah mubarak @TheDilipKumar You have been such an inspiration to millions.Respect  Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) December 11, 2016
Ever since the dastardly Uri attack that left many of our soldiers dead, MNS took a stand and strongly protested against hiring of Pakistani actors by Indian filmmakers. Raj Thackeray and his party firmly tried to implement this and even vowed to stop the release of all the films that starred Pak actors.

midday

The first film to bear the brunt of this decision was Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that featured Fawad Khan. After a lot of discussions, meetings and an intervention from Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis , KJo was able to release his film on the scheduled date after paying a fine of Rs 5 crore.

Youtube

Now SRKs upcoming film Raees might face the same fate as ADHM since it stars Pakistani actress Mahira Khan in a pivotal role.

At a recent promotional event, co-producer of the film Ritesh Sidhwani had stated that there is no government restriction on Pak actors coming to India. Whats more, he went on to say that if need be, they will bring Mahira Khan back in India for promotions. SRK, who was present at the event, had agreed with Sidhwani.

Speculations were doing the rounds that this might lead to a fallout between the political party and King Khan.

twitter

To make sure that no such thing happens, SRK met supremo Raj Thackrey at his residence yesterday. In an hour-long discussion, SRK promised Thackeray that he and his team have no intention of bringing Mahira to India for Raees promotions. In fact, he even said that he will not be working with any Pakistani actors in the future.

tumblr

After the meeting, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray told ANI: "He (Shah Rukh Khan) had come to inform that rumours about Mahira Khan promoting Raees are false.

He (Shah Rukh Khan) had come to inform that rumours about Mahira Khan promoting Raees are false: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray pic.twitter.com/jithoNcWW9  ANI (@ANI_news) December 11, 2016

This is not the first time that SRKs film has run into troubled waters with MNS. Previously, his film My Name is Khan had faced opposition due to the number of screens etc.

Looks like their meeting yesterday went successfully which means that Raees will have a hassle free release.
Earlier this month we reported how Nokias Android smartphones are slated for launch in early 2017. As we get closer to the impending launch of the new Nokia D1C Android smartphones, more leaks have confirmed specs and price of the two Android smartphones.

Leaked image of the Nokia D1C

According to the Nokia Power User website, which claims to have access to brand new information from a source familiar with Nokias launch plans, the upcoming Nokia D1C Android smartphone is going to be launched in two variants -- a higher end premium version and a more affordable mainstream version. If you thought youd have to sell a kidney to be able to afford the upcoming Nokia Android phones, you couldnt be more wrong!

The website claims that the 2GB RAM variant of Nokia D1C will be priced at US $150 (Rs 9999 approximately) and the Nokia D1C phone with 3GB RAM will be priced around $200 (Rs 12,999 approximately). The website does advise users to take the price claim with a rather large pinch of salt, as the source of this information isnt one of their regular sources.

Nokia D1C Leaked Image

What the website is fairly confident about is the Nokia D1C smartphones specs and features, which are as follows:

1.4 GHz Snapdragon 430 Processor

Adreno 505 GPU

2 / 3 GB RAM*

Android Nougat 7.0

5 / 5.5-inch, 1080p display*

16 GB internal storage

13 /16 MP Rear camera*

8 MP FFC

This pretty much sums it up. The two variants of the Nokia D1C Android smartphone will differ in terms of RAM (2GB vs 3GB), form factor (5-inch vs 5.5-inch 1080 screen size), and rear camera (13MP vs 16MP). Both Nokia D1C smartphone variants will run on 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC, Adreno 505 GPU, Android Nougat 7.0 operating system, 16GB internal storage and 8MP front-facing camera.

Looking at the prices and specs, seems like the Nokia D1C Android smartphone is going to be a mainstream warrior, aiming to discuss the 10k to 15k Android smartphone segment.

Looking forward to it, should be fun!
After US President-elect Donald Trump called the president of Taiwan, the US and China have once again come at diplomatic loggerheads and in order to give the US a strong statement, China flew a nuclear-capable bomber outside its borders in the South China Sea.

The 10-minute telephone call with President Tsai Ing-Wen was the first by any 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.

AFP

The call has drawn Beijing's ire. Xian H-6, the nuclear-capable bomber was seen flying on disputed 'nine-dash line' around the South China Sea on Thursday, US officials told Fox News. US officials believe that it was done on purpose as Beijing seeks to issue the warning to Washington over the recent event.

The bomber passed over a number of disputed islands.

The Pentagon, the US defence headquarters found out about the flight on Friday and officials said it was the first long-range flight along the demarcation line in more than 18 months  though this sortie extended further than previous ones.

The H-6 is the Chinese version of the Russian Tupolev Tu-16 jet bomber and has been used by China to drop nuclear devices in tests.President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal about criticising Chinese policies via twitter especially for the build-up of a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea.

Fox reported that Admiral Harry Harris, the head of US Pacific Command, had warned repeatedly about Chinese military build-up in the area over the last year. Satellites have shown China preparing to ship advanced surface-to-air missiles to contested islands, it said.

Youtube

The US first adopted the One China policy in 1972 after meetings between Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao Tse-tung, and it was later solidified by President Jimmy Carter. Under the policy, the US retains unofficial ties to Taiwan while recognising Beijing as representing China. China considers Taiwan a renegade country.

According to The Independent, White House officials said they spoke with the Chinese leadership following Trumps call with President Tsai.
A pilot was killed and three other occupants were seriously injured after a helicopter on a joyride to celebrate a couple's wedding anniversary developed a technical problem and crashed on a hillock in north Mumbai within five minutes of departure from Juhu airport on Sunday.

AP

The helicopter spiralled out of control and crashed at 11.57 am. Captain Praful Kumar Mishra, the deceased commander, was conscious and bleeding from a head injury when he was pulled out of the damaged cockpit by locals who rushed to the spot.

"Don't worry about me, get the passengers to safety first,'' pilot Praful Kumar Mishra reportedly told rescuers who rushed to assist him after his helicopter crashed. The injured passengers, Ritesh Modi (who has suffered multiple brain contusions) and his wife Brinda, were on board to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary. They had left behind their two-year-old son with his grandparents.

Also on board was a technician, Sanjeev Shankar.

PTI

Minutes after takeoff, at 11.56am, the pilot had radioed the Juhu air traffic controller about his decision to do a forced landing.

"He said that the helicopter had developed a clutch assembly problem,'' said an airport source. A clutch failure cuts off power to the rotor blades and even though the engine would be functioning normally, the effect would be akin to that of an engine failure. The helicopter (registration number VT-PBH), which was gutted in the accident, was owned and operated by Aman Aviation and Aerospace Solutions Pvt Ltd, a private aircraft charter company. The company officials were not reachable for comment.

"They (Modis) had paid 9,000 for the joyride. This is the first crash involving joyride passengers in Mumbai,'' said a source.
        : 30        ; 7    
The Delhi Police have seized Rs Rs 2.6 crore new notes along with the total Rs 13 lakh from a southeast Delhi-based law firm. According to crime branch of the Delhi Police, T&T Law Firm in GK-I was raided last night, during which the seizure was made.

PTI

"The recovered amount is close to Rs 13.5 crore. Out of the recovered money, Rs 7 crore is in the form of demonetised Rs 1,000 notes.

"Rs 3 crore is in the form of Rs 100 notes and Rs 2.61 crore is in the form of Rs 2,000 denominations. Rest of the cash is in the form of Rs 50 and Rs 500 denominations," said Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (Crime). When the police team raided the office, the rooms were locked and a caretaker was present.

PTI

"It's probably one of the several office premises which was mainly used as cash godown guarded by just one guard," said the officer. Police said that more cash was likely to be recovered in the follow-up raids.

The IT department has been informed and will be probing the case ahead. Police said that the law firm whose office was raided belongs to Rohit Tandon.

According to I-T department sources, the lawyer had recently declared unaccounted income worth over Rs 125 crore after searches were carried out against him.
Have you felt it? The slow decline in the quality of conversation around you. How quickly fingers point at you for speaking good English, or not speaking good English?

As the millenials crave for a better job, better salary packages and a better quality of life, the rapid shift towards the global language for communication - English - is taking a serious toll on the future of the indigenous voice of India.

According to a study released in August 2013, India had already lost 220 of its dialects in just the last 50 years.

While the numbers keep changing from country to country, it is estimated that about 6000-7000 languages are spoken around the world. Of these, more than 800 belonged to India! As of December this year, India has already lost more than 300 languages.

Internationally, it is believed that almost 80 per cent of the languages known today will be extinct by the turn of the century.

Hoboist

Professors in the school of linguistics say that it is hard to get the classrooms full. "There is a drastic drop in the enrollments in languages classes. There are no takers for the languages of India. At this rate, we will soon lose centuries worth of heritage in the next few years," he said. "English is the most commercially viable language for India and that is costing us the voices of thousands of our countrymen," said a professor.

From apps on the phone to corporate meetings, English has become the mainstream Indian language for today's "successful" Indian.

India has seen 13 major language campaigns in the last 150 years, out of these four were regarding Hindi alone!

The Konkani agitation that came shortly after India gained independence which saw riots and student agitation to keep the Konkani language alive. Similar protests came into light from other parts of the country. In 1968, the Central government first proposed the three-language programme to be introduced in schools where apart from Hindi and English, students could opt for one more language to study.

Unfortunately, instead of promoting regional languages and dialects, the move has only popularised English. "While most local dialects in India are spoken by no more than 5,000 people and is a matter of concern, the tribal languages are critically endangered," points out Aprita Mitra of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. "The biggest challenge that we have is to keep the youth of the country involved in their own heritage. We need to understand that speaking English and accepting a Western lifestyle are two different things and should be kept that way."

welcomenri

The north-eastern belt of the country has seen the largest loss in dialects. "That indigenous languages and cultures are disappearing at an alarming rate around the globe have been noted by many," says Gwendolyn Lowes, a PhD student in Linguistics at the University of Oregon, USA and a director of the Aienla Project. "Perhaps nowhere else in the world is this loss more profound than in Northeast India. With five language families (Tai-Kadai, Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austroasiatic) represented in well over one hundred languages amongst its seven states, Northeast India could well be the most linguistically diverse region in the world."

"I have had the opportunity to visit Guwahati on a few occasions and this year I had the pleasure of visiting western Arunachal Pradesh for the first time. Arunachal Pradesh is home to numerous tribes who speak a wide variety of languages. In Itanagar and Seppa, I met communities of Sulung speakers, who speak a Tibeto-Burman language of great interest to linguists because of its apparent divergence from related languages. In these areas and in villages in- between we met many Nishi speakers and learned about the Donyi-Polo religion, besides utilising the opportunity to visit a Donyi-Polo celebration. In East and West Kameng we also learned a little bit about the Hruso, Bugun and Sherdukpen languages. Arunachal Pradesh is also home to the Monpa tribe, who speak a number of disparate languages. For example, Tawang Monpa is spoken by Monpas in Tawang and surrounding areas and Dirang Monpa is a different language altogether, sometimes referred to as Tshangla by linguists. There are other Monpa languages which may be entirely different from these two as well, though otherwise, they have a similar, shared culture," she says.

bbc

If India needs to begin sincere efforts to revive its languages, the northeast would be the most significant place to begin. Professor Awadesh Sharma of Delhi University says, "We have all but lost the languages we once spoke on the plains, even the pure forms of Sanskrit are no longer spoken, just written. The languages of the plains are long forgotten or integrated into the local tongue. And going by the quality of attention Indian languages have been receiving in the past few years, India might just lose its original voice forever."
In a rare gesture, the Kuwait government has stated it would not imprison or penalise over 24,000 illegal Indian workers if they report to the Interior Ministry for deportation or transfer of job visas.

"We are lenient towards Indian workers but have asked them to strictly follow the rules and regulations. The Immigration Department is ready to help them in the deportation process," Major General Talal Ibrahim Marafie, who heads the department, told a group of Indian journalists, adding this was being done "in view of good and strong ties with India".

Reuters

There are around one million Indian workers in Kuwait.

Marafie said there were multiple reasons for the overstays. In most cases, workers leave their sponsors and work for other companies for financial benefits. There are also cases where the sponsor is abroad and when visas expire there is no one to help the workers get their travel documents legalised. Some sponsors retain the passports of workers. Such workers leave their sponsors for monetary benefits and better jobs.

Marafie said the government is keen to help illegal workers if they report to "us".

The Immigration Department will make necessary arrangements for their deportation. The workers have to pay a small amount as a penalty, but in most cases, this has been waived. However, Marafie made it clear that if any of the workers had indulged in malpractices, they would not be spared.

Reuters

He said that 2,018 illegal Indian workers had already been helped to leave the country without any penalty.

As for the non-payment of dues to the workers, he said the government attached great importance to this critical issue.

Senior Interior Ministry official Mohammed Ajami stated that thousands of such cases had been resolved. The ministry also offers legal assistance to workers to fight their cases in court. The verdict has to be given within one month's time so that the workers don't suffer any delay. The government has also formed a committee of lawyers to help foreign workers in settling their dues.

PTI

Ajami He said the government has proposed certain changes in the labour laws under which workers will have the right to retain their passports and travel documents. Moreover, sponsors will be made responsible to pay dues within a one-month period or face legal action.

On the drop in oil revenue, Marafie said this has not impacted on recruitment. More than 50,000 Indians have been recruited this year, he noted.
Two girls seen kissing in Moroccos city Marrakech might be imprisoned for up to three years because acts of homosexuality are illegal in the country.

fb-s-b-a.akamaihd.net

Sanae, 16, and Hajar, 17, were seen kissing on a rooftop by relatives.

They are being persecuted for homosexuality and face between six months to three years in prison. According to Moroccos article 489 of the Criminal Code, which provides that "anyone committing an indecent or unnatural act with an individual of the same sex" shall be punished.

They were incarcerated for almost a week and released in November, just before the commencement of the trial, even though they are minors, said Omar Arbib, from the Marrakech branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH).

http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/

Akaliyat, an organisation that campaigns for the rights of sexual and religious minorities, said Hajar spent time in prison under harsh conditions where everyone knew of her alleged sexual orientation.

According to one of the girls lawyers, AMDH activist Moulay Rachid El Ghorfi, the case is "empty" and does not have any evidence.

middle east eye

Social organisations including Akaliyat have been collecting signatures to free both the girls and have collected 85,000 so far, a good number considering that homosexuality is a taboo topic in the north African nation.
Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

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CIA Says Russia Intervened To Help Trump Win White House: Washington Post By Reuters December 11, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Reuters " - The CIA has concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help President-elect Donald Trump win the White House, and not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, the Washington Post reported on Friday. Citing U.S. officials briefed on the matter, the Post said intelligence agencies had identified individuals with connections to the Russian government who provided thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others, including the chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, to WikiLeaks. The officials described the individuals as people known to the intelligence community who were part of a wider Russian operation to boost Trump and reduce Clinton's chances of winning the election. "It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russias goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected," the Post quoted a senior U.S. official as saying. "That's the consensus view." The Post said the official had been briefed on an intelligence presentation made by the Central Intelligence Agency to key U.S. senators behind closed-doors last week. The CIA, in what the Post said was a secret assessment, cited a growing body of evidence from multiple sources. Briefers told the senators it was now "quite clear" that electing Trump was Russia's goal, the Post quoted officials as saying on condition of anonymity. In October, the U.S. government formally accused Russia of a campaign of cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. President Barack Obama has said he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about consequences for the attacks. But Russian officials have denied all accusations of interference in the U.S. election. A CIA spokeswoman said the agency had no comment on the report. Trump has said he is not convinced Russia was behind the cyber attacks. His transition team issued a statement on "claims of foreign interference in U.S. elections" on Friday but did not directly address the issue. The hacked emails passed to WikiLeaks were a regular source of embarrassment to the Clinton campaign during the race for the presidency. The CIA presentation fell short of a formal U.S. assessment by all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, the Post said. A senior U.S. official said there remained minor disagreements among intelligence officials about the assessment because some questions are unanswered, it said. Intelligence agencies did not have specific intelligence showing the Kremlin directed the individuals to pass the hacked emails to WikiLeaks, another senior official told the Post. The actors were "one step" removed from the Russian government rather than government employees, the official said. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has said in a television interview that the Russian government was not the source of the emails, the Post said. (Writing by David Alexander; Editing by Tom Brown, Robert Birsel) Donald Trump says CIA charge Russia influenced election is 'ridiculous'



Guardian staff and agencies



December 11, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " The Guardian " - Donald Trump has said the CIAs conclusion that Russia interfered in the presidential election is ridiculous and being used by Democrats as just another excuse for his defeat of Hillary Clinton. The president-elect told Fox News Sunday that he did not necessarily oppose Barack Obamas order for a review of campaign-season cyber-attacks. But he added that in any such effort, you should not just say Russia. You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals. The Obama administration has said the review is not just about Russia or the election. The White House says the report will look at other election-year incidents, including 2008 and 2012 cyber-attacks linked to Chinese hackers. Trump has long said the culprit for such attacks could be China or just a hacker sitting on a couch. The CIA has concluded with high confidence that Russia sought to influence the US election on behalf of the Republican. The Republican president-elect also questioned whether the CIA was behind the reports that indicated Moscow wanted him in the White House. I think the Democrats are putting it out, he said. Two leading Republican voices on foreign policy in the Senate, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, joined two Democratic senators on Sunday in expressing concern over the reports on Russian interference and saying it could not become a partisan issue. For years, foreign adversaries have directed cyber attacks at Americas physical, economic, and military infrastructure, while stealing our intellectual property, the senators, including Democrats Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed, said in a statement. Now our democratic institutions have been targeted. Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American. US intelligence agencies have told Congress and the Obama administration Russia has grown increasingly aggressive in Syria and Ukraine and has stepped up activities in cyberspace. This cannot become a partisan issue, the senators said. The stakes are too high for our country. Trumps chief of staff, however, said it was insane to suggest that Russian hacking influenced the outcome of the election and added that the Russians didnt tell Hillary Clinton to ignore Wisconsin and Michigan. Reince Priebus told ABCs This Week that Clinton ignored states that she shouldnt have, and Donald Trump was the change agent  Donald Trump won in an electoral landslide that had nothing to do with the Russians. McCain and Graham are among those senators who will likely play key roles in any confirmation hearing for Rex Tillerson, the Exxon Mobil chief executive who was said by Trump aides speaking anonymously on Saturday to be the most likely pick for secretary of state. Tillerson is close to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who gave him Russias highest award in 2013, has done extensive business in Russia, and has spoken out against sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine. Praising Tillerson in his interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump said: To me a great advantage is that he knows many of the players in the world and he knows them well. He added: He does massive deals in Russia not for himself, but for the company. Speaking to CNN on Saturday, McCain said: I have obviously concerns about his relationship with Vladimir Putin, who is a thug and a murderer, but obviously we will have hearings on that issue and other issues concerning him will be examined and then its the time to make up your mind on whether to vote yes or no. The fact that he has a relationship with Vladimir Putin and other across the globe is not something we should be embarrassed by, said Priebus on ABC. I think it would be an advantage for the United States. Priebus said that although the final choice had not been made, he had no concern about a confirmation for Tillerson, who he said was incredibly talented and would do an incredible job as secretary of state. The Kentucky senator Rand Paul, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, told ABC he had an open mind on Tillerson but flatly rejected the prospect of Bush administration United Nations ambassador John Bolton serving as an undersecretary at the state department, as has been reported. Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, was an automatic no, Paul said, who should get nowhere near the state department. Later on Sunday morning, Trump tweeted: Whether I choose him or not for State- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned! FULL Interview: Donald Trump at FOX News Sunday (Special) | Dec 11, 2016 | Russian Hacking The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
Trump To Nominate Extreme Militant John Bolton As State Department's No. 2



Bolton is an extraordinarily hawkish choice.



By Jessica Schulberg

December 11, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Huffington Post " - President-elect Donald Trump will nominate John Bolton to be the nations No. 2 diplomat, handling day-to-day operations at the State Department, according to NBCs Andrea Mitchell and confirmed to HuffPost by a source close to the transition.

Bolton, who had been on Trumps short list for secretary of state at one point, is among the most hawkish members of the Republican foreign policy community, a bellicose enemy of Russia and Iran.

He is a former acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but served less than two years, as Democrats banded together to block his long-term appointment. His time at the U.N. was marked by a rapid uptick in anti-American sentiment among the global diplomatic community. Bolton remains one of the most disliked foreign policy operators on the world stage.

Trumps search for State Department leadership has been particularly dramatic. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was in the running, and then he bowed out on Friday. The GOPs 2012 presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, was also considered. But media outlets reported Saturday that Trump had settled on Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for the top State Department job.

Even as the second in command at State, Bolton is an aggressive selection from Trump, shattering the president-elects pledge to work peacefully with other countries. Bolton, who has called for the bombing of Iran, held high-level roles in three different Republican administrations between 1998 and 2006. He is now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank whose vice president has described Trump as an idiot.

He would be reporting to a commander-in-chief who appears to espouse a worldview diametrically opposed to his own. Bolton has repeatedly slammed President Barack Obama for his willingness to engage in limited cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Syria and Iran.

While Mr. Obama sleepwalks, Mr. Putin is ardently pursuing Russias Middle East objectives, Bolton wrote in a 2013 op-ed that argued against assuming the U.S. has common interests with Russia in Syria.

In 2014, speculating that Russia was responsible for the downing of a Malaysian plane over Ukraine, Bolton told Fox News, I think weve got to begin to treat Russia like the adversary that Putin is currently demonstrating it to be.

Two years later, Bolton expressed hope that Obama wouldnt do anything in his final year in office to legitimize Russias military efforts in Syria, where U.S. defense officials say Russia is focused on bombing Syrian opposition fighters rather than Islamic State forces. Until Mr. Obama departs the White House, Bolton wrote in October 2015 , Washington must not do anything perceived as legitimizing Moscows new Latakia air base, or the presence of Russian aircraft and cruise missiles in the skies over the region. The suggestion that we exchange deconfliction codes with Russia is what the French call a fausse bonne idee, a superficially appealing bad idea.

Trump, a man who has extensive financial ties with Russia, is far more likely than Obama to legitimize Moscows military endeavors in the Middle East. He has already broken with the Republican orthodoxy by suggesting that the U.S. abandon its efforts to fight ISIS in Syria and let Russia take over.

This has happened before. We back a certain side, and that side turns out to be a total catastrophe, Trump said in September, referring to U.S. support for the opposition groups fighting ISIS and Syrian President Bashar Assad. Russia likes Assad, seemingly, a lot  let them worry about ISIS. Let them fight it out.

In a phone conversation last month, Trump and Putin committed to working to normalize relations, a Kremlin readout of the call said. The current relationship, the two leaders agreed, is extremely unsatisfactory.

Yet Trump listed Bolton as one of his go-to experts on national security issues during a Meet the Press interview in August. Hes, you know, a tough cookie, knows what hes talking about, Trump said.

It was a curious comment from a man who had spent the previous several months (falsely) boasting that he was opposed to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and hitting his opponent for her vote in support of the war. Bolton was in favor of invading Iraq as early as 1998. In the lead-up to the invasion, Bolton, then under secretary of state for arms control, peddled false information about Saddam Husseins weapons of mass destruction program. Even after it became clear that the Iraqi dictator did not possess such weapons, Bolton maintained that the war was a good idea.

On the other hand, Bolton has a major supporter in Robert Mercer, a hedge fund billionaire who provided the lions share of the financial backing for Trumps candidacy. The largest donor to Boltons super PAC over the years has been the Mercer family. And in 2014, Trump gave $5,000 to the super PAC.
Clinton camp chief strategist @benensonj: "I've seen things" in Wikileaks emails "that aren't authentic" #ThisWeek https://t.co/LPQJBfACqz  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) October 23, 2016 That the emails in the Wikileaks archive were doctored or faked  and thus should be disregarded  was classic Fake News, spread not by Macedonian teenagers or Kremlin operatives but by established news outlets such as MSNBC, The Atlantic, and Newsweek. And, by design, this Fake News spread like wildfire all over the internet, hungrily clicked and shared by tens of thousands of people eager to believe it was true. As a result of this deliberate disinformation campaign, anyone reporting on the contents of the emails was instantly met with claims that the documents in the archive had been proven fake. The most damaging such claim came from MSNBCs intelligence analyst Malcolm Nance. As I documented on October 11, he tweeted what he  for some bizarre reason  labeled an Official Warning. It decreed: #PodestaEmails are already proving to be riddled with obvious forgeries & #blackpropaganda not even professionally done. That tweet was re-tweeted by more than 4,000 people. It was vested with added credibility by Clinton-supporting journalists like Reid and Frum (expert to take seriously). All of that, in turn, led to an article in something called the Daily News Bin with the headline: MSNBC intelligence expert: WikiLeaks is releasing falsified emails not really from Hillary Clinton. This classic fake news product  citing Nance and Reid among others  was shared more than 40,000 times on Facebook alone.

Official Warning: #PodestaEmails are already proving to be riddled with obvious forgeries & #blackpropaganda not even professionally done. https://t.co/UuJZrurHAA  Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) October 7, 2016

Joe, Malcolm Nance & other experts have validated these emails have been forged & altered by Russia before passing them off to Wikileaks! https://t.co/gZ7rVQ6JJp  VLB (@BickiDoodle) October 27, 2016

The media (@ABC, @CBSNews, @NBCNews and @PBS) must heed Malcolm Nance: "You should have ZERO CONFIDENCE in the contents" of Wikileaks dumps!  Thomas Gordon (@EarthOrb) October 23, 2016

Joy now discussing WikiLeaks with security expert Malcolm Nance who says we can have zero confidence in authenticity of documents. #AMJoy  LaurenBaratzLogsted (@LaurenBaratzL) October 22, 2016

From the start, it was obvious that it was this accusation from Clinton supporters  not the WikiLeaks documents  that was a complete fraud, perpetrated on the public as deliberate disinformation. With regard to the claim about the Podesta emails, now we know exactly who created it in the first instance: a hard-core Clinton fanatic. When Nance  MSNBCs intelligence analyst  issued his Official Warning, he linked to a tweet that warned: Please be skeptical of alleged #PodestaEmails. Trumpists are dirtying docs. That tweet, in turn, linked to a tweet from an anonymous account calling itself The Omnivore, which had posted an obviously fake transcript purporting to be a Hillary Clinton speech to Goldman Sachs. Even though that fake document was never published by WikiLeaks, that was the entire basis for the MSNBC-inspired claim that some of the WikiLeaks documents were doctored. But the person who created that forged Goldman Sachs transcript was not a Trumpist at all; he was a devoted supporter of Hillary Clinton. In the Daily Beast, the person behind the anonymous The Omnivore account unmasks himself as Marco Chacon, a self-professed creator of viral fake news whose targets were Sanders and Trump supporters (he specialized in blatantly fake anti-Clinton frauds with the goal of tricking her opponents into citing them, so that they would be discredited). When he wasnt posting fabricated news accounts designed to make Clintons opponents look bad, his account looked like any other standard pro-Clinton account: numerous negative items about Sanders and then Trump, with links to many Clinton-defending articles. In his Daily Beast article, published on November 21, Chacon describes how he manufactured the forged Goldman Sachs speech transcript. He says he did it prior to learning that the WikiLeaks releases of Podesta emails contained actual Clinton speech excerpts to Wall Street banks. But once he realized WikiLeaks had published actual Clinton transcripts, Chacon began trying to lure people he disliked  Clinton critics  into believing that his forged speeches were real, so that he could prove they were gullible and dumb. Sadly for Chacon, however, the people who ended up getting fooled by his Fake News items were the nations most prominent Clinton supporters, including supposed experts and journalists from MSNBC who used his obvious fakes to try to convince the world that the WikiLeaks archive had been compromised and thus should be ignored. That it was pro-Clinton journalists who spread his Fake News as real now horrifies even Chacon: The tweet went super-viral. It started an almost trending  but still going today  hashtag #bucketoflosers. A tweet declaring it a bad forgery was picked up by Malcolm Nance, an intelligence analyst for MSNBC among others, who tweeted to be wary of the WikiLeaks release .  That did not stop Nance, who with a firm intelligence background should have been able to easily spot the fake with (chaos) actually written in the side bar and ((makes air quotes)) written before the bucket of losers piece in the completely comical so-called transcript, from referencing the document and saying: Official Warning: #PodestaEmails are already proving to be riddled with obvious forgeries & #blackpropaganda not even professionally done.  At the end of the day, did this change anything? I dont know. I think I inadvertently hurt WikiLeaks, which Im not proud of  but Im not too sorry about either. I suspect that some people came to realize that they were believing in fake things. That last sentence  that as a result of his fraud, some people came to realize that they were believing in fake things  is false, at least insofar as it applies to people like Eichenwald, Frum, Nance, and Reid. Even though it was clear from the start to any rational and honest person that there was zero evidence that any of the WikiLeaks documents were doctored, and even though (as Chacon himself says) nobody minimally informed (let alone supposed intelligence experts) should have been fooled by his blatant Fake News, none of the journalists who lied to the public about these WikiLeaks documents have even once acknowledged what they did. Their Fake News tweets  warning people to view the WikiLeaks documents as fake  remain posted, with no subsequent retraction or acknowledgment of the falsehoods that they spread about the WikiLeaks archive. That includes MSNBC segments that spread this accusation. Indeed, not only should it have been blatantly obvious that Chacons anonymously posted document did not impugn the WikiLeaks archive, but also the slightest research would have revealed that the person who manufactured the forgery was a Clinton supporter, not a Trumpist or a Kremlin operative. Indeed, one of the Clinton-criticizing journalists who Chacon tried to trick, Michael Tracey, said exactly this at the time. But because his facts contradicted the MSNBC/Newsweek political agenda, they were ignored in favor of the lie that the WikiLeaks archive had been compromised and doctored:

FYI: one of the accounts (@OmnivoreBlog) that circulated a fake HRC speech transcript is a pro-Clinton troll spreading disinformation. pic.twitter.com/HZ3UBm9pk8  Michael Tracey (@mtracey) October 11, 2016

I will be shocked if any of them now acknowledge this even with Chacons confession. Thats because MSNBC has repeatedly proven that it tolerates Fake News and outright lies from its personalities as long as those lies are in service of the right candidate (when Democrats were smearing Jill Stein as a Kremlin stooge, Reids program aired Nances lie to MSNBC viewers that Stein had previously hosted her own show on RT: an utter fabrication that MSNBC, to this day, has never corrected or even acknowledged despite multiple requests from FAIR).
How To Instantly Tell If Russia Hacked the Election By WashingtonsBlog December 11, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Moon Of Alabama " - Anonymous CIA officials claim that Russia hacked the U.S. election by accessing emails from top Democratic officials and then leaking them to Wikileaks. But the Washington Post notes: Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) voiced doubts about the veracity of the intelligence, according to officials present. *** A senior U.S. official said there were minor disagreements among intelligence officials about the agencys assessment, in part because some questions remain unanswered. For example, intelligence agencies do not have specific intelligence showing officials in the Kremlin directing the identified individuals to pass the Democratic emails to WikiLeaks . *** Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has said in a television interview that the Russian government is not the source. [The former intelligence analyst, British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, and chancellor of the University of Dundee (Craig Murray)  who is close friends with Wikileaks Assange  said he knows with 100% certainty that the Russians arent behind the leaks.] *** Ill be the first one to come out and point at Russia if theres clear evidence, but there is no clear evidence  even now, said Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a member of the Trump transition team . Theres a lot of innuendo, lots of circumstantial evidence, thats it. Indeed, some cybersecurity consultants claim that its impossible to ever know for sure who is behind hacks of this nature. But thats wrong  In reality, it would be childs play to determine whether or not the Russians really hacked the Dem emails and shared them with Wikileaks. Specifically, Edward Snowden says the NSA could easily determine who hacked the Democratic National Committees emails: Evidence that could publicly attribute responsibility for the DNC hack certainly exists at #NSA, but DNI traditionally objects to sharing.  Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 25, 2016 But dont trust Snowden  The NSA executive who created the agencys mass surveillance program for digital information, who served as the senior technical director within the agency, who managed six thousand NSA employees, the 36-year NSA veteran widely regarded as a legend within the agency and the NSAs best-ever analyst and code-breaker, who mapped out the Soviet command-and-control structure before anyone else knew how, and so predicted Soviet invasions before they happened (in the 1970s, he decrypted the Soviet Unions command system, which provided the US and its allies with real-time surveillance of all Soviet troop movements and Russian atomic weapons)  confirmed to Washingtons Blog that the NSA would definitely know who the hacker was. Binney told Washingtons Blog in July: Snowden is right and the MSM is clueless. *** Do they have evidence that the Russians downloaded and later forwarded those emails to wikileaks? Seems to me that they need to answer those questions to be sure that their assertion is correct. *** You can tell from the network log who is going into a site. I used that on networks that I had. I looked to see who came into my LAN, where they went, how long they stayed and what they did while in my network. Further, if you needed to, you could trace back approaches through other servers etc. Trace Route and Trace Watch are good examples of monitoring software that help do these things. Others of course exist  probably the best are in NSA/GCHQ and the other Five Eyes countries. But, these countries have no monopoly on smart people that could do similar detection software. In October, Binney told us: If the idiots in the intelligence community expect us to believe them after all the crap they have told us (like WMDs in Iraq and no we dont collect data on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans) then they need to give clear proof of what they say. So far, they have failed to prove anything. Which suggests they dont have proof and just want to war monger the US public into a second cold war with the Russians. After all, theres lots and lots of money in that for the military-industrial-intelligence-governmental complex of incestuous relationships. *** If you recall, a few years ago they pointed to a specific building in China that was where hacks on the US were originating. So, lets see the same from the Russians. They dont have it. Thats why they dont show it. They want to swindle us again and again and again. You can not trust these intelligence agencies period. That same month, Binney told Newsweek: U.S. officials know how many people [beyond the Russians] could have done this but they arent telling us anything. All theyre doing is promoting another cold war. Binney  compared allegations about Russian hacks to previous U.S. fabrications of intelligence to justify the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the bombing of North Vietnam in 1964. This is a big mistake, another WMD or Tonkin Gulf affair thats being created until they have absolute proof of Russian complicity in the DNC hacks, he charged during a Newsweek interview. He noted that after the Kremlin denied complicity in the downing of a Korean Airlines flight in 1983, the U.S. exposed the conversations where [Russian pilots] were ordered to shoot it down. Obama officials have the evidence now of who hacked the DNC, he charged. So lets see it, guys. Last month, Binney explained: If it were the Russians, NSA would have a trace route to them and not equivocate on who did it. Its like using Trace Route to map the path of all the packets on the network. In the program Treasuremap NSA has hundreds of trace route programs embedded in switches in Europe and hundreds more around the world. So, this set-up should have detected where the packets went and when they went there. In other words, theres no need to speculate on whether the Russians were the hackers. The NSA could easily determine who was behind the hacks. Of course, in an era where challenging officials to provide evidence may get one labeled as a Russian propagandist, the question is how many people will stand up for the all-American value of questioning the proclamations of those in power: Tucker Carlson DESTROYS Congressman Adam Schiff On Russian Interference In U.S Election The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
Big Medias Contra-Cocaine Cover-up





Twelve years ago, a campaign of character assassination by the major U.S. newspapers drove an honest journalist to suicide. Now those papers claim to be paragons of truth-telling, says Robert Parry.



By Robert Parry

December 11, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Consortium News " - Amid the mainstream U.S. medias current self-righteous frenzy against fake news, its worth recalling how the big newspapers destroyed Gary Webb, an honest journalist who exposed some hard truths about the Reagan administrations collaboration with Nicaraguan Contra cocaine traffickers.

Webbs reward for reviving that important scandal in 1996  and getting the CIAs inspector general to issue what amounted to an institutional confession in 1998  was to have The New York Times, The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times lobby for, essentially, his banishment from journalism.

The major media pile-on was so intense and so effective that Webb lost his job at the San Jose Mercury-News and could never find regular work in his profession again. Betrayed by his journalistic colleagues, his money gone, his family broken and his life seemingly hopeless, Webb committed suicide on Dec. 9, 2004.

Even then, the Los Angeles Times wrote up his obituary as if the paper were telling the life story of an organized-crime boss, not a heroic journalist. The Times obit was then republished by The Washington Post.

In other words, on one of the most significant scandals of the Reagan era, major newspapers, which now want to serve as the arbiters of truth for the Internet, demonstrated how disdainful they actually are toward truth when it puts the U.S. government in a harsh light.

Indeed, if it had been up to the big newspapers, this important chapter of modern history would never have been known. A decade earlier, in 1985, Brian Barger and I first exposed the Contra-cocaine connection for The Associated Press  and we watched as the big papers turned their backs on the scandal then, too.

The main point that Webb added to the story was how some of the Contra cocaine fed into the production of crack-cocaine that had such a devastating effect on Americas black communities in particular. Webbs disclosure of the crack connection infuriated many African-Americans and the big papers acted as if it was their civic duty to calm down those inner-city folks by assuring them that the U.S. government would never do such a thing.

So, instead of doing their jobs as journalists, the major newspapers acted as the last line of defense against the people learning the truth.

A Solid Record

Yet, whats remarkable now about the Contra-cocaine scandal is that  despite the cover-up efforts of the big papers  the truth is out there, available in official government documents, including the CIAs inspector generals report.

Collectively, the information also represents a damning indictment of The New York Times, The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times and demonstrates why they are unfit to lecture anyone about whats real and whats fake.

For instance, in 2013, at the National Archives annex in College Park, Maryland, I discovered a declassified secret U.S. law enforcement report that detailed how top Contra leader Adolfo Calero was casually associating with Norwin Meneses, described in the records as a well-reputed drug dealer. Meneses was near the center of Webbs 1996 articles for the San Jose Mercury-News.

The report was typical of the evidence that the Reagan administration  and the big newspapers  chose to ignore. It recounted information from Dennis Ainsworth, a blue-blood Republican from San Francisco who volunteered to help the Contra cause in 1984-85. That put him in position to witness the strange goings-on of Contra leaders hobnobbing with drug traffickers and negotiating arms deals with White House emissaries.

Ainsworth also was a source of mine in fall 1985 when I was investigating the mysterious channels of funding for the Contras after Congress shut off CIA support in 1984 amid widespread reports of Contra atrocities inflicted on Nicaraguan civilians, including rapes, executions and torture.

Ainsworths first-hand knowledge of the Contra dealings dovetailed with information that I already had, such as the central role of National Security Council aide Oliver North in aiding the Contras and his use of courier Rob Owen as an off-the-books White House intermediary to the Contras. I later developed confirmation of some other details that Ainsworth described, such as his overhearing Owen and Calero working together on an arms deal as Ainsworth drove them through the streets of San Francisco.

As for Ainsworths knowledge about the Contra-cocaine connection, he said he sponsored a June 1984 cocktail party at which Calero spoke to about 60 people. Meneses, a notorious drug kingpin in the Nicaraguan community, showed up uninvited and clearly had a personal relationship with Calero, who was then the political leader of the Contras chief fighting force, the CIA-backed Nicaraguan Democratic Force (or FDN).

At the end of the cocktail party, Meneses and Calero went off together, Ainsworth told U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello, according to a secret Jan. 6, 1987 cable submitted by Russoniello to an FBI investigation code-named Front Door, a probe into the Reagan administrations corruption.

After Caleros speech, Ainsworth said Meneses accompanied Calero and about 20 people to dinner and picked up the entire tab, according to a more detailed debriefing of Ainsworth by the FBI.

Concerned about this relationship, Ainsworth said he was told by Renato Pena, an FDN leader in the San Francisco area, that the FDN is involved in drug smuggling with the aid of Norwin Meneses who also buys arms for Enrique Bermudez, a leader of the FDN. Bermudez was then the top Contra military commander.

Corroborating Account

Pena, who himself was convicted on federal drug charges in 1984, gave a similar account to the Drug Enforcement Administration. According to a 1998 report by the Justice Departments Inspector General Michael Bromwich, When debriefed by the DEA in the early 1980s, Pena said that the CIA was allowing the Contras to fly drugs into the United States, sell them, and keep the proceeds.

Pena stated that he was present on many occasions when Meneses telephoned Bermudez in Honduras. Meneses told Pena of Bermudezs requests for such things as gun silencers (which Pena said Meneses obtained in Los Angeles), cross bows, and other military equipment for the Contras. Pena believed that Meneses would sometimes transport certain of these items himself to Central America, and other times would have contacts in Los Angeles and Miami send cargo to Honduras, where the authorities were cooperating with the Contras. Pena believed Meneses had contact with Bermudez from about 1981 or 1982 through the mid-1980s.

Bromwichs report then added, Pena said he was one of the couriers Meneses used to deliver drug money to a Colombian known as Carlos in Los Angeles and return to San Francisco with cocaine. Pena made six to eight trips, with anywhere from $600,000 to nearly $1 million, and brought back six to eight kilos of cocaine each time. Pena said Meneses was moving hundreds of kilos a week. Carlos once told Pena, Were helping your cause with this drug thing we are helping your organization a lot.

Ainsworth also said he tried to alert Oliver North in 1985 about the troubling connections between the Contra movement and cocaine traffickers but that North turned a deaf ear.

In the spring some friends of mine and I went back to the White House staff but we were put off by Ollie North and others on the staff who really dont want to know all whats going on, Ainsworth told Russoniello.

When I first spoke with Ainsworth in September 1985 at a coffee shop in San Francisco, he asked for confidentiality, which I granted. However, since the documents released by the National Archives include him describing his conversations with me, that confidentiality no longer applies. Ainsworth also spoke with Webb for his 1996 San Jose Mercury-News series under the pseudonym David Morrison.

Though I found Ainsworth to be generally reliable, some of his depictions of our conversations contained mild exaggerations or confusion over details, such as his claim that I called him from Costa Rica in January 1986 and told him that the Contra-cocaine story that I had been working on with my AP colleague Brian Barger never hit the papers because it was suppressed by the Associated Press due to political pressure primarily from the CIA.

In reality, Barger and I returned from Costa Rica in fall 1985, wrote our story about the Contras involvement in cocaine smuggling, and pushed it onto the AP wire in December though in a reduced form because of resistance from some senior AP news executives who were supportive of President Reagans foreign policies. The CIA, the White House and other agencies of the Reagan administration did seek to discredit our story, but they did not prevent its publication.

An Overriding Hostility

The Reagan administrations neglect of Ainsworths insights reflected the overriding hostility toward any information even from a Republican activist like Ainsworth that put the Contras in a negative light. In early 1987, when Ainsworth spoke with U.S. Attorney Russoniello and the FBI, the Reagan administration was in full damage-control mode, trying to tamp down the Iran-Contra disclosures about Oliver North diverting profits from secret arms sales to Iran to the Contra war.

Fears that the Iran-Contra scandal could lead to Reagans impeachment made it even less likely that the Justice Department would pursue an investigation into drug ties implicating the Contra leadership. Ainsworths information was simply passed on to Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh whose inquiry was already overwhelmed by the task of sorting out the convoluted Iran transactions.

Publicly, the Reagan team continued dumping on the Contra-cocaine allegations and playing the find-any-possible-reason-to-reject-a-witness game. The major news media went along, leading to much mainstream ridicule of a 1989 investigative report by Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, who uncovered more drug connections implicating the Contras and the Reagan administration.

Only occasionally, such as when the George H.W. Bush administration needed witnesses to convict Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega did the Contra-cocaine evidence pop onto Official Washingtons radar.

During Noriegas drug-trafficking trial in 1991, U.S. prosecutors called as a witness Colombian Medellin cartel kingpin Carlos Lehder, who, along with implicating Noriega, testified that the cartel had given $10 million to the Contras, an allegation first unearthed by Sen. Kerry. The Kerry hearings didnt get the attention they deserved at the time, a Washington Post editorial on Nov. 27, 1991, acknowledged. The Noriega trial brings this sordid aspect of the Nicaraguan engagement to fresh public attention.

But the Post offered its readers no explanation for why Kerrys hearings had been largely ignored, with the Post itself a leading culprit in this journalistic misfeasance. Nor did the Post and the other leading newspapers use the opening created by the Noriega trial to do anything to rectify their past neglect.

Everything quickly returned to the status quo in which the desired perception of the noble Contras trumped the clear reality of their criminal activities. Instead of recognizing the skewed moral compass of the Reagan administration, Congress was soon falling over itself to attach Reagans name to as many public buildings and facilities as possible, including Washingtons National Airport.

Meanwhile, those of us in journalism who had exposed the national security crimes of the 1980s saw our careers mostly sink or go sideways. We were regarded as pariahs in our profession.

As for me, shortly after the Iran-Contra scandal broke wide open in fall 1986, I accepted a job at Newsweek, one of the many mainstream news outlets that had long ignored Contra-connected scandals and briefly thought it needed to bolster its coverage. But I soon discovered that senior editors remained hostile toward the Iran-Contra story and related spinoff scandals, including the Contra-cocaine mess.

After losing battle after battle with my Newsweek editors, I departed the magazine in June 1990 to write a book (called Fooling America) about the decline of the Washington press corps and the parallel rise of a new generation of government propagandists.

I was also hired by PBS Frontline to investigate whether there had been a prequel to the Iran-Contra scandal, whether those arms-for-hostage deals in the mid-1980s had been preceded by contacts between Reagans 1980 campaign staff and Iran, which was then holding 52 Americans hostage and essentially destroying Jimmy Carters reelection hopes. [For more on that topic, see Robert Parrys Secrecy & Privilege and Americas Stolen Narrative.]

Finding New Ways

In 1995, frustrated by the growing triviality of American journalism, and acting on the advice of and with the assistance of my oldest son Sam, I turned to a new medium and launched the Internets first investigative news magazine, known as Consortiumnews.com. The Web site became a way for me to put out well-reported stories that my former mainstream colleagues ignored or mocked.

So, when Gary Webb called me in 1996 to talk about his upcoming series reviving the Contra-cocaine story, I explained some of this tortured history and urged him to make sure that his editors were firmly behind him. He sounded perplexed at my advice and assured me that he had the solid support of his editors.

When Webbs Dark Alliance series finally appeared in late August 1996, it initially drew little attention. The major national news outlets applied their usual studied indifference to a topic that they had already judged unworthy of serious attention.

But Webbs story proved hard to ignore. First, unlike the work that Barger and I did for AP in the mid-1980s, Webbs series wasnt just a story about drug traffickers in Central America and their protectors in Washington. It was about the on-the-ground consequences, inside the United States, of that drug trafficking, how the lives of Americans were blighted and destroyed as the collateral damage of a U.S. foreign policy initiative.

In other words, there were real-life American victims, and they were concentrated in African-American communities. That meant the ever-sensitive issue of race had been injected into the controversy. Anger from black communities spread quickly to the Congressional Black Caucus, which started demanding answers.

Secondly, the San Jose Mercury-News, which was the local newspaper for Silicon Valley, had posted documents and audio on its state-of-the-art Internet site. That way, readers could examine much of the documentary support for the series.

It also meant that the traditional gatekeeper role of the major newspapers, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times, was under assault. If a regional paper like the Mercury-News could finance a major journalistic investigation like this one, and circumvent the judgments of the editorial boards at the Big Three, then there might be a tectonic shift in the power relations of the U.S. news media. There could be a breakdown of the established order.

This combination of factors led to the next phase of the Contra-cocaine battle: the get-Gary-Webb counterattack. Soon, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Los Angeles Times were lining up like some tag-team wrestlers taking turns pummeling Webb and his story.

On Oct. 4, 1996, The Washington Post published a front-page article knocking down Webbs series, although acknowledging that some Contra operatives did help the cocaine cartels. The Posts approach fit with the Big Medias cognitive dissonance on the topic: first, the Post called the Contra-cocaine allegations old news, even CIA personnel testified to Congress they knew that those covert operations involved drug traffickers, the Post said, and second, the Post minimized the importance of the one Contra smuggling channel that Webb had highlighted in his series, saying it had not played a major role in the emergence of crack.

To add to the smug hoo-hah treatment that was enveloping Webb and his story, the Post published a sidebar story dismissing African-Americans as prone to conspiracy fears.

Next, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times weighed in with lengthy articles castigating Webb and Dark Alliance. The big newspapers made much of the CIAs internal reviews in 1987 and 1988, almost a decade earlier, that supposedly had cleared the spy agency of any role in Contra-cocaine smuggling.

But the first ominous sign for the CIAs cover-up emerged on Oct. 24, 1996, when CIA Inspector General Frederick Hitz conceded before the Senate Intelligence Committee that the first CIA probe had lasted only12 days, and the second only three days. He promised a more thorough review.

Mocking Webb

But Webb had already crossed over from being treated as a serious journalist to becoming a target of ridicule. Influential Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz mocked Webb for saying in a book proposal that he would explore the possibility that the Contra war was primarily a business to its participants. Oliver Stone, check your voice mail, Kurtz smirked.

Yet, Webbs suspicion was no conspiracy theory. Indeed, Oliver Norths chief Contra emissary, Rob Owen, had made the same point in a March 17, 1986 message about the Contra leadership. Few of the so-called leaders of the movement . . . really care about the boys in the field, Owen wrote. THIS WAR HAS BECOME A BUSINESS TO MANY OF THEM. [Emphasis in original.]

Ainsworth and other pro-Contra activists were reaching the same conclusion, that the Contra leadership was skimming money from the supply lines and padding their personal wealth with proceeds from the drug trade.

According to a Jan. 21, 1987 interview report by the FBI, Ainsworth said he had made inquiries in the local San Francisco Nicaraguan community and wondered among his acquaintances what Adolfo Calero and the other people in the FDN movement were doing and the word that he received back is that they were probably engaged in cocaine smuggling.

In other words, Webb was right about the suspicion that the Contra movement had become less a cause than a business to many of its participants. Even Oliver Norths emissary reported on that reality. But truthfulness had ceased to be relevant in the medias hazing of Gary Webb.

In another double standard, while Webb was held to the strictest standards of journalism, it was entirely all right for Kurtz, the supposed arbiter of journalistic integrity who was a longtime fixture on CNNs Reliable Sources, to make judgments based on ignorance. Kurtz would face no repercussions for mocking a fellow journalist who was factually correct.

The Big Threes assault, combined with their disparaging tone, had a predictable effect on the executives of the Mercury-News. As it turned out, Webbs confidence in his editors had been misplaced. By early 1997, executive editor Jerry Ceppos, who had his own corporate career to worry about, was in retreat.

On May 11, 1997, Ceppos published a front-page column saying the series fell short of my standards. He criticized the stories because they strongly implied CIA knowledge of Contra connections to U.S. drug dealers who were manufacturing crack cocaine. We did not have enough proof that top CIA officials knew of the relationship, Ceppos wrote.

Ceppos was wrong about the proof, of course. At AP, before we published our first Contra-cocaine article in 1985, Barger and I had known that the CIA and Reagans White House were aware of the Contra-cocaine problem at senior levels. One of our sources was on Reagans National Security Council staff.

However, Ceppos recognized that he and his newspaper were facing a credibility crisis brought on by the harsh consensus delivered by the Big Three, a judgment that had quickly solidified into conventional wisdom throughout the major news media and inside Knight-Ridder, Inc., which owned the Mercury-News. The only career-saving move  career-saving for Ceppos even if career-destroying for Webb  was to jettison Webb and the Contra-cocaine investigative project.

A Vindication

The big newspapers and the Contras defenders celebrated Cepposs retreat as vindication of their own dismissal of the Contra-cocaine stories. In particular, Kurtz seemed proud that his demeaning of Webb now had the endorsement of Webbs editor.

Ceppos next pulled the plug on the Mercury-News continuing Contra-cocaine investigation and reassigned Webb to a small office in Cupertino, California, far from his family. Webb resigned from the paper in disgrace. [See Consortiumnews.coms Hung Out to Dry.]

For undercutting Webb and other Mercury-News reporters working on the Contra-cocaine project  some of whom were facing personal danger in Central America  Ceppos was lauded by the American Journalism Review and received the 1997 national Ethics in Journalism Award by the Society of Professional Journalists.

While Ceppos won raves, Webb watched his career collapse and his marriage break up. Still, Gary Webb had set in motion internal government investigations that would bring to the surface long-hidden facts about how the Reagan administration had conducted the Contra war.

The CIA published the first part of Inspector General Hitzs findings on Jan. 29, 1998. Though the CIAs press release for the report criticized Webb and defended the CIA, Hitzs Volume One admitted that not only were many of Webbs allegations true but that he actually understated the seriousness of the Contra-drug crimes and the CIAs knowledge of them.

Hitz conceded that cocaine smugglers played a significant early role in the Contra movement and that the CIA intervened to block an image-threatening 1984 federal investigation into a San Francisco-based drug ring with suspected ties to the Contras, the so-called Frogman Case.

After Volume One was released, I called Webb (whom I had spent some time with since his series was published). I chided him for indeed getting the story wrong. He had understated how serious the problem of Contra-cocaine trafficking had been, I said.

It was a form of gallows humor for the two of us, since nothing had changed in the way the major newspapers treated the Contra-cocaine issue. They focused only on the press release that continued to attack Webb, while ignoring the incriminating information that could be found in the full report. All I could do was highlight those admissions at Consortiumnews.com, which sadly had a much, much smaller readership than the Big Three.

The major U.S. news media also looked the other way on other startling disclosures.

On May 7, 1998, for instance, Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat, introduced into the Congressional Record a Feb. 11, 1982 letter of understanding between the CIA and the Justice Department. The letter, which had been requested by CIA Director William Casey, freed the CIA from legal requirements that it must report drug smuggling by CIA assets, a provision that covered the Nicaraguan Contras and the Afghan mujahedeen.

In other words, early in those two covert wars, the CIA leadership wanted to make sure that its geopolitical objectives would not be complicated by a legal requirement to turn in its client forces for drug trafficking.

Justice Denied

The next break in the long-running Contra-cocaine cover-up was a report by the Justice Departments Inspector General Michael Bromwich. Given the hostile climate surrounding Webbs series, Bromwichs report also opened with criticism of Webb. But, like the CIAs Volume One, the contents revealed new details about serious government wrongdoing.

According to evidence cited by Bromwich, the Reagan administration knew almost from the outset of the Contra war that cocaine traffickers permeated the paramilitary operation. The administration also did next to nothing to expose or stop the crimes.

Bromwichs report revealed example after example of leads not followed, corroborated witnesses disparaged, official law-enforcement investigations sabotaged, and even the CIA facilitating the work of drug traffickers.

The report showed that the Contras and their supporters ran several parallel drug-smuggling operations, not just the one at the center of Webbs series. The report also found that the CIA shared little of its information about Contra drugs with law-enforcement agencies and on three occasions disrupted cocaine-trafficking investigations that threatened the Contras.

As well as depicting a more widespread Contra-drug operation than Webb (or Barger and I) had understood, the Justice Department report provided some important corroboration about Nicaraguan drug smuggler Norwin Meneses, a key figure in Gary Webbs series and Adolfo Caleros friend as described by Dennis Ainsworth.

Bromwich cited U.S. government informants who supplied detailed information about Menesess drug operation and his financial assistance to the Contras. For instance, Renato Pena, the money-and-drug courier for Meneses, said that in the early 1980s the CIA allowed the Contras to fly drugs into the United States, sell them, and keep the proceeds. Pena, the FDNs northern California representative, said the drug trafficking was forced on the Contras by the inadequate levels of U.S. government assistance.

The Justice Department report also disclosed repeated examples of the CIA and U.S. embassies in Central America discouraging DEA investigations, including one into Contra-cocaine shipments moving through the international airport in El Salvador. Bromwich said secrecy trumped all.

We have no doubt that the CIA and the U.S. Embassy were not anxious for the DEA to pursue its investigation at the airport, he wrote.

Bromwich also described the curious case of how a DEA pilot helped a CIA asset escape from Costa Rican authorities in 1989 after the man, American farmer John Hull, had been charged in connection with Contra-cocaine trafficking. [See Consortiumnews.coms John Hulls Great Escape.]

Hulls ranch in northern Costa Rica had been the site of Contra camps for attacking Nicaragua from the south. For years, Contra-connected witnesses also said Hulls property was used for the transshipment of cocaine en route to the United States, but those accounts were brushed aside by the Reagan administration and disparaged in major U.S. newspapers.

Yet, according to Bromwichs report, the DEA took the accounts seriously enough to prepare a research report on the evidence in November 1986. One informant described Colombian cocaine off-loaded at an airstrip on Hulls ranch.

The drugs were then concealed in a shipment of frozen shrimp and transported to the United States. The alleged Costa Rican shipper was Frigorificos de Puntarenas, a firm controlled by Cuban-American Luis Rodriguez. Like Hull, however, Frigorificos had friends in high places. In 1985-86, the State Department had selected the shrimp company to handle $261,937 in non-lethal assistance earmarked for the Contras.

Hull also remained a man with powerful protectors. Even after Costa Rican authorities brought drug charges against him, influential Americans, including Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Indiana, demanded that Hull be let out of jail pending trial. Then, in July 1989 with the help of a DEA pilot  and possibly a DEA agent as well  Hull managed to fly out of Costa Rica to Haiti and then to the United States.

Despite these startling new disclosures, the big newspapers still showed no inclination to read beyond the criticism of Webb in the press release.

Major Disclosures

By fall 1998, Washington was obsessed with President Bill Clintons Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, which made it easier to ignore even more stunning Contra-cocaine disclosures in the CIAs Volume Two, published on Oct. 8, 1998.

In the report, CIA Inspector General Hitz identified more than 50 Contras and Contra-related entities implicated in the drug trade. He also detailed how the Reagan administration had protected these drug operations and frustrated federal investigations throughout the 1980s.

According to Volume Two, the CIA knew the criminal nature of its Contra clients from the start of the war against Nicaraguas leftist Sandinista government. The earliest Contra force, called the Nicaraguan Revolutionary Democratic Alliance (ADREN) or the 15th of September Legion, had chosen to stoop to criminal activities in order to feed and clothe their cadre, according to a June 1981 draft of a CIA field report.

According to a September 1981 cable to CIA headquarters, two ADREN members made the first delivery of drugs to Miami in July 1981. ADRENs leaders included Enrique Bermudez and other early Contras who would later direct the major Contra army, the CIA-organized FDN which was based in Honduras, along Nicaraguas northern border.

Throughout the war, Bermudez remained the top Contra military commander. The CIA later corroborated the allegations about ADRENs cocaine trafficking, but insisted that Bermudez had opposed the drug shipments to the United States that went ahead nonetheless.

The truth about Bermudezs supposed objections to drug trafficking, however, was less clear. According to Hitzs Volume One, Bermudez enlisted Norwin Meneses the Nicaraguan cocaine smuggler, the friend of Adolfo Calero, and a key figure in Webbs series to raise money and buy supplies for the Contras.

Volume One had quoted another Nicaraguan trafficker, Danilo Blandon, a Meneses associate (and another lead character in Webbs series), as telling Hitzs investigators that he (Blandon) and Meneses flew to Honduras to meet with Bermudez in 1982. At the time, Menesess criminal activities were well-known in the Nicaraguan exile community, but Bermudez told the cocaine smugglers that the ends justify the means in raising money for the Contras.

After the Bermudez meeting, Meneses and Blandon were briefly arrested by Honduran police who confiscated $100,000 that the police suspected was to be a payment for a drug transaction. The Contras intervened, gained freedom for the two traffickers and got them their money back by saying the cash, which indeed was for a cocaine purchase in Bolivia, belonged to the Contras.

There were other indications of Bermudezs drug-smuggling complicity. In February 1988, another Nicaraguan exile linked to the drug trade accused Bermudez of participation in narcotics trafficking, according to Hitzs report. After the Contra war ended, Bermudez returned to Managua, Nicaragua, where he was shot to death on Feb. 16, 1991. The murder has never been solved.

The Southern Front

Along the Southern Front, the Contras military operations in Costa Rica on Nicaraguas southern border, the CIAs drug evidence centered on the forces of Eden Pastora, another top Contra commander. But Hitz discovered that the U.S. government may have made the drug situation worse, not better.

Hitz revealed that the CIA put an admitted drug operative, known by his CIA pseudonym Ivan Gomez, in a supervisory position over Pastora. Hitz reported that the CIA discovered Gomezs drug history in 1987 when Gomez failed a security review on drug-trafficking questions.

In internal CIA interviews, Gomez admitted that in March or April 1982, he helped family members who were engaged in drug trafficking and money laundering. In one case, Gomez said he assisted his brother and brother-in-law transporting cash from New York City to Miami. He admitted he knew this act was illegal.

Later, Gomez expanded on his admission, describing how his family members had fallen $2 million into debt and had gone to Miami to run a money-laundering center for drug traffickers.

Gomez said his brother had many visitors whom [Gomez] assumed to be in the drug trafficking business. Gomezs brother was arrested on drug charges in June 1982. Three months later, in September 1982, Gomez started his CIA assignment in Costa Rica.

Years later, convicted drug trafficker Carlos Cabezas alleged that in the early 1980s, Ivan Gomez was the CIA agent in Costa Rica who was overseeing drug-money donations to the Contras. Gomez was to make sure the money was given to the right people [the Contras] and nobody was taking . . . profit they werent supposed to, Cabezas stated publicly.

But the CIA sought to discredit Cabezas at the time because he had trouble identifying Gomezs picture and put Gomez at one meeting in early 1982 before Gomez started his CIA assignment. While the CIA was able to fend off Cabezass allegations by pointing to these minor discrepancies, Hitzs report revealed that the CIA was nevertheless aware of Gomezs direct role in drug-money laundering, a fact the agency hid from Sen. Kerry in his investigation during the late 1980s.

There was also more to know about Gomez. In November 1985, the FBI learned from an informant that Gomezs two brothers had been large-scale cocaine importers, with one brother arranging shipments from Bolivias infamous drug kingpin Roberto Suarez.

Suarez already was known as a financier of right-wing causes. In 1980, with the support of Argentinas hard-line anticommunist military regime, Suarez bankrolled a coup in Bolivia that ousted the elected left-of-center government. The violent putsch became known as the Cocaine Coup because it made Bolivia the regions first narco-state.

By protecting cocaine shipments headed north, Bolivias government helped transform Colombias Medellin cartel from a struggling local operation into a giant corporate-style business for delivering vast quantities of cocaine to the U.S. market.

Flush with cash in the early 1980s, Suarez invested more than $30 million in various right-wing paramilitary operations, including the Contra forces in Central America, according to U.S. Senate testimony by an Argentine intelligence officer, Leonardo Sanchez-Reisse.

In 1987, Sanchez-Reisse said the Suarez drug money was laundered through front companies in Miami before going to Central America. There, other Argentine intelligence officers, veterans of the Bolivian coup, trained the Contras in the early 1980s, even before the CIA arrived to first assist with the training and later take over the Contra operation from the Argentines.

Inspector General Hitz added another piece to the mystery of the Bolivian-Contra connection. One Contra fund-raiser, Jose Orlando Bolanos, boasted that the Argentine government was supporting his Contra activities, according to a May 1982 cable to CIA headquarters. Bolanos made the statement during a meeting with undercover DEA agents in Florida. He even offered to introduce them to his Bolivian cocaine supplier.

Despite all this suspicious drug activity centered around Ivan Gomez and the Contras, the CIA insisted that it did not unmask Gomez until 1987, when he failed a security check and confessed his role in his familys drug business.

The CIA official who interviewed Gomez concluded that Gomez directly participated in illegal drug transactions, concealed participation in illegal drug transactions, and concealed information about involvement in illegal drug activity, Hitz wrote.

But senior CIA officials still protected Gomez. They refused to refer the Gomez case to the Justice Department, citing the 1982 agreement that spared the CIA from a legal obligation to report narcotics crimes by people collaborating with the CIA who were not formal agency employees. Gomez was an independent contractor who worked for the CIA but was not officially on staff. The CIA eased Gomez out of the agency in February 1988, without alerting law enforcement or the congressional oversight committees.

When questioned about the case nearly a decade later, one senior CIA official who had supported the gentle treatment of Gomez had second thoughts. It is a striking commentary on me and everyone that this guys involvement in narcotics didnt weigh more heavily on me or the system, the official told Hitzs investigators.

Drug Path to the White House

A Medellin drug connection arose in another section of Hitzs report, when he revealed evidence suggesting that some Contra trafficking may have been sanctioned by Reagans National Security Council. The protagonist for this part of the Contra-cocaine mystery was Moises Nunez, a Cuban-American who worked for Oliver Norths NSC Contra-support operation and for two drug-connected seafood importers, Ocean Hunter in Miami and Frigorificos De Puntarenas in Costa Rica.

Frigorificos De Puntarenas was created in the early 1980s as a cover for drug-money laundering, according to sworn testimony by two of the firms principals, Carlos Soto and Medellin cartel accountant Ramon Milian Rodriguez. (It was also the company implicated by a DEA informant in moving cocaine from John Hulls ranch to the United States.)

Drug allegations were swirling around Moises Nunez by the mid-1980s. Indeed, his operation was one of the targets of my and Bargers AP investigation in 1985. Finally reacting to the suspicions, the CIA questioned Nunez about his alleged cocaine trafficking on March 25, 1987. He responded by pointing the finger at his NSC superiors.

Nunez revealed that since 1985, he had engaged in a clandestine relationship with the National Security Council, Hitz reported, adding: Nunez refused to elaborate on the nature of these actions, but indicated it was difficult to answer questions relating to his involvement in narcotics trafficking because of the specific tasks he had performed at the direction of the NSC. Nunez refused to identify the NSC officials with whom he had been involved.

After this first round of questioning, CIA headquarters authorized an additional session, but then senior CIA officials reversed the decision. There would be no further efforts at debriefing Nunez.

Hitz noted that the cable [from headquarters] offered no explanation for the decision to stop the Nunez interrogation. But the CIAs Central American Task Force chief Alan Fiers Jr. said the Nunez-NSC drug lead was not pursued because of the NSC connection and the possibility that this could be somehow connected to the Private Benefactor program [the Contra money handled by the NSCs Oliver North] a decision was made not to pursue this matter.

Joseph Fernandez, who had been the CIAs station chief in Costa Rica, confirmed to congressional Iran-Contra investigators that Nunez was involved in a very sensitive operation for Norths Enterprise. The exact nature of that NSC-authorized activity has never been divulged.

At the time of the Nunez-NSC drug admissions and his truncated interrogation, the CIAs acting director was Robert Gates, who nearly two decades later became President George W. Bushs second secretary of defense, a position he retained under President Barack Obama.

Drug Record

The CIA also worked directly with other drug-connected Cuban-Americans on the Contra project, Hitz found. One of Nunezs Cuban-American associates, Felipe Vidal, had a criminal record as a narcotics trafficker in the 1970s. But the CIA still hired him to serve as a logistics coordinator for the Contras, Hitz reported.

The CIA also learned that Vidals drug connections were not only in the past. A December 1984 cable to CIA headquarters revealed Vidals ties to Rene Corvo, another Cuban-American suspected of drug trafficking. Corvo was working with Cuban anticommunist Frank Castro, who was viewed as a Medellin cartel representative within the Contra movement.

There were other narcotics links to Vidal. In January 1986, the DEA in Miami seized 414 pounds of cocaine concealed in a shipment of yucca that was going from a Contra operative in Costa Rica to Ocean Hunter, the company where Vidal (and Moises Nunez) worked. Despite the evidence, Vidal remained a CIA employee as he collaborated with Frank Castros assistant, Rene Corvo, in raising money for the Contras, according to a CIA memo in June 1986.

By fall 1986, Sen. Kerry had heard enough rumors about Vidal to demand information about him as part of his congressional inquiry into Contra drugs. But the CIA withheld the derogatory information in its files. On Oct. 15, 1986, Kerry received a briefing from the CIAs Alan Fiers, who didnt mention Vidals drug arrests and conviction in the 1970s.

But Vidal was not yet in the clear. In 1987, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami began investigating Vidal, Ocean Hunter, and other Contra-connected entities. This prosecutorial attention worried the CIA. The CIAs Latin American division felt it was time for a security review of Vidal. But on Aug. 5, 1987, the CIAs security office blocked the review for fear that the Vidal drug information could be exposed during any future litigation.

As expected, the U.S. Attorneys Office did request documents about Contra-related activities by Vidal, Ocean Hunter, and 16 other entities. The CIA advised the prosecutor that no information had been found regarding Ocean Hunter, a statement that was clearly false. The CIA continued Vidals employment as an adviser to the Contra movement until 1990, virtually the end of the Contra war.

Hitz also revealed that drugs tainted the highest levels of the Honduran-based FDN, the largest Contra army. Hitz found that Juan Rivas, a Contra commander who rose to be chief of staff, admitted that he had been a cocaine trafficker in Colombia before the war.

The CIA asked Rivas, known as El Quiche, about his background after the DEA began suspecting that Rivas might be an escaped convict from a Colombian prison. In interviews with CIA officers, Rivas acknowledged that he had been arrested and convicted of packaging and transporting cocaine for the drug trade in Barranquilla, Colombia. After several months in prison, Rivas said, he escaped and moved to Central America, where he joined the Contras.

Defending Rivas, CIA officials insisted that there was no evidence that Rivas engaged in trafficking while with the Contras. But one CIA cable noted that he lived an expensive lifestyle, even keeping a $100,000 Thoroughbred horse at the Contra camp. Contra military commander Bermudez later attributed Rivass wealth to his ex-girlfriends rich family. But a CIA cable in March 1989 added that some in the FDN may have suspected at the time that the father-in-law was engaged in drug trafficking.

Still, the CIA moved quickly to protect Rivas from exposure and possible extradition to Colombia. In February 1989, CIA headquarters asked that the DEA take no action in view of the serious political damage to the U.S. Government that could occur should the information about Rivas become public.

Rivas was eased out of the Contra leadership with an explanation of poor health. With U.S. government help, he was allowed to resettle in Miami. Colombia was not informed about his fugitive status.

Another senior FDN official implicated in the drug trade was its chief spokesman in Honduras, Arnoldo Jose Frank Arana. The drug allegations against Arana dated back to 1983 when a federal narcotics task force put him under criminal investigation because of plans to smuggle 100 kilograms of cocaine into the United States from South America. On Jan. 23, 1986, the FBI reported that Arana and his brothers were involved in a drug-smuggling enterprise, although Arana was not charged.

Arana sought to clear up another set of drug suspicions in 1989 by visiting the DEA in Honduras with a business associate, Jose Perez. Aranas association with Perez, however, only raised new alarms. If Arana is mixed up with the Perez brothers, he is probably dirty, the DEA said.

Drug Airlines

Through their ownership of an air services company called SETCO, the Perez brothers were associated with Juan Matta-Ballesteros, a major cocaine kingpin connected to the 1985 torture-murder of DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena, according to reports by the DEA and U.S. Customs. Hitz reported that someone at the CIA scribbled a note on a DEA cable about Arana stating: Arnold Arana . . . still active and working, we [CIA] may have a problem.

Despite its drug ties to Matta-Ballesteros, SETCO emerged as the principal company for ferrying supplies to the Contras in Honduras. During congressional Iran-Contra hearings, FDN political leader Adolfo Calero testified that SETCO was paid from bank accounts controlled by Oliver North. SETCO also received $185,924 from the State Department for delivering supplies to the Contras in 1986. Furthermore, Hitz found that other air transport companies used by the Contras were implicated in the cocaine trade as well.

Even FDN leaders suspected that they were shipping supplies to Central America aboard planes that might be returning with drugs. Mario Calero, Adolfo Caleros brother and the chief of Contra logistics, grew so uneasy about one air freight company that he notified U.S. law enforcement that the FDN only chartered the planes for the flights south, not the return flights north.

Hitz found that some drug pilots simply rotated from one sector of the Contra operation to another. Donaldo Frixone, who had a drug record in the Dominican Republic, was hired by the CIA to fly Contra missions from 1983 to 1985. In September 1986, however, Frixone was implicated in smuggling 19,000 pounds of marijuana into the United States. In late 1986 or early 1987, he went to work for Vortex, another U.S.-paid Contra supply company linked to the drug trade.

By the time that Hitzs Volume Two was published in fall 1998, the CIAs defense against Webbs series had shrunk to a fig leaf: that the CIA did not conspire with the Contras to raise money through cocaine trafficking. But Hitz made clear that the Contra war took precedence over law enforcement and that the CIA withheld evidence of Contra crimes from the Justice Department, Congress, and even the CIAs own analytical division.

Besides tracing the evidence of Contra-drug trafficking through the decade-long Contra war, the inspector general interviewed senior CIA officers who acknowledged that they were aware of the Contra-drug problem but didnt want its exposure to undermine the struggle to overthrow Nicaraguas leftist Sandinista government.

According to Hitz, the CIA had one overriding priority: to oust the Sandinista government. . . . [CIA officers] were determined that the various difficulties they encountered not be allowed to prevent effective implementation of the Contra program. One CIA field officer explained, The focus was to get the job done, get the support and win the war.

Hitz also recounted complaints from CIA analysts that CIA operations officers handling the Contras hid evidence of Contra-drug trafficking even from the CIAs analysts.

Because of the withheld evidence, the CIA analysts incorrectly concluded in the mid-1980s that only a handful of Contras might have been involved in drug trafficking. That false assessment was passed on to Congress and to major news organizations, serving as an important basis for denouncing Gary Webb and his Dark Alliance series in 1996.

CIA Admission

Although Hitzs report was an extraordinary admission of institutional guilt by the CIA, it went almost unnoticed by the big American newspapers.

On Oct. 10, 1998, two days after Hitzs Volume Two was posted on the CIAs Web site, the New York Times published a brief article that continued to deride Webb but acknowledged the Contra-drug problem may have been worse than earlier understood. Several weeks later, the Washington Post weighed in with a story that simply missed the point of the CIAs confession. Though having assigned 17 journalists to tear down Webbs reporting, the Los Angeles Times chose not to publish a story on the release of Hitzs Volume Two.

In 2000, the House Intelligence Committee grudgingly acknowledged that the stories about Reagans CIA protecting Contra drug traffickers were true. The committee released a report citing classified testimony from CIA Inspector General Britt Snider (Hitzs successor) admitting that the spy agency had turned a blind eye to evidence of Contra-drug smuggling and generally treated drug smuggling through Central America as a low priority.

In the end the objective of unseating the Sandinistas appears to have taken precedence over dealing properly with potentially serious allegations against those with whom the agency was working, Snider said, adding that the CIA did not treat the drug allegations in a consistent, reasoned or justifiable manner.

The House committee, then controlled by Republicans, still downplayed the significance of the Contra-cocaine scandal, but the panel acknowledged, deep inside its report, that in some cases, CIA employees did nothing to verify or disprove drug trafficking information, even when they had the opportunity to do so. In some of these, receipt of a drug allegation appeared to provoke no specific response, and business went on as usual.

Like the release of Hitzs report in 1998, the admissions by Snider and the House committee drew virtually no media attention in 2000, except for a few articles on the Internet, including one at Consortiumnews.com.

Because of this journalistic misconduct by the Big Three newspapers, choosing to conceal their own neglect of the Contra-cocaine scandal and to protect the Reagan administrations image, Webbs reputation was never rehabilitated.

After his original Dark Alliance series was published in 1996, I joined Webb in a few speaking appearances on the West Coast, including one packed book talk at the Midnight Special bookstore in Santa Monica, California. For a time, Webb was treated as a celebrity on the American Left, but that gradually faded.

In our interactions during these joint appearances, I found Webb to be a regular guy who seemed to be holding up fairly well under the terrible pressure. He had landed an investigative job with a California state legislative committee. He also felt some measure of vindication when CIA Inspector General Hitzs reports came out.

But Webb never could overcome the pain caused by his betrayal at the hands of his journalistic colleagues, his peers. In the years that followed, Webb was unable to find decent-paying work in his profession, the conventional wisdom remained that he had somehow been exposed as a journalistic fraud. His state job ended; his marriage fell apart; he struggled to pay bills; and he was faced with a forced move out of a house near Sacramento, California, and in with his mother.

On Dec. 9, 2004, the 49-year-old Webb typed out suicide notes to his ex-wife and his three children; laid out a certificate for his cremation; and taped a note on the door telling movers, who were coming the next morning, to instead call 911. Webb then took out his fathers pistol and shot himself in the head. The first shot was not lethal, so he fired once more.

Even with Webbs death, the big newspapers that had played key roles in his destruction couldnt bring themselves to show Webb any mercy. After Webbs body was found, I received a call from a reporter for the Los Angeles Times who knew that I was one of Webbs few journalistic colleagues who had defended him and his work.

I told the reporter that American history owed a great debt to Gary Webb because he had forced out important facts about Reagan-era crimes. But I added that the Los Angeles Times would be hard-pressed to write an honest obituary because the newspaper had ignored Hitzs final report, which had largely vindicated Webb.

To my disappointment but not my surprise, I was correct. The Los Angeles Times ran a mean-spirited obituary that made no mention of either my defense of Webb, nor the CIAs admissions in 1998. The obituary was republished in other newspapers, including the Washington Post.

In effect, Webbs suicide enabled senior editors at the Big Three newspapers to breathe a little easier, one of the few people who understood the ugly story of the Reagan administrations cover-up of the Contra-cocaine scandal and the U.S. medias complicity was now silenced.

To this day, none of the journalists or media critics who participated in the destruction of Gary Webb has paid a price. None has faced the sort of humiliation that Webb had to endure. None had to experience that special pain of standing up for what is best in the profession of journalism, taking on a difficult story that seeks to hold powerful people accountable for serious crimes, and then being vilified by your own colleagues, the people that you expected to understand and appreciate what you had done.

On the contrary, many were rewarded with professional advancement and lucrative careers. For instance, for years, Howard Kurtz got to host the CNN program, Reliable Sources, which lectured journalists on professional standards. He was described in the programs bio as the nations premier media critic. (His show later moved to Fox News, renamed MediaBuzz.)

But the Webb tragedy and the Contra-cocaine case remain relevant today because they underscore how the mainstream press cannot be trusted with decisions about what news is true and what is false. If such a Ministry of Truth had existed in the late 1990s, the dark chapter of the Reagan administrations dealings with Nicaraguan drug traffickers would still be just a vague and easily dismissed rumor.
Game Over for the US in Syria

By Danielle Ryan

December 11, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " RT " - With Aleppo on the brink of liberation from US-supported 'moderate' jihadi rebels, Barack Obamas White House is in damage control mode  but its about time they admit its game over.

After major advances by Syrian forces into rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Washington suddenly came to the Russians with a plan last weekend. The US would do its best to get the rebels out of eastern Aleppo and any remaining would be designated as terrorists and thus become legitimate targets for Syrian forces.

The proposal floated around for three whole days before Washington retracted it to reportedly work on some new ideas.

At the rate the Obama administration moves with regard to Syria, youd think there was no urgency attached at all. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly aired his exasperation during breaks in talks that go on for hours longer than necessary, while his counterpart John Kerry seemingly checks with all and sundry in Washington before saying yes or no to anything.

The fact that the White House cant seem to stick to one plan for more than three days  this isnt the first time theyve retracted their own proposals  indicates not only their desperation as the clock runs out on Obamas presidency, but also highlights a general incoherence and total lack of clarity or consistency that has characterized the Americas Syria strategy for years.

But while the US side has been trying to decide which way is up, the war hasnt waited for Obamas foreign policy circle to all start singing from the same hymn sheet. The latest victories for the Russian-supported Syrian army are proving decisive and its predicted that government forces may have complete control of Aleppo within days. That certainly wont be the end of the war, but it may be a step in the right direction in terms of weakening the Islamist opposition.

A different war

Western media, predictably, is painting the liberation of Aleppo from radical Islamist rebels as the fall of Aleppo or the collapse of Aleppo, as though Bashar Assads secular Syrian army driving out jihadi militants is a bad thing.

But what can be expected from such a duplicitous bunch? Their insincerity and shaky commitment to caring about things like diplomacy and human rights has been on display for some time, although perhaps never more so than in their reaction to the rebel shelling of a Russian military hospital earlier this week.

The op-eds and editorials condemning disgraceful war crimes and the murder of medical professionals were nowhere to be found. Why could that be? Well of course, the hospital was Russian and was hit by shelling from US-supported militants, so the heartfelt outrage and respect for the medical profession miraculously came to an abrupt halt. Even the International Committee of the Red Cross issued a bland statement as though nothing significant had happened.

Then there was the feigned disgust at the decision by Russia and China to block a UN Security Council draft resolution for a ceasefire in Aleppo.

Headlines screamed that the international baddies were preventing a ceasefire, the implication being that the peace-loving rebels were simply trying their best to stop the bloodshed. In reality, of course, while it might sound nice, a ceasefire at this point would have been used by the rebels as an opportunity to regroup and recover and ultimately would have prolonged fighting in the city.

Remember, these moderate rebels are people that the US has supported financially and militarily, but who they can neither identify nor locate most of them time  and who they certainly cant control. They are groups who fight alongside Al Qaeda-affiliated forces and who stand accused of beheading a child and putting women in cages to be used as human shields.

But again, no major Western editorial boards found time this week to condemn US support for these lunatics or the policies Washington has implemented to prolong the war while Obama tries to find a way to salvage his foreign policy legacy.

Memory lane

While Western governments condemn Russian action in Syria and shed crocodile tears over the USs failed diplomatic efforts, its worth skipping back a few years to remind ourselves of Washingtons role in provoking this war.

The fact is, the US promoted civil unrest in Syria. They pushed it. They encouraged it. They spent years encouraging division and sowing the seeds of instability in ways that could only have resulted in the outbreak of violence. Syria was simply another piece in the puzzle of Washingtons geopolitical master plan; another opportunity for control and influence in the region. Assad was a leader that didnt play ball the way Washington liked, so he had to go. If an uprising wasnt going to happen fast enough organically, they would happily help it along.

Skeptical? Just take a look at documents released by WikiLeaks that prove in black and white how determined the US was to spark unrest in the Middle Eastern country from as early as 2006. One cable listed a number of steps the US could take to weaken Assad and strengthen the opposition against him. Some of the suggestions included encouraging rumors of external plotting to weaken the government, discouraging FDI to hurt the economy and highlighting the failures of some of the country's reform efforts.

The cable also admitted that anti-regime Syrian Islamists were a threat to Assads power. Fast forward to the present day and these anti-regime Syrian Islamists are Washingtons moderate rebel friends. It makes for a truly sickening read in light of what has happened in that country.

Its clear that the US government was encouraging an anti-Assad uprising for years. It's also clear that they were unsure what the consequences of their actions would be, but that they didn't seem to care. Now theyve got the instability they wanted and it hasnt gone their way, so naturally, everyone else is to blame and were supposed to believe hearts are breaking in Washington for the children of Aleppo.

Spare us.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakars quest for the presidency got a significant boost from the North when Nigerias former ambassador to Indonesia and member of the defunct Constitutional Conference, Ambassador Ibrahim Mai-Sule proclaimed that the Adamawa-born politician can succeed President Muhammadu Buhari because he has all it takes.

The respected diplomat and politician also dismissed the decades-old long myth of one monolithic North and stated it was now a dead horse.

With the peculiar insight of a diplomat he stated that the crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is firmly linked with members of the n-PDP group who migrated to APC and helped it topple former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said they have now infected the party with cancer.

According to the ambassador, I think the north will seriously think of what to do in 2019; whether they want to continue with the same person or bring in another personThe fact is that Atiku is well qualified to be Nigerian President. He has the credentials and the capacity.

He was elected Vice-President for eight years and has made the political atmosphere very lively, especially during the Obasanjos Third Term agenda. If you put what Bola Tinubu had become politically and you put all these together, I think Atiku has become somebody who has the capacity and attributes.

Further laying out the basis of his position, stated that Atiku has both the experience and capacity. His words: He has age on his side. He has experience, capacity to provide leadership, to carry people along. Look at all the people that worked with Obasanjo, he remained the rallying point.

Responding to former President Olusegun Obasanjos allegation Atiku is corrupt, Ambassador Mai-Sule said that, I think he is one of the most highly probed politicians in this country and yet, they have found nothing against him.

It is two of them that are in a better position to say why it is so. Tony Anenih equally said Atiku stopped him from being party chairman and so, he stopped him from becoming president.

But the important thing is that nobody has found him culpable. When people look for what to use to pull you down and it is not there, they will look for something else and pull you down.

Atikus problem was more of perception. He has always been an entrepreneur right from early stages in life. He is a self-made person.

On the idea of a monolithic Northern Nigeria which represented a major conceptual plank influencing the regions political influence, he stated that the concept was effectively dead.

Source: BreakingTimes
To show gratitude to Fans and colleagues for a fruitful year 2016, The 2015 Headies Next Rated Winner @ReekadoBanks has announced plans to hold a Thank You Concert which is set to hold on the 21st of December 2016 at prestigious New Africa Shrine, Lagos.

Just as the name implies, the concert is to show appreciation for a successful and fruitful year 2016. The show, which is put together by Mavin Records in conjunction with TOT Empire, will have the biggest names in the Music industry in attendance. Speaking to Reekado Banks,he said, giving back to my Fans is the best way to say Thank You. #ReekadoBanksThankYouConcert #ThankYouConcert.
The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has charged Nigerian soldiers to finish off Boko Haram remnants on time to enable Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, return to their homes.

He gave the charge when he visited troops of the 81 battalion in Damboa Local Government Area in Borno state.

Buratai who reiterated the determination of the army towards enhancing the welfare of troops, said rotation of soldiers would take place after every six months of deployment.

I am sure you have read and heard the message I sent across. If you are aware of it then we must work to get out of this place. We must work to get out of this operation very quickly. We must defeat Boko Haram.

I was in one of the barracks and many of the troops were already there and I have assured your families that many of you will go back next year.

81 battalion is my unit too when I was a lieutenant Colonel This unit has seen it all. You fought along with the Cameroonian troops in this battle which means you are better placed to deal with this criminals.

We must continue with the aggressive actions, patrol and ambush. You must move into all the hideouts of these criminals and fish them out. Some of your colleagues in Sambisa Forest are dealing with them properly.

You are better equipped, better motivated and mobile. The army has provided you with better equipment to fish Boko Haram out and deal with them completely.

I wish to commend your effort and I urge you all to maintain the momentum and keep it high. Nigerians are proud of you. President Muhammadu Buhari the Commander in Chief is also pleased with you, he said.

The COAS also visited Alpha Company of 25 brigade in Damboa where he assessed the newly constructed permanent headquarters of the brigade.
The St. Francois County Sheriffs Department was notified the children who were thought to be with a couple being sought in connection with the shooting and stabbing of a Leadwood man on Tuesday morning have been found.

Sheriff Dan Bullock said the children were picked up in Georgia by the grandfather and are being taken back to Florida. He added they are advising the police department there to contact the childrens division.

At this time it is unclear how the children were located and found to be in the grandfathers custody. The Daily Journal will bring more details as they become available.

The assault took part at the home at 221 Fifth St. where the victim, Silas Laycock, 43, and suspects Angela Laycock, 43 and Timothy Perkins, 37 all lived together, along with the Silass and Angelas four children.

The sheriffs department took over the case Tuesday night at the request of the Leadwood Police Department.

Silas was assaulted by the couple, which included stabbed with a knife, being struck multiple times with an ax and being shot with a shotgun. Its believed that the victim, the two suspects and the four children were all at the home at the time of the assault.

Laycock was transported by ambulance to a St. Louis hospital Tuesday afternoon after he drove himself to a Leadwood convenience store seeking help. He was rushed into surgery and is expected to survive his injuries.

According to Bullock, Leadwood Police Chief Will Dickey responded about 1:30 p.m. to a call from an individual at the Leadwood BP gas station and convenience store reporting that someone there had been shot and stabbed.

Upon his arrival, Dickey reportedly found Silas laid over in the seat of a pickup truck and was told by the victim that his wife and her boyfriend had stabbed him and shot him.

On Thursday, the suspects, were spotted in Jefferson City by a law enforcement officer and a pursuit began, but was ended due to bad weather before the pickup was stopped. Formal charges were also filed against the couple.

Both Angela and Perkins are being charged with one Class A felony of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of felony restraint.

On Friday, the state police in Arkansas were notified to be on the lookout for the couple and the white 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck, possibly with Montana plates, although the plates may have been removed. The license plate number on the vehicle is unknown.
A calendar printed yearly and distributed by a county in the US is causing outrage.

Beaver County in the US state of Pennsylvania printed a wall calendar featuring different pictures of a house burning down for each month of the year.

Along with the photographs of peoples homes being destroyed, the calendar features public safety information, such as how to perform CPR and emergency evacuation routes.

The cover of the calendar contains a photograph of the courthouse and a logo for the Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Department.

The back of the calendar features the names of the County Commissioners, the official logo for Beaver County, and a statement which reads: This Calendar is provided by the Beaver County Public Safety Commission, Beaver County Local Emergency Planning Committee, your local Fire Dept., Police Dept., Emergency medical Providers, and the First Energy Nuclear operating Company.

Each months photograph of a house fire also contains a large Beaver County Recreation And Tourism Department logo superimposed over it.

The calendar was being offered free of charge at several locations in the courthouse and was also being distributed throughout the county.

A resident of Beaver County first became aware of the controversial calendar when a county official began gathering them up en masse, expressing disgust the county was using photographs of individuals tragedies in such a nonchalant manner.

Beaver County Commissioner Sandie Egley told the Beaver Countian she knew nothing about the calendars until she was provided a copy as they were being distributed county-wide.

I have no idea whose idea this was or who approved it, but the second I saw it my jaw dropped, said Commissioner Egley.

I immediately called [Emergency Services Director] Wes Hill, who agreed with me the calendars are in poor taste. They will not be distributed anymore and weve collected all of the copies out there that we could find.

Below are some photos from the calendar:
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has ordered the immediate arrest of the contractors and engineers that constructed the Reigners Bible Church International Inc, Uyo, which collapsed on Saturday, killing scores of people.

Specifically, one of the personal assistants to the governor on media, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr, who spoke with CNNs correspondent Becky Anderson, said the governor gave the order on Sunday.

They should be made to answer certain questions so that the state would be able to get to the root cause of the matter, the governor was quoted as saying.

The governors call came on the heels of a similar call by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for a probe of the disaster.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Sunday, commiserated with the people of Akwa Ibom over the incident.

He also called for investigation into the cause of the collapse, which caused the death of scores of people and injured many others.

While praying for speedy recovery for those still receiving medical attention in hospitals, he called for urgent and thorough investigation to determine both the remote and immediate causes of the building collapse.

I believe that such an investigation, if sincerely done, will help us to guard against unnecessary waste of lives, injuries and damage to property in the future. My heart goes out to all the victims, the Christian community in Akwa Ibom State and the entire people of the state.

Some survivors of the church building collapse have also given a first-hand account of how the building collapsed on Saturday.

One of the survivors, Eno Etim, who spoke with our correspondent, on Sunday, said the building collapsed shortly after a lady was called to lead the praise worship.

Etim, who hails from Mbo Local Government Area of the state, said there was no foreboding of the monumental disaster that was waiting to happen.

The housewife, who spoke shortly before she was moved out of the St. Lukes General Hospital, Annua, Uyo, to the University of UYO Teaching, Uyo, said the congregation was dancing when the church collapsed.

She said that she could not recall how she landed in the hospital, adding that an iron bar hit her at the back, sending her reeling on the floor before she passed out.

Explaining that she was not a member of the church, Etim said she had come to witness the ordination of the presiding pastor of the church, Akan Weeks, as a bishop, because they both belong to the United Intercessors Network.

She said, I was inside the church. Everything was normal; there was no problem. A lady was called to lead the praise worship session; the governor came in shortly after that. As the praise worship was going on, the building fell and I didnt know how I got here.

The iron fell on my back forcing me to fall on the ground with my face down.

I dont worship in the church. I worship in the United Intercessors Network, which Bishop Akan Weeks also belong to. I dont live in Uyo. I came all the way from Oron.

Etims niece, Nkoyo Okon, said she was at home when someone called her and told her about Etims plight.

I knew she went to the church. But she later called me on the phone to tell me she had been taken to Annua hospital. So, I had to rush down here. Im grateful to God she is alive, Okon said.

Another victim, 22-year-old Emen Akpanitiat, said the building came down when the congregation embarked on praise worship when the governor came in.

Akpanitiat, who hails from Ikot Mbonde in Itu LGA, said the church building collapsed while the congregation was dancing and singing preparatory to offering collection.

She said, It was when the governor came and people started dancing. Im in pains. The doctor said Im going to be moved to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Speaking to our correspondent, her sister, Emen Inyang, said the family was grateful to God for saving her life.

I was not in the church. I called her number and I was told that she had been rushed to Annua hospital, she said.

How Governor Emmanuel escaped  Aide

An aide to the governor, Essien Nduese, has revealed how the governor narrowly escaped from the disaster.

Nduese, who is a Personal Assistant to the governor on Media, said an iron bar fell and shattered the seat the governor was sitting on.

He debunked the insinuation that one of the governors aides was killed in the disaster, revealing that it was the man, who was handling the microphone during the event that was killed.

The PA said the deceased was not on the entourage of the governor and was not in the employ of the state government.

Nduese said, He (the deceased) was not standing with the governor neither was he sitting behind the governor. I worked with the media team to the governor. The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor Mr. Ekerette Udoh, are in the hospital.

Ekerette has a dislocation in his left leg; he also has internal pains. He is better now though he is still in the hospital.

The governor did not run; he simply saw the falling iron coming, it stopped half way, then he walked out.

According to Nduese, the governor said this at Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, on Sunday.

He explained that the governor urged Akwa Ibom people to continue praying for the families of the deceased worshippers and refrain from negative comments that could further worsen the pains of the bereaved families.

He said that the governor had declared a two-day mourning period in memory of the departed and for the speedy recovery of the injured.

APC, Ambode mourn

The National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the All Progressives Congress, Hillard Eta, has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy which occurred in the church.

Also, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in a statement on Sunday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Haruna, also commiserated with the Akwa Ibom State Government and the families of victims of the Saturday tragedy.

Ambode said, It is, indeed, an unfortunate incident and words cannot really express our sadness as a government over the loss of several lives, who have become victims of an incident they know nothing about.

It is, indeed, a pathetic situation and we can only express our condolence and commiserate with the bereaved families over this incident.

Ambode prayed that God would grant a peaceful repose of the souls of those killed in the incident and speedy recovery to those injured.

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, and the people of state over the church building collapse which led to loss of lives.

Obaseki also rejoiced with Udom on his survival, which he described as a miracle.

Obaseki, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, John Mayaki, on Sunday, said, We received with shock the sad news of the Reigners Bible Church building collapse on Saturday.

While I and the good people of Edo State rejoice over your miraculous escape, we, however, commiserate with Your Excellency and the family members of worshippers who lost dear ones from the incident.

Source: Punch
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who was in hot water for handing out Serbian chocolate treats to kids during a visit to a kindergarten in the city of Dubrovnik, has publicly apologised, saying she didnt personally check the sweets.

The president was criticised after handing out Serbia chocolate on December 6, the 25th anniversary of a crucial battle to defend the besieged Dubrovnik from Serb forces at the start of Croatias 1990s independence war.

Furious parents complained their children should not have been given Serbia chocolate on that day of all days.

This is what he (my son) got from Kolindas hands, her photo and a Serbian chocolate bar, one of the parents wrote on Facebook according to AFP.

Isnt that sad, on the day of Dubrovnik defenders.

Grabar-Kitarovic while issuing an apology told reporters, I was extremely disappointed since I personally support the campaign Lets buy Croatian.

She vowed a similar thing would not happen again.

We will apologise to parents who received these chocolate bars and send Croatian products.

Her move also provoked anger in Serbia where several ministers and media slammed what they described as racism from the Croatian head of state.

An example of incomprehensible racism, said Serbian Labour Minister Aleksandar Vulin, urging a reaction from the European Union, which Croatia is a member.

What sort of normalisation of ties can we talk about when a simple chocolate bar can provoke this ethnic intolerance? also commented Serbian Commerce Minister Rasim Ljajic.

Croatian Serbs also criticised Grabar-Kitarovics move.

These chocolate bars will be remembered as chocolate bars of shame, Croatian Serb leader Milorad Pupovac told N1 television on Friday.

It is unacceptable and shameful, he said.

Ties between the two former Yugoslav republic have plummeted to their lowest level since Croatias 1991-1995 war.

During the conflict, Belgrade politically and militarily backed Croatias rebel Serbs who opposed the countrys proclamation of independence.

Belgrade and Zagreb have been constantly trading accusations over war crimes committed by their forces during the 1991-1995 war but also World War II.
The official website of Gambias Government House has been shut down by suspected hackers.

The website was attacked on Saturday after incumbent president Yahya Jammehs Friday night television broadcast rejecting the December 1 presidential election result, which he lost to opposition leader and now President-elect, Adama Barrow.

Jammeh said after a thorough investigation, he decided to reject the outcome of the recent election, citing serious and unacceptable abnormalities during the electoral process.

I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission, he said.

Local media report that during the cyber attack, an image of Barrow was displayed on the website with the message: President-Elect Adama barrow, Republic of The Gambia  Office of the President State House. Aluta continua, victoria a certa.

A similar message was also posted on the website of the government-controlled Daily Observer newspaper.

The picture of Barrow is said to be no longer on both websites even as both are still inactive.

The lone message on the State House website said it was under construction while that on the website of the Daily Observer read: This website is currently undergoing updates and will return soon. Please check back later.

Both the African Union and United Nations have condemned Jammehs decision to reject the election.

Also the United States, and right organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have expressed their disappointment.
A suspect, Richard Olayinka, who paraded himself as a staff member of the Osun State University, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

He was arrested for allegedly issuing fake National Youth Service Corps call-up letters to four students.

Olayinka was also accused of appending forged signature of the schools Vice-Chancellor on statements of result purportedly issued to students, identified as Olubunmi Idowu, Lafihan Dare, Sotikare Segun and Akintude Wealth.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the students sought Richards help as they were not cleared by the school management due to some outstanding courses.

It was learnt that the police launched a manhunt for the suspect after the youths, who claimed to be students of Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Osun State University, reported at the NYSC Lagos State orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja on November 26.

They had appeared before the camp registration team for clearance when their call-up letters were discovered to be fakes.

The suspect was arraigned in a Lagos Magistrates Court sitting in Ogba on 12 counts bordering on forgery, stealing and impersonation by the police.

A police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 285, 312, 361,378 and 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The charges read in part, That you, Richard Olayinka and others at large, sometime in November 2016, at the NYSC camp, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit; stealing and forgery, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

That you, and others at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did obtain the sum of N50,000, N70,000, N100,000, and N150,000 from Olubunmi Idowu, Lafinhan Dare, Sotikare Segun and Akintunde Wealth respectively, under the pretext of procuring NYSC call-up letters for them which you know to be false, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

That you, and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by impersonating the Osun State University Vice-Chancellor and forging the Osun State University statements of result, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty before the presiding magistrate, Mrs. T. Akanni, and was granted bail in the sum of N350,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till January 18, 2017.

Source: Punch
Nigerian newspaper headlines December 12, 2016.

Guardian

The senator representing Kaduna Central zone at the upper chamber, Shehu Sani has said the invasion of his constituency office by thugs was an assassination attempt on his life.

Punch

Christmas will be bleak this year for most members of the House of Representatives and voters in their constituencies, owing to the biting recession.

The Sun

When reports filtered in last September, that Swiss trading firms  Trafigura and Vitol  were exploiting weak regulations in Africa to import dirty fuels into Africa, including Nigeria, many dismissed it as impossible considering the many government agencies that are present at the ports.

Premium Times

The Code of Conduct Bureau has pledged to invite Nigerias Army Chief, Tukur Buratai, for questioning as it verifies his asset declaration to determine whether or not he is culpable of false asset declaration.

Leadership

The Borno state police command has confirmed the death of 3 persons including 2 suicide bombers as 17 others sustained various degree of injuries in Sunday morning suicide attack explosion on Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Vanguard

The Federal Government has denied agreeing to pay the Swiss government $79 million in order to release the $321 million stashed in that country by late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Thisday

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians not to lose faith in the ability of his administration to make a difference in their lives, saying the 2017 Budget contains measures that will pull Nigeria out the current economic recession.

The Nation

The Akwa Ibom State Government yesterday launched a manhunt for the builder of the collapsed church in Uyo, the state capital.
Over the last couple of years, Docker's been one of the fastest-moving projects in IT. But Kubernetes, Google's system for orchestrating containers running at scale, stands to share Docker's "move fast" mantle. Its last major version, 1.4, was only just released in September.

Now Kubernetes 1.5 has arrived with Windows Server 2016 and Windows Container support in hopes that the Big K can "extend its reach to the mass majority of enterprise workloads."But that's assuming enterprises choose to embrace it in the first place by upgrading to the latest version of Windows Server.

[ From Docker containers and Nano Server to software-defined storage and networking improvements, Windows Server 2016 is packed with great additions: Get the scoop on Windows Server 2016 from InfoWorld. | Stay up on key Microsoft technologies with the Windows Report newsletter. ]

We do Windows

Apprenda, the company that spearheaded the effort to port Kubernetes to Windows (in conjunction with Microsoft, Google, and Red Hat), provided some details in a press release about the work it did on the port, and about what makes Windows Server such a suitable target for Kubernetes.

Some of the reasons for the latter are obvious. Docker's now a Windows property, so it only stands to reason that Kubernetes will complement it nicely. But Apprenda didn't just aim to replicate the functionality Kubernetes had outside of Windows; it's also wanted to provide support for features exclusive to Windows.

The most prominent example of that is Kubernetes support for both kinds of Windows containers. One is conventional Windows Containers, essentially the port of Docker to Windows. The other is Hyper-V Containers, a highly touted Windows Server 2016 feature that provides VM-like isolation but with somewhat less overhead than a full VM.

... just not your Windows

Apprenda's thinking is that given the sheer number of Windows Server systems out there in enterprises -- something like 37 percent of all enterprise systems run Windows Server -- it's wise to provide a cross-platform toolset that allows Windows-centric enterprises to stay that way.

Thing is, Kubernetes on Windows will only work for versions of Windows Server that actually support it -- in other words, Windows Server 2016 and later.

Spiceworks, source for the Windows Server usage data used in Apprenda's presentation, conducted a survey last year to determine what the rate of Windows Server 2016 adoption might be like. Most of those surveyed planned on waiting upwards of 2 years before putting Windows Server 2016 into production.

What's more, Windows Server Containers and Docker support ranked remarkably low on the list of things driving such a move. Only 12 percent said container support something to look forward to, implying that even after a Windows Server 2016 upgrade those features would lie relatively fallow.

As remarkable as it is to have Docker and now Kubernetes on Windows Server, it's unrealistic to expect those things to drive upgrades to that OS. Adoption of Docker and Kubernetes are more likely to be driven by an existing Windows Server upgrade, not the other way around. But with Kubernetes on board, it's now harder to claim container support on Windows is of a lesser breed.
Eight years after the subprime mortgage crisis exploded, the name Fannie Mae still stirs unease. Although neither Fannie nor Freddie can be blamed for the meltdown, their misguided investments in mortgage-backed securities necessitated a government takeover that helped spark the biggest financial panic since 1929.

When Bruce Lee became Fannie Mae's CIO two years ago, the mortgage industry was still grappling with the consequences. I think its fair to characterize the mortgage industry as a whole as dealing with the fallout of the crisis and implementing new regulations up until the middle of 2015, he says. Lenders worked their way through implementing needed controls, leaving little bandwidth for innovation.

But Lee says the industry has made up for lost time in the past 18 months. Fannie Mae's customer base -- institutions that lend money to families acquiring homes and to developers financing rental housing -- has at last been able to address such tasks as automating manual processes, streamlining data exchange, and improving the customer experience. New regulations that mandated standardization helped make such advances possible.

According to Lee, the stage is now set for next-generation innovation involving AI, the API economy, and even the internet of things. In this interview, edited for length and clarity, I began by asking Lee about his mission as CIO.

InfoWorld: What did you see as your mandate when you were hired in 2014?

Lee: I was hired specifically to make the IT group better and higher quality, with more releases and so on -- faster but also at lower risk. In the past we assumed within IT that there's either a quick and risky way to do things or theres a slow and methodical way to do things. So you either do your full waterfall with all your testing and everything else and you get high quality, low risk stuff -- or you have quick, clean, and new, where you cut corners and take more risks.

The housing industry of the United States is not a place to deliberately take a whole bunch of new risks. You really want to do better, be faster, and lower risk at the same time.

InfoWorld: Were you involved in implementing changes that resulted from the subprime crisis?

Lee: Part of my time here did overlap with finishing out all that work, but I think both the industry and we were ready to move on towards the end of 2015. Like so many industries, it was really a pivot towards the customer.

InfoWorld: How did you make that pivot?

Lee: Customer expectations had increased. Customers were experiencing different kinds of financial transactions in other areas of banking and lending and people were wondering: Why not the mortgage industry?

You have to both keep pace with regulation as well as meeting the customer need. Up until that point in 2015, it had been more of an either/or discussion with regulation taking the lions share of the investment. In the last year weve seen it more as being a both together thing.

Heres a good little example: something called the universal closing document. Originally, it was imposed as a regulatory standard. When your mortgage closed, all the essential data about that closing would be captured in one fixed-format document. Now people see that by standardizing it we can actually automate the process. We can use that data for more certainty in the way a mortgage is originated. So people are now more ready to adopt it -- not just due to regulation, but because data and standards and so on are the keys to really making the experience better.

InfoWorld: It seems to me with the new administration youre probably going to face a regulation rollback. Do you anticipate that?

Lee: I think its inappropriate for me to comment on that. Lets wait and see, and well do whatever we have to.

InfoWorld: Well, change is change, right? Were it to be a rollback, thats yet another systemic change that needs to be implemented.

Lee: Weve had a lot of change in this industry, whether regulation-driven or customer-driven, and were anticipating change into the future. One of the things were doing is moving to a more agile way of working -- with more devops, with more in partnership with other people in the industry -- so that the pace of change can go faster. At the heart of that you still want good data standards and so on if youre going to really make the experience for the customer better. Thats where were focused at the moment: The standards help the process work better.

InfoWorld: So new regulations actually resulted in a better experience for your customers.

Lee: Automated compliance with these procedures leads to things like standards for data exchange. They lead to better outcomes for people. A good example would be collateral and the valuing of collateral.

What do I mean by that? The collateral is your house. When youre borrowing money, the collateral youre putting up is the house that youre going to buy, so understanding the value of that house is very, very important. Up until the crisis, there were very few standards about how the value of the house was determined, such as how big it was, how many bedrooms it had, how big the plot was. None of that data was standardized.

Since the crisis, the data about the house and the characteristics that lead to its value have become standardized. With that standard appraisal data, were able then to do much more accurate modeling, much more accurate prediction of future value, and better understand the risk on your mortgage -- and provide access to credit for more people through that standardization. That's an example of how the crisis led to regulation; that standardization through regulation has led to a much better housing industry today.

InfoWorld: What other advances resulted from that kind of standardization?

Lee: Weve also done things like standardize the addresses of places, if you can believe it. There used to be very few data standards around where you said the actual property was. Now everybody uses the same geocoding technique to name the location of the property.

Another example would be employment verification. Every time you applied for a mortgage, you had to produce a piece of paper to say that you actually were employed. Now were able to get that information electronically from a company called Equifax  we just do that in one call to an electronic interface.

Fannie Mae itself has innovated as well. We use artificial intelligence through a product called Kira to harmonize all the contracts we have with lenders. Lenders have been brought onto the platform over the last 30 to 40 years and all their contracts are different, so were using AI to find all the different contractual terms and harmonize them. Were using Narrative Science to produce some of our standard economic research reports about our borrowers or our customers. The big equity houses are using this kind of stuff.

InfoWorld: What about advances going forward?

Lee: The harder areas are those where we see an opportunity to change difficult, longstanding practices with technology.

One of them is the title. Theres a system for determining that the person selling the house owns the house. They have the title and when they transfer it to you, you become the owner of the title of that house -- and its registered in all sorts of local systems at the county level all throughout the country.

The big question there is this one: Is that an opportunity for a blockchain structure? Again, were just at the beginning of those kinds of discussions and the title companies of America are also thinking about this kind of stuff. When you think industrywide, and you think of this unique trusted proof of ownership, you cant really go there without thinking blockchain. So I think thats an interesting one.

On the security side, in the mortgage process I dont know if youve experienced this, but you might notice that typically when youre filling out 100 pages of mortgage application the bankers conveniently put your social security number on every single page.

InfoWorld: Why do they do that?

Lee: Because if the pages of the paper application get mixed up, they can find all the pages that belong to the right person. Its very much a hangover from the physical paper world. But really we only need your social security number at two points in the process: just as youre applying to verify youre who you are, and maybe if you get into difficulty and we need to renegotiate your mortgage. But every person in the mortgage value chain is storing those social security numbers for 30 years.

So one area were exploring at the moment is how we could create a central authority that holds the social security numbers and we only refer to them when we need them. Instead of having social security numbers in millions of mortgage applications across tens of systems in thousands of institutions, maybe as an industry we can largely banish the use of social security numbers and enact a central authority. That would be another example of industrywide innovation that might change the risk profile.

InfoWorld: Who do you think might provide that central authority?

Lee: We have no idea yet.

InfoWorld: The Social Security Administration?

Lee: Exactly. Well rely on the secure government for that  Im kidding! We dont know. Other people contest it because they say it creates central risk. I would argue we have that already.

InfoWorld: Youve mentioned Quicken Loans Rocket Mortgage as an example of innovation. Why did you call that out, and how did you work with them?

Lee: When were doing innovation in our industry we often reach out for partner organizations to work with, because ultimately we want the benefits to roll to the consumer, and we dont touch the consumer. We partnered with Quicken during the development of Rocket Mortgage. That was to try and agree on the electronic connections in the collection of data behind that process, which would enable them to speed up confirmation for their borrower that the mortgage was eligible or was approved.

That was an example of trying something in partnership that is now available to everyone. Weve released all the technology that was developed in that partnership to everybody in the mortgage industry.

InfoWorld: The Fintech space is a happening area right now. What do you find exciting out there?

Lee: Two things spring to mind. One is just increasing the use of data visualization for insights. We see that in lots of areas, such as in operational intelligence for the ecosystem of this new, more complicated mortgage market, but also for things like credit quality, whos borrowing, and those kinds of things.

I think data visualization that will eventually combine with AI to give us real insights. The other thing thats emerged from all this innovation is a focus on the API economy.

InfoWorld: Is there a specific collection of APIs that you have your sights on? APIs for government data? Integration among financial services businesses?

Lee: Its a mixture of things based on what trusted role you can perform in the broader economy through an API. I spoke earlier about ensuring we understand the value of a home. There are people who would like to understand the value of a home outside the mortgage market. Maybe we would produce an API for that.

InfoWorld: What about analytics? Are their opportunities for the internet of things?

Lee: This, for me, is a fascinating area. In a company like Fannie Mae, analytics have always played a big part. Weve always had lots of models, lots of looking at where the housing industry is going to go, and so on. The difference between analytics and the internet of things, I think, is that the analytics have to guess about far fewer things if you have an internet of things.

Ill give you an example. Today, we would need a model to estimate how many people arent going to properly heat their houses -- and if they dont, theyll have burst pipes that will devalue their houses. Do they have appropriate insurance? And if they dont, will the value of the asset go down?

At a very high level theres a simplification. How many securities on mortgages will lose value because houses dont get heated when it gets cold? In the future, with the internet of things, we wont have to model that. We would be able to know because every Alexa or Nest thermostat thats sitting in those houses would be able to tell us whether theyre heated or not.

With the internet of things, well be able to know things that we have to model today. It will have a profound impact on the housing industry. There are so many cases. People have to say on their mortgage application whether its a primary residence or not. One of the ways people commit fraud is to say its a primary residence and theyre going to live there and get around restrictions about the number of second homes and rental properties that can be covered under a mortgage. But if somebody said it was their primary home and their Nest thermometer tells us nobody ever goes in it ...

InfoWorld: I can see that working for the home insurance industry. You could verify that smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms were working.
ADVANCE, Nestle sign MoU

ADVANCE and Nestle have officially signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership for a regular supply of high-quality agricultural commodities, especially maize, in Ghana.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement Program (ADVANCE) and Nestle have officially signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership for a regular supply of high-quality agricultural commodities, especially maize, in Ghana.

This event was attended by Emmanuel Dormon, Chief of Party for USAID-ADVANCE, Freda Duplan, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana.

USAID-ADVANCE supports farmers to increase their productivity and improve access to high end markets. Thus, we see this collaboration with Nestle as an excellent opportunity and motivation for the smallholder farmers to further improve their agronomic and post-harvest management practices to meet the quality requirements of high end industrial users, said Dormon. We work to instill, spread and scale up the adoption of improved practices with the ultimate aim of increasing incomes and adequate access to good quality and safe food at all times.

Freda Duplan in her opening remarks underlined that the Nestle Cereal Plan is supporting the companys commitment to increase local sourcing as part of its Creating Shared Value initiatives. The Nestle Cereal Plan aims at enabling farmers to produce better quality grain which will generate higher revenue for them and improve their livelihood. The quality grain ,which is used by the company as an ingredient for its products, will also be used to feed their families and this will helps in ensuring food safety for the farmers and their families, for the community and for the consumers.

Nestle said it is committed to creating inclusive communities under its Rural Development Framework, an approach to understand and design the immediate support to farming communities and where contribution is the most needed. Through its knowledge leadership in the area of Research and Development, the Rural Development Framework continuously helps to introduce new farming methods and technologies that can ensure sustainable grain production.

Under this new partnership, USAID ADVANCE and Nestle Ghana will work together to build the capacity of farmers and aggregators in the three Northern regions to ensure farmers produce maize that meets Nestles quality standards.

The objective of this partnership is to increase the quality of the overall grains supply in Ghana, by training 113,000 farmers by 2018.

USAID ADVANCE will train selected farmers and aggregators on agronomic, post-harvest protocols and good storage practices which have been developed by Nestle to reduce the mycotoxins in upstream value chain.
Mane opens Singapore centre

Mane has celebrated the opening of its new flavour research centre at the Biopolis in Singapore, its 44th research centre which will develop the next generation of flavours for the Asia-Pacific region.

Mane has celebrated the opening of its new flavour research centre at the Biopolis in Singapore.

The company, which already has a significant presence in Asia, has invested in its 44th research centre to develop the next generation of flavours for the Asia-Pacific region.

Our strong presence in Asia dates back to 1956 with my grandfather in Japan, where we just celebrated the 60th anniversary of our oldest affiliate in Tokyo, said Mane President and CEO Jean Mane. With a foothold in Singapore since 1993, we were then able to expand to Indonesia, China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, and more recently, Myanmar. We have also recently built a large state-of-the-art factory  Manes second  in Cibitung, Indonesia, with the capacity to cater to all of our customers across South East Asia. Today, we are strengthening our presence in Singapore to reinforce our partnerships with our core customers and take on challenges to foster our creativity.

Said to be the first of its kind in Asia, the centre will focus on providing innovative solutions to the natural products, health, wellness and flavour industries. By establishing presence in Singapore, MANE said it brings its know-how to the heart of Asia, placing it in pole position to apprehend the local specificities of the Asian market.
The couple being sought by the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department for a Leadwood assault early Tuesday were arrested in Blairsville, Georgia on Sunday evening.

Union County Sheriffs Department Lt. Daren Osborn said they received information from a source Sunday at 4 p.m. that Angela Laycock and Timothy Perkins were staying in a motel on the outskirts of town, called Lakeside Inn.

Once we arrived at the location they had already fled the premises and they hadnt been gone very long, we could tell, said Osborn. We got our K-9 units out and tracked them down a couple of miles from the actual hotel to where they were.

Osborn said there is a small lake there and they were in an abandoned lake house.

They didnt have the truck and they had gotten a ride down to the house from somebody, said Osborn. I cant name who that is because it is part of the investigation. They didnt have the children when we arrested them and from what we understand they were dropped off to a family member.

Osborn said they havent talked to Laycock or Perkins yet because they are waiting for an investigator from Missouri to get there to talk to them. He added they were taken into custody without incident.

We are just a small rural county, said Osborn. We brought them in around 7:30 p.m. after our K-9 Lacey picked up their scent trail. She led us right to the house where they were at and we were able to arrest them. Im glad we got them. We understand they butchered and shot that man.

St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock said his detectives are heading to Tennessee to process the truck and then to Georgia to interview Angela Laycock and Perkins.

It has been reported from a friend of the family that Silas Laycock, 43, the victim had undergone surgery Saturday and is recovering. It was also said that he will have to have more surgeries, but is expected to survive his injuries.

Earlier Sunday afternoon, the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department was notified the four children who had been with the couple were found.

Bullock said the children were picked up in Georgia by the grandfather and were being taken back to Florida. He added they were advising the police department there to contact the childrens division.

The reported assault took part at the home at 221 Fifth St. where the victim, Silas Laycock, and suspects Angela Laycock, 43, and Perkins, 37, all lived together, along with the Silas and Angelas four children.

The sheriffs department took over the case Tuesday night at the request of the Leadwood Police Department.

Silas Laycock said he was assaulted by the couple, which included being stabbed with a knife, being struck multiple times with an ax and being shot with a shotgun. Its believed that the victim, the two suspects and the four children were all at the home at the time of the assault. An argument began about drug paraphernalia that was reportedly found inside the house.

Silas Laycock was transported by ambulance to a St. Louis area hospital Tuesday afternoon after he drove himself to a Leadwood convenience store seeking help.

On Thursday, the suspects, were spotted in Jefferson City by a law enforcement officer and a pursuit began, but was ended due to bad weather before the pickup was stopped. Formal charges were also filed against the couple.

Both Angela Laycock and Perkins are being charged with one Class A felony of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of felony restraint.

On Friday, the state police in Arkansas were notified to be on the lookout for the couple and the white 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck, possibly with Montana plates, although the plates may have been removed.
Canada orders Chinese companies to sell lithium assets AP - 1 hour ago Three Chinese companies have been ordered to sell lithium mining assets in Canada after the countrys government imposed limits on foreign involvement in supplying critical minerals used in batteries... $SPX : 3,759.69 (-2.50%) $DOWI : 32,147.76 (-1.55%) $IUXX : 10,906.34 (-3.39%)

UK poised to enact biggest interest rate hike in 3 decades AP - 1 hour ago The Bank of England is expected to announce its biggest interest rate increase in three decades as it seeks to beat back stubbornly high inflation fueled by Russias invasion of Ukraine and the disastrous... $SPX : 3,759.69 (-2.50%) $DOWI : 32,147.76 (-1.55%) $IUXX : 10,906.34 (-3.39%)

Police: 21 bodies found at mine in South Africa AP - 1 hour ago South African police are investigating the discovery of at least 21 bodies suspected of being illegal miners and found near an active mine west of Johannesburg $SPX : 3,759.69 (-2.50%) $DOWI : 32,147.76 (-1.55%) $IUXX : 10,906.34 (-3.39%)

Amnesty: Fuel suppliers aiding Myanmar attacks on civilians AP - Thu Nov 3, 3:33AM CDT Amnesty International is urging suppliers of aviation fuel to Myanmar to suspend such shipments to prevent the military from using them to conduct air attacks on civilian targets $SPX : 3,759.69 (-2.50%) $DOWI : 32,147.76 (-1.55%) $IUXX : 10,906.34 (-3.39%)

Germany's Scholz makes difficult visit to assertive China AP - Thu Nov 3, 2:59AM CDT Chancellor Olaf Scholz is making his first visit to China as German leader this week, a diplomatically delicate trip while Germany and the European Union work on their strategy toward an increasingly assertive... $SPX : 3,759.69 (-2.50%) $DOWI : 32,147.76 (-1.55%) $IUXX : 10,906.34 (-3.39%)
Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc., which operates more than 1,300 self-storage locations across North America, has purchased a vacant lot in Albuquerque, N.M., on which it plans to build a new facility. Slated to open in fall 2017, U-Haul Moving & Storage at Coors & I-40 will be on the northeast corner of Coors Boulevard N.W. and Interstate 40.

The 5.41-acre property will feature a three-story building, a single-story building and two rows of drive-up units comprising 82,181 rentable square feet of storage space in 1,032 units. About 53 percent of the units will be climate-controlled. The facility will also offer hitch installation and towing equipment, moving and packing supplies, and truck and trailer rentals. Propane sales will be added after the property opens, according to a press release.

"This property acquisition will give the Westside community a premium do-it-yourself moving option. There has never been a U-Haul-owned facility on this side of town," said Tom Neill, president of the U-Haul Co. of Northern New Mexico. "Most of the housing growth is happening here in the Westside community. We are excited to serve our future customers in this area.

Established in 1945, U-Haul has more than 44 million square feet of storage space at its owned facilities throughout North America.
With Donald Trumps Treasury secretary pick Steven Mnuchin talking about privatizing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, long-debated change may soon arrive for the pair. It makes no sense that these are owned by the government and have been controlled by the government for as long as they have, Mnuchin said in a November 30 Fox Business Network interview. The entities common stock rose a stunning 45 percent on his comments and has more than doubled this year.

During the financial crisis, then-Treasury secretary Henry (Hank) Paulson Jr. won authority to put the two government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, in conservatorship, and by 2009 they were slated to receive a bailout of $187 billion, based on provisions for bad loans and the write-off of deferred tax assets. The vast majority of those losses never materialized.

In 2012, Fannie and Freddie were on the verge of turning profitable when the Obama administration abruptly enacted whats known as the net-worth sweep. Arguing the GSEs would never be profitable again, the Treasury said it needed to take all their profits to pay itself back. Since then, the GSEs have sent some $240 billion to the Treasury, which has been used to fund the government. That has left the GSEs bereft of capital needed in the event of another housing crash and led to at least 18 investor lawsuits against the government. Various members of Congress and the Obama administration have circled the pair, hoping to wind them down and turn over their lucrative fee business to big banks.

Investors argue that the Treasury should allow the companies to rebuild capital instead of turning over all profits to the government. The change could be done without approval from Congress, which has bickered for years about reforming or replacing the mortgage giants. (Republicans dont like their affordable housing mandate; Democrats say theyre uncomfortable about implicit government backing.)

The U.S. taxpayer would be in for a huge windfall if the federal government sold its stake to the public  a point Bill Ackman has been making for years. His hedge fund firm Pershing Square Capital Management owns roughly 13 percent of the common stock not owned by the government, which has warrants on 79.9 percent. This summer, Ackman met privately with Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee, the Senates main proponent of killing Fannie and Freddie.

With support from Corker and others, several banks have entered the lucrative mortgage-guarantee fee business that is Fannie and Freddies main source of profit. While Mnuchins comments got investors excited that the bank takeover will cease, think tank experts from the Milken Institute and the American Enterprise Institute who support the bank model quickly threw cold water on the privatization idea. Its the dying last gasp for the effort to essentially hand over the market to the big banks, says Josh Rosner, managing director at research consultancy Graham Fisher & Co. Rosner wants to see the organizations run like utilities, as do Ackman and Bruce Berkowitz of Fairholme Capital Management, who owns a chunk of the preferred shares. Other big investors include hedge fund managers John Paulson and Richard Perry.

Mnuchin seems to be thinking like the investors: Well make sure that when theyre restructured they are absolutely safe and they dont get taken over again. But we gotta get them out of government control. 
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Inflation remains the primary concern for the worlds central banks, which have engaged in the broadest and fastest tightening regime in history, according to Alejandra Grindal, chief economist at Ned Davis Research.
The federal government has reached an agreement with eight of the 10 provinces to implement a national carbon price. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that the system would help Canada meet its international climate change obligations.The introduction of carbon pricing was a move praised by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) when it was first proposed in October. The agency congratulated the government for making climate change a top priority, reasoning that the country has to develop a culture of disaster risk reduction that resonates with consumers and engages all levels of government, businesses, and institutions.Saskatchewan, a province with considerable energy-producing capabilities, did not sign up for the agreement on Friday. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall argued that the measures would make firms uncompetitive, particularly when US President-elect Donald Trump is looking to adopt policies related to cutting energy costs.Manitoba was the other province that declined to sign, reasoning that it wanted Ottawa to hand over more money for healthcare first. Officials have confirmed that the province could join later.Carbon pricing is part of a greater scheme intended to help Canada reach its Paris goal of reducing its emissions from 2005 levels by 30% by the year 2030. Other planned measures to help reach this target include increasing the usage of renewable energy and investing in clean technologies.According to Reuters, carbon pollution would cost $10 a tonne in 2018 under Trudeaus carbon pricing plan. The price would then increase by $10 a year until it hits $50 in 2022. The provinces can elect to implement either a straight-up carbon tax or a cap-and-trade market.
Figures from a leading Irish insurance provider reveal that the top reason for claims on appliance policies is cracked tablet screens.According to Allianz Global Assistance Irelands appliance protection business data for the year 2016, tablets are the most popular product consumers are seeking insurance coverage for. Following tablets are notebooks, flat screens, washing machines, printers and dryers.The same analysis found that a cracked tablet screen is the leading reason for claims on protection policies, followed by a faulty washing machine drum, no picture on a flat screen, a cracked flat screen, laptop hard drive failure and a heating element fault in a dryer or oven.Consumers should carefully consider taking out sufficient insurance cover when they are purchasing devices this Christmas, said Roland Hesse, Country Manager for Allianz Global Assistance in Ireland. She explained that coverage should give customers peace of mind, even when a manufacturers warranty runs its course.In the next few weeks, millions of euro will be spent on purchasing a wide range of high tech devices as Christmas presents, Hesse told The Avondhu. Many households will also be upgrading their TVs so they can enjoy hours of viewing time over the holiday season. While they will be rightly seeking out the best value possible, we strongly advise they dont take short cuts when it comes to having proper appliance protection cover. That can prove more costly in the long run.Hesse argued that thanks to innovations in technology, flat screens have become thinner in order to create a better picture, but have subsequently become more fragile as a result. Despite this, she pointed out that most flat screen televisions come with only a one-year guarantee.The average flat screen repair costs are now 280. And the average cost of a replacement flat screen is between 600 and 699. So it is an expensive business when something goes wrong, she added.
The winner of the 2016 ANZIIF TurksLegal Claims Scholarship is a claims manager at Bellrock Construction Surety, Jason Courtenay.The Insurers Right to Choose the Risk it Wishes to Accept was the topic Jason chose for winning entry.In my role as claims manager for an independent brokerage, BCS Broking, one of the difficulties I encounter on a daily basis is balancing and aligning our companys longstanding relationships with underwriters with the need to advocate passionately for our clients interests in claim situations. In my essay, I focussed on how this balancing process needs to occur at the underwriting stage so that the actual risk is being covered, rather than unsubstantiated perceptions, said Courtenay, whose win was announced Monday morning.The Scholarship is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a topic you may previously have been unfamiliar with, he continued. Last year I wrote a paper on the Duty of Good Faith and throughout the past 12 months I was able to draw on the information I had gained from studying the topic in real claims scenarios. I expect I will be saying the same thing in 12 months time with respect to my most recent paper.Jasons winnings add up to AU$8,000, with the option of travel and accommodation covered for the 2017 Claims Conference and Insurance Services Expo in Boston, USA or AU$5,000 cash and registration to attend the 2017 ANZIIF Claims Convention in Australia.Coming in second was Shane Cornford, claims officer at SLE Underwriting Corporation, who wrote about reviewing the size and reach of the FOS.Shane won a trip to the 2017 ANZIIF Claims Convention.This is the 9year TurksLegal has partnered with ANZIF for this claims scholarship.
St. Francois County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that the suspects wanted for a Leadwood assault were arrested Sunday in Union County, Georgia.

The department confirmed Sunday night that Angela Laycock and Timothy Perkins were arrested. No other information was available Sunday night.

Earlier that afternoon, the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department was notified the four children who had been with the couple were found.

Sheriff Dan Bullock said the children were picked up in Georgia by the grandfather and were being taken back to Florida. He added they were advising the police department there to contact the childrens division.

At this time it is unclear how the children were located and found to be in the grandfathers custody.

The assault took part at the home at 221 Fifth St. where the victim, Silas Laycock, 43, and suspects Angela Laycock, 43, and Perkins, 37, all lived together, along with the Silass and Angelas four children.

The sheriffs department took over the case Tuesday night at the request of the Leadwood Police Department.

Silas was assaulted by the couple, which included being stabbed with a knife, being struck multiple times with an ax and being shot with a shotgun. Its believed that the victim, the two suspects and the four children were all at the home at the time of the assault. An argument began about drug paraphernalia that was reportedly found inside the house.

Laycock was transported by ambulance to a St. Louis area hospital Tuesday afternoon after he drove himself to a Leadwood convenience store seeking help. He was rushed into surgery and is expected to survive his injuries.

According to Bullock, Leadwood Police Chief Will Dickey responded about 1:30 p.m. to a call from an individual at the Leadwood BP gas station and convenience store reporting that someone there had been shot and stabbed.

Upon his arrival, Dickey reportedly found Silas laid over in the seat of a pickup truck and was told by the victim that his wife and her boyfriend had stabbed him and shot him.

On Thursday, the suspects, were spotted in Jefferson City by a law enforcement officer and a pursuit began, but was ended due to bad weather before the pickup was stopped. Formal charges were also filed against the couple.

Both Angela and Perkins are being charged with one Class A felony of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of felony restraint.

On Friday, the state police in Arkansas were notified to be on the lookout for the couple and the white 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck, possibly with Montana plates, although the plates may have been removed.
New York City officials are blaming a crane collapse that killed a man in lower Manhattan in February on operator error.

The city Department of Buildings said Friday the crane operator failed to secure the 565-foot crane the night before it collapsed in the Tribeca neighborhood on Feb. 5.

The department says the operator also lowered the cranes main boom at an improper angle, causing the crane to become unstable and topple over.

The department has suspended the crane operators license. Officials have not identified him.

The city investigators agreed with the conclusions of a separate investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA also found that the collapse was caused by operator error.

Wall Street worker David Wichs was killed in the collapse.

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Topics New York
Switzerlands Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to buy Australias biggest travel insurance provider, Cover-More Group, for A$741 million ($551 million), stepping up its investment in the Australian market.

Global buyers have been drawn to the broader Australian insurance sector, where returns on equity are healthy and banks have been selling insurance assets due in part to regulatory changes requiring them to hold more capital.

Zurich had already bolstered its presence in Australia in March through the purchase Macquarie Groups life insurance division for an undisclosed sum.

Other recent transactions include National Australia Banks sale of 80 percent its life insurance division to Nippon Life for A$2.4 billion in October.

Cover-More shares surged 43 percent to A$1.875 on Monday after Zurichs A$1.95 cash a share offer, a 48 percent premium to the targets last closing price of A$1.32 on Friday.

The company floated by private equity firm Crescent Capital in December 2013 at A$2 a share.

Noel Webster, a senior portfolio manager at BT Investment Management, which owns 5.7 percent of Cover-More, said the premium appeared reasonable but there was potential for a counter-bid.

Maybe this draws attention to the fact that there is quite good market share and global positioning, Webster told Reuters.

Cover-More Chief Executive Officer Mike Emmett said the company had not run an auction process after receiving an unsolicited approach from Zurich.

The Swiss insurer had been able to access confidential information when competing for a separate underwriting contract won last week by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Inc , he added.

From now until closing by definition anyone else can come forward with a bid, Emmett told Reuters. The board has a fiduciary responsibility to evaluate every bid.

Bell Potter analyst John OShea said Cover-More was appealing as a growth business given increasing outbound travel volumes in Australia, driven in part by low airfares.

The company has a 40 percent share of the Australian travel insurance market, and as of the end of September, outbound travel was growing by 4.8 percent a year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australias second largest travel insurer, Allianz, has a 25 percent share of the market, according to research firm IBISWorld, while Suncorp and QBE Insurance Group each hold around 6 percent.

Cover-More Chairman Louis Carroll said Zurich planned to operate Cover-More as a discrete business and retain the existing management team.

The deal will be executed via a scheme of arrangement requiring the approval of 75 percent of Cover-More shareholders at a meeting the insurer said was expected to be held by early April 2017. Zurich has the right to match any competing offers and will receive a 1 percent break fee if the deal does not proceed.

The five-year underwriting deal with Berkshire Hathaway contains a change of control clause that would allow the U.S. giant to exit the contract in the event the Zurich bid is successful, a Cover-More spokesman said. Zurich would become the underwriter if that occurred, he added.

($1 = 1.3444 Australian dollars) (Editing by Lincoln Feast)

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Carriers Australia
A North Dakota mutual insurer with ties to the Farm Bureau is awaiting a decision from the state insurance commissioner as to whether it can proceed with a plan to convert to a stock insurance company.

Nodak Mutual Insurance Co. was founded by the Farm Bureau in 1946 to provide insurance products to farmers and ranchers in North Dakota, according to Nodak Mutual Executive Vice President and CEO Jim Alexander. Testifying at a hearing before North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm in mid-November, Alexander said the company wants to convert in order to raise capital for growth and expansion.

Without the conversion, Alexander said the primary method of raising capital as a mutual insurer is through borrowing. The capital raised through a stock offering would allow us to further our plans [and] our strategy of growth through acquisitions and internal expansion, Alexander said.

Nodak was created to offer property/casualty insurance products to members of the Farm Bureau organization in North Dakota. Today, through around 65 exclusive Nodak Mutual agents, the company writes automobile, farm owners, homeowners, crop/hail, commercial property and liability insurance in the state, Alexander said.

The conversion would essentially create three entities  Nodak Insurance (NI) Holdings, Nodak Mutual Group and Nodak Insurance Co.

Special counsel to Nodak Mutual, Scott Spenser with the law firm of Stevens & Lee, testified at the hearing that should the conversion be approved, NI Holdings will be majority controlled by the mutual holding company. It is that company, NI holdings, that will engage in offering stock. Then theres the conversion of Nodak Mutual into a stock company, the result of which would be that Nodak Insurance Company would be 100 percent owned by NI Holdings.

Alexander said the relationship with the Farm Bureau would continue as it is today. Under the new structure Nodak  will maintain the royalty agreement with the Farm Bureau.  In order to purchase from Nodak Insurance Company you will have to be a member of the Farm Bureau.

The royalty agreement allows Nodak use of the Farm Bureau logo, Alexander said. The agreement provides payment of 1.3 percent of written premium on an annual basis, not including the multi-peril crop insurance.  Multi-peril crop insurance is not a membership line of business because it is regulated by federal government.

Nodak currently has affiliate relationships with three other insurance companies, Alexander said  American West, which is licensed to write business in eight states and currently writes three states, including crop insurance in Minnesota written through independent agents, and farm owners, homeowners and crop insurance in South Dakota, also written through independent agents; Nebraska-based Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Co., which has around 280 offices in Nebraska and markets homeowners, farm owners, private passenger auto and crop insurance in that state; and Primero Insurance Co., which is based in Nevada and offers non-standard auto insurance through independent agents in Arizona, Nevada, and North and South Dakota.

Alexander said the conversion would not change Nodaks affiliation with those companies.

Adequate Capitalization

Ed Moody, director of insurance company licensing and examinations for the North Dakota Insurance Department, testified that Nodak currently has adequate capitalization and that is not expected to change if and when the conversion to a stock company takes place.

The proceeds from the stock offering would cover the conversion expenses, Moody said. There will be no diminishment in the value of Nodak Insurance Company  so therefore [it] will have sufficient capital to conduct its operations.

The Conversion Plan

Under the conversion plan, Nodak Mutal Group would own no less than a 55 percent share of NI Holdings, Alexander said. The remaining 45 percent share in NI Holdings would be offered to policyholders, then to members of the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and, later, to other investors.

The company hopes to raise around $90 million with the sale of stock in NI Holdings. Feldman Financial Advisors appraised Nodak at a value of $200 million, plus or minus 15 percent. The $90 million represents 45 percent of that appraisal amount, Alexander said.

On Jan. 21, 2016, when Nodak went on record with its conversion plan, the company had 27, 915 policyholders. Those policyholders would be given subscription rights to purchase stock at $10 per share.

Each eligible policyholder would receive the exact same number of subscription rights  322, Alexander said. If a policyholder chooses not to not to participate and buy stock, they may redeem their subscription rights for a value of 67 cents each, or for a total of $216.

Alexander said that amount was arrived at by taking 9 million shares of stock divided by the number of policyholders on the record date.

A Different Valuation

The public accounting firm, RSM, also performed a financial analysis of NI Holders, valuing the company at $217 million (plus or minus 15 percent) and came up with a price of 80 cents per subscription right.

Asked why RSMs valuation and rate per subscription right varied from that of Feldman Financial, Paul Siebrasse, a principal at RSM, testified he wasnt really surprised that there is a difference.

It would be highly unusual if we came to the same number, he said. He said the timing of the separate valuations  they were conducted approximately six months apart  could have been a factor.

He explained that because NI Holdings is not actively traded  we do not have a history of transactions from which we can derive a historical measure of NI Holdings stock volatility.

A perfect comparable does not exist, Siebrasse said. Because of that NSM looked at the experience of eight separate public companies and relied on a comparison with those guideline companies for the valuation.

We looked at equity value versus equity volatility and made a judgment call, he said.

I stand by our conclusion. I think our number is the right number, Siebrasse said.

The Nodak hearing took place on Nov. 15. At the end of testimony, Commissioner Hamm said the record would remain open for 10 days and comments from interested parties would continue to be accepted.

In an email to Insurance Journal on Dec. 7, Sara R. Behrens, an attorney for the insurance department, said there is not an exact timeline for the commissioner to make a decision on Nodaks application to convert to a stock company. However, she said she anticipated a decision in the next few weeks.

Topics Carriers Agribusiness
The former mayor of an eastern Ohio village has been sentenced to seven months in corrections facilities after being convicted of charges including insurance fraud and theft in office.

Ex-Smithfield Mayor Patricia Freeland was reprimanded at her sentencing hearing in Jefferson County, with the judge stating that the 74-year-old became a criminal immediately upon taking office.

Prosecutors say Freeland forged a document that was then submitted as a fraudulent insurance claim tied to a break-in at the villages wastewater building in July 2009.

The insurance company made a partial payment for pumps that were never installed following the incident. The cash was instead deposited by Freeland into Smithfields general fund.

Freeland apologized, saying that her job as mayor along with the villages shaky financial standing was too overwhelming.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Fraud Ohio
The Beechwood group of reinsurance companies is in talks to sell most or all of itself after a backlash from some clients due to its relationship with troubled hedge fund manager Platinum Partners, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The very good news is that Beechwood has a successful business model that is attractive to investors, Davidson Goldin, an external spokesman for Beechwood, said in a statement to Reuters on Friday.

The unfortunate news that Beechwood is working to manage on behalf of its clients is that Beechwoods historical relationships with individuals from Platinum are causing substantial reputational issues for the firm separate from its performance.

The sale discussions are with large insurance and private equity firms, according to the person, who requested anonymity because the information is private and who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday.

The talks mark a reversal of fortune for Beechwood, a once fast-growing reinsurer founded in 2013 with some funding coming indirectly from Platinum and some crossover in personnel.

The Bermuda-, Grand Cayman- and New York-based firm has been working to sever its links with Platinum after the once-$1.35 billion hedge fund manager became embroiled in multiple federal probes and put its funds in liquidation in July. Beechwood had made investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Platinum-related hedge funds and businesses on behalf of its insurance clients, according to public filings and information provided by one client as part of subsequent litigation.

As Manhattan-based Platinums troubles mounted, one of Beechwoods major clients, Indiana insurer CNO Financial Group, pulled business from Beechwood and sued three current and former Beechwood executives seeking damages. Another large client, Pennsylvania-domiciled Senior Health Insurance Co. of Pennsylvania, better known as SHIP, is liquidating its Platinum-related holdings, invested for them by Beechwood.

Led by a former chief executive officer of Marsh USA and senior executives from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch , Beechwood managed $2.44 billion as of 2015. The lawsuit from CNO subsidiaries in September claimed that Beechwood told them that it is about to run out of cash and that its two principals will have to fund operations with their own money.

Beechwood did not respond to a request for comment on its current financial state.

PLATINUM PROBLEMS

Beechwoods links to Platinum began hurting over the summer.

In June, longtime Platinum and Beechwood associate Murray Huberfeld was arrested on criminal corruption charges, and the hedge funds headquarters was raided by federal agents. Platinum, led by Mark Nordlicht, later decided to liquidate its main hedge funds under the supervision of a professional monitor amid pressure from investigations by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A lawyer for Huberfeld has said his client denies the allegations; the case is pending. Huberfeld provided Platinum with money for its launch in 2003, and the firm eventually took over separate hedge funds he managed. Huberfeld allegedly kept ties to Platinum throughout, according to the federal charges against him, and in recent years did some work for Beechwood, where his nephew, son and son-in-law also had roles, according to the CNO lawsuit.

Since the decision to unwind its funds, Platinums main offshore vehicle has received U.S. bankruptcy protection as Cayman Islands-based liquidators work to recover money and sell off its assets on behalf of creditors. Platinum and its executives also face lawsuits based on allegations that they stole money or intellectual property from companies they invested in.

A spokesman for Platinum declined to comment.

The September lawsuit by subsidiaries of CNO against Beechwood Chief Executive Officer Mark Feuer, Beechwood President Scott Taylor and Platinum co-chief investment officer and former Beechwood executive David Levy  Huberfelds nephew  alleged that Platinum executives conspired with counterparts at Beechwood to form the reinsurance group and then invested client assets in Platinum-related funds and businesses.

The plaintiffs allege that current and former Beechwood executives hid their links to Platinum even after they were asked by the CNO subsidiaries to sever ties. A subsequent audit found at least $116 million of hard-to-value assets inextricably intertwined with Platinum, the lawsuit said. Feuer, Taylor and Levy did not respond to emails seeking comment.

Other Beechwood clients are keeping a close eye on developments.

Universal has been closely monitoring events related to the Beechwood label, Eira Pineiro, an external spokeswoman for Puerto Rico-based Universal Group Inc, said in an email, adding that the insurer was taking steps to ensure that its assets were protected.

The firms life insurance unit had $437.5 million in assets with Beechwood as of the end of 2015, according to a filing with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. It was unclear if any of those assets were related to Platinum; Pineiro did not respond to requests for clarification.

Representatives of two other insurers, Columbus, Ohio-based Motorists Life Insurance Co. and Charleston, South Carolina-based Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co. told Reuters in separate statements that they had no Platinum-related holdings through Beechwood despite separate asset management agreements for approximately $100 million each.

We are comfortable with our position, Atlantic Coast CEO Daniel Cathcart said in an email.

By contrast, SHIP, the Pennsylvania-domiciled insurer, told Reuters in September that it was liquidating its Platinum-related holdings related to its contract with Beechwood. Those investments totaled at least $100 million as of June and about $50 million as of September. A spokesman for SHIP declined to comment, including on the current status of the divestment.

CNO appears to be the only client to cut ties with Beechwood, and has taken back its approximately $550 million in assets, according to public company disclosures.

CNO previously estimated it would lose about $55 million, pending an audit by year end of hard-to-value assets, which it believes were incorrectly priced by Beechwood. A CNO spokesman declined to make an additional comment; Beechwood released a statement at the time saying it had acted properly at all times.

(Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne; editing by Carmel Crimmins)

Related:

Topics Lawsuits Reinsurance Pennsylvania
National General Holdings Corp. has entered into a renewal rights transaction with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. for its personal and commercial non-standard vehicle in-force policies.

National General will partner with Nationwides exclusive and independent agent force to sell its policies to their non-standard auto customers.

Our transaction with Nationwide will give National General the opportunity to expand our non-standard auto business, an area of the market where we have a great amount of expertise, through Nationwides exemplary exclusive and independent agents, said National General CEO Barry Karfunkel.

Karfunkel added that the transaction will add additional scale to one of its core products. We look forward to working with Nationwides associates and agents and providing a smooth transition for its customers.

Nationwide spokesperson Eric Hardgrove told Insurance Journal that the transaction, which relieves Nationwide from all non-standard auto business, takes effect Jan. 1, 2017. The renewal rights transaction will impact approximately 337,000 private passenger auto and about 26,000 non-standard commercial auto Nationwide policies.

Prior to renewal, current Nationwide nonstandard auto policyholders will receive a non-renewal letter with an offer for a replacement policy from National General, Hardgrove said. Our members current coverage will remain in effect through the end of their current policy term and Nationwide will continue to support members until their policies come up for renewal, he said. This includes handling any claims that occur prior to the policy renewal. This transition will take place over the next two years.

Hardgrove also noted there will be a small percentage reduction in workforce across the country but that both insurers are working to find landing spots for those associates at either National General or other areas at Nationwide.

Financial terms of the transaction were not revealed.

National General Holdings Corp., headquartered in New York City, is a specialty personal lines insurance holding company. National General traces its roots to 1939, has a financial strength rating of A- (excellent) from A.M. Best and provides personal and commercial automobile, homeowners, umbrella, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, supplemental health, and other niche insurance products.

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poors. The company provides auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance products.

Topics Auto
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected former American International Group CEO Maurice Hank Greenbergs bid to escape civil fraud charges in New York accusing him of orchestrating sham transactions at the insurer, even as his trial continues.

The justices left in place a June ruling by the New York Court of Appeals that his trial on charges brought by the New York Attorney Generals Office could proceed. The ongoing non-jury trial of Greenberg, 91, started in September. He has already testified in his own defense.

Greenberg led the New York-based insurance giant for four decades before he was ousted in 2005. The following year, AIG paid $1.64 billion to settle federal and state probes into its business practices.

He has asserted that the case should have been over in 2013 when a $115 million settlement with AIG shareholders over improper accounting received court approval. New York was forced to drop its damages claims because of that decision.

Justice Charles Ramos of New York state court in Manhattan is presiding over Greenbergs trial, and in September began directly questioning Greenberg. (The case is now in mediation; see Editors Note below.)

The appeals court also ruled in June that the state could seek to recoup from Greenberg and co-defendant Howard Smith, AIGs former chief financial officer, tens of millions of dollars in bonuses and interest covering the 2000-2005 period when the alleged fraud occurred. More than $55 million may be at stake.

In addition, the court said the state could seek to ban Greenberg and Smith from the securities industry and from serving as officers or directors of public companies.

Greenberg currently is chairman and CEO of CV Starr & Co., a private insurance company. Smith is its vice chairman of finance.

AIG was rescued by the U.S. government in September 2008 to stave off bankruptcy after the company ran up billions of dollars in losses stemming from insurance it wrote on shoddy mortgage securities.

The case was brought under the Martin Act, the 1921 New York law that former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer revived in the early 2000s to go after major financial institutions.

At issue are two transactions, the first concerning General Re, a unit of Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway. The suit claims Greenberg orchestrated a $500 million transaction that boosted loss reserves without transferring risk.

The second transaction, with Capco Reinsurance Co., allegedly hid a $210 million underwriting loss in an auto-warranty program.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley. Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Will Dunham)

Editors Note:

The case in New York has gone into mediation. Justice Charles Ramos of New York state court in Manhattan presiding over the civil suit against Greenberg and Smith has agreed to an adjournment until January to allow the parties to pursue mediation, according to the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Now that the State has presented nearly all of its case in open court, the parties have agreed that now is a natural point to explore a final resolution through mediation. To facilitate the mediation, the Court has granted the parties joint request for an adjournment until January, the attorney generals office confirmed to Insurance Journal.

Related:

Topics New York Reinsurance
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has raised The Main Street America Groups NGM Insurance Companys single surety bond capacity threshold to $98.6 million. The super-regional property/casualty insurance carriers previous capacity was $93.4 million.

According to Main Street America, the Treasury Departments expansion of Main Street Americas surety bond capacity reflects the companys strong financial position which includes surplus of $1.1 billion, total assets of $2.5 billion and net written premium over $1 billion. Additionally, global rating agency A.M. Best recently affirmed Main Street Americas A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating and a+ Issuer Credit Rating, with a Stable Outlook.

Nancy Giordano-Ramos, vice president/head of Main Street Americas bonds operation, said the companys surety bond capacity continues to increase each year.

Main Street America has provided surety and fidelity products to Main Street businesses and individuals since 1961 through its network of independent insurance agents and is licensed to issue surety and fidelity products in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Main Street Americas surety operations are part of the companys full line of commercial and personal insurance products.

Main Street Americas surety bond offerings include:

Contract surety bonds.

Commercial surety bonds ranging from small license and permit bonds and public official bonds to larger bonds covering service and supply obligations.

Fidelity bonds, including a commercial crime policy that covers robbery, burglary and depositors forgery.

Independent agents can order and process the companys commercial bonds through its Main Street Station bonds processing system.

The Main Street America Group is a mutual insurance holding company which writes business through its nine property/casualty insurance carriers: NGM Insurance Company, Old Dominion Insurance Company, Austin Mutual Insurance Company, Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company, Main Street America Assurance Company, Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Company, MSA Insurance Company, Spring Valley Mutual Insurance Company and Main Street America Protection Insurance Company. The company is based in Jacksonville, Fla.,

Topics Carriers
A former Tulsa insurance agent was charged on Dec. 8 with embezzling more than $64,000, the Oklahoma Insurance Department announced.

The charges against Michael W. Hefner, 47, are the result of a joint investigation by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office. The Oklahoma Department of Securities also assisted with the case.

Hefner is accused of transferring money from a company bank account to a second bank account only he controlled. The company bank account was only supposed to be used to deposit premium payments Hefner collected before the funds were remitted to the insurer. Investigators found more than a dozen illegal transactions between January 2012 and May 2015. Hefner spent the money at casinos, grocery stores and gas stations. He also used it to pay bills for personal loans, utilities, child care, a storage unit and auto insurance.

He has been charged with 15 counts of embezzlement. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office will serve as lead prosecutors in this case.

I have zero tolerance for agents who break the law, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak in a departmental release. Insurance-related crimes often lead to higher premiums for everyone. I commend the excellent work done by our Anti-Fraud Unit and the Attorney Generals Office on this case. These charges send a message that crimes like this will be discovered and the perpetrators will be prosecuted.

Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department

Topics Agencies Fraud Oklahoma
Jacksonville, Fla.-based personal lines-focused independent agency, Brightway Insurance, has opened a new branch in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Brightway, The Concord Agency is located at 5733 Essen Lane, Suite D-3 in Baton Rouge, La.

Brightway assists branch agencies with customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology.

The company also opened two new agencies in Florida and one in Arizona.

Source: Brightway Insurance

Topics Louisiana
9 p.m. UPDATE: St. Francois County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that the suspects have been arrested today in Union County, Georgia. No other information is available at this time.

ORIGINAL STORY: The St. Francois County Sheriffs Department was notified the children who were thought to be with a couple being sought in connection with the shooting and stabbing of a Leadwood man on Tuesday morning have been found.

Sheriff Dan Bullock said the children were picked up in Georgia by the grandfather and are being taken back to Florida. He added they are advising the police department there to contact the childrens division.

At this time it is unclear how the children were located and found to be in the grandfathers custody. The Daily Journal will bring more details as they become available.

The assault took part at the home at 221 Fifth St. where the victim, Silas Laycock, 43, and suspects Angela Laycock, 43 and Timothy Perkins, 37 all lived together, along with the Silass and Angelas four children.

The sheriffs department took over the case Tuesday night at the request of the Leadwood Police Department.

Silas was assaulted by the couple, which included stabbed with a knife, being struck multiple times with an ax and being shot with a shotgun. Its believed that the victim, the two suspects and the four children were all at the home at the time of the assault.

Laycock was transported by ambulance to a St. Louis hospital Tuesday afternoon after he drove himself to a Leadwood convenience store seeking help. He was rushed into surgery and is expected to survive his injuries.

According to Bullock, Leadwood Police Chief Will Dickey responded about 1:30 p.m. to a call from an individual at the Leadwood BP gas station and convenience store reporting that someone there had been shot and stabbed.

Upon his arrival, Dickey reportedly found Silas laid over in the seat of a pickup truck and was told by the victim that his wife and her boyfriend had stabbed him and shot him.

On Thursday, the suspects, were spotted in Jefferson City by a law enforcement officer and a pursuit began, but was ended due to bad weather before the pickup was stopped. Formal charges were also filed against the couple.

Both Angela and Perkins are being charged with one Class A felony of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of felony restraint.

On Friday, the state police in Arkansas were notified to be on the lookout for the couple and the white 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck, possibly with Montana plates, although the plates may have been removed. The license plate number on the vehicle is unknown.
North Carolinas Supreme Court is rejecting efforts by insurance companies to raise homeowners premiums.

The states highest court on Friday dismissed arguments by the group that represents North Carolina insurers, which in 2014 sought an average 25 percent increase in homeowners premiums.

That leaves in place an August decision by a lower-level appeals court, which found outgoing state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin was justified in rejecting the request.

Goodwin imposed a zero-percent overall increase beginning in June 2015 by increasing rates for renters and condominium policyholders and lowering them for homeowners. He determined insurers were achieving a fair and reasonable profit after homeowners saw rates rise 7 percent on average beginning in 2013.

The North Carolina Rate Bureaus manager and attorneys didnt return messages seeking comment.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Carriers Trends Pricing Trends Homeowners North Carolina
Its been a tumultuous year for the Florida insurance industry.

It would seem the biggest story would be the end of Floridas hurricane drought as the state got hit by not one, but two hurricanes this year, the first hurricanes for Florida since 2005.

But those catastrophes werent the only storms Florida experienced in 2016. Florida Supreme Court decisions that upended the states workers comp system and subsequent rate hikes; the effect of ongoing abuse of assignment of benefits; the continuing battle over flood insurance rates; and the states first new insurance commissioner in 13 years, were all major headlines throughout the year.

Those in the industry say each of these stories will have a significant impact on the state going into 2017.

Workers Comp Market in Turmoil

The states workers compensation system was dealt two big blows this year that has since led to a huge rate increase for Florida businesses. The biggest blow came in April when the court ruled the attorney fee schedule passed in 2009 as part of state reforms is unconstitutional under both Floridas and the U.S. Constitution as a violation of due process. The court ruling in the case of Castellanos v. Next Door Company, which said the schedule eliminates the right of a claimant to get a reasonable attorneys fees  a critical feature of the workers compensation law. The court said the statute violates due process by installing an irrebuttable presumption that whatever fee the schedule comes up with is reasonable and by not providing any way for a claimant to refute the fee.

The court said that it is undeniable that without the right to an attorney with a reasonable fee, the workers compensation law can no longer assure the quick and efficient delivery of disability and medical benefits to an injured worker.

On the heels of that ruling, the court struck down the states statutory 104-week cap on temporary total disability benefits, saying it too is unconstitutional. The courts decision came in the case of Bradley Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg.

In the opinion, the justices said the limitation results in a statutory gap in benefits in violation of the constitutional right of access to court. The court opted to revive a previous limitation of temporary disability benefits, upping the limit to five years (260 weeks).

The National Council of Compensation Insurers (NCCI), which files on behalf of Florida insurers, responded to the rulings with a rate increase request of 19.6 percent.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), however, denied its request saying it wasnt justified and instead ordered NCCI to amend and refile its rate increase for 14.5 percent. That rate request was approved in October for all policies effective as of Dec. 1, 2016.

OIR said the individual rate impacts will include:

A 10.1 percent statewide average rate increase for the April 28 Florida Supreme Court decision in the case of Castellanos v. Next Door Company.

A 2.2 percent statewide average rate increase for the June 9 Florida Supreme Court decision in the case of Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg.

A 1.8 percent statewide average rate increase related to updates within the Florida Workers Compensation HCPR Manual per Senate Bill 1402. The manual became effective on July 1, 2016.

The workers comp matter was further complicated last month when a judge blocked the rate increase after finding that NCCI and state officials did not comply with the states Sunshine Laws and open meeting requirements in setting the new rate.

OIR filed a Notice of Appeal on Nov. 28, which allowed the rate hike to proceed on Dec. 1. The case must now be reviewed by the First District Court of Appeals.

The challenge to the rate increase was brought by James Fee, a Miami attorney who represents injured workers. Fee claimed, and Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers agreed, that NCCI was in violation of Floridas Sunshine Laws in holding multiple, non-public, secret meetings internally and with the OIR over the rates.

NCCI claims it has complied with applicable open meeting and other Sunshine Laws on transparency and noted after the judges ruling that it would appeal.

NCCI is very disappointed in the decision of the Leon County Circuit Court. We continue to believe that NCCI and the Florida OIR have fully complied with the law, NCCI said in a statement.

Whats Next

While the courts work out this latest workers comp challenge, insurance advocates in the state say it is imperative that the state come up with a fix for the workers compensation system that addresses the Florida Supreme Court rulings, or both small business owners and employers will suffer.

These rulings have left employers and employees potentially vulnerable to conditions that existed years ago when Florida businesses were burdened with some of the highest workers compensation costs in the nation, said Logan McFaddin, PCI Florida regional manager for State Government Relations.

Many expected the Florida Legislature would address the issue in a special session in 2016, but that didnt happen.

McFaddin said PCI plans to work with state leaders on solutions to return Florida to a vibrant workers compensation marketplace, meeting the needs of injured workers and controlling costs.

The Florida Association for Insurance Reform (FAIR) said the solution will entail taking a deeper look at how to best address the overall problems with the states workers comp system.

There is no real simple fix  the system needs a complete overall and we have to look at it from top to bottom, said Paul Handerhan, FAIRs senior vice president, Public Policy. There are a lot of different areas that can be focused on outside of addressing attorneys fees that can bring costs down.

Each top Florida insurance topic of 2016 will be highlighted this week. Check back tomorrow for whats next for the states assignment of benefits crisis.

Topics Florida Legislation Workers' Compensation
Authorities say a construction worker has been crushed to death at a landfill in Southern California.

Capt. Daryll Milliot with the Orange County Fire Authority says the man in his mid-to-late 30s was killed at Prima Deshecha landfill in San Juan Capistrano Friday at about 3 p.m.

The worker was in between the frame of a dump truck-style trailer and a lifted bed at the time of the incident.

According to Milliot, the man may have been trying to manually lower the bed portion of the trailer when it came down, crushing him. A wrench and hydraulic fluid were found nearby.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was not immediately clear which company he works for.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
An Oregon man has filed a $3.9 million wrongful death lawsuit against a Eugene tavern and one of its customers.

Julio Ortiz Ahumada of Springfield says the Keg Tavern served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated Isabel McDaniel on Dec. 11, 2014. She later struck Ortiz Ahumada and his father as the crossed the street, reported The Register-Guard.

Ortiz Ahumadas lawsuit was filed in Lane County Circuit Court. It accuses McDaniel of negligence for driving while intoxicated and failing to control her vehicle, and says the Kegs employees were negligent for serving McDaniel alcohol when she was visibly intoxicated and likely to operate a motor vehicle.

Chris Coleman, the owner of the Keg, declined to comment when reached by phone.

McDaniel was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison after pleading guilty to several charges in January, including intoxicated driving and criminally negligent homicide.

The impact of the 2014 crash flipped Daniel Ortiz-Reynaga, 67, onto the top of McDaniels station wagon and she drove 11 blocks before dumping him along a side road, prosecutors said. Ortiz-Reynaga, who lived in Mexico and was in Springfield to visit his son, died of his injuries.

Ortiz Ahumada required surgery for injuries he obtained during the crash, the lawsuit said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Oregon
Updated Dec. 12, 2017

Microsoft is presenting its mammoth $26 billion acquisition of LinkedIn as the linchpin of a sweeping effort to reinvent the professional workplace. Few specifics have been available since the merger was announced this past June, but with the formal completion of the deal last week, the two companies have said they will soon begin providing more details about their plans. Here, in this second article of a three-part series, we explore how the combined company could transform the way in which businesses source talent and manage people.

In terms of human resources, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner describes the integration of LinkedIns more than 433 million members with Microsofts1 billion-plus information worker user base as a massive business opportunity and an entirely new one for Microsoft.

Acquiring the worlds largest professional social network gives the software giant a wealth of data about professionals, their jobs and the organizations for which they work. When thats combined with the routine data that Microsofts business clients already collect about their employeessuch as birth dates, home addresses and social security numbers Weiner contends that Microsoft will be able to provide HR insights and synergies that no other company can provide.

Corporate recruiting is a prime example. Recruiters already make extensive use of LinkedIns network, notes Sheryl Kingstone, research director for business applications at 451 Research. But incorporating LinkedIns social graph into Microsofts Office Graph has the potential to improve outreach results and make recruiters lives much easier.

LinkedIns social graph visually depicts the professional accreditations, skill sets and workplace associations collected from its member profiles. The Office Graph is a set of back-end machine learning and intelligent search technologies that draws on data about who a user is and what he or she is doing with Office and various other Microsoft applications. Once the two technology frameworks have been combined, they are likely to be used to help recruiters identify potential candidates who meet their search criteria and to alert them to any change in circumstancessuch as the end of a long-term assignment or a new graduate degreethat may make the prospect more receptive to a new job offer.

Its about enabling HR to get to the right candidate at the right time, Kingstone says.

Human capital management applications have traditionally been focused on managing HR processes without providing any sort of insights, agrees Manish Sood, the CEO of Reltio, a cloud-based provider of data driven business applications. By giving managers the ability to view their employee population by traits such as subject-matter expertise, professional certifications and work experience, he says the Microsoft-LinkedIn acquisition will be a watershed in terms of using HR data to strategically shape a workforce.

The acquisition offers a unique opportunity for Microsoft to further penetrate the world of talent tech, says Lisa Rowan, International Data Corp.s research vice president for HR and talent management services. Leveraging LinkedIns knowledge of users and their skills and abilities positions Microsoft to be a provider of employees and contractors for customers of its workplace productivity tools such as Office. Together the combined organization may look to develop new applications for talent functions not addressed by either today. These, she says, include employee performance management, employee education and succession planning.

There are three key features of the LinkedIn user experience that Microsoft could potentially leverage as part of a modern talent management solution, according to the IDC analyst. These include endorsements, recommendations and posts:

 On the LinkedIn network, every user can obtain endorsements from colleagues and their business associates for the skills and capabilities that theyve demonstrated. These are tallied and featured in the users profile and are used to graphically represent the users professional expertise.

Microsoft could extend this further, Rowan says, by allowing HR managers to map employees and job candidates influence across various fields and subject matter categories. Such insights, she says, could be used to inform many elements of talent management, including performance, learning and development. An employee needing to broaden their skill set, for instance, might receive course recommendations from their manager based on how those instructional sessions were rated by other employees with similar backgrounds and career development needs.

 LinkedIn users can also secure written recommendations from co-workers and managers to enrich their profiles. Microsoft, Rowan says, could couple these with a users endorsements to build talent management solutions that chart employee behaviors, skills and aptitudes. For example, department heads and project leaders would be able to correlate education credentials and work experience with success rates on different types of projects to identify the best candidates for a given position.

 LinkedIn members can use LinkedIn Pulse, an open platform that lets users contribute blog posts, off-the-cuff ideas or thought-leadership articles to the social network at large. These can be used to demonstrate subject-matter expertise, expand influence and build a personal brand within professional circles. Tied to LinkedIns endorsements and recommendations, Rowan contends that these postings represent another source of information about employee skill sets and abilities that Microsoft could use to enrich any HCM solutions that it develops as an outgrowth of the acquisition.

There are other opportunities for Microsoft to expand into HR-related fields as well, Rowan notes, including professional learning and employee communications.

On the learning side, Rowan expects Microsoft to leverage Lynda.com, a professional learning site that LinkedIn acquired last year for $1.5 billion. By using social awareness to determine who among their colleagues has taken what courses, at what point in their careers and to what benefit, she says Microsoft will help make knowledge workers more productive and successful through better educational choices.

And by taking advantage of LinkedIns newsfeed, the IDC analyst predicts that Microsoft will offer HR departments the ability to tailor their internal communications and news dissemination for different segments of their employee population. They will also be able to broaden their audience to include customers, partners and suppliers.

Furthermore, by giving HR the ability to tune and configure news for different audiences, Rowan says that Microsoft will be able to provide them with even more insight into their employee population based on the content they consume in the newsfeed.

Yet another potential opportunity: LinkedIns vision for transforming work life to better empower career movement hasnt always played well with other HCM solution providers, given LinkedIns refusal to make available some of its application programming interfaces, says Reltios Sood. But if Microsoft decides to open LinkedIns APIs the bits of computer code that allow different applications to tap into LinkedIns social graph and other resources this will enable more innovation in talent acquisition and management technology.

If Microsoft and LinkedIn create a platform that embeds the right information at the right time for the right process, it could change the dynamics of the HCM applications market, declares 451s Kingstone. Microsoft would deliver the digital future, which is all about employee or individual empowerment.
Il 12,7% degli studenti non arriva al diploma, perche abbandona precocemente gli studi. Il 9,7% del totale, quasi un diplomato su 10 nel 2022, senza le competenze minime necessarie per entrare nel mondo del lavoro o dellUniversita. Inoltre, il 23,1% dei 15-29enni in Italia si trova in un limbo, fuori da ogni percorso di lavoro, istruzione o formazione: il numero dei Neet e il piu alto dellUe, oltre il doppio di Francia e Germania.

Lo rileva Save the Children che, nel nuovo rapporto Alla ricerca del tempo perduto, la definisce dispersione implicita ed e connessa allimpoverimento educativo e alla poverta materiale.

Il rapporto Save the Children

In vista della riapertura delle scuole, lassociazione segnala alcuni deficit strutturali a livello nazionale e locale, in termini di spazi, servizi e tempi educativi, mettendo in luce un paradosso: laddove la poverta minorile e piu alta, e sarebbe dunque importante unofferta formativa di qualita, la scuola e piu povera, privata di tempo pieno, mense e palestre.

Il rapporto segnala una forte disparita geografica nelle dispersione implicita, che risulta piu alta in Campania, al 19,8%. Save the Children cita i dati Invalsi del 2022: se si guarda alle competenze nelle singole materie, in Campania, Calabria e Sicilia piu del 60% degli studenti non raggiungono il livello base delle competenze in italiano, mentre quelle in matematica sono disattese dal 70% degli studenti in Campania, Calabria, Sicilia e Sardegna.

Labbandono scolastico nella maggior parte delle regioni del sud va ben oltre la media nazionale (del 12,7%), con punte in Sicilia (21,1%) e Puglia (17,6%) e valori decisamente piu alti rispetto a Centro e Nord anche in Campania (16,4%) e Calabria (14%).

E un dato di fatto, evidenzia poi Save the Children, che vi sia un correlazione tra livello di apprendimento e alcuni indicatori strutturali, apprezzabile guardando i dati in positivo: nelle province dove lindice di dispersione implicita e piu basso, le scuole primarie hanno assicurato ai bambini maggior offerta di tempo pieno (frequentato dal 31,5% degli studenti contro il 24,9% nelle province ad alta dispersione), maggior numero di mense (il 25,9% delle scuole contro il 18,8%), di palestre (42,4% contro 29%) e sono inoltre dotate di certificato di agibilita (47,9% contro 25,3%). Servirebbero  stima lorganizzazione  1 miliardo e 445 milioni per garantire il tempo pieno in tutte le classi della scuola primaria statale.

Unofferta adeguata di spazi e di tempi educativi  sottolinea  puo contribuire efficacemente a ridurre le disuguaglianze educative territoriali: Proprio dove i bambini, le bambine e gli adolescenti affrontano, con le loro famiglie, le maggiori difficolta economiche ce al contrario maggior bisogno di unofferta educativa piu ricca.

Per questo  osserva Raffaela Milano, direttrice dei Programmi Italia-Europa di Save the Children  chiediamo al nuovo governo che si formera un investimento straordinario che parta dalla attivazione di aree ad alta densita educativa nei territori piu deprivati: investire il 5% del Pil, al pari della media europea, vorrebbe dire rendere disponibili circa 93 miliardi, contro i circa 71 stanziati nel 2020.
Picking a stock means trying to choose the best out of a group of competitors. Porter's Five Forces Model can help by focusing attention on five direct and pertinent questions about the company's ability to compete within an industry.

Named after the Harvard professor who developed it, the Five Forces model is a qualitative analysis tool designed to help an investor identify and analyze the competitive forces that drive an industry. It can be just as helpful for analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of a single company within an industry.

As an example, consider the Coca-Cola Company (KO) as a potential investment, using the Five Forces model.

1. Who Are its Main Rivals?

When you think of Coca-Cola and its competitors, Pepsi is probably the first name that comes to mind, and rightfully so. The two companies have been in

competition since the late 19th century.

Their marquee products are very similar in ingredients and taste, though many

consumers swear loyalty to one brand or the other. Both issue their product in a dizzying array of flavors and variations.

There is one notable difference. Pepsi owns Doritos, Lay's, Cheetos, Tostitos,

and Fritos, among other food brands. If everybody swore off soft drinks tomorrow, Pepsi could still thrive selling salty snacks.

Coca-Cola, on the other hand, has stuck to beverages. But it owns some beverage brands that might surprise some of their customers, like Minute Maid, Powerade, Gold Peak Tea, Dasani, and Vitaminwater.

Coke is betting that, if people swear off soft drinks, they've still got to drink something. And it's worth noting that their focus is on healthy alternatives.

Other Competitors

Coca-Cola also competes directly against the Keurig Green Mountain Group. In addition to those two name brands, the company also owns a surprising range of beverages including Schweppes, RC Cola, Hires Root Beer, and Nehi.

The upshot on the question of its rivals: As consumer tastes and trends shift, Coca-Cola could be left vulnerable, but the brand has a loyal following and the company has hedged its bets by moving with the beverage trends. The risk in this area is moderate.

2. How Likely Is a New Entrant to the Industry?

There are new entrants to the beverage industry all the time, but can they gain a foothold to equal Coke or Pepsi? The two companies between them have locked down licensing deals with every fast-food chain. They've gained significant shelf space in every supermarket and mini-market.

A new name would have to have a very positive and very viral image or spend a fortune to create the type of brand recognition Coca-Cola enjoys.

It seems more likely that either Coke or Pepsi would buy the newcomer and add it to the mix. But anyone investing in Coca-Cola should at least keep an eye on the latest trends in non-alcoholic beverages.

3. What Could Buyers Purchase Instead?

Coca-Cola also has to contend with what buyers could purchase instead of its

products.

If the rise of Starbucks has shown anything, it is that people really do love a cup of coffee in the right environment. Coca-Cola purchased a stake in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the maker of Keurig, possibly for this reason.

Buyers can also choose beverages such as freshly made smoothies or fresh-pressed juices instead of Coca-Cola's bottled beverages. As more people become health-conscious, the threat that buyers will substitute a different drink for Coca-Cola looms as a real possibility.

4. What Bargaining Power Do Buyers Have?

When it comes to the bottled beverages market, buyers have a fair amount of

bargaining power, and this affects Coca-Cola's bottom line directly.

Coca-Cola does not sell directly to its end users. It mostly deals with

distribution companies that directly service fast-food chains, vending machine companies, college campuses, and supermarkets.

Demand leads the purchases, but Coca-Cola also has to keep an eye on that

end price. Ultimately, that means it has to sell its products to distribution networks at prices low enough that they can sell to the end-user at a competitive price.

Consistency

Moreover, Coca-Cola's pricing has to stay somewhat consistent with each outlet. McDonald's does not sell a Coke for 99 cents one day and $1.03 the next. As Coca-Cola's cost of goods sold (COGS) fluctuates due to materials, transportation, or manpower, either the beverage company or its distributors have to absorb the loss.

This is a real risk, but it is one that every other entrant in the beverage mass market would face.

5. What Bargaining Power Do Suppliers Have?

This is the final competitive force to consider: Coca-Colas suppliers. As big as the company is, and as many long-term contracts as it must have with suppliers, the cost of its ingredients is not entirely within the company's power.

In particular, sugar is a commodity and its price varies over time. One season's poor harvest could affect sugar prices and increase Coca-Cola's raw materials costs.

Thanks to contracts the company likely has in place, the effect would be minimal unless those poor harvest conditions lasted for several years.

Buy or Not?

No analytic tool can tell you whether to buy a stock or not. But understanding the competitive environment in which the company operates can go a long way towards helping you make the decision.
VANCOUVER - December 12, 2016 (Investorideas.com Newswire) SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSXV: $SIL.V) is pleased to announce that N. Eric Fier, President of the Company has returned from his partial leave of absence due to medical reasons and will resume his fulltime duties as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2017.

Dunham Craig, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company will continue to assist with CEO responsibilities on an interim basis until January 1, 2017.

Graham Thody, Chairman of the Board, stated: "We are very pleased that Eric has made an excellent recovery from a medical procedure, and speaking for the entire Board and management team, we are very excited to see Eric resume his leadership role with the Company on a full-time basis. We wish to thank Dunham for so ably assuming the CEO role during Eric's absence."

The Company is also pleased to announce that Anne Yong, currently the Company's Controller, will succeed Barney Magnusson as Chief Financial Officer, who will step down from the CFO role to become Executive VicePresident effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Magnusson will also remain as a Director of SilverCrest.

N. Eric Fier, President and CEO, stated: "I would like to thank Barney for his outstanding contribution to the Company as CFO and I look forward to working with him in his new role as Executive VicePresident. I also look forward to working with Anne in her new capacity as CFO. Her experience and knowledge of SilverCrest as well as her financial acumen makes her the perfect fit for her new role."

Mrs. Yong is a CPA, CA with over ten years of accounting knowledge gained from industry, public practice and government regulatory work experiences. Prior to her role as Controller with the Company, she was the Corporate Compliance and Disclosure Officer of SilverCrest Mines Inc. She has brought to the SilverCrest team her technical expertise and experiences as a Public Company Assurance Group Manager of a Vancouver Chartered Professional Accounting ("CPA") firm, primarily servicing reporting issuers listed on the TSX and TSX Venture Exchange. During her seven years with this CPA firm, she also completed a 13-month secondment with the British Columbia Securities Commission as a Securities Analyst gaining valuable knowledge in B.C. and Canadian regulatory and financial reporting requirements for public company issuers as well as prospectus filing requirements in Canada.

The Company also announces the grant of stock options under its Stock Option Plan to purchase an aggregate of 1,525,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $2.30 per share for a five year term expiring December 9, 2021. The stock options were granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and are subject to any necessary regulatory approvals.

The stock options shall vest as to 25% of the Optioned Shares on each of March 9, 2017, June 9, 2017, September 9, 2017 and December 9, 2017, respectively.

SilverCrest Metals Inc. (SIL.V) is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including the pioneering of a responsible "phased approach" business model taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production with subsequent increased value to shareholders.

N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng

President & CEO

SilverCrest Metals Inc.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements concern the net proceeds from the Offering and the intended use of proceeds. Such forward looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; timing and amount of capital expenditures; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of the risk factors including: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Contact:

SilverCrest Metals Inc.

Fred Cooper, Investor Relations

+1 (604) 694-1730

+1 (604) 694-1761

Toll Free: 1-866-691-1730 (Canada & USA)

info@silvercrestmetals.com

www.silvercrestmetals.com

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. More disclaimer info: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Disclosure: Investorideas.com is compensated by SilverCrest Metals Inc for annual news publishing effective January 2016.

Additional info regarding BC Residents and global Investors: Effective September 15 2008 - all BC investors should review all OTC and Pink sheet listed companies for adherence in new disclosure filings and filing appropriate documents with Sedar. Read for more info: http://www.bcsc.bc.ca/release.aspx?id=6894. Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country.
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A Boat-full of Potential - Renewed Interest in the Cruise Industry Bolsters Luxury Markets (OTC: MASN) (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) (NYSE: RCL) (NYSE: NCLH)

Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, BC - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering luxury goods and cruise ship stocks releases a special report featuring Maison Luxe, Inc. (OTC: MASN), a company that offers luxury retail consumer items.

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Breaking AI Stock News: Intellagents, a FatBrain AI (OTCQB: LZGI) Company, Announces Hiring of Insurtech Industry Veteran as Chief Revenue Officer

NEW YORK, NY - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, announces the hiring of Euan King, an experienced and respected Insurtech industry leader as Chief Revenue Officer for insurance technology-focused subsidiary Intellagents.

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Health and Wellness Stock News - Endexx (OTCBB: EDXC) Secures $3.8M Order for Non-Nicotine Vape Product HYLA from Italy

CAVE CREEK, Az. - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Endexx Corporation (OTCBB:EDXC), a provider of innovative, plant-based, and sustainable health and skincare products, today announces it has secured a new $3.8 million USD order for its newly acquired, non-nicotine based vape product, HYLA from customers in Italy.

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Breaking EV Stock News: Overwhelmingly Positive Reactions Pour in From First Leg of Mullen Automotive's (NASDAQ: MULN) 'Strikingly Different' FIVE EV Crossover Tour

BREA, Calif. - October 31, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today that the Mullen FIVE has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from members of the public, reservation holders and Mullen investors who were able to ride in the vehicle for the very first time on the "Strikingly Different" tour which kicked off last week in Pasadena, California.

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Three local city boards and one school board will hold meetings today.

Desloge

The Desloge Board of Aldermen will hear the results of the city's recent audit when it meets in regular session at 7 p.m. tonight at city hall, located at 300 N. Lincoln St.

According to the tentative agenda, the board will also consider an ordinance regarding the repeal of a current city code, bids for the sale of public works equipment and the purchase of computer tablets for the board of aldermen.

The meeting is open to the public.

Bonne Terre

The Bonne Terre City Council will meet in regular session today at 6 p.m. at Bonne Terre City Hall, located at 118 North Allen Street in Bonne Terre.

Listed under new business, Mayor Brandon Hubbard will announce the candidate filing for the April 4 election. The filing period will run from Dec. 13 through Jan. 17 for a two-year term for both Wards 1 and 3.

Also under new business is to discuss an ordinance amending the municipal code of the city of Bonne Terre, under chapter 510, dealing with occupancy permits requirements-minimum standards and heating and ventilation.

They will also review the agreement with Thurman, Shinn & Company and Greg Shinn will discuss financials.

The meeting is open to the public.

Central

The Central Board of Education will meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Central High School auditorium located at 116 Rebel Dr. in Park Hills.

A recognition ceremony for the accomplishments of Special Olympics bowling participants and high school students will take up the bulk of the meeting.

Also on the agenda will be approval of routine consent agenda items, including the payment of bills and approval of substitute teachers.

Board members will hear reports on the Gifted Program by Tammy Wadlow, the A+ Schools program by Ken Halter and a report from guidance department staff.

In new business, the board will consider setting a date for graduation and repair bids for HVAC units.

The meeting is open to the public.

Leadwood

The Leadwood Board of Alderpersons meets for a special session at 3 p.m. in the city hall office in the basement of the Leadwood United Methodist Church at 201 Church St. The meeting is open to the public.
A judge has jailed a rapist for 15 years after saying he needs to be removed from society until it is safe for him to return.

Richard O'Brien (aged 57) lured a grandmother 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. Last July he was found guilty by a jury of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm earlier this year.

O'Brien with a former address in Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee was sentenced in early 2015 after being convicted of separate offences of rape and false imprisonment carried out two months earlier. He received a six year sentence for that, backdated to the date of his extradition from the UK.

At his sentencing hearing last month Mr Justice Tony Hunt had him removed from court after O'Brien repeatedly interrupted proceedings, calling his victim a filthy prostitute.

Today, Mr Justice Hunt said that the harm done by O'Brien to the victim was very very great indeed with long term if not permanent damage, and described him as an "exceptionally angry and aggressive person".

He said that O'Brien had identified her on the night as someone who was a vulnerable person. He had used deception by telling her there was a party while in reality he was bringing her to an isolated caravan.

He said he was tempted to impose a life sentence so that O'Brien would be kept away from the public until the executive determines it would be safe for him to be released.

He said O'Brien was a very serious threat indeed but said his case fell just short of one where a life sentence should be imposed.

Imposing a 15-year prison term, Mr Justice Hunt said O'Brien will be in jail for a large part of his remaining life span.

That's his fault. He needs to be removed from society until its safe for him to return, he said. He said he was giving some allowance in his sentencing to O'Brien's age and his medical issues.

He backdated the sentence to last August, when his previous sentence expired. He ordered that O'Brien be subject to post release supervision for three years and that he must notify authorities of his address, as per the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said she has had nightmares every night for the last five years. She said the attack led to the breakdown of her 23-year relationship and she had suicidal thoughts. She said her relationship with her children and grandchildren has suffered as a result.

For the last five years of my life I have been existing, not living, she said.

O'Brien left school at the age of 15 and worked in the UK as a labourer and truck driver. Mr Colgan said he suffers from arthritis and sciatica and has recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He has been married twice and has seven children, but is estranged from his family.

Last month 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 O'Brien 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.

At the hearing today, Mr Colgan said he had been instructed by his client to offer an unreserved apology to the court and to the victim for the outbursts in November.

Garda Ruth Brett told Ms Rowland that the victim, who cannot be named, 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, but once inside he told her, There's no effing sister and there's no effing taxi either.

He then pushed her on to the bed, punched her repeatedly, bit her on the chest and neck and raped her. The woman fainted at one point during the attack, which went on for some time, the court heard.

It ended only after two men entered the caravan and stopped O'Brien. The woman fled the scene and was picked up by a couple in a car who took her to a garda station. She was then taken to a sexual assault treatment unit.

One of the men who entered the caravan also made a detailed statement to gardai about what he had seen.
Conducted on behalf of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association, the survey reveals that almost half of the countrys households will be buying a real tree for the festive period.

A bumper Christmas tree harvest is expected by the associations growers  who have been busy harvesting their crops at locations countrywide.

Irelands climate and free-draining soils are perfectly suited to enable growers to produce some of the finest Christmas trees in Europe.

More than 550,000 trees will be cut, 350,000 for the domestic trade with the balance being exported to other European markets including Britain, Germany and France.

Advising customers to check that their tree has been grown in Ireland, the association said that its members cultivates and nurture their stocks with the utmost care and attention.

By choosing an Irish-grown tree at your local Christmas Tree Farm, garden centre or retailer this year, you will be supporting Irish and helping the industry which is worth more than 21m to the economy annually, it said.

Forestry Minister Andrew Doyle has also urged people to buy a real Irish Christmas tree this year. Seven to 10 years work goes into producing a good quality tree. The work is all year round, planting, shaping, spraying, fertilising, marketing and harvesting.

Real trees provide a better Christmas in the home. They are better for the environment, carbon neutral.

Buying an Irish tree helps growers to provide jobs in rural Ireland.

Mr Doyle praised the work of the gardai in carrying out Operation Hurdle, an initiative specifically aimed at combating the theft of Christmas trees in the approach to Christmas.

Operation Hurdle has been running since 2011 and has dramatically driven down Christmas tree theft in Co Wicklow.

www.lovearealtree.ie
However, it posted a pre-tax loss after its new owners hugely increased lease payments paid to a separate firm.

In 2014, US real estate specialists, Kennedy Wilson bought the hotel for 110m when it took control of the propertys debts.

New accounts show that KW Shelbourne Ops Ltd had a stellar year in 2015.

It generated average revenues for its 265 rooms of 133,000.

In all, the Shelbourne has 19 suites and 246 rooms.

The continuing boom in the Dublin hotel market contributed to its fortunes.

The accounts show the company went into the red and booked a pre-tax losses of 454,697.

That compares with the profit of 1m it made in 2014.

However, the loss is explained by the lease costs for the property paid out to another Kennedy Wilson firm.

Those costs more than doubled to 6.2m.

The companys non-cash depreciation also increased sharply, rising from 394,027 to 1m.

The hotel was pleased to report strong hotel revenue and performance for the year, according to the directors.

A separate firm, Torriam Hotel Operating Company Ltd has a contract to operate the hotel and it employs over 500 people in carrying out its duties.

The directors for KW Shelbourne Ops Ltd say that the strong performance resulted in a catch-up incentive fee payable to Torriam of 1.8m being recognised within operating expenses covering the period 2007-14 as the required hurdles were met during the year.

They say the contract with Torriam continues to 2026.

And the directors are confident that the strong trading position will continue for some time, as the property taps increased revenues.

The separate accounts filed by Torriam for last year show it recorded revenues of 13.3m.

Staff numbers at the firm in 2015 increased from 481 to 504.

Staff costs increased from 12m to 13m. Directors pay came to 397,503.
Production of clove and cinnamon scented candles has been spiking at Wicklow company Max Benjamin this month with the preparation of the last Christmas export orders for department stores across Europe.

Possibly Irelands largest exporter of fragranced candles, the company signed an agreement with an Italian distributor in the summer which saw its products go into 360 stores in five countries this year, including high-end department stores in Italy, Spain and Germany.

Turnover for this year is 3.8m, up 40% on 2015. In the region of 70% of sales take place between the months of September and December  which means that Christmas is extremely busy for us, says company managing director David Van den Bergh.

Although shipments to Europe will stop next week, he says the company will continue to supply Irish customers, which include Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Avoca and the Kilkenny Shop up to Christmas.

At this time of year clove and cinnamon candles and gift sets are flying out the door, says Mr Van den Bergh whose company specialises in producing scented candles made from natural wax for the premium end of the market.

"Set up in the late 1990s by Mr Van den Berghs sister Orla, the company started out by producing hand-made pillar candles and developing sales of own label candles for department stores in Ireland and the UK. In 2008 new trends in the candle industry prompted the Van den Berghs to make some dramatic changes.

We switched to making candles from natural wax, developed new fragrances and created a new brand  Max Benjamin, using the names of Orlas sons Max and Ben, he says.

Mr Van den Bergh says at that time the focus had begun to switch from colour and shape to fragrance while the demand for handmade candles was going up.

The new Max Benjamin range, made with a mix of soy, bees wax and coconut, initially involved four fragrances  cloves and cinnamon, gardenia, lavender and grapefruit and was launched at Showcase in Dublin.

The Van der Berghs believe their company was one of the first in Ireland to make hand made candles from natural wax. The advantage with natural wax is that it burns more cleanly and it lasts a little longer.

New fragrances have since been added to the range as well as new products including fragrance diffusers and gift sets.

We slowly grew sales in Ireland and in 2011 began to develop exports  attending a trade fair in Frankfurt and taking on an agent who sold our candles to perfumeries in Germany, he says.

The business, which had initially involved just the three Van den Bergh siblings making candles in a converted stable, also began to grow. The facility now employs an additional seven staff. The emphasis has been on producing new and different products to match changing demands in the market.

It launched a range of five coffee-scented candles as well as a range of five tea-scented ones. While the majority of the firms products involve 190g candles which sell for 22 each, Max Benjamin has now made its first foray into the luxury market  with the Ilum Collection with candles in porcelain containers with prices ranging from 95 to 450. In marketing Max Benjamin products to develop international sales, Mr Van den Bergh says it focused on key areas.

The selling points are that our candles are hand made from natural wax and that they look beautiful  the fact that they are produced by a family-run business in Ireland is also part of the story.

Securing a distribution agreement with Italian company Alessi this summer is seen as a major coup, launching into high-end stores in Milan, as well as Oberpollinger, a luxury retail store in Munich.

Another new distribution agreement is helping the company to develop sales in eastern Europe and, in the New Year, it will start supplying Selfridges in the UK and will also begin shipping to Singapore and Japan.
The terminal is due for completion in 2018 and will be built in the southern region of Odessa, Andriy Verevsky, head of Kernels board of directors, told Latifundist.

Grain export capacity at Ukraines sea ports could jump to around 157 million tonnes by 2020 from 58.5 million currently, Vyacheslav Voronoy, a senior official for logistics at the state-controlled Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, said last month.
A bird of prey, buzzards became extinct in this country in the late 1800s but have naturally re-populated in recent years  to the joy of ecologists and birdwatchers. However, an article in a newspaper warned that pet owners should be on on alert for giant buzzards as they had attacked terriers, cats, rabbits and hares in recent weeks.

The Tipperary Star article last week warned that the birds of prey have taken terriers and other animals in dead swoops through mid Tipperary. It reported that one Yorkshire terrier had been attacked but survived, only to be attacked again.
They warn the service is constantly under threat, primarily due to political manoeuvring and not getting the recognition deserved at departmental levels.

Volunteers claim the Coast Guard is the only one of the States blue light services  An Garda, ambulance and fire service  not covered by Statutory Instrument legislation which ensures standalone status.

A four-man delegation, representing around 1,000 voluntary male and female emergency workers, last week pressed their case to a cross-party section of frontbench TDs.

A spokesman for the group said under EU law, the Coast Guards primary functions are pollution control and monitoring ship communications at sea. However, we now want to safeguard under legislation the search and rescue side of the Coast Guard. This is totally volunteer-driven.

The volunteer sector, it emerged, has compiled a detailed document listing its concerns and grievances. It claims the service is currently viewed as a footnote in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) and, furthermore, warned it is subject to political manoeuvring at every opportunity and at our and the countrys expense.

The documents cited the current system as preventing the service from reaching its full potential, with decisions being made by managers within the DTTAS who have no direct involvement with the emergency services.

The Coast Guard, tasked with saving lives at sea, lakes, waterways and rivers and remote areas, operates 43 units throughout the country. They are involved in sea, air, cliff rescue and missing person operations. Back-up includes four helicopter bases and three coastal radio stations.

Volunteers estimate at 800,000 man hours the annual combined total performed by members, with officers in charge devoting up to 2,000 hours a year in direct service.

If you compare the services and times provided by a retained fire service against a coast guard unit it would put the time, effort and skill levels into focus, the document states.

The volunteers say the State needs to look very vigorously at the Officer in Charge position, with a revised system of payment implemented as soon as possible. Promises of more full-time staff have not materialised and the volunteers group say three sector managers covering a 7,500km coastline is a near-impossible task. It demands at least six sector managers with nine assistant managers.

They say it would provide the service with a proper chain of command, filled by qualified, experienced personnel as is the case with the three other legislated primary response agencies. 

In a statement, the group said the service is regarded internationally as one of the most progressive search-and-rescue organisations in the world.

It also points to a 100-plus years history, where, in some locations, generations of same families have helped to set search and rescue standards that are globally recognised.
Country

Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
The move comes after the charity last week appealed for help from the public for their Christmas campaign following a 10% increase in calls this year.

Under the initiative, the growers will donate 20 cents from the sale of every bag of potatoes that carries the Cork Potato Growers Support SVP sticker.

There are 20,000 bags of Cork-grown potatoes for sale throughout the county as part of the campaign, and they will be for sale in various shops across the county.

The campaign was launched by the Cork Potato Growers at the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire last Wednesday.

Campaign organiser David Flynn said the growers hope the public will support the cause by buying locally grown potatoes.

When I heard the recent appeal by St Vincent de Paul, I felt there must be something that we as a group of local food producers could do to help other people in our community, Mr Flynn said.

We then came up with this idea, which guarantees that when people shop local this Christmas, they will be supporting their local community.

He added: The Cork potato growers will also not be found wanting when it will come to adding potatoes to the food hampers this Christmas.

He said that they will be in discussion with the charity to organise the logistics of the goodwill gesture.

SVdP spokesman Brendan Dempsey said the charity spent 2.1m on food last year.

What the Cork potato growers are doing for us is an enormous help and we really appreciate it. Supporting local industry is the way out of the tough times, he said.

Last week, it emerged that the SVP in Cork had depleted its cash reserves following an unprecedented rise in calls for help.

In 2008, its rainy-day fund stood at around 4m but the fund is almost gone. The charity has appealed for food this year, and not toys.

Despite the countrys improved economic figures, the charity expects to distribute three times more Christmas Day hampers this year than in 2015. Further information for growers or retailers is available at corkpotatogrowers@gmail.com.
The association said any ban would have repercussions for development of the industry as well as preventing the country achieving a 40% target by 2020 for producing electricity from renewable energy sources.

The ISEA made its comments in response to a recent call by county councillors to defer planning applications and ban solar farms until proper guidelines are drawn up by the Government.

The council voted to send a letter to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community, & Local Government (DHPCLG) to prevent decisions being made on any applications until planning guidelines are completed.

Councillors said they were concerned about possible effects on people living in rural areas and wanted the same type of guidelines put in place which already regulate wind and wave energy.

However, ISEA said even a temporary ban could halt new investment in vital energy infrastructure.

Its chairman David Maguire said any ban would be detrimental to Corks and Irelands capacity to meet its 40% target of electricity from renewable energy sources.

He said the current high volume of planning applications for solar farms in Cork was due to developers aiming to secure planning now so they can guarantee government support later on.

Mr Maguire argued that council planning staff have a wealth of policy and legislation they can use to refuse developments of all nature that are proposed in inappropriate locations, including solar farms. Of the pipeline of solar projects currently in development, it is highly unlikely that all of these projects will progress, even if consented to, he said.

The association, he said, would urge councillors to welcome the infrastructure investment along with the local employment and economic opportunities solar development will bring.

Calling for a ban sends a negative message to an emerging industry that it is providing sustainable employment opportunities for local communities.

Solar projects represent an ideal opportunity for farmers to both increase and diversify their income. Further, the Government is behind solar. A Programme for a Partnership Government states that, the development of solar energy projects should be facilitated (not discouraged or blocked), as well as noting that solar has the potential to provide a community dividend. These community benefits could be denied if the councils request is granted, Mr Maguire noted

He said the ISEA understands concerns in regards to the impact of solar development and acknowledges the need for planning guidelines to address concerns.

ISEA is keen to work with all industry stakeholders and believe that public perception is hugely important to the success of the industry. Therefore, ISEA has been engaging with planners, ecologists and archaeologists to produce recommendations for planning that will be presented to DHPCLG and also invite local councillors to engage with us.

Mr Maguire said the association wants to emphasise that solar farms are safe, quiet, can co-exist with farming activities, present opportunities for biodiversity, offer community benefits and are easily reversible.
Political instability in Italy is nothing new. But Italian voters rejection of constitutional reforms in a referendum has not only led prime minister Matteo Renzi to resign; it has dealt another blow to a crisis-ridden European Union.

In the near term, Italys ongoing banking crisis could flare up again and threaten European stability; in the longer term, Italy may have to leave the eurozone, which would put the single currency itself at risk.

The No side was widely expected to win. But the scale of its victory  a whopping 59% of the vote  was shocking, and largely a triumph for anti-establishment forces, particularly the Five Star Movement.

The movement, led by the comedian Beppe Grillo, is leading in opinion polls, supports holding a referendum on eurozone membership, and is now demanding an immediate general election.

Most Italian commentators have downplayed the referendums significance for the rest of Europe. They argue that a new caretaker government, probably led by the technocratic finance minister Pier Carlo Padoan, will reform electoral laws to keep the Five Star Movement from power.

And even if the Five Star Movement captures a majority in the Italian parliaments lower house, it will not have a majority in the senate, so it cannot form a government, unless it breaks its pledge not to join a coalition. In any case, the argument goes, a eurozone referendum would be hard to deliver, because it would require a constitutional amendment.

Italy faces political and economic uncertainty after Renzi's referendum defeat https://t.co/J9ibpOM7b5 pic.twitter.com/zD81XyxWIc  Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 5, 2016

All of that may be true, but it misses the big picture. Renzi was the pro-EU establishments best  and perhaps last  hope for delivering the growth-enhancing reforms needed to secure Italys long-term future in the eurozone.

Muddling through with a weak technocratic-led government amounts to waiting for an accident to happen. And, with the far-right Northern League and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia also aligned against the euro, an anti-euro government is likely to come to power at some point  perhaps after the next general election, which is due by 2018 (but could be held as early as next spring). Then all bets will be off.

The immediate problem is Italys zombie banks, which are inadequately capitalised, insufficiently profitable, and saddled with bad loans. These banks need to raise fresh capital, which was already proving difficult before the referendum, and now may be impossible amid the heightened political uncertainty.

Capital is fleeing Italy. Government-bond yields, which rose sharply in the run-up to the referendum, have so far remained steady; if they were to spike, however, Italian banks fragile balance sheets would deteriorate further. And, because the European Central Bank has already bought many Italian bonds through its quantitative easing (QE) program, it could not readily intervene further.

The most endangered bank is Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), which is trying to raise 5bn in new capital. If it fails to do so, the government will likely furnish it with public money to stave off a collapse.

That, in turn, would require MPSs junior bondholders to take losses, unless the government breaches the EUs bank bail-in rules, which would undermine the eurozones new banking union. While small investors who were mis-sold bonds could be compensated, large, powerful ones would not be.

MPSs travails could have wider economic repercussions. Italys largest bank, UniCredit, which is better positioned than MPS, could struggle to raise the more than 10bn that it is seeking. Because many eurozone banks remain weak, the crisis could then spread.

In the longer term, Italys eurozone membership could be at risk. Unless Italy enacts radical reforms to address its sclerotic growth, it is hard to see how it could ever have a viable future in a dysfunctional monetary union dominated by a mercantilist, deflationary Germany.

Paolo Gentiloni named new Italian Prime Minister https://t.co/0DKKoacrG6 pic.twitter.com/6mRtGnrlBd  Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 11, 2016

Italys economy is no larger today than it was in 2000. Its share of global exports has plummeted. And despite the boost from the ECBs QE program, a weak euro, and the looser fiscal policies of recent years, output is growing at an annual rate of less than 1%.

Moreover, Italy could barely stabilise its public debt  which now amounts to 133% of GDP  even when bond yields were reaching record lows. An economic downturn or rising interest rates would thus send public debt soaring again  and Italy cannot count on the ECB to continue buying its bonds indefinitely.

Italys political situation  marked by a sense of never-ending misery and growing resentment against the EU and Germany  is equally unsustainable. Youth unemployment stands at 37%. Eurozone fiscal rules continue to chafe. And EU governments have done little to help Italy cope with the refugee crisis.

Italians used to be enthusiastically pro-European, and saw EU governance as preferable to corrupt domestic mismanagement. But support for the euro, the EU, and the countrys pro-EU establishment has plunged.

The mere possibility of Italy leaving the eurozone  which would entail the redenomination of 2.2trn of Italian government bonds in devalued lira  could spark financial panic.

Whats more, Italy is too big to bail out, and an anti-euro government may be unwilling or unable to agree to the strictures of an EU loan, which would be necessary for the ECB to quell the panic. It is also implausible that Germany would offer to enter into a eurozone fiscal union that entails pooling its debts with Italys.

In addition to stronger demand in the eurozone, Italy desperately needs bold leadership  to restructure its banks, write down unpayable corporate and household debts, reform its economy, boost investment, and clean up its politics. Yet both the eurozone and Italy are likely to try to muddle on for now.

Philippe Legrain, a former economic adviser to the president of the European Commission, is a visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics European Institute.
It isnt as if the powers-that-be have not had constant reminders.

In February 2016 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child told our Government it was deeply concerned at reports of families affected by homelessness facing significant delays in accessing social housing and frequently living in inappropriate, temporary or emergency accommodation. Just last month the annual report of the special rapporteur on child protection concentrated on emergency accommodation, stating that policies need to be more effective in responding to real needs in Ireland.

To mark International Human Rights Day on Saturday, the ISPCC highlighted the fact that children who are homeless in Ireland are worse off than those in similar circumstances in the UK where emergency accommodation is very much the exception rather than the norm.

Unlike in England, Wales and Scotland, children in Ireland who are homeless do not have a right to temporary accommodation and assistance. In England and Wales, children have a right not only to assistance but also to temporary accommodation that meets certain standards.

In Scotland there has been a ban on the use of B&B accommodation since 2004, with similar bans in England and Wales introduced more recently.

ISPCC chief executive Grainia Long gives one startling statistic: In the month of October alone, 44 children became newly homeless  thats the equivalent of more than one classroom.

The figures of children who are homeless continue to rise, says Ms Long. The right to an adequate standard of living is a critical right for all children  including those who are homeless and living in emergency accommodation. The state must, therefore, ensure limited use of emergency accommodation, similar to neighbouring jurisdictions.

But it doesnt, despite the fact that unlike Britain we passed a referendum on childrens rights and later enshrined it in law. It was passed in November 2012 and, while the main thrust of the referendum concerned adoption, guardianship and custody, it contains the following provision: The State recognises and affirms the natural and imprescriptible rights of all children and shall, as far as practicable, by its laws protect and vindicate those rights.

Our stated commitment to childrens rights as human rights goes back even further than that, to our Constitution in 1937 and the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights.

We have a habit of enshrining noble ideals in our domestic laws and then doing little or nothing to implement them.

It should never be forgotten that childrens rights are human rights.

There are now 2,470 homeless children in Ireland. The liklihood is that they will remain so for Christmas. That a national scandal of international proportions.
Business Trade Resumes in Muse

A closed entrance to the Muse 105-mile trade zone / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  Commerce has re-commenced in northern Shan States Muse, Burmas largest border trading point, after two weeks of fighting between government forces and ethnic armed groups came to a halt in early December.

Beginning on November 20, clashes between the Burma Army and the ethnic coalition known as the Northern Alliancemade up of Kachin, Kokang, Taang and Arakanese forcesdisplaced thousands and effectively stopped trade in Muses 105th mile trading hub on the Chinese border.

Typically, more than 1,000 trucks transport goods daily between Muse, Rangoon and Mandalay. When fighting broke out, trucks had to stop en route to the border, bringing trade to a near standstill, merchants said.

U Thein Zaw, chairman of the Mandalay Rice Traders Association, told The Irrawaddy that starting this week, traders of rice, beans and pulses, seafood, corn and watermelon resumed travel to Muse from Mandalay.

Trucks from Mandalay are going up to Muse, but the problem is that the road conditions are getting worse, especially in the Goke Twin area [of northern Shan States Kyaukme Township]. Trucks are getting stuck now, he said.

A bridge in Hsenwi Township was destroyed during the fighting, making it impossible for 22-wheeled trucks to use the Mandalay-Lashio road to reach Muse. Traders adopted another route, using the Bhamo-Lwegel road to the China border through Kachin State.

Because of the difficulties, truck owners and drivers have demanded more money to undertake the journey, U Thein Zaw said, driving up the price of goods. The carry fee demanded for transporting riceonce 95 kyats per bag, has risen to 110 kyats. The price of seasonal crops has also increased.

Some seasonal fruits cant be stored here for a long timelike watermelon, for exampleso they go up with the new rate, he said.

U Soe Nyunt Lwin, Minister for Shan States economic development, told The Irrawaddy that the regional government is trying to bring conditions back to normal in Muse.

The Muse 105th mile trade zone trades at least US$5 billion per year and recorded US$3.2 billion in trade between April and early December 2016, a volume less than the same period during the previous year$3.4 billionaccording to the Ministry of Commerce.

The Burma-China trading point in Muses 105th mile trade zone saw its biggest trade volume during the 2015-2016 fiscal year, with US$5.3 billion of a total US$7.1 billion nationwide. Myawaddy on the Thai border, and Chin Shwe Haw on the China border followed respectively out of 15 total border trading points in the country.
Asia Indonesia Nabs Woman, Others in Thwarted Jakarta Bomb Plot

Indonesian Police vehicles drive past the national monument in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 1, 2016. / Iqro Rinaldi / Reuters

JAKARTA  Indonesian police said they safely detonated a bomb on the outskirts of the capital after arresting a female would-be suicide bomber and other suspected Islamic militants who were allegedly planning to attack the presidential palace this weekend.

The thwarted plot is likely to cause particular concern in Indonesia because of the possibility that women with militant network associations are now being recruited into more active roles, including plotting and carrying out attacks.

This marks a new chapter of terrorism in Indonesia, where the suicide bombing was to be carried out by a woman, terrorism analyst Ridwan Habib said in an interview with Indonesian TV.

Umar Surya Fana, the police chief of Bekasi, a Jakarta satellite city, said the militants were followed by a police counterterrorism squad as they drove to Jakarta from Solo in central Java. The city is known for its radical mosques and Islamic boarding schools.

Police said two men were arrested after dropping the 27-year-old woman at the boarding house with the pressure cooker bomb. A fourth suspect, a man, was arrested in Solo, said Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono.

The bomb potentially could have caused damage within a wide area, Yuwono said.

People living within a 300-meter (328-yard) radius of the boarding house were evacuated during the police operation on Saturday.

Police believe the militants were planning to bomb a presidential guard-changing ceremony on Sunday that is a tourist attraction in Jakarta, Fana said.

The womans will, which was retrieved by police after the group stopped at a post office to mail it to her family, stated her desire to take part in amaliyah, an Arabic term used by extremist groups for attacks or suicide bombings.

They deliberately chose the target on a Sunday, when many families are hanging out around the national monument and near the palace, with the intention of causing a lot of casualties, said Habib, the analyst.

Police said those arrested are suspected to be part of a militant network responsible for a bomb-making lab raided last month in West Java province that was operating under the direction of Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with the Islamic State group in Syria.

He was linked to the attack in January in Jakarta that killed eight people, including the attackers, and several unsuccessful attacks in Indonesia since then.

Those arrested in last months raid planned to bomb targets in Jakarta, including the parliament and the Myanmar Embassy.

Muslim-majority Indonesia has carried out a sustained crackdown on militants since the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali by al-Qaida-affiliated radicals that killed 202 people. But a new threat has emerged in the past several years from IS sympathizers.
Burma Authorities Seize Cache of Weapons and Ammunition in Hpa-an Bust

Three arrested men stand behind a table of weapons and ammunition that were seized from their car. / Ministry of Defense / Facebook

RANGOON  Burmese authorities arrested three men and seized 19 assault rifles, hundreds of bullets, and 6 million kyats in cash on Friday after they stopped a car in Hpa-an Township, Karen State, local sources reported.

The seized weapons and ammunition belonged to the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), according to ALP joint general secretary Khaing Aung Soe Than, who spoke to The Irrawaddy on Monday.

They were our people. They have been detained at a police station, he said.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed that security forces had arrested three people and seized 19 AK-47 assault rifles with ammunition, it said in a Facebook post.

Khaing Aung Soe Than said the ALP had been planning to send the seized weapons to Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships in Arakan State, where recently there has been high tension between Buddhist and Muslim ethnic groups. He said the ALP was trying to reinforce its military units in that region.

We only have two sections of troops in that area. We are very weak out there, said Khaing Aung Soe Than.

And on the Kalar side, they have many guns. So the Muslim armed group could be a threat in the future. For that reason, we are planning to bring more weapons and ALP soldiers into that area, he said. Kalar is a derogatory Burmese term used to describe Muslims or those of Indian descent.

The ALP is one of the eight ethnic armed groups which have signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). As part of this agreement, the ALP is not permitted to recruit new members and may not acquire new weapons.

We tried to negotiate with the government for permission to move these weapons, but that did not work, said Khaing Aung Soe Than. So thats why we tried to do it on our own.

For the government, we understand theyre worried that our ALP armed force will grow larger. But our main problem is not with the government. It is with the Muslims. You have to understand our local situation, he added.

Last week, the authorities set up a checkpoint at the entrance to Hpa-an town, and thats how they discovered the guns inside a car belonging to members of the ALP.

One of the three men arrested was Khaing Moe Chan, a colonel in the ALP armed forces. The defense ministry said that it would take action against the detainees in line with the law. The ministry also stated that the ALP acquired its seized weapons in the Law Khee Lar area.

Since the arrests were made on Friday, ALP leaders have approached the Burmese authorities to negotiate for the release of their members and weapons.
Burma Drug Bust Nabs 14 Million Amphetamine Tablets

Authorities display an empty fuel tank that was packed with millions of amphetamine tablets. / Ministry of Defense / Facebook

RANGOON  Security forces captured a huge shipment of illegal drugs on Saturday in Padaung Township, Pegu Division, according to multiple government sources.

The authorities seized a shipment of 14 million amphetamine tablets that were packed inside a light truck that had stopped in Padaung Township, the Ministry of Defense announced via Facebook.

The amphetamine tablets were stored inside one fuel tank that was hidden among 15 fuel tanks in the back of the light truck. The vehicles driver was transporting the drugs to Taungup Township in Arakan State, the ministry said.

There is an ongoing investigation, Pegu Division Chief Minister Win Thein told The Irrawaddy.

But the minister added that he could not provide any additional details about how the authorities seized the shipment of drugs. He referred further questions to the Padaung Township police station.

On Sunday, police in Mingaladon Township, Rangoon Division seized a separate shipment of 2.4 million amphetamine tablets, the Rangoon police force reported.

Authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the sources of the illegal drugs or how they were discovered.

Burma is the worlds second largest producer of illegal opium, after Afghanistan, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Burma NCA Signatories Against Using the Term Terrorist Organizations

TNLA soldiers march at Homain, Nansan Township, January 12, 2014. / Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

RANGOON  Eight ethnic armed groups who have signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) said they oppose using the term terrorists organizations to label other ethnic groups who remain non-NCA signatories, saying that the term is inflammatory and could negatively affect the peace process.

The eight NCA signatories released a statement on Sunday after meeting with government officials and Burma Army officers in Rangoon. Attendees at the meeting discussed several topics, including how they would cooperate on upcoming national-level political dialogues, the next Union peace conference, and the ceasefire monitoring process.

We oppose the labeling of any ethnic armed organization or its individual leader as a terrorist organization or terrorist because such action will damage the work of national reconciliation and internal peace that we are carrying out, the statement read.

The government is now carrying out an internal peace and national reconciliation effort, said Saw Kwe Htoo Win, general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), the most powerful NCA signatory. And at the same time, we are trying to bring those ethnic armed groups who are not ready to sign the NCA into the peace process. So, we think it is not appropriate to call them terrorist organizations. We see this labeling as something that will damage the peace and reconciliation process.

On Dec. 2, Defense Minister Lt-Gen Sein Win proposed that the Lower House of Parliament should label the Northern Alliance ethnic armed groups, which are carrying out a military offensive in northern Shan State, as a coalition of terrorist organizations.

The Northern Alliance includes the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Arakan Army (AA). The four ethnic armed groups have been engaged in a joint offensive against the Burma Army in northern Shan State since Nov. 20. None of the four groups have signed the NCA.

Lt-Gen Sein Win said the ethnic armed groups should be considered terrorist organizations because they had caused deaths and injuries to civilians, opened fire on non-military infrastructure and vehicles, and damaged public property.

NCA signatories have urged the non-signatories to meet with government officials and the Burma Army in order to solve the conflict peacefully, said Kwe Htoo Win.

We cant achieve peace with only military means. We should stop fighting, and then lets talk. It is important for both the government and the concerned ethnic groups to end the conflict, said Kwe Htoo Win.

The statement by the eight NCA signatories also urged the government and the non-signatories to think positively and cooperate constructively in the peace process.

Meanwhile, leaders of the ethnic armed group coalition United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) did not attend a planned meeting on Monday in Rangoon. The UNFC, which includes the KIA, was invited to the meeting by the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), a government negotiation team.

On Monday, the US Embassy also released a statement saying it was deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Kachin and Shan states and by reports of abuses against civilians.

We continue to call for restraint from all sides and to urge immediate, unfettered humanitarian access to all those affected by conflict throughout the country. The US Embassy urges all sides to cease hostilities so that the important effort to achieve peace can move forward, read the statement.

The Irrawaddy reporter Kyaw Kha also contributed to this story.
Burma NLD Investigates High Profile Nepotism Cases

U Nyan WIn. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  The National League for Democracy (NLD) has initiated an investigation in Rangoon into complaints against the Mon State chief minister, as well as the speaker and deputy speaker from Tenasserim Division.

The NLD central executive committee (CEC) formed a three-member team consisting of CEC member U Nyan Win and senior members Dr. Myo Nyunt and U Kyaw Ho on Nov. 28 to investigate complaints against the lawmakers.

U Kyay Ho told The Irrawaddy that the team read the alleged offenders the complaints against them and listened to their responses.

The speaker and deputy speaker of Tenasserim Divisions parliament awarded construction tenders to relatives and associates, claimed a divisional lawmaker, on the condition of anonymity.

Nineteen NLD lawmakers from the Upper House and Lower House, including divisional parliamentarians and ministers, filed complaints to the partys CEC, asking it to review the actions of these two men.

The tender case tarnishes the image of the NLD among locals. Once speculations mounted, the tender was canceled. This could damage the reputation of both the party and lawmakers, said the same anonymous lawmaker.

Deputy Speaker of Tenasserim Division U Kyi Soe said it was difficult to explain the technicalities of the project to lawmakers.

We explained to the CEC that we awarded the tenders based on scores given by engineers that take into account a blueprint and bill of quantities submitted by companies. It is true that the tender winners were related to usas relatives, friends and from the NLD circle. But we did not come to this decision on our own, he said.

Many people thought it was suspicious when we canceled the tender. But it was due to other circumstances. The budget was huge, but there was no master plan. We canceled the project to avoid spending unnecessary money, he added.

The anonymous divisional lawmaker said the speaker and the deputy speaker are still incapable of parliamentary functions eight months into the NLDs administration.

By now, they should be knowledgeable about parliaments laws and bylaws. But they rarely study them. Im afraid this might make it difficult to exercise checks and balances on the [divisional] government, said the lawmaker who was also questioned during the investigation.

Meanwhile, there have been questions over the performance of Mon State chief minister U Min Min Oo, according to lawmakers in the Mon State parliament.

Mon State lawmaker Dr. Khin Naing Oo suggested that the chief minister was possibly being questioned in regards to weak cooperation with the Union government and local non-governmental organizations, or perhaps simply to discuss difficulties facing Mon State.

U Min Min Oo contested a seat in the Mon State parliament in the 2015 election was then voted to deputy speaker. He was later appointed chief minister.

Mon State lawmaker U Tin Ko Ko confirmed that there were allegations against the state chief minister but said there was no strong evidence against him in regards to the allegations.

According to NLD sources, the partys CEC has received complaints against some 40 lawmakers to this point, but most of them have been minor and investigation teams were only formed to look into these few high-profile cases.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
Burma Presidents Office Criticizes UN Statement on Arakan State

Presidents Office Spokesperson U Zaw Htay. / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  The Presidents Office has said that a statement made by the UN Secretary-Generals Special Advisor on Burma does not reflect reality.

In a statement released on Friday, Vijay Nambiar, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Burma, said State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should listen to her inner voice and ask the people of Burma to rise above their ethnic, religious and other differences and to advance human dignity, harmony and mutual cooperation between all communities.

I also appeal to Daw Suu to visit Maungdaw and Buthidaung [townships] and reassure the civilian population there that they will be protected, he said.

U Zaw Htay, the Presidents Office spokesperson, said the statement ignores what has happened on the ground, referring to a series of militant attacks that killed nine policemen and saw ammunition looted.

Vijay Nambiars statement fails to reflect the causes of what of is happening here, he said. I dont see any positive approach in his statement.

He added that urging a countrys leader to do something was an act of interference, according to media reports.

Weve already got an investigation commission for Rakhine [Arakan] State. The leader of the commissionthe vice presidentwill be there. Another leader will tour the area if needed. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi doesnt think its necessary, she will not visit the area, he said.

Arakan State Investigation Commission members led by Vice President U Myint Swe toured Maungdaw on Sunday to conduct an investigation on the ground in relation to militant attacks and allegations of rape and arson in the area over the last two months.

On Friday, 14 foreign embassies in Burma released a joint statement as well, urging the government to resume all aid to northern Arakan State. The statement from the embassies of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States noted that tens of thousands of people who need humanitarian aid, including children with acute malnutrition, have been without it now for nearly two months.
Burma Private Donors Invited to Contribute to Bagan Temple Restoration

A foreign tourist navigates the debris at Bagan, a day after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Burma, on Aug 24, 2016. / J Paing / The Irrawaddy

Starting on Friday, the government will allow individual donors and private organizations to directly contribute to the renovation of more than 200 ancient Bagan temples that suffered minor damage in an August earthquake.

With the help of UNESCOthe United Nations cultural agencythe Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture will continue to take responsibility for restoring the 36 hardest-hit temples in the ancient city, including Thetbaynyu, Htilominlo, Sulamani and Ananda. Re-construction will commence in 2017.

After the 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit central Burma, 389 temples in Bagan required repairs. In total, 790 temples were damaged throughout the country, including in the townships of Kyaukpadaung, Chauk, Yaynanchaung and Magwe Division in central Burma, and in Mrauk-U in Arakan State, said U Aung Ko, the minister of Religious Affairs and Culture at the Lower House parliamentary session on Monday.

The minister responded to a question from U Min Thein, a lawmaker representing Taungtwingyi Constituency, on the progress of renovation work.

U Aung Ko said that the government has been paying close attention to the renovation of the ancient temples.

We will renovate the most-hit temples with the help of UNESCO starting in January 2017, but the individual donors and the private organizations will be given a chance to restore some of the temples which suffered minor damage, starting from Friday, December 16, he told the lawmakers.

We have selected 224 temples [out of 300] with minor damage, for individuals who want to contribute to their renovation, added U Thein Lwin, the deputy director of the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library.

U Thein Lwin, also the chairman of the Bagan renovation committee, told The Irrawaddy that archaeology experts would continue their assessment of the ancient temples for which restoration has been prioritized, and will begin such efforts on ten temples in January. The department ranked 36 famous temples as a top priority and another 53 temples as a second priority.

The assessment will be done thoroughly, as we have to assess it through the debris as well as prepare for unexpected damage during the time of renovation, he said. The endeavour could take at least five years to complete.

Bagan has been one of Burmas primary tourist attractions for years, but it is not yet protected under UNESCOs World Heritage site list, due to unsatisfactory renovation schemes carried out under the countrys previous military regime.

The religious affairs and culture ministry has so far received funds totalling more than 4.6 billion kyats and US$90,000 to restore damaged temples, added the minister. China also pledged US$1 million to the cause.

With these donations, U Aung Ko said that all 700-plus quake-damaged temples could be restored in Bagan, the surrounding townships, Magwe Division and Mrauk-U in Arakan State.
Burma Religious Affairs Ministry to Take Legal Action Against Buddhist Sect

U Aung Ko, Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture has decided to sue the Moe Pya Buddhist sect, which is preparing to publish a doctrine on what it calls present karma Buddhism.

The concept of karma is key in Buddhism and refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect where the intent and actions of an individual are believed to influence their future. Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and future suffering, the religion prescribes.

In contrast, the doctrine of present karma Buddhism focuses only on the present time, stating that ones actions and deeds at present determine ones life in the present and immediate future. This, critics say, goes against the idea of rebirth in Buddhism, and that ones karma in previous lives shapes their current life, as well as future lives.

Union minister for religious affairs and culture U Aung Ko told the media after the Lower House parliamentary session on Monday that the decision was reached after the Moe Pya sect continued preaching its doctrine despite a warning from the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee. The committee is the highest Buddhist religious authority in the country and is appointed by the government to oversee and regulate the Sangha, or monkhood, in Burma.

U Nay Win, who claims himself a layperson of the Moe Pya sect, published an advertisement in the Dec. 3 and 4 issues of the state-run newspaper Myanmar Alinn Daily, publicizing the doctrine and announcing that books and CDs on present karma Buddhism would soon be released.

The head of Mandalay Divisions religious affairs department then issued an announcement in the Dec. 6 issue of the Myanmar Alinn Daily opposing the Moe Pya sects advertisement. The department head summoned U Nay Win and demanded he not proceed with the publication, but he refused.

U Nay Win refused to sign [a statement that he would not publish books and CDs]. He said he would continue with what he believes. So we will sue him and our ministry will take action in line with the law to safeguard Buddhism, U Aung Ko told the press.

U Nay Win told The Irrawaddy that he would promote the present karma doctrine despite warnings from the authorities.

Ive sent a letter to [President] U Htin Kyaw and [State Counselor] Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stating that I would publish the doctrine since freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution, U Nay Win told The Irrawaddy.

He said he had also sent copies of a letter dated Dec. 11 to over 70 entities, including Union ministers, division and state chief ministers, four departments under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, and the headquarters of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and its regional chapters.

Ive informed them all that I will continue, said U Nay Win.

The Moe Pya sect was established by U Nya Na in the early 1980s. He introduced present karma Buddhism, which was branded as a false doctrine by many of Burmas Buddhist monks. The sect was based in Mandalays Patheingyi Township and had a membership of around 300 that time. The sects membership at present is unknown.

In February of 1983, U Nya Na was sentenced to five years in prison by a Sagaing Division court for promoting present karma Buddhism. However, he submitted appeals to higher courts and after a three-year trial, he was pronounced not guilty by Burmas Supreme Court.

Later, in 1991, he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment in connection with his doctrine and spent seven years behind bars.

Again he was handed a 20-year jail sentence in 2010 for religious offenses and was released in a general amnesty in March 2015. In 2011, the government officially declared present karma Buddhism a false doctrine.

Minister U Aung Ko said that the Moe Pya sect has attempted to promote its interpretation of karma since U Nya Nas most recent release. Likening it to a radical doctrine, he said such ideologies had caused divides among Buddhists in Burma.

In cases of disputes over the Dhamma preached by the Buddha, we formed a state-level Sangha group consisting of Buddhist monks who are experts in Buddhist doctrines, in order to investigate and give rulings, the minister explained.

We formed such a group and reviewed [the Moe Pya sects] doctrine. We found that the religious doctrine and concepts of U Nya Na are totally against Theravada Buddhism. So, we have placed a ban on it, U Aung Ko told The Irrawaddy.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Monday, December 12th, 2016 (3:28 pm) - Score 1,313

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have today unveiled plans for a new 500m (420m at todays rate) Connecting Europe Broadband Fund (CEBF), which over the next 10 years will help the EU to reach their Gigabit Society objectives (e.g. 100Mbps+ for all by 2025).

At present the existing Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) strategy is still trying to ensure that very home in the EU can access a 30Mbps+ capable superfast broadband connection (plus 50% subscribed to a 100Mbps+ service) by 2020. Interestingly the UK seems more likely than most to achieve this objective (here), while a fair few others may fall short (71% of the EU can access a NGA broadband connection and this rises to 90.5% for the UK, using old data).

However the EU has already started work on the next set of non-binding connectivity targets (here). Under the new plan the EC aims to ensure that all European households are able to receive a minimum broadband download speed of 100Mbps+ by 2025, with businesses and the public sector being told to expect 1Gbps+. Future 5G Mobile and WiFi services were also given support.

Obviously this is a major undertaking and at the time the EU suggested that it would need to be supported by an investment of 500 billion, most of which would largely have to come from private sources. Easier said than done and even the EU admitted that there is likely to be a 155bn investment shortfall (as compensation theyve been trying to cut red tape for infrastructure builders).

As such todays agreement between the EC, EIB and three National Promotional Banks and Institutions (NPBIs)  KfW Bankengruppe (Germany), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (Italy) and Caisse des depots et consignations (France)  will form a key part of the new fund as anchor investors.

The figure of 500 million is still way short of the 500bn being talked about earlier (i.e. most of that will need to come from member states and private firms) and only 100 million of the initial investment will come from the ECs Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which in 2013 was shredded to pieces by budget cuts (here). At least its a start, albeit a very small one.

Gunther H. Oettinger, EC Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, said: I am grateful to our financial partners for the establishment of this broadband Fund. It is an important development for smart and efficient funding of broadband projects, especially in underserved areas, in line with the spirit and the letter of the Investment Plan. It is a great step towards a European Gigabit Society for all.

Werner Hoyer, EIB President, said: Until today, smaller-scale broadband projects did not have easy access to funding and EU financial instruments did not exist. Consequently, projects in less populated or rural areas, where purely private-led initiatives may not see the economic benefits of deploying broadband networks, were difficult to implement. The new fund will help bridge this market gap, and I am glad that the EU Bank is part of this joint initiative.

Notable by its absence from this is the United Kingdom, which is likely to complete its Brexit divorce from the EU just as the new Gigabit Society strategy is beginning to get underway. At this stage we still dont know what that agreement will look like, although it seems likely that the UK will neither contribute nor directly benefit from the proposed investment (depending upon the settlement).

Never the less the UK Government does appear to be mindful of these developments and last months Autumn Statement committed 400m of extra public funding towards a new Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund (here). The fund, which could eventually be worth upwards of 1.5bn+ when matched with private investment, is designed to be made available to alternative fibre optic network (AltNet) providers. On top of that its supported by 100% business rates relief on new full-fibre infrastructure for a 5 year period from 1st April 2017.

Otherwise the new CEBF aims to invest in equity and quasi-equity, including mezzanine and subordinated debt (reflecting around 7 to 12 broadband projects each year from 2017 to 2021). The Funds investments will be of a size between 1m and 30m, for projects representing total costs of 150m or less.

Overall, the Fund is expected to unlock additional investments between 1bn and 1.7bn in broadband deployment in underserved areas, where very high-capacity networks are not deployed yet. The Fund aims to have invested in 20 countries by 2021.

The operational launch of the Fund is expected to take place mid-2017 and this will be managed by Cube Infrastructure Managers S.A. (i.e. their formal appointment is expected early in 2017), which means that some UK projects might still be able to benefit but dont bank on it just yet.
Monday, December 12th, 2016 (1:37 pm) - Score 671

The Superfast Staffordshire project in the West Midlands of England has signed a new 5.1 million deal with BTOpenreach, which will expand the local coverage of their fibre broadband (FTTC/P) network to an additional 6,200 homes and businesses.

At present the Staffordshire County Council already hopes that their joint project with BT, which is supported by the Governments national Broadband Delivery UK programme, will expand the coverage of fibre broadband to 97% of local premises by the end of 2017 (note: this equates to 95% being able to access superfast speeds of 24Mbps+).

Significant progress has already been made and in February 2016 we were informed that 90% of premises in the county could now order a superfast broadband (24Mbps+) service (here). Since then the level of 24Mbps+ capable coverage has risen to 93% and overall some 90,000 premises have benefited from the programme (465,000 if you include the separate commercial deployments).

The good news is that another contract has just been signed, which will follow on from the current goal and aims to add an additional 6,200 premises to the total via upgrades or infill around 40 additional communities (initial details below). All of this should push the coverage goal for superfast broadband up slightly from 95% in 2017 to 96% by the end of 2018.

Cllr ark Winnington, Staffordshire Economic Growth Leader, said: The Superfast Staffordshire programme has made a huge difference to people and businesses across the county in 2016. They are better connected and able to access greater opportunities. As we head into 2017, these expansion plans are great news for some of our most rural communities. However, we recognise there is still more work to be done to enable the final four per cent of premises to benefit. Thats why we have launched a funding support programme to compliment the BT Community Fibre Partnership scheme. This allows Superfast Staffordshire to co-invest along with communities that are seeking to undertake a co-funded project. We want to hear from communities who are interested in following in the footsteps of Cotwalton  the first to pilot this approach with us.

Ian Binks, BTs Regional Manager for the West Midlands, said: Around 472,000 households and businesses across the county can now access superfast fibre broadband as a result of Superfast Staffordshire and additional private sector investment by companies like BT. Whether youre working from home, doing homework or online shopping, everything is easier and faster with fibre broadband.

The original contract had a total value of 27 million (7.44m from the council, 7.44m from BDUK and 12.47m from BT), while the new contract is valued at 5.1 million; this includes 2.4m from BT clawback in the Phase 1 contract (due to high take-up that has now reached 30% in the county), plus 1.6m from unallocated funding combined with cost efficiency savings during contract 1 and an additional 1.4m Capex from BT.

This may be the last direct extension contract for Staffordshire, with BT hinting that future expansion work in the county (i.e. beyond the 96% superfast mark) is likely to involve a mix of their co-funded Community Fibre Partnerships (so far 95 communities or 18,000 UK premises have benefited from these) and alternative network technologies / providers. This is one of the reasons why the Government has been improving its support for altnets.

The upgrade work for this next contract will take place during 2017 and the first half of 2018, with the following areas expected to benefit.
9 Successful Digital Disruption Examples

Emerging technologies are a mix of two things. The first are new new things, which are being developed for the first time and expressly for that new product or platform. The second is a bit more subtle. These are newish techniques that werent developed directly for the emerging technology, but evolved in parallel or initially were aimed at another technology. Clearly, engineers and planners are aware that these techniques will be employed by the emerging technology at some point in the future.

Vendors, service providers, and the rest of the wireless ecosystem are working day and night to develop 5G wireless. One of the key enablers, but one that developed independently of 5G, is multiple in multiple out (MIMO) antennas.

MIMO is the transmission of multiple streams of data. This greatly enhances the capacity of a device, cell site or other station. It goes hand in hand with smart antenna technology, which can use multiple streams to enhance the end product. Another advantage of modern antenna technology is that it can direct beams. Thus, a tremendous amount of energy is saved.

Massive MIMO is the use of the concept in cell sites and hot spots. In December, ZTE and Telefonica say that they completed a large scale pre-5G MIMO test in Madrid. RCR Wireless reports that the two companies began tests in October aimed at testing the antenna technology in hotspot and indoor coverage scenarios. ZTE said that the technology improved network capacity and cell-edge data rates by a factor of six compared to LTE macro base stations.

The massive MIMO was also tested by Softbank; it has deployed products from ZTE and Huawei in about 100 cell sites, most of which are in Tokyo. That number of cell sites will be multiplied to a few thousand throughout Japan next year, according to Light Reading. Hidebumi Kitahara, a senior director of Mobile Network Planning for Softbank, is quoted as saying that the portion of subscribers receiving data rates of less than 2 megabits per second (Mbps) fell from about 20 percent to only a few percent due to the rollout. The Massive MIMO has led to a tenfold increase capacity.

Huawei seems to be in the middle of Massive MIMO activity. Last month, the vendor announced that it and China Mobile Shanghai Branch deployed what it said is the the worlds first wideband Massive MIMO site. This, the press release said, followed the launch in September, 2015, of a Massive MIMO site, which it also called a worlds first. The release claims that led to a five-fold increase in capacity compared to 4G sites.

Not all the interesting testing and rollouts focuses on Massive MIMO. Telefonica is involved in related research that also figures to be an important enabler of 5G. The Spanish carrier and vendor Huawei ran the first proof-of-concept test of no-cell radio access network (RAN) architectures, according to SDxCentral. The User Centric No Cell (UCNC) approach sounds conceptually similar to software-defined networks (SDN). The key is that local action is replaced by a broader and higher-level, centralized control mechanism. In the case of SDN, this is switching and routing. In UCNC, its the handoff between cells.

The test, which was conducted in the companies joint 5G lab, found that the approach led to a 233 percent increase in 5G connections per cell. while decreasing overhead signaling 78 percent.

Carl Weinschenk covers telecom for IT Business Edge. He writes about wireless technology, disaster recovery/business continuity, cellular services, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and other emerging technologies and platforms. He also covers net neutrality and related regulatory issues. Weinschenk has written about the phone companies, cable operators and related companies for decades and is senior editor of Broadband Technology Report. He can be reached at [email protected] and via twitter at @DailyMusicBrk.
In the hopes that her condition will get better, a mom from the UK took a popular pain reliever to treat her common cold. This decision landed her in a hospital due to internal bleeding.

Her Cold Got Worse And Her Stool Blackened

Christine Smith told The Mirror that she always has a supply of ibuprofen, just like everyone else, that she uses for cold or hangover. So when she began feeling a ill last month due to cold, she decided to pop 200mg of ibuprofen, which is the recommended dose. She took the drug every four hours, but her symptoms got worse.

She also noticed something different in her stools. "I noticed my stools were black, smelly and they looked like sticky tar. I put it down to the fact that I wasn't feeling great. By Sunday, however, the stools were getting more frequent and smellier. They were also still black," Smith said.

That's when she decided to check online as to what could have caused this. She was horrified when she read from NHS Direct website that she could be bleeding internally.

Common side effects of ibuprofen, according to The Sun, include dizziness, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), kidney failure and black stools and blood in your vomit - which can indicate bleeding in your stomach - and which is what Christine experienced.

Doctor Said The Ibuprofen Caused Infection And Inflammation

She called her doctor immediately who told her that she needs to go to the hospital. Medics ordered an endoscopy, and they found out that the ibuprofen caused inflammation and infection. She was then told to not take ibuprofen again.

A previous study already warned patients about taking ibuprofen for long periods of time, since it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Experts say that when you really need to take an anti inflammatory medicine, you may opt to take celecoxib instead since it does not increase the risk of heart problems.
Mid-season finale episode of Star Wars Rebels season 3 was aired on 10 December, which featured the return of Darth Maul and answered a particular "The Sith" related questions for Ezra Bridger.

The series will go on a long winter interval and return with its two-part mid-season premiere episodes on 7 January on Disney XD. The two-parts titled, Ghost Of Geonosis, where the whole gang will return to Geonosis to search for a missing Rebel team, and a surprise is waiting for the Ghost crew there.

In the "Visions And Voices" episode, Ezra unveiled to Kanan and Sabine that the way to defeat the Sith and the target of Maul's retribution are the same -the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sam Witwer who illustrates the Dark Lord of the Sith, spoke about his return and revealed that "Maul is really trying to make sense of his life."

The Official Synopsis For The Upcoming Chapters Reads As Follows:

Ghost of Geonosis, Part 1 - The crew returns to Geonosis in search of a missing rebel team sent to investigate suspicious activity there, and are surprised by what they find. Ghost of Geonosis, Part 2 - After finding a missing rebel team member, the Ghost crew discovers another surprise on Geonosis, and work to conceal it from Imperial forces.

In an interview with ComicBook, Witwer said, "He's nearing 50. If he's not smarter and wiser, then boy, he really hasn't been doing anything. He's been screwing up. He's smarter than perhaps anyone knew."

"Darth Maul is a smart guy, he was trained quite well by Sidious with the intellectual threat rather than just the physical threat; going forward from there to meet Darth Maul later, he had to be even smarter than that because just the fact that he survives that 16 years with the Empire coming to power, he had to be even more careful than he was before."

The part end of the mid-season will be aired soon. Updates and news will be soon posted here at iTechpost.com
In less than a month from now, the 2017 National American International Auto Show will be held at the iconic Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. The show is well known for presenting new cars, both concept and production, and giving awards. The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV that has already received past awards is expected to still gain some more during the show.

The Bolt EV Is Expecting Another Award

The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV has already received awards from Green Car Reports as the Best New Car to Buy, Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal, Motor Trends 2017 Car of the year and has also been included in the list of Car and Driver 10 Best Cars. The Bolt EV is expected to receive the North American Car of the Year award at the 2017 National American International Auto Show as well. The little Chevy will be competing with brands such as Hyundai for their Genesis G90 model and Volvo's S90. The Chevy Bolt is significantly more affordable than the other two.

Better Range Than An i3, Cheaper Than A Tesla

A major possibility of getting the award is due to the Chevy Bolt EV's affordability, power and battery range. Other models like the BMW i3 and the Tesla Model S has promised the same factors but has failed to do so. The Tesla Model S is capable of reaching up to 265 miles on a single charge but has an enormous price tag $70,000 dollars. The BMW i3 is much cheaper than the Tesla but is more expensive than the Bolt EV at $44,000 dollars, it is only capable of reaching up to a 114-mile range on a single charge. The Chevy Bolt EV only costs $30,000 dollars and is capable of going up to 238 miles on a single charge clearly wins over the other two choices, in terms of affordability and range.

Stress-Free Maintenance

"Chevrolet is on a roll with new and compelling vehicles, the Bolt EV is certainly a game-changing vehicle," stated Ed Loh, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV also has a downloadable PDF manual that is easy to understand and easily accessible through the Internet. Aside from regular tire rotations, and cabin air filter replacement, the only other major maintenance that the Bolt EV needs is to replace the coolant after the first 150,000 miles. General Motors also stated that the battery degradation of 10 to 40 percent is expected to occur during the vehicle within the eight-year warranty period or within 100,000 miles.

The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV will also accept a minimum of 80 kilowatts for its DC fast charging. The Bolt EV's fast charging system uses what they call the CSS protocol that adds at least 90 miles of range in just 30 minutes. However, no announcements have been made yet by General Motors if they will be expanding the DC Fast charging stations, at least for now. The 2017 National American International Auto Show will be held from January 8 to 22. The North American Car of The Year awarding is scheduled to happen on January 9 at 7 in the morning, Eastern Time.
The Icelandic former minister Ogmundur Jonasson confessed that the U.S. sent numerous FBI agents to frame WikiLeaks leader Julian Assange in a mission in Iceland five years ago. Apparently, the details of this operation were known in 2013. But todays member of the Icelandic parliament refused to give any information about what happened.

FBIs Willingness Was Very Suspicious

However, the former minister broke his silence yesterday about what took place back in those years. He explained that what happened was: some U.S. authorities reached out to him and told him that there were some hackers set on destroying Icelands government database and that the FBI was going to send some agents to investigate and solve the situation. Apparently, the former minister was suspicious about what the authorities told him and was totally skeptical about FBIs real intentions in this operation. Remembering this tense moment, Jonasson told the media that he knew that the thing about an agency that was extremely interested in providing support could easily become a manipulating hand.

The Former Minister Supports WikiLeaks And Julian Assange

The former minister told that he realized what the original plan of the U.S. authorities was, once the FBI agents arrived to the country in August. In fact, he confessed that the reason for the American agency to visit Iceland was only to determine the cooperation of the Icelandic government in an operation set up to frame Julian Assange and the transparency radical organization.

Once he saw the whole picture, the former minister apparently had a discussion with the FBI agents, in which he told that cracking down WikiLeaks was not on his agenda, and if he was forced to pick sides in that situation, he would support the non-profit organization since he believed the importance of protecting the whistleblowers. At that moment, he ordered the agents to cease all activities in the country and forced them to leave.
The thing about the budget smartphones is that almost every single one of them offers different specs and features that make it a product very difficult to choose, given the fact that you must pick the one that fits the most with what youre looking for. If you need some help selecting the most proper to your needs, here is a little comparison between three of the greatest budget smartphones of 2016.

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua: The Best-Looking Budget Smartphone

One of the most recurring issues that everyone finds in a budget smartphone is that these mobile devices are far from outstanding in the aesthetic field. Although many customers don't pay too much attention to this detail -since it is obvious that this is not what it makes a phone an incredible product- there are others who are more exigent and also prefers that the smartphone should look good.

If you are this kind of customer, you would feel great by knowing that the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua is probably the most important budget smartphone in this feature, giving the fact that were talking about a mobile device that is extremely attractive. This phone has a nice slim appearance and a classy glass exterior that makes it look just like a flagship.

Although there are other budget smartphones that are equipped with better specs and features than this one, the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua it has all the key features than any modern phone needs, including a great battery life, waterproof, 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 display13-megapixel camera, built-in 4G and NFC. If youre looking for an affordable and good looking phone, this is it.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Big-Sized And Very Cheap

The Xiaomi Mi5 was so amazing that it was very difficult for the Chinese brand to release another budget smartphone that could compare. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is even better, since this is one of the cheapest and largest of this kind, given the fact that this mobile device has a very affordable price and a 5.5-inch screen with a 1080p resolution.

Were talking about an incredible budget smartphone that actually outranked the almighty Samsung Galaxy S6, and is characterized for being a strong performer, thanks to the fact that it is equipped with a MediaTek Helio X10 CPU and either 2 or 3GB RAM. Also, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 has an incredible battery life, and it is one of the few all-metal mobile devices that you can find in this kind of product.

Naturally, you cant expect the best performance in the camera, just like many other budget smartphones, but the truth is that if youre not exactly the kind of persons that wants top class quality in every single photo, the camera works decently well. This great mobile device also comes with fingerprint scanner sensor and dual SIM.

Moto G4 Plus: Even Better Than Its Predecessor

Its predecessor Moto G4 was one of the best budget smartphones ever released because it represented a great deal in which an affordable and spectacular specs and features were combined. However, this one is even a better one, since it is equipped with Android 6.0.1, 3,000 mAh battery, a Snapdragon 617 processor, a 1080p 5.5 screen and every other single detail that the regular version has, in addition to some areas in which this mobile device has pushed forward.

For example, the Moto G4 Plus is equipped with a fingerprint scanner just below the screen, which is extremely fast and accurate and could be used as a home button and scanner. You would be then surprised by the fact that this budget smartphone have an improved camera with a 16-megapixel sensor and a laser autofocus that makes you lock on the target faster than ever. Also, another great detail about this phone is that the internals is so much better than its predecessor, considering that you can choose between 2GB or 4GB RAM, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage.
A small group of top Silicon Valley tech executives has been invited at the Trump Tower to attend a technology summit organized by President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump's Call For Tech Summit

Among the tech executives invited to attend the summit are included big names in the Silicon Valley tech industry, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. According to CBS News, the technology summit will take place at Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Included on the guest list for the are also Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and Oracle CEO Safra Catz.

Catz declared in a statement that said he would like to discuss with President-elect Trump specific policy issues. The Oracle CEO explained that he plans to tell Trump that tech executives are here to help. He added that the U.S. technology community has the potential to become much stronger and competitive than ever if the future president will reduce regulation, reform the tax code and negotiate better trade deals.

Despite Trump's presidential campaign grudge against Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, he was also invited to the roundtable and is likely to accept that invitation. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, one of Mr. Trump's few vocal supporters from the tech industry, incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus and son-in-law Jared Kushner are the ones who reportedly extended the invites.

A number of prominent of tech executives are noticeably missing, at least so far, from the list of confirmed attendees. Among them is included Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, despite the fact that Trump used feverishly the Twitter platform to build support throughout his campaign.

Previous Trump Relationship With Tech Industry

Because of his proposed crackdown on immigration, Trump largely struggled to gain favor with the tech executives in Silicon Valley during his presidential campaign. In contrast, several tech executives worked with pro-immigration reform advocacy groups, such as the technology-focused Fwd.us.

But Trump has also been under critics from Silicon Valley on other issues. For instance, he took a controversial stance when urged a boycott of Apple after the company denied the request to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. A day before South Carolina's GOP primary, Trump called for a boycott of Apple until the company gives the requested information.

With attacks against the "dishonest media," Trump has also touched several technology companies. Since leaders in tech, for the most part, vocally disapproved of Trump's campaign, this coming meeting is pretty notable, according to CNN. However, going forward, during Trump's presidency his administration and the tech industry could clash over some important issues like immigration and net neutrality.

During the presidential campaign, Silicon Valley pulled highlighted the reasons why they believed Trump would be bad news for innovation and tech industry. As much as 145 tech leaders, including well-known names like Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, IAC's Barry Diller, Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales and Reddit's Alexis Ohanian, have signed one open letter against Trump.
It's been a week since Google released the December security patch for many Android phones. In fact, smartphone companies have already started to implement the fixes in the update to some of their flagships Android phones. And one of the smartphone that starts receiving the December security patch is the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Starts Receiving Its December Android Security Patch

As we know, Samsung is one of the companies to release the update, but for the time being the Android update. However, the South Korean company has a habit of making these updates available to other smartphones progressively during a month. According to a tweet (@henklbr), the December security patch is now available for download to Galaxy S7 edge users in Australia.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge owners who have been accepted in the beta program have already received three Android Nougat beta builds, which contained lots of new features and improvements. Softpedia reported that since there's no official changelog available yet on the December security patch, there's no telling what other improvements. In fact, no one knows yet if the handset maker has added any of these things.

The Patched Security Issues

Once you have the notification, you can download and install on your smartphone. Do not forget it fit it is the last security maintenance update of Samsung Galaxy S7 for 2016 according to International Business Times. Here are some of these issues patched are:

Mobile Hotspot vulnerability by unprotected intent

Heap overflow in sensor driver

Notification display error of shade locked state

BootReceiver security issue patch

Heap overflow in "OTP" service

As these updates always go, you'll receive a notification saying that your phone has received an update over-the-air (OTA) when it's ready to download and install. However, if you happen to be impatient and want to check sooner than that, you can of course head to your phone's settings and manually look for the update that way. You can also check for the update manually by heading to Settings / About phone / Update software.
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"Shameless" season 7, episode 12 will bring death to a member of the Gallagher family, who in turn will have mixed feelings about it. Frank is on for a new scheme, even bringing Debbie, Carl and Liam with him. He will get into a messy fight with Fiona. Meanwhile, Kev and V are planning a revenge.

In "Shameless" season 7, episode 11 titled "Happily Ever After," Ian and Mickey had a sad farewell as Mickey boarded for Mexico. However, it is not the end for the two. In an interview with TVLine, Noel Fisher, who plays the role of Mickey, said there's still hope that the couple's relationship might work out.

"I think they definitely can. The love is there. The dedication to one another is obviously there. I think it's more circumstantial, and [about] whether or not that's actually best or in everyone's highest interest. I think that's a better question," Fisher said.

Episode 11 also revealed Kev and V having found a job at the bar where Ian used to work while Fiona was contacted by an assisted living facility. The official synopsis for "Shameless" season 7, episode 12 titled "Requiem for a Slut" suggests Monica's death but the Gallagher family will have mixed feelings. They will find Monica's possessions and Fiona and Frank will have a fight.

A sneak peek video of "Shameless" season 7, episode 12 shows Fiona Gallagher discussing the burial with a burial booking agent together with Veronica Fisher. Fiona said she wanted something fast and cheap and the agent discussed their expensive burial plans before Fiona suggests she wanted something for $500 and less. The agent joked that would give her a cardboard box and a liter of gasoline and Fiona said she'll take that one, much to the agent's surprise.

Frank has a new scheme and he's using the Gallagher kids -- that is, retrieving Monica's belongings. Another video of "Shameless" season 7, episode 12 shows Frank and the kids sneaking somewhere. Debbie asked why they aren't using the front door and Frank answered that their mother said she has something valuable to give the kids.

"But it might be dangerous to try to retrieve it," Frank added. The kids asked how dangerous it is on the scale of 1 to 10 and he answered it might involve the Drug Enforcement Agency. Now, the question is, who is going to open the coded lock? Frank asked the ages of the kids. Debbie is 16 while Carl is 15 so he sent Liam to avoid punishment if ever they are caught and asked him to punch the code to open the lock.

The preview for "Shameless" season 7, episode 12 reveals they will find drugs and Frank and Fiona will have a rather ugly fight on what to do with it. Fiona wants to dispose it while Frank wants it for money. Kev and V are planning a revenge on Svetlana. Svetlana is really smart so they need a concrete plan for this to succeed. Meanwhile, Lip is going to take some measures towards improving his future.

Plot spoilers aside, reports say this might be the last season for the comedy-drama series. A previous report suggested that "Shameless" might not be renewed for season 8 as Emmy Rossum, who plays the role of Fiona, is asking for a bigger salary and negotiations are still at a standstill. This might cancel, if not, delay the renewal for another season of the series.

"Shameless" season 7, episode 12 will air on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime. Watch the preview below:
Starting next month, a broad swath of IBM i professionals along the eastern seaboard will have their very own local user group (LUG) to call home. Dubbed the Mid-Atlantic Group of IBM i Collaborators, or MAGIC, the group hopes to create a sense of IBM i community across a large region of the country where visible support for the platform was lagging. If youve been around the IBM midrange for any length of time, you realize how much the community has shrunk in size. Instead of semi-annual COMMON conferences that attracted 4,000 devoted AS/400 and iSeries enthusiasts twice a year, we now have a single annual COMMON conference that struggles to draw 1,000. The same story has played out on a regional basis, with many LUGs calling it quits over the years. In the Southeast alone, weve seen many LUGs packing it in, including the Central Florida Midrange User Group (CFMUG) based in Orlando, the Data Exchange Bay Area Users Group (DEBUG) based in Tampa, and the Jax iSeries User Group in Jacksonville. According to the BM i Local User Groups list maintained by IBMer Dawn May, there are only 37 IBM i LUGs left in the entire country. Simon Hutchinsons LUG list at RPGPM has a similar number. All of which makes the creation of MAGIC such an anomalybut in a good way. It all started in May, at the COMMON Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans, Louisiana. Laura Hamway, a longtime IBM i consultant and principal of Hamway Software Solutions, was chatting with some fellow IBM i professionals from Secure Infrastructure and Services and Surround Technologies about LUGs.

I wish we could get a group in our area, Hamway remembers saying. And it just kind of grew from that. Hamway spearheaded the groups first event, a two-day IBM i get-together in her hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia in the beginning of October. With Hurricane Matthew bearing down on the East Coast, the show went off without a hitch, with 16 speakers from 12 vendors sharing information on the IBM i platform, including Richard Dolewski of Denovo, Eric Herzog of IBM, Trevor Perry of Fresche and Charles Guarino of Central Park Data Systems. The attendees also voted on the new groups name, which got one lucky member an Amazon gift card. It was a great kick-off to start a new group. Two months later, Hamway has the groups website, www.magic-ug.org, up and running. She has filed the appropriate paperwork to be considered a proper non-profit organization. And starting in January, she will start collecting dues and scheduling additional activities for the group. The timing was right for the creation of MAGIC, Hamway tells IT Jungle. There was a group in Washington D.C. thats fallen off, and there was a little one in Richmond, Virginia thats fallen out. But there hasnt been anything around here in several years, she says. Hopefully we can tap into some of those areas and get some of the people who used to be involved to be involved now. Hamway is one of those longtime midrange professionals who has built a career around the AS/400-IBM i platform, and decided that its time to give back. Ive always been involved in user groups, but Ive never ran one, she says. Its a great opportunity. Its fun and everybody is excited about it. Running the two-day event and then establishing MAGIC opened Hamways eyes to just how many IBM i shops there are in the groups area, which stretches from Washington D.C. down to Raleigh, North Carolina. The people who attended couldnt believe how many [IBM i] shops were around here, she says. I think a lot of people thought nobody else is on it, because you dont hear a lot of marketing about everybody whos on the IBM i. I think a lot of them thought that it wasnt around anymore. Hamway realized there was a big opportunity to help educate IBM i professionals in the region about what the platform is capable of. Everybody was surprised how much you could do on IBM i now, because a lot of them are stuck in the old green screen. They havent been able to go to the big conferences and see some of this stuff, she says. They didnt know you could do PHP, and we had a session on .NET, so they were all excited that you can do this stuff. They had no idea. Laura Hamway at the two-day Virginia Beach event in October that became the inaugural MAGIC (photo courtesy Chuck Paolilo of SIAS).

MAGIC was founded with a core group of 20 people, but Hamway expects that number to grow quickly as word gets out about the new group and spreads among the IBM i community, including local IBM i customers, software vendors, hardware resellers, and schools. Right now we only have one person from each company. Multiple people will be joining from the other companies that we have, so the list will grow pretty quickly, she says. We still have a lot of companies to pull from to get involved. Theres still a good 30 to 40 shops at least. Theres a solid swath of IBM i customers in a manufacturing belt stretching from Greensboro to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Hamway says. Other early MAGIC members work in the distribution, marketing, insurance, and technology industries, she says. The MAGIC plan calls for holding an annual user group meeting in September. The big draw there will be IBM i chief architect Steve Will, who has committed to delivering the keynote. Two-day workshops on broad topics, such as modernization or security, are also a possibility. Theres been talk of holding a modernization challenge, which have become popular at LUGs in the United States and Europe over the past few years. Like other LUGs, MAGIC plans to hold monthly meetings, and to bring in a featured speaker to present on a given IBM i topic. However, MAGICs monthly meetings will be different in that there will be physical get-togethers in three different locationsin Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Cary, North Carolina. The featured speaker will attend one of the locations, and a live video feed will be sent to the other two satellite locations. Hamway also wants MAGIC to reach out to local schools to get involved with their IBM i education. Theres the possibility of sponsoring students taking IBM i-related classes at local colleges and universities, and possibly helping to influence curriculum. And the networking connection could possibly lead to job opportunities for new graduates. It will help the companies around here to know theres another pool to hire from, she says. Hamway has certainly taken a lot on in starting MAGIC while also maintaining her consultancy business and running the ETL business at Hamway Software Solutions. But at the end of the day, she feels its all worth it. Im glad to do it, she says. Ive been on the 400 since it came out, in 1988, and I figure after 28 years, its time to finally give back to a platform that has given me my whole entire career. Thats kind of the way that I look at it. This is my turn. RELATED STORIES The Rewards of IBM i Community Engagement Endangered Local User Groups Need IBM
With the ubiquity of cloud technology and the availability of modern systems administration tools that allow anyone from developers to administrative assistants to procure and provision servers and services, its tempting to think that the role of the system administrator, or sysadmin, is obsolete.

The sysadmin role isnt dying off, however. Its simply evolving along with the rest of the technology industry and becoming less focused on hardware and infrastructure and more on services delivery  a shift away from being seen as a cost center in an organization to an innovation engine. And thats great news for IT pros looking to further their careers.

[ Related story: 10 hottest tech skills for 2017 ]

CIO Staff

Constantly evolving

The constant evolution has kept Nick Bush engaged and fulfilled in his role as a sysadmin, a career that began back in his high school days.

My friends and I were sort of the stereotype: We joined the A/V club and worked in the computer lab for the school district. I worked for the district as a computer tech during summers, too, and then after I graduated, I went to DeVry University expecting to focus on computer engineering, Bush says.

Once at DeVry, though, Bush quickly realized engineering wasnt for him and changed to information systems. Even then, his skills were in such high demand that he left DeVry for roles in systems support and, later, as a technology engineer  or, a one-man IT shop  for the school district from which hed graduated.

I couldnt see myself sitting at a computer writing code for 40 hours a week . that just wasnt for me. And even working in systems support and going to school wasnt doing it for me; when the school district offered me the technology engineer job, I knew that was where I wanted to be. It was me and another person handling around 200 teachers, 2200 students over six different buildings  that was a great challenge, Bush says.

Nick Bush

He held various roles with that school district for the next ten years before moving to network administrator positions for smaller organizations; one that held federal government contracts and another global retail corporation where, for the first time, he was part of a team of IT professionals. When that company went through downsizing and laid off a number of IT folks, Bush found himself unemployed for the first time in his life.

I was unemployed for the longest Id ever been in my life: three weeks. That just speaks to how important these roles and responsibilities are that, even without a college degree, the experience Id had and the skills Id acquired meant I wasnt stuck. Back then, and even now, job descriptions will say, four-year degree or equivalent experience, and youre interviewing with business folks and hiring managers who dont know much about the technical side. Even when they do, youre more likely to get questions about how you handled certain problems with technology stacks or solutions that come from experience rather than on my formal education, he says.

He was quickly hired by Meadowbrook Insurance Group, where he now holds the title of systems administrator, level 2. The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and currently operates about thirty offices nationwide; Bush works out of the Columbus, Ohio, office, where he supports around 200 users and manages many of the 80 physical and more than 200 virtual servers.

[ Related story: Coworking tips to increase your productivity and privacy ]

Focus on experience

That emphasis on skills and experience rather than formal education isnt unique to sysadmins or the IT industry, says Jason Hand, DevOps evangelist and incident and alerting specialist with collaborative incident management software company VictorOps. As sysadmin roles evolve, the education system hasnt kept pace, and so having that real-world experience is even more critical to a candidates success, he says.

In my experience, even nowadays, having that formal education, even having certifications doesnt help you as much as it used to, because so much of the success in the role can go back to cultural fit and experience. If we hire you, well send you to training and make sure you know what tools were using, but what were looking for is whether or not you have a growth mindset; do you know agile, Lean, DevOps? Are you focused on continuous improvement, and delivering great service? Do you have great communication skills? These are much more valuable than knowing you spent six months mastering one topic, Hand says.

Like Bush, a significant number of sysadmins have no formal training, according to a survey from IT infrastructure monitoring software company Paessler, which asked 650 sysadmins from 49 countries about their education, responsibilities and their everyday work, and a significant number have no formal training but instead have learned on the job. According to the survey, approximately 41 percent of respondents have an academic degree, while approximately 36 percent have vocational training and approximately 24 percent learned on the job.

Even with formal training, learning on the job is a critical part of being a sysadmin. University training generally doesnt cover sysadmin tasks; vocational training would, but it would also be out-of-date quickly. So, in the end, all sysadmins are learning on the job, regardless of the training they had before. IT changes so fast that formal training of any kind becomes out of date quickly, so vendor training and vendor certifications fill the gap, says Kimberley Parsons Trommler, product evangelist, Paessler AG.

If you are going to get a formal degree with the intention of becoming a sysadmin or similar role, the best bet is to focus on the same areas of study as someone in DevOps would, since thats how sysadmin roles are evolving, says VictorOps Jason Hand.

Robert Scott, director for the center for Engineering Diversity and Outreach and Special counsel to the Dean at University of Michigan, says currently courses that inform DevOps as a discipline span three of the universitys colleges; the College of Engineering, the School of Information and the Ross School of Business.

A lot of academic settings still dont see DevOps as being integrated. Theyre like many companies in that theyre still looking at development and operations as siloed from each other  and the operations part is where many systems administrators in the past would focus. This is something both industry and academia have to reconcile and catch up with DevOps in the real world, as sysadmin roles evolve, Scott says.

For now, however, courses in computer science and engineering as well as the design and deployment of infrastructure, software, algorithms and tools are important from the technical side. A study of how to manage and maintain structured and unstructured data is important from the information systems side, and a solid knowledge of business fundamentals, strategy, business process development and analytics would be a great foundation for someone looking to get into these areas Scott says.

I believe that to be good in these roles, youd need at least five years of experience, sure. But to truly be an expert, youd need an in-depth knowledge and understanding of all these areas, which could take at least ten years, he says.

As the evolution toward DevOps continues, soft skills will become an increasingly important part of a successful sysadmin or DevOps career, says Hand.

This evolving role is a lot more collaborative, a lot more focused on empathy and emotional IQ when youre dealing with your users. You literally will not be able to say, Thats not my problem anymore, because the whole company owns these services and solutions, so were all responsible for them, he says.

There are some specific hard skills that can be helpful, too, says Hand; tools like Puppet and Chef that help automate infrastructure and services management, containers like Docker, cloud solutions like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and virtualization technologies are all critical components of a sysadmins job, Hand says.

So, next time someone tells you that the role of the sysadmin is dead, take it with a huge grain of salt  because while the role is certainly evolving, its not going anyway any time soon, Bush says.

This is a role that is so necessary in every company that uses IT. There still needs to be people to manage and maintain networks, to help spin up and configure infrastructure, to serve customers and to innovate. There may well be fewer of us, sure, but that just makes us even more valuable, he says.

Related Video
Today

Windy with a few showers early. Then bright sunshine by the afternoon. High 68F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 45F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and some clouds. High 72F. Winds light and variable.
Xiaomi is again making sure its fans get the latest and greatest with their constant updates. Recently, Xiaomi released the Nougat-based MIUI 8, dubbed as Global Beta ROM 6.12.8, to Mi phone owners all around the world.

The Xiaomi MIUI 8 Global Stable ROM has been previously released in August 2016, as reported by Gadgets 360, and since then the Xiaomi community has been treated with sprinkles of updates here and there. MIUI 8 Global Beta ROM 6.12.8 has been available to Mi 5 earlier this month, but now it is being released to more Mi devices.

The list includes Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Redmi 1S, Redmi 2, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi Note 2, Mi Max, Mi 5s, Mi 5s Plus and Redmi 3 plus their plentiful variants, as mentioned by Android Community. However, the Mi 5 update has been halted for the meanwhile in order for some Beta Team members to test out the build.

#MIUI 8 Global Beta ROM 6.12.8 has been released for public! Full changelog and download links: https://t.co/vGYexdf70R pic.twitter.com/My1r9IlTlE  MIUI (@miuirom) December 9, 2016

Xiaomi MIUI 8 Global Beta ROM 6.12.8 is heavily inspired by Android 7.0 Nougat. Xiaomi fans will surely enjoy the Nougat features that have been already available to other phone manufacturers for some while.

The new MIUI 8 ROM adds enhancements on the Lockscreen, Status Bar, and Notification Bar. Additionally, some other changes include the new black and white colors for doodles.

Bug fixes have also been attended in the update, so the UI will run smoother with bugs squashed like the Landscape mode issues when third party themes are in use. To get the most up to date version of the MIUI 8, you just have to visit the official thread provided by Xiaomi.

Xiaomi has been very busy with all of their endeavors, be it hardware or software. Their newest and hottest phone to date include the Xiaomi Mi Mix, which purportedly boasts a nearly bezel-less screen.

With such significant innovations and consistent support by Xiaomi, phone owners around the globe are clamoring for the expansion of the Chinese phone manufacturer in the worldwide market. So, will your next phone be made by Xiaomi? Share your thoughts below.


Vermont Students are being given the opportunity to find and work long lasting careers through a new program called Build Vermont Pathways, a collaboration between Vermont Technical College and the Agency of Transportation.

This partnership between the two establishments has led to a job-creation program that is available around the state of Vermont, reports NBC. There are multiple ways to enter; it is not just open to students in high school or in college but to veterans and career changers as well, revealed officials involved with the project at a VTrans panel that was held last December 8, Thursday.

The opportunities for different sets of people are precisely what make the program unique. If you are looking for a way to study but at the same time afford to pay for your degree with a stable job, the Build Vermont Pathways is the program to help you accomplish that.

According to Governor Peter Shumlin, it makes education affordable for people, offering internships whilst students are at school and "has you hit the ground running when we hire you for a great career in ensuring that we rebuild our infrastructure."

There is a wide range of careers involved. Aviation, Business, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, Diesel and Automotive Technology, and Information Technology are on the listed fields.

The official website for the college stated that VTrans offers competitive salaries and good benefits which include tuition reimbursement for their workforce. One particular pathways that was revealed was a two-year degree at VTrans as well as a paid summer internship that could eventually lead to permanent employment.

Students have also expressed interest in the program. A freshman named Derek Bevins shared that he currently works for an engineering company and it would be a good thing to be able to diversify and find out what other jobs are available for the students of Vermont Technical College.

To read more about it, click here.
It looks like season 3 of "Rick and Morty" will be featuring more than just a continuation of what happened in season 2 as fans can expect a lot of surprises for them, when the show airs on March 2017. The show will also be going to Hawaii and China.

According to Dan of Geek, "Rick and Morty" creator, Dan Harmon said season 3 will be having 19 episodes. Some of those episodes will be covering the "situation" that the characters find themselves in after season 2.

A big chunk, however, will be used for something else. Harmond didn't reveal what those other things are, so fans of "Rick and Morty" can expect a lot of surprises when the show is finally premiered, which is rumored to be in March 2017.

Though Harmon is targeting for a premiere before the year ends, it's more likely that the show will air in early 2017. The probable month is March, as Mr. Poopybutthole in the end of season 2 that "Rick and Morty" Season 3 wouldn't happen for another year and a half.

What was revealed about the upcoming season, though, is that "Rick and Morty" will be going to Hawaii. And this information came from Harmon himself, saying "It's time to demand that the network allows us to draw the characters going to Hawaii."

Aside from Hawaii, China is also another destination that "Rick and Morty" will be visiting. A tweet from a verified "Rick and Morty" Twitter account is hinting at the possibility of the characters going to China.

The tweet read "Sounds like Jerry's going to China" together with a link that's going to another Tweet about a Chinese resort building a full-size replica of the Titanic. The replica will be simulating hitting the iceberg over and over.

If this is true, it will be exciting to see what kind of episode will this be. Though the show is likely to premiere in 2017, 2016 is not yet done, so there's still some chance they show airs before the year ends.
For all the Dueliests out there, It's almost a month away from the release of the movie, Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS, and Crunchyroll and 4K media come up to offer special prices for all the fans out here, they're gonna be sending a lucky winner to see the movie premiere during the period of January 23, 2017 - January 24, 2017, with the movie screening to be held on January 24, 2017.

One lucky person will win:

-A roundtrip flight for you and a friend to New York.

-3 days, 2 nights at a hotel in New York.

-$500 total spending for you and your friend.

Along with that, they're will pick THREE (3) more winners to receive a special prize pack - a set of three Magician Girl figures from Kotobukiya including:

Dark Magician Girl (One Dark Magician Girl - The Movie - Ani Statue - YU-GI- OH! The Dark Side of Dimensions - Approximately Retail Value of $120 including shipping)

Apple Magician Girl (One Apple Magician Girl - The Movie - Ani Statue - YU-GI- OH! The Dark Side of Dimensions - ARV ~$120 including shipping)

Lemon Magician Girl (One Lemon Magician Girl - The Movie - Ani Statue - YU-GI- OH! The Dark Side of Dimensions - ARV ~$120 including shipping)

How to enter?

To get qualified and have the chance to win, go on Twitter, all Entrants must tweet by answering the question: "What is your favorite Duel Monster?" and add then add hashtag #ygonyc, between December 7, 2016 until December 16, 2016. Random winners will be picked, and will contacted via email and/or telephone on or about December 20, 2016. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of valid entries received. The winners will be notified by the email address entrant used to register.

Winner official rules

To obtain a copy of the Winner list or a copy of these Official Rules, send your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to "The Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS Movie Premiere" Winners/Rules, 835 Market Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94103. Requests for the names of the winners must be received no later February 28, 2017. Residents of Vermont may omit return postage.
Floyd Mayweather knocked out his own birthday bash but he got the jab when the nightclub sued him. The champion boxer was offered to celebrate his party at SLS Hotel in Las Vegas and gets paid for it. He was promised $35,000 for a 90 minutes celebration.

Mayweather agreed for the double benefit, however, he "sabotaged" his own party by not coming. He has already pocketed some amount for down payment.

But the American boxer failed to keep his promise to host his 39th birthday on February 20 as per TMZ.

The hotel management demanded that he return the advance payment. However, the father-of-four failed to do so.

He is now facing a lawsuit where he is required to return the money, pay for litigation expenses and additional charges. He could be charged for disrupting the operation of the business.

Floyd Mayweather is the greatest pound for pound boxer for more than two decades. He has generated approximately 19.5 million pay-per-view buys and has earned revenues of $1.3 billion throughout his career. He has surpassed the rich and the famous boxers of his generation like Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield.

His career is unequaled up to this day. His name is synonymous with prestige and victory. It is just a sad thing that his name was dragged in the above-mentioned controversy.

With his wealth,he should have settled the problem before it reached the court. If he had returned the down payment possibly amounting to half of $35,000 he could have freed himself from being booked for a minor case. Ten months is enough time for him to have settled the dispute before it reached the court.

Floyd Mayweather or any of his representatives has not issued any statement about the latest news. He can save his face if he gives a valid reason for his failure to host his own birthday party. Stay tuned for updates on the case and more celebrity news.
A Charlotte man was indicted Monday in last years fatal shooting of a Winston-Salem State University student, an incident that led to a lockdown of the schools campus for more than three hours.

Jarrett Jerome Moore, 22, was indicted by a Forsyth County grand jury on charges of murder and discharging a firearm on educational property. Moore is accused of fatally shooting Anthony White Jr. on Nov. 1, 2015.

The shooting happened at 1:20 a.m. in Lot W near Wilson Hall and Gleason-Hairston Terrace on the schools property. The campus was on lockdown from 1:30 a.m. to 4:50 a.m. the morning of the shooting. Moore, a former WSSU student, was arrested in Charlotte the next day on unrelated charges.

White was majoring in information technology at WSSU and had played football at Belton-Honea Path High School in Honea, S.C. Family members said he chose to not play sports at WSSU and focus on academics.

According to a search warrant, Winston-Salem police said the shooting happened after Moore and White got into an argument with another WSSU student, Troy Bowden, over a bottle of liquor and a cellphone charger.

Bowden had come to Wilson Hall to meet with two female students. White and Moore, who apparently knew each other, tried to get into Wilson Hall to meet with Bowden, but university police wouldnt let them in because they didnt have identification, the search warrant said.

Later, Bowden and the two female students came out of Wilson Hall, and thats when the three men got into an argument. According to the search warrant, Moore pulled out a gun and shot Bowden and White. When Winston-Salem police arrived, they found Bowden in Wilson Hall with a gunshot wound above his left eye. Wilson was found in the parking lot between Wilson Hall and Gleason-Hairston Terrace with a gunshot wound to his head. Wilson died at the scene. Bowden was treated for non-life-threatening wounds.

Winston-Salem police interviewed Moore in Charlotte. Moore initially denied involvement but later admitted that he shot White, the search warrant said. He told police, according to the search warrant, that White gave him a gun and told him to handle it. Moore said he went over to Bowden to hit him in the head with the gun but that the gun accidentally fired.

Moore told police that he never meant for White or Bowden to be shot.

Moore is not charged with Bowdens shooting. Its not clear why, and Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill has said he could not comment on a pending case because of the Rules of Professional Responsibility.

Moore has had several run-ins with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and was charged in connection with another shooting that happened three days before the killing at WSSU. Moore left WSSU after the 2014-15 academic year.

He is scheduled to appear in Forsyth District Court on July 13, 2017. That date is likely to change. His indictment means that his case has been transferred to Forsyth Superior Court and there will be a new court date as a result. No trial date has been set. He is in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed.
When a UNC Wilmington professor posted an online article about a student activist under the title A Queer Muslim Jihad, was it harassment or free speech?

Thats the central question surrounding a controversy that has boiled for weeks at UNCW. Mike Adams, a well-known conservative and professor of sociology and criminology, has been sharply criticized by faculty, student leaders and others, who say his September article on conservative web site The Daily Wire about 19-year-old Nada Merghani was out of bounds  an inappropriate way for a professor to treat a student. Merghani has since left UNCW and plans to enroll at UNC Charlotte in the spring.

As a result, two online petitions are focused on the professor  one calling for Adams to be fired (4,300 signatures), the other standing behind his First Amendment speech rights (200 signatures). A benefit concert dubbed Hate-Free By the Sea is planned for Dec. 18 at the Throne Theater in Wilmington.

In a post on the social media site Tumblr, Merghani wrote that she had been harassed by Adams since her freshman year, culminating in the Jihad article. The article identified Merghani by name, describing a situation earlier this year when she was interviewed by the Secret Service when then-presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke on campus. Merghani, Adams wrote, had posted to Facebook about the Trump rally, writing, Yall are not prepared for what Im about to do.

Adams article mocked Merghani as a queer Muslim social justice warrior but said she presented no threat to Trump. In my view, she simply lacks the intellectual coherence to form any sort of rational plan  including, but not limited to, killing a presidential candidate, he wrote. Likening the student to a woman who shot at former President Gerald Ford in 1975, Adams wrote: She comes across sort of like Squeaky Fromme minus the handgun and resolve.

Neither Adams nor Merghani returned calls seeking comment.

Student and faculty leaders have condemned Adams writing.

We are appalled and disgusted by the recent article posted by Mike Adams, Student Body President Dan McCord wrote on the UNCW student government Facebook page. While we dont understand the need for a highly educated adult to devote his time to bullying a young college student, we do understand the dark reality that this student has faced in light of the unrelenting statements over their time here. ... It is shameful to use rhetoric as a means to demonize and degrade somebody in such a manner.

Merghani has written that the situation led to death threats against her on Facebook.

Almost all of these people being 40+ year old white men doing this to a 19 year old girl, she wrote. I tried to talk to my university about this and let them know that I was tired of having to defend myself, my name, my sexuality, my religion, my EVERYTHING from a professor who is in a higher position of power over me and they told me they couldnt do anything because hed just sue the university. And Im just tired. Im really, really tired.

Lightning rod

Adams has long been a lightning rod at UNCW, and he is a prolific blogger and social media presence, expressing conservative views and disdaining political correctness. He has 14,000 followers on Twitter, where he fires off zingers like this: You can be coddled or you can be free. You cannot be both and Dear UNCW: He made us think. Fire him! Love, Social Justice Warriors p.s. Hurry up so we can get back to burning down our own neighborhoods.

In 2014, Adams settled a lawsuit with UNCW, after claiming that the university did not promote him because of his political and religious views. He received $50,000 in back pay, hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees, a raise and promotion to full professor.

Adams tweeted praise for UNCW Chancellor Zito Sartarelli in mid-November, saying he stands up for free speech.

Sartarelli had sent a post-election message to the campus. Our students and faculty have the right to share their opinions, both on and off campus, he said. We as an institution do not, and should not, regulate or respond to those opinions. There is often misinformation involved, unfortunately, and even language many would consider ugly, but this comes with the territory of free and open expression.

Sartarelli also said freedom of expression doesnt supersede safety and encouraged anyone who felt truly threatened to report it.

Days later, Sartarelli posted to Facebook, taking a different tone: Let me be clear: speech that is legal can also be hurtful. It deeply saddens me to see freedom of expression used as a weapon to degrade or demonize (as a student said to me earlier). Our values of dignity, diversity and inclusiveness are critical to our campus culture.

A UNCW spokesman said last week that the matter with Adams had been fully investigated, without referring to the professor by name, saying the university had done all we are able to do to support the student involved, given that the comments were not made in a UNCW living, learning or working environment or otherwise affiliated with the faculty members role at UNCW.

Faculty Senate leaders issued a statement, saying public remarks by professors about a students race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation or sexual orientation are inconsistent with our values.

Stephen Meinhold, Senate president and political science professor, said the statement wasnt intended to discourage free expression.

We wouldnt have imagined that we would have to tell our colleagues that they shouldnt make public statements about students in the media, on social media or anyplace for that matter, he said Thursday, adding, Look, this is not desirable. Its just not consistent with the professional standards of a faculty member to make public statements about our students.

Respect Compact

Sartarelli has said the university is in the process of revising a document called the Seahawk Respect Compact, which demonstrates our aspirational commitment to a respectful, safe environment for our students. The compact is not a policy.

Mike Allen of Wake Forest, who is organizing the benefit concert, said he hopes to raise awareness.

This guy has a started a conversation that needs to be had, and that is where do you overstep your bounds as a faculty member? he said. If youre in a position of power, and youre a 52-year-old man and youre using this platform that you have to bully and harass a 19-year-old student, thats a line that has been crossed.

Adams apparently started a new blog last week called Rightly Offended. His first post, titled Choosing My Words Carefully, was addressed to the California State University-Bakersfield Black Student Union. Some students had objected to a recent anti-abortion speech he made on the campus, titled All Lives Matter.

If you dont like the words I choose then do the right thing and respond with better speech, not with censorship, he wrote. Free speech is the ultimate pro-choice position. And I am always in favor of choice as long as it doesnt harm an innocent human being.
WASHINGTON  Watch the video. Walter Scott, unarmed and slow of foot, tries to run away. Police officer Michael Slager calmly fires five rounds into Scotts back. Later, Slager approaches Scotts body, not to give first aid but apparently to plant evidence of a struggle that never took place.

Now tell me: How cheap is black life in these United States of America?

A jury in North Charleston, S.C., could not agree that Slager committed a crime, forcing the judge in the case to declare a mistrial. Prosecutors quickly announced they will try Slager again. In the optimistic view, this weeks stunning result, or non-result, means justice deferred rather than justice denied. Im trying to be an optimist, but at the moment its not easy.

Tell me: What does it take to get a police officer punished for killing an unarmed black man in cold blood?

The whole thing is on video, people. A passerby named Feidin Santana used his mobile phone to capture Scotts final minutes. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Santana gave lengthy testimony at Slagers trial.

You ask yourself, what if there was no video? What if I wasnt there? Would we have gotten this far in this trial? Santana asked in an ABC News interview after the mistrial was announced. Thats the way justice is over here, and we have to understand it. But its a little bit disappointing.

Santanas phrase over here refers to the nation that fancies itself a beacon of freedom and equality.

The fatal encounter took place April 4, 2015, when Slager, who is white, pulled Scott over for having a busted brake light. African-Americans and Hispanics are used to such petty, harassing traffic stops. White Americans, perhaps not so much.

Slager testified that he feared for his life; Scott, he claimed, had wrestled away his Taser and was trying to use it on him. But Santana, who saw the whole thing, said there was no struggle  and the video appears to show Slager placing the Taser next to Scotts body, as if it had been in the dead mans possession. If he did stage the crime scene, the officer demonstrated full awareness of his own culpability. Again, I ask, what does it take?

Even if you want to believe Slagers unsupported account of a struggle, no one can dispute the fact that Scott was running away when Slager gunned him down. A heavyset 50-year-old with no weapons, running as if through molasses, is hardly a clear and present danger to society. Having a broken light on ones car is hardly a capital offense. Yet Slager shot Scott five times. In the back.

Nearly half the population of North Charleston is black; Slagers jury included 11 whites and just one African-American. Notes from the jury to the judge, who is African-American, suggest there may have been one lone holdout who would not vote to convict Slager of murder or manslaughter. Thats how the system works, and the outcome of Slagers next trial may be different. But still.

One miscarriage of justice, caused by one stubborn juror, would be easier to swallow if not for all the rest. Eric Garner, approached by police on Staten Island for selling loose cigarettes, was choked to death  again on video  but none of the officers involved has been charged. Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy, was playing with a toy gun; a police officer shot him dead within seconds of arriving on scene but faced no charges. Michael Brown was unarmed when a police officer stopped him in Ferguson, Missouri; the officer fired his weapon 12 times, killing Brown, but a grand jury failed to indict him.

No one should wonder why the Black Lives Matter movement is so relevant and necessary. It will remain so until black lives do, in fact, matter. And conservatives who claim to champion individual liberty against abusive state power should be the movements most avid supporters.

Slager also faces federal charges for allegedly violating Scotts civil rights. That prosecution was delayed pending the completion of the state trial; now that there is to be a second state trial, presumably the federal case will be put off once again.

So it will likely fall to Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.  President-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney general  to decide whether to move forward with a trial in federal court. Sessions was once denied a federal judgeship because of racist remarks he had made; friends and supporters say thats all ancient history. We shall see.
Beyond the protests, police crackdowns, and pipeline drama, whats it really like at Standing Rock, North Dakota? This October, I went to see for myself.

Like many other Native and non-Native visitors, I went to support the Standing Rock Siouxs effort to keep the Dakota Access oil pipeline away from the Missouri River, which supplies water to an estimated 18 million people.

The tribe wasnt meaningfully consulted before the pipeline slashed through its sacred lands. And even though pipelines are notoriously accident-prone, a full environmental impact study was never conducted.

Finally, on Dec. 4, the Obama administration halted the construction of the pipeline and called for that assessment.

But in the preceding months, as the Sioux tried to protect their water, they faced surveillance, tear gas, arrests, water hoses and attack dogs. Police were acting as the companys protectors rather than the peoples.

Outrage and solidarity motivated my trip, but I also was eager to see the incredible multi-tribe community beside the river  Oceti Sakowin, the largest of the encampments created to sustain this difficult struggle.

After driving in from Bismarck, I stopped first at the security booth, a small shed overlooking the terrain filled with tents, tepees, RVs, trailers, repurposed school buses and yurts. A young man directed me to the media tent atop Facebook Hill, the only place you could get decent phone reception  at least when law enforcement wasnt scrambling the signal.

The media tent was a hive of activity powered by portable solar and wind generators. Someone checked my ID and issued a media pass, along with strict guidelines for respectful and secure photography and recording.

Along the main avenue to my campsite, I walked under hundreds of tribal flags waving in the breeze. Everywhere people were chatting, sorting clothes, bustling around the collective kitchens and chopping wood. Children were roaming about, with adults or on their own.

Before I got far, a Peruvian woman named Claudia called me over to help her husk the mountain of corn somebody had just dropped off. As we chatted, she roped in new helpers with cheerful cajoling.

In the days I was there, I ran errands for the childrens school and kitchen, drove people to actions and from jail, helped build a wigwam and assisted a disabled elder. I attended meetings, made friends and got my hurt foot treated at the medic tent and my migraine at the herbalist tent. No money, no appointments  just a pervasive spirit of mutual aid.

It was the same story with food. Besides the main kitchen, with its large army-style tents, tribes set up other kitchens. Each had its own specialties and personality lent by the cooks, who created fabulous meals on wood stoves and campfires with whatever donations came in.

Many recommended Grandmas Kitchen, where Grandma Diane, a Paiute from California, starts each meal by honoring the ancestors and always adds abundant servings of love. No need to call for volunteers, she said. Folks jump up to help. Hundreds of hungry folks came in for elk stew, quinoa casserole, cabbage salad, sweet potato fritters and fried bread  a favorite at every kitchen.

Despite the risk, Diane moved her kitchen a mile north to the front-line camp set up across the path of the pipeline. A few days later, police destroyed it.

I worried about Diane, until I heard she was OK and still calling for supplies to keep cooking for the folks in the struggle, who were then hunkering down to resist the ferocious winter  and the even more ferocious repression.

I didnt just find a protest camp at Standing Rock  I found a model community. As Natives there celebrate their recent victory, how can anyone not celebrate with them?
A recent Journal story gave readers a glimpse into the lives of the cadets who graduated earlier this month from Forsyth Technical Community Colleges basic law enforcement training program. Were grateful for their commitment to this challenging but, we hope, rewarding position in public service.

I always wanted to be a police officer, Cody Hampton of Mocksville told the Journals John Hinton, while talking about the July incident in which five Dallas police officers were ambushed and killed. That just shows me that we need police officers out there willing to protect the community. We are still the good guys.

We are out there to protect them (the public), and we are out there to protect the laws, Hampton told the Journal. We are out there to be their partner when it is needed. When those events happened, it didnt discourage me. It encouraged me to get into this profession.

It couldnt have been stated better.

According to W. Lorin Dingler, the programs director, many recruits who had applied to the colleges training program withdrew their applications after the Dallas police shootings. That makes Hampton and his fellow graduates  Jordan Bullins, Cody Conrad, John Jackson, Ryan James, Samuel Paff and Frank Sanchez  all the more exceptional.

The program at Forsyth Tech involved physical training, high-speed driving training and weapons training in handguns, shotguns and rifles, as well as written tests.

Kudos to Forsyth Tech for providing this important resource to the community.

During their graduation ceremony last Friday at Forsyth Techs Oak Grove Center Auditorium, Dingler told the cadets that they will enter their law enforcement careers during a difficult time in American society.

Hes right. Times are tough, and the demands placed on police officers are intense. Theyre constantly in the public eye, called upon to act with vigilance and restraint while still being prepared to respond to danger.

Theyre needed now more than ever.

Unfortunately, the number of recruits is in decline, from 2,713 applicants for the states law enforcement training program in 2013 to 1,067 this year. Forsyth Techs program typically has 300 applicants, but that number dwindled to 50 this year, Dingler told the Journal.

Were fortunate in Winston-Salem to have a professional city police force that has a good reputation. Winston-Salem has avoided much of the civil unrest that has afflicted various areas of the country, and its largely thanks to our officers professionalism and community-relations efforts by organizations such as the Winston-Salem Police Foundation and the Winston-Salem Urban League.

Downtown, we often see officers who have an easy rapport with the public, who are present and attentive but not threatening. This is the way it should be.

The recent cadets have job prospects with the N.C. Highway Patrol, sheriffs offices in Forsyth, Stokes and Surry counties as well as in the Kernersville and Statesville police departments.

They are still the good guys. Were grateful for the new cadets and wish them the best.
BOBBY BENNETT, Winston-Salem

John Glenn

Godspeed, John Glenn. For many of us Baby Boomers, weve lost a truly courageous pioneer, icon and an example of what an American should be. He had no guile and gave his all to our nation.

The world is a little less interesting without him.

******

BRENDA CARTER, Rural Hall

Rude and ungrateful

In reply to the article on the public housing smoking ban (Smoking ban divides public housing residents, Dec. 2), I would say to residents: If you are receiving something free or at a reduced rate as in public housing, isnt it rude as well as ungrateful to complain about a non-smoking ban? My advice is to get off your smoking chair, get an education and a better job and rent or purchase a place to live where you can set your own rules.

******

PETER WILBUR, Winston-Salem

Lying about voter fraud

In a Dec. 6 editorial (Why Does Donald Trump Lie About Voter Fraud?), The New York Times noted that undermining the integrity of the electoral process and making it harder to vote is threatening to all Americans, regardless of party. In North Carolina, through the tedious, unnecessary and ultimately futile battle to hold onto the governorship, Pat McCrory and his allies on the state board of elections consistently and deliberately spread false rumors that were part of a well-coordinated propaganda machine to discredit the voting process and ultimately disenfranchise voters in our state.

Attorneys for the McCrory campaign went county to county, urging, in one notorious example, McRae Dowless, the winner of a soil and water board election in Bladen County, to challenge the perfectly legal efforts of a get-out-the-vote campaign (Elections board dismisses Bladen protest, Dec. 4). When this individual finally testified before the board of elections, he was so muddled that he had to take the fifth.

The very partisans who cry fraud and rumor are in fact stoking the fires of misinformation that threaten to torch what is left of free and fair elections in our state.

******

RONNIE MILLER, Winston-Salem

Poor legislators

Pity the poor North Carolina Republican legislators. With veto-proof majorities in the state house and senate, the voters still insist on putting a nasty liberal in the governors chair. And the courts are majority Democrat! The judges are going to keep tossing out the legislators overreaching, unconstitutional laws!

Its just not fair! If only North Carolinians would forget those silly checks and balances and accept total Republican rule, the legislators would give them everything they want.

Except for the transgenders. And gays. And African American voters. And unemployed. And city-dwellers. And anyone interested in mercy, kindness and justice.

If the voters wont do it, maybe President-elect Donald Trump will. Or Santa.

******

AUBREY ALBERT, Winston-Salem

Never wanted them

In response to the Dec. 1 letter The 2017 Millennial Olympics: Wow, some people sure are pre-occupied with millennials  especially the generation that paid good money for pet rocks.

But we millennials never wanted the participation awards. We never asked for them. We knew they didnt mean anything. We hid them or threw them away.

And I dont think many of us actually find much humor in the idea of people crying, like the letter writer.

But cruel humor like his might demonstrate why some of us might, indeed, like a safe space every now and then.

******

CATHY SUMNERS, Winston-Salem

An unethical travesty

Recent reports about Gov. Pat McCrory and the N.C. General Assemblys possible intention during the December session to appoint two more justices to the N.C. Supreme Court have me outraged. Do we live in a democracy? Does my vote actually matter?

Im not a lawyer nor a constitutional scholar, but my interpretation of Article IV of the N.C. constitution seems relatively clear. While the N.C. Supreme Court can be increased to eight associate justices (Section 6.1), I do not believe those justices can rightfully be appointed instead of elected.

Supreme Court justices shall be elected by qualified voters as stated in Section 16.

Appointments to the court should be done only when an unforeseen vacancy occurs. It would be a travesty for any N.C. governor, particularly one who was reluctant to relinquish control, to use our Supreme Court as a tool for political advantage. It is unethical and unconscionable. The court should be above partisan chicanery and such actions are also insulting to the duly elected justices and those of us who voted for them.

When You Write

The Journal encourages readers comments. To participate in The Readers Forum, please submit letters online to Letters@wsjournal.com. Please write The Readers Forum in the subject line and include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. Or you may mail letters to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Letters are subject to editing and may be published on journalnow.com. Letters are limited to 250 words. Letter writers are allowed one letter every 30 days.

If you would like a photo of yourself included with your letter, send it to us as a .jpg file.

For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/opinion/submit_a_letter.

The Journal welcomes original submissions for guest columns on local, regional and statewide topics. Essay length should not exceed 750 words. The writer should have some authority for writing about his or her subject. Our email address is: Letters@wsjournal.com. Essays may also be mailed to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Please include your name and address and a daytime telephone number.


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WASHINGTON  Death came knocking at the Supreme Court's door twice last week, as it has done most weeks since the justices took the bench in early October.





When William Sallie asked for a stay of execution Tuesday because of alleged juror bias, the justices refused, apparently without dissent. Sallie, 50, became the ninth man put to death in Georgia this year , a 40-year high.





When Ronald Smith asked that his execution be blocked Thursday because a judge overrode a jury's recommendation of life without parole, the court deadlocked 4-4. Smith, 45, later heaved and coughed during his 34-minute lethal injection





And when Florida's Henry Sireci, Ohio's Romell Broom [sign the online clemency petition to Gov. Kasich ], Louisiana's James Tyler and South Carolina's Sammie Stokes asked for their death sentences to be reconsidered  because of new evidence, a previously botched lethal injection, a disputed guilty plea and a lawyer's conflict of interest, respectively  the justices delayed action for several weeks. On Monday, all four petitions were turned down, but with a biting dissent from Justice Stephen Breyer.





"Individuals who are executed are not the 'worst of the worst' but, rather, are individuals chosen at random on the basis, perhaps of geography, perhaps of the views of individual prosecutors, or still worse on the basis of race," Breyer, who would have heard Sireci's and Broom's cases, said. "The time has come for this court to reconsider the constitutionality of the death penalty."





The six cases illustrate the continuing battle inside the Supreme Court over the nation's ultimate penalty  one imposed and carried out less often each year, but which voters in three states, including California, decided to retain last month.





Forty years after the high court reinstated the death penalty in another Georgia case, the justices are increasingly divided over when it is applied, how it is administered and whether it serves any purpose. Since the turn of the century, they have ended executions for the intellectually disabled, those whose crimes were committed as juveniles, and those who do not commit murder or treason. Last year, Breyer and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said it was time to decide whether capital punishment itself should be abolished.





Time, however, is not on their side. President-elect Donald Trump soon will nominate the late Justice Antonin Scalia's successor, someone who is virtually certain to support the death penalty. Before his term is over, Trump could get the chance to replace one or more of the five justices who have limited its scope. Three of them  Ginsburg, Breyer and Justice Anthony Kennedy  are long past traditional retirement age.





"The window is narrowing," says Robert Smith of Harvard Law School's Fair Punishment Project, which opposes the death penalty. If Trump names several strong capital punishment proponents, "there's a chance the window closes for a generation."





Until then, it appears the justices will have to wrestle with a series of legal challenges. Already this term, they've overturned a death sentence in Oklahoma because of improper testimony from victims' family members and blocked another Alabama execution that a jury did not agree upon. That state's system, which empowers judges over juries, could go the way of Florida's and get struck down.





Two other cases appear likely to result in further restrictions. During oral arguments this fall on two Texas death sentences, a majority of justices appeared sympathetic to challenges from defendants involving racial discrimination and intellectual disability. More challenges are on the way, including some that simply question whether the range of problems renders capital punishment unconstitutional.





"You're playing whack-a-mole with the death penalty," says Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, which opposes capital punishment. "The pattern that were seeing is not just the court reaching out to correct errors, but the court looking at renegade, outlier practices."



Amid decline, a resurgence?





The high court's role in the gradual decline of capital punishment has been relatively minor. Far more important have been historic reductions in new death sentences  from about 300 annually in the 1990s to fewer than 50 a year today  and executions, down from 98 in 1999 to just 20 this year.





Forty-one states have not executed anyone in the last four years. The number of states that carried out executions dropped from nine in 2013 to seven, six and just five this year. Only about 16 of the nation's more than 3,000 counties dole out capital sentences regularly.





"The death penalty is driving itself to extinction," says Brandon Garrett, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. In an upcoming research paper that looks at every U.S. death sentence from 1990 to 2015, he says, "What remains of the American death penalty is quite fragile and reflects a legacy of racial bias and idiosyncratic local preferences.





But voters last month staged a capital punishment comeback of sorts, defeating an abolition effort in California, restoring it to the books in Nebraska following legislative repeal, and adding it to the state constitution in Oklahoma.





"It means we're going in the other direction," says Kent Scheidegger, general counsel at the conservative Criminal Justice Legal Foundation. "The other side is not making progress. They are slipping."





That's not the case in state supreme courts, where the death penalty has been struck down recently in Florida, Delaware and Connecticut. The Florida ruling, if made retroactive, could affect nearly 400 inmates on death row.

 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

Source: USA Today, Richard Wolf, December 12, 2016
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12/12/2016

This spring semester, the David L. Walters Department of Music will be offering a recorder techniques class that will meet once a week on Thursdays, from 3-4 p.m.

The class will be taught by Dr. Patricia Corbin, JSU Director of Choral Activities. Class members will learn to play all sizes of the recorder and participating music education students will learn teaching strategies for the instrument. Class members will also participate in the upcoming Recorder Festival that will be held in February.

The recorder is a genuine instrument that dates back to the Renaissance. Most people remember the recorder as a small instrument they may have played briefly in elementary school, before moving on to a modern band instrument, but there is much more to it than that. It comes in many sizes and there is a wealth of genuine and challenging repertoire specifically available for it. It is a very accessible instrument for adult beginners to learn and a lot of fun to play.

Although this is an easy instrument to learn to play, all class members need to already have some proficiency in reading music, as basic music fundamentals will not be covered.

To register for recorder techniques class MU 146/346 Section 06, the CRN number is: 23551/23552. This class counts as one hour of college credit and costs the same as one credit hour plus any additional course fees. However, anyone interested in learning the recorder is invited to audit this course if not seeking college credit. The audit fee at JSU is $25 per a credit hour.

Class supplies include: Yamaha Soprano (YRS -24B, Baroque Fingering) and an Alto Recorders (YRA-28B, Baroque fingering), approximately $27 total. A limited number of these recorders will be available for sale in the music department at the beginning of the semester. A portable stand will also be required.

For further questions, please contact Dr. Patricia Corbin at pcorbin@jsu.edu or 256-782-5544.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

By Monday morning Syrian time, the large and important district of Shaikh Saeed in southeastern Aleppo had completely fallen to the Syrian Arab Army and its allies among the Shiite militias of Lebanon and Iraq.



(Orange in this map areas regime has taken in past 3 weeks; blue is government-held West Aleppo; green is rebel holdouts, light blue Kurdish).

Shaikh Saeed collapsed under the weight of extremely intensive aerial bombardment by Russian fighter jets, which aided ground advances by the Syrian Arab Army and its Shiite militia allies.. Amid talk of Russian interference in the US elections, it should be remembered that Russia decided some 15 months ago to become the arbiter of Syrias fate in a very serious way.

As far as I can tell, the rebels now hold only the area immediately south of the Citadel, which is about 10% of the eastern city. Syrian Arab Army troops say that they can see the Citadel from their new positions.

On Monday over 700 fighters, out of the 4,000 who had been there, donned civilian clothing and melded into some 13,000 civilians from Shaykh Saeed who fled to West Alepp.

At the beginning of the current campaign, there had been some 250,000 non-combatants trapped in East Aleppo (rebel militias did not allow them to leave despite heavy bombardment by the Syrian and Russian air Forces). It now seems likely that only 25,000 civilians remain under rebel rule in the 10% of East Aleppo they control, south of the Citadel.

Likewise, the some 4,000 fighters must have shrunk to 1,000 or so. They are a mix of al-Qaeda, Freemen of Syria, and Nour al-Din Zanki Brigades.

Regime-held West Aleppo has several hundred thousand residents, who are much better off than the East Aleppans, and who have suffered mortar fire from the rebel east.

Before the war, Aleppo was the countrys largest city, with a population of some 2.3 million in the metropolitan area.

When all of East Aleppo falls, as seems likely before the end of this year, the Bashar al-Assad regime will hold all the countrys major urban areas. Only sparsely populated rural districts remain with the rebels places like Idlib in the north, and then part of al-Raqqa and all of Deir al-Zor in the east (these two provinces are held by Daesh (ISIS, ISIL). Palmyra has again fallen to Daesh in the past couple of days, but it is a small desert town.

Some 80% of the population is under regime control. The war can continue thereafter, but there seems no path forward for the rebels to win the contest.

Russias success in shaping the outcome of the Syrian struggle has made Moscow a player in the region again for the first time since the fall of the old Soviet Union.

Syrias totalitarian Baath government, longed backed by Iran, is beginning to pick up other regional support, e.g. from the Egypt of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and from the new government of President Michel Aoun in Lebanon. The big losers here are Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council governments, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Even Turkey appears to have made some sort of deal with Russia such that it has acquiesced in al-Assads brutal reassertion.
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By IMEMC |  

A new video released by the Negotiations Affairs Department, titled East Jerusalem: Israels Colonial Project Unraveled, declares that Israels policy in the city, since the 1967 occupation, is three fold: creating a Jewish majority, reducing Palestinian presence and isolating East Jerusalem and dividing it from its West Bank parts.

According to WAFA, the 2:43-minute documentary describes the policy as one of special colonial segregation enforced by Israels settlement enterprise.

PLO-NAD Media: East Jerusalem: Israels Colonial Project Unravelled

According to the video, Israel has turned 35 percent of the area in East Jerusalem into land for settlement construction, leaving only 13 percent of the area for Palestinian construction, amounting to a severe housing crisis and forcing many Palestinians to build without a permit.

A total of 3,500 homes were reportedly demolished under the pretext of being built without permit, and around 25,000 more are slated for demolition under the same pretext, leaving 100,000 Palestinians at risk of displacement.

Israel also revoked the residency status of some 14,500 Palestinians in East Jerusalem under all variety of pretexts, while it built thousands of housing units for settlers and opened bypass roads for them through Palestinian land.

This policy created a Jewish settlement population of 100,000 in East Jerusalem, in addition to 200,000 on the western side of the city, in comparison to 300,000 Palestinians holding Jerusalem residency, and including 100,000 who live outside a 240 kilometer-long concrete wall and fence built to separate Israel and occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank.

Colonized, impoverished and segregated. With these words the Negotiations Affairs Department video concludes its narrative of the future facing occupied East Jerusalem and its Palestinian residents.

Via IMEMC
The Irish High Court will hear a new challenge [Independent report] to Brexit [BBC backgrounder] after tens of thousands of pounds were raised, according to reports Sunday. The challenge contends that Article 50 [text, PDF] is revocable once it is activated. Under EU law, a member state has two years after Article 50 is triggered to leave the union. The case is being brought before Ireland as an EU member state needs to be named in the legal action. The new challenge asserts that the European Council and European Commission may have breached EU law in relation to Article 50. It is expected that the Irish court will refer the case to a higher court operating on a European level.

A majority of British citizens voted in a referendum to leave the EU. The vote, an extension of British discontent with the EU, defied the suggestions of economists and British leaders, leading to the resignation of Prime minister David Cameron [JURIST report]. The implications of this move extend beyond just immigration, though, as many believe this separation will negatively affect the British economy, which will likely be cut off from the EUs single market unless an agreement between the two can be reached. While the vote has fallen in favor of departure, no legal changes have taken place yet [Guardian report], as Britain must take further steps to confirm its separation. The EU has set out a mechanism for leaving in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, where a member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements, and must notify the European council of its intention. Under Article 50, a member country can only be removed from the EU two years after notification. While Britain might bypass this process through repeal of the European Communities Act of 1972, it is believed that this would make coming to a preferential trade agreement with the EU more difficult.
While making it clear that Europe would prefer if Jamaica expands gay rights and abolish the death penalty, the European Union's (EU) new representative in Kingston insists that these would not be conditions for the island to continue to receive EU economic aid.





" ... There is no conditionality," Malgorzata Wasilewska, the head of the EU Delegation in Jamaica, said in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Gleaner.





"It never has been, and it never will be," said Wasilewska in response to questions if the EU would demand movements from Jamaica in line with the trends in Europe.





"But if in the course of our cooperation any of our values are not respected - for example, if we implement a project and during the project, there is a clear violation of human rights in the implementation - of course, we would raise that and have a conversation about it," added Wasilewska.





Over the past 40 years, the EU has provided Jamaica with official development assistance of approximately 1.2 billion euros, or J$170 billion. Some of this money has been direct budgetary support, which has helped the island meet crucial fiscal targets under its agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).





Only last week, the EU provided a grant of 24 million euros (more than J$3 billion) to support Jamaica's Justice System Reform Programme.





Of this amount, 22 million euros was in the form of budget support, while 1 million euros will be offered to civil-society organisations, through calls for proposals to contribute to improving access to justice, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups. The remaining 1 million euros will go towards providing technical assistance, evaluation and audits, as well as communication and visibility services.





But the issue of gay rights and the death penalty, subtexts to EU-Jamaica relations, are not areas where the long-time friends see eye to eye, and there have been concerns that the 28-member bloc will use its financial might to force the island to fall in line with its position on these issues.





Most of the money the EU has given Jamaica has been grant resources for sectors such as education, human-rights awareness, security, agriculture, and rural development, but there have been concerns expressed recently as more and more Europeans start looking inwards.





Wasilewska last week admitted that the EU does not see eye to eye with Jamaica on issues such as the death penalty and LBGT rights, but said that would not impact the billions of dollars in aid provided to the island each year.





"We will continue having a dialogue on values that are important to us and they will include conversations on the death penalty and LBGT rights, on equality of rights to all citizens. I am convinced that the dialogue will be an honest and frank exchange between equals," Wasilewska told The Sunday Gleaner on the fringes of a meet-and-greet session in Kingston.





In June, all 28 EU member states reached a consensus on LGBT rights and agreed at the Council of the European Union to work against "any discrimination" against LGBT people, and to ramp up pan-European efforts on equality.





The council urges individual national governments "to consider working together with the European Commission with regard to its list of actions to advance LGBTI equality", and "to take action to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity".





Jamaica has shied away from any such commitment, with the recently introduced Charter of Rights failing to recognise same-sex unions or provide any specific protection for members of the LBGT community.





The death penalty has been abolished in all EU states and is enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights of the Council of Europe.





Locally, parliamentarians voted in 2008 to retain the death penalty, even though no execution has taken place in decades.

 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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Source: Jamaica Gleaner, December 11, 2016
The US Supreme Court [official website] ruled [opinion, PDF] unanimously Monday in Shaw v. United States [SCOTUSblog materials] that a defendants argument that he should not be convicted of bank fraud because because he only intended to cheat a bank depositor is unpersuasive. Lawrence Shaw illegally drained another persons bank account but claimed on appeal that because he did not intend to defraud the bank itself, the federal bank fraud statute [text] does not apply. In an opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer, the court rejected Shaws argument. The court vacated the judgment [opinion, PDF] of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and remanded for further proceedings.

The court heard arguments [JURIST report] in this case in October. Certiorari was granted [JURIST report] in April. The court will be in recess until its next conference on January 6.
Mazda sells more cars in Europe than either JLR, Suzuki or Honda, but has no factory in the region. Now its models are becoming increasingly premium, with the 2017 model year Mazda6 a good example of that. What is the companys secret recipe for this success?

Where Mazda does best

The UK is Mazda Motor Europes second largest market, with year to date deliveries now numbering 44,498, a rise of three per cent, which is a touch above the average overall gain. The main brand which Mazda is now outselling is SEAT (44,108), but Volvo too has had fewer sales in 2016 than the Japanese make, which was also the case in 2015.

The 6 proves that you dont have to be an Audi or even a Volkswagen to compete in the European D segment. As long as there is a stylish and roomy estate body style and, to a lesser extent, a sedan too, rather than a hatchback, a decent amount of sales volume is possible.

In Germany, MMEs top market, more than 58,000 Mazdas were sold in the eleven months to the end of November, making this a much more successful brand there than Kia (55,800) or Peugeot (52,757), while Suzuki (28,876) has sold fewer than half as many cars. Given pricing levels, Mazda will likely be far more profitable than any of these makes.

The country where MME has its headquarters is also the largest in the European region for the Mazda6, with 6,165 cars delivered so far in 2016. The newly released 2017 model year range should help push the total towards the 7,000 mark by year-end. Its obviously not a great amount of volume but its more than these other D segment models have achieved in Germany: Volvo S60 & V60 (4,815), Hyundai i40 (4,679), Renault Talisman (3,625), Jaguar XE (2,637), Toyota Prius (2,160), Citroen C5 (1,465), Peugeot 508 (1,274), Kia Optima (1,235), Subaru Legacy (741) and DS 5 (466). The DS is similarly hampered to the Jaguar, Prius and Legacy, by not being available as an estate.

There is some fascinating reading in looking at comparative numbers for a handful of other albeit unrelated models, underlining how successful Mazdas biggest sedan and wagon range truly is: Citroen C4 Cactus (5,250), BMW 7 Series (5,034), Audi A7 (3,063) and Audi A8 (2,532). The 6 is not that far behind the Mercedes S-Class, which has crashed to only 6,355 German market deliveries in 2016*.

A Passats door handles dont do this

What makes this such an appealing car? Many factors, but oddly enough, the worst thing about the Mazda6 happens when you open any of the doors and then release the handle. The first impression, which is the beauty of the styling, is instantly spoiled by a clang. It sounds cheap and needs to be fixed ASAP. A bit more sound deadening material inside the doors would do the trick.

Once inside, the elegant lines of the exterior thankfully continue to the dashboard, instrument pack, seat shapes and door trims. Toyota, a minor shareholder in Mazda Motors, could do with sending its interior styling teams to a studio where they would study the simplicity of Mazda interiors. There is no fuss, all the shades of trim complement one another, plastic panels line up perfectly and pulling a door shut gives off a solid-sounding thunk, despite this being a light car for its class (1,493kg as tested).

Is Mazda the new Honda?

Mazdas secret lies in a consistent look for all models, clear branding and great looking showrooms. In many ways, it has become what Honda Motor Europe once was. Long gone are the days when HME sold 300,000 cars in the region, its volume having dropped to around half that level. MME, on the other hand, saw its sales rise by 15 per cent over the ten months to the end of October, to 205,184 vehicles.**

Underlining just how much MME punches above its weight, Mazda China, which has had a strong 2016, its sales rising by 17 per cent, sold fewer (219,858)*** cars than the European division.

Specs, dynamics, size

The vehicle lent to be was fitted with a 165PS 1,988cc four-cylinder petrol engine, linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. The throw between ratios was so much better than the heavy, sometimes, baulky changes you can suffer with some German cars in this segment: this is the brand which brings us the close-to-perfection MX-5s manual transmission, lets not forget.

Torque, at 210Nm, isnt generous but against that, the petrol engine revs so freely, youre constantly surprised that this is a sensible-shoes family estate. There are only 2.57 turns lock to the lock from electric-assist steering, while the car I assessed was on 19-inch wheels. Its ride was none the worse for that. The 0-62mph time is 9.1 seconds and top speed is 133mph.

Boot capacity is 522 litres with the easily-folded rear seats in place. As mentioned in last years piece on the facelifted range, the wagon is in fact shorter and its wheelbase less lengthy than the sedan. That means 4,800mm from bumper to bumper and 2,750mm between the wheelarches (4,865mm and 2,830mm for the saloon). This anomaly is likely explained by the Russian and US markets having requested a big car, while the estate is sold mainly by MME, whose customers garages and parking spaces tend to be on the compact side.

Production: three plants worldwide

Mazda builds this car at Hofu No. 2, production having commenced in 2012, the wagon arriving a few months after the four-door.

There are a couple of unusual engineering features for both bodystyles, one of which is the existence of what the company calls i-loop. This is a marketing term for capacitors which store energy to run electrical systems when the engine is in stop-start mode.

The capacitors are supplied by Nihon Chemicon Corporation. Mazda says it takes only ten seconds for them to be recharged, and they absorb a higher percentage of the energy generated as the car decelerates than batteries. These components are also not as heat sensitive as certain kinds of lithium ion cells, which means the capacitors can be located inside the engine compartment, under one of the headlights.

Japan is not the only country where the 6 is manufactured, OJSC Sollers building it and other Mazda models at its Vladivostok plant in Russias Far Eastern Federal District. The sedan is also made in China, the FAW Car Co., Ltd. (FCC) factory in Changchun having been building it since 2014. All three sites have manufactured facelifted cars since 2015, and should do so until the next generation model arrives in 2017 or 2018.

GVC  new for the 2017 model year

As noted in the picture caption, G-Vectoring Control is new for the 2017 model year, these cars having been rolled out worldwide since October. GVC is said to integrate control of the engine, transmission and chassis to enhance the connection between car and driver. The most obvious thing it does is to vary torque so that each of the driving wheels maintains maximum traction.

As luck would have it, the week I spent with the MY 2017 estate saw a fair bit of rain and that leafy mulch which usually appears in October but which came late late in this still warm autumn.

Mazda reckons GVC is monitoring steering and throttle position as you accelerate into a corner, and it will momentarily reduce the amount of torque delivered to the front wheels. What that does is allow a fraction more weight onto the front axle and therefore a reduction in torque steer. Cornering does feel a bit flatter than in some floaty rivals and you definitely dont have to make those small steering corrections which are normal with large-ish front-wheel drive family cars.

The engine line-up is carried over for the 2017MY cars, which means the 2.0-litre petrol unit is still available in 145PS or 165PS forms, and the 2.2-litre diesel comes with either 150PS or 175PS.

The diesels have been slightly re-engineered to give off less noise, and backing that up is improved sound insulation. That includes laminated front side windows, the adoption of upgraded door seals, tighter tolerances between panels and sound deadening materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner and, apparently, doors. Well, if thats really the case, a bit more is needed.

New engine tech for next model

The fourth generation of this sedan and wagon range should use an evolution of the existing architecture which Mazda has moved almost all of its vehicles onto. Build will again be in Japan, China and Russia. The company will offer the four-door car with a diesel engine as well as four-cylinder petrol units in the US market.

The next 6 (Atenza in Japan) could also be Mazdas first car for the homogenous compression engines which the company says it is working on and which will be available in 2018/2019. When these hit the market, there should be a big improvement in fuel economy, even though the existing model is hardly a hard-drinker, the 165PS engine delivering a Combined average of 47.9mpg. CO2 is 136g/km.

*Source: KBA **ACEA ***CAAM
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Indian President Pranab Mukherjee (left), Joko Widodo, PM Narendra Modi

The fate of an Indian facing death sentence in Indonesia will be discussed during Indonesian President Joko Widodo India visit beginning Monday. However, the Indonesian government has indicated that any change in his sentence is unlikely.





The Indian national, Gurdip Singh, has been facing threat of firing squad in Indonesia. After frantic diplomatic efforts from India his death sentence was postponed in July. But the only hope for the 48-year-old is winning a presidential clemency. Singh was convicted for carrying 300 gms of Heroin.





Before embarking on his state visit to India President Widodo has contended that the capital punishment given to convicts is based on the serious nature of their crimes and not on nationality. "My duty as President is to uphold the law and Indonesia's sovereignty. This will be applied in all cases, including those involving capital punishment."





Asked specifically if he would pardon Singh on death row, President Widodo said: "The death penalty is imposed only on individuals who have carried out serious crimes, and is not based on nationality."





Widodo will be coming on 2 day state visit to India, his first after assuming power in 2014, on December 12. He will be coming with a big delegation and would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.





India has been trying to impress upon the Indonesian leadership to exhaust all legal recourses before the death penalty was carried out.





Singh was arrested in 2004 from Indonesian Soekarno Hatta Airport and he was awarded death sentence in 2005 by Tangerang Court for carrying the contraband.





Singh's appeal challenging the death penalty was turned down by the High court of Banten and the Supreme Court.





Indonesia resumed executions in 2013, ending a 4-year unofficial moratorium on the death penalty.





In the face of strong international criticism, Indonesia has defended the use of capital punishment, arguing the country is facing a drug emergency.





Presently 1.2 million people in Indonesia are estimated to be addicted to drugs and about 4.5 million are undergoing rehabilitation.

 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

Source: The News Indian Express, December 11, 2016
Two of the South African edible oil companies raided last week in an investigation into price-fixing allegations have denied they have taken part in anti-competitive activity.

Free Report Whats the forecast for the food and grocery industry? Market drivers and inhibitors

Five-year forecasts and the impact of COVID-19

The performance of the online channel versus offline

Major trends in the market including rapid delivery, ambient retailing, supply chain disruption, and inflation Assess developments within this sector to help your business thrive in 2022 and beyond. The food and grocery sector thrived during the pandemic, largely due to the shutdown of the food service industry and the sectors subsequent necessity, panic-induced bulk purchasing, and spending more time at home. The market has grown as a result of inflation. Consumer unwillingness to go out and socialize, and the reopening of several hospitality facilities, helped maintain the demand for groceries, particularly online, in 2021. As consumer behavior changes, we consume more food and drink at home, and inflation increases basket sizes. GlobalData predicts that the sector will continue to hold a higher share than had been predicted prior to the pandemic. This is true despite the fact that the food and grocery sector's share of overall retail will decline from its peak in 2020. This report will discuss market forecasts and key themes in the global food & grocery industry in 2022 and beyond. It covers:Assess developments within this sector to help your business thrive in 2022 and beyond. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. Please enter a work/business email address Country United Kingdom United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D"ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People"s Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People"s Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Download free Report By clicking the Download Free Report button, you accept the terms and conditions and acknowledge that your data will be used as described in the GlobalData privacy policy By downloading this Report, you acknowledge that we may share your information with our white paper partners/sponsors who may contact you directly with information on their products and services.



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Willowton Oil and Cake Mills and Epic Foods were among five businesses raided last week as competition officials in South Africa investigate claims of price-fixing.

South Africas Competition Commission visited the offices of Wilmar Continental Edible Oils and Fats, FR Waring Holdings, Africa Sun Oil Refineries, Willowton Oil and Cake Mills, and Epic Foods on Thursday (8 December), with all companies suspected of engaging in a cartel, which, the regulator said, started in 2007 and is still ongoing.

The companies are accused of fixing prices for refined edible oils including baking fats and margarine, the Competition Commission said.

Willowton claimed the Competition Commissions probe is the result of another investigation by the regulator into a recent merger within the industry as well as another impending merger.

In a statement, Willowton said: These mergers and impending merger are between suppliers and competitors of Willowton Group. During the commissions investigations into these mergers, the Willowton Group as a competitor and customer, fully responded to the commissions investigations into these mergers. We have complied with all requests of the investigators and are extending our assistance in finalising their investigation.

Willowton declined to comment on which companies are involved in the mergers as talks on the deals are ongoing.

The group, meanwhile, said it had been the subject of previous investigations into its activities when, it said, there was no evidence found of any wrong-doing on the part of the company.

Willowton added: Allegations of price collusion and cartel activities among suppliers and competitors in the edible oil market have been made by the commission and these allegations again are refuted by the company.

For its part, Epic Foods denied engaging in any conduct of any anti-competitive nature. The company added: Epic Foods management and staff takes these allegations very seriously and will continue to operate with the utmost honesty, integrity and proficiency.

Related Companies
locke23 said: That's incorrect. Treason is actively working against your country (giving away secrets, performing a terrorist attack, defecting, withholding pertinent information to national security, etc).



Simply not following a lawful order is insubordination.



You straight up have no understanding of military law, the criminal code or international law. Click to expand...

firstus solders don't murder woman and children. any talk that says they dois a lie. the only way that can happen is if those homos what ever they arehide behind them and start shooting. whats a us solder. to do.stand there and be shot?..and no mater how you call it. any interference with authority whilelives are on the spot no mater if its treason or insubordination is a crimein many categorysthey each do the same thing. one worse then the other.if you intifear with a police officer that's a crime. but in a war is another story
Eight startup companies that graduated today from the first class of Israels Defense and HLS Accelerator in Lighthouse Raanana mark an important milestone for Israels defense innovation  a privately funded initiative sponsored and supported exclusively by the defense business community.

What makes our accelerator unique is bringing together the startups with potential customers. This networking help shape the inventors ideas into practical solutions for early adoption by the users, Tal Catran, Program Director of the IHLS Accelerator told Defense-Update. This is an essential stage to attract investment, mature products and rapid access to defense and security markets. This graduation, is also a demo day that attracted users from the defense community is a proof of this strategy. This networking helped startup to develop new solutions very quickly. In only four months, most of the start up ventures that participated have met significant milestones such as prototype development, proof of concept, product and demo designs, capital fund raising and more.

Among these were Listenapp, a developer of a smartphone app that alerts users when their calls are recorded, or subjected to eavesdropping or information on their phone is compromised. Few months after launching its development Listenapp is planning to launch its app online soon.

Another venture making significant progress is Faception. The company implements a proprietary face recognition process to enable security agencies and businesses to detect personality groups based on facial images and patterns. Unlike face recognition which categorizes individual based on lists of known suspects, Faception enables organizations with access to large image databases, or as well as robots, to categorize unanimous people into groups with common attributes. Terrorists, white collar offenders and pedophiles were identified among a test group of unanimous people. Faception demonstrated identification accuracy exceeding 80 percent. On a test made by the company after the Paris terror attack in October 2015 the algorithms classified nine of the suspects eventually aprehended by the police as potential terrorists based on their facial attributes, although the system had no prior knowledge of their relations to the three suspects that had prior record. In addition to security inspection the technology can also be used for screening, by pointing to individuals who are potential offenders, with a high degree of certainty.

Tackling the issue of firepower accuracy, OneZeroingShot has developed an effective method to improve the accuracy of firearms. Unlike other zeroing procedures that require lengthy and complex procedures, OneZeroingShot provides a quick, and cost effective solution that offers shooters to zero-in any rifle with any sight, at any distance within one minute and using one shot. In recent months the new method was validated and a prototype of a field deployable produced.

A different innovation presented here was the generic 3D kinematic simulation engine developed by 3DOR. The engine runs complex motion interaction scenarios analyzing object behaviors for operational research used by defense manufacturers and the military in operational research and evaluation, algorithm testing and real-time solutions. Unlike other startup companies 3DOR is an established business, supporting customers in the MOD, military and defense community, the Accelerator enables companies like 3DOR to broaden their reach domestically and abroad.

Tackling a different problem in product development cycle, TETATE is merging 3D modelling, animation and Virtual Reality (VR), to bring new concepts and innovations in their early stage to (virtual) reality. With a small group of experienced producers, programmers and technical experts TETATE takes a concept, design or product and embed it into a VR scenario, enabling designers, potential users or customers to experience the system in its early stage. Integrating props such as weapons, system controls or other assets (such as a rifle, or fire extinguisher), the hyper-realistic scenarios can also be used for training.

Addressing the increasing use of drones in the combat zone, D-NEST developed by Safeland offers solution that enables multirotor drones to operate continuously and autonomously over a wide area. Developed to address civilian uses of multirotor drones in future delivery and commerce, D-NEST is equipped with localization, communications, and electrical charging  all necessary to sustain continuous drone activity in rural or urban areas. The system is equally suitable for operation in an urban war zone is, where the forces require constant UAV support that often expose drone operators in open area. During their residence in the accelerator Safeland completed prototype development and demonstration, of a man portable D-NEST system that supports dismounted forces.

Introducing Quality Learning (Q-Learning) solutions to defense and HLS and the National Security Group (NSG) employs on the job training solutions that have become part of todays enterprise culture, for security and defense training. NSG provides courses for armed forces, law enforcement, security agency and private security firms. Using interactive, game based scenarios, NSG combines vocabulary, reading and tests to assure learning.

Lightline has evolved as a seed from the DSIT group, to pursue the development of linear sensor solutions based on fiber optics. The new sensor employs DSITs extensive know how in acoustic processing to enable users to detect anomalies along the sensor, over long distances (up to 100 km, and tens of meters away from the sensor). Lightline offers its linear fiber optic sensor solutions for perimeter defense, oil, gas, water and communications line security, highway and railway monitoring as well as surveillance of large urban areas, enhancing smart city and safe city systems. Lightline motivation to join the Accelerator was the defense focused nurturing and support and visibility they gained to companies and users in the defense community in Israel and abroad.

The Israeli defense & HLS accelerators is one of few innovation centers that have evolve in Israel in recent years. What is unique about this one is it is actually operating within another accelerator  the Lighthouse, established few months ago in Raanana. As Lighthouse keeps its own momentum, the defense accelerator is now launching the second class, with more innovations on the way. These innovations are attracting the attention of angel investors, venture capital (VC) funds, defense companies.

In fact, the organizers are already raising a substantial investment fund to finance some of the startup companies with seed and A round funding. The accelerator also established leads overseas  a recent Memorandum of Agreement signed with GT Korea formalized links to investors, innovators and major corporations on South Korea. Similar agreements are also pursued in other Asian and European markets.

Fair Disclosure: The writer is a founder and an executive at TETATE.
Members of Linn-Benton Community Colleges Part-Time Faculty Association have ratified an initial contract, which the LBCC Board of Education approved at a special meeting on Thursday.

The contract increases LBCC part-time faculty salaries to the average of Oregon community colleges of similar size as LBCC before the end of the four-year contract term, according to LBCC.

The contract also includes enhancements in sick leave, tuition waivers and retirement contribution provisions.

This agreement will help us retain and attract the excellent faculty members we need to fulfill our mission, said LBCC President Greg Hamann.

The ratification votes by the association and the board were unanimous.

Tak Suyama, chairman of negotiations for the Part-Time Faculty Association and its past president, said members still will be low paid by comparison and dont have much job security.

The salary issue wasnt dealt with as well as wed like. Were still glad we have a contract, but that was a sacrifice we had to make, said Suyama, a chemistry instructor.

This is definitely better than not having anything, which was the status quo for decades, he added. Under the circumstances, this was the best deal we could get, especially because the college forced mediation on us.

Suyama said that LBCCs part-time instructors make up about two-thirds of all the people who teach at the college.

The number is kind of hard to pinpoint, but there are about 300 of us. In any given term, theres about 220 of us who teach, he added.

Dale Stowell, LBCC executive director of advancement/foundation, said that part-time faculty teach a bit less than half of the classes at the colleges campuses. By the end of the contract, they should be caught up regarding pay, he added.

The next contract, well have to make sure that our salaries remain competitive, Stowell said.

The bottom line for us is weve got great part-time faculty and we value what they do. A common interest in helping our students succeed is what led both sides to make a compromise to come to a contract agreement, he said.

The agreement was reached after two sessions with a mediator and took just over a year to negotiate  a relatively quick timeline for an initial contract, according to LBCC. Its not uncommon for an initial contract to take two years or more of negotiations, Stowell said.

Part-time faculty members will receive an average of a 4.2 percent pay increase this year, which will vary individually from 3.1 percent to 5.4 percent, depending on the salary schedule step they are on, which is based on length of service.

Pay increases for the following two years will be 3.1 percent and 3.25 percent. The raise in the fourth year of the contract will be decided by the Consumer Price Index, and will be between 3 percent and 4.5 percent.

Among the other details of the contract:

 Part-time faculty will receive paid sick leave early in an instructional term rather than needing to accrue it first, which would occur later in a term.

 The tuition waiver for part-time faculty will also increase from 3 credits to 5 credits per term.

 The college will make a 6 percent contribution to the Public Employee Retirement System for part-time faculty, the majority of whom are PERS-eligible. This also brings the contract into alignment with part-time faculty compensation at similar-sized colleges.

Another benefit of the contract is that it consolidates key employment and benefit related information in a single location where part-time faculty members can easily find it, said LBCC Human Resources Director Scott Rolen. Previously, that information was distributed in a variety of channels such as college board policies, administrative rules and faculty handbooks.
YORK, Neb.  A 53-year-old York man, Timothy Case, died after he was shot by police at York General Hospital early Sunday.

York Police Chief Don Klug said officers were dispatched to the hospital shortly after midnight because a man was reportedly wielding a knife and threatening hospital staff.

When they arrived they issued the command for him to drop his knife, but he continued to threaten staff and was also threatening the police officers, Klug said. They deployed a Taser on the subject two times, both times to no avail.

The subject continued to be threatening and was refusing to drop his weapon, Klug said. At that point they also attempted to deploy chemical means, using pepper spray, but again to no avail. Officers repeated commands for him to stop and drop his weapon, but he refused, and advanced toward officers.

At that point, Klug said, one of the officers shot the man.

Case was taken by helicopter in critical condition to Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln. He later died, Klug said.

Klug said he did not know why Case was at York General.

Case had been outside the hospital, near the emergency entrance, when an altercation began, according to York General Hospital.

Our staff and ER physician saw this situation begin to escalate outside the ER doors and contacted law enforcement immediately, the hospital said in the statement. It is because of this early contact along with the quick response that together we were able to resolve this situation without injury or harm to our patients and staff.

The hospital declined to comment on why Case was there.

This individuals presence outside our ER is under investigation along with the rest of the incident, so no further comments or speculation will be given, the statement said.

The officers involved in the incident were Roger Wolfe, who has been with the York Police Department since 1999, and Christopher Jepsen, who has been with the department since 2013. Information provided by police did not indicate which of the officers fired his weapon.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave at this time, Klug said. That is standard procedure. ... The officers did all they could to defuse the situation before having to take the action they did.

The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting an investigation of the incident, and a grand jury will be convened. Under state law, a grand jury is convened to investigate any time a person dies in jail, while in custody or while law enforcement is trying to arrest the person.

This was the York Police Departments first officer-involved shooting in about 15 years, Klug said.

World-Herald staff writer Kevin Cole contributed to this report.
Bombardier CEO Alain Bellemare speaks during a ceremony to mark the first delivery of Bombardier's CS300 to Air Baltic in Mirabel, Que., Monday, November 28, 2016. It's investor day for Bombardier on Thursday. The aerospace giant will release its guidance for next year and discuss the progress of its turnaround efforts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Domestic assault arrest  12:45 p.m. Saturday, Linn County Jail. Nicholas Michael Woodward, 20, of Brownsville, was arrested on a charge of felony fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). His initial bail was set at $50,000 and he was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Heroin arrest  5:30 p.m. Friday, Linn County Jail. Shawn Arden Hassenger, 34, of Lebanon, was arrested on charges of delivery and possession of heroin, first-degree child neglect and frequenting a place of controlled substance use. His initial bail was set at $63,000, and he was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Syrian refugee Faten Nseirat attends an event to mark the one year anniverary of the arrival of refugees from the war torn country to Canada, in Montreal, Sunday, December 11, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
You may find this hard to believe, but last week Congress passed an important piece of legislation that enjoyed broad support from members of both political parties.

It's the so-called 21st Century Cures Act, a measure to invest more than $6 billion into public health and medical research over the next decade. This Tuesday, President Barack Obama plans to sign the bill, which passed the Senate last week by a vote of 94-5. A nearly identical version of the bill passed the House the week before; the vote there was 392-26. This may be the last significant piece of legislation Obama signs.

In some ways, the bill has become what legislators like to call a "Christmas tree," loaded down with goodies for everyone. In fact, the bill has ballooned from 300 pages last year into a measure that now is nearly 1,000 pages long. But the need to fund the sort of medical research targeted by the bill has become so great that it overwhelms arguments against the bill, including those from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. More about those later.

According to an account of the measure in The Atlantic magazine, the 21st Century Cures bill will expedite basic research into new medical research and disease-curing drugs. It will reform mental health treatments and fund research into brain injuries and Alzheimer's disease. The bill authorizes $1 billion to fight the opioid epidemic and allocates $1.8 billion to Vice President Joe Biden's "moonshot" effort to battle cancer.

The bill represents, in other words, a significant investment in some of the basic scientific areas that we have underfunded for years. No wonder that the bill eventually drew significant bipartisan support. In fact, it's telling that two of the biggest forces pushing the bill forward were on opposite sides of the aisle: Rep. Fred Upton, a Republican from Michigan and the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado, a liberal Democrat on the committee. The two have been working on the bill for three years.

In some ways, the bill represents the sort of compromise that used to be a commonplace occurrence in Washington: The Obama administration, for example, said the legislation "offers advances in health that far outweigh" its concerns, in particular how the bill is funded. (Some of the measure is funded by selling oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.)

But Sen. Warren and a handful of others weren't about to buy into any compromise on the measure: Warren, the Massachusetts liberal who's on the list of possible Democratic presidential candidates in 2020, said that the bill amounted to "extortion" and argued that it represented a huge giveaway to pharmaceutical companies. Her opposition came in spite of the fact that in the bill's long gestation period, some measures sought by drug companies were dropped, including one that would have extended the period of exclusivity for new medication by six months, thereby delaying the introduction of cheaper generics.

Warren's opposition did improve the bill in at least one respect: A provision that would have exempted companies from having to disclose certain payments to hospitals and doctors encouraging them to prescribe their drugs was removed from the bill at the last minute.

In part, the fight that Warren and her allies launched against the 21st Century Cures Act was meant to send a signal to the Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump: They're prepared to do battle. That's fine; that role as the opposition is essential, maybe now more than ever. But that role will require being smarter about which fight to pick. (mm)
THE 59 million investment in Medite SmartPly at Belview port in South Kilkernny augurs well for the region, the 160 plus employed there and the wider farming and forestry community which greatly benefits from the plant, according to Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan.

Deputy Phelan made his comments as he met with Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Michael Creed who opened the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Belview, Waterford Port, Co. Kilkenny on Friday.

Medite SmartPly, part of Coillte Group, manufactures and supplies innovative and sustainable wood panel products to customers throughout Europe. In 2016 a 59 million upgrade of the plant was completed securing it as one of the South-East regions largest exporters.

Medite SmartPly is now a key economic driver in south Kilkenny and employs over 160 people directly at the Kilkenny plant. But there are a further 200 jobs supported indirectly in the wider community. The Medite SmartPly plant uses trees, harvested mainly in the Southern part of the country, to manufacture innovative and sustainable wood products used in construction, flooring and furniture sectors.

Over the16 months that the plant was being upgraded, 220 additional people were employed during its construction. The state of the art manufacturing line allows new products to be developed, further benefitting the company and this region into the future, making it one the leading European suppliers of innovative, market-led wood panel products Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) into the future, Deputy Phelan said.

Minister Michael Creed said forestry and the timber processing sector play a crucial role in Irelands export industry. The investment of 59M in the development of this state-of-the art facility will enhance SmartPlys ability to manufacture innovative products to meet the ever-evolving needs of international customers while providing a very important outlet for pulpwood from Coilltes forests and private forests across the South East region. I welcome this investment as SmartPly generates significant employment in the region, both directly and indirectly, and also assists in the development of forestry in the region.

Coillte Chairman John Moloney said they were delighted to mark the official opening of the Medite SmartPly facility. The 59 million investment was part of a strategy to develop innovative, value added products that meet customer needs and enable the company to increase sales. For suppliers, including farmers and private forestry growers, this new facility provides a long-term destination for pulp wood from forest thinnings, as well as underpinning Coilltes own supply to Medite SmartPly. Today this investment is already contributing significantly to the local economy, sustaining 360 direct and indirect jobs in the South East region, and we wish it every success for the future.

CEO of Coillte Fergal Leamy said This is a very important day for Coillte and Medite SmartPly as we mark the completion of the 59M upgrade with Minister Creed. We are now positioned strongly to grow our panels business and have the platform to become the number one provider of value added wood panels in Europe over the next five years. Production output from the facility is already close to full capacity, which is a testament to our Medite SmartPly team. Our team continue to pursue new market opportunities, nurture strong customer relationships and understand market drivers and future customer needs, which through innovation, are being developed into new profitable revenue streams.
A new book by a Kilkenny teacher has just been published by the respected British Publisher, Routledge.

'Become the Primary Teacher Everyone Wants to Have: A Guide to Career Success', by Sean Delaney, is a book about primary teaching that combines the wisdom and knowledge of many scholars of teaching with the authors experience of teaching in Kilkenny and elsewhere for several years.

Sean Delaney, who lives in Kilkenny, taught for many years in the Kilkenny School Project (KSP) National School on the Waterford Road, where he also spent one year as principal.

Although for most of the time he taught at the KSP, the school was housed in the Scouts Den on the Bennettsbridge Road, he has many great memories from that time of the children, their parents and his teaching colleagues. Twenty years ago, the KSP moved to a new, purpose-built school on the Waterford Road.

Today, Sean works as a teacher educator in the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin. The institute, which is an associated college of Trinity College Dublin, offers courses in primary teaching, education studies, early childhood education and further education.

The book covers many topics that are of interest to teachers such as assessment, parent-teacher meetings, classroom management, relating to colleagues and having a work-life balance. There are sections on teaching children in early years classes and on the teaching of reading and mathematics.

Interestingly, the chapter on homework finds that few if any researchers have found homework to be of benefit to children in primary school. Although children may welcome the result, their parents may find it difficult to believe. Delaney offers alternative suggestions to the written homework that is regular event in many homes.

Alternatives include teaching children study skills and asking children to teach something important they learned that day in school to someone at home.

In a review of the book, Joan Ward, who is a former president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), wrote that the chapter on communicating with parents and guardians 'is a must read for any teacher who wants to cultivate a warm, approachable and effective relationship with parents'.

The book, which sells for just under 30, would make a good Christmas present for any teacher. It is available locally in Dubray Books in the Market Cross Shopping Centre and in The Book Centre on High Street.
* Local Chinese government vehicles flood G3 market, despite latest state disclaimer

By Daniel Stanton

SINGAPORE, Dec 12 (IFR) - Chinese local government funding vehicles have dominated Asian G3 issuance in recent weeks, despite repeat warnings that the sector no longer benefits from direct state support.

China's Ministry of Finance reiterated last month that LGFVs were responsible for their own debt, and that local governments had only limited responsibility for LGFVs as shareholders. China allowed local governments to issue directly in 2014, and made it clear that municipal bonds were the preferred form of budget financing.

The latest flurry of offshore financings from the LGFV sector, however, suggests that many investors are still banking on expectations of government support.

More than a dozen LGFVs have raised funds, totalling around $4 billion, in the offshore market since the start of November. In contrast, no Asian company outside Greater China has sold corporate bonds in dollars since late October.

International analysts are divided.

"All these announcements highlight a clear policy stance and desire to remove the 'moral hazard' associated with investing in LGFV bonds," said Carol Yuan, research analyst for credit at Aberdeen Asset Management.

International rating agencies, meanwhile, still cite the strength of local governments in their reports.

Fitch said Yunnan Provincial Energy Investment Group's standalone credit rating was B, noting that its adjusted net leverage of 9.3x in 2015 was likely to rise to 10x-11x this year, but awarded its bonds BBB, citing the issuer's strategic importance to Yunnan province.

Moody's gave a four-notch uplift to Zhuzhou City Construction Development's offshore bonds, based on a high level of expected support from the municipal government, and S&P gave the same rating uplift to bonds from Zhenjiang Transportation Industry Group.

China's latest guidelines indicate that regional governments would step in if there is a risk of systemic crisis, but it is clear that there is no explicit guarantee.

"You need to look at whether the local government is willing and able to support these LGFVs," said Leo Hu, senior portfolio manager at NN Investment Partners. "Normally, when support is called on, that's the moment everything else is going bad, too. So, the government's ability to support and the strategic importance of the LGFV is key when deciding who to rescue if not all." ONSHORE LIMIT Before the rule change in 2014, LGFV bonds were essentially treated as local government liabilities. The new guidelines are meant to separate them from local government finances and treat LGFVs as standalone issuers with no guarantees against default.

Local governments have been issuing new-style municipal bonds onshore, but there is still a need for additional debt funding for particular projects.

In November, China's MoF said local governments had used 96 percent of their 1.18 trillion renminbi ($171 billion) 2016 annual debt issuance limit as of the end of the third quarter.

The 2016 ceiling is equivalent to around 40 billion renminbi per province, which S&P has said falls short of capital needs for infrastructure and other developments.

That means more governments will leave it to their funding vehicles to sell bonds to finance specific operations, rather than raising funds at the municipal level. That is expected to be particularly important for capital-intensive projects like infrastructure and transportation, areas where Chinese local governments are currently investing heavily.

"Especially after the election of Donald Trump and his anti-globalisation stand, China may have to rely on domestic growth to reach its growth targets, and one way to grow that quickly is to spend on infrastructure," said Hu. As a result, a large part of that spending is likely to be funded through LGFV bonds.

However, Aberdeen's Yuan said that LGFV funding would drop in time, as a result of China's reforms and the ability of local governments to issue bonds directly. CURRENCY RISKS Some analysts are concerned that so much LGFV bond issuance has been in US dollars, despite the fact that few of the projects have any need for the currency.

"USD offshore issuance certainly creates some currency risk for individual companies, but the amount of offshore borrowing is still very small in comparison to their onshore borrowing," said Aberdeen's Yuan. "Most of the LGFV issuers that have issued offshore have less than 10 percent of foreign debt to their total borrowing. So, it's less of a concern on balances of risks."

Some have had a genuine need for dollars. For instance, Yunnan Metropolitan Construction and Investment Group made an offshore acquisition before it issued dollar bonds. Others, though, simply wanted the prestige of being the first offshore issuer from their province, said a Chinese banker.

Even so, obtaining an international rating for an offshore bond issue has forced many LGFVs to become more disciplined in their financial management.

"It feels like a marketing campaign to have US dollar bonds," said Hu. "Opening the books to international investors and becoming more transparent is clearly a credit positive. You basically improve your credit profile by selling offshore bonds."

New guidelines also require LGFVs to be more transparent in their accounting and financial disclosures, but it is clear that some are only viable, thanks to subsidies from their local governments.

"They are cheap, relative to the rest of the Triple B world. So, compared to Malaysian or Thai bank paper, it's an attractive proposition, but, in three or four years' time, people will realise that some of these guys don't have the money from cashflow to pay up," said a syndicate banker.

(Reporting by Daniel Stanton; editing by Steve Garton and Daniel Stanton)
MANILA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The Philippine central bank on Monday released preliminary data on net foreign direct investments (FDI) in September:

FDI Sept Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar (in $ mln) 469 711 503 238 364 2,244 394

KEY POINTS:

- The September net inflow, down 69.3 percent from a year ago, brought net FDI inflows in the first nine months of the year to nearly $5.9 billion, compared with $4.7 billion in the same period last year, the central bank said in a statement.

- Both investments in debt instruments and equity capital placements declined in September, the central bank said.

- Foreign direct investment in the Philippines is still small compared with those in regional peers due to poor infrastructure, high power costs and foreign ownership restrictions in key industries.

- President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will seek to ease restrictions on foreign ownership in some industries.

(Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)
HANOI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0141 GMT.

Dec 12 Dec 9 USD/VND mid-point 22,125 22,117

USD/VND interbank 22,585/22,600 22,590/22,600 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.85/36.27 36.07/36.49

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank quotes are indicative bid/ask prices.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co, the gold manufacturer.

Interbank offered rates are indicative, quoted from market sources.

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
HANOI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0420 GMT.

Dec 12 Dec 9 USD/VND mid-point 22,125 22,117 USD/VND interbank 22,620/22,650 22,590/22,600 USD/VND unofficial 23,230/23,270 23,130/23,180 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.95/36.42 36.07/36.49

Interbank offered rates Overnight 4.3-5.4 3.9-5.0

1 week 4.5-5.4 4.1-5.0

1 month 5.0-5.4 4.4-5.0

3 months 5.0-5.3 4.9-5.1

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016, the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank-offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
Dec 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares looked set to edge lower on Tuesday, snapping five straight sessions of gains, with bank stocks likely to lose some momentum in line with U.S. financials, ahead of the Federal Reserve's year-end meeting.

Investors are widely expecting the Federal Reserve to hike rates at a two-day meeting, beginning on Tuesday, and their focus has switched to what tone Fed Chair Janet Yellen takes in her statement on Wednesday.

The local share price index futures fell 0.4 percent, or 21 points, to 5,554, an 8.8-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index at its close. The benchmark ended 0.04 percent higher on Monday and has risen 3 percent in the five previous sessions.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index was flat with a positive bias in early trade.

For a summary of overnight action across global markets, double click on For a digest of the day's business stories in Australian newspapers, double click on (Reporting by Suhail Hassan Bhat in Bengaluru; Editing by Louise Ireland)
Poland sells 750 mln euros of 5-year green bonds - source



WARSAW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Poland has sold 750 million euros ($800 million) of 5-year green bonds, a source close to the transaction told Reuters. Earlier on Monday, IFR said that Poland had set final guidance for a five-year euro benchmark green bond at 48-50 basis points over mid-swaps, citing one of the deal's lead managers. Green bonds are designed to raise capital for low-carbon or clean energy investments.

(Reporting by Pawel Sobczak; Writing by Agnieszka Barteczko; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

kitco news
PARIS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Four men armed with assault rifles escaped with gold worth 2.5 million euros ($2.65 million) after ambushing an armoured transport van in southeast France on Monday, police and media said.

The thieves used burning vehicles to block the security van on a highway south of the city of Lyon before raiding it and seizing 70 kilos (155 pounds) of gold.

They locked the van's two occupants inside before escaping. The employees were not injured and were freed by police who arrived on the scene.

"All we have are burnt-out vehicles and a fire that began to spread to the van close by. All of the cars were burnt, either to erase any evidence or to create a traffic jam and obstruct anyone trying to chase them," police squadron chief Oliver Rigal told reporters.

(Reporting by Reuters television; Writing by Brian Love; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
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 Herald reports:

Shearer is expected to be formally announced as the head of the UNs mission in war-torn South Sudan on Tuesday and will resign almost immediately. His job starts at the end of January.

That will spark a byelection in his Mt Albert seat unless English opts for an early election, which is unlikely.

Labours candidate is likely to be MP Jacinda Ardern, who now lives in the electorate but was initially aiming for a third tilt at winning the marginal Auckland Central seat.

She said yesterday she was yet to make up her mind. If Ardern won Mt Albert, Labour could bring in another List MP  Little is understood to be keen to get Raymond Huo back into Parliament before the election to give Labour Chinese representation.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Mostly cloudy and windy. High near 75F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 44F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Four UT students crowdfund for local non-profit





A group of four students from the University of Tennessee are working to raise money for Knoxville Inner City Kids Outreach (KICKO), a local non-profit that offers after school programs for inner city children in the Knoxville area.



The students are using the crowdfunding website Indiegogo to raise money for KICKOs Sidewalk Sonday School. Sidewalk Sonday School visits 1,200 children in nine different locations throughout Knoxville each week in a bus full of activities. The leaders play games with the children and teach them a Sunday school lesson.



The students are trying to raise $1500 which will support the Sidewalk Sonday School program for two weeks. The funds will go towards the snacks that are provided as incentives for the children.



KICKO impacts the children of our community in such a positive way that really transforms their lives. They love on these kids, encourage them, and teach them valuable lessons. Any donations large or small would go a long way to keep these kids an active member of the program says, Madi Andres.



You can donate to the cause, view the perks of donating, watch their video, and track the progress of the campaign by going to their Indiegogo page at www.indiegogo.com/projects/inner-city-kids-for-christ--5#/. Published December 12, 2016






TVA, NextEra Energy Resources commission Alabamas largest solar energy project

DECEMBER 12, 2016 at 1:45 p.m.







River Bend Solar Energy Center. Image courtesy of TVA

FLORENCE, AL  Local leaders joined executives from NextEra Energy Resources and the Tennessee Valley Authority to celebrate the commissioning of Alabamas largest solar energy project  the River Bend Solar Energy Center.



We are pleased to once again work with our valued customer, TVA, to bring additional renewables into their portfolio with this first project of its scale in Alabama, said Mike OSullivan, senior vice president of Development for NextEra Energy Resources, which is the owner and operator of the project. This 75 MW solar project will provide millions in recurring tax dollars in aggregate over several decades for schools and essential services in the region and will generate cost-effective, clean, solar energy for years to come.



The River Bend Solar Energy Center features more than 300,000 solar panels with trackers that will follow the sun from east to west each day to maximize energy production. Together, they have a generating capacity of 75 megawatts, or enough to power more than 15,000 homes. The energy will serve TVA consumers starting this year, under a 20-year power purchase agreement between TVA and NextEra Energy Resources.



By using renewable energy from the sun, this project will avoid approximately 105,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide emissions that would have been produced if the electricity had been generated using fossil fuels.



TVA never stands still, and this NextEra Energy Resources project helps us meet our commitment to provide the 9 million people of the Tennessee Valley with reliable, low-cost, carbon-free electricity, said Van Wardlaw, executive vice president of external relations for TVA. Over the next 20 years, TVA will invest about $8 billion to support our renewable energy portfolio, and we see a bright renewable energy future for projects like this across the Tennessee Valley.



The project has created a significant economic boost for Lauderdale County, creating about 350 jobs during the construction phase, with most of the workers coming from the local area. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and construction  a wide variety of local businesses have benefitted from the influx of economic activity.



This project has provided good jobs for Lauderdale County residents, and businesses are enjoying the extra activity, too, said Lauderdale County Commissioner Joe Hackworth. We are thrilled to host the states largest solar facility and help realize the benefits it can bring to our community.



Over its operational life, the River Bend Solar Energy Center is expected to generate more than $9 million in property taxes, with the majority going to benefit the Lauderdale County School District.



I know the school board will look at all of the opportunities these funds will provide, said Lauderdale County School Superintendent Jennifer Gray. The funds will be a boost to many of the school districts future projects. Published December 12, 2016


















Bass Pro Shops lends support to Tennessee wildfire relief efforts

DECEMBER 12, 2016 at 12:31 p.m.





SEVIERVILLE  In the wake of devastating wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. and surrounding sections of the Great Smoky Mountains, Bass Pro Shops is joining in the effort to aid those impacted.



Bass Pro Shops locations in proximity to the wildfires  in Bristol, East Ridge, Nashville and Sevierville  are partnering with regional organizations to contribute funds to the restorative efforts through a roundup program. Customers visiting Santas Wonderland at these four Bass Pro Shops locations have the option to round up their purchase total to benefit the The Dollywood Foundation, founded by country music legend Dolly Parton, has committed to provide $1,000 per month to each family affected by the fire until their lives are restored as part of its recently established My People Fund.



Friends of the Smokies, an organization founded in 1993, is putting 100 percent of donations toward the most urgent needs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.



By donating to these organizations, customers will help provide:



 Emergency food, supplies and water to survivors

 Long-term help and hope to families in the greater Gatlinburg area



Bass Pro Shops plays an active role in the communities it serves including partnering with local conservation organizations, assisting in disaster relief efforts and supporting our military and veterans.



Bass Pro Shops is a leading destination retailer offering outdoor gear and apparel in an immersive setting. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his fathers liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today 101 retail and marine centers host 120 million people annually. relief efforts put forth by the Dollywood Foundation and Friends of the Smokies.



Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, Americas Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is known as a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as one of Americas Best Employers. Published December 12, 2016
Corker: Bill to Launch End Modern Slavery Initiative to Become Law

DECEMBER 12, 2016 at 12:21 p.m.





WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has announced passage of his bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery worldwide. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA) overwhelmingly passed the Senate on December 8 and includes authorizing legislation for the End Modern Slavery Initiative. The initiative will help establish a powerful effort in concert with the private sector and foreign governments to eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking around the globe. NDAA will now be sent to the presidents desk to be signed into law.



More than two years ago, we created a bold vision to not only fight the horrific practice of modern slavery, but to put in place an effort to end it, and I am proud to announce that the legislation necessary to launch the End Modern Slavery Initiative will now become law, said Corker.



By providing strong U.S. leadership and leveraging our limited foreign aid dollars, this initiative will work with foreign governments and philanthropic organizations to match the funding being provided by the U.S. and create a coordinated effort to implement best practices to stop this crime of opportunity from occurring, added Corker.



We would not be here today without incredible support from countless individuals, organizations and faith-based institutions, concluded Corker. I cannot thank them enough for their support and look forward to working with all involved in the months ahead as we begin to put this initiative into action.



The End Modern Slavery Initiative: The legislation authorizes funding for a non-profit, grant-making foundation in the District of Columbia that will fund programs and projects outside the United States. These programs will:



 Contribute to the freeing and sustainable recovery of victims of modern slavery, prevent individuals from being enslaved, and enforce laws to punish individual and corporate perpetrators of modern slavery;

 Set clear, defined goals and outcomes that can be empirically measured; and

 Seek to achieve a measurable 50 percent reduction of modern slavery in the areas the foundation operates.



Funding: The initiative will seek to raise $1.5 billion, more than 80 percent of which will come through matching funds from the private sector and foreign governments. Sources of funding are as follows:



 $250 million in funds from the United States over several years ($50 million has been appropriated through fiscal year 2017)

 $500 million from foreign governments (Double the investment of U.S. funds)

 $750 million in private funding (Triple the investment of U.S. funds)



Monitoring and Evaluation: Progress will be tracked against baseline data with a goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction in slavery. Projects that fail to meet goals will be suspended or terminated. The foundation is required to comply with the Government Accountability Offices mandate to conduct financial audits and program evaluations. Published December 12, 2016
By Jhoo Dong-chan



Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has entered a strategic cooperative partnership with the world' largest shipping alliance 2M, the Korean container line said Sunday. HMM has long vowed to become one of 2M's full-fledged shipping members, but the deal fell short of industry expectations.



Critics called the deal a "half deal," but HMM said it was the best outcome for the company since it would provide momentum to improve its profitability.



"I believe the strategic cooperation deal is no different from a full-fledged membership in the alliance," HMM CEO Yoo Chang-keun said during a media conference at the company's headquarters in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, Monday.



"Of course, the tie falls short of what we had expected, but the agreement is still very meaningful because we are now granted to share cargo exclusively with 2M-affiliated shipping companies."



According to Maersk Line, the world's largest container line under the 2M alliance, Sunday, it and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have entered into the strategic cooperative agreement with HMM, a combination deal of slot exchanges and slot purchases between the three parties, as well as Maersk Line and MSC taking over a number of charters and operations of vessels currently chartered to HMM.



The agreement is scheduled to begin in April 2017 subject to regulatory approval. The initial term of the cooperation is three years with an option to extend and cover key East-West trade.



Maersk Line added that the cooperation is "outside the scope of MSC and Maersk Line's 2M vessel-sharing agreement through membership to the alliance." Joining a global shipping alliance is one of the key conditions set by its creditors for its rehabilitation program and debt rescheduling, but Korea's second-largest shipping company was rejected for full-fledged membership.



One possible reason Maersk Line and MSC did not grant HMM's membership request to 2M is that they have already taken over the country's other debt-ridden shipping line Hanjin Shipping's market shares in the region.



According to Busan Port Authority, Hanjin Shipping's market share in the Asia-to-North America route marked 7.78 percent last October but plunged to 1.1 percent in the same month this year. Likewise, its share in the North America-to-Asia route has nosedived from 8 percent to 0.01 percent over the same period. The government had counted on Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) to fill the gap, but HMM was outbid in purchasing the assets of Hanjin Shipping's Asia-North America route, as well as its stake in a California terminal by mid-size bulk shipping operator Korea Lines.



In the meantime, 2M's market share in the Asia-to-North America route increased by 3.5 percent to 17.5 percent while its shares in the North America-to-Asia route rose by 7.8 percent to 24.16 percent.



"It is not what HMM promised its creditors when it underwent the restructuring program," said a creditor group official.



"The matter is, however, now out of our hands. Fortunately, Maersk Line will take over ships that HMM has charted from independent owners. It will relieve HMM's financial risks since it does not have to pay the charter fee anymore."




Rep. Chung Jin-suk speaks to reporters after stepping down as floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party at the National Assembly, Monday. Chung said the ruling party should share responsibility for the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. / Yonhap



By Yoon Ja-young

Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong

Acting president, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, said Monday that the team under Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho should cope with diverse economic risks and issues preemptively to overcome difficulties.

He asked Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong to closely monitor the situation and take necessary measures as there are many variables in the financial and foreign exchange markets.

His remarks were interpreted as Hwang's decision to leave the economic control tower under Yoo as it currently is, instead of substituting him with Yim or any other person.

In early November, President Park Geun-hye nominated Yim as the new finance minister, amid criticism that Yoo lacked leadership capability. However, it wasn't approved at the National Assembly amid a confrontation between the ruling and opposition blocs. The corruption scandal involving the President and her confidant Choi Soon-sil and Park's subsequent impeachment made all other issues trivial.

Even though Prime Minister Hwang wants Yoo to keep the job, it's unclear whether he will get endorsements from the ruling and opposition parties following the Assembly's impeachment of President Park.

"It was like having two heads as we had to report to both Yim and Yoo for some time. However, we stopped doing this after a while," an official at the finance ministry said.

Currently, Yoo is leading the finance ministry, while Yim is only concentrating on his role as head of the financial regulator.

Yoo is likely to remain in the control tower as the current administration under Hwang will continue for eight months at the longest. Switching to a new finance minister may only lead to more confusion.

However, the opposition bloc hasn't made it clear who they will continue with, leaving the economic control tower in confusion. While Yoo's leadership was already hurt due to President Park's nomination of a substitute, appointing a new finance minister means uncertainties will continue for some time.

"Whoever of the two it is, it is crucial to determine who is going to lead the economy," said Bae Sang-keun, vice president of the Korea Economic Research Institute, adding that the Assembly should give Yoo power to successfully complete the administration's economic policies if it doesn't want to approve Yim as soon as possible.

"Due to the political uncertainties, it is difficult for the economic control tower to have full authority. The economy has to deal with multiple risks so time is of the essence," he said.

As the United States may raise its key rate at the Federal Reserve's meeting Dec. 13, Korea is facing the risk of capital flight. However, economic stagnation and huge household debt make a key rate hike an option hard to choose for Korea.

The country's major economic indices have been showing pessimistic signs, with the operation rate of the manufacturing sector falling to 70.3 percent in October and exports expected to contract this year. Debt and the pessimistic job market outlook are also prompting households to cut consumption.
By Kim Jae-kyoung

Paul Gruenwald

SINGAPORE  South Korea should prepare for China's rebalance toward a services- and consumption-driven economy, with its spillover expected to bring major changes, according to Paul Gruenwald, Asia-Pacific chief economist at S&P Global Ratings.

He expects that Korea may face "a double whammy" from China, experiencing two negative consequences of the economic transition at the same time.

"China's growth, manufacturing and infrastructure are going to be slower. That's one," Gruenwald said in a recent interview.

"Also, China is now producing more goods onshore. So you get hit twice."

He pointed out that the most immediate challenge for Korea is China's increasing domestic production of intermediate goods that China once imported, which he thinks will disrupt China's supply chain in Asia.

"This is the rebalancing thing. China is still going to grow, but it is going to grow more slowly," he said. "So countries around China are also going to have to rebalance."

The Singapore-based economist stressed that to stay competitive, Korea should find new growth engines to replace industrial manufacturing linkage to China.

The Chinese economy in Gruenwald's view has not been growing in a sustainable manner because its past growth has been driven by too much credit and overly ambitious targets.

"We don't see any big near-term risks, but China cannot go on forever with credit growth because that's making a potential pile of non-performing loans bigger and making the potential stock of ammunition to fight the problem smaller," he said.

He expects that China's Party Congress next year will signal the course of Beijing's medium-term outlook and policies. Chinese President Xi Jinping will start his second term next year.

Gruenwald, who worked at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for nearly 16 years, said Korea needed to become more agile to adjust to China's transformation. He was IMF representative to Korea from 2001 to 2003

"China is getting rich and is rebalancing more toward the things that rich countries produce, such as consumer products and services," he said.

"So trading patterns with China are going to change away from commodities and basic manufactured goods toward high-end products.

"I think if China continues to rise, rebalancing is going to benefit countries like Korea, Japan, Germany and the U.S."

He said Korea was relatively well placed to offset the consequences of China's transition up the value chain and toward domestic consumption.

"Korea is still going up the value chain," he said. "Korea is right next to China, but it is not competing directly with China because both Korea and China are moving up."

According to Gruenwald, Korea is having a hard time because it has continued to move up the value chain.

"The closer you get to the top the more difficult it is," he said. "When you start to get closer to the top, you are competing with the Germans and Japanese. That means you are successful but also it's more difficult."

The economist suggested that Korean policymakers should place top priority on ensuring flexibility in the economy.

"The banking sector has to be flexible, the labor market has to be flexible," he said. "You have to make sure there is enough flexibility in the economy to help the economy adjust.

"Korea is adjusting to the new Chinese growth model and new global trade reality. If you can't adjust, you are going to fall behind.

"Flexible economies are going to do better, and less-flexible ones are going to struggle."

He said the government should not try to take the lead in driving growth and steering market transition.

"The government is not going to drive the market," he said. "The market is going to do the work. If all that stuff works and exchange rates as well, Korea should be able to adjust."

Gruenwald forecast that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to cut taxes and boost spending on infrastructure would provide short-term impetus for U.S. growth.

"We will see higher U.S. growth and faster normalization of the Fed's monetary policy and a stronger U.S. dollar in the short run for the first couple of years," he said.

He expects the Fed to make the first rate increase in December, two in 2017 and a third increase in 2018.
Cellist Mun Tae-guk performs during a press conference held at the Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Monday.

/ Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall



By Yun Suh-young

Cellist Mun Tae-guk won the Janos Starker Foundation Award, a prestigious award given to cellists under 30 who have begun a significant career in music, his agency Credia announced Monday.

The Janos Starker Foundation was established to support the future of cello playing and assist exceptional young musicians in advancing their careers. It provides financial assistance to young cellists who are selected as recipients of the Janos Starker Foundation Award, which was created in memory of Hungarian-American cellist Janos Starker. Mun will receive $25,000 in prize money.

The late cellist Janos Starker, who debuted at age 11, was known to be a child prodigy who was teaching other children by age eight. He has been the principal cellist of the Budapest Opera, Budapest Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony orchestras. He taught at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music until his death in 2013. He won a Grammy in 1992 with his Bach solo cello suites.

Award winner Mun began playing the cello at age four and attended the Juilliard School Pre-College Division as a full scholarship student of Minhye Clara Kim. He debuted at the Kumho Prodigy Concert in 2004 and is now attending the New England Conservatory as a full scholarship student of Laurence Lesser.

Mun has received first prizes at the 2014 Pablo Casals International Cello Competition and the Third Andre Navarra International Cello Competition.

Mun was also selected as Artist-in-Residence of Kumho Art Hall for 2017 on Monday and will offer five concerts at the concert hall next year. The hall selected Mun for his distinct artistic characteristics despite his young age and as part of an effort to promote cellists among a plethora of pianists and violinists.

During a press conference introducing the Kumho Art Hall artist-in-residence, Monday, Mun said he hoped to show the audience the beauty of the cello.

"The cello, as an instrument, and cello repertoires both have diversity and attractiveness. I hope the audience will find refuge in cello music despite their busy lives," he said.

"The cello has a sound that is closest to the tone of a human voice, they say. I love the solemn and warm sound of the cello."

Mun, sponsored by the Samsung Cultural Foundation of Korea, plays a cello made by Giovanni Grancino in 1697 in Milan.
Factional fighting is escalating in South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party as anti-Park Geun-hye lawmakers demanded on Monday that its chief and other Park loyalists leave the party.

On Friday, the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Park in a 234-56 vote.

Scores of Saenuri dissenters who played a key role in the passage called for the departure of eight key pro-Park members including party chairman Lee Jung-hyun, to clear the deck for the normalization of the beleaguered party.

They said Park allies should be held responsible for sitting idle as the corruption scandal centering on Park and her confidante Choi Soon-sil unfolded.

Rep. Hwang Young-cheul, a spokesman of the group, said the eight members were virtually the supporters of Choi.












South Korea's parliamentary speaker expressed hopes on Monday that the Constitutional Court will quickly review the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye to help put the country back on a normal track.

The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion Friday over a corruption scandal involving her and her long-time confidante. The court now has up to 180 days to determine whether or not to endorse the impeachment.

"We need to stabilize state affairs and the lives of the people. The paralysis of state affairs should not last long," National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun said, adding he expects the court to come to a wise solution in the near future.

Chung also called on lawmakers to lead national efforts to root out corruption and establish a new state system.

"The people have been asking for not only the impeachment, but the establishment of a new South Korea," Chung said. Lawmakers should take the first step by dropping their privileges, he added.

Chung said he will also faithfully play his role as the parliamentary speaker, adding South Korea is facing challenges with the outbreak of the avian influenza, as well as a changing political atmosphere with the launch of a new administration in Washington.
By Choi Ha-young



Woo Byung-woo, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, has been put on an unofficial wanted list. Politicians and online celebrities have donated 13 million won ($11,110) in prize money for catching Woo, one of the key figures in the influence-peddling scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil.

He disappeared late last month after being questioned about the allegations that he entered Cheong Wa Dae thanks to his relationship with Choi and intentionally disregarded her meddling in state affairs.



Woo was a witness for the National Assembly's hearing on Dec. 7 but did not show up. The former prosecutor did not receive the subpoena in the first place as he has not been at home for weeks. Rumors are that he had been hiding at his mother-in-law's home, but that is not the case.



Angry about his attitude, public calls for him to take the witness stand have grown. Former lawmaker Chung Bong-ju and Rep. Ahn Min-suk of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) donated 5 million won each saying they would give the money to the person who smokes out Woo.



Rep. Kim Sung-tae of the ruling Saenuri Party pledged another 1 million won and investigative journalist Joo Jin-woo promised 2 million won.



Internet users have made a fake wanted poster to catch Woo Byung-woo, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. / Courtesy of Chung Bong-ju's Facebook

Internet users have made a fake wanted poster, which read, "Round-shaped face, wearing glasses, 175 centimeter tall. Woo, 50, is good at scowling at others, folding his arms, and making excuses." The phrases satirized his arrogant attitude, as a photo showed him smiling with arms crossed while being investigated by prosecutors, and scowling at a journalist who asked about his corruption allegations before entering the prosecutors' office.



Bloggers have posted reports such as claiming to have seen his car and that Woo was seen in an apartment in Haeundae, Busan.



But even if his whereabouts become known, there is no legal way to force him to participate in the hearing. After Woo's absence from the Assembly hearing, several lawmakers submitted bills to force suspects and witnesses to attend parliamentary hearings.
By Kim Bo-eun



Jung Eun-joo, 37, recalls years earlier when she put her first child in at her company's daycare center while working full time.



"Each morning I would take my child, who barely woke up from her sleep, to the center on my way to work," she said.



"It broke my heart when I went to pick her up after work at around 7 p.m., and she would be the only one left there."



Jung's company, Service Ace, which deals with customer calls for the mobile carrier SK Telecom, introduced its flexible work hour system in 2013. It also allowed employees to work from home.



After Jung gave birth to her second child, the struggles only became harder for her to take both children to the center, so in September she decided to cut down her daily working hours from eight to six.



"Now I am the first parent to arrive at the center to pick up my children, and they are really happy about that," Jung said.



"I am also able to cook proper meals for dinner and have time to actually play with them before they go to bed  the flexible working system has allowed me more time to improve my relationship with my children."



Service Ace is a "family-friendly company" certified by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family for its work-life balance. In 2012, the company opened a daycare center for its employees, of whom 71 percent are women and 44 percent are married.



As the company introduced more family-friendly elements, its turnover rate decreased significantly.



The retailer Shinsegae Group, which received the certification in 2014, allows female employees to take an extra year of childcare leave beyond the one year set by the government. Although the leave is unpaid, the company recognizes the period as part of employees' working career. A total of 146 workers used the system as of last year.



A total of 1,828 workplaces across the country have so far received the ministry's certification, which was introduced to tackle Korea's chronically low birthrate and improve the quality of employees' lives. The workplaces include government organizations, conglomerates and small- and medium-sized companies.



The certification is awarded based on the rate of employees taking childcare leave, flexible working hours for childcare, and the rate of employees who return after taking childcare leave, among numerous factors.



To encourage more workplaces to join, the government provides various incentives for certified companies such as advantages when bidding for government projects.




By Kang Seung-woo

Hwang Kyo-ahn

Acting president, Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn called for pre-emptive measures to contain risks for the country's economy in his first meeting with economic policymakers, Monday, since the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

"I call on the current economic team, led by Yoo Il-ho, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, to preemptively deal with external and internal risks, and other pending economic issues with a sense of responsibility," Hwang said during the meeting at the government complex in Seoul.

Citing their vulnerability to fluctuation, Hwang also called on Financial Services Commission Chairman (FSC) Yim Jong-yon to closely monitor the nation's financial and foreign exchange markets and opt for necessary measures in a timely manner.

Hwang assumed interim presidential power, Friday, after the National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching President Park Geun-hye, engulfed in the corruption scandal. Until the Constitutional Court finishes reviewing the legality of the impeachment, which may take up to 180 days, he will lead the government.

The instructions he gave came as the nation's economy is facing foreign and domestic challenges.

Along with growing uncertainties from Brexit and Donald Trump's upset win in the U.S. presidential election, the incumbent Yoo and the newly nominated FSC chief Yim are awkwardly sharing the same position, as opposition parties that control the parliament have yet to determine whether to hold a confirmation hearing for the top economic post.

Along with his instructions, Hwang said that the government plans to focus on improving the livelihoods of the socially vulnerable, including low-income senior citizens and children during the winter season.

"By the end of January next year, the government will try to focus on finding the blind spots in the welfare system for children and address them immediately, and will strengthen tailored services for senior citizens living alone, whose number tops 220,000," he said.

In a seperate meeting, Hwang addressed the outbreak of bird flu that has ravaged chicken and duck farms across the country since November.

According to the government, quarantine officials have slaughtered more than 6.54 million poultry as part of their efforts to contain bird flu as of Friday.

"The government must review how to further strengthen measures against avian influenza from square one," Hwang said.

Hwang also instructed the relevant agencies, including the agriculture ministry, to ensure that field officers take charge of "preemptive" disinfection measures, and that there should not be any "buck-passing" in the efforts to stem the spread of the virus.

His instructions are a series of moves to tackle growing political certainties and the leadership crisis following the political paralysis that stopped governmental decision-making for months.

On Sunday, Hwang visited the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling for full-fledged security.
By Lee Kyung-min



Judges of the Constitutional Court had their first official meeting, Monday, on the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye after the National Assembly passed the motion for it Friday on the influence-peddling scandal involving Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil.



Except for Justice Kim Yi-su who is on an official trip to Peru, eight of the nine-member court, including court President Park Han-chul and presiding justice for the case Kang Il-won, held the closed-door meeting to map out hearing schedules, lists of suspects and witnesses, and evidence collection.



The court also asked the Assembly and the Ministry of Justice to submit written opinions about the impeachment as a preliminary step before the hearings begin. Earlier it asked Park to submit her written defense by Friday.



While the court plans to set up a taskforce comprising 20 constitutional research officials, up to 80 are expected to be used because the review of other cases will be temporarily put on hold.



After preparation, the court plans to hold the first hearing as early as the end of this month, with a schedule to hold them every two weeks.



It will review whether Park's breaches of the Constitution and other laws listed on the impeachment motion are grave enough to make her unfit to serve as the head of state.



According to the motion, Park allowed Choi to meddle in state affairs; shared classified state secrets with her; helped her extort money from conglomerates; allowed her to interfere with personnel management; and failed to carry out official duties on the day of the Sewol ferry disaster, April 16, 2014.



These allegations constitute bribery, abuse of power, extortion, mishandling of state secrets and dereliction of duty. The prosecution had previously identified Park as an accomplice and suspect in the scandal when indicting Choi.




An official of the agriculture ministry's livestock office looks at a map marked with suspected and confirmed cases of avian influenza at the Sejong Government Complex, south of Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap



Gov't orders nationwide standstill, disinfection

By Jung Min-ho

The H5N6 avian influenza has appeared in an alarming number of fowls in Korea in just a month. Nearly 9 million chickens and ducks have already been slaughtered since Nov. 16 when the first case was reported.

In an urgent effort to contain the bird flu virus, the government has ordered a nationwide standstill and preemptive disinfection for all poultry houses and equipment.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Monday it has ordered 89,000 places linked to the poultry industry, including farms and slaughterhouses across the country, to stay put from the beginning of Tuesday to the end of Wednesday, halting all deliveries of products or equipment.

Violators could face up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million won ($8,500) according to the domestic animal infectious disease control law.

In cooperation with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and regional governments, the ministry also plans to carry out nationwide disinfections during the period.












Anti-Park faction, loyalists call for each other to leave

By Kang Seung-woo

Rep. Hwang Young-cheul Rep. Lee Jang-woo / Yonhap

The ruling Saenuri Party is moving closer to a break-up, with a factional war intensifying following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Those who are loyal to the President and anti-Park lawmakers clashed over party hegemony, Monday, calling for each other to leave.

The National Assembly impeached Park by 234 votes to 56, Friday, meaning that 62 lawmakers from the President's own party cast their ballots to oust her, given that there are 172 opposition and independent Assemblymen.

The anti-Park group demanded that eight staunch Park loyalists, including Chairman Lee Jung-hyun and former Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, quit the party, taking responsibility for their failure to prevent the corruption scandal involving the President and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil.

"The eight pro-Park lawmakers should leave the Saenuri Party," said Rep. Hwang Young-cheul, the spokesman of the anti-Park faction, describing them as "Choi Soon-sil's men."

"Rather than trying to vainly resuscitate the pro-Park faction, they should leave the party immediately for a regrouped Saenuri Party to rebuild conservatism."

The anti-Park faction, composed of some 40 lawmakers, played a key role in the passage of the impeachment motion, drawing a backlash from loyalists who pushed for Park stepping down in April in a so-called "orderly resignation."












President Park Geun-hye and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attend a forum held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul in this May 20, 2015 file photo. / Korea Times file



By Kang Seung-woo

Despite the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, who would have been the biggest supporter in his possible presidential bid, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon still has a fighting chance to establish himself as a competitive candidate in next year's election, analysts said, Monday.

Political analysts advise Ban to cut ties with Park and join forces with a regrouped conservative side  or anti-Park lawmakers within her Saenuri Party  to keep his ambitions alive.

The National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching Park, Friday, making the ruling party's prospect of maintaining the presidency look uncertain.

The stunning fall for the nation's first female president may also be a brutal blow to Ban's presidential ambitions as he was highly expected to join the governing party to run in the election, scheduled for December 2017. Ban's ten-year tenure as the U.N. chief comes to an end at the end of the year.

Park's presidency had been engulfed by the corruption scandal involving the President and her confidant Choi Soon-sil that has led to massive candlelit rallies across the nation every weekend since Oct. 29 that call for her immediate resignation.

"First of all, Ban should distance himself from President Park to run for presidency as a conservative candidate," said Bae Jong-chan, the chief director of political pollster Research and Research.

"His counterpart can be those who are not loyal to Park within the governing party."

The former foreign minister had ranked top on a list of potential presidential candidates for more than a year, but his popularity has fallen victim to the political turmoil, yielding the pole position to his potential rival Moon Jae-in, a former chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea who lost to Park in the 2012 election.

In addition, he is also facing a tough challenge for the runner-up place from Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, who is emerging as a dark horse from the opposition bloc whose outspoken remarks have increasingly resonated with progressive voters.

Rumors have been rife that despite his ambiguous stance, Ban's bid is backed by President Park and her loyalists within the party, as evidenced by his several private talks with the President during her trip to the U.N. headquarters in New York in September last year. During his visit to Korea in May, Ban met with those linked to Park, as well.

In addition, to head off the impeachment vote, the pro-Park had pushed for its embattled leader to resign in April and hold a presidential election in June, which was aimed at buying Ban time.

However, a media report, earlier this month, said Ban will not team up with the pro-Park and even the Saenuri Party. It cited one of Ban's aides.

Cho Jin-man, a professor of political science at Duksung Women's University, also said, "It will be a political burden that Ban will run for the presidency behind the pro-Park faction. Watching closely how the situation develops, he is expected to decide on his course."

Currently, the opposition bloc boasts a deep pool of presidential hopefuls, but the Saenuri Party is struggling to field candidates in contention for the top office in polls.

Under the circumstances, Ban is expected to run in the presidential election on the ticket of the governing party.

"Currently, there is no competitive candidate from the conservative side, so Ban will be able to stand out there," said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.

Speculation is rampant that Ban, a career diplomat who has no political faction, may be affiliated with the Saenuri's non-mainstream lawmakers, including former Chairman Kim Moo-sung and former floor leader Yoo Seong-min, to form a new conservative force.

Kim said last month that he was willing to team up with Ban.

According to political watchers, the anti-Park lawmakers, who cast their ballots for Park's impeachment, are highly likely to rename the Saenuri Party or set up a new conservative party to remove the vestiges of President Park.

"They have no choice but to distance themselves from President Park ahead of the presidential election," said Bae.

Yoon Tae-gon, a senior political analyst at Moa Agenda Strategy, also said, "The passage of the impeachment motion will adversely affect the Saenuri Party, but Ban can emerge as a fresh figure to represent the moribund conservative side over other old' rivals."

Although his approval rating is on the decline, he still has chances to bounce back, analysts said.

"More than 90 percent of Koreans do not support the Park administration due to the scandal, but it does not mean conservative votes will not back a conservative candidate in the election. If he can win the nomination, his odds of winning the election will grow higher," said Yoon.

Bae also said Ban is a native of North Chungcheong Province, largely considered politically neutral, so he will be able to garner votes from North and South Gyeongsang province  noted for their conservatism  as well as the centrist region.

Bae also said the situation surrounding the nation en route to the presidential election could be on Ban's side, as well.

"The new U.S. administration will be inaugurated and North Korea issue is expected to be high on the agenda. In that respect, Ban, who served as the U.N. chief for 10 years, could boost his reputation as the best possible candidate for the presidency amid the inter-Korean detente," said Bae.
The United States has told South Korea that it is looking forward to cooperating with Seoul's acting president in the wake of the recent parliamentary impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday that Avril Haines, White House deputy national security adviser, delivered the message over the phone to Cho Tae-yong, Seoul's deputy chief of the National Security Office, on Saturday night.

According to Cheong Wa Dae, Haines reiterated the U.S. commitment to improving the Korea-U.S. alliance and to working with South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who took over as acting president following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye last Friday.

Hwang will remain at the post while the Constitutional Court reviews the case to determine whether to endorse or reject the impeachment. It has 180 days to do so.

Cheong Wa Dae also said Haines stressed that the United States will remain an ally, a friend and a partner for South Korea, and that the two countries will continue to cooperate closely on matters of mutual interest, including North Korea's nuclear problem.

In Washington, the White House issued a statement on the phone call.

"Haines conveyed that the United States continues to be a steadfast ally, friend, and partner to the ROK, and that we look forward to working with Prime Minister Hwang in his new capacity as acting president of the ROK," the statement said.

It also said the U.S. anticipates policy consistency and continuity in South Korea.

"The two officials affirmed that the U.S.-ROK alliance will continue to be a linchpin of regional stability and security, and DNSA Haines underscored that the United States will continue to meet all of its alliance commitments, especially regarding defending against the threat from the DPRK," the statement said. (Yonhap)
By Yi Whan-woo



Korea is losing opportunities to deal proactively with crucial regional issues due to a leadership vacuum created by the impeachment of the scandal-ridden President Park Geun-hye, Friday.



The government left its 2017 calendar of summits entirely blank from January to June  a possible sign of Seoul being left behind in coping with the upcoming Donald Trump administration as well the changing security and foreign relations situations in Northeast Asia.



Analysts said Monday chances are low for acting president, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, to meet foreign leaders because any possible agreements with Hwang can be overturned by the next South Korean president.



"Summits are crucial because we can settle pending issues and disputes through dialogue between the leaders of other countries," said Kim Yeol-su, an international politics professor at Sungshin Women's University. "By doing so, we can shape our foreign policies in the direction we want. It's too pitiful to hear about a blank summit calendar because it will inevitably damage our national interest."



According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Sunday, there are no overseas trips scheduled for a South Korean leader and also no scheduled visits of foreign leaders during the first half of next year.



"The first multinational meeting of heads of state that we plan to attend is the G20 Summit, which will take place in Germany, July 7, the official said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.



Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong University, said holding a Seoul-Washington summit will be especially critical considering Trump's possibly unpredictable governing style.



Trump hinted at upending globalism and other conventional foreign policies embraced by preceding U.S. presidents.



And he showed that he will not be bound by the "one China policy" by accepting a telephone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Dec. 2, prompting protests from Beijing.



Concerning Russia, Trump has openly admired President Vladimir Putin and hinted at improving bilateral relations after the U.S. and the European Union imposed economic sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.



Despite North Korea's military threats, Trump repeatedly threatened to pull out U.S. forces from both South Korea and Japan if they fail to shoulder more of the financial burden to maintain American troops in their countries.



"Given the circumstances, it is our job to meet him, build trust with him and make sure that we can predict Trump's policies on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia," Park Won-gon said. "In that sense, I envy Japan for having a leader like Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who has been reaching out to Trump."



After having a one-on-one meeting with Trump in November, Abe is scheduled to visit Pearl Harbor on Dec. 26 and 27 in what is seen as a bid to consolidate Tokyo's security alliance with the Trump administration.



Meanwhile, experts said holding summits with China, Japan and Russia are also critical.



They cited that the three Northeast Asian countries are members of the six-party talks for ending North Korea's nuclear program and any conflicts with them may hamper international denuclearization efforts.



Both China and Russia have protested over a decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea. In particular, Beijing media outlets have been stepping up their anti-THAAD campaign by linking the issue with the impeachment of Park.



Japan has been insisting that South Korea carry out their agreements on Tokyo's wartime sex slavery and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) after the opposition bloc here hinted at scrapping them.



Despite the government's denial, the impeachment of Park has also affected trilateral relations among the South Korea, China and Japan as they will not hold a joint summit in Tokyo scheduled for this month.




By John J. Metzler



UNITED NATIONS - On Dec. 7, 1941, the United States was shocked and stunned from its nervous neutrality and thrust into the crucible of the Second World War. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor instantly changed the narrative for American involvement in WWII which had already been raging in both in East Asia and in Europe.



Let's not forget that a full decade earlier Japan had begun to dismember China; first in Manchuria in 1931 and then the wider expansion after July 1937. For a long time Nationalist China staunchly fought alone against Tokyo's powerful and modernized military machine. In Europe, Hitler and Stalin's perfidious deal to divide Poland led to the attack in September 1939, formally starting the War in Europe. But by December 1941, France and the Netherlands, not to mention a dozen other countries, were occupied by the Nazi Blitzkrieg. Britain was under assault. Hitler had attacked the Soviet Union the previous June.



While the United States saw the clouds of war approaching, and was indeed finally rebuilding its military power, the assumption was somehow through chosen isolationism we would have the time, and the option to choose when to formally enter the fight.



Indeed part of the underlying presumption which proved so horribly wrong was that "it couldn't happen here."



Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was too far from a belligerent Japan and "obviously" Tokyo did not have the sea power to decisively project a carrier battle group such a distance undetected. Moreover the "blue water" Navy types could not imagine of the technological prowess and spirit of the Japanese Navy. This proved a terrible and near catastrophic miscalculation.



But Tokyo made a bigger mistake: Admiral Yamamoto, the reluctant if dedicated architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, was said to remark, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." The attack drew America into the war as a fearsome adversary.



When the Day of Infamy dawned on Dec. 7, America was dragged into a bitter reality which had befallen China and Europe. What President Franklin D. Roosevelt would call the Arsenal of Democracy, as well as the tireless efforts of the Greatest Generation would turn the near impossible tide from defeat to victory and later to reconciliation in both the Pacific and in Europe.



Japan's current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will soon visit Hawaii as a profound gesture of both remorse and reconciliation for the actions of Japan's earlier generation of 75 years ago.



Sept. 11, 2001 became this generation's Pearl Harbor. But as I have often written, the key difference was that at Pearl Harbor the attacking aircraft bore the symbol of the Rising Sun and the aggressor was clearly Imperial Japan. In 2001, the attack from the al Qaida terrorists did not come from a formal state nor did they have a return address. The counterattack against al Qaida terrorism continues in the shadows across the Middle East.



Let's fast forward to the contemporary era. East Asia faces a growing geopolitical challenge from the People's Republic of China. Beijing's economic power and huge trade surpluses in hard currency have allowed the People's Republic a significant qualitative expansion of its military and intelligence capabilities.



Though Beijing's paramount ruler Xi Jinping stands at the helm of an officially communist China, it's intense high-octane nationalism, combined with a underpinning sense of victimhood, underscores the PRC's political mantra. Here are a few regional concerns.



First, the simmering island dispute in the Senkaku islands between China and Japan remains one such flashpoint.



Secondly, there's China's territorial designs over the South China Sea and a swath of disputed islets, reefs and now artificially constructed islands. China is claiming sovereignty in an area which overlaps the claims of six sovereign states. Moreover these waters serve as a sea lane of communication and key transit point for both commerce and energy supplies. China's maritime moves in the South China Sea evoke what Mussolini called Mare Nostrum "Our Sea," a historically self-righteous near messianic view to rationalize expansion.



Third, the People' Republic of China has never renounced the use of force against a democratic Taiwan which it regards as a "renegade province," and a core political concern.



Seventy-five years after Pearl Harbor and on the cusp of a new U.S. administration, the PRC may be willing to probe and test the regional waters in the Pacific. With the approaching19th Chinese Communist Party Congress later this year, Xi may play a tougher game.



John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." Contact jjmcolumn@earthlink.net




US president-elect Donald Trump / AP-Yonhap



US president-elect says Beijing needs to make concessions on issues including trade



By Liu Zhen By Liu Zhen

US president-elect Donald Trump has questioned whether Washington should continue its one-China policy if Beijing does not make concessions on trade and other issues.

"I don't know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox News Sunday in response to a question on his taking a phone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, a move which broke with decades of US diplomatic tradition. The one-China policy recognises that Taiwan is part of China, but the US has remained ambiguous on the issue.

Besides trade, Trump said China was not cooperating with the US on its handling of the yuan, on North Korea, and tensions in the South China Sea.

Trump's comments come amid uncertainty over his pick for secretary of state  Washington's top diplomat  with relatively unknown ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson seemingly topping the list after a search that included interviews with one-time Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and ex-CIA director David Petraeus.

China Foreign Affairs University professor Su Hao said it would be unusual for Trump to name someone with no foreign policy experience. "How much Trump and Tillerson, who both have no diplomatic experience, would be influenced by their rightist hawkish advisers will need to be closely watched," he said.

Regarding Trump's comment on the one-China policy, Renmin University international relations professor Pang Zhongying said the administration may play up the Taiwan issue, which could cause friction with Beijing. "It's likely that Trump will use Taiwan to demand concessions from Beijing. The situation will be tricky," he said.
By Jeffrey I. Kim

Until the late 1960s, factor-endowment trade theories were dominant. The conventional trade theories predict which country will export what product. They argued that in the model of two factors, capital and labor, two products, and two countries, the relatively labor-abundant country tends to export labor-intensive products to the capital-abundant country given the identical technology.

In the early 1970s, however, Harry Johnson of the University of Chicago and others argued that the assumption of the same technology for different countries must be dropped in order to make better predictions of trade flows among them.

Fast advancement in science and technology has greatly changed the modes of telecommunication and transportation. People have come to enjoy using the internet and smartphones. The pattern of production and the flow of trade and investment have changed. In the context of the international division of labor, a new trend of supply chain has emerged. Supply chain activities involve the transformation of natural resources, raw materials, and components into a finished product that is delivered to the end customer.

Along with these changes, a new industry, called the "fast fashion" industry has emerged. Fast fashion is a term to express that designs move quickly to capture current fashion trends. Several large retailers such as Primark, Peacocks, H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara are the leading fashion retailers in this industry.

These retail fashion companies absorb a huge amount of the young labor force. Primark is an Irish clothing retailer operating 325 stores in many countries and employs 57,000 people. Peacocks is a fashion retail chain based in Cardiff, Wales. It has more than 400 retail outlets in the UK and more than 200 stores in 12 other countries employing over 60,000 people. H&M is a Swedish multinational clothing-retail company. It operates in 62 countries with over 4,000 stores and as of 2015 employed around 132,000 people. Uniqlo is a Japanese fashion retailer and has over 30,000 employees. Zara is the leader in this industry with 150,000 employees and 7,000 stores.

Not only do they enjoy huge profits but they are very popular among lower-income people. Moreover they receive moral support from their government because they hire a great number of young employees.

However, not all these companies automatically become successful. There are four critical factors that lead them to success. They are overseas operation of fashion stores, supply of price-based multiple brands, quick response to the preferences of customers, and fast delivery by a highly efficient logistics system.

Last week I visited Paris, Madrid, Munich and Brussels in turn. These are the capitals of France, Spain, Germany and Belgium and each country has its own international and domestic airport terminals.

I had to go through the immigration stand at Charles de Gaulle International Airport of Paris which was the first country I visited among the four. But for other countries, I did not have to go through passport control. The other international airports were like domestic terminals.

Fast fashion retail companies started in Europe and later spread to other parts of the world. Once a fast fashion retail company launched in a country in Europe, it can immediately operate stores in other parts of Europe if the items have turned out popular. They can execute mass production of the popular items at low cost and deliver them fast using express air cargo carriers. Depending on the nature of the items, their mass production can occur not only in Europe but any country in the world.

The fast fashion company does not have to start from Europe. It can originate in other parts of the world. Uniqlo is a good example. It started in Japan and has now become an internationally competitive fast fashion retailer. Likewise any other country can start a fast fashion business if it has innovating entrepreneurs, creative designers and fast delivery carriers. Korea can certainly join in this competitive industry.

These years, Korea has been suffering from high unemployment, especially record-high youth unemployment. The fast fashion industry can absorb a huge portion of the young labor force. Korea has great potential to become another leader country in the fast fashion industry in Asia.

Dr. Jeffrey I. Kim is a foreign investment ombudsman, a presidentially appointed troubleshooter for investors and entrepreneurs from overseas. He earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago and taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and at Sungkyunkwan University.
Jung Min-ho

By Choi Ha-young



Korea Times reporter Jung Min-ho has become the award winner of the month for December from the Korea Science Journalists Association (KSJA) for his article about biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), the association said Monday.



The KSJA said it selected the story titled "Pasteur Institute breaches MERS biosecurity rule,"published on Oct. 6, for raising awareness of the importance of infectious diseases management.



The exclusive story featured a virologist's alleged transferring samples of the MERS virus from the Pasteur Institute's Korea unit to Paris without alerting the health authorities of any country in October 2015 and the institute's alleged cover-up attempt.



"With more people in the world and more flights connecting everyone, risks of infectious diseases are becoming greater. But the ways to manage such risks are still stuck in the past. I want to point it out with the story," Jung said. "Above all things, I thank God for the honor."



The KSJA gives outstanding reporters prizes every month to encourage them to uncover facts in science and health sectors.



Jung joined The Korea Times in April 2012 and is working for the city desk.
The late Kim Yong-jong

By Nam Hyun-woo

A 66-year-old donated body tissues to some 100 patients after he died on Nov. 23, just a month after he signed up with the Korea Foundation for Human Tissue Donation (KFTD).



The man, Kim Yong-jong, suffered a cerebral infarction in 2014 and has been showing signs of progress in his condition after taking medication. On Nov. 23, however, he was found unconscious at his home. Kim later passed away at a hospital in Busan.



According to the bereaved family, his wife and two daughters, Kim did not tell them that he had signed up as a donor. The family found his donation card while they were sorting through his belongings.



"Under the circumstance of my husband's death, I was confused after finding the donation card," said Lee Jung-hae, Kim's wife. "I first objected to the donation, but my daughters said I should respect their father's last wish."



After their father donated his tissues, the two daughters also signed up as donors. "The two daughters said they were very proud of their father and they signed up as donors to follow him," a KFTD official said.



"There are many cases where bereaved family members objects to donation even though the deceased had agreed to this," she said. "In order to make viable tissue donations, the bereaved family has to give their approval within 24 hours of the donor's death. Kim's case is a very rare one and his family must have had a hard time. The foundation extends its deep gratitude for their making such a difficult decision."



Human tissue donation refers to the donation of bone, cartilage, fascia, skin, membranes, ligaments, tendons and many other body parts after a donor's death. The donated body parts can be used to help some 100 patients who suffer from serious burns, bone cancer and other diseases.



Parts of bones can be transplanted in bone cancer cases and skin can be used for the emergency treatment of those who suffer from serious burns. The skin can be transplanted permanently or temporarily before reconstructive surgery.



At KFTD, a donor's bones and skins are processed and preserved at a tissue bank until they are required hospitals. Currently, Kim's tissues are being processed.



As of 2015, the number of those who have signed up as tissue donors in Korea stood at 302,368, 25 percent of the 1,232,131 who have signed up as organ donors, according to the food and drug ministry.



"Just one person's tissue donation gives a chance to save the lives of more than 100 people," the KFTD official said.
By Lee Min-hyung



The nation's mobile carriers are in a growing dilemma over Samsung Electronics' recent announcement to kill the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone via a software update, as some of their overseas counterparts are determined to reject the move.



Last week, the Seoul-based firm played its last card to retrieve all the remaining ill-fated handsets after its global recall for unconfirmed battery fires. The company said it planned to restrict the unreturned Note 7 devices from charging and connecting to mobile networks because of safety concerns.



But after the announcement, Verizon, the No. 1 mobile carrier in the U.S., said it would not comply with the Samsung plan, because the move could cause problems in the case of an emergency.



"We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season," Verizon said in a statement.



"We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation."



However, AT&T and T-Mobile, the other two mobile carriers there, plan to go ahead with the software update.



Samsung Electronics has yet to confirm whether it will implement similar restriction measures in Korea  so far only about 80 percent of the recalled Note 7s here have been returned.



This has resulted in a growing dilemma on the nation's top three mobile carriers  SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus  because if they go along with Samsung, it may cause a backlash from remaining customers.



"A lot of customers may suffer from inconvenience if Samsung prevents the remaining devices from charging when its return rate still remains below the global average of about 90 percent," a telecom industry source said.



"Expectations are that Samsung will decide to implement the plan in Korea when the return rate is higher, because the company hopes to minimize potential opposition from remaining Note 7 users."



Another mobile carrier official said the mobile industry remained cautious, but would soon announce detailed decisions after thorough discussions with Samsung.



"Samsung is considering restricting battery charges for Note 7 devices sold in Korea, but we still remain careful due to possibly strong repercussions from remaining users," said the source.



"Once Samsung confirms its decision, the nation's three mobile carriers will issue statements, but nothing has been decided at the moment."




Last episode, Eun Tak was kidnapped by loan sharks because her aunt owes them money. As they drive, the lights had suddenly turned out as Kim Shin, the resident Goblin, and Wang Yeo, the grim reaper, approach them.

Episode 3 continues off of the scene as the lights shatter around the car. The two loan sharks notice Shin and Yeo walking towards them when their headlights blow out. The kidnappers step on the gas and as they drive the car is sliced clean in half with Eun Tak on one side, and the kidnappers on the other, while the goblin looks on sword in hand. The god of death leans on the car, while Eun Tak cries. Shin opens the car door and Eun Tak stumbles out so he asks if she's okay. Realizing she's confirms that she's fine and tells him off for cutting the car in half, he heads toward the other half of the car. However, Eun Tak is adamant that he not kill the men. At the other half of the car, it's fallen over, therefore the two kidnappers are trapped banging on the window hurt. Shin approaches the car and tells them that while they'll survive. But, the road will not be on the map for two days and when those two days are up the police will find them and punish them. He tells them that if it wasn't for Eun Tak he would've killed them both on the spot.

As they walk down the road, Eun Tak questions if she's dead but Shin reassures that she's alive. During which, the grim reaper uses telepathy to ask Shin if Eun Tak will thank them, but Shin brushes it off. Eun Tak goes on about how could they bring a grim reaper to save a person while Yeo repeats about her thanking them through telepathy. This angers Shin, who bursts out yelling him to be quiet. However, Eun Tak misunderstands and thinks that he's yelling at her.

Shin takes Eun Tak out for dinner where she asks why he came to her aid. He tells her that it was because she said to please save her and he responded. She apologizes for wasting his time and then goes on about how she did some research into her mother. She continues on saying that the grim reaper was right, and Shin had saved her and her mother 19 years ago. She assures that she won't hate him anymore though he knows she still holds resentment. He assures that she doesn't hate him but that she wishes that he'll have a good life and meet someone good before getting up to leave. The goblin makes sure that she stays and eats, saying that he'll pay for them.

The next day, Duk Hwa gives Shin information on Eun Tak showing him pictures of her aunt and cousins. He informs Shin that Eun Tak's mother had left her a decent sum of money, but Eun Tak won't inherit it until she comes of age. This is why her aunt is taking care of her but he didn't see Eun Tak. When Shin inquires about the other picture in Duk Hwa's hand, it turns out to be a selca of Duk Hwa. The goblin then informs Duk Hwa that he wants to use the information to punish Eun Tak's family. He then summons gold which makes Duk Hwa want to commit sins so he can be 'punished' as well. The gold is then magically transferred to Eun Tak's bedroom drawer.

At Eun Taek's aunt's house, the cousins and her aunt mess with each other. When they go through Eun Tak's room, her aunt finds the two bars of gold and excitedly calls her kids over. Realizing that there's three of them but only two bars of gold, they sit to see who will fall asleep in order to determine who gets the gold. The next morning, Eun Taek's male cousin wakes up to realize the gold and his sister are gone. The aunt and cousin rush out in an attempt to find their sister/daughter while Shin and Duk Hwa sit in a cafe. Duk Hwa babbles on while Shin is glued to the tv where a band is playing. Shin sadly remembers the king he once protected since the boy on the screen is about the same age, reminiscing about the hatred he felt. When he gets home he explains that he thinks the king had reincarnated and needs Yeo to touch him. Duk Hwa listens in and questions what's going on but the screen switches to a girl group, amusing Shin.

The grim reaper starts his job, going to a hospital where he meets a bunch of other reapers also at work. An elder reaper tells Yeo that he has to get his special cases paperwork in before the deadline. After he leaves, a gorgeous new female reaper enters pleasing the others except Yeo. A bloody man comes in on a stretcher as the doctors rush to save him and Yeo goes to do his job. Shockingly, it's not the man who died but the doctor who saved him, due to overworking. Yeo explains that while the doctor died his patient lived, which relieves the doctor. Afterwards while Yeo eats, he looks on at the special cases paperwork.

Eun Taek travels around on her bike but as she goes around town, the word goblin continues to appear on buses, signs, and shops. All of this overwhelms her with thoughts of the goblin, causing her to cry. Later on she sits in the library and recalls happy memories with the goblin. She lays down on the table while Shin mirrors her actions at his home. As he lays, he also thinks back to his time with Eun Tak.

At the book shop, Eun Tak looks for the goblin book where she had left the maple leaf. At the same time, Duk Hwa attempts to return a book because it holds the memories of another person. Realizing it's the book she left the leaf in, Eun Tak offers to buy the book from him. As they sit together, he inquires why she wants the book. To which, she responds for research and then throws the question back at Duk Hwa. He informs her that he knows a goblin. Eun Tak goes on asking about it, but Duk Hwa instead rattles off about saying no to certain things until he realizes that she still owes him money. He gleefully takes his money and goes off, not realizing that Eun Tak is the one the goblin was searching for.

As Duk Hwa arrives home, he is stopped short realizing that his grandfather is there as well as Yeo. Duk Hwa makes up a story that Yeo is there to see Shin off, so when Shin comes out of his room, Yeo plays along pretending to be friendly but is promptly kicked out along with Duk Hwa. As they sit on the steps, Duk Hwa annoys Yeo to the point where Yeo freezes the steps as well as threatens him. Shin pops his head out to usher Yeo back in, but it's time for Duk Hwa to go home where his grandfather will have a word with him. That night, Shin washes up but as he steps out there's a cloth with 'good night' written in horse blood. Turns out this was written by Yeo as revenge for being kicked out earlier.

Meanwhile, Eun Tak cleans up around the chicken restaurant when suddenly, her boss Sunny calls her over. She asks if Eun Tak had been living at the restaurant while submitting evidence of a toothbrush and several sticky notes. Eun Tak flashes to many nights where she was attempting to write a note to Sunny telling her that she's sleeping at the restaurant. Sunny assures that it's fine and gives her a paycheck. She then asks Eun Tak to cook her squid

In a bookshop, the goblin picks out a book and begins walking around. At the same time Eun Tak cooks squid over a small stove and thinks about the car incident with Shin. Realizing that the squid has caught fire, Eun Tak blows it out but realizes that she's called the goblin. As Shin reads, he notices his hands begin to smoke and that Eun Tak has called him causing him to smile. When Eun Tak looks, she sees Shin reading against a wall. He comes over, but she apologizes for calling him and asks why he hasn't left yet. He talks about how he was in the middle of packing and is about to leave when Eun Tak stops him. She inquires about what she is suppose to see and how he will treat her if she sees it but Shin goes on about how she doesn't see it. She tells him that she does see it, so he offers to buy her food. When she finishes eating, Shin asks again about if she can it, but she jokes around. He gets angered at it which Eun Tak points out, so he offers to buy her a smoothie. At the smoothie place, they just happen to run into Yeo which agitates Shin. They all sit down and Eun Tak inquires if she's going to die today since there seems to be some relations between Shin and Yeo. But Yeo assures that he's on her side then tries to put in her thoughts that she can see the sword but it doesn't work. He leaves after getting a notification about work. Eun Tak questions what he was saying about sides then points out that he's handsome. irks Shin who takes away her drink. Eun Tak distracts him by saying another man is handsome while Shin looks at him, the man in turn is texting a lover. As the man begins to exit, a woman enters who is on the phone with her lover but Shin interjects causing her headphones to be caught in the man's bag. As they get unstuck, Shin causes her hair to be caught in his button. When she gets unstuck, Shin then causes the woman to trip falling into the man's arms. They both ask about their relationship statuses to reassure they're both single.

Afterwards while walking, Eun Tak asks about why Shin intervened. He reveals that every century he encounters people who have the same face from a past life, so he intervened due to the man's previous life. Eun Tak inquires about what his past life was and Shin tells her that the man was an awful person who used to abuse his farmers. The reason he got the two together was because they're both cheating on their lovers and their personalities will clash, eventually leading to more suffering. After learning of it, Eun Tak reflects on her own life thinking about how while her life has been bad, some things have also been good, like knowing Shin. But she corrects herself saying it was nice knowing him. Shin asks once again if she can see it but she avoids the question and says goodbye then walks away. As she's walking she turns back and they both share a look.

At his home, Shin takes a walk reflecting on Eun Tak and her happiness when she was with him. Duk Hwa interrupts his thoughts asking about Yeo. He then talks to Shin about wanting to become a grim reaper once he dies but Shin goes on to explain that he must commit a big sin in order for him to be a reaper. However, he stops short asking about how Duk Hwa knew that Yeo is a grim reaper. Duk Hwa informs that it wasn't that hard to figure out since they always argue and Yeo wasn't freaked out by the goblin's powers. As Duk Hwa goes on about Yeo's look, Yeo appears right in front of him. Duk Hwa sees himself off but Yeo interrupts asking the same question about how Duk Hwa knew about his job. He states that they both need to be more careful. Yeo accuses Shin of being naive and that's why Duk Hwa knows, but Shin jabs back saying how Yeo was a murderer in his past. Yeo looks on hurt and walks to his room obviously upset. In his room, Yeo goes through a list of potential sins he could've done in his past life, when Shin comes in apologizing. Shin assures that it it doesn't matter what he did in his past life because he would hate Yeo all the same which causes Yeo to laugh.

Duk Hwa talks to his grandfather about how it is that Yeo and Shin could get along. His grandfather tells him that one wants to remember his past while the other his doomed to never forget. Duk Hwa goes to Sunny's chicken shop, which as it turns out is a building, that is owned by him. Duk Hwa inquires that he wants to sell the shop, but his secretary tells him that it's still open so he can't.

At the goblin's household, Yeo attempts to sneak out but is caught by Shin. Yeo assures that he's just going grocery shopping but Shin insists on going with him. Shin tells him that he doesn't trust Yeo because he knows that he was going to follow Eun Tak. Yeo reassures that he's on Eun Tak's side, because if she is the goblin's bride then Shin will disappear, and Yeo will have the house all to himself. This causes Shin to get angry and emit a cloud around himself to which Yeo tells him to knock it off so they don't get caught. As they leave Shin walks out first, when Yeo follows Shin has disappeared.

Shin appears in front of Eun Tak's house. He steps out where he runs in to Eun Tak. Eun Tak assures that she didn't call him which he agrees and tells her that he wanted to see her. With that he takes his leave but not before telling Eun Tak that her aunt and cousins have gone and also questions why she's there. Eun Tak tells him that she was getting stuff that she had left, which is the flowers from their first meeting. With that Shin walks away, Eun Tak looks as if she's about to say something but holds back. Back at home, Shin packs then looks at a box which contains a black scroll.

As Yeo walks on a bridge, the mysterious Samshin stops him offering up a hair clip. He waves it away but she holds up a mirror which directs him to a jade ring, which once belonged to the queen who was killed because of Shin. As he's about to pick it up, another hand reaches in to grab it. Yeo looks up to see Sunny and begins to cry. Sunny offers to give him the ring as long as she can get his number in return. He tells her that he doesn't have a cellphone so she keeps the ring and almost puts it on her finger. But Yeo stops her telling her to write down her number instead. She introduces herself as Sunny and a handshake which Yeo puts his hand in his jacket and replies the name Sun Hyo. When Samshin looks in the mirror who old self reflects back at her, she states that both of them will pay a high price in the end.

Back at the house, Shin unfurls the scroll which reveals a drawing of the queen. He flashes back to looking on at her wrapped body, he moves to see drawings of the queen. As he looks over the drawings he finds one attached to a black scroll then begins to cry. As he walks out the entire place lights on fire and he flashes back to the present looking on sadly at the picture.

Sunny sits at the chicken shop, obviously upset, as Eun Tak cleans the windows. A ghost follows Eun Tak and threatens to kill Sunny until she bursts out in curses. She tells Eun Tak that she's worried about the man she met on the bridge and how he hasn't called her yet. In the meantime, Yeo looks at the ring and a piece of paper on his desk. He picks up the paper, which has a phone number, and looks back at the meeting. Sunny writes her number on the paper and gives it a kiss before handing it to Yeo. In his room, Yeo looks at the kiss mark sadly.

As Eun Tak walks to her home, she notices people coming in and out. A woman tells her that the house has been sold and they're taking out everything. Eun Tak gets the bunch of flowers of looks at it sadly remembering her and Shin's first meeting as the dead flowers blow away in the wind. At school the next day, a teacher demands that Eun Tak empty out her bag. The teacher looks through it asking where Eun Tak is keeping the cigarettes since some students accused her of smoking. Meanwhile, the student who snitched watches on. The teacher tells Eun Tak that she has no future since she's obviously lying.

Yeo opens a can of beer but Shin uses his powers to make the can go to him. Yeo goes to sit at the table and they discuss their pasts. The table is empty save for a bunch of cans on Yeo's side and just one on Shin's. Shin goes in and out the door multiple times bothering Yeo who asks him what the problem is. Shin tells him that he's trying to find Eun Tak but because Eun Tak isn't summoning him, he doesn't know her location. Shin goes out one last time this time taking an umbrella, finally succeeding.

Eun Tak sits on the jetty talking to her mom, she asks if her mother is okay in heaven and is upset that no one asks about how she's doing. As she sits, rain begins to fall but Eun Tak gets covered by an umbrella which reveals Shin. Shin tells her that the rain is because he's sad. When he asks if she's been well the rain stops. He tells her it's because his mood has gotten better and that he wanted to see her. She tells him it's sad since every time she sees rain, she'll think of his sadness. She tells him of the different stages in human life which is only told to the dead but she found out about it about through various ghosts. She asks why she's stuck in stage one which is like children's, but she doesn't get the same treatment like a pat on the head or a sum of money. Eun Tak gives him the maple leaf which makes Shin begin to pat her head. As they say goodbye, it begins to rain again.

At their home, Shin and Yeo begin to freak out because the doorbell rang. Yeo finally gets the courage to open the door and it's Eun Tak who believes she's mistaken as she wanted to see Shin. Shin comes out and Yeo takes his leave. Eun Tak begins to freak out at the fact that they live together, but Shin interrupts asking why she was there. Eun Tak inquires as to what would happen if she saw something, would Shin be able to stay, would she have to marry him right away, and would she get money. He asks if she can see it which she assures she really can, but he tosses this notion away. She points to his chest and tells him that she sees the blade. The episode ends as Eun Tak points at the flaming blade going through Shin's chest.

Episode 4 continues as Eun Tak asks if this means she's his bride, and he finally confirms it. Excited, Eun Tak rattles off a handful of questions of what's next, when Shin explains he still has to leave. He quickly changes the subject to asking why she didn't say she could see the blade when they first met. Eun Tak goes on to explain that at first it was out of courtesy, then it was out of fear since she thought they would have to marry right away. Shin tells her to wait outside when he rushes into Yeo's room, who is preparing for sleep. He informs Yeo that he's finally found his bride but when Yeo mentions that it would mean Shin's death, Shin loses his smile. Yeo asks what was wrong since Shin has been waiting for his bride all this time. Shin relays that although he has been waiting his whole life, he also has begun to enjoy life. Yeo offers to take him to the afterlife once he goes, which Shin thanks him but the doorbell begins to ring once again. Shin freaks out but Yeo reassures him as they go outside. Shin begins to yell at her but she goes over the fact that her aunt has left and the house has been sold so she's homeless. She continues on to state that she just wants to finish her senior year and she'll be fine with adoption. She then goes over her life story saying that her mother died, and when she was left to her abusive aunt for 10 years she thought that there was no God until Shin came into her life. All as if by fate. She goes on about how she must stay in the house despite the fact that the grim reaper lives there, and begs for help. Yeo just about spills that pulling out the sword would mean Shin's death, but informs Eun Tak to go inside to sit and wait.

Inside, Eun Tak looks around amazed at the beautiful house and goes to explore. In Yeo's bedroom, Yeo and Shin discuss how to move forward but Shin tells him that he has a plan. In the living room, Shin slides money over to Yeo as option one. Eun Tak slides the money back toward him and goes on about how the house would be nice to raise kids. She tells Shin about how she wants a nice and happy life with children. She asks about his ideal type and what she can do to fit it. She voices thoughts complimenting Shin, but he admits he doesn't actually hear her thoughts. When Eun Tak was kidnapped he just knew something had happened due to her peculiar birthmark. Eun Tak asks if she can unpack, but Shin tells her to not unpack and take the money. But Eun Tak proposes an option four.

Duk Hwa comes home to his grandfather, but when he opens the door Eun Tak is standing with him. The chairman hands Eun Tak a card and tells her that Duk Hwa lives above her and will be there as her servant. Duk Hwa begins to protest but his grandfather informs him that she is the key to getting his credit card back, so he happily complies. Once they've both gone, Eun Tak runs around the house getting excited about having a suite of her own. But as she lays down she realizes that she's completely alone. Outside Duk Hwa questions his grandfather further about Eun Tak, but his grandfather continues that it's just about his cards. Duk Hwa bursts in to Shin's house asking about the mysterious girl, but is stopped short when he sees Shin with three bottles of pills in front of him. Shin goes on to explain that they're for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and insomnia because he's had a cacophony of feelings lately. Duk Hwa continues to question about it when Yeo walks in and takes the same three pills in his hand because of the girl on the bridge.

While Eun Tak works, Samshin is on the tv in the back ground explaining the symptoms of anxiety, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. At the goblin/reaper household, Shin goes through each symptom. In the kitchen, Shin becomes aggressive when Yeo talks about his upcoming death. After going back and forth, Shin breaks down and cries.

As Eun Tak attempts to find her way to school, it begins to rain and she thinks of Shin. Shin in the meantime sits in his home looking on at the maple leaf while it continues to poor. Before Eun Tak is about to leave, an expensive car rolls up. Out pops Duk Hwa who offers her a ride to school. They arrive at her school where Duk Hwa makes a big show, prompting fellow students to utter Eun Tak's name. Duk Hwa is taken aback realizing that he's currently assisting the goblin's bride and pieces everything together. He mentions about her aunt and the punishment which switches to Eun Tak's family.

Meanwhile, Eun Tak's aunt and cousins sit at a jeweler where the clerk is inspecting the gold. The aunt makes a story up about how it was by inheritance and the jeweler is shocked by the high quality of the gold. The aunt and cousins land themselves at the police station where the police officer explains the gold was stolen. The aunt attempts to explain that the gold belongs to her niece but when the police officer asks what her niece's name is, no one can remember. The officer then inquires about where the family llived, but they can't remember that either.

Yeo eats while Duk Hwa sits across from him. As Duk Hwa rattles off about the goblin's bride, Yeo continues on his own depressed state and freezes the bowl over. Duk Hwa brags about how special the bowl is to Shin, which makes Yeo freeze the bowl more to the point of cracking it. Duk Hwa inquires about the woman that made the reaper cry, which Yeo shares the full interaction going through her features. He gets an idea when Duk Hwa continues on about Sunny's lips and what exactly happened. After leaving Duk Hwa, Yeo waits on the bridge looking at every passing woman attempting to find Sunny again.

In an unknown hospital, an elderly man passes away. Back at the house, Shin gets dressed in a suit which Yeo questions. Shin asks if Yeo has ever worked abroad but questions his English skills. Yeo attempts to speak English but Shin laughs at him. Yeo then asks if he wants to die abroad and that's why he's asking.

At her new home, Eun Tak looks around trying to find someone. As she does homework, she wonders where Shin has gone and why he hasn't visited. She goes to his home with a large candle demanding that Shin come out or she'll keep blowing out the candle until he appears.

The elderly man who had passed walks through a hall to the grim reapers room, as he opens the door he turns into a young boy. Inside sits Shin who looks fondly at the boy remembering how he saved him from an abusive father. Shin goes over the boy's life, saying how he was a lawyer and helped many people. The reason Shin had seem him was because he was one of the only people who Shin had helped that hadn't looked for another miracle again. The boy had changed his own life without the help of miracles. After much praise, the boy asks where he'll be going next and Shin points out the way to the afterlife. As the boy grabs the door he turns into an elderly man once again. On his way up the stairs to the afterlife, Yeo comes to Shin and asks why he took over the job of a reaper but Shin doesn't give a straight answer.

Shin leans against a wall when he begins to smoke. Inside her apartment, Eun Tak looks on at a blown out candle as hundreds more surround her. Shin appears in front of her which she goes off on right away because he's been avoiding her. She continues on and on about his avoidance and claims that she'll blow out every candle so he will stop avoiding her. He again avoids the question by asking where she got the candles, which Eun Tak says was provided by Duk Hwa. She goes on once again about how he avoids her to which he replies that he's been preparing for something. When Eun Tak tries to figure out what exactly Shin is preparing for, he asks her if she's eaten. Realizing she won't get anywhere she agrees to go get food.

At a convenience store a very drunk Shin causes a ruckus after just two beers. Shin offers to buy Eun Tak the whole store which amuses Eun Tak but she tries to get him to be quiet. They go for a walk where Shin insists on walking her home despite that Eun Tak said he could disappear. Eun Tak inquires about her third wish to get a boyfriend, but Shin tells her not to wait up since he won't let her date. Eun Taek wonders about it raining when he's sad, what happens when he's happy, but Shin refuses to answer. She then asks about his previous brides, but Shin explains that Eun Tak is his first and last bride. When she tries to go on about why the last, he simply says that's what he decided. He tells her that she's the only one who can pull the blade out, and nearly spills that it will kill him. But he quickly covers up by saying it'll make him pretty, to which Eun Tak relates it to other fairy tales. They agree to meet at the first snowfall to pull out the blade.

The next day as Eun Tak walks, she notices a lot of people taking pictures. As she approaches the location, she notices cherry blossoms blooming. Duk Hwa throws down newspaper after newspaper in front of Shin scolding about how cherry blossoms have bloomed despite it being autumn. Duk Hwa gives him a talking to about being drunk and asking what made him so happy, but Shin tells him that he doesn't know. As Duk Hwa and Shin go out to eat, Shin notices Yeo sitting at the table Duk Hwa pulled out but Yeo has his hat on so only Shin can see him. Yeo and Duk Hwa watch a drama on television about love which gives off a big reveal. When they go outside, Shin sees Duk Hwa drinking milk which flashes to an image from the night before of Eun Tak drinking milk which freaks him out. After Duk Hwa says something, it triggers Shin again who remembers mentioning pulling out the sword to Eun Tak. Shin freaks out again then goes to Yeo, who's still wearing the hat, and tells him that he told her about the sword. Yeo makes a snarky remark about Shin's doom, to which Shin threatens to burn his hat. A man passing by notices Shin, seemingly speaking to himself, but Duk Hwa plays it as if he doesn't know Shin.

Sunny gets her make up done while she questions why Yeo hasn't called her yet. The make up artist assures that it's just the guy playing hard to get but Sunny doesn't believe it. All dolled up, Sunny waits on the bridge looking for Yeo. At the same time, Yeo walks but every person he sees is Sunny. At her restaurant, Sunny stares out the window which makes Eun Tak question who she's waiting for. Sunny wistfully replies a king on a white steed.

At school, Eun Tak looks at the card the chairman gave her, when a group of mean girls take it from her. As they tell her off for hanging out with all sorts of guys, a cigarette suddenly appears in the leader's hand. The teacher, who had once told Eun Tak off for the same thing, catches the girl red handed but the girl tries to blame Eun Tak. Another classmate confirms that the leader had made up the story of Eun Tak smoking. When the teacher passes by a table, a bunch of ghosts sit on it, proud of themselves for helping Eun Tak. Outside they follow Eun Tak still proud of their accomplishment, making sure no one is around she thanks them quietly. They become frightened and leave when a car pulls up. Shin comes out of the car and ushers Eun Tak in. They drive until Shin stops on the side of the road where Shin tells Eun Tak to wait in the car. As he steps around to open the door, Korea turns into Quebec.

While they eat, Shin asks about the what the sword looks like to Eun Tak out of curiosity. She describes the tiger on the hilt and then asks about how he got the sword stuck in his chest in the first place. He sadly says that it was done by a person he never thought would. Realizing it's a painful story, Eun Tak moves on and asks about Shin's real age. He replies that he's 939 years old to which Eun Tak apologizes, but tells him that it must be great to live such a long life. Shin asks what she would feel like if she had to be immortal and she replies that it would be fine because she has him.

As they go for a walk, Shin explains that while he's lived a long life he's accepted his fate which made him realize there's nothing worth grieving over for thousands of years. They stop at a fountain where he asks what she's looked up about him, she goes on to spout some information she's learned on goblins. She mentions that they don't want a family which is why he had abandoned her. He explains that it's not because of that but to make her think over becoming his bride. He asks if she really wants to be his bride and she interprets that it's about her as a person, that he keeps talking about her being the bride because he doesn't like her. She offers to take out his sword but he runs away when she attempts it. She inquires about his magic bat that she had heard about, which he responds by conjuring up a sword with water. They begin to play around by the fountain with Eun Tak trying to splash him. When he uses teleportation to avoid her she asks about what powers she has since all she can do is see ghosts, but he assures her that she'll get powers. Not believing it, she then tells him to wait for her because she has some business to do. She gives him a book of poems and threatens that even if he leaves, she can summon him once again. Eun Tak goes to the hotel she had previously been to and writes a note, when then puts it through the mail slot. At the same time, Shin reads the book of poems. He sees Eun Tak across the street and recites a beautiful love poem as she plays with the crosswalk that changes colors under her feet. As the episode ends, Shin finishes the poem smiling at Eun Tak as she smiles back.

After a tremendous premier, this show has been anything but lacking. As 'Goblin' continues to climb in ratings, the show continues to rise in quality. Obviously the most favorite couple being our goblin and grim reaper. Watching their bromance is one of the most entertaining things I've ever watched. Especially since I'm being told constantly to stop laughing so loud by my roommate but it's so hard not to. Sungjae brings a whole new dimension as Duk Hwa and I'm so happy that he's the reason I knew about this show. I am slowly falling for the ever adorable Dong Wook as he continues as an adorable reaper especially in that first meeting of Sunny. His reaction to the goblin's doom also made me happy because the friendship has begun to grow so much. I absolutely love Eun Tak, I think her big personality and innocence adds to the show itself. While there's a lot of critics about her age to the goblin, it needs to be remembered that they've shown no real sexual romance to it. There's a bunch of people thinking of them doing a time jump which seems very likely and I'm anticipating seeing more romance added. I can't wait as all the couples begin to come together especially after the first meeting of the reaper and Sunny!

Of course it's a 10/10, this is by far one of the greatest shows of 2016 and the chemistry is just unreal!
"This is a weblog that is truly welcome in blogtopia  a new blog doesn't seem to be frantically trying to score points for any party. That does NOT mean it's afraid to take a stand or be critical....You really can't predict exactly where The Debate Link will come down on all issues. It's not chanting anyone's mantra." -- The Moderate Voice "[A]n emerging genius in legal scholarship and commentary." -- Jim Chen "It's on my 1st cup of coffee rss feed." -- Hanno Kaiser "I heart this blog.... he referenced Wittgenstein, and it was entirely appropriate and non-pretentious." -- kath.A.rine "[F]unny, thoughtful, acclaimed ...." -- The Core
On the invitation of the Algerian government, Nigerias Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, would be visiting the North Afican country on a 2-day official visit from tomorrow Tuesday December 13.

During the visit, Prof. Osinbajo who would be received by the Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, will hold talks with the Algerian President Abdellaziz Bouteflika and also interact with members of the Upper and lower chambers of the Algerian legislature.

The visit would explore the deepening of diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Algeria while also reviewing specific areas of security cooperration. Equally both countries would also use the opportunity to harmonize their positions on multilateral issues of common interest, and sharing ideas on how to address a number of international challenges especially those confronting Africa.



It would be recalled that earlier in the year in August, the Algerian President sent a Special Envoy to Nigeria, in person of the countrys Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra. The Special Envoy was then received in audience on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, by Vice President Osinbajo. The Special Envoy reiterated Algerias support for Nigerias fight against terrorism, calling for increased collaboration between both countries in the areas of intelligence gathering and deradicalisation programmes.

In 2002, both countries set up the Nigeria-Algeria Bi-National Commision to enhance bilateral cooperation, and signed a number of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding including those related to the creation of the Development Corridor, with such projects as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project, the Trans-Sahara Highway Project and the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Project.

While in Algeria, Prof. Osinbajo will also visit a food processing plant and also meet representatives of the Nigerian community. The Vice President who is accompanied on the visit by the Foreign Affairs Minister of State Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye, is expected back on Wednesday December 14.

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President

December 12, 2016

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Its the eternal quandary of thinking about the intersection of international politics and global health: where does Elton John fit in? We now have an answer. Its where we try to understand issues of moral and legal responsibility of an international organization.

About a month ago, I wrote about cholera and global health. One of the reasons cholera is such a big issue is because of the ongoing outbreak in Haitithe worst in recent history, and one that we can directly trace to the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in October. Natural disasters can obviously disrupt the sanitation systems that keep cholera from spreading. Haitis cholera outbreak is different, though; the disease came to the country with UN peacekeepers from Nepal. The soldiers untreated waste went into open pools, where it easily leaked into important waterways and spread to a population already grappling with a lack of sanitation infrastructure.

The link between the presence of UN peacekeepers and Haitis cholera outbreak was not just discovered. Scientists confirmed the connection relatively quickly, but the United Nations itself continued to deny a relationship between the two until this past August. When the UN came out with a statement in August, it carefully parsed its language. A spokesman for the organization stressed that the UN has become convinced that it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera. Note that wording. It did not say that UN was responsible for the outbreak or that it had any culpability. When two organizations filed suit against the UN on behalf of 5000 cholera victims for its role in the outbreak, the UN consistently claimed that it was legally immune from any such challenges. Leaving aside the questions of this legal interpretation, the UNs actions effectively disempowered choleras victims (and if you havent read the great analysis on the consequences of the UNs legalism by Mara Pillinger, Ian Hurd, and Michael Barnett, stop what you are doing and check it out). The UN announced plans in October to set up a $400 million fund to compensate those who were most affected by the outbreak, but the organization said that it was accepting moral, but not legal, responsibility. It was a less than satisfying outcome.

And then we get to December 1st, and the strangest thing happened. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon apologized. On behalf of the United Nations, I want to say very clearly: we apologize to the Haitian peoplewe simply did not do enough with regard to the cholera outbreak and its spread in Haiti. We are profoundly sorry for our role, he declared. The mere fact that the head of the United Nations is saying he is sorry is profoundly important.

When you parse the details a bit, though, the Secretary-Generals apology becomes less satisfying. The UN apologized for its inaction in addressing the outbreak once it happened, but it wasnt actually apologizing for the outbreak itself or how its oversights in deploying peacekeepers allowed the outbreak to begin. Philip Alston, the UNs special rapporteur for human rights, called Bans speech a half-apology because the organization still refused to accept legal responsibility for the outbreak. Activist groups reacted to Bans announcement cautiouslyappreciating that the UN was admitting some degree of responsibility, but remaining vigilant to ensure that the organization lived up to its previously-announced financial pledges.

Interestingly, a half-apology (especially if the financial promises dont materialize) could put the UN in a worse position. Is anyone ever really satisfied by the Im sorry that you were offended sort of half-apology? No, of course not. The same holds true in international relations. Jennifer Lind argues in Sorry States that international reconciliation is more difficult in situations where a country denies its past atrocities. Japans failure to take responsibility for its actions during World War II have contributed to continued wariness by other countries. At the same time, though, apologies in and of themselves are not absolutely necessary; acknowledging past harm can go a long way toward helping former adversaries get along with each other again.

There are obvious differences between how states relate to one another during wartime and how an international organization and one of its member-states interact, but Linds findings could be instructive for global health. If the UN can genuinely acknowledge the pain it has caused and ensure that it lives up to its pledges, that will go a long way toward helping it rebuild its legitimacy with the Haitian people. That credibility will then benefit the UN in future situations where it tries to address humanitarian emergencies and health crises. No one likes to admit their failures, but doing so now can set the stage for better relations down the road. Given the questions about the legitimacy of international organizations working on global health issues, now is the time to do everything possible to engage with international society in a positive way. Haitis cholera outbreak is a genuine tragedy. International organizations like the UN need to demonstrate that they are committed to avoiding these sorts of problems in the future.

(Side note: the next time we use Elton John to talk about international relations, it has to be Rocket Man, right? Maybe we should start a karaoke night during the International Studies Association conference.)
It now looks like the candidate who boasted that he knew more than the generals will be a President who appoints them and asks their advice. There has been considerable criticism of this from those concerned about a concentration of civilian power in the hands of former military brass. This is well-reasoned, because a pipeline from the Pentagon to the White House potentially gives too much civilian authority to the military and narrows the lens through which policy is made. We ought to look critically at the institutional consequences of appointing flag officers to cabinet office or key White House staff. While we are at it, we ought to be just as thoughtful when we consider the impact of appointing so many bankers, lawyers, wealthy, whites, men, and campaign donors. Whenever you limit the hands into which power is given, the expression of that power will reflect the perspective of those within those limits.

At the same time, we ought to consider the strengths that appointees bring, both strengths that they possess as individuals and that they may have learned from the institutions they have served. Without commenting on the merits of President-elect Trumps appointees, I will offer three issues on which former military officers (as well as active officers in military service) may well bring a humanitarian perspective to the Trump administration that it would otherwise lack.

The Military Believes in Climate Changeand in Fighting It.

Unlike much of our polity, the military is not post-factual. Military leaders are empiricists. They plan based on facts and probability, and they conduct after-action analyses of major operations based on investigation of what happened. None of this is done perfectly or without bias, but the military starts with facts and bases plans, analyses, and action on those facts.

And our fact-based military has decided that climate change is a real, dangerous threat that demands comprehensive, strategically planned response. One response the military is planning is climate warwar precipitated by climate change, rising water, weather crises, and resource scarcity. The Pentagon has decided that climate change is real enough that the turmoil it will cause will start wars that the U.S. will be drawn into fighting.

The military is also concerned that climate change will damage or destroy bases vulnerable to these climate-induced threats. For those reasons, not only does the military have plans to fight in climate change-caused wars. The military itself is going to war against climate change by going green, dramatically changing how it uses energy to reduce climate impact and its energy footprint.

So those of us concerned about the President-elects views on the environment and his appointments to positions with climate policy responsibility should feel reassured that military officers are likely to tell the President that climate change is so real a threat that the Pentagon is fighting a figurative war against global warmingand planning to fight shooting wars caused by global warming.

The Military will likely Restrain Reckless War and Provocative Threats.

There are no pacifists in the Pentagon to be sure. But the military has suffered grievously at the hands of reckless war-making decisions by political officials over the last 16 years. The military was thrust into large scale invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and more limited strikes in Libya, that were poorly thought out by civilian leadership. This forced the military to try to deliver on some rather grandiloquent policy pronouncements, and clean up geopolitical chaos, caused by those decisions. Remember the axis of evil, bring it on, wanted dead or alive, the Iraq War supported by slam dunk evidence and in which victory would be a cakewalk, bringing democracy and stability to the Middle East, and we came, we saw, he died (about Gaddafi in Libya)? The politicos who thought these things up are comfortably retired or enjoying their perches as pundits and professors (where they often promote still more military intervention). But the military is still fighting wars throughout the Middle East because of the decisions and policies which lay beneath these sound bites.

There were enormous errors in judgment and foresight in all the decisions to go to war in the greater Middle East and South Asia. Because of this, the military was burdened with responsibility for tasks that were doomed from the start, such as long term occupation, policing sectarian strife, replacing national government, and detentionall of which hardened resentment of U.S. intervention and turned Iraq and Afghanistan into incubators for terrorism and insurgency. Servicemen and women, and their families, paid a terrible price for these tragic mistakes.

To be sure, many highly ranked officers, including some appointed by the President-elect, hold very provocative views about conflict in the Middle East. But overall, President Trump is likely to be working with an officer corps who will bring hard earned skepticism and critical analysis to policies, plans, statements, (and tweets) that thrust the military into wars of quagmire, long term nation building responsibilities, multiple deployments, physical or mental casualties, and loss of life. The strongest voice for restraint in war (and in war-provoking language) will likely be from a military forced to fight too many wars by political decision-makers who did not think hard enough about what would happen after these wars started.

Military Officers are Likely to be the Leading Human Rights Proponents in the Trump Administration.

Candidate Trumps campaign promises included war crimes under U.S. and international lawtorture, killing civilian relatives of terror suspects, and confiscation of oil and natural resources from other countries. His threats to impose a ban on Muslim immigrants and force Muslim citizens to register would violate the Constitutions clauses protecting religious freedom and equal protection under the law. Many retired military officers have already spoken out sharply against these threatened acts, properly observing that they are not just illegal, but inhumane violations of U.S. national values and conscience that would cause suffering to innocent people and hinder our conflict against our enemies by fueling propaganda campaigns portraying the U.S. as hypocritical in its promotion of human rights.

Respect for the law of war and the Constitution runs deep in the military culture, and military lawyers are among the most expert in these fields. There is pragmatism as well as principle involved, as the military was badly hurt by the fallout of the torture revelations during the Bush administration. Many high ranking military officials, civilian and uniformed, resisted torture, and the counterinsurgency guidance authored by Gen. David Petraeus emphasized the tactical wisdom of complying with law of war principles and fighting in as humane a way as war can be fought. Given what happened during the Bush administration, when torture and inhumane detention damaged the militarys reputation and recruited tens of thousands of enemies, it is hard to imagine that military officers serving a Trump administration would not act to stop the even more widespread human rights violations that Trump promised during his campaign. I dont mean to suggest the military views human rights as a utilitarian tool, because protecting the innocent is part of the code and culture of military service and for many is a point of patriotism and honor.

No one is perfect, including military officers, some of whom have been tragically mistaken about these very issues. But it may well be that the generals and admirals will be the most influential protectors against global warming, reckless war, and human rights violations in the Trump administration.
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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PRESS RELEASE

China and Japan Take Steps To Cooperate on Maritime Matters

Dec. 10, 2016 (EIRNS)In a further sign of easing tensions, China and Japan have agreed to work for the creation of an air and maritime contact system between their defense ministries as early as possible, Xinhua reported today. The agreement was reached during the sixth round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs between the two countries various departments, held on Dec. 7-9 in Chinas southern city of Haikou, the capital of Hainan Island.

They will focus on transnational crimes such as smuggling and drug trafficking, Xinhua reports, and agreed to hold the first meeting of expert discussions on marine pollution before March 2017, in addition to cooperation on fisheries management and marine search-and-rescue operations.

On the territorial dispute in the East China Sea, they agreed to hold the seventh round of high-level consultations on the issues in Japan in the first half of next year.
PRESS RELEASE

Showdown on Italian Banking Crisis

Dec. 10, 2016 (EIRNS)The crisis of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) has dramatically worsened since the (still unofficial) report that the European Central Bank (ECB) has rejected the banks request to postpone the deadline for its recapitalization, currently fixed for Dec. 31. It is physically impossible for MPS to implement the so-called "market solution" by that date, since so-called investors have withdrawn from the original plan concocted by JP Morgan.

An MPS insolvency would unleash a systemic crisis. The European Union and the ECB want Italy to enforce a bail-in and then go to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and surrender to the Troika for a bailout, as Greece was forced to do earlier.

However, the Italian government is rumored to be considering a nationalization, by purchasing up to 4 billion worth of subordinate bonds, and turning them into shares. If confirmed, this would be the opposite of bail-in, i.e. a bailout of depositors, and a violation of EU rules. Brussels and Frankfurt (the ECB headquarters) wont be amused.

This wont solve the problem of non-performing loans (NPLs); the next step should be to fire and prosecute the management and sort out the mess in the bank, according to procedures similar to those illustrated by Lyndon LaRouche and Japanese economist Daisuke Kotegawa for Deutsche Bank.

Evidence of the most blatant corruption of the current management, which was put in by JP Morgan as a condition for the (failed) recapitalization plan, is the report that MPS head Marco Morelli plans to pay JP Morgan a fee of 450 million. Consumer association Codacons filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Authority Dec. 7

Further, the German financial regulator BaFin, according to Bloomberg, found evidence that Deutsche Bank rigged "indexes" in the case of the famous derivative sold to MPS. Basically, Bafin came to the same conclusion as Italian investigators, that DB concocted a scheme to help MPS to conceal losses after its disastrous acquisition of Antonveneta bank.

The purchase of Antonveneta cost MPS a total of 18 billion, and MPS concealed those losses through derivative schemes purchased from Deutsche Bank and Nomura. An investigative committee of the Tuscany Regional Council came to the conclusion that the Antonveneta purchase and the subsequent derivative losses are the main source of MPSs troubles today.
This World Politics in a Time of Populist Nationalism (WPTPN) guest post is written by Dr Cynthia Banham, a University of Queensland Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School of Political Science and International Studies. She is also a Visitor at the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) at the Australian National University. Her forthcoming book, Liberal Democracies and the Torture of Their Citizens, will be published by Hart Publishing in 2017. She can be reached via e-mail and Twitter. Cynthia would like to thank Professor Susan Sell for her comments on an earlier version of this blog post.

Political accountability, we are taught to believe, is a defining feature of liberal democracies. A basic relationship of accountability lies at the heart of democratic government: citizens elect their political representatives, and these representatives become accountable to voters. Yet political accountability, as we have traditionally understood it to exist in liberal democracy, is under stress.

Since September 11, 2001, liberal democracies have seen an escalation in attempts to decrease government transparency and limit civil societys ability to check arbitrary power. One only has to think of the USA PATRIOT Act or the US detention regime at Guantanamo Bay. We see a pattern emerging across liberal democracies of the erosion of accountability in important policy areas. The re-emergence of torture as a potential state national security tool in the United States under a Trump Administration is a reminder of what is at stake when political accountability is avoided for past government wrongs.

Australia is not immune from this trend and I want to focus here on one particular policy area where there has been a deliberate and drastic reduction of accountability on the part of government: asylum seekers and refugees. In 2015, the Australian government placed a gag order on doctors working in the countrys offshore immigration detention centres to prevent them from speaking out about what they witnessed there. Conditions in the camps, located on small islands in the Pacific, are kept deliberately harsh to deter asylum seekers from coming to Australia by boat. Doctors who violated the gag order faced two years in jail.

This audacious example of executive-overreach is typical of increasing attempts by governments across liberal democracies to reduce accountability for their policies. Rising populist and nationalist pressures threaten our notions and practices of democratic accountability. Anxious citizens wonder just how far governments will go in order to prevent scrutiny of their actions and how civil society can effectively resist anti-democratic government policies. The case of the Australian doctors highlights these dangers but also contains another lesson. Civil society may successfully resist autocratic moves by liberal democratic governments to avoid political accountability.

In September 2016, eleven months after the Australian government passed the draconian Australian Border Force Act 2015, it quietly lifted the gag order, allowing doctors to speak again without risk of prosecution. This is a story about alarming anti-democratic suppression of an entire professional community involved in caring for the well-being of asylum seekers and refugees in Australias offshore detention camps  and how it successfully pushed back, and recovered some government accountability in this contentious domain. The events depicted here suggest citizens are going to have to be watchful and creative in mobilising to take back their power and be an effective check on government.

The harsh treatment of asylum seekers arriving by sea is popular policy in Australia, where political leaders have mercilessly exploited the issue since 2001. Why 2001? In August that year, a couple of weeks out from the awful events of September 11, a dramatic stand-off occurred between a Norwegian freighter carrying hundreds of rescued (mostly Afghan) asylum seekers bound for Australia and the Australian government. The government refused to let the freighter enter Australian waters with its human cargo, and the result was the establishment of the Pacific Solution. Under its most recent incarnation, which dates to 2013, asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat are detained on Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island, with no access to Australian courts, human rights non-governmental organisations, lawyers or journalists. The vast majority of these asylum seekers have been found to be refugees; among them are many Iranians, as well as Afghans, Iraqis, Sri Lankans and others. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez, has noted that Australias indefinite detention of asylum seekers and refugees, including children, in offshore camps where conditions are inadequate and there is escalating violence and tension, breaches its international legal obligations under the Convention Against Torture.

With asylum seekers so well hidden from view of the Australian public in these remote detention centres, accountability of government policy was already seriously compromised. But last year the Australian government pushed the boundaries even further in its efforts to prevent any information at all from seeping out of the camps about the suffering and desperation of detainees inside. In silencing health professionals who treated asylum seekers, the Australian government tested the levels of state secrecy that citizens were willing to accept as never before. This was about prohibiting medical professionals from raising concerns about matters as abhorrent as the sexual abuse of young children, in conditions of arbitrary detention.

What light does this Australian example shed on shifting conceptions of political accountability? I consider some understandings of both government and civil society, before starting to theorise the changes I am drawing attention to.

First, in seeking to avoid public scrutiny of the human cost of its asylum seeker policies and thus ensure continuing domestic support, the Australian government has adopted increasingly radical, illiberal means of quashing dissent, shutting down traditional sites of accountability. It has, in other words, created deliberate sites of non-accountability. Its means of achieving this include the Australian Border Force Act, in addition to longer-standing practices of alienating detainees, physically separating them from civil society and constructing them ideologically as potentially dangerous outsiders.[1] The Australian government has, in addition, hired out contractors to run the detention centres, and has located them on the territories of foreign sovereign states. These practices intentionally abdicate public accountability.

Second, despite the governments best efforts to prevent it, citizens still demand accountability and have adopted innovative strategies designed to influence the political environment. The government, in lifting the gag order on doctors, responded to widespread, multi-faceted protests by medical professionals across Australia. The Australian Medical Association and the World Medical Association condemned the silencing of doctors, saying it contravened basic principles of medical ethics. Senior mental health professionals openly challenged the government to prosecute them for speaking out about the torture-like conditions in offshore detention centres. A Brisbane hospital engaged in a public stand-off with the government, refusing to discharge a one-year-old baby who would have been transferred back to the detention centre on Nauru, on the basis it was not safe for the child. The group, Doctors for Refugees, filed a constitutional challenge in the High Court of Australia against the Act, warning of the chilling effect the legislation was having. The nature of doctors protests varied: some were organised, some were more spontaneous, some sought to activate traditional accountability mechanisms (the courts) and some went outside those institutions.

The events in Australia invite closer examination of shifting notions of political accountability in present-day liberal democracies. Accountability, we are often reminded, is a concept that is ill-defined and not well understood. [2] Traditional notions of accountability are based on hierarchical structures, while in practice networked governance has become more important.[3] Certainly the Australian case demonstrates the importance of networked governance, and how actors from disparate groups with relatively little power can, when they organise, have an unexpected impact on hierarchically-imposed government policy and influence public policy outcomes.

One can think of the accountability relationship between states and citizens as one based on power. Allen Buchanan and Robert Keohane, writing about the Obama Administrations lethal drone program, note that accountability is essentially a power term, that: Those who can hold policymakers accountable exercise power over them. That is, they have the capacity to impose costs on the policymakers and thereby to increase the likelihood that the latter will respond to their demands.[4] Accountability, they note, depends on context and needs to be dynamic. Similarly, Peter Katzenstein, discussing his current work at a research seminar at the University of Queensland earlier this year, spoke about a decentralised form of protean power that relies on the agility and creativity of actors, and can bring about transformative change in situations characterised by great uncertainty. The example of Australian doctors demonstrates how protean power works in practice. Disparate members of this community of medical professionals worked, sometimes in collaboration with legal advocacy groups and community legal services, in different parts of the country and in diverse forums to resist a deeply anti-democratic government order, to surprising effect.

We live in a world where politics is deeply unpredictable, where aspiring political leaders and incumbents can succeed by promising to take away certain human rights. Often those whose rights are in question are non-citizens, or minorities or Muslims. Such policy promises are justified on the basis of popular appeals to sovereignty and national interest and they are, in practice, most easily achieved by minimising or avoiding traditional forms of accountability. In this context, the sense of obligation to give account and to hold to account is being undermined on both sides of the accountability relationship. Faith in the idea of accountability as a virtue cannot be taken for granted. Changing political environments encourage governments to test the limits of what is permissible in terms of decreasing democratic transparency, in order to give voters the outcomes they demand. It is well to remember also that civil societys role in terms of demanding accountable government is complex and not pre-determined. Individuals and groups can resist and oppose the democratic state with more authoritarian proclivities, but they can also normalise and complement it too.[5]

At a time when politics across diverse liberal democracies are unfolding in ways previously considered unthinkable or unlikely, it helps to recognise the dynamism and unpredictability of power, and its centrality to accountability. Those who would resist attempts by states to avoid accountability require persistence and imagination when developing strategies to affect the political environment in unexpected ways, in ways governments cannot control, in order to achieve a more just outcome.

[1] Michael Grewcock, The great escape: refugees, detention and resistance in State Crime and Resistance, ed Elizabeth Stanley and Jude McCulloch (New York: Routledge, 2012) 56.

[2] Kaifeng Yang, Qualitative analysis in The Oxford Handbook of Public Accountability, ed Mark Bovens, Robert E Goodin and Thomas Schillemans (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014) 160-161.

[3] John Braithwaite, Hilary Charlesworth and Aderito Soares, Networked Governance of Freedom and Tyranny (Canberra: ANU Press, 2012).

[4] Allen Buchanan and Robert O Keohane, Toward a drone accountability regime, Ethics & International Affairs, 29(1) (2015), 15-37, 24.

[5] Penny Green and Tony Ward, Civil society, resistance and state crime in State Crime and Resistance, ed Elizabeth Stanley and Jude McCulloch, 29.

The Duck of Minervas WPTPN group is still seeking guest contributions. If you are interested in writing a post and have research expertise in international relations, international political economy, foreign policy, comparative politics, or cognate fields please see this post for more information.
PRESS RELEASE

Italian Trade Unionist on National TV Urges, We Have To Reinstate Glass-Steagall!

MILAN, Dec. 11, 2016 (EIRNS)Giorgio Cremaschi, former head of FIOM, the Italian Metalworkers Union of CGIL, spoke of Glass-Steagall banking separation legislation this morning on La7, during a debate about the new Gentiloni government (Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was appointed by the President to form a new government after the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi) and the nationalization of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS). He started off saying that the so-called "left" governments had the same free-market policy as the "right wing" government, both in Italy and elsewhere, as demonstrated by the fact "that it was the Clinton administration that repealed Glass-Steagall in 1999," recalling that that Act, first instituted by Franklin Roosevelt had been key since 1933, and that it must be reinstated now.

"I am in favor of a strict separation between merchant banks and commercial banks" he said, in the context of the debate on nationalizing MPS, since otherwise "you socialize losses and privatize profits." He also exposed the fact that Renzis constitutional reform was written by JP Morgan, the same JP Morgan which was a consultant in the failed plan to save MPS. He was of course interrupted by the host when he started exposing the fact that former European Commission President Barroso joined Goldman Sachs when he left the European Union, and that George Soros was close to Renzi.

The Lyndon LaRouche-allied Italian party Movimento Solidarieta (Movisol), with whom Cremaschi had been in touch years ago, congratulated him on his intervention, and also the proposal of Movisol for the nationalization of MPS "based on Glass-Steagall," similar to proposals of Lyndon LaRouche and former top International Monetary Fund official Daisuke Kotegawa for Deutsche Bank.
Popular interest in fleeing to Canada after the election of Donald Trump may have ebbed since a surge of inquiries crashed Canadas immigration website on election night. But one Internet advocate and entrepreneur is still treating the idea seriously, and taking serious steps to follow through.

Hes Brewster Kahle, founder of the San Francisco-based Internet Archive. Kahles indispensable service maintains copies of 279 billion web pages, 2.2 million films and videos, 2.5 million audio recordings and 3 million digital books, among other items such as software and television programs.

We think its prudent at this point to at least take candidate Trump  now President-elect Trump  at his word.  Brewster Kahle, founder and chairman of the Internet Archive

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Upon Trumps election, Kahle says, he and his staff mined their own TV archive to examine what he had said during his campaign about freedom of the press and the Internet.

What we found, Kahle told me, were words of warning. We think its prudent at this point to at least take candidate Trump  now President-elect Trump  at his word. Consequently, the Internet Archive has stepped up its plans to back up its entire data hoard in Canada, out of reach of what might be efforts under a Trump administration to block public access to the material. Hes seeking donations to cover the estimated $5-million cost of the project by Jan. 20, Inauguration Day.

Kahle, who founded the Internet Archive in 1996 and serves as its unpaid chairman, had grounds to be concerned. Among the nuggets retrieved, as he explained in a FAQ on the Archives blog, were these:

-- A Trump quote from a Dec. 8, 2015, rally: We have to go see Bill Gates and a lot of different people that really understand what is happening. We have to talk to them, maybe in certain areas, closing that Internet up in some way. Some of you will say, Oh, freedom of speech, freedom of speech. These are foolish people.  We have got to maybe do something with the Internet because they [terrorists] are recruiting by the thousands.

-- A rant about planning to open up our libel laws to attack newspapers. Newspapers are totally protected, he said, but were going to have people sue you like youve never been sued before.

These declarations may reflect ignorance or uninterest in legal precedent or the history and nature of the Internet, but thats immaterial, given the power vested in the presidents hands and the hostility to hard science and inconvenient factual information emanating from the GOP leadership in Congress.

Kahle is not alone in expressing uneasiness about Trumps attitude toward public access to information, online and otherwise. The American Library Assn. suffered a firestorm of criticism from its member librarians after publishing a post-election news release headlined, ALA offers expertise, resources to incoming administration and Congress.

ALA President Julie Todaro followed up with an apology for a statement she conceded could be interpreted as capitulating to and normalizing the incoming administration. She reiterated the organizations commitment to its core values of free access, intellectual freedom, privacy and confidentiality, which she acknowledged are at odds with messaging or positions taken by the incoming administration.

Added ALA President-elect James G. Neal, Columbia Universitys librarian emeritus: You cant have an effective democracy unless you have access to government information, and people accessing information should be able to do it in private or confidentially, without the risk of censorship.

Kahle said the Canada backup is part of the Internet Archives program to create several copies of its material in locations other than its Bay Area servers. If youre running an operation designed for the long term, he told me, the best thing you can do is make copies. If the Library of Alexandria had made copies, we wouldnt have lost half the manuscripts of Archimedes. The library of Alexandria, Egypt, was perhaps the greatest storehouse of Western knowledge when it was burned by zealots two millenniums ago.

Partial backups of the Internet Archive already exist in Alexandria and Amsterdam, and plans for a Canadian backup were underway in collaboration with the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta, which were already major contributors of public-domain digital material to the Archive. Initially, the goal is to copy that material onto the universities own servers, and ultimately to create a full backup residing on servers somewhere in Canada. That wont be a small job: the Archive already comprises 26 petabytes of data. (A petabyte is 1 million gigabytes or 1 billion megabytes.)

The choice of a location wasnt random, the Internet Archive says, but reflects strong user protections in Canada, including stringent regulations protecting users privacy.

The history of libraries is one of loss, Kahle said. Libraries like ours are susceptible to different fault lines: earthquakes, legal regimes, institutional failure. All these threats confront the Internet Archive, but the latter two are bulking larger every day.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
Someone who steals money from a customers bank account can be prosecuted for defrauding the bank, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, largely rejecting an appeal from a Los Angeles man who siphoned off nearly $300,000 from the checking account of a Taiwanese businessman.

Lawrence Shaw was accused of intercepting mail from Bank of America that was intended for Stanley Hsu, the businessman. According to the court documents, Shaw schemed to steal money by opening a PayPal account in his name and then transferring money from that account to accounts of his own.

Trumps victory assures a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. 

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When the scheme was revealed, Shaw was prosecuted under a federal law that makes it a crime to knowingly scheme to defraud a financial institution, and a jury in Los Angeles convicted him on 14 counts.

But he appealed on the grounds that the law did not apply because he did not intend to cheat the bank, only one of its customers.

The 9th Circuit Court rejected that claim last year, and the Supreme Court did the same Monday in a unanimous opinion.

Justice Stephen G. Breyer said the bank had a property interest in the money held in its accounts. Thus, Shaws scheme to cheat Hsu was also a scheme to deprive the bank of certain bank property rights, he said.

For the 4th time, the Electoral College picks the loser of the popular vote. 

Moreover, he said, the law does not require proof that the thief intended to steal from the bank or that the bank suffered actual losses.

Shaws public defenders had better luck with another argument: that one of the instructions to the jury could have been confusing. Without ruling on that claim, the justices asked the 9th Circuit to take another look at the issue.

david.savage@latimes.com

On Twitter: DavidGSavage

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President-elect Donald Trump has not yet been sworn in, but hes already set the tone for how he will deal with companies as the nations chief executive.

After successfully pressuring furnace maker Carrier Corp. to keep hundreds of jobs in Indiana instead of leaving for Mexico, Trump wasted little time in fingering another manufacturer in Indianapolis, Rexnord Corp., about to move south of the border and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers.

Along the way, Trump issued a blanket warning that businesses shifting jobs abroad will soon be looking at tariffs of 35%, the same amount that he had threatened during the campaign that he would slap on Mexican imports. He spoke of 45% duties on Chinese goods.

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Rhetoric aside, analysts reckon some companies now will think twice about moving. Why incur the risks of stiff penalties, damaging publicity and possibly even hectoring from the White House? Trump has said that companies thinking about leaving the U.S. will get a lot of phone calls, presumably from his new administration.

How Trump could use the presidency to help his business interests 

Trump has made protecting American jobs his mantra, and analysts, investors and corporate chiefs are hoping that he will focus on cutting taxes, reducing government regulations and boosting infrastructure investments  key planks in Trumps economic platform that should spur economic growth.

But what has many businesspeople nervous is this other, less predictable side of Trump, which suggests that as president he wont hesitate to take on individual companies and get personally involved in industrial policymaking the old-fashioned way: in backroom deal-making that has analysts concerned about crony capitalism.

Even Republicans in Congress have been watching warily as Trump has taken to Twitter to criticize Apple for its China-assembled iPhones and to rattle Boeings stock by complaining about the high cost of its possible contract to build the next Air Force One.

Short term, you might get an injection of jobs and enthusiasm, William Reinsch, a distinguished fellow at the nonpartisan Stimson Center, said of Trumps pledge to go after individual companies. But he said the benefits would probably amount to a drop in the bucket and may even make matters worse.

If Trump follows through on imposing tariffs on imports broadly, that would almost certainly raise prices for American consumers and cause significant problems for global production systems, eventually slowing corporate sales, investments and hiring.

We may assemble more stuff here, but well export less because theyll be more expensive, said Reinsch. Were going to be losing market share. Ultimately, the cost is jobs.

Trump will take the Oval Office amid a steadily growing job market, but manufacturing has been lagging. The sluggish global economy, strong dollar and political and financial uncertainties around the world have weighed on exports and industrial production.

Fear of a Trump-triggered recession gives way to hope for short-term economic boost 

Still, in other respects, manufacturing in the U.S. has stabilized. Factory employment stands at 12.3 million, which is down from more than 17 million in 2000 but up from 11.5 million at the end of 2009.

The long decline in U.S. manufacturing facilities  the 70,000 factory closures that Trump often cited during the campaign  hit bottom in 2013. Their numbers have since inched higher.

And while no one has precise figures, Harry Moser, an MIT-trained engineer who tracks job-flow trends, estimates that U.S. payroll losses to offshoring dropped to around 60,000 last year from roughly 230,000 a year in the early part of the 2000s.

Should Trump put a tariff on companies that send jobs offshore this year or next, but not on those that went abroad years ago and reaped the benefits of cheap labor, Moser said, that would seem very unfair to me.

Almost everything that was imported was first made here, said Moser, who runs the Reshoring Initiative, a Chicago nonprofit organization that works with companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

Mauro Guillen, an international management professor at the Wharton School, sees another hole in Trumps approach to keeping American plants humming with workers.

The problem is that jobs are being lost not just because of free trade. Theyre also being lost because of technological change, he said. Everything is so entangled  all the different reasons why jobs are leaving.

And Trump wont find it easy to replicate the Carrier deal. The company gave up some of its $65 million in savings expected in the move to Monterrey, Mexico, in exchange for $7 million in state tax breaks and the hope of Trump making good on his promise of slashing corporate taxes and providing regulatory relief. But with $56 billion in sales last year that include defense contracts, Carriers parent firm, United Technologies, could probably afford it. United also probably concluded that it wasnt worth risking the wrath of the incoming commander in chief.

Its a different story for Harman Professional Solutions and its Crown Audio operations in upstate Indianas Elkhart County. Harman plans to move Crowns production and warehouse to Tijuana starting next month, erasing 125 jobs. Trump hasnt come to the rescue, and Elkhart officials point out, resentfully, that Harman asked for and received tax breaks from the city just three years ago.

We gave them a tax benefit to stay here, but they didnt stay, said Elkhart Councilman David Henke.

China and Mexico have long been the top two offshoring sites. But surging labor costs and other barriers in China have slowed moves there. Mexico has especially gained in recent years from increasing investments from American and foreign automotive firms, much of that due to linkages to the big U.S. auto market and production system.

In such an intertwined global supply chain, large tariffs on imported goods from Mexico would undoubtedly cause serious disruptions in production.

Japanese car companies, for example, have been manufacturing on American soil since the 1980s and now have scores of suppliers in the U.S. and Mexico that ship components back and forth.

About 40% of all Mexican exports to the U.S. contain American content. So large tariffs on Mexican products would be felt by U.S. workers as well as those in Mexico.

As one director of a large Japanese auto parts maker explained, his company operates a big factory in Indiana making components for engine valves. Some of these parts are shipped to Monterrey, Mexico, for final finishing and delivery to Nissan and Ford.

The more labor-intensive part of the process, he said, is actually done in Indiana because electricity is much cheaper than in Monterrey. Mexicos average wages and benefits in manufacturing are about one-sixth of those in the U.S.

It would be total madness to interrupt this flow of work in progress, said the director, Rick Dyck, without identifying the Japanese company. What made this kind of cross-border manufacturing possible, he said, was the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has threatened to renegotiate.

For now, many businesspeople and analysts see such threats as just that and no more, something meant to fire up Trumps blue-collar base, as he did in the campaign.

Maybe this is only wishful thinking, but its kind of a show, said Yorizumi Watanabe, professor of international political economy at Keio University in Tokyo. But showtime will be ended in January and serious business begins. I hope things will change; otherwise it will be catastrophe.

Labor leaders believe NAFTA had a much darker effect on American industry and workers. Regardless, they, too, see Trumps shaming tactics and promises of large tariffs as counterproductive, even reckless.

I think all thats going to do is cause trade wars across the world, said William Fairbairn, head of the Electrical Workers Local 2249 in Spencer, Ind. The local represents 300 employees of a General Electric refrigerator plant that shut down in August because the Bloomington, Ind., operation couldnt compete with cheap labor costs at another company factory in Mexico.

Even if everyone worked for free, the plant would still be losing $2 million a year, he said, noting that the unionized workers at the factory made on average $29 an hour. When you do the numbers, theres just no way.

don.lee@latimes.com

Follow me at @dleelatimes

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Memo to Corporate America: Be ready to be Donald Trumps next target.

Defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. found that out Monday when the president-elect again used Twitter to blast the F-35 fighter-jet program for costs he termed out of control.

The stock prices of Lockheed Martin, the projects prime contractor, and of one of its suppliers quickly dropped. It was the same scenario that hit Boeing Co. last week when Trump tweeted that the development of new Air Force One jets was too expensive.

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Never mind that Trump championed building up U.S. defense as part of his presidential bid. The F-35 contractors learned that any company can suddenly find itself on Trumps bad side, especially those that do business with Uncle Sam.

The clear message thats being sent is that the president-elect is going to fight to save taxpayer money at every turn, said Trump spokesman Jason Miller. I would expect this to be wide reaching and impact all of government as we look to come up with better deals.

Presidents have leaned on big companies in the past in hopes of enacting change. But whats happening with Trump is novel, public-relations experts and business analysts said, because hes using the lightning-fast communication tool of social media to spread his complaints to millions of people, with no prior warning. And hes yet to take office.

Its a PR nightmare for the companies involved because you dont want the president of the United States shining a spotlight on a practice that the public might find dubious, said David Shulman, senior economist for the forecasting program at UCLAs Anderson School of Management.

Whats really unprecedented is that hes not even president yet, Shulman said. If this becomes a weekly event, its going to have a negative impact on the business climate even if Trump correctly points a finger at the legitimate issue of the high cost of [defense] procurement, he said.

Trumps habit of identifying companies and programs that displease him has corporate PR departments trying to figure how best to respond, if at all.

Companies often settle for an initial no comment, then perhaps a carefully worded press release days after being criticized. That might no longer suffice, analysts said.

Imagine if he suggests boycotting a companys products, Stan Steinreich, president of the public relations firm Steinreich Communications Group, wrote Monday on Fortune.com. What if he casts aspersions about an executives comments?

With Trump as president, corporations are going to have to move with the times and join the social media discussion much more rapidly than they generally have, Steinreich wrote.

Or at least respond in some way quickly, as Lockheed Martin did Monday. Jeff Babione, executive vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin, said the company and its partners understand the importance of affordability for the F-35 program.

We welcome the opportunity to address any questions the president-elect has about the program, he said during remarks at Nevatim Air Base in Israel before an F-35 delivery ceremony there.

In his tweet, Trump did not identify Lockheed Martin or the other defense firms by name.

The F-35 program and cost is out of control, he wrote. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.

Lockheed Martin stock fell $6.42, or 2.5%, to close at $253.11 a share. Northrop Grumman, a big subcontractor on the F-35, fell $6.36, or 2.7%, to $232.07 a share.

Known as the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35 is designed to be largely invisible to radar, fly faster than the speed of sound and incorporate advanced sensors, linking data with ships, planes and drones.

The new fighter would replace four aircraft, with three design variations to meet the unique requirements of the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. More than 3,000 planes eventually would be built for the U.S. and 11 other countries.

The program has been repeatedly criticized over the years for cost overruns and lengthy delays, though its cost has been declining recently. With a total estimated cost of $379 billion, it is considered the most expensive weapons program ever.

Although companies will keep feeling the pressure to respond to Trump, they shouldnt always feel compelled to answer his complaints directly while remaining neutral and open to discussion, said Eileen Koch, chief executive of the public relations firm EKC PR in Los Angeles.

If hes just making a comment, sometimes its better not to get into a war of words with him; its better to take the high road, Koch said. You might be getting a minute of his thoughts and then hes on to something else.

Richard Aboulafia, aviation analyst for the research firm Teal Group, said Trumps tweets about companies and programs are an appeal to his base.

Hes got this real contradiction, which is hes throwing money at defense but hes told his base hes draining the swamp, he said.

Defense stocks had been on a tear before Monday; the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, which tracks the industry, was up nearly 12% from just before the election through Friday.

One of his very top promises is to rebuild the military and everyones talking about more money, and the upward trajectory in their share prices reflects that in anticipation, Aboulafia said. Its very tough to institute reforms and go after very big programs in this kind of upward budget environment.

In the meantime, what should contractors do if theyre called out by Trump on Twitter?

Its best not to respond, Aboulafia said.

james.peltz@latimes.com

Twitter: @PeltzLATimes

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

For more business news, follow me @smasunaga

Times staff writer Cathleen Decker contributed to this report.

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3:30 p.m.: This article has been updated to include additional commentary and analysis.

The original article was published at 10:25 a.m.
Actor Jackson Hurst of Drop Dead Diva fame has picked up a Valley Village home behind gates for nearly $1.4 million. The property previously changed hands in 2014 for $865,000.

The Mediterranean-style house has a foyer, formal living and dining rooms, a family room, an updated kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, five bedrooms and five bathrooms within its nearly 3,200 square feet of living space.

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A sweeping staircase, wood floors, crown moldings and French doors give the interiors a traditional vibe.

Outdoor spaces include a patio, a spa, lawn and a rock waterfall.

Hurst, 37, was a regular on Drop Dead Diva throughout its 2009-14 run. This year he appeared on the series NCIS: Los Angeles and starred in the film Day of Reckoning. Hell star in the upcoming thriller Wraith.

Steven Walker of Coldwell Banker was the listing agent. Stamie Karakasidis of Rodeo Realty represented the actor.

lauren.beale2@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATHotProperty

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Another high-design megaproject is being pitched for the Arts District, this time right alongside the Los Angeles River.

The Gallo family, longtime owner of the Rancho Cold Storage facility on Mesquit Street, has teamed with rising-star Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and real estate firm V.E. Equities to propose a sizable new development consisting of two connected buildings, 30 stories tall at their highest point.

The project, called 670 Mesquit, would hold approximately 800,000 square feet of office space, 250 rental apartments and two boutique hotels as well as shops and restaurants. Stretching north from the 7th Street Bridge almost as far as the forthcoming 6th Street Viaduct, it would replace Rancho Cold Storages warehouse buildings along Mesquit.

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The design also calls for a small museum or public sculpture park connected to a broad deck that would extend over the train tracks that divide the Rancho property from the Los Angeles River. That deck is at once the most compelling and the most speculative part of the proposal; building it would require cooperation from a slew of public agencies and companies including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Amtrak, Metrolink and rail giant BNSF.

The major contribution to the transformation of the Arts District could be creating this deck over the rail yards, said Ingels, whose firm, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is at work with British designer Thomas Heatherwick on corporate campuses for Google in London and Silicon Valley, among several other high-profile projects. The Arts District doesnt have a lot of open outdoor space. This could be the way to get from the Arts District all the way down to the edge of the river.

The development, BIGs first commission in Los Angeles, comes on the heels of the September announcement that another noted European architecture firm, Switzerlands Herzog & de Meuron, is working on a massive Arts District development at 6th and Alameda streets. Crowned by a pair of residential towers, it would fill an entire city block.

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Ingels and the developers will introduce the project to neighborhood groups and members of the media at a meeting beginning 5 p.m. Monday at 2014 E. 7th St. It would require significant variances from L.A.s planning department, including a general-plan amendment to allow residential units and a higher level of density than is currently permitted. The developers are expected to file paperwork with City Hall next month.

The timing is significant. In March, Los Angeles voters will consider the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative, a measure that calls for a two-year moratorium on development projects requiring general-plan amendments. Gallo and V.E. Equities hope to have their entitlements in place, at least in preliminary form, before then.

That leaves planning director Vince Bertoni and Mayor Eric Garcetti in a delicate spot. Giving a high-profile project the variances it needs so close to the March election could lend fresh ammunition to critics of the citys notoriously opaque development process. The location of the proposed development along the L.A River, directly across from Boyle Heights, could also complicate its political path.

An effort to produce a new master plan for the river, overseen by River LA (a nonprofit created by the city) and architect Frank Gehry and announced last year, has drawn fire for its secrecy and generated worries that it could lead to a land rush in certain neighborhoods. Opposition to high-end development has been especially intense in parts of Boyle Heights, where even art galleries have come under attack as the advance guard of gentrification and displacement.

Even as the developers of the Mesquit project are looking ahead to the election in March, they have also modified the design to comply with Measure JJJ, which city voters passed by a large margin last month. It requires residential developments to employ local union labor and include a specific number of units for low-income residents. In the case of the Mesquit Street project, the developers say, that would mean 41 affordable units.

Were still evaluating the project, and we want to see how it meets with our overall vision of the Arts District and downtown L.A. and our plans for affordable housing, said Bertoni, the planning director, who met with Ingels last month. But I think Bjarke understands the L.A. of today and the potential of L.A.

Bertoni said covering the train tracks could create an elevated urban promenade overlooking the river, with some resemblance to the popular High Line park on the west side of Manhattan.

Everyone compares everything to the High Line now, for better or worse. More important is how these buildings interact with the river. We dont want to wall the city off from the river. It looks like they are trying to create permeability through the buildings.

Architecturally, Ingels guiding idea is to create a superstructure of giant concrete frames  each 45 feet square  into which glass-walled offices, apartments and shops could be slotted. Some tenants could choose to build a single high-ceilinged space inside one of the frames; others might divide the space into two or three floors or separate it with mezzanines.

The frames, topped with landscaped terraces, would step down from the edges of the complex toward the middle. Some of them would be kept open as voids to preserve pedestrian access or views from the river toward downtown (or vice versa). On the interior of the development the two buildings would almost seem to nest one inside the other, in a manner Ingels compares to the yin-yang symbol: The structure filling the southern end of the site would grow wider on one edge as it rose, the other narrower.

Ingels design combines the clean lines and economy of minimalist art and postwar Los Angeles architecture  like countless out-of-town architects before him, he cites the Case Study program as an inspiration  with the brawny infrastructural forms of the freeway and the concrete-lined L.A. River. The superstructure of the development, particularly as viewed from street level, bears some resemblance to the lower sections of the proposed Herzog & de Meuron project.

Ingels emphasized that although the BIG design is meant to allow each residential and office space to be customized, the communal spaces will feature a consistent aesthetic that he called carefully crafted but industrial. His firm would design the handrails and every outdoor light fixture. Elevators would rise through voids in the superstructure.

Were not going to turn it into the Centre Pompidou, Ingels said, referring to the 1977 Paris art museum, designed by Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, that features an exterior covered with escalators and a colorful array of pipes and air ducts. But we want to create this framework where the bones of the building are what unite it.

The risk  as with all of the projects emerging from BIGs huge and increasingly busy office  is that the project, in final form, wont quite make the leap from clever and opportunistic to something more architecturally powerful or profound.

Ingels may soon begin turning out work that crosses that divide; at 42 he is young by architectural standards, a wunderkind in the field. (The far more experienced Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, for what its worth, have shown themselves capable of consistently bridging that gap in a string of impressive recent projects.) As much as this project, if built, will be a barometer of changes in the Arts District, it will be a measuring stick for BIG.

What could really set the Mesquit project apart from recent large-scale L.A. developments is its urbanism: its close relationship to the river and a pair of bridges crossing it. This will be particularly true if the communal spaces feel fully public and the developers can manage to get approval (and find money to pay) for the decking over the train tracks.

The north end of that elevated platform would lead toward a park and arts plaza planned at the foot of the Sixth Street Viaduct, an innovative bridge design by Michael Maltzan Architecture, HNTB, A.C. Martin and the landscape firm Hargreaves Associates that is expected to be completed in 2019.

Metro has also considered adding an Arts District rail stop near the base of the new bridge, though that plan remains tentative.

Ingels presented the Mesquit design to The Times in a meeting, held at Rancho Cold Storage, that included Frank Gallo, Ranchos vice president, and Zach Vella of V.E. Equities. Michael LoGrande, Bertonis predecessor as planning director and now employed by V.E. Equities, was also in attendance, as were some younger architects from BIG.

After the meeting broke up, some of the group headed out toward Mesquit Street. Two black town cars were waiting near several gleaming Teslas even as a steady stream of giant container trucks rumbled down the narrow street. It made for the perfect automotive tableau of a Los Angeles neighborhood in dramatic flux.

christopher.hawthorne@latimes.com

Twitter: @HawthorneLAT

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Amid Ghost Ships enchanting disorder lurked danger and the seeds of disaster
Conflict in Palmyra. The new risks artists face in the wake of the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. And big plans for the Arts District. (I mean, like, BIG.) Plus: Dorothea Lange, Trump Tower gridlock and finding Da Vinci. Heres the Roundup:

 Islamic State militants have recaptured most of Palmyra, nine months after being driven from the city by Syrian and Russian forces  in what could represent a new assault on heritage sites. Christian Science Monitor

 In the wake of the Ghost Ship tragedy, fire departments in cities across the nation have begun to look into or evict artists from informal artist spaces. New York Times, Baltimore Sun

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 Related: Critic Charles Desmarais looks at how a little more art patronage could perhaps avert tragedies of this nature. San Francisco Chronicle

 Two Dutch master paintings, liquidated by Jewish dealer Max Stern in the face of Nazi persecution, have been returned to his estate. The Art Newspaper

 The hunt for former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos art collection may be warming up again. New York Times

 Brian Boucher reports on how New York Citys midtown art dealers are being adversely affected by the security zone around Trump Tower. Artnet

Police keep a heavy presence outside of Trump Tower in early December. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images )

 The thrill of finding a long-lost drawing attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci. New York Times

 Critic Jerry Saltz examines a photograph by Andreas Gursky and finds evidence of our highly complex, near unmaintainable information systems. Vulture

 Dorothea Langes censored images of Japanese American internment camps. Anchor Editions

 Thousands of images by photographer Minor White, the founding editor of Aperture magazine (and the subject of an exhibition at the Getty Museum in 2014) have been digitized and placed online by the Princeton University Art Museum. Hyperallergic

 Another super-development is proposed for the Arts District. This time from the Danish architect Bjarke Ingels  and it will contain a small museum or sculpture park. Because what downtown really needs in addition to more condos and retail is another museum. Los Angeles Times

 Plus, a proposed, cage-like tower by Eric Owen Moss for Culver City. Los Angeles Times

 The Guggenheim Helsinki is definitively shot down by the Helsinki City Council. New York Times

 Speaking of the Gugg: Artist Naeem Mohaiemen offers a look at how the artist-activist group Gulf Labor Coalition came together to improve migrant labor conditions at the planned Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Walker

 Conceiving the Los Angeles of the musical film La La Land  which included studying the paintings of L.A. artist Patssi Valdez. Plus, a map of the movies filming locations. Design and Architecture, Curbed

 Plus: Artists, photographers and curators choose the photos that define Los Angeles. To that list, Id add Ascos Spray Paint LACMA  which featured Valdez as a key player. Los Angeles Magazine

 To inaugurate the new Main Museum in downtown Los Angeles in its beta phase, artists Suzanne Lacey and Andrea Bowers took to the space for 10 days where the former taught the latter performance art. Catherine Wagley dropped in on the action. ARTnews

Artists Suzanne Lacy, left, and Andrea Bowers in the windows of the Main Museum in downtown L.A. in October. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )

 The Liverpool homes refurbished by the Turner Prize-winning architectural collective Assemble come with an anti-gentrification clause. BBC

 And last but not least: A Seattle-based company has come up with a 3-D printed bong that is inspired by the forms of Genslers torqueing Shanghai Tower. High brow, indeed. Leafly

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Find me on Twitter @cmonstah.
Carrie Fisher on Princess Leia: Shes like a superhero

(Robert Carter / For The Times)

Actress and writer Carrie Fisher has died after suffering a cardiac episode during a flight from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23. Prior to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Fisher spoke to The Times about the film, Princess Leia and her Star Wars legacy. Below is an excerpt from a story originally published on Dec. 4, 2015.

Fisher would know what it takes to make a lasting legacy in this franchise. The first few precious moments of A New Hope follow the angry revolutionary pulling together a contingency plan to smuggle spy documents off a spaceship. Unafraid of being taken hostage by the nefarious Empire, Princess Leia blasts the invading Imperial Stormtroopers. Leia shoots first.

In captivity, Leia proceeds to throw some truly galactic shade: Darth Vader, only you could be so bold, Gov. Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding Vaders leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board, and the classic, Arent you a little short for a Stormtrooper?

While Han Solo shirks responsibility and Luke Skywalker fumbles around with his evolving, boyish perception of the hero, Leia gets things done. When her own rescue goes awry, she grabs the blaster herself and finds a way out. Shes not just a princess but a radical fighting for freedom under a tyrannical empire.

She had contempt for and worked with men, and I liked that, Fisher says. There was something human about her. It showed that she could do whatever she needed to do, and if she could do that, then everybody could do it. People identified with her. Shes like a superhero.

Kennedy, who took over the reins for Lucas in 2012, agrees. When Princess Leia hit the scene in 1977 she was a pretty formidable character. I give George [Lucas] a huge amount of credit, she says. Leia really held her own. We used that as kind of a touchstone for why it was so important to have a strong female character and hopefully many more strong female characters in the Star Wars universe.

The new film reintroduces Leia 30 years after the war. Shes no longer a princess but a general. And shes still very much in command  still walking and talking, Fisher says. She doesnt have any mortal wounds or disease. But, she warns, things have happened that have been difficult.

Fisher was mum on the rest of her characters details but didnt mind sharing a moment of nostalgia she felt on the set of the new film:

Youre so self-conscious, youre exhausted before you get out of your trailer. I was in my trailer in the back and I heard Harrison. I recognized how his boots sound, and I heard him say, Is Carrie here? That was funny. That was like were back on Star Wars campus.

In response to this reporters surprise that the actress who brought to life Princess Leia  general of the new resistance  was self-conscious, Fisher let out a guffaw. I think everyone thinks the same way, only [some] people pretend better. Im going to do badly this time. I look like .... The new people are better. What am I going to do? My hair looks bad again.

Fisher may still get nervous, but that doesnt change her legacy. Nor did it stop her tenacious response about the recent kerfuffle over her characters notorious bikini. A frustrated father in Deptford, Pa., went viral in a Fox 29 report over a Target store selling Princess Leia action figure toys dressed in the divisive slave Leia ensemble (a metal two-piece the character was forced to wear while prisoner to character Jabba the Hutt). The man was perturbed it was being sold in the toy aisle and flustered over how he was going to explain the toys chain to his daughters.

How about telling his daughter that the character is wearing that outfit not because shes chosen to wear it. Shes been forced to wear it, Fisher advises. Shes a prisoner of a giant testicle who has a lot of saliva going on and she does not want to wear that thing and its ultimately that chain, which youre now indicating is some sort of accessory to S&M, that is used to kill the giant saliva testicle. Thats asinine.

Truly the contempt for the scruffy-looking nerf-herders of the world is very much alive and well in Fisher.

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Director Pablo Larrain on the Jackie'/'Neruda connection and what the films say about how history is written

Pablo Larrain, director of Neruda and Jackie. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Its fun and its poetic and its political. Its an interesting cocktail for cinema. ... and it creates, I think, a beautiful mirror of our societies.  Pablo Larrain on Neruda

We reached Pablo Larrain at his home in Santiago, Chile, where it was late morning, five hours ahead of time in Los Angeles, when the Golden Globe nominations were announced. The foreign language film nomination for his drama Neruda is the directors second nod in a row from the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Last year, the group nominated his film The Club.

Over the phone, he said he was excited not only for his own recognition, but for Natalie Portmans nod in the drama category, acknowledging her performance in Jackie, which he directed.

Its interesting, he said of having both films singled out, because its the perspective of the foreign press there, and its not necessarily what everybody else sees. Its the group point of view and its fantastic because Jackie is out now and Neruda will be released on Friday, so this will probably deliver more attention to the film and more people will get to see it. Thats always amazing. Its just exciting ... so many years of work and other people involved. Its great news and it gives a very beautiful attention to the film, which is always a blessing.

What has it been like juggling both films, both when you were making them and now that youre promoting them?

Im certainly not used to it. I have to say its been a whole new experience. But at the same time its been a good synergy and rhythm between both movies. I think they are very different, but they are somehow connected. And its interesting how they travel. Of course, Ive been also going to Europe and other countries, Latin America, with both movies and I must say its very exhausting. But its a gift at the same time. I dont know that I want to do it again, but Ive learned a lot and met a lot of people. I think the movies work very well and create a lot of enthusiasm, more desire to keep on making movies. And thats what we do. Its not necessarily associated to the awards, but its associated to what you feel and how it makes you feel when the movie goes out. The reaction so far has been very beautiful and cool.

What would you hope people learn about Neruda and take from his story as you tell it in the film?

Its hard to put it down into words because thats why we made the movie. I guess Neruda is a take on Nerudas cosmos. Its fun and its poetic and its political. Its an interesting cocktail for cinema. And its a movie in our language about a poet in our language and it creates, I think, a beautiful mirror of our societies. I think people could connect with the way we have been built. We have rich traditions and writers and journalists all through our history, but in reality I think the people who really define [us] are our poets.

So if this movie can somehow spread just a little bit of our imagination, and our history and our words and our souls, then I think we have achieved something. Thats what we wanted -- to deliver a sort of emotion, a taste, an illusion of society that is very fast but is very, very present.

Those are our words and our desires, and its beautiful to have a chance to portray them on film and the life of someone who seems so far [away] -- a communist poet from the 40s. But then [Nerudas story] is connected and its possible to understand that its not so unrelated. Its also fascinating because its a movie about movies and thats what we love, as filmmakers as well.

Neither of these films are birth-to-death biopics in the conventional sense. How do you see their relationship to the biopic?

I actually dont think its possible to go out into the world and say, Look, this is who this person was and who they were. You just cant put peoples lives into a box, into a film. What you can do is share some kind of emotion. And just a little bit. I think these movies are like a crack in the ceiling -- they let in a little bit of light.

Theres a lot of beautiful information there, but I wouldnt call these movies biopics. Its just like a reflection on peoples lives. And thats enough, I think, to go out and make a movie. Of course, we would never make these movies if these people never existed, so we need them. We need those bloodstreams and those bodies -- who we think they were from the flight of fiction. And its always so arbitrary. I think it always arbitrary and thats so essential to what we do.

Both movies grapple with how history gets written.

Ive been fascinated over the years by the fact that media tries to manipulate or create their own public image. And its so beautiful and interesting when you see and observe how someone tries to do it.

Theres a big gap between the intention and the result. That gap is sort of our door, our entrance to the subject. Its like going to the kitchen and observing how people are trying to shape a myth, a legend -- to take public opinion and shape and manipulate that. Its always interesting. I think it defines our era.

Everything is out there in the media and theres always a difference between the private world and the public one. And if you put them next to each other, you will have a very good fiction. It plays very well with what Jackie says: Sometimes I feel like the person we read about in the papers is more real than the one who stands beside us.

Thats a quote from the film, and I feel that there is something there that is extremely beautiful and extremely dangerous. At some point, you dont know who you are. That illusion is fragile, and that fragility is what we need to work with.

Whats most gratifying about the recognition for Natalie Portmans performance?

I think what Natalie did and what she does in the film, its one of the most beautiful experiences Ive ever had. When she succeeds, we all do. Shes an angel. Im grateful, and its wonderful when people react and praise her.

Shes the soul of the film. And shes very generous and very connected with the entire team of the cast and the producers. Its beautiful to see her being recognized. Its amazing because shes the heart of the film. What can I tell you? Shes Jackie. Shes our Jackie. Shes our queen.
Between the two of them, Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese have 23 Golden Globe nominations.

With Sully and Silence, they also have a couple of the most buzzed-about movies of the year.

Yet when the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. announced its annual nominations Monday morning, both films were completely shut out.

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Instead, the group went with movies from a more upstart field for its 74th ceremony on Jan. 8th  including Moonlight, Lion, Hell or High Water, Hacksaw Ridge and Manchester by the Sea in its best picture/drama category.

The directors of all of those movies had previously combined for just four Golden Globe nominations  and three of those were for Hacksaw helmer Mel Gibson.

The Globes is long known for returning to familiar wells. Its how Meryl Streep has 30 nominations and eight wins all by herself. HFPA members tend to stay relatively static (there arent a lot of incoming or exiting members in a given year) and voters tend to develop relationships with faces on-screen, if not in real life.

 It wouldnt be the Golden Globes without some curve balls, and the nominations announcement Monday morning by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association offered several.

But perhaps hoping to end up with some of the fresher nominees the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has aimed for by inviting younger members  or maybe because it simply tired of veterans work  the HFPA made a decided effort to move away from the tried and true.

In the most striking example, Warren Beattys long-awaited comeback, Rules Dont Apply, was almost completely blanked. That included no nomination for the 79-year-old hyphenate even in the actor in a comedy/musical category, where he was heavily predicted to earn a slot for playing Hollywood titan Howard Hughes  and despite the fact that he has six previous Golden Globes wins.

The one nominee the film did manage? The 27-year-old Lily Collins, who nabbed a spot for lead actress in a comedy/musical.

Nor was Beatty the only veteran edged out of a place in a comedy/musical category. Robert De Niro, a 10-time Golden Globe nominee as well a recipient of its Cecil B. DeMille Award, was nowhere to be found, even though the 73-year-old has earned laurels for his turn as an aging stand-up in The Comedian.

Instead of the two legends, the category was filled with the likes of Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, a first-time nominee who just turned 40 in October, and Jonah Hill, the 32-year-old comic actor who wasnt anywhere near most awards forecasters lists for his turn in the barely remembered summer arms-smuggling picture War Dogs.

Deadpool, incidentally, also was nominated for best comedy/musical, one of the biggest mass-culture phenomena ever to be included in the category.

The Globes have historically liked the new and shiny on the television side. In part because of when it falls in the calendar, the ceremony has historically been among the first to honor upstart series such as Transparent, Mr. Robot and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which then have gone on to Emmy and other recognition.

That trend appears to be holding true  four out of the Globes five best drama nominees are freshman series (Westworld, This Is Us, The Crown and Stranger Things), and Donald Glovers first-year FX show, Atlanta, picked up a nomination for best comedy/musical.

But when it comes to film, the HFPA tends to like its comfort-food nominees  which is how actors like Tom Hanks have scored eight nominations over the years, not just for expected fare like Cast Away and Philadelphia but less obvious contenders such as Charlie Wilsons War.

Yet Hanks also came away empty-handed Monday morning. Despite a thin year for lead actors in a drama, he couldnt muster a nomination for his role as a courageous real-life pilot in Sully.

The Eastwood film has grossed more than $200 million around the world and is considered a contender in multiple categories at the Oscars. Ditto for Silence, Scorseses rigorous look at faith that has been garnering strong word-of-mouth since it began screening for tastemakers almost two weeks ago.

But the 74-year-old filmmaker failed to land a nomination in the directing category for his passion project, yielding to first-timers Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and Damien Chazelle (La La Land), each still in their 30s.

The HFPA is made up of a very small group of people  about 80 foreign journalists with little day-to-day involvement in the creation of movies. So its regarded as folly to read too much significance into any one choice; the sample size of voters is simply too small, the idiosyncrasy of voting preferences too great.

Still, taken as a whole, the Globes ballot suggests a larger impulse, perhaps one thats cultural as much as technical. The nominations Monday echo a Grammys trend last week in which records from relative newcomers like Justin Bieber (Purpose) beat out longtime favorites such as David Bowie (Blackstar) for album of the year nominations.

Awards shows have long tangled with a dilemma. As a venue for industry recognition, they tend to value dues-paying  rewarding personalities who have put together a long body of work and earned industry goodwill. But the shows also rely for income on a television world that tends to favor, particularly in its advertising dollars, younger viewers and newer talent.

The film academy, which oversees the Oscars, is among those grappling with this challenge. In the last few years, for reasons that of course went beyond television viewership, it began inviting waves of newer and comparatively younger members, and it could begin to see some shifts in voting and viewer numbers (last year saw an eight-year low) as a result.

Ratings have been falling for the Globes too. This year, the NBC telecast was down 5% in the all-important 18-49 demographic. Whether part of a conscious plan or not, the presence of younger nominees could arrest that slide.

In few places will the help be as evident as lead actress in a comedy/musical. Nominees Monday were heavily youthful, with Emma Stone from La La Land and Hailee Steinfeld from the teen seriocomedy The Edge of Seventeen joining Collins on the short list. Steinfeld, an upset choice of sorts, just exited her teenage years  she turned 20 on Sunday. The median age in her category was 28. Last year it was 45.

(Streep, it should be noted, also landed a nomination for lead actress in a comedy/musical, for her turn as a real-life shaky soprano in Florence Foster Jenkins. Some things dont change.)

In general, that was the pattern across acting categories, with one or two veterans popping up amid a larger group of fresher faces. In supporting male, three of the five nominees (Dev Patel, Simon Helberg and Aaron Taylor-Johnson) were all under 40, while a fourth, Moonlights Mahershala Ali, was a heretofore unknown actor barely above it.

That will lead to a scenario in which some of the most familiar Hollywood faces are absent from the winner circle.

Then again, some older actors may be ready to give up the mantle.

Jonah Hill is probably the busiest actor on the planet, Hanks recently said to The Times Glenn Whipp. He was great in War Dogs. I can never take my eyes off him. The HFPA and NBC can only hope a lot of other people feel the same way.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

On Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT

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Golden Globes 2017: Complete list of nominees

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Its actually time to start thinking about your New Years Eve plans. Anyone else have that Talking Heads Once in a Lifetime song in their heads? Make your dinner reservations now.

If youd like to spend the evening out, weve got a few suggestions. Just make sure theres enough Champagne for everyone, and have that designated driver ready.

Baltaire: The Brentwood restaurant is having a 40s-themed Midnight in Paris party. The first dinner seating (5:30 to 7 p.m.) is an a la carte menu. The second seating, from 9 to 11 p.m., includes a four-course prix-fixe dinner for $250 per person, with a Champagne toast at midnight. Menu highlights include foie gras torchon, Burgundy escargot and mille-feuille for dessert. There will be Champagne and cheese carts, as well as a live jazz band and a DJ. Open seating will be available in the bar and lounge area. 11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, (424) 273-1660, baltaire.com.

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The Bazaar, Saam, Tres and Bar Centro: All three of Jose Andres restaurants, and the Bar Centro at the SLS hotel, will have NYE specials. The Bazaar will have a seating at 5:30 p.m. that includes a 16-course prix-fixe menu for $150. The second seating at 9 p.m. will include the 16 courses as well as a Spanish 12 grapes ceremony at midnight for $300 per person. Bar Centro will have table service beginning at $650 (includes one premium spirit and one bottle of Champagne). Bar Centro will be selling $100 tickets at the door starting at 10 p.m., which will include bubbly for the midnight toast and access to the Bazaars party (DJ, dancing, party favors). At Saam, the prix-fixe menu will include caviar truffles and foie gras for $350 per person. At Tres, an $85 three-course prix-fixe menu with seatings beginning at 4 p.m. 465 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 247-0400, slshotels.com/beverlyhills/dining.

Broken Spanish and BS Taqueria: Both Ray Garcias downtown restaurants will have special menus. At Broken Spanish, there is a $75 prix-fixe menu with an optional $30 agave pairing. Highlights include squid aguachile with caviar, foie gras with buttermilk tortillas and a baked Oaxacan dessert. At BS Taqueria, there will be a party with unlimited chorizo and papas, carnitas tacos and Tecates, margaritas and sparkling wine. The party starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 1:30 a.m. There will be a DJ from 9 p.m. until they close. Tickets can be purchased online. 1050 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, (213) 749-1460, brokenspanish.com; 514 W. 7th St. Los Angeles, (213) 622-3744, bstaqueria.com

Bourbon Steak Los Angeles: Michael Minas steakhouse at the Americana at Brand in Glendale will have a four-course menu priced at $98 per person. An additional wine pairing is available for $45. Menu highlights include chilled soba noodles with black truffle dashi, a 14-ounce New York steak with black garlic soubise and cheesecake with blackberry. 237 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, (818) 839-4130, www.michaelmina.net.

The Cannibal: The Culver City restaurant will host what it is calling an old school hip hip hop party from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The two ticket options include $85 tickets for passed hors doeuvres, charcuterie and pate boards, a whole animal feast, sides, two drink tickets and a Champgane toast at midnight; and a $125 ticket that includes all of the food included in the other ticket, as well as an open bar of draft beer, wine, draft cocktails and a Champagne toast at midnight. 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 838-2783, thecanniballa.com.

Catch: The new West Hollywood restaurant will be serving its a la carte menu, along with a few specials, including a 5-pound Norwegian King crab. Reservations will be offered between 5 and 7 p.m. for an earlier seating, and from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. for a later seating. There is a food-and-drink minimum for each: $150 for the earlier seating and $250 for the later. Those confirming reservations before Dec. 26 will receive a complimentary bottle of Champagne with dinner. There also will be a DJ for the late seating. 8715 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (323) 347-6060, catchrestaurants.com.

Cliffs Edge: The restaurant will have an Old Hollywood theme for its $95 four-course prix-fixe menu. Highlights include lobster thermidor and Cornish game hen coq au vin. Dinner includes a glass of bubbly. 3626 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 666-6116, www.cliffsedgecafe.com.

Cut Beverly Hills: Wolfgang Pucks Beverly Wilshire steakhouse will have two seatings: 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The first seating is $150 per person and includes a three-course menu. The second seating is $275 per person and includes a three-course menu and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cut Lounge will open at 5 p.m. and there will be a DJ from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 276-8500, www.wolfgangpuck.com.

Doheny Room: SBEs West Hollywood restaurant is throwing a 1920s Gatsby-themed party with two dinner seatings, a balloon drop at midnight at a Champagne tower and toast. The first seating from 7 to 9:30 p.m. is $75 per person. Menu highlights include beef carpaccio with truffle vinaigrette and crispy snapper in a Thai chile lime vinaigrette. The second seating from 9:30 p.m. to close is $100 per person plus a table minimum. The minimum for two to four people is $1,000; $1,500 for parties of five to 10; and a $2,000 minimum for parties of 15 or more. Tickets can be purchased online. 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (424) 777-0266, www.sbe.com/dohenyroom.

E.P. & L.P.: The L.P. rooftop on top of the restaurant will be transformed into an apres-ski lodge with birch trees, antler chandeliers and more. But before you head upstairs, chef Louis Tikaram is making a special prix-fixe dinner ($125 per person). 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 855-9955, eplosangeles.com.

Gwen: There will be two seatings, with reservations from 6 to 9 p.m. ($125 per person) and between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. ($175 per person and includes a Champagne toast at midnight). Menu highlights include charcuteries and terrines, chestnut agnolotti and Blackmore Wagyu. 6600 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 946-7500, www.gwenla.com.

Hinoki and the Bird: The Century City restaurant has put together what its calling a Vietnam dinner party. Executive chef Brandon Kida is making a three-course dinner with papaya salad and Dungeness crab, and grilled quail with lemon grass and your choice of dessert. The early seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. are $65 per person. The late seatings at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. are $95 per person and include the three course-dinner plus an amuse bouche and a sparkling wine toast. 10 W. Century Drive, Los Angeles, (310) 552-1200, www.hinokiandthebird.com.

Melisse: Josiah Citrins Santa Monica restaurant will have two seatings: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. ($150 per person for a four-course prix-fixe meal) and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($295 per person for a six-course prix-fixe menu, plus music and dancing). Menu highlights include Maine lobster and prime beef rib-eye cap. (A credit card is required to hold a reservation.) 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 395-0881, melisse.com.

Orsa & Winston: Josef Centenos downtown restaurant will serve a seven-course tasting menu with complimentary bubbly. Call (213) 687-0300 for pricing and to make a reservation. 122 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, www.orsaandwinston.com.

Otium: The downtown restaurant will have a family-style tasting menu plus entry to a Dom Perignon Champagne lounge where there will be a NYE countdown, dessert, Champagne toast, DJ and a photobooth. The price is $175 per person. The first seating is available from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the second seating is available from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. If guest would just like entry into the Champagne lounge, its $50 per person at the door. 222 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, (213) 935-8500, otiumla.com.

Providence: Number one on Jonathan Golds 101 best restaurants list, Michael Cimarustis fine-dining restaurant in Hollywood will have a $230 prix-fixe menu that includes an amuse bouche, scallop and black truffle mousseline, uni parfait with osetra caviar, grilled Maine lobster and a dry aged Creekstone farms rib-eye. Dinner is $320 with a wine pairing and $400 with a premium wine pairing. 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 460-4170, providencela.com.

Redbird: Neal Frasers downtown restaurant will have a $175 prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairings priced additionally at $75 and $100. Menu highlights include a 17-layer lasagna, foie gras torchon and risotto with truffles. 114 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, (213) 788-1191, redbird.la.

Rose Cafe: The Venice restaurant will have a special dinner, and party, depending on what time you drop in. The prix-fixe dinner is $125 per person and will be served between 6:30 and 10 p.m. Highlights include Santa Barbara spot prawns plus spaghetti with Dungeness crab, uni and lobster knuckles. The party takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., and tickets are $100 plus tax and tip ($75 if purchased with a reservation for dinner earlier in the evening). The menu includes a raw bar, pizza, charcuterie and a dessert bar. Drinks are not included, but there will be a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. 220 Rose Ave., Venice, (310) 399-0711, rosecafevenice.com.

Sotto: Chef Steve Samson will be serving a $75 four-course prix-fixe menu with an optional wine pairing for an additional $45. Highlights include squid ink garganelli, warm lobster salad and scallop crudo. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 277-0210, www.sottorestaurant.com.

Spago: There will be two seatings: the first from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the second from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The first seating is $98 per person and includes a three-course menu. The second seating

Spago Beverly Hills will offer two seatings on New Years Eve. The first slot is from 5:30PM - 6:30PM during which time a special 3-course menu for $98 per person is available. The second seating is from 9:30PM - 10PM and will include a 3-course menu, live DJ and dancing, and a 1AM bountiful breakfast buffet to ring in the New Year. Seats can be reserved by calling 310.385.0880 or by visiting https://spagobeverlyhills.tocktix.com/

Tuck Room Tavern L.A.: A five-course dinner will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinner is $75 and highlights include an ahi tuna crudo cone; seared scallops and a red velvet pavlova. There also will be a cocktail countdown from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The countdown admission is $60 per person and includes a cocktail at 9, 10 and 11 p.m. and a midnight Champagne toast. 10850 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 307-7004, www.thetuckroom.com.

Ready for that Champagne toast. Follow me on Twitter & Instagram @Jenn_Harris_

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11:35 a.m.: This post was updated with additional specials at the Cannibal restaurant.

This article was originally published at 9 a.m.
While blowing the roof off a venue is generally a euphemism for describing great shows, Brothers Osborne have had some discomfittingly close calls with the real thing of late.

For the second time in two weeks, the CMA-winning country duo, composed of brothers T.J. and John Osborne, has had to deal with falling chunks of ceiling at shows.

In late November, at the Egyptian Theatre in Boise, Idaho, the pair had to cut short a performance when bits began falling from above near the end of their performance.

But the Maryland siblings took another old axiom  the show must go on  to heart Saturday night in Hanford, Calif., when unsafe conditions in the Hanford Fox Theatre forced them to scramble for an alternative. Their solution? Move the show outdoors to the top of their tour bus. The unconventional setting prompted them to stream the whole show on Facebook Live. (Warning: Some NSFW language.)

Ive never really heard of this problem happening and out of all of the hundreds of shows weve done, Ive never had it happen said T.J. Osborne by phone as the brothers tooled around L.A. on a day off from their Dirt Rich tour in support of their debut album Pawn Shop. The pair play the Belasco Theater on Thursday.

The first time it happened in Boise it was right at the end of the show, said Osborne, recalling their first encounter with a wobbly ceiling. So the people there at least got to see a relatively regular set. Last night, right before [opener] Lucie Silvas was about to play, a huge piece of the roof fell down at once right on her piano bench. And its like plaster, so its really hard and heavy. And so they came right in and the owner of the building and our tour manager collectively came to the conclusion that it needed to be rescheduled. (The rescheduled date will be announced soon.)

But the brothers were concerned about canceling on a crowd already at the theatre or en route. Even for the people that just live in Hanford, these people have babysitters and theyve changed their schedules and sometimes for a show people people come out of their way. And I was like, Man, that would really suck, even if they get another show. Weve got to do something, some sort of consolation.

As they mulled their options, Brothers Osborne band bass player Pete Sternberg jokingly suggested playing on top of the groups tour bus. John and I were like, Yeah, we should, lets do that right now, says Osborne with a laugh.

They hoisted up what they could fit of the PA, as well two microphones and a cocktail drum kit, climbed out the emergency hatch at the top of the bus and played a 30-minute set, Silvas, John Osbornes wife, joined them for a number as well. The show included hits Rum, Stay a Little Longer and 21 Summer  which was recently nominated for a Grammy for country duo or group performance  for the crowd that had moved onto the street in front of the theater. We were hoping to do a little bit more, but once we got up there we realized there just was not a lot of room and it started raining, so we made it short and sweet, something they can remember. It was pretty fun.

So should fans headed to the show at the Belasco don hard hats?

Yeah, exactly, were having structural engineers do reconnaissance, Osborne said with a laugh.

The pair will be back in February for the Grammy Awards at Staples Center. Its a cliche, says Osborne, but its hard to convey just what an honor it is to be nominated. Its pretty remarkable.
A former JetBlue Airways flight attendant accused of smuggling nearly 60 pounds of cocaine into the Los Angeles International Airport pleaded guilty Monday afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles, officials said.

Marsha Gay Reynolds, 31, of Queens, N.Y., was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute after she abandoned two carry-on luggage bags at a security checkpoint on March 18. She had been randomly selected for a search when she kicked off her heels and dashed out of the airport, according to U.S. District Court documents.

Appearing in a downtown courtroom, Reynolds entered the guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. At her sentencing, scheduled for March 13, she faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, according to the U.S. attorneys office.

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Reynolds is a U.S. citizen born in Jamaica who had competed in beauty pageants in the past. She was studying to become a nurse while working for JetBlue, her former attorney said.

According to federal prosecutors, Reynolds was working with an unnamed man who distributed the cocaine to Massachusetts and other locations. Reynolds unidentified co-conspirator, who was in the United States illegally, stole the identities of mentally disabled victims and used them to get passports and drivers licenses.

He would then fly on commercial airlines while carrying cocaine or drug money, according to federal court documents. Reynolds told the man when she was scheduled to work on a flight, so that they could coordinate his drug activity with her flight itinerary, prosecutors said.

As a flight attendant, Reynolds had access to secure sites at airports that generally dont require baggage screening.

She smuggled drugs and money and gave them to her co-conspirator, according to prosecutors. He paid Reynolds thousands of dollars for smuggling drugs through the airports, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said she deleted text messages from her co-conspirator.

In the March incident, authorities said the unnamed man had traveled from New York to Los Angeles a day earlier, so he could gather cocaine to dispense to East Coast customers.

The next day, Reynolds flew from New York to Los Angeles to meet with him and grab the luggage, which had already been stuffed with 59.39 pounds of cocaine, according to the federal document. Authorities initially reported the cocaine weighed about 68.49 pounds.

Reynolds then provided her badge to a Transportation Security Administration officer at LAXs Terminal 4, according to the complaint. The officer confirmed that she was a pre-screened crew member when the scanner randomly selected her for additional security screening. Airport and airline staff arent subject to routine security checks at LAX.

Reynolds became nervous, pulled her cellphone from her purse, and placed a call, federal authorities said. She began speaking in a foreign language. As Reynolds was escorted to a secondary screening area, she dropped her carry-on luggage, kicked off her shoes and ran away.

Reynolds managed to board one of her companys planes the following day and traveled to New York City, according to court documents. The unnamed man also caught a flight to New York.

Days later, she met up with the unnamed man, who provided her with a prepaid cellphone. He later fled from the United States to Jamaica.

Reynolds surrendered on March 23 to Drug Enforcement Administration agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

After she was arrested, family friends as well as her mother offered their homes as a surety for bail. More than a dozen relatives and friends, including a doctor and flight attendant, submitted letters to the court, describing her character and work ethic.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

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This article was originally published at 12:10 p.m.
Authorities believe the man responsible for stabbing a worshiper near a Simi Valley mosque over the weekend is still at large, leaving faith leaders shaken that a violent person with a hatred for Muslims remains a threat to their community.

Police arrested one man, 29-year-old Simi Valley resident John Henry Matteson, in connection with the attack on a group of people leaving the mosque on Erringer Road on Saturday night. However, investigators believe he was involved in the fight but did not commit the stabbing, according to Simi Valley Police Sgt. Travis Coffey, an agency spokesman.

Matteson and another unidentified man approached a group of worshipers who had just left the Islamic Center of Simi Valley at about 11 p.m. Saturday and began yelling slurs, Coffey said. The confrontation quickly escalated to a physical fight, and the unidentified man stabbed one of the mosque attendees, Coffey said.

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Matteson has been booked on suspicion of committing a hate crime, making criminal threats and fighting in public, online jail records show. He was injured during the confrontation, according to a statement issued by Simi Valley Police.

The stabbing victim was treated for a non-life-threatening injury at Simi Valley Hospital. Coffey said the weapon used was not recovered but was likely a knife. He declined to identify the victim, citing the ongoing investigation.

Coffey said police do not believe the suspects planned the attack, and said the slurs hurled during the clash were racial in nature, rather than religious.

Our belief is they hadnt staked out the mosque at this point, he said. It appears to be an opportunity crime.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles, said a witness told CAIR officials that the fight began after Matteson approached the worshipers and asked to use a restroom inside their prayer center, which is an offshoot of a nearby mosque on Erringer Road. The group told him the center was closed for the night, Ayloush said.

He didnt like that. He left, apparently unhappy, and returned soon with the other man, Ayloush said. They both started using racial slurs.

One of the men threw a beer bottle at the group, which had just left an event that featured a prayer and lecture. The stabbing occurred a short time later.

Ayloush described the stabbing victim as a 30-year-old father of two who lives in Simi Valley. The man was in stable condition, but Ayloush did not know if he had been released from the hospital.

The doors to the Islamic Center of Simi Valley, which is adjacent to the parking lot where police say the stabbing took place, were shuttered Monday morning.

A sign announcing a 1 p.m. prayer service was placed inside the door, but no one was present at the center in the early afternoon. The doors to a larger mosque just blocks away were also bolted shut. Ayloush said faith leaders in Simi Valley have told him they do not plan to make public comments about the attack.

Ayloush said the incident, which comes just weeks after handwritten letters calling for a genocide against Muslims were mailed to mosques throughout the state, has sowed fear among Muslims across California.

Were not dealing with someone who only possesses bigoted views, but this is someone who has acted on them, someone who is actually violent, he said. You can only imagine the impact of such incidents on how members of the Muslim community, especially those who were the initial target, feel today. Theyre wondering whether its safe for them to go about their normal lives.

The second suspect in the Saturday night stabbing was described as a white or Hispanic male who is 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 170 to 200 pounds, Coffey said. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie.

Simi Valley police said they have not noticed the type of uptick in hate crimes or incidents in the wake of Donald Trumps presidential election that has been reported in other jurisdictions. Coffey said the last report to the department was in June, when a white person yelled racial slurs at a group of black men and women during a road rage incident.

A person who answered the door at the Matteson home less than a mile from the crime scene declined to be interviewed from behind a door that obscured his face.

Unless you have money, Im not talking to you, the man said before closing and locking the door.

A car with a Coexist bumper sticker, which features symbols associated with multiple religions, was parked in the driveway.

Neighbor Veronica Sandoval confirmed Matteson lived at the address after looking at his booking photo. Sandoval, 21, said police have been called to the home several times to break up verbal altercations between Matteson and his father.

Hes always in trouble, she said of the younger Matteson.

His father would often apologize to neighbors who overheard the ferocious arguments, she said.

Sandoval said the news of the stabbing in her community was horrible but not surprising. She said the recent election cycle had made her aware of what she described as prevalent racist attitudes in the area.

Every time I talk to my work friends, they make racist comments, said Sandoval, who is Mexican and has lived in the area for six years.

Recently, she said, she has felt that the communitys attitude has turned anti-immigrant with many locals proudly championing Trumps signature proposal to build a wall along the Mexican border.

Its horrible, she said of the stabbing. Its safe, but still ... you have to watch yourself.

The stabbing comes amid a national surge in anti-Muslim crimes, which jumped 67% in 2015, according to FBI statistics. Researchers at Cal State San Bernardino have said the rise in anti-Muslim crimes accelerated after the San Bernardino terror attack in December 2015 and was fanned by the call Trump made in his campaign to bar Muslims from entering the U.S.

Simi Valley Mayor Bob Huber denounced the attack and promised to ask prosecutors to mete out harsh sentences against anyone involved in the stabbing.

I just get really angry when I see this type of conduct, he told The Times. Were not going to tolerate it.

Huber said the Muslim community has been involved in multiple interfaith events in Simi Valley, including a multidenominational Thanksgiving celebration that had attendees from local mosques, Jewish temples, and Episcopal and Methodist churches in the area.

Ayloush, who was in Simi Valley for an event on Saturday morning but had left by the time of the attack, echoed that sentiment.

Its a very engaged community, he said. There hasnt been any history of friction or racism that is unusual in that area.

james.queally@latimes.com

For more breaking crime and cops news in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @JamesQueallyLAT

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This article was originally published at 12:15 p.m.
Authorities have arrested more than three dozen people linked to a trio of feuding gangs in South L.A. whose violence led to at least nine killings and other retaliatory attacks, officials said Monday.

For more than a year, a task force of local and federal investigators has focused on quelling what authorities described as a violent gang war in the Vermont Corridor, a four-mile stretch that runs along Vermont Avenue. The violence stemmed from an alliance between two gangs targeting a third, authorities said.

On Monday, officials said 38 people have been arrested in connection with the killings and other assaults. The arrests dealt the gangs a severe blow, Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.

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The recklessness of these brazen murders and assaults shook the community to the core, he said. Residents did not feel safe enough to leave their own homes.

One of the homicides linked to the feud was last summers killing of Kenneth Peevy, gunned down in a yard along West 109th Street. The 27-year-olds death and a string of shootings that followed stirred fear in South Los Angeles as rumors spread that a gang had vowed 100 days of violence in retaliation. Alarming hashtags, including #100days100nights and #PrayforLA, circulated social media.

LAPD Deputy Chief Bill Scott cautioned Monday that investigators never found proof of a pledge of 100 days of violence, saying the rumors became somewhat of an urban legend.

Instead, he said, the shootings that people saw on the street stemmed from traditional, retaliatory gang violence that was already happening.

The actual murder of Kenneth Peevy was a part of our investigation in terms of trying to link everything together and really paint a bigger picture of what was going on, Scott said. The violence was very real, dont get me wrong. It was very real. But the 100 days thing is something that took on a life of its own.

McDonnell said the crimes linked to the gangs targeted by the task force included the March 2015 killing of a man working on his car in an AutoZone parking lot, a shooting last summer that killed a 24-year-old man and wounded three others, and another shooting that injured a victim who wasnt affiliated with any gangs but lived in an area claimed by one.

Prosecutors have charged 29 people in connection with the investigation, according to the district attorneys office. Those charges include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and shooting at an occupied vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing, McDonnell said.

Gang-intervention workers said gangs werent the only source of crime in the Vermont Corridor. To curb overall crime in the area, they said, the city should better invest in the people who live there by bringing in more youth programs, job opportunities or chances to talk to the police at town hall meetings.

Its kind of a hot area altogether, said Ben Taco Owens, who heads a team of gang-intervention workers in the neighborhood. The perception of the community is nothing has changed much.

kate.mather@latimes.com

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com

For more crime news from Southern California, follow us on Twitter: @katemather and @nicolesantacruz

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Many Times readers have taken issue with two letters in this weeks Travel section, which criticized a Nov. 27 article about National Park sites that address issues of race and ethnicity in Americas history.

The letters employed cultural stereotypes to suggest that the mass internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was justified, and sought to minimize the hardships they endured.

Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief and publisher of The Times, said the letters did not meet the newspapers standards for civil, fact-based discourse and should not have been published.

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The Nov. 27 article highlighted the Tule Lake and Manzanar relocation camps in California, where thousands of Japanese Americans were detained. Tule Lake was especially notorious, the only one of the 10 war relocation camps with a stockade and jail. Japanese Americans deemed disloyal were sent there.

The article quoted park ranger Angela Sutton, who has worked at Tule Lake since the park was established in 2008, on why its important to remember what happened:

We take a dark spot in our own history, something other countries might want to cover up, she said, and we maintain it and preserve it so that future generations can learn.

The facts surrounding the internment are well-established. In all, 120,000 Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. The majority were U.S. citizens. In 1988, President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, in which the U.S. government formally apologized to the internees and established a $1.25-billion trust fund to pay reparations.

The law said the mass internment resulted from race prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership rather than from legitimate security considerations.

The two letters published in the Dec. 11 Travel section accused the National Parks article of engaging in an anti-U.S. remake of history and of needing balance. The letters included racial stereotypes:

Japanese have an extremely strong attachment to family, and even more so back then. First- generation and, to a lesser extent, Japanese here would have been expected to follow the wishes of their elders in Japan.

And they suggested that it wasnt so bad in the camps:

Virtually everyone in the U.S. was assigned jobs to help the war effort. The Japanese were assigned the job of staying out of the way and not causing complications. Millions of Americans were assigned far worse jobs.

Or that the detainees could have had it worse elsewhere:

War is evil, but I would have much rather been interned by the U.S. in California than by the Japanese in their captured lands.

Outraged readers found the opinions offensive and insensitive.

Framing the forced internment of Japanese Americans as their contribution to the war effort is, frankly, disgusting, wrote Matthieu Boblet of Bothell, Wash. Many lost their homes, livelihoods, ways of life and childhoods as they spent years locked away, forced to live in rickety shacks out in the desert due to knee-jerk reactionary xenophobia. Framing it as anything different is a disgrace and outright falsehood.

Framing the forced internment of Japanese Americans as their contribution to the war effort is, frankly, disgusting.  Matthieu Boblet, Bothell, Wash.

Joanne Oppenheim of New York wrote: To say the interned Japanese were housed, fed, protected and cared for is an all too familiar whitewash for what really happened as immigrant and citizens were forced to leave their homes, jobs, schools and communities. Families of six were housed in horse stables that still stank of their former tenants and a few months later shipped to God-forsaken camps where families lived in single-room barracks with inadequate heat, terrible food and poor health facilities. To say that they were there to be protected and cared for is an outright lie!

Karin Wang of Los Angeles said she was disappointed in The Times for publishing the letters. The internment is widely acknowledged and accepted as a major civil liberties violation and resulted in no prosecutions for espionage; to print a letter saying that Japanese Americans should be grateful that the government incarcerated 120,000 of them without due process is normalizing the alt-right and white supremacy.

The Times Travel editor, Catharine Hamm, said she approved publication of the letters thinking that the writers views, although provocative, would be balanced by subsequent letters of response.

Hamm said that, in retrospect, that was not the right decision, because the views expressed in the letters did not lend themselves to reasoned discussion.

Maharaj made the same point in discussions with staff members disturbed by the letters, and in remarks to editors during The Times daily news meeting this morning.

Letters in The Times are the opinions of the writers, and editors strive to include a range of voices. But the goal is to present readers with civil, intelligent, fact-based opinions that enlarge their understanding of the world, Maharaj said. These letters did not meet that standard.

The Travel section plans to print letters of response in the Dec. 18 edition.

readers.representative@latimes.com

For staff and newsroom news, follow @LATreadersrep on Twitter.
A group of teens and twentysomethings gathered in a nondescript meeting room at the Long Beach Convention Center, hoping for a chance to say a few words and take a selfie with one of the most fervent opponents of Donald Trump to emerge from the 2016 election.

Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who became a viral sensation after speaking at the Democratic National Convention about the death in Iraq of his Army captain son, is no longer on the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton. Now the 65-year-old has a new mission: inspiring hope in young Muslims, some of whom had never voted in an election before last month, some of whom werent old enough to vote at all.

There he is, a few said as the well-dressed Khan, a lawyer, entered the room. Theres Uncle! they whispered in excitement, using a term of endearment and respect for elders among South Asians.

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Thirty-three days after Trump was elected, many of these Muslims were feeling dejected. Some attended mosques in Southern California that received anonymous letters vowing that the next president would do to Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews. Others knew hijab-wearing women who had faced harassment amid a wave of anti-Muslim incidents reported around the country since the election.

Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who brandished the Constitution at the Democratic convention, will publish a memoir 

All had heard the president-elects vows to restrict Muslim immigration, his suggestion that there could be a Muslim registry, and his assertion that Islam hates Americans.

Never feel afraid, never feel disheartened, Khan said in an hourlong talk at the annual conference of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a Highland Park-based civic organization. He urged the crowd of high schoolers, recent college graduates, nonprofit workers and budding activists to stand up against the politics of fear.

Whenever in the life of decent people throughout the history of mankind, whenever there have been difficult times, there have been times when their values were tested. That is why we we are here, that is why I am here, that is why you are here, Khan said. To make sure the goodness of this country [lasts], the goodness that we cherish when we call ourselves proud Americans.

In the small world of American Muslim and South Asian organizations, Khan, who lives in Charlottesville, Va., and is a naturalized citizen from Pakistan, has become a sought-after speaker. Before Sunday, he had visited with about two dozen groups since the election and plans to visit a few dozen more, all while working on a memoir that will be released next year. Its talking with those who are decades younger than him, he said, that heartens me.

Khizr Khan holds a pocket U.S. Constitution at the Democratic National Convention in July. (Alex Wong / Getty Images )

Believe me, what you feel in your heart at this very moment about the future of your country, about your future, exactly the same thoughts and feelings are in Michigan, in Chicago, in Portland, Ore.; in Texas, in Columbus, in Boston. So all of us and all decent Americans feel exactly the same way. If you are so discouraged or so concerned, we are all together. Not only are we together, but most of America stands with the same sentiments, same concerns that we have as Muslims, as immigrants, he said. I am testament to that. I have been to those gatherings. I have seen Caucasian Americans lined up in the hall, feeling exactly the same way you and I feel. Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Muslim Americans, children and adults. So we are not alone.

Khan emphasized that it has been worse for groups other than Muslims, pointing to the experiences of black and Jewish Americans during the civil rights movement and violence during the womens suffrage movement. He told the group they needed to trust their institutions even if they disagreed with Trump.

Nobody will take away your rights, he said. Congress is in place. It will take years before anything is changed or implemented. But Muslims, he said, also needed to become more engaged. Nobody is going to put your rights on a plate and say, Here, citizen, here [are] your rights, enjoy them.

Lana El-Farra, who sat in the front row, asked Khan how they could push their community to become more involved politically when many Muslims, like many other Americans, were more concerned with jobs and schools than foreign policy or politics.

How do we change that? said El-Farra, a 24-year-old from Los Angeles who works at the nonprofit Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

We should train ourselves. How do we prepare our leaders? How do we make them more mainstream? Khan said. He encouraged Muslims to run for local office. We just vote and we come home we think we have participated. No, the time has come. Think of how many times Abraham Lincoln ran and lost.

Tahil Sharma, an interfaith activist born to Sikh and Hindu parents, asked Khan how Muslims and non-Muslims could work together to combat bigotry and hate.

We will support whoever champions our causes  We cannot be ignored for too long.  Khizr Khan

How do we across different cultural and religious communities seek the reconciliation we need to put our guard down to understand different communities and build the bridges that we need ... to help us to fight for the justice that requires a lot of energy? said Sharma, a 24-year-old from Claremont who works for AMP Global Youth, a part of the nonprofit Americans for Informed Democracy.

Khan nodded, suggesting he saw it as the job of Muslims to build ties to other religious communities, giving an example of the religious items he keeps in his home. If you come to my home, youll see a picture of Guru Nanak on my desk, youll see a copy of Gita, he replied, referring to the founder of Sikhism and a Hindu scripture. Our creator has created all of us.

Amir Malik, a 27-year-old engineer from Los Angeles, had a more pointed political question.

What is the future of the Democratic Party with the establishments candidate losing? How can we position ourselves for the future?

Khan responded: Im not Democrat or Republican. We are not branded to one political party; we are available to both political parties because we are people of resources. We contribute our business community, our physician community, our professional community ... to both parties.

He added that he had voted for the Republican Party before, including for Ronald Reagan. Many more elections were around the corner, he said, and Muslims had to search for allies.

We will support whoever champions our causes. We cannot be ignored for too long.

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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A scathing Senate report on the CIAs use of waterboarding and other torture techniques after the September 2001 terrorist attacks will be archived in President Obamas presidential papers to ensure it is not destroyed, the White House said Monday.

Defenders of the controversial 6,700-page report on the CIAs detention and interrogation program, which ran from 2002 to 2006, worried that Republicans who disputed the critical findings would try to round up and shred the few existing copies once Obama leaves office.

In December 2014, the committee released a partially redacted 450-page executive summary with key findings. The rest of the report remains classified.

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It revealed that CIA officials not only had employed cruel and degrading techniques against detainees at secret prisons known as black sites, but that the program was so poorly run that the CIA lost track of some detainees.

It said the CIA repeatedly had given Congress and the Justice Department inaccurate information about the interrogations, impeding government oversight.

It also argued that the CIAs use of what it called enhanced interrogation techniques  which included hitting, sleep deprivation, mock executions and rectal feeding  produced no useful intelligence about imminent threats.

The full Senate Intelligence Committee ordered the report in 2006 after it learned that a senior CIA officer had destroyed about 100 video tapes of the harsh interrogations.

The committee soon split on partisan lines, however. In December 2012, the committee approved the report 9 to 6, with only one Republican voting in favor.

The other six Republicans wrote a dissent that strongly objected to the studys conclusion that the painful methods failed to produce actionable intelligence.

CIA Director John O. Brennan did not endorse the harsh techniques. But he said that it was unknowable whether the brutal methods helped or hindered in the collection of useful intelligence.

Obama, who condemned the techniques as torture, signed an executive order when he took office in 2009 requiring the CIA to use only interrogation methods listed in the U.S. Army Field Manual unless the Attorney General with appropriate consultation provides further guidance.

Donald Trump, now the president-elect, said at a debate in March, We should go for waterboarding, and we should go tougher than waterboarding.

He repeated those assertions multiple times on the campaign trail. However, he recently said that he was impressed when Gen. James Mattis, his pick for secretary of Defense, said he could get more reliable information by offering detainees cigarettes and a beer.

The CIAs inspector general mistakenly destroyed one of the few copies of the full report last summer.

That prompted Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, to ask what the White House was doing to ensure sure copies are preserved for future administrations and, ultimately, public release.

On Friday, Feinstein received an answer.

The full Study will be preserved under the Presidential Records Act (PRA), White House Counsel W. Neil Eggleston wrote in a letter to Feinstein and in a similar letter to the committee chair, Sen. Richard M. Burr (R-N.C.)

The Obama administration is not working to declassify the full study, Eggleston said, and classified portions should be restricted for the full twelve years allowed under the law.

That means the document could remain secret until at least 2028.

Feinstein said Monday that there are those who would like to see this report destroyed, but that none of the facts it revealed had been refuted.

I firmly believe its 6,700 pages and 38,000 footnotes will stand the test of time, she said in a statement. I also strongly believe that this must be a lesson learned  that torture doesnt work.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a member of the committee, said he would continue to push to declassify the study.

The American people deserve the opportunity to read this history rather than see it locked away in a safe for 12 years, he said.

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

brian.bennett@latimes.com

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As they race to repeal large parts of the Affordable Care Act, President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are leaving behind nearly everyone but their base voters and a handful of conservative activists.

Not a single major organization representing patients, physicians, hospitals or others who work in the nations healthcare system backs the GOPs Obamacare strategy.

New polls also show far more Americans would like to expand or keep the healthcare law, rather than repeal it.

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Even many conservative health policy experts caution that the emerging Republican plan, which calls for a vote in January to roll back insurance coverage followed by a lengthy period to develop a replacement, could be disastrous.

Intensifying the political risks for Republicans, a growing number of patient groups are warning that millions of Americans are in danger of losing vital health protections and that Republicans need to agree on a replacement plan before they uproot the current system.

When people get cancer, they have to know that they are going to have insurance, said Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Societys advocacy arm. There have been and are problems with the ACA, but we have to make sure that what is done and the way it is done is not going to leave people who have cancer or who may get cancer  in the lurch.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network last week sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them not to repeal large parts of the healthcare law without first developing replacement legislation that guarantees patients the same protections.

GOP leaders, who have repeatedly promised their core voters that they would repeal Obamacare, oppose any delay in a vote, despite the risk that Republicans may be held responsible for any ensuing turmoil.

They are pushing to pass a bill early next year that would repeal many key provisions of the law. That would include the money that has allowed states to expand their Medicaid safety nets and the billions of dollars in federal funds that have provided subsidies to low- and middle-income Americans to help with the cost of insurance premiums. More than 20 million Americans who previously lacked insurance have gained coverage under the law.

We have to bring relief to Obamacare as quickly as possible so that it stops doing damage, not just to the healthcare system but to the families of America who need affordable health insurance, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told reporters at the Capitol last week.

To minimize disruptions, senior Republicans want to delay when the cuts would take effect. The idea is to buy time to allow the party to develop an alternative  something that GOP lawmakers have been unable to agree on in the six years since the law passed.

That approach has won praise from several conservative think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation, which said the so-called repeal-and-delay strategy could deliver a seamless and successful repeal of Obamacare.

Most independent experts are more skeptical.

Last week, the American Academy of Actuaries warned in a letter to House lawmakers that many insurers are likely to pull back from state marketplaces even if the effective date of a repeal is delayed.

Significant market disruption could result, leading to millions of Americans losing their health insurance, the group said.

Similar warnings have come from the Republican insurance commissioner of Iowa and some leading conservative critics of the current law, such as James Capretta of the American Enterprise Institute and John Goodman of the Texas-based Goodman Institute.

Goodman, who has been working with a group of GOP lawmakers on an Obamacare alternative, cautioned that the current repeal plans would eliminate the taxes that provide hundreds of billions of dollars to fund coverage.

Ryan has said the GOPs eventual plan would preserve coverage for the millions of people who depend on the current law. Without those taxes, however, Republicans would not have a clear way to do that unless they find some other source of revenue, something that conservative lawmakers repeatedly have balked at.

If all Obamacare goes away, including its funding sources, where does the money come from to continue the insurance for the 20 million newly insured under the Affordable Care Act? Goodman wrote in a recent Forbes column.

Neither Trump nor his congressional allies have indicated how they would answer that question.

That is adding to anxiety among major patient and medical groups, who fear that Republicans may never be able to enact an alternative, given their inability to develop one despite years of promises to do so.

Any new reform proposal should not cause individuals currently covered to become uninsured, cautioned Dr. Andrew W. Gurman, president of the American Medical Assn., the nations largest physicians group.

In 2009 and 2010, the AMA was among the key groups in the healthcare debate, along with the American Hospital Assn., the American College of Physicians, AARP and other patient advocates, who supported the law and its promise of extending health protections to millions of Americans.

Many of these groups would like to see changes made to the law, which even supporters say needs revision.

 The basics of Obamacare. (Oct. 28, 2016)

None has backed the GOP repeal and delay strategy.

Even major industry groups that have been most vocal with complaints about Obamacare and opposed it when it was enacted, including the main health insurance trade association, Americas Health Insurance Plans, are not backing the repeal campaign.

The health insurance group has suggested a number of steps to minimize potential disruptions should Republicans move ahead with legislation to roll back the law.

The reticence is mirrored in public views of the GOP repeal campaign.

Although Republicans strongly support it, most Americans do not, according to recent polls.

Just 39% of respondents in a national survey conducted over the first days of December by the Pew Research Center said that Congress should repeal the law, compared with 55% who said Congress should expand it or leave it as is.

Support for repeal predictably was weakest among Democrats, but even among independents, just 35% said Congress should roll back the law, and 61% said the law should be expanded or left alone.

Those findings track with another national survey conducted in mid-November by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, which found that just a quarter of Americans want to repeal the law.

That was down from a third who backed repeal in October.

Twitter: @noamlevey

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It may have taken an act of Congress, but the Kennewick Mans weary bones will now be laid to rest in a sacred grave on Native American tribal land in Washington states Columbia basin  just as they first were about 9,000 years ago.

A bill approved by the U.S. House and Senate was sent to President Obama on Saturday for his signature, returning the remains of the Ancient One, as his descendants call him, to the tribes of eastern Washington.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced the bill last year to return the bones to their proper resting place.

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This victory would not have been possible without the determination, collaboration and leadership of the claimant tribes of the Columbia River plateau, who impressed upon me just how much it meant to them for Congress to end decades of debate, Murray said in a statement.

The bones, now being held by the Burke Museum at the University of Washington in Seattle, were accidentally uncovered in 1996 by a pair of college students along the Columbia River in Kennewick, Wash.

The skeleton was later determined to be among the oldest and most complete ever discovered in North America, setting off a 20-year saga to determine its origin and likely descendants.

A decade-long court fight involving Washington Native American tribes seeking the remains for reburial prolonged in part by a federal judges skepticism. He ordered more studies based on evidence presented by scientists from the Smithsonian Institution that the skull was probably not Native American.

Using high-tech DNA methods, a group of scientists from around the globe concluded the bones indeed most closely matched those of the original Americans. The skeleton has been estimated to be 8,400 to 9,300 years old, and the man was 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7, weighing 154 to 165 pounds.

Having served their scientific purpose, the bones will eventually be brought from Seattle to an undisclosed burial site in the Columbia Basin.

A coalition of basin tribes  the Yakama, Nez Perce, Umatilla and Colville tribes along with the Wanapum Band, all likely descendants of the Kennewick Man  will handle the final arrangements.

We come from this land and when we pass, we return to this land, as our relative the Ancient One did more than 9,000 years ago, JoDe Goudy, chairman of the Yakama National Tribal Council, told the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick. Now with the help from our friends in Congress, he will be returned so that he may finally rest.

Anderson is a special correspondent.

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Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for misspending government grants and charity money to fund his campaign and personal expenses.

U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle called the Philadelphia Democrats crimes astonishing given that he and his TV anchor wife had a $500,000 annual income that put them at or near the top 1 percent.

Fattah, 60, spent two decades in Congress before losing the primary this year.

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As he awaited his sentence, Fattah said he had mixed emotions: saddened to find himself in court but grateful for the work he was able to do.

Ive helped tens of millions of people, Fattah said. [That] has nothing to do with the fact that Ive been found on the wrong side of these questions by a jury.

The jury earlier this year found that Fattah took an illegal $1 million loan from a wealthy friend to prop up his failed 2007 campaign for Philadelphia mayor. He then repaid some of it with federal grant money from NASA that he had steered to an education nonprofit run by loyal former staffers.

The nonprofit efforts  including a NASA-funded mobile science classroom emblazoned with Fattahs name that roamed Philadelphia during the mayoral campaign  helped promote Fattahs political career, prosecutors said in their sentencing memo.

The jury convicted him of leading a five-person racketeering enterprise that included the loyal aides and political consultants who did his bidding, commingling campaign, nonprofit and government funds and using them as directed for Fattahs personal and political needs.

For example, Fattah used $23,000 in nonprofit funds to repay his sons college loans and took an $18,000 bribe to try to help a friend become an ambassador. He even lobbied President Obama on the friends behalf, to no avail. Fattah and his wife used the $18,000 for a down payment on a Poconos vacation home. They told authorities the money covered the friends purchase of a Porsche owned by Fattahs wife, but the Porsche never left their garage.

For someone so interested in advancing education for the disadvantaged, you had the temerity to steal from the Educational Advancement Alliance, a nonprofit supported by government funds, Bartle said.

The judge said it was equally astonishing that Fattah would steal money to cover his sons debts, to pay taxes and to buy a family vacation home.

While you have done much good, you also engaged in grave and widespread criminal activity, Bartle said. You abused your trust, time and time again.

Fattah had insisted the Justice Department, though led by fellow Democrats, had been out to get him and his family for years.

His son, Chaka Fattah Jr. is serving a five-year prison term in an overlapping fraud case that went to trial last year. Chaka Chip Fattah Jr., who never finished college, was convicted of using fraudulently obtained business loans to fund his jet-set lifestyle.

Fattah, who earned $174,000 as a congressman, is married to longtime Philadelphia news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah. They have two school-age children. Chenault-Fattah, who is also a lawyer, spent 25 years with WCAU-TV before she resigned after the indictment named her a participant in the bribery scheme. She was never charged and has denied wrongdoing.

Two of Fattahs political consultants pleaded guilty in the case and testified against him. The four others convicted at trial will be sentenced later this week. They include former Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Herbert Vederman, of Palm Springs, Fla., who had sought the ambassadorship.

Prosecutors had asked Bartle to sentence Fattah to 17 to 21 years in prison.

Fattah, who began his career in the Pennsylvania statehouse and entered Congress in 1995, lost the spring Democratic primary days before his trial began and resigned after his conviction in June. Former state Rep. Dwight Evans, a fellow Democrat, now holds his seat.
Democrats draw sharper battle lines in tug of war over party leadership By Chris Megerian Even as Democrats try to move past last years defeats, their internal fault lines show signs of deepening in the campaign for the partys leadership. The latest evidence came Wednesday when former Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Thomas E. Perez, who served as President Obamas Labor secretary, to chair the Democratic National Committee. We have a lot of good people vying for this important job, Biden said in a statement. But I do think for this moment and in this time, Tom Perez is our best bet to help bring the party back. The endorsement was seen as more evidence that key members of the recently departed Obama administration were backing Perez. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) with Sen. Bernie Sanders. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) It was followed by a statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont reiterating his support for Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), another leading candidate in the race. Although Sanders lost to Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary, he has continued to try to pull Democrats to the left, and he has emphasized the need to create a grass-roots party. Obama left office with strong poll numbers, but under his watch, Democrats lost power not only in Washington but in states around the country, something Sanders and his allies have stressed in the fight over the party chairmanship. The question is simple: Do we stay with a failed status-quo approach or do we go forward with a fundamental restructuring of the Democratic Party? Sanders said. Read More Facebook

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Border Patrol chief is abruptly out after being brought in as a reformer By Brian Bennett The chief of the Border Patrol will leave his post at the end of the month, likely the result of a change in direction by the Trump administration and a reflection of the new power of the agencys union. Mark Morgan, the agencys head, was hired from the FBI in June to reform the force after a series of corruption allegations and problems with excessive force. He will leave the Border Patrol abruptly after seven months on the job, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Morgans departure was first reported by the Associated Press. Morgan spent 20 years at the FBI and was first brought to Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrols parent agency, in 2014 to overhaul its internal affairs division. After a subsequent stint running the FBIs training academy, he started the top job at the Border Patrol in June. The Border Patrols union had opposed Morgans appointment, preferring a candidate who had risen through the ranks of the agency. The union endorsed President Trump in the election, breaking with its practice of remaining neutral in elections. News of Morgans departure comes a day after Trump announced he would build a border wall and hire 5,000 more Border Patrol agents, bringing the total force to 26,000. Trump said the Border Patrol union would have a lot of clout in department decisions. Facebook

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Trump was silent on new U.S. sanctions against Russia, but he praises Putins response By Michael A. Memoli After President Obama on Thursday announced retaliatory measures against the Russian government for what the U.S. has concluded were efforts to interfere in the election, President-elect Donald Trumps response was terse and dismissive, saying it was time to move on to bigger and better things. But after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he would not respond in kind to the U.S. actions  preferring to wait until the new administration takes office  Trump weighed in with high praise. Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016 Trumps tweet did not appear to be off the cuff. As if to underscore his sentiment, Trump affixed the tweet to the top of his Twitter feed. And he posted an Instagram photo shortly after, quoting himself. View Instagram post Trumps effusive words were particularly striking given the bipartisan view of Putin as more adversary than ally. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said they supported the Obama administrations move to expel Russian diplomats and block access to two properties owned by its government. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) is expected to call a hearing on Russias cyber activities when the new Congress convenes next week. A Trump transition spokesman was asked earlier Friday whether Trump had spoken or planned to speak with Putin before his inauguration. The priority right now is for the president[-elect] to get an update next week from the intelligence community, Sean Spicer said. Trumps praise did get tacit approval from some quarters. The Russian embassy in Washington retweeted it. Facebook

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Most popular White House petitions included requests to label a hate group and deport Justin Bieber By Colleen Shalby Over the past five years, Americans have produced and signed nearly 5,000 petitions through the White Houses We the People site. How could we ever forget the effort to get the Obama administration on board with building a Death Star? Some, like that one and a petition to deport Justin Bieber, resulted only in conversation. But others made an impact. The Pew Research Center analyzed the petitions in a recent report. They ranged from serious, like an effort to ban gay conversion therapy at a state level that led the president in 2015 to support states bans, to playful. A request for Obama to appear on a previously unvisited talk show, for example, prompted him to appear on Real Time with Bill Maher in January 2016. In 2015, 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin requested a meeting with the first black president, something she never thought shed live to see. Her petition garnered only 19 signatures. But it nonetheless resulted in one of first couples most memorable meetings, this dance party: The petitioning system, launched in 2011, was part of Obamas open-government initiative. The most common topics for petitioning included healthcare, veterans issues and requests to honor individuals, such as Yogi Berra, and create or officially recognize holidays, like Talk Like a Pirate Day. While not every petition made a change or elicited a response from the White House, many captured a momentary pulse of the nation. Here are the five most popular: Legally recognize the Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group, posted Dec. 14, 2012; 367,180 signatures. Establish justice and prevent a great catastrophe, posted April 4, 2016; 331,914 signatures. File charges against the 47 U.S. senators in violation of the Logan Act in attempting to undermine a nuclear agreement, posted March 9, 2015; gained 322,117 signatures. Ask President Obama to appear on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher,  posted Jan. 15, 2016; 314,226 signatures. Deport Justin Bieber and revoke his green card, posted Jan. 23, 2014; 273,698 signatures. Facebook

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Obama slaps Russia with sanctions for meddling in the U.S. election By Christi Parsons In the most sweeping retaliation against Russia in decades, President Obama slapped the country with new penalties Thursday for meddling in the U.S. presidential election, kicking out dozens of suspected spies and imposing banking restrictions on five people and four organizations the administration says were involved. All Americans should be alarmed by Russias actions, Obama said in a statement. Such activities have consequences. Read More Facebook

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How Trump and an Obamacare rollback could affect the growing gig economy By Chicago Tribune Gabby Golub of Chicago does chalkboard art for bars and restaurants in addition to driving for Lyft and working part time at her old high school. (Kristan Lieb / Chicago Tribune) A growing share of the U.S. workforce is reyling on alternative work arrangements, which include on-demand gigs through online platforms like Lyft or Uber as well as work through temporary help agencies, freelance assignments and independent contracts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to conduct a comprehensive survey of these so-called contingent workers next year, its first since 2005, helping policymakers understand the size and makeup of a workforce not covered by many labor protections or privy to the benefits that come with a traditional employer relationship. Whether policy will catch up to the labor shifts is a question experts will watch in 2017. A major conversation point has been how to develop portable benefits that give gig economy workers access to retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid sick leave even as they move from job to job. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts plans by Sprint and OneWeb to create 8,000 U.S. jobs By Jim Puzzanghera (Don Emmert / AFP/Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday touted plans by telecom company Sprint and technology start-up OneWeb to hire a total of 8,000 workers in the U.S. in what he said was very good news for the economy. He appeared to be highlighting previously made jobs announcements. OneWeb, which is building a network of satellites to deliver high-speed Internet access, said on Dec. 19 that it expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next four years after securing $1.2 billion in funding, mostly from Japans SoftBank Group Corp. And the head of SoftBank, which owns Sprint, said on Dec. 6 that the company had agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and create 50,000 jobs here. The announcement by SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son came after he met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York City. Trump touted it that day. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, Trump said Sprint was going to be bringing 5,000 jobs back to the United States. They have taken them from other countries. They are bringing them back to the United States, Trump said. Sprint, though, said in a statement that the jobs would be a mixture of new positions and others that were reinstated. It wasnt clear whether those jobs were part of the 50,000 that were mentioned earlier in the month at Trump Tower. We are excited to work with President-Elect Trump and his administration to do our part to drive economic growth and create jobs in the U.S., said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. We believe it is critical for business and government to partner together to create more job opportunities in the U.S. and ensure prosperity for all Americans. Trump also said the OneWeb hiring is very exciting. OneWeb did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 3:25 p.m.: This story was updated with comment from Sprint. Facebook

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Kerry offers fierce defense of Obamas support for Israel, urges resumption of Mideast peace talks By Laura King Secretary of State John Kerry outlines his proposals for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Zach Gibson / Getty Images) With President-elect Donald Trump tweeting from the sidelines, Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Wednesday outlined broad principles for reviving the moribund Israel-Palestinian peace process -- calls that quickly ignited a new burst of Israeli anger against the Obama administration. Kerrys lengthy and impassioned address, delivered at the State Department, marked the latest chapter in an unusually bitter public clash between the United States and Israel -- and the even more extraordinary spectacle of a president-elect again inserting himself into a sensitive diplomatic matter before taking office. In a speech lasting more than an hour, Kerry appealed for a hiatus in Jewish settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, called on Palestinian leaders to explicitly denounce terrorist attacks against Israelis, and warned repeatedly that the prospects for a two-state solution, with Israel and a Palestinian state existing side-by-side, were in jeopardy. We cannot in good conscience do nothing, and say nothing, when we see the hope of peace slipping away, he said. Read More Facebook

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Former California lieutenant governor will meet with Trump to discuss running Agriculture department By Michael A. Memoli Abel Maldonado. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times) President-elect Donald Trump is considering former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado to lead the Agriculture department, a move that would bring greater diversity to the Republicans Cabinet. Maldonado will meet with Trump on Wednesday at his Palm Beach, Fla., estate. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer noted that Maldonado, owner of Runway Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley, comes from three generations of farmers and has strong roots in the agriculture industry of California. Trump will also meet with Dr. Elsa Murano, the former president of Texas A&M University and a former Agriculture undersecretary for food safety, in connection to the post, one of the few Cabinet positions yet unfilled. Maldonado, 49, was once considered to be the kind of Republican who could break through the partys struggle to attract widespread Latino support. A Santa Barbara County farmer whose parents were Mexican farmworker immigrants, he served as mayor of Santa Maria before being elected to the state Assembly in 1998. Perhaps Maldonados most notable political moment came when he worked with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to force Democrats to embrace the top-two primary system for California during negotiations on the state budget crisis in 2009. Schwarzenegger rewarded Maldonado with the appointment to the then-vacant post of lieutenant governor in 2010. But Maldonados role in helping push the nonpartisan primary system made him a pariah among many conservative Republicans, and he failed in subsequent races for Congress in 2012 and a brief flirtation with a run for governor in 2014. If nominated and confirmed, Maldonado would be the sole Latino in Trumps Cabinet. Facebook

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Trump attacks Obama over Israel just ahead of Kerrys speech on the Mideast By Michael A. Memoli The detente between President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump, as both aimed to portray a smooth transition of power, appears in jeopardy. Trump condemned the Obama administrations foreign policy on Wednesday, tweeting he was doing his best to overlook inflammatory Obama moves, while engaging in 1990s-style sarcasm. Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks.Thought it was going to be a smooth transition - NOT!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016 Last week, Obama decided to have the U.S. abstain from a United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, which allowed the measure to pass. The vote angered Israeli leaders, who accused senior U.S. officials of complicity in drafting the resolution, a claim disputed by the U.S. We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but.......  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016 not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016 Trumps postings came just before Secretary of State John F. Kerry delivered a major address on U.S. foreign policy that included a rebuttal to Israeli government criticisms of the Obama administration. Trumps statement of support for Israel was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long had a tense relationship with Obama. President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel! @IvankaTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr https://t.co/lURPimG0wS  Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 28, 2016 Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters that the president-elects tweets speak for themselves, very clearly. He also stressed that White House officials have been helpful and generous with their time, at least in terms of the mechanics of the transition. In a brief statement to reporters Wednesday night, Trump said he had a general conversation with Obama during the day. Very, very nice, was how the president-elect described the chat, which he said Obama initiated. A White House spokesman confirmed the call and characterized it as positive. When asked whether he thinks the U.S. should exit the U.N., Trump repeated his earlier comments that the global body is not living up to its potential. When do you see the United Nations solving problems? he asked. They dont, they cause problems, so if it lives up to its potential its a great thing, if it doesnt its a waste of time. The U.N. seemed to respond to Trump on Monday, in a message pinned to the top of its Twitter feed: Here's a list of 10 ways the UN makes a difference in the lives of millions every day.



See what else we do: https://t.co/MGT7G5uPFL pic.twitter.com/nMxHV0rvkf  United Nations (@UN) December 26, 2016 Times staff writer Christi Parsons in Honolulu contributed to this report. 5:10 p.m.: This story was updated with White House comment. 2:45 p.m.: This story was updated with Trumps comments. Facebook

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John Kerry, tireless in his diplomatic efforts, often came up empty-handed By Tracy Wilkinson John F. Kerry is nothing if not indefatigable, traveling to all corners of the world as Americas top diplomat over the last four years. But as he prepares to leave office, he confronts a mixed legacy: a handful of successes coupled with searing defeats, especially in the Middle East. His inability to halt the carnage in Syria, or to block Russias growing influence, ranks as the most serious blot on his record. But he also got nowhere trying to end the Israeli-Palestinian standoff, or to stop Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, from bombing civilians in Yemen. Kerrys greatest success was the historic accord to curtail Irans nuclear development program and a landmark climate change treaty to limit greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming. Read More Facebook

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At Pearl Harbor, Obama says we must resist the urge to demonize those who are different By Christi Parsons Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Obama. (Marco Garcia / Associated Press) President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scattered petals together on the waters of Pearl Harbor on Tuesday in a symbolic act aimed at laying to rest the enmity of the Japanese attack 75 years ago that drew the U.S. into World War II. In a moment consumed with history, both leaders were fixed on the future. They expressed concern that the lessons of the war might be forgotten amid a shifting world order and the anti-internationalist sentiment that has swept over politics around the globe, most notably with the ascendance of President-elect Donald Trump. Read More Facebook

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Obama and Japans Abe to visit Pearl Harbor amid renewed talk of nuclear concerns By Christi Parsons Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu on Monday. (AFP/Getty Images) President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are scheduled to honor the war dead at Pearl Harbor on Tuesday, marking the 75th anniversary of the attack that thrust the U.S. into World War II. The visit was planned as a coda to Obamas visit to Hiroshima in May, where Abe hosted him as the first sitting president to visit the site where the U.S. dropped one of two nuclear bombs in 1945 to end the war, the only instances of nuclear attacks in history. But the visit has taken on a new meaning. President-elect Donald Trump reawakened old fears of a nuclear arms race last week by declaring his commitment to strengthen and expand U.S. nuclear capability. In his remarks at Pearl Harbor, Obama will have an opportunity to address those renewed anxieties and to lay out the dangers of an arms race. Obama has fought to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to secure existing caches. The visit is meant to highlight the strength of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, an administration official said. Several Japanese prime ministers before Abe have visited the Pearl Harbor site. But Abe is the first to go to the memorial at the resting place of the battleship Arizona, where 1,177 American military personnel died in the Japanese aerial attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Facebook

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Will the Feds Janet Yellen take away the punch bowl after Trump takes office? By Don Lee After three years of almost single-handedly juicing up the slow-growing economy, Janet L. Yellen and the Federal Reserve should be looking at easier days ahead. Yellen, in what will probably be her last full year as Fed chair, may finally get help from somewhere else in Washington. Tax cuts and infrastructure spending planned by President-elect Donald Trump, if backed by the Republican-controlled Congress, would lighten the load for a Fed whose easy-money policies have been the primary economic support for the nation. She is already breathing easier on the Feds employment mandate; the jobless rate has fallen to a nine-year low of 4.6%. Inflation, too, is under control and, by all accounts, creeping toward the central banks optimal level of 2%. And yet, Yellen may come under as much economic and political pressure as ever, on both the Feds policy and the independence of the institution. Read More Facebook

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Obama says he could have beaten Trump By Tracy Wilkinson (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press) President Obama says he could have defeated Donald Trump in last months election by recapturing the same vision of hope that twice carried him to the presidency. Obama also was mildly critical of the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, saying her campaign didnt do enough to get her message out. The remarks were notable because Obama has been careful since the election to avoid criticizing Trump, or to deliver a post-mortem on Clintons failed bid. Obama spoke in a wide-ranging interview with former senior advisor and now CNN commentator David Axelrod for the Democratic political operatives Axe Files podcast. The interview was released by CNN on Monday. You know, I am confident in this vision because Im confident that if I -- if I had run again and articulated it, I think I couldve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it, Obama said. His comments were part of a wider discussion of what he called ugly sentiments of racism and xenophobia that surfaced during the 2016 campaign. Obama repeated his assertion that Clinton faced a double standard as a woman, which put her at a disadvantage. But he also said a kind of complacency set in that made the Clinton campaign too cautious and thus unable to get its message out sufficiently. If you think youre winning, then you have a tendency, just like in sports, maybe to play it safer, Obama said. During the interview, Obama also spoke of his family, the strength hed gotten from wife Michelle and the improbability of his own political career. And the president said the spirit that his candidacy originally inspired, especially among young people, was never snuffed out despite the last eight years of turmoil. The idealism and the dedication stayed with the staff and got us through some really hard times, he said. Trump later responded to the remarks on Twitter. UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: This article was updated with Trumps response. This article was originally published at 12:28 p.m. Facebook

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Obama personally authorized U.S. abstention from U.N. vote on Israeli settlements By Michael A. Memoli President Obama personally directed Friday that the U.S. abstain from a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, seeing the escalation of settlement building as an increasing threat to the viability of a two-state solution to the regions problems. Ahead of the expected vote, Obama, who is vacationing with his family in Hawaii, convened a discussion Thursday with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and other top national security officials. The vote was postponed, but U.S. officials continued to monitor discussions over the Egyptian-authored resolution until Friday. Obama spoke with national security advisor Susan Rice on Friday to issue his final decision. President-elect Donald Trumps intervention in the discussions, which included a conversation with Egypts president Thursday that preceded the delay in the planned vote, did not affect Obamas calculations, deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters.. Theres one president at a time, he said. The decision to allow the resolution to pass, rather than cast a veto to block it is consistent with long-standing, bipartisan U.S. policy opposing Israeli settlement activity, Rhodes said. One of the administrations great concerns was that such activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has accelerated significantly since 2011, when the U.S. last vetoed a comparable resolution. U.S. officials also have been concerned about continued incitements of violence by Palestinians, and Rhodes said the resolution voted on Friday included greater balance to reflect that than past resolutions. Weve been very concerned that these accelerating trends are putting the very viability of the two-state solution at risk, Rhodes said. In that context, we therefore thought that we could not in good conscience veto a resolution that expressed concerns about the very trends that are eroding the foundation for a two-state solution. He also underscored what he called Obamas iron-clad commitment to Israel and its security, noting that the administration recently concluded a major military assistance package. The U.S. did not vote for the resolution because of continued concerns about the United Nations as a venue for Middle East peace discussions, Rhodes said. He also responded to what he called strident comments of Israeli officials criticizing the U.S. move. It seems like the Israeli government wants the conversation to be about anything other than the settlement activity, he said. Facebook

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Trump team seeks to ease fears on womens programs at State Department By Tracy Wilkinson ( Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) Donald Trumps transition team said Friday its requests to the State Department for details on positions and funding for global womens programs were part of an effort to ensure and protect gender equality. The statement appeared to be an attempt to allay concerns that Trump might seek to cancel or roll back gender-focused programs at the State Department following a request by the transition team on Wednesday for information about them. Most were created or championed by Trumps campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, when she served as secretary of State during President Obamas first term. The transition team statement Friday did not outline Trumps plans for the programs, which seek to promote equality, education and vocational training for women around the world as well as combat gender-based violence. President-elect Trump will ensure the rights of women across the world are valued and protected, the statement said. To help fulfill this promise, the transition team inquired about existing programs at the State Department that helps [sic] foster gender equality, ends gender-based violence, and promotes economic and political participation  finding ways to improve them. The statement said the inquiry was one of hundreds of requests it sent to federal departments as part of the transition effort. Facebook

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Trump team asks State Department for details on programs aimed at helping women By Tracy Wilkinson Donald Trumps transition team has asked the State Department for details on programs aimed at benefiting women around the world, including identifying staff members who worked to reduce gender-based violence and promote women in the workplace. In an email sent to numerous State Department offices Wednesday, the president-elects transition team asked for urgent response to its inquiries about gender-related staffing, programming and funding. Many of the programs were begun or were championed by Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of State during President Obamas first term and who lost to Trump in November. The unusual request to the State Department follows a similar email to the Department of Energy. There the transition team asked for names of staff members who had worked on efforts to combat climate change, which Trump has dismissed as a hoax. Several Obama administration officials called that query chilling. The Trump team withdrew the request after it was widely criticized. The latest email suggests the incoming Trump administration will attempt to roll back some of the State Departments most innovative programs and may seek to penalize people who worked on them. People are freaked out, said a senior State Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The email asked the State Department to deliver issue papers from bureaus and offices (one paper max per bureau/office) outlining existing programs and activities to promote gender equality, such as ending gender-based violence, promoting womens participation in economic and political spheres, entrepreneurship, etc. It said the issue papers should note jobs whose primary functions are to promote such issues, as well as money allocated for those activities and programs in fiscal year 2017. While at State, Clinton made womens issues a top priority. An office was created to deal exclusively with global womens issues, and money was allocated for programs that promote education of girls, train women in marketable skills and offer microloans. Read More Facebook

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Trump taps seasoned Republican operative Sean Spicer as White House press secretary By Lisa Mascaro President-elect Donald Trump named Sean Spicer as his new press secretary, tapping a seasoned Republican operative as the public face of the new White House. Spicer, a top Republican National Committee strategist who brought a measure of establishment Washington to Trumps operation, is known for his combative but engaging approach to communications. He will likely take over the press podium as the top spokesman at the incoming White House. Two other veterans of the Trump campaigns press operation also will get White House jobs: Jason Miller, who had been Trumps communications chief after moving from the campaign of Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, will stay in that role as communications director at the White House. Hope Hicks, who was Trumps spokesperson on the campaign trail and one of his earliest campaign aides, will be assistant to the president and director of strategic communications, and Dan Scavino will serve as director of social media. Sean, Hope, Jason and Dan have been key members of my team during the campaign and transition. I am excited they will be leading the team that will communicate my agenda that will Make America Great Again, Trump said in a statement. Facebook

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Obama eliminates post-9/11 registry for foreigners, making it harder for Trump to restart it By Brian Bennett (Don Emmert / AFP/Getty Images) The Obama administration is taking apart a controversial, dormant national registry program that tracked visitors from countries with active terrorist groups for several years following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. A final rule eliminating the program will be published in the federal register on Friday. The move would make it more difficult for President-elect Donald Trump to revive the registry, which hasnt been used since 2011. The Department of Homeland Security determined it was ineffective and didnt improve security. Civil rights advocates have long said the program was discriminatory. On the campaign trail, Trump promised to track Muslims coming to the U.S. and require them to register. He later changed his stance to say he would bar people from countries with a record of Islamist extremism. Trumps policy advisors have been looking closely at ways to jump start the registry, called the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, after he takes office at the end of January. With the program being officially dismantled on Friday, Trumps team would have to issue new federal rules to restart it, a process that could take several months and would require a period for soliciting comments from the public, which likely would be contentious. The Trump transition team is preparing several executive actions for the incoming president, Trump spokesman Jason Miller told reporters Thursday morning when asked about Obama dismantling the registry. Stopping radical Islamic terrorists from entering the U.S. is of paramount importance, Miller said. He didnt say directly if Trump would rebuild the visitor registry. The American people strongly support tough measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country, and President-elect Trump has made clear that we will suspend admissions of those from countries with high terrorism rates and apply a strict vetting procedure for those seeking entry in order to protect American lives, he said. When asked on Wednesday if he would set up a registry for Muslims or impose a ban on Muslim immigrants in the wake of the truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, Trump said simply: You know my plans. Democratic lawmakers and civil liberties advocates have demanded in recent weeks that Obama dismantle the registry. Theyve cited a 2012 inspector general report that said Homeland Security databases collecting traveler fingerprints, flight manifests and intelligence information on foreigners are more effective at preventing terrorist attacks. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) praised the Homeland Security Departments decision to strip away dead-letter regulations no longer in use. These regulations symbolized an ineffective program based on religious and ethnic profiling, rather than individualized suspicion  a program based on fear, rather than reason, Leahy said in a statement. That has no place in this great country, under any administration. Facebook

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Trump is unwinding some foreign deals but many potential conflicts remain By Joseph Tanfani The Trump hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan, would be among the finest in the world, Donald Trump promised two years ago, another example of our involvement in only the best global development projects. But the dream of a world-class Trump Baku died this month, with Trump saying he was backing out of the deal because of delays and blown deadlines caused by the developer, a 34-year-old with close family connections to the countrys government. The demise of Trump Baku is not an isolated decision. With his inauguration less than a month away, President-elect Trumps company has pulled out of a few international business deals that might have created especially sticky conflicts and controversies for his administration. Read More Facebook

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Trump names UC Irvine professor and fierce China critic to new White House Trade Council By Don Lee Peter Navarro, left, and China expert Gordon Chang attend a screening of Death By China, the film adaptation of Navarros book, in New York in 2012. (Andy Kropa / Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump, signaling that he intends to follow through on his tough talk on trade, is establishing a new White House-based trade council to be headed by a vehement critic of Chinas economic policies. Trump on Wednesday named Peter Navarro, a Harvard-trained business professor at UC Irvine, as director of trade and industrial policy and head of the newly created White House National Trade Council. The move sends a strong message: The Trump administration will take a much more aggressive posture to shrink the nations large trade deficit and combat what the president-elect and Navarro believe are forces behind Americas manufacturing woes  unfair and mercantilist practices on the part of China and other trading partners. Read More Facebook

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The issue of race has hung over Sen. Jeff Sessions like a shadow. Heres why By Del Quentin Wilber (Scott Olson / AFP/Getty Images) Jeff Sessions uneasy history with race can be traced back to the long, winding country roads that cut through the pine forests and farm land in this deep corner of the Deep South. As a boy, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III began each day before dawn, boarding a segregated bus to his all-white school. En route he and his classmates passed the bus ferrying black students in the opposite direction. The day ended when he sat down to dinner each night with his father, an avowed segregationist until the end of his life. Reflecting on those years, Sessions acknowledged recently that he knew back then that segregation was morally wrong and regretted standing by passively as civil rights leaders in the 1960s struggled and died in the fight for equality. I should have stepped forward more and been a leader and more positive force, Sessions said in February while participating in a ceremony honoring the Selma foot soldiers. Read More Facebook

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Kellyanne Conway will join Trump in the White House By Evan Halper (Gerald Herber / Associated Press) Donald Trump has named his media-savvy campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, to advise him in the White House in the role of counselor, his transition team announced early Thursday morning. The move comes after Conway sought to put to rest speculation that she would continue to serve as the public face of the Trump team. But the new job is sure to keep her profile high. Conway will will work with senior leadership to effectively message and execute the administrations legislative priorities and actions, according to a statement from the Trump transition team. Kellyanne Conway has been a trusted advisor and strategist who played a crucial role in my victory, Trump said in the statement. She is a tireless and tenacious advocate of my agenda and has amazing insights on how to effectively communicate our message. The appointment would boost diversity in a Trump inner circle made up mostly of older white men. It also sets up another potentially competing power center on a White House staff that already will have several, including Reince Priebus, the chief of staff; Stephen K. Bannon, the chief strategist; and Stephen Miller, the policy chief. Conway had previously turned down other proposals for White House jobs, telling reporters late last month that she did not want to spend long hours away from her children. At that point, Conway said she thought she could best help Trump by forming an outside organization to support his policies. But that role appears to have gone to Brad Parscale, who ran Trumps online operations during the campaign. Conway joined Trumps campaign during the summer when it was beset with infighting and disarray. She is widely credited with helping bring message discipline and professionalism to an operation in desperate need of it. In the run-up to the election and the weeks that followed, Conway was a ubiquitous presence on cable news networks, capably moving through her talking points in tough interview settings  often on the firing line and held to account for the exaggerations and incendiary remarks Trump was prone to make on the campaign trail and Twitter. I am humbled and honored to play a role in helping transform the movement he has led into a real agenda of action and results, Conway said in the statement. She is the founder and owner of the Polling Company, inc./WomanTrend, a GOP firm that has been advising candidates for two decades. Trump has not yet chosen a press secretary. But he is believed to be considering several candidates. Sean Spicer, former communications chief of the Republican Party who has served in a spokesman role for Trump through the transition, has been a prominent possibility, although Trump reportedly has considered several women, including conservative talk radio star Laura Ingraham and Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle. Facebook

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Trump Hotel employees in Las Vegas get a union contract By Kurtis Lee (Mike Nelson / Getty Images) Its owned by President-elect Donald Trump and is among a handful of hotels on the Las Vegas Strip to not be unionized. But that will change soon. For more than a year, Trump and his staff at the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas have fought efforts by employees and the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 to negotiate a contract. But a four-year contract announced by the union on Wednesday will offer Trump employees annual wage increases, a pension and family healthcare, among other benefits. In Nevada, the culinary union is the states largest and most powerful, representing nearly 55,000 workers who serve cocktails and prepare food at hotels throughout the state. A majority of the unions members are Latino. Read More Facebook

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Wait! Dont cancel that Air Force One order just yet By Evan Halper Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 After Donald Trump scolded Boeing earlier this month for the escalating cost of building a new Air Force One, the companys CEO projected confidence that Trump wouldnt be following through with his threat to cancel order! The two men met together at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Wednesday. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said they spoke about a range of issues. The Air Force One project, which Trump complained would cost taxpayers more than $4 billion, invariably arose. Were going to get it done for less than that, and were committed to working together to make sure that happens, Muilenberg said. The company had previously noted that the project did not yet have a firm price tag. I was able to give the president-elect my personal commitment on behalf of the Boeing Company. This is a business thats important to us. We work on Air Force One because its important to our country, and were going to make sure that he gets the best capability and that its done affordably, Muilenberg added. He called the conversation terrific and Trump a good man who is doing the right thing. The presidential aircraft remains a long way from takeoff  a new plane wont be ready for use in the next four years. Even if Trump is reelected, he might not get to use the plane, as the earliest projected date for completion is 2024. Boeing is currently doing early development work on the plane  a modified 747  that will likely be outfitted with such gadgetry as top-secret communications equipment, countermeasures to foil missile attacks, and aerial refueling capability that would enable it to remain airborne for days at a time if necessary. The timing of delivery was among the topics that came up at Trumps meeting with the Boeing CEO. Thats what were going to work on together, Muilenberg said. We have an active 747 production line, and were eager to get started on the program. We havent actually started the build of the airplane yet, but once we finalize the requirements and make sure that its affordable, well launch on building the aircraft. Weve got a hot production line and were ready to go. The government actually has two planes outfitted to serve as Air Force One, which is the designation given to whichever plane is carrying the president. The current planes, which were put into service during the Reagan administration, are nearing the end of their design life. Facebook

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Fierce China critic and UC Irvine professor to head Trumps new trade council By Don Lee (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times) President-elect Donald Trump is establishing a new White House-based trade office that will be headed by a UC Irvine professor known for his fierce criticisms of Chinese trade and economic practices. In appointing Peter Navarro as director of trade and industrial policy and the head of the new National Trade Council inside the White House, Trump is signaling that he wants to follow through on his tough campaign rhetoric in which he blamed the Chinese for the large U.S. trade deficit and manufacturing woes. During the campaign,Trump threatened to slap a 45% tariff on Chinese imports. Navarro, a Harvard-trained economist who advised Trump during the campaign, is the author of the book Death by China: Confronting the Dragon  a Global Call to Action. Trump endorsed the 2011 book as well as Navarros film version of the polemical work. I read one of Peters books on Americas trade problems years ago and was impressed by the clarity of his arguments and thoroughness of his research, Trump said Wednesday in a statement announcing the appointment. He will fulfill an essential role in my administration as a trade advisor. Trump said the new trade office would develop policies to shrink the nations trade deficit and curb the off-shoring of jobs, as well as to lead initiatives such as the Buy America, Hire America program. Navarro, in a statement, said he would be honored to serve Trump and the nation and to advise on policies to re-balance our trade, rebuild our industrial base, and restore Americas comprehensive national power by making America great again. Facebook

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Trump stops the drain the swamp talk as new alligators emerge By Evan Halper Newt Gingrich. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press) It made for a great slogan during the campaign, but now that hes won, Donald Trump is finding that maybe he doesnt actually want to drain the swamp. In fact, the alligators seem to be doing quite well. Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on Wednesday boasted about his access and proximity to Trump in announcing a new consulting firm he plans to open with former Trump campaign advisor Barry Bennett. The firms offices will be one block from the White House. Clients who pony up what are sure to be hefty fees for the firms services are being assured by Lewandowski in his marketing materials that he turned down multiple opportunities within the administration so he can serve them. The pitch implies Lewandowski will remain a de facto surrogate for Trump  with all the access that implies  as he bills those seeking to influence the Trump administration for his services. So perhaps the time is ripe for Trump to stop using the drain the swamp phrase. And that is what Trump has decided to do, according to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who describes himself as an outside advisor to the president-elect. Im told he now just disclaims that, Gingrich said in an interview on National Public Radio, referring to the slogan Trump used in the final phase of his campaign to crystallize his promise to cleanse Washington of insiders and self-dealers. He now says it was cute, but he doesnt want to use it anymore, Gingrich said, adding that perhaps all this swamp draining talk isnt presidential. Hes in a different role now and maybe he feels that as president, as the next president of the United States, that he should be marginally more dignified than talking about alligators in swamps, Gingrich said. I personally have, as a sense of humor, like the alligator and swamp language, he added. I think it vividly illustrates the problem, because all the people in this city who are the alligators are going to hate the swamp being drained. And theres going to be constant fighting over it. But, you know, he is my leader, and if he decides to drop the swamp and the alligator, I will drop the swamp and the alligator. Lewandowski, for his part, made no mention of swamps or alligators in announcing his new consulting firm would be open for business. Proud to launch our new venture today to support @realDonaldTrump achieve his agenda in Washington D.C. pic.twitter.com/ZEot6IrvJ4  Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) December 21, 2016 Facebook

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Death penalty in steep decline, but not in Los Angeles County By David Savage Lonnie Franklin Jr. was tried and convicted of 10 counts of murder. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles County and the state of California again recorded the most new death sentences this year, amid a sharp decline across the nation in both executions and new death sentences. Judges and juries in Los Angeles County imposed a death sentence on four murderers during 2016, including Lonnie Franklin Jr., the so-called Grim Sleeper, who was convicted of killing 10 women. No other county had more than one death sentence, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Since 2010, Los Angeles County has recorded 36 new death sentences, more than any county in the nation. This year marked the first time in more than 40 years where no state recorded 10 or more new death sentences, the group said in its year-end report. California had the most with nine, followed by Ohio (five), Texas (four), Alabama (three) and Florida (two). California has by far the nations largest death row, with 750 condemned inmates, but it has not carried out an execution in the past decade. Overall, the report documented the steep decline for capital punishment over the past two decades. The number of new death sentences had fallen by 90%, from 315 in 1996 to only 30 this year. And the number of executions has fallen from a high of 98 in 1999 to 20 this year. Georgia (nine) and Texas (seven) accounted for most of the executions. The only other states to put inmates to death were Alabama (two), Missouri (one) and Florida (one). Robert Dunham, the groups executive director, says the nation is clearly turning away from capital punishment. Whether its concerns about innocence, costs and discrimination, availability of life without parole as a safe alternative, or the questionable way in which states are attempting to carry out executions, the public grows increasingly uncomfortable with the death penalty each year, he said. But his report noted that Californias voters, by a 53%-47% margin, rejected a ballot measure to abolish the death penalty, and narrowly approved a measure, by a 51%-49% margin, to limit appeals and expedite executions. Facebook

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New survey finds less optimistic Democrats seeking many paths to their future success By Cathleen Decker (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) Since Hillary Clintons November defeat, Democrats have squabbled over how to return to prominence. Should they continue to court ascendant voter groups in the country, such as women, minorities and young people? Or should they turn to those who have long been in their camp but abandoned the party nominee this year, such as rural and non-college-educated voters. The answer, according to a Pew Research poll published Tuesday: Democrats want to walk both paths, simultaneously. The poll asked Democrats and Republicans whether their parties had spent too much, too little or just the right amount of time meeting the interests and concerns of specific groups of voters. Among Democrats, 64% said the party had spent too little time talking to rural voters, and 58% said the same about non-college voters. Almost two-thirds of Democrats said low-income voters had not gotten enough of the partys attention, and 58% said middle-class voters had been ignored to some extent. But Democratic voters did not want to let up on the partys outreach to its stronger supporters this year. About half said that the concerns of women and African American voters had gotten too little attention, while 43% said the same about Latinos. In the case of women, African Americans, Latinos, low-income voters, rural residents and younger voters, Democrats were substantially more likely than Republicans to say their party had not put enough emphasis on the groups concerns. The poll suggested far more confidence by Republicans than Democrats in their partys current positioning. Much of that may simply be the flood of confidence that accompanies a presidential victory. When the pollsters asked before the election about their view of their party, 61% of Republicans said they were optimistic, as did 77% of Democrats about their own party. After the election those figures reversed, with 79% of Republicans optimistic compared with 61% of Democrats. A key to Trumps success also was evident in the poll: a chameleon-like ability to make the different ideological groups in the party think he was one of them. Almost 3 in 5 conservatives said that Trumps views were conservative. And among moderates, 52% said that Trumps ideology was a mix of conservative and liberal, echoing their own posture. But queries about the new presidents impact on his party drew sharply partisan responses. More than two-thirds of all voters said that Trump had forced major changes on his party. Yet 72% of Democrats cast those changes as bad ones, while 83% of Republicans cast the changes as good ones. Facebook

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The artist and the senator: One built a desert masterpiece, the other a Nevada legacy By Lisa Mascaro When Sen. Harry Reid heard about a reclusive artist building a massive land sculpture across desolate acres in the Nevada desert, he knew they should meet. Its not just that Reid enjoys eccentrics and fighters, which he does. Michael Heizer had found an unusual way to express the majesty  and artistry  of the same lonely Nevada landscape that formed Reids childhood, when he would escape the dismal, rugged conditions of tiny Searchlight to play in the deserts hidden springs and abandoned fortresses. Both men discovered in Nevada what many outsiders miss. Far from seeing a nuclear wasteland, a dumping site or even a playground for gamblers, they drew inspiration from Nevadas quiet beauty. Heizer created an American masterpiece  a milelong complex of dirt, rock and cement rising from the desert floor like modern-day pyramids or the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. For Reid, his appreciation for Nevadas unique landscape became a cornerstone of one of the most lasting yet less-familiar pieces of his political legacy. Read More Artist Michael Heizer and Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) speak in the Capitol. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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With 304 votes, electoral college seals Donald Trumps election as president  despite more desertions than ever By Michael Finnegan They convened amid unusual scrutiny, widespread protests and rafts of speculation about efforts to alter the outcome, but, in the end, the nations 538 presidential electors mostly stuck to the script Monday, formally sealing Donald Trumps victory with 304 votes in the electoral college, well above what he needed to capture the White House. After all the efforts to lobby Republican electors to desert Trump, only two did  a pair from Texas, one of whom voted for former Texas Rep. Ron Paul and the other for Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Indeed, instead of an uprising against Trump, the days voting was punctuated more by small, but persistent, gestures of Democratic discontent with Hillary Clinton. A handful of electors deserted her and a few more tried to, but were deterred by state faithless elector laws. Some of the Democratic dissenters were supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who lost the primaries to Clinton but galvanized the partys left wing. Others were backers of an abortive effort that had tried to recruit Democrats and Republicans to unite behind a third candidate other than Clinton or Trump. In the end, seven electors voted for a person other than the candidate who won their states  the largest number of electoral college desertions in a presidential contest in U.S. history, eclipsing a record set in 1808. Read More Facebook

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As electoral college meetings end in Hawaii, Bernie Sanders gets a vote that will stick By Michael A. Memoli David Mulinix, Hawaii elector who voted for Sanders, said Clinton wasn't qualified. Also said @POTUS wasn't progressive, but "conservative" pic.twitter.com/miCnZ6PzXI  Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) December 20, 2016 The last of the 50 states gave Bernie Sanders his first electoral college vote that counted. Hillary Clinton received three of the states four electoral votes after winning 60% of the popular vote here last month. But one elector, David Mulinix, said he cast his vote for the Vermont senator because he was the most qualified candidate. They can call me faithless, but the point is if we dont think someones qualified  and Hillary Clinton I do not feel is qualified, he said. Hawaiis electors are chosen by the major parties at their state conventions. Mulinix said he joined the party only this election cycle to support Sanders, who he said would have been elected president had he been the Democratic nominee. He had previously told the Associated Press he would cast his vote for Clinton, but said he changed his mind at the last minute. She did not lose the vote to Russian hackers; she lost the vote right there at the convention, he said, referring to the Democratic National Convention, where he said Sanders backers were treated unfairly. They robbed us, and the millennials know it. Mulinix, who, like his fellow electors, wore a lei made of green jade flowers, arrived for the vote with a list of candidates who had received votes in other electoral college meetings across the country. He was aware that an elector in Maine had tried to vote for Sanders but that his vote had been invalidated. An election official said the vote for Sanders here would count. The brief proceedings here in a nondescript conference room on the state Capitols third floor began with another elector, John Bickel, asking whether there was any penalty for electors who cast their ballots for someone other than the winner of the statewide vote. He said later that he had asked because he suspected someone might stray. The electoral college is outdated. If any election has proved the electoral college is outdated, its this one, Bickel said. Dolly Strazar, another elector and the vice chair of the state Democratic Party, said she had long supported the electoral college because it ensured some degree of competition between large states and small ones like Hawaii. It really seems in our times, its thoroughly outdated, she said. Janice Bond, the fourth elector, said she would have voted for Sanders but did not believe she was able to. She also expressed regret that President Obama, who was born in Hawaii and is vacationing here with his family, did not attend the meeting. To have him be on our island and not show face was disappointing, she said. Facebook

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No fireworks as Nevada electors cast votes for Clinton By David Montero Nevadas six electors cast their votes for Hillary Clinton on Monday afternoon in Carson City, reflecting her victory in the swing state despite losing the overall electoral college vote to President-elect Donald Trump. Clinton won Nevada by almost 3 points over Trump, and the swing state was one of her few bright spots on election day. The six electors  five from northern Nevada and one from Las Vegas  cast their ballots before about 75 people who had packed into the Old Assembly Chambers of the state Capitol. A few brought signs in support of Clinton, and there was some applause when the votes were cast. It all took place in less than a half-hour. No fireworks, said Wayne Thorley, deputy secretary of state for elections. He said about 40 people showed up in front of the state Capitol in the morning in sub-freezing temperatures to also show support for Clinton. Thorley said he hadnt anticipated a lot of controversy as the electors were required to sign a pledge before voting that said they wouldnt deviate from Nevadas Nov. 8 election results. Facebook

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In solemn ceremony, California electors cast votes for Hillary Clinton By Melanie Mason Casting my electoral vote for President and Vice President of the United States of .... https://t.co/jI2FGFCrVg pic.twitter.com/qufSJUM5WF  Susan Eggman (@SusanEggman) December 19, 2016 In a proceeding long on formalities and short on speeches, Californias 55 electors cast their vote for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Monday, a ceremony that coincided almost exactly with Republican Donald Trump clinching the national electoral college win. Contrasting with the spirited protests outside the state Capitol, the mood in the state Assembly chambers was muted, even a bit glum, as electors, tapped by the states Democratic establishment, convened to cast their votes for Clinton. California, which overwhelmingly backed Clinton in the presidential contest, requires all 55 electors to back the states winner. Todays solemnity and formality reminds us that in our nation, American greatness and American independence, rests on a foundation of law, said Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Cordova), who presided over the event. As written ballots were distributed, the room was completely silent, save for the clicking of camera shutters. Just moments before voting began, Trump, Clintons rival, had secured the electoral college win, with Texas, Californias perennial rival, putting him over the top. His victory went unacknowledged in the ceremony. Among the electors were current elected officials, such as Assemblywomen Susan Talamantes Eggman of Stockton and Shirley Weber of San Diego. Others included Christine Pelosi, daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Laphonza Butler, leader of the powerful labor union SEIU in California. Electors did not make individual speeches during the main ceremony, and Trumps name was hardly mentioned. But there were subtle references to the rancorous political season: Rev. Bob Oshita, the Assembly chaplain and former reverend of the Sacramento Buddhist Church, urged leaders to engage in calming self-reflection in an opening prayer. The tone grew considerably sharper at the end of the gathering, when Pelosi offered a motion calling for an investigation into Russian efforts to influence the election outcome. I move that as an Electoral College, we do not normalize this election. We do not accept Russian interference in our election, Pelosi said. Her motion was adopted by electors, with applause. View Twitter post This post was updated at 3:32 p.m. with comments from Christine Pelosi. It was originally published at 3:12 p.m. Facebook

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All of Floridas electoral votes go to Trump By Gray Rohrer Floridas electors applaud as the vote for Donald Trump is announced at the state Capitol in Tallahassee on Monday. (Steve Cannon / Associated Press) Donald Trump officially won all 29 of Floridas electoral college votes on Monday during a ceremony held at the Capitol in Tallahassee, despite pleas from protesters to electors to change their vote at the last minute. About 100 protesters gathered outside the Florida Senate chambers before the vote, chanting love trumps hate and flip the vote and holding signs that read Vote Your Conscience, Dont Make Russia Great Again! The electors, made up of Republican Party of Florida members and high-ranking elected officials like state Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, Senate President Joe Negron and state party chairman Blaise Ingoglia, did their best to ignore the protesters. Read More Facebook

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Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was a Trump nemesis. Now the president-elect says hes wonderful By Evan Halper Donald Trump has decided that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, one of his favorite villains during the presidential election, might not be so bad after all. Hes even wonderful, Trump now says. The two dined together Saturday at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, after which Trump had only nice things to say about Slim, according to a report in the Washington Post. Trump described the interaction with his erstwhile nemesis as a lovely dinner with a wonderful man. This is not how Trump talked about Slim, one of the worlds richest men, during the election. The Mexican billionaire was a regular target of the then-GOP nominee because of his large ownership stake in the New York Times. Add to that Slims generous contributions to the Clinton Foundation and his citizenship in the country Trump reveled in attacking, and he made for good fodder at Trump rallies. When Trump objected to the New York Times coverage of his campaign  and its reporting on the allegations by multiple women of past inappropriate sexual advances by Trump  he alleged it was all part of a conspiracy cooked up by Slim. Trump called the outlets reporters corporate lobbyists for Carlos Slim and for Hillary Clinton. The New York Times called Trumps charges a fabrication, saying Slim had never inserted himself in editorial decision making there. And Trump offered no evidence to the contrary. A spokesman for Slim said at the time the two had never met, and the Mexican businessman had no interest in involving himself in the U.S. election. Now theyve met. The takeaway from the meeting, though, is murky. Maybe it indicates Trump is softening his posture toward Mexico  or maybe it just indicates billionaires enjoy the company of other billionaires. Facebook

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Meet the California electors By Liam Dillon Among the electors are Janine Bera, the wife of Rep. Ami Bera of Elk Grove; Christine Pelosi, the daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and chairwoman of the state partys womens caucus; Eileen Feinstein Mariano, granddaughter of Sen. Dianne Feinstein; and Olivia Reyes-Becerra, daughter of Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles. State Assemblywomen Susan Eggman of Stockton and Shirley Weber of San Diego, former state Sen. Christine Kehoe of San Diego, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and Laphonza Butler, president of the Service Employees International Union chapter that represents home care employees, also are on the list. Read More Facebook

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Three Washington state Democratic electors vote for Gen. Colin Powell, one for Faith Spotted Eagle By Rick Anderson (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press) Despite a statute binding the 12 members of the electoral college to vote for the winner of the states 2016 presidential election popular vote, four Washington electors made history and risked a $1,000 fine by voting for someone else Monday. But it wasnt Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton, supported by 57% of the states voters, wound up with eight of the 12 electoral votes at a session held in the State Capitol building here. Gen. Colin Powell received three votes. And Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Yankton Sioux, received one. Read More Facebook

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Colorado elector says he was oppressed by state law into voting for Clinton By David Kelly In Denver, all nine electors voted for Hillary Clinton, after one was replaced for casting his ballot for Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich instead. A boisterous crowd packed the state Capitol and booed when elector Michael Baca was dismissed and another sworn in to take his place. Vote your conscience! someone cried. The new elector voted for Clinton. Hecklers screamed Resign! Resign! at Secretary of State Wayne Williams after he shooed Bacas lawyer off the podium. Suspense had been building for weeks over how the electors would vote. Two courts blocked their attempts to vote for someone other than Clinton. State law here says electors must support the candidate who won the popular vote. On Sunday night they went to court again, this time asking a judge to reject a new oath drawn up by the secretary of state requiring electors to pledge to support the winner of the popular vote. Their motion was denied. As they waited, the crowd sang This Land is Your Land and America the Beautiful. But once the electors filed in, it was over quickly. Elector Robert Nemanich said he was oppressed by state law into voting for Clinton and would go to the U.S. Supreme Court. He did not elaborate. Lance Armstrong, 68, stood outside with an American flag. Im glad some of the electors made a point today, he said. Any point is better than none. Facebook

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Trump officially gets 270th electoral vote, sealing his election as president By Julie Westfall Donald Trump has obtained the required 270 electoral votes to become president. Although electors in dozens of states still have to vote, the electoral balloting in Texas put Trump over the majority threshold, according to a state-by-state tally by the Associated Press. Thirty-six of the states electors voted for Trump, one for John Kasich and one for Ron Paul. The next, and last, official step in the electoral process is for Congress to count the votes. Under the procedure set out by the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, that formal process is scheduled for Jan. 6. Some anti-Trump activists had hoped against hope that they could persuade electors in states that voted for Trump to defect, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Electors are nearly all party loyalists. Additionally, they faced more than two centuries of tradition and, in some states, legal obligations that called for them to cast their ballots according to which candidate won the popular vote in their states. No defectors have ever changed the result of a presidential election. Four electors today successfully defected in Washington state. Instead of voting for Hillary Clinton, who won the states popular vote, three electors voted for former secretary of State Colin Powell and one voted for Faith Spotted Eagle, an environmental activist. Electors in two other states who tried to vote against the states winner were replaced with alternates. There may be additional defections in the remaining states, but since Trump now has a majority of the electoral votes, those would not be enough to change the result. Facebook

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Emotions high in Maryland as electors unanimously vote for Clinton By Erin Cox (Erin Cox/Baltimore Sun) As Marylands 10 electors unanimously cast votes for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president Monday, several said they were privileged to vote for the countys first female presidential nominee. Outside, hundreds of anti-Trump protesters cheered as the solemn ceremony unfolded on live-stream television. A state delegate, who had the ceremonial task of handing the electors votes to another official, wept while executing her duty. This is an emotional moment for many, many women in this country and in this state, said Del. Maggie McIntosh, a Baltimore Democrat. She added later: I guess I didnt cry enough on Nov. 8. Marylands electors were bound by state law to vote for the winner of Marylands popular vote, which Clinton secured with more than 60% of the ballots cast. About 100 protesters who had been chanting and singing around the historic State House grounds for at least four hours before the vote said they came in solidarity with protesters in Republican state capitols, pleading with electors not to endorse President-elect Donald Trump. This is appalling and unacceptable, and Im hoping the Republicans, in particular, rise above and do the right thing, said Cheryl Kreiser, a retired teacher from the Washington, D.C., suburb of Silver Spring. For an hour every day for the last 21 days, Kreiser has protested Trumps win on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was the only way I could cope with the disappointment, she said. Marylands Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who wrote in his fathers name rather than vote for Trump on election day, opened Marylands 58th electoral college meeting but left the room before electors were sworn in. Each elector had been appointed by the Maryland Democratic Party state chair, Bruce Poole, who reminded the crowd the United States is not a direct democracy ruled by the popular vote. A lot of people lose sight of the fact that were a republic. Were not a democracy, Poole said. The whole idea was that the president would not be chosen just by the whims of the moment, but instead there would be an opportunity for people who were thoughtful, who had judgment, who had integrity to take a step back from the moment of emotion and consider what would be in the best interest of the country. Here is "the old book" where Maryland has recorded its Electoral College electors every year since 1789. pic.twitter.com/GlsaJd3F3X  Erin Cox (@ErinatThePost) December 19, 2016 Before he introduced Marylands electors, Poole lamented the state of political discourse in the country. We live in the age of information. It is not necessarily the age of wisdom or age of judgment, he said. People on both sides, on all sides, make decisions at the snap of a finger. Maryland was both the model for creating the electoral college and the first state in the country to vote to bypass it. Framers modeled todays system after the way the Maryland House of Delegates selected Maryland senators, a process the state later abandoned after it was considered undemocratic, according to a history of the electoral college written by staff at the Maryland Board of Elections. Hogan noted the state is one of six to have participated every year since 1789. In 2007, Maryland was the first state to vote to sign the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a promise designed to award the electoral college to the winner of the national popular vote. It required enough states to comprise 270 votes to sign on for it to take effect. So far, only 10 states  including California  with a combined 165 votes have signed the compact. The president of Marylands electors, Courtney Watson, also co-chaired Clintons campaign in Maryland. She said she thought changes to the electoral college should be considered and described Monday as a poignant moment for Maryland residents. Its a very emotional time, she said. Many of us have worked long and hard, and for the first woman candidate. The point, though, is that people are still moved and even more engaged. And thats what I find promising for our future and the future of women. Facebook

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Christine Pelosi, daughter of Nancy Pelosi and California elector, demands to know the truth about Russian influence By Jazmine Ulloa Elector @sfpelosi: We won't stand down. #caleg pic.twitter.com/4cM3cE4Wb6  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) December 19, 2016 California elector Christine Pelosi on Monday told crowds gathered outside the Capitol that she has been part of a chorus of people demanding to know the truth about Russian interference in the November presidential election. Pelosi, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosis daughter, is leading 10 other electors in a call for an intelligence briefing on Russian influence. Shouting into a microphone Monday, she said Russian hackers aim to turn the American people against each other and had marginalized her and others for speaking out. They trespass on servers, she said. They receive stolen emails. They pump out stories that day after day focus on scandal rather than policy, rather than talking about climate and immigration and human rights. Californias meeting of electors is about to get underway in the state Capitol. Facebook

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After prayer for national unity, Georgia electors vote for Trump By Jenny Jarvie Outside the Georgia Capitol today, some may have held a flicker of hope that a GOP elector would refuse to cast a ballot for Donald Trump as 45th president of the United States. Yet among the inner circle of Republicans who gathered inside the cozy, wood-paneled Senate chamber, there was little doubt about what would unfold. One by one, all 16 electors - dressed in formal business suits and red dresses, bow ties and blazers -- cast their ballots for the contentious Republican candidate. It was a short ceremony, with little opportunity for disruption. Security guards prevented the public from entering the chamber, cordoning off the hallway outside the room with a red rope and locking the main door before proceedings began. The electors chosen by Georgias Republican Party included well-connected attorneys and real estate agents, a high school teacher and a farmer. As they waited for the gathering to begin, many snapped selfies and waved at loved ones above in the upper gallery. After a call to order by the Georgia Republican Party chair, the electors bowed their heads, and Rachel Little, an elector and grass-roots Republican organizer, delivered an invocation. Lord, we know we are a divided country right now, she said. We pray that you will unite us.  We pray that [those who oppose Trump] will see our conservatism lived out in a gracious way. In a short speech, Gov. Nathan Deal hit out at activists who had bombarded electors with emails, letters and phone calls in an effort to sway their votes. You have been the subject of harassment by those who perhaps are not as dedicated to the proposition of what this body is supposed to do as they are agitated by the fact that the people didnt do what they wanted them to do. I have every confidence you will not succumb to that, Deal told the electors. My words to you: Do your job. Shortly before the electors cast their ballots, Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican who represents Georgias 11th District, took to the podium to present a short history of the electoral college. Our founders actually despised the idea of democracy because mob rule often results in a decision made out of pure emotion, Loudermilk told the electors, after referencing the noise of protesters outside. It does not result in good government. In fact, our founders often cited the historic trial of Jesus as how mob rule does not work. The electoral college was devised to protect the integrity of government, Loudermilk said. To protect those who live in the rural areas of America, those who work, those who are part of the farming communities and part of the industrial communities, those who live and work every day, that their interests are protected as well of those who make their living on Wall Street. For a moment earlier this year, there was an inkling of a Republican revolt against Trump in Georgia. In August, Baoky Vu, a GOP elector based in Decatur, Ga., admitted he might not cast his ballot for Trump if he won. Within hours, however, he was forced to resign. Trump went on to win 51% of Georgias popular vote. On Monday, Vu did not show up at the Capitol, and he was formally replaced by a solid Trump backer, John Padgett, the chairman of the Georgia Republican party. There seems little chance that Georgia legislators might vote to overhaul the electoral college. Earlier this year, Republican legislators authored two bipartisan pieces of legislation in Georgias House and Senate that would have made Georgias electoral votes based solely on the outcome of the national popular vote. Yet both bills stalled, and Republicans say there is little momentum to revive the debate. The system prevents the tyranny of the majority, said Kirk Shook, an elector who is a high school teacher in rural Oconee County. He scoffed at those who, since the election, had sought to overhaul the electoral college system. Theres all this weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, Shook said of those who opposed Trumps win. And rightly so. Theres going to be a Republican president, a Republican Congress and a Republican Supreme Court. With the stroke of a pen, 90 percent of what Obama considered his legacy will be gone. Facebook

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Four Washington state electors defect from Clinton; one chooses Faith Spotted Eagle instead By Associated Press (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press) Four members of the electoral college in Washington state cast their votes for a candidate other than Democrat Hillary Clinton, who won the states popular vote. Its the first time in four decades the states electors have broken from the popular vote for president. Washingtons 12 electors met Monday afternoon in the state Capitol to complete the constitutional formality. Clinton got eight votes while other candidates got the remaining four. Elector Bret Chiafalo, who earlier in the day said he planned to vote for Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich, said that he ultimately changed his vote to former Secretary of State Colin Powell after conversations with other Washington electors. The exact breakdown of the other four votes wasnt immediately known, although at least one vote was cast for Faith Spotted Eagle. In last months election, Republican Donald Trump won 306 electoral votes to Clintons 232, though Clintons tally will now be lower. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. The last time an elector broke from the popular vote in Washington was in 1976, when Mike Padden, who is currently a Republican state senator, voted for Ronald Reagan instead of Gerald Ford, who had won the state. Facebook

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Hundreds protest the electoral college at Capitol building in Sacramento By Jazmine Ulloa Protesters are now chanting, "hey hey ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go" pic.twitter.com/4nNyTMroI5  Marcus Yam  (@yamphoto) December 19, 2016 Cheers and chants of U.S.A and Keep him out filled the air Monday, as dozens of protestors gathered outside the California Capitol in a last ditch attempt to sway the electoral college from voting for president-elect Donald Trump. Speakers called Trump a celebrity and authoritarian unfit for the presidency. And they urged Congress to do away with the electoral college process, which they described as an outdated and broken system susceptible to foreign influence and manipulation. This is a secret system of voting where we are not allowed to see where the votes are actually coming from or how they are counted, Brent Turner, with the movement organization Democracy Spring, shouted into a microphone. John Franco, 52, says the electoral college is an outdated system that can be manipulated with or without hackers. #caleg pic.twitter.com/fs2L2W2HKp  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) December 19, 2016 John Franco, a 52-year-old business owner visiting Sacramento from New Orleans, said he came to the demonstration with his family to protest that secret process. We dont feel a system that can be manipulated represents the interests of the people who voted for Hillary Clinton, he said. Rochelle Towers was among hundreds to protest at the CA Capitol today: "I'll take any shot that there is. #caleg https://t.co/QcOhWklrpx pic.twitter.com/mtx76NjdEW  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) December 20, 2016 Rochelle Towers, 68, said she drove in from Oakland in an attempt to persuade the electoral college from voting for Trump. She said she would not have to live through a lot of what its decision would set in motion. But my children and grandchildren will, she said. Even though this is a real long shot, Ill take any shot that there is. Facebook

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Colorado elector removed after refusing to vote for Clinton By David Kelly A new elector is sworn in in Colorado after one refused to vote for Hillary Clinton. (David Kelly / Los Angeles Times) Eight of nine Colorado electors have voted for Hillary Clinton. One elector, Michael Baca, refused to vote for Clinton and was immediately replaced with an alternate, who was sworn in on the spot. As the crowd jeered, the new elector promptly voted for Clinton. Shouts of Resign! followed Secretary of State Wayne Williams announcement of the results. Protesters at the state capitol in Colorado. (David Kelly/Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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Electors say they have been barraged with emails By Nigel Duara View Twitter post Arizona elector J. Foster Morgan said he had received several letters protesting the election of Donald Trump, but experienced nothing on the scale of some his fellow Arizona electors whose email addresses were distributed to protest lists. They heard the worst thing imaginable, Morgan said. I just got a few letters. Despite protests outside the meeting, Morgan said, the vote went fine. Eleven votes for Donald Trump. Facebook

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Democratic electors in Minnesota and Maine try to vote for Bernie Sanders By Associated Press (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) A second elector  this one in Minnesota  has refused to cast a vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton in Mondays electoral college tally. It wasnt immediately clear why Muhammad Abdurrahman didnt vote for Clinton, but he was a delegate for Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention. The electors are pledged to cast Minnesotas 10 electoral votes for Clinton since she won the state. Abdurrahman was immediately replaced by an alternate who later voted for Clinton. Earlier in the day, a so-called faithless elector in Maine cast his vote for Sanders, who lost the Democratic presidential nomination to Clinton. David Bright said on his Facebook page that he cast his vote for Sanders because voting for Clinton would not have helped her win. But he ultimately voted for Clinton on a second vote after being ruled out of order. Facebook

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Utah voting goes off without incident  six for Trump By David Montero A protest sign outside the gathering of Utah electors (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press) Despite chants of vote your conscience and the whole world is watching from more than 100 protesters, Utahs six electors cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump today in Salt Lake City. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox announced the official results within minutes of the votes being cast, but he was drowned out by jeers of Shame on you by the protesters. I hope you know this is what our country is all about, Cox said. I hope all of us here are sincerely grateful we live in a country where we have the opportunity to express ourselves. The six electors -- two small-business owners, a custom metal worker, a farmer, a Brigham Young University professor and a Republican activist -- quickly introduced themselves before casting their ballots. The votes were largely a formality, as the state requires electors to vote for the winner. Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by getting 45%t of the vote. He also withstood a challenge from Evan McMullin, who garnered 21% in what was largely a protest vote from those, many of them Mormons, who felt uncomfortable casting a ballot for Trump. Cox said the turnout for this years electoral vote was a far cry from 2012, when four people and one camera crew showed up. Im a big fan of the electoral college, Cox said to the restless crowd. You dont have to boo me now. You can boo me later. About 200 protesters and Trump supporters arrived in the rotunda of the state Capitol about three hours before the votes were cast shortly after noon. The room where the votes were cast was too small to accommodate everyone, and the fire marshal sought to limit occupancy to about 130 people. Interest was high, and the vote even drew Hawthorn Elementary School students, who helped lead the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Cox thanked them for coming and told them they were getting an experience youll never forget. Facebook

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Clinton elector balks in Minnesota One of 10 Minnesota electors has decided not cast a vote, Muhammad Abdurrahan. An alternate is now being sworn in. #ElectoralCollege pic.twitter.com/4eN1PIrZdO  Dylan Wohlenhaus (@DylanWohlenhaus) December 19, 2016 In Minnesota, where the 10 electors had all pledged their votes to Hillary Clinton, one of them refused to go through with it. Elector Muhammad Abdurrahman opted not to vote. He was replaced by an alternate, who cast a vote for Clinton. Facebook

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As Pennsylvania went unanimously for Trump, a voice from the back: Thank you By Steve Esack Electors sworn in in Pennsylvania (Matt Rourke/Associated Press) In Pennsylvanias capital of Harrisburg, the states 20 electoral college voters selected Trump today in a ceremony marked by traditional pomp and bellowing protests. Trump won the popular vote in Pennsylvania by 44,292 votes  the first Republican presidential candidate to do so since 1988. It earned him the states 20 electoral college votes. When the result was announced shortly before 1 p.m. inside the gilded, ornate House chamber, protesters jeered and supporters cheered. Shame on you, a womans voice called down from the public balcony. Thank you, a male voters voice responded back from the floor. Facebook

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How some electors have reacted to all the mail from voters Facebook

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Protesters outside Florida Senate chambers: Trump is dangerous By Gray Rohrer Protesters gather outside the Florida Senate chambers ahead of the electoral college voting ceremony. (Gray Rohrer / Orlando Sentinel) A group of about 100 protesters huddled outside the Florida Senate chambers Monday morning as Floridas 29 electors prepared to cast their votes for Donald Trump in the formal electoral eollege vote ceremony later in the day. The protesters held signs that read You can fix this, keep America free, What would Hamilton do? and Electors: Protect Us, Trump is Dangerous, pleading for electors to change their minds and not vote for Trump, who beat Hillary Clinton by 112,911 votes in Florida, about 1.2%t of all votes cast in the state. Tallahassee resident Bonnie McCluskey held a sign reading Send it to the House. If enough electors across the country do not vote for Trump, hell fall short of the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency, sending the matter to the U.S. House. The reason Im here is because I dont trust [Trump]) and I think he will harm the United States, McCluskey said. My grandmothers were suffragettes; their ancestors were willing to be traitors to the British crown to create this democracy and I dont want to see it end. And that sounds awfully dramatic but thats how Im feeling. She said that part of the reason she doesnt trust Trump is because he didnt pay a company she worked for that did promotional videos for his buildings in 1998. They were basically given the opportunity to take 10 percent or go to court. Back then I didnt realize that was his business plan, McCluskey said. I didnt make the deal with him I was just one of the people who saw a company go bankrupt. Despite the pleas from protesters, all of Floridas electors are expected to vote for Trump. Some, such as Florida Senate President Joe Negron, have posted pictures of hundreds of letters theyve received asking them to change their vote but declaring theyll be voting for the Republican candidate. Facebook

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Colorado electors make last-ditch plea to switch votes By David Kelly Crowds await the electoral college vote at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (David Kelly / For The Times) Colorado electors are trying a last-chance legal appeal to avoid voting for Hillary Clinton, and instead vote for an alternative candidate to replace Donald Trump. A week ago, a district court judge told them they had to vote for Clinton, who won the popular vote in Colorado. A few days ago, a federal appeals court upheld that decision. But just hours before the vote today, two electors filed suit to stop the Colorado secretary of state from requiring them to swear to vote for the candidate supported by the electorate. Their effort is part of a loose national scheme to defeat Trump by persuading Republican electors to join with Democrats, such as those in Colorado, and coalesce around an alternative candidate. There has been no decision so far. Facebook

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Chants of Shame! erupt as Wisconsin electors cast ballots for Trump By Bill Ruthhart Demonstrators erupt after Wisconsin's 10 presidential electors cast their #ElectoralCollege ballots for Republican Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/A0GrASaIbY  Bill Ruthhart (@BillRuthhart) December 19, 2016 Wisconsins 10 presidential electors unanimously cast their ballots for Republican Donald Trump as expected Wednesday, but the vote still drew chants of Shame from dozens of demonstrators who had pleaded for them to back away from the president-elect. The typically procedural vote in a fourth-floor conference room in the Wisconsin State Capitol was anything but routine as about 150 protesters greeted the 10 electors with signs pleading for them to vote your conscience not your pledge. In a short 15-minute meeting, the electors quickly cast their ballots for Trump. They did not address the controversial nature of the election and no speeches were made before the 
A year ago today, representatives from nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris that, yes, as the vast majority of scientists have been telling us for decades, human-propelled global warming is indeed leading to potentially catastrophic climate change.

Having acknowledged what virtually all rational observers already knew, the participants then promised to take specific steps to address those changes, which already are increasing sea levels, imperiling species, altering agricultural stability and setting the stage for mass human migration and even wars over basic needs in the years ahead. The Paris agreement came with nation-by-nation plans for curbing greenhouse gas emissions; the overall target was to limit global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, though it is generally accepted that those national plans are insufficient to meet that goal and will need to be revised and tightened if they are to do so. The developed nations also pledged to bankroll an international Green Climate Fund to help poorer nations develop in an environmentally sustainable way.

Where are we a year later? On uncertain ground.

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It was, as this page noted at the time, a document built on hope whose success depended on the signatories not only keeping their promises but agreeing to even more significant and painful terms in the future.

So where are we a year later? On uncertain ground. With the rise of nationalist populism in Europe, which is making state sacrifices for the global good more politically difficult, and the election in the United States of Donald J. Trump, who is naming fossil-fuel backers and climate change-skeptics to key positions, commitments from the developed world seem less reliable than they were a year ago. As is President Obamas initial $3 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund, which has an overall target of $100 billion by 2020.

China, the worlds largest emitter of carbon, pledged to hit peak greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 as it more than doubles power generation from wind and solar, but it has recently increased coal production to meet power demands, raising questions about whether it will meet its goal. And China also is investing in coal-fired power plants in other countries.

India, another major  and growing  emitter has promised to cap its emissions, but the transition from a coal-dependent power-generation system to a sustainable one will be hard to accomplish.

But there has been progress, both within and outside the Paris framework. World nations agreed in October to cap and reduce hydrofluorocarbons, a greenhouse gas used in air conditioning systems. While the world generates fewer HFC emissions than carbon dioxide, the gases are about 1,000 times more potent and the promised drop in reliance on them could shave .5 degrees Celsius from the predicted rise in global temperatures.

Climate experts say meaningful change isnt out of reach. If Trump does the expected and ratchets back, or repudiates entirely, the Obama administrations commitments to reduce emissions, the work will become that much harder. But much of the private sector already has bought into the reality of global warming, and as the price of generating energy from alternative sources continues to drop, reliance on coal and oil will too, experts say  especially if the rise in use of natural gas (less polluting than coal) is used as a temporary bridge to renewables rather as than a replacement for coal. Even the big oil and gas companies, which cynically planned for global warming in private even as they denied publicly that it existed, have begun to recognize that the future of the energy sector involves investments in carbon-capture and other methods to counter emissions, and in renewable sources  though they still plan to keep drilling and say they expect oil consumption to rise.

The big question is whether the world can change quickly enough to make a sufficient difference. Over the past couple of centuries, transitions from wood to coal to oil to nuclear and solar have taken decades, but this time we dont have the luxury of decades. Government policies can speed up the calendar, and the Paris Agreement sent a strong signal to the market that the world must rely much less on fossil fuel. Consumers, too, have a crucial responsibility, from reducing their own personal energy use to pressuring governments and corporations to change. In that sense, the fight is just beginning, even if there will be an ostrich in the White House come Jan. 20.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Jill Stein, her supporters and a group of experts struggled mightily to get proper recounts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. They were accused of paranoia and of simply wasting time.

Why is it so difficult, and so controversial, to get the results of a U.S. presidential election inspected and verified? Audits should be mandatory in all states; in fact, theyre part of the foundation of a healthy democracy.

Recounts not only are important for finding proof that voting machines were misconfigured or hacked. In a meaningful recount, evidence representing the voters intent is compared against the published vote totals. Even if a recount proves that everything went as intended, its a way to reassure the public  especially the losing side  that the announced winner of the election is legitimate.

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A recount is comparable to checking the receipt before leaving the local grocery store. Some check, some dont, but overall, we all agree that the ability to check a receipt is worth the paper it is printed on.

What should be a straightforward quality assurance check on the election result seems impossible to get.

For that reason, in many European countries, recounts  called fine counts or second counts  are done automatically, immediately after election day. They are conducted manually by counting paper ballots and do not have to be ordered by a judge because of a suspicion that something went wrong. Its common practice for election commissions to foot the bill. (In the U.S., Stein and her supporters had to raise millions of dollars.)

If U.S. officials were more willing to conduct audits, the next step would be standardizing the voting and recount process. Quality matters.

In Pennsylvania for instance, 83% of the votes were cast and recorded on paperless voting machines, producing effectively no reliable record that could be used during a manual recount. This means that the only thing a recount can really prove is the absence of evidence of malfeasance.

Also in Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware and New Jersey, youll find voting machines that do not produce paper trails. Some are more secure than others. Some are easier to hack than others. But the point is that in these five states, voters never can be sure that their votes were recorded as intended. Hence, the acceptance of the final results requires a leap of faith, a blind trust in essentially untrustworthy machinery, during a period in history when anyone can easily Google how to hack a voting machine and find online tutorials with very specific instructions.

Of course, even the states that do have the ability to easily conduct a proper fine count dont bother. In Maryland, for example, voters mark their ballot papers and scan them with optical scan machines. Yet no one inspects the paper ballots independently of the scanner.

Recounts would give Americans something other than official assurances that the election systems are secure. Mistakes happen, intended or unintended. Even the best of IT systems may contain bugs or be otherwise vulnerable.

Following the media coverage of Steins rally outside Trump Tower in Manhattan, one wonders what it would take to convince politicians, lawmakers and election officials of the importance of accountability in the electoral process.

The U.S. lags behind Argentina, Chile and Jamaica on the international electoral integrity index conducted by the University of Sydneys Electoral Integrity Project. The federal court ruling halting the recount in Michigan illustrates why; what should be a straightforward quality assurance check on the election result seems impossible to get.

Mandatory recounts, financed by public money and integrated into the electoral process, would certainly be a big step forward in improving Americas integrity rating. But first the country needs to require voting machines that leave a paper trail.

Such efforts would increase trust in the electoral process not only among Americans but also among the billions of world citizens whose future also is affected by the outcome of the U.S. election.

Carsten Schurmann is an associate professor and election technology expert. Jari Kickbusch is a journalist and author. Both work at the IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and observed the election in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

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To the editor: It appears that UCLA law professor Khaled Abou El Fadl is a very intelligent and scholarly academic, as he reminds us of his credentials throughout his opinion piece. (What message was the U.S. government trying to send when it detained me at the border? Opinion, Dec. 8)

Considering the political climate of the world, he should be able to figure out why he was, no doubt like many of us, stopped by Homeland Security agents upon reentering the United States.

Instead of dramatically complaining, El Fadl, as an American citizen, should feel relieved and secure that our border agents, though not recognizing him as a publicly important figure, did their job quickly and thoroughly and within an hour or so ascertained his proper identity.

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He is correct to note that the meaning of American citizenship seems to be eroding, but for a variety of other reasons  and certainly not due to the vigilance or lack thereof of our border agents.

Louise Delaney, La Crescenta

..

To the editor: I was born in New Jersey. My father is a U.S. veteran. I am an attorney and adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School. I was selected to be a member of New Jerseys electoral college in 2004. I have more than 200 international media appearances as an American Democratic analyst.

Like El Fadl, I continue to vehemently oppose terrorists who deform our religion for political ends.

In 2007, the National Democratic Institute sent me to Morocco to teach activists there about get-out-the-vote techniques used in the United States. At JFK Airport in New York, U.S. customs agents placed my passport in a red folder. In an angry tone, I told them, I am a lawyer returning from Morocco representing my country, and I am being interrogated?

I was cleared 30 minutes later. It happened again in 2009. Although it has not happened since, every time I return from abroad, I wonder if I will be profiled again in my own country.

Abed Awad, Wayne, N.J.

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Miray and Jeroen Bik initially had no intention of coming to Orange County.

The Los Angeles-based founders of bespoke suit brand Klein Epstein & Parker spent many prosperous years in their hometown, nurturing their flagship store off Robertson Boulevard. They thought that expanding south would be too much of a challenge.

That is, until the husband and wife learned of and visited Lido Marina Village, a renovated retail center with sophisticated stores, restaurants and other property overlooking Newport Harbor.

Orange County is so sprawling and its hard to find a heart and center, Miray said. But we were on a hunt to plant roots.

That visit sparked the Biks latest venture last year: a third Klein, Epstein & Parker outpost, in the pedestrian-friendly shopping village in Newport Beach. The company also has an address in San Francisco, and the couple want to open stores in Del Mar and Seattle, Wash.

But the Newport store is unique. On the upper floor is Kep Barbershop, where Jason Lee and two other barbers offer haircuts and shaves in an old-school setting.

Men, Lee said, put their trust in their barber and tailor, and at the Newport store location they have the opportunity to get a makeover and suit under all one roof.

Why not make it convenient? he said.

The Biks founded Klein Epstein & Parker in 2011 with the goal of providing personalized tailoring and made-to-measure mens clothing, like jackets, pants, suits and shirts.

Miray and Jeroen met while working for Dutch fashion retailer Oilily on the East Coast. Miray, who had worked at Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic, always enjoyed mens fashions, and the couple decided they wanted to create a company where customers could choose every detail in a suit, from the pattern and stitching to the buttons and lining.

Being 1960s music enthusiasts, the Biks named their company after three musician managers who helped market the sound and fashion of the entertainers they represented: Brian Epstein, the original manager of the Beatles; Allen Klein who managed the business affairs of the Rolling Stones and briefly the Beatles; and Colonel Tom Parker, who turned Elvis into a household name.

We wanted to create a brand with a throwback feel but super representative of what we stood for, Miray said. Its not just for the elite. Its for the everyday man.

Prices for a two-piece suit start at $598.

Its a reasonable price, Miray said, noting the process of pattern-making and highly-automated cutting.

The made-to-measure process begins with a stylist measuring a client for the correct fit, or as the company calls it, a blueprint. The client, with assistance from a stylist, then chooses from fabric made in Italy and England, selects lining, customizes threading, picks from a book of button options and selects embroidery or a monogram.

The customized piece returns to the shop four to five weeks after the consultation, and measurements will be kept on file for the next look.

Too busy to come into the store? Stylists will go to a clients office to accommodate schedules.

Mens behavior in shopping has changed and their spending is increasing, according to a 2014 study by NPD Group, a consumer tracking service. The study found that total U.S. retail sales of mens apparel reached $60.8 billion in 2013, a 5% increase over the $57.8 billion generated in 2012.

Klein Epstein & Parker will host an event Dec. 1 at its Lido store with nonprofit Working Wardrobes, an Irvine-based organization that helps veterans and other adults dress for a return to the workforce. Customers may bring in a gently worn suit and receive a gift card.

Customers are hungry to be seen and heard, and we want you to make the call and well facilitate and guide you, Miray said.

Klein Epstein & Parker is at 3430 Via Lido, Newport Beach. For more information, call (714) 668-9008 or visit kleinepsteinparker.com.

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
Its OK to avoid the mall during Christmas or turn off your one-size-fits-all computer website. In fact, you probably will find some better gifts if you went to real-life shops with actual human beings.

To help you along, here are some alternative gift ideas. Think outside of the big box, and Im sure youll find these gifts unpredictable but fun  perhaps providing you with some Santa swagger.

10. Daiso Japan, 14280 Culver Drive, Irvine, daisojapan.com.

Its like a dollar store, only better. Most items are $1.50, with nothing costing much more than $10. A stocking-stuffer paradise, its also just a quirky, inexplicable gift store. Where else can you get those airline neck pillows for $3? The kicker here is that the fabric resembles a vintage 1970s shag carpet  in a good way.

9. Santa Monica Seafood, 154 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, smseafoodmarket.com.

Christmas is filled with fish stories, so why not join in? The ultimate fish source for restaurants throughout Southern California is Santa Monica Seafood, and stopping by the local retail outlet is like visiting the worlds oceans lined up in a display case. Since 1939, its been providing responsible seafood: wild opah from Fiji, loin-cut swordfish fillets from Costa Rica, wild Norwegian halibut. Gift cards are available starting at $10.

8. Gunthers Supply Co., 324 W. 4th St., Santa Ana, gunthers.co.

Its been suggested that Santa actually wears Red Wing boots  the classic Moc No. 875, to be exact. And it would make sense that he gets them in Santa  Ana. Enter Gunthers Supply. If you want solid and burly with a touch of flair  like a stout pork-pie, moss-green Brixton hat  then go to Gunthers. Boots are $260. The Brixton is $52.

7. Laguna Hills Nursery, 1829 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, lagunahillsnursery.com.

No, its not in Laguna Hills (it used to be). But thankfully this nursery is somewhere, because its a reminder of what a nursery is supposed to be: real, no-nonsense sustainability. Deciduous fruit trees? Check. Plants you can eat? Check. Humility? Check. If you want to decrease your carbon footprint, start in your own backyard. Take a course from owner Gary Matsuoka. Hell sort you out.

6. The Dragon and the Rose, 1636 E. Edinger Ave., Suite U, Santa Ana, thedragonandtherose.com.

If you find this place, you get bonus points. Its hidden in an industrial park, but that just adds to its eerie allure. Less like an actual store and more like a labyrinthine storage unit, the Dragon and the Rose is famous for its crystals. In fact, it has a monster citrine for $1,200 that allegedly helps you with success and mental clarity. If thats too pricey, there are hundreds of other crystals that are less expensive.

Also, the store claims to have the largest selection of Wiccan, pagan and metaphysical supplies in Orange County. I would not challenge that claim or you might mysteriously disappear in the labyrinth.

5. National Geographic Fine Art Galleries, 218 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, natgeofineart.com.

There are only four National Geographic Fine Art Galleries in the world, and one of them recently opened in Laguna Beach. Who doesnt like beautiful, stunning photography professionally mounted? Prices range from about $2,000 to $15,000.

4. EscapeX Rooms, 17911 Sky Park Circle, Suite C, Irvine, escapexrooms.com.

Get locked in a room for $30. Then put on your thinking cap and figure out how to get out. You have an hour. One of the hottest diversions right now is escape rooms. They are popping up in various industrial areas throughout Orange County. EscapeX Rooms offers the Murder Manor and Casino Heist.

3. Beach Cities Scuba, five locations (Cypress, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach), beachcitiesscuba.com.

If scuba diving is on your bucket list, dont wait for some future exotic vacation. Some of the best diving in the United States is right here in Southern California. And Beach Cities Scuba is a great place to get started. It offers certification classes year-round and help hooking up with local boat trips. For roughly $500, you can be certified and get your first dives under your belt. Remember, breathe and have fun.

2. Classic Mustang Rentals, 1745 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, classicmustangrentals.com.

Yes, you can rent fancy Ferraris and Lamborghinis in Newport Beach, but why not don your Steve McQueen leather gloves and drive a classic Mustang instead? Besides its a lot cheaper and less nerve-wracking. Prices start at $150 for four hours. No guarantee, however, that you will actually look like the actor while driving.

1. Charities. And the No. 1 gift suggestion is to give to local nonprofits.

Some options in Orange County include the Boys & Girls Clubs; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Goodwill; Second Harvest Food Bank; LGBT Center OC; Orange County armories (Santa Ana and Fullerton); and the Orange County Rescue Mission.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.
China issued its strongest condemnation yet of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, after he hinted his administration might toss aside four decades of U.S. policy recognizing Taiwan as part of China.

The countrys Foreign Ministry warned that any damage to that principle could rupture diplomatic ties. State media called him as ignorant as a child, and Chinese social media users upbraided the future leaders comments.

Geng Shuang, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, expressed serious concern and said that any change to this established policy could render cooperation between Washington and Beijing out of the question.

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We urge the U.S. leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, he said.

In just over a month, Trumps comments have cast uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Sino relations. His recent tweets accuse China of manipulating its currency, unfairly taxing American imports, and stoking tensions in the South China Sea. Trumps latest remarks, made Sunday on Fox News, came just a week after he broke with long-standing precedent and accepted a call from Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen.

Trumps brinkmanship with China comes at a time when the country has been growing increasingly assertive under President Xi Jinping.

There is nothing more dangerous than two thin-skinned bullies slugging each other, said Orville Schell, the director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society. I understand Trumps gut feeling that China shouldnt set the terms of the game when it comes to Taiwan. It is a natural human sentiment, but it is not good foreign policy. Trump is so unmodulated. He reacts viscerally in a way that can be very dangerous and destructive.

I understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, Trump said in the Fox News interview.

The one China policy dates to 1972, when then-President Richard Nixon met with Chinese leader Mao Tse-tung and enshrined the United States acknowledgment that Taiwan was part of China. The Communist Partys defeated rivals, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to the island in the 1940s and established their own anti-Communist government. Although Nixons agreement was something of a diplomatic sleight of hand since the United States would subsequently sell arms to Taiwan, it was enough for China and the United States to set aside their differences and build a relationship that now accounts for $600 billion in annual trade.

The fragile status quo has also allowed tourism and trade between Taiwan and the mainland to flourish, with Taiwanese companies like Foxconn making iPhones in China, and some 3.4 million mainlanders visiting Taiwan last year.

The one China policy is an agreement to disagree, said John Pomfret, author of The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom, a newly released book on the history of U.S.-Chinese relations. By throwing it under the bus, Trump is taking away the weak ballast that is holding the relationship together.

Last week, China flew a nuclear-armed bomber over a disputed boundary in the South China Sea. Analysts believed it was a display of displeasure over Trumps phone call with Tsai  a call that marked the first direct contact between a current or incoming American president since 1979, when the U.S. broke off formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of Beijing.

China watchers anticipate possible retaliatory action from Beijing. China conducted a series of missile tests in the Taiwan Strait in 1995 in reaction to a U.S. decision to grant a visa to Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to speak at Cornell University.

Beijing could also punish U.S. companies doing business inside China and withdraw its cooperation on international matters, such as relations with North Korea and Iran. But whatever measures Beijing takes are likely to harm Taiwan more than the United States, analysts said. Chinas tool kit for bedeviling America is limited. Where they do have leverage is over Taiwanese companies, by continuing to squeeze the international space for Taiwan, cutting tourism to Taiwan and scaring the hell out of the island with saber-rattling and war games, Pomfret said.

Carly Fiorina, a businesswoman who was one of Trumps rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, visited the president-elect Monday and told reporters afterward that they spent a fair amount of time talking about China as probably our most important adversary and a rising adversary.

Beijing shrugged off Trumps anti-China remarks during the campaign as the usual political rhetoric, but grew alarmed when Trump broke precedent and took Tsais telephone call.

Some viewed Trumps move as a political gaffe; others saw it as a definitive statement.

Trump told Fox News he knew about the Tsai call an hour or two in advance and that it would have appeared disrespectful not to take it. Why should some other nation be able to say I cant take a call?

Beijing at first lodged a formal protest about the conversation, but played down its significance.

That tone has started to change.

Its generally interpreted here that Trump wants to negotiate the basic agreements that touch upon Chinas most sensitive core interests, said Tong Zhao, a fellow at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing. The natural reaction is China will stand tough and signal strongly to Trump there is no room for renegotiation.

The state-run New China News Agency, in a Monday commentary, noted U.S. presidents have realized, sooner or later, the one-China policy allows no bargaining, and a deviation from the established policy pattern towards China leads to unwanted consequences.

In a less subtle editorial, the nationalistic Global Times urged China to launch a resolute struggle with Trump and denounced him for treating diplomatic issues like trade deals. Only after hes hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception, it said.

Comments on Chinese social media were even fiercer. Hes obviously a business man with no final line, only exchange of interests, one person wrote on Weibo, Chinas version of Twitter.

Hes nothing compared with Obama.

Special correspondent Meyers reported from Beijing and Times staff writer Demick reported from New York. Yingzhi Yang and Nicole Liu in The Times Beijing bureau contributed to this report.

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UPDATES:

5:35 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional context about the one China policy.

1:40 p.m.: This article has been updated with analyst remarks.

This article was originally posted at 7:20 a.m.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday that he has decided to accept an arms deal being offered by China under concessional terms, in the latest sign of cozying relations between the once-hostile neighbors.

Duterte said in a speech before troops that hell ask his defense secretary to send military officials to China to receive the firearms.

China is pressing me on the firearms, which are already there. Ill accept them. Theyre rushing it, Duterte said.

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We dont need to ask from others because theyre willing to give it, he said. This isnt free, but its actually a grant payable in 25 years.

He did not provide further details.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military is also considering purchasing sniper rifles from Russia, adding that the Philippine army and marines would undertake a study to see whether a deal could be forged. Lorenzana visited Russia last week on Dutertes order to meet defense officials, the first visit by a Philippine defense chief to Moscow since diplomatic ties were established in 1976, officials said.

If their sniper rifles are superior as they claim, we may decide to acquire, Lorenzana said. The army and marines will conduct tests and determine how many they may require.

Duterte reached out to China and Russia after taking office in June while assuming a hostile stance with the Obama administration after the latter criticized his deadly war on drugs.

The Philippines has heavily depended on the U.S., its treaty ally, for weapons, ships and aircraft for years, although it has turned to other countries for defense equipment as it struggled to modernize its underfunded military.

Under Dutertes predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, relations with China were strained over disputed South China Sea territories, especially after Aquino brought the disputes to international arbitration. China ignored the arbitration case and the eventual ruling in July, which invalidated Chinas sweeping territorial claims.
HENDERSON  Cold and flu season is officially here, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans catch about 1 billion colds every year.

Seven in 10 use over-the-counter medications to treat the symptoms. Many of these meds  from cough syrup and throat lozenges to nasal sprays  contain the common drug ingredient acetaminophen. Its safe and effective when used as directed, said pharmacist Dr. Leiana Oswald, but there is a limit to how much you can take in one day.

When the labels are not followed, when the warnings or precautions are not followed, there can be a risk, she said. A lot of patients dont realize that different products contain the same ingredients, and theres an opportunity to accidentally overdose.

Acetaminophen is found in more than 600 different over-the-counter and prescription medicines, and the CDC has said acetaminophen overdoses send an estimated 26,000 people to the emergency room every year. The overdose can be mild, from an upset stomach and feeling lethargic to very severe cases of liver failure.

The Food and Drug Administration has set a maximum daily dose of 4,000 milligrams in a 24-hour period, but Oswald said it isnt the same for everyone.

We know that for the regular, healthy adult, the FDA has approved up to 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen, she said, but depending on different disease states, depending on age  or for example, if someone may be pregnant  that amount of 4,000 milligrams could go down.

When giving these medications to children, said Oswald, an assistant professor of pharmacy at Roseman University of Health Sciences, its very important to get the right dosage. She recommended following the guidelines at KnowYourDose.org.
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
There are some events that are quite unseen unless observers do their job well, as for the large slice on Antartica's Ice Shelf recently seen in November; this kind of event should not be overlooked. For many years, the Earth has manifested a lot of changes that has indirectly and directly affected its inhabitants, as intelligent beings, there should be preventive measures. Because nature may have its own ways on how it will destroy mankind and living things as in the cases of flood, landslides, and avalanches.

In a recent report from Business Insider, Satellite images recovered have suggested that the rift on the ice started on 2011 and extended to 18 miles by 2015. Unfortunately, it is not getting any shorter as by a year after, 14 miles more were added making it 70 miles long, 300 feet wide and a mile deep. With its present capacity, it can reach twice the size of Rhode Island and this 1000 foot-thick iceberg is set to destroy Antartica's foreland all because of man-made global warming.

In November, a team from NASA's Operation IceBridge survey had already measured the expanse of the rift but to what extent it will chip off is still undetermined. Since this massive event is the third of its kind, glaciologist, and geophysicist, Joe MacGregor from the NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center will have to closely monitor its behavior in relation to the ice sheets and oceans. This huge bulk will eventually break off from the ice shelf and will travel through the oceans and melt, but the process will take a while given its size and structure.

Another phenomenon associated with the problems in Antartica is the decrease in sea ice extent which had a significant plunge last November. The Guardian reports that warm temperature and winds brought about by this man-made global warming dilemma have caused the sea ice to shrink by around 50,000 sq km around the Barents Sea. A chain of events from November 2013 may be connected wherein a large area of ice was removed from the Arctic supposedly not during the time when it should be growing.

For the winter season, the most, it is usually expected that Arctic sea ice will grow but these nature problems are arising due to the effects of human activities; activities that may be affected if nature will fight back.
In Japan, SoftBank Corp is releasing its very own Star Wars phone in magnificent pair. Deciding on which color to choose depends on the buyer's perspective.

According to Saigon Express, the new phones support such next bands as the 4G (AXGP): 2.5GHz and LTE 4G (FDD-LTE): 900MHz / 1.7GHz / 2.1GHz. Outside Japan, you can make use of the LTE 4G (FDD-LTE): 1.7GHz / 2.1GHz.

So, what can you expect from these Star Wars-themed devices? What factors should you consider in which unit to choose? Does the phone specs really worth your money?

Gadgets 360 reported about these phones' specs and other details you need to know to make the right choice for every Star Wars phone variant. These Sharp's creations come in dark and light editions.

Here are some of the fabulous Star Wars' features of these wonderful phone variants.

Wallpaper running live for the cockpit view from the X-wing or TIE fighter

Star Wars skinning across the GUI

Star Wars emoji from BBB to one-arm Luke

Movie player granting you access to dubbed and subtitled versions of Star Wars: The Force Awakens till Dec. 1, 2019 for those living in Japan

Rogue One figurines including a Death Trooper, U-wing fighter, Darth Vader, droid K-2SO and a Shoretrooper.

Other features are the alarm clock app, ringtones and sound effects, Star Wars: Force Collection mobile card game, wallpapers in a bunch and its luxury box.

The variants both have 5.3-inch full-HD IGZO display. It has 3GB RAM running in Snapdragon 820 processor. Its dual camera system includes 5-megapixel front camera and 22.6-megapixel rear camera involving a 4K video support.

These Star Wars-themed phones run on Android 6.0 mobile OS. It has huge storage capacity with 32GB on phone, and SD card up to 256GB. Its estimated weight is around 55g with 73mm  149mm  7.6mm (WxHxT) dimensions.

The phones are really cool with IPX5/IPX8 waterproofing capability. These make them truly Star Wars in everything!
The devastating quake in Japan in 2011 damaged a Fukushima nuclear reactor. However, the effect was also felt in the U.S as the radiation apparently reached the Pacific.

According to New York Post report, researchers discovered and collected a radioactive element called cesium-134 in seawater samples in Tillamook Bay and Gold Beach, Oregon. However, the levels of an isotope form called cesum-134 is still extremely low and don't harm humans and the environment. Ken Buesseler, a senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution also said people don't have to worry about swimming in and consuming fish from the West Coast.

Cesum-134 has also been known as the fingerprint of Fukushima.

In 2011, Japan was hit by a 9.0-Richter scale earthquake that killed hundreds of people. In addition, the quake also heavily damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The catastrophe discharged some radioactive isotopes - including the lethal products of cesium-137 and iodine-131 - that polluted the air and water. The radiation later spoiled the ocean.

However, for the first time, Cesum-134 was also spotted in a Canadian salmon, as reported by the Fukushima InFORM project. The research was led by chemical oceanographer Jay Cullen from the University of Victoria.

Samples from Oregon were obtained in last winter (January and February of 2016) and then were analyzed, quoted by Statesman Journal. Each measured 0.3 becquerels per cubic meter of cesium-134.

Previously, Buesseler and his colleagues spotted the isotope in a seawater sample taken from a dock on Vancouver Island, B.C.

While Cullen is in charge of the InFORM project to figure out radiological risk posed to that country's oceans as the impact of the nuclear disaster. InFORM project involves some academic government and non-profit institutions, including Woods Hole.

Cullen's team reported in summer of 2015 that a single sockeye salmon was contaminated by cesum-134. The salmon was taken from Okanagan Lake.

Based on this occurrence, researchers can conclude that it may take four to five years from the radiation to affect the U.S West Coast.
Long ago, when I was young and pretty stupid about the circle of life of farm animals I was given an important piece of advice, hard as it was to take. I was trying to raise four bummer lambs. They were the cutest fuzzy critters. Right up until the time one, two, three, four; all got the scours.

For those who dont know what the scours are, think mustard coming out of the business end of four bummer lambs, all at once. One got really sick and a rancher friend that was visiting from Spring Valley south of Ely, gruffly said to me, Trina, some of em make it and some of em dont. Well I showed himall four of my babies made it.

Since that day I have lost my fair share of animals. Dogs, cats, kittens, goose, sheep But I am here to tell you about a kittenthat died.

I told you about the advice I got, to tell you how I deal with dead animals. Big ones are buried. Tiny kittens are wrapped up and put in the dumpster. Usually weighing less than 4 ounces they are given as much respect as our 163 pound Newfoundland that passed away and was buried in our designated pet cemetery spot. But they are still wrapped up and put in the dumpster.

So about this one dead kitten. My other half found three little kittens living under a lilac bush and the momma cat had not returned to them in more than a few days, (no they were not the three little kitten who had lost their mittens) They were three blue eyed about 4 week old kittens. One black and two gray tabby.

Immediately they were on my radar to raise. But I decided to wait a few more days to make sure the momma was not coming back. The first night the black one died and I took care of it as noted above. Then I put out a box so the two left would have a warm place, placing the box under the lilac bush, in case the momma came back.

The next night the second one, the smaller of the two tabbies died and I took care of it as noted above. That left one. So I moved kitten, box and the bowl of food that I had by that time put out, over next to our house where we always have 6 or more cats hanging out. (I hate mice so there is always room for one more!) It was mid-September, the days were warm but the nights were a bit more than cool so I hoped our local cats would take care of the newbie.

I tucked the tiny 4 ounce thing in the box that evening and went to bed. Sadly the next morning the box was empty. I called, knowing that the kitten didnt even know it was a kitten and probably didnt know the difference between me hollering kitty, kitty or hollering scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs! But I called and looked around. I even went over to the lilac bush thinking that the momma came back, gathered up her youngster and went home. No cats were there. I looked in the cat house, the dog house, the box again... Then I saw it. Crouched along the steps to the deck-dead. I picked up the tiny thing and it was cold as an ice cube, blue eyes rolled back and little tongue hanging out the side of its tiny mouth showing tiny white teeth that would never devour a can of Friskies salmon and beef in gravy.

So I took care of if, as noted above. It was about 9 a.m.

Later in the day I took out the household trash. It turned out to be a warm fall day. I drag the garbage bag to the dumpster and make quite a noise doing it. As I got ready to throw the bag in the dark green dumpster I heard a noise and I stopped. Again I heard the noise. A very faint meek meeew. Oh great I thought, another orphaned kitten. I looked around and heard it againcoming from the bottom of the dumpster. Yes the dumpster! The bottom, where the bag was with the dead kitten in it. I said, kitty and I waited to see if I was in the Twilight Zone.

The bag moved just the tiniest bit. So I went head first dumpster diving and retrieved the bag. Opened it and there she was, cold as ice but as alive as you or me! I cross my heart that kitten was dead, frozen dead, no life! How could this be?

Stunned I took the quivering thing inside to my other half. We warmed her, marveled at her, and cried over her. It was amazing.

But---As we already have two inside cats we debated what to do with this one in a million newly named kitten, Happy. We couldnt put her back outside! So now our Christmas miracle outside cat lives inside.

Apparently He decided we needed one more in our family. Who are we to argue with that decision or the way it was presented to us? Merry Christmas miracles to you and your family and friends.
ELKO  Barrick Gold Corp. is moving Cortez Hills Mine into the future of the industry with a digital reinvention of mining.

The company announced in September that it partnered with Cisco to bring cutting-edge technology into the industry.

"We are proud to partner with Cisco to drive our digital reinvention," said Barrick's Executive Chairman John L. Thornton. "Harnessing the potential of digital technology will unlock value across our business, helping us grow our free cash flow per share. In so doing, we will make ourselves into a leading twenty-first century companyenhancing productivity and efficiency at our mines, and improving decision-making and performance across every area of our business. We mean to create value and push the boundaries of our industry in entirely new ways. Just as importantly, digital technology will allow us to reduce our environmental impact and be even more transparent with our local partnersespecially indigenous communities, local governments, and NGOs."

Cisco Executive Chairman John Chambers said, "We are going through the greatest technology and business transition everthe Digital Erawhich will dwarf the Information Era and the value of the Internet to date. Any company that fails to reinvent itself by harnessing digital technology will soon be left behind. Barrick has long been known for its focus on innovation, and with Cisco's advanced technologies and strategic network of partners, we can extend the frontiers of the natural resources industry."

What that means for miners on the ground, or under it, is more tools to complete their jobs more efficiently. For the last few months, Barrick has used the teams in Cortez and various contractors in a pilot program.

Rob Neitzel, project manager for digitization, said the company will change from an analog business to a digital one.

Barrick is in a very analog state with regards to their mining, either open pit or underground, Neitzel said. Right now our focus is at the underground because we can get a bigger value for that.

Neitzel said an analog type business has a plan, and a team to execute the plan, but once work is put in motion unexpected things can happen and that can slow down a project.

Seconds are going to add up to minutes" and minutes can add up to hours, he said. Any time wasted means it costs more to produce the gold from the mine.

During the process, a machine can break and this will change the priority of the project, Neitzel said. Right now, a shift supervisor has to go through the crew and check with each operator to see how the project is moving along, including if equipment needs to be fixed. Digitizing the underground will speed up this process.

Now imagine this, if I have full visibility of where everything is, where everybody is performing, and not only that but its linked to maintenance and supply chain, so when a bolter breaks I can make the immediate decision, how long is it going to be down, because I know if that part is on hand, he said. So instead of this happening sequentially, it happens simultaneously. Maintenance is alerted and supply chain management is already shipping the part over. So now -- that seconds to minutes  Im reducing what is now hours back down to minutes and I can put it back into operation.

However, technology is a tool that is only as good as the people who use it, Neitzel said. Normally when a company brings in new technology, the employees are given the new tools and told to use them  even if they dont know how to use it. Instead Barrick is doing an agile planning process, he said.

Were taking key steps, to the short interval control process and were asking our potential vendors  partners is really what were calling them  to give us a minimal viable product, Neitzel said.

The minimal viable product can be given to an operator and the employee can tell Barrick and the vendor what aspects work and what aspects dont to get the job done. Then modifications can be made to the technology to make it more efficient and get it back to the operator.

So instead of handing them an end-state product that may not get used, and then the vendors frustrated and were frustrated, we are now getting the direct input of the true operator at the face of the mine, and, is this a solution that is going to make a difference in those seconds that add up to minutes, Neitzel said. This is relatively new for all of us, both our vendor partners and ourselves. Its been a very healthy process. Our vendors have come in with a very benevolent attitude and a willingness to work with us.

The first stage was a discovery of what was needed to make an immediate impact for short interval control. Neitzel said vendors, including competitors, were willing to work together to put test products in the hands of operators. The upgraded equipment was tested for two weeks and then feedback was given to the companies for modifications.

Our vendors are getting true feedback from us, Neitzel said.  This is going to be a Barrick solution that has got the ability to tailor to the uniqueness of each mine, but were starting at Cortez as our test pilot.

Emrah Yalcin, Cortez process superintendent in tech services, said his area is a support group for operations and maintenance divisions. He looks at how jobs can be done more efficiently. The digitization will help automate the plants at the mine site.

The core of the project in process is to improve the productivity, to eliminate the variance, Yalcin said.

He said digitizing the process division will help eliminate the variance from one employee to the next in how they operate the plant. In the current system the operator has to watch what is happening in the plant and then make changes manually. In the new system, the operator will still observe and input parameters, but a computer will help the plant run at optimal levels.

Dave Yazzie, representing process division, said he is working on digitizing all of the work management streams.

Its taking work identification, planning and scheduling and execution and the feedback loop of all that and automating it and making it quicker, and more efficient and making it able to respond in real time, he said. Its also getting more information to our technicians hands in the field.

The grand vision is for employees being able to understand the health of the machine and maintaining equipment more efficiently.

For example, when a crew is working on a vehicle for preventative maintenance, they have to verbally tell the next crew what has been done on the vehicle because notes have been lost or left in the field. Yazzie said a digital system will help keep track of all the work done, so mechanic B isnt duplicating things mechanic A has already fixed. The new systems and technology will also help the machines tell the employees when things need to be fixed.

One of the money saving aspects of the program is that the life of parts will be tracked. Yazzie said when a mechanic is fixing equipment he or she may replace a part that still has life in it.

Right now our mechanics dont have enough information, he said. Theyre like, this thing has got to run for another 12 weeks, can I risk three-quarters of an inch of life left? Their gut feeling is always going to lead them towards replacing it. Well that part could be a $50,000 part that we just threw away at three-quarters of its life.

Ben Gunn, senior mine engineer, and Theo Kandawasvika, technical services in Cortez underground, said the upgrades in the underground mean automation and remote control of equipment. The underground will be measured and certain pieces of equipment will have radar to help guide it through the mine safely and more efficiently.

Gunn said the ultimate goal is to take the operator out of the underground and put the driver in an air conditioned room on the surface or even in an operating facility in Elko. He said a remote system would allow more time for mining and the miner wouldnt have to spend as much time getting to the mine and then driving down to the area to be mined.

Kandawasvika said the radars on the equipment, such as loaders, will also ensure the machines dont hit the ribs or sides of the tunnels underground while operating. He said human drivers sometimes hit the sides, but a computer aided program allows larger equipment to move more efficient through the mine.

Going back to that loader, with an automatic system that has an ability to scan its environment and understand its positioning, where it is relative to everything else around it, it operates faster, Kandawasvika said. It travels much, much faster than a human being can operate it. Weve seen some very good demonstrations of a loader that would travel upwards of 25 miles an hour in a very narrow heading because its computer controlled.

A human can safely operate a loader at about 14 mph.

You can fit larger machines in the same size headings because it has that guidance now, Gunn said.

The machine can also be programmed to head to a certain position with the touch of a button, rather than forcing the operator to drive it to particular areas.

The new system will also help with traffic patterns underground. Since underground areas are not set up for more than one vehicle to go through at a time, sometimes traffic jams occur and can delay operations.

As 2017 begins, Neitzel said he hopes operators will be doing extended solutions on the technology and the second quarter will be used to refine the processes and equipment. Then the digitization will be globalized, but locations will be prioritized.

When asked why digitization doesnt mean a loss of jobs, Neitzel said It isnt a loss of jobs, its reshaping your capability.
A trio from the Bronx brought 233 grams of heroin to an Allentown 7-Eleven, authorities said.

A confidential informant was working with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, however, and agents were waiting for Barulio Perez, Reina Encarnacion and Silvestre Evarisito.

The three were arrested Friday and charged with two counts each of possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance.

Each is being held in lieu of $1 million bail in Lehigh County Jail.

Agents said they learned a man known as "Moreno," later identified as Perez, was trafficking large amounts of heroin between New York and Allentown, and that a courier planned to make a delivery on Friday in Allentown.

Perez reportedly said he and a woman would be in a second car at the meeting place; agents believed this was so Perez could oversee the drug deal.

Perez changed the meeting place to a 7-Eleven at Front and Susquehanna streets, where two Toyota Camrys arrived, agents said. Perez and Encarnacion were in one, and Evarisito was in the other.

The informant went into Perez's car, then left the car and met with Evarisito outside the store, agents said. The pair went into the store, toward the back, where the informant received the heroin and then they both left, according to agents.

Evarisito went to Perez's car, and the informant went to his car, where agents got the 233 gram of heroin, authorities said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Bethlehem Township couple face drug and endangerment charges after using heroin and lying unresponsive as a 9-month-old baby "was screaming at the top of his lungs" in their apartment, according to police.

Jeremy M. Bridges (Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Jeremy M. Bridges, 31, and Jenna C. Corona, 24, were both taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem Township after the incident about 9 p.m. Friday at their home in the 1800 block of Sixth Street, just off Freemansburg Avenue, police wrote in court records.

Bridges was arraigned Saturday afternoon and sent to Northampton County Prison, while Corona had not been arraigned as of Monday afternoon on charges filed by township police.

The baby was taken into the custody of Northampton County Children and Youth Services, according to court records.

The incident unfolded after Corona's father, Mark Corona, went to the Sixth Street home because he'd been unable to reach his daughter since about 2:45 p.m. and was concerned for her safety. He went to the apartment, heard the infant crying non-stop inside and forced entry into the home.

Bridges and Jenna Corona were both unresponsive on the bed. Due to past drug history, Mark Corona told police he dialed 911, and EMS responders administered naloxone on Jenna Corona to reverse the effects of a suspected opiate overdose, court records say.

Bridges came to while authorities were on scene and was found in need of medical care for a probable overdose, as well, police said.

Police said they found garbage in all areas of the apartment, loose medication every few feet in each room, pills chopped down into powder and hypodermic needles on the floor and furniture; fruit flies swarmed in every room, and the baby's crib was found to be urine-soaked; bottles of food for the baby were curdled, and the baby was dirty and crying.

A neighbor told police the baby had been "screaming at the top of his lungs for an hour," court records say.

Jenna Corona reportedly told police she'd been using heroin but couldn't remember much more. Bridges filled in some of the gaps, saying he'd gotten a phone call at work from a man he didn't know, who relayed having just found Jenna Corona and the baby in a car on the side of the road, court records say.

The man, identified as Cory Jones, told police he saw Jenna Corona driving on Middletown Road in the township and veering into people's yards, records say. He confronted her and refused to allow her to continue driving with the baby in the car, police said.

Jones called Bridges, picked him up at ShopRite in the township and drove him to Middletown Road, police said. Bridges told police he drove Jenna Corona, who'd been using heroin most of the day, and the baby back to the apartment, where he used heroin as well and fell asleep before being awoken by police, records say. Police said they recovered used needles and a kit for using heroin from Bridges' jacket.

Bridges was arraigned Saturday afternoon before District Judge Richard Yetter III on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sent to the prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. Yetter agreed to 10 percent bail if approved by Northampton County Pre-Trial Services, but said Bridges must remain under county supervision if released on bail, including to have any contact with the baby, and must undergo random drug screens while remaining drug- and alcohol-free.

Jenna Corona faces the same charges.

Bridges faces a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled Dec. 20 before District Judge Patricia Broscius.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Lower Saucon Township man lost $1,000 in a phone scam, township police said.

Someone with the phone number 215-948-5023 and saying they were from AMG Associates called the victim on Friday, police said. The caller alleged they were attempting to settle a debt with Chase and North American national banks, police said.

The person offered to settle an $8,000 debt scheduled for Northampton County Court for $1,800, according to police. The victim offered $1,000 and they agreed on $1,000.99.

The victim gave the caller his bank account information and the money was taken out a short time later, police said.

"Through investigation it was confirmed that the entire operation was a scam which resulted in loss of money to the victim," police said.

Police remind people not to give out financial information over the phone without proper verification.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Pennsylvania State Police expect to wrap up their investigation into Friday's fatal officer-involved shooting in Forks Township within a week or two, the head of investigations at the Bethlehem barracks said Monday morning.

State police on Friday interviewed one of the five responding township officers and expect to talk to the other four on Monday, Lt. Joseph Sokolofski said.

Scott MacIntosh, 35, of Forks Township, was identified as the man fatally shot by township police on Dec. 9, 2016. (Facebook photo)

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek determined the death of Scott MacIntosh, 35, of the 500 block of Apple Blossom Road, was a homicide -- meaning Macintosh was killed by someone else. District Attorney John Morganelli brought in state police, an outside agency, to investigate.

Since it was a police officer who allegedly fired the shot that killed MacIntosh, troopers will "try not to show any bias" toward law enforcement, Sokolofski said.

A family member had alerted authorities that MacIntosh was a danger to himself and police recovered a machete and firearm that Macintosh had during the approximately 4:30 p.m. incident outside his home, Sokolofski said.

While a neighbor heard two shots, Macintosh was hit just once, Lysek ruled. The investigation will determine if more than one shot was fired and who fired it, township police Chief Greg Dorney said.

"Those questions will eventually be answered by DA Morganelli," Dorney said in a text, declining to comment further while the state police probe is underway.

The officer who shot Macintosh is on administrative duty, Dorney said. The officer's name has not been released.

Macintosh was having a "psychological episode" before police were called, Sokolofski said, relying on early statements on Friday from the district attorney.

When asked if this was a potential "suicide by cop" incident, Sokolofski said, "For someone that is ready and able to take his own life, there's no predicting what they might do."

Sokolofski said it's a "testament to police" that in "thousands of interactions" with people, officers so seldom fire their weapons.

But state police at Bethlehem have been brought in about once a year in recent years to investigation police-involved shootings in the region, he said.

"Obviously, the goal is not to use lethal force," Sokolofski said, but sometimes it can't be avoided.

Troopers will "track down any leads" and "everybody involved has been cooperative" so far in the Macintosh probe, he said.

Friends and family mourned Macintosh, who worked as a personal body guard and in security, according to his obituary. Services are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton. He is survived by three sisters and a brother.

Once the investigation is concluded, state police will report to Morganelli and the district attorney will determine if the use of lethal force by police was justified.

In the 2013 killing of Richard Scheuermann III in Easton, since the officer involved was also tied to the county's drug task force, Morganelli decided to have the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office make the determination instead of his office. After some time, the attorney general decided deadly force was justified.

Morganelli early on Monday said he didn't yet know the officer's identity, so he couldn't say if there was a conflict. But Dorney said the officer is not involved in the drug task force or any district attorney's office committees.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bush Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor veteran Aaron Cook, 94, of Houston, puts on his cap during a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor at the George Bush Presidential Library on Dec. 7, 2016, in College Station, Texas. (Dallas Morning News photo via AP)

Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, became a date that left an indelible mark on the American memory. At 7:55 a.m., naval and air forces of the Japanese Empire conducted a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

This attack left 21 U.S. ships sunken or damaged and approximately 3,500 naval and military personnel killed or wounded. That's why it was so important that on Dec. 7, 2016, the 75th anniversary of the attack not be forgotten.

A resolution introduced in the year 2000 urged the creation of the annual National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, during which the flag would fly at half-staff. Through the efforts of many organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, this observance became a reality. Congress amended Public Law 103-308, creating National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

On Dec. 5, 2001, President George W. Bush proclaimed Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and urged all federal agencies, interested organizations and individuals to fly the flag at half-staff every Dec. 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Our nation should remember the men and women who fought and gave their lives on "a day that will live in infamy," as President Roosevelt called it.

Joseph L. Iak, of Washington in Warren County, entered the Navy in 1938, after graduating from Washington High School. He perished on Dec. 7, 1941, while serving on the USS Arizona. His name is engraved on the wall of the Warren County War Memorial in Belvidere.

Leo F. Becker

White Township

Historian, Carl D. Archer American Legion Post No. 528
Snow turned to sleet and freezing rain overnight in the Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey, but with warming temperatures, a melt through rush hour was expected, authorities said.

A winter weather advisory was in place until 9 a.m., the National Weather Service said.

Many schools in Monroe County declared two-hour delays hours before dawn, according to WFMZ's page.

Just before 5 a.m., Hackettstown School District announced a 90-minute delay. Allentown, Alpha, Bangor Area, Belvidere, Catasauqua Area, East Penn, Easton Area, Harmony Township, Lopatcong Township, Pen Argyl Area, Nazareth Area, North Warren Regional, Northampton Area, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh, Parkland, Phillipsburg, Pohatcong, Salisbury Township, Saucon Valley, Southern Lehigh, Warren Hills, Washington, White Township, Whitehall-Coplay and Wilson Area school districts added two-hour delays.

Allentown Central Catholic, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem Vo-Tech, Career Institute of Technology, Mansfield Township School, Notre Dame High School, Oxford Central School, Moravian Academy and Warren Tech also had two-hour delays.

Bloomsbury, Greenwich Township and Washington Township (Warren County) were in 90-minute delays, WFMZ said.

Northampton Community College set a 10 a.m. opening, while Warren County Community College is starting at 11 a.m. and Lehigh Carbon Community College was in a 90-minute delay.

We'll update if other schools join in.

Superior Court in Warren and Hunterdon counties won't open until 10 a.m.

Roads were snow-covered at 4 a.m. in Monroe County, a supervisor said from the county emergency dispatch center. But most other places in the Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey had slippery roads from ice, authorities said.

Meteorologists at WeatherWorks in Hackettstown said road conditions should improve from south to north during rush hour. Most temperatures had risen to 32 or above by 4:30 a.m. in Warren County, Rob Reale said. Outside of a few "trouble spots," rain was falling, he added. Places at elevation in the Lehigh Valley could lag other locations in going to all rain and clearer roads, Joe Martucci said.

There were no major traffic problems before 5 a.m., emergency dispatchers and state police on both sides of the Delaware River said.

"PennDOT's out. They keep passing the building. So we know they're out," a dispatch supervisor said in Monroe County.

At that hour, Interstate 80 West and Interstate 380 north and south in Monroe County had a speed limit of 45 mph. Other area highways in the Lehigh Valley did not have restrictions in place.

A dispatcher in Lehigh County said it was a little slippery there, while New Jersey State Police at Hope said there was sleet and freezing rain before dawn, but the trooper didn't expect that to keep drivers off the road.

"You know how people are," he said.

A crash was reported at 5:05 a.m. on Interstate 80 East near Exit 19 in Allamuchy Township, the New Jersey Department of Transportation said. The left lane was closed until just before 5:30 a.m., when the crash was cleared.

A crash involving two tractor-trailers and a minivan injured four people and shut the Pennsylvania Turnpike in both directions about 4 a.m. between Breezewood and Carlisle in central Pennsylvania, the turnpike commission said. Detours were in place, the commission said. The eastbound lanes reopened at 6:30 a.m., pennlive.com reported. It was fully reopened just after 11 a.m., the commission said.

Katherine B. Franco, 33, of Easton, and her three passengers avoided injury at 5:37 p.m. Sunday when the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt they were in spun out on a snow-covered road in Penn Forest Township, Monroe County, and hit a tree, Pennsylvania State Police at Lehighton said in a news release.

Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast reported a few minor crashes but nothing major and state police at Fogelsville said there was only one minor crash before 4:30 a.m.

"Everything's quiet," a trooper at the Bethlehem barracks said about 4:30. There was salt on the major roads, the trooper said. "It's the stuff that's not taken care of you have to watch," the trooper added.

A trace of snow was recorded Sunday at Lehigh Valley International Airport while spotters recorded 1.5 inches in Barrett Township, Monroe County, and 0.6 of an in Forks Township.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Dec. 10

James R. Blake, 30, of Elko was arrested at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital for attempted murder. Bail: $100,000.

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Todd S. Collins, 54, of Spring Creek was arrested on Lamoille Highway for driving under the influence of alcohol. Bail: $1,140.

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Dean R. Copling, 23, of Spring Creek was arrested on Lamoille Highway for driving under the influence of alcohol; driving without the headlights illuminated; possessing a gun while under the influence; having an open alcohol container in the vehicle; driving with a suspended drivers license; and on an NCJIS detainer. Bail: $3,630.

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Tyson W. Quanstrom, 30, of Elko was arrested on Court and Fifth Street for a third offense of driving under the influence and not having the headlamps illuminated when required. Bail: $20,115.
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Two men who orchestrated a sham marriage scam have been jailed.

Wilson Odume (45), a Cameroonian national, and Martin Okoko (31), a Nigerian national, organised bogus weddings in an attempt to by-pass immigrations rules.

The marriages between Hungarians, Nigerians and Cameroonians took place in Gretna and Leicester between 2007 and 2012.

Odume also took part in a fake marriage of his own in order to gain residency in the UK.

Sarah Knight, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court the pair were caught following an inquiry by Immigration Enforcement Criminal Investigations officers, which began when intelligence was received that Okoko was arranging sham marriages from a shop he ran in Woodgate, Leicester.

There were also separate reports from registrars in Gretna of suspicious marriages involving individuals from the Leicester area.

At the end of a six week trial, a jury found Okoko, of Aikman Avenue, New Parks, Leicester, guilty of two offences of assisting unlawful immigration and Odume, of Loughborough Road, Leicester, of three counts.

Odume was jailed for five years, and Okoko for four years.

The court heard that the two men sourced Hungarian 'brides' and 'grooms' for bogus weddings, and arranged for them to fly to the UK to take part.

The prosecution related to four sham weddings.

Miss Knight said the marriages were later used as the basis for applications for leave to remain and work in the UK, and the pair produced and supplied fake paperwork such as payslips and employer references to support the applications.

Individuals were charged a minimum of 3,000 for the sham services.

Judge Robert Brown said: "There's very real and understandable public concern over breaches in immigration law."

He said the organisers committed the scam for "pure greed", but said Okoko, who saw it as an opportunity to make money when his business was failing, was "slightly lesser involved than Odume".

Odume qualified as a doctor in Nigeria and a reference praising his former work at Leicester Royal Infirmary was read out in court.

Two brides and a groom involved in taking part in the weddings were also sentenced for one count each of assisting in unlawful immigration.

Kelechi Osuchukwu (36), formerly of Kelvin Road, Walsall, a Nigerian national, failed to attend court for his trial and was convicted and sentenced in his absence to three years imprisonment. A warrant was issued for this arrest and the judge said he faced a consecutive term for absconding.

Mother-of-one Blandine Tietchem (31), a Cameroon national, of Millwood Close, off Thurcaston Road, Leicester, who was a nurse in a Leicester-based intensive care unit, wept as she was jailed for two years, having been convicted by the jury.

Hungarian national Ramona Horvath (25), of no fixed address, who is due to give birth in February, pleaded guilty and gave evidence during the trial for the prosecution.

She was given an eight month sentence.

The judge said they all faced deportation.

In mitigation, counsel said those who paid for a sham wedding had been trying to remain in the UK to obtain work and have a better life.

Afterwards, Andy Radcliffe, from Immigration Enforcement Criminal Investigations, said: "Our main aim is to identify the organisers, like Odume and Okoko, who profit from  and fuel the demand for  sham marriages, destroy their criminal business and put them behind bars.

"The Home Office is taking strong action to crack down on sham marriages and this was a thorough and successful investigation by our team of specialist investigators.

"Our message could not be clearer  we will not tolerate immigration abuse and offenders will be dealt with."

A sham marriage or civil partnership typically occurs when a non-European national marries someone from the European Economic Area as a means of attempting to gain long-term residency and the right to work and claim benefits in the UK."

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit here.
A newly-married Naas couple have appealed for the return of a stolen wedding ring.

The engraved ring, along with several other items, was taken during a robbery at their home at Aylmer Park in Naas on Saturday, December 10.

The mans white gold ring was engraved with the words Petra & John 10.6.2016, which are the couples first names and the date of their wedding.

Petra, who does not want their surname to be made public, described the terrible shock when she discovered the robbery. Her husbands ring was not being worn, as it had come loose and was due to be resized, and was not insured.

They couple believe the theft took place between 9am, after they both departed for work, and 11.30am, after which time neighbours were present in the vicinity and did not see any suspicious activity. The robbery was not discovered until the husband returned from work at 8.30pm. It is believed the thieves entered the house by the back door.

Petra and John are desperate to recover the wedding ring, ahead of their first Christmas together as a married couple.

The shock was terrible when John called me, and then I saw the mess and missing things, said Petra.

A mans Festina watch (in white gold with red decoration) was also taken, along with several Christmas presents, including mens clothing in shopping bags. The brands of clothing taken were from TK Maxx, Arnotts, Penneys, Peacocks, and Diesel.

The stolen watch

Also taken was a pink travelling beauty case, containing a quantity of valuable new make-up, including eyeshadows, blushers and brushes, which Petra uses for her work as a beautician. Dermacol, Da Vinci and 'Make Up Me' products were among the brands taken.

I had a few appointments for make-up and I cant keep those because I have lost it all, said Petra.

A bottle of gin and some non-alcoholic drinks were also taken in the robbery.

The couple is appealing to anyone who sees the jewellery or clothing being sold locally to come forward. They are prepared to offer a small cash reward for information leading to the return of the wedding ring.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884300.
HISTORIC documents relating to Castletown House, the British monarchy and Elizabeth 1 are to be transferred to the Office of Public Works this Thursday at Dublin Castle.

The documents, a collection of maps, grants, seals and royal letters of patent and containing the will of William Speaker Conolly, were discovered in a skip on Fitzwilliam Square, almost 40 years ago, by three friends out walking.

The OPW told the Leader that the documents have not yet been conserved and are unlikely to be in a condition to permit access by the public for a number of years. It is hoped that in time they will be made available to researchers and historians.

The OPW said no monetary value has been assigned to the documents.

The OPW confirmed a report in the Irish Times (December 12), which described the documents as a significant historical find including grants of land bearing the royal seals of Elizabeth I, kings George I, James I and Charles I.

The newspaper reported that three men Robert Maharry, Richard Gorman and Ruary O Siochain located the documents after examining a skip at the Fitzwilliam Square, sometime between 1977-83.

They came across a metal chest bearing the name of Capt Edward Michael Conolly of the Royal Artillery, and the address Castletown.

Papers in the box appeared to relate to land deals associated with Castletown, in Celbridge, and Leixlip Castle, also in Co Kildare, and other estates, but the men did not immediately investigate the contents fully.

The boxes were moved to Mr Maharrys home and remained in his possession.

Appreciating there may be some historical interest in the content of the boxes, they removed the boxes for safe-keeping to Mr Maharrys home.

Last year Mr Gorman, an artist, was looking for locations for international fashion house, Hermes, because his paintings would form a backdrop to a photo shoot.

He contacted Mary Heffernan of the Office of Public Works (OPW) about using Castletown.

Noticing the unusual spelling of the family name Conolly, he told Ms Heffernan about the chest. The material was taken to the OPW this year and examined by Dr Myles Campbell

He catalogued more than 160 documents including maps, an illuminated script from the deed of settlement of William Conolly of Castletown dated 1705 and royal letters of patent issued by King George I featuring the kings portrait.

The royal seal of Queen Elizabeth I was in the box and had a royal document affixed and dated 1578; this was a grant of land in Co Kildare from the British monarch.

The seal of King Charles I was also affixed to a document, ostensibly a grant of land in Leixlip, dating from the 1630/40s.

A further royal seal, a grant of land at Castletown  possibly to a member of the Fitzgerald family  and bearing the seal of King James I of England/VI of Scotland, was dated 1625.

The OPW confirmed is aware of one letter from Queen Elizabeth I that bore the royal seal which was sold in London in recent years for stg340,000.

The OPW says it would not be possible to put a price on heritage value of the original manuscripts and detail it provides.

Much relates to the business dealings of William Conolly who was speaker of the Irish House of Parliament and a commissioner of the revenue from 1715 to his death in 1729.

Conolly was a serial buyer and seller of lands particularly around the Williamite transfers the confiscations by the crown of lands belonging to supporters of King James II, in the wake of the Glorious Revolution and the accession of William and Mary in 1688-89, and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Conolly was reputed to be the wealthiest man in Ireland when he died.

Among his buys was a stg12,000 for 809 acres including Leixlip in 1728, together with other properties in Dublin.

He brought 2,300-acre property at Castletown in 1709 from Thomas Dongan, 2nd Earl of Limerick.
Two men from Leitrim are two company founders of an app that has just landed a contract with The University of Manchester to develop a wellbeing mobile application for the institutions 40,000 students and 10,000 staff members.

StudyBundles, which was founded by two Leitrim men, Declan Sweeney from Kiltyclogher and John O'Hagan from Manorhamilton along with Daniel Hinkley is headquartered at IT Sligos Innovation Centre, also has an office in Manchester, less than a mile from the Universitys Oxford Road campus.

The innovative new software will utilise the latest native app technologies, building on the success of StudyBundles established CampusConnect product, which is already helping boost student enrolments for a number of leading Irish universities.

The company has also just signed a new contract to provide the CampusConnect app at Limerick IT and recently renewed its deals with the University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Letterkenny IT. StudyBundles is currently in talks with several other UK and Irish institutions on providing them with CampusConnect.

This is a huge success story for a small Irish firm and both businessmen are back living in Leitrim.

More details on their impressive success in Wednesday's Leitrim Observer paper.
A new report which provides an overview of the 4,300 facilities providing childcare services across Ireland shows that the average weekly cost of a full time place in a childcare facility in Leitrim is 152.67.

Nationally, the report shows that Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown had highest childcare costs in the State with a weekly average fee of 213.94 for a full-time place, while Co Monaghan was the least expensive with a weekly rate of 142.14. The national average is 167.03 per week.

Overall, between September 2015 and June 2016, 73,964 children enrolled in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free preschool year. This represents an increase of 13% on the previous year and increased expenditure on the scheme by 28%,up to 178 million.

It is estimated that 25,700 staff work in the childcare sector, half of which are employed on a part-time basis.

The report was compiled and prepared by Pobal and launched by Katherine Zappone, TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

To supplement the report, Pobal have developed a range of interactive dashboards. These dashboards reflect a range of topics covered in the report and allow readers, for the first time, access data and information at county level based on the following topics.
The year 2017 will be a remarkable year for the people of Knock and the Irish diaspora in New York as plans are underway at Knock Shrine to lead a group out from Ireland West Airport to New York next May.

For the last two years, Knock Shrine and Ireland West Airport has welcomed pilgrimages in from New York and Boston and will now have the privilege of bringing the people of Knock and the West and North West of Ireland across the waters for a special and historically unique, 6-day trip which will be led by Fr. Richard Gibbons, P.P., Rector, Knock Shrine. The primary purpose of the visit is to have the remains of John Curry, the youngest person to witness the Knock Apparition of 1879, re-interred from the current location at Pine Lawn Cemetery, Long Island to St. Patricks old Cathedral, New York.

John Curry was just five years old when he, along with fourteen others witnessed a miraculous phenomenon at the gable wall of the Parish Church. Little did he know at that time what life would bring his way, however he like many others at the time left Ireland for New York where he remained until his death in 1943.

The remains of John Curry will be brought to old St. Patricks Cathedral, Manhattan on Saturday 13th May where a special requiem Mass will be celebrated. It is a great honour bestowed by the Archbishop of New York for Knock Shrine and for John Currys family to have his remains transferred to the historic centre of the Irish.

Packages for this special trip will be available to book shortly through well known Irish Tour Operator, Joe Walsh Tours by calling 01 241 0800.

Fr. Richard Gibbons, P.P., and Rector of Knock Shrine commented, I am delighted and looking forward to leading this historic trip to New York next May. The significance of the visit is two-fold in that it will recognise John Currys place as a witness and native of Knock and also pay tribute to others like him, the forgotten Irish who faced the desolation of leaving home never to return. This unique trip will give the people of the region an opportunity to take part in a special trip flying out from Ireland West Airport to New York and take in the various sights and places of significance and to be part of something very unique and special.

Welcoming the announcement, Joe Kennedy, Chairman, Ireland West Airport, said We are delighted to welcome the announcement of yet another historic service with Aer Lingus to New York in 2017, which is yet another milestone in the relationship between the airport and Aer Lingus. This follows on from the hugely successful charter programmes from New York in 2015 and Boston in 2016 and further highlights the possibilities of pilgrimage growth and the strategic importance of Ireland West Airport to the future of Ireland's National Marian Shrine.
Dec. 9

Brian E. Adams Jr., 25, of Elko was arrested at 976 Wolf Creek Road for displaying bogus vehicle registration, plates or title and driving with a suspended drivers license. Bail: $710.

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Karen Lester, 55, of Carlin was arrested in the Elko County Jail for battery. Bail: $1,140.

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Kyle D. Leyva, 23, of Spring Creek was arrested on the Errecart Bridge for a pedestrian failing to walk on a provided sidewalk along the road. Bail: $115.

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Brian E. Pilimai, 36, of West Valley, Utah was arrested at Montego Bay for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime and trespassing not amounting to burglary. Bail: $1,849.
Whether you are for or against our actions on tuition fees, we cant pretend its not still an open wound for us. Its an elephant in the room when talking to non-Lib Dems and when discussed between Lib Dems it leads to a row. The irony is that this all happened whilst higher and further education are in their death throes.

The current model of a child attending school, then choosing whether to enter the workforce until retirement at that point or to take a few years of higher education first, then never attending education for the rest of his/her life, will be archaic.

This week The Daily Mail took a break from bashing immigrants, judges or spinning the What Can Give You Cancer wheel and turned its attention on the threat posed by robots ROBOTS TO STEAL 15M OF YOUR JOBS their headline roared. Their headline isnt wrong  whether its 15 million, 5 million or one in 11 jobs many of the jobs humans do today will soon be automated by, for want of a less sci-fi description, robots. And, as the limitations of and the cost to produce these robots lowers, the more common they will become. We need to adapt to this.

Over the past 30-40 years the amount of careers available to people who enter the workforce without a higher education has reduced dramatically, with more people being accepted into universities and the ICT revolution of the 1990s seeing many low-skilled jobs move overseas  this, I would argue, has led to the rise of the anger against globalisation amongst the white working class. A generation ago you could leave school, find a decent career  working your way up the ladder until retirement. This career narrative is now on the endangered list and robots will knock it into extinction.

The rage against globalisation is perfectly valid, however the reaction  Trump, Brexit, Corbyn  isnt. Putting up trade barriers and enforcing state interference in our markets is prescribing a 20th century medicine for a 21st century illness. Trump might bring back jobs to the USA, but those wont be performed by humans.

Having a few A Levels or a degree wont protect you from the rise of the machines. Most (58.8%) graduates are in non-graduate roles, many at risk of automation.

Technology is reshaping our lives. Game-changing innovations are released daily. At university I learnt about TV production. We used state-of-the-art cameras, new editing software and specialist hardware such as vision mixers. Within five years of graduating, those vision mixers were antiques, the editing software had been updated beyond recognition and the cameras were collectors items.

The skills we learn and the jobs we do could become obsolete within years. We have two options; become Luddites, rally against innovation and vow to Make Britain Great Again or we can embrace the change.

The Liberal Democrats need to stop rowing about how we fund Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) and start rowing about how we fund LE (Lifetime Education). Whether this is a state-funded project or something we incentivise employers to fund or something that the individual has to pay for or a mixture of all three  this is a conversation we need to have. We need a population that is not just resilient to a robot-dominated economy, but a population that thrives in it.

Today, retraining or gaining qualifications off of your own back costs time and money, which we dont have. Some employers pay for training but there needs to be more regular topping up of peoples knowledge. A doctor doesnt complete five years of medical training and then believe that the way they will perform their job will ever change from the point they graduate.

Established workers need to have the means available to them to completely retrain, as very few of us can expect an industry, let alone a job, for life. Were on the cusp of the dawn of driverless vehicles. Taxi drivers, HGV drivers, bus drivers  all of these jobs are on the verge of being consigned to the history books, there needs to be provisions in place to soak up these millions who will be out of work.

There will always be a place for the Oxfords and Cambridges but we cannot kid ourselves that the current model, where the population stops learning in the first quarter of their lives prepares us for the final three quarters.

Only by owning the issue of Lifetime Education can we become the party that fights Trump and Corbyns hatred of human progress. The robots wont take our jobs, but they will change what our jobs are. Lets reform our tertiary education system to prepare us for the future and then we can all fall out about who pays for its fees.

* Charles Lawley is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Chapel & Hope Valley in the Derbyshire County Council Elections in 2017. He works for a humanitarian aid NGO.
UNIVERSITY of Limerick and UL Hospitals Group have teamed up with the Ghana Health Service with the aim to drive education projects and to reduce preventable deaths in the remote African nation.

The three-body partnership is called Friends of Ghana, and a key person in the group is UL Graduate Entry Medical Student, Kelly Hadfield, who is also the founder of the Ghana Medical Help NGO. GEMS foundation head, Prof Paul Finucane, who is the chair of the partnership, said that the 2nd year student is our conduit in what we are hoping to achieve.

Prof Finucane said that by west African standards, Ghanas health service performs well and that life expectancy there had risen from 46 when it got independence in 1957 to 61 today. However, he added that this was done with very meagre resources.

Kelly said that poverty and geographic isolation can be barriers to families requiring urgent health services in Ghana. Kelly recalled one heart-breaking case in which a low birth weight baby had died because the family could not raise the two dollars needed to travel to hospital.

Minimising preventable deaths is what angers me the most and they are occurring every day in this region. This whole programme is about empowering locals to stop as many preventable deaths as possible. Right now, the healthcare workers who are the backbone of the service, the rural nurses at pre-hospital community level, have zero training for basic resuscitation skills or for managing trauma. And this is where the Friends of Ghanacan help, she explained.

Katie Sheahan, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, who is active with an NGO in Kenya, announced the Gig for Ghana charity gig, which will take place at Strand Hotel on February 9.

The charity has already been donated the proceeds of the UL Hospitals staff charity cycle that took place during the summer.

UL Hospitals Group CEO Colette Cowan said that they are confident they can make a difference in Ghana.
PROFESSIONAL services firm EY has opened a new riverside office in Limerick city, with the aim of doubling its workforce over the coming years.

EY  part of the Ernst & Young global organisation  currently employs 50 at its city operation, and hopes to double that by 2020.

The firm has moved to an expanded office space  730 sq metres  at Riverview House, Harveys Quay, which was opened by finance minister Michael Noonan last week.

He said: I welcome the announcement by EY of the opening of their new premises. EY have contributed greatly to Limericks business environment for a number of decades and they are now looking to continue that relationship.

This new office will benefit the current and future employees, it will also help this successful firm to grow their contribution to businesses around Limerick. Its great to see yet another company choosing to locate in Limericks vibrant city centre. I wish EY great success with this move to their new offices, he added.

EY has been present in Limerick since 1980, at various locations in the city, and says its latest move to Harveys Quay follows continued growth in the region.

Limerick-based Tax Partner, John Heffernan said: We pride ourselves on our strong commitment to supporting the interests of our city and region by working closely with local bodies and the Limerick Chamber so are delighted to announce our new expanded presence in the city.

The energy and vibrancy of Limericks growing city centre is second to none so as a team, we look forward to making ourselves at home here and continuing to offer our clients the highest level of service in our new state-of-the-art surroundings, he added.
DOZENS of Limerick residents were forced to evacuate their homes last night due to a bomb scare.

According to locals at the scene, an explosive device was discovered near William Street and Friary Court in Askeaton, which left the residents stranded outside between around 10:30pm and 2:30am.

All William Street was evacuated and a lot of the houses on Friary Court, said one resident.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces confirmed: "In the early hours of the morning, an Army Bomb Disposal Team rendered safe a viable Improvised Explosive Device near Askeaton, Co Limerick."

"The Defence Forces deployed the Army Bomb Disposal Team on request from An Garda Siochana, after the device was found. A cordon was established in the surrounding area and a number of houses were evacuated to ensure the safety of the residents.

"The Army Bomb Disposal Team arrived at 1.30am and rendered the device safe at the scene. The scene was declared safe at 2.15am.

"Material of an evidential nature was handed over to An Garda Siochana to assist them with their investigation," added the spokesperson.
LIMERICK raised actress Ruth Negga has been nominated for a Best Actress award in the Golden Globes alongside four other Hollywood heavyweights.

This is Negga's first nomination for a Golden Globe award for her role in the much-lauded film Loving.

The 74th Golden Globe Awards ceremony will take place on January 8 next at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

She has been shortlisted alongside Amy Adams (Arrival), Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane), Isabelle Huppert (Elle), and Natalie Portman (Jackie).

Negga was also in the running to receive a Critics Choice award in California last night, but it was claimed by Portman for her portrayal of Jackie Onassis Kennedy in the biopic of her life after President John F Kennedy's assassination.

Negga, who is a hot tip for a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars, has also recently been featured on both the covers of US Vogue and the New York Times magazine.

Both publications, which carry huge influence, released images of the front covers of their forthcoming publications last week, with acclaimed fashion photographer Marion Testino shooting her for fashion bible Vogue.

It's certainly a long way from Dooradoyle  where most of her family are based  for the 34 year-old former star of Love/Hate.

Among her cousins in Limerick is Peter Malone, who has played rugby with Bruff, St Munchin's, Garryowen, Munster, and who is now Munster Rugby's elite player development manager.

Ruths mother Nora now lives in London, after moving from Limerick, and there are five aunts and uncles from the Dooradoyle Road, and even more cousins.

Negga, an only child, was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she lived until she was four.

Her mother was working in Ethiopia as a nurse when she met Ruth's father. Sadly, he died in a car accident when she was just seven.

She went to national school in Roxborough, and later spent part of her secondary school at Scoil Carmel on OConnell Avenue, before moving to London and completing her drama studies at Trinity College Dublin.

Her breakout role was in Neil Jordans 2004 film Breakfast on Pluto, followed by Ophelia at the National Theatre, the Misfits TV series on E4, and she also played Shirley Bassey in the BBC2 production Shirley.

Natalie Portman also recently praised Negga, describing her as a rare, powerful talent.

In the film Loving, Negga stars alongside Joel Edgerton in Jeff Nichols' civil rights drama, which is based on the true story of a Virginia couple who were jailed for their interracial marriage in the sixties.

The couple battled before the Supreme Court in 1967 for their right to live together as husband and wife.
Pablo Picasso, arguably the 20th centurys most famous painter, created one of his most famous paintings, Guernica, at the request of the government of Spains Second Republic for the Paris International Exhibition of 1937, at the height of the Spanish Civil War.

Initially, Picasso, who was based in Paris at the time, wasnt sure what to paint, but after the bombing in April 1937 of Guernica, a small, undefended and strategically unimportant town in the Basque Country by German and Italian planes, he began work on a 3.5 meter by 7.8 meter canvas, using only shades of black and grey, filled with agonized people and animals whose symbolic charge has stood the test of time, turning the painting into one of the most admired and loved works of art in the world.

It could be said the painting was born during a profound personal crisis for Picasso Reina Sofia director Manuel Borja-Villel

With the 80th anniversary of the painting coming up, and the 25th anniversary of its controversial move to the Reina Sofia in Madrid approaching, the contemporary art gallery is preparing a major exhibition for 2017. The project is titled Piety and terror in Picasso: The road to Guernica and is being curated by British art historian and writer T.J. Clark, who argues the paintings germination took place long before Picasso learning of the bombing in the Basque Country.

For Clark, the origins of the work can be dated back to the 1920s after Picasso turned 40. By that time, he was already a successful and respected artist who had dazzled audiences with works such as The Young Ladies of Avignon, but he was also deeply affected by the destruction of World War I, while his private life was proving difficult to manage as he negotiated relationships with three different women: his wife Olga Khokhlova; his lover Marie-Therese Walter; and his latest muse Dora Maar.

The 2017 exhibition in Madrid  to be held from April 4 to September 4  will be a major review centered on four main themes, with Guernica as the protagonist. The history of the painting will be told and the context in which it was created explained, as will the tale of the works odyssey and its eventual return to Spain. At the same time, the exhibition will highlight the latest theories about the painting.

At the center of the exhibition will be the room where the painting has been housed for the last quarter of a century, but an itinerant exhibit involving two trucks will focus on the Guernicas travels.

Reina Sofia director Manuel Borja-Villel says the 2017 event will be most comprehensive exhibition ever dedicated to the famous painting.

The Reina Sofia exhibition has its origins in a series of conferences given by T. J. Clark in 2011, challenging widespread perceptions of Guernica. He later wrote Picasso and Truth. From Cubism to Guernica.

Pablo Picasso photographed by Dora Maar painting Guernica en 1937 in Paris. MUSEO REINA SOFIA

It could be said the painting was born in the 1920s during a period of profound personal crises for Pablo Picasso caused by several factors, explains Borja-Villel. After his success with Cubism and having been shown everywhere, he had the feeling he had done everything already: he was no longer a bohemian artist, and on the horizon were artists like Dali or Miro who, at least to begin with, were ahead of him conceptually.

One of the other causes of the crisis was related to the horror of the World War I. This is terror in the face of a new form of war. This is no longer about combat between soldiers on the field of battle, says the Reina Sofia director. For the first time you see the destruction caused by aircraft  that planes can carry out their objectives in a question of minutes, as happened in Guernica.

The third reason for Picassos personal crisis related to his complicated love life. While he remained married to Olga Khokhlova  his first wife and the mother of his daughter Maya  he was also in a stable relationship with Marie-Therese Walter, his lover since 1927, and involved with the artist Dora Maar, his assistant since 1936 and the person he charged with documenting the creation of the Guernica painting.

The Reina Sofia exhibition will include 60 paintings by Picasso as well as a large number of drawings from museums around the world. Among the works on show will be The Three Dancers (1925) on loan from the Tate Gallery in London, and Woman Dressing her Hair (1940) lent by the MoMA. The exhibition will also highlight the high-precision restoration work carried out on Guernica since 2012, which has involved robots repairing damage caused to the giant canvas.

Guernicas Odyssey The Mexican-Spanish writer Max Aub asked Picasso to produce a work for the Spanish Republic to exhibit at the 1937 Paris International Exhibition. He could choose his theme and would be paid 150,000 French francs. A symbol of the resistance of the Republican troops to the nationalist forces of future dictator Francisco Franco, the painting made its way around Europe and crossed the Atlantic several times as Spain's embattled Republicans tried to raise awareness of their cause. It was housed in Norway, Denmark, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Berlin until in the 1970s, Picasso asked for this constant movement to stop and for Guernica to be given a home in New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) until Spain returned to democracy. In September 1981, almost six years after the death of Franco, and following a 42-year stay at the MoMA, Guernica was moved to Madrid.

English version by George Mills.
A SELECTION of some of the most picturesque scenes from across Limerick have been captured in a new charity calendar.

The Limerick and District Photographic Society has once again released a calendar showcasing some of the best pictures its members have taken across the last year.

The 2017 calendar  which is being sold at Gleesons Spar in Catherine Street, the EBS Bank at the Crescent Shopping Centre and DJ Whittys Mace in Caherdavin  has a festival theme this time.

Images have been captured of the St Patricks Day parade, the Special Olympics Parade, plus the spectacular fireworks which brought Riverfest 2016 to a close back in May.

It is priced at 7.

A different charity benefits each year from the proceeds, with members this year picking Foynes Search and Rescue to receive the money.

The Limerick and District Photographic Society meets on the last two Wednesdays of the month in the Millennium Hall, near the Raheen Church. New members are always welcome.

Contact John on 087-6722478 for more information.
Dec 12, 2016, 6 AM

This rejected Zazzle.com stamp design, a political comment against the Supreme Courts controversial 2010 Citizens United ruling, is at the center of a lawsuit that the stamps designer brought against the United States Postal Service.

By Bill McAllister, Washington Correspondent

Presidential candidates Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders were all able to get computer-generated postage stamps for their 2016 campaign mail.

But Anatol Zukerman, a Massachusetts artist, couldnt get his admittedly political design approved, and a federal judge has told the United States Postal Service it must address his complaint.

U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper rejected the USPSs arguments that Zukermans dispute over computer-generated postage stamps must first be heard by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

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The judges Dec. 6 ruling means that the issue of whether Zazzle Inc. acted properly in rejecting the 78-year-old artists stamp will be decided by the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Zukerman and his agent alleged in a 2015 lawsuit that the Postal Service violated his constitutional rights by refusing to print a stamp that would have attacked the Supreme Courts controversial 2010 Citizens United ruling.

That decision allowed corporations to make independent political donations and has been highly controversial.

Zukermans rejected stamp showed an Uncle Sam figure trapped behind a snake in the shape of dollar sign and carried the words Democracy is Not for Sale. Though difficult to see here, Citizens United appears on the snakes body.

The artist, who lives in Plymouth, Mass., wanted to use the stamps to promote an art exhibit he was planning for Washington.

In the lawsuit, Zukerman and his agent charged that Zazzle printed customized stamps for three presidential candidates, Republicans Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush and Democrat Bernie Sanders, but rejected his design.

That showed that the USPS allowed Zazzle to act in a discriminatory manner, Zukerman and Charles Krause Reporting (Zukermans agent) charged in their lawsuit against the USPS.

The USPS sought to get Judge Cooper to send the case to the PRC, arguing that the case did not belong in the district court.

Cooper rejected that argument, saying that Congress did not intend issues such as the free speech issues raised by the lawsuit to be decided by a body mostly concerned with stamp prices and services.

This case involves the content of Customized Postage products issued by a third party vendor, and is not about stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service, said USPS spokeswoman Darlene Casey. The courts December 6 action was to deny a motion to dismiss, and did not involve any decision about the merits of the case. The case remains in litigation, and we have no additional comment at this time.

A spokeswoman for Zazzle in Redwood City, Calif., declined to comment on the dispute.

Efforts to contact Zukermans lawyer and agent were unsuccessful.

In a 16-page lawsuit filed Dec. 9, 2015, Zukerman and his agent argued that the USPS had allowed Zazzle to promote some causes and silence others without explanation.

The suit contained images of Zazzle stamps printed for the three presidential candidates, Christian religious figures, and atheists.

Those stamps were allowed despite a USPS regulation that says customized stamps should be [c]onsistent with the Postal Services intent to maintain neutrality on religious, social, political, legal, moral or other public issues.

On information and belief, the custom stamps Zazzle prints and sells are not approved, endorsed, or reviewed by USPS, the lawsuit alleged. They do not, therefore, constitute government speech.

Instead, by authorizing Zazzle to print customers custom postage stamps, and by inviting and allowing members of the public to express themselves on stamps as long as they are willing to pay a fee, USPS has intentionally made that space generally available for public discourse and thus has created and designated a public customized-U.S.-postage-stamp forum.

Once USPS opened the realm of U.S. postage stamp to customized stamps designed by the public, it was obligated to ensure that Zazzle operated the public forum in a constitutional manner by setting rules that are reasonable and both content and viewpoint neutral.

By rejecting Zukermans design as primarily partisan or political in nature, the USPS has sanctioned unlawful content discrimination, the lawsuit alleges.

____________________________

This story was updated Dec. 13, 2016.
Breaking down the Year of the Rooster stamp, 2017s first U.S. issue

Apr 28, 2021, 2 AM

The United States nondenominated (47) Year of the Rooster forever commemorative is the 10th stamp in the current Lunar New Year series, which features illustrations by Kam Mak.

A color pictorial postmark in shades of gold and red marks the date of issue for the Year of the Rooster stamp. The color postmark is printed on some first-day covers sold by the Postal Service.

By Michael Baadke

The first United States stamp to be issued in 2017, appropriately enough, celebrates the new year.

The nondenominated (47) Year of the Rooster forever commemorative will be issued Jan. 5 in a pane of 12, with a first-day ceremony in Seattle, Wash.

The 11:30 a.m. event will take place at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, 719 S. King St.

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Ceremony participants will include Greg G. Graves, U.S. Postal Service vice president of Area Operations, Western Area; Yibo Lu, director of Chinese Radio Seattles CRS office; Wing Lake Museum executive director Beth Takekawa; Chew Communications CEO Ron Chew; and Assunta Ng, founder and publisher of Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly.

The new stamp is the 10th in the current annual series celebrating the Lunar New Year. The artwork featured on each stamp in this series has been created by Hong Kong-born artist Kam Mak, who grew up in New York Citys Chinatown and now lives in Brooklyn.

Maks artwork focuses on some of the common ways the Lunar New Year holiday is celebrated, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

Maks illustration for the 2017 stamp depicts a colorful rooster on a red envelope, also known as a honbao, that is used to hold monetary gifts.

Parents present red envelopes containing money to children and loved ones during Lunar New Year celebrations, the Postal Service adds. The color red symbolizes luck in Chinese culture, while rooster imagery is often used to ward off evil spirits. The characters at the top of the envelope form a common Chinese greeting of celebration and wish for prosperity and good fortune, used most frequently during Lunar New Year.

The forty additional U.S. stamps planned for 2017: These new subjects announced in November follow an earlier group of 38 stamps revealed in September.

Along with the 10 stamps issued thus far in the current U.S. Lunar New Year series, Mak also illustrated two 28 postal cards featuring koi that were issued together on April 17, 2009 (Scott UX555-UX556). He has illustrated childrens books, including The Dragon Prince by Laurence Yep, and The Moon of the Monarch Butterflies by Jean Craighead George, and has published his own illustrated book, My Chinatown: One Year in Poems. Maks work has appeared on the cover of Time magazine and in other prominent publications.

The colorful and highly detailed illustration of the rooster on the stamp directly relates to the Lunar New Year symbol for the Year of the Rooster, which begins Jan. 28, 2017, and ends Feb. 15, 2018.

Most of the previous stamps in the current series have not had such a direct link. Instead, the designs have shared cultural elements associated with New Year celebrations, including red paper lanterns, firecrackers, and drums. The 2012 stamp for the Year of the Dragon did include a bold dragon mask as its main feature.

Online voting open for 2016 U.S. stamp popularity poll: In 2016, the United States Postal Service issued 154 varieties of stamps and postal stationery. Which stuck out most for you?

Like the nine stamps that came before it, the new stamp also features a small gold reproduction of an animal figure created 25 years ago by artist and designer Clarence Lee (1935-2015), whose cut-paper artwork illustrated the stamps in the first series of U.S. Lunar New Year stamps issued from 1992 to 2008.

Another element on the new forever stamp also originated with that earlier series: the Chinese character for rooster, drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun and also printed in gold. Similar calligraphy by Bun has appeared on every U.S. Lunar New Year stamp since the first was issued in 1992.

Postal Service spokesman Roy Betts told Linns Stamp News that Lau Buns calligraphy character was lifted from artwork prepared for the first Lunar New Year series.

Gold trim frames the design of the new stamp at top and bottom.

The stamps are offset-printed with added microprinting in panes of 12 by USPS contractor Banknote Corporation of America.

USPS art director Ethel Kessler also served as designer and typographer for the Year of the Rooster stamp.

The Postal Service is offering an unspecified number of press sheets with die cuts for the Year of the Rooster stamp. The sheets consist of six panes (72 stamps) and sell for the face value of $33.84.

Standard USPS first-day covers for this issue use a black four-bar first-day cancel. A pictorial color postmark in what appears to be shades of gold and red showing Lees cut-paper rooster illustration is offered on a separate first-day cover selling for $1.62.

Technical details and first-day cancel ordering information for the Year of the Rooster forever stamp are included in the box on this page.

Nondenominated (47) Year of the Rooster forever stamp

FIRST DAY Jan. 5, 2017; city Seattle, Wash., and nationwide.

DESIGN: illustrator Kam Mak, Brooklyn, N.Y.; with additional elements by Clarence Lee and Lau Bun; designer, art director and typographer Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, Md.; modelers Sandra Lane and Michelle Finn; series Lunar New Year.

PRINTING: process offset with microprinting; printer and processor Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, N.C.; press Alprinta 74; inks cyan, magenta, yellow, black, Pantone Matching System 872 gold; paper phosphor tagged, block tagging; gum self-adhesive; issue quantity 15 million stamps; format pane of 12, from 144-subject cylinders; size 1.42 inches by 0.84 inches (image); 1.56 inches by 0.98 inches (overall); 7.24 inches by 5.92 inches (full pane); 21.97 inches by 11.97 inches (press sheet); plate numbers none; marginal markings Celebrating Lunar New Year (stamp side); 2016 USPS, USPS logo, bar code 552000, promotional text (back side); USPS item No. 552004.

First-day cancel ordering information

Standard ordering instructions apply. Collectors requesting first-day cancels are encouraged to purchase their own stamps and affix them to envelopes. The first-day cover envelopes should be addressed for return (a removable label may be used), and mailed in a larger envelope addressed to Year of the Rooster, Stamp Fulfillment Services, Cancellation Services, 8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210, Kansas City, MO 64144-9998.

Requests for first-day cancels must be postmarked by March 5.

The Postal Services uncacheted first-day cover for the Year of the Rooster stamp is item 552016 at 91. USPS order numbers for stamps and FDCs also appear in Linns 2016-17 U.S. Stamp Program on page 34 of the Dec. 26, 2016, print issue.
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The father of a Spanish girl with a rare disease who allegedly fraudulently raised what is now thought to be nearly 1 million for her treatment has been jailed without bail. His wife has been released pending charges but has lost custody of her daughter.

Fernando Blanco and his daughter Nadia.

In a case that has received a huge amount of media attention in Spain, Fernando Blanco and his wife Marga Garau were arrested last week on suspicion of fraudulently raising money through media campaigns to pay for what they said were cutting-edge treatments for their 11-year-old daughter Nadia Nerea, who suffers from trichothiodystrophy (TTD), a rare disease that can delay development and lead to significant intellectual disability and recurrent infections. Severely affected individuals may not survive beyond early childhood.

Blanco was jailed in 2001 for embezzling 120,000 from his employers

The girls father, who has previously spent time in prison in Mallorca for embezzling what judges believe was at least 20 million pesetas (120,000) from the company he worked for, originally said he had already traveled to Guatemala, India, Panama, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Finland, Cuba and Chile to hire the best specialists in a bid to help his daughter.

But Blanco has failed to produce any evidence that he has visited those experts, while medical experts have said some of the treatments allegedly undergone by his daughter do not exist.

The website of the foundation created by Blanco to collect money for his daughter. Luis Magan (EL PAIS)

After EL PAIS and other media outlets revealed the inconsistencies in his story, Blanco admitted that he has been taking his daughter to see unlicensed healers, not specialists around the globe. He promised to return all the money he has raised since 2009 from all his donation drives.

Original reports put the sum of money obtained by Blanco and his wife for their daughters treatments at around 300,000  including 153,000 in just four days during a recent publicity campaign  but police in Spains Catalonia region now say the figure was 918,000.

According to police analysis of the couples bank accounts, 52-year-old Fernando Blanco and his wife have already spent two-thirds of the money received  around 600,000  but this money was not used for expensive treatments in locations such as Houston. Instead it constituted personal gain. Blanco has now been remanded in custody with authorities fearing he is a flight risk and that he may attempt to destroy evidence.

Police investigations have also revealed the 9,800 annual rent on the family home in Figols, a village in the Catalan Pyrenees, was paid for by the foundation set up by the family to collect funds for their daughter. Money that was raised from thousands of people through events including fun runs, theater events and raffles also went towards buying a car with a price tag of 24,500.

A police search of the family property carried out recently uncovered 1,845 in cash, 32 luxury watches valued at a total of 50,000, top of the range electrical appliances and marijuana. More items were found in the car including several mobile phones, a starter pistol and rifle cartridges.

In a detailed statement published by Catalan police on the case, authorities revealed Blanco was arrested after eluding a police roadblock established in the municipality of Cerdanya that had been set up precisely because of fears he would try and flee the country. Blanco, who was using three different phone numbers from three different countries in bid to avoid being tracked down, had been set to appear on television that day to explain his actions but failed to appear.

A police search of the family property uncovered 32 luxury watches valued at a total of 50,000

During interrogations, a judge and prosecutors have asked Blanco about money still held by him in bank accounts  a total of 319,676 according to police. Investigators also learned that pediatricians in the region where the family lived had been in touch with a center in Barcelona that treats conditions including that suffered by Nadia. But the father refused and claimed the treatment would be carried out in Mallorca and Houston. The girls chief pediatrician had tried without success to obtain her medical records.

Before his clients made their statement, the couples lawyer defended them by saying: No amount of exaggeration or interpretation can lead you to say this was a scam to get money. The essential facts are not in doubt. The girl suffered what she was suffering from: the personal, human, family and economic situation [of the family] were described correctly.

Marga Garau was arrested on December 7 but released later that day so that she could look after her daughter. She has now been denied custody of Nadia, with the family being charged with her welfare. On Saturday Garau returned to court in La Seu dUrgell, in the Catalan province of Lleida with a local shouting Liar! as she entered the court.

English version by George Mills.
The European Union (EU) has dropped its 20-year-old policy on Cuba , which required the country to improve its human rights record before it could strengthen economic ties with member nations. On Monday, Brussels and Havana signed an agreement to normalize relations and open channels for dialogue and cooperation.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini with Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. EMMANUEL DUNAND (AFP)

More information La UE y Cuba sellan el pacto para normalizar sus relaciones

After almost two years of negotiations, this pact effectively buries the so-called common position, a policy proposed in 1996 by then-Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar that set human rights and democratic progress as conditions for further negotiations.

Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, the 28 EU foreign ministers and Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez signed and sealed the pact for political dialogue and cooperation they agreed upon in March.

For the Cuban economy, the relationship with Europe is a priority

Cubas foreign affairs chief

Europe has become increasingly focused on Cuba since Havana and Washington reset diplomatic relations two years ago. Brussels is officially making an effort at rapprochement, although Donald Trumps recent victory in the US presidential election is raising doubts about whether the new administration will maintain Barack Obamas policy toward the Castro government. Neither Mogherini nor Rodriguez wanted to speculate on what changes the future might hold but they seemed convinced that they will not affect Europes relationship with the island.

Cuba is changing in profound ways. With this agreement, the relationship will reach a new level that will really better reflect the ties between the European Union and Cuba, Mogherini said in Spanish after the signing ceremony. For the Cuban economy, the relationship with Europe is a priority, Cubas foreign affairs chief added. The European community is the largest investor in Cuba and its second-largest trade partner after Venezuela.

The Cuban foreign affairs chief thanked Spain for its contribution in developing the agreement

Although many European countries have strengthened bilateral relations with Cuba informally  and thus transgressed the spirit of EUs common position  a new political landscape over the last few years has allowed them to deepen those relationships. The latest agreement has three chapters: political dialogue, which covers issues of governance, human rights and security; cooperation, the broadest and longest of the sections, identifies areas where the two sides can strengthen ties; and the third chapter, economy and commerce, will pave the way for trade deals and investments.

The accord has not yet received the approval of the European Parliament, national legislatures of individual EU nations or the Cuban National Assembly.

Rodriguez also took advantage of his visit in Brussels to meet with his Spanish counterpart, Alfonso Dastis. The Cuban foreign affairs chief thanked Spain for its contribution in developing the agreement to strengthen ties with Europe, diplomatic sources say.

What is the common position?

In 1996, Aznar asked the European Union to make democratic progress a condition for any kind of association with the island. EU members agreed and that stance remained the communitys strategy until now. Yet despite this institutional policy, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Aznars successor, revived efforts to build ties with the Castro government.

In 2005, the new Socialist government in Spain encouraged its fellow EU members to lift sanctions imposed on the Cuban government. The EU even recommended opening a political dialogue with Cuba without taboos in order to build some kind of relationship with the island but the Castro governments arrests of political opponents that same year prevented negotiations from going forward. Therefore EU nations ratified the common position. though in 2008 the community would lift sanctions and renew ties with the island.

Traditionally, Spain has set the tone for Europes position toward Cuba during the years of close rapprochement and in times when the two sides found themselves most at odds with one another. EU member nations allowed Spain to lead in an area that was never of strategic significance for Europe. But over the last few years, Europe has grown increasingly more interested in Cuba as the Castro government liberalizes its economy and resets diplomatic relations with the United States.

English version by Dyane Jean Francois.
Former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo Joins Aurora Prize Selection Committee

Zedillo Joins a Select Group of Humanitarians headed by Academy Award-winner and humanitarian George Clooney to Choose 2017 Aurora Prize Finalists 09 DECEMBER, 2016  YEREVAN/NEW YORK  The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity has just confirmed the appointment of Ernesto Zedillo to the 2017 Aurora Prize Selection Committee. The former president of Mexico joined members of the esteemed Aurora Selection Committee at a meeting in New York for deliberations on the 2017 Aurora Prize finalists. As president of Mexico, Zedillo led the country through profound democratic and social reforms and participated in many initiatives to find solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing the global community. Zedillo received the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom from Fear Award in 2002 and was the chairman of the Global Development Network from 2005-2011. He is currently director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization where he focuses on championing international development. I am delighted to welcome President Zedillo to the Aurora Prize Selection Committee; he will bring tremendous insight and perspective to this outstanding jury, said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York and one of the co-founders of the Aurora Prize, of which he is also a Selection Committee member. President Zedillos reputation as an advocate of progressive social and political reform, as well as his track record as a recognized leader on global and humanitarian issues, will add tremendously to the Committees decision-making process in selecting the next Aurora Prize Laureate. I am honored to join this esteemed Selection Committee alongside such respected advocates for the worlds most vulnerable, said Ernesto Zedillo. I look forward to honoring those who are putting themselves at risk for the sake of another and embodying the very best in what makes us a global community today. The Aurora Prize Selection Committee is comprised of nine humanitarians from around the globe whose extraordinary achievements give them a unique perspective into humanitarian endeavors that deserve global recognition. Zedillo joins current Aurora Prize Selection Committee members including Nobel Laureates Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former president of Ireland Mary Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group and former Foreign Minister of Australia, Gareth Evans; Vartan Gregorian; and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney. Zedillo was formally introduced today to the other members of the Selection Committee and joined a day-long discussion in New York where the Aurora Prize Selection Committee reviewed all shortlisted nominations submitted during the three-month nominations process. The Selection Committee also received an update on plans for the 2017 Aurora Prize Ceremony and associated events. The 2017 Aurora Prize finalists will be announced on April 24. All finalists will be invited to and honored at the Aurora Prize Ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia on May 28, 2017. About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is committed to building a broad, global humanitarian movement. The initiative is rooted in inspiring stories of courage and survival that emerged during the Armenian Genocide, when 1.5 million Armenians perished. Those fortunate few who survived were saved by the courageous and heroic acts of intervening institutions and individuals. A century later, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative seeks to express gratitude, share remarkable stories of survivors and their saviors, and celebrate the strength of the human spirit. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative instigates, includes and supports projects designed to raise public awareness and address some of the worlds most pressing humanitarian issues. These projects include the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues and the 100 LIVES initiative. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is the philanthropic vision of Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan. It is represented by three organizations - the 100 Lives Foundation, Inc. (New York, USA), the 100 Lives Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland) and the IDeA Foundation (Yerevan, Armenia). About the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Recipients will be recognized for the exceptional impact their actions have made on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, an Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored each year with a US$100,000 grant as well as the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations that inspired their work for a US$1,000,000 award. The Aurora Prize Selection Committee includes Nobel Laureates Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; former Australian Foreign Minister and President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group Gareth Evans; former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo; President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York Vartan Gregorian; and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney. The Aurora Prize will be awarded annually in Yerevan, Armenia. Further information is available at www.auroraprize.com.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

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PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan

Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement

With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
Opposition trio signs memorandum (video)

Bright Armenia, Civil Contract and Republic parties signed a memorandum of political cooperation. Mane Tandilyan, member of Bright Armenia party, read the text of the memorandum, where it is particularly noted; three forces will participate jointly in the NA elections and Yerevan Council of Elders elections, as well as they will discuss the issue of creating one joint party. After the signing of the memorandum, Sasun Mikayelyan, Chairman of Board of Civil Contract party, noted in his speech, God bless so that we save the Republic of Armenia. I call on all the freedom fighters to support us. Chairman of Republic party Aram Sargsyan noted that in their 15 years history it is their third alliance, Initially there was Justice alliance; then the Armenian National Congress (HAK), with which we had serious disagreements. This alliance differs as it has been established on the ideological basis. Chairman of Bright Armenia party Edmon Marukyan noted in his speech that they have never been for hatred and believe in cooperation of bright ideas, As flawless opposition representatives we should fight against the authorities. With this union we will be able to fulfill our objectives in a short period.
The first river polluted by humanity may have been discovered in Jordan, contaminated by copper about 7,000 years ago, a new study finds.

Scientists examined a now-dry riverbed in the Wadi Faynan region of southern Jordan. Archaeologist Russell Adams at the University of Waterloo in Canada and his colleagues have been studying the area for more than 25 years to learn more about a critical turning point in history  the origins of metallurgy, when humans began moving from making tools out of stones to making tools out of metal.

"The region is famous as one of the principal sites in the Middle East where copper occurs that can easily be mined," Adams told Live Science. [Photos of the World's 10 Most Polluted Places]

Copper production began in this region during the Chalcolithic, or Copper Age, which took place between about 5000 and 3200 B.C. in this region, Adams said. The Chalcolithic Age was a transitional period during the late Neolithic, or Stone Age, and the beginning of the Bronze Age.

"These populations were experimenting with fire, experimenting with pottery and experimenting with copper ores, and all three of these components are part of the early production of copper metals from ores," Adams said in a statement. "The technological innovation and the spread of the adoption and use of metals in society mark the beginning of the modern world."

This early copper production involved combining charcoal and the blue-green copper ore found in abundance in this area in pottery crucibles or vessels and heating the mixture over a fire. The process was time-consuming and labor-intensive, so it took thousands of years before copper became a central part of human societies, the researchers said.

Over time, communities in the region grew larger and copper production expanded. People built mines and then large smelting furnaces and factories by about 2600 B.C., the researchers said.

"This region is home to the world's first industrial revolution," Adams said in the statement. "This really was the center of innovative technology."

Among other things, Adams and his colleagues were interested in the long-term effects of copper production on the environment in this region. "There are places in the Wadi Faynan basin where the pollution from the copper smelting residues, the slag, are significant health risks, and probably would've been that way for a long time," Adams said.

The international research team's analysis of the sediments in the area suggested that pollution of a meandering stream that once ran in Wadi Faynan began about 7,000 years ago. "This is the earliest example known yet of humanity's pollution of the world," Adams said.

The slag from copper production contained metals such as copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, and even arsenic, mercury and thallium. Plants absorbed these metals, and then people and animals such as goats and sheep ate them.

Pollution from millennia of copper mining and production likely led to widespread health problems in the region, such as infertility, newborn malformations and premature death, Adams said. He said that prior work examining human bones from Roman cemeteries in the region "found unhealthy levels of metals in people, and these were not necessarily people involved in mining and smelting themselves  many were infants and juveniles. There was clearly uptake of environmental pollution into the food chain."

Future research could look for signs of contamination in various parts of this region to learn more about how pollution in this area might have varied over time, Adams said.

The scientists will detail their findings Dec. 15 in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Original article on Live Science.
Caught red-handed

(Image credit: Screengrab from ISIL video)

The Islamic State group (also called ISIS) destroyed and damaged numerous historical sites during their war. At present, an Iraq-Kurdish force is fighting their way into Mosul, the last major city in Iraq that ISIS still controls. With ISIS nearing defeat in Iraq, some fighters are choosing to surrender rather than fight to the death. It's possible that captured fighters who helped destroy historical sites could face war crime charges. Legal experts say that the videos that ISIS took for propaganda purposes could be used against members in a court of law.

This image shows an ISIS propaganda video of their members wrecking a museum near Hatra in Iraq.

[Read the full story on ISIS war crimes]

Bringing back the past

(Image credit: Screengrab from ISIL video)

Another ISIS member is shown on video destroying the ancient city of Hatra. These videos may come back to haunt ISIS members in court, legal experts told Live Science.

Evidence of destruction

(Image credit: Screengrab from ISIL video)

ISIS dynamited and bulldozed the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud. This destruction was captured on video. The Agence France Presse (AFP) reports that several ISIS fighters were captured near Nimrud. If they took part in this destruction, they may face war crime charges.

[Read the full story on ISIS war crimes]

Strategic placement

(Image credit: Dlshad Marf Zamua)

Another recently recaptured site showing a Tell, a hill created when people lived there for centuries or millennia. Tells contain unexcavated settlements, some as large as a city. ISIS built an observation post on top of this Tell. Aside from the good viewpoint, the fact that the post was on top of the Tell made it hard for it to be destroyed, as any bomb dropped would destroy both the observation post and the archaeological remains.

Protect the future or past?

(Image credit: Dlshad Marf Zamua)

Another recaptured Tell that again ISIS used as an observation post, making it hard to destroy without destroying the archaeological remains.

Unimaginable damage

(Image credit: John Beck)

When Iraqi forces retook Nimrud, they found that the ancient city had been devastated. This image shows the blown-up and bulldozed landscape. Some of the artifacts may have been looted and sold on the black market to supply ISIS with money.

Irreparable devastation

(Image credit: John Beck)

Another image of Nimrud. UNESCO, the antiquities coalition and other groups are pushing for war crime investigations into the crimes ISIS committed. Captured ISIS members who committed these acts could find themselves serving many years in prison if convicted, legal experts said.

[Read the full story on ISIS war crimes]
As a combined Iraqi-Kurdish force fights its way into Mosul, the last major Iraqi city held by the Islamic State group (also known as Daesh, ISIS or ISIL), there have been reports that some ISIS fighters have chosen to surrender rather than fight to the death.

Photos released by Agence France-Presse (AFP) show the surrender of a few individuals, which the AFP called "suspected ISIL jihadists," near the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud (which was dynamited and bulldozed by ISIS) and Mar Behnam (a Christian monastery that was heavily damaged and vandalized by ISIS). It's unknown if any of the individuals who surrendered are responsible for the destruction at the two historical sites.

Additional reports from multiple media outlets suggest that fighters (or alleged fighters) are surrendering in Mosul, where the Islamic State group has destroyed a number of historical sites, including the Tomb of Jonah, a site revered by both Muslims and Christians. Again, it is not known if any of those who surrendered took part in those acts. [See Photos of ISIS Destruction of Iraq Historical Sites]

Because international law forbids the destruction of heritage sites, those who surrendered could face charges for war crimes, experts say. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists areas as World Heritage Sites for having special cultural or physical significance.

"These destructions may amount to a war crime, and UNESCO will do everything in its power to document the damage so that these attacks do not go unpunished," said Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said in a statement released on Nov 25, after Nimrud was recaptured.

During the Islamic State group's campaign of destruction, the militant organization made several propaganda videos showing members destroying historical sites. Legal experts say those members may soon regret doing so.

"I'm confident that there will be trials for the destruction we've seen in the Middle East, and that the videos and photographs produced by ISIL to brag about their destruction will one day reappear in court as evidence against them," said Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at the City University of New York.

International Criminal Court

It would not be the first time someone has been brought to trial on war-crime charges of destroying heritage sites. Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who was a member of an al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group, was brought to trial for his help in destroying parts of Timbuktu in Mali. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in September 2016 to nine years in prison.

However, as several legal experts noted, there are many challenges in investigating and prosecuting captured Islamic State group members. For instance, Iraq is not a party to the Rome Treaty, a treaty negotiated in Rome which allows citizens of a country that signed the treaty to be brought to the International Criminal Court, located in The Hague, Netherlands, to face war-crime charges. [See Photos of Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites]

This obstacle is not insurmountable, legal experts noted. The United Nations Security Council can invoke what are known as "Chapter 7" powers that will allow the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute a war crime, regardless of whether a country has signed the treaty, said Tess Davis, executive director of the Antiquities Coalition, a group of archaeologists, lawyers, former government officials and other experts who advocate for measures to stop illegal antiquities trading. Davis said it is unknown whether the Security Council will invoke those powers.

If the U.N. Security Council were to invoke Chapter 7 powers, it would have to allocate the financial resources and logistics necessary for the International Criminal Court to investigate the cases and bring the individuals facing charges to trial, Davis added.

Hague Convention

Iraq is a party to the 1954 Hague Convention that protects heritage sites in times of war. That stipulation could be used to bring Islamic State group members who destroyed historical sites to justice. However, the trial may have to be held before a local Iraqi court or a U.N. tribunal, rather than the International Criminal Court, experts told Live Science.

"There are a variety of international conventions that protect cultural property in times of armed conflict and domestic laws that proscribe trespassing and vandalism," said Rick St. Hilaire, a lawyer with Red Arch Cultural Heritage Law & Policy Research. In addition to the Hague Convention, parts of the Geneva Convention also prohibit the destruction of historical sites.

"The question is not so much what laws are in place; the important question is whether there is political will to enforce the laws and whether there are appropriate resources to catch the perpetrators and collect the evidence needed to [convict] them," St. Hilaire said.

"Both Syria and Iraq are member states of the 1954 Hague Convention, meaning that they are responsible to criminally prosecute violators after resolution of a conflict," said Leila Amineddoleh, a cultural heritage lawyer who is a partner in the firm Amineddoleh & Associates LLC.

Amineddoleh noted that the U.N. may want to see whether Iraq and Syria can prosecute these cases. "In the case that nations cannot properly address these issues, international bodies may pursue looters. The U.N. may find it appropriate to seek and prosecute individuals responsible for vandalism and looting as crimes against humanity, potentially in conjunction with the International Criminal Court," Amineddoleh told Live Science.

However, given the multitude of crimes committed by the Islamic State group and the resources needed to prosecute them, Amineddoleh said she doesn't expect many cases involving the destruction of heritage sites to go to trial.

"Although there is precedent for prosecuting vandals for heritage destruction, it is unlikely that many of these cases will be brought to court," Amineddoleh said. "The resources involved in trying them are too expensive, and the international community will probably devote courts to justice after violent crimes and genocide, not the protection of property."

Original article on Live Science.
A new study suggests that becoming pregnant again soon after a miscarriage is no more risky for the mom or the fetus than waiting six months to conceive.

The new research contradicts the current World Health Organization advice on the subject, which suggests that a six-month wait might be beneficial for the baby. However, that advice was based on a single study. The new research, a statistical evaluation of data from 10 earlier studies on the topic, finds no additional risks for women who wait less than six months to become pregnant again after a miscarriage, and even finds that some risks may be lower with shorter intervals.

"Women who get pregnant after less than six months between the pregnancy and the loss should not be worried about adverse pregnancy outcomes, and if nothing else actually they should be encouraged," said Enrique Schisterman, a senior investigator in epidemiology at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Schisterman was not involved in the new study, known as a meta-analysis, although he did co-author one of the earlier studies that the new study re-evaluated. [6 Myths About Miscarriage]

Pregnancy intervals

Researchers have found that conceiving shortly after a full-term pregnancy can raise the risk of complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight (around 18 and 23 months between pregnancies was least risky, according to a 2006 meta-analysis published in the journal JAMA). But there was very little data on pregnancy spacing after miscarriage, and the study upon which the WHO based its recommendations was based in Latin America and couldn't distinguish between spontaneous losses and abortions.

In the new analysis, researchers led by Sohinee Bhattacharya at the University of Aberdeen combed the literature for studies that compared outcomes for women who conceived either within six months of a miscarriage, or more than six months after. They found a total of 10 studies in which researchers looked at pregnancies with those timeframes and recorded data on the complications, such as having another miscarriage (defined as a loss of the fetus before 24 weeks gestation), suffering a stillbirth (a loss after 24 weeks gestation), having a premature birth, having a baby born with low birth weight and having preeclampsia, a condition in which a pregnant woman's blood pressure increases to dangerous levels. [9 Conditions Pregnancy May Bring]

Pooling the data from the studies and re-evaluating the statistics, the researchers found no evidence that getting pregnant soon after a miscarriage is dangerous. The data on stillbirths and preeclampsia showed no difference in the risk of these conditions regardless of pregnancy spacing. And some complications appeared less likely with quicker conceptions: The rate of having another miscarriage with a pregnancy spacing of less than six months was only 82 percent of the rate of having another miscarriage with a spacing of more than six months. The risk of preterm birth was also less for shorter intervals, too, at 79 percent of the rate seen in women with intervals longer than six months.

The researchers also found that for several of the birth complications, the Latin American study that was used as the basis for the WHO recommendations was an outlier. For example, when that study was included in the analysis, the statistics showed no difference between a spacing of less than six months versus a spacing more than six months in the risk for having a low-birth-weight baby (defined as a term baby weighing less than 5.5 pounds, or 2,500 grams). But when that one study was excluded, the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby appeared to be lower for more closely spaced pregnancies, at 74 percent the rate of longer-spaced pregnancies.

Try when ready

Undergoing full-term pregnancies back-to-back may diminish a mother's supply of folate, a B vitamin important for the developing nervous system, Schisterman said. But a pregnancy lost before full-term will likely not diminish a woman's folate supply for future pregnancies, he said. Meanwhile, waiting longer to conceive, especially for women later in their fertile years, might increase the risk of complications.

The lack of information on how far along the pregnancies were when miscarriages occurred is one limitation of the new study, Schisterman said. It may be that early miscarriages do not tax a pregnant woman's reserves, while a later loss may make a short spacing riskier.

"I think we need a little bit more data on the different underlying reasons for a pregnancy loss and see what the optimal interval is," Schisterman said.

The new research also looked at when women conceived  not when they actually started trying. But couples can only control when they start trying for a baby, Schisterman said, and not the timing of the actual pregnancy. Some of the seeming beneficial effects of a short pregnancy interval may be because the women who became pregnant again sooner were more fertile, Bhattacharya and her team wrote, and thus both became pregnant with more ease and had fewer complications in those pregnancies. [7 Ways Pregnant Women Affect Babies]

Nevertheless, the study might inform how doctors discuss the risks and benefits of future pregnancies with their patients.

"There is now ample evidence to suggest that delaying a pregnancy following a miscarriage is not beneficial and unless there are specific reasons for delay couples should be advised to try for another pregnancy as soon as they feel ready," Bhattacharya and her colleagues wrote.

The researchers published their findings Nov. 17 in the journal Human Reproduction Update.

Original article on Live Science.
CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP)  Ten years after Mexico declared a war on drugs, the offensive has left some major drug cartels splintered and many old-line kingpins like Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in jail, but done little to reduce crime or violence in the nation's roughest regions.

Some say the war has been a crucial, but flawed, effort. Others argue the offensive begun by then-President Felipe Calderon on Dec. 11, 2006, unleashed an unnecessary tragedy with more than 100,000 people dead and about 30,000 missing  a toll comparable to the Central American civil wars of the 1980s.

In some places, homicide rates have lessened. In others, the killings continue unabated. The drawn-out conflict has also had a profound effect on those close to the cross-hairs of suffering: youths inured to extreme violence; adults so fed-up with poor and corrupt policing that they took up arms as vigilantes; and families who banded together in the face of authorities' inability to find their vanished loved ones.

A law enforcement official in the northern border state of Tamaulipas told The Associated Press he now routinely encounters young cartel gunmen who have few regrets about their vocation. In fact, they see killing as the best way to afford things like smartphones, cars and girlfriends.

"I ask them, 'What do you want to be?' And they say, 'To be a chief look-out and have a narco-corrido song written about me," said the official, who was not authorized to be quoted by name. "As young as they are, they have no other aspiration in life."

He recalled the case of one 16-year-old who kidnapped, killed and mutilated his victims, and then took selfies with the cut-up bodies. A decade into the war, the violence is the only reality his generation has ever known.

"The kids who are getting arrested now, from about 14 years old and up, they have grown up with crime," the official said. "It is something completely normal to them."

Now the state faces a new challenge: Many of the older cartel gunmen jailed early on were convicted only of lesser weapons charges, as prosecutors are often unable to make organized-crime or money-laundering charges stick, and some are being released and returning to their old ways.

While Tamaulipas has calmed somewhat after reaching horrifying murder levels around 2010-2012, there are still shootouts and mass graves and piles of bodies  only no longer as frequently. Arrests and deaths have fractured the hyper-violent Zetas cartel in Tamaulipas, but the result has been a dozen smaller factions at war with each other for control.

"Right now, if there's anything good in this whole bad situation, it is that these groups don't have that much power anymore," former FBI agent Arturo Fontes said. "But they are divided, and that is why there is a lot of chaos."

Mexico's armed forces have increasingly been pulled into the conflict because police forces are often corrupt or unreliable. That has had its own toll on the troops, who are frequently ambushed and accused of illegally executing detained cartel suspects in some cases.

Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos noted that the army's involvement was only supposed to be temporary while policing was reformed.

"Ten years ago it was decided that the police should be rebuilt, and we still haven't seen that reconstruction," Cienfuegos said. "This isn't something that can be solved with bullets. It requires other measures, and there has not been decisive action on budgets to make that happen."

Calderon launched the drug counteroffensive by sending troops to his home state of Michoacan, where the Familia Michoacana drug gang and later the Knights Templar cartel have dominated many aspects of daily life, such as telling residents when to pick crops and determining what price they would get. Through extortion, the gangs took a cut of every industry in the state.

Citizens formed vigilante groups and largely chased the Knights Templar out, though other gangs have since taken root.

"Things are the same as far as crime," said Hipolito Mora, the founder of one of the first "self-defense" militias. "The government has to do more to combat the corruption in itself. If they don't do that, nothing is going to work. It is the corruption within the government that creates tolerance for organized crime."

At the same time, Mora, who also owns a lime orchard, said the new cartels no longer try to dictate when he can harvest or burn down the warehouses of people who disobey their orders.

Bigger gains can be seen in places like Ciudad Juarez, which is across the border from El Paso, Texas, and where an average of 10 people were killed each day at the height of the city's violence in 2008-2010. In Chihuahua state, home to Juarez, homicides have fallen by about two-thirds since it began a stepped-up policing effort in 2010.

But in some places, things seem to be getting worse.

In the southern state of Guerrero, authorities routinely report grim discoveries: mass graves containing the bodies of kidnap victims, severed human heads dumped in public, federal agents burned to death on a highway. The once-glamorous resort of Acapulco is now one of the world's deadliest cities.

In Iguala, Guerrero, where 43 teachers' college students disappeared in 2014, relatives of other people who have vanished were emboldened enough to form a group to search for their own missing loved ones. So far they have found and gotten authorities to exhume 18 bodies from clandestine graves  a measure of closure at least for those families, when missing-persons cases have long been routinely written off by police.

While the government has created support agencies for victims and improved its handling of investigations and bodies, it is grass-roots groups like The Other Disappeared that have mainly been responsible for such small victories.

"If there has been anything good that has come out of all of this, I would say it is the awakening of the victims," said group co-founder Adriana Bahena, whose husband disappeared in 2011.

Raul Benitez, a security specialist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said Calderon was right to fight the cartels but argued that the government has failed to stop corruption within its own ranks.

"Without that," Benitez said, "the strategy will always fail."
The decline in Catholics attending any ceremonies is rapid, and continuing.

Sunday Mass, once the must-do event of the week, has become scattered, relatively uninteresting, and is mostly considered boring by the young among us.

Catholics insist on repeating endless decades of the rosary at Funerals, and other such events. How a prayer remains meaningful when all are simply singing off the decades ad infinitum is a mystery to some of us.

I can say a rosary - not my favourite prayer - and can manage to be reflective and focused on the content being expressed as long as I'm saying it alone. In all honesty, I couldn't manage to maintain any real interest when it's said at almost racing pace.

Clattering and chattering like a stream rolling down a steep hillside, whilst keeping a tight grip on the beads lest you miss the end of the decade.

It's quite a nice thing, in one way, to hear a congregation praying together and I totally accept that it marks respect, and adherence, to be able to say such a prayer with devotion.

But I'm not sure many people can honestly and truly say they remain focused throughout.

I'm reflecting how I, personally, feel when trying to focus on the rosary.

If it sounds almost heathen to express such views, well, that must mean I'm a heathen.

I'm almost overstating the rosary example, as an attempt to capture one aspect of what is currently wrong with the Church. It's trying to hold onto outmoded and outlived generations of worshippers. It's time the Church gave the people something more to grasp and take ownership of, rather than trotting out the same message Sunday after Sunday.

Day after Day.

The Church desperately needs some new thinking.

It's no longer enough to emphasise on the sacraments and fulfilling duties.

I wonder what would happen if instead we thought on the formation of adult faith, praying the scriptures in small groups.

We need a living biblical faith.

The Church might identify women and men, who are trained to provide leadership.

These people would need to be well versed on scripture and not get carried away with rather eccentric religious practices loved by the fundamentalist Catholics active in many parishes today. These people, though meaning well, are turning good people off the church. The only option is to offer an alternative.

This strategy will require a great deal of planning at diocesan and national level.

There are so many willing to help take the Church in the direction of serving the poor and marginalised. The Pope Francis vision.

Currently, the church is in rapid decline. It won't improve without a definitive plan and the sooner the leaders of the church realise that, the better.

Many in the church see no way forward. In the last 10-20 years numbers attending Mass have fallen immeasurably. Most who have gone away probably won't come back to regular practice. A new church needs to be created which will attract those committed to social justice and the care of our Earth.

If people are offered a chance to discover the meaning and power of scripture, the church could sow seeds of a new church and the revival of the Christian Community in Ireland.
Longford Chamber of Commerce is one of the leading agencies that will meet with national public representatives tomorrow to demand that the Government honours its promise to upgrade the N4 and N5 routes.

Eight representatives from Chambers of Commerce in Longford, Athlone, Mayo, Mullingar, Sligo, Carrick-On-Shannon, Donegal and Roscommon will join forces at Buswells Hotel in Dublin to present their case at the meeting which is expected to kick off at 11am.

Representatives from the Chambers say that the roads that connect the midlands to the North West of Ireland are badly in need of repairs and upgrading to motorway status in sections is also necessary.

Constant postponements of improvement works are hampering economic development in the region, added a spokesperson.

The current state of the N4/N5 is putting the northwest and west at a disadvantage in attracting FDI and creating jobs.

These areas must be included in the Governments 2017 Capital Spending plan.

The Chambers said that the N4 is a vital lifeline to the west and northwest of Ireland for industry, commerce and tourism.

They add that it is a major gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way and to the proposed Centre Parcs facility in Ballymahon.

They also want completion of the N4 Motorway from Mullingar, Co Westmeath to Rooskey with construction to commence during 2018; construction to begin on the N4  Co Sligo - Collooney to Castlebaldwin; completion of of all planning and preconstruction works leading to commencement of construction by 2021 of the N4  Co Leitrim - Bypass of Carrick-On-Shannon and completion of N5  Co Longford - Longford to Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

Those attending the meeting include representatives from business group IBEC, Chambers Ireland and the US multinational firm Abbot.
School & Education, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Legislator Anker's Office Published: December 12 2016

The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club at Mount Sinai High School partnered with Holiday Magic to bring holiday cheer to local families in need.

Mount Sinai, NY - December 9, 2016 - The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club at Mount Sinai High School partnered with Holiday Magic to bring holiday cheer to local families in need. On Wednesday, December 8th, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker joined the SADD Club for the Holiday Magic Dinner where club members presented holiday gifts to less fortunate children and families.

The SADD club, led by teacher advisors John McHugh and John Wilson, has participated in Holiday Magic for the past 14 years. This year, the club raised $8,000 at the Annual Turkey Trot held in November and Optimum Community, as part of their Charity Champions program, also contributed $1,250, which brought the schools donation total to $9,250 for Holiday Magic. Students used their fundraising money and wish lists provided by the Holiday Magic organization to buy gifts for local families.

I would like to thank all the students involved in the SADD Club and Holiday Magic for their altruism and dedication to others. It very easy to lose ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but I commend the Mt. Sinai SADD Club members who are true role models for thinking of their neighbors in need and for lending a helping hand, said Legislator Anker.

Holiday Magic is a not-for-profit organization founded by Charlie Russo in 1990. The goal of the organization is to provide holiday generosity and spirit to the less fortunate on Long Island. Mr. Russo attended the dinner to thank the students and encourage continued philanthropic efforts by the school. This year, Holiday Magic will help over 11,000 children across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. For more information about Holiday Magic, please visit here.
School & Education, Local News, Press Releases

By WFSD News Published: December 12 2016

Several William Floyd teachers put down their razors for No Shave November as a way to raise awareness and provide support for the American Cancer Society.

The group raised $2,232 in their month-long effort before the fundraiser culminated with a beard shave or trim by the William Floyd High School cosmetology students.

Mastic Beach, NY - December 9, 2016 - Several William Floyd teachers have once again taken up the cause of putting down their razors for No Shave November, as a way to raise awareness and provide support for the American Cancer Society, which educates people about cancer prevention, helps those fighting the battle and works to save lives through research and treatment. The group raised $2,232 in their month-long effort before the fundraiser culminated with a beard shave or trim by the William Floyd High School cosmetology students.



Photo credit: WFSD.

Contributors had the opportunity to donate generally to the cause or on behalf of one of the teachers in a friendly competition. William Floyd High School Technology teacher Paul Vassallo raised the most support for the fundraiser with $410 in donations. Participants included Michael Buffalino, Joseph Carpinone, Michael Goodwin, Hondo Humberstone, Will Maldonado, Tony Mecca, Matthew Van Horne, and Paul Vassallo.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 12 2016

Polk Street Elementary Schools fifth grade class recently created about 100 holiday cards in an effort to show their appreciation to American troops for serving our nation.

Franklin Square, NY - December 9, 2016 - Polk Street Elementary Schools fifth grade class recently created about 100 holiday cards in an effort to show their appreciation to American troops for serving our nation. The cards were collected by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. They were then mailed overseas by the partnership between the Dream Big Sophie movement and the American Red Cross and its annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program.



The Dream Big Sophie movement, is an annual greeting card drive created by Horseheads Intermediate School sixth-grader Sophie Kartzman. Sophies mission is to send holiday cards to military men and women serving overseas. Over the years, Sophies movement has grown and flourished throughtout New York State as she continues to challenge herself and others to devote their time to selfless acts of kindness.

I appreciate Sophie reaching out to New York State Legislators and engaging our local students in card making, stated Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. These holiday cards were a simple way to thank our service members as well as remind them that they are not forgotten, that they are appreciated and supported for all that they do.



Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages encouraged the fifth grade students at Polk Street Elementary School to follow Sophies lead and do something considerate for others this holiday season. We sincerely appreciate Assemblywoman Solages visiting Polk Street School to spend time talking with our wonderful students, said Principal Gil Torossian. Collecting the holiday cards and banners and delivering them to our veterans means a lot to our school community.



We are grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation in writing to the diligent veterans who protect us, said Assistant Principal John Trotta. The sacrifice that members of our military make is incredible. Our young students need positive role models to look up to, and the members of the armed forces are great examples of leaders who serve others and are a part of something bigger than themselves.
Gagik Tsarukyans political reincarnation derives from interests of all the sides (video)

The recent statement by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs differed from the previous ones, says political expert Sergey Minasyan. He says that this time the statement was stricter and more concrete, Naturally, taking into account diplomatic features, concrete addresser wasnt mentioned there, but it was evident whom the highlights of the statement were addressed. The factor of the initiator of April events, casualties among the peaceful population and the tortures as well as the factor that issues relating to expanding the mission of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and making progress on a proposal to establish an OSCE investigative mechanism were highlighted, they are exceptionally connected with Azerbaijan. Though, at the same time the political expert noted that the diplomatic process is one of the elements of process of maintaining stability on the Line of Contact and over Artsakh conflict, For the Armenian side the most important thing is concrete military-political, military-technical element. Sergey Minasyan also touched upon regular phase of Armenia-EU negotiations held in Brussels, There are rather serious hopes that next year we will have that new framework agreement, which, in fact, will be the simplified version of the Association agreement and will include not only political, but also economic agreements and agreements over other spheres, legal base, which will create real circles for Armenia-EU further cooperation. Touching upon expected inner political events, he singled out rumors on possible return of Gagik Tsarukyan, Political reincarnation of Gagik Tsarukyan will happen. It is clear that fact derives from the interests of the authorities, Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) Head and its team. It is clear that political force has rather serious financial, human resources, which are not often seen in Armenian political field. But time will show whether he will be able to resume those resources, which he had before leaving the politics. The political expert noted that the fact that the Armenian National Congress (HAK) pre-election list will be headed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, may result in interesting developments and make pre-election campaign more unpredictable.
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There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan

Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement

With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
The Taliban announced that the former interior minister Mullah Abdul Razaq Akhund as well as Mullah Abdul Sattar Akhund have sworn allegiance to its emir, Mullah Haibatullah. Razaq and Sattar are the latest influential jihadist leaders to reconcile with group.

Razaq and Sattars announced their declaration of allegiance to Mullah Haibatullah in a statement released on the Talibans Arabic-language version of Voice of Jihad. According to the Taliban, the two leaders promised to do everything in their power efforts to serve the Islamic emirate. A photograph of the statement (right) was also published.

Razaq was listed by the United Nations Security Council as a sanctioned member of the Taliban on Jan. 25, 2001, long before the US invasion of Afghanistan. At the time, he served as the Minister of Interior Affairs and Chief of Kabul Police of the Taliban regime, which put him in charge of directing Taliban atrocities in the capital, including the brutal public murders of women.

Additionally, Razaq was a member of Taliban Supreme Council, or Quetta Shura, as at June 2008, according to the UN. He was a deputy to Mohammed Omar as at March 2010 and has been involved in drug trafficking.

Haibatullah took over the Taliban in May 2016 after his predecessor, Mullah Mansour, was killed by the US in a drone strike in Pakistan. Mansours appointment to lead the Taliban was controversial within the group as he was responsible for hiding Mullah Omars death for two years before being forced to disclose it. Several Taliban leaders and factions refused to swear allegiance to Mansour.

Haibatullah has succeeded in bringing many of the recalcitrant factions back into the fold, including Mullah Omars brother and son, the Mullah Dadullah Front and the Dadullah family, Anwar ul Haq Mujahid and the Tora Bora Military Front, and Mullah Baz Mohammad.

Haibatullah still faces a leadership challenge from Mullah Rasul, who commands a small breakaway Taliban group that calls itself the High Council of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate. Rasuls faction has clashed with the established Taliban in the past, however there are indications that the two may eventually reconcile. The High Council of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate was weakened when Mullah Baz Mohammad, one of Rasuls deputies, defected and swore allegiance to Haibatullah. The Islamic State also has a small presence in Afghanistan, however at this time it poses a minor threat to the Taliban, particularly in Nangarhar province, where it remains entrenched.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
The US Defense Department has confirmed that Boubaker al-Hakim, a French-Tunisian Islamic State leader pictured above, was killed in airstrikes carried out in Raqqa, Syria on Nov. 26.

In a statement on Dec. 10, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook described al-Hakim as a longtime terrorist with deep ties to French and Tunisian Jihadist elements. Cook tied al-Hakim to the so-called caliphates external operations arm, saying his death degrades the Islamic States ability to conduct further attacks in the West and denies the group a veteran extremist with extensive ties.

Cook also noted that al-Hakim is suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks against Tunisian political leadership in 2013. Indeed, al-Hakim admitted in an interview with the Islamic States Dabiq magazine in early 2015 that he assassinated one Tunisian politician and knew the jihadists responsible for killing a second.

Interview with Dabiq

Al-Hakim was identified as Abu Muqatil at-Tunusi in the 8th issue of Dabiq, which was released online in March 2015. He bragged about killing Mohammed Brahmi, the leader of the Peoples Movement party, on July 25, 2013.

We stayed four hours in front of the home of this tyrant, waiting, until he left the home and entered his car, al-Hakim told Dabiq. I then moved towards him and killed him by shooting ten bullets at him.

We wanted to cause chaosin the lands by killing Brahmi so as to facilitate the brothers movements and so that we would be able to bring in weapons and liberate our brothers from prisons, al-Hakim said, explaining the rationale behind Brahmis slaying. This was the main goal behind killing Brahmi in addition to the fact that he worked in [Tunisias] Constituent Assembly making him from the tawaghit [apostate rulers] of the country.

Al-Hakim also identified three jihadists who were responsible for the assassination of another Tunisian politician, Chokri Belaid, on Feb. 6, 2013. One of them was known as Ahmad ar-Ruwaysi. According to al-Hakim, ar-Ruwaysi escaped from prison following the uprising in Tunisia in 2011 and fled to Libya, where he helped run a training camp and smuggle arms back into Tunisia. After Belaid was killed, ar-Ruwaysi became a wanted man and so he stayed in Libya. Al-Hakim told Dabiq that ar-Ruwaysi joined the Islamic State in Sirte, which was the groups stronghold in North Africa from mid-2015 until earlier this year. It was in Sirte that ar-Ruwaysi swore allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadis operation before dying in battle.

His interview with Dabiq wasnt the first time al-Hakim admitted a role in the assassinations of Brahmi and Belaid.

In Dec. 2014, the Islamic State released a video calling on Muslims to support the groups jihad in Tunisia. Al-Hakim starred in the production.

Yes, O tyrants, we are the ones who assassinated Chokri Belaid and Brahmi, and, Allah permitting, we will return, al-Hakim said, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group.

Al-Hakim announced his fealty to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and encouraged Tunisians to pledge their own allegiance to the Islamic States master. He also threatened France. We will tear apart that flag that was raised by the grandchildren of Charles de Gaulle and the grandchildren of Napoleon, raising the black banner of monotheism in its place, al-Hakim said.

A veteran jihadist

Al-Hakim briefly recounted additional biographical details in his interview with Dabiq. He said that his religious practice started in 2002 when he traveled to Sham, meaning the Levant (Syria), to study the Sharia. After the Americans entered Iraq in 2003, al-Hakim briefly joined the jihad there for about a month before being betrayed by some of the hypocrites and forced to leave.

Al-Hakim then went to France, where he prepared for another journey to Iraq. He joined Abu Musab al Zarqawis group. He met up with Zarqawi and his men in Fallujah, staying in the city for about six or seven months. Al-Hakim said he left Iraq for Syria to receive my family, but was arrested there. He was then imprisoned in Bashar al Assads notorious and controversial Far Falastin prison, which housed other well-known jihadists, for nine months. He was deported to France and imprisoned there for seven years.

Al-Hakim said his time in a French prison was difficult, but it was also a great gate for dawah [proselytization] to Allah and a school for indoctrinating others in the jihadist ideology.

It appears that al-Hakim returned to Tunisia around the time of the Arab uprisings in 2011. I then left back to Tunisia and started planning on establishing jihad in Tunisia with my brothers, al-Hakim told Dabiq. Libya was next to us and weapons were widespread there, al-Hakim continued. So we went to Libya and established a training camp there and would work to smuggle weapons into Tunisia.

Al-Hakim portrayed the assassinations of Belaid and Brahmi as a strategic failure, admitting that the slayings did not spark a broader jihadi revolution. The matter succeeded but some of those associated with jihad there, may Allah guide them, went out and defended the former government institutions and thereby ruined our mission, al-Hakim told Dabiq. After all these attempts I decided to go to Sham and join the Islamic State there.

The French-Tunisian jihadist was also especially critical of the Islamists in Tunisia who failed to support the supposed caliphates cause. Al-Hakim called on Tunisias Islamists to repent, arguing that their ideas and participation in elections have not brought you any results. Only armed jihad was sufficient, from al-Hakims perspective.

In his interview with Dabiq, al-Hakim praised the March 18, 2015 attack on the Bardo National Museum. Dozens of people, mainly foreign tourists, were killed or wounded in the massacre. Al-Hakim said this delighted us and healed our hearts, adding that other brothers should carry out similar operations. CNN reported that he is also suspected of having connections to the jihadi gunman who killed 38 people at a tourist beach near Sousse, Tunisia on June 26, 2015.

Tied to Ansar al Sharia Tunisia, European jihadists

Al-Hakim was designated as a terrorist by both the United Nations and the US State Department in Sept. 2015. Both designations noted al-Hakims reported ties to Ansar al Sharia Tunisia, which orchestrated the Sept. 14, 2012 assault on the US Embassy in Tunis.

The designations noted that al-Hakim worked with related associates to target Western diplomats in North Africa, but didnt specifically tie him to the ransacking of the American embassy. Just days earlier, Ansar al Sharia Libya was part of a coalition of al Qaeda groups that attacked and killed four Americans in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012.

The Tunisian government first reported al-Hakims connections with Ansar al Sharia Tunisia in 2013. Officials accused Ansar al Sharias leader, Seifallah Ben Hassine (also known as Abu Iyad al Tunisi), of ordering the hit on Belaid. Tunisian authorities also reported that a forensic investigation tied the killings of Belaid and Brahmi to the same jihadi network and even the same weapon. [See FDDs Long War Journal reports: Tunisian government alleges longtime jihadist involved in assassinations and Ansar al Sharia responds to Tunisian government.]

After the Ansar al Sharia groups gained international infamy in 2012, many accounts sought to distance them from al Qaedas network. However, as The Long War Journal reported at the time, the Ansar al Sharia organizations in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen all had demonstrable ties to al Qaeda. The Long War Journals analysis was subsequently confirmed by the details reported in UN and American designations, as well as other evidence.

The rise of the Islamic State in 2013 and 2014 led some jihadists, such as al-Hakim, to defect to the self-declared caliphates cause. Others, including Ansar al Sharia Tunisia leader Hassine, remained loyal to the al Qaeda network. According to letters that were released via social media, Hassine initially urged Ayman al Zawahiri to join the Islamic States then surging effort. But Hassine quickly did an about-face, concluding that Baghdadi and his followers were too extreme even for al Qaeda. Some sources have reported that Hassine was killed in 2015, but his demise was never confirmed.

Al-Hakim and his comrades went all in for the Islamic State. In the Dec. 2014 video, he called on jihadists in Tunisia to defect to Baghdadis enterprise en masse. I call on my brothers in Tunisia in general and my brothers in the mountains in particular to follow their brothers in Libya, Algeria, the Land of the Two Holy Mosques [Saudi Arabia], Yemen, and Sinai, and pledge allegiance to the Emir of the Believers, al-Hakim said, according SITEs translation. While some answered the call, others didnt. For instance, the Uqba bin Nafi battalion in the Mount Chaambi region remained loyal to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The divide among al-Hakims jihadi friends extended all the way into Europe. When al-Hakims death was widely reported earlier this month, some accounts linked him to the mass murder at Charlie Hebdos offices in Paris in Jan. 2015. That operation was carried out by two brothers, Said and Cherif Kouachi. It is likely that al-Hakim, who was born in Paris, knew one or both of the Kouachi brothers in France. Al-Hakim was a key figure in a recruiting cell based in the 19th Arrondisement of Paris. Al-Hakims network sent aspiring jihadists off to fight in Iraq and the Kouachis were tied to this same operation.

However, al-Hakim did not specifically mention the Charlie Hebdo attack in his interview with Dabiq, which was posted online more than two months after the fact. The Kouachis carried out the assault on behalf of al Qaeda and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). A friend of the Kouachis, Amedy Coulibaly, murdered others in the name of the Islamic State. But the Kouachis did not follow Coulibaly into the caliphates camp. In reality, while their specific allegiances differed, they were all jihadis and knew each others years beforehand.

While al Qaeda is still capable of plotting a mass-casualty attack and celebrates indiscriminate killings in the West, the group has also experimented with more targeted slayings, such as the Charlie Hebdo operation. An AQAP analysis, for example, explained that al Qaedas central leadership had selected particular target[s] to strike.

Al-Hakim was less interested in this style of terror. In Dabiq, he called on jihadis in France to lash out. I also say to them, do not look for specific targets, al-Hakim stressed. Kill anybody. All the kuffar [unbelievers] over there are targets. Dont tire yourself and look for difficult targets. Kill whoever is over there from the kuffar.

Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
A spate of suicide bombings in recent days in northeast Nigeria has left dozens of people dead and many others wounded in both Maiduguri and Madagali. At least three of the suicide bombers are reported to have been females. No one has claimed the attacks, but the Islamic State West Africa (ISWA, formerly known as Boko Haram) has a long history of using women and children as bombers. It is unclear if the ISWA splinter led by its former leader Abu Bakr Shekau is also utilizing female suicide bombers, although it is a strong possibility.

On Friday, two teenage girls detonated their explosive devices in a market in the city of Madagali in Nigerias Adamawa State. The blasts killed at least 31 people, according to CNN. However, Al Jazeera has put the total number of dead much higher at 45 and over 30 people wounded. The last suicide assault involving women to occur in Madagali was on Dec 28 of last year in a coordinated attack on the city. Two female suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowded market in Madagali during the operation. According to the BBC, at least 30 people were killed in those explosions. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Islamic State West Africa launches coordinated assaults in northeast Nigeria.]

Today, two girls blew themselves up in a crowded market alongside a male suicide bomber in Maiduguri. The Daily Press, a Nigerian news outlet, reported that a male and female suicide bomber detonated themselves minutes apart, spokesman Sani Datti of the National Emergency Management Agency said. However, the AP has confirmed that the two suicide bombers were young girls, aged 7 and 8. Maiduguri has long been the target of ISWAs suicide bombing campaigns.

The last suicide assault in the city was October 29 when a girl detonated herself near a camp for internally displaced persons near the city. A second girl would later detonate close to a nearby gas station. The two blasts left at least nine people dead and two dozen wounded.

Elsewhere, two young girls targeted the northern Cameroonian city of Mora late last month. One bomber detonated herself and wounded four people, while the second was killed before she could explode herself.

According to data compiled by FDDs The Long War Journal, at least 123 female suicide bombers have been utilized by the Islamic State West Africa, or Boko Haram, since June 2014. The rate at which these attacks occur has drastically dropped since their height in 2015, but ISWA still retains the ability to utilize women and young girls as suicide bombers. Many of the women and girls used in these bombings are likely forced into committing the assaults, however, some could be the widows or daughters of killed fighters.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Serzh Sargsyan did not touch upon OSCE call: in which phase the issue is (video)

For renewed violence the parties will bear full responsibility, announced Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries on December 8 in Hamburg. They call on heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan to demonstrate flexibility and to return to the negotiation table. Yesterday at the meeting with intellectuals in Karabakh Serzh Sargsyan did not touch upon this call. On August 10 Serzh Sargsyan was in Moscow. There he thanked Vladimir Putin for the efforts put in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries also spoke about the reached agreements. They called on Yerevan and Baku to honor the agreements reflected in the Joint Statements of the 16 May Summit in Vienna and the 20 June Summit in St. Petersburg. In Vienna Ilham Aliyev stated that they had no intention to fight. In Vienna Co-chairs reiterated that the conflict has no military settlement, and after Saint Petersburg President of Azerbaijan announced that if it seemed to someone that meaningless negotiations would continue for another 20 years, they were mistaken. Later, in October, Aliyev told Russian journalist that Presidents of the OSCE Co-chair countries reiterated that status quo is unacceptable, but it makes no change, We will never agree with Nagorno Karabakhs independence and the Armenian side knows it very well. President of Azerbaijan assures that today Nagorno Karabakh is not a safe and prospering territory, Karabakh has no alternative; it should normalize relations with Azerbaijan. In November Serzh Sargsyan told the same journalist that in 2011 we were close to signing the document, by which Armenia surrenders all seven regions, But alas, in Kazan Azerbaijan refused that principle. - It means you met in order to sign. Yes, yes, taking into account the fact that Presidents of three countries were sure that we would sign. A month ago in the interview with a Russian media outlet, Karabakh President stated that as long as Karabakh does not participate in the negotiations, it is impossible to reach any result; recognition of Karabakhs independence is just a matter of time, And we will continue our work, hoping that sooner or later the international community will recognize our republic. In Hamburg no one has great expectations from the parties. Each of Co-Chair countries is ready to organize meeting of Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan in their country. Armenia is ready for such a meeting. The decision is up to Azerbaijan.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
Cases of tortures remain unpunished in Armenia: human rights activists (video)

In police divisions, prisons, military units, during peaceful rallies, citizens are subjected to tortures by the law enforcement officers. This situation was presented by Armenian human rights activists from November 23-24 during the session of the UN Committee against Tortures held in Geneva. Representatives from the Armenian Government were also present in the session. Armenias Government lost to the civil society. Objective observers assessed that we, the civil society, are right and the representatives of Armenias authorities werent able to present relevant counterarguments, says human rights activist Artak Zeynalyan. Every year after this meeting Armenian Government does not put enough efforts in order to make tortures by the law enforcement officers punishable. Human rights activists note. Advocate Hayk Alumyan brings facts. Former Deputy Minister of Defense Vahan Shirkhanyan, who has been in custody since last years December, has been in the NSS isolation cell for already 8 months in spite of serious health problems. He is deprived of bath, sunlight as well as appropriate medical aid. Vahan Shirkhanyan has taken 4000 pills, but his health condition not only hasnt improved, but is deteriorating day by day. If it isnt a torture, what is it?, says advocate Hayk Alumyan. In Armenia citizens are often subjected to torture during peaceful rallies and in police division after having been taken to police stations. The rallies in Yerevan after the murder of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri in 2015 as well as protests of Electric Yerevan singled out with the cases of torture. Police actions were exceptional with the cases of tortures this year in July after the actions of Sasna Dzrer. The main problem is the atmosphere of impunity, because the police in Armenia act not according to the law, but according to instructions, says human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanyan. Armenia has adopted constitution close to international standards, planning punishments in case of tortures, but practically the law is incomplete. Whats more, in many cases a person does not receive any compensation for violated rights. Even when the state bogy recognizes the violation of the right, it doesnt mean that human rights are defended. Just compensation should be provided, says human rights activist Artak Zeynalyan. According to the assessment of the human rights activists, in order to overcome the atmosphere of impunity we dont need new laws; we need implementation of the existing laws.
Kozhikode: BJP State President Kummanam Rajasekharan on last day flayed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for blaming the BJP and RSS for his own decision to back out from programme organized by the Malayalee organization in Bhopal.

In his Face Book post, Kummanam said that it was Pinarayi's own decision to drop the programme. Pointing about the political morality, Kummanam said that the Madhya Pradesh CM and DGP had contacted Pinarayi as soon as they came to know of the incident.

He also asked that what's the point in insulting the people of an entire state in the name of a small black-flag demonstration. Kummanam also pointed that CM Vijayan should recall the 'hartal' like situation in Kerala when PM Narendra Modi visited Kerala when he was the Gujarat CM.
A suicide truck bomb hit the entrance of Somalia's biggest port on Sunday, killing at least 29 people, police said, an attack claimed by Islamist al Shabaab militants.



The fighters said they were trying to disrupt protracted parliamentary elections - part of efforts to rebuild the fractured nation after decades of war. The three-month vote is due to end on Dec. 29.



Gunfire rang out after the blast at Mogadishu Port, Mohamed Hussein, a worker there, told Reuters. Two others said work had been halted and staff sent home.



The bodies of victims lay strewn outside the capital's terminal in a street filled with rubble from damaged tea shops.



"At least 29 civilians died and 50 others have been injured in the blast. We believe it was a suicide truck bomb," police officer Colonel Abdikadir Farah told Reuters.



Al Shabaab's military operation spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, told Reuters the blast was aimed at police officers stationed close to the port.



"We killed 30 security forces and injured 50. We targeted them because they had been trained to provide security at so-called elections,' he said.



Al Shabaab's insurgency aims to drive out African Union peacekeepers, topple Somalia's western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islam on the Horn of Africa state.



Around 14,000 people representing Somalia's federal states have been chosen to pick the 275 lawmakers. Those members of parliament will choose a new president.



The government, U.N. officials and international donors have said security issues prevented a broader vote.



Al Shabaab accuses the presidential and parliamentary candidates of being foreign stooges.



(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Sam Holmes and Andrew Heavens)




War on 'Fake News' Part of a War on Free Speech

A major threat to liberty is the assault on the right to discuss political issues, seek out alternative information sources, and promote dissenting ideas and causes such as non-interventionism in foreign and domestic affairs. If this ongoing assault on free speech succeeds, then all of our liberties are endangered.

One of the most common assaults on the First Amendment is the attempt to force public policy organizations to disclose their donors. Regardless of the intent of these laws, the effect is to subject supporters of controversial causes to harassment, or worse. This harassment makes other potential donors afraid to support organizations opposing a popular war or defending the rights of an unpopular group.

Many free speech opponents support laws and regulations forbidding activist or educational organizations from distributing factual information regarding a candidate's positions for several months before an election. The ban would apply to communications that do not endorse or oppose any candidate. These laws would result in the only sources of information on the candidate's views being the campaigns and the media.

Recently the Federal Election Commission (FEC) rejected a proposal to add language exempting books, movies, and streaming videos from its regulations. The majority of FEC commissioners apparently believe they should have the power, for example, to ban Oliver Stone's biography of Edward Snowden, since it was released two months before the election and features clips of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump discussing Snowden.

The latest, and potentially most dangerous, threat to the First Amendment is the war on "fake news." Those leading the war are using a few "viral" Internet hoaxes to justify increased government regulation -- and even outright censorship -- of Internet news sites. Some popular websites, such as Facebook, are not waiting for the government to force them to crack down on fake news.

Those calling for bans on "fake news" are not just trying to censor easily-disproved Internet hoaxes. They are working to create a government-sanctioned "gatekeeper" (to use Hillary Clinton's infamous phrase) with the power to censor any news or opinion displeasing to the political establishment. None of those wringing their hands over fake news have expressed any concern over the fake news stories that helped lead to the Iraq War. Those fake news stories led to the destabilizing of the Middle East, the rise of ISIS, and the deaths of millions.

The war on "fake news" has taken a chilling turn with efforts to label news and opinion sites of alternative news sources as peddlers of Russian propaganda. The main targets are critics of US interventionist foreign policy, proponents of a gold standard, critics of the US government's skyrocketing debt, and even those working to end police militarization. All have been smeared as anti-American agents of Russia.

Just last week, Congress passed legislation creating a special committee, composed of key federal agencies, to counter foreign interference in US elections. There have also been calls for congressional investigations into Russian influence on the elections. Can anyone doubt that the goal of this is to discredit and silence those who question the mainstream media's pro-welfare/warfare state propaganda?

The attempts to ban "fake news;" smear antiwar, anti-Federal Reserve, and other pro-liberty movements as Russian agents; and stop independent organizations from discussing a politician's record before an election are all parts of an ongoing war on the First Amendment. All Americans, no matter their political persuasion, have a stake in defeating these efforts to limit free speech.

Buy Ron Paul's latest book, Swords into Plowshares, here.

Dr. Ron Paul

Project Freedom

Congressman Ron Paul of Texas enjoys a national reputation as the premier advocate for liberty in politics today. Dr. Paul is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He is known among both his colleagues in Congress and his constituents for his consistent voting record in the House of Representatives: Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Dr. Paul is the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Ron Paul Archive

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Tech Breakthrough Could Make This The Biggest Winner Of OPECs Cut

As far as the markets are concerned, OPECs 32.5-million bpd output cut deal agreed to two weeks ago could go either way, and the uncertainty makes it anyones guessbut MCW Energy, the pioneer of breakthrough clean oil sands extraction in Utah, is not concerned:

If oil prices remain low, its production costs are dramatically reduced, and in any scenario, its breakthrough technology makes everything from Utahs vast oil sands to the Permian Basins massive offerings easier to extract.

When you combine MCWs immunity from oil price vulnerability with a Utah play that has an estimated 87 million barrels of proven reserves worth about $3.4 billion in todays market, can produce at a market-defying $27/barrel and is the first technology to offer a clean, safe and efficient way to get oil sands out of the ground and pump more from the giant Permian Basin, you have a company poised for massive gains in the New Year.

For all those oil sands skeptics out there: This isnt Canada, where production is presently prohibitively expensive, and oil sands are equated with toxic trailing ponds that make environmental issues a major hurdle.

This is Utah, and more precisely, its Asphalt Ridge, in the heart of the western Green River Formation, where MCW Energy has been cleaning Utahs oil sands and selling it off since the beginning of this year, with plant capacity now being augmented to 500bbl/day. And its all being done with zero water and zero trailing ponds.

But there is an even bigger play going on behind the scenes herebeyond the revolutionary oil sands developments: MCWs proprietary technologies can boost production and reserve values and unlock the potential of sizable assets, not only from their estimated 89 million barrels in Utah, but also from an estimated 168 million barrels theyve recently scooped up in Texas prolific Permian Basinjust for starters. This is where top producers such as Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:APC), Apache Corp. (NYSE:APA), BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) and Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) are gathering in full force to tap Americas oldest and most prolific basin whose best days are still ahead of it.

Nor does it stop there: This proprietary technology can also be licensed out for potentially millions in sales because it not only improves the filtration of a pay zone, but its also poised to be the hottest new thing in global remediationfrom Albertas trailing ponds and far beyond.

The back of the envelope upside here is fantastic, and the future looks lucratively clean.

As MCW Energy (traded in the U.S. under MCWEF and in Canada under MCW.V) forges ahead, carving out a unique position and pioneering an entirely new oil sands future, paying only passive attention to illusory OPEC ups and downs, here are 6 reasons to keep a very close eye on this company right now:

1. Utah is Ground Zero for Clean Oil Sands

Canada might be a global oil sands behemoth, but extracting is a dirty process thats given bitumen a dirty reputation. Utah is the venue that will rebrand oil sands, and MCW is the company that is making it happen with propriety technology.

And Utah has over 32 billion barrels of oil sands to be extracted in 8 major deposits. It also has fantastic infrastructure and a royalties set-up that makes great sense for operators. Now that it is possible to extract oil sands without harming the environmentor using up the states water supply32 billion barrels of potential here is expected to generate some massive royalties.

2. A Billion-Barrel Play with Plenty of Upside

MCW Energy has two leases in the oil sands heartland of Utahone at Asphalt Ridge and one at Temple Mountain.

The 1,128-acre Asphalt Ridge lease is estimated to hold 20 million barrels of bitumen, according to assessments by Chapman Petroleum. MCW Energy acquired this acreage in 2012, and built a 250-barrel/day plant onsite, which is now in the process of being augmented to handle twice that.

Then, just this year, MCW acquired the lease from nearby Temple Mountain Energy, adding another estimated 88 million barrels of bitumen to its portfolio, which Chapman values at $81 million. This is where it gets really big: This is the site of a future 2,500-barrel per day plant, for which the design is already nearing completion.

To recap, thats 100+ million in bitumen in total. And it doesnt stop there. MCW Energy is seeking more prime acreage in Asphalt Ridgewhich is believed to hold some 1 billion barrels of recoverable oil.

3. Production Costs that Dont Depend on OPEC



While traditional oil and gas companies are having a tough time coming up for air in the ongoing depressed oil price environment, MCW Energy is moving forward quickly precisely because low oil prices have given them a production boost.

In 2015, MCW produced 10,000 barrels and sold some 6,000 barrels to the Utah market, with an average cost per barrel hovering between $31 and $33.

As MCW prepares to ramp up production to 500 barrels per day, its also seeking to further reduce production costs by moving its extraction plant to the newly acquired Temple Mountain site, which comes along with lower environmental and regulatory costs. Even more significantly, once it makes this move it will cut an estimated $7.60 per barrel off the transportation cost.

While it may sound like an expensive moverelocating an entire plant in a short time. In reality its not. The MCW plant is modular. It can be disassembled and re-assembled at the new location in a matter of 90 days. After that, it will be augmented to handle twice its original capacity and should be operational next Spring.

A 2,500-bpd plant could come in at per-barrel cost of around $27, according to a Nexant preliminary report. And costs could be reduced further. MCW estimates that a 2,500 bbl/day extraction unit will optimize production efficiencies with costs ranging from $20 to $24/barrel.

A recent study confirmed MCWs processing costs are dramatically reduced in a low oil price atmosphere because the petroleum products they use in the extraction process are up to 55 percent cheaper.

The bottom line? The fluctuating production costs for MCWs operations spell ongoing profit, and it doesnt matter what rumors OPEC spreads. This is a ship not tied to OPECs shores.

4 Breakthrough Technology of Revolutionary Parameters

Over the past six years, the developers of MCWs technology and plant facilities have spent over 210 man-years getting this just right. What they came up with is an environmentally responsible, closed loop, solvent-based, extraction technology that doesnt use any water at all, and it doesnt leave anything behind that isnt clean. In this process, the only thing the leaves the MCW plant is oil for sale and clean sand to be returned to the ground.

No trailing ponds. No surface water or groundwater contamination. No greenhouse gas emissions.

How does it work? This is the short version:

Oil sands ore is passed through MCWs benign, patented extraction solvents The mixture of solvents and extracted oil and transferred to a separation column Oil is separated from the solvents, with 99 percent of the hydrocarbons extracted Cleaned sand is dried and reused or sold to the construction industry

Thats itthe rest is sales.

Its great for the environment, not to mention the permitting process. Its all a green light. MCW has been working in close cooperation with the environmental regulators and has already obtained all necessary permits at both of its lease sites.

5. Management are First-Class Pioneers

The dream team behind this company, which expects its annual revenue to grow to $100 million, represents an evolution in the energy patch.

The former Exxon Mobil president of Arabian Gulf operationsDr. Gerard Bailey is MCWs CEO. He thinks this is the hottest thing since fracking technologyand we are inclined to agree.

Bailey recognized a technology that nobody else had; he also was sure itd make a huge splash on the global oil scene, and once the floodgates are opened, hell probably be right.

The 50-year international oil veteran is joined by MCW founder and chairman Aleksandr Blyumkin, who has more than 20 years of international oil and gas experience, particularly in Europe, and Dr. Vladimir Podlipskiy, MCWs Chief Technology Officer, and a chemical scientist at the UCLA Department of Chemistry. The track records here explain both the breakthrough scientific technology and the aggressive moves on this niche market.

6. Smart, Fast Forward Movement

Theres been an impressive amount of forward movement with this company this year, and againlow oil prices have actually helped. While everyone else in this patch was struggling, MCW was acquiring, developing and building momentum.

In September, the company acquired control of Texas-based Accord GR Energy, which has two enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies that MCW is eyeing to increase recoverable resources at Temple Mountain. But the acquisition also gave them 88 drilled and completed wells on 7,000 acres in Texas. There is a documented 168 million barrels of oil in place at shallow depths of 250-300 feet here.

In the Permian Basin, MCW is changing the definition of depleted. The Permian Basin, the sleeping giant of the U.S. oil and gas patch, has hundreds of wells in the MCW play alone that old technology determined as nearly depleted, but MCW technology tells a different story: Theres a lot more oil in there, and this is where it gets really exciting. The company has already spent $1.5 million on its Phase 1 completion to demonstrate the commercial viability of even the most depleted of 200 drilled wells. Phase II will see MCW apply its proprietary technology to adjust the filtration properties of the pay zone and then recover the oil using a thermal baric process.

Now weve entered into the technology licensing phase, where MCW hits the global market. The company has tested oil sands and shale samples in China, Jordan, Indonesia and elsewhere in North America.

But theres a secondary story unfolding here simultaneously, and the momentum has been building fast. The MCW technology has additional upside: It can be used for remediation, and the attraction is likewise global.

Not only does the MCW technology allow for the clean extraction of oil sands, but it can be used to clean up everyone elses messes, such as Albertas trailing ponds, which cover 176 square kilometers (and counting). Licensing out its technology is the secondary income stream that adds to the already fundamentally attractive set-up here.

To this end, MCW has achieved another first: It has issued the rights to its technology to its first licensee, Canadian-based TS Energy Ltd., which can use the remediation technology in Canada and Trinidad & Tobago. MCW will also joint venture with Vivakor on several remediation projects.

There are a lot of firsts here, and they are all historical, but the baseline is this: The company hasfor the first time in global historymade the extraction of oil sands clean and not only economical, but profitable. Now they are breathing new life into the giant Permian Basin. They are hungry for acquisitions and have technology licensing and remediation to flesh out their offerings and add to their profits.

This is the break-out. Once the rest of the world catches on, it will already be too big.

By James Burgess of Oilprice.com

Legal Disclaimer/Disclosure: This piece is an advertorial and has been paid for. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. No information in this Report should be construed as individualized investment advice. A licensed financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decision. We make no guarantee, representation or warranty and accept no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of Oilprice.com only and are subject to change without notice. Oilprice.com assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, we assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information, provided within this Report.





 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




2017 Will Be A Pivotal Year For Europe

Many people in the EU disapprove of EU economic policies. Greece is by far the unhappiest with Brussels. Italy is next, with France and Spain not far behind. The UK, where people are angry enough to have voted themselves out of the EU, looks even-tempered in comparison.

That suggests to me that if you offered these other countries a chance to ditch the EU and reassured them that they wouldnt cause the sky to fall, there are some who might take the leap.

Europe is likely to change drastically in 2017

It will be safe to say that 2017 will be a pivotal year for Europe. The UK will keep moving along the Brexit path; Marine Le Pen will have a real shot at taking power in France; and Italy's government could fall into Five Star's control.

Angela Merkel will be up for re-election in Germany and will likely win, but she could be forced into concessions we havent seen her make in the past.

As all this is going on, Europe will be glancing nervously both east and west. To the east, Vladimir Putin will be looking for ways to stay in power as energy prices remain soft. To the west, President Trump will be pushing NATO members to boost defense spendingunless they want the US to fold up its umbrella.

Most of those countries have zero room in their budgets for defense if they want to maintain spending levels on social welfare programs. Italy spends less than 1% on defense, and many other countries spend much less. Germany spends only a bit over 1%. (Just for the record, Canada is a member of NATO, and it spends exactly 1%.)

NATO membership only partially overlaps with the EU. One big difference: Turkey is a key NATO ally but only a wannabe EU member. Thats going to mean some delicate negotiations between Ankara, Brussels, and other European capitals.

The investment consequences of all this are very much up in the air. The worst-case scenario is a Eurozone breakup and the collapse of the EU free-trade area. Or both could shrink as Italy and perhaps others leave.

Borders are back in style

The conclusion I keep coming back to is this: Borders are back in style. I think we may look back and see 2016 as the year in which those trends reversed. Nations are again raising border defenses against both immigrants and trade.

Tearing down the borders took decades, of course. They wont all go back up right away. Some borders will be more open than others. Nonetheless, I think we are in the early stages of the formation of a different world power structure. How it differs will make a difference to your investments.

Get a Birds-Eye View of the Economy with John Mauldins Thoughts from the Frontline

This wildly popular newsletter by celebrated economic commentator, John Mauldin, is a must-read for informed investors who want to go beyond the mainstream media hype and find out about the trends and traps to watch out for. Join hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide, as John uncovers macroeconomic truths in Thoughts from the Frontline. Get it free in your inbox every Monday.

John Mauldin Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




MARTINSVILLE  Tuesday nights Martinsville City Council meeting will be the last for Mayor Danny Turner and Councilman Mark Stroud, who did not run for re-election this year.

They will be honored with a reception at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building on West Church Street uptown. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. and soon thereafter, they will officially be recognized by the council.

Both Turner and Stroud have served two four-year terms as council members. They first were elected in 2008 and then re-elected in 2012.

Turner was elected by the council to be mayor in 2015.

At 9 a.m. Jan. 3, the council will hold an organizational meeting during which newly-elected council members Chad Martin and Kathy Lawson will be administered their oaths of office.

Martin is a political newcomer. Lawson became Martinsvilles first woman mayor during her previous term on the council.

Also during Tuesday nights meeting, the council will recognize city Public Works Director Jeff Joyce, who is retiring at the end of the month after working for the city for more than 20 years.

The council will also consider approval of its legislative agenda for 2017, along with a comprehensive economic development strategy and the West Piedmont Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

In the proposed legislative agenda, the city council asks for the General Assemblys help to keep the Henry County Public Service Authority (PSA) from reopening its mothballed Lower Smith River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The council feels that before the treatment plant is reopened, there needs to be a regional study showing it would be in the best interests of city and county taxpayers, the authoritys customers, local economic needs and state environmental policy.

Also on the proposed legislative agenda is a statement that the council seeks approval from the General Assembly of the concept of a transportation authority for southern Virginia, with a dedicated revenue stream for the construction of I-73 and other transportation priorities.

At the urging of state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, the council recently adopted a resolution asking the General Assembly to create a regional transportation authority like ones in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Those authorities control revenue generated from state sales tax hikes and put it toward transportation needs.

Interstate 73 would run through Henry County. Yet the countys board of supervisors has opted not to approve a similar resolution. According to County Administrator Tim Hall, there is no guarantee that the governing board of a transportation authority would let money collected in the county stay in the county. That argument is echoed by the way the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia authorities operate. The money collected by each is put into a pool and then the group as a whole votes on where it goes. Therefore, there would be no guarantee that any of the money would go toward building the interstate.

Other agenda items will include:

@ Hearing a presentation by Accredited Community Services about the services they provide.

@ Holding a public hearing on the recent update of the citys solid waste management plan.

@ Considering an amendment to the Northside Community Development Block Grant project contract.

@ Hearing a report on city finances.

@ Considering routine-type budget amendments.

@ Hearing any public comments about city matters not on the agenda for discussion. This portion of the meeting no longer is televised.

This will be the councils only meeting in December. A second regular meeting will not be held later in the month because of the holiday season.
flip or flop.jpeg

Tarek and Christina El Moussa of "Flip or Flop."

(HGTV photo)

HGTV stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa have announced their separation months after police were called to their Orange County, California home over what the "Flip or Flop" couple termed an "unfortunate misunderstanding."

"Like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage," the two said in their statement. "We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution. There was no violence and no charges were filed."

TMZ first reported the couple's separation Monday and said the police call last May involved guns and a feared suicide attempt. Deputies seized five guns, including an AR-15.

Tarek El Mouss fled the couple's home when police responded to a call of a suicidal male. He was stopped on a nearby trail, where he told the police he took the gun in the event he ran into mountain lions or rattlesnakes, the website reported.

The incident prompted the couple to seek counseling, but they decided to separate as they evaluate "the future of our marriage," their statement said.

"During the process, we are committed to our kids and being the best parents we can be. We will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together."

The couple married in 2009 and have two children.

A HGTV spokesman told E! News, "We admire and appreciate Tarek and Christina's great work on 'Flip or Flop.' When it comes to matters related to their own family, we respect their privacy and honor any decision that works best for them and their children. HGTV is currently airing episodes of 'Flip or Flop' and the series will continue production as scheduled."
IMG_2078.JPG

Some of the special wine bottles I have saved over the years.

(Photo by Ken Ross)

The idea of spending $30 or far more on a bottle of wine might seem crazy to some people.

But there really is something to be said for having a special wine on a special occasion.

My father often waits until Christmas to open certain, special wines - a tradition that dates back to his father before him.

Years later, I still have many of these empty bottles, to the occasional frustration of my wife. But I love saving some of them since every time I look at these bottles, I can still vividly remember the memorable events associated with them.

A few are from Christmas dinners.

Or wedding anniversary celebrations.

Or certain birthdays.

Or other important milestones.

I can even still vividly remember the first time I spent a lot of money on a single bottle of wine. It was 1999 and I bought a bottle of 1986 Chateau Latour. Before then, I had probably never spent more than $30 or $40 on a single bottle of wine. But I wanted to buy a special wine for a special person - my grandfather.

I grew up a mile or so from my father's father outside Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was like a second father to me and I loved all the routines I had with him when I was a kid.

Walks in the woods, measured by the distance to certain trees. (I can still picture "the one mile tree.")

"Wall Street Week" on Friday nights.

Frozen pizzas and "Lawrence Welk" on Saturday nights.

The Castle Restaurant on Sunday after church in Scranton.

Popcorn and "60 Minutes" and "The Muppet Show" on Sunday nights.

And every day, at exactly five o'clock, he and my grandmother would have a drink together. You could literally set you watch by the exact moment they would raise their glasses and say "Skol," a phrase they picked up on Norwegian cruise ships over the years.

In January 1999, my grandparents were in California. They were about to board a Norwegian ship to go on a cruise when my grandmother suddenly passed away. She was 87 years but it still came as a shock.

To say that my grandmother was my grandfather's best friend is an understatement. My grandparents were married for 64 years. His world revolved around her. So when my grandfather's 87th birthday came around in March 1999, I wanted to get him something special, something he would really appreciate and always remember.

I loved seeing the smile on his face when he unwrapped the bottle of wine. And I often think of that moment when I give someone a special bottle or I receive one in return.

There's no reason to spend more than $10 or $20 on a bottle of wine. There are so many great ones out there for under that price. But sometimes, it's fun to splurge on a more expensive wine for different special occasions. The same way it's fun to sometimes go out for a gourmet meal or get box seats once in your life at Fenway Park.

That's why I started writing this specific column each year a few years ago about wines worth splurging on. If you don't want to spend a lot on a bottle of wine, I totally get it. But if you do, here are my recommendations based on wines I tasted in the past year that are definitely worth the extra money in my opinion.

I tried to pick a wide range of wines from many different regions - California, Oregon, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Italy and several regions in France.

I tasted many of these wines at several recent wine tastings. The ones listed below are the ones that stood out for me among dozens of other wines. I also grouped these wines according to price and whether they're red or white wines just in case anyone was searching for wines in a specific price range.

WINES WORTH SPLURGING ON

WHITE WINES

$20 to $30 WINES

2013 Clos Pegase Mitsuko Vineyard Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($24.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) - This delightful, California wine from a hidden gem in the Napa Valley has a bright, clean finish. The wine also has a hint of butter but nothing too intense. Everything about this wine is soft, subtle and subdued.

2014 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay ($29.99 at Table & Vine) - Another California Chardonnay, Beringer has been making great, affordable wines for decades. This one is a step up from their popular, white wines. Slightly buttery and a little oakey, this Chardonnay shows what California can do right with this popular grape.

RED WINES

$20 to $29 WINES

Achaval Ferrer Quimera ($24.99 at Table & Vine) - One of the top wineries in Argentina, Achaval Ferrer blended five different grapes (50 percent Malbec, 24 percent Cabernet Franc, 16 percent Merlot, 8 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 percent Petit Verdot) to produce this subtle, ripe wine ready to enjoy now.

2012 Muga Reserva Rioja ($24.99 at Table & Vine) - One of the best known wineries from one of the best known wine regions in Spain, Muga's reserve red wine has a racy, ripe finish that blends together four different grapes (70 percent Tempranillo, 20 percent Garnacha, 7 percent Mazuelo and 3 percent Graciano) grown in chalky, clay soil.

2010 Meerlust Rubicon ($29.99 at Table & Vine) - This distinct, South African red wine brilliantly blends together four different grapes - 62 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 24 percent Merlot, 12 percent Cabernet Franc and 2 percent Petit Verdot. Together, these grapes have a smokey, almost cigar-like taste mixed with fresh soil. A truly delicious, earthy wine.

RED WINES

$30 to $49 WINES

2013 Chateau St. Michelle Canoe Ridge Cabernet ($34.99 at Table & Vine) - A classic, single-grape wine from one of Washington State's best-known wineries. This fruit-forward wine was one of my favorites from a recent tasting, even compared to several, higher-priced wines. It's robust, ripe flavors have a long, strong finish.

2014 Ramey Claret ($39.99 at Table & Vine) - Claret is the term British wine lovers use to describe red wines from France's Bordeaux region. This exciting, full-bodied, California red wine reminded me of such blended French wines, but with a playful tone you often find with many California wines. This young wine blends together six different grapes - 63 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 24 percent Merlot, 7 percent Malbec, 3 percent Syrah, 2 percent Petit Verdot and 1 percent Cabernet Franc. Drink now or feel free to save this one for a few years.

2014 Chateau des Jacques, Grand Close de Rochegres, Moulin a Vent ($39.99 at Table & Vine) - If you think all French Beaujolais wines are the same, think again. This fleshy, fruity red wine packs more of a punch than most red wines from this famous region in Burgundy. Great with turkey and for festive occasions.

2013 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($39.99 at Table & Vine) - I was surprised by how many California Cabernet Sauvignons I enjoyed at several recent tastings. For years, I thought that many were overpriced and too sweet. This refreshing wine has a smooth, velvety finish that lingers on your tongue.

2012 Leviathan Red Blend ($44.99 at Table & Vine) - California strikes gold again. This wine is a blend of four different grapes - 45 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Cabernet Franc, 16 percent Merlot and 14 percent Syrah. The result is a robust, fruit-forward wine for fans of full-bodied, fleshy wines from a great vintage.

2013 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon ($49.99 at Table & Vine) - I have long had mixed feelings about this California winery, partly because many of their expensive wines have a cult-like following. But even I will admit that their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon had a big, beautiful meaty finish that stood out in a crowded field of other great wines.

2012 Domaine Janasse Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues ($49.99 at Table & Vine) - My love for red wines from France's Cotes du Rhone region has never wavered. And this marvelous, ripe, robust wine made entirely with Grenache grapes stood out among many, higher-priced red wines.

WHITE WINES

$50 OR HIGHER

2014 William Fevre Fourchaume 1er Cru Chablis ($54.99 at Table & Vine) - White wines made with Chardonnay grapes from the Chablis region in France's Burgundy region have become some of my favorite white wines in recent years. This crisp, dry, refreshing, floral wine was one of my favorite white wines I tasted this past year. A real gem.

2014 Olivier Leflaive Chassagne Montrachet ($74.99 at Table & Vine) - When it comes to white wines from France's Burgundy region, Montrachet has a cache unlike any other place in the world. This subtle, understated white wine made with Chardonnay grapes was the one I enjoyed tasting the most this past year. Or if I were to use one word to describe this wine, it would be, "Wow!"

RED WINES

$50 OR HIGHER

2010 Manzone Gramolare Barolo ($59.99 at Table & Vine) - Italian wines can be intimidating to people who don't know a lot about wine. There are so many regions and so many duds out there. But when you find a great, red wine from Italy, all those worries seem to fade away like a beautiful, Italian sunset. This dry, robust, red wine from Italy's famed Barolo region in Piedmont hits all the right notes. Bravo!

2009 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau ($74.99 at Table & Vine) - My favorite Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a name reserved for specific red wines from a specific subregion in France's Rhone region. These delicious, full-bodied, robust wines reach their peak after 5 or 6 years. That's when they taste as great as many, higher-priced Bordeauxs or Burgundies. A true treat perfect for any special occasion.

2008 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir ($89.99 at Table & Vine) - I tasted this wine over dinner at my father's 80th birthday celebration. I have long been a big fan of this Oregon winery's lush, robust wines. The 2008 vintage tastes terrific right now and, best of all, you can still find this luxurious wine for sale in certain stores.

2008 Chateau Pavie Decesse ($149.99 at Table & Vine) - I know what many of you are probably thinking - $150 for a bottle of wine? Have you gone crazy? But believe me. This ripe, robust wine from Bordeaux's Saint-Emilion region left me speechless at a recent tasting. So if you have a chance to buy or taste this wine, I highly recommend tracking down this small-production wine from France's most famous wine region.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican's weekend section every Thursday.
One hundred families an hour.

That's the number Danielle Lataille predicts will pass through the Salvation Army's Springfield Citadel today to receive toys and gifts for the children thanks to the 94th annual Toy for Joy campaign.

And, it will continue each day through Friday when as many as 150 families an hour will stand in line for help from Toy for Joy, Lataille, social services director for the Salvation Army, says.

The campaign is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army, The Republican and MassLive. Toy for Joy seeks to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to cover the costs of this year's campaign. Toy for Joy helps families in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Toy distribution begins today at Salvation Army sites in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield, where thousands of families will benefit from the generosity of the community. The families all registered two weeks ago, providing documentation of their need for assistance.

To date, contributions total $21,335, leaving $128,665 to be raised in the next two weeks.

Today's list of donations include $150 from the faculty and staff at Agawam Junior High School, $25 from the American Legion Auxiliary Liberty Unit 430 and $100 from the Springfield-based Fontaine Brothers construction company, all of them among regular donors to the effort over the years. School, business and community groups help power the campaign forward.

Springfield and Holyoke Salvation Army units will be distributing toys to registered families through Friday.

Lataille said all registered clients were given a ticket with a specific time and day to report to either location.

Clients headed to the Springfield Salvation Army, located at 170 Pearl St., will be directed to go to the gym area where they will go to designated stations set with toys for the specific age group or groups for which they registered.

Lataille said the Springfield unit is poised to service 100 families every hour for the first four days and then 150 families an hour on Friday.

For families who registered at the Holyoke Salvation Army at 271 Appleton St., they will report to the second floor where parents will be able go to tables and pick the toys they want to bring home to their kids.

According to the Holyoke staff, the first four days are scheduled with appointments while Friday will serve as a make-up day for any client who was unable to make it to their designated day.

Greenfield's Salvation Army, located at 72 Chapman St., will distribute its toys on Dec. 19 and 20. According to Allison Call, social services caseworker at the Greenfield Salvation Army, families will receive stocking stuffers in addition to the toys for their children.

To learn more about Toy for Joy, call the Salvation Army's Springfield citadel at 413-733-1518.

Online donations can be made by clicking here

Here is a list of the latest contributions to this year's campaign:

Merry Christmas. Beth and Michael Crowley, $500

In memory of my parents, Patricia and John Pronko, who never missed a year donating to Toy for Joy to help families with children during the holiday season. Their love and legacy lives on., $50

Hugh, $100

Merry Christmas Mom love and miss you from Beth, $20

In memory of loved ones who have passed away, $25

Anonymous, $25

In memory of Dennis, love Jackie, $25

In loving memory of my husband Roger from GED, $50

Merry Christmas, in memory of loved ones, R and J C, $25

In memory of my husband Don, love Lois, $25

In loving memory of my husband Ed Martin, love Mary, $22

In memory of Annette Lortie and Christine Beshaw, $60

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, $25

In memory of Fred Glidden from Nancy Ferriter, $20

From the members of American Legion Auxiliary Liberty Unit #430, $25

In loving memory of Paul from Barbara, children and grandchildren, $50

Emily Witaszek, I miss you every day from Pam, $20

In loving memory of William Fenton from wife Florence, $20

In memory of Dave and Edward Dietz and Ken and Margaret Smiledge, $50

In loving memory of Ron Magrone, Merry Christmas, love Tara, $25

Merry Christmas from the Mason family, $100

In memory of my son Michael Surprenant, gone too soon and my companion Bob Chadbourne who passed this year from Dottie, $40

Memory of Lori Lee, $50

Anonymous, $25

Anonymous, $100

In loving memory of Carolyn Duchesneau, love your children, grandchildren and great grandkids, $10

Merry Christmas from the faculty and staff of the Agawam Junior High School, $150

Anonymous, $200

In loving memory of Walter Czupryna who loved to see the children's smile Christmas morning, $50

Anonymous, $100

Lovingly remembering my dad, Bud Pederzoli who loved children from Gail, $25

Anonymous, $25

Anonymous, $25

Hugs and kisses to Nana, Da and miss Coco, $40

From your friends at Fontaine Bros, $100

In memory of our son Daniel Grondalski, love Mom and Dad, $50

In memory of Billie, $50

Robert, $50

Anonymous, $5

In memory of my husband and son Tennyson D and Eric D Wilson, $20

RECEIVED: $2,377

TOTAL TO DATE: $21,335

STILL NEEDED: $128,665
gun pile

(Associated Press)

A 17-municipality Central Massachusetts gun buyback over the weekend saw authorities collect a total of 260 firearms at the Worcester Police headquarters, reports the Telegram & Gazette.

The 15th annual Goods For Guns program, which allows citizens to turn in guns for gift cards to local merchants, proved the most successful iteration yet.

Dr. Michael P. Hirsh told the Gazette, "You can't always stop the causes of violence -- poverty, racism, patterns of abuse...etc.. But one thing that will help is if the access to lethal means is reduced."

Hirsh, who directs of the City of Worcester Division of Public Health and a works as a pediatric trauma surgeon at UMass Memorial Medical Center, lost a colleague to random gun violence 35 years ago, according to The Telegram & Gazette.

Participating communities included Worcester, Southbridge, Leominster, Barre, Fitchburg, Millbury, Grafton, Charlton, Leicester, Dudley, Oxford, Spencer, Northbridge and Webster. Northboro, Westboro and Shrewsbury.

Ninety-one rifles, 102 pistols, 29 semi-automatic weapons and 38 replica guns were collected in all, Hirsh told The Telegram & Gazette. Participants received gift cards worth $25 for a rifle or shotgun, $50 for a handgun and $75 for an automatic weapon.

Police officials say 35 percent of weapons used in crimes in Massachusetts are stolen from homes. The program seeks to get these guns out of circulation.
Donald Trump,Betsy DeVos

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen charter school advocate Betsy DeVos as education secretary.

(Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press file)

LONGMEADOW  A Longmeadow School Committee member this week plans to introduce a resolution asking U.S. senators from Massachusetts to closely scrutinize President-elect Donald Trump's pick for education secretary.

The resolution, written and disseminated to local media by Longmeadow School Committee member John Fitzgerald, would urge Sen. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren to examine the qualifications of Betsy DeVos.

"Longmeadow School Committee has gone on record in opposition to the expansion of so-called charter schools by virtue of its support of a NO vote on Question #2 in the November 2016 election," the resolution says. "Betsy DeVos ... (is) a strong supporter of charter schools and a serious critic and opponent of public schools."

If passed by the School Committee during its Monday night meeting, the resolution would strongly suggest that Markey and Warren exercise their votes to oppose DeVos' appointment if they believe her to be unfit for the position.

"We ask and demand that our senators exercise their constitutional duty to examine the credentials and platform of this presidential nominee as to her fitness and appropriateness for this position," the resolution reads. "If she is found lacking in qualifications, then ... vote against her appointment."

The School Committee meets in the school district's central office, 535 Bliss Road, at 7 p.m. Monday.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is alerting drivers that the speed limit on Interstate 90 from the New York border to Boston has been reduced to 40 mph.

In addition, propane trucks and tandems are restricted from Interchange 1 to Interchange 6, or from the New York border to Springfield.

Over 1,3573 crews are working to clear state roads, according to MassDOT. Many roads are wet and snow covered.

Both MassDOT and Massachusetts State Police are urging drivers to plan their commutes ahead of time, and give themselves plenty of time to get to work.


SPRINGFIELD -- Local officials paid tribute to Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr., and his Community Service Restitution Program on Monday in a luncheon that included Mayor Domenic J. Sarno presenting Ashe with a key to the city.

Sarno, joined by other city officials, praised Ashe, his staff, and the inmate workforce that participates in the community service program during a ceremony held at the new John Shea Technical Training Facility at Forest Park, saying it has served as a national model..

Ashe is retiring in January after serving 42 years as sheriff.

"The sheriff has had that reputation that is not only well-respected across the county and across the Commonwealth but across the nation," Sarno said. "The legacy the Sheriff has created with his Community Restitution Program is everlasting."

Sarno said Ashe's tenure serves as a national "model.'

The community service program has a 22-year history in Springfield, and in other communities, providing inmates with work skills that include landscaping and horticulture, painting and maintenance, carpentry, roadside de-brushing, litter cleanup, and custodial work, officials said.

The range of work has include a major cleanup after the 2011 tornado and refurbishing of parks, officials said.

Ashe said he was honored to receive the city key and a plaque as a celebration of the partnership of the city and Sheriff's Department. The community restitution program is about providing the participants with work skills, a work ethic, "sweat equity," and dignity and self esteem, while giving back to the community, Ashe said.

During the ceremony, approximately 25 participants in the program, including men and women, received certificates from the Park Department in their fields of training.

City officials praised the work that has been done by supervised inmates including maintenance and improvement projects in parks, terraces and public buildings.

The program began with one crew in the summer of 1994, focused on terrace maintenance in Springfield, and has grown to 10 crews in Springfield, officials said.

Patrick J. Sullivan, the city's director of parks, buildings and recreation management, said the program has exceeded expectations.

"The results have been tremendous for the community and its residents as we have saved millions of dollars and improved the delivery of service," Sullivan said, adding that he is especially proud that the city lived up to the sheriff's goal of treating the community service members as "part of the city team."

Inmate crews perform work around the county including the Springfield Parks and Facilities Department; Springfield Housing Authority; South End neighborhood and Survival Center; Holyoke Department of Public Works; Holyoke Housing Authority; Massachusetts Department of Transportation; Springfield Technical Community College; Ludlow Fire Department; and Celebrate Ludlow.

Other speakers included Denise Jordan, the mayor's chief of staff, and Richard Devine, a director at the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, joining in praising Ashe and the community program.

"We see the Community Service Program as a 'win-win situation,: Sarno said. "The offenders get the benefit of disciplined work as well as acquiring fundamental workplace skills, and the community receives the benefit of accomplished projects that may never get done."

Other officials in attendance included Sheriff-Elect Nick Cocchi, Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick and Police Commissioner John Barbieri.
Stephen Silva bank robbery.JPG

Stephen Silva of Springfield, Mass., will be arraigned Tuesday on charges that he robbed a Mascoma Savings Bank in Springfield, Vt., over the weekend. Dec. 12, 2016.

(Courtesy: Springfield, Vt. Police Dept.)

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - A man from Springfield, Mass., will be arraigned here Tuesday on charges that he robbed a Mascoma Savings Bank branch over the weekend.

Stephen Silva, 45, is accused of walking into the Hartland branch on VT Route 12 at 10 a.m. on Saturday and demanding money from a teller. Police said he did not show a weapon.

Police said they received a tip that Silva may have been the robber. On Monday, investigators searched his motel room and the vehicle he was using, recovering evidence including the clothes Silva allegedly wore during the robbery.

The vehicle was found to be stolen out of Massachusetts, and the Connecticut license plate was also stolen. Hartford police assisted with the investigation.

Silva is being held at Southern State Correctional Facility on $50,000 bond. He is charged with robbery, possession of stolen property and aggravated (motor vehicle) operation without owner's consent.

He will be arraigned Tuesday in Windsor Superior Criminal Court.
A Winter Weather Advistory is in effect until 1 p.m. Monday as a storm bringing up to 6 inches of snow moves into the Pioneer Valley.

The warning went into effect at 7 p.m. Sunday, with the National Weather Service forecasting snowfall during the overnight hours and throughout the morning commute. The affected area includes Greater Springfield, Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield and Worcester, along with northern Connecticut.

"Snow will change to rain between 6 and 9 a.m. from south to north but a period of freezing rain is likely during the transition," the weather service said, adding that drivers should expect hazardous road conditions.

At least half of the expected 3 to 6 inches of snow will fall overnight. The snow should transition to rain by the afternoon.

Western Mass News meteorologist Jacob Wycoff said the hill towns, Franklin and Berkshire counties could see up to 8 inches, "with some locally higher amounts possible where the precipitation remains all snow."

Forecasters predict some school cancellations or delays on Monday. Several communities have parking bans in effect to make it easier to clear the roads.
David Njuguna

David Njuguna, accused of fatally crashing into Trooper Thomas Clardy while high on marijuana, in court on Dec. 12.

(Melissa Hanson | MassLive.com)

A defense attorney is arguing that a manslaughter charge should be dropped against David Njuguna, the man accused of driving high on marijuana and slamming into the cruiser of State Police Trooper Thomas Clardy.

At a hearing in Worcester Superior Court on Monday, Njuguna's attorneys argued that the manslaughter charge against him should be dropped because it is in excess of the manslaughter by motor vehicle charge.

Njuguna, 30, of Webster, is being charged with manslaughter, manslaughter by motor vehicle homicide, motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence of marijuana, and other motor vehicle charges for the March 16 crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton. Clardy died of his injuries following the collision.

"Yes, there was marijuana located in his vehicle, that was presented to the grand jury," defense attorney Jaclyn Greenhalgh. But, she said that there was "no evidence" regarding her client consuming marijuana, other than that it was in his car.

Greenhalgh also said that Dr. Fabian Saleh, who reviewed Njuguna's medical records, said it was unclear what caused him to drive the way he did that day.

"Dr. Saleh opined that from his review of the records that there were a number of factors that might have influenced Mr. Njuguna's ability to operate his motor vehicle on March 16, 2016," court records state. "These factors included intense anxiety, sleep deprivation, stress, and the consumption of cannabis."

But when Saleh was asked by a grand jury about when Njuguna consumed marijuana, he could not establish an exact time.

Authorities have said that there was a THC level in his blood during the crash.

Worcester Superior Court Judge Janet Kenton-Walker said the motion was under advisement. Njuguna is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 27.

Clardy's widow, Reisa Clardy, sat in the courtroom, a solemn look on her face as she listened to the proceedings.

Outside the courtroom following the hearing, she declined to speak with reporters.

Clardy, 44, was pulled over on the Pike when Njuguna allegedly crossed three lanes of traffic and slammed into his cruiser. Authorities have said Njuguna was driving 81 miles per hour at the moment of impact.

A grand jury was presented evidence showing that Njuguna had a valid medical marijuana prescription and had visited a dispensary in Brookline about an hour before the crash.

"There was more than ample evidence presented to the grand jury to establish that the defendant operated his vehicle under the influence of marijuana," Assistant District Attorney Donna-Marie Haran said during the hearing.

Haran said that authorities smelled an odor of marijuana on Njuguna following the crash and that there were various marijuana products in his vehicle, including "two consumed marijuana cigarettes."

Along with Reisa Clardy, multiple State Police troopers in uniform attended the hearing.
John Kennedy, Becky Kennedy

Louisiana state treasurer John Kennedy hugs his wife Becky after addressing supporters at his election watch party, after being elected to the senate seat vacated by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

For those of a certain age, the idea of having a member of the U.S. Senate named John Kennedy who is a Republican from Louisiana will take some getting used to.

But when the 115th Congress is sworn in just after the start of the new year, the upper chamber will, in fact, have a member named John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana. Welcome to the new world order, 2017-style.

With Louisiana's Senate runoff election race in the books as of Saturday, a chapter is finally closed on the 2016 campaign. And the report is quite astonishing, really.

Remember when Democrat Hillary Clinton was expected to win the presidency? At that time, of course, Democrats were favored to take control of the Senate and to close the gap on majority Republicans in the House.

How long ago that all seems now.

The makeup of the incoming Congress will be as follows: In the Senate, there'll be 52 Republicans and 48 members in the Democratic caucus. (Of those, 46 are Democrats, while two others are independents.) In the House, Republicans will have a commanding 47-seat majority, 241-194.

With a nominal Republican about to move into the White House, and with Republicans in the majority in both Houses of Congress, one might be tempted to think that the GOP would be set to get some legislating done. And they well might. Except that the agendas of incoming President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin aren't exactly aligned.

In fact, many of Ryan's priorities, spelled out in detail in his lengthy document titled "A Better Way," run completely counter to what Trump has been Trumpeting. To take just one area of discord, Ryan focuses on fiscal restraint while the next president has been talking up an FDR-style infrastructure spending spree.

Whether the incoming Congress will be able to work with the next president is a question after any election. But it's more of a question than usual after this year's balloting.

While Trump and congressional leaders may well be able to find some areas of agreement and move to get some things done fairly quickly, there's a better-than-reasonable chance that their differences will come to the fore before too much time has passed.
SmallBiz-Small Talk-LGBT Inclusivity

FILE - This Thursday, May 12, 2016, file photo, shows signage outside a restroom at 21c Museum Hotel in Durham, N.C. North Carolina is in a legal battle over a state law that requires transgender people to use the public restroom matching the sex on their birth certificate. Some small business owners already working to make their companies more welcoming to LGBT employees say the massacre at a gay dance club in Orlando, Fla., gives them an impetus to make more changes. In this photo, the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathroom sign was designed by artist Peregrine Honig. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

(Gerry Broome)

A group of churches has withdrawn their lawsuit over Massachusetts' new transgender anti-discrimination law after Attorney General Maura Healey's office clarified that the law applies to churches only in certain narrow circumstances.

"We are pleased that the plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed this case," said Emily Snyder, a spokeswoman for Healey. "This law provides important protections for transgender people who were without full protection and equality under the law for too long."

Christiana Holcomb, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, said with the lawsuit, "We accomplished what we set out to do, to ensure pastors and churches across the state of Massachusetts were free to teach their religious beliefs and operate their houses of worship in a way consistent with those beliefs."

The Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a national Christian advocacy group, filed suit in U.S. District Court in October asking a judge to exempt churches and pastors from Massachusetts' law banning discrimination against transgender people in places of public accommodation.

The lawsuit against Healey and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination argued that the law violates the religious freedom of the churches by requiring them to allow transgender individuals to use bathrooms or changing rooms that conform to their gender identity, not their biological sex.

Churches always appeared to be exempt when performing religious functions. MCAD wrote in its guidance on the transgender law that a church would be considered subject to the law only if it holds a secular event, like a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public. But Healey's office included places of worship on a list on its website of places of public accommodation, implying that they were subject to the law. The church also argued that all of its events are religious in nature, including outreach events like spaghetti suppers that are open to the public.

In response to the lawsuit, Healey's office updated its website to remove "houses of worship" from the list of places of public accommodation.

In a letter to the Alliance Defending Freedom, Healey's chief of civil rights wrote that defining a church as a place of public accommodation is inconsistent with a 2002 Supreme Judicial Court ruling, Donaldson v. Farrakhan. The SJC ruled in that case that an event organized by a mosque where minister Louis Farrakhan spoke about drugs and crime in the community could be open only to men because the mosque had a First Amendment right to freedom of expression and association at a religious meeting.

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination also updated its guidelines. MCAD removed the sentence in its guidelines that referred to a church being a place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event like a spaghetti supper. It replaced that by writing that the law applies to a religious organization if it engages in or its facilities are used for a public, secular function. The law does not apply to an organization in any way that would abridge its First Amendment rights, as defined by the Donaldson case.

In a court filing, attorneys for Healey said for the services the churches were worried about -- such as sermons, worship services and Sunday school classes -- the churches were already exempt from the public accommodations law due to their First Amendment religious freedom rights.

The churches and their pastors who were plaintiffs include: Horizon Christian Fellowship in Fitchburg, Abundant Life Church in Swansea, House of Destiny Ministries in Southbridge and Faith Christian Fellowship in Haverhill.

In their motion to voluntarily dismiss the suit, lawyers for the churches wrote that while they do not agree with all the language in MCAD's rules, they are satisfied enough with the changes that they are dismissing the lawsuit. They wrote that if state officials apply the law to a particular church in a way the organization deems unconstitutional, they could challenge the ruling at that time.

Holcomb said she believes that with the new guidance, "the threat posed to churches was now taken care of."

A hearing on a preliminary injunction had been scheduled for Friday.
Electoral College

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2013 file photo, clerks unseal the certificates of results from all fifty states during a meeting of the U.S. Electoral College in the House of Representatives on Capitol in Washington. The Electoral College was devised at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It was a compromise meant to strike a balance between those who wanted popular elections for president and those who wanted no public input. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

(J. Scott Applewhite)

Russian influence on president-elect Donald Trump's victory is giving several Electors pause ahead of their final vote on December 19.

In an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and posted on online publishing platform Medium this morning, ten Electors demanded the release of what information intelligence agencies had that allowed them to conclude with "high confidence" that Russia deliberately interfered in the election before next Monday's vote.

Citing Alexander Hamilton's words in Federalist Number 68 of the Federalist Papers that part of the Electoral College's purpose is to avoid electing someone who "is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications," the Electors said the release was necessary to fully discuss the issue with their peers.

"Accordingly, to fulfill our role as Electors, we seek an informed and unrestrained opportunity to fulfill our constitutional role leading up to December 19th -- that is, the ability to investigate, discuss, and deliberate with our colleagues about whom to vote for in the Electoral College," they wrote.

Further citing Federalist Number 68, they noted that part of the Electoral College's purpose was to guard against "the desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils" by "raising a creature of their own to the chief magistracy of the Union."

"The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations," they wrote.

They say this information will "directly impact" their deliberations of whether or not Donald Trump is fit to serve as president.

In addition to the information from the intelligence agencies, they noted that they "will require from Donald Trump conclusive evidence that he and his staff and advisors did not accept Russian interference, or otherwise collaborate during the campaign, and conclusive disavowal and repudiation of such collaboration and interference going forward."

Of the ten Electors who signed the letter, nine are from states won by Hillary Clinton. One Texas Elector also signed. The letter was posted by Christine Pelosi, daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and an Elector for California.

Throughout the country's history, 179 Electors in 22 different instances have gone against their state's vote for president or vice president, but never enough to change the outcome of the election. As noted by the National Archives, "There is no Constitutional provision or Federal law that requires Electors to vote according to the results of the popular vote in their states," although some states have laws in place that penalize faithless electors. No one has ever been prosecuted for failing to vote as expected, the Archives note.
Bakerup.jpg

Gov. Charlie Baker.

(Staff-Shot)

A Massachusetts public agency aimed at boosting the technology industry has signed a cybersecurity agreement with an Israeli nonprofit, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday while on a trade mission in Israel.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative signed a memorandum of understanding with the Israeli company CyberSpark. The organizations will work together to focus on both health care technology and cybersecurity.

"Massachusetts and Israel each maintain highly skilled workforces, eager investors, and innovative economies that make us natural partners ready to lead on the future of cybersecurity," Baker said in a statement.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is a public agency that promotes collaboration between industry, academia and government and works to encourage research and accelerate the use of technology. CyberSpark is comprised of partners from the Israeli government, the cybersecurity industry and academia. Cyberspark's goal is to promote the development of Be'er Sheva, a city in southern Israel, as a global center for the cyber industry.

MassTech CEO Tim Connelly and CyberSpark CEO Roni Zehavi signed the agreement at a lunchtime meeting in Tel Aviv, where Baker and a Massachusetts business delegation are visiting on a trade mission.

According to a press release from Baker's office, the memorandum of understanding focuses on several potential areas of collaboration:

Applied research in healthcare technology.

Roundtables to discuss trends in technology and policy.

Training for students in the field of cybersecurity in Israel and Massachusetts.

And visits by delegations from each region to the other region's campuses.

Baker also on Monday moderated a discussion on the digital health business between Athena Health CEO and President Jonathan Bush and Optum CEO Larry Renfro at a U.S.-Israel Growth Summit at Tel Aviv University. The summit brought together the Massachusetts delegation with Israeli business leaders, government officials and education leaders in the fields of cybersecurity and digital health.

Monday afternoon, Baker will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a formal state visit at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem. He will attend an evening reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro.
BOSTON - Beacon Hill leaders said Monday they won't change the effective date of Dec. 15 for the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts.



State Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, said in a joint statement that they won't make changes to that part of the new law, which allows possession, use and home growing by adults over the age of 21.



"The voters spoke in favor of legalized recreational marijuana on November 8th and we fully intend to respect the will of the voters," Rosenberg and DeLeo said.



"While we analyze the provisions of the new law and its implementation we will not be passing legislation that changes the December 15th effective date for possession, use, and home growing," they said.



Starting on Dec. 15, people at least 21 years old can possess up to ten ounces of marijuana inside their residence and up to one ounce outside. Smoking is prohibited in the same places tobacco is banned.

Ok, Mass. legalized marijuana. Here's what happens next



One person can grow up to six plants inside their home, and a household can have up to 12 plants.



People can also gift up to an ounce or less of marijuana.

Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.



Beacon Hill leaders, who largely opposed legalization, have repeatedly expressed interest in making changes to the new law, which also calls for the creation of a Cannabis Control Commission as part of a regulatory structure to oversee and tax retail pot shops.



Lawmakers say the implementation of the new law requires more money than the law provides for and have floated a higher tax on marijuana. Advocates argue a low tax is necessary to drive down the black market, one of the key aims of the new law.

Lawmakers have also said they might seek to push back dates for when retail pot shops would open. Under the new law, the shops would open in 2018.

Rosenberg was one of the few top lawmakers who said he would vote for legalization in November.



Making changes in December is more difficult: Lawmakers are meeting on Beacon Hill in "informal session," meaning one legislator can object and stop a bill.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016, file photo, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, right, joined by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, speaks during a news conference, in New York. Exxon is expanding its counter-attack against critics and is now seeking to quash subpoenas by Schneiderman, as well as Healey, who both say that the company deceived investors and the public by hiding what it knew about the link between burning fossil fuels and climate change. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

(Mark Lennihan)

A U.S. District Court judge has canceled a deposition of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey scheduled for Tuesday in Texas in a case relating to her investigation of ExxonMobil.

"We are pleased that the federal judge has canceled this unprecedented deposition order," said Chloe Gotsis, a spokeswoman for Healey. "Our office has argued strongly that the Texas court has no jurisdiction over our investigation and we will continue to urge it to dismiss Exxon's lawsuit against us."

Healey began the investigation in April, demanding extensive documents and testimony from ExxonMobil to determine whether the oil company knew and lied to the public and investors about the impact of burning fossil fuels on climate change. ExxonMobil challenged the order, and the case is now making its way through courts in Texas and Massachusetts.

After Healey appealed U.S. District Court Judge Ed Kinkeade's order that she be deposed in federal court in Texas, Kinkeade issued a one-sentence order on Monday calling off the deposition.

Healey's demand letter asks for copies of documents dating back to 1976 about Exxon's research on carbon emissions and their impact on climate. The letter asks for backup documents related to various statements Exxon officials, including Exxon Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson, have made over the years regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

The letter demands information about changes Exxon made to its operations to prepare for rising sea levels, advertisements Exxon has run, lawsuits the company is involved in, presentations made to investors, investigations by regulators, as well as massive amounts of other documents and research relating to Exxon products and climate change.

Exxon Mobil went to court to challenge Healey's demand. In a motion filed in June in U.S. District Court in Texas, where Exxon is based, the company argued that Healey's investigation is politically motivated, and she is using her law enforcement power at the behest of environmental activists to obtain Exxon's internal documents.

Healey's allegations, wrote lawyers for ExxonMobil, "are nothing more than a weak pretext for an unlawful exercise of government power to further political objectives." They say Healey is trying to deter ExxonMobil from participating in public deliberations about climate change and trying to fish through the company's internal documents to find ammunition to enhance her public position on how to address climate change.

"Attorney General Healey is abusing the power of government to silence a speaker she disfavors," wrote attorneys for ExxonMobil.

The company's attorneys wrote that Exxon Mobil has recognized the risks of climate change for a decade, and Healey's demand poses a "breathtaking burden" on the company, which would need to review millions of documents from a 40-year period in order to comply.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who like Healey is a Democrat, is conducting a similar investigation into Exxon Mobil, and the company has challenged both attorneys general.

Healey responded by asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. Attorneys from her office wrote in court briefs that ExxonMobil is one of the leading suppliers of fossil fuels to Massachusetts and advertises its products throughout the state. Healey cited investigative news reports, which found that, in the 1970s and 1980s, ExxonMobile had a research program into climate change that documented the risks of climate change and the role of fossil fuels.

"It appears that Exxon may have failed to disclose fully its knowledge of the threats posed by climate change to its businesses and that Exxon continues to make apparently misleading and deceptive statements to investors and consumers," attorneys for Healey wrote.

ExxonMobil also challenged Healey's order in Suffolk County Superior Court in Massachusetts. Healey has argued the Texas court does not have jurisdiction and asked that all litigation be conducted in Massachusetts.

After Kinkeade ordered Healey to testify in Texas, her office challenged the order and the Texas court's jurisdiction to the Fifth Circuit Appeals Court.

"Exxon's tactics are a direct assault on the authority of states to enforce our laws," Gotsis said. "Instead of answering basic questions about whether it misrepresented the impacts of burning fossil fuels, Exxon continues to throw up roadblocks to escape the rules that apply to any other company."

ExxonMobil has asked a Suffolk County judge to halt the Massachusetts proceedings and let the federal court in Texas decide the case.

The case may have additional political implications now that president-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering nominating Tillerson as secretary of state.
The stand-out allegation in the latest state whistleblower lawsuit, filed Wednesday against the Idaho Department of Labor, is that agency personnel might have misused official subpoena power to "out" an anonymous tipster reporting wrongdoing from within.

If true as alleged  and the plaintiff has copies of dummy subpoenas to back his claim  the behavior does an end-around on the states whistleblower protections and would give pause to anyone wanting to report wrongdoing anonymously, much less through official channels.

BY BILL DENTZER

[email protected]

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article120092908.html
As a one-time computer software executive turned philanthropist who helped rebuild the downtown of North Dakotas largest city, Republican Gov.-elect Doug Burgum is looking to do the same for other communities while complementing an economy largely dependent on oil and agriculture.

His so-called Main Street Initiative, touted during the campaign alongside promises to cut spending and halt property tax increases, aims to turn downtown areas into vibrant social and economic hubs that are attractive to live in.

DAVE KOLPACK Associated Press

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/next-north-dakota-governor-says-success-lies-on-main-street/article_7ddf7054-032f-5c73-b1d1-9293fa97ad19.html
A University of Montana class, Can Giving Change the World?, granted $10,000 to local nonprofits on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Davidson Honors College.

The class, part of UMs Global Leadership Initiative, focused on awarding grants to nonprofits that operate within Missoula County and combat youth hunger or youth depression. Organizations submitted grant proposals to the class earlier this semester.

This semesters winners are:

http://news.umt.edu/2013/12/121213phil.aspx
Sunil Bholah a participe a la ceremonie de remise de certificat le 21 septembre 2021 pour les participants a une formations faite par SME Mauritius et Inbound Tourism Promoters Association.

It is my pleasure to join you at this Certificate Award Ceremony.

I want to first commend the entrepreneurs here today, who have shown great tenacity amidst adversity.

I would also like to acknowledge the important contribution of SME Mauritius in collaboration with the Inbound Tourism Promoters Association for the upskilling of our entrepreneurs to pick up again.

Tourism continues to be one of the sectors hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourist arrivals are estimated to have fallen 74% in 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease represents around 1 billion trips.

According to an UNCTAD report published on 30 June this year, international tourism and its closely linked sectors suffered an estimated loss of $2.4 trillion in 2020 due to direct and indirect impacts of a steep drop in international tourist arrivals.

A similar loss may occur this year, the report warns, noting that the tourism sectors recovery will largely depend on the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines globally.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Tourism is one of the main economic pillars of Mauritius, providing livelihoods to some 100,000 workers.

Buzzing airport fully booked hotels, resorts and guesthouses day round activities at attraction parks and sites round-the-clock calls made to travel agents and tour operators proud guided tours of our island shopping spree by foreigners at our local markets and boutiques pleasure crafts happily riding our tourists in our coastal waters

This state of affairs was the lifeblood of all operators and individuals in the sector.

A majority of tourism enterprises are micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSME) of less than 50 employees. According to the International Labour Organization, in the global tourism sector, about 30% of the total workforce, is employed in firms with 29 employees.

Moreover, for every directly created tourism job, nearly one and a half additional jobs are created on an indirect or induced basis.

COVID-19 has affected the whole world at its core, causing the major disruption to the tourism industry.

We feel your pain. We are in it together.

We reckon that the blow is harder to SMEs. The Government has been quick to acknowledge the specific circumstances of SMEs, and has put in place policies to support them. Whether to address liquidity by deferring payments, more financing plans to strengthen SME resilience, measures to avoid the consequences of unorganised lay-offs, and other structural policies. These general SME measures have also been accessible to SMEs in the tourism sector.

Ladies and gentlemen,

After almost two years of struggling, the global roll-out of vaccines has now boosted hopes for recovery even though challenges remain.

International travel will not likely return to pre-COVID levels any time soon. Mauritius has taken a practical and progressive approach towards reopening of its borders.

The health and safety of our travellers remains our top priority.

Compared to where we were a year ago, we now have clearer knowledge of the virus and its transmission mechanism, a wider variety of stronger testing options, and more robust tracing capabilities.

There is greater confidence. There is hope. It is with this spirit that we look forward to the reopening of our borders on the 1st October 2021.

We all agree that being back to business will no longer be the same as it would be before the pandemic.

New normal New world new skills!

Sanitation and social distancing measures will continue to play a role in our lives, as the virus is brought under control.

The trend towards digital and contactless technologies will keep on accelerating.

Businesses that have struggled through the pandemic will be looking for fresh ideas and skills to guide them into recovery, when the economy picks up again.

The tourism sector will always require professionals who excel in skills that form the backbone of the industry such as customer service, culinary, food and beverage or management skills.

As we struggle to revive our tourism industry in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, skills are emerging as the deciding factor for recovery.

The pandemic has accelerated the shift in how people and businesses connect with one another, by pushing the boundaries of remote working, remote learning, and remote experiences.

In a world where visitors are not constrained by physical boundaries, travel is no longer just about meetings or sightseeing but the unique suite of experiences that it offers to visitors, from pre-arrival to post-departure.

The next bound of growth for the tourism sector will come from creating quality end-to-end experiences, to meet the needs and expectations of travellers.

To deliver on these expectations, it is crucial that professionals in the tourism sector be well equipped with the required knowledge and skills.

Hence, I fully welcome the idea of training for the upskilling of our entrepreneurs in the industry.

It is gratifying to note that 75 participants comprising of tour operators, travel agents and taxi drivers, have been part of this training organised by SME Mauritius, in collaboration with the Inbound Tourism Promoters Association.

I am informed that the training was carried out simultaneously in the 3 outstations of SME Mauritius namely at Rose-Belle, Bel-Air and Goodlands from 17th to 20th August 2021.

Hospitality trends; health, hygiene and sanitary protocols, communication and customer care were among the modules proposed for the training.

I think that the training session is proof that when different organizations and entrepreneurs come together for the purpose of rebuilding and consolidating, the resilience of our SMEs can be improved.

I am totally for such partnerships which uplift each other in these testing and tough times.

Looking ahead, the measures put in place today will shape tourism of tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the near-term, there will still be headwinds.

But we remain committed to supporting our tourism sector, to help our businesses and workers build new capabilities, and break new ground.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We know that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has always been considered the main pillar in providing the labour market with skilled workers, in different sectors and particularly in the tourism sector.

It must also be acknowledged that TVET and skills development programmes are well-placed to play a major role during and post COVID-19 pandemic.

As you may be aware, since August 2018, the SME Employment Scheme is in place. While the initial objective was the placement of 1000 graduates, SME Mauritius has since inception, placed 1,500 graduates and some 400 Diploma holders in SMEs. A monthly stipend of Rs 14,000 to Graduates and Rs 10,200 to Diploma holders, respectively is paid by SME Mauritius. SMEs can benefit from one graduate and one diploma holder. The SME Employment Scheme has just been extended to June 2022.

Moreover, to bridge the skills gap and further reduce unemployment among Youth, we will also enlist MQA approved holders of TVET Level 3 qualifications in: plumbing, electrical, culinary skills, beauty therapy, hairdressing, automotive mechanics and electronics amongst others to be placed in SMEs.

Just as diploma holders, TVET trainees will be paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,200.

I would strongly appeal to both SMEs, especially those involved in the tourism sector, and qualified vocational qualification holders to enrol for this program, which is expected to be in place as from 15th October.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we push forward in 2021, the challenge that lies ahead is not recovery within this year, or even next year, but how Mauritius will prepare for long-term success, and reinvent global travel.

We look forward to working closely with you to not only overcome the current challenges of reopening our borders safely for travellers, but to reimagine and reinvent the tourism industry post-pandemic.

The present era will open up more avenues for sustainability and digital revolution. While there will be challenges, there are also many opportunities that we can seize.

If we come together as a nation, we can achieve anything.

Unity is key if we want to heal faster.

On this note, let me convey my appreciation to all entrepreneurs who believe in our support mechanism and are willing to walk together hand in hand to overcome underlying challenges.

Congratulations to all the participants.

Thank you for your attention!
by Ari Rosenberg , Op-Ed Contributor, December 8, 2016

This post was previously published in an earlier edition of Online Publishing Insider.

First, lets define work in the context of old-media publishers and how buyers agreed to define it.

Pre-new media, the definition of a publisher working was primarily defined by how many people consumed the content a publisher produced in any media, and the depth of this consumption.

Under this definition, publishers knew that if they invested in doing their job well, they would earn more ad dollars. Ad content would also be held to this same working definition: Did the ad creative earn consumer attention, and to what depth?

The beauty of this old-media definition of working was the proper alignment of incentives. Whether you were a publisher or an advertiser, investing in better content produced deeper connections with consumers. As a result, publishers made more money, and advertisers felt better about spending it.

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When new-media publishers arrived, driven by the frenzy of venture capital dollars, these publishers agreed to deliver unrealistic ad revenue goals despite having no established record of working.

When these new-media publishers started making sales calls, they learned quickly that while they had a large number of total audience members, the depth of their consumer connection did not compare well to old media. The old-media definition of a publisher working placed new-media publishers at the end of the ad dollars line.

This was a problem, because invites to their IPO parties had already gone out, so new-media publishers had to figure out a way to cut the line.

They did so by agreeing to a new definition of working that new-media buyers rewrote for them. Publishers working was no longer defined by the depth of the consumer attention their content earned -- but rather, how quickly a publisher could transfer this consumer attention to an advertisers Web site. New-media publishers were desperate to grow revenue quicker than they could earn it the old way, so they agreed to this new definition of media value, and ad dollars started to flow their way.

This was a brilliant move by new-media buyers, who now could easily drive down prices by comparing how their ad creative worked from one publisher to another, while ridding themselves of the burden of investing further in creating ads that worked. As long as prices dropped, their ad creative would work better.

This new "working" definition, however, created a misalignment of incentives.

Publishers were now incented to produce content just good enough to borrow consumers attention long enough to flip it instead of owning it. Ehow.com was a perfect example of this new paradigm. Ehow.com built its whole business on having consumers visit its site just long enough to transfer them elsewhere via search ads run on the site. So Ehow.com could collect its Google Ad Sense toll, and users had to travel further to get what they were looking for.

The key misstep for new-media publishers was not using the ability to track consumer actions with their own content to prove they were working. This would have kept incentives aligned so that consumers were treated to ever-improving content from both publishers and advertisers.

Instead, we have what we have today.

Programmatic is billed as medias future, but dont be fooled. Its not about automation. Its not about giving TV networks and cable stations more insight on their audience to help them sell more advertising. Its not about attaching data to increase the value of ads sold during low sell-through time slots.

Programmatic is all about ad buys based purely on audience targeting. By default, content value is eliminated, and the new-media definition of a publisher working gets further entrenched.

TV executives, however, are not desperate. They stand today where they have always stood: at the front of the ad dollars line, with ad scarcity and highly produced content in their pockets. They casually look back over their shoulders at the other media behind them. Their smiles say, Settle in, folks, we are going to be here a while.

Programmatic ad buys, by definition of how they are working, will always drive prices down and decrease overall spending. TV executives will pay programmatic lip service to sound like they are evolving technologically, but they are not going to open the door to their inventory wide enough for programmatic to work. Nor should they.
by Thom Forbes @tforbes, December 12, 2016

Saying the deal would support tens of thousands of U.S. jobs directly associated with production and delivery, Boeing and Iran Air yesterday announced an agreement for the state-run company to purchase 80 aircraft for $16.6 billion at list prices. The first aircraft will be delivered in 2018 if all goes well, but it will need to fly through a lot of political flak to get there. News of the pending agreement was first announced in June.

Boeings Iran Air sales, because they involve a state-owned airline, require approval from the U.S. Treasury, State Department and Congress mainly linked to any potential financing arrangements, said people familiar with the sales process. This presents new potential obstacles to any transaction should [President-elect Donald] Trump, an outspoken critic of the Iran deal, oppose these kinds of commercial openings with Iran, report Robert Wall and Asa Fitch for the Wall Street Journal.

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We will aggressively fight this deal in the next Congress, though we probably won't even need new legislation to do it, David Pasch, communications director for Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) said yesterday. The incoming appointees at Treasury and State will no longer report to a White House willing to bend over backward and ignore national security concerns [in order] to keep Iran from walking away from the nuclear deal, reportUSA Todays Mike Snider and Oren Dorell.

In May, Roskam, along with fellow Illinois Republican Reps. Robert Dold and Randy Hultgren, sent a letter to Boeing asking the company not to do business with Iran until it renounces support for terror groups, Snider and Dorell write.

The Republican-led House of Representatives last month voted to bar commercial aircraft sales to Iran in a move that could block the Boeing deal, the AP reports in the Chicago Tribune. That legislation must still pass the Senate, where it will likely face opposition from Democrats. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk before he leaves office on Jan. 20.

Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi said the deal has a clear message for the world: We support peace and security as well as the growth of Iran based on a win-win policy, according to the AP. We hope that despite changes in the U.S. administration, the country will remain loyal to its commitments.

The order is for 50 737 MAX 8s, which are said to be 14% more fuel efficient than today's most efficient Next-Generation 737s, 15 777-300ERs and 15 777-9s. The release announcing the deal goes out of its way to point out that the airline, which has headquarters in Chicago, has more than 13,600 U.S. supplier and vendor partners across all 50 states and that its supply chain currently supports more than 1.5 million U.S. jobs.

The intended recipient of Boeings message clearly seemed to be President-elect Donald J. Trump, writes the New York Times Christopher Drew. Its carefully worded statement is emblematic of the tightrope that Americas biggest exporters are walking amid his threats to shake up trade policy and undo the Obama administrations nuclear accord with Iran. That agreement lifted the American sanctions on Iran, making Boeings jet deal possible.

The two entities clashed last week, youll recall, when Trump tweeted that Boeings costs for a new generation of Air Force One aircraft were out of line, calling for canceling a contract to build them that Boeing, in fact, does not have (at least yet).

The pact reopens a market where Boeing hasnt delivered a plane since 1977  two years before a revolution roiled Iran and set off four decades of tension with the U.S., reportBloombergs Golnar Motevalli and Spencer Soper.

It is a critical market for Boeing in its competition with Airbus Group SE, Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute, a nonprofit that has received funding from companies including Boeing, tells Motevalli and Soper. Boeing cant compete with Airbus if it cant sell to places like Iran and China, he says. Selling to Iran is a business imperative for Boeing.

As for Iran, most of its 250 commercial planes were purchased before 1979 and, as of June, only 162 were operational, with the rest grounded because of a lack of spare parts. Iran Air, whose Web site lists a fleet of 43 planes, offers direct flights to over 30 international destinations, including London, reportNBC News Gemma DiCasimirro and Ali Arouzi.
by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, December 12, 2016

The practice of journalism played a particularly central role in the 2016 election cycle.

Donald Trumps constant press attacks in stump speeches and Twitter, put the media at the center of controversy, denigrating its role as watchdog to power. The coverage of the presidential race, a greater reliance on earned media, for example, also played a central role in normalizing and electing Donald Trump.

Despite the difficulties news organizations are facing in the Internet era with the tension between clicks and journalism's role as representing the American people, there were some bright spots.

Journalists showed that despite being bullied online, many were still able to do their jobs with integrity, Jordan Hoffner, CEO of Salon Media Group, told Red, White & Blog. Particularly in a contentious and oppressive environment, it is important for journalists and news organizations to retain their focus on reporting the truth.

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The more we learn about what Donald Trumps press office may look like, the more his presidency resembles a Third-World strongman. While we may try to ignore the signs, and hope our federal institutions will prevent the curtailing of journalistic independence, reporters will be on a volatile front line.

The intimidation we saw from Trump during the closed-door meeting with media executives last month should alarm any ardent supporter of the First Amendment. The reaction to the hostility and lack of press access expected from a Trump West Wing should be more investigative efforts. Pointed reporting on the White House and Trump's business involvements is key to ensure the people's business is the only priority.

We need more honest coverage, such as David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post, who investigated the Trump Foundation with intense precision and honesty, during Trumps tenure in the White House.

Some folks did some incredibly solid reporting, Hoffner added. Many of the most crucial stories got drowned out, however, by their reporting being considered slanted, either because of the publication they worked for, or meager coverage of their findings in the mainstream media.

Donald Trumps election, and the many unanswered questions about his tax returns, business reach and even health should animate journalists to cover him with intense scrutiny. It will serve as the first defensive measure against the potential of a self-serving president, with little respect for the rights immortalized in the Constitution.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 12, 2016

Alphabet Chairman Eric Schmidt signed an agreement with the Cuban government Monday that will grant users on the island quicker access to branded content on the Internet.

The deal signed with Mayra Arevich Marin, president of state telecommunications monopoly ETECSA, grants Cubans access to the Google Global Cache network that stores content from sites like Gmail and YouTube on servers located closer to users.

Local servers may improve access to content that has been cached, but not for email and search. Those require direct and fast connections to the Internet. "The deal allows ETECSA to use our technology to reduce latency by caching some of our most popular high bandwidth content like YouTube videos at a local level," Reuters reports, citing a Google statement.

While President Barack Obama made improved Inernet access a central part of his efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, the company's leadership denied the ability for U.S. companies to participate in wiring the country, citing national security concerns, Reuters reports.
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, December 12, 2016

Twitter has blocked access to another social media analytics company due to concerns over the information being used for police surveillance of protesters. This time Twitter is cutting off Media Sonar, a Canadian firm that had been providing social media monitoring and analytics to police departments in the United States, according to The Daily Dot, which first reported the news.

Media Sonar had helped police departments south of the border monitor Twitter for words that might be tipoffs to a variety of criminal activity, including drug deals and prostitution  but it also flagged tweets using keywords like policebrutality and justiceformike, referring to the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown in 2014.

These and similar keywords, with no discernible connection to crime, have been used by protesters from the Black Lives Matter movement, and their inclusion in Media Sonars monitoring program seems to suggest that police departments were also using the service to track activists and block or disrupt protests.

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As noted previously, Twitter has already blocked access to user data for several other analytics firms over concerns about police surveillance, including Geofeedia and Snaptrends; Geofeedia subsequently cut its staff and announced a strategic repositioning of the company following Twitters termination of access.

Local governments across the U.S. have bought software to monitor social media, many of them for security purposes, according to a recent survey of procurements by county and city governments conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

Overall, the survey counted 151 cities, counties, police departments, and other local government bodies that have made purchases of more than $10,000 for social media monitoring. Most procurements were for one of eight different social media monitoring products: Geofeedia, Media Sonar, Snaptrends, Dataminr, DigitalStakeout, PATHAR, Meltwater and Babel Street.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 12, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the Data and Marketing Association's challenge to a Colorado law that requires some online retailers to disclose information about customers' purchases to state tax authorities.

We are disappointed the Supreme Court did not take the case and are concerned it will only encourage other states to adopt similar laws and regulations that are designed to put arbitrary burdens on out-of-state sellers," DMA Senior Vice President Emmett OKeefe said in a statement.

As is customary, the Supreme Court didn't give a reason for its decision. The DMA had argued that the law is unconstitutional because it only applies to out-of-state companies, including e-commerce companies, that don't collect sales tax from consumers.

The measure, which was passed by Colorado lawmakers in 2010, requires some out-of-state businesses, including e-commerce companies, to send detailed lists of consumers' purchases to the tax authorities. Consumers in Colorado currently are required to report their online purchases and pay a 2.9% sales tax on them unless the tax is collected by the retailer. This February, Amazon went further than the law appears to require and began collecting the tax in Colorado.

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Soon after the law was passed, the DMA challenged it in federal court, arguing that the tax law unduly burdened interstate commerce. The marketing group relied on a 24-year-old Supreme Court decision involving a catalog company. The court ruled in that 1992 case that state authorities can't require retailers to collect sales tax unless they have a physical presence in the state, like a brick-and-mortar store.

Had the Supreme Court agreed to rule on the Colorado law, it's not clear that the judges would have upheld the 1992 decision. Justice Anthony Kennedy recently suggested that state governments should be able to require out-of-state online retailers to collect sales tax.

Earlier this year, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the DMA's position on the grounds that the 1992 decision only deals with tax collection, as opposed to reporting rules. "In light of the Colorado consumers preexisting obligations to pay sales or use taxes whether they purchase goods from a collecting or non-collecting retailer, the reporting obligation itself does not give in-state retailers a competitive advantage," the judges wrote.

In the last several years, numerous states have passed laws aimed at collecting sales tax on e-commerce purchases. In one recent example, a South Dakota law that took effect earlier this year requires out-of-state retailers with more than $100,000 in annual sales to South Dakota residents, or more than 200 transactions per year with South Dakota customers, to report and collect sales tax.

The trade groups NetChoice and American Catalog Mailers Association are challenging that measure in court. A South Dakota judge heard arguments about that law on Friday.
A genomic analysis study by Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey investigators and other colleagues has identified recurrent genomic alterations in a subset of breast cancer that are typically associated with a form of thyroid cancer and an intestinal birth defect known as Hirschsprung disease. Data from the study, conducted in conjunction with the Avera Center for Precision Oncology in South Dakota and Foundation Medicine in Massachusetts, are being presented as part of a poster presentation during the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

"The precision medicine approach involving DNA sequencing to pinpoint specific alterations that can be targeted with anti-cancer therapies is becoming an alternate treatment avenue for those with resistant cancers. But there are still some subsets of disease that are elusive to this approach. Such is the case for triple-negative and recurrent breast cancer," notes the study's lead investigator Kim M. Hirshfield, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at Rutgers Cancer Institute and assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. With that, investigators wanted to apply a new genomic sequencing approach to help identify a subset of breast cancers that may respond to therapies already-approved for the treatment of patients with other cancers. At focus are powerful drivers of cancer growth known as 'fusion genes' that are often missed by standard sequencing approaches.

"Breast cancer contains many complex genomic rearrangements - almost like shifting words in a sentence. The new sentence will pass the 'spell check,' as all the words are correct, but now there is a whole new meaning to the sentence," notes Rutgers Cancer Institute Associate Director for Translational Science, Chief of Molecular Oncology and Omar Boraie Chair in Genomic Science Shridar Ganesan, MD, PhD, who is another investigator on the study. "These genes may be targeted with the right therapies, but we need to identify them first."

Using advanced genomic sequencing techniques, 8,119 breast cancer cases were examined for 315 cancer-related genes. Arrangements in a gene known as RET were identified in 22 cases and further evaluated for tumor development and treatment response in laboratory models. Mutations and rearrangements in RET are typically associated with subsets of thyroid cancer. Similar and newly-described RET rearrangements were observed in this breast cancer cohort. Expression of these rearrangements in normal cells caused the cells to form tumors. They cause activation of cellular pathways that support tumor growth and survival. Like thyroid cancers with these alterations, RET- altered breast cells were also killed by RET-targeting drugs. The effect was related to the specific type of rearrangement present. Treatment of a patient with a RET-altered breast cancer with a RET-targeting drug caused a rapid clinical response, supporting the idea that these alterations are targetable in breast cancer.

"Even if these actionable genes are only found in a minority of breast cancer cases, the clinical impact may still be quite powerful, and we can get to work on developing therapeutic clinical trials," notes Dr. Ganesan, who is also an associate professor of medicine and pharmacology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Hirshfield agrees. "By further pinpointing certain nuances of aggressive and lethal forms of breast cancer, there is an opportunity to save more lives."

Other investigators on the work include Bhavna S. Paratala and Sonia C. Dolfi of Rutgers Cancer Institute; Bahar Yilmazel, Alexa Schrock, Laurie Gay, Siraj M. Ali and Jeffrey S. Ross of Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Casey B. Williams and Brian Leyland-Jones of Avera Center for Precision Oncology, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Antreas Hindoyan and Praveen Nair of Molecular Response, LLC, San Diego, California.

The work was supported in part by a National Institutes of Health Cancer Center Support Grant (P30CA072720) and by a generous gift to the Genetics Diagnostics to Cancer Treatment Program of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RUCDR Infinite Biologics. Other support comes from the Val Skinner Foundation, AHEPA, and the Ruth Estrin Goldberg Memorial for Cancer Research.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated guidance for people who travel to or live in the previously identified area of South Miami Beach, FL. This area is no longer considered to be an area of active Zika virus transmission (red area). It is now designated as a Zika cautionary area (yellow area). There have been no new cases of local Zika virus transmission identified in South Miami Beach for more than 45 days, suggesting that the risk of Zika virus infection is no longer greater than in the rest of Miami-Dade County. All of Miami-Dade County continues to have the yellow area designation and pregnant women are eligible for Zika virus testing.

All pregnant women in the United States should be evaluated for possible Zika virus exposure during each prenatal care visit. Each evaluation should include an assessment of signs and symptoms of Zika virus disease (fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes), their travel history, and their sexual partner's potential exposure to Zika virus and history of any illness consistent with Zika virus disease. All pregnant women with possible exposure should be offered Zika virus testing.

"Florida's rapid response and comprehensive mosquito control program has allowed them to interrupt Zika transmission, but we must stay vigilant and also take what we have learned and be prepared for next season," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Pregnant women who live or have been to this area should continue to be evaluated for Zika exposure during their prenatal visits to prevent the devastating effects Zika can cause in their infants."

As of December 8, a total of 4,575 cases of Zika have been reported in the continental United States and Hawaii through CDC's ArboNET. These cases include 185 locally transmitted mosquito-borne cases in Florida, 38 cases believed to be the result of sexual transmission, and one case that was the result of a laboratory exposure.
Air pollution impairs the function of blood vessels in the lungs, according to a study in more than 16,000 patients presented at EuroEcho-Imaging 2016.

"This is the first human study to report an influence of air pollution on pulmonary vascular function," said lead author Dr Jean-Francois Argacha, a cardiologist at the University Hospital (UZ) Brussels, Belgium. "This is a major public health issue for people living in polluted urban areas where exercise could damage the lungs and potentially lead to decompensated heart failure."

Promoting a safer environment appears to be as important as controlling conventional risk factors, like high cholesterol, in reducing cardiovascular disease. Air pollution consists of particles (particulate matter [PM] of different sizes) and gases (nitrogen dioxide, ozone, etc). The first vascular bed in contact with air pollutants is the pulmonary circulation yet few studies have investigated the impact.

"Such studies are important because if air pollution causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the lungs (vasoconstriction), this combined with the systemic effects of pollution could cause decompensated heart failure," said Dr Argacha.

The current study examined the effect of air pollution on pulmonary haemodynamics in a population and in individuals. The population study assessed whether common levels of outdoor air pollution influence the echocardiography parameters conventionally used to evaluate the pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function. Between 2009 and 2013, transthoracic echocardiography including an evaluation of pulmonary pressure was conducted in 16,295 individuals and correlated with average air pollution in Brussels on the same day and in the last five and ten days. The authors examined whether any patient subgroups were more susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

The individual study examined the effect of air pollution on pulmonary circulation in ten healthy male volunteers exposed to pollutants in a chamber with standardised conditions. The volunteers were exposed to ambient air or dilute diesel exhaust with a PM2.5 concentration of 300 g/m3 for two hours in a randomised, crossover study design. The effects on pulmonary vascular resistance were assessed with echocardiography at rest and during a cardiac stress test in which the drug dobutamine is given to simulate heart function during exercise.

The population study showed a negative effect of PM10, PM2.5 and ozone on pulmonary circulation on the same day and over five and ten days. Specifically, increases in these pollutants were associated with reduced pulmonary acceleration time and increased pulmonary acceleration slope. Increases in PM10 and PM2.5 over ten days were associated with worse right ventricle function. The negative impact of PM10 on pulmonary circulation was more pronounced in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Dr Argacha said: "Air pollution was associated with increased pulmonary vascular tone which makes it more difficult for blood to flow to the lungs. Longer exposure to air pollution exposure seems necessary to impair right ventricular systolic function. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea were at greater risk."

The individual study showed that exposure to diesel exhaust did not modify the pulmonary circulation compared to ambient air when the volunteers were resting but did when dobutamine was administered. "This suggests that pollution is more harmful to the lung circulation during exercise," said Dr Argacha.

He continued: "Our dual approach provides original data on the impact of air pollution on the pulmonary circulation. The individual study strengthens the plausible link emerging from the epidemiological research."

Regarding how to minimise the health risks, Dr Argacha said: "Our main advice is to limit physical activities during heavy air pollution. More studies are needed before specific recommendations on intensity and duration of exercise can be given. Emission controls such as particulate filters have reduced tailpipe emissions, but other sources such as engine crankcases, tyres and brake wear are becoming important. No strong evidence exists on effectiveness of face masks to eliminate or reduce particle exposure."

He added that legislation protecting the population from air pollution is weak. He said: "Diesel emission control has been associated with health outcomes5 but unfortunately the standards defined by the European Union differ from those of the World Health Organization."
Salman Khan, Sohail and Arbaaz appeared on Koffee With Karan last night and revealed each others most embarrassing secrets like true siblings.

And now, this new promo from the next episode is making the wait for the weekend even harder! Next up on Karan Johars chat show is Aamir Khan! He would be appearing solo on the show because why would anybody want to be pitted against Mr. Perfectionist? But his Dangal daughters Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh will be appearing on the show for one segment and if this promo is anything to go by, its going to be a laugh riot.

Up next, @aamir_khan will be here to wrestle with Karan Johar's personal questions! #KoffeeWithKaran pic.twitter.com/GUWxhzhytI  Star World (@StarWorldIndia) December 11, 2016

Do you think Aamir Khan would be far more entertaining than SRK and Salman were on Koffee With Karan? Tell us in the comments box below!

Also read: Dangal movie review
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The following companies are subsidiares of Caterpillar: Advanced Tri-Gen Power Systems LLC, Anchor Coupling Inc., Asia Power Systems (Tianjin) Ltd., AsiaTrak (Tianjin) Ltd., Banco Caterpillar S.A., Berg Propulsion International Pte Ltd., Bucyrus, Bucyrus Australia Surface Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Holdings Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Limited, Bucyrus International (Chile) Limitada, Bucyrus International (Peru) S.A., Bucyrus Mining Australia Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Mining China LLC, Bucyrus UK Limited, Cat Rental Kyushu LLC, Caterpillar (Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar (China) Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Machinery Components Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (HK) Limited, Caterpillar (Huainan) Machinery Service Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Langfang) Mining Equipment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Luxembourg) Investment Co. S.a r.l., Caterpillar (NI) Limited, Caterpillar (Newberry) LLC, Caterpillar (Qingzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Shanghai) Trading Co. 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Ltd., Caterpillar Engine Systems Inc., Caterpillar Equipos Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Eurasia LLC, Caterpillar FS (QFC) LLC, Caterpillar Finance France S.A., Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, Caterpillar Financial Acquisition Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Aftermarket Solutions Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Australia Leasing Pty Limited, Caterpillar Financial Australia Limited, Caterpillar Financial Commercial Account Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Corporacion Financiera S.A. E.F.C., Caterpillar Financial Dealer Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Caterpillar Financial Leasing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial New Zealand Limited, Caterpillar Financial Nordic Services AB, Caterpillar Financial Nova Scotia Corporation, Caterpillar Financial OOO, Caterpillar Financial Receivables Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Renting S.A., Caterpillar Financial SARL, Caterpillar Financial Services (Dubai) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services (Ireland) plc, Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Argentina S.A., Caterpillar Financial Services Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Financial Services CR s.r.o., Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Services GmbH, Caterpillar Financial Services India Private Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Leasing ULC, Caterpillar Financial Services Limited Les Services Financiers Caterpillar Limitee, Caterpillar Financial Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Caterpillar Financial Services Netherlands B.V., Caterpillar Financial Services Norway AS, Caterpillar Financial Services Philippines Inc., Caterpillar Financial Services Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, Caterpillar Financial UK Acquisition Funding Partners, Caterpillar Financial Ukraine LLC, Caterpillar Fluid Systems S.r.l., Caterpillar Fomento Comercial Ltda., Caterpillar Forest Products Inc., Caterpillar France S.A.S., Caterpillar GB L.L.C., Caterpillar Global Investments S.a r.l., Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Equipamentos De Mineracao do Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Expanded Products Pty Ltd, Caterpillar Global Mining Germany Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong AFC Manufacturing Holding Co. Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Global Mining SARL, Caterpillar Global Mining U.S. Parts LLC, Caterpillar Global Services LLC, Caterpillar Group Services S.A., Caterpillar Holding (France) S.A.S., Caterpillar Holding Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Holdings Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Hungary Components Manufacturing Ltd., Caterpillar Hydraulics Italia S.r.l., Caterpillar IPX LLC, Caterpillar IRB LLC, Caterpillar Impact Products Limited, Caterpillar India Private Limited, Caterpillar Industrial Inc., Caterpillar Industrias Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Industries (Pty) Ltd, Caterpillar Insurance Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Insurance Company, Caterpillar Insurance Holdings Inc., Caterpillar Insurance Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Finance Designated Activity Company, Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg I S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg II S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Product SARL, Caterpillar International Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Services del Peru S.A., Caterpillar Investment Limited, Caterpillar Investment One SARL, Caterpillar Investment Two SARL, Caterpillar Investments, Caterpillar Japan LLC, Caterpillar Latin America Services S.R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Panama S. de R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Servicios de Chile Limitada, Caterpillar Latin America Support Services S. DE R.L., Caterpillar Leasing (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar Leasing Chile S.A., Caterpillar Leasing GmbH (Leipzig), Caterpillar Leasing Operativo Limitada, Caterpillar Life Insurance Company, Caterpillar Logistics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Logistics (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Logistics Inc., Caterpillar Logistics ML Services France S.A.S., Caterpillar Logistics Services China Limited, Caterpillar Luxembourg Group S.ar.l., Caterpillar Luxembourg LLC, Caterpillar Luxembourg S.a r.l., Caterpillar Machinery Nantong Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence, Caterpillar Marine Power UK Limited, Caterpillar Marine Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Maroc SARL, Caterpillar Materiels Routiers SAS, Caterpillar Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Mexico S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Mining Canada ULC, Caterpillar Mining Chile Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Motoren (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Caterpillar Motoren Henstedt-Ulzburg GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Rostock GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Verwaltungs-GmbH, Caterpillar Netherlands Holding B.V., Caterpillar North America C.V., Caterpillar Operator Training Ltd., Caterpillar Overseas Credit Corporation SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Investment Holding SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Limited, Caterpillar Overseas SARL, Caterpillar Panama Services S.A., Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Paving Products Xuzhou Ltd., Caterpillar Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Power Generation Systems (Bangladesh) Limited, Caterpillar Power Generation Systems L.L.C., Caterpillar Power Systems Inc., Caterpillar Power Ventures International Ltd., Caterpillar Precision Seals Korea, Caterpillar Prodotti Stradali S.r.l., Caterpillar Product Services Corporation, Caterpillar Propulsion AB, Caterpillar Propulsion International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Italy S.R.L., Caterpillar Propulsion Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB, Caterpillar Propulsion Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Singapore Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar R&D Center (China) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe LLC, Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe Servicios S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Reman Powertrain Indiana LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Drivetrain LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Renting France S.A.S., Caterpillar Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar SARL, Caterpillar Services Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Servizi Italia Srl, Caterpillar Shrewsbury Limited, Caterpillar Skinningrove Limited, Caterpillar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd., Caterpillar Special Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Switchgear Americas LLC, Caterpillar Switchgear Holding Inc., Caterpillar Tianjin Ltd., Caterpillar Torreon S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Tosno L.L.C., Caterpillar Transmissions France S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Tunneling Canada Holdings Ltd., Caterpillar Tunnelling Canada Corporation, Caterpillar Tunnelling Europe Limited, Caterpillar UK Employee Trust Limited, Caterpillar UK Engines Company Limited, Caterpillar UK Group Limited, Caterpillar UK Holdings Limited, Caterpillar Undercarriage (Xuzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Used Equipment Services Inc., Caterpillar Venture Capital Inc., Caterpillar Work Tools B.V., Caterpillar Work Tools Inc., Caterpillar World Trading Corporation, Caterpillar Xuzhou, Caterpillar of Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar of Canada Corporation, Caterpillar of Delaware Inc., Centre de Distribution de Wallonie SPRL, CleanAir Systems, Downer Freight Rail, ECM Railway Evolution Romania s.r.l., ECM S.p.A., EDC European Excavator Design Center GmbH, EMC Holding Corp., EMD International Holdings Inc., ERA Information & Entertainment (BVI) Limited, ERA Mining Machinery Limited, Electro-Motive Diesel Limited, Electro-Motive Locomotive Technologies LLC, Electro-Motive Technical Consulting Co. (Beijing) Ltd., Energy Services International Limited, Equipos de Acuna S.A. de C.V., Eurenov S.A.S., F. G. Wilson (Proprietary) Limited, F. Perkins Limited, FG Wilson (Engineering) Limited, GB Holdco (China) Inc., GFCM Comercial Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., GFCM Servicios S.A. de C.V., Gremada Industries - Assets, Hong Kong Siwei Holdings Limited, Inmobiliaria Conek S.A. de C.V., JCS Co., Kemper Valve & Fittings Corp., Leo Inc., Locomotive Demand Power Pty Ltd., Locomotoras Progress Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Lovat, M2M Data Corporation, MGE Equipamentos & Servicos Ferroviarios, MWM, MWM Austria GmbH, MWM Benelux B.V., MWM Energy Australia Pty Ltd, MWM France S.A.S, MWM Real Estate GmbH, MaK Americas Inc., MaK Americas Inc. (Canada), Magnum Power Products LLC, Marble, Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH, Mec-Track S.r.l., Metalmark Financial Services Limited, Motoren Steffens GmbH, Nippon Caterpillar LLC, P. T. Solar Services Indonesia, PT Caterpillar Finance Indonesia, PT. Bucyrus Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia Batam, PT. Caterpillar Remanufacturing Indonesia, Perkins Engines, Perkins Engines (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, Perkins Engines Group Limited, Perkins Engines Inc., Perkins Group Limited, Perkins Holdings Limited LLC, Perkins India Private Limited, Perkins International Inc., Perkins Japan LLC, Perkins Limited, Perkins Machinery (Changshu) Co. Ltd., Perkins Motores do Brasil Ltda., Perkins Power Systems Technology (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines LLC, Perkins Small Engines Limited, Perkins Technology Inc., Progress Metal Reclamation Company, Progress Rail Arabia Limited Company, Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd, Progress Rail Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Equipamentos e Servicos Ferroviarios do Brasil Ltda., Progress Rail Equipment Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Holdings Inc., Progress Rail Innovations Private Limited, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems GmbH, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems S.r.l., Progress Rail International Corp., Progress Rail Leasing Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Progress Rail Locomotivas (do Brasil) Ltda., Progress Rail Locomotive Canada Co., Progress Rail Locomotive Chile SpA, Progress Rail Locomotive Inc., Progress Rail Maintenance de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Progress Rail Manufacturing Corporation, Progress Rail Raceland Corporation, Progress Rail Rocklin Corporation, Progress Rail SA Proprietary Limited, Progress Rail Services Corporation, Progress Rail Services Holdings Corp., Progress Rail Services LLC, Progress Rail Services UK Limited, Progress Rail Switching Services LLC, Progress Rail Transcanada Corporation, Progress Rail Welding Corporation, Progress Rail Wildwood LLC, Progress Rail de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pyroban Group, Pyroban Group, Pyrrha Investments B.V., Pyrrha Investments Limited, S&L Railroad LLC, SCM Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., SPL Software Alliance LLC, Sabre Engines, Servicios de Turbinas Solar S. de R.L. de C.V., Shandong SEM Machinery Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines (Beijing) Trading Services Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines (Thailand) Ltd., Solar Turbines CIS Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Canada Ltd./Ltee., Solar Turbines Central Asia Limited Liability Partnership, Solar Turbines EAME s.r.o., Solar Turbines Egypt Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Europe S.A., Solar Turbines India Private Limited, Solar Turbines International Company, Solar Turbines Italy S.R.L., Solar Turbines Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Solar Turbines Middle East Limited, Solar Turbines New Zealand Limited, Solar Turbines Saudi Arabia Limited, Solar Turbines Services Company, Solar Turbines Services Nigeria Limited, Solar Turbines Services of Argentina S.R.L., Solar Turbines Switzerland Sagl, Solar Turbines Trinidad & Tobago Limited, Solar Turbines West-Africa SARL, Tangshan DBT Machinery Co. Ltd., Tecnologia Modificada S.A. de C.V., Towmotor Corporation, Traction & Mining Motor Repairs Pty Ltd, Turbinas Solar S.A. de C.V., Turbinas Solar de Colombia S.A., Turbinas Solar de Venezuela C.A., Turbo Tecnologia de Reparaciones S.A. de C.V., Turbomach, Turbomach Endustriyel Gaz Turbinleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited, Turbomach France SARL, Turbomach GmbH, Turbomach Netherlands B.V., Turbomach Pakistan (Private) Limited, Turbomach S.A. Unipersonal, Turbomach Sp. Z o.o., Turner Powertrain Systems Limited, UK Hose Assembly Limited, Underground Imaging Technologies Inc, United Industries LLC, VALA Inc., Vasky Energy Ltd., Wealdstone Engineering, Weir - Oil & Gas Division, West Virginia Auto Shredding Inc., Western Gear Machinery LLC, Wetland Sustainability Fund I LLC, Williams Technologies, Yard Club, Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Sales Co. Ltd., and okyo Rental Ltd..

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Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, and international news to media organizations, professional, and news consumers through news agency and industry events. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation is a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited.
The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: Anvl, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Acquisitionco Canada Corporation, Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CIFC Worldwide Partner C.V., CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI CGT Holdings LLC, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings C.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partner 2 C.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI Group Holdings Cooperatief U.A., CMI International Finance Partner 1 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 3 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 4 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., CMI UK Finance LP, CMI UK Financing LP, Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins Aust Technologies Pty. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins CV Member LLC, Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Center of Excellence Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Eastern Marine Inc., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Energetica Ltda., Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Global Financing LP, Cummins Global Technologies LLP, Cummins Grupo Comercial Y. de Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Grupo Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins International Holdings LLC, Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins LLC Member Inc., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Limited, Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India, Cummins Trade Receivables LLC, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Global Holdings Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Efficient Drivetrains (Beijing) New Power Technology Co. Ltd., Efficient Drivetrains (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Markon Engineering Company Ltd., Nelson Burgess Ltd., Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, Newage Ltd. (U.K.), Newage Machine Tools Ltd., OOO Cummins, Petbow Limited, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Worldwide Partner CV Member LLC, Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., Wuxi New Energy Automotive Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc..

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BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Carnival Corporation & plc is a leisure travel company operating a fleet of cruise ships, hotels, and resorts with international destinations. Brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, P&O Cruises, Seaborn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and Cunard. The companys goal is to provide extraordinary vacations at an exceptional value. As of 2022, the company laid claim to nearly half of the global cruising market share with several new ships in the works.

Carnival Cruise Line was launched in 1972 with one second-hand ship and a tank of fuel. The first port of call was San Juan, Puerto Rico, but soon more were added. The original growth strategy included a festive atmosphere, features and amenities unlike any other cruise line at the time. Slow to start, the growth strategy shifted into overdrive in 1980 when Carnival shocked the world by building its own ship. The Tropicale became an iconic name in the cruising industry and sparked a wave of shipbuilding that is still underway.

The companys growth hit a new stride in 1987 following the IPO which floated 20% of the company on the open market. The proceeds from the IPO allowed the company to embark on a voyage of acquisition and now Carnival is the worlds largest travel and leisure business.

Today, Carnival Corporations 87 ships visit approximately 700 ports worldwide and employ more than 120,000 people while serving more than 13 million guests annually for a total of 85 million passenger cruise days per year. Net revenue, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, peaked out at over $6.5 billion annually.

Carnival Cruise Line is the companys largest brand serving guests on all coasts of North America. The brand's 22 ships make 1500 voyages per year with trips ranging from 2 days to 3 weeks and ports of call from the Caribbean to Alaska. The company's largest ship is named Panorama and can accommodate more than 4,000 passengers.

Carnivals 9 brands provide access to a wide range of cruising styles and destinations including the Caribbean, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, England, and ports in Asia. The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida and has offices around the world. The company also has the distinction of being the only company included in both the S&P 500 and FTSE 250 indices.
BP, plc, once known as British Petroleum, is one of the worlds 7 oil & gas supermajors with operations spanning the globe. In terms of revenue, it ranks 4th on the list and the company is vertically integrated as well with operations in all segments of the oil and gas sector. Operations are currently underway in 80 countries around the world, the company can produce 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalents per day, and it lays claim to nearly 20 billion barrels in proven reserves. On the retail end of the business, the company operates more than 18,700 fuel stations and its largest segment is in the US.

The company was founded in 1908 with the purpose of exploring for and producing oil in the middle east. The company expanded into Alaska in 1959 and then accelerated its expansion when it merged with Amoco in 1998. Another merger with Burhman Castrol in 2000 created the company that is traded today.

BP, plc rebranded itself in 2000 giving new meaning to its name. The once British Petroleum is now Beyond Petroleum and focused on a major shift in its business. The company is working hard to move away from non-renewable carbon-based energy and into biofuels, solar, and wind. The company hopes to be net-zero in regard to carbon emissions and production by 2050 or earlier and is well on the way to doing so. Among the many avenues of advance are the build-out of solar and wind farms as well as the expansion of a major EV charging network. The network totaled more than 9,000 stations around the middle of 2022 and expansion was ramping in order to meet the goal of 100,000 EV stations before 2050.

BP p.l.c. currently operates through 4 segments including Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, Customers & Products, and Rosneft segments. The company produces and trades in natural gas and oil liquids, offers biofuels, and operates wind and solar power generating facilities. The company also provides de-carbonization solutions and services, such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, as part of its green agenda.

In addition, it produces and refines oil and gas for its downstream operations as well as invests in upstream, downstream, and alternative energy companies including advanced mobility. Advanced mobility is the future of transportation and includes technologies like EV, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cells. To that end, the company is building 7 hydrogen production and storage hubs in key locations around the world. The company aims to produce blue and green hydrogen for the global transportation industry with production beginning in 2027. Blue hydrogen is hydrogen captured from the companys natural gas deposits using a process that captures the waste carbon.
The Army has reopened an investigation into a former Green Beret after he admitted during a Fox News interview that he killed a suspected Taliban bombmaker they had held in Afghanistan.

Maj. Matthew Golsteyn already had faced an initial investigation after acknowledging during a polygraph test he had killed the unarmed suspect. While that case was later closed, Golsteyn appeared on the Fox News special How We Fight in October and discussed the incident publicly.

The suspected Taliban member in question was held during the battle of Marja in February 2010. The suspect, though, was not on a list of targets U.S. forces were cleared to kill -- and after he was detained, Golsteyn said he refused to talk to investigators.

Under the rules of engagement, Golsteyn was ordered to release him.

However, Golsteyn, who was deployed to Afghanistan as part of 3rd Special Forces Group, was concerned that if he did so, the suspect would have in turn targeted Afghans who were helping U.S. soldiers.

Theres limits on how long you can hold guys, he told Fox News' Bret Baier. You realize quickly that you make things worse. It is an inevitable outcome that people who are cooperating with coalition forces, when identified, will suffer some terrible torture or be killed.

Golsteyn told Fox News he killed him.

A senior U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News on Friday that the Army has reopened its investigation based on new evidence that includes the Green Beret's public statements. The Washington Post first reported on the reopened probe.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., is fighting the Army's decision to revisit the case. In a Dec. 7 letter to Army Secretary Eric Fanning and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Hunter said Golsteyn has been unfairly targeted.

The fact that his case has been reopened, on the grounds it has, is more proof of a process that, even though intended to pursue the facts, can also be leveraged for retaliation, Hunter wrote.

Golsteyn defended his actions during a phone interview with Fox News on Friday.

I made a lawful engagement of a known enemy combatant on the battlefield, he said, while also disputing characterizations that the Taliban suspect was a "detainee" since he was "never processed."

We were told that protecting the civilian population was priority number one, even at the cost of our own lives. I did that, he said.

The earlier Army investigation was undertaken after Golsteyn disclosed details of the incident during a polygraph test when he was interviewing for a job with the CIA in 2011.

According to Army documents obtained by The Washington Post through the Freedom of Information Act, Golsteyn told the CIA he had no qualms about killing the man because he couldnt have lived with himself if (the alleged bombmaker) killed another soldier or marine.

Golestyn reportedly described taking the bombmaker off base, shooting him and burying his remains in a shallow grave. He said he and two other soldiers dug up the remains and burned them in a pit used to dispose of trash.

We hashed all of this out with the Army a year and a half ago. I dont have anything that I am ashamed of," he told Fox on Friday.

Its dangerous to take combat out of its context. Combat is a horrible thing. You can take anything and make it sound uncomfortable," he added.

Golsteyn, who had been awarded the Silver Star, the militarys third-highest award for combat valor, was initially accused of murder and conspiracy. Following a lengthy investigation by a military tribunal, no formal charges were filed.

Instead, Golsteyn was removed from the Special Forces and had his Silver Star taken away.

In an email to The Washington Post, Golsteyn said he was frustrated, but not terribly surprised the Army reopened its investigation. He added that the Defense Department and Army had viciously pursued him without a discernible cause or a stated goal for over five years.

No other service members would testify against Golsteyn, even when they were offered immunity from prosecution.

Hunter says hell continue to champion on Golsteyns behalf.

Golsteyn is an American hero  a true warrior, in fact. Why the Army is hell-bent on destroying a combat heros career is truly astonishing, Hunter wrote, adding that the Army has the ability to fix this stupidity.

Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Jennifer Johnson reportedly said in a statement that it would be inappropriate to comment further regarding an ongoing investigation.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
Being truthful & trustworthy a must for a ruler as per Quran: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

PAT Chairman and founding-leader of MQI Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), whose followers we are, was known for being Sadiq and Ameen (truthful & trustworthy) in the Arab and non-Arab worlds before Allah Almighty conferred the status of prophethood on him. He said that for any ruler, being truthful and trustworthy is the foremost demand of the Quran and Sunnah and the Constitution of Pakistan, adding that unfortunately it is being rejected in Pakistan.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the incompetent rulers have rendered corruption, injustice and terrorism into a culture, as a result of which Pakistan, which is fortress of Islam, has turned into a hub of corruption. He said that things have come to such a pass that instead of being ashamed, people defend corruption and injustice. He said that corrupt political elite is tearing into shreds human values, morality and democratic norms with abandon. He said that the oppressor is considered to be respectable whereas the oppressed continue to look out for shelter to avoid being victim to more excesses.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri expressed these views while addressing a huge gathering of the faithful held to mark the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at The Mall Lahore on the Sunday night.

Dr Qadri said that justice is non-existent and humanity continues to suffer brutalities in the presence of the oppressive and exploitative system. He said that the followers of Islam, who gave the world the Constitution of human rights, prosperity, peace and safety, are victims of terrorism, lawlessness, violence and killings today. He said that a country, which was achieved in the name of Islam, has turned into a prison for the poor, the helpless and underprivileged sections of society due to corruption, abuse of power, and nepotism of the political elite.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would always stand by the poor, the weak and the oppressed instead of the powerful and the rich, adding that today opposite of this is happening. He said that the whole nation will have to play its active role with the power of the conviction for supremacy of law, Constitution and justice. He said that putting an end to the march of oppression is not just necessary for survival of the humanity but doing so is also is part of our faith as the Muslim. He said that oppression continues to grow as long as it does not face any resistance.

Throwing light on the services of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the MQI is an international movement, which is working day in and day out for promotion of peace, harmony, culture of knowledge and research, brotherhood, and love in the world. He said that stains of terrorism on the body politic of Islam have been erased as a result of its scholarly and intellectual role. He said that thanks to the blessings of Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), MQI issued an authentic 600-page Fatwa against terrorism and suicide bombing which won global applause.

A raging sea of people attended the 33rd edition of the International Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference at The Mall Lahore. The atmosphere was ecstatic and marked by loud roars of slogans raised to express deep sentiments of love and reverence for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The central stage of the programme was made in front of the Punjab Assembly whereas the people were spread out from the Chairing Cross to Nasir Bagh. The stage was decorated very beautifully. Separate seating arrangements were made for women participants. 2000 youths of MSM and MYL performed the security duties in and around the venue.

The formal proceedings of the International Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference got underway with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The renowned Naat Khawans had the honour of presenting Naats in their melodious voices. Chairs were placed from the Chairing Cross to the Lahore High Court chowk. Effective sound system and huge sized screens were installed so that those sitting far away from the stage could watch the proceedings.

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur and Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani supervised the arrangements for the mega event of the MQI. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri congratulated Jawad Hamid, Secretary of the central Milad Committee, for making excellent arrangements.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said in his address that the kind of circumstances the Muslims around the globe are facing with bloodshed and violence being inflicted on them, no one other than their corrupt and incompetent ruling elites are responsible for their predicaments. He said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) brought the Arab and non-Arab lands under the jurisdiction of the Islamic government through grand traditions of justice and superior human values. He said that we are living a life of slaves in our own homes because we have discarded the path of justice. He said, if rulers will perpetrate Model Town-like tragedies by unjustly killing innocent people just to perpetuate their power and employ the state powers and resources to fulfill their personal desires and ambitions, how will Allahs and His Prophets mercy (PBUH) visit such a place?

Dr Qadri said that we should make a vow on the blessed night of the Holy Prophets (peace and blessings be upon him) birth that we would study the blessed life of our exalted Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with sincerity of purpose and adapt and mould our lives according to the path shown to us by him. He said that we should resolve to dedicate ourselves to learning knowledge, adopting love, harmony, peace and tolerance as building blocks of our life and be desirous of Allahs blessings to get rid of such evil tendencies as extremism, narrow-mindedness and Takfeeri ideology. He said that we should make a resolve to make truth and justice the guiding starts of our lives.

Leading a tearful Dua at the conclusion of the conference, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri prayed to Allah Almighty to rid the Muslim world of corruption, sectarianism and injustice. May the Muslims of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Palestine and Burma who are living a miserable life be blessed with peace and prosperous life! He also prayed for the departed souls of the martyrs of the Model Town tragedy, saying that those who shed the blood of innocent people will be disgraced not only in this world but also in the hereafter.
President Tran Dai Quang at a meeting with voters (Source: VNA)



He noted that in 2016, Vietnam has seen many important achievements in socio-economy, culture, defence-security and external relations. However, the country has also faced newly-emerged crimes, including high technology crimes as well as traditional and non-traditional challenges, he said.

The President affirmed that the strengthening of defence-security is key for the success of socio-economic development plan and international integration of the country, which also requires for armed forces good preparation and readiness to safeguard of the countrys sovereignty, unification, territorial integrity in all circumstance.

He underscored that armed forces should focus on strengthening political education as well as fostering close relationship with people and loyalty to the Party, nation and people, while actively engaging in popularising Party and States law and policies and socio-economic development, poverty reduction and natural disaster response.

The State leader highlighted the need for armed forces reform and higher training quality, along with accurate forecast of destruction schemes of hostile forces and their wrongful arguments.

President Quang clarified the significance of the building of armed forces as well as strong and pure Party organisations in armed forces, as well as the pioneer role of the forces in implementing the Party resolutions on Party building as well as in the fight against morality degradation.

During the meeting, he answered to the voters questions on a number of current problems, including the slow issuance of legal documents that hinders the implementation of laws, while acknowledging their opinion on the need for specific regulations for the authority, equipment and tools to handle administrative violations.

Mr Quang also agreed with voters ideas to integrate defence-security with socio-economic development in plans and strategies in specific fields, as well as the re-verification of major projects on defence-security and the defining of responsibility of individuals and collectives for loss of the projects./.
Royals starters Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura are two of the pitchers on the Astros list of rotation targets, MLB.coms Brian McTaggart reports. The two K.C. arms join several other previously-known names (i.e. Jose Quintana, Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi and other Tampa Bays starters) as potential trade fits for a Houston team looking to upgrade its starting pitching.

Kansas City is known to be open to dealing notable players in order to cut short-term payroll, and the Royals have already made one big move in this regard by dealing Wade Davis to the Cubs for Jorge Soler. Even with Davis gone, however, the Royals have several more possible trade chips who are only controllable over the next one or two seasons before hitting free agency.

Duffy fits into that category, as MLBTR projects the southpaw to earn $8.2MM in his final year of arbitration eligibility before hitting free agency after the 2017 season. K.C. began preliminary extension talks with Duffy earlier this winter but were also gauging interest in his services during the Winter Meetings. Duffy, who turns 28 late this month, posted a 3.51 ERA, 9.4 K/9 and 4.48 K/BB rate over 179 2/3 innings for Kansas City last year, finally solidifying himself as a member of the rotation after being used as a part-time reliever in the previous two seasons and at the start of 2016.

While Duffy would be a one-year rental, Ventura is locked up through at least 2019 due to a contract extension that includes club options for both 2020 and 2021. Ventura is guaranteed $20.25MM through 2019 and, if both options are exercised, Venturas deal would cost $43.25MM over the five seasons. Even if Ventura merely continues to post numbers akin to his only-okay 2016 season (4.45 ERA, 50.2% grounder rate, 6.97 K/9, 1.85 K/BB rate over 186 innings), that deal is still very good value given the rising costs of starting pitching, and it could become a major bargain should Ventura take a step forward in performance.

Ventura has been the subject of controversy due to reported maturity issues and his two suspensions for throwing at batters, though the Royals denied reports that they were shopping the righty last summer. One would think that given Venturas age (25) and reasonable contract, the Royals would see him as a long-term building block rather than as a trade chip. Their willingness to least listen to other clubs offers could be due to doubts about his personality, or it could just be due diligence, as Venturas years of control could net K.C. a nice return in a trade.

The Astros have a deep minor league system that could satisfy the Royals or other teams looking for young talent, and Houston could also offer starting pitching of its own in the form of Collin McHugh or Mike Fiers. Since the Royals plan to contend next season, they could fit as a team that would take on a solid rotation piece like McHugh or Fiers rather than just prospects in exchange for a pitcher; the Davis trade, for instance, netted the Royals a player in Soler who they expect to contribute immediately.

Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, McHugh, Fiers and the newly-signed Charlie Morton project as Houstons rotation. Its an unspectacular but solid rotation, and one that could look better on paper if Keuchel returns to his Cy Young Award form of 2015.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Thanks to its affordable housing market, high job growth rate and support for Donald J. Trump in the Nov. 8 election, Trulia.com has ranked the greater Grand Rapids area fourth among the nation's Top 10 real estate markets to watch in 2017.

Grand Rapids was the only Midwestern metropolitan area in the Top 10 list published by Trulia.com, which studies national housing and real estate trends. Five of the top 10 cities were in Florida, with Jacksonville, Fla. ranked No. 1.

"These markets exhibit strength in five key metrics: strong job growth over the past year, low vacancy rates, high affordability, more inbound home searches than outbound, and, because of the surprise election outcome, a large share of Republicans," the survey said.

A Harris poll commissioned by Trulia before and after the presidential election found that respondents who identified as Republicans were more optimistic about their housing market after the election, while Democrats were more pessimistic.

In Kent County, Republican Trump beat Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton by almost 10,000 votes. Trulia estimated about 54 percent of voters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming metropolitan area voted for Trump.

According to the Trulia data, the median price for a home in Grand Rapids was $146,000 in September. Homes were selling for about $112 per square foot, a 13 percent increase over the previous year.

Rental rates also were on the rise in Grand Rapids, according to Trulia's report. The median rental rate was $1,200, up 20 percent from one year ago but down from its summer peak of $1,300.

According to the most recent figures from the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors (GRAR), the average price of a pending home sale in greater Grand Rapids was $197,162, a 13.5 percent increase over October, 2015.

Housing inventory continued to drop to record lows as eager buyers continued to enter the market. The local housing market had only 1.6 months of inventory available this year, down from 2.5 months in 2015, according to GRAR.

Meanwhile, the Harris poll indicated millennials and first-time homebuyers are more discouraged about their prospects for buying a home than they were one year earlier.
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White Chocolate Candy Cane is the new holiday flavor at Original Murdick's Fudge on Mackinac Island. Orders can be placed through Dec. 20 and shipped all over the country in time for Christmas.

(John Gonzalez/MLive)

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI -- Amy Sherman and I visited Mackinac Island last weekend -- yes, before the snow -- to check out the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, and the annual Christmas Bazaar.

While we were there, we stopped at Original Murdick's Fudge, which re-opened a couple weeks ago to make fudge just in time for the holidays.

Through Dec. 20 they will ship fudge to all 50 states and fulfill corporate orders.

For the third year, the historic site -- which has been making fudge on the Island since 1887 -- brings back a handful of employees to work around the clock and make fudge, brittle, toffee and caramel corn.

Customers can pick from 12 fudge flavors, including the new White Chocolate Candy Cane.

Gift packages range from $29-$79.

Order online at originalmurdicksfudge.com.

Or call them at 906-847-3530.

Look whose in town for our weekend festivities... Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez http://www.originalmurdicksfudge.com Posted by Original Murdick's Fudge on Friday, December 2, 2016

While we were on the Island, Amy and I recorded segments for "Behind the Mitten," a one-hour weekend radio show that airs on 9 stations across the state.

Listen to the podcast below for more details.

Behind the Mitten Show Notes

*This show aired Dec. 10-11, 2016. (Listen below.)

Segment 1:

John and Amy talk to owner Bobby Benser, Jr. about the special packages of fudge available for the holiday season.

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:06):

John and Amy talk to Andrew Doud of Doud's Market on Mackinac Island, which is considered the oldest grocery store in America.

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:03):

Bobby Benser returns to the show with his master fudge maker Carnel Samuels, who is originally from Montego Bay, and is a longtime employee at Original Murdick's Fudge. It his 13th season on Mackinac Island.

Segment 4 (Listen at 27:09):

Andrew Doud and Bobby Benser return to talk about memories of growing up on Mackinac Island and upcoming events. They also pick BEER OF THE WEEK, which is Escanaba Black from Upper Hand Brewery.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
ANN ARBOR, MI - On a recent morning, Ypsilanti-area resident Bobby Eugene Motley Sr. made a familiar trip.

He took the No. 6 bus into Ann Arbor to get to the Social Security office at Ellsworth Road and Research Park Drive, where he goes from time to time because he's disabled and receives supplemental security income.

Getting there is the easier part, because the bus pulls off Ellsworth and stops on Research Park Drive, right next to the office.

Getting home, Motley says, can be risky, because the bus headed back to Ypsilanti doesn't go through the research park.

People leaving the Social Security office, including elderly and disabled people, who want to catch an Ypsilanti-bound bus must cross three lanes of a busy Ellsworth Road to get to a bus stop on the south side of the road.

There's no crosswalk, no signs or signals, and there are sidewalk gaps in the area that, for many, rule out trekking three-quarters of a mile out of the way to use the nearest crosswalk. It becomes a game of Frogger with a steady stream of traffic coming down Ellsworth, and bus riders must wait for a gap.

A map showing the intersection of Ellsworth Road and Research Park Drive on the border of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township.

But with no stop light at the nearby State and Ellsworth intersection, where a roundabout was installed a few years ago, cars often just keep coming.

Bus riders coming from Ann Arbor who get off at the same stop on the south side of Ellsworth face the same difficult task of trying to cross to get to the Social Security office without a crosswalk. The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living is just up the road from the Social Security office on Research Park Drive and there also are disabled people who ride the bus trying to get there.

People have been complaining for years that it's an unsafe situation, and it's once again being brought to the attention of Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township and Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority officials who all say it's on their radar.

Motley and others are hoping some kind of action is taken to make the area safer for people crossing Ellsworth Road.

"A lot of people complain about that. Even with me, they talk about it. Why don't they put a sign up there or a light or something?" Motley said, adding he would like to see at least a marked crosswalk. "I would like to see all of that."

The north side of the road is Ann Arbor and the south side is Pittsfield Township, so it's being discussed by officials in both jurisdictions.

City spokesman Robert Kellar said the city's staff is aware of the challenges facing pedestrians and bus riders in that particular area.

He said a crosswalk at that location is in the city's Capital Improvement Plan and is scheduled to be constructed in fiscal year 2018-19 at a cost of about $120,000 or more, though the true cost might rise depending on what other improvements might be required. He said the city expects to obtain funding for the crosswalk from the AAATA and the countywide road millage. The city's plans show it would include a sidewalk extension, curb ramps and potential culvert installation.

"The project may proceed sooner if resource availability makes it possible," Kellar said. "The Ellsworth corridor, in general, has many issues we would like to address, which is why a traffic corridor study is currently in the works."

Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal said she received a complaint about the area recently and discussed it with the AAATA last week.

"In speaking with them, they informed me that they have, in fact, been working with the city of Ann Arbor for some time now to address this issue," she said. "It has not come to my attention because, as they mentioned, even though the bus stop is located in Pittsfield Township, the ridership is to/from Ann Arbor."

Grewal said Pittsfield Township is willing to engage and partner with the city and AAATA as needed to address the matter.

Motley held hands with Cheryl Cleaves, another Ypsilanti-area resident, as they crossed Ellsworth to catch a bus after leaving the Social Security office the other day. They waited a minute or two before slowly inching their way into a small gap in traffic. Motley held up his hand to signal for vehicles to stop.

He said he had a close call once when he was in a hurry to cross to catch a bus and didn't see a vehicle that was coming.

"I thought nothing was coming," he said. "I was trying to make it to the bus stop because the bus was coming and I didn't want to miss it. It was very cold outside. And a truck came down behind me and they skidded.

"If it didn't stop, I would have been hit."

Police reports show there was at least one pedestrian-involved traffic crash on Ellsworth near the Social Security office in recent years.

A 47-year-old woman using a walker was crossing the road, heading southbound, without a crosswalk shortly after 9 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2010.

The police report indicates she jumped out of the way of a vehicle, while her walker was struck by two vehicles and completely destroyed. Police determined the pedestrian's actions were hazardous, though no citation was issued.

Even for people who aren't elderly or disabled, crossing in the area can be difficult, as University of Michigan student Priyanka Raju found out recently when she made her first-ever trip to the Social Security office.

Coming from Ann Arbor, she got off the bus at the stop on the south side of Ellsworth Road, looked around, and questioned the lack of a crosswalk.

"I don't know how I'm going to cross," she said, perplexed.

A few minutes later, she made a run for it across the busy road when there was a small gap in traffic.

Ann Arbor resident Ann Eaton works in the area and said she regularly sees people making risky moves to get across the road because there are few options if they need to get between the bus stop and the Social Security office.

She said she gave an elderly man a ride home from the Social Security office recently because he could not safely cross the busy traffic on Ellsworth to get to his Ypsilanti-bound bus stop.

"I cannot help but think of the dozens of elderly, indigent and disabled who visit that office daily and risk their lives to catch their bus home," Eaton said.

Eaton, who has been contacting local officials about the problem in recent weeks, said she thinks the situation has become more of an issue in the last few years now that there's a roundabout at State and Ellsworth. When it was a stop light, she said, the traffic would actually have to stop, whereas now it is often a continuous flow of traffic without any break, thus never a good time to cross.

"I just think it's super dangerous," Eaton said, suggesting both the eastbound and westbound buses should stop on Research Park Drive.

Carolyn Grawi, executive director of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, said she's been raising concerns about the situation for the past eight years, bringing it up with both the city and the AAATA.

"It's one of my deadly, hated bus stops," she said. "We have tried multiple times to see what could happen there."

She said previous advocacy efforts resulted in getting westbound buses to pull into and stop on Research Park Drive, but the AAATA doesn't want to send eastbound buses through the research park because then it's difficult to turn left onto Ellsworth. And she said the city won't put in a traffic signal or roundabout at Ellsworth and Research Park because traffic counts don't warrant it.

Grawi said her agency, which serves people with disabilities, encourages people who are taking the bus to Research Park Drive to go 20 to 30 minutes out of their way to switch buses at either Briarwood Mall or the Meijer on Carpenter Road, depending on which direction they're going, to avoid getting on or off at the unsafe stop on Ellsworth. She said they also can get off on State Street and walk down Research Park Drive, but it's not the shortest walk, and because of sidewalk gaps on Research Park Drive, they would have to go in the street.

Grawi thinks adding a traffic signal or roundabout at Ellsworth and Research Park Drive would be a good solution because not only is it unsafe for pedestrians right now, there also are traffic backups during rush hour because it's hard for drivers turning from Research Park Drive onto Ellsworth. And if that was addressed, she said, then eastbound buses could go down Research Park Drive.

"I have been advocating for this for a very long time and we haven't seen movement," she said. "But I think there's full agreement by the city and the transportation authority that this isn't the safest place to get on or off."

Mary Stasiak, a spokeswoman for the AAATA, acknowledged the issue is on the transit authority's radar.

"There are several important destinations for our customers in this area, including the Social Security office and the Center for Independent Living," she said. "Safety for all of our customers is very important and we welcome working with the city to enhance safety at all bus stop locations."

Social Security Administration spokesman Doug Nguyen declined to comment other than to say the administration takes the safety concerns of the members of the public who use its offices very seriously.
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Greg Pratt addresses the Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education during a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Pratt asked the trustees to consider whether their process for filling a vacant seat on the board is ethical.

(Lauren Slagter | The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR, MI - The Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education is set to appoint its new member on Wednesday, Dec. 14, amid concerns from some groups about who has applied to fill the seat.

Five of the six current board members interviewed six applicants at a special meeting on Friday, Dec. 9. Board president Deb Mexicotte - who has served on the school board for 13 years - participated in that meeting as a candidate, and she was not otherwise involved in the interview process.

In addition to Mexicotte, 57, the other applicants for the vacant seat on the school board are:

Rebecca Jacobsen, 43, a professor of education policy in the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University;

Jessica Kelly, 38, a special education advocate in Ann Arbor;

Rebecca Lazarus, 52, a communications director for a Montessori school in Dearborn;

Steve Norton, 52, co-founder and executive director of Michigan Parents for Schools, a public interest advocacy group; and

Hunter Van Valkenburgh, an attorney whose wife works at AAPS.

Lazarus, Mexicotte and Van Valkenburgh unsuccessfully ran for the school board in November, when voters elected Jeff Gaynor, incumbent Simone Lightfoot and Harmony Mitchell to the board, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

At the school board meeting on Dec. 7, six people voiced concerns with the board's process for filling the vacant seat or stated reasons they think Mexicotte, specifically, should not be appointed to the seat.

"I think I still have a lot to offer the district. I have long experience, I have a passion for public education and especially for public education in Ann Arbor," Mexicotte previously told The Ann Arbor News of why she applied for the vacant board seat.

She declined to comment on the remarks directed at her during the public comment portion of the Dec. 7 meeting.

A group called the Coalition for a Democratic School Board issued a press release on Dec. 6 saying the AAPS board's appointment process was "anti-democratic" because the board allowed a current trustee to apply for a vacant seat. The coalition also criticized decisions the board has made during Mexicotte's tenure.

On Dec. 10, the Washtenaw County Democratic Party Executive Committee passed a resolution calling on the AAPS board to "cast their votes for a candidate who will unite our community rather than divide our community."



"The Executive Committee of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party strongly urges the School Board Trustees to vote for a new applicant who can unite the Board and the community," the resolution states.

Van Valkenburgh is a member of the 66-member executive committee.

Legally, there is no reason a current school board member cannot apply and be appointed to a vacant board seat, and the trustees can appoint a new member based on criteria of their choosing. The new trustee must receive a four-person majority vote, and Mexicotte will abstain from that vote.

At the start of the school board meeting set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport Road, each applicant will give a three-minute statement and then the board will deliberate and vote, prior to public comment.

At Friday's interviews, each candidate was asked the same questions, which were not disclosed in advance:

What is the role of a school board member?

What are some challenges facing the school district, and how could you help the district meet those challenges?

What would be your highest priority on the board of education?

How would you balance the legitimate but sometimes competing concerns of students, parents, teachers, unions, community groups, and taxpayers? And

What would be your approach to maintaining and improving our schools in the face of very restrictive budgetary climate?

The full school board interviews are available on the CTN website, in the educational videos on-demand section. The interviews also will air on public access at 4 p.m. Monday and at 8 p.m. Tuesday. A summary of the interviews is available from the AnnArbivore.
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A surveillance image provided by Ann Arbor police shows a suspect in an arson and malicious destruction of property on Dec. 4, 2016.

(Courtesy of AAPD)

ANN ARBOR, MI - Police need help identifying a person suspected of burning an American flag and damaging property at Ann Arbor's Community High School.

Police believe an individual, captured in a surveillance image shown above, committed arson and malicious destruction of property about 1 a.m. Dec. 4 at the school at 401 N. Division St.

Based on surveillance footage, police believe the individual removed the American flag from the school's flagpole, lit it on fire and placed it near a building, said Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Matthew Lige.

Staff at the school discovered the charred flag and damage to the nearby school shed the next day, Lige said.

The cost of damage to the structure and flag was not immediately available.

Those with information on the incident or the person shown in the photo provided by police are asked to contact Ann Arbor police Detective Geoffrey Spickard at 734-794-6930 ext. 49322 or Gspickard@A2gov.org.
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Jonathan Van Noord, AOSS Researcher, calibrates CYGNSS in the Space Research Building on December 12, 2014. CYGNSS is a device that researchers built for launch on Dec. 12, 2016, that is designed to improve forecasts of hurricanes' intensity, track and storm surge. (Photo provided l Joseph Xu, Michigan Engineering, Communications & Marketing)

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA - Problems with a hydraulic pump have delayed the launch of a University of Michigan-led NASA satellite mission.

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) hurricane mission, which was expected to launch Monday morning, Dec. 12, could launch Tuesday if the issue with the hydraulic pump is resolved, according to a release provided by NASA.

UPDATE: NASA is rescheduling the launch of the CYGNSS spacecraft for no earlier than Wednesday, Dec. 14, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, during a one-hour window that opens at 8:20 a.m.

NASA indicated that "a hydraulic pump aboard the Orbital ATK L-1011 airplane, which is required to release the latches holding Pegasus in place, was not receiving power." According to NASA, the aircraft was on its way back with the Pegasus XL rocket still safely attached shortly after 9 a.m. Monday.

NASA Launch Manager Tim Dunn of the Launch Services Program said the hydraulic system problem developed en route, after takeoff, in the last 25 minutes prior to the initial 8:30 a.m. launch time.

The hydraulic system in question was not for the L-1011 aircraft itself, but for the system that allows the Pegasus XL rocket to release from the aircraft, Dunn said. That system was not meeting its prescribed pressures, indicating a problem with the hydraulic pump. Teams began assessing the issue after the plane landed.

"The team did a lot of valiant troubleshooting in the air," Dunn said in a release from NASA. "Everyone wanted to have another launch attempt today, so we continued right up until the L-4 minute point."

Weather also posed problems at times during the countdown, Dunn indicated.

"The pilots flew around, under and over a lot of precipitation and bad clouds," he said.

Should the team resolve the hydraulic pump issue in time for a Tuesday morning launch attempt, the launch window is the same as Monday's. With improved weather NASA indicated there is an 80 percent "go" forecast. The launch from the aircraft is scheduled for 8:24 a.m. Tuesday, with a launch window of an hour. All eight satellites are expected to be deployed within 15 minutes of launch.

The CYGNSS hurricane mission is expected to measure previously unknown details that are crucial to understanding the formation and intensity of tropical cyclones and hurricanes.

Utilizing the same GPS technology that allows drivers to navigate streets, CYGNSS uses a constellation of eight microsatellite observatories to measure the surface roughness of the world's oceans.

Mission scientists use the data it collects to calculate surface wind speeds, providing a better picture of a storm's strength and intensity. CYGNSS is NASA's first Earth science small satellite constellation. The $151 million satellite mission is expected to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
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Jonathan Van Noord, AOSS Researcher, calibrates CYGNSS in the Space Research Building on December 12, 2014. CYGNSS is a device that researchers built for launch on Dec. 12, 2016, that is designed to improve forecasts of hurricanes' intensity, track and storm surge. ((Photo provided l Joseph Xu, Michigan Engineering, Communications & Marketing))

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA - A University of Michigan-led NASA satellite mission expected to improve forecasts of hurricane track, intensity and storm surge is go for launch Monday morning, Dec. 12.

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) hurricane mission is expected to measure previously unknown details that are crucial to understanding the formation and intensity of tropical cyclones and hurricanes. Around 7 a.m., a Lockheed L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, carrying an air-launch Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket, is taking off from Kennedy Space Center and heading east over the Atlantic.

Utilizing the same GPS technology that allows drivers to navigate streets, CYGNSS uses a constellation of eight microsatellite observatories to measure the surface roughness of the world's oceans.

Mission scientists use the data it collects to calculate surface wind speeds, providing a better picture of a storm's strength and intensity. CYGNSS is NASA's first Earth science small satellite constellation. The $151 million satellite mission launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Once the aircraft reaches approximately 40,000 feet, it is expected to release the Pegasus rocket, which then carries CYGNSS into low Earth orbit. The launch from the aircraft is scheduled for 8:24 a.m., with a launch window of an hour. All eight satellites are expected to be deployed within 15 minutes of launch.

A live feed of the launch can be viewed on NASA TV.

The mission will study the relationship between ocean surface properties, moist atmospheric thermodynamics, radiation and convective dynamics to determine how a tropical cyclone forms and whether or not it strengthens, and if so by how much.The CYGNSS mission is expected to lead to more accurate weather forecasts of wind speeds and storm surges -- the swells of water that do the most damage when hurricanes make landfall.



"This is a first-of-its-kind mission," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, in a news release. "CYGNSS will do what existing satellite technology can't in terms of measuring wind speeds inside hurricanes to improve our ability to predict these deadly storms."

Understanding the dynamics of the eyewall will help researchers understand and predict how hurricanes rapidly intensify, a process that's becoming more critical to grasp as the climate changes.

The Space Physics Research Laboratory at the U-M College of Engineering in Ann Arbor leads overall mission execution in partnership with the Southwest Research Institute. U-M's Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering department leads the science investigation. The Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate oversees the mission.

"Today, we can't see what's happening under the rain," said Chris Ruf, professor in the U-M Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering who is the principal investigator for the mission, in a news release. "We can measure the wind outside of the storm cell with present systems. But there's a gap in our knowledge of cyclone processes in the critical eyewall region of the storm -- a gap that will be filled by the CYGNSS data."
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the ceremony (Source: VNA)



Attending a ceremony on December 11th to mark the 185th founding anniversary and 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of Hung Yen, the PM said he hopes the province will optimise its advantages and enhance competitiveness for more rapid and sustainable development.

He asked the province to post a provincial competitiveness index equal to the average level of the region in the 2017-2018, while mobilising resources for the building of the socio-economic infrastructure system, promoting production and improving products quality, and developing high technology agriculture.

Hung Yen should also pay more attention to human resources development and the application of high technology, while ensuring social security for locals, he said, adding that the province should further boost tourism in line with the conservation and promotion of cultural values.

The PM also requested the locality to strengthen the prevention and combat of corruption and wastefulness, while effectively implementing the Partys resolution on Party building and Politburos direction on strengthening the study and following moral example of President Ho Chi Minh.

Located in the left bank of the Red River and the centre of the northern delta, Hung Yen, also known as Pho Hien, was a busy urban area and a bustling commercial port of the north after the capital city of Hanoi in the 17th century. Its name also attached with the legend of Chu Dong Tu, one of the four immortals of Vietnam.

Hung Yen province was founded in 1831 and re-established in 1997. The province, which has long tradition of patriotism, is home to many famous patriots, including Trieu Quang Phuc, Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Thien Thuat and Hoang Hoa Tham.

Realising the Partys renewal policy, Hung Yen has risen to a locality with economic growth higher than the countrys average. Per capital income of the locality has increased 10 times compared to that in 20 years ago. Its economic structure has changed rapidly towards modernisation and industrialisation. Hung Yen expects to be among 16 localities with highest budget collection in 2017.

On the occasion, PM Phuc presented Independence Order (First class) to the Party Organisation, administration and people of Hung Yen to recognise devotion and contributions of the province to the national construction and defence./.


He stressed that the CPV 12th National Congress set a target to continue to reinforce and increase relations with traditional friends, especially those who supported the country during earlier struggles for national independence. Presently, Vietnam will continue to expand partnership relations with countries all over the world for our mutual interests, he said.

Appreciating the activities of the Marxist Leninist Canada, especially in the development of the Party with a focus among young people and labourers as well as the development of the Partys theories, Mr. Phong showed his belief that the Canadian Communist Partys guideline will be expanded more strongly, gaining new achievements.

He expressed his thanks to the Canadian Communist Party for sending congratulations to the success of the CPV 12th National Congress, adding that he hoped the relationship between the two Parties will be further strengthened.

First Secretary of the Marxist Leninist Canada Sandra Smith expressed her deep love for the Vietnamese nation, people and President Ho Chi Minh, confirming that the Marxist Leninist Canada will stand side by side with the Vietnamese people both in war and in peace, and presenting her true admiration towards Vietnams earlier heroic resistance war.

She added that the Marxist Leninist Canada had followed closely the 12th Congress of the CPV 12th National Congress as well as CPV activities, and together with key members of the Marxist Leninist Canada, presenting the Vietnamese delegation recently published documents on the motto, principles and operational orientations of modern communism in the 21st century./.
PepsiCo is giving users? old social media posts that originally received no attention a chance to be seen, while also giving to charity and leveraging celebrity meet-and-greets.





For its Pepsi Zero Sugar brand, the beverage manufacturer has employed actor Jeremy Piven to meet and greet social media sweepstakes winners. The contest continues with Pepsi encouraging users to repost old social media posts that at first garnered zero likes, but this time including its hashtag to donate to charity and see their posts published on its gallery.



"Social media is the heart of this campaign. With the #GiveZero and #GetZero program, we?re driving brand awareness with fun, zero-stress ways for consumers to engage with Pepsi Zero Sugar where they?re spending their time," said Jenny Danzi, senior brand manager at Pepsi. "We?ve already seen significant engagement from consumers across the country since the program launch.





Zero likes

Pepsi Zero Sugar is playing off its name for its latest campaign. Social media posts that have gotten ?zero? likes are getting another chance.





The campaign encourages users to repost these old posts with the hashtag #GiveZero. Pepsi Zero Sugar will share the posts on its gallery, where it has the potential to garner much more likes than its first time around.





Pepsi.com/givezero is the campaign?s mobile-optimized dedicated Web page that features participant?s posts.





For each post with the hashtag, PepsiCo will donate the cost of one Pepsi Zero Sugar can to ZeroCancer.org to help the fight against Men?s Prostate Cancer.





To kick off the campaign, Pepsi Zero Sugar launched a sweepstakes on social media. Users that shared an image or post with the hashtag #GetZero were automatically entered to win a flight aboard a charter flight with Zero G.





The Zero G experience recreates the feeling of zero gravity that you would feel in space.





Winners aboard the flight were surprised with a guest appearance by Mr. Piven, who joined them for the experience.





Pepsi Zero Sugar?s campaign is meant to build excitement surrounding its name change. Originally known as Pepsi Max, Pepsi Zero Sugar has rebranded to put an emphasis on its lack of sugar.





Social media strategy

PepsiCo leverages a wide range of innovative, interactive campaigns via mobile and social media.





For instance, PepsiCo was the first to partner with Twitter for its promoted sticker launch as a leg in the consumer packaged goods marketer's Pepsimoji campaign, which populated the physical and digital realms with millennial-friendly symbols.





The promoted Twitter stickers allowed users to connect with Pepsi by incorporating marketed content within their own photos, essentially turning everyday users into brand ambassadors. The new ad product was Twitter?s latest venture in its continued focus on branded emojis and stickers as the platform looks to orchestrate a turnaround ( see more ).





PepsiCo leveraged the excitement surrounding the MTV Video Music Awards by introducing a new mobile-optimized music hub during the show, allowing millennials to enjoy tunes and discover up-and-coming artists through the Shazam-amplified platform.









"We?re building brand awareness for Pepsi Zero Sugar through breakthrough, unique experiences for our consumers like the #GiveZero and #GetZero program," Ms. Danzi said. "Pepsi Zero Sugar is all about finding new ways to celebrate Zero, whether it?s by giving our fans the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime zero gravity trip on a Zero G plane, or the opportunity to donate to prostate cancer research in a simple, fun way using their social media accounts.



"So far, the reaction to the program has been very positive ? everyone who hears about it instantly wants to scroll back through their social feed and find those zero-liked posts," she said. The brand kicked off the launch of its new music hub, The Sound Drop, with appearances by popular artists such as Alessia Cara and Lukas Graham. The platform, which also leveraged partnerships with Shazam, MTV and iHeartMedia, let emerging artists share their stories and art with fans through social media activations and influencer networks ( see more )."We?re building brand awareness for Pepsi Zero Sugar through breakthrough, unique experiences for our consumers like the #GiveZero and #GetZero program," Ms. Danzi said. "Pepsi Zero Sugar is all about finding new ways to celebrate Zero, whether it?s by giving our fans the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime zero gravity trip on a Zero G plane, or the opportunity to donate to prostate cancer research in a simple, fun way using their social media accounts."So far, the reaction to the program has been very positive ? everyone who hears about it instantly wants to scroll back through their social feed and find those zero-liked posts," she said.




[December 12, 2016] JCB International and CIMB Bank Singapore with Wirecard Seal Merchant Acquisition Partnership

TOKYO and SINGAPORE, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- JCB International Co., Ltd. ("JCBI"), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., CIMB Bank Singapore ("CIMB"), and Wirecard AG ("Wirecard") are pleased to announce their signing of a License Agreement to begin JCB merchant acquiring services in Singapore. Through the partnership, JCB card acceptance facilities will be available at CIMB merchants. With its ASEAN footprint firmly in place, CIMB is a befitting partner with JCBI on both the local and regional front. Having established similar collaborations in Malaysia and Indonesia, this new License Agreement extends the collaboration into other parts of Southeast Asia and enhances cooperation in the region. Tourism is a key contributor to the Singapore economy and the country is a popular destination for regional JCB cardmembers. This new merchant acquisition partnership with CIMB will bolster the JCB card acceptance network in the market and promote new merchants to JCBI's rapidly expanding cardmember base from Asia during their stay in Singapore. Vincent Ling, Managing Director of JCB International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., commented, "As Singapore continues to be a key tourist destination for Asians including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, a stronger JCB card acceptance will bring about enhanced convenience to JCB cardmembers. JCBI is pleased to collaborate with CIMB Bank Singapore and we look forward to working closely together to serve our cardmembers, merchants and business partners better." Mak Lye Mun, CEO of CIMB Bank Singapore and Country Head of CIMB Group Singapore said, "As a leading bank in ASEAN, CIMB Bank is proud to expand our payment acceptance offering with JCBI in Singapore. This partnership unlocks opportunities for our merchant acquiring business and I'm confident it will benefit both merchants and JCB cardmembers through greater card acceptance and increased payment options." CIMB Bank Singapore's one-stop merchant solution is in partnership with Wirecard, a global leader in electronic payment and mPOS technology and infrastructure. Wirecard has been providing an integrated payment platform that supports eCommerce, mCommerce, mobile and traditional Point-of-Sale, to facilitate merchants' real-time tracking of transactions across multiple sales channels as part of the partnership. Mr Jeffry Ho, Managing Director of Wirecard Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia A&I added, "We are delighted with another milestone of our partnership with CIMB Bank. We believe that the CIMB-JCB initiative will certainly provide a better payment experience for both merchants and JCB cardmembers in Singapore."



About JCB JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 31 million merchants and over a million cash advance locations in 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 21 countries and territories, with more than 95 million card members. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide.

Note: Statistics About JCB are as of March 2016. For more information, please visit: http://www.global.jcb/en/ About CIMB Bank Singapore CIMB Bank Singapore was officially established on 29 September 2009 as part of CIMB Group's longstanding commitment to Singapore - the Group has had a local presence since 1947 through Ban Hin Lee Bank and acquired GK Goh Securities in 2005. CIMB Bank Singapore represents the consumer banking arm of CIMB Group, a leading ASEAN universal bank. Strategically located in the financial centre of ASEAN and operating on a full banking license, CIMB Bank Singapore offers individuals, businesses and corporate clients a comprehensive suite of financial solutions. CIMB Group is Malaysia's second largest financial services provider and one of ASEAN's leading universal banking groups. It offers consumer banking, investment banking, Islamic banking, asset management and insurance products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is now present in nine out of 10 ASEAN nations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos). Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong, Bahrain, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Korea, the US and UK. CIMB Group has the most extensive retail branch network in ASEAN of more than 1,000 branches as at 31 March 2016. CIMB Group's investment banking arm is also one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, offering amongst the most comprehensive research coverage of more than 1,000 stocks in the region. CIMB Group operates its business through three main brand entities, CIMB Bank, CIMB Investment Bank and CIMB Islamic. CIMB Group is also the 97.9% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 93.7% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand. CIMB Group is listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad. It had a market capitalisation of approximately RM38.1 billion as at 30 June 2016. The Group has 40,000 employees located in 17 countries. About Wirecard: Wirecard AG is a global technology group that supports companies in accepting electronic payments from all sales channels. As a leading independent supplier, the Wirecard Group offers outsourcing and white label solutions for electronic payments. A global platform bundles international payment acceptances and methods with supplementary fraud prevention solutions. With regard to issuing own payment instruments in the form of cards or mobile payment solutions, the Wirecard Group provides companies with an end-to-end infrastructure, including the requisite licences for card and account products. Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060, WDI). For further information about Wirecard, please visit http://www.wirecard.com or follow us on twitter @wirecard. Media contact: JCB International Co., Ltd.

Ayako Tanaka

Corporate Planning

Tel: +81-3-5778-8390

Email: [email protected] CIMB Bank

Josandi Thor

Senior Managing Director and Head

Group Marketing, Brand and Sponsorship Management

CIMB Group

DID: +603-2261-0628 (Malaysia) I +65-6302-3885 (Singapore)

Email: [email protected]

Daryl Tan

Assistant Vice President, Communications

Group Marketing and Communications, Singapore

DID: +65-6317-2334 | Mobile: +65-9720-8466

Email: [email protected] Wirecard AG

Iris Stoeckl

VP Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Wirecard AG

Tel: +49 (0)-89-4424-1424

Email: [email protected]

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National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (Source: VNA)



The same days afternoon, the Vietnamese top legislator and her entourage left India for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the 11th Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament from December 11th-13th.

The visit is made at the invitation of President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Saber Chowdhury and President of the Federal National Council of the UAE Amal Al Qubaisi.

The Vietnamese delegations participation in the Summit looks to promote the NAs role and position at regional and global parliamentary forums and at the same time affirm the policy on gender equality pursued by the Party and State./.
As a student at Detroit's Cody High School, Hassan Almaleki never knew he wanted to be a chef. All he knew was that he loved food and wanted to learn how to cook for himself.

But after joining

and entrepreneurship

Youth entrepreneurship programs like Detroit Food Academy engage youth across the city in hands-on, place-based entrepreneurial training, equipping them to both launch their own businesses and use entrepreneurial thinking to solve problems at school, work, and in their own communities.





Takyhai Burns and Jacob Schoenknecht making Mitten Bites Being a part of something bigger



DFA engages youth through its after-school, summer, and "small batch" programs, which introduce healthy eating and cooking, business planning, and food product development to the youth who participate. Last year, DFA worked with 250 students across seven high schools in Detroit, and they're looking to expand into three more this year.

"We want to use this engaging space of food to invite our students to build a really tangible idea that makes an impact on their school or neighborhood," says Jennifer Rusciano, executive director of Detroit Food Academy. "Detroit has an obsession with importing talent from other places, but we have amazing students who want to be a part of what's going onthey just need a vote of confidence and the opportunity to make their ideas a reality."

Students who participate in DFA learn skills such as basic math and financial planning, how to cook for themselves, and interpersonal communication. DFA's ultimate goal, however, is building the emotional wellness and self confidence of participants, many of whom have never cooked before, let alone planned a food business concept, or pitched a business idea to a panel of judges.

"DFA changed my view on how to talk to people," says Almaleki, who is now an employee of DFA as well as a culinary arts student at Schoolcraft College. "When I started the program I was a very shy kid. As I went through the program I had to stand in front of people and tell them about my product. Little by little it brought me out of shell."

Almaleki shares that as he continued to participate in DFA, he realized that it was more than just cooking well that drew him to the program, it was about wanting to "be a part of something bigger."

Seeing opportunities in Detroit

While DFA teaches youth concrete skills they can utilize in their daily lives, the program also emphasizes a place-based approach to building a business, where youth feel connected to their communities and excited about the options available to them here in Detroit.

This engagement with Detroit is one of the main goals of Our Town, a youth driven tour guide program founded by Anise Hayes of





Anise Hayes, founder of Atlantic Impact "It was actually one of our students at Denby High School who came up with the idea for the program," says Hayes. "We were on a field trip downtown and he had never been there. He asked, 'Why doesn't my neighborhood look like this? Why don't people come and visit where I live?'"



The program partnered with

Hayes explains that by having youth design and lead tours, they are placed in a position of authority, and consequently feel more empowered to make a difference in Detroit.

"Growing up in the city, I didn't see the good things about Detroit often," says Lerrell Carr, a graduate of Denby High School who participated in the program during its pilot this past summer. "But after learning more about its history and giving tours downtown, it opened my eyes a bit wider. I realized it was actually a major city in the world."

Carr is now a freshman at Ferris State University and sees himself moving back to Detroit after graduating.

As part of the current year-long program, students at Denby High School, which is situated on Detroit's east side, are developing a tour of the west side for their peers. The tour will include visits to the Livernois Avenue of Fashion, Marygrove College, and the University District.

Cultivating entrepreneurial thinking

In addition to providing youth with hands-on experience, another core element of youth entrepreneurship programs is developing an entrepreneurial mindset.





Deborah Parizek, executive director of JumpStart "In school, we tend to give kids the message that there's a right answer and wrong answer," says Deborah Parizek, executive director of JumpStart. "Those outcomes are often defined by somebody else and they have minimal connection to students' lives. Design thinking helps us counter that message."



Throughout the two days of the program, students engage in a process of "human centered design" or design thinking, which emphasizes engaging with potential users or customers of a service or product to understand their needs before defining the problem and developing solutions.

In a pilot with fifteen students from Henry Ford Academy this past September, participants explored the question "How do we ease the transition to college or post secondary learning for high school students?" Through a process of research, interviews, and visiting college campuses, teams developed rough conceptual prototypes for their "user"a prospective college student.

One group developed a mobile app idea for an 11th grader they called "Worried Wilson," who doesn't want to pay "a ridiculous amount of money" for a college that doesn't provide the resources he needs to succeed. The app provides a customized survey to students, and matches them to a list of colleges that best fit their needs.

While the students in the program learn concrete skills such as interviewing and public speaking, JumpStart's program director Marcus Harris, explains that, "Beyond concrete skills, we want participants to develop the idea of thinking entrepreneurially. Not all of them are going to go out and launch their own venture, but at least they will walk away with creative problem solving skills that they can use not only in their careers but also in their everyday lives."

This article is part of Michigan Nightlight, a series of stories about the programs and people that positively impact the lives of Michigan kids. It is made possible with funding from the
you are here:
NA Chairwoman Kim Ngan and Minister of State for Tolerance of the UAE Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi (Source: VNA)



The top Vietnamese legislator made the statement at a meeting with Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance of the UAE, in Abu Dhabi on December 12th as part of her activities in the country to attend the 11th Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament.

NA Chairwoman congratulated the host on her election as the UAEs Minister of State for Tolerance, saying that the appointment shows the countrys determination to improve the life quality and satisfaction of the people, and promote tolerance - a basic value that is highly valued in the UAE.

While expressing her admiration at socio-economic achievements the UAE has made in recent time, as well as her delight at increasingly developing ties between the two countries.

She appreciated the organisation of the Summit, stressing that the event will contribute to improving the role and position of the UAE in the region and the world at large.

The guest also briefed the host on the Vietnamese NAs duties, hoping that the two countries will share their experience in law-making and implementing policies to create social interests and better peoples living conditions.

She expressed her belief that Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi will work to further promote the Vietnam-UAE cooperation in the coming time.

For her part, the UAE official said that the establishment of her agency is to protect the UAEs values, adding that her countrys policy on tolerance aims to promote tolerance and prevent extremism in the society.

Sharing views with the host, NA leader Ngan also highlighted the spirit of tolerance in Vietnams policies. She said that in its foreign policy, Vietnam plans to wrap up the past and look toward the future and wants to be a friend with all countries around the world.

Regarding social policies, the country often gives clemency to prisoners and all religions in Vietnam are equal before the law, she added./.
business IRB Infra expects 16-18% returns from Rajasthan project: Chief IRB Infra is set to boost with an order win for 90 kms of 6-laning part of NH-79A and NH-79. This is the third order in couple of months and 30 km target has been completed, said VD Mhaiskar, company's CMD.
business GST: Discussion on laws inconclusive; April 1 rollout unlikely Indias plans to roll out a countrywide Goods and Services Tax (GST) from April 1, 2017 appear increasingly unlikely with the Centre and states failing on Sunday to conclude discussions on several key aspects including the main enabling legislations.
Not long ago, my partner and I were standing outside our soon-to-be home. Oh yeah, and there were about 20 other people there too. We were at an auction.

Beforehand, we had agreed we were ready to buy the apartment. It stood out from every other place we had seen before. It was close to public transport, schools, a shopping centre, and not too far from the city. A nice bonus was that the inside was completely renovated.

The bidding started at $280,000. But many potential buyers dropped out. It quickly became obvious the bidding war would be between us and another woman. The price went up to $309,000, with no more bids.

The woman started bidding in lots of $500. I remember thinking, Are you kidding me? We followed her up all the way to $320,000. Once she started bidding in lots of $250, the real estate agent no longer took her seriously.

Going once, twicethree times  and the place was ours!

But the story of how we bought our first home  and what we can do with it as owners  is set to change. In fact, it already is changingfast.

Im talking about the technological changes happening around you every day. And none is more disruptive to the property market than the peer-to-peer (P2P) business model.

P2P financing, buying, selling and renting

Four months on, my partner and I are considering rentvesting.

If youve never heard of it, rentvesting refers to renting out your primary place of living while you live and rent somewhere else. The idea is that you can rent out your home for more than it would cost you to rent yourself.

And the P2P business model is making rentvesting much easier for homeowners. Im sure youve heard of Airbnb before. Its an alternative for people who want to find cheap accommodation.

Airbnb is redefining the way we seek accommodation. And its extremely successful at what it does.

According to HVS Consulting & Valuation, Airbnb dinted New York City hotel revenues by US$450 million from 2014 to 2015. And thats just in one city!

The creators of Airbnb and other P2P businesses likely had no idea how big they would become. But as long as Airbnb is cheaper than the alternatives, it will likely flourish in the future.

When it comes to your home, the P2P business model already caters to more than just renting out a room. It could completely change the way we buy homes in the future.

Instead of getting a loan from the bank, people may opt for P2P lenders instead. Borrowing regulations could become tighter in the future. But with P2P lenders, first home buyers will have a sea of alternative lenders to choose from  the public.

P2P companies like SocietyOne and Marketlend already match people who need loans with those who have surplus capital. I believe only more P2P lenders will come on to the scene over the next few years.

Once finances are sorted, homebuyers can then buy a home direct from the seller.

Companies like Purplebricks Group [LON:PURP] and Buymyplace.com.au Ltd [ASX:BMP] already allow you to bypass real estate agents. For a flat fee of $4,500 (PURP) and $695 (BMP) respectively, homeowners can sell their home. But, in saying that, you wont be left all by yourself, either.

Both companies will still help you list your property on the web and forward all online queries to your inbox. For the more expensive services, both will also provide professional negotiations and conduct open inspections.

But their most expensive packages  $5,325 (PURP) and $1,795 (BMP)  beat a real estate agents commission. While a real estate agent handles everything for you, their fees can add up to $10,000 or $15,000 for a $500,000 house.

Now, lets say you want to rent your property out. Well, I already mentioned Airbnb as an option. But there are already many more P2P businesses trying to move in on Airbnbs turf.

The P2P revolution doesnt stop here. Thanks to home battery storage, you could soon be buying electricity from your neighbouror selling it back to them.

P2P electricity

Perth start-up, Power Ledger, is introducing another P2P market into our homes. Instead of buying electricity from the grid, Power Ledger is an early pioneer in P2P electricity.

In short, Power Ledger has made energy a commodity for homeowners, not just utility suppliers.

According to the Australian Financial Review, homeowners can sell surplus power at a higher rate than they can sell it to the grid, peer-to-peer energy trading offers extra backup to the power grid as intermittent wind and solar energy expand at the expense of reliable but dirty coal generation.

P2P energy could eventually challenge big retailers like AGL Energy [ASX:AGL] and Origin Energy [ASX:ORG].

In 2013, the P2P economy was only US$15 billion in size. But according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the market could reach US$335 billion by 2025. Only nine years away, and this market may be 2,133% bigger!

I believe we are still a few years from seeing P2P disrupting the energy market. But when it comes to real estate, P2P businesses are already stealing market share from banks and agents.

Companies like Airbnb have done a great job of getting homeowners familiar with the P2P platforms. In five to 10 years, the traditional job of a real estate agent could be completely phased out. It might be hard to envision now, but its a real possibility as P2P platforms are widely adopted.

Regards,

Harje Ronngard,

Contributing Editor, Money Morning

PS: The P2P business model is a revolutionary trend which you dont want to miss out on. But its not the only one. Tech guru Sam Volkering is constantly on the lookout for revolutionary technologies and trends in Revolutionary Tech Investor.

Investing in revolutionary tech companies isnt without risk. But it can potentially earn you 400% or more in returns. Sams top three active investments are up 173.17%, 400% and 496.74% to date.

To find out how Sam does it, click here.

From the Port Phillip Publishing Library

Special Report: The Lazarus Project, your best chance to double every dollar you invest this year. Click here for more

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The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana.
Ex-choir director in Bucks County pleads no contest to molesting two students, secretly filming another
December 12, 2016

Syria Roundup: Government Liberates Aleppo - In Revenge(?) ISIS Retakes Palmyra

The assault by Syrian government forces and its allies on Takfiri forces in east-Aleppo continues. Yesterday the heavily fortified Sheikh Saeed quarter was taken in addition to Karam Da`da`, Ferdous, Bab al Maqam and Jallum. The al-Qaeda led terrorists are down to some 5 square kilometer, five city quarters, roughly 2% of the area they held when the siege on them started. They may give up today or tomorrow. Huge amounts of foreign ammunition, food and medicines were found in the quarters the Takfiris retreated from.

bigger

The U.S. has given up on any relief mission for them. U.S. Secretary of State Kerry is down to begging the Russians to let some of his friends escape: Kerry urges Russia to show a little grace and allow Aleppo evacuation.

Winning back the economic capital of the country, a city which the Turkish wannabe-Sultan Erdogan wanted to capture and incorporate into his neo-Ottoman empire, is the biggest victory the Syrian government achieved in this war. The whole area retaken in and around Aleppo is some 18,000 square kilometers - that is a larger area than the whole countries of Qatar or Lebanon.

There were discussions between Syria and its allies from Russia, Iran and Lebanon on how to proceed from here. It was decided to set a priority in the west towards the al-Qaeda occupied Idleb instead of the mostly ISIS occupied east-Syria. A two front war in the west and east would be too risky and require additional forces that are not (yet) available. Two reasons for this decision are the economic importance of Idleb governate and the continuity of the government held western part of "useful Syria". There are other forces, Turkish, Kurdish and some Arab U.S. proxies, that have declared war on ISIS and shall bleed to eradicate it in the east.

Accordingly a tacit deal was found with Turkey. It would be allowed to take al-Bab, east of Aleppo and to march on towards Raqqa from there. In exchange it would refrain from supporting al-Qaeda and aligned forces in and around Idleb in the west. Those forces would still have clandestine support from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others. It is somewhat questionable if the rather unreliable Erdogan will stick to the deal but that risk has been taken.

The general risk of setting the priority in the west is a festering of a U.S. occupation of Syria's east. The U.S. just deployed an additional 200 special forces there to bring the total up to acknowledged 500. There are also some French and other special forces in the area. They are building several small military airfields and hire anyone they can find in that area to, allegedly, fight ISIS. This looks much like the construction of a "Salafist principality" in east-Syria and west-Iraq without the ISIS label. Gulf countries' and Zionists' lobbyists have called for such an occupation strategy of Upper Mesopotamia. A U.S./Saudi controlled proxy entity that interrupts the "Shia crescent" from Iran over Iraq and Syria to Lebanon and holds the ground for a planned natural gas pipeline from Qatar to Turkey and onto Europe.

The Russian and Syrian hope may be that a Trump administration will abandon such imperial nonsense.

Since December 5 probing attacks of ISIS around the larger area of east-Homs governate and Palmyra were registered. But the priority of the Syrian government was, rightly so, on east-Aleppo. Palmyra was held by a Syrian army contingent in large company size and by a few companies of little trained National Defense Forces - way too few to defend a rather large area against a sizable and determined attack.

Last Friday ISIS attacked Palmyra with several hundred fighters, heavy artillery and tanks. Multiple suicide Vehicle Based IEDs penetrated the NDF defense lines around Palmyra. A large ISIS attack on Saturday was repulsed by over 60 Russian air attacks. Major news agencies falsely reported that ISIS had taken the center of Palmyra based solely on "activists in Turkey" claims. Only a renewed ISIS attack on Sunday proved to be too much for the thin defense forces. At noon the decision was taken to avoid further losses and to retreat from the city towards the south and the west. Palmyra and the surrounding areas fell again to ISIS.

The attackers are thought to have come from Deir Ezzor, where a Syrian government force surrounded by ISIS recently had a few quiet days. Some may also have come from Raqqa where a recent halt in U.S. commanded attacks gave ISIS some relief. The fighters most likely did not recently come from Mosul in Iraq. Several military observers said the attackers were superbly organized, well led and had excellent intelligence.

Reinforcements for the Syrian army have arrived in the area and the Russian deputy foreign minister promised to retake the city from ISIS. The reinforcements may be enough to stop the current ISIS advance. But the priority is Aleppo and an immediate successful counterattack on Palmyra is not likely.

How does this ISIS attack fit into the bigger picture?

Map by Fabrice Balanche - Status November 2016 - Palmyra is below the lower center-left of the map frame - bigger

ISIS is under attack in Iraq in Mosul and the areas west of it. U.S. proxy forces, mostly Kurdish YPG fighters, attack the surroundings of the ISIS held city of Raqqa. Turkish proxy forces, including some units from the terrorist group Ahrar al-Sham, attack ISIS in al-Bab north-west of Raqqa and east of Aleppo. U.S. drones and attack planes are constantly flying over all ISIS held territory in east-Syria.

How come ISIS has the considerable resources available to now attack Palmyra, far away from the critical points further north where it is heavily attacked? Where did the necessary ammunition and money come from? Why attack now?

U.S. Central Command, the imperial headquarter in the Middle East, announced on December 9 that it had just bombed 168 ISIS tanker trucks near Palmyra. (CentCom is huge. There are 58,000 U.S. troops plus 42,000 U.S. military contractors under CentCom command in the Middle East.) That CentCom claim sounded very dubious to me and I was not the only one to disregard it as nonsense:

The Inside Source - @InsideSourceInt

> #Syria // #Palmyra // US claims of destroying 160 ISIS oil trucks in Syria are seemingly false from what we've heard.

3:46 AM - 10 Dec 2016

The video accompanying the CentCom claim showed bomb hits on only three tanker trucks and some four fixed targets. Nothing like the claimed large scale attack. It is questionable that so many tanker trucks, most were bombed over the last year, would assemble in one area. And why would they be near the then front line with Syrian forces in Palmyra? Why would the U.S. hit them there and not on their way coming or going to wherever? How come no one else, no opposition outlet and no agency, reported such a large attack?

This emphasis on "look we are hitting ISIS around Palmyra" by CentCom is suspicious. The U.S. did see tanker trucks but the hundreds of ISIS forces with heavy equipment, including tanks, preparing for their assault on the city were invisible? This under an airspace that is practically controlled by the U.S. and its allies?

This smells of a "revenge" attack ordered up by the U.S. or its Gulf allies for the Syrian and Russian taking of Aleppo. A demonstration that the early victory of Russia in Palmyra was ephemeral. A propaganda defeat of Russia covering the real defeat of U.S. supported Takfiris in east-Aleppo.

Posted by b on December 12, 2016 at 14:18 UTC | Permalink

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The North Carolina School for the Deaf welcomed three state officials from Raleigh to their campus on Thursday morning for a first time visit.

Adam Levinson, chief of staff of the Department of Public Instruction; William Cobey, chair, State Board of Education, and Martez Hill, executive director, State Board of Education, arrived at the school and were welcomed by staff and students of NCSD.

Levinson recently was given responsibility at DPI on behalf of the state board for providing oversight of the residential schools because they are administered through the State Board of Education and DPI.

I had not seen the campus yet and we are here today for a joint advisory meeting and I felt that would be a good time for me to see and understand discussion points, outlook and hear peoples different perspectives, Levinson said.

They were able to meet with staff and students, who talked about their experience at NCSD and explained why the school is important to the deaf community.

I think it is an impressive facility with a long tradition of being student centered, Levinson said.

NCSD students Solimar Bonilla, Andres Cantillo Navarro and Rebecca Carson were present at the morning meeting and spoke about what their plans were for after graduation, which a good percentage was going off to college.

During the meeting, students were asked a question that brought about a special perception of the deaf community, NCSD Director Audrey Garvin said.

Cobey asked them Is it more isolating to be one deaf student in a public school or to be in a separate school with many deaf students and adults and not necessarily with the hearing community? Garvin said. That was something really important and the students and deaf teachers described their experiences and their personal reasons for wanting to learn in an environment where there is direct communication with their teachers and peers.

For the first time, Cobey, Hill and Levinson met with advisory councils from each residential schools for the deaf in North Carolina not only to discuss annual reports that lists the priorities of each school, but to learn how to have effective partnerships.

I am a numbers guy, (so I wanted to) find out how many children and parents in the state could possibly consider this an option for their child, Cobey said. I learned that each child is different and has different needs.

He says marketing strategies used by the school are important because it can't be assumed that parents know this is an option.

It sounds like, for a lot of parents, it would be a great option to have their younger child come here and get started instead of coming in middle school or high school when it becomes more difficult because we know that elementary kids are just like sponges, Cobey said. I am here to learn because we as a board set policy for all public schools.

Steve Watts, NCSD facilities manager and Suzanne Levan, NCSD business manager, took the state officials on a tour of NCSD to view renovations of the old gym and different buildings around the campus.

They talked about summaries and processes of a 10-year capital plan, renovations and program-specific modifications to buildings, Watts said.

They were able to see the progress made on the old gym where the school pool used to be, which is being repurposed to be a building that houses professional and outreach services for those who have hearing loss, Garvin said.

I was wanting to make sure they had feet on the ground awareness of what the campus consisted of and what we were using as core campus  and how this 10-year plan of renovation and modification would fit within the schools needs, Watts said.

While on the tour through a school building, a classroom full of students invited Cobey, Hill and Levinson to be a part of their health lesson. They were learning about ears and used Hill as a human prop to peer inside his ears with an otoscope.

In the afternoon, the state board of education members, department of public instruction chief of staff and advisory council members from the three residential schools participated in a STEM exhibition showing skills such as Vex robotics, CADD drafting raster vector, video production and life science exploration, said information from NCSD.

Tie Barnes, a NCSD fourth grader, enrolled in the Project Lead The Way Launch program, demonstrated the Dash Robot using the Blockly app on his iPad. He engaged Levinson and taught him how to move Dash using computer codes through a navigation course outlined on the floor, the information said.

Tie explained using sign language how to program the robot to speed up, slow down, move left, right, back and forward to finish the course, the information said. All with thumbs up at each turn and finishing with high fives on the successful completion of the course.

Representative Hugh Blackwell (R-46) was present for part of the mornings activities as well, Garvin said.

Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907.
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive.

To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research.

Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
Triple Threat Posed by Pacific Coast Earthquakes

Another in a series of articles from Corelogic Senior Product Manager, MaiClaire Bolton, about assessing earthquake risk from a mortgage and insurance perspective focuses on the Pacific Northwest. While the region is not generally high on the list, at least in the public's mind, of those that are earthquake prone, Bolton points to a massive 9.0 quake in 1700 that ruptured the full 600 mile length of the Cascadia subduction zone, a fault which runs off-shore, paralleling the west coast from Vancouver Island, Canada to Humboldt County in Northern Califonria. The quake was followed by a massive tsunami which inundated the coast and even affected Japan. That country's history records an "orphan tsunami" the source of which was for hundreds of years unknown.

For many years, scientists believed that the Cascadia subduction zone was one of the few on earth that did not produce massive earthquakes. Then when Mount St. Helen erupted violently in 1980 they realized the zone was still active. Bolton explains that, in a subduction zone, an oceanic tectonic plate that is created at an oceanic ridge pushes beneath a continental plate. "The descending plate will continue to be pulled, or subducted, under a continent until it reaches a depth at which it begins to melt. The melting of the plate at depth produces magma which then ascends through the continental plate where it is expelled by volcanoes."

These megathrust, or giant, earthquakes are one of three types of quakes associated with the Cascadia zone. They occur, on average, every 500 years but sometimes the entire zone does not completely rupture. These partial quakes occur more frequently with a recurrence of perhaps 240 years. The other two types are shallow or crustal earthquakes - and deep, or intraslab, earthquakes. While the maximum magnitude of shallow and deep earthquakes in Cascadia is expected to only be approximately magnitude 7.5, if these events are located near an urban center like Portland or Seattle, they could be catastrophic. Deep earthquakes are usually of a lesser magnitude than crustal but are the more frequent with large magnitude events recorded every few decades.

Bolton says understanding the massive megathrust earthquakes is critical for managing earthquake risk because their impact would be disastrous. While very rare, a full rupture of the fault would be similar to the 2011 magnitude 9.0 Tohoku-oki Japan earthquake. It is also important to recognize the triple threat in the zone.

The most recent deep event was the 2001 magnitude 6.8 Nisqually earthquake south of Seattle. Given its depth of approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles), this earthquake caused relatively low levels of damage and loss. Notable crustal quakes include the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, the 1989 Loma Prieta, and 1994 Northridge earthquakes in California. All resulted in considerable damage and at least some loss of life.

Among the largest crustal earthquakes in the Cascade region were a magnitude 7.3 event in a sparsely populated area of Vancouver Island, Canada in 1946 and the 1872 Lake Chelan earthquake east of Seattle which had a magnitude estimated at 6.8. Even given the limited populations, each caused considerable damage. Bolton says a similar event today, especially if located near one of the major cities such as Portland or Seattle, could be catastrophic and one of the most significant crustal faults traverses east-west through the Seattle metro area.
Four banking association heads wrote a letter to Senate leaders Wednesday, asking for a change in leadership in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The letter called for the CFPB to be led by a five-person, bipartisan commission instead of a single director  currently Richard Cordray. The association heads said a commission would be more accountable than a sole director who wields "unprecedented authority over financial institutions, with minimal oversight, according to Reuters.The current single-director structure leads to regulatory uncertainty for consumers, industry, and the economy, said the letter, which was signed by presidents of the Consumer Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, Credit Union National Association, and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. In contrast, a Senate-confirmed, bipartisan board or commission will provide a balanced and deliberative approach to supervision, regulation, and enforcement over financial institutions that is more in keeping with other financial regulators.The call for change was backed up by the recent ruling of a D.C. appeals court that a sole director has too much power, although it was against disbanding the bureau. Instead, the court recommended a system in which the CFPB director could be removed by the president at will.The plan to change the CFPB was included in the continuing resolution bill of the House of Republicans. However it was tabled by the Senate until Donald Trump is sworn in as president.Related stories:

CFPB appeals PHH decision

Credit union association calls for CFPB to halt rulemaking
The Securities and Exchange Commission is losing yet another of its top officials.



SEC Chair Mary Jo White announced last month that she would step down from her role at the agency prior to the beginning of the Trump administration. Now Enforcement Director Andrew J. Ceresney has announced that he will be departing as well.



Ceresney has headed the SECs Enforcement Division for nearly four years. During his tenure, the division brought significant cases across the entire spectrum of the securities industry, according to the SEC. Under Ceresneys leadership, the division hit record numbers of enforcement actions.



Under Andrews strong leadership, the Enforcement Division took its already robust enforcement program to an even higher level, achieving unprecedented results, including a record number of enforcement actions, first-of-their-kind cases and a first-ever admissions policy for a civil law enforcement agency, White said. Andrews tremendous work ethic, commitment to do what is right, and deep dedication to his entire team have made him an incredibly effective leader. Americas investors and our markets have been extremely fortunate to have him fighting in their corner for the last four years. And I am very grateful for his wise counsel, impeccable judgment and expertise.



My time as Enforcement Director has been the highlight of my career, allowing me to work closely with the extremely talented and dedicated group of professionals in the SECs Enforcement Division,

Ceresney said. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together  our innovative and wide-ranging actions have protected investors, deterred misconduct, and sent the message that the SEC is and always must be the tough cop on the financial beat. I am particularly grateful to Chair White for the opportunity to work under her leadership and her deep commitment to strong enforcement to protect investors and our markets.



During Ceresneys tenure, the SEC filed more than 2,850 enforcement actions and obtained judgments and orders of more than $13.8 billion.


Anne Lataillade of Papilles et Pupilles in her home town of Bordeaux

La Place de la Bourse

Caneles in copper moulds

Bordeaux city gates, one of several. This is Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux.

Wall with imprint of stored barrels, Bordeaux

Over a decado ago, Anne Lataillade was a stay-at-home mum looking after two young children, both of whom had severe food allergies. She surfed the net, searching in vain for recipes she could feed them. This led to Anne starting her pioneering food blog in 2005. Today Anne is one of Frances top food bloggers, getting around 3 million views per month. Her site, Papilles et Pupilles (eyelids and taste buds is the rather clumsy sounding translation), was voted best culinary blog by Elle magazine in 2008, and she does a weekly radio show on France Bleu Gironde. Anne lives in a tall house in the centre of Bordeaux, so everything in the newly refurbished city is within walking distance.

Bordeaux has undergone a transformation recently, thanks to Mayor Alain Juppe, the liberal, pro-immigration member of Les Republicains. Formerly a sooty decrepit town, where eighteenth-century squares were used as parking lots and industrial buildings obscured the river, there is now a clear view of the banks of the Garonne with splendid public art sculptures. The river is so deep and wide, ocean liners moor next to the town and visitors can take boat trips both up and down stream.

Bordeaux is the largest Unesco World Heritage site. Its historic town centre has been cleaned, and the beautiful old gates can now be seen. A lethally silent tramway has been built. As you walk through the grand streets (only a little of the original medieval city remains) that so inspired Baron Haussman, who brought a similar aesthetic to Paris, the characteristic pale coral light of western France illuminates the blond stone, the huge city gates, the lengthy shopping streets. Coppery lamps hang high, while starlings flock to the trees that colonnade the airy public squares.

Bordeaux is renowned for three eminent men of letters: Montaigne, Montesquieu and Mauriac. Montaigne (1533-1592) was a philosopher and writer, influential in child education and psychology. Montesquieu (1689-1755) was a lawyer, who wrote about the importance of separation of state and church. Mauriac (1913-1970) was a novelist, playwright and poet, who won the Nobel prize for literature. His best-known work is probably Therese Desqueyroux, about an unhappy wife living in Les Landes who tried to poison her husband. (I remember being shocked when I read the novel, that Therese addressed her husband with the formal vous, apparently normal amongst the bourgeoisie at the time.)

It is fascinating to visit. Here are my top picks of what to drink, eat and see. I was aided by Anne Lataillade, who kindly gave me her carnet dadresses, her address book of recommendations.

Drink

Bordeaux is a wine city. Even if you dont get around to visiting local chateaux, you must visit the following places.

Cite du Vin: Ive been here twice and I could go again. Reserve at least half a day for this interactive museum of wine, which only opened in 2016. Even kids would love it. The architecture itself is worth a look; the idea is that it resembles a glass containing swirling wine.

Wineshops

Bordeaux boasts one of the best wine shops in the world, Lintendant. It is dominated by a spiral staircase through its central core. As you ascend the stairs, the concentric walls are packed with wine bottles. The higher you go, the more expensive and rarer the wines. A 1937 Chateau Yquem is worth almost 8,000 euros. On the very top floor are the large bottles  magnums, jeroboams and imperials.

The Urban wine trail in Bordeaux

Check out the Bar a Vin du CIVB, Le Wine Bar, the Cite du Vin, Wine more Time, where you can both buy and taste wine.



Saint-James mushroom guy. Ceps picked that morning. Saint-James mushroom guy. Ceps picked that morning.

Eat

Bordeauxs food is meat-heavy with duck and game. As a pescetarian, I found it difficult to eat out; despite the proximity to the sea as they dont eat very much fish. Here are a few options recommended by Anne.

This Michelin-starred restaurant is Annes favourite in Bordeaux, and I can see why. The chef Nicolas Magie knows his flavours, skilfully combining new ingredients (e.g. yuzu, now being grown in France) with traditional Bordelais cuisine. Saint-James also comprises a hotel and cookery school. The rooms with a view, where the outside and interior are organically intertwined, overlook a private vineyard that only produces 500 bottles a year. Located in romantically rustic village Bouliac, on the outskirts of the city, I learnt how to make proper French-style mashed potatoes (1:1 ratio of butter to potato) and caneles in the cooking school (recipes to come).

Chef Magie did try, without success, to convert me to liking beetroot, although I must say the food he cooked for me was truly fine. We did have a feisty conversation about vegetarianism. The truth is we only get three vegetarians a month, explained the manager. I can see that it doesnt make commercial sense right now. Its a chicken and egg situation (or tofu and soybean?)  people dont demand good meat-free food because they dont think it exists and it doesnt exist because people do not ask for it.

If you eat meat, this is a must-visit. If you dont, forget it. Literally everything is cooked in goose fat, over a wood fire. It is one of the most famous restaurants in Bordeaux.

A new restaurant, only a year old, facing the river; the chef Felix Clerc cooks adventurous and beautifully presented local cuisine with Asian influences.

Usually restaurants with a great view arent very good, but Anne assures me that this is worth a visit.

There are nice places to eat at Le Marche des Capuchins, including this tapas bar with Spanish/Basque cuisine. Pintxos are priced by stick colour.

Oyster bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. Packed on a Saturday lunchtime.

Unfortunately it was closed on our visit but Anne particularly recommended this fixed menu restaurant, where everything is made in-house.

Shop

Marche des Capucins

Anne took me round to her favourite producers and stalls. Watch out for piment despelette, the orange pepper grown in the Basque region. Keep it in the fridge so that it retains its colour and bite.

The thin green piment doux, which are used to make Piperade, a Basque dish popular in Bordeaux.

The cream made freshly at La Ronde des Fromages stall was heavenly  the best Ive ever tasted.

Her herb guy, everything a euro per bunch.

A couronne of bread at a stall outside. In Bordeaux, a kind of corn bread with piment despelette is popular.

In September I bought wet new season walnuts.

Les delices de la Mer stall. Bordeaux is next to the sea, so they do sell good fish.

Caneles de Bordeaux. This stall, There is a massive battle as to who makes the bestThis stall, Panier Delice , does a good job. The ideal canele is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and brushed with bees wax.

Outside the market:

Fromagerie Deruelle, Annes favourite cheese shop Annes favourite cheese shop

Bread shop La Fabrique. Superb chewy sourdough bread.

Canele shop. Le Boulanger de lhotel de ville was recommended by a Bordeaux tour guide. was recommended by a Bordeaux tour guide.

Best ice cream: La maison du glacier

Best spice shop: Dock des epices

Best tea shop: Tamatebako

Other shopping

Moulds: go copper or go home. Copper is frighteningly expensive, but it produces the most croustillant caneles. You can also buy rubber moulds in the shape, though its not the same. I bought one for 22 euros. Yes, just one, as that was all I could afford, at a local kitchenware shop. You might as well buy them on the internet because the exchange rate is so bad for us right now.

See

Utopia: A cafe and cinema in a church. This is a popular hang out in Bordeaux. Stained glass and movies. A cafe and cinema in a church. This is a popular hang out in Bordeaux. Stained glass and movies.

Water Mirror fountain next to the river Garonne was designed by landscape artist Michel Carojou. Great spot for photography and fun to play with.

You will notice bronze bas reliefs on pedestals in the centre of town. These are maps for the blind with braille instructions. They can feel landmarks.

opera house in Bordeaux is worth visiting. It was designed by Victor Louis in the eighteenth century. He realised that going to the opera was more about society eyeing each other up than the actual theatre, so he designed a vast foyer with pillars perfect for pre-show gossip. Theis worth visiting. It was designed by Victor Louis in the eighteenth century. He realised that going to the opera was more about society eyeing each other up than the actual theatre, so he designed a vast foyer with pillars perfect for pre-show gossip.

Bordeaux is on the pilgrims route to Santiago de la Compostella. These brass studs with the shell symbol, la coquille Saint Jacques, are embedded in roads, marking the path.

The court house: this was designed by Richard Rogers. Obviously inspired by the region, it amusingly looks like several wine barrels. Each court is in a separate wooden wine barrel. this was designed by Richard Rogers. Obviously inspired by the region, it amusingly looks like several wine barrels. Each court is in a separate wooden wine barrel.

Take the tram: quiet and cheap. 1.5 euro per trip.

Take the boat: travel up the Garonne to Blaye, on the right bank. travel up the Garonne to Blaye, on the right bank.

Walk.

The light, the trees, the water, the shops, the hipsters with their man buns (called catogans in French), the lyceens flirting and smoking after school  everything. Take a walking tour.

Lyceens, autumn, Bordeaux.

I visited Bordeaux twice this autumn, first courtesy of the CIVB, and secondly, courtesy of the hotel Saint-James. Find out more about their rates and deals here.
DCH Group of Kharkiv businessman Oleksandr Yaroslavsky has detailed its plans to create a consortium for the purchase of the Odesa Port-Side Plant.

"We intend to involve Rothschild & Co Bank as an advisor for establishing an international consortium to acquire Odesa Port-Side Plant. At the moment, we are discussing its role as an advisor," reads a statement posted on the DCH website.

The tender for the sale of shares in Odesa port-side plant with the starting price of UAH 5.16 billion was scheduled for December 14, 2016. However, it won't take place because none of the candidates submitted their bids in time. DCH Group represented by Glenshee Holdings Limited originally planned to take part in the tender. But later it refused the plans, pointing out the risks associated with the increasing creditor indebtedness of the plant and proceedings at the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine.

However, the company said it was still interested in buying the plant and offered to create an international consortium to acquire PJSC Odesa Port-Side Chemical Plant.

Rothschild & Co is a financial holding company controlled by the French and English branch of the Rothschild family. Rothschild & Co is the flagship of the Rothschild banking Group and controls the Rothschild Group's banking activities including N M Rothschild & Sons and Rothschild & Cie Banque.
Nearly 350 bachelor's, master's and PhD recipients are expected to take part in Michigan Technological University's Midyear Commencement at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 in the Wood Gym of the Student Development complex.

Keith Creagh, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) will deliver the commencement address. Creagh graduated from Michigan Tech in 1974 with a degree in Forestry.

In 2012, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Creagh, who had been serving as director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to head the MDNR. In December of 2015, the Governor called upon Creagh to temporarily head the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality during the Flint water crisis. He returned to the MDNR in June.

Kristina Rushlau will the deliver the student address. A Kalamazoo native, Rushlau will graduate with a BS in Environmental Engineering. During her time at Michigan Tech, she participated in Mind Trekkers, the Society of Environmental Engineers and many other activities. She hopes to start her career in environmental engineering preferably in the Detroit Area.

Members of the campus community can request tickets to the Midyear Commencement through Ticketing Operations at 7-2073 or by emailing tickets@mtu.edu.

Among the class of 2016 is Ashley VanSumeren from Goodrich, Michigan, who is graduating with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Exercise Science. VanSumeren says shes been heavily involved in undergraduate research since her sophomore year. Thanks to a scholarship from the Pavlis Honors College and Portage Health Foundation, she was able to conduct her own research project.

I looked at how the muscles of the legs and trunk contribute to seated upper body exercise, she says.

VanSumeren presented the results of her research at the Undergraduate Research Expo last march and at the Life Science and Technology Institute Research Forum in October. At the latter, she received the Grand Prize in the undergraduate division.

Michigan Tech is a family affair for VanSumeren whose parents and brother are alumni. She says she initially had kind of sworn off Tech because she didnt want to appear to be copying her family. A visit during her senior year of high school (while en route to visit her first choice school) changed her mind. She said the opportunities shes had in four years, including working with Olympic athletes for a senior design project, showed her that Tech was indeed the right choice.

The future is a little less clear for VanSumeren, who is planning to pursue a masters degree in kinesiology with an emphasis on biomechanics.

I havent decided on a school yet, but have applied to schools across the country and in Canada, she says. Following my masters, I hope to get a job in a biomechanics research lab, either for a shoe company or a sport performance company. She says she hasnt ruled out continuing her education to earn a PhD.

For those attending Saturdays commencement, parking is available in lots 22, 23 and 24. No parking pass is required, and parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Following the ceremonies, the community is invited to join the new graduates for a special reception in the SDC multipurpose room. The reception is hosted by the Michigan Tech Alumni Association.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry has confirmed holding talks on flights to Ukraine by Kyiv and Lviv airports with one of the largest low cost airlines Ryanair.

"The talks are confidential under a request of Ryanair," First Deputy Infrastructure Minister Yevhen Kravtsov said in an interview with Focus publication asked about the prospect of flying to Kyiv and Lviv by the low cost airline starting autumn 2017.

He said that in the first 10 months of 2016 transportation grew by 15%, and by 30% in Kyiv and Lviv.

"Demand has appeared. It is the largest in the low cost segment. Now low cost airlines can load planes by 90% and more with Ukrainian passengers as their business model requires. Ryanair is actively developing the route chain, and they are interested in flying to Ukraine," Kravtsov said.

Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer David O'Brien said in May 2016 that Ryanair is holding talks with Lviv on the flights to the city.

"I dont think that we will discuss flights to Odesa. Ukraine today can be considered only as am additional route to our key markets. They are Italy, Spain, Britain, Ireland and Germany where there are many popular routes closer than Ukraine. Broadly speaking, our business model is that each additional flight increases our production cost per passenger and we expects that this investment is returned. There is demand in Ukraine on flights to many countries. These are mostly flights to the east and north where Ryanair does not have the right to fly," he then said in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.
New members inducted into Institute of ...
Astarta majority shareholder Ivanchyk predicts completion of deal with Fairfax in coming three or four months

A deal of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Toronto, Canada) to acquire over 25% of shares in Astarta Holding N.V. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) could be finished in coming three or four months.

"We received the approval from Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee a month ago. It took time to meet the conditions of the agreement, as it was to be approved with all banks creditors. This is almost finished. I think that we will finalize the deal in three or four months," majority shareholders in Astarta and its CEO Viktor Ivanchyk told reporters in Kyiv last week.

He said that business partner Valeriy Korotkov is selling his shares in the company.

"Korotkov is selling his shares to Fairfax. This is mutually beneficial deal. He has been always a financial investor. He was not deeply involved in daily operation management of the company. He left the company as a shareholder after holding the company's shares for around 10 years," he said.

Ivanchyk thanked Korotkov for his contribution into the company's development.

As reported, on August 24, 2016, Fairfax signed the agreement with the companies of the founders of Astarta Viktor Ivanchyk - Albacon Ventures Ltd.  and Valeriy Korotkov - Aluxes Holding Ltd. Albacon held 37.8% (9.45 million shares) and Aluxes 25.99% (6.497 million shares) in Astarta.

Fairfax shall acquire 450,000 of shares from Albacon and 2.048 million shares from Aluxes.

Fairfax shall also have the right to acquire from Aluxes an additional 4.449 million shares in Astarta.

Fairfax shall have the right to acquire from Aluxes an additional 2.498 million shares in the company, representing approximately 9.99% of the voting rights in the company which can only be exercised 61 days after the sale of shares (First Tranche Call Option).

Fairfax shall have also the right to acquire from Aluxes a further 1.952 million shares in the company, representing approximately 7.8% of the voting rights in the company, which can only be exercised after the 61st day after acquisition of shares.

Aluxes also has the right to put the above shares to Fairfax should Fairfax not exercise its rights above.

In addition, Albacon has granted a tag along right to Fairfax in case Albacon sells a certain percentage of its shares in the company to a third party.

Furthermore Fairfax has been granted the right to nominate the chairman of the board. In addition, Astarta has agreed that the company shall agree some issues concerning shares with Fairfax.

Astarta is a vertically integrated agro-industrial holding, uniting six regional divisions in Poltava, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv regions. They include nine sugar factories, agricultural farms with a land bank of about 250,000 hectares and dairy farms. The holding also has a plant for processing soybeans in Poltava region (Globyno processing plant).
U.S. Senate approves bill on defense budget which envisages $3.4 bln to deter Russian aggression

The upper house of the U.S. Congress - the Senate on December 8 adopted a bill on the allocation of funds to the Defense Department in the next fiscal year, and approved the expenditure "to deter Russian aggression" and military assistance to Ukraine.

The document on the financing of national defense was proposed by Senator John McCain and sent to U.S. President Barack Obama.

According to U.S. media, the total size of the country's military budget next year will be $611 billion. Some 92 senators voted to support the bill, seven voted against it.

The U.S. defense budget envisages $3.4 billion in 2017 to reassure its NATO allies and to deter Russian aggression.

According to the Voice of America, the total amount of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine in 2017 is planned at $350 million.
Three Ukrainian military servicemen have been killed and one injured near the town of Krasnohorivka, Maryinka district, Donetsk region, on Saturday, and one more was injured near the village of Verkhniotoretske in the Yasynuvata district, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said.

"Over the past 24 hours, as a consequence of hostilities, three Ukrainian military servicemen have been killed. This happened near Krasnohorivka as a consequence of hostile mortar shelling," Motuzianyk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Sunday.

"Two more military servicemen have been injured over this period: one of them in mortar fire, also near Krasnohorivka, the other fighter sustained an injury as a consequence of hostilities near Verkhniotoretske," the spokesman said.
To mark six months, a couple traveled more than 1,000 miles to pay their respects at Pulse Nightclub.

Couple traveled from Indiana to pay respects at Pulse night club

Couple had held a fundraiser after the attack that killed 49

#ORLANDOUNITED: Complete Coverage



To stand here and look at the site, its heart wrenching and the memory of that night, it always remains with you. It doesnt matter where you are, where youre from, where you go," said Don Newman, who was visiting the Pulse Nightclub from Indiana.

It was the first stop Don Newman and James Demas made when they flew into Orlando Sunday.

The couple, who have been together for 35 years, wanted to see Pulse.

To remember that six months ago that we lost some of our friends. It was a terrible, terrible tragedy. Those people will remain in our hearts forever," Newman continued.

Newman and Demas were so touched after the June 12 tragedy, they organized a Pulse fundraiser more than 1,000 miles away from Orlando.

Back home in Fort Wayne, Indiana," Newman said.

As proud members of the LGBT community, Newman and Demas will always be directly impacted by Pulse.

We are really glad that we had this opportunity to visit the site," Newman added.

The couple actually met in South Florida nearly four decades ago. They also briefly lived in Central Florida in the 1980s.

"We will always remember the victims. They will always be in our thoughts and in our prayers and so will the people all over Orlando area that have been affected by this tragedy. Its something that well never forget," Newman said.
Modeled after its economic incentive package for White Energy and its ethanol plant, Hale County commissioners on Monday voted to offer General Electric a 5-year incentive package in connection with shipping and storing wind turbine components locally for use in renewable energy projects throughout the region.

The incentive package is designed to reimburse GE up to 60 percent for all taxes levied and paid on the components brought into Hale County, including those shipped in and out and stored at the BNSF Logistics distribution facility in east Plainview.

The incentive package goes into effect Jan. 1, 2017. It is not retroactive to taxes assessed and paid prior to that date.

Plainview City Council members are scheduled to consider their own economic development package to GE at their regular meeting Tuesday night.

To facilitate its economic incentive package to GE, commissioners approved a Renewable Energy Economic Development Grant Program which allows it to offer grants, loans and other incentives to companies involved in renewable energy and related economic development which would otherwise not qualify for tax abatements. Specifically, this program applies to firms involved in supplying components for wind, solar and geothermal projects, but not necessarily the companies actually involved in developing and constructing the projects.

County Judge Bill Coleman on Monday said the county has been contacted by multiple interests involved in both wind and solar energy projects and the Renewable Energy Economic Development Grant Program would be used to recruit them as well. I dont really expect that much activity around her with geothermal, but we have had several interested in both solar projects and additional wind farms, he said.

NextEra, which is developing the Hale Wind Energy project, has previously announced that it will use GE turbines exclusively. Construction on Phase One of NextEras multi-phase project is expected to begin shortly after the first of the year in the Petersburg area and involve the construction of more than 100 wind turbines. In recent weeks, their crews have been surveying and staking off turbine sites.

They should start shipping blades and turbine components for that project soon, explained Precinct 4 Commissioner Benny Cantwell.

Also Monday, commissioners voted to authorize Colman to request that a deteriorating bridge on County Road Z about a mile south of US 70 be added to the Texas Department of Transportations On-System Bridge watch list. As a result, the bridge over Runningwater Draw would be eligible for 90 percent cost-share funding from the state for necessary repairs. Sink holes have developed in the dirt roadway where it spans an area of the draw that carries treated effluent from the citys waste water treatment plant.

While repairs to the bridge would still be two to three years away at the earliest, Coleman noted that if the county is still considered economically disadvantaged at that time, its cost share could fall to 7 percent. Current estimates for the repairs are in excess of $300,000.

In other action Monday, commissioners:

--Authorized Ollie Liner Center Manager Bennie Garcia to proceed with the installation of commercial-grade vinyl composition tile and stainless steel panels at the OLC kitchen with the help of a prison trusty labor crew. The stainless steel panels are reclaimed from governmental surplus showers and will be used as kitchen back-splashes. Total cost of the project is $1,000, which is approximately one-third normal installation cost.

--Approved accounts payable for Nov. 28 through Dec. 12 totaling $732,344.38. That includes $500,000 transferred from reserves to the county employee health benefit account. County Treasurer Ida Tyler reported that the county received a $105,000 payment from its stop-gap coverage and is anticipating another payment before the end of the year.

--Authorized the auditors office to begin the process for seeking bids from financial institutions interested in becoming the countys depository.

--Approved a temporary staffing services agreement with Needem Help Temporaries.

--Reappointed Stacie Hardage and Charlotte Adams to two-year terms on the Plainview/Hale County Board of Health, beginning Jan. 1.

--Approved an interlocal agreement with Lubbock County to share costs for a county AgriLife Extension agent to serve both counties. Hale Countys share is $16,366 annually.

--Authorized the expenditure of $13,880 from the Help American Vote Account for equipment purchased for the recent general election.

--Selected Ches Carthel of Lubbock as project engineer to oversee repairs and upgrades at the Ollie Liner Center and RV Park.

--Adopted a citizens participation plan and grievance procedure in connection with a grant application and related public hearing for the Halfway Water Corporation.

--Authorized Coleman to write a letter to the National Resource Conservation Service supporting the rehabilitation of the Runningwater Draw Site 4 flood control dam north of the Ebeling Addition.

--Rescheduled the Dec. 28 work session to Friday, Dec. 30, to be held immediately prior to the regular session.
The Federal Council of Switzerland has decided to extend by one year the freezing of all the assets in Switzerland of ousted presidents of Tunisia, Egypt and Ukraine (Viktor Yanukovych) as well as of politically exposed members of their entourages and other persons closely associated with them.

The Federal Council made this decision on Friday, December 9.

"The aim of this decision is to give more time for the criminal investigations under way and to support judicial cooperation with the countries concerned. It also takes into account the political changes taking place in these countries," the Federal Council of Switzerland said in a statement posted on its official website.

In the case of Ukraine the situation is different because the initial freeze took place more recently, the report says. "It was ordered by the Federal Council in 2014 for a period of three years, which means that it expires for the first time in February 2017. Assets amounting to approximately CHF 70 million are involved," the Federal Council said.

"Criminal investigations have also been initiated against a large number of individuals targeted by this measure and several requests for mutual legal assistance have been addressed to Switzerland. Although these requests have resulted in significant interim findings, more time is needed to enable the ongoing criminal proceedings to be concluded. The freeze imposed by the Federal Council therefore fulfills its purpose in every sense, which suggests that it will be prolonged for a further year," the statement reads.

Shortly before the three freezes expire at the beginning of 2018, the Federal Council will re-evaluate the situation in each of the three countries concerned. It will then decide whether the freezes on these assets will be prolonged on the basis of the progress made in the respective legal proceedings.
The Sterling Mansion, the historic former Texas governor's mansion and White House replica along Galveston Bay, has been sold at an auction for an undisclosed price, according to a New York auction house.

The 20,689-square-foot, nine-bedroom, 15-bathroom mansion is along Bayridge Road in Morgan's Point, about 30 miles east of downtown Houston. During Friday's auction, the house attracted international attention and drew multiple qualified bidders," according to luxury firm Concierge Auctions.
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Bridget Smith, who has been an on-air presence at KENS-TV for more than 20 years and the host of Great Day SA for nearly a decade, resigned from her job at the station Monday.

In a letter to the staff, she wrote that the local CBS affiliate and its morning lifestyle program have been two of the great loves of my life. Both my professional and personal life have been enriched by this station, and this show, in ways I cant describe.

She ended the letter with a warm tribute to the people who surrounded her on-air and behind the scenes: To my Great Day family, who has stood behind me through countless good days and bad, I thank you. You have been the wind beneath my wings.

RELATED: Popular San Antonio TV host exits KSAT

In a phone interview, Smith said she had been considering leaving KENS since late September, when her beloved grandmother died in a local rehab facility.

She was 93 and very lucid and funny. But one day, her heart just stopped, she said. Im still grieving her loss.

As her grandmothers primary caretaker, Smith said she was bound to San Antonio, even when opportunities and a long-distance relationship pulled her in other directions. Three years ago, she added, she was offered a weekend reporting job at Access Hollywood in Los Angeles, which would have put her closer to her longtime boyfriend, who lived on the West Coast at the time.

RELATED: See San Antonio news anchors before and after makeup

In her letter, she stated that the loss has opened a window of possibilities for my future outside San Antonio in a way that hadnt been possible before. As I close another year, Im reflecting on what lies ahead.

For now, she said, Ill stop and take a breath as well as spend more time with her boyfriend of six years, who has relocated to Austin.

Smith began at KENS in the 1990s as a reporter. She made such a strong impression that the news director at the time, Bob Rogers, decided to feature her on the 10 p.m. newscast.

Her Bridgets Beat, which covered events and fun happenings in the area, was an instant hit. She also did features for the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts until she was named the host of Great Day in 2007.

Smith said her KENS contract is up at the end of December; however, she plans to stay through January to help the show transition through the changes ahead.

RELATED: What S.A.'s favorite radio hosts look like on the street

Bridget Smith helped define KENS Great Day SA with her positive attitude, dedication and commitment to the San Antonio community, KENS general manager Tom Cury said via email. We will work with Bridget on a timeline that works for all.

KENS veteran Deborah Knapp, who anchors the early evening news, said she was heartbroken that Smith was leaving. I will miss her beautiful face and million-megawatt smile, she said.

KENS will be starting a search immediately for Smiths successor.

Luis Munoz, consulting executive producer of Great Day, said whoever gets the job will have big shoes to fill.

People evolve in their life, Munoz added, and the show will keep evolving, too.

jjakle@express-news.net
BRIDGEPORT - The CEO of a 25-year-old New York City venture capital firm was sentenced Monday to 30 days in prison for misusing more than $300,000 of clients funds.

Joseph McAndrew, 75, chief executive officer and managing partner of Wall Street Venture Capital Ltd was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to 30 days in prison followed by six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release.
Head of Donetsk Military and Civil Administration Pavlo Zhebrivsky and Head of EU Delegation in Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli met on Friday, December 9, to discuss further prospects of restoration of infrastructure in Donbas and the ProZorro e-procurement system.

Zhebrivsky reported this on his Facebook page.

"Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Mr. Hugues Mingarelli and I have discussed today plans for further development of the Regional Development Agency and its transformation into a single commissioner of work on reconstruction and development of infrastructure of Donetsk region. The ambassador has confirmed the EU's readiness to support this project," the statement reads.

In addition, the two officials have discussed the situation with the Water of Donbas municipal enterprise, whose fate will be decided based on comprehensive audit, and the ways to improve the ProZorro e-procurement system.

According to Zhebrivsky, the next working meeting with Mingarelli will take place in Kramatorsk.
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Sally and Chip Ellms, volunteers from the New York Army and Air National Guard and veterans recently helped load 150 Christmas trees onto trucks for shipment to military bases around the world.

The trees, donated to a Trees for Troops program, were loaded on FedEx trucks at Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa.

This marks the 12th year military members and others have helped load the trees.

Since 2005, Trees for Troops has delivered more than 176,000 Christmas trees. Each year, thousands of trees are donated by growers and consumers. FedEx and its team members provide shipping through FedEx Express air operations and the FedEx Freight trucking network.

Organizers expect more than 18,000 trees to be delivered this year, with a majority going to more than 65 bases across the United States and 17 other nations, Sally Ellms, a program coordinator, said.

Members of the Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia are deployed over the holidays annually in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the National Science Foundation support to research in Antarctica. This holiday season, some 600 soldiers from the New York Army National Guard are deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Wreaths Across America event Saturday

Volunteers, military personnel and their families, veterans and residents will lay more than 6,000 wreaths on graves beginning with a ceremony at noon Saturday at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony will honor and remember Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines veterans, as well as prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Wreaths Across America was inspired by the Worcester Wreath Co., which began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to veterans laid to rest at Veterans Affairs national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries.

The Saratoga cemetery is coordinating its own ceremony. For information, call Scott Lamb, cemetery director, at 581-9128.

Army National Guard Soldiers finish training

Sixteen New York Army National Guard soldiers from the Capital Region were among 330 who completed annual training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.

The soldiers are assigned to the 369th Sustainment Brigade, the 727th Military Police Law and Order Detachment and the 14th Finance Detachment. They include: 727th Military Law and Order Detachment: Staff Sgt. Tracie Bailey of Cohoes, Sgt. Codie Dowen of Troy, Sgt. Michael Hart of Schodack Landing, Staff Sgt. Steven Taber of Altamont, Spc. Michael Welcome of Cohoes, Pfc. David Lima of Albany and Pvt. David Millard of Saratoga Springs.

369th Sustainment Brigade Headquarters: Col. David Martinez of Albany, Maj. Michael Manss of Albany, Capt. James Greene of Brunswick, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mark Bellinger of Guilderland Center, 1st Lt. William Okun of Albany, 1st Lt. Robert Volk of Albany, Staff Sgt. Michael Herbst of Glens Falls, Staff Sgt. Sean Jackson of Troy and Sgt. Rudolph Vieira of Ballston Spa.

The 369th Sustainment Brigade is expected to mobilize in the coming weeks for overseas service. A number of these soldiers will join their unit in preparing for a 10-month deployment later this year.

The unit has deployed troops to Mali and Cameroon in support of the U.S. Africa Command in training exercises with African militaries.

News of your troops and units may be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@timesunion.com.
UPDATE: According to the state's attorney, the case against Adam Neuberth was dismissed.

GREENWICH  A Greenwich man wanted in Vermont was arrested Saturday evening.

Police were called to East Putnam Avenue in Riverside on a non-criminal matter and came across Adam Neuberth, 29, of Webb Avenue. Officers ran a computer search on him and discovered that he was wanted in the state of Vermont on a felony charge.

Police arrested Neuberth as a fugitive from justice. Bail was set at $500,000, and authorities in Vermont were contacted.

A criminal data base revealed that Neuberth was arrested in South Burlington in 2013 in connection with purchases made with a stolen credit card.
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Harold Krueger IV replaced the Lincoln logs and Legos of his youth with laser cutters, engravers and 3-D printers. As co-founder of Katy MakerSpace he wants to share his knowledge and tools with others to help them make ideas become reality.

For Elena Ortiz of Katy that idea is to make a shadowbox. She attended a recent meeting of the group at Maud Smith Marks Library as a good place to start since she doesn't have equipment to build her project.

"I just want to get familiar and comfortable with the mechanics of it and the knowledge."

The library offers space for Krueger to host second-Tuesday-of-the-month open houses at 7 p.m. to introduce people to Katy MakerSpace. Makers of all ages and disciplines are encouraged to stop by.

"The library's mission is to provide information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities through innovative services within and beyond our walls," said Naomi Haught, assistant manager of the Maud Smith Marks Branch Library. "MakerSpaces are places of creating and expanding the imagination."

Katy MakerSpace, 2900 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road, No. A104, in Katy, provides a space to work with equipment for woodworking and electronics as well as a computer lab and CNC/3-D printing. Ortiz later added what she feels best describes what KatyMakerspace offers: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

KatyMakerspace was formed about two years ago by Krueger and his wife, Isabel Retiz. Memberships are available on different levels and dependent upon the level of participation.

More Information Want to go? What: KatyMaker Space Where: Hunterwood Business Park, 2900 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road, No. A104 Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays Details: Email info@KatyMakerspace.com for information or call 832-437-1555. Visit https://www.meetup.com/KatyMakerspace/members/192251134/ to see what's scheduled. See More Collapse

Retiz said, "I want to fix stuff that's broken and make it better." Of her husband, she said, "He's always looking to make something for the future."

MakerSpace more than tools

Because of them, people can visit the Katy MakerSpace to use equipment that ranges from basic table tools for woodworking to a soldering station, Dell workstations and a 2-by-4-foot black-toe CNC Router. Plus, members learn from each other. Krueger possesses skills to operate the equipment from computers to woodworking. "I do everything I can get my hands on," he said.

A 500 milliwatt solid-state laser engraver enables Matthew Phillips to create images of Santa and holiday wreaths on veneer. The tinkerer who shared hobbies with his dad and worked 40 years in manufacturing is among those at the library session. "I've been having a lot of fun with it (the engraver)," he said. "I don't do it for money. I just do it for fun."

Learning as he goes, he talks with others at the table. "Kids don't know what they want to learn. When you're older, you know what you want but don't know how to get there."

He considers Katy MakerSpace motivational when he comes on Saturdays, leading Krueger to say, "It (Katy MakerSpace) isn't just tools. It's being there and talking to other members."

The concept is attractive to Eric Ng, who is learning from others how to build and use a 3-D printer from a kit he bought.

"I'm interested in building things, tinkering, discovering things and exploring my creativity," said Ng.

"Creativity and learning go hand in hand," said Haught. "MakerSpaces and libraries should be natural companions."

"Libraries have always been a place for collaboration, community engagement, critical thinking and problem solving," said Garrette E. Smith, deputy director, Harris County Public Library. "With the transformation of library spaces, resources and programming, it was just a matter of time that makerspaces began to "setup shop" in libraries across the country. Harris County Public Library is proud to be a part of the Maker Movement phenomenon."

Haught added that the Katy-area library is happy to partner with MakerSpace. The partnership began in June 2014, though Katy MakerSpace started in 2013 and operated from the owners' garage. Two years later, it opened on Katy Hockley Cut Off.

STEAM concept grows in popularity

The partnership began after a summer reading program focused on science.

"My boss and I went to a program at the Freeman Library where the local CreatorSpace was having their monthly meeting," said Haught. "We were fascinated. After returning to Maud Marks we poked around the Internet and found our own MakerSpace group right here in Katy. They were just getting off the ground at the time. We agreed that we could have a pretty symbiotic relationship. Katy MakerSpace needed the visibility and Maud Marks wanted to support STEAM learning in all its forms."

Science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics is a popular concept. The Katy Independent School District opened its Robert R. Shaw Center (STEAM) Project Center in February 2015.

Haught said the library offers STEAM programming for youths.

"Katy MakerSpace assists us in providing further opportunities to our customers and fills in the gaps in our adult STEAM programming," she said. "They provide activities and tools for all ages to make things. Recently, they have exhibited a 3-D printer, a programmable precision cutter, and more. On site, they provide woodworking tools, a soldering station, a computer lab, a laser cutter, and more. They want to be a space for all makers whether they are artists, engineers, scientists, or just hobbyists."

The concept has broader support.

Lance LaCour, president/CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council, said MakerSpace could have a role in the development plan now being worked on by his agency.

And in spring, Houston Community College will open at its West Houston Institute a 10,000-square-foot MakerSpace that was four years in the making.

"Everyone has a desire to create, but not always the ability," said Edmund "Butch" Herod, institute director.
On Thursday, the Texas Department of Transportation held a public hearing to discuss the long-anticipated widening project to segments of FM 1463, which for some time now have been a bottleneck for daily commuters.

The proposed project has been in the works for years and is slated to begin construction in 2019. Anxious residents near the thoroughfare have waited years for the state to provide funding for new traffic lanes. At Thursday's meeting, which took place at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, TxDOT representatives provided a project update while affected residents outlined concerns.

Andy Meyers, commissioner of Fort Bend County Precinct 3, which covers the segments of 1463 up for expansion, has worked with TxDOT to get the project funded. He said the widening is needed because of the growth in the area.

"Precinct 3 is growing 15 percent to 20 percent a year in population," Meyers said. "Fort Bend County is in excess to 750,000 people. With the kind of growth you're having out here, it's difficult to stay up with the growth."

The project is expected to widen the two-lane 1463 from Interstate 10 to FM 1093. Two lanes would be added from Spring Green Boulevard to Katy-Fulshear Road, as well as from Corbitt Road to Cinco Ranch Boulevard, and four lanes would be added from I-10 to Spring Green, as well as from Katy-Fulshear to Corbitt and from Cinco Ranch to 1093.

The project would cover 6.7 miles, but 39 acres of additional right-of-way still need to be purchased at some point during the development. Detention ponds, a raised median and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the road are also planned.

The total project will cost an estimated $81 million, according to TxDOT, but the state has only funded enough for the stretch between I-10 and Spring Green, which reports have estimated will cost more than $10 million alone. TxDOT said the entire project will take about three years to be built, with additional funding being provided as it becomes available.

The 1463 thoroughfare is one of Katy's most congested roads, and the traffic has piled up quickly. In 2013, almost 16,000 vehicles per day passed through 1463 near I-10, according to data from TxDOT. In 2015, more than 20,000 cars per day drove through the road near the same area, and another 10,000 vehicles drove on the section by 1093.

The congestion has nearby residents yearning for relief. Several attended the hearing, where they asked TxDOT representatives questions about the project's timeline and logistics and also expressed concern.

"In the interim, we do need something there - a freeway stop, or something temporary if this project is not going to begin until 2019," said Lynn Horn, a 44-year-old resident who has lived in the area for about 12 years. "It's not fair to us to have to sit there  to try to get to I-10."

There's also worry that by the time the project is finished, the road will still be congested because of the growing population. Deidrea George, a spokesperson for TxDOT's Houston district, said road developments can take a long time.Right now, it's basically a funding issue. That doesn't mean it can't happen sooner than (projected), but it's basically up to when funding becomes available.

"The growth in this area is phenomenal. We want people to know that we are working on that," said George. "We know that 2019 seems like a ways off, but by the time we do get to 2019, we may not just have that one section (constructed), we could possibly have the whole structure (constructed)."

When the widening is finished, it will benefit residents in the city of Katy as well, especially because Meyers' precinct plans to lead a project that would add a road to connect 1463 north to the Cane Island Parkway, which feeds directly into Cane Island, the city's master-planned community. The city's Katy Development Authority has committed $1 million to the 1463 project.

The project "is going to benefit a whole bunch," said City Administrator Byron Hebert. "It's a perfect storm out there (for traffic). Developers were developing. Land was (being sold). Subdivisions were being built. But it's good that (TxDOT) is now getting to this point."

TxDOT said an environmental review of the road is expected to be completed in 2017. In 2018, the final design is projected to be finished.
Submitted

As we approach the end of 2016, many business owners and managers will be facing holiday or annual bonus decisions. This time of year is particularly stressful for all involved as many employees and their families await the determination of the bonus amounts to make decisions. Think Christmas Vacation where the Griswold family had planned to put in a new swimming pool with Clark's annual bonus only to find out he received a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club instead of his usual cash bonus. Unfortunately for Clark, he had already spent the money expecting it to come in as it had year after year.

Business owners and managers also deal with anxiety over the bonuses while dealing with their own family stresses, annual profitability goals, and the desire to be fair to all concerned. I deal with these issues every year trying to make sure I take care of those that take care of the business throughout the year. Here is my own checklist of do's and don'ts for deliberation when it comes to annual and holiday bonus planning.
By January, there may be new restrictions governing cell phone use while driving in Sugar Land.

The Sugar Land police department is drafting an ordinance that would limit drivers to hands-free mobile device use - which includes cell phones, tablets and laptops - while behind the wheel. That means drivers will only be allowed to make calls or view navigation systems, as part of an effort to make Sugar Land's roads safer by cutting down on distracted driving.

"I believe that this is critical for our city," District 2 Council Member Bridget Yeung said. "We need to start being more responsible as drivers ... When people are texting or talking on the phone or playing with their devices, they're risking my life, they're risking your life."

Council members Amy Mitchell and Mary Joyce both were skeptical - Mitchell about how conclusive the data was showing that an ordinance would cut down on accidents; Joyce about why this cause of distracted driving and not others is being targeted. Joyce said, at this point, she would probably vote against an ordinance.

"To me, this is a state issue," Joyce said, referencing concerns that inconsistencies in laws around cell phone use in different cities could confuse drivers. "I'd rather do education and be positive out there."

The ordinance would require two readings and a simple majority to pass. The city is planning to have a draft to city council in January, Sugar Land spokesperson Doug Adolph said.

Resident feedback gathered by the police department online and at homeowners association meetings indicate that most Sugar Land locals are in favor. In an online survey, presented with three options - no ordinance; an ordinance banning only texting, social media and games; or an ordinance calling for completely hands-free use - 66 percent of the 522 responses received were in favor of a hands-free ordinance. The remaining 34 percent was almost evenly split between the other two options.

Having some sort of restriction on cell phone use while driving is already the norm nationwide; 46 states have such laws, Assistant Chief of Police Scott Schultz said. Though the Legislature has yet to do so in Texas, 96 cities in the state have ordinances that either prohibit texting or require hands-free use of mobile devices while driving. Neighboring Missouri City is one of them. Approved by Missouri City's city council in 2010, the ordinance bans texting and using applications while driving. The maximum consequence is a $500 fine.

Should city council approve the ordinance in January, there would be a 60- to 90-day educational period, during which police officers would issue warnings, not fines. The police department would also put signs up alerting drivers to the law at entrances to the city. That would cost the city less than $1,000, Schultz said.

"Safety first and foremost," Zimmerman said. "That education part is huge, and then, at the end of the day, I think we move forward with the ordinance."

meeting.

The ordinance would require two readings and a simple majority to pass. The city is planning to have a draft to city council in January, Sugar Land spokesperson Doug Adolph said.

Resident feedback gathered by the police department online and at homeowners association meetings indicate that most Sugar Land locals are in favor of going hands-free. In an online survey, presented with three options - no ordinance; an ordinance banning only texting, social media and games; or an ordinance calling for completely hands-free use - 66 percent of the 522 responses received were in favor of a hands-free ordinance. The remaining 34 percent was almost evenly split between the other two options.

Having some sort of restriction on cell phone use while driving is already the norm nationwide; 46 states have such laws, Assistant Chief of Police Scott Schultz said. Though the Legislature has yet to do so in Texas, 96 cities in the state have ordinances that either prohibit texting or require hands-free use of mobile devices while driving, Schultz said. Neighboring Missouri City is one of them. Approved by Missouri City's city council in 2010, the ordinance bans texting and using applications while driving. The maximum consequence is a $500 fine.

Should city council approve the ordinance in January, there would be a 60- to 90-day educational period, during which police officers would issue warnings, not fines. The police department would also put signs up alerting drivers to the law at entrances to the city. That would cost the city less than $1,000, Schultz said.

"Safety first and foremost," Zimmerman said. "That education part is huge, and then, at the end of the day, I think we move forward with the ordinance."
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At least three teenagers accused of spray-painting a church sign in The Woodlands were indicted on felony charges Thursday.

John Christopher Huante, 18, Katherine Margaret Cromb, 18, and Samantha Pena, 17, all face one state-jail felony count of criminal mischief for allegedly spray-painting a roadside sign for Sawdust Road Baptist Church in September. Another juvenile girl was charged, but officials with the County Attorney's Office, which handles juvenile criminal cases, were unable to confirm whether the juvenile had been indicted as well.
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"Are you going live?"

It would be the final question Brooke Miranda Hughes would hear before a tractor-trailer plowed into the back of her car as it crawled down Interstate 380 in Pennsylvania just after midnight Tuesday.

Chaniya Morrison-Toomey, the passenger who posed the question, was referring to Facebook Live, which Hughes had just launched to broadcast live from her moving vehicle, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune.

The final moments of their young lives - marked by a flash of lights, screeching tires and then seven minutes of blackness - were captured on the live-streamed video after Hughes, sitting behind the wheel, held her phone near her face for the rest of the world to see.

Hughes, 18, and Morrison-Toomey, 19, were declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck that killed them was uninjured, according to the Associated Press.

Video of the incident, which began so innocuously, was posted on Hughes' Facebook page, where it has been watched more than 7,000 times, according to the Times-Tribune.

Facebook Live launched in 2015 and allows users to stream live video to their Facebook pages, where others can watch in real time, or after the fact. The service is used in a variety of capacities, from broadcasting breaking news, protests and events to giving lectures or communicating with friends.

Chris Cox, Facebook's chief product officer, told CBS News in April that Facebook Live allows users to bring "a little TV studio" to their pockets.

It was via Facebook Live that Diamond Reynolds broadcast the aftermath of the fatal police shooting of her boyfriend during a traffic stop in a Twin Cities suburb.

"Stay with me," she told Philando Castile. Her Facebook video quickly spread across social media and cable news, turning the deadly July confrontation into one of the highest-profile fatal police shootings in recent years. Last month, prosecutors in Minnesota charged the officer who killed Castile with second-degree manslaughter.

Following the fatal crash in the Poconos this week, Samantha Piasecki, a 17-year-old friend of the two victims, told the Times-Tribune that she had been in the car with Hughes and Morrison-Toomey earlier that night. But she asked to be dropped off at her mother's house in Scranton, before the wreck.

She told the paper that she ended up watching the crash video around 3 a.m. the same night.

"It broke me," she said.

"They were both down-to-Earth people," she told the paper. "They had good personalities. They had smiles that could light up dark rooms. Anytime you were with them it was always fun."

Piasecki told the Times-Tribune that she's guilt-ridden now because she feels like she "could have stopped it somehow" had she still been in the car.

Police told the Times-Tribune that Hughes was driving slowly in the right southbound lane of I-380 when the wreck occurred.

One of the car's wheels had been replaced with a spare tire, but it did not have a flat tire, as some early reports suggested, police said.

Police, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday, told the Times-Tribune that the investigation is ongoing.

They have not determined whether the driver of the tractor-trailer, Michael Jay Parks of Tobyhanna, Pa., will face charges.

The video, however unsettling, is not considered a violation of Facebook's community standards, according to a Facebook spokesman.

"However," the spokesman added, "a graphic warning screen has been added, auto-play has been disabled and it is not accessible for users under the age of 18.

"Additionally, the user's account has been memorialized."

Hughes was a student at West Scranton High School, according to the Times-Tribune. Her Facebook page says she worked at McDonalds.

On a GoFundMe page started to raise money for Morrison-Toomey's funeral, she was described as having an "energetic" spirit.

"Her jokes and faces that made you laugh," the page's description says. "Although Chaniya was only 19 she was full of so much life, positivity, and love that she could bring anyone out of the darkest place and make you think the world was sunshine and rainbows."

Since Facebook Live launched in April, millions have used the service to offer a glimpse into the big moments and small details of their lives.

The view isn't always pretty.

In September, a man who had just critically injured his ex-wife and fatally shot his namesake son in North Carolina made a chilling confession on Facebook Live.

"She lied on me, had warrants taken out on me," Earl Valentine told the camera while driving on a dark road. "She drug me all the way down to nothing. I loved my wife, but she deserved what she had coming."

Valentine acknowledged that the violent chain of events he started could end in his own death.

"Pleasure knowing all y'all," he said. "I've been very sick for months. And this is something that I could not help. So I don't know if I'm gonna make it where I'm going, but if I don't, I wish all of you a good life."

Within hours, authorities located Valentine at a motel in Columbia, S.C., where, they said, he committed suicide after being surrounded.

Valentine yet another example of a person using Facebook Live to discuss a violent act - or to showcase the act itself.

In June, Larossi Abballa, a terrorism suspect accused of killing a French police captain and his partner in their home, broadcast the aftermath of the attack on Facebook Live. An occasionally tearful Abballa, speaking a mix of French and Arabic, swore allegiance to the Islamic State militant group and encouraged others to follow his example and kill police.

A month later, a Georgia mother went on her daughter's Facebook account to broadcast herself beating the teenager - punishment for posting sexually explicit pictures on the site.

"This is my page now," Shanavia Miller told the camera after she fixed her hair. "Now I'm gonna need y'all to send this viral. Please share this because I'm not done. More to come."

A July shooting in Norfolk that injured three men was inadvertently captured on Facebook Live. In the video, three men are sitting in a car, smoking and listening to rap music. Five minutes into the video, there's a series of 30 gunshots.

The nascent live-streaming service is raising philosophical questions about the power of unfiltered Internet video that can reach millions instantly.

As The Post's Caitlin Dewey wrote in July:

- - -

Facebook Live, which launched globally in April, has quickly emerged as one of the Internet's dominant platforms for streaming unfiltered, real-time video. As Facebook has learned in the past week, however, that status comes with unique challenges.

Real-time video is exceedingly difficult to moderate, as it reaches its largest audience instantaneously and can be redacted only after that moment of impact. That limits the power of even a dedicated, 24-7 moderation team, which Facebook Live has. Despite growing concern that the tool could be abused - several shootings, a police standoff and an accused jihadist's confession have streamed on Facebook already - the company has remained intentionally (and characteristically) vague on the composition and guidelines of its moderation team.

- - -

The deaths of the two Pennsylvania teens came shortly after a 20-year-old Rhode Island man broadcast himself on Facebook Live driving erratically and reaching speeds up to 115 mph before hitting a dump truck, skidding across three lanes and slamming into a median, according to ABC News.

In that video, Onasi Olio Roja can be seen weaving in and out of traffic, blasting rap music and yelling, "Let's get it papi!" - moments before he totals his car.

"How lucky we are that no one else was hurt," said Capt. John Allen of the Rhode Island State Police said. "It's a grand slam of things not to do."

He was charged with reckless driving and operating a suspended license and arraigned from his hospital bed over the weekend, according to CBS affiliate WPRI.

In February, an Ohio teenager pleaded not guilty after she was accused of using a different live-streaming service, Periscope, to broadcast the rape of her 17-year-old friend. Marina Lonina, 18, a student at New Albany High School, outside Columbus, was attempting to record the assault as evidence, her attorney, Sam Shamansky maintained.

"She's in the habit of filming everything with this app called Periscope," Shamansky acknowledged at a court hearing in April, according to ABC affiliate WSYX. "She does everything possible to contain the situation even to the point of asking while it's being filmed to these Periscope followers, 'What should I do now? What should I do now?'"

Lonina faces charges of rape, sexual battery, kidnapping and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a juvenile and is due to appear in court on Dec. 12, according to the Columbus Dispatch.






Dementia is a complex disease that is often difficult to understand and navigate, both for the person diagnosed as well as their loved ones.

Its inevitable that family members and others will detect changes in someone with dementia  changes that may present hurdles and be difficult to cope with. But as the saying goes: knowledge is power. To alleviate confusion, stress and anger that can result from not fully understanding the disease, its vital for family members and friends to educate themselves once their loved one has been diagnosed by a physician.

Begin with the basics. There are a wealth of resources available on dementia, and the Alzheimers Association and the National Institute on Aging are both excellent sources for gaining a comprehensive overview of the many different forms of dementia, as well as symptoms and treatments.

Next, be sure to pass on your expertise. Individuals with dementia often experience increased agitation and sudden mood swings, which can be distressing or even frightening for family members and friends. Prepare loved ones by being candid with them about the challenges of dementia, and share tactics for communicating and engaging with someone with memory impairment:

Be patient. Empathize and remember they cant help their condition.

Keep communication short, simple, slow and clear.

Used closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.

Use repetition as much as necessary.

Dont patronize or say things like Do you remember? or Did you forget?

Dont talk in front of the person as if they are not present.

Of course, no matter how much you educate and prepare yourself and others, watching the onset of dementia in a loved one is extremely difficult. You can be the most caring and patient person in the world and still experience frustration. In fact, its perfectly normal to feel a complicated mix of emotions such as grief, guilt, anger and shame in this situation. Its important to acknowledge these feelings, monitor your stress levels and get the support you need.

Support groups are a great way to share concerns and worries with other caregivers and families experiencing similar challenges; you may also learn helpful tips on how to care for your loved one. Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull, a nearby memory care assisted living community, offers a monthly support group for caregivers  their next session is at noon Friday, Dec. 16, The Alzheimers Association also offers a list of their Connecticut Chapter support groups, including three regularly scheduled meetings in Norwalk:

Second Monday of the month from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elderhouse

Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Norwalk on the Green

Second and fourth Thursday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Norwalk Senior Center

To be able to care for a loved one with dementia, you must first care for yourself. Equipping yourself  as well as family members and friends  with the proper knowledge and resources will help illuminate what your loved one is going through, making it easier to give them the love, support and care they need to face this disease.

Terry Tumpane is the executive director at Bridges by EPOCH at Norwalk, a memory care assisted living community that will open in fall 2017. She can be reached at ttumpane@bridgesbyepoch.com.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) have processed around a half of e-declarations of lawmakers and sent materials concerning 53 MPs to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), Head of the department for work arrangement in the corruption prevention sphere of PGO Valentyna Senik has said.

"Around a half of e-declarations of Ukrainian MPs has been processed. Some 53 packages of documents have been sent to the NACP to take measures in line with the Ukrainian law on preventing corruption," she said at a briefing in Kyiv last week.

Senik said that 28 packages of documents are related to adding the incomplete information to e-declarations, 11  violation of restrictions concerning holding more than one office, two  violation of gift limits and one  the tardy submission of e-declaration.
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A somber Corona Lourdes walked carefully around the front of the building where she lives in Conroe, taking in the fact that she is now without a home just days before Christmas.

Lourdes and her three children were displaced by a fire Monday morning as fire ripped through the building where her small apartment off East Davis Street is located.

Firefighters with the Conroe Fire Department arrived at Marty's Barber Shop in the 600 block of East Davis Street within minutes of a 911 call around 8:30 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames bustling out of the building. They immediately called a second alarm, bringing along North Montgomery County, Caney Creek, and Cut and Shoot fire departments to help quash the blaze.

Conroe fire officials called out the American Red Cross for Lourdes to assist with her family's needs following the fire.

She said she was neither she nor her children were injured in fire and added she did not know what started the blaze. Although the four occupants of the home survived without injury, one firefighter suffered from dehydration. Paramedics with the Montgomery County Hospital District treated and released the firefighter at the scene.

Four dogs died in the fire, according to a press release from CFD. The residential portion of the building was under construction without the proper permits, the release stated.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, initial evidence shows the fire started in the residential portion, according to the press release.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Legoudes, Jr. said firefighters began a defensive attack almost from the start, meaning the fire conditions were too dire for firefighters to enter the building.

"They did try to go inside, but it was too dangerous to do so," Legoudes said. "They fought it from the exterior."

Longtime barbershop customer Travis Smith was near the shop when the fire began. He lived in Conroe for most of his life before moving to Corpus Christi for the last 14 years.

But on Friday, he moved back to Conroe, and he immediately wanted to see his old barber at Marty's for a quick chat and clean cut.

"I was walking by this morning," Smith said. "I was going to go in and speak with him and let him cut my hair again."

But by the time Smith had finished picking up some items from a nearby convenience store, flames were already pushing through the building's windows.

"I saw the sirens and everything coming," Smith said, adding that he's been a customer since 1973. "I hate to see this happening."

Conroe Fire Department arson investigators are taking a look into what caused the blaze and are expected to be digging through the building for clues for most of the day. There was no obvious sign of what could have caused the fire, Legoudes said.

Officers with the Conroe Police Department had East Davis Street shut down between 4th and 6th Streets for hours as firefighters worked the scene.
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A man was critically injured when a car he was riding in rolled over and took out two power poles along Foothill Boulevard in Oakland on Monday, police said.

The driver, who was not identified, lost control of the car near 23rd Avenue, rolling the vehicle and slamming into the power poles around 5:30 a.m. Police said the driver fled the scene, leaving the passenger inside the overturned vehicle.
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Beirut

Islamic State militants re-occupied Palmyra on Sunday, taking the ancient central city from government troops in a major advance after a year of setbacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq, a Syrian government official and the group said.

In retaking Palmyra, the extremist group appeared to be taking advantage of the Syrian and Russian preoccupation with Aleppo, timing its attack to coincide with a massive government offensive to capture the last remaining opposition-held neighborhoods in the northern city.

Palmyra, with its towering 2,000-year-old ruins, holds mostly symbolic meaning in the wider Syrian civil war, although its location in central Syria gives it some strategic significance as well.

Islamic State militants re-entered the city on Saturday for the first time since they were expelled by Syrian and Russian forces amid much fanfare nine months ago. The government's first important win against the Islamic State group in the internationally renowned ancient city gave Damascus the chance to try to position itself as part of the global anti-terrorism campaign.

The militants had spent 10 months in Palmyra, during which they dynamited a number of temples and destroyed other artifacts.

Sunday's takeover came hours after government troops and Russian air raids pushed the group out the city's parameters. IS militants then regrouped and attacked the city from multiple fronts, forcing government troops to retreat. Palmyra opposition activists said the militants were going door to door in the city, looking for remnants of government forces.

Homs Province Gov. Talal Barazi told the pan-Arab Mayadeen news channel that the IS attack on Palmyra is a "desperate" reaction to the Syrian government military "victories" on the ground. He said the forces that support terrorism, including western countries, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, wanted to "realize some type of gain" and chose Palmyra because of its international reputation.
Ukrainian army positions in Donbas came under 51 attacks in the past day, the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) staff said on Facebook.

Mortars of various calibers shelled Balka Kosharna, Popasna and Krymske in the Luhansk sector, it said.

In the Donetsk sector, 120mm mortars were used against positions in Troyitske, Opytne and Avdiyivka, and grenade launchers, weapons of infantry combat vehicles and heavy machineguns were fired in Luhanske, the staff said.

In the Mariupol sector, 122mm artillery and mortars fired on Talakivka, Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, Novoselivka Druha, Chermalyk, Lybidynske and Vodiane, and sniper activity was observed in Krasnohorivka. More than ten attacks engaging mortars of various calibers, an infantry combat vehicle and a tank were seen in Shyrokyne, it said.
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Police said they have arrested a man after he crashed into a light pole Sunday night in south Laredo and fled the scene.

Marco Antonio Villeda Lopez, 22, was charged with duty on striking a fixture, a Class B misdemeanor.

About 11:40 p.m., Laredo PD was dispatched to an accident involving damages report by Saltillo and New York. Dispatch advised officers that two male suspects took off running southbound on South New York.

Upon arriving at the scene of the crash, police found a 2005 Nissan Frontier Texas that had been abandoned after hitting a light pole. The pole had fallen and its wires made contact with the front yard of a property in the 2900 block of Saltillo, causing the front yard to catch fire. The Fire Department extinguished the fire.

Police said vehicle had also hit a speed limit sign and a fire hydrant in the 2900 block of Saltillo. A witness stated that they recognized the truck and that it belonged to Villeda, who resided in an apartment Tinaja Street and South New York.

Dispatch then advised LPD that a man called to advise that he wanted to report his truck stolen by the 2900 block of Tinaja. LPD met with the caller, Villeda, who stated that he wanted to report his truck stolen. Villeda told police that he left the truck running while he went to the bathroom and when he came out, someone had stolen the vehicle.

Villeda was detained and placed in custody.

Police said he later voluntarily confessed that he was driving the vehicle when the crash happened and that he took off running because he got scared and nervous. Villeda stated that he was the lone occupant in the vehicle.
Nearly two years after Darwin Barlow bought a prepaid cellphone for a Gulf cartel leader locked up in a downtown Beaumont prison, three of the four people accused in the bribery scheme have pleaded guilty.

Barlow's guilty plea was announced earlier this week. Two others charged as accomplices also await sentencing.
Kyiv will turn to the official Warsaw to investigate the incident with anti-Ukrainian slogans during a Saturday march in Przemysl. Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland Andriy Deschytsia has informed Ukrainian media about this.

"We condemn any acts and calls that lead to ethnic strife and we will turn to the Polish official structures to investigate the incident and punish the guilty," Deschytsia said.

He said that the Ukrainian side expects the reaction in this regard not only from the Polish authorities, but also from civil society organizations that are expected to create a favorable atmosphere for good neighborly relations.

Ukraine condemns the actions and calls to action in Poland that lead to hostility on ethnic grounds.

"Such provocations in the statements of one person can destroy the legacy of official and public work of Poland and Ukraine," the Ukrainian diplomat said.
Azarov can't confirm or deny valuables found in Kyiv belong to him, says Tropinin's painting definitely not his

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said that based on photographs alone he can neither confirm nor deny that valuables found by police in a Kyiv apartment belong to him.

"I do not consider myself guilty and I am not going to I justify myself before anybody. I have stolen nothing. No court has found me guilty of committing any crime," Azarov wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.

He wondered on what basis "things, which may or may not belong to me" have been removed from his flat.

"There is no reason why I should give up the things which rightfully belong to me. I will seek their return in court. However, at the moment after having seen the photos, I can neither confirm nor deny that those things which were shown belong to me. For instance, it is the first time I see "The Portrait of a Girl" attributed to Vasily Tropinin, which was demonstrated with such panache on Facebook by [Interior Minister of Ukraine Arsen], I have never had such a painting," Azarov said.

With regard to information about early printed books, the former prime minister said he did collect books, but could not say if the covers presented on the photos where those of his belongings.

Azarov says the discovery of these valuables in an apartment in Kyiv is "another provocation" against him by "the Kyiv regime." In his opinion, the aim of this incident is to distract attention from the deadly shootout among law-enforcers outside Kyiv, the corruption schemes disclosed by MP Oleksandr Onyschenko and multi-million dollar income declarations by Ukrainian officials.

As earlier reported, on December 8 Kyiv police investigators found an apartment in Kyiv's Darnytsky district with items belonging to disgraced ex-PM Azarov. The items found are estimated to be worth at least $5 million.
A bag containing the personal data of seniors at Edison and Burbank High Schools was stolen from the car of a San Antonio Education Partnership employee more than a week ago, according to the San Antonio Independent School District.

More than 600 students were affected, SAISD spokeswoman Leslie Price said. The bag contained a USB drive with student names, addresses and Social Security numbers, she said.
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Lamar University junior Stephanie DeMeyer said the 10 days she spent last summer touring small businesses in southern Italy as part of a study-abroad program changed her world perspective.

"It's definitely made me more accepting of other cultures," said DeMeyer, 19. "I can't fathom why would you want to stay within your own culture and not explore any other cultures."

DeMeyer, a American Sign Language and Communications major, said she's not done traveling yet.

She plans to study for two weeks in Paris next summer and will go to South Korea for the spring semester in 2018 as part of an exchange program.

In the past two years, the number of Lamar University students who have studied abroad has tripled, from 60 in 2014 to 180 in 2016.

Jeff Palis, director of Lamar University Global Studies and Study Abroad, said he expects more than 200 students will participate in study-abroad programs before the end of the spring 2017 term.

Palis said he was hired to head the university's study-abroad office two years ago as part of Lamar's efforts to encourage more students to go overseas.

"If we want our graduates to be successful ... in terms of knowledge and success in their profession, I think we need to provide them with a global education," said Palis.

Palis said the office has worked to develop new study-abroad programs that fit into disciplines across campus and increase funding for student scholarships.

The university now has more than 20 study-abroad programs, Palis said. The majority of students get some kind of financial assistance, he said.

Lamar University was recognized in October by the non-profit Institute of International Education as one of 12 universities that had exceeded its goal of doubling the number of students it sends abroad.

According to IIE, less than 10 percent of American students study abroad.

Senior Kristina Manuel spent two weeks in Japan last July.

Manuel, 29, who is majoring communications, said she earned credits for a history class and an English class through the program that took students to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima - where she heard a bombing survivor share her story.

"I've always liked Japan, from anime to cuisine to culture and literature. It was always my dream to go," Manuel said.

Palis said the benefits of studying abroad go beyond experiencing a new culture and making international business connections. He said he has seen students grow emotionally from confronting a challenging experience.

"They've gone to a whole other part of the world and they've adapted," he said. "They've been successful."

NKrebs@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/natalie_krebs
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has told on Sunday at a conference of authorized representatives of local governments - members of the Association of Ukrainian Cities about the implementation of decentralization in Ukraine as one of the most important reforms for the development of the country.

"Decentralization is a step towards the development of regions, as people will have resources at the local level, and they begin to solve the existing problems there ... the decentralization only and integration of local communities will provide opportunities for economic growth even at depressed area or region," Groysman said.

He noted that the government in recent years has been systematically engaged in local government. According to him, the decentralization development is based on three fundamental things: authority, responsibility and financial resources.

"Today we are introducing a complete system of fiscal decentralization. Each of you has the opportunity to make their own budget, independent in decision-making," Groysman said addressing the participants of the conference.

According to him, the community demonstrates progress in the implementation of the reform, as evidenced by the upward trend of local budgets. Ternopil was mentioned as leading in the implementation of the local government reform. "26 merged territorial communities were created in Ternopil region. Another ten territorial merged communities will be created as a result of elections on December 11 and December 18. They are really leaders. They are people who take responsibility. Budgets of merged territorial communities of Ternopil region have tripled only on the basis of merging on their own income," the premier said.

"The reform was not easy. It is extremely difficult, as regards the lives of people. There are a lot of political speculations, but the implementation experience shows something quite different -we have chosen the correct path and must come to success, success of specific communities, specific people," he said.
As sure as Earth rotates around the sun, college professors condemn high schools for freshmen who can't write decent papers, high school teachers blame middle schools for passing barely literate students along, and middle school teachers tsk-tsk elementary school teachers for kids who aren't comfortable with the basics of writing and arithmetic.

Elementary school teachers would be forgiven for blaming their teacher preparation programs for not adequately equipping them to lay the foundations of academic achievement for their young charges.

According to the latest National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) rating of 875 of the nation's undergraduate programs that prepare elementary school teachers, only 5 percent require teacher candidates to take sufficient courses in literature, science and history/social studies.

The subject of math is an apt example: Only 13 percent of programs require coverage of topics deemed critical by mathematicians.

"Elementary school education is foundational, and if you want to understand how important elementary math is, look no further than today's PISA scores," said Kate Walsh, NCTQ's president, referring to new figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Program for International Student Assessment. They found that 15-year-old U.S. students score below the global average on math.

"If we're trying to figure out why kids are performing so badly in mathematics," Walsh added, "there's no subject more reliant on foundational skills from kindergarten on up. Yet we're looking at what programs do in math and they're all over the map; they do not expect elementary school teachers to master topics found in the elementary curriculum. And if you have a weak grasp, it may be that you are able to solve a fraction but not able to teach it."

The same can be said about science, history and literature. Though 83 percent of surveyed teacher preparation programs require a course in composition, only half require at least two courses in literature and composition, a paltry amount for such wide-ranging subjects. Just three in five require a course in early or modern American history and only 12 percent require courses in at least two science topics.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would want the people with the least amount of subject-area knowledge tasked with giving students a foundation in core content areas, but it's actually rational.

In order to have the expertise needed to pass certification tests in the core subjects, one has to have studied them extensively. But there is little incentive to do so when so few teacher programs require them and state certification exams for elementary school teachers don't test for deep content area knowledge at all.

And then there's the cultural aspect: The prevailing sentiment in education circles seems to be that the most important aspects of teaching are how much you can love your students and how committed to social justice your educational philosophy is, rather than how academically accomplished or pedagogically prepared you are.

NCTQ's report did uncover one bright spot -- reading instruction. Today, 39 percent of undergraduate programs for aspiring elementary school teachers (up from 29 percent in 2014) incorporate content from all five components of early reading instruction -- comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, fluency and phonemic awareness -- that research has determined are essential.

"It's still awful, but it's a full 10 percentage points higher than it was two years ago," said Walsh, "and I'm very heartened by the fact that more programs are paying attention to evidence-based research in reading instruction."

There is much work to be done, however, with obvious upgrades necessary in the crucial areas of providing highly qualified mentors for student teachers (93 percent of programs accept mentors chosen by a district without much vetting) and offering more in-school observation and feedback to gauge effectiveness in teaching and classroom management.

Still, this latest batch of research on teacher preparation programs validates the sometimes-feared adage in education that what is measured improves.

"We went into this with a lot of people saying 'You'll never get higher ed to pay attention to these findings,' but the improvements we observed show they are willing to make changes," said Walsh. "It's not as fast as anyone would like, but there are clear signs of progress."

If teacher training programs can be as eager to better themselves as most of the teachers I know, we should see the quality of preparation improve fairly quickly.

Esther Cepeda's email address is estherjcepeda@washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter, @estherjcepeda.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group








A father and his 10-year-old son are in the hospital after a wrong-way driver plowed into their car Sunday on Loop 610, according to police.

Around 11 p.m., Houston police started getting reports of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on East Loop near the ship channel, heading north in the southbound lanes.
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Foggy roads caused a man to run his car up a tree early Monday morning in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box on the West Side, police said.

RELATED: Overturned tanker shuts down lanes on Loop 410 on the South Side

Around 2:45 a.m., police said a man in his 30s rolled his vehicle into a tree in the 5800 block of Culebra Road. The man was transported to Santa Rosa Hospital in stable condition.

RELATED: A teen fired up Facebook Live from the highway. Moments later, everyone in her car was dead.

Police at the scene said road conditions and foggy weather were to blame for the accident.

Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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New records obtained by mySA.com show which alcohol-serving establishments in San Antonio were associated with the most DWIs during the past year.

According to the data, more than 3,900 suspects were arrested in a years time: from October 2015 to October 2016. The data reflects where suspects told police they had been drinking at the time of their arrest.

RELATED: Records: 50 bars linked to the most DWIs since 2013 in San Antonio

A large portion of the arrests were made after leaving a private residence or Fiesta event, but often, the arrestees were leaving bars and clubs in the area, records show.

San Antonio Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jesse Salame said officers obtain the last drink location primarily through interviewing the suspects, but sometimes must resort to using receipts and credit card records to determine the location. TABC spokesman Christ Porter said local law enforcement or private citizens can request the agency to investigate an establishment after a drunken driving incident.

He said investigations allow the agency to determine the source of any alcohol that may have been involved in an incident. TABC officials will interview employees of an establishment and witnesses to determine if alcohol was sold properly at the establishment patrons cannot be served if they are already intoxicated or are under the legal drinking age.

Cowboys Dancehall, 3030 N.E. Loop 410, was associated with drunken driving charges 56 times, the most of any business on the list. Additionally, the venue topped a 2015 mySA.com investigation that looked at drunken driving charges associated with businesses from January 2013 to November 2015. The dance hall was associated with 297 drunken driving charges during that time frame, the most of 50 bars and businesses.

RELATED: Records: 52 people arrested on felony drunken driving charges in October

Cowboys Far West Ltd., the limited partnership that owns Cowboys Dancehall, is fighting a mortgage lenders' plan to force the nightclub to liquidate its assets, including a sale the club, in order to pay off its debts and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The honky-tonk filed its own bankruptcy reorganization plan earlier this month aimed at keeping the club open by paying its debts using revenue generated by the business.

Porter said if a new owner were to take over the dance hall, they would have to reapply for an alcohol permit.

Scroll through the slideshow to see 20 San Antonio bars and restaurants with the highest number of associated DWI incidents.

The attorney for the dance hall did not immediately respond for comment.

Staff writer Joshua Fechter contributed to this report.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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Kids anxious to meet Santa at two Texas malls last week were preached to by a man determined to expose the holiday traditions and wishes their parents have been "lying" to them about.

David Grisham, who lists himself as a preacher for Alaska-based Last Frontier Evangelism, posted two Facebook videos last week in which he approached lines of families waiting to meet Santa at Amarillo and Arlington malls on Dec. 10 and 7.

"We're going to tell the children here today the truth that there is no Santa Clause and Christmas is about Jesus Christ," Grisham said in the recently removed video. "The man you're going to see is just a man in a suit [...] parents, y'all need to stop lying to your children."

RELATED: The internet is loving this San Antonio H-E-B worker's tamale jingle and dance

The kids huddled in line looked on in confusion as Grisham's preaching filled the 3-minute video shot in Amarillo.

"There are no flying reindeer, there is no workshop in the North Pole, there is no elves making toys, (parents) buy all the gifts and put them under the tree," Grisham added.

Eventually, parents confronted Grisham. Before the video was deleted, Grisham claimed he was "ASSAULTED" by the groups.

RELATED: San Antonio megachurch pastor John Hagee condemns Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling

At least three men went face-to-face with the preacher, telling him to "quit it" and "chill out." Grisham continued shouting past the men, telling the children: Your parents are lying to you, don't believe it.

Before Grisham took Amarillo families by surprise, he filmed a video in Arlington's The Parks Mall asking others to follow his lead in their local malls.

"Start telling the kids this is all a big show, it is all fake and it it not real," he said in the Dec. 7 video. "That's probably going to get us thrown out of the mall, but we don't care."

Grisham also announced that he would return to the Arlington mall eventually.

Lorie Lisius, general manager of the Arlington mall, told mySA.com all visitors are expected to abide by the business' code of conduct. Any disruption of a family oriented event in the mall can result in that person being asked to leave, she said.

RELATED: Texas judge apologizes for 'tree and a rope' comment aimed at S.A. cop killing suspect

The video shot in Amarillo was removed from Grisham's Facebook page, but versions of the recording have been uploaded to YouTube. Posts on his personal Facebook account as well as the Last Frontier page have garnered plenty of comments from people outraged by Grisham's preaching.

Last Frontier Evangelism was also not immediately available to comment as of this write.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
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With black hair tucked behind a blue robe of stars and heavy-lidded eyes gazing past hands in prayer, the Virgen de Guadalupe has been a symbol to her believers near and far of strength and faith, courage and forgiveness.

The Virgens picture, enshrined in pendants and paintings, monuments and childrens toys, is cherished by many in times of hardship and good fortune. Sometimes the Virgin is kept close to the heart on a chain, other times shes clenched in the sweaty palm of a person gripped by fear. But for many of Mexican descent, shes always there, symbolizing social justice, perseverance and faith.

On Sunday in San Antonio, her image was recreated on a felt flag and raised high on bamboo sticks by Terry Ybanez, president of the Mission San Jose Neighborhood Association. Ybanez and a handful of others holding two other felt flags trekked from Mission Concepcion all the way to Mission Espada, advocating for the protection of San Antonios missions.

What were doing is trying to restart the pilgrimage tradition as part of the community. (The Virgen de Guadalupe) has been a big symbol of social justice, of change, and thats what I was hoping shed become for us, Ybanez said.

The pilgrimage comes one day early from the Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, a day celebrated ferociously on the streets of Mexico every Dec. 12.

Ybanez was one of the leaders in an opposition movement against 210 Development Group, who sought to put high rises along Mission San Jose last year but eventually retreated from that proposal. Now theyre proposing an apartment complex at a former cemetery behind Mission Concepcion.

If you want to experience the missions from the past, there was a lot of open space, open sky, open river, said Ybanez. For it to be an authentic experience, most of that environment should be kept.

This is the second year the neighborhood association has led a pilgrimage to honor the sanctity of San Antonios missions, and Ybanez and fellow organizer Margaret Murphy wish more people would show up. Their neighborhood association has an average age of 60, Ybanez said, and many of them cant make the walk. She said she wishes more young people would care.

People need to know their history, Ybanez said.  I really believe it changes how you see your future if you know your history.

Also participating in the walk was Basil Reyes and his 76-year-old aunt Janie Sepulveda. A San Antonio native, hes been living in New York City for more than 10 years. He delighted in cracking pecan shells he found on the walk and handing his aunt the nut inside.

Also in tow was Ybanezs grandson Armando Santiago IV, who is a certified junior park ranger for the missions.

I did it because I want to protect around here and I think the people should take care of the missions so they dont start to break, he said. Then later on, younger kids can learn about them.

When they arrived at San Jose, halfway there for Ybanez and Murphy but the end of the trek for Sepulveda, Ybanez couldnt help but notice the 10 crushed beer cans on the grass by the trail. She pointed out a seedy motel nearby.

But Reyes, who hadnt seen the missions in years, let out a long slow breath as he gazed at the ancient stone wall and mesquite trees.

Wow, isnt that pretty? he said. Just gorgeous.

sfosterfrau@express-news.net
National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has launched an investigation of seven criminal proceedings on the basis of the analysis of the information contained in the electronic declarations of officials; information was submitted into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations on December 7-9. NABU has totally registered ten criminal proceedings on the analysis of e-declarations.

According to the NABU press service, two proceedings were registered upon entering false data by MPs (Article 366-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). One criminal proceeding was registered under illegal enrichment of deputy chairman of the regional council (Part 3 of Article 368-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illicit enrichment of a person holding particularly responsible position).

Information on another four criminal proceedings was submitted to Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations under illegal enrichment and submitting false data into the electronic declaration by three judges.

Thus, the total number of proceedings registered by NABU detectives upon the analysis of e-declarations is amounted to ten, the NABU said. The first three proceedings were registered on November 17 on the facts of illicit enrichment (two - in respect of people's deputies, one -concerning the representative of the judiciary).
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe and some of her relatives and allies are being stripped of 14 stands worth almost US$12,6 million in one of the most upmarket developments in Borrowdale, Harare, on the grounds that they acquired the land for next to nothing by abusing their connections with the then Government.

The 14 stands are in the plush suburb of Harare, Carrick Creagh due east of Borrowdale Brooke and between them cover 167 997 square metres, or almost 17 hectares, and at the quoted commercial selling price of US$75 a square metre they are worth US$12 599 775.

Mrs Mugabe owned four adjacent stands covering 7,36ha through a pair of front companies Montshow Private Limited and Navline Investments Private Limited in which her children are now directors according to company records. This land, at the US$75 a square metre selling price, should have cost US$5 525 550, but in practice it cost her almost nothing.

She and the other 10 land owners, four using companies, were able to get into the housing scheme without putting up the required purchase price because it is a Public Private Partnership joint venture between the Government and a private developer on State land.

They operated through a former minister who himself has corruption-related legal problems arising from the way he became involved in land deals and stand allocations. The ex-minister also included at least his alleged girlfriend in the Carrick Creagh scheme.

It is understood that Mrs Mugabe first used members of the State House staff in the original allocation of stands, and then carried out her intention of acquiring the formal ownership in the name of her companies.

But now Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo wants the corruptly-acquired land back and the title deeds cancelled. He announced his intention, and gave the required notice, in the Government Gazette on Friday last week and is placing the weekly press advertisement for the next three weeks, seeking objections.

Minister Moyo is able to do this under section 18(1)(b) of the Deeds Registries Act, which allows the minister to direct the cancellation of the deed for any land in respect of which the State has the right to claim transfer. The right being invoked is that the land in question was not properly paid for, being given away for what amounted to free.

The Act lays down the procedure that must be followed, and in particular the calling for objections and the need to study these objections before the cancellations can take place.

The minister is also relying on section 308(3) of the Constitution which requires him to take positive action in these circumstances. The section reads: It is the duty of every person who has custody or control of public property to safeguard the property and ensure that it is not lost, destroyed, damaged, misapplied or misused.

Mrs Mugabes four stands include the largest, third largest, fourth largest and sixth largest of the 14 stands. Two stands were registered in the name of Montshow Investments (Private) Limited: stand 306 of 18 034 square metres, and stand 307 of 25 133 square metres. The other two were registered in the name of Navline Investments (Private) Limited: stand 308 of 13 733 square metres and stand 309 of 16 744 square metres.

This block of four stands, covering 73 674 square metres should have cost US$5 525 550. Mrs Mugabe paid a token sum, basically getting the large block for free.

The other 10 stands were transferred as follows: stand 96 of 9 592 square metres to Timothy Mubhawu; stand 172 of 4 000 square metres to Lazarus Dagwa Kambarami Dokora; stand 195 of 3 971 square metres to Comverol Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd; stand 196 of 4 039 square metres to Cavord Trading (Pvt) Ltd; stand 269 of 13 857 square metres to Gloryboost Investments (Pvt) Ltd; stand 300 of 12 384 square metres to Taruvinga Hamura; stand 91 of 8 003 square metres to Olivia Farai Mashonganyika; stand 228 of 12 086 square metres to Junior Shuvayi Gumbochuma; stand 288 of 19 310 square metres to Olivia Tafadzwa Chinouya, and stand 99 of 7 081 square metres to Penking Investments (Pvt) Ltd.

Asked for comment, the developers lawyer Mr Munyaradzi Bwanya referred all questions to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

 Herald

Breaking News via Email
The latest NACS Convenience Matters podcast focuses on how one convenience retailer exceeds customer expectations and gives back to the community.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  For VERC Enterprises, business goals always come back to serving the community. In the latest Convenience Matters podcast, company President and CEO Leo Vercollone talks about how the company gives back to the community.

Nearly 20 years ago, the Duxbury, Massachusetts-based company tested a program to provide work to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After finding that the program significantly increased culture, it grew to providing employment to other hard-to-place individuals. Today, more than 20% of the 250 employees are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is just one of the many ways the company seeks to delight customers and celebrate the communities in which it serves. (Read more in The People Difference in the November 2015 NACS Magazine.)

In the latest Convenience Matters podcast, Doing Good for the Neighborhood, cohosts Jeff Lenard and Stephanie Sikorski of NACS, talk to Vercollone about how other retailers can develop similar programs. VERC also was featured in the 2015 NACS Ideas 2 Go program.

The stories that we hear about convenience retailers making a difference in their neighborhoods are inspiringand its always great to share examples with other retailers who want to develop similar programs, said Lenard.

The episode can be downloaded on iTunes or Google Play by searching for Convenience Matters. It is also available at nacsonline.com/podcasts. A new podcast is released every week, focusing on topics related to convenience stores. Since its launch in February 2016, it has been downloaded in more than 50 countries.
The Intercity+ high-speed train will be launch on the Kyiv-Lviv-Przemysl (Poland) route on December 23, 2016, Ukrzaliznytsia Board Chairman Wojciech Balczun has said.

"There are many questions about the train to Przemysl announced today. I confirm that in two weeks, from December 23, we plan to launch the Intercity+ high-speed train on the Kyiv-Lviv-Przemysl. It will run every day all year round," he wrote on his Facebook page.

The train will depart from Kyiv at some 07:00 and arrive to Poland in six and a half hours. The train will depart from Poland almost at once after its arrival. It is planned that customs procedures will be cleared during the train movement.

"Now our specialists jointly with Polish experts are finishing organization. As for the ticket price: we are negotiating on the introduction of discounts to compete with transportation by road. As soon as we have the result, we will announce the price and start selling tickets. It would be a good present to our and Polish passengers by Christmas," he said.
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich.  The Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) applauded the Michigan House for passing Senate Bill 853, which would prevent local governments from banning or setting fees for containers like bags, cups, bottles or packaging. If signed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, the bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Having a patchwork of regulation across the state ties the hands of business owners, said AFPD Director of Government Relations Dan Papineau. If we want to ban plastic bags we would be better off doing it at the state level so that all retailers compete equally under the same regulations.

The AFPD also commends the Michigan House for passing SB 929, a fair and comprehensive policy that will allow all retailers the opportunity to compete on a level playing field when it comes to the sale of beer and wine. On Thursday, December 8, the House passed comprehensive reform to Michigans liquor code that will eliminate arbitrary criteria certain businesses must meet to sell beer and wine.

For far too long, the AFPD says that Michigans policy on businesses eligible for an SDM license (a license that allows a business to sell beer and wine) have been unfair, unclear and anticompetitive. The reform also removes several specific carve-outs that promoted unequal treatment of some businesses.

We believe SB 929 creates a fair and level playing field for all of our members to compete in whether they are a gas station, convenience store, supermarket, etc., said Papineau. Eliminating arbitrary criteria for a gas station to meet to sell beer and wine makes sense. He noted that by putting into place a quota for SDM licenses, similar to how off-premise licenses are handled, we can bring fairness to the marketplace while still fostering a business environment that provides predictability and stability to an industry that sells arguably the most regulated product in Michigan.

In addition to leveling the playing field for retailers who want to sell beer and wine, the legislation also put into place a quota system that limits the number of stores that can sell beer and wine. The quota will raise as the populations of local governments increase across the state, thereby responsibly and automatically ensuring suitable access for customers looking to purchase beer and wine. There will be approximately one beer and wine license for every three spirits license, said Papineau regarding the proposed quota system. Along with the few exemptions to ensure convenient access to consumers we believe the quota is appropriate. We do not hear anyone having an issue with having convenient access to spirits so the 1 per 3 quota makes sense.

The bill (SB 929) is with the state Senate for concurrence, which is expected to occur early this week. Should it pass, the bill will move to the governor for his signature.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Politics

2016 Post Mortem

The Real Trump [New York Review of Books]. Not as crazy pants as I expected it to be. Donald Trump has been the shatterer of norms. Thus far it has been enough. Will he become the breaker of laws? Will he find it necessary? Scarcely a decade and a half ago George W. Bush, when he determined that the countrys interest demanded that he torture prisoners, simply found a way to have his government declare legal what was not. It may well be that Trump will do the same. 

New McCarthyism

The Democrats Russia Hacking Campaign is Political Suicide [Counterpunch]. Heres the stuff to give the troops: The Democratic Party is doing incalculable damage to itself by shapeshifting into the party of baseless conspiracy theories, groundless accusations, and sour grapes. Hillary Clinton was already the most distrusted presidential candidate in party history. Now shes become the de facto flag-bearer for the nutso-clique of aspiring propagandists at the CIA, the New York Times and Bezos Military Digest. How is that going to improve the partys prospects for the long term? It wont, because the vast majority of Americans do not want to align themselves with a party of buck-passing juveniles that have no vision for the future but want to devote all their energy to kooky witch-hunts that further prove they are unfit for high office. He says incalculable damage like thats a bad thing

Our Famously Free Pres

You know, I think there is a tendency to dismiss the people who spread these [fake news] stories as uneducated or simply not understanding the technology theyre dealing with. Anything but the case. They tend to be quite educated people. They tend to be people who are very well-connected online. And what theyre stumbling into sometimes, first of all, theres kind of a loss of trust [PBS].

Trump Transition

McConnell backs congressional investigation into Russian interference [Politico]. But read the fine print: McConnell dismissed calls for a select committee specifically designated for the effort, instead indicating that the main responsibility to probe Russian meddling into the election lies with the Senate Intelligence Committee and its chairman, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.). Democrats fear another Trump trouncing [Politico]. These are the people are going to lead resistance against Trump, let us remember: But the party was caught flat-footed by Trumps victory, and there was no detailed contingency plan in the event Hillary Clinton was defeated . The widespread expectation was that President Clintons handpicked choice for DNC chairman would take over on January 21, a day after the inauguration. That Democrat  likely a prominent figure practiced in both fundraising and television pontificating  would be armed with a building brimming with operatives shipped down from Clintons Brooklyn campaign headquarters. Working in tandem with a refurbished political wing of the White House, the staff would be tasked with readying the party for a furious attempt to limit Senate losses and gain back governors mansions in 2018, ahead of a long-brewing plans to reverse Republican redistricting gains two years later. Parts of the partys short-term rapid response operation would be outsourced to Correct The Record, a super PAC established to back Clinton during her campaign. But Correct the Record  which had clashed with the DNC under former Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz  has now been shut down. The redistricting push has been largely handed over to a new group helmed by former Attorney General Eric Holder. And the rest of the plan was summarily dismantled by Trumps win, sending the central committee into a period of uncertainty as it now searches for its next chair, a process that wont be finalized until the end of February. Hillary: Where is Steiner?!?!?!? I dont envy whoevers gonna have to take her aside and tell her its really over. Poor Bill If you boil down what Clinton and the Clintonites are saying, Putin stole the election from her, and Trump is a Russian agent of influence. The first is a casus belli, and the second is treason. The first demands a response at the very least of recalling our Ambassador from Moscow. That hasnt happened, which tells you that the people responsible for such things (Obama) dont take Clintons casus belli seriously. The second calls for a solution by any means necessary (exactly as Clintons previous claim, that Trump is a fascist, does). By any means necessary would include anything from a von Stauffenberg solution (no doubt the CIA has a wet team) all the way up to a coup. (This last is hard to imagine, since a coup demands occupying physical space with armed force. Who could Clinton call on?) So what the Clintonites have settled on is trying get the Electoral College to reverse the election. I cant imagine this coming to anything, since the majority of the electors  since Trump won the election  are Republicans. Ian Welsh lays out the logic if the Clinton dog actually catches the car: If I were a Trump voter, and a bunch of electors, on data that is this uncertain, and which even if it is true amounts to telling the truth about Hillary and Democrats were to give the election to Clinton I would be furious. I would consider it a violation of democratic norms: an overturning of a valid election result because elites didnt like the result. And while Im not saying they should, or I would (nor that I wouldnt), many will feel that if the ballot box is not respected, then violence is the only solution. If faithless electors give the election to Clinton, there will be a LOT of violence as a result, and there might even be a civil war. Ian is Canadian; then again, installing Clinton in office by retroactively changing the election rules is a cross the Rubicon moment. At least in Maine, I wouldnt picture a Civil War, but I would picture shattered windows in every Democrat headquarters in the state, and then wed go on from there. Welsh concludes: This is where Nazi/Fascist/Hitler/Camps rhetoric leaves you. Nothing is off the table. Either decide you mean it, or calm down and take shit off the table that is going to get a lot of people dead if you pull it off. Exactly. CIA admits it broke into Senate computers; senators call for spy chiefs ouster [McClatchy (Re Silc)]. Fooled ya! From 2013. Im so old I remember when anonymous CIA soruces werent always revered as truth-tellers. And speaking of the CIA: 8. Langley is basically Lake Wobegon with drones.  Jacob Bacharach (@jakebackpack) December 10, 2016

Realignment and Legitimacy

Labor After Bernie [Jacobin]. The inside strategy explained: Youve got to go where the votes are. The author was heavily involved in trying to start a third party, a labor party. Why the Trump Protests, Like the Wisconsin Uprising, Will Fail [Counterpunch]. A bit dyspeptic (and check out what he has to say about Our Revolution) but I agree with this completely: As of this writing the Trump protests have not abated, and now this smells of serious failure, the type of total and complete butt kicking that Republicans gave to the so-called Wisconsin Uprising. Almost six years after those massive protests against Governor Scott Walker over his disemboweling of the union movement in Wisconsin, after years of big protests with tens of thousands in the streets and a recall election attempt, the GOP is stronger than ever in the Badger State, with hegemonic control of the government in Uprising Central, Madison. To be fair, Walker had help from the national Democrats, who cut off funding, and the local Democrats, who ran a mediocre candidate. That said, the Capitol Occupiers were hell-bent on replacing Walker, an election they lost.

Stats Watch

There are no interesing stats today. (I dont cover Fed Auctions.)

Commodities: Crunch time is coming for the flow of nickel ore from the Philippines to China [Daily Mail]. The market is awaiting news of how many more nickel mines might fall foul of a sweeping clamp down on what the Philippine administration terms irresponsible mining. Eight nickel mines have already been suspended. Another 14 have been put on notice.Between them they account for around half of the countrys production, putting at risk Chinas nickel pig iron (NPI) producers who have become increasingly reliant on Philippine supply for their raw material input.

Co-ops: Bolivias brutal cooperative mining conflict reveals the growing contradictions and perils of extractivism, as the government and popular sectors struggle to control a dwindling mining surplus [NACLA]. Bolivias powerful cooperative mining sector is a legacy of the 1980s, when pressure from international financial institutions and a catastrophic fall in mineral prices led to a shutdown of the government mines, displacing 25,000 salaried miners. Privatization of the mines in the 1990s further weakened COMIBOL, the state mining company, and destroyed Bolivias miner-led revolutionary trade union movement, once the most combative in Latin Americaand perhaps the world. Encouraged by successive neoliberal governments to buffer the consequences of massive mining dislocations, the cooperative mining sector flourished. Through these informal, self-managed associations, ex-miners could eke out a modest subsistence by excavating the mineral-rich surface dumps left over from centuries of exploitation, and selling their unrefined productpredominantly tin, silver, zinc, and goldto private operators.

Co-ops:  Turn RBS into a building society says Co-op party chief [Guardian] [Gareth Thomas] argued that RBS should become a peoples bank, which every tax-paying British citizen would have the right to become a part-owner of.

Trading in volatility-linked investments set records in 2016 during a mostly calm year in markets, underscoring the popularity of exchange-traded products that didnt exist a decade ago [Wall Street Journal, The Volatility Paradox: Calm Markets but Soaring Fear Gauge Trading]. Protecting against losses was once the dominant reason to use volatility products, but investors now are turning to them to make quick profits during isolated periods of market tumult, usually holding them for no longer than one or two days. The VIX measures investor anxiety by looking at the prices they are willing to pay for options tied to the S&P 500 index. But while individual investors and hedge funds have flocked to these exchange-traded products, or ETPs, the products record tracking Wall Streets fear gauge has been poor, making investors vulnerable to big losses if held too long.

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 87 Extreme Greed (previous close: 86, Extreme Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 25 (Fear). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Dec 12 at 12:57pm. Hoo boy! The Clintonites arent the only ones going crazy pants!

Health Care

The Rise and Fall of Obamacare: Will the Inside Story Ever be Told? [Counterpunch]. This:

I estimate that TIDES and other liberal foundations, individual donors, unions and corporations dumped over $100 million into the Democrats well-oiled NGO lobby and PR effort to pass Obamacare. Much of this money moved through or was coordinated by a rich but short-lived lobby group called Health Care for America Now. HCANs scores of members included US Action, MoveOn, SEIU, AFSCME, and the usual liberal laundry list of Democrat-aligned NGO organizations. Wendell participated intimately in its PR and lobbying and knows its story well from the inside. That is what I would pay Tarbell to tell, because it is a story that America needs to hear, now that Obamacare is being destroyed by its own contradictions, corruptions, and the rise of Trump.

I remember HCAN. We single payer advocates called it HCANt. And we were right, werent we?

News of the Wired

Dark Corners of Unicode [EE.ee]. Must-read for font geeks.

Linux on the Mac  state of the union [LW.net].

Why a Post-Nuclear World Would Look Nothing Like Mad Max' [Nautilus]. Friends, theres good news!

* * *

Readers, feel free to contact me with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, and (c) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. And heres todays plant:

This seems colorful enough.

Readers, Water Cooler is a standalone entity, not supported by the very successful Naked Capitalism fundraiser just past. Now, I understand you may feel tapped out, but when and if you are able, please use the dropdown to choose your contribution, and then click the hat! Your tip will be welcome today, and indeed any day. Water Cooler will not exist without your continued help.
By Bill Black, the author of The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One and an associate professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jointly published with New Economic Perspectives

On December 10, 2016, a New York Times article entitled Democrats Have a New Message: Its the Economy First that unintentionally revealed that the Partys centrist leadership and the paper remain clueless about how to improve the economy and why the centrist leadership needs to end its long war against the working class. This is how the paper explained the five centrist leaders framing of the problem.

It was a blunt, plain-spoken set of senators who gathered last Monday at the Washington home of Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Democrat of North Dakota, dining on Chinese food as they vented frustration about the missteps of the Democratic Party. To this decidedly centrist group, the 2016 election was nothing short of a fiasco: final proof that its national party had grown indifferent to the rural, more conservative areas represented by Democrats like Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Jon Tester of Montana, who attended the dinner. All face difficult re-election races in 2018.

This non-centrist group was a gathering of five New Democrats. President Obama self-identified himself as a New Democrat. The Clintons and Al Gore are leaders of the New Democrats. The leadership of the Democratic National Committee was, and remains, New Democrats. On economic issues such as austerity, jobs, and full employment, the New Democrats are far more extreme than the (stated) views of Donald Trump. The New Democrats are infamous for their close ties with Wall Street. This means that the papers description of the Chinese nosh is as clueless as the five New Democrats kvetching about policy missteps that they championed for decades. Of course, neither the paper nor the non-centrists mentioned that critical fact. The blindness of the non-centrists to the fact that it is their policies that launched the long war by the New Democrats against the working class is matched by the blindness of the paper.

The kvetching may have been blunt, but it was also dishonest. The five New Democrats know that they will likely be replaced in the 2018 elections by Republicans who share the New Democrats anti-working class dogmas. What was really going on was an extended cry of pain about the five senators fear of losing their jobs.

Note that the paper never tells you what the five New Democrats so bluntly identified as the New Democrats missteps or what new policies they believed needed to be adopted by the Party. This failure is particularly bizarre because the paper says that its reportage is based on sources that the paper agreed to keep anonymous so that they could speak frankly about this meeting over Chinese food. That combination of supposed frankness from the sources gained by the grant of anonymity so them could describe in detail the purported bluntness by the gang of five should have produced some epic, specific condemnations of the Democratic Partys leadership by the New Democrats. Instead, it produced mush. Focusing on the economy is the right general idea for any political party, but it is so general a word that it is close to meaningless without identifying the specific policy changes that the five New Democrats now support and oppose. The mushy reportage provides a thin gruel to the reader.

Most of all, they lamented, Democrats had simply failed to offer a clarion message about the economy with appeal to all 50 states. Why did the working people, who have always been our base, turn away? Mr. Manchin said in an interview, recounting the tenor of the dinner conversation.

And the clarion message about the economy that they proposed that the Democratic Party make was? You would have thought that little detail would (a) be critical to the article and (b) would be something that the five New Democrats would have been eager to publicize without any need for anonymity. Conversely, if even after the disastrous election, from their perspective, the five New Democrats could not compose that clarion call, then the real problem is that the New Democrats economic dogmas prevent them from supporting such a clarion pro-worker policy.

The second sentence of the quotation is equally embarrassing to the New Democrats. It purportedly recounts the tenor of the dinner conversation. The first obvious question is  how did each of these five New Democrats answer that that question? That is what the readers would want to know. Even with the grants of anonymity to multiple sources the paper inexplicably presents only the vaguest hints as to the five Senators explanation for why the New Democrats waged their long war on the working class.

Notice also the unintentional humor of the five New Democrats finally asking themselves this existential question in 2016  after the election. The New Democrats began their long war on the working class over 30 years ago. Tom Frank published his famous (initial) book warning that the New Democrats war on the working class would prove disastrous in 2004. The five New Democrats are shocked, shocked that the working class, after 30 years of being abused by the New Democrats anti-worker policies and after being vilified for decades by the New Democrats, overwhelmingly voted against the Nations most prominent New Democrat, Hillary Clinton. None of the five New Democrats appears to have a clue, even after the 2016 election, why this happened.

The article and the five New Democrats fail to discuss the anti-working class policies that they have championed for decades. Job security is the paramount issue that drives voting by many members of the working class. The New Democrats and the Old Republicans share a devotion to the two greatest threats to working class job security  austerity and the faux free trade deals. This makes it ironic that the paper sought out the Party faction leaders who have been so wrong for so long as supposedly being the unique source of providing the right answers now. If the five New Democrats had engaged in introspection and were prepared to discuss their disastrous, repeated policy failures that would have been valuable, but the New Democrats admit to making zero errors in the article.

The papers understanding of economics and jobs is so poor that it wrote this clunker.

But even liberals believe Democrats must work harder to compete for voters who lean to the right, if only to shave a few points off the Republican Partys margin of victory in rural America. In some cases, they said, that may mean embracing candidates who hold wildly different views from the national party on certain core priorities.

First, the phrase and the implicit logic in the use of the phrase even liberals reverses reality. It is progressives who have consistently called for the Democratic Party to return to its role as a party that champions working people.

Second, the issue is generally not who leans to the right. Indeed, the 2016 election should have made clear to the paper the severe limits on the usefulness of the terms right and left in explaining U.S. elections. Jobs are not a right v. left issue.

Third, the paramount policy priority  jobs  is the same regardless of whether one focuses on economic or political desirability. So, how long does it take for the article, and the five New Democrats to discuss jobs? Given the fact that they vented at length about the fear that they would begin to lose their jobs within two years, the subject of job security should have been paramount to the five New Democrats. The article, however, never even mentioned jobs or any of the related critical concepts  austerity, the faux trade deals, or the refusal to provide full employment. Further, the article did not comment on the failure of the New Democrats to even mention these any of these four concepts.

A Clarion Message about the Economy with Appeal to all 50 States

Here is UMKCs economics departments long-standing proposal to every American political party:

Our party stands for full employment at all times. We will make the federal government the guaranteed employer of last resort for every American able and wanting to work. We recognize that the United States has a sovereign currency and can always afford to ensure full employment. We recognize that austerity typically constitutes economic malpractice and is never a valid excuse for rejecting full employment. The myth that we help our grandchildren by consigning their grandparents and parents to unemployment is obscene. The opposite is true.

The working class wants jobs and job security  not simply income. Working class people overwhelmingly want to work. Working class males who are unable to find secure, full time work often become depressed and unmarriageable. If you want to encourage marriage and improve the quality of marriages, full employment and job security are vital policies. There are collateral advantages to providing full employment. Full employment can reduce greatly the zero sum fears about employment that can tear a society apart. Each of these outcomes is overwhelmingly supported by Americans.

Good economics is not a right v. left issue. Austerity is terrible economics. The fact that we have a sovereign currency is indisputable and there is broad agreement among finance professionals that such a currency means that the federal government budget is nothing like a household. The major party that first adopts the federal full employment guarantee will secure a critical political advantage over its rivals. Sometimes, good economics is good politics.
Lambert: By Betteridges Law, no. Readers who came in late may not appreciate the depths of the internal dysfunction in the Democrat Party. This post on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is a useful corrective.

Originally published at Down with Tyranny.

I never met middle of the road New Mexico congressman and DCCC chairman Ben Ray Lujan and, although weve been making a commotion here about Pelosi firing him, I bear him no personal animus. What I dont like is that the Democrats had a reasonable chance to take back a lot of seats in the House, which is Lujans job. He failed pretty miserably so Pelosi should have found someone better to do it in 2018. But that isnt how she does things. Ive spoken to nearly a dozen members of Congress who have told me, more or less, that Lujan shouldnt be blamed for screwing up because it was really Steve Israels fault since he was in charge of giving Lujan on-the-job training and he was pulling the strings. That was also Pelosis fault keeping that hopeless loser around after he had already proven himself unqualified to have anything to do with the effort of winning seats (for Democrats).

At two times I was president of two different record companies. The first was my own, 415 Records, a small independent outfit in San Francisco, and one major label under the Time-Warner corporate umbrella, Reprise Records. Both companies did well but that doesnt mean there werent problems. There always were as there are in all businesses. And if things didnt go well you know the phrase, the buck stops here? That doesnt mean the buck stopped at the desk of my head of marketing or head of promotion or at the business affairs office or publicity office or international office or any other office other than the presidents office.

But that, apparently isnt how they look at this inside the Beltway. So Lujans back at the helm. But its not all as horrible at it usually is. At least Lujan is trying to slay the Nemean Lion, slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra, capture the Ceryneian Hind, capture the Erymanthian Boar, clean the Augean stables in a single day, slay the Stymphalian Birds, capture the Cretan Bull and, last but not least, steal the Mares of Diomedes. Personnel was a problem a big one but the underlying Rahm Emanuel ideology and operating procedures held over by Chris Van Hollen, Steve Israel and, most recently, Lujan will prevent the Democrats from ever winning back the House so long as theyre in place. Democratic voters dont want recycled Republicans, NRA shills, Republican-lite fake Dems, and more crap from the Republican wing of the Democratic Party which is, basically, the only kind of candidates the DCCC believes in.

Lujan finally dumped incompetent and much-failed Steve Israel operative Kelly Ward, the executive director. Good first step! Last week Simone Pathe reported for Roll Call that Democratic incumbents have been complaining about DCCC staffers.

Whether or not disgruntled members grievances about the DCCC are legitimate, their complaints are indicative of a disconnect between parts of the caucus and the committee. The griping isnt directed at New Mexico Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, whom the caucus elected to a second term as committee chairman Monday night. We truly believe he never really headed the DCCC, Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego said last week. The perception is that Pelosi ran the show, beginning with her appointment of the chairman. Members generally like Lujan and believe that making his slot an elected position is a step toward bringing transparency to a committee that they think needs more of it even if theyre not quite sure what it is theyre looking for behind the curtain. Whatever it is, they believe it begins with wresting perceived power away from staff. Our mission, Gallego said, is this is going to be a membership-driven DCCC instead of staff- and consultant-driven. [T]he DCCC fell below expectations publicly set by leadership and came nowhere close to winning the 30 seats needed to take the majority during a presidential year when Democrats should have had the advantage based on turnout. Midwestern Democrats have blamed the DCCC for abandoning its working-class base. Traditionally, though, crafting a national economic message is the job of Congress or the White House.

Pelosi put Steve Israel in charge of that and he failed dismally, as he failed at everything hes tried to do in terms of House leadership. Israels horribly failed messaging offers nothing for anyone to vote for and thats why the Democrats failed to gain even close to as many seats they should have. Unfortunately, Lujan and Pelosi insist everything and everyone is to blame for the serial failures (except themselves).

In its first post-election discussion with members last month, Lujan said that many of their recruits were on a upward trajectory with Virginias LuAnn Bennett tied with Rep. Barbara Comstock, for example until the release of the letter from FBI Director James B. Comey about potentially reopening an investigation into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons emails. But some Democrats say theyve heard similar excuses after disappointing election results in 2010, 2012 and 2014. As long as the storyline is, Our polling was great! Our strategy was perfect. James Comey screwed us, then its a sign theres no drive for accountability, one Democratic consultant said. Somehow, every cycle when the DCCC falls short, someone else is to blame, he said. That perception of failure exists among some members who are taking aim at a campaign committee that they dont think has been working for them. A members opinion and understanding of the DCCC may be influenced by their reliance on the committee to get elected and re-elected. I sat in all the recruitment meetings that were run by Cheri Bustos and Denny Heck, and I thought they did a great job, said New York Rep. Kathleen Rice, elected in 2014 from a district Obama twice carried by double digits. But I didnt know anything about the staffers that were there. Was everything being carried out? We just dont know.

Three useless New Dems scratching each others backs Kathleen Rice is a mess and Bustos and Heck are, if anything, even worse. These 3 are the very epitome of the Republican wing of the Democratic Party. Like Lujan, all three of them have F scores from ProgressivePunch. Their lifetime crucial vote ratings:

 Denny Heck (WA)- 74.54

 Kathleen Rice (NY)- 61.84

 Cheri Bustos (IL)- 48.56

No one wants to openly talk about the self-enriching revolving door policy the Democrats tolerate or encourage between consultants and DCCC staffers. But its certainly been a major factor in the performance of the DCCC since Rahm started running and ruining the committee in 2005.

As eager as they are to give Lujan another chance, members are taking their frustrations out on the committee staff much more so than in cycles past. We realize that its also unfair to blame him for the direction of the DCCC when systematically that staff of the DCCC, starting from the top, and almost all the way through middle-management, has been nothing but bureaucratic and ineffective for many, many years, Gallego said last week when answering a question about why he wanted to keep Lujan on as DCCC chairman. He wasnt given the time or the power to get rid of them, the freshman Democrat added. While Gallego and others suggested the staff was handpicked by Pelosi, thats hardly the vast majority of bodies sitting in the DCCCs South Capitol Street office. Its far easier to blame a nameless, faceless, nebulous staff than it is to confront reality, said a senior Democratic strategist not working with the committee this cycle. Ryan, whos had limited interaction with the committee, pointed his finger at the greater web of political consultants who do business for the DCCC and their recruits. They need to go on a consultant detox, he said. Theres a closed shop, a Democratic consultant added. That would be OK if there were a record of success, he said, but were not winning the close races. The perception remains that a limited class of consultants contributes to a group-think culture, but the committees independent expenditure arm did add at least five new consulting firms this year, including Latino and women-led shops. There are favorites that get played and that tends to be with the larger firms, or the people staff think they can get a job from, another Democratic consultant said. Any consultant who feels he or she isnt getting enough business could have an incentive to complain. But the closed shop concern is bigger than one consultant or even one party. It is something we faced, Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said outside the speakers lobby Monday night. After losing 30 seats in 2006, Cole said the NRCC opened up. You put staff in and tell them, I dont want a select group of people here. We want to throw this open, we want everybody whos a reasonable consultant to have a legitimate opportunity to compete, he said.

Friday, Lujan fired more DCCC incompetents though he didnt even consider getting some of the garbage members like Bustos and Heck out of the works, even though it was they, not the staffers, who set the policy. He hired Dan Sena, a Ward deputy?, to take her place, and made Aaron Trujillo chief of staff and Meredith Kelly communications director. More of the same, is what one congresswoman told me in disgust after the announcement. Ughhh.

Thomas Mills started the respected blog, PoliticsNC and this year he ran for the NC-08 seat held by Richard Hudson. He spent $380,866 to Hudsons $2,431,160 and received 131,428 votes (41.2%) to Hudsons 187,909 (58.8%). The DCCC didnt recognize his race in any way whatsoever. Yesterday he wrote a post for Politico, How The Democratic Party Lost Its Way, which has been called to my attention by nearly a dozen former congressional candidates who have an equally dim view of the DCCC in the Pelosi era. Mills, though, started with a good DCCC experience in 1998 as the campaign manager for Mike Taylor. By 2016, though, with his own campaign, the DCCC experience was pretty awful, something dozens of Democratic candidates all over the country will tell you. After the primaries, he wrote, I reached out to them. But despite leaving numerous messages on both email and answering machines, I never got any response. When I eventually used my Congressional connections to get an audience, I took my pollster and media consultant to a meeting that lasted all of 15 minutes. We left with little more than a list of reasons why the DCCC wouldnt be helping our campaign.

Back in the 90s when I started out, the DCCC was tasked with contesting as many races as possible and providing staff, training and direction to the campaigns in the field. Today, theyre narrowly focused on a small number of highly targeted races. Other campaigns get little attention or support. Democrats need to be sharper going into the next election cycle. With a 50-plus seat deficit in the House, the party will have to win more than just the most competitive seats. Theyll probably need a wave in which they figure out how to win some longshot races. That wont happen unless the party actively recruits good candidates around the country and treats them with respect and encouragement. And it also wont happen unless the party provides campaigns especially in the toughest districts with the training, support and infrastructure to create or take advantage of opportunities. Democrats should be thinking broadly instead of narrowly. Successful political organizations are entrepreneurial and opportunistic, especially when they are 60 seats in the minority. But despite the dismal record its racked up in recent years, the DCCC has become insular and myopic. Candidates and consultants cant reach high-ranking staffers. Reaching ranking members is unthinkable. The circle of people influencing the political strategists rarely reaches outside of the beltway, which means the strategists like so much of Washington have lost touch with the people whose votes they need to attract. They rely on polling and focus groups to give them an understanding of the challenges facing families today. Those tools would be greatly enhanced if the people using them had regular contact with the people they are trying to reach. Much of the insularity seems to be rooted in a lack of accountability. For staff, theres little penalty for failure. They often either get rehired or go to work for consulting firms that have contracts with the DCCC. And the Democratic Congressional leadership comes predominantly from safe districts. Most ranking members havent run competitive races in many years, if theyve run them at all. They dont understand the skills and experience they need in a caucus staff since they dont really know what a professional campaign organization looks like and they dont understand what candidates in competitive districts need to succeed. The DNC stopped providing its training academy in the late 1990s. Since then, training been contracted out to organizations like Wellstone Action, which has a heavy field emphasis or EMILYs List, with a fundraising emphasis. Weve lost the intensive trainings that focused on basic management and strategic skills. Its not only the training thats taken a hit. Despite their 60-seat deficit heading into 2016, the Democrats didnt appear to do much candidate recruiting except in the most competitive districts. In Texas, Hillary Clinton won in a congressional district where Democrats didnt even field a challenger. Numbers, not potential, guided the DCCC efforts. Instead of looking for possibilities, or trying to create them, the committee only paid attention to the districts that looked viable on spreadsheets. The DCCC and other campaign committees ought to retool their campaign operations looking back to the 1980s and 1990s. Back then, they introduced research and polling to campaigns. Now, they should be teaching campaigns how to use social media and online operations to reach voters early and build low-dollar fundraising operations. Today, Democrats are so far in the hole that they could use the opportunity to try new tactics and strategies to see if they can win in some unlikely places. Longshot and marginal races are not won in the final two months of a campaign. Theyre won because candidates put together campaigns that prepare them to take advantage of opportunities throughout the cycle. Social media and online fundraising give candidates the platforms to build profiles and low-dollar fundraising operations, as well as create excitement among their base before the paid media and field campaigns begin. For Democrats to be successful, they need leaders, both campaign professionals and elected officials, who understand how modern communications and campaigns have changed. They would be wise to reach out to operatives and consultants who live outside the Washington, D.C., bubble to better understand voters. They should get back to their roots: recruit candidates to compete in as many races as possible; create an army of professional operatives across the country to run campaigns cycle after cycle; provide a base level of support for every candidate who files; introduce innovative strategies and tactics and teach campaigns how to use them. Theyll need the leadership to take them there.

And, alas, thats never going to happen while Nancy Pelosi is the House Democratic Leader. She should give it up and let the party she loves, and has served for so many years, get a new lease on life. This morning I was speaking with a recent candidate who told me he thinks hes better off with the DCCC not getting involved in his race in any way. All they can do, she told me, is diminish my chances of winning. They dont seem able to bring anything worthwhile to the table Theyre from a bygone era. Its pretty sad As you pointed out in your blog, the best people who won this year, like Pramila and Nanette Barragan, Carol up in New Hampshire, Jamie Raskin all won without any involvement with the DCCC.
A syllabus in cosmic rays

(Nanowerk News) On May 19, 2011, astronauts used a remote-controlled robotic arm to attach a nearly 17,000-pound payload to the side of the International Space Station. That payload was the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, or AMS-02, an international experiment sponsored by the US Department of Energy and NASA.

AMS was designed to detect cosmic rays, highly energetic particles and nuclei that bombard the Earth from space. Since its installation, AMS has collected data from more than 90 billion cosmic ray events, experiment lead Sam Ting reported today in a colloquium at the experiment's headquarters, CERN European research center.

Pictured here, the AMS is visible on the ISS just after being installed, with a US Space Shuttle docked on the far right, a Russian Soyuz capsule docked on the far left, and the blue Earth that houses all nations visible across the background. (Image: NASA)

Ting, a Nobel Laureate and Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shared a mix of new and recent results during his talk. Together they spelled out the persistent message of the AMS experiment: We have a lot left to learn from cosmic rays.

For one, cosmic rays could tell us about the imbalance between matter and antimatter in the universe.

Because matter and antimatter particles are created in pairs, scientists think the Big Bang should have produced half of each. But those evenly matched partners would have annihilated one another, and we would not exist.

The generally accepted theory is that this imbalance came about thanks to processes in the very young universe that favor matter over antimatter. But an alternative idea is that a large amount of antimatter is still out there; it just hasn't had a chance to collide with our matter-filled universe.

One clue that this is the case would be finding an antimatter nucleus in the wild.

With the negligible amount of antimatter that exists in our universe, "it's almost impossible to make anything bigger than a proton," says AMS Deputy Principal Investigator Mike Capell of MIT. "Getting the antimatter together to collide into an antihelium or anticarbon nucleus is not very probable."

AMS scientists do not claim to have detected antihelium, but they did announce that they have not ruled out "a few" candidate events.

"Given the success of the standard cosmological model and the absence of gamma rays from hypothetical matter-antimatter interfaces, I think it's very implausible that there'd be whole galaxies made of antimatter," says theoretical astrophysicist Roger Blandford of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, a joint institute of Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. "But it's the sort of investigation that could still give us a surprising discovery."

Cosmic rays could also tell us something about dark matter, which has never been detected directly.

Cosmic rays can consist of a variety of particles, such as electrons or their antimatter counterparts, positrons. In previous measurements, AMS detected a surprising number of positrons on the higher end of its energy range. It is possible that collisions between dark matter particles created this excess of antimatter particles.

An updated analysisthis one using almost double the number of electrons and positronscontinues to show this excess. But dark matter isn't the only possible cause, Blandford says.

"One interpretation is that one is seeing the annihilation of dark matter particles," he says. "But there might be equally reasonable explanations associated with traditional astrophysics that could make the same sort of signal."

Pulsars are a particularly difficult alternative source to rule out. But AMS scientists anticipate that they will collect enough data to better discriminate between models by 2024, Ting said in his presentation.

Cosmic rays could tell us about their history.

As particles in cosmic rays approach light speed, time effectively slows down for them, as Albert Einstein predicted in his theory of relativity. We can see evidence of time dilation in the extended lifetimes of particles traveling near light speed.

In a forthcoming AMS result, scientists look at just how much the lifetimes of isotopes of beryllium stretch as they travel in cosmic rays. Based on that measurement, they estimate the cosmic rays we see in our galaxy are about 12 million years old.

Cosmic rays could tell us about what they go through on their trip to Earth.

Both observation and theory have a ways to go in this area, Blandford says. "They are both works in progress and, despite great advances, we still do not understand how cosmic rays propagate from their sources  mainly supernova remnants  to earth."

When cosmic rays get into collisions, they can produce secondary cosmic rays, which are made up of different ingredients. In a recently published result studying the ratio of boron (found only in secondary cosmic rays) to carbon (found in primary cosmic rays) at different energies, AMS scientists found possible evidence of turbulence in the cosmic rays' path to our planetbut nothing that would explain the positron excess.

Finally, cosmic rays could tell us that we don't know what we think we know.

In an unpublished analysis, AMS scientists found that their measurements of the spectra and ratios of different nucleiprotons, lithium and heliumdid not fit well with predictions. This could mean that scientists' assumptions about cosmic rays need to be reexamined.
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
One of Tipperary's most iconic and long established companies, MSD in Ballydine is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, which is also the 125th anniversary of the founding of MSD globally.

The healthcare companys Ballydine facility, which has been a vibrant part of the Ballydine community since 1976, is now one of the regions largest employers with over 450 highly-skilled people employed at the site.

MSD in Ballydine develops innovative methods for the formulation and supply of new products and houses a formulation R&D and manufacturing facility on-site. The plant exports to over 30 countries with main markets being Europe, USA and Japan.

The leadership team at the Ballydine plant.

Its employees are a crucial part of the sites success, and two of the original employees, Frank Cantwell and John Casey, who started with the company in 1976, are still working there.

Amongst its workforce, MSD in Ballydine has nine married couples, an All-Ireland Camogie Champion, and thirteen employees with at least 35 years service.

Ger Carmody, Associate Vice President of Operations, MSD in Ballydine, said - 2016 marks a significant milestone in the history of our site. Ballydine has evolved over the past forty years to become a leader in cutting-edge innovation - our strong technical capabilities mean that we can play a pivotal role in developing breakthrough healthcare products for patients around the world. Our ethos here has always been to innovate and we do this by investing in research and development across our site and investing in our people.

Site manager Ger Carmody addresses staff at the celebration.

Were proud to be part of the Ballydine community and over the past 40 years, our team has been actively engaged in initiatives in the local community and we are committed to making a difference through a range of community, workplace and environmental CSR programmes, which include supporting causes that matter to our people and neighbours. "This has included initiatives in promoting STEM in local Schools through Junior Achievement, support for Science Week and our Bright Ideas Competition. We have recently supported many local charities including the Irish Cancer Society, the South East Mountain Rescue, St. Vincent de Paul, The Red Cross, the Alzheimers Society, Kilsheelan Tidy Towns, Carrick on Suir River Rescue and Barnardos.

Se Harney, Paddy Kehoe and Conal McCullagh at the celebrations.

Since its establishment in 1976, when MSD chose Ballydine for the opening of one manufacturing plant with a team of 176 employees, the site has grown significantly. Expansions at the site over the past forty years include the establishment of a second manufacturing plant, as well as two dedicated R&D facilities for the formulation and commercialisation of products.

To celebrate 40 years in the community, MSD in Ballydine marked the anniversary with a number of celebration events throughout the year.
For three young Tipperary people, Elizabeth Ryan, Mary Theresa Glendon and Johanna Murray, it was a day of celebration when they received the prestigious Gaisce Gold Award from President Michael D. Higgins.

They were each presented with the Gaisce Gold Award at a special ceremony which took place in Dublin Castle.

The Gold Awardees embarked on the Gold Award Programme taking part in new adventures, learning new skills and have volunteered in various organisations throughout Ireland.

Elizabeth Ryan from Knockavilla/Donaskeigh receives her award from President Higgins.

Elizabeth Ryan from Knockavilla/Donaskeigh has completed all three Gaisce Awards  Bronze, Silver and now Gold. As part of Elizabeths Gold journey she walked a combined 94km of the Wild Atlantic Way with seven of her friends and described it as an experience of a lifetime.

Mary Theresa Glendon from Clonmel had also achieved the Gaisce Bronze and Silver Award before going on to achieve Gold. For Marys Community Involvement challenge, she taught water polo to children and taught guitar as part of her Personal Skill.

Mary went on a 4-day hike along the Munster Way as part of her Adventure Journey and volunteered in Lourdes for her Gaisce Residential Project.

Johanna Murray from Rosegreen accepts her award from President Higgins.

Johanna Murray from Rosegreen also embarked on a trip to Uganda for her Residential Project. Johanna volunteered with the Irish Charity Nurture Africa which is a voluntary organisation in Uganda with a targeted focus in healthcare, education, child protection and gender equality and economic empowerment through business training and micro - finance projects.

Elizabeth, Mary Theresa and Johanna were among the 65 young people to have achieved their Gaisce Gold Award this year.

Over the course of their Gaisce challenges, the 65 Awardees contributed over 10,000 hours to helping their communities, developing skills and achieving personal goals. They have accepted a direct challenge from the President of Ireland to dream big and fulfil their potential. They have pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone to do better for themselves and for their communities.

Special Guest, President Michael D. Higgins addressed the audience during the ceremony Gaisce is important. When we are encouraged to test our limits and to push beyond the horizons of what we thought was possible, and when we do so always seeking to care for the welfare of others, we learn to look beyond the assumed inevitabilities by which we so often live our lives. That is a critical experience, fundamental to the development of pro-active, engaged, compassionate citizens who are not afraid to make a difference and to challenge the status quo so as to craft better communities and a better society.
Canadian household confidence rose, boosted by improving sentiment about the national housing market, weekly telephone polling shows.

The Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index climbed to 56.2 in the week ended Dec. 9 from 55.6, for the biggest gain since October. The indicator reached a 2016 high of 59.9 in August, but had been falling steadily since.

Some 37.4% of those surveyed expected higher local real estate prices over the next six months, up from 35.9% the prior week. That's more than double the 17.3% of people who predict lower prices.

The share of respondents who see the economy improving in the next six months also rose last week to 22.7%, the highest since September. Those who see it weakening however accounted for 29.8% of respondents, the highest share since April.

Such polarized views of progress mesh with Stephen Poloz's assessment. The Bank of Canada Governor said last week uncertainty about global business spending " remains undiminished" following U.S. elections. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family tax benefits have boosted consumer finances, investment and exports remain muted after a crash in oil prices.

This week may give Canadians pause to reconsider where house prices are headed. The latest quarterly report on the record-high ratio of consumer debt to disposable income is due on Wednesday. Poloz holds a press conference on Thursday to discuss his semi-annual review of financial market risks, and he has put Vancouver and Toronto housing markets at the top of his list.

Here are some other findings from the latest polling:

Even with Trudeau's tax cuts people remain pessimistic about their personal finances. The share of people saying their situation has improved over the last 12 months jumped by 1 percentage point to 17.2%, still lagging the 23.7% who reported a deterioration. Views of job security moderated last week. The share of people calling their position "secure" fell to 45.7% from 46.1%, and "not at all secure" fell to 6.9% from 7.2%. Confidence remains a regional story in a country where Alberta oil workers are losing jobs, while service companies in British Columbia and central Canada are growing. Confidence was lowest in the Prairie region at 48.7, while in Quebec it was tops at 59.1. Ontario, Canada's most-populous province, had a confidence reading of 58.

The Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index is based on a rolling four-week average of telephone polling with 1,000 respondents. It's considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expects the European Union to decide on the extension of sanctions against Russia.

"Shelling continues and Ukrainian soldiers are being killed. We see that there is no withdrawal of heavy weapons and artillery, including 152mm heavy-caliber artillery and mortars [which] were used against the positions of the Ukrainian military last night. And the extension of sanctions against Russia is an absolutely clear need in these circumstances," he said at a joint briefing with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in Kyiv on Monday.

Poroshenko said he expects the EU to make a decision to extend these sanctions in the near future.
(Natural News) In 2006, two Canadian nationals began a journey that would reveal information so dark, it is deeply troubling to ponder, let alone believe. But in a world controlled by money, man is capable of doing anything to get it, including the harvesting of organs from living persons. The victim dies during this heinous and tortuous procedure. The body is then cremated. No evidence remains of the burnt human sacrifice yielding hearts, livers, kidneys, corneas and more. All in a days work for the burgeoning global organ transplant market in the Peoples Republic of China.

But even without ashes or bones, David Kilgour, Esq., a former Asian administrator for Canada, and international human rights lawyer David Matas, Esq., were able to weave a damning indictment a decade ago called Bloody Harvest. This must-read treatise originally investigated unnerving claims; Chinese Falun Gong members were being killed for their organs and the lucrative international organ transplant marketplace.

Falun Gong practitioners account for 70  100 million of the Chinese population and remain a prime target of the surgeons knife, as reported by Theepochtimes.com. But other spiritual and ethic groups are also victimized by this barbaric practice, according to Kilgour:

 . . . there has been regime-sanctioned pillaging and trafficking in the vital organs of prisoners of conscience, overwhelmingly from practitioners of Falun Gong, but also Tibetans, Uyghurs, and some house Christians. . .

Through interviews, public records and meticulous inquiries, Kilgour and Matas discovered the who, what, when, where and why of this barbaric practice. Financing the Chinese military was reported as a prime reason. In the summer of 2016 they revised their report, significantly increasing the numbers and scope of Chinas organ transplant industry.

The new data scrutinized by Kilgour and Matas indicate that 60,000 to 100,000 transplants may take place each year in China. The regime claims only a fifth of that amount, or 20,000. Profits from these evil acts is estimated at $12 billion dollars and beyond. Hospitals say this practice is their number one money maker. American author and investigative journalist Ethan Gutmann spent seven years researching Chinas illicit organ transplant industry before releasing his book The Slaughter, in 2014.

Why do people travel to China for organ transplants? Simple. Human organs are abundant at a reduced price. Why wait on a long list for a new liver, heart, lung, kidney or pancreas when someone can be murdered today for your organ tomorrow? As Wnd.com suggests, technocrats love efficiency:

Planned parenthood had no problem with selling body parts either.

Sources:

TheEpochTimes.com

Science.NaturalNews.com

OrganHarvestInvestigation.net

TheEpochTimes.com

OrganHarvestInvestigation.net

YouTube.com

Wnd.com

YouTube.com
Monday, December 12, 2016 by: Ethan Huff Tags: asthma , dust , mice This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) Researchers from Boston Childrens Hospital and Harvard Medical School have jointly concluded that a major contributing factor to asthma in school-age children could be exposure to bacteria and allergens from rodents like mice. Many public schools, they say, are teeming with high levels of mouse allergens, which asthmatic children susceptible to irritation are encountering on a daily basis throughout the school year.

Some 284 children from 37 inner-city public schools located throughout the Northeastern United States were evaluated as part of the research. Those contributing tested the students homes and classrooms for potential offenders, eventually identifying mouse allergens as the most common type of allergenic dust in both locations  and to a significantly greater degree in schools.

Based on the analysis, no other airborne allergen was as problematic as the mouse dust, which the researchers identified as causing the worst asthma outcomes in children. And while dust levels in general were found to be quite low in both the schools and the homes, the researchers involved claim that mouse allergens are still to blame, and that school administrators need to do more to protect their students.

These findings suggest that exposure reduction strategies in the school setting may effectively and efficiently benefit all children with asthma, wrote Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul, one of the studys co-authors, along with her colleagues in their study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Jama Medicine.

Future school-based environmental intervention studies may be warranted, she and her team added in their conclusion.

Indoor allergens, pollution a major contributor to asthma symptoms

The paper comes on the heels of another recently published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which found that indoor allergens in general are a serious problem for asthma sufferers. Such allergens include things like pet dander and residue from cockroaches and rats, the latter two of which were surprisingly absent from the schools evaluated as part of the JAMA Medicine study.

With asthma rates as high as 25 percent in some American communities, paying attention to potential allergens is a top priority for public health. Indoor irritants can function as acute triggers of asthma symptoms, resulting in sufferers having to use more medication to treat it than they otherwise would if indoor environments were kept cleaner.

It is estimated that somewhere between 30 and 62 percent of children with persistent asthma are allergic to dust mites, which are microscopic members of the spider family, while about half are particularly sensitive to mold. Both of these things are more are common features of indoor environments, especially in climates that learn more towards humidity rather than dry.

Exposure to indoor allergens such as furry pet allergens, mice and cockroaches, and mold are linked to more severe asthma, says Dr. Elizabeth Matsui of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Matsui led the earlier AAP study that precipitated this latest research on mouse allergens, which is the first of its kind.

Once these exposures are removed, children typically have a marked improvement in their asthma.

As far as mouse allergens, as many as 80 percent of U.S. homes contain detectable amounts of it, stressing the need for better anti-rodent measures in these spaces. And the problem is even more pronounced in homes located in urban enclaves, particularly those with high poverty rates  mouse allergens are as many as 1,000 times higher here than in suburban homes and neighborhoods.

Another major concern for asthma sufferers is the chemicals used in many household cleaning products and air fresheners, many of which are known respiratory irritants. Removing these from the home and replacing them with natural, essential oil-based alternatives is strongly advised.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

UPI.com
(Natural News) The entire organic community of the United States just won a massive victory that many may not yet even realize. Even though the DARK Act was passed by Obama and some Senate goons to prohibit labeling of GMOs nationwide, the US Court of Appeals just passed a law that enables states and counties to completely ban genetically engineered crops from ever being planted in the first place. Think about that for a minute. You see, back in the year 2000, Monsanto undermined all US organic and conventional farming by claiming that manipulating genomic material of plants did not introduce dangerous bacteria or even plant pests into the equation, but their noxious Frankenfoods prove otherwise. So biotechnology giants figured a way to not have their cancer-causing, Alzheimers-causing, pesticide-laden plants classified as a risk to the environment or humans. But now, none of that really matters anymore.

Thanks to the Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals and their recent interpretation of the Plant Protection Act, all U.S. states, counties, and local communities can actually ban (or regulate) the planting of any and all commercially-grown genetically engineered crops, no matter what the feds or Monsanto claims about GMO.

Neither the Plant Protection Act nor the DARK Act can stop states and counties from banning the planting of GMO crops

Farmers with seed sanctuaries around the country are celebrating this huge victory because they know exactly what it means. No farmer in America who has any lick of common sense wants genetically engineered seeds that contain pesticides in their genetic makeup. Its bad enough that 90% of US corn, soy, sugar beets, alfalfa, and canola are GMO, we dont need biotech corporations controlling all seeds and crops. This new court decision sets a precedent and puts in place a powerful fulcrum for stopping Monsanto and Bayer in their tracks, literally. If they cant plant and grow their Frankenfoods on our soil, they cant ruin the surrounding environment thats full of natural, healthy life either.

The court recognized the potential destruction to the environment and farmers from the widespread planting of Franken-crops citing well-documented concerns, including adverse economic impacts caused by transgenic farming on non-GE crops.

The reduction of biodiversity cited by the US courts as reason to limit GE crop planting

The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals also recognized that the cultivation of GE crops also may raise environmental concerns, such as harm to beneficial plants and animals caused by the increased use of pesticides sometimes associated with testing and growing GE crops, the proliferation of superweeds and other pests resistant to pesticides, and the reduction of biodiversity.

The court continued to protect organic farming rights for states and local communities throughout the United States, saying: The regulation of commercialized crops, both of GE and traditional varieties, remains within the authority of state and local governments.

Though the legislature left field trials of GE crops up to the nefarious USDA, as long as local and state authorities stand up for their newly declared rights to ban the planting of GM crops on their land, the organic world and conservation groups in general have won the war for clean food. Much like the victory celebrated recently by Sonoma County, California, when voters approved a measure to prohibit GE crops from being planted in their county (The Sonoma County Transgenic Contamination Ordinance), local and organic growers and producers nationwide have reason now to celebrate having power and control to protect Mother Nature and human health in general.

Organic farmers and consumers nationwide may have lost the GMO-labeling battle, but we just won the war  the one that bans the planting of Franken-crops! Now, at the local, county and state level, farmers and consumers can support organic crops right down to the roots, and thats even more important than labels. Its time to make sure everything you buy is local or labeled certified organic. Lets all work together to put the finishing touches on this clean food movement.

Sources:

EcoWatch.com

EcoWatch.com

SillySheeple.com
Monday, December 12, 2016 by: Howard Roark Tags: Flint water crisis , Lead in water This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) Dennis and Lee Ann Walters have two 5-year-old boys, and the twins have been poisoned by lead from Flint, Michigans tainted water supply. The boys continue to suffer health problems. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body and can cause brain damage. As noted by the Chicago Tribune, exposure to lead significantly increases the likelihood of violent behavior, and despite the removal of lead from paint and gasoline formulations years ago, it is common today to find dangerous levels of lead in children.

To add insult to injury, the Walters are now in the midst of a battle with the U.S. Navy. Dennis claims he is being persecuted in retaliation of Lee Anns advocacy efforts regarding the Flint water crisis.

According to CNN, Lee Ann Walters was the first to discover and then report to the Environmental Protection Agency that their water was contaminated with extremely high levels of lead. The mom noticed rashes on both boys and a pronounced orange tint to her tap water. Once aware of the problem, the EPA dragged its feet and took a year to issue its emergency order for Flint. Thousands of homes await retrofitting of water pipes, and on NPR radio, Flints mayor Karen Weaver admitted to a lack of funds and a slow pace of remediation.

CNN quotes Walters saying Were still recovering from Flint. We never thought wed be in this position again, explaining that she is afraid her husband is in danger of losing his job. We are afraid now for our livelihoods.

Since I testified at the state Senate hearing, things got progressively worse, Lee Anne Walters said. They threatened to force him into a hardship discharge if he didnt get me under control.

Dennis Walters, a 17-year veteran of the Navy, filed a complaint that outlines harassment, humiliation, and mistreatment while on the job. His claims include being forced to work extra long shifts without breaks at Naval Station Norfolk, and being denied training opportunities, among other offenses.

Dangerous waters

The Environmental Protection Agency was created with the responsibility of safeguarding our health; to protect us from chemical hazards in our air, water, and environment. When the EPA blatantly violates the publics trust, American citizens need to question the legitimacy of such federal agencies. If they cant accomplish their most fundamental job, that of ensuring the safety of our water supplies, why should they be funded by Congress? Unfortunately, we only get the government that we are willing to put up with, and no better. A reminder to all Americans: your duty in shaping our countrys destiny can and should include more than merely voting once per year. Get involved!

Dangerous waters of another sort

The Whistleblower Protection Act is supposed to protect federal employees from retaliation when they disclose abuse, corruption, fraud, and dangers to public health. In reality, the law does an abysmal job of protecting whistleblowers.

According to USAToday, The Merit Systems Protection Board, a quasi-judicial agency that adjudicates whistleblower complaints, uses appointed administrative law judges who often back the government. Since 2000, the board has ruled for whistleblowers just three times in 56 cases decided on their merits, according to a Government Accountability Project analysis.

USA Today further reported, The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) uses agency lawyers in the place of administrative law judges to decide federal employees whistleblower appeals. These lawyers, dubbed attorney examiners, deny 98% of whistleblower appeals

Once again, a Washington bureaucracy intended to protect its citizens does the very opposite. In this hostile climate, why would a potential whistleblower stick their neck out only to get harassed or fired? Why, indeed.

Sources:

CNN.com

USAToday.com

ChicagoTribune.com
Global food commodity prices dipped slightly in November, averaging 171.3 points, down 0.4 percent from October, but still 10.4 percent higher than in November 2015, according to the UNs Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index. The small decline marked a departure from an almost uninterrupted rising trend in the Index since the start of the year. Novembers easing was driven by a sharp dip in sugar prices, which more than offset a strong rebound in the prices of vegetable oils.

The Cereal Price Index averaged 141.4 points in November, down 0.6 percent from October and 7.9 percent below the previous years level. The strengthening U.S. dollar and ample supplies contributed to the generally weak tone lingering in cereal markets. Good harvest prospects in Argentina and Australia weighed on wheat quotations. International rice prices remained close to multi-year lows reached in October, amid relentless pressure applied by new-crop arrivals and sluggish demand.

The Vegetable Oil Price Index rose to 175.6 in November, up 4.5 percent from October and marking the highest level since August 2014. The strong rebound was primarily driven by palm oil, whose prices strengthened amid lower than anticipated production in Southeast Asia and prospects of continued global supply tightness. Soy oil quotations also appreciated, reflecting firm global import demand coupled with below-potential crushings in South America. Prospects of rising demand for vegetable oils from the biodiesel sector also lent support to prices.

The Dairy Price Index averaged 186.4 points in November, up 1.9 percent from October. Quotations rose for whole milk powder (WMP) in particular; butter also firmed. Sustained import demand by markets in the Middle East and North Africa, plus China, combined with limited availability from New Zealand, the main world supplier, led to WMP prices jumping by 9 percent. For butter, the market tightened due to rising domestic usage in the European Union and the United States and robust import demand elsewhere. Cheese and skimmed milk powder supply and demand were well-balanced, and prices remained steady.

The Sugar Price Index averaged 287.1 points in November, down nearly 8.9 percent from October and marking the first decline after six consecutive monthly increases. The fall in international sugar prices was largely imputable to a weakening of the Brazilian currency with respect to the U.S. dollar, which stimulated sugar exports from Brazil, the worlds largest sugar producer and exporter. Reports of a higher than expected harvest in the Center South, Brazils main producing region, also helped to pressure sugar prices downward.

The Meat Price Index averaged 161.5 points in November, essentially unchanged from its revised value for October. Lower prices for ovine meat, pig meat and chicken meat were counter balanced by a rise in bovine meat quotations. Adequate availability of pig meat within the European Union, ahead of the peak season for ovine meat production in Oceania and a continued downward drift in chicken meat prices contributed to quotations for these commodities falling back somewhat. Conversely, tighter domestic supplies of bovine meat in Australia caused export quotations from this source to increase.




We may be approaching a time when custom-made humans exist, depending on how current debates on open science goes. The week for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria has opened for quite the heated debate.



This marks the historic "fight" for the patent rights to the CRISPR gene-editing technology, famous (or infamous?) for quite the unimaginable feats for the past few months.



CRISPR, or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows scientists to almost literally "edit" DNA. Its unparalleled ease and precision have allowed researchers to unlock various new possibilities in the realm of genetics.



However, it appears two institutions -- MIT and Harvard's Broad Institute and University of California, Berkeley -- are locked in a cage match that can decide whether or not CRISPR will be privatized.



According to Science Magazine, on one hand, there's Harvard and MIT's Broad Institute where Feng Zhang was the first to file patents using CRISPR to edit eukaryote cells. On the other corner is Jennifer Doudna of University of California, Berkeley claiming she discovered CRISPR before Zhang filed his patent papers.



Regardless, if one of them wins, they emerge not only with billions of credit in licensing fees, but they will also have total control over one of the world's most important new discoveries. They would be able to alter plants and animals in very dramatic fashion, to the point of creating designer livestock, and develop therapies for cancer and other diseases.



But not if open science advocates do not let them.



According to CBC, Alec Edwards of the University of Toronto thinks privatizing CRISPR can be "terrible" for the medical community. He said this can slow down discovery, the uptake of technology, and the ability to make cures.



Edwards is known for advocating publicly funded science in Toronto for more than 10 years. He has given away volumes of scientific data that can be transformed into new drugs.



His approach is also radical in the public sector research field, especially in the Structural Genomics Consortium where he heads a group of 300 scientists funded by multiple public and private organizations.



However, Edwards is not the only one advocating in open science. The Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University has sworn off patenting their research into neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, ALS, and glioma brain tumors.



Guy Rouleau, director of the institute, said this is not because of the sake of being "open," but to do what's necessary to get treatments faster.



Unfortunately, the patenting race is something that has been going on for a while. Governments and universities are known to be pressuring academic researchers to patent everything they discover.



However, Edwards still believes the original purpose of patenting technologies is to "get" them out and help develop technologies and medicines to benefit society.



Interestingly, CRISPR did not need the help of patenting in this regard, as universities have immediately picked up the method after it was introduced.



Sadly, Edwards said the entire patent debacle offers "nothing but incentive" to the institutions involved and creates uncertainty.



According to Nature, the potential patent will allow the winning institution access to the technology for 20 years, and similar patents may be issued in the European Union and Australia.
Alien enthusiasts are claiming that they have found evidence proving that aliens existed on Mars.

According to Express, the conspiracy theorists have spotted three mile-high towers built in a line on the surface of the Red Planet.

READ: Aliens on Mars: NASA Captures Mysterious 'Ancient City' on the Red Planet

The bizarre structure was first noted by YouTube channel Mundodesconocido. The Youtube channel posted a video discussing the structure.



The video description read:

"Investigating on some Mars images, we have recently found a row of huge towers located in the Martian area of Terra Meridiani. Due to their peculiar features, we believe that they have an artificial origin. In the following video, we will show you all the amazing information, evidences as well as animated 3D models that will allow you to evaluate correctly the information we propose."

Headlines and Global News claims that the images on the video were gathered from the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey missions.



Inquistr notes that the photos were taken years apart, yet the photos were matching. It also showed that the towers have similar formations with the same alignment. Given its almost perfect structure, the conspiracy theorist said it's impossible that those towers are results of natural erosive or weathering processes.



Popular UFO expert Scott Waring shared his thoughts about the tower. On his blog, UFO Sightings Daily, he wrote:



"There is a whole planet full of buildings and artefacts to be discovered on Mars. Here is a fantastic example of that posted by Youtube user Mundodesconocido. He found three towers that look to be almost a mile in height or more. They all look like they were made well because none of them is destroyed. They would be perfect for setting up a human Mars base at...if they are empty of course."

Meanwhile, neurologists have previously claimed that it's possible that UFO enthusiasts are seeing things they are not supposed to see because of a phenomenon called pareidolia, which Live Science defines asa type of apophenia, which is a more generalized term for seeing patterns in random data.
Cassini is preparing for its third orbit to Saturn's ring and has already sent images from its first one. Aside from the stunning images sent back by the NASA spacecraft, a new study suggests that the moons near Saturn's ring could be younger than previously thought and the data collected by the spacecraft may help confirm the said theory.

The NASA Cassini spacecraft is currently completing 20 orbit dives between Saturn's rings as part of its mission before its "death dive" in 2017. The orbits are expected to produce significant data and never-before-seen images of the planet and its moons. To make the mission more interesting, a new study says some of the planet's moons are younger than previously thought and Cassini's orbit may help gather more data to prove it.

"All of these Cassini mission measurements are changing our view of the Saturnian system, as it turns out old theories upside down," Radwan Tajeddine, research associate in astronomy from Cornell University said in a press release. "It takes one good spacecraft to tell us how wrong we were in the past."

A team from Paris Observatory released a new study that presents the measurements that could prove that Saturn's moons are younger than previously thought. The team measured the planet's rigidity called "Saturn's Love number" in order to arrive at their conclusion. Based on the study, most of the moons move away from their parent planet in a faster way that exceeds the expected rate.

In order to formally study the planet's Love number, researchers compared old images of the region to the photographs taken by Cassini. The study was focused on Saturn's four moonlets or tiny moons and their orbits.

"By monitoring these disturbances, we managed to obtain the first measurement of Saturn's Love number and distinguish it from the planet's dissipation factor," Tajeddine said in the same press release. "The moons are migrating faster than expected."

If the moons are traveling faster, this could mean that their projected age should be younger as well. If Saturn formed 4.5 billion years ago, then the moons would have moved further away than expected and should be younger than initially thought.

The experts themselves agree that in order to nullify or confirm the theory, an innovative spacecraft is vital. NASA Cassini will play a huge role in further understanding the planet and its moons as it continues to dive into Saturn's rings.
How often does anyone chance upon a mysterious looking "alien" pod on the beach? In New Zealand, residents are currently investigating an odd-looking object that washed up on the shore of Auckland.

The mysterious weird looking barnacle caused a lot of confusion, even on social media. Some say it's an alien capsule or a time travel pod while some speculated that it could be an odd-looking sea monster. A few days after it was discovered, it has earned its social media name the "Muriwai monster" after the beach it was found.

The object washed ashore in Muriwai beach in Auckland. It is heavily covered with seaweeds, making it more difficult to decipher its form. But whatever the object is, it is currently circulating on various social media sites that have gotten even the experts bewildered as to the origin of the mysterious "alien" pod.

Local resident Melissa Doubleday was the first to catch a glimpse of the weird pod on the beach, according to Daily Mail. The resident spotted the Muriwai monster on the beach while driving. "I actually thought it was a washed up whale as I approached it, so weird," Doubleday said in an interview.

Mysterious object washes up on NZ beach, baffling locals, dubbed the '#Muriwai monster' https://t.co/nnDUXEObwe  RT (@RT_com) December 11, 2016

Today, crowds gather on Muriwai beach to marvel on the mysterious looking pod, which appears to have some sort of tentacles or sea-creature enveloping the object. Other residents who live near the beach say they haven't seen anything like this before.

"This is the biggest one I've seen. It's got a putrid smell when you're downwind and when you look closely it looks like wiggling worms," Muriwai resident Rani Timot said in an interview.

To satiate the curiosity behind the mysterious alien pod, some experts could offer a conclusion about what the object could be. Based on the observation of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society, it could only be driftwood entirely covered in gooseneck barnacles. Gooseneck barnacles are a type of crustaceans that are known to cling to objects like rocks and wood.

If that's the case, that is one odd-looking driftwood that had managed to baffle residents and passersby in the said Auckland beach that even earned its own name, the "Muriwai monster". With that said, there are no 'alien' pods discovered just yet, to the disappointment of alien hunters and conspiracy theorists.
President-elect Donald Trump is planning to withdraw from the Paris Global Warming Agreement that was signed a year ago. Trump believes that "nobody really knows" if climate change is real. His statements have caused furor especially with French President Francois Holland.

"Now, Paris, I'm studying. I do say this. I don't want that agreement to put us at a competitive disadvantage with other countries," stated Trump, adding, "And as you know, there are different times and different time limits on that agreement. I don't want that to give China, or other countries signing agreements, an advantage over us."

During an interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump claims he's "open-minded" on the issue of climate change but is concerned with the efforts of the past administration on the matter. As for Trump, this is not the first time he has spoken against the realities of climate change and global warming.

In his presidential campaign, Trump stated climate change was a hoax. At a town hall in New Hampshire, Trump after a show of hands on his question if anybody believed in global warming was quick to state that "nobody believes in climate change."

"I'm still open-minded. Nobody really knows. Look, I'm somebody that gets it, and nobody really knows. It's not something that's so hard and fast. I do know this: Other countries are eating our lunch."

As for Trump's response that he plans on backing out of the Paris Global Warming Agreement, President Holland has spoken up and is planning to set a meeting with Trump on behalf of the other countries who have been part of the agreement.

"The United States, the most powerful economy in the world, the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, must respect the commitments that were made. It's not simply their duty, it's in their interest," stated Holland.

In response to Trump's statements, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed a tariff on products imported from the United States, that is if Trump does back out of the Paris Global Warming Agreement.
During the visit of President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite to Kyiv, Ukraine and Lithuania signed several bilateral agreements.

According to the press service of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, in the framework of the visit an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine and the Ministry of Environment of Lithuania on cooperation in the sphere of environmental protection.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding between the two countries' Ministries of Health was signed in the presence of the presidents of the two countries, as well as a protocol on cooperation between the State Service of Ukraine on Labor and the State Labor Inspectorate of Lithuania.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite is on an official visit to Kyiv.
These days, the existence of extraterrestrial life, more popularly known as aliens, is no longer dismissed as a farfetched notion. With eagled-eye alien hunters spotting UFO after UFO in every NASA-released photograph and experts neither confirming nor denying its possibility.

Even astronomers from the Catholic Church - the very same church that vilified and denounced Galileo "for holding as true the false doctrine taught by some that the Sun is the center of the world and immovable and that the Earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion" in 1633 - acknowledge the plausibility of the alien life theory.

Rumor has it the Vatican, home to the Pope, knows more about extraterrestrial life than it has led us to believe and holds alien secrets it plans to divulge through a press conference in months to come, a report by Disclose.tv claims. The article cited Father Jose Gabriel Funes and Brother Guy Consolmagno, both from the Vatican Observatory (the Specola Vaticana in Latin), an astronomical research and educational institution supported by the Holy See.

In recent years, Father Funes, a master's degree holder in astronomy from the National University of Cordoba in Argentina, has given statements recognizing alien life.

In 2008, after NASA's breakthrough discovery of an Earth-like planet 1,400 light years away through the Kepler telescope, the Vatican Observatory Director wrote in L'Osservatore Romano:

"The discovery of the new planet Kepler 452b revives the idea that contact and, why not, the encounter with extraterrestrial intelligent beings of an alien civilization could happen in the near future."

Father Funes was also quoted saying, "It is probably there was life and perhaps a form of intelligent life... I don't think we'll ever meet a Mr Spock," In a 2015 article by the Daily Mail UK. "The discovery of intelligent life does not mean there's another Jesus. The Incarnation of the son of God is a unique event in the history of humanity of the universe," he quickly added.

The Vatican Observatory has been researching about heavens and beyond as far back as 1852. Conspiracy theorists have long suggested that the Vatican is privy of top secret information about aliens.
The first funeral services for 36 Oakland warehouse fire victims took place Sunday, one in Berkeley and another in Lafayette.

Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, grew up in Berkeley, the youngest of Diane and Ed Bernbaums two sons. He loved "Star Wars" as a boy, and as he grew, he became an advocate for social justice.

"Jonathan loved to debate and argue," Ed Bernbaum said. "He had a brilliant and insightful mind and an aggressive way of arguing."

Friends and his older brother said Bernbaum had found his niche as a VJ, combining the visual arts with music.

"He courted mentors, invested in gear and within a ridiculously short amount of time, was making art at every party he could," David Bernbaum said.

Like many of the warehouse fires 36 victims, Bernbaum was an artist who sought independence. He earned a master's degree in film, and even that had not made for an easy career launch in a tough business.

"He rejected the Hollywood gigs and corporate games," said Varya Simpson, Bernbaums friend since middle school.

Another friend, Nabila Lester said "he was just audacious about everything, but particularly about his art."

A memorial service also was held in Lafayette for Sara Hoda, who taught young children in Oakland.

At Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, the bells tolled 36 times, once for each victim.

"It reminded me of the AIDS crisis, how we lost so many beautiful creators, designers and thinkers," said the Rev. Malcolm Young, Grace Cathedral's dean.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Interfaith Council launched a special task force working to encourage churches to make available underused property for affordable housing to provide another option besides warehouses such as the so-called Ghost Ship.
Millions across the Northeast were bracing Monday for a snowstorm churning east from the Plains and Great Lakes that canceled more than 1,400 flights in Chicago and sent a plane sliding off an icy Detroit runway.

The storms nearly week-long cross-country push is likely to end Monday and could dump 3 inches to a foot of snow across large swaths of the Northeast, NBC News reported.

The worst is expected to remain north of Interstate 80, according to The Weather Channel, with parts of New York State, New Hampshire, Vermont and much of Maine forecast to be hardest-hit.
As Seen On
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko insists that the decisions of the European Commission on the OPAL gas pipeline that opens opportunities for Russia's Gazprom to boost gas supplies to Europe bypassing Ukraine is a mistake.

"We have agreed to effectively coordinate our steps also in energy security issues. You know that today support of Ukraine's position that the decisions of the European Commission that would permit Gazprom to increase gas pumping via the OPAL pipeline and could open a way for the implementation of Nord Stream 2 is a mistake is important for us," he said at a joint briefing with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in Kyiv on Monday.

Poroshenko said that the Nord Stream 2 project is unviable. It aims only at continuing the hybrid war, expansion and causing material damage to Ukraine and other countries.

Earlier this decision was criticized by the Ukrainian president and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Once one of Illinois brightest political stars, former congressman Aaron Schock pleaded not guilty Monday, to charges that he looted his campaign and office accounts to fund a high-flying lifestyle.

I have full confidence in my legal team, Schock said in the bitter cold outside the federal courthouse in Springfield. Full confidence in the good people of this community, and Im confident that in the end, justice will prevail.

Schock was indicted on 24 counts last month, charges ranging from falsification of election filings and tax returns, false statements, mail and wire fraud and theft of government funds.

In court, it was revealed that Schock has been working at two jobs, and he was granted permission to travel to Los Angeles where he reportedly now maintains his primary residence. The former congressman was given permission to talk to some witnesses who are members of his family, but ordered not to discuss the case.

Schock reportedly has about $379,000 remaining in three separate campaign-related accounts. The judge ruled he can use those funds to help defray costs of his defense.

Schocks trial was set for February 7, a date that almost certainly will change.
Well, surprise, surprise.

There are always a few when the Golden Globes nominations are announced and this year was no exception.

Tom Hanks was left high and dry as his portrayal of Chesley Sullenberger in Sully wasnt deemed worthy of a nomination.

Practically every other lead actor in the FX hit The People Vs. O.J." secured nominations, including Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark, Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden, and John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, but there was no love for Cuba Gooding Jr., who played the titular character.

[NATL] Golden Globe Nominees 2017

In the film category, Taraji P. Hensons dramatic turn as a NASA mathematician instrumental to the space race was passed over while co-star Octavia Spencer received a supporting actress nomination for the film.

The NBC hit This is Us" nabbed a handful of acting nominations, including for actresses Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz. But everyones favorite mustachioed-dad on the show, Milo Ventimiglia, went un-nominated.

[[406047905, C]]

Lena Headey nabbed a nomination as the villainous Cersei Lannister on HBOs Game of Thrones, but the resurrected Jon Snow, played by Kit Harrington, was apparently better off dead as his performance went unrecognized.

And Fences, the Tony-winning Broadway play turned film starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, was recognized in the acting categories, but was shut out in best picture and best director race.

Last year the Golden Globes red carpet was about sheer panels on dresses and lots of white, but 2016 will be all about color and bling. Tune in to catch it all.

The Jan. 8 Golden Globes will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon and broadcast by NBC from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Two men have been killed and at least 12 other people wounded in shootings across the city since Friday evening, according to Chicago Police.

The most recent fatal shooting happened Sunday afternoon in the Riverdale neighborhood on the Far South Side.

At 12:04 p.m., Anthony Barr, 45, was sitting in the drivers seat of a parked blue SUV in the 300 block of East 136th Street when he was approached by two males who opened fire before running away, police said. He was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. He lived in the 15000 block of Vine Avenue in Harvey.

The other fatal shooting happened Friday night in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side. Just after 10 p.m., the 34-year-old man was shot in the chest by someone he knew during a fight inside a home in the 8000 block of South Evans, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not yet been released.

Area South detectives were questioning a person in custody early Saturday, police said.

The most recent nonfatal shooting happened Sunday night in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the South Side near Jackson Park. About 7 p.m., a man, 23, and a woman, 18, were shot in the 6600 block of South Stony Island, according to police. The man was shot in the head and the woman was shot in her back and right leg. Both were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where the man was in serious condition and the womans condition had stabilized.

Sunday afternoon, a 16-year-old boy was shot in the Lawndale neighborhood on the Southwest Side, police said. About 2:40 p.m., he was outside in the 1300 block of South Millard when he heard gunshots and felt pain. He was struck in the right leg and took himself to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was in good condition.

Early Sunday, a man was shot in the West Pullman neighborhood on the Far South Side. About 1:35 a.m., the 20-year-old was walking in an alley in the 600 block of West 129th Place when someone in a white SUV fired shots striking him in the left thigh and right buttocks, police said. The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where his condition was stabilized.

Five minutes before, a man was shot in the Lawndale neighborhood on the Southwest Side. The 20-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk in the 4000 block of South Polk when two people walked up and fired shots, striking him in the abdomen, police said. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

At 7:53 p.m. Saturday, a man was shot in the North Austin neighborhood on the West Side. The 25-year-old man was in the hallway of a two-flat building in the 1600 block of North Mason when a person approached him and started shooting, police said. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and took himself to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, where his condition was stabilized.

Earlier in the afternoon, a woman was shot in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the West Side. The 19-year-old told investigators she was inside a vehicle at 12:25 p.m. in the 900 block of North Homan when a car pulled alongside it and someone inside opened fire, according to police. She suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.

On Saturday morning, a man was shot and seriously wounded in the Princeton Park neighborhood on the South Side. The 28-year-old was shot in the upper right thigh at 6:21 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Wentworth, according to police. Acquaintances drove him to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park before he was transferred to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition.

Nearly three hours earlier, a man was shot during a robbery attempt in the South Side Washington Park neighborhood. About 3:30 a.m., the 32-year-old was walking in the 5900 block of South Calumet when two people walked up and demanded his things, with one of them brandishing a handgun, police said. He swatted at the gun, which went off and hit his right foot. The robbers ran away empty-handed. The man was listed in good condition at University of Chicago Medical Center.

A 16-year-old boy was shot Friday night in the West Englewood neighborhood on the South Side. He was standing on the sidewalk about 9:50 p.m. in the 6900 block of South Hermitage when he heard gunfire and felt pain, according to police. A family member drove him to Holy Cross Hospital with a gunshot wound to his back. He was later transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition stabilized.

Earlier Friday evening in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side, a 50-year-old man was walking at 5:32 p.m. in the 1100 block of South Francisco when someone in a white vehicle fired shots, according to police. He was shot in the arm and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.

The weekends first shooting happened minutes before in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side. A 20-year-old man was standing in the street at 5:26 p.m. in the 1600 block of North Cicero when a vehicle pulled up and someone fired shots, police said. He suffered gunshot wounds to the shoulder and hip and was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition.
A photographer doing a shoot in downtown Chicago over the weekend happened to catch a proposal in the midst of a winter wonderland in the city. He then set out on a social media mission to find the mystery couple and share the image of their exciting moment.

Julio Salazar of JCphotography said he was doing a photoshoot with a client around 4:15 p.m. Saturday near the citys iconic Bean when he noticed a proposal was happening right next to him.

He quickly turned and captured the moment  a man with a ring in his hand and a shocked woman in awe, her hands covering her face.

I captured the moment without them knowing and wanted to get a print to them, Salazar wrote in a Facebook post Sunday hoping to find the newly engaged couple. If anyone knows who these people are please tag them or send me their Facebook.

The photo was shared more than 800 times in less than 5 hours.

In less than a day, after the photo made local headlines and was shared more than 1,000 times, Salazar said he was able to find the mystery couple through a mutual friend.

Salazar said he plans to give the couple the image of their unforgettable moment. He said he was overwhelmed by the response to his post.
Congress' top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIA's belief that Russia meddled in last month's election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.

"The Russians are not our friends," declared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as GOP leaders steered toward a path contrasting starkly with the president-elect's belittling dismissal of the spy agency's assessment and his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Senate's intelligence panel, led by Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct a bipartisan inquiry, according to McConnell, who also expressed support for a related probe by the Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Though declining to say whether he believes Russia tried tilting the election toward Trump, McConnell said, "I hope that those who are going to be in positions of responsibility in the new administration share my view" about Moscow.

Shortly afterward, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a statement backing an investigation the House Intelligence Committee has already started on cyber threats posed by foreign countries and extremist groups. He called any Russian intervention "especially problematic because under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests."

Underscoring the possible collisions ahead between Trump and the men leading his party in Congress, McConnell and Ryan struck tones markedly more confrontational toward Russia than he has.

Trump on Sunday called the CIA's contention "ridiculous" and blamed the disclosures concerning its assessment on Democrats who he said were embarrassed over losing last month's election.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., released a letter Monday to National Intelligence Director James Clapper complaining that recent reports of the CIA's conclusion clashed with Clapper's prior statement that he lacked "good insight" about the connection between Russian hacking of Democratic campaign documents and their release by WikiLeaks. Nunes requested a briefing on the subject for this week.

The GOP leaders expressed their views after a weekend in which Trump also said he would not need daily intelligence briefings, a staple of presidents' days for decades and a flouting of a convention common for presidential transitions.

Meanwhile, Trump continued his cavalcade of meetings in his Trump Tower offices in New York on Monday with potential appointees for his new administration and other leading GOP, congressional and corporate figures. Among them was Carly Fiorina, who unsuccessfully vied with Trump this year for their party's nomination.

Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, was there to discuss national security issues and is seen by some Trump advisers as a candidate to be director of national intelligence, overseeing the government's 17 intelligence agencies. She chaired an external CIA advisory board under President George W. Bush but has not worked for the federal government.

Fiorina said her conversation with Trump included "hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking."

Others meeting with Trump included moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, No. 3 House GOP leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another GOP presidential contender whom Trump defeated.

The campaign chairman for defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged the Obama administration Monday to reveal what it knows about any Russian efforts to help Trump win. John Podesta, whose emails were stolen and posted online, said the administration "owes it to the American people" to release details of the intrusions, which included the hacking of Democratic Party files.

Podesta said the Clinton campaigns also supports a call by 10 of the 538 members of the Electoral College for Clapper to provide information that intelligence agencies have gathered on the subject.

All 10 are unlikely to vote for Trump when the Electoral College meets next Monday. Nine are Democrats, and Texas Republican Chris Suprun has said he won't vote for Trump.

Other Democrats calling for congressional investigations of Russia's role in the elections include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

"There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions," she said.

McConnell said he has "the highest confidence" in U.S. intelligence agencies and said it "defies belief" that Senate Republicans would be reluctant to scrutinize Russian tactics. He recounted Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, said Baltic nation leaders are nervous about Moscow and pointedly praised NATO, the alliance that Trump criticized repeatedly during his campaign.

"I think we ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well," McConnell said.

In a nod to the Trump assertion about Democrats' motives, Ryan said the congressional inquiries "should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election."

As expected, Trump's transition team formally announced he would name Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, 56, to head the White House National Economic Council. The council provides policy advice to the president.

Trump's team also said he'd picked Gen. John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly is a former commander of U.S. Southern Command.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal reacted strongly Monday, hours after a tweet by President-elect Donald Trump that called costs for the F-35 fighter jet program "out of control."

Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney makes the engines for the F-35, which is manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

"The F-35 program and cost is out of control," Trump tweeted Monday morning. "Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th."

The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

Shares of Lockheed Martin fell 5-percent in early trading after Trump issued the tweet.

The F-35 program made up 20 percent of Lockheed's total revenue last year.

Shares of Pratt & Whitney parent company United Technologies briefly fell Monday morning, but gained after a few hours of trading.

"I will continue to fight for the the F-35 program that is essential to American air superiority, our NATO allies, Israel's common defense against Russia's robust air assets and missiles, and other potential threats to American security across the globe," Sen. Blumenthal said in a statement. "Reducing unnecessary costs is a welcome and important effort, but it cannot detract from our continued commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter, and the edge these jets provide our military that is so critical to our national defense and our alliances abroad."

This is the second time in a week that Trump has blasted U.S. aircraft spending. Last week, Trump tweeted that costs to build new presidential planes by Boeing Corp. were "out of control" and ended the tweet with "Cancel order!"

NBC Connecticut reached out to representatives from Pratt & Whitney and they declined to comment.
Federal investigators from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms announced Sunday they have completed their work at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, where 36 people died in a fire Dec. 2.

The ATF left the scene of the country's deadliest building fire in more than 13 years, but the agency made a point of saying its investigation is far from over.

Officials will hold a news conference Tuesday to provide updates.

As Oakland police were removing barriers from the site, people continued gathering to mourn.

One group of family and friends moved in to get a closer look, and many who converged along 31st Avenue helped move flowers and candles from a massive makeshift memorial and placed them in front of a fence that surrounds whats left of the burned building.

Across the bay, at the Mezzanine in San Francisco, family and friends of victims, along with many in the arts communities in Oakland and San Francisco, attended the Oakland Fire Relief benefit concert featuring Moby.

Those in attendance said they're trying to make it to as many victims' benefits as possible. Tayler Williams, who works in music, came early to line up for the show.

"A lot people foster their creativity in this community so it's definitely really important for us to show our support," Williams said.

The parents of victim Joseph Matlock, who goes by Joey Casio, said he had a love of music and a kind heart. He was an electronic musician who was scheduled to perform that night. They remember a song called "Share the Cup."

"This was Joey, that he would share anything and he looked out for others. First others, then himself," John Matlock said about his son. "Spare the sword. Joey was a peacemaker. He would look for consideration instead of hostility in every environment he was in, and that song to us really epitomizes the personality of the son we have left."

The Matlocks hail from Washington state. They said theyre happy to discover a whole new community of people, fabulous artists, who loved their son.
After apologizing to the Dallas police for "wasting their time" following a disorderly conduct arrest at Dallas Love Field Thursday, comedic actor Judge Reinhold is taking his sense of humor to Twitter.

In a series of tweets published Saturday night, Reinhold thanked his friends and fans for their support through his recent misadventures.

He went on to tweet two lighthearted tweets about the cost of his arrest at Love Field being "priceless" -- a play on the MasterCard series of commercials in recent years -- and another about a booking officer calling him by his character's name in the Beverly Hills Cop series of movies where he played Detective Billy Rosewood.

Best line of a bad night -



Booking sergeant:

"Hey Billy! Can't you book yourself?!"#dontmesswithtexas  Judge Reinhold (@JudgeReinhold) December 11, 2016

Dallas police said they were called to the airport by the Transportation Security Administration "regarding an individual causing a disturbance by refusing to submit to a screening at the appropriate checkpoint area."

The 59-year-old actors lawyer, Dallas attorney Steve Stodghill, told The Dallas Morning News Reinhold passed through security but was stopped when his bag set off an alarm. Stodghill told DallasNews.com that when TSA agents asked to pat Reinhold down again, he questioned the procedure since he had already cleared the scanner without incident.

[NATL] Famous Mug Shots: Sam Hunt

Reinhold is best known for his roles in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "Gremlins," the "Beverly Hills Cop" series and "Ruthless People." He is also known for his role as the "close-talker" Aaron on NBC's hit series "Seinfeld."

He was transported to Lew Sterrett Justice Center and charged with the class C misdemeanor.

Reinhold's attorney released a statement Friday on behalf of the actor.
A Richardson family with "ongoing health issues" had trouble getting their Member ID from their insurance provider, which made trips to the doctor a nightmare.

"I just want what I paid for," Kathleen Callihan said.

Callihan signed up for a new policy with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and she thought she was good to go. Her plan would start Nov. 1.

"They acknowledged that enrollment has been done way in advance and payment had been received," she said.

The Callihans were all set, so she made an appointment for her husband with a primary care doctor Nov. 12.

"The financial lady at the doctor spent over an hour on the phone with BCBS of Texas," she said.

Callihan gave them her date of birth and social security number, but her plan wasn't coming up. No one with BCBS could tell them their Member ID.

"So we were sent away," she said.

Phone calls to the insurance company were unsuccessful.

"I was fast tracked three different times," she said. "I had several phone calls each and every day. A total of 26 phone calls."

Callihan also contacted the Texas Department of Insurance and the Health Insurance Marketplace. When she couldn't get results, she contacted NBC 5 Responds.

"Within 45 minutes, I had a call from BCBS telling me I had a Member ID," she said. "That was quick!"

The Callihans were finally able to get their Member ID on Nov. 24 and, most importantly, see the doctor after weeks of waiting.

BCBS sent the following statement:

"We have confirmed that her policy is indeed in effect. One of our customer advocate specialists has personally reached out to her to offer any assistance she may require... as well as to apologize for any inconvenience she may have experienced during her enrollment process."

The Callihans, though, said they're still frustrated about their experience of paying for a service they couldn't use.

"I basically lost a whole month of coverage," Callihan said. "I asked Blue Cross is it possible to get a credit and their response has been, 'You had coverage.' That I should have just paid for it out of pocket and that they would have reimbursed me."

We reached asked BCBS if the Callihan family will be reimbursed for the weeks they weren't able to use their insurance. BCBS hasn't yet responded.

If you're signing up for health insurance, here are some things to keep in mind:
The State of Texas has been given a $5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat the Zika virus.

The grant money is earmarked for the Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR) campaign and was awarded by Congress to increase public health preparedness and response funding to protect Americans from Zika virus infection.

The grant comes just days after the state confirmed four additional locally transmitted cases of Zika virus. State officials said the people were likely infected along the border, near Brownsville.

"Now that Texas has confirmed cases of local transmission of the Zika virus, this money will be crucial in our efforts to contain and combat further transmission of the virus," said Gov. Greg Abbott. "Texas has been at the forefront of developing and implementing the strongest possible Zika response plan and we will continue to work with our local and federal partners to ensure our communities have the tools they need to combat the Zika virus."

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has dedicated $18 million to combating the Zika virus and implementing the state's Preparedness and Response plan.

For more information, visit http://texaszika.org/

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites

Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.

in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent. DEET : Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.

: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent. Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.

It has been recommended in the past that to avoid mosquito bites you should avoid being outdoors during Dusk and Dawn (the 4 Ds). While this is true for mosquitoes that commonly carry the West Nile virus, other types of mosquitoes that are more likely to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya are active during the day. When outdoors, no matter what time of day, adjust your dress accordingly and wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as your first line of defense against insect bites.
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite has urged the Ukrainian society to join in the reforms and opposition to corruption, which, in her opinion, brings more harm to Ukraine than military actions.

"Your country is now passing through a very important and far-reaching reforms, which are painful for the people, and it is important to maintain patience ... Recent e-declarations have demonstrated that you have a lot of work ahead in the fight against corruption, which sometimes does more harm to your country than war. It is a challenge, which politicians alone can not overcome. It is necessary that all the people of Ukraine to be united," she said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv on Monday.

Grybauskaite also noted that the Lithuanian authorities will support Ukraine in implementing reforms at all levels: international, European and bilateral.
Texas Department of Transportation crews finished removing the colorful state of Texas outline on the Interstate 20 median in far southwest Dallas on Tuesday.

TxDOT removed the installation over safety concerns where drivers were entering and exiting the freeway without a ramp.

Crews Remove Texas Flag Installation from Hill

Over the years, the feature had become such a popular attraction for photos that drivers carved a dirt pathway into the grassy area between Mountain Creek Parkway and Spur 408, ignoring several "Keep Off Median" signs on the highway's shoulder.

Most challenging for visitors with the current arrangement is getting back on the interstate from the bumpy median shoulder without causing a crash or posing a hazard to drivers on the freeway.

The paneling around the emblem was removed Monday afternoon. The brightly-turf that makes up the flag will be taken away on Tuesday.

The colorful state of Texas outline on the Interstate 20 median in far southwest Dallas is being removed Monday.

The installation will be turned over to the city of Grand Prairie, though what will happen to it after that remains a mystery. City spokesperson Amy Sprinkles said the installation will be kept in a city storage facility until they find it a permanent home.

The display was built in 2010 as a Boy Scouts project, according to Ryan LaFontaine with the Texas Department of Transportation.

LaFontaine said activity has increased so much in the last several months that TxDot had no choice but to take action.

"We understand this emblem has been a source of pride for North Texans and all Texans for a long time now so we dont want to take it away, we want to find a safe location so people can access this," LaFontaine said.

The Texas Department of Transportation regrets allowing the popular Texas state symbol in the I-20 median in far southwest Dallas and refuses to install a rest area there because of safety concerns.

Fans of the installation suggested the state turn the area into a rest area with proper exits and entrances. LaFontaine said TxDOT does not build rest areas in medians with center lane access because of safety concerns.

The Dallas County Sheriff's Department is responsible for traffic enforcement on the interstate and Dallas police are responsible for law enforcement on the median. Information requests to both resulted in no records of significant accident history or ticket writing at the location.

Morris Jett

Even so, LaFontaine said the area is just too dangerous for drivers.

On Monday, NBC 5 viewers were polled about the removal of the installation. In total, 24,036 people voted in the poll--18 percent wanted it moved somewhere else, 80 percent voted to keep it where it was and two percent wanted it removed all together.

Your Photos at Iconic Texas Emblem

NBC 5's Frank Heinz and Ken Kalthoff contributed to this report.
A handful of members of the Electoral College, including a rogue Republican who says he won't vote for President-elect Donald Trump, are demanding an intelligence briefing on whether the government is investigating links between Trump's campaign and Russia.

Ten electors on Monday released an "open letter" to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper requesting information about ongoing investigations on ties between Trump and "Russian government interference in the election."

The letter, released on the social media site Medium, was written by Christine Pelosi, the daughter of top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California.

Hillary Clinton's campaign is backing the effort. Top political aide John Podesta said electors have "a solemn responsibility under the Constitution" and should have their questions answered.

Her campaign is also calling on the Obama administration to declassify information around Russia's role in the election.

Weekend reports found that some in the intelligence community believe Russia released hacked emails to aide President-elect Donald Trump. A bipartisan group in the Senate is calling for an investigation.

None of the electors is likely to vote for Trump. The votes are cast on Dec. 19.

Nine are Democrats and the sole Republican to sign the letter is Chris Suprun, a Texas paramedic who says he won't vote for Trump, citing a Federalist paper by Alexander Hamilton that says electors must determine that the president is qualified and independent from foreign influence.

Suprun attracted national attention with a New York Times column last week in which he said Trump is "someone who shows daily he is not qualified for the office."

The letter says the Founding Fathers envisioned the Electoral College as a deliberative body and not simply a rubber stamp to ratify the results.

"The Constitution envisions the Electoral College as a deliberative body that plays a critical role in our system of government  ensuring that the American people elect a president who is constitutionally qualified and fit to serve," the electors wrote.

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have passed laws designed to bind members of the Electoral College so that they are not "faithless electors."
A British man flew his girlfriend all the way across the pond to New York City so he could propose to her at the firehouse used in the "Ghostbusters" franchise.

Wearing a hard hat and safety vest, Giles Baugh dropped to one knee at Ladder 8 in Tribeca and asked Melissa Ward to marry him.

Ward, who says she's learned to embrace Baugh's "Ghostbusters" fandom, happily agreed.

The New York Daily News reports the proposal took several months of planning.

A city employee convinced the FDNY to go along with Baugh's stunt so long as the proper safety precautions were taken. The 1903 firehouse is currently undergoing a $6.5 million renovation.

Baugh says he can recite his favorite scenes from the 1984 movie verbatim.
A Southern California sheriff's department is warning people about a fake Facebook page that claims to be the Moreno Valley Police Department.

A news article about a triple murder that did not happen was shared on the page, created Saturday. The Press Enterprise reported that Riverside County Sheriff's Department provides police services in Moreno Valley and operates a legitimate Facebook page at www.facebook.com/morenovalleypolice.

The real page has been regularly updated for about two years.

The fake account uses the same profile and cover photos as the real page. It has also posted some of the same items.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Armando Munoz said users should not click on or share posts from the fake page, which could contain computer viruses. The sheriff's department is working with Facebook to remove the fake page, according to the Press Enterprise.
A 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran was honored at a celebration in West Hills on Sunday, where he was named Penn Foster College's 2016 Graduate of the Year.

Omar Haughton was deployed in Afghanistan in 2012, where he sustained a traumatic brain injury after being hit by an IED. During his nearly two-year rehabilitation, he earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Penn Foster College.

A father, Haughton said he dedicates this degree to his daughter.

"When she grows older, I want her to be proud that her father is a degree holder and be empowered to go to college herself if she chooses, Haughton said in a news release.

Now, Haughton works with Passport to Learning, which helps individuals with special needs. Haughton works specifically with mentally disabled individuals who have been incarcerated and teaches them how to reintegrate into their communities.

Haughton goes with them to their court proceedings and works with them on anger management, recidivism prevention and drug abuse rehabilitation.

"I have the opportunity to change lives for the better," Haughton said.

Mark Slayton, Penn Foster's Senior Vice President, said he is proud to honor Haughton as Graduate of the Year.

"He is bright, motivated, determined, disciplined and has taken a challenging situation and completely turned it to his advantage," Slayton said. "Omar first served his country, and now he serves others."

At Sunday's celebration, Slayton presented Haughton with a certificate and spoke about Haughton's accomplishments.

Haughton's family and other supporters also attended.
Women often face challenges in the male-dominated world of skateboarding, but a local organization is encouraging girls to take up the sport and hop on board.

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word was founded by professional skateboarder Cindy Whitehead. Whitehead said that when she skated, there were very few women in the professional realm.

Whitehead's mission is to support girls in skateboarding and promote inclusion and accessibility.

"It's us together as a group," she said. "We become more empowered, and we can do better things."

Jordyn Barratt, 17, is one of the local skateboarders Cindy advocates for. Barratt won a bronze medal at the X Games in June, and now she is setting her sights on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where skateboarding will be a new sport.

"I would love to be in that," she said.

Barratt is not the only one with that goal. Vianez Morales, 10, also dreams of being a professional skateboarder.

"My dream is to go to the Olympics, and I'll be a pro," Morales said.

Despite these growing numbers of female skateboarders, Whitehead said she does see more tension between competitors.

"I think what I see more of now than I saw back then  is a lot of friction," she said.

However, Barratt said that there are always people who can be mean, no matter what sport. She said she finds support in Whitehead's organization.

On top of running Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word, Whitehead also designs her own skateboards. Through her partnership with Dwindle Distribution, a company in El Segundo, she has been able to sell her boards across the world and give the funds to nonprofit groups.

She said she wants to see even more girls pick up skateboarding.

"I think every time you see a girl skate, it encourages another girl to skate," Whitehead said.

Whitehead's encouragement means Barratt, Morales and other local skateboarders will keep chasing their dreams.

"And sometimes if you fall, you get back up and keep skating," Morales said.

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word features at least one female skateboarder every day online. To learn more, visit their website.
More than three-dozen gang members wanted for crimes including murder stemming from a gang war that has terrorized an area dubbed the Vermont Corridor have been arrested by a task force composed of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, Sheriff Jim McDonnell announced Monday.

"Investigators believe much of the bloodshed results from acts of violence in and around the Vermont Corridor as a result of an ongoing gang war between members of three particular criminal street gangs," the sheriff said of the roughly 4-square-mile area along Vermont Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to 120th Street. "Two of the gangs formed an alliance and waged an active gang war against the third gang."

Authorities said 38 people have been arrested, with criminal charges filed against 29 of them for offenses including murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The crimes investigated by the task force included the July 17, 2015, shooting of a man who had no gang affiliation and lives in an area claimed by gang members, along with the murders of five known or documented gang members between October 2009 and August 2015, the sheriff said.

"These are all victims, but so is the community on this," McDonnell said, noting that the task force's success "should serve as a warning to those who choose to continue on their path of violence."

The sheriff called the task force's efforts a "severe blow" to the gangs.

Working families who live in the area have been "terrorized by gang warfare," said Joseph Esposito, Assistant District Attorney of Special Operations for the District Attorney's Office.

"These residents are innocent people who live in fear of getting caught in the crossfire of rival gangs or worry about loved ones falling victim to a stray bullet," he said.

In one instance, a gang member shot and killed a rival and opened fire on a group of innocent bystanders mistakenly believed to be affiliated with the gang, with several people struck by gunfire and sustaining "life-altering injuries," Esposito said.

As a result of the extensive 14-month investigation, authorities were able to prevent three additional killings and to stop the smuggling of hundreds of powerful painkillers that were headed through Los Angeles International Airport to Ohio, Esposito said.

"This type of collaboration with multiple agencies allows us to successfully combat a more sophisticated criminal gang culture that has expanded its territory beyond the streets and into the realm of social media," the assistant district attorney said. "Gang members no longer just hide in the dark alleys. They take to social media to carry out their threats, coordinate attacks and further paralyze the public with fear."

The sheriff said he didn't know if he could say if the task force has accomplished enough yet.

"Certainly it's a work in progress as everything we do is, but a lot has been done and the people listed (on) this board (of arrests made) are involved in some horrific crimes so I can safely say that the streets are much safer than they were prior to this operation kicking off and culminating in these arrests here," McDonnell said.
Presidential election recount efforts came to an end Monday in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with both states certifying Republican Donald Trump as the winner in contests that helped put him over the top in the Electoral College stakes.

Trump's victory in Wisconsin was reaffirmed following a statewide vote recount that showed him defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton by nearly 23,000 votes. Meanwhile, a federal judge issued a stinging rejection of a Green Party-backed request to recount paper ballots in Pennsylvania's presidential election and scan some counties' election systems for signs of hacking.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein successfully requested and paid for the Wisconsin recount while her attempts for similar statewide recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan were blocked by the courts.

Stein got only about 1 percent of the vote in each of the three states, which Trump narrowly won over Clinton. Stein argued, without evidence, that voting machines in all three states were susceptible to hacking. All three states were crucial to Trump's victory, having last voted for a Republican for president in the 1980s.

The numbers barely budged in Wisconsin after nearly 3 million votes were recounted. Trump, a billionaire New York real estate mogul, picked up 131 votes and won by 22,748 votes. The final results changed just 0.06 percent.

Trump took to Twitter to celebrate the recount result.

"The final Wisconsin vote is in and guess what - we just picked up an additional 131 votes," he tweeted. "The Dems and Green Party can now rest. Scam!"

Stein said she was disappointed not all Wisconsin counties did hand recounts, although most did. She said the goal of the recount was never to change the outcome but to validate the vote and restore confidence in the system.

"The recount in Wisconsin raised a number of important election integrity issues that bear further assessment and serious action to ensure we have integrity and confidence in our electoral system," she said, without naming what they were.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen said before certifying the recount results there was no evidence of a hack.

In Pennsylvania, state officials certified the results of the election in the hours following the decision by U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond.

Trump beat Clinton in the state by about 44,000 votes out of 6 million cast, or less than 1 percent, according to the final tally after weeks of counting provisional and overseas ballots. Green Party voters had petitioned some counties to do partial recounts, affecting few votes, county officials said.

Diamond said there were at least six grounds that required him to reject the Green Party's lawsuit, which had been opposed by Trump, the Pennsylvania Republican Party and the Pennsylvania attorney general's office.

Suspicion of a hacked Pennsylvania election "borders on the irrational" while granting the Green Party's recount bid could "ensure that no Pennsylvania vote counts" given Tuesday's federal deadline to certify the vote for the Electoral College, wrote Diamond, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush.

"Most importantly, there is no credible evidence that any 'hack' occurred, and compelling evidence that Pennsylvania's voting system was not in any way compromised," Diamond wrote.

He said the lawsuit suffered from a lack of standing, potentially the lack of federal jurisdiction and an "unexplained, highly prejudicial" wait before filing last week's lawsuit, four weeks after the Nov. 8 election.

The decision was the Green Party's latest roadblock in Pennsylvania after hitting numerous walls in county and state courts. Green Party-backed lawyers argue it was possible that computer hackers changed the election outcome and that Pennsylvania's heavy use of paperless machines makes it a prime target. Stein also contended Pennsylvania has erected unconstitutional barriers to voters seeking a recount.

A lawyer for the Green Party members said Monday they were disappointed and unable to immediately say whether they would appeal.

"But one thing is clear," said the lawyer, Ilann Maazel. "The Pennsylvania election system is not fair to voters and voters don't know if their votes counted, and that's a very large problem."

A federal judge halted Michigan's recount last week after three days. Trump won Michigan by fewer than 11,000 votes out of nearly 4.8 million votes cast.
For the second time this year, thousands of dollars worth of tools and pigeons were stolen from a Miami religious store.

A security camera was rolling early Sunday morning, recording a thief sporting a bucket and trash bag as he broke into Viejo Lazaro Botanica on West Flagler.

The store's owner Nelson Hernandez says that roughly $7,000 worth of pigeons and power tools were stolen. He says the pigeons are worth about $2,000 each.

Hernandez says the pigeons were bred in Cuba and smuggled to Miami.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Amid a sharp increase in hate crimes targeting Muslims, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited a mosque in Northern Virginia on Monday morning and spoke about the need for citizens to unite across differences in the defense of core American values.

Speaking to an interfaith crowd at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center, Lynch called for citizens to come to the defense of their neighbors.

"When one of us is threatened, we all have to speak out," she said.

The U.S. Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute acts of hate, Lynch said.

"Our federal hate crimes laws are among the most powerful tools we have for creating a more just and equal nation, and career Justice Department prosecutors will continue to enforce them," she said.

Democratic leaders have expressed concerns about what President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, will do with the Civil Rights Division. If confirmed, Sessions would have broad latitude to define how federal prosecutors across the country wield their powers and make changes to the Justice Department's priorities.

FBI statistics released last month show reported hate crimes against Muslims rose by 67 percent in 2015 to their highest number since the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

There were 257 reported incidents of anti-Muslim bias in 2015, compared to 154 the year before.

Lynch indicated she expects acts of hate and bias to continue.

"I know that as we continue to demand a nation where all people are truly treated equally, we will be met with prejudice, bigotry and condemnation," she said.

The attorney general urged people of faith to continue to work for justice. She spoke about lessons from her Baptist upbringing.

"Let me recall a song from my faith, made famous by Mahalia Jackson: 'Lord, dont move the mountain, but give me the strength to climb,'" Lynch said.

She said that her work will continue after she leaves her job: "Let me assure you that long after I leave the attorney generals seat, I will continue to stand beside you in the cause of liberty and justice for all."

Lynch is expected to travel to New York on Tuesday for a discussion with gay, lesbian and transgender youth at Harvey Milk High School, and to visit the Stonewall Inn and Stonewall National Monument.
Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the area of the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) in Donbas in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry official Andriy Lysenko said on Monday.

"No Ukrainian troops were killed in action in the past 24 hours; three servicemen were wounded," Lysenko told a briefing in Kyiv.
He's produced some of the biggest shows on Broadway, including the premiere productions of "West Side Story," "Damn Yankees," "Fiddler on the Roof," "She Loves Me!," "Cabaret," "Follies," "Sweeney Todd," "The Pajama Game," and "Company."

He's also directed some megahits, like "The Phantom of the Opera," "Evita" "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "Candide" and "On the Twentieth Century."

And now, the six-decade career of 21-time Tony winner Harold "Hal" Prince will come to the stage in "Prince of Broadway"  a new musical set to open at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre this summer.

Previews begin Aug. 3, 2017 with an opening night set for Aug. 24, 2017.

The musical, which will feature musical highlights from shows produced and/or directed by Prince, was originally announced for Broadway in 2012 but didn't get a full-scale production until late 2015 when it opened in Tokyo, Japan.

Its cast, then, included Broadway veterans Tony Yazbeck, Ramin Karimloo, Emily Skinner, Nancy Open, Josh Grisetti and Shuler Hensley. No word whether they'll reprise their pieces in the Broadway production. Casting will be announced at a later date.

As for a director for the new musical, producers have turned to a proven hitmaker: Prince himself.

He'll lead the piece, with co-direction from Susan Stroman ("The Producers"). She'll also choreograph the musical  reuniting with Prince after first working with him in the 1994 "Show Boat" revival."

Prince is also reteaming with composer Jason Robert Brown after directing Brown's 1998 musical, "Parade." Brown will provide "Prince of Broadway" with new songs, musical supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations.

The show's book comes from David Thompson ("Chicago," "The Scottsboro Boys").

"Of course Im delighted that many of my favorite artists will be interpreting the material from a lifetime of work," Prince said in a statement.

For more information, visitmanhattantheatreclub.com.
What to Know Menendez is accused of accepting gifts in exchange for political influence

In July, a federal appeals court ruled against the Democrat and his lawyers, saying the corruption case should go forward

Both Menendez and the friend, Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, have pleaded not guilty to bribery and fraud charges

Sen. Robert Menendez is expected to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to toss bribery-related charges against him as early as Monday, NBC 4 New York has learned.

Attorneys for the Democrat from New Jersey are set to file a motion asking the judges to overturn an appeals court decision that allowed the federal prosecution to proceed.

There is precedent; the Supreme Court threw out the corruption conviction of Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. But legal experts have said the issues and charges in the Menendez case do not fit neatly into the 8-0 McDonnell decision.

Menendez was indicted in April 2015 for allegedly accepting gifts from a Florida eye doctor in exchange for personal favors but any trial has been delayed as the appeals process continues.

Menendez has insisted he is innocent. He has claimed the Speech or Debate clause of the Constitution shields him from federal prosecution in part because he claims his efforts to help the doctor secure business deals were official legislative acts.

But the Justice Department has alleged Menendez sold his office by improperly accepting free vacations and campaign cash from Dr. Salomon Melgen in exchange for official favors. The FBI said after getting gifts and donations, the senator then used his office to try to help Dr. Melgen win a $500 million dollar port security deal in the Dominican Republic. Menendez also contacted Medicare officials to try to help the eye doctor avoid paying millions in a billing dispute with the government. Melgen - who is charged alongside Menendez and in a separate Medicare fraud case - also denies any wrongdoing.

In July, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld the district court ruling that the senator is not immune from prosecution and that the corruption case should move forward.

Since his indictment a year and a half ago, Menendez has continued his work as New Jerseys senior senator. But he did step down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when the charges were first announced.
The head of the city's Administration for Children's Services has resigned, the mayor's office announced Monday.

Gladys Carrion assumed office in January 2013. A search for her replacement is underway. Her resignation comes in the wake of several high-profile child abuse deaths.



In late October, Carrion was brought to tears as she talked at a City Council hearing about the case of Zymere Perkins, a 6-year-old boy who died a month earlier after allegedly being abused. She said at the time that "losing a child is unbearable" and said "it's my responsibility" to keep them safe.



Weeks prior to that hearing, Carrion told the I-Team in an exclusive interview that try as she might, she can't protect every child.



In the wake of Perkins' death, Carrion announced policy changes included new training for frontline staff and guidance for the Department of Education on recognizing educational neglect. Sources had told NBC 4 New York that several people had reported concerns about Perkins' environment to ACS workers. Five officials and employees were suspended or placed on modified duty after he died and, at the time, Carrion didn't rule out the possibility she could be fired.

Carrion's resignation comes about a week after the death of Jaden Jordan, a 3-year-old Brooklyn boy who was hospitalized on life support after suffering a brutal beating, allegedly at the hands of his mother's boyfriend.

After Jordan's death, the city's Department of Investigation said it sent a request to the state Office of Children and Family Services for access to ACS records regarding the boy, which it has done in other child abuse cases.

"DOI has been actively investigating whether some or all of these cases were lawfully handled by ACS, whether there continue to be systemic and preventable problems at ACS that place children in danger, and whether ACS has implemented necessary changes noted in DOIs prior reviews," DOI Commissioner Mark Peters said.



A statement from Mayor de Blasio Monday referenced none of the controversy that characterized Carrion's last few months.

He lauded her accomplishments, saying she "spent four decades serving the public with excellence and an unparalleled commitment to the children and families of New York."

"Gladys leadership and reforms have ushered in a heightened level of accountability and performance at the Administration for Childrens Services," de Blasio said. "That progress must continue as we work to meet one of the most difficult missions and mandates in city government."



New York City Scott Stringer said City Hall needs to put forth a "clear, transparent plan for reform."



"Its clear our city is failing our most vulnerable children," Stringer said in a statement. "Whether its kids being put in dangerous foster care homes, cluster sites with serious violations or commercial hotels where there are no services, the status quo is unacceptable."
J.T. Miller and Brady Skjei scored 3:50 apart late in the second period, Antti Raanta stopped 19 shots for his second straight shutout and New York beat New Jersey.

Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, and Brandon Pirri and Jimmy Vesey also scored to give the Rangers their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 12-15.

Raanta, starting for the third time in four nights and coming off a 1-0 overtime win against Chicago on Friday, got his sixth career shutout and improved to 8-1-0 with a 1.65 goals-against average in 10 starts this season.

Cory Schneider finished with 25 saves for New Jersey, which lost its third straight. The Devils had an early goal disallowed after a review and another didn't count because it came after a whistle.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from around the country came to Atlantic City on Monday to pay their final respects to a state trooper killed in a crash.

Police officers from as far away as Michigan were part of a huge contingent that filed past the casket of Trooper Frankie Williams as part of services in Boardwalk Hall. Williams was then laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery along Harding Highway in Mays Landing.

New Jersey state Trooper Frankie Williams, hailed as one of our best and brightest young troopers, received a sendoff of the highest honor as his mother as well as longtime law enforcement officers from past and present said their public goodbyes. Williams, 31, died this week after his vehicle was stuck head-on.

The 31-year-old rookie trooper died in a head-on crash along Route 55 in Millville on Dec. 5. He was responding to reports of the car that struck him driving erratically in the moments before the crash. The second car's driver, Dr. Lloyd Rudley, died at the scene.

Williams, of Egg Harbor Township, was assigned to the Port Norris Station. He was a member of the 156th State Police Class which graduated on Jan. 29, 2016. NJSP called him a "bright and promising trooper."

Williams grew up in Lakeland, Florida before moving to New Jersey. Donna Wood, Williams' former neighbor, told NBC10 he was always fearless, even as a boy.

"I know that child that grew up and I knew he was doing something that he was passionate about," Wood said, while fighting back tears.

After Williams moved to South Jersey he earned a degree in criminal justice from Rutgers at Atlantic Cape Community College. He was in the process of getting his Masters degree prior to his death. [[405006266, C]]

"He without a doubt was one of the best students I've ever had," said Williams' former professor Dean Wyks.

About 150 people gathered Thursday night at Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company, 550 Main Street, Leesburg, NJ 08327 for a candlelight vigil.

Williams was often described as a "hero" at the proceedings and many spoke of his kindness.

Trooper Cara Spinosa, who graduated with Williams from the State Police Academy in January, said Williams was a genuine guy and "no matter what, he always had our back."



In August, Williams responded to a parking lot in Pilesgrove Township after a person reported a toy poodle was inside a vehicle with only one window open about an inch. The trooper saw the dog was lying on its side inside a crate and in obvious distress from heat stroke.



After breaking the window with his baton, he gave the dog water, and it was taken to a veterinary hospital in critical condition. The dog eventually became stable, and authorities charged its owner with animal abuse.



Williams got married in September and is survived by his wife, Kimberly Williams.



"We are devastated by his passing, but he can rest assured that we will embrace his family as they will always remain a part of our state police family," said Col. Rick Fuentes, the head of the state police.

The exact cause of the deadly wreck remained under investigation Friday.
A widely-shared video posted to YouTube Saturday appears to show a pastor, who's well known for previous public protests, telling kids waiting in line at an Amarillo mall that Santa isn't real.

In the video, a man identifying himself as David Grisham of "Last Frontier Evangelism" said, "We're going to tell the children here today the truth that there is no Santa Claus and that Christmas is about Jesus Christ."

Grisham has previously gained notoriety in 2010 for attempting to burn a copy of the Quran in an Amarillo park, NBC News reported. He was thwarted by a 23-year-old skateboarder who grabbed the Muslim holy book from Grisham.

In Saturday's video, Grisham walked up to a line of parents and kids waiting to see Santa and yelled, "There is no such thing as Santa Claus. Santa Claus does not exist."

The video ends with several parents confronting Grisham and asking him to leave.

"Shut up," one parent says.

Another asks Grisham to "quit talking this mess."

"There is a Santa," someone shouts.

One Facebook page for Last Frontier Evangelism appeared to be unavailable Monday morning, but another page for the group had shared the video with the comment: "Mark Zuckerberg and his band of GESTAPO censors at Facebook took down the original of this post."

While not mentioned in Saturday's video, Grisham is also the director of "Repent Amarillo," according to the Amarillo Globe-News. That organization has been categorized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
A day of joy quickly turned to tragedy for the parents of Megan Garven. The couple had just celebrated their 26th Wedding Anniversary when they heard the news. Megan, their first born and only daughter, was dead.

The 24-year-old Philadelphia woman, who taught at a Christian school in the Dominican Republic, was killed in a car accident that also injured a fellow teacher and a student.

Police say Garven died after the vehicle in which she was traveling struck another in the city of Santiago. Garven had been teaching third grade at Santiago Christian School.

Mike Lukens, Garven's Uncle, says the woman's parents learned of her death around 1 a.m.

"You dread the call early in the morning," said Lukens. "You hope it never comes but sometimes it does. You're never prepared for it. I think you expect an older person to die. But you don't expect someone who's 24 to be gone. So that makes it really hard."

Garven taught at the school starting in 2009 as a student teacher and then joined the faculty full-time in 2011 after attending Cairn University located in Langhorne, Pa. Her family says she loved teaching the kids about God.

"She loved Jesus," said Lukens. "That's why she was there. She gave up working here in the states and probably making a whole lot more money to go live there and give her life to those kids."

Prior to graduating, Garven taught in Philadelphia.

Garven, the oldest of four children and the only daughter, had traveled extensively with her family. According to the University, she had participated in many religious missions to countries including Peru, Mexico, Brazil and also throughout the United States. On her personal web page, Megan credited her dad, a pastor, and her mom, a teacher, as the reason why she was in the Dominican Republic and giving to the community.

"Megan just lit up their lives with her smile and with her life," said Lukens. "She was just a joy to be with."

Injured were a fellow teacher, identified as Audrey Hickman of Chicago, and a student whose name was not released. The driver of the other vehicle in the accident late Tuesday was also injured.

The school canceled classes Wednesday.

Despite their loss, Garven's family says their faith will help them heal.

"That is what will carry us through," said Lukens. "Knowing that God is here and He comforts us and He gives us strength to press on. We know we will see her again someday."

Garven's family will fly to the Dominican Republic Thursday morning and hold a service at her school. They will then have her body flown back to the Philadelphia area where she will be laid to rest.
A suburban Philadelphia mother was convicted of third-degree murder and other charges in the death of her 2-year-old son.

But the Delaware County Daily Times reports Shannon Matthews' boyfriend was acquitted of all charges except child endangerment in the boy's death.

Friday's verdict means the 30-year-old mother remains jailed and faces up to 40 years in prison when she's sentenced. Her boyfriend, 31-year-old Daniel Grafton, has been freed on bond until the Glenolden couple is sentenced Jan. 18.

Prosecutors offered plea deals with sentences of 12 to 24 years each, but the couple rejected them. [[300426771, C]]

Little Mason Hunt died Feb. 3, 2015 after District Attorney Jack Whelan says the boy was "terrorized" and beaten the last two days he lived. Only Matthews and Grafton were with the boy then.
Trilateral meeting of the contact group (TCG) on Monday in a video conference has discussed the situation with shelling in Donbas. The Ukrainian side has pointed to the growing number of attacks by illegal armed formations, spokesperson of Ukrainian representative in the TCG Leonid Kuchma, Darka Olifer has said.

"A key theme of the Skype meeting is ceasefire violation. The Ukrainian side focused on the increasing number of attacks that recently occurred. ORDLO (occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions) representatives shot most of all at Shyrokyne, Avdiyivka, Krasnohorivka and Stanytsia Luhanska. These violations of the ceasefire regime have been confirmed by the OSCE SMM (Special Monitoring Mission)," Olifer wrote on her Facebook page.

The Ukrainian side also brought up the issue of the situation near Stanytsia Luhanska: "During the meeting via Skype the Ukrainian side noted its stance on shellings of Stanytsia Luhanska on the part of the CALR representatives, which were carried out on December 9-10, 2016. This shelling is the evidence of the CALR's reluctance to fulfill the assumed obligations in withdrawal of forces and equipment in this sector."

In addition to that, the Trilateral Contact Group once again called on CALR representatives to unblock the operations of the Zolote checkpoint.
A man died from his injuries after he crashed into a building in the Parkside section of Philadelphia late Sunday afternoon.

The 28-year-old man was driving a silver Equinox westbound on 5300 Parkside Avenue at 4:04 p.m. when he started to have difficulty breathing. He then lost control of his vehicle and struck a wall. He was taken to the Lankenau Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:21 p.m.

Officials have not yet revealed his identity.




Police are searching for a man accused of inappropriately touching a woman on a SEPTA trolley earlier this month.

Police say the unidentified man boarded a Route 13 trolley on 57th Street and Chester Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia back on December 1. While on the trolley, the man touched a female passenger inappropriately, according to investigators. He then got off the bus at 30th Street Station.

SEPTA officials say they want to speak to the man and are asking the public to help identify him. If you have any information on his identity, please call SEPTA at 215-580-8111.




Two gunman appeared to target a teenager who died after being shot in the face and body in the shadow of SEPTA's Market-Frankford El train overnight.

The 17-year-old boy was standing on a corner of 60th and Market streets in west Philadelphia around 12:15 a.m. Monday when two men -- one in dark clothing and wearing a mask -- opened fire, said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Investigators believe the boy, who was from north Philadelphia, was likely targeted, said Small. It remained unclear what the victim was doing in west Philadelphia at that hour.

He died on the scene. At least 11 shots were fired, said police.

Witnesses told officers that a masked man dressed in all dark clothing fled the area in a white SUV. Bullets were also fired from a second gun, said police.

Investigators reviewed surveillance cameras in the area to see if any captured video of the shooting or the suspect's escape. [[238427591, C]]
Gov. Mike Pence has told a gathering marking the 200th anniversary of Indiana's elevation to statehood that the state's best days are still ahead of it.

The vice president-elect addressed a crowd Sunday at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum for the final event of the state's yearlong bicentennial celebration.

Pence told those gathered that Indiana "is 200 years young today."

Indiana became the 19th state on Dec. 11, 1816.

Pence said that on that date two centuries ago, "Indiana became the 19th star in Old Glory."

The governor, who declared Sunday "Ignite the Future Day" in Indiana, boasted that "the best is yet to come for the state of Indiana."

Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb and several other speakers also addressed Sunday's gathering, which was treated to music and dancing.
San Diego Police were investigating a mans death Monday in the Balboa Park area near the San Diego Zoo.

Someone called 911 at approximately 2 a.m. to report finding the body of a man over the edge of an embankment along Park Boulevard.

The man suffered major head trauma, according to SDPD homicide investigator Lt. Mike Holden.

A section of Park Boulevard near Zoo Drive was blocked early Monday by police patrol cars as investigators look around the area for any evidence as to what may have happened.

No other information was immediately available.
Prince William County police say a 10-year-old boy who was reported missing in Manassas has been found safe.

Diego Martinez was first reported missing about 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Officers responded to the 10900 block of Coverstone Dr. in Manassas to investigate.

Diego left the home voluntarily, but was found and brought back home. He left the home again about 7 p.m.

Police said Monday that he had been found safe. No further details were released.
Firefighters remain at the scene of a fire that broke out at an incinerator plant in Montgomery County last week.

The blaze started Thursday night at the plant in Dickerson, Maryland. Firefighters arrived to find an 85-foot trash pile ablaze with flames spreading in the building, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said.

Firefighters controlled the blaze, but many remain at the scene as the fire continues to smolder, Piringer said.

Piringer said Sunday the blaze will continue to emit smoke and disrupt some nonresidential waste deliveries for days, The Washington Post reported.

Fire crews have rotated through the plant to control the situation.

Officials discouraged commercial haulers and individuals from delivering trash to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station until Wednesday.

No injuries have been reported.
Melania Trump attended a hearing in Montgomery County Circuit Court, saying she wanted to show how seriously she takes her lawsuit against a Maryland blogger who posted rumors she once worked as a high-end escort and may have had a breakdown during the presidential campaign following the plagiarism incident at the Republican National Convention.

The wife of President-elect Donald Trump was not required to attend Monday's hearing -- at which a trial date was scheduled for November -- but her lawyer said she wanted meet the judge and opposing counsel, The Washington Post reported.

The future first lady is suing Gaithersburg resident Webster Tarpley, who publishes the political blog Tarpley.net, and British website the Daily Mail Online for libel.

In Tarpley's Aug. 2 post, he wrote there were rumors in Manhattan Melania Trump was having an "apoplectic fit" after her convention speech and the president-elect would try to hide her breakdown, according to the complaint. He also wrote she allegedly didn't work regularly as a model before she met her husband but as a luxury escort and feared former clients would reveal that about her.

The Daily Mail reported claims from a Slovenian magazine Trump's New York modeling agency also operated as an escort service for wealthy clients, the complaint said. The Daily Mail also cited a book by a Slovenian journalist alleging a previous modeling agency she worked for in Milan was "something like a gentleman's club," according to the complaint. The book also questioned when and where the Trumps met.

The complaint denies the allegations made in the Tarpley and Daily Mail posts, calling them "attacks on her reputation" to lower public opinion of her. The posts damaged "her business, career, reputation and actual and prospective economic relationships," according to the complaint.

The suit seeks a minimum of $75,000 from each defendant. Trump's lawyer, Charles Harder, who represented Hulk Hogan in his defamation suit against the now-defunct website Gawker, previously said the "defendants' actions are so egregious, malicious and harmful to Mrs. Trump that her damages are estimated at $150 million," NBC News reported.

A status conference is scheduled for June 27, followed by a settlement/pre-trial hearing Setpt. 9. The trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 6.

Both Tarpley.net and the Daily Mail have since retracted their posts about Trump.

The Daily Mail's extensive retraction -- published Sept. 1, the day the complaint was filed -- said the article "did not intend to state or suggest that these allegations are true nor did it intend to state or suggest that Mrs. Trump ever worked as an 'escort' or in the 'sex business,'" and included denials from her spokesperson and the New York modeling agency.

Tarpley.net published the following statement on its homepage:

The Morning Briefing published on tarpley.net on August 2, 2016 referenced unfounded rumors and innuendo regarding Melania Trump, wife of Republican Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, and her life prior to her marriage. The August 2, 2016 morning briefing asserted that it was widely known that Melania Trump previously worked as an escort and that Mrs. Trump was in fear of revelations that she used to work as an escort. The briefing also stated that multiple unnamed sources stated that Mrs. Trump was in a state of apoplectic tantrum, was suffering from a full-blown nervous breakdown, that both Melania Trump and Donald J. Trump feared the revelations coming to light, and that Mrs. Trumps condition was negatively affecting the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump. While the tarpley.net editors, writers and contributors did not generate said rumors, the briefing in question was not diligent in fact-checking or maintaining a healthy distance between innuendo and fact.

As such, Webster G. Tarpley, as editor of the content that appears on tarpley.net, hereby officially retracts the August 2, 2016 morning briefing in full and apologizes to Mrs. Trump for any duress and harm she may have endured as a result of the contents of the August 2, 2016 morning briefing.
First Deputy Verkhovna Rada Speaker and member of the Minsk Trilateral Talks Iryna Gerashchenko has called on Belarus to remain neutral and not take sides in talks to end Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine.

Gerashchenko on her Facebook said she held a meeting with the Belarusian Ambassador to Ukraine Ihor Sokol, during which she thanked Belarus "for creating a neutral space in Minsk for holding the trilateral talks.

"We value Belarusian hospitality and, sometimes, it seems in Minsk Ukrainian members of the group spend more time there than in Kyiv. At the same time, let me state the clear position of Ukrainian officials: We expect Belarus to be neutral, without talking sides in talks," she said.

Gerashchenko said it was like "a dagger in the back when Belarus didn't vote for a UN resolution about violations of human rights in Crimea." She said during talks with the Belarusian envoy bilateral cooperation issues were discussed, "including issues of inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation in the economic and humanitarian spheres."
UPDATE: Taylor Cole has been found safe and is home with her family, police said Thursday.

A Loudoun County, Virginia, teen is missing, and police are asking for help in finding her.

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office said Taylor Cole, 15, left the Ashburn, Virginia, area on Dec. 9 of her own accord, but she hasnt been seen or heard from since that date.

Cole is a white girl, about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has blonde hair. It is unknown what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance.

Anyone with any information regarding her possible whereabouts is asked to contact the Senior Deputy Diron Adams, of the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office, at 703-777-1021 or submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office app.
Keep an eye on these four when No. 5 Clemson visits Notre Dame
The owners of a nativity scene have a message for whoever stole Mary from their yard last week.

A handwritten, cardboard sign next to the nativity in Manchester, New Hampshire, reads: "Please help! Mary Missing, Joseph Doesn't Want to be a Single Dad!"

Shirl Kula says she and her husband have put up the set almost every Christmas in the 16 years they've lived in their home, and they consider it a gift to the neighborhood. She says they've never tied down the figures, adding, "it belongs to the neighborhood."

Kula says she's not looking to punish whoever took Mary; she simply wants her back.

Jesus isn't in his cradle, but he hasn't been stolen. Kula and her husband wait until midnight each Christmas to put him out.

[NATL-NY] Avoid Scams This Holiday Season With These Shopping Tips
A 24-year-old man is dead after a shooting outside Ryans Pub in Groton overnight and police have secured an arrest warrant for an "armed and dangerous" suspect in the crime.

Police said they were called to the business at 112 Fort Hill Road around 1:35 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived they found the victim, identified as Joseph Gingerella, of Groton, in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

Gingerella was taken to L&M Hospital in New London where he was pronounced dead.

Police have an arrest warrant for a murder charge for Dante Hughes, 30, of Groton, in connection with the case. Hughes is described as 5-foot-11, 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots him is advised not to approach and to call 911.

The Groton Town Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad and the New London County States Attorneys Office are investigating this case. Anyone with information on the shooting or Hughes' whereabouts is asked to call Groton police at 860-441-6712.

Gingerella was known in the community for speaking out about his struggle with addiction and his recovery. The family released the following statement:

"A light has left our lives. Joey Gingerella brought a surplus of light and love into the world. His infectious joy would fill whatever room he was in. We will miss him terribly.

Joey was dedicated to helping people. He used his life experiences to aid anyone in the community who needed a helping hand.

We are incredibly moved by the outpouring of support from the community. Thank you all for your kind words about Joey."
Police in Weymouth, Massachusetts have arrested two men accused of breaking into a mans home and pistol-whipping him Sunday night.

Alfredo A. Galarza, 25, and Samuel J. Galarza, 27, both of Weymouth, are set to be arraigned in Quincy District Court Monday.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. at 93 Audubon Road.

The 31-year-old victim told police two men he was familiar with broke into his home and attacked him.

The victim was taken to South Shore Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police tracked the suspects down to a home on Donald Street. They say both men refused to come out of the home. Police obtained a search warrant and both men eventually left the home and surrendered to police around 2:40 Monday morning.

Both men are charged with home invasion, carrying a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Police say the motive is still under investigation.
A man who was killed at a home Saturday in Dover, New Hampshire, was shot by his father during a gun fight, authorities believe.

New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster announced new details Monday in the investigation of the death of 55-year-old Brenton Davis on Three Rivers Road.

Investigators believe Brenton Davis shot his 76-year-old father, John Davis, several times. According to Foster's office, John Davis is then thought to have managed to grab a shotgun and return fire.

With Brenton Davis wounded, authorities say his father left the home and called 911.

The attorney general's office notes that Brenton Davis has a history of mental illness.

The condition of the elder Davis was not immediately clear. Authorities have not announced any charges.
A suspected hit and run driver arrested in Texas is expected to face a judge in a Massachusetts courtroom.

Jose Arevalo is accused of crashing into 25-year-old Marco Salguero-Cruz, killing him. Police say Arevalo then drove off.

He was taken into custody outside Houston. Authorities believe Arevalo fled to El Salvador two days after the incident, but that he was back in the U.S. in November.

His arrest came after police in Chelsea, Massachusetts released surveillance photos.
Christian addiction charity Teen Challenge London is planning to turn Drayton Hall near Norwich into its headquarters and a rehabilitation centre for men, after it was gifted the freehold of the hall by its owner, the Lind Trust.

Christian addiction charity Teen Challenge London is planning to turn Drayton Hall near Norwich into its headquarters and a rehabilitation centre for men, after it was gifted the freehold of the hall by its owner, the Lind Trust.

The power of positive protest Philip Young encourages us to take a stand for what we believe, and has just written to Therese Coffey regarding climate change and the forthcoming COP 27. He explains why we should be prepared to protest. Read more

Norwich church celebrates with cribs and trees Rosebery Road Methodist Church in Norwich will be holding its annual Cribs and Trees Festival in December. Read more

Transforming Norwich lunch offers ministry tips Ex-Brighton vicar, Rev Phil Moon, will offer tips on how to keep going in ministry to the Transforming Norwich leaders lunch on Wednesday November 16. Read more

Quiet Waters in Bungay offers healing retreat Quiet Waters Christian Retreat in Bungay is holding a gentle day retreat exploring healing in the Kingdom of God. Read more

Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more

Norfolk ministry coaching duo are guest speakers Former church leaders and now freelance ministry coaches, Jonathan and Paige Squirrell, are the guest speakers at the next dinner of Norwich FGB on Monday, November 21. Read more

Bringing light to Halloween Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. Read more

First service takes place at Norwich church site SOUL Church hosted around 400 people for a special service on the site of their new building on Heartsease Lane. Read more

Dereham draws up list of warm places for winter As rising energy prices make it harder to heat homes, churches in Dereham are leading the way in creating warm spaces where people can go. Read more

South Norfolk church scoops national award A medieval Anglican church in a tiny hamlet in South Norfolk has won a national award and a 10,000 boost. Read more

Dereham churches help people to help themselves A group of churches in Dereham have launched an ambitious project which aims to meet needs in the town, including the provision of food and skills training. Read more

Executive assistant and nursery manager jobs SOUL Church is a vibrant, welcoming and growing church in Norwich. They are seeking an organised and versatile Executive Assistant to provide key support to the churchs Senior Pastors, as well as a qualified Nursery Manager to head up SOUL Nursery. Read more

Halloween light in Gorleston church On Halloween this year, St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston will be preparing to welcome around 200 families to experience their Light on a Dark Night event. Read more

An opportunity for Norwich to pray for the nation Rev Nigel Fox, who has served as a Methodist Minister for 15 years in Norwich, shares an open invitation to pray for the nation at a crucial moment. Read more

Norwich church seeks musicians Kingdom Ambassadors International Church is appealing for instrumentlists, keyboardists and guitarists to be part of their worship experience. Read more

Please keep Rishi in your prayers Andy Bryant urges us to pray for our political leaders, especially the new Prime Minister, and avoid unhelpful judgementalism. Read more

Emilys art boosts growing Yarmouth foodbank A pupil at a primary school in Bradwell has been selling her pictures in order to raise money for the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank, which is expanding its capacity and is seeking more volunteers. Read more


Big 60 challenge for Norwich Christian charity founder Big 60 challenge for Norwich Christian charity founder

Norwich Christian charity pioneer Robert Glover has accepted a gruelling and ambitious fundraising challenge to celebrate his 60th birthday this week and to raise 60k to start Care for Childrens latest project in Vietnam.
Yes, it's that time of the year again. Where does the time go? Anyway, it's time for us in the news business to make our annual predictions for the coming year. Unlike some, I own up to my misfires by leading off with the predictions made a year ago and admitting what came true and what didn't. So let's get into that.

How good were my 2016 predictions?

1. IBM becomes a major cloud player.

Not really. The most recent numbers, which covered Q2 of this year, put IBM at under 10 percent share. It's still an Amazon and Microsoft world. The good news is IBM grew 57 percent year over year, so it is making up for lost ground.

2. The Dell-EMC merger will cripple the company if it goes through.

So far, not really. Dell EMC is coming out with some interesting products, and if the debt on the merger is hurting the company, they are keeping it quiet. Easy to do when you are a private firm.

3. Election year politics will hit tech hard.

Yes, but not in the way I predicted. Fake news, blatant bias by Facebook news and the H-1B visa issue dominated the election.

4. Many web-based sites will be challenged by mobile.

As it turned out, the biggest site was LetGo. They've been running a lot of TV ads.

5. Abandoned tech will be revived.

No, not really. 4K DVD is out there, but it doesn't appear to be sparking a DVD revival.

6. Cloud leaders will flip from the new guard to the old guard.

That did happen. Microsoft grew into a cloud giant, and both IBM and Oracle continued to gain slow but steady ground.

7. The economic condition of San Francisco will reach a breaking point.

The issue hasn't made the news lately. Mostly it's the deplorable condition of the city that's the issue these days.

8. SSDs will continue to displace hard drives.

Mostly true. Western Digital finally waded in with its first SSD drives, and these days everyone has a flash storage array, replacing the old 15k RPM drives.

9. Antivirus software runs out of road.

Well, a Google researcher just made that point.

10. DevOps moves beyond just development.

Still has not happened.

So, more misses than hits. Not a good year for me. Let's see if I can do a little better this time around.

What to expect in 2017

1. Apple continues to lose its cool.

Removing components is not innovation, nor is abandoning product lines. Right now the company is iterating, not innovating. It needs something mindblowing real soon, or its coolness factor will continue to fade away.

2. Cloud adoption will slow.

A lot of people rushed into the cloud without thinking about it. Now, many are moving back to on-premises. This will cause other companies to slow their projects and be more deliberate about moving to the cloud, which is only a positive.

3. Some tech manufacturing will return to the U.S.

Donald Trump's browbeating will work only for a while. The economics just aren't there to justify a wholescale return to the U.S. but some companies will make a show of itif only to shut him up.

4. China will lose its luster as a manufacturing hub.

NHK World, the English language version of Japan's top broadcast network, recently reported that many firms are leaving China because it's getting too expensive to operate there. Let that sink in for a moment. Manufacturing is moving to Vietnam and the Philippines.

5. IoT will continue to spin its wheels.

IoT still lacks a cohesive infrastructure and security model. It's a solution in search of a marketI have always said that. The public is still responding to the IoT pitch with, "Why do I need this again?"

6. AMD comes back big.

AMD will finally have a product competitive with Intel, and the OEMs will beat a path to its door simply so they are not beholden to one part supplier.

7. Augmented reality will grow faster than virtual reality.

There are more useful applications in AR, such as training and repair work with overlays showing how to perform a function or fix. VR is just something cool. Practicality always wins out.

8. Net neutrality will suffer setbacks.

While Donald Trump has not made any statements on net neutrality, he has allies who are opposed to it, including FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, who could become the chairman of the group. The Verge believes he will undo the Obama Administration's changes and hand control back to major providers such as Comcast and Verizon. If that happens, expect Silicon Valley to really mobilize against him.

9. Windows 10 will continue to sell better to consumers.

The Net Applications numbers vs. Steam analytics continue to reflect that home users are adopting Windows 10 a lot faster than business users. Granted it's not a perfect comparison, but it's the best weve gotand Steam shows twice the market share for Windows 10 as Net Applications.

10. Amazon and Microsoft will continue to dominate the cloud.

Amazon has the complete package, and Microsoft has its legacy software in the cloud now. That's more than Google and IBM can manage. They will remain in single-digit market share territory.
Ukrainian MP Nadia Savchenko and leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky did not take part in the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk on December 7, spokesperson for Ukraine's representative in the contact group, second President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Darka Olifer, has said.

"These persons did not participate in the work of the Tripartite Contact Group on December 7, and their participation was not expected," Olifer told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

A source reported earlier, leaders of the so-called LPR and DPR Plotnitsky and Zakharchenko came to Minsk on December 7. According to the source, at the airport they were met by representatives of the Russian Embassy in Belarus, put into a car with diplomatic number plates and taken away somewhere. Then Russian media reported that they arrived in Minsk.

On the morning of December 12, adviser to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) chief Yuriy Tandit told 112.ua TV channel that Savchenko did not warn the SBU about her visit to Minsk.

Savchenko's political force Batkivschyna said they consider unacceptable any negotiations with the leaders of DPR and LPR and that Savchenko did not coordinate her actions with the Batkivschyna faction and party and recently announced her participation in a new political project.
Surfers conduct scientific research while surfing. Seriously. And its a valuable contribution.

Coastal communities are most affected by climate change. The problem is strong waves make it difficult to install sensors close to coastlines to monitor near-shore conditions. Surfers, however, flock to big waves. Is it possible to use surfers to cost-effectively gather near-shore data around the globeto turn them into citizen scientists?

Researchers in the Smartfin project say yes.

Background of the Smartfin project

Smartfin is the brain child of Dr. Andrew Stern at The Lost Bird Project. It is engineered by Benjamin Thompson of BoardFormula. Surfrider Foundation provides logistical and outreach support for the distribution of fins to its network of surfers worldwide. And researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the worlds leading institutions for oceanographic research, validate the scientific application of Smartfin in the surf zone.

Theres an African quote, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. SmartFin plans to go far. It collaborates extensively with other groups passionate about surfing, climate change and protecting the environment.

The challenge of collecting near-shore data

Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earths surface and influence both weather and climate. As the EPA explains:

As greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun, the oceans absorb more heat, resulting in an increase in sea surface temperatures and rising sea levels. Changes in ocean temperatures and currents brought about lead to alterations in climate patterns. Coastal communities are impacted by rises in sea level rise and stronger storms. Oceans help reduce climate change by storing large amounts of carbon dioxide. Increasing levels of dissolved carbon change the chemistry of seawater, making it more acidic. Increased ocean acidity makes it more difficult for certain organisms, such as corals and shellfish, to build their skeletons and shells. This alters biodiversity and productivity of ocean ecosystems.

How Smartfins work



How is data collected?

Sensors are mounted beneath the fiberglass surface of the surfboard. Data is captured while surfing and stored in a chip inside the fin. Back on land, surfers transmit the sensor data captured to the cloud for analysis via Bluetooth and a mobile app.

What parameters are measured?

Temperature, location and wave characteristics are measured. Other sensors are planned for salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen levels and chlorophyll.

Why are these measurements important?

Many scientific instruments collect data offshore and in the open ocean. Nearshore environments such as the surf zone are a more dynamic ecosystem because of wave energy. This makes it difficult to install sensors, buoys and floats. Smartfin surfboard sensors collect data on ocean conditions close to shore.

What kind of insights are derived, and how they are used?

Meaningful research requires large datasets captured over an extended period of time. Some of the applications being explored include the following:

Climate change and ocean acidification in near-shore environments

Fish and shellfish yields that are in decline

Algal blooms that poison drinking water and marine life

Changes in the coastal ecosystem health in areas near desalinization and power plants

Coral reef bleaching and declining coral ecosystem health

Heat exchange, energy dissipation and gas exchange associated with breaking waves

The Smartfin ecosystem

Collecting oceanic research data from around the world with limited resources demands a broad ecosystem. Smartfin exemplifies win-win collaboration for the greater good.

Smartfin is an initiative of Lost Bird, a small non-profit that extends its impact through partnerships.

Surfrider Foundation, another non-profit, provides logistical and outreach support for the distribution of Smartfins to its network of surfers worldwide. Its dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the worlds oceans, waves and beaches.

Smartfin collaborates with researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to validate the scientific application of Smartfin in the surf zone. Scripps is one of the worlds leading institutions for oceanographic research and a department of the University of California, San Diego. Its mission is to seek, teach and communicate scientific understanding of the oceans, atmosphere, Earth and other planets for the benefit of society and the environment.

Scripps has made many valuable findings. Veerabhadran Ramanathan, a Scripps researcher, identified in 2008 particulate black carbon as the second-largest human contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide. His observations became the scientific basis of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, an international black carbon mitigation initiative joined by 24 countries, the United Nations and the World Bank.

More than just data

Smartfin isnt just about the data. It connects surfers and their communities to larger issues affecting ocean health. Communities can mobilize to combat problems caused by climate change using the ocean warming and acidification data collected.

Smartfins will be distributed through the Surfrider Foundation starting in San Diego in 2017. This form has more details.

Even if youre not a surfer, you can support environmental research by donating to Smartfin.
With previous anti-First Amendment statements by President-elect Donald Trump, there has been some worry by journalists that writing something the soon-to-be President doesnt like may result in unpleasant consequences. Yet that is not the same thing as reporting fake news or spreading disinformation.

Hillary Clinton recently said that fake news has real-world consequences and puts lives at risk. She mentioned bipartisan legislation meant to help the US government respond to malicious fake news and false propaganda.

The same day, Ohio Senator Rob Portman announced that the Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act  legislation designed to help American allies counter foreign government propaganda from Russia, China, and other nations  has passed the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 (pdf). H.R. 6393 passed the House on Nov 30, then the Senate on Dec. 8, and next goes to the President.

One of the priorities of this bill stuffed into NDAA is to increase the authority, resources, and mandate of the Global Engagement Center to include state actors like Russia and China in addition to violent extremists. Portman added, With the help of this bipartisan bill, the disinformation and propaganda used against our allies and our interests will fail.

If Guccifer 2.0 is a front for Russian authorities, and a journalist reports on his hacking actions or viewpoints, that shouldn't be considered propaganda, spreading disinformation or fake newsor will that and other such pieces be blacklisted?

The first I heard about this was a link via Slashdot to ZeroHedge; that article was alarming as it claimed the bill:

will effectively give the government a full mandate to punish, shut down or otherwise prosecute, any website it deems offensive and a source of foreign government propaganda from Russia, China or other nations. And since there is no formal way of proving whether or not there is indeed a foreign propaganda sponsor, all that will be sufficient to eliminate any dissenting website, will be the government's word against that of the website. One can be confident that the US government will almost certainly prevail in every single time.

Yes, I know ZeroHedge is one of the 180 sites listed by the website PropOrNot for allegedly spreading fake news during the election and echoing Russian propaganda. PropOrNot is run by an independent team of volunteers whom, as The Intercept pointed out, suspect the individuals writing the articles have violated the Espionage Act, the Foreign Agent Registration Act, and other related laws, but determining that is up to the FBI and DOJ. That seems extreme to say the least.

Nevertheless, if the new bill is aimed at voices of dissent, then people need to know that  so I read the 93-page H.R. 6393.

It starts off by stating that 2017 fiscal year funds for the conduct of intelligence activities were approved for: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, CIA, DoD, DIA, NSA, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, State Department, Treasury Department, Energy Department, DOJ, FBI, DHS, DEA, the National Reconnaissance Office and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

It has a multitude of sections which deal with all sorts of aspects regarding US intelligence-related activities such as whistleblowing procedures, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, oversight of National Security systems and even a publicly accessible Cyber Center for Education and Innovation which the Secretary of Defense will add to the NSAs National Cryptologic Museum.

Section 301 on page 11 caught my attention as it deals with the restriction on conduct of intelligence activities. Those restrictions amount to one paragraph which states: The authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or the laws of the United States.

Section 403, Assistance for governmental entities and private entities in recognizing online violent extremist content, begins on page 39. It explains that 180 days after the enactment of the Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall publish on a publicly available internet website a list of al logos, symbols, insignia, and other markings commonly associated with, or adopted by, an organization designated by the Secretary of State as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 21 1189(a). The list is to be updated at least every 180 days.

Section 501, Committee to counter active measures by the Russian Federation to exert covert influence over peoples and governments begins on page 47 and ends on page 51. It lays out which heads of agencies or departments would be on the committee as well as top dogs designated by the President.

The term active measures by Russia to exert covert influence means activities intended to influence a person or government that are carried out in coordination with, or at the behest of, political leaders or the security services of the Russian Federation and the role of the Russian Federation has been hidden or not acknowledged publicly, including the following: (A) Establishment or funding of a front group. (B) Covert broadcasting. (C) Media manipulation. (D) Disinformation and forgeries. (E) Funding agents of influence. (F) Incitement and offensive counterintelligence. (G) Assassinations.

Further down it mentions duties, such as To counter active measures by Russia to exert covert influence, including by exposing falsehoods, agents of influence, corruption, human rights abuses, terrorism, and assassinations carried out by the security services or political elites of the Russian Federation or their proxies. It adds, Such other duties as the President may designate for purposes of this section.

You can make of that what you will, but there is no mention of dissenters. Considering the restriction on intelligence activities to not act beyond what is allowed by the Constitution  which clearly supports First Amendment rights  then voices of dissent may not be in imminent danger of being labeled as fake news or blacklisted as a spewer of foreign propaganda. If H.R. 6393 is approved by the President, then we will need to keep an eye on this.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI:Following allegations of involvement in money laundering in the wake of demonetisation, the Reserve Bank on Monday quelled rumours stating that it has not initiated any action to cancel the licence of Axis Bank.

Axis Bank had suspended 24 of its employees for allegedly breaking rules in accepting or exchanging old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, which lost legal status since November 9.



The Reserve Bank clarifies that it has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations abo ut some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of Specified Bank Notes in a few branches of the bank, said RBI. }



The clarification comes amid rumours in a segment of the media that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence, RBI stated further.

Refuting the reports in a clarification to BSE, Axis Bank said, We strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by RBI.



The bank added that without prejudice to our rights and contentions in the matter and to take appropriate measures to counter the irresponsible and mala fide report published by the said newspaper, as advised.



Stung by accusations that its employees have been involved in laundering black money, the bank has temporarily suspended the accounts of some bullion dealers as part of enhanced due diligence to stamp out any attempt to make black money white.

NEW DELHI:Following allegations of involvement in money laundering in the wake of demonetisation, the Reserve Bank on Monday quelled rumours stating that it has not initiated any action to cancel the licence of Axis Bank. Axis Bank had suspended 24 of its employees for allegedly breaking rules in accepting or exchanging old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, which lost legal status since November 9. The Reserve Bank clarifies that it has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of Specified Bank Notes in a few branches of the bank, said RBI. } The clarification comes amid rumours in a segment of the media that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence, RBI stated further. Refuting the reports in a clarification to BSE, Axis Bank said, We strongly deny the contents of the said article and we reiterate that the bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by RBI. The bank added that without prejudice to our rights and contentions in the matter and to take appropriate measures to counter the irresponsible and mala fide report published by the said newspaper, as advised. Stung by accusations that its employees have been involved in laundering black money, the bank has temporarily suspended the accounts of some bullion dealers as part of enhanced due diligence to stamp out any attempt to make black money white.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: A large number of Kolkatans and Howrah residents turned up for the Express Property Expo that was held for the first time in 20 years by The New Indian Express, Kolkata at Sarat Sadan in Howrah.

On the first day of the two-day property exhibition, former honorary consul general of Netherlands and FICCI member B. K. Dalmia inaugurated the event that was stalls of an array of real estate, housing finance and home decor firms.

A total of 16 stalls of major players including Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Merlin Group, Kolkata West, Signum, Primarc, Akshat, Ria Group, VAC International, Indiabulls Distribution Services Limited, LIC Howrah Division, Amith Marbles and Tiles were hosted to provide guidance to people on which flat or property to invest in besides assistance in housing finance and home decor.

Gupta Brothers and Bisleri International were the hospitality partners in the event.Visitors at the event also had an opportunity to win silver gifts through a lucky draw.

KOLKATA: A large number of Kolkatans and Howrah residents turned up for the Express Property Expo that was held for the first time in 20 years by The New Indian Express, Kolkata at Sarat Sadan in Howrah. On the first day of the two-day property exhibition, former honorary consul general of Netherlands and FICCI member B. K. Dalmia inaugurated the event that was stalls of an array of real estate, housing finance and home decor firms. A total of 16 stalls of major players including Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Merlin Group, Kolkata West, Signum, Primarc, Akshat, Ria Group, VAC International, Indiabulls Distribution Services Limited, LIC Howrah Division, Amith Marbles and Tiles were hosted to provide guidance to people on which flat or property to invest in besides assistance in housing finance and home decor. Gupta Brothers and Bisleri International were the hospitality partners in the event.Visitors at the event also had an opportunity to win silver gifts through a lucky draw.
Ashwini M Sripad By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will now take help of the Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to identify and remove illegal hoardings. The civic agency has so far identified at least 5,700 illegal hoardings in Bengaluru.

Recently, the High Court took the BBMP to task over its poor performance in the collection of advertisement tax. BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad had given an undertaking before the court that it will remove all illegal hoardings in the city in two months time.

Prasad said people across the city continue to avoid paying tax and put up both personal as well as commercial hoardings. Some months ago, we had conducted a survey on illegal hoardings. Based on that, we marked them using GIS. At least 5,507 illegal hoardings have been identified. These were put up by 2,671 agencies, Prasad said.

The BBMP gathered information from BESCOM about the period of time such illegal hoardings have been getting power connection. Based on that we issued a demand notice for Rs 323 crore, including Rs 150 crore tax, Rs 150 crore penalty and Rs 23 crore in interest. But the agencies went to the court challenging our decision. Now the court has given a direction to collect Rs 150 crore and half of the penalty and the interest amount put together, which comes to around Rs 90 crore. So, we have to collect around Rs 240 crore, he said.

Further, the commissioner said they will float a tender to remove the illegal hoardings. Since the court said they will monitor this every fortnight, to begin with, we will remove the display from the hoardings. Meanwhile, we will float a tender to remove the illegal hoardings. We cannot remove it as it costs at least Rs 1 lakh to remove one structure, he said.

However, Mayor G Padmavathi has a different plan. She said there are close to 10,000 hoardings in BBMP limits. Of them, the identified illegal hoardings will be brought down. Our revenue officials will bring them down in a day with the help of the police. This will be done before this month-end. We will announce the date, she said.

A senior BBMP official, who did not wish to be identified, said this time they have to meet the target and remove it as soon as possible. Though we have given an undertaking that it will be removed within two months, we do not want to take risk. The High Court judge asked us not to extend the time. They have directed us to cut the salaries of our revenue department officials if they fail to collect tax or remove illegal hoardings. The commissioner and the assistant revenue officials will be held responsible, the official said.

BBMP Standing Committee Chairman (Taxation and Finance) M K Gunashekar said irrespective of political parties or organisations, unauthorised hoardings will be removed. It is as per the High Court direction. There is no question of bringing pressure on us. No one is above the law. For the last one year, since the matter was before the court, we did not collect advertisement tax. In the coming days, such hoardings will be removed if they are unauthorised, he said.

BENGALURU: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will now take help of the Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to identify and remove illegal hoardings. The civic agency has so far identified at least 5,700 illegal hoardings in Bengaluru. Recently, the High Court took the BBMP to task over its poor performance in the collection of advertisement tax. BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad had given an undertaking before the court that it will remove all illegal hoardings in the city in two months time. Prasad said people across the city continue to avoid paying tax and put up both personal as well as commercial hoardings. Some months ago, we had conducted a survey on illegal hoardings. Based on that, we marked them using GIS. At least 5,507 illegal hoardings have been identified. These were put up by 2,671 agencies, Prasad said. The BBMP gathered information from BESCOM about the period of time such illegal hoardings have been getting power connection. Based on that we issued a demand notice for Rs 323 crore, including Rs 150 crore tax, Rs 150 crore penalty and Rs 23 crore in interest. But the agencies went to the court challenging our decision. Now the court has given a direction to collect Rs 150 crore and half of the penalty and the interest amount put together, which comes to around Rs 90 crore. So, we have to collect around Rs 240 crore, he said. Further, the commissioner said they will float a tender to remove the illegal hoardings. Since the court said they will monitor this every fortnight, to begin with, we will remove the display from the hoardings. Meanwhile, we will float a tender to remove the illegal hoardings. We cannot remove it as it costs at least Rs 1 lakh to remove one structure, he said. However, Mayor G Padmavathi has a different plan. She said there are close to 10,000 hoardings in BBMP limits. Of them, the identified illegal hoardings will be brought down. Our revenue officials will bring them down in a day with the help of the police. This will be done before this month-end. We will announce the date, she said. A senior BBMP official, who did not wish to be identified, said this time they have to meet the target and remove it as soon as possible. Though we have given an undertaking that it will be removed within two months, we do not want to take risk. The High Court judge asked us not to extend the time. They have directed us to cut the salaries of our revenue department officials if they fail to collect tax or remove illegal hoardings. The commissioner and the assistant revenue officials will be held responsible, the official said. BBMP Standing Committee Chairman (Taxation and Finance) M K Gunashekar said irrespective of political parties or organisations, unauthorised hoardings will be removed. It is as per the High Court direction. There is no question of bringing pressure on us. No one is above the law. For the last one year, since the matter was before the court, we did not collect advertisement tax. In the coming days, such hoardings will be removed if they are unauthorised, he said.
Ukrainian MP Nadia Savchenko of the Batkivschyna faction has confirmed to the Ukrainian Security Service investigators that she visited Minsk, where she talked with the leaders of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky.

"She confirmed the trip to Minsk and meetings with the leaders of terrorist organizations LPR and DPR," SBU Chief of Staff Alexander Tkachuk told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

Tkachuk pointed to the fact that such contacts are not a criminal offense from the legal point of view. "The only thing is she may have violated the security procedures. All MPs here [in Ukraine] are given access to state secrets. She [Savchenko] should have informed the office of the Verkhovna Rada of her intentions to go abroad," the SBU official said.

At the same time, Tkachuk said Savchenko is not authorized by the Ukrainian authorities to discuss any issues related to the release of the hostages.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Cyclone Vardah claimed the lives of seven people in the city in separate incidents, from wall collapse and uprooting of trees and electric poles on Monday.



Tragedy hit a family after one of the two cousins staying at their grandmothers place died as the wall collapsed on them while they were asleep. Three-year-old Karthik, son of Suresh, a cab driver, and his cousin, 3-year-old Prem, were left in the care of their grandmother, Lakshmi, at Vadapalani. The wall collapsed after a huge tree branch fell on it, killing Karthik instantly, while Prem escaped with minor injuries.

In Nungambakkam, 85-year-old K Parvathi died when a tree branch fell on her. Two others were injured in the incident. A resident of Purasawalkam, Radha (75) died when a tree fell on her near her house.



The cyclone also brought down many hoardings in the city, one of which took the life of 45-year-old Amanullah. The hoarding was of the state government put up on Grand South Trunk road near Meenambakkam.

In yet another incident, 42-year-old U Vaikuntanathan was killed on the spot after a lamp post fell on him while he was walking in Rajamangalam. In a case of electrocution, Karna Behra (24), a onstruction worker from Odisha, in Elephant Gate, died after stepping on a live wire when he went to attend natures call.



In another incident, Mani (60), a resident of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, travelling in MTC bus 170-T to Guindy in the morning, died after he suffered a seizure.



National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier said two other casualties each were reported from Kancheepuram and Nagapattinam districts.

Port sources said as per the weather report the intensity of cyclone is coming down but not that significantly. Rains also had some impact on flight services as Air India's flight 440 has been delayed by 20 to 25 minutes. However, sources said that till now there have been no disruptions in the flight service and everything is normal. "We have contingency plans as and when the situation demands," said Airport sources.

Meanwhile, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coastguard are on high alert. In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, Indian Air Force base at Tambaram is in the state of high alert and is ready to meet any contingency arising out of cyclone Vardah, said Group Captain Ravinder Singh.

Meanwhile, Eastern Naval Command is closely monitoring the developments and Flag Officer Tamilnadu & Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) is in constant communication with the State Administration to augment rescue and relief operations. Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded.

All operational ships have been readied up and kept standby to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations including evacuation, should the situation demand. These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5000 personnel.

Additionally, thirty diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at short notice

CHENNAI: Cyclone Vardah claimed the lives of seven people in the city in separate incidents, from wall collapse and uprooting of trees and electric poles on Monday. Tragedy hit a family after one of the two cousins staying at their grandmothers place died as the wall collapsed on them while they were asleep. Three-year-old Karthik, son of Suresh, a cab driver, and his cousin, 3-year-old Prem, were left in the care of their grandmother, Lakshmi, at Vadapalani. The wall collapsed after a huge tree branch fell on it, killing Karthik instantly, while Prem escaped with minor injuries. In Nungambakkam, 85-year-old K Parvathi died when a tree branch fell on her. Two others were injured in the incident. A resident of Purasawalkam, Radha (75) died when a tree fell on her near her house. The cyclone also brought down many hoardings in the city, one of which took the life of 45-year-old Amanullah. The hoarding was of the state government put up on Grand South Trunk road near Meenambakkam. In yet another incident, 42-year-old U Vaikuntanathan was killed on the spot after a lamp post fell on him while he was walking in Rajamangalam. In a case of electrocution, Karna Behra (24), a onstruction worker from Odisha, in Elephant Gate, died after stepping on a live wire when he went to attend natures call. In another incident, Mani (60), a resident of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, travelling in MTC bus 170-T to Guindy in the morning, died after he suffered a seizure. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier said two other casualties each were reported from Kancheepuram and Nagapattinam districts. LIVE UPDATES: Cyclonevardah: Hut Damages-47 No of tree fallen- 3384 and 696 removed. No of EB Poles fallen-3400.  NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 #Cyclonevardah:No of Road blocked-297 (89 cleared) No of Transformers damaged-30  NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 Rainfall warning:Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over North Coastal TN & Chennai, Tiruvellur and Kancheepuram.#cyclonevardah  NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 EB Minister P Thangamani: Power supply restored in parts of Chennai & to be restored for rest of city by midnight #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 TN EB Minister: Power supply for Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram dts to be restored tomorrow as many EB poles fallen #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 IMD: #Vardah is expected to gradually weaken into a deep depression later tonight. @NewIndianXpress  Venkatesan V P (@venkatvp_tnie) December 12, 2016 IMD: Moderate to heavy rainfall forecast for the next two days in Chennai, Vellore and neighboring districts. #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  Venkatesan V P (@venkatvp_tnie) December 12, 2016 TN CM OPS asks people in 3 dts -Chennai, Tiruvallur &Kanchipuram not to go out until further official announcement #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 180 sanitary workers from Tiruchy corporation are to leave for Chennai to attend public grievance. #Vardahcyclone @NewIndianXpress  S Deepak Karthik (@Deepak_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Villupuram collector Subramaniyan inquiring fishermen during an inspection at Marakanam on Monday @NewIndianXpress #Vardah #Vardahcyclone pic.twitter.com/iF0hHSpBKr  Bagalavan Perier B (@Bagalavan_TNIE) December 12, 2016 #Cyclonevardah:Satellite image showing rainfall situation in #Chennai. pic.twitter.com/jXhUr2Lh9G  NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 Seafront on Marina at 5 P.m #vardah @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/cyj3GBgUJC  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Due to Cyclone #Vardah 02 persons died;24 Huts damaged; 8008 persons accommodated in 95 relief Camps. @ndmaindia @NewIndianXpress  Guru Srikanth_TNIE (@Guru_TNIE) December 12, 2016 #AP: #Vardah: high velocity winds leads to road accident at Anjimedu near Tirupati. A bus and tipper collide. 18 injured @NewIndianXpress  Guru Srikanth_TNIE (@Guru_TNIE) December 12, 2016 #Vardah right before the expected landfall. It's stopped raining for now. Stay indoors. pic.twitter.com/L1CU57rG39  Namrata Sahoo (@Namz_Who) December 12, 2016 #CycloneVardah Intensity to decrease by midnight - IMD  NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 #CycloneVardah passing over #Chennai as very severe cyclone. Source - IMD pic.twitter.com/QFNkLgR2Hd  NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 Traffic closed on Ramakrishna Math Road near Mylapore tank as fallen trees have to be cleared #vardah @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/XewKH0nK0k  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Eight yr. girl Ashwathi died, brother Abinesh,4, survived, in wall collapse at Melmaiyur, Chengalpet #vardah @NewIndianXpress  Sivakumar_TNIE (@sivakumarie) December 12, 2016 Wind speed recording around 25 kmph at Nungambakkam @NewIndianXpress #vardah  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Two persons die in Kanji, Nagai districts, another death, yet to confirm, in Chennai #vardah @NewIndianXpress  Sivakumar_TNIE (@sivakumarie) December 12, 2016 Cyclone Vardah begins making landfall, 2 killed in Tamil Nadu. Special teams from Tiruchy Highways Department rushes to Chennai with power saws #Vardahcyclone @NewIndianXpress @gopumohan_TNIE  S Deepak Karthik (@Deepak_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Scenes at the Central Railway Station in Chennai as Cyclone #Vardah fast approaches. pic.twitter.com/hNg9U6t39J  New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) December 12, 2016 Tamil Nadu disaster management authority confirms the landfall of Cyclone Vardah between Chennai and Pulicat Unlike last year, the heavy rains today may not cause flooding since the water levels in reservoirs are much low #vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 IMD sources guesstimate the cyclone to make landfall in 45 mins. But may vary depending on other factors. #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 The gale winds may prevail for 12hrs above Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram, Nellore and Prakasam districts #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Gale winds speed reaching 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph @NewIndianXpress #Vardah  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 CM held a review meeting with officials following the alert sounded for Cyclone #Vardah. pic.twitter.com/6cd39xL1Z1  Andhra Pradesh CM (@AndhraPradeshCM) December 11, 2016 Tree fell on road at Kilpauk Garden, Chennai, #Vardah @NewIndianExpress pic.twitter.com/mhZlG7w8g0  Sivakumar_TNIE (@sivakumarie) December 12, 2016 Airtel Tower fallen near lovely bakery in Vannanthurai, Besant Nagar #Vardah @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/jLSegAobLr  Sushmitha Ram (@SushmithaRam) December 12, 2016 Tamilnadu CM O Panneerselvam monitoring the situation from Secretariat & giving directions to officials #vardah #NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/yzHGK5htlI  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Cyclone Vardha is about 61 kms east-northeast of Chennai at noon, likely to make landfall in next couple of hours: IMD #Vardah Impact: 18 fishermen stranded on sea close to Sriharikota Rocket Launching Station. @NewIndianXpress  pridhviraj rayasam (@Raj_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Damage of huts reported from 4 places in Thiruvallur, 2 places in Villupuram #vardah @NewIndianXpress  Sivakumar_TNIE (@sivakumarie) December 12, 2016 #vardah IMD sources: the storm is now 87 kms from Chennai, expected to make a landfall between 2pm &5 pm @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 #Vardah Chennai Metro continues to operate ts services where in MRTS, Suburban rail and flights got disrupted @NewIndianXpress  Shivakumar C (@shivakumar_tnie) December 12, 2016 Nearly 50 flights delayed or diverted, section of local train services suspended in Chennai. Chennai corporation has received 45 trees fall complaints so far #vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Average wind speed in the last five minutes is around 16 Kmph, but winds are picking up speed.#Vardah @NewIndianXpress  Venkatesan V P (@venkatvp_tnie) December 12, 2016 Tree fall on lloyds road ,Royapettah # vardah @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/x5ZtexBZfd  Sathish Mani (@MSATHISHMani) December 12, 2016 #Vardah Beach - Velachery MRTS services suspended from 10 AM due to heavy winds and rains. @NewIndianXpress  Venkatesan V P (@venkatvp_tnie) December 12, 2016 Heavy winds in Mylapore; power cut in many areas here #vardah #NewIndianXpress  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) December 12, 2016 # Vardah From midnight, 46 flights departed from Chennai Airport. Five scheduled flights to Chennai cancelled @NewIndianXpress  Shivakumar (@cshivakumar) December 12, 2016 Till 9 am, 4,622 people evacuated from low lying areas in Chennai, Kanji, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, officials say #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  Sivakumar_TNIE (@sivakumarie) December 12, 2016 Cyclonic storm Vardah, which was earlier expected to weaken considerably, may not see its intensity going down when it makes landfall near Chennai today. READ MOREBy the time Cyclone Vardah makes landfall, its wind speed is expected to be 100-110 kmph with winds gusting up to 120 kmph: IMD. 3 cars damaged as the winds force down a huge tree at Walltax road near Central railway station: Railway sources #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 If you have WhatsApp, can reach Chennai corportation @ 9445477207,9445477203, 9445477206, 9445477201 & 9445477205 #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Chennai corporation's helpline numbers: 044-25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823 & 25387570 #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 #Vardah Power supply in most parts of Chennai cut due to windy condition. Supply maintained in interior Chennai @NewIndianXpress  Shivakumar C (@shivakumar_tnie) December 12, 2016 Cyclone Vardah lay centered around 105 kms from Chennai at 9:30 AM. #Vardah Vegetable and fruit prices crash in Koyambedu market due to lack of buyers. Traders say only 10pc biz happened @NewIndianXpress  Shivakumar C (@shivakumar_tnie) December 12, 2016 IMD: #Vardah 105km from Chennai at 0830 IST. To cross close to Chennai by afternoon; wind speed: 100-110 kmph @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Two injured as a tree fell at Kotturpuram in Chennai #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Eranavoor beach road blocked. Rescue team heads there on reports of water entering two villages there #Vardah @NewIndianXpress  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Chances of early landfall. The surface gusts will gradually increase. Rains will intensity from noon: IMD sources #Vardah @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/hVE9Vas64y  J Santhosh (@Santhosh_TNIE) December 12, 2016 Port sources said as per the weather report the intensity of cyclone is coming down but not that significantly. Rains also had some impact on flight services as Air India's flight 440 has been delayed by 20 to 25 minutes. However, sources said that till now there have been no disruptions in the flight service and everything is normal. "We have contingency plans as and when the situation demands," said Airport sources. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coastguard are on high alert. In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, Indian Air Force base at Tambaram is in the state of high alert and is ready to meet any contingency arising out of cyclone Vardah, said Group Captain Ravinder Singh. Meanwhile, Eastern Naval Command is closely monitoring the developments and Flag Officer Tamilnadu & Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) is in constant communication with the State Administration to augment rescue and relief operations. Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded. All operational ships have been readied up and kept standby to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations including evacuation, should the situation demand. These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5000 personnel. Additionally, thirty diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at short notice
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Husband is not entitled to claim maintenance from his legally-wedded wife under Section 125 of CrPC, the Hyderabad High Court has held. Therefore, the question of claiming maintenance by a paramour from a kept mistress or a husband from his second wife is unimaginable.

If such type of petitions seeking maintenance claim by husband is allowed, the very purpose of Section 125 (order for maintenance of wives, children and parents) will be defeated or frustrated. The object of Section 125 is to wipe off the tears of destitute wife, hapless legitimate or illegitimate children and parents, the court has observed.

Justice T Sunil Chowdary delivered this verdict on a petition filed by a woman seeking quashing of the proceedings against her in a case before the judicial first class magistrate, Shadnagar in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana.

The facts leading to filing of the present petition are that the respondent husband herein moved the lower court claiming maintenance of ` 8,000 a month from the petitioner woman claiming that she was his legally-wedded wife and that he was unable to maintain himself due to ill health.

He claimed that his marriage to her was solemnised as per the customs prevailing in their community. Immediately after the marriage, the woman joined him to lead conjugal life and they were blessed with a daughter. Later, she left the matrimonial home along with her daughter at the instigation of her parents.

The womans counsel told the High Court that she was not the legally wedded wife of the respondent and hence he was not entitled to claim maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC. Further, the proceedings against her were nothing short of abuse of the process of law and therefore it was a fit case to quash the proceedings against her.

The mans counsel submitted that his client was entitled to claim maintenance from the woman as she was his legally-wedded wife. Strict proof of marital relationship is not necessary in proceedings under Section 125 of CrPC, he argued. After hearing the case and perusing the material on record, the judge opined that the respondent (husband) instituted the proceedings against the petitioner (wife) with an ulterior motive to wreak vengeance against her. It shows that he had taken a specific stand before approaching the lower court that he developed intimacy with her. In fact, he was having a legally-wedded wife and was blessed with three children before developing contact with the petitioner. I am unable to accede to the contention of the counsel for respondent that the petitioner is the legally-wedded wife of the respondent, the judge observed.

Referring to Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, the judge said that the Act makes it clear that not only the wife but also the husband is entitled to claim maintenance on showing that he has no independent source of income. However, the husband will have to satisfy the court that either due to physical or mental disability he is handicapped to earn and support his livelihood.

After reading Section 24 of HM Act and Section 125 CrPC, the court can safely arrive at the conclusion that under Section 125 of CrPC, husband is not entitled to claim maintenance from his wife. I am of the considered view that continuation of the proceedings against the petitioner would certainly amount to abuse of process of law. The judge allowed the petition by quashing the proceedings against her in the case filed before the lower court.

HYDERABAD: Husband is not entitled to claim maintenance from his legally-wedded wife under Section 125 of CrPC, the Hyderabad High Court has held. Therefore, the question of claiming maintenance by a paramour from a kept mistress or a husband from his second wife is unimaginable. If such type of petitions seeking maintenance claim by husband is allowed, the very purpose of Section 125 (order for maintenance of wives, children and parents) will be defeated or frustrated. The object of Section 125 is to wipe off the tears of destitute wife, hapless legitimate or illegitimate children and parents, the court has observed. Justice T Sunil Chowdary delivered this verdict on a petition filed by a woman seeking quashing of the proceedings against her in a case before the judicial first class magistrate, Shadnagar in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. The facts leading to filing of the present petition are that the respondent husband herein moved the lower court claiming maintenance of ` 8,000 a month from the petitioner woman claiming that she was his legally-wedded wife and that he was unable to maintain himself due to ill health. He claimed that his marriage to her was solemnised as per the customs prevailing in their community. Immediately after the marriage, the woman joined him to lead conjugal life and they were blessed with a daughter. Later, she left the matrimonial home along with her daughter at the instigation of her parents. The womans counsel told the High Court that she was not the legally wedded wife of the respondent and hence he was not entitled to claim maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC. Further, the proceedings against her were nothing short of abuse of the process of law and therefore it was a fit case to quash the proceedings against her. The mans counsel submitted that his client was entitled to claim maintenance from the woman as she was his legally-wedded wife. Strict proof of marital relationship is not necessary in proceedings under Section 125 of CrPC, he argued. After hearing the case and perusing the material on record, the judge opined that the respondent (husband) instituted the proceedings against the petitioner (wife) with an ulterior motive to wreak vengeance against her. It shows that he had taken a specific stand before approaching the lower court that he developed intimacy with her. In fact, he was having a legally-wedded wife and was blessed with three children before developing contact with the petitioner. I am unable to accede to the contention of the counsel for respondent that the petitioner is the legally-wedded wife of the respondent, the judge observed. Referring to Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, the judge said that the Act makes it clear that not only the wife but also the husband is entitled to claim maintenance on showing that he has no independent source of income. However, the husband will have to satisfy the court that either due to physical or mental disability he is handicapped to earn and support his livelihood. After reading Section 24 of HM Act and Section 125 CrPC, the court can safely arrive at the conclusion that under Section 125 of CrPC, husband is not entitled to claim maintenance from his wife. I am of the considered view that continuation of the proceedings against the petitioner would certainly amount to abuse of process of law. The judge allowed the petition by quashing the proceedings against her in the case filed before the lower court.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Plans are being chalked out for new transplantation units at Osmania General Hospital (OGH) where transplantation of liver, kidney, pancreas and other of other organs can be taken up. At present, such procedures are conducted at Operation Theatres in the hospital. However, the liver and kidney transplantation units are located in two buildings which are a few feet away from each other on the OGH premises.

Doctors said that since 90 per cent of infrastructure is the same for any transplantation procedure, having all units at one place would be of immense help. Health Minister C Laxma Reddy on Sunday said towers would be built for liver and kidney transplantations. According to plans that are underway, the Hyderabad District Area Hospital at King Koti was also considered.

Institutes in other states which are exclusively dedicated to transplantations are being studied to work out the plans. Once built, apart from the procedure, tumours related to the organs and other diseases would also be treated.

Right now, the facilities are spread everywhere. The liver transplantation unit is in In-Patient Block and the kidney transplantation unit is in Quli Qutb Shah Block, which are located away from each other in the same premises.

Around 90 per cent of the equipment is the same for any transplantation.

If the units are located in one building, it would help. Besides, the Operation Theatres (OT) in which we conduct the surgeries are state-of -the-art. But one of the OGH buildings is decades old, said a doctor from the hospital, adding that new premises are required. Many complex liver, kidney, pancreas transplantations have been taken up by doctors at the government hospital.

Free life-saving drugs

While transplantations are performed and life-saving drugs which will last for a year are given free of cost, the patients who undergo the procedure have to take care of the expenses for the drugs after that period. For a month, the drugs cost around `10,000 which might go down with time, said doctors.

Speaking at Osmania Medical College Alumni Associations Third Global meet held on Sunday, Health minister Laxma Reddy said the drugs would be given free of cost to the patients. Doctors of the hospital said that the plan is to give the drugs to the patients until they need it.

As of now, the drugs are given for free up to an year under Aarogyasri Scheme. There are plans to give the patients till they need it, free of cost. The medicines cost less than what it takes for dialysis, a doctor said.

The Health minister also said that a medical research centre would be established at cost of `12 crore.

He also stated that designs were prepared for new buildings that were proposed to be built at OGH and soon after getting approval from chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, works would be initiated. The announcement to construct new buildings were made in June 2015.

HYDERABAD: Plans are being chalked out for new transplantation units at Osmania General Hospital (OGH) where transplantation of liver, kidney, pancreas and other of other organs can be taken up. At present, such procedures are conducted at Operation Theatres in the hospital. However, the liver and kidney transplantation units are located in two buildings which are a few feet away from each other on the OGH premises. Doctors said that since 90 per cent of infrastructure is the same for any transplantation procedure, having all units at one place would be of immense help. Health Minister C Laxma Reddy on Sunday said towers would be built for liver and kidney transplantations. According to plans that are underway, the Hyderabad District Area Hospital at King Koti was also considered. Institutes in other states which are exclusively dedicated to transplantations are being studied to work out the plans. Once built, apart from the procedure, tumours related to the organs and other diseases would also be treated. Right now, the facilities are spread everywhere. The liver transplantation unit is in In-Patient Block and the kidney transplantation unit is in Quli Qutb Shah Block, which are located away from each other in the same premises. Around 90 per cent of the equipment is the same for any transplantation. If the units are located in one building, it would help. Besides, the Operation Theatres (OT) in which we conduct the surgeries are state-of -the-art. But one of the OGH buildings is decades old, said a doctor from the hospital, adding that new premises are required. Many complex liver, kidney, pancreas transplantations have been taken up by doctors at the government hospital. Free life-saving drugs While transplantations are performed and life-saving drugs which will last for a year are given free of cost, the patients who undergo the procedure have to take care of the expenses for the drugs after that period. For a month, the drugs cost around `10,000 which might go down with time, said doctors. Speaking at Osmania Medical College Alumni Associations Third Global meet held on Sunday, Health minister Laxma Reddy said the drugs would be given free of cost to the patients. Doctors of the hospital said that the plan is to give the drugs to the patients until they need it. As of now, the drugs are given for free up to an year under Aarogyasri Scheme. There are plans to give the patients till they need it, free of cost. The medicines cost less than what it takes for dialysis, a doctor said. The Health minister also said that a medical research centre would be established at cost of `12 crore. He also stated that designs were prepared for new buildings that were proposed to be built at OGH and soon after getting approval from chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, works would be initiated. The announcement to construct new buildings were made in June 2015.
Sonali Shenoy By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Ryan Lobo should be the poster child for the Hunger Games. His appetite is never quite satiated. He has shot photographs and documentaries that have been featured on Oprah and Nat Geo and early on, dropped a cell biology course to start an advertising agency. The latter was quickly left behind to pursue serious storytelling  from blood rites in Papua New Guinea to child boxers in Thailand. A chronicling of the forgiveness journey of a Liberian warlord-turned-evangelist even won him an award at the Sundance Film Festival a few years ago. His next frontier  fi ction  came as least expected. And so did its protagonist, a desiinspired Don Quixote. The debutante author talks about his latest, Mr Iyer Goes to War.

What made you go from serious photography on Delhis fi refi ghters and Thailands child boxers to fi ctional satire?

I sometimes feel that photography is not enough to effectively tell a story the way you might want people to understand and experience it. An image could be interpreted in so many ways, and its comprehension can change with time or with who might look at it.

Did fi ction play an important role in your earlier work?

I think fi ction plays a great role in our creative endeavors, including my photography. The protagonist, Lalgudi Iyer, was inspired by the character of Don Quixote, an idealist who believed in the values of an older time, knight errantry and gallantry, despite living in a declining Spain. He lived his ideals regardless of outcome, charging the monsters of his time, both imaginary and real, and though crushed repeatedly, rises from the ashes. What moved me was the relentless and enduring nature of Iyers being, never allowing himself to be destroyed, never compromising and never giving up. He refuses to be a dying old man and instead, aspires to be a hero. The fi ction of Don Quixote provided me that. This book was inspired at the Kumbh Mela.

Were there other adventures on the Ganges?

I was part of a large crew shooting a documentary on the Ganges and in the midst of all that chaos, I was moved when I heard so many people talk of their epic journeys from all over the subcontinent, to be able to bathe at the confl uence. I recall seeing a very old couple hobble down to the waters and help each other bathe. They told me that they knew it was to be their last trip to the Kumbh, and that their families had been doing this for hundreds of years. I found that striking, that this had survived for so long, this deep faith.

What inspired the connection of Bhima from the Mahabharata?

Bhima is a mythological character known for his strength and integrity. The frail old Iyer believes himself to be a reincarnation of the Bhima, maybe in some ways becoming the zeitgeist we have in India today. I chose the books main character to be a Tamil Brahmin, as it was important for me to fi nd someone who lived in both the modern world, and who was still profoundly in touch with his mythology and original culture. I recall watching a man conduct a funeral ritual once, and an archaeologist friend told me that he had found evidence of the same ritual from the Bronze Age. Mr Iyer Goes To War, Bloomsbury, `399. Details: bloomsbury.com/in

HYDERABAD: Ryan Lobo should be the poster child for the Hunger Games. His appetite is never quite satiated. He has shot photographs and documentaries that have been featured on Oprah and Nat Geo and early on, dropped a cell biology course to start an advertising agency. The latter was quickly left behind to pursue serious storytelling  from blood rites in Papua New Guinea to child boxers in Thailand. A chronicling of the forgiveness journey of a Liberian warlord-turned-evangelist even won him an award at the Sundance Film Festival a few years ago. His next frontier  fi ction  came as least expected. And so did its protagonist, a desiinspired Don Quixote. The debutante author talks about his latest, Mr Iyer Goes to War. What made you go from serious photography on Delhis fi refi ghters and Thailands child boxers to fi ctional satire? I sometimes feel that photography is not enough to effectively tell a story the way you might want people to understand and experience it. An image could be interpreted in so many ways, and its comprehension can change with time or with who might look at it. Did fi ction play an important role in your earlier work? I think fi ction plays a great role in our creative endeavors, including my photography. The protagonist, Lalgudi Iyer, was inspired by the character of Don Quixote, an idealist who believed in the values of an older time, knight errantry and gallantry, despite living in a declining Spain. He lived his ideals regardless of outcome, charging the monsters of his time, both imaginary and real, and though crushed repeatedly, rises from the ashes. What moved me was the relentless and enduring nature of Iyers being, never allowing himself to be destroyed, never compromising and never giving up. He refuses to be a dying old man and instead, aspires to be a hero. The fi ction of Don Quixote provided me that. This book was inspired at the Kumbh Mela. Were there other adventures on the Ganges? I was part of a large crew shooting a documentary on the Ganges and in the midst of all that chaos, I was moved when I heard so many people talk of their epic journeys from all over the subcontinent, to be able to bathe at the confl uence. I recall seeing a very old couple hobble down to the waters and help each other bathe. They told me that they knew it was to be their last trip to the Kumbh, and that their families had been doing this for hundreds of years. I found that striking, that this had survived for so long, this deep faith. What inspired the connection of Bhima from the Mahabharata? Bhima is a mythological character known for his strength and integrity. The frail old Iyer believes himself to be a reincarnation of the Bhima, maybe in some ways becoming the zeitgeist we have in India today. I chose the books main character to be a Tamil Brahmin, as it was important for me to fi nd someone who lived in both the modern world, and who was still profoundly in touch with his mythology and original culture. I recall watching a man conduct a funeral ritual once, and an archaeologist friend told me that he had found evidence of the same ritual from the Bronze Age. Mr Iyer Goes To War, Bloomsbury, `399. Details: bloomsbury.com/in
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The City Police have busted yet another online sex racket and arrested five persons including two women. The accused persons - Jayesh, 37, native of Eloor, Babu, 35, of Chittur, Suneer, 35, of Thodupuzha and two women, hailing from Thrissur and Bengaluru - were arrested following a raid on Saturday night. The key operatives, identified as Jayakumar and Sumi, a couple hailing from Kottayam, have gone absconding, said police.

According to the police, the racket operated from a rented house on the Eroor Vasudev Road, just opposite to the International stadium in Kaloor. Receiving a tip-off, the police team raided the house around 8 pm on Saturday. The racket lured clients by publishing advertisement on free classified websites offering young women.

Jayesh used to lure the customers online and contact them over phone to fix the deal. The customers were transported to the rented house in a vehicle driven by Babu. Sumi, an accused in several other immoral trafficking case, used to arrange girls from Bengaluru and other places. The arrested persons have confessed that they charged exorbitant rates from clients, who were lured online. Earlier, the police had busted a racket using a similar modus operandi, from a lodge near Ernakulam Junction Railway Station.

KOCHI: The City Police have busted yet another online sex racket and arrested five persons including two women. The accused persons - Jayesh, 37, native of Eloor, Babu, 35, of Chittur, Suneer, 35, of Thodupuzha and two women, hailing from Thrissur and Bengaluru - were arrested following a raid on Saturday night. The key operatives, identified as Jayakumar and Sumi, a couple hailing from Kottayam, have gone absconding, said police. According to the police, the racket operated from a rented house on the Eroor Vasudev Road, just opposite to the International stadium in Kaloor. Receiving a tip-off, the police team raided the house around 8 pm on Saturday. The racket lured clients by publishing advertisement on free classified websites offering young women. Jayesh used to lure the customers online and contact them over phone to fix the deal. The customers were transported to the rented house in a vehicle driven by Babu. Sumi, an accused in several other immoral trafficking case, used to arrange girls from Bengaluru and other places. The arrested persons have confessed that they charged exorbitant rates from clients, who were lured online. Earlier, the police had busted a racket using a similar modus operandi, from a lodge near Ernakulam Junction Railway Station.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Germany- based cruise company AIDA Cruises on Monday thanked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister for Tourism and the Principal Secretary,Tourism, for the proactive measures they had undertaken for ensuring the safe travel of over 2,500 passengers on November 28 hartal day.



The German luxury liner AIDAbella conducted a turnaround operation in Kochi from November 27-29 which witnessed over 1,400 German tourists arriving at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to board the ship and as many number of tourists disembarking from the ship to return to Germany from the CIAL on two chartered flights and several scheduled flights.

In a letter to the CM, the captain of AIDAbella said they were initially very worried about the safety of the guests and the conduct of the transfers and movement of baggage.



However they had hassle-free guest movement with well planned transfers in convoys under police escort.

The captain in his letter also thanked the Tourism Department, the district administration and the police personnel for the cooperation extended to the ship and its passengers.



On behalf of AIDA Cruises, the letter from the Captain along wth a memento ( a miniature model of AIDAbella) was presented to Pinarayi Vijayan, Tourism Minister, and Dr Venu, Principal Secretary, Tourism, by Lotus DMC, the ground handling agent of AIDA Cruises.

KOCHI: Germany- based cruise company AIDA Cruises on Monday thanked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister for Tourism and the Principal Secretary,Tourism, for the proactive measures they had undertaken for ensuring the safe travel of over 2,500 passengers on November 28 hartal day. The German luxury liner AIDAbella conducted a turnaround operation in Kochi from November 27-29 which witnessed over 1,400 German tourists arriving at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to board the ship and as many number of tourists disembarking from the ship to return to Germany from the CIAL on two chartered flights and several scheduled flights. In a letter to the CM, the captain of AIDAbella said they were initially very worried about the safety of the guests and the conduct of the transfers and movement of baggage. However they had hassle-free guest movement with well planned transfers in convoys under police escort. The captain in his letter also thanked the Tourism Department, the district administration and the police personnel for the cooperation extended to the ship and its passengers. On behalf of AIDA Cruises, the letter from the Captain along wth a memento ( a miniature model of AIDAbella) was presented to Pinarayi Vijayan, Tourism Minister, and Dr Venu, Principal Secretary, Tourism, by Lotus DMC, the ground handling agent of AIDA Cruises.
Parvathi Benu By

Express News Service

Robotic fanatics rejoice! Amrita University, Kerala is all set to organise an international conference on Robotics and Automation for Humanitarian Applications (RAHA). The three-day conference, from December 18-20, will be held at the Amrita Universitys Amritapuri campus in Kerala. Professor Rao Bhavani, co-chair for RAHA 2016 and the Director of Ammachi Labs talks to us about the event that is a hot attraction for engineering students. Excerpts from a charged conversation that deals with robotics, solutions for a better humankind and harnessing the power of technology:

Why is RAHA exciting for Indian students?

RAHA 2016 is the first of its kind in India. For many problems in the world today, advancement in technology offers several solutions, but we cannot throw technology at people or complex social situations and expect it to fix the problem. So, here we are trying to apply solutions to real world problems through robotics.

How many students will be participating?

Over 385 participants will be attending the event. 270 students are attending from 22 institutions in India, including Indian Institute of Technology, National Institute of Technology, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, VNIT, Nagpur and PSG College of Technology. There will also be 28 international students and researchers from different corners of the world.

What are the major attractions?

We are bringing thought leaders from around the world to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, industry professionals, humanitarian workers, and development experts to share knowledge about technological tools, methodologies, and applied robotic and automation solutions.

What according to you is the future of robotics in India?

India is projected to become the second largest manufacturing country in the next five years, and the Indian industry is working toward cutting-edge automation technologies to be globally competitive. With this as a backdrop, there is an urgent need to train students with multifaceted skills involved in robotics engineering. We also need a curriculum that focuses on manufacturing and industrial applications. Robotics can be applied to many domains including disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts etc.

Is there any other attraction about RAHA thats a stand-out?

RAHA will feature a humanitarian robot competition. 35 teams have submitted entries for the national and international category from which 24 finalists have been selected to compete during RAHA.

The conference will be held from December 18-20 at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (University), Amritapuri. For more details and registration visit www.raha2016.org

Robotic fanatics rejoice! Amrita University, Kerala is all set to organise an international conference on Robotics and Automation for Humanitarian Applications (RAHA). The three-day conference, from December 18-20, will be held at the Amrita Universitys Amritapuri campus in Kerala. Professor Rao Bhavani, co-chair for RAHA 2016 and the Director of Ammachi Labs talks to us about the event that is a hot attraction for engineering students. Excerpts from a charged conversation that deals with robotics, solutions for a better humankind and harnessing the power of technology: Why is RAHA exciting for Indian students? RAHA 2016 is the first of its kind in India. For many problems in the world today, advancement in technology offers several solutions, but we cannot throw technology at people or complex social situations and expect it to fix the problem. So, here we are trying to apply solutions to real world problems through robotics. How many students will be participating? Over 385 participants will be attending the event. 270 students are attending from 22 institutions in India, including Indian Institute of Technology, National Institute of Technology, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, VNIT, Nagpur and PSG College of Technology. There will also be 28 international students and researchers from different corners of the world. What are the major attractions? We are bringing thought leaders from around the world to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, industry professionals, humanitarian workers, and development experts to share knowledge about technological tools, methodologies, and applied robotic and automation solutions. What according to you is the future of robotics in India? India is projected to become the second largest manufacturing country in the next five years, and the Indian industry is working toward cutting-edge automation technologies to be globally competitive. With this as a backdrop, there is an urgent need to train students with multifaceted skills involved in robotics engineering. We also need a curriculum that focuses on manufacturing and industrial applications. Robotics can be applied to many domains including disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts etc. Is there any other attraction about RAHA thats a stand-out? RAHA will feature a humanitarian robot competition. 35 teams have submitted entries for the national and international category from which 24 finalists have been selected to compete during RAHA. The conference will be held from December 18-20 at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (University), Amritapuri. For more details and registration visit www.raha2016.org
S Subhakeerthana By

Express News Service

The Hindi remake of Tamil film Kalyana Samayal Saadham (KSS), which was rumoured to be shelved, is very much happening. Speaking to City Express from Mumbai, director RS Prasanna says Bollywood director Anand L Rai has obtained the rights of the film.

Lekha Washington suggested that we have a special screening in Mumbai, in January, 2014. Anand Rai was one of the invitees, and he loved the film. After the screening got over, he told that we could remake the film in Hindi. But the process took its own time, Prasanna shares.

Though it took three years for the whole project to materialise, Prasanna didnt lose hope. I felt a strange connect with Anand ever since I met him. Hes a wonderful person to work with. Though I was new to Bollywood, he put me in ease. I am directing the film, and the story is mine. We are hiring a person to work on the dialogues and screenplay, he adds. Titled, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, the film has been scheduled to release on August 25, 2017.

Many people were asking me why didnt I direct anything post KSS. Everyone was interested to know the developments of my film, which was motivating. I made a full-length English film On A Quest on Swami Chinmayananda last year. It wasnt for a theatrical release. Anand was busy with Tanu Weds Manu: Returns. So, I had to wait. Somehow I knew we were going to collaborate. It was a calling sorts, he smiles.

In what way Shubh... would be different from KSS? Id not say this is a remake, but a re-take or an adaptation of my previous film. We locked the script, and are in talks to finalise the cast and crew. In a week, everything will be zeroed in on, he shares. Based on Tam-Brahm wedding, KSS opened to excellent reception from critics and the audience for its novel way of storytelling.

The Hindi remake of Tamil film Kalyana Samayal Saadham (KSS), which was rumoured to be shelved, is very much happening. Speaking to City Express from Mumbai, director RS Prasanna says Bollywood director Anand L Rai has obtained the rights of the film. Lekha Washington suggested that we have a special screening in Mumbai, in January, 2014. Anand Rai was one of the invitees, and he loved the film. After the screening got over, he told that we could remake the film in Hindi. But the process took its own time, Prasanna shares. Though it took three years for the whole project to materialise, Prasanna didnt lose hope. I felt a strange connect with Anand ever since I met him. Hes a wonderful person to work with. Though I was new to Bollywood, he put me in ease. I am directing the film, and the story is mine. We are hiring a person to work on the dialogues and screenplay, he adds. Titled, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, the film has been scheduled to release on August 25, 2017. Many people were asking me why didnt I direct anything post KSS. Everyone was interested to know the developments of my film, which was motivating. I made a full-length English film On A Quest on Swami Chinmayananda last year. It wasnt for a theatrical release. Anand was busy with Tanu Weds Manu: Returns. So, I had to wait. Somehow I knew we were going to collaborate. It was a calling sorts, he smiles. In what way Shubh... would be different from KSS? Id not say this is a remake, but a re-take or an adaptation of my previous film. We locked the script, and are in talks to finalise the cast and crew. In a week, everything will be zeroed in on, he shares. Based on Tam-Brahm wedding, KSS opened to excellent reception from critics and the audience for its novel way of storytelling.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI:The Nagas of Manipur have stuck to their guns  they will keep opposing the state governments decision to create seven more districts even as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh refuted allegation his Congress governments move was aimed at scoring some brownie points ahead of next years assembly elections.



Manipurs apex Naga organisation United Naga Council (UNC) held a meeting at Senapati bordering Nagaland on Monday where it viewed the Ibobi governments decision as against the interests of the Nagas and decided to keep opposing it.



UNC leaders were not available for comments but sources told Express that those in the meeting, had taken a decision to impress upon the Central government to expedite the peace parleys with the Isak-Muivah faction of major Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) based on the Framework Agreement signed last year.



The demands of NSCN-IM include the creation of Greater Nagaland by slicing off the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.



The proposed new districts to be created from Wednesday include Kangpokpi, Jiribam, Noney, Kamjong, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, and Kakching by bifurcating what were previously nine districts.



In October, the Ibobi government had decided to upgrade sub-divisions Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged districts. Subsequently, the UNC enforced an indefinite economic blockade on two national highways  lifelines of Manipur  from November 1. This made the Meiteis (Manipuris) to enforce a counter blockade. Both blockades are still in force. The announcement as regards the creation of five more districts was taken last week.



The UNC insisted that Sadar Hills was the ancestral homeland of the Nagas where migrant Kukis (tribesmen) are now in a majority. The organisation alleged that by upgrading it to a full-fledged district, the state government was trying to keep the Kukis in good humour ahead of elections. The UNCs worries about Jiribam were that it would be created by bifurcating Naga-dominated Tamenglong to benefit the Manipuris.



The UNC argued that the government should have consulted the Naga organisations before deciding on elevating Sadar Hills and Jiribam as per previous commitments through MoUs. But Ibobi said there was no question of consulting or not consulting any third party as it was purely the prerogative of his government. He said the government delayed in taking the decision as it was busy with various projects.



Meanwhile, Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), the political front which rights activist Irom Sharmila floated, welcomed the governments decision but questioned its timing. The BJP alleged that the Congress was trying to create a communal flare-up ahead of the polls.

GUWAHATI:The Nagas of Manipur have stuck to their guns  they will keep opposing the state governments decision to create seven more districts even as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh refuted allegation his Congress governments move was aimed at scoring some brownie points ahead of next years assembly elections. Manipurs apex Naga organisation United Naga Council (UNC) held a meeting at Senapati bordering Nagaland on Monday where it viewed the Ibobi governments decision as against the interests of the Nagas and decided to keep opposing it. UNC leaders were not available for comments but sources told Express that those in the meeting, had taken a decision to impress upon the Central government to expedite the peace parleys with the Isak-Muivah faction of major Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) based on the Framework Agreement signed last year. The demands of NSCN-IM include the creation of Greater Nagaland by slicing off the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The proposed new districts to be created from Wednesday include Kangpokpi, Jiribam, Noney, Kamjong, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, and Kakching by bifurcating what were previously nine districts. In October, the Ibobi government had decided to upgrade sub-divisions Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged districts. Subsequently, the UNC enforced an indefinite economic blockade on two national highways  lifelines of Manipur  from November 1. This made the Meiteis (Manipuris) to enforce a counter blockade. Both blockades are still in force. The announcement as regards the creation of five more districts was taken last week. The UNC insisted that Sadar Hills was the ancestral homeland of the Nagas where migrant Kukis (tribesmen) are now in a majority. The organisation alleged that by upgrading it to a full-fledged district, the state government was trying to keep the Kukis in good humour ahead of elections. The UNCs worries about Jiribam were that it would be created by bifurcating Naga-dominated Tamenglong to benefit the Manipuris. The UNC argued that the government should have consulted the Naga organisations before deciding on elevating Sadar Hills and Jiribam as per previous commitments through MoUs. But Ibobi said there was no question of consulting or not consulting any third party as it was purely the prerogative of his government. He said the government delayed in taking the decision as it was busy with various projects. Meanwhile, Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), the political front which rights activist Irom Sharmila floated, welcomed the governments decision but questioned its timing. The BJP alleged that the Congress was trying to create a communal flare-up ahead of the polls.
Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Ukrainian Way of Farming. Who Will Benefit from Its Demise?'

On Tuesday, December 13, at 15.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference by Director General of the Ukrainian State Fund for Farmers Support, board member of the Association of Farmers and Private Landowners Ivan Slobodianyk entitled "Ukrainian Way of Farming. Who Will Benefit from Its Demise?" (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation.
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

Raipur: Bhartiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Monday slammed the Opposition for protesting against demonetisation as he reiterated the party's stand that there will be no roll-back, and that the fight against the black money will continue.

Addressing the party workers' meet at science college ground in Raipur, Shah said that  the BJP believes in politics of performance that ensures repeat mandate for the party in various States, as he challenged the Opposition that howsoever strong agitation it might launch, his party's position on demonetisation will not change.

During the Congress regime of 60 years, the nation suffered from paralysis of black money. And without demonitisation it can't be cured. Modiji understands the discomfort of standing in the queue but like any major surgical treatment the pain is bound to be there, Shah opined.

The party president tried to impress upon the cadres about the decision of demonetisation remaining in the nations interest. The unaccounted wealth recovered following demonetisation or the capital regained through stringent penalty imposed on unaccounted money would be utilised for the welfare of poor, tribals, dalits, backwards, farmers, women and further development of the country.

Taking a jibe at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seeking to know the achievements of the NDA government led by Modi, Shah said that first and foremost his party has given the nation a Prime Minister who speaks.

During our two-and-a-half year rule, there is no allegation of fraud and any graft charges. But the nation witnessed the corruption to the tune of 12 lakh crore during the Congress regime. Our party has launched 92 welfare schemes and the fight against black money. Rahul baba has to replace his Italian eyeglasses with Indian spectacles to see all these, Shah stated.

The BJP leader praised the accomplishments of Raman Singh government. From the backward Bimaru status, the Chhattisgarh state now is ranked among the most progressive State of the country under the leadership of Raman Singh, Shah affirmed.

He exhorted the party workers to connect with each person with the BJP and carry the messages and achievements of PM Modi and CM Raman Singh among the masses to ensure the party returns to power in Chhattisgarh for the fourth consecutive term in 2018.

Raipur: Bhartiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Monday slammed the Opposition for protesting against demonetisation as he reiterated the party's stand that there will be no roll-back, and that the fight against the black money will continue. Addressing the party workers' meet at science college ground in Raipur, Shah said that  the BJP believes in politics of performance that ensures repeat mandate for the party in various States, as he challenged the Opposition that howsoever strong agitation it might launch, his party's position on demonetisation will not change. During the Congress regime of 60 years, the nation suffered from paralysis of black money. And without demonitisation it can't be cured. Modiji understands the discomfort of standing in the queue but like any major surgical treatment the pain is bound to be there, Shah opined. The party president tried to impress upon the cadres about the decision of demonetisation remaining in the nations interest. The unaccounted wealth recovered following demonetisation or the capital regained through stringent penalty imposed on unaccounted money would be utilised for the welfare of poor, tribals, dalits, backwards, farmers, women and further development of the country. Taking a jibe at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seeking to know the achievements of the NDA government led by Modi, Shah said that first and foremost his party has given the nation a Prime Minister who speaks. During our two-and-a-half year rule, there is no allegation of fraud and any graft charges. But the nation witnessed the corruption to the tune of 12 lakh crore during the Congress regime. Our party has launched 92 welfare schemes and the fight against black money. Rahul baba has to replace his Italian eyeglasses with Indian spectacles to see all these, Shah stated. The BJP leader praised the accomplishments of Raman Singh government. From the backward Bimaru status, the Chhattisgarh state now is ranked among the most progressive State of the country under the leadership of Raman Singh, Shah affirmed. He exhorted the party workers to connect with each person with the BJP and carry the messages and achievements of PM Modi and CM Raman Singh among the masses to ensure the party returns to power in Chhattisgarh for the fourth consecutive term in 2018.
By PTI

SRINAGAR: Terrorists, who stormed the army camp at Nagrota in Jammu region on November 29, used a silencer-fitted weapon to kill a sentry before gaining entry into the premises, a tactic adopted by 'fidayeen' (suicide attackers) for the first time in the troubled state.

After sneaking into the camp from the rear side, which had thick vegetation that provided natural cover of elephant grass, one of the terrorists fired at the sentry using a silencer-fitted weapon, official sources said.

As someone noticed the fall of the sentry, panic gripped the army camp, which houses an artillery unit having the presence of families of soldiers. Soon firing erupted.

The sources said night illuminators were fired to locate the terrorists who had by then taken entered an adjacent two-storey building where families of soldiers were staying.

Anticipating a hostage-like situation, the army troops with the help of para-commandos rescued the women and children first before launching a final onslaught on the terrorists.

Drones were pressed into the service which helped the snipers eliminate the terrorists inside the camp, the sources said.

Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in the attack by the three terrorists, who were also eliminated in the counteroffensive which lasted nearly four hours.

Seeking to join the dots related to the attack, multiple security agencies have indicated that three attackers had infiltrated into India from across the international border at Hiranagar in Kathua district of Jammu region.

The security agencies had recovered an iCom wireless set near a tree in Hirnagar that matched the frequency of the sets carried by the militants, sources said.

Not ruling out the possibility of local assistance being provided to the terrorists, sources said they had possibly entered into India on the night of November 28-29 and travelled a distance of 78 kms to the army camp using a well-connected national highway before mounting the assault in the morning.

Initially, it was speculated that the terrorists could have travelled to the army camp from Kashmir, a possibility that was rejected after the vehicular movement was scrutinised from the CCTVs installed at vantage points along the national highway linking the Valley to the rest of the country.

There were some intelligence leads suggesting that a militant sympathiser from Poonch had ferried the terrorists to the army camp, they said.

BSF officials had initially rejected suggestions that terrorists entered through the international border but after the recovery of the wireless set, they started their internal probe. The case is now being probed by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

SRINAGAR: Terrorists, who stormed the army camp at Nagrota in Jammu region on November 29, used a silencer-fitted weapon to kill a sentry before gaining entry into the premises, a tactic adopted by 'fidayeen' (suicide attackers) for the first time in the troubled state. After sneaking into the camp from the rear side, which had thick vegetation that provided natural cover of elephant grass, one of the terrorists fired at the sentry using a silencer-fitted weapon, official sources said. As someone noticed the fall of the sentry, panic gripped the army camp, which houses an artillery unit having the presence of families of soldiers. Soon firing erupted. The sources said night illuminators were fired to locate the terrorists who had by then taken entered an adjacent two-storey building where families of soldiers were staying. Anticipating a hostage-like situation, the army troops with the help of para-commandos rescued the women and children first before launching a final onslaught on the terrorists. Drones were pressed into the service which helped the snipers eliminate the terrorists inside the camp, the sources said. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in the attack by the three terrorists, who were also eliminated in the counteroffensive which lasted nearly four hours. Seeking to join the dots related to the attack, multiple security agencies have indicated that three attackers had infiltrated into India from across the international border at Hiranagar in Kathua district of Jammu region. The security agencies had recovered an iCom wireless set near a tree in Hirnagar that matched the frequency of the sets carried by the militants, sources said. Not ruling out the possibility of local assistance being provided to the terrorists, sources said they had possibly entered into India on the night of November 28-29 and travelled a distance of 78 kms to the army camp using a well-connected national highway before mounting the assault in the morning. Initially, it was speculated that the terrorists could have travelled to the army camp from Kashmir, a possibility that was rejected after the vehicular movement was scrutinised from the CCTVs installed at vantage points along the national highway linking the Valley to the rest of the country. There were some intelligence leads suggesting that a militant sympathiser from Poonch had ferried the terrorists to the army camp, they said. BSF officials had initially rejected suggestions that terrorists entered through the international border but after the recovery of the wireless set, they started their internal probe. The case is now being probed by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The worlds first and second most populous Muslim countries have joined hands to combat terrorism and to play an important role based on their plural fabric in a region torn by extremism and radicalisation.

Indonesia President Joko Widodo, on his first visit to India after 2014 elections, held discussions with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two decided to deepen their cooperation in the field of maritime security as well besides boosting trade links. The bilateral ties with Indonesia fall under the rubric of Modi governments Act East Policy.

The two countries, in a joint statement, expressed zero tolerance for acts of terror. Indonesia with the worlds largest population has been successful in keeping religious extremism and radicalisation at bay; while supporting democratic and plural form of government.

Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world with over 7,000 islands has strategic importance for India as its straddles between Indian and Pacific Ocean overlooking the important sea lanes of communication.

The Joint Statement had messages for both China and Pakistan and duly weaved in the concerns of New Delhi and Jakarta. Both Widodo and Modi, in an obvious reference to China, called upon all world countries to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 for designating terrorists. China has refused to budge from its position of technical hold on putting Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar in the list of proscribed global terrorists.

In a reference meant for Pakistan, the two countries asked to clamp down terror networks and squeezing their finances. The two countries vowed to combat transnational terrorism emanating from their territory by effective criminal justice and countering terror, organised crime, drugs, human trafficking, money laundering and arms smuggling.

Both countries underscored the importance they attach to democracy and pluralism emanating from their common heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. In a region torn by radicalism and extremism, both countries recognized the important role that they can play in this regard, sources said.

With Indonesia involved in an imbroglio over South China Sea with China, India lent its support in the resolution of the problem through peaceful means within the ambit of the international maritime law of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

In a symbolic of the new grounds being found between the two countries, the Indonesian carrier Garuda started its direct flight form Mumbai to Jakarta on Monday.

NEW DELHI: The worlds first and second most populous Muslim countries have joined hands to combat terrorism and to play an important role based on their plural fabric in a region torn by extremism and radicalisation. Indonesia President Joko Widodo, on his first visit to India after 2014 elections, held discussions with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two decided to deepen their cooperation in the field of maritime security as well besides boosting trade links. The bilateral ties with Indonesia fall under the rubric of Modi governments Act East Policy. The two countries, in a joint statement, expressed zero tolerance for acts of terror. Indonesia with the worlds largest population has been successful in keeping religious extremism and radicalisation at bay; while supporting democratic and plural form of government. Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world with over 7,000 islands has strategic importance for India as its straddles between Indian and Pacific Ocean overlooking the important sea lanes of communication. The Joint Statement had messages for both China and Pakistan and duly weaved in the concerns of New Delhi and Jakarta. Both Widodo and Modi, in an obvious reference to China, called upon all world countries to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 for designating terrorists. China has refused to budge from its position of technical hold on putting Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar in the list of proscribed global terrorists. In a reference meant for Pakistan, the two countries asked to clamp down terror networks and squeezing their finances. The two countries vowed to combat transnational terrorism emanating from their territory by effective criminal justice and countering terror, organised crime, drugs, human trafficking, money laundering and arms smuggling. Both countries underscored the importance they attach to democracy and pluralism emanating from their common heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. In a region torn by radicalism and extremism, both countries recognized the important role that they can play in this regard, sources said. With Indonesia involved in an imbroglio over South China Sea with China, India lent its support in the resolution of the problem through peaceful means within the ambit of the international maritime law of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). In a symbolic of the new grounds being found between the two countries, the Indonesian carrier Garuda started its direct flight form Mumbai to Jakarta on Monday.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The five-member delegation led by senior BJP leader and former Union External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Monday said there was an improvement in the situation in the unrest-hit Valley but situation was still very grim and there was a lot of anger among the people against India.

The delegation members led by Sinha and including Wajahat Habibullah, Sushoba Barve, journalist Bharat Bhushan and former Air Marsal (Retd) Kapil Kak met the civil society members today at a hotel in Srinagar. During the interaction, the participants put forth their suggestions on how to restore peace in the Valley, which is witnessing unrest since the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

At least 94 people have been killed, more than 13,000 injured and over 8,000 arrested during the five months of unrest.

We have met a lot of people in the last three days in the Valley. We visited central Kashmirs Budgam district and met Aga Syed Al Mousvi, who is a member of Syed Ali Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference, said Wajahat Habibullah.

He said the delegation, which arrived here on its second visit on Saturday, also met youngsters in Shopian and Anantnag in South Kashmir yesterday.

We have been meeting a lot of people. We met the brother of detained separatist leader Shabir Shah in Anantnag. We met youngsters, young entrepreneurs, a group of clergymen and a delegation of the Sikh community, said Wajahat, a former chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and the first Chief Information Commissioner.

Independent MLA Er Sheikh Abdur Rashid also met the delegation today and told it that J&K is not an integral part of India and the government of India should hold talks with the militant leadership.

Wajahat said everybody talks of peace. The common thread during these interactions has been a desire for peace.

It was the second visit of the Sinha-led delegation to the unrest-hit Valley. Earlier, the team had visited Kashmir in October and among others met separatist leaders, who had refused to talk to the All Party Delegation (APD) members in September.

We are talking to all sections of society and seeking suggestions from them. It is a question of discussing ideas and what are the ways to restore peace and tranquility in the Valley, Wajahat said.

He admitted that the problem in Kashmir is very deep rooted. It is a fact that there is a problem and that has to be recognized.

Asked whether they see an improvement in situation in the Valley, Wajahat said, There is certainly a distinctive improvement. It is noticeable.

He, however, said although there is a semblance of peace in the Valley, the situation is still very grim.

According to him, the situation in Kashmir is now better. The separatist leaders have been released and they are meeting with each other. The education system is back on track. Schools are open and examination has been held.

How much credit we want to take? We dont want to take credit for anything, Wajahat said.

When he was told that separatists have softened their weekly protest shutdown calendar and announced a three-day relaxation in the shutdown, Wajahat said, There is an improvement in the situation. How much credit goes to us, I am not willing to say. But we do believe that we have contributed to it.

The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, who are spearheading the five-month long agitation in the Valley, last week announced a three-day relaxation in shutdown.

Wajahat, who is a former Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, acknowledged that there is a lot of anger in Valley.

Anger is concentrated against India. We have come here as Indian citizens to tell people that we have come to work with you. They (Kashmiris) are unhappy over the policies of Government of India. There is criticism on Kashmir policies of present and past governments. Kashmiris feel they have not been understood and given due respect by rest of country, he added.

Wajahat said they have been giving feedback to Central government about their visits to the Valley. After our last visit, we gave the feedback to central government, Prime Ministers Office and Ministry of Home Affairs. We would be doing the same this time also.

We will also be sharing our feedback with the State government, he added.

SRINAGAR: The five-member delegation led by senior BJP leader and former Union External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Monday said there was an improvement in the situation in the unrest-hit Valley but situation was still very grim and there was a lot of anger among the people against India. The delegation members led by Sinha and including Wajahat Habibullah, Sushoba Barve, journalist Bharat Bhushan and former Air Marsal (Retd) Kapil Kak met the civil society members today at a hotel in Srinagar. During the interaction, the participants put forth their suggestions on how to restore peace in the Valley, which is witnessing unrest since the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. At least 94 people have been killed, more than 13,000 injured and over 8,000 arrested during the five months of unrest. We have met a lot of people in the last three days in the Valley. We visited central Kashmirs Budgam district and met Aga Syed Al Mousvi, who is a member of Syed Ali Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference, said Wajahat Habibullah. He said the delegation, which arrived here on its second visit on Saturday, also met youngsters in Shopian and Anantnag in South Kashmir yesterday. We have been meeting a lot of people. We met the brother of detained separatist leader Shabir Shah in Anantnag. We met youngsters, young entrepreneurs, a group of clergymen and a delegation of the Sikh community, said Wajahat, a former chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and the first Chief Information Commissioner. Independent MLA Er Sheikh Abdur Rashid also met the delegation today and told it that J&K is not an integral part of India and the government of India should hold talks with the militant leadership. Wajahat said everybody talks of peace. The common thread during these interactions has been a desire for peace. It was the second visit of the Sinha-led delegation to the unrest-hit Valley. Earlier, the team had visited Kashmir in October and among others met separatist leaders, who had refused to talk to the All Party Delegation (APD) members in September. We are talking to all sections of society and seeking suggestions from them. It is a question of discussing ideas and what are the ways to restore peace and tranquility in the Valley, Wajahat said. He admitted that the problem in Kashmir is very deep rooted. It is a fact that there is a problem and that has to be recognized. Asked whether they see an improvement in situation in the Valley, Wajahat said, There is certainly a distinctive improvement. It is noticeable. He, however, said although there is a semblance of peace in the Valley, the situation is still very grim. According to him, the situation in Kashmir is now better. The separatist leaders have been released and they are meeting with each other. The education system is back on track. Schools are open and examination has been held. How much credit we want to take? We dont want to take credit for anything, Wajahat said. When he was told that separatists have softened their weekly protest shutdown calendar and announced a three-day relaxation in the shutdown, Wajahat said, There is an improvement in the situation. How much credit goes to us, I am not willing to say. But we do believe that we have contributed to it. The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, who are spearheading the five-month long agitation in the Valley, last week announced a three-day relaxation in shutdown. Wajahat, who is a former Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, acknowledged that there is a lot of anger in Valley. Anger is concentrated against India. We have come here as Indian citizens to tell people that we have come to work with you. They (Kashmiris) are unhappy over the policies of Government of India. There is criticism on Kashmir policies of present and past governments. Kashmiris feel they have not been understood and given due respect by rest of country, he added. Wajahat said they have been giving feedback to Central government about their visits to the Valley. After our last visit, we gave the feedback to central government, Prime Ministers Office and Ministry of Home Affairs. We would be doing the same this time also. We will also be sharing our feedback with the State government, he added.
Ankur Sharma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau under the Finance Ministry along with other officials conducted pan India sting operations in PSU bank branches to detect illegal exchange of demonetized notes and money laundering.

Sources said officials were sent to various banks in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, and states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, as decoy customers asking bank officials to convert or give new currency note. Details of these operations have been handed over to the Prime Ministers office and Finance ministry, sources said.

Whole procedure was initiated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed concern about the reason why queues were not ending and people are not getting money. Also, the government was worried about huge seizures in the form of new currency during raids, a senior government official said.

Nearly, 500 bank branches of all public and private sector banks have been covered and a detailed report was given to PMO and finance ministry," officials added.

The government is planning to take action against banks apart from individual officers involved in illicit exchange of notes.

The move came two weeks after the government decided to trap bank officials involved in illegally distributing new currency to people trying to convert black money.

NEW DELHI: The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau under the Finance Ministry along with other officials conducted pan India sting operations in PSU bank branches to detect illegal exchange of demonetized notes and money laundering. Sources said officials were sent to various banks in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, and states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, as decoy customers asking bank officials to convert or give new currency note. Details of these operations have been handed over to the Prime Ministers office and Finance ministry, sources said. Whole procedure was initiated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed concern about the reason why queues were not ending and people are not getting money. Also, the government was worried about huge seizures in the form of new currency during raids, a senior government official said. Nearly, 500 bank branches of all public and private sector banks have been covered and a detailed report was given to PMO and finance ministry," officials added. The government is planning to take action against banks apart from individual officers involved in illicit exchange of notes. The move came two weeks after the government decided to trap bank officials involved in illegally distributing new currency to people trying to convert black money.
N Vittal By

For the first time, after seven decades of Indias Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built a unique coalition of a permanent new majority of voters who believe in the cherished values of our culture and the Sanatana Dharma. The prime minister has articulated a modern political ideology that could ensure good governance and ethics in the public life of the country.

Included in this new majority are the members of the RSS, the vast number of people who follow yoga guru Baba Ramdev, members of the Art of Living organisation who follow the spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, the aspiring youth of the digital era who form a vigorous majority of our nation, and the affluent and influential Indian diaspora spread all over the world. The hat-trick began on the turbulent and exciting Kashmir front with the surgical strikes on October 28 carried out brilliantly by our armed forces. In one stroke, it called the nuclear bluff of Pakistan, which is ably assisted by its friends North Korea, China and others.

This was followed by a totally unexpected surgical strike on the financial front by the prime ministers announcement on November 8, of demonetisation of `500 and `1000 notes, which formed 86 per cent of all currency. All pervasive corruption and black money had become the bane of India. Especially during UPA I and II, there was a continuous demonstration of the rot in every sector of public life resulting from the cynical and unethical style of governance marked by the 2G scam, Commonwealth Games scam, Coalgate and so on. The third part of the hattrick was carried out simultaneously with these headlinegrabbing events.

This was the patient building up of the consensus for the GST Bill, which ultimately would ensure that we have a one nation and one tax regime. In fact, the initiative taken by the prime minister must be examined not only in the context of the upcoming 2019 elections, but also considering the post-independence management of the Indian financial sector. As Shankar Aiyyar points out in his article (To curb black money, strike at the business model of politics) in Express dated November 14, The quest to curb black money and corruption is as old as the Republic of India. For seven decades, the twin devils have haunted India. There have been demonetisations, even disclosure schemes since the creation of institutions of vigilance, and legislation of new laws to tackle corruption and black money. Yet, as the Eagles sing in Hotel California, They stab it with their steely knives, but they just cant kill the beast .

This latest effort was the third attempt of demonetisation. The first demonetisation of 1946 resulted in the demonetisation of `143 crore, out of a total of `1,235 crore with the public. In 1978, the Morarji Desai regime demonetised about `135 crore out of a total of `9,152 crore in circulation. In 2016, the Modi government has demonetised `14.95 lakh crore out of `16.38 lakh crore. Anyone can see immediately how the amount of high denomination currency demonetised has explosively grown from 1.52 per cent of the notes in circulation to nearly 86 per cent. Naturally, the impact on the economy, especially when it comes to cash transactions, is certainly unprecedented in the third one, compared with the first two attempts.

It is generally said that when people try, they might succeed in their third attempt. The question is: will the Modi government prove to be third time lucky? As an ardent admirer and wellwisher of our energetic prime minister who is a Karmayogi, I venture to submit some ideas to ensure success in this noble national effort. _ In an emotionally charged speech, the prime minister on November 13 indicated what his future strategy would be when he said that the fight against black money will continue relentlessly.

Action on the legislative side for the confiscation of benami properties has already been initiated and the legislative measure is in the advanced stage. _ The launching of the GST will go a long way in helping to curb the growth of black money. _ There is one vital measure which I would urge the prime minister very strongly to take to ensure that this third attempt at demonetisation and tackling of black money in the economy does not fail like its predecessors the government must immediately enact that the proposal of the legal eagle Fali Nariman, made in the Rajya Sabha when he was a nominated member of the Upper House, to nationalise all the accounts of Indian citizens in the tax havens of the world.

This will ensure that a large loophole in our current financial architecture is plugged and that in future, the black money will not accumulate there. _ Well-managed countries like the United States and United Kingdom do not have very high denomination currency notes. In the UK, the highest denomination is fifty pounds, while in the US, it is hundred dollars. We must also, within five years, migrate to a system where the largest denomination is five hundred rupees. Our prime minister has already created history in the politics of independent India by the tectonic shift to the right he piloted in 2014. With above four measures, along with the six he has already hit with demonetisation, Modi will ensure his place as the greatest prime minister of this century!

N Vittal Former Central Vigilance Commissioner

Email: nagarajanvittal@hotmail.com

For the first time, after seven decades of Indias Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built a unique coalition of a permanent new majority of voters who believe in the cherished values of our culture and the Sanatana Dharma. The prime minister has articulated a modern political ideology that could ensure good governance and ethics in the public life of the country. Included in this new majority are the members of the RSS, the vast number of people who follow yoga guru Baba Ramdev, members of the Art of Living organisation who follow the spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, the aspiring youth of the digital era who form a vigorous majority of our nation, and the affluent and influential Indian diaspora spread all over the world. The hat-trick began on the turbulent and exciting Kashmir front with the surgical strikes on October 28 carried out brilliantly by our armed forces. In one stroke, it called the nuclear bluff of Pakistan, which is ably assisted by its friends North Korea, China and others. This was followed by a totally unexpected surgical strike on the financial front by the prime ministers announcement on November 8, of demonetisation of `500 and `1000 notes, which formed 86 per cent of all currency. All pervasive corruption and black money had become the bane of India. Especially during UPA I and II, there was a continuous demonstration of the rot in every sector of public life resulting from the cynical and unethical style of governance marked by the 2G scam, Commonwealth Games scam, Coalgate and so on. The third part of the hattrick was carried out simultaneously with these headlinegrabbing events. This was the patient building up of the consensus for the GST Bill, which ultimately would ensure that we have a one nation and one tax regime. In fact, the initiative taken by the prime minister must be examined not only in the context of the upcoming 2019 elections, but also considering the post-independence management of the Indian financial sector. As Shankar Aiyyar points out in his article (To curb black money, strike at the business model of politics) in Express dated November 14, The quest to curb black money and corruption is as old as the Republic of India. For seven decades, the twin devils have haunted India. There have been demonetisations, even disclosure schemes since the creation of institutions of vigilance, and legislation of new laws to tackle corruption and black money. Yet, as the Eagles sing in Hotel California, They stab it with their steely knives, but they just cant kill the beast . This latest effort was the third attempt of demonetisation. The first demonetisation of 1946 resulted in the demonetisation of `143 crore, out of a total of `1,235 crore with the public. In 1978, the Morarji Desai regime demonetised about `135 crore out of a total of `9,152 crore in circulation. In 2016, the Modi government has demonetised `14.95 lakh crore out of `16.38 lakh crore. Anyone can see immediately how the amount of high denomination currency demonetised has explosively grown from 1.52 per cent of the notes in circulation to nearly 86 per cent. Naturally, the impact on the economy, especially when it comes to cash transactions, is certainly unprecedented in the third one, compared with the first two attempts. It is generally said that when people try, they might succeed in their third attempt. The question is: will the Modi government prove to be third time lucky? As an ardent admirer and wellwisher of our energetic prime minister who is a Karmayogi, I venture to submit some ideas to ensure success in this noble national effort. _ In an emotionally charged speech, the prime minister on November 13 indicated what his future strategy would be when he said that the fight against black money will continue relentlessly. Action on the legislative side for the confiscation of benami properties has already been initiated and the legislative measure is in the advanced stage. _ The launching of the GST will go a long way in helping to curb the growth of black money. _ There is one vital measure which I would urge the prime minister very strongly to take to ensure that this third attempt at demonetisation and tackling of black money in the economy does not fail like its predecessors the government must immediately enact that the proposal of the legal eagle Fali Nariman, made in the Rajya Sabha when he was a nominated member of the Upper House, to nationalise all the accounts of Indian citizens in the tax havens of the world. This will ensure that a large loophole in our current financial architecture is plugged and that in future, the black money will not accumulate there. _ Well-managed countries like the United States and United Kingdom do not have very high denomination currency notes. In the UK, the highest denomination is fifty pounds, while in the US, it is hundred dollars. We must also, within five years, migrate to a system where the largest denomination is five hundred rupees. Our prime minister has already created history in the politics of independent India by the tectonic shift to the right he piloted in 2014. With above four measures, along with the six he has already hit with demonetisation, Modi will ensure his place as the greatest prime minister of this century! N Vittal Former Central Vigilance Commissioner Email: nagarajanvittal@hotmail.com
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Vijayawada city police on Sunday intercepted two Skoda cars in which five persons were transporting ganja illegally while they were on their way to Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Special task force teams have arrested the gang and seized 305 kilograms of Ganja and two high-end cars. On a tip off, task force had waited for the vehicles and intercepted them at Srinagar colony of Satyanarayanapuram in the city.

The arrested persons were identified as Mallisetty Ravi Kiran, 36, Sheikh Dawood Ibrahim, 23, Goreji Naga Malleswar Rao, 27, N Mahesh, 22, and Singidi Nanaji, 27.

According to DCP K Palaraju, Ravi Kiran came in contact with two others who were convicted and lodged in a jail for ganja smuggling. The trio hatched a plan to smuggle ganja once they were out of jail. After he came out of jail recently, Ravi Kiran persuaded Ibrahim and Rao to join them in ganja smuggling as it promised easy money. Then all the three went to Paderu in two skoda cars.

There, ganja suppliers N Mahesh and S Nanaji, delivered 305 kg of ganja, after which all the five left for Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi via Vijayawada.

Satyanarayanapuram police registered cases under narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) Act. DCP Palaraju had said that police are investigating from where they are getting the ganja and if there are others involved in the racket.

VIJAYAWADA: Vijayawada city police on Sunday intercepted two Skoda cars in which five persons were transporting ganja illegally while they were on their way to Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi. Special task force teams have arrested the gang and seized 305 kilograms of Ganja and two high-end cars. On a tip off, task force had waited for the vehicles and intercepted them at Srinagar colony of Satyanarayanapuram in the city. The arrested persons were identified as Mallisetty Ravi Kiran, 36, Sheikh Dawood Ibrahim, 23, Goreji Naga Malleswar Rao, 27, N Mahesh, 22, and Singidi Nanaji, 27. According to DCP K Palaraju, Ravi Kiran came in contact with two others who were convicted and lodged in a jail for ganja smuggling. The trio hatched a plan to smuggle ganja once they were out of jail. After he came out of jail recently, Ravi Kiran persuaded Ibrahim and Rao to join them in ganja smuggling as it promised easy money. Then all the three went to Paderu in two skoda cars. There, ganja suppliers N Mahesh and S Nanaji, delivered 305 kg of ganja, after which all the five left for Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi via Vijayawada. Satyanarayanapuram police registered cases under narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) Act. DCP Palaraju had said that police are investigating from where they are getting the ganja and if there are others involved in the racket.
By Express News Service

VISAKHAPATNAM: Flights bound for Chennai from Visakhapatnam are either being cancelled or diverted to other cities as cyclone Vardah makes a landfall on Chennai coast. Of the four flights to Chennai from Visakhaptnam, three have already been cancelled.

Visakhapatnam Airport Director Vinod Kumar said that two Indigo flights scheduled to depart from Vizag to Chennai at around 9am and 2.30pm have been diverted to other cities.

Meanwhile, one SpiceJet flight scheduled at 2pm has also been cancelled, he said. Another SpiceJet flight that is scheduled to reach Vizag from Chennai at around 9.30pm, for which a decision would be taken by the Chennai airport authorities, depending on the situation. He said that the Vizag airport authorities, as well as other officials concerned, have been informing the passengers about the cancellation of flights through messages, calls and e-mails.

Apart from Flights to Chennai, a SpiceJet flight from Tirupathi to Vizag, scheduled to land at around 12.30pm has also been cancelled, he said.



VISAKHAPATNAM: Flights bound for Chennai from Visakhapatnam are either being cancelled or diverted to other cities as cyclone Vardah makes a landfall on Chennai coast. Of the four flights to Chennai from Visakhaptnam, three have already been cancelled. Visakhapatnam Airport Director Vinod Kumar said that two Indigo flights scheduled to depart from Vizag to Chennai at around 9am and 2.30pm have been diverted to other cities. Meanwhile, one SpiceJet flight scheduled at 2pm has also been cancelled, he said. Another SpiceJet flight that is scheduled to reach Vizag from Chennai at around 9.30pm, for which a decision would be taken by the Chennai airport authorities, depending on the situation. He said that the Vizag airport authorities, as well as other officials concerned, have been informing the passengers about the cancellation of flights through messages, calls and e-mails. Apart from Flights to Chennai, a SpiceJet flight from Tirupathi to Vizag, scheduled to land at around 12.30pm has also been cancelled, he said.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Political parties in the state came together to condemn the action of Madhya Pradesh police in preventing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from attending a programme in Bhopal.

Lashing out at the Madhya Pradesh Government, the CPM said that preventing the Chief Minister from attending a function was undemocratic and it indicated the fascist tactics of the MP government, police and the RSS.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that it was an insult to the state and wounded the self respect of Malayalees. It was not an issue that could be settled with a mere apology from Madhya Pradesh government.

He also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make it clear whether it was the Centres policy to deny civil rights to Chief Ministers of non-BJP ruled states.

Stating that the incident had not happened all of a sudden, he said it was a fascist act implemented by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with the knowledge of the Centre. He also said it was the responsibility of the state government to ensure the protection of a visiting Chief Minister. As per protocol, the Chief Minister is a state guest, he said.

The CPM also said that the incident was a violation of the constitution and federal system. Vijayan was to attend a reception hosted by the Malayali organisations in Bhopal on December 10. As many as 250 RSS activists had assembled outside the venue. The MP Police should have arrested them. Instead, they prevented the Chief Minister from attending the reception and seeing the people from his state, the CPM said and added that it was an unlawful act on the part of the police.

The CPM also called upon its units to hold protest marches and public meetings against this act. LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan also called upon to protest against this unlawful act.

Former Chief Minister Oomen Chandy and the Congress came out against the Madhya Pradesh Government.

KPCC president V M Sudheeran said that the act was condemnable. Chandy said that the incident was an insult to the state and should be protested. He said that preventing the Chief Minister from attending a programme was violation of the federal system.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Political parties in the state came together to condemn the action of Madhya Pradesh police in preventing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from attending a programme in Bhopal. Lashing out at the Madhya Pradesh Government, the CPM said that preventing the Chief Minister from attending a function was undemocratic and it indicated the fascist tactics of the MP government, police and the RSS. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that it was an insult to the state and wounded the self respect of Malayalees. It was not an issue that could be settled with a mere apology from Madhya Pradesh government. He also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make it clear whether it was the Centres policy to deny civil rights to Chief Ministers of non-BJP ruled states. Stating that the incident had not happened all of a sudden, he said it was a fascist act implemented by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with the knowledge of the Centre. He also said it was the responsibility of the state government to ensure the protection of a visiting Chief Minister. As per protocol, the Chief Minister is a state guest, he said. The CPM also said that the incident was a violation of the constitution and federal system. Vijayan was to attend a reception hosted by the Malayali organisations in Bhopal on December 10. As many as 250 RSS activists had assembled outside the venue. The MP Police should have arrested them. Instead, they prevented the Chief Minister from attending the reception and seeing the people from his state, the CPM said and added that it was an unlawful act on the part of the police. The CPM also called upon its units to hold protest marches and public meetings against this act. LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan also called upon to protest against this unlawful act. Former Chief Minister Oomen Chandy and the Congress came out against the Madhya Pradesh Government. KPCC president V M Sudheeran said that the act was condemnable. Chandy said that the incident was an insult to the state and should be protested. He said that preventing the Chief Minister from attending a programme was violation of the federal system.
By Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: A 19-year-old Dalit girl working at a private hospital at Kuttiadi, who was taken into custody by the police under suspicious circumstances from the town, committed suicide other day.



According to the police, the girl, identified as Athira, Thrikkodithanam, Changanassery, died after consuming poison at the hospital. The police said the girl had been working as an X-ray technician at the hospital for the last one year.

Athira along with her colleague was taken into custody from the town around 2 am on Friday under suspicious circumstances. Though the duo claimed that they were learning to drive two wheeler, we took them to station for detailed interrogation. Later, they were released after hospital staff were summoned to the station. Athira consumed poison soon after reaching the hospital and she died on Sunday morning, said Kuttiadi SI P S Hareesh.



The police registered a case for unnatural death and seized the scooter which belonged to one Ismayil, the deceaseds colleagues husband. And, Crime detachment DySP Jaison Abraham was handed over the investigation.



Athiras sister Anjali is also working at the same hospital in the pharmacy department.

KOZHIKODE: A 19-year-old Dalit girl working at a private hospital at Kuttiadi, who was taken into custody by the police under suspicious circumstances from the town, committed suicide other day. According to the police, the girl, identified as Athira, Thrikkodithanam, Changanassery, died after consuming poison at the hospital. The police said the girl had been working as an X-ray technician at the hospital for the last one year. Athira along with her colleague was taken into custody from the town around 2 am on Friday under suspicious circumstances. Though the duo claimed that they were learning to drive two wheeler, we took them to station for detailed interrogation. Later, they were released after hospital staff were summoned to the station. Athira consumed poison soon after reaching the hospital and she died on Sunday morning, said Kuttiadi SI P S Hareesh. The police registered a case for unnatural death and seized the scooter which belonged to one Ismayil, the deceaseds colleagues husband. And, Crime detachment DySP Jaison Abraham was handed over the investigation. Athiras sister Anjali is also working at the same hospital in the pharmacy department.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih interested in leasing berths of Olvia port, no response from ministry

KYIV. Dec 12 (Interfax-Ukraine) - ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region) retains its interest to the use of berths at Olvia port (earlier Oktiabrsk seaport, Mykolaiv) for handling own products.

"We want to take several berths at the port, but the process has slightly suspended," ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih CEO Paramjit Kahlon said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine in Kyiv on December 9.

Deputy CEO for Cooperation with public agencies and communications Volodymyr Tkachenko said that earlier a memorandum of intent was signed with Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry. It envisaged the leasing of the above-mentioned berths.

"The ministry has not moved forward. They have plans to transfer the port under the concession agreement," he said.

Asked if the company is ready to take the port's facilities under the concession agreement, Tkachenko said that first the ministry should determine its strategy.

"Let them say what they are ready for. We made the proposal. We have not received the answer. We are waiting for it," he said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for relief and rescue efforts as cyclonic storm 'Vardah' is expected to make landfall this afternoon.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief R K Pachnanda said while eight teams are ready in various areas of Tamil Nadu, seven are in Andhra Pradesh, apart from few others in nearby locations. "Some more teams are on alert in Arrakonam and Guntur and they can be transported immediately in case they are required.

We are in constant touch with the two state governments, the Indian Meteorological Department and other relief agencies," the NDRF Director General told PTI. Each NDRF team, comprising about 45 personnel, has been equipped with rescue gadgets and boats in order to respond to any situation emerging due to the cyclone. "All arrangements are in place and regular updates are being shared," the DG said. Heavy rains lashed Chennai, Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram districts since early morning.

Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure. The armed forces have also been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Commandant NDRF, said two teams have been deployed in Sullurpeta and one in Tada and one reserve team in Nellore. "In case of heavy rainfall in low lying areas, we will evacuate immediately.

As trees may uproot due to high windspeed, we have tree-cutting equipment to tackle it. We will take immediate action," he said. SP Selvam, DIG, NDRF, said the personnel are conducting recce of the areas and familiarising themselves with the help of local guides. "There is a lot of change in preparedness compared to previous years. The state agencies had a meeting yesterday. The chief secretary of Tamil Nadu government held a meeting.

High-level meetings were held by the government of Andhra Pradesh also, which our officers attended," he said. "There was assessment about the requirements and accordingly we have placed the teams," he said. He said the high velocity winds may cause damage to light infrastructure like thatched huts and trees and may cause traffic jams as trees may fall down. "The state administration is prepared for clearing up roads and rescuing people.

Our teams work with the state authorities. Vulnerable areas have been assessed and accordingly, teams have been placed. "In Chennai, two teams have been placed in Basin bridge and one is in Adayar, and one team each in Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram," he said.

NEW DELHI: Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for relief and rescue efforts as cyclonic storm 'Vardah' is expected to make landfall this afternoon. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief R K Pachnanda said while eight teams are ready in various areas of Tamil Nadu, seven are in Andhra Pradesh, apart from few others in nearby locations. "Some more teams are on alert in Arrakonam and Guntur and they can be transported immediately in case they are required. We are in constant touch with the two state governments, the Indian Meteorological Department and other relief agencies," the NDRF Director General told PTI. Each NDRF team, comprising about 45 personnel, has been equipped with rescue gadgets and boats in order to respond to any situation emerging due to the cyclone. "All arrangements are in place and regular updates are being shared," the DG said. Heavy rains lashed Chennai, Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram districts since early morning. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure. The armed forces have also been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Commandant NDRF, said two teams have been deployed in Sullurpeta and one in Tada and one reserve team in Nellore. "In case of heavy rainfall in low lying areas, we will evacuate immediately. As trees may uproot due to high windspeed, we have tree-cutting equipment to tackle it. We will take immediate action," he said. SP Selvam, DIG, NDRF, said the personnel are conducting recce of the areas and familiarising themselves with the help of local guides. "There is a lot of change in preparedness compared to previous years. The state agencies had a meeting yesterday. The chief secretary of Tamil Nadu government held a meeting. High-level meetings were held by the government of Andhra Pradesh also, which our officers attended," he said. "There was assessment about the requirements and accordingly we have placed the teams," he said. He said the high velocity winds may cause damage to light infrastructure like thatched huts and trees and may cause traffic jams as trees may fall down. "The state administration is prepared for clearing up roads and rescuing people. Our teams work with the state authorities. Vulnerable areas have been assessed and accordingly, teams have been placed. "In Chennai, two teams have been placed in Basin bridge and one is in Adayar, and one team each in Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram," he said.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: On behalf of the South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA), actors from Kollywood paid homage to the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa and political analyst-actor Cho Ramaswamy on Sunday at Sri Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, Kodambakkam.

Speaking during the condolence meet, Superstar Rajinikanth compared Jayalalithaa to a diamond. Now she is resting like a Kohinoor diamond besides MGRs memorial. She braved all the odds and made it big in this male chauvinistic society. She was this lady with a golden heart, he said.

Rajinikanth added that Jayalalithaa was hurt because of what he had said during the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign. I was one of the reasons why she lost the elections, he said. Back then, he had said, If Jayalalithaa is voted to power, even God cant save out State. He admitted how surprised he was when she had come for his elder daughter Aishwaryaas wedding. Despite having to attend another marriage of a party functionary, she attended our ceremony, he recalled.

Vishal, Vadivelu, Nasser, producer Isari K Ganesh, Sivakumar, Manobala, director KS Ravikumar and Karunas were among those who participated.

CHENNAI: On behalf of the South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA), actors from Kollywood paid homage to the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa and political analyst-actor Cho Ramaswamy on Sunday at Sri Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, Kodambakkam. Speaking during the condolence meet, Superstar Rajinikanth compared Jayalalithaa to a diamond. Now she is resting like a Kohinoor diamond besides MGRs memorial. She braved all the odds and made it big in this male chauvinistic society. She was this lady with a golden heart, he said. Rajinikanth added that Jayalalithaa was hurt because of what he had said during the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign. I was one of the reasons why she lost the elections, he said. Back then, he had said, If Jayalalithaa is voted to power, even God cant save out State. He admitted how surprised he was when she had come for his elder daughter Aishwaryaas wedding. Despite having to attend another marriage of a party functionary, she attended our ceremony, he recalled. Vishal, Vadivelu, Nasser, producer Isari K Ganesh, Sivakumar, Manobala, director KS Ravikumar and Karunas were among those who participated.
By Associated Press

BAGHDAD: U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has arrived in Baghdad to meet with American commanders and Iraqi leaders and to assess progress in the fight to retake the northern city of Mosul from the Islamic State group.

The unannounced visit on Sunday came as Iraqi security forces have been slowed in their nearly two-month-old offensive against IS, which has occupied Mosul for more than two years.

Carter flew into Baghdad aboard a military cargo plane. He was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as top U.S. and coalition commanders.

In Bahrain on Saturday, Carter announced he is sending another 200 troops to Syria to train and advise local fighters combatting IS. There were already 300 U.S. troops authorized for the Syria effort, and some 5,000 in Iraq.

The recapture of Mosul, the country's second-largest city, is crucial to the Iraqis' hopes of restoring their sovereignty, although political stability will likely remain a challenge afterward.

Carter told an international security conference in Bahrain that the battle for Mosul and for the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the extremists' self-described caliphate, would be crucial for defeating the group, which has claimed attacks worldwide.

"The seizure of these two cities is necessary to ensure the destruction of ISIL's parent tumor in Iraq and Syria -- the primary objective of our military campaign -- and put ISIL on an irreversible path to a lasting defeat," he said, using another acronym for IS.

He did not predict how long it might take for Iraqi forces to prevail in Mosul, but he sounded a note of optimism.

"This is a complex mission that will take time to accomplish, but I am confident that ISIL's days in Mosul are numbered," he said in Bahrain.

On Saturday, an Iraqi commander said reinforcements have been sent to eastern Mosul after a major IS counterattack drove troops back earlier in the week. Iraqi forces have only captured a handful of eastern Mosul neighborhoods since launching the offensive in mid-October.

Carter, whose tenure as defense secretary will end in January if his designated successor -- retired Marine Gen. James Mattis -- is confirmed by the Senate as expected, also made the case for keeping U.S. forces in Iraq even after IS is dislodged from Mosul.

"Beyond security, there will still be towns to rebuild, services to re-establish, and communities to restore," he said in Bahrain. The extremists, he predicted, will attempt to survive by reinventing themselves "in some other shape or form" after they lose their grip on Iraq and Syria.

Left unsaid was a possible change in course under Donald Trump when he takes office next month.

BAGHDAD: U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has arrived in Baghdad to meet with American commanders and Iraqi leaders and to assess progress in the fight to retake the northern city of Mosul from the Islamic State group. The unannounced visit on Sunday came as Iraqi security forces have been slowed in their nearly two-month-old offensive against IS, which has occupied Mosul for more than two years. Carter flew into Baghdad aboard a military cargo plane. He was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as top U.S. and coalition commanders. In Bahrain on Saturday, Carter announced he is sending another 200 troops to Syria to train and advise local fighters combatting IS. There were already 300 U.S. troops authorized for the Syria effort, and some 5,000 in Iraq. The recapture of Mosul, the country's second-largest city, is crucial to the Iraqis' hopes of restoring their sovereignty, although political stability will likely remain a challenge afterward. Carter told an international security conference in Bahrain that the battle for Mosul and for the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the extremists' self-described caliphate, would be crucial for defeating the group, which has claimed attacks worldwide. "The seizure of these two cities is necessary to ensure the destruction of ISIL's parent tumor in Iraq and Syria -- the primary objective of our military campaign -- and put ISIL on an irreversible path to a lasting defeat," he said, using another acronym for IS. He did not predict how long it might take for Iraqi forces to prevail in Mosul, but he sounded a note of optimism. "This is a complex mission that will take time to accomplish, but I am confident that ISIL's days in Mosul are numbered," he said in Bahrain. On Saturday, an Iraqi commander said reinforcements have been sent to eastern Mosul after a major IS counterattack drove troops back earlier in the week. Iraqi forces have only captured a handful of eastern Mosul neighborhoods since launching the offensive in mid-October. Carter, whose tenure as defense secretary will end in January if his designated successor -- retired Marine Gen. James Mattis -- is confirmed by the Senate as expected, also made the case for keeping U.S. forces in Iraq even after IS is dislodged from Mosul. "Beyond security, there will still be towns to rebuild, services to re-establish, and communities to restore," he said in Bahrain. The extremists, he predicted, will attempt to survive by reinventing themselves "in some other shape or form" after they lose their grip on Iraq and Syria. Left unsaid was a possible change in course under Donald Trump when he takes office next month.
By Associated Press

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran.

"I know Donald Trump," Netanyahu told CBS's "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled to air Sunday night. "And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. There's no question about that."

Netanyahu's remarks are significant in part because critics have accused Trump of tolerating anti-Semitism among some of his supporters.

While the two countries are close allies, relations were sometimes tense between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama because of their vastly different world views on the Iran deal and other issues. And there is sentiment in the nationalist Israeli right wing that Trump's election could usher in a new era of relations with the United States.

Netanyahu said in the interview he "had differences of opinion" with Obama and the "most well-known, of course, is Iran."

The Israeli prime minister has been one of the fiercest critics of the nuclear deal. During the campaign, Trump also spoke harshly about it.

Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israel's destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map. Israel fears that Iran's nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence.

Netanyahu said there are "various ways of undoing" the 2015 deal, in which Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances.

"I have about five things in my mind," Netanyahu said, declining to go into further detail.

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran. "I know Donald Trump," Netanyahu told CBS's "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled to air Sunday night. "And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. There's no question about that." Netanyahu's remarks are significant in part because critics have accused Trump of tolerating anti-Semitism among some of his supporters. While the two countries are close allies, relations were sometimes tense between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama because of their vastly different world views on the Iran deal and other issues. And there is sentiment in the nationalist Israeli right wing that Trump's election could usher in a new era of relations with the United States. Netanyahu said in the interview he "had differences of opinion" with Obama and the "most well-known, of course, is Iran." The Israeli prime minister has been one of the fiercest critics of the nuclear deal. During the campaign, Trump also spoke harshly about it. Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israel's destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map. Israel fears that Iran's nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence. Netanyahu said there are "various ways of undoing" the 2015 deal, in which Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances. "I have about five things in my mind," Netanyahu said, declining to go into further detail.
By AFP

SKOPJE: Macedonia's ruling conservative party and the opposition Social Democrats both claimed victory in snap elections held Sunday in the hope of solving a two-year long deep political crisis.

"We won once again. Tonight, today on December 11, the 10th victory in a row," Vlatko Gjorcev, a senior official of former prime minister Nikola Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE told supporters at the party's headquarters.

However, shortly afterwards the opposition Social Democrats (SDSM) also claimed to have won.

"We are the winners!" Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev told a cheering crowd. "We have one more seat, we are waiting for the final results ... but the trend is clearly in our favour."

With votes counted at 85 percent of polling stations, according to analysts' projections the SDSM will have 52 seats and the VMRO 51.

The SDSM had earlier proclaimed victory in some big cities, including the capital Skopje, and its supporters took the streets to celebrate, AFP journalists reported.

For voters, the most important outcome of the vote will be to get a government capable of regaining stability after the two-year deep political crisis.

"What do I expect? I expect this agony to end," 55-year-old Zoran Milevski told AFP after he cast his ballot at a school-turned-polling station in central Skopje.

The vote was called as part of a European Union-brokered deal between Macedonia's four main political parties after a mass wiretapping scandal erupted in February 2015 and sparked rival street protests.

No major incidents were reported during the day, electoral officials said, although observers warned of irregularities including unauthorised voter registration at several polling stations.

Some voters reportedly faced pressure over who to vote for and local media said there were also attempts to bribe voters, but this was not confirmed.

Voters' photos appear next to their names on lists to limit fraud, a State Electoral Commission member told AFP.

The turnout was higher than at earlier elections, around 66 percent.

- 'Most unpredictable' -

Wiretapping allegations led Gruevski of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party to step down in January after nearly 10 years in power -- paving the way for Sunday's snap election.

The vote, which was twice delayed owing to international concerns over fraud, pitches the ex-PM against his nemesis Zaev.

It was Zaev who released tapes last year that appeared to show the government had wiretapped thousands, including journalists and religious officials, as well as alleging high-level corruption.

Gruevski denied the claims and accused Zaev of planning a coup with foreign support.

"This is the day when people should tell their opinion... to exercise their right to vote and give their opinion on how and in what direction in the future Macedonia should move," Gruevski said after casting his ballot in Skopje.

Zaev, 42, has pitched the vote as a choice between "doom or life" and pledged to stop an exodus of young people from the former Yugoslav republic, which remains one of Europe's poorest countries.

"This day, today is a day on which we choose a progressive, free and united Macedonia," Zaev told reporters after he voted in his native town of Strumica, where he is also mayor.

While critics describe 46-year-old Gruevski as a corrupt authoritarian who has clamped down on democracy and media freedom, his party topped opinion polls ahead of the election.

There was however a substantial number of undecided voters, who could swing the result in the country of two million people.

"This election is one of the most unpredictable to take place in Macedonia," Zaneta Trajkoska, director at the Institute of Communication Studies, told AFP.

"Whoever wins the election will have huge challenges and issues to solve."

A handful of ethnic Albanian political groups are vying to become the junior partner in the new ruling coalition, in a country where a quarter of the population is Albanian.

Albanian insurgents fought Macedonian forces in an uprising 15 years ago, leading to an agreement giving the minority group more rights.

- 'Under pressure' -

Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and NATO but accession has been blocked by Athens owing to a dispute over the country's name -- Greece has a northern region also called Macedonia.

The latest EU progress report on Macedonia said democracy and rule of law had been "constantly challenged" in particular by "state capture", referring to the considerable influence of private interests on state decisions.

Analysts however suggest Europe has brushed aside concerns because of Gruevski's role as a "gatekeeper" in the refugee crisis, in which hundreds of thousands of migrants have entered landlocked Macedonia from Greece on their way to western Europe.

The refugee wave has put added pressure on the public purse in Macedonia, where the average net wage is around 360 euros ($380) a month and unemployment stands at nearly 24 percent.

SKOPJE: Macedonia's ruling conservative party and the opposition Social Democrats both claimed victory in snap elections held Sunday in the hope of solving a two-year long deep political crisis. "We won once again. Tonight, today on December 11, the 10th victory in a row," Vlatko Gjorcev, a senior official of former prime minister Nikola Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE told supporters at the party's headquarters. However, shortly afterwards the opposition Social Democrats (SDSM) also claimed to have won. "We are the winners!" Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev told a cheering crowd. "We have one more seat, we are waiting for the final results ... but the trend is clearly in our favour." With votes counted at 85 percent of polling stations, according to analysts' projections the SDSM will have 52 seats and the VMRO 51. The SDSM had earlier proclaimed victory in some big cities, including the capital Skopje, and its supporters took the streets to celebrate, AFP journalists reported. For voters, the most important outcome of the vote will be to get a government capable of regaining stability after the two-year deep political crisis. "What do I expect? I expect this agony to end," 55-year-old Zoran Milevski told AFP after he cast his ballot at a school-turned-polling station in central Skopje. The vote was called as part of a European Union-brokered deal between Macedonia's four main political parties after a mass wiretapping scandal erupted in February 2015 and sparked rival street protests. No major incidents were reported during the day, electoral officials said, although observers warned of irregularities including unauthorised voter registration at several polling stations. Some voters reportedly faced pressure over who to vote for and local media said there were also attempts to bribe voters, but this was not confirmed. Voters' photos appear next to their names on lists to limit fraud, a State Electoral Commission member told AFP. The turnout was higher than at earlier elections, around 66 percent. - 'Most unpredictable' - Wiretapping allegations led Gruevski of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party to step down in January after nearly 10 years in power -- paving the way for Sunday's snap election. The vote, which was twice delayed owing to international concerns over fraud, pitches the ex-PM against his nemesis Zaev. It was Zaev who released tapes last year that appeared to show the government had wiretapped thousands, including journalists and religious officials, as well as alleging high-level corruption. Gruevski denied the claims and accused Zaev of planning a coup with foreign support. "This is the day when people should tell their opinion... to exercise their right to vote and give their opinion on how and in what direction in the future Macedonia should move," Gruevski said after casting his ballot in Skopje. Zaev, 42, has pitched the vote as a choice between "doom or life" and pledged to stop an exodus of young people from the former Yugoslav republic, which remains one of Europe's poorest countries. "This day, today is a day on which we choose a progressive, free and united Macedonia," Zaev told reporters after he voted in his native town of Strumica, where he is also mayor. While critics describe 46-year-old Gruevski as a corrupt authoritarian who has clamped down on democracy and media freedom, his party topped opinion polls ahead of the election. There was however a substantial number of undecided voters, who could swing the result in the country of two million people. "This election is one of the most unpredictable to take place in Macedonia," Zaneta Trajkoska, director at the Institute of Communication Studies, told AFP. "Whoever wins the election will have huge challenges and issues to solve." A handful of ethnic Albanian political groups are vying to become the junior partner in the new ruling coalition, in a country where a quarter of the population is Albanian. Albanian insurgents fought Macedonian forces in an uprising 15 years ago, leading to an agreement giving the minority group more rights. - 'Under pressure' - Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and NATO but accession has been blocked by Athens owing to a dispute over the country's name -- Greece has a northern region also called Macedonia. The latest EU progress report on Macedonia said democracy and rule of law had been "constantly challenged" in particular by "state capture", referring to the considerable influence of private interests on state decisions. Analysts however suggest Europe has brushed aside concerns because of Gruevski's role as a "gatekeeper" in the refugee crisis, in which hundreds of thousands of migrants have entered landlocked Macedonia from Greece on their way to western Europe. The refugee wave has put added pressure on the public purse in Macedonia, where the average net wage is around 360 euros ($380) a month and unemployment stands at nearly 24 percent.
PK Balachandran By

Express News Service

COLOMBO: Leaders of Tamil Nadu, across the political divide, privately but effectively supported the Indian governments policy of opposing efforts by the US and Norway to rescue Velupillai Prabhakaran so that his Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) lived to fight another day, says Shivshankar Menon, Indias former National Security Adviser (NSA) in his book; Choices: Inside the Making of Indias Foreign Policy.

Political leaders across the political divide in Tamil Nadu knew that the only way Prabhakaran could lead Tamil Eelam would be to physically eliminate the real leaders of the Tamils who were in India, just as he had already done to other Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka, Menon says in the chapter entitled Force Works.

Despite differences in public posture on the issue in Tamil Nadu and Delhi, there was cross party private understanding on the basics of the policy toward Sri Lanka with both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and the All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam Party (AIADMK) party, as a result of considerable hard work by Pranab Mukherjee (the then Foreign Minister) and Narayanan (the then NSA), as I found when I met alone with very senior Tamil Nadu politicians in Chennai, away from the glare of publicity, Menon recalls.

Ironically, by murdering Rajiv Gandhi, the LTTE had caused a shift in broader Indian attitudes, which came to be more in line with those of the Sri Lankan government, he says.

According to Menon, Indias policy options were limited. New Delhi was aware that a victorious Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be less dependent on India and therefore less responsive. Rajapaksa not only had a firm grip on the levers of power, including the military, but also the backing of China, Pakistan and to an extent, the United States.

As regards the US he makes the interesting observation that the United States was willing to help him (Rajapaksa) in practice with intelligence and military training, but was constrained to express human rights concerns, without letting them to rise to the level of affecting his conduct of the war against terrorism.

On the issues before India, Menon says: If India had stood aside and asked him (Rajapaksa) to desist, in effect, defending the killers of an Indian Prime Minister, we would have effectively written ourselves out of Sri Lanka for the next decade or more, sacrificing our maritime and other interests in Sri Lanka and abdicating a geopolitically strategic neighbor to other powers. We could hardly abandon Sri Lanka to potentially hostile influences. In effect, Sri Lanka is an aircraft carrier parked fourteen miles off the Indian coast.

Knowing that victory was round the corner, Rajapaksa was in no mood to agree to Western ceasefire proposals or to any idea that the LTTE leadership might be evacuated to safety, even if that was the only certain way to prevent casualties among civilians that the LTTE had driven onto to the peninsula as their hostages and human shields, Menon notes.

But Rajapaksas obduracy was matched by Prabkarans whose thoughts and plans were increasingly remote from reality. He had either sidelined or killed people who could have advised him better. Prabhakarans obduracy resulted in the complete elimination of the LTTEs military machine and its leadership, including himself and his family.

The way the Sri Lankans fought the war, though criticized for its brutality in the final stages, might have taken a higher toll if delay and stalemate were brought about, Menon feels in his assessment of the war.

It is arguable that some brutality was inevitable in a war of this kind against a violent terrorist group that had shown no qualms about terrorizing its own people and physically eliminating all its potential adversaries, Tamil or Sinhala.

Indeed, one must logically ask the question, would an earlier adoption of the more brutal methods of the last thirty months of the war have brought it to an earlier end and actually saved lives and minimized the wars deleterious effects?. This is a recurrent problem in state craft. It is also the strongest justification for the use of atomic weapons to end World War II.

The strategist Edward Luttwak argues that there are situations in which one should give war a chance. Was Sri Lanka one of them, where peace building efforts and international mediation only prolonged and worsened the agony?, Menon asks and concludes by saying:  These are difficult counterfactuals that go against the grain of liberal thinking, but they do seem appropriate to the Sri Lankan case.

COLOMBO: Leaders of Tamil Nadu, across the political divide, privately but effectively supported the Indian governments policy of opposing efforts by the US and Norway to rescue Velupillai Prabhakaran so that his Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) lived to fight another day, says Shivshankar Menon, Indias former National Security Adviser (NSA) in his book; Choices: Inside the Making of Indias Foreign Policy. Political leaders across the political divide in Tamil Nadu knew that the only way Prabhakaran could lead Tamil Eelam would be to physically eliminate the real leaders of the Tamils who were in India, just as he had already done to other Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka, Menon says in the chapter entitled Force Works. Despite differences in public posture on the issue in Tamil Nadu and Delhi, there was cross party private understanding on the basics of the policy toward Sri Lanka with both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and the All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam Party (AIADMK) party, as a result of considerable hard work by Pranab Mukherjee (the then Foreign Minister) and Narayanan (the then NSA), as I found when I met alone with very senior Tamil Nadu politicians in Chennai, away from the glare of publicity, Menon recalls. Ironically, by murdering Rajiv Gandhi, the LTTE had caused a shift in broader Indian attitudes, which came to be more in line with those of the Sri Lankan government, he says. According to Menon, Indias policy options were limited. New Delhi was aware that a victorious Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be less dependent on India and therefore less responsive. Rajapaksa not only had a firm grip on the levers of power, including the military, but also the backing of China, Pakistan and to an extent, the United States. As regards the US he makes the interesting observation that the United States was willing to help him (Rajapaksa) in practice with intelligence and military training, but was constrained to express human rights concerns, without letting them to rise to the level of affecting his conduct of the war against terrorism. On the issues before India, Menon says: If India had stood aside and asked him (Rajapaksa) to desist, in effect, defending the killers of an Indian Prime Minister, we would have effectively written ourselves out of Sri Lanka for the next decade or more, sacrificing our maritime and other interests in Sri Lanka and abdicating a geopolitically strategic neighbor to other powers. We could hardly abandon Sri Lanka to potentially hostile influences. In effect, Sri Lanka is an aircraft carrier parked fourteen miles off the Indian coast. Knowing that victory was round the corner, Rajapaksa was in no mood to agree to Western ceasefire proposals or to any idea that the LTTE leadership might be evacuated to safety, even if that was the only certain way to prevent casualties among civilians that the LTTE had driven onto to the peninsula as their hostages and human shields, Menon notes. But Rajapaksas obduracy was matched by Prabkarans whose thoughts and plans were increasingly remote from reality. He had either sidelined or killed people who could have advised him better. Prabhakarans obduracy resulted in the complete elimination of the LTTEs military machine and its leadership, including himself and his family. The way the Sri Lankans fought the war, though criticized for its brutality in the final stages, might have taken a higher toll if delay and stalemate were brought about, Menon feels in his assessment of the war. It is arguable that some brutality was inevitable in a war of this kind against a violent terrorist group that had shown no qualms about terrorizing its own people and physically eliminating all its potential adversaries, Tamil or Sinhala. Indeed, one must logically ask the question, would an earlier adoption of the more brutal methods of the last thirty months of the war have brought it to an earlier end and actually saved lives and minimized the wars deleterious effects?. This is a recurrent problem in state craft. It is also the strongest justification for the use of atomic weapons to end World War II. The strategist Edward Luttwak argues that there are situations in which one should give war a chance. Was Sri Lanka one of them, where peace building efforts and international mediation only prolonged and worsened the agony?, Menon asks and concludes by saying:  These are difficult counterfactuals that go against the grain of liberal thinking, but they do seem appropriate to the Sri Lankan case.
Express News Service

COLOMBO: Sri Lankas internal war which ended in May 2009, had cost the country around US$ 200 billion according to Indias former National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon.

In his book Choices: Inside the Making of Indias Foreign Policy, Menon says that this estimate does not include the opportunity cost to Sri Lanka which was once the fastest growing and the most open economy in South Asia.

About deaths, the veteran Indian diplomat turned security expert says that between 1983 and 2009, 80,000 to 100,000 people, including combatants from both sides, lost their lives. Among them were 30,000 to 50,000 civilians, 27,693 LTTE cadres, 23,790 Sri Lankan army personnel, and 1,155 men of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF).

The final stages of the war had created a little over 300,000 refugees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The war had also left 1.6 million land mines in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Torn Society

But the real casualty of the war was Sri Lankas composite society, something that the LTTE and Sinhala chauvinism are equally responsible for, Menon says.

Sri Lankas democracy was flawed by disappearances, killings, torture, detention, and widespread human rights abuses committed by all sides in the war. Civil-military relations were skewed, Sinhala society was militarized, and the brutalized remnants of Tamil civil society were leaderless, without direction or hope. Nor was there any sign of an attempt to come to terms with the legacy and result of the war, to undertake real reconciliation, he observes grimly.

Menon points out that LTTE chief Prabhakaran had left his Sri Lankan Tamil community gutted and brutalized by his war.

The Jaffna Tamils, who had once fed, led, ruled and thought for Ceylon, were reduced to a group of refugees in their own country and abroad, dependent on aid and the dole, their best and brightest dead or in exile. In death and in life, Prabhakarans baleful impact on his people continued to take its toll.

Menon appreciates Sri Lankas successes in post-war rehabilitation, but adds that peace is more than an absence of violence and the presence of basic infrastructure. It is also in the mind.

And this is where Sri Lanka has failed since the war, he points out and adds that both the Sinhalese and the Tamils have failed to grasp the nettle.

A victorious regime under Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Sinhala majority did not show the magnanimity in victory that true peace requires. Equally, the Tamil community does not have leaders left, who can make peace. A Mandela needs a De Klerk and vice versa. Neither is visible in Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, politics is stunted on both sides. Nor has either side, or the international community, managed to get past the arguments of the past. How relevant those arguments of the past are today, is debatable, he says.

Harping on the past and the solutions offered in the past shows a paucity of leadership and thought in both the Sinhala and Tamil parties, Menon points out.

He recalls that India had urged Rajapaksa that if he was to be the leader of all Sri Lankans he should reach out through devolution of political power, restore human rights, and give a sense of dignity to the victor and the vanquished alike.

But Rajapaksa could not bring himself to be politically magnanimous in victory, Menon says.

However, the Indian diplomat admits that Rajapaksa was correct in telling India that there was no one he could work with on the Tamil side.

Such Tamil politicians as had survived the war in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) were either complicit with, or indebted to, the LTTE and the most radical elements in the Diaspora. But Rajapaksa did not use his effective and overwhelming power to promote a moderate Tamil leadership. Instead, he relied on turncoat Tamil militants like Douglas Devananda and his Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), and deployed 14 of his 21 Army Divisions in the North in large military zones expropriated from Tamils, thus appearing as an occupying power rather than as the legitimate government of the people, Menon points out.

Dim View

The Indian diplomat seems to have a dim view of the current efforts to bring about reconciliation and a political settlement.

While rehabilitation was possible and fast, reconciliation has been virtually impossible. And as time passes, it seems less likely that there will be a reckoning that satisfies all concerned, he says.

The world is ready to move on, and so are the victors, the Sinhalas. But the Tamil sense of grievances unaddressed makes the return of separatism and radicalism in another form a matter of time, he feels.

However, much will depend on how politics and society develop in Tamil Nadu, the true land of the Tamils, in the years ahead ,he says.

For the present, there is a declared sympathy but little support in Tamil Nadu for the causes or the methods that the LTTE adopted, Menon observes.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankas internal war which ended in May 2009, had cost the country around US$ 200 billion according to Indias former National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon. In his book Choices: Inside the Making of Indias Foreign Policy, Menon says that this estimate does not include the opportunity cost to Sri Lanka which was once the fastest growing and the most open economy in South Asia. About deaths, the veteran Indian diplomat turned security expert says that between 1983 and 2009, 80,000 to 100,000 people, including combatants from both sides, lost their lives. Among them were 30,000 to 50,000 civilians, 27,693 LTTE cadres, 23,790 Sri Lankan army personnel, and 1,155 men of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). The final stages of the war had created a little over 300,000 refugees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The war had also left 1.6 million land mines in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Torn Society But the real casualty of the war was Sri Lankas composite society, something that the LTTE and Sinhala chauvinism are equally responsible for, Menon says. Sri Lankas democracy was flawed by disappearances, killings, torture, detention, and widespread human rights abuses committed by all sides in the war. Civil-military relations were skewed, Sinhala society was militarized, and the brutalized remnants of Tamil civil society were leaderless, without direction or hope. Nor was there any sign of an attempt to come to terms with the legacy and result of the war, to undertake real reconciliation, he observes grimly. Menon points out that LTTE chief Prabhakaran had left his Sri Lankan Tamil community gutted and brutalized by his war. The Jaffna Tamils, who had once fed, led, ruled and thought for Ceylon, were reduced to a group of refugees in their own country and abroad, dependent on aid and the dole, their best and brightest dead or in exile. In death and in life, Prabhakarans baleful impact on his people continued to take its toll. Menon appreciates Sri Lankas successes in post-war rehabilitation, but adds that peace is more than an absence of violence and the presence of basic infrastructure. It is also in the mind. And this is where Sri Lanka has failed since the war, he points out and adds that both the Sinhalese and the Tamils have failed to grasp the nettle. A victorious regime under Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Sinhala majority did not show the magnanimity in victory that true peace requires. Equally, the Tamil community does not have leaders left, who can make peace. A Mandela needs a De Klerk and vice versa. Neither is visible in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, politics is stunted on both sides. Nor has either side, or the international community, managed to get past the arguments of the past. How relevant those arguments of the past are today, is debatable, he says. Harping on the past and the solutions offered in the past shows a paucity of leadership and thought in both the Sinhala and Tamil parties, Menon points out. He recalls that India had urged Rajapaksa that if he was to be the leader of all Sri Lankans he should reach out through devolution of political power, restore human rights, and give a sense of dignity to the victor and the vanquished alike. But Rajapaksa could not bring himself to be politically magnanimous in victory, Menon says. However, the Indian diplomat admits that Rajapaksa was correct in telling India that there was no one he could work with on the Tamil side. Such Tamil politicians as had survived the war in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) were either complicit with, or indebted to, the LTTE and the most radical elements in the Diaspora. But Rajapaksa did not use his effective and overwhelming power to promote a moderate Tamil leadership. Instead, he relied on turncoat Tamil militants like Douglas Devananda and his Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), and deployed 14 of his 21 Army Divisions in the North in large military zones expropriated from Tamils, thus appearing as an occupying power rather than as the legitimate government of the people, Menon points out. Dim View The Indian diplomat seems to have a dim view of the current efforts to bring about reconciliation and a political settlement. While rehabilitation was possible and fast, reconciliation has been virtually impossible. And as time passes, it seems less likely that there will be a reckoning that satisfies all concerned, he says. The world is ready to move on, and so are the victors, the Sinhalas. But the Tamil sense of grievances unaddressed makes the return of separatism and radicalism in another form a matter of time, he feels. However, much will depend on how politics and society develop in Tamil Nadu, the true land of the Tamils, in the years ahead ,he says. For the present, there is a declared sympathy but little support in Tamil Nadu for the causes or the methods that the LTTE adopted, Menon observes.
KYIV. Dec 12 (Interfax-Ukraine)  ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih CEO Paramjit Kahlon has said that various agencies are systemically pressing on the company, mainly law enforcement agencies, with a proposal to "cooperate" in exchange to the absence of unlawful inspections and questioning of top managers.

Kahlon said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on December 9 that a list of claims to the top managers of the enterprise has been sent to ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih on behalf of some agencies. He did not disclose the details.

"They are on paper  they handed a list of claims. We appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office," he said.

He said that if journalists would make the boldest assumptions what are the claims in the list, there are high chances that they could be true.

"[We feel] large pressure from law enforcement agencies. I cannot say if it is their initiatives or it is managed by a political force. This adds large risks for stable operation of the enterprise," he said.

Kahlon added that the enterprise is being inspected a lot without any grounds.

"Our people are questioned under criminal cases  80 top managers were called for questioning," he said.

Recently an environment protection rally was held and its participants who received money blocked the entrance of the enterprise.

"This is open pressure forcing to share with some persons. The only message for us is cooperate with us. We would not fall for this pressure. We are an international company and the largest investor in Ukraine," Kahlon said.

He recalled that ArcelorMittal has invested $10.4 billion in the enterprise in Kryvy Rih and intends to continue investment in its development and modernization.

"I do not understand how one can have such an attitude to the largest investor. We have raised these issues at the level of top officials of the state," he said, adding that he recently discussed the operation of the company with the Ukrainian prime minister and president.

"National leaders today are doing their best to see arrival of investment to Ukraine. I am afraid that this could not happen due to the fault of some people. The situation with ArcelorMittal is a benchmark for other investors. We would like to see the creation of favorable conditions for work. We have not left Ukraine in hard times. We supported people, including those in the ATO zone," Kahlon said.

"We hope that the situation would change for better. We want to invest in Ukraine," he said.
(Xinhua) 08:37, December 12, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he doesn't believe the allegations by the U.S. intelligence agencies that the Russian government helped him win the White Housevia election-related cyberattacks.

"I think it's just another excuse," Trump told Fox News in an interview broadcast Sunday. "I don't believe it ... Every week it's another excuse."

Democrats are using the so-called Russian involvement to explain their heavy election loss, Trump said in the interview.

"Once they hack if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them," Trump said. "They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place."

Trump's remarks came following a series of U.S. mainstream media reports saying that the CIA had determined in a secret assessment with "strong confidence" that the Russian government had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election in a special bid to help Trump.

Also on Sunday, bipartisan leaders of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, including Republican Senator John McCain and incoming Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, issued a joint statement calling for bipartisan efforts to explore the allegations and defend the United Statesagainst cyber attacks.

The Obama administration accused in October that Moscow, in attempts to disrupt the U.S election, was behind hackers infiltrating the Democratic National Committee and the then Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign. Russia immediately denied these allegations.

In the Fox interview, Trump also said he does not need daily intelligence briefings because they are so repetitive, but the vice president-elect is receiving them.

"I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years," Trump said, "If something should change from this point, immediately call me. I'm available on one-minute's notice."

"I get it when I need it", he said.

As for setting up a blind trust to manage his assets so as to avoid conflicts of interests during his presidency, Trump only said that his "executives" and his children would run his companies in his absence.

"My executives will run it with my children. It's a big company, it's a great company. But I'm going to have nothing to do with management",he said, rejecting suggestions that foreign governments and others would try to buy influence by buying into Trump products.

In the interview, Trump also indicated after taking office next month, he would re-start the Keystone and the Dakota Access pipelines which have been blocked by the Obama administration.
Chinas industrial sector has finally emerged from a sluggish phase as the recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the countrys industrial profits rose 8.6 percent in the first 10 months from the same period a year earlier.

The pace of acceleration also hit a record high since August 2014. In the first 10 months, the profits of the coal industry doubled while the steel industry turned the tables, saying a goodbye to those days when steel prices felled down to the level of cabbage price.

Analysts believe that the profitability of coal and steel industries highlighted the efforts made by Chinese industrial firms to optimize development quality and improve efficiency amid downward pressure since the beginning of this year.

The 8.6-percent growth is not easy amid the context of global economic downturn. Chinese industrial businesses presented a welcome change at the start of Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan by realizing a sharp turnaround, Miao Rong, the chief researcher at the research department of the China Enterprise Confederation, said.

Last year, Chinas industrial profits registered a 2.3 percent decline as a result of a slowdown in production, product price drop and cost increase. The first profit drop after years of growth triggered more concerns over the Chinese economy.

But the revenues and profit growth continuously increased since the beginning of this year, and the profit margin increased as a result. In October, the industrial enterprises registered a 6.06 percent growth in their profit margin of core business, increasing by 0.24 percentage point year-on-year.

The profit rise has motivated the enterprises to purchase more. The manufacturing PMI, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, rose to a two-year peak of 51.7 percent this November, signifying the bullish attitudes of enterprises toward the market. Such rise is expected to continue.

The thriving momentum of industrial enterprises since the beginning of this year can be attributed to the robust supply-side structural reform of industrial sector, said NBS statistician He Ping.

Thanks to effective measures in wiping out overcapacity, the industrial products saw a rebound in demands.

By the end of October, China has cut its steel production capacity by 45 million tons, finishing the full-year target ahead of schedule. China is also estimated to realize its coal capacity reduction target of 250 million tons before the set timetable. These efforts eased the conflict between supply and demand.

China's producer price index (PPI), which measures costs of goods at the factory gate, continued its growth in October after ended a 54-month-long decline in September.

The dropping inventories and leverage ratio make it possible to run businesses in a more healthier fashion. The inventories of large industrial companies dropped 0.3 percent, extending a trend that began in April. Their ratio of liabilities to assets stood at 56.1 percent at the end of October, down 0.7 percent and 0.2 percent respectively from October 2015 and the end of this September.

Lower cost means more profit. Last month, the average cost for those companies was 85.73 yuan for each 100 yuan of main business revenue, down 0.13 yuan from October 2015, the NBS data showed.

The downward pressure on the profits remains despite the remarkable achievements in supply-side structural reform, He warned, suggesting the industrial businesses to improve their competence by optimizing development quality and efficiency.
"The WTO should abandon the surrogate country system used in anti-dumping investigations against Chinese exports as scheduled at the time of Chinas entry into the organization 15 years ago," Jean-Francois Bellis, a legal expert on anti-dumping cases from Belgium, said in a recent interview with the People's Daily.

He added that WTO members must fulfill their obligation and commitment to this international treaty.

In a market economy, the price of imported goods and the cost in the exporting country is compared to determine whether it involves dumping. But in non-market economies, the prices from another market economy, namely a surrogate country, will be taken as benchmark to calculate anti-dumping duties.

When China joined the WTO in 2001, it was considered a non-market economy. The Article 15 (a) (ii) of China's WTO Protocol of Accession states that importing countries have the right to choose prices in other markets as benchmark if Chinese producers fail to prove they are under market economy conditions in terms of production and sales.

But Article 15 (d) of the protocol stipulated at the same time that this rule must be terminated after 15 years of China's membership of the WTO, which means that the EU must end its "surrogate country system" by December 11, 2016.

"As it's written in the protocol, the member countries who list China as a non-market economy are not able to use surrogate country system in their anti-dumping investigations starting from December 11, 2016, or they will violate the WTO rules," said Bellis, also managing partner of law firm Van Bael & Bellis.

Not long ago, the European Commission officially presented a proposal to amend its legislation on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures. But in the proposed new model, the EU uses "market distortion" as a substitute for "non-market economy" though the proposal apparently suggested abolition of the name list.

It also claimed that EU will continue to take third-party prices as reference in anti-dumping investigations against the "economically distorted" WTO members.

It does not mean an end of the surrogate country system, but a kind of extension to what the EU did previously, Bellis rebuked the suggestion, adding that the EUs incomplete implementation of legal obligations flagrantly violates the WTO rules and seriously undermines the spirit of international rule of law.

He called on the EU to fulfill the obligations stipulated in Article 15 of the protocol as scheduled without reservations based on international law and trade rules.

The EU should terminate the surrogate country system in anti-dumping investigations against China from December 11, 2016, he said, explaining that a timely implementation of this article is the obligation for the EU and other WTO members, rather than a favorable policy for China.

Any member must not distort, avoid or delay it by citing their domestic laws or standards as excuses, Bellis stressed.

"With rights come responsibilities," Bellis noted, saying that the EU could enjoy its rights only if it fulfills its WTO obligations. If the EU escapes from its responsibilities under the pretext of its domestic law, it will be finally punished, the lawyer added.

China is sure to win if it files a lawsuit against the EU for not implementing Article 15. Apart from legal punishment, many European enterprises will suffer huge losses, the expert warned.

He pointed out that China is the EU's second-largest trade partner with a daily trade volume of over 1 billion euros.

Given that the Chinese market is more and more important for European enterprises, the discriminatory practice of the EU will deteriorate the environment of bilateral trade and impede European enterprises' entry into the Chinese market, the lawyer underlined.
Report on Development of Chinese Enterprises in South Africais officially released on Dec 8th, 2016 by South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association (SACETA). (Picture: Peoples Daily Online / Zhang Jiexian)

According to a report on Chinese enterprises in South Africa, Chinas investment in SA has accumulated to about USD13bn by the end of 2015. Chinese enterprises in SA hired about 24,000 local employees, accounting for 91.56% of their total staffs.

Report on Development of Chinese Enterprises in South Africa was officially released on Thursday by South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association (SACETA), known as the non-governmental organization of Chinese enterprises in SA. Founded in 2011, SACETA has more than 120 members to date, and has set up its branches in Durban and in Cape Town.

The report documents a virtue history of Chinese enterprises in SA over past years by retrieving the full life cycle of Chinese investment back in 1990s from starting, to rooting, and to expanding into this market. It seeks to be a solution provider by tackling the challenges faced by Chinese enterprises in SA and giving out suggestions to both Chinese firms and South African government.

According to the report, there are currently over 300 Chinese enterprises in SA, about 140 of them are large and medium-sized firms, involving in finance, mining, telecommunications, household appliances, automobiles, construction machinery, real estate, logistics, etc.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa XuejunTian (L3), Chinese Commercial Counselor RongYansong (L2) Director-General of South African Department of Public Enterprises MogokareSeleke (R1), Deputy Director General of South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation Anil Sooklal (R2), Chairman of SACETA Cheng Jun (L3)unveil the Report on Development of Chinese Enterprises in South Africa on Dec 8th, 2016.(Picture: Peoples Daily Online / Zhang Jiexian)

Despite the current sluggish world economy and weak international commodity prices, Chinese enterprises are striving to keep investment, production and jobs in SA so as to consolidate local employment market. said TianXuejun, Chinese Ambassador to SA, They have already taken roots in the rainbow nation.

Tian said that Chinese enterprises are now working closely with their South African partners to deepen collaboration in infrastructure building, special economic zones and industrial parks development, equipment manufacturing, production capacity, energy and finance, in order to take forward the re-industrialization and the social and economic transformation in SA.

Mogokare Richard Seleke, Director-General of Public Enterprises said that he expected more from the Chinese not to follow the route of the western companies which generally focus on plunder and exploitation, and to invest in Africans in terms of skill transfer, business opportunities and fair partnerships. He encouraged Chinese enterprises to work with their South African counterparts to tap the untapped opportunities in the nation.

Cheng Jun, Chairman of SACETA and President of Bank of China Johannesburg Branch, said the Report aims to better facilitate bilateral economic and trade relationship between China and SA by providing thorough analysis of investment environment in SA and the behavioral characteristics of Chinese firms in SA.
The word that best describes the international situation in 2016 is eventful. This year, a number of unforeseen incidents caused profound changes around the world.

Both conventional and unconventional security problems emerged, one after another, aggravating the double-edged sword effect of globalization wherein risks and challenges increase rapidly. Downward pressure on the global economy was on the rise, developed economies were further divided, and emerging economies moved forward amid great difficulty. Chinas presence was more pronounced than ever in the international community, and its role in global governance was further enhanced.

Many people around the world were overwhelmed this year by various international affairs. The disorder of the Western system has intensified social conflicts, inciting populism and anti-establishment sentiments. U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps America first strategic adjustment has made the situation more volatile, while Brexit stalled European integration in a major way.

Political consistency was often disrupted this year. Arab Spring affected many countries, and the Middle East faced complicated and severe circumstances. The right wing dominated Japans political arena, and new Japanese security laws took effect in March, giving a green light for the first time since the end of WWII to Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to engage armed conflicts overseas. The DPRK attempted two nuclear tests, which incurred heavy sanctions from the UN Security Council. The U.S. plan to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea undermined the strategic interests of China and Russia.

The U.S. allied with Europe to squeeze Russia with NATO, while tension escalated between Western countries and Russia over the issue of Ukraine. Internal and external conflicts confronting the EU were daunting, necessitating a postponement of the discussion regarding Ukraines accession to the EU and NATO.

Indeed, global governance has work to do. The world economy is recovering with great difficulty. The 3.1 percent global economic growth and 1.7 percent global trade growth given by the IMF and WTO respectively hit record lows since 2009. The deficit of global governance is growing. The ability of Western countries in innovation and public goods provision has been undermined. International cooperation, meanwhile, has shown progress. For example, international cooperation on climate change is a highlight, together with cooperation on nuclear security, public health and immigration.

The influence of China has become more pronounced in the international community this year. In September, the G20 summit took place in Hangzhou, promoting structural reform in the world economy, along with global development and comprehensive governance. The G20 has transformed from an emergency response mechanism into a long-term governance method. The inclusion of the RMB in the International Monetary Fund's SDR basket on Oct. 1 also carried significant meaning. The Belt and Road Initiative was heavily promoted, advanced by five state visits made by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) issued its first loan for infrastructure construction in countries along the Belt and Road route. The Silk Road Fund was initiated successfully.

In 2017, polarization might develop further. No matter what, China will remain a positive power that maintains world peace, stability and development. Next year, China will hold two diplomatic events: the first International Cooperation Summit Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative and the ninth BRICS summit. China will always uphold the spirit of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits, in order to improve Chinas international influence.

(The author is president of the China Institute of International Studies.)
On November 14, 1999, China and the U.S. signed a historic trade deal that paved the way for China to join the WTO. The following day U.S. President Bill Clinton said, The China-WTO agreement is good for the United States, its good for China, its good for the world economy. In Summary of U.S.-China Bilateral WTO Agreement, November 16, 1999, the U.S. made clear a very important point: The U.S. and China have agreed that we will be able to maintain our current antidumping methodology (treating China as a non-market economy) in future anti-dumping cases without risk of legal challenge. This provision will remain in force for 15 years after Chinas accession to the WTO.

Fifteen years have passed and the West must play by the rules and end its surrogate country system or risk damaging the world trading system.

If the West violates Chinas legal rights, it risks sapping the credibility and legitimacy of the world trading system. International institutions work only if member countries believe they work. China became a member of the WTO on December 11, 2001, and the world has benefited greatly from Chinas reforms and will continue to benefit from future reforms. But China also has legal rights that should be upheld by all WTO members. In the Accession of the Peoples Republic of China, Article 15(d) states: In any event, the provisions of subparagraph (a)(ii) shall expire 15 years after the date of accession. The meaning of the text is clear and simple. After December 11, 2016, members are not allowed to treat China as a nonmarket economy for the purposes of calculating antidumping duties. Chinas Ministry of Commerce has said that members need to abide by the Article and change their antidumping methodology or China will take necessary measures to defend its legal rights.

The Western argument that ending the surrogate country system is a domestic law issue rather than an international law issue is flawed. In the U.S., the flawed argument is based on the Tariff Act of 1930. The U.S. argues that Paragraph (18)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 requires the Commerce Department to consider six factors in determining whether or not to treat a country as a nonmarket economy for the purposes of calculating antidumping duties. First, the paragraph does not say anything about for the purposes of calculating antidumping duties. Second, the U.S. and China agreed that in any event China would be treated as a market economy after 15 years from the date of its accession. Designating China as a market economy and treating China as a market economy for the purposes of calculating antidumping duties are two separate issues and should not be mixed.

To better understand Chinas position, Peoples Daily Online interviewed Mei Xinyu, a research fellow with the Research Academy under the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Mei said it is up to the U.S. and Europe if they want to recognize China as a market economy but as signatories to the WTOs Accession of the Peoples Republic of China, they are obligated to fulfill their international commitments. The U.S., Europe, and other WTO members must stop using the country surrogate system in anti-dumping investigations against Chinese exports as scheduled at the time of Chinas entry into the organization 15 years ago, and instead use Chinese domestic prices and costs as the basis for adjudication.

The world trading system works only if members play by the rules. On March 9, 2000, Former President Bill Clinton gave a speech at Johns Hopkins University on the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000. At the speech, Clinton brought up an argument made by his opponents: China will just break its promises; we cannot trust the Chinese to abide by WTO rules and binding dispute settlements. He responded to the criticism by saying, Well, any of you who follow these WTO matters know that China is not the only person that could be accused of not honoring the rules-making process. He was referring to the trade war between America and Europe over bananas and beef, which tested the world trading system. Now, the world trading system is being tested again, but this time the West is being tested and China is waiting to see if the West is willing to uphold the rules.
It's win-or-go-home time for Newport County football teams

This season marks the first time in three years all three Aquidneck Island high school football teams have qualified for postseason play.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Mostly sunny. High 73F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
It has never been easy to be a doctor, and its even harder in China, however, where the huge population massively expands the patient pool and poses unique challenges to medical staff.

Pressure is extremely high in public hospitals, where long lines of patients often await consultation. Working amid large crowds sometimes even poses a physical threat, when agitated patients go rogue. Some doctors struggle but continue to pursue their careers at public hospitals, while others quit and turn to private hospitals as a path forward in the Chinese medical system.

(Photo/National Business Daily)

Mounting pressure

When a nation has the worlds largest population, what naturally follows is a huge crowd of patients  coughing, bleeding, whining  waiting impatiently outside consultation rooms. Such scenes can be witnessed in almost all hospitals across China. Such was life for Zhou Yidan, a former physician specializing in gynecological oncology at the Cancer Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

There were only two physicians in our consulting room for outpatient services. Since there was no limit on the number of outpatients at the registration center, we were dealing with more than 100 patients every day in the morning. We could never take our lunch break on time at 11:30 a.m., Zhou said in an interview with Peoples Daily Online. She frowned with her eyes closed, as she recalled her life back then.

It was way too tough, she said.

Zhou pointed out that, as much as she wanted to spend more time consulting with each patient, the huge number of waiting patients pushed her to speed up. It was like working on an assembly line, she said.

I didnt want to communicate with my patients in this way. I knew they would feel ill-treated when they only received a few minutes with me before another patient squeezed in. They were all cancer patients. They deserved better treatment, but I just couldnt give it to them, she said.

Pressure also haunts Chinese doctors in a more violent way. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the number of medical staff injured on the job has been on the rise in 2016. As of Nov. 30, more than 60 doctors and nurses had died in 42 assault cases.

A different path

There must be a different way to be a doctor, thought Zhou, who eventually applied to become a visiting scholar at Houston Methodist Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center in the U.S. She made an even bolder decision after returning from the U.S. She quit her job at Chinas top cancer hospital and began working at private hospitals. She is now a gynecologist at Health in Here medical center in Beijing.

Similarly, Guo Xiao, a former cardiologist at Fuwai Hospital, one of Chinas best hospitals specializing in cardiovascular diseases, also gave up her position to work at Distinct Health Care, another private hospital in Beijing.

Zhou and Guo no longer face crowds of patients surrounding a small consulting room. Instead, their private hospitals offer spacious rooms decorated in warm colors.

(File photo)

The nurse will say hi and offer you a cup of water when you arrive. Most importantly, I can have enough time, and the patient enough privacy, to actually talk about disease treatment and prevention. At least up till now, I havent seen any patients who were discontent after their appointments, Zhou said.

Echoing Zhou, Guo also stressed the importance of communication, citing an experiment she participated in at Fuwai Hospital where she followed up closely on several patients cases after they took a drug test for their heart disease.

Since I was assigned to keep records of their daily clinical manifestations, I got to know their individual habits and had more opportunities to repeatedly recommend healthier daily habits, Guo told Peoples Daily Online, adding that her patients often did then transition into healthier lifestyles.

Long-term close observation and treatment have made me realize the influence a family doctor can have on a patient. It is completely different from how I worked before, she noted.

(File photo)

The dream of working more closely with patients is one shared by many, which translates to an increasing acceptance of private hospitals in China, where the hierarchal medical system remains weak. However, even amid the national call to establish community hospitals, the majority of citizens still look to top-ranking public hospitals for most kinds of diseases, for fear that smaller institutions are not as effective  especially as some private hospitals are notorious for high treatment fees.

Thanks to the patient pool, a public hospital is indeed more professional, especially in training young doctors who can be raised from general practitioners to specialists. It is true that there remains a gap between public and a private hospitals for now, but many doctors [at private hospitals] are professional enough for general practice, and we can always transfer patients to public hospitals for specialized treatment if needed, said Guo.

According to Feng Chen, general manager of Health in Here CBD Medical Center, most of the medical demands of the public are focused on basic medical services, which can be met by general practitioners.

The habitual practice of going to a big hospital for any sickness must be changed, and trust in doctors [at private hospitals], I believe, can be won if patients have open access to the backgrounds and qualifications of their doctors, Feng said at a press conference in November.

Fengs medical center equips each consulting room with an iPad to display pictures and introductions of doctors, while public hospitals do not even offer name tags for physicians.

What also needs to be changed is the concept of medical treatment. It is not always cheap and it does not always involve a bundle of medications. A consultation can last for hours, during which time doctors explain in detail how to avoid getting sick. Thats what a doctor does, Zhou said.
Dr. Marlies Wijsenbeek THOUGHT LEADERS SERIES ...insight from the worlds leading experts

An interview with Dr. Marlies Wijsenbeek, Pulmonologist, Erasmus MC, conducted by April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Cantab)

How are patients typically informed about their idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis?

IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) is a difficult disease to diagnose. Many patients will experience many visits to the doctor and some may even be told they have a different respiratory condition before they finally get the correct diagnosis that they do have IPF. In some patients the whole process can take more than a year.

However the moment when a patient finally receives an accurate diagnosis of IPF can be confusing and overwhelming. It is a devastating disease, and because its a rare condition many patients may not have heard of it or know what it means to have IPF. Thats why sharing a diagnosis of IPF with a patient can be one of the hardest things we have to do.

HRCT scan of an IPF patient. Adapted from Meltzer & Noble Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2008.

Can you please give an overview of the recent global survey of IPF patients that asked questions on their diagnosis discussion? What were the main aims behind this survey?

The results of the global survey, supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, of over 120 patients, give us a real understanding of the information needs and priorities of patients when theyve been told they have IPF. These results complement a 2015 Boehringer Ingelheim global survey of over 400 pulmonologists.

Together the results allow us to compare physician and patients priorities; examine how aligned they are and ultimately help to identify gaps in understanding.

More results from the patient survey are also expected over the next year, providing further insights into the reality of living with this condition.

What were the main findings and were you surprised by the feedback?

An unexpected, but positive finding is that 9 out of 10 patients were happy with the way in which they were informed of their IPF diagnosis, an encouraging finding as it suggests physicians are communicating in a way patients appreciate.

That high number may also suggest that in addition to doctors communicating well, finally the patients know what they actually have and can now discuss the future and their therapy plan with their physician.

What additional information would patients like to receive at the time of diagnosis?

The survey found that in a group of patients 60% want to know what other support is available to them to help them live with IPF.

For example, they often want to know about support available through their general practitioner. They also want to know where to go to get advice and support from other people who are living with the condition; and this is where patient groups play such an important role.

After diagnosis, patients will now know that they have a condition where their lung function and ability to breath will decline, so they want to know what treatment options are available and which will be most appropriate for them.

Additionally, as IPF is such a little known condition, many patients want to know the facts about what the future holds as well as the realities of living with IPF over the longer term.

How could this be implemented?

It is important for physicians to continue to be aware of patient needs, and tailor the information they provide to these needs. Specialist nurses can also play an important role in identifying specific needs, providing information and supporting patients.

Physicians can also put patients in touch with national and international patient groups such as the European Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Related Disorders Federation (EU-IPFF), who can play a crucial role in providing information, including emotional support and practical tips on how to best live with IPF.

When patients are stressed and anxious they can forget or misunderstand parts of a diagnosis discussion. What advice do you have for patients in this situation?

It is common that patients may only remember half or less of what was talked about in the consultation. So inviting a partner, family member or friend to appointments can also help the patient remember what is said on the day, as well as provide them the emotional support they may need after diagnosis.

Its also important that patients tell their physician if they have any questions or if there is something that they have not understood. This will help physicians provide relevant information that will meet their specific needs.

Making lists with the questions you wish to ask may be one of the practical solutions to optimize the consultation with the physician.

What can healthcare professionals do to make sure patients have understood the diagnosis and can recall the necessary information?

When any patient is told they have cancer they can relate to this diagnosis and understand the impact of it, however when a patient is told they have IPF there is usually a big question mark for the patient and their friends or family, its a lot to take in.

Therefore, providing clear and careful information delivered in a caring way is needed from physicians.

But also pacing information, checking if patients understand and repeating some aspects in follow-up consultations may help to improve understanding.

What are patients top priorities after IPF diagnosis?

One of the top priorities seen in the survey is that patients want to see an expert in the field such as a pulmonologist who specialises in IPF. This makes sense because if you have a rare disease you want to deal with an expert who is familiar with your condition and treating patients with IPF.

Another priority is information because IPF and everything about it is likely to be new to them, so patients want to know about the disease. They also want to know about treatment options, new developments and if these are appropriate for them.

Encouragingly, these results closely matched with the results of the pulmonologist survey showing that physicians have a good understanding of patient priorities at this time.

What more can be done to improve the discussion further?

It is reassuring that the survey shows that a good understanding exists between patients and physicians at time of diagnosis, but there is still more that may be done.

Needs will change throughout the course of the disease and reassessment and discussion on these should be a continuous integrated part of care.

Where can readers find more information?

There are some great resources online about IPF, for example patient recourses like:

Life with IPF website

Boehringer Ingelheim has recently launched a new patient e-Book,

Endorsed by the EU-IPFF. It describes the IPF patient journey and provides further helpful resources.

The e-Book can be downloaded for free on iTunes store (apple.co/2cLuw0a) and Google play (https://bit.ly/2czw8Zi).

Further information about the survey itself can also be found on the Boehringer Ingelheim website.

About Dr. Marlies Wijsenbeek

Marlies Wijsenbeek is a pulmonary physician at the Erasmus MC University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, a national expert centre for interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in the Netherlands.

Dr Wijsenbeek is chair of the multidisciplinary ILD centre and deputy head of the department of pulmonary medicine.

Her research interests include patient centred outcome measures in ILD, cough in IPF and new therapies in IPF and sarcoidosis.

Dr Wijsenbeek is secretary of the Dutch National ILD section and member of the (scientific) advisory board of the European Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis & Related Disorders Federation, Dutch Sarcoidosis Patient Association and the Dutch Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Association.
Asian ride-hailing service Grab disclosed on Monday that Japan's Honda Motor Co had invested in the firm, as part of a $750 million funding announced previously, to collaborate on motorbike-hailing services.



This is the latest tie-up of its kind in the auto industry, where carmakers such as Volkswagen, Toyota Motor Corp and General Motors have also struck deals with ride-sharing firms to hedge against a shift in the vehicle market away from private ownership.



Grab, the biggest rival to ride-sharing service Uber Technologies Inc in Southeast Asia, said Honda had agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in the firm, and the two would form a partnership to develop the ride-sharing technology and related driver education programmes.



The Honda investment is a part of the $750 million funding announced in September, said Ming Maa, president at Grab, which provides services such as taxi and motorbike-hailing, car-pooling, delivery and mobile payments.



"We are in the planning stages on exactly what a full partnership will look like, and there are many different prongs of that. One prong would obviously include selling Honda motorbikes within the region," Maa told Reuters.



"We would welcome expanding the partnership to four-wheeled (vehicles)," said Maa, who joined Grab in October from Japan's SoftBank Group Corp - an investor in Grab.



The September funding round values Grab at more than $3 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter.



While the deal with Honda is the first one it has signed with an automaker, Maa said Grab was also talking with other vehicle manufacturers for partnerships that will help reduce traffic and increase safety.



Monday's announcement comes just two weeks after Grab said Japanese financial services company Tokyo Century Corp had made a strategic investment in the firm for an undisclosed amount.



Investors in Grab include China Investment Corp, Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing and Vertex Ventures, a part of Singapore state investor state investor Temasek Holdings.



When asked whether the Grab partnership could influence Honda's vehicle designs to adapt to ride-sharing, Maa said: "anything is possible".
Actor and brand ambassador for Nissan India, John Abraham has finally gotten his hands on his very own Nissan GT-R Black Edition.The 2017 GT-R, fondly called the 'Godzilla' or 'Supercar Killer' was launched in a star-studded event in Mumbai on December 2.A total of 10 GT-Rs have been allotted for this fiscal year, five out of which have been booked, of which three have already been delivered to customers, sources suggest.Also read: Nissan GT-R 2017 Launched in India: All You Need to Know About 'The Godzilla' Abraham took to social media to share a video of his one-off GT-R Black Edition. He took the camera from the front to side profiles, and then finally took a seat in the car, showcasing the dash and steering wheel whilst talking about how proud he is for owning one.Also read: Nissan GT-R 2017 to be Sold, Serviced Through Nissan High Performance Centre Also read: Here's Why the Nissan GT-R Could Be the Game Changer for India
Sangh ideologue S Gurumurthy has said that demonetisation was an inevitable step that former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan wouldnt have agreed to, and therefore it could not have been done till after the change of guard at the central bank.Obviously Rajan wouldnt have supported it, Gurumurthy told News18 on the sidelines of a talk he gave on demonetisation in New Delhi on Monday.However, when asked if Rajan was made to leave because of demonetisation, he replied in the negative.He said that although Rajan was a good economist, he didnt understand India. He could not have diagnosed that it was necessary to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes to flush out black money, the Sangh ideologue said.Gurumurthy, whose voice is taken very seriously in the policy-making circles, said that the objective of demonetisation is to record unrecorded roaming cash. Demonetisation could be a major beginning towards a structural change in the Indian economy, he said.The quantum jump in illicit cash in the economy has fuelled an asset price bubble in gold, stocks and real estate, which is being reflected as high GDP growth in the UPA years and continuing till now. However, that growth couldnt create jobs because it was black money spirited out of India and round-tripped back in the form of investment in assets, he said.Demonetisation was therefore inevitable and it would have been too late to take this step five years later because the quantum of black money would have increased manifold and the economy would have collapsed. Black money was inhibiting the creation of mass employment and inflating asset prices while at the same time promoting consumption among a small section of the population, he said.The votary of swadeshi economics said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told him that the aim was not a cashless, but a less-cash economy.Calling demonetisation as Financial Pokhran, Gurumurthy said that just like the 1998 nuclear blasts made India a strong nation, demonetisation also has the potential to put India on a high quality growth path.He said the government headed by AB Vajpayee created 60 million jobs between 1999 and 2004. The real story of growth began in 1999 and not in 1991 with reforms, he said. But the next six years under the UPA saw meagre job growth when the economy was growing above 8%.Gurumurthy said that the Gandhi family, which presided over the UPA government, had nothing to do with India.
When you are in love, everything just feels right, even if it means proposing the special someone publicly, in full view of thousands of people during a live concert.Coldplay's Chris Martin stopped his concert in Melbourne midway to help a young man propose his girl while thousands of fans captured the moment on their mobile cameras and uploaded the video on YouTube.In one such video uploaded by foolishpost, the description read, 'Chris Martin gave up the spotlight halfway through singing 'A Sky Full of Stars' to allow the man to give an emotional speech to the love of his life in front of a full house at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne'.The young man went down on his knees to propose, and asked the girl to marry him as tears out of love rolled down the girl's cheeks.The sweet gesture received loud cheers from the crowd as Chris Martin helped the couple in love come together.Watch the video here:
The Madhya Pradesh government will bear marriage expenses of all the police officials who die in the line of duty, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Saturday.



Chouhan, who attended the marriage ceremony of slain jail head constable Ramashankar Yadav's daughter Sonia on Friday, donned the role of the girl's father as he welcomed guests at

the entry gate.



"If any police personnel dies in the line of duty, then the state government will bear all the expenses of their daughter's marriage and these girls will be treated as the state's daughter," an official release from the state government said.



The state government claimed that it had left no stone unturned to make this (Sonia's) marriage a grand event.



Yadav was allegedly killed by eight SIMI activists on the intervening nights of October 30-31 before they escaped from the high security jail by scaling its walls with the help of bedsheets. The activists were later gunned down by Bhopal Police in an alleged encounter. Chouhan had then promised that the government will not only offer job to any family member but will also make all arrangements for the marriage of Sonia.



The chief minister also handed over an appointment letter for the post of Assistant Grade-III to Sonia as her marriage gift on the occasion.



Chouhan stayed at the wedding till all rituals were done and said that Sonia is a daughter of Madhya Pradesh. He conveyed greetings to both the families on the occasion.



Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Cooperatives (independent charge) Vishwas Sarang was among others present at the function.
In the midst of a government overdrive on digitising the economy, RSS mouthpiece Panchajanya has asked a crucial question: Is India prepared to guard against attempts to steal information related to national security, e-money and personal data?A cover story in the current edition raises issues on data security and encryption, referring to recent reports of data theft of debit cards issued by Indian banks to lakhs of customers. At the same time, the write-up also expresses doubts on whether encrypted messages through chat apps would make the task of security agencies all the more difficult in dealing with terror-related activities.Panchajanya editor Hitesh Shankar, however, says the entire cover story should not be looked through the narrow prism of demonetisation and its impact. We have been working on the story for two months. One has to take a holistic view of it. Knowingly or otherwise, we provide a lot of information and personal data while uploading an app  say a torch app  on our mobile. And that information can also be misused.In another contributing article for the magazine, AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard, has emphasised on the efficiency of e-banking, banking and wallet vis-a-vis traditional banking methods. But the author goes on to add that the transformation sought would bear fruit only if people are properly trained in technology and cyber security is strengthened.In this regard, RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch, has already raised a red flag on Paytm. SJM leader Ashvani Mahajan has asked Paytm to clarify if the Indian e-wallet company proposes to or has already shared any data with the Chinese tech giant Alibaba.We are not against cashless economy. But at the same time sharing data  if it is happening  with a Chinese company is not in the interest of India, Mahajan says.Privacy and security of digital data comes under the Information and Technology Act, 2000. The law has been amended over the years, but questions remain over its efficacy in dealing with misuse and theft of personal data.
Andhra Pradesh: Four teams have been deployed in Nellore. We are fully equipped & prepared: Pawan Kumar, Sub Inspector, NDRF #cyclonevardah pic.twitter.com/gByd8HmvZJ  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

Rain lashes Chennai: MeT says #CycloneVardah is moving westward towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai this afternoon pic.twitter.com/eZBqHnVoHU  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

#WATCH: Rain lashes Chennai-MeT says #CycloneVardah is moving westward towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai this afternoon pic.twitter.com/FVXrxFgAJl  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

: According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclonic storm Vardah is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast with a wind speed of 80-90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph by Monday afternoon.It will make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andra Pradesh.The very severe cyclonic storm Vardah is now lying at about 180 kilometres east of Chennai, IMD Director S Balachandran told ANI.We have sufficient standby reserves at Arakkonam. We are closely in touch with state government authorities, and with other agencies like IMD, said RK Pachnanda, DG, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).A high alert has been issued in both the states and Navy and disaster management teams have made the necessary arrangements. Schools and colleges have been remain shut in Chennai."There will be heavy rains during day time... Wind speed will also be very high," said NDRF Inspector Pawan Kumar.The weather office said Vardah is now over westcentral and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 370 kilometres east of Chennai.As a result, heavy rainfall is predicted over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.During the next 36 hours, rainfall would occur at many places over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Balachandran told ANI.The rainfall intensity is likely to increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (around 20 cm) are expected over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on Monday.Several parts of Odisha are also likely to receive rain or thundershowers on Monday due to the impact of cyclonic storm Vardah that has formed over the Bay of Bengal, the Met Office added.It has asked the fishermen not to venture into the sea as the condition of sea would be rough.The IMD has hoisted Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) at Paradeep and Gopalpur ports.Currently, Vardah is centered over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 685 kilometres south of Gopalpur, a weather bulletin said."The system is likely to move nearly west-southwestwards and weaken gradually from Monday evening onwards while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast," it added."Strong and gusty surface wind from northeasterly direction with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph would prevail along and off south Odisha coast and from northeasterly direction with speed reaching 30 to 35 kmph gusting to 45 kmph along and off north Odisha coast in next 48 hours".It said the sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off south Odisha coast and moderate to rough along and off north Odisha coast.
Chennai: Cyclone Vardah, categorised as very severe, made landfall near Chennai on Monday afternoon, killing at least four people.

The landfall was at Pulicat (Tamil Nadu) followed by strong winds, said RK Pachnanda, DG, NDRF.

Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rains due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm Vardah.

Chennai Corporation Helpline numbers are: 044-25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
(File photo)

Drone manufacturer DJI has nearly realized its ambition of topping 10 billion RMB in global sales by the end of 2016, which will be an increase of 60 percent year on year, according to a vice president of the company.

Some 80 percent of DJI drones were sold overseas. A number of retailers, including Apple, also sold DJI drones, DJI vice president Xu Huabin said in an interview with Thepaper.cn.

"Customers tend to buy DJI when they shop for a drone at Best Buy in the U.S. It is comparable to how we prefer iPhones. This makes me feel very proud and inspired," Wang Tao, founder and CEO of DJI, was quoted as saying at a September conference in Shenzhen.

Sales of DJI drones have been rising steeply in recent years. By 2015, the sales volume was 100 times that of 2011. This sharp increase can be attributed to the expansion of assembly lines used in DJI drone factories, Xu noted.

The company, headquarted in Shenzhen, also has five offices in the U.S., three in Europe and one each in Japan and South Korea.

According to Xu, DJI has sped up its market expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Since last December, the company has unveiled flagship stores in Shenzhen, Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai, all in the respective city centers.
New Delhi: After the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate, the government has unleashed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to crack down on accounts that have seen large deposits post the demonetisation announcement of November 8.



News18 learns that the agency has already formed a task force under Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Arun Sharma to lead the effort a few days ago. Sharmas team will also take up complaints received from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). The agency has so far registered nine FIRs as part of its investigation.



Sharma, a joint director level officer, is currently the head of CBIs Banking Securities & Finance Cell. He declined to comment for this story.



The crackdown against money laundering has already has seen some high-value seizures, especially in Chennai and Bengaluru.



There have been reports that despite the sudden ban on high-value bank notes, money laundering networks are thriving in the country, which clandestinely help those stuck with piles of old currency to convert them to legal tender.



Probe agencies suspect that a major source of this laundering was the Jan Dhan accounts, which have suddenly shown big deposits coming in in what used to be zero-balance accounts essentially opened to bring in more and more people to the formal banking sector.



Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself warned that those using the Jan Dhan accounts to launder their money will not be spared.



Bloomberg had reported that agents offering to launder money were using creative means, including flying banned cash by the planeload to northeastern states exempt from restrictions as well as connecting people to high-turnover businesses that can deem old cash as revenue, keep a portion of it, and return the rest. Premiums range from 10% to 50%, depending on the difficulty, the report said, adding that at least one property brokerage was offering to arrange the sale of apartments using banned money in an upscale suburb of Mumbai thats popular with Bollywood movie stars.



With the CBI, which has sweeping powers and cutting-edge investigative expertise, getting into the act, sources said a new wave of raids and arrests from across the country could be expected.



Apart from the illegal conversion of old notes, there have been seizures of unaccounted wealth kept as gold bullions too from parts of the country besides stacks of cash running into crores in new denomination Rs 2000-note discovered from apartments, even cars.



The government is already investigating at least 50 bank branches on suspicion of money laundering.






Chennai: Heavy rains pounded the city and north coastal districts of Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu on Monday, inundating low lying areas while high velocity winds uprooted hundreds of trees as the severe cyclonic storm Vardah reached about 60 km northeast of Chennai at noon and was likely to make landfall in the next couple of hours.



According to the IMD bulletin at noon, by the time Vardah hits the coast between 2 PM and 5 PM , winds with speed of 100-110 kmph to 120 kmph are like to sweep the region.



Squally winds hit Chennai this morning as the very severe cyclonic storm approached Tamil Nadu. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure.



The rains intensified as the cyclone neared leading to waterlogging in many areas.



The Tamil Nadu government had declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram. Rail and flight services here have been affected, officials said.



Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to the nearby Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials said. Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway.



An emergency management team was on standby to meet any eventuality, they said.



The Southern Railways, meanwhile, announced suspension of services on the Chennai Beach and Velacherry MRTS route.

Similarly, suburban rail services on the MMC-Gummidipoondi line were also suspended until further notice. Some passenger trains coming to Chennai and leaving the city were also diverted.



The system was likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.



However, according to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardah, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm.



Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which are on high alert due to the approaching cyclonic storm.



The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required. People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to safer zones.



Puducherry also experienced intermittent drizzle from early morning. The state government took precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore.



Police personnel were deployed on the entire two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach road and barricades were also put on all roads close to the sea shore. All schools and colleges are closed today.



National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief R K Pachnanda said while eight teams are ready in various areas of Tamil Nadu, seven are in Andhra Pradesh, apart from few others in nearby locations.



"Some more teams are on alert in Arrakonam and Guntur and they can be transported immediately in case they are required.

We are in constant touch with the two state governments, the Indian Meteorological Department and other relief agencies," the NDRF Director General said.



Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh are also expected to affected. Over 9,400 people in seven mandals along the Bay of Bengal coast in Nellore were evacuated to relief camps this morning amid heavy rains. Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for ten more persons.



The holy Tirumala Hills have been receiving rainfall since last night, causing some hardship to devotees visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara.



Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through teleconference and asked the state agencies to remain on high alert to prevent loss of lives, officials said.



Meanwhile, the Navy said it has stationed two ships north of Chennai to render any immediate assistance.



"We have put two ships to sea -- an ASW frigate and a stealth frigate. They are holding north of Chennai for immediate assistance if required," Navy PRO Capt D K Sharma said.



He said winds of 120-150 kmph are sweeping the area and a lot of trees have been uprooted.



"We anticipate that with this kind of advance, the cyclone is likely to make landfall somewhere north of Chennai, short of Pulicat."



He said the Navy is ready with humanitarian assistance like food, water, medicines and blankets.



"We have enough divers, doctors and integral helicopters should there be a need for immediate assistance or evacuation," the officer said.
Lucknow: A 10-year-old boy was killed allegedly in celebratory firing during a wedding function in Gorakhpur and the accused has been arrested, police said.



Shreyansh suffered serious injuries when Dilip Dubey opened fire from an illicit revolver during a wedding

reception in Avas Vikas Colony, Kuda Ghat under Cantt police station area late Sunday night, police said.



The child was rushed to the medical college hospital where he succumbed to the injuries, police said, adding that

an FIR has been lodged and the accused arrested with .32 bore revolver and empty cartridge.
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi is a day of both celebration and mourning. On this day, both birth and death anniversaries of Prophet Muhammad are observed.



However, Eid-e-Milad should not be confused with the other two Eids- Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims celebrate.



It is a day to remember the teachings and kindness of the holy Prophet and the followers observe his birthday out of a desire to show their love and reverence of the Prophet.



Different sects of Islam observe or celebrate the Prophets birth on different dates of the month.



Also, there are some differences within Islamic sects as to whether the Eid-E-Milad should be observed or not. While mostly all the sects approve of the festival, few sects like that of Wahhabi and Ahmadiyya oppose it.



The Muslims also recite Naat-Shareef (Exalted Poetry) and sing hymns in praise of the Prophet Muhammad. Eid-e-Milad is also called Maulid or Mawlid, since naat and hyms are sung in praise of the Prophet.



Historical Significance



The Milad is celebrated in Rabi-al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.



According to Islamic belief, the Prophet was born on the 12 day of Rabi-al-Awwal in 570 AD in the city of Mecca. While some historians trace the origin of the celebrations to Turkey, few argue it began in Egypt.



In early days, no such festivities to celebrate the Prophets birthday were in place, according to many scholars and historians.



Some also believed that it was only adopted to counter the festivities Christmas celebrationsthe birthday of Jesus Christ.



Followers who approve of the celebrations claim that there are many references of Milaad-un-Nabi in the holy Quran.



The Sunni and the Shia sects have a different take on the ways of marking the day. The Shia community believes that on this day Prophet Muhammad chose Hazrat Ali as his successor. The Sunni community holds prayers throughout the month and they do not practice mourning on this day.




Los Angeles: Actor Tom Holland has confessed to going undercover in a school for three days to prepare for his role in Spider-Man: Homecoming.



"No one knew who I was or what I was doing. I had a fake name and a fake accent," Holland said during a Facebook live question and answer session, reports femalefirst.co.uk.



"(When I revealed who I was) no one believed me. It makes me think that if Peter Parker went up in his school and was like, 'I'm Spider-Man,' everyone would be like, 'Nah, dude, no you're not'."



Meanwhile, Holland previously shared he found out he got the part of Spider-Man via a post on Instagram.



Asked how he learned he had got the job, he said: "I was in my bed scrolling through Instagram. It had been about a month since my audition. And Marvel just posted a photo saying go to our website and find out who the next Spider-Man is. I went on the Marvel website on my computer and there it was: The new Spider-Man is Tom Holland. I went ballistic, like absolutely nuts."



He has signed up for a total of three movies and has praised Marvel Studios for giving him a chance to work on other films at the same time.



Holland added: "I do know I have three Spider-Man movies and three solo movies contracted. But if you have another movie, Marvel is so good at working around it. They're very respectful of your life. They understand that you have to work on other movies, and they try and fix it up so you can work around each other."
Panaji: The Goa unit of Congress on Monday demanded that President's rule be imposed in the state in view of bickering within the BJP-led ruling coalition.



"I fully agree with the demand of MGP (ruling ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) that Assembly be dissolved and fresh elections be held. The state should be brought under President's rule so that all have a level playing field in the rup-up to 2017 Assembly elections," Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro said.



MGP leader and state minister Sudin Dhavalikar recently accused the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar of taking the state back by ten years, while the latter asked him to quit the cabinet before making comments against the government.



"Never in the history of democratic India a ruling party minister has been seen mocking his own Chief Minister and the government," Faleiro said.



"When a prominent and a senior cabinet minister makes a statement that all is not good in the government, one has to believe him....I am happy that finally MGP has realised that the economic, financial governance of Goa has totally collapsed under BJP," the Congress leader said.


#DeMonetisation done only to help Modi babu and his close associates 2/4  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2016

The most corrupt people are talking about removing corruption 1/4  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2016

#DeMonetisation has meant complete demolition of the Indian economy 3/4  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2016

: Continuing her verbal assaults on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the demonetisation issue, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the step was taken only to help him and his associates.In another tweet, she countered the Prime Minister's remarks at an Uttar Pradesh rally that the opposition parties never wanted to take the path of honesty.Banerjee also alleged that the "arrogant and destructive attitude" of the a Modi government was destroying the economy of the world's largest democracy.Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress had decided to organise a three-day protest in West Bengal December 14-16 on the demonetisation issue."We will hold protest marches and meetings in every block of the state. Our party leaders and workers, supporters, and the common people who have been hit hard by the demonetisation move," said Trinamool Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.
Ghaziabad: Attacking the Centre's demonetisation move, Uttar Pradesh Urban Development minister Azam Khan on Sunday said it has made the economic conditions "bad to worse" and thousands of workers have become jobless due to it.



Workers are bound to stand in long serpentine queues for the whole day to get their money, he said after inaugurating a water treatment plant here.



The minister inaugurated a 100 cusecs Ganga water treatment plant developed by the UP Jal Nigam in Pratap Vihar colony here.



Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "Badshah", Khan said he is least effected by demonetisation, while the public is afflicted by the sudden ban of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.



He said till date the Prime Minister could not bring the "actual black money" from the foreign banks. Public is not getting its hard earned money which was deposited in the banks, the minister said.



All the developmental works are hampered due to demonetisation, he said, and alleged that bank officials are minting money as they are hand-in-gloves with black money hoarders.
Dehradun: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday asked the people of poll-bound Uttarakhand to give a clear mandate to BJP in order to get a strong and stable government which could help realise the state's full potential in terms of development.



The circumstances in Uttarakhand today in many ways resembled that of Goa in 2012 when corruption had touched an all time high and development had come to a standstill, he said while addressing a rally in Dehradun as part of BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra'.



"However, people gave a clear mandate to BJP in Goa in the 2012 elections, shocking political pundits as no single political party had ever got a majority there," Parrikar said.



"I appeal to you to give a clear mandate to us the way people of Goa did in 2012 and help us form a strong and stable government which could lead the state on to the path of progress," he said.



Accusing the state government of being too busy minting money and doing nothing for the tourism sector in Uttarakhand which had tremendous potential, Parrikar asked the people to give BJP at least 60 percent of the Assembly seats if they wanted the vast reserves of tourism to be tapped to the optimum.



He also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has big plans to boost tourism in the state.



Lauding the Army for carrying out the surgical strike across the LoC, the defence minister said, "our soldiers are roaring at the borders. As a result there have been no ceasefire violations of late. We have made it clear we don't want escalation of tension along our borders but will give a befitting reply if provoked".



Parrikar said Uttarakhand enjoys a special relationship with the armed forces as the state's representation in the defence sector is among the highest in the country.



Citing the implementation of OROP as an example, he claimed it was a 40-year-old demand which was fulfilled by the Modi government within a year of coming to power.



"Rs 7,500 crore have already been paid with around 98 percent of ex-servicemen having benefitted already from the implementation of OROP. There were 25 lakh ex servicemen and it was not a small task," he said, adding the remaining two percent will also be benefiting from the implementation within 30-40 days.



"Soldiers can concentrate on maintaining security along the country's borders as we are there to address their concerns," he added. .



Earlier in his address at the rally, Union Health Minister J P Nadda, also BJP's election incharge for the state, said Parivartan (change) did not just mean the change of a government but of a political culture.



"Parivartan means change of an entire political culture.



Congress' political culture is based on commission whereas BJP's culture has its foundations in mission. Congress believes in reaping the fruits whereas we believe in serving selflessly," he said.



Alleging that the country's self-esteem was at its lowest during the UPA rule, Nadda said two-and-half-year of the Modi government had changed the global perception about India which is now being looked upon internationally as an emerging super power.
Lucknow: Eyeing the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has decided to adopt the strategy of social coalition building by uniting the Dalits and the Muslim vote bank into her favour.



The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party, which occupies the frontrunner position in every exit poll in Uttar Pradesh, holds full support of the Dalit community.



Lashing out at Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government, Mayawati said that present government has not done anything for the upliftment of Muslim community. She further added that SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is hand in gloves with the BJP.



She accused the SP government of fanning riots in the state. Pointing out the Muzaffarnagar riots, she said that the state has witnessed more than 400 riots in SP regime. The relief camps were ransacked on government orders just few days after the riots in Muzaffarnagar, she added.



In order to woo Muslims, Mayawati has issued a seven-page booklet and named it 'Who is the well wisher of Muslims? Decide Yourself'(Muslimon ka sacha hiteshi kaun? Faisla aap par). Hundreds of the copies are being distributed amongst the people in the rural belt of Uttar Pradesh.



In the book she has mentioned, that her party will topple the BJP govt as it did in the past. It is to be noted that she has notified her victory in 1999 against BJP's Atal Bihari Vajpayee. BJP is Enemy No. 1 for BSP, reads the booklet.



Noteworthy, as the part of the strategy, the Dalit ambassador, Mayawati, has given tickets to Muslims for the upcoming polls in UP and also handed over key responsibilities to the members of minority community.



Muslim BSP leaders like Nasimuddin Siddiqui, Naushad Ali, Mohammad Athar Khan and many others are promoting the party amongst their community.



But the question that still remain unanswered, 'Will Mayawati's social engineering succeed this time?'.
[File photo]

Chinese and Japanese scholars have collected more archives and evidence of Japanese research and experiments with biological weapons in China. The new evidence will be published soon.

The archives were selected from tens of thousands of pages of material. We have collected around 3,000 pages of original documents, including many records written in English, Wang Xuan, a research fellow from Shanghai Jiaotong University, told Beijing Daily.

According to Wang, several documents related to Japans biological weapons were retrieved from the National Archives of the United States, including documents from a Chinese inspection team and five reports from American procurators to the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.

The International Military Tribunal for the Far East did not judge the war crimes conducted by Japanese biological weapons. These archives have been forgotten by the public, which shows that Chinese people have made great efforts to reveal the truth, Wang said, adding that she hopes the U.S. government will release more such documents in the future.

During the Japanese War of Aggression Against China, the Japanese army established in China a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base, including notorious Unit 731, which served as the nerve center of Japans biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII. At least 3,000 people were killed in experiments carried out by Unit 731, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Hyderabad: Hitting out at the government over demonetisation, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a "tyrant" and alleged banks and ATMs in Muslim dominated areas in the city were not functioning.



"Every family is in distress today...I cannot withdraw my money. Who made this law," the Hyderabad MP said, addressing a public meeting on the occasion of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad 'Milad-un-Nabi'.



The Prime Minister should remember that those standing in queues now to withdraw their money would stand in queue again to vote against him (in the elections), Owaisi said.



Talking about Modi's 'fakir' remark, he asked whether a 'fakir' wears a "Rs 15 lakh suit".



"What type of a 'fakir' is he?...Would any 'fakir' give pain..You are not a 'fakir', you are a 'zalim' (tyrant)," he said.



Modi should come to the old city of Hyderabad to see the suffering of the people as they cannot withdraw their money, said the AIMIM chief about the constituency he represents in Parliament which has a large Muslim population.



"Why cashless economy? We will not do cashless economy.



Give me my money. Credit card, how many credit cards are there in India. I bet there won't be even one or two percent of credit cards with Muslims. Not with Dalits.



"Banks are not open in our Muslim localities. If the bank is open, it is declared 'red zone' and loans are not available.



If ATM is installed, money is not coming out of them in our localities," he alleged.



Claiming that the demonetisation would not have any fruitful outcome, he said experts have estimated a loss of three percent of GDP due to this decision.



The NDA government has failed to check price rise and bringing back black money, Owaisi alleged.



On December 3, the Prime Minister at his rally in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh had said he was being targeted for cracking down on those with black money.



"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)," Modi had said.


New Delhi: Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday appealed to opposition parties to allow the Parliament to function so that the remaining period of the winter session should be "utilised" as the government is ready for debate on any issue including demonetisation.



"We are ready for debate and discussion in Parliament. We hope that the last 2 or 3 days will be useful...no obstruction and there would be proper discussion on all the issues, not only demonetisation but there are also other issues that the Members of Parliament want to raise.



"I appeal to Opposition parties to please come back to the discussion table, allow the House to function and see to it that the people's aspirations are met in Parliament," Naidu said.



The comments came just ahead of few days left for the month-long winter session of the Parliament which ends on December 16. Parliament has holidays today and tomorrow on account of Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi.



The Information and Broadcasting minister said, "We are ready to do anything but those people (Opposition) are not allowing the Parliament to function. Whether they have understood the reason (behind disruption) or not but we have really not understood," he said.



Both Houses of the Parliament had witnessed heated exchanges between the government and the Opposition over the way a debate should take place on demonetisation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8.



"I am always optimistic. Parliament should run and the remaining time of the session should be utilised...Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is also not being allowed to speak so he had to go to people's assembly," Naidu said.



Citing the comments of President Pranab Mukherjee and veteran BJP leader L K Advani, the minister said, It is in everyone's heart to see the Parliament runs smoothly."



Last Thursday, in a stinging attack on the opposition over Parliamentary paralysis, Mukherjee said the House is not a place for dharna and disruption which amounts to "gagging of majority" by the minority.



Earlier, Advani had blamed both the ruling and opposition benches for the deadlock, and even pulled up the Speaker and Parliamentary Affairs Minister for "not running the House".
Nokia will be back in the smartphone game with its Android smartphone coded as the D1C at the Mobile World Congress 2017. The Nokia Android phone D1C will be reportedly priced as low as Rs 10,000.The Nokia D1C might come in two RAM and display options- 5-inch Full HD display and 2GB RAM for an expected price of $150 (or Rs 10,000) and 5.5-inch Full HD and 3GB RAM version for $200, which roughly translates to Rs 13,000, according to a report by Nokia Power User There is no official confirmation on the prices while the smartphone is expected to be aggressively priced. As far as the specifications are concerned, the Nokia D1C Android phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 430 processor. The device will reportedly run the latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system.On the camera front, the Nokia D1C will house a 13MP rear camera along with an 8MP front camera. The bigger 5.5-inch of the phone might come with a 16MP rear camera.Finnish company HMD recently confirmed that it will bring a new generation of Nokia mobile phones to consumers, with the first smartphone products set to be launched in the first half of 2017, alongside the existing Nokia branded feature phone business.The launch of HMD comes just six months after the company signed a strategic licensing agreement with Nokia, giving HMD exclusive use of the Nokia brand on mobile phones and tablets worldwide for the next 10 years.HMD has developed a unique strategic partnership model that will see it working with some of the worlds leading technology companies including Nokia, FIH Mobile Limited (FIH) and Google.
: Bangladeshi Hindus have held a peaceful protest in front of the White House to urge outgoing US President Barack Obama to help protect and bring an end to the "persecution" of religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country."We believe you are a person of great sensitivity and resolve, and would find the situation in Bangladesh with respect to the minority communities deplorable. We would like to request you, if it is possible, to convey our anxiety regarding Bangladesh to the next administration," said a memorandum submitted by protesters to Obama yesterday.Organised by Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA dozens of protesters conveyed their deep concern regarding the allegedly passive role of the Bangladeshi government in coming to the rescue of the affected or in taking legal measures against the perpetrators."The destruction of Hindu households and temples, the usurping of Hindu lands and occasional killing and rape have become a norm in the present day Bangladesh. In fact, in recent weeks, the news of two more premeditated attacks were documented during which the party in power was complicit, and no actions were taken by the authorities to assist or support the victims and their families," the memorandum said.Last month, the same organisation had held a similar demonstration in front of the Trump Towers in New York. "President-elect Donald Trump had attended a charity event before the election to raise funds for the terrorism. Bangladeshi Hindus who are victims of terrorism. I am sure, he would take up our cause too," said protester Sitangshu Guha. Protecting Bangladesh from falling into the lap of ISIS is the "most pressing priorities", said Jay Kansara of the Hindu American Foundation."Because if Bengal falls to extremism, then there would be no recourse to that," he said in his brief address to the protesters, which included women and children. The memorandum alleged that the present Bangladeshi government occasionally spouted words of secularism, but in reality was following a path of ethnic cleansing that was instituted by Pakistan almost seventy years ago."We would like to appeal to you to impress upon the Bangladesh government to consider the following pathways in order to end the minority cleansing and persecution in Bangladesh," the memorandum said."Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan with the great hope that there would be no communal feeing or communal force, but in the last seven years we see as many as 273 cases have been filed against the attack on minorities in Bangladesh," said Nabendu Bikash Dutta, president Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA.Bangladesh has been reeling under a wave of murders of secular, liberal activists and religious minorities. Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions including Hindus, Christians and Muslim Sufis and Shias.In July, a Bangladeshi cafe was attacked by terrorists, killing 22 people including an Indian girl.
Brussels: The European Union (EU) and Cuba on Monday signed a deal to normalise ties that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.



Cuba had been the only Latin American country that did not have a so-called "dialogue and cooperation" deal with the EU covering issues such as trade, human rights and migration.



But EU ministers last week agreed to drop a policy in place since 1996 which stated that Cuba first had to improve its human rights standards before getting closer links with the bloc.



The new agreement was signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and representatives from the 28 EU member states at a Brussels ceremony capping years of difficult negotiations. "Economic links with Europe will continue to be a priority for Cuba as we build a socialist economy," Parrilla said.



Castro died last month after more than 50 years at the helm of a self-styled Socialist paradise reviled by the West, with Cuba gradually opening up to the world, including bitter foe Washington. In 2003, the EU had imposed sanctions on Cuba and suspended cooperation over a crackdown on journalists and activists and it took until 2008 to get talks going again.

Parrilla said the agreement "demonstrates that with good will and respect it is possible to make progress and resolve differences."



He recalled a speech in 2003 in which Fidel Castro had hailed the historical importance of the EU as a counterweight to the United States which imposed a damaging trade embargo and other sanctions on Cuba after it sided with Moscow in the Cold War. "The sovereignty and dignity of a people cannot be up for negotiation with anyone,"
Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes US President-elect Donald Trump will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran.



"I know Donald Trump," Netanyahu told CBS's "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled to air last night. "And I think his attitude, his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people. There's no question about that."



Netanyahu's remarks are significant in part because critics have accused Trump of tolerating anti-Semitism among some of his supporters.



While the two countries are close allies, relations were sometimes tense between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama because of their vastly different world views on the Iran deal and other issues. And there is sentiment in the nationalist Israeli right wing that Trump's election could usher in a new era of relations with the United States.



Netanyahu said in the interview he "had differences of opinion" with Obama and the "most well-known, of course, is Iran."



The Israeli prime minister has been one of the fiercest critics of the nuclear deal. During the campaign, Trump also spoke harshly about it.



Iran has long backed armed groups committed to Israel's destruction and its leaders have called for it to be wiped off the map. Israel fears that Iran's nuclear program is designed to threaten its existence.



Netanyahu said there are "various ways of undoing" the 2015 deal, in which Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on its oil industry and finances.



"I have about five things in my mind," Netanyahu said, declining to go into further detail.
About 38,000 times each year, driving privileges are stripped from Virginians  not for traffic offenses, but instead for drug offenses.

Dubbed a relic of the war on drugs, Virginia law automatically suspends the licenses of anyone convicted of even minor drug offenses, reports a new Prison Policy Initiative study.

The study contends the law is counterproductive and unnecessarily burdens low-income offenders by limiting their ability to get or keep a job to pay court fines and costs or child support.

The automatic suspensions for drug offenses also are said to jeopardize public safety  people with suspended licenses caught driving fall deeper into the justice system while police, the courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles are tied up dealing with suspensions unrelated to traffic law enforcement.

Drivers license suspensions in Virginia already were in the spotlight from other developments this year:

A class action lawsuit filed in federal court by the Charlottesville-based Legal Aid Justice Center alleges the license suspensions of Virginians unable to pay court fines and costs  when those who can afford to pay keep their licenses  is discriminatory and violates constitutional protections.

A new rule quietly adopted by the Virginia Supreme Court that takes effect in February offers some relief to offenders by requiring all courts in the state to offer defendants unable to pay court fines and costs within 30 days deferred or installment payment plans before suspending their licenses.

***

The new study, Reinstating Common Sense: How drivers license suspensions for drug offenses unrelated to driving are falling out of favor, says that in 1991, Congress threatened states with a loss of federal highway funds if they did not automatically suspend the licenses of drug offenders.

Today, only Washington, D.C., Virginia and 11 other states still automatically suspend licenses  a total of 190,000 a year.

The study reports that in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2015, there were 38,849 suspensions in Virginia for drug convictions unrelated to driving and a similar number the previous year.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 38,130 in the year that ended June 30, 2016. The department said orders issued does not equal the total number of customers, since some may have received more than one order.

While a majority of states have opted out of the federal law, 12 states and Washington, D.C., have continued to hurt their own citizens with these needless license suspensions, said Joshua Aiken with the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group.

Aiken said, The report finds that the burden of these suspensions falls most heavily on low-income people and people of color.

A drivers license is a privilege, and suspensions have been used as a means of encouraging the payment of court fines and costs as well as a means of enforcing laws that have nothing to do with driving.

The Prison Policy Initiative agrees that possessing a drivers license should reflect responsible driving and that license suspensions are a logical tool for enforcing laws against reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and other driving offenses.

But the group complains that nationally, 40 percent of license suspensions were for reasons not related to driving.

In some states, littering, burning trash, skipping school and unpaid student loans result in drivers license suspensions. Most states suspend drivers licenses for unpaid court fines and fees and failure to pay child support, the report said.

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, a snapshot of the number and types of license suspensions, as of Sept. 3, shows there were 10,869 for non-motor vehicle drug suspensions; 20,746 for failure to satisfy court judgments; and 7,989 for failure to pay child support.

In court papers filed this year, the Virginia Attorney Generals Office said the suspension of licenses to protect highway safety is a legitimate governmental purpose and so are suspensions for failure to pay court fines and costs, because they assist courts in enforcing court orders.

Concerning suspension for nondriver-related issues, Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael Herring concedes, There is wide disagreement on the effectiveness of the sanction. Some say it is regressive and results in disparate impact on the disadvantaged.

And, he said, I tend to agree.

A DMV spokeswoman explained that state law automatically requires the department to revoke administratively the driving privilege for six months for someone convicted of any nondriving drug crime  even a misdemeanor possession charge with no jail time.

Defendants can apply to the court for a restricted license that permits driving to work, for example. The department said that of the 38,000 drug-related suspensions in the year that ended June 30, 10,450 were granted restricted privileges at the time of the convictions.

The Prison Policy Initiative argues that restricted licenses are not a substantive solution to unnecessarily suspended licenses. In some states, the process for winning a restricted license can be longer than the suspension.

In the past three years, five state legislatures  in Ohio, Massachusetts, Georgia, Delaware and Indiana  have voted to abolish automatic suspensions, the study says.

At least one related bill has been filed for the upcoming General Assembly session in Virginia.

Introduced by state Sen. Adam P. Ebbin, D-Alexandria, the proposal would not strip adults convicted of simple marijuana possession of their license. It would be contingent on written assurance from the U.S. Department of Transportation that Virginia will not lose any federal funds.

The Prison Policy Initiative study notes that a 2013 best practices guide by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators reported: It was estimated that as many as three-fourths of suspended or revoked drivers continue to drive. This fact indicates that driver license suspension is no longer the solution to enforce compliance.

The costs of arresting, processing, administering and enforcing social nonconformance-related driver license suspensions create a significant strain on budgets and other resources and detract from highway and public safety priorities, the association wrote.

The guide recommends that state legislators repeal laws requiring the suspension of licenses for nontraffic safety reasons.

***

Angela Ciolfi, senior attorney with the Legal Aid Justice Center, which filed the class action suit on behalf of four plaintiffs in July, said their case is solely about suspensions for failure to pay court debt due to the inability to pay  and not suspension as a result of sentencing for drugs or any other reason.

We are focused on the punishment of poverty as such and the cascading harms that flow from driving people further into debt when they cant meet their basic needs, she said.

Among other things, the suit alleges that courts issuing suspensions for failure to pay court costs and fines fail to take into account a debtors ability to pay.

The justice center said that in the year that ended June 30, 2015, the Virginia DMV issued 366,773 orders of drivers license suspensions resulting from unpaid court fines or costs  more than one-third of which were for offenses unrelated to driving.

Most of those affected are low-income drivers, since wealthier Virginians can cover court costs.

The loss of a license can mean the loss of the only way to reach work. As a result, many people are forced to choose between losing their jobs or risking getting locked up for driving illegally.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice waded into the case by filing a brief that contends that suspending a drivers license is unconstitutional if it is done without providing due process and without assessing whether the individuals failure to pay was willful or the result of an inability to pay.

In its response opposing the suit, the Virginia Attorney Generals Office wrote that under Virginia law, any individual who fails to pay court-imposed fines and costs will have his drivers license suspended, regardless of income, race, gender, nationality, or other trait.

Absent dissimilar treatment, the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution is not at issue, the state lawyers argued.

Although Plaintiffs have set forth what could be described as a persuasive argument that courts should give indigent criminal defendants greater latitude with respect to the imposition or repayment of fines and costs, what they have presented is, at its heart, a policy argument  and this is not a policymaking forum. It is a court of law, the office wrote to U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon.

***

The Attorney Generals Office recently filed another motion to dismiss the suit  this one in light of a new rule by the Virginia Supreme Court. The rule was adopted by the justices last month and takes effect in February.

Among other things, the rule requires a judge to take into account a defendants financial resources and obligations, including indigence, as well as anything owed in other courts when determining the amount and length of time to pay court fines and costs under a deferred or installment payment plan.

O. Randolph Rollins, founder and president of Drive to Work, a charitable organization that helps people win back their licenses, said the current state law allows judges to defer payment of fines and costs to a later date or to set up an installment plan for an offender to avoid suspending his or her license.

Prior to the new rule, Rollins, the secretary of public safety in the administration of Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, said, Each individual court made its own decisions. Some of them didnt give pay plans at all. Some of them gave pay plans that were very liberal. Others were very restrictive about it.

The rule standardizes things and also tells courts that where available, the court should liberally use community service work as an option to defray fines and costs, especially where the defendant is unable to make substantial payments.

The Attorney Generals Office argues: The Virginia Supreme Court, therefore, has enacted the very policy Plaintiffs seek. For this reason, there is no further relief that could or should issue in this case and these proceedings are moot.

Ciolfi welcomes the new rule but strongly disagrees that it fixes the problem targeted by the suit. Rather, she said, it acknowledges that the system is broken.

The Supreme Court deserves our praise for its leadership in helping people avoid the court debt trap. If the rules are implemented in both letter and spirit, they offer tremendous potential to stem the tide of drivers entering the license-for-payment pipeline, Ciolfi said.

But she said the rule does not alter the fundamental flaw in the license-for-payment system, which is the mandatory and automatic nature of the drivers license suspension statute.

The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly said that states cant punish people for failure to pay unless the default was due to intentional refusal to pay. As long as Virginia law automatically suspends licenses for failure  and not just refusal  to pay, it violates the Fourteenth Amendment, she contends.

And that is a problem for the nearly 1 million people who have already lost their licenses without being offered a payment plan, she said.

Its also a problem for all future debtors facing suspension because, even with more responsive payment plan terms, there will always be a need for the opportunity to explain a missed payment, whether it be job loss, illness, new family obligations or some other changed circumstance that is particularly difficult for low-income people to overcome, Ciolfi said.

Rollins, with Drive to Work, believes the new rule is a pretty significant development.

I think this is going to be a big plus for the average guy out there whos struggling not only paying his bills and feeding his family but who also needs to get his fines either paid or on a payment plan so his license isnt suspended anymore and he can drive to work, Rollins said.

He said the rule was created with the help of a task force  on which Rollins served  appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court.

Rollins said, This will help especially in places that did not have open minds toward pay plans, and there were plenty of those, probably still are some. The main difficulty today is not that people are reluctant to set them up, its that (different courts) have such different standards.

Rollins said a person who owes fines in courts in several jurisdictions faces payments in each location. The new rule would tend to standardize some of those requirements, he said.

Suspension for drug convictions can be particularly burdensome, Rollins said.

A drug suspension is a consecutive suspension, he said. Say you owe some fines and are unable to pay and then get convicted of a drug case  that six-month (suspension) does not start until the suspension for the fines is taken off record ... so it could take several years.
An offer by Japan to send an Akita dog to Russia has been turned down, according to Japanese House of Representatives member Koichi Hagiuda. The reason for the rejection was not disclosed. Analysts say Japan's plan for a Japan-Russia "honeymoon" may come to nothing.

Hagiuda wrote in a blog post on Dec. 9: "Unfortunately, we heard from our counterparts, and our hope to present a bridegroom was dashed." The dog was intended as a companion for a female Akita called Yume, which Japan gifted to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2012.

Putin will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a summit on Dec. 15 and 16. They are expected to discuss issues including the disputed Kuril Islands.

The incident underscored how different Russian diplomacy is from Japanese diplomacy. It also demonstrated that Japan needs to learn how to carry out foreign relations with its own characteristics if it wants a peace agreement with Russia, according to Japanese site The Liberty Web.

Japanese citizens have lodged strong dissatisfaction over the dog diplomacy failure, with some Internet users calling Abe a clown.

"What a shame! Our government wags its tail in the face of a tougher diplomatic rival," one net user wrote.

The incident has become a laughingstock in Russia. One Russian net user, "Smirnov," indicated that instead of restoring Russia-Japan relations, Abe's real intention was to lure Russia to compromise on the disputed Kuril Islands, which would be counter to Russia's national interests.

RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency, suggested that Putin send one of his dogs to Abe to teach him the definition of loyalty. Abe is said to be a loyal follower of the U.S., and followed the latter to impose sanctions on Russia. Using a dog to fix relations with Russia is ridiculous, another Russian net user commented.
[File photo]

According to astronomers, another super moon will hang in the sky on the evening of Dec. 13. The previous two were visible on Oct. 17 and Nov. 14.

A super moon occurs when a full moon or new moon debuts at the same time as the moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, resulting in the largest and roundest appearance of the moon when viewed from Earth.

Shi Zhicheng, a member of the Chinese Astronomy Society and director of Tianjin Astronomy Society, explained that this coincidence is referred to as perigee, and the opposite pairing is called apogee. The moon's distance varies each month because of its elliptical orbit around Earth.

The moon was not far from perigee when the three full moons appeared this year. Thus, it is not possible for the general public to tell which is the largest or roundest after the moon rises, Shi stressed.

Astronomy experts pointed out that super moons are neither mysterious nor strange. Though it is relatively rare for super moons to appear in three consecutive months, it is within the realm of normal.
The Golden Age, the Silver Age, and beyond: the different eras of comic book history explained

What do people mean when they refer to the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, and beyond?
CCTV footage to be used as vital evidence in Shannons murder

Police believe that Banfield may have been murdered between 5pm and 6pm last Monday. The video clip also showed Banfield entering I AM at around 5 pm and another clip showed the employee leaving the store with a knapsack.

Investigators believe Banfield asked the employee to use the wash room where she was killed.

Following the discovery of her body on Thursday, police held two male employees for questioning. Matthew Maharaj was released on Saturday night.

Photographs of Banfields shopping bags and other personal items were shown to the suspects and portions of the video footage eventually retrived from the businessplace.

Newsday was told by investigators that the employee, who was seen in the video footage, turned his face away while being questioned.

Police also interviewed several other workers from IAM yesterday.

Investigators have also written to director of the Forensic Science Centre Arlette Lewis seeking a second autopsy on the body of Banfield.

Newsday also understands that a 38-yearold suspect has refused to be medically examined by a doctor or have any part of his body examined.

When police searched the suspects St Helena apartment on Thursday night they seized several items including clothing but sources revealed that clothing that the suspect wore last Monday was already washed.

Several employees of IAM and Co including cashiers who were interviewed by police said that they could not remember seeing Banfield enter the store last Monday as the business place was always busy.
Fire leaves nine persons homeless

Homeless are Robin Seecharan, 59, his wife Racquel Babwah, 38 and his seven children- Brandon 16, Antonio 14, Janelle 12, Christy 11, Crystal 3; Celina 7, and Anna 5.

Seecharan, a truck driver, said the family lost all of their possessions, including furniture, appliances and the childrens school books and other materials.

He said just after 9 am, the family was on their way to a grocery to shop for Christmas when his sister, who lives nearby, called to say that she was seeing smoke rising from the house. When I reach back home, the house had already burned down flat, a dazed Seecharan said.

We lost everything, he said, and pointing to his clothes which he was wearing, added, This is all we remain with. Every single thing just perish, he said. Seecharan said he recently bought a new television and other appliances which were all destroyed in the fire.

I dont know what cause the fire because everything was off when we left to go to the grocery, he said.

His wife, Racquel, seemed unable to speak and simply stared at the burnt out ruins of their home.

Brechin Castle/ Esperanza councillor Gangaram Gopaul pleaded for assistance for the family saying they were in need of building materials to begin the reconstruction of their home. These people have nothing. They lost everything and it is times like these when we need to pull together as a community and a nation to assist people in their times of need, Gopaul said.

Persons wishing to assist the family can contact Seecharan at 316 6632 or 659 2148.
Clico Policyholders want answers

According to president of the CPG Peter Permell, the recent appointment defies logic and good business sense, According to Permell, Lisa Gomes took effect December 1 but no public announcement has been made.

Gomes was most recently Director Finance & Planning of Sandals Resorts International from January 2011 until March 2016 and her responsibilities included Acquisitions, Investment Banking, Government Negotiations and Property Management.

Permell said there were concerns now being raised as to the timing of the appointment and whether there could be a conflict of interest either real or perceived.

He said the appointment was curious given that Sandals chairman Butch Stewart has signalled a preference for No Mans Land in Buccoo, Tobago, which is part of the Golden Grove Estate, part of which is owned by Clico subsidiaries, Occidental Investments Ltd (OIL) and Oceanic Properties Ltd (OPL).

He also said Imbert has been reported to have said if an when an agreement is reached with Sandals for the construction of a resort at that location, the land will simply be acquired by the Government.

Permell also said that it was the groups understanding that NML was one of the assets being held in the Clico statutory fund to back policyholders liabilities and can be sold without the knowledge of the companys shareholders.

He said Clico already had highly paid executives and was in the process of winding down its operation, having already sent home more than 95 percent of its sales force and stopped writing new insurance business.
Attorney calls for end to discrimination against Orisa

In recognition of Human Rights Day on Saturday, attorney-at-law Tempu Nefertari-Moheni made a call for systems to be put in place to educate teachers about the faith, as they have contributed to the discrimination of child members of the faith in their schools.

Nefertari-Moheni cited several incidences of discrimination against Ifa/Orisa children in schools dating as far back as the 1970s all the way up to October, 2015. Last year, 13 year old Form Three students Geography teacher forcibly removed his eleke and his ide in front of his classmates.

The eleke is a string of beads worn around the neck, the ide is worn around the wrist and both carry immense spiritual significance for members of the faith. The ide is supposed to be worn for life.

She called him to the front of the class and told him to take it off in front of the other students, said the boys father. He explained to her that it is for religious reasons, but she said she didnt care. he said after his son refused to take it off, the teacher ripped it off of him herself.

He found the encounter curious, because a boy wearing a rosary around his neck was allowed to continue doing so after it was pointed out by other students in the classroom.

The father said he later visited his sons school to speak with the principal and to retrieve the eleke and ide. The principal, he said, made it clear that the teachers behaviour was not a school policy and reprimanded the teacher for her actions.

However, a conversation between the father, his wife, and the teacher in the hallway showed that she had no intentions of changing her attitude.

We met with the teacher in the hall after the meeting with the Principal. I asked her, Do you respect our traditions? She said, yes. Well if so, why do you disrespect it in this way? She said, Allyuh need the blood of Jesus on allyuh. He said that for a while after the incident, teachers often referred to his son as the boy with the spiritual thing and this behaviour was transferred to his peers who would mock him and by extension his faith.

Nefertari-Moheni detailed other stories where students were asked to take off their elekes and ides, some threatened with non-graduation if they failed to comply. One parent said that the discrimination was such that children often chose to convert to other religions just to ease the weight of isolation and to be accepted. Nefertari-Moheni went on to highlight Section 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago which recognises the rights of the people without discrimination on many bases, including that of religion.

Newsday reached out to Eintou Pearl Springer, long time cultural activist for comment. She said that discrimination against the Ifa/Orisa faith is part of a long history of discrimination against all expressions of African spirituality.
Three suspects were arrested on Dec. 11 for snatching a 3-month-old infant in Nan'an, Fujian province. The baby, named Kang Renjiang, was grabbed from his mother's arms earlier the same afternoon. He was rescued seven hours later, after the three suspects, one female and two males, were caught by police. The case is currently under investigation.
Two killed in road accidents

According to reports, Louisa Edwards, of Arouca, was the front seat passenger in her son Lynselle Jacobs car when it was hit at about 9.10 pm along Railway Road.

The driver of the SUV was detained by police and an breathalyser test administered, which he passed. Edwards body as viewed by the District Medical Officer and ordered removed to the nearby mortuary. On Sunday morning Gilicia Jules of Lowlands Tobago was killed in an accident. According to preliminary reports the incident occurred at Golden Grove Road, Buccoo, Tobago. Only one week ago, Jules, a Republic Bank employee, celebrated her birthday.

In August two teens were killed in another accident in Tobago along the Auchenskeoch Buccoo Bay Road, while in another incident in July, two teen boys were killed in a horrific accident along Milford Road.
Opendoor Is Laying Off

Almost a Fifth of Its Workers
(Newser)  Earlier this year, Russia flew an orchestra into Syria's ancient city of Palmyra to celebrate its liberation from the Islamic State. On Sunday, militants recaptured the city from Syrian troops, according to both sides in the battle, scoring a major advance after a year of setbacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq, reports AP. In winning back Palmyra, ISIS appeared to be taking advantage of the Syrian and Russian preoccupation with Aleppo, timing its attack to coincide with a major government offensive to capture the last remaining opposition-held neighborhoods in the northern city. Palmyra, with its towering 2,000-year-old ruins, holds mostly symbolic meaning in the wider civil war, although its location in central Syria also gives it some strategic significance.

Islamic State militants re-entered the city Saturday for the first time since they were expelled by Syrian and Russian forces amid much fanfare nine months ago. The government's first important win against ISIS in the historic city gave Damascus the chance to try to position itself as part of the global anti-terrorism campaign. Palmyra was a major tourist attraction before Syria's civil war began in 2011. Sunday's takeover came hours after government troops and Russian air raids pushed the group out the city's perimeter. Militants later regrouped and attacked from multiple sides, forcing government troops to retreat. (Read more Syria stories.)
(Newser)  A petition urging President Obama to commute Chelsea Manning's sentence to time served has passed the 100,000-signature threshold that may require an official response from the White Housethough Obama is only going to be there for another 38 days. "We did it! Thank you so much for your love and support," Manning's official account tweeted after the threshold was passed. "I don't know what to say. I am just grateful that I am not forgotten," she said in another post, per NBC News. According to the petition, the transgender soldier, who is six years into a 35-year sentence in military prison, "has already served more time in prison than any individual in United States history who disclosed information in the public interest," and "her disclosures harmed no one."

There was no immediate response from the White House on the call to free Manning, who was arrested in 2010 for passing hundreds of thousands of documents to WikiLeaks, the New York Daily News reports. Last month, Manning filed a request for clemency from Obama, saying she "did not intend to harm the interests of the United States or harm any service members." But even though the petition threshold has been passed, the White House might choose not to respond, according to the Law Newz blog. The White House may cite a caveat on the "We the People" website that allows it to avoid responding to petitions where there could be "improper influence" on "adjudicatory matters." The Obama administration could also just allow the clock to run out, and it is far from clear what the Trump administration plans to do about pending petitions. (Read more Chelsea Manning stories.)
(Newser)  The sedate vineyards of Lombardy in northern Italy are not usually the setting of scandal and intrigue. That is, until a stunning act of sabotage left one winery soaked in thousands of gallons of vino. The Telegraph reports that employees at Conte Vistarino arrived at work one morning last week to find a massive spill of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and other aging white wines. Vandals apparently broke into the 2,400-acre winery, opened the taps of refrigerated tanks, and drained the equivalent of 400,000 bottles, valued at $530,000. "It was a tremendous shock," the owner, Countess Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino, tells the newspaper. The culprits didn't steal anything of value, suggesting the act was pure sabotage. "Lo Scandolo," writes the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

It turns out a wide-ranging corruption probe is underway of wine-makers in the rolling hills around Pavia, who are suspected of cutting their quality wines with inferior grapes to increase production. While prosecutors say the centuries-old Conte Vistarino winery is not suspected of wrongdoing, they are investigating around 300 others for crimes including bribery and falsifying documents. An export boom in Italian wines has led to a spike in competition and fears that organized crime may be involved. The Vistarino family had received no threats before about 10% of the estate's maturing wine stocks were drained. A few days earlier, the estate had paid local farmers for the grapes, which were destined to be sold to third-party producers of sparking wine. (These parents were arrested for leaving their kids in a cold car to go wine tasting.)
(Newser)  Nearly 40 years after he took a young British couple sailing on his boat, a California retiree has been charged with killing them, the Sacramento Bee reports. Prosecutors say Silas Duane Boston, 75, beat and hog-tied Christopher Farmer and girlfriend Peta Frampton aboard his boat in Belize before throwing them overboard 38 years ago. The Manchester couple were in their 20s and recent law and medical school graduates when they were killed, and their bodies were found floating off the coast of Guatemala in July 1978. Although the skipper was suspected in the deaths, investigators could not make the charges stick until they caught a break while looking into the 1968 disappearance of Boston's wife, Mary Lou. (Boston is alleged to have shot and killed her.)

During an interview in that earlier case, Boston's son, Vince, revealed what happened aboard his dad's boat when he was 13 years old. His younger brother Russell was also aboard and implicated his father, reports ABC 10. Instead of taking the couple to Mexico, Boston, then 37, allegedly became enraged after an argument, beat and stabbed Farmer, then threw him and Frampton overboard after tying them up. If convicted, Boston faces life in prison. He was arrested earlier this month at the convalescent home where he lived, and appeared at his arraignment on double murder charges in a wheelchair. He did not speak. Boston is also suspected in other killings, prosecutors said. (Australian police have gotten a break in a 47-year-old cold case.)
(Newser)  The host of the 22nd Critics' Choice Awards chose not to discuss his legal troubles and instead focused on President-elect Donald Trump and the controversies surrounding his election, the Los Angeles Times reports. TJ Miller, a star of the TV series Silicon Valley, was arrested Friday after he allegedly slapped an Uber driver on the head after remarks about Trump. On Sunday night at the awards show, Miller joked about possible hacking of the election by Russia and the automation of jobs. "The election was definitely hacked by the Russians," he said. "But luckily we're doing an awards show in an airplane hangar in Santa Monica."

Sunday night's big winners included La La Land for best picture and seven other awards, Casey Affleck for best actor for his lead role in Manchester by the Sea, and Natalie Portman for best actress for her lead role in Jackie. In the television categories, winners included Courtney B. Vance for his The People v. OJ Simpson role as Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran, Donald Glover as lead actor in a comedy series for his role in Atlanta, and Thandie Newton as supporting actress in a drama series for her role in Westworld. Silicon Valley took the prize for best comedy series and Game of Thrones won best drama. Saturday Night Live's Kate McKinnon won best actress in a comedy series. A full list of winners can be seen here. (Read more Critics Choice Awards stories.)
Seventy-nine years after the Nanjing Massacre in December 1937, there are only 108 registered survivors still alive. As the third National Memorial Day will take place on Dec. 13, those survivors will once again be in the public eye.

Ma Xiuying was born in 1922. In the winter of 1937, her brother, then 18, was dragged to a car by Japanese intruders, never to be seen again. She and her mother escaped to the refugee zone and survived. Ma often spends time at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.

Yi Cuilan was born in 1923. Her family disguised her as a boy and sent her to the refugee zone. After several twists and turns, she finally managed a narrow escape, but not without several injuries that act up often even today.

Zhang Fuzhi was born in 1927 and died on Nov. 26, 2016. He and his father were severely beaten by Japanese invaders in their own home. Zhang's right eye was wounded and infected, eventually causing him to lose vision. Zhang couldnt recognize his family, and could only walk in one direction.

Zhu Sizi was born in 1920. Her house was looted and then set aflame by Japanese invaders in 1937. She and her family only escaped the disaster by hiding in a cave behind her house.

Li Gaoshan was born in 1925. He joined the army when he was only 13 years old, fiercely fending off Japanese intruders in Nanjing. He managed to escape, despite being captured by the Japanese.
(Newser)  Donald Trump is getting pilloried for a number of comments made during his extensive interview on Fox News Sunday, among them his view on intelligence briefings and his "massive landslide victory ... in the Electoral College" (the latter not so much, historically speaking.) But not all the response is domestic in nature: China on Monday voiced its "serious concern" over Trump's questioning of the United States' decades-old "One China" policy on Taiwan. Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was blunt in comments picked up by Reuters: "Upholding the 'One China' principle is the political basis for developing China-US ties. If this basis is interfered with or damaged then the healthy development of China-US relations and bilateral cooperation in important areas is out of the question."

On Sunday, the president-elect expressed that he saw no reason why we should be "bound by a One China policy" in the absence of a new "deal" with China's leaders. The Wall Street Journal reminds why from a historical and contemporary view: Adhering to that policy and severing official diplomatic ties with the Taiwan government was a prerequisite in re-establishing those same ties with Beijing in 1979. Currently, the Chinese are "near universal" in their support of reunification of Taiwan with mainland China, so "leaders in Beijing have almost nothing to gain politically from including the issue in any negotiations with the US." A trio of international relations experts weigh in at the Guardian, with one saying Trump has thus far dealt a "punch," "hug," and now "uppercut" to China. (Read more President Trump stories.)
(Newser)  Following a death in the hospice unit of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Florida in February, a veteran's body was moved to a hallway, and then to a shower room. There it sat unattended for nine hours before hospice officials realized and attempted to hide their mistake, a report finds. A VA investigation shows the "transporter" of the body had been asked to take it to the morgue, but the transporter responded by saying procedure actually dictated that the staff instead call dispatchers, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The report notes staff members never made that call, nor did they check to see that the death was properly reported. When they finally realized the body had not been taken to the morgue, an employee "falsely documented postmortem care," the reports says, per Fox 13.

The 24-page report, issued in April but just released through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows some employees initially blamed a staff shortage before changing their story. It also accuses workers of "failing to provide appropriate postmortem care"; showing "a lack of concern, attention and respect" for the veteran; and putting the body at an "increased risk of decomposition." A hospital rep says "appropriate personnel action was taken"it isn't clear if anyone was disciplined or firedas a result of the "unacceptable" findings. The hospital also issued policy changes and ordered that employees be retrained to ensure "each veteran is transported to their final resting place in the timely, respectful and honorable manner. America's heroes deserve nothing less." (Read more Department of Veterans Affairs stories.)
(Newser)  In 2012, the iconic Twinkie nearly went away for good. But in 2013, the snack made its triumphant return. The story of how that came to be illustrates a powerful, if poorly understood, force in the US economyone that has created "some of the greatest fortunes of the modern era" for its major players, reports the New York Times. The subject of the story? Private equity firms. In this case of Twinkies, for example, the investment firms Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Company scooped up some of the bakeries and brands of the floundering Hostess for $186 million. A few years later, they made a fortune by selling the newer, smaller Hostess, whose value had risen to $2.3 billion. That underscores the pros and cons of such a deal: Yes, it saved Hostess, but the company came back a much leaner version of itself, going from 8,000 jobs to 1,200.

People understand jobs going to China, says one economics professor. But no one has ever heard of these private equity firms that come in and do all this financial engineering. It is much more complicated and less visible. One thing that is crystal clear: Private equity execs are by far the highest-paid executives in the land, earning an average of $211 million last year. At the top is Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, who took home a staggering $800 million thanks to byzantine payout structures. The story notes that Blackstone could be considered one of the nation's top 10 employers, with Schwarzman advising President-elect Donald Trump on how to create jobs. Click for the full piece, which notes that these firms help more than the super-rich: Firefighters and teachers also benefit via their pension funds. (Read more private equity stories.)
(Newser)  Last week, the recount of votes in Michigan was halted; on Monday, Pennsylvania followed suit. Per the AP, US District Judge Paul Diamond squashed the Green Party's bid to retally paper ballots in the state, as well as to check out some counties' machines for hacking evidence. The third state that the Green Party, led by Jill Stein, has been trying to re-examine is Wisconsin, which is expected to wrap up its own recount Monday. At last look in that state, Clinton had taken 25 new votes and still trailed Trump by 22,000 or so. The federal deadline for all recounts to be completed is Tuesday, per the Epoch Times.

Donald Trump had won all three states over Hillary Clinton by thin margins, and the recount request (and subsequent Stein fundraising to pay for it) was partly spurred by a report last month that a group of computer scientists and election attorneys had found "persuasive evidence" that suggested results in those swing states "may have been manipulated or hacked." In Pennsylvania, whose older voting system was called a "national disgrace" by Stein on Friday (she also called Michigan's system a "hot mess" over the weekend), Trump won over Clinton by about 44,000 votes out of the 6 million that came in. (Read more Election 2016 stories.)
(Newser)  Four Senate bigwigs on Sunday called for a bipartisan investigation into the CIA's claim that Russian hackers worked to throw the 2016 election Donald Trump's way, and they're getting what they asked for, mostly. The Washington Post reports that during a prearranged year-end news conference, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plainly stated "the Russians are not our friends" and said the Senate intelligence committee will probe the alleged interference. While one of those bigwigsJohn McCainexpressed his preference that a special select committee be handed the task, the Hill reports McConnell is opting instead to "follow the regular order," as he said, handing the review to the "more than capable" intelligence committee.

And while Trump called the CIA claims "ridiculous," McConnell took a different tone in commenting on the agency: "I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community and especially the Central Intelligence Agency." Meanwhile, the AP reports that 10 members of the Electoral College posted an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper asking for an intelligence briefing on the topic. (Read more Russia stories.)
(Newser)  The nation's first offshore wind farm has opened off the coast of Rhode Island, ushering in a new era in the US. Deepwater Wind built five turbines 3 miles off Block Island to power about 17,000 homes, a project costing about $300 million. It announced Monday that the wind farm has begun producing energy for the grid. Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski calls the opening a momentous occasion that unlocks the code of how to do offshore wind in the US at a crucial time when states are trying to figure out how to replace aging power plants. "We're more confident than ever that this is just the start of a new US renewable energy industry that will put thousands of Americans to work and power communities up and down the East Coast for decades," he said Monday. Deepwater Wind installed the wind farm over two years, with the five turbines installed in August. National Grid is buying the output.

"We've gone from the theoretical to the actual and you can't replace that with any model," Abigail Ross Hopper, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, told the AP. "To be able to go and see turbines spinning in US waters is incredible." Many Block Island residents supported the wind farm as a way to drive down the island's high energy costs, though some opposed it out of fear that the turbines would dramatically alter ocean views. The wind farm is expected to supply about 30 megawatts of electricity annually, more than enough to meet Block Island's current demand; the excess will be redirected to mainland Rhode Island through a submarine cable. Grybowski said the industry is focusing on states with strong interest, including New York and Massachusetts. Deepwater Wind is negotiating with a New York utility to build a 15-turbine wind farm off eastern Long Island. (Read more wind farm stories.)
Prince Harry proved that he'll move mountains just to be with Meghan Markle. In the recent news, the prince was reported to have broken Buckingham Palace protocol by doing a 1,700-mile detour via Canada just to be with the love of his life. The palace is yet to comment on his issue.

Reports confirm that Prince Harry should be flying back to London by Sunday night, but he immediately changed plans yesterday and boarded a flight going to Toronto, where the American actress Meghan Markle lives. After spending three weeks apart from one another, Prince Harry thought that he could definitely take a stop at his girlfriend's house. And so he did.

The palace kept mum about the issue and refused to comment further. It should be remembered, however, that the media was briefed by the royal officials saying that the prince would be returning to Britain immediately through a commercial flight funded by taxpayers, of course.

It should be remembered too that palace officials said that in cases when costs are incurred by the royals because of an altered plans then the matter will be taken privately. The palace further said that members of the royal family should never mix official and personal trips. Despite this, there are those few instances when royals have to mix certain official engagements with their personal duties.

But while some can't help but comment badly towards the prince's decision, there are also those who find the gesture to be sweet. An insider said: "It's just another sign of how head-over-heels he is about her. He is absolutely besotted. We've never seen him so happy - it's great."

Anyway, we are pretty sure that the two will have lots of catching up to do. Let's wait a little further until the palace gives their official statement.
Donald Trump intends becoming the President that will never intervene as his approach to conflicts and problems of other countries. This is a total change of US Foreign Policy that divided the world's reaction.

The President-elect said. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with." However, a contradicting Statement in his victory speech, he promised to increase military budget to destroy the terrorizing menace, ISIS.

Prioritizing infrastructure within American domains, providing jobs for American citizens, and immigration concern is the leading political propaganda that he promised during the campaign. Today, the air is shifting to another direction and the people doesn't know where it's headed, but the sure thing is, it's still part of the total change of US Foreign Policy.

International Controversies And Donald Trump

Taiwan

The 10 Minute Call is a discourteous protocol made in just a dial. Trump called Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Win is an imprudent move that the International structure with China is threatened.

North Korea

Volatile Kim Jung-un and the past administration willingly did not enforce for a possible talk in a Presidential-level with North Korea. However, when Trump answered the possible talks with Kim Jung-un, he said, "I would speak to him, I would have no problem speaking to him."

Israel

US Embassy in Jerusalem is a promise made by any other candidate, one would consider saying to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Israel. A total change of US Foreign Policy statement that gets Domestic applause from Evangelical voters but will offend Israel.

Turkey and Philippines

Human Rights Policy is part of the US advocacy for humanity. Until today since the campaign, Donald Trump emphasizes that the United States got a problem of its own. Intervening to the arising issue with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on his war against drugs is the least of American concern.

The efforts of President Barack Obama and the earlier administrations in keeping America on its feet, President-Elect Donald Trump takes over a country with fewer problems. The foundation previous presidents could go down with the total change of US Foreign Policy.
"Nokia Android Phones" are long-rumored smartphones from the Finnish firm, now more information is coming out including the specs, price, and features. It is reported that the phones are expected to be released on Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017. Interestingly, there are news reports that Nokia is preparing for a big announcement in 2017.

The new Nokia Android Phones are reportedly coming with the best specs in the market for each segment and this could be the reentry of once-the-market-leader in feature phones. It is confirmed that the CEO of Nokia, Rajeev Suri is giving a keynote speech in MWC 2017 where he is expected to unveil the new Nokia Android Phones. So, the release date of the phones can be expected at the end of February or early March.

It was in mid of November Nokia Android Phones announced by the firm with the help of Finnish firm HMD. Interestingly, Nokia is planning to unveil three smartphones named Pixel and D1C, which are entry-level smartphones and an unnamed premium smartphone in the market. The entry level phones would feature Snapdragon 430 processor with Adreno 505 GPU in Android Nougat platform, whereas the high-end phone would come with Snapdragon 820 or 821 processor and primary camera with Zeiss lens, per reports.

Additionally, Nokia Android phones would feature its own wireless charging feature called Nokia DT-903 Qi. The entry level phones will be coming in 5.2-inches and 5.5-inches, whereas no information is available about the premium phone. Further details about Nokia Android phones are not available, but more updates can be expected in the coming weeks including accurate price. The industry analysts predict that Nokia Android phones would have highly competitive pricing to capture the market.

The entry of Nokia Android Phones can assure the customers that they would get quality devices with best specs and reasonable price. The firm was always committed to providing quality devices in the past, will try to do the same to make an impact in the market. There are news reports suggesting the new Nokia Android Phones will have battery capacity for three days if yes customers are getting the old days of using feature phones for days without charging. Wait for the surprise on the release date.
George Clooney and lawyer wife, Amal Alamuddin-Clooney, are allegedly headed for divorce. This has been the headline for a lot of tabloids lately. Divorce rumors have been circulating nonstop about the power couple's troubled marriage the past few days.

According to so many online reports, George and Amal Clooney have been allegedly living separate lives. The couple even landed on the cover of OK! Magazine with the blazing headline that says "Divorce Announcement $300 Million Split Rock Hollywood!" This made the rumors spread like wildfire on the allegations that George & Amal Clooney will be getting a divorce soon.

The magazine alleges further that once the supposed divorce happens, Amal Clooney will get $300 Million and "his Lake Como Villa". According to the article, Amal wanted kids but George doesn't. And this is the reason that holds the most weight in the alleged reasons for the divorce. Initially, George was supposed to agree with expanding the family and Amal expected him to make good his word. But he didn't. This broke Amal's heart according to the allegations.

Another alleged reason for the Clooney divorce is how the couple has realized that even if they love each other, they find themselves wanting different things. Allegedly, the couple has agreed to move to the UK but it hasn't happened yet. There's also talks about the supposed expensive taste of Amal and how her lavish spending is creating another bone of contention for the couple.

All of these allegations are proving to be false. After being married since 2014, the power couple is still happily married. In an interview , George Clooney was quoted as saying that Amal is "an amazing human being. And she's caring. And she also happens to be one of the smartest people I've ever met. And she's got a great sense of humor."

The words of George Clooney should be able to put the rumors to rest. But still, fans can't help speculate. After all, when their smoke, there's fire.
(Xinhua) 19:11, December 12, 2016

TAIYUAN, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- For the past 70 years, Liu Fenghai, 89, has had her sleep interrupted countless times by the same nightmare.

"I dreamed about Japanese soldiers with sabers on their backs hunting me like an animal," Liu, from north China's Shanxi Province, said.

The tragedy is that this is no dream.

Liu was sexually assaulted when she was just 16 and her limp, lifeless body left for dead in a ravine by Imperial Japanese Army soldiers. She managed to summon what was left of her energy and crawled back home. The ordeal left her bed bound and unable to walk for over a month.

Tuesday is China's third Memorial Day to Commemorate Victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

"Comfort women," were women and girls forced into sex slavery by the Japanese during World War II. More than 100 were from Shanxi and those still alive today are still waiting for an official apology from Japan.

The clock, however, is ticking.

Zhang Shuangbing has been visiting and interviewing comfort women in the province for the past 35 years.

Of the 129 women Zhang has on record, only seven are still alive and, to this day, they are still plagued by disturbing flashbacks of the sexual abuse, beatings and physical torture they endured.

On June 13, 1943, Hao Yuelian, who was 15 at the time, was raped by two Japanese soldiers in her own home while her parents were out.

Later that same day, beaten, bruised and shaken from her earlier encounter with the soldiers she was abducted and put to work in a military brothel to provide sexual services to the Japanese army. She was kept tied up and raped day and night.

"The Japanese government must acknowledge the crime and apologize. I must live and wait for the day to come," Hao said.

Hao was left infertile due to her ordeal. Hers is not an isolated case.

"Nearly one sixth of the comfort women I visited were infertile because of what they were put through," Zhang said.

Those that struggled, or tried to escape, were murdered, others committed suicide, and some simply tried to forget what had happened and refused to talk about it, Zhang said.

"I spoke to nearly 130 women in Shanxi, but there were more women in the province who had been forced into sex slavery during the war. I did not get the chance to meet them all," Zhang said.

Some 400,000 women in Asia were forced to serve as comfort women during WWII, nearly half of whom were Chinese, according to Su Zhiliang, director of the comfort women research center at Shanghai Normal University.

On behalf of the women victims in Shanxi, Zhang submitted a letter of complaint to the Japanese government in 1992. The Supreme Court in Japan threw out the lawsuit in 2007. The three groups of comfort women who tried to sue the Japanese government all passed away without receiving an apology or compensation.

"They are witnesses to an event that should never be forgotten, but we are losing them every day," Zhang said.
Android security updates have started rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge recently. Read on below to know which vulnerabilities and bugs have been fixed.

Samsung's December security update for the Galaxy S7 Edge is in the firmware version G935FXXU1BPJG, according to Android Headlines. In Australia, users with their devices not locked in any wireless carrier can get the December security patch in the coming days and weeks. More countries are expected to follow suit.

Samsung was criticized in the past for infrequent security updates on their devices, but the company promised that it would regularly update its handsets' security starting with the Samsung Galaxy S6. True enough, the tech giant has provided software updates to users every month.

Android users should see these monthly updates as a top priority, given that it ensures the device's security and safety. Among those vulnerabilities fixed is the notification display error of shade locked state. This bug showed notifications or private information on the locked screen even though that's supposed to stay hidden, Android Headlines reported.

Another Samsung vulnerability fixed by the December security patch are the mobile hotspot getting activated without any user interaction and the hotspot password being exposed in the log. The latter has been removed in this month's update. Another vulnerability fixed is a Boot Receiver problem, among others.

Users who haven't received a notification about Samsung's latest security update can head to their device's Settings page. Once there, click About Device, select Software Update, and tap Download Updates Manually.

The December security update is rolling out via over-the-air or OTA, which means that users will have to wait for days or weeks to receive it. The patch is being released in stages to compatible handsets so the servers won't overload.

In other news, Samsung announced a new "black pearl" color for the Galaxy S7 Edge last week. The new, shiny shade is only available in the handset's 128GB version, though, CNET reported. Check out the new Galaxy S7 Edge color below.

Samsung will bypass Android 7.0 Nougat and release the Android 7.1.1 Nougat to the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, according to Tech Times. The update is expected to head to those devices in early 2017. There are expectations that the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Edge Plus would also have the same operating system version instead of Android 7.0 Nougat.

What do you think of Samsung's latest security patch? What do you wish to see in future updates? Share your thoughts below!
United States President-elect Donald Trump said in a statement that everyone does not even know if climate change is real. It is after the president has stated that he has been thinking if the United States should back out from the Paris global warming agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to The Washington Post, Trump has expressed being concerned about President Obama's decision and efforts in cutting carbon emissions and how it has affected the global competitiveness of America. However, Trump still says that he is very open-minded regarding the issue of climate change being underway.

Trump also said, according to the news site, that he is somebody that gets the idea of climate change but it is an issue that does not really happen fast. He also said that nobody really knows if climate change is real or is happening already and fast.

In his statement, Trump also said that he is concerned and does not want to put America in a competitive disadvantage, compared to other countries, reports Huffington Post. The president-elect also said that it could be that while America is focused on global warming issues, other countries could be eating their lunch.

Meanwhile, French President Francois Holland said that he would like to speak to Trump regarding the issue of backing out of the agreement made in Paris, which also concerns other countries who agreed to the deal. President Holland said that since the United States is on the second spot on the list of top countries which emits greenhouse gasses, they must honor the agreement, according to Inquisitr.

Back in 2012, president-elect Donald Trump posted a controversial tweet on social media, saying that climate change is a hoax and was only a story created by China to affect the production and effectiveness of the United States, which he said, later on, was just a "joke."
Donald Trump strongly confronts China with his stands that the United States will no longer bound itself to the "One China" Policy. For four decades, the United States acknowledge that Taiwan is part of China, but with the 10-minute controversial call with Taiwan President changes everything.

"I fully understand the 'one China' policy, Trump said in an interview with Fox News Sunday. He continued, "but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."

The Trade Donald Trump Wants With China

While President-Elect Donald Trump did not serve the entire deal he wants with China, he did mention a few things that can help the United States and the global community, especially in Asia. But even so, would this changes his mind with the "One China" Policy of the country?

Taxes across the border must have a win-win angle. The US is not imposing Tax for Chinese good entering the country and Trump would want China to make a policy to do the favor with the United States.

China and the United States are both accused of militarizing the South China Sea Region, but in this case, Donald Trump said China should stop building the fortress in the sea. Those territories are still disputed and China should give due respect to countries that are contesting the territories. The Philippines recently won the International Court ruling but China ceases to honor the decision.

North Korea is also China's problem with their super power. China got the same level of Nuclear heads and they could not help the United States with North Korea.

The "One China" Policy

Forty years passed since the last direct communication of Taiwan President with a US President. The 10-minute call Trump did with Taiwan ignited Beijing officials to adversely react, and seen a total breach of the diplomacy from both countries.

Chinese media even called Donald Trump and "Ignorant Child" because Trump does not have the experience to rule in foreign policy. "One China" Policy is a standing agreement the US and China got and it is not easily torn down.
The sword of war has been unsheathed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg against every fake news site plaguing the internet. The topic has been the subject of public demand since numerous politically-slanted articles spread on social media, which could have affected the 2016 United States Presidential Elections as per Politico.

According to a survey by Buzz Feed News, many people are now using Facebook as their main source for the latest news and updates where as news articles from external news sites are shared on social media. However, it is inevitable to be exposed to fake news as the sharing of such links is free to do, that was true, until now. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has had enough of the fake news that is openly shared on the social media platform he created, and thus fake news can now be reported.

Moreover, this preventive measure was much needed during the 2016 Presidential Elections due to the fact that numerous politically-slanted news articles were spread all over Facebook, which could have affected the tides of the election. Most Facebook users would easily believe what they see on the trusted social media platform, may it be a Death Hoax post with a visibly suspicious link, it will be shared along with "R.I.P." statuses.

To counter this plague of fake news, Facebook now has an option to report these posts, ultimately detecting the site source. As per Engadget, all the user has to do in order to report fake news is to select that "I think it shouldn't be on Facebook" option then select "It's a false news story." It is worth mentioning that there is also an option to report it for "It goes against my views" which is entirely different from a fake news story.

As the saying goes, Don't believe everything you see on social media, that includes news stories shared on Facebook. Make sure to check the source as it is relatively easy to share misguided and opinion changing articles that have no reputable basis. Stay tuned to News Everyday for the latest news and updates.
'The Big Bang Theory' season 10 episode 11 will give fans another one of Sheldon and Amy's fun annual birthday sex. However, this time, it will be interrupted by an unexpected event.

The episode titled "The Birthday Synchronicity" will show Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) attempting to seduce her boyfriend, Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) with a Harry Potter robe. Unfortunately, Amy's birthday sex will have to be cut short due to a loud knock on their door.

The couple soon finds out that Bernadette Rostenkowski's (Melissa Rauch) water just broke. This means that Howard's (Simon Helberg) baby will be born on Amy's birthday, hence the title.

In a promo for the upcoming episode, the video aptly says "Get ready for one magical night, in a Big Bang Special delivery." Very smart play on words.

On other news, the show's contract renewal for another season has already been confirmed. However, the fans and showrunners alike are still unsure whether the show will have its main character core when it returns for its eleventh season.

Actor Jim Parsons is currently working on two other shows. His recently expired contract with the show gives him a booming $1 million per episode. It has yet to be confirmed whether CBS can still afford such a high-maintenance contract.

On the other hand, Johnny Galecki is also still unconfirmed for the show's next season. Kaley Cuoco was rumored to have declined the contracts but was later on reported to have already signed for another season.

This could mean a reboot for the show if the actors do not agree to another season. This leaves the fans wondering what could "The Big Bang Theory" be without its main characters lurking in their apartments.

Without these characters, CBS and Warner Bros should just decide to call it quits and end the show on a high note. Currently, "The Big Bang Theory" is the highest rating drama-comedy on American television.


Thank you for reading!

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Mumbai :

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Sunday met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence in Mumbai to discuss about the release of his upcoming film 'Raees'.

The meeting, that took place in the evening, assumes significance as Khans upcoming film Raees, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, is scheduled for a release next month, party sources said.

Notably, the MNS has in the past objected to casting of Pakistani actors in Bollywood movies citing the neighbouring countrys involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

Earlier in October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

The Bollywood superstar had previously run into trouble for the release of My Name is Khan in 2010, with another right wing party, Shiv Sena, opposing its screening then.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Chennai:

Severe cyclonic storm Vardah will make a landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andra Pradesh on Monday with both the coastal states putting in place a number of measures to deal with it and TN announcing holiday for all educational institutions in four districts.



The Regional Meteorological Centre said Vardah lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 1430 hours on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts Sunday afternoon. Under its impact, rains will start on Sunday night and gradually increase on Sunday in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said on Saturday.

Also read | Cyclonic storm Vardah: High alert sounded in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu

On December 12, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in some places in these districts, he said, adding, strong winds could gust upto 80-90 kph. The sea would be rough, he said and asked fishermen to not to venture into the sea for the next 48 hours.

#CycloneVaradh Eastern Naval Command fully geared up 4 Relief & Assistance. Ships&A/c ready at Vizag/ Arakonam 2b deployed @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/u5A9f0yOvR  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 11, 2016

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority which also asked the armed forces to be on standby.



The Tamil Nadu government declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram.

Also read | Cyclonic storm Vardah heading towards Tamil Nadu, heavy rain likely in Chennai



They should take necessary steps for ensuring the safety of their students especially hostel inmates and their water and food requirements, an official release, detailing the discussions the Chief Minister had with his senior officials including Chief Secretary B Ramamohana Rao, said.



Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with Collectors and top officials this evening. He directed them to be alert and undertake necessary rescue and relief efforts in view of the cyclone threat.



Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities, he said.



Take all steps to prevent loss of lives and to minimise damages to crops and properties, Naidu told the officials.

Also read | AP govt issues high alert in Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna districts as cyclone Vardah approaches



Tamil Nadu Government also asked private establishments and undertakings in these districts besides coastal taluks of Villupuram to allow their staff avail holiday or work from home.



Panneerselvam gave instructions for appointment of senior IAS officers as monitoring officers for these districts to oversee and monitor cyclone related works in coordination with the District Collectors, the release said.



Arrangements to be made for evacuating people in low lying and vulnerable areas. Relief centres to be kept in readiness along with necessary food, water and other arrangements. Army, Navy, Air-force and Coast Guard have been alerted to be on standby for deployment as and when necessary, it said.

Helpline numbers:

Chennai Corporation: 25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570

Grievances can also be sent via Whatsapp to: 94454 77207, 94454 77203, 94454 77206 , 94454 77201, 94454 77205

Puducherry: 1077, 1070

Cuddalore: 1077, 04142 220700, 231666

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Outer periphery of Cyclone Vardah touched Chennai coast at around 2:15 pm on Monday. Strong winds caused heavy damage, as several trees were uprooted. Heavy traffic jams reported in parts of the city.



A high alert has been sounded across the two states and disaster management teams like NDRF, Indian Navy and Indian Airforce have deployed their units to manage the situation.

During the next 36 hours, rainfall would occur at many places over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Chennai, Tiruvallur.



Also read | How to protect yourself when Cyclone Vardah hits

Highlights of preparations for the cyclone

Schools closed: In view of the approaching storm, the Tamil Nadu government declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram.



Indian Navy on high alert:

Indian Air Force on high alert:

Also read | Storm may not weaken when it makes landfall near Chennai

Helpline numbers:



Chennai Corporation: 25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570



Grievances can also be sent via Whatsapp to: 94454 77207, 94454 77203, 94454 77206 , 94454 77201, 94454 77205



Puducherry: 1077, 1070



Cuddalore: 1077, 04142 220700, 231666

Here are the live updates:

9:53 pm: Rs 4 lakh will be given to family members of those who died due to #CycloneVardah from state disaster relief fund - TN CM O. Panneerselvam

9:34 pm: Services at Chennai Airport suspended till 11 PM

8:01pm: Hut Damages-47, No of tree fallen- 3384 and 696 removed. No of Electricity Board Poles fallen-3400: NDMA

8:00pm: 4 people died (2 in Chennai, 1 in Kancheepuram and 1 in Nagapattinam): National Disaster Management Authority

7:40pm:

#CycloneVardah: NDRF teams conducting relief and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/6Segf9mHKh  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016





7:00pm:

Wind speed will gradually decrease to 60-70 KMPH during next 3 hours: M Mohapatra, ADG IMD #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/vafPXWmAeN  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

6:40pm: Winds and rains might still intensify. DO NOT venture out: National Disaster Management Authority

6:20pm:

#WATCH: Fisherman at Pulicat Lake, along the border of Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu safeguard their belongings in view of #cyclonevardah pic.twitter.com/PrFeil8A8i









6:10pm: Services at Chennai Airport suspended till 2100 hrs

5:21pm: HM Rajnath Singh speaks to TN CM O Panneerselvam enquiring about situation of cyclone crossing Chennai,Tiruvallur

5:11pm: DG CISF directs Chief Airport Security Officer to conduct a damage assessment exercise after Cyclone hit Chennai Airport

5:10pm: 07 NDRF Teams, 02 SDRF Teams and 02 Army Columns deployed for precautionary measures in Tamil Nadu: NDMA

5:07pm: 2 persons died. 24 huts damaged. 8008 people accommodated in 95 relief camps: National Disaster Management Authority

5:03pm:

#WATCH: Heavy rains and strong winds hit Tiruvallur district (Tamil Nadu) as #CycloneVardah makes landfall in Chennai pic.twitter.com/7g61H3lH0f  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

5:01pm: No fisherman's life has been lost till now. All precautionary steps being taken: Tamil Nadu Government

4:32pm:

Tamil Nadu: Army personnel conduct rescue and relief operations in Chennai as heavy rainfall and strong winds lash the city #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/nFy5C3SLoy  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

4:11pm:

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rainfall and storm lashes Chennai city as #CycloneVardah makes a landfall; trees uprooted, vehicles damaged in many parts pic.twitter.com/mDfaKPQ3An  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

4:09pm:

#CycloneVardah Massive damage caused in parts of Chennai as heavy rainfall and storm results in uprooting of trees pic.twitter.com/IbrR7LtoDU  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

4:09pm: Entire landfall process will be completed during next 1-2 hrs but conditions to remain rough even after that: National Disaster Management Authority

4:08pm: Expected point of landfall - Crossing coast near Chennai: National Disaster Management Authority

4:02pm:

Tamil Nadu: Trees uprooted, damage caused as heavy rains and strong winds lash Mahabalipuram town in Kancheepuram district #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/0mpv0S39oS  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016





4:00pm: Some trees and electric poles have fallen due to that, NDRF has begun its operations to clear this: RK Pachnanda

3:58pm:

The landfall was at Pulicat (Tamil Nadu) followed by strong winds: RK Pachnanda (DG, NDRF) #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/jBEVb8ttni  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

3:53pm:

#CycloneVardah makes landfall in Chennai.Wind speed considerably less, leading edge of the storm inland.The trailing edge shld hit soon-Navy pic.twitter.com/kLLKnGVSqO  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

3:43pm: Complete landfall to take another couple of hours. Conditions to remain severe between Chennai & Nellore: K.G.Ramesh,DG IMD

3:42pm: Ship that was sent to rescue two fishermen off Kakinada(AP) couldn't reach them due to rough sea: AP Coast guard DIG Haribola

3:40pm: Chennai Suburban network suspended till further notice.Some trains from/to Chennai diverted and cancelled: Railway Minister

3:32pm:

3:20pm:



#Chennai: Bus parked at IT park in Thoraipakkam collapsed suddenly with staff on-board, no1 injured #cyclonevardah https://t.co/BZJpEqNV6T pic.twitter.com/cP3usDOOt9  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 12, 2016

3:17pm: Chennai Suburban railway network suspended till further notice. Some trains reaching & leaving Chennai diverted & cancelled. Senior officials camping at stations & control room: ADG(PR) Railways, Anil Saxena

3:15pm: Total 176 relief camps are set up and 95 have been filled until now with nearly 8008 people. 10,754 food packets distributed

2:20pm:



Sullurpeta (Andhra Pradesh): Crude oil tanker overturns due to strong winds & storm #cyclonevardah pic.twitter.com/PIxwhzTVn6  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

2:15pm: IMD confirms Cyclone Vardah is making landfall, it will cross Chennai in the next four hours

1:35pm: 22 diving teams have been kept standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment, should the situation warrant

1:35pm: Cyclone Vardah update: Time of landfall - between 1400-1700 ; Now 30 kms from Chennai



1:25pm: Cyclone Vardah's distance from Chennai - 50 KM

1:24pm:



#cyclonevardah likely to maintain intensity for 6 hours, people advised to stay in safe place till then : NDMA India pic.twitter.com/hLE5uIENOb  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 12, 2016

1:20pm: Current wind speed near centre of cyclone -120-130 KMPH gusting to 140 KMPH; Expected point of landfall - near Chennai



1:18pm:



#cyclonevardah 2X @indiannavy ships Shivalik& Kadmatt out at sea & holding N of Chennai 2 provide immediate assistance if required pic.twitter.com/9MeubSpvM0  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 12, 2016

1:15pm:

#WATCH: Trees uprooted, damage caused in parts of Chennai as heavy rains and strong winds lash the city #CycloneVardahpic.twitter.com/ZPQa0CqifU  ANI (@ANI_news)

12:42pm: Evacuation: 7357 people are evacuated to 54 relief centres safely so far

12:40pm: Six Indian Army columns on standby for rescue & relief ops

12:35pm: Alert at Kalpakkam Nuclear plant. Authorities secure N-Plant



12:20pm: Two ships of Indian Navy - Shivalik & Kadmatt positioned north of area to render immediate assistance if required. The ships are carrying adequate bricks of HADR material, doctors, divers, food, water, blankets, to sustain 5000 people at first go: Navy chief PRO captain DK Sharma



#cyclonevardah 2X IN ships Shivalik& Kadmatt out at sea & holding N of Chennai 2 provide immediate assistance if required @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/dR4loPf872  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 12, 2016

12:20pm: Winds have picked up speeds up to/ in excess of 150kmph; likely to make landfall by 1330h; as per speed of advance recorded; Navy chief PRO captain DK Sharma



12:05pm: Cyclone Vardha is about 61 km east-northeast of Chennai at noon, likely to make landfall in next couple of hours: IMD

#cyclonevardah : Heavy rain causes destruction, many trees uprooted pic.twitter.com/AVPRbaX3Y9  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 12, 2016

#cyclonevardah wrecks havoc, landfall expected in 2-3 hourshttps://t.co/BZJpEqNV6Tpic.twitter.com/cuQKj6WcvW  News Nation (@NewsNationTV)

Live | #cyclonevardah update: Wind reaches up to 120 km/hr in #Ennore port area, nearly 3000 people evacuated pic.twitter.com/opuLAOqRe9  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 12, 2016

11:30am: All precautions taken at Nuclear Power Plant-Kalpakkam to face Vardah. All well and plant operation normal. Plant is in touch with IMD: NDMA

10:57am: District Admin is looking after the evacuation part, 13 teams are ready to tackle the after effects: P Dhar, Comdt 10th Bn, NDRF



10:52am:



10:50am: Total 176 relief camps are set up, nearly 400 people have reached camps

10:35am: 25 flights diverted, 9 delayed and 5 cancelled so far from Chennai

10:15am: Four flights diverted because of cyclone Vardah

10:00am: Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during next 36 hrs: NDMA

9:40am: Wind warning: Currently, wind speed is 50-60 kmph & during landfall it will be 100-110 kmph. Storm surge: About 1 mtr height #vardah : NDMA

One of the four NDRF teams deployed in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. #cyclonevardah pic.twitter.com/dsrtwJA5xo  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

9:30am: Andhra Pradesh: Four teams have been deployed in Nellore. We are fully equipped & prepared: Pawan Kumar, Sub Inspector, NDRF



9:00am: There will be heavy rains during day time. Wind speed is likely to be high but as the day progress it may reduce: DIG NDRF

9:00am: The system is very likely to move nearly westwards & weaken gradually while moving towards north TN & adjoining south AP coasts:NDMA



9:00am: There are 6 teams in Andhra Pradesh and 8 teams in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: SP Selvan, DIG NDRF



9:00am: Cyclonic storm Vardah lays over west central and southwest Bay of Bengal; It moved further nearly west-southwest-wards during past 06 hrs

#WATCH: Rain lashes Chennai-MeT says #CycloneVardah is moving westward towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai this afternoon pic.twitter.com/FVXrxFgAJl  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

Rain lashes Chennai: MeT says #CycloneVardah is moving westward towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai this afternoon pic.twitter.com/eZBqHnVoHU  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

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Algiers:

A British-Algerian journalist died on Saturday three months into a hunger strike to protest a two-year jail term for offending Algerias president in a poem posted online, his lawyer said.



I can confirm the death of the journalist Mohamed Tamalt in Bab el-Oued hospital after a hunger strike of more than three months and a three-month coma, Amine Sidhoum said on Facebook.



The prison service, in a statement said Tamalt had died of a lung infection for which he was receiving treatment since it was detected on December 4.



Tamalt, a dual national, launched the hunger strike in protest after his arrest near his parents house in the capital Algiers on June 27.



The 42-year-old blogger and freelance journalist who ran a website from London where he lived was charged with offending President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and defaming a public authority in the poem which he shared on Facebook.



A court in Algiers sentenced him two years in prison on July 11 and fined him 200,000 dinars ($1,800), and an appeals court upheld the ruling a month later.Human Rights Watch had urged Algerian authorities to release him in August when he was reportedly in critical condition.



The Algerian authorities should quash the case against Tamalt and send the message that free speech will be respected in Algeria, it said at the time.

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New Delhi:

To avoid any malpractices, the government on Sunday asked all public sector banks to strictly maintain record of deposits made through both old Rs 500/1,000 notes and other valid currencies.

In a letter written to chief executive officers of public sector banks, the Finance Ministry asked that maintenance of records regarding deposit of Specified Bank Note (SBN) and Non-SBN, as the case may be, is essential both in the bank record as well as the customers record.

The letter addressed to all the Managing Directors of state-owned banks and Chairman of Indian Banks Association, the Department of Financial Services directed them consider this on urgent basis and send action taken report in this regard by December 16.

This must be followed scrupulously and any deviation in this regard has to be prevented and if noticed, dealt with firmly and immediately, it said.

Though most banks providing correct information to the customers yet to ensure that it is done in 100 per cent of cases without fail, all the bank branches in the country be alerted to reflect correctly the cash deposit in old and new currency and inform the customers about the same, it said.

The Ministry also asked banks to educate the public, by displaying a prominent sign (including in the local language) in their respective branches requesting their customers to fill up deposit slips clearly indicating old and new currency and the denomination of the notes...

According to the RBI, nearly Rs 12 lakh crore out of Rs 15.4 lakh crore of old high denomination currency notes have come back to banking system since Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrapped the legal tender of of Rs 500/1000 notes from mid-night of November 8 to fight the menace of black money.

The Ministry also appreciated the role played by the banks post-demonetisation especially when the old currency was accepted and till November 24, when exchange of old currency to specified limit was also permitted.

FULL COVERAGE: BLACK MONEY CRACKDOWN

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 40 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Dec. 12.

Armenian army was using 60 and 82-millimeter mortars and large-caliber machine guns.

The Azerbaijani army positions located in Kokhanebi village of the Tovuz district and on the nameless heights of the Gadabay district of Azerbaijan underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in the Chinari village of the Berd district, as well as on nameless heights of Krasnoselsk district of Armenia.

Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani army positions were shelled from the Armenian positions located near the Armenian-occupied Chilaburt village of the Tartar district, Shuraabad, Sarijali villages of the Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand district, Ashagi Seyidahmadli village of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand and Jabrayil districts.

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.
Washington:

Bangladeshi Hindus have held a peaceful protest in front of the White House to urge outgoing US President Barack Obama to help protect and bring an end to the persecution of religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country.

We believe you are a person of great sensitivity and resolve, and would find the situation in Bangladesh with respect to the minority communities deplorable. We would like to request you, if it is possible, to convey our anxiety regarding Bangladesh to the next administration, said a memorandum submitted by protesters to Obama on Sunday.

Organised by Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA dozens of protesters conveyed their deep concern regarding the allegedly passive role of the Bangladeshi government in coming to the rescue of the affected or in taking legal measures against the perpetrators.

The destruction of Hindu households and temples, the usurping of Hindu lands and occasional killing and rape have become a norm in the present day Bangladesh. In fact, in recent weeks, the news of two more premeditated attacks were documented during which the party in power was complicit, and no actions were taken by the authorities to assist or support the victims and their families, the memorandum said.

Last month, the same organisation had held a similar demonstration in front of the Trump Towers in New York.

President-elect Donald Trump had attended a charity event before the election to raise funds for the terrorism. Bangladeshi Hindus who are victims of terrorism. I am sure, he would take up our cause too, said protester Sitangshu Guha.

Protecting Bangladesh from falling into the lap of ISIS is the most pressing priorities, said Jay Kansara of the Hindu American Foundation.

Because if Bengal falls to extremism, then there would be no recourse to that, he said in his brief address to the protesters, which included women and children.

The memorandum alleged that the present Bangladeshi government occasionally spouted words of secularism, but in reality was following a path of ethnic cleansing that was instituted by Pakistan almost seventy years ago.

We would like to appeal to you to impress upon the Bangladesh government to consider the following pathways in order to end the minority cleansing and persecution in Bangladesh, the memorandum said.

Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan with the great hope that there would be no communal feeing or communal force, but in the last seven years we see as many as 273 cases have been filed against the attack on minorities in Bangladesh, said Nabendu Bikash Dutta, president Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA.

Bangladesh has been reeling under a wave of murders of secular, liberal activists and religious minorities.

Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions including Hindus, Christians and Muslim Sufis and Shiites.

In July, a Bangladeshi cafe was attacked by terrorists, killing 22 people including an Indian girl.

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Mumbai :

Shiv Sena on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a cue from US President-elect Donald Trumps decision to protect jobs for sons of the soil and act against Pakistani artistes snatching jobs from Indians in the country.

Pakistani artistes, technicians and TV people come to India to earn money, while touting words like friendship and ties. They snatch away livelihood of locals here.

Can India implement a policy like Trump and say that these Pakistanis wont get a job here and also declare that those who give work to Pakistanis are the enemies of India, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

President-elect Trump had recently said that he would not allow Americans to be replaced by foreign workers, in an apparent reference to cases like that of Disney World and other American companies wherein people hired on H-1B visas, including Indians, displaced US workers.

What someone like Trump...can do, our PM, who is known as courageous and knowledgeable, can certainly do, the Sena said.

The Sena claimed that Trump seems to have been inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray on his slogan of jobs in the US for sons of soil only.

India is going to bear the maximum impact of Trumps stance and it should be seen how Modi government deals with it by talking to Trump, the editorial said.

Incidentally, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan called upon MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday ahead of his upcoming film Raees, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

The issue of Pakistani artists created a storm this year after the MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies citing their involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

In October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. But they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following mediation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to calm tempers.

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Raipur:

A villager was killed and another injured when they were reportedly caught in a crossfire between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Bijapur district on Monday, police said.

The incident took place in the wee hours when joint team of CRPFs 168th battalion and district force was out on an anti-Maoist operation near Timmapur village under Basaguda police station limits, Bijapur Superintendent of Police KL Dhruv said.

Acting on inputs about the movement of rebels, security forces had launched the operation from its Timmmapur camp, around 450 kms away from here, to adjoining areas late last night, he said.

On way back?close to the camp, they came under fire from ultras prompting them to retaliate. However, the exchange of fire soon stopped after rebels escaped, he added.

During searches, they spotted two men who had reportedly sustained injuries in the cross fire, in the forests. They rushed the injured to Basaguda hospital where one of them was declared brought dead, the SP said.

The deceased was identified as Punem Nandu, a native of Timmapur, he said adding that another injured man- Kaken Suklu- a resident of the same village, was undergoing treatment at Basaguda.

However, a CRPF official claimed that the deceased and injured villager could be jan-militia members who handle the village level operations of the Maoists.

Investigation is being done to ascertain the background of both the villagers, the paramilitary official said on the condition of anonymity.

Notably, CRPF Director General K Durga Prasad is visiting Bijapur district today along with other paramilitary officials to inaugurate the newly set up camp of CRPFs 229th battalion.

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Beijing:

Beijing on Monday said that China will not change its stand on two key issues of NSG membership bid and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist, the China reluctace on two important issues is seen hitting the India's diplomatic relationship.

"As for India's application for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), China's position remains unchanged," said China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang.His assertion that China's stand remains unchanged on both NSG and Azhar issues was made while answering a question on Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's remarks at an India-China think tank forum in New Delhi last week when he said China should not give a political colour to New Delhi's efforts to access civilian nuclear technology.

Jaishankar had also expressed dismay over the two countries not being able to come together on the issue of"fundamentalist terrorism" at critical international forums, a reference to China blocking India's bid to get Azhar banned by the UN. China's second 'technical hold' on Azhar's banning in UN is due to expire at the end of this month and the two countries are in talks on both the NSG and Azhar issues.

Officials in Beijing are not clear about the complex process ofthe UN 1267 committee where China, a veto-wielding member, hasblocked India's application twice already, while the rest ofthe members supported it. On Jaishankar's remarks that China should respect eachother's legitimate aspirations, Geng said as major developingcountries it is natural that two countries need not see eye toeye on every issue. "Thanks to the concerted efforts of China and India thestrategic cooperation between the two sides have made allround progress," he said.

"The two sides have been moving toward establishing a moreclosely knit strategic partnership for cooperation. As twomajor developing countries it is only natural for us to notsee eye to eye on all issues, but the mainstream of thebilateral relationship is cooperation and the two of us are staying in communication on relevant issues," he said.

The Chinese side is looking to work together with theIndian side to expand bilateral mutual beneficial cooperationand manage differences based on consensus reached by leadersof both countries, he said. On the US Congress clearing the decks for India to becomea Major Defence Partner of America, Geng gave a guarded reaction saying that both America and India are important countries.

"We welcome normal state to state relationship between different countries. We hope that the bilateral relationship and cooperation will be conducive to regional peace and development," he said.

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New Delhi :

The much awaited trailer of Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor's upcoming movie 'OK Jaanu' released on Monday. Helmed by Shaad Ali, 'OK Jaanu' is slated to release on January 13 next year.



'OK Jaanu' is a story of a young couple Adi and Tara, played by Aditya and Shraddha respectively. The young pair, who is madly in love with each other, is staying in a live-in relationship with no intention of getting hitched. Watch trailer here:



What sets their love-story apart from others is that while Adi and Tara enjoy the time of their lives in each other's company, be it having those mushy moments or caring for their partner, this couple is not bounded by any commitment in their relationship.



However, like every love-story has a stimulating twist, Adi-Tara's relationship too has one.



While everything in their relationship seems to be any couple's dream, the problem comes up when Tara decides to move to Paris to study architecture, Adi is determined to go to USA to compete with Mark Zuckerberg.



The trailer leaves the audience speculating if Adi-Tara will choose love over their respective ambitions, or will logic conquer it all.



Talking about the chemistry between the lead pair, Aditya and Shraddha will be seen reprising the magic from their first movie 'Aashiqui 2'. Notably, 'Aashiqui 2' marked the big Bollywood debut of both Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor.Besides, the spell bounding music of Mozart of Madras A.R Rahman also rakes up the excitement for the movie.



Interestingly, 'OK Jaanu' is a remake of Mani Ratnam's much successful 2015 Tamil release 'O Kadhal Kanmani'. The movie also stars veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in a pivotal role.





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Jaipur:

Rajasthan Police on Monday recovered at least Rs 64 lakh cash from Jaipur. Out of Rs 64 lakh Rs 58 lakh has been recovered in new currency notes. The police have recovered the cash from three people on information that the trio used to exchange currency on commission.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ratan Singh said, "Rs 64 lakhs seized from 3 people on information that they exchanged currency on commission. Rs 58 lakhs in new notes".

Rs 64 lakhs seized from 3 ppl on info that they exchanged currency on commission. Rs 58 lakhs in new notes. IT informed: Ratan Singh ACP pic.twitter.com/unoDaVxuLw  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

Jaipur (Rajasthan): Police seize Rs 64 lakh from 3 people (Rs 58 lakh in new Rs 2000 notes) pic.twitter.com/eD2qbNCDJ9  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

Income Tax sleuths and police have been condunting raids across India since the PM Narendra Modi demonetised Rs 500 an Rs 1000 currency notes on November 8.

On, Saturday, the I-T officials found cash worth Rs 13.65 cr, including at least Rs 2.61 cr in new Rs 2,000 currency notes, from a law firm in Greater Kailash 1.

Rajasthan: Police seize Rs 64 lakh (Rs 58 lakh in new currency notes) from Jaipur, enquiry underway pic.twitter.com/Na0nRyZcGi  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

Delhi Police Crime branch raided T&T law firm in R 89, Greater Kailash I, New Delhi on Saturday and recovered a huge amount of nearly 10 crores.

Further, the cops think that at least 2.5 crores of the currency is available in the form of new notes. The Exact amount of the currency recovered will be known only after counting.

Also Read: Watch Video | See Pics: Rs 10 cr seized in Delhi's Greater Kailash, Rs 2.5 cr in new Rs 2,000 bank notes



Income Tax sleuths seize Rs 24 crore cash in Rs 2,000 currency note in Vellore



Black money crackdown: Biggest seizure of Rs 142 cr cash, gold post demonetisation

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New Delhi :

RBI has cleared the air over reports that RBI is mulling to cancel bank licence of Axis Bank.

RBI in its press release on Monday said, "The Reserve Bank of India on Monday clarified that it has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of Specified Bank Notes in a few branches of the bank. The clarification comes in the background of rumours in a segment of the media that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence."

On November 25, The Income Tax department raided the Kashmere Gate branch of Axis Bank in Delhi. The raids were conducted after two people were held with Rs 3.5 crore new notes. The bank managers reportedly took the commission in gold. In order to curb black money, the government on November 8 announced that high currency denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 will no longer be legal tender. Holders of the currency have the option to deposit them in bank accounts till December 30. However, several reports have surfaced where unscrupulous elements are using various means to convert their black money into white.

Also Read: Delhi: I-T officers find 44 fake accounts with deposits worth over Rs 100 crore in Axis bank branch

On December 5, managers from Axis Bank were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with money laundering probe. Both the officials were booked for alleged committing irregularities in the conversion of old currency and supply of new notes leading to blackmoney generation.

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Jaipur:

Rajasthan Police seized Rs 93.52 lakh in denomination of Rs 2,000 currency notes from seven persons, of whom three were arrested and the rest detained, in separate cases in Jaipur on Monday.

Two persons were detained allegedly after Rs 64 lakh, of which Rs 58 lakh was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes, was seized from them, police said. "On a tip off, a joint team of the CID's Crime Branch and local police intercepted their car when it was roaming in the area apparently to facilitate exchange of demonetised notes,"DCP (West) Ashok Gupta said, adding of the total amount Rs 6 lakh was in denomination of Rs 100 notes.

The Income Tax department has been informed about the seizure and they are probing the matter, he said.

In another incident, three persons were arrested forallegedly robbing a Bikaner-based businessman of Rs 83 lakh that was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes. "Three of the five accused in the case have been arrested. All of them were friends of businessman Rajesh. Police have also seized Rs 28 lakh from their possession," Gupta said,adding the other accused, both policeman, are absconding.

The incident occurred two to three days back when he hadcome here to meet them and exchange his money in demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said. "The accused took him to a flat and after a while he wastricked into believing that two policemen had come into the complex. He was asked to throw the money in a plot adjacent tothe flat," the DCP said, adding the accused policemen picked up the money.

The victim had registered a complaint following the incident, he said. In the outskirts of the city police caught two locals when they were exchanging scrapped notes with new ones. "Rs 8 lakh, including Rs 7.52 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes,were recovered from Shyam Lal and Bhanwar who were exchanging notes in near Ajayrajpura village," SHO at SEZ police station Gayasuddin said.

The I-T department has been informed about the matter, he said.
Kolkata:

Howrah Railway station received threat letter from a man claiming to be a member of Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit.

A letter sent by alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad has asked to arrange rupee 50 crore or the terror output will carry IED blast at Howrah Terror outfit.

The letter has also threaten to kill West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee.A

After receiving threat letter, police conducted probe but found nothing from the phone number & address mentioned, in the letter, said Aryan Mahapatra CPRO,Eastern Railways.

West Bengal: Howrah Railway station received threat letter from a man claiming to be a member of Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit pic.twitter.com/1AKYBoBzgG a ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

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New Delhi:

In an exclusive interview to News Nation, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi spoke on demonetisation. Naqvi said that the demonetisation decision was taken in the good interest of the country.

The minister also said that as the decision was taken in good interest of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not apologise for it.

As the demonetisation has been a prominent issue since its announcement on November 8, Opposition has been criticising it inside and outside of Parliament. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that Opposition had different demands on every day of the Parliament and, because of it, there were no substantial debate on the matter. The minister said that Rs 3 crore per hour has been wasted with lack of debate in the Parliament.

Naqvi admitted that people are facing problem but they are not unhappy with the difficulties after demonetisation and people are supporting Prime Ministers decision to fight against black money.

Also read | 0.75% discount on use of debit/credit cards, mobile wallets at PSU petrol pumps from December 13

On being asked about Prime Ministers statement that he is not been allowed to speak in Parliament, Naqvi said that Opposition has not allowing him to speak. Their strategy is like hit and run. Naqvi said that we are always ready for debate and every question of Opposition will be replied in ample manner.

When asked about common mans difficulties, Naqvi said that they are cognisant of the ground report. He said that 99 per cent of people are supporting the move and ready to face the difficulties. He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has will power to take bold step such as this and people support him for that.

Replying on the need of the demonetisation, Naqvi said that despite all the difficulties, we are happy that people are having conviction in the Prime Minister of the country. He also said that in other scenario, there would have been protests and agitation but people are supporting PM in his ambitions to wipe out black money.

The minister said that the Opposition has become frustrated. He also assured that the problems will exacerbate in the promised 50 days from the demonetisation.

On being asked that Prime Minister is changing his stance of situation getting back to normalcy in 50 days, Naqvi said that cashless economy will help us to overcome the current situation.

Replying on the proliferation of cases with bankers being involved in irregularities, Naqvi said that it is the system which needs makeover and many people are involved in corrupt practices.

Naqvi said that Congress does not stand chance in UP polls. He also said that BJP will come to power in Uttar Pradesh. He said that action against Pakistani artistes is in reaction to what is happening between the two countries. He also said that triple talaq is not constitutionally correct and it needs discussion on this.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Discussions on the legal status of the Caspian Sea are held regularly and the next meeting is planned to be held in early January in Ashgabat, Khalaf Khalafov, Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister, told reporters Dec. 12.

He noted that meetings main issues are related to the preparation for holding the next Caspian summit.

Meanwhile, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the legal status of the Caspian Sea is also expected to initiate holding a ministerial meeting, and such a meeting can be organized, said the deputy foreign minister.

All these measures are aimed at adoption of a draft convention on legal status of the Caspian Sea during the summit, added Khalafov.

He also noted that negotiations on the date of the summit will probably be held later, while the ministerial meeting is likely to be held in Astana.

The Caspian littoral states (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran) signed a Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November 2003.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the northern part of the Caspian Sea in order to exercise sovereign rights for subsoil use in July 1998. The two countries signed a protocol to the agreement in May 2002.

Moreover, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Caspian Sea and a protocol to it on Nov. 29, 2001, and Feb. 27, 2003, respectively.

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on the delimitation of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea on May 14, 2003.

As of today, summits of heads of the Caspian littoral states were held in 2002 in Ashgabat, in 2007  in Tehran, in 2010  in Baku and in 2014  in Astrakhan.
Mumbai:

With Tata Sons seeking to remove Nusli Wadia as director from main listed group entities, Nusli Wadia on Monday hit back saying he has been targetted for his "independence of mind and action" and he is not required to act in their interest as he does not not serve the Tata group in any capacity.

In a letter to the shareholders of Tata Steel, which has convened an EGM on December 21 to consider a resolution by Tata Sons to remove Cyrus Mistry and him as directors, Wadia said several allegations levelled against him were false, unsubstantiated and baseless. Terming the allegation that he has acted in concert with Mistry as "totally false and baseless", he wrote, "My actions as an independent director are totally independent and not linked to any individual."

Stating that he is the only Independent director that Tata Sons has sought to remove from Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals and Tata Motors, Wadia said: "The reasons for which I am beingsought to be removed as director is my independence of mind and action..." Reacting to the allegation that he was acting against the interest of the group, he said, "I do not serve the Tata group in any capacity and I am not required to act in their interest. The statement is irrelevant to my position as an Independent Director of Tata Steel. It is also baseless and unsubstantiated. "I have a fiduciary responsibility to act as an Independent director in the best interest of the companies on whose board I serve, no more or less."

He further said, "My independent stand has aggravated Tata Sons and my removal is being sought because I chose not to follow their diktat. My fiduciary duty is to your companyand not to an unidentified Tata group."

Wadia further said Tata Sons' principal allegations against him "are unsubstantiated, baseless, false, motivated,defamatory and libellous and have been made with the intentionof harming my reputation."

He also claimed that it was "the first time in the history of corporate India that a promoter is using his muscle power with false and vindictive allegations to remove anIndependent director".

"Although it is my removal that you are being asked tovote upon, the real 'person' on trial is the institution ofthe independent director itself and not me," he said. Underlining his actions as an independent director, Wadia recalled that he differed "strongly" with Ratan Tata "in theacquisition of Corus but a decision was ultimately taken by consensus". continuous financial resources towards Tata Steel Europe from the year 2012 prior to Tata stepping down. From that date to now the capital employed in the business has risen by aroundRs 25,000 crore with nil return."

Any return on investment to the shareholders of TataSteel from its investments in Tata Steel Europe looks a nearimpossibility, he said. "The shareholders of Tata Steel have already suffered aserious impairment of approximately Rs 35,000 crore and arelikely to have further substantial impairments in future,"Wadia claimed.

Alleging violation of insider trading regulations, Wadia said, "I believe that Mr Ratan Tata, Mr Noshir Soonawala and the Board of Tata Sons even post notification of the insider trading regulations (January 25m 2015) sought access to information and documents of Tata Steel, Tata Motors and other Tata companies."

Recalling that he joined Tata Steel as a director almost four decades ago when JRD Tata invited him, Wadia said at that point of time JRD encouraged freedom of thought and expression.

"It is both sad and unfortunate that Tata Sons and itsinterim Chairman Ratan Tata are not only not practicing this great tradition but effectively destroying it," Wadia wrote.

Last month Wadia had sent a legal notice to Tata Sons stating "the special notice for EGM of Tata Steel shareholders are aimed at defaming me as the content of the notice are false, frivolous, and per se defamatory, which are now established to be unsubstantiated for which I shall be compelled to initiate legal proceedings to protect my interest."
Mumbai:

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has assured MNS chief Raj Thackeray that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will not promote the upcoming release of "Raees" in India, a party leader said on Monday, adding it will now not oppose the screening of the film but a fresh political row erupted over the issue.

Shah Rukh on Sunday called on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray ahead of the release of his film "Raees", which features the Pakistani actress."Khan told us that the actress is not going to be in Mumbai for promotion. There will be no more Pakistani actors who would be made part of his movies. We find it suitable and decided not to oppose the release of the movie," MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar said.

"We had already made clear our stand that Pakistani artistes should not be part of Bollywood movies. Shah Rukh Khan approached Raj Thackeray and clarified that the Pakistani actor is not coming to India for the movie promotion," Khopkar further said.

The issue of Pakistani artistes had created a storm earlier this year when MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies after the Uri terror attack. In October, the party had staged high-voltage protests against the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. But, they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following 'mediation' by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

SRK had previously run into trouble for the release of "My Name is Khan" in 2010, with Shiv Sena. Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and NCP dubbed Shah Rukh meeting Raj to ensure smooth release of his film as "shameful" and unfortunate and accused the BJP-led Government in Maharashtra of giving "state protection" to the latter.

The SP said the Devendra Fadnavis-led ruling coalition has allowed MNS to run a "parallel government" by giving it undue importance. "It is a matter of shame for the Fadnavis Government that Shah Rukh had to go at Thackeray's door to ensure smooth release of his film. This shows the present government has no spine," State SP President Abu Asim Azmi said, referring to Shah Rukh's visit to the MNS chief's residence.

MNS has now officially become a "settlement" party, he said, mocking the Raj-led outfit.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have not yet reached a full understanding on the Kapaz field, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov told reporters in Baku Dec. 12.

Bilateral talks and consultations on this issue are being held regularly, according to him.

However a full understanding has not been achieved yet, Khalafov said.

According to an agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in 2008, no exploration or oil extraction can be carried out in the areas of seabed intersection of the Azerbaijani and Turkmen sectors of the Caspian Sea until the issues related to delimitation of the Caspian seabed are agreed upon.

The five Caspian states  Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran  signed a Framework Convention for Protection of Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November 2003.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on delimitation of the northern part of the Caspian seabed in order to exercise sovereign rights for subsoil use in July 1998. The two countries signed a protocol to the agreement in May 2002.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on delimitation of the Caspian seabed and a protocol to it on Nov. 29, 2001 and Feb. 27, 2003, respectively.

Summits of the presidents of the Caspian countries were held in Ashgabat in 2002, in Tehran in 2007, in Baku in 2010 and in Astrakhan in 2014.

The next summit is planned to be held in Astana in 2017. Kazakhstan proposes adoption of a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea as the goal of the event.
Details added (first version posted on 11:40)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation including co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center  former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandria in Egypt Ismail Serageldin, and members of the centers Board of Trustees  former Serbian President Boris Tadic, former Bulgarian leader Petar Stoyanov, former Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, former Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and former President of Moldova Petru Lucinschi Dec. 12.

President Aliyev thanked the guests for attending the ceremonies to commemorate the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev.

Mr. President, this is a great honor for us, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandria in Egypt Ismail Serageldin said. This is manifestation of great respect for your father, great personality, a true national leader Heydar Aliyev.

We are together with you today when you and your people commemorate the death anniversary of national leader of the Azerbaijani people and the architect of modern Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, Former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said.

Vike-Freiberga paid tribute to the national leader, describing him as a leader with huge experience.

Former Bulgarian leader Petar Stoyanov recalled his meetings with national leader Heydar Aliyev that they had in Baku.

Former President of Moldova Petru Lucinschi said he had good memories of national leader Heydar Aliyev, adding that as a great personality he played an exceptional role in ensuring Azerbaijans independence.

Lucinschi also praised President Aliyevs role in ensuring Azerbaijans development and prosperity.

National leader Heydar Aliyev had always strived for independence of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev said. It was his tireless efforts that helped Azerbaijan achieve true independence. As a national leader he ensured our peoples transition from the Soviet system to independence.

During his tenure in the Soviet leadership, national leader Heydar Aliyev was one of the first persons to openly accuse the leadership of the Communist Party, President Aliyev said. And this happened before the collapse of the Soviet Union. He was one of the persons to emphasize the necessity of Azerbaijans independence back in 1990.

When the Soviet army committed the Bloody January events in January of 1990, killing more than hundred innocent people in Baku, the national leader went to Azerbaijans representative office in Moscow, he added. I was with him. Many Azerbaijanis gathered there and they demonstrated great support for Heydar Aliyev.

Heydar Aliyev sharply accused the political leadership of the USSR of committing the Bloody January events and withdrew from the Communist Party, Ilham Aliyev said. At that time Heydar Aliyev was unemployed, he was on retirement, and the Soviet leadership waged a large propaganda campaign against him, they exerted pressure on him and even wanted to arrest.

Under such difficult circumstances he decided to come to Baku, where thousands of people gathered around him to show support, he said. Worried about this, the then leadership of Azerbaijan started to exert serious pressure on him. Heydar Aliyev came to the city of Nakhchivan where he was born.

The president highlighted the activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan.

He said the people elected the national leader as chairman of the Supreme Soviet (Council) of Nakhchivan, adding that Heydar Aliyev raised the flag of the first democratic republic of Azerbaijan as the national flag back in 1999 and appealed to the parliament of Azerbaijan to adopt this flag as the flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev said Nakhchivan boycotted a referendum on the preservation of the Soviet Union in 1991. The president said that Heydar Aliyevs years in power in Azerbaijan saw the prevention of civil war, establishment of stability and peace and the beginning of new development stage in the country.

President Aliyev said the people of Azerbaijan always pay tribute to the national leader, who played an exceptional role in state building in Azerbaijan.

The sides discussed prospects for cooperation with the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Elmira Tariverdiyeva  Trend:

The Azerbaijan-Israel relations are an amazing example of cooperation between a Muslim country and the Jewish state. From this viewpoint, Baku can do a lot for Israel  help the country in the difficult relations with certain countries of the region, as well as communicate the position of Muslim countries to Israel, given Azerbaijan's participation in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

This will be one of the main topics of discussion between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, a diplomatic source told Trend.

Netanyahu, who first visited Azerbaijan in 1998, will visit the country for the second time on Dec. 13.

Since 1998, the relations have progressively evolved and this high-level visit will surely become a serious momentum for strengthening and expanding relations between the two states.

Israel and Azerbaijan are already in strong partnership, which is to a large extent built on the trust of the Israeli people to Azerbaijan as one of the worlds most tolerant countries, where the Jewish community has felt secure and lived in prosperity for many years.

A number of issues in various spheres, ranging from economic cooperation to security, are on the agenda of the meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Azerbaijans mediation in the settlement of the Palestine-Israel conflict can be one of the main topics of discussion.

As a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Baku  which has good relations with almost all the Muslim countries of the region and the world  can help communicate the position of the Islamic world to Israels consideration. Moreover, having more than friendly relations with Ankara, Baku can help strengthen the Turkey-Israel relations that have been recently improving after the 2010 crisis.

Of course, during Netanyahus visit to Baku, it will be impossible to bypass the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Israel always notes the full recognition of Azerbaijans territorial integrity and supports the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries work on progress towards peace.

As for the economy, the two countries have a wide cooperation, which is not limited to the purchase of Azerbaijani oil by Israel and Israeli investments in Azerbaijani economy.

One of the new spheres of cooperation, which should be interesting for both countries, is agricultural sphere, where Israels experience in using high technologies can be interesting for Azerbaijan, which has recently focused on development of economys agrarian sector.

Meanwhile, the two countries can share experience and technologies in military industry, telecommunications, and can successfully cooperate in humanitarian projects.

Elmira Tariverdiyeva is the head of Trend Agencys Russian news service
Taliban key commander killed in Afghanistan

Israel,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Kabul, Dec 12 (IANS) A Taliban key commander, Mullah Naeem Koor, nicknamed Emadudin, has been killed in the eastern Parwan province, the Afghan Interior Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

"Acting upon intelligence report, the units of Civil Order Police launched special operations in Siagurd district of Parwan province last night. As a result, the Taliban key commander, Mullah Naeem Koor was killed and three others were injured," the statement asserted.

Mullah Naeem was a notorious commander who had often organised terrorist attacks against government interests and innocent civilians, the statement said, adding that his death could prove a major setback to the armed militants in Parwan province and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants have not commented on the subject yet.

--IANS

ahm/dg
Greek Finance Ministry rejects 'snap polls threat' reports

Greece,International, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Athens, Dec 12 (IANS) Greek Finance Ministry rejected on Sunday Greek media reports over a verbal war between Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and his counterparts during the December 5 Eurogroup meeting which allegedly ended in talks regarding new snap elections in Greece.

"No talking took place with references to polls by the Finance Minister during the Euro Group meeting or on the sidelines," Xinhua quoted a ministry statement.

"We cannot take more austerity measures. If you add more pressure on us, we will be forced to go to elections," Tsakalotos allegedly told other European finance ministers last Monday, according to a Vima (Tribune) daily report citing "sources close to the two sides."

According to the report that was reproduced by several other Greek media on Sunday, a European official speaking on condition of anonymity told the newspaper that Tsakalotos faced a negative climate during the last Eurogroup meeting by most of his counterparts who insisted that IMF should join again the Greek bailout.

The Vima report said the announcement Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras made on Thursday evening regarding the distribution of 617 million euros ($650.76 million) Christmas benefits to low income pensioners without previously consulting Greece's international lenders caused further dismay to creditors.

The surprise announcement has fuelled early election scenarios in Athens, although cabinet ministers strongly reject the idea that Thursday's declaration was a "pre-election handout".

"Ballots in March" was the characteristic title on the frontpage of Sunday's "Eleftheros Typos", while the frontpage of Real News read "Elections only if they force us".

--IANS

sku/
New Zealand to keep up pressure for UN reform

United Kingdom,Defence/Security, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Wellington, Dec 12 (IANS) New Zealand will make a final push for United Nations reform in New York in the final days of the country's two-year stint on the Security Council, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said on Monday.

McCully said he would make his final visit to New York this week for UN Security Council meetings, Xinhua news agency reported.

"This visit is about ensuring that New Zealand is well positioned to continue pushing for top-level UN reform and other issues that matter to small states as we transition off the Security Council," McCully said.

"While New Zealand's tenure on the council is drawing to a close, many of the issues we have championed during our term will continue to be a focus for our foreign policy effort in the coming years.

"We are focused on working right up to the last day and while in New York I will participate in the quarterly open debate on the Middle East, which will include a briefing from outgoing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and a ministerial-level debate on non-proliferation hosted by the new foreign minister of Spain."

McCully will also meet incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the head of UN peacekeeping operations Herve Ladsous.

--IANS

py/
Indonesian President Widodo accorded ceremonial welcome

Delhi,National,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is on a two-day state visit to India from Monday, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

"Beginning the week with Indonesia. President Joko Widodo receives ceremonial honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted with photographs.

The Indonesian President was welcomed by his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he would hold bilateral talks later in the day.

Widodo is on his first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014.

--IANS

aks/in/vm
US not after eradicating IS terror: Khamenei

Turkey,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Mon, 12 Dec 2016 IANS

Tehran, Dec 12 (IANS) Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has said that the US was not willing to eradicate the Islamic State, and accused it of rather making efforts to preserve some terror groups in the Middle East.

Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with National Iraqi Alliance (NIA) leader Ammar Hakim in Tehran on Sunday, Press TV reported on Monday.

He advised the NIA not to trust the Americans, warning that Washington has always been against powerful Muslim countries such as Iraq.

Khamenei said that Iraq's progress serves Iran's interests, while more coordination between the two sides would be in the interest of both Muslim nations.

Khamenei hailed the formation of an alliance between Iraqi Shia groups as a major development and underlined the need for strengthening the foundations of such unity.

He also expressed satisfaction with the measures taken by the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, especially its support for the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi forces.

The Leader said the PMU was a "huge resource" and national wealth for Iraq, which should be supported and reinforced.

--IANS

soni/ahm/vm
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Anakhanum Hidayatova  Trend:

French co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) Stephane Visconti paid a visit to Azerbaijan on Dec. 11-12, the French embassy in Baku told Trend Dec. 12.

This is Viscontis first visit to the region after his participation with other two co-chairs in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Hamburg and starting to fulfill his duties.

Today, on Dec. 12, the co-chair was received by Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev.

He also met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

During the visit to Baku, Visconti reiterated his countrys commitment to continue the efforts, together with the US and Russia, to facilitate an unbiased and fair settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, according to the embassy.

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: @Anahanum
OTTAWA, Dec. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Legion has renewed its annual support of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Service's Operation Santa Claus. The Legion support includes packaging more than 2,050 Christmas gifts that will be delivered to Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP personnel deployed overseas in the days leading up to Christmas.

"The Legion has supported the CFMWS venture almost since its inception more than 25 years ago," says Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Mr. Dave Flannigan.

"The Legion has a history of sending small gift packages to our military personnel deployed overseas that dates back to the Second World War. It's a small gift but it does mean a lot. So we welcome this opportunity," adds Flannigan.

This year package includes healthy snack items like energy bars and drinking powder along with the customary Legion Mug and playing card deck.

On behalf of the nearly 300,000 men and women of the Legion, we wish all deployed CAF personnel and RCMP members our very best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.

SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command

Image with caption: "The Royal Canadian Legion Gift Bag (CNW Group/The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161209_C4003_PHOTO_EN_835500.jpg

Image with caption: "Logo: The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command (CNW Group/The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161209_C4003_PHOTO_EN_835610.jpg

For further information: Bruce Poulin, Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760, [email protected]
TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Christmas can be a busy time of year, so why not unwind once the holidays are over with a luxury vacation, full of lots of pampering? Just launched today, Sunwing's 'Luxury Vacations for Less' sale is offering Canadians the chance to seize a tropical vacation at a price so low that even Mr. Scrooge would approve.

From now until December 16th, travellers can 'Save like Scrooge' with reductions of up 50% off a wide range of the tour operator's top-rated resorts in some of the most popular vacation hotspots across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Plus, when travellers choose Sunwing they can also make their budget go even further as they'll benefit from a host of exclusive added extras, such as welcome cocktails, unlimited a la carte dining, and discounted spa treatments.

As a resort well-known for its luxurious amenities, Dreams Las Mareas boasts a variety of elegant room types including stunning swim-out suites surrounded by lush scenery. The resort also features a tranquil adults-only pool where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway, together with an attractive spa and intimate restaurants.

Travellers can also indulge in the luxurious amenities at Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa, a resort recently awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor. Situated on a stretch of powdery-white sand, this all inclusive property offers decadence in all its facilities: from pampering treatments at the on-site spa, to the expansive fitness facility, to the delectable buffet and a la carte cuisine between 10 different restaurants.

All Sunwing packages to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America include return flights on Sunwing Airlines where passengers can sit back and relax with on-board Champagne Service, which includes a sparkling wine toast, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage service and buy on board selection of light meals and snacks with choices inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Passengers also benefit from a generous complimentary 23kg checked luggage allowance.

For more information or to book visit www.sunwing.ca or contact your travel agent.

About Sunwing

As Canada's #1 to the sun and North America's largest vertically integrated travel company, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from over 34 airports across Canada to over 50 popular sun destinations. This scale enables Sunwing to negotiate the best deals and exclusive offers at all of the top-rated resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Renowned for its award-winning service, Sunwing is consistently voted the #1 leisure airline by travel agents and is the perennial winner of the Consumer Choice Award. Customers can look forward to starting their vacation off in style with Champagne Service, which features a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, tea and coffee and non-alcoholic beverage service; together with a buy on board menu of light meals and snacks (including kids' choices) inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Sunwing customers also benefit from the assistance of the company's own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey.

Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | YouTube | Instagram

SOURCE Sunwing Vacations

Image with caption: "Save like Scrooge (CNW Group/Sunwing Vacations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161209_C5845_PHOTO_EN_835723.jpg

Image with caption: "Sunwing Vacations (CNW Group/Sunwing Vacations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161209_C5845_PHOTO_EN_835718.jpg

For further information: For all media enquiries, please contact: Kim Banjac, PR Specialist, Sunwing Vacations, 1-800-387-5602, [email protected]
"Mobilizing Every Community As A Resource"

VICTORIA, Dec. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - This holiday season, people anywhere can connect in a safe, meaningful way through two websites containing the personal stories and wishlists of the homeless and refugees. This registered Canadian charity provides a structure that can be used by any community - for free, by clicking on "Add Your City." Communities everywhere are encouraged to join.

Media are invited to an event for gift-giving with homeless and refugees and potential employers at St. Aidan's United Church, 3703 St. Aidan's Street, Victoria, December 13, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

In Victoria, BC, the homeless staying in four shelters operated by the Cool Aid Society, are interviewed by volunteers. Then those stories and wishlists are posted on the website. Then community members read the stories, pledge gifts and deliver or mail them to the shelter or designated location.

The homeless are looking for items such as boots, coats, clothing, and bus tickets. The purposes of www.homelesspartners.com are to foster empathy and help the homeless feel encouraged when they receive a requested gift, or a caring message.

Refugees are looking for employment leads, assistance to bring relatives to Canada from difficult conditions, and also clothing and common household items. Some of the stories shared include horrors of war such as a bomb falling on the breakfast table and a five-year old being shielded between the legs of his father running from bullets. The purpose of www.refugeepartners.com is to help refugees feel welcomed and included when they connect and receive a personal gift from a local resident.

Homelesspartners.com was founded in 2005, and is now in ten cities: Regina, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Victoria, Winnipeg and five cities in the Lower Mainland Vancouver. This is the first year refugee stories and gifts have been posted.

This approach enables a unique personal connection, based on the value of empathy that helps fulfill the meaning of being human. It mobilizes the community as a resource to touch the lives of those who feel ignored or separate from their neighbours.

Read the personal story of a homeless person at www.homelesspartners.com or a refugee at www.refugeepartners.com and pledge a gift, then deliver or mail your gift before December 22 from anywhere online (e.g. www.amazon.ca), using the story ID number as the person's name and the shelter or drop-off as the shipping address.

These are "everybody wins" programs practicing empathy and encouraging the homeless, the refugees, and the interviewers who collected their stories, as well as the donors who give a gift.

Co-founder Daniel Keeran says: "Our approach is to harness the internet to create a structure that facilitates a safe and empathic connection with those in any trouble, such as the homeless and refugees."

Homelesspartners.com is a registered Canadian charity: 843548777RR0001

SOURCE homelesspartners.com

Image with caption: "Connect personally and safely. (CNW Group/homelesspartners.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C5825_PHOTO_EN_834208.jpg

For further information: Daniel and Jennie Keeran: 250.590.2882 or 250.857.1362, Email: [email protected], Websites: www.homelesspartners.com & www.refugeepartners.com
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has admitted to a wide range of past and present problems with the F-35 while maintaining that the fifth-general will eventually guarantee the U.S. continued air supremacy over rivals.

* Report says F35 is visible to enemy sensors which is a big problem for a stealth fighter

* This visible problem is combined with admitted fighting problems

* Software and cost problems remain unresolved

* US Navy likely to reduce its order of F35s to 12 per year

A Washington think tank released a report Tuesday that found the 5th-generation jet  billed as the worlds most advanced fighter  will be outmaneuvered in dogfights with current Russian and Chinese jets as well as the U.S. aircraft it is slated to replace. The report comes after details were leaked last month on a test flight where the F-35 was bested in most aerial maneuvering by an F-16. The F-35 will find itself outmaneuvered, outgunned, out of range, and visible to enemy sensors, according to Bill French, a policy analyst with the National Security Network, a progressive think tank that claims to challenge overly militarized conservative defense policies. Staying the present course [on the aircraft program] may needlessly gamble away a sizable margin of American airpower at great expense and unnecessary risk to American lives.

Navy likely to cut order from 20 F35s per year to 12

The US Navy believes budget pressures and competing priorities could drive it to purchase fewer Lockheed Martin F-35Cs per year in the 2020s, and a worst-case scenario could see it procure as few as 12 aircraft per year, or one squadron. Naval Air Forces commander Vice Adm Mike Shoemaker says the current plan is to purchase around 20 carrier variants per year in the 2020s, but depending on the resources available, annual output could fall to anywhere between 12 and 20 aircraft. I think the current realities of the budget and other priories inside the navy may drive something between those two numbers, but were still on the path to [initial operational capability] for our first squadron in 2018, Shoemaker said at the US Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The navy is by far the least enthusiastic recipient of the F-35, with the Marine Corps and Air Force holding firm on their annual buys despite facing similar budget pressures. The C-model was designed specifically for carrier-based operations and has larger wings and horizontal tails as well as stronger landing gear than the A- and B-models. The navy paying $265 million per F-35C in fiscal year 2014, but also because the navy has a more modern combat fleet comprised mostly of newer F/A-18 Super Hornets. Even though the cost per jet is expected to fall to $144 million in 2020, it far exceeds the $80 million to $90 million the navy was paying for Boeing Super Hornets over the past few years.Lockheed Martin aims to bring the average cost of an F-35A down to $80 million by 2019, but much of the anticipated savings come from increased quantities. The company expects to ramp up Joint Strike Fighter production to more than 160 aircraft in 2019, and is also eyeing a multi-year block buy for about 450 jets that combines domestic and international orders.

Next time we have hundreds of billions for next generation planes then do not fly while building

The biggest lesson I have learned from the F-35 is never again should we be flying an aircraft while were building it, James said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado last week. In development stages, People believed we could go faster, cheaper, better by designing and building the F-35 concurrently, and that the degree of concurrency would work. Indeed it has not worked as well as we had hoped and thats probably the understatement of the day, James said. It has taken us too long, it has cost us way more money than we ever imagined possible, James said of the most expensive weapons program in Pentagon history. Were very focused from now on to driving the cost down per unit and they are coming down. However, she noted that there were additional challenges to making the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II operational. I would sum it up in one word  software, James said, noting the 24 million lines of code in the aircraft.

F-16 Dogfight admission from Air Force

James also agreed that an F-35A didnt do so well in mock dogfights with an F-16 last January. The test pilots assessment, first reported by the War Is Boring blog, said that the F-35 lacked the maneuverability to keep up with the F-16 and the F-35 pilots helmet cut down on his vision. There were multiple occasions when the bandit (F-16) wouldve been visible but the helmet prevented getting in a position to see him, the report said. James said the dogfight against the F-16 provided the F-35 program with valuable data but she also stressed that the F-35 will be a different plane when its fully operational.

SOURCE  Stars and Stripes, military.com by Travis J. Tritten and Richard Sisk, Flight Global
China is not betting solely on the Shenwei chips (used in worlds fastest supercomputer- 93 petaFLOPS), and apparently has plans to build three different pre-exascale systems with three very different architectures, according to some Tweets put out by James Lin, vice director for the Center of HPC at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The three-way horse race for exascale machines in China will set up a horse race between three different organizations to build pre-exascale clusters based on ARM, Shenwei, and AMD (presumably Opteron) technologies. The first pre-exascale machine is being created by NUDT and will use ARM-based processors and will be deployed at the national supercomputer center in Tianjin where the Tianhe-1A CPU-GPU hybrid was deployed in 2010 and gave China its first top spot on the Top 500 rankings of supercomputers. There is no mention of using the Matrix2000 DSP accelerator with this system, but unless NUDT plans to create its own ARM chip with a homegrown floating point accelerator and embed it on the die, it stands to reason that this first pre-exascale machine will be an ARM-DSP hybrid.

The second pre-exascale machine is being developed by the same people who put together the Sunway TaihuLight system, and it will be deployed in the national supercomputing center in Jinan, where its predecessor, the Sunway Bluelight system, currently runs.

The third pre-exascale machine, and perhaps equally interesting, will be built by Chinese system maker Sugon and will employ an X86 processor licensed from AMD. We presume this is a licensed variant of the future Zen Opteron chip, due in 2017 for servers. It is not clear who is doing the licensing of the X86 technology from AMD, but back in April, AMD announced that it had inked a deal worth $293 million to license X86 chip technology to Tianjin Haiguang Advanced Technology Investment Co, which is itself an investment consortium that is guided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In May, China committed to delivering an exascale-class machine by 2020 with 10 PB of memory, exabytes of storage, and 30 gigaflops per watt efficiency (about five times better than the new Sunway TaihuLight system), and greater than 60 percent efficiency on the Linpack Fortran benchmark test.

Shenway supercomputer

See more 3 prototype systems for exascale will be ready by end of 2017 in China. Each has ~2.5PF in Peak and ~500-600 nodes.  James Lin@SJTU (@jameslinsjtu) July 11, 2016

See more The winner will be chosen to build the exascale system in peak performance by 2020.  James Lin@SJTU (@jameslinsjtu) July 11, 2016

See more One is by NUDT with ARM approach to be deployed in Tianjing national center, where hosts Tianhe-1A.  James Lin@SJTU (@jameslinsjtu) July 11, 2016

See more Another is by Taihulight team with the next generation SW CPU to be deployed on Jinan national center, where hosts Sunway bluelight.  James Lin@SJTU (@jameslinsjtu) July 11, 2016

See more The third is by Sugon with AMD licenced x86 CPU to be deployed in both Shanghai supercomputer center and Shenzhen national center.  James Lin@SJTU (@jameslinsjtu) July 11, 2016

SOURCES- Twitter, Nextplatform
By the middle of this century, the world will use twice as much energy as we use today.

Theres good news in this: more energy means better lives and stronger economies.

But it also means the world needs a new energy supplyone that doesnt contribute to climate change. Climate change is a serious threat, especially in the poorest parts of the world.

Bill Gates (and other wealthy friends) announced the launch of Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), a fund that will invest more than $1 billion in scientific breakthroughs that have the potential to deliver cheap and reliable clean energy to the world.

Its the next step in an effort that began last December, when we brought together private investors from around the globe who were passionate about solving this problem. We formed the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, a group of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and institutional investors committed to help bring promising new zero-emissions energy technologies to market.

The BEV will be ramping up their public, R and D funding for cleantech, to reach a collective $30 billion by 2020.

The Coalition partnered with Mission Innovation, an initiative of more than 20 countries and the European Union to double their investment in clean energy research and development in the next five years.

As Ive argued before, an investment in a true energy transformation requires governments, research institutions, businesses, and private investors to work together. And its hard to overstate how important this public commitment is. Government funding gives scientists the freedom to come up with bold new ideas and try to prove they will work. But government research is not enough. The world needs the skills and resources of investors with experience driving innovation from a lab to the marketplace. The private sector knows how to take great research, turn it into a great product, and ultimately create a great company to bring a transformative technology to market.

Its this type of public-private collaboration thats given rise to advances in defense, space, medicine, and information technology. In fact, its what brought these words to your screen right now. During the Cold War, the Department of Defense developed a network of computers that could survive a nuclear attack, and private companies saw an opportunity to expand this technology to the public. Together, they created the Internet.

When it comes to energy, though, this transitionfrom idea to product to companyis often complicated by the challenges of the market. Unlike a software start up, getting a new energy technology from a lab to market takes a lot of infrastructure, a lot of upfront capital, and a lot of time.

The Breakthrough Energy Coalition created BEV to address some of those challenges in the energy market. We are willing to wait a longer time for returns than other funds. We have a higher tolerance for technical risk, because we know its tough to determine which technologies will succeed in a complicated energy market. We are led by our investors, who are a unique group of global business leaders, entrepreneurs, energy experts, and company builders who can help new companies navigate the challenges of building a business while developing partnerships with the companies and institutional investors who will help bring those products to scale.

The fund is also driven by science. Because of the technical nature of succeeding in an energy market, we will build a team that knows as much about the science behind energy breakthroughs as the investment strategies necessary to build those businesses.

Finally, the fund is committed to discovering breakthroughs, wherever they are. The world has made remarkable progress in wind and solar over the past decade, and these technologies will continue to play an important role in our zero-carbon energy mix. I have argued before that innovative industries deploy the technology they have while developing the technology they need. But because the scale of the challenge of providing reliable and affordable power without contributing to climate change is so vast, and the future energy needs are so great, we need to explore as many viable solutions as possible. As Ive learned through my work in business and philanthropy: to be successful, you have to get the most out of the technology you already have while developing the technology you still need.

After talking with some of the worlds greatest scientists, energy experts, and energy investors, the Coalition has developed a list of scientific priorities that will set us on the path toward the energy future we need. We see this list as a landscape of innovationessentially, a roadmap that Breakthrough Energy Ventures and others can use to focus their attention and guide their investment decisions over the next two decades.

In this landscape, weve outlined five grand challenges, corresponding to the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions around the world:

Electricity: How can we deliver reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity to the world?

Buildings: How can we eliminate emissions from our homes, offices, hospitals, and schools?

Manufacturing: How can we make everything we use without emitting greenhouse gases?

Transportation: How can we get around our communities and the world without emitting carbon?

Food: How can we feed the planet without contributing to climate change?

Of course, no investor can answer these questions alone. Thats why, in addition to funding new ventures, Breakthrough Energy investors will help build a broader clean energy ecosystem. Well explore new partnerships with governments, businesses, and institutional investors who want to be part of the global energy transition. Through these partnerships, we will not only help organize more investments, but we will also help research new solutions. One of the Coalitions partners is the University of California, which has an amazing capacity to innovate through their labs and universities. In the coming years, well work with them to expand our research partnerships and identify the best ways to pull great inventions out of the lab and turn them into companies.

Even though $1 billion is a significant step, it is just one of many steps on the path to a sustainable energy future.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

Rector of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) Elmar Gasimov met with Dean of the Pre-university Faculty of the Belarusian State Academy of Communications Yuri Stepanchuk. At the meeting, Gasimov told the guest about establishment, history, activities, development prospects and extending international cooperation of the Higher School. In his turn, Stepanchuk said that at BHOS, all necessary conditions and good opportunities were created for students and their education.

Having discussed perspectives of concluding an agreement on cooperation development between two higher educational institutions, both parties agreed that such an agreement should be to mutual benefit.

The meeting participants emphasized that conclusion of the agreement will considerably promote and facilitate successful cooperation between the Baku Higher Oil School and Belarusian State Academy of Communications as well as between their teachers and students.
The United States needs to invest more in quantum computing according to White House assistant director of cybersecurity Tim Polk. While the federal government has been funding quantum research for decadesquantum refers to a computing paradigm that relies on particles known as qubits instead of the traditional ones and zeros in classical computingits global leadership position is certainly under siege.

There are significant quantum programs in Canada, in the U.K., in the Netherlands, the [European Union], China, Polk said at an event hosted by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. They dont have the depth, the foundation, that the U.S. has from its long, long interest in quantum. But those programs are definitely going to pose a challenge to us and thats really important to us  we believe [quantum] will be the foundation for so much economic development as well.

Quantum computing could lead to advances in physics and material science, Polk explained. In time, he said, quantum algorithms could help solve long-standing challenges with low-temperature nitrogen fixation and actually give us back 10 percent of the worlds natural gas supply that we currently spend to make fertilizer.

But the nations quantum physicists often complain theyre not able to get computer scientists to really pursue quantum computing, often because they dont have access to todays simulators, which may be prohibitively expensive to access, Polk said.

To really advance quantum, were going to need to be able to build small quantum devices that are off the shelf, commercially available, and that we can actually use not in the lab but actually in real life, he said.
Russia and Ukraine are the two countries with the largest land armies in Europe. They have been locked in a conflict for three year and have repeatedly come close to escalating to all-out war.

On Dec. 1, Ukraine announced it had successfully tested 16 medium range surface-to-air missiles within a designated airspace over the Black Sea.

More than 10,000 soldiers and civilians have already died in the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian troops are squared off in static, trench warfare against a combined force of pro-Russian separatists and Russian regulars.

Ukraine now has the second-largest standing army in Europe; Russia has the largest.

After a two-year crash course to rebuild its military, Ukraine has increased its active-duty ranks from 150,000 to 250,000 troops.

(France has about 209,000 active troops, Germany has about 176,750 active troops, Spain has about 133,000, Poland has about 101,500, and the UK has about 153,600.)

Ukraine has also increased its defense budget to about $6 billion, representing roughly 5 percent of the countrys gross domestic product. Military spending is set to increase by about 10 percent annually.

Russia, which has three times the population of Ukraine and 10 times the GDP, has an active-duty force of about 800,000 with a reserve force of 2 million. Russias 2015 defense budget was about $ 65 billion-roughly 10 times that of Ukraine and on par with the United Kingdom.

Ukraines annual defense budget is still a fraction of Western military powers, such as France (about $ 36 billion), Germany (about $ 37 billion), and the United Kingdom (about $ 65 billion).

Ukraines military strength, however, lies in the size of its army, and the quantity of military hardware at its disposal.

Ukraine, for example, currently operates more than 2,800 tanks-compared with 423 in France, 407 in the UK, and 408 in Germany.

And Ukraines arsenal comprises 625 multiple launch rocket systems-compared with 44 in France, 42 in the UK, and Germanys 50.

According to Ukrainian military reports, combined Russian-separatist forces in the Donbas now wield about 700 tanks, 1,200 armored vehicles, 1,000 pieces of artillery, and 300 multiple launch rocket systems.

This puts the combined Russian-separatist forces in control of more tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, and artillery pieces than the armed forces of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Ukrainian society has also adapted to the state of perpetual conflict with Russia.

Across the country, civilians regularly meet on the weekends for military training. They comprise a network of partisan forces called territorial defense battalions.

These civilian volunteer paramilitary units, which can be rapidly mobilized to defend against a Russian invasion, are not official military units. But they receive training, equipment, and in some cases, arms from the regular military.

Ukraines military is in the process of a top-to-bottom overhaul to bring it in line with NATO standards by 2020.

Russia has and will have an escalation advantage over the Ukraine for several years

Ukraines military could become a potent ground force in five to 10 years, with hard work, the country could partially realize such a vision.

By the end of 2017, Russias forces will be better positioned to conduct an incursion or threaten regime change in Kiev than they ever were in 2014

SOURCES- Foreign Policy, Institute for Study of War, Daily Signal
The Presidency has reacted to reports on the purported appointment of Mrs. Amina Mohammed, Nigerias minister of Environment as deputy se...

The Presidency has reacted to reports on the purported appointment of Mrs. Amina Mohammed, Nigerias minister of Environment as deputy secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), saying she remains our minister of Environment.In a tweet yesterday in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said Nigerians would be informed on any development concerning the matter.He said: There is a lot of exuberance on the net concerning a UN job for Mrs. Amina Mohammed. She remains our minister of Environment. If there is anything on this that is released officially, we will let Nigerians know.I am pleased to know that she enjoys so much goodwill.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that social and traditional media outfits had reported that Amina Mohammed is set to be appointed UN deputy secretary-general.A tweet by Pamela Falk, CBS news reporter for the UN, obtained by NAN, said the world body would release a statement confirming the appointment.She is expected to be deputy to Antonio Guterres, who will assume office as UN secretary-general, on January 1, 2017.
Details added (first version posted on 10:59)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

An operation carried out by Azerbaijans State Security Service detained the journalists who have been involved in racketeering, illegal activity for over 10 years and illegally filming the officials children, Madat Guliyev, head of the Security Service, told reporters in Baku.

The journalists, who were engaged in racketeering, demanded money for the footage they filmed, he added.

The Azerbaijani State Security Service has filed a criminal case and this issue will be legally assessed, Guliyev said.

Earlier, the State Security Service said a group of individuals conspired to use the technical means intended for secretly obtaining information and organized meetings of women with different people.

Filming those meetings secretly, blackmailing and regularly spreading defamatory and slanderous information via news outlets, those individuals demanded and received large sums of money from their victims in return for ending those blackmails.

A criminal case was filed following an investigation.

Criminal proceedings were launched against Surhay Aliyev, editor in chief of Bizim Dovr newspaper, and other people who carried out activity upon his orders, as the people suspected of committing the mentioned offenses.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, on Monday said the All Progressives ...

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, on Monday said the All Progressives Congress would reject the result of Rivers East Senatorial District rerun election.Peterside told a news conference in Port Harcourt that the collation of the districts election results was marred with irregularities.He said that information available to the party showed that results of some local government areas in the district had not been collated.Peterside, the Deputy Leader of the party in the state, also alleged that due process was not followed in announcing the results.You are aware that elections were inconclusive in Etche Local Government Area; the results for Emohua Local Government Area have not been collated, the results for Port Harcourt City Local Government Area were partially collated.The APC agent was beaten at the collation centre in Port Harcourt. Without him being present, the result was announced in favour of the PDP candidate.Whatever result is declared for Rivers East will be ridiculing democracy; APC will not accept any of that, he said.Peterside said the APC would use constitutional means to resist the alleged irregularities.
The Senate has said the performance of the electricity distribution companies that took over from the defunct Power Holding Company of Ni...

The Senate has said the performance of the electricity distribution companies that took over from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria and National Electric Power Authority is worse.The Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy headed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe made the declaration during its oversight visit to electricity companies and power parastatals in Kaduna State, on Friday.The committee stated that the DISCOs were performing poorer than the PHCN and NEPA in revenue collection.Abaribe, while speaking at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company in Kaduna, said the committee was unimpressed to discover that DISCOs were recording less than 20 per cent of the revenue collected under the PHCN.He said, Returns on collection have reduced but the essence of privatisation is to ensure efficiency. Now, you are doing less than 20 per cent of the previous capacity. We were looking at better collection and better efficiency from you with privatisation but what we are having is less than 80 per cent of what we had.Abaribe also condemned the DISCOs for the importation of electricity meters, especially when some companies were producing meters locally.He pointed out that such a development puts pressure on the naira and limits job creation.Abaribe said, We have seen that a lot of DISCOs are not doing business with Nigerian manufacturers (of meters) and these companies come to us. We talk about capacity but they must have orders first before they produce. You must look at this area.The Assistant General Manager, Customer Services Standards, Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission, Dr. Shittu Shuaibu, who also briefed the Senate committee, indicted the DISCOs for failing to meet the metering schedule and the performance agreements signed with the government.He alleged that none of the DISCOs in the country had met up to 20 per cent of the metering plans.Shuaibu said KADEDC had a deadline of November 30 to meet the metering demand of customers and that the commission had given the DISCO up to November 15 to submit its progress report.According to NERC, the 2015 MYTO provides that DISCOs would cover the metering gap within one year by seeking investments.He, however, said what NERC had seen was minimal investment in that regard.You are to cover the metering gap within one year. The DISCO is supposed to get investment and meter everybody but what we have seen is minimal investment, Shuaibu stated.Other members of the committee on the oversight tour included senators Suleiman Hunkuyi, Lanre Tejuosho, Mohammed Hassan and Salau Ogembe, who also expressed worry at the level of performance of the DISCOs in the country.Hunkuyi pointed out that the discovery made by the committee in Kaduna cut across the industry, adding that the committee would take its time to analyse the challenges and encourage NERC to impose sanctions on erring operators.The Managing Director, KADEDC, Garba Haruna, who was represented at the meeting by a senior officer of the company, Bello Musa, however, told the senators that the company expected that with the installation of meters, revenue collection would improve.Rather, he said, the reverse had been the case.According to him, more than 80 per cent of the meters were bypassed or vandalised, leading to low revenue collection.More than 80 per cent of the meters were either bypassed or vandalised. That is the area in which we have challenges. Somebody will just bypass or vandalise your meter and you have no court to take him to, he said.Musa also stated that while the DISCO inherited 300,000 customers in four states, including Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, it had so far increased the figure to 400,000.Other institutions visited by the Senate committee included the Meter Testing Company, Kudeda, Kaduna, National Institute of Trypanosomiasis, Angwa-Rimi, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mando, and the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Malali, Kaduna State.
A suspect, Richard Olayinka, who paraded himself as a staff member of the Osun State University, has been arrested by the Lagos State Poli...

A suspect, Richard Olayinka, who paraded himself as a staff member of the Osun State University, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.He was arrested for allegedly issuing fake National Youth Service Corps call-up letters to four students.Olayinka was also accused of appending forged signature of the schools Vice-Chancellor on statements of result purportedly issued to students, identified as Olubunmi Idowu, Lafihan Dare, Sotikare Segun and Akintude Wealth.It was gathered that the students sought Richards help as they were not cleared by the school management due to some outstanding courses.It was learnt that the police launched a manhunt for the suspect after the youths, who claimed to be students of Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Osun State University, reported at the NYSC Lagos State orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja on November 26.They had appeared before the camp registration team for clearance when their call-up letters were discovered to be fakes.The suspect was arraigned in a Lagos Magistrates Court sitting in Ogba on 12 counts bordering on forgery, stealing and impersonation by the police.A police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 285, 312, 361,378 and 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.The charges read in part, That you, Richard Olayinka and others at large, sometime in November 2016, at the NYSC camp, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit; stealing and forgery, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.That you, and others at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did obtain the sum of N50,000, N70,000, N100,000, and N150,000 from Olubunmi Idowu, Lafinhan Dare, Sotikare Segun and Akintunde Wealth respectively, under the pretext of procuring NYSC call-up letters for them which you know to be false, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.That you, and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by impersonating the Osun State University Vice-Chancellor and forging the Osun State University statements of result, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.The defendant pleaded not guilty before the presiding magistrate, Mrs. T. Akanni, and was granted bail in the sum of N350,000, with two sureties in like sum.The case was adjourned till January 18, 2017.
Nigerian Muslims have rejected the Bill for Ecclesiastical (Christian) Courts in Nigeria.





Nigerian Muslims have rejected the Bill for Ecclesiastical (Christian) Courts in Nigeria.The umbrella body of all Muslims in Nigeria, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) described the Bill as a recipe for anarchy and should be stopped in the interest of the nation.The group according to Punch also threatened that it would demand that Wednesday should be declared a work-free day in Nigeria, if Christians continue to insist on ecclesiastical courts.The Secretary-General of NSCIA and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said the demand for Christian courts amounted to the height of intolerance because Christians enjoyed Sunday as Sabbath Day while the cross was the sign of the hospital and yet Muslims are not complaining.He stated that if it was because Muslims have Shariah court, that Christian want Christian courts, then Muslims also have the right to say they dont want Saturday and Sunday as work-free day.If Christians say whatever Muslims want, they will be antagonistic to it, then what it means is that Muslims can stand up and say they dont want Saturday and Sunday, they want Wednesday as work-free day.He said the promoters of the Bill should be cautioned not to create a situation that will lead to anarchy.
Unless major stakeholders in the Nigeria project retrace their steps to save the country, a Pentecostal Bishop has warned that the nation...





Unless major stakeholders in the Nigeria project retrace their steps to save the country, a Pentecostal Bishop has warned that the nations democracy is presently on the way to total collapse.Bishop Seun Adeoye of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry (SGTM), Rehoboth Arena, Osun State in a statement on Monday, December 12, 2016 said the threat to the nations democracy was manifesting through the current economic pains Nigerians are currently passing through, the various reports of manipulations of electoral processes and the lopsided political appointments in favour of some sections of the country.Besides, the cleric noted that the disdain treatment by the executive arm towards the nations judiciary was a bad omen for the survival of democracy which is just finding its footing after many years of military rules.Today, Nigerians are battling for survival with no solution in sight to our economic problems. Prices of food and other essential materials keep on rising astronomically everyday with no increment in workers wages and we see our leaders arrogantly behaving as if nothing is happening.When some of us led protests against the raising of fuel price from N87 to N145, we were told then that this action would help state governors pay workers salaries but seven months after many of the governors, in particular, the governor of Osun state where I reside are still panting as they were unable to fulfill this promise.It is sad that when you go around, you see frustrated and disillusioned Nigerians praying for an unusual intervention in governance. This is unacceptable. Democracy is still the best form of government.But unfortunately, most of our political players are behaving in manners not too good for the continued existence of our nations civil rule.Is it true that the federal government corruption fight was targeted at only the opposition while members of President Muhammadu Buharis party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not being prosecuted but are being treated as saints?Is it true that soldiers and other paramilitary forces have been helping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig elections for his party against the will of the people as widely reported in recent elections particularly that of Rivers State?Bishop Adeoye urged President Buhari not to just wave aside genuine complaints by Nigerians saying his positive reactions to issues being raised by the people will give them more confidence to trust him as their leaders.He stated further that even though it appeared that the president has succeeded in stifling the voices of opposition in the country as many critics of his government have gone underground,I think this is also not good for democracy.At a time too, armed policemen stormed my house in Osogbo looking for what was not lost but when it comes time to speak the truth, I need to do so and I encourage Nigerians too not to keep quiet. Religion leaders, the media and human rights group must help rise up when occasion demands. Like I mentioned, our nations democracy is under threat unless we retrace our steps, he stated.
Organised Labour weekend warned that it would not guarantee industrial peace in the new year should government fail to put in place the p...

Organised Labour weekend warned that it would not guarantee industrial peace in the new year should government fail to put in place the process of reviewing and approving a new national minimum wage without further delay.Speaking at the 10th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, NUFBITE, in Lagos, General Secretary of the Ayuba Wabba-led Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson warned that organised labour would not guarantee industrial peace over the matter in 2017, if government continued to ignore workers demand for upward review of the existing N18, 000 minimum wage.He lamented that organised labour had severally written to remind the Federal Government to no avail on the urgent need to constitute a tripartite committee, comprising government, private sector employers and labour, to review the minimum wage which had expired.Dr. Ozon-Eson contended that workers had exercised tremendous patience in the wake of the hardship occasioned by ongoing recession which completely eroded workers purchasing power, insisting that workers could not endure and be patient for ever.He said: In the interest of industrial peace in 2017, government should immediately constitute a tripartite committee of social partners to review the current minimum wage which has been in existence since 2011 and has since expired. We have been patient and have been appealing to government severally on the need to review the minimum wage.Government has not yielded. We want to let government know that our patience is running out. Besides the fact that the current minimum wage has expired, it has lost its real value and has depreciated beyond expectation as a result of the economic recession and current exchange rate.We have written several letters to the government on the need to constitute the tripartite committee. So far, the government has refused to do so. The earlier the government does so, the better for everybody in the new year. Earlier, President of NUFBITE, Mr. Lateef Oyelakan, called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the challenges facing the beverage and confectionaries sector before it became too late.He said: The economic recession is really biting us very hard as we continue to lose our members to closures, retrenchments, and casualisation as employers devise more stringent means of surviving especially since they are finding it extremely difficult to source foreign exchange for operations.We are appealing to the government to intervene urgently before the situation gets at of hand. We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari efforts at revamping the economy.We are excited with the government employment agenda. We will like to use this medium to urge Mr. President through the Honourable Minister, to place total ban on importation of beverage and confectionaries. We have enough capacity to supply local needs and the West African sub-region. In the same vein, there should be outright ban on foreign spirit into the country.It is unacceptable for Shoprite and others to import spirit and wine from South African and Europe into Nigeria while the local distillers are on the verge of closing down.  The sad thing is that these are products we can produce locally but these importations are killing local industries and reducing their abilities to create jobs. Similarly, we call on government to do more to bring the textile industry back to life.The government should make it compulsory for the armed forces, paramilitary agencies, public schools and government officials to use local fabrics for all public functions. We are also encouraged with go
The Bill for Ecclesiastical (Christian) Courts in Nigeria is a recipe for anarchy and should be stopped in the interest of the nation, t...

The Bill for Ecclesiastical (Christian) Courts in Nigeria is a recipe for anarchy and should be stopped in the interest of the nation, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has warned.The organisation also threatened that it would demand that Wednesday should be declared a work-free day in Nigeria, if Christians continue to insist on ecclesiastical courts.The Secretary-General of NSCIA and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, sounded that warning in an interview withHe said no informed Christian would agitate for Christian courts because Muslims had Shariah courts.The proposed bill for a Christian Court sponsored by Hon. Gyang Dung (PDP) from Plateau State and eight other members of the House of Representatives had scaled the second reading.According to Dung, while presenting the bill during plenary said the courts would complement the regular courts especially with matters relating to the tenets of the Christian faith, when established.He, however, stated that it adjudicate in cases between individuals and groups that yield and submit to its jurisdiction.But Oloyede said the demand for Christian courts amounted to the height of intolerance because Christians enjoyed Sunday as Sabbath Day while the cross was the sign of the hospital and yet Muslims are not complaining.He said, Why not? Let them (Christians) have it (Christian courts); I believe that Muslims will also have Wednesday as a work-free day. To me, the demand for Christian courts is not in the interest of the nation. I believe that if because somebody has something, then another person must have it, then Muslims can also ask for Wednesday and not Sunday as a public holiday. If you hate Muslims because they have Shariah courts, then they can also hate you because you have Sunday and there will be no end to it.People can also demand that they dont want a Sabbath Day; Muslims dont have Sabbath Day because they believe that it is Christianity that believes in Sabbath Day and that is why they conceded to Saturday and Sunday.If Christians say whatever Muslims want, they will be antagonistic to it, then what it means is that Muslims can stand up and say they dont want Saturday and Sunday, they want Wednesday as work-free day.I think it is an act of intolerance, what has brought this country together is that our forefathers have been very considerate and sensitive. But we now have some hit-headed people who think that others are fools. But I think those people should be cautioned, not to create a situation that will lead to anarchy.If you say because they have Shariah court, you also want Christian courts, Muslims also have the right to say they dont want Saturday and Sunday, they want Wednesday as Sabbath Day. So when you concede one thing to one group, the group will concede another.Our forefathers are not fools; the Christians among them were more Christians than modern-day Christians. The Muslims among them were more Muslims than the modern-day Muslims. Yet, they agree on the principle of give and take and that is why the nation is where it is today.If you start this intolerance, at the end of the day, every group will discover that it does not pay and is not in their own interest to create such a situation. I am a Muslim and I have no apology for being a Muslim. But I believe that any informed Christian will not go that way. But if they go that way, Muslims also have the right to demand for all the things which they also believe that are Christian vestiges. If you go to any government hospital, the cross is a sign of the hospital in Nigeria and we are not complaining.Even in Sokoto (the seat of the caliphate), the cross is the sign of the hospital and Muslims are not complaining because it is not give and take. But by the time we start to exhibit such intolerance, other people will have the right to make their own demands and that will take the country to nowhere.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has dismissed as false, claims by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that President Muhammad...

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has dismissed as false, claims by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that President Muhammadu Buhari is unfair to the Igbo.The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-political body of the Igbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, had on Friday said the organisation backed former President Goodluck Jonathan against Buhari in the 2015 presidential election because Buhari had always been unfair to Igbo.Nwaorgu, who said Ohanaeze had no regrets for the decision to support Jonathan, said Buharis antecedents in his relationship with the Igbo informed his rejection by the organisation.The Ohanaeze scribe added that the travails of Ndigbo in Buharis current administration had shown that the organisation was right to reject him.Explaining reasons for the decision to back Jonathan against Buhari, Nwaorgu had said, We know him very well, during his first outing from 1983 to 1985, what did he do? Shagari, number one person (in the previous civilian administration was placed under) house arrest, Ekwueme, the number two, who had no constitutional functions (was sent to) prison. Igbo took note. He came out again as Executive Director, Petroleum Trust Fund, what did he do? Have you checked the allocations of PTF? Sixty-six per cent of all our petroleum money went to the North-West, his zone. He gave us (South-East) 6.2 per cent.With that pedigree, what will encourage people to say please come on? If we had said come on it would have put us in a poor shape that we cant analyse well. We analysed well, and we have been vindicated.However, Ngige has faulted the statements credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo.Speaking with journalists at the Annual Convention and 2016 Graduation Ceremony of Bina Foundation, a non-governmental charity organisation, in Enugu, the former Anambra State governor said contrary to Ohanaezes claims, Buharis antecedents showed that he loved Ndigbo.Ngige said it was wrong for the Igbo to continue engaging in what he described as politics of alienation.Reacting to Nwaorgus comments, Ngige said, I am sure the statement did not emanate from Ohanaeze. It is the personal opinion of the Secretary-General, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, my personal friend.Ohanaeze has a means of expressing its views in a press statement by the President-General and such a statement must emanate from Imeobi (inner caucus).When you go to Buharis antecedents, you see his love for the Igbo  his Brigade Commander was an Igboman.After the war, he did not kill prisoners of war. He brought back his classmates, J.C. Ojukwu and the other man from Ojoto in Anambra State.Ngige added, Buhari is a good man, he keeps to himself. He is disciplined in office, he doesnt drink. He doesnt smoke. He is a man who does any work efficiently.The minister added that Buhari had several Igbo friends.He has Igbo friends, he said, adding that it was not true that the Igbo did not vote for Buhari in the 2015 presidential poll.It is wrong to say that the Igbo didnt vote for him in 2015. There was no voting across Igboland, it was vote allocation, he said.Ngige noted that he was an Ohanaeze chieftain before Nwaorgu emerged on the scene.I dont want to take issue with him (Nwaorgu). I have held various positions in Ohanaeze before him. I championed Aka Ikenga. His Igboness is not stronger than mine, the minister pointed out.Continuing, Ngige stressed the need for the Igbo to embrace other ethnic groups and adopt a diplomatic approach in national politics.He said, We should stop crying over spilt milk. We got 20 pounds after the war; we should leverage on our prosperity, industrial spirit, ingenuity and propensity for work to forge ahead.We need political fitness and diplomacy and we will not be left behind.Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, has done a lot in successive constitutional conferences on the zoning structure and regional cooperation. I have always espoused that at Aka Ikenga. We do it and the rest shall be added unto us.Ngige noted that there was an understanding that the Presidency would go round and the Ndigbo could get their turn by embracing other sections of the country.The minister also faulted calls for a new economic team to steer the country out of recession.Ngige said the calls were being championed by job seekers and echoed by their friends in the media.He argued that Nigerias economy went into recession long before the Buhari administration came on board but the phenomenon was not discovered then because of the huge foreign reserves accumulated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which he noted, had now shrunk to $21bn as a result of the crash in oil prices.A new economic team was not the solution to the countrys woes, he insisted.Ngige said, Under the previous administration, the oil price was about $115 per barrel and the country exhausted its 2.2 million barrels daily quota of crude oil export.But when this government came, the price of oil dropped to as low as $30 per barrel. It later came to $50 per barrel, but because of activities of those blowing up oil pipelines in the Niger Delta, we could not export our daily quota of 2.2 million barrels. We are now exporting about 1.2 million barrels.Nigeria is a mono-cultural economy. Oil provides about 95 per cent of our revenue.So, you can see that under this administration, our revenue reduced drastically because of the slump in oil prices and activities of those blowing up pipelines.So, you find a situation where the supply of money cannot meet the demand.This is elementary economics. When the supply cannot meet the demand, there is disequilibrium. You can see the slide.So, nobody should blame the economic team  if you bring new people, they will still face the same circumstances.He stressed that members of the current economic team are qualified.Ngige insinuated that some unnamed persons who lost out in ministerial posts were behind the calls for a new economic team.
Mobile policemen shot at the students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Friday, injuring three of them.

Mobile policemen shot at the students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Friday, injuring three of them.Three other students were arrested.Our correspondent learned that the students were shot at while they were protesting on the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway over the prolonged closure of the school.The university has been shut down since June 2016 over ownership and funding crises caused by the two owner states, Oyo and Osun States.Since then, the Students Union Government of the school had paid several visits to the Ooni of Ife, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Alafin of Oyo and other traditional rulers in the two states to help them appeal to the state governments.Meanwhile, to solve the problem of funding, there have been rumours that the owner states were planning to increase the tuition from N65,000 for students who are indigenes of Osun and Oyo states and N75,000 for non-indigenes to N350,000 respectively.As a result of this development, about 100 students took to the streets on Friday to protest against the six-month closure of the school and the rumoured increase in tuition fees.While the protest was going on, our correspondent gathered that several policemen fired teargas at some of the students, while shooting rubber bullets at others.One of the injured students, Fawole Israel, said he was shot at three times by the police while he was on a motorcycle.He said, The protest was meant to be peaceful, but the police came and caused chaos. I was shot at three times. I fell down from a motorcycle. While I fell down, a policeman used the butt of his gun to hit me on the head. My head bled.We have been doing nothing for the past six months and this is not helping us. We are about to lose a full academic session. That was why we had to protest.A member of the schools SUG who was also among those protesting, Abdulfatah Oloyede, said the police injured three students and arrested three others.Right now, we dont know the whereabouts of those arrested. The injured ones have been taken to the hospital for treatment. The protest was meant to be peaceful, but the mobile police came and caused chaos. They started shooting at students. This is terrible, he said.Another student, Okedara Ridwan, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to come to the aid of the students.Repeated calls to the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ajisebutu Adekunle, for reaction were not answered as of the time of filing this report.A text message sent to him was also not responded to.
The US-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association organized the Final stage of Azerbaijan Business Case Competition at ADA University. This year competition is performed in virtue of SOCAR-AQS, British American Tobacco (BAT), Azercell, BP, Engin LTD, Procter & Gamble, Deloitte, EY, Gravity sponsorship, as well as by organizational support of US Embassy and ADA University.

Azerbaijan Business Case Competition is one of the most prestigious business competitions among undergraduate and graduate students who are studying in the field of finance, business and economics. During the competition, students were given Cases of Harvard Business School for analysis based on real-life business problems companies have faced. During the past five weeks, all teams have been actively engaged in trainings on business analysis, strategy development, presentation skills and other topics. This year 27 teams from five universities - ADA, Gafgaz, Azerbaijan State Economic, Khazar and Azerbaijan, and two teams from Academy of Azerbaijan State Customs Committee and Baku Higher Oil School participated in this competition. Only 14 teams out of 27 earned the chance of passing to the Semi-final stage and four teams left for Final. The competition winners ADA University students: Aida Orujova, Farida Asgarova, Leyla Huseynzade and Narmina Beylarova earned six thousand manats ($3.3 thousand).

The US-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association (AAA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that unites alumni of the State Department educational exchange programs in Azerbaijan. The AAA was established in October 2003 by a group of US-educated Azerbaijani alumni with the aim of uniting all alumni of Azerbaijan under one umbrella and using their knowledge and skills to help developing Azerbaijan.
Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders will travel to The Gambia tomorrow in a bid to end the political crisi...

Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders will travel to The Gambia tomorrow in a bid to end the political crisis in the African nation, following authoritarian ruler Yahya Jammeh's refusal to accept defeat at the hands of former estate agent Adama Barrow.A senior government official told BBC on condition of anonymity.I understand that the leaders will meet Mr Jammeh to try to convince him to honour his initial pledge to give up power.They will also meet Mr Barrow who has said he is concerned about his safety and has called on the international community to put pressure on Mr Jammeh to step down immediately.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate release of the results of last Saturday's elections in rivers state, s...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate release of the results of last Saturday's elections in rivers state, saying that the Independent National Electoral commission was withholding the results in order to allow the All Progressive Congress manipulate the results.In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the spokesman of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said the party was in possession of all the results as announced at the polling units and it was clear that the PDP had won.The party also rejected the declaration of Magnus Abe as the winner of Rivers South-East Senatorial District saying no election was held in the area. The only result that has been released which declared Magnus Abe of the APC Winner, is an unprecedented massive manipulation of the electoral process in active connivance with the security agencies.The whole world knows that elections did not take place in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.We therefore reject the declaration of Magnus Abe with the fabricated results, and demand INEC to conduct election in that Constituency.We promise to avail ourselves every opportunity to seek redress on this matter in the interest of democracy and that of the constituents who are denied their right to vote the statement noted. Making further clarification on results still being awaited, Adeyeye they include those of Rivers West and East Senatorial Districts, Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Andoni State House of Assembly Constituency. We have the results declared at the various polling units which show that, Senator George Abiye Sekibo of the PDP won the Rivers East Senatorial District while Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu also of the PDP won the Rivers West Senatorial District, respectively.Equally, we make bold to state that Hon. Abiante and Ikunyi Ibani both of the PDP won their respective elections into Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Andoni State Constituency, respectively.INEC is currently withholding these results in cohort with security agencies to pave way for the APC to manipulate the outcome of the Elections. We urge INEC to immediately release the affected results intact.Anything short of this is unacceptable and the INEC, security agencies and the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi should be held responsible in whatever manner the people of Rivers State decide to react for robbing them of their votes.We again condemn in totality, the adverse role of the Nigerian Army, the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other security agencies during this Re-run Elections in Rivers State. It was a nightmare and a complete reversal of their constitutional mandates of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Country and the protection of lives and properties.There are incontrovertible evidence that the security agencies worked for the APC against the interest of the Rivers people.They followed the directives of the APC Chairman, John Oyegun and Governor Ganduje of Kano State during the Mega Rally of the APC. They killed, they maimed, they harassed all in the desperate need to help the APC win at all cost. Very sad!It is trite that the Army dishonourably left their primary assignments and worked assiduously with INEC in collusion with the APC leaders in Rivers State led by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and mindlessly wrote the results that produced Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers South-East Senatorial District. This action depicts sheer rape on democracy. It is no gainsaying that this Re-run Elections in Rivers State was not only a contest between political parties but mostly the PDP in contest with the Army, the Police, the INEC, the APC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Honourable Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Co.We therefore call on all Nigerians to rise up to this challenge and stop the Federal Government, the APC and INEC from organising undemocratic elections as witnessed in most part of Rivers State and other previous elections in the Country since the assumption of this government. If Nigerian elections travesty continues, its goodnight to democracy the statement noted.
ATLANTIC CITY -- Authorities who found a 25-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound outside the Tropicana Casino and Resort early Sunday quickly tracked down the two men they believe are responsible.

Atlantic City police said George Walker, 30, of New York, was arrested when he returned to the crime scene and Eugene Storm, 23, of Pennsylvania, was found by a K9 officer.

One of the bystanders who tried to get help for Xavier Smith, of New York, also posted a video on Instagram of him lying on the sidewalk by the casino's valet stand on Pacific Avenue.

Atlantic City police said in a statement Sunday afternoon that Smith was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, where he was admitted in serious but stable condition. Police did not say whether his condition had changed.

Police said that after responding to the scene at 2:37 a.m., they identified two suspects through security footage. They distributed photographs of them to officers who searched the area.

Storm was found on Albion Place by K9 Officer Marinela Pali. A loaded handgun was found in the jacket he had discarded, police said.

Walker was arrested by detectives Leah Giercyk and Juliann Schwenger at the crime scene.

Both are charged with two counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Storm was also charged with possession of hollow-point ammunition.

Walker and Storm were lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Violent Crimes Unit at 609-347-5788. Information can also be sent anonymously to TIP411 (847411) in a text that begins with 'ACPD.'

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
You get into a car accident in Newark.

Luckily, no one is injured. The vehicles, while damaged, aren't totaled.

You call and request police come to the scene to talk to witnesses and give you an accident report.

And they say no. We're not coming.

Huh?

That's right. If you get into a non-fatal, minor damage crash, Newark police won't come.

The policy came to light after Barry David of Jersey City got into an accident at the intersection of Bloomfield and Highland Avenues.

David said he was on Bloomfield and had the right of way to cross over Highland when a driver backed into his vehicle at approximately 6:45 p.m.

He said he asked the driver, a woman, to pull over "because she seemed to contemplate speeding off, but there was a witness."

Another angle showing the damage to Barry David's car.

David said he inspected the damage to his vehicle and requested the other driver's license, registration and insurance. She couldn't produce any documents, he said.

That's when he called police, and dispatch told David an officer would be there soon, David said.

After 20 minutes, no officer arrived, so he called again.

He was told someone was on the way, but no arrival time was offered, David said.

While he waited, he again asked the other driver for her paperwork. She still didn't have any, David said, but she called the owner of the car to the scene.

When the owner, a man, arrived at about 7:30 p.m., David said he again asked for the driver's paperwork.

The car's owner presented his insurance card and registration, but not the driver's license.

So at about 7:40 p.m., David said, he called 911 again.

"I demanded that an officer or zone commander report to the scene due to the driver not having any credentials," David said. "I was told by the dispatcher that Newark police are not required to report to non-fatal car accidents and for both parties to walk in the reports."

David said he couldn't believe what he was told. Police won't respond to non-fatal accidents? Since when?

The other car's owner and the driver left -- her driving away without a license. David said he waited another 30 minutes, hoping police would show, but when no patrol car arrived, he left.

David said he and the witness, who did stay on the scene, went to find an officer the witness saw in the neighborhood earlier. (Bamboozled later spoke to the witness, who corroborated David's claims.)

They found the officer, who gave David a state accident form to complete.

David said he brought the report to the precinct at 1 Lincoln Avenue two days later.

The desk officer explained the precinct couldn't accept the report and that it had to be mailed to Trenton, David said. But, David said the officer explained, without the name of the other driver, the report would be rejected.

David said he returned to the precinct several times to try his luck with different officers. On one visit, he said, he asked the desk officer call the car's owner to request he bring the woman's driver's license so David could complete the report.

David said the owner came to the station, but he didn't have the driver's license.

David did get the car owner's license, but he's been unsuccessful in getting the owner's insurance company to pay for the damage. He only has comprehensive coverage on his own vehicle.

That part of the case is ongoing, and we'll report to you what happens.

NO-SHOW AT ACCIDENTS?

David believes part of his challenge with the insurance company is because no officer came to the accident scene.

And heck, if the woman was indeed an unlicensed driver or didn't have a valid driver's license, she might have been arrested, or at least ticketed.

David wanted to get to the bottom of this. He said he understood it could take time for a patrol car to arrive, especially if officers are busy with crime calls, but to not show up at all? That wasn't something any driver would expect.

He tried to get answers. Specifically he wanted to know what ordinance said showing up at accident scenes was optional.

"I've filed complaints with Internal Affairs, Office of Professional Standards, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Newark's Law Department, but no one has produced the documents I requested," David said. "I'm sure I'm not the only case and this breeds other illegal or unlicensed drivers to operate vehicles and cause accidents knowing that Newark police won't respond."

He also tried the city clerk.

"Please note that no such ordinance exists in the city's code," the clerk's office said in an email. "The information you seek may be in the form of a police order within the Department of Public Safety, i.e. a policy, not an ordinance."

That's when David contacted Bamboozled.

We reached out to Newark's Department of Public Safety.

We learned that yes, the police department has a policy of not responding to all accidents.

It came down in a memo dated Jan. 19, 2010.

The 2010 memo that said Newark police won't respond to non-fatal accidents.

"Effective immediately, radio cars shall not be dispatched to motor vehicle accidents involving no injury and minor damage," the memo said. "It shall be the call takers [CQ] responsibility to determine if there are injuries involved, if vehicles are drivable, and the extent of the damage to the vehicles."

The memo said call takers should advise drivers that radio cars won't be dispatched, and that drivers should be instructed to either exchange information and follow up with their insurance companies or head to the nearest precinct to file a report -- the same kind of report David was instructed to complete.

Police Director Anthony Ambrose said he wasn't with the department when the policy was instituted, and he wasn't aware of it until now.

He said he's asked his staff to research the policy to determine if a change should be made.

"I am leaning on the customer side. I believe in customer service, but you have to realize in 2010 we had a 30 percent reduction, so I have almost 400 fewer officers, so that's probably why [the policy was instituted]," Ambrose said. "I'm looking at it and giving it hard consideration to possibly restore it."

Ambrose said he should have an answer in about six weeks, and his office will let us know of the decision.

This apparently isn't an uncommon practice.

"Certain police departments are understaffed and they can't respond to the lower level calls for service that are provided by the majority of police agencies," said William Parenti, chief of North Plainfield's police department and president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

But we called several other large cities in the state, and we couldn't find a similar policy.

Camden and Elizabeth didn't respond to our request, and Jersey City said it had never heard of such a policy.

Edison said it responds to all accidents.

"We investigate all motor vehicle accidents unless there are no injuries and only very minor damage, usually less than $500," Police Chief Thomas Bryan said.

Paterson police director Jerry Speziale said officers respond to all "reportable accidents," meaning when the damage is more than $400.

We'd imagine most drivers aren't able to accurately estimate damage costs, but with the way cars are made these days, a small dent or scratch can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to fix.

David, who says he plans to file a lawsuit against the car owner's insurance company and others related to how the accident was treated, thinks Newark should change the policy.

"When you divert resources to put the general public at risk, that is a serious dereliction of the duty they were sworn to uphold: protect and serve," he said.

We'll keep you posted on Newark's decision and David's pending lawsuit.

Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com.

Stay informed and sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter.
CAMDEN -- The city has been discussing plans to redevelop and revitalize the Mount Ephraim South neighborhood for five years, and it appears the first influx of cash to make that possible may have arrived.

Camden will receive a $13.2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help replace existing sub-par public housing with mixed-income housing in the neighborhood.

Camden is one of five cities across the country that will be splitting $132 million in funding through the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced at a press conference in St. Louis Monday. The initiative aims to improve neighborhoods with public or HUD-supported housing.

The other communities, in addition to Camden and St. Louis, are Boston, Denver and Louisville.

According to a press release from HUD, the five cities will replace a total of 1,853 "severely distressed" public housing units with nearly 3,700 mixed-income, mixed-use housing units.

The grant doesn't come close to covering the cost of the project, however. Each community is expected to secure five times more funding from other public and private sources.

"These game-changing investments will breathe new life into distressed neighborhoods and offer real opportunities for the families who call these communities home," Castro said in St. Louis. "What we do today will leverage private investment and bear fruit for generations of families looking for an opportunity to thrive in neighborhoods that are connected to the economic and social fabric of their communities."

City officials and legislators will speak about what the grant means to Camden at a press conference Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Clement T. Branch Village Housing Authority. Among those attending will be U.S. senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross and HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Dominique Blom.

Five years in the making

Camden has been working on the redevelopment plans for the Mount Ephraim South neighborhood since 2011, when it applied for and later received a planning grant from the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.

The city's housing authority worked with other city officials and private partners over the next 18 months to create the neighborhood's "Transformation Plan," which was submitted to HUD in 2014.

The city was disappointed, however, when it did not receive any of the grants HUD awarded in 2015. City officials vowed to reapply in the next round of funding.

The Transformation Plan calls for rehabilitating Branch Village, the oldest property run by the housing authority, to be more like a city-street grid with small parks, a senior building and new family housing. The project would replace existing units with 307 mixed-income rental units and 11 owner-occupied units.

In addition, the plan suggests redeveloping the surrounding area to infill with other new housing and open space, rehabilitating the 60-unit Nimmo Court development, and building a "transit-oriented" housing development near the Ferry Avenue PATCO station.

Other goals listed in the plan include supporting the economic redevelopment of commercial corridors, redesigning or revitalizing corridors to better connect people to amenities, improving and creating more green spaces, and encouraging rehabilitation of privately-owned homes and multi-unit buildings.

Calls to the Camden Redevelopment Agency, Mayor Dana Redd and the city's planning offices were not returned Monday.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
UPPER DEERFIELD TWP. -- A vehicle crashed into a church in Deerfield in Cumberland County Sunday night and destroyed a large section of the building.

The crash at the Wells of Salvation God The Father Church Inc. occurred after a two-vehicle collision involving a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer, according to New Jersey State Police.

While several reports said it was the tractor-trailer that left Route 77 and rammed through the front section of the empty church building, state police Monday couldn't confirm that account.

The crash was reported at 4:50 p.m. Sunday, according to New Jersey State Police Trooper Lawrence Peele.

Peele said, a Ford F-150 pickup and a tractor-trailer were involved in a crash near the church before it was struck.

The driver of the pickup, Jesus Valdivia, 61, of Camden, was charged with careless driving, failure to stop or yield and being an unlicensed driver, Peele said.

Valdivia, and an unidentified passenger, were not hurt, according to Peele.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Angelo Vega, 44, of Bridgeton, was also not hurt.

The cause remains under investigation, Peele said.

Representatives from the church could not be contacted.

On Monday, yellow caution tape surrounded the damaged structure located between the Upper Deerfield Township Fire Co. and the Deerfield Post Office.

The walls of the front section of the church were brought down as was the roof. Part of the building was thrown into an alleyway that separates the church from the neighboring post office and against the post office wall.

The post office was closed on Monday. A sign directed those who use the post office to go to the Elmer Post Office to receive their mail.

According to U.S. Postal Service Spokesman Ray Daiutolo Sr., officials are waiting for an assessment of damage to the building.

Since it was late Sunday afternoon, the post office was closed and no one was inside the building.

The accident scene is just south of where Route 540 intersects with Route 77.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Property deeds for two New Jersey counties share space in a western Pennsylvania mine with treasures such as Steven Spielberg films, according to a report.

Burlington and Gloucester house records at Iron Mountain Mountain's massive storage facility 220-feet below ground level in a former limestone mine in Boyers, Pa., Philly.com said.

One deed documents land in Bordentown bought by former King of Spain Joseph Bonaparte in 185. A Gloucester County deed dates to July 5, 1776.

In all, about five million microfilm images of Burlington County deeds and mortgages dating to 1783 are in the heavily guarded facility that employs 2,700 people. The county also archives items near its offices in Mount Holly and online, the report said.

Gloucester also maintains online records but spends $562 to ship them to the massive storage facility.

Among the most interesting items stored at Iron Mountain's 200-acre facility are Spielberg's original ET film, etchings of Abraham Lincoln and iconic photographs of presidents and Hollywood stars, the report said.

Bill Gates' Corbis Image Collection is also there, according to Pittsburgh's CBS station.

The vaults in Butler County, Pa. range in size from a few hundred square feet to 220,000 feet, the television station said.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- A 24-year-old man who was shot more than a dozen times on Claremont Avenue last month died Monday morning, authorities said.

Rashay Washington was struck by a hail of bullets on Nov. 27 outside a home near Clerk Street. He was listed in critical condition at Jersey City Medical Center for two weeks. A spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor confirmed the he died at about 11 a.m.

Police arrested Arron Enix, of Van Nostrand Avenue, and Davon Cooper, of Bayview Avenue a short time after the shooting and two guns were recovered, city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill previously said.

Both men, 23, were charged with attempted murder. Upgraded charges have not yet been announced. Morrill said Washington was wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet when he was shot.

One of the alleged shooters' criminal complaints stated Washington was shot 19 times. An official said the victim sustained 19 bullet wounds in the shooting.

Additional information was not immediately available.

His death marks the 24th homicide in Jersey City this year. There have been 28 homicides in Hudson County this year.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- A 60-year-old man who was critically injured in a two-alarm blaze last week has died, officials said.

Clinton Younger was found on the top level of a vacant home at 585 Bramhall Ave. on Friday. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found him with severe internal burns, Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said.

Younger was brought to Jersey City Medical Center following the fire and was later transferred to Englewood Hospital. He died Friday afternoon, Morrill said.

Police officers patrolling the neighborhood first reported the fire at about 2:30 a.m. Four cops were injured while evacuating neighboring homes.

Younger, Morrill said, had a history of setting fires inside vacant homes in Jersey City.

In January, the 60-year-old was charged with arson when the vacant Stegman Street home he was staying in caught fire. Authorities at the time said he was burning papers on the first floor of the building to stay warm while he slept on the home's upper level.

Then in March firefighters rescued him from a burning home on Dwight Street, Morrill said.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
An Atlanta teen traveled to New Jersey over the weekend to distribute toilet paper to those who may struggle to afford the necessity.

Kendall Robinson founded Love Rolls in 2015 after hearing from a homeless man he tries to get by on one roll of toilet paper a month.

On Saturday, the 16-year-old was at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center distributing toilet paper with help from Community Food Bank of New Jersey and the Nu Lambda Lambda chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

It was the teen's first time personally traveling out of state, though her organization sent toilet paper to Louisiana after flooding in Baton Rouge.

She's been recognized by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and President Barack Obama.
Details added (first version posted on 10:40)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijans population will soon see the real results of the fighting the currency black market in the country, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Elman Rustamov told reporters in Baku Dec. 12.

Law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan carry out very serious work in this direction, Rustamov said.

The full transition to a floating exchange rate regime in 2017 requires tight macroeconomic coordination, as well as solving a number of structural problems, Rustamov noted.

From this year on, we have already been operating in the regime of floating exchange rate of manat, and the fact that the CBA has stopped selling its foreign currency on Azerbaijans market since February 2016 confirms this, he said. We know that currently there is a disproportion between supply and demand on the market, and the demand exceeds the supply.

However, full transition to floating exchange rate regime of manat requires serious preparation, he noted. We have attracted technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund for that, and the work is underway in accordance with this assistance.

Rustamov stressed that the main goal is to achieve macroeconomic stability.
PRINCETON -- A battlefield preservation group will buy almost 15 acres of land from the Institute for Advanced Study and transfer it to the Princeton Battlefield State Park in a compromise that will reduce the footprint of the homes the institute plans to build on the site.

The deal, jointly announced Monday by the Civil War Trust and the institute (IAS), includes 2/3 of the disputed Maxwell's Field, an area historians say was the scene of a pivotal counterattack led by Gen. George Washington during the Battle of Princeton.

Rendering of the new plan provided by the Civil War Trust and Institute for Advanced Study.

The joint announcement said the Civil War Trust's Campaign 1776 - which specifically protects Revolutionary War battlefields - will buy 14.85 acres from IAS for $4 million.

That land will eventually be transferred to the state of New Jersey and added to the Princeton Battlefield State Park, the groups said in a joint statement.

In addition to Maxwell's Field, the trust is getting a 1.12-acre tract north of the property that has also been identified by historians as part of the battlefield.

The IAS will reduce its plan to build 15 faculty homes by replacing seven single- family home lots with eight additional townhouses - for a total of 16 units in all. And they will all be located east of the new street being constructed through Maxwell's Field.

The plan also avoids any development within the Princeton Battlefield National Historic Landmark boundary, designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1961, the statement said. The purchase is expected to be complete in June 2017.

"We are delighted to reach this agreement, which both meets the needs of the Institute and ensures the preservation of this site through an enlarged and revitalized Princeton Battlefield State Park," IAS Director Robbert Dijkgraaf and Civil War Trust president James Lighthizer said in the announcement.

The Princeton Battlefield Society publicly supported the compromise Monday, calling it a win for both sides: the IAS gets it's homes and preservationists get to protect one of the most historic battlefield properties in the nation.

"The story of the Battle of Princeton - even that of the American Revolution - cannot be fully told without demonstrating the events that occurred on and near Maxwell's Field," the group said in statement.

"This landmark compromise brings to fruition a long-standing goal of the Society to preserve and interpret the site of George Washington's famous counterattack at Princeton," the statement said.

The group also said it is suspending their litigation against the IAS housing and said when the deal is officially consummated next year, they'll dismiss all legal challenges.

The New Jersey Sierra Club, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati also publicly hailed the deal.

State Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman, (R-Somerset), whose district includes parts of Mercer County, also lauded the groups for joining in a compromise. "Because of this agreement, future generations will have the opportunity to visit this hallowed ground and learn about the brave soldiers who fought at the Battle of Princeton - the turning point of the Revolutionary War," he said.

The original IAS housing plan had been approved by the Princeton Planning Board and Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission and the new plan will require review and a vote by both entities.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
TRENTON - A bill that would place a "U Text, U-Drive, U-Pay" reminder on the inspection sticker located on vehicle windshields was advanced by a state Assembly committee on Monday.

The bill (A-218) would require motor vehicle inspection stickers to notify drivers of the penalty for texting while driving.

The legislation was inspired by Robbinsville High School's chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), who see the phrase as an update of the "Click It or Ticket" slogan, Assembly Democrats said.

"The younger generation of motorists also is the generation that tends to be more active users of texting and smartphones, which is why it is admirable that these students recognize the dangers of texting and driving and have spoken out to educate other drivers," Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex) said.

The National Safety Council estimates 20 percent of crashes in 2013 -- 1.1 million crashes -- involved talking on cell phones, with an additional 6 percent or more crashes -- 341,000 -- involving text messaging. Meaning over one in four crashes involved using a phone while driving.

In April, Robbinsville Schools Superintendent Steven Mayer was killed when a township high school student - later charged with using a cellphone while driving - struck Mayer while he was jogging along Robbinsville-Edinburg Road.

Last month, the student, who was not named, pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal crash and careless driving in a juvenile court proceeding.

Under current law, texting and driving carries a penalty of $200 to $400 for a first offense; a penalty of $401 to $600 for a second offense; and a penalty between $610 and $800 for any subsequent offense. A third or subsequent offense also may result in a loss of license for up to 90 days and three motor vehicle penalty points.

DeAngelo and other Assembly Democrats Tom Giblin (D-Passaic), Annette Quijano (D-Union), John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson) sponsored the legislation.

Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets

New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) reaches on an infield single to the shortstop during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. (Anthony Gruppuso | USA TODAY Sports)

Mets center fielder Juan Lagares injured his right shoulder while making a diving catch Saturday in a Dominican Winter League game.

Lagares' initial X-rays on Sunday came back negative, but he will undergo another examination Monday in New York, according to ESPN's Adam Rubin.

In the clip below, Lagares can be seen falling on his shoulder while playing for Dominican club Aguilas Cibaenas:

Here's a grainy snippet from friends in the Dominican Republic of Juan Lagares getting injured Saturday. pic.twitter.com/X8X2LHmIC3  Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) December 11, 2016

Lagares, 27, was limited to 79 games in 2016 due to a thumb injury and batted .239 with three home runs and nine RBI.

The former Gold Glove winner is currently the only true center fielder on the Mets' roster and is expected to split duties in the middle of the diamond with Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto in 2017.

Maria Guardado may be reached at mguardado@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @mi_guardado. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Elena Kosolapova- Trend:

Slower economic growth and the recent depreciation of the tenge will continue to exert pressure on Kazakh banks asset quality and capitalization in 2017, Fitch said in its 2017 outlook on CIS and Georgian banks.

Fitch expects GDP growth to pick up to a moderate 2 percent in 2017 (0.4 percent in 9M16) in Kazakhstan, but driven by higher oil production and energy investments rather than a broader recovery in economic activity.

The sectors NPL ratio was a moderate 7.8 percent at end-3Q16, but large additional risks stem from restructured/distressed exposures and FC lending, according to Fitch. Fitch expects most lenders will continue to enjoy flexibility in the timing of problem recognition and provisioning, and some restructured loans could start performing.

The stabilization of the economy, potentially supported by appreciation of the tenge and continued local-currency funding inflows, could help boost lending volumes in Kazakhstan after more than two years of sluggish loan growth, the rating agency said.

Fitch expects the stock of loans to add 2-3 percent in 2017 compared with a near-zero expansion in 2016 (0.2 percent in 9M16). However, purchases of NBK notes may prove more attractive than lending in the near term given the growing issuance volumes, longer tenors and attractive yields on these, Fitch said.

Fitch believes most Kazakh banks capitalization will remain vulnerable in 2017 (Halyk excepted), considering moderate provisions on distressed loans, downside risks from FC lending and the lack of measures to clean up balance sheets.

Slow loan growth, significant new funding inflows and gains from currency risk hedging with the NBK resulted in many banks having significant liquidity buffers, which Fitch expects them to largely retain in 2017 (partly investing these in NBK notes).

Fitch noted that dollarization remains high, but local-currency liquidity has improved as a result of a moderate reduction in foreign-currency deposits to 58 percent at end-3Q16 (end-2015: 69 percent), partially driven by exchange-rate stabilization. Moderate near-term foreign debt maturities should make refinancing risks manageable in most cases, the rating agency said.

Ratings could be downgraded if asset quality and capital weaken at individual banks to an extent not compatible with their already low ratings. More decisive regulatory action to resolve banks with weaker solvency could also result in downgrades.

Strengthening of loan provisioning levels and the further stabilization of the economy would reduce risks to banks performance and ratings.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
The Russian governments legislative commission has supported the draft law on the ratification of the Russian-Turkish agreement on the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, First Deputy Speaker of the State Duma (lower house of Russian Parliament) Alexander Zhukov said, TASS news agency reported.

We are waiting for the draft law to be submitted for ratification to the State Duma after the consideration of the government, Zhukov noted.

Turkeys Grand National Assembly ratified the agreement on the Turkish Stream pipeline on Dec. 2.

Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement October 10 on the implementation of the Turkish Stream project.

The agreement involves construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the power of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas.

One branch is provided to supply gas directly to the Turkish market, the other for the supply of gas by transit through Turkey to Europe. The intergovernmental agreement also stipulates that these two offshore branches should be built by December 2019.
Polling stations in FYROM have closed at 7 pm and the Central Election Commission has considered the electoral process a quiet one without major irregularities. Aleksandar Cicakovski, head of SEC, said that election results are being published and that until 21:00, 24% of ballots or 852 out of 3500 polling stations have been counted.

According to the results published so far, VMRO-DPMNE leads with 67 thousand votes, Macedonian opposition follows with SDSM with around 58 thousand votes and then BDI (Democratic Union for Integration) and BESA Movement.

This was a successful day. The elections were held in a positive atmosphere, said the head of SEC, Aleksandar Cicakovski.

After the voting, BDI leader, Ali Ahmeti called on political parties to accept the election result.

Political parties must accept the election result. These elections are supposed to improve the image of the country, but they also related to many processes that expect to be solved in the future, Ali Ahmeti said.

Apart from appealing for massive participation in the voting, Menduh Thaci, leader of PDSH said that several irregularities have been identified. I call on the State Election Commission and police to take measures in order for this situation not to escalate, Thaci said.

Nikola Gruevski said that

FULL STORY
Speech by Professor Carl-Henrik Heldin, Chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation, 10 December 2016.

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Esteemed Nobel Laureates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Nobel Foundation, it is a great pleasure for me to welcome you all to this years Nobel Prize Award Ceremony, which is held to honour the Laureates for their outstanding contributions to science and literature. In particular, I would like to wish the Nobel Laureates and their families welcome to this ceremony.

Earlier today, in Oslo, President Juan Manuel Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize for his resolute efforts to bring the more than 50-year-long civil war in Colombia to an end.

We are gathered here today to honour science, humanism and peaceful coexistence. We are here as individuals, not as representatives of states, groups or interests. In 1895, Alfred Nobel wrote in his will that no consideration should be given to nationality  that the most worthy should receive the Prize. Nobel himself was born in Sweden but worked abroad for much of his life: in St. Petersburg, Paris and San Remo. He spoke five languages and worked with people from different cultures and with different religious backgrounds. Nobel was a true cosmopolitan, convinced of the value of extensive cross-border contacts.

Alfred Nobel was also influenced by the New Enlightenment, a period during the late 19th century when new political ideas emerged. There was strong optimism which was manifested in recurring world exhibitions, spectacular structures like the Eiffel Tower and arenas for peaceful international competitions such as the Olympic Games. It was also an era of rapid economic expansion, with millions of people being rescued from poverty thanks to industrialisation and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile it was an era that was strongly shaped by nationalism, xenophobia and military threats  developments that would culminate in the horrendous First World War.

Much of what was topical for Alfred Nobel in the late 19th century also characterises the world of today. Billions of people have been lifted out of poverty by globalisation and international trade. Many people around the world are addressing the major challenges facing humanity. Researchers are making fantastic scientific discoveries. Authors and poets are writing about difficult existential issues. And dedicated leaders are making efforts to achieve peace. These are contributions we are rewarding today with the Nobel Prize.

But just as in the era of Alfred Nobel, today there are dark clouds in the sky around the world. Terrorist acts are a part of many peoples daily lives, and wars are under way in many places. International cooperation, cross-border movements and openness are being criticised. Science and knowledge are being questioned, the climate issue being one recent example.

Leading politicians  both in Europe and the United States  are winning votes by denying knowledge and scientific truths. Populism is widespread and is reaping major political successes.

The grim truth is that we can no longer take it for granted that people believe in science, facts and knowledge.

In times like these, the Nobel Prize is important. Alfred Nobel wanted to reward those who have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind. He understood the power of example, and this is a central concept behind his will. Good role models show by their words and deeds that it is possible to understand the world and to improve it. They confirm that people can tackle the biggest challenges of our era. Doing so requires creative and courageous individuals who are willing to take the lead, find solutions and broaden our awareness.

Alfred Nobel wanted the Nobel Prize to contribute to a better world, and he wanted us to be inspired by the Nobel Laureates and what they have achieved for humanity.

This is why we have developed public activities over the past 20 years that are based on all this accumulated knowledge, and which should inspire learning, reflection and questioning. During the days when the 2016 Laureates were being announced, 100 million people engaged with us through our digital channels. There is an enormous interest in learning about the scientific and humanistic advances that are rewarded with the Nobel Prize.

In light of this, we are pleased that a new Nobel Center  the Nobel Prizes own building  is about to take shape here in Stockholm. The Nobel Center will be a place where the fascinating stories of the Nobel Laureates and their discoveries will be at display. It will also be a global platform with education, knowledge and critical thinking at its heart, where the major challenges of tomorrow will be discussed.

Albert Camus, who received the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature, said that The seventeenth century was the century of mathematics, the eighteenth that of the physical sciences and the nineteenth that of biology. Our twentieth century is the century of fear.

The twenty-first century has begun with a growing sense of fear, and there is concern that conflicts will characterise this century as well. But such a development is not predestined. It is our task to influence how our era will be described, and there are good reasons to be hopeful. We see a growing interest among young people in seeking knowledge. And we see an ever-increasing engagement in tackling major global challenges.

This is where the Nobel Prize has an important task  to serve as a source of inspiration for people who want to build a better world.

This is the truly amazing legacy left by Alfred Nobel, 120 years after his death.

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Esteemed Nobel Laureates, Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for listening and once again, most welcome to this years Nobel Prize Award Ceremony.

Copyright  The Nobel Foundation 2016
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

Kazakhstan plans to cut oil production by 20,000 tons within the agreement reached between OPEC and Non-OPEC countries on Dec.10, Kazakh energy ministry said on Dec. 12.

The ministry noted that oil production will be reduced at some oil fields in Aktobe, Kyzylorda and Mangystau regions.

Reduction will not affect such major projects as the North-Caspian project (Kashagan), Tengiz and Karachaganak, the ministry said.

Oil production will be reduced from November level when Kazakh Kashagan field has reached a commercial production level and the country increased output to 1.7 million barrels. Hence oil output in Kazakhstan will be reduced to 1.68 million bpd.

On Saturday Dec. 10 OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached their first deal since 2001 to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices. Non-oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce output by 558,000 bpd starting from Jan. 1, 2017 for six months, extendable for another six months, to take into account prevailing market conditions and prospects.

Earlier OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from Jan. 1, with top exporter Saudi Arabia cutting as much as 486,000 bpd.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.12



By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:



Switzerlands Allseas Group S.A., which has recently signed an agreement with Russias Gazprom company on the Turkish Stream project, has revealed the time for completing the pipelay.



The pipelay work should commence in July 2017 and should be completed around the end of the first quarter of 2018, Allseas Group S.A. told Trend Dec.12.



South Stream Transport B.V. company, a 100-percent subsidiary of Russias Gazprom company signed an agreement with Switzerlands Allseas Group S.A. Dec.8 on construction of the first line of Turkish Stream pipelines offshore section.



Under the contract, Allseas should lay over 900 kilometers of pipes along the seabed.



Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement October 10 on the implementation of the Turkish Stream project.



The agreement envisages construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the capacity of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas.



One branch is meant to supply gas directly to the Turkish market and the other for the supply of gas by transit through Turkey to Europe. The intergovernmental agreement also stipulates that these two offshore branches should be built by December 2019.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

The referendum on amending the constitution which was held in Kyrgyzstan on Dec. 11 was free and open, the Head of Mission of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Yevgeny Sloboda said at the press-conference on Dec. 12, Kyrgyzstan's CEC said in the message.

The citizens were able to express their will freely, Sloboda said.

"CEC has created all the conditions for all the groups  which agitated for and against amendments. This is very important," - he said.



He also noted that experienced staff worked at the polling the stations and they were equipped with special devices, which ensured open and quiet voting process. However, some problems with the system led to some queues at the polling stations.



According to Sloboda, as much as 66 observers worked in the CIS mission.



During the constitutional referendum Kyrgyz citizens were able to vote for or against the introduction of over 20 amendments to the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan. The amendments, in particular, envisage strengthening the prime ministers powers in relation to the parliament of Kyrgyzstan. The amendments also cover the regulations of the Constitution relating to high values  human rights and citizenship.



During the referendum, citizens could vote "for" and "against" all amendments at once. The separate voting for amendments was not available.



According to CEC preliminary data, as much as 41.74 percent of all registered voters took part in the referendum. As much as 79.7 percent of them voted in favor of the amendments.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

The observer mission of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) hasnt recorded any violations during the referendum to amend the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan held Dec. 11, representatives of the mission told reporters in the country on Dec. 12, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kyrgyzstan.

SCO Deputy Secretary General Wang Kaiwen said that the referendum was held in accordance with the constitutional law of Kyrgyzstan and accepted international obligations.

The whole process of voting was held in a calm and democratic atmosphere, Kaiwen said.

He added that representatives of the SCO observed small queues at some polling stations in Kyrgyzstan, which shows that voters are willing to exercise their civic duty and no pressure was exerted on them.

The CEC mission held monitoring of the referendum at 63 polling stations in Kyrgyzstan.

During the constitutional referendum Kyrgyz citizens were able to vote for or against the introduction of over 20 amendments to the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan. The amendments, in particular, envisage strengthening the prime ministers powers in relation to the parliament of Kyrgyzstan. The amendments also cover the regulations of the Constitution relating to high values  human rights and citizenship.



During the referendum, citizens could vote "for" and "against" all amendments at once. The separate voting for amendments was not available.



According to CEC preliminary data, as much as 41.74 percent of all registered voters took part in the referendum. As much as 79.7 percent of them voted in favor of the amendments.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
1st Source Bank awarded more U.S. Small Business Administration loans than any other bank with less than $10 billion in assets in Indiana last year.

The South Bend-based bank, which has an extensive presence in LaPorte and Porter counties, won the SBAs Community Lender Award for the fourth year in a row.

We are honored to be recognized as the SBA top lender in Indiana for the fourth straight year, 1st Source Vice President and SBA Manager Carrie Kosac said. 1st Source shares the SBAs commitment to the success of small businesses, and we will continue to provide our lending expertise so businesses can focus on creating and retaining high-quality jobs in the communities we serve.

1st Source was recognized for the financial assistance it offered to small businesses through SBA loans, which are federally backed loans that can be used for working capital, equipment, inventory, machinery or supplies.

The 150-year-old bank is the largest locally-controlled bank in Northern Indiana. It's publicly traded and has more than 120 locations in Indiana and Southwest Michigan, including 10 in Porter County and four in LaPorte.
Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov.6 / Trend, H. Hasanov /

A meeting was held with a delegation headed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan Jan Kubis at the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan, the state news service Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary (TDH) reported.

'Delegates discussed the next steps for effective cooperation in strengthening security and promoting the recovery and sustainable development of Afghanistan', the report says.

According to the report, Ashgabat's principled position on this issue is being taken that all decisions are made using only peaceful, diplomatic means and resources.

In turn, the UN Special Representative stated the fact that a key condition for stabilisation of the situation in Afghanistan is restoring its social and economic infrastructure. Kubis highlighted important projects in the energy and transport sectors, including the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, initiated by Turkmenistan.

As TDH reported, Turkmenistan provides economic and social assistance to the Afghan people and will be involved in the international community efforts and especially within the cooperation with the United Nations to promote peace and stability in the region and around the world. Both countries share a long border.



At this stage, Turkmenistan is preparing for the construction of the first link of the Atamyrat-Imamnazar-Akin-Andkhoy (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan) railway which

may become an important link in the transport area of the Eurasian continent.

Turkmenistan undertook the implementation of a large scale project which will increase the export of electricity to Afghanistan fivefold. The present export capacity in this area is about 325 million kilowatt hours per year.

Turkmenistan's other notable initiatives on Afghanistan include the project of construction of the transnational gas pipeline TAPI, practical implementation of which began in December 2010 by signing the agreement at a high level in Ashgabat. At this stage formation of an international consortium is underway.

The Turkmen side conducted several international road shows for TAPI in September with the participation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was reported that Chevron, Exxon Mobil, BP, BG Group, RWE, Petronas and other companies became familiarised with the main terms of the project implementation and expressed an intention to participate.
VALPARAISO  Sitting behind a well-worn copy of the Narcotics Anonymous book stuffed with funeral notices, local attorney Mitch Peters described addiction as a disease of isolation.

Addicts, he said, are isolated by not only their disease, but also by society.

"So the sense of community is lost in the disease of addiction," he said.

Hoping to turn that around and provide greater hope locally for those in addiction recovery, Peters joined a panel of addicts and support people last week to help promote Recovery Connection, a recovery resource center in Valparaiso operated by Porter County PACT, a community-based criminal justice agency.

"The goal of Recovery Connection is to connect these folks back in the community," Peters said.

The new center is in the converted, three-story home at 254 S. Morgan Blvd. that had been home to PACT offices.

It now serves as a meeting place, social center and clearinghouse for a wide variety of recovery-related resources. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"We're not going to tell people how to do recovery," said PACT Executive Director Sharon Mortensen, who shared how addiction has wreaked havoc on her family.

Rachael Cloud, a therapist for Frontline Foundations, said there is often lots of talk about getting into recovery, but not much follow through, which she likened to only taking part of the prescribed dose of an antibiotic.

The consequence?

"I think we're seeing that," she said, mentioning drug overdoses and recidivism among offenders.

Isabell M., a client of Recovery Connection, said she has seen the size and number of recovery meetings increase at the center.

"It's a warm place to go," she said. "It's a safe place to go."
VALPARAISO  Pleas of not guilty were entered Monday morning on behalf of a 24-year-old Westville woman accused of driving drunk Nov. 5 and causing an accident that resulted in the death of a passenger on a motorcycle.

Rachel Dover, who is out of jail on bond, sat silently during her initial appearance before Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford.

Her attorney, John Vouga, of Portage, told the court he has received some of the evidence against Dover and is waiting on more, such as the toxicology and accident reconstruction reports.

Future hearings in the case are scheduled for Feb. 20 and March 20.

Dover is charged with two different felony counts of drunken driving resulting in a death and two different felony counts of drunken driving causing serious bodily injury, according to court records.

She also is charged with misdemeanor drunken driving.

Dover reportedly told police she was driving south on County Road 550 East approaching U.S. 6 in Jackson Township around 7:30 p.m. when she saw two motorcycles driving west, according to charging documents. She turned east once the bikes passed and said she did not see a motorcycle that struck her vehicle.

A passenger on the motorcycle, Nanette Howard, 55, was airlifted to an Illinois hospital and later died of massive trauma to her head and leg, police said.

The driver of the motorcycle also suffered serious injuries, according to police. Neither was wearing a helmet.

Police said they used a portable breath test and found Dover had a blood alcohol content of 0.23 percent.
INDIANAPOLIS  Indiana Republican Chairman Jeff Cardwell, who oversaw a GOP sweep of state offices in last month's elections, is stepping down as party leader.

The Indianapolis hardware store owner announced Monday that he will give up his post as the state's top Republican on Jan. 21, the day after his longtime friend, Gov. Mike Pence, is inaugurated as vice president of the United States.

Republican Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb said Cardwell's nearly two years of service as party chairman, a position Holcomb held from 2010-13, helped put in office people at every level of government who will improve the lives of Hoosiers.

"As a trusted adviser and friend to both Vice President-elect Pence and myself, I'm grateful that he has agreed to stay on board through the transition of state and federal government as we work to continue Indiana's momentum in the Statehouse and Vice President-elect Pence works to bring a new day to Washington, D.C.," Holcomb said.

The Republican State Committee is scheduled to meet Feb. 1 to pick a new party chairman; it typically ratifies the governor's preferred candidate.

Holcomb is recommending the committee select Indianapolis-area attorney Kyle Hupfer, Holcomb's campaign treasurer and co-chairman of his transition team, as well as GOP chairman for the 5th Congressional District.

"I know Kyle Hupfer is prepared to manage the robust statewide grassroots, finance and communications organization that is the Indiana Republican Party well into the future," Holcomb said.
GRIFFITH  The Town Council recently said a hearing for summary judgment has been set for early March in Lake Superior Court on a lawsuit aimed at blocking the town from leaving Calumet Township.

In conjunction, the Department of Local Government Finance has filed a motion with the court to dismiss the lawsuit, Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, said Thursday.

He noted the town recently postponed a Griffith residential referendum on whether to leave the township, to protect residents.

The council did not want to risk paying for an election with results that could have been in jeopardy if the court were to rule against Griffith, Ryfa said.

Several years ago, the state passed a law that if a township's tax rate exceeds 12 times the average among the state's 1,004 townships, its member towns can secede from that township.

In 2014 and 2015, the Department of Local Government Finance used a weighted method of calculating the average for all the townships, which kept Calumet Township under the state average.

But the Indiana attorney general's office recently concluded that using true numbers  instead of weighted numbers  was the Indiana General Assembly's intent.

Using the true numbers, the township exceeded the tax rate average this year, Ryfa said.

This allowed the town to schedule the referendum, which had been set for Dec. 20.

However, after the lawsuit was filed by township Trustee Kimberly Robinson, the town decided to shelve the referendum for a while.

"Our biggest concern is if a court would in fact have ruled that the DLGF should have used a rules committee to change the methodology they used to calculate the statewide average," Ryfa said.

Ryfa said he does not believe the DLGF used such a committee when it decided to use a weighted method to make its calculations.

He also expressed hope that the referendum will be rescheduled in 2017 if the township's lawsuit fails to stop the secession effort.
MERRILLVILLE  NIPSCOs Tree Planting Partnership program is donating trees valued at $56,000 to eight cities and towns to enhance the urban canopy. In addition to beautification benefits from an enhanced urban canopy, the trees will aid in energy conservation, stormwater retention and improved air quality.

NIPSCOs Tree Planting Partnership Program is dedicated to educating the public about the importance of planting the right tree in the right place. It also teaches the value and benefits of trees and seeks to demonstrate that trees and power lines can co-exist in harmony. NIPSCO supports community tree-planting projects across northern Indiana.

Community recipients include: multiple Lake County Parks Department parks, Habitat for Humanity in Goshen, Crichfield Elementary in LaPorte in partnership with the LaPorte Tree Commission and Gene Stratton Porter in Rome City

NIPSCOs Forestry Operations department has been honored by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Line USA utility. For 22 years, NIPSCO has received the Tree Line USA award, which recognizes professionalism and environmental stewardship.
MUNSTER  An idea to engage and inspire youth and young adults to become outstanding and involved citizens took root in this community last spring, becoming an Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project that has blossomed throughout the Hoosier state.

On Sunday afternoon, the exact date Indiana became a state in 1816, 13 students from five Munster schools received accolades in a ceremony at Eads Elementary School for completing the DOC 200 project organized by the Munster Junior Historical Society.

Seated on the stage in the schools gym, the students honored ranged from grades two through 12 and represented Elliott Elementary, Frank Hammond Elementary, St. Pauls Lutheran School, Wilbur Wright Middle and Munster High.

Louise Chickie-Wolfe, the societys founder, educational director and DOC 200 Project administrator, said the Indiana Bicentennial Committee judged the Demonstrating Outstanding Citizenship 200 project to be culturally inclusive, celebratory, engaging and inspiring to young and young adults, and creating a legacy for the future.

In writing the bicentennial committee application for the DOC 200, she said three community endorsements were needed and came swiftly from the School Town of Munster, the Munster Police Department and The Times of Northwest Indiana.

Chickie-Wolfe said the DOC 200 project guides and inspires Indianas students in grades kindergarten through college to become outstanding citizens by teaching 50 specific life skills covering four areas  integrity, acceptance, service and patriotism. The number 200 celebrates the states bicentennial and is the number of actions the students had to demonstrate and report on.

Students are asked to practice outstanding citizenship at home, in school and in their community, she said. It will take at least 100 days because the students can only do two acts of outstanding citizenship a day.

The youngest participant, Elliot Elementary second-grader Peter Rotartori, 8, said completing the project took him eight months and was the longest project Ive ever done.

In recognition of completing the project, students in kindergarten through second grade receive a pin while those in third grade through college are awarded a medal attached to a red, white and blue ribbon. Each student also received a certificate, a copy of the U.S. Constitution from Chickie-Wolfe and a congratulatory letter from U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, who attended the ceremony.

You need an active and engaged citizenry for democracy to work, Visclosky told the audience and students.

Simon Nirenberg, a fifth-grader at Frank Hammond Elementary, became the first student in Indiana to sign up for the DOC 200 program. Reading from his exit letter, Nirenberg told the more than 100 ceremony attendees that he found it easy to integrate the four areas into his everyday life.

Some of the patriotism activities included visiting cemeteries to put flags on veterans graves and the Community Veterans Memorial along Calumet Avenue in Munster.

Reading from her essay, MHS senior Skyler Gronkiewicz said she began this journey when her mother mentioned it.

A participant in Munster Highs We the People program, Gronkiewicz said she already had quite an understanding of the U.S. Constitution. However, putting into practice the life skills on the DOC 200 project was more difficult, she said.

It was difficult to be kind to my brother and parents and tolerant when discussing political points of views (with others), she said. I would compliment someone who didnt expect it  teachers, the school custodian. These are valuable life lessons.

Tea Dimitrijevic, a fifth-grader at Elliott Elementary School, said while having breakfast with her mother at The Commander Restaurant, she saw a man with a Vietnam Veteran hat who was eating alone.

We thanked him for his service and paid for his meal, she said. We also put blue ribbons around our trees (to honor police and military veterans) and took pizza and pop to the Munster police station to thank them.
This weekend's winter storm brought several inches of snow and icy roads, and was blamed in part for a fatal accident in Porter County.

The slow-moving storm moved across the Midwest hitting Northwest Indiana early Saturday night. The National Weather Service predicted periods of heavy snow to persist through about midnight Sunday.

As of Sunday, most weather stations across the Region had recorded about 4 inches of snow.

The NWS was predicting snow totals from 5 to 10 inches across Northwest Indiana and Chicago.

Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said the death of a 16-year-old Valparaiso boy in a car accident Saturday night was weather related. Rafael Bonilla was killed in the accident. Another 16-year-old boy was injured, according to police.

The snow let up for a few hours on Sunday afternoon, but another line of snowstorms hit the area about 6 p.m. Sunday.

Indiana State Police on Sunday had few traffic problems and no major accidents with injuries were reported.

In Porter County, police on Sunday were reporting icy conditions and numerous slide-offs, but no major accidents with injuries, according to Porter County police Sgt. Jamie Erow. The Porter County Highway Department was continuing to clear roads across the county, but no roads were closed, Erow said.

Lake County Highway Director Marcus Malczewski reported plow drivers started about 8 p.m. Saturday and had been clearing and salting roads, but reported no major issues or problems. No roads were closed due to the storm.

The National Weather Service forecast for the rest of the week includes low temperatures, but no snow until Friday. Monday will be partly sunny with a high of 26, and a low of 18. Tuesday's high will be 19 degrees with a low of 4. Wednesday will be just a bit colder with a high of 14 and low of 3.

Snow showers were possible again on Friday and Saturday.
INDIANAPOLIS  The Indiana Supreme Court will not consider an appeal from the LaPorte man serving 40 years in prison for the 1993 murder of 16-year-old Rayna Rison.

The state's high court voted 4-1 last week to reject Jason Tibbs' requests that it set aside the Sept. 8 Court of Appeals decision unanimously affirming his 2014 conviction and order a new trial.

Justice Robert Rucker, a Gary native, was the sole jurist voting to grant transfer. He did not specify why he thought the Supreme Court should hear Tibbs' appeal.

The decision not to hear it all but assures that Tibbs, 41, will remain in prison until at least 2033, when he'll potentially be eligible for release due to time off for good behavior.

According to court records, Tibbs choked Rison to death on March 26, 1993, near the Pine Lake Veterinary Hospital where she worked, after she declined to rekindle their brief relationship.

Tibbs then weighed down Rison's body and dumped it in a LaPorte County pond where police discovered it a month later.

Rison's murder went unsolved for 15 years until a previously unknown witness contacted cold case investigators.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A former JetBlue flight attendant accused of trying to sneak a suitcase full of cocaine through Los Angeles International Airport and making a dramatic dash to escape is set to plead guilty in the case in federal court on Monday.

Marsha Gay Reynolds is expected to plead guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine in federal court, according to court documents. A conviction on that charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.

Reynolds, a U.S. citizen and resident of Queens, New York, is a former Jamaican beauty queen and New York University track athlete.

Authorities said they found 70 pounds of cocaine in her luggage at LAX on March 18 after she was flagged for a random security screening, flung off her high heels and bolted barefoot down an upward-moving escalator. They said she ran out of the terminal and made her way to New York.

Reynolds, 31 at the time, surrendered in New York days later.

An attorney for Reynolds at the time said she might not have been sure what was in her bag.

A court document filed by prosecutors on Friday said for the first time that Reynolds was getting paid thousands of dollars to help smuggle drugs and money through airport security at LAX and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

An unindicted and unnamed co-conspirator illegally in the U.S. would give Reynolds the cocaine and money, and she would use her "known crew member badge" to get them through security, after which she would give them back to the co-conspirator, according to the document.

The co-conspirator fled to Jamaica, according to the document.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 12

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

The Senate (upper house) of the Uzbek parliament will hold its next plenary session on Dec. 13, said the upper houses information service citing the decision of the Council of Senate.

The agenda of the plenary session is expected to include the issues on the state budget, as well as the program on creation of job places and ensuring employment of the population in 2017, according to the information service.

Meanwhile, the agenda will include several laws aimed at consistent reformation and liberalization of all spheres of the countrys political and socio-economic life.

Other issues related to the authority of the Uzbek Senate will also be discussed at the plenary session.

The bicameral parliament was formed in 2005 in Uzbekistan.

Sessions of the Uzbek Senate are held if necessary, but at least three times a year.
President-elect Donald Trump is facing new fallout from China over his comments about America's relationship with Taiwan.

In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump suggested he wouldn't necessarily follow the longstanding U.S. policy of treating Taiwan as part of mainland China.

That drew a stinging rebuke from the Chinese foreign ministry, which says the current policy is the political foundation of any diplomatic relationship between China and the U.S.

A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said, "We urge the new U.S. leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy."

China was already upset over Trump's December 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. It was the first time an American president or president-elect had publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades.

China considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province and not an independent state.

Trump is also downplaying the CIA's claim that Russian hackers tried to swing the presidential election.

The agency says it has "high confidence" Russia tried to tip the race for Trump.

President Barack Obama and lawmakers from both parties are calling for a full investigation.

Trump, though, says he thinks it is just another excuse by Democrats to explain their election loss.
Boeing announced a $16.6 billion deal on Sunday to sell planes to Iran, which for decades had been economically blacklisted by the United States. The company instead chose to emphasize how many jobs the sale would support.

Todays agreement will support tens of thousands of U.S. jobs associated with the production and delivery of the planes, Boeing said in its news release.

The intended recipient of Boeings message clearly seemed to be President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Its carefully worded statement is emblematic of the tightrope that Americas biggest exporters are walking amid his threats to shake up trade policy and undo the Obama administrations nuclear accord with Iran. That agreement lifted the American sanctions on Iran, making Boeings jet deal possible.

Mr. Trump has talked about imposing tariffs on imports from China and on American companies that move jobs to Mexico and other countries. But he has not said much about how some of Americas major manufacturing companies, like Boeing and General Electric, and their workers could be hurt if other countries retaliated for the tariffs or if existing trade agreements were ripped up.
Mr. Tapper called it an example of how he had been trying to draw basic lines about truth and decency and trying to get answers to questions.

As such, it was an object lesson in what doing it right looks like. At the same time, it was all very basic, what reporters are supposed to do: Ask questions of people in power and insist on answers.

But it bounced around the internet as a shining example of stand-up journalism, because, unfortunately, such moments now seem so rare  especially in a year marked by Matt Lauers soft interview of Mr. Trump at NBCs Commander in Chief forum in September, and CNNs own lapses with hires like the Trump aide Corey Lewandowski.

If only such moments could stop being so special and start being normal.

Television news is going to have to do its part should Mr. Trump and his administration try to make policy based on false assertions, the same way he used them on the campaign trail. (And, yes, television will have to be just as vigilant should Mr. Trumps opponents use falsehoods to fight him, too.)

The same holds for all of the news media, of course. But live television can be a safe harbor for falsehood and deflection.

Its easy for me to criticize as a columnist who has time to analyze and fact-check before writing. On television, in real time, even the best-prepared interviewers may have neither the time nor the facts to catch a lie and call it out. Even when they do, their attempts to call foul can turn into stalemates if the interviewee insists on continuing to forward something thats false or unsubstantiated, which seems to be the latest craze (see Reince Priebus, millions of illegal votes, Face the Nation).
At 19, Michael Vanleuvan was in jail at Rikers Island awaiting sentencing for armed robbery when he found himself listening with other inmates to a retired business executive talk about a program that could help them when they got out.

The retiree, Mark Goldsmith, who in 2004 had helped found Getting Out and Staying Out, told the men that his organization offered counseling, college preparation, job training and even alarm clocks to help them stay on schedule. To sign up, they had to write an essay about why they were interested in the program and make an appointment with the organization, based in Manhattan.

It took Mr. Vanleuvan several years to get started, but at a reception last week, he was applauded for his promotion to manager at the Dos Toros Taqueria restaurant in Union Square, where he has worked for 14 months. The event, at the Goldman Sachs headquarters in Lower Manhattan, was organized by Getting Out and Staying Out to honor its employers of the year, Oliver and Leo Kremer, brothers who founded the Dos Toros chain.

I just mostly really want to say thank you for not looking at my background, but at my hard work and determination to succeed, Mr. Vanleuvan, 29, told the Kremer brothers.
SAN FRANCISCO  Mike Zimmerman likes to shock his guests by using a hammer to drive a nail through a solid polymer lithium metal battery.

Nothing happens  and thats a good thing.

Mr. Zimmermans battery is a new spin on lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in products from smartphones to cars. Todays lithium-ion batteries, as anyone who has followed Samsungs recent problems with flammable smartphones may know, can be ticking time bombs. The liquids in them can burst into flames if there is a short circuit of some sort. And driving a nail into one of them is definitely not recommended.

With that in mind, Mr. Zimmermans demonstration commands attention.

His Woburn, Mass., start-up, Ionic Materials, is at the cutting edge of an effort to design safer batteries. The company is working on solid lithium polymer batteries that greatly reduce their combustible nature.

A solid lithium polymer metal battery  when it arrives commercially  will also allow electronics designers to be more creative, because they will be able to use a plasticlike material (the polymer) that allows smaller and more flexible packaging and requires fewer complex safety mechanisms.
WASHINGTON  American spy and law enforcement agencies were united in the belief, in the weeks before the presidential election, that the Russian government had deployed computer hackers to sow chaos during the campaign. But they had conflicting views about the specific goals of the subterfuge.

Last week, Central Intelligence Agency officials presented lawmakers with a stunning new judgment that upended the debate: Russia, they said, had intervened with the primary aim of helping make Donald J. Trump president.

The C.I.A.s conclusion does not appear to be the product of specific new intelligence obtained since the election, several American officials, including some who had read the agencys briefing, said on Sunday. Rather, it was an analysis of what many believe is overwhelming circumstantial evidence  evidence that others feel does not support firm judgments  that the Russians put a thumb on the scale for Mr. Trump, and got their desired outcome.

It is unclear why the C.I.A. did not produce this formal assessment before the election, although several officials said that parts of it had been made available to President Obama in the presidential daily briefing in the weeks before the vote. But the conclusion that Moscow ran an operation to help install the next president is one of the most consequential analyses by American spy agencies in years.
The West Wing, Aaron Sorkins television series about a fictional White House, had a knack for crisply summarizing complex real-life issues. In an episode from 2000, pharmaceutical executives and leaders of an AIDS-plagued African country are summoned to the White House. The purpose is to see if reluctant businessmen can be persuaded to sell the Africans desperately needed drugs at a modest price.

The pills cost em 4 cents a unit, a presidential aide grouses about the companies.

You know thats not true, a colleague says. The second pill cost em 4 cents. The first pill cost em $400 million.

The other man replies, They also enjoy unprecedented tax breaks, foreign tax credits, research and experimentation exemptions, and expensing of research expenditures. He might have added that many prescription drugs  antidepressants, arthritis medications, anticancer pills and more  result from research largely financed by taxpayers, not by private companies that reap the profits.

Tensions inherent to drug pricing  that 4-cent second pill versus the $400 million first one  underpin this final installment in the current series of Retro Report videos, which examine major news stories of the past and their lasting consequences. To highlight how the ground has shifted in the pharmaceutical world, the video recalls Dr. Jonas Salk, the creator of the first successful vaccine against polio in the 1950s. Dr. Salks conquest of this crippling and often deadly disease made him revered even beyond his death in 1995. One poll at the close of the 20th century showed that he was deemed, far and away, the greatest person in medicine over the last thousand years, ahead of Louis Pasteur, Marie Curie and Alexander Fleming.
WARRI, Nigeria  Funeral homes overflowed with bodies on Sunday, one day after a church collapsed in southern Nigeria, killing at least 160 people, according to a hospital official.

Hundreds of worshipers had been inside the Reigners Bible Church International in the city of Uyo on Saturday for the consecration of a church founder, Akan Weeks, as its bishop when the buildings metal girders fell and its corrugated iron roof caved in. The church was still under construction, and workers had been rushing to finish it when it collapsed, congregants said.

Screaming survivors streamed out amid cries from the injured inside.

There were trapped bodies, parts of bodies, blood all over the place and peoples handbags and shoes scattered, one witness, Ukeme Eyibio, said.

Mortuaries in Uyo were overwhelmed by the disaster, said Etete Peters, medical director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, who put the number of dead at about 160. Officials said they feared that the death toll could rise.
SYDNEY, Australia  Bill English, a veteran conservative politician, became New Zealands 39th prime minister on Monday after the governing National Party chose him to succeed John Key, whose resignation a week ago took New Zealand by surprise.

Mr. English, 54, was the favorite to succeed Mr. Key, 55, a popular prime minister who had led the National Party to three election victories since 2008. Next year, Mr. English, who was Mr. Keys finance minister and deputy prime minister, faces the challenge of winning a fourth consecutive election for the National Party.

I want to be a prime minister where New Zealanders feel they can flourish here, Mr. English said at a news conference in Wellington on Monday. Not just some New Zealanders, all New Zealanders.

New Zealand political analysts said that while the National Party was expected to win the next election, the resignation of Mr. Key had given the left-wing Labour and Green Parties hope that they could still claim an unlikely victory.
BUCHAREST, Romania  Romanian voters appeared to return the center-left Social Democratic Party to power in parliamentary elections on Sunday, a year after large protests in Bucharest over a deadly nightclub fire led to the resignation of the partys previous government.

With more than 90 percent of the vote counted, the Social Democratic Party led with just over 46 percent. Its main rival, the National Liberal Party, trailed by more than 25 percentage points.

If that lead bears out, the Social Democratic Party will be in a position to lead the country in a coalition with the smaller Alliance of Liberals and Democrats party, which appeared to have just over 5 percent of the vote.

Today, citizens voted for economic growth, for jobs, for more money into the pockets of Romanians, Liviu Dragnea, the Social Democratic Party leader, said in a statement after exit polls pointed to a victory for the party.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 12

By Demir Azizov Trend:

Political Council of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople  the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (UzLiDeP) nominated Deputy Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov for the post of the Uzbek prime minister at a meeting on Dec. 12, says a message on the UzLiDePs website.

According to the Uzbek Constitution, the candidacy of the prime minister is proposed to the president by the political party with the largest number of parliamentary seats in the Legislative Chamber in the countrys parliament.

"Following the discussion, the meeting participants decided to propose the candidacy of the Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, who was nominated for the post of the Uzbek prime minister, to the president for consideration," reads the message.

The candidacy of the prime minister is considered approved if it is given more than half of the votes from the total number of deputies of the lower house and the Senate of the Uzbek Parliament.
TOKYO  What do you think of when you see a tiny plastic spoon tucked into the lid of an ice cream cup? Not much, probably, other than wondering how delicious the ice cream might taste.

Design Anatomy, an exhibition running through Jan. 22 at the popular 21_21 Design Sight gallery here, provides lots of information about the design of such a spoon: one that accompanies a popular Japanese ice cream, the Meiji Essel Super Cup. As well as analyzing whether it can cut and scoop ice cream efficiently, and retrieve dregs from the cup, the exhibition assesses the spoons color, shape and material, and how a tiny rim around the top prevents ice cream from dripping out.

The spoon isnt the only part of the Essel Super Cup to be probed so rigorously. Design Anatomy, which is curated by the Japanese graphic designer Taku Satoh as part of a 15-year research project into consumer product design, is equally zealous in assessing other elements of the ice creams development, including its branding, packaging, ingredients, the speed at which it melts and the employment practices of the factories where it is made. The same methodology is applied to four other Meiji products in the show  a yogurt, chocolate bar, cookie and milk  with spectacularly eclectic results. Giant three-dimensional models of the products, their packaging and logos are displayed beside painstakingly tabulated scientific data and samples of the grass eaten by the cows that produce the milk supplied to Meijis production plants.

The outcome is a strange, obsessive exhibition, which is dense with information, playful in parts, and unfailingly intriguing. Starting from the assumption that every element of a products evolution contributes to its impact, Design Anatomy strikes a dramatic contrast to the conventional template of industrial design exhibitions, in which mass-manufactured objects are placed reverentially on plinths like sculptures.
The search began on a cold spring day in 1986. Just after Ferdinand E. Marcos was ousted following two decades in power, volunteers working with the newly formed Filipino government entered an abandoned townhouse on East 66th Street in Manhattan.

It had been the residence where Imelda Marcos, the former presidents wife, often entertained guests, and the volunteers were looking for art  specifically, art they believed the couple had purchased using ill-gotten government funds.

But instead of paintings, they found only eight bronze nameplates identifying the art that they believed once hung on the now-empty walls. As the volunteers started piecing together a list of the paintings that had disappeared, those plaques  bearing names like Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Edgar Degas  became their first clues.

It was only the beginning of what has stretched into a decades-long hunt for the Marcoses art collection. Some works have turned up at auction and at residences of the Marcoses former associates, but only a small fraction of the collection, valued by the Filipino government at up to $500 million, has been recovered.
In keeping with the spirit behind these posters origins, Mr. Alden explained that he didnt ask for permission from Ms. Holzer or her gallery, Cheim & Read, to stage the show, which runs through Feb. 12. The posters, most of which are for sale, come from his own collection of art ephemera, many purchased in the late 1970s and early 80s when leftovers from Ms. Holzers street campaigns would be sold at shops like Printed Matter, 10 posters for $10. (These posters can now fetch over $1,000 each.)

Ms. Holzer said she was intrigued by the exhibition of her earliest work and had no intentions of stopping it. Her original aim in 1977 was fairly modest. Then attending the Whitney Museum of American Arts Independent Study Program, she said, she was so daunted by the director Ron Clarks reading list that she rewrote it as one-liners which became posters. I wanted to see if these ideas  as contradictory as they could be  might be capable of stopping people in their tracks and having them muse over them, she recalled. Passers-by began writing responses on the posters  call it proto-social media. There was some voting, pre-Facebook likes, Ms. Holzer said. People would star things or underline parts. Sometimes I would come back around and stand close enough to listen to people argue over them.

Ms. Holzers message to young artists seeing this work for the first time is: Do it yourself, do it now, she said, noting the enduring visual power of a simple run of street posters. Its not hard and I was only arrested once, putting up posters at 3 a.m. in SoHo, she added, and chuckled. Tossed into the back of a police car, I launched into a rambling explanation and they decided I was not worth keeping, she said. I was dripping with so much wheat paste they probably didnt want me on their back seat much longer.
The San Francisco Symphony announced on Monday that it had canceled a pair of April concerts in North Carolina to protest the new state law curbing anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The orchestra joins a growing list of luminaries who have shunned the state: rockers such as Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr; athletes, including the N.B.A., which moved its All-Star Game to New Orleans; and other classical musicians, like the violinist Itzhak Perlman. The symphonys move shows that the fallout over the law, commonly known as House Bill 2, is continuing to resonate after Gov. Pat McCrory, the Republican who signed it into law, lost his bid for re-election.

The action affects concerts on April 5 and 6 in Chapel Hill, where the symphony had planned to play music by John Cage, Bartok and Mahler before traveling to Carnegie Hall in New York. The orchestra said that it was inspired in part by the mayor of San Francisco, Edwin M. Lee, who decided to bar city employees in publicly funded positions from traveling to North Carolina on business. While the orchestra is not a public entity, officials said that they wanted to honor their role as cultural ambassadors who uphold the values of their city.

Michael Tilson Thomas, the music director of the San Francisco Symphony, was part of a new generation of classical musicians who spoke openly about being gay. He was traveling on Monday and unavailable for comment, but in an interview with The New York Times in front of a live audience earlier this year he spoke of San Francisco as a place that has allowed me to be, in the fullest sense, an American, a Jew, and, as of two years ago, a gay married man.
1. Top Republican leaders in Congress are setting up a stark confrontation with President-elect Donald Trump by backing an investigation into Russian hacking during the election.

The Russians are not our friends, said Senator Mitch McConnell, above. Hillary Clintons campaign called for all information about the meddling to be declassified.
Mr. Ells said the company would announce changes to the board shortly.

Mr. Moran, who was appointed to his position in 2009, was known as somewhat of a taskmaster when it came to overseeing employees. Before he was a co-chief executive, he was the chief operating officer.

Last week, Chipotle executives said that in part because of an extensive new food safety program the company instituted over the last year, the amount of time it took customers to get through the assembly line as their meal was made had increased. Spot checks by executives and the companys auditing team found used napkins left on tables, smudged windows and doors, and messy condiment stations. Some customers using the Chipotle app to order were told their meal would not be ready for 45 minutes to an hour.

Such issues largely came under Mr. Morans supervision, but will now fall to Mr. Ells, a self-described perfectionist who founded Chipotle in 1993 with a loan from his father.

Prior to the crisis, we would have maybe six, seven or eight changes to our operational protocols a year, Mr. Ells said. Post-crisis, weve introduced dozens and dozens of them, and thats a lot to handle.

He said that while employees had received top marks from internal auditors for embracing those changes, many of which were related to improving food safety, that may have caused lapses in other areas, including customer experience.

We have a terrific team, and our managers are terrific managers, Mr. Ells said, but we have made it too complicated for them and too complicated in a way that they just cant do an excellent job in many cases when it comes to the customer experience. He said any changes would not come at the expense of food safety.

Mr. Ells said he planned to change the incentives for employees who excel. Chipotle is already one of the handful of large restaurant chains that pays starting employees above minimum wage, and it offers benefits like paid vacation, sick leave and tuition reimbursement.
Rejoining the two could be a land mine: CBS would risk angering shareholders if it offered too much of a premium for the lagging Viacom, while the latters investors would be upset if they did not get much more than its market value.

There is another wrinkle, too: Industry merger activity has gone on a tear since the Redstones made their CBS-Viacom pitch in September. AT&Ts surprise $85 billion October offer for Time Warner came with a rich 36 percent premium. And on Friday, 21st Century Fox suggested paying two-fifths more than the current share price for the 61 percent of the European pay-TV operator Sky that it does not already own.

Now free to pursue their separate paths, the Redstones two companies will probably look for other ways to scale up. CBS could attract rivals hoping to replicate AT&Ts plan of combining content with distribution. Verizon, the $209 billion telecom giant, would be one contender. Viacom may fit with other cable networks, including those currently being assembled by Liberty Medias John Malone.
The jockeying to be the next chief executive of Goldman Sachs is expected to intensify after President-elect Donald J. Trump officially asked the firms president, Gary D. Cohn, to become his top economic policy adviser on Monday.

Mr. Cohns departure from the top ranks of the Wall Street firm removes a crucial impediment for the next generation of Goldman leaders because he was seen as the natural heir to the top spot. Mr. Cohn is among a handful of senior executives who have held sway atop Goldman since before the financial crisis, and he is among the last of them to leave, even as Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive and chairman, seems in no hurry to step down.

Goldman is expected to announce a new slate of deputies to Mr. Blankfein in coming days, including the naming of two co-presidents  a role Mr. Cohn initially shared with Jon Winkelried until the latters departure in 2009.

In the short term, the most likely candidates to become the top deputies are David M. Solomon, the head of Goldmans advisory division, and Harvey M. Schwartz, a former executive of the trading division who is now the chief financial officer.
This is likely the largest ensemble of stock market machine learning models in the world, said Andy Weissman, a partner at Union Square Ventures who is working with Numerai.

Since starting last year, Numerai says, it has given $150,000 to its contributors, and it is aiming to eventually pay out $1 million a month.

Numerai is the latest investment fund that has won backers with the promise of sourcing investment algorithms from the crowd. Perhaps the most successful of these new ventures, Quantopian, is already on to its Series C fund-raising round. Quantopian has attracted hundreds of millions of dollars from the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and the new investing firm run by Steven A. Cohen, Point72 Asset Management.

With Quantopian, data scientists submit investing algorithms that asset managers around the world can license and use to trade. The algorithms authors get a cut of any profits. The investment ideas are not predictions of specific price patterns, but instead are mathematically based models that can be applied to different investments.

Numerai is different from similar funds because its contributors remain anonymous and prove themselves through weekly tournaments held by the fund manager.
LONDON  Philips, the Dutch electronics giant, said on Monday that it would sell a controlling stake in its automotive and LED components business to affiliates of Apollo Global Management for $1.5 billion, about half the amount of a prior offer that was scrapped over concerns in the United States about Chinese involvement.

A consortium led by GO Scale Capital, an investment fund sponsored by GSR Ventures of China and Oak Investment Partners, agreed last year to acquire an 80.1 percent stake in the Philips unit, called Lumileds, for as much as $2.9 billion.

GO Scale Capital has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and California. It has said that its goal is to scale up its investments in China for global markets.

But Philips canceled the deal in January after it was unable to mitigate concerns raised by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an interagency body known as Cfius that includes representatives from the Treasury and Justice Departments.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 11

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

The construction headquarters of IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) has asked Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, to cancel a contract for the purchase of 10 ships from South Korea.

Commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters, brigadier general Ebadollah Abdollahi, asked Rouhani to cancel the contract as soon as possible, Tasnim news agency reported Dec. 11.

He said that the Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters is ready to construct 10 ships on EPCF (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation and Finance) basis with 85 percent finance and 15 percent share of Iranian government.

He added that the South Koreans signed a similar deal, worth $215 million 8 years ago but refused to fulfil their commitments.

Meanwhile, today Iran enjoys the capability to manufacture ships and considering the need to activate the domestic production capacity to confront the unemployment problem it is very surprising that the institutions and organizations sign such contracts with foreign parties, Abdollahi said.

Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has finalized a contract with the South Korean industry giant, Hyundai to buy 10 ships worth $650 million.

Hyundai said that the company will build several container ships and oil tankers for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines for delivery from year 2018.

It is the first contract to purchase ships from South Korea after lifting sanctions by implementing the nuclear deal last January.
Prudential would appear to be the first partner company of Wells Fargo to get caught in the aftermath of the banks admission three months ago that thousands of its employees had opened unauthorized accounts in bank customers names. The bank has fired more than 5,000 employees and paid fines of $185 million in connection with the scandal.

Wells Fargo employees were encouraged to aggressively sell a mix of products to their customers, former Wells Fargo employees said, including insurance offerings from partners. The renters insurance Wells Fargo sold for Assurant had some similarities to Prudentials MyTerm policies: Both were fairly inexpensive products that could be bought in a few minutes, after the applicant filled out a brief online questionnaire.

As we have consistently reinforced, if we identify any instances where a customer received a product they didnt ask for, we will make it right, Mr. Folk said. The bank eliminated its sales goals for retail bankers in October, he noted. It no longer offers incentives for selling customers additional products, including insurance policies.

Also on Monday, Alex Perea, a Wells Fargo customer who said he had been victimized by the insurance scheme, filed a lawsuit against Prudential. He and his lawyers are seeking class-action status for the case.

Mr. Perea, of Arizona, received a collections notice in October about unpaid premiums on a MyTerm policy, according to his complaint. A Wells Fargo customer since 2010, Mr. Perea never authorized anyone to seek life insurance on his behalf and was unaware that a Prudential policy had been taken out in his name, he said in the lawsuit.
In a value for money assessment released this month, Britains foreign aid agency gave top ratings to three organizations to which it donates: the World Bank; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

But British officials took a far dimmer view of one well-known aid organization, Unesco, describing it as structurally weak.

The Department for International Development, known as DfID (pronounced DIFF-id), is Britains equivalent of the United States Agency for International Development, overseeing donations toward disaster relief, health, development and culture. The new assessment is the second time since 2011 that DfID has publicly graded its recipients.

Along with the United States, Britain is among the worlds top aid donors. The Nordic countries, especially Norway, are the biggest givers relative to the size of their economies.
As the opioid epidemic sweeps through rural America, an ever-greater number of drug-dependent newborns are straining hospital neonatal units and draining precious medical resources.

The problem has grown more quickly than realized and shows no signs of abating, researchers reported on Monday. Their study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, concludes for the first time that the increase in drug-dependent newborns has been disproportionately larger in rural areas.

The rising rates are due largely to widening use of opioids among pregnant women, the researchers found.

From 2004 to 2013, the proportion of newborns born dependent on drugs increased nearly sevenfold in hospitals in rural counties, to 7.5 per 1,000 from 1.2 per 1,000. By contrast, the uptick among urban infants was nearly fourfold, to 4.8 per 1,000 from 1.4 per 1,000.
A political maverick who never held elected office toppled one of the states most powerful establishment Republicans to become Texas junior senator (Ted Cruzs defeat of David Dewhurst in 2012). Moderate became a slur in Texas politics. The extreme became mainstream, as Republican leaders subtly or overtly embraced anti-Obama conspiracy theories about civil unrest, martial law and Texas secession. Border security became an election mantra. Texas became even more pro-gun, anti-abortion, anti-Washington and anti-refugee. The political tone grew sharper and wackier. The states chief financial officer, comptroller Glenn Hegar, put out an internet ad when he was running for office in 2014 showing him firing a military-style rifle. The message: Dont mess with Texas number-crunchers.

And long before Mr. Trump was promising to make America great again, former Gov. Rick Perrys 2010 book, Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington, was using some of the same language to make the same points. The first chapter, America Is Great, Washington Is Broken, is filled with so many references to America being great or not as great as it once was that it reads today like an outline of a Trump speech. But perhaps most of all, Mr. Perry wrote, we are fed up because deep down we know how great America has always been, how many great things the people have done in spite of their government, and how great the nation can be in the future if government will just get out of the way.

But Texas was not a model Trump state.

His style clashed with the Texas style. After Mr. Trump referred to Hillary Clinton as a nasty woman in their final debate, one Democratic Texan told me he was struck by how un-Texan the remark had been. They may talk that way about women in New York, but we dont talk that way about women in Texas, said Garry Mauro, a former state land commissioner who was the chairman of Mrs. Clintons Texas campaign. We just dont.

And Mr. Trumps message, which resonated with white, working-class voters in Rust Belt states that have lost jobs, had less appeal in Texas, a majority-minority state with a robust economy and population. Mr. Trump won more votes in Texas than Mitt Romney did in 2012, but Mr. Romney had a more significant victory in Texas than Mr. Trump. Mr. Romney won 57 percent of the Texas vote, compared to Mr. Trumps 52 percent, and Mrs. Clinton lost Texas by only 9 percentage points, compared to President Obamas 16-point loss in 2012.

Im a little bit surprised that Trump did not do better in Texas than he did, said H.W. Brands, a presidential historian and a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin. I dont think there was the enthusiasm for Trump in Texas that there was in some other parts of the country. In large part, there isnt that anger, because life for most Texans is pretty good, compared to 10 years ago, compared to other states.

My bookshelves at home are crammed with books that argue that Texas is setting the national agenda, and that Texas  through its economy and conservative politics  is coming soon to a state near you. Texas has an outsize influence at times, but overall the only agenda it drives is its own. Even after Mr. Trumps victory, Gov. Greg Abbott continues to push for what he calls the Texas Plan: a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution to limit federal power, allow states to override Supreme Court decisions and prohibit Congress from regulating activity that occurs wholly within one state.

I dont think America yearns to be Texas, as Mr. Patrick suggested on Election night. I think Texas just yearns to be Texas.
LOS ANGELES  The candy-colored Lionsgate musical La La Land, about dreams and dreamers in this city of stars, twirled its way toward being an awards season juggernaut on Monday, taking seven Golden Globe nominations, including ones for best director, screenplay and lead actor and actress.

But it was not a runaway. The lyrical Moonlight, about a young black man growing up in a poor Miami neighborhood, drew six nominations, including best drama, director and screenplay. Manchester by the Sea, focused on a New England plumber coping with horrific loss, was also nominated for best drama, receiving five nods total.

[See the complete list of Golden Globe nominees]

Joining those two films in the best drama category were Lion, an adoption tear-jerker set in India and the Weinstein Companys lead Oscar hope; Mel Gibsons Hacksaw Ridge, based on the true story of the World War II hero Desmond T. Doss; and the CBS Films neo-western Hell or High Water.
If you spend more on education, will students do better?

Educators, politicians and unions have battled in court over that crucial question for decades, most recently in a sweeping decision this fall in Connecticut, where a judge ordered the state to revamp nearly every facet of its education policies, from graduation requirements to special education, along with its school funding.

For many years, research on the relationship between spending and student learning has been surprisingly inconclusive. Many other factors, including student poverty, parental education and the way schools are organized, contribute to educational results.

Teasing out the specific effect of money spent is methodologically difficult. Opponents of increased school funding have seized on that ambiguity to argue that, for schools, money doesnt matter  and, therefore, more money isnt needed.

But new, first-of-its-kind research suggests that conclusion is mistaken. Money really does matter in education, which could provide fresh momentum for more lawsuits and judgments like the Connecticut decision.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is rushing to finish the long-delayed Second Avenue subway this month, but officials at a board meeting Monday once again did not announce an opening date, with less than three weeks left to meet their deadline, Dec. 31.

Under pressure from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, officials at the authority said that workers were making progress at three new stations on the Upper East Side of Manhattan but that they still had to complete a series of tests to make sure the stations would be ready for subway riders by Dec. 31. Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat who controls the authority, was cautiously optimistic that the deadline would be met, his office said.

Thomas F. Prendergast, the chairman of the authority, echoed those comments at a board meeting on Monday, saying he was also cautiously optimistic, but he did not give an opening date for the line. Workers have finished installing elevators and escalators at the stations, and the final tests were scheduled to be completed by Dec. 23, officials from the authority said.

After nearly a century of planning and discussion, the Second Avenue subway line will start as an extension of the Q line, with three new stations at 72nd, 86th and 96th Streets. The first phase, which cost about $4.4 billion to build, will be the most ambitious expansion of New Yorks subway system in a half-century. It is expected to ease overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue line, one of the citys most congested routes.
Lila Laporte was practically born a fighter.

In Haiti, where she spent her youth, she often fought peers and schoolmates who bullied her younger siblings. My childhood was kind of hard. My parents were very strict, and worked all the time, Ms. Laporte recalled. Growing up, I would fight a lot, for my sisters and brothers, when we were very young.

Ms. Laporte, whose father was a carpenter and whose mother was a shop worker, also fought to keep her family afloat, cooking meals and caring for her siblings while her parents worked.

When Ms. Laporte was a teenager, she received a green card to come to the United States and arrived in 1988 with her parents and two of her siblings. The family settled in Queens, and she began working as a home health aide.

I love people, helping people, she said. I love taking care of people.

She took little time off, working up to seven days a week for $5 an hour, and even slept at patients homes, depending on their needs. She bonded with the people as though they were family.
It didnt take long for President-elect Donald J. Trump to claim his first triumph on the foreign trade front. In a series of Twitter posts on Nov. 17, he announced he had successfully lobbied Ford to keep its Lincoln plant in Kentucky  no Mexico.

As several news outlets subsequently reported, this was not quite true. Ford had never intended to close its plant, only to shift production of one vehicle line to Mexico and to increase production of another in Louisville. No jobs would have been lost.

Such truthiness is nothing new for Mr. Trump. After all, this is a man who, in the 1980s, pretended to be his own spokesman on phone conversations with reporters. And as weve seen in the weeks since, self-laudatory, truth-bending tweets will likely be part of the presidents M.O.

And Twitter is just the beginning: Come Jan. 20, Mr. Trump, with the help of the former Breitbart executive chairman Stephen K. Bannon, will have his hands on the levers of the governments $1 billion-plus public communications machine. It is a disturbing prospect. Information is one of our republics greatest and most underappreciated vulnerabilities.
Candidates who fail to provide the documents would not appear on the state ballot and the states Electoral College electors could not vote for them. This is a smart proposal not just for New York but for other states as well. Even if a handful of states imposed the requirement, all major party nominees would have to disclose their tax returns.

Mr. Trump might well challenge such a law if he seeks a second term and wants to continue hiding his tax returns. As drafted, the bill should withstand constitutional scrutiny, said Laurence Tribe, a constitutional law scholar at Harvard. Ballot access requirements vary significantly from state to state, and it seems that N.Y. might be able to simply add tax disclosure as a procedural ballot access requirement, he wrote in an email.

With the exception of Mr. Trump, every major party presidential candidate for nearly 40 years has made his or her tax returns public, because voters need to know how candidates made their money, how much they paid in taxes, and their use of tax shelters and deductions. Tax returns also provide information about a candidates financial ties to foreign businesses and governments, and other potential conflicts of interest.

We know, for example, that Mr. Trump has done business in many countries with people and firms linked to foreign governments. But without his tax returns, its impossible to understand the scope of those deals and how they might affect his decisions in office. His returns would also provide full details about how much he avoided paying over the years; his 1995 tax returns, which were leaked to The Times, showed that he reported a $916 million loss that could have allowed him to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years.

The public wants this information. A Quinnipiac University poll from August found that 74 percent of all likely voters wanted to see his returns, and 62 percent of Republicans said the same thing.
Tehran, Iran, Dec. 12

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Iran and Russia have reached good agreements in the field of information technology, according to Irans Deputy Minister of ICT Mehdi Mohtashami.

The agreements were made during a last week trip by Russias deputy minister of ICT to Tehran, he said on the sidelines of a joint economic committee meeting of the two countries, IRNA news agency reported December 12.

Mohtashami explained that the preliminary agreements concerned search engines, bandwidth, fiber optic and hardware.

We have also decided to finalize our talks with Russia over remote-sensing satellites, he said.

In the first seven months of the current Iranian year (since March 20), Iran exported worth $86.5 million goods to Russia.
Myth number one: To say that theres in some sense a higher purpose means there are spooky forces at work.

When I ask scientifically minded people if they think life on earth may have some larger purpose, they typically say no. If I ask them to explain their view, it often turns out that they think that answering yes would mean departing from a scientific worldview  embracing the possibility of supernatural beings or, at the very least, of immaterial factors that lie beyond scientific measurement. But Hamiltons thought experiment shows that this isnt necessarily so.

You may consider aliens spooky, but theyre not a spooky force. And theyre not supernatural beings. Theyre just physical beings, like us. Their technology is so advanced that their interventions might seem miraculous to us  as various smartphone apps would seem to my great-, great-grandparents  but these interventions would in fact comply with the laws of science.

More to the point: If you ask how Hamiltons aliens had initially imparted purpose to life, the answer is that they did so in concrete fashion: by planting simple self-replicating material on earth a few billion years ago, confident that it would lead to something that would keep them entertained (keeping them entertained being, in this scenario, lifes purpose). Which leads to:

Myth number two: To say that evolution has a purpose is to say that it is driven by something other than natural selection.

The correction of this misconception is in some ways just a corollary of the correction of the first misconception, but its worth spelling out: Evolution can have a purpose even if it is a wholly mechanical, material process  that is, even if its sole engine is natural selection. After all, clocks have purposes  to keep time, a purpose imparted by clockmakers  and theyre wholly mechanical. Of course, to suggest that evolution involves the unfolding of some purpose is to suggest that evolution has in some sense been heading somewhere  namely, toward the realization of its purpose. Which leads to:

Myth number three: Evolution couldnt have a purpose, because it doesnt have a direction.

The idea that evolution is fundamentally directionless is widespread, in part because one great popularizer of evolution, Stephen Jay Gould, worked hard to leave that impression. As I and others have argued, Gould was at best misleading on this point. And, anyway, even Gould admitted that, yes, on balance evolution tends to create beings of greater and greater complexity. A number of evolutionary biologists would go further and say that evolution was likely, given long enough, to create animals as intelligent as us.

In fact, that idea is implicit in Hamiltons saying the aliens could have set up evolution in such a way that it would produce these really interesting characters  humans. This part of Hamiltons scenario requires no intervention on the part of the aliens, because he believed that evolution by natural selection has a kind of direction in the sense that it is likely, given long enough, to produce very intelligent forms of life. (When speaking more precisely, as he did in other parts of the interview, Hamilton would say that the human species per se wasnt in the cards  that it wasnt inevitable that the first intelligent species would look like us.)
Flashing anger, Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed a legislative measure that would limit the use of solitary confinement in New Jerseys prisons. He defended the states policy of restrictive housing, insisting it is significantly different from the harsh isolation reformers are fighting to curtail in federal and state prisons across the country. Civil rights watchdogs properly criticized New Jersey for resorting to euphemisms like disciplinary detention to mask a practice that remains a reality for far too many state prisoners.

Whatever its called, isolating a prisoner for extended stretches in a small cell for all but an hour or two a day is solitary confinement. The reform proposal, approved by the Legislature and vetoed by Mr. Christie last Monday, would have restricted its use to only extreme circumstances and to no more than 15 consecutive days or 20 days in a two-month period. It would also have banned the practice for pregnant women, the mentally ill and juveniles.

Mr. Christie, back in Trenton after his fall from leadership of the Trump transition team, wrote a veto message with an unusual denunciation of State Senator Raymond Lesniak, the bills sponsor, as irresponsibly legislating through bumper sticker slogans. (Mr. Christie had previously called Mr. Lesniak crazy and a quack for urging an investigation of the governors role in the Bridgegate scandal.)

State lawmakers and prison watchdogs dispute the governors contention that a form of isolated punishment called administrative segregation has replaced solitary confinement and its horrors. Lawyers who work with inmates say this is mere wordplay.
Washington  The recent deal to keep some 800 workers employed at a Carrier plant in Indiana rather than see those jobs shipped to Mexico proved great news for the workers and a public relations bonanza for President-elect Donald J. Trump.

What it didnt prove  even though the incoming president used the occasion to promote his proposal for a huge tax giveaway to corporations  is that cutting corporate taxes will save or create many American jobs. It wont.

Carriers parent company, United Technologies, never mentioned taxes as the reason for the offshoring move. Instead, it cited its existing infrastructure and strong supplier base in Mexico. More revealing, United Technologies says it can save $65 million a year by moving operations to low-wage Mexico.

Nevertheless, The Wall Street Journal reported that company officials had discussed the issue of corporate taxes late in the negotiations. And in announcing the deal, Mr. Trump told other chief executives that, under his administration, they would have no reason to abandon the United States because your taxes are going to be at the very, very low end.
To the Editor:

Re C.I.A. Judgment on Russia Built on Swell of Evidence (front page, Dec. 12):

If Donald J. Trump were half the man he claims he is, half the patriot he pretends he is, half the leader hed like Americans to believe he is, he would not only not dismiss the intelligence on Russias hacking of our national election, he would also wholeheartedly lead the charge for a thorough investigation.

And he would have done this not today or last week but last summer, when news of Russian interference first broke. Just a hint that any foreign government, let alone one as hostile to American interests as that controlled by the former K.G.B. agent Vladimir Putin, was meddling in our electoral process should be sufficient to make any Americans blood boil. Just a whiff should be more than enough for an American president-to-be to demand an immediate investigation by Congress.

The fact that Mr. Trump, instead, demeans and dismisses intelligence agencies and the overwhelming evidence they have amassed makes crystal clear  as if further clarification were still necessary  that Mr. Trumps one and only interest is Mr. Trump.

As he himself has said and tweeted so often: Sad.

LEWIS M. SIMONS

Washington

The writer, a longtime foreign correspondent, was a winner of the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.
STRASBOURG, France  Europe is entering a big election year. In 2017, voters in a range of countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands and now possibly Italy, will go to the polls. We can expect campaigns fought on stark battle lines. Austerity policies and immigration will feature. So will the role of European institutions.

This is already evident in France, where the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights has found itself the subject of debate in the lead-up to the presidential election. The court was established after World War II, as part of the Council of Europe, to ensure that states uphold the European Convention on Human Rights. When the French jurist and former court president Rene Cassin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1968, he lauded the courts judges, among others, as the real laureates for their work in protecting individual liberty from arbitrary state power.

Yet today, these same judges are increasingly derided as an impediment to democracy by politicians looking to appeal to nationalist sentiment. The court and the European Convention on Human Rights have come under attack in a growing number of European countries.

This is symptomatic of a wider breakdown in the postwar consensus that accepted international law as a fair price for peace and prosperity. These days, the public appetite for international cooperation is waning. Many people are feeling the sharp end of globalization, as their communities face widening inequality and mismanaged diversity. Political programs that promise hard borders and unbridled national sovereignty have become an easier sell.
China needs a strong leader like President Xi Jinping. Only an assertive head of state could reset the ineffective bureaucracy and put the country on a path toward meaningful reform. But like many strongmen, Mr. Xi appears to be reaching too far.

Since the 1980s, the Communist Party has followed an unwritten rule to ensure an orderly leadership transition and prevent a Mao-style autocracy. The head of the party serves a 10-year term and, halfway into his tenure, he nominates a successor with the help of party elders. In Mr. Xis case, he would need to name an heir at the party convention next year.

In previous cycles, by this time in a party leaders tenure, names of potential successors would have already emerged. But there has been no public discussion or leaked names. While its possible that Mr. Xi is taking more time to pick an heir, there are indications that he intends to break with custom and hold on to his role as head of the party beyond the 10-year term. (President is a ceremonial title; the Communist Party general secretary wields the real power.)

In recent months, Mr. Xi has promoted many allies in key government and party positions to fill slots vacated by retired or purged rivals. He has been overhauling the military, making it more difficult for generals to disobey or to stage a coup. Neither Mao Zedong nor Deng Xiaoping was able to achieve such control.
This editorial has been updated to reflect news developments.

In late 2014, Senate Democrats delivered to a handful of federal agencies copies of a 6,700-page classified report about the secret prison network the Central Intelligence Agency established after the Sept. 11 attacks. The report offered a comprehensive and unvarnished account of the torture several detainees endured as American intelligence agencies scrambled to find out if there were other plots in the works.

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, who oversaw the report, hoped it would become a seminal document for national security professionals for generations to come, a reminder of a dark and shameful period during which the American government succumbed to fear. Now the report, and the instructive history it contains, is at risk of remaining under wraps for more than a decade.

At the Justice Departments direction, officials at the C.I.A., State Department, Pentagon and Office of the Director of National Intelligence placed their copies in safes, unread. When Republicans regained control of the Senate in January 2015, Senator Richard Burr, the new chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and an outspoken critic of the report, wrote to President Obama demanding that all copies be returned to the Senate. He also instructed the administration not to enter the report into the executive branchs system of records, since doing so would make it subject to retention. It would also mean that the report could at some point see the light of day.
To the Editor:

Theyre Harvesting Government History, One Web Page at a Time, by Jim Dwyer (About New York column, Dec. 2), draws attention to a critical issue in government transparency and accountability.

This effort by a group of librarians and archivists to ensure that federal government websites are preserved for current and future use is laudable. But given the enormous presence of electronic government documentation, it is essential to our democracy that systematic attention be given by the government to ensuring that this information is captured rather than relying on individual citizen initiatives.

Further, we need to ensure that state government and local government websites are comparably addressed. Some states, including New York, Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky, already conduct active programs harvesting state government websites. Nonetheless, many more go undocumented, and very few local governments are attending to this issue.

Individual citizens should urge their respective state and local governments to ensure the preservation of essential government documentation provided through their websites and then be vigilant in demanding accountability from those governments on this issue.
To the Editor:

Re For Blacks Facing Parole, Signs of a Broken System (Race Behind Bars series, front page, Dec. 5):

As you outlined, the New York State parole board is encumbered by longstanding commissioner vacancies, racial bias, lack of diversity of its members, non-use of the re-entry risk-and-needs assessment tool Compas (although the new bill A. 9960 would mandate its use as the basis of parole decisions), and widespread disorganization and inconsistency.

The parole board should be transparent in its operations, and New Yorkers should have easy access to its decisions, as they do to the decisions of nearly all other government agencies.

Making decisions available online would increase accountability and help incarcerated people, their families and lawyers prepare for an already arduous and opaque process.

The New York Legislature believes in this change and passed my bill (A. 1984) to require parole boards to publish their decisions online. Unfortunately, the governor does not agree and recently vetoed this modest reform.
MANUS, Papua New Guinea  I was 17 when I first came face to face with refugees. It was 1995 in Melbourne, Australia, and it was a Saturday. As usual I was out taking pictures of my friends skateboarding. We rolled up to a spot near the state Parliament. Across the street a protest was taking place  Cypriot women calling for the government to help them find their sons who had disappeared during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. I left my friends and took a photograph of the protesters.

A few days later, in the darkroom, I pulled the film out of the wash and saw the image. The Australia I grew up in was a racist country: Slurs were common in conversation; news outlets were openly prejudiced against entire groups; and politicians rarely took a moral high road. But to me, this photograph went beyond all that. The womens pain was universal: They were mothers grieving for their lost children.

I decided to become a photojournalist to help refugees tell their stories, and to show their plight. I was stunned by the lack of compassion and the outright racism I saw in my countrymen. I was angry as only a teenager can be with the politicians who fanned the flames of xenophobia.

After 20 years of photographing asylum seekers around the world, I am still angry.

Ive seen people displaced by sub-Saharan African wars that dragged on for so long that their children and grandchildren were born in enormous, forgotten refugee camps. Ive photographed the Kurds, who have known only persecution  an entire ethnic group that remains stateless. Ive followed Syrian refugee families into the tumultuous Aegean Sea. Ive witnessed people trapped at borders and beaten by the police; children separated from their parents, wandering on busy, unfamiliar roads; families literally running for their lives. Sometimes, when they were not fast enough, Ive seen people murdered.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iran has extended deadline for India to offer an acceptable proposal on development of Irans Farzad B gas field, Gholamreza Manouchehri, deputy head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) for development and engineering affairs, said.

Indias state-run company ONGC has time until March 2017 for a deal with Iran, otherwise the fields development will be offered to other international companies through a tender, Manouchehri said, Mehr news agency reported Dec. 10.

A delegation from India visited Tehran last week to discuss the differences, he said, adding that, the Indian side has proposed a new model for calculating gas price but Iran is not satisfied with that.

He further said that a fresh round of talks will be held in the next two weeks.

The financial investment model for development of the gas field is the main source of disagreement between the two parties.

Earlier, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Irans oil minister, said that Tehran is not pleased with the New Delhi-based ONGCs proposal on development of Farzad B gas field.

Zanganeh said that Iran has granted another opportunity for the Indian side to submit a "reasonable" financial investment model, adding that it will be the last chance for the Indian company and Iran will make "another decision" if ONGC fails to offer a reasonable option.

In 2008, a consortium of OVL (ONGC Videsh Ltd.), Oil India Ltd. and Indian Oil Corp. discovered the Farzad B gas field, which is estimated to contain 12.8 trillion cubic feet of recoverable reserves.

In August 2010, OVL submitted a revised master development plan (MDP) for producing 60 percent of the field's in-place gas reserves, but did not sign a contract with the Iranian side out of fear it would be exposed to sanctions imposed by the US on Iran's energy sector, which did not allow foreign companies to invest more than $20 million a year in the country's energy sector.

After the West lifted sanctions against Iran under the nuclear agreement, OVL proposed a $3 billion field development plan to Iran to develop Farzad B.
A few days after Donald J. Trump was elected president, I started getting anxious phone calls from some of my patients. They were not just worried about the direction President-elect Trump might take the nation, but about how they were going to fare, given their longstanding and serious mental illnesses.

Will I still have insurance and have my medications covered? one depressed patient asked me.

As a psychiatrist, I wish that I could be more reassuring to my patients during a highly stressful political transition, but in truth, they have reason to worry.

Mr. Trump campaigned on a promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and his pick for secretary of health and human services, Tom Price, is a staunch opponent of Obamacare. The 2010 law provides medical coverage to an estimated 20 million Americans and specifically included mental health and substance abuse treatment as one of 10 essential benefits that all private insurers and Medicaid have to cover.

For the 43.6 million American adults living with a psychiatric illness and the 16.3 million who have an alcohol use disorder, it is hard to exaggerate the importance of this. Until this law was passed, people with mental illness and substance abuse problems were subject to capricious annual or lifetime limits on coverage, higher deductibles or no coverage at all.
So this was a tainted election. It was not, as far as we can tell, stolen in the sense that votes were counted wrong, and the result wont be overturned. But the result was nonetheless illegitimate in important ways; the victor was rejected by the public, and won the Electoral College only thanks to foreign intervention and grotesquely inappropriate, partisan behavior on the part of domestic law enforcement.

The question now is what to do with that horrifying knowledge in the months and years ahead.

One could, I suppose, appeal to the president-elect to act as a healer, to conduct himself in a way that respects the majority of Americans who voted against him and the fragility of his Electoral College victory. Yeah, right. What were actually getting are wild claims that millions of people voted illegally, false assertions of a landslide, and denigration of the intelligence agencies.

Another course of action, which youll see many in the news media taking, is to normalize the incoming administration, basically to pretend that everything is O.K. This might  might  be justified if there were any prospect of responsible, restrained behavior on the part of the next president. In reality, however, its clear that Mr. Trump  whose personal conflicts of interest are unprecedented, and quite possibly unconstitutional  intends to move U.S. policy radically away from the preferences of most Americans, including a pronounced pro-Russian shift in foreign policy.

In other words, nothing that happened on Election Day or is happening now is normal. Democratic norms have been and continue to be violated, and anyone who refuses to acknowledge this reality is, in effect, complicit in the degradation of our republic. This president will have a lot of legal authority, which must be respected. But beyond that, nothing: he doesnt deserve deference, he doesnt deserve the benefit of the doubt.
But, as was true 25 years ago, the worst remedy is to prohibit speech deemed offensive, disparaging or bigoted that would otherwise be protected by the First Amendment. The proposed Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2016 is a speech code for schools and colleges thats presented as common-sense protection against bigotry. After it was unanimously passed by the Senate recently, the House Judiciary Committee put off consideration until 2017. As I have told the committee, it should not be considered in any form.

The act would require the Department of Education, when deciding whether federal antidiscrimination laws have been violated, to consider the Department of States definition of anti-Semitism, which is a version of the Working Definition of Anti-Semitism issued in 2005 by the European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia. I was the lead author of the centers definition, when I was director on anti-Semitism for the American Jewish Committee. I encouraged the State Department to use it when discussing anti-Semitism with other countries.

The definition contains examples related to criticism of Israel, including applying double standards by demanding it behave in ways not expected of other democratic countries, or denying Jews the right of self-determination by claiming that the existence of Israel is a racist endeavor.

The definition was intended for data collectors writing reports about anti-Semitism in Europe. It was never supposed to curtail speech on campus.

And Jewish students are protected under the law as it now stands. In 2010 the Education Department clarified that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in federally funded programs, also protects Jewish students. That means that schools and colleges could lose federal funding when theyre the site of a Title VI violation involving anti-Semitism. In the wake of that clarification, in 2011 I initiated a Title VI case against a school district where Jews were bullied, intimidated and even kicked, forcing officials to take action.
Investors controlling more than $5 trillion in assets have committed to dropping some or all fossil fuel stocks from their portfolios, according to a new report tracking the trend.

The report, released Monday, said the new total was twice the amount measured 15 months ago  a remarkable rise for a movement that began on American college campuses in 2011. Since then, divestment has expanded to the business world and institutional world, and includes large pension funds, insurers, financial institutions and religious organizations. It has also spread around the world, with 688 institutions and nearly 60,000 individuals in 76 countries divesting themselves of shares in at least some kinds of oil, gas and coal companies, according to the report.

Its a stunning number, said Ellen Dorsey, the executive director of the Wallace Global Fund, which has promoted fossil fuel divestment and clean energy investment as part of its philanthropy.

The movement has also received a boost from last years Paris climate agreement, which set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The push for emissions reductions underscored the potential for the industry to be faced with reserves of fuels that cannot be burned if the targets are to be met  a prospect known as stranded assets.
NASA has never had a scientist as administrator; you and I would have had fun, he said.

Now, nobody knows where NASAs rockets are going on their biblical smoke pillars. Donald J. Trumps one mention of the space program during his campaign was to tell a kid that potholes on Earth need fixing first.

But he also campaigned on the promise to make America great again, and hardly anything in recent history says that more clearly than the Apollo moon landings. That has some space buffs hoping that a Trump administration will put its weight behind another grand adventure in space, most likely a return for good to the moon.

At the same time, there is no evidence that Congress would give NASA any more money than it is already getting to carry out these adventures. Mr. Trumps potholes, a military buildup and tax cuts beckon.

Early in December, the first member of Mr. Trumps transition landing team, Christopher Shank, policy director for the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and a former member of NASA arrived at its headquarters to begin taking stock of the agency. He did not respond to an email request for an interview and none of the other members of the team, which now numbers seven, have commented publicly.

Even NASA insiders are reduced to reading tea leaves and possible smoke signals, clues scattered by Mr. Trump and Republican space and science insiders during the last year. In a recent speech in Washington, Bob Walker, a former congressman who advised the Trump campaign on space, reiterated his desire for NASA to concentrate on basic science and exploration and farm out climate research, which he has referred to as politicized science, to other agencies like NOAA. Thats a notion that alarmed climate scientists regard as either naive or cynical.
BUTTE, Mont.  The recent death of thousands of snow geese on a toxic artificial lake here high in the Rocky Mountains once again underscored the devastating environmental legacy of more than a centurys worth of copper mining.

In the middle of the migratory season, some 3,000 to 4,000 of the large white geese unwarily spread their black-tipped wings and settled down into the acidic wastewater that fills the lake, a 700-acre former open pit mine.

It is not known yet exactly what killed the enormous flock. But the last time large numbers of birds died here  342 in a 1995 incident  it was because they drank the toxic reddish-brown water and it damaged their brains and other organs.

In a natural spectacle, huge flocks of snow geese have been migrating south from Canada to the southwestern United States, passing through Montana by the tens of thousands. The skies are so crowded in some places that people complain the collective din of flapping wings and honking keep them awake at night.
Last months presidential election exposed the gulf between the technology industry and much of the rest of the country. It put the spotlight on how Silicon Valley tech companies have lived in a bubble in recent years, with job and wealth creation from the industry largely confined to a narrow geographic region around the San Francisco Bay Area.

So Quentin Hardy, a tech reporter at The New York Times, traveled to Oklahoma recently to report on how Googles building of data centers there may have spread techs largess beyond Silicon Valley. What he found was a very uneven scene.

Image

In the town of Pryor, Okla., about 40 miles from Tulsa, Google has a giant computing complex that was built in 2010 and will be expanded. While the center does not bring a lot of jobs because it is highly automated, Google has become the local countys biggest taxpayer. The company has also worked to create ties with the community, donating Chromebooks to schools, money toward education programs and other perks.
The bills proposals are common in many states and accepted by many supporters of school choice, like a provision to stop failing charter operators from creating new schools. But Ms. DeVos argued that this kind of oversight would create too much bureaucracy and limit choice. A believer in a freer market than even some free market economists would endorse, Ms. DeVos pushed back on any regulation as too much regulation. Charter schools should be allowed to operate as they wish; parents would judge with their feet.

Detroit Public Schools, she argued, should simply be shut down and the system turned over to charters, or the tax dollars given to parents in the form of vouchers to attend private schools.

She is committed to an ideological stance that is solely about the free market, at the expense of practicality and the basic needs of students in the most destabilized environment in the country, said Tonya Allen, the president of the Skillman Foundation, a nonprofit that works with Detroit children, and a co-chairwoman of the coalition that produced the report that became the basis for the legislation last spring.

If she was showing herself present in places and learning from the practitioners, thats a fine combination, Ms. Allen said. But Betsy never showed up in Detroit. She was very eager to impose experimentation on students that she has not spent time with and children that she does not have consequence for.

Ms. DeVos has a long career as an education philanthropist and lobbyist, but not as an educator. She and her husband, Dick, an heir to the Amway fortune, are considered the most powerful Republicans in Michigan. In the debate over Detroit schools, Republican lawmakers say, Ms. DeVos withheld her financial support until they agreed to kill the bill.
Clinton campaign demands declassification of election intelligence.

As the swirl of allegations around Russias efforts to elect Mr. Trump roils Washington, one voice has been absent: Hillary Clintons.

John D. Podesta, Mrs. Clintons campaign chairman, broke the silence on her behalf, demanding the declassification of all information about Russias meddling as well as an explanation from the Obama administration of what it knew and when it knew it.

We now know that the C.I.A. has determined Russias interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump, Mr. Podesta wrote in a statement. This should distress every American. Never before in the history of our republic have we seen such an effort to undermine the bedrock of our democracy.

This is not a partisan issue, and we are glad to see bipartisan support in the Congress for an investigation into Russias role, he continued. We believe that the administration owes it to the American people to explain what it knows regarding the extent and manner of Russias interference and this be done as soon as possible. To that end, we also support the request from members of the Senate Intelligence Committee to declassify information around Russias roles in the election and to make this data available to the public.

Thrown on the defensive, Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said on Monday that the White House did not announce a major probe of Russias interference before the election partly because many voters would have seen such an announcement as political meddling.

He said Russia did not hack the electoral process or the counting of votes.

But what is also clear is that the results of the hack and leak effort carried out on the orders of Russia were extensively discussed prior to the election, Mr. Earnest said.

Trump continues Russia denial  via Twitter.

With evidence mounting that Russian intelligence promoted his election, the president-elect continued his denial, via Twitter.
The success of Mr. Trumps presidency, said Nicholas W. Allard, a longtime Washington lawyer and lobbyist who is the dean of the Brooklyn Law School, could hinge in part on Mr. McGahns legal advice.

The challenges facing McGahn are really unique in the history of that office, Mr. Allard said.

Interviews with more than a dozen associates, as well as an examination of legal filings, portray Mr. McGahn, 48, as an advocate with an impressive command of arcane election law, but also a fiercely competitive and even intimidating man eager to scrap with opponents  to duke it out, as he once said  in pressing the argument that donations of political money are a form of free speech. His Democratic opponents, however, portray him as a master of finding legal technicalities to allow election abuses to go unpunished.

If his record is any guide, Mr. McGahn (pronounced Mc-GANN) will be a fierce proponent of the presidents executive authority to operate independently on a wide range of issues. One key question, however, is how strongly he will push back if Mr. Trump, a man who has defied many norms, seeks to cross into murky legal terrain, a number of associates said.

He may be called on to defend Mr. Trumps stances on issues like his business empire, his childrens role in his administration, his moves to roll back President Obamas executive orders, his vow to bring back waterboarding or his threat to impose tariffs on companies moving abroad.

His legal fingerprints can already be seen in a number of positions Mr. Trump has taken since the election. Associates said he was most likely the source, for instance, for Mr. Trumps assertion in an interview with The New York Times that he could maintain control of his business if he chose to because the law is totally on my side, meaning the president cant have a conflict of interest. Mr. Trumps contention was apparently based on an exemption for presidents and vice presidents codified by Congress in 1989.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Iran has strongly condemned a recent terrorist attack on the Coptic Christian cathedral complex in the Egyptian capital Cairo, calling for unity in fight against terrorism.



The spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Bahram Qasemi, has expressed sympathy for the victims of the terrorist attack, IRNA news agency reported.



Targeting religious and worship places is against the principles of all religions and is absolutely despicable, he said.



The terrorists recent attack ahead of the New Year again proved that terrorism does not recognize any borders, he added.



He emphasized that all nations and followers of all religions need to unite against terrorism.



The bomb explosion in the Coptic Christian cathedral complex in Cairo on Dec. 11 killed at least 25 people.
WASHINGTON  Continuing his sustained critique of the American capital justice system, Justice Stephen G. Breyer on Monday issued an unusual dissent from the Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case of a Florida death row inmate who said his conviction had been based on flawed evidence and false testimony.

Justice Breyer did not discuss the evidence against the inmate, Henry P. Sireci. Instead, he again urged his colleagues to reconsider the use of the death penalty, which he said was unreliable, arbitrary and shot through with racism. In the process, he addressed two other recent death penalty cases, from Ohio and Alabama, in which he said the court had also gone astray.

In Mr. Sirecis case, Justice Breyer returned to a longstanding concern, saying the court should have considered whether the inmates four decades on death row violated the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

He has lived in prison under threat of execution for 40 years, Justice Breyer wrote of Mr. Sireci. When he was first sentenced to death, the Berlin Wall stood firmly in place. Saigon had just fallen. Few Americans knew of the personal computer or the internet. And over half of all Americans now alive had not yet been born.
Let me say that I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community, Mr. McConnell said, and especially the Central Intelligence Agency. The C.I.A. is filled with selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people.

The top Republican in the House, Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, said he supported a continuing investigation by Representative Devin Nunes of California, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. In a statement, Mr. Ryan said: As Ive said before, any foreign intervention in our elections is entirely unacceptable. And any intervention by Russia is especially problematic because, under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests.

Congressional Republicans announced their support for inquiries after Mr. Trump railed for much of the weekend against the intelligence findings. But their remarks, especially Mr. Ryans, were far from fiery, reflecting both a fear of offending Mr. Trump, who has taken many positions against traditional Republican orthodoxy, and the Republicans belief that Democrats have selectively leaked intelligence information for political gain.

Critics from both parties are questioning Mr. Trumps apparent choice of Rex W. Tillerson, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, as secretary of state, particularly because of his longstanding business connections with Russia and his close relationship with President Vladimir V. Putin, whom he has known for two decades. Mr. Trump said in a Twitter post on Monday night that he would make a formal announcement on the job on Tuesday morning.

Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida, both Republicans, have expressed concern about the reports of cyberattacks, as have numerous Democrats. But Mr. Rubio, in an apparent reference to Mr. Tillerson, went a step further on Monday, writing on Twitter, Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState.
What is in it?

The intelligence community tailors the P.D.B. to each presidents interests and style of absorbing information. At times, the briefing has included a deep dive into a specific question that a president may have asked or information that briefers believed he needed to know, such as the early August 2001 briefing Mr. Bush received at his Texas ranch reporting that Osama Bin Laden was determined to strike inside the United States. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. Bush received a supplement called the threat matrix, which listed more detailed intelligence about potential terrorist plans. Under Mr. Obama, the brief has taken on some new topics and different forms, including a periodic update on cyberthreats against the United States. The P.D.B.s form has also evolved. For example, Mr. Bush preferred oral briefings to accompany the document, while Mr. Obama has preferred to read the briefing on a secure tablet computer that lets him page through underlying specific details.

Is it dangerous not to receive it each day?

Several former senior intelligence officials said that getting the briefing every day is not strictly necessary, especially if Mr. Trump delegates substantial amounts of authority to his subordinates. But they stress that regular briefings are still important because it is helpful in a fast-moving crisis if a president already has a baseline of knowledge about topics, such as a foreign leaders thinking and military abilities. Also, briefings permit a president to quiz briefers on inconsistencies and questions of fact or interpretation that form the basis for the most important national security decisions  those only the president can make.

Matt Olsen, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said that its critical for the president to get an intelligence briefing, if not every day, almost every day rather than just checking in periodically.

Ultimately these decisions come to the president, so as much as you could rely on staff to track intelligence, you are being called on constantly to make operational decisions that put American lives in jeopardy, he said.

Why might it seem boring?

One possible problem, said Andrew Liepman, a former senior C.I.A. official who helped write P.D.B. entries on the Middle East and terrorism for several presidents, is that the intelligence community has developed a formulaic and repetitive style of writing. The reason, he said, is policy makers wrestling with difficult dilemmas have tended to seize on any variations in analysts wording as meaning that something significant must have changed  even if nothing has.
Seven of the 12 jurors who convicted Ronald B. Smith in the murder of a convenience store clerk voted to spare his life. When the case reached the Supreme Court, four of the eight justices voted to stay his execution.

The arithmetic of capital punishment can seem curious. Mr. Smith was executed Thursday night.

Mr. Smith was convicted of murdering the clerk in 1994 in Huntsville, Ala. The jury recommended life without parole, but the trial judge overrode that determination, sentencing Mr. Smith to death.

Alabama is the only state that allows such overrides. It is a good bet that the Supreme Court will soon weigh the constitutionality of the practice.

That will be too late for Mr. Smith, who came up one vote short on Thursday night, illuminating a lethal gap in the Supreme Courts internal practices. It takes four votes to put a case on the courts docket, but it takes five to stop an execution.
But in pursuing the F-35 program, Mr. Trump may be facing a target that even he cannot budge.

The president-elect is just the latest in a long line of critics in both parties who have beat up on the 15-year project, only to see it survive thanks to deep political support across the country. Lockheed has spread work on the F-35 to hundreds of subcontractors in most of the 50 states, and members of Congress typically oppose any cuts that would cost jobs in their states or districts.

It is unclear what alternative the president-elect could embrace if the military turns away from the F-35 this late in the jets development; the government has spent about $100 billion on the project, and 204 planes have been built. The Pentagon, under Robert M. Gates, the secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011, canceled a different fighter jet, the F-22, leaving nothing but the F-35 to replace aging fighters used by the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines.

Once in office, Mr. Trump could try to shrink overall costs by trimming back plans to buy more than 2,400 planes. But doing so simply pushes up the price of each jet. And that in turn could provoke diplomatic incidents with American allies who have contracted to add F-35s to their militaries. Higher costs per plane could exceed their budgets, as well.

In the end, Mr. Trumps public criticism of the plane may be about sending a warning message to private companies that contract with the military. While Mr. Trump said throughout the campaign that he would rebuild the nations military, his Twitter post on Monday signaled to contractors that they should not try to fleece the federal government.

The immediate impact of Mr. Trumps Twitter post on Monday was financial: After it was published, shares of Lockheed Martin had fallen by 4 percent around midday, reducing the companys market value by about $4 billion, before rebounding somewhat. Lockheed shares ended the day down about 2.5 percent, closing at $253.11 a share.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  The siege in Aleppo is almost over.

Advances by Syrian government forces and their allies have squeezed the fighters and civilians remaining in rebel-held parts of the city into a sliver of territory, spokesmen for the government and the opposition forces said on Monday. The last civilians caught in the shrinking antigovernment enclave issued panicked calls for help.

Late Monday, several residents reported via text and voice messages that they were crowded into abandoned apartments and rainy streets, exposed to shelling and afraid they would be killed or arrested if pro-government forces reached them, as antigovernment activists circulated reports of scores of summary killings in retaken areas.

The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said in a statement on Monday that he was alarmed by reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children.

It appeared increasingly likely that the government would gain control of the whole of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, within days, if not hours. Videos from government-held districts showed people celebrating in the streets, waving flags and honking horns.
We have to see whether they did it intentionally or not, he said.

The arrests were the first known efforts by the police to enforce compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, which requires movie theaters to play the national anthem before each screening. Patrons, according to the ruling, are required to stand respectfully for the duration of the song unless they are physically unable.

The court said it was necessary that the citizens of the country realize that they live in a nation and are duty bound to show respect to the national anthem. The Constitution, it continued, does not allow any different notion, or the perception of individual rights.

The ruling on standing for the national anthem, coming in a season of swelling nationalist pride in India, was greeted with enthusiasm by some Indians and derision by others.

The arrest in Chennai followed the decision by a group of people at a theater there to resist the order, said M. Sreela, a law student who was part of the group.

That was our first movie after the Supreme Court order, said Sreela, who, like many in Indias south, does not use a surname. So some of us made a choice not to stand for the national anthem when it was played. So we did not stand up. At the time, nobody objected, not even a glance from anybody.
His article reported that since the beginning of July, about 2,000 people had been killed by the police and that there had been more than 3,500 unsolved killings in the country. These figures match the numbers given to the news media by a Philippine police spokesman, Dionardo Carlos.

Mr. Andanar said that about a third of the unsolved killings had been identified as drug-related.

The rest are murder and homicide cases perpetrated by riding-in-tandem gunmen which the Philippine National Police (P.N.P.) is now investigating, the results of which will be made public in due time, he said in the statement.
The Five Star members have reiterated their intention to hold a referendum on abandoning the euro currency and held a meeting in Rome to iron out simmering differences between the partys orthodox and pragmatic wings.

At the same time, many members fretted that the party was drifting away from its founding ethos  of voting on policies and candidates through direct, online democracy  and toward a centralization of power by Mr. Grillo, Mr. Casaleggio and Mr. Di Maio.

We must be united and unanimous. Only one body, one soul, Mr. Grillo wrote in his blog on Thursday, apparently worried his movement was troubled by traditional party problems. We need shared ideas, not divisive opinions.

The party, founded in 2009, tapped into the anti-elite resentments of those Italians who feel forgotten by the European Union and damaged by the introduction of the euro. It called for civic engagement, disdained corruption and, with its leaders willingness to indulge in invective and conspiracy theories, earned a profile as angry, webby and a little bit wacky.

For a while, the party was eclipsed by Mr. Renzi, a reformist. But having tied his fate to the referendum last Sunday on constitutional reform  and losing badly  Mr. Renzi resigned. Italys electoral law is under court review, so it may take months or longer before Italians can vote for a new prime minister. But Five Star is eager to hold immediate elections, as it is already polling at 30 percent in a multiparty race.

Whether the party has the maturity to govern is becoming an ever more pertinent question with consequences for the Continents fourth-largest economy and beyond. What is clear is that the party has replaced its early innocence with a killer instinct, with Mr. Grillo reversing his views on positions that his party once denounced as an undemocratic invitation to authoritarianism to improve his partys electoral prospects. And Casaleggio Associates, the administrator of Mr. Grillos wildly popular blog, uses its affiliated websites to spread fake news that has damaged the partys political enemies.
KHAZER CAMP, Iraq  By the time the jihadists had finished, not even a womans eyes were legal. Showing them was a punishable offense.

The dress code imposed on the women of Mosul started soon after the Islamic State overran the city more than two years ago. It was carried out gradually, until every part of the female body was erased, starting with the face, then the rest of the body  including the hands, which had to be covered with gloves, as well as the feet, which had to be hidden by socks. It ended with an announcement blared over loudspeakers, telling women to wear a film of black cloth over their eyes.

Halima Ali Beder, 39, said she had resentfully made each new addition to her wardrobe, starting with the niqab to cover her face, and the abaya, also known as a jilbab, a loosefitting gown. Yet she still ran afoul of the Islamic States increasingly harsh enforcement of its codes when she stepped into the lane outside her home, planning to pop over to her neighbors house.
Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi has said the signing of a contract between IranAir and US Boeing once again emphasizes the importance of protecting the achievements attained in Iran nuclear deal  known as JCPOA, IRNA reported.

The minister made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday after IranAir and Boeing signed a contract for the purchase of 80 Boeing aircraft.

Following is the full text of the minister's statement:

'Undoubtedly, today is a historic day with potentials for dramatic effects on Iran's Aviation Industry and even more significantly, for the security of Iran, the region and the world. This contract, signed between IranAir and Boeing today after 41 years sends a clear message to the world that by signing this contract, in spite of all warmongerings of Israel and ISIS forces and their allies in the region, the businessmen and entrepreneurs particularly in the transport industry conveyed to the world the message of peace, security and development of humanitarian relations as well as actions based on a win-win policy.

'The signing of this contract, in the current context in which the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been doubted in the political arena, once more emphasizes the importance of protecting the achievements attained.

'We hope that despite all the transformations in the US Administration happening in the near future, the US would honor its commitments, since these are also what US businessmen demand of their policy-makers.

'We hope that the US political society has reached a level of maturity and accountability for creating an environment determined to prove to the world that we can secure peace through 'dialogue'.

'Today is historic for Irans Aviation Industry and we have taken the first step for the modernization of the aircraft fleet. The purchase of 80 Boeing Aircrafts in addition to 100 Airbus Aircrafts and 20 ATRs, which will be finalized soon, indicate our strong determination for modernizing Irans aircraft fleet.

'In this regard, the basis of our action is to make the most of Iran's comparative advantages, increasing competitiveness in the aviation industry and regaining Iran's share of the regional and global aviation industry. To achieve this goal, our policy is commercial competition at the international level through increased efficiency and better services to Iranians and the people of the world and to gain their satisfaction.

'The total number of purchased seats through this contract equals to 50,000; twice more than all seats in the current aircraft fleet combined. This is the first step for the structural renovation of IranAir (Homa). We will soon restructure IranAir financially and legally; offering its shares in Tehran Stock Exchange or in international stock markets upon obtaining necessary licenses.

'This contract with Boeing is estimated to create more than 8000 job opportunities in the aviation industry, including flight attendant, piloting, technical, engineering and maintenance careers. Moreover, tens of thousands of indirect jobs would be created in departure and destination cities as well as Iran's remote cities.

'We believe this is a fundamental strategy to strengthen Iran's economy against national and international shocks.

'To conclude, I would like to thank IranAir and Civil Aviation Organization managers and all of their technical, legal and commercial experts as well as my Deputy in International and Investment Affairs, who has brought this historic contract to fruition.

'Also, I would like to sincerely appreciate the cooperation of senior managers and experts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, the Central Bank of Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran's Management and Planning Organization.

'Finally, I would like to acknowledge the guidance and support of the President, Dr. Rouhani, who had been with us throughout this process.'
The region here is taking a wait-and-see approach, said Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, who commands the Navys Fifth Fleet, which is based here. Theyre very anxious to see, Does it signal a change in some area?

If Mr. Trump is stirring anxiety, or at least uncertainty, his picks and potential selections for senior national security positions are calming some jittery nerves. Those choices for important members of the Trump inner circle include former Army lieutenant general and war veteran Michael T. Flynn as national security adviser; James N. Mattis, a retired Marine general and former head of the Pentagons Central Command, as defense secretary; and Rex W. Tillerson, the president and chief executive of Exxon Mobil, as secretary of state.

Like his prospective new boss, Mr. Tillerson is viewed here as more likely to cut deals than crack down on human rights violations, a sore spot for Bahrain, where the Obama administration has criticized the government for jailing political dissidents.

Exxon Mobil also has close connections with Qatars national oil company, and has joined with the Qataris in building a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Gulf of Mexico coast that is designed for importing gas and possibly for exporting it as well.

General Mattis drew fulsome praise from diplomats, military commanders and intelligence officials in the region. If I ever went into a fight, I would want General Mattis next to me, Yousef Al Otaiba, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United States, said in an email. He will be a great partner for his allies.

Although he was so hawkish on Iran that the White House cut short his Central Command tour in 2013, General Mattis is no warmonger  he led some of the bloodiest battles in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and knows the human costs of conflict. He has since said that tearing up the Iran nuclear agreement, as Mr. Trump has vowed to do, would hurt the United States.

Mr. Trumps election has clearly put the Iranians on edge. Irans defense minister, Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan, warned on Sunday that any confrontation with the United States and its Gulf allies would end disastrously for the small Arab states and for Israel.
New York Times reporters are investigating the devastating fire that killed 36 people this month at a warehouse called the Ghost Ship in Oakland, Calif. Were also doing something new: providing regular updates on our findings. Do you have information, advice or feedback? Send an email to oaklandfire@nytimes.com.

The first update can be found here. The second is here.

A Warehouse Turned Firetrap

As reporters from The Timess graphics department, we wanted to visualize what had happened and give readers a sense of the space where the disaster unfolded. To do this, we began to recreate a 3D model of the interior of the warehouse.

One of the key things we discovered was that concertgoers trying to escape the deadly fire had to negotiate a narrow, makeshift staircase, and then a circuitous path through a jumble of furniture and found objects.

Below are just a few of the factors we found that contributed to making the inferno one of the worst structure fires in the United States in over a decade.

Second Floor

A Wall of Smoke and a Makeshift Staircase

1 The performance space was often used by underground musicians. On the night of the disaster, a crowd was attending an electronic music performance. 2 Survivors told of a sudden onslaught of smoke and heat, and a dash to the narrow staircase that opened off to the dance floor. 3 Derick Ion Almena, the leaseholder of the Ghost Ship, who rented space to others, lived in this area with his wife and three children. They were at a hotel the night of the fire. Steel roof trusses were covered with wood sheathing. Door to restroom in building next door. 3 Front stairs 2 1 Performance area Stage Steel roof trusses were covered with wood sheathing. Almena living area 3 Front stairs 2 Door to restroom in building next door. 1 Performance area Stage Steel roof trusses were covered with wood sheathing. Door to restroom in building next door. 3 2 Stairs 1 Performance area 1 The performance space was often used by underground musicians. On the night of the disaster, a crowd was attending an electronic music performance. 2 Survivors told of a sudden onslaught of smoke and heat, and a dash to the narrow staircase that opened off to the dance floor. 3 Derick Ion Almena, the leaseholder of the Ghost Ship, who rented space to others, lived in this area with his wife and three children. They were at a hotel the night of the fire.

First Floor

A Warren of Tiny Artist Lofts

4 Described as little more than a ramp in some places, the front stairway made two 90-degree turns onto two landings, one of which was a large pallet, according to Carmen Brito, a resident. 5 The warehouse had a back stairway, but it is unknown if it was used by those fleeing. It would have put survivors far from an exit. 6 Ms. Britos loft, near where she said she saw the fire start. Investigators said the fire began in the back of the building. Main exit 31st Avenue 4 Front stairs Lofts for residents, including several travel trailers, were located on the first floor. 5 Back stairs 6 A side exit led to a vacant lot filled with furniture and objects. Main exit 31st Avenue Front stairs 4 Back stairs Lofts for residents were located on the first floor. 5 6 Side exit led to a vacant lot filled with objects. Main exit 31st Avenue Front stairs 4 Lofts for residents, including several travel trailers, were located on the first floor. Back stairs 5 6 A side exit led to a vacant lot filled with furniture and objects. 4 Described as little more than a ramp in some places, the front stairway made two 90-degree turns onto two landings, one of which was a large pallet, according to Carmen Brito, a resident. 5 The warehouse had a back stairway, but it is unknown if it was used by those fleeing. It would have put survivors far from an exit. 6 Ms. Britos loft, near where she said she saw the fire start. Investigators said the fire began in the back of the building.

A critical issue to us was why more people didnt get out. Omar Vega, the proprietor of the automobile shop next door, told us that the front stairway had actually been built by the residents. That space was once occupied by a conveyor belt when the building was used as a warehouse.

Main Entrance

No Direct Route From Stairs to Exit

7 The front stairway exited into an open space, a kind of living room in the communal interior of the warehouse, with no direct route to the front door. 8 The path to the front door led around three pianos, requiring two left turns and a right turn to the street and safety. 9 Survivors reported confusion as they crawled along the floor to escape choking smoke, searching for the front door. Some said they had been saved by someone who kept shouting the exit location from the door. Main exit 31st Avenue Bathrooms Kitchen 9 7 8 Main exit 31st Avenue Bathrooms Kitchen 9 7 8 Main exit 31st Avenue Bathrooms Kitchen 9 7 8 31st Avenue Main exit Bath- rooms Kitchen 9 7 8 7 The front stairway exited into an open space, a kind of living room in the communal interior of the warehouse, with no direct route to the front door. 8 The path to the front door led around three pianos, requiring two left turns and a right turn to the street and safety. 9 Survivors reported confusion as they crawled along the floor to escape choking smoke, searching for the front door. Some said they had been saved by someone who kept shouting the exit location from the door.

A website contained numerous photos of the cluttered interior of the Ghost Ship before it burned. We needed a guide to help us sort through them, and we reached out to Ms. Brito and Nikki Kelber, both of whom had lived there. They described the ornate, bohemian interior in the pictures and gave us a clear idea of the layout.

The Performance Space

The stage had musical instruments, amplifiers and a screen, seen on the left, for electronic shows. The green louvered doors in the center led to the back staircase, and to a hole in the wall that gave access to a bathroom in the building next door.

Getting From the Stairs to the Exit

Bathroom Stairway from second floor Front door Kitchen Stairway from second floor Front door Photograph by Nikki Kelber

The route from the stairway to safety was a maze. I got lost there the first time I went in, Ms. Brito said.

A Cluttered Exit Route

This photo shows part of the route from the stairs to the front door, which is to the left of where the photographer is standing. A Garuda statue faces the entrance.

Where the Artists Lived

Ms. Britos loft Ms. Britos loft

Ms. Brito, 28, lived in a space in the southwest corner of the first floor. From her bed at the top left corner of this photo, she could see a floor-to-ceiling fire near the white door. She ran to safety. On Friday, she went through the building and said her loft was still largely intact.

Tinderbox

The building had few real interior walls, but working and sleeping lofts were partitioned using window sashes, pallets and furniture that one visitor had called a tinderbox.

Organs and pianos were scattered around the warehouse. This area was on the second floor, off the performance space. The stairs were just to the right, out of the frame.

Ms. Brito emphasized how difficult it would have been for anyone who didnt know the place to find the exit in the best of circumstances. And survivors who told their stories to reporters described difficulty on the twisting route to the stairs, down them and then out.
Syrian government forces managed to evacuate some 80 percent of Palmyra population, the fate of the rest is cause for concerns, Homs Governor Talal Barazi announced, Sputnik reported.

Some 80 percent of Palmyra residents have been evacuated, we are concerned with the fate of those who are remaining there, Barazi said in a statement.

Barazi noted that the Syrian army with allies is regrouping promptly, suggesting that control over Palmyra could be reestablished in the near future.
This is the second in a two-part series. Read Part 1

If you dare, spend some time with a mother who has lost a child to a predator, who knows her daughters body likely will never be found, who is only left with memories and photographs.

And take heart.

You learn much about courage, strength, grace and the pain and power of love.

You learn that in a courtroom filled with the horror of four women kidnapped, raped and killed, only the families really matter.

You learn that the victims are somewhere else. The accused is hardly worth naming. Even justice takes a back seat.

Kathy Branson and her husband, Roy, teach us all that.

But more than anything they teach that against all odds we can endure, we can keep moving forward.

POWER OF FAITH

During long courtroom breaks over several days, Branson and her husband share about the good times and the unimaginable.

The couple lives in the Northern California logging town of Willits, population 5,000. Their values are strong. So is their faith  stronger now than ever before.

Two years ago, they traveled to Orange County where Bransons daughter, Kianna, was believed to have been killed  although no body has ever been found.

Later, police determined the 20-year-old had been killed.

For the last month, the couple has traveled back and forth from Willits to Orange County to attend the murder trial of Steven Gordon, one of the two suspects charged with murdering four women, including Kianna.

This has brought us closer to God, mom says of the ordeal and the trial. God has my back.

But dont mistake her comment for thinking her childs death meant it was her time.

Far from it.

When she gets sad, she soon gets angry. Her daughters killer knows my daughter will never have kids.

DAUGHTER MISSING

The Bransons are a blended family with one child still in the nest, their 17-year-old son, a high school senior.

Ask how many children she has, and Branson without thinking says two. That doesnt include her husbands adult children but it does include Kianna, her daughter  her sons sister.

Her eyes welling with tears, Kathy Branson quietly allows her son offers comfort, and that Kianna would be 23 this year.

She shares that her girl loved cartoons, softball, running, birthday parties and was always the spark at any family event.

After high school, Kianna struck out on her own and moved to Las Vegas where she developed a relationship with a man she called her boyfriend. But during a family visit several months before she vanished, Kianna seemed worried. Something was wrong.

Just stay here, mom suggested, almost pleading for her to remain in Willits. You can stay here.

But Kianna had a secret she couldnt tell family. She was in the grip of human traffickers, the sex trade. She returned to Vegas.

Still, every day Kianna called or texted mom. Kianna even spoke of plans to start community college. Toward the end of September, her daughter said she might come home again for Thanksgiving.

Then in early October 2013, all communication suddenly stopped. Seven months later, local cops pulled up to the Branson home. Immediately, mom knew the news would be as awful as it gets.

We havent celebrated a holiday, her husband says, for the last three years.

I ask about sleep. The couple share a grim chuckle.

Sometimes when Kathy Branson thinks about Kianna, she wonders if her baby girl might still be alive, that she is ensnared in the dark corners of human trafficking, that Gordon is lying about her death.

A registered sex offender, she explains, has nothing to lose.

Other days, she feels her daughter is gone forever.

Of the four women Gordon and Franc Cano are charged with murdering, only the body of 21-year-old Jarrae Estepp has been recovered. It was discovered on a garbage dump conveyer belt.

But as far as the criminal justice system is concerned, Kianna is dead. So are the other missing women, Josephine Vargas, 34, and 28-year-old Martha Anaya.

PARTNERSHIP OF LOVE

Roy Branson is a logger by trade and a practical man. Still, he finds the killings and the trial surreal. He finds himself asking, Is this really happening?

Of course, he knows the tragic truth. Yet, like his wife, he also wonders about Kianna.

If Gordon cared about the families, the couple agrees, he wouldnt put them through such a trial. Last week, Gordon went so far as to put Canos parents on the stand.

Although the Canos son is charged with murdering Bransons daughter, in a mother-to-mother moment Kathy Branson quietly allows, I feel so sorry for them.

The couple understands that the drawn-out trial, allowing a murder suspect to act as his own attorney, is the only way to find what the system calls justice.

Gordons sole purpose is to make the system look bad, Roy Branson says. We have to sit here and endure this circus to get there.

We talk about the trial expected to continue another two weeks, then Canos trial, then appeals.

Its a task, Roy Branson admits, to make it from one day to the next. You just keep at it until its over.

His wife offers, I look at this trial as the beginning of the end.

But those are just words. Sometimes they mean something. Sometimes they dont.

In their soul, the couple realizes the torment will never really be over, that a parent can never truly get over the death of a child, especially when they might  just might  be alive.

In a moment of despair, Roy Branson allows, The truth is we dont know where the road even is. And theres no end in sight.

Roy looks away. His eyes fill with tears. His wife reaches out, comforts her husband by resting her hand on his arm.

The couple look at one another. And that is enough to keep going.

Life and love after the fires of loss.

Part one: The suspect makes a mockery of justice.

Contact the writer: dwhiting@ocregister.com
COSTA MESA  An Orange Coast College teacher who told her students that Donald Trumps election was an act of terrorism has received threats and has temporarily left the state.

News of the threats against Olga Perez Stable Cox came to light Monday, as hundreds of people turned out at the college to demonstrate in support of her and against her.

The professor, the union that represents her and the college have received more than 1,000 emails, calls and Facebook comments  most of them critical of Cox, who a week after the election was recorded on video telling students in her human sexuality class that were really back to being (in) a civil war.

Someone emailed her a picture of her house, with her address, said Rob Schneiderman, president of the Coast Federation of Educators/American Federation of Teachers Local 1911. The email called Cox a libtard, Marxist, hatemonger, nutcase and said her home address is now going to be sent everywhere, he added.

Others threatened her livelihood, some her life.

You want communism, go to Cuba  try to bring it to America and well put a (expletive) bullet in your face, read an email to her.

Schneiderman described Cox as a lesbian, Latina woman living in Orange County. Shes pretty strong.

But threatening emails and phone calls to her private number were too much, and a substitute will cover her classes this final week of the semester, he said.

On Monday, hundreds of students and faculty members who support Cox gathered for a noon rally on campus. Carrying homemade signs calling for free speech, they defended the teacher they described as someone dedicated to protecting all students, including those who are LGBT and students of color.

She has been here 30 years and impacted over 30,000 lives, said student Elias Altamirano, 20, one of those who organized the rally. I want to let Olga know this is her home and she doesnt have to feel threatened.

A smaller group  with students from the College Republicans, which made the video public  also was on hand. They set up a computer to continuously play Coxs recording, in which she referred to white supremacy and called the vice president-elect one of the most anti-gay humans in this country.

Those students countered that the issue is not about academic freedom but points to an instance of a college instructor pushing her own political agenda, something they say is prevalent on college campuses nationwide.

This has nothing to do with free speech. Its a professor overstepping her profession, said Vincent Wetzel, who said he is a gay student who has attended some of Coxs LGBT panels. Of all the people who are supposed to provide an inclusive environment, its her. Now, I dont feel comfortable.

Two students in Coxs class said she asked those who had voted for Trump to identify themselves.

She tried to get everyone who voted for Donald Trump to stand up and show the rest of the class who to watch out for and protect yourself from, said Tanner Webb, 21, of Huntington Beach.

Webb, who describes himself as apolitical, said he chose to speak up after reading comments in the Register from Schneiderman, the faculty union president, defending Cox. Schneiderman had said that Cox is known for her open and engaging ways in class but that the student who videotaped her chose to not engage in a discussion.

Professor Coxs anti-Trump rant was no open debate to engage students, said Webb, who added that he has enjoyed the class and described Cox as a good teacher.

Noah Faerber, 19, another student in Coxs class, confirmed Webbs account.

Schneiderman offered a different version of what happened: Cox told the class some people would be happy with the election results, and a student stood up in approval. She then invited others to stand up and show their support if they wished, he said.

Shawn Steel, the Republican national committeeman from California and an attorney who is representing Orange Coast College Republicans, brought the matter to the administrations attention Nov. 23, a week before the group went public with the video.

At that time, Steel wanted Cox, a tenured professor, to apologize. Now, with students saying she tried to separate and shame Trump supporters, Steel said school officials should consider firing her.

Thats a deal-breaker for me, he said.

School administrators said they are investigating Steels complaint and also whether the student who taped the teacher should face sanctions for recording her without permission.

Since the initial video surfaced and made national news, a second video clip has been posted online from the same class, with Cox expressing more of her political views and vowing to keep her students safe from any acts of racism and prejudice.

It is getting better, Cox tells the students. Orange County is one of the most conservative counties in the nation, and the fact that we did vote Democrat says a lot, and it gives me hope for my neighbors and people in this area.

Living in Orange County is scary, when you know you are surrounded by so many people that are so hateful. But I am optimistic that we are the majority and that we will make a difference.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7829 or rkopetman@scng.com
Egypts police forces were put on high alert following a deadly explosion at Cairos Coptic cathedral, the countrys Interior Ministry said in a statement, Sputnik reported.

In the framework of strengthening measures to prevent terrorist threat inside the country, the security of Egypt's state officials and key infrastructure would be tightened, the ministry statement said Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday, an attack cathedral claimed at least 28 lives and injured 70 more people. Another explosion took place in Cairo on Friday, killing at least six police officers and injuring six other people.
CBRE Group brokered the sale of Tri-Freeway Business Park, a multitenant industrial compound in Anaheim, for $29.45 million to a private individual from Northern California. CBREs Gary Stache, Anthony DeLorenzo, and Doug Mack represented the seller, Greenlaw Partners, as well as the buyer. Working with CBREs debt and structured finance team, the buyer obtained a $19.1 million loan. The 10-building property, at 700-720 N. Valley St. and 2101-2121 W. Crescent Ave., totals 208,824 square feet and is 97 percent leased.

Bixby Land Co. in Newport Beach has bought CDK Plaza in Portland, Ore., for $33.4 million. The seller was KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, an affiliate of KBS Realty Advisors. The firm will spend $7.5 million to upgrade the 185,729-square-foot Class A office complex in downtown Portland. Bixbys plans call for the redesign of an expansive plaza and courtyard area between two buildings, plus new lobbies and corridors, landscaping upgrades and aesthetic improvements to the glass curtain wall. The four-story, two-building campus was 96 percent leased at the time of sale.

HOM Sothebys International Realty sold a four-unit apartment complex in Huntington Beach for $1.5 million. The complex at 18552 Demion Lane was owned by Rowland and Carole Hodge and sold to David Augenstein. Mike Thornton of the firms Huntington Beach office represented the sellers in this transaction.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Joe Poncino has been named senior vice president of construction for the Saywitz Co., a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Newport Beach. Poncino has more than 40 years of experience in the construction industry and has been with Saywitz since 2001.

Stewart I. Weston has joined CBRE Capital Markets as executive vice president. Based in Newport Beach, Weston will focus on enhancing the firms institutional multifamily investment sales presence across Southern California. With more than 25 years of experience in multifamily investment sales, Weston joins CBRE from Marcus & Millichap, where he was responsible for apartment investment sales in the region. During his tenure at Marcus & Millichap, Weston transacted in excess of $3 billion in sales. John Montakab, vice president, and two support staff also join Weston at CBRE.

NEW VENTURES

Architecture Design Collaborative, a planning and architectural firm specializing in retail, commercial and residential projects, is expanding into a new headquarters in Laguna Hills. The firm, which will move from its Costa Mesa base in January, was founded in 2014 by Craig Chinn and has five principals. ADC will be looking to hire new personnel in 2017 as it expands into South County.

GOOD WORKS

Members of the Fullerton Police Department participated in a volunteer day with the ABC Green Home Project. The infill lot at West Truslow and South Highland avenues was donated to the project by the city of Fullerton and is projected for completion in early 2017. The green-home project is to design and build a series of net-zero homes that serve as demonstration homes for the building community for energy-efficient homes. The Fullerton project was spearheaded by Peninsula Publishings Nick Slevin in partnership with Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas and Habitat for Humanity Orange County.

MILESTONES

John D. Penner of Fullerton was recognized as a volunteer of distinction by the Appraisal Institute, a professional association of real estate appraisers. Penner serves the Southern California chapter as chair and adviser for the southern branch, a position he has held since 2014. He has been the senior managing director of Valbridge Property Advisors in Fullerton since 2013, and has been in the valuation profession for 33 years.

Submit real estate transactions, promotions, new hires, good works and milestones to Samantha Gowen at sgowen@ocregister.com.
If youve ever gone to a Trader Joes and found yourself circling the lot in search of a parking space, youre not alone.

The Monrovia-based grocers eclectic mix of private-label gourmet and organic foods has resonated heavily with Southern California consumers. And the heavy influx of shoppers often overwhelms the stores parking lots.

John Palomo, who stopped in at the Trader Joes on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena on Wednesday, is all too familiar with the parking dilemma.

I dont even try to get into the lot anymore, the 63-year-old Altadena resident said. I park up the street, although that can be kind of hit and miss. But I avoid the parking lot. It think its inevitable that this is gonna happen because of the density of the city.

Parking at that store is admittedly limited. But another Trader Joes on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena suffers from the same problem, despite the fact that it has a multi-level parking garage.

Its always crowded  especially on weekends, said shopper Christina Lu of San Gabriel.

As she walked to her car, a line of vehicles queued up at the entrance to the parking structure waiting to get in.

Some Trader Joes locations, like the store on Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, do have enough parking. That store shares parking space with a Best Buy, a Jack in the Box restaurant and several other retailers. But parking at many of the other stores is still extremely tight.

So what gives? Why are many of the companys parking lots so small?

Martin H. Krieger, a professor of planning at the USC Price School of Public Policy, said the parking situation is largely dictated by where the stores are located.

The question for them is, How do we balance our customers parking needs versus the stores needs?  he said. Parking is expensive space. If you have a store out in the middle of nowhere, theres plenty of available space and it wont cost as much  but then you have no customers. When youre in an area with more customers, you can either have more branches or people who are willing to suffer and wait for parking spaces.

Trader Joes customers perceive the companys products as being unique, Krieger said, so they likely have a higher tolerance for delays while waiting to get into the stores. Theres no doubt that many of the companys private-label products skew toward the healthy/organic side of things.

The product mix includes everything from a 30-ounce packet of organic brown rice that sells for $2.99 to a two-ounce packet of kale chips priced at $3.99. Others are drawn to the grocers private-label line of beer and wine, including a Charles Shaw wine thats more commonly known as Two-buck Chuck.

But the parking problems persist.

There will always be some people who will say, I cant take this anymore and drive away, Krieger said. But when you live in a place like Los Angeles or New York, people expect that its going to be that way. And when they leave, other customers will be coming in.

But thats not saying everyone will be happy.

BuzzFeed recently compiled a list of 23 Hilariously Accurate Tweets About Trader Joes Parking Lots. One from Paul R. Gilmartin goes like this:

Trader Joes Real Estate Agent: Hows the parking lot?

Landlord: Terrible

Trader Joes Real Estate Agent: Well take it!

Lily Williams message was even more pointed:

Im like 99 percent certain that when you go to hell you just have to find parking in a Trader Joes parking lot for all eternity, she tweeted.

Despite its parking problems, Trader Joes consistently ranks high in industry surveys of grocery stores. Customer insights firm Market Force Information published a set of grocery rankings this year that were pulled from the survey responses of more than 10,000 people.

Trader Joes ranked third behind Wegmans, which topped the list, and Publix Super Markets, which landed in second place. But Trader Joes held the No. 1 spot list the previous four years. The rankings are based on a composite loyalty index that measures everything from satisfaction with food quality and checkout speed to value and customer service.

Trader Joes operates about 460 stores in 41 states and in Washington, D.C. Founded by Joseph Joe Coulombe, the company has been owned since 1979 by a German family trust established by Aldi Nord owner Theo Albrecht.

Did you miss?

Are these the worst places to park in Orange County?
SANTA ANA  A man with a history of driving under the influence was convicted of second-degree murder on Monday for a drunken driving crash that killed a 60-year-old while he slept in his Mission Viejo home.

An Orange County Superior Court jury deliberated for two hours before handing down the verdict for Kourosh Keshmiri, 30, of Mission Viejo. Keshmiri was taken into custody while his family members bowed their heads and softly cried.

He faces 15 years to life in prison when sentenced on Feb. 10.

Kenneth Jackson was asleep in his bed at about 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2013, when a 2005 Cadillac sedan crashed through his bedroom window, crushing him.

The prosecutor said Keshmiri was test-driving his friends car with an estimated blood-alcohol level of .19  more than twice the legal limit. Further, the prosecutor said, Keshmiri was going an estimated 86 mph when he lost control on a sharp curve and barreled into Jacksons home in the 26000 block of Pacato Drive.

In the trial, Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said Keshmiri had two prior arrests for drunken driving. He was convicted in one, and faces a pretrial hearing next month in the other case. He had completed an alcohol-diversion program that included a presentation from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Eleven days before the crash, he appeared in court for a hearing when a judge ordered him to attend more Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and told him not to drink.

Keshmiris attorney, John Barnett, had argued there was no proof he was drunk at the time of the crash because there was no solid evidence of his drinking pattern in the hours before the accident.

Barnett said the crash was the result of speed, not drinking.

Jacksons close friend Mark Martinez, who attended the trial, said Jackson was beloved in the Orange County motorcycle community and a member of the Loners Motorcycle Club.

Jackson had a shop in San Clemente where he repaired Harley-Davidsons and built custom motorcycles.

He was a great guy, said Martinez, who knew Jackson for more than 20 years. He helped so many people.

While Martinez was glad for the guilty verdict, he said its a sad case for everyone involved.

Nobody wins, he said.

Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
WASHINGTON  Republicans on Capitol Hill are already laying the groundwork for a rapid repeal of President Barack Obamas signature health-care law beginning on the first day of the new Congress, before President-elect Donald Trump is even sworn in.

But the urgent efforts to make good on a Republican campaign promise six years in the making obscure major GOP divisions over what exactly to replace Obamacare with and how to go about it, and how long a transition period to allow before the laws insurance would go away.

Hard-liners are pushing to move as fast as possible, bolstered by a GOP base eager to see lawmakers follow through on years of promises. But key congressional leaders are keenly concerned about potentially throwing millions off their insurance plans and repeating what they have long decried as Democratic missteps eight years ago, sparking a fierce political backlash by moving too far, too fast.

While Trump could sign legislation gutting the Affordable Care Act before the spring bloom, a full replacement could take months, if not years.

Id like to do it tomorrow, but reality is another matter sometimes, said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee that will help lead the repeal and replace efforts. We have to live with the real world. And the real world right now is that the Democrats wont help with anything.

Hatch and other high-ranking Republican senators are pushing for an extended transition period that could keep large portions of Obamacare in effect until 2019 or beyond, allowing time to carefully craft a replacement and push the final debate past the midterm elections.

Many of them, like Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, have been chastened by conversations with insurers and state regulators who are warning of chaos in the market for individual insurance if Congress moves rashly.

I dont want to leave the 84,000 people in Maine who are buying insurance on the exchange uninsured because, all of a sudden, two-thirds of them who have subsidies have lost that subsidy, Collins said.

But those Republicans are clashing with GOP colleagues  many of them sent to Congress in the midterm, anti-Obama waves of 2010 and 2014  who see little reason to dawdle.

The history of this place is, the longer it takes, the more exponentially the probability grows that itll never get done, said Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., elected recently as the new chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. Republicans have been saying they have a replacement plan for over two years, so why do we need three years?

Part of the problem is that Republicans have never been able to agree on a replacement plan, despite railing against Obamacare for nearly eight years now. Their foot-dragging is a function of internal divisions and the political peril of floating a detailed alternative that would be closely evaluated for costs and benefits. Trump has also been vague, promising a terrific replacement that will provide great health care at a fraction of the cost.

The current battle centers on when exactly to schedule Obamacares sunset. But other fights loom  over what precisely a replacement plan should look like, whether Obamacares Medicaid expansion will continue, whether lawmakers should also now tackle the future of Medicare, and how Congress should assist insurers during the transition.

The battle lines, however, are familiar, with establishment Republicans on one side and conservative insurgents, mainly in the House, on the other. Those dynamics pushed GOP leaders into increasingly dramatic confrontations with Obama and last year helped force House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to retire.

Come Jan. 20, Obama will no longer serve as a foil for Republicans, and while Senate Democrats could block parts of a health-care overhaul, the real fight will occur inside the GOP.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has announced plans to put an Obamacare repeal on the Senate floor come Jan. 3. But that will only set the stage for a future repeal bill that will have to tacklemajor decisions such as a sunset date and interim measures to stabilize insurance markets.

So far, Trump and key GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have shied away from taking firm positions on repeal and replace, but they have done little to tamp down the expectations of conservatives expecting a swift and wholesale substitute.

Were going to repeal Obamacare lock, stock and barrel, Vice President-elect Mike Pence told donors to the conservative Heritage Foundation recently. The number one priority of this administration is to keep that promise to the American people.

Hard-liners on Capitol Hill see Pence and Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Trumps pick for health and human services secretary, as allies in their push for quick and decisive action. Pence called on Congress to pass a repeal bill with all deliberate speed but pledged only to then set into motion a process to replace it.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Thursday that Republicans would move as well and as fast as we can but make sure that the transition does not pull the rug out from under people.

Transition spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that Obamacare replacement strategy has been part of discussions Trump and Pence are having with top congressional leaders and that the talks are ongoing.

The idea is to really figure out the sequencing on both the repeal and the replace, he said.

Conservative activists who pushed a take-no-prisoners approach toward the Obama administration say their patienceis limited.

When Republicans have the House, the Senate and the White House, you dont wait, said Adam Brandon, president and chief executive of FreedomWorks, a conservative advocacy group. Im a Cleveland Indians fan. I only get a shot at a World Series every couple decades. When you have a shot to do it, you do it. Thats it.

Democrats and many health-care experts are warning that a swift repeal could lead insurers to stop selling policies to individuals on federally mandated exchanges. More than 12 million Americans are covered under those policies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell briefed Senate Democrats on Thursday on the expected unraveling of Obamacares insurance exchanges, according to people familiar with her remarks inside the closed-door meeting.

Delayed replacement is a situation where it is basically repeal and chaos in terms of what will ensue, because of the uncertainty that will get presented to insurers, providers, consumers and states, Burwell said after the meeting.

Republicans want to end Obamacares system of penalties and subsidies. But many  including Trump  want to continue to ban insurers from denying coverage or sharply increasing rates for the sick.

Experts warn that repeal and delay under those conditions would prompt insurers to flee the individual market. Linda J. Blumberg, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, said insurers could face as much as $3 billion in losses if healthy individuals leave the market once the subsidies and penalties are eliminated.

That $3 billion is the tip of the iceberg, Blumberg said. With all of these changes and the uncertainty, it is hard to predict how bad the risk is going to get.

Keeping insurers in the market during the transition could require Congress to step in with bailout payments, something that would be deeply unpopular among conservative lawmakers.

The insurance industry should understand that theres a new sheriff in town, said Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., a Freedom Caucus member. They signed up for Obamacare, and if they want to make a profit, theyre going to have to figure out how to make a profit in a free-market insurance industry.

The strategy of repealing Obamacare without first replacing it reflects not only the wishes of the GOP base, but also Senate arithmetic.

There will be a slim 52-to-48 Republican majority come January, and while Republicans can gut Obamacare with a simple majority using arcane budget rules, passing a complete replacement will require 60 votes.

Only by dismantling Obamacare first, Republicans say, will they have a chance to persuade enough Democrats to support a replacement plan  and Democrats have already signaled that they will not do so.

We all know we have to repeal it to get them to even settle down and work with us at all, Hatch said.

Incoming Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., however, has rejected that strategy. Were not going to do a replacement. If they repeal without a replacement, they will own it, he told The Washington Post recently.

But the Republican base, prodded by conservative media outlets and well-organized activist groups, has been loath to accept Democratic obstruction as an excuse for inaction.

One prominent activist, Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, suggested that Trump could goose the repeal-and-replace efforts by reversing an administrative ruling that gave financial assistance to 11,000 congressional members and staff who were forced onto the Obamacare exchanges under a compromise included in the original law.

I dont think anyone thinks that youre going to flip a switch . . . but the replacement for it needs to happen quickly, she said. We want it done as quickly as it possibly can be done.

Brandon was even blunter: This is going to be a hard thing for Republicans, but tough 1 / 8cookies 3 / 8, he said. Theyre going to have to push this through using parliamentary maneuvers, and guess what? Its hard.

The political risk in doing nothing is why you got Donald Trump in the first place, he added. The old excuses of having divided government, theyre gone.

A few strident Obamacare critics are urging activists to soften a bit. They have to look at the complexity of the problem here, and hopefully theyll recognize that its not quite so simple, said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who was first elected in the 2010 tea party wave.

But many others are not.

Literally every Republican member has made this part of their platform in running for Congress, said Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., a first-termer who will chair the conservative Republican Study Committee next year. Weve got to act on it.
BEIRUT  Islamic State militants recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra from Syrian troops Sunday, according to both sides in the battle, scoring a major advance after a year of setbacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq.

In winning back Palmyra, the extremist group appeared to be taking advantage of the Syrian and Russian preoccupation with Aleppo, timing its attack to coincide with a major government offensive to capture the last remaining opposition-held neighborhoods in the northern city.

Palmyra, with its towering 2,000-year-old ruins, holds mostly symbolic meaning in the civil war, though its location in central Syria also gives it some strategic significance.

Islamic State militants re-entered the city Saturday for the first time since they were expelled by Syrian and Russian forces amid much fanfare nine months ago.

The governments first important win against the Islamic State group in the historic city gave Damascus the chance to try to position itself as part of the global anti-terrorism campaign.

The militants had spent 10 months in Palmyra, during which they blew up a number of temples and caused other destruction  severing the heads of statues and partially damaging two temples and a famous arch.

Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syrias official for antiquities and museums, said his department had transferred the contents of Palmyras museum to Damascus, but that he still worries about the safety of the ruins from the Islamic State militants.

Sundays takeover came hours after government troops and Russian air raids pushed the group out of the citys perimeter. Islamic State militants later regrouped and attacked from multiple sides, forcing government troops to retreat.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported the Pentagon will send another 200 special operations troops to Syria, according to a senior official, substantially expanding the U.S. military footprint as part of an effort to topple the Islamic State capital there.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, speaking at a conference in Bahrain, said the troops would include trainers, advisers and explosives specialists.

He said the increase would better enable the United States to support allied Syrian forces now only 15 miles from Raqqa, the Syrian city where the Islamic State is expected to make a final stand.

President Barack Obamas administration has about 300 Special Operations troops in Syria. The government and its allies reportedly have mobilized some 40,000 fighters for Aleppo.
YORBA LINDA  An Orange County couple who star in HGTVs popular house-flipping show Flip or Flop said Monday they are splitting up, but added the decision is unrelated to a May incident at their Yorba Linda home in which deputies responded to a report of a possibly suicidal man with a gun.

We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution, Tarek and Christina El Moussa said in a statement to People magazine. There was no violence and no charges were filed.

On May 23, around 3:45 p.m., deputies went to the couples home after an incident involving Tarek El Moussa, according to an Orange County Sheriffs Department report.

Deputies spoke with a man working next door to the El Moussas home. The man said Christina El Moussa was crying and shaking when she told him her husband put a handgun in a backpack and ran outside, the report says.

Tarek El Moussa jumped over a backyard fence and walked northbound onto the hiking trails at Chino Hills State Park, the man reported to deputies.

Deputies requested a Sheriffs Department helicopter to search for Tarek El Moussa, who was found within minutes on a hillside, the report says. He cooperated with the officers who escorted him back to his home.

Tarek El Moussa told deputies he had no intention of hurting himself, that he went hiking in the hills to blow off some steam and took a gun for protection against mountain lions and rattlesnakes, according to the report. Christina El Moussa also told deputies her husband had never been suicidal.

The report also says Tarek El Moussa voluntarily turned over to deputies for 30 days all five guns kept at his residence.

In a statement on Monday to People, the couple said that despite the separation, family and work remain their top priorities. TMZ first reported the couples separation Monday.

During the process, we are committed to our kids and being the best parents we can be, they said. We will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together.

HGTV also said in a statement that Flip or Flop, which since 2013 has followed the El Moussas as they buy and renovate distressed properties, will continue production as scheduled.

When it comes to matters related to their own family, we respect their privacy and honor any decision that works best for them and their children, the network said.

In November, it was announced that Tarek El Moussa would join the luxury real estate firm HOM Sothebys International Realty in Newport Beach, although it wasnt immediately clear how HOM and El Moussas ventures would align. But while the El Moussas operate as a pair on the show, only Tarek is joining HOM Sothebys, HOMs publicist said in November.

In October, flipping classes featuring the El Moussas run by Zurixx LLC, an education company based in Utah, came under fire. About a dozen people interviewed by The Associated Press said while class leaders offered some instruction, a lot of time was spent pushing them to buy more classes. The El Moussas did not attend the sessions.

Register staff writer Marilyn Kalfus contributed to this report.
ISTANBUL  The Italians have a saying for it: Fuma come un turco, meaning, He smokes like a Turk.

There are actually plenty of people who smoke more than the Turks, but there are times when a visitor here may find that hard to believe.

The famous Istiklal Avenue, one of the worlds most appealing pedestrian spaces with its cobbled pavement and little red trams clacking down the middle, bells dinging, can be covered over on a crowded weekend night by an inescapably dense, mile-long cloud of secondhand smoke, hovering between the elegant, tall buildings on either side.

Along dusky alleyways in Kadikoy, the trendiest part of Istanbul, on the once less fashionable Asian side of the Bosporus, cafes typically have a few tables inside and many more outside  where smoking is allowed. On even the coldest days, the outside tables are crowded, smokers kept warm by overhead heaters and lap blankets provided at each chair.

Some restaurants go so far as to remove their outside walls, replacing them with transparent plastic sheeting, to make the entire place at least officially outdoors.

If the government has its way, however, the cafe cultures smoking days are numbered. In April it proposed a law limiting outside smoking tables to no more than 25 percent of an establishments total  almost the reverse of the present trend, at least in major cities like Istanbul.

That prospect is greeted with horror in the cafes. If theres such a law, well have to close down, said a waiter named Okan, at a hip bar in Kadikoy. (He asked that the bar not be named, as there were not only smoking scofflaws inside, but Che Guevara posters and hammer-and-sickle logos, too.) We dont want to get shut down.

Turkey has made tremendous efforts to counteract its reputation  and its smoking habit  with measures that are nearly as strict as those in any Western country, and far stricter than those found in most developing societies. It has outlawed smoking in public places, not only inside restaurants but also outside government buildings, and even banned it above decks on the innumerable ferryboats plying the Bosporus.

Turkeys nonsmoker-in-chief, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, used his growing power and popularity to push through most of these anti-smoking measures beginning in 2008. Even the cherished tradition of the nargile, or Turkish water pipe, in which flavored plugs of tobacco are smoked through long tubes that cool the smoke, has faced tough legislation during his administration.

As Erdogan famously said, There can be no such freedom as the freedom to smoke, likening it to suicide. Turkeys health system even pays for drug and nicotine replacement cessation therapies, and some doctors regularly text their smoker patients to remind them of the risks. When a cigarette appears in a movie, Turkish censors either blur it or put a cartoon flower over it.

As progressive as those measures may be, they have had relatively little impact on getting Turks to cut back. The percentage of smoking Turks did initially fall in the years after the new measures, and continued to decline among young people, according to the latest government figures, from 2012. But more recent data from the Turkish Thoracic Association in 2014 show a slight increase in the percentage of smokers: 42 percent of men and 13 percent of women.

That may well be because taxation of cigarettes and tobacco products in Turkey remains substantially below the guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization. A pack of brand-name cigarettes here costs $3, compared with as much as $15 in some European countries.

Three dollars is a lot of money for people on the modest salaries paid here, although not enough to affect habits in a country where many people can remember a time when it was common to smoke inside hospitals.

Barkan Karsh, a Turkish academic consultant who works in Macedonia, said people there not only use the smokes like a Turk expression, but they also use a Turkish word for tobacco, tutun, as slang for a cigarette.

This is a bit rich, because Macedonia ranks fourth-highest among countries in per capita cigarette consumption, according to the Tobacco Atlas, published by an anti-smoking group, while Turkey is only 29th. Even Macedonians say they should change smokes like a Turk to smokes like a Macedonian, Karsh said. Somehow, it doesnt have quite the same ring.

Actually its kind of an urban legend that Turks smoke so much, Gokhan Bicici, a local journalist, said. Especially younger people are smoking much less.

He has a point. The Tobacco Atlas maintains that some countries consume more than twice as many cigarettes per person as Turkey, among them Montenegro (the world leader with 4,124 cigarettes consumed per adult annually), Belarus and Lebanon. Macedonia and Russia are nearly as bad.
Two Senate Republicans joined demands for a bipartisan probe into Russias suspected election interference allegedly designed to bolster Donald Trump as questions continue to mount about the president-elects expected decision to nominate a secretary of state candidate with close ties to Russia.

Sens. Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C., and John McCain, R-Ariz.,  the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee  joined calls by incoming Senate Democratic leader Charles E. Schumer of New York and Armed Services ranking Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island for a thorough, bipartisan investigation of Russian influence in the U.S. elections. Their statement came two days after the CIAs private conclusion that Russias activities were intended to tip the scales to help Trump.

President-elect Donald Trump said he does not believe the CIAs conclusion that Russia intervened in the election to help him win, attributing the assessment to Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton and claiming repeatedly that the U.S. intelligence community has no idea what might have happened.

I think its ridiculous, Trump said in an interview with Fox News Sunday, his first Sunday show appearance since the election. I think its just another excuse. I dont believe it  No, I dont believe it at all.

Trump also denied the importance of receiving the daily intelligence briefing that is traditional for presidents and presidents-elect. He has received the briefings only sporadically since winning the election.

I get it when I need it, he said. Im, like, a smart person. I dont have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years.

He said his vice president, Mike Pence, would receive the daily briefing.

Trumps comments go against the conclusion of the CIA that individuals with connections to the Russian government provided WikiLeaks with thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others to boost Trumps chances.

Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American, the four senators said in a statement on Sunday morning. Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks.

It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russias goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected, a senior U.S. official briefed on an intelligence presentation made to U.S. senators told The Washington Post on Friday. Thats the consensus view.

Trump openly mocked the report Friday evening, suggesting the CIA had discredited itself by producing faulty assessments of Iraqs weapons stockpile during the George W. Bush administration. These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, he said in a statement.

The latest comments appear destined to raise existing tensions between Trump and the intelligence community, already wondering how it will function under Trumps administration given the president-elects skepticism of their expertise and disinterest in receiving daily briefings.

Trump declined to confirm who he will name secretary of state, but lavished praise on his expected pick, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, calling him a world-class player and even alluding to Tillersons ties to Russia, which are a source of concern for hawkish Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Hes in charge of an oil company thats pretty much double the size of his next serious competitor, Trump said of Tillerson. Its been a company thats been unbelievably managed. And to me, a great advantage is he knows many of the players, and he knows them well. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company.

Secretary of state is the most powerful cabinet position that remains unfilled by Trump roughly a month after the election. For weeks, Trump has interviewed candidates, including former Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and deliberated about the decision.

Trump suggested he will keep a stake in his business as president, a possibility that has raised questions among ethics experts, and cast doubt on the idea that making deals for his company from the White House would represent a conflict-of-interest.

Trump is scheduled to give a news conference on Thursday to discuss how he will pass the reins of the Trump Organization to his three eldest children. Theyre not making deals either, for my company, he said.

The New York Times contributed to this report.
The MEGA shopping center in Krasnoyarsk has become the first in Russia, and probably the world, to have its very own church, where busy shoppers can drop by and pray, take confession or simply get in touch with their spiritual side.

It all started in spring of this year, when the shopping center management reached out to Archpriest Georgy Kozgov, asking for the spiritual nourishment of security guards and visitors. To make his job easier, they even offered him a room within the shopping center where he would regularly perform Confession and Communion, or have spiritual conversations with guards and shoppers. But as more and more people learned about the Father Kozgov and asked to see him, it soon became clear that the small room he had been operating out of was just too small for the huge demand of spiritual guidance.

Vladimir Skvortsov, manager of the security guard firm under contract with the MEGA shopping center was the one who approached management about offering Archpriest Kozgov a bigger space where he could conduct even more religious services and cater to more people. And thats how the unusual shopping center church of Krasnoyarsk was born. It is located on the fourth floor of the MEGA center and is equipped with just about anything a Christian Orthodox church needs, including a sanctuary, hand-painted icons, wooden benches for visitors, as well as church tools made by prison inmates.

There are no churches in this area of the city, and in our team, as everywhere else, there are people in need of spiritual guidance, said Vladimir Skvortsov, manager of the centers security guard firm.

There are many people in need of spiritual guidance. After all, where there is trade, there is always a lot of negativity, Father Kozgov added. And now there is a place where everyone can be cleansed spiritually.Everyone who has come to my church has been very pleased.

Divine Liturgy is performed at the church every Saturday morning, if you happen to be in the area, and feel like taking a spiritual break from weekend shopping.

Sources: Varlamov, Primechanyia
Cell is a 2016 horror movie about cell phones based on a Stephen King novel that may focus more public attention on the ubiquitous but dangerous devices.

Gaining government or school notice of the issue has been almost impossible thus far. Cell, starring John Cusack and Samuel Jackson, is now available in video on demand.

Cecelia Doucette and Keith Marciniak of Ashland, Mass., who have created a five-part video series on the dangers of pulsed microwave radiation, say they got nowhere with school and public officials when they sought recognition of the problem.

They told us they cant go backwards on Wi-Fi and that children must have a 21st-century classroom and all the most modern tools, says Doucette. She was thrown for a bit of a loop when she made a presentation to a school committee that included very smart peopletechnologists, teachers, professionals, etc., and got rebuffed. Her remarks are at the nine-minute mark of the first video.



Doucette recommends Reset Your Child's Brain by Victoria Dunckley, M.D., psychiatrist at the Centre for Life, West Los Angeles.

It is subtitled: "A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time."

Dunckley says increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed with psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, Tourettes, autism, depression and bipolar disorder. Other children have no formal diagnosis, yet seem out of control or stuck in terms of development. At the same time, more children are being prescribed psych meds, requiring special education, or receiving speech or occupational therapy. Disability benefits for mental and neurological disorders now dwarf every other disability category.

She believes such trends are linked to the daily barrage of stimulating screen-time on the sensitive nervous system of growing children. She urges parents to understand the science behind her conclusions.

Female Eggs, Male Sperm at Risk

Especially at risk because of the DNA-changing radiation are male sperm and female eggs, says Doucette. Research has shown a decline in sperm count and sperm motility after only four hours of exposure to cellphone radiation, she said.

Males can produce sperm throughout their adult lives but females only have the limited amount of eggs they are born with, she noted. Ask Alice explains the nature of sperm and female eggs:

Unlike sperm, which are produced daily throughout a lifetime, human eggs are finite and found in the two ovaries. Ovaries, at birth, contain about one to two million immature eggs, or follicles.

Over a lifetime, most follicles will die through a process known as atresia. Atresia begins at birth and continues throughout the course of the reproductive life. When puberty is reached and menstruation begins, only about 400,000 follicles remain."

With each menstrual cycle, a thousand follicles are lost and only one will mature into an ovum (egg), which is released into the fallopian tube, kicking off ovulation. That means that of the one to two million follicles, only about 400 will ever mature. Relatively little or no follicles remain at menopause, which usually begins between 48 to 55 years of age.

Cellphones Produce Zombies

Cell, based on a 2006 book by King, tells how people are driven insane when they use their cellphones. An alien force takes over their minds and in some cases, instructs them to kill anyone nearby. In other cases, they are ordered to march in groups toward certain destinations.

The plot follows three people lucky enough not to have used their cellphonestwo males and a 15-year-old girl.

They head north from Boston towards a town in New Hampshire where Clayton Riddell, played by Cusack, hopes to find his son alive at a school. Jackson plays Tom McCourt and Isabelle Fuhrman plays Alice.

Thousands of infected people are observed walking in groups and the trio theorizes that some kind of force is directing them by having access to their minds.

Stacey Keach plays Charles Ardai, headmaster of the Gaiten Academy in N.H., who says of cellphones: I never liked the things, especially in an academic environment. I might have moved to keep them out of the school but would have been overruled. Might as well try to legislate against the rising of the tidethey emit radiation, are you aware of this? In minuscule amounts, its true, but stilla source of radiation that close to ones headones brain
The Syrian authorities are fully controlling more than 95 percent of Aleppos territory, the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria said, TASS reports.

Over the past 24 hours, the Syrian government army has liberated another three quarters in the eastern part of Aleppo from terrorists. The Syrian authorities are thus fully controlling over 95 percent of Aleppos territory, while the total area of the neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city held by militants does not exceed 10 square kilometers, the center said.



More than 100,000 civilians, including 40,000 children have left eastern Aleppo assisted by the personnel of the Russian center for reconciliation since the operation to free the city from militants began, according to the center.

A total of 2,215 militants have laid down weapons and withdrew to areas controlled by the Syrian authorities. In conformity with the Syrian presidents decisions, as many as 2,137 militants have been granted amnesty. The rest are being checked, the center said.
Kas Rigas

Kas Rigas, who was previously consumer practice group director at Publicis MSLGROUP unit in New York, has moved to APCO Worldwide , where shes been named senior director of that agencys food, consumer products and retail practice.Rigas, who joined MSLGROUP in 2013, was previously with MWW Group, where she was managing director of that agencys consumer lifestyle marketing practice in New York.

Prior to that she was a SVP at DKC Public Relations, and also held stints at Ruder Finn and Rubenstein Communications.

APCO accounted for $120 million in net fees in 2015, according to ODwyers rankings of PR firms,
Agricultural News

Secretary Vilsack Appoints Oklahomans to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of six new members and the re-appointment of five members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, including Oklahomans, Jerry McPeak of Warner and Shannon McDaniel of Durant. As a discretionary advisory committee, the Council provides recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on changes to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and other measures that would eliminate barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and ranchers.





"The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching strengthens our partnerships with tribal governments, businesses, farmers, and ranchers," Vilsack said. "Their work encourages participation of new and historically underserved agricultural producers in USDA programs, and reflects a strong intergovernmental relationship built upon shared values and inclusion."





With the addition of a representative from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Council membership is changing to better reflect the diversity of resources provided by the USDA. NRCS provides farmers, ranchers and forest managers with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land.





The Council consists of fifteen members, including four USDA officials and eleven Native American leaders and representatives. Members of the Council are appointed for two-year terms by the Secretary of Agriculture. The appointees may include: Native American (American Indian and Alaska Native) farmers or ranchers; representatives of nonprofit organizations that work with Native farmers and ranchers; civil rights professionals; educators; tribal elected leaders; senior USDA officials; and other persons the Secretary deems appropriate.





The following individuals have been appointed to the Council:





- Jerry McPeak, Farmer / Rancher and Former State Legislator, (Muscogee Creek), Warner, Okla.*



- Shannon McDaniel, Farmer / Rancher and Executive Director of Agriculture for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Durant, Okla.



- Angela Peter, Executive Director, Alaska Tribal Conservation Alliance, (Native Village of Tyonek), Tyonek, Alaska*



- Erin Shirl, Assistant Director for the Indigenous Food & Ag Initiative, University of Arkansas School of Law



- Gilbert Louis III, Firefighter and Farmer / Rancher, (Acoma Pueblo), Grants, N.M.



- Mark Wadsworth, Range Conservationist for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, (Shoshone-Bannock), Fort Hall, Idaho*



- Maggie Goode, Probation Officer and Farmer / Rancher, (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Hot Springs, Mont.



- Roselynn Yazzie, Crop Manager, Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, (Navajo Nation), Farmington, N.M.



- Sarah Vogel, Civil Rights Attorney and Former Agricultural Commissioner for North Dakota, Bismarck, N.D.*



- Sherry Crutcher, Rancher and Director of Natural Resources for the Shoshone Paiute Tribe, (Shoshone-Paiute Tribe), Owyhee, Nev.



- Tawney Brunsch, Executive Director of Lakota Funds, (Oglala Sioux), Kyle, S.D.* (*Denotes those re-appointed)





Four USDA officials are also appointed to the Council:



- Jason Weller, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service



- Val Dolcini, Administrator, Farm Service Agency



- Dr. Joe Leonard, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights



- Leslie Wheelock (Oneida), Director, Office of Tribal Relations





The Council will hold its next meeting on December 8 and 9 at the Flamingo Hotel, El Dorado room, in Las Vegas, Nev. Members of the public are invited to provide comments to the Council from 2-4 p.m. on December 8.





The Council will continue to work closely with the Office of Tribal Relations and other USDA agencies to improve the success of Native farmers and ranchers to access USDA's entire portfolio of programs to build and support their businesses.







Source - USDA













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Strong Demand Drives Positive Trends in Pork, Chicken and Beef Trade Markets for October

Mondays, Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry. This analysis is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Peel reviews the overall positive trends in meat trade markets this October for pork, chicken and beef.





"October meat trade was positive for pork, poultry and beef. Pork exports were up 9.1 percent year over year for the month leading to a year to date total up 2.0 percent. Broiler exports were up 8.1 percent in October compared to last year. Year to date broiler exports for the first ten months of the year are up 2.5 percent over one year ago. Beef exports in October were 16.9 percent above last year with year to date beef exports up 9.4 percent. Meat exports have accelerated recently with year over year July to October pork exports up 6.3 percent; broiler exports up 14.5 percent; and beef exports up 20.3 percent. Moving additional meat offshore helps to moderate growing U.S. meat supplies due to increased pork, poultry and beef production in 2016. The U.S. dollar continues strong and will continue to represent a headwind for meat exports but exports continue to grow despite this adversity.







"Beef exports are strong to most Asian markets with South Korea up 66.0 percent in October compared to last year and up 35.2 percent for the year to date. Exports to Japan were up 35.9 percent year over year in October and are up 15.9 percent for the first ten months of the year. Taiwan and Vietnam are smaller beef export markets but were up 91.3 and 71.4 percent respectively in October compared to last year. Hong Kong, however, was down 14.7 percent in October and is down 5.6 percent so far this year. In North America, beef exports to Mexico were down 12.1 percent year over year in October but remain 8.5 percent higher for the year to date so far this year. U.S beef exports to Canada in October were down 5.9 percent and contributed to an 8.0 percent year over year decrease for the first ten months of the year.







"Conversely, total beef imports continued declining in October, down 4.9 percent year over year and are down 13.1 percent for the January to October period compared to last year. After rising sharply in 2014 and 2015, beef imports from Australia were down 51.6 percent year over year in October and are down 39.4 percent so far this year compared to the same period last year. Beef imports from New Zealand were 9.0 percent lower in October than one year ago and are down 7.8 percent through October this year compared to last year. October beef imports from Mexico were up 58.3 percent over last year and are up 17.7 percent for the year to date. Beef imports from Canada are also up; increasing 27.8 percent in October over last year and up 15.6 percent for the January to October total compared to last year. Beef imports from Brazil were up 30.8 percent year over year in October. This would include the first fresh beef shipments under the new beef trade agreement between the U.S. and Brazil. For the year to date, beef imports from Brazil are down 13.4 percent from year ago levels. Just smaller than Brazil as beef import sources, beef imports from Uruguay are down 16.9 percent for the year to date while Nicaragua is up 3.4 percent so far this year over the same period in 2015.







"Total cattle imports were down 29.9 percent in October and 19.3 percent for the year to date compared to last year. This includes 9.0 percent fewer cattle from Canada and 27.1 percent less cattle from Mexico so far this year compared to the same period in 2015. More slaughter cattle have been imported from Canada including 43.0 percent more slaughter steers and heifers that more than offsets a 6.7 percent decrease in imported slaughter cows and bulls. Overall slaughter cattle imports from Canada are up 17.7 percent year over year so far this year. Feeder cattle imports from Canada are down 41.2 percent year over year through October. Mexican feeder cattle imports were down 50.5 percent year over year in October and total cattle imports from Mexico are down 27.1 percent through October compared to last year. Reduced feeder cattle imports from Canada and Mexico are providing a significant offset to the larger 2016 U.S. calf crop, thereby limiting the increase in feeder supplies in 2016."











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Tulsa's New Mayor Seeks to Foster Cooperation Between Rural and Urban Communities in Oklahoma

There was a lot of talk last Friday afternoon at the Tulsa Farm Show about residents from both rural and urban communities finding common ground. Associate Farm Director Carson Horn spoke with Tulsa's new mayor, G.T. Bynum, who attended the Rural to Urban Outreach reception at the farm show, hosted by American Farmers & Ranchers.





"It's just incredibly important that people understand - In Oklahoma where you have your urban areas and your rural areas - this is one state," Bynum said. "The fact is, what's good for rural America is good for Tulsa."





During his address at the reception, Bynum brought attention to the fact that much of Tulsa's assets are geared toward the agricultural sector including the Port of Catoosa, the country's largest inland port and distribution hub for ag products, and the city's higher education institutions that focus on innovation in the ag sector, especially rural healthcare.





"Rural Oklahoma doing well, especially in the agricultural space," Bynum said, "is incredibly important in the future growth of Tulsa."





AFR President Terry Detrick invited Mayor Bynum to attend the reception for a chance to visit with folks from the rural community. He says he is delighted with the results.





"He's very much in tune," Detrick said about the mayor. "He understands I believe and we're just thrilled to see him in the positon he's in. He took the time to come and meet with the agricultural sector and that's what it's all about for us - Rural areas and urban areas to accommodate one another. Form relationships where we can work together. And if we do that, we're going to be in good shape and we're going to see progress in Oklahoma."





Listen to more remarks by Mayor Bynum and AFR's Terry Detrick about fostering cooperation between rural and urban communities in the state, with Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below.























Listen to remarks by Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum and AFR's Terry Detrick about rural-urban cooperation

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Serbia will not join NATO or anti-Russian sanctions despite its drive to become a member of the European Union, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said Monday, Sputnik reported.

At a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Belgrade, Dacic said:

"We will not join sanctions or some other measures against Russia. And, as you know, we have no plans to join NATOas we conduct the policy of military neutrality."

The Serbian minister stressed that the country's drive to join the EU "has nothing to do with relations with Russia," and cannot be judged as an anti-Russian stance.
The UN Security Council members condemned the recent twin blasts at a Turkish stadium and expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the country's government, the Council said in a press statement, Sputnik reported.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks in the city of Istanbul, Turkey on 10 December, during which at least 38 people were killed and 155 injured, the press statement said on Sunday.

The members also expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Turkish government, according to the statement.
Holiday spirits were high for 9-year-old Johnathon Henry after a morning of assisted shopping resulted in a bundle of presents for the visually impaired youth to give to his family.

Johnathon couldnt stop smiling as he enjoyed a slice of pizza while talking about the gifts that he picked out for his four siblings and parents at the 56th annual Ruth Sokolof Christmas Shopping Party. The event, sponsored by the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children, was held Sunday at Westroads Mall.

Each child was provided with $100 in gift cards and cash to shop for presents with the help of shopping buddies. Students from local high schools tagged along with the kids to help them shop and then wrap presents.

Grace Nelson and Chandler Johnson, both seniors at Elkhorn High School, helped Johnathon and shared his enthusiasm. The volunteers stepped in for parents so the gifts would be true surprises on Christmas morning. It was both girls second year helping children shop.

Johnathon was so excited it was hard to keep up with him, Nelson said. His personality is so fun, it was a great day hanging out with him.

The party is named in honor of Ruth Sokolof, who organized the original shopping trip in 1960. Sokolofs husband, Phil Sokolof, funded the program in his wifes memory until his death eight years ago. Their daughter, Karen Sokolof Javitch, now keeps the tradition alive.

More than 140 children with visual impairments preregistered to attend, and between 250 and 300 students from surrounding school districts volunteered to help, said Nancy Flearl, the foundations board president. She said the event is heavily dependent on the volunteers.

Flearl is impressed by the volunteers patience every year. She said many of the children have secondary disabilities, making the volunteers task more challenging. However, she said that the experience the kids leave with makes all the effort worth it.

Hearing from the parents on how proud the children are of shopping on their own is amazing, Flearl said. The whole idea is to provide the children with the same experience as everyone else.

Dannielle Schultz, 14, was paired with Anna Newby, a senior at Elkhorn High. This is Dannielles third year in the program, and she picked out four gifts for her two siblings and parents.

Dannielle said her favorite part of the experience was being able to shop on her own, and said it made her feel like an individual.
DETROIT (AP)  The executive in charge of marketing the new electric Chevrolet Bolt keeps coming back to one word.

Driving an electric vehicle is just now practical, Darin Gesse says of the Bolt. He repeats practical with the same fervor that Elon Musk might say compelling.

Gesse isnt plugging style or promising to awe your neighbors like Musk and Tesla Motors. In fact, the styling of the Bolt is so ordinary the people next door may not even notice the hatchback in your driveway.

What Gesse and General Motors want consumers to see is a car that will cater to their everyday needs  commuting, shopping, transporting children and gear  all on one charge of the battery. Its the first electric to get more than 200 miles per charge (238 to be exact) and fit most buyers budgets (around $30,000, after a government tax credit). There are other things to like: gobs of interior space, a near-silent ride, no tailpipe emissions and a 6.5-second zero-to-60 time that can beat a lot of old V8 muscle cars.

The Bolt is to hit showrooms in California and Oregon this month and roll out nationwide next year. The highly anticipated Model 3, Teslas first mass-market car, is scheduled to be ready no earlier than the end of next year. While GM is proud of its head start, the company didnt even take pre-orders for the Bolt. Meanwhile, more than 300,000 people have already plunked down $1,000 to reserve the $35,000 Model 3.

For the practical Chevy buyer, weighing an electric versus a comparable gas-powered vehicle, the electrics higher price is a major consideration.

Right now, with gasoline around $2 per gallon nationwide, the numbers dont necessarily work in the Bolts favor. A rough calculation of operating costs shows it will take more than 24 years for a Bolt owner to recoup the extra cost over a comparable gas-powered Chevrolet Cruze.

Including a $7,500 tax credit, a base-model Bolt costs $29,995 including shipping. Add roughly $1,200 for a 240-volt home charging station, and that takes it to $31,195. A comparably equipped Cruze compact hatchback with automatic transmission costs $23,670 with shipping, or a difference of $7,525.

The Bolt will save a buyer $450 per year on fuel at the current average gas price of $2.13 per gallon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Also, a Cruze owner would have to change oil at least twice per year for a total of $60. But insurance is generally 15 percent to 25 percent higher for electric cars, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That erases about $200 of annual savings. So the Bolt owner is saving only about $310 per year.

Yet cost isnt the whole equation for the Bolts target buyer, highly educated people in their 40s with disposable income who are technology leaders among peers, Gesse said. The cost difference doesnt include time wasted standing at a gas pump, nor does it reflect that electric cars are better for the environment, he said.

The environment is important to Josh Liss, 30, a security analyst from near Princeton, New Jersey, who doesnt care so much about operating costs. Hes got solar panels on his house to generate electricity and would be willing to trade his Ford C-Max plug-in hybrid in for a Bolt with the right deal.

But Liss personifies a major challenge for GM. The Bolts pedestrian looks give him pause. If he gets one, he says, it only would be a stopgap car until he can buy a Model 3.

I think they have enough of the technical bells and whistles and the cool factor to hold me over a couple of years, Liss said of the Bolt. If GM can give the Bolt a sportier, sexier look with more luxury, the company would have far better chances of attracting the (waiting) lines that Tesla has.

While the Bolt wont have advanced features such as Teslas Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system  an extra charge in the Model 3  its no tech slouch. It comes with a 10.2-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate smartphones. And automatic emergency braking, lane centering and front pedestrian detection and braking are available.

Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports director of automotive testing, said the Bolt is great to drive and has lots of space, but he agrees with Liss that it lacks the Model 3s sleek appeal. Fisher says theres a tug-of-war between designers and pragmatic engineers at every automaker. The Bolt strikes me as a car where the engineers won every battle, he said.

Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
President Business hes not. Legos chief executive, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, bears little resemblance to the uptight Lego Movie CEO character whose alter ego is a tyrant.

Knudstorp was once a kindergarten teacher. He talks about the importance of executives bringing their heart into making tough decisions. Employees made him a Lego mini figure in his likeness, stamped with this email address and phone number on the back, that he hands out as an amusing alternative to business cards.

But Knudstorp has been, in Lego-speak, a master builder of the companys turnaround since 2004, when as a 35-year-old he became the family-controlled companys first outside CEO. At the time, Lego was losing $1 million a day, had overextended itself into categories such as branded childrens clothing, loaded up on debt and rolled out pre-assembled toys that distanced children from the building experience.

Knudstorp set about righting Legos cash flows, selling noncore assets, making painful job cuts and repairing the companys relationship with retailers.

Most of all, he refocused the company on its core product  physical plastic bricks  using ethnographic research to add products such as the popular Lego Friends line, focused on girls. Although the company has recently seen flat sales in the U.S. that trimmed profits, revenue growth between 2005 and 2015 exploded fivefold. It is now the worlds most profitable toy company.

As Knudstorp prepares to step down  Lego announced last week it would nominate him to be chairman of the board and lead a new entity, the Lego Brand Group, which will oversee the Kristiansen familys stake  the Washington Post spoke with him about leadership lessons from his 12 years at the top of a toy turnaround.

On how he recognized that the company needed to focus on its core:

Soon after taking over, Knudstorp went on a discovery journey to understand what made Lego unique, visiting retailers to ask about what was missing, stopping at MIT for a reminder about how children learn, and spending three days at a Lego conference for adult fans in Washington, D.C.

They really inspired me to go back to the creative expression of the core product, he said. So did spending time with groups of children as they played with Lego bricks. We had a huge number of people writing to us saying how much the brand meant to them. That convinced me we could survive, and the brand would survive. We were just poor managers of the brand. How do we double down on whats so special to us? That was the creative building experience.

On making tough decisions:

Knudstorp made cuts to staffing at Lego but says he tried to connect with employees by giving them lengthy advance warning about job cuts, offering retraining and trying to be personally present throughout. We run five shifts on the factories, and once a year I would run through all the shifts, spending 40 hours meeting individually with those employees many times, he said. They were asking: What does the future look like? Of course I couldnt guarantee it. But I could show I care for them. Being honest and transparent is important for morale.

On executive bonuses at Lego:

At Lego, financial metrics make up less than a third of the weighting used in determining bonuses for executives, Knudstorp said. The remainder is based on factors such as how retail customers perform and how employees rate top managers. Do they feel engaged? Do they feel passionate? It creates a very different culture.

On one of his biggest leadership lessons:

One of the things Knudstorp said he finds most important is to say thank you for doing all the things I never told you to do. You shouldnt run a company based on what you tell employees to do. You should run it based on intention. The way I put it is that context-setting is more important than controlling. So many companies are based on controlling. You get punished based on what you dont do.

On customer service:

Knudstorp, who said he personally answers all the emails he receives, tells the story of a sick child who had been saving to buy a Lego set that was out of production. The consumer services department literally went around to all the offices in the building asking, Would you happen to have this set we no longer manufacture?  to find an unopened set. I say, Dont just do what you were told to do, do what you think is the right thing to do, because you have that mandate,  he said. And when it happens, you celebrate those stories.
Of the most popular toys this holiday season, only one pecks itself out of a plastic egg after responding to a childs touch.

If you are a parent of a young child, you may very well be aware of the Hatchimal toy. If not, imagine the scene where Richard Attenborough coaxes an infant velociraptor out of its shell in Jurassic Park. Except in lieu of a dinosaur there is inside a fluffy robot called a Penguala or an Owlicorn.

Those seeking Hatchimals have encountered empty shelves. Online, Walmart advertises the Hatchimal for $48.88 (out of stock, as of this writing). Secondary sellers hosted on Walmarts website were seeking as much as $329 per toy egg.

Spin Master, the company behind the Hatchimal, unveiled the toy in October after two years in development.

As far as we know, a toy thats able to hatch on its own hasnt been done before, head of Spin Masters robotics unit James Martin told CNN.

Hatchimals were a smashing success, outstripping Spin Masters expectations. Anton Rabie, Spin Master chief executive, said in a November investor statement that retailers reported exceptional customer response to the toys.

Industry experts heralded the toy as on par with Cabbage Patch Kids, or perhaps as the second coming of Beanie Babies. Theyre an act of God, Richard Gottlieb, Global Toy Experts chief executive, told the New York Times.

The next crop of Hatchimals will not arrive from the Chinese factories where the toys are manufactured until early 2017, according to the Spin Master website.
For 58-year-old Shakur Abdullah, getting released from prison last year after more than four decades inside came with an irony he hopes to change.

I was 17 when I went in, and so I was too young to vote, he said. Now Im definitely old enough to, but I still cant.

Thats why hes leading the charge to change Nebraska law to allow felons to vote once they complete their sentence or parole. Currently those returning citizens, as Abdullah wants them to be referred to, cant vote until two years after their sentence is complete.

Wearing his I couldnt vote today T-shirt in a room of about 10 community leaders and activists Saturday, Abdullah launched the Justus15Vote Initiative. The initiative includes an online petition on Change.org.

The meeting included a drafted bill that would remove the two-year waiting period for returning citizens wanting to vote.

And attendees discussed which senator should introduce the bill in the upcoming session.

A few attendees, including Melanie Williams-Smotherman, were concerned that the drafted bill didnt go far enough. She said she hoped the initiative would follow the examples of Maine and Vermont, which allow incarcerated felons to vote.

Omaha State Sen.-elect Justin Wayne and Abdullah encouraged the group to first work on getting the two-year wait period lifted.

We have a good shot at getting rid of this two-year requirement this year, so we need to focus on that, Wayne said.

Abdullah agreed. Though he hopes to see more changes in the future, he said this is an important first step.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, he said. We may just have to settle for this first bite being the two-year requirement.

Williams-Smotherman said shell support the initiatives plan, despite her hope for broader legislation.

Taking away the voting rights of returning citizens isnt keeping anyone safer; its not a part of rehabilitation, she said. It shouldnt be this bargaining chip  it should be a right of all citizens to have a voice.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

Four servicemen of the Turkish Armed Forces were wounded during an operation aimed to liberate the Syrian city Al-Bab from the militants of the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group, Hurriyet newspaper reported Dec. 12.

The wounded have been evacuated from Syria and hospitalized in Turkey.

On Aug. 24 morning, the Turkish Air Force, with the support of the coalition aircraft, launched an operation to liberate the city of Jarabulus from the IS militants in northern Syria, near Aleppo.

The operation was dubbed the Shield of the Euphrates.

More than 20 Turkish servicemen were killed during the Shield of the Euphrates operation in northern Syria.

Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has so far claimed over 500,000 lives.

Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The IS, YPG and PYD are the most active terrorist groups in Syria.
Foul play is suspected in the death of a man whose body was found on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, beneath the Iowa Highway 2 bridge.

The Fremont County Sheriffs Office received a call about 8:30 a.m. Sunday concerning a body that had been discovered by a group of deer hunters.

The hunters were in an area known as the Waubonsie Access Wildlife Management Area.

After arriving on the scene, deputies contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Fremont County medical examiner.

The mans identity wasnt known as of Sunday evening. Investigators have requested an autopsy and sent the body to the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny. The cause of death and identification wont be released until after the autopsy, the Sheriffs Office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fremont County Sheriffs Office at 712-374-2424.
When fellow Muslim refugees from Somalia say theyre worried about what life will be like under President-elect Donald Trump, Mohamed Hassan basically tells them: Dont worry, Americas got this.

In America, everybodys under the law, even the president, said Hassan, a self-employed interpreter who was resettled in Omaha in 2004. I tell people Fear God, dont fear anybody else. Focus on your dream. Focus on your American dream. Go to work. Go to school. Help your children get educated. 

Thats how the thousands of Somali refugees and their families in Nebraska normally go about their lives, Hassan said. But they dont know whats going to change.

Many people  though not all  in Omahas sizable refugee population, especially Muslims from Somalia, are among Americans who view the coming Trump presidency with anxiety.

Thats because of statements he made during the campaign and because of incidents of harassment and assault around the nation since Trump won the election.

Among other things, Trump as a candidate proposed a temporary ban on Muslim immigrants. He later said that position had evolved to extreme vetting of refugees from terror-prone regions, such as Syria. Trump singled out Somali refugees in a November campaign visit to Minnesota after a Somali immigrant stabbed 10 people, none fatally, in September in a mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Trump mentioned taking a hard line on immigrants from places such as Somalia again Thursday in a speech in Iowa. He hasnt yet laid out detailed proposals for changes to refugee resettlement and immigration. The Trump transition team did not respond to an email seeking comment for this article.

Nebraska led the nation over the past year in resettling the most refugees per capita, according to data released last week. The largest number of the newest arrivals came from Burma and Bhutan, with other sizable groups coming from Somalia and Syria.

Agencies that work with refugees in Omaha say they have been hearing some concerns from refugees, but not a lot.

Kathy Bigsby Moore, interim executive director of the Refugee Empowerment Center, said people havent told the staff that theyre afraid or being mistreated.

What we get is just a heightened anxiety, Moore said. If a client used to come in once a day they may come in two or three times a day now.

Women from the center who work with refugee families schoolchildren told Moore theyve seen children hunkering down in recent weeks.

That is presumably based on anxiety, not wanting to draw attention to themselves, particularly Muslim children, Moore said.

She and Faiz Rab, Lutheran Family Services public relations director, said refugees have expressed concern that their family members who are still overseas may not be able to come to the United States.

Some wonder if their own legal status will change, Rab said.

Some are asking if they should even be concerned, he said. There is concern about the unknown.

Rab said resettlement workers are telling people that at this time there are no changes to the refugee laws.

As refugees, they are authorized employment and residence as part of their refugee status, he said. In fact, refugees must apply for a green card one year after coming to the U.S.

Rab and Moore said resettlement agencies also are going through a period of uncertainty as they wait to hear the new administrations plans.

Its possible there could be no change, Moore said  but its also possible that refugee resettlement could be significantly reduced or even halted.

We are trying to quiet their (refugees) concerns and to indicate that we have not heard anything definite, Moore said. In many instances we believe that change will not be abrupt. If there is a substantial decrease (in resettlement), most of that would not be seen as occurring until the next fiscal year, October of 2017.

Neither Moore nor Rab had heard of any instances of refugees being targeted for harassment since the election. However, they said their agencies have received increased interest from individuals, community groups and churches wanting to volunteer or otherwise offering to help refugees. Rab said typically one in four families resettled by Lutheran Family Services has a sponsor. But every family brought to Lincoln in December had a community sponsor.

Omaha police did not reply to questions seeking comment on whether they had any reports of bias crimes against refugees since the election.

Hassan said he had not heard of any threats or assaults but said people in refugee families have told him that they are afraid they could be targeted at work, on the streets or at school. He has heard worries most often from women and girls who wear the traditional Muslim headscarf, the hijab. That includes Hassans own teenage daughter.

I tell them If you feel threatened, call police; the police are your friends,  Hassan said.

Hassan and several other African refugees chatting at a downtown Omaha grocery store recently took a sanguine approach, blending civics with a political savvy and skepticism that some native-born Americans might find surprising from people who came to this country as refugees.

Its clear they chew on these topics  Trumps comments about a Muslim ban, or a Muslim registry, for example  when they gather to socialize in the afternoon at the Omaha International Food Mart. But they do so with a grain of salt.

All of this stuff is kind of in the media, but myself, Im not scared right now, said Muhammad Walid, a taxi driver from Somalia who has lived in the United States for 20 years. Our people in Omaha, we havent seen any problems. We are part of the community. We make contributions, we work, we pay taxes. Especially in Omaha, I dont have any problems.

He said he pays little attention to what political candidates say during campaigns.

I dont listen to what they say, said Walid, who is Muslim and almost 70. They make promises to get elected. I believe in the Constitution, and nobody is above the law. Presidents change every four years, or eight years. The Constitution stays.

Peter Kuany said Trump sought to push voters buttons.

 Put America first, that was Donald Trumps position, said Kuany, 32, who came from South Sudan as a refugee in 2002. He talked about the border, and about Muslims invading America. You go to the psychology of people to see if you can win.

Kuany, who noted that hes Christian, graduated from Midland University in Fremont, works for an Omaha company in information technology and has a small computer sales and repair shop inside the International Food Mart. He worked for a time in then-U.S. Rep. Lee Terrys congressional district office in Omaha.

I dont feel there is any fear from Donald Trump becoming the president, Kuany said. In fact, he said Trump might prove better than Hillary Clinton would have been on foreign policy.

And hes entertaining, too, Kuany said.

Sufi Ikar, co-owner of the grocery store, said he has no concerns about anything Trump has said about refugees.

We came here legally, not illegally, said Ikar, 53, whos from Somalia. We are Muslim. We are not guests; we are citizens. We believe in the Constitution of this country. I took an oath, I raised my hand and said I will be loyal to this country, I will defend this country.

He said he and his family came to the United States from a war-torn country, seeking peace and freedom. They support the law, Ikar said, and whoever breaks the law, we are against them.

Hassan said he and other refugees are very, very proud and grateful to be able to live in the United States.

America is a good place to be, to raise kids, to work, Hassan said. America is safe. America is still great. We have a lot of opportunities that we never had in our country.

He said he loves America.

But I dont love the next president, Hassan said. Hassan worries that Trump, despite his assurances to other people, could pose a threat to civil liberties and that the president-elects remarks about Somalis and other refugee groups and Mexicans could encourage bias-based attacks.

He said he believes that Trump branded American Muslims from Somalia as terrorists when in fact he and his fellow refugees despise terrorist groups such as al-Shabab and the Islamic State as criminals.

Our main concern is Why are we targeted? What have we done?  Hassan said. We are here to be successful, to get jobs, get education, put our children in the military, have them become doctors and lawyers.

Nine days after the election, 40-year-old Bashir Mohamed Aden arrived in Omaha with his wife and their five children. It was a dream come true. He had fled for his life from his native Somalia in 2006, threatened by armed al-Shabab terrorists or other militants; he wasnt sure who they were.

The family lived in refugee camps in Kenya for 10 years before receiving word that they may qualify to be resettled in the United States. They went through background checks and multiple long interviews with the United Nations and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a process that took several months, Aden said.

I was scared that I wouldnt be able to come, that I would not be eligible, Aden said, speaking through an interpreter because of his limited English. Then came the hoped-for word: His family was accepted to go to the United States.

People, kids in the refugee camp, when they go to sleep they dream, when they are awake, they talk about how they want to go to America, Aden said.

Thursday night, there his family was, in the living room of a Lutheran Family Services house near downtown Omaha, the children crowded around their mother in a bedroom, their father in a Huskers jacket on the living room sofa.

He is happy and grateful to be in America, he said. The election made him feel proud.

It was a democratic election, Aden said. Im proud that there is no war like in our country.

As for Trump, Aden said he supports him: He is my president.
One good gift deserves another.

Ralston resident Rita Guenette received a great addition to her living room decor as a thank-you for donating a 41-foot Christmas tree to the Durham Museum last year.

Guenette was presented with a picture of her decorated tree, framed in wood made from her Colorado blue spruce. The 8-by-10-inch frame was made by the museums staffers from one of the lower branches of the museums 2015 Christmas tree.

The gift, given during the 2016 tree-lighting ceremony over the Thanksgiving holiday, was a nice surprise, she said.

The picture immediately found a place on her living room wall as a lovely reminder of the 40-year-old tree, she said.

They told me they were doing something, but I wasnt sure what it would be, Guenette, 71, said last week. Its a wonderful picture, and the frame is just beautiful.

Its the first year that the museum staff has so honored a Christmas tree donor, said spokeswoman Jessica Brummer. Next year, Gary and Marlyss Forman of Omaha will receive a picture of the 45-foot tree they donated this year.

In past years we have just given the families part of the stump and let them do whatever they liked with it, Brummer said. We plan to continue the frame (and picture) every year going forward.

The tradition of a tree in the Durham goes back to the 1930s and the museums days as a Union Pacific train station. The station closed in 1971.

It opened as the Western Heritage Museum in 1975, and the tree tradition returned as part of Christmas at Union Station.

The pieces of the Formans tree not used for their picture frame will be ground into mulch for use in city parks.

The museums exhibit manager, Mark Howard, made Guenettes frame. He seasoned the wood for about a year and then went to work milling the material. After some sanding, he assembled the frame and applied a clear lacquer.

This idea had floated around for a year or two, and Im really glad they made the decision to do it, Howard said. Its wonderful that people will donate their trees, and Im happy we can do some things like this to thank them.

The Formans are looking forward to receiving their own picture and frame, Guenette said.

They were looking at my picture and were very excited that they will get one next year, she said.

Guenette is reminded of her tree  purchased at a grocery store in 1975 for $1.49  every morning when she opens the front door to retrieve her newspaper. A replacement tree was planted last year, but she still is getting used to the wide-open space in her front yard.

It was a real shock that first morning, because (the tree) kind of blocked the neighbors view, Guenette said. But Im glad that I did it, because everyone got to enjoy it (at the Durham). Then it was used in the parks for mulch.
A man was critically injured early Monday after the vehicle he was in caught fire on the northwest edge of Omaha.

Rescue squad personnel at the scene near North 120th and State Streets reported to Douglas County 911 dispatchers around 5:20 a.m. that the man may have slashed his wrists with a knife while inside the fiery car.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office deputies and other emergency responders put out the fire and pulled the man from the 2014 Dodge Charger.

The car was situated in a field about 800 feet north of State Street, authorities reported.

The man was taken to Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
NEW YORK (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over U.S. relations with Russia, as lawmakers seek to investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election and issue warnings over the incoming presidents potential pick for secretary of state.

Trump said Sunday the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was ridiculous, and he praised ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

But two key Senate Republicans  John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump critic  joined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlins activities during the election. And McCain, the partys 2008 presidential nominee, questioned whether Trump should nominate Tillerson, citing the executives longstanding business ties with Moscow.

Its a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin, McCain said of Tillerson. And obviously theyve done enormous deals together. In an interview with CBS Face the Nation, McCain said, That would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat.

Russia expects to figure prominently at the start of a week in which Trump is expected to name more members of his Cabinet, which also has vacancies in the departments of Energy, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs. Trump is also planning a news conference on Thursday to outline how he intends to separate himself from his sprawling business enterprise.

During his campaign, Trump weathered turbulent relations with fellow Republicans but has since forged a more united front with GOP lawmakers since his November victory over Hillary Clinton.

The CIA recently concluded with high confidence that Russia sought to influence the U.S. election on behalf of Trump, raising red flags among lawmakers concerned about the sanctity of the U.S. voting system and potentially straining relations at the start of Trumps administration.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump dismissed those concerns as little more than partisan griping. I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country. And frankly, I think theyre putting it out. And its ridiculous, Trump said.

The incoming president said he did not necessarily oppose calls from President Barack Obama for an inquiry into the 2016 campaign hacking but said it should not be solely focused on a single culprit.

If youre gonna to do that, I think you should not just say Russia. You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals, he said. The White House has said the probe would focus on any breaches by other countries along with hacking committed in previous elections.

Trumps decision-making on whom to select for secretary of state has stretched out over several weeks. He has been considering former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a one-time vocal Trump critic, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who leads the Foreign Relations Committee, and Tillerson, the oil industry executive who met twice with Trump during the past week.

In the television interview, Trump pointed to Tillersons deep relations with Moscow as a selling point. As ExxonMobils head, he maintained close ties with Russia and was awarded by Putin with the Order of Friendship in 2013, an honor for a foreign citizen.

A great advantage is he knows many of the players, and he knows them well. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company, Trump said, while also citing Corker and Romney.

These are all very different types of people, he said. But when you ask me about Rex, I mean, hes a world-class player. Theres no question about it. By Sunday afternoon, Tillerson had still not been formally offered the job, according to a person with knowledge of the process who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Democrats have warned that plucking Tillerson for State would put the leader of the worlds largest oil company in a pivotal role on issues like climate change and the future of the Keystone XL pipeline. They also question whether he would apply diplomatic pressure on Russias conflict with Ukraine.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said the developments raise serious questions about whether the incoming administration will adequately stand up to Russias aggression.

The prospect of Tillerson also received a cool reception from some Republican members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would consider his nomination.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the GOP nomination, wrote on Twitter, Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a (hashtag)SecretaryOfState.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he would reserve judgment. The committee also includes Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a Trump detractor during the campaign.

Russias influence has also been seized upon by a small group of Democratic electors who call themselves the Hamilton Electors and are trying to persuade electors to back another Republican because they contend Trump is unfit to be president.

Trump won 306 electoral votes in the election, a comfortable margin to make him the next president when the electoral college meets Dec. 19. But the Hamilton Electors want the CIA and FBI to provide more details on Russias influence before that date.

We believe that we should do our job faithfully as electors and not just rubber stamp the election, said Michael Baca, a Democratic elector from Colorado who co-founded the group.

Copyright 2016, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Melissa Brown, 41, of Grand Island was the driver of a 2001 Ford Expedition that was eastbound on Husker Highway when it was hit by a 2008 Kia minivan being driven south on Engleman Road by Sheri Jindra, 35, of Lincoln, Police Capt. Jim Duering said.
China, Australia Agree to Open Aviation Sectors to Each Other

A Boeing 737 of Xiamen Airlines is parked at Dalian Airport. (Photo : Getty Images)

China and Australia have agreed to remove all capacity restrictions for the airlines of each country, including traffic rights and code share arrangements.



This agreement will allow the airlines of both countries to service destinations between and beyond China and Australia and to take advantage of cooperative arrangements with commercial partners, said Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester.



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There is an increase of direct flights between the two countries in recent months. In November, national flag carrier Air China started service between Chengdu and Sydney, while China Southern Airline will begin service between Guangzhou and Adelaide in December.



Meanwhile, Australia's Qantas will relaunch daily service from Sydney to Beijing in January.



Australian Minister Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said that the agreement provides unlimited potential for Australian tourism, which could take advantage of China's massive consumer market.



This agreement will help Australia snare a larger slice of outbound China market is predicated to double to more than 200 million travelers annually by 2020.



China is Australia's fastest-growing and highest-spending tourism export market. Over a million Chinese visited Australia in 2015-16, a 22.3 percent increase from the previous year.



According to Tourism Australia, a government agency responsible for attracting international visitors, the Chinese who visited Australia in 2015 spent $8.3 billion during their visits.



The agency's Tourism 2020 Strategy stated that tourist from China may potentially generate $13 billion in total annual expenditure by 2020.



Tourism Australia expects big opportunities not only in the primary cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but also in secondary cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Shenyang, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Wuhan.



Shopping is a favorite pastime for many Chinese who visit Australia. Last year, Chinese tourists in Australia spent an average of nearly $2,500 last year on retail therapy per trip, according to Cross Border Management (CBM), a China consultancy firm.


National recognition is well-deserved for the head of a hospital-based Omaha program that supports and treats rape victims. Anne Boatright, 32, received the transformational leadership award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

She became a sexual assault nurse examiner several years ago, after feeling inadequately prepared to help a patient who had been raped. The specialized training changed the course of Boatrights career.

Today she is coordinator of the Methodist Heidi Wilke Forensic Nurse Examiner program, which collects evidence for potential prosecutions and provides comfort and care for sex assault victims.

The program  the only forensic nursing program in the state  has grown from treating 27 cases of sexual assault in 2003 to an average of 30 cases a month. This years tally stood at 380 cases as of Dec. 5.

With 30 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, the Methodist program is staffed 24/7. Community partners include the Omaha Police Department, the Douglas County Attorneys Office and the Womens Center for Advancement.

The effort has continued to evolve under Boatrights leadership: A team of trained advocates from the WCA is now on duty full time on evenings and weekends at Methodists emergency room, an approach unheard of nationally, says Amy Richardson, WCA president and CEO, who suggested the change to Boatright.

Wilke, the rape victim who inspired the program, says Boatright has taken it to a level I never envisioned. Boatright told World-Herald columnist Michael Kelly, Im grateful to work at a place where people support your passion and your dreams and never take the wind out of your sails.

With rape reports on the rise, Omaha is fortunate to have this program that gives victims skilled treatment, support and a sympathetic ear.
When Donald Trump becomes president next month, he will inherit a long war that risks becoming a permanent one.

George W. Bush began it after 9/11, when he called it the war on terror. Barack Obama has tried and failed to end it. Democracies should not operate in a state of permanently authorized war, he warned last week in his last major national security speech.

In this spirit, he laid out a series of principles he believed should guide Americas counterterrorism efforts.

For the most part they make good sense: Keep the war lawful. Keep the threat in perspective. Drone strikes are the least worst option for taking terrorists off the battlefield. That kind of thing.

But when it comes to understanding the aims of the enemy, Obama makes the same mistake as his predecessor. The whole objective of these terrorists is to scare us into changing the nature of who we are and our democracy, he said last week. This is the presidents version of George W. Bushs they hate us for our freedoms.

On this point, Trump has an opening. The truth is that the Islamic State, al-Qaida and other jihadis do not hate us just because of our freedom. These groups want to force the non-Muslim world  what they call the Dar al-Harb, or the house of war  to submit to Islamic rule. Jihadis seek conquest.

Trump doesnt know a lot about foreign policy. But he does understand this. Obama and Bush do, as well. But they also deliberately tried to define the enemy in the long war as un-Islamic, as murderous charlatans who defame a great religion.

This was a smart strategy. Many Muslims who believe the state should penalize adultery and blasphemy oppose terrorism. Also, states like Saudi Arabia have been important tactical allies against terrorists, particularly in recent years.

Yet, ideologically, the Saudis and other Gulf states are still committed to a vision of political Islam for their own societies. An ideological war waged recklessly would alienate them.

At the same time, the impulse to narrow the definition of the enemy has ironically exacerbated the risks of permanent war.

Obama should know. He authorized the raid that killed the head of al-Qaidas snake, Osama bin Laden. After this, he tried to unwind the long war, arguing the threat had receded. And yet he leaves office with U.S. forces fighting al-Qaidas affiliates, spinoffs and fellow travelers all over the Muslim world.

For a period, Obamas narrow war led to a bizarre phenomenon. When new outfits sprang up in Libya after the fall of its dictator, waving the black flags of jihad and promising to impose strict Islamic law in their areas of control, Obamas White House did nothing.

By defining the enemy in un-ideological terms, Obama was unprepared to take on groups like Libyas Ansar al-Sharia or the Islamic State before they became powerful enough to seize territory. By trying to end the long war, Obama let threats gather and prolonged it.

There is of course a risk in taking the ideological approach too far. If, say, Trump begins purges of suspected Muslim Brotherhood operatives inside the U.S., he will be trampling on constitutional protections for American citizens.

He will also be sowing the seeds of his own political ruin, because this is the kind of thing that will provoke fierce opposition from the courts, press and many in his own party.

If Trump is not careful in how he defines the threat, he risks alienating allies he will need in the fight against the terrorists.

Finally, Trump would be making a mistake if he gave leaders such as Egypts Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi a blank check.

Its true that el-Sissi has called for a reformation within Islam, which is much needed. But he has also failed to distinguish between his legitimate political opposition and the radicals that briefly thrived in his country after the revolution.

But Trump nonetheless has an opportunity. He can, for example, make it clear that America will be a safe haven for anyone in the Muslim world facing persecution from radicals, whether they are marked as blasphemers or from minority faiths such as Coptic Christians.

Trump can also align more closely with leaders like Abu Dhabis Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to build a quiet and professional counter-terrorism capability for the region.

Trump could also use Americas influence in Iraq and Afghanistan to encourage secular and reformist politicians, instead of embracing, as both Bush and Obama did, any confessional parties that also gave lip service to opposing terrorism. He could use the bully pulpit to encourage Western civil societies to adopt newspaper editors, lawyers, human rights activists and others under threat from radicals in their own faith.

Meanwhile, Trump could wind down what remains of Obamas first-term agenda to build bridges to Muslim Brotherhood parties that have shown no real interest, with the exception of Tunisia, of accepting pluralism.

There are risks in embracing an ideological war against radical Islam, as opposed to a long war against terrorists. But it has the advantage of defining conditions for victory.

The long war will end when Islamic fascism is defeated and discredited. Whats more, Trump can set America on this path without engaging in the cycle of regime change and nation-building he has explicitly rejected.

Not a bad plan for a guy who keeps asking why America doesnt win anymore.
The author is the executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute.

Its troubling that some want to address Nebraskas budget shortfall strictly through budget cuts. Or that some suggest that a Taxpayer Bill of Rights would prevent future budget shortfalls, when in reality its a policy that created a recession in Colorado, prompting 29 other states to reject it.

These sentiments ignore the fact that our state lawmakers are still working to repair serious damage caused by prior budget cuts and that Nebraska voters have twice rejected a Taxpayer Bill of Rights because of the harm this rigid and arbitrary spending formula would cause.

The reality is that in addition to our growing budget gap, our leaders must address serious issues that stem from cuts made to corrections and K-12 education.

In 2011, the state reduced corrections investments, including cuts in security systems and operations, parole officers and probation operations. These cuts contributed to highly publicized problems such as corrections workers being assaulted, prisoners being released before they were ready and a major prison riot that left two inmates dead.

During the Great Recession, an influx of federal stimulus dollars allowed the state to reduce its share of K-12 funding without significantly cutting K-12 funding overall.

However, after the recession, the state did not bring its share of K-12 support back to pre-recession levels, causing local property taxpayers to have to pick up a larger share of the K-12 funding bill. Nebraska presently ranks second nationally in terms of reliance on property taxes to fund K-12. This high reliance on property taxes is a sore spot in rural and urban areas, and there is certainly not an easy fix.

Regarding the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Nebraskans rejected ballot measures to enact this dangerous policy in 1998 and 2006 because it would harm funding for schools and force either property tax increases or cuts to needed services.

Similar consequences would be probable should Nebraska enact such a measure today.

While cutting our way through our current budget scenario would likely lead to more harmful consequences, there are steps lawmakers can take to address our budget shortfall while avoiding similar pitfalls.

Nebraska lawmakers in recent years have incorporated a more evidence-based approach to budget decisions, and our current budget scenario presents an opportunity to double-down on these efforts. Basing funding decisions on a program or policys effectiveness and return on investment would help ensure we get the most mileage from tax dollars and benefit for residents.

Lawmakers also could examine the tax incentives and tax breaks we provide to make sure they truly benefit the state. A recent audit found that the states main business subsidy program  the Nebraska Advantage Act  costs the state significantly more than expected. The price of adding a single full-time job ranged from $24,500 to $320,000.

An examination of this program as well as other tax breaks and loopholes, many of which also appear to cost more than expected, can help determine whether these programs are a good use of taxpayer resources.

Legislators also could explore modernizing our sales tax, which was enacted in the 1960s when our economy was goods-based. Our economy is now more service-oriented, but our sales tax still excludes many services from taxation, creating inconsistencies within our tax code.

And while Nebraskans are legally required to remit sales and use tax for online purchases through their income tax returns, compliance is extremely low, leaving millions of dollars uncollected. Furthermore, our states brick-and-mortar retailers are competing with online retailers who dont have to collect a sales tax.

Exploring ways to modernize the sales tax could help address our budget challenges, eliminate inconsistencies and help level the playing field for Nebraskas retailers.

Lawmakers will face pressure to cut our way out of our budget problems or to pursue gimmicks rather than real solutions. We have, however, been down that path before and know it can lead to major problems later. Nebraska will benefit by following a different path this time around.
An unfair comparison

Did Dec. 4 Public Pulse writer Marylyn Felion (Popularity doesnt equal morality) really equate the execution of convicted murderers to the killing of millions of innocent Jewish people in Nazi Germany? When she stated that we wouldnt have accepted the death of millions of Jews even if the people had voted for it, she equates the death penalty to genocide. She is comparing apples to oranges.

Now if she wants to compare the Holocaust to abortion, she would be right on target.

Charles Martin, Papillion

Majority doesnt equal right

Im inclined to agree with Dec. 4 Pulse writer Marylyn Felion regarding the death penalty. I remember taking philosophy in college, and we were taught that the majority is not necessarily right.

Plato often grappled with that thought. He referred to what in modern times is called democracy as mob rule.

Precisely. Thats why our country is not that type of government. We are a representative republic. Democracy is a system of majority rule, which excludes the opinions of those not in the majority. And, for that reason, I agree with the thesis of Plato.

So, being the smart student of philosophy (as I was), I just know that Felion would be more than willing to apply that same reasoning to the Electoral College, right? Or should California really decide what is best for an entire nation?

Mel B. Shelnutt, Clarinda, Iowa

The voice of the majority was silenced

Dec. 8 Public Pulse writer Scott Bray says America is a republic, not a democracy. The election of 2008 surely proves that.

Nebraska does not exert any influence on the outcome because it nearly always votes Republican. Because of the Electoral College, Most Democratic presidential candidates dont want to waste their time coming here, and Republicans know they dont need to. Thats not power.

The election of a president should be the one event where all of us can make our choice known. In my high school civics class, we learned rule of the majority, rights of the minority. I am one of the more than 2 million voters in the last election whose wishes were trampled on by the Electoral College. The rule of the majority was thwarted when the winner of the popular vote lost. In any other country, this would be considered a scandal.

We may well be a representative republic, but states are not sovereign entities. Nebraska could be dissolved by Congress tomorrow and its inhabitants allotted to South Dakota or Iowa.

Its time to move away from 18th century distrust of the people and give us all our rights.

Robert G. Davis, Omaha

The rest of Obamas record

Dec. 1 Public Pulse writer Russell L. Graham told readers of President Barack Obamas wonderful eight years in Washington and all of the things hes done for the country.

I think he missed a couple of things.

Graham said Obama reformed health care, but he neglected to tell us that, when Obama provided 95 percent of the population with access to health care, we had to pay for it.

Graham said Obama negotiated an $858 billion tax cut in 2010 but neglected to tell us Washington didnt have the money to pay for it.

Obama did give the order that led to the death of Osama bin Laden, but he didnt do any heavy lifting in the operation. Maybe we should give the men on the ground a little praise.

He worked to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but he didnt do a very good job because we are still there.

I would add that when Obama took office, our national debt was $10.7 trillion. When he leaves, it will be nearly double that.

D. Mark ONeill, Omaha

Registry of any citizens is un-American

I recently wrote to Nebraskas U.S. senators, Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer, to express my concern over a possible Muslim registry.

I have been a teacher for 22 years in Nebraska and have had the opportunity to learn about our world through my students, some of whom come from Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Many have experienced poverty, corruption, war and violence. My students understand how exceptional our country is and are so appreciative to be living here. Having the opportunity to achieve the American dream, as our ancestors did, we proudly stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance together daily.

The idea of a registry goes against our Nebraska Nice motto and is certainly too reminiscent of Germany during World War II, when Nazis registered Jews and when President Franklin Roosevelt established internment camps for Japanese-Americans.

I unequivocally oppose registering any American on the basis of their religion.

Krista Anderson, Fremont, Neb.

Bacon spending money we dont have

Rep.-elect Don Bacon is looking for carpet and drapes for his new office (Bacon joins in freshmen rite of passage: landing an office space, Dec. 2 World-Herald). I am rather surprised his fiscally conservative campaign rhetoric has so quickly fallen by the wayside.

We are broke, and, as my fellow Nebraskans know, when you are broke you make do with what you have.

James Felker, Omaha

Washington mastered political spin

Michael Gerson recommended three texts for President-elect Donald Trump to read and ponder, and presumably to emulate (Three books for Trumps reading list, Dec. 8 World-Herald). Included was George Washingtons Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, in which Washington reassures Jews as follows: It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights . . .

Washington goes on to say the Government of the United States . . . gives no sanction to bigotry and no assistance to persecution.

At the time, Washington owned hundreds of slaves, and the U.S. Constitution counted said slaves as three-fifths of a person.

Obviously, Washington was saying whatever was expedient, whatever he thought was best to say to sway the populace. Trump has been doing that steadily at least the past 15 months, probably his entire adult life.

Granville Welch, Omaha

Valuing a dogs life more than a childs

Nathan C. Mayer was wrong in the brutal beating and stabbing of Shoes, a German shepherd (Man faces prison in dogs fatal stabbing, beating, Dec. 3 World-Herald). His sentence of 18 months in prison is probably fair, but it highlights a sickening oxymoron in our American culture.

A man can be put in prison for 18 months for killing a dog, but there is no penalty for an abortion. How can we reconcile this? It makes no sense.

God help us to make better laws and statutes because this is fundamentally wrong.

James Moeller, Omaha

An annoying holiday ringing

At this time of the year, the phone will be ringing with calls from solicitors. However, when a phone number is on the do not call list, it should be honored by everyone. And many callers do not show a return number on the caller ID. Are they legitimate or a scam?

Some causes just wont listen when you tell them you cant afford to help. They are persistent, belligerent and insulting.

Do we have to take our phone off the hook in order to have peace? That just might happen with us.

Robert Fonfara, Omaha

Climate change is a bipartisan issue

I must disagree with Andrew L. Sullivans Dec.7 Public Pulse letter, Mistakes Democrats made, which uses opposition to regulation (banning coal, as he put it) to imply voters believe there is something dubious about man-made climate theory. In fact, far more actual Republicans want action on climate than Republican leadership reflects. The same is true for Democrats. The U.S. military characterizes climate change as a threat multiplier.

Carbon fee and dividend is an approach that harnesses the creativity of entrepreneurs and the power of market forces to help America through the transition to abundant renewable energy. This is a solution that can be considered by the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in Congress. Rep.-elect Don Bacon expressed his intention to join this caucus at an Omaha Together One Community meeting before the election.

There is no reason to abandon the climate issue to Democrats when conservative solutions can be found.

Alan Vovolka, Omaha

Put that gingerbread to a good use

Even though the Dec. 6 World-Herald article about the gingerbread creation at Magnolia Hotel states that it is mostly edible, I wonder how much, if any, will actually be eaten. Does anyone besides me view this as a terrible waste of food?

Kay Gleason, Kearney, Neb.
Karnataka government suspends officer accused of helping Janardhana Reddy

Bengaluru

oi-Anusha

By Anusha Ravi

Bengaluru, Dec 12: The Karnataka government on Monday suspended KAS officer Bheema Naik. The special land acquisition officer was arrested for abetment to suicide after his driver committed suicide accusing him of corruption.

Also read: 'Reddy laundered black money' alleges Karnataka driver in suicide note

The government has also ordered for a departmental inquiry against Bheema Naik. The inquiry will prove allegations of corruption made against the KAS officer as well as his role in abetting his driver's suicide.

Bheema Naik's personal driver, Ramesh, had committed suicide and had left behind a note holding the KAS officer responsible for his death.

The officer was also accused of helping Janardhana Reddy convert old demonetised notes with legal tender for his daughter's wedding.

Bheema Naik and his official driver Muhammed were arrested on Sunday in a joint operation by the Mandya and Kalburgi police. Officials from the CID are said to have questioned the duo in a guest house in Mandya on Monday.

Oneindia news
Who will step into Jayalalithaa's shoes: A friend or family?

Chennai

oi-Anusha

The fight for Jayalalithaa's legacy is getting bitter in Tamil Nadu. On one hand the AIADMK is pushing Sasikala to lead the party and on the other, Jayalalithaa's niece, Deepa Jayakumar is hell bent upon fighting for her late aunt's legacy.

Sasikala's association with Jayalalithaa has been a long standing one. The AIADMK cadres addressing her as 'Chinnamma' clearly indicates their intent is to make her the next leader after 'Amma'. The cadres believe that she has been exposed the most to Jayalalithaa's administrative qualities. Whereas, Deepa's striking resemblance to her aunt Jayalalithaa hasn't gone unnoticed. A journalist, Deepa hasn't shied away from claiming that she will lead the party if that is asked of her. While the party wants Sasikala to lead them in the path of Amma, there have been many cadres who have asked Deepa to take Jayalalithaa's place.

Sasikala has been expelled from the party in the past for alleged conspiracy and anti party activities. This has raised several questions among a select few in the party. Others are raising questions

about Deepa's claim to legacy considering the rifts her family has had with Jayalalithaa.

[Also Read: Sasikala should lead AIADMK: TN CM]

While Sasikala has not officially announced her decision on whether she would lead the party or not,Deepa has stated that she will fight for her position in the party as well as Jayalalithaa's property. In multiple interviews she has given to media outlets, Deepa has made her intent to take forward Jayalalithaa's legacy. Questioned about her lack of proximity to Jayalalithaa, she has alleged that despite multiple attempts to meet Jayalalithaa in the recent past, she was never allowed to do so. She even claimed that the distance was a manufactured one. Deepa has minced no words in registering her opposition to Sasikala taking over the reigns of the party.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, December 12, 2016, 13:14 [IST]
Fact Check: Rishi Sunak never said India needs a PM like Manmohan Singh

AgustaWestland: CBI likely to question former PM Manmohan Singh

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Dec 12: Investigators probing the AgustaWestland chopper deal are likely to question former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and others.

The CBI says that it would like to seek some clarifications from Dr Singh.

The CBI is also likely to question former officials in then Prime Minister's Office.

On Saturday, former Air Chief, S P Tyagi had told a court that the then Prime Minister's Office was in the know of changes in specifications for the purchase of the VVIP choppers.

Tyagi and two others had been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday.

[Also Read: Tyagi's arrest unfortunate, dents our reputation: IAF Chief]

All three were remanded in CBI custody till December 14.

Tyagi was accused of reducing the ceiling height to facilitate the deal.

Under the scanner:

An official with the Central Bureau of Investigation said that they will be sourcing records from the PMO to ascertain details regarding the deal.

We are trying to find out who had leaked information which in turn facilitated the chopper deal.

The CBI is also planning on questioning several others who were part of the government and were in the know of the Rs 3,600 crore deal.

The officer said that the statements made by Tyagi in court are being considered seriously.

Moreover we have also gone through at least 1.5 lakh documents that have come from Milan, Italy which have ample information.

The papers clearly show who was involved in the deal, the officer also said.

On Saturday the CBI's counsel had told the court that Tyagi had given a step by step progress of the case to European middlemen Guido Haschke in connection with the AgustaWestland case.

While seeking Tyagi's custody, the CBI further stated that the latest Letter Rogatory from Mauritius and Italy have startling details which cannot be shared now.

During the court proceedings on Saturday.

Tyagi had said that changing the specifications was not his decision alone.

It was in 2003 that the PMO had told the Air Chief to get involved in the procurement of the VVIP choppers.

It was during a 2005 meeting that the changes in requirements were suggested, Tyagi also said.

The CBI had earlier recorded the statements of M K Narayan who was the National Security Advisor, B V Wanchoo, the former head of the Special Protection Group and E S L Narasimhan, the former Intelligence Bureau Chief.

All these persons are said to have been part of the 2005 meeting in which the change in specifications were suggested.

OneIndia News
Don't tamper with Nalanda University's autonomy: Nitish to Centre

India

oi-PTI

Patna, Dec 12: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has written to Union minister Sushma Swaraj, expressing disappointment at the resignation of Nalanda University Chancellor George Yeo over the Centre's "intervention in the functioning of the institution" and urging the NDA government not to "tamper with the essence behind the idea of Nalanda".

In his strong-worded two-page letter to Swaraj, he said the Chancellor alleged that "he was not taken into confidence on the decision to dissolve the previous governing board or constitute a new one".

"Yoe has reportedly resigned from his post citing central government's interventions as affecting the autonomy of the institution. He has emphasised that he was not taken into confidence on the decision to dissolve the previous governing board or constitute a new one," Kumar said in the letter, a copy of which was made available to the media last night.

He went on to say that "the fact that an important decision was taken without consulting the Chancellor of the university is disturbing and raises questions about the autonomous nature of the university".

Kumar, the prime mover behind the idea of reviving ancient glory of Nalanda University and conceptualising establishment of Nalanda International University, also questioned the constitution of new governing body by the Centre "when no amendment in the Nalanda University Act, 2010 has taken place".

The amendment in the Central Act was proposed after it came to light that there were flaws in provisions related to formulation of the governing body, he said. "All the stakeholders are worried about the direction in which this University is headed.

"Under the circumstances, it is requested that the Central government should not tamper with the essence behind the 'idea of Nalanda'.

Its importance that dignity should be kept in perspective while furthering the activities of the University," he said. The university will flourish only if the academic autonomy and continuity is allowed and maintained, Kumar said, adding his government will continue to support the varsity.

PTI
Praises and brickbats for Mamata Banerjee's video playing drums in Chennai

High alert as Cyclone Vardah likely to hit TN, AP

India

oi-Vicky

Chennai, Dec 12: There is likely to be heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore and Tamil Naidu's Chennai as the cyclonic storm Varadha is set to make a land on Monday afternoon.

The Cyclone Warning Centre or the CWC, Vishakapatanam says that the cyclonic storm lay centred at around 390km south-east of Nellore and 330km east of Chennai by Sunday evening.

The CWC bulletin said, It is very likely to move westwards and move towards north Tamil Nadu and South Andhra coasts, before making a landfall at south Andhra coast close to Chennai by Monday afternoon.

Heavy rain are expected along the south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema region.

Moderate rainfall is expected at Prakasam, Guntur and Anantpur.

Gale winds with speeds reaching 90 kilometres per hour would hit Andhra Pradesh in Prakasam, Nellore and Tamil Nadu.

Strong surface wings from north-easterly direction with speed reaching up to 50 to 60 kmph would be there along north coastal Andhra.

On high alert:

The Indian Navy Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and state machineries of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are on high alert to carry out relief operations.

A statement by the navy read that there is a high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance.

All operational ships have been readied and kept on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation, should the situation demand, the statement also read.

The administrations of both states too are on very high alert. In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister, O Paneerselvam held a review meeting with the disaster management authority.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled his Gulf trip and held a teleconference with officials in the coastal districts.

The Tamil Nadu government has issued an advisory directing all schools and colleges in Chennai to remain closed.

The advisory also recommends that private companies employees stay home.

OneIndia News
Suspicious bird with rings on its legs caught near India-Pakistan border

I-T dept seizes Rs 1.56 crore from cooperative bank in Jaipur

India

oi-PTI

Jaipur, Dec 12: The Income Tax department here has seized Rs 1.56 crore, including Rs 1.38 crore in 2,000 rupee notes, from a cooperative bank in the city.

Following complaints of irregularities in exchange of notes, the IT department conducted a raid at the Integral Urban Cooperative bank yesterday. "Total cash of Rs 1.56 crore, including Rs 1.38 crore in new Rs 2000 notes, was seized from the bank," an income tax official said here today.

As per the initial probe, the stakeholders of the bank were replacing their unaccounted income with new notes.

"Gold and silver jewellery from an anonymous locker were also seized. The locker was being operated by the owners," the officer said. Further investigation into the matter is on.

PTI
Chinese Police to Be Given Authority to Block Internet Access

Lu Wei, Chinese political leader and the senior executive official in charge of cybersecurity and Internet policy, speaks at the closing ceremony of the Second World Internet Conference last year. (Photo : Getty Images)

A proposed law will allow Chinese law enforcement officials to cut Internet access to the public in times of natural disasters, public health crises or social unrest.



The draft requires police authorities at the county level to get approval from the provincial or central governments before controlling the Internet to deal with emergency situations.



Advertisement

Furthermore, the draft will also allow county level police and above are allowed to cut Internet access at a major public gathering or state event, or "when an individual or specific target, such as a building or place, requires protection."



The draft also gives provides broader powers to officials in censoring social media discussion during crisis.



After the Tianjin explosions last year, censors expunged thousands of "dangerous" posts about the incident and punished those who "spread rumors" about the blasts and the Chinese stock market.



The Chinese public has previously been cut off from Internet access before without the help of such kind of law.



Internet access in Xinjiang was cut for 10 months during the 2009 ethnic riots that killed 197 and injured another 1,500 in 2009.



The government also blocked wireless Internet around Tiananmen Square during last year's military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.



Internet censorship in China, called "the Great Firewall of China," is mainly aimed at preventing information harmful to the Communist Party from entering the country.



There are nearly 700 million Internet users in China, the world's leader in e-commerce, which accounts for 40 percent of the global total.



China has four of the top 10 Internet companies in the world ranked by market capitalization, including Alibaba, an e-commerce giant; Tencent, which deals in social-media and gaming; and Baidu, a search specialist.



China's Internet czar, Lu Wei, claimed that China is correctly balancing between "freedom and order" and between "openness and autonomy."


From being a victim of terrorism to exploring global solutions: India praised at UN's Counter Terrorism meet

Cabinet approves MoU between India, Denmark in field of Water Resources Development and Management

Dr. Rinky Kapoor- One of the best celebrity cosmetic dermatologists

No one has guts...: Junior defence minister's reply to China question

India-Indonesia sign agreements on strengthening defence, economic ties

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Dec 12: Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, who is on a two-day visit to India, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which both countries exchanged agreements in three different fields in New Delhi on Monday.

The bilateral discussions focussed on strengthening of defence and security cooperation, improving maritime relations and combating terrorism, organised crime, drugs and human trafficking.

"The president and I also agreed to build a strong economic and development partnership that strengthens the flow of ideas, trade, capital and people," Modi said his joint address with President Widodo.

Modi said the agreements would help shape an action agenda and add new intensity to strategic engagement between the two nations.

"We agreed on importance of stimulating research on historical linkages and speeding up establishment of chairs of Indian and Indonesian studies," the prime minister added.

Referring to Indonesia as India's most important partner of the Act East Policy, Modi said both countries have a shared economic and strategic interests.

He also termed the South Asian nation's airline Garuda Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights to Mumbai.

Earlier on Monday, Widodo was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan after which he visited Mahatma Gandhi's memorial Rajghat to pay floral tributes.

Widodo earlier urged the Indian companies to work closely in the fields of IT, Pharmaceuticals and skill development. The two countries have also agreed on early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in services and investment and regional comprehensive economic partnership.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, December 12, 2016, 15:44 [IST]
Narmada could soon be counted as polluted river: Rajendra Singh

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Bhopal, Dec 12: Stockholm Water Prize winner Rajendra Singh has cautioned that if honest effort is not made to preserve the Narmada, the river will soon be counted among the polluted rivers in India.

Expressing concern over the reducing water level in the Narmada, Singh said the reduced water at the river's origin at Amarkantak is an ill omen for the future.

Singh, known as the 'Waterman of India', was in Amarkantak to participate in the Madhya Pradesh government's 'Namami Devi Narmada Seva Yatra', which started on Sunday to prevent further pollution of the river.

The well known water conservationist from Alwar district of Rajasthan told IANS that though it is a good step taken by the government, the campaign is not easy.

"The campaign will face many challenges, which will be difficult for the government to deal with. For example, in Amarkantak itself, influential people have violated rules. Whether the government will be able to deal with them is the big question," he said.

Amarkantak is a pilgrim town in Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh. The region is a meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges. The Narmada, the Son and Johila rivers originate here.

Singh said much had changed in Amarkantak which he was revisiting after 12 years.

"Violations of law have increased and the river flow has decreased. I don't understand why nothing has been done to stop these violations."

Inaugurating the campaign, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that shops and houses situated near the river will be removed and owners allotted new places to live and operate from.

Lauding Chouhan's as a "good step", Rajendra Singh said the Chief Minister had failed to comment on influential people who have encroached huge land to build 'ashrams' beside the river.

Singh said the campaign will go on for 144 days, adding that there is a tendency among the governments to start campaigns and then forget them. "I sincerely hope this will not happen with this campaign."

IANS


Bengaluru: NIA to probe RSS activist Rudresh murder case

India

oi-Vicky

Bengaluru, Dec 12: The National Investigation Agency will take up the probe into the murder of RSS activist Rudresh.

The RSS activist was murdered in October at Bengaluru following which a case was registered by the Commercial Street police station.

During the course of the probe, the police had learnt that the case had an inter-state ramification.

The police had arrested five persons including a senior leader of the Popular Front of India.

[Also Read: Did orders to kill RSS worker Rudresh come from Kerala?]

The decision to hand over the probe to the NIA came after it had been found that the case had inter-state ramifications.

While the murder was committed by locals from Bengaluru, it is suspected that orders may have come from Kerala.

The Home Minister of Karnataka, Dr. G Parameshwar had told the assembly recently that the accused in this case had links with the Indian Mujahideen, SDPI, PFI and al-Ummah.

He also said that in the past three years nine persons associated with either the BJP or RSS have been murdered.

He said that the suspects in the recent murder case of RSS worker, Rudresh are said to have links with SDPI, PFI, Indian Mujahideen and Al Ummah of Tamil Nadu.

The NIA would probe the conspiracy and also the motive behind the murder.

The BJP has been crying foul and says that the murder was a politically motivated one.

OneIndia News
Municipality alone knows why bridge work handed to firm repairing watches, says former dy CM

Rahul Gandhi to address rally in Gujarat on Dec 21

India

oi-PTI

Ahmedabad, Dec 12: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will visit Gujarat to address a public rally in Mehsana town on December 21, the Gujarat Congress announced here on Monday.

Also read: People tired of Modi's monologues: Rahul Gandhi

"Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Mehsana on December 21. This is his first visit to Gujarat after demonetisation move by the Centre. It is expected that Rahulji would take up the issue of hardships being faced by common men and various other issues concerning farmers during his rally," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.

Gandhi's visit holds significance in the wake of upcoming assembly polls in Gujarat, expected to be held in the later part of 2017.

Gandhi had earlier visited Gujarat in July this year to meet four dalit youths who were allegedly thrashed by cow vigilantes in Una town of Gir Somnath district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited his home state five times in the last five months.

PTI
Chhattisgarh: Villager killed in crossfire between security forces, Naxals

India

oi-PTI

Raipur, Dec 12: A villager was killed and another injured when they were reportedly caught in a crossfire between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Bijapur district today, police said.

The incident took place in the wee hours when joint team of CRPF's 168th battalion and district force was out on an anti-Maoist operation near Timmapur village under Basaguda police station limits, Bijapur Superintendent of Police KL Dhruv said.

Acting on inputs about the movement of rebels, security forces had launched the operation from its Timmmapur camp, around 450 kms away from here, to adjoining areas late last night, he said.

On way back close to the camp, they came under fire from ultras prompting them to retaliate. However, the exchange of fire soon stopped after rebels escaped, he added.

During searches, they spotted two men who had reportedly sustained injuries in the cross fire, in the forests. They rushed the injured to Basaguda hospital where one of them was declared brought dead, the SP said.

Man held for raping minor girl in Chhattisgarh

"The deceased was identified as Punem Nandu, a native of Timmapur," he said adding that another injured man- Kaken Suklu- a resident of the same village, was undergoing treatment at Basaguda.

However, a CRPF official claimed that the deceased and injured villager could be jan-militia members who handle the village level operations of the Maoists. "Investigation is being done to ascertain the background of both the villagers," the paramilitary official said on the condition of anonymity.

Notably, CRPF Director General K Durga Prasad is visiting Bijapur district today along with other paramilitary officials to inaugurate the newly set up camp of CRPF's 229th battalion.

PTI
AgustaWestland: After saying witness may have died, ED cites a little birdie to say he is alive

What the AgustaWestland verdict says about Sonia Gandhi

India

oi-Vicky

"Congress president Sonia Gandhi is the driving force behind this deal and she will no longer fly in the existing MI-8 choppers," is what AgustaWestland middleman James Christian had written in a letter to Peter Hulet, the then sale and liaison head of the chopper firm in India. This was quoted by the Milan court in its 225-page judgment.

[Also read: Ex-Air Chief Tyagi sent to CBI custody; Read what transpired in court]



The verdict convicted Giuseppe Orsi, the AgustaWestland boss and also went on to describe how bribes were paid to some Congress leaders. The verdict also mentions that there was lobbying involved while trying to procure the Rs 3,600 crore deal.

Sonia's name figures four times in the judgment. The name figures on pages 193 and 204. During the course of investigations, a letter, dated March 5, 2008 was seized. The exchange between Michel and Hulet mentions Sonia.

The letter, which was seized from the house of middleman, Guido Haschke adds that the British ambassador should target Sonia and her advisors. Haschke had identified all the Congress leaders when the photographs were shown to him in court. The judgment also goes on to state that a total commission of 30 million Euros (Rs 214 crore) was paid off to political leaders, the Indian bureaucracy and the Force officials.

More persons to be questioned:

Meanwhile in India, the CBI is all set to seek a clarification from former prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in connection with this case. Former Air Chief S P Tyagi,who was arrested by the CBI had told a court on Saturday that everyone was in the know of the decision to reduce the ceiling height which helped AgustaWestland bag the deal.

The CBI, which studied these documents has now decided to probe the role of a top Congressman. The agency says that the probe is based on the 225 page order of the Milan court. In addition, the agency is also studying the statements which are part of the annexures in the order.

The order mentions the names of several Congress leaders. The communication between these leaders and the middlemen is also being looked into. The Milan court's judgment makes a mention of the conversation between Haschke and middleman James Christian Michel.

The court also studied the documents that were seized from Haschke. Further investigators are also looking into the conversations between Haschke and Michel.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, December 12, 2016, 17:15 [IST]
Analysts say China should pressurise Donald Trump on "One China" policy

International

oi-PTI

Beijing, Dec 12 Chinese analysts have dismissed as "immature" Donald Trump's questioning of the relevance of continuing the "One-China" policy, saying the US President- elect's statement is "borne out of superficial knowledge" of bilateral ties and Beijing should pressurise him to stick to the status quo.

While China is yet to come out with an official reaction to Trump's remarks made in an interview to Fox news, analysts said his comments were "immature and borne out of superficial knowledge of China-US relations".

A Chinese analyst was quoted by the state-run Global Times web edition as saying that China should make Trump understand the importance and complexity of Sino-US ties and prevent him from being manipulated by some conservative forces after Trump questioned whether the US should continue its "One-China policy" unless Beijing makes concessions on trade and other issues.

In his comments, Trump said, "I do not want China dictating to me".

Recently, he had a phone conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the first by a US leader in decades, prompting a diplomatic protest from China.

"I do not know why we have to be bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump said in his interview with Fox news yesterday.

Trump said he had just a couple of hours' notice that the call was coming, not weeks or longer as has been reported. Besides trade, Trump said China was not cooperating with the US on its handling of its currency, on North Korea and its nuclear weapons, or on tensions in the disputed South China Sea where, he said, China is building "a massive fortress".

Trump said it would have been disrespectful not to take the call from Tsai, who he said wanted to congratulate him on his election win.

Li Haidong, professor at China Foreign Affairs University, attributes Trump's comments to his inexperience.

"Trump is a novice at dealing with diplomatic and international relations issues. He is inexperienced in sensitive and complicated issues except for business and trade," Li said.

"His knowledge about Sino-US relations, particularly the Taiwan question, is very superficial, which gives him the nerve to say whatever he likes. As a businessman, he thinks it is quite normal to do business, but he has not realised that the Taiwan question is not a business to China. The Taiwan question is not negotiable," the paper quoted Li as saying.

PTI
Bangladeshi Hindus protest in front of White House

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Dec 12 Bangladeshi Hindus have held a peaceful protest in front of the White House to urge outgoing US President Barack Obama to help protect and bring an end to the "persecution" of religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country.

"We believe you are a person of great sensitivity and resolve, and would find the situation in Bangladesh with respect to the minority communities deplorable. We would like to request you, if it is possible, to convey our anxiety regarding Bangladesh to the next administration," said a memorandum submitted by protesters to Obama yesterday.

Organised by Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA dozens of protesters conveyed their deep concern regarding the allegedly passive role of the Bangladeshi government in coming to the rescue of the affected or in taking legal measures against the perpetrators.

"The destruction of Hindu households and temples, the usurping of Hindu lands and occasional killing and rape have become a norm in the present day Bangladesh. In fact, in recent weeks, the news of two more premeditated attacks were documented during which the party in power was complicit, and no actions were taken by the authorities to assist or support the victims and their families," the memorandum said. Last month, the same organisation had held a similar demonstration in front of the Trump Towers in New York.

"President-elect Donald Trump had attended a charity event before the election to raise funds for the terrorism. Bangladeshi Hindus who are victims of terrorism. I am sure, he would take up our cause too," said protester Sitangshu Guha. Protecting Bangladesh from falling into the lap of ISIS is the "most pressing priorities", said Jay Kansara of the Hindu American Foundation.

"Because if Bengal falls to extremism, then there would be no recourse to that," he said in his brief address to the protesters, which included women and children.

The memorandum alleged that the present Bangladeshi government occasionally spouted words of secularism, but in reality was following a path of ethnic cleansing that was instituted by Pakistan almost seventy years ago.

"We would like to appeal to you to impress upon the Bangladesh government to consider the following pathways in order to end the minority cleansing and persecution in Bangladesh," the memorandum said.

"Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan with the great hope that there would be no communal feeing or communal force, but in the last seven years we see as many as 273 cases have been filed against the attack on minorities in Bangladesh," said Nabendu Bikash Dutta, president Hindu Buddhist Christians Unity Council, USA. Bangladesh has been reeling under a wave of murders of secular, liberal activists and religious minorities.

Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions including Hindus, Christians and Muslim Sufis and Shiites.

In July, a Bangladeshi cafe was attacked by terrorists, killing 22 people including an Indian girl.

PTI
Compromise on one-China policy will strain ties:China to Trump

International

oi-PTI

Beijing, Dec 12: China today warned US President- elect Donald Trump that bilateral ties will be damaged if he "compromised" with 'one-China policy' by giving weightage to Taiwan, the strongest public condemnation by Beijing against his criticism of America's long-standing policy towards the self-governing island.

"Adherence to one-China principle is the political bedrock of the China-US relations. If it is compromised or disrupted, the sound and steady growth of China-US relationship as well as bilateral cooperation in major field would be out of question," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang told a media briefing here while reacting to Trumps comments. "Chinese side has noted the relevant report and seriously concerned about that," Geng said.

China's comments came a day after Trump in a television interview questioned the relevance of continuing the 'One-China' policy if Beijing refuses to make any concessions on trade.

The US since 1979 has respected China's stance on Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province. But Trump said without concessions from China, he did not see why it should continue.

Replying to a spate of questions over Trump's comments, the first such by US leader on Taiwan in recent years, Geng said, "I want to stress that Taiwan question has a bearing on Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is related to Chinas core interests."

But despite stern reaction with strong words, China has not lodged any diplomatic protest unlike few days back when Trump riled Beijing by holding telephone talk with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, which was an unprecedented move as no US leader has done it so far.

Geng said China wants that the new US administration and its leadership fully recognise the sensitivity of the Taiwan question, stick to one-china policy as well as principles established by the three joint communiques between China and US and properly deal with the Taiwan related questions in a prudent manner so as not to disrupt or damage over all interests of the bilateral relationship.

The Chinese protest reportedly infuriated Trump further as last night he came out with even sterner comments hinting that he may alter US' decades old adherence to One-China policy by having low key back channel relationship with Taiwan.

He also said China was not cooperating with the US on its handling of its currency, on North Korea, or on tensions in the South China Sea.

About his phone call with Tsai, Trump said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan's leader. "I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me.

It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call". I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," he had said.

PTI
Cyclone Vardah: SriLankan Airlines cancels all flights to Chennai

International

oi-PTI

Colombo, Dec 12: SriLankan Airlines on Monday said all its Chennai-bound flights were cancelled till Tuesday morning after authorities issued a red alert due to severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" which made a landfall in Tamil Nadu.

Airlines Spokesman Deepal Perera said that since flight operations at Chennai International Airport have been suspended due to severe weather, SriLankan Airlines had cancelled all its flights till Tuesday morning.

"There has been a red alert issued. Therefore all flights to Chennai will resume only on Tuesday morning," Perera said. Some Chennai-bound passenger flights were diverted to Colombo owing to a storm.

Also read: Cyclone Vardah rips Hyatt apart in Chennai

A Srilankan Airlines flight on its way to Chennai returned to Katunayake while a flight heading to Chennai from Dubai also landed in Katunayake on Monday morning, the Colombo Gazette reported.

Lanka's Department of Meteorology warned residents living along the coastal areas of northern Sri Lanka to be cautious due to heavy winds and rains as the Cyclone "Vardah" was moving away from the island country towards southern India.

However, the department said that disaster management teams were on alert in case of an emergency and officials were continuously monitoring the cyclone pattern.

Heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds pounded the city and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu due to severe cyclonic storm "Vardah" which has made a landfall near here. Hundreds of trees have been uprooted affecting land and air transport throwing normal life out of gear in Tamil Nadu.

PTI
China Hosts 100 of Worlds 1,000 Best Restaurants; Find Out Which Beijing Resto Claims Spot in Top 20

World-class: 100 restaurants in China got recognized on a global scale. (L) Prawn noodles with mint and chili and (R) Chinese eggs with noodles, coriander and alfalfa. (Photo : Getty Images)

Anyone in China wishing to dine in a restaurant belonging to the top 1,000 restaurants in the world may need not travel abroad. In Beijing alone, there are more than 20 of them.



With 100 entries, China ranks third among the countries with the most number of restaurants that made it onto La Liste (The List) 2017, a trusted reference for the worlds top restaurants.



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Invitees--chefs, food critics, journalist from different continents--witnessed the big reveal at Quai dOrsay Palace in Paris on Dec. 5, according to La Listes website.



Japan, for the second time, had the most number of entries: 116. France remains on the second spot, with 113 restaurants.



Number 20 on the 2017 ranking is Hong Kong Jockey Club (score: 98.75) in Beijing.



HKJC actually offers plenty of dining options through Fortune Room, The Capital, The Derby, The Library, The Lounge, and its flagship restaurant Beijing Oi Suen.



Two more restaurants in China got included in the Top 100: Huai Yang Fu (98.00) in Beijing at number 36 and Bing Sheng Gong Guan (97.00) in Guangzhou at number 68.



Huai Yang Fu serves authentic Huaiyang cuisine, one of the Four Great Traditions of Chinese culinary practices, according to City Weekend. Diners frequently order Yangzhou chaofan (fried rice), stir-fried prawns, tofu (bean curd) noodles in broth and lions head meatballs.



Bing Shengs signature dishes include xia sheng (raw shrimps), Chef's Black BBQ Pork, roasted goose, seasoned geese intestines and, for deserts, Bo Luo Bao (pineapple buns--with no pineapples) and peanut-coated glutinous rice balls.



With a score of 83.25, the vegetarian restaurant Fu He Hui (Fortune, Harmony, Wisdom) in Shanghai found itself at the bottom of the list at number 1,000.



In the 2016 edition--the very first one and released on Dec. 2015--China ranked fourth with 69 restaurants, 43 of which located on the mainland, reported The New York Times.



The top three were Japan (126), France (118) and the U.S. (101).



La Liste describes itself on its website as an algorithm-based aggregator of food guides and reviews, crafting the perfect ranking of the worlds best restaurants.



The people behind it annually gather trusted sources from around the world.



This year, for the 2017 ranking, La Liste covered 135 countries, checked 430 guidebooks and evaluated 100,000 food reviews.



With the Ambassador of France Philippe Faure acting as president, professionals from different continents--many of them journalists--make up the advisory board of La Liste.



Among the 16 international advisers, three hail from China: journalist-author Nong He, food critic Dong Keping and journalist Xing He. Others come from Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, U.K. and U.S.



La Listes method focuses on three things: transparency, integrity and universality.



Over a private lunch on Dec. 2015, Faure said that he and his team aim to be serious and honest and endeavors to make La Liste as the global reference, quoted The New York Times.



La Listes 2017 Top 10 Best Restaurants in the World:



1. Guy Savoy (France) - 99.75

2. Kyo Aji (Japan) - 99.50

3. Le Bernardin (U.S.) - 99.50

4. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee (France) - 99.25

5. El Celler de Can Roca (Spain) - 99.25

6. Jean-Georges (U.S.) - 99.25

7. Osteria Francescana (Italy) - 99.25

8. Kyubey (Japan) - 99.25

9. Restaurant de lHotel de Ville (Switzerland) - 99.00

10. Joel Robuchon (Japan) - 99.00






Slip of Tongue in Pak Parliament: Speaker pronounces Nawaz Sharif's name instead of Shehbaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif likely to return to Pakistan next month: Imran Khan

Maryam Nawaz gets her passport back after 3 years; meets father Nawaz Sharif in London

Nawaz Sharif seeks scholars' help to eliminate extremism

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Islamabad, Dec 12: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday urged religious scholars to play a role in eliminating root causes of extremism from the society.

The Prime Minister made the remarks during a conference of religious scholars in Lahore.

Violent extremism has claimed lives of thousands of people, mostly civilians, over the past several years in the country. Majority in Pakistan reject the violent extremism and terrorism, however, Pakistan still faces the problem due to extremist elements, he said.

Also read: SAARC has 'survived' not 'triumphed': Sharif

Sharif pointed out that due to the efforts and sacrifices of the national leadership, religious scholars, armed forces and the police, the hideouts of the terrorists have almost been eliminated.

"Now it is the responsibility of the religious scholars to re-establish the link between Islam and peace by taking guidance from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet," he said.

IANS
Hope Pak occupied Kashmir will become part of India by 2024: Union minister Kapil Patil

Pak pays hefty sum to terrorists crossing LoC, claims PoK based leader

International

oi-Staff

By Super Admin

In a startling revelation, Sardar Raees Inqlabi, a leader of Jammu and Kashmir Aman Forum, a PoK-based group, has said that the terrorist groups banned in Pakistan are given a free hand to operate from PoK, reported news agency ANI.

Inqlabi claimed that Islamabad is paying a hefty amount to the tune of Rs 1 crore to terrorists crossing the Line of Control to disrupt peace in India, dubbing it as the 'main reason for tension'.

#WATCH: Pakistan paying one crore per terrorist to cross LoC reveals Sardar Raees Inqlabi,leader of PoK based Jammu and Kashmir Aman Forum. pic.twitter.com/c03vzMmcka  ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016

Rubbishing Islamabad's claim of the state not being involved in support to terror activities, Inqlabi demanded that Pakistan must immediately impose a 'blanket ban' on these groups in accordance with its National Action Plan.

It is common knowledge that several terrorist training camps are active in PoK which constantly attempt to infiltrate the LoC to cause disturbance in India.

India had in September conducted a surgical strike across the LoC at several of these camps, which had caused major embarrassment to Pakistani security establishment. It was also being seen as a major intelligence failure in Pakistan.

There were questions raised in Pakistan about the effectiveness of the intelligence. Indian intelligence bureau officials told OneIndia that the ISI was clueless about the September 29 operation.

Following the strike, the image of General Raheel Sharif, the then army chief, too took a beating and he was no longer considered invincible, an image he prided himself on.

(With agency inputs)
Pak off the FATF grey list doesn't mean it's not under scrutiny anymore: MEA secretary

Imran Khan again targets Pakistan's establishment on Day 2 of protest march; govt rules out talks over snap polls

Amid turmoil at home, Pakistan PM Sharif to visit China to felicitate Xi for his record win

Shehbaz Sharif arrives in China on maiden visit to felicitate President Xi Jinping on his record win

Pakistan trying to start peace talks with Afghanistan: Aziz

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Islamabad, Dec 12: Pakistan's top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz has said Islamabad was striving to hold peace dialogue with Afghanistan.

"It was disappointing that some elements in Afghanistan were not willing to have the dialogue process with Pakistan and these elements are creating suspicion over Pakistan's role," the Nation quoted Aziz as saying in an interview on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs blamed the Afghan Intelligence Agency for hindering the dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan government.

Aziz said that the second session of dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan government was cancelled when the National Directorate of Security issued reports regarding death of Mullah Omar, the former chief of Taliban.

He said that the doors for bilateral dialogues were further closed when Mullah Omar's successor Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike in Balochistan.

"Pakistan endeavours to have a dialogue process but the condemnable statements from Afghan politicians against Pakistan are negatively impacting the environment," Aziz said.

He said massive withdrawal of international forces and increase in operations of armed insurgents after 2014 has led to the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan.

Pak foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz can be truthful too

Aziz said the remarks by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia Conference, recently held in Amritsar, India, were indicative of the growing frustration in Afghanistan. "It is imprecise to blame Pakistan for backing Taliban," he said.

The advisor said that the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb has destroyed the Haqqani Network established in the tribal areas and it was no longer operating on Pakistan's soil.

However, he said that the possibility of presence of scattered extremists in the country could not be overlooked.

"Such elements were creating hurdles for the peace process of the two countries and therefore we had asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia Conference to make efforts for improving the security system on Pakistan-Afghan border," Aziz said.

IANS


'Putin wanted revenge on Hillary Clinton'

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Dec 12: A former US envoy has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted "revenge" on Democrat Hillary Clinton while discussing Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election.

"Let's remember that Vladimir Putin thinks she interfered in his election in 2011, and has said as much publicly, and I've heard him talk about it privately," said Michael McFaul, who had stepped down after the 1014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

McFaul said that one of Putin's top motivations was a thirst for vengeance against Clinton.

McFaul was the US ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. On Sunday, he spoke with MSNBC about the reports that the CIA determined that Russian hackers helped advance Donald Trump while bringing Clinton down.

McFaul echoed the concerns as he explained that the hacking fits Russia's modus operandi, and said he supported the recent calls for an investigation into their cyber activities.

McFaul also explained Putin's elation at Trump's triumph.

He said that beyond the foreign policy interests that Trump and Putin share, the Russian President disliked Clinton's tough stance as Secretary of State under the Barack Obama administration.

IANS


In a strong message to Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh warns Pakistan that if they did not stop aiding terror, it would instead find itself splintered into 10 parts. He said that the neighbouring country is trying to destabilise India by encouraging cowardly act of terrorism, while adding that the Indian army will give befitting reply to Pakistan's unprovoked violations. He was speaking at a Shahidi Diwas function here in memory of soldiers who had laid down their lives for the country,
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Jia "YT" Yueting, chief executive officer of LeEco Global Group, poses at the company's headquarters in San Jose, California. (Photo : Getty Images)

According to the Wall Street Journal, LeEco Holdings is planning to change their business model following a slide in share price that forced the company to stop stock market trading.



Jia Yueting, the billionaire founder of LeEco, warned that they are running low on cash, which may impact their operations.



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The company says that their ventures overseas to sell products, ranging from TVs to smartphones and electric cars, so they can compete globally, is the primary reason for their cash crunch.



LeEco announced a deal to buy Vizio Inc, a U.S. TV maker, for $2 billion last November.



Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp., a Shenzhen-listed firm, stated that they have halted trading on Wednesday before the market opened. Leshis stock plunged by 9 percent on Tuesday and closed at 35.80 yuan. This is worse compared to the 80-yuan closing in their stocks in May 2015.



Jia announced last month that the company had over-expanded and was having issues acquiring fresh funds. A spokeswoman for LeEco declined to comment on upcoming business changes and stock reports on the Chinese media.



Leshi said: To protect the interests of the company and of the many investors, the company needs to halt trade and investigate these matters. At the same time, the company is in the process of planning major matters, which are expected to involve integration of industry resources. There is still uncertainty around this matter.



Jia has raced to plug LeEco into various high-tech sectors for the past few years, as he believed that building an ecosystem of interconnected smart products will bring him success.He started out with a streaming website similar to YouTube videos, then his business went in different directions.



Jia told his employees: As we sped ahead blindfolded, and expanded our business by burning cash, we got overstretched in our global strategy.



LeEco already acquired $600 million in fresh funds from Chinese investors and they are continuing to tap into Hong Kong investment banks.



Leshi said in its filing that it will continue trading after the investigation of the stock-price decline and making some strategic decisions.


200 Hydrogen Balloons (Photo : Weibo)

A lot of the elevator stories in China that go viral are tragic, such as the woman who died inside an elevator in an apartment building in Xian province because she was trapped for one month during the Lunar New Year break.



On Sunday, in Luan City, Anhui Province, eight people were injured after a prankster lit a lighter inside an elevator with people and 200 hydrogen balloons. The elevator passengers just came from a birthday party in a hotel and took with them some balloons for their children.



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The elevator was cramped, but some of the passengers, when they saw one elevator rider bring out a lighter, urged the prankster, Light it! Light it! Other passengers objected, but the prankster nevertheless proceeded, Shanghaiist reported.



As soon as the lighter was lit, all 200 hydrogen balloons simultaneously exploded, causing the elevator to stop in between floors. The slightly injured passengers had to wait for the arrival of firefighters to rescue them.



In July, there were also eight passengers inside an elevator in a construction site in Longkou City, Shandong Province. However, unlike the victims of the hydrogen balloon prank, the workers inside the elevator al died after the lift fell 18 storeys. The workers were all rushed to a hospital but all eventually died, Huffington Post reported.






Eurasia Review 01 Nov 2022

By John and Nisha Whitehead



Things are falling apart.



How much longer we can sustain the fiction that we live..
Jibreen Refugee Center, SW of Aleppo

Events as of 12/11/2016 are unfolding fast here while the shelling of East Aleppo continues unabated despite the repeated assurances of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, including yesterday on the sidelines of a European foreign ministers meeting in Germany: "I can tell you that today, combat operations by the Syrian army have positively been halted in eastern Aleppo because there is a large operation under way to evacuate civilians." The oft-promised ceasefire is to allow for the evacuation of civilians trapped in the battle zone according to Mr Lavrov who claimed some 8,000 people would be taken out on 12/8-9/2016/. Few here had much confidence in his words given all the false starts that produced nothing over the past year. Rebels in East Aleppo have also called for a truce to allow civilians to leave but both parties believe the other will use any pause to regroup for another round of fighting.

Moreover, despite Russian assurances, the bombing of East Aleppo has escalated as of 12/10/2016 after having eased for a few hours in the area. This morning a UN source emailed that 1000 people had been killed and up to 4000 injured during the past four weeks in the area under siege. During the same period rebel mortars have reportedly killed more than a dozen civilians in government controlled West Aleppo this past week.

Lavrov abruptly reversed himself on 12/9/2016 declaring that East Aleppo will continue to come under bombardment indefinitely and until there are no more rebels in the city. Announced Lavrov without taking reporters' questions in Hamburg: "After a humanitarian pause, (the strikes) have resumed and will continue for as long as the bandits are still in Aleppo." Lavrov told journalists meeting in Hamburg. This as his Ministry in Moscow claimed that 10,500 people, including 4,015 children have left eastern Aleppo in the past 24 hours. If so, there is no evidence supporting this statistics in the Jibreen Center SW of Aleppo where this observer is presently and where all who flee East Aleppo are immediately taken for "processing."

While Lavrov and Kerry are once more (12/10/2016) in discussions on this subject it's not clear if the Assad government will agree to a ceasefire other than on a surrender first basis. Some think it may have no choice in the matter given Russia's political and military influence here but others claim that Iran and Syria will reject any Russian agreement penned with the USA and the regimes goal is total "liberation" of all of Aleppo.

That will likely happen within days even as ISIS reoccupies Palmyra because Russian and Syrian troops were ordered to leave Palmyra because they were needed in Aleppo. Meanwhile, Jan Egeland, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Syria in Geneva, said the parties to the conflict were poles apart on agreeing the terms of a ceasefire and the five months of negotiations over aid plans had all failed and produced "nothing", adding that it was up to Moscow and Washington to agree a safe voluntary evacuation from east Aleppo.

Against this discouraging backdrop, most Syrian civilians fleeing East Aleppo are receiving some lifesaving aid from 12 Syrian volunteer student and civil society associations, UNICIF, WHO the UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Russia, Palestinian volunteers from their own nearby refugee camps of Neirab and the camp-based Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) among a few others.

For political reasons, Russia is making the key decisions regarding which NGO's and which countries are allowed to participate in offering humanitarian aid to the fleeing civilians from the East. The message being conveyed by some Russian TV crews and journalists wandering the Jibreen Center grounds is that this is a Russian humanitarian undertaken (as was Palmyra and the Russian concert nice months ago in the ancient city's Amphitheatre and that the EU and US among others are not welcomed.

But despite political point-scoring maneuvers, arrivals from East Aleppo are being helped and Russia deserves credit for its medical clinic and some food distribution although as noted below, much more help is urgently needed.

What do Syrian citizens arriving from East Aleppo most need to survive?

What refugees fleeing East Aleppo are most in need of as of 12/11/2016 at the Jibreen Center and the nearby Cotton Factory shelter and well as the village of Hanano where many are being transferred to include but are not limited to those describe below. This summary is based on a three-day survey of residents and NGO's undertaken by two volunteers from the Beirut, Nice and Washington, DC based NGO, Meals for Syrian Refugee Children Lebanon (MSRCL) http://mealsforsyrianrefugeechildrenlebanon.com .

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Is the Big Opportunity for American Companies in China Over? McDonalds, Coca-Cola to Sell China Unit

A McDonald's outlet in the old historical city of Dali is frequented by visitors to the popular city. (Photo : Getty Images)

Some American companies are planning to move out of China after apparently losing their belief that the biggest business opportunity in the world can be found there, a CNBC report said.



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This week, a Chinese company has been reportedly negotiating to buy McDonald's China unit and obtain a license to its name, after a similar decision last month by Yum Brand, which will spin off its operations in China into a new company called Yum China.



In November, Coca-Cola also announced plans to sells its bottling business while another company, International Paper, said in March that it plans to spin off its corrugated packaging business in China and southeast Asia.



"The trend is that opening retail business on the ground in China as a foreigner is difficult and expensive," Dan Harris, lawyer at Harris Bricken and author of the China Law Blog, was quoted as saying.



"We have for years tried to push a lot of our clients not to do that, but instead do what McDonald's and Yum Brands are doing, which is ... monetize your name and your knowledge without actually being the one who does all the work to make it work in China," Harris said. "China is a tough, tough market."



Three decades ago, fast food companies entered China, expecting to tap into the rising wealth of the individual Chinese and the growing Chinese consumer market. But some companies, especially, U.S. fast food chains became enmeshed in food safety scandals while others had intellectual property issues.



"We have seen a lot of U.S. companies struggling [with] their China operations," Siva Yam, president of the Chicago-based U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce, said. "The market is much more mature. We have seen a significant drop of U.S. companies going to China. On the contrary, they are coming back here."



According to a survey from the American Chamber of Commerce in China last year, about 32 percent of member companies said they have no plans to expand their investments in China.



The survey, which was published in January, also showed that one-quarter of the respondents have moved or plan to move business operations out of China, and 38 percent from the group are relocating to the U.S., Canada or Mexico.



Analysts said that foreign companies face many challenges in China such as rising labor and land costs, compared to local firms which have the advantage of being familiar with local business, in addition to the government support they receive.



But there are exceptions to the trend as Starbucks announced during its investor conference on Wednesday, Dec. 7, that it plans to open more than 5,000 in the country by 2021, as the market "will eclipse that in the U.S. over time."



Another exception is the U.S. crop exports which continue to do well. Agriculture exports in one of the areas in which the U.S. has a trade surplus with China, meaning it exports more than it imports.



According to the report, many U.S. companies, such as Apple and Caterpillar, invested in China to take advantage of the economic boom. But Caterpillar's sales and revenues have been on a four-year decline while Apple also reported declines of more than 25 percent in sales, against its double-digit growth.



"If you're waiting for the booming Chinese consumer ... it's just not on the way. The upside is just not what some consumer firms were hoping for," Derek Scissors, chief economist at China Beige Book International, said.



Scissors added that China is a maturing economy, with several iPhone rivals, the world's biggest drone maker and strong local e-commerce market.



Geoffrey Sant, a partner in Dorsey & Whitney and a former professor of U.S. law in Beijing, said that U.S. firms have long been required by government to partner with Chinese counterparts to be able to do business in the country.



According to the experts, foreign firms may have to apply a different strategy to do business in China. Scissors said there are business opportunities in other areas such in senior care, environmental protection and asset management, as well as in financial services.


Real news, fake news, who cares, its all the same, am I right?

 Not to make light of an existential crisis in journalism and the public trusta disturbing development. Cynicism threatens to erode the very foundations of well, ring your own alarm bell. Perhaps its time we (re)drew some hard lines around what we mean by the word news.

How to do that? I leave it to the expertsprofessors of journalism, reporters and archivists and historians who do the hard work of constructing genealogies and taxonomies of news, discovering its mutations and dead ends.









Journalism libraries around the country fulfill the needs of these scholars, as does the Library of Congress. But if you really want to dig into a comprehensive collectionone that bests even the august Federal government library (sort of)youll need to visit the website of one Tom Tryniski, private citizen, retired computer expert, writes Jim Epstein at Reason, and dedicated amateur, working alone.

This being Reason, the preserve of free minds and free markets, you can expect a good bit of crowing about the entrepreneurial spirit of Tryniskis accomplishmentan archive of 37,439,000 historic newspaper pages from the U.S. and Canada, orders of magnitude bigger and more popular than one created by a federal bureaucracy with millions of dollars to spend. The video above says it succinctly in a tagline: Amateur beats govt at digitizing newspapers.

Should you take an interest in what Tryniskithe sole employee of Old Fulton New York Postcardsspends, Epstein provides a full accounting of the sites impressively meager operating budget. Should you wonder where the LoCs money goes, and why it uses so many more resources than one retiree, you may wish to do your own comparison between Tryniskis site and the Feds online news archive, Chronicling America. (And maybe pay their place a visit in the flesh.) Theres more to a library than numbers of pages and views.

In some ways, its not a fair comparison. Tryniski may be a computer expert, but hes not a web designer (or hes an ornery, old-school purist). His site (last updated in 2014), with its frames and heavy use of Flash and GIFs, reflects the webs anarchic 90s heyday. And where the LoCs site chronicles all of America, Tryniskis mostly sticks to New York, with local papers like The Port Chester Journal (above) represented heavily.

That said, the sites search functions are much cooler than those of glossier competitors, with options for fuzzy searching, phonic searching (for those of us who cant spell), and user-defined synonyms. Tryniski also knows his way around microfilm and a microfilm scanner, despite (were expressly told for some reason in the video and Epsteins article) his being a high school graduate.

In this triumph of the everyman story, however, Tryniski does not introduce his own collection with fulminations of the old man shakes fist at variety. Instead he describes his collection as a means of time travel. Its the day-to-day life, he says, that you could not imagine today. Reading the actual newspaper seems to bring it back into current context. People sit there and its like, they move back into that time, and its like theyre living in the same time as their grandparents and great-grandparents.

Nobody needs to fix journalism, libraries, or federal spending to have this experience, and its one everyone should havewhether by traveling through the pages of old newspapers or a family trove of photos and letters. History can seem like little more than a story we tell ourselves about the past, but the primary documents have tales to tell that we could never imagine.

Learn more about Tryniskis collection at Reason, and visit the quirky, deceptively fulsome Old Fulton NY Post Cards (named as such because the site began as a scanned collection of postcards from Tryniskis hometown of Fulton, NY). Youll find in its charmingly clunky environs a fascinating repository of vintage news and photos. And remember, If you did not read about it on Old Fulton NY Post Cards, IT DID NOT HAPPEN!!!

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From the Annals of Optimism: The Newspaper Industry in 1981 Imagines its Digital Future

Titanic Sinking; No Lives Lost and Other Terribly Innacurate News Reports from April 15, 1912

Archive of Hemingways Newspaper Reporting Reveals Novelist in the Making

Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness
World Shale Gas Market 2016, Analysis, Research, Share, Growth, Sales, Trends, Supply, Forecast to 2021

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Shale gas is natural gas trapped within the shale formation, and is derived from underground shale deposits that are broken up by hydraulic fracturing. The increasing popularity of shale gas in various industries has advocated a growing awareness regarding the benefits of shale gas as an energy resource.Check complete report @Shale gas emits less carbon content compared to coal; therefore, it could be used as a cleaner energy option for many countries that are presently depending on coal and crude oil, as an energy source. The significant number of shale reserves all over the globe and the competitive price of shale gas are key factors, which supplements the growth of the shale gas market. However, shale gas is currently been produced only in U.S.A., Canada and China.The hydraulic fracturing method of shale gas extraction could create water scarcity; hence, the governments of some countries like Argentina and France have banned hydraulic fracturing process in some areas of the country. Again, shale gas production is not yet started in Europe, due to the unstructured regulatory framework of many European countries.In terms of end-users, the world shale gas market is segmented into industrial, power generation, residential, commercial and transportation. In 2015, power generation sector accounted for approximately one-third of the market share, both in terms of revenue and volume.This is mainly due to the abundancy and low carbon footprint of shale gas compared to coal-fired. Industrial sector would be the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period. Due to its low price, shale gas is replacing conventional energy sources like coal, nuclear, hydro in many industries like chemical, fertilizer, hydrogel production and others.Geographically, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe Asia-Pacific & LAMEA. Currently. United States is the major producer of shale gas. Abundancy of technically recoverable shale reserves coupled with favorable government regulation for producers supplements the shale gas production in United States. Europe would be the fastest growing region, accounting for the highest CAGR of 59.5%, in terms of volume owing to availability of shale gas reserves in more than 14 European countries.The key players included in the world shale gas market have adopted acquisition, joint ventures, partnerships and collaborations strategies to sustain the market competition. Some of the leading manufacturers profiled in this report include Baker Hughes Incorporation, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, BHP Billiton Limited, Royal Dutch Shell, ConcoPhillips, ExxonMobil & Chesapeake Energy Corporation.KEY MARKET BENEFITS:The projections in the report are based on the analysis of the current trends and future market potential for the period of 20142022 in terms of value and volume.Comprehensive analysis of the regional shale gas market has been provided in this report.Competitive intelligence (of leading manufacturers and distributors of shale gas) helps in understanding the competitive scenario across geographies.The key players in the shale gas market have been profiled and their growth strategies have been analyzed to understanding the competitive outlook of the market.SWOT analysis highlights the internal environment of leading companies for effective strategy formulationSHALE GAS MARKET KEY SEGMENTS:The world shale gas market is segmented as:By End-UserIndustrialPower generationResidentialCommercialTransportationOtherBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificLAMEAOrder a copy of Report @MarketIntelReports (MIR) aim to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions, we do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.A group of industry veterans who are well experienced in reputed international consulting firms after identifying the sourcing needs of MNCs for market intelligence, have together started this business savior MarketIntelReports.MIR intends to be a one-stop shop with an intuitive design, exhaustive database, expert assistance, secure cart checkout and data privacy integrated. It curates the list of reports, publishers and studies to ensure that the database is constantly updated to dynamically meet the targeted, specific needs of our clients.MarketIntelReports currently has more than 10,000 plus titles and 35+ publishers on our platform and growing consistently to fill the Global Intelligence Demand  Supply Gap. We cover more than 15 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Building & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector Studies.Mayur S.Sales Manager2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statespr@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343
United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Revenue and Share by Manufactures

Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market

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Global Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Research Report 2016 Trends, Analysis, and InsightsResearch Beam has added a report, titled, Global Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Research Report 2016. The report provides a detailed information and analysis of production, revenue, drivers & opportunities, key manufacturers, and competitive landscape. Furthermore, current market trends and growth opportunities are discussed along with extensive analysis of each segment for the historic period, 20112016 and the forecast period, 20162021. The report provides insights on manufacturing cost structure, marketing channels, marketing channels, and distributors & traders analysis. This study is helpful for market players, investors, and shareholders acquire thorough information and statistics to make better decisions for the future.Download Free Sample Report @An overview of the global Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System market is offered on the basis of product overview and detailed segmentation of the industry. The research provides market segmentation based on types, applications, and geography. Each type of Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System is analyzed with insights on production and production market share for 2015 along with key manufacturers for each type enlisted using a tabular representation. Furthermore, consumption market share for each application is offered in the research for 2015 in a tabular format. Regional analysis is discussed in terms of current market status and growth prospects for the period, 20112021.Market competition on the basis of manufacturers is discussed in the research along with insights on production, revenue, production market share, and revenue market share for 2015 and 2016. Moreover, significant information on manufacturing base distribution, product type, and sales area of each manufacturer are also covered. Comprehensive information on competitive situation and trends are provided based on market share of top three & top six manufacturers, market concentration rate, and strategies such as mergers & acquisition, expansion, partnerships, and others adopted by them for business growth.The research provides an extensive analysis of key manufactures operating in the global Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System market. Key manufacturers analyzed in the study are Cubic, INIT, LECIP, GFI Genfare,Xerox and others. Production, revenue, average price of products, and gross margin for 2015 and 2016 are discussed in a tabular format. Detailed analysis of type, application, and specifications of products of manufacturers are provided along with an overview of business. This information assists industry players in determining competitive intensity and helps investors in determining investment pockets to gain maximum returns.Ask For Discount @Manufacturing cost analysis is offered in the research based on manufacturing cost structure, raw material analysis, and manufacturing process analysis. A table offers an extensive analysis production base and market concentration rate of raw materials, whereas a figure provides insights on price trends. Key suppliers of raw materials are enlisted in a tabular format. Figure illustrates manufacturing cost structure and manufacturing process analysis.The industrial chain structure is highlighted based on upstream raw material sources, downstream buyers, and sourcing strategies along with tables to provide thorough understanding. Raw materials sources of major manufacturers of Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System and distributors & traders are enlisted in a tabular format. Marketing strategies are discussed in the study based on marketing channels and market positioning. Insights on technological progress, changing consumer needs, and environmental change are offered to provide market effect factors analysis. Production, revenue, and consumption analysis based on each segment of the industry for the forecast period. Research findings and conclusions are mentioned at the end of the research.Enquire About Report @Table Of ContentsUnited States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Report 20161 Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System1.2 Classification of Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System1.3 Application of Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System1.4 United States Market Size Sales (Value) and Revenue (Volume) of Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System (2011-2021)1.4.1 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.4.2 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2011-2016)3.1 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)3.2 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)3.3 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Price by Type (2011-2016)3.4 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales Growth Rate by Type (2011-2016)4 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales (Volume) by Application (2011-2016)4.1 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)4.2 United States Smart Cards Automated Fare Collection System Sales Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)4.3 Market Drivers and OpportunitiesRead Complete Report With TOC @With the arsenal of different search reports, Research Beam helps you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220U.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452UK: + 44-845-528-1300, India: +91 20 66346070Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975Email: help@researchbeam.com
Photonics Sensor and Detector Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecast to 2025 |The Insight Partners

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Photonics is the technology of generating and harnessing light and many other forms of light energy whose quantum unit is the photon. Photonics uses lasers, optics, imaging, etc. to impact different application areas, from communications and information processing to lighting, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and so on.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Photonics Sensor and Detector Market to 2025 @The report aims to provide an overview of Global Photonics Sensor and Detector Market with detailed market segmentation by sensor and detector types, technology, application and geography. The global photonics sensor and detector market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. Photonic sensors play a major role in a sustainable future and, in particular, in a variety of applications in the generation, distribution and conservation of energy, as well as in the mitigation of the effects of energy production and consumption on the environment.Request Sample Copy @The objectives of Photonics Sensor and Detector Market Report is as follows: To provide overview of the global photonic sensor and detector market To analyze and forecast the global photonic sensor and detector market on the basis of different sensor and detector types, technology used and applications To provide market size and forecast till 2025 for overall photonic sensor and detector market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries To evaluate market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend To provide exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions To profiles key photonic sensor and detector players influencing the market along with their SWOT analysis and market strategiesInquire about discount on this report @Some of the leading players in photonic sensor and detector market are Banner Engineering Corp., Bayspec Inc., Baumer Holding AG., Fujifilm Holdings Corp., Hamamatsu Photonics K.K, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., Omron Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Corporation, and Toshiba Corp.About The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Data Center Power Market Growth, Trends, Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 |The Insight Partners

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Power is one of the most important elements for effectively and efficiently running data centers. Power contributes more than half of the operational cost in running data centers. Availability of cost effective and energy efficient power solutions are must for smooth functionality of a data center ensuring lower downtime.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Data Center Power Market to 2025 @The report aims to provide an overview of Global Data Center Power Market with detailed market segmentation by various solutions, services, end-user vertical, and geography. The global data center power market is expected to witness a good growth during the forecast period due to increasing demand and requirement of energy efficient solutions, which will ultimately help organizations to reduce energy consumption and also the downtime. The increasing demand for energy efficient solutions among data centers is driving the data center power market.Request Sample Copy @The objectives of Data Center Power Market Report is as follows: To provide overview of the global data center power market To analyze and forecast the global data center power market on the basis of solutions type, services, and end user verticals To provide market size and forecast till 2025 for overall data center power market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries To evaluate market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend To provide exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions To profiles key players influencing the market along with their SWOT analysis and market strategiesInquire about discount on this report @Some of the leading players in data center power market are Emerson Network Power, Raritan, Inc., Rittal GmbH & Co. KG , Schneider Electric SE , Cummins Power Generation , Delta Power Solutions , Eaton Corporation Plc., General Electric , CyberPower Systems and ABB Ltd. Among othersAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Dental Suture Market Trend, Analysis, Demand and Forecast to 2027 Market Scenario:

Globally the market for dental suture is increasing rapidly. The major factors that derives the growth of dental suture are rising number of dental procedures, growing ageing population, rising disposable income of emerging economies, increasing incidences of dental caries and other periodontal diseases, growth in dental industry and others.



Globally the market for dental suture market is expected to grow at the rate of about 20.0% from 2016 to 2027



Key Finding:

 The global dental suture market and is expected to reach $779.1 million by 2027.

 Interrupted suture holds the largest share of 57.6% of the global dental suture market.

 North America holds the largest market share of 34.5% of global dental suture market and is anticipated to reach $248.8 million by the end of forecast period.

 Globally, Asia-Pacific the fastest growing region and expected to grow at the rate of 6.6% during the forecast period.

 Non-Absorbable segment holds the largest market share in 2015, and expected to continue the similar growth throughout the forecast period.



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Segments:

Global dental suture market has been segmented on the basis of types which comprises of absorbable, non-absorbable and others. On the basis of technique the market is segmented into interrupted sutures, continuous sutures, mattress sutures (external horizontal mattress sutures, external vertical mattress sutures).



Key Players of Dental Suture Market:

 Osteogenics Biomedical (U.S)

 Ergon Sutramed S.P.A. (Italy)

 Assut Europe S.P.A. (Italy)

 Ethicon US, LLC. (U.S)

 Surgical Specialties Corporation (U.S)

 Shandong Sinorgmed Co.,LTD (China)

 B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany)

 Demetech Corporation (U.S)

 Hygitech SAS (Paris)



Access Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-dental-sutures-market-outlook-research-research-report-forecast-to-2027



Brief TOC for Dental Suture Market:

1 Report Prologue

2 Introduction

2.1 Definition

2.2 Scope of Study

2.2.1 Research Objective

2.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations

2.2.2.1 Assumptions

2.2.2.2 Limitations

2.2.3 Market Structure

3 Research Methodology

3.1 Research Process

3.2 Primary Research

3.3 Secondary Research

4 Market Dynamics

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Drivers

4.2.1 Growing Edentulous Population

4.2.2 Rising Disposable Income of Emerging Economies

4.2.3 Increasing Incidences of Dental Caries and Other Periodontal Diseases

4.2.4 Growth in Dental Industry

4.3 Restraints

4.3.1 Inadequate Reimbursement for Dental Implants

4.4 Opportunities

4.4.1 Cosmetic Dentistry Gaining Impetus

4.4.2 Growing Geriatric Population Presents Significant Growth Opportunity

5 Market Factor Analysis

5.1 Porters Five Forces Model

5.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

5.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers

5.4 Threat of New Entrants

5.5 Threat of Substitutes

5.6 Intensity of Rivalry



Continue



Intended Audience:

 Dental Clinics

 Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

 Research and Development (R&D) Companies

 Government Research Laboratories

 Independent Research Laboratories

 Government and Independent Regulatory Authorities

 Market Research and Consulting Service Providers

 Dental Academic Institutes and Universities



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Global Main Landing Gear Market Trends and Forecast for 2021!!

http://www.researchbeam.com/global-main-landing-gear-research-report-2016-market

http://www.researchbeam.com/global-main-landing-gear-research-report-2016-market/request-sample

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Research Beam added a report Global Main Landing Gear Market Research Report 2016Description:About Global Main Landing Gear Market Research Report 2016Market:The Global Main Landing Gear Market Research Report 2016 Industry Research Report is a comprehensive study of the recent market trends and consumption analysis in the global industry. The report provides an in-depth analysis for the historic period, 20112016 and the forecast period, 20162021. Market overview is offered on the basis of product overview and scope of Aerospace Ground Handling System Sales. Furthermore, the study covers a detailed segmentation in terms of types, applications, and regions.Read Full Report with TOC @Regional analysis for the Global Main Landing Gear Market Research Report 2016market is provided based on revenue, sales, and growth rate. In addition, sales and market share for each segment are included for each region.Following regions are analyzed: North America Global China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaMajor manufacturers are analyzed in the report in terms of basic information, manufacturing base, product specifications, and business overview. Furthermore, comprehensive analysis of sales, revenue, price, and gross margin of each manufacturer is covered.Following manufacturers are analyzed: SPP Canada Aircraft, Inc Circor International, Inc. Triumph Group Inc. AAR Corp. United Technologies Corporation Magellan Aerospace CorporationDownload Sample Report @:Manufacturing cost analysis is offered based on raw material analysis and cost structure along with manufacturing process analysis. The research offers industry chain analysis in terms of upstream raw material sourcing and downstream buyers. Moreover, an extensive analysis of production, consumption, and revenue for each segment is offered for the forecast period.Data & statistics are provided with the help of tables and figures to help manufacturers, investors, and shareholders gain comprehensive understanding. Research conclusions are offered at the end of the report.Table of Contents:1 Main Landing Gear Market Overview2 Global Main Landing Gear Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Main Landing Gear Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)4 Global Main Landing Gear Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Main Landing Gear Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Main Landing Gear Market Analysis by Application7 Global Main Landing Gear Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Main Landing Gear Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Main Landing Gear Market Forecast (2016-2021)13 Research Findings and ConclusionAbout Us:With the arsenal of different search reports, Research Beam helps you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly.Contact Us:5933 NE Win Severs Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesU.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452International: + 1-503-894-6022UK: + 44-845-528-1300India: +91 20 66346070Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975Email: help@researchbeam.comWeb:
Automotive Telematics Market in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia to grow steadily through 2021

Automotive Telematics Market

http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=881654

https://goo.gl/f5WrMo

http://www.marketresearchhub.com/

https://twitter.com/MktResearchHub

Albany, New York, December 12, 2016: Technological advancements and involvement of information technology to improve the automotive experience in terms of safety compliance mandates, road infrastructure constrains and driver monitoring will drive the global market growth in the coming years. A new report focusing on these applications, products and services related to telematics in the vehicle has been added to the database of Market Research Hub (MRH). This research study is titled as European Union, Japan, India, China, Southeast Asia and United States Automotive Telematics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021 and analyzes the development status, market size in these regions from 2016 to 2021.Request For Sample Report:Firstly, the report describes the need of automotive telematics and its scope along with its various applications and end users. Telematics is the technology of sending, receiving and storing the information through the use of telecommunication devices. In the automotive telematics, integrated use of telecommunication & informatics is successfully applied in vehicles. It provides required information while the vehicle is on the move. Some of the major application includes- vehicle tracking, wireless vehicle safety communication. The report also covers various end users for telematics which includes: Logistics and transportation Automotive manufacturers and dealers Government security agencies Car rental companiesIn addition to this, the growing concerns about the safety of the drivers has led to an increased uptake of telematics in the overall industry. Other mandates such as equipping vehicles with eCall facility has also improved to the norm of telematics in recent years.Geographically, the report states that North America has the largest market share for automotive telematics system which is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Also, North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the forecasted period. On the other hand, the U.S. and Japan are the major users of automotive telematics system within the vehicle. Due to the increasing demand for vehicles equipped with telematics system in emerging markets of Asia Pacific majorly China, Japan and India is expected to drive the market in the given forecast period.Browse Full Report with TOC:Key players focused in the report includes, Agero, Verizon Telematics, Visteon, Airbiquity, AT&T, Bynx, Continental, Connexis, Fleetmatics Group, Magneti Marelli, Octo Telematics, PTC, Telecommunication Systems, TomTom International, Vodafone Automotive, GM, Luxoft and others. All of these companies are mentioned in detail along with company profiles, recent developments, products, services and revenue during 2011-2016. Continuous technological advancements by several new entrants as well as well-known players is projected to boost the growth of the overall market.About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Follow Us On Twitter:
Scope of Multiparameter Patient Monitoring system Manufacturers & Suppliers

Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market

http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=895997

http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/united-states-multiparameter-patient-monitoring-market-report-2016-report.html

http://www.marketresearchhub.com/

Albany, New York, December 12, 2016: Market Research Hub has highlighted the Multiparameter Patient Monitoring in a new report added to its repository. This report is prepared using data sourced from in-house databases, secondary and primary research by GlobalData's team of industry experts. The report, titled United States Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market Report 2016 highlights Medical Devices sector report, Multiparameter Patient Monitoring provides an overview of Multiparameter Patient Monitoring currently in pipeline stage.Request for Sample Report:The report provides comprehensive information on the pipeline products with comparative analysis of the products at various stages of development. The report reviews major players involved in the pipeline product development. It also provides information about clinical trials in progress, which includes trial phase, trial status, trial start and end dates, and, the number of trials for the key Multiparameter Patient Monitoring pipeline products.According to the latest market research industry multiparameter patient monitoring equipment market is anticipated to witness steady growth and will post a moderate CAGR of close to 5% over the forecast period. The advancements in wireless communication technology and wearable devices for medical telemetry has enhanced the scope for remote patient monitoring. It is now possible to record and transmit digitized vital signs in the form of signals from a device to the computer or hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) of a healthcare professional instantly, thereby reducing the duration of evaluation and treatment.Browse Full Info with TOC:The market has witnessed the development of first-generation monitoring services that seamlessly collect and transmit data within a hospital using wireless local area network like Micropaq. Furthermore, Motiva, a next-generation monitoring equipment, offers disease management through a secure, personalized healthcare communication platform that connects people with chronic disorders at home to their healthcare providers through their TV sets and cable systems for IP access, which is expected to propel this markets growth prospects in the coming years.To begin with, the report elaborates the Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Sales Market overview. Various definitions and classification of the industry, applications of the industry and chain structure are given. Present day status of the Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Sales Market in key regions is stated and industry policies and news are analysed.Next part of the Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Sales Market Industry analysis report speaks about the manufacturing process. The process is analysed thoroughly with respect three points, viz. raw material and equipment suppliers, various manufacturing associated costs (material cost, labour cost, etc.) and the actual process.The top manufacturers of multi-parameter patient monitoring equipment from a global standpoint include GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, and Spacelabs Healthcare.Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel : +1-518-621-2074Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :
Bebo Sets Some Serious Fashion Goals For Preggers

Kareena Kapoor khan

Kareena Kapoor Khan has always been a fashionista with loads of top fashion brands associated with her. From being the face of popular makeup, soap, jewellery, ice-cream, shampoo, and toothpaste brands; she has gone a step higher. Soon mom to be is seen rocking glamour parties and events with sleek and stylish looks and gracing the covers of well known fashion magazines. Just like her sister, Bebo is truly enjoying every phase of her pregnancy & has no qualms about showing off her baby bump. Here we decode for you Bebos current fashion statement at professional and personal areas of life.Kareena appeared at the Lux Golden Rose awards in a red gown, and without any doubt she looked divalicious and shutterbugs couldnt stop from capturing her in their lens, while she rocked Manish Malhotras 50th birthday bash in a black deep necked gown.Below she graced the covers of the Wedding issue of Harpers Bazaar and Grazia with two distinct looks. Begum sizzled with her Nawab on Harpers Bazar Bride November 16 issue in Sabyasachis outfit with a silver Anamika Khanna cape while Chote Nawab paired a Nikhil and Shantanu kurta with Rohit Bal pants. Grazia had her posing solo in a blue-black elegant gown designed by Gaurav Gupta for photographer Prasad Naik.With that glow she is looking so ravishing, that she has been making appearances in minimalistic make up at various events. Every look of hers is a distinct style statement in itself.May it be her casual outings or her professional commitments like press releases, she has carried of herself with dignity and poise.She surely deserves the post of Choti Begum, as she really looked one when she walked the ramp for Sabyasachi for the Lakme fashion week, where she walked the ramp with her baby bump in grace and elegance as the show stopper.Her mother-in-law was caught praising her style statement in front of media and how well she had carried herself throughout the pregnancy period.Now everyone is just waiting breathlessly, to see how stylish, a mother, she would be, keeping up to her fashionista image, as she is due any time.FRIDAYMOVIEZ.COM is a chic movie portal bringing you the best of Bollywood and Hollywood in terms of the up-to-the-minute news, movie reviews and trailers, celebrity images, videos and profiles, exclusive inside information comprising original features, live event coverage, red carpet events, comprehensive archives and more. Positioned to be the unparalleled resource for quality movie infotainment, FRIDAYMOVIEZ.COM delivers the ultimate user experience for all movie enthusiasts worldwide with its cutting edge technology, high definition videos and images and our paparazzi non-compliant content which ensures that the news and information we provide is real, relevant and engaging, without being uncouth or offensive.#G-1, New Udyog Mandir 2Moghul Lane, Mahim (W)Mumbai 400016India
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi during the roundtable talks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing in July. (Photo : Getty Images)

The United States has called on China to fully adhere to an anti-hacking agreement signed last year amid U.S. concerns about China's new cyber security law, during a meeting between the two countries on Thursday, Dec. 8.



A Reuters report quoted National Security Council spokesman Ned Price as saying that the concerns were raised during a meeting on cybersecurity between U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Chinese State Councilor Guo Shengkun.



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The report said that included in the said agreement, which was signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington in 2015, was a pledge from both countries to avoid hacking activities for commercial gain.



According to the report, Rice expressed her concerns to Guo "about the potential impacts" of the cybersecurity law that China adopted in November, which was aimed at preventing hacking and terrorism.



Many criticized China's new law which they said threatens the closure of foreign tech companies that are believed to be "critical" of China, which also includes the strict requirements for security evaluation and data storage on servers in China.



Meanwhile, rights advocates said that the law will also further intensify the limitations imposed on The country's Internet, which has been under strict control of the Great Firewall, seen to be the world's most sophisticated online censorship mechanism.



The meeting between Rice and Guo occurred after the third round of high level talks on cybersecurity between China and the United States, which started Wednesday, Dec. 7.



Earlier this month, U.S. tech companies such as Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp. and International Business Machines Corp., among others, filed their objections to the regulation, The Wall Street Journal reported.



China's Technical Committee 260, the country's cybersecurity standards maker, released the document containing the discussions and objection of the tech companies.



The government requires software companies, network equipment manufacturers and other tech suppliers to disclose their proprietary source code to show that their products are not prone to hacking or had not been compromised.


Membrane Bioreactor System Market to Register a Strong Growth By 2020

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3274

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a combination of membrane filtration techniques such as micro filtration and ultra filtration and suspended growth bioreactor. Membrane bioreactors are used widely in large-sized wastewater treatment plants. In membrane bioreactor treatment process, membrane unit is exposed to the sludge that has been treated combine with biological process and the solid-liquid separation process together in the single stage. Membrane bioreactor system (MBR) is very effective against some of the most commonly found pathogens such as cryptosporidium and giardia witch cannot be eliminated with other traditional waste water treatment process such as chorine.On the basis of the various application of membrane bioreactor system, the overall market can be divided into two broad categories namely, industrial wastewater treatment and municipal waste water treatment. Based on the various configurations of membrane bioreactor system the global membrane bioreactor market can be divided into two broad segments namely internal membrane bioreactor system, and exterior membrane bioreactor system.North America is the largest market for membrane bioreactor system followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. The U.S. is the largest market for membrane bioreactor in North America mainly attributed to the high share of sludge treatment plant and manufacturing industries of this region. The U.K. is the largest market for membrane bioreactor in Europe. Asia Pacific is the fasted growing region for membrane bioreactor system fueled mainly from growing manufacturing industries of India and China.The global membrane bioreactor is going through many merger and acquisition in recent years in order to enhance technological base, geographical reach, product portfolio and larger consumers base. For example, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (US based membrane bioreactor manufacturer) has come into an agreement with Shell Canada (Canadian based membrane bioreactor company) to design and manufacture a waste water treatment equipment to recover the water used for steam production at Shell's Carmon Creek project.Request for Sample Report and Table of content @Some of the leading companies operating in global membrane bioreactor System include Ge Water & Process Technologies, Kubota Corporation, Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Toray Industries, Inc., Adi Systems Inc., Bioprocessh2o LLC Degremont Sa., Evoqua Water Technologies LLC., GLV Inc., Huber SE, Layne Christensen Company, Pall Corporation, United Envirotech Ltd., Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Wehrle Umwelt GMBH, and X-Flow B. VAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Flexible Glass Market: Facts, Figures and Analytical Insights By 2021

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3869

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Glass is an amorphous (non-crystalline) solid material which exhibits a glass transition. Glass can also take reversible transition in amorphous materials from a hard and relatively brittle material state to a molten or plastic state. Glasses are basically brittle in state and are optically transparent in nature. Most commonly known glass type is soda-lime glass (made up of 75% silicon dioxide (SiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O), lime (CaO) and various minor additives materials). Flexible glass is an ultra-thin glass having the properties of a rigid glass material. Properties such as strength, temperature stability and durability in a flexible nature are associated with flexible glasses. Additionally, flexible glass can also attain the property of plastics such as scratch resistance and rigidity. Flexible glass is majorly used to increase the strength and flexibility of the finished product, in turn increases the life of the products. Additionally, flexible glass also helps the electronic gadgets to reduce their weight, increases its attractiveness, making it handy and better or high quality products.Owing to the unique flexibility property of the glass, the flexible glass market can by bifurcated according to the end-user markets such as display market, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) market and Other gadgets markets (which are rollable, flexible and wearable in nature). Display market is expected to dominate the demand of flexible glass in the forecasted period owing to development of next generation gadgets. Other applications of the flexible glass are in the manufacturing of displays of cellphones and tablets.North America has the largest market for flexible glass, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The U.S. and China are the largest consumers of flexible glass and are expected to dominate the market in coming years. North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the forecasted period; Europe is expected to shoe marginal growth. However, Asia Pacific region is expected to witness highest growth in the forecasted period owing to the increasing domestic demand of cellphones and tablets in the emerging markets of India and china.Increasing demand of consumer electronics paired with advancement in the display technology is expected to increase demand for products such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and TVs. This is expected to increase the demand for flexible glass materials, driving the overall flexible glass market. Additionally, increasing demand for slim and scratch-resistant displays in the electronics products is expected to drive the flexible glass market to some extent. Also, with increasing disposable income consumers are demanding better quality electronic products such as smartphones, smartwatches, cellphones and other products; this is further increasing the demand for flexible glass, especially in the developing markets such as India, China and Brazil. According to the National Bureau of Statistics China, annual per capita disposable income of urban households in China increased from USD 2,271.0 in 2008 to USD 3408.5 in 2012. The overall annual disposable income in India medium household income increased from USD 1,366.2 billion in 2010 to USD 1,587.6 billion in 2013.Request for Sample Report and Table of content @:Some of the major companies operating in the global flexible glass market are Corning Inc., Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd., Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Schott AG, Abrisa Technologies, Tokyo Electron, Dupont Display, Universal Display Corporation, Materion Corporation, Kent Displays, Inc., LG Display Co. Ltd., Sony Corporation and LiSEC Group.About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Medical/Diagnostic Imaging Market is Expected to Reach $45.0 Billion, Globally, by 2022

medical imaging

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/medical-diagnostic-imaging-market

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-free-sample/1400

Medical/Diagnostic Imaging Market Report, published by Allied Market Research, forecasts that the global market is expected to garner $45.0 billion by 2022, registering a CAGR of 5.1% during the period 2015-2022. X-ray imaging systems are expected to continue to be the highest revenue-generating segment throughout the forecast period. North America accounted for around one-third of the market share in 2015, and is expected to dominate the overall market during the study period.View Detail Summary of this report :The cardiovascular and thoracic disease application segment is projected to maintain its lead throughout the analysis period owing to increase in the number of medical imaging services and technological advancements. In addition, technological innovations in the imaging industry have facilitated the development of cost-effective and smaller point-of-care ultrasound systems for cardiac evaluation. Mammography systems has emerged as the fastest growing segment, registering a CAGR of 8.3%, in terms of revenue, during the forecast period. Innovation and digitalization of mammography devices are the major factors contributing to this segments growth.Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for the majority of the share in the medical/diagnostic imaging market in 2015, and is expected to maintain this lead throughout the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to the improving healthcare infrastructure and healthcare expenditures in the emerging markets (such as India and China) to overcome the unmet medical needs in these countries. However, LAMEA is projected to be the fastest growing region throughout the analysis period. Increasing incidence of chronic disorders (such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes) and rapidly growing geriatric population drive the LAMEA medical/diagnostic imaging market.Get Free Sample :Key Findings of Medical/Diagnostic Imaging Market:In 2015, X-ray imaging systems was the highest revenue-generating segment, accounting more than one-fourth of the overall market revenue, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period.The mammography systems segment is expected to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 8.3%, owing to the innovation and digitalization of mammography devices.Asia-Pacific accounted for about one-third share of the medical imaging market in 2015.The cardiovascular and thoracic application segment is projected to maintain its lead in the market until 2022.China and Japan are the major shareholders in the Asia-Pacific region, jointly accounting for more than 50% share of the Asia-Pacific medical imaging market.The key players profiled in this report include GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Hitachi Medical Corporation, Hologic, Inc., Siemens Healthcare, Samsung Medison, Shimadzu Corporation, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Esaote S.P.A, and Fujifilm Corporation.Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United States
Global Egg Products Market- Cal-Maine Foods, Land O'Lakes, Noble Foods and Tyson Foods

Egg Products

http://bit.ly/2gC8RY8

http://bit.ly/2hkc4wO

Global Egg Products Industry 2016The report provides a granular view of the Egg Products market before delving deep into segment important segment and geographical region. The Egg Products market is influenced by a number of external forces, especially on the buy side, and this makes it imperative for market players to get a birds eye view of the landscape. The Egg Products market is defined by trends in ancillary industries, raw material supply channels, and the regulatory environment; the report indentifies and assesses all of these in detail.The first chapter of the Egg Products market report provides a comprehensive historical overview of the industry, its applications, and industry value chain. The following chapters take a detailed look at the global market for Egg Products, before drilling down into the regional markets and their individual dynamics.Click Here to Request Sample Report @Further, the report evaluates the technological environment that currently prevails and predicts trends for the future. This will help companies in the Egg Products market to take informed decisions and plan future-proof strategies for growth. For both new and established players, the report provides an assessment of important policies and regulations and their advantages/disadvantages.The report on the Egg Products market provides growth forecasts and CAGR for the global market as well as each segment and regional market within it. Furthermore, the report offers a detailed analysis of the prominent as well as important emerging companies in the Egg Products market to bring to the fore their strategic alliances, recent developments, mergers and acquisitions, and product/services/technology portfolio.Browse Full Report at @About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market Is Expected To Generate Significant Sales up to 2019

http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Veterinary-Diagnostic-Imaging-Devices-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/sample22

http://www.sa-brc.com/report/Global-Veterinary-Diagnostic-Imaging-Devices-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/22

www.sa-brc.com

This report covers the market analysis for five different imaging modalities that comprise the complete veterinary diagnostic imaging market. These include veterinary ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray and endoscopy. It also presents the current market and forecast of veterinary diagnostic imaging equipment purchased by different end-users such as veterinary hospitals, veterinary clinics and emergency/point-of-care veterinary services. Finally, The geographical analysis of the veterinary diagnostic imaging devices is segregated into six regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle-East and Africa.Conventionally the concept of pets and companion animals among people in emerging countries were associated only with appropriate feeding and did not extend to intensive care of health, appetite and regular diagnostics. However, in recent times this has changed and people are now adopting pure breeds that showcase several medical problems. The growing per capita income and increasing awareness of pets is expected to pave the way for a considerable veterinary market in coming years. Meat and dairy consumption are projected to rise substantially over the next twenty years. By the middle of the 21st century global meat consumption is expected to be three-quarters higher than it was just 10 years ago, and dairy consumption is expected to rise by two-thirds over the same period. Meat and dairy animals that are a part of farm and livestock require considerable amount of diagnostics to prevent low quality meat and dairy production. This has in turn increased the usage of portable and on-field medical imaging modalities such as ultrasound and x-ray. The expected rise of demand for meat and dairy products is an important sign of anticipating demand for veterinary diagnostic imaging devices in the near future.Free Sample Report@Miniaturized ultrasound and X-ray devices are observed to be in great demand by veterinary clinics, hospitals and visiting veterinary practitioners across the world. Introduction of specialized emergency services for companion animals is expected to drive the market for diagnostic imaging in veterinary sector in coming years. In North America and Europe, there has been an increase of over 5,000 new pet emergency services in the past decade. All services require vehicles equipped with diagnostic imaging modalities such as ultrasound and X-ray. There are approximately 30,000 veterinary clinics and hospitals in North America. This represents a significant target market for all imaging modalities.Greater awareness and care for animal health has ensured the leadership of North America in the global market. Emerging regions are expected to show a strong growth for more affordable modalities of imaging such as ultrasound and X-ray accompanied by growing per capita income and purchase power. North America led the market with a share of 34.3% in 2014, which is expected to get eroded as emerging economies such as Brazil, India, China, Middle-East and parts of South-East Asia increase their stakes in the market. The emerging economies have observed a healthy growth in the veterinary care sector and it is expected that Asia-Pacific region which currently accounts for a share of 19.0% will grow with the fastest CAGR of 6.8% till 2019.Click For Full Report@About UsSpearhead Acuity Business Research & Consulting Private Limited (SA-BRC) is a premium Life Science business intelligence and data analytics firm. SA-BRC team offers a wide range of business intelligence services to multiple stakeholders such as Medical Device Manufacturers, Service Providers (Hospitals, Payers, etc.), Suppliers, Group Purchase Organizations, Distributors and all other individuals in the entire value chain of healthcare industry. Our research and consulting capabilities extend across several sub-domains within the sphere of Life Sciences such as Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices, Veterinary Sciences, Wellness Products and Pharmaceuticals.Contact UsJohn Whitmore10685-B Hazelhurst Drive,Suite 17411Houston, Texas 77043,United StatesPhone: +1(832)-426-3701Email: sales@sa-brc.comWebsite:
Next-Gen Security Testing Services Are Addressing Global Concerns

Security Testing Services

http://www.provasolutions.com/qa-and-testing-services/security-testing-services-singapore/

Texas (USA), Canada (Toronto) & India (Business Network)Dec 7, 2016: Prova Solutions, a leading name in independent security testing services, explains why entrepreneurs need to look out for the latest technology in security and penetration testing. The company has delivered testing solutions for over 150+ software projects and over 100 websites through which it has created a knowledge centre of next-generation security testing services. Looking at the cyber warfare that has affected government agencies, private organisations and SMEs alike, Prova shares insights on what are these latest features in security testing services that will offer a futuristic IT security protection to companies.Security Testing Services for 2017 and beyond:i)Assorted Solutions: Security Testing services should be capable of responding to a data security incident, developing compliant policies or assisting in the development of a comprehensive governance procedure. The approach has to be multi-faceted.ii)Follow A Set of Rules: Security Testing services should be able to implement and maintain a written cybersecurity plan that will include security prerequisites. This will create pre-emptive policies.iii)Security As A Ritual: Moving forward from operational services, security testing needs to become a recurrent ritual with annual risk analysis and quarterly vulnerability assessment.A minimum of 26 billion devices are expected to become IoT connected by 2020 (Gartner). Some other research reports have predicted this figure to reach as high as 212 billion (IDC). As much as technology usage is increasing globally, cyber threats will match up quickly. So get the latest security testing services for your organisation and stay ahead of malicious attackers.For more details & information-Name - Richard SmithContact No- +1 281-764-1821Email - info@provasolutions.comAt Prova, we provide a wide range of Security Testing Services for Singapore such as, Quality Audit, Code Review and Test Consultancy services along with Manual Testing, Performance Testing, Automation Testing and other Security Testing services. To improve quality, organizations need to focus on improving all aspects, from processes and products to inception and delivery of the product.Suma Soft Pvt Ltd2nd Floor, SumaCenter, Opposite Himali Society, Erandawane, Swaroop Society, Himali Society, Vakil Nagar, Erandwane, Pune, Maharashtra 411004
Transcreener Assays From BellBrook Labs: Two Additional Plate Readers Certified

Berthold LB 943 Mithras2 multilabel monochromator

www.mobitec.com

https://www.bellbrooklabs.com/transcreener-hts-assays/

Transcreener is a universal assay method that can be used across entire families of nucleotide-dependent enzymes. A single nucleotide detection assay can be used for all of the enzymes that generate a common nucleotide product.Transcreener assays manufactured by BellBrook Labs, USA, distributed in Europe by MoBiTec GmbH, Germany, enable you to screen more targets, both well characterized and emerging, faster and more efficiently. Thousands of cellular reactions use nucleotides, either alone or in combination with other substrates. Enzymes in the purinome alone - those that use adenine and guanine nucleotides - comprise 13% of the coding capacity of the human genome. Of these, protein kinases have become highly validated drug targets, but lipid kinases, chaperone ATPases and GTPases as well as less obvious ATP-dependent enzymes such as Acetyl Co-A carboxylase are increasingly being targeted for therapeutic intervention. Direct detection of nucleotides is unique to the Transcreener platform.Increased instrumentation costs and limited budgets mean that most HTS labs rely on a single type of multimode plate reader, which may limit the detection modes that can be used. The ability of an assay technology to generate different types of readouts and perform well on a variety of plate readers is certainly an asset in this regard. Transcreener assays are available in a three fluorescent detection modes.1. Time ResolvedForster Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET)2. Fluorescent Intensity (FI)3. Fluorescent Polarization (FP)This allows the user to not only pick a mode that is best for the study, but also one that can be found on a plate reader in his or her own lab. No additional equipment required.ValidationAs new multimode readers are introduced to the market, the three Transcreener detection modes are validated individually to ensure full compatibility and define optimal settings.Most recently, the Tristar2 LB 942, and Mithras2 LB 943 plate readers from Berthold Technologies were certified for use with BellBrook's Transcreener FI and TR-FRET Assay platforms by an independent lab at the University of Bonn in Germany. The testing for FP is in final stages and the results will be available soon. Please us for an updated status.BellBrook's Plate Reader Validation Criteria 384-Well Format Z'-Factor  0.7 at 10% conversion of 10 M ATP or GDP Read time to achieve Z' specifications  5 minutesCustomers from Europe are welcome to visitor contact MoBiTec GmbH for Transcreener assay product pricing. Custom quotes are available for bulk orders.About Bellbrook LabsBellBrook Labs is dedicated to providing the pharmaceutical industry with enabling screening tools to accelerate the discovery of more effective therapies. As a small, R&D-driven company, BBL identifies areas where there is a strong need but a significant technical hurdle, and then BBL develops a solution. The company is focused on taking creative approaches to new product development and to continually improving the level of service provided to customers.Transcreener Biochemical Assay TechnologyBellBrook's proprietary Transcreener HTS Platform () was developed to move more new targets into HTS more rapidly, and to streamline selectivity profiling within a target family. It relies on homogenous fluorescent immunodetection of nucleotides, including ADP, UDP, GDP, AMP, and GMP, that are formed by thousands of cellular enzymes. Among these are group transferase families, such as kinases and glycosyltransferases, that catalyze the covalent regulatory reactions that are central to cell signaling. Each Transcreener Assay provides a generic detection method for multiple enzyme families. This means that scientists can focus on evaluating new therapeutic strategies and optimizing lead molecules rather than on time-consuming assay development for individual targets. Since the introduction of the first Transcreener assays in 2005, the platform has been rapidly validated and adopted by pharmaceutical and biotechnology screening labs around the world.About MoBiTec GmbHMoBiTec GmbH (Goettingen, Germany) is a privately held company (founded in 1987) that offers research tools for molecular and cell biology. Products include DNA vectors for cloning and expression, cell transfection reagents and cell culture tools, immobilized and soluble enzymes, products for genomics and proteomics research, numerous antibodies and recombinant proteins, superior fluorescence reagents and kits, affinity chromatography products, as well as general laboratory equipment.In parallel to its own product lines, MoBiTec distributes products from international companies in Germany. MoBiTec products are distributed worldwide, in Germany from their home office, in other countries by distributors.MoBiTec GmbHArne SchulzLotzestr. 22a, 37083 GoettingenGermany
Progressive Personnel rebrands to Progressive Travel Recruitment

www.progressivetravelrecruitment.com

http://www.progressivetravelrecruitment.com

Global travel and hospitality recruitment leader, Progressive Personnel, this month re-emerges as Progressive Travel Recruitment with a fresh new look and a new website under the new URL  with enhanced job search capability.Progressive Travel Recruitments competitive edge, however, remains  a dedicated team of specialist travel recruiters, who have themselves worked in the industry and understand intimately the needs of travel companies and travel candidates, and who use their solid industry networks built over many years to find the right match between these.The new website features simplified navigation, robust job-search functionality and candidate and company areas that allow both candidate and job seekers to engage with Progressive Travel Recruitment online. It is also fully social media integrated and offers interesting and dynamic travel recruitment advice, tips and commentary on trends.Progressive Travel Recruitment is the leading travel recruitment agency worldwide. We pride ourselves on our ability to match people quickly and accurately with jobs. Because everyone at Progressive Travel Recruitment has worked in the travel and hospitality industries, we know the requirements and challenges of these sectors and our clients trust us to get it right first time. Our broad international experience allows us to fine-tune appointments at all levels from entry to managerial, all over the world, ensuring happy outcomes for both clients and candidates.To find out more about Progressive Travel Recruitment, please visit8th Floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QPPhone: 0044 (0) 207 808 7887Email: london@progressive-personnel.comPress contact: Natalia Rosa email: natalia@bigambitions.co.za
Thailand Ammonia Market Size, Price Trends and Trade Balance Outlook to 2020

http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/895873

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http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/

"The Report Ammonia Industry Outlook in Thailand to 2020 - Market Size, Price Trends and Trade Balance provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"GlobalDatas new report, "Ammonia Industry Outlook in Thailand to 2020 - Market Size, Price Trends and Trade Balance", provides in-depth coverage of Thailands Ammonia industry and presents major market trends. The report covers historical and forecast market size, demand and production forecasts, end-use demand details, price trends and trade balance data.View Report AtScope- Ammonia industry market dynamics in Thailand from 2006 to 2020, consisting of market size, demand and production outlook, demand by end-use sector, and average prices- Trade balance data from 2006 to 2020, including import and export data and net exports and imports as a percentage of demandReasons to buy- Obtain up-to-date information on Thailands Ammonia industry- Benefit from GlobalDatas advanced insights and analysis- Identify the macro and microeconomic trends affecting the industryDownload Sample copy of this Report at :Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of Contents 2List of Tables 2List of Figures 2Thailand Ammonia, Industry, Market Size, 2006-2020 3Thailand Ammonia Industry, Demand and Production Outlook, 2006-2020 5Thailand Ammonia, Industry, Demand by End Use Sector, 2015 7Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Price Forecasts, 2006-2020 8Thailand Ammonia, Trade Balance, 2006-2020 10Thailand Ammonia Industry, Imports and Exports, 2006-2020 10Thailand Ammonia Industry, Net Exports, 2006-2020 12Thailand Ammonia Industry, Imports as Percentage of Demand, 2006-2020 14Appendix 16Abbreviations 16GlobalDatas Methodology 16Coverage 16Secondary Research 16Primary Research 17Expert Panel Validation 17Contact Us 17Disclaimer 17List of TablesThailand, Ammonia Industry, Demand Value, $m, 2006-2020 4Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Demand, MMTPA, 2006-2020 6Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Demand by End Use Sector, %, 2015 7Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Price Forecasts, $/Tonne, 2006-2020 9Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Imports and Exports, MMTPA, 2006-2020 11Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Net Exports, MMTPA, 2006-2020 13Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Imports as Percentage of Demand, %, 2006-2020 15List of FiguresThailand, Ammonia Industry, Demand Value, $m, 2006-2020 3Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Demand, MMTPA, 2006-2020 5Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Demand by End Use Sector, %, 2015 7Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Price Forecasts, $/Tonne, 2006-2020 8Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Imports and Exports, MMTPA, 2006-2020 10Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Net Exports, MMTPA, 2006-2020 12Thailand, Ammonia Industry, Imports as Percentage of Demand, %, 2006-2020MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Radiotherapy Market Size, Share, Analysis, Report and Forecast to 2022 According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Radiotherapy Market is accounted for $6.5 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $10.2 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. Rising number of cancer patients, technological advancements and increasing aging population are some of the key factors fueling the market growth. However, lack of sufficient infrastructure and healthcare costs are expected to hinder the market.



Technologies such as External beam radiotherapy and internal beam radiotherapy are anticipated to witness highest growth owing to increased pool of cancer patients. North America commanded the largest market share as it is constantly inclined to the newer technologies when compared to slow-moving markets such as Europe. Rising incidence of cancer and unmet healthcare needs in APAC provides ample of opportunities for the players in the market over the foreseeable future.



Some of the key players in the market include Siemens Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Nordion, Inc., IBA Group, Angiodynamics Inc, Ion Beam Applications SA, Protom International Inc, IsoRay Medical, Inc., Coviden Plc, Varian Medical Systems Inc, Accuray Inc, Mevion Medical Systems, Inc, C.R. BARD Inc, CIVCO Medical Solutions, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Brainlab AG, RaySearch Laboratories AB, Elekta AB and Nanobiotix.



Equipments Covered:

 Linear Accelerators

o Treatment Planning Systems

o Radiation Therapy Simulators



Technologies Covered:

 Internal radiation therapy

o High Dose Rate Radiotherapy

o Low-Dose Rate Radiotherapy

 Systemic radiation therapy

 External Beam Radiation Therapy

o Stereotactic body radiation therapy

o Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

o 3D-Conformal Radiotherapy (3D-CRT)

o Tomotherapy

o Volumetric Modulated ARC Therapy

o Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

o Proton Beam therapy

o Stereotactic radiosurgery



Product Types Covered:

 Electron Beams

 Non-Ionizing Radiation

 Photon Radiations

 Ionizing Radiation

 Alpha and Beta Particles

 Particle Radiation

 Neutron Beams

 Gamma Rays

 X-rays

 Proton Beams

 Carbon Ions



Applications Covered:

 Head and Neck Cancer

 Breast Cancer

 Prostate Cancer

 Colorectal Cancer

 Spine Cancer

 Cervical Cancer

 Penile Cancer

 Gynaecological Cancer

 Skin & Lip Cancer

 Lung Cancer

 Other Applications



Regions Covered:

 North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

 Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o UK

o Spain

o Rest of Europe

 Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o New Zealand

o Rest of Asia Pacific

 Rest of the World

o Middle East

o Brazil

o Argentina

o South Africa

o Egypt



What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements



We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.



STRATISTICS MRC

17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,

MD, 20877, USA



This release was published on openPR.



Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.
JD.com CEO and founder Richard Liu speaks to employees during the company's initial public offering (IPO) on NASDAW in 2014 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images)

Richard Liu, founder and CEO of JD.com, dismissed the possibility that a trade war between the U.S. and China will affect the company, and said he is not worried about it, CNBC reported.



Advertisement

"I don't think Mr. Trump would be a big issue for JD.com because we mainly focus on bringing American goods into China, and I believe through cooperation both sides can benefit."



Liu added: "Technology will not be stopped."



Next to Alibaba, JD.com is the second biggest online retailer in China, selling billions of dollars of imported goods, most of them American, from appliances to clothing apparel to groceries.



On potential changes in the U.S. trade policy, Liu said he was not too concerned about it. "Now is the era of a global village, so I believe any major event happening in the world will affect other areas. So what happens in the United States will affect what China thinks," he said.



According to Liu, each year that he visits the U.S., he sees different trends. He said it was augmented and virtual reality in recent years but now, it is autonomous cars and artificial intelligence.



Liu went to San Francisco to meet with some startups and to scout for investments in technology. Currently, tech companies are the third target favored by Chinese investors, according to Dealogic.



After his San Francisco meeting, Liu will go to New York, the report said. When asked by media if he would meet with President-elect Donald Trump, just like what SoftBank CEO Masoyoshi Son did, he replied: "Not this time."



Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, Taiwan-based electronics maker and Apple supplier, Foxconn Technology Group, confirmed plans about a U.S. expansion, a day after Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. pledged to invest $50 billion in the U.S.



"We can confirm that we are in preliminary discussions regarding a potential investment that would represent an expansion of our current U.S. operations," the company said.



The company, which is known to invest in high-tech sectors such as e-commerce, robotics, consumer tech startups and healthcare, did not specify which sector it will invest.


Global Adaptive Optics Market: Expanding Scope of Application into Defense and Security to Bolster Growth Prospects | Researchmoz

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Adaptive Optics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Trend, Size, Share and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Adaptive optics is a technology used to enhance the efficiency of an optical system by reducing the wavefront distortion effects. Adaptive optics primarily aims to correct the deformation of a coming wavefront by defacing a mirror for compensating the distortion. In order to provide an in-depth analysis of the adaptive optics market, the market has been segmented on the basis of technology, application and geography. Various technology used in adaptive optics includes wafefront modulator, wavefront sensor and control system. Adaptive optics also finds its application across various sectors including biomedical, defense and security, astronomy, manufacturing, consumer devices and communication. The market of adaptive optics is estimated to experience an exponential growth rate during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 owing to rapid growth of various application segment across the globe.Global Adaptive Optics Market: Growth DynamicsInitiatives taken by the government to encourage rapid research and development activities in the optics industry is the primary factor responsible for the growing demand of technologically advanced adaptive optics during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. In addition, increasing demand of adaptive optics from medical sector, astronomy and cellular imaging sector coupled with reduction in price of adaptive optics components owing to rapid technological advancement in material technology is also predicted to trigger the demand of adaptive optics in the coming years. In addition, rapid growth of the ophthalmology and retinal imaging treatments across the globe due to growing number of aging population and increasing adoption of retinal implants is also anticipated to create a better opportunity for various adaptive optics manufacturers during the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @However, Increasing regulatory compliances in line up with rising health treatment cost due to tax reforms are some of the major factors anticipated to affect the market growth of adaptive optics in the coming years. Adaptive optics technology involves aiming high frequency lasers into the lower atmosphere to correct for atmospheric distortions. There are different regulatory issues pertaining to the use of powerful lasers, which in turn is restraining the growth of adaptive optics market to some extent.Global Adaptive Optics Market: Scope of the ReportThis report highlights the current market synopsis of the adaptive optics market along with future anticipated market growth during the period from 2016 to 2024. In addition, various political, economic, social and technological factors that are anticipated to affect the current and future demand of adaptive is also provided in this report. In addition, information related to key players operating in the market along with their market share and key strategies adopted to maintain their leading position is also provided in this report. The report also contains the present market size of adaptive optics technology in terms of revenue (USD Million) along with predictive forecast from 2016 to 2024.Global Adaptive Optics Market: SegmentationBased on technology, the global adaptive optics market is majorly driven by wavefront sensors with highest market share in 2015. Extensive use of wavefront sensor for detecting the state of wavefront across the adaptive optic technology is the primary factor behind this segment's dominance. However, the market for control system used to measures the shape of the wavefront and produces signals that represent the wavefront, is predicted to experience the most promising market during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.By application, adaptive optics is majorly used in defense and security sector. The defense and security sector held the largest market share in 2015 and is predicted to maintain its dominance in the coming years. Adaptive optics are increasing used various defense communication system, surveillance and laser missile defense system. On the other hand, in terms of growth, consumer devices is predicted to witness the most promising market during the forecast period. Increasing demand for consumer devices having quick response, high optical quality and less power consumption are some of the key factors anticipated to boost the demand adaptive optics from various consumer goods manufacturers in the coming years.Some of the major players operating in the adaptive optics market include includes Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (U.S.), Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.), IRIS AO, Inc. (U.S.), Olympus Corp. (Tokyo), Boston Micromachines Corporation (U.S.), Raytheon Co. (U.S.), Canon Inc. (Japan), Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Germany), Celestron LLC (U.S.) and Sacher Lasertechnik Gmbh (Germany) among others.The global adaptive optics has been segmented as follows:Global Adaptive Optics Market, By Technology- Wavefront Modulator- Wavefront Sensor- Control SystemGlobal Adaptive Optics Market, By Application- Biomedical- Defense and Security- Astronomy- Manufacturing- Consumer devices- CommunicationGlobal Adaptive Optics Market, By Geography- North America- The U.S.- Rest of North America- Europe- The U.K.- Germany- France- Italy- Rest of Europe- Asia Pacific- China- Japan- India- Rest of Asia Pacific- Middle-East and Africa (MEA)- A.E- South Africa- Rest of Middle-East and Africa- Latin America- Brazil- Rest of Latin AmericaMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Telepresence Robots Industry Demand, Shares, Strategy and Forecasts Research Report 2016 to 2022

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Telepresence Robots: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Worldwide Telepresence Robots markets are poised to achieve significant growth. People like mobility, they like remote communication and telepresence robots add a new dimension to remote communication.The quality of remote communication is uplifted by the robotic platform approach to connecting people located in different places. The visualization provided by the telepresence robot is not reproducible by the smartphone and large telepresence systems are not mobile. So ultimately all people will want access to telepresence robots in order to move around and see for themselves what is going on in another place.Clearly terrorism is here to stay. As nationalistic wars decline as a way to settle disputes, terrorism has emerged in spades. The recent terrorist attacks in Boston, Paris, and Belgium illustrate the risk that civilian populations are exposed to. Telepresence robots represent the best and perhaps last line of defense against terrorists. Telepresence robots can go where no man or woman can go, they can go safer, they can go faster, they can provide a presence that might not be achieved in any other way.There are more civil uses for telepresence robots: in education, healthcare, business, and manufacturing. People can drive a telepresence robot around a work environment, around a school, around a hospital to reach people that they night otherwise have a difficult time contacting.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Remote telepresence healthcare diagnosis and treatment market is especially important for the treatment of stroke. Stroke damage can be mitigated if symptoms are treated within 4 hours of the onset of symptoms, otherwise the stroke damage is likely permanent. Global telehealth partnerships. The aim is to integrate diagnostic tools into tele-stroke solutions.Stroke occurs when a vessel in the brain ruptures or is blocked by a blood clot. There are two types of strokes: hemorrhagic and ischemic. An ischemic stroke occurs as a result of an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, which accounts for 87% of all stroke cases. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and spills blood into brain tissue. 800,000 people in the U.S. and 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year.These markets portend to be very large worldwide and represent good uses of telepresence. The ability of a clinician specialist to diagnose and initiate immediate treatment of a stroke from a gold course or other location is lifesaving.Manufacturing and engineering telepresence robot uses are expected to proliferate. Monitoring and telepresence are being combined to achieve remote repairs that provide better customer services at lower cost. Manufacturing and engineering resources for companies frequently are in different places. The same is true for IT, the software developer engineers and the software IT users are frequently located in different places. It is useful to have a mobile device that can be controlled by the engineer to go have a look around when a trouble call comes in from a site.A remote telepresence device can use monitoring and telepresence to achieve remote repairs. The ability to integrate the remote physical location with the engineer who knows the system often involves travel, sometimes long arduous travel. Telepresence and mobile video telecommunications technologies can be very useful in postponing or eliminating the travel.A mobile, real-time, 3D-hybrid telepresence system permits the user to go and have a look around and talk to different people about the problem without actually being there. Integration of telepresence images with computer generated virtual environments can be superimposed over the remote real worldview. This integrated system incorporates emerging mobile telecommunications technologies to give rapid and easy access to the real and virtual construction sites from arbitrary locations. This system allows remote surveillance of the construction site, and integration of real world images of the site with virtual reality representations, derived from planning models, for progress monitoring.Use of the telepresence robot with the video and microphone capability to achieve remote presence is a vital aspect of personal mobility devices. Telepresence robots are poised to achieve a vital extension of electronic communication in ways that will become indispensable to everyone soon.Telepresence robot device markets at $825 million in 2015 are anticipated to reach $7 billion by 2022 as next generation robotic devices, systems, and instruments are introduced to manage remote presence. The robotic platform will be extended to include grippers and cameras of all types, sensors and sophisticated navigation software.The complete report provides a comprehensive analysis including units sold, market value, forecasts, as well as a detailed competitive market shares and analysis of major players success, challenges, and strategies in each segment and sub-segment. The report covers markets for security, law enforcement, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and business telepresence.Companies ProfiledMarket Leaders- InTouch- Double Robotics- Mantaro- Vgo- General Dynamics- Northrop Grumman- QuinetiQ- Lockheed Martin- SDR- iRobot- Kongsberg- Telerob- RecanRoboticsMarket Participants- Anybots- Dimaa Network Services LTD (DNS)- DJI- Double Robotics- GlobalMed- iRobot- Inbot Technology PadBot- Intouch- Mantaro- Orbis Robotics- QinetiQ- Rbot- ReconRobotics- Revolve Robotics- Robosoft- Robotex- Suitable Technologies- TechnoRobot- VGo- VseeMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Drones Industry Demand, Size, Shares, Strategies and Forecasts Research Report 2016 to 2022

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Drones Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The 2016 study has 1,114 pages, 492 tables and figures. Worldwide drone markets are poised to achieve significant growth with the use of cameras on stable flying platforms.Drones are miracles: flying cameras and flying weapons. Drones are being used for lifting cameras above the ground so every person who wants it can use a camera to rise above the earth to look down from above. Each person can choose thousands of vantage points, extending visualization beyond dreams. Drones are set to make every industry more productive with better, more flexible visualization. Drone uses provide the prospect of trillions of dollars in economic growth. Drones connect seamlessly and securely to the Internet and to each other.Drone aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has reached a level of maturity that has permitted DJI to garner $1 billion in revenue in 2015, doubling their revenue in one year. This achievement puts the drone systems at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing. Every industry and around the entire world vendors are adapting to drone availability. Use cases are evolving rapidly. Video, photos, specialized video, targeted video, and package delivery systems are offered.Next generation commercial drones achieve a complete replacement of existing commercial airfreight delivery systems, they are used for 3D mapping, commercial pipeline observation, border patrol, package delivery, photography, and agriculture are more energy efficient, last longer and have a significantly lower cost of operation than manned aircraft.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Drones markets promise to grow significantly because of the more economical visualization and navigation provided by systems. Visualization includes mapping from the air, inspection from the air, surveillance from the air, and package delivery from the air. The unmanned aircraft equipped with cameras are able to do things that cannot be done in any other way. This bodes well for market development.Unmanned aircraft systems promise to achieve a more significant aspect of commercial market presence. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems flying of 3 million flight hours gives drones market credibility. Eighty eight percent of those hours were logged in combat situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, paving the way for commercial drone markets to develop.Table of ContentsDrone Markets Executive Summary 74Drone Market Driving Forces 74Drone Challenges 84Drone Fleet Systems 85Smart Drone Infrastructure Standards 86Drone Market Shares 87Drone Market Forecasts 891. Drones: Market Description and Market Dynamics 911.1 Smart Commercial Drones 911.1.1 Smart Drones: Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Description 911.2 Drone Enhanced Capability and Payloads 931.2.1 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Enhanced Resilience 951.2.2 Small and Micro-UAS Drones 951.2.3 Drone Aerial Systems (UAS) Perimeter Surveillance 951.2.4 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) Surveillance 961.3 Drone Use Cases 971.3.1 Drones on the Silver Screen 971.3.2 Follow Drones 981.3.3 Conducting a Solar Panel Inspection with eBee Drone 991.3.4 Quad-copter Drone Crosses the English Channel 991.3.5 Dutch Police Training Eagles to Take Down Drones 991.3.6 Next Star Wars Movie Used a Team of Drones to Protect Its Secrets 991.3.7 AT&T Plans to Use LTE to Control Drones Over Long Distances 1001.3.8 Traxxas Flight Link App 1001.4 Registering Drones 1001.5 Georeferenced Imagery 1001.5.1 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Traffic Monitoring 1011.5.2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Agriculture Mapping 1031.5.3 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Homeland Security 1041.5.4 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Scientific Research 1061.6 Globalization and Technology 1071.6.1 Proliferation of Conventional Military Technologies 1081.6.2 Drones General Roles 1081.7 Border Patrol: 1091.8 Development of Lighter Yet More Powerful Drone Power Sources 1102. Drone Market Shares and Forecasts 1112.1 Drone Market Driving Forces 1112.1.1 Drone Challenges 1212.1.2 Drone Fleet Systems 1222.1.3 Smart Drone Infrastructure Standards 1232.2 Drone Market Shares 1242.2.1 Chinas DJI Leads Drone Markets 1292.2.2 DJI Revenue Demonstrates Leadership Position 1312.2.1 DJI Phantom 1322.2.2 Parrot 1332.2.3 3D Robotics 1332.2.4 Parrot AR Drone $299, Flies Off a Roof 1352.2.5 Ascending Technologies AscTec Firefly 1362.2.6 Ascending Technologies Professional Line 1372.2.7 AscTec for Professional Drone Users: 1372.2.8 Hubsan 1382.2.9 Boeing A160 Hummingbird Helicopter 1382.2.10 Insitu 1392.2.11 Boeing Insitu 1402.2.12 Lockheed Martin 1402.2.13 BP and AeroVironment Launch FAA-Approved, Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Operations 1412.2.14 AeroVironment's Extensive Operational Track Record 1432.2.15 AeroVironment $11.2 Million Order for Raven Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Services 1432.2.16 Textron /AAI 1442.2.17 Textron Shadow 1472.2.18 Aurora Flight Sciences Odysseus Solar-Powered Aircraft 1482.2.19 Intel / Ascending Technologies 1482.2.20 Draganflyer X4 UAV 1482.2.21 DRS Unmanned Technologies Ground Control Stations 1492.2.22 Proxy Aviation Systems 1492.2.23 Northrop Grumman Bat 3 1502.2.24 General Atomics Predator UAS 1502.2.25 General Atomics Predator B UAS 1522.2.26 Yahama Agricultural Drone 1522.2.27 Wing Loong Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Drone 1532.2.28 Facebook 1532.2.29 Google 1532.2.30 Drone Unit Shipments by Company 1532.3 Drone Market Forecasts 1552.3.1 Smart Commercial Drone Aerial Systems (UAS), Market Total Forecasts 1642.3.2 Drone Unit Shipments 1642.3.3 Drone Industry Components 1682.4 Consumer Drones 1692.5 Smart Commercial Drone Market Sector Shares and Forecasts 1732.5.1 Smart Commercial Drone Aerial Systems Forecasts By Sector, Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Border Patrol, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Disaster Response, Package Delivery, Photography, Videography 1762.6 Border Patrol / Law Enforcement Drone Unmanned Aerial Systems 1782.6.1 Border Patrol / Law Enforcement Drone Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Market Shares 1782.6.2 Smart Commercial Drone Border Patrol / Homeland Security Aerial Systems Forecasts 1812.6.3 Law Enforcement Drones 1822.7 Package Delivery Smart Drone Aerial Systems 1822.7.1 Package Delivery Smart Commercial Drone Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Market Shares, 1832.7.2 Boeing ScanEagle UAV 1842.7.3 Google Package Delivery 1842.7.4 Package Delivery Smart Commercial Drone Aerial Systems Forecasts 1872.8 Utility, Pipeline, and Construction Inspection Drones 1882.8.1 Utility and Pipeline Inspection Smart Commercial Drone Aerial Systems (UAS) Market Shares 1882.8.2 Smart Commercial Drone Oil and Gas / Pipeline Inspection Aerial Systems Forecasts 1922.8.3 Middle East & Africa Oil & Gas Drones 1942.8.4 Solar Plant Inspection 1962.8.5 Construction 197Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Wearable Robots, Exoskeletons Industry Shares, Strategy and Forecasts Research Report 2015 to 2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Wearable Robots, Exoskeletons: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Wearable Robots, Exoskeletons leverage better technology, they support high quality, lightweight materials and long life batteries. Wearable robots, industrial exoskeletons are used for permitting workers to lift 250 pounds and not get hurt while lifting, this is as close to superhuman powers as the comic books have imagined. The industrial exoskeletons are used to assist with weight lifting for workers while being as easy to use as getting dressed in the morning: Designs with multiple useful features are available. The study has 454 pages and 164 tables and figuresIndustrial workers and warfighters can perform at a higher level when wearing an exoskeleton. Exoskeletons can enable aerospace workers to work more efficiently when building or repairing airplanes. Industrial robots are very effective for ship building where heavy lifting can injure workers.Exoskeleton devices have the potential to be adapted further for expanded use in every aspect of industry. Workers benefit from powered human augmentation technology because they can offload some of the dangerous part of lifting and supporting heavy tools. Robots assist wearers with lifting activities, improving the way that a job is performed and decreasing the quantity of disability. For this reason it is anticipated that industrial exoskeleton robots will have very rapid adoption once they are fully tested and proven to work effectively for a particular task.Exoskeletons are being developed in the U.S., China, Korea, Japan, and Europe. They are generally intended for logistical and engineering purposes, due to their short range and short battery life. Most exoskeletons can operate independently for several hours. Chinese manufacturers express hope that upgrades to exoskeletons extending the battery life could make them suitable for frontline infantry in difficult environments, including mountainous terrain.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Exoskeletons are capable of transferring the weight of heavy loads to the ground through powered legs without loss of human mobility. This can increase the distance that soldiers can cover in a day, or increase the load that they can carry though difficult terrain. Exoskeletons can significantly reduce operator fatigue and exposure to injury.Industrial robots help with lifting, walking, and sitting Exoskeletons can be used to access efficiency of movement and improve efficiency.Industrial workers and warfighters can perform at a higher level when wearing an exoskeleton. Exoskeletons can enable aerospace workers to work more efficiently when building or repairing airplanes. Industrial robots are very effective for ship building where heavy lifting can injure workers. Medical and military uses have driven initial exoskeleton development to date. New market opportunities of building and repair in the infrastructure, aerospace, and shipping industries offer large opportunity for growth of the exoskeleton markets.Wearable robots, exoskeletons units are evolving additional functionality rapidly. Wearable robots functionality is used to assist to personal mobility via exoskeleton robots. They promote upright walking and relearning of lost functions. Exoskeletons are helping older people move after a stroke. Exoskeleton s deliver higher quality rehabilitation, provide the base for a growth strategy for clinical facilities.Exoskeletons support occupational heavy lifting. Exoskeletons are poised to play a significant role in warehouse management, ship building, and manufacturing. Usefulness in occupational markets is being established. Emerging markets promise to have dramatic and rapid growth.Industrial workers and warfighters can perform at a higher level when wearing an exoskeleton. Exoskeletons can enable paraplegics to walk again. Devices have the potential to be adapted further for expanded use in healthcare and industry. Elderly people benefit from powered human augmentation technology. Robots assist wearers with walking and lifting activities, improving the health and quality of life for aging populations.Exoskeletons are being developed in the U.S., China, Korea, Japan, and Europe. They are useful in medical markets. They are generally intended for logistical and engineering purposes, due to their short range and short battery life. Most exoskeletons can operate independently for several hours. Chinese manufacturers express hope that upgrades to exoskeletons extending the battery life could make them suitable for frontline infantry in difficult environments, including mountainous terrain.In the able-bodied field, Ekso, Lockheed Martin, Sarcos / Raytheon, BAE Systems, Panasonic, Honda, Daewoo, Noonee, Revision Military, and Cyberdyne are each developing some form of exoskeleton for military and industrial applications. The field of robotic exoskeleton technology remains in its infancy.Robotics has tremendous ability to support work tasks and reduce disability. Disability treatment with sophisticated exoskeletons is anticipated to providing better outcomes for patients with paralysis due to traumatic injury. With the use of exoskeletons, patient recovery of function is subtle or non existent, but getting patients able to walk and move around is of substantial benefit. People using exoskeleton robots are able to make continued progress in regaining functionality even years after an injury.Wearable Robots, Exoskeletons at $36.5 million in 2015 are anticipated to reach $2.1 billion by 2021. All the measurable revenue in 2015 is from medical exoskeletons. New technology from a range of vendors provides multiple designs that actually work and will be on the market soon. This bodes well for market development.Companies ProfiledMarket Leaders- Ekso Bionics- Sarcos / Raytheon- Lockheed Martin- Daewoo- BAE Systems- Panasonic- Honda- Daewoo- Noonee- Revision Military- China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO)- Rex Bionics- Parker Hannifin- Cyberdyne- SarcosMarket Participants- AlterG- Ekso Bionics- Hocoma- Parker Hannifin- Revision Military- ReWalk Robotics- RexBionics- Rostec- Sarcos- University of Twente- Catholic University of America- United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation- Bionik Laboratories / Interactive Motion Technologies (IMT)- Catholic University of America- Fanuc- Interaxon- KDM- Lopes Gait Rehabilitation Device- MRISAR- Myomo- Orthocare Innovations- Reha Technology- Robotdalen- Sarcos- Shepherd Center- Socom (U.S. Special Operations Command)- Trek Aerospace- United Instrument Manufacturing CorporationMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Drone Industry Forecasts Indicate Strong Growth Anticipated Markets At $3.6 Billion In 2014 Are Anticipated Will Reach $16.1 Billion By 2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Drones: Even Trains and Planes Use Remote Control Like Drones, Market Shares, Market Strategies, and Market Forecasts, 2015 to 2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Drones: Trains, Planes, and Drones Use Remote Control: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021. Next generation drones leverage better technology, launching from ships anywhere. The technology is evolving better navigation, softer landings, longer flights, better ability to carry different payloads.The drones are able to achieve military and commercial tasks. They have been evolving airfreight delivery systems capability. They are used for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence missions. They do 3D mapping, commercial pipeline observation, border patrol, package delivery, photography, and agriculture. These are more energy efficient, last longer and have a significantly lower cost of operation than manned aircraft.Drone technology extends everywhere, even to airline control towers. Drones evolving technology is extending uses, even evolving to trains and planes. The use of Drone technology to control moving devices remotely extends the notion of drones, creating a larger potential drone market. Military drones will make every navy ship an aircraft carrier. They can be launched from anywhere, not needing an airfield.In the recent Germanwings airline crash, the control tower knew for 10 minutes that the airliner was set to destruct with all the passengers on board but the controllers in the tower were powerless to help. This crash represents an instance of how security systems and sensors might be used from a control tower to effect remote control in response to a security issue.Headlines like Amtrak train derailed going 106 M.P.H. on sharp curve; at least 9 killed, represent another instance of where remote control of a transport unit would improve safety in train operations. Remote monitoring. and remote piloting offer guidelines on the commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems . Drone commercial uses will provide billions of dollars in economic growth.Drone unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has reached a level of maturity that has put these systems at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing. Procurement around the world is adapting to drone availability. Use in the global war on terrorism has demonstrated unique usefulness for military intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications relay.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Relatively low-cost of drones make them work for civilian applications. Law enforcement, mapping, video making, movie making, environmental monitoring, and aerial survey become compelling applications in the future.Drone aircraft are sophisticated and flexible. They take off, fly and land autonomously. They enable engineers to push the envelope of normal flight. Reconnaissance drones can fly for days continuously. Remote, ground-based pilots can work in shifts.Removal of the need for an onboard pilot ushers in an era of low cost aerial craft called drones. The drone elimination of the need for human support systems on aircraft dramatically reduces the aircrafts size, complexity, and power requirements. The drones effectively reduce overall program cost, development time and risk. Many advanced flight technologies are for piloted craft. These are initially tested using unmanned subscale demonstrators.Removing the pilot allows designers to simplify the aircrafts design and then test it at reduced risk. It allows configurations that would be impossible or impractical for human occupation.A common issue with UAV platforms is the need to optimize these aircraft. UAV are used to carry useful payloads. These platforms are flexible as to payload, permitting interchangeable or additional sensors and other electronics, extra fuel or weapons systems. The sole function of an unmanned aircraft is to get to a target location, perform a task, and then return in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Without a pilot aboard, the return trip is optional. Light weight is central to UAV design.NORTHROP GRUMMAN GLOBAL HAWKLEXINGTON, Massachusetts (July 30, 2015)  WinterGreen Research announces that it has published a new study Drones: Trains, Planes, and Drones Use Remote Control: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021. Next generation drones leverage better technology, launching from ships anywhere. The technology is evolving better navigation, softer landings, longer flights, better ability to carry different payloads.The drones are able to achieve military and commercial tasks. They have been evolving airfreight delivery systems capability. They are used for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence missions. They do 3D mapping, commercial pipeline observation, border patrol, package delivery, photography, and agriculture. These are more energy efficient, last longer and have a significantly lower cost of operation than manned aircraft.Drone technology extends everywhere, even to airline control towers. Drones evolving technology is extending uses, even evolving to trains and planes. The use of Drone technology to control moving devices remotely extends the notion of drones, creating a larger potential drone market. Military drones will make every navy ship an aircraft carrier. They can be launched from anywhere, not needing an airfield.In the recent Germanwings airline crash, the control tower knew for 10 minutes that the airliner was set to destruct with all the passengers on board but the controllers in the tower were powerless to help. This crash represents an instance of how security systems and sensors might be used from a control tower to effect remote control in response to a security issue.Headlines like Amtrak train derailed going 106 M.P.H. on sharp curve; at least 9 killed, represent another instance of where remote control of a transport unit would improve safety in train operations. Remote monitoring. and remote piloting offer guidelines on the commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems . Drone commercial uses will provide billions of dollars in economic growth.Drone unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has reached a level of maturity that has put these systems at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing. Procurement around the world is adapting to drone availability. Use in the global war on terrorism has demonstrated unique usefulness for military intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications relay.Relatively low-cost of drones make them work for civilian applications. Law enforcement, mapping, video making, movie making, environmental monitoring, and aerial survey become compelling applications in the future.Drone aircraft are sophisticated and flexible. They take off, fly and land autonomously. They enable engineers to push the envelope of normal flight. Reconnaissance drones can fly for days continuously. Remote, ground-based pilots can work in shifts.Removal of the need for an onboard pilot ushers in an era of low cost aerial craft called drones. The drone elimination of the need for human support systems on aircraft dramatically reduces the aircrafts size, complexity, and power requirements. The drones effectively reduce overall program cost, development time and risk. Many advanced flight technologies are for piloted craft. These are initially tested using unmanned subscale demonstrators.Removing the pilot allows designers to simplify the aircrafts design and then test it at reduced risk. It allows configurations that would be impossible or impractical for human occupation.A common issue with UAV platforms is the need to optimize these aircraft. UAV are used to carry useful payloads. These platforms are flexible as to payload, permitting interchangeable or additional sensors and other electronics, extra fuel or weapons systems. The sole function of an unmanned aircraft is to get to a target location, perform a task, and then return in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Without a pilot aboard, the return trip is optional. Light weight is central to UAV design.Drones represent a way to use air to travel faster and at less cost. The market is divided between military and commercial drones. Military drones represent the future of the national security presence for every nation. Increasing technology sophistication and lower costs are achieving dramatic market shifts.Remote operation occurs in a control tower. The control tower knew for ten minutes that the Germanwings flight was headed for disaster and could do nothing about it, the same was true during the airliner participation in the 911 terrorist bombings. What this study is about is control towers that have the ability to stop trains, planes, and control drones.Control towers are set to become a way of life and drones light the way. Other technologies will follow. If a train is approaching a curve at 100 miles per hour when it should be going 50 miles per hour, there in the future there will be a way to remotely take over the train and slow it or stop it.If a plane is hijacked, if there is a bad guy in the pilots seat, then in the future, the control tower will take over the plane. Drones lead the way in this regard. Drones provide a way to permit a plane to enter an airspace and to be controlled remotely. It is the drone technology that will be adopted by the trains and planes in the future of control tower expansion.In this study, we illustrate how drones achieve doing work even though they are remotely controlled. Remote operation of trains is now possible. A speeding train can be stopped by trained staff watching remotely. The rules for this have yet to be fully implemented.Transportation Trades AFL-CIO Endorses Federal Mandates To Require At Least Two Crew Members On U.S. Freight TrainsDrone market forecasts indicate strong growth anticipated Markets at $3.6 billion in 2014 are anticipated to reach $16.1 billion by 2021. A $3.6 billion market is substantial indicating the presence of many reference accounts for vendors. The wide variety of models and applications speak to the strong foothold in the market. With many vendors pushing products, the aggregate marketing will contribute to building a huge market for drones.Commercial drone agricultural markets will grow significantly as the aircraft are able to perform more cost efficiently than other ways of farming, ranching, and orchard tending. Package delivery is evolving as a nascent market for commercial drones.Military markets for drones with strike capability will grow rapidly. Every segment of drone market applications is poised for strong growth as the designs become more mature and vendors spread throughout the world..Military drones will be used on ships to replace missiles. Drones will master becoming more elusive and able to fly faster to get out of the way of armies firing at them. Drones will be launched from the decks of ships and controlled remotely to deal with trouble anywhere.Drones markets promise to grow significantly because of the more economical visualization and navigation provided by systems. Visualization includes mapping from the air, inspection from the air, surveillance from the air, and package delivery from the air. The unmanned aircraft equipped with cameras are able to do things that cannot be done in any other way. This bodes well for market development.Unmanned aircraft systems promise to achieve a more significant aspect of commercial market presence. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems flying of 3 million flight hours gives drones market credibility. Eighty eight percent of those hours were logged in combat situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, paving the way for commercial drone markets to develop.According to Susan Eustis, leader of the team that prepared the study, Quantities of fielded military and commercial systems of every size and description are set to increase. Every ship can become an aircraft carrier with drones, every commercial endeavor can be made to operate more efficiently with drones. Police departments, the oil and gas industry, border patrol, and utilities are all using commercial drones. Units are used for agriculture. Vendors continue to improve the capabilities of drone aircraft. Governments continue to improve the rules and regulations controlling drones.- Their ability to support the military and commercial endeavors is increasing. Unmanned aircraft have fundamentally changed the accuracy of utility and oil and gas inspections. The drones are set to fundamentally change how agriculture is conducted.WinterGreen Research is an independent research organization funded by the sale of market research studies all over the world and by the implementation of ROI models that are used to calculate the total cost of ownership of equipment, services, and software. The company has 35 distributors worldwide, including Global Information Info Shop, Market Research.com, Research and Markets, Bloomberg, electronics.ca, and Thompson Financial. WinterGreen Research is positioned to help customers facing challenges that define the modern enterprises. The increasingly global nature of science, technology and engineering is a reflection of the implementation of the globally integrated enterprise. Customers trust wintergreen research to work alongside them to ensure the success of the participation in a particular market segment.WinterGreen Research supports various market segment programs; provides trusted technical services to the marketing departments. It carries out accurate market share and forecast analysis services for a range of commercial and government customers globally. These are all vital market research support solutions requiring trust and integrity.Companies ProfiledMarket Leaders- AeroVironment Lockheed Martin- Textron- Boeing / Insitu- Northrop Grumman- Draganflyer- AeroVironmentMarket Participants- AeroVironment- ASN Technologies- Aurora Flight- Aviation Industry Corp (Avic)- BAE Systems- Boeing- Challis UAV Inc.- China Aerospace- Denel Dynamics- DJI- Draganflyer- Finmeccanica- Flirtey- General Atomics- General Dynamics- Google- GoPro- Honeywell- Integrated Dynamics- Israel Aerospace Industries- L-3 Communications- Laird / Cattron Group International- Lockheed Martin- Marcus UAV- MMist- Northrop Grumman- Parrot/senseFly- Prox Dynamics- Proxy Technologies- RUAG Aerospace- Safran Morpho- SAIC- Scaled Composites- Schiebel- Textron- TRNDlabs- Wing LoongKey Topics- Military Drones- Autonomous trains- Autonomous systems- Drones- Autonomous planes- Robotics- UAS- Planes- Trains- Commercial Drones- Drone Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)- Drone 3D Mapping- Drone Commercial Pipeline Observation- Drone Border Patrol- Drone Package Delivery- Drone Photography- Dronr Agriculture- Remote Control- Drone Surveillance- Drone Reconnisance- Drone Intelligence- Drone Missels- Drone Launchers- Aerial RefuelingMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Latin America Capnography Equipment Market Expected to Account US$ 30.2 Million by 2021

Latin America Capnography Equipment Market, Latin America Capnography Equipment, Capnography Equipment Market

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The capnography equipment market for Latin America was valued at USD 9.7 million in 2014 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 17.5 % from 2014 to 2021, to reach USD 30.2 million by 2021.The capnography equipment market is growing rapidly in Latin America majorly due to the recommendations to use capnography in routine hospital settings by esteemed organizations and government bodies. The World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2009 report on safe surgery, recommended the use of capnography monitoring during endotracheal tube placement, hypoventilation, and esophageal intubation for better outcome. The Uruguayan Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended capnography monitoring in routine-use during procedural sedation and anesthetics. These guidelines substantiate the importance of capnography equipment in hospital use. Moreover, high impact of the U.S. health care system on the health care market in Latin America is augmenting the capnography equipment market in this region.Based on types of capnograph, the sidestream capnograph segment dominated the capnography equipment market in 2014, with a share of around 52.9%. Easy-to-use and capability to monitor the patient in non-intubated condition are the major factors that contributed to the high demand for sidestream capnograph. Additionally, presence of large number of players including local companies offering sidestream capnograph in their portfolio has increased the awareness and demand for sidestream capnograph in Latin America. The microstream capnograph segment has been projected to witness high growth during the forecast period in Latin America as these are cost-effective and offer several advantages in all hospital settings. The device could also be used for monitoring both non-intubated patients and neonates. However, sidestream capnograph cannot be used to monitor neonatal patients and mainstream capnograph lack the capability to monitor non-intubated patients.Based on countries, Brazil held the largest share of around 31.4% of the capnography equipment market in Latin America in 2014. High demand for plastic surgery, rising medical tourism for various types of dental surgeries, cosmetic surgeries and cardiac procedure, and large proportion of GDP expenditure on health care in Brazil are the major factors propelling the capnography equipment market in the region. Brazil is anticipated to be the fastest growing market for capnography equipment in Latin America during the forecast period.Request to view Table of Content @Key players operating in the capnography equipment market in Latin America include Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Masimo Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, Nonin Medical, Inc., Philips Healthcare, Smiths Medical, and Welch Allyn, Inc. Market players are continuously engaged in developing new and advanced capnography equipment along with additional features to strengthen their position in the capnography equipment market.To Purchase Single User License @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Digital Health Market to Expand Rapidly on Back of Robust Healthcare Spend and IT Proliferation

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Digital health refers to a system or solution that delivers effective health care solutions using IT tools and products. It is possible to provide better and more efficient care compared to traditional healthcare via patient online services and digital diagnostic techniques. The rise of digital health has been facilitated by modern disruptive technologies that have made it possible to combine health technology, digital media, and mobile devices to aid in better treatment. Digital health aids caregivers, patients, and healthcare professionals, by giving them access to relevant data required for better decision-making. It is gaining traction fast, as it is cost-effective, time saving, and accurate. Some of the main factors that led to the growth of its market are expensive advanced treatments, burgeoning elderly population, and shrinking healthcare budgets of governments. Confronted with such challenges, healthcare providers turned to new age technologies for quick and efficient solution.Get the Future Technological Breakthroughs of Digital Health Market at:A huge number of smart-phone toting patients these days are increasingly using some form a wearable health tech that monitors glucose, diabetes, and blood pressure. The data gathered and processed by such devices is a veritable treasure trove for healthcare professionals who can utilize it to quickly diagnose a medical situation. There are, however, a couple of factors hobbling market growth. They include high capital expenditure, maintenance expenditure, privacy and security issues, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in developing countries.The report segments the digital health market on the basis of geography into Latin America, comprised of Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and others; Asia Pacific, comprised of Japan, China, India, ASEAN, New Zealand, and Australia; North America, comprised of Canada and U.S.; Eastern Europe, comprised of Russia and Poland; Western Europe, comprised of France, Germany, U.K., Spain, Italy, Belgium, Nordic countries, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands; and Middle East and Africa, comprised of Southern Africa, North Africa, and GCC.Read the Current Analysis of Digital Health Market at:Currently, North America is the leading market for global digital health on account of developed healthcare infrastructure, rising incidence of chronic diseases, and large healthcare budget. It is predicted to maintain its dominant position in the forecast period from 2016 to 2023. Europe too is proving to be an attractive market for digital health due to the prevalence of chronic ailments, increasing geriatric population, and technological advancements. The Asia Pacific market, however, is slated to witness maximum growth because of high investment in healthcare and IT. Some of the key players discussed in the report are AT&T Inc., General Electric Company, Cisco Systems Inc., and McKesson Corporation.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Systweak Rebrands Blog Portal with focus on Technology

http://blogs.systweak.com/

Systweak Software re-vamped their Blog portal last week to reach out to a wider readership base. The company, which has hitherto focused mainly on software and apps development, wants to position itself as the novice users guide to tech development and trivia with their blog.Systweak has its major customer-base in North America, along with parts of Europe and Asia. Through the new blog layout, the company hopes to engage more audience with news related to technological know-how and technology-oriented industries.We have been building affordable utility apps and software for almost 20 years now. However, the idea to create a dynamic database to make our customers (and readers) take an active interest in technology as a whole, has been in the pipeline for a while. The re-designed blog has already generated a good response as far as readership is concerned. We hope to build on this initial momentum and create an authentic and updated portal for the inquisitive reader, said Shrishail Rana, CEO, Systweak Software.The power of good content and information is undeniable in a digitized world. Likewise, we are trying to create a platform that wont just give information on technology but educate the reader about the newest and future technological developments that they will eventually need to function in their daily lives. Technology is not an elite commodity anymore. The blog has been rebranded as a one stop shop for anyone who wants to know a thing or two about anything and everything related totechnology, added Hema Ghai, Content Manager, Systweak Software.The blogs areas of focus are data, Ransomware, technology in pop culture and reality, apps and their usefulness, solutions for everyday tech challenges and product/software reviews among other things. To read Systweak blog posts, you can visitSystweak Software is one of the largest IT exporters based out of Jaipur, India with major market bases in North America and parts of Europe. The company was recently featured in 100 Most Promising Microsoft Solution Providers list by CIO Review, a leading magazine covering Enterprise Solutions. Systweak has been delivering effective Windows, Mac, iOS & Android solutions for the past 18 years to improve the average users digital experience. Most of Systweaks products are available in up to 24 languages and are approved and recognized for their quality worldwide by well-known organizations.572 & 573, G-1, Tower B-1 Evolve, IT/ITeS Mahindra World City, Village Kalwara, Taluka Sanganer, Jaipur- 302037, INDIAPhone: +91-141-2243030, 2243031 (5:00 AM to 5:00 PM G.M.T.) FAX: +91-141-2577982
Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.0% during 2016 to 2026

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gc-1733

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The significant rise in lifestyle-related diseases and the developments in healthcare infrastructure are expected to influence the demand for pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market is anticipated to procure value worth US$ 5,209.5 Mn at a y-o-y growth of 6.0 % over 2015. The mounting demand for branded drug products will continue to incite the growth of the Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical market in 2016.The demand for pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia is expected to register substantial growth owing to the increasing penetration of health insurance companies and the rising incidence rate of non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, the exceptional rise in the per capita income of Saudi Arabia is also expected to foster the demand for branded pharmaceutical drugs. Another key factor driving the growth of the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is the countrys strategic move to allow 100% FDI in the pharmaceuticals sector. Although, the shortage of profound indigenous research capacity in the pharmaceutical industry and the delayed registration of drug and medicine patents is expected to limit the expansion of the market in 2016 and beyond.Request Free Report Sample@Based on the product type, the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is expected to witness an upsurge in the prescription-type branded drug products. In terms of market value, the branded drugs are estimated to reach US$ 2,760.8 Mn by 2016-end. The demand for generic drugs is projected to secure steady growth, attributing to the insisting promotion of generic drug adoption by healthcare insurance providers.On the basis of the diseases, the pharmaceutical drugs used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases will continue exhibiting robust growth in 2016. The demand for cardiovascular medications will continue to surge due to the prominence of circulatory disorders in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the rising prevalence of disorders related to body sugar levels is expected to make diabetes a rapidly growing disease-based sub-segment in the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market.The pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is also segmented on the basis of distribution channel, where retail pharmacies will continue to account for 80% market share compared to hospital pharmacies. The westernised modernisation of retail pharmacies in Saudi Arabia has led to the availability of a wide range drugs and medicinal products, thereby attaining a considerable growth in the retail pharmacy sub-segment in 2016 and further.The rising resource potential in Saudi Arabia is projected to positively reform the production environment for pharmaceutical manufacturers. In order to expand the markets size, structuring alliances with well-established native companies is predicted to be a key strategy for global pharmaceutical leaders. The key players in the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market include Novartis AG, SPIMACO, Pfizer Inc., and Glaxosmithkline plc., Jamjoom Pharma, and Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. among others.Send An Enquiry@Long-term Outlook: The Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period 2016-2026. In terms of market value, the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is estimated to be worth US$ 12,281.4 Mn by the end of forecast period.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Market: New Research Report 2021

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Research Beam added a report Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Market Report: 2016 Edition Size, Share, Trends, Segmentation, Growth, Technology, Opportunity, Analysis and forecast"Description:About the Renewable Aviation Fuel MarketNotes:Sales, means the sales volume of Renewable Aviation FuelRevenue, means the sales value of Renewable Aviation FuelThis report studies sales (consumption) of Renewable Aviation Fuel in Global market, especially in USA, China, Global, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringAmyrisLanzaTechGeneral BiomassSGBUOPNesteTOTALByogySundrop FuelsAltAir FuelsRequest report sample @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Renewable Aviation Fuel in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IIType IIISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Renewable Aviation Fuel in each application, can be divided intoCommercialDefenseApplication 3For More Enquiry @Table of Contents1 Renewable Aviation Fuel Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Renewable Aviation Fuel1.2 Classification of Renewable Aviation Fuel1.3 Application of Renewable Aviation Fuel1.4 Renewable Aviation Fuel Market by Regions1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Renewable Aviation Fuel (2011-2021)2 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Market Competition by Manufacturers2.2 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel (Volume and Value) by Type2.3 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel (Volume and Value) by Regions2.4 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel (Volume) by Application3 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)4 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Market Analysis by Application7 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Global Renewable Aviation Fuel Manufacturers Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Research Findings and ConclusionWith the arsenal of different search reports, Research Beam helps you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220U.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452UK: + 44-845-528-1300, India: +91 20 66346070Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975Email: help@researchbeam.comWeb:
Dr. Yu Dong (Photo : Weibo)

A young Chinese woman experienced sexual molestation in the hands of a plastic surgeon when she underwent cosmetic surgery in 2015 in Shanghai. She posted her experience on Chinese social media site Weibo, and it became viral.



The victim, who was 19 in 2015 when the incident happened, went to the clinic of Dr. Yu Dong at the Ninth Peoples Hospital in Shanghai for cosmetic surgery because she finds the shape of her face somewhat sharp and not delicate. She searched for a plastic surgeon on the internet and saved money by working part-time.



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It took her years to save for the procedure. During the consultation with Yu, he said it is impossible to fix her lower jaw without also operating on her chin. Since she trusted him, she agreed to what the doctor suggested, Whats on Weibo reported.



On the day of the surgery, Yu briefed the victim and two other patients what would happen. At that time they were already wearing surgery gowns and nothing underneath. Yu placed his hand inside the gown of one of the patients named Hu, who was going to have breast surgery, and did the same to the victim and jokingly commented her breasts are not fake.



Although she felt uncomfortable and dumbfounded, she kept quiet about what Yu did. Inside his clinic, before the surgery, Yu immediately embraced her, pinned the victim on the bed and had sex with her. He admitted he acted crazy and begged her not to tell anyone what happened.



She was discharged three days after the surgery due to lack of hospital beds, but her face was still swollen, so she had to return to Yu even if she did not want to since she needed further treatment. Yu punctured her cheek to drain out the fluids and had her confined again to clean her surgical wounds.



On her second appointment, even if the victim still had a tube in her mouth, Yu allegedly had sex with her again, but warned her not to tell anyone, and in exchange, he would not charge for her second confinement. Since her wounds are not yet healed, she needs to return to Yu who said he would only treat her if she agrees to give him oral sex.



Since she shared the story on Weibo, other victims of Yu had come out to tell their horror stories in his hands. However, Yus wife posted on Weibo that he is denying all the accusations. The hospital said it would investigate and take legal measures depending on the result of the investigation.



Similar cases of molestation by surgeons before the procedure have been reported in the past by female patients.






The American view of Russia US media play an important role in the rekindled debates about cultural values and national identities as between America and Russia.  A battle waged on the back of minorities, as demonstrated by a current research project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF.



Is homosexuality forbidden in Russia? If one does not know for sure one would probably guess the answer is "yes". The image of a country under authoritarian leadership which repeatedly disregards human rights invites this conclusion. In fact it is the wrong answer, what is true is that the Russian parliament adopted a controversial law in 2013 prohibiting propagation of homosexuality to minors.



At the same time, the United States experienced strong trends in the opposite direction: same-sex marriage was introduced nation-wide and the "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy for members of the military was dropped. Members of the armed forces are now free to make their sexual orientation public. "US media have played up strongly the contrast between an emphasis on the so-called traditional values by Russian state representatives and the accompanying resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Church on the one side, and the strong focus on equality propounded by the Obama Administration on the other", explains Katharina Wiedlack from the University of Vienna.



The media stage

In the past few years, this specialist in American studies and gender issues has been following a new wave of reports and public discourse in the US about Russia. In an ongoing research project within the context of a Hertha-Firnberg Fellowship awarded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, Wiedlack explores the underlying interests, the way these values are renegotiated between East and West and how the projected images fit into the overall context of cultural history.



When the feminist Russian activists "Pussy Riot" staged a protest against Vladimir Putin at the time of his reinauguration as President in 2012, they drew declarations of solidarity from many sources in the US. Stars such as Madonna declared their support of the women, who were sentenced to prison, just as they had come out in support of gays and lesbians. At the same time, US television programmes such as the celebrated series "Orange Is the New Black" introduced Russian protagonists. "There are, of course, good reasons for this solidarity in the West", Wiedlack points out. Her research project is concerned, however, with showing how marginal groups are instrumentalised and spotlighted by the media to create a strong confrontational focus.



Construction of national values

Katharina Wiedlack's project falls within the overall context of New Cold War culture analyses. According to Wiedlack, there are few studies so far about the significance of debates regarding minorities such as homosexuals, people with disabilities or people persecuted for political reasons in this new conflict between East and West. She explains that the recent Western focus on images of human rights violations was useful in that it helps justify interventions.  That is the political side. The fact that strong women modelled on the members of "Pussy Riot" are now more frequently featured in TV series has an economic background.  There is a market for that. But the model of a conservative Russia is also propagated in movies. "I have yet to find one Russian character representing a progressive model", emphasises the scholar from the University of Vienna.



Black and white demarcations

It is interesting to note that even reports from news media serve to convey the habitual image of a progressive US identity. "And the inverse figure in that respect is strongly Russian", notes Wiedlack. Her analyses of media reports over the past 10 years reveal that both the popular press and quality media employ recurring templates: here the liberal West, there the backward East. "The media consistently convey the same images over and over again without shading or nuances", emphasises Wiedlack. In her work, she noted that particularly the liberal media often presented very simplistic stories.  And it was possible that one and the same publication would carry a feature about the killing of an American transgender woman and a critical report about homophobic propaganda in Russia without evidence of any awareness or reflection on the parallels between these cases.  The researcher notes that the former is presented as an isolated act by an individual perpetrator, while the latter is portrayed as an integral part of Russian culture. It is Wiedlack's tenet that focusing on the 'other' makes it possible to ignore one's own problems  at least for the moment.



Historical roots of East-West

In her basic research, the young scholar also takes a look back, returning in history as far as the era of Enlightenment in order to place current developments in the value controversy between East and West in a historical context. In this respect, too, Katharina Wiedlack identifies a homogeneous situation. "It was alarming for me to see how the same images, such as Russia being barbaric, were considered to have validity and were propagated with almost identical turns of phrase through the centuries from the philosopher Hegel to the New York Times in the 1990s and the Washington Post in 2005." The FWF project "Looking Eastward: US Identity, Western Values, and Vulnerable Russian Bodies" is continuing until the end of 2018.



FWF Austrian Science Fund



The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is Austria's central funding organization for basic research.



The purpose of the FWF is to support the ongoing development of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. In this way, the FWF makes a significant contribution to cultural development, to the advancement of our knowledge-based society, and thus to the creation of value and wealth in Austria.



Scientific Contact:

Dr. Katharina Wiedlack

Department of English

University of Vienna

Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 8

1090 Vienna

T +43 / 677 / 61584740

E: katharina.wiedlack@univie.ac.at

W www.univie.ac.at/en



Austrian Science Fund FWF:

Marc Seumenicht

Haus der Forschung

Sensengasse 1

1090 Vienna, Austria

T +43 / 1 / 505 67 40 - 8111

E marc.seumenicht@fwf.ac.at

W http://www.fwf.ac.at/en



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Bridges in the light  Dubai Water Canal officially opened

Illumination of pedestrian bridges for the Dubai Water Canal inauguration, photo: AO Lighting

www.ao-technology.com

November 2016, Dubai  For the inauguration of the Dubai Water Canal, AO Lighting was commissioned by Scientechnic to bathe two pedestrian bridges in blue, white and golden yellow light for a period of two weeks.After some three years of construction work, Dubai celebrated the official opening of the Dubai Water Canal with an impressive son et lumiere. To mark the occasion, AO Lighting was commissioned by Scientechnic L.L.C to adorn the 120-metre-long Y-Pillar Bridge and the 140-metre-long Twisted Bridge with coloured light for a period of two weeks. The two bridges pass about eight and a half metres above the surface of the water. For the illumination of the Y-Pillar Bridge, FALCON BEAM 7kW luminaires were selected, whereas for the Twisted Bridge FALCON 6000 CMY were preferred. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the canal on 9 November with a number of senior officials, business leaders and other dignitaries in attendance.The most recently completed section, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah Beach, is a 12-kilometre waterway connecting Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf. The canal transforms the district of Bur Dubai, the neighbourhoods of Jumeirah 1 and 2, and downtown Dubai into an island. As the city's latest landmark, the Dubai Water Canal represents a new destination for relaxation and leisure activities and will give fresh impetus to tourism and trade.About Arts Outdoor Lighting Technology (AO Lighting):For more than twenty years, Arts Outdoor Lighting Technology GmbH & Co. KG (AO Lighting) has been providing regional and international support for even the most demanding projects in the field of architectural or events lighting: from the supply of equipment  whether sale or rental  to the elaboration of creative concepts, to the provision of full-service support in the role of general contractor.The clear division of the company guarantees customers communication backed by expertise and efficient solutions at every stage of a project. A large network of tried-and-tested partnerships is available to support your projects.The companys exclusive distribution portfolio includes the FALCON range of architectural luminaires and searchlights manufactured in-house.AO Lighting based in Bremen, Germany, operates internationally  inter alia in close cooperation with Arts Outdoor Lighting Technology, based in the UAE  and holds partnerships worldwide.Arts Outdoor Lighting Technology GmbH & Co. KG, Arberger Hafendamm 22, 28309 Bremen, Germany, Fon: +49 (0)421 / 59 66 09-0, Internet, Contact: Maxine Winz
Equine Veterinary Services helps in Knowing your Horse is Receiving Best Healthcare Maintenance on Regular and Timely Basis

http://bit.ly/2eEd5NV

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/equine-veterinary-services-market.html

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Global equine veterinary market is observed to be a multi-billion dollar industry that consists of various equine activities such as horse racing, competitive riding and leisure. Thus, various veterinary services that supplement the growth of this market are vaccination, gynecological care, dental care, gastroscopy, lameness, respiratory care, colic assessment and treatment.Check Some More Global Trends and Dynamics of various Industries Providing these Services at:The vaccination regime of horses is integral part of equine health against various clinical conditions like equine influenza, tetanus, strangles, ringworm, EHV (Equine Herpes Virus), EVA (Equine Viral Arteries) and West Nile Virus (WNV). Dental care services include the routine dental examinations and rasping service for horses, some of the complex problems are also diagnosed with an X-ray.The gynecological care comprises routine sampling of CEM (Contagious Equine Metritis) and EVA testing , fertility check accompanied with hysteroscopies, artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, pregnancy follow-up, assistance during foal birth and umbilical scanning, bloodsampling for IgG estimation in newborn foal health management. Gastroscopy consists of use of 3 meter videoscope for diagnosis of gastric ulcers. Lameness is one of the most common cause that affects limbs of horses and is diagnosed with digital X-rays, ultrasound and thermal scans. Respiratory care includes services related with tracheal washing and broncho-alveolar-lavage.The veterinary services provided in market by major breeding farms and equine veterinary hospitals. This is a very specialized sector and is limited to equine species healthcare management hence, overall its considered to be a premium sector because of the specific requirements. The major market shift is estimated to be observed in coming five years where due to economic downturn in Europe has forced the market to export the horses to slaughterhouses or to Asian countries as there is significant potential for horse racing and showcase in China. This is perceived to affect the North American and European global market share in equine veterinary market as the Asia-Pacific market is observed to be growing in case of horse population.As a constituent of Asia-Pacific, Australian equine market was observed to rank among the top three regional equestrian and equine veterinary services markets. After the European downturn and legal hindrances in North American market Australia turned out to be among the leading horse producing / breeding countries in the world. On the same basis, China was perceive to expand its investing and capacity in horse racing and betting by importing quality breeds from countries especially from European region.Thus, China intends to maintain particularly race-horse breeds; as race-horses require additional care and supervision thus equine veterinary services market is expected to grow significantly. According to a equine industry source, China is mounting the capacity and investing in horse racing and betting by importing quality breeds from North American and European countries. The equestrian racing infrastructure development comprises of horse race-tracks developed with an investment of approximately USD 2.0 billion with about 3,000 horses. Investment also comprises the cost of s developing trainers and riders in particular equine training schoolsInterpret the Current Market Analysis of Equine Veterinary Services at:The major products observed in the industry are in-house diagnostics, reference laboratories, digital imaging and others. The in-house diagnostics segment is expected to account for the largest share in the global equine veterinary services market. Some of the key players having presence in the global equine veterinary services market are IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Medical Management International, National Veterinary Associates and VCA Antech, Inc.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS), Long-Acting Beta2-Agonists (LABA), Antihistamines, Short-Acting Beta2-Agonists (SABA), Anticholinergics By Pulmonary Drugs Market 2016-24

https://goo.gl/MQEjUz

"Pulmonary Drugs Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" The Report covers current Market Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-Global Pulmonary Drugs Market: SnapshotThis report on pulmonary drugs studies the current as well as future prospects of the market globally. The stakeholders of this report include companies and intermediaries engaged in the manufacture and commercialization of various pulmonary/respiratory drugs and/or drug-device combinations as well as new entrants planning to enter this market. This report comprises an elaborate executive summary along with a market snapshot providing overall information of various segments and sub-segments considered within the scope of the study. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the global pulmonary drugs market with respect to the leading market segments based on major products, key applications, distribution channels, and geographies.Get Sample Report With TOC @Global Pulmonary Drugs Market: SegmentationThe global pulmonary drugs market has been studied based on major drug classes, application segments, major distribution channels, and regional as well as national markets. Based on drug classes, the global market has been categorized into eight major segments: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA), antihistamines, vasodilators, short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA), anticholinergics, combination drugs, and others. Based on application, the global market has been categorized into five segments: Asthma & COPD, allergic rhinitis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cystic fibrosis, and others. Based on distribution channels, the global market has been categorized into four key segments: hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, drug stores, and e-commerce.Global Pulmonary Drugs Market: ScopeThe market overview section of the report explores the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that currently have a strong impact on the global pulmonary drugs market and could influence the market in the near future.Global Pulmonary Drugs Market: Geographical OutlookGeographically, the pulmonary drugs market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Each regional market for pulmonary drugs market has been further categorized into major product, application, and end-user segments considered within the scope of the study. Key country (U.S., Japan, Germany, France, U.K., Australia, Canada, China, Brazil, Mexico, India, etc.) market revenues have also been provided in different regional sections within the report.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:The report also profiles key players operating in the pulmonary drugs market based on various attributes such as company details, SWOT analysis, strategic overview, financials, and business overview. Major players profiled in this report include AstraZeneca plc, Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Bayer AG, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Merck & Co., Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and othersThe global pulmonary drugs market has been segmented as follows:Global Pulmonary Drugs Market Revenue, by Drug ClassInhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)Long-Acting Beta2-Agonists (LABA)AntihistaminesVasodilatorsShort-Acting Beta2-Agonists (SABA)AnticholinergicsCombination DrugsOthers (MAbs, Enzymes, Antibiotics, Antileukotrienes, etc.)Global Pulmonary Drugs Market Revenue, by ApplicationAsthma & COPDAllergic RhinitisPulmonary Arterial HypertensionCystic FibrosisOthersGlobal Pulmonary Drugs Market Revenue, by Distribution ChannelHospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesDrug StoresE-commerceGlobal Pulmonary Drugs Market Revenue, by GeographyNorth AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainUKRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaNew ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East and AfricaSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
Solar Wind Hybrid System Market - Global Industry Analysis 2023

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One of the primary needs for the economic development of a country is to provide reliable and continuous power supply. Throughout the world fossil fuel reserves are depleting at a fast pace. In the present scenario, majority of the energy demand is met by fossil fuels. A small part of the demand is met by renewable energy technologies such as the solar, biomass, geothermal, wind. Soon there will be a situation when the entire world will face severe fuel shortage. According to the law of energy, Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed it can only be transformed from one form to another. Solar and wind power sources have experienced a remarkably rapid growth in the last few years. Both are renewable sources of energy and contain abundant power.With high economic growth rate, Asia Pacific countries are significant consumers of energy resources. Despite the global financial crisis, energy demand in these countries continues to rise. India consumes maximum energy in residential, agricultural and commercial purposes as compared to Japan, Russia and China.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:Solar wind hybrid power system is the consolidated power generating system by solar energy panel and wind mill. It comprises a battery which is utilized to accumulate the energy generated from both the resources. With the help of this system, power generated through windmill and power generated from photovoltaic module when light radiation is available can be easily achieved.Solar energy is the energy obtained from the sun. It is inexhaustible, renewable and pollution free. Solar charged battery provides continuous power supply for 24 hours a day irrespective of the weather condition. By adopting an appropriate technology for the geographical location, large amount of power can be extracted from solar radiations. Also, solar energy is expected to be the most reliable source of energy. The rise in the cost of conventional fossil fuels has disturbed the entire demand supply of electricity products especially in remote locations. Generators which are sometimes used as an alternative to traditional power systems are known to be operational during certain hours of the day, and the cost of fueling them is becoming difficult if they are to be used for the commercial purposes.Wind energy is the kinetic energy associated with the motion of atmospheric air. Wind energy systems transform kinetic energy into a more useful form of power. Wind energy systems are mostly used for milling and irrigation purposes, are in use since ancient times to produce electric power. Windmills for water pumping are installed in various countries especially in rural areas. Wind turbines convert energy present in the wind into mechanical power that can be used directly for grinding purposes or for converting into electric power to generate electricity.Increasing investments and higher standard of living are some of the key drivers of the solar wind hybrid systems market. However, high cost required to install solar wind hybrid systems can hamper the growth of the market. Ample amount of opportunities are there for the solar wind hybrid system market owing to rapid industrialization taking place in Asia Pacific countries such as India and China.Some of the key companies in the business of solar wind hybrid systems market are Blue Pacific Solar Products Inc., Alpha Windmills, Zenith Solar Systems, New Ventures, Unitron Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd., UGE International Ltd., and Alternate Energy Company among othersTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Electric Power Substation Automation - Global Industry Analysis 2021

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Electric power substation automation is the unification of different data and control acquisition functions within an automated platform. The electric power substation automation has evolved the process of substation control and the way important information monitoring. The major components of electric power substation automation market are digital relays, programmable logic controllers, digital transducers and capacitor bank controllers among others.The Electric Power Substation Automation Market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for electric power substation automation in smart grid and technological advancement. Apart from this obsolete energy infrastructure is an important driver in this market. The electric power substation market is governed by the IED (Intelligent Electronic Devices and the automation components like RTUs, digital protection relays, logical programmable controllers, digital transducers and voltage controls. The electric power substation needs has increased in order to reduce the number of units and to lessen the complexity to increase the reliability and also to reduce the cost of operation in the electric power substation automation market. IEDs are the key component of electric power substation automation that helps to improve the operational efficiencies and reliability.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:The major restraints in Electric Power Substation Automation Market are absence of proper technical standards, concern for cyber security, lack of skilled workforce and also huge initial capital investment. The automation of electric power substation increases the risk of security. The reason is that electric power substation is going to be controlled by the computer system, so cyber security has to be increased. Apart from this, with the automation in the electric power substation need of skilled workforce is required. The availability of skilled workforce is less compared to the rapid automation in the electric power substation automation market. Moreover, absence of proper technical standards is also one of the major restraints among others. Absence of technical standards in the sense no proper norms or regulations are available in the Electric Power Substation Automation Market which acts as a hindrance for this market. Huge capital requirement is also one of the major restraints in the Electric Power Substation Automation Market. The capital required in this market is more than the benefits that is achieved after automation in the electric power substation.The major opportunity of Electric Power Substation Automation Market is operational efficiencies. With the automation of the electric power substation, the operation is expected to be done efficiently. The data acquisition, supervision and control become easier with the automation. In addition, operating cost is reduced in the Electric Power Substation Automation Market which also acts as an opportunity in this market.The Electric Power Substation Automation Market has been categorized based on their types: transmission, collector substation and distribution. The Electric Power Substation Automation Market has been geographical segmented into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW. In 2014, APAC has the largest market size for the Electric Power Substation Automation Market that is driven by the continuing electrification and increasing number of smart grid projects.Some of the key players in the Electric Power Substation Automation Market are ABB Ltd., Siemens AG, Alstom S.A, Eaton Corporation, Schneider Electric, CISCO Systems (U.S), Amperion (U.S), and Ingeteam among others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
The challenge of ethical issues discussed at Paediatric Clinical Trials 2017

Paediatric Clinical Trials 2017

www.paediatric-trials.co.uk/openpr

www.paediatric-trials.co.uk/openpr

http://bit.ly/2gY8F7c

http://www.smi-online.co.uk

SMi Group will once again open its doors to the 11th annual Paediatric Clinical Trials conference taking place on the 20-21 March 2017 in London, UK.The 2017 agenda will bring together leading industry experts to explore current clinical trials, implementation and paediatric drug development. Key discussion points include: clinical recruitment, ethical issues, regulations, executing a paediatric clinical trial, paediatric drug formulation and determining clinical endpoints.Ethical issues are a huge factor which needs to be considered when it comes to clinical trials, even more so when children are involved. This November Bermuda Hospitals Board participated in Ethics Awareness Week and discussed various ethical matters.We spent the week exploring some of the ethical issues that can become more complicated when were dealing with minors. Not only are you taking the law, professional best practices and the patients wishes into account, youre also considering the wishes of the parents or legal guardians and the childs ability to understand and make their own decisions." *(Source)Jane Lamprill, Paediatric Research Advisor and Specialist Medical Writer from Paediatric Research Consultancy will be speaking at Paediatric Clinical Trials 2017 as she discusses overcoming ethical challenges for companies, parents and children. She will provide a presentation which will focus on all parties involved when executing a paediatric clinical trial. Her session will provide key guidance updates and focus on revised European Commission ethics considerations, child and family protocol issues and planning and performing good ethical practice.Joining her for the 2017 line-up includes: EMA, GSK, Roche, Genentech, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Otsuka Europe. AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and many more...There is currently an early bird offer available; book by 16th of December to save 200 off the conference price. Register atFor sponsorship packages: Contact Alia Malick on +44 (0)20 7827 6168 or email amalick@smi-online.co.ukFor delegate enquiries: Contact Ameenah Begum on +44 (0)20 7827 6166 or email abegum@smi-online.co.ukFor media enquiries, contact Zoe Gale on +44 20 7827 6138 or zgale@smi-online.co.uk11th annual Paediatric Clinical Trials20-21 March 2017London, UKContact e-mail: zgale@smi-online.co.ukContact tel: +44 (0) 207 827 6166#paediatricsmi*(Source)About SMi Group: Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atGround & First Floor1 Westminster Bridge RoadLondon, SE1 7XW
Pro-Sapien launch resource helping Oil, Gas and Energy companies to best streamline their health and safety processes

Pro-Sapien logo

https://www.pro-sapien.com/downloads/ehs-management-oil-gas

https://goo.gl/0ytTV0

Pro-Sapien, a supplier of tailored Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality software for some of the worlds largest organizations that operate in high risk or highly regulated sectors, have launched a new resource that aims to help oil, gas and energy companies streamline their safety processes.Oil and gas has notoriously high fatality rates amongst employees and contractors: the U.S. 2014 fatality rate in oil and gas was 14.2 per 100,000 workers  the average across all industries was 3.4 Pro-Sapiens latest download advises senior leaders and safety professionals how best to use information driven decisions to protect staff members.The download offers information on the state of the oil and gas industry in 2016, how Pro-Sapien support oil and gas clients, and information on their safety software modules, along with a case study from oil and gas services client Shawcor.The resource can be accessed from(shortlinkPro-Sapien provides enterprise EHS management software exclusively to large, multi-site organizations (typically 1000+ employees) in high-risk industries. Based on Office 365 and SharePoint, our software is used throughout the world to support business processes and drive EHS performance improvements by equipping the EHS Director with meaningful metrics, KPIs and powerful analysis tools.69 West Nile StreetGlasgowG61 1RtSteve HunterMarketing TeamPro-Sapiensteve.hunter@pro-sapien.com
Buhler Motor strengthens German production location

Buhler Motor site, Monheim

www.buehlermotor.com

Nuremberg, 12. December 2016  Good news for Monheim, in the administrative district of Donau-Ries: Buhler Motor is investing in the expansion of its German production site. The production areas are being increased by 2,000 m2 and the technical and administrative areas by 1,000 m2.The new buildings are intended to be ready for use by the beginning of 2018, just in time for the start of series production of a number of pioneering products for the automotive industry.Monheim has already been our most important automotive production site, from where we supply our European customers. With the expansion project, we are developing this position, so that Monheim will continue to play a decisive role in the network of our ten international sites, said Peter Muhr, President & CEO of the Buhler Motor Group.Leading automobile manufacturers and suppliers worldwide rely on Buhler Motor as a system supplier. Customized mechatronic drives based on DC electric motors are the great strength of this traditional company. Buhler solutions are the driving force in improving energy efficiency, when coasting or for start/stop applications, and also for fully hybrid or electric driving, such as for cooling the batteries during charging. Buhler electrical pumps are also used in the after-treatment of exhaust gases of diesel engines.For our sophisticated products, we cant sustain without Germany as a production location, nor do we want to. On the contrary, our workers have a vast range of experience and expertise, and that has convinced us and, ultimately, the Furtwanglers as the owner family make major investments in the expansion of the site, underlines Peter Muhr.The planning and approval procedures are more or less completed. The construction work will start as soon as possible in spring 2017.About Buhler MotorBuhler Motor stands for demanding, custom-made, and reliable mechatronic drive solutions with DC/BLDC small motors and gear motors and pumps.More than one of out every ten employees at Buhler Motor works in Research and Development. Our in-house sample shop and R&D department, combined with state-of-the-art test labs, enable Buhler to concentrate completely on quick and flexible development of customer specific drive solutions.More than 1,750 employees worldwide ensure successful development, industrialization and production of mechatronic drive solutions for mid- to high volume applications.With ten locations on three continents and highly developed process competencies, Buhler Motor is able to fulfill all customer requirements for short transit times, quality, and on-time delivery at the required volumes.The companys strategic markets include the automotive market, the healthcare equipment market, general industrial solutions in the fields of building automation, agriculture, transportation and seat actuation for aviation.Buhler Motor GmbHRoswitha GriesCorporate CommunicationAnne-Frank-Strae 33-3590459 NurnbergTel.: +49 911 45 04-1129Fax: +49 911 43 08 69-1129e-mail: Roswitha.Gries@buehlermotor.com
Small_Layout_SER.jpg

A new line of THC- and CBD-infused chocolate from Woodblock Chocolate in collaboration with Serra Cannabis.

(Serra Cannabis)

It was only a matter of time before edibles earned the artisanal Portland treatment.

For Christmas, Woodblock Chocolate, Portland's first bean-to-bar chocolate makers, and Serra Cannabis collaborated on a line of marijuana-infused chocolate bars.

The 16 gram bars, made of cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter and cannabis, come in three variations: THC (20mg/bar) milk chocolate with 60 percent cacao, THC dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao and CBD dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao.

Woodblock Chocolate, owned by Charley and Jessica Wheelock, started out of the couple's Southeast Portland home kitchen, where they would source, roast (with a hair dryer, in the beginning) and grind the beans by hand. Today, the chocolate company runs production and a small retail shop out of a Southeast Portland "manufactory" that supplies two dozen states, Canada, Japan and Sweden with artisanal chocolate bars.

Find the chocolate bars for $15-$30 at all Serra locations in downtown Portland, Southeast and Eugene.

-- Samantha Bakall

sbakall@oregonian.com

Follow @sambakall
Fengyun-4A. (Photo : China Meteorological Administration )

China has successfully orbited its most advanced weather satellite -- Fengyun-4A -- after a launch Oct. 11 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest Sichuan Province aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket.



Fengyun-4A is the first of China's second-generation weather satellites and is also the country's first quantitative remote-sensing satellite that can scan far wider areas in geostationary orbit.



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It's the first of six Fengyun-4A geostationary weather satellites that are part of China's geostationary meteorological satellite program called Fengyun-4 (FY-4). Fengyun-4A is the second generation of this class and will replace the earlier FY-2 series.



The second Fengyun satellite, FY-4B, will launch in 2018 and the third, FY-4C, in 2020. No launch dates have been announced for FY-4D, FY-4E and FY-4F. The FY-4 satellites have a lifespan of five years.



The successful launch of Fengyun-4A was the 242nd mission of China's Long March series of rockets.



The satellite will make spatial and spectral resolution observations of the atmosphere, clouds and space environment above China and surrounding regions. It is expected to significantly improving China's weather and climate forecasting capabilities, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.



The China Meteorological Administration is the primary user of the satellite. Seven Chinese weather satellites are still operational out of 14 in orbit.



China will cap its most successful year in spaceflight in December with the launch of at least five more satellites in addition to Fengyuin-4A. The six launches for December will bring to 25 the number of satellites orbited in 2016.



This number will be a Chinese national record for the most number of successful launches in a single calendar year.



Still to be to be launched in December will be TanSat or CarbonSat that will monitor carbon dioxide; the Jilin-1 "commercial remote sensing satellite," (a spy satellite) and three other satellites (also spy satellites) to be orbited along with Jilin-1, each with a different function.


Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Jim Murphy, carries on tradition of his father

FILE PHOTO -- Darlene Gibson gets a little help from Jim Murphy to stuff her donation into the Salvation Army kettle in December 2013. Similar kettles were stolen from Fred Meyers on Dec. 5, 2016 and a suspect has been arrested, police said.

(Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian)

Police identified a 19-year-old man after accusing him of stealing Salvation Army kettles from grocery stores in Oregon City and Canby.

Every year, volunteers tend to bright red kettles at the entrances of various retail and grocery stores as they seek donations for Salvation Army programs.

Jeremiah Tracy

Jeremiah James Tracy of Oregon City faces two counts of second-degree theft and one count of third-degree theft, Sgt. Matthew Paschall, police spokesman, said. Tracy stole several Salvation Army kettles after volunteers left them unattended during breaks on Dec. 5 at Fred Meyers stores, Paschall said.

The Oregon City thefts occurred between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Tracy carried the unattended kettles to a nearby car, Pachall said.

The Salvation Army reported the thefts Dec. 6, and police reviewed surveillance images from Fred Meyers' security cameras. Officers managed to identify Tracy as the suspect and visited his home where they found one donation kettle, Paschall said.

Officers believe Tracy stole between $150 and $170, Paschall said. Other kettles were found on store property, Pachall said. Tracy was booked into a Clackamas County jail and later released on his own recognizance.

The Salvation Army said last week the total damage exceeds $1,000 after considering the loss of potential income, repairs to a kettle stand and additional manpower. The thefts occurred during the same period the Salvation Army decided to close kettle stations because of last week's snowy weather.

In total, the Salvation Army lost out on about $7,000 in donations.

-- Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports
Joseph O'Shaughnessy wants to withdraw his guilty plea to a federal conspiracy charge stemming from the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the third defendant in the case to file a motion to rescind his plea.

O'Shaughnessy entered the plea Aug. 1 in U.S. District Court in Portland and was transferred later to Nevada, where he was expected to accept a plea offer there to federal charges in the 2014 standoff outside Cliven Bundy's ranch.

O'Shaughnessy, in a motion filed Sunday by a new defense lawyer appointed to represent him, argues that because the plea deal in the Nevada case fell through, he should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea in the Oregon case. His plea deal in Nevada was contingent on him pleading guilty in Oregon.

"The Nevada resolution has broken apart. Mr. O'Shaughnessy plans to proceed to trial,'' wrote the defense attorney, Tony Schwartz.

When O'Shaughnessy, 44, of Cottonwood, Arizona, entered his guilty plea in Oregon, he said he didn't participate in the occupation of the wildlife refuge, but admitted he provided security for those at the refuge because he supported their message.

In the new filing, O'Shaughnessy argued that prosecutors shared evidence from cooperating witnesses in the refuge case with defense lawyers after he had entered his plea.

He also cited the outing of a federal informant during the recent trial of refuge takeover leader Ammon Bundy and six other defendants. The informant went by the name of "John Killman" but revealed his real name on the witness stand: Fabio Minoggio.

"This informant provided two reports specifically discussing Mr. O'Shaughnessy, including a damaging claim that the medical tent set up at The Narrows RV Park by Mr. O'Shaughnessy was, in fact, a 'surprise attack tent,' an allegation highly contested by the defense,'' O'Shaughnessy's motion said. "The government failed, however, to disclose prior to trial that this informant was compensated for his assistance. ''

O'Shaugnessy further argued that he wasn't fully aware of all the evidence in the Nevada case when he accepted prosecutors' proposed resolution of both cases.

His initial defense lawyer, Amy Baggio, recently withdraw from his case, and now O'Shaughnessy is also arguing that he had "ineffective counsel.''

The Nevada indictment described O'Shaughnessy as a "mid-level" leader who helped "organize the gunmen" who confronted agents from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management who were trying to impound Cliven Bundy's cattle. It also accused O'Shaughnessy of organizing armed patrols, security checkpoints and protection for members of the alleged criminal conspiracy in Nevada.

He's charged with more serious offenses in Nevada, including conspiracy to impede federal officers, assault on federal officers, threatening federal officers, using and carrying a firearm in a crime of violence.

O'Shaughnessy joins co-defendants Ryan Payne and Eric Flores in seeking to withdraw their pleas in Oregon. U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown hasn't scheduled hearings on their motions yet.

In response to Payne's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel has pointed out that the government provided defense lawyers with redacted reports on the FBI's confidential sources in June and July. The reports were redacted to avoid identifying the informants.

Gabriel also argued that the recent acquittals of the seven who went to trial in the Oregon standoff case shouldn't be a factor in whether Payne or others can rescind their guilty pleas.

A grand jury indicted 26 people on a federal conspiracy charge in the armed refuge occupation. Eleven defendants pleaded guilty. Seven others, including leaders Ammon Bundy, his brother Ryan Bundy and Shawna Cox, were acquitted of all charges after a five-week trial that ended with the verdicts read on Oct. 27. Charges are pending against seven others.

Prosecutors are expected to alert the court later Monday how they plan to proceed against the remaining defendants.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Federal prosecutors Monday said they will bring the remaining seven Oregon standoff defendants to trial on the same conspiracy charge that led to the acquittal of the occupation leaders this fall.

In a joint status report, the prosecutors also said they'll ask to delay the Feb. 14 trial by two months and add misdemeanor charges against the defendants.

The report met a deadline set last month by U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown for the government to tell her how it would proceed with the remaining defendants. A status conference in the case is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Six men and one woman still face trial in the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge over government control of public land.

Defense lawyers, including Oregon's federal public defender, and some of the defendants themselves have urged prosecutors to drop all charges in the wake of across-the-board acquittals Oct. 27 of key occupation figures Ammon Bundy, brother Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox and four others on conspiracy, weapons and other charges.

Those scheduled for trial are: Jason Patrick of Bonaire, Georgia; Duane Leo Ehmer of Irrigon; Dylan Anderson of Provo, Utah; Sean Anderson and his wife, Sandra Lynn Anderson, of Riggins, Idaho; Darryl W. Thorn of Marysville, Washington; and Jake Ryan of Plains, Montana.

Prosecutors said they also plan to continue to prosecute six of the seven on the charge of possession of a firearm in a federal facility, excluding Ehmer.

A charge of depredation of government property will remain against Jake Ryan, but be dismissed against Sean Anderson, the report said. The government also seeks a grand jury indictment on a government property depredation charge against Ehmer, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel wrote in the report.

Ryan and Ehmer are accused of digging a trench on the refuge property.

The conspiracy, firearms and depredation charges are all felonies.

Prosecutors also plan to bring misdemeanor charges against the defendants, including allegations of trespass, tampering with vehicles and equipment and destruction of property.

"I'm surprised. It's not what I expected,'' said Andrew Kohlmetz, Patrick's standby counsel. "We've been getting ready for this trial, and I guess it's a good thing.''

But Kohlmetz said the defense lawyers oppose any delay in the date set for trial.

"It sounds like there hasn't been much that's changed. The defendants are ready to go,'' he said.

Jesse Merrithew, who represents Jake Ryan, said he thought after the Bundy acquittal that the government would drop the conspiracy charge against his client and the others.

"For Oregon's prosecutor Billy Williams to go on the record after the first trial and say he respected the verdict, yet continue to prosecute the people who are accused of conspiring with the people who were acquitted of conspiring, it just doesn't make sense,'' Merrithew said.

The addition of misdemeanor charges shouldn't affect trial preparation or set back the trial date, Merrithew said.

Prosecutors estimate it will take a week and a half to present its case at the next trial, while defense lawyers estimated that their case will take two and a half weeks.

They're seeking a delay in trial to allow more time for pre-trial motions to be heard and "to allow the publicity from the first trial to dissipate, which will aid in the empanelment of an unbiased and impartial jury,'' Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight wrote in a court filing Monday.

"Simply because similar acts or evidence were presented to the jury in the first trial does not mean that similar arguments are impliedly rejected for the second trial,'' Knight wrote in a legal brief, responding to Patrick's motion to dismiss his indictment. "The government is entitled to pursue any legally cognizable charges against each named defendant.''

The seven were among 26 people indicted on a conspiracy charge. Eleven others pleaded guilty to the charge, though three of those defendants have asked to withdraw their pleas. The government dropped charges against another, Pete Santilli.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Attorneys for Logan Kitzhaber, the son of former Gov. John Kitzhaber, appeared Monday in Lincoln County Circuit Court to ask for more time to investigate evidence in his rollover crash that sent two people to the hospital in July.

Defense attorney Ben Eder told Judge Sheryl Bachart that three weeks would be plenty of time and agreed to next appear with his client on Jan. 17. Logan Kitzhaber attended the hearing.

Kitzhaber, 19, was indicted in October in the crash on U.S. 101 north of Lincoln City. He faces two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and second-degree criminal mischief.

The July 4 crash occurred near Devils Lake Road when Kitzhaber tried to pass another car in a 2008 Toyota Prius and struck the side of a motorhome, flipping it on its side, a witness told authorities.

Kitzhaber was taken by air ambulance to OHSU Hospital in Portland and was released by the next day.

Stanley Lyckman, 67, and Martha Lyckman, 63, of Port Angeles, Washington, were traveling in the 1988 motorhome, troopers said. They were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Kitzhaber admitted drinking a beer at some point before embarking on the drive and said he smoked marijuana the night before, court records show.

Police obtained a search warrant to draw samples of Kitzhaber's blood and urine the night of the crash. Senior Trooper Bryan Fitch said in an affidavit he believed Kitzhaber was under the influence of intoxicants at the time.

-- Lori Tobias

Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Thanks largely to Oregon's new "motor voter" automatic registration system, voters in November shattered the state's record for voting-age citizens participating in an election.

Overall, 70.4 percent of the state's voting-age population sent in ballots, for a total of 2.056 million votes. The previous record, set in 2008 when Barack Obama's presidential run set much of blue-leaning Oregon on fire, was 66 percent. All Oregonians 18 and older make up the state's eligible population.

Oregon's so-called "motor voter" law, pushed by Gov. Kate Brown when she was still secretary of state, played an outsize role driving record participation, officials said at a media event Monday in the Oregon Capitol.

Not surprisingly, Brown took a celebratory victory lap.

Elections staffers even arranged to haul in 270,000 Oregon-grown hazelnuts as props -- representing the 270,000 Oregonians automatically registered this year. Slightly more than 226,000 of them were registered -- and 18 years old -- in time to cast a ballot by Nov. 8.

Oregon is better when more and more diverse voices are heard when votes are tallied, Brown said: "Every single voice matters."

She cast the change in historic terms, calling voting a "sacred duty" and noting "many, many, many throughout our state's history have fought for and demanded equality and justice for all Oregonians."

Democrats have long heralded the measure, which triggers an automatic voter registration whenever a citizen age 17 or older gets or renews a driver permit, state ID card or driver's license. Republicans opposed it.

That system was in effect for all of 2016. The upshot was that the number of eligible Oregonians who did not register to vote shrank dramatically. In 2008, 77 percent of voting-age citizens were registered to vote; in 2016, that rose to 88 percent.

As expected, people who were automatically registered to vote -- often disproportionately young, unaffiliated with a political party, new to Oregon or accustomed to sitting out elections -- did not vote as much as those who took the initiative to register on their own and identified as a Republican or Democrat.

But 44 percent of the new "motor voters" did follow through and cast a ballot, a participation rate that exceeded the highest expectation of Reed College political science professor Paul Gronke, an expert on voter turnout.

Brown suggested that the surge in turnout would help insulate Oregonians from policies that emerge from a Donald Trump presidency. Though voters backed a Republican in a statewide race for the first time since 2002, Dennis Richardson for secretary of state, many of the new voters leaned Democratic.

"We will not backtrack on the human rights and civil rights of all of our people," she said. "These are very important ideals, and a first step, is to make sure all eligible Oregonians are voting."

Brown said Oregon's effective turnout, at 70.4 percent of voting age citizens, is "one of the highest in the country."

Exact figures for other states are not yet known. The United State Elections Project suggests that, at a minimum, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Colorado outperformed Oregon.

The Oregonian/OregonLive's Hillary Borrud contributed to this report.

-- Betsy Hammond
About 200 people gathered Sunday evening in downtown Portland around a stone inscribed with the names of World War II-era internment camps.

They came to the Japanese American Historical Plaza, from varied race and faith backgrounds, to show united opposition to similar atrocities they fear could be in the future.

A trio of Japanese American cultural organizations planned the candlelight vigil upon hearing that a supporter of President-elect Donald Trump called Japanese American internment a historical "precedent" for a potential registry of Muslim Americans.

Lynn Fuchigami Longfellow of the Oregon Nikkei Endowment called that idea outrageous and a demonstration of ignorance about American history.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill that formally apologized for forcing Japanese Americans into internment camps and compensated the more than 100,000 people who were incarcerated.

"We must not repeat the mistakes of the past," Longfellow said. "We must not allow our country to be defined by its darkest instincts."

Trump has denied proposing a registry of Muslims, but he hasn't ruled it out, according to PolitiFact, a fact-checking website.

Jeff Selby of the Portland Office of Equity & Human Rights said, "This is just beginning of a tidal wave of activism and community building" to fight marginalization, oppression and hate.

"We will continue to chant black lives matter, si se puede, love wins and we shall overcome," he said.

Wajdi Said of the Muslim Educational Trust invited attendees to be vigilant not only to external threats, but also to the bigotry and hypocrisy that can live inside anyone.

"We have to confront ourselves," he said.

The vigil included many people who don't usually attend protests, but who wanted to show solidarity.

Dennis Horet, for example, hasn't gone to any recent protests. But as a gay man, he knows what it feels like to be marginalized and abused, he said.

Organizers distributed hot chocolate, tea and electric tea candles.

Some people wore Black Lives Matter buttons.

Several parents brought along their children.

The ceremony concluded with a singalong of "Imagine," the song by John Lennon.

The crowd swayed, holding electric tea candles aloft.

-- Carli Brosseau

cbrosseau@oregonian.com

503-294-5121; @carlibrosseau
There's still time to help Oregon kids this holiday season.

This year, The Oregonian/OregonLive's annual holiday fundraising campaign, Season of Sharing, is helping school children in Oregon. Money collected through Season of Sharing this year will benefit two causes: Oregon educators' classroom projects on the crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org, and the Oregon Food Bank's school pantries.

Oregon educators use DonorsChoose to seek funding for supplies and materials not covered by their budgets. As for the pantries, they serve the nearly one-third of Oregon schoolchildren who can't count on regular meals. Students who are hungry or insufficiently nourished have trouble attending school, paying attention in class, and achieving good grades.

That's why the Oregon Food Bank operates 28 school pantry programs; some pantries also open their doors to community members. "We operate pantries in schools that are in the area where there's the most need," Ally Meyer, who coordinates the pantry program for the food bank, told The Oregonian/OregonLive's Grant Butler. "They're a real benefit to the community and the kids."

More than 235,000 people got help from the program last year, including 115,000 children and youth.

You can help by donating to the 2016 Season of Sharing campaign. If you'd like to donate online, go to http://bit.ly/2gEJSU9.

Or you can write a check to Season of Sharing and mail it to:

Oregonian Media Group Season of Sharing

c/o Oregonians Credit Union

336 N.E. 20th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

Since 1990, Season of Sharing has raised more than $4 million to benefit the needy in Oregon and southwest Washington. Thank you for your generosity.
"We only need, like, I don't know, 32 more."

That's Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker and progressive activist Michael Moore talking about so-called "faithless electors." That is, Electoral College voters who stiff-arm the popular will in their respective states and instead vote their conscience.

An unprecedented Electoral College revolt is the last remaining way President-elect Donald Trump can be blocked from taking up residence in the Oval Office next month. Electors vote on Dec. 19.

The U.S. system of government does not provide for direct election of the president. The Electoral College -- 538 electors selected from every state -- chooses the president shortly after the election. The point of the electors, wrote Alexander Hamilton in 1788, is to keep demagogues who have fooled the American people -- candidates with "[t]alents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity" -- from wrecking the republic. The Founding Fathers did not have a great deal of faith in the masses.

Over the years, as the U.S. slowly embraced universal suffrage as the democratic ideal, the Electoral College became nothing more than a ceremonial position for party workers. Electors long have been expected to simply codify their states' popular vote, to be a rubber stamp.

But now, with the Central Intelligence Agency concluding that Russia interfered with the U.S. election in an effort to elevate Trump to the White House -- and with Trump refusing to accept the CIA's assessment -- the call for Electoral College voters to man up has gained steam.

At least it has among progressive activists like Moore, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and a group of Democratic electors who are challenging various state laws that bind electors to their states' popular vote. Rep. David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island, has said that "to the extent that foreign interference in the United States presidential elections may have influenced the final result, I believe the electors have the right to consider that."

So far, despite a fair amount of public discussion of an Electoral College revolt, only one elector from a state won by Trump has publicly said he's not going to vote for him.

"Alexander Hamilton provided a blueprint for states' votes," Texas elector and long-time Republican Christopher Suprun wrote last week in the New York Times. "Federalist 68 argued that an Electoral College should determine if candidates are qualified, not engaged in demagogy, and independent from foreign influence. Mr. Trump shows us again and again that he does not meet these standards. Given his own public statements, it isn't clear how the Electoral College can ignore these issues, and so it should reject him."

Trump, whose unconventional campaign appealed to racists and conspiracy theorists, has been accused of demagoguery for months. But it's the "foreign influence" part of Suprun's argument that's now getting the most attention. The "consensus view of intelligence analysts" at the CIA is that Russia upended the U.S. election through computer hacking and a sophisticated disinformation campaign with the goal of assisting Trump, the Republican candidate.

The president-elect, with no evidence, has accused the intelligence agency of being partisan. "I think it's ridiculous," Trump said Sunday on Fox News. "I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it." (Responding to Trump's remarks, Sen. John McCain, a fellow Republican, said: "Facts are stubborn things. [The Russians] did hack into this campaign.")

Trump's dismissive response to the CIA's conclusion, combined with his many overseas business conflicts of interest, is reason enough for the electors to kick the president-elect and real-estate magnate to the curb, his critics say. On Sunday, national-security expert and Salve Regina University professor Jim Ludes retweeted the statement, "The Electoral College exists to protect republic from candidate under foreign influence."

Trump has said he wants to improve relations with Russia, which has increasingly become a rogue nation under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer who Sen. McCain has called a "a thug, a bully and a murderer." Trump is expected to nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of State. Tillerson has deep business connections with Russia and in 2013 was awarded the Order of Friendship by Putin.

Alarmed by Trump's rhetoric and the possibility that Russia might have undue influence in a Trump administration, Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig has created The Electors Trust, a platform for electors from different states to strategize an anti-Trump effort. "It makes no sense to be elector number five who comes out against Trump," Lessig, a Democrat, said last week. "But it might make sense to be elector 38."

That's because if 30-plus electors from Republican states do not vote for Trump, the election will be pushed into the U.S. House of Representatives. If that highly unlikely scenario happened, the GOP-controlled chamber probably would put Trump into the White House, but many Republican insiders remain wary of the president-elect. It's possible the House, if given the chance, would end up embracing an alternate Republican candidate, such as Ohio Gov. John Kasich or even Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, if either of them had received enough electoral votes to be considered.

For his part, Lessig, despite his spearheading of the Electors Trust, doesn't believe the U.S. should be dependent on the Electoral College to save the country from Trump. He wrote on Medium last week that a constitutional Equal Protection Clause argument against states awarding electoral votes on a "winner-take-all" basis could be put forth to bring about the election of ... Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

-- Douglas Perry
Lee Joon Gi on fire this year; Reveals which Scarlet Heart: Goryeo character he would play aside from Wang So

South Korean actor Lee Joon Gi arrives for the 43rd annual 'Paek Sang Art Awards' at the National theater April 25, 2007 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Chung Sung-Jun)

Lee Joon Gi is definitely on fire this year. After appearing as the male lead in the hit period drama "Scarlet Heart: Goryeo," the actor stars in the star-studded web drama "Seven First Kisses."



"Scarlet: Heart Goryeo" wrapped up its incredible run with high viewer rating and positive reviews. All the actors themselves are pretty proud of the work they have done. Lee Joon Gi recently shared his fondness of his character, Wang So, in an interview with a Chinese magazine.



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As fans of "Scarlet: Heart Goryeo" already knows, the show had seven gorgeous princes with different personalities and capacities. Lee Joon Gi's Wang So is the fourth prince who wooed IU's Lee Ji Eun. When asked which prince he would play if given a chance to choose again, he answered that he would still pick Wang So.



"[Wang So] has a stiff personality, but he is wholeheartedly devoted to a girl, which I think makes him a very cool and handsome character," Lee Joon Gi said. He added that it gave him great satisfaction to play the character, Soompi reported.



However, Lee Joon Gi said that he would also be interested to try the ole of Wang Wook, the 8th prince, who is played by Kang Ha Neul. He explained that it's because Wang Wook is such as a romantic and a lot of viewers like him from the very beginning. Unlike Wang Wook, Lee Joon Gi's Wang So is the dark and brooding prince.



In the meantime, Lee Joon Gi stars in the mini web drama series titled "Seven First Kisses." The drama, which is produced by Lotte Duty Free, also stars Lee Cho Hee, Ji Chang Wook, Park Hae Jin, Taecyeon, Kai, Lee Jong Suk and Lee Min Ho.



"Seven First Kisses" tells the story of Min Soo Jin (Lee Cho Hee) who meets a goddess that grants her a chance to take a pick from seven handsome guys as her first kiss, according to KoreanDrama.org. Lee Joon Gi plays the handsome and romantic Church Oppa, who was introduced as the first potential boyfriend.



New episodes of "Seven First Kisses" airs every Monday and Thursday on Naver TV Cast.






Park Shin Hye arrives the Chanel 2015/16 Cruise Collection show on May 4, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Chung Sung-Jun)

It was belatedly reported that South Korean actors Park Shin Hye and Yoo Jae Suk have made generous donations to the victims of Seomun Market fire, sources confirmed.



According to The Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association revealed that Park Shin Hye and Yoo Jae Suk donated approximately $43,000 to help store owners recover from the loss they incurred following the fire that took place in Daegu, Soompi reported.



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A huge fire engulfed Seomun Market starting Nov. 30 this year. The fire continued to ravage the property until Dec. 2, burning down over 800 small and large businesses. The fire, which lasted for 59 hours, is regarded as the worst fire disaster in South Korea's history, allkpop has learned.



The Seomun Market is the biggest market in Daegu and was built in 1976. Most of the stores that were affected by the fire sold inflammable materials such as bedding units, curtains and clothes. According to a security officer, he saw flames and smoke coming from the first floor of the building at around 2 a.m. on Nov. 30. The fire has aroused suspicions that it was started by a person as a protest against now impeached South Korean president Park Gun Hye whose birthplace was Daegu.



Park Shin Hye is known for her many charitable activities, especially for her work with Korea Food for the Hungry International. Through the said organization. Park Shin Hye helped pay for heating expenses for low-income families, and she was also able to help build schools in the Philippines and Ghana.



Yoo Jae Suk himself is known to be very charitable celebrity, having made several donations to victims of natural disasters, such as the victims of Typhoon Chaba. Park and Yoo were also two of the prominent donors for the victims of the Sewol Fery accident and various other causes such as welfare and protection for comfort women.



Both Park and Yoo made their donations in secret, but the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association were able to confirm with Park's and Yoo's representatives that the donations were indeed made by them.






The First Edition Apple Watch being displayed (Photo : YouTube/Bloomberg)

The Apple Watch has quickly become the most popular smartwatch often outselling Android Wear offerings and this year the holiday season saw it setting another sales record.



Information about the sales of the Apple Watch was provided by none other than Apple CEO, Tim Cook when he replied to query. In the reply to an email Cook indicated that the smartwatch has sold more units this holiday season compared to any other week since it became available in the market, Reuters reported.



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While this has been labeled as a positive development for the Apple Watch and the future of the lineup, Cook did not provide any details of exactly how many units were sold. So it is uncertain right now how the smartwatch has performed compared to other devices like those in the iPod lineup. Also in its latest earnings report, Apple did not break down the sales for each of these devices so there is no official numbers of how the Apple Watch is selling.



Cook's statement via email happened when figures pertaining to the Apple Watch sales were released by IDC on its website. According to the press release from IDC the smartwatch from Apple sold 1.1 million units in the third quarter of this year and this was a decrease compared to the 3.9 million units sold in the same quarter last year.



The reply from Cook about the sales figures of the Apple Watch around the holidays is a clear indication that the device was one of the most popular gifts purchased. Meanwhile the fall in sales in the third quarter is being attributed to the fact that the lineup was not refreshed with a second edition until September this year. Also the user interface of the first edition device had a number of flaws which is thought to have hampered sales.



With the wearables marketplace being dominated by fitness trackers and devices from Fitbit outperforming others from Xiaomi and Garmin, smartwatches from Apple and Samsung have a lot of catching up to do.



Since the holiday season is the prime occasion for gifting items like smartwatches Cook's announcement that the Apple Watch sold well is not being viewed as something out of the ordinary. However, the fact that the device managed to hit high sales is going to be closely watched, as analysts continue to express skepticism about the smartwatch marketplace.



A week of using the Apple Watch






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The first big snow storm of the year hit the area all day Sunday and into Monday morning.

As of 8:42 a.m., county residents saw 8.5 inches of snow on the ground, according to the National Weather Service.

Midland County as well as the entire state of Michigan was under a winter weather advisory from 7 a.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday, resulting in hundreds of school closures.

The snow was associated with a warm front moving into the Ohio Valley in advance of a low pressure system set to track across the state Sunday night.

MBS International Airport remained open, and a couple of private planes were able to arrive on Sunday, said Airport Manager Jeff Nagel.

This morning, at 9:30 a.m., the MBS website was reporting all remaining flights for Monday still scheduled to depart. There was one delay, a Delta flight from Detroit, and United canceled its first flight from OHare in Chicago, Nagel said.

The weather caused several Delta and United flights to be canceled on Sunday, especially in Chicago.

We advise anyone flying to check with the airlines, Nagel said.

At 9 a.m. today, the National Weather Service was reporting a temperature of 30 degrees at Jack Barstow Airport. Today, the forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 32. Winds will be west from 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. The chance of additional precipitation is 20 percent.

Tonight, area residents can expect mostly cloudy skies, with a low around 19. Southwest winds will be 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tuesday will see a partly sunny day, with temperature falling to around 17 by 5 p.m. West winds will be 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Temperatures are expected to continue to fall with a high on Wednesday of 17 degrees and a low of 6 degrees Wednesday night. Thursday is expected to see a high of 13 degrees with a low around zero.
The Saudi Arabian government recently inaugurated The Dow Chemical Co.s Sadara Chemical Co., which Dow says will create 14,000 new jobs in a country that in June approved Dow as the first company to receive a trading license from the Saudi government.

Dow, which has been investing in Saudi Arabia for more than 40 years, is the largest foreign investor and currently has more than 500 employees in the country, the company said in a news release.

Andrew Liveris, Dows chairman and chief executive officer, was invited to deliver remarks at the event that was also attended by Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabias deputy crown prince, second deputy premier and minister of defense; His Excellency Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabias Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of Saudi Aramco; Amin H. Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco; and other distinguished guests including Sadaras board of directors and leadership members.

Speaking of the young, eager and talented Saudi workforce, Liveris said: And this, more than anything, speaks to the present impact  and the future promise  of all that Sadara represents. Because even this historic inauguration is just the beginning  the foundation for a bold vision  of a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation at the intersections of three continents. It is a vision that we all share, and one that we all must help fulfill in the decades to come.

Sadara is a joint venture between Dow and Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), worth an estimated $20 billion in investments according to its website. Sadara started its mixed feed cracker in August. Its located in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia.

Comprising 26 manufacturing units, Sadara is one of the worlds largest integrated chemical facilities and the largest ever built in a single phase, according to Dow. The complex possesses flexible cracking capabilities and will produce more than three million metric tons of high-value performance plastics and specialty chemical products, capitalizing on rapidly growing markets such as transportation, infrastructure, packaging and consumer products. The performance-focused products will add new value chains to the kingdoms vast petroleum reserves, resulting in the diversification of the economy and region.

Sadara will employ thousands of Saudis and foreign nationals, and will help diversify the economy by adding value to the kingdoms vast petroleum reserves and making chemical products not produced before in the Middle East, according to Dow.

The complex has commissioned three polyethylene trains, qualifying 25 products to date and shipping polyethylene to nearly 100 customers in more than 25 countries. Sadara remains on schedule for a sequenced start-up process, continuing with the polyethylene and polyolefins envelope, the propylene oxide/isocyanates/polyurethanes envelope, and finally the ethylene oxide/propylene oxide/specialty chemicals units.

Dow said the inauguration represents the strategic significance of Sadara to the countrys growth and economic diversification strategy Saudi Vision 2030.

During a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Liveris met with H.R.H. Deputy Crown Prince Salman Al Saud to discuss Dows existing investments in the Kingdom and potential future opportunities aligned to the companys growth strategy and Saudi Arabias Vision 2030.

In June, Dow became the first company to receive a trading license from the Government of Saudi Arabia, allowing 100 percent ownership in the countrys trading sector. In addition to Sadara, Dow maintains several joint ventures in the region including a joint venture with Juffali & Brothers, and Saudi Acrylic Monomer Co. Additional strategic investments include agreements with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to construct a new Dow Middle East Research and Development Center, and a reverse osmosis manufacturing facility  the first unit of its kind outside of the United States.
Park Bo Gum stars in the KBS historical drama 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds.' (Photo : YouTube/Magnolia 19930616)

"Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" actor Park Bo-Gum had a little moment on stage. The 23-year-old Hallyu star broke down in tears during his recent fan tour meeting event in Malaysia.



On Dec. 10, Saturday, Park beamed at some 3,000 local and international fans, as he kicked off his Asia tour with a meet-and-greet event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre's Plenary Hall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Yonhap News Agency reported. Much to the immense cheers and excitement of many, the Hallyu star greeted everyone in Malaysian dialect.



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Drawing cheers from his fans, Park showcased different sides of himself that have not been known to many. He also performed the famous "bombastic" dance move and sang his own rendition of d.ear's ballad song "December 24." He then shared some stories behind the hit drama series "Reply 1988" and "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds."



Further, Park began to tear up when he performed his first soundtrack for "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" OST entitled "My Person" in front of the 3,000 audiences. Fans then have taken to social media to post several videos and pictures of him teary-eyed.



Aside from the Malaysia fan meeting, Park will also hold similar meet-and-greet events in other Asian countries. His next fan meeting event is scheduled in Hong Kong on Dec. 17, Saturday. It will then be followed in Jakarta, Indonesia; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore and Seoul, South Korea.



Park, who started his acting career in 2011's thriller film "Blind," became a household name after playing Crown Prince Lee Yeong in KBS 2TV's "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds." Due to the impressive popularity of the said historical drama, Park is cherished by many individuals across different age groups at home and abroad.



"Park Bo Gum became the talk of the town following his drama 'Reply 1988' and his recent drama 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds'," local newsoutlet Xports News quoted the source as saying, as cited by Soompi. "Thus, a new term called 'Park Bo Gum Effect' was created."



Check out the short clip of Park's Malaysia fan meeting below:






The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics postulates that "atoms form a world of potentials and possibilities, rather than of things and facts". Following a parallel path Ajahn Sumedho , a teacher from the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition , has proposed that: We do not know the future. But we do not need to know. We can let the future be the mysterious unknown, the infinite potential - the possibility for pleasure, the possibility for pain, the possibility for peace. As we let go of the fear of the unknown, we find peace. My photo of a stormy sky over Colombo in Sri Lanka hints at that infinite potential. There are many ways to experience it, and music is one of them. For me two examples particularly relevant to this post are Claude Vivier's Siddhartha and Jonathan Harvey's Body Mandala . It is now time for me to defy my advancing years and travel into the mysterious unknown of the future. Which means On An Overgrown Path will fall silent, When, or indeed i
Chainsaw Man Season 1: The anime community is now buzzing about Chainsaw Man. Although the manga has been out for 

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Service members from the United States, Australia and Japan air forces gathered around the open cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules Dec. 6, 2016, here to remember Senior Airman Jeremy Jutba-Hake.

Hake was a C-130H instructor loadmaster from the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, who collapsed during post-flight duties and later died following a training mission in support of Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen AFB in December last year.

Both a U.S. and a Hawaiian flag hung inside the C-130 over a special delivery bundle dedicated to Hake as those close to the 22-year-old native of Hawaii, remember the legacy of leadership and service left behind.

Hakes mother and father, Eva Hake and U.S. Air Force retired Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Hake, both traveled to Guam to participate in the memorial and see the operation Hake supported before his untimely death.

Its a wonderful tribute to the fact that the Air Force is a family, Jonathan said. This has been one sterling example of how those arent just words. Were really grateful to his squadron and everyone at Operation Christmas Drop.

During the ceremony, Hakes friends and family spoke of his kindness and leadership. They described him as the type of person who would help anyone in need. They spoke of what he taught them both professionally and personally, and the legacy he leaves behind.



Every time you hug your spouse or your children, and when you spend that extra time with your family, you picture Jeremy, said Lt. Col. Dale Davies, 36th AS commander. Ladies and gentlemen, thats a legacy.



To honor Hakes legacy, fellow Airmen began a memorial foundation in his honor. The foundations name is Santa 61, the call sign of Hakes last flight.



All the money donated to Santa 61 goes to Operation Christmas Drop because this mission is the best thing a loadmaster can [participate in], said Senior Airman Anthony Schoof. We love it, and I know he loved it.

After the memorial ceremony was complete, the 36th AS crew completed their training mission to deliver the supply-filled bundle covered with messages and photos honoring Hakes memory to the island of Satawol.

After the drop was complete, the islanders gathered on the beach as the aircraft passed over one last time. Each person waved at the aircraft while displaying a smile probably much the smiles from her son that Eva will always remember.

He had a contagious smile, Eva said. He told his father last year how happy he was to be a loadmaster and he loved his job. He loved his squadron and all the people he had met along the way. He always lived like there was no tomorrow.

Sixty-five years in the running, Christmas Drop is the Department of Defenses longest-running humanitarian airlift operation. The tradition began during the 1952 Christmas season when a B-29 Superfortress aircrew saw islanders waving at them from the island of Kapingamarangi, 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.

In the spirit of Christmas the aircrew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute to the islanders below, giving the operation its name. This year brings together three nations, three corporate sponsors and three U.S. military branches. Today, air drop operations include more than 50 islands and thousands of people.
Bloomington-Normal

POP LORE, Cautious Exuberance and Flowers, For You; through Jan. 10, Jan Brandt Gallery, 1106 W. Bell St., Bloomington; ink on cheesecloth by Andrew LeMay Cox, mixed-media works by Erin Elizabeth and Harry Widebotham, paintings by Danny Epstein; viewing by appointment at janbrandtgallery@gmail.com.

ISU University Galleries; noon-4 p.m. Mon., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Normal; rotating exhibits in three galleries; free; 309-438-8321.

Strange Oscillations and Vibrations of Sympathy; through Dec. 18, ISU University Galleries, see above; works by contemporary female artists that acknowledge women writers. Related events: screenings of Dawn Roe's "The Sunshine Bores/The Daylights," through Dec. 18, Milner Library.

IWU Merwin and Wakeley Galleries; school hours, noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 7-9 p.m. Tue.; 302 E. Graham St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits; free; 309-556-3391.

McLean County Arts Center; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.; 601 N. East St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits, sales, rentals, art classes and lectures; free; 309-829-0011.

Holiday Treasures Exhibition and Sale; through Dec. 31, McLean County Arts Center, see above; affordable works and seasonal items by more than 60 local and national artists.

Abstracted Landscapes; through Dec. 31, McLean County Arts Center, see above.; paintings by Dick Folse.

McLean County Museum of History; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Tue.), 200 N. Main St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits; adults $5, seniors $4, students, children under 12 and members free; 309-827-0428.

Challenges, Choices and Change: Making a Home; McLean County Museum of History, see above; new permanent exhibit exploring experiences of people from around the world who made McLean County their home.

Abraham Lincoln in McLean County; McLean County Museum of History, see above; new permanent exhibit on Lincoln's life in Bloomington.

Prairie Aviation Museum; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 2929 E. Empire St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits and displays with aerial history themes; adults $5, ages 6-11 $3, 5 and under free; 309-663-7632.

Central Illinois

U of I Krannert Art Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Thu. during fall and spring semesters), closed Sun, 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign; paintings, porcelain, historical artifacts, traveling art exhibits; $3 donation suggested; 217-333-1861.

Zina Saro-Wiwa: Did You Know We Taught Them How to Dance?; through March 25, U of I Krannert Art Museum, see above; video installations, photographs, more.

Making and Breaking Medieval Manuscripts; through Feb. 11, U of I Krannert Art Museum, see above; hand-drawn/embellished scrolls, books and maps.

School of Art + Design Faculty Exhibition; through Dec. 22, U of I Krannert Art Museum, see above; various media.

Borderline Collective: Northern Triangle; through Dec. 22, U of I Krannert Art Museum, see above; installation featuring art works and historical documents.

Amity Township Museum; 1-3 p.m. first Sun. of month or by appointment, 510 Main St., Cornell; displays and artifacts relating to history of Cornell and Amity Township; free; 815-358-2973.

Spencer Sauter: Painting; 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9:30 a.m.-noon Fri., through Jan. 16, Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center Gallery, East Peoria; paintings; free; 309-694-5113.

Eureka College Burgess Hall Art Gallery; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and by appointment on weekends, third floor of Burgess Hall, Eureka College, Eureka; rotating exhibits; free; 309-467-6866.

Simpkins Military History Museum; 1-5 p.m. Tue., Thu., Sat., or by appointment; 605 E. Cole St., Heyworth; permanent and rotating military history exhibits; free (donations accepted); 309-473-3989.

Dickson Mounds Museum; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road, Lewistown; displays, special exhibits; free; 309-547-3721.

Lincoln Heritage Museum; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., Lincoln Center at Lincoln College, 300 Keokuk St., Lincoln; Lincoln-era items, audio-visual displays, tours, exhibits, more; adults $7, children/tours $4; 217-735-7399.

Contemporary Art Center of Peoria; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., Riverfront Arts Center, 305 S.W. Water, Peoria; rotating exhibits in two galleries; free; 309-674-6822.

Staying the Course; through Dec. 16, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, see above; works by Jenni Bateman, Nicola Blease-Perry, Ande Lister and Patricia Whalen-Keck.

A Small Wonder Gift Shop; through Dec. 16, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, see above; holiday art gift show and sale.

Forest Park Nature Center Nature Art Show & Sale; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., through Dec. 31, Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights; nature and wildlife art by local artists; 309-686-3360.

Peoria Art Guild; Foster Arts Center, Harrison and Washington streets, Peoria; rotating exhibits, gift shop; free; 309-637-2787.

Peoria Riverfront Museum; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun., downtown riverfront Peoria; permanent and rotating exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theater and events; $8-$11; 309-686-7000.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition; through March 12, Peoria Riverfront Museum, see above; touring exhibit recovered artifacts from Titanic wreck site and room re-creations.

Museum of the Gilding Arts; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., April-Oct., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Nov.-March, 217 N. Mill St., Pontiac; displays, history and hands-on exhibits dedicated to the art of gilding and gold beating; free (donations welcome); 815-842-1848.

Pontiac Community Art Center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 103 W. Madison St., Pontiac; rotating exhibits; 815-844-5831.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield; Lincoln-themed exhibits, historical displays, special events, more; adults $12, seniors and students $9, ages 5-15 $5, under 5 free; 217-558-8844.

Rare and Rarely Seen; through Jan. 29, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, see above; rarely exhibited items from museum's permanent collection.
BLOOMINGTON  Heeding a request by Black Lives Matter Bloomington-Normal, the City Council voted unanimously Monday night to delay for a month taking action on a proposed police substation for west Bloomington.

"I find it interesting that none of our members  not of my church, not of the Black Lives movement  had heard about this substation issue prior to this past Friday," said Ky Ajayi, a Black Lives Matter member who attends Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church, 803 W. Olive St. He spoke to the council during the meeting's public comments portion.

"As far as I know there has not been any detailed conversations with members of the community about the need for and the desire for such a substation," said Ajayi.

"So I come here to humbly request that you table any discussion of this issue today to allow the community to have input on this issue," said Ajayi.

Ward 7 Alderman Scott Black made a motion to table until Jan. 23 a vote on leasing a house owned by Mid Central Community Action at 828 W. Jefferson St. for the substation. Black represents the area on the council.

"I think there could be a positive for the community, but I want to make sure everyone gets an understanding about what this is and what this is not," said Black.

"The other thing that I think is really troubling about society is that there is a divorcing of facts and reality," added Black. "Let's have a fact-based discussion about this."

Prior to the council's vote to table the matter Police Chief Brendan Heffner and Community Action Executive Director Deborah White presented the council with more details about the proposed substation and how the idea came about.

Heffner said Community Action approached the police department about letting an officer rent the house to provide a better sense of safety and security for residents by having more of a police presence in the neighborhood.

When no officer came forward with in an interest to do that Heffner suggested using the residence as substation where officers from every patrol shift could stop, depending on their calls for service, to fill out reports, eat meals, take a break, and when weather permits, be out and about in the neighborhood.

Heffner said the substation was never intended as place where police would conduct police business such as interviews of suspects.

"For us, this was strictly for community outreach," said Heffner.

Community Action's attorney Stacey Tutt noted that the lease, at $12 annually, prohibits an armory for the storage of firearms on the premises. The house could be used for community events such as officer "meet and greets" or "open houses," according to the lease.

The local Black Lives Matter group previously issued a statement that said: "Local residents have not been engaged in assessing whether or not a substation should be established in their neighborhood.

"If the council votes on the substation on Monday, they are imposing an increased police presence on the neighborhoods and violating any commitment to community policing."

Since 2012, five feedback surveys have been conducted to gauge what residents in that area think about their neighborhoods and the community, according to information issued by Community Action and West Bloomington Housing Collaborative.

In 2014 and 2015 community needs assessments and another currently being conducted, "there has been a consistent response ... that safety is a concern and increased law enforcement is the solution on the minds of residents," said the agencies.

"I have been on neighborhood walks over there and in my monthly focus meetings (which are open to the public) I have been asked over the last two years on at least two occasions about having a police substation on the west side," said Heffner.

The house was rehabbed at a cost of $79,720, which was paid for with a grant from the Illinois Attorney General's office.

Ajayi said after the meeting that he believes that money could have been better spent helping some of the low-income children in the area.

"Many of these children on the west side have nothing to do. Many of them cannot afford the extra-curriculars at school," said Ajayi. "MCCA and others  how about paying so that some of these kids are playing basketball or running track or in theater or in literature courses? Policing is a Band-Aid There are structural issues on the west side that must be addressed.

"Come and talk to us," added Ajayi. "We have ideas. There is communication we need to engage in."

Members of Black Lives Matter plan to meet with Heffner at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, 801 W. Market St. That meeting had been scheduled before the substation issue arose.
PEORIA  A federal lawsuit filed by a former supervisor of the Bloomington Police Department evidence room against the city and two of its command staff opened Monday.

Amy Ward has alleged that her free speech rights and the right to be protected under the Illinois Whistleblower Act were violated after she complained about how evidence was being stored and maintained at police headquarters.

Ward was fired after she inquired in 2011 about whether the Illinois State Police had plans to investigate her concerns, first brought to several officers and former police Chief Randy McKinley, who now serves as chief of the St. Charles, Mo. department.

In her opening statement, Ward's lawyer Dawn Wall said the former BPD worker was disciplined after she reported concerns about evidence storage.

In two instances, Ward found a gun and drugs in officers' closets instead of the secured area, said Wall.

Money collected as evidence also was not properly tracked on the county's computerized case management system, Wall told jurors.

But Peter Jennetten, a lawyer for the city, said on his opening remarks that "Amy Ward essentially fired herself through her own conduct."

Ward was insubordinate and refused to follow direct orders on where to store evidence during a 2011 inventory of the evidence room, the city's lawyer argued.

Ward is expected to be the first witness this afternoon.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the city and Lts. Bob Wall and Tim Stanesa. McKinley and former Assistant Chief Bob Siron were dropped from the lawsuit after they were not properly served with notice of the legal action.

On the witness list  along with McKinley, Wall and Stanesa  is City Manager David Hales and Emily Bell, former city human resources director.

Ward has described the evidence room she took over in 2009 as a nightmare, with broad access allegedly permitted by many officers who lacked authorization and failed to document the removal of evidence.

The city claims Ward was upset because she wasn't hired for a new records manager position.

The trial is expected to last three days. Ward wants her job back, or to be paid back wages plus damages.
Actress Song Ji Hyo attends the Burberry Seoul Flagship Store Opening Event on October 15, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Han Myung-Gu)

Song Ji Hyo is set to start the incoming year with a new TV project. The "Running Man" cast member is set to host her own TV program on South Korea's cable network JTBC2.



The "Running Man" star will start the year 2017 in the right direction by adding TV hosting to her list of accomplishments. Song will star on her own beauty program titled "Song Ji Hyo's Beauty View" that will soon air on JTBC2.



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Aside from sharing beauty secrets and tips, the South Korean actress will also feature beauty experts and trendsetters to guest on "Song Ji Hyo's Beauty View." One element that will set the JTBC2 program apart from other beauty shows will be the one-on-one features and discussions that will tackle various subjects on skin care, beauty and more.



Showrunners of the upcoming beauty program recently told local reporters that Song is already looking forward to sharing beauty tips. With a target audience of beauty conscious viewers, as well as the "Running Man" star's fans, people who have zero knowledge on how to stay beautiful will be learn a lot from Song's new show, All Kpop quoted the showrunners as saying.



The showrunners also commented on the South Korean actress' willingness to know more about staying beautiful. Considered as a novice in the said subject, Song will join the show's viewers in discovering secrets, tips and other useful information about beauty.



In other news, Song will be spending more time in China to promote her new Chinese film "Super Express" and attend fan meetings, according to Korea Times. The said movie marks the South Korean actress' second Chinese-language film after "708090" that was released in 2015.



The film stars French actor David Belle, Chinese celebrity Mason Lee, as well as "Hurry Up, Brother" cast member Chan He. Co-produced by China, France and South Korea, the film tells the story of a bike courier whose life changed after meeting a mysterious woman.



"Super Express" premiered in China on Dec. 2, while the actress' upcoming beauty program will air its first episode on Jan. 19 on JTBC2. Watch one of Song's cute moments in the recent episode of "Running Man" below:






One-third of the children are living their lives in poverty in Liverpool, as per new data figures. 31000 children with a percentage of 33.89% are spending lives in poverty according to the data gained from the coalition of End Child Poverty which is 4% of the average nationally.

Riverside of Liverpool that covers the center of the city, Sefton and Toxteth park, was 12th among the constituency which performed the worst in the UK, with the children percentage of 40.7% that lived beneath the line of poverty, Liverpool Echo says.

A whole of 29% of the children lived below the line of poverty across the Merseyside which is equal to children numbering 85000. It was noticed earlier in this month that by the North of Liverpool, food parcels numbering 2600 were distributed from the month of April to the month of September out of which children were distributed one-third part.

In August, Trussel Trust also revealed some astounding figures which illustrated that after falling to a crisis of food almost 60,000 individuals accessed the Merseyside food banks which provided food to children numbering 25,000 collectively. Liverpool Riverside's MP, Louise Ellman said that these figures are heartening and astounding as the homes are going to become places where parents work and the

parents face unemployment, both of these situations are required to be targeted and

addressed.

To provide more people with work, new job's creation must be supported. The benefits are not be reduced and the minimum wage is to be increased are the things which bring poverty into people. This is not the country which is workable for everyone.as per the Prime Minister's recognition. The kind of children can be found in every country which are unblessed with the happiness of childhood and a better start to life. If the people with the people are left with dew pounds in their pockets only as left by the Universal Credit.
The U.S. Department of Education sets tough conditions on the $1.1 billion private equity bid for the owner of the University of Phoenix for the school's sale to Wall Street investors including Apollo Global Management LLC that is not related to Apollo Educational Group, the university's owner. Stumping up a $385.6 million letter of credit and prohibiting enrollment expansion are taken as a way for Barack Obama's administration to walk away from the agreement.

Michael Frola, an Education Department official, explains in a letter to the university's president about the risk that the school faces due to the decline in enrollment, government investigations, and the alleged inexperience of the buyers in operating an educational establishment such as Phoenix University. It can end up leaving the financial burden to taxpayers. Department spokeswoman Kelly Leon refrains from giving reactions to the statement.

Over $2.4 billion students' aid received over the past two academic years. The federal debt outstanding is the highest among its peers as per the 2014 study co-authored by Adam Looney, deputy assistant secretary for tax analysis. The University of Phoenix has been affected by the decline of enrollment and higher costs like many other schools due to government scrutiny and economic rebound.

The annual revenue at Apollo Education's revenue has been reduced half way since 2012, to $2.1 billion as per the updated annual report. Its $91 million loss is alarming given that $417 million profit was recorded just four years prior, says the International Business Times.

Career Education Colleges and Universities has claimed that the Obama administration has been indifferent to the sector following ideological grounds for a long time.In February, Apollo Global Management formed a joint venture with investors, including former Obama administration officials, to purchase University of Phoenix and other overseas schools.

Tony Miller, chief operating officer of Vistria Group and a former deputy education secretary, and Martin Nesbitt, a close friend of President Barack Obama are two of the investors. The Education Department's deadline for the requirements is by June 2018. iN 45 days, Donald Trump Takes over as U.S. president. Republicans, who support profit colleges, will control Congress, also. Perhaps, the dealings with the buyer by then will be more manageable, according to Bloomberg.
"Modern Family" actress Sofia Vergara has been in a long legal battle against her former partner Nick Loeb. Their unique custody case in relation to two frozen embryos could affect American family law.

In a happier time, Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb agreed to procreate via in-vitro fertilization and surrogacy. They produced two embryos, which were named "Emma" and "Isabella." According to The Wrap, the embryos have been entrusted to James Charbonnet.

But Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb were not able to use the embryos. The then-couple agreed to freeze this and also signed a deal where one party won't be able to use the embryos without the consent of the other.

Since their split, Nick Loeb has been asking the courts to grant him the right to use the embryos, but Sofia Vergara has been blocking the requests. Now, the embryos are suing the actress for disallowing Emma and Isabella to develop as intended.

The lawsuit alleged that Emma and Isabella are being prevented by their "mom" Sofia Vergara from entrusting them to their "father" Nick Loeb. The latter is apparently "willing and desirous that they be born and become eligible to receive their inheritance," as stated in the lawsuit, according to New York Daily News.

.@SofiaVergara sued "by her own frozen embryos" for allegedly depriving them of their inheritance - US media https://t.co/E3zFIB8Hq6 pic.twitter.com/AfT5t8bnWs  BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 8, 2016

The charges were filed in Louisiana. The ex-couple apparently split in this state and for a time, the actress spent months filming a movie there. But the state is also the one place in America that recognizes human embryos' right to sue, according to Louisiana's 1986 health laws.

This unique case is one that family lawyers have not encountered and it might be a precedent of other family disputes. But according to experts who spoke with the Daily Beast, the case will not be easily decided. "The court will have to ask 'What does Vergara do in Louisiana that makes it fair to drag her back here?'" law professor Jeffrey Parness told the news outlet.

Sofia Vergara, who is now married to actor Joe Manganiello, is fighting back. Her lawyers have established that Nick Loeb had previous relationships where he agreed to abortions; that he did not desire to become a father. The court has ordered him to name these exes but he has not yet complied, Us Weekly reports.
Utah Senator Mike Lee expressed his opinion about how every U.S. community treats people with Down syndrome. The speech he made in the Senate was about a banned video in France, which is about some happy kids with Down syndrome.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah was elected in 2010. Since then, Sen. Lee made use of senatorial position on issues regarding the freedom and liberty of Utahns and Americans.The U.S. constitution has been in an angular spectacle in Sen. Lee's perspective, thus he's been an advocate since then. Just recently, he expressed a strong sentiment about how the community treats people with Down syndrome.

If we can recall, Parent Herald reported about the controversial short film entitled, "Dear Future Mom," which features children telling mothers-to-be that children with the condition can lead happy lives. The short film was released in 2014 for World Down Syndrome Day and has been viewed more than seven million times on YouTube.

After the "Dear Future Mom" short film have been banned on French television, criticisms have emerged from both sides. Others contest that it was a right choice for it might be very disturbing to women who have kids with Down syndrome while on the side of Senator Mike Lee, films like "Dear Future Mom" should be supported in every community for it fosters the right of everyone with Down Syndrome, CNS News said.

Senator Lee acquired a deep respect for the Constitution early on. His father, Rex Lee, who served as the Solicitor General under President Ronald Reagan, would often discuss varied aspects of judicial and constitutional doctrine around the kitchen table  from due process to the uses of executive plenary power.

He attended most of his father's arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court, giving him a unique, hands-on experience and understanding of government up close. Throughout his career, Lee earned a reputation as an outstanding practitioner of the law based on his sound judgment, abilities in the courtroom and thorough understanding of the Constitution.

Today, Lee fights to preserve America's proud founding document in the United States Senate. He advocates efforts to support constitutionally limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty and economic prosperity.
Some 500 Indiana colleges have vowed to uphold President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Established in 2012, the DACA allows for undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's license, enroll in schools, or apply for jobs while their papers are still under process. Many fear that this program could be abolished by President-elect Donald Trump when he assumes office in January 2017.

Indiana university presidents, however, recently signed a joint statement affirming their continued support for the DACA program. "This is both a moral imperative and a national necessity," the letter stated, as published in the Pomona College website.

The university leaders recognize undocumented students as active contributors who have done well in school and are "already part of our national community." They are also calling on other schools, as well as civic and business leaders, to uphold the DACA.

According to Indy Star, the joint statement has alleviated fears among undocumented students following President-elect Trump's strong statements during his campaign regarding immigrants and the abolishment of DACA. "It's definitely something that gives us a little bit of hope," 19-year-old Martinez Dominguez told the news outlet.

Thousands worry Trump will end DACA program for children putting their future in jeopardy: https://t.co/hRTtZZ0FAp  WDTN (@WDTN) December 2, 2016

Yet the uncertainty remains, especially for thousands of students across the United States. Donald Trump remains vague about his plans on what to do with the young immigrants already contributing to America's economic and education system. But in a recent interview with Time, the president-elect seems to have had taken a step back and stated that he's "going to work something out."

An immigration lawyer said that Donald Trump's ambiguous stand about DACA could be dealt in two ways and none of it are about retention, according to Flat Hat News. The incoming president could implement immediate dissolution or he could provide for an expiration date.

Over 750,000 young immigrants have been granted DACA eligibility since the program started. What will happen to these students if Trump decides to go a different way?
Minor teenagers in Southeast Texas were reported dead due to underage drinking. Now, the Southeast Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SETCADA), a nonprofit org that provides treatment and education services to people distressed with alcohol issues and their families, wants to curb the trend by presenting a social hosting responsibility ordinance. And the ordinance has a 'high chance of passing,' says the mayor of Port Arthur, Texas.

Ales Flood and Harriet Mitchell together with the Southeast Texas Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse (SETCADA) submitted a planned social hosting liability ordinance during the meeting of Port Arthur City Council last Nov. 29. The goal of the law is to hold adults or parents liable for providing alcohol to underage teens and throw parties in their house and not supervise those house parties.

In the current survey conducted by SETCADA, among 1,173 high school students from Port Arthur, 511 students said that minor drinking was a "severe" issue, 360 claimed that it was a "mild" issue and 164 claimed it was not a serious problem. Only 138 students said underage drinking wasn't a problem at all while 70 percent of teenagers reported drinking in parties thrown by the parents of their friends.

"We find that kids are getting alcohol at parties," the Stop Teen Drinking Austin quoted Ales Flood, the coordinator SETCADA, as saying. "Even parties where parents drop their kids off and they think an adult is supervising them," she added.

Under the city ordinance, adults liable for giving a place where minor drinking happens can be summoned by the authorities. Mitchell said the goal of the law is to hold adults responsible for providing alcohol to underage teens and allow parties to go on in their house and not supervising those house parties.

Most members of Port Arthur Council seemed to like and support the ordinance while others are still looking into some matters before supporting it. However, Port Arthur Mayor Derrick Freeman, according to Beaumont Enterprise, said that the ordinance has a "high chance of passing." The voting of the "passing" of the law will start next year.


On December 6 Patently Apple posted a report titled "Softbank to Invest $50 Billion in the U.S. to create 50,000 new Tech Jobs and Somehow Foxconn is Included in the Deal" Our report captured a photo of a page from the presentation Masayoshi Son gave to President-elect Trump as noted below. We reported that Foxconn was present on the proposal. The next day Foxconn confirmed it was in preliminary discussions to expand its operations in the United States. Today it's being reported that Apple has held talks regarding an investment into the $100 billion technology fund being raised by Japanese internet and telecommunications giant SoftBank Group Corp. The news comes days ahead of Apple's meeting with President-elect Trump this week at Trump Tower.





The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reports that "The SoftBank Vision Fund, which aims to launch next year, is targeting $100 billion and is seeded by SoftBank, one of Japan's largest mobile-phone providers and owner of Sprint Corp. It marks an ambitious effort by SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son to position his company as a leader in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, in which everyday objects such as thermostats, watches and cars are connected online.

By investing, Apple also would hope to gain insight on emerging technologies, the people familiar with the matter said.

Such a move also would reflect a shift in Apple's investment strategy, which until recently focused on small stakes in young technology companies. Earlier this year, Apple invested $1 billion in Didi Chuxing Technology Co., China's homegrown ride-sharing competitor to Uber Technologies Inc. SoftBank is also an investor in Didi."

Apple and SoftBank have business ties stretching back nearly a decade. In 2008, the companies struck a deal to make SoftBank the exclusive iPhone seller in Japan. The partnership drove record sales, helping to make SoftBank Japan's third-largest cellular carrier by 2011.

Mr. Son has praised late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, whom he once compared to Leonardo da Vinci, and remains close with Mr. Cook. SoftBank distributes iPhones and iPads to its approximately 20,000 employees, and Mr. Son has said he rarely touches a PC.

Patently Apple posted a report back in October titled "Foxconn and ARM to Create Chip Design Center in Shenzhen where Apple is Building a new R&D Center." That report illustrated how the SoftBank Group and Foxconn are very close and both of them are close to Apple.

When Apple's CEO visited Shenzhen back in October, Foxconn's Founder and Chairman Terry Gou accompanied Cook to meet Chairman Xu Shaoshi of China's National Development and Reform Commission and other senior Shenzhen officials. Apple's new facility will be in the same city as the new ARM chip design center.





So it's no surprise to have learned in the past week that Foxconn and Apple will be a part of the $100 billion technology fund headed by SoftBank; the very fund that will be investing US$50 + billion in the U.S. that will reportedly create 50,000 new Jobs. A fact that drives the anti-Trump camp crazy.

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.
The Egyptian army has condemned Sunday's "cowardly" bomb attack targeting churchgoers at the St Peter and St Paul church in Cairo's Abbassiya district, saying it will only increase the people's determination and solidarity in the face of terrorism and extremism.

An army statement also extended condolences to the families of the victims after at least 25 people were killed and 49 were injured in the attack.

The Coptic Church's spokesman Rev Paul Halim told Al-Ahram Arabic website that the explosion took place in the small church also known as El-Botroseya, which is attached to the Coptic Cathedral.

Following the attack, Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced that the country will observe three days of mourning.

Al-Azhar, the world's oldest seat of Sunni Islamic learning, also condemned the attack.

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Last week, my World Religion students discussed human rights and hate speech with their peers in Ukraine.

It was fascinating to hear the perspective of the Ukrainian students who told us that most instances of hate speech in their country centered around religion. I think that surprised my students because hate speech in America not only involves religion but politics and race too.

And it was interesting to hear their stereotype of American hate speech. They wondered why there was so much bullying in public schools.

Generation Global is an education organization that puts together students from different cultures to discuss issues relating to religion and culture through online video conferences.

It was started by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and offers several different kinds of conferences for students. Some are based on United Nations international days and others are based on culture and religion and include topics like festivals, the environment, and wealth and poverty.

Sometimes Generation Global tackles current issues and brings in important experts. Last year, for example, we participated in a conference on equality before the law and speakers included Mary Tinker, the free speech advocate who went to court over wearing an armband in support of a truce in the Viet Nam War and the grandson of Cesar Chavez, the civil rights activist and labor leader.

The organization provided a moderator for our conference as well as a speaker. Kristen Looney, a project director at the Newseum Religious Freedom Center spoke to students for about fifteen minutes about hate speech. She reminded them that hate speech is protected by the first amendment no matter how offensive.

Students in both countries seemed eager to speak, perhaps because of the prevalence of hate speech in the news. For example, my students were eager to confront the stereotype of bullying.

Asked to describe ways they might address hate speech in their own countries, students mentioned the importance of learning about other cultures and participating in exchange programs.

Generation Global provides teaching resources for each of their conferences.

The lesson was free, easy, and highly engaging.

And the technology that makes all this work is pretty cool. Our moderator was in Italy, a technical engineer who made sure video and sound worked was in New Delhi, Kristen Looney was in Washington, DC, two schools were in Ukraine and we were in northern Virginia.
Before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube made their entry in the media market, the PatnaDaily had already registered its presence in...
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is meeting this week in New York with top tech executives, including Oracle CEO Safra Catz, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Alphabet CEO Larry Page and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, according to news reports.

Invitations to the meeting were signed by Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus, and billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, a Silicon Valley figure who came out openly early on in favor of Trump.

The relationship between Trump and Silicon Valley companies has been difficult with some senior tech executives openly backing his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the run-up to the presidential elections. The president-elect and tech companies also appear to have differing views on issues such as immigration, outsourcing abroad, clean energy, net neutrality, encryption, surveillance and on restoring lost manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

Trump, for example, was critical of Apples refusal to help the Department of Justice access information on the iPhone used by a San Bernardino, California, terrorist in an attack last December. Boycott all Apple products until such time as Apple gives cellphone info to authorities regarding radical Islamic terrorist couple from Cal, Trump tweeted in February. Apple had said that helping the FBI crack the phone would require it to develop a new version of the iOS operating system and weaken its security in the bargain.

During the campaign, Trump also said he would get Apple to make its computers in the U.S. instead of in other countries, as part of his agenda to bring jobs back stateside. Apple claims on its website that its products and innovations have led to almost 2 million U.S. jobs  from our engineers and retail employees to suppliers, manufacturers, and app developers. Trump also picked on IBM in November, saying that it laid off 500 workers in Minneapolis and moved their jobs to India and various other countries. IBM said the statement was incorrect.

Trump has meanwhile appointed two opponents of current net neutrality rules to his team charged with overseeing the transition in the Federal Communications Commission, leading to concerns that his administration may try to reverse rules passed last year to prevent providers from selectively blocking or throttling or offering paid prioritization of web traffic.

The meeting on Wednesday could hence provide an opportunity for a rapprochement between the Trump transition team and key U.S. tech executives, though the president-elect may also use the opportunity to push his pet demands. Trump may try to get pledges from companies like Apple and others to make products locally and keep manufacturing jobs in the country, in deals similar to one he struck recently with Carrier. He may also try to get commitments from companies to do IT and product design work locally rather than in locations like India.

Oracle confirmed that its CEO Safra Catz would be attending the meeting. Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Google did not immediately comment over the weekend.
Microsoft Ventures has launched an artificial intelligence investment fund, signaling its parent companys growing focus on the emerging technology.

The VC arm of Microsoft has also funded Element AI, an incubator to help organizations embrace an AI-first strategy, Nagraj Kashyap, corporate vice president of Microsoft Ventures, said Monday in a blog post.

AI holds great promise to augment human capabilities and improve society by tackling some of the worlds biggest problems, Kashyap wrote. Well make investments in startups that are responsibly harnessing the promise of AI to empower people and businesses.

The funded companies will help people and machines work together to increase access to education, teach new skills and create jobs, enhance the capabilities of existing workforces and improve the treatment of diseases, Kashyap added.

Kashyap did not disclose the size of the new AI fund.

Since launching in May, Microsoft Ventures has invested in 19 companies, including Tact, a sales experience platform designed to transform a salespersons connected device into an AI-powered smart assistant. Another investment was in i3 Equity Partners, an investment firm dedicated to early-stage investments in Israeli internet of things startups.

Microsoft has made AI a major company focus in recent months. In September, the company launched a new AI and Research Group, and it has made several improvements to its Cortana digital assistant.
Evolution inevitably involves the creation of new problems, and the big tech stories of the year show that this goes for IT just like anything else. While the internet has brought the world closer together, it also paved the way for fake news and new forms of espionage. The rise of AI has humans worried about being replaced. Chip makers are consolidating and scrambling to retool to meet the demands of virtual reality and the internet of things. And while Apple removed legacy ports on its new devices, a lot of users are grumbling about needing adapters for their favorite headphones and other peripherals. Its been a big year for trade-offs like this. Here are the IDG News Services picks for the top 10 tech stories of the year.

Election of Trump brings fake news to the fore

LVCVA Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on stage during the third presidential debate in Las Vegas on October 19, 2016.

The U.S. presidential election highlighted the internets power to disseminate false information, fueling a fierce debate over the role of social networks in the media landscape and how Facebook, Google and Twitter should police fake news. The election was the number one news topic on Facebook this year, and that news included blatantly false stories, including one that Hillary Clinton was running a child porn ring out of a Washington, D.C., pizza parlor. Google and Facebook have started blocking ads from sites that are known to promulgate disinformation, but they continue to struggle with the issue. Meanwhile, the world braces for the presidency of Tweeter-in-Chief Donald Trump, who claims he won the US popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, possibly the biggest fake story of the year.

Mirai botnet pokes holes in IoT security

Michael Kan

The internet of things (IoT) promises to revolutionize industry and enhance all sorts of web-connected services, but thanks to the Mirai botnet, it also represents a global security risk. Mirai was designed to scan the internet for devices like cameras and DVRs, then access and control them. In addition to other attacks, Mirai was responsible in September for a DDoS attack that overwhelmed cloud provider Akamai and brought down the website of security expert Brian Krebs. In October, it hit DNS (Domain Name System) service provider Dyn and disrupted dozens of major websites. Security experts are warning that more botnets like Mirai will appear unless the hardware industry moves away from default passwords.

Qualcomm buys NXP: The incredible shrinking chip industry

Stephen Lawson A booth sign at Mobile World Congress 2016 shows the logo of mobile technology vendor Qualcomm in a file image captured on Feb. 25, 2016.

Mergers and acquisitions are a great window on how tech evolves, and this years $38 billion deal for Qualcomm to buy NXP Semiconductors, announced in October, was a signpost pointing to how the chip industry is consolidating around IoT. Qualcomm wants to expand beyond a stagnating mobile phone industry, getting into NXPs market for chips for cars and IoT devices. SoftBanks July announcement that it would spend $32 billion to acquire ARM revealed its interest in cashing in on growing demand for processors and other technologies for the IoT and mobile markets.

Intel axes 12,000 as it breaks away from PCs

Intel Intels Shooting Star drone

In another confirmation that were living in a post-PC world, Intel announced in April that it would lay off 12,000 people, a whopping 11 percent of its worldwide workforce. The slowdown in PC shipments has hurt Intel, and the company needs to evolve to better serve the cloud and IoT. Data-center equipment will be Intels growth area growing forward, along with the rapidly increasing number of sensors and connected devices.

HoloLens goes on sale: The VR future is here

Microsoft A Microsoft rendering shows simulated HoloLens apps.

The release of Microsofts HoloLens Development Edition at the end of March, and the later release of the hardware to nondevelopers worldwide, marked a major milestone for the burgeoning markets for both virtual and augmented reality. Other bellwether VR events included the releases of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive VR headsets. But it seems Microsoft is leading the charge to bring VR and AR to the masses, promising a Windows Holographic software update to Windows 10 next year, a move that could make it easier to blend physical and digital reality on any PC.

The DNC hack: Cyberespionage shapes an election

Joffi/Pixabay

The revelation in June that hacking groups with likely Russian ties had hacked into the U.S. Democratic National Committees computer network sent shockwaves through the global security community. Emails made public by WikiLeaks caused embarrassment among Democrats, led to the resignation of several DNC officials and allowed Hillary Clintons opponents to portray her and the partys infighting in an unflattering light. The assessment of intelligence officials that Russian hackers intervened to sabotage Clintons campaign, taking cyberespionage to a new level, has created a rift between Trump and the intelligence agencies, a blow to smooth U.S. intelligence operations.

Samsungs Note7 recall: Epic fail

Martyn Williams A sign advises against use of Samsungs Note 7 in aircraft at Changi Airport in Singapore on Oct. 8, 2016.

When Samsung released the stylish Galaxy Note7 in August, gushing reviewers found a lot to like. But soon enough, if you called it a hot product youd be accused of committing a bad pun. Users started reporting problems with overheating and even outright fires. Samsung started recalling the device, and in October it finally threw in the towel, stopping production. The Note7 recall has been both a public-relations and a financial debacle for Samsung, and one of the tech industrys epic fails of all time: The company has reported that third-quarter operating profit fell 95 percent, largely as a result of the Note7 recall.

AlphaGo dominates, humans get worried

Google Lee Se-dol plays against AlphaGo in second game on March 10, 2016

Google DeepMinds AlphaGo artificial-intelligence program overwhelmed 18-time world champion Go player Lee Se-dol in March, beating him 4 games to one in a Seoul match watched around the world. The AlphaGo programs ability to to learn from its experience apparently explained its unexpected and far-from-human moves. It was arguably the biggest AI v. man event since IBMs Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in chess in 1997. As a wide variety of films and TV series around the world attest, concerns about AI have entered the zeitgeist, and no wonder: Milestones keep happening as AI is incorporated into everyday tech products. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said, Weve evolving form a mobile-first to an AI-first world. That is exactly what has humans worried.

Apple kills headphone jack: Courage or arrogance?

Susie Ochs Apples iPhone 7

When Apple announced in September it was eliminating the 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7 to pave the way to a wireless future, users around the world fumed. Getting rid of USB ports in the new Macbooks added insult to injury for many. Now, uncountable peripherals will no longer directly work with Apple devices. Apples Phil Schiller said it took courage for Apple to move on from legacy ports, but many users said the change showed that Apple cares more about its own vision than about consumers.

Apple v. FBI: Encryption debate intensifies

Martyn Williams An Android smartphone going through the disk encryption process.

In February, Apple was ordered by a federal judge in California to provide assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to search a locked iPhone 5c that was used by Syed Rizwan Farook in the December 2015 attack in San Bernardino, California, that left more than a dozen people dead. The order crystallized a long-running debate about public access to encrypted devices, including whether tech companies should help law enforcement crack encrypted devices. In March, the judicial order was vacated after the FBI was able to hack the iPhone with the help of an unidentified third party. With law enforcement officials around the world dealing with an increasing number of encrypted devices in criminal cases, though, the debate over encryption is far from over.
The draft environmental report for a controversial industrial distribution facility project in Cherry Valley is available for public comment until Jan. 18, with public hearings possible later in 2017.

Originally called the Gateway project off the 10 freeway and Cherry Valley Boulevard entering the San Gorgonio Pass, the proposal for about 1.8 million square feet of warehouse space is now branded as San Gorgonio Crossing.

The proponent is TSG Cherry Valley LP represented by Irvine-based Shopoff Realty Investments L.P., a firm familiar with complaints made by such groups as No Way Gateway and Cherry Valley Acres and Neighbors (CVAN) about three years ago when organized opposition banded together, concerned about disrupting the rural character of the area, noise and truck emissions.

The idea of development dates back to 2008.

The project proposes two buildings with 300 bay doors on 230 acres, of which about 144 acres would be developed.

The development would be about 5 1/2 miles from an area along Fourth Street south of the 60 and 10 freeways in the city of Beaumont that has two distribution centers and a third expected to open in late summer 2017.

Fifth District Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, whose office organized community meetings nearly three years ago, said there have been project changes at least in part due to those public meetings. But Ashley said he didnt know if those changes would satisfy anyone who opposed the development.

He encouraged the public to make written comments on the draft environmental report, because those comments must be addressed as part of the environmental review. Once the final environmental report is completed, there will be a hearing scheduled before county supervisors.

If the supervisors certify the environmental report, they could then deliberate on the General Plan amendment and accompanying applications, Ray Smith, county spokesman, wrote in an email.

The general plan specifies what land uses are allowed in geographic areas and in this case would have to be changed from one-acre or larger minimum housing lots to light industry and open space.

Brian Rupp, Shopoffs senior vice president for development, wrote in an email that the size and scope of the project has been dramatically reduced. Clearly this is a much better project since two-thirds of it now will remain as natural or landscaped open space, and the size of the project has been reduced by almost one-third, he wrote in an email.

He wrote that it will use 20 times less water than a comparable housing development, while creating hundreds of jobs and pay for improvements to help solve traffic congestion along Cherry Valley Boulevard.

Concerns of opponents have not been assuaged. The Cherry Valley group has a public meeting scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Cherry Valley Grange, where people can learn how to write a comment letter.

Patsy Reeley, the president of CVAN,said the rural property isnt the right place for a warehouse. It should be by a railroad track or a freeway. She said horses have grazed on the land, which is a watershed and wildlife corridor that passes under the freeway.

She is dismayed that the draft report minimizes impacts to air quality, traffic and scenic views. CVAN has successfully challenged developments in court necessitating concessions and Reeley said if necessary she will consult an attorney on this one.

Mary Daniel, who lives south of the freeway outside Beaumont, has followed the gateway issue for years.

Property rights should be regulated by the zoning, by the general plan, the things that are already in effect, not based on how much money they can make, what will give them a return on their money, she said.

She sees the prospect of the rural area being eradicated and thats not good. The draft report anticipates more than 3,000 truck trips a day. Daniel said she was appalled that impacts arent adequately addressed. She said even the county land use plan recognizes the rural character and culture of Cherry Valley.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9075 or gwesson@scng.com
A Glendora man died Sunday, Dec. 11, while in custody at the West Valley Detention Center, San Bernardino County sheriffs officials announced Monday.

Shaun Greene, 39, was arrested by Fontana police Dec. 4 on suspicion of assault with a firearm on a person, making terrorist threats, being a convicted person in possession of a firearm and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

He was housed in the medical unit of the county jail in Rancho Cucamonga because he had pre-existing medical conditions, according to a sheriffs statement.

On Sunday, Greene lost consciousness and slid from his wheelchair to the floor. Staff administered CPR and transported Greene to Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, where he was pronounced dead.

The Riverside County Coroners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death; thats standard when people die in custody in San Bernardino County.

PREVIOUSLY: Rising number of deaths in San Bernardino County jails raises concern
A funeral service was conducted by Pope Tawadros II at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Nasr City, on Monday morning.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and leading officials attended a state funeral procession at the Unknown Soldier Memorial in the Nasr City for the victims of a bombing which took place at the St Peter and St Paul church a day before, killing 24 people.

A funeral service was conducted by Pope Tawadros II at the Church of the Virgin Mary, also in Nasr City, on Monday morning.

Dozen of buses are taking the victims' families and the coffins of those killed to the state funeral, which will be attended by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and senior state officials.

Twenty-four people were killed and 49 injured after a bomb exploded inside the church attached to the Coptic cathedral in Cairo on Sunday, one of the deadliest attacks on Egyptian Christians in years. Twenty-three died on Sunday; a twenty-fourth casualty died early on Monday morning, according to the health ministry.

"This calamity is not against the church but against the homeland, [against] all of Egypt," Pope Tawadros said after the funeral service.

"We are in a lot pain because of this evil.. but we are pleased they passed away during prayers, this is the best time to die.. during this [holy] month."

Pope Tawadros, who cut short a visit to Greece to return to Cairo after the attack on Sunday, said that the Greek president and the head of the Greek church send their condolences to Egypt.

"Whoever did this attack does not belong to the Egyptian people," the cleric said.

The church service was attended by relatives only, according to a statement from the church.

Mourners who were not allowed inside the church prayed outside behind a security cordon.

Following the attack, President El-Sisi announced that the country will observe three days of mourning.

A number of countries including Russia, US, Germany and Saudi Arabia, have condemned the bomb attack.

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Its a new legislative session in Sacramento, which means its time for state Sen. Richard Roths annual quest to help four Riverside County cities.

Once again, Roth, D-Riverside, has filed a bill to restore vehicle license fee funding to Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Wildomar and Menifee. The four relatively new cities lost that money 2011, when state lawmakers diverted the fees in the face a budget shortfall.

More than once, similar bills offered by Roth have sailed through the Legislature, only to be vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who cities the need to keep money in the states general fund.

A previous state budget forgave a Riverside County fire debt to provide financial relief for the four cities. But local officials still want their vehicle license fees, and Roth is determined to deliver.

This is an issue I have been fighting for since before I was elected to the state Senate, and one I will continue to fight for until we have secured a victory, said Roth, a senator since 2012 who was re-elected last month.

These cities, through no fault of their own, lost this funding which every other city in California has received. I am proud to have a strong partner in Assemblymember (Sabrina Cervantes, D-Eastvale), and I am confident that together we will secure this long overdue funding for our cities.

Cervantes, who unseated Assemblyman Eric Linder, R-Corona in November, is a co-author of the latest bill.

Roth also filed legislation to pay for more judges in underserved areas such as the Inland Empire. As with vehicle license fees, Roth managed to get similar legislation through the Legislature, only to see Brown veto it.

The delivery of justice in a timely and equitable manner is a critical issue, not only for Inland Southern California, but for the entire state, Roth said.

As California weathered the global economic crisis, it was forced to make drastic cuts to the court system, resulting in costly delays and courtroom closures. Funding these judgeships will begin to reverse the substantial loss incurred by our justice system.
Riverside County Sheriffs Department officials are warning people not to be duped by a fake Moreno Valley Police Department Facebook page.

The fake page was created Saturday, Dec. 10, and shared a fake news article about a murder that did not really happen, under the headline 3 children killed by mother in Moreno Valley.

The Sheriffs Department provides police services in Moreno Valley and operates a valid Moreno Valley Police Department Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/morenovalleypolice. The real page is liked by more than 2,000 people and has been posting regularly for about two years.

UPDATE: Bogus police Facebook page was likely a lure to unleash a computer virus

The fake page had 135 likes as of Sunday evening. It uses the same profile and cover photos as the real page, and posted some of the same items.

Sheriffs officials urged Facebook users not to click on or share posts from the fake page. One concern is that the links may contain computer viruses, said Sheriffs Department spokesman Armando Munoz.

He said the sheriffs social media team is working with Facebook to get the fake page taken down.

The fake page showed that the false story had been shared 20 times by Sunday evening.

The story was on a website called daily-reportts.info. The site contains multiple versions of that story that are the same except for the location where the murder supposedly happened.

One of the other fake news stories on the website used Jasper County, Georgia, as a location. A similar fake Facebook page started Sunday for the Jasper County Sheriffs Department included that version of the false murder story.

Heres the post from the official Moreno Valley Police Department, which included a screenshot of the top of the fake page:
An exceptionally wet storm will make its way through Southern California at the end of this week, bringing rain to the valleys and snow to the mountains.

The showers could start as early as Thursday afternoon in the valleys of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, said National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Harrison.

Most of the storms action will occur Thursday night into Friday morning. A stray shower or two may linger Saturday morning, but the precipitation should end by afternoon, Harrison said.

By the time the storm is over, the valleys could see as much as an inch of rain  a decent amount for the Inland Empire, Harrison said. The lower-elevation mountain slopes could get between 2 and 3 inches of rain.

At higher mountain elevations, several inches of snow could fall, Harrison said. Forecasters arent saying yet said what the snow level may be.

Animation of moisture and upper level pattern through Friday. High amounts of moisture directed at #SoCal Thurs-Fri. #cawx pic.twitter.com/KHjDzRg34U  NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 12, 2016

Ski resorts in San Bernardino County are looking forward to the wintry weather.

Justin Kanton, marketing manager for Big Bear Mountain Resorts, which covers both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, said if the forecasts for cooler weather are accurate, snowmaking operations would resume, coupled with any natural snowfall, would allow us to open more lifts and runs fairly quickly, but it really comes down to how much Mother Nature wants to cooperate.

Given the upcoming holiday period, the timing of the storm and the return of cold temperatures couldnt be better, Kevin Somes, vice president and general manager of Snow Valley in Running Springs, said via email.

In addition to the natural snow, the resort will be taking advantage of the cold weather to make its own, he said, and well be opening up more terrain as soon as possible.

Less desirable outcomes are possible, however. The downpour of rain Thursday night and Friday morning could cause flash flooding in urban areas, Harrison said. In areas where fires have recently burned off vegetation, flash flooding along with mud and debris flows are also possible.

Strong winds are also in the forecast during the storm, Harrison said. Gusts could reach 30 mph, and the windiest areas will be the mountains and deserts.

Before the storm arrives, expect clouds Tuesday and Wednesday. High temperatures could rise into the 70s Wednesday before dropping back into the 60s Thursday  which is average for this time of year  and the 50s Friday and Saturday.

Saturday night into Sunday morning, lows could be cold enough to create frost, especially in wind-sheltered areas.

Even after the storm clears out Saturday, a colder air mass is expected to linger Sunday and Monday, and temperatures will stay below average, Harrison said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9284, atadayon@scng.com, @PE_alitadayon
The police in Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Regional are currently investigating circumstances that led to the death of a supporter of the National Democratic Congress who was allegedly killed by a member of the New Patriotic Party.



According to the Police, the deceased, Ayuba Akakpo a head porter, was allegedly hit in the head with a stick by one Alhssan Agamati aka Atta, a herbal medicine seller, during a heated verbal exchange after the official declaration of Nana Akufo-Addo as the winner of last Wednesdays polls.



The deceased was however pronounced dead when he was rushed to the Dunkwa government hospital.



Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Municipal Police Commander for Dunkwa-On-Offin, Superintendent Dela Dzensi said the NPP supporter, Alhssan Agamati who is at the centre of the incident is currently at the Police custody awaiting trial after he turned himself in to the Police.



A man by name Agamati Alhassan alias Atta came to the Police and reported that he had a feud with another young man who is an NDC supporter in the Dunkwa central market and in the event he hit him with a stick and the guy feel unconscious so he is reporting himself to the Police.



The police took custody of him and proceeded to the area where the incident happened and they were told that victim has been sent to the Dunkwa government hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital he was pronounced dead.



So when Police got to the hospital they were only shown the mortal remain of Ayuba Akakpo.



Superintendent Dzensi although said they are currently investigating the matter to its logical conclusion, he said our preliminary investigations conducted show that there was this confusion over the NPP win which ensued in a scuffle between the two of them and the other guy hit him with a stick.



He is currently in Police custody, we had wanted to hold him on provisional charge of murder, submit the docket to the AGs office and seek for direction as to what to do next. Whether to prosecute him for murder or otherwise. But he will be remanded into custody while this detail is obtained, he added.



Arrest those attacking NDC members  Mahama



President John Dramani Mahama had earlier directed the security agencies to arrest supporters of the NPP who are reportedly attacking members of the NDC across the country.



The President in a statement further expressed disappointment at the leadership of the NPP for watching on while their supporters perpetrate such acts.



President John Dramani Mahama has expressed disappointment at the inability or unwillingness of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to call its rampaging supporters to order, following series of attacks on innocent citizens and supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).



President Mahama has accordingly directed the security agencies to deploy across the country and arrest any person(s) caught vandalizing Government property or attacking innocent Ghanaians the statement added.

Source: Citifmonline.com









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President-elect Nana Akufo Addo has promised not to victimize political opponents adding that No member of the NDC has anything to fear from my future government as the New Patriotic Party prepares to take over the governance of Ghana.

In a letter written to former president Rawlings to thank him for congratulating he [Akufo Addo], the president-elect said in part that  I would need the unalloyed support of every Ghanaian, irrespective of their ethnic groups or religious or political affiliation.

There can be no room in such an undertaking for witch-hunting or acts of political vendetta or harassment. No member of the NDC has anything to fear from my future government. Already some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) say they fear acts of victimization from the NPP which was declared the winning party after the December 7 polls.

A transition process has began to hand over power to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which would be co-chaired by President Mahama and President-elect, Nana Akufo Addo. The thank you statement by Nana Addo further indicated that I am fully committed to pursuing an anti-corruption drive across the board.

Source: tv3network.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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My fellow Ghanaians,

My Brothers and Sisters,



A while ago, I phoned Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and offered him my congratulations for emerging the winner of the 2016 Presidential Elections.



Every election is a hard-fought battle, and this one was no exception. For those of us who choose to be contenders and go into electoral contests, we go about it as a win-lose proposition.



We believe that only one person can emerge as the winner. And while it is true that only one person can be elected President, in reality, and certainly in a democracy such as ours, every election is an opportunity for the people of this nation to express their will, to have their say in who will lead them in the shaping of Ghanas future.



In this way, each victory belongs to the people. And the true winner is always Ghana.



It is precisely on account of my belief in Ghana and its future that notwithstanding the irregularities associated with this election, I have decided at this stage to congratulate the President-elect.



With this understanding, I would like to assure the people of Ghana of my commitment to the sustenance of our countrys democracy and would work to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition to the incoming administration.



I remain committed to the unity and stability of our great nation.



I am profoundly grateful to the almighty God and the people of Ghana for the opportunity to serve in the high office of President.



As President, I have done my bit and made a contribution to the political, social and economic development of our country. I would have cherished an opportunity to do even more, but I respect the will of the Ghanaian people.



I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the individuals who have made this journey with me.



I wish to thank all of the people who worked on my campaign for their dedication and tireless efforts.



I wish to thank the leadership of the NDC, all of our members, foot soldiers and sympathizers for their belief in the principles of social democracy and their commitment to the vision.



Likewise, I would like to thank the members of my administration for their diligent service and for bringing to fruition many of the plans we set out to accomplishthe numerous programs that have been implemented and the infrastructural projects that have been completed and ongoing.



I wish to thank my able Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur for his unflinching support and loyalty during our period in office.



To the service commanders and men and women in uniform, I wish to extend my profound gratitude to you for your selfless service to Ghana.



I thoroughly enjoyed working with you to ensure the internal and external security of our country.



I am very proud of you.



To organised labour, the civil and public services, traditional rulers, the clergy, workers, youth groups and all identifiable bodies, I am immensely appreciative of your contributions to the development of our country in the last four years.



I wish to thank my family: my children, my brothers, and sisters, and especially my wife, Lordina, for standing as firmly with me through the times of challenge and difficulty as they have through the times of achievement and promise.



Most importantly, I am grateful to the almighty God who has sustained us through the implementation of the Agenda for Transformation. I am eternally grateful.



Ghana, this land that we all call home, is a powerful nation with a history of taking the improbable and making it possible.



We have been a leader on so many fronts, not just on this continent but also in the worldfrom our attainment of independence, to our development of a democracy that maintains at its core a pledge of stability and a respect for the rule of law, to our formation of much-needed peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions for other nations in need.



And we have been able to do all of these things because we have always functioned as one nation, one people.



Notwithstanding our diversity, religious faiths, ethnic groups and political affiliations, we have always recognized that we are all, ultimately, on the same sidethe side of Ghana and its progress.



We see all throughout the world in countries that are much older than ours the devastation that division and intolerance bring.



So I pray that as we move forward, even as we voice our differences and possibly even disagree on agendas and decisions and other details of governance, we always keep in mind the fact of our shared destiny and the undeniable possibilities of power that exist in our unity.



It has been, without a doubt, one of the most tremendous privileges of my life to serve this great nation as President and to work on behalf of all Ghanaians.



I will leave it to history to be the judge of my time and contributions while in that highest office.



To all of the people who cheered us on, who gathered at rallies to show their support, and who queued in long lines to vote for me, I know that this is not the outcome that we wanted and hoped for, but I say to you that this day should not mark the defeat of your role in this nations political process.



We must do our part to ensure that the progress of all our past governments, from the very first one led by our nations founder, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to this most recent one that I have led, continuesbecause progress does not happen all at once; it takes time and dedication.



In the words of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Forward ever, backward never.



At this point let me commend the electoral Commission for living up to its constitutional duty in successfully conducting the 2016 elections. My thanks also goes to the media and all stakeholders for their role in the election.



Again, allow me to offer my sincere congratulations to the President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo.



I thank you for your kind attention.



May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our homeland Ghana.

Source: Daily Guide









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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A Former Member of Parliament and Minister of State under the Kufuor administration, Hon. Mad. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has observed that the future of Ghanaian youths are in safe hands under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo and Dr. Alhaji Mahama Bawumia.



According to her, Nana Addo and the NPP are fully committed towards ensuring the implementation of policies and programmes that will improve the development of the teeming youth in the country.



She observed that with several youth-friendly policies in the pipeline, Ghanaian youths can be assured of an enable business environment and availability of jobs.



Speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, Mad. Abena Dapaah, who played key role in the NPP Ashanti Regional Campaign, said Nana Addo will never disappoint Ghanaians, stressing that he will remain committed to all the campaign promises.



"Ghanaian youths should count themselves lucky that someone who has their development at heart has finally assumed office; I want to urge them to position themselves for the vast opportunities ahead," she assured.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email: [email protected]









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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A former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti region, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh has debunked claims by his party and the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kofi Dzakpasu that there were incidents of rigging and over-voting in the Ashanti Region during Wednesday's polls.



EC spokesperson, Kofi Dzakpasu prior to the declaration of the final results of the polls claimed that they had received reports of over-voting in certain polling stations.



It has come to the attention of the Commission that several possible instances of over voting have occurred at a number of polling stations. As a result of this, the Electoral Commission has decided to review all results from the collation centres and verify them against the physical pink sheets from the polling stations, Kofi Dzakpasu said.



It was subsequently repeated by the deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho who further called for proper audit of election results from the Ashanti Region.



It has come to the fore that in a lot of polling stations in the Ashanti Region, there was over-voting, and the law says if there is over-voting in any polling station, it should be annulled, he said



These claims were earlier disputed by the Ashanti Regional chair of the commission who claimed nothing of that sort existed.



The NDC subsequently used that as a trump card before the concession speech of President John Mahama.



But Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh speaking on Okay FM Monday said no over-voting or rigging happened in the region.



There was totally no rigging or over voting. They werent ready for power. If Julius Debrah involved himself in the Ashanti region campaign it would not have ended like this. The national campaign team was not strong he indicated.



He further said that he has no sympathies for NDC MPs who lost their seats during last Wednesdays elections.



The firebrand politician said the party undertook various steps prior to the polls which contributed to their loss.



These steps, he said did not mostly favour the party and hence amounted to giving political power to their opponent, NPP on a silver platter.



NPP should thank NDC for the win. We are our own enemies. NPP should not jubilate and take the credit because we gave them the power in a simple way. I predicted we will win by 53% and that switched to the side of the NPP, he said.



He continued that: I dont have sympathy for the NDC MPs who lost. They didnt help the president because of their arrogance. If they (NDC MPs) have lost their seats, they should go and sleep. Im only saddened Baba Jamal lost his seat, he added.



The former MCE further noted that any effort to shift the blame on rigging and over voting should be debunked totally.



This notwithstanding he noted that in opposition one has to survive and therefore will be ready to put things aside and be right regardless to wrestle power from the NPP.

Source: adomonline.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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Young fashion brand M&KWear has launched new designs to the delight of its patrons. The collection is modeled exclusively by actress and model Nikki Samonas.



M&K launched its first major collection earlier this year with the very same Nikki Samonas as the face of that collection and has since increased its client base, serving its clients from its website, www.mandkwear.com



M&K Wear is a Ready-to-Wear Ghanaian fashion brand selling almost exclusively online, with the occasional discount sale and pop-up stand at A&C Mall or at other venues in Accra.



The clothes are made at the companys base at Tantra Hill in Accra and also in Tema. Clients get to buy from the website, pay via Mobile Money or Visa/MasterCard and have the clothes delivered to them. So far, the company has been selling mostly to clients in Ghana, with a growing numberof overseas orders and interests coming in. Having signed a contract recently with a new online payment processor, M&K Wear hopes to be able to serve new clients across the globe.



The brand prides itself on creating inspired, trendy, wearable clothes.



Check out some of their designs on their website and also below:













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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Sony has released the trailer of the movie Spider-Man: Homecoming starring Ghanaian actor Abraham Attah.



It is believed that Attah will play the role of young Miles Morales in the movie set for release on July 7, 2017.



It also stars Robert Downey Jr, Micheal Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Tom Holland and many others.



The movie is directed by Jon Watts, with Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal as producers. It is backed by Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures.



Watch the trailer below:





Abraham Attah gained international prominence playing lead role alongside Idris Elba in the movie Beasts of No Nation directed by Emmy Award-winning Cary Fukunaga.Playing the character Agu who when civil war tears his family apart, is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transformed into a child soldier earned Attah praise around the world.He won Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at Venice Film Festival 2015, Best Male Lead award at the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards, and also Rising Star Award at the Black Fim Critics Circle (BFCC). The award scheme called Attahs role as one of the strongest and most phenomenal we have ever seen and added that he had a very bright future ahead of him.The movie was based on the 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodinma Iweala. Shoot in Ghana, it starred Ama K. Abebrese, Fred Amugi and Grace Nortey.The movie was the first fictional feature produced and distributed by Streaming Service Netflix.









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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Ahh, the Australian summer. Zooper Doopers, the beach, accidentally eating sand when you order fish and chips on the beach. Applying 50+ SPF sunscreen. Delicious summer stone fruits.

We really have it preeeeetty, pretty, pretty good.

Oh, apart from when it gets like MENTAL hot, and then we all have to stay indoors because our country is apparently located like, metres from the sun, and if we go outside our skin will peel off and well probably perish. Its a fine line.

This week is looking to be more like the latter  The Bureau of Meterology has hiked its predictions way up to the high 30s for Australias south-east, particularly Sydney and the western suburbs.

NSW gets a break on Monday  itll hit around 28, which is completely fine and okay. But Sydneys looking at 34  35 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Sydneys western suburbs will cop it even more with 37 & 38 degrees on those same days.

Majority of the major cities will feel the rising mercury over those 2  3 days (apart from Perth. You guys are so chill, its crazy). Melbourne going to cop 30  34 over the first three days of the week, and Adelaides gonna be hooooooot  itll reach 36 Monday and 34 on Tuesday.

Honestly, look how much dark orange is on this map. LOOK AT IT. Bloody ridiculous:

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Heatwave Warning in certain areas, particularly coastal areas.

But, it looks like Sydney & surrounds will feel the worst:

However, sweet relief will come. Therell be a mad cool change on Wednesday evening or Thursday.

They reckon temps will drop massively: Sydney will receive a drop of around 13  14, and Melbournes prediction for Thursday shows a top of 20.

Check out more here, via your friendly neighbourhood meteorological service, BOM: bom.gov.au/australia/majorcities

GOOD LUCK, AUSTRALIA.

Source: SMH.

Photo: Very Cool Melting Dude in Indiana Jones.
While youve been happily watching nature take its swift and violent course in David Attenboroughs hotly anticipated documentary Planet Earth II  from the safety and comfort of your couch, no less  youve probably never spared a thought for the people risking life and limb to get you that legitimately insane footage.

But the (shocking) truth is, cameramen & women had to spend months travelling to remote locations to get those sweet shots of lion attacks, Medusa-like snake pits, and sloths goin for a leisurely swim. (Etc.)

Like a wise professor once said, going into the tall grass can be dangerous. Six producers from the doco have now shared their most hair-raising tales with The Guardian, and the one from Australian biologist and filmmaker Dr Chadden Hunter is absolutely wild.

He told the publication that he was deep in the Okavango Delta in Botswana (on a three-month mission to film an exceptionally badass pride of lions known as Swamp Cats), heading down the river, when his tiny dinghy became stuck on reeds in hippo-and-crocodile infested waters.

From The Guardian:

Local cameraman Brad Bestelink said he could get us to the heart of the action in his lightweight boat. After hours of winding through narrow channels surrounded by towering reeds, our dinghy got stuck in the vegetation. Not a big problem usually  but we soon noticed we were surrounded by grumpy hippos. Dont get too close, warned Brad. Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal, and they snapped my last boat in half. As we waited for them to move off, we were eaten alive by so many mosquitos it was a relief to get out of the boat and sink into armpit-deep black water. We pushed the boat above our heads, while our legs underwater were getting slashed to ribbons by sword-grass. Then Brad surprised me. He told me to take my shoes off. With shoes on youll step on a crocodile and press down without knowing. Itll take your leg off! The look on my face demanded more explanation. With bare feet, he went on, you can feel a crocodiles skin and yank your leg out of the way. We gingerly pushed the boat on into the night, as long dark shapes lurched out of our way in the inky water. Ive never paid more attention to every footstep.

The story ends happily for everyone involved (except for the lions, which failed to kill the buffalo and probably starved): Dr Hunter did not step on any crocodiles, nor was he chomped to death by a hungry, hungry hippo, and the BBC scored its necessary footage.

Honestly, go and have a read of all the stories here.

Photo: BBC.
The state of marriage equality in Australia is straight fucking trash.

Its been 16 years since the Netherlands first legalised same-sex marriage, over a year since the US Supreme Court struck down any remaining state bans on the institution, and, thanks to a controversial but effective referendum, even the heavily religious Republic of Ireland passed similar laws in late 2015.

But because our political parties have historically been run by bigots, cowards, and/or ineffective bureaucrats, members of the Australian LGBTIQ community have had to witness years of failed conscience votes, deceptively supportive politicians, and wasteful, dangerous garbage about a $160 million opinion poll.

Now former Bachelor contestant Megan Marx, currently in a relationship with other kickass former contestant Tiffany Scanlon, has taken to Instagram to vent about the situation, and folks, it is fire:

Ive been wanting my story with Tiffany to pleasantly and without force try to help normalise same-sex relationships and desires. Unfortunately, the more stories I hear and people I talk to, the more vividly I see the social, political and mental oppression the Australian government has inflicted on sexual minorities with a law created by privileged white men, a very long time ago.

Marx officially confirmed her relationship with Scanlon in October after posting some honest-to-god heartwarming hints on Instagram, officially creating the absolute best-case-scenario for any contestant on The Bachelor.

Since then, she has been increasingly vocal about the gorgeous AF couples love for each other, although has previously remained relatively-quiet on her opinion of the marriage equality debate.

But now, accompanying a rad nudie pic from womens clothing collective Rat & Boa, Marx has discussed her frustration with our historical institutions, the hypocrisy of a government ruled by religious sentiments, and how embarrassing it is to be an Aussie at the moment/probs for a lot longer:

It was 1902 when women in Australia were granted the right to vote and 1962 before Aboriginal people were granted this same right. Before this, voting essentially was a privilege made and utilised by white men. Sixty eight years later our liberal, secular democracy upholds an outdated and oppressive law that states you cannot marry who you love if it is out of the script of what is traditional. Voting was made for white men- and we have changed the law despite its inception. Why cant we do the same with marriage?

With the state of marriage equality up in the fkn air following the binned plebiscite, its a depressing time for Australians, but also pretty great to see people, especially celebrities, keeping up the pressure.

Give Marxs full post a squiz below, and dont lose the passion gang.

Source and photo: Instagram.
Dylan Voller, the teen whose shocking experience of being hooded and strapped to a chair while at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre was broadcast on ABCs 4Corners, has spoken out for the first time about his experiences inside the centre.

He gave evidence at the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory via video link today, after a last-minute application by the NT Solicitor-General Sonia Brownhill to have his testimony suppressed was denied.

The 19 year old  whos currently an inmate at the Holtze Correctional Centre in Darwin  in spoke about the horrific treatment of detainees at Don Dale, telling the court about frequent strip-searches, being starved as punishment, and once being forced to defecate into a pillowcase after he was denied a bathroom trip for five hours.

It was disgusting, cockroaches, dust, you felt trapped, you couldnt really talk to anyone else, he told the court. The only bit of the outside world you got was when you were driving to court or yelling out at the top of your lungs to young people next door at the school.



He said he was frequently denied food as a form of punishment, and that inmates were often forced to wait hours before a guard would let them out of their cells for a drink of water.

Because I was swearing they would punish me, they wouldnt give me dinner, I had to wait for the next day, or they wouldnt give me breakfast, or lunch, depending what time of the day it was, he said. One time one youth justice officer could see how hungry I was and he chucked fruit and muesli bars through the cell door and said, here, eat. He could see how hungry I was and he didnt agree with them starving me, I guess.



And as for that defecating into a pillowcase business, he said he wasnt able to chuck out the soiled pillowcase until he was let out the next morning.

Id been asking to go to the toilet for four or five hours and they kept saying no, and I ended up having to defecate into a pillowcase because they wouldnt let me go to the toilet. Theres been other times I had to urinate out the door or back windows because they wouldnt come down.



Voller broke down while describing how one guard continually told him that his family didnt care about him.

I had one case worker I remember that was saying my family didnt really care about me and stuff like that, he said through tears. For a long time I started believing it, I guess.



Dylan Voller breaks down in court after revealing that detention staff told him his family didnt care about him #NTRC pic.twitter.com/TWlXhG5zuB  Allan Clarke (@AllanJClarke) December 12, 2016

The disturbing evidence has shocked Australia.

Voller says a psychiatrist said he should stay in Alice 2 maintain family links. 3 days later he was woken at 6am and driven to Darwin #NTRC  Kate Wild (@katewildabc) December 12, 2016

Dylan Voller describing how he was choking himself with his seat belt, no water, on long drive from Alice Springs to Darwin #NTRC  Caro Meldrum-Hanna (@caromeldrum) December 12, 2016

Most of my education is self-taught. I can read and write. Not since [I was] 10 did I have proper schooling  Dylan Voller #NTRC  Allan Clarke (@AllanJClarke) December 12, 2016

The Royal Commission continues.

Source: ABC / News.com.au.



Photo: 4Corners.
There are two ways to take the realisation Melbourne police units conducted a seven-hour standoff at a totally empty property earlier today:

Its thoroughly comforting that our law enforcement officers are so willing and dedicated to stake out a potential threat; Fucking LOL.

That somewhat embarrassing situation unfurled after police were called to a house in the western suburb of Melton before 10am. Theyd received word a person of interest was present, and subsequently made repeated attempts to communicate with any occupants.

JUST IN: Police are currently at an address in Melton South attempting to communicate with a man who is refusing to come out of a house. pic.twitter.com/k8mboM7qaB  7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 12, 2016

The Critical Incident Response Team was even roped in to negotiate with that non-existent fugitive. Of course, when they entered the house at 4.30pm, the joint was completely bereft of people  wanted or not.

However, the cops did nab a vehicle and a motorcycle they reckon may have been stolen. Worth a long (and likely expensive) stand-off? Well



Source: The Age.

Photo: 7 News Melbourne / Twitter.
Nothing like a wonderful little media war to get the week rolling.

News Corp and Fairfax are currently in a heated spat over a story published by The Australians media editor Darren Davidson  who you may recall from an entire article he once unironically wrote about the Daily Mails editor stealing his iPad and pouring beer on him. Davidson alleged in his story that advertisements for Fairfax real estate behemoth Domain were appearing on porn sites and torrent trackers like The Pirate Bay.

The implication of the headline and the lede of the article was that Fairfax was purchasing these ads. Of course, anyone who is involved in internet ads knows that these things are mediated through ad tech, and Fairfax most likely was not deliberately buying adspace on PornHub. Davidson acknowledged that in his yarn:

There is no suggestion that Fairfax, led by chief executive Greg Hywood, and Domain knowingly funded these sites. It is likely the ads were delivered to the sites by intermediaries including ad networks and ad exchanges.

So then the story became something remarkably less salacious  about whether Domain customers should [demand] retrospective compensation in light of higher ad rates. Which is, by any metric, a far less juicy story than Fairfax putting their ads on porno sites [featuring] young Asian women in various stages of undress being subjected to masochistic acts alongside aggressive, violent language to describe females.

Fairfax sent out a press release in turn denying that Domain ads had appeared on any porn site to begin with:

The Australians Darren Davidson had a story published this morning suggesting Domain has advertising on porn websites. We dont. The screenshots Mr Davidson provided to us late yesterday appear to be links from a porn site to Commercial Real Estate, our commercial site. We did not authorise any advertising, re-targeting or redirections and believe it is a malicious scam/bot. Our review this morning, and our technical partners have confirmed, that no advertising from us has been placed on porn or illegal sites. This obviously damages not just us but all legitimate media businesses.

Then it got a little spicier:

News Limited has never had any shame about using their media platforms for attacks on competitors. They dress up their bile as news and bore the rest of the industry with their seemingly endless appetite for gutter dwelling.

Yowza! Criminy! Whatta scoop!

Every media feud is extremely stupid. This one is no better.

Source: The Australian.
After last weeks kerfuffle that saw scores of Year 12 students sent their (correct) ATAR scores a few days ahead of schedule, today marks the *official* release of Year 12 results for young folk across the nation.

With every year theres the yarns of perfect scores  that mythical mark of 99.95  and this year is certainly no different in that regard; in Victoria, 35 students managed to achieve the dizzying feat.

But inarguably the most remarkable story of all comes from the Catholic Regional College Sydenham in Melbournes north-west.

The schools Dux of Year 12 Saad Al-Kassab scored an ATAR result of a more-than-impressive 96.65.

But it gets outrageously impressive when you consider the fact that Saad, a Syrian refugee, fled his war-torn country in 2013, and only began learning English in 2014. As in TWO YEARS AGO.

Saad missed two full years of school when, at the age of 14, the horrific Syrian Civil War broke out. His older brother Omar, who was 17 when fighting began. In April of 2013, after participating in protests for peace and democracy in Syria, but armed forces captured, arrested, shot, and tortured him.

The following year, both Saad and a freed Omar managed to flee the region, successfully crossing over to Australia.

Saad, like the rest of his family, began learning English in 2014 via his fathers treasured and much-read English-Arabic dictionary. And these were language skills he further honed by watching Question Time from Federal Parliament with his older brother.

Today, Omar is studying a Bachelor of Business, and the young Saad has officially completed Year 12 as the dux of his school with a hefty ATAR of 96.65.

CRC Sydenham principal Brendan Watson praised the achievements of Saad today, in particular paying tribute to his remarkable story.

All our students are different. Whether their journey is VCE, VCAL or VET, their teachers are proud to support their achievements. But few have the impact that Saad  and Omar  have had in a such a short time, since their arrival in Australia in June 2014.

No stranger to the public eye, both Omar and Saad appeared in Canberra a mere handful of weeks ago, giving a TEDx talk on their life, upbringing, and remarkable journey from Syria to Australia in an honest, frank, at times hilarious, but often harrowing story.

No matter which way you spin it, thats a hell of an achievement from an apparently very smart young bloke.

Heres to you, Saad, and to many years of learning whatever it is you set your mind to.

Unreal effort, and a devastatingly real story.

Source: Herald Sun.

Photo: CRC Sydenham/Facebook.
Far out its been a hefty minute since we last heard from that loveable animated scamp the Beached Az whale.

The blue whale, who washed up on a beach in New Zealand sometime around 2008 and has been crackin wise about chups with a local seagull ever since, hasnt been heard from much in the past handful of years since his ABC series left the airwaves in 2010.

But the happy little scamp, who helped launched the career of Bondi Hipster Nick Boshier, couldnt let the passing of the torch from now ex-NZ PM John Key to his replacement Bill English go by without acknowledgement.

The first sketch in well over a year surfaced earlier today, with the seagull picking up a guitar to give a decidedly Aotearoa version of Candle in the Wind as a parting farewell to Key.

Theres even a sneaky key change in there, because certain puns are simply too good to leave on the shelf.

Jandals. I love New Zealanders, I really do. But thats a word I simply refuse to abide.

Sounds like something youd find stale and waiting in the rack at a late-night bakery: Gimme one of them jandals and a loaf of bread sliced for toast.

I do back that flag design forever, but. Even if it is no Laser Kiwi.

Source: Beached Az/Facebook.
Its an undisputed fact that the internet peaked when it revolutionised how we accessed porn, and has been on a downward trajectory ever since.

Now, however, were starting to see a reversal (and we dont mean for the memes, a.k.a. Satans bad gags). The rise of sexual education on the internet has brought things like consent, female pleasure, and one trillion articles on how to do anal to the forefront, which definitely werent discussed in your average Sex Ed class.

In that vein, award-winning sexologist Dr Jess OReilly popped over to Reddit for a NSFW AMA, and answered all of the internets questions about sex they were either too embarrassed or too cheap to fork out for a sex therapist to ask.

Heres the top six Q&As.

1. How to achieve the elusive multiple orgasm (for men).

Q: How can you go from a one and done guy to a multi-cumming sex monster? (From Reddit user ellendeepthroats.)

Dr Jess: While most orgasms are accompanied by ejaculation in men, it is not the sensation of fluid expulsion via spinal reflex that produces the wave of pleasure and release of sexual tension associated with orgasm. These gratifying sensations can actually be enjoyed without ejaculation in an experience often referred to as a dry orgasm. If youd like to explore the possibility of having dry orgasms, the first step is to tone your PC muscle. As this area becomes stronger, you can experiment with several approaches to dry orgasm using your PC muscle: Squeeze tightly and flex for a few seconds when you feel orgasm is impending. When you release, you may still experience the wave of orgasmic pleasure and involuntary contractions. Wait until you reach the point of ejaculatory inevitability to flex your PC muscle and hold it while breathing deeply until the inclination to ejaculate subsides. Another option to experiment with dry orgasms involves a slow technique called Edging. Edging refers to bringing yourself right to the brink of orgasm several times without allowing yourself to go over the edge. Stimulate yourself however you please and stop as soon as you feel as though you are about to climax. Breathe slowly and deeply as you retreat to a less stimulating technique or area until the urge to ejaculate subsides. Repeat this process several times. With practice, some men find that they eventually experience orgasmic sensations without ejaculation during the retreat period.

2. How to ask your partner to get their kink on.

Q: How can you tell your partner that you really wanna be pegged / choked / get wrapped up tight in plastic and fucked [delete as applicable] if youre a touch embarrassed?

Dr Jess: I really like using pop culture references  if you see something on TV or in a movie that piques your interest, use the scene as a conversation-starter. It often feels less threatening when you use this approach. You can also frame it as a dream. Oh I had this dream about ________. What do you think about that? Its okay to have a laugh over sexual conversations  it doesnt always have to be serious.

PSA: if rimming was your thing, there were about 1000 references to it in pop culture in 2016, so youre in extreme luck.

3. How to keep ya dick hard.

Q: How do you prevent outside stress from causing erectile disfunction? (From Reddit user sexquipoop69).

Dr Jess: Your issue is so common! Dont worry  youll get over it. Have you ever taken a mindfulness class/webinar? Learning to be present outside of the bedroom (even just one class) can be helpful. If you find the problem persists (I dont think it will), you might also consider CBT (you can see a therapist or just use an app  the goal is for you to become your own therapist). You might also consider a cock ring  its more of a band-aid solution, but its also fun and can make sex hotter!

4. How long after unprotected sex you should get tested for STIs.

Q: Can you do it all at once? Or do you have to keep doing back?

(Honestly, just a quick shout-out to the Australian medical system for allowing us to visit a doctor and ask these questions FOR FREE.)

Dr Jess: STIs have different incubation periods, which means that some take longer to show up in terms of symptoms and test results. Check out this handy chart. Everyone should get tested regularly even if youre using condoms. Youll need to ask your healthcare practitioner which STIs theyre testing for (often youre not tested for HPV, for example, if youre not showing symptoms).

5. How to stay focused while boning.

Q: How do you stop getting distracted in the middle of sexy times?

Dr Jess: Its common. Some of us are easily distracted. Sensory overload can help to keep her in the moment: Blindfold her or make sure the room is pitch black. Play loud music to drown out any sounds from next door. Talk in her ear  find out what she likes to hear and tease out a fantasy to help her to escape from reality Read a sexy story or watch couples porn together. Just like watching a TV show or movie (e.g. horror film) evokes real emotion, so too can sexy storylines.

6. And finally  how the clitoris works.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SEND THIS TO EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW WHOS INTO VAGINAS.

Q: Whats the difference between clitoral and vaginal stimulation?

Dr Jess: They can be one in the same in some cases. The clitoris has several parts  inside and outside of the body. The head of the clitoris is located at the top of the vulva (where the lips meet). Its attached to a shaft (which gets erections) and is covered by the hood. Inside of the body, the clitoris has legs and bulbs which can be stimulated through the lips, but also via the vagina (the legs wrap around the vaginal canal). More women report reaching orgasm from clitoral stimulation that from vaginal stimulation alone, but because you can stimulate the inner clitoris through the vagina, sometimes its difficult to differentiate between the two.

Heres a bit of info about nerve pathways from my book, The New Sex Bible: The pelvic nerve transmits sensations from the vagina and cervix in women and the rectum and bladder in both men and women; the vagus nerve communicates signals from the cervix, uterus and vagina bypassing the spinal cord; the pudendal nerve carries information from the clitoris, penis and scrotum; the hypogastric nerve transmits data from the uterus, cervix and prostate.



There is a lot more that you might be surprised to learn about the clitoris. PREACH.

FYI, this is a very real 3D-printed model of the clitoris that French kids are using to learn about pleasure:

For one of the greatest monologues about the clitoris in television history, watch this part from the BBCs seminal early naughties sitcom Coupling (Skip to 5:59.)

Read the full AMA here.

Photo: Bad Teacher.
The nominations for the 2017 Golden Globes came out early this morning, and theres just a bloody stupid amount of talent across the 25 categories.

But Australia should be experiencing a helluva lot of pride, because considering that we are but a giant faraway island, weve got a extremely decent amount of nominations in there.

The nominations have of course gone to ~The Big Aussie Trio~: Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, and Joel Edgerton.

Mel Gibsons film Hacksaw Ridge is nominated for Best Motion Picture, and Gibson himself is up for Best Director.

The movie was filmed entirely in Australia, and plus, Andrew Garfield is also nominated for Best Actor in a Drama for the huge film.

Watch the Hacksaw Ridge trailer below:

Ya girl Nicole Kidman is nommed for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in Google Earth drama Lion. The emotional film, which also stars Dev Patel, is also up for Best Motion Picture.

Watch the trailer for Lion below:

And finally, Joel Edgerton is nominated for Best Actor in a Drama for Loving, a film about a loving, happy couple who are jailed and banished by the state of Virginia because they are interracial.

To see the full list of nominees, head here: pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/globes

Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards will go down on the 8th of January 2017.

Source: Golden Globes.
A fortnight after revealing honest-to-God Super Nintendo World theme parks will be sprouting like mushrooms across the planet, the legendary company has revealed concept art for its Osaka venture.

Look, were trying to stay chill about the whole deal, but if the Universal Studios Japan collab turns out anything as amazing as this first look, well be doing far more than 1UP-ing:

#SUPERNINTENDOWORLD featuring attractions based on many Nintendo titles is coming to Universal Studios Japan! pic.twitter.com/NcmxK0GAZ6  Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) December 12, 2016

As youd reasonably expect, feverish fans have been dissecting that artwork to figure out what the parks may entail.

Some CSI-level enhancing reveals the parks aesthetics take a lot from the Mario franchise:

While the proposed architecture is certainly in the vein of that plumbing platformer, Nintendo said the parks will 100% feature rides and attractions based on other titles in their stable.

Just think about how ridiculously wild a Metroid attraction would be. Hell, were frothing at the concept of a physical Smash Brothers arena.

Remember how we said were trying to stay chill? Our attempts are failing. Miserably.

The park is one of three, with expansions planned in Hollywood and Orlando. Its slated to open in time for the 2020 Olympics, hosted in Tokyo. Imagine visiting the Wii Fit exhibit alongside some of the worlds fittest people, hey.

Anyway, have a look at the hi-res artwork right here, and ask yourself why this concept hasnt come to life already.





Source: Polygon.

Photo: Nintendo of America / Twitter.
It was all-round relief when the boyfriend of Susanna Lau  one of the original ~bloggers~ of fashion, better known as Susie Bubble of Style Bubble  was found safely after his sudden disappearance last week, prompting a frantic social media campaign to track him down.





The heavily pregnant style star last saw partner of 10 years Steve Salter at 10am on a Monday morning when he left their London home for work at i_D magazine, where hes digital editor, and wrote on Instagram that he was in completely normal state of mind when we last spoke yesterday morning.

After updating the original post hours later to say hed been found in a hospital emergency room, it was radio silence until she took to IG again to give her worried followers more of an insight into what happened  and indirectly state that mental illness was a factor.

Without going into details, what Steve went through was beyond traumatic. And I did very nearly lose him, she wrote. My world as a result feels like its been tipped over. What I thought I knew, maybe I didnt know at all.

Bubble also hinted that the traumatic experience, and whatever Salters going through, could shake up her entire approach to sharing her life on social.





Time will tell whether things just go back to normal  whatever that means. Exciting fashions, Insta-worthy holiday shots and random ramblings wont be obliterated. But what goes on behind the veneer of all of that cant be ignored either.

Salter  who remains in hospital  later posted his own message of thanks to the family, friends and strangers who lent their support throughout his ordeal.





This week has been a reminder to talk more, listen harder, support anyone who requires help and hold loved ones that bit closer.

Bubble is due to give birth to their first bubby together early in the new year.

Photo: Getty / David M. Benett.
Sydneysider Keira Maguire shot to Strayan-contained fame earlier this year after starring as the villain on The Bachelor.

iconic

She was outspoken, brash and came onto the show guns-a-bloody-blazin. She showed not a lick of shame in having clear tickets on herself, saying in one of her first pieces to camera, Im successful, I have amazing style Im definitely a good catch.

She left the show without Richies heart, but with something else: a bitta fame. The extent of which she has milked like the last cow on earth. How? This time, by getting a nose job and keeping a public diary about it.

Detailed in the latest NW mag, Maguire reveals she felt insecure after watching herself on the telly.

The first night I watched the show I was sitting there like, Ew, this is fucked, My nose is just so bad on camera, she said.

According to the diary kept on Yahoo7!, Maguire came across Doctor Michael Zacharia in Sydneys Double Bay who performed the procedure.

She goes on to explain the fresh hell that is recovering from a rhinoplasty, saying that mates came to comfort her with flowers but since she was whacked out on prescription drugs from the surgery, she just cried her eyes out, before falling straight to sleep.

Feels like Ive been punched in the face, she wrote on day two, as she couldnt brush her teeth, eat or breathe through her nose. Every morning I wake up to dripping blood down my throat, Keira continued on day three, adding its really gross but she has to cough it up.

A photo posted by Keira Maguire ???? (@keiramaguire) on Dec 6, 2016 at 9:51pm PST

new nose who dis

It was such a little thing, but my nose made me feel so insecure. Now Im an much more confident person, Maguire wrote.

You do you, moite.

The 30-year-old also admitted to the mag that shes always wanted to be perfect, and has also had lip fillers, botox, cosmetic eyebrow tattoos and vampire facials in the pursuit of looking hot.

Her next move? A titty job.

Maybe just boosting them to little teardrops, not big bazookas, mused the socialite.

Source: NW Magazine.

Photo: Keira Maguire / Instagram.
If you were sitting here thinking the longest Uber rides were those inevitable New Years Day ones where drunk punters get ferried from the city to far-flung Aussie suburbs at surge pricing of 10000 times the usual rate, you may have a new contender.

Uber driver Janis Rogers drover her passenger a total of 645 kilometres from the U.S. state of Virginia all the way to New York City, according to the New York Post. The company hasnt actually confirmed whether this is the longest ride on record, but there doesnt appear to be any existing record of people going for longer.

Ride-sharing blogger Harry Campbell told the Post that this is the longest Uber drive he is personally aware of. Honestly, cant really imagine one longer that doesnt involve drug smuggling or murder.

Either way, 645km is a long-ass ride. The price for the nearly eight-hour ride was the, uh, fairly cheap $US294.09. That is obscenely cheap, actually. Rogers says that after petrol, Uber taking its cut, and the rideless trip back, she probably earned about nine bucks an hour all up. Which is absolutely not enough, to be fair.

This was not lucrative, she said. I did it because it was an adventure.

Apparently, the rider was visiting her boyfriend in NYC, and didnt actually seem that keen about it. She didnt seem excited to see her boyfriend, she said. She was kind of blase. She looked tired.

Just waiting on someone who do the Sydney  Perth hellride across the Nullarbor in an Uber. It will happen. Some freak will do it.

Source: News.com.au.

Photo
It was cold and overcast as re-enactors took to the Delaware River to pay homage to then-General George Washington's crossing in 1776.

While the conditions were far from pleasant, they were decidedly more welcoming than what Washington and his men had encountered nearly 240 years ago.

When Washington had crossed on Dec. 25, it had been in the dark of night. It was so cold that the river had frozen over and his men were pelted with rain as they attempted the crossing.

"I think about the heartaches that the troops went through 240 years ago," said re-enactor Alex Versfeld of Langhorne. "I mean, cold, night, wet, rainy -- I can't imagine doing that."

Versfeld was one of many re-enactors at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield Township on Dec. 11. Thousands of spectators came out to witness the event. It was the first of the park's December crossing re-enactments. The second and final one for the year will take place on Dec. 25 at noon.

Washington had crossed the river on Dec. 25, 1776 in an attempt to surprise the Hessian troops stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians were allegedly so distracted with their own Christmas celebrations that they weren't prepared for the Continental Army's forces.

It was a turning point in the war for the Americans, who prior to the battle had found their enthusiasm waning. After the defeat they were energized and renewed their efforts to fight off the British forces. They were, of course, eventually victorious.

For Versfeld, re-enacting the crossing plays an important part in recognizing American history.

"We have to understand where we came from historically," he said. "This is part of our roots and foundation of our country, so I think it's very important to do this kind of stuff."

Can't see the gallery at the top of this post?

The re-enactment had attracted the attention of Barbara and Peter Sugden, a British couple visiting family in Philadelphia. They echoed Versfeld's statements.

"It tells the children and generations coming what happened," Peter Sugden said.

"And to remember what happened and to learn by it," his wife Barbara Sugden chimed in. "To learn about your history and your culture is very important."

The re-enactments not only educate, but also inspire interest in the historical events they depict. That's part of the reason Laura Myers of Philadelphia is a fan. Her husband was portraying Henry Knox, who planned the logistics of the crossing back in 1776.

"I'm a historian by trade and seeing a reenactment like this really does a better job than reading a book to get people excited about history, to hopefully want to continue to study it and to understand where our history started in this country" she said.

"Living history is awesome," she continued. "You get little kids excited, you get big kids excited, you get grandparents excited."

To learn about re-enactments at Washington Crossing Historic Park visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.
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Dec. 12, 2016

(Pa. Turnpike)

A crash involving two tractor-trailers has closed the Pennsylvania Turnpike in both directions between the Blue Mountain and Carlisle exits this morning.

The crash, involving two tractor-trailers and a minivan, occurred around 4:23 a.m. between exits 201 (Blue Mountain) and 226 (Carlisle), said the Pa. Turnpike. The crash is at milemarker 215.3.

One of the trucks is overturned, and four people were transported by ambulance to an area hospital, said Carl Defebo Jr., Turnpike spokesman.

Here is the detour for eastbound traffic:

Exit Breezewood to Route 30 West (.3 miles) to Route 70 East (I-81 exit MD #26, 48 miles) to Interstate 81 North (58 miles) to Exit #52B, Middlesex, Route 11 South to the Pa. Turnpike Carlisle Interchange 226/Old 16.

The detour for westbound traffic is:

Exit at Carlisle, take Route 11 North to Interstate 81 South (58 miles) to Maryland Exit #4 to Interstate 70 West (48 miles) to Route 30 East (.3 miles) and re-enter at Breezewood Interchange 161/Old 12.

UPDATE: This story was updated at 6 a.m.

For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources.

Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here.

Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.
Market Square garage.jpg

A public meeting is set for 6 p.m. tonight, Monday Dec. 12, to discuss Harrisburg's parking system. This is also the time of year that the parking system is setting its budget, and meter rates, for the next year.

HARRISBURG--A public meeting is set for tonight about Harrisburg's parking system amid a showdown over parking revenue and meter rates.

Parking officials have been threatening since last year to increase the $3 hourly rate for street meters downtown and the central business district to compensate for lagging revenue.

Increases in all parking rates for next year are among the things being considered during negotiations as officials from the city, county and state try to figure out how to make the relatively-new parking system financially successful.

City officials, however, are fighting back at the prospect of meter rate hikes and instead suggesting alternatives to free up revenue or generate more revenue.

The $3 hourly rate was set in 2014 under the new privatized parking regime, which prompted outrage from many motorists since it represented a doubling of the previous rate.

If you have thoughts, ideas or concerns about the city's parking system, tonight is the night to share them. The meeting to hear from the public begins at 6 p.m. Monday Dec. 12 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Harrisburg. Attendees can get free parking by using the Market Square Garage and validating their ticket at the hotel.

Parking officials are required to have two public meetings annually, as part of the city's long-term lease of its parking assets. Details about this year's parking system performance are likely to be presented.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse previously has said the system will raise meter rates over his "dead body," but city officials aren't in the driver's seat, so to speak, when it comes to setting parking rates.

The city shed at least $300 million in debt when city officials agreed to privatize its lots and parking garages in late 2013. As part of the deal, however, they also gave up control of rates and enforcement.

The asset transfer agreement allows parking managers overseen by the state to raise rates three percent every year, and that can accumulate each year whether the rates are raised or not. That means parking managers are authorized to increase rates up to nine percent for 2017.

City officials have fought any increase in meter rates because they believe it would actually generate less overall revenue after drivers revolt. A consultant study last year revealed 35-percent usage rates for Harrisburg's street meters when a level of 85 percent is considered ideal.

Parking officials say they are looking for ways to increase usage, but it's complicated: they can't increase expenses or allow reduced revenue.

The mayor and Harrisburg Parking Authority, however, are flexing their muscle over payments that they receive from the parking system. Both the city and HPA claim the system has been shortchanging them of specific payments that were promised in the asset transfer agreement signed in late 2013. The HPA even threatened to file a lawsuit.

Parking officials, however, say there is an "ambiguity" in the asset transfer agreement that could allow the system to deviate from the listed schedule of payments.

City officials have said they are willing to compromise with payments to help the revenue-challenged system find money for capital repairs. But city officials say they don't want to be the only entity to take a financial haircut.

Payments to the city and Harrisburg Parking Authority (which is now under city control) are ranked first in a waterfall of payments that are paid after expenses and debt obligations are met. Capital repairs rank last in the waterfall, after performance fees to parking managers and the state agency that floated the bonds.

County officials have advocated putting capital repairs first in the waterfall, above the city, as a way to finance necessary repairs and protect the asset. As it stands, no money is flowing into the capital repairs account.

But that change over time could divert millions that otherwise would flow to the city. City officials have said they will not agree to the change.

Papenfuse has long challenged the system's operating expenses as inflated, including a $90,000 annual payment to the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, or CREDC, which acts as a liaison to the Pennsylvania Economic Development Finance Authority. The authority floated the bonds to pay for the parking deal. But Steve Drizos, executive director of PEDFA, previously defended CREDC's role as "very valuable."

The mayor also has challenged the operating expenses of Trimont, the parking manager, which were budgeted at $280,000 for this year; and SP Plus, the parking operator, which budgeted for $3.7 million in operating expenses. Those figures are in addition to the regular fees and performance fees (sometimes called bonuses) that both Trimont and SP Plus earn each year.

Parking officials already have cut expenses dramatically from the first budget in 2014. That year, the parking manager had $778,000 budgeted for expenses and the parking operator had $4.3 million budgeted for expenses.

County officials and state officials, who helped put the parking deal together, note that the new parking system is generating millions of dollars more for the city than before. Harrisburg was expected to get about $6 million in revenue this year through the parking tax and waterfall payments.

Negotiations among city, state and county officials are still underway behind closed doors.

"We had a productive meeting last week and are working toward a resolution," said Dauphin County Chief of Staff Chad Saylor.

The specifics and a final decision on meter rates are not likely to be announced at Monday's parking advisory committee meeting. Those details are more likely to emerge from a Dec. 21 meeting of PEDFA's board.

The PEDFA board, which schedules monthly meetings, has not met since July, when Papenfuse showed up to air his concerns during public comments.
WILLIAMSPORT -- A federal judge has rejected three objections and given final approval to a nationwide settlement of multiple federal class-action lawsuits that claimed popular Shop Vac Corp wet-dry vacuums do not live up to their advertised specifications.

U.S. Middle District Judge Yvette Kane Friday also awarded $5,000 to each of four named plaintiffs in Florida, Missouri, California and Illinois along with $4.25 million in legal fees.

She noted 1,165,149 individuals received notice of the proposed settlement, only three objected and no one appeared at a September fairness hearing in Harrisburg.

The settlement approval releases Shop Vac from claims in a parallel class-action suit in New Jersey in which action had been stayed pending the outcome of the federal litigation.

In reaching the settlement through mediation, Shop Vac did not admit any liability.

Terms of the settlement include Shop Vac agreeing to a two-year extension of its warranty on the motors of the vacuums.

It also agreed to change how it refers to peak horsepower on marketing materials and alter what the plaintiffs claimed is misleading information about the canister size measurement.

A previously filed court document stated the parties estimate the retail value of the extended warranties is "well into the millions of dollars."

The settlement covered those who purchased or acquired a wet-dry vacuum since Jan. 1, 2006.

Shop Vac, which is headquartered in Williamsport, denied the allegations and claimed no customers were deceived.

A plaintiff's expert concluded based on tests he conducted the vacuums were incapable of reaching even half their advertised peak horsepower and the automatic shutoff feature causes them to stop working when the tanks reached between 47 and 83 percent of capacity.

The original suit was filed in 2012 with a consolidated complaint following in 2013.
pennsylvania judicial center

The Pennsylvania Judicial Center

(Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com )

An Allegheny County judge was too quick to dismiss an engineering firm from a lawsuit over the deaths of four people in a flash flood on a Pittsburgh street, a state Superior Court panel has determined.

So the state judges revived Nicholas Saflin's lawsuit against Chester Engineers Inc. over the August 2011 drowning of his 72-year-old mother, Mary, on Oakmont Boulevard.

The recent ruling comes less than a year after the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority and PennDOT settled claims Nicholas Saflin made against them for $500,000.

Saflin is continuing to press his claims against Chester, claiming the firm, which worked for the Pittsburgh Sewer & Water Authority and and the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority for decades, didn't properly advise those agencies to deal with chronic flooding in the area where his mother died.

Mary Saflin died when heavy rain caused the flash flood on Aug. 19, 2011. She was swept away as she got out of her car. Also killed were Kimberly Griffith, 46, of Plum, and her daughters Brenna, 12, and Mikaela, 8. The Griffith family is pursuing legal claims against Chester as well. It secured a $1.5 million settlement with the government agency defendants.

Nicholas Saflin took the case to the state court after county Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. dismissed the negligence claims against Chester. Wettick found that Saflin hadn't pled sufficient facts to make those allegations stick.

Yet in the state court's opinion, Judge Alice Beck Dubow found that Saflin should have been given the chance to amend his complaint against Chester to address those issues rather than simply having it dismissed. So she sent the case back to county court for further action.
PA-woman-draws-light-sentence-for-selling-heroin-at-upscale-address.jpg

Prosecutors were more than a little upset that Lynne C. Twaddle, a 62-year-old yoga teacher living on the Philadelphia area's Main Line, received a relatively light sentence for selling heroin from her upscale address.

(screen shot/police photo)

Prosecutors in Chester County, Pa., were more than a little upset that a 62-year-old yoga teacher living on the Philadelphia area's Main Line received a relatively light sentence for selling heroin from her upscale address.

As Philly.com and 6ABC reports, Lynne C. Twaddle, 62, was accepted into "Recovery Court" and sentenced to 90 days in prison and seven years' probation, nearly a year of which she must spend on house arrest.

The sentence, handed down Friday by Chester County Court Judge Phyllis R. Streitel, drew protests from prosecutors who had argued for up to five years in prison for Twaddle, saying consequences should be harsh for drug distributors.

But the judge expressed sympathy that Twaddle, a recovering alcoholic, became addicted to opioids after undergoing surgery on both hips and her surgeon prescribed OxyContin for the pain. She then moved on to heroin, Philly.com reports, adding:

"You were admitted, because you have a problem," Philly.com quotes the judge as telling Twaddle.

She was arrested last summer for selling the drug to a friend-turned-police informant and undercover police out of her home in the affluent Wayne section of Tredyffrin Township, not far from an elementary school.

Read more of the latest Pa. Buzz:
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The state capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

(File photo)

So I've been reading through Pennsylvania Senators' historical biographies, which are a trove of interesting historical facts about the Keystone state. I've decided to share some of the more interesting and colorful ones here, figuring that if I find them interesting, well, maybe someone else will as well.

I'll try to post these occasionally, as I find them and have the time to write them up.

State Sen. Richard Peters II

First up is state Senator Richard Peters II, who represented Philadelphia and was Pennsylvania's first Senate Speaker during the 1791 session year.

Peters was the scion of a English family, whose father was a King's magistrate and whose uncle, The Rev. Richard Peters, was a loyalist. During the War of Independence Peters' father returned to England, 'imbued with similar political sympathy' to the late Rev. Richard Peters.



Senator Peters, however, seemed to be of another mind, and served as a 'captain of associators' during the revolution, was secretary of the war board in the first American Congress, and was a member of the second Continental Congress.

Oh and did I mention he later was one of Benjamin Franklin's pall bearers?



Due to his father's exit to England during the war, Senator Peters inherited the family's Belmont Mansion, which stands to this day. Post-revolution, Peters was appointed to the federal judiciary, where he ordered the arrest, convicted and sentenced to death John Fries, leader of Fries' Rebellion, a successor to the much more famous Whiskey Rebellion.





Pennsylvania land purchases, including the 1784 expansion following the Treaty of Fort Stanwix.

He also, according to his senate biography, "participated on the 1784

... acquiring the modern equivalent of 14 western Pennsylvania counties from the Iroquois Confederacy for $10,000. ... and with the conclusion of the War of Independence, embarked for London in 1785, seeking (successfully) reconciliation with the Anglican Church for its re-establishment in the United States in 1787."

.
prison hands

A state appeals court has revived a convicted killer's claim that he deserves a new trial because of flawed testimony by an FBI hair analyst.

A wide-ranging hair analysis snafu by the FBI might give a convicted central Pennsylvania killer a new shot at freedom after 21 years behind bars.



Provided that Walter S. Chruby got the timing right, that is.



A state Superior Court panel has decided he should get the chance to make that argument. In a recent opinion by President Judge Susan Peikes Gantman, the state court voided a Centre County judge's denial of Chruby's latest appeal and revived the case.



The issue is whether Chruby made the deadline for filing his appeal, based on the emergence of the hair analysis issue.



Chruby, now 54, has been serving a life prison sentence since a county jury convicted him of the September 1995 murder of 73-year-old State College resident Ruth Fergus. Then-District Attorney Ray Gricar claimed Chruby stabbed Fergus 33 times during a robbery.



During Chruby's trial an FBI hair analysis expert gave testimony that he said tied Chruby to the slaying scene. However, in 2014 the U.S. Justice Department conceded the testimony of FBI hair analysts had "exceeded the limits of science" for nearly two decades, Gantman noted.



The hair analysis problem isn't limited to the Chruby case. The Justice Department said the FBI laboratory's hair comparison unit routinely overstated forensic matches in favor of prosecution cases nationwide from the 1970s to 1999. Those flawed findings even played into verdicts where the defendants were sentenced to death.



Chruby appealed to the state judges after county Judge Jonathan D. Grine dismissed his latest appeal on grounds that it was untimely.



Gantman's court found that the timeliness issue is not so clear. At issue is whether Chruby met the 60-day deadline to file the appeal after he learned of the hair analysis error, which he claims constitutes newly-discovered evidence.



According to Gantman, the Centre County District Attorney's Office was notified of the hair analysis issue in Chruby's case in September 2014 and the DA notified Chruby of the matter in a letter dated Dec. 19, 2014. Chruby filed his appeal with the county court on Feb. 12, 2015. Grine dismissed it in January of this year.



While the sequence of events "suggests" that Chruby filed his appeal within the 60-day deadline, the situation isn't entirely clear, especially in regard to whether the hair analysis matter constitutes newly discovered evidence, Gantman found. So she sent the case back to county court for further consideration.



While the decision marks a legal victory for Chruby, it doesn't guarantee he'll win a new trial.



For example, the hair analysis scandal didn't spare a New Jersey man, Alphonso Sanders, from a life prison sentence on his conviction for killing his girlfriend in 1999 and dumping her body in Muddy Run Park in Lancaster County.



Sanders also made a bid for freedom by filing an appeal citing the FBI hair analysis snafu. In his case, that involved a hair found in his van that an FBI expert identified as the victim's.



Another Superior Court panel denied Sanders' appeal in July, concluding the incorrect testimony about the hair didn't alter the outcome of his trial and that other evidence solidly pointed to him as the killer.
TRUMP ART.jpg

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., ... Yes, that Mitch McConnell ... is backing a bipartisan investigation into allegations that the Russian government tampered with American elections and maybe, just maybe, helped Donald Trump win the presidency.

So can we all agree that this is a thing now?

Can we all agree that hacking by a foreign power hostile to American interests isn't politics or sour grapes from Democrats, no matter what the President-elect claims in a series of fact-free tweets? That it's actually a grave matter of national security?

Because when you have Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and now McConnell, among other prominent Republicans, saying something smells bad about apparent Russian meddling in American electoral politics, that's more than mere partisan posturing.

These are guys who, while not exactly hankering for a sleepover at Trump Tower, would still rather be set on fire than see Hillary Clinton in the White House.

And, particularly in the case of McCain and Graham, who, while long-standing Trump critics, are also genuine patriots concerned about the integrity of our technological infrastructure.

As well they should be.

Campaign politics is one thing. Malevolent tampering by a serious geopolitical rival is quite another. And it should transcend mere electoral interests -- since it affects us all.

But the push, as Vox.com notes, was given some added oomph by the presence of Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, signaling that the "appetite for Republican pushback extended beyond," Trump's critics.

In case you missed it, both The New York Times and The Washington Post reported over the weekend that the CIA now believes that Russian operatives intervened in the election, not just to sow mischief, but to actually help Trump win.

In a worrying sign, however, Trump, who claims he's so smart that he can skip regular intelligence briefings, turned around and dismissed the CIA findings, setting up a dangerous dynamic between the incoming White House and the nation's intelligence community.

To be sure, there's a lot at stake for Trump if the hacking allegations are proven to be true.

The New York billionaire clearly benefited from the Wikileaks document dump that so embarrassed Hillary Clinton during the fall campaign.

Thus, any public acknowledgment of a Russian hacking to his advantage would risk delegitimizing Trump's claim to power at a time when his enemies are looking for any excuse to pry him loose.

"I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country," Trump said during a Sunday interview with Fox News, conveniently ignoring Clinton's 2.6 million popular vote advantage.

And, inevitably, the next Leader of the Free World then took to Twitter on Monday to complain about it.

"Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!" he raged.

And:

"Unless you catch "hackers" in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?" he vented,

Except that it was, during the Oct. 19 debate with Clinton -- by one Donald J. Trump:

"She has no idea whether it's Russia, China, or anybody else," Trump said. "Our country has no idea," Trump said at the time, even as evidence emerged of Russian ties to the hacking attack on the Democratic National Committee.

Just days earlier, in a joint statement, the Department of Homeland Security and Director of National Intelligence concluded that they believed, "based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities."

The latest blow up also raises anew questions about Trump's coziness with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, as well as the longstanding ties between Russia and Trump's pick for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson.

On Monday, real signs emerged that Tillerson's nomination could be in for a bumpy ride in the Senate, where there are legitimate concerns that he'd put his former company's financial interests above the national interest.

"Being a 'Friend of Vladimir' is not an attribute I am hoping for from a Secretary of State," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said.

The early pushback from Republicans is an encouraging sign that they won't take Trump's bloviating lying down. But it's not without some element of risk.

"This is a difficult position to be in: Partisans don't like to investigate their own party's president," Michele Swers, a congressional expert at Georgetown University, told Vox.com on Monday. "But now that you're getting pushback from Republicans beyond McCain and Graham, it looks like Trump has something to worry about."

Leave it to a Russian, ironically enough, to sum up the state of affairs between Trump and his fellow Republicans.

"All happy families are alike," Leo Tolstoy famously observed. "Each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

And Republicans can't be thrilled with the way things are going so far.
Egypt is due to receive its first Type-209/1400 submarine from Germany at a ceremony in the German city of Kiel on Monday.

The Egyptian navy is set to receive several Type-209 submarines from Germany according to an agreed timeline, said an Egyptian military spokesman.

Egypt signed a deal with Berlin to buy two German-made Type-209 submarines in 2011, ordering two more in 2014.

The new submarine, manufactured by the German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, is a technological addition to Egypt's navy and will further its capability to bolster Egyptian national security, said the spokesman.



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Chuck Schumer,Leo Gerard,Gary Peters,Neera Tanden

Senate Minority Leader-elect Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., puts his arm on United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard, accompanied by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., second from right, and American Progress Actions Fund President Neera Tanden, right, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, to announce an effort to track jobs leaving the U.S. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(Evan Vucci)

By Dick Polman

Barack Obama had just beaten John McCain by a margin of 10 million votes and 7.2 percentage points - the biggest Democratic win since 1964. Democrats also won both congressional chambers.

Dick Polman (PennLive file)

And yet, despite this decisive pro-Democratic mandate to govern, congressional Republicans resolved, at a private dinner on day one, not to offer a scintilla of cooperation.

They resolved to thwart Obama's efforts to fix the Great Recession, hoping that his failures would grease a Republican comeback in the 2012 race. Newt Gingrich, a dinner guest, reportedly told his former colleagues, "You will remember this day. You'll remember this as the day the seeds of 2012 were sown."



Here's where we are today: Trump has lost the popular vote (as of Wednesday) by a whopping 2.66 million. His losing share of the popular vote (46.2 percent) is the worst for an Electoral College winner since John Quincy Adams in 1824. Even his winning electoral vote margin (74) is a pittance compared to Obama's winning 2808 margin (192). So why should Democrats on Capitol Hill give Trump the cooperative deference that Republicans denied to Obama?



As Michael Corleone said in "The Godfather II" movie, "My offer is this: Nothing."





Cooperating with Trump, behaving as if he were just another Republican, would lend legitimacy to his authoritarian bent. Cooperating with Trump would "normalize" his racist populism and his serial lies. Such a strategy ---- tantamount to surrender ---- would be disastrous for a Democratic Party that has spent decades fighting for tolerance and diversity.



Democrats have buckled in the past. Even though George W. Bush lost the popular vote in 2000, they acted as if the guy had a mandate to govern. Lots of Democrats voted for Bush's deficit-cratering tax cuts. They voted for his Iraq war resolution, despite the dearth of evidence that Saddam had WMDs. They supplied enough votes to put John Roberts in charge of the Supreme Court.



Republicans reciprocated by foiling Obama on a regular basis, blocking everything from his 2011 American Jobs Act (which could've put as many as two million people back to work) to his last Supreme Court nominee (the radical refusal to even hold hearings on Merrick Garland was unprecedented).



David Faris, a political science prof at Roosevelt University, said it well in a column the other day:



"[Cooperation] is the first instinct of the Democratic Party even after a crushing, incomprehensible defeat ... The urge to minimize the damage in defense of the public interest is broadly shared, and understandable. It must make many Democrats proud to support a party that truly believes in the public good, even at the expense of winning.





"On the other hand, no. It's time for Democrats to say no. To everything ...



"It helps that the Republicans ---- led by a man who rage-tweets fake news in the middle of the night ---- are about to embark on a long voyage of turning every single thing they touch into garbage. There should be no Democratic fingerprints whatsoever on the coming catastrophe ... Hand Trump the keys and let him drive into a tree."



That sounds harsh. But, lest we forget, Republicans paid virtually no political price for their eight years of anti-Obama obstruction. Voters didn't seem to care that Republicans thwarted a president who twice won elections with a majority of the popular vote.

Why would they punish Democrats for standing in steadfast opposition to an unqualified poseur who was rejected last month by 53.8 percent of all voters? Chuck Schumer, the new Senate minority leader, is indeed warning that when Trump gets too extreme, "we'll go after him with everything we've got."



Senate Democrats can set the tone by putting Trump's Cabinet picks through the wringer, because a number of them deserve to be seriously slow-walked ---- most notably, attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions (rejected for a federal judgeship 30 years ago, due to his racist remarks), Treasury nominee Steve Mnuchin (who made piles of money foreclosing on homeowners during the Great Recession), and Health and Human Services nominee Tom Price (who wants to kill Obamacare, a move that would nix coverage for 20 million people).

And what remotely qualifies Ben Carson to be housing secretary, beyond the fact that he lives in a house?



Fortunately, Democrats are indeed vowing to combat those nominees. Hey, it's a start. My unsolicited advice is simple: Grow a pair.

Dick Polman is the national political columnist at NewsWorks/WHYY in Philadelphia (newsworks.org/polman) and a "Writer in Residence" at the University of Pennsylvania. His work appears on Mondays on PennLive. Readers may email him at dickpolman7@gmail.com.
Donald Trump

In this Dec. 9, 2016, photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally, in Grand Rapids, Mich. In claiming that he scored "a massive landslide victory" in last month's presidential election, Trump turned history upside down. In fact, his winning margin in the Electoral College is on the other end of the historical spectrum, far closer to the narrowest win in history than to the widest. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

(Paul Sancya)

The Pennsylvania Department of State has certified Donald J. Trump the winner of the Nov. 8 presidential election.

After the results were certified, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Trump as president and Michael Pence as vice president, according to the department. The certificate was forwarded to the archivist of the United States.

The department's action came after a federal judge rejected a request by Green Party candidate Jill Stein for a recount of the state's paper ballots and examination of voting machines that did not produce a paper trail.

It also comes after each of the state's 67 counties certified their results.

Votes cast in the election were actually cast not for the candidates, but their slates of electors. The Certificate of Ascertainment included the following vote totals:
In one of the most-listened-to episodes of VOM Radio in 2016, Australian John Short shares the story of his detention in North Korea.

He was repeatedly interrogated. He was forced to write a confession of his crimes, including the offense of wanting more North Koreans to follow Jesus. But if God called him today, Short says he would happily go back.

Mr. Short shares this week on VOM Radio how God strengthened him during his captivity, the Scriptures and earthly examples that most encouraged him, and how he managed to take a measure of control back from his captors  and even make them nervous. Mr. Short agreed to only two media interviews after his release; one of them was with The Voice of the Martyrs Radio Network.

You can hear the second half of our conversation with Mr. Short; also hear his wife, Karen, share about her experiences while he was detained.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast on iTunes or Google Play Music.
Time change brings 'sundowning' challenges for Michiganders with dementia

The time change can be an adjustment for many, but for those living with dementia, it can lead to increased confusion and anxiety.
The court's ruling is final and cannot be appealed

Egypt's Court of Cassation has upheld a death sentence for Adel Habara, the Sinai Islamist militant convicted of killing a police detective in Sharqiya governorate in 2012.

The court's ruling on Monday is the final ruling in the trial and cannot be appealed.

The sentence still needs to be ratified by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi before being implemented in accordance with the law.

The sentence must also be reviewed by the country's Grand Mufti, though his recommendation to the court is not legally binding.

On Saturday, the same court rejected Habara's final appeal against another death sentence for plotting the execution-style killing of 25 soldiers in an ambush in August 2013.

Habara, who gained notoriety over his reported involvement in the attack, is appealing yet another death sentence for his role in a major 2012 attack in North Sinai that left 16 soldiers dead.

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The state is determined to attain retribution for the victims of a bombing near Cairos main cathedral on Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said a day later, ahead of a state funeral for the 24 people killed.

El-Sisi stressed the need to redouble efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, in a statement released on Monday.

President El-Sisi held a meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and a number of other senior officials to follow up on the investigations of the deadly attack and the security measures around the country, the statement added.

Twenty-four people were killed and 49 injured after a bomb exploded inside St. Peter and St.Paul church attached to the Coptic cathedral in Cairo on Sunday, one of the deadliest attacks on Egyptian Christians in recent years.

The president applauded the security efforts to counter terrorism, instructing the police and the armed forces to work with the utmost caution and vigilance to ensure the security and the safety of citizens.

El-Sisi hailed the unity of the Egyptian people against terrorism adding that these attacks "will only make Egyptians more determined to counter it."

The meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Sedky Sobhy, Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghafar, and representatives of the National Security Apparatus.

El-Sisi will attend a state funeral ceremony for the victims on Monday afternoon.

Egypt's social solidarity ministry said in a press release on Monday that the victims families will receive compensation after investigations are concluded.

The ministry added that the deceased families will receive EGP 100,000, and an exceptional pension, as well as educational and health care, while those injured in the blast will receive EGP 30,000, per a cabinet decree on compensation.

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The Rev. Al Sharpton preached at a Methodist church in Camden on Sunday, telling churchgoers disappointed in the victory of President-elect Donald Trump not to fret, and encouraging them to overcome personal adversities."The question is not what Trump will do. The question is, what are we going to do?" the civil rights activist told the 400 people who filled Parkside United Methodist Church on Kaighns Avenue.

Sharpton, known for his fiery oratory, sported a burgundy tie and matching pocket silk. Speaking from the pulpit, he invoked Psalm 37 repeatedly, telling the crowd in the two-story church to "fret not thyself" over the presidential election results.

"I'm not fretting Donald Trump. I made it through Nixon," said Sharpton, 62, to the amusement of some congregants. A staunch ally of President Obama's, Sharpton said the American people would now have to fight to preserve Obama's achievements.

"This is not a battle about parties," it's a battle about principles, said Sharpton, who went on to advocate for the Affordable Care Act, a fair criminal justice system, and improved education in Camden.

Sharpton promoted his "We Shall Not Be Moved" march for civil rights, scheduled for Jan. 14 in Washington, two days before Martin Luther King's Birthday, and six days before Trump's inauguration.

The Baptist minister also urged churchgoers not to distress over personal struggles.

"God judges us by how we handle defeat. . . . Your job is just to do good," he said, imploring congregants to stay positive in times of financial and familial crises.

Sharpton, a Brooklyn native who started preaching at the age of 4, has spoken at several churches in Camden over the years. But this was his first time preaching at the 102-year-old Parkside Church, which was celebrating the third Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians.

"Rev. Sharpton is many things - a civil rights icon, a social justice leader - but at his core he's a preacher," the Rev. Keith D. Dickens, 53, senior pastor, said in an interview.

Dickens said he emailed Sharpton several months ago inviting him to preach at the church. "It's a great day for Parkside," said the pastor, noting many in the community were surprised the host of MSNBC's PoliticsNation would participate in their Sunday service.

After the sermon, Sharpton sold and signed copies of his book The Rejected Stone. And following the service, several congregants praised Sharpton's sermon.

"It was an uplifting message," said Paula Bryant, 53, of Sicklerville.

Rondald O'Neill, 66, of Mount Laurel, described Sharpton as "an inspirational speaker and transformational leader."

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The bomb attack on Cairo's St. Peter and St. Paul Church on Sunday was carried out by a 22-year-old suicide bomber, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said during an address at a state funeral for the 24 victims of the blast.

El-Sisi named the man as Mahmoud Shafiq Mohamed Mostafa.

"Since yesterday the police have been gathering the scattered remains of Mahmoud Shafiq Mohamed Mostafa," Sisi said, adding that four people have been arrested, including one woman, for alleged involvement in the incident, while two more suspects are being pursued.

Twenty-four people were killed and 49 injured after a bomb exploded inside a church attached to the Coptic cathedral in Cairo on Sunday, one of the deadliest attacks on Egyptian Christians in recent years.

"We will not forfeit our revenge, even after those are arrested, and frankly, the government and the parliament have to act more," El-Sisi said, calling on the executive and legislative authorities to enact laws to enable the judiciary to counter terrorism.

"The laws are restricting the judiciary; the judiciary will not be able to deal with terrorism firmly, [to deal with all those who] attack our nation's security and our loved ones," the president said.

Before the funeral President El-Sisi held a meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and a number of other senior security officials to follow up on the investigations of the deadly attack and security measures in place around the country, an earlier presidential statement said.

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Sedky Sobhy, Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghafar, and representatives of the National Security Apparatus.

El-Sisi said that this attack is an act of despair.

Do not say it was a security flaw; what happened was an act of desperation," he said.

"They [evil forces] have been trying to shake us for three years; they [try to ruin the] economy but nothing, terrorism and nothing75 attacks on churches but still nothing."

"Our condolences to all the Egyptian people, I will not say our Christian brothers, our condolences to all Egyptians," the president said.

"This attack caused a great pain but it will never break usWe will stand firm and God willing we will win this war," El-Sisi concluded his address.

Sundays attack, which blasted through the side inside the church where women worshippers sit, is considered the biggest such attack on a Coptic church since January 2011, when 23 people were killed in an explosion at Two Saints Church in Alexandria.

The perpetrators of the Alexandria attack were never discovered.

On Sunday, Egypts official news agency MENA quoted a security source as saying that the explosion was caused by a bomb containing 12kg of TNT.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for Sundays attack.

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MP Mohamed Emara said Sunday's church bombing, which killed 24 worshippers, has exposed 'the poor performance' of Egypt's interior minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar

Mohamed Emara, an independent MP from Egypt's Nile-delta governorate of Beheira, requested Monday that Minister of Interior Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar be dismissed from his position.

Emara, in an inquiry submitted to parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal, said the bomb attack on a Coptic cathedral in east Cairo on Sunday, which left 24 dead and more than 40 injured, has exposed Abdel-Ghaffar's poor performance and failure to take preventive security measures.

"I think the interior ministry and security apparatus are largely to blame for the horrible massacre which claimed the lives of 24 innocent Coptic Egyptians performing morning prayers in the cathedral in Abbasiya district on Sunday," said Emara.

"It has become clear that because there were no security guards standing in front of the cathedral complex, a terrorist woman was able to enter the building and plant 12 kilogrammes of highly explosive TNT, which killed 24 innocent worshippers," he claimed.

On Monday, Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that the attack on the church was carried out by a 22-year-old male suicide bomber.

In comments after the funeral services for the victims, El-Sisi cautioned Do not say it was a security flaw; what happened was an act of desperation".

Emara criticised the interior minister for "ignoring extensive criticism leveled at him on [multiple] television channels Sunday night, accusing him personally of poor performance and botched policies."

"Abdel-Ghaffar chose to ignore all the comments, not even expressing an apology, though he knew quite well that the poor performance of his ministry's security apparatus was mainly to blame for this inhuman massacre."

Emara said he visited most of the Coptic churches in Beheira governorate on Sunday night. "Tight security measures were applied all of a sudden, but as usual these came too late, only after the attacks had claimed the lives of many innocent people," said Emara.

Emara concluded that Abdel-Ghaffar's resignation should be followed by a comprehensive review of security measures in place to safeguard Egyptian churches against terrorist attacks.

"Nobody ever imagined that a terrorist woman would be able to infiltrate the mother Coptic cathedral in Abbasiya, plant a bomb, and kill such a great number of innocent people," said Emara, adding that "security measures must change to protect churches from future terrorist attacks."

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Irish agriculture is to share in 84 million worth of attractive loans over the next three years, courtesy of the European Investment Fund (EIF).

The new funding package is part of the EUs Investment Plan for Europe and brings together the EIF with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) in a programme which will make 100m (84m) of loans available at more attractive rates for an estimated 2,000 Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The whole package is guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

The EIB is also due to open an office in Dublin, a move welcomed by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan (pictured above).

Supporting SMEs is a key element of our strategy to boost jobs and growth, particularly in rural areas, he said, adding that he hoped EIBs decision to open an office in Dublin will facilitate many more such agreements in the months and years ahead, especially in the agri-sector.

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No VISA for Malaysians traveling to United States in 2018?

I travelled to New York in 2007 for my work with one of my clients. I still remember the hassle of getting the United States VISA, applying online, queuing up for the mandatory interview and collection of the passport. Lucky for me, it was all done within days (including interview and supporting documents and letters) and I had a five-years media category VISA. It was RM 350 for visa application back then and it more than that now. We understand the need of the supporting documents as you need a certain fund to travel around US. With the current exchange rates, it is not cheap to travel to US anymore.

The talk about waiving VISA for Malaysians travel to United States has been ongoing for some time. It was rumoured the VISA could be waived this year or next year but a report from TheStar suggested it could be 2018. The definite answer is uncertain until there is an official announcement from US side.

If there will be a VISA waiver on 2018, will you wait to travel to United States until then or will you apply the VISA now? If the VISA is waived, will more Malaysians travel to United States despite the high currency exchange rates? Maybe Malaysia Airlines or AirAsiaX will fly again to United States? AirAsiaX is still waiting for the approval to fly to Hawaii and will this attract more visitors to that beautiful island?

Well, we have to wait for the answer and pray for the US dollars to be weakened. At the rate of 4.50, it will cost a bomb to travel to the states. Given the chance, we definitely want to revisit United States again.

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
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A Northwest Indiana police officer was seriously injured after a head-on collision early Saturday, reports the Northwest Indiana Times.

Officer John Swisher, who has been with the Highland (IN) Police Department for more than 10 years, was northbound responding to a call when the crash occurred at 12:57 a.m., Highland Police Cmdr. George Georgeff said Saturday. Two witnesses told police they saw a driver head southbound and cross over left of center before striking Swisher's squad car head on, Georgeff said.

Swisher, also formerly with the Lowell Police Department, was airlifted to Loyola University Hospital in Maywood.

Georgeff said Saturday night that Swisher was in stable condition. Highland firefighters had to extricate Swisher from the vehicle, he said, which took "quite a while." The other driver was also transported to an area hospital with injuries, but other information was not immediately available.
Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church headed the funeral service for the 'martyrs' in Sunday's deadly attack, before joining a state procession to honour the victims

"The church is called the church of the martyrs because since the beginning of Christianity the Egyptian church has offered its children as martyrs," Pope Tawadros II began the funeral service held on Monday for the victims of the bomb blast at a church attached to the St. Marks Coptic cathedral in Cairo a day earlier.

This is not a tragedy for the church alone but for everyone; for Egypt. We are grateful they left us while they were praying, so that their hearts are lifted to God at the best time, he told dozens of relatives of those who lost their lives in the blast inside the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

The attack left 24 people dead and 49 injured, mostly women and children.

We are in pain, but we look up to heaven and thank God for choosing these people that preceded us to heaven. They were blessed to be chosen in the middle of prayers, while fasting on the most blessed day, Sunday, and the most blessed month, the beginning of the fourth Coptic month dedicated to Virgin Mary, said Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

God wanted to bless them by attending prayers not on earth but up in heaven with his chosen angels, said the pope, addressing mourners at the Church of St. Mary and St. Athanasius in Nasr City, where the service was conducted.

As the pope uttered these words some women screamed in happiness, while some screamed in pain; others sobbed uncontrollably.

"Let's turn our screams into silent prayers; our pain is in our hearts, not our voices," responded the pope, ending his address before heading with mourners to the state funeral, which took place at the Unknown Soldiers Memorial in Nasr City.

As the coffins carried the martyrs out of the church, sobs and tears could be heard, along with the sounds of the mourning drums played by the Churchs young scout troop. 

Several women fainted, while others beat their own faces in a gesture of mourning, and screamed as policemen refused to let through those without an official invitation letter from the Church onto the buses transporting the mourners to the state funeral.

Among the mourners was Nora Sedky, 50. "I have no relatives in the explosion but I came as I couldn't just stay at home with all this pain, she told Ahram Online. Its so sad and so scary, she said.

The state knows exactly what is going on, they know about threats of attacks beforehand; this is clearly a security failure," said the middle-aged woman.

The interview was interrupted by chants against the regime from dozens of protesters marching from church to state funeral.

"No, we are not against the regime; we stand with the regime because if it falls we will all fall. We just want them to protect us as we are in real danger," said Sedky, holding back her tears.

Sedky came early to attend the service, but like many others was not able  to enter the church because she did not have a formal invitation. Instead, she joined those praying outside the police cordons.

Dozens of mourners who were not allowed into the church or the state funeral marched in Nasr City chanting: "With blood and soul we will protect the cross," and "we will avenge their rights or die like them."

The predominant chant was: "Oh Lord. 

Other protesters prayed outside the security cordon surrounding the streets leading to the path of the funeral as they were not allowed in.

Prayers were conducted in the Coptic language, still used by the Church for its liturgy, except for the words "have mercy upon us Lord." 

The state funeral procession was attended by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and leading state officials.

State ambulances brought the coffins of the victims to the site of the procession.

Dozens of public transportation buses also took the victims' families to the site.

Mary Botros, 45, told Ahram Online that she came to mourn her daughters colleague in medical school, Nevine Adel, who died in the explosion on Sunday. 

"She was only 19; I am here to mourn all my children, I wish it was me not them, although they are in a better place," added Botros, who was pleading with the security guards to let her in to say a final goodbye.

Ayman Nassef, a 35-year-old actor, was among the protestors; he told Ahram Online he had gone to the scene of the explosion on Sunday morning.

"As soon as I heard the news, I headed to the church. I arrived before the police and ambulances, he said. I saw a child cut in half, lots of blood and body parts everywhere; I don't know where my heart was as I stepped over body parts to try to rescue the living ones and get them out to ambulances.

We started taking body parts and remnants and putting them in plastic bags, said Nassef. Then the police arrived and they let us out.

When Nassef and other marchers reached the last security cordon before the official funeral on Nasr Road they were not allowed in, and it was clear no one would get past the very high-level security. 

Ahram Online heard the sirens and saw the ambulances as they rushed the coffins of the victims wrapped in the Egyptian flag to the site.

While journalists had been allowed into the church for the funeral service, only state TV crews were allowed to cover the state funeral procession.

In a speech after the state funeral, El-Sisi announced that the attack was carried out by a 22-year-old suicide bomber.

"Since yesterday the police have been gathering the scattered pieces of Mahmoud Shafiq Mohamed Mostafa," the president said, adding that four people have been arrested, including one woman, for alleged involvement in the incident, while two more were being pursued.

Later, the interior ministry announced that more suspects had been arrested. 

Sundays attack is the biggest such assault on a church since the Two Saints Church in Alexandria on 1 January 2011  an attack that killed over 20 people and injured around 100. 

Christians make up between 10 and 15 percent of Egypt's 90-million population.

The largest Christian denomination in Egypt is Coptic Orthodox.

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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

Americans who are even remotely aware of exactly how the Nazis rose to power in 1930s Germany must be astonished at the rate at which the Trump is embracing Gestapo-type tactics. Whether it is compiling an enemies list consisting of government employees or demonizing different groups for rage from his racist zealots, the Trump is conducting a real-time master class in how Hitler controlled his enemies.

The latest outrage, one that should alarm every American alive, is a call from a Trump acolyte in a Trump-related newspaper. The call to action was a summons for FBI Director James Comey, to use the authority of the Bureau to act as official state police to repress Americans exercising their First Amendment right to assemble.

Although this is a seriously astonishing concept in America, this is the fascist authoritarian Trump making America great like his adopted Russian bro made the former Soviet Union great. Coupled with the not-so-stunning official revelation that Putins Russians worked alongside the Trump campaign to install Vladimirs surrogate in the White House, of course Trump is going to employ Putin tactics to suppress dissent; it is just what authoritarian tyrants do.

The newspaper in question is owned by Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. Kushner is the same unelected private citizen that Trump wanted the highest level security clearance for so he could play president and receive daily presidential security briefings. Kushner is already a high-level advisor to dumb Donnie, and now he is using his personal newspaper as an administration propaganda arm to portray peaceful American protestors as violent and unlawful, and to demand that the FBI director Comey employ Stasi, KGB, or Gestapo tactics to crackdown, investigate and intimidate Americans for peaceably assembling.

It is unknown if Kushner got the idea from Nazi Germany, East Germany, the Soviet Union, Communist China, Hussein-era Iraq, Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, or Russia under Vladimir Putin, but he certainly did not find it anywhere in American history. The Founding Fathers saw to it that all Americans, including those protesting the Trump, were constitutionally protected to assemble and exercise free speech.

The opinion piece in the New York Observer was written for Trump by Austin Bay, a retired Army Reserve colonel and adjunct professor at the University of Texas in Austin. Bays pro-Trump propaganda piece was titled Comeys FBI Needs to Investigate Violent Democratic Tantrums. Most Americans consider peaceable assembly as one of their many constitutionally-guaranteed rights, not violent democratic tantrums and not anything the official state police have authority to clamp down on.

The despicable Donald Trump, through a surrogate of course, demanded that as a loyal Trump campaign advocate and ally, FBI Director Comey has an obligation to use the full authority and power of the federal investigative agency to:

Launch a coordinated crackdown on nationwide anti-Trump protests, mobilizations and recount efforts. Conduct detailed investigations into the violence and political thuggery that continue to mar the presidential elections aftermath, and include a thorough probe of the protests to include possible ties to organizations demanding vote recounts. The hard lefts violent reaction to Donald Trumps election is vile and dangerous. Demonstrators vandalize and destroy. They have two goals: intimidating people and sustaining the mainstream media lie that Donald Trump is dangerous.

Ironically, in speaking on behalf of a Russian sympathizer and Putin devotee, the Trump article incites fear of communists and goes to great lengths to smear the Black Lives Matter movement as violent. The propaganda also smears the various grassroots campaigns urging electors to honor the popular vote and keep Trump from the White House. Bay writes that Reports that members of the Electoral College are being threatened by angry, vicious (and likely Democratic Party) malcontents require Comeys quick and systematic attention.

The editor of Extra!, the media watchdog magazine of Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), Jim Naureckas, told Alternet that the anti-American propaganda piece is:

One of the most disturbing things he has seen since the election. To have the incoming rulers son-in-law using his paper to call for the federal police to investigate protests against the ruler, that is pretty far gone. It struck me as a first they came for the communists moment. It shows you the outlines of how you would justify a complete crackdown on dissent. Its frightening.

Mr. Naureckas certainly hit the nail on the head when he said it was irrelevant whether Kushner or Trump himself penned the propaganda piece.

This publication is literally in the family. This paper has been an organ of the Trump movement from the beginning, and it is owned by one of the closest confidants Trump has. The idea of sending the secret police after protesters is an incredibly dangerous idea, and it must be repudiated. (author bold)

It is probably redundant to state, but the retired colonel who ghost-wrote the piece for Trump, Trumps son-in-law, and dastardly Donald himself know what the First Amendment says and guarantees, but they have as little use for the document as they do any other law that doesnt force Americans to worship Trump or eliminate his detractors. Dont believe it?

Remember, throughout the campaign Trump incited his racist devotees to violence against protestors at his events and rallies. At a Las Vegas campaign stop in February, he said about one protestor, Id like to punch him in the face. In the old days protesters would be carried out in stretchers. He also used social media to incite his acolytes by condemning peaceful protests as very unfair and claimed that peaceably assembled protestors were all paid agents incited by the media. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has tracked a frightening rise in hate crime violence by Trump supporters since the election, and regarded at least 867 post-election hate incidents as a gross under count.

This latest sign from the Trump that constitutionally protected exercises in free speech are going to be targeted by a Trump-directed federal police agency is much more than frightening; it is terrifyingly similar to Nazi Germany, East Germany Stasi, Russia and any tyrannically oppressive regime. A professor of politics and international studies at U.C. San Francisco, Stephen Zunes, said that despite the Constitutions free speech and assembly protections, the New York Observer article presages a serious crackdown on civil liberties in the coming years. It is precisely what no small number of political opinion writers warned Americans would happen if they placed a Putin cohort in the White House with Nazi advisors in tow; its too bad that no-one listened.
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A group of Electoral College electors sent a letter Director of National Intelligence James Clapper demanding an intelligence briefing on Russias interference with the 2016 election before they vote on December 19.

In the letter, ten electors requested an intelligence briefing before they vote:



The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations. We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.

Additionally, the Electors will separately require from Donald Trump conclusive evidence that he and his staff and advisors did not accept Russian interference, or otherwise collaborate during the campaign, and conclusive disavowal and repudiation of such collaboration and interference going forward.

The electors also made reference to Federalist 68, We further emphasize Alexander Hamiltons assertion in Federalist Paper #68 that a core purpose of the Electoral College was to prevent a desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils. The United States intelligence community has now concluded with high confidence that a foreign power, namely Russia, acted covertly to interfere in the presidential campaign with the intent of promoting Donald Trumps candidacy. During the campaign, Russia actively attempted to influence the election outcome through cyber attacks on our political institutions and a comprehensive propaganda campaign coordinated through Wikileaks and other outlets.

The president-elect made the scandal worse by completely dismissing the findings of the CIA that Russia meddled in the election to help Trump win as ridiculous. Trumps denial has triggered a group of bipartisan Senators who are pushing for an investigation, and Electoral College electors who want answers before they vote in a week.

The Russia scandal is not going to go away. If Trump does take office, the investigations are going to happen. The Trump administration cant sweep the findings of seventeen intelligence agencies under the rug.

Donald Trump has a mushrooming scandal on his hands that, if it doesnt stop his presidency, will be a dark cloud that will follow his every move for the next four years.

The electors want answers, and they may stop Trump if they get them.
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Interviewed by Eric Shawn on Fox News, one of Trumps potential Secretary of State nominees, John Bolton, did what Republicans do best, and blamed what theyve done on somebody else. Namely, the President of the United States. While the rest of us are justifiably concerned over the CIA reports of Russian hacking, former UN ambassador John Bolton claimed,

It is not at all clear to me, just viewing this from the outside, that this hacking into the DNC and the RNC computers was not a false flag operation.

Notice who is to blame in Boltons scenario, and it is not Donald J. Trump:

Shawn: Are you actually accusing someone here in the administration or in the intelligence community of trying to throw something?



Bolton: We just dont know. But I believe that intelligence has been politicized in the Obama administration to a very significant degree.

To be fair, a great many very obvious things are not clear to John Bolton. For example, thinking that repeating the CIAs coup against the Iranian government back in 53 is a good idea; being wrong about Iraqi WMDs but telling us to trust him about the Iranian nukes; and, of course, his claim in March 2015 that Obama planned blasphemy laws to protect Islam. Obviously, that never happened.

Bolton, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, wants you to believe him now, no matter how catastrophically he has been mistaken and full of **** in the past. And despite Sen. John McCain reminding him and everyone else on CBS Face the Nation Sunday that, facts are stubborn things. They did hack into this campaign.

According to Bolton, because, per Comey, there was no evidence that Russia hacked Hillary Clintons server but there is evidence they hacked our election, we have to ask why did the Russians run their smart intelligence service against Hillarys server, but their dumb intelligence service against the election.

What Comey actually said was that there was no direct evidence that Russia hacked Clintons server.

Comey did say it was possible they hacked her account. For Bolton, this no direct evidence is somehow evidence while the CIAs actual evidence of Russia hacking our elections is somehow not evidence of Russia hacking our elections.

Shawn let this excuse for an argument pass and asked instead,

But would the agents, and the intelligence officials politicize this, to go so far to something that could potentially damage the very issue of our Republicans what we, for 200 plus years have stood for?

Bolton had an answer ready:

Now I think the whole thing has been called into question which is why the notion of some kind of independent investigation becomes extremely important. I do think its critical to answer the question that I posed, if you think the Russians did this, then why did they leave fingerprints?

So based on a bunch of stuff he just invented out of whole cloth to take the pressure off Donald Trump, Bolton said, The notion of some kind of independent investigation becomes extremely important.

Now we are being asked to devote our efforts to prove conspiracy theories on behalf of discredited cranks like John Bolton. Even evidence that something happened and that a specific somebody did it, turns out to be evidence that somebody else entirely did it.

That crank could, of course, turn out to be our next Secretary of State, although Huffington Post says a source told them Saturday that Bolton is more likely to be given the #2 spot at the State Department and in charge of day-to-day operations.

Bolton is just more landfill for Trumps swamp. They have a lot in common, including a thirst for retribution and torture.

He and Trump also have billionaire hedge fund boss Robert Mercer in common. Mercer was not only Trumps biggest backer but the largest donor, to the tune of $2.5 million, to Boltons super PAC. Just to complete the circle, in 2014 Trump gave $5,000 of somebody elses money to Boltons Super PAC.

You can see then where the real false flags are in this operation, and they all originate in the web of deceit centered on Trump Tower.
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

It is becoming increasingly clear that among Republicans holding political office, there are thus far only two senators that can be considered patriots. A loose, but apropos, the definition of a patriot is any person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors in good times and bad. Conversely, there are clear signs that many in the Republican movement are culpable of giving aid and comfort to Americas enemies; what 18 U.S. Code  2381 considers Treason:

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

Of course this issue of treason is about more than dishonest Donald Trumps close affiliation with and stated intent to adhere to Americas enemies and give the Russians aid; it is also about the Republicans who aided the Russians to interfere with Americas democracy. The aid to an enemy was in not alerting the American public of a hostile foreign powers involvement in electing an acknowledged friend of Russia, one who may be an American citizen, but has absolutely no sense of allegiance to the United States.

First, if anyone has any idea that Trump is not intent on giving aid and comfort to Russia just look at dirty Dons proposed selection of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Tillerson has close ties, and owes allegiance, to Russian President Vladimir Putin; a dictator Tillerson considers a friend he has known for over two decades. Tillerson is regarded as such a friend to Russia that Putin awarded him the countrys Order of Friendship in 2013; the year prior to Washingtons relationship breakdown with Moscow over Putins aggressive annexation of Crimea and its shadow war in Ukraine. An aggression Trump condones and hinted that if he was elected then America would help Putin expedite his conquests by abandoning its European allies.

One thing is crystal clear with Tillerson; his allegiance is not to America any more than Trumps is and that includes the Republicans who knew about Russia working with the Trump campaign to put a traitor in the White House. And yes, any American whose allegiance is to a foreign power hostile to the United States is a traitor, and by extension is guilty of treason; including those who knew about the Trump-Russia campaign collaboration and aided it with their silence.

However bad a traitor dastardly Don is, the issue of the Republicans who knew about the Russian interference and kept their mouths shut makes them complicit; and they are guilty of another federal crime including Senate Majority Leader Mitch Benedict Arnold McConnell as reported here. According to 18 U.S. Code  4  Misprision of felony:

Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

Even if McConnell was unaware that, with Russias assistance, Trump would win the election and immediately put a Putin BFF in charge of the State Department, he did know that an adversarial foreign power was in contact with Trumps campaign and that they stole American data to put their comrade in the White House.

For dogs sake, if it is against federal law to solicit campaign donations from foreign entities, something Trump did with impunity, then it is undoubtedly treason to coordinate with a foreign power to hijack Americas democracy in a bloodless coup detat of Americas government.

Besides traitors Trump, McConnell, FBI Director James Comey, and Trumps campaign staffers, one-time New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a close Trump confidante and ally, knew about the illegal Russian involvement in Trumps campaign and its theft of Americas property. In fact, according to a Politico article, Giuliani said before the revelation Clinton emails were stolen, The Russians have those emails, theyve had them for some time. There is only one way Giuliani knew the Russians had the stolen emails and was going to pass them to their paid operatives in Wikileaks; the Trump campaign knew despite their lying claims to the contrary.

Scott Dworkin, Senior Advisor to the Democratic Coalition stated the obvious:

Rudy Giuliani stated that he knew the Russians had hacked into and stole property that belonged to Secretary Clinton, it doesnt get much more clear-cut than that. Its not surprising that someone so close to Trumps campaign would have knowledge of the attacks perpetrated at the hand of a foreign government.

Just the concept of any American not being absolutely outraged over a statement such as a citizen having knowledge of attacks at the hand of a foreign government is honestly unbelievable. This is particularly true when after months of reports of suspected involvement of a foreign government, Americas intelligence community verified what Trump, McConnell, FBI Director Comey, Rudy Giuliani and Trump staffers knew all along; Russians were intimately involved in helping their comrade Trump win the election to garner aid and comfort from a cabal of traitors who should be arrested, prosecuted and convicted of treason; the only crime the Founders actually defined in the U.S. Constitution.
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Donald Trump is back at it. Having attacked Boeing via Twitter, and doing real harm to the company, he has now launched an attack on Lockheed:

The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016

As as been noted, this has real consequences, with Lockheed Martin Corp. shares falling 2.5 percent to $253 before the stock market opened Monday and falling quickly 3 percent.

CNBCs Carl Quintanilla noted,

Kurt Eichenwald called out Trumps Boeing attacks for his lies, abuse of power and stock manipulation and this represents more of the same.

Trump has said he will work to control costs of military contracts, and it is true that costs for the F-35 have doubled, but apparently his way of doing this is to pre-emptively offending corporations by destroying their stock value. There is plenty wrong with this strategy, and yet another reason Trump is an unsuitable choice as president.

As CNBC reports, The F-35 program made up 20 percent of Lockheeds total revenue last year. This is a man who opens his mouth without any concern for what will happen as a result, and who is about to occupy the most powerful position on the globe. That ought to be terrifying to everyone.

Photo: Twitter/CNBC
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Watchdog and Public Service reporter

Thad Moore is a reporter on The Post and Couriers Watchdog and Public Service team and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. To share tips securely, reach Moore via ProtonMail at thadmoore@protonmail.com or on Signal at 843-214-6576.
The Charleston-based Carnival Ecstasy docks at a 1970s-era cruise ship terminal. The State Ports Authority wants to redevelop a warehouse into a new terminal just north of the current site at Union Pier. File/Staff
Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal also said that the constitution could be amended if necessary to help Egypt foil terrorist acts

Around 100 Egyptian MPs proposed on Monday that the Criminal Procedures Law, issued in 1950, be changed to help the country overcome terrorism.

The proposal, submitted by parliament deputy speaker and Wafdist MP Soliman Wahdan, suggests that 1950's criminal procedure law and 2014's presidential decree on protection of public property, be amended to allow all terrorism-related crimes to be referred to military courts.

Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal also said that the constitution could be amended if necessary to help Egypt foil terrorist acts.

The MPs proposal came one day after a bombing attack on a church attached to St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Cairo left 24 dead and more than 40 injured.

After attending funeral services for the victims in east Cairo's district of Nasr City on Monday, MPs returned to parliament with differing perspectives.

Speaker Abdel-Aal told MPs in a plenary session that parliament is determined to uproot terrorism and obliterate "dark forces" in Egypt, even if this requires amending the country's 2014 constitution.

"Let me repeat, if it has become necessary that the constitution be amended to allow terrorism cases to be referred to military courts, parliament will not hesitate to ask for it," said Abdel-Aal.

The parliament speaker said one Western European country is currently debating an amendment to its constitution that would allow those convicted of terrorism crimes to be stripped of their nationality.

"This change to the constitution was presented in this country under the title of 'the Protection of the Nation Amendment," said Abdel-Aal.

Wahdan's proposal calls for "a new article by the name of 231 article to be added to 1950's law on criminal procedures require that 'all terrorism-related crimes be referred to military justice."

The proposal also states that article one of 2014's decree be amended to read: "without affecting the main role of the armed forces in safeguarding the nation and maintaining the integrity of its land and security, the military in full cooperation with police forces will participate in safeguarding vital public property, including electricity stations and pylons, gas and oil pipelines, railway tracks, networks of roads and bridges, and all other forms of public assets.

"Places of worship will be also considered public places and all of these will be classified as military installations as long as they are under the guard and protection of the military and those who attack these installations will be automatically referred to trial before military courts."

In a different proposal, Bahaaeddin Abu Shokka, head of parliament's legislative and constitutional affairs committee and secretary-general of Egypt's Al-Wafd party, proposed that the terrorism law (no.94 of 2015) be amended to designate certain judicial court circuits for the sole review of terrorism-related crimes.

"These circuits, which would be attached to appeal courts, will be asked to issue rulings on terrorism-related crimes within one week, and defendants will have the right to contest verdicts only one time," Abu Shokka proposed.

He added that "Parliament needs trials to be simultaneously fair and quick, with strict observance of the constitution and legislation," Abu Shokka stressed.

Joining forces with Abdel-Aal, the pro-government parliamentary bloc "Support Egypt", proposed Monday that all terrorism-related legislation should be amended to "stand up to recent, dangerous developments in terrorism crimes."

"Terrorists should face quick trials, and if existing laws do not allow this, the constitution itself should be amended to pave the way for this," said head of the bloc Mohamed El-Sewedi.

El-Sewedi, however, supported Wahdan's proposal that the existing criminal procedure law be amended to more easily refer terrorism cases to "quick and firm trials."

Speaker Abdel-Aal told MPs that "Terrorism aims to kill all Egyptians without discrimination between Muslims and Christians, saying the most lowly terrorist acts are the ones which aim to blow up mosques and churches."

"The message after the explosion in the Coptic cathedral yesterday is that terrorism targets all Egyptians  Muslims and Christians  but I am sure that Egyptians will not bow to this terrorism," said Abdel-Al, adding that "parliament will use all means possible to foil terrorist acts and make sure that terrorists fail to drive a wedge between Muslim and Christian Egyptians."

Abdel-Aal urged that all churches in Egypt be provided with "electronic closed-circuit cameras ahead of Christmas celebrations," adding that "this is an urgent measure to safeguard churches against acts of terrorism.'

Abdel-Aal concluded that "if we fail to stand firm against terrorism, there will be no economy, no politics and no state in Egypt."

The parliament speaker praised Egyptian Christians, saying that they have paid a dear price in the form of hundreds of victims.

After Monday's funeral services, deputy speaker Mahmoud El-Sherif told reporters that "parliament will give priority to amending the criminal procedures law."

"We hope within a few days that parliament's legislative and constitutional affairs committee, in cooperation with the minister of parliamentary affairs Magdy El-Agati, will be able to finish amending this law in order to make terrorists face quick and firm trials before a court," said El-Sherif.

El-Sherif indicated that parliament could go as far as approving the imposition of the emergency law to help foil terrorist attacks.

"Please note that countries like France resorted to implementing emergency law after a flurry of terrorist attacks hit the country this year," he said.

El-Sherif said the proposal that terrorism-related crimes be referred to military courts needs some review by parliament's constitutional and legislative affairs committee.

"We have to see first whether this proposal does not contravene the constitution," said El-Sherif, adding that "I agree that if the constitution itself needs amending in order to refer terrorism-related crimes to military courts, parliament will not hesitate to support this."

El-Sherif said the imposition of military tribunals in the 1990s was highly effective in stemming the tide of terrorist crimes in Egypt at the time.

El-Agati told MPs that he prefers amending the criminal procedure law to help expedite trials of terrorist suspects.

"Let me insist that there is no problem with the existing penalties for terrorist crimes; the problem lies with the long time these trials take without justification," said El-Agati.

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Emanuel AMEs former secretary is suing the church and the Rev. Norvel Goff for ending her employment after she questioned the handling of donations that poured into the church after a gunman killed nine worshippers. Read moreFormer secretary at Emanuel AME sues for unpaid wages
Deanna Pan is an enterprise reporter for The Post and Courier, where she writes about education and other issues. She grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati and graduated with a degree in English from Ohio State University in 2012.
Angie Jackson covers crime and breaking news for The Post and Courier. She previously covered the same beat for the Grand Rapids Press and MLive.com in Michigan. When shes not reporting, Angie enjoys teaching yoga and exploring the outdoors.
Political Editor

Schuyler Kropf is The Post and Courier political editor. He has covered every major political race in South Carolina dating to 1988, including for U.S. Senate, governorship, the Statehouse and Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.
Turkish warplanes struck 29 Islamic State group's targets in northern Syria on Sunday while four of the radical militants and two Turkish-backed Syrian rebels were killed in clashes on the ground, the Turkish military said on Monday.

The Turkish air force has stepped up its air strikes in Syria in recent days as the rebels it supports close in on al-Bab, an Islamic State-held city which Kurdish-dominated militias have also been trying to take from the militants.

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Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
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
The Post and Courier provides a forum for our readers to share their opinions, and to hold up a mirror to our community. Publication does not imply endorsement by the newspaper; the editorial staff attempts to select a representative sample of letters because we believe its important to let our readers see the range of opinions their neighbors submit for publication.
On Thursday, 17-year-old Puok Kang put the last coat of stain on a bookshelf he had constructed in his wood shop class at Phoenix Academy in Rochester.

Soon, his bookshelf and two others like it will be filled with new volumes and in their new home at the juvenile detention center.

The books and shelves are part of the Kindness Project, driven by Mayo High School senior Christie Greason, who has secured more than $16,000 in grants and donations to get books into the hands of kids at the juvenile detention center.

In collaboration with Phoenix Academy, Greason will provide three bookshelves worth of reading materials.

Greason struck up a separate partnership with Phoenix, bringing books to students there, but when she found out they had a wood shop class, the school agreed to partner and provide bookshelves for the project.

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As a sophomore, Greason became a member on the Olmsted County Youth Commission, which gave her the opportunity to become student representative on an advisory board. She joined the Olmsted County Department of Corrections Task Force.

"I had no idea what a corrections task force was at the time," Greason said. "But I thought it sounded interesting so I just went along and joined it."

She quickly discovered some alarming statistics about literacy for kids in the juvenile detention center.

"If kids fall behind in their reading, they're never going to be able to catch up with their other school work," Greason said. "And I want them to be able to go to college and be successful, so I'm starting with literacy, I guess."

She applied for grants from Mayo Clinic, Wal-Mart, publishing companies and area banks to fund the purchase of books.

"Christie has been the driving force behind it," said Phoenix Principal Rob Scripture. "In 25 years of education, I don't know if I've ever met a kid like Christie, so driven, so passionate and really a great cause for our underserved kids."

Greason also has worked with Phoenix students, Scripture said. She knows all the reading levels of the elementary kids at Phoenix Academy and brings them bags of books at their reading levels.

Greason was honored at the October school board meeting for going above and beyond, a recognition typically reserved for the district's adults, said superintendent Michael Munoz.

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Munoz said she asked him to write letters of support for the grants she applied for.

"I knew 10 minutes going into our conversation that she was a very determined young lady," he said at the October meeting. "This is a perfect example of a young lady who isn't thinking about herself, who is thinking about the needs of others."
A longtime downtown Rochester business is looking to the west.

The 91-year-old Hentges Glasshas a project in the works in the Byron West Industrial Park, along U.S. 14.

Hentges Glass, now based at 626 First Ave. SW, is building a 10,000-square-foot shop at 1631 Voll Dr. NW. A City of Byron building permit puts the valuation of the project at $855,126.

Hentges owner Phil Wintheiserdeclined to comment on the Byron project last week.

"We're not at liberty to discuss that at this point," he said.

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Wintheiser bought land in the Byron West Industrial Park on March 16 for $144,226 from GLM Holdings LLC, based at 320 South Broadway in Rochester. That's also the address of Starr Construction, which is listed as the contractor for the Hentges building project. Grant Michaletz's Construction Collaborativebusiness also is based at that address.

It's unclear what the new building might mean for Hentges, which works with major Rochester clients such as Mayo Clinic, Weis Builders and Alvin E. Beinke Inc.It could be a second office or it could be a new home for the business.

Hentges' spot on First Avenue is in the middle of where the University of Minnesota Rochesterhopes to eventually build a 10-acre campus.

UMR has purchased a few parcels through the years, including two former restaurant buildings along South Broadway. However, the university has not made any public moves to acquire the buildings that house Hentges, Scharf Autoor Rochester's VFW Post 1215.

Meanwhile, the Destination Medical Centerinitiative is attracting a lot of developers to Rochester's downtown, so that area's value continues to grow.
Dodge County

Commissioners discuss road-and-bridge projects

MANTORVILLE  The Dodge County Board of Commissioners discussed potential road and bridge repair and replacement projects at its Nov. 22 meeting.

County engineer Guy Kohnhofer presented to the board the list of projects that could see progress within the next five years, provided funding is available. One bridge that particularly needs a look is Bridge 89134 near Claremont, which is scheduled for replacement in 2017.

Houston County

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Board of Adjustment increases to 5 members

CALEDONIA  The Houston Count Board of Commissioners now will have a five-member Board of Adjustment, up from the previous three with an alternate.

The current members' terms are expiring at the end of December. The public is encouraged to apply for a position on the board, and the board is trying to get representatives from every district on the board.

Fillmore County

Fountain reviews action on wastewater plant

FOUNTAIN  The corrective action on Fountain's wastewater treatment plant was up for discussion among the Fountain City Council Dec. 1.

WSB and Associates' Richard Parr spoke to the council about steps taken to bring the plant into compliance with the MPCA and the aggressive schedule the project will be set on to take advantage of 2017 fiscal year spending. He also has visited with Valley Design regarding a possible agreement to monitor the wastewater.

Mower County

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Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awards grants

AUSTIN  Several Austin-area arts groups received grants from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. They included:

 $10,000 to the Austin Area Commission for the Arts.

 $3,000 to Austin Community Band.

 $3,000 to Austin Symphony Orchestra.

 $3,000 to Matchbox Children's Theatre.

 $10,000 to Summerset Community Theatre.

Wabasha County

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Wabasha receives donations for library project

WABASHA  The city of Wabasha accepted $4,210 in donations for its children's library expansion project at its meeting Tuesday night.

The expansion, which has been approved by the library board, will ad 1,150 square feet to the library, primarily a space for large group programs, additional storage, a collaborative study room and additional gathering space.

Goodhue County

Welding certificate available at Red Wing campus

RED WING  Minnesota State College Southeast has expanded its welding program to include a new one-semester, collegiate certificate option on the Red Wing campus.

MSC Southeast recently has opened a newly renovated welding lab in Red Wing, which is fully equipped with workstations to teach a variety of basic welding processes. The welding technology certificate includes hands-on training in stick, MIG and TIG welding, as well as lecture coursework in safety, theory and blueprint reading.

The welding certificate on the Red Wing campus will become available for the first time starting in spring semester 2017.

Winona County

Envirolastech breaks ground at new plant

ST. CHARLES  Envirolastech Inc. held a ceremonial groundbreaking Saturday at 2133 Enterprise Drive, the site of its future manufacturing plant.

City officials and company executives took "golden shovel" photographs to mark the beginning of construction of the new facility in the Chattanooga Innovation Park.
The Syrian army recaptured a major district of Aleppo on Monday, leaving rebel fighters cornered in a small pocket as the battle for the city entered its "final phase".

President Bashar al-Assad's forces held more than 90 percent of the onetime opposition stronghold of east Aleppo, a monitor and military official said, and appeared on the verge of retaking the entire city.

A Syrian military official in Aleppo told AFP the "operation in eastern neighbourhoods is entering its final phase", as fierce clashes were reported in the few districts of the city left under rebel control.

The fall of Aleppo would deal the rebels their worst defeat since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported early on Monday that the army had captured the large Sheikh Saeed district in southeast Aleppo.

Syrian official media confirmed the retaking of Sheikh Saeed, with state television showing what it said was live footage from the neighbourhood.

Only the districts of Mashhad and Sukkari remained fully under opposition control, said the Britain-based Observatory, with others divided between the opposition and advancing army troops.

"The areas still under opposition control are very small, and they could fall at any moment," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Overnight and into Monday morning, government warplanes and artillery pounded the remaining rebel-held territory in the east of the city.

An AFP correspondent in the government-held west of Aleppo said the bombardment could be heard from there and was some of the heaviest in recent days.

Terrified residents have poured out of rebel-held neighbourhoods as the army advanced since beginning its operation on November 15.

The Observatory said Monday another 10,000 people had fled rebel areas in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who have left -- mostly to government-held territory -- to 130,000.

On Sunday alone, state news agency SANA said, 8,000 people fled rebel districts through government-run crossings.

It said about half were transferred to temporary shelters, while the rest were staying with relatives in west Aleppo.

And at least 3,500 civilians left east Aleppo neighbourhoods on Monday, SANA reported.

Syria's rebels seized control of east Aleppo in 2012, a year into an uprising that began with anti-government protests but spiralled into a civil war after a regime crackdown.

The war has become a complex multi-front conflict, drawing in proxy powers and jihadists like the Islamic State group, which on Sunday overran the city of Palmyra nine months after being expelled.

IS began a new offensive in the desert east of Homs province last week, seizing government positions and oil fields before advancing on Palmyra.

It was briefly forced back from the city early Sunday, after heavy Russian air strikes and the arrival of Syrian troop reinforcements.

But despite the efforts, the Observatory said Sunday afternoon that the group had recaptured all of the city.

IS held Palmyra between May 2015 and March 2016, carrying out a campaign of destruction against ancient ruins in the city that are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On Monday, the jihadists were advancing south and west of Palmyra, fighting with the army near the town of Al-Qaryatain, the monitor said, as Russian warplanes carried out fresh strikes.

Four civilians, including two children, were killed by IS gunfire in the city as the group carried out "clearing operations" on Sunday, the Observatory said.

After taking control of the city, IS also carried out execution-style killings of eight people accused of being regime fighters or supporters in Palmyra, it said.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, and over half the country displaced.

The government assault on Aleppo has killed at least 415 civilians since mid-November, according to the Observatory. Another 130 civilians have been slain in rebel fire on the west of the city in the same period, it says.

Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict have repeatedly failed.

Russia last week said talks were underway with US officials on securing a ceasefire in Aleppo and the withdrawal of all rebel forces from the city.

But despite a series of high-level meetings there was no progress in halting the fighting.

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Candidates for Minnesota governor in 2018 already are emerging, and one of the names being bandied about is 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz. So would the congressman consider a run?

I recently got a chance to ask Walz that question. First and foremost, the Mankato Democrat said he is focused on preparing for his sixth term in Congress but added, "the future is always open."

Walz also offered a glimpse at a possible theme for his campaign should he choose to run. He said it is critical that the candidates running for governor are able to bring together rural and urban Minnesotans.

"I hope both the Democratic and the Republican candidate for governor figure out a way to run a campaign based on how they can bring us together  not exploiting the difference between the urban and rural areas," he said.

Walz said he believes it is critical that the next governor address the urban/rural divide to help keep Minnesota's economy strong. Otherwise, he said, the division could end up hurting the state's economic future.

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Walz narrowly won re-election, defeating Republican candidate Jim Hagedorn by three-quarters of a percentage point. Walz's victory came despite Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's overwhelming victory in the southern Minnesota district. Trump got 53 percent of the vote compared to Democrat Hillary Clinton's 38 percent.

Other possible candidates for governor

Who else might run for governor in two years? Turns out, lots of people are eyeing the job. On the DFL side, Deputy Minority Leader Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, already has announced she is running. Other Democrats whose names are being mentioned include U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, state Auditor Rebecca Otto, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk.

There also are plenty of Republicans believed to be mulling a run in 2018. Names frequently mentioned include House Majority Leader Kurt Daudt, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, House Health and Human Services Finance Chairman Matt Dean, Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Keith Downey and incoming Senate Deputy Leader Michelle Benson.

Health care forums

Two local forums are planned focused on soaring health insurance premiums in the state's individual insurance market. Former Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch will be in Rushford on Tuesday to talk about the health care crisis and what can be done to fix it. Hatch will speak during a Land Stewardship Project meeting. The meeting runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall in Rushford Village, 43038 Minnesota Highway 30. The event is free and open to the public. There also will be a navigator from Health Access MN to help people find insurance coverage for 2018. The deadline to enroll via MNsure is Thursday for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

Former Republican Rep. Fran Bradley has organized a health care town hall on Thursday in Rochester. People will have a chance to talk about how high health insurance costs are impacting them. There also will be discussion about problems with the state's health insurance exchange, MNsure. Bradley has invited other Republican lawmakers to attend the event as well. The goal is to come up with a list of short- and long-term fixes. The forum will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wood Lake Meeting Center, 210 Woodlake Drive SE. It is free and open to the public.
ST. PAUL  Deaths from opioid overdoses rose in Minnesota last year, especially among younger adults, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 338 people died as a result of opioid overdoses in Minnesota in 2015, up from 319 the previous year. The number of people being killed by opioid overdoses has risen steadily since 1999, although Minnesota still fares better than many hard-hit states like West Virginia and Maine.

Opioids are a family of drugs that includes both illegal heroin and popular prescription painkillers like oxycodone. Opioids create a strong physical dependence and can kill a user during an overdose by shutting down their respiratory system.

For the first time since at least the 1990s, the greatest number of overdose deaths occurred among people in their late 20s or early 30s rather than older people.

The type of opioid people use can vary by region, but synthetic opioids seem to have become more accessible recently, said Dana Farley, alcohol and drug prevention policy director at the Minnesota Department of Health.

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That could account for some of the deaths among younger users, Farley said.

"We see that from the law enforcement information, that there's increased supplies coming in from South America and from overseas," Farley said. "These are starting to influence the kinds of opioids, the heroin, the strength, the increased potency."

The greatest number of overdose deaths last year occurred in Hennepin County, according to the CDC data, where opioids killed 101 people. Metro-area counties like Ramsey, Anoka and Dakota counties also lost dozens of people and had overdose death rates just slightly below Hennepin County.

But St. Louis County in northern Minnesota had the highest overdose death rate: at least two dozen people died from opioid overdoses there last year.

Maggie Kazel, program manager for Rural Aids Action Network, knows many of the people who died last year. They were clients who came into her center to get the overdose antidote naloxone or clean needles.

"It's hitting rural areas harder than it is cities. I think that's a hard concept for a lot of people to grasp because we have a historic setup in our brains of drugs equal big cities," Kazel said. "What we see in Duluth is horrible, what they see on the Iron Range is pure tragic."

Most of the people killed by opioid overdoses last year were white, but American Indians in the state died at a rate about five times as high. African-Americans also died at higher rates than whites.

Economic distress seems to be part of what's behind especially high opioid death rates in northern Minnesota, Kazel said, as people who are dependent on opioids scramble to get drugs of unpredictable purity or strength, which can cause overdose.

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The fact that St. Louis County is so large, and that people often need to go long distances to get medical treatment or help with addiction, makes the problem even worse, Kazel said. Even more beds in treatment centers would help her corner of the state.

The state of Minnesota is stepping up programs to combat the opioid epidemic, Farley said. The state Department of Health has been distributing naloxone, also known as Narcan, so first responders in eight regions in the state now have more access to it.

The CDC recently awarded the Minnesota health department about $585,000 to develop more comprehensive opioid overdose prevention plans in the state, including a program for better data collection and improvements to the state's prescription monitoring program.
In a speech to the Heritage Foundation last week, Vice President-elect Mike Pence recalled how, during the campaign, both he and President-elect Trump regularly reminded conservative voters that the next president would likely have the opportunity to influence the Supreme Court and its influence for the next forty years, and the American people responded to that message. Pence assured the audience that the Trump administration will soon make good on its promise to influence the Court by replacing Justice Antonin Scalia with a justice of similar qualifications and judicial philosophy.

One of the potential nominees is Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras. Candidate Trump identified 11 candidates among whom he would make his selection if elected. I put in a good word for Justice David Stras in an earlier post and also posted the video of a speech Justice Stras gave to the Twin Cities Cardozo Society about his grandfather Walter Stras in Justice Stras remembers his grandfather. Those posts showed Strass compelling family history and Strass commitment to a judicial philosophy similar to Justice Scalias.

In this post I offer a few reasons why Justice Strass personal attributes make him extremely well qualified to serve as the next justice. Although it may be slightly confusing, I refer to him as Justice Stras because of his current position as associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

1) Justice Stras was a popular and respected teacher at the University of Minnesota Law School. Justice Stras follows in the footsteps of Justice Scalia in having worked full-time as a faculty member at a major law school before appointment to the bench  Justice Stras at the University of Minnesota Law School, Justice Scalia at the University of Chicago Law School. Noting this fact, I would like to quote from the words of then Dean David Wippman in his introduction to the Minnesota Law Reviews special issue honoring Justice Stras upon his departure from the law school for the Minnesota Supreme Court:

David Stras joined the University of Minnesota Law School faculty in 2004 and quickly established himself as a rising star, both as a teacher and a scholar. Only two years after he arrived, he was named the Stanley V. Kinyon Tenure Track Teacher of the Year. The award came as no surprise. Students quickly came to hold Professor Stras in the highest regard. They appreciated his insights, the time he devoted to preparation, and his passion for his subject. Equally important, they knew how much he cared about them. His enthusiasm in class was apparent and infectious. But Davids concern for students was not confined to the classroom. David made it a personal mission to expand our students clerkship opportunities. He worked tirelessly with judges at all levels, including many of his new colleagues on the Minnesota Supreme Court, to place as many students as possible. David also served as the Law Review advisor, helping the editors identify topics, plan symposia, and navigate the byzantine world of academic publishing. It therefore came as no surprise that the Law Review, on its own initiative, decided to organize and publish this Tribute to Justice Stras. David also quickly built a reputation as an accomplished and insightful observer of all things Supreme Court. Just a few years into his academic career, David published a series of important articles examining the U.S. Supreme Courts jurisprudence, its docket, and its history, and rapidly established himself as a leading voice in contemporary constitutional debates. * * * * * Davids talents as a teacher and scholar were matched only by his warmth and collegiality. David loves the exchange of ideas. He does not shrink from intellectual debate; certainly, he has never hesitated to tell me when he thinks Im wrong about something. No doubt he will not hesitate to dissent if he disagrees with a court majority. But when David does disagree with a colleague, he always has good reasons, he articulates them well, and, perhaps most important, he engages in good faith dialogue. He is open to persuasion, and even when he disagrees, he respects the positions of those with whom he disagrees. Davids openness and intellectual integrity have earned him the respect and friendship of his faculty colleagues and students alike, whatever their own political leanings.

The whole thing and more are here.

As I noted earlier, Justice Thomas traveled to Minnesota to administer the oath when Justice Stras took office on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Justice Thomas put it this way: Justice Stras was prepared for the job by training, by experience, by disposition. The same applies to his possible Supreme Court appointment.

2) Justice Stras has a consistent record of using a textualist/originalist approach, and will not change that approach over time. In A Word for David Stras, I highlighted several of Justice Strass Minnesota Supreme Court opinions demonstrating his use of textualism and originalism. Justice Strass originalist methodology, however, did not begin at the Minnesota Supreme Court, and  in fact  his academic and judicial writings show that textualism and originalism have always been fundamental to Justice Strass view of how the law should be interpreted and applied.

At the University of Minnesota Law School Justice Stras quickly established himself as a leading scholar on federal courts, writing (and compiling) the book (a casebook) on the subject. As an academic, Justice Stras consistently employed an originalist methodology in analyzing constitutional questions. For example, Justice Stras co-wrote Retaining Life Tenure: The Case for a Golden Parachute in which he focused on the text, structure, and original meaning of Article III, Section 1. The constitutional provision states that judges are to hold their offices during good behaviour. Justice Stras traced the use of the phrase during good behaviour back to English common law on property conveyances and through the Federalist Papers to conclude that the original understanding of the term was that well-behaved judges would receive appointments for life. This article demonstrates that, as a professor in 2005, Stras applied originalist methodology as his principal approach to constitutional interpretation.

Justice Strass opinions on the Minnesota Supreme Court employ the same originalism. As noted elsewhere, Justice Strass majority opinion in United Prairie Bank v. Haugen Nutrition & Equip., LLC, 813 N.W.2d 49 (Minn. 2012) is perhaps the best example. Justice Stras applied an originalist understanding to the Minnesota Constitutions right to a jury trial to conclude that the right would have been understood to apply to similar claims at the time the state constitution was adopted. He explained: [O]ur case law requires us to analyze current causes of action and pleading practices in the context of the theories of relief available in, and the jurisprudence of, the 1850s. The focus of the inquiry therefore depends on whether Minnesotas territorial courts guaranteed the right to a jury trial in the type of action pled in a complaint. Id. at 53-54. Applying this analysis, Justice Stras concluded that the right to a jury trial included the claim in the case.

Both Justice Strass academic work and judicial opinions convey a consistent commitment to textualism and originalism. Justice Strass views on the matter clearly are established and essential to his understanding of how legal texts should be interpreted. There is no reason to believe Strass approach will shift if he is appointed to the Supreme Court.

3) At 42-years old, Stras could influence the application of law in the United States for decades. The average age of sitting Supreme Court justices is now historically old; the average age of current justices now approaches 70. Justice Stras is the youngest judge on Trumps first list of potential nominees.

For reference, Justice Thomas had just turned 43 when he was appointed in 1991, and the median age for justices appointed to the court since 1789 is 54.5. Apart from simply making the court younger, a Stras appointment would send a signal about the type of judges Trumps administration will select in the future. As Hugh Hewitt suggested on Twitter here and here, President-elect Trump could appoint Stras and then announce that future appointees also will be young, highly qualified and conservative. This would demonstrate the Trump administrations commitment to influencing the federal courts for the next 40 years.

4) Justice Stras would bring a unique perspective to business cases. Given President-elect Trumps business background, its not surprising that Trumps list of potential court nominees includes two judges who hold MBA degrees in addition to law degrees  Justice Stras holds a JD/MBA from the University of Kansas and Judge Raymond Gruender holds a JD/MBA from Washington University. Justice Strass business education is evident in his work on the Minnesota Supreme Court, where he has written several opinions in complex business and regulatory cases. See, e.g., Minnesota Energy Res. Corp. v. Commr of Revenue, Case No. A15-0422, 2016 WL 6635550 (Minn. Nov. 9, 2016). Regardless of how one views the ongoing debate regarding the supposedly pro-business bent of the Roberts court, Justice Strass education in, and experience with, business issues add an important component to his qualifications for the Supreme Court.

5) Justice Stras may be relatively easy to confirm. Minnesotas two Democratic senators  Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken  both sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Justice Stras campaigned across the state when he ran for election to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2012 (following his appointment by Gov. Pawlenty to fill a vacancy) and won election easily. Circumstances suggest the political difficulty Senators Klobuchar and Franken would have attacking Justice Stras as too extreme for the high court. This may not be enough for Democrats to vote to confirm Justice Stras, but it may be enough to avoid a drawn-out partisan battle over the presidents first Supreme Court nominee.

NOTE: I would like to acknowledge the research assistance of Minneapolis attorney David Asp in the preparation of this post.
In the course of research for my two-volume history of Ronald Reagan I read through a lot of declassified CIA assessments and reports, and was amazed at how consistently bad, and most often wrong, the analysis was. Heres one example I included in the book:

On October 5, 1973, the CIAs daily bulletin commented on Egyptian military exercises on the west bank of the Suez canal, just across the canal from the Israeli-occupied Sinai peninsula: The exercise and alert activities . . . in Egypt may be on a somewhat larger scale and more realistic than previous exercises, but they do not appear to be preparing for a military offensive against Israel. The very next day, the CIAs daily bulletin reiterated its judgment that For Egypt a military initiative makes little sense at this critical juncture. Before the ink was dry, 70,000 Egyptian troops and 800 tanks started rolling across pontoon bridges over the Suez. Syria launched a simultaneous surprise attack in the Golan Heights to Israels northeast. The attack had been carefully planned for months, yet Egypt achieved complete surprise over the CIA.

I could go on with a whole catalogue of CIA assessment blunders, from the Bay of Pigs, repeated wrongheaded conclusions about Vietnam, completely wrongheaded conclusions about the Soviet economy almost to the very end, and underestimating Soviet military expenditures and arms buildups. The CIA concluded after Pope John Paul II was named in 1978 that it will undoubtedly prove extremely worrisome to Moscow. For this keen analysis American taxpayers must pay? (And who can forget the CIA concluding about 10 years ago that Iran had given up its drive to develop nuclear weapons. Was anyone fired for that assessment?)

The left loves to remind us of the CIAs assurances that WMDs in Iraq was a slam dunk, but my favorite example of CIA cluelessness was its 1986 assessment that real per capital income in East Germany was higher than real per capita income in West Germany ($10,440 versus $10,220)a proposition so absurd that you needed to have an Ivy League education to believe it. But thats just the problem; any taxi driver in West Berlin could have told you this was nonsense, but the CIA didnt have any taxi drivers on their payroll, preferring sophisticated Ivy League graduates instead. This misprision turned out to be a cause of alarm and dismay in the eastern bloc. East Germanys chief spymaster Markus Wolf later confessed: For a time in the late 1970s and 1980s the quality of the American agents was so poor and their work so haphazard that our masters began to ask fearfully whether Washington had stopped taking East Germany seriously.

Richard Nixon hated the CIA, and they reciprocated that hatred in ways that are still probably not fully known. Reagans great CIA director, William Casey, knew the CIA was dysfunctional and mostly went around it in his drive to undermine the Soviet Union. Another excerpt from my second Reagan book:

What Casey found was a stifling bureaucracy; Robert Gates wrote that it had slowly turned into the Department of Agriculture. Casey had been around Washington long enough to know that the CIA bureaucracy would not be susceptible to sweeping reform schemes; he had said as much at his confirmation hearings, telling the Senate Intelligence Committee This is not the time for another bureaucratic shake-up of the CIA. He also had the requisite distrust of the CIAs inertia. The Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky recalled visiting Casey with a proposal for nasty deed against the USSR. Its just great, Casey told him, but let me give you some advice: dont tell anyone in the CIA about it; theyll screw it up. He focused instead on trying to get specific divisions of the CIA to conceive of their mission in radically new ways. Casey and Gates did shake up CIA analysts when they announced that henceforth the accuracy of individual reports would be taken into account when it came time for promotions.

The basic problem of the CIA is that, like any other bureaucracy, it will tend to send up the kind of assessments that it thinks its political masters want. Hence the Vietnam-era findings that were always congenial to LBJ (until they werent congenial), etc. The latest CIA assessment that Russia influenced our election may be true, but it is also highly convenient for what the Obama Administration would like to hear just now, no?

So if Trump really wants to drain the swamp, maybe he should revive an idea first proposed by Daniel Patrick Moynihan back in the 1990sabolish the CIA. And Trump can claim it is a bipartisan idea: Moynihan isnt the only Democrat who has made the suggestion. Bernie Sanders has been for abolishing the CIA. It would be fun to watch liberal critics of the CIA twist themselves into knots if Trump proposed this. Pass the popcorn.

Chaser:
The left has relentlessly attacked Sen. Jeff Sessions as a racist. Sessions Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle know the charge to be false, and African-Americans from his home state who know the Senator have refuted it.

Because the racism slander wont fly, were now being told that Sessions is anti-LGBT. In support of this charge, critics cite what CNN calls a public campaign as Alabama attorney general in 1996 to prevent a gay rights group from holding a conference at the University of Alabama.

Actually, it was the University of South Alabama. More importantly, according to Alan Sears, the CEO of the Alliance Defending Freedom, Sessions wasnt trying to block funding for the conference as a whole, but only for a specific session of it  one aimed at teaching attendees how to perform homosexual acts.

What did Sessions public campaign consist of? It consisted mainly of litigation, conducted initially by Sessions Democratic predecessor, to uphold a state law that made it illegal for public universities in the state to provide funding to any group that promoted actions prohibited by (the States) sodomy and sexual misconduct laws.

It was, of course, Sessions job as Alabama attorney general to defend laws passed by the Alabama legislature. Thats what he did in the case of the gay rights group.

Sessions critics complain that after Alabama lost before a federal district court judge on First Amendment grounds, he vowed to appeal the adverse ruling and sought a stay of the courts order pending appeal.

The district court declined to stay its order. Apparently, there was no appeal, and the conference took place as planned.

The steps Sessions took after the district courts courts initial ruling against his client are all normal things a losing party does in this context. Again, Sessions was simply doing his job.

In addition to pursuing a legal action, Sessions tried to persuade the University to cancel the conference. Such attempts at persuasion are basically an adjunct to litigation. This too was an attempt to defend the Alabama law.

An attorney general should not defend a law that, in his judgment, is patently unconstitutional. However, there is no evidence that Sessions viewed the Alabama law in question as constitutionally indefensible.

I agree with his assessment that the law could be defended. Neither CNN nor the New York Daily News, which joined in this attack on Sessions, attempts to show that the arguments Sessions advanced were frivolous.

In any event, even if Sessions was wrong in thinking the statute was defensible, it would mean only that he held a mistaken view of the First Amendment. It wouldnt show that hes a bigot.

It is now the law of the land that sodomy laws are unconstitutional. Thus, Alabamas argument that it had the right to enact laws that prohibit aiding, furthering, or abetting violation of State sodomy and sexual misconduct laws would be frivolous today.

But it wasnt frivolous in 1995 when Sessions had to decide whether to follow the course set by his Democratic predecessor and defend the legislatures decision to ban state funding to groups that promoted sodomy. In fact, the Supreme Court had ruled in 1986 that states are free to ban sodomy. It didnt reverse course until 2003.

Joe Biden said yesterday that the president gets to choose who he wants or she wants for their cabinet members unless either they are taking over the job with the express purpose of not enforcing the law. . . Jeff Sessions conduct in the case of the Alabama gay rights group is evidence that he enforces the law. There is no reason to doubt that he will follow current law in the area of gay rights and civil rights generally.

What he is unlikely to do is stretch these laws. Therein lies the lefts real objection to Sen. Sessions.

NOTE: I have modified this post slightly since it first appeared.
Technically, Joe Biden isnt out of office yet. But as a lame duck vice president, he might as well be.

With his political career at an end, Talkin Joe is finally talkin sense. Today, Biden indicated that hes probably okay with Sen. Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. He did so during an interview with Jake Tapper.

After boasting about leading the fight not to confirm Sessions as a federal judge 30 years ago, Biden allowed that people learn, people change. He meant Sessions, not himself.

Biden went on to say, my general rule is, the president gets to choose who he wants or she wants for their cabinet members unless either they are taking over the job with the express purpose of not enforcing the law in that area. . . He then offered examples of nominees past and present whose willingness to enforce the law he has questioned. Sessions wasnt among them.

The exchanged concluded with this:

TAPPER: Sounds like you think Senator Sessions will uphold the law. BIDEN: Im hoping he will. Lets see what he says in his confirmation hearing and what commitments he makes.

Biden was a Senate colleague of Sessions for decades. They are still colleagues in a sense, given the vice presidents role in the Senate. Indeed, Biden told Tapper that he was talking to Jeff on the floor yesterday.

Biden knows that Sen. Sessions isnt a bigot. Otherwise, he would have spoken out against the Alabama man on Tappers show, if not before.

Like Arlen Specter, Biden also knows that the decision not to confirm Sessions in 1986 based on charges of racism was an error (to give the decision its most innocent explanation). Biden cant admit it, so he relies on the idea that people learn, people change.

The fact that Joe Biden, a slow learner, is now unwilling to join the Democratic mob thats opposing the Sessions nomination suggests that, with his political career at an end and no more funds to raise, the vice president has finally changed.
 Power Line Always Gets There First: Greg Weiner of Assumption College, author of a fine book about Pat Moynihan, has a fine article out today on RealClearPolitics about Trump and the complaints of the left that Trump doesnt tell the truth. Good stuffclose to what we wrote here last week.

Weiner:

We are beginning to encounter middle-of-the-road politicians who will seemingly say anything. We approach a fantasized condition. In 2016, we arrived at that condition, and the Left found itself theoretically disarmed. How was a movement that had long rejected the idea of truth to accuse Donald Trump of falsehood? For him, truth was exactly what Michel Foucault had asserted it to be: a means to power. . . The institutions that should check every statistic are increasingly allergic to stating anything in the language of truth. The academics experiencing apoplexy over Trumps rhetoric have in fact spent decades dismantling the philosophical infrastructure of truth. They have done so in the name of a moral relativism intended to inhibit the imposition of cultural norms. Now, finding moral objectivity suddenly usefulsuch as insisting on truth and civility in political conversationit is unavailable to them. This assumes an especially ironic cast in the case of the media, whose very objectivity becomes an excuse for refusing to state objective fact. Consider The New York Times obituary of Fidel Castro. A caption under a photograph of the Cuban tyrant gingerly allowed that he was seen as a ruthless despot by some and hailed as a revolutionary hero by others.

Power Line, last week:

It was Nietzsche who remarked that there are no facts, only interpretation. From this small beginning the entire contemporary world of post-modernism was born, reaching its apogee in the swamp of the Frankfurt School, Foucault and other nihilist thinkers who argue, among other things, that there is no objective basis for making a truth claimand that even language itself it a purely subjective exercise in exerting power. Non-foundationalism is all the rage at the universities these days, as I explore in a certain forthcoming book. . . Who is it that created this post-truth climate? Once again, it was liberalism. And just how vigorously has the mainstream media ever stood against this nihilist undertow? That would be zip, zilch, nada.

Nice to have good company on this important point, as well as a reminder that Power Line always gets there first!

 Al Gore is coming out with a sequel to An Inconvenient Truth. Can we really be this lucky? First the British Labour Party picks Jeremy Corbyn as its leader, the Democrats nominate Hillary Clinton for president, re-elect Nancy Pelosi as its leader in the House, and may yet install Keith Ellison as their party chair. Did clueless liberals at the Center for American Progress and Tom Steyers Pacific Heights mansion really sit around wondering, How can we be even more egregiously out of touch? Ive got it! Lets inflict another Al Gore climate documentary on the world!

Good times indeed. Problem is, it means Im going to have to suit up agaiun, update my own climate Power Point show, and make a new video of my own. But nothings too big a chore when it comes to Gore.

 Speaking of the climatistas, the (New Jersey) Star-Ledger last week ran a nice profile of the eminent Princeton physicist Freeman Dyson, who was Albert Einsteins successor at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton many years back. I did once get to speak with Dyson on the phone along with his equally skeptical distinguished colleague Will Happer. Here is the best part of the story:

Dyson came to this country from his native England at age 23 and immediately made major breakthroughs in quantum theory. After that he worked on a nuclear-powered rocket (see video below). Then in the late 1970s, he got involved with early research on climate change at the Institute for Energy Analysis in Oak Ridge, Tenn. That research, which involved scientists from many disciplines, was based on experimentation. The scientists studied such questions as how atmospheric carbon dioxide interacts with plant life and the role of clouds in warming. But that approach lost out to the computer-modeling approach favored by climate scientists. And that approach was flawed from the beginning, Dyson said. I just think they dont understand the climate, he said of climatologists. Their computer models are full of fudge factors. A major fudge factor concerns the role of clouds. The greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide on its own is limited. To get to the apocalyptic projections trumpeted by Al Gore and company, the models have to include assumptions that CO-2 will cause clouds to form in a way that produces more warming. The models are extremely oversimplified, he said. They dont represent the clouds in detail at all. They simply use a fudge factor to represent the clouds.

Dyson goes on to lay out the view that the climate crusade has become a form of religion, which seems right. And then he ups the ante:

There are people who just need a cause thats bigger than themselves, said Happer. Then they can feel virtuous and say other people are not virtuous. To show how uncivil this crowd can get, Happer e-mailed me an article about an Australian professor who proposes  quite seriously  the death penalty for heretics such as Dyson. As did Galileo, they can get a reprieve if they recant. I hope that guy never gets to hear Dysons most heretical assertion: Atmospheric CO-2 may actually be improving the environment. Its certainly true that carbon dioxide is good for vegetation, Dyson said. About 15 percent of agricultural yields are due to CO-2 we put in the atmosphere. From that point of view, its a real plus to burn coal and oil. In fact, theres more solid evidence for the beneficial effects of CO-2 than the negative effects, he said. So why does the public hear only one side of this debate? Because the media do an awful job of reporting it.

If you have 15 minutes, heres Dyson explaining his reasons for his heresy about the consensus. Its just one of several videos of Dyson you can find on YouTube. It would be fun to see him debate Al Gore, but Gore refuses ever to appear alongside anyone who doesnt conform to his rigid orthodoxy.
Donald Trump reportedly will nominate Exxon-Mobil chief Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State barring a late and unanticipated shift in Trumps thinking. So says the Washington Post among other outlets.

Tillersons experience with foreign affairs apparently consists entirely of negotiating oil deals with foreigners. This is an unconventional resume for Secretary of State.

However, Trump seems to have conducted a diligent search for his Secretary of State, and I have seen no evidence that Tillerson is a crony. Thus, when it comes to qualifications, I think we should defer to the president-elects ability to find talent.

The real potential problem with picking Tillerson is his close relationship with Vladimir Putin. This might do for an ambassador to Russia, just as Gov. Branstads relationship with Chinas leader arguably recommends him to represent us in Beijing.

It seems problematic, though, to pick a Secretary of State who is tight with a world leader who is a thug, a butcher, a destabilizer, and an ally of Iran. I think its legitimate to wonder whether the selection of Tillerson would signal and facilitate a Russian reset that would make that of Obama-Clinton look like the Cold War by comparison.

Some Republican Senators are worrying about precisely this. Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham have voiced this concern. So has Sen. Marco Rubio.

Rubio put it this way on Twitter:

Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute Im hoping for from a Secretary of State.

Well said.

If these three Senators were to vote against confirming Tillerson, and if all Democrats joined them, this would be enough to sink the nomination. Its premature to call this scenario likely, but its a possibility. Indeed, its possible that McCain, Graham, and Rubio wouldnt be the only Republican defectors.

So far, the Democrats are focused on blocking Jeff Sessions (for Attorney General) and Scott Pruitt (for EPA administrator). Thats where the money is for the Dems.

But nothing says the Democrats cant raise funds by grandstanding on Sessions and Pruitt and at the same time oppose Tillerson. They need to claim one scalp just to keep up morale, and Tillerson (if nominated) may be the only scalp available.

Will the rumblings of McCain, Graham, and Rubio be enough to dissuade Trump from selecting Tillerson? Maybe. But Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he isnt afraid of a fight with these three and, indeed, with all comers.

Theres also the problem of whom to select instead of the Exxon-Mobil man. Trump obviously has reservations about Mitt Romney and John Boltons foreign policy views dont fit well with Trumps. Tillerson may be the only candidate with whom the president-elect feels comfortable.

The Trump transition is about to become even more fascinating than it has been so far.
A British neo-Nazi group will become the first of its kind to be banned under anti-terror laws, with Interior Minister Amber Rudd branding it Monday as "racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic".

Britain's interior ministry said the far-right extremist group, National Action, was being banned under the Terrorism Act as it had been assessed to be "concerned in terrorism".

The move means that supporting or being a member of the organisation will be a criminal offence, carrying a potential 10-year prison sentence, the Home Office said in a statement.

"National Action is a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organisation which stirs up hatred, glorifies violence and promotes a vile ideology, and I will not stand for it," said Rudd, announcing the ban.

"It has absolutely no place in a Britain that works for everyone."

Lawmakers will debate the legislation on Wednesday and it will likely come into force two days later.

The ban follows the conviction last month of far-right extremist Thomas Mair, who was jailed for life for murdering pro-Europe lawmaker Jo Cox a week before Britain's referendum on membership of the EU.

National Action, whose campaigns have included a "Miss Hitler competition", posted messages on Twitter after the opposition Labour MP's killing in June, voicing support for Mair.

The group gloated on its website about the media outrage that ensued after it tweeted "#VoteLeave, don't let this man's sacrifice go in vain," alongside a picture of the Nazi-inspired killer.

During Mair's trial, the court heard how he shouted "Britain first" as he shot and stabbed Cox, while investigators found a stash of German military literature and Third Reich memorabilia when they searched his home.

The interior ministry said the decision to outlaw National Action was taken before Mair's trial but the order was delayed so as to not influence the proceedings.

Under the legislation, a group deemed to be "concerned in terrorism" could be one that commits or prepares for acts of terrorism, or promotes or encourages terrorism, the ministry said.

National Action describes itself on its website as a "growing community of young Nationalists... united in a mission to save our race and generation".

Pictures on the site show members at a march in Berwick, north east England, in October, masked and dressed in black, bearing black and white flags and purportedly chanting "Britain is ours -- The rest must go".

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Democrats and their media adjunct are turning the alleged activities of the Russian government leading up to the election last month into a crisis of the republic. If nothing else, the Democrats continue to demonstrate a great genius for destruction. Politico reports that electoral college electors have demanded an intelligence briefing before the electoral college vote. Subhead: The request represents the latest effort by Democratic electors to look to the Electoral College as a possible bulwark against a Trump presidency. Next up: an appeal to the joint chiefs for military intervention.

The Wall Street Journals lead editorial today is titled  Russian hackers and American hacks (accessible here via Google)  introduces a badly needed note of skepticism:

Somewhere in the Kremlin Vladimir Putin must be laughing. The Russian strongman almost certainly sought to undermine public confidence in American democracy this year, and as the Obama Administration leaves town it is playing into his hands.

Thats the real story behind the weekend reports that U.S. intelligence services have concluded that Russia intervened to assist Donald Trumps presidential campaign. The stories are attributed to senior administration officials who wont go on the record but assert murky details that are impossible to verify without seeing the evidence.

Mr. Trump is denouncing the claims with his usual subtlety, but he has a point about their timing and nature. I dont want anyone hacking us, Mr. Trump said on Fox News Sunday, while blaming the leaks on Democrats. I think its ridiculous and I dont believe it.

Democrats are still in shock from their defeat, and many want to add the Kremlin to FBI Director James Comey, fake news and the Electoral College as excuses that cast doubt on the legitimacy of Mr. Trumps victory.

The new information in these latest stories is less about new intelligence than it is a judgment about Russian motives. Other sources who have seen the intelligence say theres strong evidence that actors linked to high-level Russian officials hacked the Democratic National Committee (DNC) website. The Russians then posted them on sites they set up or handed them to WikiLeaks, though even the WikiLeaks transfer isnt known for sure. The Administration made public the conclusion about the DNC hack months ago.

The difference now is that the intelligence community is said to have concluded with high confidence that the Russians did the hacking to help elect Mr. Trump. But were told the evidence for this conclusion is far from definitive, and multiple intelligence services offered no such judgments when briefing the House Intelligence Committee on the election-related hacks last week.

The New York Times cites claims from its sources that the Russians hacked the Republican National Committee website but then didnt leak any documents. [Note: Reince Priebus disputes the Times story and denies that the RNC was hacked based on the RNCs consultation with the FBI.] But other sources say that while its clear the Russians were probing the RNC website, it isnt clear they penetrated it enough to grab emails. This is in contrast to the months the Russians spent roaming through the DNC site. Were also told that theres no definitive intelligence about who hacked Hillary Clinton campaign chief John Podesta. His emails posted on WikiLeaks were arguably more politically damaging than those from the DNC.

Keep in mind that almost no one thought Mr. Trump would win the election, and its hard to believe the Russians were the sole prophetic exception. The hacking began last spring, and the Russian motive could have been to gather information to embarrass or blackmail Clinton officials once they were in office. The Kremlin could also merely have wanted to sow confusion and doubt on the election result.

If the CIA really does have high confidence about Mr. Putins motives, this would also be the first time in recent history. These are the same seers who missed the Russian invasion of Crimea, missed the incursion into southern Ukraine, and missed Mr. Putins foray into Syria. The intelligence community also claimed high confidence in 2008 for its judgment that Iran had suspended its nuclear-weapons program. That judgment conveniently shut down any further Bush Administration action against Iran. But a year later, in the Obama Administration, our highly confident spooks disclosed Irans secret Fordo underground facility.
The Washington Post reports breathlessly on the latest developments in the ongoing search for alt-right conservatives:

General Motors was under fire this weekend after a casting call for Cadillac sought members of the self-described alt-right movement. According to an image of the casting call posted by the news agency Reuters and many others, the notice said an agency filming the ad was looking for any and all real alt-right thinkers/believers. This is a beautifully artistic spot that is capturing all walks of life of America, the casting call says, adding that it would be filmed later this month. Standing together as a union. This is not meant to be offensive in anyway. Just a representation of all sides. Thank you.

The Post helpfully explains what the alt-right is:

The alt-right, or alternative right, is an extremist movement that seeks a whites-only state.

That explains why, despite knowing hundreds or probably thousands of conservative activists, I have never met a member of the alt-right. There might be a few people who seek a whites-only state, but you can probably count them on your fingers. I have never encountered one, nor do I think that is what Cadillacs ad agency had in mind.

Coming under attack, Cadillac backpedalled as companies nearly always do when criticized by the Left:

Cadillac tried to quell the criticism with postings on Twitter and on its Facebook page: Cadillac did not authorize or approve a casting notice for an alt-right (neo-nazi) role in a commercial. We unequivocally condemn the notice and are seeking immediate answers from our creative agency, production company and any casting companies involved.

So an alt-right person is a neo-Nazi? This is like snipe hunting. I have never met a member of the alt-right, which makes sense since I have never encountered a neo-Nazi, either. These peopleWashington Post reporters and, apparently, Cadillac executivesare nuts.

But it doesnt end there. The Post tries to draw a political conclusion, which is, after all, the whole point:

A key figure in the movement is Stephen Bannon, President-elect Donald Trumps chief strategist and senior adviser in the White House. Bannon was the executive chairman of Breitbart News, a website popular with alt-right supporters.

So the Washington Post thinks (or, rather, pretends to think) that one of Donald Trumps key advisers, Steve Bannon, is a neo-Nazi who seeks a whites-only state. This is completely insane. I have met and chatted with Steve Bannon, and, while I dont claim to be a close personal friend, I know of no reason to think that he is a neo-Nazi. On the contrary, since he is a strong supporter of Israel, we can rule that out. If the Post seriously thinks that Steve Bannon seeks a whites-only state, it would be nice to see some evidence.

But of course, the reporters and editors of the Washington Post dont believe any such thing. They merely propagate absurd claims about neo-Nazis and a whites-only state because they, like other members of the Democratic Party, are stunned by Donald Trumps victory and their own partys long-term decline. This isnt reporting, it is a howl of anguish. And a reminder never to take anything that appears in the Washington Post seriously.
Popular Nigerian dramatist and founder of Mount Zion Drama Ministry, Mike Bamiloye, has spoken out against Nigerian clergies who invite comedians to perform at their church events.

Mr. Bamiloye, who is also the president, Mount Zion Faith Ministries, tackled the controversial topic in a lengthy post on his official YouTube page on Monday.

In addressing the issue, he made reference to a particular YouTube video titled, Still Ringing Brings Down House On The Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin Laughed So Hard.

He titled the article, As per COMEDY in Church Meetings and Events!! The post, which has since gone viral, generated a lot of comments with majority of the respondents concurring with the popular clergy.

It partly read, I want to address Christians  ALL denominations  this morning without prejudice!

For a long while I have questioned the inclusion of COMEDY in Church events. What do I question? The fact that the comedians brought in are allowed to make jokes of scriptures, the Blood of Jesus, speaking in tongues, the throne of grace etc. AND WE SIT THERE LAUGHING!

What are we laughing at? What is funny? Mocking God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and the Word is funny????

We hear of other religions where they are obsessed with protecting the image of their Leader and we gleefully allow people to MOCK our Leader JESUS CHRIST and the Holy Spirit and thereby indirectly MOCKING GOD!!! They look at us with disdain because we are BAD AMBASSADORS of our faith!

Still writing, he added that cynicism has crept slowly into the lives of Christians. He also noted the fact that most Christians publicly abuse leaders of the gospel with glee and mock certain commandments of God.

I was thinking of all this since Friday when a comedian was allowed in the stage at the EXPERIENCE to use a scripture in the Old Testament as foundation for his jokes! I LAUGHED also but later felt badly convicted and I said I will speak out  then this morning I received the message below in my Watsapp and I said  somebody feels the same way I do. So there it is: what is the stance you will take??? Join the revelers or stand against MOCKERY in the name of COMEDY in Church activities and events???I have said my own!.

One of Nigerias foremost Christian dramatists, Mr. Bamiloye founded Mount Zion Ministries in 1985.

His debut drama, titled Hell in Conference was staged at the National Christian Teachers Conference in 1986 at Ilesa in Osun State.

He has featured, produced and directed several Nigerian Christian films over the years. Some of his notable films include Fiwajomi, Dying With the King, Shadows of Death, Journey in Circle, Mobile Prison, Harmony Deal and The Accountant.
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene in making foreign exchange available for its members following the threat by Lloyds of London to blacklist the country.

The Chairman of AON, Nogie Meggisson, made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.

Lloyd, the worlds leading insurance market, had issued a warning to Nigerian airline operators that it may be forced to blacklist the country in the face of continued failure of some operators to pay their premiums regularly.

The companys representatives, who were in Nigeria recently, noted that the Nigerian market was a high risk market with the volume of business modestly small and airline brokers not paying their premiums.

Lloyd warned that in view of the fact that airlines brokers in Nigeria had in recent times failed to pay their premiums, it may have no other choice than to blacklist the country.

Mr. Meggisson said the development may have far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry and the country.

He said the airlines claimed they had naira but could not pay premiums because of foreign exchange constraints.

According to him, Lloyds market accounts for about 92 per cent of reinsurance of airlines globally, five per cent by Russian market, Cyprus and others, while the remaining is retained locally worldwide.

The Nigerian market is grossly unable to effectively underwrite risks in aviation because of the high exposure of an average 500 million dollars for just one airplane to cover hull, war and third party liability.

When this figure is multiplied by the number of aircraft operating in the country it becomes clear that Nigerian insurance companies cant cope considering the enormous volume of resources needed to cover all those aircraft of which the total coverage value will be in excess of six billion dollars.

Virtually 100 per cent of the aircraft being operated in Nigeria are re-insured in the Lloyds market.

Hence, Nigeria cant afford to be blacklisted as a nation because this will have very grave and deleterious consequences, as the entire domestic airlines will shut down since airplanes cant be operated without being insured, he stressed.

The AON chairman said a blacklist would lead to over 300 per cent rise in premiums because of the high risk and as such Nigeria should do anything possible to avert it.

He said :We are not keeping to payment dates. Domestic carriers have a four-month backlog on payment. It will be funny to wait until there is an incident before the airline tries to pay its premium.

We therefore use this medium to call on Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika , to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of domestic airlines operating in the country.

This can be done by forging a joint working group with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to brainstorm and cross-fertilise ideas on how the nation can take exigent steps to forestall a potential backlash on the Nigerian economy and totally avoid the blacklist in the interest of safety and economic prosperity of the country.

(NAN)
The federal government wants the proposed Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) to approve a single regulator for the petroleum industry operations to remove the powers form different regulatory agencies.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said in his presentation at the public hearing by the Senate on the draft Bill that what the industry needed was a regulator for the upstream, midstream and downstream oil, gas and products regulation, as well as technical, economic and health, safety and environment regulation.

Also, the minister said there was need for the proposed law to establish a clear relationship between the Minister of Petroleum Resources role as the overall supervisor of the industry and the institution responsible for the regulation.

To ensure checks and balances on regulatory powers, in terms of administrative law, Mr. Kachikwu said there was need to ensure the power to issue regulations at all times resided with the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

This (will) ensure that the power to issue delegated legislation is placed in the hands of the appropriate member of the executive, with responsibility both to the President and to the National assembly in terms of oversight.

The counter check on this is that technical issues are handled by the regulator, for consideration of the Minister, who upon approval of the recommendation, will issue the appropriate regulation, he said.

He said fundamental to resolving the question of the governance of the industry, and the role of law was presenting a more effective governance and institutional model for the management of the countrys petroleum resources and the regulation of activities within the sector.

According to the minister, all studies conducted on the petroleum sector since 1999 were on governments role in the sector to be better clarified, while the mandate of the policy, regulatory and commercial institutions be refocused.

The objective, he said, was to ensure better sector governance, transparency of regulations and operations, accountability of the institutions, and removal of opaqueness around the industry.

The overhaul of sector policies, the minister said, has since begun, with the draft of three national policy documents on oil, gas and fiscal terms currently undergoing public consultations ahead of presentation to the Executive Council of the Federation.

Although he said the Petroleum Industry Reform Bill (PIRB) has already been developed, the fiscal Bill was being developed, and both would soon be submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

The PIRB will address the institutional framework for the industry, while the PIGB will address the future regulatory framework for the upstream petroleum sector, midstream and downstream gas sector, and the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, he said.

The mid and downstream industry covers the processing, bulk transportation, bulk storage, of crude oil and petroleum products, and the distribution and retail trading of crude oil and petroleum products.

The Minister said the fiscal terms bill would address purely fiscal issues around the industry already addressed in the sector policies and in the PIRB.

On the concept of single regulator for the petroleum industry, Mr. Kachikwu said the petroleum industry governance bill provided that the Commission would issue regulations in respect of a number of specified matters to give proper effect to the Act.

Considering that there were several matters in the bill not regulatory in nature, but requiring regulations, he said the Minister should be allowed to issue regulations on the advice of the Commission.

A core aspect of the reforms propose to the effectiveness of the Ministers powers to issue policies, supervise the industry and manage Nigerias petroleum resources, is the need for a well-resourced and solid technical back office, Mr. Kachikwu said.

Hence, the National Oil Policy and the National Gas Policy contains proposals for institutional reforms at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in this regard. It is our position that the PIGB should address this long standing issue legislatively by creating a Petroleum Technical Directorate.
Forty-eight hours after it was attacked by unknown hackers, the official website of The Gambias Government House is still down.

The website was attacked on Saturday after Mr. Jammehs Friday night television broadcast rescinding his earlier acceptance of the December 1 presidential election result, which he lost to opposition leader and now President-elect, Adama Barrow.

After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process, Mr. Jammeh said.

I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission, he said.

Local media reports said the hacker originally uploaded the picture of Mr. Barrow on the website with the message: President-Elect Adama barrow, Republic of The Gambia  Office of the President State House. Aluta continua, victoria a certa.

A similar message was also posted on the website of the government-controlled Daily Observer newspaper.

However, while both websites are still inactive, the picture of Mr. Barrow is no longer on both websites.

The lone message on the State House website said it was under construction while that on the website of the Daily Observer read: This website is currently undergoing updates and will return soon. Please check back later.

The attack on the governments website comes amid growing international pressure on Mr. Jammeh to respect the wishes of Gambian electorates and allow for smooth transition of power.

The African Union in a statement Saturday described Mr. Jammehs cancellation of the election as null and void.

Similarly, the United Nations secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has expressed dissatisfaction over Mr. Jammehs to rescind his earlier acceptance of the result.

The Secretary-General is dismayed by the December 9 statement by President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia rejecting the outcome of the December 1 Presidential election, the secretary-generals office said in a statement.

The Secretary-General calls on President Jammeh and all political actors and their supporters to fully respect the outcome of the election and to resolve all disputes that may arise from the electoral process through established legal procedures in an expeditious and transparent manner.

Mr. Ki-moons condemnation of Mr Jammeh came after those of the United States, and right organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
The Code of Conduct Bureau has pledged to invite Nigerias Army Chief, Tukur Buratai, for questioning as it verifies his asset declaration to determine whether or not he is culpable of false asset declaration.

Mr. Buratai, a lieutenant general, was enmeshed in asset declaration scandal after evidence emerged that he owned property in Dubai.

The Nigerian Army in June admitted that Mr. Buratai owned property in Dubai but said they were legal and he declared them in his asset declaration form.

It is a fact that the Buratai family have two properties in Dubai that were paid for instalmentally through personal savings three years ago, the army spokesperson Sani Usman said. This, along with other personal asset have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Asset Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff.

Dissatisfied with the armys response, as well as concerned with more reports suggesting the army chief violated Nigerian laws in acquiring the property, a civic group asked the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, to investigate and prosecute Mr. Buratai for false asset declaration.

Evidence of payments (payment tellers of Skye bank) made on behalf of General Buratai and published by Sahara Reporters shows that one of the properties was purchased after the assumption of office by General Buratai as Chief of Army Staff. The payment was effected and contract consummated between July 24 and August 17, 2016, the Civil Society Network against Corruption, CSNAC, wrote in its petition to the CCB.

It would be important for your Bureau to investigate the source of this acquisition and the differences between the Generals most recent asset declaration and the penultimate one, CSNACs head, Olanrewaju Suraju, wrote while calling for Mr. Buratais prosecution.

BOKO HARAM STALLED INVESTIGATION

In its response to the civic group, the CCB gave its reasons for not investigating Mr. Buratais asset declaration early enough.

Please be informed that General Buratais asset would have been verified and that he was equally communicated on this, Ijeanuli Arinze responded on behalf of the CCB chairman in an August 5 letter.

The bureau said the verification could not continue because Mr. Buratai was coordinating the fight against Boko Haram in the North East as at that particular period

Now that the war on insurgency has been considerably contained, the military officers that were earlier scheduled, including General Buratai himself, would, shortly, be invited for the exercise, it said.

It is not clear if the Army chief has finally been invited to clear himself as the army general is still leading the battle against Boko Haram.

Mr. Buratai was in Damboa, Borno State on Sunday where he visited the 81 battalion of the Nigerian Army and charged them to finish off the Boko Haram insurgents.

The Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria has led to the death of over 20,000 people and displacement of millions of others.

Should the CCB find Mr. Buratai culpable of false asset declaration, it could prosecute him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The Rivers State legislative rerun elections held on Saturday were marred by irregularities, large scale violence, professional misconducts and open bias by security operatives and electoral personnel, a report released by an observer group, says.

The report, released by CLEEN Foundation, a civil society organization, on Sunday, fingered the Police, Army, SSS in multiple cases of violence and malpractices that characterised the exercise.

The way and manner in which the election was conducted is a validation of the outcomes of the Security Threat Assessment report, and justifies the concerns of various stakeholders that the outcome of the election will not reflect the will of the people, CLEEN said.

There were serious cases of electoral violence orchestrated by the Police, Army and DSS in Ward 3 Bodo community in Gokana and Khana Local Government Area. This led to the shooting to death of Mr. Mbari John MeeBari.

At Ward 12, Unit 5, Abonnema, Akuku Toru, Police shot sporadically to scarce away voters. At Sara 1, Sara 2 and Kalakama (Ward 12), Okirika LGA electoral materials were hijacked by the Army and officers of SARS at gunpoint, the report noted.

The group blamed the killing of a police officer, Alkali Mohammed, a deputy superintendent of police, and his orderly, on unwarranted use of force and shooting. Mr. Mohammed was beheaded in an ambush at Omoku, Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.

CLEEN lamented failure of the military and other security agencies to maintain neutrality towards the political parties.

INEC, Police, Army and DSS provided overt and covert support for one of the political parties during the poll at Isiokpo INEC Collation Center,Ikwerre LGA, Ngo in Andoni LGA, Bonny LGA and Ahoada, INEC Staff and security agencies especially the army and police were observed openly aiding a political party.

But both police and army insisted they did not favour any party. However residents many other and observer groups also accuse them of bias.

CLEEN said it observed late arrival of materials in some places, including Ward 8, unit 14, Ubima, Ikwerre LGA; Ward 16, Nyokhana, Khana LGA, Ward 9, unit 3, Ogu Bolo LGA.

The group asked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police and INEC to launch investigations into the conduct of military personnel and police officers deployed for the Rivers polls, and bring those found guilty of professional misconduct to book.

More than 24 hours after voting ended, results are yet to be declared in several constituencies amid claims of efforts by political actors to manipulate the outcomes.
Thirty-three people have been arrested as part of a Europe-wide investigation into the smuggling of migrants from Iran to Britain, the National Crime Agency (NCA) in London said Monday.

The suspects are believed to be "key members" of an organised crime gang that has smuggled hundreds of people across Europe to Britain using fake identity documents, said Chris Hogben, from the NCA's border policing command.

Twenty-four of those arrested, aged between 26 and 45, were detained in Greece after a series of raids in Athens in a joint operation with Greek police, the agency said in a statement.

"All 24 were arrested for their suspected role in a transnational organised crime group believed to be facilitating the smuggling of Iranian illegal migrants from Iran via Turkey, Greece, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, into the UK," it said.

Investigators believe the group would charge up to 10,000 euros ($11,000, 8,000) per person to supply migrants with false identity papers and arrange their onward journey to Britain.

Four forgery factories, where the group allegedly produced the counterfeited documents, were dismantled in the operation, the NCA said.

Forging equipment, 50,000 euros in cash and hundreds of documents were also seized.

British immigration officials last week arrested nine people suspected of being part of the UK-based arm of the gang, the NCA added.

Those arrests followed a series of raids in Glasgow, Manchester, in northern England, and Northampton, in central England.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osinachukwu Ideozu, winner of the of the Rivers West senatorial district election held between Saturday and Monday.

Mr. Ideozu was certified winner Monday afternoon with 107,166 votes. He defeated Otelemaba Amachree of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who garnered 48,898 votes.

With the development, PDP now has two senatorial districts  Rivers East and West. PDPs George Sekibo had earlier been returned winner of the Rivers East election for the third time.

APCs Magnus Abe won in the third senatorial district, Rivers South East. He defeated Olaka Nwogu of PDP.

Rivers West Senator-elect, Mr. Ideozu, was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Ahoada West between 1999 and 2003. Afterwards, between 2003 and 2007, he represented Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives before his appointment as Commissioner for Education.

Read our live updates of the results here.
The House of Representatives Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has said it would not recommend the removal of the immunity clause that shield the president and state governors from prosecution while in office.

The Chairman of the committee, Yusuff Lasun, at a press conference Saturday night in Abeokuta said his committee considered the provision a no go area.

Mr. Lasun, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, was in the Ogun State capital for a three-day retreat of the committee, entitled The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building.

He said there was nothing wrong with the immunity clause as it does not shield the beneficiaries from prosecution after they leave office but only protects them from likely distractions of civil litigation.

Mr. Lasun said to remove the clause as being canvassed by some Nigerians could result in distracting the president and governors from proper administration of the country and states.

There is nothing wrong in the immunity that is already in the Constitution because it doesnt say that the person cannot be prosecuted after he has left the office, he said.

The maximum (number of) years a governor stays in office is eight years and whatever offence that he might have committed while in office will still be fresh.

What people must do is to bring out such offences when the governor has left office. So it is about institutions and individuals being lazy, nothing is shielding anybody from being prosecuted after leaving office, Mr. Lasun said.

He said the committee already looked at the report of the 2014 National Conference and picked recommendations it considered relevant to the current efforts at amending the constitution.

The deputy speaker disclosed that the novel thing about the ongoing amendments, which he referred to as the fifth alteration, is that it would not be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari as a single bill for his assent as was the case with the fourth amendment by the 7th National Assembly during the last administration, where both the bad and good aspects of the amendments were rejected by the then President because all came in one single package.

Mr. Lasun said presenting amendments as separate single bills would save time, remove all forms of technicalities and help the President to know what to give assent or not, instead of the previous pattern of throwing away both the baby and the bath water.

He listed 14 resolutions as basis for the amendment of the constitution, including areas already reviewed by the 7th Assembly.

Some of these included separation of the offices of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; financial and administrative autonomy for local government councils; and establishment of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government.

Others are authorisation of expenditure, devolution of power/legislative lists, electoral matters, new states and boundary adjustment, among others.

Mr. Lasun lamented that state governors had rendered local governments redundant by starving them of funds meant for development.

All over the world, the centre of development has been found to be at the grassroots because we are talking about people who form small components of the society, from the family to the compound, to the villages down to the towns.

We have discovered that over time local governments are no longer existing, it is not even a question of whether elections are conducted or not, but we have considered that states will not be able to access local government money any longer if there are no elected officials at the local governments.

That is part of the alteration that we are going to do. If you dont have any elected local government officials, we will make sure that you dont get the money of such local government.

Mr. Lasun said he was confident that the amendment bills would be ready for the Presidents assent before the end of his second year in office.
An Ibadan-based businessman, Joseph Benjamin, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, demanding the probe of the immediate past IG, Solomon Arase.

Mr. Benjamin, who is accused of lying to the police, after he accused Zinox Computers of contract fraud, accuses Mr. Arase of criminal conspiracy in his travail.

Mr. Benjamin is currently standing trial before Justice Peter Kekemeke of Court 14, Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on a one-count charge of false petitioning with intention to mislead in a case of alleged identity theft, impersonation and criminal conversion of contracts.

In the petition filed on his behalf by his lawyers, Bob James & Co., Mr. Benjamin, who is the managing director/chief executive of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, accused Mr. Arase of conspiring to fabricate false evidence the police are using to try him, while shielding the real offenders in a N170.3 million fraud against his company.

In 2013, Mr. Benjamin had petitioned Mr. Arase, then Deputy Inspector General in charge of Force Criminal Investigation Bureau, after his company uncovered that some top officials of Zinox Technologies Limited and its subsidiary, Technology Distributions Limited (TD) had conspired with their allies to commit the fraud.

In the petition, Mr. Benjamin said the suspects had impersonated his firm, by cloning its official headed paper, with which they used in issuing an acceptance letter to the FIRS for the supply of 668 computers at N170.3 million

Although investigations by the SFU of the Nigerian Police Force have since 2014 been concluded and a prima-facie case established against the suspects, prosecution was stalled.

Following his appointment as the IGP in 2015, Mr. Benjamin, on May 8 wrote Mr. Arase, to highlight his companys frustration in getting the police to transfer the original case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for prosecution of the suspects.

But, Mr. Arase wrote back on May 15, 2015 to advise Mr. Benjamin that he would prefer the civil aspect of the case to run its full course before prosecution of the criminal aspect, to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

Mr. Benjamin said Mr. Arases advice against prosecution of the suspects followed his attempt to persuade him to collect the N10 million goodwill offer on February 20, 2014 by Mr. Igbokwe as our veritable olive branch for an enduring peace.

Angered by Mr. Arases advice against the police prosecuting the suspects in court, Mr. Benjamins lawyers, Enyinnaya Uwaezuoke, on June 5, 2015 wrote to him, accusing the former IGP of attempting to shield the accused from prosecution.

Mr. Uwaezuoke gave a 21-day ultimatum for the former IGP to obey the rule of law and transfer the case file to the DPP for the prosecution of the suspects.

In its response, the police instead wrote the attorney general of the federation to say the accused had already been arraigned at a Lagos High Court.

Not satisfied, Mr. Benjamin petitioned the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to wade in, with a view to resolving the matter.

But, curiously, on June 16, 2016, three days before the end of IGP Arases tenure, the police charged Mr. Benjamin to court, accusing him of providing false information in his petition against the suspects.

The former IGP said Mr. Benjamins allegation in his July 3, 2014 petition about the Board Resolution allegedly by Citadel Oracle company used by the suspects in opening the fake account, No. 0059202675, in Access bank, through which the FIRS paid the proceeds from the contract, was false.

On July 2, 2016, Mr. Benjamin was arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja on a one-count charge of false petitioning to IGP Arase with intention of misleading him over a case of identity theft, impersonation and criminal conversion of contracts against the accused.

During the petitioners formal arraignment before Justice Peter Kekemeke of Court 14, Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, the police prosecution counsel, Simon Lough, in his charge No. CR/216/16 listed all the suspects as witnesses.

At the commencement of Mr. Benjamins trial on October 5, 2016, one of the key suspects, Miss Kama, appeared in court as the principal witness.

Despite the commencement of trial, the police did not produce any fresh document to prove its case, apart from those attached to the petition filed by Mr. Benjamin as evidence of fraud against the suspects.

The legal department of the police told our lawyers that Mr. Arase took the original case file away. The one being used to prosecute our client (Mr. Benjamin) contains documents forged and concocted to arraign him and not the original documents, the petition said.

Following several reports by PREMIUM TIMES on the matter, particularly highlighting the blatant refusal of the police for over the last two years to transfer the original case file to the DPP to facilitate the prosecution of the suspects, the Attorney General waded in to take over the case.

At the resumed hearing in the case on Wednesday, December 7, a senior counsel in the Attorney Generals office, Aniekan Ekong, appearance in court to formally take over the case and demand the court to immediately forward the original case file to the AG for review.
Police have dismissed a report that three worshippers of The Synagogue Church of All Nations died at the Church premises Saturday.

Dolapo Badmus, the Lagos police spokesperson, said the deaths occurred in a hotel and that bodies of the victims had been sent for autopsy.

They didnt die at the church premises, Ms. Badmus, a Superintendent of Police, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. They are church members. They came for service but died in a hotel.

But according to the Punch newspaper, at least three worshippers were confirmed dead at the churchs premises following a stampede that occurred during a special healing service last Saturday.

The newspaper listed the dead to include Emeka Okonkwo, Emmanuel Oherin, and a third victim who is yet to be identified.

The newspaper also quoted a witness as saying that the incident happened at about 4.30a.m.

It was the churchs annual deliverance and healing programme, the paper quoted the witness as saying.

Usually at this time, the church becomes a beehive of activities as people come in their thousands to see the prophet for miracles.

People lodge in different hotels surrounding the church. And they all arrive at the church very early.

There is a canopy on the premises where worshippers are screened before they see the man of God.

However, on Saturday, after being screened, the crowd was much and they started struggling through the doorway to see the prophet. In the process, three people collapsed. They were rushed to the Isolo General Hospital, where they were confirmed dead.

The police spokespersons comment contradicted the response this newspaper got when it called a phone number listed on the churchs official website.

Nothing like that happened, a lady who answered the call said when asked about the worshippers death claims.

No one died. Please ignore such rumour. Thank you.

Temitope Joshua (popularly known as TB Joshua), the churchs founder is yet to comment on the incident through his favourite medium of communication, the churchs official Facebook page, as at Monday morning.

Saturdays incident came just as another tragedy occurred in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where a Reigners Bible Church building, filled to capacity, collapsed killing at least 50 people.

In 2014, a five-storey building under construction at the Synagogue church collapsed as three additional floors were being added to the original two-storey structure, killing 115 people.
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has denied that he directed two service chiefs to relinquish their offices and proceed on retirement on or before December 16.

A statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Tukur Gusau, a colonel, on Monday in Abuja said his attention was drawn to some online publications purporting that he directed the two service chiefs to hand over on that date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two service chiefs in question are the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, a Lt. Gen., and the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a Vice Admiral.

The statement said: Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement.

The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief. (NAN)
Members of the family of Salvation Adaka, who was allegedly shot dead by his colleagues over N20,000 largesse have called on the police authorities to prosecute the culprits.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Mr. Adaka was allegedly shot dead on November 7 by three of his colleagues with whom he was on a patrol duty.

NAN gathered that the team, which was from Agudama-Ekpetiama Police Division, was given N20,000 by people organising a funeral in the area.

An argument ensued over how the money would be shared, and Mr. Adaka, the most senior member of the team, was allegedly shot dead during the scuffle by his colleagues.

Joseph Yabefa, a representative of Adakas family told NAN on Monday in Yenagoa that the family had received an autopsy report which confirmed that Mr. Adaka died of gunshots.

He said that the pathologist, who conducted the autopsy, found pieces of bullets in the spinal cord of the deceased.

Mr. Yabefa, who expressed satisfaction with the steps so far taken by the Bayelsa Police Command on the incident, said that the family was demanding prosecution of the suspects.

We have been following developments on the case; our interactions with the police indicate that three policemen with Adaka on that day were immediately arrested and detained.

We were also told that one of them, who was not indicted, has been released while two are still in police custody awaiting prosecution.

Most importantly, investigations have indicated that they were on official duty when the incident occurred. They were not on an illegal duty as being speculated in some quarters.

We are in grief because Salvation Adaka was the bread winner of the entire family, he said.

He told NAN that the deceased had an aged mother, five children and brothers who depended on him.

We urge the police to sustain the tempo and not tamper with evidence that will form the basis of the prosecution.

We shall follow this matter to a logical conclusion, Yabefa said.

Reliable sources at Bayelsa Police Command confirmed that the two policemen indicted and detained over the case had been dismissed.

Asinim Butswat, spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, told NAN on telephone that discipline and sanction of the policemen lied within the powers of the state commissioner of police.

(NAN)
Nigeria as currently constituted is an entity that is rooted in corruption, impunity and injustice and thus must be reconstituted, a former vice-president said on Monday.

Atiku Abubakar, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999-2007, said at a forum in Abuja that the current system is the bane of Nigeria and not the individuals running it.

Political and civic leaders from across the country must come together, discuss, negotiate and make the necessary compromises and sacrifices needed to restructure our federation to make us a stronger, more united, productive, and competitive country, Mr. Atiku said while expanding on a paper titled: Nigerian Federalism: Continuing Quest for Stability and Nation-Building.

Mr. Atiku has been at the forefront of renewed calls for a reconstituted Nigeria since the beginning of the year.

In June, he used his remarks at a book launch, also in Abuja, to call for a more federal system which would put to rest the disparate yearnings of Nigerians from all sections of the country.

Mr. Atiku said theres a perennial cry of marginalisation from every section of the country, a situation, he said, was caused by the flaw in the countrys constitution.

No section of this country can claim correctly that its people are better served by the current structure of our federation. When we were not dependent on oil revenues and when the federating units had greater autonomy of action and were largely responsible for their affairs, they, that is our regional governments, did not owe workers their salaries for several months.

They did not shut down schools and universities for several months because of teacher strikes and inadequate funding. Take a look at the industries that the regional governments established and ran and the quality of schools that they established, and see if you can see a state government or a group of state governments that have bested them since the emergence of our unitary federalism.

And also ask yourself which of those establishments taken over or established by the federal government since, has performed as well as they did under our pre-1966 federal system.

The former vice president said Abuja should be prepared and willing to relinquish some of its powers over the remaining 36 federating units.

This call, Mr. Atiku said, does not mean a call for a break up of Nigeria, but only a call for the imposition of a system where transparency, efficiency and equity will prevail.

National unity does not mean the absence of disagreement or agitations. In fact disagreements and peaceful agitations indicate vibrant and living relationships, Mr. Atiku said. The key to making national progress is to manage those disagreements in peaceful and mature ways.
A bag containing 2,500 kilogrammes of heroin was abandoned at the arrival hall of the Lagos airport during the inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight from Nairobi, Kenya.

In a statement Monday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said a luggage containing 4.6kg of cannabis meant for export to London on a British Airways flight from Lagos was also abandoned at the airport.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Unegbu Daniel who works as a clearing agent collected the luggage from his client and took it to the airport, the NDLEA said.

He hails from Anambra State. Two luggage handlers who allegedly worked with him are Ettah Joseph who hails from Cross Rivers State and Wopara Bright who is from Rivers State.

Muhammad Abdallah, the NDLEA Chairman, said the agency also intercepted 83.390kg of ephedrine valued at N4 billion, the largest quantity seized at the Lagos airport.

The ephedrine which was concealed in female hair attachment by a suspected drug trafficking syndicate was going to South Africa, said Mr. Abdallah, a retired colonel.

In addition, two bags, one containing heroin from Nairobi and another containing cannabis going to London were equally abandoned at the airport.

Ephedrine is a precursor ingredient used in the production of methamphetamine, the agency said.

According to Mr. Abdallah, a bag containing ephedrine was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the departure hall during outward screening of a South African Airline flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Three suspects including luggage handlers and a clearing agent are currently being interrogated in connection with the crime.

NDLEA will continue to resist attempt by criminal syndicates to compromise security measures through strict law enforcement practice, Mr. Abdallah said.

Anti-narcotic agents have been placed on the alert and will remain vigilant in detecting any act of sabotage.

The case is under investigation and anyone found wanting shall be prosecuted in line with the NDLEA Act.

Ahmadu Garba, NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, gave the names of the suspects as Unegbu Daniel, 42; Ettah Joseph, 28; and Wopara Bright, 31.

Officials of the NDLEA at the departure hall detected a bag and during search, it was found to contain substances that tested positive for ephedrine with a total weight of 83.390kgs, said Mr. Garba.

So far, three suspects apprehended are being interrogated to determine their level of culpability.

Meanwhile the parcels of ephedrine was concealed amidst artificial hair.

The cases are under investigation to uncover the drug cartel that is behind the illegal shipment of the narcotic drugs, the NDLEA said.
The New Independence Group, NIG, a socio-economic think tank, has condemned the move by Nigerias Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, to resuscitate the defunct Northern Nigeria Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies as a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Education.

In a statement in Lagos, Monday, the group criticised the decision saying it leaves the impression that a section of the country is being promoted at the expense of others in a supposedly federal polity.

It is unfortunate that the present crop of Ministers in the Muhammadu Buhari administration are either grossly incompetent or confused on the scope of their mandates, the group said in the statement issued by Akinyemi Onigbinde, its convener.

While we have nothing against insular agitations and believe that the promotion of provincial interests are the prerogatives of their proponents, the extant constitution, as imperfect as it seems, accommodates such yearnings as those that the states can legitimately legislate upon and bring to fruition.

The NBAIS was one of the boards formally established in 1959 by the government of the defunct Northern Region to develop curriculum and syllabus for Arabic and Islamic schools and centres.

Mr. Adamu had, last week, forwarded a memo to the Federal Executive Council seeking approval for a waiver for the resuscitation of the board.

The Arabic school and Islamic centres are also to provide a platform for regulating Islamic educational contents that are sound, appropriate and geared towards the acquisition of positive values for moral, human and national development, the Vanguard newspaper quoted Mr. Adamu as saying.

The move had irked the Christian Association of Nigeria who described it as completely unnecessary.

On Monday, Mr. Onigbinde, a professor, said the decision was awkward and came across as a fundamental reversal of the logic of federalism that the federal government would be at the vanguard of such sectional cravings.

At this critical period of economic recession, it is difficult to rationalize why the Federal Government would be interested in further creating more programmes and projects that have to do with the dominance of a particular region where the practice of a religion is preponderant and selectively generate employment for a religious group when a lot of its agencies are unviable and surplus to our institutional requirements, and should even be scrapped or merged as pointedly suggested in the report of the Steve Oronsanye Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals ,Commissions and Agencies.

What we rather expect from the Federal Government in respect to education is to revisit The Needs Assessment Report recently prepared in respect of its tertiary institutions and Unity Schools, and endeavour to meet the funding gap that had hemmed our Universities, Polytechnics, and Teaching hospitals in state of rot and made perennial union strikes inevitable.

It is also important that the Federal Government should clarify to Nigerians whether the country still runs on the working hypothesis of secularism.

Mr. Onigbinde said there was nothing wrong in sections of the country agitating for what they deem best for their social progress, adding that such cravings should be channelled through legitimate quarters and not be insensitively presented as national agenda.

The nation cannot pretend to be making national initiatives that exclude certain parts of it in application, he said.

It is better we restructure the country and get it back to a similitude of what obtained in the first republic when initiatives such as the NBAIS were affairs of the regions and were essentially exclusive of others that had other ideas on how to extricate their peoples from the backwaters.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday evening demanded the Independent National Electoral Commission release outstanding results in the Rivers West and East senatorial districts, claiming the candidates of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have won in the two areas.

In the third senatorial district, Rivers South East, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Magnus Abe, already clinched victory, leaving the other two open.

But Mr. Wike said the results from the Rivers East and West showed the PDP had won in the two senatorial districts; thus, he asked INEC to announce the remaining results untampered with and declare his partys candidates winners.

For Rivers East, results of six local governments, LGAs, have been collated with PDP winning all, while outcomes of the remaining two LGAs  Ikwerre and Emohua  are being awaited.

But Mr. Wike said he believed there is a plot to inflate results of the two LGAs to overturn his partys lead.

The result of Rivers East has been held down by the plots of INEC , the Army and the Police to manipulate the results of Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas for the purpose of concocting the senatorial results in favour of the APC .

As I speak with you, they are doing everything possible to rewrite the result of Emohua Local Government Area to ensure that the APC wins, he said.

Release Rivers East Senatorial District where Senator George Sekibo has won clearly . Release Rivers West Senatorial District where Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu has won clearly . INEC should release Andoni/ Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency where Abiante has won and Andoni State Constituency where Ikunyi Ibani has won clearly.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wike also hit back at senior lawyer and President Muhammadu Buharis adviser on anti-graft campaign, Itse Sagay, who accused the governor of being responsible for the shortcomings that characterised the Rivers rerun.

Speaking in an interview with the Independent, Mr. Sagay had said, Definitely, INEC is doing very well now. The case of Rivers State is not the fault of INEC in any way because we have totally determined and desperate politicians, led by the state governor, Nyesom Wike.

These ones are determined that there will be no free and fair elections in Rivers state.

But in his reaction, through the states Commissioner for Information, Austin Tam-George, the governor described Mr. Sagay as a false intellectual with a broken moral compass and beneficiary of the current dictatorship of the All Progressives Congress-led government.

Prof. Sagay is an irresponsible defender of the APCs regime of impunity. He is a happy beneficiary of the current dictatorship. No one in Nigeria takes Sagay with a pint of seriousness. He is one of the pseudo-intellectuals seduced by the honey of power, he said.
Temporary exhibition at Luxor Museum to proceed but unauguration celebration has been cancelled

Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany cancelled a scheduled visit to Luxor on Monday in the wake of the bomb attack at Cairos Coptic cathedral a day earlier which killed at least 23 people.

El-Enany had been scheduled to inaugurate a temporary exhibition marking the 41st anniversary of Luxor Museum, and to visit a number of antiquities sites in the governorate.

The minister had initially announced on Sunday that the inauguration would go ahead and only a celebration following the event would be cancelled.

El-Enany has condemned the bombing at Cairos Coptic cathedral complex, as well as a similar bomb attack on Friday which killed six police personnel in Giza.

"Both attacks are criminal acts that violate the principles of all religions and moral values in targeting innocents and soldiers protecting the nation," he told Ahram Online.

Elham Salah, head of the Ministry of Antiquities' Museums Department, said that the temporary exhibition at Luxor Museum is to last 60 days and put on show a collection of 40 artefacts that were unearthed at King Amenhotep III's temple on Luxor's west bank.





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The President of Nigerias Senate, Bukola Saraki, has called for urgent and thorough investigation to determine the remote and immediate causes of the church building collapse in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Several persons lost their lives, while others sustained injuries when the roof and the iron beams in the building housing Reigners Bible Church, Uyo, collapsed on Saturday during a church ceremony.

The church building was still under construction before it collapsed.

The police in the state said 27 persons died, while 37 sustained injuries.

It is so sad that this incident claimed precious lives of innocent worshippers and injured scores of others, Mr. Saraki said in a statement released on Sunday by his spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

This was certainly an avoidable occurrence, the more reason relevant state and federal authorities should urgently launch an investigation to unravel the mechanical, environmental and human factors responsible for the incident.

I believe such investigation, if sincerely done, will help us to guide against this unnecessary waste of lives, injuries and damage to property in the future, Mr. Saraki said.

The senate president prayed for speedy recovery for those who were still receiving medical attention in the hospitals, and also condoled with Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Christian community in the state.
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians not to lose faith in his administration.

In his 2016 Eid-El-Maulud message, the president said the reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us..

Read Mr. Buharis full message:

Again the calendar of life has brought us into another period of celebration, and deep reflection. Celebration, because we are marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), and deep reflection, because it is another opportunity of pausing, taking a deep breath and reflecting on the current realities before us.

First of all, I wish all Muslims a happy and memorable celebration of the birth of the great Prophet, through whose teachings, particularly on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice and honesty, and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely in building a harmonious and prosperous society. The universal truths of the Prophets values remain unchanged.

Against all odds, we have used these pillars of strength in securing a just and fair society, and our efforts are beginning to yield dividends in curbing terrorism, militancy, corruption and other crimes that devalue our humanity.

As we use the memorable occasion of this celebration to reflect on our current challenges, I urge you not to lose faith in the ability of this administration to make a difference in the lives of our people.

The reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us; rather it should remind us of why we need to stay together, fight together and succeed together. We all share a vision of a better Nigeria, and we will all share in the responsibility of building the country of our dreams.

As we look forward to 2017 with hope and huge expectations, let me assure you that with collective dedication and hard work, we will overcome the mountain of economic difficulties, and return our country to the path of prosperity.

The 2017 Budget proposals which I will lay before the National Assembly on Wednesday, will contain measures that we are confident will get the nation out of its economic woods.

As we celebrate and reflect, I wish all Nigerians a peaceful Eid-el-Maulud.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

DECEMBER 11, 2016
The presidency has denied a news report that President Muhammad Buhari has approved the replacement of Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as Service Chiefs.

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said the report was not completely true.

He however admitted that the defence chief was stepping down.

 The newspaper, rather than rush to print an unsubstantiated story, would have done better to confirm the information at its disposal, from many available military and government information channels. It then would have avoided the self-inflicted wound of publishing a one-legged story that is not completely true, and damaging its brand in the process.

Gen Olonisakin is due to retire from the Army next week, having satisfied the official number of years in service. He is yet to be replaced. But the Chief of Naval Staff has a short while more, and President Buhari could, therefore, not have approved his replacement yet.

Mr. Adesina said the administration had repeatedly pledged commitment to transparency and accountability, and one of the hallmarks of that is making information available to the media.

But when some sections of the media would rather speculate, than cross-check and double check information, then it borders on deliberate mischief. That, surely, is not the way to go, for national cohesion and development, he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the high rate of illegal migration of Nigerian youths to European countries through the Mediterranean Sea.

Mr. Buhari made this known at the 32rd Annual Meeting of the Sahel and West Africa also to mark its week, organised by the Food Crisis Protection Network in Abuja on Monday.

The president, who was represented by Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, called for an immediate stop to the action by Nigerians, saying it was unfair to European countries.

He said that agriculture revitalisation was a solution to the migration issue, while expressing the readiness of his administration to support farmers in order to boost local production in the country.

We are pained when we see our youth across West and North Eastern Africa in a desperate attempt to cross the desert; get to Libya and cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

We consider it as something that must stop as fast as possible because it is unfair to Europe.

Data from the European Union indicate that an average of 83 Nigerians crossed illegally from Nigeria to Europe, daily, via the Mediterranean in the first nine months of 2016.

The daily figure was extrapolated from the 22,500 illegal Nigerian migrants that the EU said crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe between January and September this year.

Nigeria, however, said it hopes to use agriculture to stem the tide of illegal migration.

We think that if we reorganise our agriculture better, many of these youths will earn a decent living at home rather than become an embarrassment to their host countries and to us here in Africa, the president said.

We are not unmindful of our youths population here, hence the need to ensure that the agriculture sector is revitalised as soon as possible.

We have decided that we will no longer rely on rainfall, we will create dams, water reservoirs and insist on harvesting food at least three times in a year, he added.

On food crisis in the West African region, he described the threat as real, saying that urgent steps were necessary to address the challenge.

According to him, there are 800 million hectares of agricultural land across the world yet to be cultivated and Africa owns half of them.

The president, appealed to Sahel and West African agricultural stakeholder to devise ideas that would guarantee better management in cattle breeding through artificial insemination.

Mr. Buhari, however, said his administration was aggressively tackling humanitarian crisis of the Internally Displaced Persons by attending to issues of food and nutrition, especially for women and children in the North East.

Marcel De Souza, the President of ECOWAS Commission, said that no fewer than 4 million Nigerians were internally displaced as a result of the insecurity in the North eastern region.

He listed some of the developmental challenges of the Sahel and West African regions to include economic and political governance.

Mr. De Souza called on governments of the regions to invest toward addressing unemployment and food crisis, which he described as bane to development.

Kassoum Denon, the Malian Minister of Agriculture, appealed to various countries in the Sahel and West Africa to share ideas and success stories with a view to addressing food crisis in the regions.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Food Crisis Protection Network is an international network created in 1984 as part of regional system for the prevention of food crisis.

It brings together Sahelian and West African expertise of the humanitarian and development spheres by mobilising available resources for social protection, livelihoods, nutrition, agricultural development, natural resources management to benefit the most vulnerable populations.

It aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by 2030 in the regions.
The UN Secretary-General-designate, Antonio Guterres, on Monday, December 12, took oath of office as the ninth Secretary-General of the UN, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The President of the General Assembly, Peter Thomas, administered the oath to Mr. Guterres in the presence of the 15 members of the Security Council and other members of the General Assembly.

The General Assembly earlier paid glowing tributes to outgoing Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, for his exceptional contributions to the UN and the global community.

The outgoing Secretary-General will step down on December 31, 2016, while Mr. Guterres will assume office on January 1, 2017 for a five-year term.

Mr. Guterres, 67, was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015.

He was formally appointed by the General Assembly on October 13 in what was the culmination of historic process member states set in motion late last year.

The historic process for the selection of a new UN Secretary-General, traditionally decided behind closed-doors by a few powerful countries, for the first time in history, involved public discussions with each candidate campaigning for the UNs ninth chief.

The informal briefings between the candidates, UN Member States and civil society representatives kicked off on April 12 when the first three candidates presented their vision statements.

They answered questions on how they would promote sustainable development, improve efforts to create peace, protect human rights, and deal with huge humanitarian challenges should they be selected to lead the UN.

In October, thanking the Assembly for appointing him as the next secretary-general, Mr. Guterres said he was grateful to the member states for their trust in him, as well as for the transparent and open selection process they undertook.

The Secretary-General-designate said: I believe this process means that the true winner today is the credibility of the UN.

And it also made very clear to me that as secretary-general, having been chosen by all member states, I must be at the service of them all equally and with no agenda but the one enshrined in the UN Charter.

Mondays ceremony, at which Mr. Guterres would take the oath of office, would also see the 193-member General Assembly pay tribute to outgoing secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, for his exceptional contributions to the work of the UN over the past decade.

(NAN)
The police officer who was killed during the legislative elections in Rivers State has been buried.

Mohammed Alkali was buried in Bosso, Niger State, on Monday.

Mr Alkali was killed along with some of his colleagues in the violence that characterised the rerun elections to fill vacant legislative seats.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr. Mohammed, a deputy superintendent of police, was killed during an ambush at Omoku, Onelga Local Government Area,

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the corpse, which arrived Minna at about 1.30 a.m., was received by the deceaseds father, Yakubu Alkali, a retired Commissioner of Police, family members and many sympathisers.

The funeral rites were witnessed by top government officials that included Zubairu Muazu, Commissioner of Police in Niger.

The deceased is survived by his parents, one wife and three children.
The dead body of Anthony Okeyim, a colonel and Commandant, Command Secondary School, Ibadan, was on Monday found at his apartment located within the schools premises.

Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan, said the force was treating the issue as a suspected case of murder.

I can confirm to you that the deceased was found dead in front of his apartment around 6.30 a.m. on Monday.

We are treating it as a case of suspected murder, Mr. Ajisebutu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the deceased was reportedly strangled to death by suspected assassins who attacked him in front of his official quarters.

The state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, had visited the school immediately the case was reported.

Police investigation had begun and the investigating team is working with the Military Police investigating team.

We have also beefed up security around the area, Ajisebutu said.

A friend of the deceased, who preferred to remain anonymous, told journalists that the late Mr. Okeyim was promoted three weeks ago and was waiting to be decorated with his new rank.

(NAN)
Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari is set to travel to Gambia to help resolve the political impasse in the West African country, several media have reported.

Sahara Reporters stated that the Nigerian leader will join his Liberian counterpart, Ellen Sirleaf, to persuade Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to concede defeat.

Presidential aide Garba Shehu on Monday evening confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that there is diplomacy going on.

Mr. Shehu said there would be an official briefing to reporters on the matter.

Mr. Jammeh, who initially conceded defeat to opposition candidate Adama Barrow, later reneged; saying he would order a fresh election.

Observers and international organisations like ECOWAS, the UN and the U.S. have all asked Mr. Jammeh to respect the wish of Gambians and relinquish power after 22 years in office.

Mr. Buhari is expected to help persuade Mr. Jammeh to leave office and would also meet with Mr. Barrow to try to seek a soft landing for the outgoing dictator.
The police in Gombe State have arrested three persons suspected to have conspired, forcefully confined, and tortured two underage girls wrongly accused of witchcraft, leading to the death of one of the girls.

This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to the PREMIUM TIMES by the Public Relations Officer , Ahmed Usman.

The spokesperson listed the suspects as James Awak, Adamu Zakka and Hannatu Awak.

He also mentioned the names of the underage victims, aged 9 and 13.

Mr. Usman said they were tortured for two weeks, some liquid substance was rubbed on their body after which a horse whip was used to beat them.

He said a screwdriver was also used to inflict injuries on the girls as a result of which the nine year old, Abigail Lara, died and was buried in an unmarked grave.

The deputy superintendent of police said the suspects have already been charged to court for committing an offence punishable under Nigerian laws.
The police in Plateau State have banned religious procession by Muslims in Jos, during Mondays Eid El Maulud.

The Nigeria police in Plateau state command, Jos wishes to inform members of the public and Muslim clerics and worshippers that there is a ban on the procession in the evening of 12th December, 2016 after the Eid-el-Maulud celebration, police said in a statement signed by spokesperson, Terna Tyopev.

The statement also directed Christian and Muslim clerics to stop blocking roads leading to their worship centers within the state capital Jos.

The commissioner of police also directs that there should be deliberate and gradual reduction in road blockage on Fridays and Sundays by Muslim and Christians during worship hours, the statement said.

The blockades became rampant following the outbreak of crisis in Plateau State more than a decade ago, and more recently, bombing attacks by Boko Haram.

The police statement also barred the sale and use of fireworks within the state capital, Jos.

The ban on fire-works; bangers knockouts is still in force and the command shall not hesitate to prosecute both sellers and users of these disturbing items, it said.
On the initiative of French president Francois Hollande and Abu Dhabi crown prince sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, an International Conference for the Protection of Endangered Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict Areas (ICPECHACA) was held late last week under the patronage of UNESCO in Abu Dhabi.

The two-day Conference brought together heads of state and ministers from over 40 countries affected by heritage loss due to armed conflicts, alongside key players involved in the field of heritage preservation, international public and private institutions, museums and private donors engaged in the field of cultural heritage, as well as experts working in the field.

After various speeches, commentaries and presentations, the Conference launched a Declaration on the Protection of Endangered Heritage that endorsed the creation of a new International Fund for the Protection of Heritage with an initial contribution by France of US$30 million and the objective to collect US$100 million in the future. It also recommended a follow-up conference in 2017 to help assess the implementation of the initiatives outlined in the Abu Dhabi Declaration.

According to a UNESCO press release, Hollande said that the Fund will provide much-needed resources to protect heritage under attack and will be managed in close collaboration with UNESCO and respect UNESCO Cultural Conventions and international norms.

One year ago, we adopted the Paris Climate Agreement at the COP21 Conference for the preservation of our planet and for future generations. Today, we adopt this Abu Dhabi Declaration, with concrete measures and new tools to protect the legacy of our ancestors. This is a call to action, as there is no greater responsibility than that of building bridges between the past and the future of humanity, Hollande said.

UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova said that over recent years, we have built a new cultural landscape, a new approach for the protection of heritage as a key security issue. This initiative and the creation of this Fund break new ground. It sends a powerful signal of hope, and I see this as the starting point of something larger  a new commitment for culture, education and human dignity.

Bokova highlighted UNESCOs achievements in Mali and other countries as well as the importance of a coordinated approach for the safeguarding of heritage. She noted that the Conference would reinforce international efforts to prevent, to respond, and to rehabilitate heritage after destruction and was testimony to the power of culture to unite.

"The cultural cleansing we have seen in the Middle East has affected people everywhere, and UNESCO is fully mobilised, catalysing a global movement for heritage. Together, we are building a new cultural landscape, a new approach to protect culture for peace and security. The protection of heritage cannot be delinked from the protection of human life, and it cannot wait, Bokova said.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan recalled the importance of culture to building resilient societies at the Conference. The world has a shared responsibility for protecting human cultural heritage, he said, calling on participants to strengthen commitments against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, which was weakening identities and contributing to the financing of terrorism.

Among the participants at the Conference were Kuwaiti emir sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Yemeni president Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, prime minister of the Government of National Accord of Libya Fayez al-Sarraj, and the prime ministers of Senegal and Greece. Omani minister of foreign affairs Yousuf bin Alawi was among the attendees, as well as the Aga Khan, head of the Ismaili Muslims.

I am personally very glad that finally the political players are giving enough attention to cultural heritage preservation, Monica Hanna, a professor at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Cairo, told the Weekly, adding that it was good that France was spearheading such efforts.

She said she hoped more states would join with their expertise and local efforts, but pointed out that some may suspect the western interest in cultural heritage preservation efforts.

She added that many end-market countries in the heritage trade had ratified the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, but some had not agreed to all its articles, including Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar and Saudi Arabia had signed the Convention, she said, but their support had tended to be only on paper.

The current Conventions and legislation are not enough to safeguard the cultural heritage, and the current laws in Europe and the US are much less severe on illegal antiquities dealing than they are on drugs, arms and human-trafficking, Hanna said.

There should be prosecutions of antiquities dealers who trade in stolen heritage from the Middle East as well as private collectors. A main challenge was object-laundering, she said, in which objects are given falsified identities and auctioned off or sold to museums and private collectors.

Syria and Iraq have been badly hit by the illegal smuggling of antiquities, but so have Libya and Yemen, she said. She added that she had been asked by one woman in Yemen to talk about the countrys cultural heritage on the grounds that this could reduce the current airstrikes. The view among the Arabs is that the West cares more about heritage than about Arab lives. This could cause negative attitudes towards cultural heritage, Hanna said.

Hanna said that Reinhard Bernbeck of the Freie Universitat in Berlin had already argued that the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues by the Taliban in 2001 had been seen as sending a political message rather than being an act of hate against the cultural heritage. She argued that the scientific committee of the new Fund should consist of 90 per cent Arab heritage professionals from different Arab countries. There should be an involvement of the Arab Archaeologists Union and the Arab League.

Western intervention should be limited to the transfer of expertise to Arab colleagues, such as training on protecting museums or archaeological sites in situations of armed conflict, Hanna said. Other examples could be training local heritage professionals in state-of-the-art conservation, restoration and preservation work. Work could then be carried out by Arab professionals through proper community engagement and not by foreign missions.

Hanna suggested that part of the Fund created by the Abu Dhabi Declaration should be targeted towards training the police and army on illicit digging and illegal antiquities dealing with a proper exchange of information between Europe and the Arab countries.

Now, information is mostly shared between the European countries, UNESCO and Interpol, without enough collaboration with the affected Arab states, she said, adding that a clear risk map and priority list for intervention with stakeholders identified ahead of funds transfer needed to be put in place.

Greater awareness of the need to make heritage work accessible to Arab audiences was essential, Hanna said. She said that 95 per cent of such work in the past had been published in English, French and German, with only minimal work published in Arabic. The Arab audience could not appreciate something they did not know about, she said, and it was essential that more academic and other publications should be made available in Arabic.

All this will not be achieved only with a Fund of this type. It will be achieved through political lobbying in the affected countries suffering from cultural heritage desecration, Hanna asserted, explaining that greater efforts should be made in transferring knowledge and training and in framing clearer legislation and tougher penalties.

There was a need to work collaboratively with UNESCO member states on a similar footing, rather than reproducing the stereotype of orientalist western interest in the Orient, Hanna concluded.

This article was originally published in Al-Ahram Weekly Newspaper
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria are at loggerheads with the Kaduna State Government over a directive for all civil servants living in government quarters to quit the premises within seven days.

At a joint press conference in Kaduna on Monday, Adamu Ango, and Shehu Mohammed, state chapter chairmen of NLC and TUC respectively, on Monday in Kaduna, said the notice was not only an abuse of the right of the civil servants, but violated the known laws between a tenant and a landlord.

According to them, the law establishing Kaduna State rent tribunal, where all matters relating to tenancy is settled, stipulates that three months notice be given to any tenant before any eviction can be carried out.

The unions called on all its members occupying government quarters in the state to disregard the eviction order and remain in the premises.

We have taken all diplomatic steps to ensure that the governor sees reason but all in vain. So we are calling on all our members to stay put at the same time calling the state government to prepare their arsenal because we are ready to sacrifice our lives to protect our members, the unions said.

The labour unions also expressed dismay over the recent retrenchment by the state government, saying it is a ploy to kick some civil servant out of service.

Speaking on this, Mr. Mohammed said the Kaduna State Property Development Company which had 60 personnel, now has 14, while SUBEB with staff strength of 300, now has only 34 staff.

Some of our members have already been sent to the office of the Head of Service where they are doing nothing, and in the end the government may decide to terminate their appointments saying their services are no longer needed.

Therefore the restructure is not acceptable to us and cannot hold because we are going to fight against it, he said.

Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, did not respond to calls or text messages on Monday.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State on Monday condemned the role military and security agencies played in the Rivers legislative rerun polls. It alleged that they helped the All Progressives Congress, APC, manipulate the exercise held across a total of 21 constituencies over the weekend.

Army, SARS, are APC thugs in military uniform unleashed terror on the people, the party said in a statement by the state chairman, Felix Obuah.

The PDP dropped the blistering remark just as it said there was no election in Rivers South East senatorial district, thereby rejecting the declaration of Magnus Abe of the APC as winner of the district by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

It also rejected other APC candidates returned winners in the constituencies within the Rivers South East district.

APC won Gokana/Khana federal constituency and Tai/Oyigbo/Eleme federal constituency elections. APC also won Khana 2 and Gokana state. The four constituencies are within Rivers South East senatorial district clinched by Mr. Abe.

But the PDP said it it vehemently rejects the results as announced by the presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring APC candidates Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, Friday Nke-Ee, Innocent Barikor and others winners of their respective offices in Rivers South East Senatorial District.

The PDP challenged the APC, INEC, Army, Police or other security agencies to show proof that there was election in the zone, adding that whoever lays claim to results in the area or claims that election took place is a criminal.

What happened on Saturday, December 10, 2016 was nothing short of war declared on the people of the Rivers South East by Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, Army, SARS, Policemen and APC thugs dressed in Army uniform.

The party accused the APC, security officials and INEC of manipulating results in Ogoni area of the senatorial district.

The rejection of Mr. Abes victory by the PDP came barely 24 hours after the Senator-elect urged the party to accept his election.

He said, I want to also say that Rivers State has suffered enough and that it is time for us to bring this contest to an end.

Meanwhile, the army and the police have denied taking sides with APC in the elections. But observer groups and residents accused the military and security bodies of professional misconduct during the elections.
Polish President Andrzej Duda Sunday sent a condolence message to his Egyptian counterpart in connection with a bombing at Cairo's largest Coptic cathedral.

President Duda wrote that he was deeply moved by the information about the terrorist attack directed against innocent people.

"Let me offer words of sympathy on behalf of the Polish people and my own," President Duda was quoted as saying.

"I am convinced that terrorists, who are behind this barbarous act of violence, will not manage to weaken the solidarity and unity of the Egyptian people," President Andrzej Duda wrote.

The bombing at Cairo's largest Coptic cathedral killed at least 25 people and wounded 49, many of them women and children attending Sunday mass, in the deadliest attack on Egypt's Christian minority in years.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Islamic State supporters celebrated the attack on social media. (PAP)
Adapted from a recent online discussion.

Question: My husband and I have been married two years; I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first child. We are both ecstatic.

He was married once before and has a tween child from that marriage. He and his ex have a tricky, acrimonious relationship. But we adore the child, who lives with us part time.

The other night we were sharing a tender moment (fluttery baby kicks) when my husband commented: You know I love (older child), but knowing we made (baby) together makes me love her in a whole other way. I understood this comment was intended to be sweet, loving and romantic, but days later I am left with this horrified feeling  that he loves one child more than the other, that he ties his love for his children at least partly to how he feels about their mothers, and that I reacted incorrectly. That I should have said something to discourage him from thinking or talking that way from now on.

I confided this in a friend whose father is remarried with younger kids, and she said this isnt newsworthy, that fathers always feel that way when they remarry and the best ones just work very hard to not obviously prioritize the children of their current marriages. Understanding that no generalization holds for all fathers, do you think theres any truth to this one? Since I find it horrifying, what, if anything, can I do to advocate for my stepchild?  Uneasy in Virginia

Answer: Be watchful. Thats all I think you need at this point.

My take is that your husband is expressing his love for you, vs. one child over another. And he did say whole other way (my emphasis), right? That is about difference vs. magnitude, which most parents can say about different kids from the same marriage.

If a time comes that his love for you bathes his younger child while his ex-acrimony scalds the older, then you absolutely have to step in  both by talking to your husband privately and by continuing to adore (older child).

And if you really feel you have to say something now, or if he keeps saying things in this vein, then just say youre stuck on his comment, and ask him: Does he worry about behaving differently toward his two children? Does he have a plan for preventing this? It could be hes way ahead of you here.

Re: Stepchild: Im a stepmom, plus my husband and I had a child together. The best thing we could do to advocate for my stepson was to banish the terms step, half, etc., and call the boys BROTHERS. Period. That puts them on equal footing  I love them both, so does their dad.  No Qualifiers

To Uneasy: Please challenge the thought that fathers always feel that way when they remarry. My father clearly has an order of preference: 1) first child (first wife  very contentious relationship), 2) third child (second wife), 3) fourth child (second wife), 4) second child (first wife). It mostly has to do with things we enjoy in common. All of us kids agree on this, but also know that he loves us all.  Anonymous

Answer: Yes, thanks  its rarely simple where parents and kids are involved.
ATLANTIC CITY They stared straight ahead, eyes barely visible below the brims of their rain-soaked hats, seemingly oblivious to the cold drizzle and wind that was whipping off the ocean.

They remained at attention for more than a half hour, until the hearse carrying New Jersey State Trooper Frankie Williams rolled past. Suddenly, their right hands shot up and snapped in salute to their fallen comrade.

"We are a family," New Jersey State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said during Williams' funeral at Boardwalk Hall. "And supporting one another is a family tradition."

More than a thousand law-enforcement officers came to show their support, standing five deep, shoulder-to-shoulder on the Atlantic City Boardwalk Monday, forming a wall of blue that stretched for blocks.

Williams, 31, was killed in a head-on collision while on patrol on Route 55 in Millville Dec. 5.

Another motorist, 61-year-old psychiatrist Lloyd Rudley, also died in the accident.

Monday's moving service for Williams  believed to be the first funeral ever held in the main arena in the 90-year history of Boardwalk Hall  was attended by law enforcement officials from as far away as Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Utah and Wisconsin, as well as Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania.

Gov. Chris Christie, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Sen. Jim Whelan and Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian were also in attendance.

The bulk of the crowd, however, was from the New Jersey State Police Department, which Williams had joined in January as a member of the State Police academy's 156th class.

Images from Williams' wedding and reception were shown on the giant scoreboard screen above the arena throughout the services.

"Frankie was my gift, my hero, my love," Williams' mother, Victoria Williams, said during the service. "I thank you all so much for loving my child."

Williams' death shocked family  he and his wife, Kimberly, were married in September  friends and co-workers from both the State Police and the Lowe's in Egg Harbor Township, where he worked before becoming a state trooper.

Two lives, one tragic crash on Route 55 They were two men headed in opposite directions on Route 55 on Monday night, and their meeti

Nick Duffy, one of Williams' best friends and former coworkers at Lowe's, related a story that Williams had told him about always wearing suits to school as a young boy and carrying his lunchbox as though it was his briefcase.

Duffy and former Lowe's co-workers Sara Snelling and Cassandra Clements all mentioned Williams treating everyone with respect and dignity and maintaining a positive outlook on life regardless of the situation.

"I'm here to tell you that Frankie was a special man," Duffy said. "Smart, quick-witted and kind to everyone. I could talk all day about the good times that we had. The most important lesson that I learned from Frankie was no matter what life throws at you, don't give up on your dream."

Williams' dream was always to be a New Jersey State Trooper.

At 31, he was almost a decade older than most of the recruits in his class, but he had no trouble handling the physical demands of the academy and emerged as a standout in other areas because of his educational background.

Williams had earned an associate's degree from Atlantic Cape Community College and an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University-Camden. He was two semesters shy of earning a master's degree from Rutgers-Camden at the time of his death.

Cara Spinosa, a 24-year-old Galloway Township resident and 2010 Absegami High School graduate, was among Williams' classmates at the academy. After graduation, they were both stationed at the Woodstown barracks and had just been reunited at the Port Norris station a few weeks before the accident.

"The guy had life figured out," said Spinosa, who was one of the speakers during the service. "I went to him for almost anything, on or off the job, and he always had the answer.

"It's unbelievable the type of guy he was, and I want everyone to know that. No matter what, he always had my back. He meant everything to me."

Lt. Col. Patrick Callahan, who spoke at the ceremony, said he submitted Williams' name this week to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. as the 71st New Jersey trooper to die in the line of duty.

Before the start of Monday's service, as the contingent of law enforcement officers waited in the lobby, a chaplain walked past handing out Mass cards with Williams' picture on the front.

One by one, the officers all placed the card inside their hats.

One New Jersey state policeman, who declined to be identified, placed Williams' Mass card on top of a stack that he kept inside his hat. It's tradition, he explained.

"We put them in there to always remember," the officer said. "Unfortunately, I have about 30 of these."

After the ceremony, they lined back up on the Boardwalk while the New Jersey State Police Pipe Band marched in front of the hearse.

Every charging station on the Boardwalk featured Williams' picture on its video screen.

Almost all of the law enforcement officials wore black strips across their badges. In the middle of the strips, however, was a thin blue line.

"It's great to see so much support for Frankie," Clements said while watching the procession and wiping away tears. "But it's just so sad. All he ever talked about was becoming a New Jersey state trooper."
A local lawyer was found not guilty of sexually assaulting his teenage stepdaughter on Friday after jurors deliberated for two days.

J. David Alcantara was acquitted of aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, among other charges, after a two-week trial in Atlantic County. He was charged with the crimes four years ago.

Alcantara, who is a criminal defense lawyer, said in an interview he was glad to prove his innocence and that the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office went after him too harshly.

I was like a squirrel being hunted down by a 50-caliber machine gun, he said while holding back tears.

The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office declined comment.

Alcantaras legal issues arent over. He has a hearing in January on charges he assaulted his other stepdaughter.

Alcantara said he is innocent of those charges, too, and looks forward to clearing his name.

Alcantara said he met his now ex-wife while traveling in Russia in 2004. They got married, and she and her two daughters moved to the United States.

No one answered the door at his ex wifes family home Monday.

Alcantara was charged in 2012 on allegations of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter multiple times between March 2006 and March 2010, beginning when she was 14.

Alcantara said he was offered several plea deals that included no prison time, but wanted to fight the charges because he knew he was innocent and didnt want to lose his law license.

After that case, Alcantara said he wants to go back to court and represent one person before moving out of the area. He said he has informed the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office that he intends to file civil litigation against it.

I look at the sky and I think, Man, I could have been in jail five, 10, 20 years, he said. But here I am and I thank the Lord.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
ABSECON  Turiya S.A. Raheem became a Muslim in her 20s. The Atlantic City native was working in classifieds at The Washington Post at the time. Her mother, who was living in Boston, asked her why she would choose the triple whammy.

Youre already black and a woman in America. Now, Muslim? she said her mother asked her.

Raheem, 62, sought to answer that question in her newest book, Why We Chose This Way.

On Sunday, she was the guest speaker during a book talk at Wadiyas on New Jersey Avenue in Absecon.

Raheem said she interviewed about 30 black Muslim women about their experiences and then reduced the interviews into ten stories to provide anonymity to her subjects.

If we dont tell our stories, nobodys going to tell our stories, she said.

That same thread was the subject of her first book, Growing Up in the Other Atlantic City, which told stories of the black men and women who helped build the resort.

Raheem said she asked participants why they continue to practice despite all the negative press about Islam. The women ranged in age from 50 to 80 years old, she said.

I was surprised everybody didnt come to Islam looking for God, she said. Some of them thought this was the best solution to all of societys ills.

A lot of those experiences were revelations to me, Raheem said.

Hoping to help outsiders understand the religion, Raheem has been speaking about her book at several events over the last year.

I just think people have misconceptions about who we are, she said.

She said there was a distinction between the Muslim faith and cultures that practice Islam. Raheem said that for Muslims in America, black women are not often the face of the community despite making up such a large portion of it.

When do you see any of us being called up to be the expert on Islam, she said.

Raheem said this leads to misconceptions about who Muslims in America are.

According to the Pew Research Centers Religious Landscape Study, 28 percent of Muslims in America are black. In the United States, the number of Muslims has grown to nearly 1 percent of the total population, the survey says. And in New Jersey, the survey estimates that Muslims make up 3 percent of the states population.

A group of about 10 women gathered in a circle Sunday to discuss their experiences and read from Raheems book.

Mary Wadiya Jones of Atlantic City said she converted when she was 19 years old.

I went against the grain of everything 19-year-olds would do, she said, cutting out drinking and drugs, clubs and Christmas.

She said she found common ground with a lot of stories in Raheems book.

A lot of people just dont know, she said. But the reality is, in our hearts were just searching for the truth.

Desiree Barimah, of Galloway Township, said part of being Muslim is feeling a connection with strangers through faith.

It doesnt matter that were not family, but we are, she said.

For Bashira Khan, of Atlantic City, she said that she hopes that people refrain from prejudice just because she is Muslim.

Remember what it is you know about a person before you judge them, she said.
Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church held a funeral on Monday for the victims of Sunday's bomb blast at Cairo's cathedral complex.

The service took place at the Church of St. Mary and St. Athanasius in Nasr City and was led by Pope Tawadros II.

A state funeral procession followed.

Only some family members of the victims, who were issued official invitations. were allowed to attend the funeral service

Hundreds of other mourners had to wait outside the church, and pray behind a security cordon.

Video by Lina El Wardani
A probable-cause hearing has been scheduled for Bridgeton resident Demetris Cross, who is accused of involvement in the shooting of Atlantic City police Officer Joshlee Vadell, for 1:30 p.m. Monday in Atlantic County Superior Court.

Vadell is home with his family in Egg Harbor Township after stays at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus in Atlantic City, and the Drucker Brain Injury Unit at MossRehab in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

A probable-cause hearing was held last month for the other man accused in the Vadell shooting case, Millville resident Martel D. Chisolm. Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury said he had heard enough to decide the attempted murder case against Chisolm should move forward. Cross and Chis-olm were arrested by State Police on Sept. 3.

They are being held on $750,000 bail each at the Atlantic County jail.

In addition to attempted murder, Chisolm, 29, and Cross, 28, are each charged with three counts of robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of possession of a weapon (firearm) for an unlawful purpose and two counts of conspiracy to commit possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.

A GoFundMe account called This Blue Life Matters has been set up for Vadell and his family.

The goal is $200,000. More than 1,266 people had donated $125,531 as of Friday.

WZBZ-FM 99.3, commonly known as the Buzz, an Equity Communications radio station out of West Atlantic City, is still airing public service announcements for the GoFundMe account.
Atlantic City cant afford $1.3M park improvement

A legal notice on Nov. 26 said the City of Atlantic City has awarded a $1.3 million contract to Command Co. Inc. for improvements to Brown Memorial Park. How can a city that has no money while increasing real estate taxes possible be doing this?

If this park is that big of an issue, the city should put a fence around it until it gets its finances in order.

Rocco Pepino

Atlantic City

Family caregivers merit $3,000 federal tax credit

As an active AARP volunteer in Cape May County, Im aware of Rep. Frank LoBiondos leadership in Congress to help older New Jersey residents live independently by supporting the family caregivers who so often help older parents, spouses and other loved ones achieve this goal.

Recently, LoBiondo co-sponsored the bipartisan Credit for Caring Act. This bill would create a federal tax credit of up to $3,000 for family caregivers who provide financial assistance to loved ones.

Not only would this assistance help people live in their homes and communities, it would save taxpayer dollars by helping to prevent loved ones from needing more costly nursing home care or being readmitted to the hospital.

Family caregivers take on many physical, emotional and financial challenges. In addition to providing hands-on assistance and coordinating care, family caregivers pay about $7,000 out-of-pocket a year on average for goods, services and supports for their loved ones on things such as service providers, adult daycare, transportation and home modifications. Although caregivers often take on care responsibilities willingly, financial strains are unavoidable, and as a country we should support them as they take on these costs and responsibilities.

Im grateful to see Republicans and Democrats uniting behind this effort to help support and sustain family caregivers nationwide.

Sue R. Kelly

North Wildwood

Pitts resents the country, doesnt want it to heal

The headline of the Nov. 18 commentary by Leonard Pitts Jr. says it all: Trump must be resisted no matter what he does. So even if what Donald Trump does proves to be good for the economy and the American people  hes to be resisted. Even if Trump helps America regain world prestige and respect, forces fairer trade agreements, brings a lot of businesses back home, gets NATO nations to carry their fair share economically and militarily, and makes small businesses more profitable by reducing onerous regulations  hes to be resisted. Even if by his actions Trump proves he is not a racist, not against legal law-biding immigrants and doesnt hate women  hes already appointed three to Cabinet positions  hes to be resisted.

I submit that Pitts has shown his true colors when he says, I have no interest in seeing this country heal. Well, with people like Pitts and Al Sharpton, it wont.

What did President Obama and Hillary Clinton do to stem the rising tide of immorality, the undermining of the Constitution, the transformation of the republic to a socialistic state? Nothing. On the contrary, they contributed to all of it but thats about to end. And thats what Pitts is so angry about. He seemingly harbors a deep-seated resentment against the country and apparently enjoyed seeing America come apart at the seams.

Donald R. Ackermann

Barnegat

Divert political donations to feed, house the poor

Here is a good suggestion for doing it right. Have all politicians take all of their campaign contributions  the billions of dollars used for all the damn commercials and such  and use it to feed a lot of people and give the homeless a place to live.

Barbara Hannum

Galloway Township
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 project is the latest in a string of business wins for APR Energy since being privatized at the beginning of the year, bringing the total of new awards, extensions and expansions in 2016 to more than 1GW. The project also is the company's sixth award in the past year using mobile gas turbines.

"This first-of-its-kind project will enable the USVI to leverage its significant investment in LPG infrastructure by greatly reducing the cost and environmental impact of power generation," said APR Energy Executive Chairman John Campion. "Experts are forecasting a 15-percent increase in the price of diesel fuel during the next two years, while LPG prices are expected to remain stable. Using LPG should provide WAPA with significant savings compared with diesel-powered reciprocating engines, which are common in the Caribbean."

"The switch to the lower-cost and cleaner-burning LPG as the primary source of fuel in generating electricity in the Virgin Islands has been the single biggest capital project WAPA has undertaken in recent history," said WAPA Executive Director and CEO Julio Rhymer, Sr. "We are excited about potentially providing lower rates for our customers and are pleased that with today's contract signing APR Energy will be part of our energy solution in the Virgin Islands. For years now, WAPA has had a positive relationship with APR Energy, and we are pleased to work with them in becoming the world's first electric utility to place an LPG-fired TM2500+ into commercial operation."

Campion expects this project to serve as a model for other utilities looking to benefit quickly from LPG as an alternative, cheaper fuel source. "Interest in LPG is growing in many markets around the world, especially in the Caribbean and parts of Africa and Asia, where availability of the fuel has expanded significantly in the last few years," Campion said. "The TM2500+ turbine is one of the few fast-track technologies capable of running on LPG, and it offers customers the added flexibility to switch quickly and seamlessly between fuels based on price and availability."

The new project supplements APR Energy's existing 25MW diesel-fuelled turbine plant installed in 2012 for WAPA, bringing its total generation at the site to 50MW.

About APR Energy

APR Energy is the world's leading provider of fast-track mobile turbine power. Our fast, flexible and full-service power solutions provide customers with rapid access to reliable electricity when and where they need it, for as long as they need it. Combining state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient technology with industry-leading expertise, our scalable turnkey plants help run cities, countries and industries around the world, in both developed and developing markets. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.aprenergy.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120207/FL48583LOGO

Press Photo Gallery

Related Links

http://www.APRenergy.com



SOURCE APR Energy
LONDON, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

BCRE - Brack Capital Real Estate Investments N.V.

("BCRE" or the "Company")

Subsidiary announces progress on planning of project

Further to the announcement on 29 February 2016, regarding the entry into an agreement to acquire ownership rights over land in Aachen, Germany by the Company's subsidiary Brack Capital Properties N.V. ("BCRE Germany"), whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange ("TASE"), the Company is pleased to announce that BCRE Germany has published relevant information regarding discussions held with the authorities of the city of Aachen in relation to the planning concept of the project.

For ease of reference, the uncertified English translation of the announcement together with the original announcement which was published on the TASE in Hebrew, is available on the Company's website www.brack-capital.com.

ENQUIRIES:

BCRE - Brack Capital Real Estate Investments N.V.

Ariel Podrojski, Chief Executive Officer

Nansia Koutsou, Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer, +31 20 514 1004

Novella Communications

Tim Robertson

Toby Andrews, +44 203 151 7008

About BCRE

BCRE is an international real estate development and investment group, headquartered in the Netherlands and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Through its subsidiary and associated undertakings, the Company is interested in, develops and operates an international portfolio of real estate assets, predominantly located in the USA, Germany and Russia.

The Company has established local management team platforms with significant local market expertise in the US, Germany, Russia, India and the UK with exclusive access to over 550 staff. At present, the Company has offices and teams in New York, London, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Moscow, Kazan, New Delhi, Amsterdam and Limassol.

This is a disclosure announcement from PR Newswire.

SOURCE BCRE - Brack Capital Real Estate Investments N.V.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Calypso Technology Inc., a leading provider of capital markets and investment management software, today announced that it booked 20 new clients in 2016 and is planning a rapid expansion of its workforce in 2017.

The firm added a wide range of new customers, including banks, insurance companies, and asset managers, closing its largest quarter ever and exceeding last year's record. The new clients came from all over the world, developed and emerging markets alike.

To support this growth and ensure they maintain momentum in the new year, Calypso also announced it will substantially increase its workforce in 2017. They currently plan to hire over 170 new employees next year, with substantial investments in Calypso Cloud Services, Research & Development, and Sales & Marketing.

"We are thankful to our new and existing customers for their support and the confidence placed in us," said Calypso CEO Pascal Xatart. "Our uncompromising commitment to quality and professionalism, combined with investments in technologies like Cloud Services and Blockchain, position Calypso at the cutting edge of innovation in capital market software."

Calypso was recently awarded the 2016 Technology Provider of the Year by Asia Risk Magazine and was named a leader in the 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Trading Platforms. Calypso was the #1 selling Treasury and Capital Markets Solution for the seventh consecutive year in the 2016 IBS Sales League Table.

About Calypso Technology, Inc.

Calypso Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of cross-asset front-to-back technology solutions for financial markets. It provides customers with a single platform for consolidation, innovation and growth. With 19 years of experience delivering software and services for trading, risk management, processing and accounting, the Calypso solution helps bring simplicity to complex business and technology challenges. Calypso solutions address needs for the capital markets, investment management, clearing, collateral, treasury and liquidity. Clients can benefit from greater efficiency, improved risk management, better allocation of capital, faster regulatory compliance, quicker time to market and reduced Total Cost of Ownership. Calypso Technology offers solutions that improve reliability, adaptability and scalability.

Calypso is used by over 34,000 market professionals in over 60 countries representing more than 200 financial institutions across Asia, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Calypso Technology has over 700 staff in 21 global offices, with headquarters in San Francisco, California. "Calypso" is a registered trademark of Calypso Technology, Inc. in the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions. Other parties' trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such. www.calypso.com

Media Contacts:

Calypso Technology

Chris Shayne

chris_shayne@calypso.com

+1-415-530-4147

Related Links

http://www.calypso.com



SOURCE Calypso Technology
The US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and IREX organized the workshop. Alumni of the International Leaders in Education Program and the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program addressed innovative solutions to global issues through collaboration across borders and subjects, and through the development of action plans. Participants came from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

"[I] leave with renewed energy to make changes," said Elimatamu Mwakilasa, an ILEP alumnus from Tanzania who attended the workshop. "I am ready to take on challenges in my classes and [help] students become global citizens."

Vivian Adhiambo Onano, an advocate for women and girls and a youth advisor to the United Nation's Women Civil Society Advisory Group from Kenya, spoke to the teachers about the importance of education in empowering youth, especially girls.

"Education should be about molding and shaping the next generation of leaders who will make a difference in their communities," said Onano.

Maxine Lunn, Program Officer at the US Department of State, spoke about the importance of connecting teachers across East Africa to find innovative ways to teach their students and lead in their classrooms and communities.

"Each teacher has proven to be a leader and a master teacher. Bringing them all together close to home after their exchange experience will help them to strengthen connections, share ideas, and to do so in a familiar environment," said Lunn.

"We saw real bonds across countries and expertise," said IREX Acting Program Director Mariya Chetyrkina. "These bonds will advance secondary education in East Africa for years to come."

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) and the International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) bring teachers from around the world to the US for six-week to four-month intensive teaching fellowships at US universities. TEA and ILEP are programs of the US Department of State and implemented by IREX.

View photos from the workshop.

CONTACT: Michelle Trueheart

202-628-8188

mweisse@irex.org

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160426/360007LOGO

Related Links

http://www.irex.org



SOURCE IREX
NEW YORK, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Persistence Market Research delivers key insights on the EMEA de-aromatic solvents market in its latest report titled, "EMEA Market Study on De-aromatic Solvents: High Flash Point Grade Segment to Witness Relatively Faster Growth Between 2016 and 2024." The EMEA de-aromatic solvents market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.0% over the forecast period (2016 - 2024) and North Africa and Spain are expected to witness the highest growth in the consumption of de-aromatic solvents.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )



In the case of paints and coatings application, lower VOC content, less odor, and comparatively faster drying times are desirable properties and as a result de-aromatized solvents, especially low flash point grade offerings, are widely used in this application which is creating robust development in the EMEA de-aromatic solvents market. Stringent policies and regulations coupled with the effectiveness of de-aromatized solvents across a diverse range of applications have prompted end users to switch to de-aromatized solvents products that are equally effective but contain relatively low levels of VOCs. As a result, demand for de-aromatized solvents is increasing which is creating the positive impact on the market. Increasing demand from a metal working application is also driving the growth of the market of EMEA de-aromatic solvents. The stringent policies and regulations by the government coupled with the effectiveness of de-aromatized solvents across a diverse range of applications have prompted end users to switch to de-aromatized solvents. In the recent past, the leading participants in the de-aromatic solvents market have channelized efforts toward development and commercial production of solvents using natural gas-based feedstock. This is responsible for boosting the market for de-aromatic solvents.

Full Report Analysis and Market Overview@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/emea-dearomatic-solvents-market.asp

EMEA de-aromatic solvents market forecast

Consumption of de-aromatic solvents is anticipated to reach 536,234 Tons by the end of 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period. Sales of de-aromatic solvents are expected to be valued at US$ 377.2 Mn by 2016 and are anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 5.0%, to be valued at US$ 556.0 Mn by the end of 2024. Germany is expected to account for significant share of the overall incremental opportunity in the EMEA de-aromatic solvents market between 2016 and 2024. Growth in demand for non-toxic alternatives and regulatory compliances are expected to drive demand for de-aromatic solvents in the region over the forecast period. High flash point segment is projected to gain 138 BPS in terms of market value share by 2024 end as compared to that in 2016. Demand for high flash point de-aromatic solvents which are non-corrosive and environmentally safer solvents have witnessed a steady growth, especially in the metalworking application. This increasing demand is thus expected to fuel the growth of high flash point segment during the forecast period.

Resins and paints segment is expected to account for a market value share of 42.9% by 2024 end. The segment, however, is expected to witness a loss of nearly 160 basis points by end of 2024, owing to the anticipated increase in demand for alternatives such as water based paints and powder coatings over the forecast period. Another major application area of de-aromatic solvents is cleaning and degreasing products. This segment is expected to witness a gain of nearly 10 basis points between 2016 and 2024.

De-aromatic solvents consumption in Germany has been estimated to be valued at US$ 82.7

Mn in 2016. It is projected to account for US$ 119.1 Mn by the end of 2024. Rest of EMEA region accounted for the largest market value share of 40.4% in 2016. Revenue from this segment is expected to increase at CAGRs of 5.6% during the forecast period.

View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/emea-dearomatic-solvents-market/toc

"Some of the key players identified in the EMEA de-aromatic solvents market include Royal Dutch Shell plc., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Total S.A., Neste, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH."

Request Sample Report@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12571

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

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SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market in its upcoming outlook titled, "Herbal Beauty Products Market: Europe & Asia Pacific Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026". In terms of value, Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period due to various factors, on which FMI offers vital insights in detail.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO )



Consumer preference for clean label beauty care products is shifting significantly due to increasing awareness regarding the benefits of herbal and natural ingredients. Consumers are increasingly opting for greener products owing to presence of toxic ingredients in synthetic cosmetic products, which are known to cause various adverse effects. Moreover, consumers are currently more informed regarding the benefits of using herbal products through promotions, advertisements and activities on various social media platforms. Herbal skin care products improve skin texture, tone and appearance owing to presence of nutrients required to enrich overall skin health. Increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly personal care products has prompted companies to enter into the herbal and natural personal care products market and develop new and advanced products. Manufacturers are continuously launching herbal personal care products with remedial properties and long-term benefits, which is resulting in addressing existing consumer requirements and aiding in expanding customer base.

Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-eu-2375

Segmentation analysis

On the basis of end use, the Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market has been segmented into male and female. Female segment is estimated to account for the largest share by 2016 end. Male segment is expected to account for substantial growth over the forecast period. Increasing inclination of male consumers towards personal grooming and outward appearance among is expected to support growth of the male segment over the forecast period.

& herbal beauty products market has been segmented into male and female. Female segment is estimated to account for the largest share by 2016 end. Male segment is expected to account for substantial growth over the forecast period. Increasing inclination of male consumers towards personal grooming and outward appearance among is expected to support growth of the male segment over the forecast period. Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market has been segmented distribution channel which includes supermarket, specialty stores, departmental stores, drugstores, beauty salons and online/direct selling. Among all these segments, supermarket segment is expected to account for relatively higher value share during the forecast period. Specialty stores segment has been estimated to occupy the second largest share accounting for 21.1% value share in 2015.

& herbal beauty products market has been segmented distribution channel which includes supermarket, specialty stores, departmental stores, drugstores, beauty salons and online/direct selling. Among all these segments, supermarket segment is expected to account for relatively higher value share during the forecast period. Specialty stores segment has been estimated to occupy the second largest share accounting for 21.1% value share in 2015. On the basis of type, Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market has been segmented into hair care, skin care, fragrance and oral care. Among all these segments, skin care segment has been estimated represent highest value share of 45.7% in 2016 and expected to remain dominant over the forecast period.

& herbal beauty products market has been segmented into hair care, skin care, fragrance and oral care. Among all these segments, skin care segment has been estimated represent highest value share of 45.7% in 2016 and expected to remain dominant over the forecast period. Increasing acne issues owing to increasing humidity and pollution levels is expected to drive growth of the skin care segment in the market during the forecast period. Skin care segment is further sub-segmented as cleanser & toner, cream & lotion, facewash & scrub and others. Among all these sub-segments, cream and lotion is expected to account for major value share over the forecast period.

Hair care segment is expected to occupy second largest position on the pie in terms of revenue contribution. Hair care segment is further sub-segmented as hair oil, powder, shampoo, conditioner and others. Oral care segment is expected to represent substantial growth over the forecast period. The segment is projected to represent CAGR of 3.1% in terms of value growth by 2026 end.

Preview Analysis on Europe & Asia Pacific Herbal Beauty Products Market Segmentation By Type - Hair Care (Hair Oil, Powder, Shampoo, Conditioner, Masks And Creams), Skin Care (Cleansers & Toners, Cream & Lotion, Scrubs & Facewash), Fragrance and Oral Care; By Distribution Channel - Supermarket, Specialty Stores, Departmental Stores, Drug Stores, Beauty Salons and Online/Direct Selling: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/europe-and-asia-pacific-herbal-beauty-products-market

Regional analysis

This report discusses trends driving growth of each segment and offers analysis and insights of the potential of the Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market in specific region including Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC). Markets in APAC are expected to record high growth rates in terms of value between 2016 and 2026. Japan has been estimated to be the largest consumer of herbal beauty products followed by China in 2015 across the APAC region.

Speak with Analyst for any Report Related Quires: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-eu-2375

Vendor insights

This report covers detailed profiles of key players in Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market, which includes key strategies, key developments, product offerings and others. Key companies profiled in this report are Lotus Herbals, VLCC Personal Care Ltd., Dabur India Ltd., Hemas Holdings Plc, Shahnaz Herbals Inc., Bio Veda Action Research Co., Himalaya Global Holdings Ltd., Surya Brasil, and Herballife International of America Inc.

More From FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence:

Smart Water Bottle Market: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/smart-water-bottle-market

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/smart-water-bottle-market GCC Air Purifiers Market: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/gcc-air-purifiers-market

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/gcc-air-purifiers-market Mobile Phone Accessories Market: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/global-mobile-phone-accessories-market

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SOURCE Future Market Insights
TORONTO, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Fast-growing Fleet Complete Celebrates its Win as one of the GTA's Top Employers for 2017

Fleet Complete, a global software company that connects businesses with their remote vehicle fleets, mobile assets and in-field workers in real-time, is among the winners of Mediacorp's Greater Toronto's Top Employers 2017 competition. With more than 300 employees worldwide, Fleet Complete continues to grow and further expand its international presence. In the last year and a half, Fleet Complete acquired ITmobile in the Netherlands and Securatrak in Australia, significantly increasing its staff roster and presenting greater employment opportunities in the Toronto's tech hub.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161115/439798LOGO )



"Our success has created opportunities for new and existing employees," said Larry Indovina, Executive VP of HR at Fleet Complete, "We've made over 100 hires in the past 12 months, from software developers to sales and marketing roles that required seasoned professionals as well as new graduates."

The GTA's Top Employers nomination is attributed to a number of key factors, such as workplace amenities, employment and health benefits and the company's dedication to employee development. "We are devoted to the employee experience at work as much as their career progression," explains Larry Indovina, "Our state-of-the-art headquarters in downtown Toronto has our own tailored design that ensures a productive and collaborative work environment, providing the right tools for professional and personal growth. The central downtown location draws top talent to the company, provides a vibrant setting for many of our employees' active lifestyles and a convenient commute to and from the office. Moreover, Fleet Complete's highly competitive benefits packages, vacation allowance, parental leave and stock option plans ensure our employees are well taken care of."

The company's continuous growth and global expansion put Fleet Complete at the forefront of employment opportunities in the GTA. "It's a great honour to have earned our spot amongst an elite group of companies, like Salesforce, Pepsico, Cisco, RBC and MLSE, as winners of the Greater Toronto's Top Employers 2017 award," said Tony Lourakis, CEO of Fleet Complete. "Not only does it validate the culture and the values that have driven Fleet Complete to its success, it celebrates the achievements and contributions of our employees, who have made the company an industry-leader."

Entering its 12th year, the Greater Toronto's Top Employers competition is an editorial project that recognizes employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies. Editors at Mediacorp grade employers on eight criteria, which have remained constant since the project's inception: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time-Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. The editors publish detailed reasons for selection and grades for these criteria, providing transparency in the choice of winners and a catalogue of best practices for employers and job-seekers. For more information, please visit Reasons for Selection.

About Fleet Complete 

Based in Toronto, Fleet Complete is a global IoT provider of mission critical fleet, asset and mobile workforce management solutions. For over sixteen years, Fleet Complete has been providing dispatching, fleet tracking and mobile resource management solutions to more than 8,000 businesses worldwide. The company maintains key distribution partnerships with AT&T in the U.S., TELUS in Canada and Telstra in Australia, remaining one of the fastest-growing companies in North America that has won numerous awards for innovation and growth since its inception in 2000 (as Complete Innovations Inc.). For more information, please visit fleetcomplete.com

About Mediacorp

Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which includes 19 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that reach over 13 million Canadians annually through a variety of magazine and newspaper partners, including The Globe and Mail. Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca, the largest Canadian job search engine, which includes editorial reviews from the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. Together with Willis Towers Watson, Mediacorp also hosts Canada's largest conference for senior-level HR professionals, the Top Employer Summit.

Contact:

David Prusinski

EVP, Sales and Marketing

Fleet Complete

david.prusinski@fleetcomplete.com, marketing@fleetcomplete.com



SOURCE Fleet Complete
LONDON, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The expert speaker panel at the Future of Finance Summit 2017 has expanded to include case studies from Schlumberger, Vodafone, BP, SplashDamage and Bayer to name just a few (you can view the full speaker line-up here: http://bit.ly/2geKU5U ). They are discussing innovative, forward-thinking strategies and tactics to help you accelerate your finance department's performance and transformation.

Over three days you will have the opportunity hear from 50+ finance industry influencers and experts, all discussing the hottest subject matters facing your finance function today, including:



Redefining Finance Capability:

Learn how you can 'add value' to the wider business through RPA, Advanced Data Analytics and other technologies with British Gas, Zurich Insurance, Microsoft and Tarmac.

People Strategy & Talent Management:

Determine how to achieve the skill-set you need to empower your team to encourage innovation, manage morale under this new reality and recruit, re-train and retain your most valuable resource going forward with Philips, DeFacto, PRA Health Sciences and Schlumberger.

GBS and Global Process Ownership:

Discover how to maximise your output whilst achieving cost reduction, overcome the challenges in becoming a genuine GBS model and ways to streamline your processes to become a forward-thinking finance function with NBC Universal, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Network Rail and Siemens AG.

What next?

To help with these challenges, please take the next step by downloading the Future of Finance Summit 2017 agenda here: http://bit.ly/2geKU5U



Alternatively, a copy can also be requested via email at events@ssonetwork.com or call +44 (0)20 7368 9809.

Plus! You asked for more Interactive Discussion Groups and we have listened, there are now 20 split across on day 1 & 2 to allow you to benchmark with your peers - access the full list here: http://bit.ly/2geKU5U

Don't wait any longer to join 200+ Finance Executives, listen to 50+ Speakers, hear 20+ Case Studies, join 25+ Interactive Discussion Groups, 6 Focus Sessions, over 3 days, to find out more please click here: http://bit.ly/2geKU5U



Media contact: Elena Patten, Marketing Manager Tel: +44 (0)20 7368 9809, Email: events@ssonetwork.com

This was written in conjunction the Future of Finance Summit on 14-16 February 2017 in London, UK.



>>> For more information please find the full agenda here http://bit.ly/2geKU5U or call +44 (0)20 7368 9809 or email: events@ssonetwork.com

Press are invited to attend this key industry event. If you would like a complimentary press pass please email Elena Patten at: events@ssonetwork.com

SOURCE Future of Finance Summit 2017
DUBLIN, Dec 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Market Review of Lingerie - Forecasts to 2022" report to their offering.

The 2016 edition of this long-standing report provides - as ever - the complete retail market statistics and forecasts for the global lingerie market. This edition also focuses on the US and Chinese markets, analyses lingerie's supply chain and provides market shares for key brands and retailers.

Report extracts:

- Europe accounts for US$11.67bn of the total, and North America for US$7.93bn. Together they have a combined share of 66.3% of the world total. The percentage share held by Asia is 20.4%, and the combined share of South America and the rest of the World is 13.3%

- Brands (retail or manufacturer) resonate with consumers because they trust them. They trust them for fit and hence they are loyal to them. Therefore, hanging on to brands that the consumer believes in is vital. Hanes have done it very well in both North America and Europe with different brand names. Triumph have done it well in both Europe and Asia with the same names

- The world bra market for 2016 is worth US$16.42bn. Bras account for 55.5% of the world lingerie market. Europe and North America together have a combined percentage share of 68.7%. This exceeds the percentage share of lingerie as a whole, and indicates that bras are less important as a woman's purchase in the other continental regions. In unit terms, bra sales are 1596m units per year

- The future of distribution lies in organised retail. The dis-organised markets in the developing world are being eroded. That means for a brand being stocked in well-known retailers and for a retailer having either own brands or manufacturer brands that are trusted. The decisions on what to stock, either going forwards up the supply chain, of backwards down it, is one of the most important decisions to be made in this business

- The world briefs market is quantified in US$ billions value for 2016 at US$9.90bn. This represents 33.5% of the total lingerie market. In unit terms, briefs sales are 5260m units per year

Key Topics Covered:

Executive summary

Chapter 1: The world lingerie market, 2016

Chapter 2: The world lingerie market, US$bn and units, 2022

Chapter 3: Time lines and growth percentages between key dates

Chapter 4: Selected markets in focus

Chapter 5: Retail market analysis of lingerie

Chapter 6: Product analysis of lingerie

Chapter 7: Consumer analysis of lingerie

Chapter 8: Lingerie supply chain analysis

Chapter 9: Brands and own label retailers

Chapter 10: Key world lingerie industry players

Chapter 11: The future of the global lingerie industry

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/z329n8/global_market

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The latest report published by Persistence Market Research titled "Global Market Study on Precision Medicine: Drug Discovery Technology Segment Estimated to Witness 0.1% Decline in Market Share Between 2016 and 2024" projects some of the crucial aspects of the global precision medicine market after an in-depth research. The report assures that the market will grow manifold and it will register a 14.7% CAGR between 2016 and 2024.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )



Global Precision Medicine Market: The Propellers

The global expansion of the medicine industry will expand the canvas of the global precision market. Larger investments, better infrastructure, simplified approval process of drugs along with companion diagnostics will impact the structure of the entire climate of the global precision medicine market. The affordable DNA profiling, the bloating cancer population of the globe will create a favorable condition of growth for the global precision medicine market. The proper storage of genome data plays a crucial part in this segment. The emergence of data backed medicare will also drive the global precision market ahead.

Request Sample Report@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12646

But the market is combating acute data storage and data privacy issues and it also lacks in systematic approach towards funding and soaring prices of personalized drugs is also creating a blockade in the expansion of the global precision medicine market.

Global Precision Medicine Market: Market Autopsy

The global precision medicine market is bifurcated into multiple parent segments which are further sub-categorized. The primary division of the market is an assimilation of three, region, technology and application. The major technologies which will define the market character in the forthcoming years are bioinformatics, next-gen sequencing and drug discovery technology. The applications segment will showcase fruitful results and oncology will act as the showstopper. The market prediction shows that this segment will bloom and will touch an approximate value of US$ 69 Bn by the end of the assessment period. The approximate registered CAGR of this segment within the assessed period will be above 13.5%. The global population is struggling with some of the acute diseases such as arthritis. A large slice of the aged population is an easy prey of this crippling ailment. The immunology segment will reap maximum benefits from the population affected by arthritis. The immunology segment will gain revenue from the market and the market worth will cross US$ 34 Mn by the end of 2024.

Global Precision Medicine Market: Regional Scrutiny

The regional market arena has penetrated through different key regions of the globe. The global precision medicine market has extended its boundaries in the last few years. The product has a massive global presence and it is expanding steadily. Apart from North America, Europe, MEA, Latin America and Asia Pacific regions are other major pockets which are expected to show fruitful outcome in the forthcoming years.

The global precision medicine market is expected to perform well in the North American region and it will occupy more than 35% of the market share within the period of prediction. The global precision market in North America will flourish and will probably touch the approximate market value of more than US$ 60 Mn by 2024 end. With a stupendous performance the US and Canada will conquer a lion share of the global precision medicine market of this region predicts the report.

The Europe is a consistent market and will crawl up the revenue chart within the forecast period. The global precision market in Europe will ride an estimated CAGR of more than 13% to sew up an average worth of more than US$ 40 Mn by the end of 2024. In Europe the markets spread across Germany and France will shape the destiny of this market. Apart from this the countries such as Spain, UK and Italy will also follow the leading pack during the period of assessment.

View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/precision-medicine-market/toc

The APAC region is the rising star of the global precision medicine market. The region will project a CAGR of more than 14% during the period of projection. The market will witness a staggering hike and will touch approximately US$ 35 Mn by the end of 2024. In the APAC region Japan will spearhead the market, China and India will lock horns to accumulate maximum market share during the projected period. The region of Latin America will score considerable revenue during this period. MEA will be a sulking market as less of research activities will dampen the spirit of the precision medicine market.

Global Precision Medicine Market: Comparative Landscape: The market is evolving fast with the better and bigger market tie-ups. The bonhomie between IT and healthcare is also expediting the market and providing a bigger playground to the stakeholders. Novartis AG, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Eli Lilly And Company, AstraZeneca are contributing massively in the overall development of the global precision medicine market.

Buy Full Report for Single user@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12646

PMR Overview

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

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SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
BANGALORE, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A recent report published by Beige Market Intelligence on "Global Talc Market Strategic Assessment and Forecast Till 2022" provides a detailed industry analysis and comprehensive market study of Global Talc Market. It gives a complete study of the market size and market share of the worldwide talc market.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445388LOGO )



Browse more than 126 pages, 21 key sections, and 106 exhibits of the Global Talc Market research report. The key sections and exhibits gives a thorough idea about the Global Talc Market and helps in crucial business decision making for the talc market players.

http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/reports/research-report-chemicals-materials-and-materials-market/talc-market-research-report/

Additives and fillers constitute an integral part of the global manufacturing growth story as they constitute the raw materials for many key end-user industries driving the world economy. Talc remains as one of the most prominently used mineral fillers due to its relatively easier availability, high performance-to-cost ratio, and the wide usage in various end-user applications. The mineral, which is widely recognized for keeping skin dry and as an extender for various plastic composites, has gained demand in the past few decades.

Request a free sample now: http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/request-sample

The Talc Market for Plastic Segment Will Have The Most Share Both In Terms Of Revenue And Consumption

The talc market research report provides a complete analysis of the talc market for different segments. The different segments and sub-segments explained in details are

By Deposit Type

Magnesium Carbonate

Serpentines

Aluminium Silicates

Other

By End Users

Plastics

Ceramics

Paper

Paint

Personal Care

Roofing

Rubber and Cables

Others

The end use consumption of talc is found to be heavily dependent on price, presence and efficiency of the substitutes for that application. Another major factor that determines the consumption is the regulatory framework governing the said application.

The Worldwide Talc Market is Estimated to Grow at a CAGR Closed To 4.6 % Till 2022

The worldwide demand for talc was estimated to be more than 6 million ton in 2016 and is estimate to cross 7 million ton by 2022. Both production and consumption of talc contracted since 2011 due to the contraction in end-users and substitution of the material with better alternatives. The Global Talc Market is going to witness a dramatic shift in terms of both its consumption and revenue. This report provides the thorough analysis of worldwide talc market. Analysts at Beige Market Intelligence forecasts the worldwide talc market to grow at a CAGR closed to 4.6%. The Global Talc Market is estimated to cross US$ 1.6 billion by 2022.

Request a free sample now: http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/request-sample

Prices of Talc During the Forecast Period Are Expected to Rise by As Much As 10%

This market research report contains the reasonable description of the pricing analysis of the Global Talc Market. Prices of talc during the forecast period are expected to rise by as much as 10% due to the robust demand from the APAC and MEA markets. About 20% of mines in the key producing regions such as Liaoning, Jiangxi, and Guangxi in China are expected to stop commercial production on account of strict regulatory mandates and high intensity of price-based competition.

China, the US, and India Have Some of The Largest Talc Resources

This report on global talc market includes the market analysis of different regions such as North America, APAC, EMEA and Latin America. The report outlines the major market share holder and the market size analysis of all the regions and provides the market size and forecast of the key countries. China which hosts some of the best quality talc deposits remains to be a favourable sourcing destination for talc. US, Japan and China remain to be the key consumers of the mineral with some countries such as Japan and South Korea rapidly relying on high-quality imports to feed its rising consumption.

Imerys Talc, Mondo Minerals, Minerals Technology, American Talc Company Among the Top Vendors in The Global Talc Market

The Global Talc Market report covers the entire market outlook regarding the value chain operating within the market. The major vendors of in the global talc market included in the research report Imerys, Mondo Minerals, Minerals Technologies, IMI FABI, American Talc Company. Other vendors are Golcha Minerals, Magnesita, Nippon Talc, Liaoning AIHAI Talc, HuaMei Talc Development Co. Ltd., Jai Vardhman Khaniz, BeiHai Group, Guilin Guiguang Talc, Hayashi-Kasei, Haicheng Xinda Mining.

In case you need a report on a market in specific country or geography, please contact cs@beigemarketintelligence.com with your requirement and our research team will be glad to create a customized report for you.

Browse Related Reports:

About Beige Market Intelligence

Beige Market Intelligence is new-age provider of competitive business intelligence, working across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensures that the market analysis Beige provides is comprehensive, detailed and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations become aware and make educated decisions, as far as investing or devising a marketing strategy is concerned. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis for every level of market segmentation in an industry. Beige Market Intelligence is a quality driven high end Market Research organization. Our team of experts ensure the analysis you receive is not just analysed and smartly presented, but is completely customized based on the client's requirement. Our deliverables guarantee our current global client base does not look beyond Beige when it comes to any kind of industry and market analysis.

Contact Detail:

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contactus@beigemarketintelligence.com

US: +1 347 903 9949

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SOURCE Beige Market Intelligence LLP
SINGAPORE, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HPL Hotels & Resorts, the subsidiary of Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited and operator of hospitality establishments throughout the Asia-Pacific region, hereby announces that they will be taking over the management of Boathouse by Montara on 8 December 2016.

The hotel will be rebranded as "The Boathouse Phuket", under the brand of The Boutique Collection by HPL Hotels & Resorts. Other hotels include Casa del Mar Langkawi, Casa del Rio Melaka and The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands.

"The Boutique Collection brand is all about providing personalised service and making guests feel at home, adding Boathouse to the cluster will complement the portfolio," said Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts. "This take over reflects our commitments to developing our business in Thailand and elsewhere in the region."

HPL Hotels & Resorts assures that it will be business as usual, "guests booked after the change in management can be assured that the terms and conditions of their reservations will remain unchanged. And our team looks forward to welcoming them," said Max Chin, General Manager of The Boathouse Phuket.

Located at Kata on Phuket's west coast, the hotel started as a restaurant more than 27 years ago. The hotel currently features a total of 38 guestrooms, including 11 suites, a beach club, spa, sunset lounge, an award-winning wine cellar, a bar and the popular Boathouse Wine & Grill restaurant.

The Boathouse Phuket marks the 12th property under this Singapore-based hospitality management company. Other brands managed by HPL Hotels & Resorts include Concorde Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock Hotels and Gili Lankanfushi, a luxury eco-friendly resort in Maldives.

Address

The Boathouse, Phuket

182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100, Thailand. Tel: +66-76-330-015-7

Fax: +66-76-330-561

Email: info@boathousephuket.com

Website: www.boathouse-phuket.com

ABOUT HPL HOTELS & RESORTS

Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company, operated and wholly-owned by Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), a Singapore main-board listed company. HPL Hotels & Resorts manages the activities of twelve hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean. These include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Casa del Mar Langkawi, The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands, Casa del Rio Melaka, The Boathouse Phuket and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.

For more information, please visit www.hplhotels.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Angeline Loh, Director of Marketing Communications

Email: angeline.loh@hplhotels.com

Direct: +65-6731-4902 | Tel: +65-6734-5250 | Fax: +65-6235-3216

HPL Hotels & Resorts

50 Cuscaden Road, #05-02 HPL House, Singapore 249724

Related Links

http://www.hplhotels.com



SOURCE HPL Hotels & Resorts
PUNE, India, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the new market research report "Interactive Display Market by Product (Interactive Kiosk, Whiteboard, Table, Video Wall, Monitor, Flat Panel Display), Panel Size (17"- 32", 32"- 65", Above 65"), Vertical (Education, Govt. & Corporate), Technology, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is expected to grow from USD 9.90 Billion in 2015 to reach USD 26.91 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 15.51% between 2016 and 2022.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 103 market data Tables and 71 Figures spread through 182 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Interactive Display Market"



http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/interactive-display-market-36223528.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

Increasing opportunities and highly dynamic nature of interactive displays, rising trend to adopt interactive displays in retail sector, and customer engagement with interactive displays have led to the rise in the demand for interactive displays. Also, increasing deployment of interactive flat-panel displays in educational institutes is driving the demand for interactive display market.

Education sector accounted for the largest share of the interactive display market in 2015

The Interactive Display Systems Market is led by the education vertical. The high demand for interactive flat panel displays and interactive whiteboards from educational institutes is one of the major factors driving the growth of the interactive display systems market for education vertical. The healthcare sector is estimated to grow at the highest rate between 2016 and 2022. Interactive displays are used in hospital premises as a wayfinding tool for the visitors. Interactive displays in the hospitals can showcase the information about the patients such as medical history, type of disease, type of treatment and the information related to the service provided by hospital.

The market for interactive flat panel displays is likely to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period

The market for the interactive flat-panel displays is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2016 and 2022 and is expected to hold the largest market size by 2022. Interactive flat panel display enables the user to interact with the content smoothly and easily. These displays help the students to understand the classroom content in easy way. In the U.S., older versions of interactive whiteboards are getting replaced with the interactive flat-panel displays as it offers more advanced feature than interactive whiteboards. This is the important driver for flat panel displays.

Americas held the largest market share in 2015

The Americas held the largest share of the interactive display market in 2015, followed by Europe and APAC. The U.S. accounted for the largest share of the interactive display systems market in the Americas. The region has some of the leading companies which offer advanced interactive displays in the market. Use of interactive whiteboards and flat-panel displays is done on a large scale in the Americas in education and government and corporate sector.

Inquiry Before Buying: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=36223528

The major players operating in this market includes Samsung Display Co., Ltd. (South Korea), LG Display Co., Ltd. (South Korea), Panasonic Corporation (Japan), NEC Display Solutions Ltd. (Japan), Planar Systems Inc. (U.S.), Elo Touch Solutions Inc. (U.S.), Crystal Display Systems Ltd. (U.K.), and IntuiLab SA (France), among others.

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HONG KONG, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Building on the Foundations of Vistra's Growing Global Expansion Plans

Further to their acquisition in June by Vistra, Intro International, a corporate services provider specialising in international expansion based in Singapore, today rebranded to Vistra.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150611/748772 )



Intro International's status in Singapore as a boutique provider of corporate secretarial, accounting, and tax compliance services makes the firm a notable addition to the Vistra team. Their portfolio of international clients, many of whom are trading companies from the UK and Australia looking to establish an operation in Singapore, fits well with Vistra's strategy to focus on FDI-driven international expansion services.

The rebrand will see the teams from Intro International relocate to Vistra's existing offices in Singapore, with no changes to the services provided and the same teams supporting their existing clients. Duncan Merrin and Yati Merrin will remain with the business for the foreseeable future, with Duncan becoming a consultant to Vistra. Graham Harkness, currently Director at Intro International, will take up the role of Director, International Expansion Services, in Vistra Singapore, spearheading the business development effort in this area.

Duncan Merrin commented on the rebranding:

"I am delighted to have officially rebranded to Vistra as it represents the growth of the team and allows us to share our in-depth knowledge and experiences in providing quality management consultancy, accountancy, and tax services as well as corporate services with Vistra. This combined with their existing business division will enable us to expand our reach faster in a focused manner, backed up by the resources we need to maintain our level of service quality. This rebrand represents a new chapter for all of us, where we continue to develop and grow, with the support of our new colleagues at Vistra".

Martin Crawford, CEO of Vistra added:

"Intro International has built an impressive reputation for themselves as one of the leading boutique corporate service providers in Singapore. By coming under the Vistra brand they will bring a wealth of knowledge of the field to our global team, which in hand will enable us to continue with the expansion of our services in Singapore and beyond".

Chris Burton, Managing Director, Vistra Singapore also added:

"Combining expertise with the team at Intro International further strengthens our foundations in Singapore as well as our market presence. Intro International's rebrand to Vistra will enable us to develop both new and existing relationships so that we can tap into new client bases across the region."

About Vistra

Ranked in the top four corporate service providers globally, Vistra is a versatile group of professionals, providing a uniquely broad range of services and solutions. Our capabilities span across company formations to trust, fiduciary and fund administration services. Vistra employs over 2,500 employees in 64 offices across 41 jurisdictions.

For more information, please visit: www.vistragroup.com, www.vistra.com and www.oilglobal.com

SOURCE Vistra
OXFORD, England, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Oxitec announced today that after a series of successful contained environment studies across multiple countries with its self-limiting Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), the Company is ready to move forward towards open field trials. The studies demonstrated the self-limiting Medfly's ability to successfully mate with wild Medfly and subsequently suppress the pest population. The efficacy of the Oxitec Medfly and existing control methods were also examined.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150630/227348 )



Oxitec's Chief Scientific Officer, Simon Warner, Ph.D., said, "Over the past few years, the performance of our Medfly solution in testing across different countries has confirmed our belief that this product may deliver superior efficacy and an improved environmental profile as compared to many products on the market today. We are now planning to advance our environmentally-friendly Medfly product into field trials in different countries to demonstrate its potential in open environments."

The Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) is considered one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests capable of causing billions of dollars in damage by attacking more than 250 types of fruits, nuts and vegetables. Females lay their eggs inside fruit making them vulnerable to infection and rot, and larvae feed on the fruit reducing crop yields and quality. It is found throughout the Mediterranean and Africa, and is an invasive pest in Australia and the Americas.

Medfly is difficult to manage by conventional methods because of its ability to infest many types of crops year-round, and growers need alternative technologies for control. Oxitec's approach uses genetically engineered self-limiting Medfly males that are released to mate with wild females. Their female offspring do not survive to adulthood and repeated releases result in a reduction of the pest population.

In the latest study, the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) compared the mating performance of Oxitec's Medfly with that of sterile insects treated with radiation, another technique used to control the pest population, to examine whether Oxitec's solution offered an improved option for industry to control Medfly. As reported by DAFWA the mating performance of Oxitec's Medfly "was comparable with that of sterile males irradiated at low levels, and exceeded that of sterile males treated with a higher dose of radiation which is used to provide a better guarantee of sterility."

In 2010, Oxitec conducted the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of the self-limiting Medfly in collaboration with the University of Crete, Greece. In the trial, the Medfly pest population was eliminated in glasshouses in 12 weeks.

These results were then confirmed in netted trials in Morocco in collaboration with the leading agricultural group in the country, SAOAS. Oxitec's Medfly showed equivalent mating performance with the wild Moroccan Medfly and again successfully suppressed the wild population. Furthermore, excellent control was also shown when the self-limiting Medfly insects were released at different life stages, which would provide growers with a more flexible application regimen than only releasing adult male flies.

Trials in Morocco also compared the protection of fruit crops provided by Oxitec's Medfly with that of a leading insecticide used to combat Medfly globally. Sustained releases of Oxitec males resulted in a superior marketable yield of fruit compared to treatment with the leading insecticide. The data showed that Oxitec's solution has the potential to be more cost-effective for the same level of control provided by insecticides and mass trapping. The trial results also demonstrated the potential for combining control practices in an integrated pest management programme in order to provide flexibility to growers.

"Advancing to open field trials is an important milestone for our pipeline of self-limiting insect products addressing pest damage to high value fruit and vegetable crops. Studies indicate that annual losses of crops due to these pests, including Mediterranean fruit fly, can reach billions of dollars. Additionally, these difficult to control insects can cause devastating impacts to agricultural economies dependent on high-value produce export," noted Sekhar Boddupalli, Ph.D., President of Intrexon Crop Protection and Head of Intrexon's AgBio Division.

About Oxitec

Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK). Oxitec is a subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), which engineers biology to help solve some of the world's biggest problems. Follow us on Twitter at @Oxitec.



Oxitec contact:

Matthew Warren

info@oxitec.com

+44-(0)1235-832393

SOURCE Oxitec Ltd
OXFORD, England, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Jevtana (cabazitaxel) for Men With Metastatic Hormone-refractory Prostate Cancer Accepted for Routine use in NHS Scotland

Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi, today announced that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Jevtana (cabazitaxel) for routine use in NHS Scotland for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (mHRPC).[1] With this decision, Scotland is now aligned with health authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, thereby reducing potential disparities in care across the UK for this vulnerable group of patients.[2]

"This is positive news for men in Scotland who now have the same access as other men in the UK to treatment that increases their chance to live longer," said Roger Wotton, Chairman at prostate cancer patients' charity TACKLE. "Any extension of time a man with prostate cancer is able to get back to be with family and friends is highly important. The availability of Jevtana means men in Scotland now have an alternative effective treatment option. Likewise, physicians now have another medicine in their arsenal to treat patients."

In Scotland, nearly 1 in 2 men will be affected by some form of prostate disease at some stage of their lives and approximately 1 in 11 men are likely to develop prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in Scotland.[3] In time, most prostate cancers become resistant to hormone therapy and continue to grow despite treatment.[4] Jevtana (cabazitaxel) is the only remaining chemotherapy option available on the NHS for advanced prostate cancer that is not responsive to hormone therapies, following initial chemotherapy (docetaxel).[5] Today's SMC announcement comes after Sanofi Genzyme provided an updated submission to the SMC who rejected its initial application in June.[6]

"We were dedicated to working with the SMC to ensure that the outcome of this review resulted in a positive outcome for patients," said Dr. Jasmin Hussein, Oncology & Immunology Franchise Director UK & Ireland at Sanofi Genzyme. "Through ongoing collaboration our treatment can now be accessed by all doctors who treat patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer in the country. The approval of Jevtana by the SMC is important, as it represents a new treatment choice where limited options have existed."

- Ends -

About Jevtana (cabazitaxel)

Jevtana (cabazitaxel) is a taxane (plant-based) chemotherapy that may be active in cancer cells which are resistant to docetaxel.[7],[8],[9] Jevtana works by inhibiting cell division, causing cancer cell death.[8],[9]Jevtana was shown to extend survival in patients with advanced prostate cancer over an active comparator in the pivotal TROPIC study[5]. Jevtana is the only chemotherapy option recommended by UK Health Technologies Assessment agencies (HTA) to treat advanced prostate cancer which is not responsive to hormonal therapies following initial chemotherapy with docetaxel.[1],[2],[5] It is licensed in the UK and the rest of Europe for use in men with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer.

Patients treated with Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can experience side effects, which most commonly include anaemia, infections/sepsis, low blood counts and diarrhoea. For further details please refer to the full Summary of Product Characteristics at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24431

About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi is organized into five global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Merial.

Sanofi Genzyme focuses on developing specialty treatments for debilitating diseases that are often difficult to diagnose and treat, providing hope to patients and their families.

Genzyme is a registered trademark of Genzyme Corporation. Sanofi is a registered trademark of Sanofi. All rights reserved.



References

[1] Scottish Medicines Consortium. SMC Advice Directory. https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice_Directory/SMC_Advice_Directory [Accessed December 2016]

[2] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Technology Appraisal Guidance (TAG) Cabazitaxel for hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA391 [Accessed December 2016]

[3] Prostate Scotland. Disease of the prostate. http://www.prostatescotland.org.uk/diseases-of-the-prostate/prostate-cancer.html [Accessed December 2016]

[4] National Cancer Institute. 2014. Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/prostate-hormone-therapy-fact-sheet [Accessed December 2016]

[5] De Bono JS, Oudard S, Ozguroglu M et al., Prednisone plus cabazitaxel or mitoxantrone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after docetaxel treatment: a randomized open-label trial. Lancet 2010;376 :1147-54

[6] Scottish Medicines Consortium. SMC Advice. Briefing note: cabazitaxel (Jevtana) https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/735_11_cabazitaxel_Jevtana/Briefing_Note_cabazitaxel_Jevtana [Accessed December 2016]

[7] Attard G et al. Update on tubulin-binding agents. Pathol Biol (Paris) 2006;54 :72-84

[8] Pivot X et al. A multicenter phase II study of XPR6258 administered as a 1-h i.v. infusion every 3 weeks in taxane-resistant metastatic breast cancer patients. Ann Oncol 2008;19:1547-1552

[9] Jevtana Summary of Product Characteristics. http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24431 . [Accessed December 2016]

SOURCE Sanofi
AACHEN, Germany and SYDNEY, December 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Optus is strong second with the highest v oice score overall

Vodafone takes the lead in major cities

All operators show marked improvements

Australia's daily telecommunications journal CommsDay and international leader in mobile benchmarking P3 communications have released the 2016 edition of the P3 CommsDay Mobile Benchmark, an industry-leading annual mobile network test. Telstra did best overall, winning the 'Best in Test' accolade for the third year running, with 867 points out of a possible 1,000. Optus came in second place with 837 points, substantially narrowing the gap compared to last year. Vodafone, which achieved the biggest score increase year-on-year, came in third with 812 points. All three improved on their 2015 scores; P3 uses the same 1,000-point system in benchmarks around the world, and for each of Australia's operators to score over 800 points this year marks out the country as having an extremely consistent level of high-quality mobile performance.

Now in its third year, the comprehensive test measured the voice and data performance on the three operators' networks in nine major Australian cities; in a range of smaller towns and cities; and along connecting roads in more regional areas, covering about 17,000 test kilometres overall. As in previous years, P3 updated the methodology for 2016 to capture as many of the latest network developments as possible. In particular, this year's benchmark included data not just from specially-equipped drive test vehicles, but also from new walk tests using proven P3 technology. This opened up a new level of granular and detailed testing in the five largest cities and provided deep insight into network performance indoors, in central business districts and tourist hotspots, and even on public transport in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

In the 2016 tests, Telstra succeeded in pushing up its overall score from an already high base to win for the third year running, driven by a hefty improvement in its data scores; on average, Telstra did best on data performance across the board. Reflecting the larger reach of its network into regional areas, Telstra also secured its win in smaller cities and towns and along connecting roads and highways - with a particularly dominant showing in data testing in these areas.

Optus came in a much closer second than in the previous two years, reflecting a very strong improvement in both voice and data and a very consistent performance across the big cities, smaller towns and cities, and more regional connecting routes. In particular, Optus excelled in voice testing for 2016 with the highest voice scores overall.

Vodafone, which had put in a huge improvement between the 2014 and 2015 benchmarks, again achieved the biggest score increase for 2016. Notably, Vodafone - which has historically concentrated much of its network investment in major metropolitan areas - had the best aggregate voice and data performance this year in the major cities.

"CommsDay congratulates Telstra on keeping its number one position again for 2016, in the face of increasingly tough competition from Optus and Vodafone," said CommsDay Group Editorial Director Petroc Wilton. "It was particularly impressive to see all of the Australian operators continue to improve this year, considering the very solid performance and significant score increases that each of them had already achieved last year. The improvements in 2016 have really made all of them stand out at a global level."

"Customers' expectations are constantly growing - expanding data volumes and rising transmission speeds are regarded to be absolutely normal. We take account of this development by constantly raising the requirements and thresholds of the tests and despite that, all tested networks improved steadily through the year," said P3 communications Managing Director Marcus Brunner. "We have observed that a side-effect of frequent network-testing is that it helps motivate operators to invest in constant performance improvements - meaning that customers eventually benefit."

CommsDay's reputation for objective and insightful reporting and analysis across every area of the telco market, along with P3's proven expertise in mobile and fixed networks testing, have made the independent mobile benchmark a leading resource for Australian operators. Assuring a fair, transparent and neutral evaluation of the networks across consistent test environments, the benchmark establishes a clear ranking and overall test winner.

Download

Full Benchmark Report

http://www.p3-group.com/en/Report-P3-CommsDay-Mobile-Benchmark-Australia-2016

Video

http://www.p3-group.com/en/Video-P3-CommsDay-Mobile-Benchmark-Australia-2016

Image Material

http://www.p3-group.com/en/Image-Material_P3-CommsDay-Mobile-Benchmark-Australia

Press Release

http://www.p3-group.com/en/Press-release-P3-CommsDay-Mobile-Benchmark-Australia-2016-results

About P3 communications: http://www.p3-networkanalytics.com

About CommsDay: http://www.commsday.com

- Cross reference: Picture is available via epa european pressphoto agency -



Press Office P3

CREAM COMMUNICATION

Bettina Leutner

T +49-40-40-113-10-10

p3@cream-communication.com

SOURCE P3 communications
UPPSALA, Sweden, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

New clinical study results presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the world's leading breast cancer conference, 6-10 December 2016, demonstrate that Biovica's DiviTum biomarker assay can evaluate the efficacy of the novel breast cancer drug palbociclib (Ibrance, Pfizer).

The US study, performed by Dr Cynthia Ma, St Louis, investigated 50 women with clinical stage II or III estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer, treated with anastrozole in combination with palbociclib prior to surgery. DiviTum was used to measure levels of thymidine kinase (TK) activity, an enzyme closely linked to cell proliferation rate, in blood samples collected before and after treatment. Results demonstrate a highly significant correlation between the anti-proliferative effect of palbociclib and the reduction in TK levels measured by DiviTum post 2 weeks of adding palbociclib and at the time of surgery. The assay may thus serve as an early indicator of treatment response by CDK 4/6 inhibitors like palbociclib.

"Our study provides the first clinical evidence of a method, DiviTum, for palbociclib treatment effect in breast cancer. The results are very promising and support future studies of DiviTum to evaluate and identify patients for response to CDK 4/6 inhibitors," says Dr Cynthia Ma, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, US.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women today, affecting approximately 362,000 individuals in EU and 233,000 in the US each year. Around 1,600 new cases are diagnosed every day and 136,000 deaths occur annually (EU+US).

Palbociclib was FDA-approved in February 2015. In the drug's first year on the US market, more than 20,000 women were prescribed the medicine, whose sales are estimated to exceed $ 2 billion in 2016. In November 2016 palbociclib was approved in the EU.

"These first results correlating DiviTum to palbociclib efficacy are highly promising since there are no other biomarkers available for CDK 4/6 inhibitors today. We aim to provide DiviTum as a tool for clinicians to optimize the survival and quality-of-life benefits gained by patients treated with this new class of drugs," says Anders Rylander, CEO Biovica.

Biovica is a biotech company focused on providing improved diagnostics, predictive data and monitoring of cancer patients under treatment. Biovica has developed DiviTum, a highly sensitive assay for measuring cell proliferation. Since one of the most fundamental characteristics of cancer is uncontrolled and increased cell growth, DiviTum enables valuable prediction capability and monitoring of compounds regulating cell proliferation and the cell cycle. Biovica is ISO 13485 certified for Quality Management Systems and DiviTum is CE labeled and MPA registered.

For additional information about Biovica, visit www.biovica.com

SOURCE Biovica
"Each year, the publication of The Land Report 100 stands out like a beacon that illuminates land, landowners, and the stewardship of our country's greatest asset. It is a celebration of all the things that we in the LandLeader network stand for," says Dax Hayden, Managing Director for the LandLeader network.

"America's leading landowners continue to capitalize on the intrinsic value of land as an asset class," says Land Report Editor Eric O'Keefe.

About The Land Report

Founded in 2007, The Land Report is an award-winning quarterly magazine focused on America's greatest resource  land. Its readership includes landowners, land brokers, and investors. To read the Winter 2016 issue of The Land Report, visit www.LandReport.com.

About LandLeader

The largest land marketing company across America dedicated to farm, ranch, and recreational properties, LandLeader agents are leaders in their territories and represent their clients' properties with trust, integrity, and a deep knowledge of land values.

To download the 2016 Land Report 100 sponsored by LandLeader, click here.

SOURCE The Land Report 100

Related Links

http://www.LandReport.com


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In its just-released report, "Markets for Active Optical Cables: 2017 - 2026," Communications Industry Researchers (CIR) claims revenues from AOCs will reach $8.9 billion by 2022 compared with $1.1 billion in 2017. Much of this growth will come from a rush to install 100 Gbps links and the growth of hyperscale data centers. CIR is also seeing important new opportunities emerge for AOCs in 25 GigE, digital signage and personal computing.

The report focuses on the changes occurring as western AOC suppliers merge and Chinese suppliers grow market share. It also discusses applications for AOCs in data centers (Ethernet, InfiniBand and storage networks); digital signage; consumer electronics/personal computing (USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, PCIe, etc.); military networks; and campuses. CIR believes that although there may be as many as 200 firms selling AOCs today the market is dominated by 3c-Link, 10Gtek, Amphenol, Broadcom, Finisar, Gigalight, Mellanox, Molex, Samtec, Siemon and TE Connectivity. All of these firms are profiled in this report.

This 110-page report provides granular ten-year AOC market forecasts in both volume and value terms. Breakouts include: transceiver type, MSA, data rate, cable length, fiber type, application and country of use. CIR has been providing coverage of AOC markets for a decade and these forecasts are based on a newly revised forecasting model.

From the report:

25 GigE AOCs represent an opportunity that did not exist when CIR produced its previous AOC report in 2015 -- revenues from such AOCs will exceed $500 million by 2022. AOC firms can make a compelling case for 25 GigE products based on 25 GigE's lower cost per bit and need for fewer switches than the today's ubiquitous 10 GigE. 25 GigE AOCs also offer a smoother path to 100 GigE.

Digital signage AOCs will reach $1.1 billion by 2022 as signage adopts UHD video. Meanwhile, data mining and other big data processes will expand digital signage to improve the customer experience, again driving up the need for bandwidth.

Personal computing AOCs will take off in 2017 as 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 3 products are deployed. For the first time ever PCs will network at the same high data rate used by uplinks in large data centers, but this connectivity will not extend far before fiber must be used. AOCs are a perfect fit for the Thunderbolt 3 environment because of their flexible, plug-and-play capability. The market for Thunderbolt AOCs, which will reach $600 million by 2022.

About CIR:

Communications Industry Researchers (CIR) has published hype-free industry analysis for the optical networking industry for more than 25 years. Our reports on short-reach optical communications contain the most authoritative market forecast and technology assessment available.

Visit www.cir-inc.com for a full listing of CIR's reports and other services.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

Contact:

Robert Nolan

Tel: 804-938-0030

[email protected]

SOURCE CIR

Related Links

http://www.cir-inc.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, in a new statement on Israeli-Palestinian peace, reaffirms its longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict.

"AJC has long recognized that the alternative of a one-state reality is simply untenable and, therefore, a non-starter  an abrogation of the Zionist ideal of a Jewish and democratic state," states the policy statement adopted at the AJC Board of Governors December meeting. "AJC continues to believe that a two-state solution is the only realistic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as established through direct bilateral negotiations between the parties themselves."

Palestinian attitudes toward Israel constitute the main obstacle to peace. "The core issue remains the rejection by Palestinian leaders and their supporters of the Jewish people's right to sovereignty in its ancient homeland," states AJC, pointing out the tragic history of Palestinian rejection, from turning down the 1947 UN Partition Plan to dismissing "all the subsequent genuine efforts to achieve peace by Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum."

AJC calls on Palestinian leaders to "return to the bargaining table without preconditions," and "act affirmatively and consistently to prevent and condemn violence."

While acknowledging "current conditions do not provide grounds for optimism about substantial progress in the near term," AJC nonetheless "strongly encourages policymakers and advocates to make every effort to explore opportunities to ease tensions, build trust, and move forward toward a two-state future." As an example, the organization calls for "intensified Israeli-Palestinian economic engagement" to improve conditions for peacemaking.

AJC "strongly rejects the contention that settlements are the core issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," the statement asserts. But AJC also has long maintained that "Israeli settlement expansion is inconsistent with the aim of a two-state accord," and, in particular, that construction and reclassification of outposts beyond the security barrier "are not conducive to advancing prospects for peace."

AJC recommends concrete actions to advance peace.

First, to create the environment for successful Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, AJC urges the Palestinian leadership to "cease its diplomatic end-runs in multinational bodies to avoid face-to-face talks," and "end the culture of incitement, negation, and the idealization of violence that has long infected Arab attitudes toward Israel."

Second, AJC urges the international community, especially Arab nations, to encourage "Palestinian leaders to voice an unambiguous commitment to reconciliation and a political resolution of the conflict."

Third, noting that increased contacts between Israel and some Arab states "may offer the best pathway to a peace deal," AJC urges them "to undertake further tangible confidence-building measures, which could materially strengthen Palestinian advocates of reconciliation and weaken Hamas and other rejectionists."

Fourth, acknowledging the potential security risks that realizing the two-state vision would pose to Israel, AJC calls on the international community to:

Focus now in a sustained fashion on the day after the agreement to reduce the danger of a failed Palestinian state, which would further destabilize and endanger a region with several other failed and failing states.

Condemn incitement by the Palestinian leadership; and

Stand up to those who delegitimize Israel by denying the Jewish people's historic ties to the land, and, specifically, to Jerusalem .

Fifth, the statement affirms that close U.S.-Israel cooperation, "based on shared democratic values and common security concerns, remains essential." It pledges AJC's continued advocacy of "the longstanding bipartisan commitment of the United States to Israel's security and well-beingand to the quest for a durable, viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

AJC continues to emphasize that Israel is a willing partner for those who seek genuine peace. Moreover, AJC notes Prime Minister Netanyahu's recognition that the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 "includes positive elements that can help revive constructive negotiations," and the Israeli leader has repeatedly said that there is no realistic alternative to a two-state accord.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- First the world's best athletes came to Brazil for the Olympics. Now the "world school" is following suit.

Avenues: The World School, which opened its first campus in New York City in 2012 as part of a planned global network of multiple nursery through 12th grade schools in major cities worldwide  all connected by a distinctive mission  announced today the opening schedule of its campus in Sao Paulo.

The 300,000 square foot campus, now under construction, will open its doors to its first students in August 2018. Avenues has entered into a long-term lease with Sao Carlos, one of the leading commercial real estate investment and management companies in Brazil, to occupy the former SulAmerica building located in the vibrant Cidade Jardim neighborhood of Sao Paulo. As part of a more than $50 million investment by Avenues to launch the Sao Paulo campus, the building will be completely renovated and improved to become a world-class school facility designed by the award-winning firm Aflalo & Gasperini. At full capacity, the campus will house 2,100 students and 300 leaders, faculty and staff.

"Avenues vision has always been one school with many campuses, located in the great cities of the world," said Jeff Clark, president and COO. "That vision takes a big step toward fruition with the announcement of our campus in Sao Paulo, the cultural and financial center of Brazil and the largest city in South America."

Avenues Sao Paulo will hold an official launch event on March 16, 2017, which will mark the start of the school's marketing and admissions efforts to enroll students for the 2018-19 school year.

Alan Greenberg, co-founder of Avenues who has been spearheading the South American initiative, noted that the school has assembled a "world-class" leadership team for Avenues Sao Paulo. The head of school will be Hamilton "Ham" Clark, one of the most respected independent school leaders in the U.S. who is serving as Head of School for Avenues New York for the 2016-17 school year. Previously, he served for 11 years as head of school at Episcopal Academy, a private co-ed K-12 school in Philadelphia, where he led efforts to raise the $100 million necessary for the school to move from its historic campus to a brand new site; and 15 years as headmaster of Sewickley Academy, a coed pre-K12 school located outside of Pittsburgh.

His international experience includes three years as head of school at the American Community School at Beirut, one year as assistant director at the American International School of Zurich, and six months on sabbatical to visit schools throughout Asia and Australia and serve as a resident at Central Coast Grammar School in Australia.

Clark will be joined in Sao Paulo by Anne Baldiserri, who will serve as head of the primary division and who comes to the position after nearly 20 years as a teacher and administrator at St. Paul's School, one of Sao Paulo's leading schools; John Ciallelo, who will be head of the secondary division after three years at Avenues New York and 25 years in Sao Paulo, including 10 as head of Escola Maria Imaculada; Lyle French, who will be director of teaching and learning after serving in a number of bilingual schools in Sao Paulo over the past 15 years; Lisa Peixoto, who will be director of admissions, spent the past decade as head of enrollment management at Graded, the American School of Sao Paulo, one of the city's most esteemed schools; and Luciana D'Angelo, who will serve as the chief administrative and operations officer after 30 years with such companies as Pearson and Rosetta Stone in Sao Paulo.

"A world-class school requires a world-class leadership team, which we have assembled," Greenberg said. "Together, they will work to build culture, develop people, lead instruction, and create the future so that students thrive in Sao Paulo and across the campuses that comprise Avenues: The World School."

Greenberg explained that over the next two years the team will spend a good amount of time at Avenues New York to learn, observe, contribute and prepare for the Sao Paulo opening, and ensure that the new campus is aligned with the shared world school priorities of Avenues.

Clark noted that the Sao Paulo campus is just one of a number of other expansion efforts currently under development for Avenues. Plans for campuses in China, London, Mexico City, Doha, Dubai, Silicon Valley, Miami, Washington DC and San Francisco are also being developed.

ABOUT AVENUES: THE WORLD SCHOOL

Avenues: The World School (www.avenues.org) is building a global school with multiple interdependent and interconnected campuses located in some of the world's great cities and serving nursery through 12th grade, with an emphasis on global preparedness and second language fluency. "A New School of Thought" captures the mission of Avenues and centers on graduating accomplished students who are at ease beyond their borders; sharing the school's prosperity; providing faculty and staff a setting where they can flourish; and advancing education. Avenues' first campus opened in New York City in September 2012 to an unprecedented demand of 750 students. Today, Avenues New York serves more than 1500 students and graduated its first senior class in June of 2016. Backed by significant equity sponsors, the number of campuses will grow in the years ahead. Avenues is currently developing new campuses in China, Brazil, Europe and the United States.

SOURCE Avenues: The World School

Related Links

http://www.avenues.org


PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin City Auto Group has revealed its grant recipients as part of its employee-driven Drive for Education program. This forward-thinking campaign recently contributed a donation of $33,240 to sixteen Maine schools, $22,000 to eleven New Hampshire schools and $26,709 to twenty-three local Vermont schools. In total, the grant program has enabled the organization to donate $487,120 to schools across New England since its inception in fall 2011.

Maine schools rewarded by the Drive for Education program include Lewiston Public Schools, Oxford Hills Middle, MSAD 15, Congin School, Lyman Elementary, Windham Primary, Fred P. Hall, Saccarappa Elementary, Casco Bay High, Howard C. Reiche Community School, King Middle, Fairfield School, Deering High, Dyer Elementary, South Portland High and Bayside Learning Community.

On December 13, 2016, there will be an award ceremony at Berlin City Toyota of Portland, 191 Riverside Street, Portland to honor these schools.

Yegor Malinovskii, Market President of Berlin City Auto Group, said, "This program continues to be a huge success in just 5 short years. We have been able to help local schools succeed with much needed funding for infrastructure, equipment, and curriculum improvements. We are looking forward to ceremonies in all three states."

Berlin City Auto Group has eight dealerships throughout New England. For each vehicle sold, a portion of the sale is put into the Drive for Education program. A grand total of $487,120 has been donated so far.

About Berlin City Auto Group

Berlin City Auto Group owns dealerships across New England. With locations in Gorham, NH, Burlington, VT, and Portland and S. Portland, ME, the company sells leading brand automobiles including Toyota, Nissan Chevy, Lexus, Honda, GMC, Lincoln, Buick, Ford, Dodge, Jeep, and Kia. It provides a comprehensive automotive repair service. Door-to-door delivery is available throughout New England and Berlin City offers a 4-day/200 mile no questions asked return policy and offers pre-owned protection on Berlin City certified pre-owned vehicles within 2 months or the first 2,000 miles. For more information, visit www.berlincity.com or find Berlin City on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact: Yegor Malinovskii, Berlin City Auto Group

[email protected] / 303.472.7772

Related Links

Drive for Education Information

Contact Berlin City

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com/.

SOURCE Berlin City Auto Group

Related Links

http://www.berlincity.com


DENVER, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Barrett Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: BBG) today announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 15,525,000 shares of its common stock (the "common stock"), which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase 2,025,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments. Net proceeds from the sale of common stock, including as a result of the option exercise, after deducting fees and estimated expenses, were approximately $109.7 million.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include development, deleveraging, or future acquisitions.

The offering was made by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by sending a request to: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, email: [email protected].

J.P. Morgan acted as sole book running manager, and Deutsche Bank Securities and Scotia Howard Weil acted as co-managers, for the common stock offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale of these securities would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

ABOUT BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

Bill Barrett Corporation, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, develops oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this news release related to the Company's public offering of common stock, including the use of proceeds from the offering, and all other statements other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The Company urges you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements made in this press release, the registration statement, the "Risk Factors" section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 2, 2016, and other filings with the SEC for further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, which are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this release or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events. All forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Bill Barrett Corporation

Related Links

http://www.billbarrettcorp.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Calypso Technology Inc., a leading provider of capital markets and investment management software, today announced that it booked 20 new clients in 2016 and is planning a rapid expansion of its workforce in 2017.

The firm added a wide range of new customers, including banks, insurance companies, and asset managers, closing its largest quarter ever and exceeding last year's record. The new clients came from all over the world, developed and emerging markets alike.

To support this growth and ensure they maintain momentum in the new year, Calypso also announced it will substantially increase its workforce in 2017. They currently plan to hire over 170 new employees next year, with substantial investments in Calypso Cloud Services, Research & Development, and Sales & Marketing.

"We are thankful to our new and existing customers for their support and the confidence placed in us," said Calypso CEO Pascal Xatart. "Our uncompromising commitment to quality and professionalism, combined with investments in technologies like Cloud Services and Blockchain, position Calypso at the cutting edge of innovation in capital market software."

Calypso was recently awarded the 2016 Technology Provider of the Year by Asia Risk Magazine and was named a leader in the 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Trading Platforms. Calypso was the #1 selling Treasury and Capital Markets Solution for the seventh consecutive year in the 2016 IBS Sales League Table.

About Calypso Technology, Inc.

Calypso Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of cross-asset front-to-back technology solutions for financial markets. It provides customers with a single platform for consolidation, innovation and growth. With 19 years of experience delivering software and services for trading, risk management, processing and accounting, the Calypso solution helps bring simplicity to complex business and technology challenges. Calypso solutions address needs for the capital markets, investment management, clearing, collateral, treasury and liquidity. Clients can benefit from greater efficiency, improved risk management, better allocation of capital, faster regulatory compliance, quicker time to market and reduced Total Cost of Ownership. Calypso Technology offers solutions that improve reliability, adaptability and scalability.

Calypso is used by over 34,000 market professionals in over 60 countries representing more than 200 financial institutions across Asia, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Calypso Technology has over 700 staff in 21 global offices, with headquarters in San Francisco, California. "Calypso" is a registered trademark of Calypso Technology, Inc. in the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions. Other parties' trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such. www.calypso.com

Media Contacts:

Calypso Technology

Chris Shayne

[email protected]

+1-415-530-4147

SOURCE Calypso Technology

Related Links

http://www.calypso.com


CHICAGO, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA today announced that the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer, Tom Pontarelli, has decided to retire, effective December 31, 2016. Pontarelli's decision to retire brings to a close a notable insurance career of nearly 43 years.

"During his 19 years at CNA, Tom has made significant contributions towards the company's success. He has been a trusted advisor to many colleagues across all levels of CNA," said Dino E. Robusto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CNA.

In his role as Chief Administration Officer, Pontarelli has been responsible for the company's human resources, corporate communications, enterprise sourcing, business process reengineering, information technology, worldwide operations, safety and security, and facilities. He has also been a member of the company's Executive Committee, which is responsible for strategy, results and oversight for all business units of CNA.

About CNA

Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country's eighth largest commercial insurance writer and the 14th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. "CNA" is a service mark registered by CNA Financial Corporation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" service mark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities.

Follow CNA (NYSE: CNA) on: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

CONTACTS:

Brandon Davis, 312-822-5167 / 312-834-6091

Sarah Pang, 312-822-6394 / 312-607-5544

SOURCE CNA

Related Links

http://www.cna.com


As a recognized authority on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, compliance and ethics, Mr. Fox is hosting the discussions with other experts in the field, and all are contributors to this e-book.

To learn more about Mr. Fox, visit his FCPA Compliance & Ethics website where the podcasts can be found: http://fcpacompliancereport.com.

"I am a bit more sanguine than some when it comes to continued enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act," said Mr. Fox. "The FCPA has held many foreign companies accountable, and it's crucial to fighting terrorism. Enforcing that law is right in line with President-elect Trump's trade policies."

Mr. Fox also contends that major U.S. companies now have compliance fully integrated into their systems and that the FCPA has few reputable critics. In addition, enforcement heavily relies on self-policing, and penalties from violators largely pay for the cost to investigate.

Both the "Trump and Compliance" podcast and e-book will be updated quarterly to include details from ongoing discussions between Mr. Fox and colleagues regarding developments in the corporate compliance and FCPA space. A free copy of the e-book is available at http://corporatecomplianceinsights.com/trump-and-compliance/.

The former general counsel of a global oilfield services company, Mr. Fox has worked as a lawyer in the world's energy capital for more than 30 years. He conducts training in FCPA, business leadership, compliance and ethics in the U.S. and across the globe.

Mr. Fox is host of the FCPA Compliance & Ethics website, which provides business solutions to compliance and legal challenges. The informative online resource is a one-stop clearinghouse for corporate compliance professionals working with companies that do business internationally. For more information, please visit fcpacompliancereport.com.

For more information, please contact Kit Frieden at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE Thomas Fox
DENVER, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Consulting Group (DCG), the nation's leading cannabis industry consultancy, won four medical marijuana licenses on behalf of clients in Maryland.

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission ("MMCC") announced the companies that were awarded approvals from a total of 811 applications submitted for 109 available licenses. This marks the conclusion of the Grower, Processor, and Dispensary application process.

Denver Consulting Group worked with license applicants and provided services that included:

Site inspections and zoning compliance

Business plans

Operating procedures

Application writing

Child safety policies

Safety and security

Build out and architectural plans

Leasing agreements

Human resources and staff training strategies

The team at Denver Consulting Group is comprised of the nation's leading experts in cannabis cultivation, law, retailing, compliance, marketing, real estate, and packaging. Their collective expertise offers a powerful suite of services for clients in the cannabis industry and those wishing to enter the sector.

Dr. Paul W. Davies, Chairman of the MMCC stated, "These qualified entities will be on the front line providing medical cannabis to qualified patients in Maryland. They will have a tremendous responsibility in serving the legitimate needs of those patients that seek medical treatment."

MMCC Executive Director, Patrick Jameson stated, "These dispensaries will be the new face of the medical cannabis industry in Maryland. The Commission has an expectation that these dispensaries will operate in an extremely professional manner and will have a positive impact on their communities."

DCG Co-Founder Greg Gamet said he is pleased with the company's success in Maryland. "We work hard to help our clients succeed," Gamet said. "Our biggest joy is in applying our expertise to help entrepreneurs and businesses reach their goals."

For information on Denver Consulting Group's marijuana business services, call 720-890-7344, or visit: www.denverconsultinggroup.com.

For DCG Northwest - Cannabis Consultants in Portland, serving Washington, Oregon and Alaska, call: 503-862-3030

About Denver Consulting Group (DCG)

Denver Consulting Group (DCG), the nation's premier cannabis consulting service, helps marijuana businesses get established, stay compliant, and thrive. Services include license applications, location permitting, build-outs, grow optimization, training, SOPs, packaging, and compliance auditing.

DCG has offices in Denver and Portland, and serves clients nationwide.

Connect:

Facebook: Facebook.com/dankconsulting

Twitter: @dankconsulting

Blog: http://denverconsultinggroup.com/category/cannabis-consulting-blog-marijuana-industry/

Media:

Innovation Agency

310-571-5592

www.inov8.us

hello(@)inov8.us

SOURCE Denver Consulting Group

Related Links

http://www.denverconsultinggroup.com


EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

\DLL, a global provider of asset-based financial solutions, announced today the appointments of three new Executive Board members. The new appointees join Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bill Stephenson and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Carlo van Kemenade to form the Executive Board of DLL. All new appointments are effective January 1, 2017.

"It has been a pivotal year for DLL as we continue to grow and sharpen our focus on our core vendor finance business," stated Bill Stephenson, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board at DLL. "As we head into 2017 with a highly qualified and committed leadership team, a clear vision and strategy for growth, and the full support of our parent, Rabobank, I am more confident than ever about the future of our organization."

The current board position of Chief Finance & Risk Officer (CFRO) is being split into two distinct roles - Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO). Effective January 1, 2017, former CFRO Frans Overdijk will return to DLL parent, Rabobank.

Marc Dierckx will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Dierckx joined DLL in 2004 and has held several leadership roles within the commercial organization, including President of the Office Technology Global Business Unit. He most recently served as Deputy CFO and was responsible for spearheading DLL's sale of its vehicle leasing business, Athlon, to Daimler Financial Services earlier this year.

Ab Gillhaus has been named Chief Risk Officer (CRO). Gillhaus will join DLL from Rabobank where he held a number of positions in the commercial and risk domains, including his most recent role as Chief Credit Officer. This will be Gillhaus' second tour at DLL, having previously led the organization's European Vendor Finance division from 2000 to 2003.

Tom Meredith has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). A 35-year veteran of the leasing industry, Meredith joined DLL in 2010 as president of the Global Food and Agriculture Business Unit. Under his leadership, the Business Unit has achieved year-over-year portfolio and profitability growth, expanded its footprint in Europe and entered the Asian market.

"I have had the honor of working with this talented group of leaders in varying capacities over the past decade," said Stephenson. "As I think about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us, I have the utmost confidence that this team has the expertise required to preserve the unique culture that distinguishes DLL from our competition and lead the organization on a continued path of growth and success for many years to come."

https://www.dllgroup.com

Twitter: @DLLgroup

LinkedIn company page: www.linkedin.com/company/dllgroup

SOURCE DLL
Top agency leasing brokers become Principals, will build office project leasing platform

HOUSTON, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Rand Stephens, Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of the firm's Houston office, announced today that top agency leasing brokers Douglas Pack and Sam Hansen have joined the company.

Effective immediately, Pack and Hansen become Principals of Avison Young with a mandate to form, lead and build the firm's new office project leasing team in Houston. They will work with owners and developers to improve asset value through strategic leasing.

Pack and Hansen bring a combined four decades of commercial real estate experience to Avison Young, most recently as vice-presidents with NAI Partners in Houston.

"Sam and Doug are high-quality professionals who bring great expertise to project leasing in our Houston office," comments Stephens. "Most importantly, they're terrific guys and a great fit for us culturally. We couldn't be more thrilled that they have joined us, and we look forward to helping them take their business to the next level."

Stephens adds: "Their track record of success, reputation and depth of relationships in the industry will be an asset to our team as we continue to extend our reach in the region through a steadfast focus on providing best-in-class client service."

Pack brings 21 years of commercial real estate experience to Avison Young, most recently as an executive vice-president with NAI Partners in Houston. During his career, he has been active in all facets of real estate management and leasing while working to advance project leasing, property management and investment sales. While at NAI Partners, he tripled the office leasing portfolio to 3.8 million square feet (msf) of class A and B office space, and brokered 16 class B office building investment sales, valued in excess of $65 million.

"I am eager to join the Avison Young family as a new Principal," says Pack. "Avison Young provides opportunity for growth unlike any other firm because of its Principal-led structure, local-level management and entrepreneurial work environment."

Pack started his commercial real estate career with Boxer Property in 1994 and held several leadership positions in both leasing and operations with the company. As a key executive with success in both property management and agency leasing, he was responsible for developing Boxer's third-party management and leasing service line, which grew to more than 5 msf during his tenure. He also led all business development and supervised the third-party portfolio, its management and leasing platform, and the asset management team.

In his role as the firm's director of leasing, Pack was responsible for a portfolio encompassing more than 8 msf of assets located across the U.S. The portfolio consisted of office, medical office, retail and multi-family properties. Prior to assuming that position, he was a regional operations director for a portfolio of office buildings in Dallas and Tulsa covering 2 msf of assets. After he implemented the Boxer management and leasing platform, the Tulsa portfolio was sold to a third-party investor. Pack holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Houston.

Hansen brings 18 years of commercial real estate experience to Avison Young, most recently as a senior vice-president with NAI Partners in Houston. During his career, he has worked primarily as an office landlord leasing agent. During his eight-year tenure with NAI Partners, he built a successful office portfolio of class A and B office buildings. He also assisted NAI Partners in building a successful management platform totaling nearly 4.5 msf of industrial, office and retail properties.

"We were drawn to Avison Young because of the family-like culture and collaborative partnership," notes Hansen. "The firm's client-centric service model and entrepreneurial approach to transaction management provide opportunity to grow our business. We are eager to collaborate with our new colleagues in Houston and the rest of the U.S."

Prior to joining NAI Partners, Hansen worked as a leasing director for 12 years with Hines Interests in Houston, where he was solely responsible for approximately 5 msf of class A, trophy office buildings, including JPMorgan Chase Tower, Williams Tower, and Greenspoint Plaza  ExxonMobil's global headquarters for upstream development and exploration. With Hines, he completed 156 significant office leasing transactions totaling more than 1.85 msf. Representing building owners, he has negotiated leases on behalf of such Fortune 100 companies as ExxonMobil, Wachovia (regional headquarters), Citigroup, Verizon, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman Brothers. He has also completed transactions for such notable tenants as Locke Lord, Breitburn Energy and Williams.

In addition, Hansen was one of the first in the U.S. to complete Hines' advanced technical core program and was part of a pilot project to generate a standardized training program for Hines to deploy worldwide. Hansen holds a Master of Business Administration degree in international management and a Master of Arts degree in Latin American economics from the University of New Mexico; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts from the University of North Texas.

Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its principals. Founded in 1978, the company comprises 2,400 real estate professionals in 79 offices, providing value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management, financing and mortgage placement services to owners and occupiers of office, retail, industrial and multi-family properties.

For further information/comment/photos:

Sherry Quan , Principal and Global Director of Communications & Media Relations, Avison Young: 604.647.5098; 604.726.0959

, Principal and Global Director of Communications & Media Relations, Avison Young: Rand Stephens , Principal and Managing Director, Houston , Avison Young : 713.993.7166

, Principal and Managing Director, , : Douglas Pack , Principal, Avison Young : 713.993.7173

, Principal, : Sam Hansen , Principal, Avison Young : 713.993.7174

, Principal, : Earl Webb , President, U.S. Operations, Avison Young: 312.957.7610

, President, U.S. Operations, Mark Rose , Chair and CEO, Avison Young : 416.673.4028

www.avisonyoung.com

Avison Young was a winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies program in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and requalified in 2015 to maintain its status as a Best Managed Gold company

Follow Avison Young on Twitter:

For industry news, press releases and market reports: www.twitter.com/avisonyoung

For Avison Young listings and deals: www.twitter.com/AYListingsDeals

Follow Avison Young Bloggers: http://blog.avisonyoung.com

Follow Avison Young on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/avison-young-commercial-real-estate

Follow Avison Young on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/AvisonYoungRE

Editors/Reporters

 Please click on links to view and download photos of Douglas Pack and Sam Hansen:

http://www.avisonyoung.com/sites/default/files/content-files/Media_Room/Temp/DougPack.jpg

http://www.avisonyoung.com/sites/default/files/content-files/Media_Room/Temp/SamHansen.jpg

SOURCE Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (BC)

Related Links

www.avisonyoung.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. ("ETP" or the "Company") in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Company by Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P. ("Sunoco"). On November 21, 2016, the Company announced that it had reached a definitive agreement for Sunoco to acquire ETP in a unit-for-unit transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company's unitholders will receive 1.5 common units of Sunoco for each unit of ETP they hold; representing consideration of $35.57 based on Sunoco's December 8 closing price.

WeissLaw is investigating whether ETP's Board acted to maximize shareholder value prior to entering into the agreement. Notably, at least one analyst set a target price of $50.00 per unit, or approximately $15.00 above the consideration. In addition, the consideration is also $8.13 lower than ETP's 52-week high of $43.50. Lastly, according to Seeking Alpha, the meagre 10% premium offered to ETP unitholders will be mostly wiped out, expecting a "distribution reduction of around 28%, from ~$4.22 to ~3.06 per unit" which, given its new guidance, will take Sunoco many years to recover.

Given these facts, WeissLaw is investigating whether ETP's Board acted in the best interests of ETP's public shareholders to maximize shareholder value prior to entering into the agreement. If you own ETP shares and would like more information about your rights or our investigation, or if you have information to share with us, please contact Joshua Rubin by telephone at (888) 593-4771 or by email at [email protected].

WeissLaw LLP has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected] or fill out the form on our website, http://www.weisslawllp.com/energy-transfer-partners-l-p/

SOURCE WeissLaw LLP

Related Links

http://www.weisslurie.com


COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing Experian's commitment to creating an enriching and rewarding environment for its employees, the Orange County Register named the global information services company a Top Workplace Honoree at its recent gala ceremony. The award, based on employee feedback in a survey of hundreds of leading companies in Orange County, marks the fourth time Experian has been honored with this recognition.

"This award validates that how we work at Experian is as important as what we do and why we do it," said Experian North America chief executive officer Craig Boundy. "Our employees come to the office every day knowing that their work positively impacts individual consumers, economies and society more broadly  including the Orange County community, which Experian has called home for more than 40 years."

Every day, Experian's data and analytics are helping people and businesses achieve more. Experian employees work to help people do important things to improve their lives and realize their ambitions, such as buying a car or home, funding an education, growing a business or protecting their identity.

Experian is equally committed to giving back to the Orange County community. Employees volunteer with the OC Food Bank and participate in the Child Abuse Prevention Center's Adopt-a-Family and Stop Hunger Now programs, among others. Experian also uses its professional tools to establish social innovation programs that identify and fund new products fostering financial inclusion, promoting financial education and supporting small-business entrepreneurs.

"We are honored to have received a Top Workplace award for the past four years and plan to continue that momentum in the coming years," said Boundy. "Our goal is to unlock the power of data and continue to inspire our employees to make an ongoing impact on our communities, our clients and consumers around the world."

The Top Workplaces were determined based solely on employee feedback. The awards assess businesses of all sizes according to 22 criteria on topics such as compensation, benefits, job satisfaction and social responsibility. The Orange County Register published the complete list of Top Workplaces on Friday, Dec. 9. The survey was conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement.

For more information about the Top Workplaces lists and WorkplaceDynamics, please visit http://www.topworkplaces.com and http://www.workplacedynamics.com.

About Experian

We are the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world. We help businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision-making. We also help people to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft. In 2016, for the third year running, we were named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Forbes magazine.

We employ approximately 17,000 people in 37 countries and our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2016, was US$4.6 billion.

To find out more about our company, please visit http://www.experianplc.com or watch our documentary, "Inside Experian."

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contact:

Michael Troncale

Experian Public Relations

1 714 830 5462

[email protected]

SOURCE Experian

Related Links

http://www.experian.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, officials at FirstCare Health Plans named Hilary Greason as the new assistant vice president of network management.

"We took great care in searching for the right person to oversee our network management area," said FirstCare VP of Operation Paul Marchant. "Hilary's proven track record of excellence make her a terrific addition to the FirstCare team as she will help us continue providing access to high-quality health care providers for our members throughout the state of Texas."

Greason brings over 15 years of experience in provider network development, provider relations, contract management and credentialing from her assignments with Banner Health in Tucson, Arizona. Additionally, while at Banner Health, she improved network database operationsresulting in improved workflowsand improved turnaround time of service requests. Her background also includes experience in home health, senior health and living, skilled nursing and therapy services management.

Greason holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Marketing, and a masters' degree in MIS, both from the University of Phoenix.

She is based out of FirstCare's headquarters in Austin, Texas.

About FirstCare Health Plans

Our mission is to provide access to high quality, affordable health care through strong partnerships in the communities we serve. Since 1985, we've been serving the health care needs of members across North, West, and Central Texas. Today, our service area includes 108 counties, with local offices in Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, and corporate offices in Austin, Texas. We offer a wide range of HMO, PPO, HSA, and ASO products through a variety of programs, including small and large employer plans; state, federal and teacher plans; government programs; and the Health Insurance Marketplace. With the support of our owners, Covenant Health in Lubbock and Hendrick Health System in Abilene, we serve over 188,000 members. For more information, please visit www.firstcare.com.

SOURCE FirstCare Health Plans

Related Links

http://www.firstcare.com


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec.12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- root9B, a root9B Holdings (OTCQB: RTNBD) company and leading provider of advanced cybersecurity products, services, and training announced today its partnership with Head Italia, specialized in the integration, sale, and technical support of advanced military systems. This partnership will provide Italian government and defense customers with cybersecurity solutions to protect their critical data and infrastructure.

The partnership brings root9B's security solutions, cyber training and simulation platforms, and Threat Intelligence services to enhance critical Italian networks. root9B will leverage its 24/7 Adversary Pursuit Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado to provide Manned Information Security and Threat Intelligence services. Head Italia brings valuable market expertise, information technology professionals, and established relationships across Italy's defense and government sectors.

"The market for advanced cyber solutions that protect and defend global networks continues to grow", said Eric Hipkins, root9B's Chief Executive Officer. "Partnering with Head Italia provides the ability to deliver impactful solutions to countering cyber adversaries through the delivery of tailored solutions."

"We believe the combination of root9B and Head Italia creates a strong foundation for growth in the Italian cybersecurity market, especially in light of the combined technical, product and multi-channel strengths each brings to the table," said Sergio Testagrossa, Head Italia's managing director. "It will allow our customers to benefit from root9B's ability to scale cybersecurity solutions, capabilities, unique talent, and training services."

root9B brings unique experience supporting government, academia, and commercial sector entities. The company is staffed by former Department of Defense and U.S. Intelligence Community senior executives and operators with decades of experience defending critical networks from the world's most sophisticated adversaries. root9B's products and services include HUNT operations, Managed Security Services, Threat Intelligence, cyber training, vulnerability assessments, incident response and forensics, mobile cyber protection, and capability development.

About root9B

Ranked as the #1 Cybersecurity company for four consecutive quarters by Cybersecurity Ventures (Jan 2016), root9B stands in defiance of the unwanted human presence within our clients' networks by attacking the root of the problemthe adversary's ability to gain entry and remain undetected. root9B's application of advanced technology developed through cutting-edge R&D and engineering and refined through relevant, hands-on training is revolutionary. root9B combines next generation technology, tactics development, specialty tools, and deep mission experience. root9B personnel leverage their extensive backgrounds in the U.S. Intelligence Community to conduct advanced vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, digital forensics, incident response, Industrial Control System (ICS) security, and Active Adversary Pursuit (HUNT) engagements on networks worldwide. For more information, visit www.root9B.com.

About root9B Holdings

root9B Holdings is a leading provider of Cybersecurity and Regulatory Risk Mitigation. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries root9B and IPSA International, root9B Holdings delivers results that improve productivity, mitigate risk and maximize profits. Our clients range in size from Fortune 100 companies to mid-sized and owner-managed businesses across a broad range of industries including local, state, and government agencies. For more information, visit www.root9BHoldings.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release may include certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future financial performance, future growth and future acquisitions. These statements are based on root9B Holdings' current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of root9B Holdings' business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies are indicated from time to time in root9B Holdings' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Further, investors should keep in mind that root9B Holdings' financial results in any particular period may not be indicative of future results. root9B Holdings is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Media Contact: Investors: Andrew Hoffman Devin Sullivan Zito Partners The Equity Group Inc. 908-546-7447 212-836-9608 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE root9B

Related Links

http://www.root9b.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly a dozen firms specializing in healthcare communications announced today that they are forming a "micro-network" operating under the brand name, Watershed Bridges, LLC. The network offers clients the opportunity to tap into leading thinkers in the fields of patient behavior, medical education, public affairs, communication science, experiential marketing, digital/social media, advertising, healthcare branding, corporate communications, reputation management, narrative development and storytelling, as well as patient engagement.

Watershed Bridges member companies are led by seasoned healthcare and marketing executives and noted entrepreneurs who, very early in their careers, made it their professional mission to enrich the relationship between healthcare providers, their patients and interested consumers. The body of work each brings to Watershed Bridges makes for a very compelling buying proposition for clients who value the benefit of such deep experience. Each member company within Watershed Bridges shares its resources and pledges to support each member's business. The intent is to be geographically diverse and offer clients a wider array of services  significantly more than any one of these independent companies could do on their own.

Spearheading the breakthrough business model is healthcare PR veteran Bob Chandler, former President of inVentiv Health Communications and co-founder of Chandler Chicco Companies. Chandler has also just announced his new venture, MaxAscent LLC, a communications consultancy aiming to work with industry-leading healthcare companies to ensure, engage and facilitate productive conversations with their consumers and patients.

"I've been in healthcare my entire life and it's endlessly fascinating but also uniquely demanding," said Chandler. "We believe our value (and uniqueness) in launching Watershed Bridges is being able to link together senior-level talent on a moment's notice. Each entrepreneur-owner has decades of relevant experience and, in addition to embracing the practical advantages of this arrangement, each member has signed on philosophically to follow an agreed upon conduct of business and a rational sharing of client successes."

Michel Dubery, a partner at London-based wethepeople  and member of Watershed Bridges said, "I'm proud to be a founding member of this boutique-like network, with global reach. Clients come to agencies to get thinking that is different than their own, but with today's corporate network agencies more and more resembling their clients, it has become increasingly hard to deliver. That's why we exist. In wethepeople, we treasure and nourish different ways of thinking and in Watershed Bridges, we have found a group that treasures it too."

In addition to MaxAscent, inaugural members of Watershed Bridges include:

wethepeople  - a brand experience agency centered on the latest thinking about how our minds and brains have evolved to function and how people actually think, decide and act led by Michel Dubery , partner, strategy and human science.

 - a brand experience agency centered on the latest thinking about how our minds and brains have evolved to function and how people actually think, decide and act led by partner, strategy and human science. PatientWisdom  - an innovative digital platform that efficiently captures, curates, segments, and shares patient perspectives to improve the experience and delivery of care led by Gregory Makoul , founder and CEO.

 an innovative digital platform that efficiently captures, curates, segments, and shares patient perspectives to improve the experience and delivery of care led by founder and CEO. Brandforming  - a multidisciplinary creative organization with expertise in design, campaign, and digital works, dedicated to the strategic creation and transformation of brands for a connected world led by Guy Mastrion , founder and Chief Creative Officer.

 - a multidisciplinary creative organization with expertise in design, campaign, and digital works, dedicated to the strategic creation and transformation of brands for a connected world led by founder and Chief Creative Officer. Publick House - a consultancy specializing in integrated public affairs  the point where policy, communication, advocacy, and government relations intersect operating primarily in biopharmaceuticals and health care and led by principal Dan McIntyre .

- a consultancy specializing in integrated public affairs  the point where policy, communication, advocacy, and government relations intersect operating primarily in biopharmaceuticals and health care and led by principal . Rothenberg Communication LLC - a communication consultancy that provides senior level strategic counsel and support to business and communication leaders across all types of organizations led by Craig Rothenberg , founder and CEO. Areas of focus include leadership coaching, narrative development, storytelling and strategic planning and implementation.

- a communication consultancy that provides senior level strategic counsel and support to business and communication leaders across all types of organizations led by founder and CEO. Areas of focus include leadership coaching, narrative development, storytelling and strategic planning and implementation. HealthTalker - specializing in grassroots, word of mouth marketing for the pharmaceutical, public policy and provider sectors of the healthcare industry and led by Steve Simcox , managing partner.

- specializing in grassroots, word of mouth marketing for the pharmaceutical, public policy and provider sectors of the healthcare industry and led by managing partner. Sawtooth - a full-service creative agency with services that span creative, media and content generation and distribution led by Kristi Bridges , president and Chief Creative Officer. Sawtooth has deep expertise in the food and beverage industry with a real passion around the health and wellness space.

- a full-service creative agency with services that span creative, media and content generation and distribution led by president and Chief Creative Officer. Sawtooth has deep expertise in the food and beverage industry with a real passion around the health and wellness space. Parry Branding Group , -a full-service healthcare branding consultancy led by Vince Parry , president and Chief Branding Officer, which he launched in November 2012 .

, -a full-service healthcare branding consultancy led by , president and Chief Branding Officer, which he launched in . Midnight Media Group, Inc . - a video production company led by partner Dave Emmerling , that has focused on the pharmaceutical industry for the past 35 years.

. - a video production company led by partner that has focused on the pharmaceutical industry for the past 35 years. BK Digital - specializing in the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical digital/social media space, including strategy and guidance/support in ongoing implementation, execution and analytics and led by Bryan Kaye , CEO & Digital/Social Media Strategy Consultant, Pharma/Healthcare.

For more information about Watershed Bridges, please visit www.watershedbridges.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161209/447501LOGO

SOURCE Watershed Bridges, LLC

Related Links

http://www.watershedbridges.com


"With the constant state of confusion about insurance requirements, preventive-health approaches, new treatment options, and short-and long-term decisions, there are conflicting views that inevitably weigh heavily on the consumer," said Chandler. "What's important to keep in mind is that patients and their families often are hurt by this transitioning state of medicine. Our excitement about establishing MaxAscent is to initiate and sustain conversations between patients and the communities that treat them, making these interactions more frequent, engaging and, ultimately, more successful."

The impact of technology in healthcare, from portable medical records, wearables, tele-docs, remote patient monitoring along with dozens of other advances, will profoundly influence how well and how long people live. MaxAscent is designed to reveal options and facilitate actions that put patients and consumers in a state of Maxengagement, where what the company initiates will effectively hand more control over to those who are willing to be partners with their medical champions.

MaxAscent encourages a multi-disciplinary team approach, maximizing the incredible value of having highly seasoned talent regularly interact with young up-and-comers. By this process, MaxAscent clients benefit from novel, advanced perspectives that connect with audiences through public relations, social/digital initiatives, advertising, public affairs, corporate positioning, and effective issues/crisis management.

"I've been in healthcare my entire career and it's endlessly fascinating but also uniquely demanding," said Chandler. "The time is right to return to certain basics I've always believed in. That means we are fully committed to identifying ever-evolving patient interests, guiding the resolute healthcare consumer, and partnering with forward-thinking companies with the same priorities. This industry deserves nothing less."

MaxAscent is launching as part of Watershed Bridges LLC, a micro-network bringing together leading firms in the fields of patient behavior, medical education, public affairs, experiential marketing, advertising, corporate communications, narrative development, and storytelling, as well as the emerging field of patient intelligence.

Inaugural members of Watershed Bridges include wethepeople - Michel Dubery, partner, strategy and human science; PatientWisdom - Gregory Makoul, founder and CEO; Brandforming - Guy Mastrion, founder and chief creative officer; Publick House -Dan McIntyre, principal; Rothenberg Communication LLC - Craig Rothenberg, founder and CEO; HealthTalker - Steve Simcox, managing partner; Sawtooth - Kristi Bridges, president and Chief Creative Officer; Parry Branding Group - Vince Parry, president and chief branding officer; Midnight Media Group, Inc. - Dave Emmerling, partner; and BK Digital - Bryan Kaye, CEO & Digital/Social Media Strategy Consultant, Pharma/Healthcare Expertise.

For more information about MaxAscent, please visit www.maxascent.com; for Watershed Bridges, please visit www.watershedbridges.com.

About Bob Chandler

Bob Chandler is the former President of inVentiv Health Communications and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications of inVentiv Health. Bob is President Emeritus of Chandler Chicco Companies, a collective of communications and public relations firms focusing on healthcare and consumer health, part of the inVentiv Health network. Having co-founded Chandler Chicco Companies (CCC) in 1995 with his business partner, Gianfranco Chicco, Bob built CCC to become synonymous with healthcare communications and public relations. CCC joined inVentiv Health Communications in 2007, which has since grown into a world leader in healthcare advertising and marketing services, with over 1,600 people in 70 international offices spanning 40 countries, reaching more than 50 markets. While Bob led the Communication Division, clients included all of the top 10 largest pharmaceutical companies, 19 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies, and all of the top five largest biotech companies.

In 2014, Bob was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Communique. In 2010, he received the SABRE Lifetime Achievement Award from The Holmes Report. In 2007, Bob was awarded the Ohio University Alumni Medal of Merit.

Previously, Bob was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Burson-Marsteller's healthcare practice and president of the agency's The Biotech Group. He also served as VP/ assistant administrator for marketing and public affairs at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at The Ranney School. He chairs the Admissions and Marketing Committee, is a member of the Executive Committee, and is the Board lead for the school's Crisis/ Issues Team. Bob is also a member of the Board of Trustees at the Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, New Jersey.

SOURCE MaxAscent LLC

Related Links

http://www.MaxAscent.com


Matt comes to Heffernan with 8 years of insurance experience between personal and commercial lines. Most recently, he worked at Arthur J Gallagher in the marine and construction niches focusing on contractors and transportation companies. His focus is creating programs for unique companies looking to grow.

"I am very pleased to have Matt join our commercial lines team," said Michael J. Boone, Senior Vice President. "Matt has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in helping clients to navigate the insurance challenges they face while driving down their overall cost of risk. His energy and creativity will be an asset to our organization for years to come."

Skarin looks forward to being a driving force in Heffernan's growth in the Midwest and providing excellent service and innovation to his clients. He and his team are committed to understanding their clients' unique needs and providing innovative solutions as they relate to their Property and Casualty and Employee Benefits Insurance programs.

Matthew Skarin

Assistant Vice President

[email protected]

636.778.2128

About Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Heffernan Insurance Brokers, formed in 1988, is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Heffernan provides insurance and financial services products to a range of businesses and individuals. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Heffernan has offices in San Francisco, Petaluma, Menlo Park, Los Angeles and Orange County, CA; Portland, OR; and St. Louis, MO.

Employee-owned, Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named the Top Mid-Sized Broker in the United States to work for in 2009 by Business Insurance Magazine and a Best Place to Work in St. Louis by the St. Louis Business Journal in 2013.

For more information, visit www.heffins.com. License #0564249

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161209/447554

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150511/215225LOGO

SOURCE Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Related Links

http://www.heffins.com


PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA) and Horizon Air have signed an agreement to establish a pilot development program, which will provide a tuition stipend to students pursuing an aviation career. This program is designed to help recruit new students into the program at HAA and provide existing students with an opportunity to fly as a first officer/pilot with Horizon Air following the completion of their program.

According to the 2016 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook report, to keep up with demand, the airline industry will need to train an additional 558,000 new commercial airline pilots over the next 20 years  about 28,000 each year. This new recruitment program is intended to help increase the steady supply of welltrained pilots entering the industry.

"With the looming pilot shortage, Horizon is excited to partner with high quality aviation programs, like Hillsboro Aero Academy to enhance our recruiting efforts and ensure the next generation of pilots look to Horizon as a place they can build their career in aviation," said LaMar Haugaard, Horizon Air director of pilot development and recruiting.

Under the program, Horizon Air will award a stipend for eligible HAA students who have completed their private pilot certification and are working toward completing their Commercial Pilot Certificate. Students who accept the stipend will receive a conditional job offer at Horizon Air.

In addition to the Horizon Air stipend, HAA has allocated $143,000 towards funding individual advanced certificationsenabling students the opportunity to train for specialized skills.

"This trend signals a robust and growing sector for aspiring pilots and exceptional career opportunities well into the future," stated HAA CEO and President Jon Hay. "We believe our collaboration with Horizon Air provides aspiring pilots with an outstanding opportunity to complete their full certifications and an unparalleled opportunity to kick start their career with quality training, and employment with a regional hallmark carrier."

HAA is a leading institution for pilot training, specializing in professional airplane and helicopter certification programs.

About Hillsboro Aero Academy

Hillsboro Aero Academy, formerly Hillsboro Aviation's flight school, is one of the largest helicopter and airplane flight training schools in the United States. With a fleet of 90 aircraft, Hillsboro Aero Academy flies in excess of 70,000 flight hours per year from its three campuses in Oregon. During its 36 years in business, the company has trained thousands of pilots, and its graduates fly for operators worldwide. To learn more about Hillsboro Aero Academy, visit www.flyhaa.com.

About Horizon Air

Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, Inc. and flies to 39 cities across the United States and Canada as Alaska Airlines. Horizon Air maintains an operational fleet of 52 Bombardier Q400 aircraft with an average age of 9.4 years. In 2016, the airline announced the purchase of 30 Embraer E175 aircraft, the first of which is expected to be delivered spring 2017. Alaska and Horizon Air are the only major U.S. carriers with a fully RNP-equipped fleet and fully-trained flight crews.

SOURCE Hillsboro Aero Academy

Related Links

http://www.flyhaa.com


Summit Academy North is a public school academy that began operations in September 1998, offering grades K-5. By 2000, it added grades 10-12 and enrolled 850 students. The Academy added a virtual /online program in 2015 and now enrolls approximately 2,000 students in grades K-12.

The Academy engaged HJ Sims to refinance its Series 2005 Bonds to meet the Academy's strategic financing objectives; and HJ Sims developed multiple refinancing structures and scenarios. The Academy elected to move forward with a fixed-rate, tax-exempt bond issue with the same maturity as the bond issue to be refunded (the 2005 bonds). HJ Sims worked with Standard and Poor's during the financing process to reaffirm its BB rating and successfully priced the $22,435,000 refunding issue with a True-Interest-Cost of 4.90%. On a present value basis, the refunding saved Summit Academy North approximately $824,000, or 3.6% of the par amount of the refunded bonds. Annually the refinancing saved $74,000+.

"I would formally like to thank everyone involved in the process of refinancing our bonds on behalf of our board and most importantly on behalf of our amazing students who will benefit so much from the additional funds that we can add back into our budget every year. This will help us to accomplish our goals to completely close the learning gap for 100% of our students, assure that not only every student will be accepted into college but will receive a scholarship and will attend and complete college, and that we will become a Central Michigan University school of excellence. My deepest gratitude to everyone," said Leann Hedke, School Superintendent, Summit Academy North.

"Sims is proud to support this advanced charter school that brings state-of-the-art education to children K-12 in southwestern Wayne County. With more than 100 charter school financings, HJ Sims is deeply committed to help our clients create, improve and build their vision. We work with each client to meet their unique objectives, personalizing a Financed Right solution," explains Jay Hromatka, Executive Vice President, HJ Sims.

For more information about HJ Sims, charter school financing and how we can offer you Financed Right solutions, please contact Jay Hromoatka at [email protected] 952-683-7506.

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935 on Wall Street, HJ Sims is celebrating more than 80 years of service as a privately held investment bank and broker-dealer with approximately $2 billion of assets under management. HJ Sims is known as one of the country's oldest underwriters of tax-exempt and taxable bonds, having raised $22 billion for projects throughout the US. The firm is headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, with investment banking, private client wealth management and trading offices in Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Puerto Rico. Pershing LLC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, is custodian of all client assets. For more information, please visit: www.hjsims.com/ourstory. Investments involve risk, including the possible fluctuation of principal. Member FINRA, SIPC. Follow HJ Sims on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE HJ Sims

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"Empanadas have long been a key menu item and an important part of Campero's unique Latin experience," said Federico Valiente, national brand manager for Pollo Campero International. "They are the perfect handheld meal option and we are thrilled to give our guests exciting and unique flavors when they're on the go."

All Pollo Campero empanadas are made by hand and packed with fresh ingredients. Campero's new Chicken Chipotle empanada is filled with shredded Latin chicken and a creamy sauce that is slightly sweet and tangy with a hint of smoky adobo and chipotle pepper. It also contains chopped cilantro and a roasted pepper. Pollo Campero's Dulce de Leche empanada is Campero's newest dessert and perfect for empanada lovers with a sweet tooth! It is filled with cheesecake ganache and traditional Dulce de Leche.

For a limited time only, guests who visit participating restaurants can enjoy both individual and family value meals with the new empanada recipes. Customers can enjoy a meal of three empanadas, a cup of warm tortilla soup or a classic side, along with a medium soft drink for $6.99 or two pieces of fried or grilled chicken, one empanada, a cup of warm tortilla soup or a classic side, along with a medium soft drink for $6.99. Additionally, families can also enjoy a family meal, which includes eight pieces of fried or grilled chicken, four empanadas and two classic family sides for $23.99.

"We know our guests are always looking for flavor, but they want convenience as wellthat is especially true during the busy holiday season," said Valiente. "Empanadas are the ideal solution for those searching for a lot of flavor in anything from a quick meal on the go, to a big family gathering."

ABOUT POLLO CAMPERO

Pollo Campero, considered the home of Authentic Latin Chicken, is the largest Latin chicken restaurant brand in the world. It first opened its doors as a tiny, family-owned restaurant in Guatemala in 1971 with the goal of treating family and friends to its prized chicken recipe passed down from generation to generation. Today, as Pollo Campero marks its 45th anniversary, its focus on quality, and its mission to stay true to its Latin roots remain the same. Pollo Campero is committed to serving unique Latin recipes prepared by hand daily using high-quality and all-natural ingredients. At the heart of that commitment: the promise to use fresh, never frozen, hormone-free chicken paired with traditional Latin sides, drinks and desserts in a vibrant atmosphere. There are more than 350 Pollo Campero restaurants around the world and Campero is accelerating growth. For franchise information, or to learn more about Pollo Campero, visit Campero.com. Follow the flavor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CamperoUSA.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161209/447515

SOURCE Pollo Campero

Related Links

http://Campero.com


ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Peabody Energy today said the Indiana Society of Mining Reclamation has honored the company with a 2016 Excellence in Mining and Reclamation Award for an ecological approach to restoration at the former Viking Mine  Knox Pit south of Bicknell in Knox County. The honors recognize efforts to restore prime farmland and wildlife habitat, improve stream water quality and enhance riparian and aquatic habitat. The work included reclaiming former refuse areas that were left in the mine lease area by a previous owner, which improved stream water quality.

The highest honor presented by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Division of Reclamation, the award was given at the annual Indiana Society of Mining and Reclamation, Technology Transfer Seminar in Evansville, Ind.

"Peabody is honored to receive this award. We take pride in sustaining the land's natural resources and know the value restoration has for our communities and generations to come," said Peabody Energy President  Americas Kemal Williamson.

Williamson said that Peabody has been reclaiming lands for decades and led the industry's first land restoration initiatives in the 1950s, nearly a quarter century before the law required it.

To date, the company has reclaimed more than 95 percent of the mined acreage at Viking Mine  Knox Pit, which is advancing through final reclamation. Viking is the third Peabody Indiana mine in eight years to be recognized by the state's Society of Mining Reclamation.

Over the past decade, Peabody has spent approximately $185 million to restore 48,000 acres. In 2015, the company restored more than 4,700 acres of mined lands into rangeland, wildlife habitat, hardwood forests, prime farmland and wetlands.

In addition to paying for every dollar of its own coal mine restoration, Peabody has paid nearly $560 million in the past decade to the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program, and contributed more than $45 million in 2015.

Peabody has more than 1,000 employees at its Indiana operations and injected more than 1.7 billion in direct and indirect economic benefits into the nearby communities in 2015.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a Fortune 500 company. The company serves metallurgical and thermal coal customers in 25 countries on six continents and has earned more than 130 awards for safety, corporate and environmental excellence in the past five years. For further information, visit www.PeabodyEnergy.com.

CONTACT:

Beth Sutton

(928) 221-6792

SOURCE Peabody Energy

Related Links

http://www.peabodyenergy.com


MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. (NYSE MKT: INFU) ("InfuSystem" or the "Company"), a leading national provider of infusion pumps and related services for the healthcare industry in the United States, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Third quarter 2016 overview:

Net Revenues totaled $17.2 million , a decrease of 6% versus third quarter 2015 net revenues of $18.3 million .

, a decrease of 6% versus third quarter 2015 net revenues of . Net Collected Revenues decreased 4% over last year's comparable quarter.

Net Collected Rental Revenues decreased 10% over last year's comparable quarter.

Product sales increased 40% to $2.6 million over last year's comparable quarter.

over last year's comparable quarter. Bad debt decreased 24% for the quarter compared to the prior year period, as a result of increased Direct Payor revenue and the Company's increased focus on new payor contracts and patient collections.

Net Income of $56,000 , or diluted EPS of $0.00 , compared to third quarter 2015 net income of $1.1 million or diluted EPS of $0.05 .

, or diluted EPS of , compared to third quarter 2015 net income of or diluted EPS of . AEBITDA decreased 27% to $3.4 million and AEBITDA margin was 20%.

Management Discussion

Eric K. Steen, chief executive officer of InfuSystem, said, "The financial results of the third quarter of 2016 were impacted by many factors, several which were one-time events. Our world changed quickly when in April 2016, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") instituted industry wide changes to the reimbursement process for Medicare patients utilizing at-home ambulatory pumps for oncology treatments. We responded quickly and took 1,800 infusion clinics to a direct bill to the provider business model, all while rolling out a new IT system and continuing to run two Medicare processes, as we continued to bill for treatments prior to July 1, 2016. We took the opportunity to put a number of things behind us as a result of changes in the market and in our internal processes. We had one-time non-recurring costs of approximately $1 million in the quarter. Additionally, as we closed the third quarter, we noticed a formula error related to our revenue recognition estimation model, which was announced on November 7, 2016. As a result, with the assistance of independent outside professionals, we restated our financial results for 2015 and the first and second quarters of 2016. We are confident that we have taken the necessary steps to correct and implement the appropriate internal controls to strengthen our financial reporting."

"Third quarter net revenues decreased 6% and net rental revenues decreased 11%, despite an 11% increase in our direct rental business. We experienced a decrease in revenue resulting from moving our Medicare patients from an insurance billing to a direct to clinic provider billing in the third quarter due the CMS change. Additionally, our team was focused on educating our 1,800 infusion clinic healthcare providers of the CMS change, as we transition them to a new direct billing model for their Medicare patients. Despite these challenges during the quarter, we added 71 new payor network contracts, deployed approximately 450 infusion pumps into the oncology market and we now have a modernized fleet of more than 60,000 pumps. The rollout of our new EXPRESS system, that eliminates duplicate data entry, continues to gain traction as we now have approximately 1,495 medical facilities converted to our new connectivity system."

Mr. Steen concluded, "Looking forward, we are highly focused on strengthening our balance sheet and generating cash. Our goals include driving operational efficiencies and reducing capital expenditures to consistently reduce debt."

Third Quarter Results

Net Revenues in the third quarter of 2016 were $17.2 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 6%, from $18.3 million in the third quarter of 2015. Net Rental revenues decreased 11% to $14.6 million; net revenues from product sales, mainly disposables, increased 40% to $2.6 million from the third quarter of 2015. The decrease in net revenues can be attributed to a transition to an alternative billing arrangement due to the Medicare billing change that resulted in a decrease in pricing offsetting some new revenue from growth.

The Company is focused on net rental revenues less bad debt ("Net Collected Rental Revenues") versus prior year. Net Collected Rental Revenues decreased 10% to $13.5 million versus $15.0 million in the comparable quarter of 2015. Bad debt as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 6% compared to 8% for the same prior year period.

Net income in the third quarter was $56,000, equal to $0.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the same prior year period. Adjusted net income, adding back interest expense and other income and expenses was $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to $1.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the same prior year period.

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $10.4 million, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 19%, from $12.9 million in the third quarter of 2015. It represented 60.3% of net revenues in the third quarter compared to 70.3% in the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net revenues for the period is mainly due to the decrease in rental revenues for the Medicare billing change, in addition to increase cost of revenues  product and supply costs, including $1 million for additional depreciation on newly purchased pumps.

During the three months ended September 30, 2016, general and administrative ("G&A") expenses were $5.3 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 7%, compared to $5.7 million for the same prior year period. The decrease in G&A expenses versus the same prior year period was mainly attributable to decreases in stock compensation, salaries and benefits; offset by increases in professional fees and outside services of $0.5 million.

Selling and marketing expenses for the 2016 third quarter were $2.5 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 6%, compared to $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2015. Other expenses for the third quarter of 2016 were $0.4 million compared to $0.3 million for the same prior year period. This is largely due to increased debt on the Company's revolving credit facility.

Adjusted EBITDA was $3.4 million, a decrease of 27% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2015. The Company utilizes Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA as a means to measure its operating performance. A reconciliation from GAAP operating measures to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA, both non-GAAP measures, can be found in the appendix. Adjustments during the quarter were for severance related to our sales force management restructure and for costs associated in identifying and investigating strategic alternatives.

Financial Condition

Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $3.7 million compared to $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease is mainly due to non-cash items, including extinguishment of long term debt for $1.6 million. In addition, during the period, cash proceeds included decreases in accounts receivable of $2.8 million and increases in non-cash items for depreciation and amortization of $2.1 million; offset by decreases in accounts payable and other current liabilities of $2.2 million and $1.0 million less in net income during the period.

Cash used in investing activities was $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to cash used of $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in cash used was due to $5.9 million of cash used for the Ciscura acquisition made during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of $1.4 million related to our spend on Information Technology capital projects for the year, and a decrease of $1.0 million on purchases of medical equipment.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company maintained cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 million and $4.7 million of net availability under the Revolver compared to $0.8 million and $9.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015.

Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements

The Company has completed the filing of its previously announced restatement of financial statements. The restatement is described in an amendment to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 (the "Form 10-K/A") and an amendment to the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 (the "Form 10-Q/A," and collectively with the Form 10-K/A, the "Amendments"), each of which have been filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call for investors on December 13, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss third quarter performance and results. Eric K. Steen, chief executive officer, Jan Skonieczny, chief operating officer, Chris Downs, interim chief financial officer and Trent Smith, chief accounting officer will discuss the Company's financial performance and answer questions from the financial community. To participate in this call, please dial in toll-free (800) 446-2782 and use the confirmation number 43986037. This press release will be available on most financial websites. Additionally, a web replay will be available on the Company's website for 30 days.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release contains information prepared in conformity with GAAP as well as non-GAAP information. It is management's intent to provide non-GAAP financial information in order to enhance readers' understanding of its consolidated financial information as prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP information should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure and the corresponding GAAP financial measures are presented so as to not imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure. The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies. Additional information about non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included later in this release.

About InfuSystem Holdings, Inc.

InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of infusion pumps and related services to hospitals, oncology practices and other alternate site healthcare providers. Headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan, the Company delivers local, field-based customer support and also operates Centers of Excellence in Michigan, Kansas, California, Texas, Georgia and Ontario, Canada. The Company's stock is traded on the NYSE MKT under the symbol INFU.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," variations of such words, and other similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. Those factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, potential changes in overall healthcare reimbursement, including CMS competitive bidding, sequestration, concentration of customers, increased focus on early detection of cancer, competitive treatments, dependency on Medicare Supplier Number, availability of chemotherapy drugs, global financial conditions, changes and enforcement of state and federal laws, natural forces, competition, dependency on suppliers, risks in acquisitions & joint ventures, U.S. Healthcare Reform, relationships with healthcare professionals and organizations, technological changes related to infusion therapy, dependency on websites and intellectual property, the ability of the Company to successfully integrate acquired businesses, dependency on key personnel, dependency on banking relations and covenants, and other risks associated with our common stock, as well as any litigation to which the Company may be involved in from time to time; and other risk factors as discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2016. Our annual report on Form 10-K/A is available on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov, and a copy may also be obtained by contacting the Company. All forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and do not undertake any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Additional information about InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. is available at www.infusystem.com.

CONTACT: Joe Dorame, Joe Diaz & Robert Blum

Lytham Partners, LLC

602-889-9700

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

INFUSYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS





As of

September 30,

December 31, (in thousands, except share data) 2016

2015

(Unaudited)



ASSETS





Current Assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,072

$ 818 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,167and $4,737 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively





12,216

12,622 Inventory 2,065

1,916 Other current assets 1,260

861 Deferred income taxes 2,743

2,743







Total Current Assets 19,356

18,960 Medical equipment held for sale or rental 1,610

2,277 Medical equipment in rental service, net of accumulated depreciation 29,672

27,837 Property & equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2,140

2,370 Intangible assets, net 31,814

31,534 Deferred income taxes 12,022

12,128 Other assets 474

251







Total Assets $ 97,088

$ 95,357







LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY





Current Liabilities:





Accounts payable $ 4,676

$ 6,586 Current portion of long-term debt 7,283

5,060 Other current liabilities 2,692

3,641







Total Current Liabilities 14,651

15,287 Long-term debt, net of current portion 31,356

29,750 Other long term liabilities 102

-







Total Liabilities $ 46,109

$ 45,037







Stockholders' Equity:





Preferred stock, $.0001 par value: authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued -

- Common stock, $.0001 par value: authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 22,833,821 and 22,636,161, respectively, as of September 30, 2016 and 22,739,550 and 22,541,890, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 2

2 Additional paid-in capital 91,647

91,238

-



Retained deficit (40,670)

(40,920)







Total Stockholders' Equity 50,979

50,320







Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 97,088

$ 95,357

INFUSYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)









Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except share and per share data) September 30

September 30

2016

2015

2016

2015 Net revenues:



(Restated)





(Restated) Rentals $ 14,640

$ 16,468

$ 47,370

$ 46,816 Product Sales 2,586

1,843

6,273

4,983 Net revenues 17,226

18,311

53,643

51,799















Cost of revenues:













Cost of revenues  Product, service and supply costs 4,018

3,580

12,313

10,251 Cost of revenues  Pump depreciation and disposals 2,819

1,854

7,241

5,135















Gross profit 10,389

12,877

34,089

36,413















Selling, general and administrative expenses:













Provision for doubtful accounts 1,098

1,453

3,912

3,790 Amortization of intangibles 958

756

2,792

2,100















Selling and marketing 2,490

2,655

7,629

8,079 General and administrative 5,267

5,683

18,328

17,652















Total selling, general and administrative 9,813

10,547

32,661

31,621















Operating income 576

2,330

1,428

4,792 Other income (expense):





























Interest expense (384)

(338)

(1,016)

(1,397) Loss on extinguishment of long term debt -

-

-

(1,599) Other income (6)

(47)

21

(28)















Total other expense (390)

(385)

(995)

(3,024)















Income before income taxes 186

1,945

433

1,768 Income tax expense (130)

(807)

(183)

(508) Net income $ 56

$ 1,138

$ 250

$ 1,260















Net income per share:













Basic $ 0.00

$ 0.05

0.01

0.06 Diluted $ 0.00

$ 0.05

0.01

0.06 Weighted average shares outstanding:













Basic 22,620,386

22,448,849

22,614,203

22,380,202 Diluted 22,995,643

22,838,371

23,059,794

22,769,715

INFUSYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)





Nine Months Ended

September 30 (in thousands) 2016

2015

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ 3,735

$ 5,385







INVESTING ACTIVITIES





Acquisition of business (200)

(5,899) Purchase of medical equipment and property (6,997)

(9,390) Proceeds from sale of medical equipment and property 2,511

2,599 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (4,686)

(12,690)







FINANCING ACTIVITIES





Principal payments on revolving credit facility, term loans and capital lease obligations (44,197)

(52,681) Cash proceeds from revolving credit facility 45,327

60,605 Debt issuance costs -

(157) Common stock repurchased to satisfy statutory withholding on employee





stock based compensation plans (50)

(144) Cash proceeds from stock plans 125

156 NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 1,205

7,779







Net change in cash and cash equivalents 254

474 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 818

515 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,072

$ 989

INFUSYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (UNAUDITED)

NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA:



















Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,



2016

2015

2016

2015 (in thousands)





(Restated)





(Restated)

















Net income

$ 56

$ 1,138

$ 250

$ 1,260 Adjustments:















Interest expense

384

338

1,016

1,397 Income tax expense (benefit)

130

807

183

508 Depreciation

1,752

1,414

5,125

3,746 Amortization

958

756

2,792

2,100

















EBITDA

$ 3,280

$ 4,453

$ 9,366

$ 9,011

















Stock compensation

(16)

179

334

796 Loss on early extinguishment of long term debt

-

-

-

1,599 Severance

42

-

117

202 Strategic alternatives/transition costs

109

22

304

426

















EBITDA - Adjusted

$ 3,415

$ 4,654

$ 10,121

$ 12,034



















OPERATING INCOME TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME:



Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,



2016

2015

2016

2015 (in thousands)





(Restated)





(Restated)

















Operating income

$ 576

$ 2,330

$ 1,428

$ 4,792 Adjustments:















Severenace

42

-

117

202 Strategic altneratives/transition costs

109

22

304

426 Interest expense

(384)

(338)

(1,016)

(1,397) Other income

(6)

(47)

21

(28)

















Income before income taxes - adjusted

$ 337

$ 1,967

$ 854

$ 3,995

















Income tax expense

236

817

359

1,147

















NET INCOME - adjusted

$ 101

$ 1,150

$ 495

$ 2,848

















Net income per share:















Basic

$ 0.00

$ 0.05

$ 0.02

$ 0.13 Diluted

$ 0.00

$ 0.05

$ 0.02

$ 0.13 Weighted average shares outstanding:















Basic

22,620,386

22,448,849

22,614,203

22,380,202 Diluted

22,995,643

22,838,371

23,059,794

22,769,715

SOURCE InfuSystem Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.infusystem.com


Under the plan, the Civil War Trust, through its Campaign 1776 initiative to protect Revolutionary War battlefields, will purchase 14.85 acres of land from the Institute for $4 million, to be conveyed to the State of New Jersey as an addition to the existing Princeton Battlefield State Park. The acquisition includes approximately 2/3 of the Maxwell's Field property, along with an additional 1.12-acre tract north of the property that has been identified by historians as part of the battlefield.

To make this acquisition possible, the original footprint of the Institute's faculty housing project will be reduced by replacing seven single family home lots with eight additional townhouses, for a total of 16, all located east of Godel Lane on Maxwell's Field. The new plan also avoids any development within the Princeton Battlefield National Historic Landmark boundary, designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1961.

The original Institute housing plan had most recently been reviewed and approved by the Princeton Planning Board and Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission in late 2014 and early 2015. The new compromise plan will require review and a vote by both entities. The agreement will not go into effect until all necessary project approvals have been received.

Robbert Dijkgraaf, Director and Leon Levy Professor at the Institute, joined James Lighthizer, the President of the Civil War Trust, in stating, "We are delighted to reach this agreement, which both meets the needs of the Institute and ensures the preservation of this site through an enlarged and revitalized Princeton Battlefield State Park."

"This landmark agreement will enable us to preserve one of the defining moments in American history," said Lighthizer. Noting that elements of George Washington's famous counterattack at Princeton charged across Maxwell's Field, he said, "We are pleased by this opportunity to work with the Institute for Advanced Study to save an important part of our Revolutionary War heritage."

Dijkgraaf added, "As part of our original faculty housing plan, the Institute expressed a commitment to working with stakeholders in the preservation and commemoration of the Battle of Princeton and its role in the American Revolution. We are confident that this new plan and partnership will enhance the experience of the Park for all who visit. While we received the approval of the original housing plan design in 2012, we are pleased to have built upon the recommendations received then from noted historians and preservationists David Hackett Fisher and James McPherson in reaching this cooperative and mutually beneficial agreement with the Civil War Trust."

Joining the Institute and the Trust in praising the agreement were several nonprofit heritage preservation organizations that have long supported the protection of Maxwell's Field, including the Princeton Battlefield Society, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati.

"We have worked for decades to ensure that the Princeton Battlefield and the men who fought on this land 240 years ago are appropriately commemorated," said Jerry Hurwitz, president of the Princeton Battlefield Society. "This agreement honors that commitment and guarantees that an historically significant part of the battlefield is preserved forever."

Stephanie Meeks, president and chief executive officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, added: "We commend the Civil War Trust and the Institute for Advanced Study for their perseverance in developing this compromise solution that will facilitate the expansion of the Princeton Battlefield State Park. Saving Maxwell's Field will enhance its power to educate and inspire future generations."

"The preservation of the Princeton Battlefield is an achievement of national importance," said Jack Warren, executive director of the Society of the Cincinnati. "Washington's remarkable victory at Princeton stunned the British and opened the road that led to American independence. The Princeton Battlefield is a monument to courage, resourcefulness and stubborn determination characteristics at the heart of our national identity."

The target date for the transfer of the property to be sold to the Trust is the end of June 2017.

About the Battle of Princeton

The Battle of Princeton, fought January 3, 1777, was one of the most decisive battles of the American Revolution. It was the culmination of an audacious, 10-day campaign that began with George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Day 1776. In a series of daring maneuvers, Washington succeeded in attacking isolated elements of the British army. His decisive counterattack at Princeton marked his first victory over British regulars in the field, and revitalized the cause of American independence.

About the Institute for Advanced Study

The Institute, founded in 1930, is a private, independent academic institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. Its more than 6,000 former Members hold positions of intellectual and scientific leadership throughout the academic world. Thirty-three Nobel Laureates and 41 out of 56 Fields Medalists, as well as many winners of the Wolf and MacArthur prizes, have been affiliated with the Institute. The Institute's website is www.ias.edu.

About the Civil War Trust

The Civil War Trust is America's premier nonprofit battlefield preservation organization. Although primarily focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, through its Campaign 1776 initiative, the Trust also seeks to save the battlefields connected to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. To date, the Trust has preserved more than 43,000 acres of battlefield land in 23 states. The Trust's website is www.civilwar.org.

SOURCE Civil War Trust

Related Links

http://www.civilwar.org


LONDON, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kadaxis announced that it has been named BookTech Company of the Year at the 2016 FutureBook Awards. The FutureBook conference, run by The Bookseller, is Europe's largest digital publishing conference and focuses on the ongoing influence and transformation of digital technology in the publishing industry.

Kadaxis, which was recently shortlisted for the 2016 BISG Industry Innovation Award, was represented by CEO and Founder Chris Sim. "Receiving recognition from an organization such as the Bookseller and their well-regarded judges, is an accolade we're proud of," said Sim. "Our vision is to develop tomorrow's book discovery solutions, by using data science to deeply understand books and readers. Today our technology helps publishers optimize their metadata, resulting in significant increases to book visibility in search. I'm pleased our message and progress resonated with the judges." More information is available at: The Bookseller.

The BookTech Company of the Year Award, celebrates businesses whose technological innovations have the potential to make a unique impact on the industry in the years ahead. The award requires entrepreneurs to pitch before an independent panel of expert judges, which this year comprised: Managing Director of Ebury Publishing Rebecca Smart, CEO and co-founder of Unbound Dan Kieran, and CEO EMEA of TouchCast Paul Field.

The BookTech pitch-off featured four other finalists, chosen from thirty companies from around the world:

StoryTourist: is building an augmented reality app, that allows readers to experience books at the locations where the action takes place. The company was also awarded a Highly Commended mention.

Publishizer: matches authors with publishers during pre-order campaigns.

Joosr: enables rapid self-development through 20-minute summaries of books.

Novel Effect: uses real-time voice recognition to sync music and effects to connected devices, as readers read a book.

About Kadaxis

Kadaxis is a New York-based technology company, that uses data science to improve book discovery across the publishing value chain, for authors (at http://authorcheckpoint.com with metadata and marketing tools), publishers (with metadata optimisation and data APIs) and readers (at http://bookdiscovery.co). Learn more at: http://kadaxis.com/publishing-intelligence.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Website: kadaxis.com

Twitter: @kadaxis

Related Images

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Related Links

Kadaxis Publishing Intelligence

AuthorCheckpoint

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com/.

SOURCE Kadaxis

Related Links

http://kadaxis.com


"I am very pleased to receive this distinguished award and for what it represents  excellence in nursing," Laszewski said. "I've dedicated many years to caring for patients and it's my privilege to care for Karmanos' patients. I am truly humbled to be selected for this award."

Award criteria requires the potential recipient be a registered professional nurse; have at least two years of oncology nursing experience; be a recognized expert in the field of radiation oncology (i.e., through publications, presentations, research, peer review); have made a significant contribution to one or more of the following related to radiation oncology: professional/patient education, clinical practice, and /or nursing research; and serve as a role model for other radiation oncology nurses.

Laszewski was nominated by Clara Beaver, MSN, RN, AOCNS, ACNS-BC, manager of Patient Care Services in the ambulatory clinics at Karmanos.

"Pamela is respected as a leader and expert in radiation oncology across our very vast health system," Beaver said. "She is often called upon to assist with education of staff, policy writing as well as setting nursing and documentation standards. Her input is valued not only by nursing staff, but also physicians and other professionals in radiation oncology."

Laszewski has been an oncology nurse for 28 years and a radiation oncology nurse at Karmanos for the past 19 years. She currently serves as the president of the metro Detroit Oncology Nursing Society. She also has worked as leader on a research project funded by the Oncology Nursing Foundation. The project studies head and neck patients, as well as breast cancer patients, and their adherence to prescribed skin care while receiving radiation therapy. The project has changed the way skin care adherence is viewed by radiation oncology nurses across the country.

She also has served as mentor for many of the Radiation Oncology Department nurses at Karmanos, encouraging them to receive their certifications and to take part in the research projects and to publish their research.

"Her ability to mentor, lead and promote the highest quality of patient care has been consistent and dependable over the years," Beaver said. "I cannot think of a more qualified individual deserving of the 'Excellence in Radiation Therapy Nursing Award.'"

Laszewski resides in Belle River, Ontario, Canada.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care, is one of 47 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute

Related Links

http://www.karmanos.org


Mainstream portrayals of sex and sexuality can be extremely cliched, with marketing messages, film and television, art, literature and more often weighed down by outdated stereotypes. These messages have, over time, created discomfort surrounding open and honest discussions about sex, especially for millennial consumers. LifeStyles "Smart is Sexy" advertisements challenge these cliches head-on via banner ads and videos that at first glance appear to support some outdated concepts surrounding sexiness, but upon a closer look reveal various signs of sexy that focus on intelligence, confidence, ambition, open-mindedness and more. The campaign questions typical role models and societal expectations and aims to boost the confidence of users by encouraging them to embrace and celebrate sexiness in all its forms.

"The inspiration for 'Smart is Sexy' came directly from our key demographic, the millennial consumer," says Jeyan Heper, President & General Manager, Sexual Wellness Global Business Unit at Ansell. "In various focus groups, millennials explained to us that self-confidence and sexiness are directly linked, and young adults need to 'smarten up' by recognizing that sexiness does not only come from superficial beauty, physical exposure or sexual performance, but from feeling self-confident and sexy about yourself as you are."





Globally conceptualized by Hamburg, Germany-based +KNAUSS Agency and executed in the U.S. by the AMP Agency, "Smart is Sexy" will debut simultaneously in the United States, Brazil and Australia, with China and Europe kicking off the campaign in early 2017. The videos were specifically designed to be skip-able YouTube pre-roll ads and work with the Silent Autoplay Function in the Facebook timeline. Viewers who are curious to find out what turns on the men and women featured in the videos will do one of two things: either continue to watch the pre-roll ad after the first five seconds or, in case of the Facebook ad, click on the sound button.





In addition to traditional channels, in the U.S., the campaign will also be supported by a unique interactive vending machine activation which prompts users to answer five questions about sexual health in order to receive a free condom sample. Questions range from stats on STIs and contraception to the history of condoms. The machine debuted as a pop-up in New York City's Washington Square Park on November 18th before moving to NYC's famed Webster Hall where it will remain for at least one month before traveling to various locations including city-centers, nightclubs and bars, and colleges and universities across the United States.

All LifeStyles Condoms are triple tested to meet the highest U.S. reliability standards. LifeStyles Condoms are available at a wide range of big box retailers, drugstores, grocery and convenience stores across the U.S. Products are also available at the Company's e-commerce website BuyCondoms.Online, as well as at online retailers such as Soap.com and Amazon.com.

For more information on the advertising campaign, please visit: http://bit.ly/2gfKuwg and http://bit.ly/2ggYfiM

About Ansell

Ansell is a world leader in providing superior health and safety protection solutions that enhance human well-being. With operations in North America, Latin America/Caribbean, EMEA and Asia, Ansell employs nearly 15,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the personal protective equipment and medical gloves market, as well as in the sexual health and well-being category worldwide. Ansell operates in four main business segments: Medical, Industrial, Single Use and Sexual Wellness. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at www.ansell.com.

Ansell,  and TM are trademarks owned by Ansell Limited or one of its affiliates. US Patented and US and non-US Patents Pending: www.ansell.com/patentmarking  2016 Ansell Limited. All Rights Reserved.

About the LifeStyles Brand

Based out of Iselin, NJ, the LifeStyles brand was launched in 1985 as a U.S.-based consumer products division of Ansell Limited, a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products with operations in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. With over 20 styles of condoms and an assortment of other pleasure products on the market, the brand and its affiliates are some of the leading distributors of sexual health goods in the U.S. and Canada. More information on the LifeStyles brand can be found at www.lifestyles.com.

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfH8G9oJfVs

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161209/447633

SOURCE LifeStyles Condoms

Related Links

http://www.lifestyles.com


AT&T brings you to the front of the line for the ALL THE HITS TOUR . AT&T priority presale ticket access begins Tuesday, December 13 at 10:00 am local time through AT&T THANKS program. For complete presale details visit www.att.com/frontoftheline .

Citi is the official credit card sponsor of the ALL THE HITS TOUR. Citi cardmembers can take advantage of a special pre-sale opportunity beginning on Thursday, December 15 at 10:00 am local time. For complete pre-sale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com.

LIONEL RICHIE AND VERY SPECIAL GUEST MARIAH CAREY  ALL THE HITS TOUR *all dates, venues and cities below subject to change. Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Baltimore, MD Royal Farms Arena Friday, March 17, 2017 Newark, NJ Prudential Center Saturday, March 18, 2017 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena Friday, March 24, 2017 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center Saturday, March 25, 2017 Chicago, IL United Center Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena Thursday, March 30, 2017 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre Saturday, April 01, 2017 New York, NY Madison Square Garden (on sale Dec 22) Wednesday, April 05, 2017 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena Friday, April 07, 2017 Boston, MA TD Garden Saturday, April 08, 2017 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills Friday, April 14, 2017 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center Sunday, April 16, 2017 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center Tuesday, April 18, 2017 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center Friday, April 21, 2017 Tulsa, OK BOK Center Sunday, April 23, 2017 Denver, CO Pepsi Center Tuesday, April 25, 2017 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday, April 27, 2017 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena Friday, April 28, 2017 Seattle, WA Key Arena Sunday, April 30, 2017 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena Tuesday, May 02, 2017 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center Friday, May 05, 2017 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl Saturday, May 06, 2017 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl Monday, May 08, 2017 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Anaheim, CA Honda Center Saturday, May 13, 2017 Houston, TX Toyota Center Monday, May 15, 2017 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Thursday, May 18, 2017 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center Saturday, May 20, 2017 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena Sunday, May 21, 2017 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena Friday, May 26, 2017 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena Saturday, May 27, 2017 Fort Lauderdale, FL BB&T Center

About Lionel Richie

International superstar, Lionel Richie, has a discography of albums and singles that are second to none. His music is part of the fabric of pop music; in fact, Lionel Richie is one of only two songwriters in history to achieve the honor of having #1 records for nine consecutive years. With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, four Grammy awards and the distinction of MusiCares person of the year in 2016, the Tuskegee, Alabama native is a true music icon.

Lionel Richie is known for his mega-hits such as "Endless Love," "Lady," "Truly," "All Night Long (All Night)," "Penny Lover," "Stuck On You," "Hello," "Say You, Say Me," "Dancing on the Ceiling," and one of most important pop songs in history, "We Are The World," written with Michael Jackson for USA for Africa. His song catalog also includes his early work with The Commodores, where he developed a groundbreaking style that defied genre categories, penning smashes such as "Three Times A Lady," "Still," and "Easy."

Lionel launched his Las Vegas headlining residency show, "Lionel Richie - All the Hits," at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in April 2016. In an unforgettable evening featuring his brightest and best anthems which have defined the music icon's unparalleled career, Lionel takes fans on a spectacular musical journey, performing a variety of his seminal hits.

With his most recent All the Hits, All Night Long Tour, Lionel sold out arenas worldwide with a setlist of his brightest and best anthems. In recent years Lionel also headlined Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Glastonbury, drawing the festival's biggest crowd ever with over 200,000 attendees.

Always giving back, his charity work extends from Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center to UNICEF and The Art of Elysium.

About Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is a music icon, a soul legend, a pop phenomenon, a breathtaking live artist and planet Earth's best-selling female artist of all time. She has sold over 220 million records and 17 of her 18 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles have been self-penned, including 'Fantasy', 'Always Be My Baby', 'Hero', 'Touch My Body', 'One Sweet Day', and 'We Belong Together', more than any other solo artist.

With her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Mariah has defined the modern pop artist. As a singer/songwriter/producer, amongst her countless awards, she has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award, the World Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist Of The Millennium," and BMI's "Icon Award" for her outstanding achievements in songwriting.

She has topped the charts globally and has played to packed audiences in stadiums and arenas around the world. Her combination of stellar talents has inspired her dedicated fans in almost every country and set new standards for excellence in the music industry.

Mariah Carey's ongoing impact transcends the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large. Her docuseries "Mariah's World" will premiere internationally this fall on E! and takes a look behind the scenes in her busy life. She has made substantial marks in film with critically acclaimed roles in Precious (2009), Lee Daniel's The Butler (2013) and last year Mariah made her directorial debut in A Christmas Melody, a special festive feature for Hallmark, in which she also starred. A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others. A tremendous supporter of children's charities, both domestic and international, Mariah founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development.

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation Management and Live Nation Media/Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

SOURCE Live Nation Entertainment

Related Links

http://www.livenation.com/investors


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles LGBT Center, with support from Citi Community Development, announces the expansion of its Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP), which empowers transgender individuals to secure jobs and become financially stable. With Citi's support, the Los Angeles LGBT Center will provide approximately 150 members of the transgender community with robust financial capability training, employment counseling, and career development resources.



The program expansion will also include development of inclusive workplace trainings for employers, which covers essential topics such as legal protection of gender identity and expression, making the workplace an inclusive envirionment that is safer and more welcoming for transgender people, and providing culturally competent services to the transgender community.

In addition to financial capability and employment services, TEEP provides an array of support services to transgender clients, including one-on-one sessions with a client advocate and case manager; peer mentoring and goal setting; job referrals to transgender-friendly employers; and name and gender change and other legal assistance.

"This relationship with Citi will enable the Center to expand vital services for the transgender community, who experience unemployment at twice the national rateand that rate increases to four times the national rate for trans people of color," said Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. "Even in a relatively progressive city like Los Angeles, discrimination and violence against trans people is terrifyingly common. This must end, and we are proud to work with Citi to build a world where every member of the LGBT community can thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society."

"Integrating financial capability training into career readiness programs enables individuals to build a more resilient financial future," said James Alva, South California Market Manager, Citi Community Development. "We are pleased to collaborate with the Los Angeles LGBT Center to expand access to critical services that will boost long term economic success for transgender individuals."

"Transgender people continue experience high rates of poverty because they are too often discriminated against by employers and are unable to find work," said Center TEEP Program Manager Drian Juarez. "Advancing the economic stability of our community is not only the right thing to do, it is what we must do so that trans people advance in life."

About the Los Angeles LGBT Center

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center's nearly 600 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people can be healthy, equal and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

Additional information may be found at citicommunitydevelopment.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

Contact: Gil Diaz

323-993-7622

[email protected]

SOURCE Los Angeles LGBT Center

Related Links

http://lalgbtcenter.org


DALLAS, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new economic survey released today by Lyft reports the local Dallas economy will see an extra $36 million in 2016 thanks to the availability of Lyft's affordable, convenient rides. Conducted by the Land Econ Group, the study also showed passengers in Dallas will save $18.8 million in travel time value and over 450,000 travel hours this year alone because of Lyft.

"Based on survey results from tens of thousands of Lyft users, we found that Lyft creates a significant positive economic impact in each of the twenty metro regions we have studied," said Bill Lee, Senior Partner at Land Econ Group. "Passengers have responded to the significant time savings and enhanced mobility Lyft provides by visiting local businesses more often, staying out longer, and exploring new areas of their city that are otherwise difficult to reach."

The national survey examined over 20 Lyft markets across the country, including Dallas. In 2016, local economies will see over $750 million in additional spending due to the availability of Lyft. Access to Lyft also meant that passengers saved over $500 million and 26 million travel hours compared to alternative transportation modes.

"Lyft is providing flexible economic opportunities and a critical source of income for drivers of all backgrounds in Dallas and across the country," said Aaron Fox, Lyft's Dallas Fort-Worth General Manager. "It's also encouraging to see that in Dallas-Fort Worth, over 90% of passengers say they are more likely to avoid driving while intoxicated because of Lyft."

In Dallas, the study also found:

82% of Lyft drivers have given a ride to a neighbor

57% use their own personal vehicle less because of Lyft

47% of passengers spend more at local businesses

26% of rides start in underserved areas

Additional information on Lyft's 2017 Economic Impact Survey can be found here.

About Lyft

Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to reconnect people and communities through better transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S and is available in more than 200 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to effecting positive change for the future of our cities.

SOURCE Lyft

Related Links

https://www.lyft.com


STOCKHOLM, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HIGHLIGHTS:

Using the FICO  Xpress Optimization Suite, Markedslabben AS developed a unique wind farm layout optimization algorithm that integrates load constraints into the optimization problem.

Xpress Optimization Suite, Markedslabben AS developed that integrates load constraints into the optimization problem. Markedslabben AS improved energy yield with 2-5 percent by optimizing wind turbine layout, which translates to 2-5% improvement in profitability for project owners.

by optimizing wind turbine layout, which translates to 2-5% improvement in profitability for project owners. If all new wind farm projects were optimized using the algorithm, it would reduce CO2 emissions by 2-5 million metric tons every year , assuming wind power replaces coal.

, assuming wind power replaces coal. Markedslabben has been awarded the FICO Decisions Award for Analytic Excellence

For more information: http://www.fico.com/dmawards/

Analytics software firm FICO today announced that Markedslabben AS, a Norwegian start-up that develops wind farm design tools and optimization algorithms, has been awarded the FICO Decision Management Award for Analytic Excellence. Markedslabben used the FICO Xpress Optimization Suite to solve a wind farm layout optimization problem that has been studied for decades, creating more efficient wind farms and increasing profitability for its clients.

The layout optimization problem is how to best place turbines in order to maximize energy yield, while still respecting turbine power load constraints. With its product WindFarmDesigns, Markedslabben AS has managed to integrate load constraints into the optimization problem, improving layout and resulting in 2-5 percent improvement in energy yield and profitability for project owners.

"While industry software previously has been capable of maximizing energy yield by heuristics or genetic algorithms, no one has been able to incorporate load constraints into the optimization," said Klaus Vogstad, owner of Markedslabben AS. "This means consultants and manufacturers spend a lot of time checking layout solutions for load compliance, and adjust these layouts manually. This process is time-consuming, and also achieves suboptimal results."

Markedslabben used the FICO Xpress Optimization Suite to develop the algorithm that solved this problem. WindFarmDesign is available as a cloud service, meaning it can be used by clients of all sizes with different pricing and technical requirements.

"Developing sustainable wind energy solutions that can replace coal and natural gas is key to addressing current climate challenges and reducing CO2 emissions," said Vogstad. "We are proud to offer a solution that optimizes wind power projects and make them more profitable, which over time should support increased investments in wind power parks, thus making the world a greener place. The FICO Xpress Optimization Suite gave us the tools needed to solve this problem."

"Markedslabben demonstrated the power of advanced analytics to solve some of the world's toughest problems," said Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational, and Duke University Professor of Behavioral Economics, one of this year's FICO Decisions Awards judges. "For their results and their solution to a problem that has frustrated firms before, the judges overwhelmingly selected them as this year's Analytic Excellence winner."

"We are very impressed by Markedslabben's solution, which can be used in wind power projects all over the world," said Dylan Jones, country head for Nordics & Baltic regions at FICO. "The potential gains of improved layout optimization are huge both in terms of profitability and sustainability."

Every year, about 2000 new wind farms are installed globally, which is equivalent of 50 gigawatts per year. If all new projects were optimized using the algorithm, with improved energy yield of 2-5 percent, that would reduce CO2 emissions by 2-5 million metric tons per year, assuming wind power replaces coal.

About the FICO Decisions Awards

The FICO Decisions Awards recognize organizations that are achieving remarkable success using FICO solutions. A panel of independent judges with deep industry expertise evaluates nominations based upon measureable improvement in key metrics; demonstrated use of best practices; project scale, depth and breadth; and innovative uses of technology. The 2016 judges are:

Dan Ariely , expert on human behavior, author of Predictably Irrational , and Duke University Professor of Behavioral Economics

, expert on human behavior, author of , and Professor of Behavioral Economics Jim Bander , national manager, Decision Science, Toyota Financial Services (2015 winner)

, national manager, Decision Science, Toyota Financial Services (2015 winner) Ken Elliott , global director of Analytics, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

, global director of Analytics, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Bill Fearnley, Jr. , research director, Compliance, Fraud and Risk Analytics, IDC  Financial Insights

, research director, Compliance, Fraud and Risk Analytics, IDC  Financial Insights Petr Kapoun , retail risk director, Ceska Sporitelna (2015 winner)

, retail risk director, Ceska Sporitelna (2015 winner) Dr. Dalvinder Singh , editor, Financial Regulation International

, editor, Nicole Sturgill , principal, Executive Advisor, CEB TowerGroup

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956 and based in Silicon Valley, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 170 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 100 countries do everything from protecting 2.6 billion payment cards from fraud, to helping people get credit, to ensuring that millions of airplanes and rental cars are in the right place at the right time.

Learn more at http://www.fico.com

FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

SOURCE FICO

Related Links

http://www.fico.com


DENVER, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MassRoots, Inc. (OTC-QB: MSRT) one of the leading technology platforms for the cannabis industry, announced today that the Company will host a shareholder update call on Thursday December 15, 2016 at 4:15 pm EST. During the call, management will provide insight on recent and upcoming developments at the Company and within the evolving cannabis marketplace.

In order to participate in the conference call, please dial (toll free) (877) 407-8293. Please use conference pass code 13651523. For international callers, please dial (201) 689-8349.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available in the investor relations section of the Company's website following completion of the call for approximately 2 weeks. To listen to the replay, please dial (toll free) (877) 660-6853 or (international) (201) 612-7415.

About MassRoots

MassRoots is one of the largest technology platforms for the regulated cannabis industry. The company's mobile apps enables consumers to provide community-driven reviews of cannabis strains and products, enabling consumers to make educated cannabis purchasing decisions. MassRoots is proud to be affiliated with the leading businesses and organizations in the cannabis industry, including the ArcView Group and National Cannabis Industry Association. For more information, please visit MassRoots.com/Investors.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this announcement contain statements, estimates and projections about the growth of MassRoots' business, potential partnerships, new features, and related business strategy. Such statements, estimates and projections may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time. MassRoots undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The recipient of this information is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE MassRoots, Inc.

Related Links

http://MassRoots.com


PARIS, Sept. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridiam, a leading global investor and asset manager specializing in public and community infrastructure, and Europe's long-term financing institution, the European Investment Bank (EIB) today announced the agreement of a new 30 million catalyst investment in the Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund.

The pan-African fund is expected to investment in 8-10 essential infrastructure projects including, energy, education, transport, water and waste schemes. The Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund is currently finalizing investment in three projects, a solar photovoltaic project in Senegal, a university campus in Cote d'Ivoire and airports renovation in Madagascar.

"Investment across Africa to improve energy, education, water and transport infrastructure is essential for economic activity and improving lives. The Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund will help projects being implemented for the first time by sharing experience from similar schemes elsewhere, both in Africa and Europe. The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting infrastructure investment that unlocks business opportunities, reduces costs and contributes to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and this new initiative firmly supports these goals," said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President.

"This new fund is an ideal opportunity to unleash much needed investment in African infrastructure. We believe we can contribute to support efforts across the continent to build capacity in infrastructure delivery to accompany and foster African growth. In this way we will collectively harness the enormous potential created by Africa's young population, burgeoning middle classes and increasingly urbanized population," said Thierry Deau, Meridiam's Founder/CEO.

Meridiam's consistent investment strategy since the firm's creation in 2005, with the renewed support of the EIB, has been to invest in a wide variety of projects in Europe and North America and by prudent and sensible risk mitigation measures can contribute its experience in complex infrastructure transactions and its adherence to the strictest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards to create and manage projects that benefit local communities and national economies and concretely help to further the ability of the developing world to bridge the dangerous gap that exists in the global economy today, for the benefit of future generations across the continent.

In 2014 the European Investment Bank provided more than EUR 2.5 billion to support infrastructure and private sector investment across Africa.

About Meridiam

Founded in 2005, Meridiam is an independent investment firm specialized in the development, financing, and management of long-term public infrastructure projects. With offices in Paris, New York, Toronto and Istanbul, Meridiam is a leading investor in public infrastructure. Currently managing 3.2 billion ($3.5 billion) of assets, the firm has to date invested in 44 projects. Meridiam is one of the first investors and asset managers to receive ISO 9001 certification for its responsible investment process and is a founding member of the Long Term Infrastructure Investors Association.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150608/221655LOGO

SOURCE Meridiam
EL PASO, Texas, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, has named Natalie K. Bellman-Seeskin, Ph.D., as the new Site Training Director of El Paso. Dr. Bellman-Seeskin will focus on training goals for both patients and staff, as well as the development of a doctoral level Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers internship program.

"I am a native of El Paso, Texas, and an alumnus of the University of Texas at El Paso," says Dr. Bellman-Seeskin. "I have worked with a variety of different populations: inpatient forensic, outpatient community mental health, veterans and geriatrics. I now come to Sovereign Health as the new Site Training Director, and I'm excited to help it grow and flourish."

Dr. Bellman-Seeskin received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, followed by her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. After her completion, she received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to her time at Sovereign, Dr. Bellman-Seeskin was the Clinical Psychologist at El Paso Veteran's Administration Health Care System  Home Based Primary Care, where she provided screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of varying mental health concerns. She had a special emphasis on the application of time-limited, evidence-based approaches to a primarily geriatric veteran population.

"The Clinical Leadership team is very excited to add Dr. Bellman-Seeskin to the Sovereign Family in El Paso. Her breadth of experience working with the seriously mentally ill is just what is needed to continue to grow the El Paso location and turn our attention to a state license for primary mental health treatment. We are also excited to begin the educational training programs in Texas and look forward to Dr. Bellman-Seeskin spearheading them," says Dr. Monica Powers, Director of Clinical Development.

Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The facilities are fully licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field.

About Sovereign Health

Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

SOURCE Sovereign Health

Related Links

http://www.sovhealth.com


DALLAS, Dec.12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies, a leading provider of civil and criminal justice technology solutions for public safety, investigation, corrections and monitoring, announces the release of the latest version of its industry-leading Investigator Pro platform. The newest version includes the cutting-edge solution -- Searchable Voice.

The new software gives investigators the ability to select a voice sample from either the inmate or called party side of an inmate's telephone call and then use that sample to search for all other calls where that voice occurs.

"Investigator Pro helps investigators uncover gang-related, high-interest and other potentially nefarious activities by identifying called parties by voice," said Michael Kester, Chief Operating Officer at JLG Technologies, a Securus Company. "It also identifies other inmates that may have called that party. This brings a new level of biometric sophistication to help investigators stop crime before it happens."

The Searchable Voice feature makes it possible to follow an individual voice, not just the Personal Identification Number (PIN) or telephone numbers. An investigator can now answer questions like these:

What other inmates are talking to this particular called party?

Was this called party ever an incarcerated inmate?

Are any of my current inmates talking to this released inmate?

Searchable voice can be combined with other analysis features of Investigator Pro such as high-interest group tagging and voice identification confidence ratings, resulting in a sophisticated and powerful toolkit for identifying criminal networks operating over inmate telephone systems.

ABOUT SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and serving more than 3,450 public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies and over 1,200,000 inmates across North America, Securus Technologies is committed to serve and connect by providing emergency response, incident management, public information, investigation, biometric analysis, communication, information management, inmate self-service, and monitoring products and services in order to make our world a safer place to live. Securus Technologies focuses on connecting what matters. To learn more about our full suite of civil and criminal justice technology solutions, please visit SecurusTechnologies.com.

SOURCE Securus Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.securustechnologies.com/


NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- David Lopez, who served as General Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for more than six years, is joining Outten & Golden LLP on Jan. 1, 2017, the firm announced today.

Mr. Lopez will join the firm as a Partner and will head the firm's new Washington, D.C. office. His practice will focus primarily on individual and class action anti-discrimination litigation, as well as consent decree monitoring and mediation. Joining Mr. Lopez in Outten & Golden's D.C. office will be attorneys Peter Romer-Friedman and Sally J. Abrahamson. Additional attorneys will be hired for that office.

Wayne N. Outten, founder and managing partner of Outten & Golden, said, "We proudly welcome David Lopez to the firm, following his extraordinary leadership as the EEOC's longest serving General Counsel. David's trial program at the EEOC was extremely successful, and his knowledge of federal anti-discrimination law is unrivaled. As the largest firm in the nation that focuses exclusively on representing employees, we are pleased that our clients will have another elite lawyer and a litigator with unique professional experience."

David Lopez, who was nominated twice by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2010 and 2014, said, "It was a great privilege to serve President Obama and the EEOC. I'm pleased to join Outten & Golden, whose lawyers are recognized among the nation's most experienced and highly skilled advocates for employees. The firm has an outstanding record of workplace advocacy, effective client representation, and institutional strength."

Mr. Lopez led the Commission's litigation program, overseeing the agency's 15 regional attorneys and a staff of more than 325 lawyers and legal professionals who conduct or support the EEOC's litigation in district and appellate courts across the country. Mr. Lopez was responsible for appointing nine of the Commission's 15 Regional Attorneys.

Under his leadership, the EEOC's trial program was extremely successful. The agency filed and successfully prosecuted several high-impact systemic cases dealing with discriminatory hiring barriers, harassment, and pay. During Mr. Lopez's tenure, the agency won notable trial victories, including a $240 million jury verdict  the EEOC's largest award ever  in a case brought on behalf of more than 30 intellectually disabled men who were trafficked; a $17 million jury verdict for female farmworkers who were victims of sexual harassment and retaliation; and a $1.5 million sexual harassment and retaliation verdict affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Lopez also won significant victories in the U.S. Supreme Court, including an 8-1 ruling in June 2015 in EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., which held that an employer could not refuse to hire an applicant if the employer was motivated by avoiding the need to accommodate a religious practice.

Mr. Lopez was the first EEOC field trial attorney to be appointed as the agency's General Counsel and served at the EEOC in various capacities for 25 years, including as Supervisory Trial Attorney in the Phoenix District Office and Special Assistant to then-Chairman Gilbert F. Casellas.

Mr. Lopez also led the effort to address discrimination employment issues affecting immigrant and other vulnerable workers and the LGBTQ community. The EEOC filed and settled its first cases alleging sex discrimination and sex stereotyping against transgender employees. Recently, the agency filed its two first cases alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation and, in EEOC v. Scott Medical, won a groundbreaking determination that most forms of discrimination against LGBTQ workers is prohibited by Title VII.

Recognized for his extensive civil rights work, Mr. Lopez received the National Religious Freedom Award in 2016 from the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), Liberty Magazine, and North American Religious Liberty Association (NARLA) for his advocacy of civil, religious, and employment rights throughout his government career. In 2014, the National Law Journal named Mr. Lopez one of "America's 50 Outstanding General Counsel," and the magazine Diversity and the Bar recognized Mr. Lopez as a "Latino Luminary" for his work as a civil rights attorney and as General Counsel. In 2012, he was awarded the "Friend in Government Award" from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. In 2011, Hispanic Business named Mr. Lopez to its list of 100 Influentials in the Hispanic community.

Before joining the EEOC, Mr. Lopez was a Senior Trial Attorney with the Civil Rights Division, Employment Litigation Section, of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Between 1988 and 1991, Mr. Lopez was an associate with Spiegel and McDiarmid in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Lopez obtained his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1988 and graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University in 1985, with a B.S. in Political Science.

Peter Romer-Friedman, a litigator with an extraordinary combination of employment and public interest law experience, joined Outten & Golden as Counsel in September 2016. His practice focuses on class action and individual employment cases. He has litigated, developed, supervised and settled dozens of employment discrimination, veterans' rights, wage theft, credit discrimination, fair housing, disability rights, and LGBTQ rights cases. Mr. Romer-Friedman has obtained more than $1.35 billion of relief for his clients since 2009, and he won two of the largest reported settlements in the history of the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act. He joined the firm from the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs, where he was Deputy Director of Litigation.

Mr. Romer-Friedman previously served as Labor Counsel to the Senate Labor Committee and its Chairman Edward M. Kennedy and as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He graduated from Columbia Law School in 2006 and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 2001. Mr. Romer-Friedman was named a "Rising Star" by SuperLawyers in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Sally J. Abrahamson is a senior associate who joined Outten & Golden in 2012, is a member of the firm's Class Action Practice Group, and is co-chair of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) Workplace Rights Practice Group. Ms. Abrahamson litigates nationwide wage-and-hour class action cases (including Zorrilla v. Carlson Restaurants, Inc., a case on behalf of thousands of tipped workers) and anti-discrimination class actions and individual cases (including Houser v. Pritzker, on behalf of hundreds of thousands of black and Latino job seekers shut out of jobs for the 2010 census because of a flawed criminal history screening process). Ms. Abrahamson was named a "Rising Star" by SuperLawyers in 2016.

Before joining the firm, Ms. Abrahamson litigated wage and hour cases at the D.C. Employment Justice Center. After graduating from law school, Ms. Abrahamson was a law clerk to the Honorable Frank Montalvo, U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division, where her duties including drafting speeches and papers in Spanish. Ms. Abrahamson received her B.A. from Oberlin College and her J.D., with honors, from American University's Washington College of Law where she received the Dean's Award for Professional Responsibility.

Outten & Golden's Washington office is located at 601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Second Floor West Suite, Washington, D.C. 20001, and its telephone number is: 202.847.4400. Applications for employment in the new D.C. office should be sent to: [email protected].

About Outten & Golden LLP

Outten & Golden LLP focuses on advising and representing individuals in employment, partnership, and related workplace matters both domestically and internationally and is the largest firm in the United States that focuses exclusively on representing employees.

With existing offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, the firm counsels individuals on employment and severance agreements; handles complex compensation and benefits issues (including bonuses, commissions, and stock/option agreements); and advises professionals (including doctors and lawyers) on contractual issues. It also represents employees with a wide variety of claims, including discrimination and harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, disability, national origin, religion, and age, as well as retaliation, whistleblower, and contract claims. The firm handles class actions involving a wide range of employment issues, including economic exploitation, gender- and race-based discrimination, wage-and-hour violations, violations of the WARN Act, and other systemic workers' rights issues.

Outten & Golden has nine practice groups: Executives & Professionals, Financial Services, Sexual Harassment & Sex Discrimination, Family Responsibilities & Disabilities Discrimination, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Workplace Rights, Discrimination & Retaliation, Whistleblower Retaliation, Class & Collective Actions, and WARN Act.

Contact: Wayne N. Outten, Outten & Golden LLP, 212.245.1000, [email protected].

SOURCE Outten & Golden LLP

Related Links

http://www.outtengolden.com


(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150630/227348 )



Oxitec's Chief Scientific Officer, Simon Warner, Ph.D., said, "Over the past few years, the performance of our Medfly solution in testing across different countries has confirmed our belief that this product may deliver superior efficacy and an improved environmental profile as compared to many products on the market today. We are now planning to advance our environmentally-friendly Medfly product into field trials in different countries to demonstrate its potential in open environments."

The Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) is considered one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests capable of causing billions of dollars in damage by attacking more than 250 types of fruits, nuts and vegetables. Females lay their eggs inside fruit making them vulnerable to infection and rot, and larvae feed on the fruit reducing crop yields and quality. It is found throughout the Mediterranean and Africa, and is an invasive pest in Australia and the Americas.

Medfly is difficult to manage by conventional methods because of its ability to infest many types of crops year-round, and growers need alternative technologies for control. Oxitec's approach uses genetically engineered self-limiting Medfly males that are released to mate with wild females. Their female offspring do not survive to adulthood and repeated releases result in a reduction of the pest population.

In the latest study, the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) compared the mating performance of Oxitec's Medfly with that of sterile insects treated with radiation, another technique used to control the pest population, to examine whether Oxitec's solution offered an improved option for industry to control Medfly. As reported by DAFWA the mating performance of Oxitec's Medfly "was comparable with that of sterile males irradiated at low levels, and exceeded that of sterile males treated with a higher dose of radiation which is used to provide a better guarantee of sterility."

In 2010, Oxitec conducted the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of the self-limiting Medfly in collaboration with the University of Crete, Greece. In the trial, the Medfly pest population was eliminated in glasshouses in 12 weeks.

These results were then confirmed in netted trials in Morocco in collaboration with the leading agricultural group in the country, SAOAS. Oxitec's Medfly showed equivalent mating performance with the wild Moroccan Medfly and again successfully suppressed the wild population. Furthermore, excellent control was also shown when the self-limiting Medfly insects were released at different life stages, which would provide growers with a more flexible application regimen than only releasing adult male flies.

Trials in Morocco also compared the protection of fruit crops provided by Oxitec's Medfly with that of a leading insecticide used to combat Medfly globally. Sustained releases of Oxitec males resulted in a superior marketable yield of fruit compared to treatment with the leading insecticide. The data showed that Oxitec's solution has the potential to be more cost-effective for the same level of control provided by insecticides and mass trapping. The trial results also demonstrated the potential for combining control practices in an integrated pest management programme in order to provide flexibility to growers.

"Advancing to open field trials is an important milestone for our pipeline of self-limiting insect products addressing pest damage to high value fruit and vegetable crops. Studies indicate that annual losses of crops due to these pests, including Mediterranean fruit fly, can reach billions of dollars. Additionally, these difficult to control insects can cause devastating impacts to agricultural economies dependent on high-value produce export," noted Sekhar Boddupalli, Ph.D., President of Intrexon Crop Protection and Head of Intrexon's AgBio Division.

About Oxitec

Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK). Oxitec is a subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), which engineers biology to help solve some of the world's biggest problems. Follow us on Twitter at @Oxitec.



Oxitec contact:

Matthew Warren

[email protected]

+44-(0)1235-832393

SOURCE Oxitec Ltd
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of State today certified the results of the November 8 election in Pennsylvania for president and vice president of the United States.

Shortly thereafter, as required by the U.S. Code, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Donald J. Trump as president and Michael R. Pence as vice president of the United States. The certificate was forwarded to the Archivist of the United States.

The Department's action followed the presidential vote certification by each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Results for other races on the November ballot will be certified after all counties have completed the process.

The Certificate of Ascertainment included the following vote totals:

Electors for Republican Party candidates Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence  2,970,733

and  2,970,733 Electors for Democratic Party candidates Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine  2,926,441

and  2,926,441 Electors for Libertarian Party candidates Gary E. Johnson and William Weld  146,715

and  146,715 Electors for Green Party candidates Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka  49,941

and Ajamu Baraka  49,941 Electors for Constitution Party candidates Darrell L. Castle and Scott N. Bradley  21,572

MEDIA CONTACT: Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us


DUNEDIN, New Zealand and HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Edge Limited (NZX:PEB) ("Pacific Edge"), a cancer diagnostics company developing and commercializing a suite of non-invasive tests for the detection and management of bladder cancer, announced today the commercial launch of the third product in the Company's Cxbladder family of products, Cxbladder Monitor, in the United States.

Cxbladder Monitor is a urine-based gene expression test for the investigation of bladder cancer in patients who are being actively monitored for recurrent disease. It is designed to be used on patients as part of their ongoing surveillance regime to quickly and accurately identify those who have a low probability of having recurrent cancers. Cxbladder Monitor provides reassurance to clinicians and their patients that their cancer hasn't returned or supports further urological investigation.

Cxbladder Monitor has recently been accepted for publication by the Journal of Urology profiling the excellent performance of this test with real world data on over 1100 patient samples. It has been commercially available in New Zealand since December 2015 and was recently adopted by a large public healthcare provider in New Zealand for patients undergoing routine surveillance for bladder cancer recurrence.

Pacific Edge is the only company in the world to offer a suite of molecular diagnostic tests in bladder cancer, with three tests currently in the market and an additional test expected to launch in the US in 2017.

David Darling, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Edge, stated, "We are very excited about Cxbladder Monitor's launch in the US, joining our other two products - Cxbladder Triage which helps to rule out cancer in patients who have a low probability of having bladder cancer; and Cxbladder Detect which is used specifically to detect bladder cancer. Our latest product, Cxbladder Monitor, will provide urologists who are evaluating patients for the recurrence of the disease with greater certainty of their clinical evaluations, and will provide patients with a non-invasive way to monitor their disease."

Jackie Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the Company's US commercial operations, added, "This test provides a step change in clinical utility by providing physicians and patients an accurate, non-invasive test to identify patients who have a very low probability of bladder cancer recurrence throughout their often, extensive regime of surveillance. These patients may not therefore need a cystoscopy or other invasive work-up or can increase the intervals between invasive work-ups, reducing costs and improving quality of life. We are seeing steady growth in the adoption of Cxbladder Detect and Triage in the US. Now with the addition of Cxbladder Monitor, we expect to see a significant increase in sales.

"Over 7 million people in the United States present annually with hematuria (blood in the urine), a symptom of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the 5th most prevalent cancer in the USA with a recurrence rate of up to 70%. Many people can be monitored for most of their life with expensive and invasive tests. As a result, it has the highest total medical costs of any cancer over the lifetime of the patient.

"The current practice of evaluation for recurrence of bladder cancer involves invasive and expensive tests and has a significant impact on patients and their compliance. Cxbladder Monitor is a simple, accurate and non-invasive test and we expect it to be in strong demand by physicians and patients alike."

This year, Pacific Edge has entered into contract with the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and the TRICARE Health Plan Network. Between them, these two programs provide coverage to approximately 13 million US veterans, active military and their families. The VA and TRICARE are two of Pacific Edge's targeted large-scale customers.

About Bladder Cancer

Approximately seven million people in the USA exhibit hematuria (blood in the urine) each year, of which approximately more than one million patients are evaluated to determine the cause of their hematuria, costing the USA healthcare system in excess of $1.5 billion per annum. Bladder cancer is the ninth most prevalent form of cancer but the 4th most prevalent in men. It has a very high recurrence rate and often progresses quickly to a later stage disease. However, bladder cancers are highly treatable, especially if detected in the early stages. This combined with regular surveillance of patients who are on an extensive program of monitoring for the recurrence of bladder cancer to provide patients with the potential for a better outcome. The current average cost per bladder cancer patient in the USA is estimated to approach $240,000, the highest total medical cost per patient of any all cancers, from diagnosis to death. Early detection and improved monitoring have the potential to lower total healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.

About Cxbladder

Cxbladder provides a suite of non-invasive, accurate and easy to use tests for the detection and management of bladder cancer. Pacific Edge's 'one stop shop' of Cxbladder products is designed to meet the specific clinical needs of physicians and urologists managing the different patient groups, from early detection through to monitoring and management. More accurate than currently available urine-based cancer detection tests, Cxbladder gives patients and physicians additional resolution and further confidence in their clinical evaluations and diagnoses. Cxbladder combines the expression of genes and clinical and patient variables factors that create unique molecular signatures for urothelial carcinoma, the most common form of bladder cancer.

About Pacific Edge Limited

Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB) is a New Zealand publicly listed, cancer diagnostic company specializing in the discovery and commercialization of diagnostic and prognostic tests for better detection and management of cancer. The Company is developing and commercializing its range of Cxbladder tests, which have been tested and validated in international multicenter clinical studies for bladder cancer globally through its wholly-owned central laboratories in New Zealand and the USA. Pacific Edge currently has three proprietary, novel, accurate, molecular diagnostic products in-market providing actionable results, and better detection and management of urothelial cancer. Cxbladder Detect and Triage are available through the company's dedicated CLIA-certified laboratories for customers in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Cxbladder Monitor launched in New Zealand in December 2015 and has launched in the USA in 2016.

Contacts

USA: Edison Strategic Advisors

Tirth Patel

[email protected]

+1 646-653-7035



SOUTH PACIFIC: Ellis & Co.

Jackie Ellis

[email protected]

+64 9 360 8500

SOURCE Pacific Edge Limited
ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PAE has secured a maritime surveillance contract to help the government of Tunisia in securing its territorial waters through an integrated common operating picture. The contract is part of the U.S. Navy Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) program, which provides host nations with increased Maritime Domain Awareness through improved integration of interagency and international partners. The program will include the delivery of key command, control, communications, and surveillance (C3/S) capabilities to the Tunisian Navy.

"PAE has over 60 years of supporting the execution of complex and critical missions by providing technical services and national security solutions while exceeding the end user requirements for performance and sustainability," said Kenneth Myers, president of PAE's National Security Solutions business unit. "PAE will survey, design, install, and test the capability as well as provide the training and transition to the host nation as part of the contract," he continued. "This program will assist a key U.S. ally in securing its border and maintaining peace and stability in the region."

The Tunisia project allows for multiple maritime sensors to be integrated into a common operating picture for the Tunisian Navy. This new capability will fully integrate and correlate multiple data source acquisition and display to provide increased maritime domain awareness and allow for better tracking of small and large vessels. With this solution, the Tunisian Navy will be able to more effectively track and respond to immediate maritime threats or incidents with a high level of confidence and accuracy.

"PAE has been a leader in supporting end users in challenging operational environments, providing an approach based on genuine partnerships with local companies and sustainable solutions," said Andrei Gugiu, Director at PAE National Security Solutions. "The PAE system design approach focuses on end user requirements and employs a product-agnostic methodology that is immediately sustainable by the host nation."

PAE is a leading provider of enduring support for the essential missions of the U.S. government, its allied partners and international organizations. With over 60 years of experience, PAE supports the execution of complex and critical missions by providing global logistics and stability operations, technical services and national security solutions to customers around the world. PAE has a workforce of approximately 15,000 people in over 60 countries on all seven continents and is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

For additional information, please visit our website http://www.pae.com or follow us at @PAE_Company, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube.

SOURCE PAE

Related Links

http://www.pae.com


DALLAS, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue has issued a newsletter discussing various tax issues ranging from its reciprocity agreement with New Jersey to the end of gross receipts tax on Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.

Reciprocity

For four decades, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have had a personal income tax reciprocity agreement that allows Pennsylvania employers of New Jersey residents to withhold New Jersey personal income tax on behalf of their New Jersey resident employees and remit that tax to the state of New Jersey. Likewise, New Jersey employers of Pennsylvania residents could withhold Pennsylvania personal income tax on behalf of their Pennsylvania resident employees. In late September, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the state's intention to terminate the agreement, which some sources estimated would cost New Jersey $180 million in annual tax revenue and impact Pennsylvania to the tune of approximately $5 million in annual lost revenue. This disparity is largely due to New Jersey's top personal income tax rate of 8.97%, versus Pennsylvania's flat 3.07%, which allows Pennsylvania residents working in New Jersey to commute back home to a much lower tax burden. However, last month, Governor Christie reversed his statement on terminating the agreement. Pennsylvania had been preparing for the consequences of the terminated agreement, but in light of Governor Christie's reversal, has since instructed businesses to disregard any previous communication about the anticipated changes.

Amnesty

The Department of Revenue reminded taxpayers of an upcoming 60-day tax amnesty, running from April 21, 2017 through June 19, 2017, during which all penalties and half interest owed on outstanding tax balances will be waived for qualifying taxpayers who apply through the amnesty program and pay their delinquent taxes. Participants must apply, file missing returns, and pay the tax and half of the interest owed by the end of the amnesty period.

Tax on Other Tobacco Products

Payment for the new tax on other tobacco products is due by December 29, 2016, along with the floor tax return, ReV-1141. The first filing period for the quarter from October through December is due by January 20, 2017, but the filing frequency changes to monthly for periods thereafter. Other tobacco products include e-cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and any other tobacco products for chewing, ingesting, or smoking, except cigars. The tax on roll-your-own tobacco takes effect December 14, 2016. The floor tax return and payment is due March 14, 2017, and returns for the first regular filing period are due January 20, 2017.

Consolidation

The Department of Revenue has consolidated the business registration functions previously managed separately by the Bureau of Business Trust Fund Taxes and the Bureau of Corporation Tax into one centralized Tax Registration Office. The Department hopes the consolidation will provide taxpayers with one place to register and update account information for the following tax types: corporation taxes; employer withholding tax; promoter license; public transportation assistance tax license; sales tax exempt status; sales, use, hotel occupancy tax license; small games of chance license/certification; transient vendor certificate; use tax; and vehicle rental tax.

Medicaid Managed Care Organizations

Effective January 1, 2017, gross receipts tax is no longer imposed on Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MMCO) doing business in Pennsylvania. Final 2016 returns are due March 15, 2017, but organizations may request an extension to May 15, 2017. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services began implementing health-related assessments on certain managed care organizations on July 1, 2016.

A few months back, it looked like longstanding policy between New Jersey and Pennsylvania was going to change. This development reaffirms the tax relationship between the two states and brings clarity to those residents that travel back and forth to work.

About Ryan

Ryan is an award-winning global tax services firm, with the largest indirect and property tax practices in North America and the seventh largest corporate tax practice in the United States. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state, local, federal, and international tax advisory and consulting services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, credits and incentives, tax process improvement and automation, tax appeals, tax compliance, and strategic planning. Ryan is a five-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,100 professionals and associates serves over 12,000 clients in more than 40 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Dennis Kolumber

Principal

Ryan

484.253.7000

[email protected]

Jeremiah T. Lynch

Principal

Ryan

212.871.3901

[email protected]

SOURCE Ryan

Related Links

http://www.ryan.com


PARAMUS, New Jersey, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Qognify, the leader in big data solutions for physical security and operations, has announced the successful implementation of its market-leading Smart and Safe City solution in the city of Kolhapur, India. Increasing in both strategic and geo-political prominence, Kolhapur officials together with Qognify and partners have designed a platform that will not only increase security and safety, but help manage traffic, emergency communications and other vital aspects that create a smarter and safer city.

The solution was successfully used during the Maratha Morcha on October 15th, 2016. Qognify's crowd monitoring video analytics solution continuously monitored vast areas where approximately one million protestors were marching, instantly alerting police of any overcrowding areas through 165 cameras installed with across city. Smart threshold alerts were streamed directly into the control room while the crowd was building up, so that action could be taken before the crowd density reached dangerous levels, alleviating crowd safety and stability.

At the core of the solution is Situator, Qognify's advanced PSIM/Situation Management solution, which manages a myriad of security systems and sensors, including Qognify's video management solution, from a newly built state-of-the-art Command and Control Center. Security operators and officials have advanced situational awareness of what is happening in their city and where. Automated, pre-defined SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) were designed, in the local language Marathi, for handling routine security incidents as well as disaster management, ensuring that the most effective response is initiated, and procedures are executed in a consistent manner.

During the planning phase, 65 locations were identified as focal points throughout the city, either due to known criminal activity or due to the significance of the location for other reasons. In those locations, the IP surveillance, including some High Definition, panoramic cameras with additional sensors, are implemented to boost capabilities and awareness. This integrated and comprehensive approach taken by the citys' officials has earned them recognition in the form of the Skoch Award, which 'celebrates human excellence and agents of change in Indian society'. "We are proud of the protection we provide to the city," said P. Siva Sankar (IAS), Kolhapur Municipal Commissioner. "The deployment of the Qognify solution is key to our efforts in making Kolhapur a better place to live,"

Enabling an increased quality of life is really the ultimate goal. "Our joint expertise brings smart city concepts that deliver best-in-class solutions, which are central to how safe city environments are created and maintained for all residents," said Mr. Yashwant Patil CMD Samarth Security Systems India Pvt. Ltd.

Moti Shabtai, President of Qognify, comments: "We are honored to partner with Samarth and be part of the solution team ensuring security and safety for the people of Kolhapur city. We're not only creating safe cities, but promoting the concept of smart cities in the region - the future of urban management."

About Qognify

Qognify helps organizations mitigate risk, maintain business continuity, and optimize operations. The Qognify portfolio includes video management, video and data analytics, and PSIM/ Situation Management solutions that are deployed in financial institutions, transportation agencies, airports, seaports, utility companies, city centers, and to secure many of the world's highest-profile public events.

http://www.Qognify.com

Corporate Media Contact

Hagar Lev, +1-201-690-5207, [email protected]

Regional Media Contact

Graham Thatcher, +44(0)793-673-240, [email protected]

SOURCE Qognify
MADISON, N.J., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) announced today that it is investigating an unauthorized third-party intrusion into an internet application on its network. The company provided notice to individuals whose accounts have been affected.

On November 26, 2016 an unauthorized third party accessed the MyQuest by Care360 internet application and obtained Protected Health Information (PHI) of approximately 34,000 individuals.

The accessed data included name, date of birth, lab results, and in some instances, telephone numbers. The information did not include Social Security numbers, credit card information, insurance or other financial information. There is no indication that individuals' information has been misused in any way.

When Quest Diagnostics discovered the intrusion, it immediately addressed the vulnerability. Quest is taking steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, and is working with a leading cybersecurity firm to assist in investigating and further evaluating the company's systems. The investigation is ongoing and the unauthorized intrusion has been reported to law enforcement.

Quest Diagnostics has notified affected individuals via mail and established a dedicated toll-free number to call with questions regarding this incident. The number is (888) 320-9970, and can be reached Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 43,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

Quest Diagnostics Contacts:

Dennis Moynihan, Quest Diagnostics (Media): 973-520-2800

Shawn Bevec, Quest Diagnostics (Investors): 973-520-2900

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.QuestDiagnostics.com


WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Save the Children applauded Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) for his leadership in championing greater protections for children in U.S. emergencies contained in the bipartisan passage of the State and High-Risk Urban Area Working Group Act (HR 4509).

The bill, which is part of the National Defense Authorization Act, now goes to President Obama for final approval.

Save the Children called Payne Jr.'s role "absolutely critical" in making sure the new authorization bill contains a key provision that will help ensure that the needs of children are considered when states apply for and administer federally supported emergency response grants.

Save the Children noted that Payne, Jr. serves as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Subcommittee which drafted the child protection provision (HR 4509).

"In past years, for every $1,000 in federal emergency preparedness grants, less than one dollar has gone toward activities targeting children's safety," said Rich Bland, Save the Children's National Director for Policy, Advocacy and Development. "We believe that the root cause of this disparity is that there has been no voice for children at the state or local level demanding that emergency management officials dedicate funds to protect children in emergencies. This provision now ensures that children will have a representative speaking on their behalf on emergency working groups."

"We consider this action by Congress an important legislative victory, and we look forward to continue working with members of Congress and our key partners including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Trust for America's Health, Child Care Aware, and the American Red Cross to ensure that protecting children is always a priority in every emergency response."

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We invest in childhood  every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contacts: Colleen Vivori at [email protected], 703-786-3813; Mike Kiernan at [email protected], 202-412-7579

SOURCE Save the Children

Related Links

http://www.savethechildren.org


ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations and ATA's Share the Road Highway Safety Program set out for the second day of the Wreaths Across America delivery to Arlington National Cemetery.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight.Trucking Moves America Forward. (PRNewsFoto/American Trucking Associations) (PRNewsFoto/American Trucking Associations)

"The trucking industry has a longstanding tradition of honoring our nation's fallen heroes and Wreaths Across America is very much a part of that legacy," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "ATA is privileged to play a role in celebrating the lives of thousands of servicemen and servicewomen this holiday season and we are grateful for the continued security provided to us by America's active military personnel."

Share the Road professional truck drivers Ralph Garcia and Nate McCarty are driving the program's Mack Pinnacle 70-inch high rise sleeper model from Maine to Arlington, Virginia. Along the way, the drivers will participate in engaging education sessions for local students and communities to learn about the trucking industry's importance to the economy and the need to honor the nation's heroes.

"As a veteran and as a truck driver, I feel tremendous pride knowing that the load I'm carrying will be used to honor and show gratitude to such a deserving group of Americans" said Share the Road professional truck driver Nate McCarty, of ABF Freight. "In my past experiences as part of this convoy, I've met Gold Star Mothers and heard moving stories of heroism, and I look forward to sharing this journey with my friends in the trucking community."

This year, Wreaths Across America expects to deliver more than one million wreaths to veterans' graves throughout the globe. Thousands of visitors and dozens of trucks will spread throughout Arlington National Cemetery on December 17 to place wreaths on each grave marker and pay remembrance to the men and women who fought to preserve American freedoms.

The Share the Road drivers are chronicling their trip with videos and photos on Share the Road's official Facebook and Twitter pages. Followers are encouraged to interact with the drivers and volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery are invited to meet the drivers during the wreath laying proceedings. Last week, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) sponsored a resolution that was unanimously passed which designates December 17 as "Wreaths Across America Day."

"Truck drivers have the fortunate perspective of seeing exactly how our armed forces impact the American way of life," said Share the Road professional truck driver Ralph Garcia, of ABF Freight. "We get to share the highways with a diverse group of fellow Americans and take part in the movement of critical goods and all of this is made possible by America's military."

Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks Inc., and supported by TA-Petro, Pre-Pass, Hyundai Translead, OmniTracs, SmartDrive, Mack Leasing, and Bendix. www.atastr.org. Follow Share the Road on Twitter and Facebook.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

SOURCE American Trucking Associations

Related Links

http://www.trucking.org


LOCUST GROVE, Ga., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Smashburger, the nation's fastest growing "better burger" restaurant, today announced that it will open its fifth Metro Atlanta location in Locust Grove, Ga. on Wednesday, December 14. Smashburger will give away free burgers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free milkshake coupons from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

"We are thrilled to bring Smashburger's fresh, never frozen offerings to Henry County residents," says Smashburger Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tom Ryan. "Smashburger can't wait to debut its first area location in Locust Grove and we look forward to introducing locals to our delicious, smashed-to-order burgers."

Located adjacent to the Verizon Wireless store at the entrance of the Tanger Outlets, Smashburger will provide local residents with "smashed-to-order" burgers, chicken sandwiches, fresh salads, an array of signature sides, and delicious handspun shakes. The company's burgers are made of 100-percent fresh, never frozen, Certified Angus Beef that are smashed on a flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor. To further the "better burger" experience, Smashburgers are served on a toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of real cheeses, the freshest produce and top-quality condiments.

Georgia On My Mind

Robison Peck Group LLC, owned by Eric Robison and Charlie Peck, are responsible for bringing Smashburger to Locust Grove. The group plans to open 15 Smashburger restaurants in the state over the next seven years. Robison and Peck have been friends since college, and bring more than a decade of combined franchise ownership experience to Smashburger.

"Throughout our discussions with Smashburger, we always knew an agreement to grow the brand in Georgia was crucial. We've lived in the state a combined 39 years and have seen first-hand that there is a strong need for additional burger options," says Eric Robison, CEO of Robison Peck Group LLC. "As we open in Locust Grove and around the state, Georgia residents are going to be blown away by the food, atmosphere and fast-casual dining experience that Smashburger offers."

As a testament to Smashburger's commitment to the community, the company will give 10 percent of its opening day sales to A Friend's House, a local non-profit that provides shelter for children in crisis. Additionally, Smashburger plans to partner with local charities for each of its openings.

"We're extremely excited to be partnering with Smashburger for its newest restaurant opening in Locust Grove," says Nan Jenkins, Director of Development for A Friend's House. "Although we're celebrating a couple weeks early, we feel it's the perfect holiday gift for the families we support and we look forward to seeing the local Locust Grove community celebrate the new restaurant and show their appreciation for our mission."

The Locust Grove location is located at 4858 Bill Gardner Pkwy. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The store phone number is 404-772-8101.

About Smashburger

Smashburger is a leading fast casual "better burger" restaurant known for its fresh never frozen, 100% Certified Angus Beef burgers that are smashed on the grill to sear in the juices, creating an upscale quality burger packed with flavor and served at a great value. In addition to burgers, Smashburger offers grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, fresh salads, signature side items such as Haystack onions and Veggie Frites, and hand-spun Haagen-Dazs shakes. On each market menu, Smashburger offers locally inspired items like the regional burger, as well as regional sides and local craft beer. Smashburger began in 2007 with the vision of Rick Schaden and funding by Consumer Capital Partnersthe private equity firm that Rick and his father Richard own. There are currently nearly 400 corporate and franchise restaurants operating in 38 states and nine countries. Smashburger is actively seeking partnerships with experienced and seasoned franchisees at campus locations across the country and worldwide. For more information, visit Smashburger.com.

Media Contact

Jason Gilbreth

Trevelino/Keller

404.214.0722 x114

[email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com/.

SOURCE Smashburger

Related Links

http://smashburger.com


The Bay Area-based company was founded by Mehdi Samadi and Justin Betteridge, leading experts in machine learning and natural language processing, in partnership with Mahesh Ram, a successful SaaS entrepreneur. The core technology is a result of seven years of research conducted by Samadi and Betteridge, who met while pursuing PhDs in artificial intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University.

"By combining advanced machine learning technology and natural language sciences, we make a true self-service platform instantly available for the enterprise," said Samadi, named by Forbes as one of the "30 Under 30 In Enterprise Technology" in 2015. "Our algorithms learn from every successful interaction and deliver specific, pinpoint solutions to answer natural language inputs. Solvvy continues to learn and get smarter every day, creating a powerful network effect."

The company released its first public product, Solvvy for Support, earlier this year after extensive validation with leading companies. Solvvy for Support helps companies answer a large number of incoming support requests without human intervention. At the time of ticket submission, users state their problems using everyday language and Solvvy surfaces precise answers to resolve the request.

"The future of business interactions is intelligent self-service," said Solvvy CEO Ram, who led GlobalEnglish's sale to Pearson PLC for more than $100 million in 2012. "Customers of every business have high expectations  they demand immediate, accurate responses to their issues. These customers want a conversational interface to express problems and receive accurate solutions immediately without having to wait hours or days for an agent reply. This was simply not possible before Solvvy."

Companies like Upwork, DoubleDutch, TaskRabbit and Amazon's Alexa.com rely on its deep learning solution to reduce customer support costs and improve the customer experience, across all support channels (web, chat, mobile, etc.).

"Solvvy is the most advanced self-service product on the market," said Upwork's Director of Customer Experience Joe Wang. "We tried other providers but chose Solvvy because its strong technology actually works and it requires zero work to get started. Solvvy's application of machine learning makes customers happier and significantly decreases support costs. It's the best investment a customer service executive can make."

Solvvy credits its early success to the technology's rapid implementation and ease-of-use. The intelligent self-service solution requires zero engineering work from customers and automatically trains itself using historical interaction data. Customers often deploy the software within days of working with Solvvy and begin realizing financial gains the day Solvvy is implemented.

"It's rare that you find a team with such a unique combination of deep technical expertise and business understanding," says Puneet Agarwal, partner at True Ventures and board member at Solvvy. "They have made exciting strides to solve a difficult technology problem and deliver immediate value for any business. Solvvy has great potential to lead and evolve within the CRM market."

About Solvvy

Solvvy is a machine learning startup reinventing the customer experience. Its first product, Solvvy for Support, delivers a better self-service platform that improves customer satisfaction and decreases costs for businesses. This intelligent NLP solution is the first customer support SaaS application based on Solvvy's powerful answer graph technology. Solvvy deploys in days and delivers immediate financial returns for business. Solvvy is already trusted by leading brands including UpWork, Alexa (Amazon), TaskRabbit, DoubleDutch and others. The company was founded by esteemed technologists Mehdi Samadi and Justin Betteridge and serial entrepreneur/CEO, Mahesh Ram. Solvvy is fortunate to be backed by leading Silicon Valley investors.

About True Ventures

Founded in 2005, True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. With five funds and capital under management in excess of $1.3 billion, True provides seed and Series A funding to the most talented entrepreneurs in today's fastest growing markets. With a mission to make the world a better place for entrepreneurs, True encourages each founder's vision and has built resources to empower the employees, families and communities of its portfolio companies. The firm maintains a strong founder community and offers innovative educational opportunities to its portfolio, helping entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of success and impact. With more than 200 companies funded and multiple companies acquired, the current True portfolio has helped create over 8,500 jobs. To learn more about True Ventures, visit www.trueventures.com.

SOURCE Solvvy

Related Links

http://www.solvvy.com


"I'm grateful to our more than 53,000 Southwest Employees and everyone who's been part of our Southwest Family during the past 45 years who built our airline to this moment in historywe now operate flights from 100 cities across nine countries," said Gary Kelly , Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, & CEO, before a welcoming delegation at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. "Our daily nonstop flight from Tampa and twice daily service from Fort Lauderdale bring additional vital links for our Customers who count on us to connect them with places and people that are important in their lives through unmatched value in air travel."

Service to Santa Clara, Cuba, the carrier's 101st city served, begins this Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. Service to Varadero, Cuba, began Nov. 13, 2016.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, connecting a triangle of Texas cities with a fleet of just three aircraft, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel. The U.S. Department of Transportation later described this phenomenon as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares that increases passenger traffic in new, nonstop markets the carrier serves. Now, with more than 53,000 Employees, Southwest carries more than 100 million people annually aboard the world's largest fleet of Boeing aircraft. With 43 consecutive years of profitability behind it, Southwest also is widely recognized as one of the most honored airlines in the world.

Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer all Customers its bags fly free policy (applies to the first and second checked pieces of luggage, with applicable size and weight limitations) and never charges change fees, though fare differences could apply when plans change.

"Some airlines allow free checked bags on select routes or only in qualified circumstances. In contrast, we proudly offer two free checked bags to every Customer because it's a foundational value in every fare we sell," Kelly said. "In our fifth decade of service, we're now seeing the Southwest Effect in international markets as our Customer-friendly policies reach beyond the U.S. border on our growing route map."

In 2014, Southwest began international service that now touches more than a dozen airports across eight additional countries with service offered from gateway cities across the continental United States. The Our History section of the Southwest Newsroom at swamedia.com features a full rundown of Southwest's unique history. Video and photos from today's historic flights also are available on the site.

MORE ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season across a network of 100 destinations in the United States and eight additional countries.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The majority of Southwest's fleet is equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity that enables Customers to use personal devices to view on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of its valued Partners.

Southwest created Transfarency, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low.

The airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees who connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

Southwest is known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2015 Southwest Airlines One Report can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com


The premiere signals the beginning of a year of celebrations for the House of Rolls-Royce as it prepares, once again, to reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged with the arrival of the New Rolls-Royce Phantom later in the year. This landmark moment will also herald the beginning of the second chapter of the remarkable story of Rolls-Royce since its renaissance began in 2003 at the marque's center of luxury excellence in Goodwood, West Sussex.

"The Spirit of Ecstasy has stood on the prow of every Rolls-Royce since 1911, representing 'the best' of everything, whilst silently guiding through life those exceptional people who have made our world turn. This is a story that inspires greatness and needs to be told," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "Our world-wide search for the perfect voice of the Spirit of Ecstasy led us back to West Sussex, England, where both Kate Winslet and Rolls-Royce, two British icons reside. Kate Winslet brings her great talent to this role."

The Premiere: Episode 1  'The Spirit of Ecstasy'

The first episode of the House of Rolls-Royce series, 'The Spirit of Ecstasy', retells the story of the muse that has guided and inspired the world's most celebrated luxury house for the past 105 years.

Since her creation in 1911, the Spirit of Ecstasy, modelled by sculptor and artist Charles Sykes, has silently guided every Rolls-Royce and its prestigious owner through momentous events in their lives and the lives of others. She has stood as an elegant presence and witness at some of history's most notable events.

This first episode uses cutting edge motion capture and 3D scanning techniques to bring back to life one of the most fascinating legends in the mythology of Rolls-Royce  how and why the Spirit of Ecstasy, which is the most recognised luxury icon in the world, came to be.

Our story begins in the milieu of Belle Epoque London, where artists and inventors, scientists and engineers, aristocrats and bohemians collaborate and compete in the white heat of early 20th century creativity. Fittingly, this time very much echoes the path of today's Rolls-Royce patrons, visionary men and women who take risks and boldly innovate to achieve their success.

The film opens when Rolls-Royce has been in business since 1904 and has spent several years 'taking the best that exists and making it better' for its wealthy and discerning clientele.

Relentless in their quest to create 'the Best Car in the World', driven by an ethereal muse, Rolls and Royce go out into the world to test, to perfect and to secure the fundamentals of this great brand that endure to this day: an unparalleled combination of pace, elegance, engineering, comfort and handcraftsmanship.

Only when this perfection is secured does the resulting Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost merit the muse's approval; an approval that comes in the shape of the iconic 'Spirit of Ecstasy'. This ecstatic status of perfection finally allows it to carry the 'Flying Lady' on its prow, a fact that has endured for every Rolls-Royce since, and will do into the future. A muse that leads the dreamers, visionaries, innovators and those leaders who make our world turn.

The House of Rolls-Royce

The legend of the House of Rolls-Royce will unfold over the year and beyond through further short films as the marque prepares for another landmark moment in automotive and luxury history: the arrival of the benchmark for luxury goods worldwide, the New Rolls-Royce Phantom.

This series of films will serve as a new platform in the ethereal, virtual sphere where followers and devotees of Rolls-Royce can engage further with the marque.

In addition to exclusive early views of the next episodes of the story of the House of Rolls-Royce, those advocates and followers of the marque will be offered the opportunity to attend exclusive Rolls-Royce gatherings around the world. Further news on such events will come next year.

SOURCE Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Related Links

http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com


LONDON, December 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has selected ICIS LNG EDGE analytics platform as a primary data provider for launching its recent IEA Global Gas Security Review report - How flexible are LNG markets in practice?

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160408/353056LOGO )



The paper makes use of an extensive LNG EDGE database of global production outages categorised according to their various causes.

Global production growth has been impacted not only by delayed start-ups but by a variety of outages at existing liquefaction plants, many of which have been in service for decades. The Global Gas Security Review 2016, the first edition of a new annual series, examines the evolving global gas market structures and looks at the market's ability to respond to potential shocks.

Continual monitoring by dedicated teams of analysts and journalists at ICIS ensures LNG EDGE users can go beyond news headlines to uncover global and train-specific views on LNG production.

LNG EDGE provides an integrated analytics platform that fuses real-time vessel-tracking and editorial coverage with a proprietary database of infrastructure, LNG supply contracts, tenders, and plant outages, all with unprecedented levels of granularity.

To view the IEA report click here

To take a trial of the latest LNG EDGE click here

About ICIS

ICIS is the world's largest petrochemical market information provider and has fast-growing energy and fertilizer divisions. Our aim is to give companies in global commodities markets a competitive advantage by delivering trusted pricing data, high-value news, analysis and independent consulting, enabling our customers to make better-informed trading and planning decisions. We have more than 30 years' experience in providing pricing information, news, analysis and consulting to buyers, sellers and analysts.

With a global staff of more than 800, ICIS has employees based in Houston, Washington, New York, London, Montpellier, Dusseldorf, Karlsruhe, Milan, Mumbai, Singapore, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Yantai, Tokyo and Perth. Some 350 of ICIS's staff are journalists engaged in reporting market prices and news, and ICIS is fully committed to upholding the highest journalistic principles of verification, corroboration and authentication. ICIS has a compliance framework that along with its methodologies and business processes adheres to the requirements of the IOSCO PRA Principles.

ICIS is a division of Reed Business Information, part of RELX Group.

About Reed Business Information

Reed Business Information provides information, analytics and data to business professionals worldwide. Our strong global products and services hold market-leading positions across a wide range of industry sectors including banking, petrochemicals and aviation where we help customers make key strategic decisions every day. RBI is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional customers across industries.

http://www.reedbusiness.com

About RELX Group

RELX Group is a worldleading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. The group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs approximately 30,000 people of whom half are in North America. RELX PLC is a London listed holding company which owns 52.9% of RELX Group. RELX NV is an Amsterdam listed holding company which owns 47.1% of RELX Group. The shares are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX and RENX. The total market capitalisation is approximately 27.1bn GBP / 31.8bn Euro / 34.3bn USD

http://www.relx.com

Media contacts

Tara Sabanandan, Marketing Manager, ICIS

Email: [email protected]

Direct: +44 (0) 207 911 1713



SOURCE ICIS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE

Securities and Exchange Commission

v.

AgFeed Industries, Inc., et al.

No. 3:14-cv-00663

SUMMARY NOTICE TO AGFEED INDUSTRIES, INC. INVESTORS

If you held shares of AgFeed Common Stock at any time during the Recovery Period (March 14, 2008 through and including December 19, 2011), and suffered a loss according to the Distribution Plan you may be eligible for a payment from the Distribution Fund.

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. IF YOU SATISFY THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A RECOVERY FROM THE DISTRIBUTION FUND. THIS NOTICE CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR ELIGIBILITY.

Background

On October 6, 2014, the Commission filed a settled enforcement action against AgFeed Industries, Inc. ("AgFeed" or "Defendant"), alleging that the Defendant reported fictitious revenues from its China operations from 2008 through June 30, 2011 in order to meet financial targets and prop up the stock price. The fraud caused AgFeed's publicly-reported revenues to be inflated by approximately $239 million during this period. The Commission alleged that the Defendants' conduct violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A), and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rules 10b-5, 12b-20, 13a-1, 13a-11, and 13a-13. Pursuant to the Final Judgment, Defendant was found liable for disgorgement in the amount of $18,000,000.00, representing profits gained as a result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint. Defendant was obligated to pay (i) $12,500,000.00 pro-rata to holders of Class 5B equity interests, as defined in AgFeed's July 22, 2014 Second Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Liquidation Supported by the Official Committee of Equity Security Holders (the "Proposed Plan") in In re AgFeed Industries, Inc., Chapter 11 case No. 13-11762 (BLS) (Bankr. D. Del.) (the "Bankruptcy Case"), and (ii) $5,500,000.00 to the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to a confirmed Chapter 11 plan of liquidation in the Bankruptcy Case (the "Confirmed Plan"). On September 28, 2016, the Commission staff submitted the Distribution Plan to the Court, and it was approved on October 18, 2016. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan, investors who purchased or acquired AgFeed common stock during the SEC Recovery Period and suffered a loss may be entitled to receive a distribution from the Distribution Fund.

Who is Eligible?

If you purchased or acquired the common stock of AgFeed from March 14, 2008, through and including December 19, 2011, and suffered a loss according to the Distribution Plan you may be eligible for a payment from the Distribution Fund. If you previously submitted a valid claim in the related Class Action Blitz v. AgFeed Industries, Inc., et al. (Civil Action No. 11-cv-0992) (D. Tenn.) and your claim has an Eligible Loss Amount greater than $0.00 under the SEC Distribution Plan you do not need to file a Proof of Claim Form to share in the distribution from the Distribution Fund unless you wish to modify your claim. If you purchased AgFeed common stock during the SEC Recovery Period and you: (a) did not file a claim in the Class Action; (b) filed a claim in the Class Action that was denied; or (c) filed a claim in the Class Action that was approved, but under the terms of the SEC Distribution Plan has an Eligible Loss Amount less than or equal to $0.00, you must submit a completed Proof of Claim Form with the necessary documentation postmarked no later than March 31, 2017 to be eligible to participate in the Distribution Fund.

Obtaining a Distribution Plan Notice and Proof of Claim Form

If you believe you may be eligible and have not received a Notice of Eligibility informing you that you do not need to file a claim, you must submit a complete Proof of Claim Form to the Distribution Agent postmarked no later than March 31, 2017 to be eligible to participate in the Distribution Fund. Proof of Claim Forms will be mailed to potentially eligible claimants identified by the Distribution Agent. In addition, you may download and print the Proof of Claim Form from the Distribution Fund Website at www.SECvAgFeedDistributionFund.com or you may request that the Distribution Agent send you a Proof of Claim Form by calling (888) 286-8201, emailing [email protected] or writing to SEC v. AgFeed Distribution Fund, Distribution Agent, P.O. Box 3757, Portland, OR 97208-3757.

URL: www.SECvAgFeedDistributionFund.com

SOURCE United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

Related Links

http://www.secvagfeeddistributionfund.com


NANJING, China, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- China on Dec 7 released a five-year plan for intelligent manufacturing at the World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit held in Nanjing, a city in the eastern part of China's Jiangsu Province.

The plan, published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, is a long-term strategic task to develop intelligent manufacturing and generate new growth to improve the country's manufacturing sector.

A "two step" strategy and ten key tasks for intelligent manufacturing are listed in the blueprint.

The "two step" strategy for promoting intelligent manufacturing before 2025 is: firstly, by 2020, foundation and supporting capability for intelligent manufacturing will be enhanced significantly, and digital manufacturing for key areas of traditional manufacturing industry will be realized; secondly, till 2025, supporting system for intelligent manufacturing will be established and preliminary intelligent transformation for key sectors will be realized.

The plan calls for speeding up development in intelligent equipment and key common technologies, setting up intelligent manufacturing standards, expanding intelligent manufacturing trials, and promoting intelligent transformation in key sectors and small and medium-sized companies.

Promoting coordinated development of regional intelligent manufacturing and nurturing talents are also included in the plan.

In addition, the plan stresses that development of intelligent manufacturing is a long-term strategy.

Other key parts of the plan include enhancing the security controllable capability of key technology and equipment, beefing up supporting capability for bases, upgrading integrated application level, exploring new modes for cultivation and building beneficial development environment. With these key parts stressed, solid foundations will be laid for fostering new momentum of economic growth, developing new competitive advantages and building manufacturing power, according to the plan.

The World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit was held from Dec. 6 to 8 in Nanjing. Representatives of policy makers, industry organizations, research institutes and Fortune Global 500 companies from China, the United States, Germany, Switzerland and other countries attended the summit.

SOURCE World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bay Area community came together in a massive outpouring of support to help victims of the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. In just over a week, 15 YouCaring crowdfunding pages have raised over $1,276,425.

A YouCaring crowdfunding page started by the Oakland A's called the Oakland Fire Relief has raised more than $461,000 to date. In addition to the A's, the Oakland Raiders, and Golden State Warriors have matched up to $50,000 each for a total of $150,000. Sutter Health also pledged $75,000 in support. And Kaiser Permanente has also contributed $50,000 to the fund. https://www.youcaring.com/oaklandfirevictimsfrom130531staveinoakland-706680

The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts set-up a YouCaring page called Fire Relief Fund for Victims of Ghostship Oakland Fire that has raised $628,000. https://www.youcaring.com/firevictimsofoaklandfiredec232016-706684

In addition, 13 other YouCaring crowdfunding pages have been set-up that have raised more than $186,000.

The Sara Hoda Artist Community Fund

https://www.youcaring.com/theeastbayartcommunity-710723

https://www.youcaring.com/theeastbayartcommunity-710723 Support for the family of Amanda Allen

https://www.youcaring.com/lindareganpaulpatrickchrisandbrandonallen-709100

https://www.youcaring.com/lindareganpaulpatrickchrisandbrandonallen-709100 Valentyn Edgewood Relief Fund

https://www.youcaring.com/valentynedgewood-710948

https://www.youcaring.com/valentynedgewood-710948 Support Fund for Chelsea Dolan's Family

https://www.youcaring.com/colleendolan-710275

Family https://www.youcaring.com/colleendolan-710275 Billy Dixon Memorial Fund

https://www.youcaring.com/familyofwilliamdixon-711953

Memorial Fund https://www.youcaring.com/familyofwilliamdixon-711953 Education Fund for Lucy & Alex Ghassan

https://www.youcaring.com/lucyalexghassan-709482

https://www.youcaring.com/lucyalexghassan-709482 Support for Benny after losing his home in the Oakland Fire

https://www.youcaring.com/bennylangfur-707403

Fire https://www.youcaring.com/bennylangfur-707403 #OaklandFire Fund for the Twin Daughters of Alex Ghassan

https://www.youcaring.com/alexfrantzghassan-709493

https://www.youcaring.com/alexfrantzghassan-709493 Remembering Michela Gregory

https://www.youcaring.com/michelagregorythegregoryfamily-709380

https://www.youcaring.com/michelagregorythegregoryfamily-709380 David Last Support Fund

https://www.youcaring.com/davidlast-709221

https://www.youcaring.com/davidlast-709221 Louisa LeMauviel support fund

https://www.youcaring.com/louisalemauviel-709203

support fund https://www.youcaring.com/louisalemauviel-709203 Oakland Warehouse Fire

https://www.youcaring.com/bobmule-708854

https://www.youcaring.com/bobmule-708854 As You Like It Family Memorial

https://www.youcaring.com/johnnyigazamandaallenkershawandchelseafaithdolan-709965

CONTACT: Heather Atherton, 916-316-4568, [email protected]

SOURCE YouCaring

Related Links

http://www.youcaring.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ABO Capital announced today that its CEO Zandre Campos was featured in The Huffington Post discussing the challenges faced by African CEOs and how to address them. The article entitled "Three Challenges of an African CEO - And How to Fix Them" was originally published on The Huffington Post on November 20, 2016.

African chief executives face a variety of challenges including the lack of a skilled workforce, infrastructure, and the oil crisis. Mr. Campos believes these challenges also present a host of possibilities. While the current labor force might lack skill, by 2034 Africa will have the world's largest labor force which presents African companies with the opportunity to develop education and needed skills. To meet the challenge of inadequate infrastructure, African CEOs can look for and support innovation in "disruptive" technologies to enhance or potentially serve as an alternative to existing resources. The oil crisis allows CEOs to diversify and invest in other sectors including agriculture, tourism, energy, technology and healthcare.

"They say when one door closes, another one opens. As an African CEO, every day of doing business means a multitude of open doors," said Mr. Campos. "These vast opportunities present African companies and chief executives with unlimited potential to build Africa's future."

Zandre Campos is chairman and CEO of ABO Capital, an international investment firm that invests in companies in the healthcare, energy, transportation, hospitality, technology and real estate sectors throughout Africa. ABO's mission is to create global value for developing countries in Africa, while contributing to their economic development.

Read the full Huffington Post article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zandre-campos/three-challenges-of-an-af_b_12962522.html

About ABO Capital

ABO Capital, formerly Angola Capital Investments, is an international investment firm that invests in companies in the healthcare, technology, energy, transportation, hospitality and real estate sectors throughout Africa. The mission of ABO Capital is to create global value for developing countries in Africa, while contributing to their economic development.

About Zandre Campos

Zandre Campos is one of the great, innovative business leaders and global entrepreneurs emerging out of Africa. Currently, he is chairman and CEO of ABO Capital, an international investment firm headquartered in Angola with holdings throughout the Globe. Mr. Campos was named one of the Top 25 African business influencers and was a recipient of the Distinguished Business Excellence Award by African Leadership Magazine. He is frequently quoted as an expert on Africa in the media and is a recurring contributor for The Huffington Post and US News & World Report. He recently addressed both students and professors at the NYU Africa House on the opportunities in Africa.

SOURCE ABO Capital

Related Links

http://www.abocapital.net


Rounding out the top 10 most talked about subjects were "Brazilian politics," Pokemon GO, Black Lives Matter, "Rodrigo Duterte & Philippine Presidential Election," Olympics, Brexit, Super Bowl, David Bowie and Muhammad Ali.

Facebook says the most discussed topic in the world for 2016 was the U.S. presidential election. It was the second year in a row the election was the most talked about on the social media platform.

"The top 10 moments of this year's Year in Review were measured by how frequently a topic was mentioned in Facebook posts made between January 1 and November 27, 2016," Facebook wrote in a blog post Thursday. "To put this list together, mentions were analyzed in an aggregated, anonymized way and then ranked to create a snapshot of the year on Facebook. The top 10 Live videos were measured by total cumulative views."

Facebook Live, the company's streaming video application, had different leaders.

The most-viewed Facebook Live video was a woman wearing a Chewbacca mask. She became known as "Chewbacca Mom."

Given the amount of news Americans get through Facebook, there has been some speculation that the site is flooded by so-called "fake news." Some have gone so far to say fake news influenced the 2016 election.

The companys chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg said she doesnt think fake news influenced the election outcome.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended his company in November, saying the amount of fake news on the site is small. But he said the company is going to take steps to crack down on "misinformation."

During the campaign, a former Facebook employee said the company was suppressing news from conservative news outlets. In response, the company fired the Trending Topics staff and automated how Trending Topics are identified.


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
New Delhi, Dec 7 : Thousands of people were affected after a dense fog in parts of northern India on Wednesday forced authorities to cancel seven trains and reschedule 19 while 70 ran behind schedule, officials said.

Three flights were also rescheduled and eight cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport but an official from the Delhi Airport Authority said it was due to other reasons and not fog.

"Operations are stopped only when visibility is less than 50 metres but the visibility was about 150 metres," the official told IANS.

"A total of seven trains to and from Delhi were cancelled and seven delayed beyond 10 to over 24 hours," a railway official told IANS.

The cancelled trains were Kashi-Vishwanath Express, Himgiri Express, Marudhar Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, Delhi Samparkranti Express, Guwahati-Delhi Superfast and Chandigarh Express.
Colombo, Dec 7 : Sri Lanka would open up the higher education sector for private investment, an official said here on Wednesday.

Sri Lankan Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella told Xinhua news agency that five foreign universities, including Manipal University of India, have agreed to put up their branch campuses in the country.

The minister, however, said there was a case regarding the acceptability of the only private medical college operating in Sri Lanka.

The future private investments in higher education would depend upon the Supreme Court ruling expected soon, Kiriella added.

He said a large number of students went abroad on an annual basis for higher education as the country's university system could not offer them adequate opportunities.

"Nearly 100,000 students qualify for university education every year. However, only one fourth of them can be accommodated because opportunities are limited at the state universities," the minister added.

Also, Kiriella said new legislation would be enacted to improve the quality of higher education in Sri Lanka.
Ranchi, Dec 8 : A minor girl was burnt and thrown into a well after she fended off an attempted gang rape in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawa district on Thursday, police said.

According to police, the minor, a Class 4 student, was taken to jungle by four youth after they offered her a chocolate. The girl started shouting when they tried to rape her. The perpetrators allegedly poured kerosene oil and burnt her. She was later thrown into a well.

She was taken to hospital after some villagers heard her shout and seeking help. The girl has sustained 60 per cent burn injuries and is critical, police said.

Police have detained the four accused and interrogating them.
Vijayawada, Dec 11 : Authorities on Sunday sounded an alert in Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm 'Vardah' over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a "very severe" one.

The storm is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday afternoon, said Indian Meteorological Department on Sunday.

According to IMD, 'Vardah' over west central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal moved further westwards and lay centred at 530 hours over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal about 520 km east-southeast of Nellore, 490 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 480 km east-northeast of Chennai.

"The storm is very likely to move nearly west-southeastwards and maintain its intensity till Sunday evening. Thereafter it will weaken gradually while moving towards south Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coast," the IMD said.

The Met office has forecast light to moderate rains at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south Andhra coast and north coastal Tamil Nadu from Sunday evening for subsequent 36 hours.

Light to moderate rains are likely to occur over north coastal Andhra.

Strong winds with speed of 40-50 kmph are likely along the coast from Sunday.

The speed may increase to 70-80 kmph at the time of landfall. Damage to thatched huts, power and communication lines, roads and crops is expected.

As the sea will be rough, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for next 48 hours.

Authorities have hoisted third warning signal at all ports on Andhra coast.

District administration in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore have been alerted to take all precautionary measures.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has cancelled his visit to the UAE and Kuwait, is monitoring the situation from the command and control centre in Vijayawada.

Naidu deputed four senior IAS officers to four districts to take necessary steps to minimise the loss of lives and property.

Two teams of National Disaster Response Force have reached Nellore district.
Exxon Mobil president and CEO Rex Tillerson is the latest frontrunner to be the next U.S. secretary of state. On Saturday several news organizations -- all citing unnamed sources close to President-elect Donald Trumps transition team -- said an announcement on Tillersons selection could come soon.

The Trump campaign would not confirm whether a decision has been made, and the president-elect's communications director tweeted Saturday that no announcement on that Cabinet post would be made "until next week at the earliest."

Reuters, quoting "a source familiar with the situation," said Tillerson has not yet been formally offered the position.

Tillerson joins former Trump critic and 2012 Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as the leading contenders for the nation's top diplomatic post. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was also on Trump's short list, but he withdrew his name from consideration Friday, citing plans to return to the private sector.

 Ties to Russia

Tillerson, chief executive of the world's largest publicly traded company, oversees operations in more than 50 countries, including Russia. Exxon Mobil reached an oil exploration and production agreement in 2011 with Rosneft, Russia's largest state-owned oil company. Since 2011, the two companies have formed 10 joint operations in Russia.

In a preview of an interview with Fox News that will air Sunday, Trump, while not confirming Tillerson will get the job, said he would make sense as the choice to be the country's top diplomat because "he's a world-class player."

"He knows many of the players, and he knows them well," Trump said. "He does massive deals in Russia -- for the company, not for himself, for the company."
San Francisco, Dec 12 : Indian-born Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is among top-notch tech executives who are scheduled to meet US President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York City, media reports said on Monday.

According to Re/Code, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and Oracle CEO Safra Catz will attend the summit with Trump on Wednesday.

"I plan to tell the President-elect that we are with him and will help in any way we can. If he can reform the tax code, reduce regulation and negotiate better trade deals, the US technology industry will be stronger and more competitive than ever," Catz said in a statement.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos were also invited.

"The invite came from Trump's chief of staff Reince Priebus as well as his son-in-law and chief whisperer Jared Kushner and, of course, his biggest tech supporter, investor Peter Thiel," the report said.

The Tech giants may discuss issues ranging from immigration reform, encryption and social concerns when they meet Trump who has taken opposing stances on such issues.

"Trump even called for a boycott of Apple after it refused to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters," the report noted.

Some high-profile CEOs who may not be at the Trump meet are Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Dropbox CEO Drew Houston and even Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : With demonetisation affecting weddings at large across the country with a Rs 2,50,000 cap on withdrawal for weddings, a former bureaucrat has questioned VVIP wedding extravaganzas.

E.A.S. Sarma, a bureaucrat who retired as a secretary to Government of India, shot letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and also the Enforcement Directorate .

He pointed out the lavish spending at several weddings, including those of daughters of Union Ministers Mahesh Sharma, Nitin Gadkari, and Karnataka politician G. Janardhana Reddy.

"I have written three letters to the Prime Minister, one to Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) and to Rahul Gandhi. I have not got any reply yet," Sarma told IANS.

He said he had sought a probe into the source of money for Reddy's daughter's wedding before it took place but it was not carried out.

"There was no investigation, and after the marriage was over, a junior team went but it gave a clean chit to Reddy," Sarma said.

A twist in the tale came when a 30-year-old driver of a Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) of Bengaluru committed suicide accusing in his suicide note that the officer had helped Reddy convert old notes into new currency ahead of his daughter's wedding.

According to Sarma, around Rs 100 crore was converted.

"They have arrested the officer who colluded with Reddy, but they should have probed it before the wedding took place," he said.

Sarma, a 1965 batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who got 26 transfers in his 35-year tenure, in his different letters pointed out at the lavish weddings, comparing them with those of common citizen.

Hundreds of commoners were compelled to cancel weddings following the note ban due to cash shortage.

"Apparently, there is one set of rules and standards for NDA ministers and another set for the common man on the street," Sarma said in one of his letter to the Prime Minister.

"As a result of the prevailing cash crisis, many families have put off their scheduled weddings. Many other weddings have broken down. But, Gali Janardhana Reddy, Mahesh Sharma and Gadkari feel no crisis whatsoever, as they seem to have the blessings of bigwigs from both BJP and the NDA," the letter said.

"While your ministers are indulging in such unhealthy extravagance, is it not ironic that you yourself should exhort the common man to stand in queues to uphold your grandiose mission to fight against black money?" the letter said.

In another letter to the Prime Minister, Sarma mentioned the suicide by the driver and said: " What distresses me is that, despite my cautionary letters addressed to you, the Finance Minister, the Union Revenue Secretary, the Enforcement Director and CBI Director, all the central agencies seem to have deferred raids on Reddy's premises till he had successfully laundered the black cash holdings and allowed the local officers to give him a "clean" chit."

"Modiji, while the demonetisation mission launched by you is a commendable step forward, if it is established that your government is complicit in letting the money launderers off the hook, the credibility of what you have done in the name of demonetisation will certainly come under public scrutiny," Sarma said.

Seeking a full fledged investigation, the former bureaucrat also said that if the government does not act, he will seek "judicial intervention".

"If you do not act quickly and firmly on these letters of mine, I will be constrained to seek judicial intervention, as every citizen in this country has the right to question the basics of governance," he said.

In his letter to Rahul Gandhi, the former bureaucrat pointed out at the presence of Congress leaders at the wedding.

Known as an honest and upright bureaucrat, Sarma, while serving in Andhra Pradesh in 1994-95, had opposed Telugu Desam Party government's plan to set up power plants without any competitive bidding.

When he could not overrule the government, he went on leave and later applied for a central posting.

A post-graduate in nuclear physics from the Andhra University and in public administration from the Harvard University, Sarma, in 2000, quit the finance ministry over differences in the public policy issues with the Atal Behari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

Post demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes announced by the Prime Minister on November 8, limits were imposed on cash withdrawals from ATMs and banks.

At present there is a limit of Rs 2,500 for ATM withdrawals per day and Rs 24,000 for bank withdrawals per week.

For families with weddings, the withdrawal limit is Rs 2,50,000.

However, there were reports of weddings being cancelled across the country due to the cash crunch.
New Delhi : Title: A Very Pukka Murder - The First Maharaja Mystery; Author: Arjun Raj Gaind; Publisher: Harper Black/Harper Collins India; Pages: 336; Price: Rs 299 As 1909 dawns, the British hold unquestioned sway over the Indian subcontinent with the freedom movement yet to achieve critical mass and Mohandas Gandhi not even back home, let alone being a known name. A large expanse is princely India, where the native rulers have some say in governance and are permitted idiosyncrasies which do not cause a revolt or embarrass the paramount power. Is sleuthing among them?

That is the question that comes to the minds of many, both British and Indian, in the small princely state of Rajpore (12-gun-salute) on New Year's Day of 1909 when the British Resident is found dead in his house and the ruler -- once he has dealt with his hangover -- eagerly jumps in to probe the matter, since he is feeling bored.

His Highness Farzand-e-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-e-Zaman Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar Sikander Singh Bahadur is, however, no whimsical ruler dabbling in sensationalism but a keen investigator with experience of studying crime scenes, forensic investigations and questioning witnesses. But when he finds there is a whole set of people with motives, including some from the British elite, and skeletons regularly tumble out of closets, can he find out who is guilty -- or, more importantly, will the British overlords allow him to?

We find out answers to both in the course of this royal (in all senses of the word) whodunnit set in a glorious but bygone era as Arjun Raj Gaind, who has a number of graphic novels to his credit, in his prose debut, skillfully takes us through a wide gamut of suspects with powerful motives, to a stunning finale, where some more shocks are store.

Sikander Singh's inclination for detection is also not outlandish, being well in line with the "peculiar passions", the "eccentric fascinations that boggle the very mind" of the "strange breed we princes of India are" -- jewels for Baroda, dogs for Junagadh's boy heir, electric trains for Jayaji Rao Scindia, and more. In his case, mysteries and solving them lead over women and fast cars. And he can also cite Guru Nanak to justify his passion.

While his investigation is in the best tradition of Sherlock Holmes, with painstaking effort at following all lines of inquiry, the ending is pure Hercules Poirot, where all the suspects, and some others too, are invited to a lavish banquet and our royal detective carefully builds -- and then demolishes -- the case against each of them, before unmasking the guilty party. And the way he deals with the aftermath is pure class -- and can only be done by a Maharaja.

Princely India is a promising, though much under-utilised, area in fiction, and Gaind deserves full credit for using it, most aptly and with flair, as a setting for a murder mystery, which combines the locked-room murder and everyone-has-a-motive tropes. He well evokes the atmosphere of a princely state during the Raj, where a ruler was usually but not always treated better than almost all his people, and a culture of sycophancy and conspiracy is mostly rife.

The location -- in Punjab between the plains and the hills -- is also apt and research is meticulous, save a couple of small errors: there was no way that a junior army officer could, in 1909, seek a posting to Palestine, which was still under Ottoman rule, while a key Indian suspect proclaims himself to be a "Kayastha brahman", which is not right at all.

While the suspects, encompassing officials with secrets to hide, on the take, or embittered at lack of promotions, femme fatales, or servants with powerful revenge motives, are well set off by other characters like the boorish British police chief, the wily diwan, the hulking bodyguard, the resourceful journalist and others who only serve to present prevalent race and class views, Gaind strikes pure gold with the Maharaja, who is not only effective, but also interesting and possessed of depth.

But while a number of references to earlier events in his life are cited but not fully explored, this engrossing book is said to be the first of a trilogy, and subsequent installments promise to be even more interesting.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
New Delhi : Is Oommen Chandy's tenure as the most popular leader of the Congress in Kerala coming to an end?

The question has begun doing the rounds after it became known that only three of his close aides managed to be named district Congress presidents -- out of the state's 14 districts.

For the 73-year-old, this is a huge political setback, if not humiliation. The district presidents were picked by the "high command" -- a Congress euphemism for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Over the years, posts are filled up in the party based on the affinity to various groups or factions within.

Till the early 2000s, the Congress in Kerala was firmly under the control of its two top veterans -- K. Karunakaran and A.K. Antony, although the former had the upper hand vis-a-vis party posts and cabinet berths.

But with Karunakaran slowing down on account of his age, the Antony faction was effectively run by Chandy, from about 2000. And in just a few years Chandy formally took over the mantle from Antony.

After he became Chief Minister midway in 2004, Chandy became even stronger, forcing a regrouping of the erstwhile Karunakaran faction under the present Leader of the Opposition, Ramesh Chennithala.

Though he lost the 2006 assembly polls, Chandy led the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) effectively as Leader of the Opposition. He returned as Chief Minister for a second term in 2011.

Chandy's political acumen is often compared to that of his arch rival Karunakaran. His affable nature and easy approachability made him the darling of most Congress workers and he is respected by even his political adversaries.

Even while Chandy ran the government with a majority of just two seats in the 140-member assembly, his stock took a nosedive when three of his office staff got involved with a woman trickster who collected huge sums of money from people in what came to be called the "solar scam".

Chandy got another shock when one of his close former associates and faction leader V.M. Sudheeran was named the state Congress president in 2014, much to the dislike of a huge section of the party leadership.

Then came the bar scam which saw the resignation of the country's longest-serving legislator K.M. Mani as Finance Minister following allegations of corruption from a bar owner.

Adding to the misery came a virtual face-off between Chandy and Sudheeran over the candidate selection this year. Just when he expected to create history by retaining power, his coalition suffered a rout at the hands of the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Since the results in May, Chandy has refused to be the Leader of the Opposition or the Chairman of UDF on the ground that his conscience does not allow this following the election rout.

With Chandy refusing to take the leadership, Chennithala, who in 2011 wished to contest against Chandy for the Chief Minister's post, is touted now as one who can replace him.

But sources close to Chandy say he is playing the waiting game and plans to approach the "high command" with his close aides to express their displeasure in the manner the district presidents were announced.

According to Chandy, the next President of the Congress in Kerala should be an elected one.

The last elected President of the Congress in Kerala was Vayalar Ravi, who beat Antony in the 1980s. Since then the President has always been nominated.

Chandy's supporters, however, are not willing to go down without a fight.

They insist Chandy still commands the respect of a majority of party workers and that his last hurrah could well be when he decides to contest for state President's post. But others ask: Will he?

(Sanu George can be contacted at sanu.g@ians.in. The views expressed are personal)
Mumbai, Dec 12 : Writer Javed Akhtar visited veteran Bollywood star Dilip Kumar at the Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre here.

Dilip Kumar, who turned 94 on Sunday, was admitted to the hospital last week after he complained of swelling in one of his legs.

Actress Shabana Azmi, wife of Akhtar, tweeted a photograph in which her husband is seen along with Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't in town, but Javed Akhtar conveyed my deepest regards for the tallest thespian Dilip Kumar," Shabana captioned the image.
Vijayawada, Dec 12 : Parts of south coastal Andhra got heavy rains on Monday under the impact of severe cyclone Vardha which crossed the Tamil Nadu coast.

The rains accompanied by strong winds lashed Nellore and Prakasam districts in south coastal Andhra besides Chittoor district in Rayalaseema region, officials said.

In Nellore town, low-lying areas and roads were inundated and trees were uprooted, disrupting vehicular traffic. The strong winds also uprooted hoardings.

Tada, Sullurpeta, Naidupeta and other parts of Nellore districts were also receiving heavy rains. An oil tanker overturned at Sullurpeta on the Vijayawada-Chennai highway. Oil spilled from the tanker.

Authorities in Nellore district shifted 9,450 people from low-lying areas to safe places. Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to undertake rescue and relief works.

Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana was camping at district collectorate's office in Nellore to monitor the situation.

He said the administration was on alert in view of the forecast that some places in Nellore, Prakasam and Chittoor districts could receive 20 cm rainfall.

The temple town of Tirupati in Chittoor district received heavy rains since morning.

Pilgrims to the Tirumala temple had to face severe hardships as movement of vehicles from the town was affected.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and NDRF are all geared up to undertake relief and rescue operations as cyclone Vardah made a landfall near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, official sources said on Monday.

Naval ships Shivalik and Kadmatt sailed out from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh early Monday morning to Chennai to augment relief efforts in the Tamil Nadu capital as part of 'Operation Madad', the Navy said.

The ships are carrying medical teams, divers, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopter, and relief material that includes food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets etc.

Additional naval ships have been kept on standby to supplement efforts for undertaking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, should the situation demand, the Navy said.

"Vice Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command, reviewed the preparedness of the Naval Command to undertake relief operations at Chennai," Navy spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma said.

Apart from 10 diving teams stationed on the Shivalik and Kadmatt ships, the Flag Officer of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area has readied six diving teams for immediate deployment in consultation with the state administration.

"As many as 22 diving teams have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment, should the situation warrant. Shelter places have been identified and medical teams kept ready for providing humanitarian assistance," the Navy spokesperson said.

"A survey ship has been kept on standby to undertake harbour survey if required. Naval aircraft are also on standby at the Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to augment HADR operations," he added.

The Indian Coast Guard are also on standby.

"All necessary rescue materials have been kept on standby at all Coast Guard stations along the coast across these states. Coast Guard Regional Headquarters East at Chennai is closely coordinating with the state administration for rendering assistance if sought," the Coast Guard said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has kept ready eight flood rescue teams comprising more than 250 members. Equipped with 23 inflatable rubber boats and communication equipment, these have been pre-positioned in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.

"One team each has been pre-positioned at in Prakasam district and Vishakhapatnam, two teams at Sri Kala Hasti in Chittoor district and four teams at Sullurupeta, Nellore and Tada block areas of Nellore district," the NDRF said.

Eleven flood rescue teams comprising 428 rescuers, equipped with 48 inflatable rubber boats and communication equipment have been pre-positioned in low-lying parts of Tamil Nadu.

One team each has been pre-positioned at Mahabalipuram and Tambram in Kanchipuram district, two teams at Chennai and three teams at Tiruvallur.

Three teams are en route to the NDRF base at Arrakonam in Tamil Nadu from Pune in Maharashtra. In addition, one team is at Puducherry," the statement said.

"Some additional teams are kept on standby and shall be mobilised as per the demand. NDRF Director General R.K. Pachnanda is closely monitoring the situation round the clock."

"The NDRF control room in Delhi is in touch with India Meteorological Department and state administration," the statement added.

Cyclone Vardah on Monday afternoon crossed the Tamil Nadu coast near Chennai, leading to strong winds. The landfall will continue for around four hours, accompanied by rains and strong winds.

The Tamil Nadu government said over 7,350 people were shifted to 54 relief camps set up in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Villupuram districts.
Mumbai, Dec 12 : Actress Yami Gautam has started shooting for filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's upcoming film "Sarkar 3".

The actress has donned a serious look for her character in the movie.

"I am attempting something like this for the first time and I'm very excited about it," Yami said in a statement.

The 28-year-old actress said that as an actor, she "wants to explore a new side with each film".

"We have started the shoot and I really look forward to coming on sets and getting in that particular character," she added.

Yami will also be seen sharing screen space with actor Hrithik Roshan in Sanjay Gupta's "Kaabil", which is set to release on January 25, next year.
Kolkata, Dec 12 : Activists and residents of the ashram at Visva Bharati University in Santiniketan will seek President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention against shooting of a "commercial film" inside the ashram that, according to them is a disgrace to the establishment.

Controversy erupted over the shooting of a film featuring Union minister Babul Supriyo inside its prayer hall (Upasana Griha), which was built by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's father, Maharishi Debendranath Tagore in the 19th century.

"Now our rules seem to have changed. Earlier no permission for shooting used to be given. If we see there is a commercial film shoot during prayer in progress, then that means it is a disgrace to the honour of the ashram's culture," said Subodh Mitra, a resident of the ashram inside the varsity campus.

The prayer hall, made of colored Belgium glasses with marble steps on all the four sides, is celebrated for its architectural as well as cultural heritage.

Mitra said the officiating Vice Chancellor Swapan Dutta "compromised" with the tradition of the prestigious university by allowing shooting of Bengali film "Posto" (Poppy Seeds) directed by filmmaker Shiboprosad Mukherjee inside the prayer hall.

"Such kind of (commercial) activities should stop inside the hall. The Vice Chancellor should either be removed or forced to tender his apology in public," he said, adding he will write to the President and Prime Minister for their intervention.

However, Dutta stood his ground asserting that the Tagore's vision of education is being captured through the movie.

"The concept of education at Patha Bhavan and its culture has been captured in the film. The tradition is still important since Tagore's system encourages one to become a good human being. There is no commercial aspect. It is like an art film and should be supported. Instead, one should protest against the slaughter of chickens and speedy bikes in the vicinity of the ashram," Dutta said, adding the varsity is not charging any fee for the shooting.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) on Monday called the university administration's decision to set up grills at the protest site on the campus an attempt to destroy the "culture of JNU".

It said the staging of protests there will not stop.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration erected a grill at one of the portions outside the administration block on Monday, allegedly without informing the students about it.

The space outside the block is known as 'Freedom Square', and is a preferred site for staging protests and sit-ins because of its proximity to the Vice-Chancellor's (VC) office.

"Grilling sit-in site will not stop protests at admin block but this shows JNU VC's idea of university where instead of talking to student he wants to save his face by erecting structures of iron, cement and so on," JNUSU President Mohit Pandey said in a statement.

"On each and every occasion, citing wrong reasons JNU admin tried to stop every protest at admin block on Najeeb's issue. The admin kept on shooting notice after notice on us and threatened us with dire consequences for protesting at admin block," the statement read.

The JNUSU has been staging protests ceaselessly at the university administrative block since the disappearance of student Najeeb Ahmed, who went missing on October 14 after being beaten up a group of students.

The students who beat up Ahmed at his Mahi-Mandavi hostel, were subjected to a proctorial inquiry and were forced to shift to another hostel after the inquiry report came.

However, the students union did not seem impressed with the action taken and has since accused the administration of being biased towards the students involved in the assault.

The union singled out JNU Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar for the decision to make the admin block out of bound for protesting students, and said that "VC and his henchmen grilled the sit-in site secretly".

It added: "This is the classic methodology with which this outsider VC is working on. He does not talk to students' union, he does not listen to students, but tries to destroy the culture of JNU by his might."
Given the state media's practice of reporting events a day late, the attack drill probably took place on Saturday, a day after the National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching President Park Geun-hye.

North Korean commandos have practiced attacking South Korea's presidential compound and abducting key officials as leader Kim Jong-un watched, official media reported Sunday.

The drill appears to have been held at a firing range on the outskirts of Pyongyang, where the South Korean military said in April North Korea has built a mock-up of Cheong Wa Dae.

The Rodong Sinmun daily featured 27 photos of special forces soldiers infiltrating Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office engulfed in flames and Kim Jong-un smiling.

A government official here speculated that the North staged the drill to celebrate the imminent ouster of Park, who had pursued a hardline policy against the North.

North Korean media also pictured photos of major South Korean government officials hanging on the walls at the firing range.

After the exercise, Kim posed for photos with the elite troops.
Islamabad, Dec 12 : Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday urged religious scholars to play a role in eliminating root causes of extremism from the society.

The Prime Minister made the remarks during a conference of religious scholars in Lahore.

Violent extremism has claimed lives of thousands of people, mostly civilians, over the past several years in the country. Majority in Pakistan reject the violent extremism and terrorism, however, Pakistan still faces the problem due to extremist elements, he said.

Sharif pointed out that due to the efforts and sacrifices of the national leadership, religious scholars, armed forces and the police, the hideouts of the terrorists have almost been eliminated.

"Now it is the responsibility of the religious scholars to re-establish the link between Islam and peace by taking guidance from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet," he said.
Jerusalem, Dec 12 : Signifying end to years of diplomatic strife between the two countries, Turkey's new envoy submitted his credentials to Israel's President Reuven Rivlin on Monday.

The ceremony, at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem, marked the first time Turkey sent an envoy to Israel in six years, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem, accompanied by his wife and two children, told Rivlin that it is indeed a new beginning in bilateral relations and "a resumption of the ties" between our countries.

He said he was eager to "explore every possible aspect of cooperation" with Israel.

Calling this a "historic moment", Rivlin offered his condolences to the Turkish people in the wake of Saturday's deadly bomb attack which killed at least 44 people.

"The friendship between our countries had a rich history and I hope that the reconciliation and the new appointments will turn a new leaf and secure our relations," Rivlin said.

The move came after Israel sent its ambassador to Ankara, as part of a reconciliation agreement signed between Israel and Turkey in June.

The deal ended six years of tensions over the fatal Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish flotilla in 2010.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy on Monday said the newly issued Rs 2,000 currency note is a "stopgap arrangement" to tide over the cash crunch after demonetisation, and it will ultimately be withdrawn by the government, albeit gradually.

Gurumurthy, who is said to be in the loop all through the demonetisation process, said in an interview with India Today news channel that the Rs 2,000 note was introduced only to meet the demand-supply gap after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were sucked out of circulation.

He said the banks would be asked to hold back Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes.

"Obviously, the banks will be told not to return Rs 2,000 notes they receive. Slowly, the banks will accumulate Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes," said Gurumurthy, a prominent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed think tank Vivekananda International Foundation.

He said the government would be phasing out Rs 2,000 notes and not demonetising them.

"We have phased out many series of notes like this in the past," he said.

Gurumurthy said the government was committed towards lower denomination currency.

Gurumurthy's remarks came after the government's contradictory stand that it was demonetising Rs 1,000 notes since higher denomination currency encouraged black money, but instead introduced Rs 2,000 note.

Defending the Narendra Modi government's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, in a separate interview to CNN-News18 channel, Gurumurthy said the move has been successful in achieving its objective, which was to "record the unrecorded roaming cash".

"The objective of demonetisation is to record the unrecorded roaming cash. That is the first objective and then you'll find out whether somebody has defrauded and made use of it," he said.

"What these unrecorded money is doing to the economy, that is being stopped. According to me, that is the most important issue," he said.
Manchester, Dec 12 : English Premier League side Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Monday expressed happiness over drawing with Saint-Etienne in the Europa League round of 32.

The Red Devils will host the eighth-placed Ligue 1 club at Old Trafford in the first leg on Thursday 16 February before travelling to France for the second leg on February 22.

"It is a short flight (that) is the only thing is that is really good because we've had Ukraine and Istanbul, and February is a busy period with lots of matches," Mourinho to MUTV. "So it's good for us that it is a short flight.

"It's a French club and they have quality. It's a historical club; despite many years without titles, it's a big club with big tradition. It's the club where Michel Platini, before he went to Italy, did amazingly well in an amazing team that was dominant in France in that period, so it's a historical club. And the extra curiosity of a beautiful thing which is two brothers playing against each other."

The world's most expensive player Paul Pogba will be seen playing against brother Florentin, a defender who has scored one goal in 13 appearances this season for the French club. Mourinho joked that he can ask his summer signing for advice on dealing with his sibling across the two-legged European tie.

"He knows his brother better than anyone, so obviously, in terms of the individual analysis, I think he can give us the best opinion about his brother," the boss said. "But we have to follow the same route, the same process. The analysts who are working for us are doing an extremely good job."
Kochi, Dec 12 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday promised to provide a home to country's only Biennale as he inaugurated the third edition of Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB) here.

"The lack of a permanent venue for the KMB is a serious issue and the state government would implement a project to provide a home to India's only Biennale.

"The ancient history of Kochi is marked with adventure and the idea to organise the Biennale here tells us that there is adventure in its present too. Just as the Biennale created history in Kochi, a permanent venue for the Biennale will also create history," he said.

The state government has allocated a sum of Rs 7.5 crore to organise the Biennale, which is the highest ever funding allotted to an art event by a state government in the country.

Vijayan termed the Biennale a gateway between Kerala and the world through which the diverse expressions of international art and culture move freely and are brought together under one umbrella.

"Though the Biennale is primarily an art event, it has economic and social benefits too. It has energised the tourism sector. The statistics show that lakhs of cultural enthusiasts surged to Kochi from around the different corners of the world to view the first two editions. Both Kochi and Kerala benefit from this influx," he said.

KMB 2016 is being curated by Sudarshan Shetty and is being staged at multiple venues and would run for 108 days.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : The Delhi government on Monday started langars (common kitchens) at 10 places across the capital to serve food to those who have "lost their livelihood due to demonetisation", a statement said.

"The government has decided to come forward to help those who are on verge of starvation due to demonetisation. So we have started serving food to the poor at 10 centres from today (Monday)," it said.

After inaugurating the common kitchen at at Geeta Ghat here, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Aam Aadmi Party government will do everything in its power to save people from starvation.

"No matter if (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi makes such policies which lead people to the brink of death, but Delhi government will not let that happen. Delhi government will do everything in its power to save people from starvation due to demonetisation," he said.

The other centres where these kitchens are opened include Yamuna Pushta, Dandi Park, Jama Masjid, Sarai Kale Khan, Nizamuddin Neela Gumbad, Sarai Pushta, Jhandewalan shelter I, Kotla Mubarakpur and Fatehpuri near Old Delhi Railway Station.

"These centres will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner not only for those living in the night shelters but for all poor people living in the vicinity," the statement said.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : The Indian information technology (IT) sector has sought government support to help deal with challenges posed by anti-globalisation tendecies and rising protectionism abroad.

It has also sought help to promote research and development and innovation to enable the industry to keep up with technological changes.

"The Indian IT industry is passing through a phase of challenges from rising protectionism and anti-globalisation forces. It is important for the government to strongly support the industry to help keep those markets open," industry organisation Nasscom's President R. Chandrashekhar told BTVi channel.

"Incentives for R&D available to other industries should also by applicable to the IT sector, which currently they are not," he said in an interview following a pre-Budget meeting here of stakeholders with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The IT sector overall, including electronic systems and business process management, in India is one of the largest in the world and is expected to reach $400 billion level in 2020.

Chandrashekhar said the IT stakeholders impressed on the Finance Minister for measures to further ease doing of business in the country.

"Things like Safe Harbour Margins, which are very high today, therefore render the provisions not useful," he said.

"Also, Place of Effective Management guidelines not having been released, even though the law is applicable from April 1, 2016. These are some of the concerns which industry has," he said.

"The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is another area of concern. Though we welcome this law for the country, it has several provisions that are extremely negative and dangerous for the IT sector. We anticipate major difficulties on valuation of services and on intra-company supply of services being taxed," he added.

Chandrasekhar also said that stakeholders asked Jaitley for the government to announce a roadmap for implementing the phased reduction in the existing corporate tax by 5 per cent.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : A 15-year-old girl was gang-raped by four persons, including a local builder, at Jamia Nagar area of Delhi, the city police said on Monday.

The police said the assault on the girl first took place in July 2016 when the accused, identified as 40-year-old Sajid Khan, a resident of Shaheen Bagh area, raped the victim in his flat.

The victim is a Class 9 student in a government school. She met Khan through her classmate, the police said.

Sajid Khan also made an MMS clip of the sexual assault.

"Khan started blackmailing the victim, saying he would upload the MMS on social media and often gang-raped her along with his three masked associates. He has been raping the victim in various flats located in South Delhi," a senior police officer said.

The victim's mother, who works as a maidservant, approached an NGO after her daughter narrated the entire ordeal to her last weak.

Talking to IANS, Shakil ul-Rehman, a social worker from the NGO, said, "The victim is three months pregnant. Khan often threatened to kill her if she denied an abortion. The mother approached our organisation to help them file a police complaint."

The police registered a case of rape against the accused persons only after local residents and NGO workers intervened in the case, Rehman said.

Khan is married and has four children, he said.

"We are looking for the accused persons, who are absconding, including Khan, and have recorded a statement from the victim," the officer said.
London, Dec 12 : Two men found guilty of funding a suspect in the Paris and Brussels terror attacks, were handed down jail sentences of eight and three years by a London court on Monday, media reports said.

A court in Kingston, south London, sentenced Mohamed Ali Ahmed to eight years in prison and Zakaria Boufassil to three years after the pair were found guilty of supplying 3,000 pounds ($3,540) to Mohamed Abrini, a man with suspected involvement in the 2016 Brussels airport attack, reports Efe.

The two accused had met with Abrini, nicknamed "the man in the hat" after he was caught on a CCTV camera in Brussels on the day of the attacks wearing a hat, at a park in Birmingham, England.

According to the court, the money was transferred to an account opened by an unidentified man who had travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State (IS).

Abrini has suspected links to the terror attacks at Brussels airport and metro system in March 2016 that left 32 people dead.

He was also suspected of involvement in the November 13, 2015, Paris attacks that claimed the lives of 130 people.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : In what can be seen as a message to China on its claims over the South China Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and Indonesia have agreed to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes, while releasing a Vision Documents 2025 on bilateral ties.

The two sides also agreed to prioritise defence and security ties.

"My extensive conversation with President Widodo today (Monday) focused on the full range of our cooperation," Modi said in a joint press conference with visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo following delegation-level bilateral talks here.

"We agreed to prioritise defence and security cooperation," he said.

"As two important maritime nations that are also neighbours, we agreed to cooperate to ensure the safety and security of the sea lanes, in disaster response and environmental protection."

Modi said a joint statement on maritime cooperation signed after Monday's talks outlined "the agenda of our engagement in this field".

Besides the joint statement on maritime cooperation, the two sides also signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in the areas of youth and sports, and standardisation.

The agreement on maritime cooperation assumes significance as several Southeast Asian nations have problems with China over the South China Sea.

In July, an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the busiest commercial shipping routes in the world.

The court accused China of interfering with the Philippines' fishing and petroleum exploration, building artificial islands in the waters and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone.

China reacted angrily, calling the verdict null and void with no binding force and that "China neither accepts it nor recognises it". But Beijing has since decided to go for bilateral talks with Manila.

Indonesia, the largest of the Southeast Asian nations, however, does not have any such issue with China.

In Monday's address to the media, Modi said that Indonesia was one of India's most valued partners in its 'Act East Policy'.

"It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world," he said.

He also welcomed Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights between Jakarta and Mumbai as it would help boost people-to-people contacts.

On his part, Widodo said that Indonesia wanted to increase bilateral trade ties and also diversify exports to India.

A joint statement issued after the talks said India and Indonesia discussed the threat posed by global terrorism and other transnational crimes and emphasised "zero tolerance" for terror acts.

Modi and Widodo condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest possible terms and commended the working of a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, a joint statement issued here said.

In a major boost to New Delhi's 'Act East Policy', the Ministry of External Affairs said in a separate statement that India and Indonesia released a 'Vision Document 2025' on bilateral ties while deciding to hold annual summit-level meetings.

"Leaders of both countries had earlier mandated the setting up of an Eminent Persons Group to draw up a Vision Document 2025 to serve as a blueprint for our bilateral relations," it stated.

"After three sittings during 2016, the report is now ready and was released on the occasion of the visit (of Widodo) by (Indonesian) Foreign Minister Retino Marsudi and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar."

Earlier in the day, Widodo, who assumed the presidency of Indonesia in October 2014, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

In the afternoon, Vice-President Hamid Ansari called on him. This was followed by a banquet in the evening in honour of the visiting dignitary by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Widodo is accompanied by his wife Iriana Joko Widodo, seven cabinet ministers and a 22-member business delegation from Indonesia.

This is the first presidential visit from Indonesia to India in nearly six years since the visit of then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in January 2011.
Korea's automotive exports are expected to fall for the second straight year this year. It would be the industry's first two-year decline since 2009, during the global financial crisis.

Cars are the nation's fourth-largest export item in money terms, following semiconductor chips, petrochemical products, and machinery.

The Korea International Trade Association said on Sunday that car exports in the first 11 months of this year were worth US$36.07 billion, down 13 percent from last year.

The drop was attributed mainly to a decline in demand amid the global economic downturn and production cutbacks due to labor strikes at Hyundai and Kia.
Damascus, Dec 13 : Celebratory gunshots reverberated across the northern city of Aleppo on Monday evening, and people took to the streets celebrating, as the Syrian Army has almost dislodged the rebels from the eastern part of the city, witnesses in Aleppo told Xinhua.

Gunshots with bullets that leave red tails echoed in Aleppo following the news that the rebels have almost lost their ground in the eastern part of the city.

"God, Syria and only Bashar", "With soul and blood we sacrifice for Syria", and "God protects the army", these were some slogans shouted by the people there, in support for the army.

Local TVs said the celebrations are for the "victory of Aleppo".

Earlier in the day, the Syrian Army captured the strategic neighbourhood of Sheikh Saeed, and other neighbourhoods in southeastern Aleppo, with local reports saying the army is in control of 99 per cent of Aleppo.

Later in the evening, state news agency SANA said the army captured Bustan al-Qaser, one of two remaining strongholds for the rebels.

Activists also said the rebels have withdrawn from the neighbourhood of Kalasseh, the last major neighbourhood in southeastern Aleppo.

An official source in Aleppo told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the remaining rebels have gathered in the neighbourhood of Salahuddien, demanding their evacuation.

The military media arm said the rebels in the few remaining areas in eastern Aleppo are in a state of confusion, and large numbers of them are turning themselves to the Syrian Army, while the rest are fleeing through tunnels out of the city.

It's expected that the Syrian military will issue a statement soon, declaring the absolute victory in Aleppo.
The continued success of EKG demonstrates the importance and relevance of this interdisciplinary program, and the value that manifests when art and science overlap.

After four decades of innovative programming and exhibitions exploring the intersection of art, science and technology, the University City Science Centers Esther Klein Gallery (EKG) is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a new exhibit. Art at the Science Center: A 40-Year Retrospective will pay homage to the last 40 years of artistic programming by featuring pieces from EKGs permanent collection and archives. The exhibit opens on December 19th and runs through January 27th. A celebratory reception will be held at EKG, located at 3600 Market Street, on Thursday, January 26th from 5  7:30 p.m. Libby Newman, founder of EKG and curator of the gallery for its first 25 years, will be the guest of honor at the reception.

Art at the Science Center: A 40-Year Retrospective will feature work by R. Buckminster Fuller, Aleksandra Kasuba, James Dupree, and others. Visitors to EKG will also have an opportunity to view a short documentary film by Marie Alarcon exploring the extensive history of the gallery, including interviews with EKG stakeholders who played a role in shaping the gallerys development over the last 40 years.

Since its inception, the Esther Klein Gallery has used the creative arts as a platform to explore the relationships between art, science and technology. The concept originated in 1975 with Dr. Randall Whaley, former President of the Science Center and an advocate of better communication between scientists and artists. In 1976, Libby Newman, chosen by Whaley to be founder and curator of the gallery, brought Whaleys vision to life through her programming.

In the early 1980s, R. Buckminster Fuller, a World Fellow in Residence and inventor of the geodesic dome, was featured in a solo exhibition that included his early drawings and his then-latest invention, the 4D dymaxion book case.

Forty years ago we had an idea that, to our knowledge, had never been attempted before, says Libby Newman. Our goal was to facilitate active interplay between artists and scientists. The continued success of EKG demonstrates the importance and relevance of this interdisciplinary program, and the value that manifests when art and science overlap.

The success of these early exhibitions paved the way for what has become EKGs primary focus on exploring the intersection between art, science and technology. To date, EKG has supported over 3,500 local, national and international artists through solo and group exhibitions. Today, the gallery maintains an ongoing calendar of dynamic programs and events that are free and open to the public.

The decision to establish arts programming four decades ago has been one of the Science Centers greatest experiments, says Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D. MBA, Science Center President & CEO. EKGs positive impact on the cultural life of our immediate neighborhood of West Philadelphia and the broader community proves the experiments success.

This exhibition is curated by Angela McQuillan of the Science Center.

About the Science Center

Located in the heart of uCity Square, the University City Science Center is a dynamic hub for innovation, and entrepreneurship and technology development in the Greater Philadelphia region. Founded in 1963 as the nations first urban research park, it provides business incubation, programming, lab and office facilities, and support services for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing and established companies. Graduate firms and current residents of the Science Centers business incubator support one out of every 100 jobs in Greater Philadelphia and drive $12.9 billion in economic activity in the region annually. For more information about the Science Center, go to http://www.sciencecenter.org.

About the Esther Klein Gallery

The Esther Klein Gallery (EKG), which opened in 1977, uses the creative arts as a platform to explore relationships between art, science and technology. EKG seeks to positively impact the cultural life of both its immediate neighborhood of West Philadelphia and the broader Philadelphia community. EKG programming is designed to explore the range of art, science and technology exhibitions, and includes gallery talks, panel discussions, and education programs. For more information, visit http://sciencecenter.org/discover/ekg.
Jackie Douglass, MD-PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Phage display technology, originally developed to study protein interactions in vitro, is now being used to target new antigens and develop specific antibodies not possible with existing in vivo methods. Essential to the generation of these recombinant antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, is affinity maturation  something that was expensive, time-consuming, and unsuited to high throughput with traditional tools.

In a new webinar, sponsored by Abcam, youll discover how phage display technology is being used to target neo-antigens and develop potential therapeutic agents for cancer. Youll also find out how Abcams affinity maturation approach is used to rapidly and cost-effectively generate antibodies against neo-antigen. The webinar will also finish off with a live Q&A session.

Jackie Douglass, MD-PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, will be the speaker for this webinar. Ms. Douglas is currently an MD-PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and in the lab of Bert Vogelstein. Her research involves using phage display to identify antibody fragments recognizing mutant peptide-HLA complexes and translating these scFvs into therapeutic formats.

LabRoots will host the webinar December 15, 2016, commencing at 7:00 am PST, 10:00 am EST, 4:00 pm CET. To read more on this event, learn about P.A.C.E. continuing education credits, or to register for free, click here.

About Abcam

As an innovator in reagents and tools, Abcam's purpose is to serve life science researchers globally to achieve their mission, faster. Providing the research and clinical communities with tools and scientific support, the Company offers highly validated biological binders and assays to address important targets in critical biological pathways.

Already a pioneer in data sharing and ecommerce in the life sciences, Abcam's ambition is to be the most influential company in life sciences by helping advance global understanding of biology and causes of disease, which, in turn, will drive new treatments and improved health. Two-thirds of the world's 750,000 life science researchers use Abcam's affinity binders, reagents, biomarkers and assays, and the Company's products are mentioned in over 20,000 of the 56,000 peer-reviewed papers published each year in the life sciences.

By actively listening to and collaborating with researchers, the Company continuously advances its portfolio to address their needs. A transparent programme of customer reviews and datasheets, combined with an industry-leading validation initiative, gives researchers increased confidence in their results.

Abcam's twelve locations are located in the world's leading life science research hubs, enabling local services and multi-language support. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, the Company sells to more than 100 countries. Abcam was admitted to AIM in 2005 (AIM: ABC).

To find out more, please visit http://www.abcam.com and http://www.abcamplc.com.

About LabRoots

LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website and producer of educational virtual events and webinars. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning, and is a primary source for current scientific news, webinars, virtual conferences, and more. LabRoots has grown into the worlds largest series of virtual events within the Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics community.
Neel Desai, Managing Principal of LTD Hospitality Group is pleased to announce that LTD has closed on the purchase of the Marriott Hotels property located on Woodlake Drive at the entrance of the Chesapeake Conference Center. Currently plans are to re-brand the hotel to Marriott Internationals, full service Delta Hotels by Marriott brand in March of 2017. LTD will strengthen the hotels position in the market through a complete modernization and renovation of the 230 guestrooms, 12,000 square feet of meeting space and lobby.

The strong performance of the LTD portfolio has enabled additional pipeline expansion. said Desai. The acquisition of the full service Marriott property in the city where our company roots were established affirms our long-term commitment to the Chesapeake market.

Earlier in 2016, LTD purchased the adjacent property Studio & Suites 4 Less which is currently closed and in the process of a significant renovation to be open as a Holiday Inn Express & Suites by May of 2017.

The ability to market this new property along with LTDs other Marriott brands of SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn and Aloft will be a compelling advantage not only for our sales team, but for the City of Chesapeake as well. added Desai. We anticipate a seamless transition as our senior leaders work with the new hotels employees to introduce our vision, values and best practices, while working to enhance excellence in guest service.

In April 2015, Marriott International, Inc. acquired the Delta Hotels and Resorts management and franchise business from Delta Hotels Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC). The brand brings a rich history and an exciting range of properties to the Marriott portfolio and currently consists of more than 35 hotels and nearly 10,000 rooms. Delta Hotels offer a fresh approach to the guest experience including intuitive designs for modern business and leisure travelers, and an innovative use of technology.

We are thrilled to partner with LTD Hospitality Group to further expand the Delta Hotels portfolio into North America. said Gregory Durrer, senior director of Delta Hotels by Marriott.

About LTD Hospitality Group:

Founded in 1983, LTD Hospitality Group is headquartered in Chesapeake, VA and is comprised of several key business units including Asset Management, Hotel Management and Development that specialize in the lodging real estate sector. LTD is proud to be recognized as a distinguished leader in the hospitality industry with a portfolio of the finest brands available. LTDs mission is to drive value by delivering first class service to each and every one of its partners, who are its customers, investors, team members, and brands.

About Delta Hotels and Resorts. One of North Americas leading four-star brands, Delta Hotels provides guests with exactly what they need for a seamless travel experience. With more than 35 locations in gateway cities throughout Canada and now Orlando, FL (US), guests will discover Deltas distinct style of simple made perfect. The brands invitingly familiar rooms, free Wi-Fi and convenient dining options, offer travelers a comfortable and stylish place to stay. Delta Hotels was acquired by Marriott International in April 2015. For more information or reservations visit http://www.marriott.com.
Hundreds of thousands of Koreans gathered in Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the passage of a bill to impeach President Park Geun-hye a day earlier.

The main protest was significantly smaller at around 800,000 than the previous weekend's record turnout of up to 1.7 million, apparently because their primary objective has been achieved.

But the day also brought out some 40,000 mostly elderly supporters of the president, who gathered a few hundred meters away to show their displeasure. Their numbers increased markedly from about 10,000 protesters a week earlier.

On Friday, the National Assembly voted by an overwhelming margin to impeach Park, who is embroiled in a massive influence-peddling and corruption scandal.

Protesters were in buoyant mood, lighting fireworks and holding a concert. Hundreds marched up to a point just around 200 m away from Cheong Wa Dae and lit fireworks. Other protesters danced as performers played on a stage in Gwanghwamun Plaza.

The rallies ended around 10:30 p.m. with no injuries or arrests reported. Smaller rallies were held across the nation.

Organizers pledged to continue the protests every week until the Constitutional Court make a decision on the impeachment bill and all the suspects are punished.
We want to show Houston our brands commitment to comfort and quality, without compromising our customers health

Essentia continues to build upon its healthy sleep system empire, opening its second Texas store location in Houston this winter. As the maker of the worlds only natural memory foam mattress, Essentia fosters a growing customer base that is passionate about recovery through sleep and finding next level comfort. This store will be permanently located in Baybrook Mall, offering a natural and healthy alternative to conventional sleep systems.

We see so much opportunity for growth in Texas; thats why we decided to open not only one store in Dallas but also another location in Houston, says Jack DellAccio, CEO and Founder of Essentia. We are excited to see the momentum of both stores as we introduce our natural memory foam mattress to the state of Texas.

Through extensive research and technology, Essentia is the only mattress on the market able to address the six key elements of whole body recovery: whole-body comfort, optimized sleep, proper posture, temperature control, clean air environment, and allergy tested. Essentias patented memory foam formula includes natural ingredients as a substitution to harsh toxic chemicals used in conventional memory foam.

Sleep plays a vital role in each persons overall health and well-being, says Jack DellAccio, CEO and Founder of Essentia. We want to show Houston our brands commitment to comfort and quality, without compromising our customers health.

The store will be located in Baybrook Mall at 700 Baybrook Mall Drive, Suite A107, Friendswood, TX 77546. This Houston location represents Essentias 20th store in North America and its expanding influence of healing through its high-quality and eco-friendly sleep systems.

About Essentia

Essentia is the worlds first and only natural memory foam mattress innovator, helping put the one third of your life spent in bed to the greatest use by providing an organic recovery haven. Essentia is driven by an ongoing journey to redefine the idea that sleep is just a state of unconsciousness. Essentias actual goal is to unveil sleeps true impact as a whole-body rejuvenating and healing system. Essentia prides themselves on being the only product line on the market able to address the 6 key elements to recovery, which include Whole-body Comfort, Optimized Sleep, Proper Posture, Temperature Control, Clean Air Environment and Allergy Tested, that allow the body to recover faster from daily stresses, injury and even concussions. Essentia didnt stop at making the healthiest mattress in the world, through patented technologies, they took it to the next level and revolutionized sleep! To learn more, visit http://www.myessentia.com and stay updated on Twitter and Facebook.
The Carolinas up through D.C. are experiencing explosive growth in the public cloud market. our goal is to work with customers and help them succeed in their transition to the cloud, by leveraging our deep AWS experience.

Relus Cloud, a leading cloud and big data solutions provider, today announced it expanded to Raleigh, North Carolina. The new east coast location will be managed by Jon Hoover, who joined the team in December as Director of Cloud Consulting. Hoover will work with the cloud and big data practice leads and sales team to help customers formulate strategies and successfully execute their cloud and big data transformation. He will also develop go-to-market industry solutions for Relus Cloud and partner service solutions. Before Relus Cloud, Hoover was the Senior Director for Enterprise Business Solutions & Strategy at a leading national systems integrator.

"We are thrilled to open a new office in Raleigh and offer greater service to our clients in North Carolina," said Mark Metz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Relus Technologies. "I am confident that Jons leadership will benefit our busy clients, talented team, and challenging projects. His extensive experience with enterprise business solutions offers tremendous value to the booming cloud market.

The Carolinas up through D.C. are experiencing explosive growth in the public cloud market, said Hoover. As the leading AWS partner in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, our goal is to work with customers and help them succeed in their transition to the cloud, by leveraging our deep AWS experience.

The Relus Cloud practice team leaders average 17 years each of hands on experience in the industry. The team will continue to expand to meet the growing demand of clients facing the arduous conversion from physical infrastructure to cloud computing environments.

Relus Cloud was recently recognized as a 2016 CRN Next-Gen 250 company and as a top workplace by Atlanta Business Chronicle and Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Company also recently earned the AWS Big Data Competency and Marketing & Commerce Competency from Amazon Web Services. These competencies validate the firms demonstrated technical proficiency and proven success with building cloud and big data solutions.

About Relus Cloud

Relus Cloud is an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner that helps customers prepare for growth, eliminate uncertainty, train technical teams, and move faster in a cloud first world. Our core competencies are focused on cloud migrations, DevOps and Big Data with an emphasis on strategy consulting, architecture and design, cloud migration, culture change, managed services, and IT staffing.
Equator Pure Nature Co., Ltd., Thailands leading manufacturer of natural household cleaning products, has launched Pipper Standard products in Vietnam. Pipper Standard products are available in offline retail stores and will be expanding into baby shops across Vietnams major cities.

Pipper Standard natural, non-toxic, hypoallergenic certified cleaning products enter a strong Vietnamese market with significantly growing consumer interest in natural products. "We view Vietnam as a key strategic market as it is currently one of the fastest growing economies in ASEAN," said Peter Wainman, Chairman and CEO of Equator Pure Nature. "Vietnam offers a lot of opportunities for us, and we look forward to being a major presence in their market."

Pipper Standard is currently sold in ten Asian markets and aims to become the market leader in key ASEAN countries and Greater China by 2019.

About Equator Pure Nature

Our business was founded in 2010, after our founders suffered allergic reactions to chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products in Asia. Given their personal experience and the troubling rise in worldwide allergy and asthma rates, they embarked on a mission to invent natural, hypoallergenic certified, non-toxic, household cleaning products, with cleaning power comparable to chemical products. After years of rigorous research and development, Pipper Standard products hit shelves in Southeast Asia in late 2014, and Equator Pure Nature has since become a leading Asian manufacturer of natural laundry care products. http://www.equatorpurenature.com

About Pipper Standard

The foundation of Pipper Standard products is fermented fruit fluid derived from our proprietary, patent-pending, pineapple fermentation process. Our process yields biosurfactants, natural preservatives, organic acids, and natural enzymes which provide natural, non-toxic cleaning with power and efficiency comparable to chemical cleaners. Pipper Standard products are focused on consumer health and minimizing impact to the environment; therefore, our laundry detergent and fabric softener products are certified hypoallergenic and non-irritation by Dermscan Asia and certified to biodegrade more than 90% in one month. http://www.pipperstandard.com

For more information and photos, please contact:

Equator Pure Nature Co., Ltd. No. 9/245 UM Tower, 24th Floor, Ramkhamhaeng Road, Suanluang, Bangkok 10250

Email: press(at)equatornature(dot)com
Square 9 Softworks, developer of award-winning Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions, and Panasonic System Communications Company of North America today announced a new strategic alliance with the launch of a joint product offering, the Panasonic Convey Capture Bundle. This affordable, high value solution features a range of high speed Panasonic Scanners combined with GlobalCapture Convey, Square 9s web based capture solution for automating the flow of business information.

GlobalCapture Convey delivers the key functionality required by SMB and midmarket customers looking for a capture automation solution, with or without an ECM platform. Using any standard scanner or multifunction printer, users can transform their paper based activities into workflow enabled processes, while dramatically decreasing the cost and effort required for capturing documents.

Delivering innovation to Resellers and end users through Panasonics gold-standard scanners and our best-in-class content management technologies, Square 9 and Panasonic have built a beneficial synergy between hardware and software solutions, dramatically expanding document capture capabilities, said Ethan Voltolini, Marketing Director at Square 9.

Like our scanners, Square 9s top-of-the-line Document Capture Automation products are dedicated to optimizing end-user utility and value, said Panasonics Product Manager, Joe Odore. They deliver proprietary problem-solving features, rock-solid performance and industry-leading service and support at highly competitive price points.

GlobalCapture Convey can be seamlessly extended to include advanced enterprise-level data transformation tools such as Positional Based OCR, automated document classification and Rapid Adapt Forms Learning. With its unlimited scalability, GlobalCapture Convey can also be used to feed any ECM platform, including Square 9s GlobalSearch on premise and cloud product solution.

Panasonic and Square 9 Softworks will launch the Panasonic Convey Capture Bundle in an eight-city roadshow tour, offering product certification, a free demo copy of GlobalCapture Convey and hands on interaction with Panasonic scanners. To learn more, please visit http://info.square-9.com/panasonic-convey.

About Panasonic System Communications Company of North America:

Panasonic System Communications Company of North America (PSCNA), Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, delivers reliable technology solutions for government and commercial enterprises, nonprofit organizations, creative professionals and SMBs. Technologies include mobile computing devices and support services, point-of-sale solutions, video surveillance systems, video evidence capture and management solutions, professional displays, projectors, digital signage, video production equipment, and office communications and productivity solutions. To learn more call 877-803-8492 or visit us.panasonic.com/business-solutions/.

About Square 9 Softworks:

As a trendsetting software development firm, Square 9 is a creative force in the next generation of both on premise and cloud-enabled Content Management solutions. Intensely customer-focused and highly responsive, Square 9 delivers effective, value-driven solutions and has achieved a reputation for excellence in meeting the rapidly evolving needs of its customers. In addition to GlobalSearch, the award-winning Content Management solution platform, Square 9 has been widely recognized for its diverse portfolio of products including solutions for Document Capture Automation, Business Process Automation and Web Forms Management. Square 9 Softworks distributes its solutions internationally through a network of highly skilled Channel Resellers from its corporate office in New Haven, Connecticut. http://www.square-9.com.

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Acrovyn Wall Panels were installed as a focal point with a Chameleon Sunlit Maple woodgrain pattern that features the demountable Sure Snap System for a fast and easy installation.

Construction Specialties, Inc. (CS), a leading manufacturer of specialty building products, received a Nightingale Award at the 2016 Healthcare Design Expo & Conference for its Acrovyn Wall Panels. The Nightingale Awards were presented by Contract and Healthcare Design magazines in partnership with the Center for Health Design. Acrovyn Wall Panels earned the Gold award in the Clinical Architectural Products category.

The award was initiated in 1990 and named after Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing. It recognizes an outstanding products contribution to creating a healing environment. The judging process requires a 12-member panel of seasoned healthcare design professionals and healthcare facility managers to choose the winning selections based on each products contribution to a healing environment, including its functionality, quality, durability, aesthetic, style, and innovation. Jurors visit the exhibitors booths before the show floor opens at the Healthcare Design Expo and Conference to evaluate the entries, examine the products and ask the manufacturers questions.

The Nightingale Award demonstrates the clear value of Acrovyn Wall Panels in environments dedicated to healing, said Amy DeVore, Business Development Manager for the CS Interior Wall Protection Division. This updated product line has given architects, designers and facility owners the opportunity to reset their wall panel standards with an extensive range of design options that can be installed with the Sure Snap System in half the time than was previously required. The award-winning line has significantly expanded aesthetic options and increased value for healthcare environments, said DeVore.

About Acrovyn Wall Panels

Acrovyn Wall Panels are 3/8 substrates laminated with PVC-free rigid sheet, which can be specified in standard sizes and a variety of thicknesses, from three-quarters of an inch to two inches. Any design, whether classic or daring, can be accomplished with 68 Acrovyn solid colors, 24 Chameleon simulated patterns and Acrovyn by Design high-resolution imagery.

With Acrovyn by Design, customers can incorporate photography, branding and more across a series of panels. All finish types provide the same protection and durability that the industry expects from CS award-winning Acrovyn Wall Protection. Embedded with a moisture-resistant barrier, the wall panels are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Classified B/2.

About Construction Specialties

Founded in 1948, Construction Specialties Inc. (CS) is a family-owned building products company. CS provides solutions to complex problems that architects, designers, building owners, facility managers, and contractors face every day. Since inventing the first extruded louver, CS has become a global leader in interior wall protection, impact-resistant doors and frames, entrance flooring, expansion joint covers, architectural louvers and grilles, sun controls, specialty venting, cubicle curtains and tracks. CS draws upon extensive expertise to design custom, high-quality productsmany of which are a part of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program. CS products can be found on some of the worlds most significant architecture: One World Trade Center in New York City, The Shard in London and Burj Khalifa in Dubai. For more information about CS products and solutions, please visit: http://www.c-sgroup.com.
The partnership will allow us to combine our extensive network knowledge with Avigilon's software and hardware to aggressively offer the market an optimized smart video security solution.

RESOLUTE Partners is proud to announce a partnership with industry leading video and analytics security software company Avigilon to bring smart video security to U.S. Military communities, multi-unit housing complexes, hospitals, office parks, public spaces, college campus dormitories, academic facilities and more.

"RESOLUTE has been engineering and installing high reliability, cost efficient wireless and wired networks for almost two decades," said RESOLUTE CEO MIchael Blanco. "The partnership will allow us to combine our extensive network knowledge with Avigilon's software and hardware to aggressively offer the market an optimized smart video security solution."

RESOLUTE Partners's advanced wired and wireless network solutions support smart surveillance cameras, sensors, and access controls. Most recently, the company has engineered and installed video surveillance and active monitoring for 10 Silver Street Group, a development corporation dedicated to affordable housing in the United States, multi-unit apartment complexes across 5 states from North Carolina and Pennsylvania to Massachusetts.

Advanced Features with Megapixel Cameras and Analytics:

Industry leading megapixel cameras provide superior image quality with more coverage. We offer these cameras with analytics providing features like motion, shape object detection, and the best quality for recognizing faces. In addition, the new H4 line offers a new fisheye camera, and the SL camera line can be installed into multiple housings to tailor your individual needs. Edge solution with onboard software and SSD, lifetime licensing, and more.

Integrate Existing Video Systems, Access Controls and Alarms:

Current analog or IP video systems, access controls and alarms can be integrated and managed more effectively. This provides central monitoring for command and control and faster response times. High-Definition Stream Management regulates bandwidth usage to not overburden the network while preserving image integrity.

Software:

Get more from software that allows for simple searching, archiving and exporting of events. Sharing video between multiple users or outside agencies has never been easier. Alerts and rules can be set up with email notification. Remote viewing of live video on workstations or any mobile device. Search instances of a particular person or vehicle across the whole network with one search using appearance search.

End to End Solutions:

Our experts are here to help you design, install, operate, monitor and maintain a system that fits your organization's individual needs. Contact us here.

About RESOLUTE Partners

RESOLUTE Partners engineers, installs, operates and maintains a complete range of Internet access and fixed wireless communications solutions for healthcare, government and commercial enterprises around the world, including hospitals, educational facilities, military bases and office parks. All designed to offer an enhanced experience for end users, improve operating efficiencies, reduce costs and create new business opportunities for our customers. Established in 1997, RESOLUTE Partners has the knowledge, discipline and experience to deliver on all of your network needs, including guest Wi-Fi, rural broadband and energy management. Customers include US Department of Veterans Affairs, The US Army, US Marine Corps, SENECA Nation of Indians and Johnson Controls. RESOLUTE is ready to provide a portfolio of services as a prime contractor or through teaming agreements with other contract holders. To learn more about Resolute, visit resolutepartners.com.

About Avigilon

Avigilon Corporation provides trusted security solutions to the global market. Avigilon designs, develops, and manufactures video analytics, network video management software and hardware, surveillance cameras, and access control solutions. To learn more about Avigilon, visit avigilon.com.
RCN Business has a strategic focus on expanding its network and advanced telecommunications services into major data centers across the Northeast in order to offer customers more choice.

RCN Business, a communications network provider delivering solutions for data, voice and video, announces completion of the expansion of its network into the 165 Halsey Street data center located in Newark, NJ. 165 Halsey Street owns and operates 1.2 million square feet of carrier-neutral SSAE-16 certified data center space giving carriers, enterprises and service providers access to cost-effective space, power and interconnection services.

RCN Business has a strategic focus on expanding its network and advanced telecommunications services into major data centers across the Northeast in order to offer customers more choice, states Bruce Abbott, Vice President and General Manager at RCN New York City. 165 Halsey Street is a superior data center provider offering customers high-quality colocation options. Customers in that facility will now have the ability to directly access the full spectrum of RCN Business communications solutions.

We welcome the addition of RCN Business to our facility, comments Joseph Simone, President for Tishman Real Estate Services for 165 Halsey Street. RCN Business is known for delivering customized and reliable telecommunications solutions, marked by excellent service and support.

RCN Business offers a full suite of communications services, including Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), Hosted Voice, PRI/SIP Trunks and Video (HDTV), as well as Ethernet E-Line, E-LAN and dark fiber services to businesses of all sizes.

RCN Business previously expanded its secure, state-of-the-art network into other key data centers and carrier hotels including the Telehouse facility located at 85 10th Avenue in New York City, and 325 Hudson in New York City. To learn more about RCN Business, visit rcn.com/business or call 1-877-726-7000.

# # #

About RCN Business Services

RCN Business Services provides industry-leading high-speed Internet, voice, video and network solutions to businesses of all sizes. Delivered through a wholly-owned, state-of-the-art fiber-rich network and supported by 100% U.S.-based customer service, RCN Business serves businesses in Boston, Chicago, Lehigh Valley (PA), New York City, Philadelphia (Delaware County), , and Washington, D.C. RCN Business received the Metro Ethernet Forums CE 2.0 certification in the E-Line, E-LAN and E-Access categories in 2014. RCN Business received PCMags 2016 Business Choice Award for Internet Service Providers. Follow RCN Business on LinkedIn and Twitter.

RCN Media Contact:

Jaymie Scotto & Associates for RCN

866-695-3629 ext. 13

jsa_rcn(at)jaymiescotto(dot)com

About 165 Halsey Street

165 Halsey Street is a dedicated 1.2 million square foot data center/colocation/telecom carrier hotel with over 80 MW of power. Located just 13 miles from Manhattan, 165 Halsey Street offers affordable space, power and significant interconnection to over 60 US and global network operators. 165 Halsey is carrier-neutral, SSAE 16-certified, and independently owned and operated. With 165 Halsey Colocation, there are no monthly recurring cross connect fees between customers, allowing safe, convenient and affordable interconnection.

For more information, visit http://www.165halsey.com or follow the company on Twitter @165Halsey and LinkedIn.
Its great to know that a simple gesture will have such a significant impact on many people during the holidays and beyond.

In the spirit of giving, Counsel Financial announced today the recipients of its philanthropic donation this holiday season. Through the generosity of employees and a company match for all funds raised, the company will donate over $5500 to two local charitable organization this month. Via an employee nomination and voting process, the New Directions Foundation (an affiliate of the Randolph Childrens Home) and the Silver Creek Food Pantry were selected as the beneficiaries of the funds for 2016.

New Directions offers 22 services to at-risk children and their families throughout New York State and beyond, and works to foster resilient, self-reliant families and permanence for their children in the shortest time possible. With Counsel Financials help, they are now able to finance the entirety of the shopping for their Christmas Program list, which provides individualized Christmas presents to children enrolled with New Directions who would not otherwise receive gifts this season.

The Silver Creek Food Pantry provides emergency food to the working poor population in Silver Creek, New York and the surrounding communities. During the holidays, the organization assists through their holiday food program, which provides over 100 families everything needed for a turkey dinner, so that they may sit down to a holiday meal without the worry of the expense. This year, Counsel Financials donation enabled the pantry to go above and beyond to also provide a Christmas breakfast for each family, in addition to the dinner basket.

Counsel Financial fosters community giving and volunteerism throughout the year and lends its time and talents to many different organizations including the Mikeys Way Foundation, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Camp Good Days and several others. COO, Megan Payne, stated, A couple of years ago we as a group decided to forego giving gifts among co-workers and put that money toward something more meaningful. This year, we allowed our employees to nominate charities close to their hearts and took a vote to determine where the funds were to be allocated. Its great to know that a simple gesture will have such a significant impact on many people during the holidays and beyond.

In addition the monetary donations, the company annually collects clothing, toys and household items during this time of year for donation.

About Counsel Financial

Counsel Financial is the largest provider of working capital lines of credit to plaintiffs attorneys in the industry, having loaned over $1.5 billion exclusively to plaintiffs attorneys in its 15-year history. Counsel Financial sets the standard for innovation and flexibility in its loan offerings, structuring terms that are conducive to the unique demands of contingency-fee practices. Leveraging 200+ years of internal legal experience, Counsel Financial has financed the growth of firms in every area of plaintiffs litigation, including personal injury, mass torts, class action and labor and employment. The company is exclusively endorsed by multiple national and state trial organizations, including the American Association for Justice and The National Trial Lawyers.
By adding seasoned, dedicated and retirement-focused professionals to the team, Alger is better positioned to meet the needs of the retirement market.

Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated (Alger) is pleased to announce the addition of two experienced retirement industry professionals, Eric Seidman, Vice President, and Jeff Vigilante, Assistant Vice President. The addition of Eric and Jeff will enhance Algers ability to partner with and support Defined Contribution Investment Only (DCIO) platforms, financial advisors, and intermediaries.

In their new positions, Eric and Jeff focus on growing Algers presence and assets on retirement platforms. Along with the existing retirement team and Algers Regional Marketing Managers, both Eric and Jeff will expand Algers service, support, and resources to investment professionals across the retirement landscape. In conjunction with Algers existing sales organization, they will also champion the firms DCIO initiatives with financial advisors.

The retirement industry continues to be a priority for Alger, especially as a greater number of plan sponsors and participants rely on defined contribution plans as their primary retirement savings vehicle. We recognize our recordkeeping partners and financial advisors need more support than ever before, said John Carbone, Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales and Service, who also leads Algers Retirement Markets business. By adding seasoned, dedicated and retirement-focused professionals to the team, Alger is better positioned to meet the needs of the retirement market.

Eric is a retirement plan veteran with a proven track record of success. He has more than nine years of experience working with retirement advisors and platforms, most recently as Vice President, Account Manager in Retirement Investment Solutions at Prudential Financial, Inc. Prior to that position, Eric held various retirement roles at Prudential, including Retirement Plan Relationship Manager, Associate Account Manager, and Internal Wholesaler. Eric graduated with a B.A. from Rutgers University. He holds securities registrations for Series 6, 7, and 63.

Jeff has more than six years of experience in the DCIO market, most recently as a Retirement Specialist for the DCIO channel at Prudential Investments. Prior to that, Jeff was a Senior Internal Wholesaler for the Wirehouse Channel at Prudential, and prior to that role, Jeff was a Financial Advisor with Thrivent Financial. Jeff graduated with a B.S. from Montclair State University. He holds securities registrations for Series 7 and 66.

In addition to adding resources to the DCIO and Retirement Markets team, Alger recently launched its value-add program for financial advisors who specialize in providing defined contribution plans for their clients, Think Further for Retirement. This unique program is designed to assist advisors in delivering much needed education about retirement for plan participants. The program also helps plan sponsors think differently about how to improve their retirement plan offering.

Both Eric and Jeff report directly to John Carbone.

About Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated

Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated, a broker-dealer, is the principal underwriter for the Alger family of mutual funds. Alger provides financial advisors and investors with access to a suite of growth equity mutual funds, as well as institutional funds for defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Available mutual funds include market-cap specific, focused, alternatives, international, emerging markets and sector-specific. For more information, please visit http://www.alger.com.
Nadia Murad Basee addresses the European Parliament. The EU must call for its prosecution and international accountability for ISIS, for example before the International Criminal Court, Tribunal, or a special court.

Tomorrow the European Parliament will award its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Nadia Murad and Lamya Haji Bashar.

The two Yazidi women were captured by ISIS in their home area of Sinjar, Iraq, in 2014. They escaped after several months of enslavement and now live in Germany.

Nadia Murad and Lamya Haji Bashar said: We are grateful and honoured to receive the Sakharov Prize, but the EU can and must do more. The EU must call this what it is: a genocide of our people.

The EU must call for its prosecution and international accountability for ISIS, for example before the International Criminal Court, Tribunal, or a special court.

We ask that the EU and all those concerned with the fate of Syria and Iraq establish a safe zone to protect the Yazidis, Christians and other vulnerable minorities in Sinjar and the Nineveh Plain.

If the world cant protect the Yazidis in our homeland, we ask Europe to give us a safe new home.

The United States recognised the ongoing genocide of the Yazidi by ISIS in March this year, and the United Nations in June. The EU has not yet formally acknowledged this genocide; the European Parliament is the only EU institution to have done so in February 2016, asking EU member states to take action.

104 Members of the European Parliament wrote to the High Representative of the EU, Federica Mogherini, to recognise the genocide targeting women and girls, and call for its prosecution. The letters co-authors, Lars Adaktusson (Sweden, EPP), Beatriz Becerra (Spain, ALDE), Sylvie Guillaume (France, S&D), Heidi Hautala (Finland, Greens/EFA), Virginie Roziere (France, S&D), and Marietje Schaake and Sophie in t Veld (Netherlands, ALDE) added: Together with 98 other colleagues, we ask the EU High Representative and Member States to officially recognise and call for the prosecution of this ongoing genocide.

The European Parliament recognised this genocide and called for a safe return zone in February. We hope Nadia and Lamya will receive more attention with this prize.

Nadia Murad is UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Human Trafficking Survivors, and laureate of the Council of Europe Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize 2016. She addressed the UN Security Council in December 2015, asking world leaders to stop ISIS.
China informed North Korea of the draft of UN Security Council Resolution 2321 prior to its adoption on Nov. 30 and urged the regime to refrain from further provocations.

A government official here told reporters on Sunday that Beijing notified Pyongyang of the resolution to warn that there should be no further provocations defying the UN.

The Chinese chief nuclear negotiator also told his South Korean counterpart last week that China will "faithfully implement" sanctions under the resolution, which among other things curb Chinas imports of cheap North Korean iron ore.

The official also said several major EU member states and others are discussing further sanctions and pressure against the North. They are expected to be imposed next week.

Meanwhile, a trilateral summit between South Korea, China, and Japan that planned next week will probably not go ahead this year as President Park Geun-hye faces impeachment over a massive corruption scandal and has been suspended.

"China had not made clear until last week whether it would take part in the summit," the official said. "Japan, the chair country, seems to believe that it would be difficult to hold the summit this year, but would like to hold it early next year."


Chevrolet Bolt EV SAE International is excited to expand our partnership with GM to build the future STEM workforce through the AutoDrive Challenge." - Chris Ciuca Director of Pre-Professional Programs at SAE International

SAE International and General Motors (GM) have partnered to headline sponsor AutoDrive ChallengeTM, the latest of SAE Internationals Collegiate Design Series.

This newly established, three-year autonomous vehicle competition will task students to develop and demonstrate a full autonomous driving passenger vehicle. The technical goal of the competition is to navigate an urban driving course in an automated driving mode as described by SAE Standard (J3016) level 4 definition by year three.

SAE International is excited to expand our partnership with GM to build the future STEM workforce through the AutoDrive Challenge, Chris Ciuca Director of Pre-Professional Programs at SAE International, Building on our success through programs like Formula SAE, the AutoDrive Challenge launches a new platform to engage industry and academia in working towards a common goal of preparing the brightest young minds for the future of autonomous technologies.

During the AutoDrive Challenge, students will focus on autonomous technologies and allow for modification and testing throughout the three-year competition. General Motors will provide a Chevrolet Bolt EV to competing schools to use as the platform for their autonomous vehicle solutions. The focus will be on real-world applications of sensing technologies, computing platforms, software design implementation and advanced computation methods such as: computer vision, pattern recognition, machine learning, artificial intelligence, sensor fusion and autonomous vehicle controls.

"AutoDrive Challenge is another way General Motors is preparing the next generation of automotive engineers," said Ken Kelzer, GM vice president of global vehicle components and subsystems. "By partnering with SAE, we will offer a unique experience for students to work with industry professionals to tackle the next big opportunity facing vehicle technology  autonomous driving."

Throughout the AutoDrive Challenge competition cycle, students and faculty will be invited to attend technology specific workshops to help them in their concept refinement and overall autonomous technical understanding. The competition will consist of up to 10 teams from select universities that were invited to participate in the inaugural competition. These foundational teams will be announced April 2017. The first of three yearly competitions will take place the following spring 2018.

About SAE International

SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession. By uniting over 127,000 engineers and technical experts, we drive knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of industries. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including programs like A World in Motion and the Collegiate Design Series. Find out more at http://www.sae.org.

About General Motors

General Motors Co. and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

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The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Education department, in conjunction with Fly Robotics, is proud to announce the release of our UAS 4 Public Safety course. This hands-on training course will provide public safety officers the knowledge needed to use UAS technology safely and effectively in their daily jobs.

The AMA is very pleased to partner with Fly Robotics on this effort in public safety. This will be a direct benefit of the new technology to all citizens.  AMA Director of Education, Bill Pritchett

Live Flight Training includes basic to intermediate flight skills training. Students are put through a series of flight exercises that test hand-eye coordination, as well as orientation management. Students then apply the skills they learn through a series of Live Flight Public Safety Scenarios. Each operator runs through a search-and-rescue mission, active shooter recon, suspicious package inspection, and structure fire site management training.

Our first responder and public safety officials perform tremendous duties on a daily basis. Anytime we can hand them a new tool set to assist them in doing their jobs more effectively and efficiently, its a win for all of us. Highly accurate information instantaneously available to a degree weve never experienced before means resources used more effectively, safer streets, and most importantly, more lives saved.Fly Robotics Director of Training, Tim Hurley

February 16-18, San Antonio

April 20-22, Indianapolis

June 22-24, Indianapolis

August 24-26, Indianapolis

October 26-28, Memphis, Tennessee

December 7-9, Jacksonville, Florida

For more information or to sign up to attend, visit http://amaflightschool.org/programs/public-safety-training.

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The Academy of Model Aeronautics serves as the nations collective voice for approximately 197,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in the US and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, AMA is a membership organization representing those who fly model aircraft for recreational and educational purposes. For more information, visit http://www.modelaircraft.org.
Drone Captured Orthomosaic of a Well Pad in Western Pennsylvania We had been investigating commercial done solutions for some time, and Identified provided the quickest and most cost effective point of entry into the market.

Identified Technologies, the leading provider of automatic commercial drone mapping and tracking for industrial job sites announced today it has been selected by Keystone Consultants, Inc. to support their energy client base. Established in 1991 Keystone is a rapidly growing multi-disciplined consulting firm which solves the issues of the energy business in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Historically, it would take a survey team about half day to survey each well pad. By using Identified Technologies, Keystone was able to survey 6 well pads in a single day and received their data in near real-time, increasing employee productivity by over 70%.

Currently, Keystone is working for a number of major energy companies, and will use Identified Technologies fully-integrated mapping and measuring systems to survey energy sites quickly, reduce capital expenditures, and avoid technological obsolescence. David Stewart, Vice President at Keystone said, We had been investigating commercial done solutions for some time, and Identified provided the quickest and most cost effective point of entry into the market. We considered doing this in-house, but we would have had to hire people who were used to processing this kind of data, and legally set ourselves up to do the work. Identified provided a very attractive mechanism to be up and running in a short period of time.

Dick Zhang, CEO of Identified Technologies comments Speed, simplicity and safety are the key reasons were the leading provider of automatic commercial drone mapping and tracking for industrial job sites. In a highly regulated industry like energy, drone mapping can significantly reduce injuries as the drone can go places your crew cannot. Generally, clients see survey savings of 70%-90% on their projects, and when you factor in avoided personnel injuries and early detection of problems, the value per job is often in the millions of dollars.

About Keystone Consultants, Inc.

Keystone Consultants, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based professional and technical firm established in 1991. Keystone provides creative and technical solutions for the complex problems of the energy and telecommunications industries. Keystone services include civil engineering, environmental permitting, surveying, right of way acquisition, and mapping/GIS. Privately held, Keystone fosters an entrepreneurial environment and a corporate culture focused on exceeding customer expectations, safety, quality delivery, and employee welfare.

About Identified Technologies

Industrial leaders choose Identified Technologies eeDaaS (end-to-end Drone as a Service) solution to track and optimize project progress by automatically capturing 3D job site updates at the push of a button. The Pittsburgh-based companys integrated hardware and software system provides aerial volumetric mapping updates 60 times faster than traditional methods, which can save clients up to 90%. The system automatically gathers processes, stores, and measures industrial projects for progress analysis and secure sharing with stakeholders for real-time action and collaboration.

For more information about Identified Technologies, please see the Summary Video

Additional photos available upon request
The State of Michigan is using research from VA Tech to claim progress that hasnt been achieved.

Melissa Mays, an affected resident of Flint and founder of Water You Fighting For, today announced that she is hosting a press conference at 10:30 AM Eastern Time, on Tuesday, December 13th, at the UA Local 370 Plumbers & Pipefitters hall, at 5500 W. Pierson Road in Flushing, MI. At the event, Ms. Mays will discuss how she and other affected residents believe that insufficient testing, manipulation of data and a lack of transparency from the State of Michigan have been used to determine policies which have adversely affected the people of Flint. This event will be streamed live on the Water You Fighting For Facebook page, and members of the media can call (712) 770-4340 using code 773715.

"The State has cited research claiming that 90-percent of the homes in Flint have lead levels of only 8 parts per billion (ppb) or less," said Melissa Mays. "At tomorrows event, I will present test results, which have been largely ignored, showing lead levels exceeding 1,700 ppb."

The State of Michigan is using research from VA Tech to claim progress that hasnt been achieved, added Mays. The research is not only incomplete and misleading, but the lab analysis - which was paid for by the State - has been spun in a manner that supports a pre-determined conclusion.

At tomorrows press conference, Ms. Mays will discuss how the testing procedures that have been used to support the States policy decisions reached just a small percent of the homes in Flint (154 homes out of 34,000). She will comment on why she believes the initial testing intentionally excluded high-risk homes. She will discuss why the nature of the testing (at the kitchen tap as opposed to at the water meter) provides inaccurate data. And she will share her views on the need for independent lab analysis that can document the full spectrum of contaminants and bacteria found in the water in Flint homes.

The VA Tech analysis simply reports on lead levels, but we need to know what other contaminants are in our water, so that we can tell our doctors what to look for, adds Mays.

At the event, Ms. Mays will also present details from control cities outside of Flint and previously unreleased results from Flint in August and September. She will contrast how bacteria testing and disinfection by-products that have been used in other cities compare to the testing and remediation efforts in Flint.

Earlier this year, Ms. Mays worked with Harold Harrington and Ben Ranger from the UA 370 Local Plumbers Union along with Scott Smith from Water Defense to test water in Flint. This comprehensive testing included testing water at water meters, water heaters, sinks and showers for a complete spectrum of chemicals and bacteria. The lab testing was done by an independent and certified laboratory, and the detailed lab reports have been provided to more than 20 residents in Flint. Ben Ranger, Harold Harrington, and Scott Smith will be in attendance at the press conference to answer questions and to support her presentation on behalf of all affected Flint residents.

For more information contact:

Melissa Mays

Water You Fighting For

(810) 423-3435

Melissa(at)wateryoufightingfor.com

Todd Keefe

For Immediate Release Public Relations

(617) 262 1968

Todd(at)firpr.com
Adrian Grenier, actor, clean energy advocate, a prominent actor from Entourage and founder of Lonely Whale Foundation announced today at the DivestInvest Culture event, that he is moving his business and personal finances to a values-based community bank and Certified B Corporation -- Beneficial State Bank (Beneficial State). Co-founded by Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor, Beneficial States clean energy lending projects to date have prevented carbon emissions equivalent to 43,406 passenger cars off the road for one year, or 169,000 acres of U.S. forests storing carbon for one year.

After researching the impact banks can have on the environment, I decided that divesting my investments wasnt enough, where my deposits are held is extremely important as well. After learning more about Toms bank and its commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice outcomes, I knew it was the best fit for me as a clean energy advocate. Theyve never invested in dirty energy and work hard to fund renewable energy enterprises. That is what I want my deposits to support. And, I challenge others to look at their financial institutions and find out if their deposits are funding projects that destroy our environment., Adrian commented.

Tom Steyer, Beneficial State Bank co-founder and Chairman, and NextGen founder said, We believe that banks should nourish their communities, not extract from them. That is why we work hard to transparently share our lending practices. We believe that banks can be profitable while balancing social justice outcomes and environmental sustainability. We are appreciative that Adrian is putting his money where his heart is, and accompanying us on this journey.

Beneficial State maintains that collectively, banks and investors have immense power to direct energy production. People can choose to fund clean, renewable energy and refuse to fund extractive and dirty energy sources like coal, oil, and gas. Beneficial State supports a renewable energy future and  through organizations like B Corporation, Global Alliance for Banking on Values and pledges like the Paris Pledge to Quit Coal  they are part of a movement to work with others to do the same.

We started in 2007 to foster an economy that is fully inclusive, racially and gender just, and environmentally restorative. Those ideals resonate deeply with Adrian and we are thrilled to partner with him in this capacity, added Kat Taylor, Beneficial State Bank Co-CEO and Co-founder.

Beneficial State created its impact website to evidence its commitment to radical transparency and vigorous measurement, which it believes is a key step in changing the banking system for good. Learn more at beneficialstate.org/impact.

# # #

About Beneficial State Bank

Beneficial State Bank is a social enterprise bank founded in 2007 with a triple-bottom-line focus of social justice, environmental resilience, and economic sustainability. Beneficial State is a state-chartered, federally regulated, for-profit banking organization whose economic interest is owned entirely by a non-profit foundation of the same name. Beneficial State is mandated to produce meaningful social justice and environmental benefits in an economically sustainable manner. In December 2010, it acquired ShoreBank Pacific. The merger greatly expanded the Banks reach on the West Coast and enhanced its capacity to serve its mission. ShoreBank Pacific, a pioneer of environmentally sustainable banking, served both Washington and Oregon. The joint forces produced an enlarged footprint covering a bio-regional territory some call the Salmon Nation and united the synergies of social justice and ecological banking. A few years later in October 2013, Beneficial State Bancorp completed a stock purchase transaction of 90% of Albina Community Bank, bringing a Portland-based community bank that has been investing in individuals, families, businesses, and local neighborhoods for over 20 years, into their family. In June of 2016, Beneficial State Bank acquired Pan American Bank. The combined 12-branch network now serves the California communities of Oakland, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, Porterville, Visalia, Modesto and additionally Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.

Beneficial State, a community development financial institution, has been a certified B Corporation since 2013 and has been honored as Best for the World, a designation reserved for the top 10% of all B Corps based on environmental, community and worker impact. Overall, Beneficial State is the #3 B Corp worldwide on the B Corp impact assessment. For additional information, visit http://www.beneficialstate.com.
Holiday Lights provides the perfect setting for officers to interact with those they serve

The Saint Paul Police Foundation's annual Holiday Lights in the Park event at St. Pauls Phalen Park is doing more than illuminating the night sky. The Foundation said today that it hopes to strengthen the relationship between citizens and law enforcement, with uniformed officers from across the city on hand to interact with visitors for each evening of Holiday Lights 40-night run.

With ongoing strains between citizens and law enforcement locally and nationwide, Holiday Lights provides the perfect setting for officers to interact with those they serve in hopes of further establishing a sense of partnership between residents and cops.

From 6 to 8 p.m. each evening, uniformed officers will be at the entrance to Holiday Lights greeting guests and thanking them for their support. In turn the officers hope that these few moments of holiday cheer and gratitude will help to strengthen the bond that is crucial to protecting and serving a city as diverse as St. Paul. Organizers hope that the opportunity for families, and especially children, to meet officers face-to-face will create new dialogues and cultivate higher levels of trust and cooperation.

Holiday Lights in the Park is the Midwests largest outdoor holiday light display and has illuminated Phalen Park since 2008. The lights will burn nightly until January 1, 2017. Visitors tour the 60-plus displays in the warm confines of their vehicle, making weather a non-factor. More than 20,000 cars have visited Holiday Lights in the Park in each of its eight previous seasons making it the areas largest nightly holiday celebration.

Through Holiday Lights the Saint Paul Police Foundation raises funds to make the St. Paul area safer for citizens and law enforcement officials. Funds support community engagement efforts, safety equipment and department outreach.

In the past eight years, Holiday Lights has raised more than $400,000 for a variety of St. Paul and East Metro nonprofits. This year, proceeds from the event will go to support the work of the Saint Paul Police Foundation. Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has raised nearly $5 million to help support numerous SPPD initiatives including providing lifesaving equipment, Shop with Cops, the Safe City Camera program, Cops and Kids program and a variety of resources for crime victims.

2016 Holiday Lights in the Park Police Meet and Greets at a glance:

What: Nightly visits from St. Paul Police Officers at Holiday Lights in the Park event.

When: Now thru January 1, 2017. Officers will be on hand from 6 to 8 p.m. each night.

Where: Phalen Park- 1615 Phalen Drive East, St. Paul, MN. Media is asked to enter via main gate to park.

Who: St. Paul Police officers and volunteers from the Saint Paul Police Foundation and other supporting organizations

About Holiday Lights:

Holiday Lights in the Park is a venture the Saint Paul Police Foundation with the sole purpose of creating a fun and affordable holiday event that raises funds to help protect the men and women who protect the residents of St. Paul. All of the net proceeds of the event will be distributed through the Saint Paul Police foundation to the St. Paul Police Department to provide enhanced safety and training to officers Holiday Lights in the Park is open nightly from November 22 to January 1, 2017 at St. Pauls Phalen Park. To purchase tickets you can visit our website: http://www.saintpaulpolicefoundation.com/, or for more information you can find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulpolicefoundation or follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StPaulPoliceFdn

CONTACTS:

Donna Swanson, executive director Holiday Lights in the Park

651.306.5405 donna.swanson(at)saintpaulpolicefoundation(dot)com

Robb Leer, media liaison Holiday Lights in the Park

612.701.0608 Robbl(at)leercommunication(dot)com

###
Cybereason, developers of the worlds only military-grade, real-time detection and response platform, today announced that Lior Div, the companys co-founder and CEO is joining Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on his administrations Economic Development Mission in Israel, taking place December 11-14.

Div will be participating in several events during the trade mission, including a roundtable on Monday with other CEOs titled What Israeli Startups Need to Know About the US & Global Markets. In total, more than fifty leaders and more than 20 presidents and chief executive officers in cybersecurity, digital health, public policy, academia and other industry sectors are on the trip. The mission is focused on leveraging the Commonwealths unique and innovative economic climate to welcome Israels global leadership in cybersecurity and digital health.

Massachusetts is one of the most innovative states in the nation and our unique economic relationship with Israel is a key driver to increase our competitiveness for the worlds emerging digital health and cyber security industries. This mission will provide opportunities to exchange ideas and showcase all Massachusetts has to offer, from a highly-educated and talented workforce, to top tier universities and a vibrant venture capital sector, as these startup Israeli businesses seek a home away from home to expand and create new jobs in the Commonwealth, said Governor Baker.

The biggest goal for me during my time in Israel with Governor Baker and other CEOs and leaders is to share my own start up experiences with the young Israeli entrepreneurs. I want to impress upon them that Bostons ecosystem will support their company in many dynamic ways. My fellow CEOs will be able to share similar stories about the vibrancy in the cybersecurity and digital health community in Massachusetts and the hands on support that organizations like the New England Israel Economic Business Council provide to young companies. It is important for entrepreneurs to know that Boston is the greatest city to call home, added Div.

Cybereason is the fastest growing cybersecurity company in Massachusetts. Its global headquarters are at 200 Clarendon Street, the renowned 62-story, 790-foot skyscraper formerly known as the John Hancock Building, a hallmark of Bostons vibrant economy. In the past 12 months, the company has grown its employee base more than 300 percent from 50 workers to more than 200. Cybereason expects to hire another 100 people in the next 12 months.

I am proud to call Massachusetts the home of Cybereason because there are many advantages to this state, including many top-tier universities, information security and technology companies and a deep talent pool. And with our bustling offices in Tel Aviv, London and Tokyo, calling Massachusetts our home makes a significant impact in both the management and stress reduction of our teams constant travel, according to Div.

About Cybereason:

Founded by members of the Israeli intelligence agencys elite cybersecurity Unit 8200, the Cybereason platform mirrors the founders expertise in managing some of worlds most complex hacking operations. The Cybereason Detection and Response Platform leverages big data, behavioral analytics and machine learning to uncover, in real-time, complex cyber attacks designed to evade traditional defenses. It automates the investigation process, connects isolated malicious events and visually presents a full malicious operation. The platform is available as an on-premise solution or a cloud-based service. Cybereason is privately held and headquartered in Boston with offices in London, Tel Aviv and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit:

Website: http://www.cybereason.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Cybereason

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cybereason

For more information, contact:

Bill Keeler

Director, Public Relations

bill(dot)keeler(at)cybereason(dot)com

(508) 414-7755 (cell)

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/cybereason
The author brilliantly developed three separate storylines that ultimately intersect and deliver an unimaginable perspective of one of the most storied characters of World War IIs Pacific theater.

Holiday shopping alert! The second edition of Wounded Tiger by T. Martin Bennett (http://www.woundedtiger.com) is the hottest military historical fiction new release. A history researcher and author, Bennett spent three years researching the unbelievable true story of the Japanese pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor before penning a screenplay (in development) and now the historical novel, Wounded Tiger. The second edition, released on Dec. 6, immediately ranked #1 on Amazons historical military fiction, historical biographical fiction and biographical fiction lists.

The new edition features more than 250 historical photos, maps and images, many never before seen or published, as well as 10,000 additional words of text.

Mitsuo Fuchida, the top Japanese pilot in the Imperial Japanese navy, was driven by a desire to gain respect for his nation. He would survive the Pearl Harbor attack and the rest of the war, but his life would be changed forever by an American bombardier who was a prisoner of Japan and by an American girl he never met.

Early on the morning of December 7, 1941, Fuchida peered out his airplanes cockpit window at his target below. Pearl Harbor. The pilot trained virtually his entire life for this moment, to lead the massive air attack on the United States.

"The story of Mitsuo Fuchida and his transformation is one of the most gripping stories of WWII and the Pacific War, and it's a story that few have heard about, said Donald M. Goldstein, Ph.D., and author of At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor and Miracle at Midway. Martin Bennett's new book, Wounded Tiger, brings this epic drama to life with new details on how a Doolittle raider, Jacob DeShazer, and a missionary's daughter, Peggy Covell, helped effect this change. This thrilling story of war and forgiveness is a must for all."

Fuchida had been taught to hate and despise Americans, and he felt duty calling on him to bring honor to his country. The culmination of his encounter with an American bombardier from Oregon imprisoned by Japan and his interaction with an American family living in Japan changed his view of America, led him toward Christian faith and ultimately brought him to the Unites States. A remarkable story!

In the same way that Fuchida found himself a wounded tiger, all of us are like the majestic tiger, Bennett says. We have the potential for great beauty and power, yet we find the wounds weve received from others or by our own choices hold us back from reaching who we could be.

Bennett presents an inspirational story of hope, perseverance, encouragement and love against the historic backdrop of World War II.

The author brilliantly developed three separate storylines that ultimately intersect and deliver an unimaginable perspective of one of the most storied characters of World War IIs Pacific theater, says Brown Books publisher Milli Brown. Wounded Tiger is just the sort of historic fiction story Brown Books Publishing Group is eager to deliver to readers.

For more information, please go to http://www.woundedtiger.com.

Media Contact: Brian Briscoe, brian.briscoe(at)theagencyatbb(dot)com, 972.248.9500.

About Brown Books Publishing Group (BBPG)

Founded in 1994 as an Entrepreneurial Publisher for Entrepreneurial Authors, Brown Books Publishing Group was established to fill a need in the publishing world by allowing authors to have a voice in the publishing process while retaining the rights to their intellectual property. Applying this innovative Relationship Publishing model, Brown Books has cultivated a prestigious stable of authors, from New York Times bestsellers to Pulitzer Prize winners and more. Boasting hundreds of high-quality books across genres, Brown Books is a fiercely independent publisher that encourages author empowerment. In 1994, Brown Books ushered in A New Era in Publishing, and more than two decades later, continues to be a successful innovative leader in the publishing industry. For more information, please visit http://www.BrownBooks.com.

About The Agency at Brown Books (ABB)

As a subsidiary of Brown Books Publishing Group, The Agency at Brown Books is backed by more than 20 years of publishing excellence, leveraged in the first full-service public relations, marketing, branding and distribution provider within a publishing house. The Agency provides high-level public relations, marketing and distribution services for not only Brown Books authors, but also non-affiliated authors, all within the same house. For more information, please visit http://www.TheAgencyatBB.com.
ALHs success triggered our search for stronger hotel-specific accounting, forecasting, and business intelligence systems to help us hit our property goals.

American Liberty Hospitality (ALH) implemented Aptech Computer Systems suite of financial management systems to support its focus on owner profitability. ALH spoke to several hotel companies about their financial and operational software before selecting Aptechs hotel software. ALH installed Aptechs entire suite of products, Profitvue enterprise accounting, Execuvue Business Intelligence (BI), and Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting.

Nick Massad, Jr. and his wife Vicki purchased American Liberty Hospitality 26 years ago on a foundation of service to its owners and investors. They worked hard, hired good people and treated every penny as if it were their own. Today American Liberty Hospitality (ALH) operates 20 properties with Hilton, IHG and other flags in Texas and Louisiana. The company is a real American success story.

ALH began with limited service properties. Today, we operate a 20-property portfolio for multiple owners and investors. We are price conscious operators, said Craig D. Kaplan vice president of corporate operations for ALH. Our management and development decisions are based on owner wellbeing regardless of property or brand. We manage each property as if the owner is us.

Kaplan said. As we expanded it was clear that our financial system was not designed for multi-property operations. ALHs owners wanted timely performance reports and the companys executive team wanted greater visibility into daily property operations for decision making. ALHs success triggered our search for stronger hotel-specific accounting, forecasting, and business intelligence systems to help us hit our property goals, said Kaplan.

Timely Business Intelligence analysis is essential for any hotel company that manages by the numbers to reach its goals, Kaplan said. With Aptech we do same-day performance reporting. Profitvue automatically collects property audit data and seamlessly flows it into Execuvue for analysis and a variety of ownership and management reports.

Aptechs Execuvue definitely makes our operation more efficient. This benefits our owners, Kaplan said. We provide actionable property performance analysis reports whenever needed. The system lets us identify and act immediately on issues that may affect profitability. These hotel software financial tools make us proactive managers who are able to intelligently achieve our owners goals. Now we optimize property performance with strategies based on actual performance.

Aptech was also a factor in other areas of American Libertys business. As ALH evolved with the new financial platform we found more highly qualified executives to join our team, Kaplan said. We changed from a small company with staff who knew how to audit a hotel, to a group of management professionals who understood how to put BI data to work for owners. ALH uses Aptechs Targetvue to smoothly create efficient and accurate budgets and forecasts. The company communicates property financials with Profitvue Enterprise Financial Accounting and Webvue remote access to instantly communicate between properties and ALHs corporate offices. Aptechs systems may be premise-based or remotely hosted. Aptech hosts American Liberty Hospitalitys systems and data at its secure network operation center.

Aptechs people have a wealth of hotel operations experience based on their work with hundreds of companies, said Cindy Decker, Vice President of Revenue Management for Houston-based American Liberty. We meet with them to brainstorm strategies and create goals for the next 12 months. Our objective is to leverage the best technology to create the greatest profitability for our owners.

Kaplan agreed, saying, Prospective owners are impressed by how we use Aptechs solutions to create a highly effective management process that delivers a profit. Aptech is not just a vendor to us, it is a partner. We have a collaborative relationship and that creates success for our owners and all others involved.

Aptech is the leading provider of hotel software for business intelligence, budgeting, and enterprise financial accounting. Click here for more on Aptechs products and services.

About American Liberty Hospitality

American Liberty Hospitality (ALH) is a family owned and operated, hotel management and development company. Led by owners Nick and Vicki Massad, the company is incredibly passionate about all aspects of the hospitality industry. Its focus is always on people; the guests its privileged to serve, the team members who make that possible, and the investors with whom ALH is proud to partner. Its senior management at the corporate level average 20 plus years of tenure with ALH and its hands-on approach to daily operations yields tangible, positive results. As hotel operators at our core, ALH has also been very successful at developing new construction projects for many years. Most ALH executives are graduates of The Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston.

About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.

The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider.

Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include Profitvue, Execuvue, Webvue and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue and Profitvue are registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit http://www.aptech-inc.com.
2016 Iowa Venture Award Winners "It was exciting to note...all the award winners were serviced by local Rural Electric Cooperatives & Independent Telephone Companies," said Marcie Boerner, Office Manager WCCTA. "We're very happy to see the Bauer family continue to reinvest in Paton. Past News Releases RSS Pick-It Bowl Challenge Is Now...

Thanksgiving Free Movie Preview...

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative...

Concrete Machinery Inc. of Iowa is being recognized for their new 185,000 sq. ft. facility, located on a 42 acre site, in Paton, Iowa. Concrete Manufacturing already employs 40 people, expecting to reach 60 soon. The company will ultimately produce over 17 pieces of cement road construction equipment, including road mills, slip form pavers, compactors, and portable and stationary mixing equipment. Many pieces of equipment weigh as much as 14 tons, and can cost upwards of $1 million per unit.

With this new facility, and their former facility (Bauer Built, Mfg. Inc., sold to John Deere,) Paton, Iowa now boasts over 500,000 sq. ft. of world leading manufacturing space. The Bauers have also started a restaurant, gas and convenience store, and a trucking company specializing in the shipping and delivery of oversized, permit requiring equipment. Concrete Machinery Inc. of Iowa was nominated for the Iowa Venture Award by Midland Power Cooperative.

The Iowa Venture Awards Luncheon provides a forum to celebrate the courage, contribution, innovation responsibility and vision of Iowa entrepreneurs, said IADG President Rand Fisher. IADG, on behalf of our sponsors, is proud to recognize these seven outstanding companies for their contribution to their community, region and state.

Five additional businesses were recognized with an Iowa Venture Award for their significant contributions in diversifying and strengthening Iowas economy. These 2016 Iowa Venture Award recipients include: Bratney Companies of Marshalltown; Christensen Farms & Feedlots, Inc. of Garner; Great Lakes Communication Corp. of Spencer; Maassen Dairy Farms of Maurice; and Mogler Farms/Pig Hill West of Alvord. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Bill Northey, assisted in presenting the Iowa Venture Awards and honoring the Iowa companies and their leaders.

The 2016 Outstanding Business of the Year Iowa Venture Award was presented to Iowa Fertilizer, located in rural Lee County, near Wever, Iowa. Iowa Fertilizer is historic in many ways, including being the states largest single-site construction project spanning 500 acres with capital investment of $2 billion. This is the first greenfield nitrogen fertilizer facility constructed in the United States in 30 years. The plant is expected to deliver 1.5 to two million metric tons of fertilizer products annually to farmers in Iowa and the Midwest. During construction, Iowa Fertilizer utilized more than 3,000 construction workers and created more than 700 ancillary jobs that helped revitalize the economy of the surrounding region. It is expected that the number of permanent employees will exceed 200 and have a lasting positive impact on the region. Iowa Fertilizer was nominated for a Venture Award by Access Energy Cooperative.

For 29 years, IADG has presented Iowa Venture Awards to individuals and organizations, both large and small, in recognition of their significant contributions to Iowa's economy through entrepreneurial leadership, innovation and the creation of job opportunities. History has demonstrated that these are among the most accomplished and successful companies in the state. Together they are helping to sustain and grow Iowas economy. The Iowa Venture Award Hall of Fame showcasing these 248 companies can be found at http://www.IADG.com/HallOfFame.

IADG is the business and community development leader for Iowas rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and independent telecommunication companies. Since 1985, the Powerful Partnerships and economic development efforts of IADG and their sponsors have assisted with more than 2,000 projects, generating in excess of $10.15 billion of capital investment and over 51,500 new or retained jobs for Iowa.

"It was exciting to note that this year all the award winners were serviced by local Rural Electric Cooperatives and Independent Telephone Companies," said Marcie Boerner, Office Manager WCCTA. "We're very happy to see the Bauer family continue to reinvest in the Paton community."

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association is located at 1106 Beek Street, Gowrie, IA 50543. It has a Fiber driven network and provides landline telephone, Internet and digital television service to the Iowa communities of Gowrie, Pilot Mound, Vincent, Thor, Churdan, Knierim, Somers, Barnum, Duncombe,Farnhamville, Badger, Clare, Moorland, Boxholm, Lanyon and http://www.wccta.net. #thisisfortdodge
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on its website that China is suspending imports of coal from the North from Sunday until Dec. 31. But it will permit customs clearance of coal shipments that has already been sent or arrived in Chinese ports.

Beijing on Saturday said it will suspend coal imports from North Korea until the end of this year to implement fresh UN Security Council sanctions adopted on Nov. 30.

The new resolution stipulates that the North's coal exports must not exceed US$53.5 million or 1 million tons, whichever is lower, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 31, and $400.87 million or 7.5 million tons per year from Jan. 1 next year.

Beijing took just 10 days after the resolution was adopted to suspend imports because they have already exceeded the annual limit. China took up to six months before it acted on previous resolutions.

A resolution in March already banned shipments of North Korean coal but left a back door open for "livelihood" purposes, which meant China's imports continued more or less as before.

Under the new curbs the North's annual coal exports will dwindle by about $700 million a year from some $1.1 billion.

Wu Dawei, China's chief nuclear negotiator, told his South Korean counterpart Kim Hong-kyun in a meeting Friday that Beijing will "faithfully implement" the latest resolution.


Kane County Attorneys Jeffrey D. Muntz & Robin Zandri Kane County Family Law Attorneys Jeffrey D. Muntz and Robin Zandri of Goostree Law Group, P.C. have been recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network.

The St. Charles family law firm of Goostree Law Group, P.C. is pleased to announce that the Leading Lawyers Network has recognized Attorneys Jeffrey D. Muntz and Robin Zandri for their professional excellence and customer service. Muntz was named a 2016 Emerging Lawyer, and Zandri has earned the title of Leading Lawyer. They join Partner Tricia D. Goostree, who was also named a Leading Lawyer, and Attorney Anthony J. Giudice, who was recognized as an Emerging Lawyer earlier this year.

The Leading Lawyers Network is a division of the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. The Leading Lawyers distinction places attorneys among the top family law practitioners in the state of Illinois. On an annual basis, five percent of attorneys in each state are selected as Leading Lawyers based on peer surveys and a formal review process conducted by the organizations Advisory Board.

St. Charles Attorney Jeffrey D. Muntz is an equity partner at Goostree Law Group, P.C. He graduated from Saint Ambrose University with a B.A. in Business Management and Organizations, and went on to obtain his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law. He primarily concentrates his practice in family law matters including divorce and complex divorce, spousal maintenance, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, and litigation. Prior to joining Goostree Law Group, P.C., Muntz worked as a prosecutor at the DuPage County States Attorneys Office. In 2006, he was named the countys Outstanding Misdemeanor Prosecutor. Muntz is a certified Guardian ad Litem, and is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association. Muntz was named a 2016 10 Best Attorney in the practice areas of criminal law and family law.

St. Charles Lawyer Robin Zandri is a partner at Goostree Law Group, P.C. She brings over 20 years of family law experience to the firm. She graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and went onto attend Northern Illinois University College of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Juris Doctorate. Zandri focuses her legal practice in family law, more specifically, on matters pertaining to spousal maintenance, child custody, visitation, paternity, and adoption. She is also a veteran litigator with extensive experience in handling complex divorce matters. Zandri is a member of the Kane County Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association. This year she was named a 10 Best Attorney by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, and is rated as a Top Divorce and Family Law Attorney on AVVO.

About Goostree Law Group, P.C.:

Goostree Law Group, P.C. is located in St. Charles, Illinois. The premier Northern Illinois family law firm represents individuals and families located throughout the suburbs of Chicago including the cities of: St. Charles, Batavia, Geneva, Oswego, Aurora, and Wheaton.

The experienced litigators at Goostree Law Group, P.C. handle a wide-range of legal matters including: divorce, child custody, child support, property division, adoption, paternity, spousal maintenance, and domestic violence. If you are seeking compassionate and effective family law representation contact Goostree Law Group, P.C. today. Call 630-584-4800 or visit the firms website at http://www.familydivorcelaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
Hyundai Merchant Marine unexpectedly failed to join by the world's biggest container-shipping alliance 2M, dealing a further blow to Korea's ailing shipping industry.

Instead Hyundai reached a cargo agreement with 2M on Sunday to share surplus capacity and purchase cargo slots.

Once the world's sixth largest, Korea's shipping industry now looks set for a place among the also-rans as capacity to handle containers in ports dwindles. Consisting of giants Maersk and MSC, 2M handles one-third of global seaborne cargo under a route-sharing alliance.

Hyundai on Sunday said it is exploring "new ways of cooperation" with 2M.

The firm takes comfort in the thought that it is the first Korean company to forge a partnership with the alliance, but industry insiders say anything short of official membership is a setback.


At age 78 and as the oldest prosecutor in California, Timothy Oliver Stoen decided it was time to write his memoir to give hope to people who have made huge mistakes in their livesto give them hope that their lives are not over.

In 1970, Stoen, who graduated from Stanford Law School and worked as an assistant district attorney in California, joined a utopian movement called the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ and became the pro-bono attorney for its leader, Jim Jones. After seven years and a falling out with Jones, Stoen left the group, while the majority of the cult migrated to the Jonestown settlement located in Guyana. In 1978, over 900 Jonestown inhabitants died in the now-infamous mass poisoning. Among the dead was Stoen's six-year-old son.

The grief and guilt Stoen felt following Jonestown led to a decade-long depression. Stoen says writing his memoir, Marked for Death: My War with Jim Jones, the Devil of Jonestown, was difficult because he had to revive memories that had been pretty much buried. However, he says the situation was manageable because I felt Gods forgiveness for all my mistakes, and because I had encouragement from people who love me. Additionally, he spread the writing process over nine years, so that when the memories got too much he could take a break and later get back to it."

After finishing Marked for Death, Stoen found a literary agent who tried to sell the book, but many of the younger people Stoen encountered in the publishing industry told him they had never heard of Jonestown. Eventually, his agent encouraged him to self-publish, which Stoen did despite fears that it would be difficult for his memoir to find a wide readership.

And while Stoen recognizes that he should have hired an someone to help him market and promote the book from the outset, he is pleased with the reviews Marked for Death has received, including one from Publishers Weekly that called the book a deeply moving memoir.

We asked Stoen to share his advice for other indie authors:

Honesty Matters

Make sure your book is honest even if it is not a tell-allMore than one publisher [pressured me] to go into intimate details on my marriage to my former wife, Grace. In the book I tried to make the main point clear: that the breakup was entirely due to my wrongful pressures on her to become a principled socialistAny specific arguments we had on that score were confidences, and were irrelevant since I owned up in the book to my being in the wrong. Bottom line is that I love Grace, and when you love someone you dont violate confidences.

Research Is Important

Make sure your book is well documented and, if you are [writing about a controversial or historical matter in which you were involved and] using diary entries and documents not publicly known, have them presented to a neutral library (in my case, the California Historical Society) for readers to verify. Also, go to the expense of hiring an indexer.

Write in Your Own Voice

Use a vocabulary that is natural to you, even if above the recommended level. In my case I quoted from a lot of diary entries, so it would have been a jolt to dumb down my vocabulary between such quotes.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Hydro Grow LLC, which is working on a refrigerator-sized automated device to grow vegetables in consumers' homes, took top honors and $5,000 at the Schurz Innovation Challenge Dec. 8 at Purdue University.

The three-person team consists of Purdue students Scott Massey, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering technology; Ivan Ball, a senior majoring in electrical engineering technology; and Jimmy Carlson, a sophomore majoring in computer science.

Their device grows plants in pods placed within slots on a tower housed within a glass-enclosed case. The design allows the plants to grow at an accelerated rate. The company also plans to sell the pods.

"We want to eliminate consumers' dependence on grocery stores by providing them an aesthetically-appealing appliance that grows enough organic produce to meet their needs," Massey said. "A NASA research project that Ivan and I worked on at Purdue got us interested in hydroponics. Jimmy came on board soon after that."

Hydro Grow is looking for marketing channels and strategic partners as the founders move toward production in January.

"It's hard to pick a market for this," Massey said. "There's the food industry, the hydroponics industry, the electronics industry; it's a diverse area that crosses a lot of different markets."

Viratect placed second in the competition and also was chosen as the crowd favorite. That group walked away with $3,500 and $500, respectively, for each award.

The two-person team of Katherine Clayton, a fifth-year doctoral student in mechanical engineering, and Andrew Witten, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, has created a platform of disease diagnostics at the point of care that can be used to predict the next outbreak of a disease around the world.

The device consists of a blood sample reader that fits over the camera of a smartphone and an app with an algorithm that can determine if there is a pathogen and what it is.

"We got involved in the Schurz competition because we really wanted to get our names out there and are very excited about our idea," Clayton said.

Third place was awarded to Moisture Sensor Networked to Smartphones, whose smart phone app is designed to measure the moisture in grain for farmers in developing countries that do not have access to moisture meters.

They received $1,500 for third place.

Schurz Communications Inc. sponsors the competition, which is organized by Purdue Foundry. It provides participants the opportunity to test their creativity and skills in developing innovative ideas in media technology. Participants developed and demonstrated prototypes that were judged by a panel of entrepreneurs and media professionals. Thirteen teams competed in this semester's competition, and each team was required to have at least one Purdue graduate student or undergraduate student.

About Schurz Communications Inc.

Schurz Communications Inc., is a Mishawaka, Indiana-based news and information company that consists of cable, newspaper publishing and digital media. The company publishes daily and weekly newspapers in medium and small markets. It also owns cable companies and phone directories. Geographically, Schurz Communications has a presence in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

About Purdue Foundry

The Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship and commercialization hub in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship whose professionals help Purdue innovators create startups. The Purdue Foundry is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year from the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org

Purdue Research Foundation Contact: Curt Slyder, 765-588-3342, caslyder@prf.org

Sources: Scott Massey, hydrogrow.site@gmail.com

Katherine Clayton, claytok@purdue.edu
Monsignor Anthony Marchitelli Dead at 72; Gentleman & Scholar His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of the New York Archdiocese, will be in Putnam County on Friday officiating over the funeral mass for the...

Election Day in Putnam County More than 74,000 Putnam residents are eligible to go to the polls next Tuesday, November 8, to cast ballots for a variety of federal, state,...

Putnam Valley Man Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter in Pac Crash A 74-year-old Putnam Valley man is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated following a single-car crash in Mahopac. Carmel Police were summoned...
WASHINGTON (AP)  Congress' top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIA's belief that Russia meddled in last month's election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.

Meanwhile, Trump said he would announce his choice for secretary of state Tuesday morning. He has chosen Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, two people close to Trump's transition said Monday night, insisting on anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the decision ahead of that announcement.

Congressional GOP leaders steered toward a path contrasting starkly with the president-elect's belittling dismissal of the CIA and his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The Russians are not our friends," declared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Senate's intelligence panel, led by Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct a bipartisan inquiry, according to McConnell, who also expressed support for a related probe by the Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Though declining to say whether he believes Russia tried tilting the election toward Trump, McConnell said, "I hope that those who are going to be in positions of responsibility in the new administration share my view" about Moscow.

Shortly afterward, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a statement backing an investigation the House Intelligence Committee has already started on cyber threats posed by foreign countries and extremist groups. He called any Russian intervention "especially problematic because under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests."

Underscoring the possible collisions ahead between Trump and the men leading his party in Congress, McConnell and Ryan struck tones markedly more confrontational toward Russia than he has.

Trump on Sunday called the CIA's contention "ridiculous" and blamed the disclosures concerning its assessment on Democrats who he said were embarrassed over losing last month's election.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., released a letter Monday to National Intelligence Director James Clapper complaining that recent reports of the CIA's conclusion clashed with Clapper's prior statement that he lacked "good insight" about the connection between Russian hacking of Democratic campaign documents and their release by WikiLeaks. Nunes requested a briefing on the subject for this week.

The GOP leaders expressed their views after a weekend in which Trump also said he would not need daily intelligence briefings, a staple of presidents' days for decades and a flouting of a convention common for presidential transitions.

The president-elect continued his cavalcade of meetings in his Trump Tower offices in New York on Monday with potential appointees for his new administration and other leading GOP, congressional and corporate figures. Among them was Carly Fiorina, who unsuccessfully vied with Trump this year for their party's nomination.

Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, was there to discuss national security issues and is seen by some Trump advisers as a candidate to be director of national intelligence, overseeing the government's 17 intelligence agencies. She chaired an external CIA advisory board under President George W. Bush but has not worked for the federal government.

Fiorina said her conversation with Trump included "hacking, whether it's Chinese hacking or purported Russian hacking."

Others meeting with Trump included moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, No. 3 House GOP leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another GOP presidential contender whom Trump defeated.

The campaign chairman for defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged the Obama administration Monday to reveal what it knows about any Russian efforts to help Trump win. John Podesta, whose emails were stolen and posted online, said the administration "owes it to the American people" to release details of the intrusions, which included the hacking of Democratic Party files.

Podesta said the Clinton campaigns also supports a call by 10 of the 538 members of the Electoral College for Clapper to provide information that intelligence agencies have gathered on the subject.

All 10 are unlikely to vote for Trump when the Electoral College meets next Monday. Nine are Democrats, and Texas Republican Chris Suprun has said he won't vote for Trump.

Other Democrats calling for congressional investigations of Russia's role in the elections include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

"There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions," she said.

McConnell said he has "the highest confidence" in U.S. intelligence agencies and said it "defies belief" that Senate Republicans would be reluctant to scrutinize Russian tactics. He recounted Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, said Baltic nation leaders are nervous about Moscow and pointedly praised NATO, the alliance that Trump criticized repeatedly during his campaign.

"I think we ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well," McConnell said.

In a nod to the Trump assertion about Democrats' motives, Ryan said the congressional inquiries "should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election."

As expected, Trump's transition team formally announced he would name Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, 56, to head the White House National Economic Council. The council provides policy advice to the president.

Trump's team also said he'd picked Gen. John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly is a former commander of U.S. Southern Command.
President Park Geun-hye was holed up in her official residence on Sunday after the National Assembly voted to impeach her over a massive corruption scandal.

Park was immediately stripped of her powers after Friday's vote and is expected to hunker down in the shelter of her official immunity until the Constitutional Court rules on the impeachment bill.

In a Cabinet meeting after the vote, Park was quoted as saying she would respond "calmly" to the Constitutional Court's decision and an ongoing investigation by an independent counsel -- a clear hint that she is refusing to resign earlier.

Aides said the president was "resting and reading."

Park is putting together a legal team to argue her case in the Constitutional Court. Cheong Wa Dae officials were shocked by the huge margin with which the impeachment bill passed but still seem to be hoping for a shift in public sentiment as the courts deliberations drag on.

The court has asked Park to submit a written defense by Friday.
G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now!
The 241km 53-stadtion network currently carries around 87 million passengers per year.

MTR already operates and maintains the Stockholm Metro and the MTR Express intercity service between Stockholm and Gothenburg.

MTR Pendeltagen will be responsible for commuter rail train operations, station management, and rolling stock maintenance under a 10-year concession with a four-year extension option awarded by Stockholm County Council in December 2015.

The relevant transport and infrastructure authorities will be working with MTR on the opening of the newly built Stockholm City line in 2017 which will provide a dedicated tunnel for commuter trains through central Stockholm and two new stations.

New trains will also be added to the Stockholm Pendeltag fleet.
The line, which is served by routes 51 and 53, runs west from Mainzer Schlag near the citys main station to Lerchenberg, serving 16 stations, and has three reversing loops.

Construction has cost around 90m, which is 20m more than forecast when work began in 2014.
The 57.1 km tunnel was handed over by constructor AlpTransit to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) in June, and this was followed by an intensive period of testing.

The timetable change means that passengers journey times will be cut by around 30 minutes, and freight services will have their train path capacity raised from 180 to 210 trains per day.

Only air-conditioned ICN and ETR 610 multiple units will use the Gotthard Base Tunnel until late 2019 when they will be joined by the new Stadler Giruno trains.

The number of Zurich to Milan services has increased from seven to eight per day with journey times reduced by 37 minutes to 3h 36min. The new timetable also includes a new Basle - Arth-Goldau - Milan service.

Direct services between Zurich and Venice will be introduced in June 2017.

SBB also introduced panoramic services on the original Gotthard mountain route from December 11, with trains running from Basle, Lucerne and Zurich and RegioExpress trains from Ticino now operating to Erstfeld and back every hour.

Peak time direct through connections from Basle and Zurich to Goschenen are also being retained.

The first timetabled train through the Gotthard Base Tunnel was the EuroCity 11 which left Zurich on December 11 at 06.09 for southern Switzerland. It was carrying guests including director of the Swiss Federal office of Transport Mr Peter Fuglistaler and SBB CEO Mr Andreas Meyer.

Lugano station then played host to the official ceremony marking the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel in an event entitled Switzerland comes together. Fuglistaler and Meyer joined president of Uri Cantonal Council Mr Beat Jorg and many other guests to celebrate the longest railway tunnel in the world opening for service.

The modernised Lugano station was also opened. SBB and the cantonal and city authorities spent a total of SFr 23m ($US 22.6m) on the refurbishment.

When the Ceneri Base Tunnel and the 4-metre corridor are operational freight capacity will be increased on the Gotthard corridor to 260 trains per day and journey times for Switzerland - Italy passenger services will be cut by up to an hour. Trains will run between Switzerland and Ticino every half hour while Zurich - Milan services will run hourly.

A new Lugano - Locarno express will be operational by the end of 2020, and journeys on the Leventina district - Lugano/Mendrisiotto line will be up to 30 minutes faster.

Ticino will receive an investment of over SFr 2bn from SBB by 2030.
The National Assembly on Friday passed a bill to impeach President Park Geun-hye by a vote of 234 to 56. The entire opposition and some 60 ruling-party lawmakers backed the motion in a ballot that shocked Cheong Wad Dae officials who had been hoping for lingering "shy" support for the president.

Park was immediately stripped of all her powers while caretaker Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn assumed the reins. The president must now wait until the Constitutional Court rules on the impeachment bill, which could take up to six months.

In a Cabinet meeting just before the impeachment vote, Park dropped a broad hint that she is in no mind to forgo the immunity of office even if all else is taken away, saying she will respond "calmly" to the Constitutional Court's decision and ongoing investigation by an independent counsel.

Korea has been rattled by an unprecedented influence-peddling and corruption scandal over the past two months. Park's longtime confidante, Choi Soon-sil, used her connection to the president to meddle in state affairs from the appointment of key officials to pressuring big businesses to cough up money for two dubious foundations she established.

In the impeachment bill, the National Assembly accuses Park of "violating the Constitution by betraying the trust the public had placed in her." Prosecutors have already named Park as an accomplice to Choi's misdeeds and the eager smoothing of her path by Cheong Wa Dae lackeys An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong.

The public is outraged and Park's approval ratings have dwindled to nothing. She made three mealy-mouthed addresses to the nation over the last two months to half apologize for something-or-other -- "carelessness" was one typically ill-chosen word -- and offered to step down early, but public anger remains unabated. And now she has saddled Korea with the second impeachment process of a president since 2004. This is a tragedy for the country.

The behavior of the Korean public during the protests that led to the impeachment vote was exemplary. Unprecedented crowds gathered in downtown Seoul for several weekends, but they remained peaceful and good-humored, stopped any rogue protesters from getting out of hand and even voluntarily cleaned up after themselves.

No injuries or arrests were reported, and this in a country where demonstrators have in the past armed themselves with sticks and stones at the drop of a hat. This demonstrates a whole new level of civic maturity in the Korean public and deserves to be remembered as an honorable milestone in the country's modern history.

If only our politicians were as mature. The country faces serious economic and security threats and must now be headed by a caretaker prime minister who has already tendered his resignation over separate dodgy dealings.

Meanwhile the opposition is busy making hay. Moon Jae-in, the ex-leader of the Minjoo Party who fancies his chances as the next president, continues to demand that Park step down immediately and says the impeachment bill is just the beginning in the process of seeking justice for the country. Other opposition presidential hopefuls are saying the same thing.

But the impeachment bill is the Constitutional process that the opposition asked for. Responsible lawmakers must obey the law they themselves invoked; otherwise the whole process has been for nothing.

The prime minister now shoulders immense responsibilities but is unlikely to do more than keep the mechanisms ticking over. If Hwang encounters any unexpected economic and security crises, he must consult with the opposition.

The entire strength of Korea's institutions is being put to the test. The government must maintain national stability in the absence of the president, and the National Assembly must learn to cooperate across party lines. If those efforts fail, this honorable uprising could still result in chaos.

Korea has entered uncharted waters, and its only compass is the rule of law. All must follow that compass. An honorable outcome is only possible if everyone from now on acts with the strictest probity.


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For many administrators and educators, it's no surprise that evidence shows principals can have a positive impact on student achievement. With new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) rules allowing funds to be spent on strengthening school leadership, states and school districts have more opportunities to establish and support such programs. Both the law and common sense require states and districts to direct resources toward interventions that have shown evidence of effectiveness. ESSA establishes four tiers of evidence that are used to determine the effectiveness of an intervention. As we discovered during a recent review of ESSA requirements and the existing body of evidence for school leadership interventions, how evidence requirements are interpreted could have significant implications for gaining access to funds.

The first three evidence tiers are relatively straightforward. Tier I (strong evidence) requires at least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental study (a randomized controlled trial). Tier II (moderate evidence) requires at least one well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study (such as a study that creates an equivalent comparison group either with nonrandomly assigned participants or by analyzing existing data and comparing those exposed to the intervention with those who were not). Tier III (promising evidence) requires at least one well-designed and well-implemented correlational study (such as a study that uses existing data to examine the relationship between the intervention and one or more relevant outcomes) that controls for selection bias. Our review finds that there is promising to strong evidence that interventions focused on leadership evaluation systems, principal preparation, professional learning, school autonomy, and school reform are linked to improvements in student outcomes.

Interpretation of the evidence definition becomes a little less certain in tier IV, which requires that an activity, strategy, or intervention demonstrate a rationale based on high-quality research or a positive evaluation that suggests it is likely to improve student or other relevant outcomes. In addition, tier IV activities require ongoing efforts to evaluate the effects of the activity, strategy, or intervention. The Department of Education released a non-regulatory guidance in September that provides a bit more detail on what, exactly, constitutes a rationale. Specifically, it calls for a theory of action (i.e., a logic model, showing how the intervention should affect the outcomes) that provides a well-specified conceptual framework identifying key components (i.e., active ingredients) of the proposed intervention and describes the relationships among the key components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.

Consistent with ESSA and the department's new guidance, we developed an approach to identify tier IV-supported school leadership interventions, and used this new approach to update our April report, School Leadership Interventions Under the Every Student Succeeds Act: Volume IA Review of the Evidence Base, Initial Findings.

What might administrators and educators expect could be covered by ESSA evidence tiers I through IV? Key findings from our revised report may provide some answers:

Two tools that evaluate school leaders the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education and Marzano School Leadership Evaluation Modelare built on well-specified, research-based logic models that indicate the tools may have positive effects on school leaders.

the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education and Marzano School Leadership Evaluation Modelare built on well-specified, research-based logic models that indicate the tools may have positive effects on school leaders. Two principal preparation programs New Leaders and the Texas Principal Excellence Programhave tier II evidence, indicating that they may improve principal leadership behaviors and/or student achievement. In addition, based on tier IV-relevant logic models, a number of other principal-preparation programs that have been studied would likely have positive impacts.

New Leaders and the Texas Principal Excellence Programhave tier II evidence, indicating that they may improve principal leadership behaviors and/or student achievement. In addition, based on tier IV-relevant logic models, a number of other principal-preparation programs that have been studied would likely have positive impacts. Professional learning interventions such as McREL's Balanced Leadership Program and the National Institute for School Leadership Executive Development Program have tier I or tier II support, and there is some evidence that additional professional learning programs are supported by tier-IV research-based logic models.

such as McREL's Balanced Leadership Program and the National Institute for School Leadership Executive Development Program have tier I or tier II support, and there is some evidence that additional professional learning programs are supported by tier-IV research-based logic models. Several tier II studies support school-based decisionmaking , a component of principal working-condition interventions.

, a component of principal working-condition interventions. Tier IV support exists for districts using incentives and helping principals manage their time .

and helping principals . Two school-leadership focused school-improvement modelsthe Knowledge is Power Program and the University of Virginia's School Turnaround Specialist Programare supported by tier I and/or tier II evidence.

While our review highlights specific interventions with effects that have been documented in the published literature, states and districts interested in pursuing leadership interventions should not feel constrained by this list. At its heart, ESSA gives states and districts the authority to set their own trajectories, guided by both evidence and the determination of what would work in context. For example, states that want to adapt an existing, branded intervention may call on the evidence for that intervention to justify their own planned approach. To support such efforts, our report provides brief descriptions of each intervention to help administrators understand key components they may seek to replicate.

Given the new opportunities ESSA provides to invest in school leadership, our review can be used as a starting point by states and districts seeking to implement locally relevant solutionsand to build the evidence base for what works.

Rebecca Herman is a senior policy researcher and distinguished chair in education policy at RAND and Susan M. Gates is a senior economist and director of the Office of Research Quality Assurance at RAND.

Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
After meeting briefly on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acknowledged the need for improved ties. Despite the diplomatic gesture, though, relations remain strained. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China, but celebrants of that auspicious occasion may unfortunately find little reason to cheer.

The most immediate source of tension stems from a deepening confrontation in recent months over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which China claims as the Diaoyu. In October, China denounced Japanese fighter aircraft for carrying out dangerous tactics in responding to Chinese surveillance aircraft operating near the disputed islands. A month earlier, Japan protested the presence of about 300 vessels and the incursion of two Chinese coast guard ships in the islands' territorial waters.

The problems lie deeper, however. Although Sino-Japanese relations have a long history of antagonism, their competition for influence in Asia has in recent years expanded in the economic, diplomatic and security domains. Economically, China and Japan compete regularly for large investment projects and trade deals. Japan earlier this year won a $2 billion deal to build a rail line in the Philippines, for example, while China signed a $5.5 billion deal to build a railway in Indonesia. In 2014, China set up the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB, a rival to the U.S.- and Japanese-led Asian Development Bank, in order to address Asia's $8 trillion gap in infrastructure needs. Both countries have offered competing regional trade agreements as well.

Diplomatically, China and Japan have bolstered partnerships aimed in part at one another. Beijing has actively nurtured South Korean resentment against Japan, while Tokyo has extended its diplomatic outreach to Southeast Asian countries anxious about growing Chinese power. Japan's relationship with India has warmed considerably, too. In November, the two countries signed an agreement for nuclear energy cooperation, a high-speed rail deal and a joint statement on China's assertive claims in the South China Sea....

The remainder of this commentary is available on worldpoliticsreview.com.

Timothy R. Heath is a senior international defense research analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and a member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School faculty.

This commentary originally appeared on World Politics Review on December 12, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Subscriptions to video-on-demand (VOD) services in China are to rise 44 million from 2016 to 74 million in 2021, with the Asia Pacific on course to be the paid streaming sectors market leader by 2019.





Across a total of 200 countries, homes receiving subscription VOD (SVOD) services are expected to number 428 million by 20121, up from 177 million in 2015 and the 248 million forecast by the end of 2016, according to Digital TV Research. Its Global SVOD Forecasts report estimates the total number of SVOD homes will grow by 70 million in 2016 alone.The US remains the largest market for SVOD services, and will grow to support a predicted 127 million users by 20121, although China is closing the gap.North America supplies most of these subscribers at present, but Asia Pacific will become the top region by 2019, said Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research.This comes despite Netflix being unlikely to secure direct access in China and only making a limited impact in other major population centres such as India and Indonesia. There are some large SVOD platforms in Asia Pacific that have been active for some time, especially via mobile phones.The report forecasts that Netflix will have almost 118 million paying subscriptions by 2021  or 27.5% of the global total. Although the number of international subscribers will overtake its US ones in 2018, the US will still contribute 44% of its subscriptions by 2021Subscription revenues for Netflix will double from US$6.37 billion in 2015 to $13.14 billion in 2021. Despite growth elsewhere, North America will still contribute 52% of its total in 2021.We estimate that Netflix has distribution partnerships with 79 pay TV, telco or mobile operators across 44 countries. These partnerships include multinational deals with Liberty Global, Millicom/Tigo and Telia, added Murray.Global SVOD revenues will reach $32.18 billion in 2021; 18 times the $1.74 billion recorded in 2010 and up by $20 billion on the $12.20 billion recorded in 2015. Revenues will grow by $5 billion in 2016 alone to take the total to $17.46 billion.As Amazon does not directly charge its Prime subscribers for watching video, Digital TV Research says its overall SVOD projections include estimations that 60% of them do watch video  and so half of their Prime subscription fee is allocated to video.
Every Saturday during December, ZEE Mundo is bringing US Hispanic audiences back-to-back, prime time, commercial-free productions featuring Bollywood dance, comedy and action sequels.





The programming is available in Spanish and in HD, exclusively on Dish Latino and Sling TV Offerings include: Welcome, a comedy hit where mobsters Manju and Uday seek a nice boy from a decent family- with the help of a fellow gangster- to marry their sister; and the sequel, Welcome Back, where having left the underworld since the original story, Uday and Manju are now businessmen in Dubai.In Don: The Chase Begins Again, Vijay, a simple man from Mumbai is recruited by a police officer to masquerade as Don, the leader of an international gang of smugglers. But things go wrong when the officer is killed and Vijay has to prove his innocence; and in Don 2, he now sets his sights on European domination after having conquered the Asian underworld.
RBC news outlet, journalists ordered to pay Rosneft over $6,000 in libel damages

MOSCOW, December 12 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Commercial Court ordered Russian news outlet RBC and several its journalists to pay Rosneft oil company 390,000 rubles (over $6,000) in libel damages, a court official told RAPSI on Monday.

Alexey Melnikov, the lawyer for RBC, said after the hearing that the ruling of the court would be appealed.

Rosneft filed the lawsuit accusing RBC and its journalists of libel over allegations concerning the company's privatization.

The lawsuit was brought after an article about Rosneft privatization headlined 'Rosneft requests authorities to protect it from BP' had been published on the website of the newspaper on April 11.

Rosneft claimed that "information contained in the article published on RBC website is misleading." "It is a baseless fantasy on the part of journalists, or their so-called undisclosed sources, the company said in the press-release adding that only the Russian government had the right to decide how the company was to be privatized.

RBC journalists Timofey Dzyadko, Lyudmila Podobedova, and Maxim Tovkailo, alongside BisnessPress company, RBC newspaper publisher, were named co-defendants in the case.

The lawsuit was granted in part as Rosneft sought 3.179 billion rubles (about $48.5 million) in damages.

RBC said the monetary claim was ungrounded and provided to the court income statements of the journalists. The lawyer for RBC told the court that the journalists would go bankrupt and the outlet would be destroyed if the claim was granted in full.

RBC is to remove the article within ten days after the ruling becomes final and publish a retraction.
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Once solely relegated to open-division pistol competitors, more recently a compensated pistol has become accepted for defensive use in some circles. This isn't terribly surprising, as there are many parts and pieces that gained initial popularity for competitive use that made their way into the tactical and practical: Offset irons on rifles, low power variable optics, offset red dots on rifles, pistols sporting red dotsand the list goes on. Speaking in general terms, what you'll see on the street level' is a ruggedized analog of the gaming version.

The latest, and the focus of this review, is the TBRCi Glock Micro Comp from the Texas Black Rifle Company (TBRC). As the name implies, it's intended for the Glock-series of pistols. Reading the material on TBRC's webpage, the Glock 19 was the main inspiration, though it can be used on other 9mm models. No doubt one could fanagle this comp on any number of other threaded 9mm pistols as well. The TBRCi is threaded for the common x28mm of most American threaded barrels as opposed to Euro-weirdness of M13.51 LH, or the semi-obscure x36mm some 9mm carbines love to employ. Once installed it adds approximately .45 to the end of your threaded barrel.

Since we received a pre-production, no box or instructions were included; this isn't particularly unusual for pre-production releases. Besides, this is a screw on comp we're talking here, not a 63-function toaster oven.



In the box was the TBRCi Glock Micro Comp itself and two packages of screws. No hex wrench was present, and given it's small size, it would be our suggestion to add one to the retail packaging if that already isn't in the works. The screws are indeed small, so a second set is great appreciated. A Torx option would be nice to see as well.

Installation

There's not a whole lot to it, but there is some nuance needed. Firstly, you're going to need a x28mm threaded barrel for your Glock. Because there aren't shims or similar included (nor could I find any of the appropriate size) you have to time it the best you can and then torque the screws in place. Screwed all the way down, the TBRCi was almost perfectly upside down. This would mean that I would have to rotate it back a half-turn and solely rely on the set screws to hold it in place. Of course you're going to want some form of thread locker in the mix too.



I've long used high-temperature O-rings to secure thread protectors (pro tip: buy in bulk) so they don't come loose or rotate right off while firing, so I figured they've be safe to try with this too.



Indeed, it turned out to be the case with the TBRCi as well. It gave it a little squish' and alignment was much easier and more secure. You want to be sure to perfectly align the TBRCi comp, so as not to impeded your recoil spring assembly.



A number of threaded barrels are manufacturer with a flat on the bottom specifically for indexing a muzzle device. Since the TBRCi utilizes two screws (3 o'clock and 9 o'clock respectively) no such flats exist. This isn't a deal breaker by any means, as there are other pistol compensators on the market that secure in similar fashion. Just be aware that you may be marring your barrel a bit; no big deal for a gun that you'll actually use.



With the slide locked back, the Glock's recoil spring assembly (RSA) does not contact the TBRCi. The same cannot be said of some silencer/booster combinations with all threaded barrels, as Mike Searson noted in a recent RECOIL article back in issue 24



Exactly how flush the TBRCi Glock Micro Comp fits on your slide entirely depends on which threaded barrel that you use. Some barrels, such as DASAN, extend a bit beyond the slide before threading to help avoid the RSA hitting boosters of many different brands. Others such SilencerCo, are threaded much closer to the slide which makes for a more flush fit for the comp (and subsequently may require spacers or special booster inserts to be used with silencers of different brands). Here's a comparison of the TBRCi mounted to three different threaded barrels:



Remember that the Texas Black Rifle Company says that the TBRCi Glock Micro Comp only extends about .45 beyond your threaded barreljust bear in mind that not all threaded barrels are cut and manufactured in exactly the same way.

When the TBRCi is installed (or any comp), in order to completely disassemble your pistol it will first have to be removed. For normal maintenance this is a non-issue. However, if you enjoy using suppressors on handguns from time to time it can be a bit of a pain in the ass.

Holsters

When you're rocking the TBRCi on a Glock 19, you probably expect it to fit in a G34 holster; even with the longer threaded DASAN barrel installed it's still within dimensions. Of course, if you're using an open-bottomed Glock holster there shouldn't be issues with any size Glock fitting. One caution, however: The muzzle devices get hot, so it's not unheard of to burn yourself with one when reholstering during a training session if you're using an open-bottomed holster. Some may be uncomfortable carrying one AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband) but since I've carried a G19 with with a WML in that position for years now I didn't find the extra length of the TBRCi encumbering in the slightest.



So How Does it Work?

The idea of the TBRCi is to reduce perceived recoil and muzzle rise to keep the gun as flat as possible while shooting. This is especially beneficial for those running slide-mounted red dot sights because it eases dot-tracking while under recoil. This particular device is configured in two ways to reduce recoil and muzzle rise. Firstly, there are (3) ports on top of the TBRCi so the muzzle blast itself can fight muzzle climb.



Secondly there is a single baffle brake with two large ports for the gas to vent out. The way it works is that the gas hits the face of the baffle, causing some forward momentum, thereby countering some of the rearward recoil.

There's actually a third mechanism to help slow muzzle rise, simply an effect of having a muzzle device installed in the first place: The added weight on the end of the barrel. However, since the TBRCi is incredibly lightweight one can call this is a negligible aid in this case. Here's an overall graphic with the black arrows representing traditional movement and the blue representing counter-forces.



On the Range

With the TBRCi Glock Micro Comp on the range I found it easier to track my dot during recoil. Re-acquisition really wasn't a problem because I never lost the dot in the first place. But of course, there is no free lunch.

Firstly, you can get some crazy flames from the sides and top of the TBRCi from the ports themselves. Note that some of the photos show a distinct blast pattern: From the top ports, out the side ports, and blooming in front of the muzzle device itself.



While muzzle flash itself is mostly an amalgam of the ammunition/powder, barrel length, and environmental conditions, it did get bright enough at times to make the dot my auto-adjusting Trijicon RM01 bloom a few times. The same happened with a Trijicon RM06 when it was set to auto-adjust. This is certainly better than the opposite problem, but I thought it was interesting to see. Ammunition with flash retardant would no doubt not gift such a large flash.

Issues and Precautions

In order to get the most from the TBRCi, you really need to be using full powered ammunition with a considerable amount of gas going down the pipe. If you're using underpowered ammunition or slow, heavy projectiles you can anticipate running into problems like this one:



Just not enough rearward momentum left to completely cycle the slide. This is actually less of a problem with the TBRCi than with a more aggressive compensator such as the Carver 3-port. As with many such things, there are solutions. My first and best recommendation would be to only use ammunition sufficiently powerful enough to cycle with your OEM rear spring assembly. But for those that want to go further, time to travel down what I call:

The Downward Spiral to Hell & Open-Gun Insanity

As stated in the beginning of this piece, while pistol compensators are relatively new in the work gun realm, open division competitors have been treading these roads for literally decades. It stands to reason that we could learn a thing or two from their ample experience. Just exactly how far down you have to tread this dark road is up to many factors: How much of your current configuration is aftermarket, how much you're willing to sacrifice to shoot el-cheapo loads, a good bit of luck, and whether or not you'll willing to just drop it off with a certified gunsmith who knows what the hell they're doing. So put on a splash of holy water and let's have a look But really, I have to recommend consulting a certified Glock armorer, because some of these things can be dangerous.

The first and most obvious step is to swap out your OEM RSA for a lighter one. This can allow the weaker rearward momentum to still fully cycle the slide. Since we're talking a Gen 3 Glock 19, the factory RSA weight sits at 18lbs. There are many aftermarket springs available, and I recommend a guide rod that you can disassemble to physically swap springs out. To begin with I went with a 15lb ISMI spring as recommended by the Texas Black Rifle Company.



Now before you just go shooting, you have to test it. Ensure your gun is empty, rack it and pull the trigger. Pull the slide back and ease it forward while keeping your finger on the trigger. Does the slide go fully into battery? If sono worries. If it doesn't go fully into battery until the trigger is released we've got some additional problems to address:



Here's what's happening: When the trigger is pressed the striker spring is loaded. Your RSA now has to fight a compressed striker spring in order to fully get into battery. Release the trigger and the slide snaps into place. This situation is dangerous because it's possible to have an Out of Battery discharge given the right conditions. And this situation is annoying because your gun won't always run the way you want it to. So how do you fix this? You lighten your striker spring until this is no longer an issue.

On the plus side, a lighter striker spring (factory striker weight for a Glock is 5.5lbs) will give you a lighter trigger. The Texas Black Rifle Company recommends just stepping it down to 5lbs to begin. On the negative side, you may also experience light strikesespecially if you go too light and use so-called hard primered ammunition. And the solution to that is a lightened, extended (or both) striker I think you can see where we're headed here. If you have a lot of aftermarket parts such as trigger bars and connectors and plungers, you could be polishing this and lubing that, oryou could be chasing this path forever.



But it isn't always like that. And just from the few weeks of experience that I have with the TBRCi Glock Micro Comp tells me it's somewhat less likely just due to exactly how much ammunition I was able to cycle with just the OEM RSA.

Conclusions and Loose Rounds

Any venture into the aftermarket should always be considered an experiment and an educational opportunity. There's some good stuff going on here, especially for those running slide-mounted red dots. If you find yourself too far down the Downward Spiral to Hell & Open-Gun Insanity, take a step back and assess your ammunition. Absolutely be sure it runs with your preferred defensive load before carrying with it. And hit the range a lot. A good compensator with some contentiousness upgrades can help you shoot flatter and fasterand that's always a Good Thing.

[You can visit the Texas Black Rifle Company online here]
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As another year comes to a close, The Red & Black looks back on the major events and changes the University of Georgia campus experienced in 2016.
Among the most common presents received are gift cards, plastic cards with money that often get lost or forgotten. Almost one in three gift cards never get used at all, according to a 2014 CBS report. These untouched gift cards represent around $10 billion in wasted money for American families.
Shop local this holiday seasonChoosing the perfect holiday gift for your friends or family c
New Year's Eve doesn't have to be a dumpster fire disaster this year. We rounded up the most unique dinners, bar packages and shows for every price point to help you lock down plans early. Like the countdown to midnight, these deals won't last. Make moves, Chicago.

Brew Year's Eve (Marcin Cymmer )



DINNER



$

Federales

180 N. Morgan St. 773-831-9696

If youre worried about a six-course meal slowing you down on the dance floor, skip the fuss and head to the West Loop taco joint for something easy. Each ticket includes passed appetizers, a taco platter of your choice, one ice shot and a midnight champagne toast. Enjoy it all on the newly enclosed patio, where you can cozy up near a fire pit, or dance your way to the final countdown with music throughout the evening. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $30. Tickets: nightout.com

$$

Dusek's Board & Beer

1227 W. 18th St. 312-526-3851

The Michelin-starred Pilsen restaurant offers a decadent six-course dinner featuring roasted cauliflower salad, crispy duck leg, bittersweet chocolate cake with brown butter ice cream and more (6:30 p.m. $65). Or kick it up a notch with an eight-course dinner that tosses in bone marrow-crusted scallops and passion fruit panna cotta (9:30 p.m. $95). Clink glasses with optional beer pairings for $25 or wine pairings for $35. Call for reservations or email sam@thaliahallchicago.com.

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$$$

Mezzanotte at Eataly

43 E. Ohio St. 312-521-8700

Why limit yourself to one restaurant when you can have four? The Italian mecca will close off its second floor for ticketed guests to enjoy hearty eats from its vendors including fresh pasta and risotto, pizza napoletana, arancini, mozzarella and focaccia. Between bites, cruise around to several wine bars, taste housemade beer and watch Eataly's beverage team saber a magnum bottle of sparkling wine at midnight. Be sure to save room for the dessert bar with holiday cakes, housemade tiramisu, bomboloni, espresso and hot chocolate. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $100. Tickets: eataly.com/chicago

Entente (Lenny Gilmore / RedEye)

$$$$

Entente

3056 N. Lincoln Ave. 872-206-8553

Go all in on a nine-course tasting menu from chefs Brian Fisher and Mari Katsumura at the raved-about new Lakeview restaurant, where you'll be noshing on a composed cheese plate, fettuccine with truffle, duck, foie gras and more. Treat yourself to one of two accompanying drink packages from beverage director Angie Silberberg, available for $75-$125. 7:30 p.m. $150. Reservations required at ententechicago.com or by phone.

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Fulton Market Kitchen

BAR PACKAGES

$

Three Floyds Tap Takeover at Big Star

1531 N. Damen Ave. 773-235-4039

The Indiana brewery taps limited availability beers, including Stack N Stabb Belgian style pale ale and Crack the Skye barrel-aged coffee Russian imperial stout, for the fourth year at the Wicker Park taco spot. Along with the regular food menu, late night snacks, such as loaded nachos and green chile chicken taquitos, are available a la carte. 6 p.m.3 a.m. No cover.

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

$$

Fulton Market Kitchen

311 N. Sangamon St. 312-733-6900

Count down to midnight with a bar package, oyster shooters, hot chicken sliders and more passed appetizers plus a champagne and dessert station including a chocolate fountain and chocolate-covered strawberries at the West Town bar and art gallery. 9 p.m.2 a.m. $85. Tickets: eventbrite.com

Brew Year's Eve (Aaron Ploog)

$$$

Brew Year's Eve at Salvage One

1840 W. Hubbard St.

Move over, champagne flutes. This night is all about beer, with more than 20 on offer from Pipeworks Brewing Co., Goose Island Beer Co., Half Acre Beer Co. and more. Pours from Right Bee Cider and Virtue Cider and a cocktail and wine bar are also available, plus passed hors d'oeuvres, including bacon-wrapped dates, mozzarella skewers and artichoke baguette. Along with a midnight cider toast, take advantage of a pizza buffet, while '80s/'90s cover band One Hott Mess performs. 8 p.m.1 a.m. $135, $50 for designated drivers. Tickets: brewyearseve.com

Boleo

$$$$

Chicago to Cuzco at Boleo

122 W. Monroe St. 312-750-9007

Ring in the new year the Peruvian way at the Loop rooftop bar at The Kimpton Gray Hotel. Sip on South American-inspired cocktails at the open bar (cash bar after 1 a.m.) and munch on passed bites (through midnight). Along with poi dancers and live art, DJs Madrid and Sadie Woods provide the beats. Toast with cava at midnight and snack on desserts, such as housemade cotton candy. 10 p.m.2 a.m. $175 ($225 after Dec. 24). Tickets: eventbrite.com

CONCERTS, COMEDY AND MORE

$

The Hood Internet at Lincoln Hall

2424 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-525-2501

The energetic Chicago duo teams up with ShowYouSuck, Celine Neon and DJ Manny Muscles to bring one hell of an affordable show to Lincoln Park. 10 p.m. $25-$30. Tickets: lh-st.com

$$

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at Emporium Arcade Bar

1366 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-697-7922

The Wicker Park arcade bar welcomes the post-punk soul melodies of Chicago-based JC Brooks & the Uptown Sounds. Tickets include a champagne toast at midnight, and guests are encouraged to take advantage of the bring-your-own-food policy. (Psst! Taco Bell and Cheesie's are nearby.) 8 p.m. $38. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com

$$$

New Year's Eve Cornstravaganza at Cornservatory

4210 N. Lincoln Ave.

Laugh off 2016 with a night full of comedy in North Center. Boasting an open bar and buffet, the evening of sketch and improv comedy is topped off with a champagne toast at midnight and dancing until 1 a.m. 8:45 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. $75 or $120 per couple. Tickets: cornservatory.org or email corntickets@gmail.com

$$$$

Voyager 2017: A Journey to the New Year at Baderbrau Brewing Company

2515 S. Wabash Ave.

Canvas Chicago hosts its fourth annual otherwordly celebration, which combines art installations, projection mapping, live performances and more. The premise? Alien civilization on a faraway planet studies Earth's music and culture and throws a party featuring the best of what humanity has to offer. Tickets include an open bar. $100-$130. Tickets: voyagernewyears.com
Fried chicken fried rice, happy hour at Beacon Tavern and more things to do in Chicago on Monday, Dec. 12.

EAT

Fried Chicken Fried Rice Takeout Night

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Honey Butter Fried Chicken

3361 N. Elston Ave. 773-478-4000

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The Avondale restaurant offers a Southern spin on Chinese food, serving fried chicken fried rice with country ham, pickled scallions and peanuts plus a cream cheese and greens egg roll with spicy pepper jelly dipping sauce and a housemade fortune cookie for $15.95. Order it to go or dine in and pair it with the Five Spice Pow cocktail, a blend of bourbon, five spice syrup, lime and soda ($10). 5-9 p.m.



DRINK

Industry Trivia Night

Presidio

1749 N. Damen Ave. 773-697-3315

Answer questions about food, alcohol and restaurant service based on vintage cookbooks, bar guides and industry veterans for a shot at winning $300. The Bucktown bar also serves $8 Don Julio tequila and Bulleit whiskey cocktails. 6 p.m. No cover.



Game Dev Holiday Mixer

Emporium Arcade Bar

1366 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-697-7922

The developers of "Real Winners," "Battle Chef Brigade" and "Aerobat" give presentations on their games at this benefit for The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital that also features free pizza and a $10 package including a PBR or well drink and $5 worth of game tokens. You can also help the cause by donating a toy or entering a raffle awarding a PlayStation 4. 7-11 p.m. No cover.



DO

'Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde'

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City Lit Theater

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 312-448-7533

Promethean Theatre Ensemble casts women in some of the key roles of Moises Kaufman's drama about the 19th century Irish playwright and his trials for homosexual behavior. 7 p.m. $15-$25. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com

Private Holiday Shopping Event

ENAZ Pop-Up Boutique

857 W. Armitage Ave.

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Jade Port and Shanna Lakin of Shadow Social help you find a new look from the designer clothing on the Lincoln Park pop-ups racks. Youll also enjoy a 15 percent storewide discount, bubbly and dry styles from Blowout Junkie. 6-8 p.m. Free. RSVP: rsvp@boldfacechicago.com



HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAY

Beacon Tavern (405 N. Wabash Ave. 312-955-4226) offers $5 draft beer, $8 select cocktails and glasses of wine and $10 bites including fried chicken and peekytoe crab dip from 3-6 p.m.

For more Eat & Drink news, click here.
Elliott Capitals letter to Cognizant, detailing how the latter can reinvent itself, has many lessons for its India-listed peers like TCS and Infosys, says Akash Prakash.

IMAGE: From left, TCS CEO N Chandrasekaran, Wipro CEO Abidali Neemuchwala, and Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka. Spoilt by 20 years of a 25 per cent revenue compound annual growth rate, the Indian IT players may not have made the shift to understanding what will drive their share price returns from here onwards. Photographs: Shailesh Andrade (left) and Abhishek N Chinnappa (center and right)/Reuters .

On November 28, Elliott Capital released a letter addressed to the board of Cognizant Technology Services (CTSH), outlining a set of proposals to increase the shareholder value.

CTSH, though listed in the United States and headquartered there, is a peer of Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys, with the vast majority of its delivery resources in India. It is for all practical purposes the second-largest Indian information technology (IT) services company. It has a superb track record of industry leading growth, with revenues rising 70x over the past 15 years to nearly $14 billion. It has also delivered huge shareholder value with market capitalisation rising by 43x over the same 15 years.

Elliott is an activist hedge fund, one of the largest with assets under management (AUM) of over $30 billion. It has taken a 4 per cent stake in CTSH, an investment of over $1.4 billion.

In the letter, Elliott lays out how CTSH can increase its share price by 50-70 per cent in just 12 months. It believes that Cognizant needs to lay out a formal capital-return strategy of both share buyback and dividend, combined with a willingness to increase margins. These steps, combined with changes in board composition and realignment of incentive structures, can drive a rerating of CTSH shares.

While CTSH may not be relevant for India-based investors, the letter is well-written, detailed and has many lessons for investors in India looking at IT services stocks.

First of all, even though Elliott makes it clear that CTSH is an industry leader with strong positions in old and new service lines, it builds in only a 9 per cent revenue growth rate for the company in its base case. Even in the bull case, this goes to 10 per cent. These numbers are arrived at in consultation with industry experts, consultancy firms, investment banks and detailed diligence. Clearly the days of 15-20 per cent revenue growth are now over for the industry. The industry and its major companies have all matured.

Their modelling shows that CTSH can increase its operating margin to 21.5 per cent, from 18 per cent today. This margin expansion is based on improving efficiency and benchmarking the CTSH delivery organisation, general overhead and sales and marketing spend to its Indian peers.

Given that TCS and Infosys are still delivering like-to-like margins of 26.6 per cent and 25.4 per cent, 400 to 500 basis points above the CTSH aspiration, one may question the sustainability of these margins. After detailed diligence, if Elliott feels that an optimised CTSH can only deliver margins of 21.5 per cent, can its Indian peers maintain such a margin superiority for a very similar gross margin structure and business mix?

If TCS and Infosys were to see margins decline, combined with 9-10 per cent revenue growth, this delivers only single-digit earnings growth.

I am not sure markets are prepared for this. It is possible that a rupee decline may bail out the Indian companies.

IMAGE: Cognizant President and CEO Francisco D'Souza (second from left) and about 100 other business executives at a business round-table in Washington, DC. Elliott Capital's letter lays out how Cognizant can increase its share price by 50-70 per cent in just 12 months. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

The Elliott letter also highlights the importance of capital allocation, especially as a company matures and ends its hyper-growth phase. The activist fund slams CTSH for not having a formal capital return policy. The company pays no dividend, and does only limited buyback, just enough to offset dilution from Esop (employee stock ownership plan) issuance.

Given the cash generative nature of IT services, CTSH generates over $2 billion of cash flow every year and is sitting on $4 billion of net cash, they have tremendous financial flexibility. Elliott has asked the company to immediately start a dividend, buy back $2.5 billion of stock in calendar year 2017 and commit to returning 75 per cent of the US free cash flow to shareholders every year.

The fund believes these steps will drive a rerating of Cognizant stock.

There is a lesson here for the Indian big boys as well. While they all pay a dividend and have payouts between 40-65 per cent of free cash flow, some are still squatting on large cash balances. Keep some cash for mergers and acquisitions, but return the balance to shareholders.

There is also the point that once companies mature, top lines slow, they need to focus more on cash return and balance sheet optimisation strategies to keep delivering shareholder returns. The drivers of earnings per share growth and total shareholder return broaden beyond just revenue growth. Dividends, buybacks and margin expansion matter as much to total shareholder return (TSR) as revenue growth.

Spoilt by 20 years of a 25 per cent revenue compound annual growth rate, I am not sure the Indian IT players have made the mental shift to understanding what will drive their share price returns from here onwards. If you are going to grow revenues at only 10 per cent, you need smart capital allocation to deliver shareholder returns greater than revenue growth. This did not matter when you were growing revenues at 25-30 per cent and disrupting the incumbent IT stalwarts. It matters today when you are the incumbents and growth has dropped to 10 per cent.

Elliott also makes a point on the board and employee incentives. They point out that more than half the board has been there for nine years. There is need for fresh thinking, especially in an industry as dynamic as technology.

They also point out that incentives are almost entirely weighed towards revenue growth targets. Again, show me the incentives and I can predict the behaviour. This overwhelming focus on growth may have been appropriate when CTSH was a challenger trying to gain share, but not today when it has nearly $14 billion of revenue and is an industry leader. There is a need to align incentives in a more balanced way to include earnings growth and TSR targets in addition to revenue.

The Indian companies have better incentive alignment, but need to consider the Elliott comments on board composition. Do you have a board which is relevant for todays IT services world?

IMAGE: Elliott Capital uses Accenture as a role model. The company has reinvented itself as a leader in digital through smart acquisitions. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters.

Interestingly, Elliott uses Accenture as a role model. The company has reinvented itself as a leader in digital through smart acquisitions. Despite very muted revenue growth, Accentures stock has outperformed through margin expansion and capital returns (pays out 100 per cent of free cash flow). A company once thought of as a structural market share loser has found a way to adjust, catch the next wave of growth and adapt to changed circumstances. It has rebuilt investor confidence to such an extent that Accenture now trades at the highest multiple in IT services globally  20 times earnings.

Indian IT services as an industry has ended its hyper-growth phase. It is unlikely to grow at 20 per cent in a sustained fashion again. When an industry matures, the major players have to relook at their business and financial strategy. Capital allocation, balance sheet optimisation, use of M&A, board composition and incentive alignment are all issues which may need to be re-examined.

Just like CTSH, its India-listed peers need to relook at some of these issues as well.

Akash Prakash is at Amansa Capital. These views are his own.
Rural allocation may touch Rs 1.06 lakh crore

National Rural Livelihoods Mission could see an increase of Rs 3,500 crore

For Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana allocation may rise to over Rs 20,000 crore

Sanjeeb Mukherjee/Business Standard reports from New Delhi.



Image: The Centres continuing rural focus in 2017-18 Budget could also be aimed at making people feel good to lessen the pain of demonetisation. Photograph: PTI Photo



The Union Budget is expected to increase allocation to the ministry of rural development by over 23 per cent to Rs 1.06 lakh crore. The allocation in the Budget Estimates (BE) of 2016-17 was a little over Rs 86,000 crore.

The Budget, likely to be tabled in the first week of February, may also introduce a new scheme to pull the poor in the rural areas out of poverty. The Budgets focus on rural development could lessen the pains of demonetisation in villages.

If things go according to plan, there could be a rise in allocations of all major programmes of the rural development ministry, with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) topping the list. That apart, officials said a new scheme, likely to be called Mission Antyodaya, could also form part of the Budget.

The Mission Antyodaya has been proposed by the ministry of rural development and is aimed at making 10 million households poverty-free over a period of time. This will be done through addressing all the parameters of poverty and constantly measuring them on a scale of 36 indices.

For the flagship MNREGS, officials said an extra Rs 1,500-3,500 crore over the 2016-17 BE of Rs 38,500 crore could be needed in 2017-18, if there are no arrears to be paid.

In 2016-17, though on paper, MNREGS got one of the highest allocations since its inception, first through budgetary allocation and thereafter through supplementary demands for grants  much of it amounting to almost Rs 12,000 crore was spent on servicing last years dues.

Including the previous years dues, the total allocation for MNREGS in 2016-17 stood at Rs 47,500 crore, after the supplementary demand for grants.

For the other big three programmes for rural development, officials said the National Rural Livelihoods Mission could see an increase of Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion) in its Budget in 2017-18, from the Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) allocated in 2016-17.

The Centre has leveraged banks for a loan of Rs 43,000 crore (Rs 430 billion) through Mission Antyodaya for improving livelihoods during the year, which was outside the budgetary allocations.

For the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMGAY), under which the Centre plans to build around 10 million houses in the rural areas in the next two years, officials said an allocation in 2017-18 Budget could rise to over Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion), from the Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion) allocated in 2016-17 BE, if the finance ministry plays ball.

The Centre had arranged for another Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) for PMGAY through extra budgetary resources from Nabard, or National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, for quick completion of the scheme.

The marquee rural roads scheme is expected to continue to get its annual allocation of Rs 19,000 crore (Rs 190 billion), which, when added with states share, raised the total fund for the programme to Rs 27,000 crore (Rs 270 billion) per annum.

The Centre has already committed to providing Rs 81,000 crore or Rs 810 billion) (including states share) to the rural roads programme over the next three years to reach all the unconnected habitations, including those that have a population of less than 500, in the next three years.

The Centres continuing rural focus in 2017-18 Budget, many officials feel, could also be aimed at making people feel good to lessen the pain of demonetisation.

Some officials said the additional tax receipts coming in from the crackdown on black money over the coming financial year will enable the government to ramp up spending and actually present a populist Budget.

The Centre had also hoped to get a one-time windfall gain from demonetisation, with notes worth Rs 3 lakh crore not expected to be deposited with banks. But, with nearly Rs 12 lakh crore coming into banks as deposits, that hope is also evaporating.

Senior policymakers say theyll be able to spend on the programmes and sectors, which are connected to the poor and rural areas. Tax sops to the salaried classes could also be offered, they add, as tax brackets are under review ahead of the Budget.
India Inc had cheered Donald Trump's decision to scrap TPP, but now there is a growing sense that it won't really lead to positive growth in trade with the US. Subhayan Chakraborty reports.

IMAGE: US President-elect Donald Trump, left, with investor Wilbur Ross, his pick for US Commerce Secretary. Ross has also criticised multilateral trade pacts. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

Last week, the man set to become the next United States commerce secretary criticised multilateral trade pacts, saying the country would only focus on bilateral trade ties. While US President-elect Donald Trump's pick for the post, Wilbur Ross, reiterated the new administration's stance against regional trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that India has been apprehensive about, the mood has shifted from optimism to a more guarded stance.

Indian industry had earlier cheered Trump's decision to junk the TPP, but there is a growing sense that it will not lead to positive bilateral trade relations with the US.

The trade deal involves 12 Pacific Rim nations, including major economies like Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. With a collective population of 800 million, almost double that of the European Union's single market, the bloc accounts for 40 per cent of world trade.

Trade experts had warned that non-tariff barriers, which constitute various trade restrictions like quotas, embargoes and sanctions, might be imposed on India by nations signatory to the TPP to keep the balance of trade with other member nations. Trade diversion was also a significant concern with the TPP commanding great clout in dictating trade among third-party nations and acquiring markets.

Significantly, the TPP positioned textile manufacturer Vietnam and information technology outsourcing powerhouse the Philippines in a favourable position to gain access to the high-value American market. India's textile industry has been continuously eclipsed by nations like Bangladesh and Vietnam with cheaper production costs and aggressive marketing.

"Growth in textile exports to the US has stagnated even as China and Bangladesh command a major share of the market," Naishadh Parikh, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, said. Indian exports accounted for only 3-5 per cent of the US market with a stagnating 6-7 per cent rate of growth, industry sources said. Had the TPP gone forward, the $9 billion earned would have definitely been hit hard, they added.

Another significant gain from this would be greater focus on the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), commerce ministry officials said.

India is keen to conclude the trade deal among the 10 countries of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and six nations with which it has free trade agreements: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. However, beginning in 2012, negotiations have progressively become more complicated after 15 rounds and four ministerial meetings. The absence of the TPP would give member nations more reason to push for a successful RCEP at the earliest, the officials added.

Also, pressure on India to conform to stricter standards of labour, intellectual property and investment will subside as a result.

IMAGE: With successive Indian and US administrations leading up to it, the level of engagement reached an unprecedented level under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.

However, that is where the cheer ends.

"I don't think we're going to see any positive growth in bilateral trade relations with the US," said trade expert Biswajit Dhar.

The US is India's second largest trading partner and largest export destination. With bilateral trade at $109 billion a year, both sides are committed to increase this to $500 billion. Of this, merchandise trade was more than $62 billion in 2015-16 with exports at over $40 billion and imports at $21.7 billion.

The Generic Drug User Fee Act and Food Safety Modernisation Act in the US have created an elaborate system of inspection and high inspection fees, affecting smaller exporters, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said.

Trump's prevention of US companies from transferring facilities to other nations as well as cutting down on non-American employees would affect long-standing talks on visa issues and the totalisation agreement, Dhar added.

Talks on the contentious issue of a hike in visa fees and cuts in the number of H1-B and L1 visas have not progressed at two high-level bilateral meetings earlier this year.

The Indian information technology industry has said this will seriously hamper the flow of skilled professionals. Industry body Nasscom now expects IT exports will grow 8-10 per cent in the current financial year, slower than the 10-12 per cent it had predicted in February.

Trade issues may also escalate, especially for pharmaceuticals, which make up a significant part of India's exports. The US has asked for higher market access under its terms. This includes an argument that generic drugs being sold in the country by US companies deny them their intellectual property rights and also affect revenue.

But the fate of merchandise exports will need more time to be clear. "In spite of Trump's radical position of America-first, exports of Indian goods should not be affected sharply, as the US will not be getting into primary manufacturing," said Sachin Chaturvedi, director-general of trade policy think-tank RIS.

But the US as a market might lose its sheen due to all the factors combined, he added.
The Mysuru press, considered one of the most sophisticated, has been printing the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes since August, three months before demonetisation rolled out, Alnoor Peermohamed/Business Standard reports, in the last of the 4-part series.



Part 1: When did printing of Rs 2,000 notes actually begin?

Part 2: Why notes ban is good news for people of this MP town

Part 3: India reeling under cash crunch, but this mint can't print Rs 2,000 notes



IMAGE: India is the worlds second-largest importer of paper. Photograph: PTI Photo.



Outside the high walls that guard the currency note press in Mysuru, things look calm and relaxed. Perhaps, the only visible measure of the action inside is the number of trucks trying to gain entry into the fortified premises to drop off their loads of imported paper that is used to make the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes.

After demonetisation, its commonplace to find anything from 20 to 25 container trucks carrying imported paper parked outside the premises, having made a three-hour journey from Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport, an employee told Business Standard.

According to truckers, the frequency of paper shipments has increased considerably over the past three months, indicating a pick-up in the speed of printing currency. India anyway happens to be the worlds second-largest importer of paper.

The unprecedented demand for cash is making the Mysuru press run at record levels. In fact, to ease the burden on the staff, external agencies have been roped in to handle the logistics of getting the newly printed cash from the seven offset machines to several of Reserve Bank of Indias cash reserves. The Mysuru facility, along with Salboni in West Bengal, are run by RBI.

On normal days, the currency is ferried on rail to different parts of the country, but not in these times when thousands of ATMs have downed shutters across the country.

Now, chartered flights and Indian Air Force planes are regularly being used to ship the notes to far-flung cities.

While media reports suggest the army has been roped in for the operation, locals said they hadnt spotted any army presence in the area.

The ultra-secure facility sits in the same campus as RBI employees housing layout, reducing the amount of interaction workers have with the outside world.

Long before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation move, the press at Mysuru had begun the process of printing new currency.

This has been the case across all other currency presses (Salboni, Dewas and Nashik being the others) as Business Standard found out speaking to people at the spot earlier this week.

At the Mysuru press, workers are putting in an extra day of work every week and production is at its peak. While the exact capacity of the RBI press in Mysuru isnt known, it, along with, its sister press in Salboni, have the ability to print 16 billion notes a year when running on two shifts.

While the shortage of notes continues in the banking system, the press at Mysuru is operational 24 hours a day for six days a week. Around 600 workers are divided between three shifts, up from two earlier, and the press is now focused on printing just Rs 500 notes as the demand for this denomination has soared.

Insiders pointed out that this press, considered to be one of the most sophisticated ones, has been printing the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes since August, three months before demonetisation rolled out.

Previous: Nashik press
Ranveer-Vaani take Befikre to Dubai.

Aseem Chhabra was there.

IMAGE: Ranveer Singh poses at the Dubai International Film Festival. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for DIFF

Ranveer Singh loves his clothes and often what he wears at events reflects an extension of his high-spirited personality.

For the world premiere of his new film Befikre at the Dubai International Film Festival, Ranveer wore a long white jacket, with what definitely looked like a ghagra-style skirt. He carried what could only be described as a man purse.

"Tonight is a fancy, fancy, night," Singh told the media earlier.

He was asked if he would repeat the morning's clothes in the evening. "It will be a little bit dressier, you know, evening time."

And then he added with the typical Ranveer Singh energy and wide smile, "I will be the belle of the ball!"





IMAGE: Ranveer and Vaani Kapoor at the Dubai International Film Festival. Photograph: Aseem Chhabra/Rediff.com

The clothes did get dressier later in the day. Ranveer wore a bright blue suit designed by Dubai-based Indian designer Varoin Marwah.

"He's made this smashing electric blue suit which I paired with Christian Louboutin, another one of my favourite people. He's such a warm person," he said.

And then Ranveer spoke about his sunglasses -- large framed glasses, which had a neon blue coloured reflection. The glasses were a gift from Akshay Kumar.

"They are my lucky shades," Ranveer said.

The actor recently attended a martial arts tournament in Surat, an event backed by Akshay Kumar. "There was pandemonium as you can imagine. And I lost my favourite pair of sunglasses. They are impossible to get. I had done weeks and weeks of research, and finally found them," he said.

"I had no idea how he (Akshay Kumar) found me the exact same pair," Singh added. "I was heartbroken. Right before I came to Dubai, he sent me these. That's why he is a superstar. He has done the most amazing thing for me."





IMAGE: Vaani poses in Dubai. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for DIFF

In comparison, Vaani Kapoor, Singh's Befikre co-star, wore a simple white dress with hearts to the media event.

"She's got so much heart," Ranveer joked as Vaani said she had too much love to give.

To that Ranveer asked, "Why don't you direct some in this direction?"

"You have plenty coming from your fans," Vaani retorted.

"I don't think at all. I look at what is laid out, like one dozen suits and impulsively, in one second I can tell which one I want to wear," Ranveer added about how he doesn't take much time deciding on what he has to wear for an event.

***

'I never wanted to be an actor'

IMAGE: Rekha on stage. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for DIFF

The Dubai International Film Festival honoured three of the world's leading movie personalities with lifetime achievement awards -- actor Samuel L Jackson, French-Lebanese composer Gabriel Yared (The English Patient) and the gorgeous Rekha.

Before the event began, Rekha -- dressed in her signature gold sari -- was seated next to Jackson and two actors could be seen chatting animatedly.

Accepting his award, Jackson said he had been invited to make a film in India. One can assume that the invitation came from Rekha herself.

Later after she was honoured, Rekha took the mic at Dubai's Madinat Arena and referred to the United Arab Emirates as 'God's own place' with 'a big open beautiful heart, open to the world's cultures, arts in particular.'

"I know this is not the Oscars and no music is going to start," she said, "so bear with me."





IMAGE: Rekha attends a photocall at DIFF. Photograph: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIFF

"I never wanted to be an actor," she said. "My parents were actors. My mother had dreams for me, so here I am. I hope to God and pray that she's proud of me."

The audience applauded and the music started to play, but Rekha continued. "I told you there is no stopping me. I want to dedicate this award to my today's gurus, the next generation of actors the world over. They never cease to amaze me and time and time, I am learning from them."
'You can ascribe any ideology to him, and it will be equally right or equally wrong.'

'Even though the comrades on the Left will never admit it, he seems as much Stalinist as capitalist,' says T V R Shenoy.

'Is Donald Trump a Communist?' a voice bellowed across a transcontinental line early one morning.

My first thought was that I had misheard. My telephone connection has intermittent problems, and in any case I was groggy (the result of staying up half the night to watch the American election results).

My second thought was that my friend was suddenly going back to the MCarthyism that was prevalent in the United States back in my own school days. (According to some surveys, many Americans apparently believe that the 1950s were some sort of a Golden Age, so why not?)

Many a Hillary Clinton supporter did try to paint the Republican candidate as a puppet on a Russian string, the thought that the classic film The Manchurian Candidate was being enacted in real life, with Trump playing Frank Sinatra's role, was too much to swallow.

So, I came up with the appropriate response, "Um, what?!"

My friend explained. The American real estate tycoon's brief career in politics rather resembled the progress of the Communists in Russia.

To start with, the Anarchists, political ancestors of the Marxist-Leninists, were little more than bomb-throwers. They lived by a set of simplistic slogans.

'Everyone in authority is corrupt.'

'There can be no progress until the whole rotten system is completely shattered.'

'Incremental progress is a pipedream, our way of direct action is the only way forward.'

That is, boiled down to essentials, the same creed that Donald Trump was preaching. [As, by the way, are Arvind Kejriwal and his merry band -- but that is a tale for another column.]

In the second stage, the Bolsheviks reached out to the proletariat of imperial Russia, mostly industrial workers but also disgruntled, ill-paid soldiers.

And it was precisely these people who responded most enthusiastically to Donald Trump's blandishments.

'Proletariat' is a word that no mainstream American politician would employ, but it was army veterans and the unemployed -- or underemployed -- workers from once booming American factories in states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania who carried the Republicans to victory.

In the third and final stage, having won power, the Communists built walls.

'Iron Curtain' may have been a figure of speech, but the Berlin Wall was a physical object made of concrete and barbed wire that extended for 43.1 km through the heart of the German capital.

Donald Trump, of course, won his early plaudits by vowing to build a wall between Mexico and the United States.

And none of that makes Donald Trump a Communist!

The point is that Donald Trump is the closest that any American politician has come in modern times to being a blank sheet of paper.

You can ascribe any ideology to him, and it will be equally right -- or equally wrong.

The 'establishment,' which he railed against in rally after rally, was as much Republican as it was Democrat. That means he comes to the most powerful job in the world absolutely untrammelled by any Republican principles.

There is a chameleon-like quality to Trump that makes him hard to pin down. And he has, in fact, identified himself at varying times as a Republican, as a Democrat, and even as an independent.

That elusiveness means that he could well be a Socialist, a Capitalist, or anything between.

Having made no attempt to articulate a clear set of policies before or during the campaign, the only clues to his future policy lie in his past actions.

He has been a consistent supporter of the police -- security personnel in general -- and it is quite possible that he will try to push through legislation that makes it mandatory to enforce the death penalty for killing an officer of the law.

And he may also be as willing as the George W Bush administration to permit 'enhanced interrogation techniques' -- a fancy term for 'torture' -- where terrorists are concerned.

That is of no concern to India, as it lies in the domain of internal American policy. But Trump has also been a remarkably consistent opponent of free trade as far back as 1987 when he openly criticised Ronald Reagan, one of the patron saints of the modern Republican party.

He opposed NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), he opposed American support for China entering the World Trade Agreement club, and he opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiated by the Obama administration.

Hillary Clinton's husband was the US president that created NAFTA and backed China's admission to the global trading order; she herself was in favour of the Trans-Pacific Partnership before she started opposing it -- very probably in response to Bernie Sanders.

Finally, Trump has indicated that he is not a fan of American military intervention in other nations, and has called on others -- Japan, South Korea, the European Union -- to bear the cost of defending themselves.

How will these policies affect India?

It is impossible to predict given the way that Trump's own party, the Republicans, have historically been in favour of free trade and military alliances. But assume, for argument's sake, that he gets his way.

A trade war with China or Mexico -- two countries Trump has consistently denounced as 'cheats' -- could easily spread into a rash of protectionism that spreads to every country.

The Chinese economy, it is generally agreed, is slowing down, and an American assault could drive it into outright recession.

Faced with domestic discontent, Chinese's autocratic rulers could be driven into the classic response of adventurism in foreign policy, using the surge in national spirit to counter home-grown unease. That is not good news for India.

The US Navy has kept the sea lanes open to traffic for all nations. If American power is withdrawn and if the Chinese try to fill that vacuum there is likely to be a realignment of powers all across South-East and East Asia.

Both the Japanese -- themselves undergoing a surge in nationalistic spirit under Prime Minister Abe -- and the South Koreans could well go in for nuclear options of their own if they believe that they are no longer under America's umbrella.

Trump spoke at his rallies of imposing a 45% tariff on Chinese imports into the United States; what if he extends that principle to India?

How prepared is, for instance, India's software sector if new charges are laid on India-based services?

Long before the Iron Curtain came into being, long before World War II began, Stalin had begun the process of ring-fencing the Soviet Union economically, trying to turn it into a self-sufficient entity.

While Trump almost certainly does not believe in Five Year Plans, his vision of America as a self-contained economy is not all that different. And he definitely shares the Soviet dictator's obsession with grand projects -- dams, bridges, highways spreading across the continent, and so forth.

There are other worryingly neo-Stalinist tendencies to Trump's personality. He has no great love for a free media, and has threatened to bring in new laws that would make it easier to sue for libel.

And, like most Russian rulers, from the Tsars down to Vladimir Putin, his attitude to women has been uncompromisingly chauvinistic. (By the way, can you name any woman that has been either general secretary of the CPI-M, or chief minister in a CPI-M government?)

My friend was obviously joking in calling Trump a 'Communist'. And he is far too much of a maverick to be a 'Manchurian Candidate'. But yes, even though the comrades on the Left will never admit it, he seems as much Stalinist as capitalist.

I foresee interesting times when Donald Trump takes charge.

IMAGE: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump supporters in Milan, Italy. Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Was the recent Nabha jailbreak a comment on lax security in Punjab jails?

Or a sign that the separatist movement of the 1980s is dormant but alive?

Amit Agnihotri/Business Standard reports.

What was behind the massive breach of security that led to the escape of Khalistan movement leader Harminder Singh Mintoo from the Nabha jail at end-November?

Only a security lapse, caused by carelessness on the part of Punjab's jail administration, already under stress?

Or do conditions exist for a resurgence of the separatist movement?

Mintoo was re-arrested within days, but that does not detract from the fact that his colleagues managed to spring him from what is a high-security jail.

"This is not normal criminal activity... Mintoo is among the top militants of the Babbar Khalsa group," the state's former prisons chief, A P Bhatnagar, said.

It would not do, he warned, to be sanguine about the daring jailbreak, especially the finesse with which it was executed.

Bhatnagar served in the Intelligence Bureau and was also director general (intelligence) in the state police.

Pakistan's espionage agency, ISI, might have a hand in the Nabha jail break and the inmates freed might have played a role in the coming elections or in some anti-national activity.

"Such terrorists are moved to ISI safe houses and deployed later on," said Bhatnagar. "They might also be used to influence voters in their areas of influence in favour of a political party."

This view has also been aired by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, who says the jailbreak was entirely elections-related.

'DGP (director general of police) Suresh Arora recently said 52 armed gangs involving around 450 persons were operating in the state with impunity. Why has he suddenly gone silent over the issue?' Captain Amarinder Singh demanded.

Referring to recent reports of the desecration of holy books of different faiths, Captain Singh accused the Akali Dal of trying to polarise voters ahead of the assembly polls early next year.

He also charged that the criminals other than Mintoo who were freed at Nabha were supposed to help the Akalis in the western parts of Punjab, ahead of the assembly polls.

However, former DGP (prisons) Anil Kaushik said the Nabha jailbreak was an act of criminal gangs and could not be linked to a larger plot of radical or terrorist elements.

"There does not seem to be a terrorist angle. It was an act of gangs. Mintoo took advantage of the situation as the attackers were trying to free other inmates," he said.

"There is less local support to terrorists in the state, though people from across the border keep making such plans," Kaushik said.

Both Bhatnagar and Kaushik, however, acknowledge that the administration and conditions in Punjab jails are far from satisfactory.

They list shortage of staff, two-thirds of inmates being undertrials, interference by politicians and slack implementation of security manuals as some of the problems.

Roll calls of inmates are not done properly and jail boundary patrols are skipped.

"I visited the Nabha jail several times, as it is a high security prison. On each occasion, I found the security instructions were not being implemented. I told the officials about it and asked them to address the gaps," said Bhatnagar.

"Sundays are relaxed, as people get busy with personal work. Usually, prisoners are not supposed to be transferred on a Sunday, but this rule is sometimes flouted," said Kaushik.

That was the day the breakout happened and it began with intruders masquerading as a police team entry.

IMAGE: Khalistan Liberation Force 'chief' Harminder Singh Mintoo produced at the Patiala House court in New Delhi.

Mintoo was arrested by the Delhi police a couple of days after he escaped from the Nabha jail.

Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo
Terrorists, who stormed the army camp at Nagrota in Jammu region on November 29, used a silencer-fitted weapon to kill a sentry before gaining entry into the premises, a tactic adopted by fidayeen (suicide attackers) for the first time in the troubled state.

After sneaking into the camp from the rear side, which had thick vegetation that provided natural cover of elephant grass, one of the terrorists fired at the sentry using a silencer-fitted weapon, official sources said.

As someone noticed the fall of the sentry, panic gripped the army camp, which houses an artillery unit having presence of families of soldiers. Soon firing erupted.

The sources said night illuminators were fired to locate the terrorists who had by then taken entered an adjacent two-storey building where families of soldiers were staying.

Anticipating a hostage-like situation, the army troops, with the help of para-commandos, rescued the women and children first before launching a final onslaught on the terrorists.

Drones were pressed into the service which helped the snipers eliminate the terrorists inside the camp, the sources said.

Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in the attack by the three terrorists, who were also eliminated in the counteroffensive which lasted nearly four hours.

Seeking to join the dots related to the attack, multiple security agencies have indicated that three attackers had infiltrated into India from across the international border at Hiranagar in Kathua district of Jammu region.

The security agencies had recovered an iCom wireless set near a tree in Hirnagar that matched the frequency of the sets carried by the terrorists, sources said.

Not ruling out the possibility of local assistance being provided to the terrorists, sources said they had possibly entered into India on the night of November 28-29 and travelled a distance of 78 km to the army camp using a well connected national highway before mounting the assault in the morning.

Initially it was speculated that the terrorists could have travelled to the army camp from Kashmir, a possibility that was rejected after the vehicular movement was scrutinized from the CCTVs installed at vantage points along the national highway linking the Valley to the rest of the country.

There were some intelligence leads suggesting that a sympathiser from Poonch had ferried the terrorists to the army camp, they said.

Border Security Forces officials had initially rejected suggestions that terrorists entered through the international border but after the recovery of the wireless set, they started their internal probe.

The case is now being probed by National Investigation Agency.

Representative image. Photograph: PTI Photo
There is anti-incumbency in urban areas.

But rural Punjab, the Akali base, will hold the key, reports Sahil Makkar/Business Standard.

IMAGE: The Shiromani Akali Dal led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has promised free schoolbags to girls, cheap loans to women entrepreneurs, interest-free crop loans to small farmers, 4,000 modern gymnasiums for youth and a Rs 100 crore scholarship fund for Dalits for next year's assembly election. Photograph: PTI Photo

Harpreet Singh, a taxi driver, is confident that the popularity of the Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal government has not waned in Punjab's villages after 10 years.

This was despite an anti-incumbency mood, the rise of drug usage in the state and other such issues.

"Pind vich teh loki Badalsahab nu hi pasand karde hai (People like Badal in the villages)," says Singh, a Jat Sikh from Rohno Khurd village in Ludhiana district.

"Villagers feel every party and leader is corrupt and so it is better to vote for those who advocate for their panth (the Sikh sect) and benefit them through social schemes," he adds.

The Akalis consider themselves the principal representatives of Sikhs, after their party came into existence in 1920 as a task force of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, the highest Sikh religious body.

The Badals (there is Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the patriarch's son, and then others) hold over the villages had won the SAD-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance 42 of the 66 rural seats in the 2012 assembly election.

The Akali Dal-BJP alliance also won half the 34 seats in semi-urban areas, despite strong anti-incumbency.

The alliance is expecting to repeat that success, as two-thirds of the state population continues to live in villages.

Urban areas comprise barely 17 of the 117 assembly seats.

The reason people attribute to the 2012 assembly election results was the opening of state coffers by the Badals at the close of their earlier tenure.

State-sponsored schemes largely benefited the poor, Dalits and the farmers in the state. Government officials say the Badals are using the same strategy for the coming assembly poll.

They have promised free schoolbags to girls, cheap loans to women entrepreneurs, interest-free crop loans to small farmers, 4,000 modern gymnasiums for youth and a Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) scholarship fund for Dalits.

The Akali party is learnt to be spending a huge amount to take the air out of the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party campaigns.

The biggest advantage the Akali Dal seems set to gain is from the AAP rise.

AAP surprised everyone in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by winning four of Punjab's 13 seats and around 33% of the votes.

"AAP is making a dent in anti-incumbency votes, which otherwise would have come to us," admits a former Union minister and Congress leader.

"If AAP manages to win 15% to 20% of the total votes, the Congress will lose. It is most likely that the SAD-BJP alliance might come to power with a thin majority or it will be a hung assembly," he adds.

In the current scenario, 15% will make a huge difference in the outcome of the 2017 assembly elections.

The SAD and Congress were neck and neck in the 2012 election, with 42.4% and 40.1% respectively of the votes in the seats they had contested.

As a percentage of total votes in all 117 seats, the SAD vote percentage at 34.7% was less than the Congress at 40%, but it managed to win 10 more than the latter.

Overall, 22 assembly seats were closely fought between the Congress and the SAD-BJP.

"In urban areas the swing voters (other than staunch party acolytes) are currently confused between the Congress and AAP. Though AAP has lost its initial momentum, some sections, including youth, seem inclined towards the new party," believes J P Talwar, a businessman in Punjab's most populated city, Ludhiana.

AAP also believes it can get the largest share of the state's 32% Dalit votes.

IMAGE: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal addresses a rally in Moga. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sukhbir Singh Badal/Facebook

Political experts in the state, however, feel the current demonetisation scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 is negatively impacting the AAP more, rather than the Congress or SAD.

"Moreover, Arvind Kejriwal has lost the moral high ground by siding with Lalu Prasad and Mamata Banerjee on the currency ban issue, whereas Prime Minister Modi has carved out his space on this matter," feels Pramod Kumar, director of the Institute for Development and Communications.

"If the central government manages to announce some rebate in income tax during the financial budget, it might change the tide in favour of the SAD-BJP," Kumar adds.

Some feel there is no undercurrent in support for all the three main contenders. They believe AAP will not be able to form a government on its own, but will spoil the Congress' chances.

The other thing which might hurt the Congress is seat distribution, lack of enthusiasm among its cadre and internal feuds.

The party has already made up its mind that if there is a hung assembly, it will not join hands with AAP. "That will be political suicide," says the Congress leader.

However, it is true that people in urban Punjab seem inclined to change the regime. But it is the SAD' ally, the BJP, which mostly contests urban seats.

The SAD strength continues to rest in rural areas.
Shiv Sena on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a cue from United States President-elect Donald Trumps decision to protect jobs for sons of the soil and act against Pakistani artistes snatching jobs from Indians in the country.

Pakistani artistes, technicians and TV people come to India to earn money, while touting words like friendship and ties. They snatch away livelihood of locals here.

Can India implement a policy like Trump and say that these Pakistanis wont get a job here and also declare that those who give work to Pakistanis are the enemies of India, an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

US President-elect Trump had recently said that he would not allow Americans to be replaced by foreign workers, in an apparent reference to cases like that of Disney World and other American companies wherein people hired on H-1B visas, including Indians, displaced US workers.

What someone like Trump...can do, our PM, who is known as courageous and knowledgeable, can certainly do, the Sena said.

The Sena claimed that Trump seems to have been inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray on his slogan of jobs in the US for sons of soil only.

India is going to bear the maximum impact of Trumps stance and it should be seen how Modi government deals with it by talking to Trump, the editorial said.

Incidentally, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan called upon Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday ahead of his upcoming film Raees, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

The issue of Pakistani artists created a storm this year after the MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies citing their involvement in terrorist attacks in India.

In October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. But they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following mediation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to calm tempers.
'Outraged' UN Member States demand immediate halt to attacks against civilians in Syria

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, 'Outraged' UN Member States demand immediate halt to attacks against civilians in Syria, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6b8540d.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

9 December 2016 - Expressing "outrage" at the escalation of violence in Syria, particularly war-battered Aleppo, the General Assembly - the universal body comprising all 193 United Nations Members States - today adopted a resolution demanding an immediate and complete end to all attacks on civilians as well as an end to all sieges in war-ravaged country.

In a resolution adopted by a vote of 122 in favour, 13 against and 36 abstentions, the Assembly also expressed grave concern at the continued deterioration of the devastating humanitarian situation in the country and demanded "rapid, safe, sustained, unhindered and unconditional humanitarian access throughout the country for UN [] and all humanitarian actors."

Action in the Assembly comes just days after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a similar resolution demanding a ceasefire in Aleppo, as two of its permanent members, China and Russia, casts their vetoes.

Earlier today, the UN human rights wing warned that there may currently be around 100,000 civilians in areas under the control of armed opposition groups in eastern Aleppo, with another 30,000 believed to have fled heavy bombardment to areas under Government control.

The Assembly's measure stressed the need that all parties to the conflict fully and immediately implement all provisions of various Security Council resolutions concerning the situation in the country, and underscored that all parties must "take all appropriate steps to protect civilians and persons hors de combat, including members of ethnic, religious and confessional communities."

To that end, it noted "the primary responsibility to protect [Syria's] population lies with the Syrian authorities."

A wide view of the General Assembly. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas (file)

In the resolution, led by Canada, the General Assembly expressed outrage at extensive and persistent violations of international humanitarian and international human rights laws, especially through shelling and aerial bombardment, use of chemical and other prohibited weapons, and use of siege and starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, that have caused profound suffering and loss of life and created conditions "conducive to the rise and spread of terrorism."

It also expressed deep concerns at presence of terrorist organizations in the country and condemned attacks and violations of human rights and humanitarian law perpetrated by them.

"Terrorism in all its forms constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," it reaffirmed.

Further, highlighting that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the country is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, the General Assembly reaffirmed its support for a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian Syrian-led political process, involving women and civil society.

The Assembly also emphasized the need to "ensure accountability for crimes involving violations of international law [] some of which may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, committed in Syria since March 2011, through appropriate, fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at the domestic or international level."

It further urged the Security Council to "exercise its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security by taking additional measures to address the crisis in the Syria, in particular the devastating humanitarian crisis, and stresses in this regard Article 11 of the UN Charter."

Since the crisis erupted in 2011, the humanitarian situation in the country has taken a downward spiral with more than 13.5 million Syrians now in need to humanitarian assistance and nearly 6.3 million people internally displaced.

More than four million Syrians have been driven out of the country as refugees, including hundreds of thousands in Europe.

The conflict has also killed hundreds of thousands of people, including many children. Almost a million people (974,080) remain trapped in besieged areas and nearly 3.9 million people in hard-to-reach areas.
UN relief wing allocates $58 million for life-saving assistance in war-torn Yemen

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN relief wing allocates $58 million for life-saving assistance in war-torn Yemen, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6ba0412.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

9 December 2016 - Amid soaring malnutrition and collapsing basic services in Yemen, a staggering 18.8 million people need humanitarian assistance, the United Nations relief wing has reported as it allocated $58 million through the Humanitarian Pooled Fund to bolster life-saving activities across the crisis-gripped country.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), among the millions of people in need, some 10.3 million require urgent assistance. Moreover, three million people are displaced.

In addition, malnutrition has soared more than 60 per cent since 2015, affecting more than three million people, including 460,000 severely malnourished children under the age of five, OCHA reported.

The Humanitarian Pooled Fund is preparing to finance 31 projects in the sectors of food, nutrition, water, sanitation, and health, in order to address the crisis and assist at least three million people in 15 priority governorates and under-served governorates, such as Shabwah, Dhamar, Al-Jawf and Marib.

Nine national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) ($7 million), fifteen international NGOs ($28 million) and six UN agencies ($23 million) will implement the projects. In addition, nine local responders receive support via direct funding with a total of $3.8 million granted to 28 national NGO's, which includes training and capacity building.

OCHA also expressed gratitude for generous donations from Canada, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. However, it stressed that scale of the conflict in Yemen will require more resources and urgent aid, as the 2016 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan is currently only 58 per cent funded.
Greece: UN agency cites struggle to provide shelter for asylum-seekers as winter arrives

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Greece: UN agency cites struggle to provide shelter for asylum-seekers as winter arrives, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6be440e.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

9 December 2016 - As winter closes in on Greece, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today that improving living conditions for asylum-seekers and migrants is the 'number one priority' for humanitarian actors in the country and urged the European Union to speed up its relocation efforts.

Describing the broader effort to meet shelter needs a major challenge, UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler told the regular press briefing in Geneva that "people living in tents out in the open have been moved to alternative accommodation and that the agency's accommodation scheme, funded by the European Commission, has provided 20,000 badly-needed places for refugees and asylum seekers.

But serious challenges remain, and many others are in substandard shelters lacking proper protection from winter conditions. According to UNHCR, conditions vary greatly, with some sites lacking services, such as psychosocial counselling, health care and interpretation, or even proper security.

"Over the past months, in a joint effort by humanitarian organizations and authorities under the coordination of Greece's Ministry of Migration Policy, conditions have been improved in the majority of the over 40 official sites, including through upgrades of infrastructure," said Mr. Spindler, adding that UNHCR is involved in carrying out improvements and maintenance at 15 of those sites.

Additionally, people living in tents in eight Government-run sites had been moved into UNHCR prefabricated houses.

"So far, over 2,600 people have been moved into the prefabs and by the end of the year this figure will rise to 7,500," continued the spokesperson. "To help matters in all sites, UNHCR and non-governmental organizations have been working to keep people warm and dry. This has involved delivering over 200,000 sleeping bags, blankets and clothes, and other winter relief items," he added.

EU Relocation Mechanism

This week, the agency's accommodation programme reached its target in providing 20,000 units for the European Union (EU) Emergency Relocation Mechanism and for especially vulnerable asylum-seekers. The programme, which started in January, supports the Greek Government's response.

While 58 per cent are small temporary apartments, run by UNHCR's partners, another 25 per cent are discounted hotel rooms. Mainly subsidized by the EU, the programme also hosts asylum-seekers in building rentals as well as with Greek host families. The UN refugee agency is also providing specialized shelters for some 600 unaccompanied children, where they are provided with care and counselling.

UNHCR elaborated that as many waited to be relocated, beneficiaries were provided with psychosocial, legal and interpretation services. As of 7 December, only 6,259 asylum seekers had left Greece under the EU Relocation Mechanism - less than 10 per cent of the 66,400 agreed last year.

"This is an unacceptably poor response," said Mr. Spindler "causing unnecessary uncertainty for people, affecting children including those who are unaccompanied, and prolonging a humanitarian situation for Europe that should have been resolved months ago and which risks encouraging people to move on with the help of smugglers."

On behalf of UNHCR, he appealed to European countries to "do the right thing, by ending this situation without further delay."
Human rights violations in DPR Korea 'warning signs of instability and conflict,' Security Council told

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Human rights violations in DPR Korea 'warning signs of instability and conflict,' Security Council told, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6c0e350.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

9 December 2016 - Citing human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), senior United Nations officials today highlighted the need for the Security Council to pay attention to the situation "of great concern."

"History teaches us that serious human rights violations are warning signs of instability and conflict," Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said in a briefing requested by nine of the Council's 15 members.

France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay had sent a letter to the Council President, seeking further information from the UN Secretariat on this situation and its implications for international peace and security.

"Abduction of foreign nationals, enforced disappearances and people fleeing desperate situations all demonstrate the links between human rights, humanitarian crisis and international peace and security," Mr. Eliasson said.

He also said that the international community has collective responsibilities to protect the country's population from the most serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, live up to the principle and norm of the Responsibility to Protect and consider the wider implications of the human rights situation for regional stability.

Last week, the Security Council adopted a resolution toughening its sanctions on the DPRK, aiming to step up pressure on the country to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General, addresses the Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

In the text, the Council "condemns the DPRK for pursuing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles instead of the welfare of its people while people in the DPRK have great unmet needs, and emphasizes the necessity of the DPRK respecting and ensuring the welfare and inherent dignity of people in the DPRK."

This was the first time the Council specifically requested the DPRK to respect and ensure the welfare and inherent dignity of people in its territory, Mr. Eliasson said, noting that about 70 per cent of the population of the DPRK, or 18 million people, are considered food insecure, a quarter has inadequate access to health services and a fifth lacks access to clean water and proper sanitation. Stunting is a rampant phenomenon among children.

In line with the "no one left behind" principle of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN humanitarian and development support must be decoupled from geopolitical considerations, he stressed.

No improvement in 'truly appalling' situation

Also addressing the Council was Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour, who provided more details on human rights violations in the DPRK.

"There has been no improvement in the truly appalling human rights violations in the country," he said.

He noted that the Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in the DPRK found that numerous crimes against humanity were committed and ongoing, including extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation.

He said that in the past 12 months, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has conducted more than 110 interviews with persons who had left the DPRK. A major issue that emerged was the treatment of people in the custody of law enforcement agencies. "All of those who had been detained stated that they were subject to, or witnessed, practices that clearly contravened international human rights standards," he said.

The General Assembly has again in its resolution this year encouraged the Security Council to take appropriate action to ensure accountability, including through consideration of a referral of the situation in the DPRK to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Improvement in human rights in the country will not only protect the livelihoods and dignity of people in DPRK but also promote long-term security and stability in the region and beyond, he said.

"Escalated security tensions, however, will further isolate the country and leave the DPRK population as usual to bear the terrible consequences, at yet further expense of their human rights," he warned.
UN interagency operation provides vital aid to 42,000 people in eastern Mosul

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN interagency operation provides vital aid to 42,000 people in eastern Mosul, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6c4640e.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

9 December 2016 - Joint efforts by three United Nations agencies - the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) - saw over 42,000 people in eastern Mosul receive food, dignity kits, water purification tablets, jerry cans, and baby hygiene kits yesterday, marking the largest humanitarian aid delivery since the beginning of the current conflict.

For the first time in over two weeks, security conditions have allowed humanitarian agencies to reach families living in the suburbs of eastern Mosul. Iraqi military operations have been under way in and around the city since October, which authorities launched an offensive to oust terrorists form the area. The UN agencies spent eight hours gathering families and providing them with humanitarian supplies and food as a part of an interagency operation.

WFP provided six-days' worth of ready-to-eat food supplies, UNFPA provided dignity kits for women, and UNICEF delivered one month's supply of water purification tablets, high energy biscuits, jerry cans, baby hygiene kits and leaflets with information on child protection and basic mine awareness.

"Access and security are the biggest concerns facing the entire humanitarian community trying to assist families affected by the conflict," stated Sally Haydock, Country Director and WFP Representative for in Iraq, adding that it is a great relief for the agency to be able to assist so many struggling families in Mosul who are running out of food.

"I saw thousands of happy welcoming children today, it was a very large and important distribution which allowed us to reach more than 21,000 children in eastern Mosul," said Bastien Vigneau, UNICEF's Regional Emergency Advisor who coordinated the aid delivery. The advisor also stressed the importance and urgency of delivering longer-term services to these areas to normalize life for children there.

In addition, Nestor Owomuhangi, UNFPA Deputy Representative assured that the agency is working very hard to provide immediate relief to women and girls affected by the conflict. "The dignity kits that we have managed to distribute today to over 9,000 women and girls include feminine hygiene products, basic clothing like a dress and head cover."

They offer more than the basic requirements as they allow women to take care of their well-being and enable them to gain confidence to get out of their tents or houses to seek other available services, he added.
Ghana: Congratulating new President, UN chief thanks outgoing leader for preserving peace during polls

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Ghana: Congratulating new President, UN chief thanks outgoing leader for preserving peace during polls, 10 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6d0140c.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

10 December 2016 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Nana Akufo-Addo on his election as President of Ghana and thanked outgoing President John Dramani Mahama for his role in defusing tensions and preserving peace during the election period.

According to a statement issued by his office late yesterday, Mr. Ban reiterated UN's commitment to continue assisting the Government of Ghana in consolidating democratic and development achievements.

The UN chief also congratulated the people of the African nation, who turned out in large numbers to participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December, and commended the country's Electoral Commission for successfully organizing the elections.
Concerned for civilian safety in Libya's Ganfouda, UN envoy calls for safe passage to allow evacuations

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Concerned for civilian safety in Libya's Ganfouda, UN envoy calls for safe passage to allow evacuations, 10 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6d5740c.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

10 December 2016 - Expressing deep concern that civilians remain in Ganfouda area of the Libyan city, Benghazi, despite a unilateral ceasefire announced by the Libyan National Army, the United Nations envoy for the country called on the parties to provide another safe passage to allow for the evacuation of all civilians who wish to leave in a secure and dignified manner.

Reports of shells being fired and civilians being prevented from leaving are extremely concerning, said Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and the head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL) in a news release.

Earlier this week, I sent letters to both the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC) calling on them to urgently open a safe passage to enable the exit of civilians out of Ganfouda. The LNA announced a ceasefire and I welcomed it, he added.

In the release, Mr. Kobler also reiterated that the LNA and the BRSC are responsible for the safety of the civilians in Ganfouda and reminded the parties to abide by international human rights and humanitarian laws, which explicitly prevent attacks of any kind on civilians and their use as human shields.
UN chief condemns terrorist attack in Turkey's Istanbul

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 11 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN chief condemns terrorist attack in Turkey's Istanbul, 11 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6d7340c.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

11 December 2016 - Senior United Nations officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) condemned last night's terrorist attack in the Turkish city of Istanbul that killed dozens of people and injured many more.

In a statement issued by his office late yesterday, Mr. Ban expressed hope that the perpetrators of the attacks be swiftly identified and brought to justice.

The UN chief also expressed his sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Turkey, and wished a quick recovery to those injured.

Furthermore in a news release today, the UN tourism agency said that it was deeply shocked by yesterday's terrorist incident.

This attack reminds us once more that we are facing a global threat that requires us to work closer together to have a firm and coordinated response that engages all governments and the international community, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Turkey is a leading tourism destination and we are confident it will continue to be so with the support of all, he added, expressing the agency's full solidarity with the people and the Turkish Government.
Terrorism 'will not stop the momentum,' says UN envoy, condemning attack in Somali capital

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 11 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Terrorism 'will not stop the momentum,' says UN envoy, condemning attack in Somali capital, 11 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6d9340d.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

11 December 2016 - Condemning  in the strongest possible terms  a terrorist attack outside the seaport in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for the country said that the bloody act will not stop the momentum of the electoral process.

According to a news release issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), responsibility for this morning's suicide truck bombing was claimed by the al-Shabaab terrorist group. Most of the victims of the attack were civilians.

This latest atrocity by al-Shabaab militants, taking place on a religious holiday, provides fresh evidence of their disregard for the lives and hopes of Somali citizens, said SRSG Michael Keating in the release.

The bombing may be intended to signal al-Shabaab's rejection of the 2016 electoral process. If so, it is a bloody and deeply counterproductive way to do so, and won't have the desired result. Terrorism will not stop the momentum, he added.

According to the UNSOM news release, an al-Shabaab spokesman told news media outlets that they had targeted security personnel assigned to the seaport facility because they had been trained to provide security for so-called elections.

The Mission further noted that most of the voting for the House of the People has been completed, with 226 of the 275 seats now finished and nearly all remaining seats expected to be filled in the coming week.

Last week, Somalia's National Leadership Forum determined that the election of the President will take place by the end of December, it added.

In the release, Mr. Keating also praised the role of the Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia security forces in protecting electoral sites around the county, adding that security in Mogadishu, a sprawling city with millions of people, remains the greatest challenge.
UN Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Egyptian capital, Cairo

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 11 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Egyptian capital, Cairo, 11 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6da540e.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

11 December 2016 - Strongly condemning today's terrorist attack at the St. Peter's Church attached to St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, the United Nations Security Council stressed that those responsible for the attack should be held accountable.

In a press statement issued today, the 15-member Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed and underscored the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts to justice.

According to the statement, at least 25 people were killed and more than 49 injured in the attack today.

Further in the statement, Council members also condemned the terrorist attack that took place in Giza, Egypt on Friday during which six Egyptian policemen were killed and a number of civilians were injured.

Stressing that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, they urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

Council members also expressed their sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims as well as to Government of Egypt, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
Gambia: UN calls on outgoing President to respect election results and to carry out a peaceful transition

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Gambia: UN calls on outgoing President to respect election results and to carry out a peaceful transition, 10 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6db640e.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

10 December 2016 - Strongly condemning the outgoing Gambian President's rejection of the outcome of the Presidential election in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council called on him to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process.

In a statement issued by his office, Mr. Ban called on President Yahya Jammeh as well as all political actors and their supporters to fully respect the outcome of the election and to resolve all disputes that may arise from the electoral process through established legal procedures in an expeditious and transparent manner.

[The Secretary-General] reiterates his earlier call for a peaceful, timely and orderly transfer of power, in full respect of the will of the Gambian people as expressed in the election, added the statement.

The UN chief also urged all stakeholders, including defence and security forces, to refrain from any statements or actions that may lead to violence or unrest.

The UN Security Council also, in a separate statement, called on outgoing President Jammeh to respect the choice of the sovereign people of Gambia, as he did on 2 December, and to transfer, without condition and undue delay, power to President-elect Adama Barrow.

A wide view of the Security Council. UN Photo/Kim Haughton (file)

The Council also urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from violence and remain calm, and requested that the security of President-elect Barrow and that of all Gambians be fully ensured.

Further in their statement, Council members also called on the support by the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWAS) and international partners, especially the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to preserve stability in the west African country and work towards the installation of a democratically elected Government in the country.

They also commended the Gambian people for the peaceful and transparent conduct of elections on 1 December and expressed their commitment to continue to closely follow the evolution of the situation in the country.

The Council members further called on outgoing President Jammeh to respect the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, notably the rejection of unconstitutional changes of Government, and recalled the relevant provisions of Article 23 (4) of the African Union (AU) Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
Kenya: Establish Commission of Inquiry into violations by security agencies

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 10 December 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Kenya: Establish Commission of Inquiry into violations by security agencies, 10 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6e294.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

President Uhuru Kenyatta should urgently establish a commission of inquiry to investigate reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment of detainees by the security forces, eight Kenyan and international human rights organizations said in a letter to the president today as the world marks International Human Rights Day.

Human rights organizations and media outlets have found credible evidence that units of the Kenyan security forces, including Kenya Police Service, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the Kenya Wildlife Service, (KWS), the National Intelligence Service (NIS), have killed, disappeared and tortured people suspected of being terrorists or criminals. Justice for such cases has been inconsistent and victims are often left without avenues for redress.

"The Kenyan president has a responsibility to ensure that all government forces respect national and international human rights law and adhere to due process," said Otsieno Namwaya, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Victims of killings and disappearances by security agencies deserve answers and a commission of inquiry is a critical first step."

Kenyan authorities typically fail to acknowledge or publicly condemn abuses by security forces. Instead, government officials have denied that such abuses occur without investigating the allegations and, in some instances, threatened families, and the media and human rights activists who advocate for justice for the victims. Meanwhile, allegations of killings, torture and disappearances have continued while suspected security officers have rarely been held to account for their alleged actions.

The range of security units involved and the geographical scope of the abuses has expanded in recent years. Various units of the national police, national intelligence service, military and the wildlife police, are actively involved in responding to increased Al-Shabab attacks since 2011.

In 2013, Open Society Justice Initiative and Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) found that anti-terrorism police were involved in the killings and disappearances of individuals suspected of links to Al-Shabaab in the coast region. In 2014, a Human Rights Watch report implicated anti-terrorism police and the General Service Unit in similar abuses in Nairobi. In 2015, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights found that multiple units of the national police, military and wildlife police were involved in torture, arbitrary arrests, killings and disappearances of individuals linked to Al-Shabab at the coast, in Nairobi and in the northeast. In 2016, Human Rights Watch found that both the military and police were implicated in at least 34 cases of disappearances and 11 cases of killings in the northeast and Nairobi.

In view of the widespread nature of these abuses and the fact that multiple security units are usually involved, especially in counterterrorism operations, it is unlikely that existing accountability institutions can effectively investigate and ensure justice for the victims and their families. This is why President Uhuru Kenyatta needs to establish a special commission of inquiry in line with the Kenya Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1962, the organizations said. Under this Act, the president has power to appoint a special commission to investigate a particular matter of public interest.

Allegations of abuse extend from the coastal region to Nairobi and the northeast. Most of the abuses in these regions have been in response to Al-Shabab attacks. Kenyan media and human rights organizations have recently been reporting another worrying trend in killings of young people by security forces  mainly the police.

Cases of killings of young people in rural areas and informal settlements or low income areas in urban centers have been on the increase and yet are rarely investigated. Although the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), a civilian policing accountability institution, has a mandate to investigate such cases, their widespread nature and the possibility that other security agencies may be involved alongside the police, calls for a special mechanism.

"These violations must not be swept under the carpet. The president must take action to ensure the victims get justice, in line with the oath he took to protect the constitution," said Abdullahi Halakhe, East Africa researcher at Amnesty International.

For more information, please contact:

In Nairobi for Kenya Human Rights Commission (English, Swahili), George Kegoro, Email: [email protected]; Tel: +254727641866

In Mombasa for Haki Africa (English, Swahili), Hussein Khalid, Email: [email protected]; Tel: +254 733 278800

In Mombasa for Muslims for Human Rights (English, Swahili), Hassan Abdi Abdille, Email: [email protected]; Tel: +254 738 117733

In Wajir for Wajir Paralegals Network (English, Swahili), Mohamed Omar Issack, Email: [email protected]; Tel: +254 792844766

In Nairobi for Amnesty International (English, Swahili); Abdullahi Halakhe Boru, Email: [email protected]; Tel: +254 732 574499

In Nairobi for Human Rights Watch (English, Swahili), Otsieno Namwaya, Email: [email protected]; or Tel: +254 891575; Twitter: @onamwaya

In Nairobi for Independent Medico  Legal Unit (English, Swahili), Peter Kiama, Email: [email protected], Tel: +254 722 604 740

In Nairobi for International Justice Mission (English, Swahili), Wamaitha Kimani, Email: [email protected], Tel: +254 795 714128

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Egypt: Bring to justice those behind deadliest church attack in years

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 11 December 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Egypt: Bring to justice those behind deadliest church attack in years, 11 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6f06331.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Those responsible for this morning's reprehensible bombing at a Coptic Christian church in Cairo should be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty, said Amnesty International.

At least 25 people were killed and many more injured in the bombing, which took place during Sunday worship at St Peter's Coptic Orthodox Church, according to figures released by Egypt's Health Ministry. The building is next to Saint Mark's Cathedral in the district of Abbassia, the seat of the Coptic Christian Pope.

"This sectarian attack targeting Coptic Christians as they attended Sunday worship is reprehensible and deeply disturbing," said Philip Luther, Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

"The Egyptian authorities must do everything in their power to ensure that the investigation they have announced into today's attack is effective, independent and impartial and brings to justice those responsible. They must send a message that attacks targeting religious minorities will not be tolerated."

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack at time of writing.

It is the deadliest such attack since a church bombing in Alexandria on 1 January 2011 that killed 23 people.

This latest attack should be a wake-up call to the authorities that their actions to prevent attacks on Coptic Christians have long been inadequate, Amnesty International said.

For several years, the organization has called on Egypt to address systemic failures in the response to such violence, including after a wave of violence against Coptic Christians in 2013. Coptic Christians are Egypt's largest religious minority.

The Egyptian authorities should immediately take all possible lawful measures, in full compliance with international human rights law, to prevent attacks on Coptic Christians and other minorities.

"The authorities should show zero tolerance for all sectarian violence and prosecute those responsible, instead of relying on customary 'reconciliation meetings' between communities," said Philip Luther.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Cameroon: Excessive force that led to deaths of protesters must be urgently investigated

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Cameroon: Excessive force that led to deaths of protesters must be urgently investigated, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6f834.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Authorities in Cameroon must investigate the use of excessive and unnecessary force that led to the deaths of between two and four people during a protest in the north western city of Bamenda yesterday, Amnesty International said today.

Eye witnesses recounted that security forces fired live rounds and teargas in reaction to people throwing stones, describing how they saw the bodies of two men who had been shot dead. Media reports quoting police sources have reported that at least four people were killed.

Security forces were also seen launching teargas into an area apparently unrelated to the protests, as well as firing live ammunition in the air.

"Authorities in Cameroon must shed light on the circumstances of these killings and injuries by immediately conducting thorough, impartial and effective investigations. Those reasonably suspected of criminal responsibility for these deaths must be brought to justice," said Ilaria Allegrozzi, Amnesty International's Central Africa Researcher.

"We call on the Cameroonian authorities to refrain from the use of unlawful force in its response to the protests. Responding to incidents of violence during protests with unnecessary or excessive force threatens to further enflame an already tense situation and could put more lives at risk."

On the morning of 8 December protests were held in Bamenda with the aim of blocking a ruling party meeting. This was part of a continuation of demonstrations that began in late October 2016 in several cities in English-speaking south-west and north-west Cameroon against the use of French in courts and schools.

According to information received by Amnesty International, in various neighbourhoods of Bamenda security forces attempted to prevent the gatherings and used tear gas and water-canon to disperse protesters. At about 10.30 am the police barricaded the entrance to the commercial avenue where people were gathering. A police station was burnt by protesters yesterday afternoon, reportedly between 3 and 5 pm.

Security forces also reportedly fired tear gas onto the main Bamenda market where no one was protesting. Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International:

"Market sellers were sitting at the main gate leading to the market when the police came and decided to break windscreen and put down bikes parked there and firing teargas".

"Sellers were saying: we don't know what we have done wrong, we are just selling at the market. When police fired tear gas, sellers and bystanders ran into the market and locked the main gate and you could see all the smoke and vapours from the tear gas [inside]."

Background

Lawyers, students and teachers have been on strike for weeks, in opposition to what they view as the marginalization of the Anglophone minority.

In the past month Cameroon's security forces have arbitrarily arrested peaceful protesters and have used excessive force to disperse gatherings in Bamenda and Buea, leading to several injured and at least one civilian dead. On 26 November more than 100 people were arrested in Bamenda.

Amnesty International has so far confirmed two deaths from the incident at Bamenda, but media reports quoting police sources have put the death toll at four.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Gambia has ridden itself of Yahya Jammeh - the world must not forget it when the news cycle moves on

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Gambia has ridden itself of Yahya Jammeh - the world must not forget it when the news cycle moves on, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e6fcf4.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Aisha was just two weeks old when her father Momodou was arrested. A long time supporter of Gambia's largest opposition party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), he was arrested with several other UDP members on 16 April 2016 as they walked down the road with their arms linked in solidarity. They were calling for the release of political prisoners and demanding justice for their colleague Solo Sandeng, who died after being tortured in state custody following his arrest during a peaceful protest.

A few weeks later, on 9 May, Momodou's wife Kaddy went to court to catch a glimpse of her husband during his trial. As she was going home, she and dozens of other people were arrested by the police intervention unit. Kaddy was badly beaten and detained. Family members took baby Aisha to the cell where she was detained with her mother for 10 days until lawyers from the Female Lawyers Association went to court and got bail for her, making sure she and Aisha were released.

In July, Momodou and 29 others, including the UDP leader Ousainou Darboe, were sentenced to three years in prison on various charges related to holding an unlawful protest.

Kaddy's case is still on trial. Aisha goes to court with her, where she gurgles as police officers look on and lawyers defend her mother's case.

Although these cases are relatively well known as they are linked to prominent members of the opposition, many families of the disappeared in Gambia have no news about their loved ones. Under the outgoing President, Yahya Jammeh, Gambia's climate of fear was sustained for years through regular arbitrary arrests and detention, as well as routine torture. You could never be sure who would be arrested, when or why.

A few months ago I interviewed the family members of three Imams who have not been seen since October 2015. They have received unofficial information that their relatives may be detained in Janjanbureh prison but have no access to them. It is unclear why they were arrested, although family members think it may relate to a petition they sent to President Jammeh asking for the release of some rice farmers who had been detained.

Throughout these interviews I found myself looking around, checking that no one was listening, that we had not been followed. What sounds like paranoia was a way of life in Jammeh's Gambia, where the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) routinely arrested people perceived as opponents of the regime or who spoke out against it.

"You don't know who to trust," a civil society activist told me. "You can't trust your maid, the top-up seller  anyone can be an informant."

Another activist told me, "Jammeh has ruled for so long because he has succeeded in making us afraid and not trusting each other."

Even members of the government were not immune from being picked up by security forces. A relative of Ousman Jammeh (no relation to the president), the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, cried as she recounted how Jammeh left one day in October 2015 to go to work and never returned. There are rumours that he is detained at Mile 2 prison in Banjul, notorious for its terrible conditions, but no official information has been given and no charges have been brought. The family do not understand why he was arrested and wait every day for some piece of information.

Given this climate of fear and the country's history of human rights abuses, the peaceful transfer of power that took place following the election last week has left many people stunned. When the results were announced, many Gambians shed tears, before calling family members abroad to tell them that they could finally come home.

On Monday I sat in a packed courtroom for Ousainou Darboe and Momodou's appeal hearing. The court erupted into shouts of "Freedom!" and supporters stood to sing the national anthem as Darboe and Momodou were granted bail along with 17 other political prisoners. Aisha, the youngest person in the courtroom, smiled and laughed as if she understood what an important moment this was. Although the case is not over, the detainees are now at home with their families after spending eight months in Mile 2 prison.

Sitting in the courtroom I thought about the significance of this moment for the many Gambians who, over the years, have risked their lives to fight for their rights. The journalists who were tortured or forced into years of exile for shedding light on human rights abuses; the courageous lawyers who stood up to defend people unfairly arrested, at great personal risk; and the thousands more Gambians who took to the streets to support their candidates during the election.

Gambia's new government has much to do. A first step will be to release all political prisoners, and provide answers for families who have waited too long for news of their loved ones' whereabouts.

Amnesty International met with President-elect Adama Barrow on the eve of the election and again this week. We were encouraged when he said that political prisoners would be released, the rule of law protected and that no more people would disappear without a trace. Halifa Sallah, another leader of the coalition of opposition parties that won the election, told me that "We need to reject arbitrariness of government in Gambia; to hold onto the principles of justice".

The new government also needs to allow inspections of prisons which were shut to the outside world under Jammeh's rule. It needs to address the impunity gap in the security forces, particularly the NIA, and put a stop to arbitrary arrests and torture.

When the international spotlight moves away from Gambia in the next few weeks and these historic events become old news, we must not look away. We owe it to Gambians to support them on this difficult journey to seek truth, justice and reconciliation as they shape their new Gambia.

Sabrina Mahtani is Amnesty International's West Africa Researcher. She was in Gambia during the election monitoring the human rights context. Follow her on twitter @sabrina_mahtani

Amnesty International has been documenting human rights violations and abuses in Gambia for more than 10 years and released a report, Dangerous to Dissent: Human Rights Under Threat in Gambia, several months ahead of the elections.

This piece was originally published by the International Business Times

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
EU/US: Sanction Senior DR Congo Officials

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, EU/US: Sanction Senior DR Congo Officials, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e70384.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The European Union and United States should expand targeted sanctions against those most responsible for recent violent repression and other serious human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a coalition of 72 Congolese and 15 international human rights organizations said today.

Ten days before the December 19, 2016, deadline marking the end of President Joseph Kabila's constitutionally mandated two-term limit, he still has not made any clear commitment on when or even if he will step down. At the same time, government repression against pro-democracy activists, the political opposition, largely peaceful protesters, and the media has intensified at an alarming rate.

"Imposing targeted sanctions on senior officials, especially before December 19, could help walk Congo back from the brink and deter further violent repression," said Me Georges Kapiamba, president of the Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ). "Such action would show that with each passing day, the consequences for the government will be greater."

Opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists have called for Congolese to take to the streets if President Kabila stays in office beyond his mandate. Past protests suggest that they will be met by security forces quick to use excessive and lethal force. There are risks that political leaders could mobilize the dozens of armed groups active in eastern Congo for political ends, or that the country's brittle security forces could fracture if Kabila relies on force to stay in power. This raises concerns that the country could descend into further repression or widespread violence and chaos, with potentially volatile repercussions across the region.

Earlier targeted sanctions imposed by the US on three security force officers at the forefront of violence against protesters had a notable deterrent effect and rattled those implicated, the organizations said. The US should impose targeted sanctions against more senior level officials.

In October, the EU Foreign Ministers stated that the EU would "use all means at its disposal" against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, who promote violence, or who "obstruct a consensual and peaceful solution to the crisis." In November, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the EU to urgently implement targeted sanctions. The EU is due to discuss Congo and possibly move forward with targeted sanctions during its next Foreign Affairs Council meeting on December 12.

Such targeted sanctions could include travel bans, asset freezes, and the blocking of bank accounts and financial transactions linked to the individuals.

"President Kabila and Congolese officials need to be sent a strong message that violating the rights of the Congolese people is costly for those responsible," said Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Acting now to help prevent the situation in Congo from spiraling out of control will be critical to stability, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental human rights in Congo and throughout the region."

Signatories:

International organizations

Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l'Homme (AEDH) Ecumenical Network Central Africa (OENZ) The Enough Project European Network for Central Africa (EurAc) Federation internationale de l'Action des chretiens pour l'abolition de la torture (FIACAT) Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'Homme (FIDH) Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Global Witness Human Rights Watch Never Again Coalition PAX Protection International Reporters sans Frontieres/Reporters Without Borders Save the Congo World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)

Congolese organizations
Algeria: Halt Summary Deportations

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Algeria: Halt Summary Deportations , 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e71884.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Algerian authorities since December 1, 2016, have rounded up more than 1,400 sub-Saharan migrants and reportedly deported at least several hundred across the border into Niger, Human Rights Watch said today.

Security forces rounded up the migrants in and around Algiers, the capital, and bused them 1,900 kilometers south to a camp in Tamanrasset, from which some were bused into Niger. The Algerian government has said nothing officially about the operation; the embassy in Washington, DC, did not respond to a request for comment.

"A mass and summary deportation of migrants, including men and women who may have fled persecution or have worked for years in Algeria, would violate their rights," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The right of a country to control its borders is not a license for lawlessness."

Those forcibly transported to Tamanrasset, in southern Algeria, include some registered refugees and asylum seekers, as well as migrants who have lived and worked for years in Algeria. It is not known if any refugees or asylum seekers were among those deported.

Convoys of expelled migrants were seen traveling through the town of Arlit, in northern Niger, and later in the city of Agadez, further south, according to unconfirmed reports.

On the afternoon of December 8, authorities in Tamanrasset told the migrants who were still being held there that they were free to return north. It is not clear if this decision covered all of those who had been forcibly transported there.

As a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Algeria is barred from forcibly returning any recognized refugee, asylum seeker, or any other foreigner to a place where they would face a threat of being persecuted, tortured, or subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. The claims of anyone expressing such fears should be examined in full, and fair refugee status determination procedures should be completed before anyone can be deported.

In addition to being a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Algeria is also party to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, which prohibits collective expulsions of migrant workers and their families and requires that each expulsion be examined and decided upon individually. The convention applies to all migrant workers and their families, irrespective of their status.

Authorities took the sub-Saharan migrants into custody at their homes and workplaces and first bused migrants to a facility in Zeralda, a suburb of the capital. On December 2, the authorities forced some of the migrants into a first convoy of buses heading toward Tamanrasset, 1,900 kilometers south.

On December 6, Human Rights Watch reached two men by phone who were in a second convoy of buses heading south from Zeralda. They separately provided similar accounts of police rounding them up and placing them on the buses. They said the authorities did not screen them to ascertain their situation or refugee status, provide information about their rights, or allow them to contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or consular representatives of their country of origin, they said.

The men said that on December 1, the mayor of the Dely Ibrahim commune and several other officials came to their building, where more than 150 migrants live, and asked them to collect their belongings and enter nearby vans belonging to the gendarmerie. The mayor told them they were being relocated to a safer building to protect them, following clashes that they had had with Algerian residents, they said.

Thierry, from Cameroon, said that the vans transported them to Zeralda, where he discovered hundreds of others, all of whom appeared to be sub-Saharan Africans. Some were sleeping on the ground, as there were no mattresses. He said that gendarmes took their belongings when they arrived. When Thierry asked the commander to return them, the commander replied, "This stuff belongs to Algeria. You did not come from your countries with all of these things, and so they have to remain in Algeria."

Thierry said that on December 2, the gendarmes assembled the migrants in the camp and ordered them to board buses to be expelled to their home countries. When migrants protested, the gendarmes clubbed them to force them onto the buses, and used teargas, injuring many people, including women and children. He said he remained behind with hundreds of others as the first convoy of buses left. On December 4, at 5 a.m., gendarmes ordered the remaining migrants into a second convoy of buses. Thierry said he counted 24 buses, each with about 70 seats. He said that he assumed his bus was heading to Tamanrasset because he had called a passenger in the December 2 convoy who had already arrived there. Thierry said the passengers on the second convoy had no water for almost a day.

Ismael, from Cameroon, said he had been living with his wife in Algiers for a year and a half. He said he has documents recognizing his refugee status from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) office in Algiers. He said the gendarmes had not checked the Africans' documents to verify who had legal residence or was registered as a refugee or as an asylum seeker. He said that when he showed the gendarme commander in Zeralda documents proving his refugee status, the commander replied, "This is not my problem, I can't do anything for you."

Human Rights Watch spoke by phone on December 7 to Adele, a woman from Cameroon who said her bus, which left Zeralda three days earlier, had reached Tamanrasset at 3:30 that morning. Adele said that she had lived in Algiers for five years. She said as they were approaching the Tamanrasset camp, she saw several buses departing. She reached several people on the buses by phone who said they were heading to Ain Guezzam, a town on the border with Niger. She lost contact with them at around 6 a.m., she said.

Human Rights Watch also spoke with an Algiers-based journalist who said she was able to speak with one migrant on a convoy as it entered Niger, after which he was unreachable.

The Algiers-based journalist, who asked not to be named, had interviewed migrants rounded up in several neighborhoods in Algiers, including Ain Beniane, Cherraga, Ouled Saied, Draria, Borj el Kifane, and Zeralda. She said most of those rounded up were from West and Central Africa. She was able to reach one of them after his convoy crossed into Niger but lost contact thereafter.

Most estimates of the number of sub-Saharan migrants in Algeria range from 60,000 to 100,000, most of them having arrived since 2000.

Farouk Ksentini, the head of the National Consultative Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, a state institution that reports to the presidency, was quoted in the Algerian daily Assawt Al Akhar (The Other Voice) on December 5, accusing migrants of "spreading diseases," including AIDS. "These diseases are commonplace in these communities," he said, adding that the presence of migrants and refugees in several regions of the country can lead to many problems for Algerians, and that these migrants "don't have a future in Algeria." He reaffirmed these remarks in an interview with the news site Tout sur l'Algerie.

Algeria is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The convention prohibits a country from expelling or returning a refugee to a place where his life or freedom would be threatened  the principle of nonrefoulement. In cases of expulsion that would not result in refoulement, states party to the convention are prohibited from expelling a refugee lawfully in their territory save on grounds of national security or public order, and in those cases, the convention requires the state grant refugees an opportunity to challenge the decision.

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e72004.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

For the past four years, the Kremlin has sought to stigmatize criticism or alternative views of government policy as disloyal, foreign-sponsored, or even traitorous. It is part of a sweeping crackdown to silence critical voices that has included new legal restrictions on the internet, on freedom of expression, on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and on other fundamental freedoms.

Association of NGOs in Defense of Voters' Rights "Golos" (Moscow)  June 5, 2014 Regional Public Association in Defense of Democratic Rights and Freedoms "Golos" (Moscow)  June 5, 2014 Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies (Saratov)  June 5, 2014 (the organization was shut down  May 22, 2015) Women of Don (Rostov region)  June 5, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  February 29, 2016) Kostroma Center for Support of Public Initiatives (Kostroma)  June 5, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  June 19, 2015) Interregional Human Rights Association "Agora" (Kazan)  July 21, 2014 Regional public organization "Ecozaschita!  Womens' Council" (Kaliningrad)  July 21, 2014 Public Verdict Foundation (Moscow)  July 21, 2014 Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Moscow)  July 21, 2014 Lawyers for Constitutional Rights and Freedoms / JURIX (Moscow)  July 21, 2014 (the organization was shut down  May 26, 2015) Soldiers' Mothers (Saint Petersburg)  August 28, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  October 23, 2015) Freedom of Information Foundation / Institute for Information Freedom Development  August 28, 2014 PIR Center  September 3, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  February 24, 2016) Association "Partnership for Development" (Saratov)  October 2, 2014 (the organization was shut down  November 6, 2015) "News Agency MEMO.RU" (Moscow)  November 20, 2014 Regional Press Institute (St. Petersburg)  November 20, 2014 Moscow School of Civic Education  December 9, 2014 Rakurs, Arkhangelsk regional non-governmental LGBT organization  December 15, 2014 All-Russian movement "For Human Rights"  December 22, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  December 30, 2015) Human Rights Center (Kaliningrad)  December 25, 2014 Krasnodar Regional Social Organization of University Alumni  December 25, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  April 22, 2016) Regional social organization "Public Commission for Academic Sakharov's Heritage Preservation"  December 25, 2014 Resource Human Rights Center (St. Petersburg)  December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down  November 3, 2015) Regional Public Organization "Man and the Law" (Republic of Mari El)  December 30, 2014 Center for Social Development "Vozrozhdeniye" (Pskov)  December 30, 2014 Public Human Rights Organization "Civil Control" (St. Petersburg)  December 30, 2014 The League of Women Voters (St. Petersburg)  December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down  May 22, 2015) Free Press Support Foundation  December 30, 2014 Interregional Non-Governmental Organization "The Committee Against Torture"  January 16, 2015 (the organization was shut down  September 13, 2016) Educational Center "Memorial" (Sverdlov region)  January 16, 2015 Autonomous non-profit human rights organization "Youth Center for Consulting and Training"  January 20, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  July 22, 2015) "Information Bureau of the Nordic Council of Ministers in St. Petersburg"  January 20, 2015 Jewish regional branch of the Russian public organization "Municipal Academy" January 26, 2015 (the organization was shut down  May 22, 2015) The noncommercial partnership "Press Development Institute - Siberia"  January 30, 2015 Center for social, psychological and legal help to victims of discrimination and homophobia "Maximum" (Murmansk)  February 4, 2015 (the organization was shut down  October 28, 2015) Interregional public fund for civil society development "Golos-Povolzhye" (Samara)  February 6, 2015 Interregional charity organization "Siberian Environmental Center" (Novosibirsk)  February 12, 2015 Center for Civic Analysis and Independent Research / GRANI (Perm)  February 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  June 19, 2015) Municipal public organization "Samara Center for Gender Studies" (Samara)  February 16, 2015 Regional Fund "Center for Defense of Mass Media Rights" (Voronezh)  February 26, 2015 Regional Charitable Social Foundation "For nature" (Chelyabinsk)  March 6, 2015 Regional Ecological Social Movement "For nature" (Chelyabinsk)  March 6, 2015 Humanist Youth Movement (Murmansk)  March 13, 2015 (the organization was shut down  August 25, 2015) Regional Social Organization for Contribution to Harmonization of Interethnic Relations "Azerbaijan"  March 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  July 22, 2016) Regional Social Environmental Organization "Bellona-Murmansk"  March 19, 2015 (the organization was shut down  October 16, 2015) "Educational Center for Environment and Security" (Samara)  March 20, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  October 8, 2015) Foundation "Migration XXI Century"  March 27, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  November 25, 2016) Eco-logika (Rostov)  April 3, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  March 30, 2016) Transparency International Russia - April 7, 2015 Social Environmental Organization "Planeta Nadezhd"  April 15, 2015 Foundation for Consumers' Rights Defense (Novosibirsk)  April 17, 2015 (the organization was shut down  May 12, 2016) Civil Assistance Committee  April 20, 2015 Foundation 19/29 - Foundation for Support of Investigative Journalism  April 24, 2015 Commemorative Centre of History of Political Repressions "Perm - 36"  April 29, 2015 (the organization was shut down  August 18, 2016) Women's League (Kaliningrad )  April 29, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 16, 2015) Legal Expert Partnership "Soyuz "  May 7, 2015 (the organization was shut down  25 August 2015) Center for Development of Non-Commerical Organizations  May 13, 2015 Club of Accountants and Auditors of Non-Commercial Organizations  May 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  March 30, 2016) Informational Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Northern Countries (Kaliningrad)  May 13, 2015 Sutyajnik (Yekaterinburg)  May 15, 2015 Human Rights Academy (Yekaterinburg)  May 15, 2015 Ecological Center "Dront" (Nizhny Novgorod)  May 22, 2015 The non-profit organization "Liberal Mission" Scientific Foundation of Theoretical and Applied Research  May 25, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  September 11, 2015) The non-profit Dynasty Foundation  May 25, 2015 Union of Employers (Tula region)  May 28, 2015 Youth organization "Nuori Karjala/Young Karelia"  June 19, 2015 (the organization was shut down  March 25, 2016) Siberian Center for Support of Social Initiatives  June 19, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  September 21, 2016) Interregional Social Foundation for Peace in the South and in the Northern Caucasus  June 19, 2015 Informational Center "Free Inform"  June 22, 2015 (the organization was shut down  June 21, 2016) Center for Independent Sociological Studies (St. Petersburg)  June 22, 2015 Regional Organization for Population and Development  June 23, 2015 Geblerov Ecological Societ (Barnaul)  June 23, 2015 Association "Legal Basis" (Yekaterinburg)  July 3, 2015 Interregional Non-governmental Organization "Northern Environmental Coalition" (Petrozavodsk)  July 8, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 1, 2015) Komi Human Rights Commission "Memorial" (Syktyvkar)  July 21, 2015 Altai Regional Public Fund for 21st Century Altai (Barnaul)  July 22, 2015 (the organization was shut down  March 28, 2016) Interregional Public Foundation for Civil Society Development "GOLOS-Ural" (Chelyabinsk region)  July 22, 2015 SREDA Foundation  July 28, 2015 Non-governmental environmental organization "Green World" (Nizhny Novgorod)  July 29, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  October 28, 2016) Civic Action Foundation (Perm)  August 5, 2015 Alliance of Funds of Local Communities of the Perm territory  August 11, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  October 26, 2016) Kabardino-Balkaria Human Rights Center  regional branch of the "For Human Rights" All-Russian movement (Nalchik)  August 18, 2015 (the organization was shut down  November 6, 2015) The Human Rights Center of the Chechen Republic (Grozny)  August 21, 2015 Interregional Social Ecological Foundation "ISAR-Siberia" (Novosibirsk)  August 26, 2015 Perm Regional Human Rights Center (Perm)  September 3, 2015 Siberia's lifeline (Novosibirsk)  September 3, 2015 Golos Foundation in Support of Democracy  September 4, 2015 (the organization was shut down  June 21, 2016) Jewish Cultural Center "Hesed-Teshuva" (Ryazan)  September 4, 2015 Sakhalin Environment Watch (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk)  September 18, 2015 Yasavey Manzara Information and Research Center (Naryan-Mar)  September 23, 2015 (the organization was shut down  June 15, 2016) Consumer Rights and Environment Protection Association "Princip" (Moscow region)  October 5, 2015 Far East Center for the Development of Civil Initiatives and Social Partnership (Vladivostok) October 13, 2015 Russian Research Center for Human Rights  October 20, 2015 Women of the Don (Rostov region)  October 27, 2015 Friends of the Siberian Forests (Krasnoyarsk)  October 28, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 6, 2016) Photography Club "Sobytiye" (Omsk)  October 28, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 16, 2015) Research and Information Center "Memorial" (St. Petersburg)  November 6, 2015 Baikal Environmental Wave (Irkutsk)  November 10, 2015 (the organization was shut down  August 1, 2016) Glasnost Defense Foundation  November 19, 2015 Human Rights Institute  November 20, 2015 Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North  November 27, 2015 Green World (Leningrad region)  December 2, 2015 Mashr (Republic of Ingushetia)  December 8, 2015 Woman's World (Kaliningrad)  December 11, 2015 Panorama Information and Research Center (Moscow)  December 18, 2015 Dauria Ecological Center (Chita)  December 30, 2015 (the organization was shut down  September 1, 2016) Yekaterinburg Memorial Society (Yekaterinburg)  December 30, 2015 Bureau of Public Investigations (Nizhny Novgorod)  January 14, 2016 Committee for the Prevention of Torture (Orenburg)  January 14, 2016 Institute of Forecasting and Resolving of Political Conflicts (Nizhny Novgorod)  January 22, 2016 Ryazan Historical, Educational and Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Ryazan)  February 1, 2016 Society of Assistance to Social Protection of Citizens "Peterburgskaya EGIDA" (Saint Petersburg)  February 2, 2016 (the organization was shut down  April 26, 2016) Center for Health and Social Support "SIBALT" (Omsk)  February 15, 2016 Chelyabinsk Regional Organ of Public Independent Action "Ural Human Rights Group" (Chelyabinsk)  February 15, 2016 Women of Eurasia (Chelyabinsk)  February 15, 2016 Ural Democratic Foundation (Chelyabinsk)  February 15, 2016 Legal and Social Support Charitable Foundation "Sphere" (Saint Petersburg)  March 1, 2016 Centre for Civic Education and Human Rights (Perm)  March 3, 2016 The International Development Fund for Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation "Batani" (Moscow)  March 11, 2016 Center for Social and Labor Rights (Moscow)  March 21, 2016 Arkhar (Gorno-Altaysk)  April 5, 2016 (the organization was shut down  October 6, 2016) Publishing House "Valentin Manuylov"  April 15, 2016 Tengri School of Soul ecology (Altay) - May 17, 2016 Hanse Buero / Information Bureau of Schleswig-Holstein in Kaliningrad (Kaliningrad) - May 24, 2016 Krasnoyarsk Regional Public Organization Agency of public initiatives (Krasnoyarsk) - May 27, 2016 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  September 21, 2016) Saratov Regional Public Organization "Socium" (Engels) - May 30, 2016 Perm regional non-governmental organization "Perm Civil Chamber" (Perm) - June 9, 2016 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  September 21, 2016) Regional non-governmental organization Integration center "Migration and Law" (Moscow) - June 16, 2016 Non-Profit Partnership "ESVERO" (Moscow) - June 22, 2016 Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice (Moscow) - June 29, 2016 Altai regional sport and patriotic youth public organization "Arctica" (Biysk) - July 6, 2016 Autonomous non-governmental organization "Free Word" (Pskov) - July 13, 2016 The Institute of Economic Analysis (Moscow) - July 22, 2016 Penza regional youth civic organization for prevention of negative phenomena among youth "Panacea" (Kuznetsk) - August 15, 2016 (the organization was shut down  December 8, 2016) Samara regional, civic organization "American alumni club" (Samara) - August 26, 2016 Autonomous non-for-profit organization "Publishing house 'Park Gagarina'" (Samara) - August 31, 2016 Levada Analytical Center (Moscow) - September 5, 2016 Environmental Watch on North Caucasus (Maikop) - September 13, 2016 Autonomous non-for-profit human rights organization "Draftee's school" (Chelyabinsk) - September 21, 2016 Foundation for support of civil freedoms "Legal mission" (Chelyabinsk) - September 21, 2016 International Historical, Educational, Human Rights And Charitable Society Memorial (Moscow) - October 4, 2016 Sverdlovsk regional non-profit foundation "Health Era" (Ekaterinburg) - October 11, 2016 Chapaevsk non-profit organization "Chapaevsk city medical personnel association" (Chapaevsk) - October 21, 2016 Regional charity foundation "Samarskaya gubernia" (Samara) - November 2, 2016

And the four NGOs which registered voluntarily:

Non-commercial Partnership "Supporting Competition in the CIS Countries"  June 27, 2013 "The Union of Young Political Scientists", KarachayCherkess Republican Youth Social Organization  December 15, 2014 Regional Social Movement "Novgorod Women's Parliament" (Veliky Novgorod)  March 6, 2015 Center of Independent Researchers of the Altai Republic  June 10, 2015

Leader of at least 1 NGO faces criminal charges personally:

Women of Don (Rostov region) - criminal proceeding is in process. Chair Valentina Cherevatenko faces up to two years in prison for "malicious evasion of the duty to file the documents required for inclusion in the register of nonprofit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
EU: Returns to Greece Put Refugees at Risk

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 10 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, EU: Returns to Greece Put Refugees at Risk, 10 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e767b4.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Plans to resume returns of asylum seekers to Greece put the rights of thousands of people at risk, Human Rights Watch said today. The move demonstrates once again the European Union's failure to uphold its human rights obligations and share responsibility for refugees.

The European Commission announced on December 8, 2016, that EU countries should be able to gradually return asylum seekers to Greece under EU asylum rules, as of mid-March 2017. National courts in a number of EU states have blocked returns to Greece after the European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2011 that deficiencies in the Greek asylum system and its degrading treatment of migrant detainees meant it was not safe to return asylum seekers there. The EU's own Court of Justice has also ruled against transfers.

"It's astonishing that the European Commission thinks asylum seekers should be sent back to Greece, where thousands are already suffering as a direct consequence of the EU's policies," said Eva Cosse, Greece researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Instead of adding to Greece's burden, EU governments and institutions should be working to alleviate it, by relocating asylum seekers from Greece to other EU countries."

More than 62,500 women, men, and children stranded in Greece face abysmal and volatile conditions as a result of Western Balkan border closures, a deeply flawed EU-Turkey deal, and a poorly executed EU relocation plan. Asylum seekers and migrants in Greece face multiple human rights violations, including obstacles in accessing adequate protection, and reception conditions that are well below international human rights standards. The situation is particularly dire for vulnerable people such as pregnant women, female heads of household, unaccompanied children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

The European Commission wants Greece to resume accepting returns under an EU asylum rule known as the Dublin Regulation, contending that Greece has made "significant progress in putting in place the essential institutional and legal structures for a properly functioning asylum system." The Dublin Regulation generally requires the first EU country an asylum seeker reaches to take responsibility for their claim, and permits other EU countries to send them there if they travel onward from that first country.

While the Commission points to improvements in the Greek asylum system and in reception capacity, in reality Greece's asylum and reception systems still have severe deficiencies. These are made worse by the closure of the Western Balkan migration route that traps asylum seekers in Greece, and by the EU-Turkey deal, which keeps them on Greek islands.

The government is not making adequate provision for the basic needs of thousands of asylum seekers and migrants contained on the Aegean islands, or in camps and official reception facilities in mainland Greece.

Human Rights Watch and other groups have documented severely overcrowded and unhygienic conditions on the Islands. Many people sleep on the ground in small tents or makeshift shelters constructed from blankets, plastic sheeting, and scraps of fencing and cardboard. Health care is inadequate, and food is insufficient and of poor quality.

On the mainland, many asylum seekers are left unassisted, destitute, homeless, or living in substandard conditions and unprotected from the cold. That includes people with disabilities, women with newborn babies and pregnant women, elderly people with serious health problems, and other vulnerable groups. Due to lack of space in dedicated shelters despite considerable increase in capacity over the past year, unaccompanied children are often detained, sometimes with adults, for lack of a better alternative.

Instead of focusing on returning asylum seekers to Greece, the European Commission should take urgent steps to alleviate the sufferings of asylum seekers in Greece, by accelerating relocation of asylum seekers, in particular unaccompanied migrant children, to other European Union countries, and by transferring larger numbers of them from the overcrowded hotspots on the Islands to adequate and safe facilities in mainland Greece.

"The Commission's announcement could only be justified if Greece's abysmal detention and reception conditions had improved since the European Court of Human Rights ruled that returning asylum seekers there would violate the prohibition on inhuman and degrading treatment," Cosse said. "But conditions for asylum seekers in Greece are every bit as degrading now as they were six years ago."



Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Bahrain: Release Rights Activist

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 12 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Bahrain: Release Rights Activist, 12 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e772d4.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Bahraini authorities should immediately release the human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, Human Rights Watch said today. Rajab's trial is scheduled to resume on December 15, 2016, on charges that inherently violate the right to free expression. Among Bahrain's allies only the United States has publicly called for his release.

Rajab was arrested on June 13 for comments on his Twitter account that criticized Bahrain's participation in Saudi Arabia-led military operations in Yemen. At the last hearing on October 31, the court ordered an Interior Ministry technical expert to determine whether Rajab had posted the comments. Because the court has repeatedly rejected Rajab's request to be released on bail, he will have spent more than six months in pre-trial detention by the time the court is expected to deliver its verdict, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

"Rajab shouldn't have been arrested in the first place and countries like the UK, France, and Germany should be loudly calling for his immediate release," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Keeping him in detention for all these months while the government seeks an expert opinion only compounds the injustice."

Comments on Rajab's Twitter account about the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen led to an earlier arrest, on April 2, 2015. Authorities released him on July 13, 2015, but prosecutors did not close the cases and ordered his re-arrest on June 13, 2016. Bahrain's penal code provides for up to 10 years in prison for anyone who "deliberately announces in wartime false or malicious news, statements or rumors." If convicted of "offending a foreign country," referring to Saudi Arabia, Rajab faces a two-year sentence under article 215 of the penal code. If convicted of "offending national institutions," based on comments about unrest that broke out in Jaw Prison in March 2015, Rajab faces an additional three years under article 216 of the penal code.

The conditions of Rajab's detention have at times appeared to amount to arbitrary punishment. He was in solitary confinement for more than two weeks after his arrest and was denied compassionate leave to attend a relative's funeral

On September 14, 22 nongovernmental organizations including Human Rights Watch wrote to 50 governments urging them to call for Rajab's immediate and unconditional release. Only the United States has made a public call for Najab's release.

On September 4, the New York Times published an open letter from Rajab about human rights abuses in Bahrain. In response, in the authorities charged him on September 5 with violating article 134 of the penal code, which makes it a crime to publish "false or malicious" information abroad that is deemed to "adversely affect" the "prestige or position" of Bahrain, and could result in a three-year prison sentence. It is unclear at this stage if he will face trial on the new charge.

The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures state that "pre-trial detention shall be used as a means of last resort in criminal proceedings, with due regard for the investigation of the alleged offence and for the protection of society and the victim."

"Nabeel Rajab has already spent six months in jail solely for peacefully criticizing the government," Stork said. "It is a mark of shame that European countries that claim to respect human rights can't muster the courage to criticise these absurd charges."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Syria: Abducted Activists' Whereabouts Remain Unknown 3 Years on, No Word on Douma 4

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 9 December 2016 Reference MDE 24/5311/2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Syria: Abducted Activists' Whereabouts Remain Unknown 3 Years on, No Word on Douma 4, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e77f44.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The prominent Syrian human rights defenders Razan Zaitouneh, Samira AlKhalil,

Wa'el Hamada and Nazim Hammadi, who remain missing three years

after armed men abducted them, should be released immediately, 56 human

rights organizations said today, on the anniversary of their abduction.

On December 9, 2013, a group of armed men stormed into the office of the

Violations Documentation Center (VDC) in Syria, a local human rights

monitoring group in Douma, in the Damascus countryside. They abducted

Zaitouneh, the head of the center, her husband, Wa'el Hamada, and

colleagues, Samira Al-Khalil and Nazem Hamadi. There has been no news of

their whereabouts since then.

The armed groups exercising de facto control over Douma at the time include

the Army of Islam, which is part of the Islamic Front, a coalition of armed

groups. The groups should immediately release the four human rights defenders

if they are in the groups' custody, or work toward ensuring they are released

unharmed and without delay. Countries that support these groups, as well as

religious leaders and others who may have influence over them, should also

press for the immediate release of the four activists and for an end to

abductions of civilians.

Zaitouneh had defended political prisoners in Syria since 2001 and played a

key role in the promotion and protection of human rights through her brave work

as a lawyer, activist and journalist. Since the beginning of the crisis in 2011,

Zaitouneh had played a key role in efforts to defend human rights for all and to

protect independent groups and activists in Syria. Along with a number of other

activists, she established the VDC, which monitors human rights violations and

records casualties in Syria.

She also co-founded the Local Coordination Committees (LCCs), which

coordinates the work of local committees that document human rights violations

in various cities and towns across Syria. And she established the Local

Development and Small Projects Support Office (LDSPS), which assists nongovernmental

organizations in besieged Eastern Ghouta. As a result of her work,

she had been threatened by both the Syrian government and armed opposition

groups in Douma several months before her abduction.

Al-Khalil had been a longtime political activist in Syria. The Syrian

government detained her between 1987 and 1991 for her activism. She later

worked in a publishing house before shifting her efforts to working with the

families of detainees and writing about detention in Syria. Before her

abduction, she was working to help women in Douma support themselves by

initiating small income-generating projects.

Hamada was also an activist before the 2011 uprising in Syria. When

peaceful protests first broke out in the country in 2011, the government

detained and later released him. He was an active member and co-founder of

the Local Coordination Committees and the VDC. Before his abduction

Hamada had been working to provide desperately needed humanitarian

assistance to the residents of besieged Eastern Ghouta.

Hammadi, a lawyer and poet, was one of the most prominent volunteer

defenders of political prisoners before and after the 2011 uprising in Syria. He

contributed to founding the Local Coordination Committees and also worked to

provide humanitarian assistance to residents of Eastern Ghouta.

Zaitouneh and her colleagues appear to have been abducted and arbitrarily

deprived of their liberty as punishment for their legitimate activities as human

rights defenders. Such actions are prohibited by international humanitarian law

and are contrary to international human rights standards. The armed groups in

control of the area and the governments who support them should do everything

in their power to facilitate the release of Zaitouneh, Hamada, Al-Khalil and

Hamadi.

List of 56 signatories:

1. Amnesty International (AI)

2. Arab Foundation for Development and Citizenship

3. Article 19

4. Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)

5. Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)

6. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)

7. Center for Documentation of Violations in Syria (VDC)

8. Center for Women's Equality (CWE)

9. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

10. Digital Lighthouse

11. English PEN

12. El Nadim Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence

13. EuroMed Rights

14. European - Bahraini Organisation for Human Rights (EBOHR)

15. FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection

of Human Rights Defenders

16. Front Line Defenders (FLD)

17. Foundation to Restore Equality and Education in Syria (FREESyria)

18. Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)

19. Hivos International

20. Human Rights Watch (HRW)

21. Index on Censorship

22. Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)

23. International Center for Supporting Rights and Freedoms (ICSRF)

24. International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)

25. International Media Support (IMS)

26. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)

27. Iraqi Al-Amal Association

28. Iraqi Journalists Rights Defense Association (IJRDA)

29. Iraqi Network for Social Media (INSM)

30. Justice for Life observatory in DeirEzzor - Syria

31. Kvinna till Kvinna

32. Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L)

33. Lawyer's Rights Watch Canada

34. Libya's Future Center for Media and Culture

35. Maharat Foudnation

36. Martin Ennals Foundation

37. MENA Media Monitoring

38. Metro Centre to Defend Journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan

39. NGOs Platform of Saida (Tajamoh)

40. Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)

41. PAX

42. PEN International

43. RAW in WAR (Reach All Women in War)

44. Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

45. Sisters' Arab Forum for Human Rights (SAF)

46. SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom

47. Syria Justice and Accountability Center (SJAC)

48. Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Researches

49. Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)

50. Syrian Centre for Democracy and Civil Rights

51. Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR)

52. Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)

53. Vigilance Association for Democracy and the Civil State in

Tunisia

54. Vivarta

55. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework

of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

56. Umammu Organisation in Syria

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
RSF decries Islamic State's use of British journalist John Cantlie

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, RSF decries Islamic State's use of British journalist John Cantlie, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e793e4.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns Islamic State's continuing exploitation of one of its hostages, British journalist John Cantlie, who looks extremely thin in a new video shot in the IS-controlled city of Mosul in northern Iraq that was posted on the jihadi group's online TV channel Amaq yesterday.

The twelfth Islamic State propaganda video to use John Cantlie, it shows him on the streets of Mosul for eight minutes, commenting on the destruction of the city's bridges and interviewing residents.

He looks pale and emaciated in the footage, indicating that he has suffered a dramatic physical change since his last appearance in an IS video in July.

"We roundly condemn this obscene use of British journalist John Cantlie in videos," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. "Islamic State has been using him for propaganda purposes in Syria and Iraq for the past two years. His detention and exploitation amount to unspeakable acts of torture. We urge the British government to do everything possible to obtain his release and get him home safely."

This is the third video with Cantlie to be published this year by IS media outlets such as Amaq and its Al-Hayat media centre. He has previously been filmed by IS cameramen in such Syrian and Iraqi cities as Aleppo, Kobani and Raqqa, as well as Mosul. Articles with his byline have also appeared in the magazine Dabiq and other IS print media.

The former Sunday Times reporter was kidnapped near the Turkish border in northern Syria in November 2012 along with US video reporter James Foley, who was one of the three foreign journalists to be beheaded by IS. The others were US reporter Steven Sotloff and Japanese video journalist Kenji Goto.

According to RSF's tally, around 21 professional and non-professional journalists and media contributors are currently held hostage by IS in Iraq and Syria,

Ranked 158th and 177th respectively in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Iraq and Syria are among the world's deadliest countries for journalists.
Media regulator suspends many newspapers and journalists

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Media regulator suspends many newspapers and journalists, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e79b34.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled by the draconian sanctions that Cameroon's media regulator, the National Communication Council (CNC), has imposed on 22 media outlets. They include the permanent closure of two newspapers, whose publishers are now banned for life from working as journalists.

The CNC announced the sanctions in a communique published in the press on 6 December. It said it had suspended 18 newspapers, one radio programme, and 27 newspaper publishers and reporters for periods ranging in most cases from six months to one year.

The sanctions constitute a very intimidatory message to Cameroon's media at a time of extreme social tension, in which several persons have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and police in the English-speaking part of the country.

In most cases, the grounds given by the CNC for imposing the sanctions was "publishing baseless, offensive and insinuating accusations" - in other words, defamation. The severest sanction, permanent closure, was reserved for L'Aurore (and its sister publication L'Aurore Plus) and the Depeche du Cameroun.

After many months of judicial problems, Michel Mouchault Moussala, the publisher of L'Aurore and L'Aurore Plus, now finds himself banned from practicing journalism in Cameroon for the rest of his life. He has been a journalist for more than 35 years.

The victim of the other lifetime ban, Depeche du Cameroun publisher Gilbert Avang, was defiant. "I learned that my newspaper and I had been suspended by reading it in the press," he said. "Neither I nor my lawyers have been officially notified. We will continue to publish until we have received an official notification of this decision."

"We are disturbed by these decisions, which are particularly severe and lacking in transparency," said Clea Kahn-Sriber, the head of RSF's Africa desk. "With few exceptions, all these measures target opposition newspapers and benefit senior state officials or figures in spheres of interest linked to the government. We call on the CNC to adopt more transparent operating methods, which would help to legitimize its measures in the public's eyes."

In 2013, RSF already criticized the CNC's lack of transparency and the questionable methods it used to silence journalists.

Three journalists - Ahmed Abba, Rodrigue Tongue and Felix Cyriaque Ebole-Bola - and journalism professor Baba Wame are currently being prosecuted before military courts under Cameroon's terrorism law on charges of failing to report terrorism to the authorities.

There is no evidence to support the charges, and the main effect of these productions is to curtail media freedom in Cameroon, which is ranked 126th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index.
New communication code puts Gabon's media in straitjacket

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 9 December 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, New communication code puts Gabon's media in straitjacket, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e7ac04.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is very concerned about Gabon's controversial new "communication code," which exposes the country's media to pressure without giving journalists the legal guarantees they need to practice their profession freely.

Communication minister and government spokesman Alain-Claude Bilie Bi Nze announced last week that the new law, which he said would enable journalists to work with more freedom and responsibility, will take effect on 2 January, although it has already technically been in force since its promulagation by decree during a parliamentary recess last August.





The announcement came a month after a spectacular police raid on the Echos du Nord opposition newspaper on 3 November over a controversial report about Gabonese intelligence chief Celestin Embinga, who has since been fired. The newspaper's editor said she was tortured during interrogation to make her reveal her sources.





It is hard not to see the announcement as a message to journalists who are openly critical of the government, especially those who live abroad to avoid persecution like Echos du Nord publisher Desire Ename. Article 16 of the new code specifically prohibits anyone residing outside Gabon from running a Gabonese publication or producing news for publication in Gabon.





However, article 16 is far from being the new code's only shortcoming.





A code with many flaws





"Gabon's communication code restricts the freedoms of media and journalists without providing a clear legal framework that protects the media profession," said Clea Kahn-Sriber, the head of RSF's Africa desk. "The vague wording, the imprecise definitions of offences and the constraints imposed on the media just reinforce the threat to free speech and encourage self-censorship.





"We provided the Gabonese government with a series of recommendations on a first draft of the communication code, with the aim of improving respect for national and international norms. Unfortunately they have not been taken into account in the final version.





"We acknowledge that there has been some progress, such as article 15 banning members of the government and public sector from owning media outlets, and the decriminalization of media offences. But the code contains many obstacles to freedom of information. We therefore urge the government to amend this law so that it really protects the rights and duties of Gabon's journalists and citizens."





A code that covers too broad an area





The new code concerns not only the media but also all other forms of broadcast, print, digital and cinematographical production, while article 3 requires them to "contribute to the projection of the country's image and national cohesion."





The code is often imprecise in its wording and often uses vague concepts. Article 11, for example, says censorship is "forbidden except in cases envisaged by the law" but no law is ever cited. Article 181 says "abuses of freedom of expression" are penalized but they are not defined. Attacking "national unity" is banned in article 95, and journalists and publishers are required to "promote" national unity, but it is also left undefined.





It is impossible to know the penalties to which media and journalists are exposed for specific offences. Articles 192, 194 and 195 list fines ranging from 500,000 francs (750 euros) to 10 million francs (15,000 euros) for each "offence as regards (...) the creation of a communications company (...) committed with regard to communication (...) or with regard to publishing, posting or printing."





But the "specific acts constituting the penalized offences (...) and the penalties" themselves are left to the government to decide. Article 199 says they will be determined "by cabinet decree."





Nitpicking





This legal uncertainty is compounded by the code's attempts to increase controls over journalists and define how they should work.





Journalists are no longer allowed to use a pseudonym to maintain anonymity as they will have to officially register their pseudonym.





Article 87 requires journalists to "safeguard public order and promote national unity," thereby limiting their freedom to criticize and their duty to play a watchdog role. This is compounded by a restriction on access to the journalistic profession. The code requires journalists to have a qualification "approved by the state" (without providing further detail) or to have worked for five years in a media outlet "recognized by the state" (again without further detail).





The articles about digital media use equally vague terms that inflict legal uncertainty on bloggers, citizen journalists and all others who post content online.





Subjugated media





Article 75 places privately-owned media outlets "under the control of the minister responsible for communication" although they are already subject to private enterprise law. The nature of this control  administrative, legal, financial or editorial  is not specified.





The burden of self-censorship is distributed equally between journalists, disseminators and printers, inasmuch as article 180 says they are all "jointly responsible" for media offences. Will printers take the risk of printing a newspaper critical of government policy if they could be convicted of violating the communication code?





Gabon is ranked 100th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index, five places lower than in 2015.
On December 8, 2016, head of FIDH member organisation "Centre for Human Rights "Kylym Shamy" Aziza Abdirasulova was hospitalised for urgent treatment following revelation of facts of wiretapping and mounting media harassment. Persecution of Aziza Abdirasulova and Tolekan Ismailova, Head of FIDH member "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan", intensified during the retrial of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov. Condemned to life imprisonment in 2010 in judicial proceedings considered as unfair by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, Azimjan Askarov is being retried  only at the appeals level - since October 2016.

As the verdict of Azimjan Askarov approaches, mounting pressure on Tolekan Ismailova, Askarovs public defender, and Aziza Abdirasulova, defense witness in the retrial, has resulted in increased surveillance and regular hounding in media and social networks.

Our organisations recall that Tolekan Ismailova and Aziza Abdirasulova are regularly victims of verbal attacks, acts of harassment and slandering campaigns [1]

Beside strengthening the power of the executive and weakening the independence of the judiciary, the proposed constitutional amendments introduce a set of "highest values" that may be used to curtail universal human rights and freedoms. The amendments would also delete part of Article 41 of the Constitution which require the national authorities to restore the rights of Kyrgyz citizens in the case of violation established by international mechanisms. This constitutional provision was the legal basis for the retrial of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov [2].

The initiative to hold a constitutional referendum introducing major changes into the fundamental law was made public in the mid-summer, leaving citizens only roughly four months to debate. Our organisations are also alarmed by the recent reports of Facebook users being summoned by the security services for criticizing the authorities.

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to intervene to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society.


Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Syria: Abducted Activists' Whereabouts Remain - Unknown 3 Years on, No Word on Douma 4

Publisher International Federation for Human Rights Publication Date 12 December 2016 Cite as International Federation for Human Rights, Syria: Abducted Activists' Whereabouts Remain - Unknown 3 Years on, No Word on Douma 4, 12 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e809d4.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The prominent Syrian human rights defenders Razan Zaitouneh, Samira Al-Khalil, Wa'el Hamada and Nazim Hammadi, who remain missing three years after armed men abducted them, should be released immediately, 56 human rights organizations said today, on the anniversary of their abduction.

On December 9, 2013, a group of armed men stormed into the office of the Violations Documentation Center (VDC) in Syria, a local human rights monitoring group in Douma, in the Damascuscountryside. They abducted Zaitouneh, the head of the center, her husband, Wa'el Hamada, and colleagues, Samira Al-Khalil and Nazem Hamadi. There has been no news of their whereabouts since then.

The armed groups exercising de facto control over Douma at the time include the Army of Islam, which is part of the Islamic Front, a coalition of armed groups. The groups should immediately release the four human rights defenders if they are in the groups' custody, or work toward ensuring they are released unharmed and without delay. Countries that support these groups, as well as religious leaders and others who may have influence over them, should also press for the immediate release of the four activists and for an end to abductions of civilians.

Zaitouneh had defended political prisoners in Syria since 2001 and played a key role in the promotion and protection of human rights through her brave work as a lawyer, activist and journalist. Since the beginning of the crisis in 2011, Zaitouneh had played a key role in efforts to defend human rights for all and to protect independent groups and activists in Syria. Along with a number of other activists, she established the VDC, which monitors human rights violations and records casualties in Syria.

She also co-founded the Local Coordination Committees (LCCs), which coordinates the work of local committees that document human rights violations in various cities and towns across Syria. And she established the Local Development and Small Projects Support Office (LDSPS), which assists non-governmental organizations in besieged Eastern Ghouta.As a result of her work,she had been threatened by both the Syrian government and armed opposition groups in Douma several months before her abduction.

Al-Khalil had been a longtime political activist in Syria. The Syrian government detained her between 1987 and 1991 for her activism. She later worked in a publishing house before shifting her efforts to working with the families of detainees and writing about detention in Syria. Before her abduction, she was working to help women in Douma support themselves by initiating small income-generating projects.

Hamada was also an activist before the 2011 uprising in Syria. When peaceful protests first broke out in the country in 2011, the government detained and later released him. He was an active member and co-founder of the Local Coordination Committees and the VDC. Before his abduction Hamada had been working to provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance to the residents of besieged Eastern Ghouta.

Hammadi, a lawyer and poet, was one of the most prominent volunteer defenders of political prisoners before and after the 2011 uprising in Syria. He contributed to founding the Local Coordination Committees and also worked to provide humanitarian assistance to residents of Eastern Ghouta.

Zaitouneh and her colleagues appear to have been abducted and arbitrarily deprived of their liberty as punishment for their legitimate activities as human rights defenders. Such actions are prohibited by international humanitarian law and are contrary to international human rights standards. The armed groups in control of the area and the governments who support them should do everything in their power to facilitate the release of Zaitouneh, Hamada, Al-Khalil and Hamadi.
Azerbaijan: Stop Crackdown on Freedom of Expression

Publisher International Federation for Human Rights Publication Date 6 December 2016 Cite as International Federation for Human Rights, Azerbaijan: Stop Crackdown on Freedom of Expression, 6 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e81234.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The government of Azerbaijan is carrying out a multi-pronged attack on freedom of expression, including introducing harsh penalties for critical speech online, imprisoning young activists for nothing more than graffiti, blocking access to websites of independent media, and harassing and violating the rights of journalists and activists. The undersigned organisations call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to reverse this alarming trend and respect basic human rights and freedoms, as well as for international partners to ensure Azerbaijan honours its treaty commitments as a state party to the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Earlier this year, two young activists from the N!DA youth movement, Bayram Mammadov and Qiyas Ibrahimov, were arrested after spraypainting graffiti on a monument to Heydar Aliyev in Baku. They were arrested on spurious drug charges and allegedly tortured repeatedly in police custody. Ibrahimov was recently sentenced to ten years imprisonment in what the head of the country's press freedom watchdog Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety Emin Huseynov rightfully called, "a prime example of travesty of justice in Azerbaijan." Mammadov, whose trial is underway, will most likely face the same fate as last Friday the prosecution requested a 10 years and 6 months imprisonment for him.

In Sumqayit, the journalist Ikram Rahimov and a private citizen Rahman Novruzov were sentenced to a year in prison for libel after reporting on bribery and tax evasion by local authorities. In striking similarity to the N!DA case, Rahimov alleges he was tortured for three days by local police after refusing to apologise to the local authorities whose criminal activity he had uncovered. Meanwhile in Jalilabad region, the journalist Afgan Sadigov is set to begin trial for "infliction of a minor harm to heath" after an altercation with a local woman with a history of getting into physical confrontations with citizens who anger regional authorities through dissent or critical reporting. Sadigov faces up to five years in prison.

"The arbitrary persecution of Azerbaijani journalists is disturbing, and it is vital that the state protect its citizens' rights to expression and freedom from torture and arbitrary detention," said Robert Hardh, Director of Civil Rights Defenders, "these cases represent a serious deterioration in the rule of law in the country, and it is vital that steps be taken to remedy the situation."

Independent journalists who stay out of jail are also having a hard time reaching their audience, as the websites of the local affiliates of RFE/RL and Voice of America have reportedly been blocked .

Finally, on 30 November parliament passed laws criminalising "online defamation or derogation of honor and dignity" of President Ilham Aliyev. Violators face fines up to 1000 AZN (537) or two years in prison, or 1500 AZN (805) or a year in prison if they do so using "fake profiles or nicknames." As online defamation is already criminalised in Azerbaijan, this amounts primarily to another warning that dissent, in any form, will be harshly punished.

'The new law is a blatant attempt to clamp down on the only remaining space for Azerbaijani people to freely express themselves in a country where traditional media have been silenced via legal means and harassment', said Gulnara Akhundova, Head of Department at International Media Support.

The undersigned organisations call on the Azerbaijani authorities to cease the politically-motivated prosecution and torture of journalists, to repeal the new laws further criminalising dissent and free speech, to vacate the conviction of Qiyas Ibrahimov and cease the persecution of Bayram Mammadov, and finally the public unfettered access to independent sources of news and opinion. Furthermore, we call on Azerbaijan's international partners to use their leverage, both bilaterally and through multilateral institutions, to hold Azerbaijan accountable to its international commitments, and the board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to take the aforementioned violations of basic human rights into consideration when deciding on Azerbaijan's continued membership.

Supporting organisations:

ARTICLE 19

CEE Bankwatch Network

Civil Rights Defenders

Freedom Now

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights

Human Rights House Foundation

Index on Censorship

Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety

International Media Support

International Partnership for Human Rights

MYMEDIA

Netherlands Helsinki Committee

Norwegian Helsinki Committee

PEN America

People in Need

Platform

Reporters Without Borders

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
The Illusion of a Restored Russian Superpower

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Vadim Shtepa Publication Date 8 December 2016 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, The Illusion of a Restored Russian Superpower, 8 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e82c64.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

The new Russian foreign policy concept, signed by President Vladimir Putin, was published on December 1 (Gov.ru, December 1). It replaced the previous concept adopted in 2013. The Russian financial website Finanz.ru candidly named the new foreign policy concept a "Cold War doctrine," because of its premise of confrontation with the West (Finanz.ru, December 1). Indeed, if in the 2013 foreign policy concept Russia considered itself "an integral part of Europe," now such language is excluded and replaced instead with accusations of "geopolitical expansion" by the European Union (EU). The paper says that by restraining Russia, the EU together with the US, undermines regional and global stability. For the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States has been declared a "threat" to Russia's national security (Gov.ru, Finanz.ru, December 1).

Liudmila Kravchenko, an expert from the Sulakshin analytical center, observed an interesting pattern in the history of Russian foreign policy conceptsthey usually become obsolete very quickly. Such concepts were adopted in 2000, 2008, 2013, and now there is a new one, very different from its most recent predecessor (Rusrand.ru, December, 6).

The demand for a new concept resulted from changes in Russian foreign policy in recent years. Since 2014, Moscow illegally annexed Crimea, started a war in eastern Ukraine and came under sanctions by the international community. However, the Kremlin does not see the solution of these problems in ceasing military expansion. On the contrary, one of the objectives of the new foreign policy concept is "the consolidation of Russia's position as one of the most influential centers in the modern world." It may explain the active participation of Russian troops in the Syrian crisisin spite of the economic crisis at home.

The concept endorses "enhancing the factor of force in international relations," which refers to using military force. Apparently, Moscow believes that by using military force it can emerge from international isolation it has driven itself into. The Kremlin is trying to present its military intervention in the Syrian conflict in a way to suggest that without Russia the world community could not manage to solve it.

Russian government cooperation with various dictatorships inevitably leads to increased rows with democratic countries. The new foreign policy concept depicts the Western countries as global rivals, who "tend to hold their positions." The idea of "integration into the global world" presented in the previous concept is already forgotten.

One of the most important goals in the concept is formulated as "strengthening the position of the Russian media in the global information space." Needless to say, if the state is engaged in media operations, the media loses its informational role and becomes a mere propaganda tool. It is inconceivable that the US or the UK governments become suddenly engaged in "strengthening the international positions" of the English-language media. Free media are independent, but in the Russian case, it is obvious that the media are seen as an instrument of the state.

Some of the wording in this concept looks quite cynical for an unbiased observer. For example, "Russia stands for compliance with international obligations in good faith, against interference in the internal affairs of other states." In light of Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine, where it committed an infringement of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and violated other international treaties protecting the territorial integrity of sovereign states, this statement is hypocritical at best.

The foreign policy concept claims that Russia "firmly opposes aggressive nationalism," but it used the nationalist concept of the "Russian World" to justify its assault on eastern Ukraine. Back in 2015, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov named the "Russian World" idea an "absolute priority of Russian foreign policy" (Rossiyskaya Gazeta, November 1, 2015).

The war in Ukraine is defined in this concept as an "internal Ukrainian conflict." Although for the impartial observer it is obvious that without the participation of Russian troops and military equipment, the emergence of the Donetsk and Lugansk "people's republics" would be impossible. The Ukrainian political analyst Yuri Kostyuchenko says: The Kremlin insists on the internal nature of a conflict that it has unleashed in another country" (Day.kyiv.ua, December, 5).

The crisis in Russia's relations with the West, according to this concept, is not generated by Russian aggression, but by the "geopolitical expansion" of NATO and the EU. And Russia promises an "adequate response." One of these responses apparently was the placement of the Bastion missile system in the Kaliningrad region, which caused concern in Poland and Lithuania (Newsru.com, November 22).

Russia's opposition political analyst Konstantin Eggert believes that the Kremlin hopes for a political situation in Europe that is more favorable to its interests. He adds that the Russian authorities are trying to keep the old Brezhnev policy of dividing Europe and the US by maintaining intensive contacts with France and Germany. Arguing for a "multipolar world," Moscow actually aims to restore the bipolar world of Soviet times, divided into "zones of influence" (Spektr, December 2).

However, this propaganda might collapse under the weight of the economic crisisas Soviet propaganda collapsed in the mid-1980s. According to experts, the total economic losses of Russia in 20142017, due to the fall of oil prices and international economic sanctions, will be about $600 billion (Vedomosti, February 5). Russia compensates for its inability to compete with the West with purely propagandist efforts, creating for itself a virtual image of a "superpower" as a media illusion. However, in todays information world, it is often very effective.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Are Russia and Turkey Mending Fences?

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Orhan Gafarli Publication Date 8 December 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 193 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Are Russia and Turkey Mending Fences?, 8 December 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 193, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584e835a4.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim paid a visit to Russia on December 6 and 7. Within the framework of the visit, Yildirim held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow. Then he paid a visit to Tatarstans capital Kazan and attended the TurkishTatar Business Forum and the unveiling of a monument dedicated to Sadri Maksudi Arsal (AA, December 67).

The visit was mainly focused on economic relations, as a delegation of business people was accompanying Prime Minister Yildirim, along with some of his ministers. Hence, the agenda of the meetings included: lifting the embargo on exporting Turkish agricultural products to Russia, triggered by the 2015 crisis between Moscow and Ankara; removing the visa requirements for Turkish business people, boosting trade between the two countries, matters concerning the two countries' currencies and the Russian-Turkish Joint Investment Fund. The Syrian crisis and military-diplomatic affairs between the two countries were also discussed during the meeting (Milliyet, December 4; Haberturk, December 5).

The Turkish and Russian presidents agreed to restore bilateral relations between their countries after Erdogan's sent a letter to Putin on June 27, apologizing for the death of the Russian pilot whose plane was shot down by a Turkish F-16 in November 2015 (EDM, October 21). They subsequently met in St. Petersburg on August 9, then at the G-20 summit in Hangzhou in September, and again in Istanbul for the 23rd World Energy Congress in October 2016. Russia agreed to lift the embargo on Turkish agricultural products from January 2017. Although the ban was partially revoked earlier in 2016, fruit and vegetable products of strategic importance are still affected. Russia's Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev indicated in his statement to Interfax that Russia is unlikely to completely lift restrictions on imports of Turkish agricultural products by the end of the year (Nezavisimaya gazeta, December 7). He pointed out insufficient food safety as the main reason for this decision. Vladimir Volik, Director of the State Service for Industrial Market Regulations, emphasized the necessity of holding on to the Turkish tomatoes import ban for another two to three years (NG, December 7).

Two important Russian energy projectsthe Akkuyu nuclear power plant and the Turkish Stream natural gas projectreceived a further boost during Yildirim's visit to Russia. According to the October 10 agreement between Russia and Turkey, the Turkish Stream natural gas project envisions the construction of two branches of the gas pipeline, with each delivering 15.75 bcm of gas. While one of the branches will supply the Turkish domestic market, the second one is scheduled to export natural gas to Europe (EDM, October 21). Before Yildirim's visit to Russia, the Turkish Grand National Assembly ratified the Turkish Stream project on December 2, and President Erdogan signed the bill (Haber Rus, December 6). Thus, all obstacles to carrying out the project have been eliminated on the Turkish side. In the following months, the agenda of both countries will be to accelerate cooperation and dialogue with the EU in order to comply with the latter's anti-monopoly policies on natural gas supplies and secure gas deliveries through Turkish Stream.

In another important aspect of energy cooperation, a dialogue was launched to solve problems for sustainability of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant project. The Turkish side stated that an agreement was reached with Russia on granting "strategic project status" to the Akkuyu project and its first unit would come online by the end of 2023 (Anadolu Ajans, December 7).

Other subjects of discussion between the two countries were military-technical topics, but no agreement was reached on Turkey's request to purchase Russian S-300 and S-400 for its air defense (Interfax, December 7). Prime Minister Yildirim also held talks with his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and President Putin on the Syrian crisis. However, no detailed statement was issued about the talks or a concrete agreement achieved on solving the conflict in Syria, an extremely serious problem for Ankara, which has already received millions of refugees (Sputnik December 7). Observers believe that the talks between Turkey and Russia on the Syrian crisis are the prerogative of Erdogan and Putin, while Yildirim was mainly focused on economic issues during his visit to Moscow.

An important development regarding the Syrian conflict was the Assad regime's attack on Turkey during the operation launched by the Turkish Armed Forces on al-Bab in Syria on November 24, the one-year anniversary of the crisis in Russian-Turkish relations. Initially, some assumed that the attack was carried out by Moscow, but the subject was dropped after Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's stated that Russia was not involved in the attack (MID, December 1). On the other hand, Moscow's statement that Russia is holding talks with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) through Turkey has been a more recent development, which raises hopes that Russia's Assad-centered policy might change. Turkey's main priority in the Syrian crisis is to ensure the territorial integrity of the country, which Ankara says is impossible with Assad remaining in power. The emphasis on Syria was evident in Yildirim's statement during his press conference in Moscow (Interfax, December 7).

Bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia have not as yet been restored to the pre-crisis period. Official statements demonstrate that this process will take time and it is heavily dependent on developments in Syria. In addition, trust between the two countries has been seriously shaken during the Syrian conflict and will likely remain difficult to restore back to what relations were before the November 2015 downing of a Russian aircraft.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Bahrain: Opposition leader condemned to nine years in prison following unfair and arbitrary verdict

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 12 December 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Bahrain: Opposition leader condemned to nine years in prison following unfair and arbitrary verdict, 12 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584ea9b54.html [accessed 3 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

A nine year prison sentence against the Bahraini opposition leader, Sheikh Ali SalmaAlin, was upheld today by a Bahraini Appeal Court, after a retrial, in another blow to freedom of expression in the country. In response to the verdict Samah Hadid, Amnesty International's Middle East Deputy Director of Campaigns said:

"Today's shocking verdict is another example of Bahrain's flagrant disregard for the right to freedom of expression. Sheikh Ali Salman is a prisoner of conscience. He has been put behind bars merely for peacefully reaffirming his party's determination to pursue power in Bahrain, to achieve the reform demands of the 2011 uprising and to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Instead of punishing him for peaceful criticism the Bahraini authorities must order his immediate and unconditional release."

"The international community can no longer turn a blind eye to the Bahraini authorities' relentless persecution of government critics and human rights activists with the sole purpose of crushing any form of peaceful dissent or opposition to the government. Instead of ignoring criticism of Bahrain's human rights record, its international allies must use their influence to push for the release of Sheikh Ali Salman and all prisoners of conscience in Bahrain."

Sheikh Ali Salman is the Secretary General of the main opposition party in Bahrain, al-Wefaq national Islamic Society, which was dissolved in July 2016. Following his sentencing in 2015, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also called on the Bahraini authorities for his immediate release. An initial four-year-sentence against Sheikh Ali Salman was more than doubled to nine years during the first appeal. In October 2016, Court of Cassation had taken a step in right direction by rejecting the extension of the sentence and ordering a retrial.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/12/2016 --A committed team of experienced filmmakers, including award-winning screenwriter and founder of Little Nalu Pictures, LLC, Koji Steven Sakai, are launching a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to move forward with the production of a critical film for the times, Executive Order 13800. The film will serve as a cautionary tale, warning of the very palpable possibility that the soon-to-be powers that be in the United States may repeat the horrifying mistakes that occurred during the World War II era when Japanese-Americans were imprisoned in concentration camps.



Two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, then President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, forcing entire families to leave their homes and move to prison camps. The forced incarceration was based solely on ancestry. This tragic act robbed more than 100,000 US citizens of their dignity and freedom, and marked a nation that prides itself on being a global leader of progressive ideals with a severe violation of civil liberties.



Koji Steven Sakai is extremely passionate about giving his best to this film, saying, "This is the most important project I've ever worked on. I just wish that when my elementary aged father was put into a 'camp,' there was someone like me telling their story and putting a face to go with all the toxic rhetoric."



Sakai, along with writer and director Mustafa Rony Zeno and producer Phinneas Kiyomura feel a powerful need to create this film as they are concerned that the same tragedy that struck Japanese-Americans during the WWII era could happen to Muslim-Americans. Their fear, which is shared by many in the United States and around the world, is based on the threatening and discriminatory speeches and promises of now President-Elect Donald Trump.



Both Sakai and Kiyomura are descendants of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during the war. The filmmakers have determined that instead of focusing on worrying about what Trump's administration may do, that they would use their skill, experience, and talent to warn the nation of what could happen if people get too caught up in the paranoid and destructive line of thinking that the President-Elect projected during the 2016 election campaign. Executive Order 13800 follows the story of an Arab American family ordered to report to a government site register along with all Muslim Americans after a duo of terrorist attacks in the United States.



The hope is that by sharing the tragedy that befalls the innocent in such a scenario, that Americans will refuse to be swayed by Orwellian language and choose instead to think for themselves and side with truth and humanity.



The team has set a fundraising goal of $50,000 but promises to go ahead with this project no matter how much the Indiegogo campaign raises due to the importance of the subject matter. Backers can choose from an array of excellent rewards, including a digital rental of the film for a $25 dollar donation, and opportunities to take a screenwriting class with Koji Steven Sakai himself or to be an extra in the film.



To learn more about the project or to donate, visit the project's Indiegogo page.



About The Filmmakers

Koji Steven Sakai has written five feature films, including the popular productions, The People I've Slept With and Monster & Me. His work has won numerous awards and has been featured in film festivals all over the world. Mustafa Rony Zeno is an LA-based filmmaker, photographer, and cultural anthropologist. Phinneas Kyomura is an actor and screenwriter, and a FIND Screenwriters Lab Fellow and an ABC Disney Writers Lab Fellow from Long Beach, California.
San Francisco, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/12/2016 --XICOMM, LLC, the international voice carrier from San Francisco, California recently attended Capacity Europe 2016 at the beginning of November in Paris, France. By attending this conference, the team at XICOMM was able to successfully connect with new and existing partners, and bring their relationships to the next level.



Looking ahead into 2017, XICOMM recently became a platinum sponsor for the tenth annual Europe GCCM 2017 on February 21st at the InterContinental Park Lane Hotel in London. Being a reputable member of the carrier community, and the largest international voice carrier, XICOMM believes in bringing the telecommunications community and industry closer together.



About XICOMM

XICOMM, LLC is a large international voice carrier that offers solutions in cloud computing, interconnections, global gateways and a wealth of advanced networking solutions. Although originally established in San Francisco, California, XICOMM has grown to become a global voice carrier giant, and is known as an industry leader in Africa, the Middle East, and south and pacific Asia, becoming the most advanced communications and solutions provider.



What truly drives the XICOMM team is the knowledge and understanding that networking and solid connections are key to helping smaller businesses grow, expand their market reach, and connect with larger entities, carriers, and operators all over the world. It is a privilege to know that this is possible through connections, technology, and support provided in part by XICOMM. This is one reason why XICOMM has become a platinum sponsor for the next big event in telecommunications, Europe GCCM 2017.



About Europe GCCM 2017

Europe GCCM is an event put on by the Carrier Community (Global Telecom Club) in an effort to educate and provide networking opportunities to members and other entities within the telecommunications community. Every year the event is attended by over 450 delegates, over 200 companies, and is represented by over 40 countries, all from voice, data, SMS, mobile, VAS, cable, satellite and data centers.



Europe GCCM is an exclusive telecom operator event designed specifically for service providers. In 2017, over 900 wholesale members representing over 450 telecom operators are expected to attend.



Europe GCCM 2017 will be a two-day event, featuring a number of casual networking events, panels, and leisure activities, providing a private, casual, and relaxed networking environment. From face-to-face business meetings, networking sessions, and other activities, the main goal and mission behind this event is networking. In fact, more than 8,000 business meetings were arranged during GCCM 2016.



As an industry leader and key influencer in the telecommunications industry, XICOMM shows their support by becoming a platinum sponsor for Europe GCCM 2017, and is looking forward to participating in another successful event.



Contact:

To learn more about XICOMM, LLC California, the team, and the company's advanced network and communication services and other interconnections, and how businesses all over the world can grow, expand, and develop further with a reputable service provider, contact the team at XICOMM today located at the headquarters in San Francisco, California by calling 415-839-1027.



Visitors are also encouraged to complete the online request form, or by emailing the team at info@xicomm.com.
Dan Conway, Don Lipps discuss challenges at MSD of Martinsville

For the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, there are two open seats for the school board in Tuesday's election.
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This just in...
VITSEBSK, Belarus -- A Belarusian man authorities say has openly espoused neo-Nazi ideas is on trial in Belarus along with five other defendants on charges including inciting ethnic hatred.

Stanilsau Hancharou was arrested in April on his arrival from Ukraine, where he fought in the far-right Azov Battalion against Russia-backed separatists in the eastern Donetsk region.

He and his co-defendants, men aged 18-22 whose names were not disclosed, were charged with inciting ethnic and racial hatred, theft, engaging minors in criminal activities, online pornography distribution, and hooliganism.

Their trial started on December 12 in Vitsebsk in northeastern Belarus.

Hancharou, 20, has posted videos on the Internet that officials say propagate neo-Nazism. One appears to show him coercing young antifascists to reject their viewpoints and perform a Nazi greeting.

He has tattoos of a coded neo-Nazi greeting -- "88," which stands for "Heil Hitler" -- and a symbol of a World War II-era military unit of the Waffen-SS.
A new report from the World Anti-Doping Agency implicates 1,000 Russian athletes competing in 30 sports.

The CIA alleges Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and four leading senators call for a full-fledged investigation.

And a week of diplomacy kicks off with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov heading to Serbia today and Vladimir Putin traveling to Japan on Thursday.

On this week's Power Vertical Briefing, I look at these three developing stories with RFE/RL editor Steve Gutterman.

Enjoy...

NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of The Power Vertical blog, and appears on Mondays.
The Georgian Prosecutor-General's Office has charged one man and opened a criminal case against a second in connection with the so-called "photographers' case," in which four photojournalists were found guilty of spying for Russia.

The Prosecutor-General's Office also publicly upheld the repeated assertion by the four that that charge, to which all initially pleaded guilty under pressure, was brought on the initiative of the country's leadership in retaliation for their photographic coverage of the attack in Tbilisi on May 26, 2011, by heavily armed security personnel on some 800 demonstrators calling for the resignation of then-President Mikheil Saakashvili.

The four are Irakli Gedenidze, a photographer with the presidential press service; his wife Natela (Natia) Gedenidze, who worked for a local newspaper; Zurab Kurtsikidze, a photojournalist with the European Press Photo Agency (epa) whom investigators branded "a longtime [Russian] agent"; and Giorgi Abdaladze, a freelancer who was also a contract photographer for the Georgian Foreign Ministry. They were arrested on July 7, 2011; two weeks later the Tbilisi municipal court found them guilty of espionage.

Plea Bargaining



As a result of plea bargaining, and because the accused had purportedly revealed the names of other Russian agents, the prosecution asked for suspended sentences. The judge duly handed down suspended sentences ranging from 18 months' to three years' imprisonment. Those sentences were not subject to appeal.

At the trial, all four pleaded guilty and denied they had been subjected to any kind of pressure. Two years later, however, following the defeat of Saakashvili's United National Movement in the October 2012 parliamentary election by the Georgian Dream coalition, they asked Prosecutor-General Archil Kbilashvili to determine on whose orders they had been subjected to torture while held in pretrial detention; to launch an investigation into why they were illegally charged with espionage; and to declassify their case as secret.

Kbilashvili responded that while existing legislation does not allow for a revision of the case, he would form a commission to probe the apparent miscarriage of justice. Six weeks later, the National Probation Agency annulled the sentences.

The man charged last week is Davit Devnozashvili, former deputy head of the Tbilisi division of the Georgian Interior Ministry's counterintelligence department. He is charged with exceeding his professional responsibilities, specifically by resorting to the use of force and humiliation. Also under investigation is former prison director Aleksandre Mukhadze.

Nude Photo

Speaking to journalists in Tbilisi last week following the announcement of Devnozashvili's arrest, Irakli Gedenidze divulged that he and his wife had pleaded guilty because, he alleged, investigators had threatened to make public a nude photo he had taken of his wife that had been found in his computer database during the original investigation in 2011.

Giorgi Abdaladze for his part was quoted as telling the daily Akhali taoba (Young Generation") that it was imperative to determine on whose orders Devnazoshvili was acting. Abdaladze said he suspects the involvement of Saakashvili, former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili, who is currently serving a prison term on charges of abuse of office and illegal use of budget funds, and former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili, whose arrest and extradition the Georgian authorities have been trying to obtain since he left the country precipitately in late 2012.

Tengiz Gunava, who represents the United National Movement in the Georgian parliament elected in October, conceded that many questions remain with regard to the so-called "photographers' case," but questioned the objectivity of the prosecutor general in arresting Devnozashvili, who denies the charge.

Devnozashvili's lawyer Raul Gamisonia said the materials accumulated during the preliminary investigation, and which the prosecutors apparently believed constituted grounds for arresting his client, have not been corroborated. He said the probe revealed the involvement of specific people in fabricating the case against and the conviction of the four photographers, but that Devnozashvili was not one of them.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL
The Russian Defense Ministry has said Moscow is resuming its participation in the Ukraine grain deal, saying it had received "sufficient" guarantees from Kyiv on demilitarizing a maritime corridor.

"Russia considers that the received guarantees are at the moment sufficient and is resuming the implementation of the agreement," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told parliament that "shipments will continue from 12 p.m. today as planned," after a call between the Russian and Turkish defense ministers.

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.

Zelenskiy hailed the development as "a significant diplomatic result for our country and the whole world." In his nightly address, he said the implementation of the grain export initiative continues.

Zelenskiy also said that Russia's call for guarantees showed the failure of Russia's aggression.

After eight months of war, "the Kremlin is demanding security guarantees from Ukraine," he said. "This shows both the failure of the Russian aggression and how strong we are when we remain united."

Earlier, in a tweet, Zelenskiy thanked Erdogan "for his steadfast support of [the] sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."

The United States also welcomed the restoration of the grain deal and urged Russia to renew it beyond November 19, its current expiration date.

State Department spokesman Ned Price praised UN and Turkish mediators but said it was important that the deal is "not only set back in motion, but it's renewed later this month."

"That will ultimately inject even more predictability and stability in this marketplace and, most importantly, apply downward pressure to the prices" of global food, he told reporters.

Moscow pulled out of the UN-brokered deal on October 30 after its Black Sea Fleet based in Crimea's Sevastopol port was targeted by drones in what Russia called a "terrorist attack."

The Defense Ministry said it was able to get written guarantees from Kyiv "thanks to the participation" of the UN and "assistance" from Turkey.

The ministry said Kyiv guaranteed "the nonuse of the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports defined in the interests of the export of agricultural products for conducting military operations against the Russian Federation."

The announcement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin told Erdogan that he wanted "real guarantees" from Kyiv before rejoining the deal.

Putin spoke with Erdogan before Russia announced it was reentering the deal. He said later on November 2 that Russia would again leave it if Kyiv violated security guarantees.

"Russia retains the right to leave these agreements if these guarantees from Ukraine are violated," Putin said in televised comments.

But he added that even if Moscow withdraws again, it would not interfere with grain deliveries from Ukraine to Turkey. He cited Turkey's neutrality, the grain processing industry in Turkey, and Erdogan's mediation efforts as reasons for Moscow's stance.

Ukraine had condemned Russia's decision to leave the UN-brokered deal, with Western countries urging Moscow to reconsider.

The deal, overseen by the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, has allowed more than 9.7 million metric tons of grains and other foodstuffs to leave Ukrainian ports.

It was agreed in July and played a crucial role in driving down the prices of wheat and other commodities globally and helping poor countries in Africa and Asia avoid famine.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia has yet to decide if it will remain part of the deal beyond the expiration date.

The extension of the deal beyond November 19 is "a separate issue" and that decision will be made "taking into account all the accompanying factors," Rudenko was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA Novosti.

He reiterated Moscow's displeasure with the implementation of the deal.

Grain exports are a key revenue source for Ukraine, whose economy has been devastated by Russia's eight-month war.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
The European Council (EC) has prolonged the mandate of an EU monitoring mission established after the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia for another two years.

The decision means the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) is now authorized to continue through December 14, 2018.

The EC said on December 12 that it allocated 18 million euros ($19 million) for the period from December 15, 2016 to December 14, 2017.

The EUMM has monitored areas near the lines dividing Georgian government-held territory and land held by Russia-backed separatists in Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The mission started its activities on October 1, 2008, less than two months after the five-day war during which Russian forces drove deep into Georgian territory.

In its December 12 statement, the EC reiterated the European Union's commitment to "fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders."

Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent countries shortly after the war, but only a handful of governments have followed suit.
If I could go down contributing as much to my country as Stalin contributed to his own, I'd be happy to be seen in the light of history as a modern Stalin. If I could go down contributing as much to my country as Stalin contributed to his own, I'd be happy to be seen in the light of history as a modern Stalin.

Nicolae Ceausescu on the cover of "Newsweek" in August 1989

Revolutions Of '89 When The Wall Came Down Revolutions Of '89 In the fall of 1989, a singular wind of change swept across the continent, blowing down the Iron Curtain and revealing the public's yearning for freedom. In the fall of 1989, a singular wind of change swept across the continent, blowing down the Iron Curtain and revealing the public's yearning for freedom. Click here for RFE/RL's look back at the year communism collapsed.

Twenty years ago today, a revolt began in the western Romanian city of Timisoara that would culminate in the toppling of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's regime and his execution several days later.Michael Meyer, who was "Newsweek's" bureau chief for Germany, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans at the time, was the last American journalist to travel to Romania and interview Ceausescu before his fall, and one of the first to arrive in Bucharest after Ceausescu's demise.Meyer, who is the author of a recent book about the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, "The Year That Changed The World," spoke with RFE/RL correspondent Eugen Tomiuc about life in Romania before and after Ceausescu's fall and vividly recalled his hours-long meeting with the all-powerful dictator.None whatsoever. Some of the cab drivers would listen to Radio Free Europe -- and people I was able to speak to freely, because listening to Radio Free Europe was a crime against the state -- there was some knowledge of what was going on; there was immense unhappiness with the regime.I met a priest in a monastery in the foothills of the Carpathians; he was talking about how the stores [were empty], how people were starving, how he had to drive once a week 2 1/2 hours into Bucharest to get bread for his congregation and he'd drive back. And he talked about how people had to rise up, and he said, "Publish what I'm saying, this terrible regime that kills its people, that devours its people...tell them: 'use my name,'" and, of course, I didn't because I feared for this man's life.One taxi driver drove me around and he told me about how his mother and his wife spent most of their day standing in line so that when a shop started selling something -- whether it was meat or apples or something else -- a line would immediately form. You didn't know what you were buying but you'd buy it anyway so you could trade it for something that you needed. He said that it was like life in a prison. And that's what Romania was.I remember [a scene in downtown Bucharest]: the American ambassador's car, gleaming black, the stars and stripes aflutter cruising past as a woman, very neatly dressed in office garb, bent over the sidewalk and scraped an egg that she had dropped on to the sidewalk, broken, into a piece of paper and carefully folded up because a broken egg was so precious that she was taking it home to cook it.In shuffled this little man in this ill-fitting suit and plastic woven slippers. He presented a moist weak palm to shake hands -- this little man that Romanians feared as the tyrant, the all-powerful, all-knowing god on earth; this bent little figure, not very well-kempt, not very well combed, looking faintly deranged.We took our places in little chairs and the interview began. And we had some questions we asked. We talked about shortages of food. And Ceausescu said, "How can there be shortages of food?" And I said, "Well, we go into stores and we see nothing on the shelves." And Ceausescu said, "Well, that's because it's all kept in storage."We asked him at one point whether he thought anyone would rise up against him in the way they are elsewhere, and what he thought about Tiananmen [Square protests of June 1989] and he said the Chinese authorities acted exactly as they should have -- it's the role of students to study and it's the role of the government to keep order; of course they handled it appropriately.["Newsweek" editor in chief] Ken Auchincloss, my boss, asked, "Does it bother you to be called the last Stalinist of Europe?" And he said, "Stalin had much to recommend him, if I could go down contributing as much to my country as Stalin contributed to his own, I'd be happy to be seen in the light of history as a modern Stalin."And we talked about the cult of personality, and he said: "Cult of personality? I am a man of my people, what cult of personality? All I do is bring good to my people. If that is a cult of personality, the world needs more such cults of personality." And soon the question-and-answer [session] sort of gave way to these long speeches, with Ceausescu waving his fist in the air and pounding on the arm of his chair.I just began taking notes, and one of the notes said "balls," and this was not editorial commentary, this was a literal observation. Ceausescu was sitting and I was looking at his testicles, resting on his seat, in his overlarge trousers, and they...they looked, like, as I wrote in my notebook, overripe tomatoes, sort of flattened, squatted there on his feet -- malignant -- them so big; him such a small dictator.And I also made more objective notes about how this man seemed to have no humanity, he seemed to be a hollow vessel of ideas, and telling only about power and ranting on as I imagine [Swiss psychiatrist and thinker] Carl Gustav Jung looked at Hitler -- the empty vessel to be filled with the unfulfilled hopes and yearnings of a people and then warped by power. That's how I saw Ceausescu.We told him that since this is a cover story in "Newsweek," we should show him in his most human guise and then we went out to this little dock protruded out of Lake Snagov, surrounded by little reeds.He stood in the sunlight, [as] our photographer Peter Turnley was snap-snap-snapping away and at one point Peter touched his shoulder, to position Ceausescu in the light and this is a man who is never touched -- he offered his hand to us, but touching him is really beyond the pale -- so Peter touches him but the dictator almost loses his balance, he totters on one foot, he waves his little arms in little circles in the bright sun, and the concluding line in this chapter [in my book] is, "Would the 'Danube of Thought' [one of the glorifying titles attributed to Ceausescu] topple into the drink?"My minder, the head of my particular security detail on the visit during the summer [eds: most likely made up of Securitate operatives], he came to me and said, "Would you like to go off to the television station?" So he took me off and we went out the door and suddenly there was a bout of shooting and he didn't even blink. I blanched!He seemed to be very comfortable in this world. He took me to the television station, he drove right through the ring of soldiers guarding it with just a cursory nod, past the security at the doors, which had bullet holes in the windows, and up to the room where there happened to be a meeting in process of the National Salvation Front [the newly established provisional government].There was [former communist apparatchik and future Romanian President Ion] Iliescu, there was [ex-communist dissident] Dumitru [Mazilu], and there was [General Victor] Stanculescu. He was the biggest surprise! He, of course, was the guy who [on December 22 had] ushered Ceausescu off the roof to the helicopter, and he was the fellow who [on December 25 was one of those who] organized the execution squad, and the trial that did Ceausescu in!And then came that [deputy] foreign minister [Constantin Oancea], the man who sidled up to me when Ceausescu was entering the room for the interview [in August 1989]. I looked at him and he looked at me and he laughed and he said, "Funny to meet you here, Mr. Meyer." Then said, "The lies I told you...." And I sort of laughed and told him, "Well, I didn't believe anything you told me anyway," and we had a good laugh.It took me a long time to piece together my impressions, but at the time I said: "Something is not adding up here. This is supposed to be a people's revolution -- it began as a people's revolution, at least as far as I could tell in Timisoara -- but it became something else once it arrived in Bucharest."You know, these were not leaders of a people's uprising. These were an old guard, these were people who had great access, who were very comfortable moving in these circles. Clearly they were taking their lives in their hands, clearly they were taking great risks, but I did immediately begin to wonder, you know, OK, there's clearly been a changing of the guard, a turning of the tide, and Ceausescu's own people are turning against him.It was a coup wrapped in a revolution. It was a hybrid, and it was a whiff of things to come. Just like the glory -- la gloire -- of the French Revolution turned to the terror. A lot of people needlessly lost their lives in Romania. The Romanian Revolution was a harbinger of Yugoslavia, with men of power manipulating events for their own ends.
A German expert says he believes that Rakhat Aliev, a former son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev who was found dead in an Austrian jail last year, was murdered.

German physician Bernd Brinkmann, who studies deaths caused by asphyxiation, said on December 12 that he believes autopsies that concluded that Aliev hanged himself were wrong.

Speaking at a press conference with Brinkmann in Vienna, lawyers for Aliev's widow said they are now seeking a renewed investigation.

Aliev was a former Kazakh ambassador to Austria and state security service deputy chief who became a vocal critic of Nazarbaev and was subsequently accused of murdering two Kazakh bankers in 2007.

Aliev denied the charge and said the case was politically motivated.

Austria, which twice refused to extradite Aliev to Kazakhstan because of the former Soviet republic's human rights record, opened its own investigation in 2011. Prosecutors charged him in December 2014.

Brinkmann said that after analyzing autopsy results and photos of Aliev's body, he concluded that Aliev was killed in a style known as "burking" in which assailants asphyxiate a victim while leaving few traces of violence on the body.

Aliev remarried after his divorce from Nazarbaev's daughter Darigha.


Macedonia's State Election Commission says the conservative ruling party beat out the opposition Social Democrats (SDSM) by a slim margin in the first parliamentary elections since a wiretapping scandal plunged the Balkan country into crisis.

The outcome appears to put conservative leader Nikola Gruevskis VMRO-DPMNE party in a position to build a majority coalition with its longtime ally, the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI).

With nearly all of the votes from the December 11 election counted, official results showed Nikola Gruevskis VMRO-DPMNE party has secured 51 seats in parliament compared to 49 seats for opposition leader Zoran Zaevs Social Democrats.

The DUI is expected to control 10 seats in parliament.

WATCH: Macedonia's Ruling Party Edges Vote, But No Clear Majority

That would be enough to form the smallest possible majority coalition if the DUI remains willing to work with the VMRO-DPMNE and if three seats decided in voting by the Macedonian diaspora are not filled -- an outcome that appears likely as turnout among the diaspora was low.

Gruevski is seeking to regain the top post less than a year after he stepped down in the wake of major antigovernment protests over the tapes released by Zaev, which critics said implicated Gruevski and aides in corruption.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa
Election results from Moldovas breakaway Transdniester region show the head of the regions self-styled parliament has won the presidency by easily winning more than 50 percent of the first round vote.

Officials from the unrecognized territory's self-styled Central Electoral Commission told the Russian TASS news agency on December 12 that Vadim Krasnoselsky had secured about 62 percent of the vote.

Election officials said his nearest rival, incumbent leader Yevgeny Shevchuk, trailed with less than 28 percent of the vote.

The election commission said nearly 60 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the December 11 election.

It was not clear how many voters were eligible, but the region's population is about 500,000.

Karsnoselsky had resigned from his post heading the region's self-proclaimed legislature, the Supreme Council, in order to run for the presidency.

Krasnoselsky on December 12 said he would strengthen the unrecognized territory's strategic partnership with Russia and stabilize the economy.

He also said that his first foreign visit after taking office would be to Moscow.

Hobbled Economy

Moldova has declared the election illegal in the separatist region that has had wide autonomy since declaring independence from Chisinau in 1990.

A brief war was fought between Moldovan forces and Transdniester separatists in 1992-1993, resulting in the deaths of several hundred people killed on both sides.

Diplomatic attempts led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to find a settlement to the frozen conflict have been unsuccessful.

Some 2,000 Russian troops have remained stationed in the predominantly Russian-speaking region since the early 1990s, despite repeated calls by Moldova's government for them to leave.

As Moldova's government has sought closer ties with the European Union in recent years, Moscow has made veiled threats to recognize Transdniester's independence.

The dispute has hobbled Moldova's economy, making the country one of Europe's poorest.

With additional reporting by TASS


The price of oil soared on world markets after a landmark deal by Russia and other non-OPEC members in which they agreed to reduce their production in a bid to slash the huge supplies of oil that had lowered prices.

The U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up $2.28 at $53.78 per barrel early on December 12 while Brent crude was up $2.29 at $56.62 per barrel.

"OPEC and non-OPEC's signing of the production cut agreement over the weekend was clearly the catalyst," said OANDA senior analyst Jeffrey Halley.

Russia and 10 other non-OPEC states said on December 10 that they will reduce their production by more than half a million barrels per day (bpd).

The deal is the first time non-OPEC members have reached an agreement on reducing production since 2001 and comes on the heels of a similar agreement by OPEC last month to reduce output by 1.2 million bpd starting in January.

OPEC leader Saudi Arabia also announced during the weekend that it will cut production beyond what was agreed on in Vienna by the OPEC countries, providing an additional boost for prices.

IG market strategist Jingyi Pan said oil prices have hit their highest since February 2015.

Despite the new spike, oil prices remain at about half of what they were in mid-2014.

Based on reporting by AFP, TASS, and Reuters
Reports from Pakistan say a girl has been killed and three other children wounded after a bomb exploded near their school in the northwestern part of the country.

Officials say the bombing took place on December 12 outside a village school in the tribal region of North Waziristan, where Pakistans military has been battling extremist groups.

Security sources were quoted as saying the bomb was planted next to the school gate and went off when the gate was opened.

No group has claimed responsibility.

The army launched an operation in June 2014 in North Waziristan to wipe out militant bases in the region and bring an end to an insurgency that has cost thousands of lives since 2004.

Security has since improved, but scattered attacks are still taking place.

Based on reporting by AFP and Dawn
Pakistani officials say a mob of hundreds of people has attacked a mosque belonging to the Ahmadiyya religious minority.

Several people were reportedly wounded in the incident, which took place on December 12 in the Chakwal district, just outside Islamabad.

District deputy commissioner Mahmood Javed Bhatti said the mob hurled stones and bricks at the mosque before storming the building.

A local police official, Rashid Ahmad, said the attackers set fire to part of the mosque before police dispersed the crowd and secured the building.

A spokesman for the Ahmadiyya community, Saleem-ud-Din, said shots were also fired on the mosques premises.

Parliament in mainly Sunni Muslim Pakistan declared members of the Ahmadiyya community non-Muslims in 1974, and they have repeatedly been targeted by Islamic extremists.

Based on reporting by AP and Dawn
A court in Russian-controlled Crimea has prolonged pretrial detention for jailed Crimean Tatar activist Ahtem Ciygoz for another three months.

Ciygoz's lawyer, Nikolai Polozov, wrote on Twitter on December 12 that his client's pretrial detention was prolonged until April 8, 2017.

It had been set to end on January 8.

Ciygoz is charged with organizing public disorder.

He was detained in January 2015 in connection with unrest outside the Crimean parliament on February 26, 2014, when Crimean Tatars and other pro-Ukrainian activists clashed with pro-Russian activists.

The next day, armed men in uniforms without insignia seized the parliament building and the legislature voted to join Russia several days later.

After sending in troops, Russia cemented its control over Crimea in March 2014 by staging a referendum condemned as illegitimate by Ukraine, the United States, and a total of 100 UN member states.

The Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center has deemed Ciygoz a political prisoner.

Rights groups say Crimean Tatars and others who opposed Russia's takeover have faced discrimination and abuse at the hands of the Moscow-imposed authorities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has praised Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as a professional and shrugged off suggestions that Tillersons ties with Russia and Putin might affect his conduct if he becomes U.S. secretary of state.

Several media outlets on December 9 cited aides to President-elect Donald Trump as saying Tillerson, whose company has extensive drilling interests in Russia, had emerged as the leading candidate to become the top U.S. diplomat after Trump takes office.

Tillerson has criticized the U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia over its interference in Ukraine, which have forced Exxon Mobil to abandon some projects. Putin decorated Tillerson with a state Order of Friendship medal in 2013.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, suggested on December 12 that such ties would take second-place to U.S. interests for Tillerson if he gets the job.

Peskov told reporters that "being secretary of state is very different from leading a company, even a very big one. Therefore any sympathies, so to speak, become secondary," the Interfax news agency reported.

"The only thing that remains here is readiness to demonstrate a constructive attitude and be professional," he said. "We hope that this is what will happen" regardless of who becomes secretary of state.

Peskov said that Tillerson has had many contacts with Russian officials in his capacity as CEO of the oil company and that he "carries out his duties very professionally."

Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS
It might seem residents in Ufa, in Russia's Bashkortostan republic, have good reason to protest after a sinkhole opened near their apartment block last month and swallowed up two cars, one of which vanished completely.

But when the residents of three buildings on International Street gathered outside their homes on December 11 to protest and ask for relocation, the only official reaction was a visit by police officers to their homes that evening. The police threatened them with jail and fines for holding an unsanctioned rally.

"I dont understand why police came to me and why they are trying to silence me," said Raisa Vavilova, one of some 40 residents who took part in the gathering. "The police keep saying we were holding [protest] posters and that [we] can hold public gatherings only in a certain place. They threatened to fine me 10,000 to 20,000 rubles ($160 to $320)."

The official response was in line with the crackdown on public demonstrations in Russia that began in 2012 ahead of President Vladimir Putin's controversial third term, which sparked large-scale street protests.

The laws, which have progressively tightened since then to also ban silent pickets if more than one person takes part, restrict even authorized protests to specifically designated locations.

But while the antiprotest laws usually appear targeted at political opponents of the Kremlin, the police response in Ufa suggests that even protests by distressed citizens seeking help with neighborhood problems are unwelcome.

"We gathered because the authorities do not respond to our concerns and our demands," resident Elena Maisailo told RFE/RL. She said that the residents decided to protest only after officials failed to respond meaningfully to complaints they wrote to authorities immediately after the giant sinkhole opened up near their homes on November 25.

Residents Told Not To Panic

The sinkhole, 6 meters deep, claimed a compact-sized Lada car. The vehicle, which disappeared into its muddy waters, was never seen again, even after repair crews drained the sinkhole completely.

"It took two weeks [for an answer], and the only response was a written announcement placed in the corridors [of our buildings] saying not to panic," Maisailo said. The signs were part of a citywide campaign outlining public safety procedures to be followed if a sinkhole opens nearby, including instructions to stay calm, leave vehicles, move to a safe distance, and not use elevators to evacuate buildings.

The residents on International Street say that advice hardly calms their fears. Unsettled by the pit just outside their doors, they want officials to examine the structural integrity of their buildings and resettle them somewhere safer.

Geologists who study sinkholes in the Ufa area have recorded multiple previous collapses in the vicinity of the three buildings.

A study published in 2002 by the Institute of Geology at the Ufa Scientific Center, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, notes that the corner of one of the buildings collapsed in 1984 into a sinkhole that was almost 5 meters across and 12 meters deep. It also says that one of the buildings was built on a former sinkhole that was 25 meters across and 50 meters deep.

Sinkholes form when underground water dissolves soluble bedrock such as limestone, carving out subterranean caverns that cause the ground above to suddenly collapse, often without warning.

With reporting by RFE/RLs Tatar-Bashkir Service


Lawyers for eight men accused of taking part in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre have demanded the replacement of the three-judge panel at their trial in Serbia.

The trial was due to start on December 12 at a war crimes court in Belgrade, but it was adjourned after defense lawyers made the motion.

It is the first time Serbia will try suspects involved in the massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys from the Bosnian town of Srebrenica during the Bosnian War.

The eight are facing charges of ordering or taking part in the killing of hundreds of Muslims in the town of Kravica, near Srebrenica.

One of the defense lawyers, Goran Petronijevic, said the judges had violated an obligation to reveal the identity of protected witnesses to the defense team.

"Today's hearing did not begin because the judge panel was in a flagrant violation of the criminal proceedings law," Petronijevic said outside the courthouse. "Fifteen days before the start of the hearing, they were obliged to reveal the identity of the protected witnesses to the defense team."

A ruling on the request for different judges to be appointed is expected by December 13.

The defendants are suspected of having been members of a Bosnian Serb special police unit called Jahorina.

The group includes the unit's commander, Nedeljko Milidragovic, who is accused of having ordered the executions.

If found guilty, they face up to 20 years in jail.

Former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, who is accused of helping orchestrate the Srebrenica massacre, is currently on trial in The Hague.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and RFE/RLs Balkan Service


Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has cut short a visit to Brussels amid a dispute with European Union-member Croatia.

The dispute is over what Belgrade claims are attempts by Croatia to block Serbia's progress toward EU membership.

Vucic had been due to attend a meeting of the EU Intergovernmental Conference on December 13 for the expected approval of opening three new accession chapters in Serbia's EU member application.

Zagreb objects to opening the chapter on culture and education because of a dispute about the translation of school textbooks.

Croatia's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Davor Ivo Stier said "full protection of national minorities" is one of the things "Serbia must implement along its EU path."

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on December 12 said that "if Croatia is the one to decide about whether Serbia will enter the EU, then my interest just dropped somehow."

Based on reporting by Reuters, Tanjug, and HINA


A nearly complete count in the Romanian parliamentary elections shows a big win for the Social Democrats just one year after they were forced from power.

Election officials said that with 99 percent of the votes counted, the Social Democratic Party had 46 percent of the vote compared to just 20 percent for the center-right National Liberal Party.

Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the Social Democrats, told supporters he was "overwhelmed" with the results and that "there should be no doubt who won the elections."

A new party, the Save Romania Union, finished third and passed the threshold needed to enter parliament.

The Social Democrat-led government of Prime Minister Victor Ponta resigned last year after a fire at a Bucharest disco killed 64 people and brought tens of thousands of protesters into the streets.

Dacian Ciolos, a former European Union commissioner, has served as caretaker prime minister since then.

"I think the most important thing today is for as many people as possible to cast their votes, no matter what political opinion they have," Ciolos said after casting his ballot. "It is important that the result we receive tonight be as representative as possible."

The Social Democrats have said they would form a coalition with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats and make Dragnea the head of government.

But Dragnea is on probation for voter fraud, setting up a potential clash with President Klaus Iohannis, who has refused to appoint a prime minister with legal problems.

Romania, which has a population of around 19 million, is one of the poorest in the European Union and is plagued by high corruption.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
KYIV -- Ukrainian authorities are still looking for the culprits nearly a week after troublesome cyberattacks against official financial institutions that appeared to be designed to inflict maximum chaos on end-of-the-year payments.

But the head of staff of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) identified the so-called malware used in the December 6 attack as the same disruptive software employed in an unprecedented incident a year earlier, blamed on Russia, that cut off power to hundreds of thousands of homes in Ukraine.

Hundreds of thousands of hryvnyas' worth of remittances were delayed or stopped completely over the course of two days after hackers knocked the websites and payment systems of the Ministry of Finance, State Treasury, and pension fund offline, according to statements posted to those sites and local reports.

The National Police are leading the investigation and have discussed the case with the SBU, Oleksandr Tkachuk, chief of staff of the SBU, told RFE/RL on December 12.

The Finance Ministry, which described the incident as a "coordinated professional hacking attack," also claimed the attack had damaged its network equipment.

Tkachuk confirmed that "some data was destroyed and access to networks was blocked."

He said authorities were not prepared to discuss many details publicly because it would take time to fully assess them, adding that attribution in the cybersecurity sphere is a tricky business.



Tkachuk said the attack appeared to bear some similarity to a December 2015 attack against the Prykarpattyaoblenergo power company in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region that cut power to hundreds of thousands of homes.

Critical Infrastructure

Ukrainian officials blamed that cyberattack on Russia and speculated that it might have been retaliation for Kyiv cutting off electricity one month earlier to Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in early 2014.

But experts at the time warned that the greater message might be that hackers had the power to shut down critical infrastructure -- something that cybersecurity experts had long feared but never seen in practice.

Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, a deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy, also blamed Russia for the December 2015 cyberattack.



In that case, the hackers used malicious software called KillDisk, which deletes or overwrites data in system files, causing computers to crash.

KillDisk was also used in the December 6 attacks, the SBU's Tkachuk told RFE/RL.



Relations between Kyiv and Moscow soured after Russia forcibly annexed Crimea in March 2014, and Russia has been accused by Kyiv and Western powers of backing a separatist conflict in eastern in Ukraine that has killed more than 9,750 people.



Kyiv has on several occasions blamed Russia for cyberattacks -- including one on Ukraine's election system ahead of the presidential vote in May 2014 -- that it claims are part of Moscows greater "hybrid war," a military strategy that combines conventional warfare, irregular warfare, and cyberwarfare.
KYIV -- Ukrainian lawmaker Nadia Savchenko has confirmed that she met with the leadership of Russia-backed separatists for consultations on prisoner swaps. The move triggered rebukes from her party for what it called "negotiating with terrorists."

Savchenko, a military aviator who was jailed in Russia in 2014 and became a national symbol of resilience before her release in May, told the TV channel 112 Ukraina on December 12 that she met recently in Minsk with separatist leaders Aleksandr Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky.

She spoke hours after Ukrainian media reported that the secret meeting had taken place last week in the Belarusian capital.

Savchenko's Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, headed by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, called the meeting "unacceptable."

Savchenko has previously infuriated some lawmakers and officials by urging reconciliation to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine between the separatists and Kyiv's forces that has killed more than 9,750 people since April 2014.

Kyiv considers the separatists to be "terrorists" who are backed by Russia's government with money, personnel, and heavy weaponry.

'Chosen By The People'

Savchenko told 112 Ukraina that she did not inform her party about the meeting because "every lawmaker, regardless of party is chosen by the people."

Oleksandr Tkachuk, chief of staff of Ukraine's SBU security service, told RFE/RL on December 12 that Savchenko had confirmed her meeting with the separatist leaders during a visit to its office earlier in the day.



He said Savchenko had not broken any laws by taking part in the meeting but "may have violated parliament security procedures."

Ukrainian members of parliament are provided access to state secrets, he explained, and thus must disclose with the office of the Verkhovna Rada all trips abroad in advance.



Savchenko "should have informed the parliament of her intentions to go abroad," Tkachuk added.



Plotnitksy confirmed the meeting to Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency on December 12.

"The main topic of conversation was the exchange of prisoners in an 'all-for-all' format," Plotnitsky was quoted as saying.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Christopher Miller in Kyiv, 112.ua, Liga.net, and RIA Novosti


The university notified Dr. Art Kellermann he won't continue as the health system's top administrator. The university gave him the option to resign, but it's unclear if he will do so.
Two Hampton Roads men recently were caught with loaded guns at Norfolk International Airport, the Transportation Safety Administration said Monday.

In the first instance, airport police cited a Virginia Beach resident who brought a 9 mm handgun loaded with eight bullets to the security checkpoint. Several hours later, airport police arrested a Norfolk man after he brought a 9 mm handgun loaded with nine bullets to the checkpoint.
MONDAY

The Richmond City Council will hold an informal meeting at 4 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 6, in council chambers at City Hall, 900 E. Broad St.

The Chesterfield County Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. in the public meeting room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

The Prince George County School Board will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the third-floor boardroom of the county administration building, 6602 Courts Drive.

TUESDAY

The Dinwiddie County School Board will meet for a retreat at 8:30 a.m. at the library at the Historic Southside High School Education Center (former Dinwiddie Middle School), 12318 Boydton Plank Road. It will convene at 4 p.m. for a regular meeting in the boardroom of the Pamplin Administration Building, 14016 Boydton Plank Road.

The Chesterfield County School Board will hold a work session at 4 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 6:30, in the public meeting room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the county managers conference room, followed by a regular meeting at 7 in the boardroom of the county administration building, 4301 E. Parham Road.

The Prince George County Board of Supervisors will meet for a closed session at 5 p.m., followed by a work session at 6 and a business meeting at 7, in the third-floor boardroom of the county administration building, 6602 Courts Drive.

The Ashland Town Council will meet at 5:30 p.m., 101 Thompson St.

The Petersburg City Council will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Train Station, 103 River St.

The Hanover County School Board will meet at 7 p.m., 200 Berkley St. in Ashland.

The Colonial Heights City Council will meet at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 201 James Ave.

The Hopewell City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers, 300 N. Main St.

WEDNESDAY

The Henrico County Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the boardroom of the county administration building, 4301 E. Parham Road.

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting at 3 p.m. in the public meeting room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors will meet at 3 p.m. in the boardroom of the county administration building, 7516 County Complex Road.

The Ashland Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m., 101 Thompson St.

The Dinwiddie County Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the boardroom of the Pamplin Administration Building, 14016 Boydton Plank Road.

THURSDAY
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Christmas came early for hearing impaired students at Virginia Heights Elementary in Roanoke thanks to toy-making elves from Roanoke College.

More than a dozen students, under biology professor Frances Bosch, have been making special toys for children with special needs as part of a toy modification initiative, Toy Like Me, which began in the UK in 2015 after journalist Rebecca Atkinson noticed a lack of positive diff:ability representation in toys for children.

Action figures, dolls and stuffed toy donations were chosen and purchased according to each individual childs interests and personalities and then were fitted with hearing devices just as they wear, according to Professor Bosch. This is a drug for me, she said, my goal is to make my students aware of a world that goes far beyond themselves.

For the last two years, Bosch has been invited to teach a May Term Intensive Learning course called Differ-abilities: Considering the Experiences of the Disabled and has been asked to teach it again this spring. Its rather unusual for the someone who is not [employed] full-time to teach a May Term, said Bosch, but its a course the kids want. Having a personal disability, growing up with autistic siblings and now raising a son who is blind, Bosch is passionate about the course matter because she understands the challenges of living with a disability in todays world. Society disables people, explained Bosch. My mom always told us we are different; not disabled  that does not mean not capable.

The only way that students without a disability can really experience what life is like for those that do, is to become disabled themselves. I disable my students for 24 hours, explained Bosch; I have been given four wheelchairs just for this class. Students are assigned individual disabilities and must get through daily tasks with limitations they are not at all used to while keeping a journal of what they experience. For many students, the course brings about a new awareness and compassion for those living with a differ-ability.

Upon seeing the success the Toy Like Me campaign had in the UK, Bosch thought the same initiative at Roanoke College would not only get students involved for more than just the month of May, but it could greatly impact children across the Roanoke Valley. And what better time than the holiday season to make toys!

This is amazing, said Amanda Zingale, a sophomore from Florida. Amanda has cerebral palsy and can identify with the challenges that these children face on a day-to-day basis. Im so excited to be a part of this, she said, I wish theyd had something like this when I was little.

Virginia Heights Elementary houses the regional program for the deaf and hearing impaired pre-school and elementary children, something principal Theresa Schmitt is especially proud of. Im so honored that [Roanoke College] is here  this is a brilliant idea! Schmitt also understands the importance of, as a child, having a toy that represents who you are. As a child, all I wanted was a red-headed bridal doll. Schmitt, herself a red-head, grew up in a time when fashion dolls had long golden locks to brush and braid; occasionally, you could find a brunette, but almost never a ginger-top. Her dad came through though, and before the days of online shopping and Amazon Prime, called countless department stores before finding one in a town an hour and a half away. As a parent, I understand the desire to give your child something really special, said Schmitt, but imagine having a child with a disability and how much more difficult it can be to find the perfect gift. Toy Like Me gives these kids dolls and toys that are just like them.

Bosch hopes to make this an annual event but needs the communitys help to do so. New toy donations are welcome as are financial contributions with which toys can be purchased. I need funds for helmets, said Bosch of a recent request. Please make us a part of your Christmas list this year!

For more information, check out the Toys Like Me Roanoke College Facebook page or contact Professor Frances Bosch at 540.375.4903 or via email to bosch@roanoke.edu
RICHMOND  About 38,000 times each year, driving privileges are stripped from Virginians  not for traffic offenses, but instead for drug offenses.

Dubbed a relic of the war on drugs, Virginia law automatically suspends the licenses of anyone convicted of even minor drug offenses, reports a new Prison Policy Initiative study.

The study contends the law is counterproductive and unnecessarily burdens low-income offenders by limiting their ability to get or keep a job to pay court fines and costs or child support.

The automatic suspensions for drug offenses also are said to jeopardize public safety  people with suspended licenses caught driving fall deeper into the justice system while police, the courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles are tied up dealing with suspensions unrelated to traffic law enforcement.

Drivers license suspensions in Virginia already were in the spotlight from other developments this year:

A class action lawsuit filed in federal court by the Charlottesville-based Legal Aid Justice Center alleges the license suspensions of Virginians unable to pay court fines and costs  when those who can afford to pay keep their licenses  is discriminatory and violates constitutional protections.

A new rule quietly adopted by the Virginia Supreme Court that takes effect in February offers some relief to offenders by requiring all courts in the state to offer defendants unable to pay court fines and costs within 30 days deferred or installment payment plans before suspending their licenses.

The new study, Reinstating Common Sense: How drivers license suspensions for drug offenses unrelated to driving are falling out of favor, says that in 1991, Congress threatened states with a loss of federal highway funds if they did not automatically suspend the licenses of drug offenders.

Today, only Washington, D.C., Virginia and 11 other states still automatically suspend licenses  a total of 190,000 a year.

nnn

The study reports that in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2015, there were 38,849 suspensions in Virginia for drug convictions unrelated to driving and a similar number the previous year.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 38,130 in the year that ended June 30, 2016. The department said orders issued does not equal the total number of customers, since some may have received more than one order.

While a majority of states have opted out of the federal law, 12 states and Washington, D.C., have continued to hurt their own citizens with these needless license suspensions, said Joshua Aiken with the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group.

Aiken said, The report finds that the burden of these suspensions falls most heavily on low-income people and people of color.

The Prison Policy Initiative agrees that possessing a drivers license should reflect responsible driving and that license suspensions are a logical tool for enforcing laws against reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and other driving offenses.

But the group complains that nationally, 40 percent of license suspensions were for reasons not related to driving.

In some states, littering, burning trash, skipping school and unpaid student loans result in drivers license suspensions. Most states suspend drivers licenses for unpaid court fines and fees and failure to pay child support, the report said.

nnn

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, a snapshot of the number and types of license suspensions, as of Sept. 3, shows there were 10,869 for non-motor vehicle drug suspensions; 20,746 for failure to satisfy court judgments; and 7,989 for failure to pay child support.

In court papers filed this year, the Virginia Attorney Generals Office said the suspension of licenses to protect highway safety is a legitimate governmental purpose and so are suspensions for failure to pay court fines and costs, because they assist courts in enforcing court orders.

Concerning suspension for nondriver-related issues, Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael Herring concedes, There is wide disagreement on the effectiveness of the sanction. Some say it is regressive and results in disparate impact on the disadvantaged.

And, he said, I tend to agree.

A DMV spokeswoman explained that state law automatically requires the department to revoke administratively the driving privilege for six months for someone convicted of any nondriving drug crime  even a misdemeanor possession charge with no jail time.

Defendants can apply to the court for a restricted license that permits driving to work, for example. The department said that of the 38,000 drug-related suspensions in the year that ended June 30, 10,450 were granted restricted privileges at the time of the convictions.

The Prison Policy Initiative argues that restricted licenses are not a substantive solution to unnecessarily suspended licenses. In some states, the process for winning a restricted license can be longer than the suspension.

In the past three years, five state legislatures  in Ohio, Massachusetts, Georgia, Delaware and Indiana  have voted to abolish automatic suspensions, the study says.

At least one related bill has been filed for the upcoming General Assembly session in Virginia.

Introduced by state Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, the proposal would not strip adults convicted of simple marijuana possession of their license. It would be contingent on written assurance from the U.S. Department of Transportation that Virginia will not lose any federal funds.

nnn

The Prison Policy Initiative study notes that a 2013 best practices guide by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators reported: It was estimated that as many as three-fourths of suspended or revoked drivers continue to drive. This fact indicates that driver license suspension is no longer the solution to enforce compliance.

The costs of arresting, processing, administering and enforcing social nonconformance-related driver license suspensions create a significant strain on budgets and other resources and detract from highway and public safety priorities, the association wrote.

The guide recommends that state legislators repeal laws requiring the suspension of licenses for nontraffic safety reasons.

Angela Ciolfi, senior attorney with the Legal Aid Justice Center, which filed the class action suit on behalf of four plaintiffs in July, said their case is solely about suspensions for failure to pay court debt due to the inability to pay  and not suspension as a result of sentencing for drugs or any other reason.

We are focused on the punishment of poverty as such and the cascading harms that flow from driving people further into debt when they cant meet their basic needs, she said.

Among other things, the suit alleges that courts issuing suspensions for failure to pay court costs and fines fail to take into account a debtors ability to pay.

The justice center said that in the year that ended June 30, 2015, the Virginia DMV issued 366,773 orders of drivers license suspensions resulting from unpaid court fines or costs  more than one-third of which were for offenses unrelated to driving.

Most of those affected are low-income drivers.

The loss of a license can mean the loss of the only way to reach work. As a result, many people are forced to choose between losing their jobs or risking getting locked up for driving illegally.

nnn

Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice waded into the case by filing a brief that contends that suspending a drivers license is unconstitutional if it is done without providing due process and without assessing whether the individuals failure to pay was willful or the result of an inability to pay.

In its response opposing the suit, the Virginia Attorney Generals Office wrote that under Virginia law, any individual who fails to pay court-imposed fines and costs will have his drivers license suspended, regardless of income, race, gender, nationality, or other trait.

Absent dissimilar treatment, the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution is not at issue, the state lawyers argued.

Although Plaintiffs have set forth what could be described as a persuasive argument that courts should give indigent criminal defendants greater latitude with respect to the imposition or repayment of fines and costs, what they have presented is, at its heart, a policy argument  and this is not a policymaking forum. It is a court of law, the office wrote to U.S. District Judge Norman Moon.

The Attorney Generals Office recently filed another motion to dismiss the suit  this one in light of a new rule by the Virginia Supreme Court. The rule was adopted by the justices last month and takes effect in February.

Among other things, the rule requires a judge to take into account a defendants financial resources and obligations, including indigence, as well as anything owed in other courts when determining the amount and length of time to pay court fines and costs under a deferred or installment payment plan.

Randolph Rollins, founder and president of Drive to Work, a charitable organization that helps people win back their licenses, said the current state law allows judges to defer payment of fines and costs to a later date or to set up an installment plan for an offender to avoid suspending his or her license.

Prior to the new rule, Rollins, the secretary of public safety in the administration of Gov. Douglas Wilder, said, Each individual court made its own decisions. Some of them didnt give pay plans at all. Some of them gave pay plans that were very liberal. Others were very restrictive about it.

The rule standardizes things and also tells courts that where available, the court should liberally use community service work as an option to defray fines and costs, especially where the defendant is unable to make substantial payments.

The Attorney Generals Office argues: The Virginia Supreme Court, therefore, has enacted the very policy Plaintiffs seek. For this reason, there is no further relief that could or should issue in this case and these proceedings are moot.

nnn

Ciolfi welcomes the new rule but strongly disagrees that it fixes the problem targeted by the suit. Rather, she said, it acknowledges that the system is broken.

The Supreme Court deserves our praise for its leadership in helping people avoid the court debt trap. If the rules are implemented in both letter and spirit, they offer tremendous potential to stem the tide of drivers entering the license-for-payment pipeline, Ciolfi said.

But she said the rule does not alter the fundamental flaw in the license-for-payment system, which is the mandatory and automatic nature of the drivers license suspension statute.

Rollins, with Drive to Work, believes the new rule is a pretty significant development.
RICHMOND  Ed Gillespie entertained his fans in the sleek, club-like atmosphere of the Kabana Rooftop, where the neon green lights matched the color scheme of the UnifiED posters meant to rally Virginia Republicans behind the Gillespie banner in the 2017 governors race.

Corey Stewart and his group chatted among leopard-print couches and Victorian finery in a back room at The Tobacco Company restaurant. A self-styled grassroots guy, Stewart talked up his events location and poked fun at Gillespies more establishment soiree, saying on Twitter: Fireplaces are warmer than rooftops.

For Sen. Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach, it was more of a DIY affair in a top-floor suite at the Omni Richmond Hotel, where coolers lined a wall and a TV stand had been turned into a makeshift bar.

A hospitality suite hosted by potential fourth candidate and virtual unknown Denver Riggleman featured a case of Rigglemans own liquor from Silverback Distillery, the Nelson County business he co-owns with his wife.

Approaching an election year with a contested governors race well underway, the free food and drink options were plentiful at the Republican Party of Virginia Advance this weekend, which marked the unofficial kickoff of the partys push to take back statewide offices next year.

As part of the holiday tradition, the proceedings began Friday with parties that gave candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general a chance to mingle with party faithful.

The two-day retreat had an air of exuberance following the victory of president-elect Donald Trump. But there also was acknowledgement of a difficult road ahead, given Trumps five-point loss to Hillary Clinton in increasingly blue Virginia and the partys losing streak in statewide races that dates to 2009.

Weve got to get it done, Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Whitbeck said Friday as he stepped out of Stewarts party on his way to Gillespies. Were facing a really big turning point in our history as a party.

The Republican gubernatorial primary is seven months away, but the campaigns were ever-present at the Omni, starting with the young people handing out stickers and other material at the top of a staircase.

The greeters formed a gauntlet Friday as attendees, some wearing signature red Trump hats, made their way toward the ballroom where New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was among the first to address the crowd in a speech closed to the press.

A new candidate?

Organizers did not schedule a forum for gubernatorial stump speeches, leaving the candidates largely to their own devices as they worked the crowd .

With Gillespie, Stewart and Wagner all in the running for some time, the arrival of Riggleman, a former Air Force intelligence officer whose chief grievance seems to be that he thinks Virginia has allowed utility giant Dominion Resources to run roughshod over property owners as it tries to route a natural gas pipeline through properties  including his  was perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend.

In an interview in which he criticized the states alcohol and tax laws as unfairly harsh toward spirits producers, Riggleman said he wants to use blunt force trauma to change a system he described as dominated by cronyism and lobbyists who use money to bend government in their favor.

The way to kill a vampire is to drag it into the sunlight, Riggleman said.

Raising the money to run remains an obstacle, Riggleman said, but hes leaning toward getting in and expects to make a decision within weeks. He pointed to other long-shot outsiders as inspiration.

Whether you like Trump or not or whether you like Dave Brat or not, there seems to be a groundswell toward those who do not view politics as a career field, said Riggleman, who has hired former Brat campaign manager Zachary Werrell.

Fiorina touts Gillespie

As Riggleman introduced himself, Gillespie looked to strengthen his position as the consensus favorite in the wake of Rep. Robert Wittmans announcement last week that he will stay in Congress rather than seek the governors office.

Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman, received a publicity boost Saturday when former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, the featured speaker at an awards luncheon, endorsed him from the podium.

I know that it will be a very spirited primary, Fiorina said. But as you all already know, as a Virginian, I hope very much that Ed Gillespie will be the next governor.

In an interview, Gillespie said hes seeing incredible momentum for his campaign and his message of tax, regulatory and education reform to address anemic economic growth.

We need to bring the same kind of change and reform to Richmond that the Trump administration is bringing to Washington, Gillespie said.

After a lukewarm approach to Trumps controversial campaign, Gillespie has put an early emphasis on saying hell be a governor for all Virginians. Gillespie said hes very happy about Trumps win, but noted that Virginia stood as a swing state that the Trump campaign was unable to flip from blue to red.

In Virginia we actually fared worse in this presidential cycle than in the last one, Gillespie said, adding that in 2017 the party needs a campaign that will perform better in Northern Virginia.

Being from Fairfax County, Gillespie said, is an asset to the ticket.

Stewart vows to shake things up

Stewart, a Prince William County supervisor known for his hard-line stance against illegal immigrants, said he, too, has proven he can win in Northern Virginia, even with a fiery conservative approach.

Im the guy whos going to shake things up, Stewart said when asked to describe his message for the Advance crowd. I tell it straight. Im not politically correct.

Asked if he feels Republicans need to fine-tune their message to win Virginia in the Trump era, Stewart, who was fired as Trumps Virginia chairman for protesting at the RNC headquarters without permission, said the Trump campaign shouldve put more resources into Northern Virginia before it was too late. He also stressed the need to do more work in minority areas of the state.

It just wasnt done, Stewart said. Theres a lot to learn.

Wagner cites experience

In Wagners telling, both of his competitors have plenty to learn about how business and state government works. In an interview in his 19th-floor suite, the Navy veteran, former shipyard owner and long-time state lawmaker pitched himself as the only candidate with policy experience to run the executive branch and grow the economy.

Virginians will ask themselves who do they want to run Virginia for them? A lobbyist like Gillespie? A lawyer rabble-rouser like Corey Stewart? Wagner said. Or somebody who has a true business background and the experience its going to take to operate Richmond properly?

The electorate wants change, Wagner said, and his background gives him a better feel for the needs of veterans and working people who supported Trump.

I wore a hard hat for 35 years, Wagner said. Not for a photo op. Thats what we do in shipyards.

Wagner said hes confident hell be competitive, even if he cant match Gillespie in endorsements and fundraising.

Theres a wonderful thing called the internet now, Facebook, Wagner said. So many forums that it doesnt cost you an arm and a leg to get your message out to people.

Democrats take

Though Republicans were optimistic about the Trump era and the opportunities it could bring for a different agenda, Virginia Democrats have long signaled that Trump will feature prominently as they stress what they deem the importance of keeping Virginias statewide offices in Democratic hands.

In a pre-buttal to the Republican gathering, Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said the Republican gubernatorial candidates are already fighting each other to prove their loyalties to Donald Trump.

With a Trump administration, it is more important than ever that we have a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and General Assembly who will hold the line on the progress that we have made, McClellan said.

The Republican who wins the June gubernatorial primary is expected to face Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam in the general election.

At the cusp

Sean Spicer, the RNC communications director, suggested in an interview Friday that Virginia remains winnable, saying Republicans have been right there at the cusp in recent statewide elections.

This isnt a state where were 10 or 15 points down, Spicer said. Were within a field goal.

Spicer, who is working with the Trump transition team, said Virginians can expect to see Trump campaigning for the states GOP candidates next year.

I have no doubt in my mind that youll see him, Spicer said.
4 charged over dangerous waste

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-10 02:46

FOUR executives at a factory in Baoshan District have been charged with illegally burying chemical waste and contaminating the environment.

The factory produces logistic containers. Its manager Liu Jianguo told the local procuratorate that asphalt and paint waste were produced during the manufacturing process, but the issue had been addressed by the company, which also used another contractor.

But the amount of waste exceeded the 150-ton yearly limit set by the governments environment authority.

Liu said an upgrade was carried out in September last year, but he and another managers had decided to dig a pit and bury the waste.

The procuratorate said more than 480 tons of waste had been put into buckets and bags, which were then buried in the 8-meter long, 4-meter wide and 3-meter deep hole.

Factory workers then sealed the pit with concrete and used a road roller to flatten the surface.

The Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureaus enforcement team inspected the plant on June 29 and ordered the pit to be opened.

It said it found 10 harmful chemicals in the waste, including carrene, dichloroethane, toluene and ethylbenzene.

The authority estimated the damage at more than 1.5 million yuan (US$218,000). Liu and three other managers have been charged with illegally dumping dangerous waste.
A MUM and daughter raised hundreds of pounds for a cancer charity  thanks to wedding dresses.

Gaynor Hughes and her mum Karen Hughes, who both live on Park Road in Conisbrough, organised a bridal boot sale to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Karen has stage four terminal breast cancer and the pair wanted to raise money to help the charity support people.

The event gave women who had been unable to sell their wedding dresses the chance to find buyers.

Brides donated 5 to the charity to sell their dress but kept the profit on the sale price.

More than 100 dresses were registered for sale at the event which was held at the John Charles Centre for Sport at Middleton in Leeds.

There was also a catwalk show and wedding suppliers held raffles and competitions.

Gaynor said she was delighted with the final total  and her guests were pleased with their own outcome.

She added: I raised 500 for the charity and some lucky ladies walked away with their dream wedding dress.

It was a great day.
Osino receives 20-year mining licence for Namibia project Osino Resources has received a 20-year mining licence for its wholly-owned Twin Hills gold project, in Namibia. The mining licence is subject to the fulfilment of several customary conditions which include adherence to an agreed work programme, conclusion...

Newmont announces third quarter 2022 results Newmont Corporation announced third quarter 2022 results. The company produced 1.49 million attributable ounces of gold and 299.000 attributable gold equivalent ounces from co-products.

Debswana boosts diamond sales Debswana, a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana government, recorded a 37.5% growth in rough diamond sales in the first nine months of 2022, statistics released by the Bank of Botswana showed Tuesday, driven by steady demand for...

AGC signs declaration of responsibility and sustainability principles with gold industry leaders Artisanal Gold Council Executive Director Dr. Kevin Telmer signed a Declaration of Responsibility and Sustainability Principles along with other gold industry leaders at the LBMA/LPPM Global Precious Metals Conference in Lisbon on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022...
ALROSA President Andrey Zharkov will be the guest of honor at the International Diamond Week in Israel (IDWI) being held February 13  16, 2017 at the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), says a Press note from IDE.

Zharkov's visit is timed to coincide with the opening of the IDE International Tender Center, which will hold tenders of rough and polished diamonds by major rough producers and diamond traders.

While in Israel, Zharkov will meet with the leaders of IDE to discuss the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed last year, and also address a group of leading IDE firms where he will present ALROSA's vision for the next several years and the challenges facing the global diamond industry.

IDE President Yoram Dvash said that he welcomes the visit of ALROSA President Zharkov at the International Diamond Week. ALROSA is a very significant player in the type of diamonds that the Israeli industry focuses on. Over the past several years ALROSA has supplied a growing quantity of such stones to the Israeli market, and we aim to expand this trade.

Andrey Zharkov said: I am happy to attend the International Diamond Week in Israel. This will be an excellent opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest with the bourse leaders and with potential and existing clients, as well as to present ALROSA's plans in response to the current and future challenges we face.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

With January under three weeks away, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited contractors and construction workers building the 72nd and 86th Street Stations on the Second Avenue Subway project to view progress.

Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to be completed at the end of the year and the governor is confident the deadline will be met.

During an appearance on The Cats Roundable, the governor said, there was a move early on, people thought we should probably move the deadline. And I said, No, were going to stick to the deadline and were going to work like hell to make it, and thats exactly what were doing. We have a few weeks, and if I had to bet, I would bet that we make it. We still have a lot of work to do. Its a complex projectwere going to work every day between now and December 31, I can tell you that, to make sure we hit the deadline.

Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway project began in April 2007 and will extend the Q Line from its current terminal at 57 St  7 Av to the new 96 St  2 Av station, via an existing tunnel under Central Park and 63rd St. The extension will help to alleviate overcrowding on the 4 Subway Line 5 Subway Line 6 Subway Line between 103rd St and 63rd St, as well as provide easier travel between the upper EastSide, one of the most densely populated areas of the United States, and the west side of Manhattan; with service continuing on into Brooklyn via the existing Q Line line.

Melissa DeRosa, Gov. Cuomos Chief of Staff, said, Gov. Cuomo visits the Second Avenue subway several times a week and holds weekly meetings with the MTA and its contractors. Today was another one of those visits. The governor believes the progress is encouraging and hes cautiously optimistic about hitting the January 1 deadline.

The project is New York Citys first major expansion of the subway system in more than 50 years. Phase 1 will have three new stations and includes the renovation of another station, but when fully completed, the line will stretch 8.5 miles and include 16 new stations.
China will on Tuesday release November numbers for industrial production, retail sales and fixed asset investment, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Industrial production is expected to hold steady at 6.1 percent on year, while retail sales are expected to advance an annual 10.2 percent - up from 10.0 percent in October. Fixed asset investment is expected to hold steady at an annual 8.3 percent.

Australia will see Q3 data for house prices, plus November results for the NAB confidence index.

House prices are tipped to rise 2.5 percent on quarter and 4.8 percent on year after gaining 2.0 percent on quarter and 4.1 percent on year in the three months prior. The NAB index for business confidence had a score of +4 in October, while conditions were at +6.

Hong Kong will release Q3 data for industrial production and producer prices. In the previous three months, output sank 0.7 percent on quarter and 0.5 percent on year, while producer prices picked up 0.4 percent on year.

The Philippines will provide Q3 figures for unemployment; in the second quarter, the jobless rate was 5.4 percent and the participation rate was 63.3 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Croatia's retail sales increased in October after a slight decline in the previous month, figures from Croatian Bureau of Statistics showed Monday.

Retail sales volume climbed a seasonally and working-day-adjusted 1.2 percent monthly in October, reversing a 0.1 percent drop in September.

At the same time, retail sales value grew at a faster pace of 1.4 percent in October, following a 1.0 percent gain a month ago.

On an annual basis, retail sales growth accelerated to 5.3 percent in October from 4.5 percent in the preceding month. Similarly, retail sales value grew 4.6 percent from September, when it rose by 3.5 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Latvia's foreign trade deficit increased in October from a year ago, as exports fell and imports rose, figures from the Central Statistical Bureau showed Monday.

The trade deficit rose to EUR 132.9 million in October from EUR 92.8 million in the corresponding month last year. In September, the shortfall was EUR 87.1 million.

Exports dropped 3.5 percent year-over-year in October, while imports climbed by 0.4 percent.

Shipments of electrical machinery and equipment fell the most by 22.0 percent, followed by mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation with a decline of 20.7 percent.

On a monthly basis, both exports and imports grew by 1.9 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively in October.

In October, the main export partners in trade with EU countries were Lithuania, Estonia, Germany and Sweden. Imports also largely came from Lithuania, Germany, Poland and Estonia.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Shanghai museum receives gift from Eva, the amber dinosaur

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-10 02:46

A 3D model of a feathered dinosaur tail trapped in an amber 99 million years ago  an unprecedented discovery  was gifted to the Shanghai Natural History Museum yesterday by the research team, which included a Chinese scientist.

The amber, named Eva, is believed to be the first mummified skeleton of a non-avian dinosaur ever discovered, said China University of Geosciences professor Xing Lida, who found the specimen and who gave a lecture at the museum yesterday.

We can for the first time see a real dinosaur instead of just guessing about its look, he said.

Amber itself is like a world. It can contain and well preserve things from long ago. Like the tail section  we can see its feather, skin and bone. Its very close to what it would have looked like when the dinosaur was alive.

The museum said it will add the model, a 3D mock-up of the caudal vertebrae behind the feathers, to its public display.

The research was led by Xing and Ryan McKellar of Canadas Royal Saskatchewan Museum. And the discovery was published in this months issue of Current Biology.

The specimen originated the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar and was found by Xing and his team last year at an amber market in Myanmar.

The fluffy plumage, with brown features on the front and pale white feathers on the back, is 6 centimeters long, by which scientists suggest that it may belong to a sparrow-sized dinosaur only 18.5cm in total length.

We can image a scene that this dinosaur was chasing an insect, but suddenly a big drop tree resin trapped it, Xing said. Amber is preserved tree resin.

The bone structure suggests the dinosaur may belong to the coelurosaurian branch while feather implies it may be of maniraptora branch, said Xu Xing, a paleontologist from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Xing said it was hard to interpret if Eva was male or female, a young dinosaur or just a tiny adult due to a lack of DNA. But the researchers say it was most likely a juvenile, non-avian theropod  a group of dinosaurs that includes velociraptors and tyrannosaurs.
Crude oil futures skyrocketed Monday morning after a top Saudi official said the oil giant will do whatever it takes to stabilize oil prices.

OPEC and Russia finalized an agreement to cut supplies from some of the world's largest producers.

Analysts say that even if the U.S. and Canada pick up some of the slack, Saudi Arabia and Russia are resolved to keep oil prices north of $50 a barrel.

In anticipation of the OPEC deal, U.S. rig counts surged last week.

WTI light sweet crude oil was up $2.39 at $53.90 a barrel, the highest in a year.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s (WMT) Mexican division plans to invest $1.3 billion in logistics operations over the next three years that will add about 10,000 jobs in the country.

"This investment affirms our confidence in Mexico, strengthening the logistical infrastructure to achieve our growth goals," Walmart de Mexico CEO Guilherme Loureiro said.

Loureiro said the investment will improve the company's logistics infrastructure, build new distribution centers and expand existing ones.

Loureiro also added that the new investment was made from the profits generated in Mexico, a statement that was made directly for President-elect Donald Trump who has recently criticized heavily on transfer of jobs or investment from the United States to the neighboring country.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto gladly accepted and cheered the news. "We are attracting larger investments in a world of huge uncertainty," Pena Nieto said.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Green card rules help overseas students

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-10 02:46

A SLEW of new measures to further ease green card rules for foreign professionals in Shanghai was announced by city authorities yesterday.

People working for companies and universities at Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone and Shanghai Free Trade Zone will be the main beneficiaries.

The new measures will give foreigners working in these zones a fast track to apply for the Chinese green card.

Under the new rules, top foreign talent  highly skilled professionals  can now apply for the card with a letter of recommendation from the administration committees of the two zones.

They will receive a reply from the citys exit-entry administration authorities within 50 working days. Previously applicants had to wait up to six months to get a card.

No longer will these applicants have to work for at least three years before they can apply for the card.

Ma Wengang, an official of the administration committee at Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, said top foreign talent covered award winners, professionals imported via state programs, well-known experts, scholars and entrepreneurs. The new measures will also ease visa rules for highly skilled professionals with at least a masters degree or those who are employed or invited by companies, research institutes and higher education institutions in the two zones.

These people will be allowed to apply for a talent visa on arrival in Shanghai and a work permit afterward.

This rule, which also applies to Yangpu District and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, significantly increases the availability of Chinas talent visa. Yangpu and Jiao Tong are considered national demonstration areas for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Ma said the measures took effect from yesterday, but further details are pending approval by the Ministry of Public Security and are expected to be published within a few days.

There are about 45,000 foreigners working and studying at Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, which has 22 sub-zones distributed across Shanghai.

Foreigners with a working residence permit applying for a green card can have their spouse and children under 18 apply for the card at the same time.

Foreign pupils admitted to elementary and middle schools in Shanghai can apply for a study visa on arrival and a study permit afterward if they dont have time to apply before leaving their home countries.

The new measures have also eased visa rules for home helpers of foreign professionals with a residence permit or green card.

The permit for hiring foreign home helpers is no longer restricted to holders of the green card and five-year work permit. Now anyone with a work permit in China can hire them, and if the home helpers dont have time to apply for a visa abroad, they can apply on arrival in Shanghai.

Furthermore, foreign applicants for green cards who need to produce papers, such as showing a clean criminal record and marital status, can now get those papers, if available, via their home countrys embassy or consulates in China.

Ji Minghua, vice president of the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, which has about 500 foreign professionals, said he expected the new measures would enable up to 100 foreign employees at his company to get a green card every year, up from 50 currently.

The convenience for getting a green card for their family members is very attractive, Ji said.

Chen Wei, vice president of Hua Hong Semiconductor Co, said the reforms were good news for long-term foreign employees at his company whose family members dont have green cards.

The new measures also enable high-tech companies in Shanghai to hire foreign interns from higher education institutions abroad.

Students from foreign universities listed on the website of Chinas Ministry of Education can apply for an internship visa on arrival in the city or do it while in Shanghai if they are already in the city.

Meanwhile, foreign students studying in universities in Shanghai can now start a business at Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, Shanghai Free Trade Zone and Yangpu District under the recommendation from the universities by applying for a study permit allowing entrepreneurship.

The reforms have largely eased visa and green card rules for overseas Chinese, by definition former Chinese citizens, and their foreign-born heirs or foreign-born heirs to Chinese citizens.

According to the rules, they can apply for a green card as long as they have a doctorate degree or have worked at Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Yangpu District or Shanghai Jiao Tong University for a consecutive four years and have lived in China for at least six months every year during that period.

The visa duration for business, study or visit purposes for this category of people has also been extended.

The new measures have also eased the regulations for investors who want to apply for a green card.
Charity auction of film properties from Zhang Yimou's latest movie 'Great Wall' held in city

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-10 02:46

A charity auction was held for film properties from director Zhang Yimou's latest epic historical film "The Great Wall" in Shanghai today.

Film properties such as ancient Chinese weapons and costumes, tailor-made by the famous Weta Workshop, were available for the auction.

A calligraphy work of Chinese characters "The Great Wall," written by director Zhang, gained huge popularity. It was sold for 88,000 yuan.

The public auction hosted by the movie website Mtime was also broadcast live and open to online purchasers. A lot of movie buffs participated in the auction. All the proceeds, totaling more than 250,000 yuan will go to a project of China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation to preserve and renovate the Great Wall.

The Sino-US movie will hit cinemas across China on December 16. It stars Hollywood actors Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoe and Chinese actor Zheng Kai. The film will also have global distribution to tell a story of China.
By SA Commercial Prop News - John Loos

Of the major provincial housing markets, Gauteng appears to have been the most stable in recent years, not showing as much price deflation during the 2009 period of national house price decline, and not showing the same extent of mini-recovery that the national market as a whole has shown.

So 2009 saw Gauteng price decline bottom at -2.1% year-on-year in the 2nd quarter of 2009 while the national average decline in that quarter was -5%. However, the flipside is that as at the 2nd quarter of 2011, the FNB Gauteng House Price Index could only manage a mini-peak of 3.5%, compared to the Western Capes 10.5% peak in that quarter for instance.

And after some very mild renewed acceleration in 2011, the Gauteng House Price Index was ticking along at +3.7% year-on-year price growth in the 3rd quarter, well-behind the rejuvenated KZN and Eastern Cape

What makes Gauteng seemingly a more stable residential property market than the other major provinces of the country, not seemingly hitting quite their peaks or their troughs? We believe that the answer lies in its economy being arguably one of the most developed as well as one of the best diversified, not being as exposed to the highly cyclical manufacturing and related sectors as KZN for instance.

In addition, Gauteng has a very small holiday market relative to the size of its primary residential market, and primary residential demand is far less cyclical than holiday residential demand due to more essential nature. On top of this, Gauteng is SAs main head office region, and during tough economic times such as those of recent years one often finds corporates centralizing more functions to head office and cutting back on their operations in smaller economic regions. This may have partly cushioned the employment blow of the recession in Gauteng.

By comparison, the 3 major coastal provinces appear to be significantly more cyclical, hitting lower floors in slowdowns and recovering more impressively off a lower base than Gauteng. Larger holiday property markets may well play a role here, while higher exposure to the highly cyclical manufacturing sector in the case of KZN and the Eastern Cape may also contribute to greater cyclicality in recent years.

The Western Cape market led the coastal mini-recovery in 2009/10, but has since settled down to a pedestrian 3% year-on-year price growth in the 3rd quarter. The Eastern Cape and KZN lagged the Western Cape in the recovery, and both still have higher year-on-year growth rates of 5% in the case of Eastern Cape and 6.8% in the case of KZN. The KZN growth rate was the only one of the 3 still continuing to accelerate following a very slow recovery out of the 2009 slump.

Finally, the FNB Minor Provinces House Price Index showed mild growth of 4% year-on-year in the 3rd quarter of 2011, slightly higher than the 3.6% of the previous quarter. These more rural and predominantly inland regions also show some resemblance to the more stable Gauteng market, with the index showing less volatility in recent years than the coastal country regions.

Less holiday-driven than the coast, and heavily exposed to the non-cyclical agriculture sector, this should perhaps not be too surprising either, although one would expect greater cyclicality in certain mining and holiday-driven sub-regions within these provinces..

As a group, the 5 minor, predominantly inland, provinces and Gauteng appear more stable than the 3 major coastal provinces. This has implied that the inland provinces as a group didnt appear to suffer quite the same price decline during the 2008/9 recession, but did also not experience quite as impressive a mini-recovery as the coastal provinces.

We believe that the average price recoveries made by KZN, the Eastern and Western Cape were largely driven by the eThekwini, Mandela Bay and Cape Metros, however, with the coastal holiday town regions still remaining the weaker link in those regions property markets.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Cape Town continues to buck the trend and its International Airport is expected to reach a milestone in the next few weeks.



Cape Town continues to buck the trend and its International Airport is expected to reach a milestone in the next few weeks - 10 million passengers in a year for the first time.

The success is said to be largely due to the Western Cape's Cape Town Air Access initiative, which also led to the creation of about 16,000 jobs and a R3-billion injection from tourism.



"We've seen exceptional growth and expect to pass the 10million passengers mark in the next few weeks," said Airports Company of SA spokesman Deidre Davids.



"On our busiest days we process up to 39,000 passengers, [pump] as much 2.2million litres of fuel and move nearly 20,000 bags."



The provincial government, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, Acsa and Cape Town Tourism, "opened" its skies to improve access by air. As a result new jobs, more tourism and increased spending flew into the region.



By securing six new routes and eight route expansions into the province, the initiative has resulted in an increase in the Western Cape's air arrivals of more than 500,000 passengers.



Western Cape MEC for economic opportunities Alan Winde said that tourism employed 204,000 people in the province, and that each regular schedule long-haul flight supported 3,000 jobs.



"For every 10% increase in passenger numbers the regional economy grows by 2%. These figures illustrate the value of increased air access," said Winde.



"International air arrivals into Cape Town are increasing by 22% a year. British Airways this summer added three Boeing 777-200 flights from Gatwick to Cape Town to meet increased demand.



"Last week Lufthansa launched its all-year, non-stop flight between Frankfurt and Cape Town."



Davids said the growth had put pressure on Acsa's arrivals and departures systems. "Although the operational teams have put various plans in place, queues will be unavoidable. Passengers need to remember to arrive at the airport early."



Winde said that a team was working on improving the African route network, on establishing a direct route to North America, and on getting more direct flights to Asia scheduled.
The Gujarat Assembly polls will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5, the Election Commission announced here on Thursday. ...


Probe into US airlines runway slip at Pudong

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-12 01:46

CHINAS civil aviation regulator is investigating an incident at Pudong airport involving a US airliner crossing a runway without permission while another plane was about to take off, the regulator said over the weekend.

Delta Air Lines flight DL295, which had just landed at Pudong International Airport from Tokyo, began taxing across a parallel runway at 7:27pm on Thursday before air traffic controllers gave the go-ahead, the East China Regional Administration under the Civil Aviation Administration of China said in a statement.

On the parallel runway, China Eastern Airlines flight MU723 from Pudong to Hong Kong was about to take off. The air traffic controllers then ordered the China Eastern aircraft not to take off and wait on the runway, the regional administration said.

Luckily, as the two aircraft were not near each other, the incident did not affect the airports operation, said a press officer sunramed Qin at the regional administration.

The (regional) administration has required Delta Air Lines to enhance safety management and eliminate safety risks, the statement said.

An investigation team will determine the seriousness of the incident and decide whether to punish the airline according to regulations, Qin said.

It was the second time that runway incursion incidents have happened at the citys airports within two months. On October 11, a China Eastern Airlines aircraft nearly hit another plane as it was on its takeoff run at Hongqiao airport due to mistakes made by the air traffic control tower.

The licenses of two air traffic controllers were revoked and 13 air traffic control officials were punished for the near miss at Hongqiao airport.
Fiber optic network by Bluebird now live for businesses in Salina

With nearly 14 miles of high-speed fiber-optic cable now live in Salina, Bluebird Network is excited to help connect the community.
For Tovio Fesolai, from the village of Lealaoalii, Faleasiu, he believes there is poverty in Samoa but only to an extent.

Aged 29, Tovio works hard in his plantation to provide for his family and says that he prefers this to any office job.

And with signs of poverty all over the country, the hardworking father says that we are still blessed compared to other poverty stricken nations.

To my understand, I believe that there is poverty in Samoa but I know that we are better off to the level of poverty in other countries, Tovio told the Village Voice.

Thats why I thank the Lord that even though we have struggling families in Samoa, we still have access to fertile land and other means of survival.

Life in Samoa is still good even with struggles.

Tovio says that although life is getting too expensive to handle, he still tries his best to work hard for those he loves.

I am not going to beat around the bush; everything is becoming more and more unaffordable for the people of Samoa, he said.

The thing about me is that I dont want to let the expensiveness of life get to me and get me off track with the way I take care of my family.

I still try my very best to find whatever means necessary to take care of the ones I love. If I cant afford something then I will work hard to afford it.

Tovio admits that his village currently faces many issues.

Our village, which isnt very close to the urban areas, face a lot of issues, he said.

We have some families with insufficient water sources we have other families who struggle to find money for their survival and then the other families who just go through personal issues.

But I reckon that through hard work, any issue can be dealt with unless its truly out of your control. Asked about the general life within his family, Tovio says they are doing ok.

For my family we are blessed because we have water, he said. But the water pressure isnt strong enough to reach other families living inland. My family is doing ok; we rely a lot on our plantation to make a living.

Vegetable and other crop sales are what I use to put the children through school and put good food on the table. I feel that what we earn from our plantation is better than working in an office.
The multi-million-tala Medcen hospital facility at Vailima remains underutilised.

The private hospital which the Development Bank of Samoa had been advertising for $2million over a long period of time has failed to attract bidders so far.

The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, said while the hospital is no longer operating, the building is owned by the D.B.S. They have not been able to offload the building to sell because its on government land, Sili told the Sunday Samoan.

They need to come to some discussion with the Land Board about the land. It makes sense for Development Bank to sell it (building) unless the government has any use of that land and building and get a decent return for the building.

Sili added that the sooner we let it (building) go to government cooperation the better because its sitting there and every year it sits there and not getting utilised its a year of further deterioration.

The Minister could not confirm the current status of Medcen saying he has not been briefed about it.

D.B.S. has re-advertised the property for sale or as lease to own premises in the past year and months.

One of the advertisement in May this year stated, the Medcen building, ideal for business development and located on government leased land at Vailima opposite the U.S. Embassy.

Furthermore it said it was available for sale or lease to own over a period of 20 years ($2.1 million O.N.O)

Before the launch of Medcen in 1998, a keen supporter of the project, the Pacific Islands Investment Facility (P.I.I.F.), promised the hospital would "upgrade standards, relieve pressures on the public system, incorporate special programmes to bring benefits to the wider community, save foreign exchange, and by providing improved health care, support increased tourism and foreign investment."

With the backing of 22 Samoa and American Samoa shareholders, MedCen opened its doors for business and was headed by Le Mamea Dr. Emosi Puni and Leoo Dr John Adams.

But several years ago, the hospital ran into financial problems.

D.B.S. then moved in and took over the assets and equipment. The Bank was MedCen's biggest creditor, and had poured $2million into the project.
Re: Articles in favour of Ruiz

Whoever wrote this is in favor of Ruiz and undermines the judges decision.

I watched the whole fight twice and I clearly saw why the judges were in favor of Parker.

Ruiz threw many punches but missed almost 50% of those punches.

Parker landed roughly 80% of his punches.

Did Ruizs swollen face after the fight caused by any allergy?

I am proud of Parkers win no matter what people are saying. Samoan Pride.

Save Samoa
Lupesoliai Laauliolemalietoa Joseph Parker was well supported by leaders of Samoa at the Vector Arena on Saturday night when he created history.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi led a strong contingent from Samoa which included Cabinet Ministers, members of the business community and many Samoans based in New Zealand.

Here are some photos of them celebrating Parkers victory.
District Court Judge, Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma, has declared his conflict of interest in the hearing of charges against election candidate and lawyer, Tuala Ponifasio Iosefo.

Tuala, who was a candidate for the constituency of Gagaemauga No. 1, pleaded not guilty to nine charges of bribery and treating in relation to Marchs General election.

There are six complainants from the same constituency in the matter.

Although the matter was set down for final adjournment yesterday and for the hearing, Judge Fepuleai said he could not proceed with it for several reasons.

Reason being is firstly I have a connection to the village of Leauvaa where parties involved are from, he said.

Secondly, the other Judges are not available and are engaged in other matters today.

I note that the complainant is ready to proceed together with the defendant and witnesses. However the Court is not ready to proceed due to the reasons I had given.

The matter has been adjourned until 27th February 2017.

The charges were brought by the constituencys voters namely; Faatauuu Malautea, Felagolagomai Tino, Ituao Enele, Taulamago Simone, Tevaga Samilolo and Va Vea.

They are represented by lawyer, Ruby Drake.

Tuala did not indicate to the Court who was representing him.

The first charge against the defendant was filed by Faatauuu Malautea.

He alleges that in February this year Tuala promised to arrange a loan to complete a church building at Leauvaa as well as arranging for a group of fruit pickers from the church to travel to New Zealand for the purpose of inducing members of the church to vote for him and therefore commits the offense of treating and bribery.

In a separate incident in late February at Samalaeulu, the candidate is accused of giving $500 to Vaifale Faasalafa to distribute to all the people in attendance with the purpose to induce the informant to vote for him.

Also in March the defendant through his agent committed the offense of treating and bribery by providing accommodation, food and transport to electors of Gagaemauga no1.

Around February at Leauvaa, Tuala is also accused of giving $100 for the purpose of inducing Ituao Enele to vote for him.

Taulamago Simone claimed that in February at Malifa about ten electors were given a sum of $200 and others $100 each.

Another incident took place at Vailele around March with the presence of about 80 electors where Tuala is accused of handing money to his committee members from which varies from $100, $50, $40 and $30tala and to be handed to the electors.

Tevaga Samilolo also claims that in March at Samalaeulu at a gathering of the village called by the defendant, he promised and announced first will provide school resources to improve all school.

According to the charge, the defendants also promised to ensure that compensation will be paid to landowners whose land would be taken for construction of bridge in the village.

Thirdly will pay for airfares of 20 people listed to go to New Zealand to pick apples and lastly, he will launch lawn mowing contractors in Samalaeulu and therefore provide employment for young people of the village

The last charges brought by Va Vea relates to an alleged incident at Samalaeulu in February where through Tualas agent did give $50 tala.

Va Vea also alleged that in another occasion at Samalaeulu he was given another $50 tala by an agent of the candidate.
In more than 40 years of redevelopment, downtown San Diego has added pricey as well as affordable housing, high-rise office and hotel towers, convention, shopping and sporting meccas and dozens of trendy bars and restaurants.

But now comes what many downtown boosters have dreamed of for decades  a major research university that can attract business, jobs and international attention.

UC San Diego, which previously held classes in rented space, has announced a $42 million, 66,000-square-foot downtown outpost that will be part a much bigger development due for City Council review on Tuesday. Construction is expected to begin next year with completion by late 2020 or early-2021.

Advertisement

When the four-story facility called the Innovative Cultural and Education Hub opens at Park Boulevard and Market Street in East Village, students and faculty will conduct field research out of upper-level studios. Campus artists will display art works and perform music, dance and drama pieces. Professors will conduct classes geared to downtown entrepreneurs and the general public. And students from surrounding neighborhoods will learn computer coding and take readiness classes to prepare themselves for college.

It is a strong signal to the community...that we welcome you and we want you to be part of us and we want to be part of you, said Chancellor Pradeep Khosla in an interview at his office last week.

Downtown leaders are hailing the move as a major step in making downtown a hub for the new 21st century tech-economy just as UCSDs campus on Torrey Pines Mesa spun off numerous biotech and telecommunications companies with thousands of well-paid employees since the 1960s.

The university in turn hopes its presence will inspire more students, especially those in lower-income neighborhoods south of Interstate 8, to apply for admission. Campus leaders also aim to attract a wider audience to its artistic and academic offerings that doesnt require braving the traffic and parking problems in and around the main campus.

Its everything weve wanted and then some, said Kris Michell, president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership business group, which opened a collaboratory classroom space with UCSD earlier this year at its office building on B Street.

David Hazan, president of the East Village Association, said UCSDs commitment should give developers and companies the confidence to move to or grow in downtown as well.

I think this is just the start and hopefully the dominoes will start to fall once this thing gets going, he said.

Matt Carlson, a CBRE commercial broker active in downtown office leasing, said the timing could never be better, given dropping vacancy rates, rising rental rates and growing demand for creative office space.

As soon as UCSD or one of the other big academic institutions puts a beachhead downtown, Carlson said potential users told him, then well know downtown has arrived.

The building would be part of Holland Partner Groups $275 million proposed Park & Market project. The university expects to buy the building for an estimated $36.2 million and spend about $6 million in tenant improvements. UCSDs Extension division has set aside about $4 million from course and program fees for the project and expects to cover the rest from fund-raising and loans.

Landing a university presence in downtown San Diego is a game changer and the result of years of hard work to make it reality, said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. This new project will continue the revitalization of the East Village neighborhood and, with UCSDs top-notch reputation, provide countless opportunities for collaboration as we prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.

The mayors deputy chief operating officer for planning and development, David Graham, said the agreement came after years of discussion about how and where UCSD might expand to the citys business and government center. Im about growing companies and helping startups small and medium sizes grow to be large, Graham said. I also think there will be companies that want to be close and connected to the activities of the university that will potentially take a second look at coming downtown.

Beyond officialdom, UCSDs decision was welcomed by one of its alumni, who has a program to offer at the hub.

Christopher Yanov, a 1999 UCSD graduate in political science and Spanish, runs the Reality Changers program for aspiring college students. He earned his degree while working in the city with gang members in the rough parts of town by night after taking classes all day a world away in La Jolla. He said the new hub will be a logical place to help middle- and high-school students get ready for higher education and careers.

By coming to the neighborhoods (near downtown) and having a presence on their doorstep, thats a clear signal to students in those communities that they matter to UCSD, Yanov said.

Its too early to know what classes, programs and research will take place at the new hub, but Keith Pezzoli, director of UCSDs Urban Studies and Planning program, said his students will be natural users of the new location. They will be closer to neighborhoods where they study housing, transportation, food deserts and big city initiatives. They also will be surrounded by startups, government agencies and traditional banking, law and real estate businesses with internships, job openings and unlimited networking opportunities.

On the same block will be a 34-story, 426-unit apartment tower with 85 low-income units that graduate students making less than $31,500 could qualify to rent; an outdoor amphitheater event space; and restoration of the historic Remmen House.

A key factor in choosing the site, officials said, was its location on the San Diego Trolley line that is being extended to the campus and set to open by the time the project opens.

Holland would pay the city $12.3 million for the property, bounded by Park Boulevard and 11th, G and Market streets with the proceeds going back into the citys affordable housing fund. The university anticipates paying Holland about $36.2 million for the office building depending on the actual construction cost, and around $6 million in tenant improvements. UCSD plans to fund its project from nontaxpayer sources, such as a extension course fees, programs, grants and donations and bank loans.

Founded in 2001 in Vancouver, Wash., near Portland, Ore., Holland has developed and manages 30,000 apartments worth $7.5 billion in western states, including 240-unit Form 15 in two blocks east of the UCSD site. But when it came to bidding on the Park & Market project, development director Brent Schertzer said the office component posed substantial risk since the company had not landed any leasing commitments in advance.

It just happened that UCSD came knocking on our door right about the time we were getting ready to get that (preleasing) started, Schertzer said.

Planned in the office building are a 3,000-square-foot ground floor public restaurant, classrooms, performance and exhibition spaces and work space for faculty and student researchers and offices for the chancellor, deans and other visiting campus officials. There would be about 92 underground parking spaces for campus use.

The universitys driving force for the move has been Mary Walshok, associate vice chancellor for public programs and dean of extension.

I think what happened is both the city and the university are ready for a new opportunity, Walshok said.

Khosla said if the downtown project succeeds, he can imagine UCSD replicating it in Chula Vista, East County and other parts of the region. But he said for now he is not interested in partnering with San Diego State University to redevelop the Qualcomm Stadium property in Mission Valley as has been proposed.

Superficially, I would think that area belongs more to San Diego State and we need to give them their space to grow, he said.

UCSD and downtown decision makers have had a direct connection in recent years through the Centre City Development Corp., now operating as Civic San Diego, the citys downtown development agency. CivicSD Chairman Jeff Gattas is UCSDs executive director of marketing, media relations and public affairs, and former CCDC/CivicSD President Jeff Graham, no relation to David Graham, is UCSDs executive director of real estate. Gattas said he has recused himself from voting on the project and Graham said he has been away long enough from CivicSD to eliminate any legal conflicts. Current CivicSD President Reese Jarrett said the UCSD-Holland deal did not figure into recommending the developer.

roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley
The Santee School District governing board has hired Kristin Baranski as superintendent to replace outgoing Superintendent Cathy Pierce.

Baranski, 46, is currently the director of curriculum and assessment in the school district and earns $145,000 annually. She will start as superintendent in February.

The board is expected to approve a contract with Baranski at its Dec. 20 meeting.

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Pierce has been Santees superintendent since 2012. She is retiring as of Feb. 1 to spend time with her grandson who lives in Tennessee. Her base salary since 2015 is $213,000 plus annual compensation of $2,000 for her doctorate.

Baranski grew up in suburban Chicago and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a bachelors of science degree in elementary education. She earned a masters of education degree at National-Louis University and is completing doctoral studies at Brandman University in Irvine.

She lives in Rancho San Diego with her husband, Mike, and their three children, all of whom attend East County public schools.

Im a champion for public education, she said. I went to public schools, I have been taught by highly skilled public school teachers and I have taught and led in public schools.

I am highly committed to the growth of all learners, children and the adults in our organization.

In the 1990s, Baranski was vice principal of Chet F. Harritt, Rio Seco and Hill Creek schools. She was principal of Chet F. Harritt School from 2000-03.

And at one time she a co-owned a childrens bookstore in La Mesa called The Yellow Book Road.

Baranski said that she will be a visible leader in Santee School District and outside of the school district.

Over the next six months, she plans to monitor the growth of students based on local assessment measures.

We will experience many changes in education over the next five years and our students will certainly experience changes in work force needs as they exit high school, Baranski said. Creativity, innovation, and self-directed learning are important skills to continue developing now and for years to come.
Embarcadero Brewing Co. will become the third business in National City to offer craft beer.

The craft beer supply company at 340 W. 26th St., can open a tasting room once tenant improvements are made and the small beer manufacturer license is approved by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

After the City Council gave its approval Dec. 6, National City Mayor Ron Morrison said he would like more craft breweries in town, describing them as good neighbors.

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The mayor said they attract a young, downtown crowd, which is a perfect fit with the citys incoming affordable housing projects such as the apartments at Paradise Creek.

The whole craft beer deal has changed the landscape of urban living, Morrison said. Its a huge builder of community.

The citys Planning Commission voted unanimously Nov. 7 to approve the permit for Embarcadero Brewing, which would brew the products offsite and operate Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

RELATED: Mayor: Go forth and create craft beer

NOVO Brazil Brewing Co. was given the green light by the City Council in August to open a public market and craft beer tasting room at 41 E. Eighth St. and A Avenue.

It replaces a former furniture store and warehouse thats been vacant for about eight years.

The public market would be similar to the Liberty Public Market at Liberty Station in Point Loma.

The12,000 square-foot site combines two buildings and is slated for 14 retail suites, including local food vendors, an inside food court, sidewalk cafe along A Avenue and craft beer tasting room with an exterior enclosed patio.

Food trucks would come on occasion and park near the seating area to serve people within the market.

Machete Beer House, which opened in 2015, was the first craft brew house to open in National City.

Morrison said there have been no incidents since it opened.

These places are very friendly and build up the character of the neighborhood, the mayor said. So as far as Im concerned, were very inviting of them.

RELATED
Donald Trump just isnt worried about it.

As a new CIA report suggesting the Russians interfered in the November elections sparked a bit of a frenzy, the president-elect dismissed it as ridiculous. But a bipartisan group of senators wants to know more.

Im Christina Bellantoni. Welcome to the Monday edition of Essential Politics.

I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country. And frankly, I think theyre putting it out, and its ridiculous, Trump told Chris Wallace during an extensive Fox News Sunday interview, one of just a handful of public appearances since his victory one month ago.

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The dispute marked the first significant post-election pushback Trump has encountered from a Republican Party that only belatedly and reluctantly embraced the unconventional nominee, whose views often clash with traditional GOP ideology.

It came after the president-elects transition team mockingly compared the secret CIA assessment that Russia tried to sway the U.S. election in Trumps favor to the agencys misjudgments on Iraqs weapons of mass destruction.

The whole affair doesnt bode well for how Trump will act as president, said Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. He is willing to disparage the intelligence community when it benefits him, he said.

On Fox, Trump also defended the close ties to Russia of Rex Tillerson, the man he is considering choosing as his secretary of State.

FRAME OF REFERENCE

Noam Levey looked at the complicated thicket that is the promise to repeal large parts of the Affordable Care Act. He finds that Trump and congressional Republicans are leaving behind nearly everyone but their base voters and a handful of conservative activists. Not a single major organization representing patients, physicians, hospitals or others who work in the nations healthcare system backs the GOPs Obamacare strategy, and polls suggest far more Americans would like to expand or keep the healthcare law.

Intensifying the political risks for Republicans, he writes, more and more patient groups are warning that millions of Americans are in danger of losing vital health protections and that Republicans need to agree on a replacement plan before they uproot the current system.

With the nations votes tallied, David Lauter dives into the numbers and finds that in the end, Hillary Clinton actually won as many votes as President Obama captured to win re-election in 2012  she just got them in the wrong states.

Matt Pearce explored incoming White House chief of staff Stephen Bannons influences  including ancient civilizations all over the world, Sun Tzus Art of War, the Bhagavad Gita, Ronald Reagan and Nazi propaganda.

Get the latest about the Trump transition on Trail Guide and follow @latimespolitics.

A KILLER COMMERCE SECRETARY

Trump told his supporters that he chose a killer investor, Wilbur Ross, to lead his Department of Commerce. The president-elect has a long history with Ross  he helped navigate Trumps first casino bankruptcy in Atlantic City. Chris Megerian explores their connection and Ross track record as an investor in steel and coal, two industries Trump has pledged to revive.

GOLDEN STATE WATER FIGHT

With a late-night 78 to 21 vote, the Senate approved sweeping water infrastructure legislation Friday that changes how much water is pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to San Joaquin Valley farmers and Southern California.

Sarah Wire writes about the bill  co-authored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, who opposed it in the end  which authorizes hundreds of water projects across the country, including new infrastructure to fix lead issues in Flint, Mich., and millions of dollars for projects connected to the Los Angeles River, Salton Sea and Lake Tahoe.

Earlier in the week, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy inserted the 90 pages of California water policy that drew Boxers opposition, negotiated over the past year by the states 14 GOP members, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and a handful of House Democrats.

Wire also has a look at how it all came together in the last few months.

And in case you missed it, here is Boxers farewell speech. Cathleen Decker looked at the end of an era as Boxer left Washington defending politics as a noble profession.

Keep an eye on our Essential Politics news feed for in-the-moment news on California politics and state government.

BERNIE SANDERS REVOLUTION LOOKS AHEAD IN CALIFORNIA

After building a fiercely loyal following in California, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has sought to parlay some of the enthusiasm he inspired into electoral results in down-ballot races here. In the run-up to the November election, Sanders endorsed several like-minded state and local candidates in California, including them on fundraising drives that went out to his coveted list of supporters nationwide.

Our Revolution, the political group he started to propel down-ballot candidates to victory, also made a major drive in the state by endorsing a total of 17 ballot measure campaigns and candidates for city council on up to Congress.

Christine Mai-Duc reports that while the results were lukewarm  six of those campaigns lost  representatives of some of the failed efforts say Sanders and his allies had an outsize impact that helped them stay competitive, an effect that could multiply if the movement Sanders started continues to grow.

OAKLAND FIRE PUTS FOCUS ON BAY AREA HOUSING COSTS

After the Ghost Ship fire, Oakland officials are under pressure to crack down on illegal artist residences throughout the city. But, as Liam Dillon reports, the citys recent condemnation of an artist warehouse in West Oakland led some former residents to nearly double their rent or remain homeless. Soaring housing costs in the Bay Area are putting enormous pressure on artists and low-income residents in Oakland, long poorer than its San Francisco neighbor.

A NARROW VIEW OF NEW TRANSPARENCY RULES FROM ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS

A fight over how to interpret the new rules under Proposition 54 appears to be brewing between the initiatives supporters and Assembly Democrats. Last week, Democrats approved new organizational rules that appear to exempt many of their own bills from the new 72-hour rule for public review.

ROAD MAP: BILLS, BILLS, BILLS

Meantime, the Assembly also appears poised to create hundreds of more bills than in any other legislative session for two decades. In this weeks Political Road Map column, John Myers takes a look at how Democrats say there are just too many good ideas for potential new California laws to pass up.

FIXING CALIFORNIAS TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Californias roads and highways are in dire need of repair, and Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislators shouldnt be let off the hook for it, George Skelton writes in his Monday column. After many promises and delays  thanks in great part to a two-thirds legislative vote requirement to pass a tax increase  Californias politicians must stop talking about fixing the states transportation infrastructure and get to work, Skelton says.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

 On this weeks California Politics Podcast, Myers leads a discussion of the new efforts by legislative Democrats to fight back against potential Trump administration action on immigration.

 The Field Poll, the survey thats been sampling political opinions of Californians for seven decades, officially went out of business on Friday.

 A big shakeup in the race for Californias 34th congressional district: former Assembly Speaker John A. Perez dropped out over the weekend, citing health concerns. Meantime, others could join the race to replace Los Angeles Democrat Rep. Xavier Becerra this week, including Sara Hernandez, a former staffer to L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar.

 Police departments across California will soon have to collect data on the race of those they stop during patrols. Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris just released proposed guidelines for how theyll do it.

 Noah Bierman paints a vivid picture of how Washington, D.C., where just 4% of the voters chose Trump, must decide how to adapt to the man who will not only run the White House, but also has his name prominently affixed to a landmark hotel just a few blocks away.

 David Savage detailed the obscure constitutional provision that could be trouble for Trump.

 With the final race of the year concluded, the party breakdown in the Senate next year will be a 52-48 GOP majority.

 Arnold Schwarzenegger says he isnt concerned about Trump continuing his executive producer role on Celebrity Apprentice, which debuts after the new year.

 When it comes to climate change policy in the states under Trump, Californians may find themselves making sacrifices while the residents of other states are missing in action.

LOGISTICS

You may have noticed weve shifted to a Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule. It will be the same great newsletter, just not every day. You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day for the latest and greatest. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics?

Miss Fridays newsletter? Here you go. Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox.

Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.
Few people expected a California water fight in the final days of a lame-duck Congress, and fewer still expected landmark water legislation to pit the states U.S. senators against each other in the last moments of their 24-year partnership.

It took years of negotiations, and the right political timing, to bring the first major water policy affecting California in decades through the House and Senate. Over frayed feelings and filibuster threats, both chambers overwhelmingly passed the bill, which changes how much water is pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to San Joaquin Valley farmers and Southern California.

How did things get to this point?

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Californias congressional delegation has long disagreed over how to respond to the Golden States water crisis, balancing protecting endangered species and preserving waterways against agricultural demand and drying wells.

Still, the states 14 Republican lawmakers met off and on with Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and a handful of House Democrats to try to forge a compromise.

Every time it slipped away, we never let it die, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) told The Times in an interview in his office. Every time wed get mad at each other, wed come back at it.

Senate approves water bill over Sen. Barbara Boxers objections 

One of the most visible slips away was last December, when McCarthy added California water policy language to a federal spending bill and mistakenly released a statement that Feinstein was on board.

She and other California Democrats were furious, saying the draft legislation wasnt ready.

I thought we were there. I submitted it and then that blew it up, McCarthy said.

Fingers were pointed. It would be months before the group seriously discussed water policy again.

Feinstein tried to go it alone, introducing a 184-page bill in February based on the years of negotiations. She called it the hardest thing Ive done.

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee held one hearing on the measure, then a second. But the legislation couldnt get traction. Colleagues warned Feinstein she needed Republican buy-in before anything would happen.

With her bill still not moving any closer to a Senate vote, Feinstein turned again to McCarthy and the House members.

What was I supposed to do? Give up and do nothing? Feinstein told The Times. Were in the sixth year of drought, and people are frightened and the economy is being affected by it. Jobs have been lost.

It was at that first meeting with Feinstein on July 7 that McCarthy began pitching his plan to include portions of her bill in the massive water infrastructure bill.

That measure, the Water Resources Development Act, had been negotiated over two years in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. It authorizes hundreds of water projects across the country, including restoration projects connected to the Los Angeles River, Salton Sea and Lake Tahoe, and more than two dozen other California projects.

Boxer, who had for years served as a foil to attempts to pull more water from the Delta, also happened to be the committees highest-ranking Democrat, and along with Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) co-wrote the legislation.

The House and Senate passed different versions of the bill in September. That meant both sides would have to reconcile them to pass it, a chance to add a few new things.

I knew this was a perfect opportunity. If we had gotten all of our work together, if we could come to an agreement. We were always close, McCarthy said.

The infrastructure bill was becoming a must-pass for Republicans and Democrats alike, especially after authorization was added for new infrastructure to fix longstanding lead issues in the water in Flint, Mich., an issue Congress had failed to address for more than a year.

The Californians knew there were enough other enticing items in the water infrastructure bill that their state and national colleagues wanted that it would be difficult for Boxer to stop their efforts.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), who has negotiated for years for more water for his Central Valley district, said he didnt hesitate about the fact it was Boxers landmark bill and a finale ahead of her retirement.

Shes not been helpful at all in recent years to try to solve any of the difficult issues on regional basis affecting California water, Costa said. I appreciate her support for the environmental community, but unless youre able to reach some level of consensus and understand the nature of these very complex issues, then youre not adding value to the legislative solutions to this very difficult challenge we face in California.

Rep. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), who has been part of the discussions for years, said if Democrats werent at the table, they chanced Republicans writing the bill alone next year, especially with a president more willing to sign it.

They control the whole game, Garamendi said. You cannot stand back and do nothing, because they, the exporters, will write the bill and it will override the Endangered Species Act.

After a final meeting shortly before Thanksgiving, and a last check with the White House that President Obama wouldnt threaten to veto the bill over their move, McCarthy pulled the trigger Dec. 5 and inserted the language, taking many by surprise.

Boxer, who was looking forward to a last week in Congress full of goodbye speeches and watching her final bill pass, was apoplectic. The changes to the amount of water allowed to be pulled from the Delta were an unacceptable end run around the Endangered Species Act and would have dire consequences for salmon fishermen, she said.

What right does anybody have to do that in the middle of the night? Boxer said.

McCarthy said it wasnt meant to be a personal affront.

There was not a slight to Boxer in any way, shape or form. This is the water infrastructure bill, this is the place for it to be, McCarthy said.

He praised Feinstein for always sticking to negotiations, even when they disagreed.

I know there were times when we were at odds with one another, but that never stopped us from wanting to get a solution, he said. In the end, we found this problem was too big to ignore.

The Dec. 5 announcement was the first major split in years for Boxer and Feinstein. And the tension was noticeable, as each tried to avoid directly criticizing her colleague of more than two decades.

As far as I knew, she knew, Feinstein said of Boxer. My intent is after three years of work to try to get something done, and I knew I had to get it. We are not in charge, and I knew I had to get Republicans in both Houses to support this.

Throughout the week, Boxer studiously laid the blame at McCarthys feet.

Someone over there named Kevin McCarthy dropped [it] in there in the dead of night! she said on the Senate floor, pointing toward the House chamber. It is a disgrace.

Boxer threatened to filibuster her own infrastructure bill, and spent days urging colleagues to kill it, or at least strip the California provisions. But after seeing it pass the House 360-61 (and House members leave for the year), she knew it was an uphill fight to stop it in the Senate.

Her pleas during hours speaking on the Senate floor Friday about what the bill could mean for the Endangered Species Act werent enough to sway her Senate colleagues raring to leave for home.

In the early morning hours Saturday, Boxer cast her final Senate vote. She opposed her own legislation, watching as the Senate voted 78 to 21 to send it to Obamas desk.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter

Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics

ALSO:

Senate approves water bill over Sen. Barbara Boxers objections

Boxer gives up on filibuster attempt

California drought bill victory could be short-lived: Sen. Barbara Boxer pledges filibuster as one of her last acts

Last-minute push for California drought legislation creates friction between Feinstein and Boxer

Updates on California politics
A man shot by Redondo Beach police after a vehicle pursuit Saturday is in stable condition, authorities said.

Officers began to follow a car driven by Thomas Dallaire, 36, at around 5:20 p.m. in connection with a suspected traffic violation in the southern part of city, said Sgt. Mike Snakenborg of the Redondo Beach Police Department.

Officers chased Dallaire into San Pedro, where he struck another car and came to a stop near the intersection of North Gaffey Street and West Summerland Place, authorities said.

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An officer approached Dallaires car and opened fire when Dallaire threw the car in reverse and tried to run him over, said Mike Lopez, spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

The chase ended near the intersection of Leland and 17th streets, when Dallaires car stopped working, authorities said.

Dallaire was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and treated for gunshot wounds and injuries sustained in the collision with the other car, Lopez said. No one else was hurt, he said.

Dallaire was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

LAPD robbery/homicide detectives are investigating the shooting because the chase ended in San Pedro, Lopez said.

frank.shyong@latimes.com

Twitter: @frankshyong
A gunman was shot and wounded by police late Sunday at a gang party in South Los Angeles, police said.

Officers were in the area of 99th and Figueroa streets at 10:20 p.m. when they saw a large group of gang members gathered at a party outside a home, said Officer Norma Eisenman, a spokeswoman with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Thats when the gunman fired at officers, she said. Officers returned fire and struck the man in the right shoulder, police told reporters at the scene.

During the shooting, partygoers dispersed and some tried to leave. But police detained several partygoers and talked to them. Police recovered a gun in the area, she said.

The suspect was taken to an area hospital. He is in stable condition.

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No officers were reported injured.

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

Twitter: @MattHjourno.

MORE LOCAL NEWS

A dog and pony show, lawyer in class-action suit says, recalling Trump University seminar

Man stabs worshiper near Simi Valley mosque in hate crime, police allege

Man shot by Redondo Beach police is in stable condition

UPDATES:

6:30 a.m. Dec. 12: This article was updated with additional details about the gang party shooting.

This article was originally published at 11:35 p.m. Dec. 11.
The federal government has begun putting together a regular report on how many students  and how many teachers  are chronically absent from school.

It turns out teachers get that label more than their pupils.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, nearly one out of every four teachers in San Diego County miss 10 or more school days per year, a threshold that triggers that label. Those absences dont include professional development time off for training or in-service days.

On the other hand, fewer than one in 10 students were labeled chronically absent in the same data set, which covers the 2013-14 school year.

The teachers absences are, for the most part, sick or personal days built into their union contracts and granted by administrators. But after years of focusing on truancy and student absences, more research of late has begun to examine what happens when teachers miss a good chunk of the school year.

The recent federal data marks the first time the matter has been tracked at the nationwide level as well.

According to the data, the range of teacher absenteeism varies greatly by district. More than half of teachers from Santee School District, Alpine Union Elementary and San Ysidro Elementary were absent at least 10 days, while less than 10 percent of teachers from Fallbrook Union Elementary, Carlsbad Unified and Bonsall Unified missed that many days.

Search your school's data

U.S. Department of Education data classifies teachers as chronically absent for 10 or more missed school days per year. For students, the number is 15. Teacher positions are a "full-time equivalent" calculation, sometimes aggregating part-time teachers into their equivalent in full-time positions.

According to the federal data, National Elementary School District had the fourth highest rate of chronic teacher absences, about 43 percent.

Assistant Superintendent Cindy Frazee noted that the federal data includes teachers on extended leave for things like a new baby or serious illness.

Our goal is always to have our teachers in classrooms as much as possible, Frazee said. But we also have to comply with the Education Code and the laws for the leave time we provide our employees.

California teachers dont get vacation days  given spring summer and winter breaks  but their contracts grant them a certain amount of sick leave and other personal time each year.

The amount varies, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality, which compiles a database of school contracts from across the country. Most districts in California offer about 10 sick days each year, a portion of which can be used for personal business, depending on the district.

Lindsay Burningham, president of the San Diego Education Association, said the federal data varies because of individual district approaches to classifying leave time.

I dont think its fair to paint it as teachers taking a ton of vacation on top of school vacations, Burningham said. There are more types of leave than there are categories to define them. You dont always delineate the difference between them all.

Unused leave time in California carries over to the next year, and theres no cap on how much teachers can accrue. Unused time off cannot be exchanged for cash payments but teachers can use it as credit toward service in calculating pension benefits.

National Elementary teachers are allowed to use three sick days for personal reasons, which Frazee said are also called no tell days.

They dont have to tell us why theyre out, Frazee said. The rest is for the unexpected: a funeral, car trouble, when someone is truly sick, or if their child is sick. Things like that.

According to Daniel Zummo, director of human services for the San Ysidro school district, which had the third highest teacher absence rate in the county, teachers are allowed to use all 10 sick days for personal reasons.

Zummo said the district has a much better relationship with the teachers union now than it did during the 2013-14 school year, when the data was collected.

The district is working to improve teacher absence rates and recently increased an annual cash incentive for perfect attendance to $500 from $200, he said.

Most districts said they monitor how employees use their time off. If theres reason to believe sick time is being abused, such as frequent absences on Mondays and Fridays, a district can request a doctors note  something that rarely happens.

I dont call them every time and ask what theyre sick with, Frazee said. We really need to see a pattern, and thats just being respectful of the professional, like you would in any other industry.

According to Nithya Joseph, director of state and district policy for the National Council on Teacher Quality, it's difficult to pinpoint which policy mechanisms worsen or curb teacher absences.

A national council report in 2014, which analyzed data from 40 of the largest school districts in the country, found no correlation between districts that offered rewards for perfect attendance and those with no incentives. The same was found for districts that had disciplinary measures intended to discourage taking time off, and those that had none.

What we did find is, anecdotally, a lot of teachers feel like this is a school-level issue and the number of absences are more often shaped by the school culture or the principal, Joseph said.

For example, teachers who are required to report absences directly to their principal are absent less often than teachers who report absences indirectly, to some form of centralized reporting center or a school-based message machine.

Bonsall Unified School District had one of the lowest chronic teacher absence rates in the county, about 7 percent. The district does not have an incentive for perfect attendance, according to Superintendent Justin Cunningham. Teachers want to be there for students and colleagues.

The No. 1 thing is culture. Your culture is going to trump all of your strategies and tactics every time, he said. The teachers also have a great sense of team and dont want to let that team down.

Data show at least half of teachers were chronically absent in nearly 60 individual schools in San Diego County. Some schools reported they had more than 80 percent of teachers miss 10 days or more. Another four said their entire staff met the 10-day definition of chronically absent.

Its a relatively small portion when compared to the more than 700 schools countywide, but experts say each absence comes at a price.

Just like any other professional needs to take a day off, for any number of reasons, so do teachers. Its not like they leave all that time for summer, and you cant plan for the unexpected, Joseph said. At the end of the day, when a teacher is out of the classroom, that comes at a cost to the student, as well as a cost to the district.

Studies show that students whose teachers miss 10 days of school or more have lower math achievement and less engagement in school. Data show students, minority students in particular, are more likely to be chronically absent when their teachers are too. Chronic student absenteeism is defined as 15 or more days a year.

In San Diego County schools, Hispanics represent 48 percent of all students but make up a larger portion of chronically absent students, some 53 percent. This 5 percent disparity increases to 11 percent in schools where more than half of teachers were absent.

Other ethnic groups are affected as well, data show. Black students consistently represent a larger portion of absences than their population size in the districts with a higher rate of teacher absenteeism.

On top of the educational cost of a missed day in class, absences affect schools financially as well. Nearly 5,200 teachers countywide missed at least 10 school days. The daily cost of a substitute teacher in San Diego County can range anywhere from $100 to $160, which means districts likely spent upwards of $5.2 to $7.8 million to fill the absences.

This cost doesnt include substitutes hired while staff attend professional development or training during school hours.

Kennon Raines, vice president of the National Substitute Teachers Alliance and a current Los Angeles substitute, said even the most well-equipped and trained instructor can run into problems.

Most substitutes are like having an aunt. Do your children suffer when your sister or brother-in-law babysit? No, Raines said. But our success is really dependent on school support and teacher preparation.

Most of the time, teachers leave behind beautifully-crafted lesson plans, Raines said, with meticulous notes on specific student habits and important safety information. But not always.

One time I didnt have a key to get into the classroom, Raines said. Another time I didnt even have a list of the students I was supposed to be responsible for, let alone a lesson plan.

The new federal data was collected by the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights. The office says quality and accuracy of the data is dependent on the district or school itself. Officials are required to verify its accuracy on multiple occasions, and approval of the final submission can only come from a district superintendent or the superintendents designee.

Santee School District had highest rate of teacher absences in the county, data show, with nearly 70 percent of teachers missing 10 or more days.

Superintendent Cathy Pierce said the district reported incorrect information and the number of absences were not adjusted to exclude administratively-approved leave. She said the district is working to correct the mistake.
Donald Trump picked John F. Kelly on Monday to lead the Homeland Security Department, putting an outspoken retired Marine general in charge of delivering Trumps promised crackdown on illegal immigration.

Kelly, who lost a son in combat in Afghanistan, is the third recently retired general to join Trumps Cabinet. Like the others, he clashed at times with the Obama administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly will be tasked with carrying out some of Trumps most controversial campaign pledges, including building a wall along the border with Mexico, boosting deportations of immigrants in the country illegally and vetting visitors from Muslim-majority nations.

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He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining [the Transportation Security Administration] and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Trump said in a statement.

Kelly, 66, said he was humbled and grateful to be picked.

The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security, he said in a statement.

I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country and our people.

Kelly, a Boston native, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970 and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972. He was commissioned as an officer after he graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1976.

Since then, he has commanded Marines from platoons up through corps level and combatant command, including multiple tours in Iraq.

He also is a veteran of bureaucratic and political battles in Washington.

He served as the Marines liaison officer to the House of Representatives, and then later to the entire U.S. Congress. He later served as a senior military assistant to Defense secretaries Robert M. Gates and Leon E. Panetta.

Beginning in late 2012, he headed the U.S. Southern Command, the Pentagons regional headquarters for operations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

He retired in January as a four-star general, the first since the Korean War to be promoted to that rank while in active combat.

He had a more painful distinction as the highest-ranking U.S. military officer in years to lose a son or daughter in combat.

His son, Marine Lt. Robert M. Kelly, was killed by a land mine in 2010 while he was leading a Marine platoon against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. At the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Kelly blamed an enemy that is as savage as any that ever walked the earth.

By choosing the retired general, Trump signaled a more militarized approach to border security after railing on the campaign trail about growing risks on Americas borders.

As head of the Southern Command, Kelly ordered military operations in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to try to stop drug smugglers. The role made him an attractive candidate to Trumps transition team.

Kellys forces also helped authorities deal with the flood of families, including thousands of children, who sought refuge in America after fleeing violence and crime in Central America.

He may have benefited from his clashes with the Obama administration over its unsuccessful attempts to close the prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, which came under the Southern Command.

He rejected critiques from human rights groups about alleged mistreatment of detainees, including efforts to force-feed prisoners on hunger strikes. Trump has vowed to keep the prison open.

Kelly also objected publicly to the Pentagons order last year to open Navy SEAL jobs and other combat roles to women, telling reporters it would create pressure to lower standards for women in elite units.

Kelly also has been skeptical of laws legalizing marijuana sales in California, Colorado and elsewhere.

U.S. officials have pressured governments in Central America to crack down on illicit drug production, and they look at us in disbelief when they hear about state legalization efforts, Kelly told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2014.

Hypocrite sometimes works its way into the conversation, the word hypocrite, Kelly said.

If confirmed, Kelly will run a department that has struggled with management and morale problems since its creation after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

It includes 22 agencies and nearly 250,000 federal employees who protect the president, tell airline passengers to remove their shoes, deliver aid after natural disasters, patrol on horseback along the border and do numerous other jobs.

One of Kellys first tasks may be to expand existing barriers on the border with Mexico by diverting money from other border security projects. Trump recently said some of the wall he repeatedly promised could be fencing.

Kelly joins another retired four-star Marine general, James N. Mattis, Trumps pick for secretary of Defense, and retired Army three-star Gen. Michael Flynn, Trumps choice for national security adviser, in Trumps inner circle of advisers.

Another retired four-star Army general, David H. Petraeus, remains under consideration for secretary of State.

Trump has never served in the military or in government. His reliance on so many former generals for powerful Cabinet posts has sparked concerns about the potential of undue military influence in his administration.

Unlike Mattis, Kelly does not need a waiver from Congress to be confirmed. A 1947 law seeks to maintain civilian control of the Pentagon, but it doesnt apply to other Cabinet posts.

Kelly was chosen over several candidates, including Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. McCaul was sharply criticized by immigration hard-liners for his more moderate stances as a congressman.

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

brian.bennett@latimes.com

ALSO

When Trump says he wants to deport criminals, he means something starkly different than Obama

Yes, Trump can boost deportations and gut the Dreamer program for young immigrants

An outsider takes charge of the Border Patrol  and yes, hell wear the green uniform

UPDATES:

11:40 a.m. Dec. 12: The story was updated throughout with new information.

The story was originally published at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 7.
Three new members of the San Diego City Council and new city attorney Mara Elliott set some ambitious goals for the next four years during an inauguration ceremony on Monday at downtowns Balboa Theatre.

They ranged from making San Diego the greenest city in America to solving the citys affordable housing crisis and boosting the local economy with better job training.

For far too many San Diegans right now, buying a home or affording rent is completely out of reach, said Chris Ward, who replaces termed-out Todd Gloria in District 3. If we arent focused on that as local leaders, were wasting our time on everything else.

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Ward said it will also be crucial for San Diego to maintain the rights of gays and minorities in the face of new threats at the federal level.

With the election of Donald Trump, San Diego faces a challenge unknown in our lifetimes to protect our values and our communities, our neighbors and our family members, Ward said. San Diegos leaders have fought hard to build an inclusive city that values each and every person.

Georgette Gomez, who replaces retiring Marti Emerald in District 9, said her priority would be bringing San Diegos underserved neighborhoods up to par with the rest of the city after decades of neglect.

Gomez, an environmentalist, said the city must also simultaneously fight climate change and boost the local economy.

We need real action to tackle climate change and invest in clean energy to create thousands of good-paying jobs, expand the public transit system and make San Diego the cleanest, greenest city in the U.S., she said.

Gomez also sounded an optimistic note based on her own election, while fighting back tears.

If the openly queer daughter of Mexican immigrants can be elected as your City Councilwoman, then the American Dream is still alive and thriving, she said.

Barbara Bry, who replaces termed-out Sherri Lightner in District 1, said she would strive to spread the benefits of San Diegos thriving north coastal high-tech cluster to the rest of the city.

As a high-tech entrepreneur, I want to make sure that our city stays in the lead and I want the gains from these industries to benefit all San Diegans, she said.

Bry said she plans to take a bold approach on the council.

When you tackle ambitious goals you can expect a lot of pushback, frustrations and roadblocks along the way, but you can also redefine what is possible, she said.

Elliott, who as city attorney wont decide policies but will help the council and Mayor Kevin Faulconer craft them, discussed a long list of priorities including a crackdown on hate crimes, better consumer protection and hosting town hall meetings across the city.

Elliott, who replaces termed-out Jan Goldsmith, said she will also help tackle poverty and the struggles of residents to afford housing.

We will ensure that employers follow our minimum wage and earned sick leave laws that help working families and lift people out of poverty, said Elliott, San Diegos first female city attorney.

The two-hour ceremony in front of a packed house also included Mayor Faulconer, Councilman Mark Kersey and Councilman Scott Sherman being sworn in for second and final terms in office.

Faulconer touted some achievements since he took over as mayor in early 2014 and credited much of it to cooperation among the citys Republicans and Democrats.

Faulconer, a Republican working with a council controlled by Democrats, said more of the same would be necessary over the next four years to continue progress on infrastructure and economic development.

Lets continue to work together to get things done, he said, suggesting San Diego could become a national model. Our nation needs a little San Diego style bipartisanship now more than ever.

Sherman, who represents District 7, touted some of his accomplishments over the last four years, such as a San Diego River Park master plan and a policy allowing more urban agriculture in blighted neighborhoods.

Kersey, who represents District 5, described his success getting the city to focus more on its infrastructure backlog.

He spearheaded the citys first comprehensive analysis of its streets, parks and buildings, while also authoring a successful June ballot measure that creates a guaranteed revenue stream for infrastructure projects.

Both Kersey and Sherman also vowed to help increase the availability of affordable housing in San Diego, suggesting that looser regulations could play a key role.

Gloria, who was elected to the state Assembly last month, said he loved his job as a councilman and will miss it very much. He listed among his accomplishments spearheading an increase in San Diegos minimum wage.

Lightner promised to remain a presence at City Hall and in the community despite leaving office, promising to attend a hearing next spring on a new fire station proposed for the UC-San Diego campus.

Emerald said she was proud to have served on a council that got the city through the Great Recession and former Mayor Bob Filners sexual harassment scandal.

Goldsmith said the job of city attorney was fulfilling and never dull. He also praised Elliott, who worked for Goldsmith before replacing him on Monday.

She is tough, tested and ready to lead, he said.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
A man was stabbed in the chest and back during an altercation in the Del Cerro neighborhood on Sunday morning, San Diego police said.

Someone called police after spotting the victim running through a residential complex on Adobe Falls Road east of Alvarado Canyon Road about 7:45 a.m., police said.

He was gone when police arrived but later showed up at a nearby hospital. He was quickly transferred to a second hospital with a punctured lung and kidney, police said.

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Officers believe they found where the stabbing occurred and are investigating. No suspect information was immediately available.

Breaking News

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
Congressional Democrats and pundits on the left are expressing alarm at what Donald Trump will do with executive orders after he becomes president on Jan. 20. They fear that Trump will bypass Congress to make far-reaching decisions on subjects such as immigration, trade, foreign policy and health care.

The problem is these critics have no credibility after eight years of looking the other way when President Barack Obama took the same approach. Its well-known that Obama issued sweeping rules on immigration and pollution, triggering lawsuits from states alleging presidential overreach. But whats less appreciated is that his administration also effectively rewrote the two biggest domestic policy initiatives to come out of Congress this century: the No Child Left Behind education reform measure enacted in 2002 and the Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010. In both cases, certain mandates approved by lawmakers were simply disregarded.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board has consistently opposed executive overreach under Republican and Democratic presidents alike. This is why we hope that Democrats who believe that Trump has gone beyond constitutional limits on executive power should follow the lead of Republicans who sued Obama over similar concerns  even if it gets them labeled as hypocrites.

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The president is not the king, as Obama himself once told Univision, and the president should not usurp the authority of the legislative or judicial branches. That view should not depend on what you think about the person in the Oval Office.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: UTOpinion
Stocks for a second defense contractor, Lockheed Martin , took a hit Monday moments after President-elect Donald Trump tweeted yet another public criticism over the costs of building government and military jets.

In a tweet Monday, Trump said the F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th. Moments later, the stock price for the manufacturer of F-35 jets, Lockheed Martin, dropped nearly 5 percent in trading, according to various reports.

This is the second time this month that Trump has used Twitter to criticize the cost of military or government airplanes. Trump used almost the exact same language in Mondays tweet as he did last week when he called out Boeings project cost for building a new 747 Air Force One plane as out of control.

The two tweets have sparked debate over Trumps priorities once he becomes president. While he campaigned on the promise to bring jobs back to the U.S., he also vowed to cut government spending. Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin employ thousands of people in the U.S. and build planes for the U.S. military and other foreign governments.

The questions over whether Trumps willingness to cut government spending would lead American jobs to disappear sparked many reactions and conversations online. Two examples from Twitter:

But there may be more bad news coming for the American military-industrial complex.

Reports surfaced on Sunday saying Boeing reached a $16.6 billion deal to build commercial planes for Iran Air, a deal that could only be reached because of the accord the U.S. government and other world powers reached with Iran last year. Given Trumps position  he has called the accord risky for America  many fear he will undo such agreements, potentially risking U.S. jobs.

With his continued criticism of U.S. defense spending and the military contractors that do business with the Pentagon, will Trump compel companies to lose their customers (and jobs) to other countries?

The issue is complex and Trumps tweets may not be offering the full picture of what he truly intends to do in office. But email me your thoughts on this issue and his use of Twitter.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez
What started as a plea from congressional Democrats for more information about whether Russia might have interfered with the 2016 election has turned into the beginnings of a bipartisan effort to have a full investigation.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky, is the latest GOP leader agreeing with Democrats that a probe must occur.

Obviously, any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts, he said Monday, adding that Senate Republicans are not going to ignore the possibility. "The Russians are not our friends."

He also said the Senates intelligence committee is more than capable of conducting a complete review of this matter.

McConnells statements followed just after a joint statement from two Democrats and two Republicans in the Senate which said that reports of Russian interference should alarm every American. The statements came from Sens. John McCain , R-Arizona, Lindsey Graham , R-South Carolina, Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, and Jack Reed , D-Rhode Island.

This cannot become a partisan issue, the statement said. The stakes are too high for our country. We are committed to working in this bipartisan manner, and we will seek to unify our colleagues around the goal of investigating and stopping the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security.

The Washington Post reported late Friday that the CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, on the other hand, has not joined the aggressive discussion and action of his GOP counterparts in the Senate. A spokeswoman said the speaker cannot comment on or characterize the content of classified briefings but he rejects any politicization of intelligence matters."

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump joined the discussion Monday morning with a few tweets questioning the reported conclusions of the CIA and suggesting he was facing unfair treatment.

He also went on Fox News Sunday and called the investigation an excuse for a loss in the election.

Every week it's another excuse, he said. We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College.

On Twitter, people tried to make sense of the varying thoughts and actions in Washington.

Are you glad to see a bipartisan effort in the works? Or do you have other feelings about the mixed reaction coming from Washington?

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
Saroo Brierley pulled up to the train station and stepped out of his car into the chaotic landscape that had haunted his dreams.

The swerving bicycles, noisy three-wheelers and vendors pushcarts crowding the streets of this Indian town were half a world from where he lived in Australias tranquil island state of Tasmania. And yet he knew that once - a lifetime ago - he had called this place home.

It was Feb. 12, 2012, and he hadnt been here in nearly 25 years, since that nightmarish day when his brother vanished and a train whisked him away from everything he knew. Since he had ended up an orphan in distant Calcutta, before an Australian couple adopted him and gave him a second chance at family.

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It took years of searching the Internet before he finally found his way back to this town. After all this time, would his family still be here? If they were, what would they say? What would he say?

-----

This is the second in a two-part series.

-----

His loved ones in Australia had warned him not to expect too much. He remembered the cramped house he had left behind, the poverty, the hunger. Hed spent years wondering about the fate of his family, and tried now to prepare himself for the worst.

He stood still, drinking it all in. Through his now-adult eyes, everything seemed much smaller than in his memory. But the smells and sounds were the same, and the layout almost exactly as he remembered: The road near the train tracks, the fountain hed spotted on an Internet satellite image. He began to walk, following twisty pathways etched into his brain as a child.

Saroo could feel it. His memory was guiding him home.

---

Fatima struggled to take her usual nap after returning from her morning routine of cleaning neighbors homes and washing their dishes. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Saroo. She had heard of a man wandering through a nearby neighborhood who had amnesia and couldnt find his family.

Could that be her son? Fatima doubted it. She had heard he wasnt tall like her other children, but she decided she would find him in the next day or two just to be sure. She gave up on sleeping and rose from the bed she had borrowed from a neighbor, rolling off a mattress so wafer thin that a gentle hand could feel the metal slats underneath.

She sat on her doorstep, watching life go by along the alley.

---

Saroo stared at the house in front of him in shock. One, because it was the place hed called home so long ago. Two, because it seemed impossibly tiny; the top of the front door reached his chest. He was examining the doors padlock and chain when a woman emerged from the adjacent house. She asked, in hybrid Hindi-English, if he needed help.

Saroo pulled out a copy of a childhood photo his Australian parents had taken of him. He showed it to the woman, tried to explain. He said the names of his siblings and mother, waiting for a flicker of recognition. He felt dread growing in his gut as she stared in silence. Was his family dead? Had he lost them forever?

More neighbors were gathering. He repeated his pleas. Did someone, anyone, know where his family was?

A man plucked the photo from Saroos hand. Wait here, he said, and hurried off. A few minutes later, he returned.

Come with me, he said. I am going to take you to your mother.

Saroo was numb as the man guided him around the corner, where three women stood waiting. He stared at them blankly. Only the woman in the middle seemed remotely familiar.

This is your mother, the man said, gesturing toward the woman in the center.

She had been young, in her thirties, the last time he saw her. She looked so much older now. But behind the weathered face, there was something unmistakable. Unforgettable.

Mother. His mother.

---

Fatima was still sitting on her doorstep when she heard the words she always knew would come, but couldnt believe were actually being spoken.

Your Saroo is back, a neighbor screamed, running toward her.

Fatima walked down her alley and saw a mob of people walking up the road as if in a procession. In the middle stood a man calling out the names of her family.

Of his family.

He rushed to her, and she to him. They grabbed each other and hugged tightly. He couldnt find words, so he just held her.

The scar from the long-ago horse kick was still there in his forehead, and he had the same chin dimple that marked all her children, but Fatima would have recognized him anyway, even though he was now 30. She led him by the hand to her new home and hugged him for what felt like an hour, cried and caressed his head.

My Saroo is back, she said. The almighty has finally answered my prayers. He has brought the joy back. He has finally brought my Saroo back.

Saroo was overwhelmed. Tears slid down his face.

He wanted to know whether Fatima had looked for him. She told him about her search and how she had never given up hope. He told her that when he went through tough times, he would think of his family in India and go into a corner and cry. Saroo was devastated to learn about his brother Guddus grisly death on the train tracks.

Fatima called Kallu and Shakila with the news of their brothers return. Kallu raced over on his motorcycle.

You will be happy now, he told his mother. Your son is back.

Saroo broke away to call his girlfriend. Lisa Williams, who had spent endless nights watching him hunt online for his hometown, was still asleep when the phone rang. Saroo had done it: He had found his family.

Williams shot out of bed. What?! she screamed. He repeated the words. She began to dance around the room. Closure, she thought. At last.

---

Closure is complicated.

Saroos questions about his familys fate were answered, but new ones about how to deal with the future took their place.

Fatimas quest was over too, but how much did her lost son want to be in her life? Enough to satisfy a mother who never gave up on finding him?

Can a mother and son ripped apart, separated by decades, thousands of miles and different cultures, fit back together again?

Their first problem: They couldnt communicate.

Fatima was illiterate and knew no English. Saroo remembered only a tiny handful of Hindi words. It took them hours to find a neighbor to translate.

Over the next few days, they communicated through hand gestures. Not understanding anything happening around him, Saroo would sit quietly and watch his family. If an English speaker dropped by, they would chat.

He was unfamiliar in other ways as well. He drank bottled water so he wouldnt get sick from the hose everyone else drank from outside. Fatima worried that he wouldnt like the food she made, though he said it was fine. Even his name was strange. They pronounced it `SHEH roo in keeping with the local Hindi dialect; He had anglicized it to `SAH roo.

They hired a photographer to document their reunion. In one photo, Fatima, wearing a sari, tenderly cradles his face in her hand and kisses his cheek. Saroo, wearing a pink T-shirt and jeans, smiles wide and looks at the camera.

---

Their 10 days together went by so fast - too fast. Local media kept trying to interview him. Neighbors stopped by to meet the boy who had miraculously returned. There was little time for the family to be alone.

Suddenly, Fatima was standing with Saroo outside the airport terminal, wanting to drag him back home with her. He said goodbye, then walked inside to check in. It wasnt long before he came back out, to see if she was still there. She was, and waited with him until he finally had to leave. He promised he would return.

In Tasmania, Saroo faced more changes. The media frenzy over his story intensified. He hired an agent to juggle interview requests. Movie producers began calling. Publishing houses battled over the book rights.

He went back to work at his familys hose supply business, and hunted for a house with his girlfriend. He turned off his phone at night to silence the relentless ringing.

He began sending Fatima $100 a month, so she could quit her job cleaning homes and washing dishes that pays her about 1,500 rupees ($30) a month. But she hasnt quit her job and hasnt touched the money he put in her bank account. She insists she wont take his money unless he gives it to her in person.

She seems to want him to care for his mother as a good Indian boy should, seeing to her every need, following her commands and revering her above any job, girlfriend or wife. Thats what many sons are brought up to do in India. Not in Australia.

She still lives in her tiny concrete home with peeling whitewash and a roof of bamboo and corrugated metal, surviving on subsidized grain, near-rotten onions she buys at a discount and stale bread she softens in lentil stew. She frets that her poverty might embarrass Saroo or his Australian parents.

The gulf between mother and son remains vast.

---

Fatima and Shakila beg a visitor to call Saroo for them.

The conversation, through a translator, begins like so many other mother-son calls. She asks if he is eating. Then she complains he doesnt call enough.

Why dont you talk to us? she asks. At least ask how your mother is doing.

They dont speak the same language, so whats the point in calling, he says. When he does call, he has trouble getting through. Meanwhile, his sister calls him, sometimes in the middle of work, sometimes in the middle of the night. She never speaks, he says, frustrated. Its like a crank call.

Fatima says she left him a message and cried when he didnt call her back. The ache for her son is clear in her voice.

Saroo insists he sends text messages to his brother to have translated and passed on to her.

Im not able to talk to them all the time, its just hard for me, he says.

She grows sarcastic.

Take care of the family you are staying with, dont bother with this family here, she says.

They need to understand the difficult position he is in, he says.

Ive got to be very careful with everything, you see. I dont want to upset my family here and give too much attention to my family in India, he says.

Then he announces he is coming back. He is getting money together and is going to buy her a house.

No, no! she says angrily. Dont bother coming. I will go away for a few months and no one will be here to see you, she says, voice dripping with acid.

Just stay calm and be happy that Im alive and you know where I am, he says in exasperation.

Fatima is in such a fury, the translator stops interpreting her words. Her rage is incomprehensible to her perplexed son.

I was hoping that my son would come back. How could I have known that my son would not come back, she hisses into the phone. With my heart and my soul I prayed to the almighty, I went walking barefoot for your sake. Why will my prayers not be answered? You continue staying there, son. If you think of a family, think only about that side of the family.

---

Saroo doesnt want to overthink it. He wants to revel in the joy of their remarkable reunion. For him, it has been a miracle punctuated by a happy ending.

Its sort of taken a weight off my shoulders, he says. Instead of going to bed at night and thinking, `How is my family? Are they still alive? I know in my head now I can let those questions rest.

He hopes to visit India once or twice a year, but he cannot move back. He has other responsibilities, other family and a whole other life in Tasmania.

He is Australian now.

This is where I live, he says. When I come back, whether its sooner or later, then we can start building our relationship again.

Fatima is confused and frustrated.

She doesnt want him to move back here, where there is nothing. But she wants to be with him. Maybe she can move to Australia, she says. She adds sternly that she would ban all girlfriends from his house.

A few minutes later she softens. She couldnt really move away from her life here to an unfamiliar place where no one can talk with her, she says.

At least, and at last, Saroos return has brought her mental peace, she says. She tries to understand that he has new parents, new expectations and a new life a world away.

She just wants him to see her once in a while, to call her occasionally, even if they can only speak a few sentences to each other.

For the moment, she says, its enough for me that I went to him. And he called me Amma.

Mother.

---

This story was reported by Nessman from Khandwa, India, and Gelineau from Sydney, Australia. It is based on multiple interviews with Saroo Brierley, his girlfriend Lisa Williams, mother Fatima Munshi, sister Shakila Khan, a representative of the Indian Society for Sponsorship and Adoption, photographs of Saroo and Fatimas reunion, and the reporters own observations from watching and listening to them.
JO MORELAND

Staff Writer

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CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH -- Officers who tried to notify a womanMonday night that her husband died when his van careened into aPoway ravine found her body in the couples Summerbreeze Lane home,authorities said.

The woman -- Michelle Shelly Frediani, 48, sister ofAssemblywoman Patricia Pat Bates, who represents the coast fromCarlsbad to south Orange County -- was dead of a gunshot wound,said police homicide Lt. Jim Duncan.

Shelly and Frank Frediani, 56, had been estranged for almost twoyears, and the wife was urging her husband to proceed with adivorce, friends and neighbors said.

I got a crazy message about a week and a half ago (from ShellyFrediani), that she was afraid of Frank and she wanted to talk tome, said Charly Bartley, a 14-year neighbor and friend of thecouple. Im in shock.

As police continued to investigate Tuesday afternoon,authorities said witnesses saw Frank Fredianis white Dodge vanveer across Poway Road shortly after 7 p.m. Monday.

The van smashed through a guardrail, plunging 260 feet into aravine, police said. Frediani, described by a neighbor as aprogramming analyst and substitute teacher, died in the crash.

A sheriffs deputy and an investigator from the medicalexaminers office went to the Fredianis home about five hourslater to tell his family about the death, authorities said.

When they tried to rouse someone in the house, they found anopen sliding glass door and discovered Shelly Fredianis bodyinside, Duncan said. Bartley said police told her there was a noteon her friends body.

Bartley said she had tried to reach Shelly Frediani afterreceiving the strange message, but hadnt heard from her.

The Fredianis, married more than 21 years, had separated, butFrank Frediani had returned to the house to save money whilerefurbishing his van for a trip to Mexico, Bartley said. She saidthe wife, a computer consultant for the county, wanted to get adivorce and get on with her life.

Id say, Michelle, youve got to get him out of there,  saidthe friend. He was living in the extra room, but it was stillstressful. She was trying to get him to go.

Bartley said Shelly Frediani started dating other people about ayear ago. She said goodbye about 11 a.m. Monday to her boyfriend offour months, because he was returning to his job at Lake Arrowhead,said Bartley.

Neighbors said gunshots had been heard in the neighborhood aweek ago and within the last few days.

Steven and Laurel Knight, the Fredianis next-door neighbors,described Shelly Frediani as a pleasant, intelligent, animatedwoman who was friendly and community-oriented. She had spoken tothe Poway school board about traffic problems at a local school,Laurel Knight said.

Frank Frediani was a quiet man who used to play loud rock musicat all hours, but during the past week he changed, becoming veryfriendly and pleasant, they said. The couple said instead of rock,he was playing love songs.

Its sad, and its selfish, because they have a daughter andnow shes alone, said Laurel Knight. She was so proud of herdaughter.

Once, Laurel Knight said, she talked about the separation withShelly Frediani.

Please dont say what everybody else says -- Frank seems likea nice guy,  Shelly Frediani told her. If he seems like such anice guy, then you go live with him.

Contact staff writer Jo Moreland at (760) 901-4085 orjmoreland@nctimes.com.

4/4/01
Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/12/2016 -- The report "Animal Parasiticides Market by Product (Endoparasiticides, Ectoparasiticides, Endectocides, Oral Liquids, Tablets, Injectables, Sprays, Pour-on, Spot-on, Collars, Ear Tags) by Animal (Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Pigs, Sheep and Goats, Poultry) - Global Forecast to 2020", analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World.



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The animal parasiticides market witnessed healthy growth during the last decade and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2015 and 2020 to reach 9.75 Billion by 2020. The growth in this market is majorly attributed to factors such as rising animal healthcare expenditure, rising pet adoption, growing demand for animal-derived food products, increasing number of veterinary practitioners and their growing income levels in developed regions, increasing number of animal research activities along with growing research grants, and rising awareness about zoonotic diseases.



The global animal parasiticides market is segmented based on product type, animal type, and geography. Based on product type, the market is segmented into endoparasiticides, ectoparasiticides, and endectocides.



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The ectoparasiticides market is further segmented into pour-ons and spot-ons, sprays, dips, oral tablets, collars, and other ectoparasiticides. Based on animal type, the market is segmented into companion animals and food-producing animals. The food-producing animals segment is further segmented into cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry, and other food-producing animals. Similarly, on the basis of geography, the animal parasiticides market is segmented into Europe, North-America, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World.



In 2014, ectoparasiticides accounted for the largest share of the global animal parasiticides market and this segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the next five years. The high growth in this segment can be attributed to the advantages offered by ectoparasiticides over other parasiticide formulations.



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Europe is the largest regional segment for animal parasiticides owing to the well-established animal healthcare market and growing R&D activities in this region. However, the market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR, owing to rising pet adoption and increasing demand for animal-derived food products in India and China.



Some of the major players operating in this market are Sanofi (France), Ceva Sante Animale (France), Virbac (France), Vetoquinol S.A. (France), Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.), Zoetis, Inc. (U.S.), Merck and Co., Inc. (U.S.), Bayer AG (Germany), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany), and Perrigo Company Plc (Ireland).



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Chandler, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/12/2016 -- Stephen Hopkins was from Hampshire, England. He married his first wife, Mary, and resided in the parish of Hursley, Hampshire. They had three (3) children: Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles; all baptized there. It has long been claimed that the Hopkins family was from Wortley, Gloucester, but this was disproven in 1998 with the discovery of his true origins in Hursley.



http://mayflowerhistory.com/hopkins-stephen/



Stephen Hopkins went with the ship Sea Venture on a voyage to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609 as a minister's clerk, but the ship wrecked in the "Isle of Devils" (Bermuda). Stranded on an island for ten months, the passengers and crew survived on turtles, birds, and wild pigs. Six months into the castaway, Stephen Hopkins and several others organized a mutiny against the current governor. The mutiny was discovered and Stephen was sentenced to death. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "So penitent he was, and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company." He managed to get his sentence commuted. Eventually the castaways built a small ship and sailed themselves to Jamestown. How long Stephen remained in Jamestown is not known. However, while he was gone, his wife Mary died. She was buried in Hursley on 9 May 1613, and left behind a probate estate which mentions her children Elizabeth, Constance and Giles.



Stephen was back in England by 1617, when he married Elizabeth Fisher, but apparently had every intention of bringing his family back to Virginia. Their first child, Damaris, was born about 1618. In 1620, Stephen Hopkins brought his wife and children Constance, Giles, and Damaris on the Mayflower (child Elizabeth apparently had died). Stephen was a fairly active member of the Pilgrim group shortly after arrival, perhaps a result of his being one of the few individuals who had been to Virginia previously. He was a part of all the early exploring missions, and was used as an "expert" on Native Americans for the first few contacts. While out exploring, Stephen recognized and identified an Indian deer trap. And when Samoset walked into Plymouth and welcomed the English, he was housed in Stephen Hopkins' house for the night. Stephen was also sent on several of the ambassadorial missions to meet with the various Indian groups in the region.



Stephen was an assistant to the governor through 1636, and volunteered for the Pequot War of 1637 but was never called to serve. By the late 1630s, however, Stephen began to occasionally run afoul of the Plymouth authorities, as he apparently opened up a shop and served alcohol. In 1636 he got into a fight with John Tisdale and seriously wounded him. In 1637, he was fined for allowing drinking and shuffleboard playing on Sunday. Early the next year he was fined for allowing people to drink excessively in his house: guest William Reynolds was fined, but the others were acquitted. In 1638 he was twice fined for selling beer at twice the actual value, and in 1639 he was fined for selling a looking glass for twice what it would cost if bought in the Bay Colony. Also in 1638, Stephen Hopkins' maidservant got pregnant from Arthur Peach, who was subsequently executed for murdering an Indian. The Plymouth Court ruled he was financially responsible for her and her child for the next two years (the amount remaining on her term of service). Stephen, in contempt of court, threw Dorothy out of his household and refused to provide for her, so the court committed him to custody. John Holmes stepped in and purchased Dorothy's remaining two years of service from him: agreeing to support her and child.



Stephen died in 1644, and made out a will, asking to be buried near his wife, and naming his surviving children.



BAPTISM: 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins.

FIRST MARRIAGE: Mary, possibly the daughter of Robert and Joan (Machell) Kent of Hursley, co. Hampshire, prior to 1604.

SECOND MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Fisher on 19 February 1617/8 at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, co. Middlesex, England.

CHILDREN (by Mary): Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles.

CHILDREN (by Elizabeth): Damaris, Oceanus, Caleb, Deborah, Damaris, Ruth, and Elizabeth.

DNA HAPLOGROUP: R1b-M269



Master Christopher Jones and several business partners purchased the ship Mayflower about 1607. Its origins prior to that remain uncertain. Its first documented voyage of record was to Trondheim, Norway, in 1609. Andrew Pawling hired the ship to take a cargo of London goods to Norway, sell them off, and buy Norway goods (lumber, tar, and fish) to return back to England. Unfortunately on the return voyage, the Mayflower encountered a severe North Sea storm and the master and crew were forced to toss most of Pawlings goods overboard to lighten the ship. The home of Master Christopher Jones: Harwich, co. Essex, England.



http://mayflowerhistory.com/



Following that, Christopher Jones seems to have stuck with safer trading routes. The Mayflower made numerous trips primarily to Bordeaux, France, returning to London with cargoes of French wine, Cognac, vinegar, and salt. The Mayflower could freight about 180 tons of cargo. The Mayflower also made occasional voyages to other ports, including once to Malaga, Spain, and twice to Hamburg, Germany.



Upon returning from a voyage to Bordeaux, France, in May 1620, the Mayflower and master Christopher Jones were hired to take the Pilgrims to Northern Virginia. This was the first recorded trans-Atlantic voyage for both ship and master, though Christopher Jones had several crewmembers, including pilot and master's mates John Clarke and Robert Coppin, who had been to the New World before.



The Mayflower was supposed to accompany another ship, the Speedwell, to America, but the Speedwell proved too leaky for the voyage so the Mayflower proceeded alone. Departing on 6 September 1620, the ship was at sea for 66 days, arriving November 9. The ship and crew overwintered with the Pilgrims and departed back for England on 5 April 1621, arriving back to England on May 6.



Christopher Jones took the ship out for a few more trading runs, but he died a couple of years later in March 1621/2. The ship was appraised for probate purposes in May 1624, and was referred to as being "in ruins." It was only valued at 128 pounds sterling, and was almost certainly broken up and sold off as scrap.



Chandler, Arizona General Society of Mayflower Descendant, Adam Paul Green (Ancestor Stephen Hopkins / Gen.No. 86,723) Announces New Geneology Resource Website for Local Enthusiasts http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com



The End of the Mayflower: "Mayflower's End," by Mike Haywood. The Mayflower returned to England from Plymouth Colony, arriving back on 9 May 1621. Christopher Jones took the ship out on a trading voyage to Rochelle, France, in October 1621, returning with a cargo of Bay salt. Christopher Jones, master and quarter-owner of the Mayflower, died and was buried at Rotherhithe, co. Surrey, England, on 5 March 1621/2. No further record of the Mayflower is found until May 1624, when it was appraised for the purposes of probate and was described as being in ruins. The ship was almost certainly sold off as scrap.



The claim, first originating from J. Rendel Harris' book The Finding of the Mayflower (1920), that the Mayflower ended up as a barn in Jordans, England, is now widely discredited as being a figment of an overzealous imagination on the tercentenary anniversary of the Mayflower's voyage, combined with a tainted oral history. None of the evidence has withstood subsequent investigation. Regardless of the lack of evidence for its authenticity, it has been featured in National Geographic on several occasions and is a tourist destination. It is important to realize that in 1624, when the ship was scrapped, it was not at all famous, and nobody would have thought twice about letting it rot away.



Women of Early Plymouth: Governor William Bradford reported that the Pilgrims were worried that the "weak bodies of women" would not be able to withstand the rigors of a trans-Atlantic voyage and the construction of a colony. Prior to the Mayflower, very few English women had made the voyage across the ocean.



Sir Walter Raleigh's Roanoke colony arrived in Virginia in 1587, and amongst those 120 colonists there were 17 women: a baby girl, Virginia Dare, was born after arrival. When re-supply ships came from England, they could not relocate the people. The colony had mysteriously disappeared, and was never seen again. The Jamestown Colony was founded in 1607, but relatively few women had yet made the voyage and taken up residence there.



The Pilgrim husband, as head of the household, had an important and difficult decision to make. Building a colony would be hard on a woman's "weaker body." It might be safer and healthier to leave her behind, and have her come later once the houses were built, and the general safety and successfulness of the colony were better established. But that could be several years. Could he live several years without his wife? How strong was his wife anyway, could she really handle it? Was it right to put your wife's life in danger in this manner?



As the Mayflower left England for America, there were 18 adult women on-board. Three of them, Elizabeth Hopkins, Susanna White, and Mary Allerton, were actually in their last trimester of a pregnancy. All the adult women on the Mayflower were married; there were no single women--although there were a few teenage girls nearing marriageable age.



While no women would die during the Mayflower's voyage, life after arrival proved extremely difficult. In fact, 78% of the women would die the first winter, a far higher percentage than for men or children. Dorothy Bradford was the first woman to die, and the only woman who died in the month of December. While many of the men, including her husband, were out exploring on Cape Cod, she accidentally fell off the Mayflower into the bitter cold waters of Provincetown Harbor. Most of the women's death dates were not recorded, but we do know that Rose Standish died on January 29, Mary Allerton died on February 25, and Elizabeth Winslow died on March 24. Most of the women died in February and March.



The extremely high mortality rate among women is probably explainable by the fact the men were out in the fresh air, felling trees, building structures and drinking fresh New England water; while the women were confined to the damp, filthy and crowded quarters offered by the Mayflower, where disease would have spread much more quickly. The two-month voyage was long enough; the women, however, remained living on the ship for an additional four months while the men built storehouses and living quarters on shore. Many of the sick were no doubt cared for on-board the ship by the women, increasing their exposure to colds and pneumonias. William Mullins died on February 21, apparently on-board the Mayflower since his will was witnessed by the ship's captain and ship's surgeon. His wife Alice and son Joseph had not yet died, but it wasn't too long before they did, orphaning their teenage daughter Priscilla in the New World.



Only five women survived the first winter. One of the five survivors, Mrs. Katherine Carver, died in May of a "broken heart," her husband John having died of sunstroke a month earlier. Weak bodies or not, by the time of the famous "Thanksgiving," there were only four women left to care for the Colony's fifty surviving men and children. The four women were Eleanor Billington, Elizabeth Hopkins, Mary Brewster, and Susanna (White) Winslow.



http://mayflowerhistory.com/women



Adam Paul Green was born to a multi-talented beauty queen Mother and a Father who, in addition to being a US Army Spy and a Counter-Intelligence Special Agent, was also a highly accomplished entrepreneur. Adam was taught at a young age that, in both life and business, loyalty is a requirement for success. He's had the honor of working directly with his father in several of the family businesses. In fact, this is where he learned crucial entrepreneurial skills and honed his talents with international business strategies and venture capitalism.



http://www.MarketingChocolateInternational.com

http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com

http://www.ImAdamGreen.com



Adam earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in International Business and Marketing from the University of Utah. He was hand-picked by the President of the University's renowned School of Business to compete with dozens of other ambitious nationwide-graduates for the opportunity to secure a lucrative job within a prestigious Fortune 100 company.



http://www.mxicorp.com/fab/

http://www.Twitter.com/AdamPaulGreen

http://www.ImAdamGreen.com



About MayflowerHistory.com

MayflowerHistory.com, the Internet's most complete and accurate website dealing with the Mayflower passengers and the history of the Pilgrims and early Plymouth Colony. The website was first created back in 1994 (when the web was still mostly text!) as a simple, but complete, passenger list of the Mayflower. It has grown over the past twenty years as the author, historian Caleb Johnson, has researched and compiled material.



http://mayflowerhistory.com
Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2016 -- The evolution of the Jobs Bank was announced on the tenth of October, 2016, by the government's minister for Manpower, Lim Swee Say.



According to Say, the Job Bank will be transformed and will become a one-stop, non-stop marketplace which is available via the Web. Users will be able to check out career options and look for listed positions via the site's internal search engine. This is easier than waiting for upcoming job fairs. Since it will be more convenient and loaded with appealing and practical features, this Jobs Bank opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Singaporeans.



You'll find that it will provide access to plum jobs, as well as rank-and-file jobs. It will be easy to register for and it will provide a range of services which help you to find a job or market and refine your skill set.



Singapore is definitely an island city-state which believes in progress. The government is always trying to improve quality of life for its citizens and this new initiative is just one example of how it is working to make things better. The Job Bank is designed to target those from an array of age groups. It's perfect for those who've just received University degrees, or for those who are older and want to stay active via employment, whether it's full or part-time.



Workers will be able to hone their career skill sets by utilizing the Skills Framework found at the Jobs Bank. As well, employers who use the Jobs Bank will need to post jobs for Singaporeans before they allow foreigners to apply.



The Minister didn't set a firm date for the marketplace's launch. However, its primary iteration is already in place. During a recent career fair, five hundred job vacancies from fifty-one employers, who offer information technology and communications technology, populated the first iteration with their job positions. Companies from bio medical, professional and aerospace niches are also posting on the website.



The success of this initiative is virtually guaranteed. In fact, success is already measurable. Job placements which are successful have gone up by twenty percent and workers are making more money in Singapore, even in lower-tier positions.



How to Learn More



The Jobs Bank is a government initiative, so keeping tabs on official Singapore government websites and media releases will be a great way to stay in the loop. As the Jobs Bank is perfected and moves closer to launch, you'll likely be hearing a lot about it via Singapore-based websites and newspapers.



This Jobs Bank is for everyone. It will be loaded with positions and help features which make it possible for Singaporeans from all walks of life to access the career support and opportunities that they need. For this reason, this new initiative is something to get excited about.



About Morris Edwards

Morris Edwards is a content writer at companyregistrationinsingapore.com.sg, he writes different topics like "4 tips to breeze through that job interview," Singapore 2016 New Schemes To Help Workers Adapt To Changing Economy and all topics related to Jobs, Business and Company Registration in Singapore.



Contact:

Morris Edwards

Singapore Company Incorporation Consultants Pte Ltd

Telephone: +65 61006673

Address: 10 Anson Road #26-04 International Plaza (Beside Tanjong Pagar MRT) Singapore 079903

E-mail: info@companyregistrationinsingapore.com.sg

Website: https://www.companyregistrationinsingapore.com.sg
Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2016 -- Today, we're going to showcase the latest developments for entrepreneurs and start-ups during the third quarter of 2016. Now, let's share some important facts and figures from Quarter Three of this year.



Quarter Three Facts and Figures



Seventy-six percent of firms in Singapore have share capital of ten thousand dollars or less. The others have higher share capital. These figures come from the Singapore New Business Trends report, which is produced by Hawksford. Overall, companies gained one percent in assets since the second quarter of 2016. Singapore is becoming a more appealing place to do business and this small but significant increase is definitely a sign of good things to come.



Since many other countries aren't showing the same growth and prosperity, a lot of entrepreneurs or taking a closer look at Singapore.



While the global economy is a bit shaky, entrepreneurs are choosing Singapore in ever-greater numbers. They appreciate the country's regulatory rules, which are very business-friendly. These regulations make it easier for firms to access formal business registration. For example, it's possible for Singapore companies to get started as companies with as little as one dollar in share capital. This is such a low amount and this makes it easier for everyone to get started in business.



As well, Singapore is a great place for enterprises which are foreign to establish centers of operation, as well as centers for innovation.



While worldwide economic recovery is a bit weak overall, Singapore business is booming, especially via foreign companies. At present, thirty-two branch offices of foreign companies have registration in the country. The percentage of foreign subsidiaries and firms created by foreign persons or groups remain stable at forty-seven percent/forty-four percent.



During the third quarter, a company known as Dentsu Aegis Network created a new innovation center in Singapore. As well, Phillips created a center for application and CITIC created a center for innovation. A big energy conglomerate, named ENGIE, created a lab which is committed to developing green energy sources.



Singapore Supports Its Entrepreneurs



Singapore has long been known for its impressive support to entrepreneurs and start-ups. For example, this island city-state is definitely doing all that it can to help the fintech industry thrive. As well, it offers hubs for entrepreneurs which allow them to get their start-ups prepared for big and successful launches.



Since the government is so progressive and so committed to supporting the Singapore business community, there are tons of excellent reasons to invest in Singapore, whether you're a resident of the nation or a foreigner. We believe that this country offers a lot more than most in terms of support for entrepreneurs. It's truly a great place to do business and, in terms of competing globally, it's showing growth at a time when many nations aren't.



Contact:

Morris Edwards

Singapore Company Incorporation Consultants Pte Ltd

Telephone: +65 61006673

Address: 10 Anson Road #26-04 International Plaza (Beside Tanjong Pagar MRT) Singapore 079903

E-mail: info@companyregistrationinsingapore.com.sg

Website: https://www.companyregistrationinsingapore.com.sg
Signs of powerful changing winds have been detected on an extrasolar gaseous planet called HAT-P-7b, which is 40% larger than Jupiter and orbits a star twice as large as the Sun, says a research team led by University of Warwick astronomer Dr. David Armstrong.

HAT-P-7b was discovered in 2008 by a team of Japanese astronomers led by NAOJ scientist Norio Narita.

The planet is about 40% larger than Jupiter and about 500 times more massive than Earth.

It orbits the yellow white dwarf HAT-P-7 (also known as GSC 03547-01402 and Kepler-2), which sits 1,044 light-years from us in the constellation Cygnus.

Dr. Armstrong and co-authors have now discovered that HAT-P-7b is affected by large scale changes in the strong winds moving across the planet, likely leading to catastrophic storms.

The astronomers used data from NASAs Kepler space telescope to monitor variations in the light intensity from the giant planet as it orbits its parent star. This is called the phase-curve of the planet and the variations are caused by the day-side of the planet rotating in and out of view.

Using the NASA Kepler satellite we were able to study light reflected from HAT-P-7bs atmosphere, finding that the atmosphere was changing over time, said Dr. Armstrong, lead author of the new findings appearing in the journal Nature Astronomy.

The astronomers found changes in the brightness and heat of HAT-P-7b, depending on the time of day on the planet.

At some points, the brightest part of the planets atmosphere was located on the morning side while during other periods the afternoon side was brighter.

The change is thought to be caused by an equatorial jet with dramatically variable wind-speeds  at their fastest, pushing vast amounts of cloud across the planet.

The clouds themselves would be visually stunning  likely made of up corundum, the mineral which forms rubies and sapphires.

HAT-P-7b could never be inhabitable, due to its likely violent weather systems, and unaccommodating temperatures.

One side of the planet always faces the star, because it is tidally locked, and that side remains much hotter than the other  the day side average temperature on the planet being about 4,690 degrees Fahrenheit (2,587 degrees Celsius, or 2,860 degrees Kelvin).

HAT-P-7b is a tidally locked planet, with the same side always facing its star. We expect clouds to form on the cold night side of the planet, but they would evaporate quickly on the hot dayside, Dr. Armstrong said.

These results show that strong winds circle the planet, transporting clouds from the night side to the dayside. The winds change speed dramatically, leading to huge cloud formations building up then dying away.

This is the first detection of weather on a gas giant planet outside the Solar System.

_____

D. J. Armstrong et al. Variability in the Atmosphere of the Hot Jupiter HAT-P-7. Nature Astronomy, published online December 12, 2016; doi: 10.1038/s41550-016-0004
Providing HIV self-test kits to women seeking care in healthcare facilities could promote HIV testing among couples and male partners, a study says.



According to researchers from Kenya and the United States, men in Sub-Saharan Africa tend to have lower rates of HIV testing than women.



Thus, the researchers determined whether providing HIV self-test to women aged 18 to 39 years old who visited antenatal and post-pregnancy clinics in Kisumu, Kenya between June 2015 and January 2016 could encourage their partners to test for HIV.

Theres a greater potential for these tests to be used more widely in high prevalence countries. Harsha Thirumurthy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

According to the study published in PLOS Medicine last month (8 November), after three months of follow-up of 600 women divided into two groups, with half receiving the kits, partner testing rate was found to be higher in those who received the kits. 90 per cent used the kits given compared to 52 per cent in the group who did not receive the kits. Similarly, the couple testing rate was 75 per cent for those who received the kits and 33 per cent for the other group.



Harsha Thirumurthy, the study corresponding author from the US-based University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says that providing self-test kits to women could be significant in achieving high HIV testing rates in men who are often harder to reach through clinics or community-based strategies.



She notes that the price of HIV self-tests is evolving and is expected to decrease over time. If that happens, theres a greater potential for these tests to be used more widely in high prevalence countries, Thirumurthy says.



Kawango Agot, a co-author and head of Kisumu-based Impact Research and Development Organisation, says that training women on the use of self-test kits and giving them multiple kits for their partners is cost-effective and thus easily replicable in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.



But Nelson Otuoma, executive director of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya, tells SciDev.Net that although self-tests could promote testing among people in need of anonymity, they can be counterproductive if given to those lacking the maturity or strength to handle the results.



Some people can kill themselves if they test positive. At hospitals, people are usually prepared through guidance and counselling before and after the test, says Otuoma. The self-test kits also dont offer complete privacy as eventually, people still need to disclose their status at a health facility before they can begin treatment.

Otuoma adds that most people opt for self-tests because of the stigma associated with HIV. So this is the problem that we need to address, he explains.
[NAIROBI] Knowledge management is crucial for Africas socioeconomic growth and should be at the centre of the continents development agenda, a meeting has heard.



The observation was made last month (14-16 November) during information and knowledge management training workshop on nutrition security and trade organised in Kenya jointly by the Africa Union Commission, NEPAD Agency and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat.



Simon Kisira, head of strategy and knowledge management for NEPAD Agency, tells SciDev.Net that knowledge is integral to peoples lifestyles and therefore its creation, processing, storage and systematic transfer is necessary for ensuring transformative development of the continent.

Knowledge management is key to addressing the various challenges our countries face. Pamela Akwap, Uganda National Bureau of Standards

Conscious harnessing of knowledge and sharing is a fundamental way of unlocking our potentials and our connectivity anchored in lessons learnt for developing villages across Africa, Kisira says, adding that such efforts could boost quality of lives.



The meeting was organised with technical support from the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the European Centre for Development Policy Management.



It brought together technical experts from 11 COMESA member states  Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe  working in trade, agriculture and nutrition security.



Kisira says that Africa can only drive its agenda in development through creation and co-creation of knowledge, sharing to open up learning, innovations and trade to address the many socioeconomic challenges dodging the continent.



According to Kisira, the purpose of the workshop was to strengthen conceptual value of knowledge management and interlinkages between nutrition security and trade, how to produce a range of knowledge products such as policy briefs, infographics, fact sheets on agriculture, food and nutrition security-related areas.



It was also to strengthen participants capacities in harnessing data, statistics and information, as well as enhancing their abilities in translating data into knowledge.



The workshop also addressed how to access and share data using various platforms such as the NEPAD knowledge management portal and nutrition security platform.

Pamela Akwap, a food scientist at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, says that the lessons she acquired from the workshop will go a long way in enabling her manage and share knowledge for the good of policymakers and the general public.I learnt many things about advocacy, [and] preparing policy briefs, she tells SciDev.Net. Knowledge management is key to addressing the various challenges our countries face.According to Rebecca Arunga, programme officer at NEPAD secretariat in Kenya, knowledge management enables accountability, validation and sharing, noting that having the capacity to manage and share information could enable growth and positively impact peoples lives.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Iridium has proclaimed last week that the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket could have another flight on Dec. 16. This time, the communications company is sending 10 satellites on board for the launch.

According to The Space Reporter, it was reported previously that the Falcon 9 rocket explosion did have a negative effect on the launch schedule of Iridium. The company desires Elon Musk's SpaceX back on the launching pad as soon as possible so as to place up the Iridium NEXT constellation before the present constellation gets decommissioned.

It was just last month that Elon Musk has confirmed that he and his team have finally worked out what caused the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explosion last Sep. 1. The billionaire additionally proclaimed that rocket launches could resume as early as next month, according to The New York Times.

Just last week, Reuters had reported that the SpaceX launch, as proclaimed by Iridium, must have the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in a statement released by Iridium that they are looking forward to the return flight.

It was found out that the explanation for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explosion was caused by a refueling system problem. The blast destroyed a satellite, with a worth of $200 million, which was owned by Israel's Space Communication Ltd.

Iridium representative Diane Hockenberry told the publication that they are confident that SpaceX has already understood the fueling process of the rocket and will have to do it successfully for the launch. She noted that the company's satellites would not be placed on board the rocket throughout the prelaunch engine firing.

According to The Motley Fool, 10 satellites from Iridium will be the first out of the 81 scapecraft that the company will be sending to space. The efforts are for replacing the existing satellites in space.
Parts of Hawaii are hit with over 2 feet of snow as a winter weather warning is issued for the United States' 50th state. The heaviest accumulations of snow are on two of the island's highest peaks Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa that have seen between 2 and 3 feet of snowfall for just a few days.

Late Sunday night, the snow fell on the peaks of Big Island of Hawaii, as well as Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, and therefore, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the whole area. Ken Rubin of the University of Hawaii stated that the snow level is almost not below 9,000 feet in Hawaii during winter. But since the mountains are taller than 13,600 feet, 13,700 feet and 10,000 feet, respectively, they get dusted with snow a few times a year. He added that it does seldom stay on the ground for more than a few days.

According to NJToday.net, it was stated in the storm warning that an additional 6 to 12 inches of the white stuff could land on top of 11,000 feet, and winds may reach 15 to 30 mph. The snow that has been falling since late last week on Big Island's volcanic summits forced the officials to shut down a part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Lots of fog, huge snow and icy conditions additionally forced the closing of the road up to the Mauna Kea traveler station. Forecasters aforementioned it is usual for the mountains that have altitudes of around 14,000 feet to see snow within the winter months. But National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Foster said that the recent snowfall is very high of what is typically a normal one, according to LA Times.

Matt Foster also added that there are winters hin the past that the mountains got very little to no snow, including last year. Is this because of the climate change?
The planet Mars has been controversial for the existence of alien life. Thus, NASA will now collect samples coming from the Red Planet to somehow investigate if the planet has the environment to offer life.

Since 2012, the Curiosity rover droid has been on the planet Mars. It stays at the planned drilling site on a lower Mount Sharp called the Precipice. The scientists wanted to drill into the land and collect soil samples for analysis. It is where the highest and youngest area on Mars that has been sampled by the rover, which is operated by the space agency.

The drill collects powdered rocks, then studied by the laboratory instruments inside the rover. Apparently, the rover has shown that different chemicals required for life to evolve exist on Mars. However, there was no concrete evidence that there was a form of life that had evolved.

A NASA spokesman said that, "Clues about environmental conditions are recorded in the rock layers. During its first year on Mars, the mission succeeded in its main goal by finding that the region once offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life, if Mars has ever hosted life. The conditions in long-lived ancient freshwater Martian lake environments included all of the key chemical elements needed for life as we know it, plus a chemical source of energy that is used by many microbes on Earth," according to Express.

The rover has already driven 9.33 miles since it landed in August 2012 at the Gale Crater on Mars. However, NASA reported that the rover team recently discovered that Curiosity did not complete the drilling commands. The rover is studying its surroundings and monitoring the environment instead of driving and using its arm for science.

Thus, Curiosity Deputy Project Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena Steven Lee said that, "We are in the process of defining a set of diagnostic tests to carefully assess the drill feed mechanism. We are using our test rover here on Earth to try out these tests before we run them on Mars.To be cautious, until we run the tests on Curiosity, we want to restrict any dynamic changes that could affect the diagnosis. That means not moving the arm and not driving, which could shake it."

In line with this, NASA is still fixing the problem. Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada at JPL shared that, "We still have percussion available, but we would like to be cautious and use it for targets where we really need it. Otherwise, use rotary-only where that can give us a sample."
Soldiers, rescue workers and police explored the debris of a devastated town in Indonesia's Aceh province last Thursday as they resumed a probe for earthquake survivors. It was halted at night by rain and blackouts. It was more than 100 people who have died within the shallow and powerful quake that affected northeast Sumatra before dawn last Wednesday. Hundreds were greatly injured and dozens of buildings were destroyed.

So far the worst destruction seems to be in Pidie Jaya district, which was close to the epicenter. However, assessments of the region is still on ongoing. Scores of rescue personnel were traveling over a market in Meureudu, the hard-hit city, where several shop houses have been destroyed.

Hajj Yusri Abdullah, a shop owener, did not hold out a lot of hope of finding survivors. He stated that nearly two dozen of bodies were found from under the market debris the day before. They enclosed a bunch of eight, composed of a newlywed couple and family members that were holding an ornate celebration, which is also known as Antar Dara Baro.

According to Yahoo, some folks spent the night outdoors, whereas thousands of others took refuge in mosques and temporary shelters. Many were homeless once the magnitude 6.4 quake destroyed and devastated their homes, resulting to others to be scared to return homes.

Killer quakes occur often within the region, where several people had the terrifying memory of an enormous quake on Dec. 26, 2004. It was the earthquake that affected off Sumatra. The magnitude 9.1 quake triggered a devastating wave or tsunami that killed over 100,000 Acehnese, according to ABC News.

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency's spokesperson said that the death toll had increased to 102, spreading across three districts in northern Aceh, however, focused in Pidie Jaya. Aceh's disaster mitigation agency said that over 8,000 displaced persons were at several shelters within the district.

The Indonesian government has declared a two-week emergency period in Aceh and a few aids were already reaching hard-hit areas. Humanitarian organization CARE said that it was leading a joint assessment mission of four international aid organizations.
NASA chief scientist Ellen Stofan has reportedly suggested that sending a human mission to Mars will be a progressive step toward the search for aliens. According to Stofan, the Red Planet itself has the clues about finding the crucial answers to the fundamental scientific questions about life that evolved on Mars and beyond.

NBC News reported that NASA's chief scientist said at a scientific workshop called Searching for Life Across Space and Time, which took place in California's Irvine, that humans can perform tasks on Mars that are difficult for a rover to carry out. For instance, NASA's Curiosity rover that is currently stationed on the Red Planet can only examine the ground up to a depth of 2 meters, whereas human drills could go deeper. Additionally, a manned mission will also make it easier to explore more locations to search for life than a rover could.

"I am someone who believes it is going to take humans on the surface [of Mars] ... to really get at the question of not just did life evolve on Mars, but what is the nature of that life," Stofan said, as Space.com reported. "To me, we are going to go Mars because Mars holds the answers to such fundamental scientific questions that we are trying to ask."

The chief scientist also feels that a human mission to Mars comprising of brave people, who will set up a scientific laboratory on the planet, will enable humans on Earth to know more about what life on the Red Planet tells people about life beyond Earth. Stofan also revealed that she is incredibly optimistic that NASA can actually pull off its plan to send a manned mission into Mars' orbit by early 2030s and onto the surface of the planet by late 2030s.

Incidentally, the scientific interest in Mars goes beyond NASA, and the Chinese, Indian and European space agencies are all sending rovers or probes to the Red Planet. Moreover, even private companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX have set their eyes upon Mars for sending human missions with the plan of eventually colonizing it.
The NASA Curiosity Rover, which is currently studying the Martian environment, stopped drilling after experiencing a technical problem with its motor function. On Dec. 1, 2016, the Curiosity team at NASA discovered that Curiosity failed to complete the drilling task as per the command given. The latest update from NASA suggests that the team is yet to find out the exact cause of the problem, after which it can be fixed. Till that time, the NASA Curiosity Rover will cease driving or moving its robotic arm.

NASA Curiosity Rover Drill Feed Device Malfunction

The rover originally landed on the Red Planet in the Gale crater in August 2012, after which it has been driving and collecting samples from various sites of the planet Mars. All total, Curiosity has traveled around 9.33 miles and climbed about 541 feet from its landing site on the surface of the Mars. Curiosity passed the famous "Murray Buttes" in September 2016 and traveled to the Mount Sharp, which is its seventh sample collection drilling site.

While Curiosity was drilling on the lower side of Mount Sharp, NASA scientists found that the rover encountered problems at the early stage of the procedure, due to which the drill feed device mechanism failed to properly extend the drill to touch the rocky target of drilling, reported Spaceflight Insider.

According to Space.com, Steven Lee, Deputy Project Manager of Curiosity, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said that, "We are in the process of defining a set of diagnostic tests to carefully assess the drill feed mechanism. We are using our test rover here on Earth to ty out these tests before we run them on Mars."

Lee added that, "To be cautious, until we run the tests on Curiosity, we want to restrict any dynamic changes that could affect the diagnosis. That means not moving the arm and not driving, which could shake it."

Curiosity has been instrumental in studying life on Mars. This technical snag has turned out to be a major stumbling stone in the Mars mission for now. Hopefully it will be rectified soon.
Scientists in Australia invented a light-bending nanocrystal that is about 500 times smaller than a human hair. This novel crystal could transform a pair of regular glasses into night vision glasses or turn them into reverse sunglasses.

The study was presented at the Australian Institute of Physics Congress in Brisbane this week and printed in Nano Letters. It was led by Dragomir Neshev at the Australian National University and other colleagues. Neshev said that the nanocrystals are so small that they could be fitted as an ultra-thin film to normal eyeglasses to enable night vision.

A nanocrystal is a particle that has at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers. It is comprised of atoms in either a single or polycrystalline arrangement. Once nanocrystal is embedded in solid, it exhibits much more complex melting behavior than the conventional solids and creates the basis of a special class of solid. The silicon nanocrystal could generate light emission. On the other hand, the bulk silicon may be used for memory components.

In the study, the researchers could fabricate the crystals right onto regular glasses. This makes it much more versatile than other light-bending materials.

Mohsen Rhanmani, one of the researchers, explained that human's eyes see objects only in the visible spectrum. He further explained that if they can fabricate an array of other nanostructures on the flat surface like glass, at the end of the day, they could be able to transform invisible light into visible light.

The nanocrystals have other uses besides converting the regular glasses into night-vision glasses. They could also generate powerful new holograms.

"This tiny device could have other exciting uses including in anti-counterfeit devices in bank notes, imaging cells for medical applications and holograms," said Neshev. Currently, the team fabricates a form of crystal 500 times smaller than a human hair directly onto the glass, according to Science Alert.
For the first time, scientists have detected seaborne radiation from Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster on the West Coast of the United States. Should the Americans be concerned?

The scientists reported that radioactive matter, called cesium-134, was collected in seawater samples from Tillamook Bay and Gold Beach in Oregon. However, the levels are extremely low and do not pose any threat to humans and the environment.

"To put it in context, if you were to swim every day for six hours a day in those waters for a year, that additional radiation from the addressed cesium from Japan ... is 1000 times smaller than one dental X-ray," Ken Buesseler, a scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, told USA Today.

The samples were collected in January and February. The amounts measured were 0.3 becquerels per cubic meter of Cesium-134, which is lower than the 30 million becquerels measured in Japan right after the disaster.

"These new data are important for two reasons," Buesseler said in a press release by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. "First, despite the fact that the levels of contamination off our shores remain well below government-established safety limits for human health or to marine life, the changing values underscore the need to more closely monitor contamination levels across the Pacific. Second, these long-lived radioisotopes will serve as markers for years to come for scientists studying ocean currents and mixing in coastal and offshore waters," he explained.

The Fukushima Nuclear Accident

In 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in Japan triggered a tsunami that caused gigantic damage to the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant. As a result, numerous radioactive isotopes, including the dangerous products of Cesium-137 and Iodine-131, contaminated both the air and water.

In Japan, however, the peak of the Cesium-134 levels was 10 million times higher than what was collected on the West Coast.

What Is Cesium-134?

According to The New York Post, Cesium-134 is considered the "fingerprint" of Fukushima due to its short half-life of two years. This means that the level is reduced in half every two years and disappears much more quickly.

On the other hand, Cesium-137 has a 30-year half-life. Those from the Chernobyl, discharge from other nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons tests are still detectable today in the same small and harmless amounts.
After more than five decades of human space exploration, there are at least 100 million pieces of orbiting debris, posing a growing threat to future space missions. Japan has launched a cargo ship bound for the International Space Station (ISS) on Dec. 9, carrying the space junk collector.

The vessel called Kounotori launched from the southern island of Tanegashima aboard an H-IIB rocket. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) scientists have been experimenting with a tether to pull junk out of orbit around the planet. These space junks are mostly space clutter like equipment from old satellites and pieces of rockets.

Help From A Fish Net Maker Company

A 106-year-old Japanese fishing net maker helped out in providing the solution to the long-time problem with space junk. The company, Nitto Seimo Co., worked with the space agency to develop a mesh material to tether and drag bus-size pieces of junk into the atmosphere for burning. The project was 10 years in the making, Bloomberg reports.

"The tether uses our fishnet plaiting technology, but it was really tough to intertwine the very thin materials," Katsuya Suzuki, the company engineer, said as reported by Phys.org. "The length of the tether this time is 700 meter (2,300 feet), but eventually it's going to need to be 5,000 to 10,000 metre-long to slow down the targeted space junk," he added.

Innovative Technology: Magnetic Tether

According to Space Daily, the researchers used an electrodynamic tether made from thin wires of aluminum and stainless steel. The electricity made by the tether would have a slowing effect on the space junk, pulling it into a lower orbit. Eventually, as the space junk will touch the atmosphere, it will be burned until it lands on the planet's surface.

The company, Nitto Seimo Co., started making minnow nets in 1910. In 1925, it invented the knotless net machine, and today, it is one of the largest maker of fishing nets in Japan. About a decade ago, Japan's space agency asked the company to make a metal mesh line for the international clean-up effort. This project aims to protect and safeguard astronauts and about $900 billion worth of satellites and space stations.
The origin of smallpox could be traced to the discovery of the DNA of a mummified child who lived in the 17th century. The study indicates that the condition existed thousands of years later than previously believed.

The findings of the discovery were published in Current Biology. It was led by Hendrik Poinar, the senior author of the study from University in Canada, and other colleagues. The team found the remains of the child inside a church's crypt in Lithuania.

Poinar explained that scientists do not yet fully comprehend where smallpox came from and when it jumped into humans. He further explained that this research raises some interesting possibilities about human perception and age of the disease.

In the study, the team investigates the remains of a boy to identify the kinds of pathogens dated in the 1600s. On the other hand, they found evidence of smallpox, even though the boy showed no signs of the disease. The team then reconstructed the disease's genome and provided one of the oldest completed genomes of it in existence. They compared this genome to samples of the disease taken in the 1940s till to its eradication in the 1970s.

They discovered that strains that are now available for the study have a common ancestor that lived in the 1500s. The study indicates that smallpox originated in a lot more recent time. It started plaguing humans during the time of worldwide exploration in the 1500s, according to Science Alert.

Eddie Homes, one of the researchers from University of Sydney, said that this study sets the clock of smallpox evolution to a much more recent time scale. He further said, however, that it is still unclear what animal is the true reservoir of smallpox virus and when the virus first jumped into humans.

Smallpox is an infectious disease and originally known in English as the "pox" or "red plague." It has two variants, namely, the Variola major, which had an overall mortality rate of 30 to 35 percent, and the Variola minor, which killed about 1 percent of its victims. In the past research, people in ancient Egypt might have smallpox around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. This finding was based on the pockmark scarring on mummies and not the visibility of smallpox.
Thanks to its high level of genetic diversity, minnow-like Atlantic killifish has evolved to withstand lethal, human-altered environments. Researchers found that the mutant fish has evolved to be 8,000 times more resilient to this level of toxicity compared to other fish.

Published in the journal Science, a team of scientists at the University of California, Davis, found that Atlantic killifish living in four polluted East Coast bays are resilient to high levels of toxic industrial pollutants that would normally kill them.

The Atlantic killifish spend their entire lives swimming in toxic chemicals in some of the United States' most polluted waters. Now, scientists have figured out why they are thriving despite the highly lethal environments.

Atlantic Killifish

According to the National Geographic, killifish, also called mud minnows or mummichog, are abundant small silver fishes found in the brackish waterways and marshes along the Atlantic coast. They are usually used in aquariums because of their size and beautiful colors.

In the past, this species has been an indicator of the health of ecosystems because they are really sensitive to pollution. However, when the researchers studied those living in polluted areas, they found something strange as the fish have evolved to be resilient to pollution.

How Can These Fishes Tolerate Polluted Waters?

The researchers found that extremely high levels of genetic diversity, even higher than any other vertebrae, has made it possible for them to quickly adapt and evolve to withstand and resist these toxic chemicals. This is why insects could easily evolve and resist pesticides and microorganisms becoming superbugs because they easily resist the drugs that used to destroy them. However, not all species on Earth can do this.

"Some people will see this as a positive and think, 'Hey, species can evolve in response to what we're doing to the environment!'" Andrew Whitehead, the lead author, said in a press release by UC Davis. "Unfortunately, most species we care about preserving probably can't adapt to these rapid changes because they don't have the high levels of genetic variation that allow them to evolve quickly," he added.

Sequencing Genomes

To land to their findings, the scientists sequenced the genomes of about 400 killifish from both polluted and non-polluted locations including New Bedford Harbor in Massachusetts, Bridgeport area in Connecticut, Elizabeth River in Virginia and Newark Bay in New Jersey.

The polluted areas have been flowing with toxic and industrial pollutants since the 1950s and 1960s. The chemicals include heavy metals, dioxin, hydrocarbons and others. They found that the genetic diversity of the fish makes it remarkably well-positioned to adapt and survive in environments that have been radically changed.

"If we know the kinds of genes that can confer sensitivity in another vertebrate animal like us, perhaps we can understand how different humans, with their own mutations in these important genes, might react to these chemicals," Whitehead said.
In 2015, NASA managed to successfully make a flyby to Pluto. In December 2016, it is planning on getting nearer a large planet. The Juno spacecraft will be making its third flyby of Jupiter.

At its closest approach, the Juno spacecraft is said to be a mere 2,580 miles from Earth -- high above the clouds of the massive planet and traveling at the insane speed of 129,000 miles per hour. During this time, seven of Juno's eight signed instruments are also seen to be energizing and creating flyby.

Scott Bolton, the principal investigator of Juno from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, told Space Daily that "This will be the first time we art planning to operate the full Juno capability to investigate its structure via its gravity field."

There are several important points to consider regarding NASA's Juno mission as pointed out by Zee News India. Among them are as follows:

The Juno Mission, which was launched back in 2011 can help us understand the beginnings of the solar system by revealing the origins and evolution of the planet.

The spacecraft is set to map the gravity and magnetic fields of the planet, which will help humans understand Jupiter's interior structure.

It could also confirm the amount of oxygen that the planet holds. According to some theories, Jupiter's formation can come up to 20 times the weight of oxygen compared to that of Earth.

There are important things to study regarding the planet, including its atmosphere's composition, temperature and cloud motions, among others.

Juno's spins are far longer than those of Jupiter's. It will take the spacecraft 14 days to complete an orbit, while Jupiter spins in its own orbit every 10 hours.

Scientists remain optimistic regarding Juno's future. Rick Nbakken, the project manager for Juno at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, however, believe the best. They no longer want to take unnecessary risks for the spacecraft, which is why they are moving forward with the mission carefully.
Scientists around the world have all agreed that people have to fight against climate change. Despite its worldwide acceptance, President-elect Donald Trump refused to believe evidence proving the point.

The Washington Post noted that Donald Trump said in an interview that he is still "studying" whether or not the United States should withdraw from the Paris Agreement, because "nobody really knows" how much of a threat climate change is. In an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, Donald Trump discussed his "very open-minded" views on whether or not climate change is real, but that he is concerned whether or not President Barack Obama's efforts to cut carbon emissions have undercut the nation's competitiveness on a global scale.

Donald Trump shared, "Look, I'm somebody that gets it, and nobody really knows. It's not something that's so hard and fast. I do know this: Other countries are eating our lunch."

Contrary to Donald Trump's beliefs, there had been a broad scientific consensus that said human activities have been the "dominant cause" of the warming trend of the planet -- the top 10 hottest years ever recorded all happened after 1998, and 2016 has been the hottest since the formal record-keeping began way back in 1880.

Local and subnational leaders around the united states, including business and civil societies, have pushed to support global climate actions, thanks to their own initiatives. Unfortunately, the risk of inaction is expected in the age of Donald Trump, as pointed by Reuters.

The United States under the Donald Trump administration could be the embodiment of being a "climate laggard" a term coined for those that refused to acknowledge the reality of climate change and its impact on the environment.

Instead of leaving it all to a climate change skeptic, commitments of mayors and governments remain strong: As of November 2016, over 100 U.S. cities and towns have already reported to the carbon n climate registry, which represents all global reporting entities -- and out of 100 cities, almost 40 percent already have energy and climate targets all the way to 2050.

Still, concrete climate action is needed to continue in the U.S. cities, countries and states. However, there are some people, as Donald Trump does, that this is all a hoax.
It has been 75 years when Japan's attack that came as a surprise on Pearl Harbor that killed 2,403 Americans. However, the forensic experts in Hawaii are still working on discovering the identities of the dead people. A jumble of skulls, bones and teeth deemed elusive within the years following the devastating attack and are currently linked to missing sailors and Marines, due to advances in DNA testing.

Last year, the Pentagon ordered the digging up of remains that belong to the 388 Americans that were killed aboard the USS Oklahoma, a massive warship that took multiple torpedo hits and keeled over in the Pearl Harbor berth that traps hundreds of men inside. On Dec. 7, 1941, the attack sank four warships in the so-called Battleship Row and did a great damage to additional four, according to Yahoo.

Up to hundreds of Marines and sailors went down with their ships, others were burned by the explosions and fires produced. Under the Pentagon directive, the unidentified remains have been disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu -- where they were buried in common caskets -- and transferred to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, according to New Vision.

A team of dental specialists, technicians and anthropologists at the DPAA are still doing their best to identify the remains. They have succeeded in 53 cases throughout the past year alone.

Debra Zinni, a forensic anthropologist and laboratory manager, said that they are making identifications almost every day. Many of the bones have been well-preserved despite decades underground and months or years within the water before that, wherein Zinni attributed to the significant oil and fuel spills that had poured from the sinking battleships.

Zinni also added that the leaky material were saturated into the skeletal remains and have been preserved very well by the inhibiting microorganism specifically bacteria, and also the DNA extraction rate is extremely high and successful. The most recent identification proclaimed from the Oklahoma was of Navy Fireman 1st class Jim Johnston of age 23 from Wesson, Mississippi.
M K Abdul Shuhaib, working as an electrician, was arrested for abetting the suicide of Nanda Vinod. The police say he threatened to leak her private photos to break-up.
Scientists from the University of Illinois have found hot hydrogen (H) atoms in the upper layer of the Earth's atmosphere, which is known as the thermosphere. In Physics, such existence of the hydrogen particles must not be there on the said layer.

The findings of the discovery were printed in Nature Communications. The study was led by researchers from University of Illinois College of Engineering. The research could provide information on the understanding of how Earth atmosphere works. This includes how hydrogen cycles around the planet Earth and how it protects the planet. It could also give data on how to protect the technology from harsh space weather like the solar storms.

Lara Waldrop, the lead author of the study from the University of Illinois, explained that hot H atoms had been theorized to exist at very high altitudes that are about many thousand kilometers. On the other hand, in their study, they exist as low as 250 kilometers (155 miles).

This surprised the researchers. Waldrop also said that the result of the study indicates that current atmospheric models are missing some key physics that impacts various studies that could range from atmospheric escape to the thermal structure of the upper atmosphere.

In the study, the researchers used the NASA's Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. The team determined the number of hydrogen atoms in the upper atmosphere. This is because the atomic hydrogen spread the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. They gauged the amount of light using the TIMED satellite and could gauge the abundance and the spatial distribution of hydrogen, according to Science Alert.

On the other hand, when the researchers got their data, they were surprised to know that there were hot hydrogen atoms on the thermosphere, which were never supposed to be in the layer. Such existence of the hydrogen atoms in the thermosphere remains to be a mystery and a puzzle to figure out.

A hydrogen atom is an atom of the chemical element hydrogen, which is about 75 percent of the elemental mass of the Universe. The isolated hydrogen atoms on Earth are rare. With this, the hydrogen merges with other compounds or with itself to produce ordinary hydrogen gas.

The understanding of hydrogen atoms is significant to the history of quantum mechanics. The hydrogen atoms are also important in Physics. They act as a shield for the planet Earth from solar flares and protect objects such as satellites against the tough space environment.
President Barack Obama gave favor to the Alaska Native Villages. The White House announced that the U.S. President passed an executive order that the Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area will concentrate on "locally tailored" protections on marine resources.

The USA Today reported, last Friday, that President Barack Obama gives an executive order for the greater protection of the Alaskan Arctic. The order includes that the two regions of the Bering Sea are off limits to oil exploration and the Native Alaskans must be consulted in the environmental policy.

The executive order mandates that oil exploration in 104,370 square kilometers of the Norton Basin and St. Matthew Island is permanently barred. These two areas are already known for its importance in hunting. Thus, it will require a federal consultation with the tribes from Alaska and the 39 communities that line the west coast of Alaska.

The newly protected area covers 290,885 square kilometers that support so far the world's largest yearly marine mammal migration of animals. These include beluga and bowhead whales, ice seals, migratory birds and the Pacific walrus.

Meanwhile, CBC News reported that the residents of coastal villages are dependent on the marine resources. The villagers have urged that their opinions will be heard as the Arctic is affected by global warming. Hence, expanding the traffic of ships and possible offshore drilling of petroleum can bring additional harm.

A task force was established by the White House with the representatives of the village. The executive order also directs the coast guards to give consideration to the advice that the community shares, including the sensitive areas that should be avoided, especially the areas that are important for hunting.

A Yupik elder from Tununak and also a chairman of the Bering Sea Elders Group Harry Lincoln are grateful to Obama. He said that "It is the Native elders' vision that the northern Bering Sea and the resources that our people rely upon on be protected because they are the foundation of our culture and way of life. We have been here since time immemorial and it is our responsibility to pass our rich heritage on to future generations."
A couple of months ago, a team of scientists including Stephen Hawking announced an interesting project to explore interstellar space with the use of laser to propel a nano-spacecraft. The size of the spacecraft was reportedly similar to that of a postage stamp to our nearest star system, Alpha Centauri.

According to Science Alert, researchers at NASA and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology said that the problem for Hawking's Breakthrough Starshot project is radiation.

Just like it does bad things to astronaut's bodies, the high-energy radiation in space would also bring about serious defects in a nano-spacecraft chip's silicon dioxide layer. This means that the components would fail to be functional long before the 20-year voyage was up.

NASA proposed a number of options to pursue in the development stages of the project. They presented their findings at the International Electron Devices Meeting in San Francisco this week.

First, adjust the route of the flight to avoid those high-radiation areas. However, that could add years to the voyage and would not necessarily protect the ship from degradation, The Independent reported.

They also proposed that the ship could be built with protective shielding on the electronics. Adding shield to the ship would add to the size and weight and thus slow down the remarkable speed of the craft.

Finally, NASA researchers suggested a silicon chip that would automatically repair itself. "On-chip healing has been around for many, many years," NASA researcher Jin-Woo Han told Richard Stevenson at IEEE Spectrum.

However, the research is only theoretical. Therefore, researchers have significant work to do to address other major problems in interstellar travel.

"The limit that confronts us now is the great void between us and the stars," Mr. Hawking said in April. "But now we can transcend it. With light beams, light sails, and the lightest spacecraft ever built, we can launch a mission to Alpha Centauri within a generation. Today, we commit to this next great leap into the cosmos because we are human, and our nature is to fly."
FLORENCE, S.C.  A Florence mother was arrested on weapons and neglect charges Sunday evening after she allegedly brought her juvenile child to fight another juvenile.

According to Lt. Mike Brandt of the Florence Police Department, Deanna N. Tyre, 31, allegedly brought her child to the 800 block of Ventura Court where the fight was initiated.

Brandt said an ongoing verbal altercation between the two juveniles is what instigated the physical dispute. Brandt said there were multiple people involved as other juveniles had joined the fight after it began.

Officers responded to the altercation at 9:22 p.m. where witnesses alleged that Tyre sprayed pepper spray on the juveniles fighting her child and then retrieved a gun from her vehicle.

Tyre was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, pointing and presenting a firearm and unlawful neglect of a child.

Brandt said that Asia McKenzie, 19, was also arrested during the investigation after witnesses alleged that she also used pepper spray while the juveniles were fighting. McKenzie was charged with second degree assault and battery.

Brandt said at least two juveniles were also charged in connection with the incident. The ages and names of the juveniles involved in the altercation were not released.
A major bombing attack took place in the Egypt's main Church or Coptic Christian Cathedral that killed around 25 people and 49 people injured. Most of them among the dead included both women and children who had gathered there for Sunday mass. This is termed as one of the most fatal and terrifying attacks on the Egypt Christian minority group.

This is the second attack in Cairo as two days back one more such attack killed around six police men. Till now no extremists group has taken responsibility of the attacks but Islamic state group is the one which has targeted many Christians in the past.

Egypt's official MENA news agency said, " An assailant lobbed a bomb into a chapel adjacent to St Mark's Cathedral, seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II, who cut short a visit to Greece to return to Cairo after the blast."

Woman did 'Sex' with 14 males after her mother mocked at her...

Earthquake in 'Indonesia' left thousands without roofs

Twin bomb attacks triggered Istanbul; 29 killed, 166 injured
The destruction caused by earthquake in Indonesia has left 45,000 people homeless. At least 10,000 people were displaced from the calamity hit area and 100 people were killed.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, national disaster agency spokesman, told "We have 45,300 people evacuating in several places as of Saturday morning," adding "that the number of displaced had almost doubled since Friday due to an influx of new data."

A magnitude of about 6.5 had thumped Aceh province of Indonesia in the beginning of this week destroying so many houses, buildings, shops, religious places across the entire city.

Petrol Tanker Blasts, killing 30 people in Kenya

Roof of a church collapses in Nigeria; about 60 worshippers...

Twin bomb attacks triggered Istanbul; 29 killed, 166 injured
On Saturday midnight, a petrol tanker collided with other vehicles and was burnt into flames, killing 30 people around. The incident took place in Naivasha town of Kenya.

An official, named Pius Masai from Kenya's disaster management's unit said. "Over 30 people confirmed dead, many injured and over 11 vehicles burnt at a road traffic accident along Nairobi-Naivasha".

The accident occurred at a very busy highway, Nairobi-Nakaru, which connects the country from west on to the Uganda. 11 vehicles were caught in the accident. A police official described the scene as, "It's a terrible incident, people are burnt, some in their cars and others as they tried to escape".

Twin bomb attacks triggered Istanbul; 29 killed, 166 injured

Drones can one-day transport blood for transfusion to hospitals in rural

Demonetisation has resulted in decrease of 25-30 percent sales...
The Magic Ice Hotel will, as the name suggests, be built entirely out of ice, she said.

At Troms Wilderness Centre, owner and entrepreneur Tove Srensen has more than 300 huskies. Guests have opportunities to go dog sledding or visit reindeer plus chance to see the northern lights, Holmen added.

Holmen is establishing the ice hotel in collaboration with DesignIce Norway AS and entrepreneur Thomas Orderud.

Through Magic North she operates several tourist attractions, including Magic Saltstraumen, located in the former experience centre at the Saltstraumen tidal current. The company also operates the ice bars and ice galleries at Magic Ice in Svolvr (which opened 13 years ago), Oslo and Bergen.

For the last five years, the Bod-based company has also operated an ice bar on St. Thomas in the Caribbean, a popular watering hole for visiting cruise passengers.

Magic North plans to open an ice bar in Troms in 2018. This will be permanent and located in the new port terminal reveals Holmen.

With overnight stays in port a growing trend, Holmen told Seatrade Cruise News she is confident that the ice hotel and ice bar will be a draw not only for land tourists visiting Tromso but also for those arriving by cruise ship, after presenting the concept to Florida-based cruise line executives during a recent trip to the US.
Within the framework of the celebration of the 100 years of the international Ship Registry of Panama, we have been distinguished by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), to celebrate the World Maritime Day, both events to be carried out in Panama city, in October next year, said Barakat during the 117th session of the IMO General Council.

Only those countries complying with a high potential of quality and showing strong commitment to the implementation of international standards related to safety, maritime protection and marine environment, navigation and certification of seafarers, have been selected by members of the IMO for such events.

This is the reason why on behalf of Panama we feel honoured and also would like to take this opportunity to invite the delegated members and the general secretary, Kitack Lim, to join us in this important occasion, that showcases the potential of our maritime sector, our improvements to the logistic platform and above all, our strength as the worlds largest ship registry, said Barakat.

The theme chosen for the World Maritime Day for year 2017 is Connecting ships, ports and people, that will highlight the value behind the people working in the ports and the contribution to the world economy.

The World Maritime Day was established by the Administration Council of the IMO in 1978. Every year, through a different theme, offers an opportunity to focus attention in the importance of the maritime world transport and other aspects that the organisation wishes to highlight.
As part of the cooperation, Bank of Communications will provide CSSC with comprehensive credit facilities worth RMB40bn ($5.8bn) over the next five years, the local media reported.

Dong Qiang, chairman of CSSC, said the support from the bank is timely as the shipbuilder undergoes a period of internal reform, as well as a deeper focus on innovation and green shipping technology.

The shipbuilding industry is currently going through tough operating conditions due to severe oversupply and lack of newbuilding orders, leading to cashflow struggles for many shipyards.

Dong added that support from the banks is crucial to also help shipbuilders align themselves with national economic development strategies such as the Maritime Silk Road framework, also known as the One Belt One Road initiative.
I am standing outside on wet concrete in the virtual tour, craning my neck to see the top of a towering white insulated storage tank full of liquid air. This demonstration power storage plant could be the future of renewable energy, and it looks incredibly cool. Colder than -380 degrees Fahrenheit cool.

Highview Power Storage, a London-based power storage company, announced that it will build the world's largest cryogenic energy storage plant near Manchester. Once complete, the new GigaPlant should have enough capacity to help power a city for six hours, the company's CEO Gareth Brett told the BBC.

One of the biggest challenges with renewable energy sources like wind and solar remains having an efficient green way store excess power for times when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing. Cryogenic energy storage, also called liquid air energy storage (LAES), has several advantages over batteries and pumped hydropower technologies.

The technology works by using electricity to cool air until it liquefies. That liquid air is stored in large insulated but unpressurized tanks. When electricity is needed again, the system exposes stored liquid air to ambient temperatures, which brings it back to a gaseous state. The resulting rapid re-gasification is harnessed to drive a turbine, generating electricity.

RELATED: Google to Run on 100% Renewable Energy by 2017

In Britain, Highview Power Storage does this with three processes: a charging system, an energy store and power recovery. Their pilot plant was completed in 2011 and ran until 2014, when it was relocated to the University of Birmingham. That plant had a capacity of 350 kilowatts. In 2014, Highview and their project partners received funding to build a five-megawatt pre-commercial system that should be operational next year. Their new GigaPlant is designed to have a 200-megawatt capacity.

Cryogenic energy storage doesn't need toxic or rare materials. It doesn't have geographic constraints like pumped hydropower, which requires a location where the water can be sent uphill. LAES also scales up without being insanely costly, a common drawback of battery storage. "Anywhere that needs large-scale long-duration storage - that might be to help integrate an offshore wind farm - a system like ours can help achieve that," Brett explained to the BBC.

"LAES systems use off-the-shelf components with long lifetimes, resulting in low technology risk," the Washington, DC-based Energy Storage Association noted online.

RELATED: New Energy Storage: Caves Full of Compressed Air

There's no timeline yet for the GigaPlant, but Highview's plans call for four enormous liquefiers, two liquid air tanks each able to hold more than 7,700 tons, high-grade cold storage, heat storage and eight 25-megawatt turbines.

Until the GigaPlant actually comes together, you can still take a virtual tour of the 2011 pilot plant. A brief video describes how that plant even put waste heat from a neighboring power station to use in producing electricity. Did you feel that, too? Goosebumps.

WATCH VIDEO: Which Countries Run on 100% Renewable Energy?
Investing heavyweights are moving their assets and funds out of fossil fuels at a record pace.

A network of local governments, pension funds, faith organizations, philanthropies and wealthy individuals representing $5.2 trillion in assets have committed to - and in some cases already started - divesting from fossil fuel companies, according to a report released on Monday.

That's a huge sum of money for a movement that started just four years ago on U.S. college campuses and its growth is likely to continue as the world strives to reach its climate goals.

"It's pretty clear that the growth trajectory is enormous," said Ellen Dorsey, the executive director of the Wallace Global Fund.

In the past 15 months alone, the assets represented by the fossil fuel divestment movement have doubled. As of December 2016, there are 688 institutions and 58,400 individuals across 76 countries who are on board with divesting from fossil fuels, according to the report. The analysis was completed by Arabella Advisors, a philanthropy services firm.

RELATED: Renewables Will Create Nearly 30% of Earth's Power by 2021

Those divesting include Norway's sovereign wealth fund, Germany-based financial services giant Allianz, and Amalgamated Bank, which in September became the first U.S bank to divest. Private businesses represent $4.6 trillion in assets being divested, nearly 90 percent of the overall total.

Dorsey said that the Paris Agreement, which was finalized one year ago on Monday and went into effect last month, raises the stakes of divestment and also sends a message that more money will need to flow into clean energy if the world is to stay below the 2C threshold. That's led firms representing $1.2 trillion in assets in the report to move toward a divest-invest strategy of taking the money they're pulling out fossil fuels and putting it into clean energy.

Last year, renewable investments set a record, reaching $288 billion. That equalled about 70 percent of all investments into electric power generation worldwide.

More recently, Google announced that it would purchase the equivalent of 100 percent of its energy needs from renewables in 2017. The company is already the largest private buyer of renewable energy in the world in large part because it makes economic sense.

RELATED: Google to Run on 100% Renewable Energy by 2017

And on Sunday, a group of investors worth $170 billion led by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced a $1 billion fund dedicated to investing in clean energy innovation. Similar to Google, the main driver for the new fund, dubbed Breakthrough Energy Ventures, is dollars and cents.

"It's such a big market that the value if you're really providing a big portion of the world's energy, the value of that will be super, super big," Gates told Quartz.

More From Climate Central:

This article originally appeared on Climate Central, all rights reserved.

WATCH: Which Countries Run On 100% Renewable Energy?
In molecular engineering, two cuts could be better than one. Today scientists report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on a new tool that could take the CRISPR gene-editing technique to the next level. The tool, called a "molecular LEGO," could improve CRISPR's ability to cut away damaged DNA and help treat diseases like cystic fibrosis and leukemia.

At it's most basic level, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a way of cutting DNA at a specific spot using an enzyme called Cas9. Once the cut is made, the DNA automatically starts to repair it, causing the enzyme to cut the DNA again, initiating repair. It's a futile cycle.

"It's like you take a piece of rope and you just cut it with scissors," David Edgell, associate professor at Western University in London, Ontario, told Seeker. "The simplest thing to do is to just tape that back together, and that's what the cell's repair machinery does most of the time, it takes that break and it sticks it back together."

Edgell and his team think they found a way to stop the cycle.

"What we've done is prevent that from happening by making two breaks far apart from one another," he said.

RELATED: CRISPR Gene-Edited Cells Get First Human Test

The researchers, including Jason Wolfs, the lead author of the paper, found a way to snap the Cas9 enzyme to an enzyme with the complicated name I-TevI nuclease domain. The resulting TevCas9 combo can be thought of as a molecular Lego with chemical blades on each end.

When used on DNA, the TevCas9 attaches to a larger segment of genetic code than Cas9 alone and instead of making a small, precise cut, TevCas9 cuts out a larger section. Removing a larger block of DNA will not only reduce the inefficient cycle of cutting and repairing, but could also prevent Cas9 from snipping unintended parts of the genome.

"Because there are two cut-sites, there is less chance that these two sites occur randomly in the genome; much less chance than with just one site," co-author Caroline Schild-Poulter, associate professor, said in a press statement.

Perfecting the technique will be essential before CRISPR or other gene-editing techniques can be used to treat diseases like leukemia, muscular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis.

Long before this new method gets approval by the FDA to treat human diseases, though, scientists will be putting their heads together to use it to understand the basic functions of DNA.

WATCH VIDEO: CRISPR - Editing Your DNA Has Never Been Easier
A new spider species in India has been given a name that's sure to be a winner with Harry Potter fans.

The spider, Eriovixia gryffindori, just 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) long, was named as such because its shape reminded its discoverers of the magical "sorting hat" in the Harry Potter books. (When placed upon a new Hogwarts student's head, the hat comes to life and determines which house the student should belong to at the school for young wizards. It was originally owned by the wizard Godric Gryffindor.)

Mumbai researchers discovered the spider in the Kan forest of the Western Ghats, a mountainous region in southwest India. According to the scientists, the hat shape helps the spider blend in with dried leaves during daylight hours in order to protect itself from predators.

In a paper published in the Indian Journal of Arachnology, Mumbai researchers who discovered the new arachnid wrote that its name was "an ode from the authors, for magic lost, and found, in an effort to draw attention to the fascinating, but oft overlooked world of invertebrates, and their secret lives."

"As a youngster, I was very fond of reading Harry Potter books. So, when I encountered this tiny spider, I thought of the magical hat," lead author of the study, Javed Ahmed, told the Times of India.

Ahmed was also involved in the discovery in 2015 of a rare jumping spider called Portia albimana, an arachnid known for its hunting prowess, even tracking other spiders that are every bit as capable as hunters.

WATCH VIDEO: Why Spiders Can Walk On Walls And You Can't
James Cazzoli never did like asthma. Growing up with an asthmatic brother, Cazzoli saw how his family had to keep daily medications on hand at all times. "I've been close to people who had particularly bad asthma," Cazzoli, a recent graduate of the mechanical engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, told Seeker. "I distinctly remember my best friend struggling to breathe, and his panicked mother ushering him to the car to get to the ER." Cazolli had seen the respiratory disease threaten the very lives of his friends and family. Fortunately, as a student of mechanical engineering and product design, Cazzoli was in a position to do something about it. For several years, Cazzoli has been developing an ultrathin inhaler that asthmatics can fold into their wallet for emergencies. The approximate size and weight of a credit card, the inhaler can hold up to six doses of medication and is compatible with all asthma treatments. Earlier this year, Cazolli's invention, called the Bloom Inhaler, was selected as one of twenty finalists for the James Dyson Award, named for the marquee industrial designer and founder of British technology company Dyson. It's an annual contest that functions like a global science fair for the world's most talented young inventors. Bloom Inhaler

Each year, thousands of entrants, mostly students or recent graduates from design and engineering programs, compete for the prestigious award. The competitors have a strong incentive to shine, since a Dyson award tends to attract employers and investors. This year's winner for the international prize - the foldable, recyclable EcoHelmet - was submitted by designer Isis Shiffer, recent graduate of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. (Click over to our previous story for more details on the EcoHelmet.) For those interested in how engineering and design can solve real-world problems, the Dyson Award is one of the most consistently intriguing events of the year. James Dyson himself participates in the final judging and sees the contest as a way to encourage creative problem solving. "Young people have the power to change the world through engineering," Dyson said in a press statement. "No problem is too big. The simplest solutions are the best." RELATED: A.I. Computers Should Be Named as Inventors on Patents Speaking of simple solutions, how about a contact lens that measures your blood sugar with wireless biosensors? Okay, maybe it's not so simple, but that's the idea behind the as-yet-unnamed smart contact lens platform, another top 20 finalist from the 2016 competition. Smart Contact Lens

Submitted by a Canadian student design team, the contact lens system uses a miniaturized biosensor to monitor blood sugar in the user's tears. The sensor is wirelessly powered by a Near Field Communication device and sends information directly to a user's smartphone. Since traditional methods require drawing blood or otherwise puncturing the skin, the contact lens system is designed to make the process less invasive and painful. Encouraged by the Dyson award, the designers have since incorporated as Medella Health, Like Cazzoli and his pocket inhaler, Medella designer Harry Gandhi also has personal reasons for wanting to develop the smart contact lens system. "Diabetes is something that has personally affected my family, so this one hits close to home," Gandhi told Seeker. "But aside from that, our health care system as a whole needs to improve. We notice longer and longer wait times, shorter and shorter times with our clinicians. This creates an opportunity for technology to take a part and help reduce the burden for health care providers." RELATED: Sapphire-Toughened Screen Wins Invention Prize Gandhi said that competing in the Dyson event, and earning a coveted top twenty designation, makes a huge difference for young inventors trying to navigate the marketplace. "Not only do they look at the technology, but they also look at the viability of how this will perform on the market," Gandhi said. It also makes the team work even harder, Gandhi said. The smart contact lens system has gone through dozens of overhauls, hundreds of gradual iterations, and thousands of twists and tweaks. "One thing I'd say to a younger version of myself is to not be afraid of getting things wrong," Gandhi said. "Instead, learn by doing things, don't be afraid to fail, and always learn from your mistakes. It's amazing that a couple of chemicals, metals and a bit of code can come together to create a moment of awe." It's well worth clicking through the Dyson project gallery to see all the various projects that have made the cut since 2007. Next time you're tempted to complain about the industriousness of today's young people, just take a leisurely scroll around the Dyson site. Here are three more of our favorites from the 2016 Top 20 list. TetraPOT

Designed by student Sheng-Hung Lee of National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, the TetraPOT is an innovative solution for assembling protective seawalls that incorporate natural elements. Artificial seawalls eventually shift due to the constant pounding of waves, but the 1.5-meter TetraPOTs contain mangrove tree seeds which gradually expand and take root. Over time, the trees grow up and out of the pots, interlocking with one another and rooting themselves into the land. Aquila

According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death, taking more than 370,000 lives every year. The Aquila drone system, from Hong Kong design student King Pun Ranger Hui, is a kind of full-service lifeguard assistant. Activated by armband, the aerial drone follows the lifeguard out to the drowning victim and drops a self-inflating rescue raft. A chemical device in the raft then provides propulsion for returning the victim to shore. Back on the beach, the drone lands with a first-aid kit including external defibrillator. Pretty great, right? Blitab
Press Release

December 12, 2016 Nancy seeks probe into reported SMS delivery delays Senator Nancy Binay has filed a resolution urging the Senate to look into the recently reported delays in the delivery of text messages between Smart and Globe mobile subscribers. "There is a need to protect mobile subscribers and to ensure that appropriate government agencies proactively and continually create a responsive regulatory environment for a viable, affordable, reliable and accessible telecommunications and information infrastructure and services to guarantee the welfare and protection of consumers," the lady senator said. Senate Resolution No. 246 cites complaints posted online by Smart mobile subscribers about the delays in sending and receiving text messages which they experienced on December 3. These delays were explained by Smart Communications, Inc. in an advisory released on the same date to have been caused by technical difficulties in the receiving network. Meanwhile, Globe Telecom also issued an advisory on social networking site Facebook, stating that it was coordinating with the other network to resolve the issue. While Smart clarified in its next advisory that the delays were resolved later that night, Senator Binay said that it was still imperative that the Senate meet with the concerned telecom companies and government agencies to discuss how the issue will be prevented in the future. "This is an issue that affects millions of Filipinos and should not be taken lightly. We must remember that most of us depend on our mobile phones to reach out to our important contacts, especially our loved ones during emergencies. We have experienced network problems in the aftermath of strong typhoons before and we have seen the misery it has caused. I hope that my fellow senators will see this as an urgent matter that needs to be addressed as soon as possible," Binay said. "Sana po, ngayon pa lang ay pag-usapan na natin ito upang ma-address na ang problema sa signal, maging ang delays sa pagpapadala at pagtanggap ng mga mensahe sa ating mobile phones. Maaari po nating gamitin ang Senado bilang venue upang mas mapag-usapan at masolusyunan ang problema ng mga mobile networks ng bansa," the senator added.
Press Release

December 12, 2016 Transcript of interview of Senator Francis 'Chiz' G. Escudero (FGE) PROGRAM: HEADSTART

ANCHOR: KAREN DAVILA

TV NETWORK: ANC DAVILA: On Hotcopy this morning, the Senate is giving more teeth to the Anti-Money Laundering Act or AMLA by amending its current provisions to include the casino industry as recommended by the Paris based financial action task force which will assess the country in June next year. And joining us in the studio this morning is Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero; is the chairman of the committee on banks and financial institutions. Welcome to Hotcopy Senator Chiz, thank you for coming! FGE: Hello Karen, Good Morning! To all of our televiewers a pleasant morning as well! DAVILA: Alright now, this may not be as sexy topic as...let's face it the hearings at the Senate and the House in the recent days. But here is the Senate coming out with a genuine reform when it comes to the AMLA. Why is this important to us? FGE: This is important to us Karen not only because we are being reviewed in June as you mentioned and if they review us and give a less than a favourable recommendation meaning for us to be included in the gray list or in the black list then it will primarily affect our financing institutions in the country more particularly the OFWs. DAVILA: So if it will affect the country... FGE: It will affect the country because money won't flow as easily into the country from foreign investors and then it might give our OFWs hard time in so far as remitting their money is concerned by subjecting this money in so many inquiries and questions if we are in the blacklist. DAVILA: I have with me right now, I always wanted to show the viewers so that they are encouraged to actually Google, research, read for themselves just like the executive summary last week. This is the actual sponsorship speech; you can find this in the internet on the reforms for the AMLA. And the number one: Including casino operators; junket operators. Let's start with casino and operator first, why is that important to include? FGE: That's a recommendation of the FATF and APG a group of anti-money laundering because so much money passed through the casinos. At yung nangyari sa Bangladesh heist... DAVILA: tama... FGE: ...iyon ang eksaktong ginamit. Ginamit nila yung facility ng casino para magpasok ng pera, para malabas din yung pera. And Karen it is known fact too that a lot of people use casinos to be able to bring money from one country to another. So halimbawa, may gusto magpasok ng pera... DAVILA: You know a hundred million figure... FGE: A hundred million...merong remittance fees yan, may mga questions na dadaan kung dadaan sa bangko yan pero kung sa casino ngayon, no questions asked yan. Pwede kong ipatalo kunwari o pwedeng ipanalo kunwari hindi nababantayan kung sinong mga regulatory agencies much less PAGCOR. PAGCOR has nothing to do with it whatsoever right now. DAVILA: So just a review of the 81 million dollars I think that Bangladesh lost. The ones that were brought to the casinos were never recovered. FGE: Were never recovered. DAVILA: Okay, that's gone. FGE: Wala na yun and for many other reasons Karen: number one, walang power to issue a freeze order ang AMLC ngayon, they have to apply to Court of Appeals. If the Court of Appeals should grant it. And if Court of Appeals takes time, by the time mag-freeze order siya wala na yung pera, wala na. DAVILA: Okay number two: junket operators. FGE: Same, junket operators aren't like casinos in so far as being land based, in having a building and having a structure. Junket operators are actually middlemen... DAVILA: Okay. Some like Kim Wong... FGE: I'm not sure about his business. But they have players which they bring in, the players play, if they lose, the junket operators will pay; if they win, the junket operators get the commission. DAVILA: Okay. FGE: So they are technically an independent casino operating through a pool of players. They are actually land-based or building- based. DAVILA: But then how would the AMLA for example be able to monitor a junket operator. I mean, it seems to be that this people can do their business privately. They don't have to report how much money is going in. FGE: We are requiring casinos under the amended version of the AMLC: to adopt what we call a CDD rule--a customer due diligence rule. And they have to have their own risk assessment analysis too. For example, if you are a casino: you have to know all of your clients whether the junket operators brought it; whether he is a walk-in; whether he is a regular patron; you have to know your clients based on the official document. Meaning a license or a passport that's how they do it in Singapore. In Singapore, thriving so far as far as their casino industry's concerned. DAVILA: So you mean to say in Singapore even the casinos are under AMLA. FGE: In Singapore they're compliant Karen. In Singapore you can play but the residents are not allowed to play. DAVILA: In Singapore. FGE: In Singapore. So if you want to play in any casino in Singapore you have to present a valid passport so they can establish who you are and that you are not a national. DAVILA: What about Macau? FGE: Same. DAVILA: Same? FGE: They are also compliant. DAVILA: Macau? FGE: Macau is compliant too that's why I think the revenues went down so far as Macau is concerned. DAVILA: So you are saying, for example Hong Kong...no...it would be in Macau. But Indonesia, Malaysia it's all the same. FGE: Malaysia is not a part of FATF as far as I know. In other countries which is part of FATF will be covered by this rule. But they follow the same rule, five hundred thousand thresholds to ten thousand dollar threshold it applies in Macau; it applies in Singapore as well. DAVILA: Now, how much money is moving around our casinos in the Philippines on average. FGE: Right now, we don't know. DAVILA: Really. FGE: We have no idea. DAVILA: Are you serious? FGE: Let's based it on PAGCOR's share. PAGCOR's share per year from casino operations about 28 Billion pesos. Their share is 5% of net. So compute backwards, I don't know how much that is. DAVILA: If 5% of net so 20 billion. But it is something like... FGE: Two hundred billion probably. DAVILA: Or more... FGE: Four hundred billion. DAVILA: Of the money going around the casinos. Okay. So casino operators will be included, the junket operators in the AMLA and this is very interesting. This affects regular Filipinos who do not gamble, real estate agents. Why? FGE: It's a recommendation of the APG as well because it involves higher... DAVILA: And brokers... FGE: It involves higher values but let me clarify Karen: casino operators, real estate brokers, dealers of precious metals, dealers of precious stones, lawyers and accountants and so far as their clients are concerned but only when it comes to cash transactions exceeding five hundred thousand. DAVILA: Let's say you are a real estate agent when do you report? I mean how does that work? FGE: If you have a cash transaction exceeding five hundred thousand pesos... DAVILA: ...let's say you give a down to land... FGE: If you give a down to land in excess of five hundred thousand...again Karen cash... DAVILA: Cash... FGE: So if you are a real estate broker and you don't want to be covered then require all of your clients to pay in check. DAVILA: I see. FGE: If I am a lawyer and I'm putting up a trust and if I am not violating any lawyer-client privilege, then require all your clients to pay through checks. And they will not be covered anymore and they don't have to report anymore. Because we are trying to push people to use the banks. Not only to improve their business but so there will be a paper trail. DAVILA: Tama...tracking... FGE: So if you sell jewels or diamonds or gold or whatever, you don't want to be covered, you don't want to report, you don't want the hassle; then go and pay in check. DAVILA: Why is it an art included in the AMLA? FGE: Art? We included catch all phrase because my problem Karen is... DAVILA: You've seen I mean I don't want the art brokers to hate me right now I buy art but you are seeing just how much are being sold. FGE: They are Karen. DAVILA: How? FGE: The proposal originally only includes car dealers. That is why I asked them what about art? What about those selling airplanes? What about those selling helicopters? DAVILA: They are selling 30 million pesos for auction. FGE: So we included the proposal to include persons dealing in high value goods. High value goods will be defining as anything exceeding up to million pesos. So you are covered too if you accept payment in cash, you have to report. But if they pay in check, they don't have to report. So if you buy a painting worth ten million, if you pay in check the art dealer does not have to report anything. But if they pay in cash in excess of five hundred thousand then they have to report that to AMLA. DAVILA: If they don't... FGE: If they don't they are subject to the penalties under AMLC radius in between four months to six years and a fine of highest to one million pesos. DAVILA: Okay so this number two is you are including dealers of high value goods. This would include the art, the jewelry, antiquities... FGE: Everything that you are selling in excess of one million. DAVILA: Even watches... FGE: In watches ang haba ng debate naman diyan. They said jewelry and then I asked them: Can you define jewelry for me? They said, if the value of the thing is being sold is in excess of sixty percent from a precious metal or stone... DAVILA: Oh My God. FGE: But what if you are buying a watch based on its brand? DAVILA: Yeah. FGE: Like a Patek, a Rolex... DAVILA: That may not have... FGE: ...they may not have precious metal or precious stones, that would still be jewelry right? They said no in our definition, I said it should be covered. That's why we simply put if you are a dealer in high value goods in excess of one million you have to be covered and you have to report if someone pays in cash. DAVILA: Okay that's quite technical. Okay so just a clarification the covered transactions would now mean cash exceeding five hundred thousand and not a million. FGE: Not a million. Any amount we put in excess of five hundred thousand by way of threshold like the original version of the law. One thousand three hundred I think for dealers on precious metals and precious stones. I think 1.8 million or 2.3 million originally proposed for real estate brokers dahil mahal na ang lupa dito. My problem with that is it's not compliant. Any amount in so far threshold is concerned that is in excess of five hundred thousand is simply not compliant. DAVILA: Okay number four is: this is the deal breaker I think where you can actually monitor illegal money coming in the country, the requirement on suspicious accounts. FGE: Suspicious accounts Karen an example would be since the threshold is five hundred thousand then I get to pay five times a day four hundred ninety thousand. They get to pay you once a week, every day for one week or one month four hundred ninety thousand just so that they won't be reported. Clearly that would be suspicious that has been going on for about five or six months that is clearly suspicious. DAVILA: So the bank manager in RCBC during the Bangladesh hearing you would say in a way was not acting for rightly. Because people are saying why they did not report as suspicious account? FGE: I think she considers it suspicious that's why she sought clearance from the main branch and the main branch gave her clearance. DAVILA: Okay. So in a situation like that what would happen given the new AMLA law? FGE: Under our proposed legislation if it is passed Karen, medyo maraming nagrereklamo dito. Any covered person can actually freeze or hold the transaction for not more than five days. DAVILA: Any again? FGE: Any covered person let's say the bank? They think it's suspicious, you are lawyer and see it suspicious, if you are a dealer of precious metal you think it's suspicious. DAVILA: You are authorized just to hold it. FGE: Well you are a private person, a person is buying you can say can you just check this out for a while. You are given five days and you have to decide I don't want your money; I don't want your business. DAVILA: Is this the part that's very contentious to many lawmakers. FGE: I think the part that's contentious to many lawmakers especially a few of them would be the expanded powers of the AMLC. A lot of them concerned that it might be abused by the AMLC. Especially given the current wars being waged by... DAVILA: Politically... FGE: Yes. But we have some provisions and penalties if they do it if they do it for political purposes. In fact, there's a limitation on AMLC law that we are not touching. AMLC cannot investigate any candidate a year before elections. DAVILA: Really? FGE: It is in the original law. DAVILA: It is in the original law? FGE: Kasi nga maraming Congressman or Senador na takot na baka magamit sa pulitika. So may ganung limitation na, sobra-sobra na siguro yun. DAVILA: How does the strengthen AMLA affect the bank secrecy law. FGE: That is totally separate bill. In fact Karen if you ask me if I am in favor of repealing totally the bank secrecy law, Republic Act number 1405. Because we are the only last of three or six countries in the world that still has that law. And when I ask the banking sector, the banking industry, the BSP they told me that it is not a factor anymore as far as people keeping money inside the banks. Before it was a concern, in fact it was passed RA 1405 was passed at that time sometime in the 60's to encourage people to put their money inside the banks. But that is not the issue anymore in fact as I said we are the last three to six countries in the world that still has such law. DAVILA: I think the two others the Middle Eastern countries... FGE: Alam ko nasa Africa... DAVILA: Something like that... I remember... FGE: if you to ask me I'd rather repeal it. That's my preference in fact I'm heading towards that in so far as coming out of my major report is concerned. DAVILA: So you're not afraid of anyone peeking in your bank accounts. FGE: No. If you're not doing any illegal anyway, if you are not hiding anything; may kasabihan nga pag walang tinatago, walang kailangang katakutan; walang kailangang katakutan, yung walang tinatakot. DAVILA: So, four is you clarify the requirement on the suspicious transactions indicated. Okay we talked about that. Now, the use of the term predicate offense to replace unlawful activity. What would a predicate offense be? FGE: A predicate offence is a specific technical term. It only refers to the crimes in laws, a violation which was committed as enumerated in the AMLC Law. So, dinagdagan namin yun Karen, pero yung dinagdag namin hindi naman dahil ine-expand talaga namin. Some laws were passed after the AMLC Law was passed - Cybercrime Law, Safety Devices Act, napasa yung mga batas na yun after. DAVILA: Actually, you even mentioned all the predicate crimes to money laundering, you really talk about them, illegal gambling even firearms and ammunitions, cybercrime. FGE: Napasa yung amendments na yun after. Ngayon, maraming concern doon sa provision on NIRC. DAVILA: Okay. FGE: Kinonsider namin na predicate crime yung tax evasion. DAVILA: It should be. FGE: As it should be. DAVILA: I agree. FGE: But a lot of people are concern about it. DAVILA: So, do you see... I mean, clearly you want to professionalize, you want to improve the standard of... I mean not just the AMLA but essentially how we pay the state. FGE: It's tightening up of the news actually. And those who are engaged in illegal activities should rightfully become concerned and scared. But those who are not shouldn't be afraid of anything. Quite frankly Karen, again, do you know how many bank transactions we have in excess of 500,000 a year? About 33-Million. DAVILA: Imagine. FGE: So, we are talking of thirty-three million and five hundred thousand and above transactions in 365 days. So, that's approximately a hundred thousand a day. DAVILA: Basta 33-Million, a year. FGE: So, about a hundred thousand a day roughly or eighty thousand a day. Hindi naman talaga kayang puntiryahin ka kung gusto. Unfortunately, AMLC had a program, a software na kaya nilang i-define na yung risk analysis so if it's based on this and this put together then it's a red flag. But that software wasn't approved. I think they failed to buy. Kasama sa underspending ng previous administration yun. DAVILA: So, in a way Senator, do you honestly believe it is law makers themselves that don't want to push for this? FGE: There are many businessmen too who are concerned, Karen. So, of course their representatives, they might serve as the representatives of business interests, certain lobby groups but there's nothing illegal about that, it's a good input too. But at the end of the day, ano yung kapalit ba? Maba-black list tayo, mas mahihirapan yung mga businessmen doon na makakuha ng puhunan, makapagpasok ng foreign investors, maaapektuhan pa yung mga OFWs natin. Or we comply and make sure that it is compliant not only whenever the FATF reminds us. Ilang beses na ba natin inamyendahan, Karen. We passed two amendatory laws in 2012 and 2013, this is now the third, 2016, R.A. No. 10167 and R.A. No. 10356 - both to be compliant and now we're at it again and we're running after deadline again so might as well pass a worthwhile meaningful piece of legislation that's compliant. DAVILA: But the revision of the AMLA, will this improve tax collection? FGE: Will it improve tax collection... DAVILA: I'm curious, because if it instills fear, could it be enough to drive you to pay? FGE: It may. In fact, the original proposal was anyone who wants to compromise any tax obligation he should open up his bank accounts. Because if you are reliable to pay a billion and then you compromised with the BIR, I'll just pay 200-Million and then the BIR says okay. Then the BIR should have the power to look into your bank accounts too. Nandoon pa lang sila nun e. But we are looking at, if it's a valid case for tax evasion already not being suspected of tax evasion, meaning a case has been filed. Then they can look into it already. DAVILA: Okay. Another revision in the law is you are granting the AMLC more powers. FGE: Yes. DAVILA: And one power you are granting them is to file directly before the Court of Appeals a petition to issue a freeze order. FGE: Actually, more than that Karen, we're giving them the power to issue ex parte a freeze order not exceeding thirty days on their own, if they find it to be suspicious, if they find there's a basis of a predicate crime is being committed. DAVILA: This is granting them more teeth. This is giving them power. FGE: And we're also giving them subpoena power which they do not have right now. Our problem Karen is alam na ng buong bansa 'yan, let's say ng diyaryo, ng media na nagnakaw si ganito, may pera si ganito. DAVILA: Walang magawa ang AMLC. FGE: Walang magawa ang AMLC. They have to knock on the doors of the Solicitor General's office and say, hey can you draft a petition. So, sasabihin ng SolGen, sige akin na yung ebidensiya, ano bang meron ka? I-evaluate nila, file sila ng petition, they may or may not grant it. Ito, it's subject to abuse, I agree... I am concern about that too. But if they commit any abuse Karen, then let's run after them. DAVILA: I think the right term is it's subject to abuse by the sitting administration, whoever it may be because it might add pressure powers on AMLC. FGE: Yes and no, Karen, because we made sure in the previous laws that AMLC administrators serve for a fixed term. In fact, the current AMLC head was not appointed by President Duterte. In fact, he berated them about two weeks ago for not giving details about certain drug lords who they found out to have billions of pesos inside banks. DAVILA: So, hindi binigay ng AMLC? FGE: Hindi ibinigay ng AMLC, so it's insulated in a way. DAVILA: In a way, their professionals, we have to look at them as professionals. FGE: In exchange for the higher powers we are willing to amend it further and provide higher penalties too in case any member, official, or employee of AMLC would abuse their powers and functions. DAVILA: But let me just say, the powers you want to give AMLC are to file before the Court of Appeals... FGE: Directly. DAVILA: Freeze order directly, issue a subpoena, this one - freeze the proceeds. So, you're giving them power to actually freeze money. FGE: Only within thirty days, within which they have to apply for a freeze order with the courts. DAVILA: Of select predicate offences. FGE: Yes. DAVILA: Okay, and you were giving them power to inquire in bank accounts? FGE: Yes. DAVILA: And investments? FGE: Yes, covered ang investments, covered ang trusts because if it's only a bank account then what do you do? You put up a trust fund. It's not a bank account, it's a trust fund being handled by a trustee. It's technically not covered, we are covering that too, we are covering insurance companies too. Diba kukuha ako ng insurance sa anak ko for 100-Million Pesos, and I pay the premiums, hindi ko kailangan i-declare, hindi ba investment yun? Kumikita ng interes yun. It's like a bank account too, it's like a saving deposit too so it should justly be covered. DAVILA: And this one is quite interesting, I think this is a first, if this works. You are giving AMLC a 20%, in a way it's a cut, a 20% cut on forfeited assets and many people believe that this is how government be. FGE: That's not the first attempt Karen. In the previous administration, upon the recommendation perhaps of the secretary of budget at that time, the president vetoed all proposals of a similar nature with the Bureau of Immigration, with the Office of the Ombudsman, with the LTO. And in this case we're trying to propose it again and we'll see if President Duterte will not veto it. But we put a cap, Karen. DAVILA: And where does the 20% go? Does it go to the AMLC staff? FGE: It goes to the AMLC itself, not for benefits but for them to be able to do and carry out their job better and more efficiently. But we put a cap, not in excess of double the higher appropriation and the two preceding years. DAVILA: It seems to me, before we go to a quick break and talk about other issues. FGE: A, may other issues? DAVILA: Marami tayong issues. Is that this particular, I mean the one you want to pass, it strikes me as you don't want this to pass compromised. This seems to be a law with courage. FGE: Kumpleto siya, Karen. Nandyan na lahat para hindi na sila bumalik sa amin, para next year may deadline na naman kayo, kailangan na naman ninyong magpasa, why do it piecemeal? And also, I'll be open about it, you always aim high and shoot low if ever. You do not propose a piece of legislation that only addresses a piecemeal the problem and then you end up passing another law later on. DAVILA: This seems quite complete. FGE: We are trying to do everything all in one. DAVILA: Good luck to you on that. Okay, we'll continue our conversation with Senator Chiz Escudero. We'll be asking more issues. --- BREAK --- DAVILA: Alright, we're still on Hot Copy and still with us our guest, Senator Chiz Escudero. And we just discussed on the first half of Hot Copy, these are all the revisions of the AMLA, the Anti-Money Laundering Law and I think you should Google it, read it so you'll see for yourself just exactly what they're trying to do in the Senate to tighten up this law. On other issues... FGE: May other issues talaga? DAVILA: Yes, other issues. You have not attended the hearings on EJK? FGE: I have. DAVILA: You have? FGE: A couple. DAVILA: You've read the executive summary, I mean the report. FGE: Not yet, because I don't think I am a member of either of the two committees hearing. DAVILA: Alright. Now, some points of that committee report. FGE: I haven't seen it ha? DAVILA: Yes, you haven't seen it. So, Senator Richard Gordon have said that there is not enough proof of state sponsored killings, there's not enough proof on Davao Death Squad, and of course at the end of the report, he does give an advice and admonished President Duterte to some degree. You have Senator Trillanes saying the report was essentially a cover up, it's a piece of garbage, and it's out there to protect the President. Some senators are saying that the hearing was short, just six hearings is not enough. What were your thoughts on the hearing? FGE: Personally Karen, I don't think there was enough evidence to prove one way or the other, any of the findings established by the committee. They said there wasn't enough proof to say there were any EJKs but there's also not enough proof to say that there weren't. Perhaps more hearings could've been conducted, only that there was pressure from both sides for the hearings to end already. DAVILA: Really? FGE: Yes, because it was starting to become personal, not really literally bloody but figuratively bloody among the senators. You can already see who each one was for except for a few. Diba, kapag may nagsalita... ay, against ito, ay ito pabor 'to. Parang hindi narin healthy atsaka maganda. DAVILA: And you didn't sign, why didn't you sign the report? Because it's quite interesting, I saw three that signed the report with reservations. I also read that a lot of senators, I have the list here who didn't sign the report. FGE: I don't think I'm a member, Karen. DAVILA: Do you have to be a member? FGE: To sign, yes. DAVILA: To sign, okay. FGE: To sign the committee report, because they haven't given me a copy of the report so I don't think I'm a member. DAVILA: What do you think should the Senate do? FGE: Hindi ako kinuha. DAVILA: But when it comes to Senator Leila De Lima? FGE: What do you mean? DAVILA: I mean, you have the House saying that the Senate should admonish her at some point. FGE: There are some issues involving Senator De Lima. One, the show cause order of the House. Personally, I don't think the Senate should have anything to do with it. It's a letter signed by the chairman of the committee of the House addressed to Senator De Lima. Nothing is being asked of the Senate. They're not asking the Senate to do anything. It's an order addressed to a member of the Senate. So, whether Senator Leila follows it or ignores it, that's totally up to her. DAVILA: Should she go? FGE: That's totally up to her, Karen. For me, I don't think she should because of inter-chamber courtesy, and the proper outlet would be, not for me to tell the House what to do because I'll be violating the inter-chamber courtesy as well. But a remedy could be for them to file an ethics complaint which Senator De Lima can answer in the Senate now has something to act on. But not for that particular show cause order to be acted upon by the Senate. Some senators wanted the senators to decide on it. I disagree. It's addressed to her. In fact, copy furnish lang si Senate President Pimentel. So, the letter is not even addressed to you, copy furnish ka lang so there's nothing for us to really act on. DAVILA: And right now, the House has not filed an ethics complaint against her? FGE: No, but that's one of remedies they can use if ever. If they want the Senate to act. Again, I'm not suggesting, I'm not telling them what to do, it's an option. DAVILA: Okay. Now, in the last trip of President Duterte, was it to China or Japan. I saw photos of you on the internet that you were with him. FGE: That was Vietnam. DAVILA: Okay, my sources tell me that you are now advising President Duterte. Is that true? FGE: No, that's not true. Perhaps during that trip we had a good conversation but actually a friend of mine from the previous administration asked me, so, you're already with President Duterte in his trip to Vietnam. DAVILA: Because I mean, let's face it, you ran with Senator Grace, you're very close to her and people are saying why is Senator Chiz in the presidential flight? FGE: My answer to that would be... DAVILA: Because admit it. Let's face it you ran with Senator Grace, you're very close to her. And people are asking, 'why is Senator Chiz in the presidential flight?' FGE: My answer to that Karen, it's the first time actually. In my 18 years in the government; both in the house and in the senate. It's the first time a president invited me to join an official trip. DAVILA: So, you were invited of course? FGE: And number 2, I'm of the firm belief that outside the four walls of our country we should not wash our dirty linen in public. Oposisyon ka man o administrasyon, pagdating sa labas isang bansa tayo. Isang gobyerno tayo. Hindi na dapat dinadala doon kung ano ang away at hindi pagkakaunawaan. And for those who are complaining, Karen, simple lang sagot ko: most of the LP for example who are saying these things are the majority, excuse me, if you don't mind, I'm with the minority up to now. DAVILA: Up to now. FGE: So, my joining the trip notwithstanding I remain In the minority in the senate. DAVILA: Does president Duterte, I don't know, anti-US retort does it worry you? FGE: No, President Duterte has the ability to do a 180 on any issue. In fact, a day before the election from the day itself counting the votes for president I was having coffee with some officials in the US embassy and they were expressing concerns about his rhetorics. About what he was saying against the United States. I told them 'who knows he might win and they might hit it off." And they were going at that time. Well, the survey says, then we were slowly but surely watching the numbers coming in. I go 'see' who know they might just hit it off. DAVILA: They did. FGE: So, apparently Karen it's not really anti-US. Apparently it was DAVILA: -anti-Obama. FGE: Probably. But it's not anti-US really. And number 2, for me if this is rhetoric's in able to Philippines to be in a better position to bargain with the US. Because quite apparently Karen, we have not been treated that fairly by the US for the past so many years compared to their other allies. DAVILA: This is very interesting for a sitting senator to say. FGE: I'm echoing where he is coming from. DAVILA: Okay. But, do you believe the 2? FGE: Example. Bangladesh, the United Stated military is about 300 million. Israel, last year about 12 billion. DAVILA: But then you have to remember Israel is the one ally in an area where we understand it needs to protect itself. FGE: Agreed. But the one ally they have here too for the longest time. Longer that Japan at least. DAVILA: Go on. This is interesting. FGE: Longer than Japan. In this area where they are having troubles with the incoming superpower: China. Both economically and military. At sa tinagal tagal na magkasama tayo, it's frustrating to say the least, Karen. DAVILA: Exactly. FGE: For example. They gave us second hand ships like the cutter class that they gave the previous administration. They gave us that secondhand 30-40 year old boat and they counted it as military aide for us. But, in order to refurbish it we spend about 15-million-dollars for it. Magbibigay na rin lang kayo ibigay ninyo na rin iyong 15 dollars para ma- refurbish. Tayo pa rin ang gagastos. DAVILA: I see. FGE: I don't understand and get it. When the United States have problems with Guantanamo, when United States have problems with human rights violation supposedly in middle east. In Iraq. As an ally, the Philippines didn't say anything. Probably we whispered to them. Again, not defending. But perhaps this for President Duterte where he is coming from. Tayo wala pang limang buwan, wala pang apat na buwan, una pang ngangawngaw, una pang nagreklamo iyong ally natin. I think we have good reason to say, 'dahan dahan naman.' I thought we were friends? Let our enemies cry foul but our friends should try to talk to us in private. Tell us this, say this to us. But not that way probably the first ones to threaten us. Threaten us to stop sending aides, they will stop giving help. It just doesn't sound good. DAVILA: Yeah. So.. FGE: For an ally that we've had for the past 60 years. DAVILA: So, clearly you feel, I mean we are-the US is only treaty ally that we have with the mutual defense treaty. The president has no plans to I think to cancel the treaty. I don't see that in any of his speech but you believe that we should be asking for more, stronger military aide. FGE: whatever kind of rhetoric the president is making, but then that will give us a better bargaining position, I'm all for it. But I am not in favor of cancelling, abrogating, turning back on our treaties. No. But for us to be able to revisit it. Perhaps with the view to strengthening the relations, to making it more fair, more at par, more equal, why not. DAVILA: Okay. Now the president is saying we should get our weapons from China. China is giving us 25 years as as a grant to pay for it. Is that wise? FGE: That's an option. DAVILA: is it? Will it work with what we have? FGE: but why we should we be limited only to the United States? Why, Karen? I mean hindi naman natin kaaway- DAVILA: I mean do the weapons go together even China, Russia, US weapons. FGE: Alam mo kung ano joke usually. Ang Israel, ang ginagamit kapag emergency ay armalite pero kapag talagang putukan na ay gagamitin nila ang mga usi nila. At saka iyong mga-- DAVILA: Okay, I get the point, FGE: So, at the end of the daw we should not be limited to one supplier .whatever deal we can have with any other country as long as it is compliant with our requirements, why not Karen. There's no ban for us in buying to them anyway. It's only out of respect perhaps that we've been buying from the US. It's only out of respect perhaps that since all of our generals were trained in the US, they were all made them, made familiar with their equipment. So, that's why we keep on buying from them, too. But, there's a whole world out there that probably will sell us cheaper and more relevant equipment that can adapt to tropical places. DAVILA: Okay, let's move now to Leni Robredo. It's quite interesting. But now we have the vice president's camp saying that there's a plot to steal the vice presidency. You have the Duterte camp saying, you know the yellows 'want me out.' Senator Kiko Pangilinan saying how is that even possible, were disseminated. Is this worrisome for the nation. I mean that you have possible threats to the vice presidency and then you have talks of Bongbong Marcos coming back. I mean, were it extremely polarized at this point? FGE: Several things. It's nice to look at it from the outside looking. DAVILA: Yeah. I would say that. FGE: Number one. The protest filed against Vice President Robredo is pending before the PET. The president has nothing to do with it. Malacanang has nothing to do with it. The PET is comprised of justices of the Supreme Court. Perhaps, for he is enabled to appoint nine already by that time in the span of six years. Then you can say probably he might have a hand or influence in it. DAVILA: But will it be dependent on the numbers at the end? I mean, the justices the vote counts? FGE: Definitely. But, I don't think a hearing has been conducted already. In so far as the PET protest- DAVILA: Marcos. FGE: Senator Marcos is concerned. And that's the only way they can removed the vice president. The other way is via impeachment. And I don't think the vice president has committed any impeachable offense. DAVILA: Okay. FGE: So far, the most politically charged thing that she did was her resignation. Clearly, that's not impeachable. DAVILA: Okay. FGE: In so far as plots against President Duterte's concerned, I am not aware of any. But, what's saddening me is the fact that, 'bakit ba palaging sa kung sino ang nakaupo?' Why can't we be satisfied with whoever is sitting there. And simply helping him or her do his or her job. And in that sense, I appreciate Vice President Robredo. Clearly, she's showing an absence or lack of interest which makes her attractive, more attractive actually-- DAVILA: I agree. FGE: including President Duterte while he was running- is the absence or lack of interest, structurally get it. I cannot say about some of her part., I cannot say about something about of her party. But, she herself clearly is disinterested. And it's the character that we should see officials in government. Whoever is there, it should not matter. The success of this country cannot bend on you or me or whoever is sitting there. Our success should be achieved regardless of who is sitting there. DAVILA: okay. Very quickly. Death penalty, are you open to either hearing the death penalty or your anti-death? FGE: I'm against that. DAVILA: your anti- death but your President Duterte who is for it. Are you open in any way or no? FGE: Of course if it's a debate I will participate in the debate and ask relevant question, Karen. Very simple questions actually about it. How will it guarantee and is it really a deterrence on the Commission of Human Rights? DAVILA: Okay, are for the lowering of the age of the criminal liability because you have House Speaker Alvarez wants to pushed that with the Juvenile Justice Law? He wants it at nine. FGE: I was the chairman when we passed it Karen. And I think there is enough room for us to review it. Why? We increased the age when the JJ Law was passed previous to my term under Senator Drilon. But, children now are wiser at a younger age than before. DAVILA: But, you want them in jail? FGE: it's not a question of them being in jail but having the liability to face the responsibility for their actions. DAVILA: So, it could be community work? It's not necessarily in jail? FGE: In fact the previous law Karen ,was actually perhaps It was ahead of its time; the previous law, the Child and Mutual Code. What is that law say? Anyone below nine is immune from suit, criminal liability rather. Anyone, above or below 18 will have a suspended sentence. So, if you're found guilty-- DAVILA: Say, you stole a phone? FGE: If you are 10 or 12 and you're found guilty. You will have a suspended sentence. Meaning you were found guilty you should suffer the penalty let's say for months or 2 years, they'll suspend your sentence. They will go rehabilitation. DAVILA: But then? FGE: Upon reaching 18 you will now be returned to court. So that the court will decide. Let's erase his criminal liability if you done well for yourself and all records will be extinguished. DAVILA: I've never heard that. FGE: that's under the old law. DAVILA: This is good. FGE: it's the PD passed during Marcos's time. That was the law we were following at that time. DAVILA: What' wrong with that law? FGE: Perhaps, it was ahead of its time. We don't have enough rehab facilities. We don't have the DSW as strong as it is now. But, perhaps it's a good time to revisit that law and implement it and used that law instead. DAVILA: Alright, we have enough time. Last question, when can you and Heart can have a baby? Wala na it's the end of the show. FGE: Next year. DAVILA: Are you planning? FGE: Next year we are planning. We are exercising and doing responsible parenthood. DAVILA: But, you have two kids. FGE: I have two kids in my previous- DAVILA: You have two kids and you want of course a child with Heart? FGE: Definitely. Next year, Karen. We also want to enjoy our lives together na kami. Of course, with my kids, too. DAVILA: Yes. FGE: At the same time para may katulong na rin kaming mag-alaga doon sa baby. Dahil may ate at kuya na. mga 10 or 11, Karen. DAVILA: Our last question here is from Caroline , our producer here. Is Senator Chiz EScudero has actually changed his life by doing yoga everyday? FGE: Not everyday. Since two weeks ago. DAVILA: Has yoga changed you life - FGE: Pasko na e. Hindi kapag pasko wala muna. Kain muna. DAVILA: But, seriously you do yoga? Seriously, has it made you calmer, nicer, what's it's done? FGE: Healthier. It's a good way to maintain your weight. DAVILA: I mean, does it help you find peace? I'm curious. FGE: I don't need to find peace. DAVILA: What are the effects for you? FGE: No, it's a different kind of yoga. It's hot, I don't think you will find peace. It's the different kind of yoga. Iyong mga 'uhm'uhm' na ganoon, hind ito iyon. DAVILA: Okay. But, clearly you are now a yogi, that's clear. FGE: As long as I cannot complete all the forms, I don't think I can claim to be one. DAVILA: Senator Chiz Escudero, thank you very much.
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There is no easy way to untangle the story of Micah Allison from that of Derick Ion Almena  the wife and husband behind the Oakland warehouse art collective that burned down last week in the deadliest fire in the citys history.

To their friends, thats because the 17-year bond between true soulmates is impossible to break. To Allisons father, Michael Allison, its because spending years under Almenas dominating and unpredictable personality has corrupted the daughter he loved.

In posts on Facebook, Michael Allison said my beautiful, sweet daughter was a good person at one time. But he told The Chronicle this weekend that Almena isolated her from her family and friends with the manipulative arrogance that many say he displayed in running the Ghost Ship warehouse where 36 people died in a fire Dec. 2.

I never liked Derick, and suspected drug use, Michael Allison said. But I didnt know the extent of it. And I thought, like everyone did, that once the kids came along, they would step up and start being responsible.

He added that he and his daughter, who is now 40, had many long, hard talks about Derick. But she convinced me that things were looking up, and they would have a stable home and business, and the shenanigans would end.

Neither Micah Allison nor Almena has been available for comment. Allison doted on her husband and their three children on social media, and Almena posted on Facebook before the fire that he had been drug-free for eight months. And in an August 2013 post lashing out at people he believed were attacking his virtue, Almena scoffed at the suggestion that he dominated Allison.

I have been married to Micah since the moment eye (sic) saw her, he wrote. Never a woman in between. 14 years and 3 children that my aggressive violent angry abusive tender humbled honored thankful delicate hands did cradle from womb.

Michael Allison said that when the couple told him of their plans for the art collective that became the Ghost Ship warehouse, he was optimistic for them.

But although friends and other artists in the alternative arts community described the Ghost Ship as a creative hodgepodge of antiques, Balinese statues and makeshift wood structures, Danielle Boudreaux, a former friend of the couples, said the warehouse looked that way only for parties and events.

Most of the time, garbage, broken glass, nails, rotting food, cat feces and leftover glow sticks littered the warehouses concrete floors, where the couples children would run around barefoot, Boudreaux said.

She said that when she first met the couple in 2010, Allison was the sweet woman her father remembers. It was at a memorial for a mutual friend, and even though the two women didnt know each other, when Boudreaux broke down in tears, Allison embraced her.

But Allison was changing by the time she and Almena moved to the Oakland warehouse in late 2013, Boudreaux said. Allison told her Almena wouldnt let her call her mother, she said. At a dinner party in front of their kids, Boudreaux said, she watched him berate her and call her every name in the book.

Boudreaux suspected the couple were using drugs, and she and Allisons family persuaded Allison to check into a rehab program last year. Within a few weeks, she says, Almena got her to leave it.

The couples children went to school with Boudreauxs, but were chronically absent and infested with lice, she said. Boudreaux alerted Allisons parents, who called Child Protective Services. Authorities briefly took the children in 2015, but Almena and Allison got them back.

Friends of the couple said these allegations are far from the truth. Isa Shisha, an artist who frequently performed at the Ghost Ship, said Almena and Allison were true soulmates, and Allison was a badass mama who fiercely protects her family.

They have the family most of us dream of having, Shisha said.

On Facebook, Allison asked her friends to write the judge involved in their CPS case and help her family from being condemned on base of speculation and slander. Both Boudreaux and Michael Allison say Micah never forgave them.

Right when she went to rehab, she wrote me this long letter thanking me for getting her out, Boudreaux said. Then he went down there and pulled her out, and a few days later, she wrote me the exact opposite letter, asking me how I could dare plot against her husband. She is so loyal to him, to her own detriment. She is beyond having any personality of her own.

Boudreaux continued, When she was very young, she had aspirations of being a dancer, but the whole time we were friends, she never did anything like that. Neither of them worked the entire time I (knew) them, except to build stages for parties. When they got the Ghost Ship, everything changed. It all became about his dream.

Allisons father said hes holding out hope for her still. But he and his daughter, he concedes, dont talk anymore.

She hates me for telling the truth about her life, and about Derick, he said.

This darkness, I dont see any light at the end of it.

Chronicle Staff Writer Kevin Fagan contributed to this report.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
Its not just firetraps that Oakland has had a hard time keeping up with: The Fire Department was doing such a poor job of tracking hazardous materials being stored at hundreds of locations across the city that the state stripped the department last year of its oversight authority.

Oakland became the first city under the states two-decade-old environmental regulatory program to be decertified  an embarrassing distinction that led to the job being handed to the Alameda County Environmental Health Department.

The Oakland firefighters union called it a real black eye for the department.

They got a warning letter from the state, and they had a year to get their act together  and they didnt, said Zac Unger, the unions vice president.

It was all reminiscent of problems with the departments fire-safety inspection program cited in 2014 by the Alameda County civil grand jury. The panel concluded that the city wasnt even trying to check one-third of Oaklands 12,000 commercial buildings for fire hazards.

The Ghost Ship converted warehouse, where a Dec. 2 fire killed 36 people at an electronic music party, should have been inspected for fire safety but apparently never was.

When the grand jurys report came out, the Fire Department blamed the problems on city budget cuts that were keeping it from collecting the business fees that paid for the inspection program.

The inspection bureau was also tasked with checking and tracking hazardous materials handled by businesses and public agencies at 800 locations in Oakland. But in a scathing report in January 2015, the state Environmental Protection Agency concluded that the bureau wasnt conducting many of the required annual inspections, including for 140 underground petroleum storage tanks, and had no plan for fixing the mess.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

Besides missing inspections, the state said, the Fire Departments effort was plagued by poor record-keeping, a lack of training and poor fiscal practices  including a failure to account for fees collected from inspected businesses.

Even when inspectors did visit sites, the state report found, they often fell short. In 2012, for example, an inspector made three trips to a container business on Alameda Avenue and never issued a violation notice for its failure to make daily checks on a 4,000-gallon used-oil tank.

Oddly enough, even while the Fire Department complained of a shortage of funds to pay for fire inspectors, its hazardous-waste program ran up a $1.46 million surplus in 2014, according to a report last year in the East Bay Express.

Oakland had only three hazardous-waste inspectors for the entire city  just one more than Berkeley, a city one-third its size  and they were often tasked with other inspection duties outside the program, the Express reported.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

All the while, the state found that some of that extra money that the department was sitting on  $249,000  had been illegally transferred to the citys general fund.

According the Cal EPA, the Fire Department not only didnt correct the program deficiencies, it didnt even respond to the states notice of intent to decertify Oakland from conducting the inspections.

Upshot: After more than a decade of complaints about the Fire Departments training and handling of hazardous waste, the state pulled the plug on the program and turned it over to the county.

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Officials there tell us they have 13 inspectors countywide, including six assigned to Oakland  twice what the city had when the Fire Department was doing the job.

Susan Hugo, division chief for the county hazardous material program, said her team has identified sites in Oakland that need inspecting. The unit is adding inspectors, she said.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who was on the City Council when the city lost the inspection job, declined to comment.

She wasnt mayor yet, said spokeswoman Erica Terry Derryck. I think any details about what happened then need to be directed to fire officials.

We reached out to Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed but have not heard back.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com
A rainy-night crowd still steeped in thoughts of the Oakland fire traipsed up the staircase to fill the cramped poetry-reading room at City Lights Books on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Rebecca Solnit, analyst of urban life, was talking about Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas, the third volume (after San Francisco and New Orleans) in her trilogy. Its also the last of the series, she said. I will never do another because they are so much work.

The books are collections of essays and maps, each of which is conjured to reveal a truth (as the book says) thats more profound than the geography. Your phone will tell you where to go, said Solnit, but a good map can tell you where you are.

Maps have an immediacy, an authority, she added, and they reveal lots of things beyond places to eat. In Infinite City, the San Francisco book, Im very proud of the fact that we dont have Mission restaurants in it.

One of the maps in the new book about New York demonstrates that its an archipelago  the Bronx is the only borough on the mainland of the United States, she notes  and portrays that city as the Caribbeans far north.

In some ways, New York is the capital of the Caribbean, said Solnit. One out of 8 New Yorkers is Caribbean.

Solnit has written about many big subjects, including ecology and feminism, but returns time and again to cities, historically places of co-existence and cross-pollination. She proclaims herself pleased with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors having voted unanimously to keep San Franciscos sanctuary city status, and horrified by the displacement of the citys working class by high-earning tech moguls.

An avid user of Facebook, since election day she has been devoting much energy to what she smilingly calls her pet project, the campaign to stop Donald Trump, which focuses on Monday, Dec. 19, the day the electors meet to cast official ballots.

As to the massive overlap of all my work ... someday some graduate student will have to explain it, Solnit said. She jokes about putting together an event with sister authors answering the question, Does This Book Make My Brain Look Big?

If he were to open a shop selling all things intoxicating, says Chris Morano, hed call it Urban Herb n Bourbon.

After last months sold-out screening at the Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco, Philip Kaufmans 1979 movie, The Wanderers, has reopened to great acclaim in 25 cities.

Scout Tafoya of New Yorks Village Voice wrote that Kaufman picks apart tribalism with scientific curiosity and French New Wave-level claustrophobia. Everyone is defined by their inclusion in or opposition to a gang. Ethnicity and class become uniforms, individuals extensions of a hive mind, sometimes acting as mouthpieces (or jabbering human puppets) for collective desire. Pretty heady stuff from a reviewer.

On a more populist note, fans who attended a showing at the Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers, N.Y., were buying Wanderers-style jackets  similar to the ones shown in the movie, made by local entrepreneurs  for $100 each.

Giants outfielder Hunter Pence married Alexis Cozombolidis on Nov. 26, according to a press release from Epic Steak, which was the venue for the reception that followed. The party theme was Harry Potter meets Game of Thrones, sure to give their children lots of material when they reach their snark years. Vows were exchanged at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, and the decor for the reception was inspired by Mamma Mia, which, of course, was set in Greece. The guest list included team management (Larry Baer, Brian Sabean, Bobby Evans) and players Sergio Romo, Brandon Crawford, George Kontos, Joe Panik and Matt Duffy.

Days of Dismal Dysfunction:

Its time to start prepping for the family reunions that are approaching quickly, says the entrepreneur of @BigKidProblems, who says that this site began in the basement of her sorority house. Sarah Merrill offers advice on How to avoid the most-asked questions from your relatives. The questions cited include When are you going to settle down? and What exactly do you do for work? but not Will you please pass the salt? or for that matter When did you discover you had that food allergy?

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik

Just yell at me that I am being like my dad, and I guarantee Ill stop whatever I was doing immediately.

Teenage girl to her pal, overheard on Bleecker Street in New York by Ted Weinstein
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A tech-age fascination with raw material and craft have led many chefs to preindustrial cooking feats. They make their own soy sauce, dry their own spices and break down, or even kill, their own animals.

Drew Hash takes things a step further, to metallurgy. He descends to the darkness of his garage, lights up his forge and hammers steel into chef knives.

Hash, who worked his way up from dishwasher to executive chef before leaving his restaurant career, began selling knives to industry friends in 2009. Word got out that the knives were comfortable and held their edge, attracting buyers like SPQR executive chef Matt Accarrino. The current wait list for his custom blades, which cost between $220 and $700 and incorporate foraged redwood and sometimes reclaimed metal, is eight months to a year.

Working on the ground floor of the Potrero Hill home he shares with his wife and their two young boys, Hash is one of the last of his kind in San Francisco, a city that once had a robust dagger-making industry during the Gold Rush. Even though his craft is ancient, his learning trajectory was not.

The days of apprenticeship are gone, says Hash, 40, who works both with Japanese and European styles. No one can work for free, especially in California.

Though he spent a few years working part-time under a blacksmith, Hash is mostly self-taught. He learned enough from a single welding class, books and YouTube to design and construct his own forge, a small propane-fed furnace.

He also benefits from the decades he has worked in a kitchen, another hot place with lots of metal tools and time spent on your feet. He sees many parallels between cooking and knife-making.

One thing I always liked about cooking was making people happy with food, he says. I also like that about making knives. If you think about it, its one of the most common tools people use, across gender, across age.

Hash resembles a grizzled Matt Damon when he smiles, which he doesnt do excessively  though I did catch him beaming when his wife, Amy Machnak, came down to the shop.

I never thought Id have a 2,000-degree oven with two small children living upstairs, says Machnak, a food writer and occasional Chronicle contributor who met Hash in 1997, when they both cooked at Hawthorne Lane.

Hash grew up in Dixon (Solano County) and had his first restaurant job as a dishwasher in Davis. Once he got hooked on cooking, he thought hed eventually open his own restaurant. After Hawthorne Lane he followed Machnak to Los Angeles for a brief stint, where he cooked at Campanile, then back north to work at Boulevard and Spruce. In between he held private chef gigs, including one for Larry Page, until the Spruce team named him executive chef at Mayfield Bakery & Cafe in Palo Alto. But by that time he was burnt out.

Somewhere in between, he started making knives and slowly building up the equipment in his shop. Hash, who is fond of vintage tools, at least those that work, says hes constantly scrounging on Craigslist.

James Tensuan/Special to The Chronicle

Yet the garage is neat and efficient enough that he can still park his car in it. His hydraulic press and grinders are on rollers, and he has a fan he hangs by a hook from the low garage ceiling, to keep things cool for the neighbors above. And avoid starting a fire.

He works as a private chef at night these days, which he likes for its creativity, and takes care of his sons three days a week. That leaves two days in his shop as well as early mornings, when he does quieter finishing work. At his most efficient, he can make two or three knives a week.

To make a knife, he starts by talking to the customer about the type of metal  he works with several types of stainless steel and carbon steel  and wood they would like, and then draws out a design.

When using stainless steel, he cuts the bar stock, a piece of rectangular metal, to size. The piece includes both the blade and the tang, the metal part inside the handle that he will later cover with wood.

Some customers are willing to pay extra for a hand-forged knife, which takes more time than modern shaping methods. In that case he holds a piece of bar stock in the forge with long blacksmith pliers, and then pulls it out to pound it into shape. The metal is almost like clay.

Youll pinch it and smush it and shape it, he says.

If he uses different types of steel sandwiched together its called pattern-welding, a style popular in Japanese sword and knife making. The different chemical compositions of the metals create a water-stained pattern on the blade.

Forging is a kind of artistic, ancient way of making knives, Hash says. I would love to forge every knife that I make, but it doesnt make sense.

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James Tensuan/Special to The Chronicle

After he cools the blade in a mixture of sand and vermiculite, which reduces the stress it got from pounding, its ready for grinding.

Sparks fly and theres a smell of burning as he presses the blade against the grinders spinning belt, to thin it down to about the thickness of a dime.

The next step is heat treatment, which he does in the forge or in a digitally controlled furnace. Each metal has to get heated to its critical temperature, when molecular changes happen and the metal is set to the right level of hardness for wear and tear, with enough softness so its not brittle.

But there are still several steps to go. Now that the blade is more stable, he does the finishing work  more grinding and hand-sanding  to taper the edge. Because steel has grains like wood, when done with care, grinding pushes the grains together in a way that gives the blade more structure.

At this point he adds the wood handle and rivets, and then sands the handle and the bolster, where the blade meets the handle.

Finally, he sharpens the knife and its ready for the customer. But unlike the plates he used to send out from a restaurant kitchen, this time his creation wont be temporary.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan

Recipe: Drew Hash's Glazed Pork Belly With Asian Pear Slaw
David Bornfriend/Associated Press

The San Francisco Film Critics Circle on Sunday, Dec. 11, awarded Moonlight best picture and five other honors, during an annual afternoon voting meeting where Fences, Arrival and The Handmaiden also received multiple awards.

Fences received awards for its two centerpiece actors: Viola Davis for best supporting actress and Denzel Washington for best actor. The group awarded the best actress award to Isabelle Huppert, for her role in the psychological thriller Elle. Mahershala Ali was the best supporting actor for his stirring work as a drug dealer in Moonlight.
The San Francisco Symphony has canceled two tour concerts scheduled for April 5-6 in Chapel Hill, N.C., in response to the passage of the state law that overturned protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The Symphonys decision is one of a raft of positions taken by government, businesses and cultural bodies in protest of the act, known as HB2. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has barred publicly funded travel to the state by city employees except in emergency situations. In September, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to block San Francisco from entering into contracts with companies based in states, such as North Carolina, that bar civil rights protections for LGBT people.

The two North Carolina tour dates represent half of the orchestras East Coast tour. Two concerts on April 7-8 in New Yorks Carnegie Hall, featuring music by Bartok, Mahler, Cage and Shostakovich, will go ahead as planned.

In a phone interview, Executive Director Brent Assink said the decision was the outcome of several internal discussions that began shortly after the bill passed in March.

It was my job to initiate that conversation, and ultimately the decision was mine, he said. But it was done with the full backing of (Music Director) Michael (Tilson Thomas) and the board.

But none of this happened in a vacuum. We also looked carefully at what the state and city were doing. Mayor Lees decision really got our attention.

Assink said that because the concerts were still more than a year away when the legislation passed, the Symphonys initial choice had been to wait and see whether it might be reversed. Planners also expected that the outcome of Novembers election might provide guidance.

But the election results, Assink said, were inconclusive on this point. We dont see change coming out of North Carolina, and because of internal travel deadlines, we hit the point where we had to make our decision.

In the period since the passage of HB2, several performing artists have canceled dates in North Carolina, including Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, violinist Itzhak Perlman and Cirque du Soleil. But Assink said he was unaware of any other symphony orchestras that had taken such a step.

The concerts were to be given at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by the presenter Carolina Performing Arts. Emil J. Kang, the presenters executive and artistic director, said, I am disappointed that the San Francisco Symphony will not be performing at UNC-Chapel Hill in April 2017 because of NC House Bill 2 (HB2) but I respect their decision to cancel. UNC-Chapel Hill policies  including protections for sexual orientation and gender identity  remain in effect, and we have never enforced HB2 on our campus.

Symphony spokesman Oliver Theil said that to his knowledge, this was the first time the orchestra had canceled a tour program in protest. Because airline and hotel reservations were still being revised, he said it was too early to estimate what the cancellation would cost the orchestra.

Joshua Kosman is The San Francisco Chronicles music critic. Email: jkosman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoshuaKosman
Police in the North Bay are investigating two unrelated shootings in Fairfield that left one man dead and another wounded Saturday night, officials said.

The first shooting happened around 9:05 p.m. on the 800 block of East Travis Boulevard, where officers found a man suffering at least one gunshot wound, police said.

Paramedics took the man to a hospital, where he died. Authorities have not released the victims name and did not elaborate on the circumstances of the killing.

A little more than half an hour later, police got several calls about gunfire inside a home on the 600 block of Greentree Circle.

At least 100 people were at a party in the home when the shooting started around 9:40 p.m., police said.

Officers from multiple jurisdictions responded to the scene to hunt for possible suspects and victims.

Minutes later, police learned a gunshot victim believed to have been at the party was dropped off at a hospital in Vallejo. He was expected to survive.

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Police did not say whether they have identified any suspects or made any arrests in the shootings. Investigators do not believe the shootings are related.

Anyone with information about either incident was asked to call Fairfield police at (707) 428-7600.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
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A man in a wheelchair was struck and killed in a street Monday morning in North Oakland, police said.

The man, who was not immediately identified, was struck at 40th and Adeline streets near the Emeryville border.
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is facing a budget quandary that opened up nearly overnight. The two-year budget approved by the mayor and the Board of Supervisors was unwisely created on the assumption that voters would approve a proposed sales tax increase on the November ballot.

Now there are big holes to fill.

On Thursday, Lee released a rebalancing plan to address the shortfall.

On the whole, the mayor honors the priorities the voters did approve on the ballot in November. He declined to block the new $19 million set-aside for street tree care, and he didnt propose diverting soda tax revenue into non-health-related purposes, as advocates feared he might.

But there are clear losers in Lees budget, too.

The biggest ones are homeless services and transportation. The sales tax would have directly funded these priorities  both critical to San Franciscos quality of life  and theyre both facing cuts.

Lees fix would partially fill the $50 million homeless services hole with $20 million from Proposition W, which raised the transfer tax on big-ticket real estate, and new federal money. Given an incoming Trump administration, the new federal money is no sure thing. Lee didnt propose a funding fix for the $100 million hole in transportation funding. Given the citys reliance on Muni, we urge Lee to consider ways to close at least some of the gap.

The biggest controversy in Lees budget is his decision to reroute some of the Proposition W money away from free City College tuition to homeless services. With progressive Supervisor Jane Kim criticizing Lees decision to move some of the money and moderate Supervisor Mark Farrell criticizing Lees decision not to move all of it, this choice has the potential to be a lightning rod in the citys predictable progressive-moderate battle.

Instead of doing that, we urge city leaders to consider San Franciscos largest priorities right now. The voters wishes must be acknowledged  but the reality of suffering on our streets must be honored as well.
Over the course of my dog Rebels life, we hiked hundreds of times on a coastal sub-ridge near Half Moon Bay up to a west-facing rock perch for a lookout across miles of coastal hills, Pillar Point Harbor and beyond across the ocean.

We rarely saw anybody, never bothered anybody. Hed run free, not a problem. Rebel would react instantly to voice commands. If I held his leash in the air, no matter what he was doing, hed come running. We were together 24-7 and he even had his own sleeping bag.

Its hard for me to believe that if my best friend were still alive, wed be banned from the road-like trail we loved so much.

In a decision released last week by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the environmental impact statement revealed that off-leash dogs would be confined to a 3-acre site carved out of 3,858 acres of the undeveloped coastal hills property called Rancho Corral de Tierra.

The land spans the coastal hills above El Granada north to the flank of Montara Mountain in San Mateo County. For the past century, people have walked their dogs there. That is about to end. Most of the hiking roads would ban dogs.

In my recent trips up to the that ridge, once I got more than a mile from the parking areas, I still hadnt seen anybody.

Earlier this year, in a survey of the 25 agencies in the Bay Area that govern 275 recreation sites, the rules for dogs seem to vary by the opinions of those who make them. Yet there are major agencies with strict rules for environmental protection that permit them.

In Marin, leashed dogs are permitted on 130 miles of unpaved roads and trails across 21,000 acres of watershed lands. In the East Bay, most of the 65 parks across 120,500 acres in the Regional Park District allow dogs off leash on the unpaved roads. In Santa Clara County, dogs are welcomed at 28 county parks.

But on the Peninsula, San Mateo Parks restricts leashed dogs to seven trails at 22 parks, and the Midpeninsula Open Space District limits dogs to 10 preserves (often limited to specified trails) out of 26 preserves than span 60,000 acres. The GGNRA is the latest to put the hammer down.

Tom Stienstra is The San Francisco Chronicles outdoors writer. Email: tstienstra@sfchronicle.comTwitter: @StienstraTom
SACRAMENTO  As they suit up for battle against the Trump administration, Democrats who dominate Californias Legislature pledge to unleash one of the superpowers of holding a supermajority: the ability to enact laws immediately.

An underplayed consequence of the fact that they won two-thirds of the seats in both houses last month is that  if they stick together  California Democrats have the required margin to pass a bill with an urgency clause. Unlike ordinary bills passed by a simple majority, bills with urgency clauses take effect the minute the governor signs them, and cannot be stalled by voters who might try to prevent them from becoming law by forcing a ballot referendum.

By passing urgency bills, Democrats in Sacramento predict they will be able to act fast  counterpunching in real time  if Republican President-elect Donald Trump signs federal laws or adopts policies they perceive as hostile to California on such issues as the environment, health care and immigration.

Last week, they opened with a preemptive strike, starting the new legislative session by proposing two bills to boost legal aid for immigrants in the country without legal documentation. One would train public defenders in immigration law, and the other would fund lawyers to represent immigrants facing deportation. Both are urgency bills that require support from two-thirds of the Legislature to pass.

There is an urgency of deportation of young children and women and families, said state Senate leader Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, during a Capitol news conference introducing the bills. The president-elect takes office on Jan. 20, and so obviously the urgency is immediate. We cant wait until 2018.

His counterpart in the Assembly said passing laws to respond to the federal government will be easier with the Democratic supermajority and the urgency-clause option it allows.

Well use it when necessary, said Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount (Los Angeles County). Well use urgency to deal with immigration issues or other issues as well.

De Leons top aide, Dan Reeves, said he could imagine using urgency legislation to respond if Congress were to repeal or restrict the Endangered Species Act, causing ripple effects on the states water policy. The Legislature could respond by passing a similar bill creating state endangered species protection, he said.

Its a game of chess: They make a move, we make a move, Reeves said. We have the ability to almost respond in real time, as opposed to having a six-month delay to our counterpunch.

Many Republicans derided Democrats immediate focus on immigration, with Assembly GOP leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley (San Bernardino County) sending out a statement calling it a divisive agenda designed to inflame tensions many of us seek to soothe.

But with so few GOP votes in the Legislature, theres not much Republicans can do to torpedo a Democratic bill. Democrats margin theoretically allows them to govern in Sacramento without any input from Republicans.

Beyond passing bills with urgency clauses, Democrats also could raise taxes, pass political reform bills and put constitutional amendments on the ballot  all without a single vote from the GOP.

But the real test will be whether Democrats will be able to hang together to oppose Trump. The last time Democrats had a supermajority, in 2013, divisions within the party killed bills that needed two-thirds approval. This year, the supermajority includes many moderate Democrats who sometimes split from progressives on environmental and labor issues.

A leader of that band of moderate Democrats didnt commit to voting with his party on everything it might do to oppose the new president.

If they want to use a supermajority its really going to depend on the details, said Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield. I see moderates as the bridge between Democrats and Republicans. ... We love to be the glue that brings everything together.

Gov. Jerry Brown struck a cautious tone last week, saying he would take things step by step in navigating Californias relationship with a new federal government.

Supermajorities, he said, are very challenging because the more Democrats there are, the more independent are the most recent members.

Yet Brown said its likely Democrats will close ranks over immigration issues, even if they splinter in other areas. I think theres a lot of consensus on that, he said.

As proof of that unity, Rendon pointed to votes on a pair of resolutions that lawmakers considered last week touting immigrants contributions to California and calling on Trump not to pursue mass deportation strategies.

Although resolutions are nonbinding, the symbolism was strong. Both resolutions passed with more than two-thirds approval. Every single Democrat voted for them, along with two Republicans.

CALmatters.org is a nonprofit news venture focused on covering state policy and politics. For more stories by Laurel Rosenhall, go to www.calmatters.org/newsanalysis.
High tides expected to eclipse seven feet could inundate some coastal roadways this week in the Bay Area, forecasters said.

The so-called king tides were forecast to begin Monday and continue every day through Friday, said Steve Anderson, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.
Arthur L. Lloyd, passionate advocate of passenger train travel who had a major role in public operation of the Peninsula commute train service, died Dec. 4 at his home in Menlo Park after suffering a series of strokes. He was 91.

Mr. Lloyd, who was born in San Francisco in 1925, was a sixth-generation Californian. He was a lifelong admirer of rail travel and as a child loved riding around the city on streetcars. In later years, he rode trains whenever he could. When he grew older, he turned his hobby into his profession.

His family moved to Napa, and Mr. Lloyd enrolled at UC Berkeley. While there, he got a job as a clerk for the San Francisco and Napa Valley railroad. He joined the Army soon afterward and served in the medical corps during World War II.

After the war, he and some friends started Sequoia Stages, a bus line that operated between Richmond and Berkeley. In 1949, he got a job selling passenger tickets for the Western Pacific Railroad in San Francisco.

The railroad operated the famous streamliner California Zephyr, which it promoted as the most talked-about train in the country. Mr. Lloyd rose in the organization and had a key job in the public relations department. But freight railroads found the passenger trains unprofitable, and Mr. Lloyd left the Western Pacific to become a partner in Clift Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in California.

In 1971, he joined Amtrak, the new government corporation that operates the countrys passenger trains. He served in various capacities for 20 years.

In 1992, he was named to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which operates the commute service formerly run by the Southern Pacific Railroad. He also served on the San Mateo County Transit Agency board and was a strong advocate for public transportation.

He married Eleanor Hutson in 1946, and they had three children. She died in 2010.

Mr. Lloyd is survived by his daughters, Lynne Rosenberg of La Honda and Liane Strub of Redwood City; son, Larry Lloyd of Chico; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 178 Clinton St., Redwood City. Mourners will be given round-trip tickets on the 12:09 p.m. train from Redwood City to Palo Alto, where a reception will be held at MacArthur Park restaurant near the Caltrain station in Palo Alto.

Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf
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The long and painful parade of funerals and memorial services for the 36 victims of the Ghost Ship fire started Sunday with remembrances of video artist Jonathan Bernbaum and the youngest victim, 17-year-old Draven McGill.

Several hundred people crowded into Congregation Beth El in Berkeley for Bernbaums funeral, filling the overflow rooms and spilling into the lobby.

Its a really big crowd, his mother, Diane Bernbaum, said as she stepped to the podium to remember her son.

Family and friends described the 34-year-old Berkeley native and Oakland resident as a shining star with a razor-sharp mind, a love of all things media and a penchant for arguing, as well as a loyal friend and son who kept in touch.

From the time he was a child, his parents said, he loved to argue and debate, trying to persuade people and questioning what he saw as injustice.

As a student journalist at Berkeley High School, his mother recalled, he wrote a story on a disabled students funeral that was printed on the back page. When a prominent athlete died and the story ran on Page One, he wrote an opinion piece decrying the injustice of lauding the well known and ignoring those who nobody knew. He considered it his best high school writing and submitted it with his college application.

Diane Bernbaum said shes been comforted by the communitys supportive reaction to the Ghost Ship tragedy.

The outpouring of respect and admiration for those in the arts community who perished this week demonstrates that perhaps the world has learned, as Jonathan always knew, that respect is due to everyone equally.

Fellow VJs  video artists who mix color, video, pictures and light, usually to accompany electronic music  praised Bernbaum for his abilities, his energy and his desire to blow peoples minds.

They also praised his kindness  volunteering at smaller underground shows, caring for sick friends, fielding calls from distraught friends.

He was the person I could call from anywhere around the world, said Nabila Lester, a friend since high school.

Ed Bernbaum said his son would visit at least once a week, raiding the refrigerator but always taking time to spend with his parents  and always leaving with an I love you and a hug. On their last visit, two days before his death, he gave his father a big hug, Ed Bernbaum recalled.

I miss him terribly and feel so sorry for the bright life that was extinguished and the terrible way he died, he said. His last hug will always be a great solace.

Services were also held Sunday evening for Draven McGill. The private funeral, held at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hayward, included a performance by the Pacific Boychoir Academy, of which Draven was a member. He was also a student at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in San Francisco, and a special concert in his memory was held Saturday night.

The day of remembrance began in San Francisco with the tolling of the bells at Grace Cathedral 36 times  once for each victim of the fire. The bells rang out at 12:30 p.m. and continued for about 2 minutes.

The cathedral on Nob Hill on Sunday also unveiled a long-planned art installation of light and moving images known as Jacobs Dream: A Luminous Path.

Chronicle staff writer

Evan Sernoffsky contributed

to this report.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos, Tesla chief Elon Musk, and Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg are among the tech-industry executives attending a Wednesday meeting with President-elect Donald Trumps transition team. Apples Tim Cook and Alphabets Larry Page and Eric Schmidt will also attend. Thats in addition to Oracles Safra Catz and Ciscos Chuck Robbins, who confirmed they would go last week. The meeting was called by Reince Priebus, Trumps designated chief of staff; Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law; and venture capitalist Peter Thiel, a Trump adviser who along with Musk helped start PayPal and serves on the Facebook board with Sandberg.

Tweet

of the day

Im back.

Richard Spencer, head of the National Policy Institute, a white nationalist think tank, celebrating his return to Twitter on Saturday with a GIF of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His account went offline in November amid an apparent crackdown on extreme right-wing accounts, but according to BuzzFeed, hed been booted on a technicality: having multiple accounts.

Thats a wrap

Monty Moran is stepping down as co-chief executive of Chipotle Mexican Grill, with founder Steve Ells retaking the reins. We all agreed that one CEO will serve the company better, Ells said. The company says about 33 million new or lapsed customers ate at a Chipotle restaurant in the last six months, but fewer of them made repeat visits. Guess they werent bowled over by Morans changes.

The Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techbriefing
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Craigslist founder Craig Newmark is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to fighting fake news.

On Monday, The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nonprofit journalism education and advocacy organization, announced it had received a $1 million grant from Newmarks San Francisco charitable foundation to create and fund a new initiative focused on promoting and standardizing ethics in journalism.

Im a news consumer, and I just want some news I can trust, Newmark said in an interview Monday.

The donation  the largest Poynter has received from an individual since its founding in 1975  will be put toward hiring a new faculty member to combat media misinformation and hold the industry to the highest standards.

To do that, Poynter intends to fund journalism research, conferences, training and other programs for the next five years. The St. Petersburg, Fla., organization said it hopes to make the faculty position permanent after that. Poynter intends to begin seeking out candidates for the job in early 2017.

Newmark has worked closely with Poynter for several years and serves on the board of the Poynter Foundation. Trustworthy journalism is one of the Craig Newmark Foundations key initiatives.

Fake news, a broad term embracing various kinds of misinformation disguised as news and usually accelerated by social media, has struck a nerve with Newmark. Standing up to it, he said, means standing up for ethical journalism.

The silver lining in the election is that lots of people understand that fake news is a really big problem for this country. It threatens our democracy, he said. People who have a vision of trustworthy reporting need to be louder about it.

Kelly McBride, Poynters vice president of academic programs, said that working to codify and refine journalistic practice is acutely important for a profession without a central standard-setting body.

As an unlicensed profession, our ethics grow from our thought leadership, as opposed to a licensed profession, where you can have an ivory tower creating the guidelines, McBride said.

Creating and adhering to explicit ethics standards, McBride said, is also crucial if journalists want to reclaim and bolster credibility with consumers. The faculty position, McBride said, will also work to develop a vocabulary around fake news in an effort to help foster improved news literacy among the public so that fake news can be more easily discerned from credible reports.

On top of creating its own programs, Poynter said that it also intends to work with other media organizations as well as Facebook and Google to identify and support the tools and techniques that deliver trustworthy news.

Newmark made another substantial contribution earlier this year. His foundation gave $1 million to the Wikimedia Foundation, the San Francisco nonprofit that operates Wikipedia. Newmark also serves on the Wikimedia Foundations advisory board.

Wikipedia is where facts to go live, Newmark said.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa
Wells Fargo is under investigation by regulators in California and New Jersey to determine whether the San Francisco bank signed up customers for Prudential Financial life insurance policies without their permission.

Regulators will investigate new allegations of fraud and misconduct made by former Prudential employees regarding Wells Fargo and its employees, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement. The investigation will also review whether Wells Fargo staff sold insurance without having the required licenses.

Jones said that California will examine Prudentials practices as well, and will work with New Jersey watchdogs.

Also on Monday, Prudential said it was suspending sales of its life insurance policies through Wells Fargo until Prudential completed an investigation into the banks sales tactics.

The developments come after a lawsuit was filed claiming Prudential had tried to hush up evidence that Wells Fargo bankers  who were supposed to market the low-cost Prudential policy, MyTerm, to their customers  opened fraudulent accounts in customers names and had premiums withdrawn from their bank accounts without their consent or knowledge.

Last week, three former Prudential employees filed a whistle-blower lawsuit claiming that an internal review at Prudential had found voluminous evidence that Wells Fargo employees took out MyTerm policies for customers without telling them and that many of the victims did not speak English.

The employees had been fired by Prudential  in retaliation, they say, for trying to prod their bosses to act more aggressively on the findings. Prudential disputes this account; Scot Hoffman, a Prudential spokesman, said the employees were fired for appropriate and legitimate reasons that were entirely unrelated to Prudentials business with Wells Fargo.

Prudential said Monday that it was preparing a formal statement to address the timing of the announcement that it was suspending sales of MyTerm through Wells Fargo. At least one other bank, BB&T, continues to sell the product.

Prudential would appear to be the first partner company of Wells Fargo to get caught in the fallout from the banks admission three months ago that thousands of its employees had opened unauthorized accounts in bank customers names. The bank has fired more than 5,000 employees and paid fines of $185 million in connection with the scandal.

We stand behind the MyTerm product but have decided to suspend sales of that product through Wells Fargos retail banking franchise until we have all the facts about whether it is being distributed properly and in the best interest of customers, Steve Pelletier, chief operating officer of Prudentials U.S. businesses, said in a statement.

Prudentials news release included language seemingly meant to show that the company was diligent in tracking the relationship with Wells Fargo.

Last year, Prudentials individual life insurance business surveyed Wells Fargo customers about their experience with MyTerm, including reasons why some of them allowed the product to lapse, the release said. The customer responses did not indicate potential fraudulent activity. Following the revelations about Wells Fargos sales practices this fall, Prudential expanded its review into how the product was sold and asked for Wells Fargos assistance in gathering all the necessary facts.

Also Monday, Alex Perea, a Wells Fargo customer who said he had been victimized by the insurance scheme, filed a lawsuit against Prudential. He and his lawyers are seeking class-action status for the case.

Perea, of Arizona, received a collections notice in October about unpaid premiums on a MyTerm policy, according to his complaint. A Wells Fargo customer since 2010, Perea never authorized anyone to seek life insurance on his behalf and was unaware that a Prudential policy had been taken out in his name, he said in the lawsuit.

When he called Prudentials customer service center, the insurance company refused to cancel the policy, the complaint said. Perea later discovered some premiums for the policy had been deducted from his Wells Fargo savings account.

Through his lawyer, Neil Mullin, Perea declined to comment further on his complaint. The case was filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey, the state where Prudential is headquartered.

Hoffman said Prudential did not have an immediate comment on Pereas lawsuit.

Bloomberg News contributed to this report.
Alfa Romeo, long the heart and soul of the European auto industry has returned to the U.S. marketplace with a vengeance following a nearly 20-year hiatus. The first model to return to North American soil was the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Sport Coupe. Now theres a luxurious ultra high performance four-door sedan. Its the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia, which will come in three models: the base Giulia; the Giulia Ti and the flagship Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

The 2017 Giulia lineup marks the resurgence or rebirth of the Alfa Romeo marque. It is the first of eight all-new Alfa Romeos that will make their debut through 2020, embodying the brands La meccanica delle emozioni (the mechanics of emotion) spirit.

Both the base model Giulia and Ti model draw their motive force from an all-new, all-aluminum 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 280 horsepower along with 306 pound feet of torque, making it capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in just under 5.1 seconds and of reaching a top speed of 150 mph. The transmission for both cars is an eight-speed automatic transmission with available column-mounted paddle shifters that gears energy to either the rear wheels or to all four through an available Q4 all-wheel drive system.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglios power comes from a Ferrari-based 2.9-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, Bi-turbo, Direct Injected V6 engine that cranks out a best-in-class 505 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, along with 443 pound feet of torque in a range from 2,500 to 5,500 rpm. The Quadrifoglio travels from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, and holds the Nurburgring record as the worlds fastest production four-door sedan with a lap time of 7 minutes and 32 seconds. Q4 is not available for the Quadrifoglio with power geared to the rear wheels only, via an eight-speed automatic transmission with available column-mounted paddle shifters.

CHECK CAR PRICES:

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio features unique advanced technology including: a four-mode Alfa DNA Pro Drive Mode Selector that adds Race mode, a torque vectoring differential, high-performance Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brake caliper system, Quadrifoglio-tuned adaptive suspension, Quadrifoglio instrument cluster with 200 mph speedometer, cylinder deactivation system, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, vehicle alarm and high-performance bi-xenon headlamps offering auto-leveling technology, adaptive cornering and headlamp washers.

In terms of its exterior design appeal, up front, a large signature shield grille is elegantly sculpted within the front fascia forming the Trilobo, an iconic Alfa Romeo design signature. The grille is flanked by all-new bi-xenon projector headlamps, which include an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) while LED daytime running lights provide a recognizable appearance.

In profile, Alfa Romeo Giulias side proportions highlight its weight balance and seductive Italian design. Alfa Romeo designers provided the Giulia with extremely short overhangs, a long hood and front fender proportions.

Aft, elegantly shaped tail lamp features are drawn horizontally highlighting the performance sedans width, while LED rear light clusters further emphasize the Giulias use of advanced technologies Finishing off the rear is a sport, dual-mode exhaust system with quad tips that delivers a familiar and delightful Alfa Romeo exhaust note.

At the interiors center is an all-new 3-D Navigation that provides an intuitive, yet sophisticated series of features, including a high-resolution 8.8-inch widescreen display with real-time vehicle performance pages and telemetry, plus 3-D graphic navigation. The all-new and ergonomically located Alfa Rotary Pad offers a gesture recognition system that allows the driver to interact with the 3-D Navigation system simply by moving fingers on the pad.

SUMMARY: The U.S. press launch was staged at Californias Sonoma Raceway, taking on an unusual format. Journalists were shuttled to the track from the Napa Valleys Carneros Inn by bus. Hot laps came first in the rain on a slick track, followed by a marketing and product presentation. Next came a track chalk talk, followed by a familiarization session with each journalist driving, accompanied by a driving instructor. With an approval from the instructor, journalists were allowed to circuit the track solo. A road trip up the coast and back to the track for lunch came next, followed by more track time.

Acceleration is blistering, braking is sure and positive and handling is incredible.

Switchgear is intuitive and optimally positioned for ease of operation. The ride quality is firm and adjustable, but both comfortable and supportive. Race mode delivers the most pleasing throttle and shift points, not to mention the most melodious exhaust note  especially when rev matching during downshifts.

Bottom line, the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is my pick of the litter for optimum performance. The Giulia Ti may be enough to satisfy non-race types. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz beware. Alfa Romeo is back in a big way and is a force to be reckoned with.

 Auto Impressions

2017 Alfa Romeo

Giulia Quadrifoglio

Base price: N/A

Price as tested: N/A

Engine/transmission:

2.9-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, biturbo 505 horsepower V6; eight-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 111.0 inches

Length: 182.6 inches

Width: 73.7 inches

Height: 56.5 inches

Fuel capacity: 15.3 gallons
A San Francisco man was shot in the shoulder Sunday by a Sonoma County sheriffs deputy after the man pulled out a bicycle lock and pointed it at the deputy, who believed it was a gun, officials said.

The shooting happened in a Windsor shopping center following a car chase and a call from the mans mother-in-law, who told authorities he was waving a handgun and said he wanted to be killed by law enforcement, Sgt. Spencer Crum, a sheriffs spokesman, said in a statement.

The man, identified as 49-year-old Christopher Eastwood, was treated for the gunshot wound and was expected to survive.

The first call about Eastwood came into the Petaluma Police Department at 4:50 p.m., when the woman said that her son-in-law was suicidal and armed with a handgun that had a yellow or wooden handle, Crum said.

Jacom Stephens / Getty Images

About 40 minutes later, the sheriffs office got reports of an erratic driver in the area of Merner Drive and Old Redwood Highway in Windsor. The caller said a man in his 50s driving a gold-colored four-door car had jumped the curb, apparently tried to hit him, and was repeatedly speeding up and down the street, Crum said.

When deputies and Windsor police officers got there and tried to do a traffic stop, Eastwood allegedly fled north on Old Redwood Highway. With deputies pursuing him, the man made a U-turn and sped south, officials said.

Eastwood eventually made a turn into the Windsor Palms Shopping Center, got out and ran at the deputies while pulling out the bike lock and pointing it at them, Crum said.

One of the deputies fired several rounds, one of which struck Eastwoods shoulder, causing him to drop the lock, officials said. Eastwood fought with the deputies, who used Tasers to tackle him and take him into custody, officials added.

Paramedics took Eastwood to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was treated.

Officers arrested and jailed him on suspicion of assault. The sheriffs office hasnt said whether Eastwood was armed with a gun with a yellow or wooden handle, but what they discovered after the shooting was a bike lock that was yellow on one end.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
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Florida doesn't corner the market on weird crime.

When it comes to strange police blotter items, the Bay Area is second-to-nearly-none. Violent crime has generally been on the decline in California since the mid-90s, but it seems like every year, we have to add a few more slots to our year-end weird crimes roundup.

This year, the Bay Area got a Hall of Fame Weird Crime to add to its roster. In March, an off-duty police officer saw a car strike multiple vehicles near the Ashby Ave. exit in Berkeley. As he took off in pursuit, he received word that the driver was gold. As in the color.

The officer caught up with 21-year-old Damaj Cook when one of the wheels fell off his car (literally), and saw that Cook was, in fact, gold. Covered head-to-toe in gold spray paint, no less.

Are crime tips to Bay Area police really anonymous? Find out in the video below:

Cook told police he had been painted gold for a photoshoot. Unbeknownst to him, the photoshoot that got real notoriety was the one that took place inside the Oakland CHP, which released photos of the gold-plated man on social media.

MORE: The 30 safest suburbs in the Bay Area

Love weird crime? We've got a roundup of this year's 14 strangest in the gallery above. And if you can't get enough, check out our compilations of weird Bay Area crimes from 2014 and 2015.
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LOS ANGELES  Early awards-season front-runners La La Land, Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea made strong showings in the Golden Globes nominations, announced Monday morning, Dec. 12, in Beverly Hills, while potential contenders such as 20th Century Women, Hacksaw Ridge and Lion also received boosts.

But it wouldnt be the Golden Globes without some curve balls, and the nominations announcement by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association offered several  including a surprising pair of nods for the raunchy, R-rated superhero movie Deadpool for best picture in the comedy or musical category and for the films star, Ryan Reynolds.

The romantic musical La La Land led the film pack overall with seven nominations, including best picture in the musical or drama category, as well as nods for stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling and director Damien Chazelle.

The coming-of-age drama Moonlight followed closely behind with six nominations, including a nod for best picture in the drama category, along with recognition for the supporting turns by Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris and for director Barry Jenkins.

The wrenching drama Manchester by the Sea received five nominations  including best picture in the drama category as well as nods for director Kenneth Lonergan, actor Casey Affleck and actress Michelle Williams  while the period comedy Florence Foster Jenkins and the uplifting drama Lion each received four nods.

The Globes ceremony has been increasingly important on the television front, largely because the press association has made a point in recent years of acknowledging fledgling broadcast series like Jane the Virgin and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. This time around, This is Us, a new hit NBC drama, may have filled that quotient. This is Us received nominations for best drama and for two of its actresses (Chrissy Metz and Mandy Moore).

The other series nominated for best drama were The Crown, a Netflix costume drama; HBOs Game of Thrones; Stranger Things, also from Netflix; and HBOs Westworld, a nihilistic series about a futuristic theme park populated by robots. Up for best comedy: Atlanta, Mozart in the Jungle, Transparent, Veep and Blackish.

Among limited series, Globes voters admired The Night Manager, a glossy international drama about a hotelier recruited to spy on an arms dealer. It received at least three nominations, including one for best limited series. The HBO crime drama The Night Of also did well, picking up nods for best limited series and for two actors.

The People v. O.J. Simpson snagged five nominations, including four nods for series cast members Sarah Paulson, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown and John Travolta.

Streaming services like Amazon, which have been treated kindly by the press association in recent years, had a mixed morning. Amazon picked up numerous nods for series like Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent, although Judith Light was left out of the supporting actress category for her work on that exploration of gender and age.

The 74th Golden Globe Awards will be handed out on Jan. 8 on NBC with Jimmy Fallon hosting.
HAGERSTOWN, Md.  If President-elect Donald Trump keeps his promise, surplus military grenade launchers, bayonets, tracked armored vehicles and high-powered firearms and ammunition will once again be available to state and local U.S. police departments.

National police organizations say theyll hold Trump to that promise.

President Obama issued an executive order restricting that access in 2015 amid an outcry over police use of armored vehicles and other war-fighting gear to confront protesters in Ferguson, Mo., after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. Since then, federal officials have recalled more than 1,800 items, which have been destroyed through target practice or otherwise disposed of, officials say.

But state and local police organizations have protested, insisting that military-style vehicles and gear help protect officers lives and public safety  for example, a tracked armored vehicle played a key role in the police response to the mass shooting at a county government building in San Bernardino in December 2015.

During his campaign, Trump sided with the police. In September, he promised to rescind the executive order in a written response to a Fraternal Order of Police questionnaire that helped him win an endorsement from the organization of rank-and-file officers.

The 1033 program is an excellent program that enhances community safety. I will rescind the current executive order, reads the response posted on the groups website.

We take him at his word, Executive Director James Pasco said.

The Trump transition team did not respond to questions about the executive order.

National Sheriffs Association Executive Director Jonathan F. Thompson said his group has pressed the topic in discussions with Trumps transition team. And William J. Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said he was encouraged by his conversations with Trump representatives before the election.

The feeling that we got is they absolutely hear us and they share our concerns, he said.

Peter Kraska, a professor at Eastern Kentucky Universitys School of Justice Studies, said Obamas executive order has had little effect because there was relatively little demand for the prohibited items to begin with.

It was more symbolic politics than anything substantive, he said.

Nevertheless, Kraska said, theres nothing to justify most police departments having such equipment.

It just ramps up the probability that this kind of high-end military hardware is going to be misapplied, he said.
CINCINNATI  Facing uphill battles to find jurors willing to convict police officers, prosecutors in two states say they will try again to win guilty verdicts against white officers in the fatal shootings of black men.

A judge in the case against former University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing set a Monday hearing on a timetable for a retrial. Jurors couldnt reach a verdict on murder and voluntary manslaughter charges against him in the death of Sam DuBose, and a mistrial was declared Nov. 12.

A South Carolina jury deadlocked Dec. 5 on the same charges against Michael Slager, a former North Charleston officer. The prosecutor also pledged to try Slager again for the death of Walter Scott.

Legal experts say the mistrials underscore the difficulties prosecutors face in police cases, with many jurors unwilling to second-guess officers split-second reactions when they claim to be in danger.

Juries tend to give police officers the benefit of the doubt, said Mike Allen, a Cincinnati attorney and former prosecutor. You can argue till the cows come home whether thats right.

In both trials, the former officers testified in their own defenses and said they feared for their lives.

Prosecutors said evidence including Tensings body-cam video contradicted his story. A bystanders cell phone video showed Slager shooting Scott five times in the back, video that was widely seen and further inflamed national debate about how police treat blacks.

Even in the most egregious cases, it takes an awful lot to get a jury to convict a police officer, said Philip Stinson, a Bowling Green (Ohio) State University criminologist who tracks police shooting cases around the country.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he wants to move the Tensing case to another Ohio county, away from intense local attention he believes added pressure to jurors.

It seems unlikely Hamilton County Judge Leslie Ghiz would agree to move the trial without first trying to seat a jury in Cincinnati. Changes of venue are rarely granted.
BATON ROUGE, La.  The 2016 campaign season has finally ended, with Louisianas runoff election cementing Republican control of the U.S. Senate. The GOP also is holding onto the two U.S. House seats that were undecided going into the states runoff election.

Republican state Treasurer John Kennedys victory Saturday gives the GOP a 52-48 edge in the Senate starting in January. His runoff campaign focused on his support for President-elect Donald Trump and opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

Voters also chose Republican Clay Higgins, a former sheriffs captain known as the Cajun John Wayne, in the Third District representing southwest and south central Louisiana. Republican state Rep. Mike Johnson won the Fourth District, covering northwest Louisiana.

Kennedy entered as the front-runner and never relinquished the position, even when the field swelled to two dozen contenders in November. In the runoff, he defeated Democrat Foster Campbell, a state utility regulator who was such a long shot that national Democratic organizations gave him little help.

It was Kennedys third U.S. Senate run since 2004, and this time he won in a landslide, taking 61 percent to Campbells 39 percent in the low-turnout election.

With 52 seats in the U.S. Senate, we are excited for Republicans to confirm a conservative Supreme Court justice and begin working with President-elect Trump to pass an agenda of change for the American people, a statement from Republican National Committee co-chair Sharon Day said.

Kennedy declared that he represents change in Washington.

I believe that our future can be better than our present, but not if we keep going in the direction the Washington insiders have taken us the last eight years, he said. Thats about to change, folks.

Louisianas open primary system pits all candidates against each other and sends the top two vote getters into a runoff when no one gets more than 50 percent.

Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence both traveled to Louisiana to rally for Kennedy.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday turned away appeals from death row inmates in four states that raised different questions about the fairness of capital punishment.

Justice Stephen Breyer, commenting on two of those cases, repeated his call for the court to take up the constitutionality of the death penalty. Breyer said defendants who face death sentences are not societys worst criminals but are chosen at random, on the basis, perhaps of geography, perhaps of the views of the individual prosecutors, or still worse on the basis of race.
WASHINGTON  Congress top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIAs belief that Russia meddled in last months election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.

The Russians are not our friends, declared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as GOP leaders steered toward a path contrasting starkly with the president-elects belittling dismissal of the spy agencys assessment and his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Senates intelligence panel, led by Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct a bipartisan inquiry, according to McConnell, who also expressed support for a related probe by the Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Though declining to say whether he believes Russia tried tilting the election toward Trump, McConnell said, I hope that those who are going to be in positions of responsibility in the new administration share my view about Moscow.

Shortly afterward, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a statement backing an investigation the House Intelligence Committee has already started on cyberthreats posed by foreign countries and extremist groups. He called any Russian intervention especially problematic because under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests.

Underscoring the possible collisions ahead between Trump and the men leading his party in Congress, McConnell and Ryan struck tones markedly more confrontational toward Russia than he has.

Trump on Sunday called the CIAs contention ridiculous and blamed the disclosures concerning its assessment on Democrats who he said were embarrassed over losing last months election.

The GOP leaders expressed their views after a weekend in which Trump also said he would not need daily intelligence briefings, a staple of presidents days for decades and a flouting of a convention common for presidential transitions.

Meanwhile, Trump continued his cavalcade of meetings in his Trump Tower offices in New York on Monday with potential appointees for his new administration and other leading GOP, congressional and corporate figures. Among them was Carly Fiorina, who unsuccessfully vied with Trump this year for their partys nomination.

Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, was there to discuss national security issues and is seen by some Trump advisers as a candidate to be director of national intelligence.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump on Sunday called a recent CIA assessment of Russian hacking ridiculous and says hes not interested in getting daily intelligence briefings  an unprecedented public dismissal by a president-elect of the nations massive and sophisticated intelligence apparatus.

Trumps remarks come as key congressional Republicans joined Democrats in demanding a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlins activities and questioned consideration of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson  who has close business ties with Moscow  as head of the State Department.

Asked whether hes rejecting valuable intelligence on Fox News Sunday, Trump was defiant.

I get it when I need it, he said of the top-secret briefing sessions, adding that hes leaving it up to the briefers to decide when a development represents a change big enough to notify him.

Im, like, a smart person. I dont have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years, Trump said.

The CIA has concluded with high confidence that Russia sought to influence the U.S. election on behalf of Trump. The finding alarmed lawmakers, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain who said Sunday he planned to put Sen. Lindsay Graham, a staunch Trump critic, in charge of investigating the claim.

McCain also has questions about Tillersons business relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although its not clear Tillerson will be nominated. Sunday afternoon, Tillerson had still not been formally offered the job, according to a person with knowledge of the process who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Exxon steadily expanded its Russian business on Tillersons watch even as its rivals faced expropriation and regulatory obstacles. In 2013, Putin bestowed the Order of Friendship on Tillerson.

Maybe those ties are strictly commercial and got to do with his business in the oil business. Fine, McCain told CBS Face the Nation. And well give him a fair hearing. But is it a matter of concern? Certainly it should be a matter of concern.

Later Sunday, Trump tweeted: Whether I choose him or not for State- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!

Separately, Trump rejected the CIAs conclusion that Russia tried to interfere with the presidential election and blamed very embarrassed Democrats for the public release of the assessment.

Its ridiculous, Trump said of the CIAs assessment.

He added, however, that he doesnt necessarily oppose President Obamas order for a review of campaign-season hacking. If youre gonna to do that, I think you should not just say Russia. You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals. The White House has said the probe would focus on any breaches by other countries, and past elections.

He also said he is studying the Paris climate agreement to reduce carbon emissions. But he doesnt want the agreement to put the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage with other countries.
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This article originally appeared on Hoodline.com

After 14 years of planning and months of heated exchanges between environmental activists and dog owners, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) has finally released its proposed rules for dog management.

The proposed rules, set to be finalized in early 2017, affect a number of areas under the GGNRA's purview that are popular with both dog owners and professional dog walkers, including Fort Funston, Crissy Field, Ocean Beach, Baker Beach and Lands End. Most notably, the plan prohibits off- and on-leash dogs from most of Ocean Beach.

They offer concessions to both sides of the debate: preserving some off-leash space for dogs, but curtailing the overall amount of off-leash space to help preserve habitat for endangered birds and other wildlife that reside in the area.

In total, the areas overseen by the GGNRA contain 8.8 miles of beaches and 137 miles of trails. After the new rules go into effect, the number of dog-accessible beach miles will drop from 7.2 to 2.8, and dog-accessible trail miles will drop from 74 to 47.

A PDF version of the GGNRA's hefty full statement can be accessed here, but weve boiled it down to the key takeaways. Most notably, dog owners will see an overall reduction in areas where dogs are allowed, and professional dog walkers will have to obtain permits if they wish to keep their normal walking routes in the GGNRA.

Im a dog ownerwhat do I need to know?

The largest and most popular affected areas in San Francisco are Crissy Field, Baker Beach, Ocean Beach and Fort Funston.

Crissy Field's beach, which currently welcomes off-leash dogs, will soon be divided into an off-leash beach and a dog-free beach. Dogs may play at the Central Beach, but cannot access the East Beach.

The Crissy Airfield, which currently has no dog restrictions, will become 20 percent on-leash, 40 percent off-leash and 40 percent dog-free.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Today, dog owners at Baker Beach can let their pets roam within voice-and-sight control (equivalent to "off-leash"), so long as it's north of Lobos Creek.

Under the new rules, Baker Beach will be dog-free in the south and on-leash-only in the north, which begins at Access Trail #2.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Ocean Beach will experience the most significant trimming. Today, dogs are allowed between Sloat Boulevard and the beach's north end, but come 2017, they will only be allowed north of Stairwell 21. That stretch will be an off-leash area.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

At Fort Funston, beach access will be largely unchanged. An off-leash trail will be added, but accessible uplands trail mileage will be reduced overall.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

What if Im a professional dog walker, or have more than three dogs?

Professional dog walker or not, you'll need a permit if you plan on letting four to six hounds (but no more) tug you around for a few hours on any GGNRA trails or beaches.

Special Use Permits (SUPs) will be issued for four San Francisco areas onlyFort Mason, Crissy Field, Baker Beach and Fort Funstonand will allow dog walkers park access only from 8am-5pm on weekdays.

The new permitting requirements, which haven't yet been released, will likely reflect the current interim requirements, which the GGNRA introduced in 2014. The cost of an annual SUP consists of a $75 application fee and $300 fee per individual dog walker.

Permit-holding dog walkers will have less access to trails and field space than park visitors with fewer than four canine companions.

At Crissy Field, permit-holders will not have access to the central section of the promenade, its access paths to the Central Beach, the field space near the East Beach picnic area, or the path along the water from the West Beach to the Warming Hut.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Baker Beach permit-holders are barred from the Coastal Trail stretch between Lincoln Boulevard and Access Trail #1, and from the space around the North Picnic Area.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Permit-holders at Fort Funston will have to stay south of the Funston Beach Trail. The northern section of the Coastal Trail is off-limits.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Can the rules be changed?

Given the debate's contentious history, the GGNRA anticipates feedback from both environmentalists and dog-walkers.

Theres no consensus on this issue, GGNRA spokesperson Nathan Sargent said. Some people will wish that the proposal reflected more restrictions on dogs, and some people will wish that it reflected greater access for dogs.

In a Facebook post last Thursday, District 4 Supervisor Katy Tang came out as an opponent of the proposed rules. I understand the need to protect our public lands and our beloved snowy plovers, she wrote. But I believe the current regulations along Ocean Beach are sufficientthey just have not been sufficiently enforced.

Tang also noted that there will be no formal public commenting period. But those seeking changes to the rules can send suggestions to Jim Milestone, the GGRNAs acting general superintendent, at Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123-0022.

After a 30-day waiting period, the final rules will go into effect, followed by public outreach, education and signage.

For more information on the proposal, and to see how you might have to adjust your dog-walking routine, check out these FAQs and maps on the GGNRA's website.

This article originally appeared on Hoodline.com
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A bicyclist who was struck by a car exiting the freeway in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Sunday morning suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.

The collision occurred shortly before 9 a.m. when the bicyclist, a 70-year-old man, rode through a red light traveling south on Eighth Street at Harrison Street, according to police.

The victim was taken to a hospital and an update on his condition was not immediately available.

No arrest was reported in connection with the collision.
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SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

One person suffered life-threatening injuries in a drive-by shooting following a dispute in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood early Sunday, police said.

The shooting was reported at 2:14 a.m. in the 400 block of Columbus Avenue, according to police.

Three male victims in their 20s were leaving a business in the area when one of them, a 24-year-old man, bumped into a man who was accompanied by two others, according to police.

The victim and the man he bumped into argued with each other before the suspects walked away.

A short time later, the suspects pulled up in a vehicle and shot at the victims, striking the victim who had been involved in the original dispute.

The suspects then fled south on Columbus Avenue, while the victim was transported to A hospital with life-threatening injuries.

No arrests have been reported in the case as of today, police said.
#MBN Cable channel loses lawsuit against suspension order MBN, a cable TV channel, on Thursday lost a lawsuit against the government's order to suspend its operation for six months for accounting fraud. The Korea Communications Commis...

#Hybe Q3 Hybe posts highest Q3 revenue ever Hybe, the entertainment company behind K-pop superstars BTS, on Thursday reported a revenue of 445.5 billion won (US$314 million) for the third quarter of the year, up 30.6 percent...
BEIRUT  Islamic State militants reoccupied Palmyra on Sunday, taking the ancient central city from government troops in a major advance after a year of setbacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq, a Syrian government official and the group said.

In retaking Palmyra, the extremist group appeared to be taking advantage of the Syrian and Russian preoccupation with Aleppo, timing its attack to coincide with a massive government offensive to capture the last remaining opposition-held neighborhoods in the northern city.
PACHINO, Sicily  All migrant Marc Samie has of his fiancee is a picture in his mind. Louise, 7 months pregnant, is standing silently on a beach in Libya, tears rolling down her face as traffickers force him at gunpoint into a rubber dinghy with a compass.

The armed men had ordered Samie to hold the compass and a satellite phone for navigation on the journey to Italy. He refused.

So they fired a Kalashnikov at the ground between his legs, and told him to take the compass or they would kill the couple. They said she would be on the next boat.

That was last July, and he hasnt laid eyes on her since. But instead of being treated as a victim in Italy, Samie was arrested by police and charged with facilitating illegal immigration.

Samie, a 21-year-old from Togo, is one of hundreds of migrants who are caught up in the Italian legal system as police, prosecutors and judges struggle to combat human trafficking. They are the victims of a new tactic where professional smugglers avoid being caught by forcing migrants, many of them minors, to take the helm of the boats.

Almost every day, Italian officials detain men accused of driving the boats, but dont know if they are traffickers or migrants. While overall numbers are not available, 179 smugglers  26 of them minors  were detained this year at the port of Pozzallo alone, where Samie came in. That compares with 147 last year.

In another port, Augusta, more than 190 smugglers have been arrested so far this year, according to police. And in Catania district, trafficking arrests have risen dramatically from 13 in 2013 to 79 as of August.

Police are well aware that they arent reaching the criminals who are behind the trafficking and reaping the profits. To date, Italian police havent obtained the arrest of a migrant trafficker in Libya, said Andrea Bonomo, deputy prosecutor for Catania.
WARRI, Nigeria  Mortuaries overflowed with bodies Sunday from a church collapse in southern Nigeria that killed at least 160 people, and worshipers said construction of the building had been rushed.

Hundreds had been inside the Reigners Bible Church International in the city of Uyo on Saturday for the consecration of founder Akan Weeks as its bishop when the metal girders fell and the corrugated iron roof caved in.

Screaming survivors streamed out amid cries from the injured inside.

There were trapped bodies, parts of bodies, blood all over the place and peoples handbags and shoes scattered, said computer analyst Ukeme Eyibio.

Officials feared the death toll could rise.

Weeks and Akwa Ibom state Gov. Udom Emmanuel were among the survivors.

AP

Eyibio had parked his car outside the complex to make a phone call when he heard a deafening crash and saw that the church had disappeared.

He and three others dragged 10 injured people from an overflow area for worshipers just outside the collapsed church. They did not enter the main structure because a construction worker warned it was not safe.

The worker called his boss at Julius Berger construction company, which sent a crane to help lift debris off bodies.

While they waited for the crane, Eyibio helped a man whose legs were trapped under a girder.

I rushed to my car, got out the tire jack and used that to get the beam off his legs, the 27-year-old said by telephone.

We managed to get him out, but we saw others dying all around us, he added. Im so traumatized I could not sleep last night for the horrors repeating themselves in my mind.

The church had been under construction and workers had been rushing to finish it in time for Saturdays ceremony, congregants said. A spokesman said the state government will investigate whether any building standards were compromised.
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BEIRUT  Syrias military said Monday that it has regained control of 98 percent of eastern Aleppo, as government forces close in the last remaining sliver of a rebel enclave packed with fighters as well as tens of thousands of civilians.

A medical administrator said he and the staff of the last remaining clinic in rebel-held districts were huddled in a shelter as Syrian government forces pushed in. Those killed and wounded are left on the streets, Mohammed Abu Rajab said.

Syrian President Bashar Assads troops and allied militias are on the verge of victory in Aleppo, the countrys largest city and onetime commercial capital, which has been divided since 2012.

A Syrian rebel spokesman in contact with fighters in the city called the collapse terrifying. Bassam Haj Mustafa, a senior member of the Nour el-Din el-Zinki group, said they are doing their best to defend what is left.

A U.S. official said Russia, a key ally of Assad, has refused an American proposal for a temporary halt to the fighting to allow the safe departure of those remaining in rebel-held areas. The proposal came during weekend talks in Geneva between U.S. and Russian experts that had been billed as an 11th-hour attempt to ease Aleppos endgame. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and so spoke on condition of anonymity.

Osama Abo Zayd, a legal adviser to the Free Syrian Army rebel coalition, said some fighters had agreed to evacuate but that the Russians had demanded that all militants surrender, something he said was impossible.

This pushes us to fight to the last breath despite what we have to face, he said.

The loss of Aleppo would mark the greatest defeat for the rebels since the conflict began in 2011. The insurgents still control the northwestern Idlib province as well as scattered patches of territory elsewhere in the country.

Earlier on Monday, Syrian troops and allied Shiite militiamen from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran captured Sheikh Saeed, a sprawling neighborhood in eastern Aleppo. The military also claimed to have retaken al-Fardous, one of the most populous districts.

Rami Abdurrahman, head of Britains Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the rebels still control around 7 percent of eastern Aleppo. His group relies on a network of activists inside Syria.

The situation is very, very critical, said Ibrahim al-Haj, a member of the Syrian Civil Defense, volunteer first responders who operate in rebel-held areas. He said he has been seeking shelter for himself and his family, fearing clashes or capture by the government.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled to government-held western Aleppo since the offensive began last month, but tens of thousands of others are believed to have remained in the citys east.

A rebel fighter from inside Aleppo, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said most of the remaining civilians have massed in two or three neighborhoods, raising the specter of mass casualties if they are targeted by air strikes or artillery.
ISTANBUL  Turkish authorities arrested more than 200 people Monday following suicide bombings near an Istanbul stadium that killed 44 people. The arrests primarily targeted members of a Kurdish political party that already was a focus of a broader government crackdown.

Saturdays attack, which a radical Kurdish group claimed as an act of revenge for state violence against the ethnic minority in the southeast, was the deadliest to hit Istanbul this year.

Authorities blamed the carnage on the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. A shadowy offshoot of the movement, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the state, claimed responsibility for the attack on a website that is blocked in Turkey.

This is definitely a repercussion of the current crackdown on the Kurdish people, said Cenk Sidar, president of Sidar Global Advisors, a risk advisory group in Washington. It seems likely (PKK) will go ahead with these high-casualty, low-cost attacks for them, and it is a very dangerous trend in the country.

Turkey, a NATO member and a partner in the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State group, faces a myriad of internal and external security threats.

The Turkish state is locked in conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and militarily active across the border in Syria and Iraq. This year, it has seen a series of suicide bombings in major cities that were the work of either Islamic State or Kurdish militants.

The Istanbul bombings also came as Turkish security forces and courts remained preoccupied with purging state institutions of the supporters of an exiled Islamist cleric whom Ankara accuses of staging a botched coup in July.

The scale of the purge, which has swept up government opponents of all stripes, has alarmed Western governments and leading civil and human rights groups.

Turkeys Interior Ministry on Monday announced the detention of more than 235 people across 11 cities. Turkish media reports said most of those rounded up were members of the Peoples Democratic Party, a pro-Kurdish party that was elected to the Turkish Parliament in 2014.

Among them were two provincial leaders and an Ankara representative of the Peoples Democratic Party.

But the Interior Ministry statement alleged those detained were affiliated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party and with a Kurdish umbrella organization and included individuals deemed guilty of spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.
Cangiolosi Elected GOP Chairman

Andrew Oxford reports that Ryan Cangiolosi was

of the New Mexico Republican Party on Sunday. Cangiolosi previously served the group as executive director.





Secretary of State's Race Was Expensive

Maggie Toulouse Oliver is

this morning after taking the New Mexico Secretary of States oath of office Friday. Turns out her race was an expensive one. Sandra Fish reports

was spent on the special election for the race this year.

Santa Fe Mayor Considers Gubernatorial Bid

Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales may

. Now that Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, has opted to stay in Washington, Gonzales says he's considering running for governor in 2018 because he's concerned about the lack of funding for education in New Mexico. Gonzales, who has been defending the city's sanctuary status,

and a "Half True" rating on the Politifact's Truth-O-Meter for the accuracy of comments he made about immigrant crime rates on a Fox News program recently.

Santa Fe Public Bank Debated

Bruce Krasnow has posted a piece on

of a proposal to create a public bank in Santa Fe.

Airline Adds Phoenix Route to Santa Fe

Flying in and out of Santa Fe is about to get better (or at least more frequent) as American Airlines will

this week. Local hotels, restaurants, real estate agents, banks, retail outlets and even Taos Ski Valley are contributing money to guarantee the airline wont lose money on the route.

New Mexico Pueblos Face Challenges Similar to Standing Rock

Environmental reporter Laura Paskus has

newsroom. Today, Paskus reports on how

around the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline are similar to energy development and tribal land challenges faced by New Mexico pueblos.

Odenkirk is Critics' Choice for Best Actor in a Drama Series

Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk

from television critics who gave him their acting award in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Santa Fe Reporter
In the flurry of discussions about "fake news" and its effect on the election, a rather important fact seems to be curiously muted in liberal circles: the Russians played us too.

Despite the recent attention to leaks from a CIA report, it's not news that the Russians were behind the Wikileaks hack. As Clinton herself pointed out in a debate, all the major federal intelligence agencies released a statement to that effect in October. What's new, among other things, is the claim that they intervened specifically to support Trump and harm Clinton. This is huge. Bigger than Watergate huge.

NPR has a handy list of 13 times that Russian hacking came up during the election, only to be brushed aside by major media outlets in favor of stories about Clinton's foundation or Trump's "wacky"tweets. As might be expected, Trump and most Republicans were eager to brush this aside, although Mike Pence didn't get the memo, apparently. Understandably, a good deal of attention to the problem of "fake news" (i.e. propaganda) has been focused on Trump's voters, who seem to live in an alternate universe when it comes to separating fact from fiction.

But the skill with which Russian intelligence played voters on the left cannot be ignored in any honest election postmortem. Of particular concern is the sophisticated way they exploited ignorance about how the Democratic Party actually works.

A basic tent of faith for Bernie-or-busters was that an all-powerful Democratic National Committee somehow "rigged" the primary process against Bernie Sanders, and that the the Wikileaks emails "proved" it. This belief was only possible if one ignored that actual dates and content of the emails. AS Kurt Eichenwald (the journalist who produced some impressive deep-dig investigative journalism about Trump during the election) pointed out back in November, this was nonsensical:

Almost every email that set off the rigged accusations was from May 2016. (One was in late April; Ill address that below.) ...Once only one candidate can win the nomination, of course the DNC gets to work on that persons behalf. Of course emails from that time would reflect support for the person who would clearly be the nominee. ...According to a Western European intelligence source, Russian hackers, using a series of go-betweens, transmitted the DNC emails to WikiLeaks with the intent of having them released on the verge of the Democratic Convention in hopes of sowing chaos. And thats what happenedjust a couple of days before Democrats gathered in Philadelphia, the emails came out, and suddenly the media was loaded with stories about trauma in the party. Crews of Russian propagandistsworking through an array of Twitter accounts and websites, started spreading the story that the DNC had stolen the election from Sanders. (An analysis provided to Newsweek by independent internet and computer specialists using a series of algorithms show that this kind of propaganda, using the same words, went from Russian disinformation sources to comment sections on more than 200 sites catering to liberals, conservatives, white supremacists, nutritionists and an amazing assortment of other interest groups.) The fact that the dates of the most controversial emailsMay 3, May 4, May 5, May 9, May 16, May 17, May 18, May 21were after it was impossible for Sanders to win was almost never mentioned, and was certainly ignored by the propagandists trying to sell the primaries were rigged narrative. (Yes, one of them said something inappropriate about his religious beliefs. So a guy inside the DNC was a jerk; that didnt change the outcome.) Two other emailsone from April 24 and May 1were statements of fact. In the first, responding to Sanders saying he would push for a contested convention (even though he would not have the delegates to do so), a DNC official wrote, So much for a traditional presumptive nominee. Yeah, no kidding. The second stated that Sanders didnt know what the DNCs job actually waswhich he didnt, apparently because he had not ever been a Democrat before his run.

So, the emails showed nothing more scandalous than the DNC doing its job, with at least one jerk taking a nasty crack at atheists, and some trash-talking (including about Obama and Dem donors, in addition to Sanders). Regrettable and highly unprofessional, but not evidence of a rigged election. And if I may: the fact that members of the DNC would be annoyed at Bernie Sanders is hardly surprising, considering he sued the organization (after his own campaign improperly accessed data), a lawsuit only dropped in April. By May, Sanders was making increasingly contradictory claims about why the party's process was unfair. It's always foolish and unprofessional to trash-talk via email, but frankly, I can understand DNC staffers taking an annoyed tone with the Sanders campaign by then.

But if the emails showed no evidence of rigging, why were so many Bernie supporters convinced they did? Well, I suppose this could have something to do with it:

Bernie Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said his team was "disappointed" by the emails from the Democratic National Committee leaked through WikiLeaks, which seemed to reveal staff in the party working to support Hillary Clinton. "Someone does have to be held accountable," Weaver said during an interview with ABC News...Weaver said the emails showed misconduct at the highest level of the staff within the party and that he believed there would be more emails leaked, which would "reinforce" that the party had "its fingers on the scale." "Everybody is disappointed that much of what we felt was happening at the DNC was in fact happening, that you had in this case a clear example of the DNC taking sides and looking to place negative information into the political process. Weaver said that he was surprised that no one with the party had reached out to him, "given the conduct that was disclosed" in the emails. Several of the emails showed that DNC staff called Weaver names including "a liar."

A liar? Gee, I wonder where they got that impression. Maybe it has something to do with the Washington Post calling out Jeff Weaver for lying, right about the time of the emails?

So, exploiting the ignorance (whether wilful or genuine) of some of Sanders' supporters, and relying on major media outlets not to examine the emails too critically, the Russians get Jeff Weaver himself to repeat their preferred line. The "DemExit" and class action lawsuit movements of late July, fueled by breathless stories from Salon, the Intercept, and others alleging that the emails said shit they manifestly did not say, all took their toll.

And they're still taking their toll, as the very same actors who peddled these myths now claim the Democratic Party needs to remake itself according to their demands. Some of them are even claiming that the Democratic process failed because Sanders was the more "electable" candidate, against Trump, that the process should be amended to favor a Sanders-style candidate. Eichenwald has some cold water to throw on that as well:

I have seen the opposition book assembled by Republicans for Sanders, and it was brutal. Here are a few tastes of what was in store for Sanders, straight out of the Republican playbook: He thinks rape is A-OK. ...Sanders was on unemployment until his mid-30s, and that he stole electricity from a neighbor after failing to pay his bills, and that he co-sponsored a bill to ship Vermonts nuclear waste to a poor Hispanic community in Texas, where it could be dumped. You can just see the words environmental racist on Republican billboards. And if you cant, I already did. They were in the Republican opposition research book as a proposal on how to frame the nuclear waste issue. Also on the list: Sanders violated campaign finance laws, criticized Clinton for supporting the 1994 crime bill that he voted for, and he voted against the Amber Alert system. His pitch for universal health care would have been used against him too, since it was tried in his home state of Vermont and collapsed due to excessive costs. Worst of all, the Republicans also had video of Sanders at a 1985 rally thrown by the leftist Sandinista government in Nicaragua where half a million people chanted, Here, there, everywhere/the Yankee will die, while President Daniel Ortega condemned state terrorism by America. Sanders said, on camera, supporting the Sandinistas was patriotic.The Republicans had at least four other damning Sanders videos (I dont know what they showed), and the opposition research folder was almost 2-feet thick.

(The whole thing is worth a read.)

I point this out not to try to make those backing Sanders feel defensive or foolish, because it was not at all foolish to be excited about a particular candidate and to embrace and feel excited about that candidate. No, my criticism is specifically directed at those who are analyzing the Democratic Party's loss based on wishful thinking. It's the very same mindset that saw many of those same people swallowing the Wikileaks propaganda in the first place. And it's not that nobody challenged the narrative favored by Wikileaks, Russia, and Jeff Weaver. Here's an article form the time that took it apart beautifully. Yet there were, and are, those on the left, who preferred blatant fakery to cold reality. And that's concerning.

Not all of Sanders' supporters were caught up in this frenzy, and they saw the Wikileaks propaganda for what it was. The largest number of them came to support Clinton and voted for her. Some even came to like or admire her. And the Sanders candidacy brings some legitimate challenges to the Democratic party on its platforms and its messaging. There is truth to the idea that the Democrats need to work on reaching out to a new generation. Its bench is not nearly as deep as it needs to be. And it's certainly past time to beef up cybersecurity measures. I don't think that Russian interference alone caused the Democrats to lose, and it's certainly time for some Democratic soul-searching.

But while we're worrying about the effects on fake news on Trump supporters, and wondering how to challenge their insular reality, perhaps it's time to be concerned about those on the left who cling to conspiracy theory in the face of no evidence. It's not just "uneducated" or naive Trump voters. Jeff Weaver, the campaign manager of a major Dem canddiate, apparently could not or would not read the actual content. Instead he swallowed the propaganda whole and regurgitated it. That should be of concern. That some are still peddling the "DNC rigged the election" myth shows just how deeply the problem goes.

We like to think of ourselves as the "reality-based" community, but its' increasingly clear that part of the Left got badly played during this election. Any plan for moving forward must address that, or we'll be right back here again, making President Putin smile.
Kiwi Property Group, the country's biggest listed property investor, has put forward a deal to take over the management of NPT that would see it sell two Wellington properties to the smaller company, and has won the backing of the target's board, trumping a rival bid by Augusta Capital.

Auckland-based Kiwi Property plans to sell the North City Shopping Centre in Porirua and Majestic Centre in downtown Wellington to NPT for cash and shares worth $230 million, participating in a $100 million capital raising to fund the deal and taking a cornerstone 19.9 stake, it said in a statement. At the same time, it would pay $6 million for the management contract of the enlarged portfolio, which it would more than recoup within three years of collecting fees of about 0.5 percent of assets under management, reaping an annual $2.1 million.

The deal has won the backing of NPT's board, which will put the proposal to shareholders at a special meeting in February. It was one of four considered by the board, including NPT shareholder Augusta Capital's pitch to dump the board and facilitate an acquisition of three buildings worth $329 million, which would need a capital raising of $185 million. Augusta would also buy the management contract for $3.5 million with a base management fee of 0.5 percent of assets under management up to $500 million, and 0.4 percent after that, with a performance fee attracting 10 percent of shareholder returns above the threshold.

In a statement, NPT chairman John Anderson said the Kiwi Property deal was "likely to deliver the best short and long-term benefits to shareholders" and that the board will recommend it to shareholders at the special meeting. The directors hired Northington Partners to assess the deals, which backed the Kiwi Property bid, and the board also canvassed major shareholders' opinions.

Kiwi Property chief executive Chris Gudgeon said the partnership will align the interests of the two companies due to the cornerstone shareholding, and the management contract allows for termination if it's in the best interests of NPT.

Kiwi Property chairman Mark Ford said the sale of the properties would let the company recycle capital to fund an expansion of its Sylvia Park retail centre in Auckland.

If the Kiwi Property transaction is backed by NPT shareholders, it would expand the company's portfolio to $400 million from its current $170 million, and more than double distributable income to $16.8 million 2020 from $5.8 million in the 2017 financial year.

That compares to the Augusta bid which would increase NPT's assets under management to about $505 million, which Augusta estimates would more than triple net profit by 2020 to about $18.3 million. Augusta would look to pocket base fees of $1.7 million in 2018, rising to $2.5 million by 2020.

NPT internalised its management contract in 2010, paying $2.5 million to end a relationship with National Property Trust Ltd, a vehicle in the group of failed lender St Laurence. That came at a time when the structures were seen as unfairly rewarding external managers at the expense of investors by basing fees on the value of gross assets under management.

NPT shares last traded at 65 cents, down 3.7 percent this year, while Kiwi Property shares were last at $1.36, an increase of 0.7 percent this year. Augusta shares were last at $1.01, up 1 percent this year.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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November 3rd Morning Report

Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights

Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank


Fairfax New Zealand and NZME, the country's dominant newspaper publishers, downplayed the size of likely job cuts among frontline journalists if the regulator makes an about-face and approves a merger.

In a cross-submission on the Commerce Commission's draft determination shooting down the deal, NZME and Fairfax said redundancies are an economic reality facing both businesses, and that job losses will be at a faster pace and may be focused in the regions if the merger isn't allowed. The companies said while no final decisions had been made, of the $136.5 million to $218.7 million of quantified benefits over five years in the draft decision, PwC's model was based on just 10 percent to 13 percent coming from "a reduction in duplicated journalist roles".

Editorial savings were one of 11 categories where the merger was expected to deliver a benefit alongside sales, marketing, printing, procurement and distribution, management, information technology, premises, community rationalisation, Sunday rationalisation, merger transactions costs, and finance costs, they said.

"NZME and Fairfax reiterate that in the absence of the merger, the relevant counterfactual is that both businesses will be unable to maintain their current quality and production levels and remain financially viable," they said. "Therefore there is likely to be material reduction in frontline journalism and the production of print publications."

The commission, which is due to make a final decision on the merger in March next year, held a two-day conference on the matter in Wellington last week. The regulator is of the view that authorising the deal would create too much concentration of power and influence. The Commerce Act empowers the regulator to authorise anti-competitive deals provided it's satisfied "the acquisition will result, or will be likely to result, in such a benefit to the public that it should be permitted".

The media companies claim they have more support backing the deal than those opposing it, citing submissions on the decision by more than 30 of their own editorial staff, the Gisborne Herald's publisher, advertising industry body CAANZ, and communications consultancy Flame Tree Media.

Fairfax NZ and NZME said if the deal is knocked back there will still be fewer voices in the sector because "plurality cannot exist unless there is a way to fund it".

Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood told last week's conference that unless the merger was allowed, it would become "endgame" for the New Zealand assets, which the Australian publisher purchased for $1.19 billion from Rupert Murdoch's Independent Newspapers Ltd in 2003.

The Fairfax NZ assets were valued at just $122.2 million in the proposed merger with NZME, which would see that business poured into NZX-listed NZME and hand the Australian parent $55 million in cash and 41 percent of the merged entity with the shares to be issued at 83.6 cents apiece. The NZME shares recently traded at 58 cents, having plunged to record lows since the draft determination.

Fairfax last week confirmed it had received an unsolicited offer from a mystery bidder, but said it's still within its exclusivity obligations to keep pushing the NZME merger. The National Business Review reported the offer was for $100 million to $120 million and The Australian newspaper speculated the bidder could be US hedge fund Apollo Global Management.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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November 3rd Morning Report

Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights

Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank


Heartland Bank's trading halt has been lifted after the bank raised $20 million from institutional investors at $1.46 per share, a 4.6 percent discount to the last trading price.

The bank said yesterday that it wants to raise up to $30 million through a combination of the bookbuild and a share purchase plan which will offer New Zealand-resident shareholders up to $15,000 worth of shares each. The funds raised will help maintain the lender's capital ratio after a period of strong credit expansion and also support its digital strategy.

Heartland said the final terms of the share purchase plan will be announced after its first-half earnings are published in February, but noted the shares will be offered at a discount. Following this, the bank may issue Tier 2 capital "with a view towards optimising its capital position," it said.

Yesterday's institutional placement "was well supported by Australian and New Zealand investors and we welcome a number of new investors to our register as a result," Heartland said. Settlement and allotment of the new shares will occur on Dec. 15.

Heartland has to hold capital equal to 10.5 percent of its risk-weighted assets, and a $30 million equity raise will strengthen its capital ratio as of Nov. 30 by about 0.9 percent, according to its investor presentation. The bank's capital ratio declined to 12.42 percent in November from 13.78 percent in June and 12.71 percent in November.

The bank affirmed its annual guidance for net profit of between $57 million and $60 million. It boosted annual profit 12 percent to $54.2 million in the year to June 2016.

The shares last traded at $1.53 before being halted yesterday and have risen 16 percent this year.

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Newell Brands has agreed to buy Sistema Plastics from its New Zealand owner for $660 million, one of two businesses the New York Stock Exchange-listed consumer products company is acquiring as it seeks faster-growing assets.

Hoboken, New Jersey-based Newell, whose brands range from Sharpie and Paper Mate pens to Crock-Pot slow cookers, Sunbeam home appliances and Rubbermaid storage products, has agreed to buy Sistema and home fragrance business Smith Mountain Industries, saying both businesses "are growing at rates well above Newell Brands' core growth rate and are expected to be immediately accretive to normalised earnings." The Smith purchase is for US$100 million.

It will buy Sistema from shareholders including founder and majority owner Brendan Lindsay. Sistema's website says he started the business in his garage 30 years ago.

Mark Tarchetti, president of Newell Brands, said Sistema was "one of the fastest-growing brands in the food storage category" with annual sales of about US$145 million. Sistema's food storage containers are currently sold in several major markets where's Newell's Rubbermaid products aren't currently available, "creating significant potential for geographic expansion".

Sistema has also been expanding into the beverages category, which has been an area strategic focus for Newell Brands and would soon complete a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in New Zealand "that will enable Newell Brands to meet the capacity needs created by continued category growth".

Cameron Partners Rothschild advised Newell Brands on the acquisition of Sistema.

Newell shares rose 1.5 percent to US$46.23 and have gained 4.9 percent this year. The stock is rated a 'buy' based on the consensus of 16 analysts polled by Reuters.

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The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which invests some C$300 billion of assets to help fund the North American nation's pension plan, has bought half of a NZ$1.1 billion property portfolio managed by Australasian fund manager AMP Capital.

The CPPIB has taken a 50 percent stake of the portfolio made up of 13 properties, with the remainder owned by Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board, which bought it from AMP Capital in 2014. When PSP Investment bought the portfolio, it was made up of 18 properties valued at $1.03 billion.

"This is CPPIBs first investment into New Zealand, taking the opportunity to invest in a quality diversified property portfolio that is well placed to continue to benefit from strong New Zealand economic fundamentals," AMP Capital portfolio manager Nick Cobham said in a statement. "With both investors support, we can look forward to further improving investment returns as the portfolio participates in redevelopment and further acquisitions in the office and retail sectors in the near future."

The portfolio includes retail assets including the Botany town centre and Manukau Supa Centre in Auckland, and the 13-floor St Paul's Square office building in Wellington which is currently undergoing a $38 million refurbishment as part of a new 15-year lease with the government.

PSP Investments' C$20.4 billion real estate assets made up 17.4 percent of the fund's overall assets. Its 2016 annual report noted the core retail assets in New Zealand benefited from valuation increases in the period. PSP Investments' other New Zealand assets include dairy farms and a stake in Kaingaroa Timberlands.

The deal is subject to Overseas Investment Office approval. Macquarie Capital helped the vendors with the deal.

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The New Zealand dollar fell against the greenback after a measure of US consumer confidence climbed more than expected and reached a 19-month high versus the euro following the European Central Bank's stimulus extension.

The kiwi dollar fell to 71.30 US cents as at 8am in Wellington, from 71.39 cents in late New York trading on Friday and down from 71.69 cents in Asia at the end of last week. The local dollar traded at 67.56 euro cents from 67.61 cents in New York, where it earlier touched as high as 67.93 cents, the highest since May 2015.

The US dollar index extended its gains on Friday in the US after the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey showed confidence jumped to 98 this month against expectations of a 94.5 reading and from 93.8 in November. The greenback had rallied the previous day after the ECB extended its bond-buying programme longer than expected to the end of 2017. With little local data scheduled this week, the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting is likely to be the biggest event, with a rate hike expected that will narrow the premium offered by the kiwi dollar.

"Broad USD strength returned on Friday as investors turned their attention to this Thursdays Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting," traders at HiFX said in a report. "Supported by robust economic data of late the Fed are widely expected to hike rates at this weeks meeting."

The kiwi advanced against the euro last week after the ECB's announcement and President Mario Draghi's comments that no thought had been given to an early end to quantitative easing.

The New Zealand dollar traded at 95.58 Australian cents, down from 95.75 cents in New York last week and from 96.06 cents in Wellington on Friday.

The trade-weighted index was at 78.52, down from 78.77 in Wellington at the end of last week. The kiwi dollar fell to 56.68 British pence from 56.73 pence in New York and 56.91 pence at the end of Asia's week. It declined to 4.9220 yuan from 4.9261 yuan in New York and from 4.9459 yuan in Wellington on Friday. It traded at 82.18 yen from 82.22 yen in New York on Friday and from 81.99 yen at the end of last week in Asia.

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Leader of the opposition Andrew Little has congratulated Bill English on his selection as the new prime minister, but warned both he and deputy Paula Bennett need to demonstrate they have something new to offer New Zealanders.

"The challenge for them is to demonstrate that as two people who've sat around the same Cabinet table led by John Key for the past eight years, that they do truly represent something different. They've basked in John Key's fame and glory, so let's see what happens," Little told reporters after the National caucus confirmed English and Bennett for the roles.

"It's not right in a country like New Zealand that thousands of couples can't afford to buy their first home. It's not right that thousands of elderly people who need hospital care turn up to their hospital and get told the hospital can't afford to treat them. There are some big challenges New Zealand has right now, they've got to demonstrate they understand that and are prepared to do something about it."

Outgoing PM Key announced his surprise exit last week despite a dominant position in public polling, ending 10 years as leader of the National Party and eight as Prime Minister.

English was a key decision maker while Key was prime minister, and was just as responsible for housing being unaffordable and education being underfunded, Little said.

"They are saying they represent change when they've both been part of every decision of this government for the last eight years, so they've got to demonstrate that change - good luck to them," Little said. "Jonathan Coleman is saying there's not enough money for health, Judith Collins is saying there's not enough money for police, let's see whether the new leaders hear those messages and do something about it."

Little said he thought he could beat English in next year's election, describing the National government as out of touch.

"Every issue we have campaigned on this year was debated in the election contest last week," Little said. "We've got those issues, we listen to New Zealanders, we know what the concerns are."

Little said the retirement age shouldn't be changed from 65, and the problem with superannuation funding is that the government has not added money to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund in the past eight years.

"I don't support raising the age of eligibility. That doesn't mean we don't have a lot of work to do to ensure we can afford the future cost of it. That's what the New Zealand super fund was set up for - this government has spent eight years avoiding making any further contribution to it, so we are way behind where that fund needs to be to meet that future rising cost."

Little said he was unconvinced by English's u-turn today on marriage equality. English voted against civil unions in 2004, and against marriage equality in 2013, but today said he would probably vote differently now.

"It's easy enough to do, he was pretty clear at the time and he voted accordingly - look at the voting record, that's what it tells you," Little said.

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Disclosure: This event and trip to LA was an all expense paid journey sponsored by Disney. All thoughts, opinions and experiences are 100% my own!

A few weeks ago I was in LA for the red (blue) carpet world premiere of Disneys MOANA. I shared with my my review of MOANA here, and in the next few days I will be sharing many more behind the scenes interviews from both cast and filmmakers. I have already shared my interview with Dwayne The Rock Johnson and also my interview with Lin-Manuel Miranda and of course, make sure to check out my interview with Aulii Cravalho, the young actress who voices Moana and my interview with Nicole Scherzinger who voices Sina, Moanas mother.

John Musker and Ron Clements

Did you hear the news? MOANA is a Golden Globe nominee!

Today I am sharing with you my interview with MOANA Directors John Musker and Ron Clements and a HUGE congratulations goes out to them this morning as they can now boast that their film MOANA is a Golden Globe nominee! No big shocker if you ask me, but definitely exciting to say the least!

One of the most fascinating parts about this film, in my opinion, is the history and cultural research that went into making it and of course, thats where Ron and John come in. They shared with us

Ron: The big thing was we did a huge research trip five years ago when we first pitched the movie. We spent like three weeks in Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti. We met with cultural ambassadors, linguists, anthropologists, sailors and chiefs.

John: We got to sail in Fiji with navigators and we really tried to connect with those people. Such a tough gig. We got to go to Tahiti for three weeks. We really try to connect with the culture and learn how proud they were of their background as the greatest navigators the world has ever seen Ron: and their connection to and the importance of respect for nature, respect for the environment and also the interconnectedness and extended families and the idea of your heritage and your legacy. We heard this expression in Tahiti, know your mountain. And your mountain is essentially everything that led up to you, all the people that led up to you, everything that happened, all of the things that if they didnt exist, you wouldnt exist. And they said if you dont know your mountain you really dont know who you are.

We heard this expression in Tahiti, know your mountain. And your mountain is essentially everything that led up to you, all the people that led up to you, everything that happened, all of the things that if they didnt exist, you wouldnt exist. And they said if you dont know your mountain you really dont know who you are. ~ Ron Clements

After talking with them, you would really see their passion for telling this story, and their integrity and concern towards telling it correctly for the Polynesian people. Not only did they study the land and get to know the people, but they also heavily researched the mythology behind Maui and the legends surrounding him and ironically, this all brought them to the creation of a Moana character and I loved hearing from them how she came to be:



John: I was intrigued with the area, the area of the Pacific islands. And then that led me to read Polynesian mythology and then I read about this guy Mali who was unbelievable. He was you know, a shape shifter. He had a magical fishhook. He could pull up islands. He had tattoos and was kind of a superhero. I was like why has this never been done in a movie before? And so I showed it to Ron. We pitched a simple idea to John Lassiter, and it was even kind of called the Mighty Maui. That was sort of the original title. Then John said youve got to do research, youve got to go to the islands. And when we went there and we heard about navigation and all this and it was really Rons idea, what if we have a character called Moana, which means ocean, and we built it around her. Someone who wants to be a navigator like her ancestors. And we sort of saw this as a true grit type story where she really is this determined, forceful individual and she teams up with kind of a washed up, down on his luck Ron: seriously flawed demigod. John: .but shes the focus of the story and so it was a challenge when we were making the movie always to keep her at the center. Sometimes Maui, because hes kind of like a magic character, he could start to rise up and we said no, no, this has got to be in the service of her story. So our producer was very strong in terms of keep the focus on Moana when Mali threatened to take over sometimes. Ron: Yeah, it was really a heros journey. We thought of this as a heros journey for Moana. Shes on a quest to save her people. She faces numerous obstacles. Shes resilient. Shes also empathetic, which is an important part of who she is and, and fearless and that she really finally proves herself and becomes the person that shes meant to be.

It was really a heros journey. We thought of this as a heros journey for Moana. Shes on a quest to save her people. She faces numerous obstacles. Shes resilient. Shes also empathetic, which is an important part of who she is and, and fearless and that she really finally proves herself and becomes the person that shes meant to be. ~ Ron Clements

Yay!! MOANA is in theaters NOW!!

Photo credits: Disney and Louise Bishop / MomStart.com

Just in case you are wondering what MOANA is all about, heres a peek at the trailer:

Moana Merchandise!!




As Indias government - fronted by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Twitter account - announced a slew of incentives to propel Indians to discard cash, IndiaSpend found four signs of an expanding base: Five-fold growth in electronic bank transfers and doubling of ATMs and card-swipe machines over five years, and a 50 pct rise in credit cards over four years.

It has been 32 days since Modi announced the scrapping of 86 pct of India's bank notes, by value, and IndiaSpend's special coverage of the move chronicles the widespread economic disruption-and how Modi has changed his rationale for the move from "black money" and "fake currency" to "cashless economy", which is the now the main narrative.

The move to electronic banking - through debit and credit cards, bank transfers, Internet and mobile banking - will indeed accelerate. While the use of cash for retail transactions was 95 pct, according to a 2013 report from McKinsey, it was 68 pct in 2016, the Business Standard reported, quoting the CLSA brokerage group.

However, as we found, the government's plans do not address significant hurdles, which will likely hinder future growth. Here are four indicators of expansion in India's cashless economy and the barriers they face.

1. Five-fold growth in electronic bank transfers, 2011-16: Bank transfers made through the National Electronics Funds Transfer (NEFT) system rose five times in number (4.5 times in value), while transfers using the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system rose 70 pct in number (50 pct in value) over five years ending 2016, according to October 2016 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. RTGS, which requires a minimum of 2 lakh, allows transfers in "real time", or immediately, while NEFT, which has no minimum, can be done during fixed times. NEFT recorded 1.19 billion transactions in October 2016, compared to 199 million in 2011; RTGS transactions rose from 511 million to 864 million over the same period. Electronic transfers, as the term suggests, requires Internet access.

But, only 13 pct (108 million) of 833 million Indians in rural areas have Internet access. Rural India has been worst hit by "notebandi", as the withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 notes is colloquially called. As many as 73 pct of Indians cannot access the Internet, IndiaSpend reported on December 3, 2016; India has 342 million Internet users, according to March 2016 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data. In urban India, 58 pct of the people have access to the Internet.

2. ATMs and Point-of-sales (POS) terminals double, 2011-16: There were 1.4 million POS terminals and 200,000 ATMs in October 2016, according to RBI data, a doubling of numbers over five years. From an ATM for every 12,000 Indians, there is now one for every 6,500. The number of ATMs rose from two for every 100,000 adults in 2005 to 18 by 2014, according to World Bank data. The State Bank of India (SBI) has opened more than 26,000 ATMs over the last four years, according to RBI data, higher than the next four banks (HDFC, ICICI, Axis and Kotak) put together. SBI, India's largest bank, has also deployed more PoS terminals than any other bank. The government has announced plans to add an additional 1 million PoS terminals.

But, the world average for ATMs is 2.5 times India's, Brazil has 39 times as many PoS terminals per capita. The world average of ATMs per 100,000 people was 44 in 2014, according to World Bank data, nearly 2.5 times in India. In 2015, Brazil - with a population 84 pct lower than India - had nearly 39 times as many PoS terminals (32,995), according to a 2015 report from Ernst & Young. The PoS machine rate was 4,000 per million people in China and Russia. Advanced countries such as Japan, USA and UK had more than 100 ATMs per 100,000 people.

3. Debit cards rise 170 pct over 5 years; credit cards rise 50 pct: Credit cards increased from 17.7 million in 2011 to 26.4 million in August 2016, according to RBI data. Debit cards rose from 263 million to 712 million over the same period.

But, 53 pct of adults in 35 high-income countries have credit cards against only 2.1 pct of Indians. Despite the rise in numbers, 26 million in a nation of 1.2 billion is 2.1 pct. In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries - a group of 35 rich nations - 53 pct of adults had a credit card, according to a 2015 World Bank paper. Credit-card growth in India hit a rough patch after the economic slowdown in 2008, with one in four customers defaulting on dues and 10 million credit cards cancelled, the Economic Times reported in 2013. Debit cards are mainly used for cash withdrawals from ATMs in India; only in urban areas are they used for cashless payments, as March 2016 government data confirm. In financial year 2015-16, 25 lakh crore was withdrawn through ATMs - 5.4 times more than PoS transactions ( 3.9 lakh crore).

4. Mobile-phone banking transactions tripled, 25 pct by value, in 2012-16: Although there were yearly fluctuations, transactions conducted over mobile phones - there are about 600 million active mobile phones - rose from 4,185 billion in 2012 to 5,243 billion in October 2016. While mobile banking transactions rose 2.2 times between 2012 and 2016-from 446 million to 1.4 billion - they dipped for two consecutive years: By 308 million transactions in 2015 and 449 million transactions in 2016 (up to October).

But, only 154 million Indians have broadband, speeds slower than Bangladesh, China. For a majority of banking applications, a smartphone is a prerequisite. No more than 17 pct of Indian adults own a smartphone, according to a 2016 survey by Pew Research, a consultancy. Of 930 million mobile-phone subscribers, only 154 million (16.5 pct) have broadband connections, according to a March 2016 TRAI report, limiting access to mobile-banking. Another hurdle is the average time to load a page on a mobile phone: It takes 5.5 seconds in India, compared to 2.6 seconds in China, 4.5 in Sri Lanka, 4.9 in Bangladesh, according to a 2016 report by Akamai Technologies, a global content delivery network services provider.

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BHUBANESWAR: Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium (PSP) has brought the much acclaimed Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the first time to Odisha.

The week-long exhibition was inaugurated at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium here on Sunday. Tata Steel is celebrating the 10th year of Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS).

The mobile exhibition presented by Vikram SarabhaiSpace Exhibition (VSSE), Ahmedabad, has a set of about 20 static panels related to Remote Sensing Satellites and Communication Satellite and their applications, said a release.

"We are proud to host ISRO's first ever exhibition in the state. This will help to develop scientific temper among students. I look forward to many footfalls from curious youngsters and astronomy enthusiasts over the next one week," said Kailash Chandra Sahoo, the planetarium Director.

"The aim of this exhibition is to develop scientific temper amongst the students and researchers and to make common man aware of the contributions of ISRO initiatives in our daily lives. The children visiting the exhibition should also feel encouraged and pursue higher studies in space science," said Vice-President of Tata Steel Gopalpur Project Arun Mishra.

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NEW YORK: India-born chief of Microsoft Satya Nadella is among top-notch tech executives, from Apple, Facebook, who will be meeting US President-elect Donald Trump for a technology roundtable on Wednesday here, media reports said today.



Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Intel CEO Brian Krzanich plan to attend the meeting, CNN reported.

Executives from Oracle Corp, Amazon.Com, IBM will also be among others comprising most of the key players in the sector to attend the summit, the report said.



The Tech giants may discuss issues ranging from immigration reform, encryption and social concerns when they meet Trump who has taken opposing stances on such issues, it said.



Some of the leaders who either were not invited or will not to attend, includes Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose platform Trump used feverishly to build support throughout his campaign, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, investor Mark Cuban, HP CEO Meg Whitman, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Recode, a technology news portal, reported.



Invitations to meet with Trump were signed by Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus, and billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, it said.



Thiel, who is part of Trump's transition team, faced widespread derision among techies for his support of Trump during the campaign.



The meeting, a similar to Trump roundtable with media leaders in November, will take place at Trump Tower in New York City, Recode said.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--A visit by Mayor Bill de Blasio to the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center (AICC) on Sunday was well-received by residents, who say they've felt uneasy in light of recent attacks on Muslims.

De Blasio spoke Sunday night at the mosque, located at 307 Victory Boulevard in Tompkinsville, as part of a celebration of the Prophet Muhammed's birthday.

"Any threat, or hate speech or violence, will be confronted... and there will be consequences for anyone who violates our laws or commits a bias crime," said de Blasio.

Among those in attendance who were comforted by the Mayor's words were the Imam whose life was threatened in Tompkinsville; the 12-year-old who said she can't change her religion, and members of the AICC who say that they are glad that 900 NYPD officers also happen to be Muslim.

Imam Tahir Kukiqi, a community leader who was a victim of a hate crime, sat beside the mayor and welcomed him personally. His life was threatened in June by a man outside the mosque in front of a crowd of people.

De Blasio referenced the incident during his speech, saying the perpetrator had since been arrested. Kukiqi spoke afterward about the fears of AICC members in recent months.

"Recently, after this rhetoric that's out there, even the kids started feeling that there is something wrong with being Muslim," Kukiqi said. "The attacks on Muslims everywhere, including NYC, are more often and very dangerous."

De Blasio also referenced a recent press conference with the NYPD officer, who was threatened in Brooklyn and told to go back to her country.

"She said what everyone needed to hear ... 'this is my country.'"

The Vela family of Queens said afterward they feel safer in New York City than they would in other cities, in part because of the 900 or so NYPD officers who are Muslim.

"We can't do anything to change our religion," said 12-year-old Selma Velovic.

As he closed out his speech, de Blasio offered a lesson in U.S. history.

"People came here of different faiths, fleeing persecution, seeking freedom..." he said. "Anyone who suggests some religion should be separated or isolated, or that one be given special favor over the others, hasn't read our Constitution."
NWS POLICESUSPECT

Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man wanted for questioning in connection with a grand larceny incident that occurred at Walgreens, located at 2270 Clove Road in Grasmere. (Photo courtesy of NYPD)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man wanted for questioning in connection with a grand larceny incident that occurred on Nov. 21 at Walgreens, located at 2270 Clove Road in Grasmere.

An unknown male used a fraudulent bank card, which belonged to a a 46-year-old individual, and attempted to withdraw $900 dollars from the individual's bank account, according to a written statement from the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The unidentified man who conducted the alleged fraudulent transaction was last seen wearing a black jacket, black hat, blue jeans and brown boots.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hot line at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or 888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish; visit nypdcrimestoppers.com or send text tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

Police say all calls will remain strictly confidential.
Montalto house.jpg

Flags are draped at the Montalto family's home at 172 Fox Beach Ave in 2013. Leonard Montalto, died during Hurricane Sandy when he became trapped in the flooded basement. (File photo)

Leonard Montalto, who died during Hurricane Sandy. (File photo)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Congress has passed a bill to rename the South Shore annex of the Post Office after Leonard Montalto, who died in Hurricane Sandy and was a dedicated postal employee.

Sponsored by Rep. Daniel Donovan in the House and Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, the bill now heads to the president's desk for a signature.

Montalto had worked for 28 years as a clerk at the mail processing station in Tottenville when he died at age 53 in his flooded Oakwood Beach home.

Soon, the late father of three who served as secretary and treasurer for his local branch of the American Postal Workers Union will have his name emblazoned on the Post Office at 3031 Veterans Road West in Charleston.

Montalto grew up in Oakwood Beach and was a graduate of New Dorp High School.

The Montalto family said in a statement, "Our family would like to thank all involved in bringing this incredible honor to fruition. We are eternally grateful that our father's memory will live on in such a beautiful and relevant way. Our father was a hardworking and loyal employee of the USPS and member of the APWU. We witnessed firsthand the care and dedication he had for helping his fellow employees in any way he was able, and couldn't think of a better way for his memory and his name to live on amongst those he worked with."
Letter grade scam

Former Health Commissioner Thomas Farley posts the health department's first "A" grade award for sanitary conditions on the window of Spark's Deli in Long Island City, New York, Wednesday, July 28, 2010.

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

CITY HALL -- Fewer Staten Island restaurants have been closed by the Health Department in recent years.

Only nine borough establishments have been temporarily closed this year through Nov. 22, according to statistics from the city Health Department.

There were 17 restaurants temporarily closed in 2015, down from the 27 shuttered the year before. In 2013, 22 establishments were closed.

Borough restaurants are also getting fewer violations from agency inspectors since 2013.

Before Mayor Bill de Blasio took office, health inspectors cited 6,599 violations to Staten Island restaurants in 2013. There were 6,616 issued in 2014 and just 4,984 in 2015.

There have only been 4,288 violations cited this year through Nov. 21, on pace to decrease again.

The Health Department said this is because Staten Island restaurants are more sanitary.

"Violations have decreased across New York City because there is greater compliance in restaurants," agency spokeswoman Carolina Rodriguez said. "Staten Island restaurants have improved from 2013 to 2016 resulting in less inspections. In 2016, there are fewer violations per inspection and fewer inspections resulting in a C range score compared to 2013."

INSPECTION POLICY

The agency uses a "risk-based approach" to determine the frequency of inspections, so how often that happens depends on how well restaurants score.

Those that score an A aren't inspected again for about a year, while those with C grades are inspected more frequently.

Inspectors check for vermin, how food is handled, food temperature and personal hygiene of workers. Each violation earns a certain number of points and those are totaled for the inspection score and the restaurant's letter grade.

Restaurants get two chances to earn an A -- the initial inspection and a follow-up visit. If a restaurant doesn't get an A initially, it's scored but ungraded. Inspectors will go back to reinspect, typically a month later. If a B or C grade is awarded, a grade pending sign is posted until the the restaurant has a chance to get their case heard by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

A PUSH FOR MORE REFORMS

Andrew Rigie, head of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said the decrease in violations was great news but that further reforms are needed to the letter grade system.

"The last thing restaurateurs and chefs want to do is get their customers sick, so they work hard to comply with health regulations. It's great news that the number of violations has decreased," Rigie said. "It's a good time to further reform the restaurant letter grade system so it reduces unfair burdens on small business owners while maintaining high food safety standards."

The violation numbers provided by the Health Department include all those issued before judgments at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Critical and general violations were cited during grade program cycle inspections.

The Health Department may close restaurants if public health hazards -- like keeping food at the wrong temperature -- aren't fixed before the inspection ends.

The number of borough restaurants with no sanitary violations cited during inspection should also go up by the end of this year.

There were seven perfect inspections on Staten Island in 2013, according to statistics from the Health Department. There was just one in 2014 but three last year and six through Nov. 22 of this year.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are looking for a 85-year-old man who has been reported missing since Friday, Dec. 9.

Frank Amato, of Brooklyn, was last seen at 7 a.m. at 1044 Rensselaer Ave., Prince's Bay, an NYPD flier shared on Twitter by the 123rd Precinct reads.

Amato is described as a white male, 5'5'' tall, and 190 pounds with white hair and brown eyes, the flier indicates.

He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, gray pants, a New York Yankees hat and black Reebok sneakers. He was also seen carrying a Foot Locker Bag and a Twizzlers box, authorities say.

Amato is considered in fair physical condition and good mental health.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) 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 by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are asking for the public's help identifying two men sought for questioning in connection with a grand larceny that occurred in the 121st Precinct.

On Dec. 1 at around 7 p.m., a 21-year-old male left his wallet in his car in the vicinity of Grissom Avenue and Rockland Avenue in New Springville, and when he returned to the vehicle, he discovered that the wallet was missing, according to a written statement from NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Two unidentified men then used the stolen a credit card at a 7-Eleven located at 2990 Victory Blvd. in Willowbrook, according to the police statement.

The NYPD released surveillance photos of the men wanted for questioning in connection with the incident, taken from cameras at the store.

Police describe the first individual as a Hispanic male with a beard, who was last seen wearing a green jacket and black hat.

The second is described as a Hispanic male, about 6 feet tall, who was last seen wearing a blue sweater and blue jeans.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
A first-class ride for Cowboy Kel Bridle Path residents show love for mail carrier

For the past six years, Kelvin Hoang has been delivering mail and smiles to people living in Simi Valleys Bridle Path neighborhood. We love Kelvin. Hes the best. Hes like...

SV Womans Club to meet Detectives Kelly King and Jessica Getchius of the Simi Valley Police Department will discuss the problems faced by victims and perpetrators of domestic violence at the monthly luncheon meeting of...

Womans flight aboard B-25 bomber honors grandfathers WWII bravery As Kerri Braemer-Castro looked down at the mountains and valleys of Camarillo from the cockpit of a World War II B-25 bomber earlier this month, she finally felt connected to...

Shred your documents The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a drive-thru document shredding event from 1 to 4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 11 in the parking lot behind the Chamber office, 40...
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The head of Canberra Airport has congratulated the federal government for signing off on paperwork that guarantees a second airport for Sydney.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher declared construction ready to begin on the Badgerys Creek site in western Sydney on Monday.

Canberra Airport, once slated as Sydney's second airport, has welcomed the Badgerys Creek announcement. Credit:Rohan Thomson

A decades-long debate saw Canberra Airport once slated as a reliever site for Sydney Airport, provided a high-speed train connected passengers between cities.

Badgerys Creek was settled upon in 2014. It is expected to take its first passengers in the mid-2020s.
Mobile users: Google Earth Engine has not been optimised for smartphones. The timelapses only work on desktop and laptop computers.

It's a tell-tale sign the years have crept up on you, but Canberra too has got broader with age.

The expansion of the territory is something we all know, but a nifty interactive created by Google Earth Engine is allowing us to witness 32 years of change in a manner of seconds.

It begins with a Canberra before Gungahlin, prior the creation of Lake Tuggeranong and when suburbs south of Monash were still under development.

Pan, zoom and play with this tool created by compiling more than 5 million satellite shots. But before you take a world walk, jump back in time and see the top five most striking changes in the ACT region.
Michelago villagers have expressed anger and frustration at Transport NSW's plans to demolish a landmark disused bridge without community consultation.

Romney Kelly, 33, learned on Tuesday night that John Holland Group, under contract to Transport NSW had plans to demolish the town's beloved rail bridge.

Emily Green, centre, with her children Jack, 7, Neve, 3, Matilda, 11 months and Matthew, 5, with Michelago residents who are unhappy with the NSW Government's consultation over the demolition of the bridge on Micalago Road. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

First notice came on Tuesday from a flyer dropped in letterboxes of residents on Michelago's main street, with one resident then posting it on a shared community Facebook page for residents in the wider area to see.

This was the first Ms Kelly learned of it, with the project set to begin this week.
The Chief Minister and the Smith Family have appealed to Canberrans this Christmas to help raise $150,000 for disadvantaged children in the ACT.

As the Smith Family launched a national drive on Monday, in the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr donated $10,000 to the charity on behalf of the ACT government.

ACT chief minister Andrew Barr with Smith Family ACT general manager Annette Young. Credit:Karleen Minney

"Here in the ACT people can see a very direct result, not only of government funding for community services, but also the results of their donations in terms of practical programs that make a difference in people's lives," Mr Barr said.

"We're the richest city in Australia, so not only is it the right thing but it's the appropriate thing that we are the most generous as well."
Australians awaiting online Christmas shopping deliveries have been warned of fake parcel delivery scams, which have tripled since this time last year.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Scamwatch has received more than 4300 complaints about the scam in 2016, with 350 people reporting that they provided personal information, including bank details, to scammers.

"Scammers typically send emails pretending to be from Australia Post or FedEx, to try and trick you into believing you have an 'undeliverable package'," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard.

"In some cases, these emails may include your name and address and include legitimate-looking company information, complete with fake logos."
After a turbulent 2016 Australia's biggest dairy processor Murray Goulburn has appointed Ari Mervis, a former top brewery executive, as its new CEO on an annual package of $1.5 million.

The employment agreement includes potential short-term and long-term incentive payments on top of fixed remuneration and are performance-based.

Murray Goulburn CEO Ari Mervis is trying to turn around the fortunes of the nation's biggest milk processor.

The appointment comes after a comprehensive international search, which finished with the choice of someone who lives in Melbourne.

Most recently Mr Mervis was the CEO of Carlton and United Breweries in Melbourne, and the managing director of brewing giant SABMiller in the Asia Pacific region.
Shares in Australian travel insurance provider Cover-More have surged more than 40 per cent on the back of a $741 million takeover offer by global insurance giant Zurich Insurance Group.

The company, which listed on the Australian stock exchange in 2013, recommended shareholders accept the offer, which would see them take home $1.95 a share.

The offer would see Cover-More shareholders take home $1.95 a share. Credit:Michele Mossop

The offer is a 48 per cent premium to Cover-More's last closing price of $1.32.

Shares in the company rose 42 per cent to $1.85 following the announcement on Monday.
Australia may have tougher laws aimed at recouping more tax from multinationals, but that won't stop the incoming US President Donald Trump telling us to "get stuffed" in the fight for more revenue from US-based companies, a KPMG tax expert says.

President-elect Donald Trump has two major changes affecting multinationals under his tax reform agenda. First, he wants to cut the corporate income tax rate from 35 per cent to 15 per cent.

Second, he wants to introduce a special corporate tax repatriation holiday rate whereby corporations with money stashed overseas would be able to pay a tax rate of just 10 per cent on that income in order to bring it back into the United States.

Such a move would benefit multinationals like Apple and Microsoft which currently have billions stashed overseas.
The ancient city of Aleppo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. But the name Aleppo now evokes apocalyptic scenes of destruction and despair, a city reduced to rubble, a child wiping blood from his face. Aleppo has become a byword for human misery.

As bombardment intensifies, hundreds have been killed in this past week. Food has run out, and no hospitals are functioning. The situation is catastrophic.

Yet early last week, China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that called for a seven-day ceasefire  a space to negotiate an end to the fighting and to bring in essential medicines, water and food. Tens of thousands have fled eastern Aleppo in recent days, while diplomats met in Paris to call for an end to the violence, as air strikes continue to hit civilians in what US Secretary of State John Kerry called "crimes against humanity".

This internationally condemned veto was a stark demonstration of how the UN system has failed to stop these devastating conflicts  the reason for which it was established post World War II.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's office declined to comment on the Federal Court ruling. The world's refugee crisis, with its 65 million people on the move, more than at any time since 1945, knows no more sustained, sinister or surreal exercise in cruelty than the South Pacific quasi-prisons Australia has established for its trickle of the migrant flood. Australia, like Europe but on a much smaller scale, faces a genuine dilemma: What to do about desperate migrants trying by any means to gain asylum? Their journeys across the world have fuelled rightist movements in many developed societies. Anxiety, whether related to jobs or terrorism, is high and, as Donald Trump demonstrated, scapegoating is effective. Approaches to the crisis have varied. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has taken in more than one million. But the Australian government argues that toughness is the only way to prevent the country from being overwhelmed. Hassaballa Hassaballa, a Sudanese refugee, in a cave locals used as shelter during World War II, on Los Negros Island near Manus. Credit:Ashley Gilbertson/New York Times It has "stopped the boats" and the Indonesian smugglers behind them: This is the essence of Australia's case. The government says it has prevented deaths like those in the Mediterranean, where more than 4000 migrants have drowned this year. By turning back the "queue jumpers," a phrase that resonates in a nation devoted to a "fair go" for all, it has safeguarded Australia's right to select who gets to people a vast and empty country. The official vow that those marooned on Manus and Nauru will never live in Australia has assumed doctrinal vehemence.

Australia's own little Trump In Peter Dutton, the immigration minister, the country has its own little Trump. Last May he portrayed the asylum seekers as illiterates bent on stealing Australian jobs, and he has suggested "mistakes" were made in letting in too many Lebanese Muslim immigrants. His soft bigotry resonates with enough voters to sway elections. At the same time, Manus and Nauru are a growing embarrassment to Australia, a party to all major human rights treaties. "There is an increasing realisation that this is unsustainable," Madeline Gleeson, an Australian human rights lawyer, told me. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull knows this and needs a way out. After Omid Masoumali, a young Iranian, burned himself to death on Nauru this year, a cartoon by Cathy Wilcox captured Australia's shame. Above a man in flames was the caption "Not drowning."

The result is a one-time agreement with the United States, announced last month. America will, over an unspecified period, take in an unspecified number of the refugees, with priority going to the women, children and families who are on Nauru. The single men on Manus would presumably bring up the rear, if accepted at all with Trump in office. Turnbull has said he's confident Trump will not torpedo the deal. But when I asked Benham Satah if he thought he would soon be in the United States, he drew on a cigarette and gazed out to sea: "After three years suffering here I know only this: Unless you see it, don't believe it." Neocolonial return In the early morning at the Lorengau covered market, another Australian-funded project, women lay out produce and wares. Pickings are slim: pineapples, papaya and small bunches of peanuts. Giant turtles with prices scrawled on their bellies flap in expiration as the sun rises and flies hover.

Betel nut has pride of place on many tables. Chewing the nut is a Manus habit often manifested in scarlet lips and rotting teeth. Betel, a mild stimulant, prompts what June Polomon, who works in the market, called "our tendency to be nonstop chatterers, just like our noisy friarbirds." Visiting Manus in 1928, US anthropologist Margaret Mead described a scene little changed nine decades later: "He puts a betel nut in his mouth, leisurely rolls a pepper leaf into a long funnel, bites off the end, and dipping the spatula into the powdered lime, adds a bit of lime to the mixture he is already chewing vigorously." As they chew, the people of Manus discuss property (familial attachment to land is fierce), daughters' dowries and the many hundreds of asylum seekers who  unexpected and unexplained  were deposited in 2013 at the island's Lombrum naval base, originally established by US forces in 1944 under General Douglas MacArthur. "If Australia had cared, it would have told us something, talked to our village leaders, who are important," Polomon told me. "We've been used in a neocolonial way." That is also the view of Charlie Benjamin, the Manus governor, whom I found in indignant mood.

"It's just morally wrong to dump these people here and then say, 'Never Australia,'" he said. "Our understanding was we'd help a process and genuine refugees would move on, but no process exists." Charlie Benjamin, the governor of Manus Province. Credit:Ashley Gilbertson/New York Times He described endless wrangling with Australian authorities over roads he believes they should pay for  the western half of the island is still so inaccessible the governor said it took him six hours to drive the 50 miles to his village. Under the money-for-migrants deal between Canberra and the Papua New Guinea government in Port Moresby, Australia promised its former colony hundreds of millions of dollars, but chiefly for projects outside Manus. The 60,000 inhabitants of Manus were never consulted. Nor, of course, were the asylum seekers and refugees. When they arrived, they had no idea where they were. Seeing black Papuans, many thought they were in Africa. For almost three years they were held in the detention camp, humiliated and intermittently terrorised. Last April, the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court ordered an end to "the unconstitutional and illegal detention of the asylum seekers or transferees at the relocation centre on Manus"; it was an offence "against their rights and freedoms." To which Dutton, the immigration minister, promptly responded that nobody in Manus "will settle in Australia."

The only change resulting from the ruling is that refugees can now leave the camp during the day and take buses into Lorengau. "We're just in a bigger prison," Abdirahman Ahmed, a Somali refugee, told me. The Shabab jihadi militia killed his father and brother in Mogadishu. "Sometimes I think maybe if I die it's better. If you die there's no question in front of you, no interpreter between you and God, no immigration, no Australia. We are not human, just a signpost: If you want to come to Australia you will end up in Manus with three years of trauma and torture." They are the walking dead, suspended in a dreamland, staring out at shimmering islets. Abdul Aziz Muhamat's lips are trembling. He is from Darfur in Sudan and recalls how Sudanese government forces bound a villager's limbs to four horses "and they tore him up." The soldiers put children in a fuel-doused hut and torched it. "I can see it like yesterday," he says. With an uncle's help Aziz  the name he now uses  fled: Khartoum airport in Sudan, Yemenia Airways Flight 632 ("I still remember the number") to Sanaa, Yemen's capital, on to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and from there to Jakarta in Indonesia. He is met by a Sudanese man who whisks him south to Bogor, Indonesia, where he hides in a house with Iranians, Pakistanis, Burmese and others. It is mid-August 2013. They move on by truck at night, then paddle in canoes to an island, and board a rickety boat crammed with 50 people. "I asked where we were going," Aziz tells me, "and this guy said Australia." But after 12 hours at sea, with the boat foundering, they turn back. Five people drown.

When Aziz tries again in October, his boat is intercepted by the Australian navy and he is thrown into a detention centre on Christmas Island with more than 40 others. Finally an Australian immigration officer tells them they will be flown to Manus, "a very dangerous place full of contagious diseases  if you touch a local, sanitise yourself." "I have a question," Aziz says. "That's it. I cannot answer questions," says the immigration officer. "If you know these things exist on Manus Island, why do you want to send us there?" Aziz says he's in a cage. The whole island is a cage. Then he says he's in a hole. He has no feelings, no desire. There's no point asking why. It's been too long. At first conditions in the detention centre are primitive, hundreds of men crammed into makeshift compounds or tents, scant food, bullying expat staff contracted by Australia, constant threats from a special Papuan police riot squad flown in at Australian expense  and no information, no "process." Nothing.

Frustration boils up in early 2014. For weeks, there are peaceful protests every evening, chants of "Freedom." But they have no effect, and the asylum seekers are told that "processing" could take a decade: Kafka in the tropics. Anger turns to rage. Two Iranians try to escape and are beaten up. Local thugs with machetes and bush knives, drunk on moonshine, goaded and abetted by some international security staff, pile into the camp. Shots are fired. Reza Barati is killed. Aziz, his toe broken, finds himself in the clinic among "170 guys lying on concrete, some conscious, some unconscious, bodies full of blood. I thought I was back in Darfur." A photo of Masoud Ali Shiekh, who was attacked by drunken locals with rocks, seen on the phone of another refugee. Credit:ASHLEY GILBERSTON Dump men in the middle of nowhere, confine them, abuse them, suspend them in limbo, and this is what you get. The riot changes nothing. A year later, in January 2015, hundreds of men begin a hunger strike. Several sew their mouths shut. The strike persists for two weeks. The authorities break it by throwing Aziz, Benham Satah and others into solitary confinement in windowless containers known as the "chauka" (named after a bird unique to Manus).

The hunger strike changes nothing. Australia has relied on the remoteness and secrecy of its program: out of sight, out of mind. Keep the press out. Impose draconian nondisclosure clauses in contracts for everyone who works there. Even pass a federal law that can send whistleblowers to prison. On the whole, it has worked. Still, the ugliness is beginning to seep out. In 41 months these stranded men have had only two pieces of good news: the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court ruling and now the Australian deal with the United States. "The deal represents a long overdue concession from the government that it cannot leave people on Manus and Nauru forever," Daniel Webb, a lawyer at the Melbourne Human Rights Law Centre, told me. "That concession is way overdue, but it does not end their suffering." Aziz, a smart young man who has dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer, said the policy is "not about stopping boats. I think it's about using innocent people as political tools to win elections."

A strange hysteria Moving the asylum seekers elsewhere to be processed was not in itself unlawful, so long as the process was fair and efficient and met basic human rights standards. There should have been explanatory sessions with local authorities, clarity over who was running facilities, zero detention and an Australian-led regional effort to secure a decent life for the refugees. None of this occurred. Instead, Australia, briefly under a Labor Party government and then under the conservatives, has effectively argued that the end (discouraging human smuggling) justifies the means (cruelty). As Hugh Mackay, a social researcher, observed, this is "the very same principle used to justify torture." And even so, boats are still being turned around by a huge naval deployment. A strange hysteria about the "boat people" seems to have blinded Australia to what is being perpetrated in its name. The country was founded on a similar principle to "offshore processing": Britain's dispatch in the late 18th century of convicts to a faraway land in Oceania, where they, too, would be invisible. Its subsequent history has included the slaughter and incarceration of the native Aboriginal people; the White Australia policy, under which a vast land mass was seen as threatened by black people and other non-whites emanating from places like Papua New Guinea; the "stolen generation" policy, under which tens of thousands of Aboriginal children were taken from their families and placed in white homes; and now this disgraceful consignment of asylum seekers, many of them dark-skinned and Muslim, to faraway islands where they are left to fester with the "natives."

"Australians have a tendency to feel vulnerable," Amelia Lester, the editor of Fairfax Media magazine Good Weekend, told me. "We're so far from anywhere, it breeds a kind of paranoia." Just 24 million people live in Australia, a country twice the size of India, where 1.25 billion live. Might there be room to squeeze in 2000 more? Australia has not known a recession in a quarter-century. Perhaps it is hard to imagine what humiliation and despair are. But it is time to imagine; they are right here, across the water. "Whatever the policy challenge, deliberate cruelty to thousands of innocent people is never the solution," Webb told me. One measure of the government's obsession is that it has introduced legislation to impose a lifetime ban from Australia for anyone held at one of the camps. So in theory, a man from Manus could go to the United States under the recently announced deal, become a Harvard professor, and never be able to visit Sydney. Another is that it insists that the roughly 370 people moved from Manus or Nauru to Australia as "transitory persons" because they were injured in riots, or sexually assaulted, or were dying, or pregnant, or had broken down (like the wife of the Iranian who self-immolated) cannot stay in Australia. If they want to be considered for the US deal, they would have to return to one of the islands to be "processed." The "transitory persons" include about 40 children. This is madness.

Lynne Elworthy, a mental health nurse, is one Australian who knows the agony of Manus and Nauru. She's worked on both islands, and spoke to me in brave defiance of the nondisclosure rules meant to gag her. "Some cope better, focus on gym and seem to do OK," she said. "But many men in Manus are withdrawn, skinny, depressed and worn out, hopeless, with plummeting lows. It's quite obvious to see this. They exist in a lifeless pit." She continued: "Apart from the way the whites treated the Aborigines when they first arrived  that was worse  this will come in second by the time Manus and Nauru are considered for their absolute cruelty. I imagine one day a royal commission will look into the illegal imprisonment, the damage caused, the agony and the injury." On my last day in Manus I managed to get through the navy checkpoint at the entrance to the camp. Rain was falling heavily. I drove past MacArthur's old house, and a US-built church, and down to the high metal fences and barbed wire. Dozens of Australian border guards were exercising in a field. Jeeps and white SUVs splashed by. I saw the barracks  Oscar and Delta and Mike and Foxtrot  and by now it was easy to imagine the suffering endured within. Behrouz Boochani, another Iranian refugee, had broken down in front of me a couple of days earlier, crying uncontrollably.

"I can't sleep," he said. "I want justice," he said. "I have 1 million pages of incriminating documents," he said. Emaciated, with pale green eyes, a ponytail and beard, he was a broken but still determined man: "We are here because of all Australia, all the people who are silent, who have done nothing." Nayser Ahmed, a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar. Credit:Ashley Gilbertson/New York Times Among the refugees is Nayser Ahmed, a Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar on July 2, 2013. Now 63, he made his way to Indonesia with his wife and six children. But when they boarded the bus to go to the boat, he was unable to squeeze in alongside. His family reached Australia before the imposition of the Manus and Nauru policy, and now live in Sydney. He did not. Every effort to be reunited with his family since he arrived in Manus on Nov. 15, 2013, has failed. Ahmed's nose and ribs were broken in the 2014 riot. A daughter got married in Sydney two years ago; he told her to stay well and not think too much. He blames himself for missing the bus. "I think all the time about what happened," he told me. "When I close my eyes, I can see that bus leaving." He said he was "shouting and screaming, 'My family is gone, someone help me!'"
An issue of importance from Elaine Turnidge, of Cherrybrook. "Recently in St Vincent's Private Hospital looking out the window, I noticed the Australian flag on the side of the Sydney-Bondi Explorer Bus seemed to be upside down  this is the 'distress mode'  what could be 'distress' when taking visitors on tour. The Union Jack should be on the top left-hand side of the stars on the flag, not on the bottom right-hand side! Check the brochure on their internet site."

Watching the Sunday night ABC News the second item was about elder abuse and how some scoundrels are abusing their power of attorney privileges to thieve off their elderly parents, writes John Ure of Mount Hutton. "A woman from the Australian Law Reform Commission was interviewed and suggested, due to lack of appropriate regulation, this type of activity is "invisibalised". I haven't heard that one before  but coming from the ALRC it must be fair dinkum."

C8 ornithologists help needed. "I write in search of details about a bird heard recently around our Northern Beaches home. It emits a hooping noise, like something I would associate with a monkey. From the little I have seen, it is medium to large with brown feathers with mottled grey edges. It is active in both daylight and nocturnal hours (1:30 in the morning seems to be a favoured time). I am sorry for the scant details but it is very good at hiding." Alexander Gregory Elliott of Bilgola Plateau.

Another important fauna query from Chris Woods, Lyons ACT. "Column8ers, as they appear to go forever, what is the lifespan of the average worm farm worm?"

'Lynne B' of Charlestown writes: "John Solvyns should have no concerns about the vocal frog becoming amorous with his tape dispenser (C8 froggie went a-courtin'), no concerns at all that is unless he has a homosexual frog ... only male frogs call.Thank you."
In October, when Donald Trump's White House bid looked to have been derailed by the release of the ugly "pussy-gate" tape recording, Trump sought to reset his campaign with policy-heavy speech made on sacred American soil, the battlefield at Gettysburg.

Trump's Gettysburg address did not quite resonate in the manner of Abraham Lincoln's.

Where Lincoln began by invoking the bloody struggle to forge a new nation "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal", Trump began by vowing to sue the dozen-odd women who had accused him of groping them over the years.

This tended to distract from the substance of the speech, which was  by Trump's standards  a detailed set of policy commitments, ranging from the unlikely (ending illegal immigration) to the outrageous (cancelling the visas of citizens of nations that did not accept the return of deported "criminals").
Teachers for Refugees have made it clear they are not interested in forcing anyone to adopt their views: teachers are authority figures, and they can't and shouldn't compel their students to agree with them. But they also shouldn't have to pretend that they come to social topics with no opinions of their own. On the contrary, teachers should be examples of the kinds of adults society needs  politically engaged, independent-minded, committed to rational, pluralistic debate over controversial questions, and not cowed by pressure into hiding their convictions.

Teachers' critics accuse them of wanting to "brainwash" students. Politics, they say, must be kept out of the classroom. The idea that wearing T-shirts constitutes brainwashing is preposterous. Birmingham himself has acknowledged that a debate on refugees is appropriate. Civics and citizenship forms part of the curriculum in NSW. Schools regularly participate in white ribbon programs to highlight the evils of domestic violence and violence against women. Why should the government's amply documented violence against refugees be taken any less seriously?

Predictably, the initiative has drawn strident criticism from the federal government and sections of the media. In yet another escalation of the authoritarianism of Australian political culture, an intervention from the federal Education Minister, Simon Birmingham, has led to teachers being threatened with disciplinary action if they wear the shirts in class. In NSW, they even risk dismissal. Calls for justice, human rights, or respect for international law, it would seem, officially have no place in Australian schools.

This week, hundreds of school teachers from the national Teachers for Refugees group will protest against our brutal and internationally condemned refugee policies by wearing "close the camps, bring them here" T-shirts to school.

Political neutrality in the classroom is, in any case, a fiction. Teachers are called on to take positions on any number of political issues as a part of their job. In history classes, no one could reasonably argue that schools must treat the ideologies of racism or fascism "neutrally", as though it was an open question whether they are valid.

A teacher's role is obviously not to be apolitical on topics like these, but to present movements like Nazism as wrong and criminal: there would justifiably be an outcry if, in the name of keeping politics out of the classroom, a teacher refused to condemn anti-Semitism, for instance. The question of refugees is no different: teachers and university lecturers have a duty to assert the principles of justice and human rights that the government is denying.

The demand for teachers' political views to be kept private also carries a sinister implication. Schoolchildren aren't immune from the news: many, especially in more senior years, will have heard about the harrowing conditions, the despair, and the tragic self-harm and suicides that flow from Australia's refugee policies. By forcing teachers to hide their opposition to those policies in class, the state is actively fostering a nagging doubt in students' minds: maybe, school children are being encouraged to think, the adults responsible for our education actually support this cruelty to refugees. The government, apparently, wants students to believe that their teachers may be in favour of arbitrary, ruthless abuse of vulnerable people. That possibility is deeply corrosive of the trust on which education depends.

These kinds of insidious consequences on education are just one of the dangerous long-term effects of the normalisation of refugee-detention on our society. Those effects should not be underestimated: a more authoritarian political culture, the erosion of justice and the rule of law as norms constraining the powerful, a weakening of the commitment to rational public policy, the increasing expectation of racist state violence, and the more regular suppression of dissent.

Politicians' current attempt to silence teachers is the latest bid by the state to tighten its grip over independent institutions of civil society. It is of a piece with the longstanding campaign against the ABC, with the establishment of the ABCC to wind back the power of unions, and with political interference in university research grants and the Safe Schools programme this year. The Border Force Act, which still gags teachers working in the detention network, provides a model for the crackdown on Teachers for Refugees.
It's been an historic few weeks for LGBTQI rights in South Australia. First came the words, with Premier Jay Weatherill formally apologising in State Parliament to the LGBTQI community for laws that have discriminated against them. Then came the action, with the passage of several pieces of legislation that will strip some of that discrimination away.

Both moves earn Weatherill and the government of the first state to decriminalise homosexuality in Australia a big thumbs up and a full-throated "Yaaas!" from this writer. But they also demonstrate again the reactionary pattern of much of LGBTQI progress in this country, and abroad. Too often, something bad has to happen before leaders are motivated to do something good.

David and Marco Bulmer-Rizzi were on their honeymoon in Adelaide when David was killed in a fall. Credit:Facebook

A case in point: as part of a bill titled the Relationships Register (No.1), passed by the upper house last week and expected to soon be implemented, the state will now recognise overseas same-sex marriages. The move comes almost a year since the world learnt the nation-shaming story of British couple Marco and David Bulmer-Rizzi, the latter of whom died in January during their honeymoon in South Australia.

You will recall that following David's death, Marco was refused the status of next of kin, the right to make end-of-life decisions and told that his husband's death certificate would read "never married". When the story went viral, South Australia  along with Western Australia and the Northern Territory, which also do not recognise overseas same-sex marriages  got the shellacking it deserved in the press at home and abroad.
The Tax Office ruled out a census-style "denial of service" attack as the reason for the loss of its entire website, saying the mass failure was due to hardware problems "not being caused by any external factors".

The website became inaccessible from computers and mobile devices at around 9.30am eastern daylight time.

Visitors to the ATO website receive a message saying "Our website is currently not available. We apologise for the inconvenience and assure you of our commitment to provide you with the best possible experience of using our online services. We thank you for your patience as we work to restore our services."

The ATO tweeted at 9.30am: "We're investigating issues with online services, portals & our website as a priority. Apologies for inconvenience. Stay tuned for updates."
A regretful Gillian Triggs says she was "very frustrated" when she slammed Australian politicians as ignorant and uneducated and claimed she could have "destroyed them" in an infamous newspaper interview.

The Australian Human Rights Commission boss was hauled back before Senate estimates on Monday to explain misleading evidence she gave at a similar hearing in October.

At the time, Professor Triggs said the disparaging remarks attributed to her by The Saturday Paper had been inaccurately reported, taken out of context and even doctored by a sub-editor.

She recanted the next day after the newspaper's editor Erik Jensen said a recording of the interview showed the quotes were entirely accurate. She subsequently wrote to the committee to correct her evidence.
Australia's immigration chief has conducted a secret visit to the United States to reach out to Donald Trump officials and spruik a refugee deal Malcolm Turnbull struck with outgoing President Barack Obama.

Department of Immigration and Border Protection secretary Michael Pezzullo and other senior bureaucrats have in recent weeks engaged in a series of high-level meetings with figures connected to President-elect Trump, and with officials from the Department of Homeland Security, to discuss operational details of the deal.

Fairfax Media has learned that Mr Pezzullo was in the United States to offer detailed briefings on President Obama's offer to take an undisclosed number of refugees from Manus Island and Nauru, and provide broader context about Operation Sovereign Borders, the tough border protection policy introduced under Tony Abbott.

The meetings have been designed to assuage Republican concerns about the deal and ensure it holds after President-elect Trump is inaugurated in late January. There were fears in Australia that Mr Trump - who made a hardline approach to immigration one of the hallmarks of his election campaign - could tear up the agreement, which the Turnbull government had spent the better part of this year securing.
In a bid to become Australia's answer to the Kardashians, the Mehajer family of Sydney's western suburbs are instead resembling Jim Carrey at the height of his comedic fame. When the pressure from negative news gets too much, the knee jerk reaction is to pull on a happy mask and declare, "It's party time!"

P.A.R.T why? Because they gotta.

Ibraham Sakalaki and Kat Mehajer married in August. Credit:Emilio B Photography & Mehajer Pty Ltd

Days after the parents of former Auburn deputy mayor Salim - Mohamad and Amal Mehajer - declared themselves bankrupt just hours before they were due in court over a $10 million tax debt, the Mehajers banded together over the weekend and staged a glittery smoke screen this time in the form of a baby announcement and sex reveal party.

Just three months after celebrating at a lavish wedding that made a Baz Luhrmann film look like a community repertory production, Khadijeh 'Kat' Mehajer and her husband Ibraham Sakalaki have announced they are expecting their first child sometime next year.
1800 RESPECT, also known as National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service, is now operated by Medibank Health Solutions, part of Medibank Private.

The switch to a triage system came as part of a suite of restructurings to hotlines for health services by the Coalition government in August. Credit:Luca Pierro/Stocksy

Complaints about 1800 RESPECT skyrocketed after the implementation of a triage service in which first responders judge whether callers should be directed to an information website, a trauma counsellor or state-based family violence services already overloaded with demand. Previously, every call was answered by an experienced trauma counsellor.

Australia's highest profile sexual assault and domestic violence hotline has experienced a dramatic spike in complaints about its service since its restructure in August.

It has already fielded more than 60 complaints in the three months ending November, compared with 79 over the previous two years, according to information obtained by Fairfax Media.

R&DVSA has now been forced to allocate a specific person to compile complaints and there are claims from within the organisation that the number of complaints yet to be processed is well over 200.

The switch to a triage system came as part of a suite of restructurings to hotlines for health services by the Coalition government in August.

Medibank Health Solutions has held the contract since 2010 for providing the phone hotline but was required to subcontract the operations to R&DVSA until August this year.

Now MHS first responders answer calls. Those first responders are responsible for most of the complaints.
Forget the detention of refugee children or the torture of Indigenous teenagers in juvenile detention centres or the institutional sexual abuse of young people, conservative politicians and media have exposed the real danger to kids everywhere: "gender theory."

According to them, gender theory sneaks into curriculums like the Bogeyman, hidden in programs like Safe Schools, to corrupt young minds. It urges children to take hormones (never mind that intersex infants are forcibly subjected to sterilisation) or participate in bondage (never mind that students get "counselling" from some chaplains that being gay is sinful).

A young girl creating art on the concrete ground. Credit:Stocksy

But, here's the thing: what they think of as terrifying propaganda, I think of as everyday life.

I remember encountering gender theory when I was a docile two year old frolicking in a dress and coveting my cousin's shiny red shoes. When I was a little older, I would dress up, put on my mother's heels, and ask all my aunts to give me lipstick. At school, I would regale my friends with stories of how I wanted to be just like Xena when I grew up because she was much stronger than Hercules.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story premiered in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

The first standalone instalment of the science fiction series, the film stars Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, a resistance fighter tasked with stealing the plans for the Death Star.

The cast and crew of Rogue One at the premiere in Hollywood. Credit:Getty

But, as this picture that came out of Saturday night's celebrations reminds us all, just because a film has a female lead, it does not mean that it is female-led.

This is the Rogue One cast and crew shot. There are 21 people in this photo, only three (Jones and producers Kathleen Kennedy and Allison Shearmur) are women.
Adelaide: A "sadistic" father who tortured, terrorised and sexually abused four children at a remote South Australian property has been jailed for up to 25 years.

Not only did the man sexually assault his children but he locked them in cages, tied them to trees and slammed their fingers in doors in a ghastly campaign of abuse.

The 43-year-old was on Monday sentenced to at least 19 years in prison for his crimes that were committed over more than a decade at his house north of Port Augusta.

"You tormented and terrorised each child," District Court Judge Sophie David said in her sentencing.

"It's hard to fully detail the sadistic nature of your offending."
The ACT is set to lead the nation in the transition to NAPLAN Online from 2017 amid concerns that the new format of testing will disadvantage some students.

Only 10 per cent of the nation will move online in 2017. This includes most ACT schools, along with around half in South Australia and 100 in each of the remaining states. All schools nationwide will be required to be online by 2019.

Dr Stanley Rabinowitz, general manager, assessment and reporting, of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), who administer the tests, said rigorous trials over the past three years have proven that no student will be disadvantaged.

"We're working very hard to make sure the online and paper exams are comparable," Dr Rabinowitz said.
For five excruciating days, Natasha Kennedy resisted the temptation to open her VCE results.

She was one of more than 2000 students who received their results early due to a technical glitch. At first she thought it was a cruel hoax, and then she was prepared to wait.

"The pressure was building up," the Aquinas College student said.

When she finally opened the message on Monday morning, the aspiring film and television student was happy with what she saw, an ATAR of 80.2. After the nerves wore off, she said she felt "a bit disappointed".
Future heads of the NSW corruption watchdog would be given the same protections against removal from office as judges under a Labor plan to safeguard the independence of the agency.

The head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Megan Latham, announced last month she would not apply for a new position after her role was axed by an Act of Parliament restructuring the agency.

The restructure has been slammed by Labor as a Baird government "ruse" to remove Ms Latham.

She came under fire over the ICAC's inquiry into Liberal Party fundraising and its failed bid to investigate Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen, SC.
More than half of NSW year 9 students would fail at the first hurdle to get their HSC based on this year's NAPLAN results, new statistics from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority have revealed.

It follows the surprise announcement in July by NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli that students would be required to meet a minimum literacy and numeracy standard to receive their HSC.

From next year, year 9 students will need to get a mark of Band 8 or above in their NAPLAN tests to be guaranteed of qualifying for their HSC.

This year's full NAPLAN results confirm that in the 2016 year 9 cohort, more than half of all students in the reading, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy tests received Band 7 or below.
A man charged over an alleged assault which left his baby daughter in a Queensland hospital with serious brain injuries has faced court.

The 39-year-old New Zealand man, who cannot be identified, was granted bail after appearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday charged with grievous bodily harm.

A man accused of assaulting a baby has been granted bail on a $20,000 surety. Credit:AFR

It's alleged he assaulted the four-month-old girl and when she became unresponsive she was transported from her Upper Coomera home to the Gold Coast University Hospital on July 20.

The court heard the child remains in hospital in a vegetative state after the alleged incident.
Fire has caved in the roof of a home north of Brisbane.

Firefighters rushed to Ningi, between Caboolture and Bribie Island, about 7.30am and found the house up in flames.

The roof of a house at Ningi had collapsed by 8am. Credit:Dave Andrews - @Chopperdaveqld

By 8am the roof had collapsed but three crews were still tackling the blaze on Redondo Street.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said crews were still looking to search the house but there wasn't believed to be anyone inside.
The company at the centre of a wages stoush at a premier racetrack redevelopment where two workers died has gone under owing millions of dollars.

Multiple subcontractors went unpaid at the Eagle Farm Racecourse project with claimed debts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars as Landfill Logistics struggled to stay afloat.

They were holding weekly protests outside the track's $37 million infield stable redevelopment, calling on lead developer Criscon and the Brisbane Racing Club to step in and pick up the tab.

Both companies paid small amounts to various subcontractors but wouldn't take responsibility for the full bill, saying the contracts were between Landfill and the subcontractors.
A rapidly spinning supermassive black hole has been witnessed shredding a sun-like star nearly four billion light years away, according to a team of scientists.

A flash of light 3.8 billion years ago in a distant galaxy briefly shone with 20 times the brightness of our entire galaxy. It was detected last year by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae, known as ASASSN.

Astronomers at the time thought they had discovered the most luminous supernova yet seen. That team of researchers still stands by this claim.

Supernovae are the extraordinarily bright cataclysmic deaths of large stars. For brief moments as the stars explode they light up the heavens with more energy than that emitted from most galaxies.
Despite glowing praise from bystanders on Chapel Street, drag queen Art Simone has become the victim of vicious online trolling for being the shopping precinct's new-look Santa.

The much more glamorous Santa is hitting the streets of Prahran every weekend until Christmas Eve for "drag carolling".

Tom Gough (left) and Art Simone at the Chapel Street precinct on Saturday. Credit:Trish Ropiha

But some on social media have responded with hate-filled tweets, and even death threats.

"Mental patients shouldn't be taking the place of Santa," one Twitter user wrote.
Lawyers for children at Barwon prison have accused the Andrews government of "calling a spade a galah", arguing it is illegally treating a section of the maximum security adult prison as a youth justice centre.

The state last month began transferring children from Parkville's youth justice precinct to the prison following a riot that caused about $2 million damage.

Barwon prison, where the government moved children. Credit:Angela Wylie

The government classified the Grevillea unit of the prison a remand centre and a youth justice centre "for emergency accommodation", with its lawyers saying it was required to find beds for about 60 children after half of the accommodation at Parkville was destroyed in the riot.

Seven children at Barwon prison are asking the court to declare their detention there unlawful and order that they be removed to youth detention facilities.
More than $8 billion a year will be spent on infrastructure in the lead-up to the 2018 election and beyond, as the Andrews government moves to head off concerns about the state's ability to cope with booming population growth.

Victoria's budget update, to be released on Tuesday, will show the government is planning to spend an an annual average of $8.4 billion on big projects over the next four years.

That represents a $1 billion rise from the April 2016 state budget, which predicted average spending of $7.4 billion a year over the four years to mid-2020.

In the seven months since the budget, hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure spending has been dragged forward, including the purchase of new X'trapolis trains and the level crossing removal program. The government has also announced $1.8 billion to upgrade suburban roads in Melbourne's west.
Melburnians are set to pay a heavy price for the Melbourne Metro Rail project as large and defining parts of the city become long-term construction sites.

The controversial removal of mature trees from St Kilda Road could begin as early as next year, and the impact on the historic boulevard will be "significant and transformative", according to the rail project's own heritage experts.

Traffic along St Kilda Road will be severely restricted for at least two to three years when all but one lane of traffic is closed in each direction around the Domain tram interchange.

While planning for the project pushes ahead, there is growing community concern the process has been rushed and that construction methods with less impact have not been properly considered.
Premier Colin Barnett has taken the public behind the scenes to explain the government's $14 million investment in Perth Airport and Qantas' deal to start Perth-London direct flights in 2018.

The national carrier confirmed on Sunday it would operate the 17-hour journeys from 2018, the first regular passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe, with the government confirming it would pay for upgrades allowing border services at domestic terminal T3.

It was not the role of government to subsidise either corporation, he told Radio 6PR on Monday morning, but the government wanted to ensure the flights happened from Perth, and maybe to Paris or Frankfurt in the future.

"What I put to Qantas and the airport was that we wanted the travelling public, both Australians and overseas visitors, not to be in any way inconvenienced," he said.
Police are hunting for a man who smashed a till over a cashier's head on Monday during a violent hold-up at a southern suburbs deli.

The incident occurred around 3pm at The Lunch Club in Carlisle - the same deli where police fatally shot a man who was threatening a deli worker with a knife in 2014.

A cashier was injured during December's armed robbery. Credit:Google Maps

The man involved in Monday's robbery is described as dark skinned and wasn't wearing a shirt.

He was last seen running east down Harris Street.
Passengers flying non-stop between Perth and London on Qantas can expect to pay up to 40 per cent more for a fare, according to an aviation expert.

Qantas will operate non-stop flights on its new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft between Perth and London from March 2018.

Direct flights from Perth to London could set passengers back an extra 40 per cent. Credit:Erin Jonasson

The 14,498 kilometre service will be the first regular passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe and will take about 17 hours.

Ellis Taylor from the online news site Flightglobal said Qantas would have to charge more for one simple reason: the cost of carrying more fuel.
Hundreds of truckies and travellers began moving again on Monday evening after an out-of-control bushfire forced the closure of Eyre Highway for a second time in a week, leaving many stranded.

The highway reopened after the threat of the fire was reduced to an alert, allowing police to reopen a 200 kilometre stretch of road between Eucla and the Nullarbor Roadhouse at the border of WA and South Australia.

Nullarbor Roadhouse manager Ross West said about 15 trucks and 50 caravans were stopped at the roadblock.

"We have quite a few people here," he said.
Geneva: The United Nations humanitarian adviser on Syria Jan Egeland said in a tweet on Monday that the Syrian and Russian governments must be held responsible for atrocities committed by militias loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo.

"The Gov'ts of Syria & Russia are accountable for any and all atrocities that the victorious militias in Aleppo are now committing!," Egeland tweeted, as Assad's forces bombarded the last rebel-held pocket of besieged eastern Aleppo.

Egeland's warning comes as Syrian rebels have retreated from former strongholds in eastern Aleppo in a "terrifying" collapse. The rebels are now holding onto a small sliver of territory packed with fighters and thousands of civilians as government troops press on with their rapid advance.
Washington: Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, said on Monday that he supported congressional investigations of possible Russian cyberattacks to influence the US election, setting up a potential conflict with President-elect Donald Trump in the early days of his administration.

Mr McConnell's support for investigations is a major moment for the Republican-controlled Congress given that Mr Trump has ridiculed and dismissed the findings of the US intelligence community that the Russians hacked the election.

The investigation, which will be driven by Senator Richard M. Burr, of North Carolina, the chairman of the intelligence committee, and by Senator John McCain, of Arizona, the chairman of the armed services committee, could last for months or more at the start of the new Trump administration. Many of the intelligence committee hearings will most likely be behind closed doors, but they will still generate wide interest.

Mr McConnell stopped short of calling for a special select committee to investigate the claims of Russian hacking, saying that the inquiries could be conducted through normal committee channels. He also stopped short of saying whether he agreed that Russia interfered in the election in support of Mr Trump. He repeatedly declined to address the president-elect's attack on the CIA.
Donald Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit:AP The report continued: "Some of the Republicans in the briefing also seemed opposed to the idea of going public with such explosive allegations in the final stages of an election, a move that they argued would only rattle public confidence and play into Moscow's hands." Some Republicans in their narrow, partisan prism might think this about trying to invalidate the election. It's not. Republican Senator Susan Collins told me: "The purpose of any investigation, whether by the Obama administration or Congress, is not to question or relitigate the results of any past or present presidential election." Wikileaks published thousands of emails hacked from Hillary Clinton's campaign. Credit:AP "Instead, any review must focus on the long-overdue task of improving the defences of the United States against cyber attacks, including those that might seek to affect or influence political campaigns."

It's also about determining the degree to which Russia tried to pick our president, why Russia picked Trump and whether Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was correct in declaring there had been extensive conversations with the Trump campaign, a charge the Trump team immediately rejected. Hillary Clinton's campaign manager John Podesta has his own emails hacked. Credit:AP The nefarious cyber activity emanating from both Russia and China that has been well known for years has become increasingly brazen and aggressive. Republican Senator Susan Collins This sounds like an over-the-top spy thriller. Unfortunately, this is all too real and raises numerous troubling questions: - Why did Russia want Trump to win?

- Why does Trump disagree with our intelligence community? Who is telling him its conclusion is wrong? - Does the hacking have anything to do with the coterie of pro-Putin advisers around Trump? With Trump's efforts to undermine NATO? With his desire to "get along" with Putin? - Has Trump reportedly chosen Rex Tillerson, chief executive of Exxon (who has no national security experience), for secretary of state because Tillerson is cozy with Putin and opposed sanctions? - What conversations, if any, went on between Trump's campaign and Russians, and what was the substance of those? - Does Trump have financial interests (or liabilities) with Russian oligarchs -- which he is concealing by refusing to release his tax returns?

- Why did Republicans before the election refuse to stand up for the integrity of our electoral system? - Is Trump profiting, or has he profited, from Russian oligarchs? Conversely, is he literally in debt to them? Trump and his advisers would be well advised to let the investigations run their course without heckling, criticism or interference. Trump would also be smart to be entirely transparent about financial, political or personal ties he or his advisers may have with Russia. If he does not, speculation will run rampant that he has something to hide. "Russia's efforts to interfere in the US elections are unprecedented in American history," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, told me. "Never before has technology allowed such widespread, semi-clandestine, and semi-deniable effects." He added, "Whether one thinks they swayed the outcome or not, whether Vladimir Putin thinks we try to do the same thing to influence elections in pro-democratic ways in countries like Ukraine or not, all Americans should be alarmed. And that puts it mildly."

The Senate must fly-speck Trump's nominees, determine what their views on Russia are (and the basis for them) and get a clear understanding of what they will do in office to respond to Russia's attempt to interfere with our electoral system. Any underqualified or unqualified nominee who appears unwilling to see Russia for what it is - an aggressive kleptocracy - should not be confirmed. Tillerson's expected nomination did not sit well with the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A memo sent to reporters by the staff of Democrat Senator Benjamin Cardin, said Trump's response was bashed as "a cavalier dismissal that comes nowhere near the gravity of what's been reported." The memo slammed Trump for "reportedly planning to nominate a Secretary of State with business ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin and whose company worked to bury and deny climate science for years." Republican Senator John McCain said on CNN he had "concerns" about Tillerson's relationship with Putin, and if his concerns were not satisfied he would oppose the nomination. GOP lawmakers need to act without a trace of partisanship and with alacrity and seriousness to get to the bottom of this - for it was their leaders reportedly who prevented a strong bipartisan show of strength in the face of replete evidence of Russian mischief. They should follow the example set by Senator Collins, who told me, "a bipartisan congressional investigation could be useful towards achieving an objective accounting of any alleged meddling by foreign adversaries. The nefarious cyber activity emanating from both Russia and China that has been well known for years has become increasingly brazen and aggressive."

If Republicans appear to be dragging their feet, afraid that their election behaviour will come back to bite them, the only recourse would be an independent prosecutor and/or an independent commission (some Democrats have already suggested this). A Senate Democratic source noted that for now it will be up to Republicans to call formal hearings and expressed confidence that investigative staff on the relevant committees can do a lot of digging on their own. The source noted, however, that access to information will be the key, which is why Democrats have been calling for declassification of relevant material. Finally, the Russia connection makes it imperative for bipartisan consensus on two points: full release of Trump's tax records and full divestiture of his holdings. "Frankly, we don't know if and to what extent he has business ties to Russia. He continues to refuse to release that information," Jordan Libowitz, the communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said. "This is yet another reason why disclosure and divestment are so critical, so that any business ties with Russia will be known and removed." Congress must demand Trump immediately sever all ties to his companies and liquidate his holdings so the proceeds can go into a truly blind trust operated by a neutral party.
Tens of thousands take part in a prayer at Jakarta's National Monument during the December 2 rally against Ahok. Credit:Dewi Nurcahyani The most recent rally on December 2 was attended by about 500,000 protesters, some carrying dramatic banners dripping with painted blood that demanded Ahok be jailed. The controversial governor - the first openly ethnic Chinese Christian to occupy the role - opened a Pandora's box when he allegedly provocatively told voters they had been deceived by his opponents citing verse 51 from the fifth sura or chapter of the Koran, al-Ma'ida. Security forces stand in the rain during the December 2 rally. Credit:Dewi Nurcahyani Some interpret this as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim, although others say the scripture should be understood in its context - a time of war - and not interpreted literally.

Radical Islamic organisations have long opposed Ahok because they refuse to be led by a kafir (non-Muslim) but he proved stubbornly popular with his policies on reducing traffic congestion, flood mitigation, bureaucracy reform and free healthcare, appealing to middle-class Jakartans. A man wearing Indonesian flag colours and Islamic symbols prays at an anti-Ahok rally. Credit:Dewi Nurcahyani After inheriting the role of governor when his boss and political patron, Joko Widodo, was elected Indonesia's president in 2014, Ahok looked set to win in his own right in the gubernatorial elections next February. His opponents, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's son Agus - whom a Jakarta Post columnist snidely suggested was being marketed largely on the "handsome factor" - and former education minister Anies Baswedan, were trailing in the polls. Female protesters against Ahok gather at the national monument in Jakarta. Credit:Dewi Nurcahyani

But then Ahok's inflammatory comments gave those who opposed him the ammunition they were looking for and profoundly changed the political landscape. After a November rally calling for his imprisonment turned ugly, police declared Ahok a suspect, whilst admitting expert witnesses and investigators were divided over whether his comments were in fact blasphemous. Demonstrators pray in the rain at the December 2 rally against Ahok. Credit:Dewi Nurcahyani The move was widely interpreted as an attempt to appease the masses, with President Joko sufficiently alarmed about the civil unrest to cancel a state visit to Australia and commence a "political safari" of party and state institution leaders urging calm. But the mob was not satisfied and another political rally - the biggest demonstration in Indonesia since the fall of Suharto - went ahead on December 2 demanding that Ahok be put behind bars.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, centre, is photographed as he joins the demonstrators on December 2. Credit:Dewi Nurcahyani The national police chief, General Tito Karnavian, appeared to play into their hands telling the cheering crowd: "We have done the maximum. Imagine, several times he was investigated by the KPK [Corruption Eradication Commission], but [Ahok] wasn't able to be named a suspect. Handled by the police, he can be named a suspect." "In Ahok's case, by demanding that the police have been too slow, Islamists put pressure on the police to hasten the process," Dr Melissa Crouch, an expert on Indonesia's blasphemy laws from the University of New South Wales, writes in policyforum.net. A young protester holds a poster demanding the imprisonment of Jakarta's governor, popularly known as Ahok. Credit:Jewel Topsfield "By demanding that the Attorney-General arrest Ahok, they are already presuming charges will be laid. By a show of force in the capital, Islamists issue an implicit threat to the judiciary who may hear the case  we will mob your courtroom next.

"So much for a fair and impartial hearing." At the eleventh hour President Joko made the abrupt and controversial decision to join the prayers at the December 2 rally alongside the radical Islam Defenders Front and then address the crowd. This was applauded as a canny tactical win by many, although others argued it legitimised political extremists. To an extent he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't - his decision not to meet with protesters at the earlier November rally served to inflame tensions. "[Joko] demonstrated considerable courage in rising to stand before a giant, largely hostile crowd," analyst Kevin O'Rourke wrote on the Reformasi website.

"Nevertheless, [Joko]'s actions do nothing to aid his former running mate and political ally, Purnama [Ahok]. Ahok has never been afraid of ruffling feathers. He is loathed as much as he is loved, with his policy of evicting slum dwellers angering the urban poor and his plans for the reclamation of Jakarta Bay attacked by environmentalists. His political rivals have successfully exploited anger over the alleged blasphemy comments to undermine both Ahok and his ally, President Joko. Ahok is now behind the other gubernatorial candidates in some polls. There is also little doubt racism is at play. Only around 1 to 4 per cent of Indonesia's 250 million people are ethnic Chinese, but their economic success has caused resentment to bubble away for centuries. Ahok has been described as both a "Chinese bastard" and "the Chinese Infidel". "Anti-Chinese sentiment has been growing during Jokowi's presidency as unprecedented Chinese investment pours into the country," writes Associate Professor Greg Fealy from the Australian National University.
POINTE BLANCHE:--- The countries cruise numbers will go back up to over two million cruise passengers within several years based on strategic planning and the pro-activeness of Port St. Maarten Management in promoting cruise tourism and the destination (marketing).

The port always looks ahead and plans in a strategic manner. All stakeholders have a role to play in order to keep the destination ahead of its competitors. This means that timely investments have to be made in order for Port St. Maarten and the destination to maintain their number one status in the Region and remain competitive.

There has been much discussion during the Central Committee meeting of Parliament with respect to the draft 2017 national budget. Some clarity is needed with respect to some of the statements that have been made regarding the financial results of Port St. Maarten and the state of the cruise industry.

Based on the continued investments in new areas by destinations and cruise lines, such as in The Bahamas where MSC Cruises is purchasing a private island, Ocean Cay for US$200 million; new ports coming online like Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, an investment of US$85 million; new cruise piers in St. Kitts and Antigua; emerging cruise markets in Asia; the aforementioned has had its impact on the Caribbean thereby limiting further growth. Northeastern Caribbean yields where we are located are softer as the focus is now on growing the Cuba region which we also call the western Caribbean.

Even though Port St. Maarten is confronted with the aforementioned, as a destination, we have seen growth by growing to for the first time in 2014 to over two million cruise passengers (2,001,996). In 2015 we received 1,901,617 cruise passengers, and for 2016 we anticipate approximately 1.7 million cruise passengers.

Despite the challenges, our cruise numbers will grow once again based on discussions that we have had with our cruise partners to secure business for the upcoming cruise seasons. Cruise seasons go through a business cycle. It has happened in the past and this time it wont be the last. Cruise lines adjust their itineraries annually, but you have to be cognizant and plan ahead and look for the opportunities which we have been doing, Port St. Maarten Management pointed out on Sunday.

MSC Cruises, Swiss-based worlds largest privately-owned cruise line, will become the third largest cruise company surpassing Disney and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) in 2017.

MSC Cruises has committed to increasing cruise tourism passenger numbers to the destination for the 2017/2018 winter season. In 2017 MSC Cruises will surpass 100,000 cruise passengers some time in 2017 to the destination.

MSC Cruises made 24 port calls in 2015 bringing in 71,167 passengers. The forecast for 2016 is 26 port calls and 91,734 passengers, and the outlook for 2017 is 33 port calls with approximately 127,674 passengers.

NCL and Disney Cruise Lines reduced their number of calls to the destination  they did not cease calling to Sint Maarten  and increased calls to other destinations. In 2015 NCL made 42 port calls bringing in 139,419 cruise passengers; forecast for 2016 is 29 port calls with 82,316 passengers; outlook for 2017 is 39 port calls with 101,007 passengers.

In 2015 Disney Cruise Line made 25 port calls bringing 93,579 cruise passengers; forecast for 2016 is nine port calls with 22,700 passengers; and outlook for 2017 is 11 calls with 27,400 passengers.

The financial challenges that Port St. Maarten has been confronted with is that we are not able to increase any fees or estimate increases in our planning forecast models due to market conditions. We are cognizant of industry trends and developments and what our competitors are doing. If we would proceed by raising fees, this would have a major negative impact as we have been told by our cruise partners. As a port we cannot cut costs overnight. Our port facility is over 15-years old. Upgrading and maintenance costs increase over time which has been the case.

According to our financial model, our losses in revenues amounts to about US$12 million due to delays in implementing harbour operational concessions or facility fees.

Even though we loss US$12 million on income over the years, we still had to maintain focus on the cost of sales and marketing of the Port and the destination. The reality is that there is no entity which promotes Cruise nor is there any destination marketing authority. These are the realities of the day that we live in, but the port has been doing its share and taking the lead where it concerns cruise and destination marketing. We will be attending for the second time the Vakantie Beurs Utrecht in The Netherlands in January 2017 to promote cruise and the destination.

Specifically in the year 2014 the Port St. Maarten Group of Companies incurred a consolidated loss of US$9 million as was recently highlighted in the local media. It should be noted that 2014 included two very specific one off items such as the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Exhibition hosted by Sint Maarten which incurred expenses to the Port of US$6.5 million, and secondly, the settlement of the litigation case of US$4 million net. Those two items are chiefly responsible for the significant losses in 2014, and results from normal operations would have shown a modest profit over 2014.

Overall the cleaning and maintenance costs line items are going up due to the ageing of the facilities. With part of the facilities now being over 15 years old, this is reflected in higher cleaning/maintenance costs. Port St. Maarten has to also maintain properties outside the main facility in Pointe Blanche which is related to the safety and security of cruise passengers.

Port St. Maarten has also acquired other properties over the years as a strategic move to continue to develop the tourism product of the country. The ports footprint has more than doubled. Investments have been made in additional buildings on the properties of Cargo and Cruise (Cement Bagging Facility & Area, Cargo Facilities Homeporting Facility among many more investments); facilities have been upgraded and expanded RO-RO ramps and main pavements, access roads, cruise passenger restrooms, tour bus area, car rental and road area, Cruise Terminal Building and Surrounding area for amenities, Taxi area and parking ramp and roundabouts.

Investments related to shopping area waterfront, fueling depot, booths and parking area; past dredging mobilization and sand storage; Causeway and beautification and maintenance of surrounding areas, roundabouts, clearance office at the Bridge; Walter Plantz Square beaches and street area maintenance and upkeep; Captain Hodge Wharf main ramp to the square; and with all of these improvements and investments there has been an increase in operational costs. If you dont expand, modernize and continue to be innovative, it results in stagnation and not being able to meet the demands of the industry resulting in your competitors taking the business away.

The Ports mission is to provide a high level of customer service, and at the same time continuing with port development and innovation across all areas of our business while maintaining a leadership role in the economic development of our country. As Port we have delivered on the value proposition and dont need to defend its track record. As Port we are also aware of the compliance requirement.

If we talk about good corporate governance to the detailed Enterprise Risk Assessment (ERA) which was completed in 2016 by the experts Ernst & Young Advisory Services, as Port we will be executing as a follow-up priority in 2017 the aforementioned which prepares our strategic development for 2017 and beyond. The ERA is the process of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the activities of an organization in order to minimize the effects of risk on an organizations capital and earnings.

Enterprise risk management expands the process to include not just risks associated with accidental losses, but also financial, strategic, operational, and other risks. Delays in strategic investments are also part of this process. Please note, that if the Port was not number 1 certain comments made in the Central Committee meeting of Parliament might have some merit, but as part of the audit umbrella, our strategic plan clearly dictates what needs to be done and we work diligently on executing our plans of action and approaches in order to ensure our place within the Region.

As Port, we agree with the comments that Government owned companies should communicate more with the Shareholder, but this also goes both ways and is a two-way street. With a government changing five times in five years, the Port has faced this challenge which has delayed a list of pending matters that have still not been executed by the Shareholder as written in audit statements from PriceWaterhouseCoopers that includes a huge amount of formal request and actions.

We hope to address these pending matters in the next Shareholders meeting. Port St. Maarten continues to be proactive by sailing into opportunities that would result in business for the destination over the long-term and ensuring employment of our people directly and indirectly, Port St. Maarten Management concludes.
Central Committee meeting about installation and composition of committees.

Central Committee meeting about installation and composition of committees

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  The Central Committee will meet in a session on December 12, 2016.

The Central Committee meeting has been set for Monday, December 12 at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

1. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament.

2. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Committees of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

3. Approval composition delegation and provisions for IPKO and Tripartite in Curacao, January 9-13, 2017 (IS/289/2016-2017 dated December 8, 2016).

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session on Monday, December 12, 2016.

The plenary public meeting is scheduled for 14.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

Draft National Ordinance adopting the budget of Country Sint Maarten for the financial year 2017 (National Ordinance Budget 2017) (ZJ 2016-2017-098) (IS / 194 / 2016-2017 dated November 10, 2016)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

Plenary Session of Parliament about installation and composition of committees

The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session on Monday, December 12, 2016.

The plenary public meeting is scheduled for 12.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

1. Incoming documents

2. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament

3. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Committees of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.
PHILIPSBURG:----The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session on Monday, December 12, 2016.

The plenary public meeting is scheduled for 14.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

Draft National Ordinance adopting the budget of Country Sint Maarten for the financial year 2017 (National Ordinance Budget 2017) (ZJ 2016-2017-098) (IS / 194 / 2016-2017 dated November 10, 2016)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.
DIMOCO Unveils Top Trends in A2P Messaging for 2017

Posted by Publisher Networking

VIENNA, AUSTRIA  (Marketwired)  12/12/16   While person-to-person (P2P) text messaging is decreasing due to the growing IP-based messaging market, companies are turning to the benefits of Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging to reach their target group via SMS in a fast, secure and direct way. The A2P SMS market is on the rise, enabling companies to directly reach consumers via a two-way interactive application. By 2018, some 1.7 trillion A2P SMS messages will be sent worldwide, according to Portio Research.

DIMOCO, a leading A2P SMS provider that offers outbound messaging products to enable clients to communicate from their enterprise application to billions of consumers across the globe, today announces the key trends that will foster the A2P message market growth in 2017, including:

 Recent data breaches have raised concerns about user information and data security. To combat this issue head on, businesses will turn to A2P SMS for 2-factor authentication. This second layer of user and account authentication is the most cost-efficient and easiest way for companies to securely share notifications, login confirmations, password resets and updates on status or content shares with users.

  With IoT adoption on the rise, the great value of connected devices and sensors will be in real-time information and alerts. A2P SMS will be adopted as one of the best channels for IoT devices and technologies to communicate with consumers.

 Specific markets such as transportation, utilities and even government will interact more actively with customers in 2017. Some of the key verticals to emerge as drivers of A2P message adoption will include:

Retail: There is strong opportunity to easily communicate with customers and offer them exclusive vouchers and promo codes, provide updates on product availability or alert them of product recalls.

Financial services: As more consumers are opting for paperless communication, companies use A2P SMS to alert customers about billing cycles, transaction alerts, payment notifications, among other uses.

Travel: Expect to see more companies adopting A2P SMS to inform clients about booking confirmations or updates to itineraries, to offer simple options for check-in, as well as having this channel to offer promotional and marketing messages targeted to existing customers.

DIMOCO Messaging provides carrier-grade, high quality messaging products enabling businesses to communicate to their customers on a truly global scale. For more information on DIMOCO Messaging, visit

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Heather K. Smith

VisiTech PR for DIMOCO

303-752-3552 x 224
Ranch Creek Partners Makes Majority Equity Investment in Apposite Technologies

SEATTLE, WA  (Marketwired)  12/12/16  Ranch Creek Partners, LLC, in partnership with Los Angeles-based St. Cloud Capital, today announced it has made a majority equity investment in Los Angeles-based Apposite Technologies (Apposite), the leader in enterprise-class network simulation products, to enable Apposite to accelerate growth and expand its leadership in the network test tools market. The company also announced that it has appointed Steve Fazio as its new CEO to lead Apposites growth by focusing on the development of complementary products and features, as well as an expansion of the companys sales team and channel partnerships.

Apposite has done a tremendous job in establishing itself as the solution for network simulation technology to the largest companies in the world, said J.D. Kritser, founder and managing director of Ranch Creek Partners, and Chairman of the Board of Apposite. With Steves leadership and the continued involvement of the entire Apposite team, we are poised to accelerate growth both organically and through acquisitions to extend our leadership position in the industry.

Steve Fazio, Apposites new CEO, has more than 20 years of successfully launching and operating companies in consulting, network technology, IT solutions and managed services. He is a proven operator and executive with extensive experience building teams and growing technology businesses.

Apposites WAN emulation appliances simulate network conditions to test the performance of software applications in the lab under real-world conditions. Offering a unique combination of ease-of-use, test lab-level precision, and unmatched prices, Apposites products are widely deployed by leading enterprises, application developers, telecoms carriers, and government and military organizations across the world.

With the proliferation of cloud computing and software defined networking, the need for application testing on a simulated network has never been higher, said Fazio. Its rare to come into a new opportunity with a world-class product, experienced management and a solid customer base, but thats whats here at Apposite. Im excited by this opportunity and look forward to building on the success of the Apposite team.

Based in Seattle, Wash., Ranch Creek Partners is a West Coast private equity investment firm targeting control positions in middle market companies. Ranch Creek takes a long-term approach to building value, leveraging its deep industry knowledge, creativity and a collaborative investment approach to drive value in its portfolio companies. The firm seeks superior financial results by partnering with founders, world class managers and industry leaders to grow portfolio companies over time, whether organically, through acquisitions or a combination of both. More information is available via the web at .

St. Cloud Capital is a Los Angeles, California-based private investment firm that provides growth capital to the lower middle market (companies with annual revenues generally between $10 million and $150 million) throughout the United States. St. Cloud typically invests $5 million  $20 million in companies across a wide range of industries in every layer of the capital structure, including senior secured debt, subordinated debt, and preferred and common equity. St. Clouds investment discipline includes non-control and control investments, and involves partnering with strong management teams or experienced industry entrepreneurs. For more information about St. Cloud Capital, please visit .

Apposite Technologies develops high-precision WAN emulation products used by IT professionals to benchmark the performance of applications across wide area networks. Distinguished by industry-best ease-of-use and unmatched cost-performance, Apposites award-winning Netropy and Linktropy appliances inform critical decisions impacting bandwidth investment, application deployment, and end-user satisfaction. More information is available at .

John Williams

Scoville PR

206-625-0075
Shaw Communications First Quarter 2017 Conference Call

CALGARY, ALBERTA  (Marketwired)  12/12/16  Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX: SJR.B)(TSX: SJR.PR.A)(TSX: SJR.PR.B)(NYSE: SJR)(TSX VENTURE: SJR.A) will be releasing its consolidated results for the First Quarter (ending November 30, 2016) the morning of Thursday, January 12, 2017.

A conference call with Shaw Senior Management and the financial community is scheduled as follows. Press/Media and the public will be able to participate in listen-only mode.

Conference Call Details:

Please call 5 to 10 minutes before the start of the conference call.

Webcast:

You can listen to the live or recorded broadcast at:

The webcast is available until midnight Eastern Time, Sunday, February 12, 2017

Note:

If you wish to be added to our distribution lists for conference call notices/press releases, please send your request to .

About Shaw

Shaw is an enhanced connectivity provider. Our Consumer division serves consumers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video and digital phone. Our Wireless division provides wireless voice and data services through an expanding and improving mobile wireless network infrastructure. The Business Network Services division provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, video and fleet tracking services. The Business Infrastructure Services division, through ViaWest, provides hybrid IT solutions including colocation, cloud computing and security and compliance for North American enterprises.

Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (TSX: SJR.B)(TSX: SJR.PR.A)(TSX: SJR.PR.B)(NYSE: SJR)(TSX VENTURE: SJR.A). For more information, please visit .

Contacts:

Shaw Communications Inc.

Investor Relations
Former city council candidate at large, Gary Boike, is challenging Council President Patrick Greens tenure claiming that the city charter only allows Green to remain in office through Nov. 14.
A guide to voter rights in Indiana. What you need to know before you cast a ballot
Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city.

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea
This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

At the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation centre, NASA has just concluded the latest year-long study into the effects of long-term isolation in space. The research is primarily focused on examining psychological and psycho-social factors that will help NASA draw up the highly effective teams needed for long-duration space exploration missions (opens in new tab). And among the behaviours studied is how aggression and violence might arise among space crews during long space voyages.

Crime and punishment are among the oldest problems faced by mankind. Immoral or illegal conduct has been a fixture in human history from the dawn of civilisation to the space age we live in today. Its inevitable that it will at some point become an issue in space, so its important to be prepared for the eventuality. The question is how, or whether, terrestrial methods of inflicting violence can be used in space, and if so, whether terrestrial methods of criminal investigation are up to the job.

Its thought that it is possible to fire handguns in space, and of course sharp stabbing or cutting weapons would work as they do on Earth, as would poisoning or attacks with bare hands. Astronauts have carried weapons on board space vessels since humanity first ventured into space.

Theres also the risk of tampering with or sabotage of the highly sensitive personal life support equipment and living quarters, laboratory and observatory facilities on board spacecraft. The survival of any spacecraft crew depends entirely on maintaining a habitable environment  if for some reason the cabin should depressurise, the astronauts blood would boil and turn to a gas. Malfunctions are not unheard of either  water leaks inside astronauts suits while outside the spacecraft have occurred on more than one occasion, and could have been fatal.

Space is a harsh enough environment as it is without any human malfeasance. Astronauts must contend with dangers from toxic gases released by dying stars and radiation levels that can cause cardiovascular diseases, to exposure to bacterial strains which can grow at twice the rate as on Earth. So we need to be able to distinguish between these natural effects and conduct that would be regarded as criminal on Earth.

CSI: Space

Crime scene examination is a joint scientific and investigative endeavour which requires investigators to assess crime scenes and other locations, identify evidence and use it to piece together what happened. In space, investigators must rely on not just forensic principles but also elements of astrophysics, chemistry and biology  because its all very different out there.

For example, biological samples such as blood, semen and other fluids are significant for forensic investigations. Tests have confirmed that DNA can survive in space for a limited time, and within habitable vessels and planetary settlements NASA has demonstrated the possibility of DNA sequencing. The vast amount of solar radiation is problematic, as fluids will lose heat rapidly in low or zero air pressure, freeze, and evaporate.

In enclosed locations, sweat can be expelled from crew-members and flung onto walls and equipment if they are moving due to weightlessness in space. If this sweat can be recovered before the condensate system recycles it into drinking water, it can be used as a source of DNA.

Blood spatter analysis

In microgravity liquids ball up and float around, restrained only by their surface tension, and blood pressure decreases resulting in loss of around a fifth of blood volume. If a crew-members body is cut, the physics of space would not allow for the same blood spatter patterns as seen on Earth. The likelihood is that blood would form spherical shapes like other liquids, either sticking to the victim or floating away from their source.

Reconstructing a crime scene from spatter pattern analysis would be incredibly complicated. The current mathematical equation used for such analysis would need changing to account for gravitational difference, and even then it would be of little reliability due to the fluid dynamics of space.

Ballistics

A gunshot fired in space would in all likelihood kill not merely from the impact of the bullet but the damage it would cause to someones space suit. With no air resistance or gravity, the ammunitions casing expelled from the weapon would float away at speed, potentially a hazard itself. Fired at close quarters inside a spacecraft, a bullet could pass through a human body, through any bulkhead walls and continue to travel for vast distances through space. Without casing or bullet, it would be difficult to produce any useful ballistic analysis.

Fingerprint Evidence

Fingerprinting uses carbon or metal-based powders which stick to the moisture of prints left on physical surfaces, or through a method called superglue fuming where cyanoacrylate is heated in a container, and the resultant fumes bond with fingerprints on objects placed inside a enclosed container. Space physics means a method requiring enclosed spaces wouldnt be a viable solution in a spacecraft, while a phenomenon called particle agglomeration, where particles such as dusting powder stick together, could render dusting techniques hard to implement in microgravity. One alternative is to replace dusting altogether and use laser scanning (opens in new tab) for fingerprinting.

Trace evidence and toxicology

Assuming environmental factors dont make collection and storage unworkable, trace evidence can be analysed inside space laboratories equipped with mass spectrometry equipment, already used on remote stations, which can also be used to analyse poisons and toxins.

However, what these problems and their solutions require is real-world testing in space conditions. NASA has used the language of crime scene investigations in interesting education programmes, which approach the creation and expansion of the universe in terms of space forensics or as a crime scene. But there has been little actual research into the use of forensic science in space. NASAs 2002 collaboration with the US National Institute of Justice to explore the use of space technology in Earth crime scenes was encouraging but the real focus should be on how forensic science from Earth would be implemented in space.

Mehzeb Chowdhury, PhD Researcher in Forensic Science & Criminal Investigations, Durham University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates  and become part of the discussion  on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com.
Mars One has pushed back its first mission, a lander based on the design used for NASA's Phoenix and InSight missions, to 2022 under a revised schedule announced Dec. 7.

WASHINGTON  Mars One, the project to send humans to Mars on one-way missions that has attracted public interest and professional skepticism, said Dec. 7 is it delaying its timetable for those missions by several years.

The revised schedule, which shifts the first launch of robotic missions until the early 2020s and the first human mission until the early 2030s, comes as Mars One becomes a publicly-traded companyon the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany and seeks to raise funding.

Mars One originally announced plans for robotic precursor missions to Mars in December 2013, issuing study contracts to Lockheed Martin Space Systems for a Mars lander and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) for a communications orbiter. At the time, those missions were scheduled for launch in 2018. [Images of Mars One's Red Planet Colony Project]

Mars One postponed those missions to 2020 after SpaceNews reported in February 2015 that there had been no progress on those missions after the completion of the initial studies. At the time, Mars One also said its first crewed mission, carrying four people to live on the planet permanently, would also be delayed two years to 2027.

Prior to Mars One's attempt to found a human colony on Mars, the Mars One group plans an unmanned scouting expedition. See how Mars One hopes to send an unmanned lander to Mars in our full infographic (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

Under the revised schedule announced in a statement released by Mars One Dec. 7, the lander mission is now scheduled for launch in 2022, with the orbiter mission delayed to 2024. Mars One said it would continue to work with Lockheed Martin on the lander, but did not state whether it planned to still use SSTL for the orbiter.

That revised schedule could create its own complications. Under the original concept for those missions, the orbiter was to serve as a communications relay for the lander, transmitting to Earth images and other data from the lander. With the orbiter now arriving two years after the lander, Mars One will either have to rely on the lander's own communications system, which may offer lower throughput, or seek partnerships with government agencies operating orbiters at Mars.

Under Mars One's revised plan, those precursor missions will be followed by a rover in 2026 to help select a landing site for the eventual crewed missions. A second rover and other hardware would launch in 2029, followed by the first crew in 2031.

That delayed schedule reflects the challenges Mars One has faced raising the funding needed for those robotic precursor missions, let alone the far more expensive human missions. "Mars One can only implement the mission to Mars if we can afford it  and we need investments to get going," Bas Lansdorp, chief executive and co-founder of Mars One, said in the Dec. 7 statement announcing the revised schedule.

Mars One announced plans to raise money in November through a merger with a publicly-traded company. Mars One said Nov. 7 that InFin Innovative Finance AG, a Swiss company that had been working on mobile payment technologies, would acquire the for-profit Mars One Ventures company in an all-stock transaction valued at 87 million euros ($92 million). InFin, traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, would be renamed Mars One Ventures, with Lansdorp serving as the company's new chairman of the board.

InFin shareholders approves the deal Dec. 2, and the company is now trading on the Frankurt exchange under the Mars One Ventures name. The company, though, is thinly traded, with only about 18 million shares publicly available. The company's share price of 0.16 euros ($0.17) at the start of trading Dec. 9, a value that has changed little in the month since the deal was announced, gives the company a market cap of less than 3 million euros.

Mars One plans to raise 10 million euros ($10.6 million) through a secondary offering of stock. "Being listed on a stock exchange will make fundraising more straightforward," Lansdorp said in the Dec. 7 statement.

Mars One has previously estimated that the cost of the total mission architecture, through the first crewed landing, to be about $6 billion, a figure that many industry observers believe to be far too low. If correct, though, Mars One Ventures would still need to generate $120 billion in revenue in order for its share provided to the foundation to reach $6 billion.

Lansdorp, in a November interview by email, argued that Mars One Foundation will also be able to raise money through direct donations, offsetting the amount the for-profit company would need to provide. "The foundation also receives donations, which are only used for the mission," he said. To date, though, donations have provided little revenue for the foundation.

The commercial aspects of the venture, however, explain the delayed schedule. "In order to make Mars One's commercial activities an attractive investment with the potential of a good return on investment, Mars One had to adjust the timing of the planned unmanned and manned missions," he said in the statement. "Of course the whole Mars One team would have preferred to be able to stick to the original schedule, but this new timeline significantly improves our odds of successfully achieving this mission roadmap."

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
Iconic astronaut John Glenn, who died Thursday (Dec. 8) at the age of 95, flew on two space missions during his long and eventful life. Both of them set records.

On the first, which launched on Feb. 20, 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. On the second  the STS-95 mission of the space shuttle Discovery, which lifted off in October 1998  he became, at 77, the oldest person to slip Earth's bonds.

One of his crewmates on STS-95 was Stephen Robinson, who developed a close friendship with Glenn and came to regard him as a mentor. Space.com caught up with Robinson  a four-time shuttle astronaut who now chairs the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of California, Davis  on Thursday to discuss John Glenn's life and legacy. [John Glenn: An American Hero's Greatest Moments]

Space.com: Obviously, this is a pretty sad day. How are you feeling?

Stephen Robinson: I think an awful lot of people share what I'm thinking right now, which is, "The world's a smaller place without John Glenn in it." But we were fortunate to have him for 95 years. And I think so many of us were inspired not just by what he did, but by the person that he was.

Space.com: I never met him. Could you tell me a little about what kind of person he was?

Robinson: I think everybody who ever met him probably went away thinking, "This is the definition of a gentleman." Here's a person who could easily have considered himself above most other people, but he never did that. I saw him with royalty, presidents, and all manner of powerful people; I was in the room with him in many of those places. And I saw him with schoolkids and bus drivers and waiters. He treated everyone the same  with respect and curiosity about what they thought. And, to me, that was the most inspirational thing of all about him.

Space.com: There probably aren't many people who would stay grounded like that after becoming a hero and an icon.

Robinson: Yeah, and he really did. It was just his nature  and, I have to say, it wasn't just him. He and his wife Annie were as close and intertwined as any two people I've ever seen, and there wouldn't have been the John Glenn that we knew without Annie Glenn.

Space.com: How did he inspire you personally?

Robinson: When I was growing up, I was one of millions of kids for whom the early astronauts were completely our heroes. So when he first flew, I was around 7 years old  right around when you start developing heroes in your mind. I was John Glenn for Halloween once [laughs]. And then, 35 or so years later, I was strapped in on the shuttle Discovery, with him strapped in right next to me. That was a science-fiction moment [laughs].

Space.com: Is it true that President John F. Kennedy essentially grounded Glenn after his first flight, like the Soviets grounded [first person in space Yuri] Gagarin, out of fear of losing an icon?

Robinson: I don't know; I actually never talked to him [Glenn] about that. I figured that was history, and he was an interesting guy; he didn't care to talk about history as much as he wanted to talk about the future. He was always forward-looking, and so during our STS-95 mission  of course, it was a very intense mission; there was not a moment to spare in training, or the mission itself, or even after the mission. It was extremely busy, and he kept up with the pace, no problem. [In Photos: John Glenn, First American in Orbit]

I stayed his close friend, and he's been kind of a mentor and adviser ever since.

Space.com: Some people may think Glenn's involvement in STS-95 was some kind of a stunt. But it wasn't a stunt, right? He was a full-fledged member of that crew.

Robinson: Oh, yeah. He had to be. When he was assigned to the mission  my job on the mission was called payload commander, which meant I was in charge of the science on the mission. And up to that point it was I think the biggest science mission that NASA had ever flown; it was just absolutely packed with experiments and things to do. And so when he arrived, I told him, a little bit recklessly [laughs], "You know, you're going to have to carry your load on this crew, because we can't do anything else. We need you to do as much work as anybody else." And he just basically said, "Well, of course! That's why I'm here. What do we do? Where do we get started?" And that's the way it was.

Space.com: Did he talk at all about what it was like being in space again, 36 years later, on a different vehicle? What did he say about STS-95?

Robinson: You know, what he said he liked the most was being able to move around  because in the Mercury, in Friendship 7, he was strapped in the whole time, so he could only do what his spacecraft did. And he didn't have a whole lot in the way of windows, either, whereas on the shuttle, you could float freely and move around, and you had your choice of a number of different windows. He said he really experienced the microgravity part of spaceflight [on STS-95] in a way that he never had before. [Watch John Glenn's Historic Friendship 7 Launch (Video)]

Space.com: How do you think John Glenn will be remembered by future generations?

Robinson: From my point of view, what was really special about John Glenn, and the impact he made on the American self-image with the space program, was that he was one of us. He seemed to be accessible and not distant; you could imagine him living down the street. And so, especially in the '60s, when spaceflight seemed unimaginable, just absolutely science fiction, I think he brought it home to all of us and made it seem like  I think a lot of people could see a little bit of themselves in John Glenn. By doing that, he made the space program something that we could all participate in, and I think he did that in a way that no one else ever did.

Space.com: Was it his demeanor that differentiated him? What made him so much more approachable or relatable?

Robinson: I don't know. It certainly came naturally to him. Again, it was part of the team between John Glenn and Annie Glenn  that's just the way they were. Annie was a little bit behind-the-curtain, but together they were very strong, magnetic, wonderful people to be around. Everybody wanted to be around them, and every minute I've been around them I've enjoyed. And I've been inspired, from the time I was 7, until now, in his old age.

Space.com: Is there anything else that you think people should know about John Glenn?

Robinson: Here's a man who will never be forgotten, and his inspiration probably changed millions of lives one way or another. In my mind, he wasn't a great man because of his accomplishments. He accomplished so much because he was a great man. That really came first.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
This artist's illustration depicts a sun-like star being "spaghettified" by a supermassive black hole, which has the massive 100 million times that of Earth's sun. A new study found that this death by black hole was the fate of the ultra-bright supernova ASASSN-15lh.

An incredibly luminous outburst that astronomers had previously classified as possibly the brightest supernova ever actually might have been caused by the explosive death of a star torn apart by a giant black hole, a new study finds.

Supernovas are explosions that can happen when stars die, either after running out of fuel or gaining a sudden influx of new material. These outbursts can briefly outshine all of the other stars in their galaxies.

Recently, scientists discovered a very rare class of supernova, known as superluminous supernovas. These explosions are up to 100 times brighter than other supernovas but account for less than one-thousandth of all supernovas. [Supernova Photos: Great Images of Star Explosions]

In January, astronomers analyzing data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) reported discovering an outburst more than twice as bright as any known supernova. The explosion, named ASASSN-15lh, happened about 3.8 billion light-years from Earth, in the sky at the border of the southern constellations Indus and Tucana, and gave off about 570 billion times more light than the sun does at its peak.

This artist's illustration depicts a sun-like star being "spaghettified" by a supermassive black hole, which has the massive 100 million times that of Earth's sun. A new study found that this death by black hole was the fate of the ultra-bright supernova ASASSN-15lh. (Image credit: ESA/Hubble, ESO, M. Kornmesser)

Initially, scientists classified ASASSN-15lh as a superluminous supernova  indeed, the most luminous seen yet. However, researchers now think this explosion may actually have been the death throes of a star ripped apart by a supermassive black hole up to billions of times the mass of the sun.

A number of factors suggested that ASASSN-15lh was not a superluminous supernova. For instance, it occurred in a large, reddish galaxy, "a location where we should not find superluminous supernovae," said lead study author Giorgos Leloudas, an astrophysicist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, and the Dark Cosmology Centre in Denmark. This kind of galaxy lacks the young massive stars that previous research suggested give rise to superluminous supernovas, he said.

Moreover, after gazing at ASASSN-15lh for 10 months of follow-up observations, Leloudas and his colleagues suggest that the way the explosion evolved over time "is not consistent with an expanding ball of gas," Leloudas told Space.com. Instead of cooling down over time as supernovas are supposed to do, "this object, after 100 days, started warming up again, and stayed hot at a constant and very high temperature for a long time, and it continues to do so," he said.

An artist's illustration of a spinning supermassive black hole surrounded by an accretion disk containing the remains of a star shredded by extreme gravitational tidal forces. (Image credit: ESA/Hubble, ESO, M. Kornmesser)

Instead, the researchers suggest that ASASSN-15lh may have been caused by a star disintegrating under the gravitational pull of a black hole  a so-called tidal disruption event. The composition of the elements seen in the explosion are more consistent with a tidal disruption event of a low-mass star than with a superluminous supernova, Leloudas said.

In addition, using images from the Hubble Space Telescope, Leloudas and his colleagues found that ASASSN-15lh occurred at the center of its galaxy. Previous research found that supermassive black holes reside in the center of virtually all known large galaxies. The researchers suggest that the supermassive black hole that may have caused this explosive outburst ranged from 200 million to 3 billion times the sun's mass.

Prior work found that the supermassive black hole at the center of ASASSN-15lh's galaxy was so big that it would have swallowed a star whole instead of ripping it apart. Using new models, Leloudas and his colleagues have discovered that a rapidly whirling supermassive black hole could rend a star to pieces instead of gulping it down whole.

Only about 10 tidal disruption events have been discovered, the researchers said. This new finding may demonstrate that "tidal disruption events show a much larger diversity than what we knew before, and that they can reach extreme luminosities," Leloudas said.

Leloudas cautioned that they cannot say with complete certainty that ASASSN-15lh was a tidal disruption event, and that they cannot explain every detail of what they observed. Still, "this is how science advances  now, more clever people can look at the data we publish and come up with theories that can explain the missing pieces," he said.

The scientists detailed their findings online Dec. 12 (opens in new tab) in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebookand Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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Sarah Palin is back in the news, and this time she is mocking Democrats and the intelligence community. Last week, the former governor of Alaska rattled some feathers on Team Trump when she blasted him for the Carrier deal.

While President-elect Donald Trump was celebrating the fact that he was able to convince Carrier, an Indiana-based manufacturer, to keep over 1,000 jobs in the state, Palin was slamming him. Palin wrote an angry post calling the deal crony capitalism and the hallmark of corruption and socialism.

Some political experts said that Palin was feuding with Trump as a way to wiggle out of the offer to be his secretary of veterans affairs. This week, Palin is siding with Trump.

After the intelligence community had stated that Russia hacked the DNC to help Trump win the presidential election, the mogul came out swinging. Trump, who always said that he lacks confidence in the experts who once lied and stated that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, did not hold back.

In an interview with FOX News host Chris Wallace, Trump said that he believes that the Democrats are behind the newly released reports, which are blaming Vladimir Putin for the hacks. Trump said:

No, I dont believe that at all. I think its ridiculous. I think its just another excuse. I dont believe it. I dont know why, and I think its just  you know, they talked about all sorts of things. Every week its another excuse. We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College.

Not afraid of a bit of self-deprecation to grab headlines, Palin wrote on Twitter that she can handle the Russian hackers. She tweeted:

Russias getting out of hand? So says the defeated. Not to worry remember I can keep an eye on them from here. 

During the 2008 election after being picked as the Republican Party nominee for vice president by John McCain, Palin was widely mocked for her lack of knowledge on public affairs.

Things went from bad to worse, after an interview where Palin stated that since Alaska is not that far from Russia, she is more than qualified to handle Putin. The remark went viral after it was used by Palin impersonator Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live.
Sarah will be taking over from Nick von Westenholz, who will be moving to the NFU as Director of EU Exit and International Trade in the New Year. Sarah will take up the role on the 13th March 2017.

Commenting on the appointment, CPA Chairman, Gary Mills-Thomas said;

I am delighted that we have been able to appoint someone with such a wealth of expertise and knowledge as the Associations Chief Executive.

As the crop protection sector continues to face significant political and regulatory pressures, which will only be magnified by the process of Brexit, Sarahs experience working with senior civil servants, politicians and regulators will be hugely valuable.

Sarah has an excellent track record in communicating often very complex ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, and I believe she will bring strong leadership and a fresh approach to the opportunities and challenges that our industry currently faces.

In the interim it will be business as usual at the CPA, the organisation is in excellent shape and will continue to effectively represent the crop protection industry ahead of Sarah beginning work in March.
As a business owner myself, and the proud father of three, I dont always have the time to binge-watch the latest Netflix series on the weekend. I do, however, sit myself down and watch a documentary every now and then. Not only are documentaries a great way to relax and decompress -- they're also, in my view, one of the best ways to stay motivated and enrich your business knowledge.

Related: 10 Movies Every Entrepreneur Needs to Watch

Which ones to watch? Hundreds of documentaries are currently streaming on Netflix, but here are seven recommendations that you, like me, may find particularly inspirational for business owners.

1. Jiro Dreams of Sushi

This 2011 documentary focuses on Jiro One, owner of a humble 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station. What makes the story of Jiro, who at the time of the films release was 85 years old, compelling, is that hes spent his life striving to become the greatest sushi chef in the world. Has it worked? His restaurant is a three-star Michelin recipient and he has customers willing to spend $300 a plate.

The takeaway: This documentary shows how the most successful owners are so passionate about their businesses that those emotions sometimes cross into the realm of obsession and how these owners are willing to pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

2. Crafting a Nation

As with Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Crafting a Nation depicts the dedication and passion that business owners must possess. Released in 2013, Crafting a Nation follows a number of craft breweries around the nation, highlighting their hard work, struggles and success. The film also explores the positive impact these breweries have on their communities, employing local farmers, for example, to grow hops for their product.

The takeaway: While passion and creativity is an essential component, business owners should also look for ways to enhance their local communities.

Related: 5 Movies With Great Lessons for Entrepreneurs

3. Steve Jobs: One Last Thing

Regardless whether we're Apple fans or not, most of us respect what Steve Jobs accomplished at a company he left and returned to, rescuing it from the brink of failure. Originally airing on PBS in November 2011, Steve Jobs: One Last Thing takes a closer look at this visionary through interviews that discuss how his talent, style and imagination changed the world.

The takeaway: The most powerful part of this 60-minute documentary is the exclusive interview with Jobs himself where he states; "Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you . . . the minute that you understand that, you can poke life . . . you can change it, you can mold it . . . that's maybe the most important thing."

4. Burts Buzz

This 2013 documentary takes a look at the life of Burt Shavitz. Shavitz was a beekeeper when he co-founded Burts Bees in 1984, but became essentially a recluse despite the resulting fame and fortune.

The takeaway: While the humble beginnings of Burts Bee are inspirational, one of the documentary's main points is the importance of choosing and working with the right co-founder, which can make or break a company. In this case, the documentary discusses the struggles between Shavitz and co-founder Roxanne Quimby who bought out Shavitz and sold the company to Clorox in 2007 for more than $900 million.

5. Happy

In this film, a group of scientists, researchers and thought leaders share data on what really makes people happy. Heres a hint: Its not how much money is in their bank accounts. So what really makes people happy? Academy Award winning director Roko Belic also attempts to answer that question by going on a motivational global journey to uncover what really makes us happy.

6. Print the Legend

Unlike most of the other selections on this list, Print the Legend explores the ugly side of starting a business. Consider, for example, Bre Pettis, founder of MakerBots. Pettis was willing to sacrifice friendships in order to give his 3D printing company a chance to succeed. On the other side was the more humble Formlabs, struggling to fund its projects.

The takeaway: Whats more important for business owners than success? Friends? Innovation? The business itself? These are tough questions that we all must answer at some point.

7. Sunshine Superman

This exhilarating 2015 documentary chronicles the life of Carl Boenish, one of the pioneers of BASE jumping -- BASE standing for "building, antenna, span, or Earth. What makes this such an inspirational film is the passion and fearlessness that Boenish had when it came to BASE. On top of that, Boenish was known for his work as a cinematographer, filmmaker, philosopher and promoter of BASE jumping.

Related: 5 Famous Movie Quotes That Can Inspire Entrepreneurs

The takeaway: Starting a business can be terrifying, but if youre not willing to take that leap, are you really living your life to the fullest? Another business lesson to take away from Sunshine Superman is that as business owners, were bound to take on multiple responsibilities, but that the very drive to do that helps us conquer those tasks and ultimately succeed.

Related:

7 Inspiring Documentaries Every Business Owner Must Watch

Don't Commit These 7 Party Fouls Inspired by 'Office Christmas Party'

7 Innovators, Creatives and Entrepreneurs in New Movies You Can't Miss This Month



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
NORWALK  An intoxicated man arrested Saturday morning for disturbing his neighbors was further charged after getting into a fight with a hospital security guard, police said.

According to Sgt. Peter White, officers were called to The Waypointe building on West Avenue on a report of loud noises coming from an apartment. The officers reported they could hear noise emanating from the apartment while approaching it in the hallway, White said.
T WO hedge fund executives are calling for a shake-up at Euro Disney after entering into a spat with parent Walt Disney over the running of the French theme park.

Anne-Sophie dAndlau and Catherine Berjal, who run CIAM, own a small stake in the Paris-listed company and allege majority owner Walt Disney runs it to the detriment of smaller investors.

The nice Mickey you see is not so nice, dAndlau said on a visit to London yesterday.

CIAM claims Euro Disney pays Walt Disney too much in royalty payments and that Disneyland Pariss land is undervalued.

They say Euro Disney, which listed in the late 1980s, would be worth 5 a share if changes were made. It trades at 1.10.

CIAM has clubbed together with other investors, including a Canadian pension fund and a UK-based fund manager, to press for change.

Walt Disney owns 77% of the group and Saudi Arabia owns a further 10%. The rest is owned by small shareholders.

Euro Disney said the allegations were false and unfounded .
S KY shareholders ratcheted up the pressure on the broadcasters board to get a higher price from Rupert Murdochs 21st Century Fox today amid fears the billionaire tycoon will buy the company on the cheap.

One of the Citys most influential investors, Standard Life, joined a chorus of investors calling for Skys deputy chairman Martin Gilbert to push Murdoch to increase the 10.75-a-share, or 18.5 billion, cash bid on the table.

Murdochs Fox owns 39% of Sky and his son James is Sky chairman, leading to concerns the moguls web of influence has led to a low-ball offer. A previous attempt to take over Sky was derailed in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.

Theres quite heavy representation of people who are connected with Rupert Murdoch, not just James Murdoch, Standard Lifes Thomas Moore told the BBC. We hope that Martin Gilbert will step up and put forward a strong case that this bid undervalues the true value of the company.

Gilbert, known as a robust negotiator as chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, is leading an eight-strong team of independent Sky board members, which includes Standard Chartereds Tracy Clarke and Lazards M&A chief Matthieu Pigasse.

The team has accepted the 10.75 offer in principle after driving Fox up from an original offer of about 10 per share. Shares traded at 7.58 before the talks.

Investors Royal London Asset Management and Jupiter Asset Management broke cover over the weekend to criticise the deal due to fears over the independence of Skys negotiating team and the price.

Despite the protests City investors and analysts say it will be hard to drive an offer above 10.75.

Crispin Odey, who as head of Odey Asset Management owns a big Sky stake, said: It would be very nice to get them to bid it up but I dont think they will pay more than that. Odey was once married to Murdochs eldest daughter Prudence.

I cant see Fox coming back with a substantially higher bid, said Liberum media analyst Ian Whittaker. If Fox withdraws the share price is straight down. There may be a couple of grumbles but I cant see it going higher.

Active fund managers who are normally vocal about big takeovers have traditionally shied away from owning Sky due to the influence of the Murdochs. We dont own it for the obvious reasons, said one. Another said: Murdoch might as well have it. The stock has always been hated because they have always been looking out for him.
M organ Sindall landed a 750 million hat-trick of major infrastructure deals on Monday as the builder showed more signs of thriving in post-Brexit Britain.

The company has won a five-year extension on its contract for works on the site of the Sellafield nuclear power station in Cumbria.

This deal is worth more than 1 billion over a 10-year period.

Morgan Sindall will also share a slice of a 3 billion building programme at Heathrow airport alongside five other companies, and is part of a joint venture carrying out civil engineering and tunnelling works for London Underground over the next eight years.

The latest clutch of contract wins comes just two weeks after the business secured a share of enabling works on the HS2 rail project, worth 100 million over four years.

Last month Sindall said orders were up 15% since the start of the year and 3% since the referendum.

This is in contrast to rivals such as Carillion, which has seen orders slow since the Brexit vote.

The shares rose 11p to 755p and are now in positive territory for the year despite a collapse immediately after the referendum result.
W hy was 2016 the year of revolution? First Brexit, then Trump. Then, last week, Matteo Renzis loss in the Italian referendum. Nigel Farage is convinced that Brexit helped create Trumps victory.

Everybody around Trump was saying the impetus of Brexit was crucial, Farage told me last week. It inspired the door-knockers and the leaflet deliverers, and non-voters in particular  they thought, if it can happen in Britain, it can happen anywhere.

Its harder to attribute the referendum loss in Italy to Brexit but, still, it was part and parcel of a year of revolution. If not as big as 1848  the quintessential Year of Revolution, when more than 50 countries were hit by political upheaval  2016 was the most chaotic political year in the Western world since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Why? Partly because of a general anti-establishment movement, albeit one that varied from country to country. The Italian Five Star party, which led the battle against Renzi, was largely backed by the young, while Brexit was more popular among older voters.

In The Age of Unreason, the book George Osborne is now writing, he suggests that the general discontent goes beyond anti-establishment feeling. The very institutions of capitalism and democracy are in crisis, he says, with the anger at their failings whipped up by populist nationalism, prejudice and new technology.

In the pre-social media days, government control of a tricky news story was a doddle. Popular anger over something such as immigration, say, could once be quelled by a cleverly placed item on the BBC evening news. Now the flames of anger are stoked up on social media, and politics has been pushed to its extremes in Right-wing parties in Austria, Germany and France  and in the shape of Donald Trump.

That extremist sentiment is still suppressed in British general elections by the electoral system and the entrenched power of established parties. Ukip secured nearly four million votes at the 2015 election but it only won only one seat.

In a referendum, though, as David Cameron found to his cost, that extremist sentiment is unleashed with direct effect. Not only would a referendum reflect popular Euroscepticism, it would also be a magnet for any dissatisfaction with the Government, on everything from immigration to the NHS.

In Italy, Renzi signed his own execution warrant in an even more foolhardy way, by promising to resign if he lost his referendum. Doh! Suddenly, anyone who was indifferent to the referendums obscure constitutional issues  but hated Renzi  made an extra-special effort to vote.

Theres another factor in the 2016 year of revolution. These days, we should, logically, be growing more similar, all around the world, as we increasingly wear the same jeans, listen to the same iPods and stare at the same websites. In fact, we are dividing into smaller and smaller groups scattered across the globe, as the internet lures us away from terrestrial TV, communal eating and local gatherings into a cyberspace undivided by national borders.

In the same way, political parties can no longer rely on old, traditional, now decaying allegiances. Hillary Clinton could no longer click her fingers and whistle up the Hispanic and black vote that got Barack Obama into the White House. Even Donald Trumps Republican vote shrank  he got fewer votes than Mitt Romney four years ago.

Hillary Clintons election loss was also the end of the Clintonian political playbook. In Bill Clintons first presidential election victory in 1992, he minted the new tactics of obsessive polling, sticking to one message and spinning it heavily via favoured conventional media outlets.

It was a strategy emulated by Philip Gould, Labours strategy and polling adviser in five elections from 1987 to 2005. The strategy worked like a dream for Tony Blair for three election wins. But social media and a widespread aversion to politicians have now destroyed the strategys effectiveness.

And the biggest victim of the collapse of identity politics, along with this division into smaller political support groups, is Labour. It is no longer the natural opposition  thus its disastrous showing at the Richmond Park and Sleaford and North Hykeham by-elections earlier this month.

Labour hit a fresh low on Saturday, when Jeremy Corbyns human rights speech was heckled by Peter Tatchell, protesting against Labour inaction on Syria. For decades, Corbyn could have counted on standing on the same barricades alongside Tatchell. Tatchell was a Labour member from 1978 to 2000, and he stood for Labour in the 1983 Bermondsey by-election. He gradually fell out of love with the party and, in 2004, joined the Greens.

Tatchells protest showed how the warring fragments of the Labour Party have never been so reminiscent of the split between the Judean Peoples Front and the Peoples Front of Judea in Monty Pythons Life of Brian.

Today, Labour has been whittled down to a groupuscule of metropolitan, professional, high-taxing, pro-immigration, big-state, nannying, human-rights-obsessed politicians. The heart of that tiny group was there on Saturday: Corbyn, Emily Thornberry and Shami Chakrabarti, all looking perplexed and impotent in the face of a natural ally who had turned on them.

The seeds of Labours divisions  and the 2016 year of revolution  were sown in the Nineties. In 1992, Bill Clinton won that first US election with the now outdated mantra of aggressively spun politics. That was the year, too, that the Maastricht Treaty was signed  the treaty that gave life to the eurosceptic movement. And it was in the Nineties that the 2016 political revolution began its long gestation thanks to a shiny, new invention by Tim Berners-Lee  the internet.

Harry Mounts Summer Madness How Brexit Split the Tories, Destroyed Labour and Divided the Country is published next month by Biteback
S uzana Herculano-Houzel is a remarkable woman. Shes a Brazilian neuroscientist who spends her time making brain soup  dissolving the brains of different animals so she can work out how many cells they contain in total. In her new book, The Human Advantage, Herculano-Houzel explains how human brains have far more neurons than other species, outstripping even elephants and blue whales, whose grey matter weigh much more than ours.

This groundbreaking research reveals that the human brain has 86 billion neurons  an astonishing number, comparable to the number of stars in our galaxy. Even more incredibly, the human brain has more processing power than any supercomputer but uses less energy than a 30W light bulb.

Its easy to lose sight of the brains astounding capabilities at a time when computers are getting ever more advanced, and breakthroughs in artificial intelligence are happening all the time. Only last week, Uber announced a new AI division to develop cutting-edge technologies such as self-driving cars. Given there are 1.5 million Uber drivers, autonomous vehicles could have a big impact on jobs.

And only a few days ago, Amazon unveiled a futuristic physical store with no checkouts or cashiers. Inside, customers are tracked by sensors and automatically billed for whatever they pick up. Technology like this may lead to fewer people being employed in shops, and the British Retail Consortium estimates that a third of retail jobs could disappear by 2025.

This may sound depressing, but although there will be tough days ahead, its not all doom and gloom. Technology will undoubtedly affect the work we do, but Im convinced that humanity has a bright future  on account of the miraculous lump of grey matter inside our heads. You see, our brains arent just powerful  theyre prodigiously malleable too. Unlike computers, human brains can rewire themselves in response to the world around us, enabling us to learn and develop valuable new skills and abilities.

We see a wonderful demonstration of this plasticity whenever were in a London cab. As you know, cabbies spend years memorising the capitals 25,000 streets  an amazing feat that actually leads to physical changes in the posterior hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with navigation.

This is a sign of our brains staggering adaptability, and explains why London cabbies are so good at getting us from A to B. (And far better than GPS, in my experience.)

According to Professor Eleanor Maguire, who has studied the brains of black-cab drivers: The human brain remains plastic even in adult life, allowing it to adapt when we learn new tasks.

Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov would no doubt agree. Back in 1997, when he was famously beaten by a computer, he wasnt downcast. Instead he saw a positive way forward  provided people are given the opportunity to learn new skills. As he memorably put it: We humans might not be able to change our hardware but we can definitely upgrade our software.

In other words, we have the potential to re-skill for the jobs of the future  as long as the Government invests heavily in education and training, and ensures that no one is left behind. Thanks to the 86 billion neurons inside our skulls, all of us have what it takes to win the race against the machine.
T he first I heard of it was a headline that said: Patti Smith forgets lyrics at Dylan Nobel ceremony. Well, ha ha, I thought. Silly old Patti. Then I watched the online video of Patti Smiths performance of A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall, and it became clear that this was one of the greatest point-missing headlines of all time. Like reporting the bombing of Hiroshima with Qualified Success for Experimental Weapon.

Here, I dont hesitate to say, was one of the live performances of this or any decade. Smith did falter in verse two  she ground to a halt: I saw the babe, that was just I saw the babe The guitarist accompanying her strummed and stuttered on until it became clear the performance had collapsed. Smith said, with a tremulous voice and entire charm of address: I apologise. Sorry. Im so nervous. And then they started verse two again and she went on (only slightly garbling verse three) to the end. That mistake was itself sort of magical. It was, if you like, the crack that lets the light get in.

And, readers, if you havent seen the video of this, I urge you to seek it out. Ive just watched it again and tears poured down my cheeks to the extent that I got looks of concern from wife, young children, passers-by etc. Yes, sure, the song itself seems to rebuke her: Ill know my song well before I start singing. But let us not forget that Gerard Manley Hopkins urged us to celebrate all things counter, original, spare, strange. The flaws in the performance were of a part with what gave it that extraordinary voltage.

God knows, it was a good choice of song for the occasion. Its one of the best examples of Dylans claim to literary seriousness  with its co-option of ballad form, its powerfully opaque and disturbing imagery, its vatic and allusive tone. An old teacher of mine once identified the line I saw a white ladder all covered with water as the most obscurely terrifying image he knew in song. He was onto something. There are hints of Jacobs ladder, of course, and perhaps of William Carlos Williamss The Red Wheelbarrow (glazed with rain water); but it is its own thing, being, like any symbolist image, obdurately itself.

And its also a song that, my God, has grown with age. Its force comes in part from its generality and its associative logic  the broken tongues, the bleeding hammers, that ladder  and in part from the way it flirts with second-order cliche but somehow redeems it by the authority of its rhythms. Unlike much of Dylans often frosty oeuvre, it is anchored by love: my blue-eyed son my darling young one.

Patti Smith, white-haired and trembling, is these days in full prophetess mode. There was half a century of history and feeling behind her performance: a sense of touching fingers from a fancy dinner in Stockholm to Lower Manhattan 50 years ago, of being now old and full of tears, and finding those words still resonating. And it goes back to that chorus: that sense, stalled in time, that the hard rain is always about to fall. Many of us in this wretched year think it has already started.

Briggss The Snowman is a modern myth and fairy tale

Much against what I imagined to be my better judgment, I took my family to see The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre last week. Boy, oh boy, was my judgment wrong.

Good stuff, there. In generational terms, I can report that it did the business for a seven-year-old, a five-year-old, a two-year-old and  fair dinkum  a 42-year-old. All on the strength of a single word of dialogue (Boo!), and an excellent bit of physical comedy (Scottish snowman nuts Jack Frost).

My five-year-old asked: Is The Snowman a fairy tale? Seems to me a smart question. In all but oral transmission (we know who wrote it  Raymond Briggs  and hes alive and grumpy) it is.

Its something to write a story; its really something to write a story that behaves like a myth.

Take leather trousers in your strides

Possibly the least important of all things in the history of the world ever is the question of Theresa Mays trousers. You may not have wondered whether David Camerons suits were bespoke (500 per trouser leg, easy) because you werent invited to: they were just suits. But the PMs trews became a big thing because sexism.

Had she spent 995 on her leather strides? The former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan used the figure as the occasion for a jibe: Ive never spent that much on anything  apart from my wedding dress.

That was a bit shabby. In response, Mrs Mays chief-of-staff Fiona Hill disinvited Mrs Morgan from a scheduled Brexit meeting. Thats shabbier still. Should hurt feelings and spin trump government business affecting our long-term future?

Ladies: we pay your salaries. Grow the hell up, eh?

Farewell to a true master of bon mot

The writer A A Gill, who died on Saturday of cancer, was one of the very best of us, and Im so sorry to see him go. He was pugnacious and funny and a good stylist, and he was more orange than Donald Trump.

In my day job I work at The Spectator magazine, and back when the late Frank Johnson was editor I remember there being a letter from Gill pinned to the door of Franks office. It read (I quote from memory): Sir  May I crave the indulgence of your correspondence columns to convey the following message to Taki [the mags High Life columnist]: Go f**k yourself, you smelly dago lesbian.

Nobody else had quite that sort of tonal swerve, that sort of knowing childishness, that implicit sense of the fun of what Bron Waugh called the vituperative arts. I doubt its among the sentences for which hed want to be remembered, but there was a lot of him in it. RIP.
T ransport Secretary Chris Grayling offered to sit down with union chiefs to try to avert chaos on the Southern Rail network this week but they failed to respond, it was claimed today.

Mr Grayling told the bosses of the RMT and Aslef unions he wanted to help thrash out a deal to avoid another round of strikes which will cause travel misery for thousands of commuters this week.

This came after RMT general secretary Mick Cash said last week he would consider stopping industrial action on Southern if the Transport Secretary agreed to meet.

But neither he nor Mick Whelan, chief of Aslef which is on strike this week, took up the offer, claimed Mr Grayling.

In an open letter to commuters today, he said union chiefs failed to agree to Southerns request for negotiations at Acas yesterday aimed at preventing the strike. He wrote: Its very frustrating and not the actions of a union that wants to act to get services back to normal. It is deeply, deeply unfair on the passengers who are left in the middle of this dispute.

Mr Grayling added that he was very committed to solving the dispute, telling passengers he was really, really sorry they had been caught up, but that he wished he was dealing with reasonable people on the union side.

Responding to the letter, Mr Cash said he was prepared to enter into serious and meaningful talks, if Mr Grayling was willing to intervene to persuade the rail company to resolve the long-running dispute.

Meanwhile thousands of commuters suffered massive disruption again today even before this weeks strikes.

Passengers have been told they should not attempt to travel during three days of industrial action set for tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday.

GTR, Southerns owners, went to the Court of Appeal today in a last-ditch attempt to get the strikes called off.

It is the worst industrial dispute across the South since the three-month- long signal workers strikes more than 20 years ago. But many trains were cancelled this morning and some routes left without any service due to an ongoing overtime ban by drivers.

Gatwick Express services were halved  running every 30 minutes instead of 15  and only operating between Victoria and Gatwick Airport, not to Brighton.

Southern said it was unable to run services to and from Beckenham Junction or between East Croydon and Milton Keynes via Olympia. Direct services between London and either Portsmouth or Southampton were cancelled.

Disruption affected all Southerns 10 route divisions, with West London and Metro services part-closed. The firm warned: There may be further cancellations due to day-to-day issues.

There was also major disruption to the morning peak on Southeastern services into London. A major signalling problem between Hastings and Tunbridge Wells blocked lines in both directions, with buses replacing trains.

Disruption lasted until mid-morning with many commuters taking three hours or more to reach London.

GTR tried to get the strikes stopped in the High Court last week, declaring they were illegal under EU law, but lost the case. It appealed against the ruling, with the Court of Appeal expected to give its decision later today.

On strike days the only full service operating across much of southern England will be Thameslink, whose trains are forecast to be overcrowded.

Businesses will count the cost as staff fail to turn up at what, for many, is the busiest time of the year.
A city skyscraper that caused a royal row despite never being built is the subject of a new exhibition, decades after plans for the building were thrown out.

The original model for renowned architect Mies van der Rohes unrealised Mansion House Square Project has been borrowed from the personal archive of developer Lord Palumbo. The developer was forced to eventually scrap the scheme, famously described by Prince Charles as a giant glass stump, better suited to downtown Chicago than the City of London.

The Princes criticism was made in an infamous speech to the Royal Institute of British Architects, which is organising the show, where he also lambasted a proposed extension to the National Gallery as a monstrous carbuncle.

Ribas exhibition will examine the plans for the unbuilt 20-storey glass tower and the building that eventually took its place at No 1 Poultry. Planners eventually rejected the tower in 1985 after a protracted process and architect James Stirling was brought in and designed the building which currently sits on the site, complete with a distinctive stripey facade and clock tower.

It is the first time in three decades that the model for van der Rohes tower will have been seen. Curator Marie Bak Mortensen said showing it with early sketches for both buildings returns the focus from the controversy back to the buildings themselves.

Mies van der Rohe & James Stirling: Circling the Square is at the Architecture Gallery, Riba, in Portland Place from March 8 to June 25.

Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene

Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout
P rince William today thanked Evening Standard readers for their incredible support as our Christmas Appeal, in aid of Centrepoints Young and Homeless Helpline, smashed the 1 million barrier in record time.

To mark the fundraising milestone the Duke of Cambridge welcomed former Centrepoint residents to Kensington Palace for a photoshoot.

As Centrepoints patron the Duke has heard countless stories of how homelessness can blight young lives, said a Palace spokesman.

The support for this project so far is incredible as it means young people can get the help they need when they most need it. Thank you.

Homeless appeal: Evgeny Lebedev with ex-Centrepoint resident Kumba and Prince William / Samia Meah

The two former Centrepoint residents who visited the Palace were photographer Samia Meah and student Kumba Kpakima.

I met Kumba a few weeks ago at a Centrepoint hostel in south London and I am happy to say she is now living in her own flat. We will welcome her at the newspaper for work experience in the New Year.

They are proof of how effective Centrepoints work is, and how vital the new helpline will be.

Centrepoint shoot: Evgeny Lebedev with Prince William being photographed by Samia / JEREMY SELWYN

The appeal follows a call to arms from the prince, in which he urged the nation to do more to combat the scourge of youth homelessness.

Each year, more than 150,000 young people seek help because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Yet it is at this time, when they are trying to find their feet, that they are most at risk of abuse.

Centrepoints new freephone line will provide young people with all the housing information they need.

Centrepoint helpline pkg

Through a partnership with advice service The Mix, callers will also have access to support on training, counselling and job opportunities.

Thanks to your efforts, we are approaching our goal of being able to fund the helpline fully for the next three years.

In our proud history of Christmas Appeals, this is the earliest that we have hit seven figures.

It is testament to the generosity of our readers, corporate backers and influential figures in politics and the arts who have lent their weight to our appeal.

As proprietor, I want to thank you sincerely for your efforts: the Christmas Appeal is absolutely core to what the Evening Standard does.

@mrevgenylebedev
F itness and the festive season are an uncomfortable mix  after all, when was the last time you saw Father Christmass six-pack? Despite all your pledges to hit the treadmill every day to slide effortlessly into your glitzy party dress, the head-throbbing, dry-mouthed dizziness of mornings in the party season preclude any possibility of a 7am spin class. Come 5pm, youre pulling on your drinking boots, not your trainers.

But rather than slacking off until that January detox that youll definitely, definitely stick to this time, get smart with your festive period fitness by squeezing a quick pre-/post-party purge into your lunch hour.

Chris Smith, managing director of the half-hour outdoor class Zip Fit, says: A 30-minute, fast blast of exercise will not only increase the mood-enhancing chemicals in your brain but will effectively deplete the glycogen (energy) stored in your muscles. This triggers the fat-burning process as your body goes into overdrive for hours post-workout. Its what we call the after-burn effect. With all the extra Christmas booze and calories, a time-saving, quick exercise pick-me-up like a Zip Fit class is exactly what your weary body needs. You can buy a pre-paid pack of five sessions for 25  meaning youre less likely to bail in favour of a Maccy D.

If the prospect of star-jumps in the mud leaves you, literally, cold, try Another Space where, according to creative director SJ Aboboto, theyve programmed our timetable to be party season-appropriate, so that your workout routine doesnt have to suffer just because your social calendar is getting busier.

For example: every Wednesday, theres a Cycle 30 + lunch, where a half-hour of pedal-pushing wins you a protein-packed, nutritional powerhouse of a Natural Fitness Food salad box at the end  which means you can definitely justify that mid-afternoon mince pie.

Then theres FRAME, with a whole range of 30-minute classes to fit into your lunchtime. QuickieCardio Bounding is a half-hour of jumping up and down on a mini-trampoline  perfect prep for that mosh pit

London's best gyms 1 /18 London's best gyms 1Rebel The inspiration for the the gym came from New York City. Press 1Rebel The industrial chic changing rooms are super stylish Press KX The changing rooms have a steam room, sauna and plunge pools, and provide complimentary robes, towels and slippers Press KX KX says don't be afraid of lifting heavy Press Core Collective The changing room offers fluffy two-metre towels and Bamford toiletries to complete the experience. Press Core Collective Pedal your way to a fitter body Press Gymbox GYMBOX is redesigning fitness Press Embody Fitness A luxury Olympic-standard personal training facility Press Embody Fitness A before and after photograph after embarking on their training programme Press Frame Owners, Joan and Pip hated the gym, but loved being active. They decided to create the answer to their problems Press Yogasphere Relaxation above the clouds Yogasphere Yogasphere provide all mats Barry's Bootcamp The reception area of their London East location Press Barry's Bootcamp The run of state of the art treadmills in the basement gym Press

youll degradingly initiate after 12 Jagerbombs later on. Founder Pip Black also recommends Quickie Kettlebells, pointing out that including weights in your workout will keep your body burning calories throughout the day, which is always a win, but especially for slipping smoothly into your party dress.

If you can feel last nights three pints of mulled wine sloshing poisonously through your brain, hardcore cardio is clearly out of the question. Thats where Barrecores latest class, BarreSCULPT, comes in. Founder Niki Rein says: The powerful classes are just the right pace to keep you from feeling nauseous but you will like you have accomplished a strong workout. You are sure to leave feeling revived and refreshed for your day ahead. The twist and flow of the barre moves, she claims, help the liver detoxify while releasing feel-good hormones, endorphins and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) to combat the day-after drinking blues.

Barre is the perfect pre (cocktail) bar workout, as minimal sweating means you dont have to wash your hair. Yoga also falls into the minimal post-workout redecorating category. While many classes are an hour or more, a 45-minute Loaded Yoga sesh at Gymbox will have you back in the office well before your boss starts looking pointedly at her watch. The catch? Youre downward dogging with wrist and ankle weights strapped on, to increase the yogic burn. Not one for purists maybe but a great way to help burn off last nights cava without raising your heart rate too much.

So scrape yourself out of your desk chair, lace up your trainers and give yourself some midday movement medicine. After all, increased arm muscle makes for increased drink-holding capacity

Party dresses - in pictures 1 /14 Party dresses - in pictures Browse our edit of the best party dresses... Reiss Rosalin Embellished Bodycon Dress If you require cocktail attire, then a little black dress that falls just above the knees will suffice. Our top choice is a figure-hugging number from Reiss, featuring embellished detailing on the arms and chest. Wear with barely-there heeled sandals to seriously lengthen the look of your legs. 245, Reiss, Buy it now H&M Cerise Satin Dress Luxe and feminine, satin is undeniably hot this season. Turn to H&M for easy throw-on dresses that will help you ace your party look. With a seamed waist and stand-up collar, this sleeveless mini is a safe choice for those who want to show off their arms and pins. It also looks great with flat shoes. 34.99, H&M, Buy it now Oh My Love Frill Front Maxi Dress The sophisticated maxi is fit for almost any occasion and will skim your curves out beautifully. In a berrylicious wine hue, this decadent piece features on-trend frills and a cheeky thigh split. Its relaxed silhouette makes it a breeze to move around in. Team with statement earrings and strappy heels. 55, Topshop, Buy it now Pretty Little Thing Ashleah Premium Tassel Beaded Bodycon Dress This showstopping number comes straight from Pretty Little Things new partywear range, which is fronted by none other than American model Sofia Richie. Ideal for a twenties-inspired affair, the fitted piece is dripping with embellishment and finished with tassel fridge detailing that swirls as you move. 50, Pretty Little Thing, Buy it now New Look Shell Pink Velvet Frill Trim Bardot Neck Dress Oozing with 1950s glamour, the elegant Bardot neckline makes for an effortlessly chic look. Turn heads in this flattering midi dress from New Look, which is designed with a crushed velvet finish and frill trim. A pair of metallic heels will help offset the look, while a faux-fur cape will keep the evening chill off your shoulders. Ideal for hourglass or pear-shaped figures. 24.99, New Look, Buy it now Stella McCartney Black Rosalie Dress Not a fan of most dresses? Throw this sumptuous tulle gown over a tailored jumpsuit for an attitude-filled look. It features a round neckline with thin shoulder straps, a ruched skirt and an extra-long length. When choosing the piece for underneath, consider an all-in-one with a cropped length and corset-style top. 785, Stella McCartney, Buy it now Anisha Green Premium Embellished Sequin Bodycon Dress Another winning choice from PLTs latest campaign, this dazzling sequinned dress will ensure that all eyes are on you at the disco. Complete with gold bead embellishments, it has a cinched middle to show off your waistline and a killer V-neck. Opt for matching metallic heels to finish the look. 100, Pretty Little Thing, Buy it now French Connection Amore Sparkle Embroidered Tulle Dress A failsafe way to rock the embroidery trend, this flowy tulle dress provides a sophisticated evening look with the right amount of sparkle. Featuring bead-and-sequin roses, it has a classic silhouette with a hip-skimming skirt that flares from the waist and a sultry shorter-length underskirt. 195, French Connection, Buy it now Religion Stardust Maxi Dress Tis the season to shine. Be the bell of the ball in Religions stunning maxi design, which is embellished all over with sequins and features a see-through finish. It also has a plunging cowl back to show off some skin. Wed wear this one with silver heeled sandals. 105, Lipsy, Buy it now Miss Selfridge Metallic One Shoulder Ruffle Dress Metallics have been everywhere this year, but what better time to wear the trend than the dazzling festive season. Perfect for petite frames, this shiny scuba dress features a romantic ruffle design on one shoulder for added drama and comes in a close-cut bodycon fit. Style with a pair of strappy Mary Jane block heels. 65, Miss Selfridge, Buy it now

Do wear your trainers to work so you cant hungoverly forget your kit.

Dont book a class more than a 10- minute walk from the office or you wont bother.

Do squeeze in a shower afterwards after sweating out last nights alcohol youll smell like a gin distillery.

Dont push yourself too hard. If you cant even look at your computer screen without vomiting/weeping, youre not going to make it through a spin class.

Follow Frankie McCoy on Twitter: @franklymccoy
I f you havent read his book AA Gill is Away, read it now. It was when he was away that he was at his best.

I first met him when I was artistic director of the Royal Court in 1992, predictably perhaps, at the Ivy.

Less predictably, I was working as a sous-chef in the kitchen at the time, preparing for a production of Arnold Weskers play The Kitchen, while he sat upstairs (table 4, I believe) preparing a recipe book for the restaurant. Every now and then I was allowed to take him up his lunch, and we got to know one another.

He sometimes talked of his restaurant criticism as the bargaining chip for articles about important things (not, as he said, that restaurants arent important).

His walkabouts around the world were driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore and acquaint himself with cultures he knew nothing about, to rejoice in the diversity of the extraordinary world we live in, and to use his writing as a tool for change. On a trip to northern Uganda, he met sleeping-sickness sufferers who relied on a drug that was about to be scrapped by its manufacturers. His article about their plight reversed the companys plans.

His writing about refugees remains some of his best, and it was in this capacity that we spent some time together this year. Im a trustee of Good Chance Theatre, the theatre of hope established in the Calais Jungle refugee camp. Adrian wrote often and passionately about the refugee experience during his career, trying to comprehend and convey its human dimension. He travelled the West Balkan route at the height of the crisis in October 2015, walking and talking with the refugees themselves. While all around him were mad with panic and fear he was there in the centre, trying to understand. I knew it wouldnt be long before he visited the Jungle, which he did in January ostensibly to review the makeshift refugee-run restaurants. (Four stars.)

AA Gill - an obituary

He also visited our theatre, and afterwards wrote this: What a monument to bleeding-heart liberal pretension, a theatre in a refugee camp, I was told. Well, yes, but if I ever find myself lost and penniless, I hope its the liberals with leaky valves and a penchant for quoting Shakespeare that find me, and not the sanguine, pity-tight realists.

But I do want them to tell me where they imagine the plimsoll line of culture runs. When are you too poor, too bereft, too unappreciative to need or deserve art? Is this culture stuff really only the property of those who can pay for it  only ever bourgeois decoration?

Refugees leaving the Calais Jungle 1 /13 Refugees leaving the Calais Jungle Refugees surge through a barrier at the camp in Calais Jeremy Selwyn There were chaotic scenes today as thousands of people began to leave the camp Jeremy Selwyn Huge queues formed - it came after violent clashes overnight between riot police and migrants Jeremy Selwyn Work to flatten the camp was due to begin today Jeremy Selwyn The refugees were told to leave the camp or face arrest and possible deportation Jeremy Selwyn Desite chaotic scenes, the refugees were said to be resigned to their fate Jeremy Selwyn The camps residents were today being processed before being bussed to temporary accommodation centres Jeremy Selwyn More than 1,200 police and officials were deployed as the operation to clear the Jungle started Jeremy Selwyn Todays first wave of departures were voluntary Jeremy Selwyn Camp residents, mostly men and male teenagers, gradually streamed out carrying belongings in suitcases and bin bags Jeremy Selwyn

Theatre, food, refugees: in Adrians writing theyre all linked up. Nothing and none of us is separate. A perception of him is that of the wit, the intellectual, but he was more than that. He was a deeply emotional man drawn to movement and imbalance, the cracks in the pavement where cultural shifts happen. His was the huge and sometimes overwhelming task of humbly trying to make the world a better place. If AA Gill is to be away for a while, we should all take up the baton he has left behind and make sure we are richer, not poorer, for his absence.
A knifeman chased and threatened terrified bystanders after stabbing a passenger on a train, witnesses said.

Police swarmed on Forest Hill station after the "horrific" attack at about lunchtime. A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH.

A man in his 40s was taken to hospital with stab injuries where his condition was described as serious but not life-threatening.

Passengers fled the station screaming with terror after the armed man reportedly shouted threats at people on the scene in south London.

Witnesses said there was a huge presence of emergency services at the station as they warned people to avoid the area as the attacker was "ranting on the streets".

Juliette Cooper, 39, was jogging near the station when she heard screams.

She said: I spoke to my daughters friend who was on the train and she said a man with a knife was going around and stabbing people

Scene: Police outside Forest Hill station / @SE23LDN

She said everyone literally ran off the train at Forest Hill where he got off as well.

He had a wild look in his eye."

Another woman said said dozens of passengers fled the station as she arrived at Forest Hill at around 1.30pm.

Emergency response: Police and ambulances were called to the scene / @rustlem

She told the Standard: Around 30 people were running out of the station screaming. There was a guy there pacing around and shouting Ill take everyone on.

I asked people what had happened and they said he had stabbed someone with a knife. I called the police."

A British Transport Police spokeswoman confirmed officers were called at 1.18pm following a serious assault and that a man was arrested on suspicion of GBH.

He remains in police custody.

A man in his 40s is in hospital with stab wound injuries but his condition is not life-threatening, police said

Senior investigating officer Det Chief Inspector Paul Langley said: This was a serious assault on a man in broad daylight and we are aware that other passengers may have seen what happened or been threatened themselves.

We have spoken with many witnesses from the train but if you saw what happened and havent yet contacted police, please do so as soon as you can.

Police added the attack was not being treated as "terror-related".

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: We were called at 1:16pm to reports of a stabbing at Forest Hill Railway Station.

We sent a single responder in a car, an ambulance crew and an incident response officer to the scene. Londons Air Ambulance was also dispatched.

We treated a man at the scene and took him as a priority to hospital.

Did you witness this incident? Contact our news desk on 0203 615 2500 or news@standard.co.uk
T wo men who took part in a 3,000 cash handover with Brussels bombing suspect Mohamed Abrini in Birmingham have been jailed for eight and three years.

Zakaria Boufassil, 26, was last week found guilty of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism by supplying cash to Abrini, who was dubbed the "man in the hat" over his alleged involvement in the terror attacks on the Belgian capital in March.

Boufassil and Mohammed Ali Ahmed, 27, who pleaded guilty to the offence in November, handed the cash to Abrini on July 11 last year in a secret rendezvous around Small Heath Park.

The pair, both of Birmingham, were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court, south-west London, on Monday.

Mr Justice Baker sentenced Ahmed to eight years in jail plus an additional year on licence, to serve a minimum of four years before being able to apply for parole.

Boufassil was handed a three-year custodial term plus an additional year on licence and will be eligible to apply for parole after serving a minimum of 18 months.

Man in the hat: Mohamed Abrini / Belgian Federal Police via AP

In sentencing, the judge said Ahmed was motivated by "extreme Islamist beliefs" but deemed Boufassil's role to be "more limited".

However, after an earlier reporting restriction was lifted, it was able to be disclosed that Boufassil claimed he was recruited by MI5 after the July exchange with Abrini, who is also wanted by French authorities over a suspected role in the November 2015 Paris attacks.

It can now be reported Boufassil alleged he was contacted by MI5 personnel after the meeting and given up to 3,000 in exchange for information.

His lawyer, Dorian Lovell-Pank QC, had argued, in the absence of jurors, it was important for them to know about the apparent MI5 link as it showed the Belgian national did not hold any allegiance to a particular terrorist movement or cause.

Following a number of meetings agents allegedly gave him money - up to 3,000, which he used to buy a return flight to see his girlfriend in Casablanca - along with clothes and his favourite cigarettes, the court heard.

But when he returned from Morocco via Marrakesh in April he was arrested at Gatwick by counter-terrorism officers.

Mr Lovell-Pank said: "Zakaria Boufassil feels that he was effectively picked up by MI5 and 'pumped and dumped'.

"He feels he may have ceased to be of any use to them and as a result was effectively thrown to the wolves, which is in fact what happened."

Karen Robinson, prosecuting, said she could neither "confirm nor deny" the claims about MI5, and the judge ruled them inadmissible and stopped them being used as evidence in his defence.

At the sentencing hearing on Monday, Mr Lovell-Pank submitted Boufassil was "little more than an errand boy".

Airport: the Man in the Hat moments before the bombing at Brussels Airport

It came after Crown prosecutor Max Hill QC said Abrini had identified Ahmed as the man who led him to the forest meeting and Boufassil as the one who handed him the money after asking who sent him, explaining he had to "verify with Syria that he was not an imposter".

The court heard Ahmed took money from an account held by Anouar Haddouchi, an associate who previously lived in Birmingham and had travelled to Syria to fight for Islamic State, into which overpaid housing benefits totalling 5,413 had been paid between December 21 2014 and November 1 2015.

But Ahmed's barrister, Stephen Kamlish QC, said his client changed his mind about travelling to Syria and "was more of a dreamer, in this respect, than a doer".

Mr Justice Baker seemed to disagree, telling the offender: "I am sure that you are an individual who has for some time and continues to hold extreme Islamist beliefs, and that you are committed to the cause of Islamic State."

While both men supplied the cash, Mr Justice Baker noted Ahmed's offending also included participating in physical training and researching "secure methods" by which he and Boufassil's sister Soumaya could travel to Syria "undetected".

Head of CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, Sue Hemming, welcomed the sentences and said it was "clear that you do not need to leave the country to be prosecuted" for such offences.

Additional reporting by the Press Association
A woman from London was one of six people arrested by anti-terror police in a series of dawn raids today.

The 32-year-old was detained by detectives on suspicion of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism.

She was seized and being held in custody today as part of a joint operation across the UK.

Four men from Derby aged 22, 27, 35 and 36, a 27-year-old man from Burton upon Trent were also held by detectives.

Six properties in Derby, Burton and London were being searched as part of the investigation.

It is being led by the North East counter terrorism unit supported by local officers from Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Metropolitan Police.

Local officers will be patrolling the areas to speak to anyone with concerns, police said.

A statement from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit said: We would ask people to remain alert and vigilant but not to be alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance, support and understanding of people locally.

There was no further detail about the allegations.

Britain is on its second highest threat level meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

Last week Britains foreign intelligence chief said Islamic State militants were using turmoil in Syria to plot attacks against the United Kingdom and her allies.

It follows the arrest of a 41-year-old man on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts by the Mets Counter Terrorism Command after he arrived at Stansted Airport on Friday.

He is suspected of travelling to Syria and has been bailed pending further enquires.
A woman is fighting for life in hospital after being found injured near a north London synagogue.

Police were called to Kinloss Court near the Finchley United Synagogue after reports the woman had been hurt.

They were joined by paramedics at around 6.45pm on Sunday where they found the stricken victim, aged in her 20s.

She was rushed to a central London hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

The site where she was found is yards from the synagogue, a large Jewish place of worship just off the North Circular.

Barnet police said it was unclear how the woman received her injuries, but it was not believed to be linked to terrorism or anti-Semitism.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said there had been no arrests so far and enquiries were continuing.
M ore than 20 firefighters were called to a blaze at a holistic spa in east London.

London Fire Brigade said four fire engines were sent to a fire at a sauna inside the Barking Learning Centre in Town Square, Barking, just before 11am on Monday.

Around 250 people were told to leave the building after it was evacuated. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is being investigated and the whole sauna is alight, the brigade said.

The sauna is located in Barking Learning Centre which also hosts a library, cafe, gallery space and is next to Barking Town Hall, the councils headquarters.

Bath House Barking, which operates the sauna, describes itself as a holistic spa with a difference with a range of massage treatments also on offer.

A spokeswoman for the Bath House said: "We still don't know what went wrong, we have to wait for the investigation. Luckily no one was in the spa so nobody was hurt.

"The Bath House will be closed for a few days so we can get rid of the smell, the Sauna has been burnt out but the treatment rooms are okay. We hope to be open later this week."

A spokesman for Barking and Dagenham Council said: "The fire is thought to have started in a sauna on the first floor of the building. There has been minimal damage and all other facilities in the building including the library, college and citizen advice bureau will be open tomorrow."
B rooklyn Beckham has racked up his fourth parking ticket in two months of driving his 38,000 Mercedes around London.

The 17-year-old son of David and Victoria was snapped removing a ticket from the windscreen of his Mercedes C-class in the wealthy London suburb of Hampstead lunchtime today.

Brooklyn looked embarrassed as he picked up his second fine in little over a month and his fourth since passing his driving test earlier this year.

The Beckhams' oldest child then stood awkwardly on the pavement next to his 37,615 car while sending a text message.

The teenager looked embarrassed as he picked up another parking fine / Splash News

The parking fine could cost the teenager as much as 130.

Brooklyn, who is an aspiring photographer, picked up his first fine in October for parking in a suspended parking bay.

He collected a second in November on returning to his car in Hampstead.

A parking warden places the fine on Brooklyn's car / Splash News

Just days later Brooklyn received his third fine on returning to his car after lunch with friends again in the Hampstead area.

Other than his Mercedes C-class, Brooklyn has been seen driving a 35,000 jeep and a Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG.

The teenager passed his test in July.
A knifeman who stabbed a passenger on a train in south London marched through the carriages shouting I want to kill a Muslim, according to witnesses.

Police arrested a 38-year-old on suspicion of GBH following the incident at Forest Hill station at around 1.15pm on Monday, while the victim, in his 40s, was rushed to hospital.

There were scenes of panic as passengers fled the station screaming with terror while the attacker was on the loose.

Richard Etienne, 31, was on the train when the knifeman began walking through the carriages with his gloved hands both clenched into fists.

He told the Standard: A guy was walking with intent from the back of the train and he had a fierce look in his eyes. He was shouting I want to kill a Muslim today.

Scene: Police outside Forest Hill station / @SE23LDN

As he approached me he looked me right in my face and then turned round to a woman wearing a hijab in the seat opposite me.

At that point I noticed he had a knife in his hand, around 5 inches. He looked right at her and said I dont want me a Muslim woman I want a Muslim man.

Mr Etienne, who lives in the Forest Hill area, said the man then moved into the front carriage and continued shouting about killing Muslims, while other passengers began to quietly move away.

He stopped shouting at the first car right behind the driver and the next thing I hear is a scream, he said.

Then I saw some men jump towards where the scream came from and everyone in the front two cars began moving back very rapidly.

Stabbing: Police cars outside Forest Hill station / @rustlem

People were panicking and checking their kids and partners were with them but the train was still moving so we were trapped, we couldnt get off.

After the train arrived at Forest Hill station, the majority fled and the emergency button on the platform was pressed.

The guy then got off the train and shouted: Im the antichrist and I want to kill Muslims, added Mr Etienne, a videographer. He was walking calmly like he was on a Sunday stroll.

Another passenger, Miguel Oliveira, 36, said he came "face-to-face" with the attacker.

The music composer from Forest Hill said he was met with a "wave of people" when he arrived at the station following the incident.

He said: "I doubled back and I went back to the station and actually came face-to-face with him (the knifeman.

"He was walking towards me and he was shouting stuff like 'Death to Muslims' and 'Go back to Syria'."

Shellby Curry, 24, from Forest Hill, was with her one-year old child when she saw a man "waving what looked to be a knife in his hand" near the station and screaming words like "Muslims f****** hate them, kill them all".

British Transport Police (BTP) are now appealing for information following the attack. The victim remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police: Officers arrested a 38-year-old male on suspicion of GBH / PA

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Paul Langley said: This was a serious assault on a man in broad daylight and we are aware that other passengers may have seen what happened or been threatened themselves.

We have spoken with many witnesses from the train but if you saw what happened and havent yet contacted police, please do so as soon as you can.

A BTP spokesman added that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related at this time.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: We were called at 1:16pm to reports of a stabbing at Forest Hill Railway Station.

We sent a single responder in a car, an ambulance crew and an incident response officer to the scene. Londons Air Ambulance was also dispatched.

We treated a man at the scene and took him as a priority to hospital.
F lights have been disrupted at London City Airport after fog descended on the City in the early hours of the morning.

The Met Office issued a weather alert warning that some areas of London and the South East would wake up to dense fog with visibility below 100 metres.

And restrictions imposed on City Airport have left passengers facing delays and cancellations on Monday morning.

A spokesman for City Airport told the Standard: "There are some delays and cancellations as a result of the fog.

There was a restriction imposed this morning which had an impact on flights, but we are now seeing the weather improving so predict this will be lowered.

We realise this in an inconvenience for passengers.

Fog: Londoners have been warned of potential travel disruptions / Jeremy Selwyn

We would advise them to check with their airline where they will be able to get a refund or re-book if their flight has been cancelled.

Londoners are warned to expect travel disruptions and a recommended to allow longer time for journeys.

Forecasters suspect the fog to clear by midday. Rain is predicted for the afternoon.

View from The Shard shows London covered by fog

There was no fog disruption to flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
T housands more adult Londoners face having to live with their parents or sofa surf as the homes shortage in the capital widens by up to 625,000, a report warned today.

The study by Civitas predicted that 1,389,838 new homes will be needed between 2014 and 2039, or 55,594 a year.

But the think tank said that just 30,390 homes were delivered last year, around 55 per cent of what was needed annually.

On current trends, it forecast that London would have 764,410 new homes over the 25-year period, leaving it 625,428 short.

Daniel Bentley, editorial director at Civitas, said: The shortage of homes in the capital is only going to deepen, with disastrous consequences for the affordability of housing for anybody who doesnt already own their own home.

The result will be more young adults forced to live with their parents, more sofa surfing and more homelessness. It is also likely to encourage the brain drain from London as young families look elsewhere for homes with the space for them to settle down.

He said that the growing under-supply of housing was worst in some outer London boroughs, where many low-density suburbs, hemmed in by the green belt, were not expanding their stock at the rate needed to meet demand.

The report said that 14 of Londons 32 boroughs met less than half their household growth in 2015/16.

In Haringey the figure was 12 per cent, Enfield 29 per cent, Sutton 31 per cent, Bromley 37 per cent and Ealing 44 per cent.

Redbridges housing supply was just two per cent of its long-term household growth projection, but has been significantly higher in previous years.

Bexley recorded a net loss of housing stock in 2015/16, with 510 homes built and 630 demolished.

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Only two boroughs built more homes than household growth projections, Kensington and Chelsea, and Wandsworth.

James Murray, deputy mayor for housing and residential development, said: We have started by reforming planning guidelines to speed up the system, to boost affordable housing, and to support new models of homebuilding.

A Redbridge spokesman said: We are exploring new ways to work more closely with developers to find solutions to this crisis.

Ealing emphasised the need to turn brownfield sites into good quality, affordable housing.
S adiq Khan today issued a stark warning to Thames Water to up its game after three devastating mains bursts in London in less than a week.

The Mayor told the Standard that residents and businesses who were flooded in Islington, Blackheath and Stoke Newington will quite rightly be furious that it appears lessons are not being learnt from previous incidents.

His comments came after 350 people had to be evacuated yesterday when a 30 inch pipe ruptured on Northwold Road in Stoke Newington.

Locals said the flood, which left shops and homes under 3ft of water, was an accident waiting to happen and leaks from the main had been repeatedly reported to officials.

On Saturday morning 10 businesses and nine homes were flooded on Lee Road in Blackheath by a broken 12 inch pipe.

Last week millions of pounds of damage to homes and businesses was caused by a huge mains failure on Upper Street in Islington.

Stoke Newington flooding - December 2016 1 /17 Stoke Newington flooding - December 2016 A huge swathe of Northwold Road and Stoke Newington Road was flooded The extent of the flood damage in Stoke Newington Firefighters in water rescue kit speak to a woman leaning from her first floor window Firefighters in water rescue kit speak to residents trapped in their homes in Northwold Road Residents from the Gibson Gardens apartment block build a barricade Jennyfer Jewell Parts of the road were completely submerged under water Firefighters in water rescue kit speak to a woman leaning from her first floor window The London Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team were on standby @LAS_Hart Emergency services descended on the area after the flood in Stoke Newington High Street and Northwold Road @Shomrim Emergency services at the scene in Stoke Newington high street @Spen_Yates Witnesses said water up to 6ft deep had flooded the area @nursey_sarah Submerged: the scene in Stoke Newington Twitter/@Shomrim Flooding: Stoke Newington high street was submerged Transport for London

Thames Water, which made pre-tax profits of 511.2 million last year, admitted it had been an extremely difficult week as a full investigation was launched into the three floods.

Mr Khan said: It is right that Thames Water have launched a full investigation, and residents and business must now get full compensation, and receive it quickly.

With three similar incidents in less than a week, Londoners will want answers about how Thames Water are going to up their game and ensure we dont see a repeat of the last week.

Water main bursts on Stoke Newington High Street, causes flooding chaos

This morning the clean up operation was under way in Stoke Newington with the flood waters pumped away through the night.

Nic Bell, 29, a web developer, said: Last Monday the water started bubbling out of the pavement and it got worse through the week.

Thames Water were contacted loads of times and they have sent people round with clip boards who put cones around it.

At midday on Sunday the pavement opened up and water was running everywhere. Within a few hours the water was everywhere.

Locals MPs also criticised the performance of the company, which is owned by a global group of pension and investment funds, and said it needs to get its act together,

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said: This disastrous flooding is causing human misery to hundreds of my constituents. And there is no need for it. There are no natural features in this area that make it a flood risk.

The truth is that Thames Water is letting down the people of Stoke Newington. Blaming it on contractors will not do.

"Thames Water is ultimately responsible. And they seem more interested in their stratospheric profits than providing a safe and secure service for the people of London.

Flooding in Blackheath after water main bursts

Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, said: Thames Water have a bad track record for large water mains bursts in this area and they need to get their act together.

"Its causing traffic chaos and hassle for many people in Hackney, Islington and surrounding areas.

Bob Collington, director of Thames Water, said: I am personally devastated for those customers who have suffered flooding so close to Christmas. We are doing everything we can to help them and will make sure they are not left out of pocket for what has happened.

The bursts are a clear reminder that we need to keep investing in our ageing and sometimes fragile network, with many pipes in London well over 100 years old.

I have started a full investigation into recent events to understand what has gone wrong and, as a top priority, will look at every single way possible to reduce the risk of any further disruption.

Thames Water maintains a total of 10,000 miles of water pipes in London. The firm said it had replaced more than 1,700 miles of Victorian water pipes and invested over 1 billion a year during the last decade.

The flow of water from the burst pipe in Stoke Newington, which was originally laid in 1868, was stopped by 3pm.
W embley Park residents will enjoy the taste of fame, featuring in 8ft adverts for a new project celebrating the ordinary people of London.

The project is inspired by the US project Humans of New York and aims to document the stories of people from Wembley Park.

The stars of the billboards range from street vendors to artists, entrepreneurs and business managers.

The project came about when its creator, photographer Gary William Smith, tweeted a portrait of a woman waiting for the tube which was then spotted by bosses at Wembley Park.

James Saunders, Chief operating officer at Wembley Park said: We were looking for a project that not only celebrates the people who make Wembley Park what it is, but also demonstrates the creativity that is alive in the area."

People of Wembley Park is available to view online and next to Wembley Stadium station.


T he Garricks rugby-tackle mystery continues. On Friday, The Londoner noted a paragraph in the gentlemens club newsletter mentioning footage on its CCTV system showing a lady guest who was rather the worse for wear ended up performing a sort of rugby tackle on a distinguished club member, bringing him to the ground.

Whodunit? One member has contacted us to suggest that the only woman spirited enough to do this would be Ruth Dudley Edwards, controversial historian, crime writer and game girl, whom The Londoner wouldnt want to meet in a scrum. But she has ruled herself out.

I very occasionally attend the Garrick for a Detection Club dinner, confesses Dudley Edwards. The Detection Club was founded in 1930 with members including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers. But though we are a friendly group and often embrace each other affectionately, rugby tackling is not one of our pursuits. Being 72, it certainly isnt one of mine.

Over to the Garrick, which this morning was ruffled by investigations. Could it elaborate on the story in its newsletter? I cant comment, said the club secretarys office. And were any charges pressed? I cant comment.

By coincidence, Dudley Edwards is the author of Clubbed to Death, in which the club secretary of a gentlemens club in St Jamess mysteriously falls to his death from a gallery.

If anyone has any information, please get in touch. This morning, Dudley Edwards predicted the Garrick will one day be mixed  when the single-sex, boarding-school generation dies off. There were many strident members who voted to keep women out in 2015. Another scrum is in the works.

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Happy news that Private Eye journalist Adam Macqueen is writing a history of politicians lies and dishonesty called The Lies of the Land, published by Atlantic Books next year. Macqueen had hoped to bookend the tome with the Brexit campaign but then came Donald Trump. The lies are coming so thick and fast that I cant keep up, he told The Londoner. It would be nice if everyone could just stop lying for a bit until the book comes out. We can hope.

Ed Miliband suffers from readers block

The Londoner saw Ed Miliband on the Tube last Wednesday trying to read Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy by Robert H Frank. Turns out Ed was taking part in Franks LSE lecture that night.

I want to draw out... lessons on progressive politics, Ed told the audience  The Londoner listened to the podcast. Its from page 12, unfortunately, but doesnt quite prove Ive read it, Ed added.

He isnt known for his dedication to reading. In 2014 Ed tried to read Thomas Pikettys Capital in the Twenty-First Century but told several reporters over a series of months: Im [still] in the early stages. Fair enough, he was leading Labour to a glorious defeat, but whats his excuse now?

Life is so sweet for the queen of Soho

The Look of Love on Friday night as Soho heiress India Rose James took over the Makers House in Manette Street for her 25th birthday party. James shared a passionate kiss with her beau Hugh Harris, pictured together right, guitarist with The Kooks, who is the father of her baby, born earlier this year. Also dancing the night away were designer Betty Bachz with her friends Liam Toon and Ranald Macdonald, pictured above. James is the granddaughter of Paul Raymond, known as the King of Soho for his nightclub empire. He would have been proud of the revelry.

Is the Lolita effect lost on Angel?

Flicking through the London Review of Books, The Londoner alighted upon a charming but bizarre poem dedicated to Mitzi Angel, head publisher of fiction and non-fiction at Faber & Faber.

The poem In Late December is written by award-winning American poet Frederick Seidel, and addresses a young woman described as having a crazy smile pickled in brine.

Angel, who had been vice-president at Farrar, Straus & Giroux in New York, was enticed back across the pond last year by Faber, which publishes Seidel.

The man using the pay phone on Wall Street/ His back to you, is using it as a urinal/ And urinating  only logical!/ Our degradation is complete/ he writes.

The 80-year-old poet goes on to describe the young woman reading a copy of Lolita while Cross-legged on the sidewalk in a T-shirt that says TOMORROW/ Holds a sign telling her sad story/ Shes reading a paperback of Lolita, stealthily, behind the sign.

Seidel, who once inserted a minor correction to Ezra Pounds translations of Confucius without a full grasp of Chinese, is clearly bold. She could be you/ Stranger things have turned out to be true/ He could be me / Dont rule out the possibility.

Angel sadly hasnt picked up the phone today to return the tribute.

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Lord Pannick QC has the wig, but you can have the T-shirt. The barrister  star of the Supreme Court Article 50 ruling  has such a fan club that T-shirts are being made by UCL law professor Richard Moorhead. They feature Pannicks face and the slogan You say De Keyser, I say De Geezer, in tribute to a court pronunciation debate. Let no one say we dont take Brexit seriously.

Penelope lifts the curse

A glowing double-page spread on Penelope Fillon in glossy French royalist weekly Point De Vue, featuring a magnificent photo of Penny in fur and velvet at Diors 60th anniversary bash in Versailles. A true lady! coos the headline, as the piece notes she is likely to become the first British premiere dame of France since Mary Stuart, thus lifting an apparent curse.

Stuart married Francis, heir to the French throne, in 1558. Within two years, Francis had become king and then died. Marys next husband also died within two years of marrying her. But Fillon is different. [Penelope] has nothing in common with her tempestuous predecessor, assures the mag, praising her British phlegm and noting she hopes to bring a touch of English humour to the role. Tres bon!

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Dog of the day: a male Akita, intended as a gift for Vladimir Putin from Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, a companion for his female Akita, Yume. Putin turned it down. Ruff.
T he UK's future relationship with the European Union may not be finalised by the Brexit deadline, Philip Hammond has warned.

The Chancellor said there was an "emerging view" that a longer period than the two years set out under the Article 50 process may be required to stitch together a trade deal.

Theresa May has promised to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, starting the formal countdown to Brexit by April 2019.

But businesses - particularly in the City - have expressed concerns about the possibility of a sudden "cliff edge" change in arrangements once the UK leaves the EU, particularly if it also quits the single market.

Mr Hammond said "thoughtful politicians" and officials on both sides of the English Channel could see the benefits in a transitional approach.

Theresa May: The PM has promised to trigger Article 50 by the end of March / Getty Images

He said a deal could cover the period between Brexit and a "clear and firm end state", setting out the period of adjustment to reach that goal.

But it could also be the case that if the two-year Article 50 period had expired with "no conclusion" on the "final end state of future arrangements", a transitional period could be needed to cover further negotiations.

He said: "In principle certainty is always preferable to uncertainty. But if it's a certainty of something very unfavourable then that's not quite so good."

Asked about business calls for a transition period of at least two years following Brexit, Mr Hammond told the committee he expected there to be tension between industry and bureaucratic pressure for a longer changeover and a desire among politicians to get on with the job.

But he added: "It's not just the business sector, it's the government sector that has had to think about how long it takes to make changes, hire people, train people, introduce IT changes."

As an example, he warned that if the UK left the European Customs Union under a "hard Brexit", the country could face a fivefold increase in border checks, costing hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

"There could be quite significant physical infrastructure changes that need to be made at ports of entry and exit not only in the UK, but in continental Europe as well," Mr Hammond told the committee.

"There might be a need to train large numbers of people in anticipation of more intensive procedures at borders.

"It is true that in certain conceivable outcomes, there would be a very substantial increase in the numbers of customs submissions and customs inspections. We are talking about - in EU trade - perhaps five times as many submissions and inspections being required.

"It could certainly add hundreds of millions of pounds to the cost of operating the customs services."

Mr Hammond pointed out that the extra cost could be offset by any new tariffs charged on imports by the UK Government.

Additional reporting by the Press Association
N icky Morgan was slapped down by a Tory grandee today for trivialising the debate over Brexit with comments about the Prime Ministers 995 leather trousers.

Sir Nicholas Soames said he was not surprised that Theresa Mays chief of staff Fiona Hill barred the former education secretary from talks at No 10 after the row erupted.

His comments are significant as he is a member, alongside Ms Morgan, of a group of senior Conservative MPs lobbying the Prime Minister in an effort to prevent a so-called hard Brexit.

Sir Nicholas told the Standard: What Nicky Morgan said of the Prime Minister was completely unacceptable and succeeded in trivialising a very important argument that a group of us was making about Brexit.

I am not the least surprised that the Prime Minister said she did not want Nicky Morgan to come. I very much regret it. Im fond of Nicky but it is a great pity she said that.

The row erupted after Ms Morgan was due to join ex-ministers Alistair Burt, Anna Soubry and Nick Herbert, plus Sir Nicholas, to discuss the Article 50 negotiations.

Theresa May was criticised by Ms Morgan for the trousers / PA

Ms Morgans invitation was rescinded she commented on photographs of the PM wearing chocolate leather trousers by UK designer Amanda Wakeley. Ms Morgan said: I dont have leather trousers. I dont think Ive ever spent that much on anything apart from my wedding dress. That triggered an extraordinary series of text messages. Fiona Hill, the PMs chief of staff, texted Mr Burt to say he should not bring that woman to No 10 again.

Ms Morgan then texted to Ms Hill: If you dont like something I have said or done, please tell me directly. No man brings me to any meeting.

Brexit-backing MPs ganged up on Ms Morgan. Former Tory whip Sir Desmond Swayne said she had ben impertinent and rude to comment on Mrs Mays costly attire.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries accused her of gross hypocrisy after newspaper revelations that Ms Morgan owns a Mulberry handbag that retails at 950. Sir Desmond told BBC Radio 4: I dare say that Nicky will get over it and will find ways of conveying her views to the PM, but I think it was impertinent to have made such a remark. Im afraid I come from a background where it was always rude to talk about money and certainly to talk about what peoples clothes cost

Ms Dorries tweeted: Nicky Morgan owns a 1,000 Mulberry handbag, but criticised PMs trousers. Rank hypocrisy.

Yesterday, there were signs of Ms Morgan coming under pressure in her constituency. Adam Stares, deputy chairman of Loughborough Conservatives, said he had no idea what she is playing at. @JoeMurphyLondon
A police force has faced criticism after armed officers smiled and posed for pictures with children at a Christmas market.

Images posted on Northumbria Polices Facebook page showed officers holding guns and smiling as they posed with families at the festive event in Newcastle city centre.

The snaps attracted more than 2,500 comments, many from residents concerned about the impact seeing armed police would have on young children.

Livia Augusta wrote: I think a militarized police is the last thing I would want my children pictured with.

This kind of visibility of armed police contributes to a climate of fear.

Safety is the last message this presence is sending out. It's sad, and an extreme over reaction to a very slim chance of a terrorist attack. More likely to be hit by a drink driver.

Armed police: Officers sparked outrage after posing with children at a Christmas market in Newcastle / Northumbria Police

David Rooke added: This is wrong very very wrong.

Sue Weaver said: I'm sure you are nice men, and I'm willing to consider that there are times when heavy protection maybe needed, but do we really need to make these images 'normal' at a Christmas market. Please think about this.

While Elsbeth Webb claimed the images were normalising the abnormal.

However, others supported the increased police presence.

One user wrote: Have you been to NYC? Police on every street corner with guns and smiling and chatting, photos with everyone. People need to get a life.

Billy Halliday added: Police carry guns all over Europe and the UK need to do the same in today's society. Times have changed, get used to it.

The backlash comes as concrete barriers were reportedly erected around a Christmas market in Birmingham amid fears festive revellers could become a target for Isis terrorists.

A member of the emergency services told The Birmingham Mail: We were told by the police they are there to prevent terrorist attacks.

The spike in security measures comes following atrocities at public events across Europe in recent years including Bastille Day attacks in Nice and an attack during an Eagles of Death Metal gig at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris.

Britains threat level for international terrorism currently stands at severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely.

Chief Superintendent Steve Neill said: "Our armed officers are there to reassure members of the public that we are in a position to respond to any incident that does occur and to provide that visible deterrent to criminals.

"We want members of the public to feel like they can approach our officers and speak to them. We don't want to normalise guns in this region but we want people who may be intimidated by the sight of armed officers to know that they can approach them. Unlike in many countries across the world, our officers are great at engaging with people and explaining their role.

"We don't want people to be alarmed or scared, we want people to see the police officers, not the guns, go and have a chat with them."
A chuckling Kim Jong-Un watched on as soldiers faked an attack on the neighbouring South Korean presidents home in a mock military strike.

The beaming North Korean dictator laughed haughtily as he watched his special operation forces launch missiles at a mock-up state home of the bordering countrys leader.

The mock attack was aimed at destroying specified targets of the enemy, the state-run news agency KCNA said on Sunday.

Photos from the mock attack show the grinning leader holding up binoculars to follow the action while three officials stand behind him, also laughing along with the president.

Following the action: Kim Jong-Un uses binoculars to watch the mock drill. / REUTERS

Soldiers shot at the building with rifles and left it on fire with billowing black smoke.

Overseer: The North Korean leader said enemy troops will have "no space to hide themselves". / REUTERS

The tyrant Kim Jong-Un said: Well done, the enemy troops will have no space to hide themselves, far from taking any counteraction.

The building which was targeted in the mock drill resembled the Blue House  the South Korean presidential palace.

South Koreas military strongly condemned the drill and said: If the enemy conducts a provocation based on its rash judgment, we will strongly and firmly retaliate with a fatal blow against the North Korean leadership.

South Korea currently has an interim leader, Hwang Kyo-ahn, after President Park Geun-hye was impeached following a vote by MPs.
D onald Trump was today branded as ignorant as a child by a Chinese state-run newspaper as Beijing hit back at the President-elects claim that he is reconsidering how America deals with Taiwan.

China said it was seriously concerned after Mr Trump questioned whether the US would continue to stick with the One China policy  under which Washington has formal ties with Beijing and not Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province.

The policy has been crucial to US-China relations for decades. The comments came after Mr Trump said he would not feel bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

Beijing was already angered by Mr Trumps phone call with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen earlier this month, the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades.

China considers the self-governing island to be its territory and any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Round-up of Trump's most infamous comments in the run-up to his presidency

The One China understanding involves the US having no formal ties with Taiwan.

But in an interview with Fox News, Mr Trump said of the phone call: I dont want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. It was a very nice call. Short.

Hours after it aired, the Global Times - a Communist Party-controlled newspaper - published an editorial headlined: Trump, please listen clearly: One China cannot be traded.

Donald Trump brands Russian hacking claims 'ridiculous'

It said: China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him. Only after hes hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception.

The paper added: Many people might be surprised at how the new US leader is truly a businessman through-and-through. But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed the phone call on a Taiwanese trick, and the ministry has repeatedly reaffirmed that Taiwan is a part of China without directly criticising the president-elect.

In the Fox interview, Mr Trump appeared to distance himself reports that his call with Ms Tsai was planned well in advance by advisers positioning him to confront China over the island.

He said he heard about the call probably an hour or two before.

Why should some other nation be able to say I cant take a call? he said. I think it actually wouldve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking

Mr McCain said of Mr Tillerson. Its a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin. And obviously theyve done enormous deals together. That would colour his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat.

Russia expects to figure prominently at the start of a week in which Trump is expected to name more members of his Cabinet, which also has vacancies in the departments of Energy, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs.

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Trump is also planning a news conference on Thursday to outline how he intends to separate himself from his sprawling business enterprise.

The Global Times is published by the Communist Partys mouthpiece, the Peoples Daily.

A spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, today said China had noted the relevant reports and we are seriously concerned about it.

He said the One China policy was the political foundation of any diplomatic relationship between the two countries, adding: We urge the new US leader and government to fully understand the seriousness of the Taiwan issue, and to continue to stick to the one-China policy.

Mr Trump has accused China of manipulating its currency, taxing American imports and provoking tensions in the South China Sea.

He is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over US relations with Russia. Lawmakers are seeking to investigate alleged Russian interference in the election and question the Trumps potential selection for secretary of state.

Mr Trump said that a recent CIA assessment that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was ridiculous. He also praised ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

But two key Senate Republicans - John McCain and Lindsey Graham - have joined with Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlins activities during the election. Mr McCain has questioned the choice of Mr Tillerson because of close ties with Moscow.
A crash victim who spent two days in a mortuary fridge was found alive when his shocked family came to identify the body.

Msizi Mkhize was injured in a motorcycle crash in the South African township of Kwa-Mashu last week.

After being pronounced dead, his body was transported to the Phoenix mortuary and refrigerated.

But when his family arrived to identify him, shocked staff discovered he still had a pulse, The Times reported.

The 28-year-old was then rushed to Mahatma Gandhi hospital where nurses battled for five hours to resuscitate him before he passed away.

His father, Peter Mkhize, told the paper: "I have no words to express how I feel about what happened to my child.

"To spend the entire night and morning in the mortuary refrigerator is wrong."
A race row was sparked when black shoppers were allegedly ordered to leave a Victorias Secret store at a US shopping mall after a woman was caught shoplifting.

Nurse Kimberley Houzah claimed she was discriminated against along with another woman after a black customer was accused of stealing at a branch of the lingerie firm in Oxford, Alabama.

Ms Houzah documented the alleged incident in a Facebook Live post which has gone viral since it took place on Thursday with more than a million views.

In her video, the store manager can he heard telling the women, all of whom are black, I just need yall to go before security guards approach the customers.

Ms Houzah said on the video: She cant tell us why, but were kicked out the store.

Because another black female gets caught stealing, me and the other black female here have to be affiliated, so were all put out.

You dont want to be that person that feels like everybodys racist, and I dont feel like everybodys racist.

But we just happen to be three black people in Victorias Secret and we got to be together. Shes going to say you, you and you, get out. All yall get out.

Ms Houzah vowed to boycott the store following the row but has since returned with a group of supporters and said she intends to avoid only the branch in question.

A Victoria Secret's spokeswoman said: "Victorias Secret is adamant that all of our customers, regardless of race, be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

"Our customers' recent experience at our Quintard Mall store should not have happened, and it does not represent who we are or what we stand for.

"We are meeting directly with associates to provide further training to reinforce our inclusion values, our policies and our commitment to ensuring all Victorias Secret customers feel welcome and respected in our stores.

"We have talked with the customers this happened to and expressed our deepest apologies. The store associate involved in this matter is no longer employed with the company."

Daymon Ward, the malls general manager, said an internal investigation had been launched.

He told the Anniston Star: We take any allegations of discrimination extremely seriously, and are committed to ensuring that all of our guests are treated with the utmost respect.
J ames Jordan has hit out at Strictly Come Dancing for the unfair decision to send home Claudia Fragapane.

The former Strictly professional hit out at the producers and judges during a lengthy Twitter rant during Sunday nights semi-final.

Appearing to accuse the show of deliberately engineering the Olympians departure, James claimed that he wouldnt be watching in the future.

Well done judges and producers!! You got exactly what you wanted and exactly what I predicted Such a shame, a great show but not fair, he wrote after Fragapane lost the dance-off.

Some people AGAIN saying I have something against Ore... I don't, It's not his fault but he has been pushed to the final & it's not fair.

He continued: God I hate being right..... this is sooo wrong! Why not judge fairly & then let the public decide... I CALLED THIS WEEK ONE....

Well..... Danny is the best dancer ever to be on Strictly #fact But I would have to give the dance off to Claudia... pure class!!!

Claudia not doing the Strictly Tour #justsaying Shouldn't have been this bottom 2 anyway....Such a shame.

Upset: Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard left Strictly Come Dancing / BBC/Guy Levy

He went on to say that he loved the show, but wouldnt be tuning in next year.

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED STRICTLY But I will no longer be watching. Some people will say bitter, but I can't watch something I feel is unfair.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - who's been eliminated so far? 1 /10 Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - who's been eliminated so far? Week Seven Daisy Lowe and Aljaz Skorjanec failed to win over the judges in a dance-off against Greg Rutherford BBC Week Six Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice left the competition after losing out in a dance-off to Ore Oduba hours after slipping up on her samba BBC Week Five Anastacia and Brendan Cole left the competition during the Fright Night special after judges voted to save Daisy Lowe Guy Levy/BBC Week Three Naga Munchetty was axed with dance partner Pasha Kovalev after losing a dance-off to Anastacia Guy Levy/BBC Week Four Lesley Joseph was pitted against Daisy Lowe when she was eliminated Guy Levy/BBC Quit Will Young quit the competition after the second live show due to "personal reasons" Guy Levy/BBC Week Two Tameka Empson was voted off after losing a dance-off to Laura Whitmore Guy Levy/BBC Week One Melvin Odoom was the first casualty of the ballroom after being booted out on the public vote Guy Levy/BBC

One last thing..... I guarantee Danny will NOT win!!! But they needed him in the final because he's the best by far.

Fragapane competed against Danny Mac in Sunday nights dance-off after they received the fewest votes.

Evening Standard Online has contacted the BBC for comment.
P iers Morgan has refused to back down from his scepticism over Madonna and Lady Gagas claims that they were raped after he received an open letter from a rape survivor.

Morgan, 51, suggested that Post-traumatic Stress Disorder has become the latest celebrity accessory and that Madonna and Gagas claims of rape shouldnt be necessarily accepted as fact without proper criminal investigation.

Emily Jacob, the Founder of ReConnected Life, accused Morgan of doing a great deal of damage with his tweets and suggested he make a New Years resolution to only open your mouth, or tweet, or in any way verbalise, anything, if it is designed to help people feel good, to be compassionate, to be kind.

Writing for the Huffington Post, Jacob told her sisters to ignore his remarks and hailed Lady Gaga and Madonna as beacons of light for us to follow and draw inspiration from.

Addressing the letter on Twitter Morgan replied: I don't know who you are, let alone tell you that you weren't raped.

I remain sceptical about Madonna & Lady Gaga's claims.

Jacobs letter came days after the Good Morning Britain presenter fired off a series of tweets questioning the validity of Madonna and Gagas claims.

Madonna revealed in an essay for Harpers Bazaar that she was held at knifepoint before being raped on a rooftop in New York when she was younger.

Lady Gaga - In pictures 1 /118 Lady Gaga - In pictures Lady Gaga performs during her 'JAZZ & PIANO' residency at Park Theater. 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A gunman killed 49 people and wounded 53 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida early yesterday morning before suspect Omar Mateen also died on-scene Getty Images Co-hosting duties Lady Gaga co-hosting the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw at BBC Broadcasting House, London on 09 September 2016 BBC Silver star Lady Gaga leaves the Langham Hotel in London ahead of taking part in The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw on 09 September 2016 PA Work it Lady Gaga attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City Getty Images On the FROW Steven Klein, Lady Gaga and Mary J. Blige attend the Alexander Wang Spring 2016 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Pier 94 on September 12, 2015 in New York City. 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Live's Nokia Theatre on 03 December 2011 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images Got the moves Lady Gaga performs onstage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 live show at at the Odyssey Arena on 06 November 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland Getty Images 'Jo Calderone' Lady Gaga dressed as "Jo Calderone", winner of Best Female Video Award and Best Video with a Message Award for "Born This Way" poses in the press room during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on 28 August 2011 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images Too hot to handle Lady Gaga visits "The Howard Stern Show" on SiriusXM Hits 1 at SiriusXM Studio on 18 July 2011 in New York Getty Images Travel in style Lady Gaga waves as she walks across the tarmac after arriving by private jet at Sydney Airport on 09 July 2011 in Sydney, Australia Getty Images Lounging around Lady Gaga showcases a new hairstyle at a press conference ahead of her Singapore performance on at the ArtScience Museum on 07 June 2011 in Singapore Marina Bay Sands via Getty Images Big entrance Lady Gaga attends the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on 06 June 6 2011 in New York Getty Images Born This Way Lady Gaga greets her fans at a Best Buy store for the launch of her new album, "Born this way" on 23 May 2011 in New York Getty Images Runway ready Lady Gaga walks the runway during the Thierry Mugler Ready to Wear Autumn/Winter 2011/2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at Gymnase Japy on 02 March 2011 in Paris, France Getty Images Meaty look Lady Gaga poses in the press room during the MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on 12 September 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images On stage Lady Gaga performs as part of Lollapalooza 2010 at Grant Park on 06 August 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images Lighting up Lady Gaga performs on stage on 21 May 2010 at Paris Bercy concert hall in Paris Getty Images Lovely in lace Lady GaGa attends the Mac Viva Glam Launch hosted by Sharon Osbourne at Ill Bottaccio on 01 March 2010 in London Getty Images Covered up Lady Gaga arrives on the red carpet for The Brit Awards 2010 at Earls Court on 16 February 2010 in London Getty Images Brit award winner Lady Gaga poses in the Awards room with her 3 awards at The Brit Awards 2010 at Earls Court on 16 February 2010 in London Getty Images Reuters Towering heels Lady Gaga arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on 31 January 2010 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images Good friends Lady Gaga and Elton John backstage during the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on 31 January 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images Bringing back shoulder pads Lady Gaga onstage during the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on 31 January 2010 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images Icy arrival Lady Gaga backstage during the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on 31 January 2010 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images Red carpet ready Lady Gaga arrives at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on 13 September 2009 in New York Getty Images Owning it Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on 13 September 2009 in New York Getty Images Lady in red Lady Gaga accepts the award for "Best New Artist" during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on 13 September 2009 in New York Getty Images Don't look Lady Gaga attends the 13th Annual 2009 ACE Awards presented by the Accessories Council at Cipriani 42nd Street on 02 November 2009 in New York Getty Images Spiky Lady Gaga performs at the Lady Gaga and the launch of V61 hosted by V Magazine, Marc Jacobs and Belvedere Vodka on 14 September 2009 in New York Getty Images Masked muscian Lady GaGa performs on the Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival on 26 June 2009 in Glastonbury, England Getty Images Stage performer Lady Gaga appears onstage during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios August 12, 2008 in New York Getty Images

Gaga last week revealed she suffers from PTSD. Her admission came two years after she revealed she was raped by a man 20 years her senior when she was 19.

Morgan tweeted: Lady Gaga & Madonna have both made ALLEGATIONS of rape many years after the event.

No police complaint, no charges, no court case.

Piers Morgan vomits after seeing Madonna twerk

I don't think all claims of rape should be necessarily accepted as fact without proper criminal investigation, do you?

Piers Morgan calls Madonna old fraud

Morgan claimed celebrities are treating the term PTSD like an accessory and said people should treat Madonna and Gagas claims with a pinch of PR salt.

Standard Online has contacted a representative for Gaga for comment.

A spokesperson for Madonna declined to comment.

Follow @StandardEnts or like us on Facebook for more news.
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At only 29 years old Iredell resident Matthew Redmond has been named one of the 40 Leaders Under 40 by Convenience Store Decisions magazine.

Officially named President of Raymer Oil in 2015, Redmond has helped the company grow from distributing four million gallons of oil to 30 million, and raised starting wages for employees to almost $9 an hour, earning him national recognition.

Raymer Oil operates 10 Fast Phil's locations in Iredell County.

I read the list last year and thought Wow, what a great honor it would be to be on that list, and ironically, a year later here I am, he said. It was certainly unexpected, but Im very happy.

Redmond joined the business, which has been in the family for four generations, after completing his degree in finance at Appalachian State University in 2010.

My mother ran a store, but when she got sick she wanted to focus on her health so I took over her store. I realized I still had a great passion for it, he said. I can see both sides of the coin. I know what my customers are looking for because Ive been one of my customers in the form of a single store operator. I also know what it takes to run a convenience store because I grew up in one. It was a natural fit.

Guided by the philosophy of always doing whats right, Redmond could very well land on the list for the next ten years. But success is not about being in a magazine, he said. Its about making his family proud, especially his mother who passed away from cancer in 2014.

We just try to the best we can for our customers because they are the lifeblood of our company. We try to always do the right thing above everything else. We support local charities and try to give back to the community  I just want to come into 2017 with an eye on continuing to grow the company and providing more jobs. I hope I continue to do things that bring good recognition to the company and make my family proud, specifically my mom. Its nice to know that even though she isnt here, she would be proud of the things Im doing.
With one hand holding a bottle of champagne and the other an oversized certificate declaring him the winner of $1 million from Publishers Clearing House, Bruce Saunders stood on the front porch of his western Davie County Monday and rattled off a list of things he plans spend his spend money on  medical bills, fixing his lawnmower and helping family members.
State Secretary for Strategic Affairs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), Dan Neculaescu, had a meeting on Monday with the Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, Frank Rose, the discussions underlining the necessity for continuing efforts towards achieving the full operational capacity of the NATO anti-missile defence system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) informs.

According to the cited source, the two officials have reviewed the stage and perspectives for implementing the main decisions adopted at the NATO Summit from Warsaw, emphasizing the consolidation measures of the Allied presence on the Eastern flank.

The two also underlined the importance of the high-level decision adopted this summer on stating the initial operational capacity of NATO Ballistic Missile Shield by integrating the facility from Deveselu.

"During discussions, also approached were issues of interest on regarding developments in the domain of arms control, in the context of the recent Ministerial Council of OSCE in Hamburg. State Secretary Dan Neculaescu expressed his support for launching a new structured dialog on this topic within OSCE, in view of modernizing the relevant instruments, on the basis of existing principles and towards achieving the assumed commitments", MAE specified.

agerpres.
Prudential Financial Inc. said on Monday it had suspended the distribution of a low-cost life insurance policy through Wells Fargo & Co., pending a review of how the product was sold by the bank.

Wells Fargo's sales practices have been under a spotlight since September when regulators ordered the bank to pay $190 million in fines and restitution to settle charges that its employees opened as many as 2 million deposit and credit card accounts without customers' permission.

Customer responses in a survey conducted last year did not indicate potential fraudulent activity, Prudential said.

Prudential also said it had asked for Wells Fargo's assistance in gathering all the necessary facts.

Former Wells Fargo employees have blamed the San Francisco-based bank's high-pressure sales environment for its role in creating the unauthorized accounts.

Prudential has partnered with Wells Fargo since 2014 to sell the term insurance policy, known as MyTerm, to the bank's retail customers.

Wells Fargo employees were meant to direct customers to either self-service kiosks in branches or online to buy the insurance, without getting into specifics about the products as bankers are not licensed to sell insurance.

A wrongful termination suit filed in New Jersey state court last week showed that Wells Fargo employees appear to have signed up bank customers for the Prudential policies without the customers' knowledge or permission.

Some state and local governments have also suspended business with Wells Fargo, as did the Pennsylvania Treasury.
ST. LOUIS  The man police said shot a cab driver in a Central West End holdup Sept. 14 was charged Friday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Jerry Reese, 19, of the 5000 block of Herbert Street, was held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Timothy Grice was found dead in his taxi in the 4900 block of Laclede Avenue, near Forest Park, about 10 a.m. but had been killed earlier.

Police Detective Heather Sabin wrote in court documents that Reese parked behind the parked cab, got out, shot Grice in the neck and fled with a cellphone and other belongings.

Shakur Ellis, 18, 4700 block of Vernon Avenue, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, robbery and armed criminal action as an accomplice. His bail was set at $250,000 cash.

Surveillance videos show a silver Chevrolet Impala approach Grice, search warrants say, and several people running from the cab. Reese and Savion Smith, 19, were arrested in that Impala on Sept. 18, police said, and a handgun found under the seat matched evidence at the crime scene.

Reese and Smith were charged then with receiving stolen property in another case that remains under investigation.

Police ask that anyone with information call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY  The driver of a Ford Escape that collided head-on with a pickup truck Friday, killing three people including himself, had a revoked license because of prior DUI convictions, the Illinois State Police said Saturday.

Shortly after noon Friday, Alejandro Salen, 48, of Belleville, was driving north on Illinois Route 158 (also known as Centreville Avenue) just south of Belleville when he crossed the center line. It's not clear why.

His vehicle struck a Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. The driver of the truck, Donald Hess, 74, of Columbia, Ill., was airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital and was in critical but stable condition early Saturday, Illinois State Trooper Trooper Calvin Dye Jr. said.

Hess's two passengers  his wife and their grandson  were pronounced dead at the scene. Salen was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Hess's wife, Jerilyn Hess, 74, also of Columbia, Ill., was sitting in the back seat. Their grandson, Christopher Craig, 24 of Dupo, was sitting in the front seat.

Officials do not yet know whether alcohol was a factor.
ST. LOUIS  A former city police sergeant who headed an organization dedicated to the interests of black officers was sentenced Monday to one year and one day in federal prison for stealing about $80,000 from the group.

Darren Randal Wilson, 42, pleaded guilty in September to federal charges that said he took $80,934 from the Ethical Society of Police. He was its president.

Wilson used the money for his personal business to promote local comedy shows featuring nationally known comedians, prosecutors said.

At his sentencing hearing, Wilson told U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey that he made bad choices and feels horrible and accepted full responsibility.

His remarks did not seem to impress the judge, who told him that criminals of all kinds always tell him they made bad choices.

But the difference for Wilson, Autrey said, is that those who take an oath to protect and serve cant afford to make bad choices.

The judge lambasted Wilson for about 15 minutes, saying he played right into the hand, of those who are trying to spread the notion that, If you wear a blue uniform, your sole purpose is to persecute, vilify and to oppress.

You have aided in disrupting the good positive reputation of police officers in general, the judge said. Youve taken money from the Ethical Society of Police, but you have taken something much more valuable: a great part of their reputation as a police officers, as peacekeepers, as the people you can call to trust and protect you from the bad guys.

The organizations current president, Sgt. Heather Taylor, has said that Wilson looted the building fund and money meant for community service and legal representation. She said the group was forced by Wilsons theft to downsize, and that Wilson has not repaid any of the loot.

In making a victims impact statement, Taylor asked the judge to sentence Wilson to 12 months.

Autrey made Wilson agree to repay $50,000 by Jan. 2 and the remainder of by May. He then told Wilsons attorney, Timothy Smith, that he would entertain a motion to reconsider the sentence based largely on whether the money is returned.

Under federal guidelines, Wilson faced a possible term of 12 to 18 months. His 366-day term makes him eligible for a good time reduction in his sentence that is not available on penalties of 365 days or less.

As part of the plea, prosecutors agreed to ask for 12 months, but Wilsons lawyer asked that he be given six months of home confinement, followed by probation.

Wilson began his police career in March 1997.

He was suspended from the police department without pay in March 2015, after financial irregularities were discovered by the society in December 2014.

He was indicted by a grand jury in April on nine felony counts of wire fraud, and later pleaded guilty.

As part of his plea, he agreed to turn in his law enforcement certification and never work as a police officer again.

The Ethical Society of Police was founded in 1972 to monitor and rectify the racial and ethical challenges of the police, the organization says. Many of its members also belong to the predominantly white St. Louis Police Officers Association.
GREENVILLE  An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution-Greenville pleaded guilty Monday of assaulting another prisoner, the U.S. attorney's office said Monday.

Billy Evans, 26, had been indicted on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon and is to be sentenced March 31 in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis. He could be imprisoned up to 10 years and fined up to $250,000 on the charge.

Officials said that on July 6, Evans injured another inmate with a weapon fashioned from tying a lock to a belt. They said that after the assault he turned himself in and admitted the crime. The victim suffered a lacerated head, abrasions and bruises.

The prison, housing more than 1,300 medium and minimum security inmates, is in Greenville, about 50 miles northeast of St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS  Police have released a sketch of a man wanted for the attempted rape of a woman Dec. 6 on the city's south side.

The victim told police she got out of her car at Oletha Avenue and Hereford Street at about 10 p.m. in the Northhampton neighborhood and was walking toward Potomac Street when the attacker approached her from behind, displayed a gun and tried to pull her into an alley.

The victim threw an object at her attacker and he dropped the gun in the 4900 block of Potomac. He shoved her to the ground, picked up the gun and ran. The victim suffered minor scrapes on her hands.

The victim described the attacker as a black man in his mid 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with short, black, braided hair. He was wearing a yellow, hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.

Stranger on stranger crimes are rare, regardless of the neighborhood, noted St. Louis police Capt. Mary Warnecke.

"We really wanted to get the sketch out there and maybe spark a little thought in someone's mind," she said. "Certainly he was in the area for a reason.

"I would encourage everyone to just be aware of their surroundings, regardless of where you live, and try to be in a well-lit area, and, if you're out at night to go to your car, ask someone to walk with you."

Police suspect it was an attempted rape and are trying to determine if that attack is related to a similar one in The Hill neighborhood about an hour earlier and about two miles away.

In that case, a woman was in the 4300 block of Wilson Avenue about 8:55 p.m., when a man grabbed her and took her into a gangway. Nearby residents heard the commotion and yelled at the attacker, who ran off.

The attacker in the Wilson Avenue case was described only as a black man with a dark, hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.

"Until we find the person responsible, we're not going to be able to determine that, but we will look at both together," Warnecke said. "You can't discount the fact that it happened so close in time frame and location.

"We have a couple of leads we are working on and hopefully we will know where they're going to take us, but it's too soon to tell."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police Sex Crimes Unit at 314-444-5385, or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
CHESTERFIELD  Seven residences populated rural Schoettler Road in 1966 when Mary Ann and Homer Mastorakos dream home was completed in what was then unincorporated west St. Louis County.

Today, most of Mary Ann Mastorakos neighbors cant recall a time when Chesterfield (incorporated in 1988) wasnt a city.

Or when Schoettler Road wasnt dominated by upscale subdivisions with dwellings built on 1-acre lots or larger.

Much has changed in the 50 years since the couple arrived in Chesterfield.

But the sprawling Mastorakos prairie-style home, with its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright influences, has remained a constant.

Its been a great place to live and to raise a family, says Mary Ann Mastorakos, a mother of four and grandmother of eight. Homer Mastorakos, a lawyer, died in 2012.

In addition to holding special memories for the family, the 3.8-acre Mastorakos spread has become a rallying point for a campaign to halt a re-zoning that would permit construction of a development residents say is inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood.

The 258-unit 40 West Luxury Living apartment complex, if approved, will stretch from Schoettler Road to South Outer 40 Road on 14 acres abutting the Mastorakos property.

Critics say the development is incompatible with existing single-family homes.

We are not anti-apartment or anti-development, said Michael Moore, a retired Purina executive and resident of a nearby subdivision heading opposition to the project. We are just anti-apartment in this location.

Moore and other residents made their objections known at a September Planning Commission meeting that required the city to rent a hotel ballroom to accommodate the overflow crowd.

A second Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. This one will be held at City Hall.

The recommendation on the project will go to the City Council, which has final say on the issue.

KU Development Inc. is the firm seeking a variance to allow 40 West to proceed.

The company, owned by Chesterfield resident Thomas Kaiman, is seeking an amendment to rezone the 40 West parcel from single-family to multifamily housing units.

An additional request would classify the project as a planned unit development, a designation permitting 40 West to fall within the green space provisions embedded in the city zoning code.

KU Development has reduced the number of proposed apartment units to 258 from 280, and proposes limiting access to Schoettler Road through an electronic gate as well as expanding the buffer between the apartments and the Mastorakos property line.

Congestion, open space concerns

These changes, however, have done little to appease the more than 1,900 residents who affixed their names to a Preserve Schoettler online petition.

Its not just me, said Mastorakos. There are 1,900 other people out there saying we like trees and open spaces.

In addition to comments on a dedicated website and Facebook page, residents are publicly expressing their displeasure on yard signs.

Worries about traffic congestion are a big part of the debate over 40 West.

The focus at the Monday Planning Commission meeting will be on site plan changes drafted by Kaiman and his engineering team in response to the outcry at the September hearing.

The revisions would increase the ratio of open space surrounding the project and dedicate a portion of the green space to the city for use as a dog park and recreational area.

The problem, in the view of the Preserve Schoettler group, is that the Mastorakos property stands between the apartment development and the tract of land where Kaiman proposes to situate the recreational area.

A designation of noncontiguous property as open space would establish a dangerous precedent in addition to violating the state Unified Development Code, Preserve Schoettler said in a seven-page response to the revisions delivered last week to the city.

Our take (of the revised plan) is that it doesnt actually do anything in terms of changing the development, said Moore. Its still a density that is inappropriate for the area.

Mastorakos, who once had but six neighbors, now lives among subdivisions occupied by scores of homes.

She emphasizes that it is neither progress nor new development that she opposes.

We want something that is compatible with the neighborhood, she said. Town homes, condos or attached single-family dwellings would be ideal.
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?
AS the first Syrian families are finding refuge in Stratford-upon-Avon, the local Amnesty International group announces the winners in its schools writing prize competition.

The competition was open to all secondary school pupils, and entrants were asked to imagine the experience of being a refugee and to write a piece under the general title, In Search of Safety.

The winners, whose entries all evoked the loss, fear and uncertainty of being a refugee, were as follows:

14-16 age group  First: Sophie Fennelly of Stratford Girls Grammar School; Second: Tamara Power of St Benedicts Catholic High School, Alcester.

11-13 age group  First: Umer Khattak, of King Edward VI School, Stratford; Second: Seb Mayo, of St Benedicts Catholic High School, Alcester. Congratulations to all four of them.

Read the winning entries below...

In Search of Safety bySophie Fennelly.

She fled to safety from lands of chaos and catastrophe, where she woke to the sounds of crashing and crying and blood-curdling screams; and she ran with bare-feet down blood-lined streets, overed in shards of shattered glass that sliced at her soles until they stung.

And still she ran.

Travelling over treacherous waters, journeys that lasted over a week, and countless nights spent praying youd escape the ravenous jaws of the ocean, and waves that throw you about like a ball, tossing, turning, lurching, pulling you apart.

Seven people lost this week,you have to understand these dangerous conditions are the only ones safer than the land.

She travelled with children that were all on their own, their parents last hopes and dreams packed into a boat, with a goodbye kiss and tears streaming down their cheeks.

She too cried when she had to leave them, but these governments, they dont care.

Youre not their problem, its not their issue, as long as youre not theirs.

But they give help to the most vulnerable, so she left them on their own, and gave her last desperate hope that they would find a new home.

And after all this she was made to wait for months and weeks and days, until they gave her shelter, somewhere to live and food on her plate and colour returned to her young cheeks.

But she didnt speak their language and she didnt wear their clothes, so she was ridiculed and bullied; and after her search for safety and all her efforts to be free, they forced her to live in exile; couldnt they just let her be?

Home (an extract) byUmer Khattak, King Edward Sixth School

Home. A permanent place to stay: where families grow and share their lives; a safe haven where one sleeps soundly with a solid roof over ones head. We take all the above for granted but, for refugees, they lost all this when they left their home. For them, there is no more comfort. There is only hardship.

It had been a week since they left the city. The rubble had consumed their old home. They thought they were safe. Before the bombing, their place was the only one still presentable on the street. Their traditional carpet was spread out onto the floor and their possessions neatly away in their place. Then that was it. To leave in the morning from a prized property and to come back to a bombed shell. That was the end of their lives and the start of a nightmare. The very next day, they packed what little possessions they had left and made their way out of the city.

It was 43 miles to the Turkish border and 14 hours walking, if they stuck to the main road. They had an advantage that not many other Syrians had; a phone. With this they could keep updated on crucial events through social media and use maps to navigate. Never was the mobile phone more needed than at these vital minutes.

As they walked towards destination, the sun beat down on them. Every time a car or truck rolled past, dust was kicked up and went in their eyes. The grit struck their eyes. As they trudged on, the distance slowly decreased and the time took its toll on their body.

After a day they had walked for 25 miles and their legs begged for mercy. They sat down and lit a fire. The burning embers illuminated their weary faces. A nearby creature howled. Its silhouette looked up at the moon in hope of relief.

In the morning a red sun rose around the burning clouds as the group carried on towards freedom. 10am and another check of Facebook:

Up ahead, roadblocks in position. Show ID and you should be fine.

They took out their documents and searched through them. So far, things had gone well. Through all their minds raced the same thought:

Who will make it to safety?

There was no certainty that they would all get through. For now they were all together but soon they would turn on each other. There was not a doubt about that, but the real question was when.
Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) today jointly announced tentative agreement on a proposed five-year contract for the carrier's nearly 700 aircraft technicians and related employees. The proposed contract includes significant pay increases and added job protection provisions.

"I am very proud of our members' trust and the serious commitment, diligence, and prompt timing of both the Alaska and AMFA negotiation committees in reaching this agreement," said Bret Oestreich, AMFA national director. "This agreement was reached only 53 days past the current amendable date, thus indicating the importance of taking care of the people."

Further details of the contract are being withheld pending a ratification vote by union members, which is expected to be completed by early March. If ratified, the new contract would become amendable in October 2021. The current contract became amendable on Oct. 17, 2016.

"The men and women who maintain our aircraft play a vital role in Alaska's operation and this contract reflects their expertise, contributions and commitment to safety," said Kurt Kinder, Alaska Airlines' vice president of maintenance and engineering. "I want to thank the AMFA membership for their patience during this process and for putting safety above all else."

AMFA is the largest craft union representing aircraft technicians and related employees and serves members at Alaska and Southwest Airlines. AMFA's motto is "Safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground."

In May Alaska Airlines was served with its 15th Diamond Award of Excellence from the FAA in recognition for the company's dedication to maintenance training. Additionally, earlier this year, a team of Alaska maintenance technicians took first place in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Dallas.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced that its Board of Directors has named company Founder Steve Ells the companys sole Chief Executive Officer. Ells will also remain Chairman of Chipotles board. Monty Moran has stepped down from the co-CEO role and from his board seat effective immediately, and will retire from Chipotle in 2017.

Steve founded Chipotle more than 23 years ago with a powerful vision to use great ingredients prepared skillfully by hand, but served very fast, said Neil Flanzraich, Lead Director of Chipotles board. This approach has proven to be a very successful formula, but as the company grew, operations became more complicated and less consistent. Given the ongoing challenges facing the company, the board felt strongly that it was best for Steve to resume leadership of the company going forward. This will ensure that his high standards for the guest experience and his unyielding commitment to the companys mission are top priorities.

Ells, a classically trained chef, started Chipotle in 1993 with a small loan from his father. Chipotle has since grown into one of the nations largest restaurant companies, with more than 2,200 locations in five countries. Ells served as Chairman and CEO from 1993 until 2009 when he became co-CEO, a title he shared with Moran. The company went public in 2006. As Chairman and CEO, Ells will directly oversee restaurant operations, strategic initiatives, and innovation projects at the company.

Chipotle is based on a very simple idea: We start with great ingredients, prepare them using classic cooking techniques, and serve them in a way that allows people to get exactly what they want, said Ells. Even though its a simple idea, operations have become over-complicated. Im very much looking forward to relentlessly focusing on ensuring an excellent guest experience, removing unnecessary complexity from our operations, championing innovation, and pursuing our mission of making better food accessible to more people.

Ells also indicated that he will pursue employee incentives that are more closely tied to the guest experience. Chipotle now pays its starting employees above the federal minimum wage and provides benefits including paid vacation time, paid sick leave, and tuition reimbursement to all employees. The company also provides stock to its General Managers upon achieving Restaurateur status. The Restaurateur program, which recognizes the companys elite restaurant managers and provides a pipeline for its future leaders, is a cornerstone of Chipotles field operations. In recent years, however, achieving Restaurateur status has become increasingly complex and Ells is committed to re-envisioning the program by placing an emphasis on the guest experience and making the path to Restaurateur more intuitive and accessible to more General Managers.

Its incredibly important to me that we create an excellent dining experience in all of our restaurants. That starts with having great restaurant teams. To that end, I will evolve our Restaurateur program to ensure that even more of our best employees succeed and thrive at the company, Ells said. While our plans will take some time to implement, we will act with a sense of urgency toward all of the changes we are pursuing.

Ells also recommitted to the companys quest to serve better ingredients, announcing a reimagined company mission. The new company mission to Ensure that better food, prepared from whole, unprocessed ingredients is accessible to everyone is the next step in the evolution of Chipotles mission-driven business. Chipotles previous mission was to Change the way people think about and eat fast food.

Ells commitment to expanding the companys mission can be seen at http://www.chipotle.com/mission.

When I started Chipotle, I knew very little about the way food was raised, Ells said. But over the years, Ive become a champion for ingredients that are raised with respect for people, animals, and the environment. I will also continue to advocate for food made simply, without processed ingredients, which is the kind of food I believe should be available to everyone. Im incredibly proud of the team at Chipotle and Im thankful to them for helping us realize our mission of bringing better food to more and more people.

Id also like to thank Monty for his extraordinary contributions to Chipotle over the years. Monty inspired us with his vision for an enlightened people culture, and I wish him the best as he retires from the company, Ells said.

Chipotle will hold a call for investors at 5:00 PM Eastern time today during which management will discuss these changes. Please note that the company will not be providing an update to Q3 financials during this call. The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 800-239-9838 or for international callers by dialing 1-913-661-9178. The call will be webcast live from the company's website at chipotle.com under the investor relations section. An archived webcast will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call.
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Eisai Inc. today announced new interim data investigating Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in combination with Eisai's microtubule dynamics inhibitor, HALAVEN (eribulin) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Findings presented during the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) were based on interim data from 39 evaluable patients and showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 33.3% (n=13/39; 95% CI, 19.5-48.1), with one complete response and 12 partial responses (Abstract #: P5-15-02). ORR was similar between PD-L1-positive and -negative cohorts [PD-L1 positive=29.4% (n=5/17; 95% CI, 11.1-51.1); PD-L1 negative=33.3% (n=6/18; 95% CI, 14.1-54.6)]. HALAVEN and KEYTRUDA are not approved for use in combination.

The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (incidence greater than or equal to 35%) for the combination regimen were fatigue (n=29; 74.4%), nausea (n=20; 51.3%), peripheral neuropathy (n=17; 43.6%), neutropenia (n=15; 38.5%), and alopecia (n=14; 35.9%), with grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events observed in 66.7% (n=26) of patients. The two most common grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events observed were neutropenia (n=12; 30.8%) and fatigue (n=3; 7.7%). The possible immune-mediated adverse events of clinical interest with KEYTRUDA (grade 3/4) included rash (n=2; 5.1%), pneumonitis (n=1; 2.6%), hyperglycemia (n=1; 2.6%), renal failure (n=1; 2.6%) and rash generalized (n=1; 2.6%). Events of clinical interest for HALAVEN (grade 3/4) included neutropenia (n=11, 28.2%), febrile neutropenia (n=1; 2.6%), and peripheral neuropathy (n=1; 2.6%). There were 10 discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events and no treatment-related deaths.

"Little progress has been made in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, which is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer. This initial evaluation of the combination of KEYTRUDA and HALAVEN is encouraging and represents an important part of our multi-pronged effort to bring forward new potential approaches for patients with this type of cancer," said Roger Dansey, MD, senior vice president and therapeutic area head, oncology late-stage development, Merck Research Laboratories.

"Patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer have a limited number of treatment options, making clinical study of new potential therapeutic approaches essential," said Alton Kremer, MD, PhD, chief clinical officer and chief medical officer, Oncology Business Group at Eisai. "With this ongoing study, we hope to learn more about the potential of HALAVEN as part of a combination regimen with KEYTRUDA, with the long-term goal of addressing the unmet medical needs of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer."

"In addition to anti-mitotic effects, in preclinical and translational studies, eribulin induced tumor vascular remodeling, reduction of hypoxia and promotion of the less aggressive epithelial phenotype in advanced breast cancer tumor tissue. We look forward to further understanding how these effects of eribulin on tumor biology and microenvironment may impact the effect of pembrolizumab on the immune system's T cells," said Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, medical oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, and the principal investigator of the study.
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) announced today that it is investigating an unauthorized third-party intrusion into an internet application on its network. The company provided notice to individuals whose accounts have been affected.

On November 26, 2016 an unauthorized third party accessed the MyQuest by Care360 internet application and obtained Protected Health Information (PHI) of approximately 34,000 individuals.

The accessed data included name, date of birth, lab results, and in some instances, telephone numbers. The information did not include Social Security numbers, credit card information, insurance or other financial information. There is no indication that individuals' information has been misused in any way.

When Quest Diagnostics discovered the intrusion, it immediately addressed the vulnerability. Quest is taking steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, and is working with a leading cybersecurity firm to assist in investigating and further evaluating the company's systems. The investigation is ongoing and the unauthorized intrusion has been reported to law enforcement.

Quest Diagnostics has notified affected individuals via mail and established a dedicated toll-free number to call with questions regarding this incident. The number is (888) 320-9970, and can be reached Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY) and e2v technologies plc (LSE:E2V.L) jointly announced today that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition to be made by Teledyne for the ordinary share capital of e2v by means of a Scheme of Arrangement (the Offer). Under the terms of the Offer, e2vs ordinary shareholders (e2v Shareholders) will receive 275 pence in cash for each e2v share valuing the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of e2v at approximately 620 million on a fully diluted basis. It is expected that, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all relevant conditions, the acquisition will be completed in the first half of calendar 2017.

For the machine vision market, e2v provides high performance image sensors and custom camera solutions and application specific standard products. In addition, e2v provides high performance space qualified imaging sensors and arrays for space science and astronomy. e2v also produces components and subsystems that deliver high reliability radio frequency power generation for healthcare, industrial and defense applications. Finally, the company provides high reliability semiconductors and board-level solutions for use in aerospace, space and radio frequency communications applications.

We have followed e2v for more than a decade. Over time, as both Teledyne and e2v evolved, our businesses have become increasingly aligned. In fact, every business within e2v is highly complementary to Teledyne. As important, there is minimal product overlap, said Robert Mehrabian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne. For example, we are both leaders in space and astronomy imaging, but Teledyne largely provides infrared detectors and e2v provides visible light sensors. While we both provide microwave devices, e2vs largest product and market are magnetrons for cancer radiotherapy. Teledyne supplies solid state and vacuum microwave systems, but no magnetrons, and we primarily serve defense markets such as electronic warfare, radar and communications. However, Teledyne serves the healthcare market with specialized X-ray sensors.

In machine vision applications, e2vs advanced capabilities in proprietary CMOS sensor design add to Teledynes strengths in cameras and vision systems. While Teledyne designs advanced mixed signal circuits for government and commercial applications, e2vs broader product portfolio enhances our offerings and channels to market.

Neil Johnson, Chairman of e2v, commented, Teledyne has recognized the value inherent in our business and prospects by making a cash offer at an attractive premium to the share price. The Board of e2v has also considered the merits of being part of a larger, complementary group with enhanced scale and a wider range of capabilities to service its key customers and management and employees having access to the opportunities available in a larger group. The Board of e2v is therefore unanimously recommending e2v Shareholders to vote in favor of the acquisition.

The aggregate enterprise value for the transaction is expected to be approximately 627 million (or approximately $789 million) taking into account e2v stock options and net debt. For the year ended March 31, 2016, e2v had sales of approximately 236 million. Excluding transaction-related expenses, Teledyne management expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings per share.

e2vs directors have unanimously recommended that e2v Shareholders vote in favor of the Offer. In addition, Teledyne has received irrevocable undertakings from e2v directors and irrevocable undertakings or letters of intent from e2v Shareholders representing approximately 46% of the entire issued ordinary share capital.

Teledynes Offer will be made in accordance with the relevant requirements of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (Takeover Code) (including customary closing conditions) and be governed by English law. For additional information on the Offer please see documents available on www.teledyne.com and on the e2v website at www.e2v.com during the course of the offer process.

Investec Bank plc and N M Rothschild & Sons Limited are acting as financial advisors, and Macfarlanes LLP is acting as legal counsel to e2v. Teledyne is advised by Citigroup Global Markets Limited as financial advisor and Eversheds LLP as legal counsel. Teledyne has entered into a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as sole bookrunner, to provide certain funds in connection with the transaction.

Teledyne is a leading provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne Technologies operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies website at www.teledyne.com.

Bringing life to technology, e2v partners with its customers to improve, save and protect peoples lives. e2vs innovations lead developments in automation, healthcare, communications, safety, discovery and the environment. e2v employs approximately 1,700 people worldwide, has design and operational facilities across Europe, North America and Asia, and has a global network of sales and technical support offices. For more information, visit e2vs website at www.e2v.com.

Notice to Non-UK e2v Shareholders

The Offer is not being made and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. Any and all materials related to the Offer should not be sent or otherwise distributed in or into the United States whether by use of the United States mail or by any other means or instrumentality of United States commerce (including, but without limitation, the mail, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone and the Internet) or any facility of a United States national securities exchange, and the Offer cannot be accepted by any such use, means or instrumentality, in or from within the United States. Accordingly, no materials related to the Offer will be, and must not be, sent or otherwise distributed in or into or from the United States or, in their capacities as such, to custodians, trustees or nominees holding shares of e2v for United States persons, and persons receiving any such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not distribute or send them in, into or from the United States. Any purported acceptance of the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid. No shares of e2v are being solicited from a resident of the United States and, if sent in response by a resident of the United States, will not be accepted. For the purposes of this paragraph, United States means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia.

The availability of the Offer to e2v Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. Further details in relation to non-UK shareholders will be contained in the Offer documentation.

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Offer or passed upon the completeness of this announcement or the Offer documentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Berlin on Friday, one day after a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels, a government spokeswoman said on Monday.

The spokeswoman said Merkel and Tsipras will read out statements before the meeting, which will not be followed by a news conference.

"The themes are the (peace) negotiations in Cyprus, the refugee situation, the relations between the EU and Turkey, and on the margins also naturally Greece's economic and financial situation," Ulrike Demmer told a regular government news conference.

Heavily indebted Greece, which is on its third international bailout since an economic crisis began in 2010, is at odds with lenders over fiscal targets and the scope of reforms required to conclude its latest review on bailout progress.

Asked if German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, blamed by many in Greece for imposing harsh austerity measures on their country, would also meet Tsipras, Demmer said: "The meeting will be between Mr. Tsipras and the chancellor."

Greece, which was last week granted short-term debt relief by its euro zone partners, hopes that a deal with its lenders could allow its inclusion in the European Central Bank's asset purchase program by the spring of 2017. That would open the door for the country to then test markets with a debt issue later in the year.

Greek finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos told Reuters on Monday that Athens wants to end the standoff with lenders through 'honest compromise', indicating a willingness to give ground on reform. But he warned that inflexibility on their part could inflame anti-establishment sentiment in Europe.

The International Monetary Fund, which has said Greece's debt is unsustainable, will decide on its participation in the bailout program once a second review of its economic progress is completed by lenders.

(Reporting by Gernot Heller; Writing by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Theranos today announced that key roles have been filled in the companys executive ranks, with the naming of John McChesney to senior vice president of operations and Tali Mackay to senior vice president of corporate communications and investor relations, as well as the promotion of David Taylor to the role of general counsel. Dr. Gregory J. Tsongalis was appointed to the companys Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB).

One of my primary areas of focus this year has been the establishment of our new leadership team, said Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes. I am proud to welcome these seasoned executives, and am humbled by the passion and commitment of the team working to realize our mission of accessible, affordable health information.

John McChesney joins the company with medical device manufacturing expertise, having served in roles of increasing responsibility at GenapSys, Inc.; Thermo Fisher Scientific; and Medtronic. He has extensive experience leading teams through periods of change, including acquisitions, quality system deployments, high growth, development of manufacturing centers of excellence, and building global supply chains. He is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego.

Tali Mackay brings high-stakes communications expertise, including crisis communications and issues management, corporate branding and reputation, and mergers and acquisitions. Her experience encompasses roles at Genentech, Baxter, and global public relations firms. Mackay holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S.N. from San Francisco State University. She was a registered nurse, with clinical specialties in neurosurgery and hospice.

David Taylor joined Theranos as senior litigation counsel in May and thereafter served as acting general counsel. Taylor previously practiced with Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP and Williams & Connolly LLP and has over 10 years of experience in complex litigation. He holds a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.A. from Williams College.

Dr. Gregory J. Tsongalis has held several clinical and academic positions and has been a member of numerous corporate scientific advisory boards. He received his Ph.D. in pathology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University) and completed his postdoctoral training in molecular oncology and clinical chemistry/molecular pathology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His area of expertise is in clinical molecular diagnostic applications and technology development, and he conducts research in the pathogenesis of human cancers, personalized medicine, and disruptive technologies. He has served on numerous committees of the AACC, ASIP, FASEB, and AMP, where he is a past president.
A woman exits the Viacom Inc. headquarters in New York April 30, 2013. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

(Reuters) - Shari Redstone, vice chair of Viacom Inc and the daughter of controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone, has withdrawn her support for a merger between CBS Corp and Viacom, CNBC reported on Monday.

Shari Redstone wants the company to remain independent and will back Viacom's chief executive, CNBC said.

(Reporting by Narottam Medhora in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
Funds Awarded by Associated Credit Union of Texas and FHLB Dallas

DEER PARK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Low-income, qualified homebuyers in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery counties will benefit from $16,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds awarded today to the Keystone Community Development Corporation (Keystone CDC). The nonprofit, which provides homebuyer and related educational programs, received the grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Associated Credit Union of Texas. It will be used to cover administrative and material costs of Keystone CDCs homebuyer education and related classes.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212006251/en/

Dignitaries from the city of Deer Park, Texas, join representatives from the Keystone Community Development Corporation, Associated Credit Union of Texas, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas for the presentation of a $16,000 Partnership Grant Program award on Monday, December 12, 2016. The funds will be used to cover costs related to Keystone CDC's homebuyer education program. (Photo: Business Wire)

Once our clients complete an education class, they receive homeownership counseling and help in applying for down-payment assistance at no charge, said Christopher Fuller, executive director at Keystone CDC. Funding from the Partnership Grant Program will help us keep it that way.

PGP grants are offered annually through FHLB Dallas member institutions, such as Associated Credit Union of Texas, via a lottery system. Funds may be used for research, organizational capacity-building, grant- and funding-application assistance, or contractual services.

Our institution supports the vision of Keystone CDC, said Clay Franks, chief financial officer at Associated Credit Union of Texas. They are a caring and dedicated group who strive every day to make this region an even better place to live and work. We appreciate the support from FHLB Dallas for partnering with us on this grant. It will serve families well.

Through the PGP, member institutions contribute $500 up to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO). FHLB Dallas matches the contributions at a 3:1 ratio, which provide up to $12,000 in grant money to a CBO. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in PGP funds to assist 23 CBOs. Combined with the $96,200 from member institutions, a total of $321,200 was awarded this year.

FHLB Dallas designed the PGP to address the inevitable funding gaps experienced by housing-related nonprofits, said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. At the same time, the partnerships are strengthened between our member institutions and these nonprofits. It is a win-win for communities across our District.

About Associated Credit Union of Texas

ACU of Texas is a community credit union that offers quality financial services to Galveston, Brazoria and Harris counties and surrounding areas. As a state chartered credit union, federally insured by the National Credit Union Insurance Fund (NCUIF), ACU of Texas is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing services in a caring, professional manner while maintaining a strong financial base. Visit www.acutx.org.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $58.4 billion as of September 30, 2016, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212006251/en/

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

Corporate Communications, 214-441-8445

www.fhlb.com

Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 12/12/16 -- Independent broker-dealer NEXT Financial Group, Inc. (NEXT), today launched their new, low-cost fee-based platform, NEXT Select, made available through Pershing's NetX360 technology for all NEXT Representatives.

NEXT Select was developed over the last year by key members of the broker-dealer's executive team in conjunction with BNY Mellon's Pershing. The multi-manager platform is designed to help advisors offer a wide range of flexible and competitive investment options for clients.

"The NEXT Select Platform is an incredible initiative. All of us at NEXT have put an enormous amount of time, energy and dedication into making it a one-of-a-kind experience for our Representatives that we believe will help them thrive amid these industry changes and well into the future," said Barry Knight, president of NEXT.

Designed to make portfolio allocation and client interaction seamless, this cooperative effort has resulted in an innovative platform that offers users a wide range of resources, including:

Sales Tools;

Investment Research;

Training and Education;

Advisor Model Management Tool;

Wealth Reporting Tools;

Portfolio Analytics Tools;

And more

"We are proud to collaborate with NEXT Financial on their new NEXT Select Platform to further help clients offer the diverse range of investment options being demanded by investors today," said John Brett, Managing Director at BNY Mellon's Pershing.

About BNY Mellon's Pershing

Pershing and its affiliates provide global financial business solutions to advisors, asset managers, broker-dealers, family offices, registered investment advisor firms and wealth managers. A financial services firm located in 23 offices worldwide, Pershing provides business-to-business solutions to clients representing 6 million active investor accounts on the U.S. platform. Pershing affiliates are members of every major U.S. securities exchange, and its international affiliates are members of the Deutsche Borse, Australian Stock Exchange, Irish Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pershing LLC (member FINRA/NYSE/SIPC) is a BNY Mellon company. Additional information is available on pershing.com, or follow us on Twitter @Pershing.

NEXT Financial Group Inc. is an independent broker-dealer servicing approximately 650 independent financial representatives throughout the country. NEXT is the recipient of WealthManagement.com's best-in-class Service award in the 2016 WealthManagement.com Industry Awards. The firm continues building upon its unique culture to better serve the needs of independent financial professionals and their customers. *WealthManagement.com Industry Awards recipients are determined by a panel of judges consisting of professionals from across the financial industry.

The following files are available for download:

Source: NEXT Financial Group, Inc.
Pegasus Launch will be 43rd Flight for Worlds First Commercial Rocket Aboard the Companys Stargazer L-1011 Airplane

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced it is prepared to launch the companys air-launched Pegasus rocket aboard its Stargazer L-1011 airplane from Cape Canaveral on Monday, December 12 at approximately 8:24 a.m. EST. Pegasus will be carrying NASAs Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) to study the inner core of tropical cyclones. The data provided will help scientists and meteorologists better understand and predict the path of a hurricane.

Live coverage of the mission will be available on NASA Television starting two hours prior to launch at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. Details about the mission can be viewed at Orbital ATKs mission page.

Pegasus is the worlds first privately developed commercial rocket and the leading launch system for the deployment of small satellites into Low-Earth orbit. The Pegasus rocket is launched from beneath Orbital ATK's Stargazer L-1011 carrier airplane, providing customers with unparalleled flexibility to operate from virtually anywhere on Earth with minimal ground support requirements.

As a NASA Category 3 certified launch vehicle, Pegasus is able to launch NASAs most valuable satellites. The launch was provided through NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) who acts as a broker, matching spacecraft with launch vehicles. This will be the first Pegasus mission in 13 years to launch from Cape Canaveral. The previous 42 Pegasus missions have been conducted from six separate sites in the U.S., Europe and the Marshall Islands.

About Orbital ATK

Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161211005087/en/

Orbital ATK

Media:

Trina Helquist, 801-699-0943

Launch Vehicles Division Public Relations

[email protected]

or

Investors:

Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528

Public and Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: Orbital ATK
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The foundation of Web pioneer and philanthropist Craig Newmark is giving The Poynter Institute, the global leader in journalism, $1 million to fund a major, multi-year initiative in journalism ethics. The Institute in 2017 will establish the Craig Newmark Chair in Journalism Ethics.

The gift from Newmark's foundation marks the single largest donation from an individual foundation to the Institute since it was created by Nelson Poynter in 1975.

The gift will support a five-year program at Poynter that focuses on best practices of verification, fact-checking and accountability in journalism. Under the guidance of the Craig Newmark Chair, this program will build on the full range of Poynter's teaching expertise.

Poynter will develop ethics certificates and badges to journalists and media organizations that commit to ethical decision-making practices. The Institute will host an annual conference on ethics issues over the next five years. The ethics chair also will write regularly on Poynter.org, the leading news and information site for the media industry, and provide ethics training across Poynter's in-person and online curriculum. The ethics chair will also conduct related research and publish an annual white paper examining the state of ethics in American journalism. Poynter expects to make this ethics chair a permanent faculty position and will identify funding over the next five years.

"I want to stand up for trustworthy journalism, and I want to stand against deceptive and fake news," said Newmark, founder of craigslist and the Craig Newmark Foundation. "And I want to help news organizations stand and work together to protect themselves and the public against deception by the fake media. Poynter's the right place to do this work because the Institute has long been very serious about trustworthy news and committed to both training journalists and holding media organizations accountable."

Newmark has long been a supporter of Poynter's ethics program. He is a member of the Poynter Foundation board and has contributed funds to support the development of the 2013 book "The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21st Century," edited by Poynter Vice President Kelly McBride and Tom Rosenstiel, president of the American Press Institute. Newmark has also supported Poynter's Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media.

"This gives us the opportunity to build upon the ethics teaching that Poynter faculty, including Bob Steele, Roy Peter Clark, Keith Woods, Al Tompkins and I have done for years," McBride said. "There's a lot of new work to do and this faculty member will have a role in shaping the best practices in journalism for years."

Ethics has always been part of the foundational skills that Poynter considers critical to the journalism practice. The Institute teaches fact-checking, reputable sourcing, verification, leadership skills and news literacy to reporters, editors, news executives, educators and news consumers.

Poynter will post the position in January, 2017.

"The need for credible, trusted information has never been more critical, as we've seen with the recent proliferation of fake news on social media," said Poynter President Tim Franklin. "This gift allows Poynter to begin a much-needed expansion of its vital work with journalists in exploring the intersection of media, technology and ethics. Our goal is to grow this into a centerpiece of Poynter's work in the future."

In addition to developing its own programs, Poynter will work with a range of other media organizations, including the Trust Project at Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, the American Press Institute, Google and Facebook to identify and support the tools and techniques that deliver trustworthy news.

About The Poynter Institute

The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is a global leader in journalism education and a strategy center that stands for uncompromising excellence in journalism, media and 21st century public discourse. Poynter faculty teach seminars and workshops at the Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., and at conferences and organizational sites around the world. Its e-learning division, News University, www.newsu.org, offers the world's largest online journalism curriculum in 7 languages, with more than 400 interactive courses and 330,000 registered users in more than 200 countries. The Institute's website, www.poynter.org, produces 24-hour coverage of news about media, ethics, technology, the business of news and the trends that currently define and redefine journalism news reporting. The world's top journalists and media innovators come to Poynter to learn and teach new generations of reporters, storytellers, media inventors, designers, visual journalists, documentarians and broadcast producers, and to build public awareness about journalism, media, the First Amendment and protected discourse that serves democracy and the public good.

About The Craig Newmark Foundation

The Craig Newmark Foundation is a private foundation created by craigslist founder Craig Newmark to support and connect non-profit communities and drive powerful civic engagement. The Foundation works to advance the people and grassroots organizations that are "getting stuff done" in the areas of trustworthy journalism, consumer protection, veterans and military families, voting rights, government transparency, peer-to-peer giving, and women in tech.

Contact: Tina Dyakon Director of Advertising and Marketing The Poynter Institute [email protected] 727-553-4343

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poynter-receives-1-million-gift-from-craig-newmark-foundation-to-fund-faculty-chair-in-journalism-ethics-300376500.html

SOURCE The Poynter Institute
Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow is seen during an exclusive interview with Reuters in Banjul, Gambia, December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

By Edward McAllister and Michelle Nichols

BANJUL/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States said on Monday Gambia had reached "a very dangerous moment" as West African leaders prepared to travel there to tell long-ruling leader Yahya Jammeh to accept his election defeat and step down.

Jammeh had quickly conceded defeat to Adama Barrow, his challenger in the Dec. 1 presidential election. But in a volte-face that drew international condemnation he rejected the poll results on Friday.

His ruling party said he would challenge the election outcome at the Supreme Court, raising the prospect that Barrow's victory, which was poised to end 22 years of Jammeh's authoritarian rule, could be overturned.

"It is a very dangerous moment," Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters following a closed-door briefing of the 15-member Security Council on the situation in the tiny riverside nation.

She said some military officers had sided with Jammeh following his shock reversal. But she added that the Council was unified in its condemnation of the former coup leader's actions.

"Everybody is singing from the same sheet of music and the song is clear: you have lost the election, President Jammeh, and you must give up power peacefully," Power said.

Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel peace laureate and current chair of the West African regional body ECOWAS, is due to travel to Gambia on Tuesday.

She will head a delegation of West African heads of state including Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari, John Mahama of Ghana and Sierra Leone's Ernest Bai Koroma.

"These heads of state will ask him to leave power," the foreign ministry of Gambia's neighbor, Senegal, which has taken a particularly aggressive stance toward Jammeh, said in a statement. It called the trip "a last chance mission" for Gambia's president.

The United States, European Union, African Union, United Nations and ECOWAS have all pressed Jammeh to respect the election result.

Gambia's Communications Minister Sheriff Bojang was not reachable for comment on Monday.

"WE WANT PEACE"

Barrow told Reuters in the capital Banjul that he expected Johnson Sirleaf's delegation to ensure an "expedited transitional period" that would pave the way for a transfer of power.

"We are not talking about a military option. We want to safeguard our democracy and we want peace," he said, but added that he was concerned for his own safety.

"I have no official security. As president-elect, I should not be exposed in the way I am today," he said.

Barrow said he had not had any communication with Jammeh's government since the president's televised announcement on Friday. Unarmed supporters surround his residence in the capital Banjul as protection and move with him when he leaves his home.

Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 when he was an army lieutenant and went on to win four elections that were criticized by rights monitors. International human rights groups accuse him of widespread violations and repression.

He declared Gambia an Islamic Republic last year and in October announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court.

Rights groups say Jammeh exerts strong influence over the Supreme Court, which has not held session in a year and a half. There is currently only a sitting chief justice. And so in order to hear Jammeh's complaint, legal experts believe at least four more judges must be appointed.

Gambia's bar association on Monday rejected the prospect of a Supreme Court staffed with new appointees to hear Jammeh's challenge and called on its members to boycott the country's courts until he hands over power to president-elect Barrow.

"In the present circumstances, any Supreme Court empanelled by the outgoing President Jammeh for the purpose of hearing his election petition would be fundamentally tainted," it said.

(Reporting by Edward McAllister; Additional reporting by Diadie Ba and Emma Farge in Dakar, Kwasi Kpodo in Accra, Felix Onuah in Abuja, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Joe Bavier in Abidjan; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
BISHKEK (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan has voted in favor of constitutional changes boosting the power of its government, the Central Election Commission said on Sunday, citing preliminary results of a national referendum.

The commission said that with most ballots counted in the Central Asian nation of six million, about 80 percent of voters had supported the package of constitutional amendments proposed by allies of President Almazbek Atambayev.

Voter turnout was about 42 percent.

The amendments include provisions granting more powers to the prime minister and the government, which is dominated by members of Atambayev's Social Democratic party.

Some of Atambayev's critics have accused him of planning to become prime minister himself after stepping down as president when his term ends next year. Atambayev, 60, has denied having such plans.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe said in a joint comment in August that the proposed amendments would shift the balance of power by strengthening the executive at the expense of parliament and the judiciary.

In the same comment, the two institutions said that other amendments could weaken the former Soviet republic's commitment to international treaties on human rights and freedoms.

Kyrgyzstan, an impoverished and mostly Muslim nation, has been volatile in recent years and was the scene of violent protests in 2005 and 2010 which toppled successive presidents.

Atambayev's move to amend the constitution adopted after the 2010 protests has alienated some of his former allies. If the conflict between him and opposition deepens after the vote, it could destabilize the country, which hosts a Russian military base.

(Reporting by Olga Dzyubenko; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attends a Reuters interview ahead of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Summit in the capital Nairobi December 14, 2015. REUTERS/Noor Khamis

BANJUL (Reuters) - Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will lead a delegation on Tuesday to mediate in Gambia, and representing the United Nations, African Union and West African regional bloc ECOWAS, Gambia's president-elect Adama Barrow said.

In an interview with Reuters on Monday, Barrow said he wanted to see an "expedited transitional period" leading to a handover of power from outgoing President Yahya Jammeh. He also said he had no official security and was "exposed".

(Reporting by Edward McAllister; Writing by Joe Bavier; editing by John Stonestreet)
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday rejected a demand by Maoist-led rebels to free more prisoners as part of a ceasefire deal, saying he had made enough concessions and was willing to let peace talks collapse if necessary.

For decades the government and the communists' political arm, National Democratic Front, have held intermittent peace negotiations but without success. The release of political prisoners has proved a major stumbling block.

Before the resumption of peace negotiations in Oslo in August, four years after the collapse of the last attempt, Duterte let 22 rebel leaders out on bail, including two senior guerrilla commanders.

Last month, he also freed four elderly and sick prisoners on humanitarian grounds.

But rebel leaders immediately demanded the release of 130 more rebels, a call Duterte has ignored until now.

Since the rebellion erupted nearly five decades ago, it has killed about 40,000 people and stunted growth in resource-rich rural areas of the Philippines. The rebels' armed wing, New People's Army, is active in almost all but the Muslim majority provinces, and are particularly strong in the mining areas in the southern island of Mindanao.

"I wanted them to start the talks but they want me to free 130 more, so I told them, no, I cannot," Duterte told soldiers at an army base north of Manila, close to where NPA first emerged.

"As a matter of fact, I conceded too much too soon. Now, it's up to them if they will terminate the peace talks. Let them terminate it. I have freed their leaders, what more do you ask of us? I am running out of cards."

Duterte said violence between the two sides has declined in the last six months. The two sides have held two rounds of talks since August and plan to meet again early next year with the aim of agreeing on a set of political, economic and social reforms to address the rebellion within 12 months.

The rebels want farmlands to be distributed to landless farmers, the nationalization of industries and to share political power with the government.

Duterte, former mayor of Davao, a city that was once seen as a breeding ground for rebels, told soldiers at the base that he knew they were hurting from his decision to re-start peace talks and free top communist rebels, but that he was determined to end the conflict.

About 500 people suspected to be rebels are in jail, which include two men who were convicted of killing the U.S. military adviser, Colonel James Rowe, in 1989.

(Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
A flight test engineer holds an Airbus Group flag after the first flight of the Airbus A320neo (New Engine Option) in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, September 25, 2014. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo

By Tom Finn

DOHA (Reuters) - Qatar Airways is in talks with Airbus (NYSE: AIR) to convert its order for up to 80 A320neos to the larger A321neo, its chief executive said on Monday.

The airline has refused to accept four A320neos so far this year over performance issues with the aircraft's engines, a spokeswoman told Reuters.

"We are in negotiations with Airbus about how we can continue our relationship and keep our order on track minus the ones that we canceled," CEO Akbar al-Baker told Reuters on the sidelines of a news conference in Doha.

He said the airline wanted to take delivery of the larger A321neo jets from 2018 and was considering swapping the engine order to CFM, a joint venture between General Electric Co (NYSE: GE) and Safran SA (NYSE: SAF) of France.

An Airbus spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Qatar Airways has refused to accept planes with engines made by Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp (NYSE: UTX), saying they required additional time to start under certain conditions.

The airline said in May it was cutting frequencies on more than a dozen routes from its Doha hub because of delivery delays of new aircraft from Airbus.

Qatar Airways announced on Oct. 7 an order for as much as $18.6 billion worth of Boeing (NYSE: BA) jets, including a letter of intent for 60 narrow-body 737 MAX 8 jets valued at $6.9 billion. [nL2N1CD144]

The A320 and 737 compete in the largest segment of the aircraft market.

At least some of those 737 MAXs will go to Italy's Meridiana, with which Qatar Airways is talking about taking a 49 percent stake, Al Baker said.

Italy's second biggest airline would have "nearly 50 aircraft" within the first five years of Qatar Airways' stake purchase, he said. The fleet would be a mix of either Airbus or Boeing wide body jets and 737s.

Al-Baker told Bloomberg on Nov. 6 that he expected to finalize the stake purchase in January. The deal is dependent on a number of unspecified conditions being met.

(Writing by Alexander Cornwell; editing by Mark Potter and Jason Neely)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 30, 2016 HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 001-32490 87-0400335 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification

No.) 12012 Wickchester Lane, Suite 475 Houston, Texas 77079 (Address of principal executive offices,

including Zip Code) (713) 353-9400 (Registrants telephone number,

including area code) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below): o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events. On November 30, 2016, SCS Corporation Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyperdynamics Corporation (Hyperdynamics, the Company, we, and us), entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the Letter of Intent) with South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO), a privately held Nigerian oil and gas exploration and production company with a portfolio of assets in Nigeria and the Mozambique Channel. Pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, SAPETRO has agreed to acquire a 20% participating interest in Hyperdynamics oil and gas concession offshore the Republic of Guinea in exchange for paying 40% of the costs of the upcoming Fatala well with SAPETROs up to a $50,000,000 cap of predicted total well costs. In addition, SAPETRO is expected to pay its proportional 20% share. The Letter of Intent contemplates that the parties will work to sign definitive documents by January 14, 2017 unless extended by further agreement. SAPETROs responsibility for financial commitments related to the concession became effective immediately upon signing of the Letter of Intent, with payment of the consideration due upon satisfaction of the closing conditions set out in the definitive documents, including receipt of the final approvals and consents of the government of Guinea. There is no assurance, however, the parties will consummate the transaction contemplated by the Letter of Intent. The Press Release regarding this Letter of Intent is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release, dated December 5, 2016. 2

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION Date: December 12, 2016 By: /s/ David G. Gullickson Name: David G. Gullickson Title: Vice President Finance, Treasurer, and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer 3

EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release, dated December 5, 2016. 4

Exhibit 99.1 December 5, 2016 Hyperdynamics Signs a Letter of Intent with SAPETRO for a 20% Participating Interest in its Guinea Oil and Gas Concession LAGOS, Nigeria, Dec. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/  Hyperdynamics Corporation (OTCQX: HDYN) today announced it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO) under which the two companies will negotiate the assignment of a participating interest in Hyperdynamics oil and gas concession offshore the Republic of Guinea. SAPETRO is a privately held Nigerian oil and gas exploration and production company with a portfolio of assets in Nigeria and the Mozambique Channel. The Letter of Intent, which is non-binding, calls for SAPETRO to take a 20% participating interest in exchange for paying 40% of the costs of the upcoming Fatala well up to a $50 million cap of predicted total well costs. Above that amount, SAPETRO would pay its proportional 20% share. The LOI contemplates that the two companies will work to sign definitive documents within 45 days unless extended by further agreement. SAPETROs responsibility for financial commitments related to the concession begins immediately but will not be due for payment until final approvals from the government of Guinea are received. The addition of SAPETRO to the Guinea project team represents a big step forward in sharing project-related costs and risks with reputable industry players who recognize Hyperdynamics Guinea concessions economic attractiveness and geologic prospectivity, said Ray Leonard, Hyperdynamics President and Chief Executive Officer. SAPETROs experience in West Africa, its financial strength and its desire to have an exposure in high-quality, high-reward exploration acreage that will be tested in the near future makes them an ideal partner for us. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, SAPETRO holds a 15% interest in the prolific OML 130 license offshore Nigeria, operated by Total. The block contains two fields containing each in excess of 550 million barrels of oil, with the Akpo field reaching peak production of 197,000 barrels of oil per day in 2010 and the Egina field planned to come on stream in the second quarter of 2018 reaching a peak production rate of 200,000 barrels of oil per day by the end of 2018. About Hyperdynamics Hyperdynamics is an emerging independent oil and gas exploration company that is exploring for oil and gas offshore the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. To find out more, visit our website at www.hyperdynamics.com. Forward Looking Statements This News Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, expectations, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, plan, project, anticipate, estimate, believe, or think. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. We assume no duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on changes in plans or expectations or otherwise. Contacts: Ray Leonard President and Chief Executive Officer 713-353-9445 Anne Pearson / Jack Lascar Dennard-Lascar Associates 713-529-6600




UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K





CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

December 12, 2016

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)





STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





Delaware 001-02658 74-1677330 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

1980 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, Texas 77056 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code: 713-625-8100

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)





Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

1





Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.



Timothy Okrie has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Stewart Information Services Corporation (the Company), effective December 12, 2016. A copy of the press release dated December 12, 2016, announcing the appointment of Mr. Okrie, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Mr. Okrie, 51, joins Stewart with more than 30 years of experience developing and executing professional services, industry alignment, market strategies and business operating models. He most recently served as an Advisory Services Marketplace Leader at Deloitte. Mr. Okrie holds a bachelor of science from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois and is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

The Company entered to an employment agreement with Mr. Okrie (the Agreement) effective December 12, 2016. The material terms of the Agreement are summarized below.

Term :

The initial term of the Agreement begins on December 12, 2016 and ends on December 31, 2018. The Agreement extends automatically on a year-to-year basis thereafter, unless terminated by either of the parties at least 90 days notice prior to the end of a term.

Compensation and Benefits :

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Okrie is entitled to receive an annual salary of not less than $480,000, subject to increase at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), plus vacation, medical, dental and life insurance benefits and reimbursement of certain qualified business expenses by the Company.

Starting with the 2017 calendar year, Mr. Okrie will be eligible to receive an annual short term incentive cash payment pursuant to an incentive plan. Under such incentive plan, Mr. Okries target payout is 75% of his annual salary, or $360,000. The payout amounts will be determined by the attainment towards metrics specific to the position and corporate performance.

Further, beginning with the 2017 calendar year, Mr. Okrie will be entitled to participate in the Companys Long Term Incentive Plan. The target payout under such plan for Mr. Okrie is 100% of his annual salary. The payout amounts will be determined by the Board in its discretion taking into account the overall performance of the Company.

Payments Upon Qualifying Termination :

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Okrie is entitled to receive certain benefits upon the termination of his employment under certain circumstances. In the event of (i) the Companys termination of his employment without Cause (as defined in the Agreement) during the term, (ii) his resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Agreement) during the term, or (iii) his voluntary retirement, then Mr. Okrie shall receive the following: (a) a cash payment equal to 12 months of the then-current salary in effect if the termination occurs at any time other than during a Change of Control Period (as defined in the Agreement); (b) continued medical and dental benefits equal to those that were in effect as of the date of termination and reimbursement of applicable COBRA premiums for a 12-month period following the termination date (or until Mr. Okrie is eligible to receive benefits under another employer-provided plan or dies); (c) Special Pro-Rata Vesting (as defined in the Agreement) of performance-based awards; (d) payments of accrued but unpaid salary and accrued but unused vacation time; (e) certain payments under the short term incentive and long term incentive plans (as more specifically discussed in the Agreement); (f) any benefits that have vested as of the termination date as a result of participation in any of the Companys benefit plans; and (g) reimbursement of certain qualified business expenses by the Company. In the event that such termination of employment occurs during a Change in Control Period (as defined in the Agreement), separate severance payments apply.

To receive the severance and benefits provided in the event of a qualifying termination, Mr. Okrie must execute a release of claims described in the Agreement.





The Agreement also includes non-competition and non-solicitation covenants by Mr. Okrie for a twelve-month period following termination of his employment with the Company for any reason.













2









Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit

No. Description 99.1 Press Release dated December 12, 2016.





3

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION By: /s/ J. Allen Berryman J. Allen Berryman, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Date: December 12, 2016





4









EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

No. Description 99.1 Press Release dated December 12, 2016.









5
Two Royal Omani Naval Ships arrived here today to conduct a bilateral naval exercise Thamar Al Tayyab with Pakistan Navy which is eighth in the series. Upon arrival at Karachi Port, the visiting ships RNOV AL SADH and RNOV AL BUSHRA were given a warm welcome by senior officials of Pakistan Navy during an impressive welcoming ceremony.

The exercise which comprises Harbour and Sea Phases, is a regular feature between Pakistan and Omani naval forces.The harbour phase is currently in progress and consists of various calls on, mutual exchange of visits to ships and table top discussions and harbour training serials as preparatory warm up for sea phase.

The visit and joint exercises are aimed at improving inter-operability for conducting combined maritime operations to ensure a stable maritime environment vital for economic stability and growth as well as ensuring peace and security in the region. It will further enhance the level of coordination and understanding between the two navies both at operational and tactical levels. These exercises will continue till 15 December.

The visit of RNO Task group is a testimony of Pak-Oman friendship and will enhance the inter-operability and cohesion between the two navies.
The visiting ships RNOV AL SADH and RNOV AL BUSHRA were warmly welcomed by senior officials of Pakistan Navy during an impressive welcoming ceremony on their arrival at Karachi Port.

According to Pakistan Navy Spokesperson, the exercise which comprises Harbour and Sea Phases, is a regular feature between Pakistan and Omani naval forces. The harbour phase is currently in progress and consists of various calls on, mutual exchange of visits to ships and table top discussions and harbour training serials as preparatory warm up for sea phase.

The Pakistan Navy Spokesperson further told that the visit and joint exercises are aimed at improving interoperability for conducting combined maritime operations to ensure a stable maritime environment vital for economic stability and growth as well as ensuring peace and security in the region.

It will further enhance the level of coordination and understanding between the two navies both at operational and tactical levels. These exercises will continue till 15 December.

The visit of RNO Task group is a testimony of Pak-Oman friendship and will enhance the inter-operability between the navies of both countries.
Iran has proposed the formation of a bloc of Muslim countries to fight terrorism and boost economic cooperation that would include its regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani told a security conference on Sunday that the two countries, along with Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan, should join hands to promote regional peace based on Islam, defending the Palestinian people, fighting terrorism and [boosting] economic interests.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are bitter rivals, and support opposite sides in the civil wars in Syria and Yemen. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in January after Iranian demonstrators stormed Saudi diplomatic facilities in protest against the execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric.

Larijani said Saudi Arabia and other nations should know that Iran is not their enemy. He said Iran was opposed to warmongering in Syria and Yemen and wanted to resolve regional conflicts through national solidarity governments resorting to democratic methods.

Iran is not after creating an empire and hegemony in the region, he said. Our viewpoint is aimed at improving unity.
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for efforts to enhance virtue and civility in Chinese families and make them "an important foundation" for national development, progress and social harmony.

People from all walks of life should work for "a new trend toward socialist family values" featuring love for the nation, family and one another, devotion to progress and kindness, and mutual growth and sharing, said Xi when meeting with attendees at a Beijing conference to honor model families across the nation.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Chinese nation has always valued the family.

"Traditional family values have been engraved on the minds and melted into the blood of the Chinese people," Xi said.

Describing them as important spiritual power supporting the Chinese nation, Xi said virtue is a precious treasure for promotion of family harmony.

Xi hoped that families would value education and their own familial culture.

Calling families as "cells of society," Xi went on, "a prosperous, strong nation, the great national rejuvenation and the happiness of the people are embodied by the happiness of tens of thousands of families and the better life of hundreds of millions of people."

Only by realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation can the dreams of families come true, Xi added, calling on households, more than 400 million of them, to integrate their love for the family with their love for the nation.

Xi said though family education had many aspects, the most important was in character building, stressing sound moral values should be passed down to children from an early age.

Efforts should be made to "guide children to develop the trait of integrity, help them cultivate beautiful minds and ensure their healthy growth, so that they can be useful to the nation and the people," Xi said.

He called on households to nurture and practise socialist core values, encouraging family members, especially the younger generation to love the Party, the motherland, the people and the Chinese nation.

"Family is not only the dwelling of people's body, but also the home of people's hearts," Xi said.

A family may thrive with a good culture while a bad culture may bring trouble to themselves and to society, Xi said.

He called on all Chinese families to promote fine family culture and sustain the good social ethos.

The president called on leading officials to take the lead in maintaining the family virtues and learning from role models such as Jiao Yulu, Gu Wenchang and Yang Shanzhou.

Leading officials and cadres at all levels should teach their children and families to be law-abiding, frugal and self-reliant, Xi said.

He urged CPC and governmental organizations to cultivate good culture among families and help families in difficulties.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also met with the participants and attended the conference.

Liu at the conference stressed the important role of family culture in the country's development, national progress and social harmony, calling for promotion of socialist core values and the understanding of Chinese dream.

Monday's conference was the first of its kind to honor model families selected nationwide. A total of 300 model families won this honor in a selection that highlights patriotism, observation of law, ethics, harmony, honesty, professional spirit, thrift and commitment to public welfare.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong read the decision to honor these model families at the conference. Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the event.
The Thousand-Buddha Hall is among the temples on Niushou Mountain, a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Niushou Mountain plays host to Buddha's mindboth his thought manifested and the cranium that warehoused his brain.

It claims to preserve the world's only parietal relics of Buddha Sakyamuni.

The other two Chinese sites said to contain the first Buddha's bodily relics are Famen Temple in Shaanxi province's capital, Xi'an, and Beijing's Lingguang Monastery.

Peaks, pagodas and temples peer through Niushou Mountain's mists. Over 30 Buddhist temples sprang up there between AD 420 and 907.

The destination in Jiangsu province's capital, Nanjing, is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhiststhe niutou sect was cultivated thereand for people who venerate voyager Zheng He. The mountain hosts the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) maritime-explorer extraordinaire's remnants, too.

Much of its history has survived.

The area opened as a resort in October 2015, following a massive infrastructure upgrade.

More than a million tourists have visited since, the resort's publicity officer He Ming says.

Flora is diverse and includes such rare manifestations as Nanjing linden and tianque tea trees.

Foding Palace spans 136,000 square meters on the mountain's western edge. The larger dome is said to resemble a kasaya, or a monk's outer vestment. It towers over a smaller dome said to resemble Buddha's hair that's perched atop a lotus platform featuring 56 cloud patterns.

Corridors are lined with copperplate and white-jade art. Mist often swirls around a reclining Buddha in the Chanjing Hall that portrays the story of Sakyamuni transforming into a Buddha.

Red, yellow and gold dominate the Thousand-Buddha Hall.

A 22-meter-high stupa symbolizing purity and solemnity stands in its center.

The resort has signed deals for five development projects that total 25 billion yuan ($3.6 billion).

So, travelers can expect a "zen town" and medical tourism soon.

It's worth wondering what Buddha would think of the destination today.
A World Trade Organization official in Geneva says China's entry to the group in December 2001 is one of the most significant economic events in modern world history, mainly because of the move's win-win outcomes in the past 15 years.

Yi Xiaozhun, deputy director-general of the WTO, made the comments in an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the expiration of China's 15-year transition period on Sunday.

"China's historic accession has made both China and the WTO stronger and more vibrant," said Yi, in a written interview with China Daily.

China maintains that under the terms of its WTO entry, it should be given market economy status with the end of the transition, a view backed by over 100 countries, including the United Kingdom.

The United States, Japan and Canada still refuse to treat China as a market economy because of outstanding anti-dumping cases, even though they had agreed to market economy recognition when China entered the WTO.

The European Union, which needs agreement among all 28 member states to recognize China's market status, is split. The EU has proposed reforming its trade defense regulations by introducing a "market distortion" concept, which China says is not in accordance with WTO practices.

Yi said China has made "deep and broad commitments" to reach this point, while accelerating major steps in liberalizing trade before entry into the WTO, citing China's reduction of most-favored-nation tariffs from 45 percent in 1992 to 15 percent in 2001. And in 2015, the average of such tariffs was reduced to 9.5 percent.

Yi also said China's trade-weighted average tariff is now as low as 4.5 percent. China also has opened up more than 100 services subsectors such as finance, insurance, legal services, telecom, distribution and courier logistics.

"On top of its trade liberalizing efforts, China overhauled some 3,000 laws and regulations at the central government level, and many more at the local level, in order to bring China's legal system into compliance with WTO standards," Yi said.

Yi said that during the previous 15 years, both China and the world have seen trade flows rise dramatically.

"For all the attention given to China's rise as an export powerhouse, commentators have focused less on the question of China's imports," he said. "This is a significant contribution to the world economy, which is too often overlooked."

"In the absence of the surge of imports into China over the last six or seven years, it's very likely the global recession would have further deepened and that Asian countries would have been more adversely affected," he said.

Furthermore, China is one of the few major developing countries that committed to granting duty-free treatment for up to 97 percent of products made by least-developed countries.

"Ever since 2008, China has become the leading export destination for poor countries, absorbing about a quarter of their total exports," Yi said.

By bringing China under its umbrella, the WTO took a huge step toward achieving its goal of universal membership and inclusiveness, he said.

"As a result of China's accession, one of the world's biggest economies is now playing by the same multilaterally agreed rule book as other major trading nations," Yi said.

"This is no small achievement, particularly in terms of strengthening global trade governance and the multilateral trading system."

China and many of its policy changes will inevitably have a huge impact on the rest of the world, he said.

"Hence, in the latest WTO Trade Policy Review on China in July this year, the WTO called upon China to assume the increased responsibility and leadership that comes with being a central player in the multilateral trading system," Yi said.

China was encouraged to ensure fair and equitable participation of State-owned enterprises in market competition, build better mechanisms for intellectual property protection and work with all members to address the problem of overcapacity, he said.

"It is essential that China continue to play an active and constructive role in the WTO so that the multilateral trading system can continue to deliver new trade reforms in the future," Yi said.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/12/2016 page1)
WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name the chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp as the country's top diplomat, NBC News reported Saturday.

Exxon chief Rex Tillerson emerged on Friday as Trump's leading candidate for US secretary of state and met with him Saturday morning, a transition official told Reuters.

The transition official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tillerson, 64, had moved ahead in Trump's deliberations over 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who has met Trump twice, including at a dinner in New York.

As Exxon's CEO, Tillerson oversees operations in more than 50 countries, including Russia.

In 2011, Exxon Mobil signed a deal with Rosneft, Russia's largest state-owned oil company, for joint oil exploration and production. Since then, the companies have formed 10 joint ventures for projects in Russia.

NBC News cited two sources close to the transition team in reporting that Tillerson will be named as secretary of state.

Trump's campaign was not immediately able to confirm the selection.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi (foreground, right) held talks with Michael Moller, director-general of the United Nations Office in Geneva on Sunday. [Photo by Fu Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Switzerland-based international organizations on Sunday and pledged that China will actively enhance cooperation with them to further uphold multilateralism amid a complicating global situation.

Wang stressed the commitments during talks with Michael Moller, director-general of the United Nations Office in Geneva; Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization; and Thomas Bach, president of the Lausanne-based International Olympics Committee.

On Monday, Wang is scheduled to meet Swiss leaders; it was announced last Wednesday that Doris Leuthard will take over the one-year presidency of the Swiss Confederation from Johann N. Schneider-Ammann starting in January. Both of them visited China in 2016.

"Against the backdrop that the global situation is continuously becoming complicated, the role of the United Nations can be only strengthened instead of being weakened," said Wang, when meeting Moller.

Wang said China has attached great importance to cooperation with the UN, and such a stance will be further beefed up.

"China is a strong supporter of multilateralism and activities of the United Nations," he added.

Wang said Geneva was where China made its global debut, referring to premier Zhou Enlai leading a delegation to the Geneva Conference in April 1954.

"The UN office in Geneva has played an important role in helping China in opening-up and reform drives and its development, and China has contributed to global peace and development through the UN in Geneva," Wang said.

Moller agreed with Wang, saying multilateralism and international cooperation are the solutions to the worsening conflicts and disputes worldwide.

"The UN has also attached great importance to China's role and influences in dealing with international affairs," Moller said. "And we hope to strengthen cooperation with China."
Im starting to get the idea that for the next eight or so years, a lot of what many of us are going to write will have something to do with what Donald Trump tweeted. Granted, since that has been the case for much of the last year, we have gotten comfortable with it.

However, when Trump said he would kill the deal for an updated Air Force One  which would cost billions and still be based on the now-obsolete 747  it hit me that weve completely lost track of what Air Force One should be. It should be a physical representation of the United States capability as it exists today  not a homage to the Ronald Reagan White House, which first introduced the 747 as the plane of presidents.

Ill share my thoughts on why the next Air Force One should showcase innovation, agility and technology, rather than how the U.S. cant spend taxpayer money wisely, and how incredibly long it takes the U.S. bureaucracy to get anything done. Ill close with my product of the week, the Lenovo Book, which is likely the most innovative laptop in the world. Its an innovation showcase itself and breaks the mold on notebook design.

Air Force One

Air Force One today is a bit of a disappointment. Donald Trumps own plane is more distinctive, more advanced, more efficient, and likely far more comfortable to fly in. Its newer, so it likely is also a better representation of what the U.S. can do than the official presidential plane.

The plane is hardened against nuclear attack  something very likely in Reagans time but not at all very likely now  but it is not hardened well against cyberattack. Given that it uses really old tech, that currently may not be a huge problem.

When it was created, it needed to defend against a variety of state-based attacks, because small groups couldnt afford jet fighters or good ground-to-air missiles. Now it needs to defend against weaponized drones and lots of relatively current generation U.S. ordnance that has found its way into the hands of relatively small and independent anti-U.S. Organizations, thanks to the mess the Middle East has become.

Back in Reagans time, there was a relatively low likelihood that an airport rapidly could fall to a hostile mob, blocking and holding a plane and its occupants hostage. Now, with social media, huge numbers of people can be mobilized very quickly, both domestically and abroad. The president-elect has a tendency to offend large numbers of people, suddenly making such an event almost certain. This means the plane needs capabilities like vertical take-off and landing, so it can get out of Dodge even if the runway is compromised.

Add this up, and the result is that a big, slow-moving, largely obsolete plane would seem to be the last kind of plane youd want to give a current-generation president. The 747 was advanced in the 1960s, and the new plane is expected to remain in service till the 2050s. Can you imagine even flying yourself in a plane with technology 90 years old, let alone putting the most powerful leader in the world in one?

What Air Force One Should Be

Air Force One should be a symbol of U.S. capability. Rather than lagging the U.S. aerospace industry by more than 50 years, it should lead it  or at least be up to date. In effect, it is the flying brand for the company, and it currently cant even drop off the president without help, which China showcased by embarrassing President Obama a few weeks back.

It should be designed to protect the president from todays threats, not the threats of the cold war. It needs to be fast, agile, and better able to elude attacks than anything conceived 50 years ago. It needs to be a showcase for U.S. technology that helps sell the idea of buying from the U.S. In other words, rather than using a largely obsolete airframe, it should use one that a U.S. plane builder would be proud to sell  more a flagship product and less an obsolete one.

Aerospace companies should compete to build the plane, and at least create the possibility of someone providing it for free or below cost just for the related publicity, rather than running up massive bills retrofitting an ancient design. Wouldnt it be great if companies like SpaceX were bidding for the new plane rather than just Boeing and Airbus? (And why would we even consider a European company to build the presidents plane?)

Specs for a 2025 Air Force One

Given how rapidly technology is changing, the plan to a design that is 50 years old, take more than a decade to build the plane, and then keep the design in place for 25 years is just insane. We should start with military specification that is designed to deploy in 2025 and expected to have a service life of something closer to a decade.

The world is changing too quickly, and the loss of a president would be so disruptive we should place protecting against it as a vastly higher priority than we clearly do. (I still cant get over putting the leader of the free world in a plane that was designed in the 1960s). So, the plane not only should start out being more current  so it is designed to defend against the threats we will have in 2025 rather than the threats we had in the 1970s  but also should be replaced more aggressively.

It should be able to take off and land vertically in an emergency, so it would be harder to capture. It should be transonic so it would be harder to catch and shoot down. That would allow it to land at places that would be harder to anticipate and be able to take off if the airfield were compromised.

It should be a showcase for military technology that speaks to the need to put forces quickly anywhere in the world. For instance, if there were another Benghazi, a plane like that could get a defensive force to an embassy in minutes rather than days.

Wrapping Up: A Showcase for the US

In the end, I agree that the current plan for Air Force One is stupid. The plane was outdated last century, and it doesnt address the threats and needs of today  let alone the ones in 2025, when it will be deployed. Also, its expense is insane.

Instead, it should be a forward-looking design that is a showcase for U.S. technology (which could help drive U.S. plane sales). It should be based on a military plane designed for current threats  not a vulnerable civilian design.

In short, the next time a foreign government decides not to provide a stairway for the plane, it would be incredibly cool for its officials to be left standing while the plane flew right to the venue and dropped off the president at the front door.

I was trying to think of a tech product that would go with this column, something that was forward-looking, something that rethought an aging design, and something representative of what the leader of the free world might be proud to carry. What came to mind was the Lenovo Yoga Book.

Lenovo Yoga Book

This 2-in-1 computer represents more of what I think the iPad Pro should have been, in that it morphs from notebook to tablet form factor more elegantly. It has a tablet size and weight, and it has a tablet battery life, but it still runs a full desktop operating system rather than a mobile phone OS.

It anticipates the ARM-based Windows products next year, so it is forward-looking rather than based on designs of the past. It has what is basically a large touchpad for a keyboard, coupled with a touchscreen, so it is perfect for the Windows 10 Creators Update, because it is perfect for those who like to draw. In fact, people who like to draw rave about this thing because you can use a stylus on the keyboard and see the result unobstructed on the screen in real time (check out this video).

My mother was an artist, and were she still alive, she would have loved this thing (the art gene didnt pass to me, unfortunately). I should point out that this product seems to work best with those who grew up with smartphones and screen keyboards. It takes us older folks a bit longer to get used to keys that dont move.

At US$550 for Windows, it doesnt break the bank, and the product is gorgeous with the signature Lenovo watch band hinge. (There is an Android version, but that really doesnt make much sense for a notebook configuration, given that Google likes Chrome for notebooks.)

Because this thing is sexy, thin, light, has great battery life, and represents more of the future of notebooks than the past  and also because my mother would have loved this for Christmas  the Lenovo Yoga Book is my product of the week.
A Shanghai teacher explains math to a class of UK children. [Photo by Wang Mingjie/China Daily]

British education officials expect about half of the Englands primary schools will benefit from the Shanghai Mastery model of teaching and learning math, following the successful start of the program.

Exchanges began more than two years ago and the third batch of the visits recently involved around 30 math teachers from Shanghai being in the UK for two weeks to share their Chinese-style teaching methods at 35 English primary schools.

In July, the UK government rolled out its interest in Chinese-style math teaching, providing 41 million pounds ($54.2 million) so it can be taught at more than 8,000 institutions in England.

Clare Fowler, director of math education policy at the UK Education Department, said math teaching has been greatly improved. The exchanges began in September 2014 when 71 British math teachers went to Shanghai to check out high-performing schools. Between November 2014 and March 2015, more than 120 teachers from China have taught at more than 200 UK schools, spreading their ideas among 1,000 UK teachers.

"We are developing a deep understanding of the teaching of mathematics in China and what makes it so effective," said Debbie Morgan, director for primary schools at the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics. "This deep understanding is important if we are going to adopt the strategies in an attempt to improve mathematics teaching in England."

In November, an independent study by the University of Oxford said students taught traditional Asian "mastery" methods do "significantly better.

But the benefit has not trickled through yet in international rankings and some experts have said the methods must be introduced at a much earlier age.

The newly released OECD's program for international student assessment (Pisa) rankings found 15- and 16-year-olds in England were ranked 27th worldwide.

And Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study ranks primary students 10th and secondary students in 11th.

In response to the poor showings in the rankings, the UK's School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: "The new more demanding primary math curriculum began to be taught in schools from September 2014, and we expect future TIMSS surveys to reflect further progress."

Morgan echoed the minister's view, saying there is no quick fix and "almost all of our work in the last two years in relation to Shanghai methods of teaching math has been with primary age (5-11) children".
Electric vehicle startup Faraday Future has published yet another teaser clip, this time showing its first production vehicle lining up for a drag race against what appears to be a Ferrari 488 Italia, a Bentley Bentayga and a Tesla Model X.

In typical Faraday Future teaser fashion, its vehicle is heavily cloaked in covers designed to hide its appearance. What's more, the 17-second clip doesn't show a proper race but rather, snippets from the vehicles' launch off the line.

Even still, it provides some subtle insight into what we can expect come CES next month.

By lining up against luxury vehicles that aren't exactly slow, Faraday Future is clearly trying to convey that its vehicle is at least quick to accelerate. Given its electric powerplant, that's all but expected as all torque in such a setup is available at will. Whether or not the Faraday Future crossed the quarter-mile (or eighth-mile?) line before any of its perceived competition, however, isn't known.

Faraday Future no doubt put some thought into selecting the other vehicles in the clip. By that, I mean the company is likely hoping to give off the impression that its first production ride falls into the luxury category. Translation - it probably won't come cheap. The Guardian reported earlier this year that it could cost upwards of $150,000.

Video aside, Faraday Future has reportedly been going through some serious financial issues. With any luck, matters won't keep the company from unveiling their production vehicle in early January.
Not long back we discussed how you can access the dark alleys of the internet through Tor, but we largely left off on the part about keeping yourself safe. The subject is more relevant than ever with Congress recently passing an amendment to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, allowing law enforcement to target users of encryption, VPNs, Tor etc. for hacking and surveillance.

Of course, for every criminal using these technologies to temporarily shield themselves from justice, there's a law-abiding journalist communicating with a crucial source. Given the new legislation, privacy advocates who plan to continue using encryption and anonymization software ought to double-down on their security.

Here's a brief overview of tips and services for keeping yourself safe while surfing the seedy underbelly of the web. And given the same principles apply, these recommendations can also serve as a general guide to anonymizing yourself in the normal (a.k.a. surface) web, too.

Get off your personal computer

Starting from the top, if you're serious about the security of whatever it is you're doing on the dark web, it's worth running an entirely separate environment from your main computer and internet connection (we'll get to the second one shortly).

You have two main choices for changing your operating system environment: a virtual machine or a Linux 'Live CD'. The former is convenient because you can run a virtualized OS inside your primary active OS without changing hardware or rebooting (just download virtualization software and an ISO), while the latter is perhaps more attractive for its portability.

Installing a Linux distro on a bootable USB drive will let you plug it into any computer you come across to load up your custom environment and your session is stored in the machine's random access memory which gets dumped when rebooted. You can save content to the USB drive and you could always carry a laptop instead of seeking out random PCs.

Creating a bootable thumb drive is as simple as downloading the ISO of your preferred flavor of Linux (Tails, Kali or Mint are good choices for this project) and using a utility such as Rufus to install it on a USB drive that's plugged in. Linux GUIs have improved to the point where you may get away without opening the terminal, but in the event that you must, here's a beginner's guide to the Linux command line.

Don't connect from your internet address

This is what Tor, VPNs and other such proxies are meant to aid with, but depending on your level of paranoia, you may want to make your initial connection from a public Wi-Fi network or consider investing in a pay-as-you-go burner device with mobile data access and a swappable SIM. Here are the FTC's own tips on safely using public Wi-Fi.

Layering your location by starting at a random Wi-Fi hotspot and then connecting to a VPN before loading Tor will greatly increase your odds of anonymity.

Relying on Tor alone may be a gamble given the efforts to deanonymize its users and the fact that some of its exit nodes are presumed to be compromised, which is why it should only be one tool in your toolbox. Using Tor correctly could make or break your success at anonymity so consider reading a full rundown on how it works if you aren't familiar.

Once on the dark net, you would defeat the purpose of all this proxying by logging into your usual accounts. It's wise to use random throwaway names and to store the credentials locally with KeePass instead of an online account manager that could be more easily compromised, at which point your all your throwaways might become a lot less random.

*Tip: Don't blindly click links. Hover over them and check the status bar at the bottom of your browser to see where you're going.

Encrypt your storage

Operating systems including most Linux distros and even Windows have native drive encryption at this point and if you're not using that then check out VeraCrypt, a fork of TrueCrypt that has become the defacto open-source encryption software for securing drives and partitions, such as the USB drive containing your live Linux install or the directory where you keep your virtual machine.

It goes without saying that storing your data locally on encrypted drives is infinitely safer than uploading it to the cloud, but it should also be mentioned that there are security-conscious file hosts:

Mega: 50GB free and paid options starting at ~$5/mo

Tresorit: A more secure Dropbox, 1TB for $30/mo

ExpireBox: Unencrypted but supports files up to 150MB and auto-deletes them after two days

Use private search engines

If you're coming from Google, StartPage might be the best alternative as it fetches Google's results but interacts with the company's servers without logging your IP address or downloading tracking cookies. Conveniently, StartPage provides a proxy link next to each search result, which not only improves your anonymity but also helps avoid some of the captchas you'll run into on Tor.

Although it lacks an integrated proxy service, DuckDuckGo's privacy policy is on par with StartPage's and it offers a shorthand called 'bangs' to search different engines (!google YOUR QUERY for instance will provide Google results -- there are thousands of bangs).

Searx.me also deserves to be mentioned for its features including integrated proxy and cache links next to your results as well as tabbed searches for files, maps, videos, social media and more.

Communicate securely

The EFF offers a great starting point for brushing up on the subject of communicating with others securely, which includes an intro to PGP and a guide on setting it up. If you'd rather not jump through those hoops, there are communication platforms with firm privacy policies, integrated encryption and features that resemble familiar services:

Email

ProtonMail: Free accounts get 500MB of storage, plans start at 4/mo for 5GB, a custom domain and five aliases.

Tutanota: Free users get 1GB of storage, 1/mo opens custom domains and aliases, 2/mo expands to 10GB storage.

StartMail: Free seven-day trial, plans start at $59.95/yr ($4.99/mo) for 10GB of storage and 10 aliases w/ unlimited disposable aliases.

Image credit: Ricky Montalvo on flickr

IM

RetroShare: Software akin to Skype except it's decentralized and encrypted. Features include file-sharing, multi-user chat and video calls.

Jitsi: Rivals RetroShare in functionality but uses Off-the-Record (OTR) for encryption and touts extras such as support for IRC, MSN etc.

Pidgin+OTR: A cleaner, more conventional multi-protocol IM client with support for OTR, but you'll have to download and install the plugin.

Signal: Open Whisper System's solution for encrypted texting/VoIP and self-timed expiring messages on Android/iOS/Chrome app for PC.

Confide: Self-deleting text/voice messages, pics and docs with support for multiple recipients, end-to-end encryption and screenshot protection.

Lockify: A Chrome app to create expiring messages that can be sent via link or QR code. The recipient verifies their identity by your chosen method.

As we said in our Dark Web 101 article, there's no such thing as being 100% anonymous or secure and your biggest shortcoming is going to be human error, but you can still make it more difficult to track your identity by taking advantage of a few free services.
AMD is using its compute prowess to tackle the next big thing in the server market: machine learning and artificial intelligence. At its Tech Summit 2016 in California last week, the company announced a new machine intelligence initiative known as Radeon Instinct, which gives server designers and developers a compelling set of infrastructure to tackle machine learning.

Radeon Instinct encompasses both hardware and software aspects to deliver a full machine intelligence platform. AMD hopes that industries such as financial services, life sciences, and the cloud - which are all quickly moving to machine learning solutions and infrastructure - will choose Radeon Instinct for their compute requirements.

On the hardware front, AMD has developed a set of GPU accelerators for server farms geared specifically for machine intelligence workloads. The three Radeon Instinct Accelerators set to be available in the first half of 2017 use three generations of AMD GPU architectures, including Vega, which is set to be available in consumer oriented cards in a similar time frame.

MI6 is the most basic of the three, and uses a Polaris GPU with 5.7 TFLOPs of compute performance along with 16GB of memory. MI8 steps up to a Fiji GPU with 8.2 TFLOPs of performance, and includes 4GB of HBM in a small form factor card similar to the Radeon R9 Nano.

MI25 is the most interesting of the three accelerators as it uses Vega with AMD's next-generation compute units (AMD calls this NCU, although it's unclear whether the N actually stands for next-gen). AMD is keeping tight-lipped about the specifications of this accelerator, although judging by how they have named the card, MI25 will pack a huge 25 TFLOPs of FP16 compute in a sub-300W power envelope.

AMD lists these three accelerators as "passively cooled", although in reality they'll be slotted into servers with powerful (though external to the card) active cooling.

One of the most intriguing things announced by AMD was the combination of Radeon Instinct Accelerators with the upcoming Zen 'Naples' platform. With Naples, server designers will be able to pair many accelerators (in some cases up to 16) with a single CPU. Previous solutions required multi-socket CPU implementations and even PCIe expanders to achieve this functionality, but with Naples, GPU-heavy servers will be possible at a lower cost and footprint than before.

AMD showed off a number of server systems that will be possible thanks to Radeon Instinct. The most compelling was the Falconwitch with Radeon Instinct, a single unit with 16 MI25 accelerators inside, providing 400 teraflops of GPU compute. Using multiple units of this kind, Inventec will release a solution that produces 3 petaflops in a single rack.

The Radeon Instinct platform will utilize several of AMD's compute software initiatives, including ROCm (Radeon Open Compute), which is their already-announced open-source compute platform. What was freshly announced at the Tech Summit 2016 is ROCm optimizations for popular deep learning frameworks, including Caffe, Torch 7, and Tensorflow.

AMD has extended their deep learning software platform with MIOpen, a new open-source deep learning library from AMD crafted specifically to improve machine intelligence performance on Radeon Instinct accelerators. MIOpen provides highly optimized support for common deep learning routines, and is a key pillar of Radeon Instinct.

Using MIOpen, AMD achieved a near-3x improvement in deep learning convolution performance compared to a GEMM-based implementation. With just a few weeks of engineering, AMD also managed to narrowly beat the Titan XP in DeepBench using MIOpen and their MI8 accelerator.

The MIOpen library will be available in Q1 2017, while Radeon Instinct Accelerators will launch in the first half of 2017. Server platforms from partners should be available shortly thereafter, giving those in the machine intelligence market a compelling server hardware and software platform for the rapidly-expanding deep learning market.
Starbucks is reportedly gearing up to roll out a new personalized rewards program, designed to give customers better incentives based on their preferences.

The popular coffee chain aims to boost its incentives by offering customers what they want, based on what Starbucks already knows about them. With the personalized rewards program, each customer will get unique Starbucks offers via email and the Starbucks app, taking Starbucks Rewards to the next level.

Starbucks Personalized Rewards

Many Starbucks customers have their own coffee-related habits, frequently hitting a coffee shop around the same time each day and ordering the same thing over and over. If they use the app, Starbucks knows what its customers get and when they get it.

With that information, Starbucks can determine what each customer likes most and when they typically buy it so it can anticipate and offer rewards accordingly.

"Starbucks has delivered personalized offers to customers directly on the front screen of the mobile app," Starbucks said earlier this week, detailing its five-year growth plan.

"By early 2017, the company expects to complete the rollout of suggested selling and recommendations (suggesting items for pairing or additions to a customer's order) during Mobile Order and Pay checkout, which the company believes will further fuel engagement and growth."

Food At Starbucks

Moreover, starting early next year, the Starbucks app will reportedly prompt customers to add food items to their orders, Starbucks chief technology officer Gerri Martin-Flickinger tells Business Insider.

To further sweeten the deal, Starbucks may also offer extra reward points when buying pastry items. The company also plans to expand its food offerings to include more options.

Using Customer Data For Personalized Rewards

The Starbucks app collects a good amount of data each time customers use it. Starbucks basically knows how often customers visit Starbucks, what time of day they prefer, and where they live.

Leveraging customers' account information, listed preferences, purchase history and even local weather, Starbucks can improve its rewards program by offering what customers are most likely to want. On a hot day, for instance, Starbucks could tailor its rewards to offer your favorite frappuccino.

The new personalized rewards program started rolling out a couple of weeks ago on mobile and it's reportedly proving successful already, prompting customers to visit Starbucks more frequently and spend more.

These personalized incentives will expand beyond the mobile Starbucks app. The company aims to offer this personalized experience on all screens in the future, which could mean anything from a smartwatch display to a drive-thru window.

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Two decades ago, cloning Dolly the sheep in Scotland was a success. However, gene expression in developing clones is abetting heavy failure, according to a new study.

In Dolly's cloning, "somatic cell nuclear transfer" was used wherein a nucleus of an adult cell is transferred to an egg that is unfertilized with its nucleus removed. The cell growth starts after administering it with an electric shock.

This is followed by embryo transfer to mothers who carry the clones to birth. Despite being an important technology, the success rate of cloning in cows has been less than 10 percent.

The bulk of the losses came from embryonic death stemming from failed implantation or a defective placenta, notes the study.

RNA Sequencing Highlights Problems

The study, published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences makes an effort to address the fundamental questions in cloning failure.

Researchers led by Harris Lewin, a professor at the University of California's Department of Evolution and Ecology and French colleagues resorted to RNA sequencing to unlock the gene expression in cloned cows during implantation.

This was to get a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the higher rate of failed pregnancy.

Olivier Sandra, the team leader for the study from the French organization the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, said their study offers insights on implantation that drive the progression of pregnancy.

Abnormal Gene Expression

RNA sequencing by researchers revealed that abnormal expression of multiple genes was at the root of the high death rate for embryos cloned. Others factors were botched implantation in the uterus and aborted development of the normal placenta.

The results reiterated that large losses of cloned cows before implantation are borne by problems with critical developmental genes in the extraembryonic tissue.

Since the study was analyzing the extraembryonic tissue of the cloned cows for anomalous expression of more than 5,000 genes, the researchers wanted to show the specifics by comparing their data with the global database of Mouse Genomic Informatics Knockout database.

After comparing with MGI, they documented 123 genes as having a functional annotation of abnormal extraembryonic tissue morphology, 121 with the damage of embryonic lethality and 14 genes having disorders relating to abnormal embryo implantation.

MGI as a global database offers integrated genomic and genetic data for reference. It is a well-known tool for analyzing genes, phenotypes, mutant alleles, gene expression and the recombinase.

Other points of failure include asymmetric hormonal signaling between the cloned embryo and the pregnant cow.

First Cloned Cow Gives Birth

Meanwhile, Eve  the first cow in the world to be created by using handmade cloning technology  has given birth to another calf.

Scientist Simon Walton who created Eve said her successful pregnancy has scotched concerns that cloned animals were like Frankenstein. She had her own natural bull calf in August 2015.

He said Eve was naturally joined with a bull when she was 21 months of age. She became pregnant on her very first cycle and fertility went unimpaired. He said the calf is a cracking bull calf as she seemed to have passed on her elite genetics.

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President-elect Donald Trump will be meeting with top executives in the technology industry on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Trump Tower in New York City.

The tech summit is an important one for the incoming United States president, as most leaders in the industry were vocally against Trump's campaign.

Trump Meeting With Top Tech Execs

The invitations to the top tech executives were sent out last week, and big names in the industry have stated their intention to take part in the meeting.

Among the leaders who have said that they will attend the tech summit are Apple CEO Tim Cook, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, CNN reported, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Other attendees include Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins and Oracle co-CEO Safra Catz, along with IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, who has been tapped to be a part of the newly established policy forum of Trump.

Prominent names in the tech industry who have so far not confirmed their attendance include Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose social media platform was heavily used by Trump to gather support for his run to the White House. Another name to watch for is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and also the owner of the Washington Post, a publication that provided scathing coverage against Trump's campaign.

Bezos, however, is said to likely attend the event, according to Recode's sources.

What Will Happen At Trump's Tech Summit?

"I plan to tell the President-elect that we are with him and are here to help in any way we can," Catz said, adding that the technology industry of the United States has a chance at becoming stronger and more competitive if Trump is able to push through with his promises of a reformation of the tax code, a reduction in regulation, and negotiations for better trade deals.

If Bezos would attend, however, the atmosphere would be awkward, to say the least. The Washington Post was very aggressive in its coverage of Trump, with Trump also having previously attacked Amazon on several issues.

Cook's presence adds upon the situation, as Trump has previously called out Apple on taxes and the company's business model of manufacturing its products outside the United States. Trump, however, has since offered Cook incentives for Apple to bring its manufacturing processes into the country.

The agenda of the tech summit, however, is still unknown. Perhaps the event would serve as the venue for Trump to clear the air with leaders in the tech industry, especially over prominent issues such as net neutrality and immigration.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Staff at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System left the lifeless body of a deceased veteran in a shower room for nine hours after the veteran passed away. Hospital investigation also revealed that staff members then attempted to cover up the mistake.

Failure To Follow Proper Procedures

Internal investigations have concluded that the staff failed to give the appropriate post-mortem care to the body of the veteran by failing to follow proper pickup procedures and leaving the body unattended for a long time, which increased the likelihood of decomposition.

The veteran, who died in February earlier this year, stayed at the hospice unit of the center in Florida. The hospital's Administrative Investigation Board reported that some of the hospice care staff violated the policies of the hospital and Veterans Affairs. The incident prompted an order for retraining and changes in procedures.

Somebody working in the hospice unit was also found to have falsely documented post-mortem care although it was not determined if the false documentation was intentionally made.

Hospital Action For Erring Hospice Staff Members

Hospital spokesperson Jason Dangel said that the hospital views the findings as unacceptable and has already taken the appropriate personnel action. He declined to expound, though, if the erring workers were disciplined or fired citing confidentiality rules.

"Our expectation that each veteran is transported to their final resting place in the timely, respectful and honorable manner," Dangel said.

Findings Of The Investigation

The investigation found that after the veteran's death, hospice staff members asked a "transporter" to move the body to the morgue, but the transporter instructed them to inform the dispatchers. The request, however, was never made, and nobody arrived to get and move the body away.

The staff members eventually moved the body to the shower room where it was left for over nine hours.

Healthcare Problems In VA Centers

The investigative report added that some of the hospice staff showed a lack of concern, respect, and attention for the unnamed veteran, which unfortunately, is not an isolated issue. Several VA centers have recently been hounded by healthcare issues.

Earlier this month, four employees at a veterans facility in Oklahoma decided to resign or face risk of being terminated from their jobs after maggots were found in the wound of one of the center's resident.

A dentist working at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center also possibly exposed nearly 600 veterans to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C because of his failure to follow standard infection control procedures.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 are already among the most hotly anticipated smartphones of 2017 and foldable screens could make them worth the wait.

Following the disastrous Galaxy Note 7 release this year, which ended up with two recalls and a kill switch to permanently disable it, Samsung has some serious catching up to do and it needs to come up with something big for its next flagship smartphones.

The Galaxy Note line has traditionally sported top-notch specifications that kept Samsung ahead of the curve, but after the Note 7 fiasco the 2017 Galaxy Note 8 needs to be a smashing hit.

On that note, Samsung is apparently looking to take more chances when it comes to design, and it's reportedly planning to release the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8 with foldable screens.

Samsung Galaxy S8 And Note 8 Flexible Displays

Based on the latest rumors, Samsung is planning a "two-track strategy" for its 2017 flagships, experimenting with two-screen and bendable display models.

"Samsung Electronics is developing two types of foldable smartphones that are totally different from each other, and this development will be part of its 'two-track strategy,'" Korean site ET News reports. "Samsung Electronics is developing a 'dual-screen' smartphone that uses a flat display on each side and a foldable smartphone that bends a single flexible OLED display."

According to the publication, Samsung will likely release the dual-screen model first and assess market reactions, then release the foldable screen model. The report further details that one model will have a rectangular design and feature a flexible, foldable OLED display, while the second model will look more like a tablet that can bend in half at the middle and deliver a phone-like experience, with screens on both its front and back.

Samsung already patented flexible, foldable screens, so reports that it would introduce the technology in 2017 smartphones don't seem too farfetched.

Nevertheless, should this materialize next year in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8, it will mark a radical redesign for both series.

Aside from the foldable screens, Samsung is also rumored to prepare some other big changes for its next-generation flagships, such as ditching the headphone jack and physical home button, adding 4K resolutions and more.

No Physical Home Button

Earlier rumors have indicated that the Samsung Galaxy S8 home button will be virtual rather than physical, allowing for a nearly bezel-less, all-screen smartphone. Samsung is expected to ditch the physical home button for the Galaxy Note 8 as well, similarly replacing it with a touch-sensitive virtual button.

Dual Cameras, Snapdragon 835 Processors

When it comes to dual-lens cameras for the next-generation Samsung Galaxy flagships, reports have been contradictory so far. While some expect both the Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8 to sport dual rear cameras, others report that Samsung has abandoned such plans because it would lead to far higher manufacturing costs. On this note, it remains to be seen whether dual cameras will grace either flagship.

In terms of processing power, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 are both expected to rock the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with a minimum 4 GB of RAM, potentially with higher-end 6 GB of RAM versions as well.

Samsung typically releases two versions of its flagships, one powered by Qualcomm processors and the other packed with in-house Exynos chips. In 2017, the Qualcomm versions of the smartphones will pack the Snapdragon 835, while the others should feature Exynos 8895 processors.

No Headphone Jack

Recent rumors also indicate that Samsung might pull a page out of Apple's playbook and remove the headphone jack from its upcoming flagships, just like Apple did with its iPhone 7 line. If this holds true, Samsung will likely rely on USB Type-C technology for audio playback on its Galaxy S8 and Note 8.

4K Display Smartphone

Samsung might also introduce 4K resolution displays with either the Galaxy S8 or the Galaxy Note 8 next year, which would grant it a notable edge against rivals that are still at 2K (QHD) or lower resolutions.

On the other hand, some have argued that even 2K is a bit of an overkill for a smartphone screen and it would drain the battery too quickly. Sony already unveiled a 4K smartphone last year with its Xperia Z5 Premium, but the handset still shows most content in 1080p to preserve battery life.

AI Assistant

Samsung is reportedly planning to roll out its own artificial intelligence-powered assistant as well, likely aiming to compete against Apple's Siri and Google Assistant. The Samsung Galaxy S8 could have a dedicated AI button on the side of the handset, allowing users to quickly summon the assistant. The dedicated button is reportedly in testing, so it might not make it to the final design.

Samsung has yet to confirm any plans and hardware specs for its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 smartphones, however, so it's advisable to take all leaks and rumors with a dose of skepticism at this point. Both handsets are still months away from their release and a lot could change in the meantime, so it's best to treat rumors accordingly.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HTC 11 May Feature The Latest Snapdragon Processor And 8 GB RAM | TechTree.com

It looks like a couple of pictures of a new smartphone by HTC, dubbed as the HTC 11, have recently leaked on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The images reveal a couple of features of the new and upcoming smartphone by HTC.

Accordingly, the smartphone is expected to sport a 5.5 inch QHD display screen, which means that the smartphone will be coming a bigger and better screen when compared to the 5.2 inch FHD panel that we recently saw on the HTC 10.

Also, a recent report published on The Indian Express states that the smartphone is expected to come with the latest Snapdragon 835 processor that was announced by Qualcomm last month.

Along with this, the HTC 11 is being touted as the worlds first smartphone to feature an 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory, states the same report on The Indian Express. However, if you have kept yourself active recently in the technology industry, you may be familiar about a couple of other tech companies touting the same with various other smartphones.

Apparently, if you observe the image that was leaked on Weibo, you can see that the smartphone features a dual camera setup on the back, which is pretty much common nowadays. The setup seems to come with two 12 MP sensors. Also, the smartphone is expected with an 8 MP front facing camera.

The report also states that the HTC 11 may come with a 3,700 man battery which is again bigger and better than the 3,000 mAh battery found on HTC 10. It is also expected to come with Qualcomm Quick Charging 4.0 technology.

Having said this, we may have to wait for the exact details until the company makes an official announcement, probably in first half of 2017.

TAGS: HTC
Mrs Sun arrived in the UK five years ago from China to look for work without a word of English. The language barrier meant everyday tasks, such as paying bills or arranging a doctor's appointment, were stressful.

An anonymous Chinese-born man had a gambling problem that put him in so much debt he considered declaring bankruptcy. He didn't know where to turn for help with his problems.

Thanks to the Chinese Lantern Project, both got the help they needed.

The lottery-funded initiative is a free helpline set up by the Bristol and Avon Chinese Women's Group to assist members of the Chinese community in Southwest England.

"The project is a big help for me," said Sun. "While I'm with the doctor, I can call the helpline for translation. It makes my life much easier."

Helpline workers also put the anonymous man on the right track so he could get help with his problems.

Lin Voong, acting helpline coordinator, said: "My grandmother used to struggle with the language and I acted as her translator. I've seen and understood the struggles people have with the communication barrier, especially the elderly."

She said many Chinese community groups have closed because of funding cuts and the project helps to fill the gaps.

The next step is to identify isolated and forgotten members of the Chinese community.

"We went down to Bridgewater, Taunton and Bath and when we go to these locations, the Chinese there are so happy to see us and find we can actually help them," said Voong.

Many feel isolated and abandoned and do not know how to access public services.

"We want to go to remote and difficult-to-reach areas and, hopefully, we will be able to get funding and set up a hub for these people."

Callers can get help on a range of issues, including housing, benefits and law.

The project was set up in 2014 with 386,000 pounds from the Big Lottery Fund to last for five years. Bristol and Avon Chinese Women's Group director Rosa Hui said: "Very often the callers just want someone to listen to them, they want someone to show them the way, rather than physically being there to hold their hand."
By Wendy Lee, San Francisco Chronicle



In the 18 years since Google was born in a garage, Mountain View has ridden a wave of unprecedented job growth. But alongside the boom has come a slew of other issues familiar across the Bay Area: soaring rents, snarled traffic and people living in vehicles because they cant afford apartments.



Google is starting to address the crisis head-on. Its parent company, Alphabet, which employs more than 20,000 people in a city of 80,000, has proposed building 330 units of housing not far from its headquarters.



Its the first time Google has filed paperwork with the city to build housing  and a sign of just how acute the problem has become for technology companies, which are generating jobs much faster than their communities are building homes.



Its kind of a new thing in our area, Mountain View Mayor Pat Showalter said of Googles project, which includes office space as well as housing. The Bay Area, she added, has under-built for decades.



Googles plan, which the Mountain View City Council is likely to take up in 2017 or 2018, is part of a renewed push across Silicon Valley to address a problem that become one of the most serious threats to the tech industrys growth. Facebook has also announced plans to develop 1,500 units of housing on its property in Menlo Park, and it is donating $20 million to a community partnership that would support affordable housing and providing tenants rights services to the community.



The new units address only fractions of the need.



The fact that companies that design software and build algorithms for a living are having to build housing is really an indicator of the failure of our traditional housing supply model, said Matt Regan, senior vice president of government relations for the Bay Area Council.



After years of foot-dragging, cities are also showing a change in attitude, as they take modest steps that will make it easier for developers to build more housing. In Palo Alto, city officials recently discussed whether to change a rule that limits the height of buildings to 50 feet. Last month, Menlo Park changed its zoning rules to allow for more dense housing in an area of the city. In Mountain View, which added 17,921 jobs between 2012 and 2015 while adding just 779 new housing units, the City Council voted last week to clear two projects to go through the citys planning process: a few dozen condominiums and a 470-unit luxury apartment complex.



Governments are starting to realize that they have to stand up and start approving more housing, Regan said. But even with the new push, cities and companies are only building a small portion of whats necessary, he said.



Googles proposal would build 330 housing units on its property, in an area that once housed semiconductor companies using hazardous materials. It would prioritize housing for people working in the city and would not be limited to Google employees.



Partly because of zoning considerations, which need to be reconciled with the citys growth plans, Mountain Views City Council did not advance Googles project even as it moved the condos and luxury apartments forward in the planning process. But the mayor and several council members seem supportive, and assuming Google remains keen, the project is likely to come before them again.



If our goal is to reduce (traffic), it would make sense to prioritize housing for folks that are working in the area, Ryan Trinidade, a project executive with Google, told the council Tuesday. Googles proposal would fit well with the citys goals, he said.



Facebooks project, which is still in the early planning stages, would add 1,500 housing units on its Menlo Park property, even as the company expands its headquarters to accommodate more workers. Fifteen percent of the units would be designated as affordable housing  an issue that Facebooks $20 million donation is also intended to address.



If were able to develop housing to increase the supply in the market, I think it makes a substantive difference, said Juan Salazar, Facebooks public policy manager. Its small in terms of the size of the problem, (but) it helps to contribute to some of the solutions.



Both Facebook and Google have also made contributions in the past to apartment projects in their communities.



Aaron Terrazas, senior economist for Zillow, likened the recent moves by Facebook and Google to when Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Co., built houses for workers in Dearborn, Mich., in the 1900s. At the time, the city did not have enough housing and workers were traveling an hour to get to work, according to the Detroit News. In the Bay Area, some tech workers are cramming into small apartments with multiple roommates to shave off commuting time; others are living in their cars or choosing to leave the area entirely.



Alexander Brown, a 26-year-old Google software engineer from Arizona, said he was surprised to see how expensive apartments were in Mountain View when he looked for a place to live near work in 2013. So he ended up buying a mobile home.



It seemed like a good investment, had a really short commute, and gave me control of my housing, said Brown, who walks 15 minutes to get to the office. Brown declined to say how much he pays to rent space but said rents in general have climbed to $2,000 a month for new people coming into Santiago Villa, a mobile home community in Mountain View.



I feel bad for people who arent in tech who live here, who were raised here and want to stay here but are being forced out or made to live in suboptimal conditions, Brown said of the Bay Areas housing crisis.



Bay Area cities have generally favored building new office space rather than residential units because they gain more tax revenue through commercial properties. Building homes also requires the cities to spend more money on services like fire, police and schools.



I think that a lot of people enjoyed the suburban lifestyle that many of our communities have and they wanted to preserve that, said Showalter, Mountain Views mayor, who favors condo construction among other solutions. They were fearful that densifying and providing more dense housing would really create problems for their communities. Whats important is that those communities are designed properly and we have the infrastructure that supports that dense design.



If you have all the parts to the puzzle, it works well, she said. If you get things out of balance, which really they are now, you have problems.



A few cities are toying with a different philosophy: slowing demand for housing by trying to limit business growth. Earlier this year, Cupertinos mayor mulled a controversial head-count tax on businesses with more than 100 employees. Last year, Palo Altos City Council passed a limit on the development of office space in certain parts of its city to no more than 50,000 square feet a year.



Palo Alto Mayor Patrick Burt said he believes the solution will come from increasing housing located near transit or walkable areas, investing in public transportation, and perhaps moderating the areas job growth.



Silicon Valley just doesnt need to capture every tech job available, Burt said. The most healthy economy for the region long-term is to moderate our rate of growth, not to have absolute boom and bust periods.



Showalter said there are limits on what a city such as Mountain View can do in regard to housing. For example, it can approve projects, but it cant specify the rents  though it can push for some affordable units.



We can control whether they are designed well and built well. We really can bend over backward to do that, she said. What they charge is a market question and government doesnt control that. I can keep my fingers crossed that some of it the middle class could afford, but its not something that I have control over as a City Council person.



2016 the San Francisco Chronicle Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.




Chinas Futuristic Straddling Bus Gathers Dust, As It Gets Abandoned By Investors

Chinas straddling bus touted as the futuristic solution to urban traffic jams has hit a major roadblock, according to a recent report from Chinese news outlet The Paper (via Fortune). The full-scale test model of the bus has been left abandoned on the 300-meter test track of Qinhuangdao city, Hebei province. Apparently, Transit Explore Bus, the company developing the Traffic Elevated Bus (TEB) has also left the project.

According to a translation by Shanghaiist, a guard said that The managers from the company have long drifted away, and I am unable to contact them.

The TEB was described as a revolution in public ground transportation when it was showcased as a prototype at the Beijing International High-Tech Expo in May. The vehicle was intended to carry passengers above road traffic, to help reduce congestion and vehicle emissions  a growing problem in China.

Apparently, investors who funded the construction and initial testing of the TEB have decided that theyve already blown enough of their money, and are unwilling to invest any more. It is alleged that construction work on the companys first factory hadnt started. In fact, it hadnt even obtained permission to develop the land. Investors soon began asking for their money back, and TEB parent company Huaying Group found itself in dire financial straits. Further, there are some who are claiming that TEB was running a scam to escape with money from its investors.

But, Song Youzhou, creator of the straddling bus and TEB Technology chief engineer, has remained defiant, calling reports of his inventions demise mere rumors.

Whether or not those claims are true remains to be seen, but whats becoming increasingly certain is that Chinas once-celebrated straddling bus wont become a reality anytime soon.
Blast from the past: Top 10 Nokia phones that changed the world as you see it

As we are nearing the end of the year, Nokia is gearing up to reenter smartphone business with P1 and D1C Android smartphones.

The mobile king of yesteryears is looking to attain some of its past glory. But how did Nokia really shape the future of telecommunications? Do you remember the heydays of Nokia?

Nokia was the king, queen and everything in those days. Nokia was Apple! Buying a Nokia mobile phone was considered the ultimate target of buyers when lots of other phones existed. In fact, 9 1?2 people out of 10 bought a Nokia. It was rugged, it was powerful, it could connect even from sewers and its battery lasted weeks. Nokia was a dream to own in those days.

In some ways, Nokia is responsible for the mushrooming Android smartphones and iPhones world over. Nokia gave great mobiles to buyers, be it a Nokia 1100, 5100 or 3310. It ushered in a revolution with the S40 and S60 operating system which featured on its later touch phones.

Here are 10 gems from Nokia stable, some of which may never have been bestsellers but were precursors to the smartphones we know today.

Top 10 Nokia mobiles phones from the past

Nokia Mobira Cityman (1987)

Nokia started its mobile phone journey with a literal brick called Nokia Mobira Senator in June 1982 on 1G technology called NMT 450 and NMT 900 standard. In those days, mobiles were the preserve of only the rich and famous like Arab Sheiks and Hollywood stars. Even the neo-rich couldnt afford a mobile phone. Nokias real journey in the mobile phone business began with a mildly successful Nokia Mobira Cityman released in 1987. Available in 450 and 900 editions, the Cityman soon became a status symbol for the rich with its highly sleek, high-end look. This brick-like handset was a predecessor of the famous Nokia Mobira Talkman and established the Finnish company as a major telephony player and helped Nokia secure almost 15 percent of the global mobile phone market by 1990s.

Nokia 5110 (1998)

Nokia continued its mobile journey through the 1990s based on the Cityman series. It brought out its first really mobile phone which could fit in a pocket called Nokia 232 in 1994. The Nokia 232 was based on the TACS GSM standard being used by Motorola and Alcatel in the United States. The Nokia 5110 which followed Nokia 232 in design could be called the harbinger of mobile phones to the pockets of ordinary citizens. Though costly, it was still the most affordable mobile phone in those days.

Nokia 5110 was rugged, had a week-long battery life and was the first mobile phone to feature a game, the highly popular and beloved Snake. Nokia 5110 also gave you the liberty to change the front panel to the color of your choosing. In many ways, Nokia 5110 could be called the first mass mobile phone in the world. It also began the journey of Nokia as the undisputed leader in mobile telephony with over 50% market share.

Nokia 3210 (1999)

Nokia 3210 was the first mass mobile phone. In fact, in those times 7 out 10 mobile phone users had a Nokia 3210 in their pockets. With 160 million units sold, the 3210 is one of the most popular and successful phones in history.

The biggest USP of the Nokia 3210 was its size and weight. Nokia 3210 had a total weight of 153g and measured 123.8mm x 50.5mm x 16.7mm (min), 22.5mm (max) being the smallest size at that time. Nokia also achieved an engineering breakthrough at that time by building an internal antenna in 3210 while all other phones had external grotesque looking antennae.

Nokia 3650 (2002)

By the year 2000, Nokia had established itself as the lead player in mobiles and could do some experimentation. It started experimenting with a mobile operating system called Symbian Series 60 and brought out the first feature phone called Nokia 3650 based on it. Thought the Nokia 3650 was a bit weird to look it, it was the first phone to be equipped with a color screen and the first-ever VGA camera for still and video shooting. The talking point of Nokia 3650 was its circular keypad which becomes a hit in the United States. And yes, the Nokia 3650 became the first phone to feature a massive 3.4MB of built-in storage!

Nokia N90 (2005)

By the year 2005, Nokia was the undisputed king of smartphones with other players like Motorola, Alcatel, etc. relegated to being fringe players. By 2005, feature phone technology had taken off and Nokia dabbled in its famous N Series mobile phones. The N90 was one of three N Series handsets which sought convergence between mobiles and computers. The other N Series mobiles were the easily forgettable N70 and the ludicrously oversized N91. Though Nokia N91 stands out as it had a mechanical 4GB hard disk for storing music.

Nokia N90 was a bit clunky and oversized but it established the advent of future smartphones. It had everything the modern smartphone has, ran on S60 2nd Edition operating system, the first phone to support the newly established 3G WCDMA (2100 MHz) standard for surfing the internet and making video calls. It could run Apps like Quickoffice and Nokia LifeBlog and also had fully activated Nokia maps. It also had a 2.0 MP camera that gave 20 digital zoom and could record 2-hour videos.

Nokia 6810 (2004)

Nokia 6810 was Nokias get everything cramped in a single mobile smartphone. It had the fold-out QWERTY keyboard, which looked totally ridiculous but actually allowed reasonably fast typing for texts and emails. The 6800 series was the first to support the dual-band GSM 900/1800 standard with support for GPRS. Despite having almost every feature a mobile user could want, Nokia 6810 was failure perhaps due to its radical keyboard.

Nokia N93 (2006)

By 2006, 3G or UMTS had become the defacto standard and Nokia N93 was a full-fledged multimedia smartphone. The S60-based N93 had a camcorder with 3x optical zoom and a desktop screen for video playback. It was the most advanced camera phone from Nokia at the time of its release and was particularly marketed for its camcorder, packed in its unique swivel design like its predecessor Nokia N90.

Nokia N95 (2007)

Nokia N95 can be said to be the first smartphone in the world. It had 16 million color screen, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver with maps and optional turn-by-turn navigation; a 5-megapixel digital camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash, video recording and video conferencing; wireless connectivity via HSDPA, IrDA, 802.11x and Bluetooth; a portable media player with the ability to download podcasts over the air; an FM Radio tuner; Composite Video output via included cable; multi-tasking to allow several applications to run simultaneously; a web browser with support for HTML, JavaScript and Adobe Flash; messaging via SMS, MMS, and e-mail; Office suite and organizer functions; and the ability to install and run third party Java ME or Symbian mobile applications.

It also supported GPRS (2.5G), EDGE (2.75G), UMTS (3G), and HSDPA (3.5G), one of the first smartphones to support 3.5G.

Nokia 9110 Communicator (1998)

Nokia attempted to try out a pocket-sized computer with Nokia 9110 Communicator. Nokia 9110 became an instant hit among business executives who later moved on to BlackBerry. The Communicator 9110 was a chunky clamshell that opened to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and 640 x 200 screen. It could send faxes, emails and even photos. The only issue with Nokia 9110 Communicator was it could support only one color, green.

Nokia E71 (2008)

By 2008, Blackberry with its famous unhackable Blackberry messenger or BBM had arrived and so had the iPhone. Nokia decided to take BlackBerry and iPhone head-on with Nokia E71. The E71 had a full metal body, 320240 color screen, and a manual keyboard.

By 2010 Nokias downward spiral had begun. Failing to adapt to the growing needs of the mobile owning generation cost Nokia hard. Nokia 5800 Xpress Music could be said to be the last best seller smartphone from Nokia.

By 2010, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android smartphones had taken a complete foothold. Even the old reliable BlackBerry was soon to be relegated to antique status with advances brought by iOS and Android smartphones. HTC Dream released in October 2008 took the mobile world by storm and laid the stepping stone to the success of Android 1.0 Alpha to the current Android 7.0 Nougat.

Nokia has now accepted the fate and decided to embrace Android for its comeback Nokia P1 smartphone to be launched in March 2017. It remains to be seen whether it regains the past glory or is waylaid by Samsung and Apple.
Police and ambulances arrive at the site of an explosion in central Istanbul, Turkey, December 10, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA - A total of 118 officials of Turkey's opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were detained early on Monday as part of a counter-terror probe, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

They were charged with having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and conducting terror propaganda.

Police carried out anti-terror operations in five Turkish provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara, and raided the offices of HDP.

In Istanbul, HDP's provincial head Aysel Guzel, as well as district-level party heads, were among the detained.

The latest raid followed two explosions that rocked central Istanbul late Saturday and killed 44 people and wounded 155 others.

The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, a Kurdish militant group linked to the PKK, claimed responsibility for deadly attacks.

A total of 13 suspects linked to the bombings have been arrested so far.

The government accuses the HDP of having links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union.
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
John N. Kennedy was sitting in his state treasurers office several years ago one afternoon when he mused about his future.

Kennedy had been winning elections to be treasurer since 1999, but he had lost two attempts to win a U.S. Senate seat. Kennedy, a Republican, made it clear that he hadnt given up.

I think I got one more good statewide race in me, he told a visitor.

Indeed, he did.

Kennedy won his third try for the U.S. Senate on Saturday, crushing Foster Campbell, a Democrat who is one of the five elected members of the Public Service Commission. Kennedy won 60.6 percent to Campbells 39.4 percent.

Kennedy will replace Sen. David Vitter, a Republican who chose not to seek a third term after losing last years governors race.

In a phone interview with reporters Sunday, Kennedy said he will travel to Washington on Wednesday to learn about his new job and doesnt plan to resign as treasurer immediately.

He said his first priority will be securing more federal dollars for flood victims in Louisiana.

Over the past 17 years as treasurer, Kennedy has earned a reputation in Baton Rouge as a man who is willing to challenge governors and state legislators on their spending plans, regardless of party, and as a result doesnt win much traction for his ideas. Kennedy said Sunday that he has been effective in Baton Rouge and will continue with his maverick style.

Im not interested in making political friends, he said. Im interested in helping my people. That has always been my focus.

Former Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Democrat who defeated Kennedy in 2008, said in a text Sunday that he has the potential to be an effective senator, if he will put his good mind to help identify and fix problems as opposed to just being a critic in chief.

Kennedy came across as folksy during the campaign, in part because his political advisers got him to slow down his way of speaking. But hes a policy wonk at heart and showed that Sunday as he mentioned obscure government reports he has read and ideas on how to cut federal government spending.

A day-after analysis by John Couvillon, a demographer and pollster in Baton Rouge, showed why Kennedy won in a landslide. He received 82 percent of the white vote to Campbells 18 percent. The Democratic model for victory calls for getting at least 30 percent of the white vote.

The Democratic model also calls for their candidate to receive at least 90 percent of the African American vote and for African Americans to constitute at least 30 percent of the electorate.

Campbell won the African American vote, 95 percent to 5 percent (so he slightly exceeded his goal there) while African Americans constituted 28 percent of the overall turnout (so he slightly fell short of that goal), according to Couvillon.

Kennedys 60.6 percent meant he out-performed the 57 percent that Republicans have averaged in statewide elections over the past decade, said Michael Henderson, an LSU political scientist.

Kennedys extra-strong result among white voters explains why he outperformed Bill Cassidy, a Republican, when Cassidy trounced Landrieu in 2014. Cassidy won the race overall, 56 percent to 44 percent, and got 78 percent of the white vote to Landrieus 22 percent.

Kennedy also out-performed Donald Trump when he won 58 percent of the vote in Louisiana on Nov. 8 against Hillary Clinton.

Henderson said Campbell won nine of the 10 parishes that President Obama carried in 2012 and that Clinton won on Nov. 8: East Baton Rouge, Orleans, St. James, St. John, Madison, Tensas, East Carroll, Iberville and St. Helena. Campbell narrowly lost the 10th parish, Caddo.

Saturdays result and the other recent statewide elections reflect how Gov. John Bel Edwards victory last year was an anomaly.

John Bel Edwards was a good candidate who faced a Republican field in disarray that did not unite behind its nominee during the runoff, said Couvillon. That disunity did not repeat itself in the Senate runoff this year.

In the 2015 primary, Vitter savagely attacked his Republican rivals, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, and got payback during the runoff. Angelle stayed neutral in the Edwards/Vitter runoff while Dardenne crossed party lines to endorse Edwards.

In contrast, the top two Republican also-rans in the Senate race, U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany and U.S. Rep. John Fleming, endorsed Kennedy.

Vitter also endorsed Kennedy during the runoff and was among the few elected officials who attended his successors election night party at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Baton Rouge. Also attending were his chief of staff, Luke Bolar, and Kyle Ruckert, who headed one super PAC funded by Kennedy that attacked Boustany and Fleming and another that attacked Angelle. He lost his race Saturday to Clay Higgins to represent Acadiana in the U.S. House of Representatives.

David Vitter came out a winner, Couvillon said. Kennedy was his preferred candidate, and he exacted revenge against Scott Angelle in the congressional runoff.

Kennedy led the race from start to finish. In a 24-candidate field, his toughest challenge came from Boustany, who represents Acadiana, and Fleming, who represents the Shreveport area.

Kennedy held them off in the primary, running first with 25 percent to 15.5 percent for Boustany and 10.5 percent for Fleming. He also limited two far-right Republicans  Rob Maness and David Duke  to 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Kennedy started out strong in polls because of high name recognition from having mounted eight statewide races over the past 25 years, losing bids to be attorney general in 1991 and to the Senate in 2004 and 2008 and winning five races to be treasurer, beginning in 1999.

Kennedy has won high marks among voters as a fiscal watchdog, railing over the years against spending by Kathleen Blanco, when she was the Democratic governor, and Bobby Jindal, when he was the Republican governor. He sharply criticized proposals by Edwards to raise revenue this year by increasing the state sales tax and trimming business tax breaks. Critics of his noted that as treasurer, Kennedy didnt have to offer his own plan to balance the budget or a realistic plan on how to cut spending.

Roy Fletcher, a veteran Republican media consultant, said he noticed a shift in Kennedys message during the Senate election, about three weeks before the primary election.

His TV [ads] moved to become more Trump-like, talking about trade and immigration, Fletcher said. That kept anyone from moving to his right. I think that was the critical part of his campaign.

+7 President-elect Donald Trump stumps for John Kennedy in Baton Rouge President-elect Donald Trump told nearly 5,000 cheering fans who gathered in Baton Rouge on 

Fletcher guesses that Kennedy embraced Trump politically to keep Fleming, who has had a very conservative voting record in the U.S. House, from occupying that position.

Kennedy, though, didnt adopt Trumps racially inflammatory language or his divisive tactics.

So Kennedy talked tough in one ad, saying that if you join Isis or Al-Qaeda, you sign your own death warrant. You hit us, well hit you back twice as hard. And your buddies. And your goat.

Then came the softer part. No goats were harmed during the filming of this commercial, read a tagline on the screen.

Kennedy got his start in politics when Buddy Roemer, after winning the governors race in 1987, appointed him to serve as executive counsel.

We were told there was this exceptionally bright attorney in New Orleans and that we needed to talk to him, said Len Sanderson, then Roemers transition director and now a public affairs strategist in Washington. We sat down with John and were immediately impressed. He had a deep passion for the state and was bright and energetic.

After losing the attorney generals race in 1991, Kennedy returned to practicing law and also served as a lobbyist. He managed Roemers gubernatorial campaign in 1995, which failed.

The winner, Mike Foster, surprised observers by picking Kennedy to be the secretary of the Department of Revenue, which oversees the states tax system.

If Mike could give second chances and pick up an intelligent player, he would do so, said Stephen Perry, Fosters transition director. Mike really gave John the opportunity to restart his public career.

In 1999, Kennedy resigned to challenge Ken Duncan, the incumbent treasurer seeking reelection. Kennedy won handily and cruised to re-election four more times. In 2007, three years after endorsing John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, Kennedy became a Republican. He recently said that he didnt leave the party, the party left him.
The telephone call heard round the world, but particularly loudly on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, shows in stark relief the ways that Donald Trumps freewheeling ways will change policy here and abroad.

The president-elect took a congratulatory call from President Tsai Ing-wen of the Republic of China of Taiwan, the democratic government of a self-governing island off the coast of mainland China.

Unfortunately, that hasnt happened in decades, as the United States and Taiwan have by law a close relationship that is officially unofficial  meaning that to get along with the giant mainland government, U.S. policy is governed by the notion that there is one China.

The reality is that there are two, and the Communist government of the mainland is an affront to human rights and, as candidate Trump said again and again, a sometimes duplicitous trade partner.

Even those of us who favor closer relations with our democratic friends in Taiwan recognize that careful handling of the Peoples Republic of China on the mainland will be required, and Trump should have consulted with the U.S. State Department before venturing into these waters.

In Louisiana, we have a history with Taiwans Republic of China, the government that resisted Japanese aggression in World War II with the help of the Flying Tigers, Claire Chennaults American Volunteer Group. Chennault is one of Louisianas heroes of World War II.

Taiwanese companies are big investors in Louisianas petrochemical industries, as are those of the mainland. We welcome trade and investment from both countries; like Trump, we believe that the democratic island nation ought to get more respect from the United States than its Communist neighbor.

All that said, this is complex  and quite often Trump shows that hes not interested in complex.

The people of mainland China, admittedly based on decades of propaganda, are emotionally invested in the notion that Taiwan is a breakaway province. That this is not true, legally or historically, does not change the fact that the Chinese people believe it.

Trumps call made an issue out of Taiwan in a way that could be damaging to the interests of Taiwan as well as the United States; the island nation is trying to get along constructively with its giant neighbor, and peace in the Taiwan Strait is in everybodys interest.

One phone call does not a crisis make. But Trumps deftness, to quote Jeffrey Bader of The Brookings Institution, is called into question. There are serious risks posed by his failure to take briefings by government professionals, and he appears to have little respect for the potential damage of actions taken without understanding long-standing U.S. national security concerns, Bader said.

One can empathize with President Tsais desire to establish contact with and gain respect from the incoming U.S. president, Bader added. What is incomprehensible, however, is how the incoming U.S. president could casually ignore the historic and strategic factors that all eight presidents since Nixon have understood and acceded to the call.

Fair enough, though Trumps phone call isnt the end of the world. Maybe its time for relations with Taiwan to be upgraded diplomatically. But certainly those steps must be carefully thought out by the Trump administration.
Advocate staff photo by MATT SLEDGE -- Three people were shot early Monday at a Discount Zone gas station on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East, police said.
Kimberly-Clark Australia, Pental Limited and Pental Products Pty Ltd will face the Federal Court over allegations they independently made false or misleading representations about so-called "flushable" wipes they marketed and supplied in Australia.

The proceedings were brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Monday, in relation to Kimberly-Clark's Kleenex Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths and Pental's White King Power Clean Flushable Toilet Wipes, also called Flushable Bathroom Power Wipes.

The consumer watchdog has alleged use of advertising terms such as "flushable", "able to be flushed in the toilet", and "designed ... [to] disintegrate in the sewage system" led consumers to believe the products had similar characteristics to toilet paper, when this was not the case.

"This is a major matter for us, and the allegations we are making are extremely serious," said ACCC chairman Rod Sims.
More light has been shed on the tax affairs of the secretive German supermarket Aldi, with the latest Tax Office figures showing it paid $71.56 million in tax in 2014-15.

Aldi Foods had total income of $5.8 billion for the 2014-15 financial year, taxable income of $238.5 million and tax payable of $71.56 million, Australian Taxation Office figures for the 2014-15 financial year show.

This means tax payable as a percentage of taxable income was steady at 30 per cent. Previous figures released by the ATO showed Aldi Foods paid $81.6 million in tax for 2014, on $5 billion revenue.

Some global companies have been accused of managing their taxable income down by loading inappropriate costs into their income statement.
When the ACT government lodged a development application for a prime mixed-use block in the Gungahlin Town Centre recently, it's possible several property developers had to still their beating hearts. The DA includes the construction of up to 1121 new dwellings in an area close to where the light rail line from Civic scheduled for completion within four years will terminate. And as developers know, apartments built on or close to rail lines are popular sellers off the plan to both investors and owner/occupiers. And with foreign and domestic buyers fuelling a decade-long apartment-building boom in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the ACT government and developers may figure the sky is a deep blue all the way out to 2020.

In many respects such optimism is well founded. The people who've amassed fortunes building apartments donate extensively to the major parties, in part to ensure the devising of policies and regulations that are good for business. One example of this attention to detail was Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison's recent decision to relax the foreign investment classification of an "established dwelling", thus allowing foreigners to buy apartments on which other foreigners had failed to settle. Another is the major parties' unqualified support for high immigration levels, despite governments' reluctance to adequately fund the infrastructure needs of a rapidly expanding population.

Signs are, however, that the apartment boom is retreating, with recent Bureau of Statistics figures indicating that approvals for the construction of new homes in October decreased 12.6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms. This is undoubtedly an outcome of efforts by regulators, led by the Reserve Bank, to force banks to rein in investment property lending and reduce household indebtedness.

In its twice-yearly financial stability review in October, the Reserve warned that the risks from an apartment oversupply in Melbourne and Brisbane were now apparent. Reports that developers are offering rental guarantees and extended settlement deadlines for newly built apartments bear the Reserve's views out. One international sales agent has estimated that Chinese buyers of Australian apartments have fallen 50 per cent in the second half of 2016, partly because finance is more difficult to obtain in Australia and partly because the Chinese government is restricting capital flowing out of the country.
Suspicions that Russia tried to influence the outcome of the US presidential election in favour of Donald Trump should alarm citizens of democracies anywhere. If an effort to aid Mr Trump were proved, it would mark a dramatic return to the dark days of the Cold War, when superpowers sought to determine more than 100 national elections around the world.

The prospect of a US candidate colluding with a foreign power to win an election must be investigated regardless of what such a probe reveals or whom it implicates. The integrity of US democracy is at stake.

Questions about Donald Trump's relationship with Russia dogged him from the start of his candidature. Credit:AP

With Republicans about to dominate the White House and Congress, however, there is no guarantee such an investigation will come, or if it does, that its scope will be wide enough. The inclination for many Republicans will be to resist any move, even one with bipartisan support. But make no mistake: the problem won't go away. In fact, perceptions of a hidden hand in such a significant election will tend to endure. Consider the long-held suspicions  long unproven  of a CIA hand in the dismissal of prime minister Gough Whitlam.

The prospect of Russia helping Mr Trump is a significant turn of events for law-based societies around the globe. The internet has created a back door for foreign meddling in a way that undermines Westphalian sovereignty. That concept, originating in the 1600s in Europe, enshrines the principles that every nation-state has autonomy over its own affairs and that countries shouldn't interfere with each other's internal politics.
Recent weeks have seen unsurpassed dishonesty and irresponsibility from national political leaders on Australian climate and energy policy  the biggest issue we now face.

The mantra trotted out continually by federal government and opposition alike is that "coal is part of the national and international energy mix and will be so for decades to come", parroting coal industry leaders and lobbyists.

Strictly true, but it is a rapidly declining part if we are to meet the requirements of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which Australia ratified on November 10. The International Energy Agency's latest analysis indicates global coal demand falling 50 per cent by 2040. But facts are irrelevant as this mantra is used to spruik rapid expansion of our own coal production, to maintain "energy security" domestically for example in SA, and to "alleviate poverty" with international exports by developing numerous new coal mines including Adani's megamine in the Queensland Galilee Basin.

The essential point ignored in this posturing is that we now face risks from global warming far beyond anything acknowledged officially here or overseas.
For the first time since the early 1960s, a presidential candidate has refused to divulge his taxes to the public during the campaign. The potential conflicts of interest behind the billionaire-turned-president are historic in scale. In this world, the media should consider a limited, surgical hacking of Trump to learn about his financial holdings, especially as they relate to foreign companies, leaders and governments. I'm just kidding, of course. But no reasonable observer can claim the public doesn't have the right to know who Trump is in bed with financially, who he owes and who owes him, and how this influences the decision-making of his presidency.

Simply being outraged by the little that is known is not enough. It's also not the place of the media in the 21st century. Crusading, activist journalism doesn't make up for a lack of facts to report, Russian-American author Masha Gessen says in discussing her experience of authoritarian Russia. The prospect of hacking  both its effect on the election and its potential for clearing up some of the mystery of Trump's wealth, holdings and international relationships  speaks to the broader effect technology is having on the relationship between the presidency and the world. Trump's successful campaign relied on a combination of his public appearances plus constant social media engagement. It was fed through an army of online partisan supporters, networks of bots, and pushed and defended by trolls  some based far outside the US.

They themselves were only part of the alternate digital reality constructed with the help of Breitbart, racist alt-right activists, propaganda, misinformation, outright lies and possibly even some moderators on Reddit. If the fact-seeking media are feeling outgunned in this world, it may be because Trump's support relies on networks that have cut the media out of the loop. The problem will only get worse. As it does, both Trump backers and Obama backers will find even their opponents' legitimate victories harder to believe. The media, confronted with the new digital reality, seem to be unsure of how to proceed. Cover all of Trump's statements, as has been the protocol of days gone by? Or cover none because words often don't mean what they say? There is no substitute for hard facts.

Hacking Trump's financial documents  just joking, folks  would not only uncover the scope of the President-elect's conflicts with the international business world, it would put the media on a more equal footing with Trump. This is important in a democracy. Of course, hacking the president to gain information which is legitimately in the public's interest could lead to a whole set of new problems. For example: is it possible to limit such an action? What would be off-limits? Would this be the new normal? Would it set the US and other liberal democracies down a slippery slope to lawlessness? Or is this the new way of the world? The ethical, political and legal ramifications multiply outwards in many directions, almost calling for one of those media talkfests the industry seems hooked on. But navel-gazing, introspection, self-flagellation  this isn't what the media need now. Aggressive reporting that never reaches the minds of the uncritical masses won't help much either.

In this world, reshaped by the internet, the media must adopt new thinking. How new? If the public and the media mirrored the Trump campaign's messaging approach, it might work like this: Rather than The New York Times, Washington Post and other major outlets just competing with each other for big scoops, they would also coordinate with each other to maximise the respective exposure each outlet gets. When one outlet had a revealing story, the others could work to help amplify it, taking a patterned approach, until the White House fully addressed the issue reported. In this climate, the media would be wise to concentrate on any potential wrongdoing and not get distracted by what is simply new and unprecedented about a Trump White House. In this new information reality, such media efforts wouldn't be confined to US outlets, either.

Trolling on behalf of Trump was globalised. Fair reporting for liberal democracy can be, too. Individuals who support responsive democratic government  anywhere in the world  would then jump onto social media, tweeting every criticism of Trump's actions, boiling down every aspect of his conflicts of interest into catchphrases, hashtags, ideas and even memes. They would coordinate their messaging, too. Like Trump's fans, they would create a digital culture around their political identity. Those running vast networks of bots would program them to re-post material about the relevant story or topic, reflecting the latest development. They don't call it "computational propaganda" for nothing. And those who support liberal democracies  in which any problem that can be measured and understood can be addressed by a government that has the consent of the governed  would become advocates for such values in politics.
The planes would be more expensive should the program's size and scope be reduced. Joint Strike Fighter Lockheed Martin F-35. Mr Pyne, speaking after a speech at the Policy Exchange in Whitehall, London, said the Australian government was very confident the JSF was the right choice and Australia was very committed to the program. "Whether it has been efficiently managed from the United States' point of view of in terms of their costs and delays and so on is really a matter for them it's perfectly fine for (Mr Trump) to have that opinion," he said.

Then prime minister Tony Abbott in a replica F-35 jet in Canberra in 2014. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "How he wants to manage the actual delivery of the program is a matter for him and for his incoming administration." Asked if he was worried that Mr Trump might cut the project in part or in whole to save money, Mr Pyne said the JSF was "a very far way down the road in terms of delivery Obviously a great deal of money has been invested in it." Mr Trump also criticised the JSF program last year on radio, saying "I do hear that it's not very good that our existing planes are better". The F-35 has been criticised for its jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none performance, and its stellar operating cost  put at around $50,000 per hour to fly.

One estimate is that the JSF project has cost the US around $US1.5 trillion, about the same as the war in Iraq. The most recent Pentagon estimate is that the cost to operate and sustain the F-35 fleet for its 60 years in service is over US$1 trillion. Mr Pyne also told the Policy Exchange he expected Mr Trump would have a "values based foreign policy and that could be interesting. "It will certainly be based on principles that President-elect Trump thinks are in America's best interests. "I think he will be less inclined to look past faults of the people that he thinks might be responsible for problems in the United States and be more likely to take action about them. That's the most diplomatic way I can put it."

He predicted that America's 'pivot to Asia' would continue, but as a "foreign policy and military pivot", in contrast with president Obama's economic focus. "We welcome that too  we want the United States to be deeply involved in our area," Mr Pyne said. Mr Trump had talked about a massive increase in US military spending by $US500 billion, including new ships and aircraft. "He is talking about a significant military build-up and of course that will need to be based in the Pacific and the Atlantic," Mr Pyne said. "We welcome America's military and economic involvement in the Asia-Pacific, it's very important in terms of a balance of power equation throughout our region." Mr Pyne said the Australian government still hoped to rescue the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, by persuading the Trump administration that it might be modified rather than abandoned.

Mr Trump has pledged to withdraw from the TPP, which he called a "potential disaster for our country", on his first day in office. "We will keep talking to president Trump's administration about the importance of the TPP and how it could work for everyone's economic advantage," Mr Pyne said. "We haven't given up hope that might be the case. It might need to be modified down the track Post January 20th we hope that we might be able to revisit that subject with him convince him and his team that it will be good for everyone. "It's a hope at this stage  but we never give up hope." Mr Pyne will meet UK secretary for defence Michael Fallon on Tuesday, and defence industry representatives to discuss opportunities for Australian defence exports. On Monday Mr Pyne visited Rolls Royce to see the MT30 engine expected to feature in the British bid for building Australia's nine 'Future Frigates". He said they were "extraordinary".
Living in squalor on an isolated rural property in Sydney's north-west, Mitchell Barbieri and his psychotic mother believed the world was out to get them.

Police found notebooks and diaries in their Oakville house, filled with letters to the Pope, Russian President Vladimir Putin, state and federal politicians and TV presenters.

"They existed in an isolated, compromised state emotionally, materially and ultimately as a pair who believed they were both being persecuted in an elaborate global manner," a psychiatrist found.

When the Barbieris began a violent confrontation with their neighbours on December 6, 2012, and police surrounded their home, one or both emailed politicians to say "corrupt" officers were trying to break in.
As the Turnbull government struggles to implement a clear and effective climate change policy, the City of Sydney will redouble its efforts to reduce emissions in a bid to bypass the federal impasse.

Lord mayor Clover Moore, who returned from C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico earlier this month, said the climate conference had alerted her to the scale and urgency of the action required by cities to address climate change.

Cr Moore said she now believed the city needed to do "twice as much in half the time" and, at Monday night's council meeting, called on the council to accelerate its existing targets and re-allocate funding if necessary.

"It was clear from the conference that we need bolder action at a faster rate if we are to play our part in meeting the Paris Agreement," Cr Moore stated in her report from the summit, which was tabled at Monday night's council meeting.
Police have identified the bones found in a septic tank at the back of a property in Brisbane's north last month as the remains of Wayne James Youngkin.

Mr Youngkin is believed to have been aged 29 or 30 when he went missing in 1986, police said.

Police inspected the Autism Queensland property on November 29. Credit:7 News Brisbane/Twitter

The man had lived at the 136 North Road address in Brighton, where his remains were found by police on November 29, with his grandmother and uncle prior to his disappearance.

Detective Superintendent Mick O'Dowd said police were treating Mr Youngkin's death as a murder investigation.
A driver charged over an alleged high-speed street race that ended in the deaths of two teenagers was earlier seen trying to bait the drivers of other cars into a race, witnesses have said.

Harley Churchill, 19, and girlfriend Ivana Clonaridis, 18, died when Mr Churchill lost control of his blue Holden ute and crashed through a barrier on the EJ Whitten Bridge in Keilor East about 1.30am on January 27, before the ute went down an embankment and burst into flames.

Police investigate the scene where Ivana Clonaridis and Harley Churchill died. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer

Police estimate Mr Churchill drove at 182km/h in the moments before the crash. Investigators found traces of the drug ice and other amphetamines in his system.

Adem Arpaci, 22, the driver of a silver Ford XR6, was arrested eight days after the crash and is accused of racing Mr Churchill along the Western Ring Road. Police allege Mr Arpaci drove at 181km/h in a 100km/h zone. The two vehicles never made contact, police say.
Thousands of school text books and Christmas presents donated to the Les Twentyman Foundation have been destroyed in the fire at Footscray's Little Saigon market.

The foundation was using most of the top floor of the two-storey building as a library for students who couldn't afford to buy their own textbooks as part of its back-to-school program.

At least 6000 textbooks, mostly donated by Melbourne private schools, have likely been lost  as well as presents for the foundation's Christmas party that were destined for teens who would otherwise get nothing.

"The kids are going to miss out at school this year," Mr Twentyman said at the scene of the fire on Tuesday morning.
The firefighters' union tried to block the release of a mental health review into Melbourne's fire brigade that raises claims of bullying, harassment and a tribal culture.

The review, seen by Fairfax Media, airs "numerous reports" of bullying and harassment and talks about the "untold number of fireys" who had marriage breakdowns and who drank too much.

United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall. Credit:Justin McManus

It also found women and men from non-Anglo-Celtic backgrounds were marginalised or bullied.

The report, by Dr Peter Cotton, was commissioned in response to three firefighter suicides this year.
Police were left red-faced after a Melton South siege turned out to be a one-sided affair.

For seven hours police attempted to negotiate and coax a person from a house. After receiving no response they eventually stormed the premises, only to find no one home.

Police at a property in Melton South. Credit:Twitter/@7NewsMelbourne

The police had been responding to "information regarding a person of interest" in relation to an ongoing investigation, a police spokeswoman said.

"They attended a house on Callanan Drive in Melton just after 9.30am and taking every precaution attempted to call out to anyone inside the house," she said.
A protester has chained himself to machinery used to cut a swath through bushland in Coolbellup for the Barnett government's controversial Roe Highway project.

An estimated 200 protesters descended on the site on Monday.

The WA government is motoring along with its plans to build a five-kilometre extension of the highway from Kwinana Freeway in Jandakot to Stock Road in Coolbellup, despite it still to be sanctioned by the High Court on December 16.

Protesters and police again clashed on Monday morning after a handful of anti-Roe 8 campaigners were handed move-on notices last week.
Beijing: China has expressed "serious concern" after US president-elect Donald Trump suggested Washington's long-held diplomatic stance of recognising Taiwan as part of "one China" could be used as a bargaining chip with Beijing.

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said any deviation from the one China policy risked jeopardising what it considered the very basis of US-China ties.

"The one-China policy is the political foundation for the healthy development of the Sino-US relationship," Mr Geng told reporters in Beijing.

"If this foundation is disturbed, there are no grounds to talk about further developing the healthy and stable relationship between China and the US."
By Jon Greenberg

Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee and President-elect Donald Trumps incoming chief of staff, tried in an interview Sunday on Meet the Press to dismiss news reports that the CIA believes Russia aimed to boost Trumps election chances.

Priebus questioned the credibility of the reports, first published on Dec. 9, 2016, because they relied on unnamed sources and because he says they wrongly claimed that the RNCs computer system also was hacked.

He also tried to cast doubt on the generally accepted idea that it was the Russians who were behind the hacking.

Lets clear this up. Do you believedoes the president-elect believe that Russia was trying to muddy up and get involved in the election in 2016? Meet the Press host Chuck Todd asked on Dec. 11, 2016.

No. 1, you dont know it. I dont know it, Priebus said. Theres been no conclusive or specific report to say otherwise.

Thats False. There is a specific report.

It was made public on Oct. 7, 2016, in the form of a joint statement from the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. At the time, the website WikiLeaks was releasing a steady flow of emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee and top Hillary Clinton adviser John Podesta.

The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations, the statement said. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process.

Yoshiko Herrera, a University of Wisconsin political scientist who focuses on Russia, called that letter a pretty strong statement. Herrera said Priebuss comment represents a disturbing denial of facts.

There has been a specific report, and politicians who wish to comment on the issue should read and comment on that report rather than suggest there is no such report or that no work has been done on the topic, Herrera said.

Neither Priebuss office nor the Trump transition team replied to a request for comment.

In the Meet the Press interview, Priebus attacked the most recent news reports that the Russian government was interfering with the election to benefit Trump. In particular, Priebus objected to reporting from The New York Times claiming that the CIA believes Russia hacked into the Republican National Committees computer system but chose not to release any of that material.

However, to bolster that point, he blew past the October findings, not once but twice in the course of the interview.

Much does remain uncertain. We happened to catch Herrera while she was meeting with another analyst of Russian politics, University of Chicago economist Konstantin Sonin. The two of them painted a more tangled picture of how the Russians might have been involved.

There are lots of quasi-institutional channels of people who are doing work in one way or another for the government who then do other things, informally, without being asked explicitly, they said.

They think its unlikely that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the hacking. But at this point, thats just one theory.

Read more fact-checks at PunditFact.com.
Its a tough job, filling the onetime stage of the masterful Fun Home, but In Transit is a brave and innovative, and mostly winning, successor.

This musical looks at lives criss-crossing mostly under the streets of New York, and thirsty, and thwarted, ambitions of the citys denizens.

The most wonderful thing is that In Transitwith book, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan, and Sara Wordsworthis sung a cappella (the arrangements are by Deke Sharon), and sung so richly and well you imagine hearing musical instruments where there are none.

Donyale Werles ingenious set features a subway station, Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, with chairs shuttling on and off the set-up and down a moving middle section to signify trains.

The set is malleable: Without any major changes of scenery, and just the slick direction and choreography of Kathleen Marshall, our imaginations configure it as apartments, the street, an office, a Texas small town and church, or a raucous bar. The electronic signboards are used with versatility too.

Overseeing all the comings and goings, the victories (not many) and disappointments (far more) is Boxman (the wonderful Chesney Snow), a beat-boxer who beseeches Broadway hopeful Jane (Margo Seibert, who our audience rooted for so much, her fist-pumps and disappointments became audibly ours) to listen to the rhythm of the city, and to be inspired and rejuvenated by it, even when it is doing all it can to beat you down.

Everyone is questing for something in the city, everyone wants somethingeven Pizza Rat, who makes an honorary cameoand those hopes bubble away privately in the minds of those sharing subway carriages every day, trying to maintain personal space, stink-eyeing anyone who invades it.

The opening number, Deep Beneath The City/Not There Yet is a dizzying ballet of seat-squiring, disembarking, tripping up, and small cris de coeur. There are so many people on the subway, all wanting to be as private as possible: In Transit aims to make a range of unheard voices and unseen lives real.

Boxman sees all the characters pass through the station, helps, and advises them. There is Jane, whose dreams of stage stardom are offset by the daily reality of having to do admin work, and captured in the song, Do What I Do.

Trent (Justin Guarini) and Steven (Telly Leung) are preparing to spend time in Texas at Trents mothers (Moya Angela) home. The problem is this deeply religious woman doesnt know her son is gay, in love with Steven, and that the two are about to be married.

The song Four Days Home is a mini-masterpiece, that is funnywatch out tourists, they sing: gay male intimacy alertand moving, about being in the closet and the cost of that; and then the number becomes deliciously outsized as it evokes the religious prejudice and perky pie-making of the small town itself, right through to the two exhausted mens return back to the city.

Meanwhile, Nate (James Snyder) has lost his job, andthe turnstile not turning as it should, and the ticket machine rejecting his beat-up billslife and the city are against him. His fratty brattiness is the most off-putting, but Snyders newly humbled circumstances may make him a better personespecially when he meets Jane.

Thats if he can get out of a very negative relationship spiral with Althea, the ticket agent at the stationthe excellent Moya Angela again. The dating dance at a bar is evoked as a slow-motion physical contact sport in the very funny Wingman, led by the magisterially strutting Chris (Nicholas Ward).

Love is the great insoluble for so many in the city, and another mystery in In Transit is whether Ali (Erin Mackey) will ever get over her ex Dave (David Abeles); her two solo songsSaturday Night Obsession and the Moving Songare variously uproarious and heartbreaking.

She uprooted her life for Dave, cannot stop ringing him, and is wrapped up in a blanket, rolling on the floor, beset by torments, which she tries to offset by running. But even that has become compulsive.

The propulsive genius of In Transit tails off a little toward the end, and with it some of the storyline threads. But one of its standout songs, which celebratesutterly counter-intuitively for a musicalthe good sense of giving up on your dreams, well emblemizes the musicals own distinction.

In Transit vividly showcases life in the city, and the brutal, ludicrous ways New York tortures and rewards and punishes its residents. The best thing about itin all its smarts and jokes, and pointed wit of the songsis that it makes anyone who isnt a New Yorker want to be one, or appreciate what makes New York special.

By extension, it shows why the people who live in New York are special tooin all their own very special ways. It makes no special pleas for understanding, it is not dripping in irony. And it has a sweet heart wrapped in a hard fist.

As its title suggests, In Transit shows that for good and bad, life goes loudly on in New York, day in, day out, and the subway continues to convey us to personal and professional dates with destiny. The keenly-felt songsKeep It Goin, Getting Thereconvey this dust-yourself-down-and-get-on spirit, helping make In Transit an honest and beautifully sung testament to New York, and the surging, searching, and imperfect humanity within it.

In Transit is at Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 West 50th Street, NYC. Book tickets here.
During a part of the Obama era, Allen West served as a caricature of conspiracy-minded right-wing id. Its just that he also served in Congress as a tea-party darling.

Nowadays, hes actively summiting with Team Trump, and his much-visited Facebook page is now trafficking in material promoting the mass slaughter of Muslim people.

On Monday, West (a one-term congressman who was previously pushed out of the U.S. Army after allegedly firing his gun near the head of a prisoner he was interrogating) again stopped by Trump Tower. He had visited the Tower earlier this month to meet Vice President-elect Mike Pence and incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to discuss ways West could potentially continue to serve his country, according to West.

"I mean, they know my reputation very well, West told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower following that meeting. I'm just a simple soldier.

A big part of his reputation is his anti-Muslim ravings, and it was only two days ago that West and his team had to walk-back a particularly genocidal example.

On Saturday, the editor-in-chief of Allenbwest.com was forced to apologize about a meme posted to Wests Facebook page. The image featured a photo of Trumps defense secretary pick retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, and read Fired by Obama to please the Muslims at the top, and Hired by Trump to exterminate them, as the kicker. (Mattis himself once wrote that Wests behavior revealed a commander who has lost his moral balance or watched too many Hollywood movies.)

The image has been removed, the apology read. It does not reflect Col. West's beliefs, principles and values.

The problem is that if were talking about virulently anti-Muslim values and beliefs, it is difficult to argue that West does not espouse such values.

In 2010, West famously railed against Coexist bumper stickersstickers that some people put on their cars to show support for pluralism and religious tolerancebecause they made him feel less safe.

We already have a Fifth Column that is already infiltrating into our colleges, into our universities, into our high schools, into our religious aspect, our cultural aspect, our financial, our political systems in this country, West alleged. And that enemy represents something called Islam. And Islam is a totalitarian theocratic political ideology; it is not a religion. It has not been a religion since 622 A.D., and we need to have individuals that stand up and say that.

In 2011, West, invited a group called Citizens for National Security to Capitol Hill to rant about how they possessed a secret list of 6,000 members of the Muslim Brotherhood living in and trying to destroy America. (For a frame of reference, West also once alleged that 78 or 81 members of the House Progressive Caucus were secret members of the Communist Party.)

West, a failed House representative who used to brag about being the liberals worst nightmare, is an extreme, borderline irrelevance whose existence has been infused with a newfound political relevance but latching onto an ascendant Trumpism. (Think: Alex Jones, white supremacist activists, etc.)

Trumps openly bigoted (and successful!) presidential campaign against groups such as Muslims and Mexicans kept the door wide open for people like West to be taken seriously once again by powerful people, this time by an incoming Trump administration. And beyond his conversations and meetings with Trumps presidential transition team, the Republican president-elects admiration and affection for West goes back years.

Great seeing you last night at record setting Mar-a-Lago Republican event, Trump tweeted at West in February 2014. The crowd loved you!

Later that year, he quote-tweeted someone calling for a "much needed Trump/West ticket because the two men are 2 straight talkers who understand the enemy/world.

West, for all his far-right excesses (or perhaps because of them), is yet another fringe-ish character who very clearly has the ear, respect, attention, and the similar political attitudes of the next leader of the free world.

Donald Trump won. The Chicago Cubs won. Army beat Navy after 15 years. And Fidel Castro is dead...what a freaking awesome year! West posted to Facebook over the weekend. Proud day to be an American Soldier.
The two most powerful Republicans in Congress on Monday broke with their partys presidential nominee to endorse a bipartisan call to investigate Russia's intervention in the presidential election, apparently to directly benefit Donald Trump.

On Saturday, it was reported the Central Intelligence Agency told lawmakers in September that not only had the Kremlin hacked the Democratic and Republican national committees, but that it only released embarrassing information about Hillary Clintons campaign in order to help Trump become president. Trump and his transition team over the weekend dismissed the CIA's conclusion as partisan or even a conspiracy theory.

On Monday morning, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell showed he did not agree.

The Russians are not our friends We ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well, McConnell said at a Monday morning press conference on Capitol Hill. It defies belief that somehow Republicans in the Senate are reluctant to either review Russian hacking, or ignore them.

By Monday afternoon, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, also said he favored investigating the Kremlin and the election.

Any foreign intervention in our elections is entirely unacceptable. And any intervention by Russia is especially problematic because, under President Putin, Russia has been an aggressor that consistently undermines American interests, he said, praising the work that the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee had done on the issue. This important work will continue and has my support.

Though he was clear to say the elections results are settled.

As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election, Ryan said.

McConnell and Ryans statements represent a break with Trump, whose spokesman accused those backing a probe into Russian influence in the U.S. election as bitter over the results, and said that they were attempting to undercut Trumps victory.

I think really clearly this is an attempt to try to delegitimize President-elect Trumps win, that really seems to be whats going on here, said spokesman Jason Miller on a daily conference call with reporters Monday morning after McConnell spoke.

This displeases the incoming Trump administration, with Miller saying that the Congressional probe into Russian hacking was an extension of recount efforts and is akin to suggestions that the country move away from the Electoral College towards electing a president by popular vote.

On Monday, Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta endorsed a request from several members of the Electoral College to receive an intelligence briefing about Russia's role in the election.

Where we are [as] an incoming administration is getting ready to serve the American people and hit the ground running, Miller said. That might upset some people who are bitter that their candidate lost in November but thats not going to slow us down from focusing on going to work for the American people.

McConnell is hardly a Democratic stooge on this issue. The Washington Post reported over the weekend that he had raised objections to the veracity of the CIAs conclusion in a September briefing that Russias motive was to elect Trump. McConnell reportedly told the Obama administration he believed any attempt to publicly name and shame the Russians before the Election Day would be purely partisan.

Now though it is clearly bipartisan.

Republican Sen. John McCain and Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer appeared on CBS This Morning on Monday to jointly call for an investigation into Russian interference with the election.

Its gotta be bipartisan, McCain said, hinting at an investigation that could take months to accomplish, working across several committees.

The Senate is already gearing up for multiples investigations in the new year, just as Trump takes office, on the issues of cybersecurity, Russian influence, and foreign hacking. McConnell said that the Senate Intelligence Committee would take the lead on the probe of Russian hacking, but that the Armed Services Committee would also play a role. The Obama administration is also launching a separate investigation into the matter to be finalized before he leaves office next month. McConnell expects that the public will also be given additional information on the hacks.

One point of tension is whether there should be a new committee to investigate the issue, as Democrats are calling for.

We need this commission to determine if my personal belief is correctthat the real intent of what appears to be a classic Russian covert influence campaign was to harm the candidacy of the Democratic candidate or undermine our democratic system," Dianne Feinstein, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a statement. This bipartisan commission will help identify the specific actors responsible and recommend a possible course of action to prevent this from ever happening again.

Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement it would be redundant.

"At this time I do not see any benefit in opening further investigations, which would duplicate current committee oversight efforts and Intelligence Community inquiries," he said.

And even as Trump resists a Congressional investigation, the president-elect is continuing to openly feud with the CIA, taking to Twitter to dismiss the findings of the intelligence agency he will soon be in charge of running. In fact, Trump is publicly questioning whether the CIA can even determine who is responsible for the hacking of U.S. political organizations during the election.

Unless you catch hackers in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasnt this brought up before election? Trump tweeted Monday morning. Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!

Trumps view of the CIA is directly contrary to the feelings of most of his party, which has long revered the intelligence community. McConnell, who is the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate, dismissed such criticism.

The CIA is filled with selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people, he said Monday morning. I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community, especially the Central Intelligence Agency.
On a recent December evening, from the middle of ISIS-occupied territory in Mosul, Saad spoke quietly into his mobile. The Iraqi army had just been mauled at the nearby Salam hospital in a fierce ISIS ambush, and the insurgents were prowling the streets of Saads neighborhood. They are moving around the area in their suicide vests, he told The Daily Beast over the phone in a hushed voice.

He lives adjacent to the Wahda district on the east bank of the Tigris river, and has borne witness to the latest bout of fighting in the contest for the city.

Saad said he heard the gunfire and the detonation of a suicide bomber who blew himself up amid Iraqi soldiers, and he could see the top floor of the hospital ablaze after the Iraqi army retreated.

Iraqi security forces have been slowly pushing into the eastern part of Mosul since November 1, liberating a series of neighborhoods on the outskirts. On December 6, the Iraqi 9th Armored Division tried a new approach, dashing through several areas in an attempt to seize Wahda, barely a mile from the first of five bridges that connect the two halves of the city.

The attack sparked a withering ISIS backlash, and brought the war to Saads doorstep.

Until then, he had experienced the deadly battle only through its side effects: Food and fuel prices skyrocketed after advances by Iraqi forces cut off a main supply route from Syria and the Mosul bridges were bombed by the U.S.-led coalition. The fighting interrupted the electricity and water supplies, and Saads family resorted to digging for ground water.

Residents in areas still under ISIS control also have to fear the groups increasing paranoia.

To prevent Moslawis from passing information to the military, the insurgents now kill everyone caught in possession of a phone, inhabitants tell The Daily Beast.

Hamad, who lives in the Al Quds area near the eastern fringes of the city, saw jihadists suddenly turn up at a neighbors house, where they found several mobile phones. They shot three of the occupants immediately.

You cant trust anyone, says Hamad, who suspects that ISIS had been tipped off by supporters of the group. (Like all the men interviewed in this piece, Hamad is going by a pseudonym to protect him from ISIS retribution.) Fortunately, the insurgents have had little time to focus on the population since they are battling the Iraqi military in the city, and house searches have become less common.

In the eastern part of Mosul, medical treatment is increasingly hard to come by.

Daesh [ISIS] has taken the medicine from the hospitals, and is using it for its fighters in field hospitals they have set up. They dont care what happens to the civilians, says Ahmed, who lives with his family in the embattled Faselea neigbhorhood near the eastern outskirts. The family has stocked up diabetes medicine for Ahmeds father and hope it will not run out before their area is liberated.

If you want to go to a doctor, you have to go to the other side of the river. But thats no longer possible, as all of the bridges have been bombed, says Hamad.

The insurgents have long cracked down brutally on any form of resistance by the inhabitants, and have conducted thorough house-to-house searches for weapons to forestall an armed uprising. But, fed up by the jihadists cruel regime and the increasing deprivations heaped on them, Mosuls inhabitants revel in small acts of defiance.

One of the foreign fighters asked us for directions to the front line, and we sent him the wrong way, recalls Ahmed gleefully.

Defying ISIS can carry a bigger danger. When the insurgents pulled out of the Masaref neighborhood late in November, they called on the population to follow them deeper into the city, says Mohammed, a local school teacher.

Daesh asked the people to leave their houses and retreat with them, but they refused. The people put their lives at risk by refusing, he says. Mohammeds neighborhood is now controlled by the elite Iraqi government counterterrorism units that have spearheaded the assault into the city. But his family is still unable to leave the house, as ISIS maintains a constant barrage of mortar fire that pours into Masaref.

Thoroughtly fanaticized by their hardline ideology and cynically seeking to use Mosuls population as human shields, the jihadists fire indiscriminately into the areas no longer under their control, and pick off civilians crossing the front lines.

The [ISIS] imams in the mosques say all people in liberated areas have become infidels, and that its allowed to kill them, says Hamad.

Hamads neighborhood, Al Quds, is adjacent to Karama, which is already largely controlled by Iraqi forces. Residents near the front lines are terrified about getting caught up in the crossfire. The Iraqi army and the coalition have made limited artillery and air strikes in the battle for Mosulproving that the jihadists human shield tactics is effectivebut civilians do fall victim to government fire, says Hamad.

Yesterday there was a big fight, but the bombardment didnt hit Daesh. It hit locals, and more than forty people died, he claims.

Some Moslawis are surprised that the military is not advancing more swiftly.

I dont see a lot of Daesh fighters in my area. I dont know why the liberation is so slow, says Hamad.

ISIS relies on suicide car bombs and snipers, and only has around 25 fighters in each neighborhood, according to Hamad. These cells act autonomously of each other, holding the ground at all cost without shifting to other parts of the front.

If the military takes an area, the Daesh fighters there dont retreat. But they dont help groups in other districts either, he says.

As the response to the armys ill-fated assault on Salam hospital demonstrated, ISIS maintains enough mobile reserves to flood an area with its fighters if needed. But many residents suspect that the insurgents are only mounting a skeleton defense in the eastern part of the city, and that resistance on the west bank of the Tigris will be stiffer still. The Iraqi army has yet to reach the city limits on that side of the river, and residents say that ISIS has constructed a strong defensive belt around the historic city centre.

They are preparing their defenses on other side of river, more than on this side of river, says Saad.

Many of the neighborhoods in and around the city center are poor, and popular support for ISIS has remained high. Unlike the more recently built districts on the east side of the river, the urban landscape in these older districts is dominated by dense housing and narrow streets. It in areas like theseMansour, Mosuljadida, Old Baghdad Road, Alrasalathat the insurgents will concentrate their defense, Saad predicts.

This will be where the main battle will be. Its filled with their fighters, he says.

Many of the foreign fighters, who are regarded as more fanatical and competent than the local recruits, have already crossed the river to save themselves for the final showdown.

As they wait, life around them is continuing much like it has since ISIS took control of the city in the summer of 2014.

The terror groups religious police, the Hisbah, continue to make the rounds on the west bank of the Tigris. There are no signs of fighting there, says Saad. The Hisbah are still collecting taxes, and are forcing people to keep their beards long.
The ex-congressman who threatened to take up arms if Donald Trump lost the election now says the president-elect is acting like an almost treasonous child. How one month can change everything.

Former Rep. Joe Walsh, now a radio host best known for his fiery commentary that long foreshadowed the rise of Trumpism (he was once suspended for dropping the n-word on-air), excoriated on Monday the president-elect for his handling of reports that U.S. intelligence officials believe the pre-election hack attacks on the Clinton campaign and the DNC were a Russian government attempt to sway the outcome.

There's evidence Russia messed around with our election, but cuz our guy won, people on my side are ok with that? That's so fucking wrong, Walsh tweeted on Saturday. What's ridiculous is you believing Russia over our own intelligence agencies, he later tweeted at the president-elect, in response to his dismissal of the CIA reports.

When news broke over the weekend that CIA officials say its quite clear the Russians cyber-attacked in order to help Trump win the presidency, the president-elect and his supporters have roundly dismissed any such suggestion.

The transition team initially released a statement tying the CIA to the Bush administrations erroneous belief in Iraq-held WMDs (not quite true); his many surrogates have flooded the media with claims that the hack was a false flag operation; and Trump himself took to Twitter to skeptically ask Why wasn't this brought up before election? (it was).

So wait...the CIA says Russia messed with our election to help Trump win and Trump attacks...the CIA? Not Russia? He goes after the CIA? Walsh continued over the weekend. He called House Speaker Paul Ryan a coward for not immediately backing an investigation of the hacks; he said other Republicans who dont join the anti-Russia fight should resign.

His tweetstorm was a far cry from the rhetoric of a man who wrote, two weeks before the election, that On November 9th, if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You in?

And his fury continued Monday with an appearance on CNN.

For Donald Trump to come out and attack our men and women in the CIA, Walsh said to host Brooke Baldwin, thats almost treasonous.

He further fumed: Im outraged at the lack of outrage, especially on my side. I get that the country's divided, but my God, a foreign government interfered with our election. That should piss everybody off!

Theres no debate, Walsh continued. All Republicans and Democrats in D.C. know [the Russians] interfered with this election. For Donald Trump to call it ridiculous and not believe it, he ought to be ashamed of himself.

I think he's acting like a third grader, he seethed. Maybe a fourth grader.

Pressed by Baldwin on how he could turn so quickly on the man he so vociferously defended just a month ago, Walsh said, I have a problem with any foreign government trying to pick our president.

And, finally, he lamented: If Donald Trump is watching right now, he blocked me on Twitter, so he doesn't follow me any more.

The truest sign that this bromance is officially over.
This month, a Texas rule mandating that fetal remains be buried or cremated will go into effect. Opponents have proposed voicing their dissent by sending used tampons and sanitary pads to Governor Greg Abbott in the mail. Despite no evidence that anybody has actually done this, the fact that some have been discussing doing it has gone viral.

This is far from the first time that proponents of a liberal cause have attempted to troll conservative foes with a crude, albeit apt, troll. But, as we sit on the cusp of an era of indeterminate length, when liberals and progressives have few strongholds at any level of government, is it time to switch to something less crass? Something, perhaps, with slightly more than a snowballs chance in hell of changing anybodys mind?

Supporters of abortion rights have reason to be incensed by the Texas rule. It was conceived (pun intended) by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission this summer, shortly after the states restrictive law targeting abortion providers was struck down by the Supreme Court, and proposed by the staunchly pro-life Abbott. It experienced no resistance from the GOP-led legislature. The rule was debated at a contentious hearing in August and quietly enacted.

Upon the rules passage, dissenters encouraged traditional means of protestletter writing, phone calling, local organizing, adamant frowning. But one Facebook post encouraged something a little more visceral: sending Governor Abbott bloodied tampons in the mail. The point of the theoretical protest was to emphasize that because many miscarriages take place early in pregnancy, every time a sexually active woman menstruates without a fertilization check, she might actually be breaking Texas state law. Ergo, box full of blood to the governor.

There are benefits to this method of protest. In this case, the proposed send-a-tampon protest raises awareness of a rule that was passed with little chance for the public to object. It also points out that Governor Abbott is making decisions about womens health while knowing very little about womens health. Plus, imagining ones enemies receiving a used tampon in the mail is, on a base level, extremely satisfying. Theres something cathartic about telling an enemy theyre stupid and wrong.

Invoking menstruation in protest against laws governing womens health is not unprecedented. When Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a similar law in Indiana in March, a movement called Periods for Pence encouraged women to call the governors office and provide updates to whoever answered the phone on their menstrual cycles. In 2014, Australian women protested the treatment of menstruating refugees by encouraging supporters to send unused tampons to Immigration Minister Scott Morrisons office.

But when that enemy has power over you, catharsis isnt necessarily practical.

First, its not clear that anybody has actually followed through on the suggestion that opponents of the Texas law should package up a used Kotex, address it to the governors mansion in Austin, and place it in U.S. mail. Its actually not legal to send human tissue through the mail unless its properly packaged and labeled as such, which would kind of spoil the surprise. Its also not clear who would face the brunt of the punishment if anybody successfully sent an improperly-packaged bloody tampon. Would a U.S. mail employee be the one to open the box? Would a low-level staffer charged with inspecting incoming mail be the one to make the unfortunate discovery? Would it be Greg Abbotts administrative assistant? It seems like a lot of trouble to go through for something that probably wouldnt even reach its intended recipient and could result in legal problems for the sender. The Daily Beast has asked Governor Abbotts office if hes received any tampons in the mail lately, and will update when we hear back.

Second, this is an example of awareness-raising that might be raising the wrong kind of awareness. Its one thing to keep supporters of ones cause fired up and engaged; its another to alienate potential allies by resorting to protest methods that people might find more distasteful than the law itself. One pro-life site covered the protest in depth, calling the protest immature and comparing it to another protest wherein satanists suggested sending semen-soaked socks to government officials. Last year, a Gallup poll found that for the first time in over a decade, most Americans are pro-choice. The last thing the cause needs in light of this fragile little victory is for middle America to see abortion rights wrapped up with illegal activity and satanism.

Its not clear that menstrual boat-rocking works to change elected officials minds, either. While Periods for Pence enjoyed the support of 70,000 Facebook fans at one point, the law Pence signed didnt stall because of all the calls to his office. It was halted by a court order. And some of Abbotts previous attempts to spin move around Roe with half-baked schemes wrapped in mawkish language about womens health have met similar fates at the hands of the judicial system. Not at the hands of mass deployment of snark.

Abbott, Pence, and their ilk are true believers in the pro-life cause; theyre not going to be swayed by a period joke, not matter how darkly funny; Jesus Christ himself could glide down from heaven on a rainbow and have difficulty persuading a middle-aged man entrenched in his abortion worldview. Supporters of choice are more likely to find legislative success by persuading their centrist friends and neighbors to view their side compassionately; theyre more likely to get results by replacing local and state politicians than they are convincing those with extreme views to change theirs.

Nobody likes to be told to play nice, or to dial down their anger. But anger cant be all a cause relies on when their side has dwindling power. On November 8, progressives lost. They lost the White House. They lost statehouses. Congress, the Senate, lost, lost. The Supreme Court, barring a Chicxulub crater-sized asteroid striking and putting this world out of its misery or Ruth Bader Ginsburg discovering a life elixir, will likely be lost in the very near future.

The people who joined Pantsuit Nation facebook groups and hashtagged #NotMyPresident as hard as they possibly could, the people who made signs and took to the streets on November 9 and 10 are not people who the anti-abortion rights people in charge need to appease. Republicans, from Trump on down, won without progressives, and Trumps cruel streak doesnt bode well for those who would troll him or his allies. If abortion rights supporters want to minimize the ground they lose over the next four years, its time they get craftier, play a longer game, and resist the urge to seek gleeful gratification at the expense of meaningful progress.
When it comes to faithless electors, I wrote the bookliterally.

Okay, it was a novel, and a satirical one at that. But I did immerse myself in the law, and the lore, of the Electoral College, and the potential for faithless (or rebellious or courageous) electors to throw the whole process of picking a president into a cocked hat. (The novel, The Peoples Choice, is available at fine church basements and rummage sales, or here.)

Its from this perspective that Im watching the various efforts to deprive Donald Trump of his majority when the electors meet in their respective states this week. There are six Democratic electors from Washington and Colorado trying to persuade their Republican counterparts to join them in voting for Mitt Romney or for Ohio Governor John Kasich. (Kasichs rejected the idea out of hand). Theres a Texas Trump elector who says he cant vote for him. Theres Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig, who promises to offer free legal defense to any Trump elector who votes for Hillary Clinton.

Its all a shadow playentertaining, provocative, but bearing no relation to current political reality.

In theory, Trump would offer the perfect case for rebellion. He lost the popular vote by 2.7 million votes; four of the last five GOP presidential nominees and a substantial cohort of Republican senators refused to back him. Even now, after the election, a majority of Americans believe he lacks the temperament or qualifications to be president.

But when theory meets reality, the prospects dim to invisibility. To begin with, Trumps electoral majority is simply too big. Think back to 2000, when George W. Bush emerged from the post-election battle with 271 electoral votes. Had only three of his electors defected to Goreon the ground, say that Gore had won half a million votes more than Bush, he would have had the majority (at least temporarily; more on that in a moment). Not a single Bush elector bolted; including those unbound by any state law forcing them to stay with their pledged candidate. The prospect of persuading 37 Trump electors to rebel is all but non-existent.

But lets assume it happened (Maybe Trump could say or do something in the days before December 19th that would prove beyond the pale, though what hes said and done this last year and a half makes that idea shaky.) Lets say when the usually ceremonial battling is over, 40 Trump electors have bolted.

Then what?

Those votes would have to be validated by the appropriate state official, usually the secretary of state (No, not John Kerry, the 50 officials across the country). If these electors were bound by state law to vote for their pledged candidate, that official might well refuse to count that vote; court battles would follow, but its by no means clear that such votes would be certified and sent on to Washington.

Meanwhile, the legislatures in states where electors defected might weigh in. Its hard to believe, but under the Constitution, state legislatures have all but total power over how electors are chosen. They are under no legal obligation to let voters have any say at all; they could designate the Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner to pick them; or, they could make the choice themselves. (Thats what the Florida legislature threatened to do back in 2000 when the Gore-Bush recount fights dragged on). So should an elector, or two, or six from a state bolt, theres a good legal case to be made that the states legislature could say no way! and choose their own slate.

Assume, though, that this doesnt happen, and that somehow defecting votes are sent to Washington. Theres still the pesky matter of the United States Congressthe final arbiter of these votes.

On January 6, senators and representatives will gather in joint session in the House chamber to receive the votes of the states, with the vice president presiding (thats why Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and Al Gore all presided over the ceremony that declared them the losers). They meet to decide whether the votes of each state were regularly given. If one senator and one House member objects in writing to the announced vote, the two houses retire to their respective chambers to debate the issue. Is there any basis to believe that a GOP-controlled House and Senate would accept the vote of a defecting elector as regularly given? (They have in the past, but in those cases, the stray vote or two had no impact at all on the outcome.)

And even if this process somehow left Trump short of 270 votes, the decision would then move to the House of Representatives. In that body, each statenot each representativewould have one vote (to be determined by a majority of the delegation). In a remarkably undemocratic process, Wyomings one member would have the same power as the 53 from California. To become president, a candidate would need a majority of state delegations, or 26. In the new House, Republicans will hold a majority in 30-plus delegations. Do the math. (The Senate would get to choose the vice president, with each senator having one vote; my money would be on Pence).

There may be cases where faithless electors could actually determine the outcome. In my novel, the just-elected President dies in a photo opportunity, thus freeing his electors from any legal or moral obligation to vote for the partys designated replacement. And, had Trump emerged with the same kind of narrow margin that Bush did, a bolt of a dozen or so electors would throw the outcome into at least a measure of doubt.

But thats not what this bizarre political year has given us. Trying to change the outcome through an Electoral College revolt is like playing a game of chutes and ladders with only chutes. No matter how many moves you make, sooner or later you wind up in the same place.
Consider the case of the unfortunate Mary Clues.

The 50-year-old Londoner found solace in drink after the death of her husband in 1771. Over the next 18 months, she became much addicted to alcohol, in the words of a contemporary, drinking a half a pint or more of rum every day. On the night of March 1, 1773, she retired early to bed. At 5:30 the following morning, smoke was seen issuing through the window of her flat.

Neighbors broke down her door and rushed in. Marys bodyor what was left of itwas found between her bed and fireplace. The skin, muscles, and viscera were destroyed, wrote a witness, and the bones of the cranium, breast, spine, and upper extremities were calcined and covered with a whitish efflorescence. Only one leg and one thigh remained intact of the poor woman.

And so, with little ceremony, Mary joined the growing roster of drunkards who died mysteriously and suddenly. The suspected perpetrator? Spontaneous human combustion.

Between 1725when the first case allegedly occurredand 1847, some 50 similar instances were recorded. The victims were almost universally intemperate drinkers. The belief, persistent throughout the 18th and the 19th century, was that beverage alcohol could convert into a highly flammable gas via some mysterious transmutation within certain unwitting humans. An untidy denouement soon followed. The best preventative was to avoid ardent spirits altogether.

The Anatomy of Drunkenness, published in 1828, includes a full chapter on human combustion, inventorying many gruesome episodes that had befallen those overly fond of liquor. This included a Bohemian peasant who lost his life in consequence of a column of ignited inflammable air issuing from his mouth. Another unfortunate named Don Gio Maria Berthols was found alone in his room, bathed in blue flame. Friends extinguished him and he lived another four days, although perhaps wishing he hadnt: The body already exhaled an insufferable odor; worms crawled from it on the bed, and the nails had become detached from the left hand.

In 1799, a physician named Pierre Lair reviewed all known cases of human combustion and found many similarities: Most victims were alcoholics, they were elderly (over 60), and they were overweight. The combustion was extremely rapid and left behind the putrid stink of burned organic matter. The fire often failed to ignite or damage the surroundings. Lair concluded that the spirits most likely to lead to combustion were, in order: gin, brandy, whiskey, and rum.

The corporeal pyrotechnics continued throughout the 19th century. In 1865, it was reported that a habitual drinker was discovered completely enveloped in a silver-colored flame, like the wick of a candle in its blaze. Around the same time in Illinois it was reported that a woman of 180 pounds, who had recently consumed a quart of whiskey, went up in flames and was swiftly reduced to cinders. Her ashes were found in a hole burned through her kitchen floor. The entire remains weighed less than twelve pounds, noted a report.

The idea that one could instantly go up like a roman candle got a significant boost in the mid 19th century thanks to the tacit endorsement of the eras biggest celebrity: the novelist Charles Dickens.

Dickens published his novel Bleak House in serial form between 1852 and 53. In the 10th installment, two men with the aptly Dickensian names of Guppy and Jobling detect a foul stench pervading their rooms in a London boarding house. They head downstairs to investigate and enter the apartment of a rag and bottle merchant named Krook, an eccentric individual of intemperate habits, far advanced in life.

Their discovery: The burning smell is thereand the soot is there, and the oil is thereand he is not there! Further investigation reveals a smouldering suffocating vapour in the room, and a dark greasy coating on the walls and ceiling.

Dickens was beloved for his realism, and so critics assailed himthis seemed a fantastical detour and unworthy of the great author. But Dickens doubled down, and in the preface to the novels single volume edition in 1853, he defended his scene as wholly plausible. I took pains to investigate the subject, Dickens wrote. The spontaneous human combustion debate flared anew.

In truth, those with a scientific bent never fully embraced the notion. Even the author of the Anatomy of Drunkenness admitted, whether it could happen, I profess myself totally unable to determine. A 1869 report on the topic noted that, The corpses of drunkards have never been found to be combustible. Its telling that another trait of spontaneous incineration was that no witness was ever present when it occurred.

Why did the idea persist? Consider: The most vocal advocates of the combustion theory came from the temperance movement. While the link between intemperance and inferno appears not to have started with them, they found it rather handy in making their case. It was another arrow in their quiver, and no arrow demands attention quite like a flaming arrow.

A fiery death for those who drank injudiciously served as a vital disincentive to even start tipplingin this it was similar to the blindness and painful buboes that were said to afflict serial masturbators. It was clear evidence of gods displeasure and a fitting punishment for transgressors. Drinkers would enter their own, individually crafted hell. A temperance lecturer in Canada in 1859 told of young man who got into his cups one night, and later was found literally roasted from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. He lived two weeks longer, during which he said he was suffering the torments of hell and knew he was about to enter its dismal caverns.

In 1850 a drinker went up in smoke in Scotland. This sad event produced a great sensation, noted one account. It also awakened a deeper interest in the temperance movement in the district. Its hard to believe this was a coincidence.

The idea that a drinker could become a fireball at any given moment persisted as late as 1928although in a less extreme form now referred to as preternatural combustibility. It was not spontaneous, although it still chiefly afflicted the bodies of fat, bloated individuals who have been excessive drinkers.

Its worth noting that the concept of spontaneous human combustion didnt vanish until the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, which was followed by the subsequent decline of the temperance movements influence.

The lesson? Misinformation and fake news doesnt just appear when theres a pool of ignorance. Its invariably part of an ecosystem of complicated motives, some hidden and some not.

One might find a lesson in all this. One might also choose to pour oneself a stiff drink. I recommend the latter.
Rex Tillerson, the Exxon Mobil chief executive, has drawn pointed scrutiny for his cozy relationship with Vladimir Putinan affinity he and Trump share. But his disagreement with Trump on one key policy issue has drawn far less notice: In 2013, the CEO heaped praise on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Trump spent his entire presidential campaign ranting against TPP, and has promised he will pull the U.S. out of it on his first day as president.

But Tillerson, like many industry executives, argued the trade deal would benefit the U.S. and improve the quality of life for people living in the Pacific Rim countries that came together to agree on the deal.

He made the case clearly in a speech on June 3, 2013, in Washington D.C. to the Asia Society Global Forum. His remarks focused on how to produce enough energy for the worlds growing population.

Even when a nation does not have a rich endowment of resources, we have learned that open markets and free trade can bring nations the energy supplies they need, Tillerson said. But only governments can open the avenues of free trade.

He then said that governments in Asia and the U.S. need to make policies that support international cooperation and energy trade.

One of the most promising developments on this front is the ongoing effort for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, he continued. The 11 nations that have been working to lower trade barriers and end protectionist policies under this partnership are a diverse mix of developed and developing economies. But all of them understand the value of open markets to growth and progress for every nation.

Those remarks werent an anomaly. In a 2007 speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, he criticized the kind of trade rhetoric that Trump now enthusiastically embraces.

Trade barriers, punitive taxes, artificial subsidies, and other market manipulations may appear to some to be in the interest of U.S. energy security, he said then. But to the extent they inhibit development and diversification of global economic energy supply, they clearly are not.

He then argued for a global free market for energy.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this report.

If he becomes secretary of Stateone of the most powerful Cabinet positionsTillerson will have significant sway over U.S. trade policy. And he wouldnt be the only member of Trumps Cabinet to back the pact. The Wall Street Journal noted on Dec. 8 that the president-elect is staffing his administration with TPP supporters, including Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Secretary of Commerce nominee Wilbur Ross, Gen. James Mattis, and even Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trumps vice president-elect.

In fact, should he become the countrys chief diplomat, Tillersons praise isnt out of line with that of his predecessorsSecretary of State John Kerry and, of course, Hillary Clinton.
By Susan Ferriss, Center for Public Integrity

During a Republican primary debate last February, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida seized a moment. He asserted that even though Donald Trump the candidate was attacking undocumented immigrants, Trump the businessman had used 200 undocumented Polish workers to build Trump Tower, the president-elects gilded Gotham high-rise.

This foreign-worker imbroglio involving Trumpthere are moreled to a court ruling in 1991 that Trump associates were in on a plan to stiff a laborers union out of pension benefits by underpaying the Poles. Trump professed not to know about the workers status, according to reports, and he appealed. Fifteen years later, though, after some of the Poles went public in news reports about wage and safety violations, Trump ended the protracted legal battle with a sealed settlement.

He brings up something from 30 years ago, Trump said at the debate, lashing back at Rubio. Trump said laws were different then. It worked out very well, he said with a shrug. Everybody was happy.

But millions of Americans who are married or otherwise related to other undocumented people are not at all happy todayand they cant afford to shrug off the past like Trump. Employers who have stepped up over the years to admit that many employees are likely undocumented are also dismayed. They fear that Trumps election means the end of a long quest for immigration reform that recognizes that most undocumented workers are not the criminals or bad hombres that Trump excoriated during the campaign. Instead, theyre the spouses and parents of U.S. citizens, longtime co-workers and neighbors and home and business ownersand their issues, problems and challenges are far more complex than Trumps heated rhetoric would make it appear.

A chill in the air

Our members are scared out of their wits, said Kim Anderson, a Minnesotan who leads American Families United. The group represents U.S. citizens with undocumented spouses who are unable to legalize those spouses under current immigration laws without great risks. Members are now coming to grips with the possibility that their circumstances are about to get even worse.

On immigration, like on many other subjects, its sometimes hard to figure where the president-elects bluster ends and his actual position lies. Trumps stinging words about Mexicans and Muslims during the campaign are old news, but not forgotten as he prepares to take power. He initiated his campaign by fixating on Mexican who cross the border, calling them rapists before adding, after a pause, that some, I assume, are good people. He tried softening his rhetoric in an Arizona speech by referring to the great contributions of Mexican-American citizens to our two countries and the close friendship between our two nations. But Trumps appointment of Steve Bannon as his chief White House strategist has inflamed tensions further because of Bannons talk-radio past and his Breitbart website, which features diatribes degrading immigrants and people of color.

For members of American Families United, the prospects their concerns will be heard feel thin.

A myth persists that if Americans marry undocumented peoplewho many have met at workthose spouses can easily transition to legal status. The reality is that Americans can no longer apply to get green cards for undocumented spouses without facing severe consequences if their husbands or wives originally entered the country illegally and were here for more than one year. Those spouses are automatically subject to being banished from the United States for 10 years, sometimes longer, even for life. This policy came about long before Trump. A Republican-controlled Congress tucked the punitive measures, known as bars, into the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Application of the bars was phased in, shocking a first wave of couples who were unaware of the changes.

More than 9 million people appear to live in mixed status families with an undocumented adult and at least one U.S.-born child, according to the Pew Research Center. As of 2014, Pew estimated, 66 percent of undocumented adults had been in the United States for more than 10 yearsenough time to form families.

Because of the rules, some mixed-status families have already been forced into exile to stay intact. Theyve suffered financial strain and emotional trauma. Others, to keep jobs here, have had to live separately from spouses and children who are stuck abroad, as the Center for Public Integrity reported in 2012. Still others have chosen not even to try for green cards, and instead live every day worrying that a spouse could get picked up in a workplace raid or due to a traffic stop.

For years, these citizens have tried to persuade Congress unsuccessfully to reform these penaltiesarguing that the bars have done nothing to deter illegal immigration and instead are a disproportionate punishment falling on Americans. Multiple bills with some bipartisan support have so far stalled in Congress.

President Obamas administration did make a slight change thats aided some in this community; in 2013 he issued a regulatory tweak allowing spouses seeking green cards to apply for waivers from banishment without having to leave the country, as had been required. However, since many spouses had already been advised they would not qualify for the narrow criteria for a waiver, they were unable to benefit from the regulatory change.

Our members have lived in this unknown fear for years that at any given moment their lives can be wrecked, irreversibly, Alexander said. With Trumps election, thats been ratcheted up by 10 times.

Hard-line approach

Indeed, Trumps position sounds uncompromising.

For those here today illegally who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and only one route: to return home and apply for re-entry, Trump said in his Arizona speech. Our message to the world will be this: You cannot obtain legal status, or become a citizen of the United States, by illegally entering our country.

Another group whose future now appears in peril: more than 700,000 so-called Dreamers, young people whose parents brought them here as children and whom President Obama and a number of Republican leaders have defended as Americans in all but documents. So-called DREAM Act legislation that would have provided Dreamers an earned path to legal status has failed repeatedly. So in 2012, Obama issued an executive order granting some Dreamers who registered with the government temporary protection from deportation and two-year work permits that must be renewed.

Obama has urged Trump to show compassion for Dreamers. It is my strong belief that the majority of the American people would not want to see suddenly those kids have to start hiding again, Obama said. But Trump has said hell immediately terminate Obama executive orders like the Dreamer policy. Hes also said that only after the border is controlled will we be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those who remain.

In an interview with Time magazine this month, Trump suggested were going to work something out for Dreamers. They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here, he said. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen.

One of Congresss hardliners, Rep. Steve King (R-IA), didnt sound happy with the softer tone. He told CNN that among these Dreamers are some awfully bad people, and he added: Will those children point to their parents and tell us, You really need to enforce the law against my parents, because they knew what they were doing when they caused me to break the law?

A circle of immigration-restriction activists who favor a hard lineand who say theyve advised the Trump campaignhave historically expressed little mercy for Dreamers.

When a version of the DREAM Act failed to pass in 2007, Roy Beck, the executive director of NumbersUSA, one of these groups, said he had no sympathy for the young people.

I have no trouble looking at them in the eye, and saying, Too bad. Life is hard, Best told The Sacramento Bee. Beck, whose group has mobilized voters to oppose Dream Act proposals, told Reuters this fall that he met Trump in New York during the campaign.

NumbersUSA declares a policy of no to immigrant bashing" on its website and contends its concern is over-population. But the Southern Poverty Law Center criticized the group in a report, The Nativist Lobby: Three Faces of Intolerance, due to racially charged remarks expressed by a founder and a Beck associate.

Kris Kobach, the controversial Kansas secretary of state, has also been among those counseling Trump on immigration matters. Before he held elected office, Kobach pressed several lawsuits to deprive Dreamers of the right to pay in-state tuition to attend public colleges where they grew up. His suits have failed in California, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Kobach was also the architect of an Arizona law that required police there to demand proof of legal status for people suspected of being undocumented. The U.S. Supreme Court reviewed that law and upheld the power of police to investigate a persons status under certain conditions. But as part of a civil-rights lawsuit settlement, Arizona stopped requiring police to demand evidence of legal status or hold people for prolonged periods solely for that purpose.

Back in 2012, while advising GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Kobach argued that within four years, if attrition through enforcement were made the centerpiece of national immigration policy, you could see the illegal alien population cut in half. The battle of Dreamers could shift to Congress again soon: GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a longtime supporter of legal status for Dreamers, plans to introduce another version of the Dream Act next year.

Unforeseen consequences

Regardless of what actually happens on the policy front, though, what Anderson of American Families United fears is more collateral damage.

She worries additional Americans will be driven into exilelike Margot Bruemmer. Originally from New Jersey, Bruemmer was a college English professor when she moved with her young children and undocumented husband in 2005 to Veracruz, Mexico. Bruemmers spouse learned at a green-card interview in Mexico that he was barred from entering the United State for at least 10 years. After 10 years, the couple re-applied for the green card. But he was rejected again. A devastated Bruemmer is facing a lifetime outside the United States to keep her family together.

Begging and pleading by phone, email, and in person with senators and congressmen was in vain, the mother of three children said in a message to friends.

Anderson questions what benefit there is for Americans to deny life in the United States to Margots children.

But Anderson conceded that mustering support for undocumented immigrants isnt easy. A Gallup poll last July actually found that 84 percent of U.S. adultsand 76 percent of Republicansfavored allowing undocumented immigrants to earn legal status over time if they met certain requirements. Yet Anderson acknowledged the battle cry often rising above that sentiment: that the undocumented should do it the right way, and get in line, and shouldnt be rewarded with legal status.

That rhetoric bumps up against a cold reality; the current immigration system doesnt actually provide a way for most undocumented people to correct their status by getting in a line. Without a change in policy, many spouses of Americans or legal residents face the punitive bars blocking them from re-entering the United States. For many others, there is no line at all: Most visas for legal residency are based on marriage or other immediate family ties. Work visa categories and opportunities for employer sponsorship for green cards are extremely narrowbenefiting mostly people with so-called extraordinary skills, including professional athletes and models, which is what facilitated Trumps wife Melanias transition to the United States.

Even if a U.S. employer is eager to sponsor and legalize undocumented workers whove become trusted workersin farming, for example, or elder careits all but impossible because unskilled job visas are few and requests are backlogged for years. On top of that, at present, any history of crossing the border illegally or undocumented status can be disqualifying.

Americans frustrated by these barriers contrast their experiences with what theyve heard about the future first lady.

Melania Trump has said that she followed all visa rules when she arrived here about 20 years ago. But according to an Associated Press investigation, documents showed that Melania performed 10 modeling jobs valued at more than $20,000 while she was still on a visitors visa in 1996 that did not permit her to work. The jobs were performed, the AP reported, weeks before she was issued an H-1B non-immigrant temporary work visa in October 1996. Violating terms of a visa or presenting a misleading history involving a visa can result in denial of re-entry to the United States and denial of a permanent residency application. Melania obtained permanent residency in 2001, but hasnt elaborated on how she made that transition. She became a U.S. citizen in 2006, a year after she and Trump married.

The contrast with businesses like agriculture appear stark to manyincluding Barry Bedwell, president of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Agribusiness leans heavily Republican, but Bedwell counts himself among those dispirited by Trumps rhetoric and worried about what comes next.

The long partnership between employers and the undocumented has been allowed to develop because its been mutually beneficial, admitted Bedwell. Like many in agribusiness, hes frustrated that conservatives in other parts of the country arent open to his point of view. But now that weve moved past the campaign, he said, Im hoping cooler heads will prevail.

Bedwell is based in the Salinas Valley, and before that he was based in Fresnotwo of the most productive agribusiness regions in the world. Tending and harvesting crops must be done at precise moments in time, so workers need to be available. California has much at stake in whatever the Trump administration does hereand so do American consumers, given that the Golden State produces the majority of Americas fruits and vegetables and is the leading producer of milkand relies heavily on undocumented laborers.

What the agricultural community needs to do now, Bedwell said, is understand its vulnerabilities and play extreme defense.

Troubling stalemate

For many, both recent history and the current situation seem counterproductive. President Bill Clintons administration began investing billions on fortifying the border in the mid-90s, and President George W. Bush invested billions more. Smugglers fees began escalating and trips became more dangerous, so more and more workers stayed put.

Trump argues that lower-skilled immigrants compete directly against vulnerable American workers, and draw much more out of the system than they will ever pay in. But agribusiness companies have complained at times about worker shortages in the wake of extra border security, such as occasional deployments of the National Guard, and most economists argue that American consumers have benefited overall from immigrant labor, documented or not.

Stretching back to the 90s, a coalition of business, labor, and civil rights groups have unsuccessfully pursued reform. They didnt always agree on everything. But versions of bills they generally backed would have legalized some of the current workforce for the sake of preventing disruption in the national food supply and other industries, and to promote community and family stability. Proposals would have also overhauled the system for vetting claims of worker shortages and then admitting workers to fill jobs that arent necessarily considered extraordinarylike modelingbut essential to the economy.

Proposals included trade-offs that were uncomfortable for some. Versions of farmworker-specific legislation would have phased-in a legalization of current workers, on condition they stayed in the fields for a period before leaving for other jobs. Farmers would be expected to increase use of a guest worker program whose inefficiencies they could help reform. For some labor advocates, these provisions were a bitter pill because unions fought to end the exploitative Bracero program in 1964 that had imported Mexican farmworkers without equal rights. But labor activists were also concerned that workers were dying crossing deserts for jobs, or were undocumented and less able to fight for better treatment.

Provisions in these failed immigration bills would have also poured billions of dollars more into additional border security. And in an unprecedented step, all versions of these bills would have also phased in mandatory employer use of the E-Verify system, an online system for authenticating ID documents.

To understand why employersand labor activistssupport such broad-based reforms, Bedwell and others say, Americans need a better understanding of whats happened in the past.

E-Verify didnt exist when Congress and President Ronald Reagan approved the last major immigration legislation 30 years agoa bitterly contested measure known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act. Before the 1986 reform, it wasnt even illegal to hire undocumented workers. Into the 70s, employers could sponsor undocumented immigrants for green cards with greater ease. Immigration judges, too, had greater latitude to review individual cases and grant legal status.

In 1986, in addition to an amnesty, Congress mandated that employers ask to see a prospective employees documents indicating legal statusand then record and keep that information on file. Not complying can result in a fine. But employers arent expected to be experts in detecting fake documents. And with rare exception, most escape responsibility for hiring undocumented workers because the legal burden of proving they knowingly hired workers is difficult to meet. So the employer sanctions that were part of the legislation proved largely ineffective. And even though border control spending exploded in the mid-90s, workers willing to risk more perilous crossings kept coming, and employers kept hiring them to fill jobsnot just on farms, but in construction and services.

Now, though, mandating E-Verify would be a potential game changer for businessesassuming the systems not insignificant operational problems can be smoothed out. Trump has said his administration will ensure that E-Verify is used to the fullest extent possible under existing law, and will work with Congress to strengthen and expand its use across the country.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which led the comprehensive-immigration-reform charge for years in Washington, has produced reams of documents featuring economists positive take on immigration. The group points to longitudinal studies finding that immigrants boost economic growth and tax revenues and on balance push up wages for the native-born, who assume more management roles.

But since Trumps victory, the chamber has gone silent, and is regrouping for a new era. Were not going to speculate on anything related to the Trump administrations policies at this time, a spokeswoman said in an email. We look forward to working with the new administration and the new Congress on issues of importance to the business community, which includes immigration reform.

Swimming upstream

Even before Trump, reform advocates like the Chamber were up against a rising tide of skepticism regarding reform.

Congress grew cold after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and conservative talk radio and TV programs began a drumbeat of attacks against legalizing immigrants; TV personalities such as Lou Dobbs spread outlandish claims about Mexican plots to take over the American Southwest. Ironically, Mexican President Vicente Foxthe most pro-U.S. Mexican president in modern timeswas increasingly excoriated by Dobbs and others. As wars in Afghanistan and Iraq tarnished President Bushs popularity, he lost his ability to muster GOP support for a reform he had pushed. An influx of Central Americans fleeing violent gangs also brought a backlash.

Immigrant advocates arent convinced that Trumps pledges to get tough will result in a mass exodus of people, but they do think workers will feel pain far more than employers. Bruce Goldstein, president of the nonprofit Farmworker Justice in Washington, D.C, said, Im worried that the current undocumented workers will be pushed further into the margins of society where they will suffer more.

Bill Hing, a veteran immigration attorney and professor at the University of San Francisco, said his phone is ringing off the hook now as clients seek an educated guess on what Trump might do. More workplace raids might occur to make a splash, Hing also predicted. But employers, especially agribusiness, he said, are sure to try to enlist GOP leaders like House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Bakersfield, Caliifornia, to try to fend off what they view as disruptive enforcement.

Americans, Hing added, forget that there is truth to the argument that undocumented immigrants do take jobs Americans dont want to do. The undocumented are also consumers; local economies would suffer if the population vanished suddenly.

Among Trumps favorite campaign stump lines was his vow to build a great and beautiful wall that Mexico would be forced to pay fora vow hes waffled on at times. He also railed against Mexico for stealing American jobs because U.S. corporations have factories there.

Yet despite his America first rhetoric, Trump himself used Mexican and Asian factories to produce his clothing line. The Washington Post reported that construction workers on Trumps new hotel in Washington, D.C., admitted just last year that they were undocumented. Trump denied hiring undocumented workers and said the company used E-Verify to conduct screening.

In Florida, The New York Times reported that nearly 300 U.S. citizens have applied since 2010 to work as cooks, housekeepers, and wait staff at Trumps luxury Mar-a-Lago Clubbut that only 17 were hired. The U.S. Labor Department, which reviews whether a business has met requirements to try to hire Americans first, certified 685 H-2B guest worker visas for Mar-a-Lago between 2008 and 2015. CNN reported that over 15 years, Trumps businesses have filed for more than 1,250 foreign workers for various positions. Trump seemed to prefer young, attractive Eastern European or South African people, former workers told CNN.

Trump batted away these findings during the campaign, claiming there were very few qualified workers during the high season in the Mar-a-Lago areaa claim disputed by services that match employees in the area. Some news reports found that the business did little to meet requirements to advertise for workers. Mar-a-Lago justified its requests for foreign workers by saying that not enough American applicants were willing to work split shifts or part time.

Trump began suggesting in the final days of his campaign hed go after criminal undocumented people first, which is already an Obama administration policy. In a transition video he released to the public on Nov. 21, Trump announced that he plans to direct the U.S. Department of Labor to investigate all abuses of visa programs that undercut the American workerexactly how some in Florida reportedly felt about Trumps recruitment of European guest workers.

The contradictions with him are enormous, said Muzaffar Chishti, who researches migration and is the director of Migration Policy Institutes office at the New York University School of Law. The Migration Policy Institute is a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.

When it comes to immigration and accountability, Chishti said, employers have been able to shift the burden downstream for years now, to subcontractors and workers. Based on Trumps harsh but mercurial rhetoric, Chishti added, its hard to imagine how Trumps vows to police practices he has reportedly engaged in will eventually play out.

Throughout history, Chishti noted, Americans have employed foreign-born workers, and turned against them in fits of xenophobia that include labeling newcomers as criminal or unable to assimilate.

Americas always been ambivalent about immigration, he said, for a nation of immigrants.

Correction: An earlier version of this story reported that the Southern Poverty Law Center had labeled NumbersUSA a hate group. The SPLC has criticized NumbersUSA as nativist and for ties to a founder who has expressed racially charged views. But the SPLC does not include the group on a specific list it calls extremist or hate groups.

Courtesy of the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative news organization based in Washington, D.C.

Susan Ferriss has investigated juvenile justice and childrens issues for the Center for Public Integrity since 2011. She covered the aftermath of the 1986 amnesty for the San Francisco Examiner, was a Cox Newspapers correspondent in Mexico for almost 10 years and covered immigration and government for the Sacramento Bee newspaper. She also produced The Golden Cage, a film about farmworkers and co-wrote The Fight in the Fields, a history of labor leader Cesar Chavez.
The thousands who marched on Trump Tower in New York right after the election have returned to their hives and lives. Groups in the low double figures sometimes gather nearby at night. Im the day shift, every day. It feels like the third shift because Im usually a solitary watchman on Fifth Avenue across the street from the Tower. You can walk the sidewalk in front of the building if you agree to be searched by the police, but they would never let me stroll with my protest sign. You can also go into the Tower if you put your bag through an X-ray machine. I fold my sign into my bag and enter to use the Towers underground marble toilet. Down there in the bowels of the ziggurat, I think of Trump way up in his penthouse and a line by the novelist William Gass: I want to rise so high that when I shit I wont miss anybody.

Pedestrian movement several blocks in any direction from Ground Trump is curtailed and controlled by the waist-high barriers with metal bars you see at New York City parades. All the varieties of police swarm the area: Secret Service, a SWAT team outside the Towers front doors, traffic police in yellow vests, community affairs police in bright blue jackets, regular officers with their low-slung duty belts, undercover cops (I assume), and what my contacts, the blue jackets, call the white shirts, the lieutenants and inspectors. Many of the blue jackets in charge of pedestrians are women, Latino, or black, and some nod at my protest signs or even shake my hand when I arrive for duty. I think of them as secret sharers of the sidewalk. The white shirts are mostly white guys like me, and they dont like me protesting the orange whale Trump on his block, their block.

There is a protesters pen constructed of those metal barriers down the Avenue from the Tower. Thats where the after-work groups of 10 or 20 are confined, shouting out their chants without disturbing those who live in the building. I reject the cage. I take my stand smack in front of what I heard one black cop call the Black House so passers-by can take photos of my signs and the TRUMP TOWER sign behind and above me. I ask scores of smartphone users every day to post their photos online. Thousands walk past me in a day, and many may read my sign, but the solitary protester can now really multiply his semiotic impression through social media.

Ill stand at my post for some hours, and then a white shirt will come by and tell his blue jackets to move me. Once I conversed directly with a tidy whitey. He said, You have to move. I said, Im not impeding pedestrian traffic. He said, You have to move if youre on the sidewalk. I happened to be standing right at the curb, so I stepped back onto the street, where I was protected by a barrier from traffic. The officer walked off, took out his phone, and I got a visit from the blue jackets who told me to move because they really didnt want to arrest me.

Speech is free if youre in the cage or in motion. So I walk, as one blue jacket suggested, like a turtle up and down the block because I cant be arrestedI thought of the root meaning of arrestif I keep moving. I stand still when people ask to photograph my sign, when Im out of sight of the blue jackets, and when they go into one of their vans to get warm. But going to and fro on the earth, as Satan tells God, doesnt give the same impression as standing firm, hands behind my back, sign hanging from my neckposing as a lone heroic resister against the depredations to come. Im not stopping any tanks, like that guy in Tiananmen Square, and I dont want to end up, like Bartleby, in prison, but being solitary is advantageous. One day a woman with a sign stood next to me, and the blues converged to explain that since protesters were now twoa veritable demonstration!we had to go into the cage.

My first sign, RAGE TRUMPS HATE, was just ambiguous enough to get me interviewed by print journalists from Canada, England, Argentina, and France. And taped by TV channels in Russia, Japan, Sweden, and Kurdistan (whose reporter was amazed that an American knew who the Kurds were). Fox News and CNN are in the media pen right behind my post, but they never point their cameras my way. Like me, the lip-glossed and hair-fiddling talking heads want the Tower at their backs. With plenty of time to think, I imagine new visual memes: Turn Your Back On Trump or Take Photo, Post Tower On Its Head. When the lights go on to illuminate the TV reporters, pedestrians stop to gawk at them and impede other pedestrians. Thats when I realize police enforcement of the stay in motion rule is arbitrary and selective, for officers dont disperse the crowd of gawkers, valued New York tourists. But if three or four people stop at the same time to take photos of my sign, Im told to move along by some among the blue jackets. They always cite higher ups, and I wonder from just how high up the order descends. I like to think the petty occupant of the penthouse wants to cancel sidewalk mockery as he hopes to cancel Saturday Night Live.

Invariably, the interviewers first question of me is not what I have against the outliar[sic]-elect but why I would I be standing by myself holding a hand-lettered sign. I dont try to change anyones mind. But if Im sufficiently enraged to stand alone out in the cold every day, maybe Ill inspire my fellow citizens to stay angry. NEW 3 RS: RAGE, REJECT, RESIST. As another of my signs says, NEVER SETTLE WITH THIS FRAUD. Since its mostly visitors who walk Fifth Avenue, I also address them: TOURISTS: TRUMP TOWER IS NOT AMERICA. ITS BABEL. I have some accompanying patter: Free tour, Tower of Babel, coming down soon. I want visitors to take home or send home the impression that Trump and his tower of arrogance do not represent America. Of course, I know thats a lie like one of Trumps, for greed and hate such as his founded and expanded this land to the California gold Trump loves. But despite my countrys distant and very recent past, I want foreign tourists to know America remains a republic of equal rights and free speech (as long as its in motion).

Some passers-by ask to be photographed with my sign and me. My data is anecdotal, but Id say Canadians are per capita my chief huggers. Maybe no fences do make good neighbors. Europeans with their excellent English pat me on the back and extend their sympathies. On weekends, Latino parents want to photograph their children beneath my sign. To them I extend my apologies. Chinese tourists, of which there are many on Fifth Avenue, stop, puzzle out my signs (GILD IVANKA, GELD DONALD) and ask permission before snapping. Maybe they think I will get in trouble if dissent is photographed. I suppose the security cameras overhead are recording all the activity, so some future anthropologist may modify my anecdotal data. And when facial recognition gets powerful enough, I can scan Facebook and other social media to check if my photographers have indeed posted my impression as they promised.

I dont get many insults, perhaps because my block on Fifth Avenue with its Prada and Tiffanys attracts few visitors from the Benighted States of America. Although I know the passers-by have little time to prepare a witty rejoinder to my signs, Im still continually surprised at how dull the Trumpsters are. Maybe theyre just being charitable when they offer advice: Get a job or Get over it. I thank them and tell them that I have a job, protecting their First Amendment rights, and that itthe profiteering and hateis just getting started. Some in Make America Great caps are curious. They ask, How much you getting paid? for they assume that a man Trumps age must be as gilt-ridden as he. Or they ask, What country you from? for they know no native-born American would insult a president, at least one not born in Kenya. Moderates plead, Give him a chance. I refer them to Charles Blows essay in The New York Times on the subject of just get along with the monster and show them one of my signs: I GAVE TRUMP A CHANCE, AND HE GAVE US RACE-BAITERS AND IMMIGRANT HATERS. Then I tell polite pleaders that I may decide to give Trump another chance because I pity their populist loser of the popular vote.

Only once have I had to walk away from a rabid racist and once from a man who wanted Jesus to save me. No one has thrown anything except vulgarities at me, so maybe the generally pacific passers-by should give me hope about healing, which for some reason I hear as heeling. But the Fifth Avenue demographic is probably not representative, for Manhattanites voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, and foreign visitors are not likely from the undereducated white underclass that flipped blue states to red. Someone told me I was just picking at the scab, and if thin-skinned Donald came down for a few words Im sure hed say I was picking on him, but I believe Im picking up on a tradition of solitary gadflies such as the peripatetic Socrates and sauntering Henry David Thoreau. When Thoreau was in jail for refusing to pay a tax to finance the war against Mexico, Emerson came to visit and asked his protege, Henry, what are you doing in there? Thoreau answered, What are you doing out there? When forced into the cage, I rattle the bars and ask the passing thousands what theyre doing out there, bustling along as if a demagogue had not blind-sided our democracy.

Maybe I should have called this piece Confessions of a Solitary Protester because I admit Im traveling to Trump Tower every day partly to heal myselfcure my post-election dysphoria, work out my rage at Trump the shameless sham, rage at the racists who voted for him, rage at his first hate-mongering appointees. Im already considering my Christmas message: PEACE ON EARTH, PISS ON TRUMP, POX ON PENCE. A novelist who specializes in unreliable narrators, I was angry that Trump beggared my imagination with his extravagant inconsistencies and outright lies. All I could think about writing was signs. The first drafts were way too literary and allusiveRage, rage against the dying of our rights. Never give in to Trumpelstiltskin.so I made my debut with what I hope is not a flash fiction: RAGE TRUMPS HATE, an alternative to all the Love Trumps Hate signs I was seeing. The fresh air has helped clear my head, and displaying signs has allowed me to write these words that wouldnt fit on a piece of cardboard.

Shambling on Fifth Avenue, Im anonymous, a man homeless in Trumplandia. I had wanted to remain anonymous here, not because I fear our raging Lear or other social media trolls but to head off accusations that I protest for profit (How much is Soros paying you? Im asked) or that I demonstrate to make an impression, to become a Big Apple celebrity like the Naked Cowboy, who prances by some days with Trump on his rump, or like Donald Trump the TV boss. But that proved impossible in this publication. So Ill note that Ive prepared for hoax-busting by criticizing fiction for 40 years and that I used to be a professor at a real university, not Trumps Fraud University that cost him 25 million dollars. Whatever millions I receive for these impressions, I, unlike the self-dealing philanthropist, will really donateto the ACLU. (New sign, just realized: DONALDS CHARITY: TAKE FROM CHUMPS, KEEP FOR TRUMP, accompanied by sound effect of ringing Salvation Army bell.) Id invite you to join me on Fifth Avenue, for I have a bag of signs that comment on Trumps bag of tricks, but then wed be put in the cage. You could, though, stop by, say hello, and post a photo. As fellow Brooklynite and fellow traveler Walt Whitman says at the end of Song of Myself:

Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,

Missing me one place search another,

I stop somewhere waiting for you.
Inside Sources Say Twitter Changes Coming Next Week: Report

AS SOON AS MONDAY

Elon Musk, keen to make changes after his purchase of the platform, is set to change up the way verification works as soon as possible.
This month in Washington, a gunman shot up Comet Ping Pong pizzeria, threatening customers and workers and terrorizing an entire neighborhood. For months, internet conspiracy theorists have accused Comet's owners and leading figures of the Democratic Party of running a child pornography ring out of the restaurant, complete with satanic symbols and underground tunnels. And what did Comet Ping Pong owner James Alefantis do to earn such venom? He emailed with Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, about hosting a fundraiser.

This attack on liberal politics and an opposition party was not organized by some authoritarian state, the Republican Party or President-elect Donald Trump. No action was taken by any Orwellian Big Brother. Nor did a government generate the doublespeak that created the Comet Ping Pong lies. Instead, this political violence emerged from a self- organized pack of irate, fear-mongering, right-wing conspiracy theorists reacting to whispers about Clinton in fake news and on social media and the Web.

This is Little Brother - millions of irrational people spreading lies, sowing doubt and fomenting violence. Thanks to Little Brother, the government - Trump and his incoming administration, in this case - doesn't have to directly threaten the political opposition or spread propaganda on its own. Leaders only need to find indirect ways to validate supporters' most vile emotions and make lying acceptable, as House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., did recently when he said it was all right for Trump to spread falsehoods. Little Brother and his NRA-protected guns can take it from there.

So wha tis Little Brother?

Like the pack of wild children in "Lord of the Flies," Little Brother is unsupervised, isolated from civilization and potentially murderous. And thanks to the internet, the vicious, dog-eat-dog world of Little Brother is impossible to escape.

Little Brother screams so loud, no one can think. When human beings experience anger and fear - the dominant emotions of Little Brother and his internet clickbait - their IQs drop. People cannot use their rational minds when thousands of angry children are shouting at them online. That's Little Brother.

Little Brother gossips and lies. In a dramatic historical shift, too much information on the internet - rather than a lack of information - has become the prevailing form of censorship. People cannot easily assess facts while doubts, lies and bias-confirming opinions are constantly whispered in their ears. That's Little Brother.

Little Brother cuts school. Learning history, assessing facts and analyzing data have no place in Little Brother's world.

Little Brother goes by his gut and trusts his predisposed, angry instincts. He thinks science is a pack of lies.

Little Brother has too much time on his hands. He invents his own reality, a world of imaginary demons, secret tunnels, false-flag coverups and murder. In the case of Comet Ping Pong, Little Brother spent hours Photoshopping pictures, creating fake maps of tunnels and deceptive collages of stolen Facebook images.

Little Brother is like a gaming addict. He sits in a dark room, making fake news, driving traffic to his website. He watches the data and refines his lies, earning more money with every click. Like a gamer, he feeds off the emotional high of every small victory.

Little Brother is a bully. He waits for his gang leader, in this case Trump, to bad-mouth someone smaller and less powerful, and then pounces. When Trump criticized Carrier union president Chuck Jones this last week, Little Brother bombarded Jones with threats and abuse.

And as we have seen with the Comet Ping Pong gunman, those threats are real.

Little Brother is armed. In state-sponsored fascism, armed citizen militias blend with police, forming an official means of destroying the political opposition and minority scapegoats. But thanks to Little Brother and gunrights advocates, there is no need for the government to organize violent action against its own citizens. Little Brother can take care of wrong-thinkers all by himself.

Little Brother is nobody's responsibility. Whatever his bad behavior, he acts alone, and besides, he's just a kid. No one can be blamed if he shoots up a pizza parlor, intimidates minorities or threatens to send people to the gas chamber. He's an outlier. He's not Fox News' or Trump's fault.

That's Little Brother.

It won't be easy to hold Little Brother accountable. Already, conservatives are creating false equivalences between liberal news and fake news. This month, in a disheartening interview, New York Times Public Editor Liz Spayd practically ceded this point to Fox News' Tucker Carlson. This is unacceptable. Those who believe in liberal democracy must fight Little Brother's lies and aggressions with everything we have. We cannot allow legitimate resistance to authoritarianism to be squashed by an armed mob of angry Little Brothers. We must fight back.
The oil palm phenomenon has intensified in recent years in part due to the Communal Title, a system of land titling instituted by the Sabah government as a strategy for 'fast-tracking' native land title claims, but amended in 2009 to further increase state control over land and prioritise conversion to oil palm plantations.

As documented in the National Inquiry into the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples produced by the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia in 2013, the Communal Title system has resulted in the deprivation of native people of their customary rights to the land and the reduction of indigenous participation in matters concerning land tenure, use and management.

Losing the forest

Statly describes how the Murut people, who have inhabited the area for at least seven generations, maintain a close connection to the lands and forests from which they derive their traditional subsistence in the form of forest game, river fish and a range of horticultural activities, including tapioca, sweet potato, bananas, rice and various vegetables:

"The forest is our economy and our life. I want our forest to be preserved, not destroyed, for there are many generations to come. Oil palm plantations? That is not the forest that we Murut know."

In 2010, the Sabah government issued four Communal Titles over 2,500 hectares of land encompassing the customary territories of the Murut and several other neighboring villages. Soon afterwards, a joint-venture agreement was signed between certain community members and oil palm company Eramas Mutiara Sdn. Bhd., which Statly and several other Bigor inhabitants argue was achieved through coercion, intimidation and deception.

When asked what changes have occurred since oil palm has been planted in the area, Statly notes:

"Before, the river water was clean and we could drink it and irrigate our field with it. Now, there is less and less water because all of it goes to supply the plantations, and we have become dependent on rain water instead. There is pollution too from the land clearing taking place. Our forest is rapidly disappearing, and with it all the animals and plants and crops that we depend on for our livelihoods."

Striking back

In July 2015, employees of Eramas Mutiara Sdn. Bhd. bulldozed several paddy fields, vegetable plots, rubber trees and water catchments on the lands of the Bigor community, but no compensation was paid for the damage done.

Soon after Statly reported the occurrence to the local police, the oil palm company responded by accusing the villagers of preventing them from carrying out their work, resulting in the arrest of Statly and two other community members. Undeterred, Statly made another police report after spending two weeks in prison, denouncing the encroachment of the company on the community's lands and the arbitrary arrest of community members.

Through public protests and by harnessing local media, newspapers and the internet, the community, together with the support of NGOs such as the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia, or JOAS), are seeking the excision of their customary lands from the Communal Title system, state recognition and restitution of their Native Customary Rights, a moratorium on company operations on their customary lands, compensation for lands and crops destroyed, and the replanting of community watershed areas.

The situation in Bigor illustrates the failings of the Communal Title approach, which purports to safeguard land rights but instead deprives indigenous peoples of their land and natural resources by transferring land use decision-making powers to the state.

Without urgent reforms to the Communal Title system, the Native Customary Rights of indigenous peoples, like those of Bigor, will remain vulnerable to further corporate encroachment, jeopardising their forests and futures.

Hope for the future

On a more positive note, in 2015, the Sabah government publicised plans to produce only sustainable-certified palm oil across the state, in line with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) voluntary standard, with a target of 100% certified palm oil by 2025.

If implemented, this move would mark an important precedent in terms of governmental commitment to full environmental and social sustainability in palm oil production. This includes respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and other local communities to customary land, to iterative consultation, to free, prior and informed consent and to effective participation in land use planning, management and monitoring.

Pending the implementation of this landmark commitment by the state of Sabah, for Statly and his community, among many others adversely affected by oil palm expansion in the area, the struggle must go on. When asked what motivates his continued resistance, despite the toll it has taken on his physical and psychological wellbeing, Statly's expression brightens and his words resonate through the penumbra of the longhouse corridors:

"We must continue to fight, for our children need to eat, and our grandchildren need to know what is a forest, and what is the way of life of the Murut people who came before them, and who will come after them."

"The government has deceived us, but there is still hope. Hope for life, and hope for the forest."

Sophie Chao is a doctoral candidate in social anthropology at Macquarie University, Sydney. A graduate of the University of Oxford, she previously worked for international human rights organisation Forest Peoples Programme, investigating the impacts of oil palm expansion on the rights and livelihoods of indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia.

Books: Sophie is co-editor of 'Conflict or Consent? The Palm Oil Sector at a Crossroads' (2013), 'A Sweetness Like Unto Death: Voices of the Indigenous Malind of Merauke, Papua' (2013) and 'Diverse Paths to Justice: Legal Pluralism and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Southeast Asia' (2011).

This article was developed as part of the Global Call to Action on Indigenous and Community Land Rights. Launched in March 2016, the Global Call to Action on Indigenous and Community Land Rights is a five year initiative to mobilize communities, organizations, governments, the private sector and individuals worldwide. It is a call to recognise that secure land rights are at the heart of building a just and equitable world and to work together to double the global area of land legally recognized as owned or controlled by Indigenous Peoples and local communities by 2020.

Join the movement at landrightsnow.org
But the news has caused alarm among environmentalists. "If the goal is to drain the swamp in DC, Tillerson might not be your man; Exxon's business plan continues to require raising the level of the ocean to the point where Foggy Bottom will be well underwater", said 350.org founder Bill McKibben in a press release.

"But this is certainly a good way to make clear exactly who'll be running the government in a Trump administration - just cut out the middleman and hand it directly to the fossil fuel industry."

Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), former commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the previous Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative board chair, described the choice as a "grave error":

"The nomination of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, coupled with that of Scott Pruitt for EPA, shows that President-elect Trump is creating a government of, by, and for the oil and gas industry. Never before have we seen such a concentration of extreme wealth and privilege in a single cabinet.

"The secretary of state must also be a champion for action on climate change, building on last year's agreement by nearly 200 countries in Paris that offers our last, best hope for averting truly devastating climate impacts. US leadership on climate change has greatly increased our standing in the world.

"!In sharp contrast, Mr. Tillerson has spent 40 years at Exxon, a company whose current business model hinges on the failure of this historic international effort. He has disparaged and downplayed the science on climate change, and his company is even currently under investigation for defrauding the public and shareholders for decades about the dangers of climate change caused by fossil fuels.

"The conflicts of interest with this secretary of state pick abound. You wouldn't hire the CEO of a tobacco company to serve as surgeon general. So why would you pick the leader of an oil and gas corporation to spearhead a position tasked with national security and global climate action?"

Exxon 'not a US company', says Exxon



Exxon, the top US producer of oil and gas and a well-documented funder of climate science denial, actually leases more land in Russia than it does in the US.

"Exxon boosted its Russian holdings to 63.7 million acres in 2014 from 11.4 million at the end of 2013, according to data from U.S. regulatory filings", reported Bloomberg in March 2014. "That dwarfs the 14.6 million acres of rights Exxon holds in the US, which until last year was its largest exploration prospect."

Exxon, though headquartered in Irving, Texas near Dallas, is a sprawling 'private empire' with assets spread across the globe. When asked about building more US refineries to protect the US economy and consumers from fuel shortages, former CEO and chairman Lee Raymond put Exxon's view of itself and its loyalty to the US bluntly.

"I'm not a US company, and I don't make decisions based on what's good for the US", Raymond is quoted as saying in the 2012 book Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power by Steve Coll.

In June, Tillerson attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum after taking a two-year hiatus from attending the event, which is the top business meeting held annually in Russia. Igor Sechin, CEO of Russian state oil company Rosneft and currently the subject of US sanctions, served as the keynote speaker.

Offshore drilling, fracking, LNG

Exxon and Rosneft have maintained close business relations, so much so that Putin gave the Order of Friendship Award to Tillerson in 2013. In terms of business ties, what has that 'friendship' entailed?

The two oil companies had intended to tap into Russia's bounty of over 191 billion acres of offshore Arctic oil as part of their joint venture. However, that was before the US sanctioned Russia for its incursion in Crimea, which has temporarily halted the drilling plans. The two companies also co-run the Arctic Research and Design Center for Continental Shelf Development in Russia, in which Exxon maintains a 33.33% stake.

Since 1996, Exxon has also taken part in the Sakhalin Consortium, which centers around pumping oil offshore from Russia's Sakhalin Island. Exxon and Rosneft also co-own acreage in Texas' Permian Basin shale patch, and until recently dropping the joint venture, they co-owned 20 offshore drilling plots in the Gulf of Mexico.

Beyond the Gulf, Exxon maintains a joint venture with Rosneft to do offshore drilling in Alaska's Point Thompson in the state's North Slope territory.

In Russia, Exxon also co-owns a stake in the proposed Sakhalin liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Sakhalin, which would see that gas exported to the global market. However, the plant opening was delayed when sanctions hit, pushing it back at least two years according to an April 2015 announcement.

Exxon also has a joint venture with Rosneft in the Bazhenov Shale basin in Siberia, into which Exxon poured $300 million. Exxon owns a 49% stake and Rosneft 51% in that venture, which is to explore hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') possibilities in the field. If exploration bears fruit, Rosneft would hold a 66.67% interest in drilling the field while ExxonMobil would maintain a 33.33% stake.

"This agreement combines the strengths of our two companies", Tillerson said when the two companies announced the dealin June 2012. "ExxonMobil has technology leadership in tight oil and unconventional reserves development and Rosneft brings direct knowledge and experience of Western Siberia's geology and conventional production."

If drilling proves technologically feasible, Bazhenov could become the most prolific shale field in the world.

Lobbying against Russian sanctions

As soon as sanctions are lifted in Russia, which Trump has said he would do, Exxon has said it will return to the Russian Arctic.

Buzzfeed has reported that a bill is now making its way through Congress which would make it much more difficult for the next president to reverse those sanctions, which were put in place through a series of executive orders. Exxon is very interested in the fate of that bill. As Buzzfeed reported:

"We have not lobbied on the bill," Alan Jeffers, spokesperson for ExxonMobil, told BuzzFeed News. "Our activities on the bill constitute monitoring of congressional activities."

That was this summer before Congress was again in session. Yet the bill's language has already been changed in a way that would make Exxon's dealings in Russia much easier, as it essentially exempts the exective order sanctioning Rosneft and other Russian energy companies.

With Tillerson heading the State Department, this kind of international energy policy may become much more common.

Steve Horn is a Research Fellow for DeSmogBlog and a freelance investigative journalist.

This article was originally published by DeSmogBlog. This version contains some additional reporting by The Ecologist.

Related DeSmog coverage: Why ExxonMobil's Partnerships With Russia's Rosneft Challenge the Narrative of US Exports As Energy Weapon
Although she pleaded guilty this week to concealing a dead body, a Rocky Mount woman who threw away the remains of her stillborn child could see additional turns in her case before its resolved.

On Thursday in Franklin County Circuit Court, Katherine Nicole Dellis, 25, entered into a conditional plea, admitting guilt to the charge but retaining the right to appeal a judges crucial earlier decision in her case.

In February, Dellis went to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital complaining of vaginal bleeding, doctors have testified. They said they delivered from her a placenta and a clean-cut umbilical cord, but Dellis denied having been pregnant. Police investigated and the following day recovered a fetus from a trash bin at the Blackwater refuse site on U.S. 220. It had been wrapped in a rug and placed inside two bags.

Dellis eventually told detectives that prior to going to the hospital, shed suffered abdominal pain and had passed out in her bathroom.

She said the baby was laying on the bath mat when she regained consciousness, Sgt. Joshua Harris testified at a preliminary hearing in July.

In a search warrant filed earlier this year, police said Dellis told them she hadnt known she was pregnant until nearly the eighth month.

A Rocky Mount police investigator testified that during a search he found scissors on Dellis bathroom sink and, elsewhere, a bag of marijuana, several spoons with residue and a packet of Suboxone, which is used to treat opiate addiction.

Also at the July hearing, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy said the male fetus he examined had reached a gestational age of about 30 to 32 weeks. He said he believed it had died and been delivered because of a placental abruption, which can cause bleeding within the mother and deny the fetus oxygen. There was no indication of any outside harm to the fetus, he said.

Those circumstances are what prompted defense attorney Will Davis to ask a judge to dismiss the case in October.

In an eight-item motion filed Oct. 31, Davis argued that the charge against Dellis did not apply to her case because her child was stillborn.

The Medical Examiner, who conducted the autopsy of the fetus, testified that at no time did the fetus sustain life on its own outside of the mothers womb, Davis wrote in his motion. Furthermore, he testified that the fetus died while inside of the mothers womb due to an acute placental abruption, never took a breath and therefore the mother did not deliver a live birth as defined in Virginia Code.

A person cannot be dead if they were never alive, he concluded.

A judge denied Davis motion and the case moved forward, but Dellis now has the option to appeal that decision if the appellate court agrees to take up her issue.

It does not appear that the statute has previously been tested.

If Dellis opts to argue the judges ruling and is successful, her conviction could be overturned; however, she cannot appeal the decision until after her sentencing, which has been set for Feb. 7.

There are no judicial sentencing guidelines in Dellis case and she has no agreement with prosecutors regarding the sentence she could receive.

In Virginia, concealing a dead body can bring a maximum of five years in prison and possibly up to a $2,500 fine.
Several local non-profit agencies will soon benefit from a $10,000 donation from American National Bank.

The donation was made to United Way of Franklin County to aid in community health and revitalization.

United Ways partner agencies that will receive portions of the funds include the Free Clinic of Franklin County, Piedmont Community Services Prevention Unit, Smith Mountain Lake Good Neighbors and the Franklin County YMCAs second-grade swim program.

We are very grateful to American National Bank for their generous donation, said United Way Executive Director Pamela Chitwood. Through their partnerships with United Way, many non-profits in our community will benefit this holiday season.

The Free Clinic of Franklin County will be able to further assist low income families in receiving affordable medical care, Chitwood said.

Approximately 750 patients were seen this year alone by the free clinic, and officials expect that number to grow in the coming year, she said.

Investments in the good work of the Free Clinic of Franklin County by the United Way and local businesses, such as American National Bank, are essential to our continued operation, said Free Clinic Executive Director Donna Minnix Proctor. Because of our United Way partnership, we are able to help our sick and hurting neighbors receive the quality primary health care they need to stay on the job and to take care of their families. Because of our dedicated volunteer physicians, we are able to provide health care services at a very low cost, so that the donation given to us, will serve at least 15 patients.

By serving uninsured patients at the free clinic rather than at the hospital emergency department, the community saves over $350 per patient per visit, she added.

Donations to the free clinic not only help individual patients, but the community as a whole, by ensuring that folks get the best care possible at the lowest cost, she said. Many, many thanks to the United Way and to American National Bank.

Piedmont Community Services Prevention Unit works with area schools teaching programs like Too Good for Drugs and the Alcohol Literacy Challenge, Chitwood said.

Programs presented by Piedmont served approximately 1,900 students this year and continue to show success in educating students against the dangers of drug and alcohol usage, she added.

We are planning to use our part of the donation to promote drug-free alternative events in the community for middle and high school youth, said CHILL Coordinator Regina Clark. One of our largest events is the After Prom Party, which will be held on April 29, 2017. This donation will allow us to expand our efforts to reach even more students. The support from the community is empowering to our students to stand against substance abuse among their peers.

Forty-one students participate in Franklin Countys CHILL (Communities Helping Improve Local Lives) Club, which supports other adolescents in their decisions to make positive choices.

CHILL also promotes opportunities for others to have fun in a safe and drug-free environment, Clark said.

SML Good Neighbors hosts summer enrichment programs that provide access to summer school students while allowing low income families access to enrichment camps, Chitwood said.

The camps provide enrichment in reading and math, with a mix of fun projects like theatre, swimming and lots of arts and crafts, she said.

The agency, which recently lost its office and counselor housing unit, is very grateful for the support of United Way and American National Bank, as their out-of-school programs continue to grow every year, according to President and Executive Director Russell Baskett.

Our programs are provided at no cost to families, and the majority of the students we serve are from families with limited resources, said Baskett. The students served in our summer and after-school programs are rising first-through-ninth-graders. These programs provide academic mentoring and a wide range of enrichments that nurture team-building, collaborative problem solving and character development. The funds provided will be used in our operating budget for the purchase of teaching materials and supplies, transportation assistance and food.

The YMCA second-grade swim program will also receive funds from American National Banks donation.

The donations by American National Bank, United Way and others are incredibly important for this and other programs to continue, said Branch Director Kevin McAlexander. In only three years, the Y has taught approximately 1,800 second-graders the basics of swimming and water safety at no cost to students. So every child has the chance to learn the necessary life-saving skills.

The Ys mission is to build a healthier and better connected Franklin County, which is made possible by generous donations, he added. We cannot thank American National enough for believing in the importance of our mission and our second-grade swim program.
BNSF bridge in Fort Madison under weight restriction

The weight restriction is expected to remain in place for up to two weeks while repairs are made to a non-railroad portion of the highway bridge.
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STAMFORD  Patsy Comunale stood outside his Westover home just hours after his sons body was found in a New Jersey grave and demanded Justice for Joey.

Exactly one month after the death, two of the three defendants accused of disposing of Joseph Comunales body are to be arraigned Tuesday in New York.

But none of them face murder charges.

The puzzling death of the popular Westhill High School grad still has investigators trying to determine who stabbed the 26-year-old 15 times at a posh Manhattan apartment.

James Rackover, 25, lived in the apartment where police said blood was found splattered on the walls. Rackover was also seen the night of the killing, according to his arrest affidavit, loading a large duffel bag into a car owned by his surrogate father, Jeffrey Rackover, a celebrity jeweler whose clients include President-elect Donald Trump.

James Rackover will be arraigned Tuesday with Lawrence Dilione, 28, of Jersey City, N.J., who admitted to police that he buried Comunales body in Oceanport, N.J., according to his arrest affidavit.

Rackover and Dilione have each been indicted on charges of hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and concealing a corpse. The New York Police Department originally charged each of them with second-degree murder. However, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office dropped the murder charges pending further investigation into who used the knife to stab Comunale.

They could be brought up on the murder charges again at their arraignments on Tuesday.

Patsy Comunale, who has attended each of the court hearings, declined to comment on the case when reached at his home on Friday.

Max Gemma, 29, of Oceanport, N.J., who lives about a mile from where Comunales body was found, was charged last week with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

Police said Comunale went with college friends from Hofstra University to New York City on Nov. 12. As Comunales friends returned home, he stayed out with Dilione and three women he met at a Chelsea bar, police said.

The group went to Rackovers apartment in The Grand Sutton on the upper east side of Manhattan during the early morning hours of Nov. 13, police said.

Comunale was last seen several hours later on security footage riding back up the elevator with Dilione after they escorted the three women out of the building about 7 a.m. on Nov. 13, police said.

Police said Rackover was seen leaving his apartment that evening and putting a large duffel bag into the trunk of a Mercedes-Benz. License-plate readers tracked the car on the FDR Drive and then through the Holland Tunnel into New Jersey, police said.

The Mercedes was seen driving back into New York about 3 a.m. Nov. 14, police said. A cadaver dog made a positive alert on the trunk of the car and in Rackovers apartment where police collected blood spatters, according to court documents.

A few days later, Comunales body was found partially burned in a shallow grave in the New Jersey shore town.

Patsy Comunale, surrounded by a large group of his sons friends on the flagstone stairway leading to his home, was effusive in his praise for the investigators as he addressed the media several hours after his sons body was found.

I thank the Stamford Police Department, the NYPD and New Jersey authorities for all their hard work, Comunale said that night. Its just not right. These guys should pay, they have to pay. Ill be there every day. Justice for Joey, guys.

jnickerson@scni.com;
If you've ever been to a developing country, the very first thing that you notice is entrepreneurship. It starts at the airport and can be seen throughout the country. Jobs in these countries aren't abundant and the ones that are available to the average working person don't pay well. To survive, people in these countries become entrepreneurs. It can be selling food they made, jewelry they designed, games, candy, toys, performing and much more. They figure out how they can make a couple of dollars every day they operate their businesses. There's a lot to be learned from their example.

I'm writing this article from Medellin, Colombia. This is the twentieth country I've traveled to this year for my lifestyle business. Driving around this amazing city, I see entrepreneurship all around. When stopped at a street light, I'll see street performers, people selling things, and people offering tours. I can't tell you how much these mini-businesses and entrepreneurs make, I can only tell you that they are focused and consistent. They have to be to survive. If one business doesn't work, they figure out what other business they can start and they do it.

Being an entrepreneur is hard work. There are more times than not when you feel like giving up. There are times when you feel like all the stars have to be aligned for you to start or grow your business. At some point, you need to stop what you're doing and become an entrepreneur, much like the entrepreneurs in poorer countries who have no other option. You have to stop listening to your doubt, fear and the negative voices of others. Build your business despite how you feel. There are four things that you should stop doing if you want to be successful in entrepreneurship.

1. Stop all the learning.

The internet and social media have created incredible ways for us to consume the information we need to grow our business. It has also created an easy path to information overload that can keep you stuck. The reality is that you probably have more knowledge than you realize about your business and the industry that it's in.

Set aside specific days and times dedicated to learning new information that will help you grow your business. Don't let the latest and greatest Facebook Live, Webinar or three-video series suck you into what feels like compelling information but is not what you need right now. Don't let good copy distract you from taking action. You could end up learning that what worked for someone else but doesn't work for you.

Related: This Former Inmate Found a New Life Through Entrepreneurship

2. Stop all the talking.

You've met that entrepreneur who is always talking about all the interesting things they are working on and will finish some day. You see them months later and nothing has changed. Don't be that entrepreneur. Let your actions speak for themselves. Let the things that you do show what you're about. Stop talking about what you want or will do, and just do it. Better to risk failing by taking action than resting behind the comfort of your words.

Related: 37 Free Online Marketing and Social Media Classes to Elevate Your Skills

3. Stopping making excuses.

You might have a hard past. Things might be happening to you right now that make you feel like giving up. You might be afraid. Whatever is happening or has happened, you have a decision to make. You decide if you'll let your circumstances dictate your life and future. You have to open your eyes and realize when you have been making excuses and you have to stop. Excuses won't build your business and will keep you complacent instead of hungry. Don't let excuses have any part in your business.

Related: 5 Steps You Can Take Now to Get Wealthy in 2017 Steps You Can Take Now to Get Wealthy in 2017

4. Stopping worrying about what other people think.

It's natural to worry about what other people think but worrying about others won't get you towards your goals. This is your life. This is your business. Other people's opinions won't put dollars into your pocket. They won't be there during the good times and the bad. You have to get over what other people think and be willing to take the hard road that sometimes leads to failure. That road is usually where breakthroughs happen. Breakthroughs and milestones don't happen in other people's minds.

There's a lot to be learned from entrepreneurship in places where that is the main way to survive and make an income. In those circumstances, the business is driven by action versus all of the other self-limiting beliefs that can derail a business. You don't have to be in a third-world country to be a successful entrepreneur. But, you do have to stop talking and do even more. Let your actions show how serious you are.

Related:

Stop Dawdling and Get Real About Entrepreneurship

How Tai Lopez Took Over Social Media

Steve Wozniak Offers 4 Pieces of Advice for First-Time Entrepreneurs



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
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About a year ago, 18-year-old college student Lauren Batchelder stood up at a political forum in New Hampshire and told Donald Trump that she didn't think he was "a friend to women."

The next morning, Trump fired back on Twitter - calling Batchelder an "arrogant young woman" and accusing her of being a "plant" from a rival campaign. Her phone began ringing with callers leaving threatening messages that were often sexual in nature. Her Facebook and email in-boxes filled with similar messages. As her addresses circulated on social media and her photo flashed on the news, she fled home to hide.

"I didn't really know what anyone was going to do," said Batchelder, now 19, who has never discussed her experience with a reporter until now. "He was only going to tweet about it and that was it, but I didn't really know what his supporters were going to do, and that to me was the scariest part."

This is what happens when Trump targets a private citizen who publicly challenges him.

When Trump tweeted about Batchelder in October 2015, he had fewer than 5 million followers; he now has more than 17 million and has bragged that having a Twitter account is "like owning the New York Times without the losses." Twitter has become Trump's cyber-magic wand, allowing him to quickly act on a fleeting idea, a fit of anger or something he sees on television. Now that he is the president-elect, the power of Trump's tweets has only increased.

With one tweet, Trump can change headlines on cable news, move financial markets or cause world leaders to worry. With one tweet last week, Trump inflamed a conflict with China. With another tweet on Tuesday, Trump caused Boeing stock to plummet. With a third on Wednesday night, Trump prompted a series of threatening calls to the home of a union leader who had called him a liar.

Although Trump said months ago that he was likely to give up Twitter if elected, he has shown little sign of doing so. He will soon inherit the @POTUS account, which has 12.5 million followers.

"I think I am very restrained, and I talk about important things," Trump said during an interview with the "Today" show this week. "Frankly, it's a modern-day form of communication. . . . I get it out much faster than a press release. I get it out much more honestly than dealing with . . . dishonest reporters. So many reporters are dishonest."

For Batchelder, who studies history and gender studies at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, the abuse continues more than a year later. Five days before the election, she received a Facebook message that read: "Wishing I could f---ing punch you in the face. id then proceed to stomp your head on the curb and urinate in your bloodied mouth and i know where you live, so watch your f---ing back punk."

During her first semester at Saint Anselm in fall 2015, Batchelder decided to volunteer for former Florida governor Jeb Bush's campaign, even though her views were much more liberal than his. To her, it was just an enjoyable opportunity to learn more about the Republican Party. She listed the volunteer position on her online resume but later realized that she truly is a Democrat.

On Oct. 12, 2015, Batchelder attended a bipartisan forum in Manchester and said to Trump: "So, maybe I'm wrong, maybe you can prove me wrong, but I don't think you're a friend to women."

Trump defended himself, saying he gave women positions of power at his construction sites, has influential women in his life and will fund women's health initiatives.

"I love women, I respect women, I cherish women," Trump said at one point.

Batchelder asked for the microphone again.

"I want to get paid the same as a man, and I think you understand that, so if you become president, will a woman make the same as a man, and do I get to choose what I do with my body?" she said, then throwing her arms up in a questioning gesture.

Trump answered curtly: "You're going to make the same if you do as good of a job, and I happen to be pro-life, OK?"

CNN and other media outlets covered the striking exchange, which generated conversation online. But Batchelder went to bed that night thinking her moment in the spotlight was over.

After midnight, Trump's director of social media tweeted out screen grabs of Batchelder's social-media accounts. Trump's supporters launched investigations of their own. At 7:39 a.m., Trump tweeted: "The arrogant young woman who questioned me in such a nasty fashion at No Labels yesterday was a Jeb staffer! HOW CAN HE BEAT RUSSIA & CHINA?"

Later that morning, Trump tweeted again: "How can Jeb Bush expect to deal with China, Russia + Iran if he gets caught doing a 'plant' during my speech yesterday in NH?"

Tim Miller, Bush's former spokesman, said the campaign had nothing to do with Batchelder's asking the question. While the staff was accustomed to Trump's attacking Bush, they were stunned that he went after a college student.

"If I was going to plant a question, I would have planted a better question," Miller said Thursday.

Batchelder agreed: "Why would they ever send me out to do a pro-choice question? Guys, [Bush] is pro-life, which was one of my biggest problems with the Republican Party. And so I was like: 'Why would they ever send me to do that?' "

Logic doesn't matter to online trolls, who rated Batchelder's physical appearance, threatened to rape or otherwise hurt her and called her vulgar names. A Photoshopped picture popped up online depicting her face covered in semen.

"I love social media, but I also saw the terrible side of social media," she said. "I definitely tried to focus on something else because when you're seeing your life being played out in front of you and people are judging it and people are making assumptions about you, you kind of just want to stay away."

Batchelder turned down interview requests, ignored the nasty messages and threw herself into playing rugby. She became even more interested in women's issues and wants to be a human rights lawyer. She voted for Hillary Clinton for president.

Trump's Twitter account says it was created in March 2009, but Trump really started to use the account as a key communication tool in 2012 when he seriously considered running for president, said longtime friend Roger Stone.

"He loves it," Stone said Thursday. "This is what got him elected - being outspoken."

Trump dictates many of his tweets to "one of the young ladies" who work in his office.

"So they'll type it out for me, real fast, bring it in - I'll be in a meeting. 'Blah, blah, blah, boom!' Put an exclamation point here, and they'll send it out," Trump said in a May interview on Fox News.

But on weekends, evenings and during early-morning hours - such as when the first tweet about Batchelder was posted - Trump says he writes and sends his own tweets. The messages will often come seconds or minutes after the topic is covered on a major news network. Melania Trump said during an April town hall with CNN's Anderson Cooper that she has repeatedly told her husband to get off Twitter, especially after midnight.

"Anderson, if he would only listen," she said. "I did many times. And I just say: 'OK, do whatever you want.' He's an adult. He knows the consequences."

Batchelder hopes that Trump stops targeting people on Twitter, especially people such as she who are not public figures, and uses Twitter as President Obama has. She realizes that speaking out is likely to spark another wave of abuse, but she thinks it's important for people to realize the harm that a single tweet can cause.

"Twitter is such a powerful platform. He can make a difference. He can change the world," she said. "And, using Twitter, I think he should use it for good. I think he should use it to uplift others."

Jenna Johnson is a political reporter who is covering the 2016 presidential campaign.




For eight years as president, Barack Obama showed an unusual interest in reforming higher education when compared with any other U.S. president in history. Most concerned themselves with primary and secondary education. The only possible exception is Abraham Lincoln, under whose administration the land grant university system was created.

One reason for his interest in higher education may be because Obama himself once taught at the law school of the University of Chicago. Another may be that, in retrospect, Obama has always been a great admirer of Lincoln, mirroring his stances on many issues.

As did Lincoln, Obama has always believed that the future of this country resided in having a strong production of college graduates. But this belief was accompanied by the conviction among his staff that the higher education sector needed to be more accountable and that its results should be measurable. By the same token he wanted to make higher education more accessible and affordable. So, how did he perform in implementing such beliefs?

Obama expanded Pell Grant funding. Pell grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid and are usually awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree so that they can enroll in college without further financial burden. He also signed legislation eliminating student loans being offered by private lending institutions, reducing the chance that students fall victim to predatory lending practices. He also capped student loan payments to not exceed 10 percent of students annual income.

During his administration, there was an overhaul of the applications for federal student aid (FAFSA) by simplifying the process. This made college more affordable. He also proposed to make community college free for all students meeting certain academic goals, and for states opting in to subsidize 25 percent of total tuition costs. This promise went unfulfilled and was supposed to be implemented, and even expanded, by this years Democratic nominee. He also offered financial assistance to more than 1.5 million incarcerated students who would be eligible for release in five years.

Thanks to these initiatives the number of applications to college in 2009 increased by 20 percent and by the next year the U.S. hit a historic high in the number of students enrolled in colleges and universities  more than 21 million.

His administration also pressed against for-profit schools that were making deceptive claims to enroll students while generating heavy student loan debt loads. These institutions were the most responsible for increasing the national student debt to more than $1 trillion. As a consequence of this increased scrutiny, many for-profit colleges closed their doors while others softened their deceptive marketing practices.

His Department of Education developed a College Toolkit, a sort of on-line guide to college providing information in areas such as statistical analysis of graduation rates, job placement and earnings of graduates. This measure was designed to counter the infamous school rankings that do not really measure student success. Yet, the heterogeneity of the higher education sector in this country did not allow for a simple way to measure those parameters and the plan was scrapped in 2015.

On one hand his administration emphasized the two-year sector, but on the other support for historically black and minority-serving institutions was nowhere to be seen. In part that was not surprising since during his administration Obama seemed to shy away from issues where he might be seen as actively supporting minorities.

When he delivered the commencement speech at Morehouse College, a private all-male liberal arts historically black college (HBC) located in Atlanta, Georgia, in May 2013, where he addressed issues such as black men not making excuses, it was the only occasion at which he did not seem to avoid racially related issues related to higher education.

In fact, because his administration often criticized historically black colleges and universities, he did not show any engagement with the White House Board of Advisors on HBCUs, and usually dismissed criticism in this area from the Congressional Black Caucus members.

Under his administration the government became more active pressing institutions of higher education that were accused by their own students of looking the other way when it came to sexual assaults on campus. For example, in May 2014 the Department of Education disclosed a list of dozens of institutions under investigation for potential Title IX violations related to sexual assault cases, bringing the issue into public view. That pushed many colleges and universities to make stricter policies regarding sexual assaults. Yet, to this day, those allegations continue and it is believed that many incidents of sexual assaults are not even reported.

Another initiative of the Obama Administration was to fund, with $500 million, community colleges to develop distance learning and on-campus support for education in trade and technical careers. As with many other distance-learning initiatives, it did not work that well since such an approach of education is usually only effective with students who already have a good education background and higher financial resources, which is not the case for most of the population that you find attending two-year colleges.

This approach did not support the liberal education approach that emphasizes skills that are useful in any profession: critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication abilities. Obama himself made some disparaging remarks towards some forms of liberal arts education, remarks for which he later apologized.

In 2015 the federal government announced the idea of pairing colleges with for-profit institutions to offer courses to low-income students in the areas of professional credentials and degrees in manufacturing and technical jobs. One of the conditions was that such partnerships should guarantee access and affordability. The idea was to propel manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

In summary, his legacy in higher education is mixed and could be graded as B-.

Dr. Aldemaro Romero Jr. is a writer and college professor with leadership experience in higher education. He can be contacted through his website at: http://www.aromerojr.net
Jessie James Werley has pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree murder. The 35-year-old Farmington, Mo., man had been charged in the December 2015 death of 68-year-old Daniel A. Taylor.

Associate Judge Neil Schroeder sentenced him Wednesday to 40 years in prison.

The plea was handled by Madison County Assistant States Attorney Crystal Uhe, who heads the offices Violent Crimes Unit.

Werley had also been charged with armed robbery.

He is required to serve 100 percent of his sentence.

Werleys girlfriend, Eva Heisch, 45, was also charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. She remains in the Madison County Jail on $1 million bond.

Taylor was found with his throat slashed on Dec. 8, 2015.

Collinsville police had been called to his home in the 600 block of Ostle Drive, in Collinsville. according to a news release issued at the time by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

In addition to having his throat cut, Taylor had been stabbed several times. A preliminary investigation found that he had been dead for nearly 48 hours, according to the release.

The Major Case Squad investigated the murder for a week, after which they determined that it was the result of a robbery. Police believe that Heisch had known the victim before the incident.

About six weeks after the murder, Granite City police charged Werley with misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly grabbing Heischs neck and holding her hands and "refusing to let her go, according to court records.

The report noted that Heisch and Werley had been dating at the time.

Werley pleaded guilty to the battery charge on May 3.

In recent days, Werley has been held at the St. Francois (Mo.) County Jail awaiting extradition to Edwardsville on the murder and robbery charges. Heisch was arrested by Collinsville Police.

The States Attorneys Violent Crimes Unit and the Collinsville Police Department combined with the Major Case Squad to investigate the case. They were aided by Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn, the Ilinois State Police and several other law enforcement agencies in Illinois and Missouri.

These charges are the result of the relentless pursuit of justice by everyone involved in this investigation, State's Attorney Tom Gibbons said in a news release shortly after charges were filed. From the initial investigation, everyone knew this would be a challenging case to crack, but they never gave up and never stopped working to bring the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice.

This week Gibbons praised Collinsville Police, the Major Case Squad, and the Violent Crimes Unit. He also recognized the work of Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn and his staff as well as the Metro East Division of Forensic Sciences and members of the Illinois State Police and several Missouri agencies.

On Wednesday, Akil Q. Harris pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery and financial institutions robbery charges. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

That incident happened on Nov. 10, 2015. Harris was arrested by Wood River Police after an investigation that was aided by Alton Police, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Office.

Prosecutors allege that Harris and Solomon Hubbard, 23 of Alton, robbed Vantage Credit Union in Wood River.

The suspects allegedly demanded money from credit union employees and immediately after the robbery allegedly were seen running northwest from the credit union with an undetermined amount of cash, according to a statement at the time from Wood River Police.

Harris was arrested by U.S. Marshals when he got off a plane in Portland, Ore.

Hubbard was arrested shortly after the robbery.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, December 12, 2016

As more than 200 e-commerce platforms are giving out huge discounts during National Online Shopping Day (Harbolnas), the idea of hunting desired items on Dec. 12-14 may sound enticing to many.

However, it is important to follow safety measures before making online transactions.

Tulus Abadi, chairman of Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI), advised customers to be alert while making online transactions. Based on our research, we found that most customers were unaware of the risks involved while conducting online transactions, Tulus said, as quoted by kompas.com.

Here are some useful online shopping safety tips that you should consider while shopping during Harbolnas.

(Read also: Maserati watches target fans who can't afford its cars)

Keep your passwords safe

Always remember to use a password that's not easy to guess. Its recommended to have one that consists of both capital and small letters, numbers and even characters. Avoid using birthdays, nicknames and addresses. Differentiate your password from social media accounts. Remember to always keep the password to yourself and change it regularly.

Pay attention to where you shop

Before deciding to buy anything, make sure to check the shops URL address first. E-commerce company Blibli.com advises shoppers to only do transactions on sites with https type of addresses. Https, which is usually marked with a green color and lock symbol on the browsers search bar, indicates an encrypted protocol that prevents other parties from reading a users activity log on a site. Buying from widely-known e-commerce platforms with good rating reviews and clear payment methods is also recommended.

(Read also: Louis Vuitton, Hublot favorite luxury brands for Indonesians)

Keep credentials to yourself

Tulus also stated that Indonesian customers needed to be more selective and not easily give out their credentials or private information. Customers' private information, such as e-mail addresses, phone numbers or credit card details are often misused for certain promotions, he said. He also advised checking to see if the site is equipped with customer service.

Shop smartly

Some examples of Harbolnas offers by e-commerce groups include up to 90-100 percent cash back or extreme discount deals, as well as free shipping promotions and zero percent interest installment plans. It is important to pay close attention to the terms and conditions of these offers before making a transaction. Always remember to check your transaction details before making a payment. (mas/kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, December 12, 2016

Described as "a platform to get travelers to bring back overseas products", Singapore-based Airfrov has officially been launched in Indonesia.

After operating in Singapore for one-and-a-half years, the start-up is said to see opportunities in the large number of travelers crossing Indonesian borders, dailysocial.id reported.

"This trend of bringing back overseas products is getting popular, but there are some issues concerning the conventional process, like the limited number of products that can be sent, the long duration of delivery, the payment guarantee and the high delivery fees," said Airfrov CEO Cai Li, adding that the company wanted to offer a safer solution.

Accessible through a website and mobile app, requesters can directly post the items they want and the fees they offer. Then they simply wait for travelers to respond to the request. Airfrov will handle the payment from the requester and keep it until the items have been paid for. Travelers will receive their money after the products have arrived in the requesters' hands.

(Read also: Six Indonesian startups to join Google mentorship program in US)

"We are currently focusing on building the best user experience for our users in Indonesia and a strong local team to understand the people's culture and local trends more deeply," said Airfrov CTO Robi Ng, who is a citizen of Indonesia.

Launched in Singapore in early 2015, Airfrov is said to have more than 95,000 active users, some of whom reside in Indonesia. It has held a soft launch event in August and claimed to have received more than 1,000 offers from 150 travelers.

A similar service is also offered by local start-up Bistip. (fmn/kes)
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Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi  Sat, December 10 2016

Officers of the Jambi Fish Quarantine, Fishery Product Security and Quality Control Station have foiled an attempt to smuggle six endangered baby Senyulong crocodiles through the cargo facility of Sultan Thaha Airport in Jambi.

The baby crocodiles, hidden in a container disguised as a food package, were to be shipped to Manado, North Sulawesi, using the services of courier company TIKI, head of the station, Rudi Barmara, said on Friday.

It was neatly wrapped as if it was a pack of cookies, he said adding that the baby crocodiles were stacked in a container wrapped in plastic and covered with cardboard and wrapping paper.

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Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 10 2016

Major taxi company Blue Bird is seeking to utilize a nationwide shopping event in an attempt to overcome heightened competition from online transport apps.

The publicly listed firm plans to offer a special promotion for users of its My Blue Bird app during the Harbolnas (National Online Shopping Day) shopping event, which will run from Dec. 12 to 14.

This isnt really just a promotional campaign. We are currently riding on the excitement the public has toward online transportation apps. What we can do now [to compete] is to simply improve our service so that customers can have confidence in our app, Blue Bird marketing director Febby Intan said on Friday.

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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 10 2016

On the heels of a series of intolerant acts by hard-liners, including the recent mob attack on a Christmas service in Bandung, West Java, Christian groups have said they will celebrate Christmas as usual and will not bow down to pressure.

The Gereja Kemah Abraham (GKA) church, whose congregation performs its religious activities in a hall in the ITC Permata Hijau shopping center in South Jakarta, said they would not change their Christmas service schedule despite concerns about rising intolerance in the country.

Even though there are a lot of issues [regarding intolerance], our [Christmas] services will take place as usual because we hope that everything will be safe, GKA secretary Sozawato Telaumbanua told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 10 2016

Actress Raline Shah will play Mei Rose again in the sequel of Surga Yang Tak Dirindukan (The Forgotten Heaven 2), a story with a religious theme that highlights a polygamous marriage.

Honestly, the first film was more difficult, because the character was depressive. She had numerous ups and downs in her life, which was out of my imagination, Raline said, as quoted by kompas.com.

In the sequel, her character would be more positive and collected.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, December 10 2016

The faces of the Toraja people, when closely observed, are not much different from the faces of Asians, especially East Asians. Although there is no definitive research on their origins, many believed they hail from the Gulf of Tonkin, situated between northern Vietnam and southern China.



Torajans will also say they are of Chinese descent. The story goes that from 1,500 to 2,500 years AD they arrived on the K-shaped island of Sulawesi by some form of boat.



In the mountains of Sulawesi, they constructed houses resembling boats, the places they resided on the beach from their places of origin and where they originally lived upon their arrival on the island. The shape of the houses remains the same until today, facing to the north in the direction their ancestors came from.



The Torajans made the rational decision to move from the coast to higher ground, living in the Enrekang area near Kandora mountain. The name Toraja was given by the Bugis Sidendereng people and also the Luwu. The name is derived from To, meaning people, and Riaja, living in a higher land, with the Luwu calling the To Rajang the people living in the west.



According to the Culture and Education Ministry, in its book Traditional Ceremonies of Southern Sulawesi (1861-1982), there are various viewpoints on how the name Torajan was derived:



1. The Toraja name is from To-Riaja, meaning people (To) and Riaja (northerners). The name refers to the people who live in the south of Torajans, the Bugis.



2. Toraja comes from To-Rajang, for the To and Rajang, or western people. It refers to the Luwu people who place Tana Toraja (Toraja Land) in the west.



3. Toraja is also said to be derived from To-Raya, or eastern people. It originates from the people of Makassar who place Tana Toraja in the east.



4. Toraja is from To-Raja  meaning the people of the south; it is said the king of South Sulawesi acknowledged his line of descent from Tondok Lepongan Bulan Tana Matari (Toraja).



The name Toraja was bestowed by the Dutch colonists in 1909. There is not only history, but also the legacy of the Torajans as people who continue to preserve their traditions. In understand culture, we will also better understand the cultures of our own land and gain a greater tolerance between ethnicities and culture to increase our awareness of their preservation.

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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 10 2016

Nusye Hanarti wears a nostalgic smile while remembering her experience in 1998, when she joined her aunt, the late senior journalist and activist Siti Latifah Herawati Diah, in a movement for Indonesian womens political rights.

Alongside other journalists and activists in womens rights movement Gerakan Perempuan Sadar Pemilu (GPSP), she joined Herawati during the reform era to promote female empowerment before the 1999 general election.

Together we would carry out campaigns for women not to merely follow their husbands [in election voting] and to be independent voters, Nusye, 66, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java  Mon, December 12, 2016

Personnel of the National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad searched the boarding house of suspected terrorist Kafid Fathoni, 23, in Kampung Keputren, Kartasura, Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Monday. They confiscated dozens of bottles containing chemical liquid, a rice cooker, a laptop and a number of documents during the raid.

Kafid is a student of Islamic banking at the Surakarta State Islamic Institute (IAIN). He was arrested at his house in Kampung Gebang, Walikukun village, Widodaren, Ngawi, East Java, on Sunday. It is suspected that he is part of a terrorism network, together with five other suspects. They are Nur Solihin, Agus Supriyadi, Dian Yulia Novi, Sutanto alias Abu Izzah and Wawan Prasetyo.

The two-hour search began at around 10 a.m. Dozens of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel blocked road access to Kafids boarding house, which is not far from the former Kartasura Palace compound.

Evidence  Police officers discover dozens of bottles containing chemical liquid, a rice cooker, a laptop and several documents during their search at the house of suspected terrorist Kafid Fathoni, 23, in Kampung Keputren, Kartasura, Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Monday. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)

Suripto, the head of a neighborhood association in Keputren, said Kafid had only lived in the boarding house for past two months. Before that, Kafid lived in a boarding house in Pucangan sub-district, not far from the IAIN Surakarta campus.

He moved here just two months ago. I havent even received a copy of his ID card, said Suripto, who witnessed the search.

Sukoharjo Police chief Adj.Sr.Comr.Ruminio Ardano said the search was a follow up of Kafids arrest in Ngawi on Sunday. He is suspected of being involved in bombing plots with several other terrorism suspects arrested in three cities in Central Java, namely Karanganyar, Klaten, and Surakarta; Bekasi in West Java and Jakarta. (ebf)
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Linkedin Nomaan Merchant (Associated Press) Beijing  Mon, December 12, 2016

An official Chinese newspaper called Donald Trump "as ignorant as a child" on Monday after the president-elect again suggested that he was reconsidering how America deals with Taiwan, one of the most sensitive issues in the relationship between the US and China.

The Global Times, a Communist Party-controlled newspaper, was responding to Trump's comments in a television interview Sunday that he wouldn't feel "bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."

Beijing was already angered by Trump's Dec. 2 call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to a Taiwanese leader in nearly four decades. China considers the self-governing island to be its territory and any reference to a separate Taiwanese head of state to be a grave insult.

Hours after Trump's interview with Fox News Channel aired, the Global Times published a Chinese-language editorial headlined: "Trump, please listen clearly: 'One China' cannot be traded."

"China needs to launch a resolute struggle with him," the editorial said. "Only after he's hit some obstacles and truly understands that China and the rest of the world are not to be bullied will he gain some perception."

"Many people might be surprised at how the new US leader is truly a 'businessman' through-and-through," the paper said, referring to Trump's suggestion of using the "one China" policy as a bargaining chip. "But in the field of diplomacy, he is as ignorant as a child."

The Global Times, which is published by the Communist Party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, often runs commentaries that target nationalistic sentiment with provocative language.

Chinese officials have had a muted response so far to Trump, who followed the Tsai phone call with two tweets accusing China of manipulating its currency, taxing American imports and provoking tensions in the South China Sea. Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed the phone call on a Taiwanese "trick," and the ministry has repeatedly reaffirmed that Taiwan is a part of China without directly criticizing the president-elect.

Trump appeared Sunday to back off reports that his call with Tsai was planned well in advance by advisers positioning him to confront China over the island. He said he heard about the call "probably an hour or two before."

"Why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call?" he said. "I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it."

The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to faxed questions Monday about the interview. (**)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java  Mon, December 12, 2016

Personnel of the National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad searched a shop belonging to suspected terrorist Nur Solihin on Jl. Semen Romo, Cemani, Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Sunday afternoon.

From the two-hour search, the police confiscated documents, street banners and a motorcycle. Supervising the search, Sukoharjo Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ruminio Ardano refused to give more details on confiscated items.

On the details, I dont know yet. The search was within the authority of the Densus 88. We, the Sukoharjo Police, only helped to secure areas around the location, the police chief said. He only confirmed one of the terrorist suspects arrested in Bekasi, West Java, recently, was a Sukoharjo resident.

Apart from Nur Solihin, Agus Supriyadi, another terrorist suspect previously arrested by the Densus 88 personnel, was also reportedly from Sukoharjo. Sundays search by the anti-terror squad was to follow up its previous search at Nur Solihins house in Pajang, Laweyan, Surakarta, on the same day.

On guard  Fully-armed police personnel blocked streets leading to terrorist suspect Nur Solihins house in Kampung Griyan, Laweyan, Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)

During the search, dozens of fully-equipped police personnel blocked streets leading to Nur Solihins kiosk. Hundreds of residents witnessed the search from a distance. Some of them claimed they did not expect that the tenant of the kiosk had been arrested by the police over his alleged involvement in a terrorism case in Jakarta.

Nur Solihin had rented the kiosk to sell basic necessities and water in gallons this past year. Local residents claimed they did not know him very well because he was reclusive.

I shop there, but I hardly ever see him [Nur Solihin]. Each time I go there, I have been served only by his employees, said Wardani, a Cemani resident, 34.

Nur and Agus were arrested near a walkway in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, after the police discovered bombs in a rice cooker in Bekasi. (ebf)
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Mon, December 12, 2016

Amid growing religious tensions countrywide, a commemoration of the Prophet Muhammads birthday, held by the Daarut Tauhid Islamic Boarding School in Bandung, West Java, on Monday, highlighted the importance of respect for diversity and religious tolerance.

At least 20,000 students of the Islamic boarding school, which is led by prominent ustadz (Islamic teacher) Abdullah Gymnastiar, attended the event at Gasibu Square, Bandung.

National Police chief Gen.Tito Karnavian said he appreciated the celebration, which ran smoothly although it was attended by a large number of people. Islam is rahmatan lilalamin [a blessing for the universe]. It does not differentiate between people based on ethnic, religious, racial or intergroup affiliations, he said.

Ahead of Christmas celebrations on Dec. 25, the police chief asked all groups to respect and allow Christians to perform religious services peacefully. If Bandung is safe, West Java and Indonesia will be safe as well.

Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil reminded leaders to always be careful about what they said. Please pray for us so that as leaders, we can continue to restrain ourselves from saying anything that could offend someone else, he said.

Tito and Ridwan were among the prominent figures who attended the celebration, which coincided with the 26th anniversary of the school.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and his deputy Deddy Mizwar, Siliwangi Military District Command commander Maj. Gen. Muhammad Herindra, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Bambang Waskito and Indonesian Ulema Forum head Athian Ali were also present. (ebf)
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Linkedin Claudia Torrens (Associated Press) New York  Mon, December 12, 2016

Immigrants who were brought to the US illegally as children, but were protected from deportation by President Barack Obama, are being warned by some advocates to make sure they are not traveling abroad when Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Some advocates, lawyers and universities are concerned that Trump might immediately rescind an Obama program that had allowed these young immigrants to work and travel for humanitarian, educational or employment purposes.

That could lead, they fear, to some people traveling abroad being barred from re-entering the US.

"We are recommending all travel be completed by or before Jan. 20 in the event laws or procedures experience a drastic change," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "We wouldn't want to expose them to an uncertain situation should they not be allowed back to the US."

Trump made illegal immigration the cornerstone of his campaign, promising to build a wall along the Mexican border and deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

His actual plans, though, have yet to be revealed. Recently, he has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes.

During a recent Time magazine interview, Trump expressed sympathy for the 741,000 people in Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which started in 2012.

"We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," Trump said. "They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen."

Advocates are still being cautious.

Nancy Lopez-Ramirez, a 20-year-old student born in Mexico who is planning a trip there as part of a City College of New York class, said she is glad the group is returning by Jan. 15.

"My mom is like 'I am concerned with you not coming back, I want you to be able to come back,'" she said.

"It is nerve-wracking but I think that at the end it is going to be worth it," said the political-science student, who was brought to the US when she was 4.

City College, part of the City University of New York, is one of the institutions advising students in the DACA program to return before Inauguration Day. So is California State University, which told administrators to tell participants in the program "that if they are outside of the United States as of January 20, 2017, there is no assurance they will be allowed to return to the US."

Trump can rescind the promised protection right away through an "operational memo" because Obama implemented it through one, said William Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

He said the program's participants should not consider traveling overseas unless they absolutely need to.

US Customs and Border Protection spokesman Anthony Bucci said his agency "cannot speculate" when he was asked how long would it take for CBP officers to deny entry to the US to program participants if Trump eliminated the protection.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services records said that as of Dec. 31, 2015, about 22,340 people in the DACA program were approved for the "parole" that allows them to travel outside the US.

Trump called the program an "illegal amnesty" during his campaign.

Tatyana Kleyn, an associate professor at City College who organized the upcoming Mexico trip, said interest in it actually surged among students after the presidential election.

"So right now our bus fits 18 and we are bringing 20," she said. "It feels like a last chance."

___

Follow Claudia Torrens on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ClaudiaTorrens. (**)
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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara  Mon, December 12, 2016

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Forestry Agency has shown support for 2016 Clean Up Rinjani, a program aiming to promote reforestation and trash pick up by planting about 1,000 trees along two Rinjani trekking routes, namely Senaru in North Lombok and Sembalun in East Lombok.

In the future, we hope to give visitors trees to plant before they start climbing Rinjani, NTB Forestry Agency head Husnanindiaty Nurdin told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. She was speaking on the sidelines of Clean Up Rinjani in Sembalun district, East Lombok.

The agency records about 550,000 out of 1.17 million hectares of forest areas in the province to be in critical condition. Without active participation from all parties, it will be difficult for the government to rehabilitate critical land in NTB, the agency explained.

Our critical land now amounts to 554,000 ha. Even if we collect budgetary allocations from both central and regional administrations, we can only rehabilitate around 20,000 ha, said Husnanindiaty.

She further said 140,000 ha of the critical land was categorized as very critical and needed to be reforested immediately.

Husnanindiaty said the planting of 1,000 trees along Rinjani trekking routes also aimed to increase awareness among NTB people, especially those who lives in forest areas, of the need to preserve the environment.

Together with the NTB Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the agency was striving to develop a digital technology system, which would allow them to monitor the progress of their reforestation efforts, she explained. (ebf)
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Linkedin Frances D'Emilio (Associated Press) Rome  Mon, December 12, 2016

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was tapped Sunday to form a new, Democrat-led government and end a political crisis so the country can quickly tackle pressing problems, which include troubled banks, an economy resisting growth and an electoral reform aimed at finally making the nation more governable.

"I'm aware of the urgency to give Italy a government in the fullness of its powers, to reassure the citizens and to face with utmost commitment and determination international, economic and social priorities," the 62-year-old Gentiloni said.

Italy is due to participate in a European Council meeting on Thursday in Brussels, where participants are expected to discuss key problems including migration, security and how to deal with Britain's decision to quit the European Union.

If no snags develop, Gentiloni could be sworn in as premier early this week. He declined to make predictions, saying only: "We're getting down to work."

Gentiloni would take the place of fellow Democrat Matteo Renzi in the premiership. Renzi has been acting in a caretaker role as premier since he quit on Dec. 7 after his nearly three-year-old government suffered a stinging defeat in a referendum on reforms he had staked his job on.

A new government faces a mandatory confidence vote in Parliament.

Given the banking crisis, Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan is widely expected to stay on.

The populist 5-Star Movement and other opposition forces have been clamoring for an early election. But Mattarella, in weighing who should replace Renzi, pointed out the center-left government still commands a majority in Parliament.

"The people feel as if they've been taken for a ride, and want to vote who will decide their lives," said a 5-Star lawmaker, Laura Castelli in a Facebook post that promoted the Movement's "elections immediately" hashtag.

Renzi became Italy's youngest-ever premier in February 2014 when he was 39. He still leads the Democratic Party, although faces internal party challenges should he bid for a return to the premiership when elections are eventually scheduled.

During his party leadership, Renzi, who leans toward the political center, saw defections, especially from Democrats with a past in the former Communist Party.

One defector, Stefano Fassina, of the small Democratic Left party, labeled the next government a "Renzi-encore" and pushed for "elections as soon as possible."

Mattarella has urged the next government to act on several urgent priorities. Those include a banking crisis stemming from badly performing loans amid an economy which resisted growing for several years, despite labor reforms and tax breaks during the Renzi administration.

Gentiloni also noted the pressing need for ambitious construction for several towns destroyed in recent months by earthquakes in central Italy.

The quake-struck area was rattled anew Sunday with a 4.3 quake. Reconstruction following quakes in decades past has been ripe for corruption.

As foreign minister, Gentiloni lobbied for international support to help end years of violence and fighting in Libya. The North Africa nation's lawless coast has turned into a vast launching pad for lucrative people smuggling, which sends hundreds of thousands of migrants out in unseaworthy boats toward Italian shores.

Gentiloni also spearheaded Italy's demands that the Egyptian government determine and bring to justice who tortured and killed a young Italian researcher in Cairo this year.

The premier-designate is considered a staunch supporter of the outgoing Renzi.

But Renzi took Gentiloni to task earlier this fall, expressing displeasure that his foreign minister had abstained on a resolution of UNESCO, the UN cultural agency, instead of opposing it. The resolution angered Israel with its wording that put the Western Wall in Jerusalem  Judaism's holiest site  in quotation marks and described other Jewish sites as "so-called."

___

Frances D'Emilio is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fdemilio (**)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, December 12, 2016

President Joko Jokowi Widodo is set to start his two-day work visit in New Delhi on Monday. He is scheduled to carry out bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee.

Departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta, President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana and their entourage, arrived at Palam Airport in New Delhi at 11.30 p.m. local time on Sunday.

During his visit, Jokowi is also scheduled to carry out a meeting with CEOs of several Indian companies and to attend a luncheon meeting with staff members of the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi and Indonesian citizens in the city before he departs for Tehran on Wednesday.

Jokowis visits are in response to PM Modis and Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis visits to Indonesia in October 2013 and in April 2015 respectively.

The state visits are important given that India and Iran are two countries with equally huge partnership potential, the Presidential Office said in a statement as quoted by Antara News Agency.

India is Indonesias biggest trade partner in South Asia and fourth largest partner in the world. The trade value between Indonesia and India amounted to US$ 14.45 billion in 2015.

During his visit, President Jokowi aims to explore more diversified Indonesian exports to India. He will also discuss efforts to increase investment partnerships between the two countries for Indonesias raw medical material industry.

Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, State Secretary Minister Pratikno and Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Thomas Trikasih Lembong are participating in the visit, as well. (ebf)
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Mon, December 12, 2016

National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the police had named seven suspects during their investigation into a recent discovery of active explosive bombs in Bekasi, West Java, on Saturday.

As of today, seven people have been named suspects, including the alleged bomb assembler who was arrested in Ngawi, East Java, he said in Bandung on Monday.

Boy further said the police had also arrested another bomb assembler and a woman. She was suspected to have been prepared for a suicide bombing mission.

Boy said all of those suspects were part of a terrorist network led by Bahrun Naim, who was suspected by the police to have orchestrated terror attacks on Jl. M. H. Thamrin in Jakarta in January. They were also suspected to be part of a terror network behind a suicide bomb attack at the Surakarta Police headquarters in July, he further said.

Thus, these terror cells had direct contacts with Bahrun. They operated in several cities. They belonged to a terror cell in Surakarta, Central Java. They had planned a terror attack, in which Bekasi was just a transit area before they moved to their main target area, Jakarta, said Boy, adding that all suspects had been brought to Jakarta for a further investigation.

Earlier, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said the terrorist group in the Bekasi terror attack plan was comprised of six people who coordinated directly with Bahrun. It was believed he was still in Syria. Nur Solihin, a terror suspect arrested by personnel of the polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad at his home in Kampung Griyan, Laweyan, Surakarta, Central Java, was the leader of the small group, Tito said.

They prepared bombs that they learned to assemble on the internet. For the mission, Bahrun provided funds he sent via banks. Nurs second wife, the woman arrested, was prepared as the bride, said Tito, using terminology that references a suicide bombing perpetrator.

They learned to make a high explosive bomb using a pressurized cooker with the security post at the State Palace in Jakarta as their main target, Tito added. (ebf)
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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara  Mon, December 12, 2016

The lure of Rinjani, Indonesias second highest mountain after Kerinci, has continued to attract visitors. Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) records at least 89,000 tourists who have climbed the active volcano on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, this year.

This figure showed an increase compared to last year, during which 68,000 tourists were recorded to have climbed Rinjani.

Since its trekking route reopened in April through December, the number of visitors climbing Rinjani has reached more than 89,000, more than 42 percent of whom were foreign tourists. It increased from last years count, although this year, we closed the mountain several times because of increases in volcanic activity of its sub-volcano, Mt Barujari, TNGR head Agus Budi Santosa told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of Rinjani Clean Up, a program aiming to clean up garbage on the mountain in Sembalun district, East Lombok.

Agus said that in terms of tourist visits, Rinjani was still behind Mt Bromo in East Java, which recorded up to one million visits per year. But Rinjani is the only mountain, in which its foreign visits can account for more than 40 percent. The number of foreign tourists in Bromo is only five percent, he said.

Foreign tourists visiting Rinjani are mostly from European countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK, TNGR data shows. There have been increases in the number of visitors from Asian countries, such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Meanwhile, domestic visitors are mostly from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java) and Yogyakarta. (ebf)
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Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi  Mon, December 12, 2016

The South Sulawesi Police have confiscated three tons of fish preserved with formaldehyde in an operation at Paotere Port in Makassar. It was suspected the fish would be distributed in several markets across the city.

It has been confirmed that the three tons of fish contain formaldehyde based on results of a laboratory test on samples of the fish at the Makassar Food and Drug Monitoring Agency [BPOM], South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan told journalists at Paotere Port on Friday.

The distribution of such fish must be prevented as it would be dangerous for peoples health, consuming the fish can cause cancer, he explained.

Anton further said the police uncovered the harmful commodity when a machine vessel, KM Adi Wijaya, departing from South Kalimantan entered the Paotere Port on Tuesday. During an investigation, they found 20 tons of fish in the vessel.

The police suspected the fish contained preservation substances because the vessel had sailed from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, for 12 days but it did not carry any cooling machines, only boxes and ice cubes, Anton said.

The police investigators asked the BPOM Makassar to carry out lab tests, after which they found three of the 20 tons of fish had tested positive for formaldehyde.

Comr. Ahmad Mariadi, the head of industry and trade sub-directorate at the South Sulawesi Polices special crime investigation directorate, said that based on the vessels captains testimony, the fish were from Kalimantan waters.

He claimed he bought the fish from nine fishermen in Banjarmasin waters in South Kalimantan for about Rp 300 million [US$ 22,468.56]. He insisted he didnt use formaldehyde or any other preservation substances, said Mariadi, adding that the police were further investigating the case. (ebf)
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Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi  Mon, December 12, 2016

Authorities must tightened security in areas across North Kalimantan, especially Tarakan, because it has become the main entrance of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as sabu-sabu, from abroad into eastern Indonesia, a senior official has said.

South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan said most drugs, especially crystal meth, distributed in the province were produced in China and brought into Indonesia from Malaysia via Tarakan.

Hence, we hope security can be strengthened in Tarakan, the police chief said. He was speaking during a press conference on a police operation to foil a drug smuggle attempt in Makassar on Friday.

Anton explained the police managed to thwart an attempt to smuggle one kilogram of crystal meth via Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar on Tuesday. A man allegedly brought the drugs from Tarakan using a Pelni vessel, he explained.

He divided the crystal meth into two packages and wrapped them with used plastic bags of China-made food products, said Anton.

Based on information from the suspect, the police traced other members of his drug smuggling syndicate. Three other suspects were arrested separately in three different places.

We are still pursuing the owner of the crystal meth. The drugs were bought in Tarakan so we are coordinating with the Tarakan Police to hunt the owner, said Anton.

Earlier, the Parepare Police managed to foil an attempt to smuggle 3 kg of crystal meth from Kalimantan at Nusantara port in Parepare.

Anton said the police had strengthened security at main entrances across South Sulawesi, especially at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport and several seaports including Paotere and Soekarno-Hatta ports in Makassar, Nusantara port in Parepare and two other ports in Bone and Bulukumba. (ebf)
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Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura, Papua  Mon, December 12, 2016

Wings Air, a subsidiary of Indonesias largest private carrier, the Lion Group, has continued to provide flights to and from Nabire, Papua, despite a flying ban imposed by Nabire Regent Isaias Douw last week.

Wings Air will continue to fly from Nabire to Ambon [Maluku], Jayapura [Papua] and Kaimana [West Papua] as scheduled, Nabire Airport official Omardani Setyonugroho told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said the Wings Air office had received a copy of a letter from the Nabire regent who barred the private carrier from flying to the region. However, it had not yet received a letter from the Transportation Ministrys Air Transportation Directorate General requesting the airline to stop its flight routes to Nabire, he added.

We are still waiting for information from the Air Transportation Directorate General, said Omardani. He said he did not know whether or not there had been communication between Air Transportation Director General Suprasetyo and the Nabire regent on the matter.

What I can confirm is that as of today, there has been no notification [on a flying ban] from the Air Transportation Directorate General, the one and the only entity with authority to impose such a ban, said Omardani.

We are committed to serving the people, said Lion Air manager for Papua flight areas, Agung Setyo Wibowo.

As reported earlier, Isaias issued a letter dated Dec.6 to private airline PT Wings Air Service, which banned it from flying to Nabire due to its poor passenger services. The ban took effect starting on Dec.10 and is valid until further notification.

A lack of quality flight service from airline company PT Wings Air in Nabire led to disgruntled passengers, the letter stated. (ebf)
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Linkedin (Associated Press) Tokyo  Mon, December 12, 2016

Japan protested to China on Monday about what it says are groundless accusations that Japanese fighter jets had fired "jamming shells" as six Chinese military planes flew over waters between Japan's southern Okinawa and Miyako islands.

"It is extremely regrettable that the Chinese military is making announcements that are clearly factually wrong," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. "It also hurts the effort to improve our relations, so we lodged a strong protest."

Japan scrambled fighters on Saturday as Chinese planes flew over the Miyako Strait. Taiwan's defense ministry said four Chinese planes also flew over the nearby Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines. The waterways and airspace are two of the connections between the contested South and East China seas and the Pacific Ocean.

China said two Japanese fighters launched "jamming shells" that endangered the safety of Chinese aircraft and crew. Such decoy flares are typically used by a pilot to draw away an incoming missile.

Suga denied the Japan did anything that posed a danger to the Chinese. Japan regularly scrambles jets to track Chinese military planes entering the area.

Separately, three Chinese ships patrolled waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea on Sunday. The uninhabited Senkaku islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu.

The Chinese exercises came shortly after the Taiwanese president spoke to US President-elect Donald Trump in a call strongly denounced by China, which considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory. (**)
By: Shimmy Blum. It was blistering cold in midtown Manhattan on Sunday afternoon as former UN Ambassador John Bolton and other leaders stood outside the UN  in the presence of major national media outlets  urging President Barack Obama and his administration to have Israels back during the final weeks of his presidency. Referring to the weather, Mr. Bolton, rumored to be the pick for Undersecretary of State in the Trump administration, quipped, This is what it feels like for Israel in the UN on a good day.

Ambassador Bolton was joined by Morton Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America; and Dr. Joseph Frager, Odeleya Jacobs, Dr. Paul Brody and Duvi Honig , members of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerces Public Policy Committee, which arranged the news conference. (The conference was sponsored by the Zionist Organization of America and National Council of Young Israel.) Aaron Klein, noted author, radio host and Breitbart News Jerusalem Bureau Chief, traveled in from Israel to address the conference as well.

Mr. Honig opened the conference by thanking Ambassador Bolton for his longstanding support for Israel. He mentioned how Yaakov Avinu prepared to defeat the enemies of his People through tefillah, Mr. Honig recited a kapitel Tehillim followed by the tefillah of Acheinu at the podium.

Dr. Frager explained that the goal of the press conference was to protect the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel from the castigating of Israel that the UN is infamous for. The conference also served as the official launch of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerces mission to Israel on January 3rd and 4th, to strengthen U.S.  Israel economic ties. Former governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, among other high ranking officials, business leaders and activists, will participate in the mission.

Focusing on the weeks ahead, Mr. Klein of the ZOA cited the real basis for fear that the enemies of Israel will utilize these final weeks of the Obama administration to harm Israel at the UN. Specifically, there is the fear that the Obama administration will now support, or at least refuse to veto, UN resolutions that are damaging to Israel  unlike the administrations policy up until now.

Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Ambassador Samantha Power refused to say whether they would go along with a UN declaration of settlements in East Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria as illegal. According to Wikileaks, senior Obama aides were discussing supporting a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood. The administration has also as of late been using harsher than usual language condemning Israeli construction within existing boundaries. Perhaps most concerning have been the recent declaration of support for unilateral Palestinian statehood by former President Jimmy Carter and The New York Times editorial page. We believe that this is orchestrated, said Mr. Klein, noting that an official Palestinian delegation is currently in Washington to lobby the administration to support its goals at the UN.

Dr. Frager pointed out that approximately 20% of the UN budget is covered by the United States, and our nation therefore has leverage to keep UN anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment in check. The PA cant use the UN instead of negotiating, he explained.

He was followed by Aaron Klein of Breitbart who detailed the various potential UN resolutions that may be pushed in the upcoming weeks. They include, among others, unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood, a timetable for statehood declaration, or a declaration that Israeli settlements are illegal. This is almost a sick jokea diplomatic assault, said Mr. Klein, detailing the Palestinians repeated refusal to accept a state at the negotiating table.

Ambassador Bolton was the final speaker of the conference, utilizing his impeccable diplomatic pedigree to sound the alarm about the very far reaching repercussions that would result from a US abandonment of Israel at the UN. He pointed to the bipartisan US consensus for nearly half a century that a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be imposed by other countries. It is a fiction that a resolution across First Avenue will lead to lasting peace, he said.

The ambassador and other speakers then took questions from the audience, and expounded in greater detail how virulently anti-Semitic and anti-Israel Mahmoud Abbas and other moderate Palestinian leaders, not to mention Hamas, are  making it all the more dangerous if statehood gains momentum at this moment.

Mr. Honig concluded by expressing appreciation to President Obama and his administration for their repeated vetoes of anti-Israel UN resolutions in previous years, and other instances of support for Israel. He expressed hope that the administration will continue down that path through its final days. The enemies of Israel are trying to hijack the UN to harm the Jews, Mr. Honig summed up. Dont get blinded by the hate!

Additional details about the OJC-Jewish Chamber Israel mission schedule and participants will be released in the weeks ahead. For more information, or to participate in or sponsor the mission, please call 212-659-5270 Ext. 114 or email [email protected]

[TLS]

(Video from YouTube can be found here. External link)
On Friday, State Sen. Daniel Squadron went to Grand Street Settlement to help the 100-year-old social service agency celebrate the installation of a new security system.

He allocated $40,000 in state funding for 25 cameras, an upgraded monitoring system and new lighting. The installation was handled by the New York City Housing Authority, which oversees the settlement houses building at 80 Pitt St.

Grand Street Settlement just kicked off a capital campaign, which will support a full renovation of its Lower East Side headquarters.
MarketWatch

After record-breaking sales of I-bonds in October, the U.S. Treasury is dangling another good deal in front of savers for the next six months. Starting Nov. 2, when I-bonds will be available again after site maintenance at TreasuryDirect.gov, the inflation-adjusted annualized rate will be 6.89%, down from 9.62%. The fixed rate at the time of purchase will stay with the bond as long as you hold it  up to 30 years  but the inflation adjustment resets every six months in November and May.
Jeremy Hunt (Ben Birchall/PA)

Most are said to be teenagers and young adults who have been transferred hundreds of miles from home into residential care in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Campaigners have said the practice is adding pressure to vulnerable patients already in a life-threatening situation.

The Health Secretary said it was unacceptable (Lynne Cameron/PA)

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was unacceptable and work was under way to eradicate inappropriate out-of-area placements over the next five years. The Guardian spoke to the family of one 17-year-old who spent time in units in Watford, Hertfordshire, London and Colchester, Essex, before being moved to Edinburgh for life-saving treatment. Anup Vyas, from Hemel Hempstead, said his stepdaughter was treated near their home in Hertfordshire for a rare eating disorder before she was moved from unit to unit across the South East. He told the newspaper her condition is so severe that she is basically being kept alive in Scotland. NHS England acknowledge that her being so far away is not ideal.Jane Smith, chief executive of Anorexia and Bulimia Care, told the newspaper: Ive seen a rise in calls from people saying their children have been sent far away, miles away, to be looked after because there are either no services nearby or they are full. This is a life-threatening situation for young people. People are in in-patient care because they are at risk of dying. They are in a very fragile, risky state. NHS England said 1.4 billion of cumulative funding will be invested in young peoples mental health services over the next five years. The NHS recently laid out very clear plans to expand staff and services for specialist eating disorders and other mental health problems, in order to tackle and eliminate distant out of area placements, a spokeswoman told the newspaper.
I wonder how many Best of 2016 lists will include Disneys anthropomorphic adventure Zootropolis.

*Full spoilers for Zootropolis follow*

It follows Judy Hopps, the first ever Bunny Police Officer, who finds herself embroiled in an investigation into missing predators with con-fox Nick Wylde.

Although an enjoyable film, examining its text and subtext reveals a metaphor too broad to support the story  one with fundamentally progressive intentions. Its crucial to consider exactly what Zootropolis is saying. I cant shake the feeling that the mixed messaging of the film will lead many well-meaning progressives who love it to get in their own way.

Part 1: Sexism Against Bunny Rabbits

Judy Hopps, the smaller, continuously devalued minority of the ZPD, is Zootropolis representative of institutional sexism. Her training sequence shows the polar bear instructor demeaning Judy, calling her Bunny Bumpkins and Farm girl. Bunnies are expected to do just two things: farm and multiply.

Judy struggles in part because of her size. And given Judys gender, her huge and silent competition can all be seen as male. Our protagonist is conflicting with exclusively masculine environments.

The filmmakers double down on this when she arrives in the ZPD bullpen: predators surround her (huge lions, and tigers, and bears), in an intimidating, manly space. When Judy offers a fist-bump to her rhino co-worker, shes literally pushed to the side by a fist as big as her entire body, left alone. Even Chief Bogo, a prey, is designed the same: bigger, a deep voice, tougher.

Taking these metaphors as constant, itd be clear that (small) prey are parallels to women in mens worlds. Except its not all theyre meant to be.

Part 2: The Little Guys are a minority too.

Theres an early moment that I think made many realise Zootropolis was about more than following dreams. When Judy walks into the police station, she meets Clawhauser  a cuddly and friendly leopard, lover of donuts and Sha-Gazelle. And this exchange happens:

Clawhauser: I gotta tell you, you are even cuter than I thought youd be.

Judy: Ooh, ah, you probably didnt know, but, a bunny can call another bunny cute, but when other animals do it, its a little"

What a fun reference to the n-word! Something only African Americans* can say, due to its roots in oppression; cute is the no-no word, bunnies are African Americans, and other animals (specifically a predator) are white people. The majority, the American normal.

Its so strange a moment that I have no idea if its meant in jest, or as a lesson. And another (unquestionably a gag) confuses the films metaphors further.

Judy and Nick ask Deputy Mayor Bellwether for help: a meek sheep, and glorified secretary to Mayor Lionheart, a lion. She sees herself and Judy as the little guys, in the same small prey vs. large predator metaphor. And Nick is fascinated by her hair  a bouncy, curly, white afro. Unbeknownst to Bellwether, he bats it with a look of awe; when Judy stops him, he says shed never let me get this close!. To which she responds You cant just touch a sheeps hair!.

Nicks dialogue supports the idea that predators have the power (he a fox, she a sheep), which is Bellwethers view  the prey must work twice as hard to succeed in a predators world. But once again, the film appropriates African-American culture, in parallel to its more general female metaphor. That might work  although its oversimplifying to equate race and gender struggles as such  if the story ended there. Yet the whole plot is Bellwethers evil plan. Equating the ultimate villain with two (very different) oppressed groups, throws the entire films Prey/Predator metaphor into question.

And even before this scene, we know its the prey who rule Zootropolis, and the predators who are the minority.

Part 3: The Story of the Main Minority

There are several textual examples of predator/prey stereotypes which dont directly relate to Nick Wylde, but hes the most important because the narrative places him within the audiences POV (Judy). The first time she sees him, hes honked at by a sheep: Watch where youre going Fox! It pairs with the Fox Spray to show how foxes are stereotypes as untrustworthy. Immediately afterwards, an elephant ice cream parlour owner denies Nick service, because of his race.

Later on, Nick reveals a traumatic past; as a kid, the junior ranger group he joined muzzled him, ridiculed him as a monster. Once again, prey are the majority, mistrusting and mistreating the minority, based on stereotypes. So Nick plays to stereotypes: If the worlds only going to see a fox as shifty and untrustworthy, theres no point trying to be anything else.

Yet the narrative function of his Pawpsicle con is to demonstrate his slyness, through convincing Judy hes not a bad guy. Its the animal version of Crash, when Ludacris complains that Sandra Bullock thinks hes a gangbanger, before immediately pulling a gun and threatening her. You cant subvert stereotypes by committing to them honestly.

Nicks inner conflict addresses minority stereotypes, and how hard they are to escape. But Zootropolis ambitions are greater: Nick, as the plot and race allegorys focal point (partly through Judys story of overcoming her prejudices), it makes you ask what that makes Judy, whose struggle is equated with African-Americans as much as women. Where does the film draw the line?

Part 4: The Culmination of Metaphor

The press conference following Mayor Lionhearts exposure crystallises the mess of allegory, and it breaks the film. Tension builds as Judy explains why predators may have turned wild: Thousands of years ago, predators survived through their aggressive hunting instincts. For whatever reason they seem to be reverting back to their primitive savage ways.

Nick immediately questions whether Judy is afraid of him, or even all predators. It goes beyond them: every journalist asking questions is a prey; the last question asked is Have you considered a mandatory quarantine on predators?; we next see a peaceful rally of predators, protested by angry prey, one of whom yells Go back to the forest, predator!; a bunny on the metro moves her child closer when a tiger sits down next to them.

These moments show the films social awareness. But nothing Judy says in her answer is false. Its true the drug used against predators equally affects prey; what Judy says about the racial minority having violence in their biological history is equally as truthful. Do you see the problem with having predators be the ethnic minority? The preys fearful view of them is legitimised, as is the audiences.

Prey/predator is a binary allegory. It needs simplicity. Children understand anthropomorphised stereotypes of animals from decades of storytelling. Subverting them, in a story about overcoming prejudice because of where you come from/who you are, might have worked. But tackling our own racially prejudiced society this way is something it cant do.

Part 5: Intention vs. Execution

This mess makes Zootropolis difficult to discuss in definitive terms. At worst, it legitimises fear of racial and ethnic minorities. At best, taking Judys double metaphor story into account, it lends credence to #AllLivesMatter folks, who believe racism can happen to anyone.

Zootropolis aims to show how society** treats minorities, individual and institutional discrimination. Few family films try to show something so complex. And because the films business is making money, it cant be too challenging  we get a lecture about how society should be, that ultimately nullifies our sense of responsibility.

Zootropoliss pure intentions dont excuse the execution. These issues are far from binary  just because a white person doesnt actively discriminate against minorities, doesnt mean that they dont benefit from racism.

Because it works on binary distinctions of good and bad, Zootropolis becomes convoluted and contradictory (try factoring Judys struggle into the other metaphors without your head melting). I fear it will prevent, rather than encourage self-criticism: racism may not be resolved in the end, but the central plot is. Because that takes precedence over confronting the racist micro-aggressions, and solving it exposes Bellwethers systemic abuse, the story is wrapped up.

As I write this Im think about this revolutionary deleted scene:

Racism is never just about the plots of individuals. Its built into the very framework of society. Removing it means confrontating of ourselves, others, and our surroundings.

Zootropolis is just a kids' film, so it cant be as complex as that. And I cant count the number of times Ive heard people say its more than a kids' film. Compared to the average, that Zootropolis has tried taking its themes further is radical.

But if all were asking of films is that they try to be about something, and not that they do it well, then were really lowering the bar.

*I am not African-American, so I could be very wrong here  I know only that white people very much mustnt!

**A specifically Western/American society. Other parts of the world will of course contain differences, subtle or overt, in prejudices and structures.
This Christmas, Co-op Food is asking the question: what if our good times could help fund good times for others?

With its Christmas campaign, Co-op is focusing not on the presents under the tree, or even the food on the table  instead, its the back-to-basics giving message thats at the heart of the brands festive message.

As a Co-op Food member, youll give 1% of every Co-op branded item you buy in store back to a local community project of your choice  and that could be anything from male voice choirs to city farms to amateur drama groups for people with learning disabilities. Youll even have the chance to choose which local organisations your money supports.

The giving campaign means Co-op has raised almost 1.5m for community groups across the UK since it launched in September, making it unique in the retail world. As well as the 1% donated to local causes, Co-op Food members also get 5% back on the cost of Co-op own brand products.

The stars of the advert are not actors, but friends and families filmed alongside four community groups that are benefitting from the Co-op's fund. The only actor in the TV and cinema advert is Emma Edmondson who provides the voiceover.

Jemima Bird, Co-op Customer Director, says: As a convenience retailer who operates in the heart of communities across the UK, we see our membership scheme benefiting local causes every single day, and the groups in our Christmas advert had great fun participating in the filming too.

Heres the Co-op Food Christmas advert in full:

With Co-op being a local brand thats embedded in communities, we think this message is one that might stick more than any other this Christmas.

Here are some of the community projects that Co-op members have helped fund so far  a lifeboat station in Southport, and an urban farm nestled between two of the most deprived areas of Leeds:

Visit Co-op Foods Youtube channel here and join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag Christmas #TheCoopWay

You can get all this great info straight to your fingertips when you use #StudentFeed

Become a Co-op member here or talk to a member of staff in your local store about why joining up is such a good idea.

Co-op also offers 10% off for students with an NUS extra card.
Over the weekend several articles emerged claiming that The University of Oxford student union office had distributed leaflets inst

ructing students to use gender neutral pronouns when referring to other students. OUSU have just released a statement denying this.

In the Statement, OUSU say that the sources referred to in many of the articles may in fact have been support documents used by student leaders and welfare representatives which do emphasise the importance of not assuming the pronouns of peers.

"In this situation, and in light of the factual inaccuracies published, we would like to highlight that our support for trans students includes respecting neopronouns and non-binary identities.

"We would also like to clearly state that we would never tell anyone to use ze pronouns instead of he or she if he or she is the pronoun someone wishes to use. That would be misgendering and would likely have the biggest impact on individuals (ie, some trans students) who may already be struggling to get people to use he or she for them. It would be totally counterproductive."
This week an investigation has been launched by the University College London into its connections with Paolo Macchiarini.

Macchirarini was suspended from the Karolinska Institute, a prestigious medical university in Stockholm, following allegations of both clinical and scientific misconduct. The Swedish authorities are now investigating the surgeon under charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Macchiarini was the first surgeon to perform a tracheal transplant (transplant of the windpipe) with a synthetic trachea that had been combined with the patient's stem cells. At first, the surgery seemed to be a success and three were completed overall.

But two of the patients have since passed away as a result of the surgery, and investigations have shown that Macchiarini fabricated information in his medical reports.

UCL has launched its own investigation into its links with Macchiarini. Senior scientists at UCL have contributed to the procedures carried out by Macchiarini, but it is not believed that they are responsible for any misconduct.

A former UCL professor made the synthetic trachea used in the first surgery. The trachea was made in just ten days after the professor was approached by Macchiarini as he was told the patient had only two weeks to live. The material had only previously been used to make ears and noses. The material was clinically safe, but the trachea was not tested on its functionality and this later led to the fatal complication.

The Karolinska Institute has come under fire due to its prestigious reputation. The school is responsible for selecting the winners of the medicine/physiology Nobel Prize, but trust is dissipating - a recent opinion poll of Swedish nationals showed the university ranking in 12th place, as opposed to its previously held 4th position.

This scandal has rocked the scientific world and serves as a wake-up call to universities on the responsibility that they hold with their associated research.
Amsterdam is well known for its tall, tilting merchants houses and canal boats bobbing on picturesque canals. There are plenty of famous attractions in this small city too  from Anne Franks House to the grand Rijksmuseum.

But, just across the River IJ, youll find a totally different side to the city  Amsterdam Noord.

Known as the Northern Soul of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Noord is a really vibrant, up and coming area, well off the tourist track.

Clink Hostels is offering 15% off stays in January and February using the code FRESHSTART2017 (T&Cs apply)

To get to Amsterdam Noord, you just jump on a ferry from the back of Centraal station. Its free and takes just two mins to cross the River IJ. The area has an industrial past, with big shipyards in operation until the 1980s. As you can imagine, it has quite a different feel from the Amsterdam of popular imagination.

Here are the places that you should check out when you're in Amsterdam Noord:

1. Noorderlicht Cafe

The Noord area is a hot-bed of musicians and artists. The Noorderlicht Cafe at NDSM Werf (one of the old shipyards) is a cultural hub where local creatives get together for music nights and community events.

They also have a small reasonably priced menu, offering ethically sourced and seasonal food and drink. The cafe is housed inside an old greenhouse and inside it has a ramshackle but welcoming feel.

Noorderlicht cafe, NDSM Square 102, 1033 WB Amsterdam

11am  10pm every day except Monday

2. The EYE Film Museum

You can see the white, angular outline of this spaceship-like museum as you ride the ferry across the River IJ from the back of Centraal Station. Its a mecca for local and international film lovers, screening both classic films and new independent releases. Its also home to free permanent exhibitions and hosts special events and discussions.

EYE Filmmuseum, IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam

Monday - Friday: 10:00 until 01:00 Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 until 02:00

3. IJ Hallen

I love a good bargain so Im super excited to check out IJ Hallen, Europes biggest flea market! Two big warehouses are jam packed with vintage clothes, antiques and everything in between. Youve got to be determined to rifle through some junk, but its worth it for the budget friendly gems you can unearth! The market is held a few times a month and the first one of 2017 is on 7th and 8th of January.

IJ-Hallen, T.T. Neveritaweg 1, 1033 WB Amsterdam-Noord

4. Hotel de Ghoudfazant

Unlike the name suggests, this isnt a hotel! Its actually a huge restaurant in an old warehouse (warehouses seem to be a bit of a thing round these parts!). The Dutch-French inspired menu is all in Dutch (always great sign, in my book) but the hip yet super friendly staff are happy to run you through your choices.

Aambeeldstraat 10, 1021 KB Amsterdam

Tuesday  Sunday from 6pm

5. Tolhuistuin

This is the former workers canteen of the SHELL Head Offices. Its now home to a cool, multi-functional arts space that hosts exhibitions, performances, events and music nights in conjunction with Amsterdams famous venue, Paradiso.

IJpromenade 2, 1031 KT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Open every day from 10am

6. Plek

This is yet another cool multi-functional venue in Amsterdam Noord. The building has been constructed using old shipping containers and opens up onto a manmade beach with stunning views across the River IJ. It serves up a tasty seasonal menu and also puts on parties, film screenings, exhibitions and other events.

Tt. Neveritaweg 59, 1033 WB Amsterdam

Friday & Saturday 9.30am  3am. Other days 9.30am  1am.

7. Cafe de Ceuval

Cafe de Ceuval is made out of recycled materials and is also on its way to becoming totally self-sufficient. Theyre even planning their own rooftop farm! The menu is affordable and tasty and they do great coffee too.

Korte Papaverweg 4, 1032 KB

Mon-Thu 12pm  12am Fri  Sat 12pm-2am

If youre thinking of planning a trip to Amsterdam Clink Hostels is offering 15% off stays in January and February using the code FRESHSTART2017 (T&Cs apply).

Clink Hostels is giving away an Amsterdam city break for two including flights and accommodation. Stay in a private room at ClinkNOORD in Amsterdams cool and creative Noord district and go make the most of this exciting city! Enter here.


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You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: 

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Southgate elected officials recently donated their time to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.

Mayor Joseph Kuspa, Clerk Jan Ferencz, Treasurer Jim Dallos and several other elected officials and department heads spent several hours outside of the Walmart, collecting hundreds of dollars for the charity.

Thousands of bell ringers spend hundreds of thousands of hours in front of various businesses across the country during the holiday season each year to raise money for the Salvation Army as part of the annual Red Kettle Christmas campaign.

The campaign is traditionally the biggest fundraiser of the year for the charity, allowing the group to buy presents, food and clothing to more than 6 million people each year during the holiday season.

Overall, the charity helps more than 34 million Americans annually.

The Red Kettle campaign has gone on every year since it was founded in San Francisco in 1891.
Phuket Kings Cup Regatta winds to a close

PHUKET: The final race day of the Phuket Kings Cup Regatta 30th Anniversary concluded the international sailing competition on Saturday (Dec 10) in a sincere expression of love and respect for HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and honored His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.



By The Phuket News

Monday 12 December 2016, 11:33AM

Team THA72, Kevin Whitcraft/ Photo by Guy Nowell

All classes ran just one race due to light wind conditions in the morning. Ross Chisholm, Race Officer, explained, On really light days, for the race management its about retrieving what we can as best we can, but happily today we ended with a true breeze  it really brought the regatta to a close on a good note. Its about changing on the fly, for both the race management and for the sailing teams, so its all about effective management whichever way you look at it; a bit of patience, a lot of experience.

Sailing in light conditions is the real challenge. It separates the men from the boys. Phuket is a characteristically light regatta, so very challenging for sailors, demanding a high work rate and a lot of tactical nous. Even with distant breezes, it was enough to make it happen for everyone.

CPO.1 Wiwat Poonpat and his Royal Thai Navy 1 successfully won the Platu One Design class, having come first in all seven races this week.

Kevin Whitcraft and THA72 had only had Ray Roberts boat to battle with during the week of racing in a two-boat class. They finished six minutes ahead in the final race on a short sprint course, and were named Regatta winners for IRC0.

Japanese team Yasuo Nanamoris Karasu took IRC1 class regatta victory, fending off a stern challenge from perennial racers Mandrake III all through the week. They could only manage seventh place in the final race but had done enough on points following three wins earlier in the week.

April Jorgensens IRC2 team, Judy, have performed very well all week and thoroughly deserved their victory for Phuket Kings Cup honours.

In Premier class, Ithinai Yingsiri and Kings Cup regulars Pine-Pacific won after a week of solid first and second place performances.

Among the fireflies, a familiar name emerged by week-end; John Newnham and Twin Sharks, beating the Royal Malaysian Navy into second place on final standings.

Elsewhere, the Pulse 600 Racing class was won by Neil Ayre, skipper for Java Racing; the Multihull Racing class was won by Andrew Hurford (Phantom V); Kimiya Shimizu skippering Ying Yang won the Multihull Cruising class.

In the Open Charter class, Vladimir Oleynikov and team Popeye were victors, whilst compatriots on Snapdragon skippered by Igor Ginzburg won Bareboat Charter A; in the Cruising class (a much larger fleet this year), Jianquan Tong and Asia Pacific Atom won class honours.

The 2016 Phuket Kings Cup Regatta competitive classes include Keelboats and Multihulls and International Dinghy Classes. All participants, local and international sailors and organizers, joined in 89 seconds of silence to mourn the passing of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the opening event.

The landmark 30th Anniversary year, under the theme of A Heritage of Passion, gave sailors a chance to look back on the long history of successes for the Kings Cup; it also spoke of the future direction of the regatta, with a strong focus on the development of youth sailing and greater connectivity to new and growing sailing markets around the world. The regatta has a very bright future, and thusly the Phuket Kings Cup Regatta Organizing Committee wishes to express its appreciation to all of the sponsors, sailors, partners, media and support crews who have helped it grow over the years into the biggest prize in Asia yachting.

Full racing results are available at http://kingscup.com/result
Slashed budget puts Phuket lifeguard patrols in danger

PHUKET: A provincial council resolution to slash the Phuket lifeguards funding by 10 per cent threatens to cut the number of lifeguards patrolling the beaches.

tourismmarineChineseRussiandeathaccidentspatong

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Monday 12 December 2016, 09:00AM

The move hopes to see more hotels stepping up to support Phuket's lifeguards. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

The council resolution, voted in August and in effect from October, saw 19 council members voting to reduce the funding. Two council members abstained.

The budget cut, down to B19.8 million per year, is to remain in effect annually for three years.

It is not worth paying B22 million for Phuket lifeguards, PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong told The Phuket News.

We planned to reduce the budget by cutting unnecessary things out. We will also give hotels the chance to support the lifeguards in providing beach safety, he said.

However, Mr Watcharin gave no definition of what was deemed unnecessary.

According to the announcement on the PPAO website, The purpose of this project is is to boost peoples confidence in safety, defence and to protect tourists from loss or death.

I believe hotels will provide staff to support lifeguards on the beaches. Then we will have extra staff for tourists safety, Mr Watcharin explained.

It is a chance for hotels to be responsible and take care of their own guests as we join together to provide for their safety, he added.

However, the PPAO has yet to clarify why the hotels would pay out of pocket to support lifeguards further when they already funded the lifeguard budget through the Hotel tax of 1% of each room rate charged at every registered hotel in the province.

As far back as 2004, the PPAO raked in B44 million in hotel tax collections, with only 214 hotels on the island paying contributions  far fewer than half the number of hotels in Phuket even at that time.

Worse, only last month did Russian tourist Petr Agapov, 57, drown at a section of at Bang Tao Beach where lifeguards are not allowed to patrol because a hotel its has own staff looking after surf safety. (See story here.)

In August, French national Anne Sophie Faisant Torrijos, 23, drowned at a small beach south of Nai Thon where lifeguards are asked not to patrol the waters to keep tourists safe. (See story here.)

As is government protocol, the contract of B19.8mn to provide lifeguard services will be offered for public tender. However, so far no organisation other than the Phuket Lifeguard Service has even deemed the previous budget of B22mn worth even submitting a bid for.

With the budget slashed, PLS President Prathaiyut Chuayuan this week told The Phuket News that he was uncertain whether his lifeguards will want to bid for the contract, a decision that would throw into jeopardy having lifeguards stationed at 38 points on 12 beaches on the island.

I was surprised to learn that the PPAO cut the budget by 10%, and I didnt know until I heard it on the radio, he said.

I have no idea what made them cut the budget, and we have to consider whether or not to bid for the contract at all, he added.

Although some hotels already support lifeguards, the budget also pays for the watchtowers, such as the one that collapsed on Karon Beach earlier this year (see story here), and for free surf survival training for children (see story here).

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup said that she is taking the news very seriously.

We are really concerned about tourist safety. I will be raising this issue with my staff this week, she told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Dec 6).

Patong Beach is more than three kilometres long and there are only three lifeguard stations now, but there are easily more than 1,000 tourists on the beach. During the high season, the number of tourists on the beach is much higher than that, she said.

We must come up with a solution, even if we need to find another way to come up with the budget needed ourselves, Mayor Chalermluck said.

Meanwhile, Ma-ann Samran, Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), declined to comment.

Cherng Talay OrBorTor is the local authority responsible for Surin Beach, which is renowned for its deadly surf during the southwest monsoon from May through October each year.

It is not my responsibility to comment, he said.
Temple warns violence will flare in row

PATHUM THANI: A Wat Phra Dhammakaya spokesman has warned the situation will "get out of control" if authorities go ahead with a plan to raid the temple and arrest its former abbot who is wanted on money laundering and forest encroachment charges.

crimepolicereligionculture

By Bangkok Post

Monday 12 December 2016, 11:45AM

An aerial view shows just part of the Wat Phra Dhammakaya compound. Photo: Bangkok Post

Ong-art Thamnitha, who represents Dhammakaya's disciples, said authorities have treated the temple and its former abbot unfairly, and there are signs violence will break out between state authorities and the institution of Buddhism.

He made the remarks at a media briefing at the temple in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district yesterday (Dec 11) as police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) prepare to meet again today (Dec 12) to discuss a plan to arrest the embattled former abbot Phra Dhammajayo.

He claimed media reports have emerged that more than 3,000 officers from the DSI, the police force, and soldiers are prepared to raid the temple.

The operation will be supported by helicopters, police dogs, and water cannon trucks while nearby hospitals have been told to prepare for any emergencies, Mr Ong-art said.

This shows that authorities will use force against the temple's disciples who are gathering for prayers and mediation at Wat Dhammakaya, out of concern for Phra Dhammajayo, he added.

"The operation could cause many deaths and injuries, and would become a major scandal ruining the country's reputation," Mr Ong-art said.

He said the issue is sensitive and could hurt the feelings of millions of Buddhist people.

"I want authorities to consider it carefully. If anything happens, I can't tell disciples to obey me because there are millions of them," Mr Ong-art said.

Pol Maj Gen Chayaphon Chatchaidet, acting chief of Police Special Branch Division 4, said police and the DSI are still discussing the operation plan to arrest the former abbot.

He denied reports authorities will raid the temple Tuesday. A source at the DSI said deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul will chair Monday's meeting at the Provincial Police Region 1 headquarters.

The plan will involve about 2,250 police officers, and 150 officers from the DSI, supported by soldiers and other agencies.

"The operation will start at dawn Tuesday, with DSI deputy chief Suriya Singhakamol expected to be assigned to oversee the operation," the source said.

Phra Dhammajayo is wanted on three arrest warrants.

On May 17, the Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for Phra Dhammajayo for alleged involvement in money laundering and receiving stolen property in connection with the multi-million-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal. The case was investigated by the DSI.

The DSI made its first attempt to arrest the former abbot at Wat Phra Dhammakaya on June 16 where he is allegedly holed up but failed as his followers gathered en masse and blocked authorities from entering.

The Sikhiu Provincial Court approved a warrant on Nov 17 for the arrest of the former abbot for alleged forest encroachment by the temple's World Peace Valley Meditation Centre at Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district.

The monk also faces an arrest warrant issued by the Loei Provincial Court on Aug 15 after a police probe found Wat Dhammakaya's meditation facility in Loei's Phu Rua encroached on a forest reserve.

Foreign Buddhist organisations on Sunday asked Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha to make sure that no force will be used against Wat Dhammakaya.

In a open letter to Gen Prayut, Sabuj Barua, president of the Nirvana Peace Foundation based in Bangladesh, asked the prime minister to take necessary steps to protect Phra Dhammajayo as well as Buddhism in Thailand.

Mr Barua said Phra Dhammajayo has been dedicated to spreading the message of Buddhism and peace for Thailand and all over the world.

Mr Barua said the DSI has threatened to use force to arrest the former abbot.

"This type of action is contradictory to the Buddhist way," he said.

He also disagreed with the order suspending the temple's satellite TV channel, DMC, saying it violates the public's right to information.

Shasan Rakkhit Mahathero, the abbot of Panchari Shantipur Aranya Kutir in Bangladesh and a member of the World Theravada Buddhist Sangha Council, said in a open letter to Gen Prayut that if the DSI and the police raid Wat Dhammakaya, temples all over the world will be affected.

It is not a good example to raid a temple with heavy weapons, the monk said.

Read original story here.
10 Things to Know About Rex Tillerson, Trumps Choice for Secretary of State

One of the big questions hanging over Trump Tower has been whether Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson will be nominated for secretary of state. Amid growing concerns about Tillersons reported close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway recently downplayed the oil executives relationship with the Russian leader.

Related: Tillerson Raises Questions of Corporate vs. National Interest

On CBS This Morning, Conway said: "It's not like Vladimir Putin and Rex Tillerson are pounding down vodka at the local bar. They're not intimate friends, but they deal with each other through business interests."

However, with American intelligence agencies saying with high confidence that Russian hackers tried to disrupt the U.S. presidential election -- and allegations that their intent was to tilt the outcome to Trump  the widely predicted nomination of Tillerson is getting intense scrutiny in the media and on Capitol Hill. Even some Republican senators are expressing reservations.

Also in the spotlight is Exxon Mobil itself, a corporation with a $379 billion market cap (as of Dec. 12) that operates around the globe as almost a nation-state unto itself, or as Steve Coll wrote in The New Yorker online yesterday, an independent, transnational corporate sovereign  a power independent of the American government, one devoted firmly to shareholder interests and possessed of its own foreign policy.

Coll, now dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism, wrote a 2012 book about ExxonMobil, Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power, in which Tillerson plays a prominent role.

Related: The Russia Hacking Scandal Could Cost Trump His Pick for Secretary of State

What is known about Tillerson, who for the chief executive of the biggest energy company on the planet speaks to the press only rarely, is this:

At 64, he is a 41-year veteran of ExxonMobil and worked his way up through the ranks. He joined the company after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a civil engineering degree.





Contrary to Conways claims, Coll describes Tillerson as having close relations with both President Vladimir Putin and Igor Sechin, the close Putin ally who runs Rosneft, one of Russias oil-and-gas giants.





In 2013, Putin awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, an honor given to foreigners who have been of service to Russia.



While ExxonMobil operates across the globe and Tillerson has negotiated with many heads of state, he has no direct foreign policy experience.





He supports free trade.





His net worth is around $300 million, The Washington Post estimates.





Tillerson is a believer in climate change, according to Coll.





A major supporter and former president of the Boy Scouts of America, he pushed to allow gay youths to join.





Coll calls Tillerson a devotee of Abraham Lincoln.





Like Trumps nominee for labor secretary, fast-food CEO Andy Puzder, Tillerson is reportedly a fan of libertarian writer Ayn Rand. He once listed his favorite book as Atlas Shrugged , Coll says.





Coll also says Tillersons Exxon Mobil has defied state department policy in places such as Kurdistan.





Three Republican senators have expressed concern about Tillersons ties to Putin: Marco Rubio of Florida, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina. And Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky says he will reserve judgment.

Story continues



Both Paul and Rubio are on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would first consider the nomination. On Sunday, Rubio tweeted: Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState.

A secretary of state linked to the Kremlin, which for decades propped up Fidel Castros Cuba, would likely not sit well with Rubio backers in the old-line Cuban-American community in South Florida.

McCain, who along with Graham and Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Jack Reed of Rhode Island has called for a bipartisan probe into Russian hacking, was even more forceful. He told Fox that while Tillerson deserves a fair hearing, "I am concerned about his relationship with Vladimir Putin. [Putin] is a thug, a murderer, a KGB guy who only wants to restore the Russian empire."

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
After 20 years as the Codington County auditor, Cindy Brugman retires

Codington County Auditor Cindy Brugman will see through one more election night ballot count before passing her title down to Brenda Hanten.
It's our annual Labour Weekend tradition ...The Sound 'Hall Of Fame' Countdown... Where we honor the greatest 500 songs of all time as voted by you.
- In this Nov. 9, 2016 photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP)
LETTER: Instead of dropping 'The Ode,' find another way to honour Labrador

Many writers to the Telegram have chimed in, some with vitriol, on the decision by MUN not to sing "The Ode to Newfoundland" at the recent or future graduation convocations. I am astonished, however, at the number who see no problem with changing its ...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says your mobile device is your bank branch. He also urges people to use their cell phones for all things to do with money. An ASSOCHAM-EY study points out that the mobile devices are used in 40-45 per cent of transactions that fall in the area of cybercrime. This is expected to grow to 60-65 per cent by 2017.

The study titled Strategic National Measures to Combat Cybercrime, says credit and debit card fraud cases top the chart of cybercrimes. There has been a six-fold increase in such cases over the past three years.

About 46 per cent complaints of online banking are related to credit/debit card fraud. Popular social media site Facebook was responsible for 39 per cent complaints, which pertained to morphed pictures, cyber stalking or cyber bullying.

Other major cyber complaints were cheating through mobile (21 per cent), hacking of e-mail ID (18 per cent) and abusive/offensive/obscene calls and SMS (12 per cent). The study proposed a dedicated national governing unit which could be the central agency for all state government cybercrime agencies to coordinate, integrate and share information related to cybercrime. Such a central agency could be responsible for driving all the cybercrime prevention initiatives, such as collaboration with private sectors, and training and awareness across the country.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has expressed great concern over fake applications being made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the name of others, including known RTI activists. The commission asked the government to urgently come up with guidelines for dealing with such petitions.

The remarks were made in its order as it disposed of a petition filed by RTI activist Subhash Aggarwal. The latter had complained about his name being misused while filing a fake application with the Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi. Aggarwal approached the CIC after he was flooded with responses from the Lok Nayak Hospital and other hospitals, despite not having made any RTI plea before them.

The CIC also observed that the petitioner had a similar problem with a fake complaint against an officer working at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Aggarwal claimed that someone issued a legal notice for defamation based on a complaint made in his name.

The Commission noted in the order that the petitioner, by virtue of his vast experience both as an activist and an RTI consultant, has made certain suggestions to deal with such fake petitions, which include making it mandatory for the person filing an RTI plea to provide an affidavit and an ID proof that he has signed.

It also said that the principal information officer at the Lok Nayak Hospital could have at least insisted on a signature on the RTI application.

"The PIO of Lok Nayak Hospital should not have forwarded the unsigned application to various hospitals in Delhi without realising the possibility of huge wastage of money and papers... Every alert PIO or public authority has to suspect such unsigned letter and also examine the viabiliy of information sought," the CIC said in its order.

There should be a focussed effort in tackling fake applications which harass both the genuine applicants and public authorities, the CIC said. It recommended to the DoPT, the nodal department for RTI, to consider the suggestion to prepare an office memorandum with specific guidelines for the PIOs to deal with such fake RTI applications.
A fresh round of ticket distribution in the Samajwadi Party will catalyse the ongoing intra-party feud. The new list of candidates issued by the state president Shivpal Yadav has some controversial names which would surely exacerbate the tug of war between him and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. It may be recalled that Akhilesh Yadav has always been against fielding tainted candidates and has made himself clear in this regard in party meetings and on public fora.

But party state president and his uncle Shivpal Yadav has set aside his objections. According to party sources, this might aggravate the rift between the two. There is a strong possibility that, in the coming few days, some candidates may be changed. Party leaders are already divided in the matter of fielding Amanmani Tripathi, who faces charges of murdering his wife.

Amanmani is the son of controversial leader Amarmani Tripathi, who has been convicted by the court for murdering a poetess Madhumita Shukla. Now fissures are growing in the party as Shivpal has fielded two more controversial candidates -- Sibghatullah Ansari and Atiq Ahamed.

Sibghatullah Ansari, the brother of mafia don turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, has been jailed and faces many criminal cases. Atiq Ahmed is also a mafia turned politician, whom the SP fielded in the last Lok Sabha polls.

Atiq is an accused in a number of criminal cases, most notorious being the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005. Atiqs name had figured as the main accused in the 'state guest house incident', where SP supporters attacked BSP MLAs in Lucknow after the latter withdrew support from the SP in 1995.

Sibghatullah Ansari initially belonged to Quami Ekta Dal. It may be recalled that SPs joining hands with the QED, in initial stages, had raised a hue and cry in political circles. The move had also created a bitterness between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal, the former opposing this tie-up. When Atiq Ahamed tried to come close to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav at a rally held in Allahabad, the latter had pushed him aside.
The Centre on Monday asked Tamil Nadu government to keep a vigil in areas of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other reservoirs in view of heavy to very heavy rainfall coupled with cyclonic storm Vardah.

"With a rainfall forecast that the rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, good inflows are likely into the reservoirs of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other lakes around the Chennai city.

"As the lakes are not full, the inflows shall increase the levels in the reservoirs considerably. State government has been advised to maintain strict vigil at all the lakes in case of exceptionally heavy rainfall," Union Water Resources ministry said in a statement.

Rail and air services affected in Chennai

Rail and flight services in Chennai were affected by heavy rain and strong winds that lashed the city and other coastal areas of Tamil Nadu due to cyclone Vardah, officials said.

Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to the nearby Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials said.

Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway despite heavy rains.

An emergency management team was on standby to meet any eventuality, they said.

The Southern Railway meanwhile, announced suspension of services on the Chennai Beach and Velacherry MRTS route.

Similarly suburban rail services on the MMC-Gummidipoondi line were also suspended until further notice. Some passenger trains coming to Chennai and leaving the city were also diverted.

15 NDRF teams deployed in TN, AP

Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for relief and rescue efforts as cyclonic storm 'Vardah' is expected to make landfall this afternoon.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief R K Pachnanda said while eight teams are ready in various areas of Tamil Nadu, seven are in Andhra Pradesh, apart from few others in nearby locations.

"Some more teams are on alert in Arrakonam and Guntur and they can be transported immediately in case they are required. We are in constant touch with the two state governments, the Indian Meteorological Department and other relief agencies," the NDRF Director General told PTI.

Each NDRF team, comprising about 45 personnel, has been equipped with rescue gadgets and boats in order to respond to any situation emerging due to the cyclone.

"All arrangements are in place and regular updates are being shared," the DG said.

Heavy rains lashed Chennai, Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram districts since early morning. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure.

The armed forces have also been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required.

Senthil Kumar, Assistant Commandant NDRF, said two teams have been deployed in Sullurpeta and one in Tada and one reserve team in Nellore.

"In case of heavy rainfall in low lying areas, we will evacuate immediately. As trees may uproot due to high windspeed, we have tree-cutting equipment to tackle it. We will take immediate action," he said.

S.P. Selvam, DIG, NDRF, said the personnel are conducting recce of the areas and familiarising themselves with the help of local guides.

"There is a lot of change in preparedness compared to previous years. The state agencies had a meeting yesterday. The chief secretary of Tamil Nadu government held a meeting. High-level meetings were held by the government of Andhra Pradesh also, which our officers attended," he said.

"There was assessment about the requirements and accordingly we have placed the teams," he said.

He said the high velocity winds may cause damage to light infrastructure like thatched huts and trees and may cause traffic jams as trees may fall down.

"The state administration is prepared for clearing up roads and rescuing people. Our teams work with the state authorities. Vulnerable areas have been assessed and accordingly, teams have been placed.

"In Chennai, two teams have been placed in Basin bridge and one is in Adayar, and one team each in Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram," he said.

Police deployed on beach road in Puducherry

The Puducherry government took precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore.

Police personnel were deployed on the entire two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach road and barricades were also put on all roads close to the sea shore.

All schools and colleges are closed for the day.

Special meetings of the officials of Revenue and Disaster Management Department to ensure that all necessary arrangements were in place.

Control rooms were opened with toll free numbers 1070 and 1077 for people.

Flow of vehicles at various important centres was thin.

Puducherry experienced intermittent drizzle from early morning due to approaching very severe cyclone Vardah.
Pakistan's top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz said that Islamabad was striving to hold peace dialogue with Afghanistan.



"It was disappointing that some elements in Afghanistan were not willing to have the dialogue process with Pakistan and these elements are creating suspicion over Pakistan's role," the Nation quoted Aziz as saying in an interview on Sunday.



Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's advisor on foreign affairs blamed the Afghan Intelligence Agency for hindering the dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan government.



Aziz said that the second session of dialogue between Taliban and the Afghan government was cancelled when the National Directorate of Security issued reports regarding death of Mullah Omar, the former chief of Taliban.



He said that the doors for bilateral dialogues were further closed when Mullah Omar's successor Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike in Balochistan.



"Pakistan endeavours to have a dialogue process but the condemnable statements from Afghan politicians against Pakistan are negatively impacting the environment," Aziz said.



He said massive withdrawal of international forces and increase in operations of armed insurgents after 2014 has led to the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan.



Aziz said the remarks by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia Conference, recently held in Amritsar, India, were indicative of the growing frustration in Afghanistan. "It is incorrect to blame Pakistan for backing Taliban," he said.



The advisor said that the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb has destroyed the Haqqani Network established in the tribal areas and it was no longer operating on Pakistan's soil.



However, he said that the possibility of presence of scattered extremists in the country could not be overlooked.



"Such elements were creating hurdles for the peace process of the two countries and therefore we had asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia Conference to make efforts for improving the security system on Pakistan-Afghan border," Aziz said.
But the tribe has a long way to go
(Recasts to add comments, details, background)

By Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Tatiana Bautzer

SAO PAULO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Potential investors in Wednesday's initial public offering of Brazilian homebuilder Construtora Tenda SA have largely signaled their interest if the transaction prices at the lowest end of the suggested price tag, two people familiar with the plan said.

According to the people, several large investors who met Tenda's owner, Gafisa SA, and the banks underwriting the deal in recent days said Tenda would be fairly priced at 12.50 reais a share or less. Gafisa previously set a maximum price of 16.50 reais per share for the IPO of the low-cost homebuilder.

If investor demand fails to translate into firm orders, the banks in the IPO could put Gafisa shareholders first in line for the final allotments of Tenda stock, the first person said. The people added that Gafisa was unwilling to lower the IPO's suggested price tag.

Sao Paulo-based Gafisa, which has put 40 million shares of Tenda up for sale in the offering, declined to comment.

The situation underscores how political turmoil is keeping investors wary of new equity issues. Gafisa has said the Tenda listing gives investors a chance to seize on a three-year turnaround that has helped the builder narrow the gap with rivals MRV Engenharia SA and Direcional Engenharia SA .

Last week, Gafisa put off the pricing date of Tenda's IPO by one day, saying talks with investors were expected to last longer than expected. Many investors, mostly local investment firms, have balked at Gafisa's targeted value for Tenda of at least 1.2 billion reais ($359 million), the people added.

A successful Tenda IPO would be the first for a local homebuilder since Direcional's November 2009 debut. Shares of Tenda are expected to trade under the symbol "TEND3."

The deal could also be increased by so-called additional and supplementary allotments of 6 million shares and 8 million Tenda shares, respectively. The placement of those allotments usually hinges on the strength of investor demand for the deal.

Story continues

Gafisa and Tenda hired the investment banking units of Banco Bradesco SA, Banco do Brasil SA, Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Banco Votorantim SA and Bank of America Corp to work on the deal. The banks stand to receive 25 million reais in fees if shares of Tenda price at 14.50 reais apiece.

The banks declined to comment.

($1 = 3.3469 reais) (Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Peter Cooney)
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / December 11, 2016 / With frothing waves crashing on sandy shores, blissfully sunny weather, and a mystique captured for eternity by The Beach Boys, it's understandable that Southern California is a premiere destination for surfers. The region's surf culture, originating with surfing demonstrations in the early 1900s and culminating in Malibu's Surfrider Beach being named the first "World Surfing Reserve" in 2010, fuels the desire in both residents and visitors to catch the perfect wave. Drawing upon its expertise, Diamond Resorts reviews two of Southern California's top resorts for vacationers who want to experience the thrill of surfing the Pacific Ocean.

http://diamondresorts-reviews.com

Located an hour south of Los Angeles and an hour north of San Diego, Capistrano Beach is one of Orange County's little-known gems. Nestled in the heart of the picturesque town, visitors are delighted to discover that the Riviera Beach & Spa Resort delivers stunning ocean views and spacious accommodations. Guests can be found working out in the resort's fitness center, renting bicycles onsite in anticipation of enjoying the fresh sea breeze, and relaxing at the pool or in the spa. After a day spent in the California sun, vacationers can relax in their one- or two-bedroom beach retreat, preparing a meal in the full kitchen or enjoying the soothing whirlpool jet tub in the master bath.

Diamond Resorts reviews that, just a stone's throw away, Riviera Shores Resort offers even greater affordable luxury, with accommodations ranging from studios to two-bedroom villas. The two resorts share multiple pools and a hot tub, in addition to a full slate of scheduled activities. Families can be found scampering on scavenger hunts and playing candy bingo, while adults can test their skills playing blackjack. Yet the big draw for both resorts is Doheny State Beach, accessed by a charming pedestrian walking bridge over the renowned Pacific Coast Highway. There, guests can be found captivated by the thrill of superb Southern California longboard surfing from one of four spots: Rivermouth, Boneyard, Indicator, and Seconds. Seasoned surfers note that the multiple takeoff points make Doheny State Beach inviting for both beginners and experts.

Surfing aficionados staying at either Riviera Beach & Spa Resort or Riviera Shores Resort welcome the opportunity to venture out and explore other beaches on Orange County's 40-plus miles of coastline. Huntington Beach is home to one of the largest surfing competitions in the world, while Newport Beach's 56th Street offers waves suitable for surfers of every skill level. On the Balboa Peninsula, vacationers enjoy surfing, bodysurfing, and skimboarding in an area known as The Wedge. Seasoned surfers often opt to showcase their skills at Trestle Beach, which boasts powerful, hollow waves. Diamond Resorts reviews each Southern California beach and describes their own personality, enticing beginning, intermediate, and even professional surfers to paddle out into the Pacific and experience the spray of saltwater and the shot of adrenaline that accompanies catching the perfect wave.

About Diamond Resorts International

Diamond Resorts International, with its network of more than 420 vacation destinations located in 35 countries throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa, provides guests with choice and flexibility to let them create their dream vacation, whether they are traveling an hour away or around the world. Our relaxing vacations have the power to give guests an increased sense of happiness and satisfaction in their lives, while feeling healthier and more fulfilled in their relationships, by enjoying memorable and meaningful experiences that let them Stay Vacationed.

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SOURCE: Diamond Resorts International
The head of the EUs leading Jewish organization, the European Jewish Association (EJA) today urged all European Political parties to follow the German CDUs example and officially oppose the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement as anti-Semitic.

Last week, Germanys Christian Democratic Union party passed an official resolution opposing the BDS (Boycott, Divest & Sanctions) Movement saying its actions are inherently anti-Semitic in nature. The CDU likened the movement activists actions to those implemented by the National Socialists back in the 1930s.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, whose EJA represents thousands of Jews across Europe, said the move was one that every other European Party should follow and he would urge them all in writing, to do so. In a statement from EJA headquarters in Brussels, Rabbi Margolin said:

The EJA applauds the official position taken by the German CDU and calls upon every European political party to do the same. We will be formally writing to every political party chairperson in the EU to issue a similar resolution. Mrs. Merkel and her fellow party members have really hit the nail on the head. BDS, at its core is anti-Semitic. It seeks to foster division and hatred.

Israel is the only liberal democracy in the region of Middle East where people are free to fully exercise their civil rights and pursue their aspirations without hindrance. Furthermore, politically, culturally, economically and otherwise Israel is largely an integral part of Europe.

Europe and Israel have tremendous potential for cooperation in virtually every area  from agriculture, environment and culture to economy, technology and diplomacy. We urge European politicians to stand against discrimination, lies and deceit, and embrace fruitful partnership and productive cooperation.

An important step on this road to greater co-operation is to follow the CDU example, and refute the hate-filled anti-Semites of the BDS movement Ends

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid spoke to Israel Channel 2s Meet the Press on motzei Shabbos, explaining that he views himself as the only viable alternative to unseat Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. It was a recent poll that was commissioned by Channel 2 that predicted Lapid would earn 25 seats if elections were held today, the same as Likud.

Lapid, a seasoned TV host, told Meet the Press that the polls, which continue to show increasing support for Yesh Atid, are changing nothing for him as far as his actions, for he remains humbled by the numbers; continuing to work hard to earn the respect of voters. He did however acknowledge he is the only one who has been catching up to Likud and he is the only person who can unseat Mr. Netanyahu and his Likud party from the countrys leadership.

He spoke of the need to unite the nation. When asked to comment on the fact that both Shas leader Aryeh Deri and Yahadut Hatorahs Yaakov Litzman repeatedly stated they would not work with him, Lapid remains calm and speaks of how politicians simply cheat voters by promising one thing and simply not delivering, something he would not so.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Israel Police officials are opposed to the Muezzin Bill, explaining they prefer to continue as is, enforcing the law on a local level if and when necessary. The Walla News report is based on insider opinion from within the department, stating an internal document making the rounds in the department speaks out against the need for new legislation towards enforcing a maximum mosque loudspeaker volume. This document, and others, were shown during meetings of the Knesset Environment Committee and the Knesset Interior Committee during sessions addressing the controversial bill.

Police fear that passing legislation which would be accompanied by zealous enforcement will lead to extremism in the Arab sector and this would be contrary to ongoing Israel Police efforts to improve relations in that same community while stepping-up enforcement. Police point out the issue of the mosques strikes a sensitive tone and must be deal with in the same fashion for the department is aware there are dramatic issues that are difficult to enforce.

The enforcement of the law limiting the decibel level of mosque loudspeakers is reportedly a priority project for both Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and Police Chief Roni Alsheich. It is part of an overall law-enforcement project in the Israeli Arab sector including cracking down on illegal weapons and ending dangerous driving habits. Towards meeting the challenge, 2,600 recruits have been brought into the department, many from the Arab sector and they will be stationed in Arab municipalities and in Arabic-speaking areas of the eastern capital. Police remain confident that with the significant boost in manpower, the enforcement in the Israeli Arab sector will be significantly higher than seen in the past.

Officials from Erdans office in recent weeks have been meeting with their colleagues in the Environmental Protection Ministry towards combining forces in silencing the mosques. Police received 1,537 complaints regarding the loudness of the mosques from January 2014 through October 2016 and 1,261 of those complaints were in Jerusalem  primarily in the Pisgat Zeev and Ramat Shlomo (Reches Shuafat) neighborhoods. Other areas where there are many complaints include Caesarea, Gisar a-Zarka, Nazareth, Migdal HaEmek and Carmiel.

In line with new enforcement protocol set into place, upon receiving a complaint for a house of worship, local police will be instructed to arrange for a meeting with religious leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection in the hope of resolving the matter. If agreement cannot be reached, police will continue a dialogue with religious officials, not a policy of enforcement.

It is added, since the bill has been introduced, there have been statements against it released by President Reuven Rivlin, Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita, and Kulanu party leader Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon among other politicians and public officials.

Some elected officials in the chareidi sector originally opposed it as well for fear it would result in prohibiting the erev Shabbos sirens heard in so many areas before candle lighting. However, the bill was reportedly amended to earn their support.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Security Cabinet met and decided that seven of ten bodies of terrorists being held by Israel would be returned to families for burial. According to the Yisrael Hayom report, the date for the return of the bodies would be decided during the weekend.

The cases involving the three bodies not cleared for return involve terrorists that the Security Cabinet feels require additional discussion.

In the interim, the families of Lt. Hadar Goldin and Sgt. Shaul Oren await the return of the remains of their loved ones being held by Hamas in Gaza. Family members continue to lobby lawmakers in the hope of advancing efforts to bring them home for kvuras yisrael.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, but were protected from deportation by President Barrack Obama, are being warned by some advocates to make sure they are not traveling abroad when Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Some advocates, lawyers and universities are concerned that Trump might immediately rescind an Obama program that had allowed these young immigrants to work and travel for humanitarian, educational or employment purposes.

That could lead, they fear, to some people traveling abroad being barred from re-entering the U.S.

We are recommending all travel be completed by or before Jan. 20 in the event laws or procedures experience a drastic change, said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. We wouldnt want to expose them to an uncertain situation should they not be allowed back to the U.S.

Trump made illegal immigration the cornerstone of his campaign, promising to build a wall along the Mexican border and deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

His actual plans, though, have yet to be revealed. Recently, he has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes.

During a recent Time magazine interview, Trump expressed sympathy for the 741,000 people in Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which started in 2012.

Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, Trump said. They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen.

Advocates are still being cautious.

Nancy Lopez-Ramirez, a 20-year-old student born in Mexico who is planning a trip there as part of a City College of New York class, said she is glad the group is returning by Jan. 15.

My mom is like I am concerned with you not coming back, I want you to be able to come back,' she said.

It is nerve-wracking but I think that at the end it is going to be worth it, said the political-science student, who was brought to the U.S. when she was 4.

City College, part of the City University of New York, is one of the institutions advising students in the DACA program to return before Inauguration Day. So is California State University, which told administrators to tell participants in the program that if they are outside of the United States as of January 20, 2017, there is no assurance they will be allowed to return to the U.S.

Trump can rescind the promised protection right away through an operational memo because Obama implemented it through one, said William Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

He said the programs participants should not consider traveling overseas unless they absolutely need to.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Anthony Bucci said his agency cannot speculate when he was asked how long would it take for CBP officers to deny entry to the U.S. to program participants if Trump eliminated the protection.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services records said that as of Dec. 31, 2015, about 22,340 people in the DACA program were approved for the parole that allows them to travel outside the U.S.

Trump called the program an illegal amnesty during his campaign.

Tatyana Kleyn, an associate professor at City College who organized the upcoming Mexico trip, said interest in it actually surged among students after the presidential election.

So right now our bus fits 18 and we are bringing 20, she said. It feels like a last chance.

(AP)
The top contender to lead U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump is known for his longstanding support of free trade, international law and an expansive presence in the Middle East that doesnt fit with Trumps pitch to supporters.

Exxon Mobile CEO Rex Tillerson also is known for his Russia connections and would be the Trumps most concrete outreach yet to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Success in Russia required aligning the companys interests with those of the Russian government, mettle and good relations with Putin. Exxon steadily expanded its Russian business even as its rivals faced expropriation and regulatory obstacles, and in 2013 Putin bestowed the Order of Friendship on Tillerson.

Hes a world-class player, Trump said on Fox News Sunday. To me, a great advantage is he knows many of the players and he knows them well. He does massive deals in Russia, he does massive deals, not for himself, for the company.

Trumps own relationship with Russia was an issue through much of the campaign. The CIA has concluded with high confidence that Russia sought to influence the U.S. election on behalf of the Republican, an assessment Trump has rejected.

On Sunday, Trump called that assessment ridiculous.

A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Tillerson came to Exxon Mobile Corp. as a production engineer straight out of the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 and never left. Groomed for an executive position, Tillerson came up in the rough-and-tumble world of oil production, holding posts in the companys central United States, Yemen and Russian operations.

In 2006, Tillerson won the battle to succeed former Exxon CEO Lee Raymond. Under the Texans leadership, oil prices broke records and Exxons profits helped make it the most valuable public company in the world, with a security force totaling thousands of employees, direct channels with governments worldwide and a strong aversion to American sanctions or limitations on where it could operate.

Tillerson has used Exxons enormous profits to explore new regions for oil and gas and to invest in new acquisitions like XTO Resources, a company that had helped pioneer drilling for natural gas in formations of shale in the United States. But over the years oil has become more difficult and expensive to find as large, easy-to-tap reservoirs in stable countries were slowly depleted. Exxon and other giant oil corporations found it ever more difficult to replace the oil they sold every day with new resources, and they were forced to look in every more difficult and hostile regions for oil and gas.

Energy made in America is not as important as energy simply made wherever it is most economic, he said in 2007 in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations. We are free-market, free-trade advocates, he said in another speech to the group five years later, declaring that the greatest boon for American energy security would be support for oil production and trading worldwide.

While Tillerson advocates for a hands-off approach to markets, hes backed continued American engagement in the Middle East. After the Iraq war, Exxon agreed to develop a large project in still-unstable southern Iraq at terms that less favorable to Exxon than most deals. In 2011, Tillerson announced an expansive relationship with Russias Rosneft that will spend years and billions of dollars developing technology to explore and produce oil and gas in icy waters in the Russian Arctic.

While the revolutionary gains from shale fracking have poised the U.S. to supply far more of its own energy, Tillerson has said it would be a mistake to step back.

The question you have to ask is, Well then, who steps into that void,' he said, suggesting it would be a large consuming country such as China.

While his predecessor was a firm skeptic about the link between fossil fuel combustion and climate change, Tillerson has softened the companys position on the issue, even if hes unconvinced by the most dire predictions of the consequences.

At an industry conference in 2007, Tillerson acknowledged Earths climate is changing, the average temperature is rising and greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. He also noted that climate remains a complex area of scientific study. Exxon remains under fire for its past efforts to undercut climate change  even as recently exposed internal documents show the companys own scientists recognized climate changes legitimacy as early as the 1970s.

But he said its clear the risks of climate change to society and ecosystems could be significant, and its prudent to develop and implement sensible strategies that address these risks while not reducing our ability to progress other global priorities such as economic development, poverty eradication and public health.

Tillerson was slated to retire in March at age 65 under the companys mandatory retirement policy. Paid $27.3 million last year, Tillerson has accumulated roughly $160 million in Exxon stock along with $149 million of unvested stock options, according a proxy statement the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(AP)
The first two F-35 fighter plans, named the Adir in Israel, arrive in Israel on Monday, 12 Kislev. The stealth fighters will move the Israel Air Force into the next generation and will eventually become the leading fighter planes in the fleet, replacing the F-16 fighters that has served loyally for the past decades.

The planes are the first of 19 ordered, with other set to arrive by the end of 2017.

Due to the special relationship enjoyed between Israel and the United States, Israel will be permitted to use its own advanced communications system and make changes in the aircrafts electronic warfare system.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter was visiting Israel Monday as it prepared to receive the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets.

The F-35 is the Pentagons most expensive weapons program, with an estimated cost of nearly $400 billion. Israel is among a small number of allies to get the plane.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the fighter jets present another component in maintaining air superiority in our region and expressed gratitude to Carter, who was welcomed with a military honor guard at a Tel Aviv army base.

The jets were supposed to touch down in Israel in the early afternoon, but the Israeli military said their arrival was delayed due to weather conditions in Italy. Neither U.S. nor Israeli officials provided further details.

The deputy commander of the Nevatim Air Force base in southern Israel said the new fighters will give Israel an upper hand over its neighbors for years to come.

We are going to be very strong for a long time, having these airplanes. And Israel has to be strong in this region for its existence, said Col. Asaf, who could be identified only by his first name in line with military regulations. Its a message for everybody that Israel will keep on holding the high-end technology in this area.

The purchase of the F-35 elevates the entire Israeli air force to a higher level, the colonel said, adding that four Israeli pilots have been trained to fly the planes and that more will be shown how to use them.

This specific airplane is going to be a very good one for the next decades, he said.

In November, a senior Israeli air force official described the arrival of the F-35 as a game-changer, citing its various cutting-edge systems, which would preserve Israels ability to act freely in hostile airspace. He cited its long-range capability, its provision of critical data in real time and a stealth system that can evade or delay detection by the worlds most sophisticated radar systems.

Speaking on condition of anonymity under military briefing guidelines, he said it would take more than a few months for the first planes to be operational.

In recent years, Israel has reportedly carried out long-range airstrikes as far away as Sudan, and is believed to have struck Hezbollah-bound weapons shipments in neighboring Syria.

Israel has also hinted in the past at making plans to strike Iran, some 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) away, if the Islamic Republic presses forward with its nuclear program. The threat of Israeli action in Iran has dropped since last years nuclear accord.

The Pentagons F-35 program has been criticized by members of the U.S. Congress over testing problems, delays and cost overruns. International buyers include Britain, South Korea, Israel, Italy, Australia, Canada, Turkey and Japan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office announced last month that his Security Cabinet approved the purchase of 17 additional F-35s. In all, it said, the acquisition will bring the number of planes the air force will get to 50.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem / AP)
The Senates new top Democrat is vowing to keep any congressional investigation into Russias suspected election interference from devolving into partisan warfare.

Just the facts, is what incoming Senate minority leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., pledged any probe would focus on during a national television interview on Monday morning.

We dont want to point a finger and I dont want this to turn into a Benghazi investigation, which seemed at least to many people to be highly political, he told CBS This Morning. This is serious stuff, when a foreign power tries to influence our election or damage our economy, for that matter. This is serious and its gotten worse. And a bipartisan investigation thats not aimed at one specific instance but looks at the broad scope of this is just whats needed.

Schumer spoke out a day after he and Sens. Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C., and John McCain, R-Ariz.  the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee  and Armed Services ranking Democrat Jack Reed, R.I., called for a thorough, bipartisan investigation of Russian influence in the U.S. elections. Their calls came after The Washington Post reported the CIAs private conclusion that Russias activities were intended to tip the scales to help Trump.

You have the CIA saying one thing  I havent gotten the briefings yet. The FBI is saying something else. We need to get to the bottom of this in a fair, nonpartisan, non-finger-pointing way, Schumer told CBS, noting that he will not receive any top-level intelligence briefings until he is formally installed as a Senate leader early next year.

McCain, joining the interview from Arizona, said that based on information hes seen so far he cannot say for certain that he believes the CIAs assessment that Russia intervened in the election to benefit Trump. But, he added, theres no doubt about the hacking  lets establish that.

I was hacked into, my campaign in 2008 was hacked into, so theres no doubt about the hacking. Then the question is about the intention. But its all about the larger issue about the cyber threat we face from Russia, China and other countries. Its another form of warfare and the entire issue is going to be investigated by the Armed Services Committee because its a threat to our national security, McCain told CBS.

McCain also said he has no information on whether Russia hacked the Republican National Committee  a point strongly disputed by party leaders who say theyve seen no evidence of such an intrusion.

We do not know what they have done. Theres good evidence theyve hacked into the DNC, McCain said.

The quartet of senators issued a joint statement on Sunday morning, saying that Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American. Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks.

Since then, other senators, including James Lankford, R-Okla., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., have expressed support for a broad investigation. But Lankford said on Sunday hes seen no evidence of Russia tampering with election results.

Other Republicans may be reluctant to support a wide-ranging investigation into Russias election-related activities given that President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed the CIA claims as ridiculous.

I think its just another excuse. I dont believe it . . . No, I dont believe it at all, Trump said of the CIA charges on Fox News Sunday. Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway echoed her boss on CBSs Face the Nation, saying that such allegations from the intelligence community were laughable and ridiculous.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Ed OKeefe
With two decades of deal-making in Russias vital oil industry under his belt, Rex Tillerson is Vladimir Putins kind of man.

The Exxon Mobil chief is also in Donald Trumps sights for secretary of state, fueling optimism in Moscow that a longed-for thaw in relations is near.

If nominated and confirmed, Tillerson would join another supporter of closer cooperation with Russia at the top of Americas policy-making apparatus, Michael Flynn, the president-elects national security adviser. Add in Trumps nominee for defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis, whos viewed in Moscow as more pragmatic than his predecessors, and the Kremlin couldnt ask for much more, according to Sergei Markov, a consultant to Putins staff.

This is a fantastic team, Markov said by phone from the Russian capital on Sunday. These are people that Russia can do business with.

Russia is banking on better relations with the incoming Trump administration to help it end a stretch of international isolation and emerge from its longest recession in two decades. The downturn was triggered by a collapse in oil prices and made worse by the sanctions the U.S. and EU imposed over Putins support for the insurgency in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

For years, Putin has railed against the U.S. for criticizing him on issues like Ukraine and limits on democracy, which is 25 years old in Russia this year, and not battling terrorism together. Trump, whos pledged to work with Russia to defeat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, represents the best chance Putin has had as president to forge a productive partnership with his Cold War foe.

While Tillersons foreign policy positions are largely a mystery, he criticized the Russian sanctions in 2014 for being ineffective. On Sunday, Trump said the 64-year-old Exxon bosss experience overseeing operations in dozens of countries is just what the U.S. needs in negotiating with world leaders.

Flynn, who was paid to speak at an event for RT state television that Putin attended in Moscow last year, is vocal in his view that Islamic extremism is the greatest threat to the U.S. and advocates joining forces with Russia. Mattis is more hawkish on Putin, but hes also criticized President Barack Obama for not doing more to recruit allies to fight terrorist groups in the Middle East.

The three appointments taken together would constitute a dream team for U.S.-Russia relations, according to Carter Page, a former foreign policy adviser to Trump whos come under criticism himself for his ties to Russia.

These future senior officials represent a veritable American siloviki, Page said, referring to the group of men around Putin with influence over the spy agencies and the military. The chances of them meshing well is very high.

Trump, whos doubted Obama administration claims that Putin tried to tilt the election for the billionaire through hacking and propaganda, has said hed be more respectful of Russias sphere of influence than Obama and consider lifting sanctions. A former senior National Security Council official predicted Trump would lift those penalties within weeks of taking office.

Should Putin be pleased? Yes, said Cliff Kupchan, chairman of Eurasia Group, a New York-based political consultancy. It beats the heck out of Obama going after him all day.

But Tillersons popularity in Moscow is being seen as a liability by a growing chorus of lawmakers in Washington.

Leading members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have expressed alarm at the possibility of Tillerson, who has no government experience, vaulting into a position that ranks fourth in line to the presidency.

Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for, tweeted Sen. Marco Rubio, R-lorida, who would consider a Tillerson nomination as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In what may mean the president-elect is still evaluating reaction to the choice, Trump said Sunday on Twitter: Whether I choose him or not for State  Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!

Dmitri Trenin, who runs the Carnegie Moscow Center, said a Secretary of State Tillerson would signify the greatest discontinuity in U.S. foreign policy since the end of the Cold War and be applauded in Russia.

Tillerson, who helped establish the biggest U.S. oil companys presence in Russia in the 1990s, met then-premier Putin for the first time in 1999 on the remote Far East island of Sakhalin, where Exxon has a major project.

In 2011, Putin personally presided over the signing of a deal between Exxon and state-owned Rosneft that gave the U.S. company access to potentially tens of billions of barrels of oil in Arctic deposits. Two years later, he awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, one of the highest honors for foreigners.

Tillersons possible elevation would be a sensation, said Alexei Pushkov, a member of the defense and security committee of parliaments upper house.

Putin and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, who have worked together since the 1990s, both consider Tillerson a quintessential no-nonsense Texan with a very businesslike attitude, said Konstantin Von Eggert, a former Exxon vice president in Russia.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, played down any personal ties between the Russian president and the Exxon CEO, saying only that they know each other and have met at various business events.

But Putin has publicly expressed admiration and respect for the American, a rarity for the Russian president.

Mr. Tillerson, I am very happy to see you, Putin said at the beginning of talks in 2012, according to a Kremlin transcript. This is already our second meeting in a short span of time and there is a good explanation for this: increasingly close relations are being forged between your company and Russian market players.

(c) 2016, Bloomberg  Henry Meyer, Ilya Arkhipov
Jaeger has been struggling as shoppers flock to more upmarket chains and online rivals

Struggling Jaeger is facing another crisis after senior staff departed.

The embattled British fashion icon has been going through a brutal cost-cutting process to streamline the firm as it fights declining sales.

The brand, founded in 1884, captured the niche for elegant, flattering basics for discerning shoppers of a certain age.

It earned its place in fashion history in 1919 when it introduced the camel-hair coat to the High Street.

But it has been struggling as shoppers flock to more upmarket chains and online rivals.

Trading director Gwynn Milligan and product director Liza Canneford-Webb have both left  just a year after the company was rocked by the sudden departure of former boss Colin Henry.

Henry, who was only two years into his five-year turnaround strategy, left the company with no explanation.

Pressure has been placed on chief executive Chris Horobin, who said: 'This has been a year of good progress with a number of great people joining Jaeger completing a strong team.
Barclays is to sell its French retail banking business to London-based private equity firm AnaCap Financial Partners as it continues a drive to sell off non-core assets.

The deal - for an undisclosed sum - will see the lender shed 74 retail branches and a life insurance business, as well as wealth, investment management and brokerage operations in the country.

It means Barclays has now completed its exit from consumer-facing banking in continental Europe.

However, it will retain its corporate and investment banking businesses in France.

Sell off: Today's move is part of the lender's strategy of focusing on its core UK and US banking operations

Chief executive Jes Staley said the sale continues Barclays' plan to simplify the business: 'This is another positive step in reducing our non-core unit, creating a more focused, simpler Barclays, and thereby releasing the strong performance of our core business.

'The agreement to sell our French business completes Barclays' exit from retail banking in continental Europe.'

The bank added that the deal would reduce its risk-weighted assets by about 500million and cut costs by 130million in its non-core unit.

The transaction is conditional on receiving regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by June 2017.

The move is part of the lender's strategy of focusing on its core UK and US banking operations.

The overhaul has seen the lender sell its Barclaycard credit card operations in Spain and Portugal to Bancopopular-e, sell down its stake in Barclays Africa, offload its Egyptian operations and sell its wealth and investment management business in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Boss: Analysts said today's deal represented further clearing of the decks by Jes Staley

Laith Khalaf, at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The sale of the French retail business is part of Barclays ongoing disposal of what it deems to be non-core assets, so it can focus on the bits of business that it thinks will be more successful going forward.

'We dont yet know what price has been agreed and in the short term Barclays may have to write off some of the value of the business, but this represents a further clearing of the decks by Jes Staley as he tries to steer the bank to more profitable waters.'

Shares in Barclays were down 1 per cent at 230.3p this morning.

AnaCap specialises in investing in European financial services.

Its banking investments include Aldermore in the UK, MeDirect in Belgium; Mediterranean Bank in Malta; Equa bank in the Czech Republic, and FM Bank in Poland.

Two years ago it completed the buyout of AssurOne Group, a French digital insurance broker.

Nassim Cherchali, Director of AnaCap, said: 'We are delighted to have signed this agreement to acquire Barclays France, following an extensive consultation process.

'This is an extremely attractive platform with huge potential for growth, which benefits from a unique combination of distribution and manufacturing capabilities, a strong branch network and vastly experienced relationship managers across the country. We look forward to working with the management team to create the leading wealth manager for the affluent sector in France.'

Last week Barclays found itself in hot water for offering a top job to a former non-executive director at failed lender Bradford & Bingley.

The bank is lining up chairman of Debenhams Sir Ian Cheshire to run its ring-fenced unit overseeing consumer and small business operations, and has asked regulators to give their approval.

Cheshire made his name as boss of B&Q owner Kingfisher. But he was also at B&B for five years - quitting as it collapsed in 2008.
Disney demand

Investors have accused Walt Disney of overcharging its Parisian subsidiary Euro Disney for royalties. French hedge fund CIAM claims the American company has prevented the resort from making profits, and wants it to pay back 780million of charges over the past decade. Walt Disney has dismissed the claim as utterly without merit.

French hedge fund CIAM claims Walt Disney has prevented the resort from making profits

Short trips

Holidaymakers are ditching long holidays for short trips abroad to save money, new research shows. More than 40 per cent of travellers are booking breaks of three-to-four days while only 6 per cent book traditional two-week trips, online travel company eDreams said. Popular destinations next year include Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

City jobs

Jobs in the City increased by 6 per cent year-on-year, new figures show, but job-seekers increased by 16 per cent over the same period. It follows a Morgan McKinley survey showing 62 per cent of City workers would consider moving aboard in the wake of the vote to leave the EU.

Bargain hunt

Shoppers are returning to British high streets, new figures suggest. Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, saw 2 per cent more shoppers on British streets than last year, the British Retail Consortium said. But it warned of a growing trend of bargain-hunters heading to shopping centres.

Oil drive
Millions of Lloyds customers with basic bank accounts risk being hit by fees and penalty charges they shouldn't have to pay, findings in a new government report suggest.

In 2014 nine of the UK's biggest lenders agreed to offer no-frills bank accounts to vulnerable customers who do not have a current account or would not be eligible for a standard bank account.

They agreed that these customers should not be charged for everyday transactions and should not have access to overdraft facilities so that they cannot incur any extra fees.

However, data released on Monday from Britain's finance ministry shows that less than 10 per cent of the no-frills accounts provided by Lloyds Banking Group conform to the agreement.

Millions of Lloyds customers with basic bank accounts are being unknowingly hit by avoidable fees and penalty charges, according to a new government report

Lloyds - which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands - provides half of the just under 8million basic bank accounts in use in Britain.

But fewer than 250,000 of the bank's nearly 4million accounts are fee free according to the terms of the 2014 agreement, with customers being charged for actions such as failed payments.

Despite the gap, all new accounts opened with the bank since the start of this year were found to be fee-free.

This is when the nine major banks officially introduced fee-free basic bank accounts to customers.

Basic bank accounts have been available in Britain for more than ten years, but only since the agreement between the nine biggest lenders in 2014 have they been required to be fee-free

Lloyds told BBC News that it wrote to all its basic account customers at the time, giving them the option to move to one of its new accounts.

However, not all customers were eligible it said, and it appears others didn't take up the opportunity to switch.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was the only other bank where some basic account customers were found have to pay certain fees.

At the other seven participating banks, all said their basic accounts were automatically switched to be fee-free and consistent with the terms of the agreement, the Treasury reported.

The data, which covers the first six months of this year, shows that nearly half a million new basic bank accounts consistent with the new rules were opened in Britain this year, with Lloyds opening the most.

Fewer than 250,000 of Lloyd's nearly 4million accounts are fee-free according to the terms of the 2014 agreement, with customers being charged for actions such as failed payments

Basic bank accounts have been available in Britain for more than ten years, but only since the voluntary agreement between the nine biggest lenders and the Treasury in 2014 have they been required to be fee-free.

This measure was designed to widen access to banking and help vulnerable customers avoid running up huge fees by requiring banks to provide simple accounts that do not charge for basic services.

In some cases, charges had been as high as 35 per failed item, and uncapped, meaning charges could accumulate to hundreds of pounds over time and drive people into serious debt.

The basic accounts are available to customers who do not have a bank account or are ineligible for a given bank's standard current account.

Previous studies showed that up to 1.5million people in the UK did not have bank accounts because of the fees imposed and the entry requirements.

Banks have said that providing such accounts to the financially vulnerable is a loss-making business for them, and larger lenders including Barclays and Co-Operative Bank have called on smaller lenders to share the burden.

Commenting on the recent findings around fee-free basic bank accounts Simon Kirby, the economic secretary to the Treasury, said: 'Ensuring consumers have access to the financial services they need is a vital part of our plan to build an economy that works for everyone.
(Adds quotes on fiscal treatment of financial aid)

By Francesco Guarascio

STRASBOURG, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission is ready to discuss with Italy several options to address problems in its banking sector, the vice president of the EU executive said on Monday, signalling state support would be viewed benignly under EU fiscal rules.

The Italian government is considering different options to rescue Banca Monte Paschi di Siena if the bank fails to get the 5 billion euros ($5.3 billion) from private investors it needs to stay in business, a Treasury source said on Monday.

"We are in close contact with the Italian authorities and we are ready to discuss different solutions within our legal framework," Valdis Dombrovskis told the economic committee of the European Parliament in a regular hearing in Strasbourg.

Without a direct reference to Monte Paschi, he said that Italy's problems can be tackled within EU rules on state aid and on the so-called bail-in, a system that imposes losses on private investors before a public bailout.

Italy's third-biggest bank is pressing ahead with a last-ditch attempt to raise the cash in the market despite political uncertainty after Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's resignation following a Dec. 4 constitutional referendum.

But the government did not rule out a possible public intervention if the plan failed.

That would come with losses for private creditors, although it is still unclear how many investors would be affected.

The Commission said in November that Italy's 2017 budget is at risk of breaching EU fiscal rules due to excessive spending. The possible state support for Monte Paschi has triggered further doubts about Italy's compliance with the rules.

But Dombrovskis said on Monday that any state support for banks was likely to be treated as a "one-off expense", which would not affect Italy's debt and structural deficit.

(Editing by Louise Ireland)
Is this attack on Social Security serious? Who knows, but we cannot afford to assume otherwise. This is a long and detailed post. Please try to read it anyway (if you're an American).

Last Thursday, Representative Sam Johnson, Republican of Texas and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's subcommittee on Social Security, released a plan to preserve Social Security for generations to come, reward work, and improve retirement security - as the first page of the bill states.

It does nothing of the kind. It is a nasty, vicious bill that would impoverish a majority of beneficiaries. Daniel Marans, reporting about the announcement of Johnson's bill at Huffington Post wrote that it

...would drastically reduce benefits. The bill would make the program less of a universal earned benefit and more of a means-tested safety net that aims only to provide basic support to the poorest retirees and disabled workers.

Here is the short version of the bill from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM):

Johnson's bill



 Cuts Social Security benefits by one third

 Raises the retirement age from 67 to 69

 Changes the benefit-computation formula in a way that cuts benefit amounts

 Cuts Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs)



The resulting benefit cuts will affect Americans of all ages, at all income levels, including the middle class and those with very low incomes.

Representative Johnson's goal with this legislation, to make the program more solvent, he says, does it entirely by benefit cuts - Draconian cuts. Democrats and progressives, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have for years proposed fixes to Social Security that not only avoid cuts but actually increase benefits.

Nancy Altman is a leading expert on Social Security, the founding co-director of Social Security Works and the co-author of Social Security Works!, the definitive, fact-based explanation of this crucially important program. Over this weekend, she wrote a clear explanation of what this legislation does. Pay close attention to this excerpt:

"Remember the ubiquitous mantra of those who propose to dismantle Social Security: no benefit cuts for those aged 55 and older?" asks Altman. "That is out the window. Every single one of the more than 57 million current beneficiaries will experience a cut, under the just-released Republican plan.



"And for some of them, the cut will be extreme. Take a worker who contributed to Social Security for 43 years and earned $118,500 just prior to retiring this year at age 65. At age 95, he will, under the Republican plan, receive a benefit that is less than half  48.7 percent, to be exact  of the value of the benefit he is receiving today.



"And for tomorrows workers, its even worse. Todays 45-year old worker with the same work history will receive, at age 65, a benefit that is 74.8 percent what todays 65-year old receives. And, if he or she lives to age 95, the benefit will be about a third  34.6 percent  of what it would have been under current law!



The Republican proposal raises benefits for long-term low-income workers who qualify for a minimum benefit, but dont be fooled. It is window dressing, hiding what is really going on.



"Under the Republican plan, a 45-year old worker earning $12,000 a year, who has contributed to Social Security for twenty years and is able to hold off claiming his earned benefit until age 65, will receive a benefit that is twenty percent lower than current law. And that is if he or she can hang on until age 65!"

As Ms. Altman writes, this (along with the coming attacks on Medicare) amount to a war on elders. Please read her entire article here.

Nothing will happen on this bill before Congress shuts down for the year-end holidays on Friday and does not return until Tuesday 3 January 2017  but Johnson will undoubtedly reintroduce it in the new 115th Congress early next year.

According to Talking Points Memo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement slamming Johnson's bill:

Slashing Social Security and ending Medicare are absolutely not what the American people voted for in November," Pelosi said. "Democrats will not stand by while Republicans dismantle the promise of a healthy and dignified retirement for working people in America.

Good for her but she cannot do it alone. This holiday hiatus is a good time for a first call to your two senators and congressional representative, as we discussed in this post a couple of weeks ago.

Tell them what you think of Representative Sam Johnson's Social Security bill. You will find phone numbers of local offices in your states here (Senate) and here (House).

Of course, if any of your representatives are retiring or were not re-elected, you'll need to wait until January to get phone numbers of the newly elected.

Here is a sample script you can edit to suit yourself. It's short, strong and to the point:

I'm [full name], a constituent calling to ask [Senator (name) or Representative (name)] to publicly oppose the Social Security Reform Act of 2016 from Representative Sam Johnson of Texas.



This bill would slash the program's benefit not just for future beneficiaries but for current ones too, and destroy Social Security. There are many other, well-known ways to preserve Social Security and I am asking the (senator or repressentative) to block this legislation with all (his/her) might.

It doesn't matter what party your representatives belong to. Make the call either way.

And ask everyone you know to do so too. If you have a blog or Facebook page, you have my permission to copy and post any of this you want without a link back if that is inconvenient. In this case it is much more important to get as many people calling as possible and as regularly as possible than worry about citations.

Thanks for sticking with this entire post. Your wellbeing in your old age is at risk as is that of your grown children and their children and beyond. We must not let this legislation happen.

Read the press release about the bill here

Read a short overview from Representative Johnson here [pdf]

Read the full bill here [pdf]

And here is another link to Nancy Altman's story
AUTHORS of the National Development Strategy (NDS), comprising all the social stakeholders - workers, employers and government , agreed that for the Kingdom of eSwatini to achieve Vision 2022 this had to be preceded by fundamental political transformation that was an essential catalyst towards achieving this dream.



To emphasize the point, the NDS is the parent to Vision 2022. Consequently, attaining Vision 2022 is premised on achieving specific milestones as well as on specific dos and donts but paramount among these being political transformation that has not yet happened.



Notwithstanding the failure to fully implement it, the NDS remains a masterpiece not least for the fact that it is home-grown, having been authored by Swazis themselves after having taken stock of all the attributes, be they historical, resources, potential and challenges, of the nation and the kingdom and hypothesising where they want to go. Had it been wholesomely implemented, not piecemeal or plagiarized to massage the egos of individuals through various economic policy documents, the NDS would have launched the kingdom on a quantum leap to realising Vision 2022. I should briefly meander from the subject matter of todays column to what, at face value, appears to have been three weeks of miracles that might redefine Africa going forward. No, its not about the so-called miracles of latter day prophets of Doom but real and practical events.



Like a bolt of lightning we learnt that the word retirement is part of Zimbabwe President Robert Gabriel Mugabes vocabulary. In late November, while admitting that the economy of Zimbabwe, once the bread basket of Africa, was crumbling, Mugabe informed veterans of the former Rhodesian war that he would retire. Wow!



Of course in Africa sitting presidents rarely lose elections. With the State machinery and security forces at their disposal, despotic leaders routinely use the barrel of the gun to cling on to power irrespective.

Probably taking a cue from these developments, Angolan strongman President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in power for 37 years, will stand down and not contest next years scheduled general elections. Another Wow!

Perhaps the narrative of an African Renaissance is not dead and buried after all? Hopefully, the events of the past few weeks shall water the trees of democracy in those countries where the ruling elites are still holding their people hostages to undemocratic regimes.



Needless to say, this kingdom shares a lot of similarities in the way it is ruled with these countries, Zimbabwe and Angola. Yes, change is coming even to these shores!

That off my chest, todays focal issue is the deteriorating fiscus position of the government of the Kingdom of eSwatini. It is not as much as that government is fast running out of money, hence the daily deluge of treasury bills often accompanied by systemic albeit surreptitious raiding of the treasury and looting of parastatals that is a matter of grave concern but its the inane inability to prudently manage the fiscus.



Our government often behaves like a spoilt brat wanting every toy owned by the neighbours child, plus more, notwithstanding the economic ability or inability of parents. Empirical evidence of this abounds, such as the burden that KMIII International Airport has become as it continues to drain the taxpayer of hundreds of millions of Emalangeni. Government is also going ahead splurging on an unnecessary International Convention Centre (ICC) and five-star hotel in the midst of grinding poverty afflicting the majority of the people (plus 63 per cent).



Like the KMIII International Airport, the ICC and five-star hotel will most likely end up costing more than double its original budget, owing to a lack of accountability. With hosting the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit reported to have cost about E2.1 billion, God knows what hosting the African Union (AU) Summit will cost come 2020. Malawi spent a moderate half a million Emalangeni on a similar SADC Summit. Yes, perhaps spending on bumengemenge impresses our visitors but what does the nation benefit from this nauseating display of wealth that is enjoyed by a few. Zilch, except to make our government feel good about itself!

And in the face of a looming fiscus crisis, government is desirous of growing the army when the wage bill of the Ministry of Defence is already the second highest; going ahead with launching another airline and; increasing salaries of chief executives of parastatal organisations, some of which are wholly funded by the taxpayer. Yet silhouetted against this hedonistic extravagant spending is a growing army of unemployed, the second highest in SADC yet ours is the smallest country with the smallest population.



As I see it, given its size and that of its population relative to its resources, the Kingdom of eSwatini should be a shining example and a case study of how to do it right the first time. But, as envisioned by the authors of the NDS in their Solomonic wisdom, the failure to transform the body politic of this country is leading us to a ruinous path, hence Vision 2022 is being limited to elites and their henchmen monopolising political power.
MANZINI  An 18-year-old teenager died on the spot after the car she was travelling in, driven by her unlicensed age mate, overturned near The Vibe, at Ngwane Park on Saturday afternoon.



Information gathered in court yesterday is that the driver, Junior Miguel Mavis of KaShali, near Ngwane Park drove negligently around the place, lost control of the vehicle, a Chevrolet sedan, and overturned.

The girl, who was a passenger in the vehicle, Temakhonkhosi Neliswa Hlophe of Ludzeludze, died on the spot while another passenger, Sibusiso Nhlengetfwa (19) of Mbabane, sustained injuries to the neck and was taken to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital where he was treated and discharged.



Reliable sources revealed that the vehicle belonged to the suspects mother and had been taken without her permission.

When paramedics and traffic officers arrived at the scene, other people, including Nhlengetfwa, were trying to pull the deceased from the extensively damaged vehicle through a window.

However, it is believed that she was no longer breathing at the time and her lifeless body was taken by a government ambulance to the hospital, where medical doctors certified her dead.

The suspect was not injured when the accident occurred.



During his appearance in court yesterday, he was informed that he would have to make a bail application during his next court appearance next week.

The charge sheet states that the suspect at 2:45pm at Ngwane Park, along Thelma Street, while driving a Chevrolet sedan, drove negligently, lost control of it and it overturned.

Mavis was charged with culpable homicide and for driving the said vehicle while he was unlicensed.

Particulars of the incident are that the suspect drove at a high speed and failed to keep left.



He also allegedly failed to apply brakes on time and to avoid an accident which a reasonable driver would have avoided.

When recording statements, Mavis said he was trying to avoid a huge pothole when he lost control of the vehicle.

He is expected back in court next week, where he will appear before the Principal magistrate David Khumalo.
SITEKI  A political activist miraculously escaped unhurt after he was shot at, allegedly by a prominent chief, on Saturday afternoon.



The dramatic incident reportedly took place at a volatile chiefdom within the Lubombo region, which has been unstable since the torching of the royal kraal (umphakatsi) early this year.

It is said that the political activist, who is one of the three men who were arrested in connection with the arson attack at the umphakatsi, was seated next to a shopping complex when the chief allegedly confronted him and questioned his presence in the area.

The political activist is a resident of the area but, according to media reports, he was barred from visiting the area as one of the conditions for bail.



However, it was gathered from his family that the bail conditions had since been revised and, a result, he was now allowed to visit the area but to stay one kilometre away from the umphakatsi.

According to a source, during the alleged shooting incident on Saturday, the chief reminded the political activist that he was not welcome in the area.



An argument is said to have ensued between the two before the chief withdrew discharged his firearm and opened fire at the political activist.

He miraculously dodged bullets and fled into nearby sugar cane fields, said a source, while also adding that the alleged shooting incident took place in full view of other residents.



The source added that, after shooting at the political activist, the chief drove off, leaving onlookers in shock.

The chief could not be reached for comment. The headman of the chiefdom declined to comment on the matter.



I do not know the story youre asking me about, he briefly stated in a telephonic interview, yesterday afternoon.

Attempts to get a comment from the political activist also hit a snag as his mobile phone was switched off when called yesterday.
MBABANE  The old adage that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned became a reality for Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services (SBIS) Deputy Director Gcinangaye Tsabedze on Friday.



Tsaebdze was forced to make a hurried call to the police, seeking protection after a woman attacked her while inside her house on Friday night.

This was when the berated woman stomed Tsabedzes residence in Mbabane, accusing her of a litany of issues, which cannot be published because they could not be proven at the time of compiling this report.

It is said the woman has a long standing gripe against Tsabedze and decided to launch an attack after she had reliably gathered that SBIS employee was at her place of abode.



The irate woman allegedly vandalised Tsabedzes property in the process.

She is alleged to have broke windows belonging to Tsabedzes house. The name of the woman will not be mentioned for now as the matter is still being investigated by the police and the suspect has not yet been charged with any wrongdoing.

The vandalism of the property followed a tip-off received by the scorned woman insinuating certain rumours about Tsabedzes conduct.

She then decided to pay a visit to Tsabedzes home.



Narrating what unfolded while at the Times of Swaziland offices, the woman said she went to Tsabedzes place of abode on Friday night and upon arrival, she said she stood outside the door for an extended period pleading with the people inside the house to let her in. She said she could gather, while standing at the doorstep, that Tsabedze was with a companion inside and the two were having a conversation.

The woman said she listened to the duos conversation inside the house and made several pleas to be allowed inside but to no avail.



Noting that her pleas were falling on deaf ears, she decided to apply violence and force to gain entry.

However, she failed to enter and that is when she decided to pelt the windows with stones and damaged them in the process.

It is then that she started speaking with the occupants of the house through the window. However, she noted that what was peculiar about the scene was that only Tsabedze was within the house though she was earlier convinced that there was more than one person inside.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2016 / Evrim Resources Corp. (EVM.V) ("Evrim" or the "Company") announces it has signed an agreement with Liberty Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE:LIB) ("Liberty Leaf") and Bearclaw Capital Corp. (BRL.V) ("Bearclaw") to acquire a 100% interest in the Axe Project in south central British Columbia. Axe is an early stage exploration target covering 4,938 hectares of ground prospective for gold-rich copper porphyry targets.

Evrim acknowledges that the Company will be working in the traditional territory of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and is committed to open and respectful dialogue.

Evrim's President and CEO, Paddy Nicol, commented, "The Axe project was identified from our generative programs in early 2016, and complements our growing portfolio of quality exploration targets in British Columbia. Axe is situated along the same geological trend as many mines and deposits in south central British Columbia including Highland Valley, New Afton, Copper Mountain, and Ajax. Access and local infrastructure are important features for Axe with a provincial highway and the town of Princeton nearby. Initial exploration efforts will include data reinterpretation and review, with a field program planned for the spring of 2017."

About the Axe Project

The Axe property is located within the Intermontane Belt in the southern portion of the Quesnellia Terrane in southern British Columbia. The southern Quesnel trough is dominantly described by the Triassic Nicola Volcanic Belt and associated Jurassic to Cretaceous intrusions, which extend from the Canada/USA border to north of Kamloops, and it is characterized by several producing mines and developing mineral deposits.

The project contains four known porphyry targets (West, Adit, Mid and South) within a 5.0 kilometre by 3.5 kilometre hydrothermal footprint. Drilling in the West zone by previous operators intersected 124.5 metres grading 0.38% copper and 0.22 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold in drill hole A07-08 including 10.5 metres grading 1.55% copper and 0.94 g/t gold. Recent work also defined an open copper, gold, molybdenum, bismuth and tungsten in soil anomaly immediately east of the Adit and Mid zones (the 1516 zone) over a 1,000 metre by 500 metre area with a quartz, sericite, pyrite (QSP) altered gossan and coincident chargeability and conductivity high. The 1516 zone has had only four holes completed on the eastern edge between 1970 and 1982, and no drilling has taken place since. The project is in good standing with no expenditure required to maintain this status until February 2023.

Evrim will pay $30,000 ($21,000 to Liberty and $9,000 to Bearclaw) and additional consideration consisting of cash or shares, at Evrim's election, in the event certain exploration milestones are made or joint venture payments are received. Twenty-one claims on the Axe property are subject to an underlying 1% net smelter royalty (NSR) that can be purchased for $1.5 million and four separate claims are subject to an underlying 2% NSR whereby half can be purchased for $1.0 million and the remaining half can be purchased for $2.0 million.

Story continues

Figure 1: Axe Project, Regional geology and location map

About Evrim Resources

Evrim Resources is a mineral exploration company whose goal is to participate in significant exploration discoveries supported by a sustainable business model. The Company is well financed, has a diverse range of quality projects and a database in Mexico and portions of southwestern United States. The existing projects, and generation of quality exploration targets and ideas, are advanced through option and joint venture agreements with industry partners to create shareholder value. Evrim's business plan also includes royalty creation utilizing the Company's exploration expertise and existing projects.

Qualified Person Statement

Evrim's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David Caulfield, P.Geo, Director for the Company. Mr. Caulfield serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

On Behalf of the Board

EVRIM RESOURCES CORP.

Paddy Nicol

President & CEO

To find out more about Evrim Resources Corp., please contact Paddy Nicol, President or Charles Funk, VP New Opportunities & Exploration at 604-248-8648, or visit www.evrimresources.com.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward looking statements." All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Evrim Resources Corp. (the "Company") expects to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could," or "should" occur.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE: Evrim Resources Corp.
Michael Morell

Evidence that Russia attempted to sway the outcome of the presidential election with a hacking campaign targeting Democrats "is the political equivalent of 9/11," the former acting director of the CIA, Michael Morell, said in an interview published Monday.

Morell, an intelligence analyst who served as acting director of the CIA twice between 2011 and 2013, told The Cipher Brief that revelations disclosed in a new CIA report about how Russia meddled in the election to help get Donald Trump elected "is an attack on our very democracy."

"A foreign government messing around in our elections is, I think, an existential threat to our way of life," Morell said. "To me, and this is to me not an overstatement, this is the political equivalent of 9/11."

In a secret assessment  the content of which has been leaked to the press via high-level officials briefed on the intelligence  the CIA said Russia was not just trying to undermine confidence in the US election process when it hacked the emails of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta.

Rather, the report said, the Russians were working toward a specific goal: to hurt Clinton and boost Trump. That assessment was bolstered by the CIA's discovery that the Russians had also breached the Republican National Committee but chose not to release any of the information, lending credence to the idea that the Kremlin made a specific and targeted effort to embarrass Democrats. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has denied the committee was hacked.

"We'll never know what the Russians did, whether it affected a single vote or not," said Morell, who briefed George W. Bush after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. "But what we can do is figure out exactly what they did and make changes here at home as to how information is handled, how we protect information, and make sure they never do this again."

Story continues

Morell said he had not been briefed on the new intelligence and knew only what had been reported in The Washington Post. But he said the US intelligence community knew as early as October that the Russian government was behind the hacks, and that he called on the Obama administration to launch an "overt" response to Russia's meddling that's "got to be significant from Putin's perspective."

"He has to feel some pain, he has to pay a price here or again, there will be no deterrence, and it has to be seen by the rest of the world as being significant to Mr. Putin so that it can be a deterrent," Morell said.

President Barack Obama has ordered the intelligence community to conduct a full review into the Russian hacking campaign and how it may have affected the presidential election. The Obama administration has also been weighing various retaliatory measures, from imposing sanctions to authorizing covert action against computer servers.

NOW WATCH: Congressional leaders want an investigation into Russia's alleged interference with the US election, but Trump is unconvinced





More From Business Insider


Bu Calvin Prashad

Fearing the end of the DACA program, activists and universities scrambled to assure young people that they would not risk deportation under the Trump administration. DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that protects undocumented individuals who were brought into this country as children and had no say in violating immigration law. DACA let these children work towards legalizing their status as well as go to school or join the military.

Donald Trump, as a candidate, made conflicting statements about immigration while campaigning, leaving the future of DACA ambiguous. His rhetoric on immigration, ranging from the fanciful border wall to a call to end birthright citizenship, has activists convinced that the programs days are numbered. Trump and his surrogates have also threatened to use federal funding as a bargaining tool against sanctuary cities, such as New York, that decline to cooperate with immigration enforcement.

Even with DACA, protections for childhood arrivals are limited. Adam Crasper, a man born in South Korea who was adopted at the age of 3, was deported in November after 37 years of living in the United States. Though 41 and with a family, his adoptive parents neglected to file for U.S. citizenship. Abused as a child and placed in foster care, Crasper committed a few misdemeanors in his youth, including breaking into his former foster parents house to retrieve belongings from his childhood in Korea. The Obama administration, which has deported more undocumented persons than any other administration, stresses that it has prioritized those with criminal records for deportation. However, little protection exists for people like Crasper, who now returns to a country he doesnt remember, not knowing the language and leaving his family without their father.

On Dec. 2, community groups rallied at Diversity Plaza, in Jackson Heights to protest growing hostility against ethnic and religious minorities. One youth, who gave her name as Poonam, spoke at the rally and said she was a beneficiary of DACA.

The current political climate has increased the uncertainty and fear in all of our communities, she said.

Community organizations anticipate the possibility that DACA recipients will lose their ability to work and protection from deportation. In a press release, the MinKwon Center, a Flushing-based community center for the Korean- American community, announced expanded access to legal services, including assistance with renewals for those with statuses expiring within six months. The organization said it planned to coordinate with other organizations against federal government hostile to immigrants in a way not seen in generations.

Area universities also moved to assure international students and students who might be undocumented that they were protected. In a statement, Andrew Hamilton, president of New York University, reiterated the universitys commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. He cited New York as a sanctuary city and pledged to treat undocumented students as equals in regard to housing, privacy and other matters.

Regardless of federal funding, the university will continue to provide funding to undocumented students. Columbia University also pledged to protect students that lose DACA status or are otherwise affected by policy in Washington.

Even if President-elect Trump discovers a pragmatic streak and scales back deportations, for hundreds of thousands of people the loss of DACA is the loss of the right to work. This exacerbates the divide between traditional employment and cash-based employment. The cash-based economy exists without legal protections and is notorious for exploitation. The disaffected voters who put Trump in office will find that stripping peoples right to work does not create jobs for themselves or their communities.
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By Gina Martinez

A Maspeth NYPD detective who died in the line of duty 45 years ago was honored Saturday with a street renaming. The Maspeth block where he lived with his wife and children, 62nd Street and 53rd Drive, will now be co-named Detective Joseph A. Picciano Way

It takes a special person to protect and serve as a member of our NYPD, City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) said. You must be brave, you must be committed and you must be selfless  all qualities very apparent in Detective Picciano.

Piccianos widow, Theresa, and their three children attended the renaming, along with dozens of family members and officers. His wife told reporters what the co-naming meant to her.

Its a very important day for my children that their father was honored in this way and its a beautiful thing, she said. The Police Department I know because I know a lot of the widows and they are always with us.

Picciano died on Feb. 15, 1971 while working at the 41st Precinct in the Bronx. He was fingerprinting a man accused of abducting a 13-year-old boy. Picciano and the suspect got into a scuffle when his revolver fell to the floor, the suspect grabbed the gun and shot Picciano twice, killing him. He was the first officer to die in the line of duty in the 41st Precinct.

Detective Piccianos cousin, Ann Cozanni, reached out to Crowleys office a year ago with the request to honor her late cousin with a street co-naming. In just a few months Crowleys office was able to get the renaming approved. This street co-naming will keep Detective Piccianos legacy thriving, Crowley said.

Robert Boyce, NYPD chief of detectives, spoke to reporters and said the department never forgets the sacrifices of its officers, no matter how much time has passed.

1971 seems like a long time ago, Boyce said. The city was a different place because of the sacrifice of police officers than what we have now, the safest city in America. So were enormously proud of that and we can never forget who helped us get there. Joe Picciano did.
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By Bill Parry

State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) has made repeated visits to a faith-based housing facility in Astoria advising residents to remain in their homes. The low-income residents of a 35-unit Astoria apartment building have been told they must vacate their units by Dec. 31, but Gianaris is reminding them the non-profit owner may have issued eviction letters but that does not mean they have to leave.

Only a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge would blind side residents with sudden eviction notices during the holidays, Gianaris said. I am continuing to advise tenants, some of whom have lived there for half a decade, of their legal rights and will support then as they fight for their homes.

The building, located at 31-65 46th St., is owned by the New York School of Urban Ministries which hosts, trains, and deploys more than 5,000 youth and adults for urban ministry each year by partnering with inner city pastors and churches in New York City, according to its website. Rev. Peter DeArruda, the organizations vice president, informed the residents that the building was sold and they must move out during a meeting Nov. 17. Each resident also received a letter that was slipped under their doors which technically only represents the first step in an eviction process.

Its disturbing that people are being improperly asked to leave their homes just two weeks before the holidays, Gianaris said. Two people have already moved out. Theyre trying to make these people homeless with no real grounds. Were spreading the word that this is not a proper eviction notice and its up to the landlord to follow the correct process.

Several of the residents say the building was sold to the city and will be converted into a homeless shelter. Gianaris has been told the city did not buy the property and there are no plans for a homeless shelter at that location.

We have been told there is no plan, but there has been miscommunication in the past, he said. So we are a bit leery.

DeArruda and his attorney, Ira Clair of White Plains, could not be reached for comment. The Department of Homeless Services has been asked to explain the situation but has not yet responded.

Two city councilman have jumped into the fray, calling for a rally at the New York School of Urban Ministries Monday at 1 p.m. Councilmen Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) will protest what they called the sudden mass eviction from the facility which will leave 39 residents homeless.

Gianaris is concerned that because these tenants are low-income New Yorkers, they are not getting proper representation.

Clearly something is going on and we are not getting the full story and that to me is disconcerting, he said.

State Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) added her support Monday morning.

Threatening to evict low-income tenants, during the holidays no less is nothing short of heartless, she said. I will continue to work with tenants and my colleagues in government to ensure that no one loses their home due to this unconscionable money grab.
Beaver County preparing for robust Election Day

As the Nov. 8 midterm election approaches, nearly 114,000 people are registered to vote in Beaver County.
New York

At Fox Searchlight's holiday party in New York last week, two actors represented two of the studio's splashiest 2016 productions: one of the films soared to great heights, while the other crashed to an unimagined low.

One was Natalie Portman, who is raking in rave reviews for her performance in the title role in "Jackie" and is expecting her second child in a few months. She was asked how she was faring on the awards circuit. "While pregnant and sober?" Portman dryly replied.

The other actor was Colman Domingo, who played Hark in the slave revolt film "The Birth of a Nation," which, for the first half of this year, before controversy engulfed it, was considered one of the brightest prospects for the awards season. He said now that the uproar had subsided, he wanted to share his frustrations and disappointments about how everything played out.

"You walk into these rooms, and it's almost like a bittersweet look people give you in their eyes," Domingo said. "I look at the work of my peers on the film, and I wish it was being celebrated. The cinematography, the music. Aja Naomi King's is one of the best performances of this year. But we're under the veil of the whole controversy, and people almost don't want to touch it."

It is hard to overstate the ebullience that met "The Birth of a Nation" at its premiere at Sundance in January. "Birth," which tells of the slave rebellion led by Nat Turner in 1831, was the passion project of its director, writer and star, Nate Parker, who spent eight years pulling the financing together. The film arrived in Park City, Utah, just as Hollywood was fielding intense scrutiny for its all-white roster of Oscar acting nominees, and after a bidding war "Birth" sold to Fox Searchlight for $17.5 million, a festival record. There were projections of awards, and while other films featuring black protagonists  "Moonlight," "Fences," "Hidden Figures" and "Loving"  have come to dominate Oscar chatter, "Birth" was initially at the fore. "It felt like the film had an urgency," Domingo said.

Looking back, Domingo said he felt there was "a huge takedown by any means necessary," not just toward the film but also toward black resistance in America. After a summer, he said, of "dealing with black men on the streets and retaliation and Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, it's almost as if this film was too powerful," he said. "It was like a big slap on the hand: Never try this again. Who do you think you are? If this were 'Madea's Halloween,' would they try to take it down? Absolutely not."
HALFMOON

A 30-year-old woman with four children under the age of 16 in her car was arrested for allegedly driving while impaired by drugs, State Police said.

Police stopped Nicole M. Martin on Friday at about 10:15 p.m. on Route 9 after spotting her 2015 Nissan allegedly swerving from its lane.

Martin was pulled over and interviewed, police said. At that time, troopers noticed a strong odor of marijuana, they said. Martin was questioned outside the vehicle where she displayed signs of drug impairment, police said. Field sobriety tests were administered and she was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. She was also charged with violating Leandra's Law for driving under the influence with four child passengers under the age of 16, troopers said.

Troopers searched her car and said they found cocaine, a small quantity of marijuana, and a Suboxone film strip.

Martin was transported to a police station where she refused to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol or drug content of her blood, police said. She was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana and traffic violations.

Martin was arraigned in the Halfmoon town court and sent to Saratoga County Jail.
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Albany

City police have charged a 53-year-old man with robbing the same State Street bank twice in three months.

Thomas Smith, who gained national attention in 2015 when he was fired from Walmart, was arrested Sept. 14 on a parole violation.

Smith was charged with felony robbery two days later in connection with the robbery of a First Niagara branch at 120 State St., police said.

While inside the bank, Smith approached the counter where he passed a note to the teller implying that he had a weapon and demanded cash, police said. The teller complied and Smith fled the scene with $517 in cash, police said. No weapon was displayed and no injuries were reported during the incident

Police said Smith did the same during a July 29 robbery of the branch, when he stole an undetermined amount of cash. He was charged Friday with one count of felony robbery in connection to that case.

Smith, who is in the Albany County jail, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, District Attorney David Soares' office said.

An Albany police detective fired his gun during Smith's arrest, shooting out the car window of the alleged bank robber.

On Sept. 14, Detective Robert Lawyer and Detective Sgt. Patrick Donnelly were trying to arrest Smith on Green Street. Smith allegedly backed his car toward Lawyer, who opened fire, police said. The gunshot blew out the window of Smith's car, but he was not seriously injured.

Police conducted an internal investigation and found the actions by Donnelly and Lawyer "were within the policy of the Albany Police Department and in accordance with the law."

Alice Green, executive director of the justice center, said the police statement on the shooting provided little detail on how the officers tried to arrest Smith. Witnesses told Green the officers were in plain clothes and driving an unmarked car, so it was unclear how Smith would know they were police.

Smith was out on parole for a 2002 robbery of a KeyBank in Latham when he was arrested in September. He served 13 years of a 15-year sentence and was released in 2015.

After prison, he was briefly homeless before he was hired at Walmart in East Greenbush and attracted national attention after the Times Union reportedhe was fired for redeeming $2 in empty cans left unclaimed outside the store.

His story fueled an online petition drive, demonstrations and boycotts on his behalf, as well as $21,000 in donations from 1,000 people.

emasters@timesunion.com  518-454-5467  @emilysmasters
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New York

Immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, but were protected from deportation by President Barack Obama, are being warned by some advocates to make sure they are not traveling abroad when Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Some advocates, lawyers and universities are concerned that Trump might immediately rescind an Obama program that had allowed these young immigrants to work and travel for humanitarian, educational or employment purposes.

That could lead, they fear, to some people traveling abroad being barred from re-entering the U.S.

"We are recommending all travel be completed by or before Jan. 20 in the event laws or procedures experience a drastic change," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "We wouldn't want to expose them to an uncertain situation should they not be allowed back to the U.S."

Trump made illegal immigration the cornerstone of his campaign, promising to build a wall along the Mexican border and deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

His actual plans, though, have yet to be revealed. Recently, he has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes.

During a recent Time magazine interview, Trump expressed sympathy for the 741,000 people in Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which started in 2012.

"We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," Trump said. "They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen."

Advocates are still being cautious.

Nancy Lopez-Ramirez, a 20-year-old student born in Mexico who is planning a trip there as part of a City College of New York class, said she is glad the group is returning by Jan. 15.

"My mom is like 'I am concerned with you not coming back, I want you to be able to come back,'" she said.

"It is nerve-wracking but I think that at the end it is going to be worth it," said the political-science student, who was brought to the U.S. when she was 4.

City College, part of the City University of New York, is one of the institutions advising students in the DACA program to return before Inauguration Day. So is California State University, which told administrators to tell participants in the program "that if they are outside of the United States as of January 20, 2017, there is no assurance they will be allowed to return to the U.S."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Lori Van Buren Show More Show Less 2 of 3 PAUL BUCKOWSKI Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Citing "price fluctuations" for both electricity and natural gas, the Saratoga Economic Development Corp. is leading a study into industrial and commercial energy use in the Capital Region, especially in Saratoga County, home to GlobalFoundries and Quad/Graphics.

"In large part due to the region's recent economic development successes, increased demand for electricity and natural gas has resulted in our area, especially the zone north through Saratoga County," SEDC President Dennis Brobston said. "Large and small businesses have flagged energy cost as a concern."
The following editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating rapidly, along with America's position there.

The question now is whether the administration of President-elect Donald Trump will decide to pursue the war or will withdraw U.S. support for the government of President Ashraf Ghani, letting it fall to  or make a deal with  the Taliban and other Islamic forces.

The United States has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001, after the 9/11 attacks. The cost is estimated at $500 billion. There are still 10,000 U.S. troops there.

Now, Ghani's government in Kabul is staggering and controls only an estimated 60 percent of the country's area. The Taliban, the Ghani government's most prominent enemy, are carrying out an offensive across the country that could easily lead to the fall of Kabul, the capital.

Another unhelpful element is that rich Saudis, Qataris and sheikhs from the United Arab Emirates are providing financial support not only to the Taliban but also to al-Qaida and Islamic State forces fighting on the side of the Taliban. The Sunnis of these states see Afghanistan as an important battleground in their regional struggle with Shiite Iran.

Afghanistan has a nearly 600-mile-long border with Iran. The Sunnis also have established 4,000 radical Islamist schools in Afghanistan in recent years.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

The Sunni states, while backing the Taliban, the Islamic State and al-Qaida, have maintained openly normal relations with the Ghani government, also Sunni, in effect working both sides of the street.

The United States, caught in the middle again in the Sunni-Shiite, Saudi Arabia-Iran struggle, as it is in the Yemen war, supports the Ghani government against the Taliban, the Islamic State and al-Qaida, which are supported by ostensible U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.

It may be that the Trump administration will understand what is going on and take steps to extricate America from this truly absurd situation without further damage.
Titusville Police officers Jeff Prugh (back, left) and Jason Bean (back, right) stand with a group of children who were sledding at Burgess Park on Saturday. The Titusville Police Department and Titusville Fire Department will be hosting a sledding event at Burgess Park on Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m.
December 12, 2016

Reports on data breaches and hacks hit the headlines on an almost daily basis this past year. We compiled a list of themes that characterized this past years hacks:

1. Ransomware everywhere: Ransomware attacks dominated headlines, reaching an epidemic level. In February, the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital paid $17,000 in ransom money to regain access to files that had been encrypted. In the same month, Hospitals in Germany also fell victim to ransomware. In March, the Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky, declared an internal state of emergency after a ransomware attack encrypted all its files. Since then, banks, school districts, state and local governments, and law enforcement agencies have all suffered ransomware attacks.







2. Widespread cyberattacks on global banking: The $81 million theft that happened in early February via a fraudulent transfer from Bangladesh Bank using the SWIFT international financial messaging service provider sent shockwaves throughout the global banking community. The methods deployed were highly complex, involving a combination of technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of how the Bangladesh Bank interfaced with SWIFT. Later, in June, hackers reportedly stole $10 million from an unnamed bank in Ukraine by exploiting a loophole in the SWIFT system.

3. Attacks on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems: 2016 started with a deeper look into attacks that occurred in late 2015 on two power distribution companies in Ukraine. The attack caused a power outage that affected over 80,000 people and sabotaged operator workstations and management systems. In July, security researchers discovered a sophisticated malware, probably by a nation state, targeting energy companies in Western Europe.

4. Safer operating systems are no longer so: This past year has shown a spike in vulnerabilities of iOS, Mac OS and Linux environments that were previously considered to be much more secure than Windows. The Linux kernel is now facing unprecedented vulnerabilities that cannot necessarily be fixed by patches due to the long time it takes to discover the bugs and apply fixes on all the vulnerable devices. A new OS X Trojan was discovered, as well as Zero-day vulnerabilities on iOS that, when exploited, form an attack chain that undermines even Apples (News - Alert) strong security environment.

5. Ghosts of breaches past came back to haunt companies: May 2016 marked the return of a data breach nightmare for LinkedIn. The 117 million email and password combinations that were stolen in 2012 came back to haunt LinkedIn (News - Alert) by becoming publicly available online again. At the time the breach occurred, LinkedIn notified the members who had been affected. In May, LinkedIn acted quickly to invalidate passwords of all LinkedIn accounts that were created prior to the 2012 breach and had not undergone a reset since the breach. In September, Dropbox (News - Alert) discovered that 68 million users had their usernames and passwords compromised in a breach from 2012. This caused Dropbox to prompt all of its users who havent reset their passwords since 2012 to do so. In September, Yahoo disclosed that at least 500 million user accounts had been compromised. The data stolen back in 2014 included users names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and encrypted passwords. The two year delay raised questions, although a company spokesperson said Yahoo was aware a hacker was selling login details for 200 million Yahoo accounts in an online black market.

6. Political hacks and continued hacktivism: In July, WikiLeaks published a collection of emails leaked from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The collection included 19,252 emails and 8,034 attachments from the DNC, the governing body of the United States' Democratic Party. The leak included emails from seven key DNC staff members, and date from January 2015 to May 2016. This prompted the resignation of DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz before the Democratic National Convention. After the convention, other key members: DNC CEO Amy Dacey, CFO Brad Marshall, and Communications Director Luis Miranda also resigned. WikiLeaks did not reveal its source. Guccifer 2.0, an unaffiliated hacker, claimed responsibility for the attack; however, cybersecurity firms and American intelligence officials believe that the Russian government was behind the leak, despite the denial of the Russians and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. In terms of hacktivism, research has shown that motivation towards hacktivism has declined although it can cause enough damage to attract the attention from mainstream media. Anonymous remains the most influential hacktivist group, topping the charts of the hacktivist DDOS attacks on websites.

7. DDOS attacks should not be underestimated: In October, a DDOS attack against domain name server provider Dyn resulted in disruptions for Internet users attempting to access many major sites, including Netflix, Twitter, Spotify (News - Alert), Amazon, GitHub, Reddit, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tumblr and Etsy. The service outage throughout the North American East coast eased after two hours but returned midday, affecting areas across the U.S. and parts of Europe. The attack used an IoT botnet army largely driven by Mirai malware. Singaporean ISP StarHub's DNS services were also attacked, but luckily the company was able to mitigate the incidents within two hours. Investigations into these attacks are still underway.

This past year has shown that data breaches and cyberattacks have continued to grow in rate and severity. The clear takeaway is that no one is immune. Economic and political gains continue to motivate hackers to attack new victims, and past victims continue to suffer from the consequences of hacks. The introduction and growing implementation of new solutions that leverage new technologies to block cyberattacks before they can cause damage will hopefully curb the number and scope of cyberattacks in 2017 and beyond.

Maya Nix, Marketing Director at Deep Instinct contributed to this article.

About the Author

Guy Caspi is a leading mathematician and a data scientist global expert. Mr. Caspi has 15 years of extensive experience in applying mathematics and machine learning in a technology elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), financial institutions and intelligence organizations around the world. Mr. Caspi led some of the largest government cyber and Big Data projects in Israel and other countries. In addition, Mr. Caspi was the president and general manager of a leading division at Comverse/Verint (News - Alert) Group. Mr. Caspi brings substantial management background in leading innovative technological challenges from R&D through commercialization. Mr. Caspi holds B.Sc., M.Sc., and MBA degrees in Mathematics, Machine Learning and Business from leading universities in Israel and the U.S.

Edited by Alicia Young
[December 12, 2016] BearingPoint Launches a New Generation of the EasyTax Software

With the upcoming Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) and its resulting tax reporting complexity, combining on- and off-shore tax applications within a single platform is one of the most time- and cost-effective approaches. BearingPoint is extending its current EasyTax application to include on-shore tax calculation and reporting capabilities. Based on tax law applicable to a bank's domicile, the module enables the calculation of the tax amount to be debited by the bank acting as paying agent. It handles the tax reports required by tax authorities as well as client tax reports. Modules for France and Spain go live at the beginning of 2017 and for Belgium, Italy and the UK later next year. "Clients require the same quality and standard of tax reporting services from their wealth managers irrespective of where they placed their assets. What we see in the market is a trend of consolidation, whereby financial institutions are providing more and more tax services from a single tax platform," says Ronald Frey, Partner at BearingPoint. BearingPoint's EasyTax standard solution produces high quality, jurisdiction-specific tax reports. It already covers 20 jurisdictions with its country specific off-shore modules (Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK). EasyTax offers generic tax reporting including capital gain calculation using different compensation logics. The EasyTax solution EasyTax is BearingPoint's standard software solution for producing country-specific tax reports enabling financial institutions to provide their clients with a service to ease their tax filing duties. More than 80 financial institutions worldwide already produce tax reports with EasyTax for their clients. EasyTax clients include private and wealth management banks, family offices, retail banks, banking package providers, and tax reporting service providers. EayTax offers a range of country-specific reporting modules and services focusing on tax law, including:



Standardized tax reporting modules

Standardized withholding tax calculation modules

Standardized software integration support services

Standardized maintenance services More information: www.bearingpointabs.com About BearingPoint RegTech

With its RegTech product line, BearingPoint is a leading international provider of innovative regulatory and risk technology solutions (RegTech and RiskTech) and services across the entire Regulatory Value Chain for Financial Services. Customers representing 5,000 firms worldwide, among them large international banks, a major part of the largest European banks, leading insurance companies as well as supervisory authorities and central banks, trust BearingPoint's RegTech products and services. We work closely with regulators and as a member of standardization bodies like XBRL consortium, we actively contribute to the process of standard setting. We combine our regulatory expertise with our proven, reliable and future-oriented product suite and expert consulting capabilities as well as training seminars and managed services. http://www.reg.tech About BearingPoint BearingPoint consultants understand that the world of business changes constantly and that the resulting complexities demand intelligent and adaptive solutions. Our clients, whether in commercial or financial industries or in government, experience real results when they work with us. We combine industry, operational and technology skills with relevant proprietary and other assets in order to tailor solutions for each client's individual challenges. This adaptive approach is at the heart of our culture and has led to long-standing relationships with many of the world's leading companies and organizations. Our global consulting network of more than 10,000 people serves clients in over 75 countries and engages with them for measurable results and long-lasting success. www.bearingpoint.com www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint @BearingPoint View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005142/en/

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[December 12, 2016] Fitch Affirms Jordan School District, UT's GOs at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the following Jordan School District, Utah (the district) ratings: --Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'AAA'; --$124 million general obligation (GO) bonds, series 2007 and 2014 (refunding) at 'AAA'. The Rating Outlook is Stable. The IDR, underlying ratings, and Rating Outlook reflect the district's credit quality without consideration of the guaranty provided by the Utah School Bond Default Avoidance Program. SECURITY The bonds are general obligations of the district payable from an unlimited ad valorem property tax levied on all eligible taxable property within the former boundaries of the Jordan School District. The taxable area includes the Canyons School District, which is responsible for repayment of 58% of the debt. Canyons School District occupies the former eastern portion of the Jordan School District and was created by voters on Nov. 6, 2007. It began operations in fiscal 2010 under its own school board. Fitch rates Canyons School District's IDR 'AAA'/ Outlook Stable. Existing bondholders benefit from an unlimited ad valorem property tax on the aggregate taxable AV of the previous, more extensive Jordan School District footprint. Each of the Jordan and Canyons school districts is legally obliged to tax the residents within its boundaries for its share of the outstanding debt. Salt Lake County collects the property tax revenues from within each school district's boundaries and distributes them to the two school districts. Jordan School District then invoices Canyons School District for its share of the full debt service payment. This debt repayment process has worked smoothly for the last seven years. The series 2014 refunding bonds are supported by an interlocal agreement between the Jordan and Canyons school districts, which creates a contractual obligation in addition to the existing statutory obligation. KEY RATING DRIVERS The 'AAA' IDR and underlying rating on the outstanding GO bonds reflect the district's solid financial operations, flexible labor environment, and low debt burden. The district's superior Inherent budget flexibility has resulted in exceptionally strong gap-closing capacity. The GO bonds are supported by a growing tax base and, during periods of taxable assessed valuation (AV) decline, protected by automatic tax levy adjustments. Economic Resource Base Jordan School District is the fourth largest in Utah, with approximately 52,000 students spread across 55 schools. It is located approximately 12 miles south of Salt Lake City, encompassing approximately 150 square miles. The district is significantly residential, with moderately large retail/commercial centers, and continues to benefit from being an integral part of the Salt Lake County economic hub. The county's unemployment rate remains very low. The district's wealth characteristics are somewhat mixed, reflecting the range within its component communities. Revenue Framework: 'aaa' factor assessment Strong general fund revenue growth will likely continue in line with, or above, national economic performance given growing student enrollment. The district's independent legal ability to raise revenues is high, which is unusual for a U.S. school district. Expenditure Framework: 'aa' factor assessment Spending growth will likely remain in line with, to marginally above, anticipated revenue growth. The district enjoys solid expenditure flexibility and a very productive labor environment. Long-Term Liability Burden: 'aaa' factor assessment The district's combined debt and unfunded pension liability is low relative to its resource base. Fitch does not expect the district's direct debt burden to increase materially with the issuance of new debt given rapid amortization of outstanding existing debt. The district's retiree health care liabilities are fully funded. Operating Performance: 'aaa' factor assessment The district has exceptionally strong gap-closing capacity and has demonstrated financial resilience during downturns. RATING SENSITIVITIES Solid Financial Operations: Fitch expects that both the Jordan and Canyons school districts will continue to exercise sound budget management. Continued balanced operations and sufficient reserve levels through the economic cycle would enable each district to maintain a 'AAA' IDR. CREDIT PROFILE In fiscal years 2015 and 2016, the district's taxable assessed valuation (AV) rebounded strongly by 23%, more than offsetting previous losses. Taxable AV had declined by 12% during the recession, largely due to state revaluation of centrally assessed properties (particularly Kennecott Utah Copper, by far Jordan School District's largest taxpayer) and county revaluations of local properties. Further taxable AV gains are expected in fiscal 2017 onwards driven by new development and rising valuations for existing properties. This helps offset volatile centrally assessed valuations. Canyons School District has similarly experienced a solid taxable AV rebound (18% between fiscal years 2013 and 2016), with further residential and commercial development also projected. Revenue Framework The district's funding comes from a combination of property taxes imposed by the school board, state-imposed personal income taxes and corporate franchise taxes, and federal sources. In fiscal 2016, local revenues accounted for approximately 26% of general fund revenues, state sources 69%, and federal sources 5%. The weighted pupil unit (WPU) is the statutory allocation methodology for equalized school funding across the state. It increased by 4% in fiscal 2016 and 3% in fiscal 2017. Fitch expects that strong general fund growth will likely continue in line with, or above, national economic performance. The district has experienced strong revenue growth over the past 10 years. Assuming a proportionate share of pre-fiscal 2010 revenues, its 10-year revenue growth has exceeded national GDP growth. This has been the result of growing student enrollment and improved state funding. The district is projecting almost 10% student enrollment growth during fiscal years 2017-2019 and further growth through 2022 (longer if further land is zoned for residential development, as expected). The district has a high independent legal ability to raise revenues. It could raise up to $35 million more per year (11% of fiscal 2016 general fund revenues), subject to the advisory truth-in-taxation public hearing process, under its board and capital local tax levies. Such increases would not result in a reduction of state funding. The district could also reduce its capital outlay levy and commensurately increase its operations and maintenance levy to direct more tax revenues to the general fund. However, the district has not increased property taxes for some years and has no plans to hold a truth-in-taxation public hearing in fiscal 2017. Expenditure Framework The majority of spending is on instruction costs (66% of fiscal 2016 general fund spending) and facilities operating costs (11%). These costs will increase due to student enrollment growth. In fiscal 2016, the general fund absorbed over $13 million in salary, benefit, and pension cost increases (over 4% of spending). The district's fisal 2017 general fund budget absorbed the costs associated with almost 3% student enrollment growth and almost $10 million in increased employee remuneration and benefit costs (almost 3% of budgeted spending).



Based on the district's patterns of revenue and spending, Fitch expects the district's future general fund expenditures to be in line with, to marginally above, general fund revenue growth given ongoing student enrollment growth pressure. District officials advise that this growth pressure has been partially relieved by the opening and expansion of several charter schools within the district's boundaries. Nevertheless, the district will see its fixed costs rise with the opening of new schools in fiscal 2017 onwards. The district's fixed carrying costs related to debt repayment and pension contributions are moderate relative to the district's resource base, leaving solid expenditure flexibility. District officials advise that there are a number of areas where they could reduce costs if necessary. They would consider increasing class sizes and reducing teacher hiring ratios, modifying or cutting costly optional programs, modifying or postponing capital improvement projects, and/or implementing more online courses. The district's labor relations have traditionally been productive, and its annual teacher contracts are flexible.

Long-Term Liability Burden The district's long-term debt and pension liability is low at approximately 3% of personal income and just over 1% of taxable AV. Approximately 40% of overall bonded indebtedness is direct debt (net of the portion of GO bonds to be repaid by Canyons School District), which amortizes at a rapid 85% in 10 years. On Nov. 8, 2016, voters authorized a $245 million bond measure to fund construction of five new schools to accommodate student enrollment growth and rebuild an existing middle school. This is significant given voters' rejection of a school construction bond measure in 2013, which was approximately twice the size, and a state law prohibiting school districts from imposing impact fees on new development. Fitch anticipates that future increases to the district's currently very manageable, rapidly amortizing debt burden will remain consistent with the district's high rating level. Fitch does not expect the district's credit quality to be affected by the progressive issuance of new debt between calendar years 2017 and 2021, which will be wrapped around the existing debt. The district participates in the state retirement pension system and makes its annual actuarially determined contributions. Using Fitch's 7% discount rate, which is more conservative than the state retirement pension system's 7.5% rate, the district's pension liabilities are approximately 80% funded in fiscal 2016. The district's employer contributions have now stabilized after some years of increases to offset recessionary investment losses. The district estimates that an approximately $53 million OPEB reserve (held in the committed general fund balance) more than fully funds obligations under its closed OPEB plan. Operating Performance The district has exceptionally strong gap-closing capacity. Since the fiscal 2010 division, the district has maintained surplus operations with the exception of two years of very small net operating deficits after transfers. Consequently, the district's unrestricted general fund balance remains well in excess of Fitch's 'aaa' reserve safety margin for the district of 2%. Given the district's low revenue volatility and superior inherent budget flexibility, the district should maintain a 'aaa' reserve safety margin even during any periods of economic stress. The district ended fiscal 2016 with a net operating surplus of more than $10 million, increasing its unrestricted general fund balance to almost $138 million (approximately 45% of spending). The budgeted large net operating deficit after transfers in fiscal 2017 of $23 million, followed by significant deficits in each of the following three years, is in large part due to state budgetary requirements. The district has to budget use of the entire unassigned general fund budget (almost $37 million at fiscal 2016 year-end). Typically the district significantly outperforms its conservative budgets and its general fund balances are expected to remain very strong. In addition to strong general fund liquidity, the district could borrow up to $102 million from funds outside the general fund, if necessary. The district has been using reserves and other sources to cash-fund construction of two newly opened elementary schools and one middle school. It has also begun construction on two additional elementary schools. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. In addition to the sources of information identified in Fitch's applicable criteria specified below, this action was informed by information from Lumesis and InvestorTools. Applicable Criteria U.S. Tax-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 18 Apr 2016) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/879478 Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1016351 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1016351 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. 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[December 12, 2016] Interim Results from Phase 1b/2 Study Evaluating the Combination of Merck's KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) and Eisai's HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Presented at 2016 SABCS

Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Eisai Inc. today announced new interim data investigating Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in combination with Eisai's microtubule dynamics inhibitor, HALAVEN (eribulin), in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Findings presented during the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) were based on interim data from 39 evaluable patients and showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 33.3% (n=13/39; 95% CI, 19.5-48.1), with one complete response and 12 partial responses (Abstract #: P5-15-02). ORR was similar between PD-L1-positive and -negative cohorts [PD-L1 positive=29.4% (n=5/17; 95% CI, 11.1-51.1); PD-L1 negative=33.3% (n=6/18; 95% CI, 14.1-54.6)]. HALAVEN and KEYTRUDA are not approved for use in combination. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005305/en/ The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (incidence greater than or equal to 35%) for the combination regimen were fatigue (n=29; 74.4%), nausea (n=20; 51.3%), peripheral neuropathy (n=17; 43.6%), neutropenia (n=15; 38.5%), and alopecia (n=14; 35.9%), with grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events observed in 66.7% (n=26) of patients. The two most common grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events observed were neutropenia (n=12; 30.8%) and fatigue (n=3; 7.7%). The possible immune-mediated adverse events of clinical interest with KEYTRUDA (grade 3/4) included rash (n=2; 5.1%), pneumonitis (n=1; 2.6%), hyperglycemia (n=1; 2.6%), renal failure (n=1; 2.6%) and rash generalized (n=1; 2.6%). Events of clinical interest for HALAVEN (grade 3/4) included neutropenia (n=11, 28.2%), febrile neutropenia (n=1; 2.6%), and peripheral neuropathy (n=1; 2.6%). There were 10 discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events and no treatment-related deaths. "Little progress has been made in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, which is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer. This initial evaluation of the combination of KEYTRUDA and HALAVEN is encouraging and represents an important part of our multi-pronged effort to bring forward new potential approaches for patients with this type of cancer," said Roger Dansey, M.D., senior vice president and therapeutic area head, oncology late-stage development, Merck Research Laboratories. "Patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer have a limited number of treatment options, making clinical study of new potential therapeutic approaches essential," said Alton Kremer, M.D., Ph.D., chief clinical officer and chief medical officer, Oncology Business Group at Eisai. "With this ongoing study, we hope to learn more about the potential of HALAVEN as part of a combination regimen with KEYTRUDA, with the long-term goal of addressing the unmet medical needs of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer." "In addition to anti-mitotic effects, in preclinical and translational studies, eribulin induced tumor vascular remodeling, reduction of hypoxia and promotion of the less aggressive epithelial phenotype in advanced breast cancer tumor tissue. We look forward to further understanding how these effects of eribulin on tumor biology and microenvironment may impact the effect of pembrolizumab on the immune system's T cells," said Sara Tolaney, M.D., MPH, medical oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, and the principal investigator of the study. HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer who have previously received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting. KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is not indicated in any type of breast cancer. This release discusses investigational uses for FDA-approved products. This release is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational uses of such FDA-approved products will successfully complete clinical development or gain FDA approval. About the Study The single-arm, multi-center phase 1b/2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02513472) is investigating the combination of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) (200 mg intravenously on Day 1) with HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection (1.4 mg/m2 intravenously on Day 1 and Day 8) in 21-day cycles in 95 patients with metastatic TNBC who had previously been treated with up to two lines of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of the phase 1b portion of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of the combination; for the phase 2 portion of the study, the primary endpoint is investigator-assessed ORR and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall survival and duration of response as well as efficacy in a subset of patients with PD-L1-positive tumors. The results presented at SABCS were based on a planned interim analysis. At the time of data cutoff (July 12, 2016), 89 patients were enrolled, 39 of whom were evaluable. The study is being conducted under an existing clinical trial collaboration agreement between the two companies. About Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that begins in the cells of the breast. In 2016, an estimated 246,660 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, and nearly 40,450 women will die from the disease. Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive type of breast cancer where the cancer cells do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors and do not have HER2, a growth-promoting protein. Approximately 12% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer tends to grow and spread quickly. Specifically, patients with triple-negative breast cancer are nearly two times more likely to have distant metastatic disease than those with most other types of breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is an advanced stage of the disease that occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It is estimated that approximately five percent to 10 percent of women with breast cancer will have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Of these women, an estimated one in five is expected to survive five years. About KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that works by increasing the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells. KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every three weeks for the approved indications. KEYTRUDA for injection is supplied in a 100 mg single use vial. KEYTRUDA Indications and Dosing Melanoma KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma at a dose of 2 mg/kg every three weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Lung Cancer KEYTRUDA is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression [tumor proportion score (TPS) =50%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. KEYTRUDA is also indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS =1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA. In metastatic NSCLC, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression. Head and Neck Cancer KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. In HNSCC, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression. Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, including fatal cases. Pneumonitis occurred in 94 (3.4%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 1 (0.8%), 2 (1.3%), 3 (0.9%), 4 (0.3%), and 5 (0.1%) pneumonitis, and occurred more frequently in patients with a history of prior thoracic radiation (6.9%) compared to those without (2.9%). Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis. Evaluate suspected pneumonitis with radiographic imaging. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2; permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 3 or 4 or recurrent Grade 2 pneumonitis. KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis. Colitis occurred in 48 (1.7%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.4%), 3 (1.1%), and 4 (<0.1%) colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater colitis. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2 or 3; permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 4 colitis. KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Hepatitis occurred in 19 (0.7%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.1%), 3 (0.4%), and 4 (<0.1%) hepatitis. Monitor patients for changes in liver function. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hepatitis and, based on severity of liver enzyme elevations, withhold or discontinue KEYTRUDA. KEYTRUDA can cause hypophysitis. Hypophysitis occurred in 17 (0.6%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.2%), 3 (0.3%), and 4 (<0.1%) hypophysitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypophysitis (including hypopituitarism and adrenal insufficiency). Administer cortiosteroids and hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2; withhold or discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 hypophysitis.



KEYTRUDA can cause thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroiditis. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 96 (3.4%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.8%) and 3 (0.1%) hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurred in 237 (8.5%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (6.2%) and 3 (0.1%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in patients with HNSCC occurring in 28 (15%) of 192 patients with HNSCC, including Grade 3 (0.5%) hypothyroidism. Thyroiditis occurred in 16 (0.6%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.3%) thyroiditis. Monitor patients for changes in thyroid function (at the start of treatment, periodically during treatment, and as indicated based on clinical evaluation) and for clinical signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders. Administer replacement hormones for hypothyroidism and manage hyperthyroidism with thionamides and beta-blockers as appropriate. Withhold or discontinue KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for Grade 3 or 4 hyperthyroidism. KEYTRUDA can cause type 1 diabetes mellitus, including diabetic ketoacidosis, which have been reported in 6 (0.2%) of 2799 patients. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Administer insulin for type 1 diabetes, and withhold KEYTRUDA and administer antihyperglycemics in patients with severe hyperglycemia.

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Nephritis occurred in 9 (0.3%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.1%), 3 (0.1%), and 4 (<0.1%) nephritis. Monitor patients for changes in renal function. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater nephritis. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2; permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 3 or 4 nephritis. KEYTRUDA can cause other clinically important immune-mediated adverse reactions. For suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, ensure adequate evaluation to confirm etiology or exclude other causes. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold KEYTRUDA and administer corticosteroids. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Based on limited data from clinical studies in patients whose immune-related adverse reactions could not be controlled with corticosteroid use, administration of other systemic immunosuppressants can be considered. Resume KEYTRUDA when the adverse reaction remains at Grade 1 or less following corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for any Grade 3 immune-mediated adverse reaction that recurs and for any life-threatening immune-mediated adverse reaction. The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% (unless otherwise indicated) of 2799 patients: arthritis (1.5%), exfoliative dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, rash (1.4%), uveitis, myositis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, vasculitis, pancreatitis, hemolytic anemia, and partial seizures arising in a patient with inflammatory foci in brain parenchyma. KEYTRUDA can cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions, which have been reported in 6 (0.2%) of 2799 patients. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including rigors, chills, wheezing, pruritus, flushing, rash, hypotension, hypoxemia, and fever. For Grade 3 or 4 reactions, stop infusion and permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant during treatment, apprise the patient of the potential hazard to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use highly effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). In KEYNOTE-006, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 9% of 555 patients with advanced melanoma; adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in more than one patient were colitis (1.4%), autoimmune hepatitis (0.7%), allergic reaction (0.4%), polyneuropathy (0.4%), and cardiac failure (0.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 21% of patients; the most common (=1%) was diarrhea (2.5%). The most common adverse reactions with KEYTRUDA vs ipilimumab were fatigue (28% vs 28%), diarrhea (26% with KEYTRUDA), rash (24% vs 23%), and nausea (21% with KEYTRUDA). Corresponding incidence rates are listed for ipilimumab only for those adverse reactions that occurred at the same or lower rate than with KEYTRUDA. In KEYNOTE-002, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 12% of 357 patients with advanced melanoma; the most common (=1%) were general physical health deterioration (1%), asthenia (1%), dyspnea (1%), pneumonitis (1%), and generalized edema (1%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 14% of patients; the most common (=1%) were dyspnea (1%), diarrhea (1%), and maculopapular rash (1%). The most common adverse reactions with KEYTRUDA vs chemotherapy were fatigue (43% with KEYTRUDA), pruritus (28% vs 8%), rash (24% vs 8%), constipation (22% vs 20%), nausea (22% with KEYTRUDA), diarrhea (20% vs 20%), and decreased appetite (20% with KEYTRUDA). Corresponding incidence rates are listed for chemotherapy only for those adverse reactions that occurred at the same or lower rate than with KEYTRUDA. KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 8% of 682 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The most common adverse event resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.8%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 23% of patients; the most common (=1%) were diarrhea (1%), fatigue (1.3%), pneumonia (1%), liver enzyme elevation (1.2%), decreased appetite (1.3%), and pneumonitis (1%). The most common adverse reactions (occurring in at least 20% of patients and at a higher incidence than with docetaxel) were decreased appetite (25% vs 23%), dyspnea (23% vs 20%), and nausea (20% vs 18%). KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 17% of 192 patients with HNSCC. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 45% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients were pneumonia, dyspnea, confusional state, vomiting, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure. The most common adverse reactions (reported in at least 20% of patients) were fatigue, decreased appetite, and dyspnea. Adverse reactions occurring in patients with HNSCC were generally similar to those occurring in patients with melanoma or NSCLC, with the exception of increased incidences of facial edema (10% all Grades; 2.1% Grades 3 or 4) and new or worsening hypothyroidism. It is not known whether KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, instruct women to discontinue nursing during treatment with KEYTRUDA and for 4 months after the final dose. Safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA have not been established in pediatric patients. For more information about KEYTRUDA, please see the Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Patient Information/Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf" About HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with: Metastatic breast cancer who have previously received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting.

Unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who have received a prior anthracycline- containing regimen. Discovered and developed by Eisai, eribulin is a synthetic analog of halichondrin B, a natural product that was isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. First in the halichondrin class, Halaven is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor. Eribulin is believed to work primarily via a tubulin-based mechanism that causes prolonged and irreversible mitotic blockage, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death. Additionally, in preclinical studies of human breast cancer, eribulin demonstrated complex effects on the tumor biology of surviving cancer cells, including increases in vascular perfusion resulting in reduced tumor hypoxia, and changes in the expression of genes in tumor specimens associated with a change in phenotype, promoting the epithelial phenotype, opposing the mesenchymal phenotype. Eribulin has also been shown to decrease the migration and invasiveness of human breast cancer cells. Important Safety Information for Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection Warnings and Precautions Neutropenia: Severe neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3) lasting >1 week occurred in 12% of patients with mBC and liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 5% of patients with mBC and 2 patients (0.4%) died from complications. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 0.9% of patients with liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma, and fatal neutropenic sepsis occurred in 0.9% of patients. Patients with mBC with elevated liver enzymes >3  ULN and bilirubin >1.5  ULN experienced a higher incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia than patients with normal levels. Monitor complete blood cell counts prior to each dose, and increase the frequency of monitoring in patients who develop Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias. Delay administration and reduce subsequent doses in patients who experience febrile neutropenia or Grade 4 neutropenia lasting >7 days. Peripheral Neuropathy: Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 8% of patients with mBC (Grade 4=0.4%) and 22% developed a new or worsening neuropathy that had not recovered within a median follow-up duration of 269 days (range 25-662 days). Neuropathy lasting >1 year occurred in 5% of patients with mBC. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 3.1% of patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma receiving Halaven and neuropathy lasting more than 60 days occurred in 58% (38/65) of patients who had neuropathy at the last treatment visit. Patients should be monitored for signs of peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy. Withhold Halaven in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy until resolution to Grade 2 or less. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Halaven can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Halaven and for at least 2 weeks following the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Halaven and for 3.5 months following the final dose. QT Prolongation: Monitor for prolonged QT intervals in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, drugs known to prolong the QT interval, and electrolyte abnormalities. Correct hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia prior to initiating Halaven and monitor these electrolytes periodically during therapy. Avoid in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Adverse Reactions In patients with mBC receiving Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection, the most common adverse reactions (=25%) were neutropenia (82%), anemia (58%), asthenia/fatigue (54%), alopecia (45%), peripheral neuropathy (35%), nausea (35%), and constipation (25%). Febrile neutropenia (4%) and neutropenia (2%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (5%). In patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma receiving Halaven, the most common adverse reactions (=25%) reported in patients receiving Halaven were fatigue (62%), nausea (41%), alopecia (35%), constipation (32%), peripheral neuropathy (29%), abdominal pain (29%), and pyrexia (28%). The most common (=5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in patients receiving Halaven were neutropenia (32%), hypokalemia (5.4%), and hypocalcemia (5%). Neutropenia (4.9%) and pyrexia (4.5%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation were fatigue and thrombocytopenia (0.9% each). Use in Specific Populations Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from eribulin mesylate, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Halaven and for 2 weeks after the final dose. Hepatic and Renal Impairment: A reduction in starting dose is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and/or moderate or severe renal impairment. For more information about Halaven, click here for the full Prescribing Information. Merck's Focus on Cancer Merck's goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, helping people fight cancer is our passion and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. Our focus is on pursuing research in immuno-oncology and we are accelerating every step in the journey - from lab to clinic - to potentially bring new hope to people with cancer. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the fastest-growing development programs in the industry. We are currently executing an expansive research program that includes nearly 400 clinical trials evaluating our anti-PD-1 therapy across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our immuno-oncology portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising immunotherapeutic candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials. About Merck For 125 years, Merck has been a global health care leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. About Eisai Inc. At Eisai Inc., human health care (hhc) is our goal. We give our first thought to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to discover and develop innovative therapies to help address unmet medical needs. Eisai is a fully integrated pharmaceutical business that operates in two global business groups: oncology and neurology (dementia-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases). Each group functions as an end-to-end global business with discovery, development, and marketing capabilities. Our U.S. headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations are located in New Jersey; our discovery labs are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania; and our global demand chain organization resides in Maryland and North Carolina. To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US. Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC (News - Alert)) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005305/en/

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[December 12, 2016] Klick Hosts Special MUSE Event With Health Visionaries Deepak Chopra and John Mattison

Klick kicked-off the holiday season at a special MUSE event with talks by health visionaries, like Deepak Chopra and John Mattison. At the festivities, the company also re-launched its website, released its 2016 Holiday Video: Klick Gives Santa an Epic Rebrand, and set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDSTM title. Klick set the new world record for the most people simultaneously throwing napkins in the air. An adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDSTM, the global authority on record-breaking achievement, and several judges witnessed 492 Klicksters tossing blue linen napkins in the air in a scene reminiscent of a graduation ceremony. "As part of our relentless pursuit of awesome, setting a Guinness World Record was something we wanted to do to make our mark in a fun and festive way," said Klick co-founder and CEO Leerom Segal. "It was the perfect way to set the tone for an evening of incredible performances." A series of enlightening speakers and musicians performed at MUSE, held at the Carlu - the city's historic Art Moderne architectural masterpiece once referred to as the sister to New York's Carnegie Hall: John Brownstein, PhD , Harvard Medical School professor, Boston Children's Hospital Chief Innovation Officer, co-founder of Circulation, and Healthcare advisor to Uber;

, Harvard Medical School professor, Boston Children's Hospital Chief Innovation Officer, co-founder of Circulation, and Healthcare advisor to Uber; Deepak Chopra, M.D., a world-renowned pioneer in mind-body medicine and personal transformation, Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism;

a world-renowned pioneer in mind-body medicine and personal transformation, Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism; Cal Fussman, the New York Times bestselling author and writer-at-large for Esquire magazine;

the bestselling author and writer-at-large for magazine;

Olivia Hallisey, the 18-year-old inventor of a low-cost, portable test for Ebola who won the 2015 Google (News - Alert) Science Fair;

the 18-year-old inventor of a low-cost, portable test for Ebola who won the 2015 Google (News - Alert) Science Fair; Max Joseph , the filmmaker and TV host, also known writing/directing the 2012 viral Follow the Frog short film;

, the filmmaker and TV host, also known writing/directing the 2012 viral short film; Craig Kielburger, co-founder of the WE Movement, who started Free The Children over 20 years ago at the age of 12;

co-founder of the WE Movement, who started Free The Children over 20 years ago at the age of 12; John Mattison, M.D., Chief Medical Information Officer and Assistant Medical Director at Kaiser Permanente, the largest not-for-profit health plan and health care provider in the U.S.;

Chief Medical Information Officer and Assistant Medical Director at Kaiser Permanente, the largest not-for-profit health plan and health care provider in the U.S.; Steven Page, co-founder of the musical group the Barenaked Ladies; his latest solo album is entitled Heal Thyself ;

co-founder of the musical group the Barenaked Ladies; his latest solo album is entitled ; Louie Schwartzberg, an award-winning filmmaker whose three TED Talks have over 47 million combined views, and who has created films for Disneynature and National Geographic;

an award-winning filmmaker whose three TED Talks have over 47 million combined views, and who has created films for Disneynature and National Geographic; Charity Tillemann-Dick, an opera singer and recipient of two double lung transplants; and

an opera singer and recipient of two double lung transplants; and Dara Torres, the 12-time Olympic medalist who, at 41, became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympic Games.



Klick Ideas Exchange, which brought together the leading biopharma CEOs and brightest minds in the world to explore the future of health. Speakers included Drs. Eric Topol, Ezekiel Emanuel, and Daniel Kraft, and business management gurus Tom Peters and Gary Hamel. About Klick

Klick operates with a fiercely independent spirit at the intersection of technology, creativity, and strategy. The Klick family is a diverse group of people who are driven and connected by a shared culture and commitment to the relentless pursuit of awesome at Klick Health, K2 Digital, Klick Learning Solutions (KLS), and Sensei Labs. Established in 1997, Klick has teams in Atlanta, Connecticut, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, and Toronto. In 2015, Klick was recognized for having one of the top 10 intranets in the world and won over 300 awards for its client work, corporate management and culture, including being named one of country's Top 5 Great Places to Work, Best Employers, Fastest Growing Technology Companies, and Best Managed Companies. Klick's co-founders wrote New York Times Bestseller The Decoded Company (Portfolio/Penguin, 2014), the first book about big data in the workplace. Klick is always on the lookout for the industry's brightest minds. For more information on joining Klick, go to http://careers.klick.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212006067/en/

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[December 12, 2016] LiveXLive Partners with Prime Social Group to Let Fans Around The World Experience Two Major Music Festivals

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Loton, Corp's (OTC: LIVX) LiveXLive subsidiary has obtained the rights from Prime Social Group to produce and distribute broadcast experiences of two major music festivals, the Breakaway Music Festival and Country Night Lights. LiveXLive will stream the festivals live, globally, on its website and mobile app and via select distribution partner platforms, including Video On Demand and Virtual Reality. Additionally, LiveXLive's recent deal with Screenvision Media and KAOS Connect also presents the unique opportunity to create a live experience for fans in over 2,000 theaters across the U.S. Breakaway Music Festival is a Hip Hop and EDM festival in Columbus, Ohio which was founded in 2013 and has featured such prominent artists as: Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, Empire of the Sun, Twenty-One Pilots, Dillon Francis, Waka Flocka, and Desiigner among others. Country Night Lights Music Festival is based in Athens, Ohio and in its two years has featured top Country Music acts such as Jake Owen, Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge. LiveXLive's broadcast will provide exclusive behind the scenes footage, interviews, and other branded lifestyle content connected to the festivals. "With Prime Social Group's Country Night Lights and Breakaway Music Festival joining the list of global venues and events, LiveXLive continues to realize the company's vision to amass hundreds of hours of premium music and other exclusive curated content," said Robert Ellin, LiveXLive Founder and Chairman. "LiveXLive is building the first independent global live music and lifestyle network providing fans access to experience music and lifestyle content around the world like never before and all from the palm of their hand." "LiveXLive and Prime Social Group are going to build a great experience for users worldwide," said Adam Lynn, President of Prime Social Group. "Both festivals continue to attract premier talent such as Chance the Rapper, Young Thug, Jake Owen, Dillon Francis and many others. Our track record speaks for itself and we continue to grow our festivals in both the U.S and abroad."



Other LiveXLive partnerships include Verizon (VZ), Rock in Rio, Outside Lands Music & Art Festival, and venues Tao, The Saban Theater, Marquee, Complex, AOL, MTV and the tech company OneLive. LiveXLive has streamed worldwide sensations Katy Perry, Rihanna, Rod Stewart, Metallica, Radiohead, Sam Smith, Elton John, Maroon 5, One Republic, Bruce Springsteen, Fergie, John Legend, Avicii, Charlie Puth, Motley Crue, J.Cole, Placido Domingo, and Queens of the Stone Age among many others. About Loton, Corp (OTC: LIVX)

Loton, Corp (LIVX.OB) is a parent company in the emerging live / digital music space. The company's LiveXLive subsidiary intends to be the world's first premium live music streaming network that will deliver around the clock live music to viewers on any connected device as an authentic and experiential platform. The platform plans to offer the world's leading music festivals with multiday and multistage coverage, unique concerts, intimate performances and cutting edge programming. We plan to extend the live experience to fans on desktop, laptop, mobile, tablets, consoles, connected TVs and virtual reality platforms. The LiveXLive network expects to provide compelling and curated content that showcases the entire spectrum of music to include music inspired fashion, food, and lifestyle content and showcase interviews, backstage access and both fan and artist perspectives. LiveXLive intends to feature all genres of music including rock, pop, indie, alternative, EDM, country and feature major festival headliners as well as emerging artists performing at clubs and venues around the globe. For more information:http://www.livexlive.com.

ABOUT PRIME SOCIAL GROUP

Prime Social Group, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a full-service promotion company specializing in scalable music events and festivals. Since 2011, the company has produced more than 500 events around the world with eight branded festivals including the number one college gathering in the country, The Number Fest. Prime Social Group is a tastemaker of the Midwest, serving an extensive college market with high-quality events and experiences. http://www.primesocial.com Forward Looking Statement

Statements in this news release concerning future results from operations, financial position, economic conditions, product releases and any other statement that may be construed as a prediction of future performance or events are forward looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include uncertainties as to levels of orders, ability to record revenues, release schedules, market acceptance of new products, changes in economic conditions and market demand, pricing and other activities by competitors, and other risks including those described from time to time in the Company's filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases and other communications. Logo - https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160225/337602LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/livexlive-partners-with-prime-social-group-to-let-fans-around-the-world-experience-two-major-music-festivals-300376788.html SOURCE Loton, Corp.

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[December 12, 2016] Study Published in Journal of Glaucoma Evaluates a Single Glaukos iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent as a Standalone Procedure

Glaukos Corporation (NYSE: GKOS), an ophthalmic medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of breakthrough products and procedures designed to transform the treatment of glaucoma, today announced that a study published recently in the Journal of Glaucoma showed that a single iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent significantly reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) when implanted as a standalone procedure in pseudophakic eyes with open-angle glaucoma. Pseudophakic refers to eyes in which the natural lens has previously been removed and replaced with an intraocular lens. In this retrospective, consecutive case series, researchers from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and Sioux Falls-based Vance Thomson (News - Alert) Vision evaluated iStent procedure outcomes in 42 pseudophakic eyes with preoperative mean IOP of 20.26 mm Hg. In 21 eyes followed for two years, mean medicated IOP decreased 6.64 mm Hg to 13.62 mm Hg, or 33%. In total, 96% of study patients with preoperative medicated IOP = 19 mm Hg achieved an IOP reduction at their last collected follow-up. With a low rate of postoperative IOP spikes and only one patient requiring additional glaucoma surgery, the safety profile was favorable. In order to mimic the device's actual clinical use, study researchers enrolled patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma and ocular hypertension, with no other exclusion criteria. "While multiple studies and years of real-world experience have demonstrated the ability of iStent to achieve sustained IOP reductions when used in combination with cataract surgery, we wanted to explore the IOP-lowering performance of iStent as a sole procedure in pseudophakic eyes," said John P. Berdahl, MD, who performed all of the procedures evaluated in the study. "In this series of iStent procedures occurring between October 2012 and May 2015, we recorded IOP reductions at one and two years postoperatively that were both clinically and statistically significant." Dr. Berdahl added, "These types of results are important to glaucoma surgeons and patients because landmark studies such as the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial have shown that every 1 mm Hg improvement in IOP can reduce the likelihood of disease progression." The iStent was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2012 and is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of IOP in adult patients with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma currently treated with ocular hypotensive medication. Made of surgical-grade non-ferromagnetic titanium that is coated with heparin, the iStent is approximately 1.0 mm long and 0.33 mm wide. Glaukos believes it is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. Glaucoma is characterized by progressive, irreversible and largely asymptomatic vision loss caused by optic nerve damage. There is no cure for the disease and reducing IOP is the only proven treatment. According to Market Scope, more than 80 million people worldwide have glaucoma, including 4.5 million people in the United States. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, affecting approximately 3.6 million people in the United States.



About iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent (U.S.) Indication for Use: The iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma currently treated with ocular hypotensive medication.

Contraindications: The iStent is contraindicated in eyes with primary or secondary angle closure glaucoma, including neovascular glaucoma, as well as in patients with retrobulbar tumor, thyroid eye disease, Sturge-Weber Syndrome or any other type of condition that may cause elevated episcleral venous pressure. Warnings: Gonioscopy should be performed prior to surgery to exclude PAS, rubeosis, and other angle abnormalities or conditions that would prohibit adequate visualization of the angle that could lead to improper placement of the stent and pose a hazard. The iStent is MR-Conditional meaning that the device is safe for use in a specified MR environment under specified conditions, please see label for details. Precautions: The surgeon should monitor the patient postoperatively for proper maintenance of intraocular pressure. The safety and effectiveness of the iStent has not been established as an alternative to the primary treatment of glaucoma with medications, in children, in eyes with significant prior trauma, chronic inflammation, or an abnormal anterior segment, in pseudophakic patients with glaucoma, in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, pigmentary, and uveitic glaucoma, in patients with unmedicated IOP less than 22 mmHg or greater than 36 mmHg after "washout" of medications, or in patients with prior glaucoma surgery of any type including argon laser trabeculoplasty, for implantation of more than a single stent, after complications during cataract surgery, and when implantation has been without concomitant cataract surgery with IOL implantation for visually significant cataract. Adverse Events: The most common post-operative adverse events reported in the randomized pivotal trial included early post-operative corneal edema (8%), BCVA loss of = 1 line at or after the 3 month visit (7%), posterior capsular opacification (6%), stent obstruction (4%) early post-operative anterior chamber cells (3%), and early post-operative corneal abrasion (3%). Please refer to Directions for Use for additional adverse event information. Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a physician. Please reference the Directions for Use labeling for a complete list of contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events. About Glaukos Glaukos (www.glaukos.com) is an ophthalmic medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of breakthrough products and procedures designed to transform the treatment of glaucoma, one of the world's leading causes of blindness. The company pioneered Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, or MIGS, to revolutionize the traditional glaucoma treatment and management paradigm. Glaukos launched the iStent, its first MIGS device, in the United States in July 2012 and is leveraging its platform technology to build a comprehensive and proprietary portfolio of micro-scale injectable therapies designed to address the complete range of glaucoma disease states and progression. The company believes the iStent, measuring 1.0 mm long and 0.33 mm wide, is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for forward-looking statements contained herein, we caution you that they are based on current expectations about future events affecting us and are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this press release. These potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitations, the continued efficacy of our products as might be suggested in the study described herein. These risks, uncertainties and factors are described in detail under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available in the Investor Section of our website at www.glaukos.com or at www.sec.gov. In addition, information about the risks and benefits of our products is available on our website at www.glaukos.com. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005178/en/

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[December 11, 2016] Brimbank City Council adopts customer-centric approach in driving Digital Transformation

One of Australia's largest metropolitan councils, Brimbank City Council in Victoria, has become the first council in Australia to implement Pitney Bowes Spectrum (News - Alert) Single Customer View solution to better connect with the community, offering enhanced services to improve efficiency, reduce waste and gain insights to offer a higher level of service to citizens. Putting the community first was the council's top priority, which required a shift in business model from property-centric to customer-centric. In the digitization process, the biggest challenge faced by the Council was multiple siloed corporate systems that resulted in disparate data, and created inefficiencies across the organisation. Due to data inaccuracies, the Council did not have a concise holistic view of the customer and the kind of services consumed by the customers. The council was challenged to meet increased community expectations whilst reducing inefficiencies. In order to better connect and create efficient customer delivery models, the Council deployed a new transaction-based and mobile-responsive web site, a payment gateway and master data management solution (powered by Spectrum). In phase one, the Spectrum solution has integrated three of Council's main corporate systems, providing data cleansing, data quality and analytics. Phase two would include another six corporate systems to create a single customer view. 'Community first' initiatives, such as online payments for paying rates, infringements and planning as well as the newly designed website offering services such as waste collection, senior and child care, parks, pets and disaster response were implemented to provide customers with 24x7 access. "Dgital transformation for the Council meant driving cultural change internally and digital change externally, and both were significantly important in a mission to drive a community-first work culture right across the organisation. The Spectrum solution has allowed us to be more responsive to customer needs, and greater customer satisfaction is already evident', said, Helen Morrissey, Brimbank City Council Director of Corporate and Community Relations. "Additionally, Brimbank City Council is now able to respond to government compliance mandates with trusted, high-quality data validated by the Spectrum Single Customer View solution."



Nigel Lester, Managing Director, Pitney Bowes, Software Solutions-ANZ, said, "Many organizations still lack the ability to enhance their customer understanding beyond what they see inside their CRM system or E-commerce interactions. With the Pitney Bowes offering, the Council can link these fragmented pockets of knowledge about the customer across systems of records, insights and interactions to deliver richer context. An agile approach allows new context to be added quickly to existing customer profiles to uncover timely and actionable insights. We're honoured to be selected as a trusted partner to help Council in its mission to lead digitisation initiatives with accuracy and precision." Through the completion of phase one of the project-the integration of three of the Council's main corporate systems, providing data cleansing, data quality and analytics-the Council has experienced the benefits of a customer-centric evolution based on a single view of the customer that helps the Council identify, locate and communicate with each citizen in a better way. Phase two of the project, expected to be delivered by April 2017 will involve the integration of a further six corporate systems to assist the Council to deliver precision and accuracy, and further enhance its understanding of citizens.

About Pitney Bowes Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI) is a global technology company powering billions of transactions - physical and digital - in the connected and borderless world of commerce. Clients around the world, including 90 percent of the Fortune 500, rely on products, solutions and services from Pitney Bowes in the areas of customer information management, location intelligence, customer engagement, shipping, mailing, and global ecommerce. And with the innovative Pitney Bowes Commerce Cloud, clients can access the broad range of Pitney Bowes solutions, analytics, and APIs to drive commerce. For additional information visit Pitney Bowes, the Craftsmen of Commerce, at www.pitneybowes.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161211005011/en/

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[December 11, 2016] Osram Celebrates Roofing Ceremony for LED Chip Plant in Kulim

KULIM, Malaysia, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Osram Opto Semiconductors held the roofing ceremony for its new LED chip production plant at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Malaysia, on November 24, 2016. Aldo Kamper, President and CEO of Osram Opto Semiconductors, Dr. Roland Mueller, Managing Director, and Deputy MITI Minister YB Datuk Chua Tee Yong attended the company internal ceremony. Sitting on 48 acres of land, the Kulim plant will represent the largest and most modern LED chip production site in the world. The development and production of the new plant in Kulim covers semiconductor LED chips based on 6-inch-wafers.



Aldo Kamper, President and CEO of Osram Opto Semiconductors, expressed: "We are seeing a high growth of global LED lighting market, driven by increasing adoption of LED lighting systems. LED chips are the core components in these modern lighting systems. We are proud that we can deepen our decade-long relationship with Malaysia with this new facility, especially as Malaysia is gaining prominence as a production hub for LED manufacturing. The new plant in Kulim will not only further support the building of LED ecosystem in Malaysia, but also strengthen Osram's leadership position in the global LED market." With the piling and substructure phases complete, the new plant is scheduled to be ready for equipment early summer 2017 and start of production at the end of 2017. Upon completion, the new plant is set to create over 1,500 high skilled jobs in Malaysia.

Dr. Roland Mueller, Managing Director of Osram Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. stated, "Our LEDs have been assembled in Osram's pioneer plant in Penang since the early 1970's. Since then a modern LED chip production has been added to the plant. Now, with the expansion in Kulim, the additional production capability will enable Osram to further strengthen its technological leadership and ability to flexibly respond to the increasing demand for top quality LEDs worldwide." ABOUT OSRAM OSRAM, based in Munich, is a globally leading lighting manufacturer with a history dating back about 100 years. The product portfolio includes high-tech applications based on semiconductor technology such as infrared or laser lighting. The products are used in highly diverse applications ranging from virtual reality, autonomous driving or mobile phones to smart and connected lighting solutions in buildings and cities. In automotive lighting, the company is the global market and technology leader. Based on continuing operations (excluding Ledvance), OSRAM had around 24,600 employees worldwide at the end of fiscal 2016 (September 30) and generated revenue of almost EURO 3.8 billion in that fiscal year. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt and Munich (ISIN: DE000LED4000; WKN: LED400; trading symbol: OSR). Additional information can be found at www.osram.com.

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[December 12, 2016] CellPoint Mobile now offers MobilePay as a payment option, enabling 3.8 Million Plus Nordic Consumers to Use Seamless Mobile Payments for Travel



CellPoint Mobile's Travel Booking and Payment solution supports MobilePay for online merchants in the Nordic region, expanding mobile payment opportunities for millions of travellers COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPoint Mobile has signed a MobilePay distribution agreement which enables airlines, travel companies and hospitality firms to roll out mobile payments for more than three million consumers in Denmark and across the Nordic region, making it easy for travellers to purchase tickets and travel-related services directly from their mobile devices. CellPoint Mobile's payments orchestration platform will enable MobilePay payments in the Nordic market. In Denmark, the popular mobile payment solution  consistently ranked as one of Denmark's most frequently used apps -- is installed on 9 out of 10 smartphones. MobilePay has been proven to create faster, more convenient checkout flows that lead to higher conversions, incremental sales, increased market share, and simple, quick integration. MobilePay clients in the travel sector also note lower drop-off rates for travel bookings made from mobile devices. CellPoint Mobile is a key collaborator in the successful implementation of MobilePay with DSB (Danish State Railway), the largest train operator in Scandinavia, where 68% of all DSB mobile transactions are now processed using MobilePay. CellPoint Mobile and MobilePay will expand payment integration capabilities to other key sectors, including airlines and travel, beginning in early 2017. "Airlines, travel and hospitality companies that operate within the Nordic region can now leverage our deep payment expertise and technology to increase sales, capture new revenues from the mobile environment and provide seamless online and mobile payment solutions to their customers and travellers, said Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Mobile. "Our collaboration complements MobilePay's position as the de facto payment method of choice for Nordic consumers and travelers, where 91 of 98 Danish local authorities have a MobilePay contract."



CellPoint Mobile provides comprehensive, mobile-first commerce and payment solutions, covering the European Union from offices based in London and Copenhagen. Its payments platform makes it easy for airlines, travel companies and other retailers to implement and manage a variety of mobile payment methods quickly and cost-effectively. MobilePay is a convenient, seamless payment solution used by 3.2 million consumers for quick mobile payments at checkout in Denmark and by a total of 3.8 million Nordic consumers for seamless online cross-border payments in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. "I am very happy and pleased with our new partnership. CellPoint Mobile is a leading provider of online payment solutions in the travel industry, and we share the ambition of easier, faster and safer mobile payments for the travel industry and their end-customers. We are convinced that it will further fuel the reach and growth of MobilePay Online and more MobilePay offerings," says Mark Wraa-Hansen, Head of MobilePay.

CellPoint Mobile, a 2014, 2015 and 2016 Brsen Gazelle company, specializes in creating and supporting mobile-centric SaaS (software-as-a-service) payment methods for the airline, travel and hospitality sectors. For more information about the companies' partnership, or to arrange an interview with executives from CellPoint Mobile and MobilePay, please contact Vanessa Horwell at +45.7876.8488 or [email protected]. About CellPoint Mobile

Travel is at the heart of discovery, learning, commerce and change. It's also at the heart of our business, and that's why CellPoint Mobile makes travel easier by providing airlines and travel companies with comprehensive, mobile-first commerce and payment solutions that enhance their customers' experience, increase revenues and improve margins. With offices in Miami, London, Copenhagen, Dubai, Pune and Singapore, CellPoint Mobile simplifies the integration of complex commerce and payment solutions for global and regional airlines and travel companies  quickly and without friction. To learn more about the company's products and services for travel payments, loyalty program transactions, passenger IDs and security please visit www.cellpointmobile.com. About MobilePay

3.8+ million Nordic consumers are using MobilePay, in Denmark 3,2+ million. The 2016 annual activity in Denmark is forecast at 170 million payments, and the turnover is forecast at DKK 38 billion. MobilePay is used in an increasing number of areas, the most important being: Between private individuals, retail shops, webshops, local authority payments, payments through other apps, donations etc. In Denmark above 37.000 businesses including 5.500 webshops are offering there customer MobilePay as an easy and fast payment channel.

www.mobilepay.dk/da-dk/Pages/The-story-in-English.aspx





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[December 12, 2016]

Nokia Corporation financial calendar for 2017

In this stock exchange release Nokia provides its financial calendar for 2017, which includes the planned publication dates of its interim reports.



Planned publication dates for Nokia interim reports in 2017:

report for Q4 2016 and full year 2016: February 2, 2017;

report for Q1 2017: April 27, 2017;

report for Q2 2017 and half-year 2017: July 27, 2017; and

report for Q3 2017 and January-September 2017: October 26, 2017.

Publication of "Nokia in 2016"

Nokia plansto publish its "Nokia in 2016" annual report, which includes the review by the Board of Directors and the audited annual accounts, in week 12 of 2017.







Nokia's Annual General Meeting

Nokia's Annual General Meeting 2017 is planned to be held on May 23, 2017.



About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in creating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. www.nokia.com

Media Enquiries:

Nokia

Communications

Tel. +358 (0) 10 448 4900

Email: [email protected]
[December 12, 2016] Linedata's Order Management System integrates with Integral's InvestorFX

Integral Development Corp. (www.integral.com), the technology partner trusted by leading banks, brokers, and investment managers to design, deliver and grow their FX businesses and Linedata (www.linedata.com), the global solutions provider dedicated to the investment management and credit industries, today announced the integration of Linedata's Order Management System (OMS) powered by Longview, with Integral's InvestorFX. Linedata's advanced OMS solution delivers an integrated approach to meeting the needs of the front and middle office of institutional, wealth and alternative firms, including portfolio management, trading, compliance and risk. InvestorFX is the industry-leading FX trading platform, combining best execution, optimal netting plans and fairness of allocations for investment managers to execute FX trade lists. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005053/en/ "We are pleased to partner with Linedata, which delivers flexible and comprehensive asset management solutions to global institutional and alternative communities," said Harpal Sandhu, CEO, Integral Development Corp. "InvestorFX is the smartest trading platform available for investment managers today, and we are proud to offer another high quality option to access it. All users of Linedata OMS are now able to benefit from a seamless integration with InvestorFX." "Connecting to Integral's InvestorFX will give Linedata's clients drect access to state-of-the-art FX netting and execution, allowing access to new liquidity sources and technology not available on other FX trading platforms," said Scott Govoni, Director of Strategic Alliances at Linedata.



InvestorFX allows asset managers to achieve best execution for their multi-tenor, multi-currency pair portfolios while minimizing operational risk. The easy-to-use workflow combines advanced netting capabilities, liquidity aggregation from every major liquidity provider in the market and trading algorithms for large-sized orders. Asset managers benefit from demonstrably reduced transaction costs and the ability to fairly allocate those significant savings to each originating fund. Additional information on InvestorFX is available at http://www.integral.com/fxcloud_solutions/investorfx.html

Additional information on Linedata is available at http://www.linedata.com/solutions/alternative-institutional-investment/institutional-investment/ About Integral Integral services banks, brokers, investment managers and market makers enabling them to design, deliver and grow their FX businesses. Integral's FXCloud is the industry's most flexible and reliable trading platform combining features for liquidity management, pricing, distribution and risk management. Trusted by over 200 top-tier financial institutions, Integral delivers access to FXCloud as pre-packaged solutions - BankFX, MarginFX, AgencyFX, InvestorFX, and OCX - to enable our customers to tailor their system for specific client needs and grow their businesses. Founded in 1993, Integral maintains development, support, and sales offices in Palo Alto (News - Alert), New York, London, Tokyo, and Bangalore. For more information, visit www.integral.com. 2016 Integral Development Corp. All rights reserved. Integral technology is protected under U.S. Patent Nos. 6,347,307; 7,882,011; 8,417,622; 8,862,507 and patent pending applications and related intellectual property. About Linedata Linedata is a global solutions provider dedicated to the investment management and credit community, with close to 1000 employees in 16 offices across the globe. Linedata has been at the service of the financial industry from day one, and applies its market and client insight to provide innovative and flexible mission-critical software and services that help its clients grow in over 50 countries. As a pioneer for over 15 years with the set-up of SaaS (News - Alert) infrastructure for the financial industry, Linedata remains committed to this model throughout the global financial community and for its full range of products. Headquartered in France, Linedata achieved revenues of EUR 172.3 million in 2015. This company is listed on Euronext Paris compartment B FR0004156297-LIN - Reuters (News - Alert) LDSV.LN - Bloomberg LIN:FP. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005053/en/

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[December 12, 2016] Teledyne to Acquire e2v

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) ("Teledyne") and e2v technologies plc (LSE:E2V (News - Alert).L) ("e2v") jointly announced today that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition to be made by Teledyne for the ordinary share capital of e2v by means of a Scheme of Arrangement (the "Offer"). Under the terms of the Offer, e2v's ordinary shareholders ("e2v Shareholders") will receive 275 pence in cash for each e2v share valuing the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of e2v at approximately 620 million on a fully diluted basis. It is expected that, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all relevant conditions, the acquisition will be completed in the first half of calendar 2017. For the machine vision market, e2v provides high performance image sensors and custom camera solutions and application specific standard products. In addition, e2v provides high performance space qualified imaging sensors and arrays for space science and astronomy. e2v also produces components and subsystems that deliver high reliability radio frequency power generation for healthcare, industrial and defense applications. Finally, the company provides high reliability semiconductors and board-level solutions for use in aerospace, space and radio frequency communications applications. "We have followed e2v for more than a decade. Over time, as both Teledyne and e2v evolved, our businesses have become increasingly aligned. In fact, every business within e2v is highly complementary to Teledyne. As important, there is minimal product overlap," said Robert Mehrabian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne. "For example, we are both leaders in space and astronomy imaging, but Teledyne largely provides infrared detectors and e2v provides visible light sensors. While we both provide microwave devices, e2v's largest product and market are magnetrons for cancer radiotherapy. Teledyne supplies solid state and vacuum microwave systems, but no magnetrons, and we primarily serve defense markets such as electronic warfare, radar and communications. However, Teledyne serves the healthcare market with specialized X-ray sensors. "In machine vision applications, e2v's advanced capabilities in proprietary CMOS sensor design add to Teledyne's strengths in cameras and vision systems. While Teledyne designs advanced mixed signal circuits for government and commercial applications, e2v's broader product portfolio enhances our offerings and channels to market." Neil Johnson, Chairman of e2v, commented, "Teledyne has recognized the value inherent in our business and prospects by making a cash offer at an attractive premium to the share price. The Board of e2v has also considered the merits of being part of a larger, complementary group with enhanced scale and a wider range of capabilities to service its key customers and management and employees having access to the opportunities available in a larger group. The Board of e2v is therefore unanimously recommending e2v Shareholders to vote in favor of the acquisition." The aggregate enterprise value for the transaction is expected to be approximately 627 million (or approximately $789 million) taking into account e2v stock options and net debt. For the year ended March 31, 2016, e2v had sales of approximately 236 million. Excluding transaction-related expenses, Teledyne management expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings per share. e2v's directors have unanimously recommended that e2v Shareholders vote in favor of the Offer. In addition, Teledyne has received irrevocable undertakings from e2v directors and irrevocable undertakings or letters of intent from e2v Shareholders representing approximately 46% of the entire issued ordinary share capital. Teledyne's Offer will be made in accordance with the relevant requirements of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers ("Takeover Code") (including customary closing conditions) and be governed by English law. For additional informationon the Offer please see documents available on www.teledyne.com and on the e2v website at www.e2v.com during the course of the offer process.



Investec Bank plc and N M Rothschild & Sons Limited are acting as financial advisors, and Macfarlanes LLP is acting as legal counsel to e2v. Teledyne is advised by Citigroup Global Markets Limited as financial advisor and Eversheds LLP as legal counsel. Teledyne has entered into a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as sole bookrunner, to provide certain funds in connection with the transaction. Teledyne is a leading provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne Technologies' operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies' website at www.teledyne.com.

Bringing life to technology, e2v partners with its customers to improve, save and protect people's lives. e2v's innovations lead developments in automation, healthcare, communications, safety, discovery and the environment. e2v employs approximately 1,700 people worldwide, has design and operational facilities across Europe, North America and Asia, and has a global network of sales and technical support offices. For more information, visit e2v's website at www.e2v.com. Notice to Non-UK e2v Shareholders The Offer is not being made and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. Any and all materials related to the Offer should not be sent or otherwise distributed in or into the United States whether by use of the United States mail or by any other means or instrumentality of United States commerce (including, but without limitation, the mail, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone and the Internet) or any facility of a United States national securities exchange, and the Offer cannot be accepted by any such use, means or instrumentality, in or from within the United States. Accordingly, no materials related to the Offer will be, and must not be, sent or otherwise distributed in or into or from the United States or, in their capacities as such, to custodians, trustees or nominees holding shares of e2v for United States persons, and persons receiving any such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not distribute or send them in, into or from the United States. Any purported acceptance of the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid. No shares of e2v are being solicited from a resident of the United States and, if sent in response by a resident of the United States, will not be accepted. For the purposes of this paragraph, United States means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. The availability of the Offer to e2v Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. Further details in relation to non-UK shareholders will be contained in the Offer documentation. Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Offer or passed upon the completeness of this announcement or the Offer documentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Forward-Looking Statements Cautionary Notice This announcement contains forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to management's beliefs about the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Teledyne and e2v in the future. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, are based on the current expectations of the management of e2v and Teledyne and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained herein may include statements about the expected effects on Teledyne of the Offer, the expected timing and scope of the Offer, anticipated earnings enhancements, estimated cost savings and other synergies, costs to be incurred in achieving synergies and other strategic options and all other statements in this announcement other than historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements typically containing words such as "intends", "expects", "anticipates", "targets", "estimates" and words of similar import. By their nature, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors could change anticipated results, including unanticipated issues associated with the satisfaction of the conditions to the Offer, issues associated with obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and the terms and conditions of such approvals, Teledyne's ability to integrate the acquired operations, retain customers and achieve operating synergies, the ability to develop and market new products, failure of the requisite number of e2v Shareholders to approve the acquisition, and unexpected acquisition-related costs and expenses. Certain of these and other factors that could affect e2v's business are discussed in e2v's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, and Half Yearly Financial Report for the first six months of fiscal 2017. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements is contained in Teledyne's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 2, 2016. Neither Teledyne nor e2v undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005364/en/

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[December 12, 2016] BrandDeli Selects SintecMedia's MediaPro for Ad Sales

AirTime Sales Software is Ideal Solution for Sales House AMSTERDAM, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SintecMedia announced today that BrandDeli, a fast growing sales house in the Netherlands, is now using MediaPro as their exclusive ad sales system. BrandDeli is a joint venture between Fox Networks Group, Discovery Networks Benelux and Viacom International Media Networks and is responsible for the sales of spot TV, online advertising and brand partnerships. MediaPro, a SintecMedia solution, is used by the leading media sales organizations in Europe. With workflows and functionality designed for sales houses, MediaPro has the flexibility to customize the system based on the needs of each channel that the sales house represents. "Airtime sales is a creative and fast moving industry in a market where there is heavy competition. We need a system that will let us follow up quickly on changes in markets and sales strategies. The MediaPro team has been in industry since 1996 and understands the complex European ad-sales market. We felt the team and the software gave us the best opportunity to grow our business."- thus Mattijs Welling, Head of Commercial perations of BrandDeli.



SintecMedia worked with BrandDeli to deliver a fully tailor-made version of MediaPro. Herman Maat, Managing Director of SintecMedia's MediaPro, commented: "In a very short period of 8 months, we were able to apply all customizations and configurations that were required by BrandDeli to implement the typical needs of the local market and the sales strategy of BrandDeli. In addition to creating custom workflows, we implemented the 'B2B web service', a de facto standard in the market which connects MediaPro to the system used by agencies for budget requests and order processing. The majority of order and budget related communication between an agency and a sales house is handled through this programmatic trading standard." SintecMedia's MediaPro is a powerful, intuitive advertising sales solution, designed to help implement various sales strategies responding to specific market and commercial requirements  enhancing the service provided to media buyers while automating back office operations. MediaPro supports multiple sales/business models with a solution that remains highly optimized, simultaneously offering rapid deployment and low cost of ownership.

About SintecMedia SintecMedia is the preferred business software partner for over 100 of the world's top media brands, Since 2000, SintecMedia has grown to over 800 employees in 12 offices around the world and processes more than $33 billion in advertising dollars for the best known companies in the industry. More information is available at www.sintecmedia.com. About BrandDeli BrandDeli is a media company that is responsible for selling both TV spot, online advertising and Brand Partnerships for the linear and digital TV brands and online platforms in its portfolio, including 24Kitchen, BBC First, Comedy Central, Discovery, Eurosport, FOX, FOX Sports, ID, MTV, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, Spike, TLC and Viceland. BrandDeli also represents the online video platforms of Vice and Makers Channel. More information is available at www.branddeli.nl.





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[December 12, 2016] Scandia Adds Vice President of Operations to Management Team

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Scandia announced it has hired a new Vice President of Operations, Craig Wilke. In his role, Craig will manage Scandia's product and service delivery, overseeing and managing critical aspects of the company's resources. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446596 "As Scandia continues to grow our client base in financial services, dedicated management of the project pipeline is critical in order to continue delivering the high quality service for which we are known," says Nik Wahlberg, Founder and President. "Having Craig on the team allows us to execute on that." Craig's resume in the financial services field includes supervising and running software teams, developing software solutions for banks and credit unions and facilitating account funding, opening, fraud detection, cross-selling and core systems integrations. "It's great to be back in Providence where I have spent the majority of my professional career," said Wilke. "The technology and innovation scene here continues to grow and it's exciting to join a company that aspires to be part of that growth. Nik and the team at Scandia are smart, creative, dedicated, professional, and this is the type of environment where I want to go to work every day." Prior to joining Scandia, Wilke worked at Bottomine Technologies (formerly Andera) for over ten years as Vice President of Client Services where he was instrumental in the growth of the organization to over 500 major financial institutions.



With Wilke's experience in the financial sector, his skillset complements Scandia's focus on banks & credit unions, insurance agencies and investment companies that are looking to us for expert solutions and compliance with industry standards. Wilke has a B.A. in Computer Science from Harvard University located in Cambridge, MA.

About Scandia Scandia is a boutique web and app development agency located in Providence, Rhode Island. It focuses on building and designing custom digital solutions, so that companies can grow their market share and remain successful in the competitive financial space online. Through user-friendly apps and responsive websites, along with the ingenuity and skill to integrate with any platform, Scandia has built a name for itself across the nation. Scandia has 18 employees across 4 time zones worldwide. They are the only company that uses the open source .NET CMS platform for financial services-based companies. Clients rely on Scandia's flexible approach and ability to customize online systems including BBMC Mortgage, Navigant Credit Union, Verifone, Centrify, CyberScout and North American Savings Bank, among others. For more information see: http://myscandia.com Media Contact: Heather Alvis

Phone: 401-566-3000

Email: [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg Related Links Scandia Corporate Website This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scandia-adds-vice-president-of-operations-to-management-team-300375304.html SOURCE Scandia Consulting

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[December 12, 2016]

In-car Cleverness, Aeris Expands Global Connectivity Service for IoT Automotive Telematics

Both companies collaborate to provide first-class global IoT automotive telematics cellular solution for customers in all markets.



More reliable IoT network optimized to meet demands of worldwide telematics-driven fleet management systems.

Enables In-car Cleverness customers to roam across Europe and the world without charges.

WEST MIDLANDS, United Kingdom and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In-car Cleverness (IcC) today said it is collaborating with Aeris, a pioneer and leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) market, to deliver even more consistent IoT automotive cellular data and charge-free roaming across Europe  and the rest of the world  to its customers including automotive dealers, rental operators and auto leasing and insurance companies.

Jonathan Smith, director of connectivity sales for enterprise and channel, Aeris





IcC, a vehicle technology specialist, can now provide the most reliable, flexible and sophisticated network and data availability in the marketplace.

With global support of cellular technology standards including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the Aeris and IcC collaboration boosts fleet flexibility and provides opportunities for IcC customers to increase their cross-border growth.

IcC, a part of the Automotive & Insurance Solutions Group of Companies (AIS), provides telemetry services to improve the management of corporate fleets, rental companies and dealership groups, reduce costs and improve safety and utilization.

As IcCs solutions expand across the U.K. and Europe, the collaboration with Aeris allows them to support customers wherever they are and whatever systems they use.

CLICK TO TWEET: Aeris (@AerisM2M), @incarcleverness expands global connectivity service for #IoT automotive #telematics http://www.aeris.com/news/







Supporting Quotes

Mark Canning, director of product and services integration, In-car Cleverness

This agreement means our customers can now expect optimum reliability at all times and the ability to roam across Europe  as several of fleet customers do  while still receiving the service theyve come to expect from us. Once we had established that the Aeris solution was in many respects better than traditional carrier performance, we wanted to include the whole of the EU on one tariff. This was a defining point in our engagement with Aeris as we seek to expand our business particularly with Europe in mind.

Jonathan Smith, director of connectivity sales for enterprise and channel, Aeris

Aeris global support of major Internet of Things automotive cellular technology standards, such as GSM, CDMA and LTE, enables In-car Cleverness to offer its customers full flexibility and growth across the globe. We look forward to helping In-car Cleverness expand their capabilities throughout the world.

Digital Assets

Supporting Resources

About Aeris

Aeris is a pioneer and leader in the market of the Internet of Things  as an operator of end-to-end IoT and M2M services and as a technology provider enabling other operators to build profitable IoT businesses. Among our customers are the most demanding users of IoT services today, including Hyundai, Acura, Rand McNally, Leica, and Sprint. Through our technology platform and dedicated IoT and M2M services, we strive to fundamentally improve their businesses  by dramatically reducing costs, improving operational efficiency, reducing time-to-market, and enabling new revenue streams.

About In-car Cleverness

In-car Cleverness has been developed to continually listen to what a car has to say allowing the fleet manager to act upon it. The high-fidelity measuring sensors and OEM supported links to onboard ECUs contained with the In-car Cleverness solution provide new levels of precision from fuel consumption to remote vehicle diagnostics and incident detection. For more information, please visit: www.incarcleverness.co.uk.

About Automotive & Insurance Solutions Group

The Automotive & Insurance Solutions Group of Companies is uniquely placed to answer to the needs of the motor trade, specialising in highly customisable or off-the-shelf business solutions spanning several areas of expertise including telemetry, accident management, motor fraud detection, dealer and fleet software, insurance, and app design.

Its portfolio of Companies incorporates a number of brands including In-car Cleverness, Accident Exchange, DCML Ltd and APU Ltd.




[December 12, 2016] Quadrant 4 System Corporation Announces New Executive Officers

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quadrant 4 System Corporation (Quadrant 4, Q4, or the Company) (OTC:QFOR) is pleased to announce the appointments of Robert Steele as Chief Executive Officer and Shekhar Iyer as Chief Operating Officer.

Steele has been serving as President of Q4s Health Division and Iyer has been serving as President of Q4s Education Division. This new management team will report directly to the Board of Directors. Robert is a strong and experienced executive with a thorough understanding of Quadrant 4s existing core business and operations, said Dr. Thomas E. Sawyer, Independent Director. He has successfully led Q4s Health Division and we are confident that under Roberts leadership, Q4 is well-positioned to build on our core competencies, drive financial and operational performance, and ultimately increase shareholder value. Steele has served as President of Quadrant 4s Health Division since June 2013. He is a technology industry veteran with over 30 years of experience focused on the insurance, employee benefits, and health care sectors. Steele has founded several technology companies including the first Section 125 administration system to serve small and mid-market employers. Steele was named by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in the Twenty Techies to Know in a 2001 publication. Steele also served in the Georgia General Assembly as an elected state representative in 1988. It is an honor to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Q4, said Mr. Steele. Since joining Quadrant 4, it was apparent to me that we had talented, dedicated, and passionate staff. I am confident we are well positioned to successfully move the Company forward. While there are challenges, I intend to create the best company possible, working with all our employees to serve our clients needs. We are implementing improvements in Q4s operations, finances, and corporate governance. Senior leadership, with the support of our skilled global workforce, will continue to effectively support our current client base while optimizing new opportunities and delivering value to our stakeholders. Iyer has worked at the leading edge of technlogy in the education sector for more than 35 years. Before coming to Q4, Iyer founded ECS, an education technology company that was acquired by Core Education and Technologies. As President and CEO of that company, he created enterprise solutions for numerous state education departments and local school districts. While serving as President of Q4s Education Division, Iyer contributed to the strategic planning of the entire Company.



As COO, Shekhar brings a wealth of experience in managing operation growth within an organization. He has led a team to develop a world class product for the education business unit. We are convinced his knowledge and experience will be most helpful in successfully navigating the Companys path forward, said Philip M. Firrek, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Stated Iyer, I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the Chief Operating Officer of Q4 and the trust the Board has placed in me. I am confident that with our team of loyal, talented, and dedicated employees, we will satisfactorily serve our customers and stakeholders. With the strong support of our Board, and our teams demonstrated experience and leadership, we will deliver sustained growth.

About Quadrant 4 System Corporation Quadrant 4 System Corporation empowers digital transformation in education and healthcare through robust Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms and highly specialized professional service. Please visit http://qfor.com for more information. Quadrant 4s Health Division provides consumer engagement, shopping, enrollment, and benefits administration solutions in a way that brings together a typically disjointed collection of stakeholders, vendors, partners, and users into a cohesive whole. Together, it is greater efficiency through technology, brought to you by QHIX  a platform converging consumer friendly purchasing, decision-making support, engagement services, benefits administration, and financial management. Explore more at http://quadrant4health.com. Quadrant 4s Education Division delivers a suite of connected cloud-based application s that brings students, families, teachers, and administrators together to ensure a students learning process is meaningful, flexible, and complete. EmpowerED Solutions is a central, secure platform that combines and transforms data from multiple databases into highly usable information that supports effective academic assessment and intervention, real-time reporting and decision support. Explore more at http://quadrant4edu.com. Corporate Website: www.qfor.com

Corporate Contact: Lauren Jack (Email [email protected]) Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly revised or updated forward-looking information, and such information included in this press release is based on information currently available and may not be reliable after this date.

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[December 12, 2016] SunSystem Technology Hires New Vice Presidents to Key Positions

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SunSystem Technology, LLC (SST) announced today that solar industry veterans Greg Sellers and Wayne Williford have joined the company to enhance the development of the company's rapidly growing portfolios of residential and commercial Operations and Maintenance (O&M) accounts and provide oversight to their operations. Greg Sellers joins SunSystem Technology as its Vice President of Residential Service where he will oversee the development of new residential O&M service accounts, as well as day-to-day operations in the management of the fleets of residential accounts that make up the largest residential O&M portfolio in the US. Mr. Sellers brings a wealth of relevant experience to the position, including serving as VP of Field Operations for Clean Power Finance (now Spruce Finance), where he was responsible for a portfolio of clients that grew tenfold under his leadership. Prior to his tenure with Clean Power Finance, Mr. Sellers also founded and led Burnham Energy, the solar industry's leading residential inspection and permitting company. "I feel very fortunate to be on the team of the industry's leader in residential service," aid Mr. Sellers, "Our aligned mission of setting the industry standard for quality in service, coupled with SST's culture of service innovation is a perfect fit for me."



Wayne Williford joins SST's management team as Vice President of Commercial O&M Services where he will lead SST's commercial O&M services teams' daily operations Mr. Williford is a seasoned technical expert with more than thirty years of experience in testing, deploying, and supporting advanced technologies and complex mechanical systems. He has managed teams of technicians responsible for servicing and maintaining more than 250 large-scale commercial solar photovoltaic systems. "I am very pleased to be on the team; we share common values and vision," said Mr. Williford, "I am excited about the future of our industry and SunSystem Technology's role in helping to shape it." "Both Greg and Wayne provide SST with the leadership skills and industry experience needed for SST to fully capitalize on the strong growth opportunities we are experiencing across each of our business divisions," said Jeff Hammer, SunSystem Technology COO. "More importantly, each of them share the commitment to quality and innovation that is at the very core of SST's culture. We are very fortunate to have them participating in key roles with us."

About SunSystem Technology SunSystem Technology, LLC serves the U.S. PV solar market with development and support services. As an independent solar services provider, SST's operating divisions include residential solar installation, residential O&M services, commercial O&M services, and Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) services. The company's core commitment to its customers is to ensure optimal system performance and enhanced system production values. Among the many examples of SST's world-class execution is the solar installation crowning the recently completed Golden One Arena in Sacramento, California. For more information on SST, visit us at www.sstsolar.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For additional Information contact: SST:

Jeff Struhm

916-879-0215

[email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161209/447732

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161202/445276LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunsystem-technology-hires-new-vice-presidents-to-key-positions-300376258.html SOURCE SunSystem Technology, LLC

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[December 12, 2016] CoreOS Delivers Self-Driving Kubernetes with Next Generation of CoreOS Tectonic

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at Tectonic Summit, CoreOS, a leader in the open Kubernetes and container communities, introduced the next generation of CoreOS Tectonic that delivers self-driving Kubernetes to the enterprise. With this release, CoreOS is bringing the same innovation for automatic updates the company pioneered with Container Linux, the secure automatic updating OS formerly called CoreOS Linux, to distributed management of applications in Kubernetes. With self-driving infrastructure, organizations can ensure their containerized application clusters are secure and up to date with the critical security patches and the most recent features available from the open source community. As organizations transition to containers, they gain the benefits of scale, efficiency and speed. Yet scale adds operational complexity, and updating this modern application infrastructure incurs technical debt. Businesses need to keep up with the advanced rate of innovation in the open source community and automatically updating software delivers the most current features and the most secure version of the software. Self-driving infrastructure solves these issues by making it possible to roll updates forward and back with the push of a button. CoreOS has solved this challenge at the operating system level with Container Linux, and with the latest version of Tectonic, CoreOS is applying this method to the Kubernetes application management layer. "Maintaining updated software in a distributed system has historically been complex and difficult to manage. Businesses are seeking infrastructure solutions that enable everything as a service with simplicity across environments in the cloud and data center," said Gary Chen, Research Manager, Software Defined Compute, IDC. "With the availability of self-driving infrastructure in CoreOS Tectonic, organizations will be able to take the next step in secure, modernized infrastructure, enabling updates without intervention in their containerized and Kubernetes environments." Self-driving Kubernetes with Tectonic Along with the most current release of Kubernetes, Tectonic also includes: Installers to help get up and running quickly,

A console to visually investigate your cluster and conrol self-driving features, and

Security features that integrate with your existing security frameworks.



CoreOS: Experts in open source and Kubernetes

CoreOS created and maintains the lightweight self-updating operating system, Container Linux, bringing security and portability to containers. The company maintains and contributes to etcd, the cornerstone of distributed systems, and is a top five contributor to Kubernetes, the open source, enterprise grade container orchestration and management tool that started at Google and now is housed under the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). All projects have grown significantly with thriving communities to support them. "Open source is at the heart of everything CoreOS does. We build the hardest parts of infrastructure with the community to make cloud native infrastructure like Kubernetes work well for all," said Alex Polvi, CEO of CoreOS. "CoreOS Tectonic is the upstream Kubernetes platform that has taken containerized infrastructure and made it easy for enterprises to consume. Businesses avoid any lock in by having the latest pure open source versions." Polvi presented Tectonic at Tectonic Summit 2016, the enterprise Kubernetes event, in New York City on December 12. Visit the CoreOS website to get and use Tectonic now. Supporting resources Sign up for CoreOS Tectonic for no cost up to 10 nodes at https://coreos.com/tectonic

Follow the CoreOS blog, https://coreos.com/blog/

About the Tectonic Summit event by CoreOS, https://tectonic.com/summit/ About CoreOS Tectonic CoreOS Tectonic is the enterprise Kubernetes solution for deploying, managing and securing containers anywhere. Tectonic provides the most current upstream version of Kubernetes and combines it with the CoreOS stack in a commercial distribution, prepackaged with an enterprise-ready management console and a supported, continuously up-to-date distributed platform. Tectonic installers get you up and running quickly and security features allow you to integrate with your existing security frameworks. Tectonic is available in any environment, cloud or on-premise. Learn more at https://tectonic.com/. About CoreOS CoreOS is a leader in the open source community and creator of CoreOS Tectonic, a secure and complete platform that extends Kubernetes with key enterprise features that ease container orchestration. CoreOS also creates and delivers critical components for containerized applications, such as the Quay private image registry, that are helping fuel broad adoption of a secure, scalable and resilient infrastructure inspired by hyperscale providers. They maintain several open source projects, including Container Linux by CoreOS: the secure automatic updating OS; etcd, the distributed data store for Kubernetes; and rkt, the security-focused container runtime engine. The CoreOS team is comprised of experts in container management and distributed systems from cloud-scale pioneers like Google, Twitter and Rackspace. Learn more at https://coreos.com/ or @CoreOS. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coreos-delivers-self-driving-kubernetes-with-next-generation-of-coreos-tectonic-300376289.html SOURCE CoreOS

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Element AI Announces Funding from Microsoft Ventures

Element AI, an artificial intelligence incubator, announced today an investment by Microsoft (News - Alert) Ventures. With this funding, Element AI will help large corporations, world-class entrepreneurs and researchers solve hard problems with AI.

Element AI is the first company to receive funding from Microsoft Ventures' newly announced fund for startups that are responsibly harnessing the promise of AI to empower people and business. More details on the new Microsoft Ventures fund can be found here: https://blogs.microsoft.com/?p=130589

Founded by serial entrepreneurs Jean-Francois Gagne and Nicolas Chapados, along with Yoshua Bengio, a co-father of Deep Learning technology, Element AI launched earlier this year to help organizatios implement an "AI-First" strategy, enabling any organization to develop their own artificial intelligence solutions.







"We all know 'You're only as good as your tools' and now Element AI is getting supercharged with Microsoft Ventures," said Element AI CEO Jean-Francois Gagne. "Along with a strategic investment that is a real vote of confidence for Element AI, Microsoft is giving us the tools and services which will help our AI network achieve scale, which will undoubtedly create new technologies that help tackle some of the world's biggest problems."

"AI holds great promise to augment human capabilities and improve society," said Nagraj Kashyap, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Ventures. "Microsoft is committed to democratizing AI with guiding principles to drive positive impact. Element AI shares our approach and philosophy."

About Element AI

Element AI is a Montreal-based platform that helps organizations embrace an AI-First strategy. Composed of a research lab uniquely connected to the world's best academic ecosystems, Element AI launches and incubates advanced Artificial Intelligence solutions in partnership with large corporations and research institutions. Co-founded by Jean-Francois Gagne, Yoshua Bengio, Nicolas Chapados, and Jean-Sebastien Cournoyer, Element AI is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. http://www.elementai.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005362/en/
[December 12, 2016] Omnitracs Supports Wreaths across America for 7th Consecutive Year

Omnitracs, LLC, a global pioneer of fleet management solutions to transportation and logistics companies, today announced the company's continued participation in the national Wreaths Across America program. For the seventh consecutive year, Omnitracs has donated $25,000 for the purchase of 2,500 wreaths to be laid on the graves of our nation's veterans. To date, Omnitracs has donated $175,000 toward the cause. National Wreaths Across America Day will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, during which wreath laying ceremonies will be held at military cemeteries across the country to honor those who have served. In addition to the purchase of wreaths, Omnitracs employees will participate in the wreath laying at the following locations: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia

Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, California

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California Omnitracs' support of Wreaths Across America is part of the company's larger philanthropic program, Omnitracs Gives Back, which is committed to supporting the needs of the community by electing company-sponsored charities, allotting employee volunteer time off hours, and organizing charitable activities. "Our involvement in Wreaths Across America has grown over the years and it's an organization we're proud to be able to support," said John Graham, Navy veteran and CEO at Omnitracs. "We're committed not only to honoring veterans through recognition and remembrance, but also to helping veterans find success and a career when they return home." The Wreaths Across America program receives significan support from the trucking and transportation industry, since many veterans join the industry after serving. Trucking companies, including many of Omnitracs' customers, donate their services and time to facilitate the delivery of the wreaths to the military cemeteries.



"C.R. England has been pleased to be a part of Wreaths Across America for eight consecutive years," said Dan England, chairman of the board for C.R. England, an Omnitracs customer. "We are honored to be part of the significant convoy that transports these holiday wreaths and will honor the members of our military who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Our drivers and support staff are proud to play a role in recognizing the many who have fallen in defense of our freedoms." On National Wreaths Across America Day, more than 300 trucks are packed with wreaths coming from Harrington, Maine to be delivered to over 1,000 participating cemeteries. Carrying roughly 5,000 wreaths per truck, it takes 60 trucks to deliver enough wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery, and the drive from Maine to Virginia is considered the world's largest veterans' parade. To learn more about Wreaths Across America, or how to support the program, visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

About Omnitracs, LLC Omnitracs, LLC is a global pioneer of fleet management, routing and predictive analytics solutions for private and for-hire fleets. Omnitracs' nearly 1,000 employees deliver software-as-a-service-based solutions to help more than 50,000 private and for-hire fleet customers manage nearly 1,500,000 mobile assets in more than 70 countries. The company pioneered the use of commercial vehicle telematics over 25 years ago and serves today as a powerhouse of innovative, intuitive technologies. Omnitracs transforms the transportation industry through technology and insight, featuring best-in- class solutions for compliance, safety and security, productivity, telematics and tracking, transportation management (TMS), planning and delivery, data and analytics, and professional services. About Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester 25 years ago. The organization's mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to sponsor wreaths or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org. Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook (News - Alert) at http://Facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005741/en/

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[December 12, 2016] NEORIS Develops Biometric Identification Software to Track the Most Vulnerable Social Groups

NEORIS, a global business and IT consulting company, announced it has signed an agreement with itwillbe.org, an NGO headquartered in Spain, to spearhead the project to design and develop a technologically advanced identification tool dubbed PPa (Protection People app). PPa (Protection People app) is a multifactor biometric identification system and data processing software that enables from any desktop or mobile device the identification and data collection of the most vulnerable social groups, for follow-up and subsequent intervention by social workers. This type of work is particularly challenging, especially as it pertains to at-risk youth due to their rapidly changing facial features. Besides the conventional fingerprint and facial parameters, PPa will employ a revolutionary third marker to enable identification with high reliability, employing the hand geometry or palm vein print. PPa is geared toward NGOs with the aim of helping the 100 million street children living alone in dire conditions-migrants, refugees and indigent primarily-- potential victims of abuse. Watch the video. The first international NGO to start using PPa will be Don Bosco beginning in February 2017 as part of a pilot program known as Child PPa for unaccompanied minors in Idia. Each social worker will have a mobile device with the application installed to allow them to collect information and biometric data of each minor to will be submitted online to an existing local partner database for immediate identification.



"Safeguarding human rights is fundamental to any society and the application we developed should have a long-lasting global impact for how communities address vulnerable people groups," said Martin Mendez, NEORIS CEO. "As it relates to potential for social change, this is one of our most ambitious projects to date and I'm honored our company was chosen to bring it to life." The Spain-based NGO states: "We believe that having access to technological tools such as PPa will facilitate and optimize the work of social workers. In India, there are 10 million minors living on the streets in extreme conditions, without any safety nets and exposed to countless risks. Identifying these children will facilitate follow-up on their needs, be it sanitary, psychological or social, as well as enable systematic and personalized interventions."

Itwillbe.org also highlights the importance of the scalability of the tool since the reliable identification of vulnerable social groups is key to safeguard their well-being. In this regard, the NGO is already taking the necessary steps to get the ball rolling on other projects based on PPa, such as Trafficking PPa, Migrants PPa and Health PPa. You can become a partner to support the NGO on an ongoing basis or make a donation to the project. For more information about PPa, visit: http://it-willbe.org/en/portfolio-item/child-ppa About NEORIS NEORIS is a global business and IT consulting company specializing in nearshore outsourcing, SAP (News - Alert) services and digital transformation through a global delivery model that leverages six worldwide software development centers. Headquartered in Miami, FL., NEORIS has operations in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. More information is available at www.NEORIS.com, on Facebook (News - Alert) or Twitter @NEORIS. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005787/en/

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[December 12, 2016] Carney Shegerian of Shegerian & Associates Proves Liability of School Bus Company in Fatal Collision that Killed 13-Year-Old Jonathan Hernandez

Carney Shegerian of Shegerian & Associates, Inc., a Santa Monica-based litigation law firm, teamed with Nancy Doumanian of La Crescenta-based law firm Doumanian & Associates and Nicholas Rowley and Courtney Rowley of Beverly Hills-based personal injury law firm Carpenter, Zuckerman & Rowley to successfully convince a California state jury to hold First Student, Inc. liable for negligence and the wrongful death of a 13-year-old boy. A trial for damages will follow, with the same team of attorneys representing the boy's family. The jury voted last week, determining defendant liability in the civil lawsuit for the wrongful death of Jonathan Hernandez, who was fatally struck by a school bus owned by First Student, Inc. The bus was operated by a First Student employee who was driving while impaired by prescription drugs. "t has been an honor to have had the opportunity to represent Jonathan's family in their painful legal journey thus far," said Carney Shegerian. "This was a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided had the impaired driver been properly screened and supervised. She was not fit to drive and a precious 13-year-old boy's family has suffered a devastating loss as a result.



"Due to the negligence of First Student, Inc., Jonathan's family can never get their beloved child back," Shegerian added, "but hopefully the jury's decision in this case will serve as an important message to transportation companies on a national level that all drivers must be regularly screened and trained appropriately." Case #BC513802

Located in Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in litigating on behalf of employees who have been wronged by their employers or citizens who have suffered personal injury or wrongful death due to the negligence of others. Possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators (Carney Shegerian, Trial Lawyer of the Year Award winner for 2013, has won 73 jury trials in his career, including 31 seven figure verdicts), Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com Media Contact: To arrange interviews with Carney Shegerian, please contact Paul Williams, 310/569-0023, [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005978/en/

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[December 12, 2016] Head Italia Partners with root9B to Provide Cybersecurity Solutions

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec.12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- root9B, a root9B Holdings (OTCQB: RTNBD) company and leading provider of advanced cybersecurity products, services, and training announced today its partnership with Head Italia, specialized in the integration, sale, and technical support of advanced military systems. This partnership will provide Italian government and defense customers with cybersecurity solutions to protect their critical data and infrastructure. The partnership brings root9B's security solutions, cyber training and simulation platforms, and Threat Intelligence services to enhance critical Italian networks. root9B will leverage its 24/7 Adversary Pursuit Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado to provide Manned Information Security and Threat Intelligence services. Head Italia brings valuable market expertise, information technology professionals, and established relationships across Italy's defense and government sectors. "The market for advanced cyber solutions that protect and defend global networks continues to grow", said Eric Hipkins, root9B's Chief Executive Officer. "Partnering with Head Italia provides the ability to deliver impactful solutions to countering cyber adversaries through the delivery of tailored solutions." "We believe the combination of root9B and Head Italia creates a strong foundation for growth in the Italian cybersecurity market, especially in light of the combined technical, product and multi-channel strengths each brings to the table," said Sergio Testagrossa, Head Italia's managing director. "It will allow our customers to benefit from root9B's ability to scale cybersecurity solutions, capabilities, unique talent, and training services." root9B brings unique experience supporting government, academia, and commercial sector entities. The company is staffed by former Department of Defense and U.S. Intelligence Community senior executives and operators with decades of experience defending critical networks from the world's most sophisticated adversaries. root9B's products and services include HUNT operations, Managed Security Services, Threat Intelligence, cyber training, vulnerability assessments, incident response and forensics, mobile cyber protection, and capability development. About root9B

Ranked as the #1 Cybersecurity company for four consecutive quarters by Cybersecurity Ventures (Jan 2016), root9B stands in defiance of the unwanted human presence within our clients' networks by attacking the root of the problemthe adversary's ability to gain entry and remain undetected. root9B's application of advanced technology developed through cutting-edge R&D and engineering and refined through relevant, hands-on training is revolutionary. root9B combines next generation technology, tactics development, specialty tools, and deep mission experience. root9B personnel leverage their extensive backgrounds in the U.S. Intelligence Community to conduct advanced vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, digital forensics, incident response, Industrial Control System (ICS) security, and Active Adversary Pursuit (HUNT) engagements on networks worldwide. For more information, visit www.root9B.com. About root9B Holdings

root9B Holdings is a leading provider of Cybersecurity and Regulatory Risk Mitigation. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries root9B and IPSA International, root9B Holdings delivers results that improve productivity, mitigate risk and maximize profits. Our clients range in size from Fortune 100 companies to mid-sized and owner-managed businesses across a broad range of industries including local, state, and government agencies. For more information, visit www.root9BHoldings.com Forward Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release may include certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future financial performance, future growth and future acquisitions. These statements are based on root9B Holdings' current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of root9B Holdings' business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies are indicated from time to time in root9B Holdings' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Further, investors should keep in mind that root9B Holdings' financial results in any particular period may not be indicative of future results. root9B Holdings is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.







Media Contact: Investors: Andrew Hoffman Devin Sullivan Zito Partners The Equity Group Inc. 908-546-7447 212-836-9608 [email protected] [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/head-italia-partners-with-root9b-to-provide-cybersecurity-solutions-300376618.html SOURCE root9B

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[December 12, 2016] State of New York Awards Galvanize $1.3 Million for Big Apple Expansion

Galvanize Inc., the dynamic tech-education community, has been awarded $1.3 million in funding from the State of New York as an incentive to bring Galvanize to New York City and the State of New York. The funding is made available through the State's Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) 2016 Awards, and will be used to support Galvanize's East Coast expansion. "Our core mission," said Galvanize CEO Jim Deters, "is to give anyone who has the aptitude and ability for the rigors of our program, access to the latest in tech education and to the network of support they will need to acquire a fulfilling job in the 21st century economy. Our mission is in harmony with the State and City's commitment to create opportunities for upward mobility. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and the Empire State Development board. We see this grant as not only an investment in Galvanize, but also in the future of New York. We look forward to being a partner with the City and the State in building that future." Galvanize was selected as part of a multi-tiered, competitive application process through New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's yearly REDC investment and economic development process. The New York City (NYC) REDC chose Galvanize as a regional economic development priority because the campus will help advance the City's Opportunity Agenda. The Opportunity Agenda is a regionally specific, strategic economic development plan to foster opportunities for "upward mobility for the nearly 21% of the region's population living below the federal poverty level" through workforce development. The Agenda is especially mindful of math, technology, engineering and science skills that are critical to success in the new economy. The NYC REDC is comprised of loca experts from private, public, and non-profit organizations.



Galvanize will use the funding to help finance the renovation of a 55,000-square-foot space that will accommodate our workshops, co-working space for tech startups and pending approval by the State of New York our immersive tech-education training programs. Galvanize, a Colorado-based company, offers technical training in web development and data science. Across our existing six campuses around the country, Galvanize Web Development Immersive grads have a 91% job placement rate and $77,000 average starting salary; Data Science grads have a 92% job placement rate and $111,000 average starting salary. Galvanize will open in New York City in 2017, and upon approval from the State, will train students for careers in tech.

About Galvanize Galvanize is a dynamic tech learning community that offers education, workspace and networking for students, startups and large companies. Galvanize teaches web development, data science and data engineering to students, offers support and workspace to member companies and provides over 200 networking events across nine urban campuses throughout the nation. Galvanize campuses bring together entrepreneurs, students, investors, mentors, and great people and companies to develop the skills, mindset and networks necessary to thrive in a technology driven world. To learn more about Galvanize, visit http://galvanize.com or like us on Facebook (News - Alert): https://www.facebook.com/GalvanizeHQ or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Galvanize. About the Regional Economic Development Councils The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. After five rounds of the REDC process, nearly $4 billion has been awarded to more than 4,100 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, supporting the creation or retention of more than 165,000 jobs. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212005998/en/

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[December 12, 2016] RACs Save Taxpayers $440 Million Despite CMS Constraints

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) reacted with outrage after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its fiscal year (FY) 2015 annual report on Medicare Fee-For-Service's Recovery Audit Program (RAC). The report disclosed that RAC auditors uncovered 618,966 improperly paid claims and recouped $440.69 million in FY 2015. Unfortunately, those results are significantly lower than FY 2014 due to limitations on the number of claims under review. These limitations were imposed on the program after CMS bowed to the will of large, for-profit hospitals. The RAC program is the most successful improper payment and fraud prevention program that CMS has ever had. The program operates at no cost to taxpayers and is tasked with identifying and recovering improper payments to providers and returning that money to the fiscally unstable Medicare Trust Fund. The program had been collecting $1 billion per quarter before Congress hamstrung the program in 2013.



CAGW Vice President for Policy and Communications Leslie Paige said, "Government-wide improper payments totaled $136.7 billion in FY 2015. Medicare and Medicaid are the primary drivers of this epidemic of wasteful spending. Since the RAC program was implemented nationwide in January 2010, it has returned more than $11.7 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund. The RAC program should be lauded for its work in rooting out improper payments. Instead, at the behest of an alliance between large hospitals and members of Congress, the continued restrictions are sucking the effectiveness out of a wildly successful program that saves millions of taxpayer dollars every day. The dramatic rise in the Medicare improper payment rate since the program was sidelined underscores the need for a fully functional RAC program. Therefore, RACs should not only be allowed to go back to work, the program should be expanded to help eradicate the mountain of improper payments that plague Medicare." Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161212006170/en/

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[December 12, 2016] Chemistry and Plus Productions reveal the dark side of money in anti-trophy hunting video.

ATLANTA, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest video for Friends of Animals is part of a fundraising campaign that takes aim at trophy hunting. Nothing is taboo as viewers embark on a dark journey from brothel to blood diamond mine to an illegal pill mill and finally a boastful trophy hunter. It ends with dozens of images of real trophy hunters who have posted photos of their kills on social media with the message, "Money doesn't make it ok." The PSA can be viewed at https://youtu.be/JSGHqoobMpU . The spot was created to raise money to help fund and pass Cecil's Law. This critical piece of legislation would seriously hamper the importation of hunting trophies into New York, where approximately 80 percent of all trophies are imported. The law was named after Cecil, the African lion slain by an American dentist in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe in July 2015. The story gained international press coverage and brought attention to the trophy hunting epidemic.



"We want to elevate the conversation. Trophy hunting is a massive problem funded by a very small, very wealthy group of people with a twisted set of beliefs. There are a lot of people who want to do something. It's our job to get them to recognize the size of the problem and the fact that they can do something about it," said Chris Breen, chief creative officer of Chemistry Atlanta. Chemistry enlisted Plus Productions, LA and the directing duo of Ryan Simpson and Alvaro Santos to tell the compelling story. Other partners included Company 3, Joel Simon Music and Beacon Street Studios.

"Our goal is to challenge people to think about trophy hunting in a different way," explained Breen. "If this PSA gets people talking about the issue, then we may save thousands of magnificent creatures from being killed." About Chemistry

With offices in Atlanta and Pittsburgh, Chemistry Communications is a 100-person agency that blends art and science to create reactions for clients including H&R Block, PNC Bank, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Marriott. To learn more, visit createareaction.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chemistry-and-plus-productions-reveal-the-dark-side-of-money-in-anti-trophy-hunting-video-300376687.html SOURCE Chemistry Communications

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Five candidates in race for NLCS District 3 board seat

Five candidates are seeking election to the district three NLCS board seat: Tony (Rock) Fleetwood, Tye Hooten, Scott King, Rob Payne and Autumn Ray.
Review of Baroness live at Prince Bandroom, Melbourne on Friday December 9, 2016  Photographed at Metro Theatre, Sydney by Mikki Gomez

Someone behind Meredith Music Festival evidently loves their sludge metal. After bringing out Melvins and Sleep over the the past few years, fans can this year thank the largely non-heavy festival for inviting Baroness to fly the heavy music flag.

The fact that Baroness embraced the opportunity to finally embark on their first Australian headline tour is a particularly satisfying bonus. After releasing their fourth critically lauded album Purple, its past time Aussies were treated to the full Baroness experience.

These shows are very much a celebration of Purple, an album that was at one stage unlikely to ever happen following the near-fatal bus crash that shook the band back in 2012. A testament to their resilience, Purple is perhaps the bands strongest effort yet, further advancing Yellow & Greens melodic leanings and often deviating from their southern sludge foundations into post-rock, ambient and pop influenced territories. Indeed, the set material is largely reflective of Purple, with a small handful from Yellow & Green and a choice cut from each of Red and Blue to ensure the full Baroness spectrum is projected.

Support acts at Melbournes Prince Bandroom were suitably chosen, evidenced by a near-packed room for opening trio Child. The Melbourne locals play a unique fusion of blues and hard rock thats chock-full of thick, doomy riffs. Child recently dropped their second full-length album Blueside and their short, enthralling set was rife with new material.

Batpiss were up next with a gripping garage punk odyssey that commanded attention. The harsher edge to the trios music seemed slightly at odds with a portion of the crowd, though the raw, energetic set was wholly well received and a lot of fun to experience.

Baroness took the stage with a rare passion  frontman John Dyer Baizley feeding off crowd energy and projecting an infectiously uplifting persona as the band launched into Kerosene. Maintaining urgency, the band followed with March To The Sea prompting impassioned sing-alongs to Baizleys signature vocal hooks. Purples immensely catchy single Shock Me continued this theme, and the overwhelming crowd response confirmed that everyone in the room was well and truly across the newer material.

The disparate instrumental odysseys of Green Theme and Fugue were both heartily cheered on, blending well into the set and offering an opportune moment to refill at the bar. As was to be expected, well-received new single Chlorine & Wine provided some of the biggest moments of the night. Lyrically, the track deals with the bands post bus accident recovery and the echoed vocal hooks were incredibly lucid and chilling.

The Princes crystal clear acoustics were a perfect match to Baroness more melodic moments  in particular highlighting the upper-range bass passages in songs such as Try to Disappear. However, disappointingly, the effect of the many ambient intros and segues throughout the show yearned for a more intimate atmosphere, and were largely washed out in the noisy pub. While its refreshing to see touring bands tuning their own instruments, the constant need to retune also sometimes broke momentum throughout the set.

With a substantial portion of Purple now covered, the band closed out the set with a trio of older cuts. The crowd erupted for the accelerating thrashy riffs of The Gnashing  the sole representation of 2009s Blue Record.

Post-encore, Baroness returned with the classic muted staccato opening of Reds Isak, and Baizleys cheeky smile communicated that the band were well aware that they had finally hit home with long-time fans. With little reprise, the band catapulted into the beer-raising anthem Take My Bones Away, a fitting celebratory closer inciting maximum audience participation.

Few bands hold a candle to the cohesion and contagious passion with which Baroness play music. Momentum occasionally wavered, but the atmosphere at the Prince was joyously vibrant throughout the entire show. An early Christmas present for Melbournes rock community, Baroness debut headline performance was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable gigs of the year.
With an enviable roster featuring Hermitude, L-Fresh The Lion, and Horrorshow, Elefant Traks is one the countrys most powerful record labels, and a dominant force in the local hip hop scene.

Fiercely independent, and run from an office space in the industrial hub of Marrickville in Sydneys inner-west, the label celebrated its 18th birthday this past weekend. Tim Levinson  aka rapper Urthboy  spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald about the celebrations and his new music, but also the day-to-day of running the label.

Amongst the chat, he detailed some of the strategies hes held tight to during his time at the company, and weve picked out a few choice lessons for anyone looking to run their own label  or any business at all, really.

Back your opinions, but be aware of why you are arguing your point



I often clash with opinionated people because when you are in a contest of ideas sometimes its hard to know whether its wisdom or pride that is guiding you, Levinson admits. He says the democratic nature of the label means that everyone shares a fairly equal role in influencing our decisions.

Levinson respects the bull-headed nature of those he works with, such as Art Director and Production Manager Dale Harrison. Theres no way that I would ever be able to sway his opinions.

Have regular meetings  but dont stress the format



Elefant Traks have weekly meetings at a cafe in Marrickville, where they talk shit, work out what weve done over the weekend, and eventually get to the nuts and bolts of the business. Although its important to have these weekly meetings, the structure is quite loose, in keeping with the creative nature of the company. Levinson refers to an open-plan meeting for an open-plan business.

Experience isnt everything

Levinson, founder Kenny Sabir, and Dale Harrison may have the years of experience at Elefant Traks, but this doesnt mean they discount the influence of their younger and less-experienced publicity manager Caitlin McGregor. In fact, in the music industry, youth is very much a virtue. Levison refers to McGregor as being very much an equal when it comes to day-to-day decision making.

Dont be afraid to make unpopular decisions

Levinson jokes that he lack the psychopathic detachment often needed to make hard-nosed business decisions guilt-free, acknowledging that a certain amount [of that] quality can be very beneficial in not going to sleep stressing out about not being able to please everybody, when what you do means inevitably not everybody is going to be happy.

Despite this, he still doesnt hesitate to make unpopular decisions. I am comfortable with having to be the one who has to make the tough call. Its part of the responsibilities.

Check out the original interview here.
I wanted to do a caption contest but some of you d-bags are far too racist and not really funny . . .Still, the info is important as visions of violence dance through the heads of scared Kansas City area denizens . . . Take a look:And yet again, it's worth reminding locals that the quotient of violence and homicide continues to spike as we approach the end of the year.Developing . . .
"Missouri's concentration of union membership dropped 2.7 percentage points between 2005 and 2015, and now sits at 8.8 percent. But the decline of union membership in the state could increase in the near future, as Republicans have made passage of "right to work" legislation a priority now that the party controls the House, Senate and governor's office. Right to work laws forbid union contracts that require workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment."

Missouri GOP hegemony has consequences for the status quo in Kansas City and threatens to shift the balance of power in such a way that still doesn't benefit neighborhoods or the working poor.Checkit:Money line . . .This controversial move makes Conservatives in the Kansas City area given that there are quite a few pro-Union/Trump/GOP voters . . . But the reality is that hard-line Republicans have threatened to push forward measures like Right-to-work that would devastate local unions and undermine their ability to maintain very much political influence in KCMO given a serious threat to their funds.Smarter people than TKC understand thatand the consequence of union decline in Kansas City dictates even more power for groups like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of commerce and all of the consultants, lawyers and money hungry firms which comprise their membership. Locals should be afraid because their goals are bigger than fat pensions and jobs for their pals . . . This crew demands big ticket projects that will keep their industries afloat and loosen any local government financial restrictions. Mayor Sly has been the strongest advocate for this greedy vision for the last few years but his opposition has been funded in large part by organized labor interests . . . Now that unions are on the ropes in Missouri . . . Look for less challenges to the ongoing Kansas City big ticket agenda.Developing . . .
Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating places in the historical record. Their obsession with life after death, their grand pyramids and golden treasures, and the multitudes of evidence they left behind of their great works have captured the imaginations of people for thousands of years. However, underneath the veneer of mysticism and historical grandeur, Ancient Egypt was not always the most fun place in the world to live. Their justice system was often unfair and cruel, some of their medical practices were horrifying, and their devotion to the gods often went to insane lengths.

10. An Outbreak Of Cholera Was Once Linked To Food Wrapping Paper Made From Mummy Bandages

There was a time when anything involving Ancient Egypt was considered a fad. Mummies were imported to Europe to be unwrapped at parties, and many, many mummies were illegally smuggled out of Ancient Egypt. The truth is, there were a lot of mummies around and no one really felt much respect for them  even at the time, very little proper historical significance was attributed to them.

For this reason getting hold of mummy bandages was not only cheap, but in some cases cheaper than paper. An enterprising businessman in the early 1900s in the United States decided that he could save some money making wrapping paper for food, and imported in some old brown mummy paper to do the trick. Unfortunately for him, his plan failed when people started catching cholera, and the use of mummy paper to wrap food was abandoned.

9. Servants Were Sometimes Put To Death To Be Buried Alongside Their Masters

Some people have heard before of the legend that the servants of pharaohs and other important figures in Ancient Egyptian history were often ritually murdered and buried alongside the deceased, so they could serve them in the afterlife. Many today will tell you that this is entirely a mythology about the Egyptians, but the truth is actually far more disturbing. While the practice of killing servants and hiding them in your burial chamber was phased out in the latter days of Ancient Egypt, retainer sacrifices were once a regular part of their society.

Those who were sacrificed this way would not necessarily feel that they were being murdered, though. The Ancient Egyptians had a complicated relationship with death, and were obsessed with carrying on with life after death. In a way, they were far more obsessed with life than they were with death. Those servants who were sent to die and be buried with their masters were considered privileged to be allowed to follow a powerful figure into the afterlife to serve them. However, it was still likely nerve wracking to know that your fate was tied to the random death of a person you work for.

8. Mummies Used To Commonly Be Eaten As A Medicine In Europe

To most people cannibalism is literally the most awful taboo imaginable. The idea of eating human flesh, even in circumstances where you have no other choice, is something that immediately turns the stomach of most humans. Even when talking about incidents like the Donner party, where people would have been pushed to the limit, and likely only ate those who were already dead, people still speak of it in hushed tones, terrified at the very prospect of being faced with such a horrible decision.

However, back in the 1600s and 1700s in Europe, a craze swept around where people were crushing up bits of human of various kinds and eating it in order to attempt to cure themselves of various ailments. It started out with people crushing up mummy and putting it in a tincture, claiming it could cure all kinds of different things, but ended up with people drinking blood to cure blood related illnesses, and even bits of crushed skull to deal with problems of the brain. While most today consider cannibalism obscene, there was a time in Europe when consuming the remains of other people was considered perfectly normal and good for your health as well.

7. If You Disrespected The Sun God They Would Immolate Your Entire Being

In Ancient Egypt violent crime was fairly rare, but one of the most awful crimes you could commit was any form of offense or disrespect toward the Sun God. If you vandalized or robbed a temple, committed any form of personal disrespect, or were otherwise found guilty of any offense related to the Sun God, you were usually sentenced to be burned alive. This punishment was only reserved for the greatest of offenses and was usually accompanied by a ritual that sacrificed the individual to the gods. While the Ancient Egyptians rarely practiced actual human sacrifices, this is one of the few exceptions.

While burning alive is painful enough to begin with, it was considered the most horrific death of all by Ancient Egyptians because of the ritual significance of the act. They believed strongly in preserving the physical body for life after death, and believed that destroying the persons physical body completely by burning would leave them with no vessel in the afterlife. While the gods could still technically intervene to help this person, it was about as terrifying a punishment as a believer in Ancient Egyptian society could imagine.

6. It Was Extremely Common For Ancient Egyptian Police To Beat Confessions Out Of People

In Ancient Egypt, they had a well put together system of laws and a group that essentially acted as police, but that doesnt mean things were really all that fair. Just like in older European societies, forcing confessions out of people was incredibly common; in fact it was basically standard practice. Usually, to elicit confessions people would be beaten with sticks, often on the bottom of the feet  a torture known as bastinado.

Those who were tortured into confessing were expected to not only admit to what they did, but explain where anything they stole might still be hiding and rat out every single one of their accomplices. These people could then also be beaten to ascertain any further accomplices as well. Unfortunately, like many imperfect legal systems, it will never be possible to quantify just how many innocent people may have been punished for a crime because they were forced into confessing something they didnt do. Sadly, false confessions under torture are an incredibly common phenomenon, because people will do almost anything to make torture end when it is painful enough.

5. If You Violated The Law, You Were Considered Guilty Until Proven Innocent

One of the cornerstones of the modern legal system is the presumption of innocence  innocent until proven guilty. It is one of the reasons many people have long touted the Western legal systems, where at the very least, you will receive a fair and somewhat speedy trial, where you know that the system isnt already presuming guilt before you have had a chance to defend yourself. And while Ancient Egypt had a fairly advanced legal system, in this area they were particularly lacking.

In their legal system, the guilt of the accused was presumed from the very beginning, and it was the job of the accused to prove their innocence. While judges would always do their best to not play favorites, beatings were common to prove guilt  as we mentioned earlier  and were more likely to be applied to the accused party, even though they could have been innocent. Even witnesses could be beaten if necessary if the judges felt it was needed to get more information about the case. While there is no evidence that Ancient Egyptians abused this system regularly by falsely accusing each other, it seems the system would almost benefit those who would abuse it more than it would the innocent.

4. Sometimes If You Were Accused Of A Crime, Your Guilt Would Be Decided By The Magic Of Oracles

In the later days of Ancient Egypt, the priesthood started to gain an increasing control on the daily lives of Egyptians and of the decisions made by the rulers of the land. The priests influence and power over the common people increased continually over the years, and before long they were being consulted for far more than they ever had been before. Those in power knew better than to question the priests too much, as they were considered to be able to contact and gain the support of the gods, and also would be able to potentially influence large amounts of people to do their bidding.

This meant that in the latter days of Ancient Egypt, the priesthood now found itself involved in matters of court. They would bring in a statue of the Sun God and set papyri before it with different options for important decisions  in court they were generally two papers deciding innocence or guilt. The statue was supposed to turn toward the correct paper, showing the will of the gods. Of course this gave the priests a chance to manipulate the statues movements and essentially decided court cases based on their own opinions and whims. Unfortunately, this meant that many Ancient Egyptians were at the whim of a con artist while in court; one who everyone believed, but who likely knew full well that he was making up all of the stuff about the gods will.

3. Using Birth Control Was An Incredibly Disgusting Horror Show

Today people will use condoms, take pills, or try to predict monthly cycles in order to avoid pregnancies when they are not ready for procreation at that moment. And as many people know, birth control has existed for many thousands of years. Researchers have found evidence of sheepskin condoms from long ago, and the Ancient Romans are said to have used a plant for birth control so frequently that they made it go entirely extinct. However, most of these methods are fairly reasonable ways to deal with birth control, especially compared to the methods used by the Ancient Egyptians.

In Ancient Egypt, they believed that a mixture of mostly honey and crocodile dung, which was then plastered all over the vagina, was a great way to avoid getting pregnant. For some reason, they decided that this was an effective spermicide  although it actually would be more likely to increase the chance of pregnancy. While it is understandable for them to believe it could have worked as birth control considering their knowledge at the time, it is also horrifying to imagine how often they would have to come into physical contact with crocodile dung on the most intimate parts of their bodies.

2. The Death Penalty In Ancient Egypt Was Rare, But Extremely Brutal When Enacted

Life in Ancient Egypt could be quite harsh and beatings were, as weve mentioned a few times now, both a common method of extracting confessions and also a common punishment. However, while many people know that Ancient Egypt could be fairly strict in terms of punishing miscreants, like much of the Ancient world they were also very much against wantonly dishing out the death penalty.

While the option existed under the law, it was very, very seldom used. In fact, there was even a time period of roughly 150 years where no official state sanctioned executions for crimes were carried out in the empire of Ancient Egypt. However, when someone had done something bad enough, such as murder, or treason, the death sentence they were punished with was often quite brutal. While we mentioned earlier that burning alive was a punishment of choice for serious offenses to the gods, there were other forms of capital punishment they also employed that were similarly painful and awful, such as decapitation, drowning, and even impalement on a stake.

1. The Legends Of Ancient Egyptian Curses Simply Will Not Go Away

Countless legends and stories have been told about the idea of a mummies curse and the concept goes farther back than many think. Even before the opening of King Tuts tomb, stories were already cropping up about mummies taking revenge when their remains were disturbed. However, the most popular legend claims that 26 people were involved in opening the tomb, and then they all started to die under mysterious circumstances  with the expedition leader himself succumbing very quickly to blood poisoning.

Searches of the tomb have revealed mold spores but nothing that is deemed particularly dangerous  not strong enough to damage you just by being in the room for a bit, certainly. Some have theorized that perhaps there was a strange disease involved that showed up as blood poisoning, but most scientists dismiss this, pointing out that the whole thing is silly anyway, since only six of the 26 people involved had anything involving a recent death after the event. However, while there may be no logical evidence that curses exist, it doesnt mean that the Ancient Egyptians didnt try. Many tombs have various symbols around them, cursing those who disturb their remains in the hopes they will be attacked by vicious animals such as lions or snakes, or even punished by the gods themselves.

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Chinese travelers are likely to avoid areas hit most by the refugee crisis, despite the weak Euro

Political events in the United States and Europe have taken center stage on the world landscape in recent months, leaving experts wondering how these political changes will affect the global business climate.

China has been a particular focus of speculation, as political changes will affect both the overall balance of power over the long term, and global trade in the short term.

One area that is often overlooked is Chinas economic impact on the global economy resulting from Chinese tourism expenditures. Chinese tourists overtook both the United States and Germany years ago to become the number one spending tourist globally  spending more than US$137 billion outside of China in 2015  a number that is expected to increase to more than US$255 billion by 2025, making it more than double that of the United States, and more than Germany, the UK and Russia combined. (https://jingdaily.com/report-chinese-travelers-to-spend-255-billion-abroad-by-2025/)

As experts look to predict how political cicumstances will affect this massive powerhouse of global spending, they must take into account ease of travel, visa policies and airlift to specific locations. However, perhaps the most important factor in understanding how Chinese tourism behavior will change in the future is Chinese consumer behavior and preferences as it relates to travel.

In order to more accurately predict changes in this behavior, China Luxury Advisors turned to the foremost experts in Chinese tourism  the Chinese travel trade, and interviewed Chinese tour operators around the globe, as well as Chinese tour guides on the ground in the United States and Europe. These operators are on the front lines of Chinese tourist behavior on a daily basis, and the most attuned to shifts in behaviors. We asked them how the political climate is shifting consumer tourism behavior, and what they expect to happen in the future:

United States

When asked about the potential impact of the US election on Chinese tourism, many tour operators were skeptical that it would have much of an impact on the prevailing Chinese tourism trend favoring the United States, unless tourism visa policies were to change. As David Wang from Galaxy Tour commented, whoever becomes the president doesn't matter a lot to Chinese tourists. Chinese still want to travel to the United States. However, if the tourist visa policy becomes very strict to Chinese, the Chinese tourists won't be able to come to the United States.

Benny Feng from NSA International added, Sino-China tourism is the irresistible trend and Ma Jie of Lucky Tour said Chinese tourism can contribute to the American economy a lot. The trend of Chinese tourism will not stop.

The top two concerns for continued strength in Chinese tourism to the United States is the impact on the value of the RMB/US dollar exchange rate, and if the election would have any impact on security concerns in the United States. Safety is always the number one concern for Chinese tourists. Any perceived Instability will have a negative impact on growth.

David Li from Blue Connection commented the election itself doesn't affect tourism, but the currency does. Now it's more expensive to convert CNY to USD, so it will be more expensive for Chinese tourists to travel to the U.S. If this trend continues, the number of the tourists coming to the United States will decrease.

Deming Zhu from Shanghai Airlines Travel reiterated this point, Chinese consumers are more concerned about the exchange rate than the election results. If the policy of the new president is driving the RMB down, then it will be bad news for Chinese tourism to the United States.

Europe

While Western Europe is evaluating the impact of recent elections, Chinese tourists have already changed their behavior significantly in Europe.

A tour operator from the company Comfort Travel explained while Western Europe still dominates the market, Eastern European destinations are gaining popularity.

Security issues in France, Belgium and other Western European countries have caused a dramatic shift in European itineraries, to favor locations in Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, and the UK.

Several tour operators cited the growing popularity of the Nordic countries, especially Denmark and Iceland. In particular, Northern Lights tours are hot products among the tour operators in China right now. Chinese Online Travel Agent, CTrip, recently called Iceland and Hungary the dark horses of todays Chinese tourism market.

Chinese tour operator, Spring Tour, commented Eastern European countries like the Czech Republic and Russia are growing quickly. We are also seeing secondary European destinations such as Spain gaining in popularity, mostly due to the security issues in France and Belgium.

Tour operator, UTour, also commented that Eastern European destinations, Croatia, Serbia and Czech Republic are all increasing among individual travelers.

The Brexit decision has not had a negative impact on Chinese tourism behavior, with the UK experiencing a recent increase in Chinese tourism since the decision as Chinese tourists look to take advantage of the weaker pound.

Other trends that the tour operators are seeing in Europe include a rise in honeymoon tours, increases in family trips, growing popularity of self-drive trips in Europe and the rise of photography tours.

Looking forward, there will be continued scrutiny on the effects of the refugee crisis. A representative from Comfort Travel commented, the European market is expected to perform better next year, however, the refugee crisis is likely to cause instability in the region and halt any major growth. A representative from UTour echoed these comments, Chinese travelers are likely to avoid areas hit most by the refugee crisis, despite the weak Euro.

Chinese tourists will continue to keep a keen eye on security and the Euro/RMB exchange rate, both of which will have the primary impact on short-term gains and losses to countries in Europe.

A representative from Spring Tour explained, if Europe can improve regional security, the Europe market will rebound in 2017.

A representative from UTour added the exchange rate has a significant impact on travel decisions. A weak RMB is likely to slow down outbound travel.

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
More than 1,300 leading regional and international players in the global finance sector are taking part in the ongoing World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) in Bahrain.



The WIBC has established its reputation as the worlds largest and most influential gathering of international Islamic banking and finance leaders for over two decades.



With the strategic support of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the next generation conference will focus on transforming Islamic finance into a global proposition by facilitating strategic opportunities, addressing systematic challenges and connecting international market players and institutional investors to the industry's catalysts, thought leaders, partners and institutions.



During the key industry summit, the regional and international powerhouses will discuss ways to navigate the complexity of the global financial system.



It is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the ART Rotana Hotel, Amwaj Islands in Bahrain.



The worlds definitive compass of the Islamic banking and finance industry engaged industry leaders from across the globe including the Americas, UK and Europe at the 23rd edition of WIBC.



In the morning, conference hosted two Central Bank Governors, featuring speeches by the Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) Dr Ahmed Abdulkarim Alkholifey, and Governor of the CBB Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj.



The keynote speeches also included the Governor of Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Dr. Kairat Kelimbetov.



Opening the historic forum, Al Maraj said: "Keeping in line with the theme of the conference - economic uncertainties: vigilance and growth - I would like to draw your attention to three areas today. First, we need to be more risk-sensitive in uncertain economic conditions. Risk management practices must be up to date, awareness levels high and risk mitigation in place."



"The second point I would like to make is to groom a second line of management, a set of people whose ethical conduct, strategic thinking, leadership qualities and technical knowledge are above par. This is the only way to ensure, as much as possible, a lasting institutional legacy behind us," remarked Al Maraj.



The third point is about the smart use of technology, which is a game-changer in the banking business. Islamic banks must make full use of these technological enhancements and invest more in this space. Financial Technology (Fintech) is leading the way. The CBB believes in embracing new technology and will soon be issuing regulations to facilitate Fintech solutions. We would like to see Islamic banks come forward and take the lead in this area," he added.



Dr Alkholifey said: "As part of our commitment to enhance financial stability, we will continue to provide full regulatory support to Islamic finance and encourage its growth."



The Governors remarks were followed with an exceptional line-up of seasoned and respected industry practitioners who took stock of the challenges faced by Islamic banking on the global front and the stagnation in Sukuk issuance worldwide.



The speakers also engaged in discussions relating to coping with the evolving global banking environment and the changes necessitated by the Basel III regulations. These talks were followed by the launch of 3 insightful intelligence reports and sessions on ethical finance and asset management.



The conveners of WIBC, Middle East Global Advisors - an intelligence platform serving the Middle East North Africa Southeast Asia region for the last 23 years - organized an incredible line-up of speakers for the rest of the afternoon of the 6th of December.



They include industry leaders such as Kishore Mahbubani, Dean and Professor in the Practice of Public Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore and Iqbal Khan, CEO, Fajr Capital.



The final day of WIBC 2016 tomorrow (December 7) will feature the highly anticipated speeches by Khalid Hamad Abdul-Rahman Hamad, the executive director - Banking Supervision, CBB and Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre.-TradeArabia News Service
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the largest privately funded new city development in the world, has signed a contract with Alshaya International Trading Company, a leading international retail franchise business, to lease a 91,000-sq-m area located in the third phase of the Industrial Valley.



A major player in Saudi Arabia, Alshaya offers consumers a wide portfolio of more than 40 retail brands including Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, and Victorias Secret, with over 800 stores across the kingdom.



The new lease will support Alshayas ongoing expansion plans in Saudi Arabia by providing a location for a new west coast logistics hub, said a statement from KAEC.



The Industrial Valley enjoys a direct connection to the King Abdullah Port, which is strategically located on the Red Sea, one of the regions most important maritime channels for international cargo transport. It is also supported with well-planned infrastructure, allowing Alshaya to expand its logistics expansion at pace, it added.



Saudi Arabia is one of Alshayas largest operating markets and the company expects to open more than 150 new stores there next year, with ongoing expansion continuing into 2018 and beyond, revealed Mohammed Alshaya, the executive chairman of MH Alshaya Company, after signing the contract with Fahd Al Rasheed, the group chief executive and managing director.



"Our growth depends on having an efficient supply chain to ensure we can provide our customers with new products in a timely way and we are confident that our investment in the King Abdullah Economic City will support our goals," he said.



Welcoming Alshaya to the fold, Al Rasheed said: "Our open door policy towards inward investment continues to attract world-class international companies, supporting the citys growth and contributing to the governments vision for the future of Saudi Arabias non-oil economy."



The Industrial Valley has already attracted 120 major local, regional and international companies, of which 25 have already gone live with their operations and 35 are currently completing their facilities, he stated.



Rayan Qutub, the chief executive of the Industrial Valley at KAEC, said: "Alshaya's decision to commence operations in the Industrial Valley further cements our reputation as the first choice for leading companies seeking to establish or expand their presence in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region."



We look forward to demonstrating how our strategic location and our extensive trade and logistics infrastructure will support the companys expanding operations and its continuing success, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Crude oil prices surged by more than four per cent at the start of the trading week on Monday after non-Opec producers struck a deal to join their Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) counterparts in a supply cut scheme at a meeting in Vienna, Austria, over the weekend.



The move by these oil-producing nations to slash production was aimed at pushing the oversupplied oil market into a rebalance, or even a deficit, to prop up oil prices, according to The Wall Street Journal.



On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures for delivery in January recently traded at $53.79 a barrel, up $2.29 in the Globex electronic session. February Brent crude on Londons ICE Futures exchange rose $2.26 to $56.59 a barrel, the highest level in more than a year.



Energy stocks also soared on the news. In Hong Kong, PetroChina was up 2.4 per cent and Cnooc was up 1.8 per cent. In Australia, Woodside Petroleum was up 3.1 per cent and Oil Search was up 3.5 per cent. In Japan, Inpex was up 1.7 per cent.



Over the weekend, a group of heavyweight producers outside of the Opec, including Russia, agreed to scale back their output by 558,000 barrels a day. The move would come on top of the cut of 1.2 million barrels a day agreed to by Opec in late November. The total reduction represents almost two per cent of the global supply.



The non-Opec cuts, if carried out as described over the first half of 2017, would represent an unprecedented level of cooperation among oil-producing countries that have been groping for ways to lift oil prices out of a two-year funk, stated the report.



This is truly a historic event, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quoted as saying in The Wall Street Journal report. "It is the first time that so many oil-producing countries from different parts of the world have gathered in one room to accomplish what we have done," he added.



The bulk of the cuts300,000 barrels a dayhave been pledged by Russia, which produces more crude oil than any other country. Other output reductions are promised by 10 other countries, including Oman, Azerbaijan and Sudan.



The market got an extra boost of confidence on reports that Saudi Arabia indicated that, if necessary, the kingdom may be willing to take a deeper cut than the 486,000-barrel cut it had agreed in the November meeting.
Iran has signed a $16.6 billion agreement for 80 Boeing passenger jets that includes 50 narrow-body 737 MAX aircraft and 30 long-haul 777s, split equally between the 777-300ER and the 406-seat 777-9.



Based on Boeings Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Iran Air announced in June, the contract was reached within the terms of the US Government license issued to Boeing in September, the airplane maker said in a statement.



Boeing coordinated closely with the US Government throughout the process leading up to the sale and continues to follow all license requirements as it moves forward to implement the sales agreement.



Today's agreement will support tens of thousands of US jobs directly associated with production and delivery of the 777-300ERs and nearly 100,000 US jobs in the US aerospace value stream for the full course of deliveries. The first airplanes under this agreement are scheduled for delivery in 2018.



Boeing and its more than 13,600 US supplier and vendor partners across all 50 states are proud to ensure America continues to lead in global aerospace and to create jobs and opportunities in communities across the nation, according to the statement.



Boeing's US supply chain currently supports more than 1.5 million US jobs.



The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be 14 per cent more fuel efficient than today's most efficient Next-Generation 737s. The first 737 MAX is scheduled to enter service in 2017.



The 777-300ER is the most fuel and cost-efficient airplane in its class as well as the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world. It also has the highest cargo capacity of any passenger airplane. To date customers worldwide have ordered more than 800 777-300ERs.



The 777X builds on the passenger-preferred and market-leading 777, as well as offering more market coverage and revenue capability than the competition. The 777X will include new engines, an all-new composite wing and will leverage technologies from the 787 Dreamliner. The first 777X is scheduled to enter service in 2020.  TradeArabia News Service
Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, launched its inaugural flight to Guangzhou, China from its hub in Muscat on December 9, making it the airline's first destination in China.



The chief guest for the event was Yahya Al Jabri, chairman of Duqum Special Economic Zone.



The four times weekly flights will open up easy access to Oman Airs outstanding range of destinations for customers from China as well as helping to strengthen political, economic and social links between Oman and China.



The invited guests on the inaugural flight were treated to a day of celebrations with a cake cutting ceremony at Muscat International Airport before proceeding to Oman Airs First and Business Class lounge. The flight departed at 10.15 and arrived just over six hours later in Guangzhou at 21.00 where there was an arrival ceremony before proceeding to the Four Seasons Hotel.



There was a press conference the following morning, where the invited media from Oman and China interacted with the senior management team of Oman Air. This was followed by a lunch and a gala dinner later in the evening at the Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel where Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch, besides other high-ranking dignitaries from both Oman and China gave short speeches to mark the occasion before an exchange of gifts with officials from Guangzhou.



The launch of the new route is in response to significant customer demand and also demonstrates Oman Airs commitment to continuing its ambitious and dynamic programme of fleet and network expansion and on board service developments. This has seen the company take delivery of outstanding new aircraft, introduce a range of exciting new destinations and launch new products and services which contribute to a seamless passenger experience.



The return flight departed Guangzhou at 06.25 and arrived in Muscat at 11.00.



Oman Air will run flights to Guangzhou from Muscat on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using its wide-body A330. The planes take off from Muscat International Airport, Oman, at 10.15 and reach Guangzhou at 21.00. Oman Air flights depart Guangzhou to Muscat on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 06.25 and land in Muscat at 11.00. - TradeArabia News Service


Qatar Airways will now accept UnionPay credit and debit cards through its website for ticket and other sales, expanding payment options for customers around the world.



With more than 5.8 billion cards issued globally, UnionPay is an international bankcard network and is the preferred method of payment for the Chinese market. The option to pay with UnionPay cards provides Qatar Airways travellers with a high quality and secure payment service worldwide, and is accepted in 160 countries and regions. Qatar Airways customers can now conveniently book via the airlines website in currencies including Chinese Yuan, Great British Pound, Euro, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, South Korean Won, Malaysian Ringgit, New Zealand Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Thai Baht using their UnionPay cards.



Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: Our partnership with UnionPay International, one of the worlds most popular bank card issuers, provides our global customers with more flexible payment options when they choose to book with Qatar Airways. We are committed to finding ways to better serve our customers; from our recently launched Apple Pay feature to our new digital membership card for our valued Privilege Club members. We are tireless in our pursuit to provide the most secure and convenient options to travellers as we go places together.



Customers across the globe can book Qatar Airways tickets using their UnionPay cards by selecting the UnionPay logo on the payment page. Customers will be re-directed to UPIs website to fill out their payment credentials, with a successful completion of the payment resulting in a Qatar Airways confirmation page and booking reference number.



Qatar Airways also recently launched Apple Pay; becoming the first Gulf carrier to offer the revolutionary mobile wallet solution across the full list of countries where Apple Pay is available. Available on any iOS device, Apple Pay allows customers to conveniently and securely book their next journey on Qatar Airways with the tap or touch of a finger. Using passcode or finger-print technology, Apple Pay links directly to the subscribers nominated debit or credit cards, adding to yet another safe and secure way to purchase Qatar Airways tickets.



In addition to Apple Pay, Qatar Airways also recently launched the Digital Membership Card for Privilege Club members  another digital innovation for the airline. As part of its commitment to streamline the customer experience, the Digital Membership card provides customers the option to access the clubs many great benefits via the digital card available on the Qatar Airways App, website, Apple Wallet, via email or as a saved image on a portable device.



Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 191 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. - TradeArabia News Service
Leading hospitality group Rixos Hotels has unveiled plans to expand its global portfolio with the addition of 32 new hotels worldwide by 2018, including the Middle East.



Rixos Hotels is opening another flagship hotel in Jumeirah Beach in 2017 and in Abu Dhabi on the Saadiyat Island in 2018.



I am convinced that with the opening of Rixos Jumeirah Beach Dubai, all our guests and stakeholders will continue to appreciate that Rixos Group is exceedingly robust. With these new openings, we expect business to grow further thus intensifying the profitability of Rixos Group in the UAE. Since Dubai is the most popular tourism destination in the Middle East, opening another Rixos hotel offers additional choices to luxury travelers and increases the market share of Rixos Group, said Erkan Yildirim, senior vice president of operations.



Rixos Hotels is also keen on expanding further in new markets such as Jeddah, Muscat, Salalah and Maldives.



The group will soon sign new agreements with these host countries and continue seeking out many other investment opportunities. Oman is another potential tourism destination and, in my opinion, Rixos Hotels will flourish in a country with such beautiful surroundings and scenic landscapes, added Yildirim. - TradeArabia News Service


Rail Europe, the worldwide leader in train tickets and rail passes' distribution, has expanded its strong sales network across the region by appointing Saudi Arabia's Elaf Travel Tourism Company as its general sales agent (GSA) partner.



Elaf has been a trusted GSA partner of a number of distinguished airlines and has retail outlets throughout the Kingdom to cater to a wide network of customers across the country. Elaf particularly specializes in facilitating international tours, Mice, overseas English language course and Medical Tourism to address the unique needs of their diverse clients.



Waleed Ahmed, regional manager of Rail Europes office in Dubai, said: We are very delighted to strengthen our presence in Saudi Arabia. Elaf Travel and Tourism has an excellent reputation in the region and has shown a great interest in facilitating the sale of Rail Europe products to their clients and travel trade in the kingdom. We foresee Saudi Arabia as a key market in GCC and integral to our long-term growth strategy.



Mohammed Mahfouz Bin Mahfouz, vice president of Elaf Travel Tourism Company, said: "Customers of Elaf will be delighted to learn about this partnership as there is a huge demand for rail travel within Europe from leisure and business travelers from this part of the world. Elaf has been a trusted GSA partner of a number of distinguished airlines and has retail outlets throughout the kingdom to cater to a wide network of customers across the country." - TradeArabia News Service
Uber is a smartphone application used by many people all over the world. It is a transportation network that provides transportation to people in need of a ride. The Uber drivers nearest to the rider will be alerted to pick up the rider and bring him or her to their destination. Recently, Uber released and declared set of rules and guidelines that should be followed by both drivers and riders using the application.

Last Thursday, Uber issued set of rules and guidelines for the first time since it operated. According to reports from The Guardian and Ports Mouth, these rules are to prevent intolerable misconduct and sexual cases. For the month of October, Uber received four cases of sexual violation that made the end of the year to be an agitating year for the company.

Some of these rules are centered on flirting and mutual respect. According to a statement released by the company, the poor behavior from riders and drivers is not ok and it needs to stop, "Most riders show drivers the respect they deserve. But some don't- whether it's leaving trash in the car, throwing up in the back seat after too much alcohol or asking a driver to break the speed limit so they can get their appointment on time."

Rules such as establishing respect between fellow drivers and rider should be observed. Once riders or drivers break these rules, they may no longer be allowed to use Uber's services. As said by the company, "Any behavior involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using Uber can result in the immediate loss of your account." The company also stressed out on the rules of flirting, saying, "Don't touch or flirt with other people in the car." "As a reminder, Uber has no sex rule. That's no sexual conduct with drivers or fellow riders, no matter what." Bringing of firearms is also prohibited as said in Uber's rules and policies.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
TripAdvisor recently released a list of "Travelers' Choice Destination on the Rise" and many were not surprised when El Nido Island in Palawan made it to the list. The island is famed for its sandy-white beaches and coral reefs and has become a favorite tourist spot for locals and foreigners alike.

Tourism Secretary, Wanda Corazon Teo, said in a statement to Manila Bulletin: "We are very happy with the recognition of El Nido as a destination on the rise, especially as this is based on the unbiased reviews and opinions submitted by Trip Advisor users all over the world."

El Nido is the only Southeast Asian destination that made it to the list. San Jose del Cabo, in Mexico got the top spot, followed by Whistler, Canada; Jericoacoara, Brazil; Kihei, Hawaii; Baku, Azerbaijan; El Nido, Philippines; El Nido, Philippines; Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Jodhpur, India.

GMA News reported that the island is a favorite even for celebrities like Suicide Squad's Margot Robbie, who said that she felt like she "died and went to heaven" after visiting the island paradise.

The island of Palawan is not new to getting recognitions like this. As a matter of fact, Conde Nast Traveler hailed Palawan as one of the "Best Islands In The World" for two straight years. Another famed Philippine island, Boracay, also made it to this list.

"This is an affirmation of the Department of Tourism's continuing efforts to enable quality destinations through enabling regulations and standards. The initiatives to enhance tourist experience are reinforced by recognitions like this. We hope to have more of them throughout the Philippines as we work together with the industry in making our destinations the best choices for the travelers," the DOT chief concluded.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
We only have a few weeks left before a new year begins. So, if you haven't booked a trip to Taranaki, New Zealand, you better should. While only two percent of New Zealand's tourists braved to trail here, that will change when a giant travel organization has presented Taranaki to the world.

In Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2017, the world's celebrated travel publisher has given its nod to Taranaki as the second best region in the world to visit, and New Zealand as the second best family adventure destination in the world. If you have plans on coming here, we've listed some places we've found in the official site of Taranaki for you to go.

Lake Mangamahoe. There lies a forest which is a good place for a visitor to bask in biking, walking, and jogging. It has a bridle path for horses, a scenic lake, and park.

Mt. Taranaki. Climbing Mt. Taranaki is what most tourists hope to do in this secluded region. The best season to climb the mountain is from February to mid-April when the mountain's slopes don't have ice anymore.

The Pouakai Crossing is Mt Taranaki's walk which highlights Pouakai Circuit. The full day walk will take you 18.4 km and stop by popular areas like Egmont National Park, Holly Hut to Pouakai Hut and around the Ahukawakawa Wetland.

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand's first and only museum of contemporary art and the most popular art destination to go to.

Puke Ariki is an award winning museum and library. Galleries and exhibitions are up for people to see.

Tawhiti Museum.Regarded as the best private museum in New Zealand, it highlights thousands of life-size models and scale figures to tell Taranaki's history. Some attractions inside include Traders & Whalers and Tawhiti Bush Railway among others.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Prague, a beautiful quaint city in Europe, is a magical place to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve. This city prides itself as one of the most beautiful places in the world during the winter season, with all its colorful lights and enchanting aroma. With that, we couldn't agree more.

Christmas markets are traditional in the Czech Republic, but Prague holds the most popular ones. There are several festive markets to choose from, but the most popular is in Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. And this year, the theme is the traditional spirit of Christmas and nature.

In Old Town Square, a huge Christmas tree often dominates the place, and thousands of tourists and travelers visit each year. Littered around the market are stalls selling assorted local Czech products, ranging from traditional Czech food to hand-crafted decorations.

Other smaller Christmas markets in Prague are the Republic Square (Namesti Republiky), Peace Square (Namesti Miru) and the Holesovice Exhibition Grounds (Vystaviste Holesovice). Full details on the location and opening hours and dates of these markets are found in myczechrepublic.org.

This year, the major Christmas markets in Prague started on November 26th and will continue up to January 7th of 2017. They are open every day, even on December 25 and January 1.

If you're lucky enough to witness and feel the Christmas festivities in Prague, you'll find yourself surrounded by wooden huts selling different Christmas products. Traditional handicrafts such as scented candles, Christmas dolls and lace embroidery are common, as well as other stuff that are perfect for Christmas gifts.

The food is also wonderful. In some stalls in Old Town Square you can witness their local food products being made. Cinammon is in the air, ham is roasting on their spits, and for refreshments, you should try their famous beers like Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen and Budvar.

If you feel for just a leisure stroll, expect to be serenaded by Christmas carols all over the place. If you're lucky, you might get a chance to hear school choirs perform Christmas songs in the Old Town Square, dressed in Christmas costumes.

So if you're opting for a mesmerizing Christmas experience this year, go and fly to Prague. Immerse yourself in the true holiday spirit, and with Prague, there is no better choice.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Tell the Hofsas House where youd love to visit and why and you could win a 2 night stay!



(TRAVPR.COM) USA - December 10th, 2016 - Salinas, CA, December 10, 2016 - So many of us add travel more to our list of yearly resolutions! Whether it is somewhere close by, a beautiful beach or international destination, tell the Hofsas House where youd love to visit and why? Post pictures of your ideal destination on a Pinterest board and our favorite board with win a 2-night stay at the Hofsas House hotel!

To enter the contest simply:

Pin It To Win It!

 Follow us on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hofsashouse/

 Create A Board Titled: Time to Travel!

 Add a minimum of 5 pictures of your favorite quotes with the hashtag #HofsasHouseGetaways

 Email a link your board to: marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

 One lucky winner will win a 2-night stay at our hotel!

 Enter to win between January 1st and January 30th. Winner announced on February 5th.

 Includes Hotel stay only- airfare, transportation, meals and other amenities not included



Hofsas House Background:

Owned and operated by the Theis Family, Hofsas House Hotel is within walking distance of everything Carmel has to offer, including a stunning beach, fine restaurants and shops, and wine tasting. It provides peaceful respite and European charm just minutes from Monterey , Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove . The Hofsas Houses 38 spacious, one-of-a-kind rooms boast European comfort and lovely views, not to mention amenities like fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. Large suites provide the perfect stay for newlyweds and everyone else seeking an extra special getaway. Dutch doors in every room allow guests to welcome in the ocean air, and free WiFi enables them to stay connected  if they want to.

The Hofsas House Hotel family works to ensure every visitor's experience is special, striving to offer the highest quality personal services. Consider the continental breakfast, abundant with fresh French Roast coffee, tea, juice, fruit and pastries from a neighborhood bakery, or the personalized concierge services for guests and their families, including their four-legged family members, who are welcome, as well.

For large groups  wedding parties, company meetings, family reunions and others  Hofsas House Hotel offers a spacious room equipped with a fireplace and full kitchen that can comfortably accommodate 40 people. A heated pool, dry saunas, decks with views and off-street parking are on offer as well.

Hofsas House Hotel is located on San Carlos Street, north of Fourth Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information, call (831) 624-2745 or visit www.hofsashouse.com. Like us on Facebook

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.hofsashouse.com

###
Many of your favorite celebrities have an additional talent you may not know about: restaurant ownership. Famous actors, musicians and other personalities have tried their hands at opening restaurants throughout the country. Stop at one of these spots.

JBJ Soul Kitchen

Jon Bon Jovi owns two locations of his New Jersey restaurant, JBJ Soul. A third recently opened on the Rutgers University Newark campus. The non-profit restaurant is run by the Jon Bon Jovi Foundation and serves both paying and in-need diners. There are no prices on the menu, rather diners can pay a suggested donation, if possible. The menu boasts local and seasonal fare.

Magnolia Table

Remodeling and design experts Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTVs Fixer Upper own a breakfast and lunch restaurant in Waco, Texas. Magnolia Table offers homemade pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts. The menu changes seasonally. Additionally, there is a take away and market section if youd rather take your meal to go.

Nic and Normans

This laid-back eatery in Senoia, Georgia, is co-owned by actor Norman Reedus. The restaurant is located near The Walking Dead filming locations. Many of Reedus follow cast and crew members dine here. Expect to see American classic dishes.

Saints and Sinners

This bar and restaurant located on Bourbon Street in New Orleans is owned by actor and dancer Channing Tatum. The menu boasts indulgent southern dishes and an extensive cocktail list.
Luxembourg City recently legalized same-sex marriage in the last two years and the country itself is something of a bastion for LGBTQ Europeans and travelers. Though small, the capital city offers plenty to do for members of the community.

Each year the city holds Gay Mat, Luxembourgs version of Gay Pride, mostly just a small street party celebrating the LGBTQ community. There are a host of gay-friendly establishments around town including Donnas Heaven, which showcases many drag cabaret performances, and Fairy Tales, where you can find Saturday night dance parties.

Restaurant La Caravelle hosts occasional drag shows throughout the year; though its not specifically a gay establishment, per se, its incredibly LGBTQ friendly. As far as places to stay, youre pretty much safe to spend the night all throughout the city.

Luxembourg has always had a reputation for welcoming people from all walks of life, which is why its such a great place to visit. You can hold hands with your partner or travel with your family and not worry about experiencing any backlash here.

Luxembourg City is such a unique and wonderful city, it should be on every travelers bucket list, LGBTQ or not, so go ahead and give it a try.
Jeff Rossi of Cushman & Wakefield Commerce honored with a Utah Business 2017 SAMY award as a Sales Professional of the Year Click here for high-resolution version

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwired - Dec 12, 2016) - Jeff Rossi of Cushman & Wakefield Commerce is being honored as a Utah Business 2017 Sales Professional of the Year in their SAMY award. This distinction is an annual award given to Utah's top sales and marketing professionals.

Rossi's career accelerated with Cushman & Wakefield Commerce in 2009 despite it being the early stages of the real estate market crash. In his brokerage, he exclusively represents occupiers, which gave him the opportunity to take advantage of the market's negative leverage and turn it into a positive. Since 2013, his team revenue has grown by more than 40 percent annually, with revenue almost doubling in 2015.

"Jeff is a tremendous leader in the Cushman & Wakefield Commerce team and to the greater commercial real estate industry in Utah," said Trigger Reital, Market Leader of the Cushman & Wakefield Commerce Salt Lake City office. "He's seen much success by exclusively focusing on the needs of his tenants. He is very deserving of this award and we look forward to his continued success."

For over fifteen years, Rossi has assisted clients brining the full capabilities and resources of Cushman & Wakefield to every facet of real estate transactions, from needs assessment and market evaluation to negotiations, financial analysis, and securing pf financial incentives at state and local levels. His key clients include Adobe, Ancestry, 1-800-Contacts, Questar Corporation, StorageCraft, SolarCity, among many others.

Rossi's other professional recognition include Tomorrow's Leaders Southwest, Real estate Forum and Forty Under 40, Utah Business Magazine.

The SAMY awards luncheon and reception will be held at the Grand America in Salt Lake City on Jan. 19, 2017.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/comre_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COMRE1

Blog: http://blog.comre.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/commerce-real-estate-solutions?trk=tabs_biz_home

Story continues

About Cushman & Wakefield Commerce

Cushman & Wakefield Commerce operates the Cushman & Wakefield business in Nevada, Utah and Washington. As part of the Cushman & Wakefield global platform, the firm offers innovative commercial real estate solutions to occupier and investor clients, offering transaction services, capital markets services, occupier and investor services, and real estate advisory. With nearly 300 employees, 9 million sq. ft. of property management and transaction value of more than $2.8 billion, the firm is a leading commercial real estate resource in the Intermountain West region and Pacific Northwest. Learn more at www.comre.com.

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global real estate services firm that helps clients transform the way people work, shop, and live. The firm's 43,000 employees in more than 60 countries provide deep local and global insights that create significant value for occupiers and investors around the world. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest commercial real estate services firms with revenue of $5 billion across core services of agency leasing, asset services, capital markets, facility services (C&W Services), global occupier services, investment & asset management (DTZ Investors), project & development services, tenant representation, and valuation & advisory. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com or follow @CushWake on Twitter.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3090301


Dewas, December 12

Army jawans are now assisting the Bank Note Press employees at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh who are tackling the huge demand for currency notes in the wake of demonetisation.

Arrival of Army jawans at BNP has not only boosted the morale of employees but it would also help ramp up the production, said Kamal Chouhan, president of BNP Employees Welfare Committee.

BNP had earlier called up the retired employees to help in the production. It has the capacity to produce two crore pieces of notes a day.

About 200 Army jawans have arrived from Gwalior and Mhow in the past two days, said a senior official. pti
Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 12

Though demonetisation has led to a significant increase in credit/debit card transactions, retailers and customers are complaining that they have to swipe cards 3 or 5 times for the transaction to go through, especially on weekends. Sources in the banking industry said it may be due to growing load on the back-end servers.

I approached a local supermarket to buy groceries. I had to swipe for at least three times to get the transaction done, complained Manpreet Singh.

According to bankers, there has been more than 100% rise in the number of transactions through credit/debit cards at PoS (Point of Sales) terminals, post-demonetisation.

Echoing similar sentiments, a senior executive working with Wills Lifestyle said, Especially on weekends, we are facing the issues when the shoppers normally go out and shop. There are times when we have to swipe the customers card for at least five times so that the transaction can be completed. Sometimes, the transaction is successful and at times, it fails also. We have advised our customers to maintain patience. The customers blame us but its not our fault. The banks must strengthen their infrastructure.

Bankers said though the number of transactions has gone up, the average spending per card has come down. While the increase in transaction volume is a good sign for the government which is promoting digital payments, several merchants and consumers have reported that they were unable to swipe debit and credit cards in the region because of busy servers.

At a mall in Chandigarh, retailers complained that many bank servers had been giving trouble for the past couple of days, especially during rush hours in the evening. They complained that sometimes the transaction doesnt go through at all.

Sources in the banking industry hinted that this may be due to the load on the back-end servers due to increased transactions. Although there has been a significant increase in transactions, the infrastructure in some of the banks is yet to be upgraded in sync with demand.
There is a new belligerence in Prime Minister Narendra Modis public pronouncements. Not quite prime ministerial. The old traditionalists would have quite a mouthful to say about the language and tone of his last two speeches, one in Gujarat on Saturday and the second on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh. The note of bellicosity is perhaps understandable in the context of the nation-wide dismay and discontent over note-bandi. It is reasonable to presume that the Prime Minister and his advisers have been informed by the agencies as well as by the BJPs own political networks that note-bandi has caused havoc in the countryside and dislocation in urban India. The BJP ministers and legislators throughout the country are avoiding stepping out as they have a reasonably good idea of public mood of anger. Even the Prime Minister's apologists are having a difficult time in finding merit in the poorly conceived and equally poorly implemented scheme.

Even if the Opposition parties can be accused of disrupting Parliament, it is difficult to avoid the impression that the Prime Minister has been reluctant to face criticism in the House. He is not used to taking criticism easily. His preferred style is to use the public platform and social media to make his argument and debunk his opponents. But as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi does not have the liberty of avoiding facing Parliament. For him to call his parliamentary rivals names is going a bit too far. The onus is always on the ruling party to ensure that the House functions effectively, as LK Advani had reminded the BJPs parliamentary managers the other day. These managers have not done their job.

Given the scale of dislocation that the botched-up note-bandi has inflicted on the country, the political argument between a very nervous government and a very determined Opposition will get only more acrimonious. The next few weeks could prove a defining period. It is important that the Prime Minister keeps his cool. A special responsibility dwells on the Prime Ministers senior colleagues to advise him to be restrained and responsible, at least in his public utterances.
BOSTON (AP) -- A federal judge in Texas reversed course on Monday and canceled a scheduled deposition from a Massachusetts official who is looking into whether Exxon Mobil misled the public about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change.

Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, was to have been deposed in Dallas on Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by the company claiming that her investigation was politically motivated.

U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade canceled the deposition in a one-sentence order without explanation. The judge last week declined to issue a stay pending an ongoing review by a federal appeals court.

The legal battle began this year when Healey and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, also a Democrat, demanded documents from Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp. in what they said was an effort to determine if the company deceived investors and consumers by hiding what it knew about the link between burning fossil fuels and climate change.

Healey's office said it was authorized under Massachusetts law to investigate corporate actions that could affect residents of the state.

"We are pleased that the federal judge has canceled this unprecedented deposition order," Healey spokeswoman Chloe Gotsis said. "Our office has argued strongly that the Texas court has no jurisdiction over our investigation and we will continue to urge it to dismiss Exxon's lawsuit against us."

Exxon Mobil said it would have no comment on the judge's ruling.

The company originally agreed to turn over documents to New York and had initially sued only Healey but later amended the lawsuit to add Schneiderman and asked the federal court to throw out New York's subpoena.

Schneiderman spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said the company's litigation represents "a blatant attempt to avoid accountability under New York law."
Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 11

NGO Global Village Foundations Trustee and Chairman Balram Nandwanis appointment as an Independent Director in the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVN) raises several questions as he is also a Director at Ranital Hydro Ventures Private Limited.

Two of Nandwanis co-directors at Ranital  Kulbhushan Mittal and Inderjit Verma  are directors at Smartech Energy Management Services, Dera Hydro Power Private Limited and Mittal Hydro Ventures Private Limited.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

All these ventures have a direct linkage to Mittals Group  that provided 1509.64 MUs (million units) to the two Haryana power utilities during 2015-16 at a cost of Rs 658.71 crore, according to the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) figures.

It is pertinent to mention that the states Power Department is headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and no appointment can be made without his consent.

Power trader Kulbhushan Mittal, a co-director with Nandwani at Ranital Hydro, is also a Director at Mittal Processors Private Limited, one of the main suppliers to the states two power utilities.

Incidentally, both Mittal and Nandwani have a Panipat connection, but more importantly Nandwani, a chartered accountant, is also the auditor of Mittal Processors Private Limited.

Haryanas former Power Minister Capt Ajay Yadav sees an apparent clash of interest in this appointment.

Nandwani, he says, can directly influence power purchase and has direct control over all accounts and audits. Furthermore, he is not a government employee, so there can be no action against any wrongdoing. Tenders for purchase are known to the directors and this information can be used to benefit power traders and sellers.

Capt Yadav says the directors hold autonomous positions and can even disregard the MD if they so wish.

Another co-director of Nandwani at Ranital, Inderjit Verma, is also a Director at Dera Hydro Power Private Limited. Similarly, Tirlok Chand Gupta is also a Director at Dera Hydro and Mittal Clean Energy Private Limited.

Nandwani, when contacted, denied links with any company in the power sector, saying, Im a practising chartered accountant with an independent practice. Later on, he admitted that his CA firm Balram and Associates was the auditor of Mittal Processors Private Limited. But these are two independent things and there is no clash of interest. My mandate at UHBVN is to bring accountancy reform as the power utility is reeling under heavy losses, he claimed.

All the hydro companies mentioned above are linked to the Mittals Group and despite having different registration addresses are either subsidiaries or owned by the same group of people.

Congress spokesperson Ran Singh Mann, meanwhile, has also questioned the appointment of Debashish Majumdar as an HERC member with Cabinet rank. He is the father of Dhruv Majumdar, the CMs IT Adviser. The BJP has always been critical of the Congress for violating one family, one post, but it has failed to apply the same principle here, he said.

HERC is a three-member statutory body, including the chairperson, and is considered to be a watchdog that regulates generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity, and protecting the interest of consumers while ensuring fair practices. It has the final word on the tariff and other consumer-related disputes.

The CMs Office, meanwhile, said too much was being read into the appointment as GVF comprises a group of selfless persons helping the state on various issues. (Concluded)
Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, December 12

The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has sought the support of historians and state government to conduct a study to identify unexplored locations which Sikh Gurus may have visited.

All Gurus had visited Haryana at different times, but we dont have information on all sites. Earlier this year, we decided to appoint a two-member committee of historians to carry out a study to identify the sites the Gurus might have visited, said HSGMC chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda.

Since it requires a huge amount, we are in no position to hire historians for the project. At the same time, we dont want to keep such sites unexplored. There have been many tales with the elderly making claims about the visits of Gurus, but there is nothing to justify these, he added.

He said the HSGMC had written to the Chief Minister in this connection earlier this year, but was yet to get a response. The HSGMC would approach the Chief Minister again, he said.

It would ask Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, also Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, if he could rope in some scholars from the university to trace such sites, Jhinda said.

The BJP government has been putting in a lot of efforts to revive the Saraswati and promote the Gita. We are seeking a similar kind of effort for this project from the government. The absence of a Sikh minister in the Haryana Cabinet is a drawback for us, he said.

Such projects require interest and things get easy if any minister shows interest in the project. The HSGMC is hopeful that the government and historians will lend support for this project. If we find such locations, it will be beneficial for the Sikh community and give a boost to tourism in the state, he added.

Rajender Singh Rana, Curator of Shrikrishna Museum, Kurukshetra, said, There is all probability of all Gurus having visited Haryana and many sites not being traced. We have record of eight Gurus visiting Kurukshetra. If the government initiates a study, it may bring out new facts and will be good for everyone.
Kolkata

Mass genetic screenings that track populations vulnerable to arsenic poisoning  much before cancerous symptoms start showing  can help tackle its scourge in Bengal and across South Asia, researchers say.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Calcutta and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB) have corralled evidence of genetic links to heightened arsenic damage risk.

They have proposed genotyping, a process of determining differences in the genetic make-up (genotype) of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence and comparing it with a reference set.

"We usually say a person is susceptible to arsenic when we see skin lesions that usually takes a long period, may be even 10 years, to develop. Much before the development of these typical skin lesions, other health problems like neurological or respiratory problems may arise, which are generally ignored," Pritha Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor at the university's Environmental Science Department, said.

She said if genotyping could be done, vulnerable populations, i.e. individuals at higher risk, could be easily identified.

"They could be made aware of the situation, and available mitigation strategies can be adopted accordingly," Bhattacharjee said.

She and co-authors Nandana Das, Allan Giri and Sayan Chakraborty based their observations on experiments that linked a type of genetic variation with arsenic induced skin lesions in the exposed population in Bengal.

Called SNP or snips (abbreviated for single nucleotide polymorphism), each such variation represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide.

The study centred on the rs9527 SNP (having the nucleotide adenine instead of guanine). The findings were published in October in the journal Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis.

Described by many as "an environmental and social disaster", arsenic poisoning was first identified in the early 1980s in West Bengal, where health officials linked an outbreak of skin lesions to groundwater pumped from shallow wells.

Over three lakh people in nine Bengal districts are believed affected and the contamination continues to engulf more in its wake.

The results of the study impinge on the alarming situation in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and Bengal.

The data also significantly substantiates the findings of a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) on Bangladeshi population, indicating that this SNP might be "a universal factor behind individual arsenic susceptibility".

Dubbing the result of the present study as "interesting" and "significant", University of Manchester's David Polya said it provides a means of potentially identifying people who are at a greater risk of developing ill health from arsenic exposure, in much the same way that some people are more genetically pre-disposed to, say, breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

"Of course, the causes of diseases are often multi-faceted, so it is likely that mapping other contributing factors will be critical to being able to make more accurate and meaningful risk estimates," Polya said via email.

Polya, a professor of environmental geochemistry in the School of Earth, Atmospheric & Environment had worked in collaboration with IICB scientists in 2013 to prove a link between rice containing high levels of arsenic and chromosomal damage.

What has puzzled researchers is that in some highly exposed communities only a certain proportion of the people seem to develop these diseases, Polya pointed out.

"It has been speculated that this might be because some people are unfortunately more genetically pre-disposed to develop such diseases as a result of long-term exposure to arsenic," Polya said.

Bhattacharjee said even in the same family exposed to arsenic, the absence or presence of skin lesions differs among brothers.

Given that 60 per cent of groundwater in the Indo-Gangetic region (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal) now has excessive amounts of arsenic and salinity, making it unfit for consumption or irrigation, there is an urgent need to deploy sustainable scientific supply solutions for providing access to safe drinking water.

"This needs serious water access system thinking that covers from water testing, to technology development, to market mechanism, regulatory provision, consumer education programmes to ensure user readiness and avoid waste of water, creating value for water among users, a gender-sensitive approach, regulation for both demand side and supply side, appropriate financing and revenue model, waste disposal regulations.

"Unless a systemic approach is adopted which gives equal/due weightage to each component in the solution of the problem, the problem will continue," Joyashree Roy, Professor, Jadavpur University, and environmental economist, cautioned.  IANS
Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 12

Local residents continued to struggle for cash as a majority of ATMs in the town remained closed or were bereft of cash for the third consecutive day today.

A large number of residents and the tourists visiting the queen of Hills said that the union government should have made adequate arrangements before demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes.

My landlord wants the rent in cash and there is no cash available in the ATMs, said Neelam Thakur after returning empty handed from ATMs. For the past three days I have been looking for cash in ATMs and have visited more than 20 ATMs but there is no cash available, says Preetam adding, I have spent a good amount on fuel to withdraw the same amount but all in vein.

Another senior citizen Veena said that going to ATMs was a worthless exercise as there is no cash available. The union government should have made some provisions to save the senior citizens and the rural folks from facing great inconvenience and hardship.

After second Saturday and Sunday, I was hoping that cash would be available in ATMs but they were either shut or out of cash, said a local resident Sujaat Chauhan adding that the weekly limit of Rs 24,000 was exhausted in paying the bills and buying the essential items.

Bank officials said that most of the ATMs have been calibrated to disburse new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes but there is no cash.

A tourist from Delhi was seen quarreling at the wine shop. Why dont you keep swipe machines when the ATMs are out of cash. I need two bottles of wine and you dont accept cards, he argued.

The business community says that what to talk of other items there has been a 50 per cent dip in the sale of medicines in the past one month. The shops which have not installed swipe cards are the worst hit.

We are willing to bear till December 31 but in case the situation does not improve, things will get worst, said a local shopkeeper Amit Sood.
Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 12

The Tourism Departments plan to have shikaras and house boats in the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to migratory birds, has hit a roadblock. Reason: Bird watchers and environmentalists are against the move as they say no commercial activity can take place in the wildlife sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA).

It is strange that the state government is evicting poor farmers which is in violation of the Forest Rights Act. And the same government, in order to please a few individuals, is all set to turn Maharana Pratap Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pong Dam, into a commercial venture, without taking oustees and fishermen into consideration, said Kulbhushan Upmanyu, an activist and president of the Himalayan Niti Abhiyaan, an NGO.

No commercial activity can be carried out in the sanctuary under the WLPA unless the State Wildlife Board headed by the Chief Minister and the National Wildlife Board chaired by the Prime Minister approve it, said wildlife officials. Even after getting approval, the board has to seek mandatory permission from the Ministry of Environment for the promotion and conservation of wildlife-friendly activities, not for commercial tourism, they said.

The Pong Dam provides livelihood to over 2,479 fishermen. It is home to over 2 lakh migratory birds of 93 different species.

The state-run tourism establishment has been seeking the plying of shikaras and house boats in the Pong Dam to please locals. But nothing has happened as the WLPA prohibits any commercial activity in the lake sanctuary-cum-wetland site which is of national importance, said life officials.

The tourism plan should involve villagers, not the influential, said Upmanyu. You first uproot poor voiceless farmers from their land and when it comes to pay them off, you desert them, he said.

The wetland and its swampy and vegetative habitats have become North Indias major fish pond and home to rare ducks, coot, warblers, babblers, munias, kingfishers and predators.  In reservoir draw-down areas, which are cultivated by locals during winter, bar-headed geese and ruddy shelduck feed making it a unique biosphere of fishermen, birds and rich fish life, said the bird watchers.

The state tourism officials claimed that they had got a nod from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which has jurisdiction over half the dam. But the Tourism Department is yet to get the permission from the national and state wildlife boards.
Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12

A day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said no force in the world can separate J&K from India, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said the state would not go anywhere but there was a need to open more trade routes on borders for its inclusive development.

The state is considered as the crown of India. The crown will always remain here but there is an urgent need to take steps to improve the situation in J&K and work for its holistic development. If we talk of opening more routes for trade on borders, we need to have better relations with Pakistan, the CM said here.

Bitterness has cropped up in relations with neighbouring countries since the Partition and there is a need to have collective efforts from the Centre and the state government, and the people of all three regions to settle all contentious issues, she said.

She was addressing a function organised by the state government to hand over the first instalment of the relief cheques worth Rs 5.5 lakh each to the families of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) displaced persons of 1947, 1965 and 1971. War is not a solution. Relations with Pakistan need to be improved, she said. We always read that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor will connect with Central Asia for trade. J&K is also centrally located and our country should also link it with an economic corridor. All routes should be opened, the CM said.

She said people of the state were trapped in boundaries. There is a pilgrimage of the Sikh community in Pakistan and they (Sikhs) always ask me to open borders. Traders too want the opening of more routes for trade, she said.

When a product comes from Pakistan via the Wagha border, it costs us Rs 100 but if it comes via J&K it will cost Rs 10 only, she said.
GS Paul & Anirudh Gupta

tribune news service

Harike, December 12

Harike Cruise, an amphibious bus, made its maiden journey across the Harike wetland today carrying Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and sister Praneet Kaur Kairon as its first passengers.

The vehicle, imported from Swedish automobile company Scania, can run both on land and water. It was reassembled in Goa before being brought to Harike.

After a 15-minute ride, Sukhbir said: My target was to integrate the amphibious bus service with key tourist spots of Amritsar. We have started a hop-on, hop-off bus service from Amritsar to bring tourists to the Harike Wildlife Sanctuary so that they can have a glimpse of its rich biodiversity. In the next phase, amphibious buses would be started in Ropar and Bathinda.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition and those who had ridiculed the move, Sukhbir said he was delivering on his promise of running a bus on water. Resham, a local resident, said people used to initially laugh at the idea. Asi sochde si, sarkar toh road te bus chaldi nahi, pani te kiddaan challau? (We wondered how the government would run a bus on water when it cant do it properly on roads?), said Resham. It is exciting to see it happen.

The bus will enter the wetland from a ramp near Chungian village, around 3 km from Gurdwara Nanksar, and emerge from water at Makhu, traversing over 3 km in the water. The Irrigation Department has prepared a 240X25 feet ramp on either side at an estimated cost of Rs 75 lakh.

Col Sandeep Singh, CEO, Punjab Tourism, said in the first month of operation, a driver provided by the manufacturer would handle the vehicle. He will subsequently train local drivers.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 12

China today bluntly said there was no change in its stand on the issues of Indias membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the United Nations.

Chinas rather straightforward message was in response to Foreign Secretary S Jaishankars remarks at the recently concluded India China Think Tanks forum held in the capital.

As for Indias application for NSG and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), Chinas position remains unchanged, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing today.

Jaishankar had recently pushed in a subtle fashion for China to budge from its position on both issues. On gaining an entry into the NSG, Jaishankar had said that Indias bid should not be given a political colour.

Publicly, China has maintained that since India is not a signatory to the Non Proliferation Treaty, it cannot be admitted into the NSG. But for China, preventing India from getting into the elite group has strategic interests too. Pakistan is a case in point too who has also now applied for the NSG membership.

Chinas second technical hold on Azhars banning in the UN is due to expire at the month end. China, a veto-wielding member, has blocked Indias application twice already.
New Delhi, December 12

With demonetisation affecting weddings at large across the country with a Rs 2,50,000 cap on withdrawal for weddings, a former bureaucrat has questioned VVIP wedding extravaganzas.

E.A.S. Sarma, a bureaucrat who retired as a secretary to Government of India, shot letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and also the Enforcement Directorate.

He pointed out the lavish spending at several weddings, including those of daughters of Union Ministers Mahesh Sharma, Nitin Gadkari, and Karnataka politician G. Janardhana Reddy.

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"I have written three letters to the Prime Minister, one to Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) and to Rahul Gandhi. I have not got any reply yet," Sarma told IANS.

He said he had sought a probe into the source of money for Reddy's daughter's wedding before it took place but it was not carried out.

"There was no investigation, and after the marriage was over, a junior team went but it gave a clean chit to Reddy," Sarma said.

A twist in the tale came when a 30-year-old driver of a Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) of Bengaluru committed suicide accusing in his suicide note that the officer had helped Reddy convert old notes into new currency ahead of his daughter's wedding.

According to Sarma, around Rs 100 crore was converted.

"They have arrested the officer who colluded with Reddy, but they should have probed it before the wedding took place," he said.

Sarma, a 1965 batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who got 26 transfers in his 35-year tenure, in his different letters pointed out at the lavish weddings, comparing them with those of common citizen.

Hundreds of commoners were compelled to cancel weddings following the note ban due to cash shortage.

"Apparently, there is one set of rules and standards for NDA ministers and another set for the common man on the street," Sarma said in one of his letter to the Prime Minister.

"As a result of the prevailing cash crisis, many families have put off their scheduled weddings. Many other weddings have broken down. But, Gali Janardhana Reddy, Mahesh Sharma and Gadkari feel no crisis whatsoever, as they seem to have the blessings of bigwigs from both BJP and the NDA," the letter said.

"While your ministers are indulging in such unhealthy extravagance, is it not ironic that you yourself should exhort the common man to stand in queues to uphold your grandiose mission to fight against black money?" the letter said.

In another letter to the Prime Minister, Sarma mentioned the suicide by the driver and said: " What distresses me is that, despite my cautionary letters addressed to you, the Finance Minister, the Union Revenue Secretary, the Enforcement Director and CBI Director, all the central agencies seem to have deferred raids on Reddy's premises till he had successfully laundered the black cash holdings and allowed the local officers to give him a "clean" chit."

"Modiji, while the demonetisation mission launched by you is a commendable step forward, if it is established that your government is complicit in letting the money launderers off the hook, the credibility of what you have done in the name of demonetisation will certainly come under public scrutiny," Sarma said.

Seeking a full-fledged investigation, the former bureaucrat also said that if the government does not act, he will seek "judicial intervention".

"If you do not act quickly and firmly on these letters of mine, I will be constrained to seek judicial intervention, as every citizen in this country has the right to question the basics of governance," he said.

In his letter to Rahul Gandhi, the former bureaucrat pointed out at the presence of Congress leaders at the wedding.

Known as an honest and upright bureaucrat, Sarma, while serving in Andhra Pradesh in 1994-95, had opposed Telugu Desam Party government's plan to set up power plants without any competitive bidding.

When he could not overrule the government, he went on leave and later applied for a central posting.

A post-graduate in nuclear physics from the Andhra University and in public administration from the Harvard University, Sarma, in 2000, quit the finance ministry over differences in the public policy issues with the Atal Behari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

Post demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes announced by the Prime Minister on November 8, limits were imposed on cash withdrawals from ATMs and banks.

At present there is a limit of Rs 2,500 for ATM withdrawals per day and Rs 24,000 for bank withdrawals per week.

For families with weddings, the withdrawal limit is Rs 2,50,000.

However, there were reports of weddings being cancelled across the country due to the cash crunch.

IANS
New Delhi, December 12

As cyclone Vardah started making landfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on Monday, it is expected to weaken with sustained winds of 80 to 90 kmph. Here are the cyclones that have hit India in the recent times:

Cyclone Laila: In 2010, after a gap of two decades the south-eastern part of India was hit by two severe cyclones within a gap a few months  the first being cyclone Laila which entered along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. A total of 65 people died in Sri Lanka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and property worth $117.49 million was destroyed.

Cyclone Jal: Following cyclone Laila, cyclone Jal formed in the Pacific Ocean on October 31. Torrential rains in caused extensive flooding which led to 59 deaths in Thailand and four in Malaysia. Subsequently, Jal proceeded towards Andhra Pradesh where, through timely warnings, 70,000 people were evacuated from villages where damage was expected to be the highest. In Andhra Pradesh, 54 people died due to the storm. The total damage estimated by the Centre was $53.55 million.

Cyclone Phailin: Originating and named in Vietnam, cyclone Phailin hit the peninsula in October 2013. The cyclone hit Andhra Pradesh and resulted in the evacuation of 64,000 people from low-lying areas. A total of 1.34 lakh people were eventually evacuated. With one casualty, the damage amounted to $8.1 million in Andhra Pradesh alone. Other affected states like Odisha, Jharkhand and neighbouring states recorded losses up to $688 million. Odisha recorded 44 deaths due to storm-related accidents.

Cyclone Hudhud: The last time a cyclone of Vardah's scale breached from the Bay of Bengal was in October 2014 when Cyclone Hudhud originated from the Andaman Islands and snowballed into a category IV cyclone, being dubbed as Extremely Severe.' It proceeded to hit Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Death toll due to the cyclone was 124. The estimated damage was worth $3.4 billion.

Unlike most Bay of Bengal storms that dissipate quickly over land, Hudhud has been the only tropical cyclone whose remnant ever reached as far north as the Himalayas. The cyclone further proceeded up north to trigger an avalanche in Nepal.

Cyclone Nada: More recently, cyclone Nada appeared to threaten the peninsula in late November 2016. However, as the states geared up, the cyclone seemed to fizzle out with its landfall in Tamil Nadu. Schools were shut for two days to act as storm shelters for the citizens. 12 deaths were reported due to the storm.  ANI
New Delhi, December 12

India and Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, on Monday agreed to strengthen defence and security ties with a major focus on maritime space and deepen cooperation for effectively combating terror, its financing, money laundering and arms smuggling.

In talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the two countries with impressive growth rates also decided to boost bilateral trade and investment, particularly in areas like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, IT and skill development.

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A joint statement issued after the talks said the two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, emphasising "zero tolerance" for acts of terror.

Referring to the South China Sea disputes, where Indonesia is also a party, the two leaders called for resolving the issue through peaceful means and in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea).

Emphasising on the need to improve connectivity and encourage people-to-people contact, the two leaders also welcome Garuda Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights from Jakarta to Mumbai.

On combating terrorism, the joint statement said Modi and Widodo called upon all countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities, in an apparent reference to China blocking India's move to get Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the UN.

The two leaders also asked all countries to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing channels, besides stopping cross-border terrorism, seen as a message to Pakistan.

Modi and Widodo also underlined the need for all nations to deal with transnational terrorism emanating from their territory by effective criminal justice response while agreeing to extend bilateral cooperation to combating terror, organised crime, drugs and human trafficking, money laundering and arms smuggling.

In his media statement, Modi said the talks focused on the full range of bilateral cooperation and both sides agreed to prioritise defence and security cooperation, besides enhancing efforts to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes.

"As the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia stands for democracy, diversity, pluralism, and social harmony. These are also our values. Our nations and societies have nurtured strong bonds of commerce and culture throughout our history," he said.

The Prime Minister said both sides agreed that early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment, and finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership would be important steps to further boost trade ties.

"To sustain the momentum of our partnership, President Widodo and I have directed for an early meeting of the existing ministerial-level mechanisms to carry forward the bilateral cooperation agenda," he said.

The Indonesian President, on his first visit here, said there were detailed talks on ways to strengthen economic partnership, adding Indonesia wants to diversify exports to India.

Bilateral trade

Indonesia has emerged to become the second largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region. Bilateral trade has increased from $6.9 billion in 2007-08 to $19.03 billion in 2014-15.

In 2015-16, the trade volume fell to $9 billion due to global economic situation, fall in commodity prices and less overall imports by Indonesia.

"It is the largest economy in South East Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. As two large democracies and major emerging economies, we have shared economic and strategic interests," Modi said.

He said the two countries also decided to ramp up investment in infrastructure and leverage each other's capabilities. In this regard, he said the CEOs' Forum should take the lead in identifying new avenues of wider and deeper industry-to-industry engagement.

A separate Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation, outlining the agenda of bilateral engagement in the area was also issued.

Regarding defence and security ties, the two leaders gave a directive for early convening of the Defence Ministers' Dialogue and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meetings to review and upgrade the existing 'Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Fields of Defence' to a substantive bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement.

On fighting terror, the two leaders called for enhanced cooperation including through greater exchange of information and intelligence between the two sides.

They resolved to significantly enhance bilateral cooperation in combating terror, its financing, money laundering, arms smuggling, trafficking in human beings and cyber crime.

With regard to maritime issues, Modi and Widodo reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS.

"In this context, they urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions," the joint statement said.

It said the two leaders underscored the importance of pluralism, democracy, and rule of law as key values to achieve peaceful co-existence.

"They welcomed the convergence in the political, economic and strategic interests of the two countries that provides an enduring basis for a long-term strategic partnership," it said.

The Indonesian President and Modi agreed to hold annual Summit meetings, including on the margins of multilateral events.

"As strategic partners and maritime neighbours, the two leaders emphasised the importance of further consolidating the security and defence cooperation between the two countries," the statement said. PTI
Islamabad, December 12

India's dream of splitting Pakistan into several geographical entities was a "fallacy", Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said on Monday, calling it a "madman's" dream that would never be realised.

"BJP's dream of splitting Pakistan is nothing but a fallacy. In fact it is dream of a madman which will never be fulfilled," Khan said in a statement a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh warned that Pakistan would get "splintered" into 10 pieces if it failed to quell terrorism.

Khan described Rajnath's remarks as a "shallow claim".

"India is being divided not by any other country, but its own policies," Khan said, accusing ruling BJP of following anti-minority polices and targeting Muslims, Christians, Dalits and other groups.

Addressing a Martyrs' Day function in Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said on Sunday: "Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it".

Responding to Singh's remarks, Khan claimed that life has become miserable for minorities in India and they were "facing risks and threats under the Modi government".

"The Indian government has erected a wall of hatred in the whole country. BJP government's hands are stained with the blood of innocent Kashmiris," he said.

The latest spat between the top ministers came amid strained relations between India and Pakistan after a series of terror attacks in India by militants crossing over from Pakistan.

Khan went on to accuse India of openly interfering in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan.

"We wish peace in the region, however, will not accept Indian hegemony," he asserted.

Khan claimed arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav and other Indian agents in Pakistan is "clear proof of Indian meddling into Pakistan affairs."

Pakistan has accused Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, of planning "subversive activities" in the country.  PTI
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 12

India and Indonesia today took a strong united stand on combating terrorism and on increasing maritime cooperation and defence ties. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is in India on a two-day visit, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders held delegation-level talks.

Both countries emphasised on zero tolerance for terror. They also called upon all countries to work towards eliminating safe havens and infrastructure for terrorists. They also affirmed commitment to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). This has an obvious reference to China, which has been asserting its sovereignty in the South China Sea, which is resisted by several South East Asian nations.

Both leaders affirmed that India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours whose relations are rooted in civilisational contacts developed through the seas and who share similar perceptions of the evolving maritime environment in the region and the world at large, said a joint statement on maritime cooperation issued after talks between the two leaders.

It was also agreed upon by both leaders that the importance of freedom of navigation and over flight on the high seas, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS be respected.
Beijing, December 12

Indias diplomatic efforts to get Chinas backing for the NSG membership bid and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN seems to be making no headway with Beijing on Monday saying its stand on the two key issues remains unchanged.

As for Indias application for NSG and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), Chinas position remains unchanged, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing.

His assertion that Chinas stand remains unchanged on both the NSG and Azhar issues was made while answering a question on Foreign Secretary S Jaishankars remarks at an India-China think-tank forum in New Delhi last week when he said that China should not give a political colour to New Delhis efforts to access civilian nuclear technology.

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Jaishankar had also expressed dismay over the two countries not being able to come together on the issue of fundamentalist terrorism at critical international forums, a reference to China blocking Indias bid to get Azhar banned by the UN.

Chinas second technical hold on Azhars banning in the UN is due to expire at the end of this month and the two countries are in talks on both the NSG and Azhar issues.

Officials here are not clear about the complex process of the UN 1267 committee where China, a veto-wielding member, has blocked Indias application twice already, while the rest of the members supported it.

On Jaishankars remarks that China should respect each others legitimate aspirations, Geng said as major developing countries it is natural that the two countries need not see eye to eye on every issue.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of China and India the strategic cooperation between the two sides has made all-round progress, he said.

The two sides have been moving towards establishing a more closely knit strategic partnership for cooperation. As two major developing countries it is only natural for us not to see eye to eye on all issues, but the mainstream of the bilateral relationship is cooperation and the two of us are staying in communication on relevant issues, he said.

The Chinese side is looking to work together with the Indian side to expand bilateral mutual beneficial cooperation and manage differences based on consensus reached by leaders of both countries, he said.

On the US Congress clearing the decks for India to become a major Defence Partner of America, Geng gave a guarded reaction saying both America and India are important countries.

We welcome normal state-to-state relationship between different countries. We hope that the bilateral relationship and cooperation will be conducive to regional peace and development, he said. PTI
Mumbai, December 12

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has assured their party chief that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will not promote their upcoming film Raees in India.

Shah Rukh on Sunday called on MNS chief Raj Thackeray ahead of the release of his film Raees, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

Khan told us that the actress is not going to be here for promotion. There will be no more Pakistani actors who would be made part of his movies. We find it suitable and decided not to oppose the release of the movie, MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar said today.

We had already made clear our stand that Pakistani artistes should not be part of Bollywood movies. Shah Rukh Khan approached Raj Thackeray and clarified that the Pakistani actor is not coming to India for the movie promotion, Khopkar further said.

The issue of Pakistani artistes had created a storm earlier this year when the MNS objected to casting of actors from the neighbouring country in Bollywood movies after the Uri terror attack in which Indian Army personnel were killed.

In October, the MNS had staged high-voltage protests against the release of filmmaker Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

But, they later withdrew it after assurances from the film fraternity following mediation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to calm tempers.

The Bollywood superstar had previously run into trouble for the release of My Name is Khan in 2010, with another right wing party, Shiv Sena, opposing its screening then. Raees releases on January 25.  PTI
New Delhi, December 12

In a veiled message to China amid its growing assertiveness in resource-rich South China Sea, India and Indonesia today asserted that the dispute must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with principles of international law without resorting to threat or use of force.

The issue figured prominently during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia President Joko Widodo as they deliberated on developments in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and beyond.

Without naming China, the two leaders also called for exercising restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raised tensions.

In the talks, India and Indonesia have also decided to boost ties in maritime security sphere with a focus on cooperating with each other to ensure the safety and security of the sea-lanes.

"Regarding the South China Sea, the two sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law including the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea)," a joint statement issued after the talks between Modi and Widodo said.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

Beijing has also repeatedly blamed the United States for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, and opposes an arbitration tribunal's July ruling in favour of the Philippines, rejecting China's claims to economic rights across large swathes of the waters.

China also objects to India's oil exploration projects in South China Sea.

Although not directly involved in the dispute, Indonesia has been critical of Beijing's claim over resource-rich waters around Indonesia's Natuna Islands.

In the talks, the two sides also reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce and urged all parties to resolve the disputes through peaceful means and without resorting to threat or use of force.

"As the leaders of the State Parties to the UNCLOS, they emphasised that all parties should show utmost respect to the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans," the statement said.

After the deliberations, a Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation was also issued which outlined the agenda of bilateral engagement in maritime security sphere.

"Our partnership will also extend to combating terrorism, organised crime, drugs and human trafficking," it said.

Both Modi and Widodo affirmed that India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours whose relations are rooted in civilisational contacts developed through the seas and who share similar perceptions of the evolving maritime environment in the region and the world at large.

The two leaders recognised that India and Indonesia share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication.

"The leaders noted that India and Indonesia, as two large countries straddling the Indian Ocean, have a high stake in ensuring the effectiveness of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)," the joint statement said.

Modi congratulated Widodo on Indonesia's able leadership as Chair of the IORA and the convening of the First IORA Summit next year.  PTI
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 12

The period between October and December is generally the time of the year when tropical cyclones form more frequently in the Bay of Bengal. In that sense, Vardah  the very severe cyclone that today made a ferocious landfall near Chennai in Tamil Nadu  was a normal event, expected during these months of the year.

But what has taken most meteorologists by surprise are some of its unique features, especially the difficult and different track it followed, defying and denying all their assessments of the event.

AVM (retd) GP Sharma explains that no two cyclones can be compared. But Vardah will be known for the different and difficult track it followed since its formation in the Bay of Bengal to its subsequent landfall near Chennai as a very severe storm with the eye passing through and through the state capital with wind speeds of 100 to 110 km/h gusting to 120 km/h.

Like most storms, Vardah should have weakened in intensity upon landing after losing the source of energy  that is the warm seawaters  which it didnt. On the contrary, it intensified from a severe to a very severe event.

And then, also Vardah should have moved towards higher latitudes. However, it moved southwards, losing latitude. Initially after landfall, Vardah gained latitude but then started shifting southwards. No two cyclones can be compared but the track and the fury of Vardah was peculiar and surprising, its eye passing through and through Chennai, defying and denying all assessments, he says.

Though some may like to term Vardah another example of association between extreme weather events and climate change, Sharma does not agree. Though he calls peculiar the fact that Vardah gained strength as it approached land, upgrading to a very severe cyclone after being designated a severe one, he maintains it had nothing to do with climate change.

What is a landfall

It is the intersection of the centre or the eye of a cyclone with a coastline

Landfall occurs when the eye moves over land

Till the time the eye remains over warm waters, it carries on with full strength. Once it shifts to the land, the cyclone begins to lose steam

Major cyclones

Phailin: October 2013

Originating and named in Vietnam, Phailin hit Andhra Pradesh and resulting in the evacuation of 1,34,426 people and death of one. Fortyfour casualties were recorded in Odisha. Damages: $8.1 million (Andhra Pradesh), Odisha, Jharkhand and neighbouring states ($688 million)

Hudhud: October 2014

The last time a cyclone of Vardah's scale breached from Bay of Bengal was in 2014. Cyclone Hudhud originated from the Andaman Islands and snowballed into a category IV or "extremely severe" cyclone. It battered the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, causing 124 deaths. It further proceeded up North to trigger an avalanche in Nepal. Damages: $3.4 billion.

Nada: November 2016

The cyclone appeared to threaten the peninsula, but fortunately fizzled out after landfall in Tamil Nadu. Twelve deaths were recorded. ani
Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Bassi Pathana, December 12

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today termed AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwals charge of a secret pact between the SAD and the Congress as baseless, erroneous and politically motivated. Badal said: The Akalis and the Congress cannot co-exist just like fire and water. He said the SAD had been vehemently opposing the Congress which attacked the Golden Temple and perpetrated the carnage of innocent Sikhs during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984.

The CM raised the issue of Chandigarh and Punjabi-speaking areas during his Sangat Darshan here.

He said that even though Chandigarh belonged to Punjab, the state was forced to live like a tenant in its own capital as the state government departments had to hire buildings there.

Badal lashed out at Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh for trying to become a martyr over the SYL issue. Badal described him as the prime conspirator along with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who performed the ground breaking ceremony of the canal at Kapoori village in 1982. On the contrary, the Akali Dal had been opposing its construction from day one by launching statewide agitations, he added.

Dismissing the reports of differences within the party, the CM said not only the Akali Dal, but the SAD-BJP alliance was united to rout both Congress and AAP.
Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha, December 12

Indian Youth Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, also Gidderbaha MLA, and his four gunmen were on Monday booked on charges of assaulting an activist of Aam Aadmi Party at Guri Sanghar village in Gidderbaha assembly segment on Saturday evening.

A case under Sections 341, 323 and 34 of the IPC has been registered, Baljit Singh, SHO, Kotbhai police station, said while speaking over the phone. The case has been registered against Warring by name, while his gunmen were not named by the complainant. We are investigating the matter, said the SHO.

In his complaint, Surinderpal Singh alleged, Raja Warring and his gunmen assaulted me outside my residence on Saturday evening, just after the conclusion of Warrings blanket distribution programme in the village. They also misbehaved with my mother and hit her with sticks.

Surinderpal said he along with some youngsters had gone to the Warrings programme in the village, where he asked a question about covering AAPs posters with those of the Congress. Warring did not reply and left the venue in his car. Later, he came outside my residence and, along with, his gunmen thrashed me and my mother, the complainant alleged.

Meanwhile, the police have also booked Surinderpal Singh and four others on the complaint of Mandeep Singh, a Youth Congress activist from Guru Harsahai. Mandeep alleged five youngsters had damaged his Toyota Fortuner vehicle and looted Rs 50,000 on Saturday evening at Guri Sanghar village.

A case under Sections 341, 323, 427, 148 and 149 of the IPC has been registered against Surinderpal, Amana Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Amana Singh and Bogha Singh, all residents of Guri Sanghar village.

Notably, earlier in the day, AAP activists under the leadership of Jagdeep Sandhu, party candidate from Gidderbaha, had lodged a protest outside Doda police post seeking action against Warring and his gunmen.

We had lodged a protest outside the police post yesterday and the police had assured us to register case before 2 pm. However, when they did not register a case, we again lodged protest today and then only a case was registered. Now, we demand inclusion of Section 452 of IPC in the FIR as Warring and his gunmen had trespassed into the house of our activist. It can be verified by tracing his cell phone location, said Jagdeep Sandhu.

On the other hand, speaking over the phone from Delhi, Raja Warring, refuted the allegations. Some people are trying to implicate me in a false case to get publicity. Why will I thrash anyone and that too just close to the elections? Further, the complainant Surinderpals chacha (uncle) is a Congress man. Some youngsters, including Surinderpal, had come to the blanket distribution programme in their village and asked a question related to their candidates poster. I tried to show them some pictures of our posters covered with that of AAP, but they started making a video. On this, I opted to move to another village. I did not even go outside the complainants residence and villagers can give their statement.
Sukhmeet Bhasin

Maur, a suburban town in Bathinda district, has PWD Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon as its representative in the Assembly, but the bumpy ride in most parts betrays the connection. Ahead of the elections though, some of the inter-village link roads have been re-carpeted.

The Maur Assembly seat was carved out in 2009 and in the election held three years later, Shiromani Akali Dals Sekhon defeated Mangat Rai Bansal of Congress by a margin of 1,387 votes in a three-cornered fight. PPP founder Manpreet Singh Badal got 26,398 votes.

Two years later, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Maur Assembly segment had given the BJP-backed Akali Dal candidate from Bathinda parliamentary seat, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a lead of 1,776 votes over her nearest Congress rival Manpreet Singh Badal, who got 52,929 votes. AAP candidate Jasraj Singh Longia was a distant third with 7,499 votes.

As per the Election Commission figures of 2012, there are 1,44,111 voters in the constituency.

While Sekhon has been fielded again by the Akali Dal, Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Gora and Balkar Sidhu have started pasting posters in the city and are portraying themselves as the ticket contenders from here. Even Congress leader Harmander Jassi, unsure of getting a ticket from Bathinda Urban, has been preparing ground for a possible shift. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), too, is yet to announce its candidate.

Mangat Rai Bansal, who contested on the Congress ticket in the last elections, had joined the SAD but resigned from the party later.

Maur residents point to the lack of basic amenities whenever there is talk of elections. Another major issue is the dumping of garbage of Maur town in the residential area of Maur Khurd as the municipal council staff then burn the garbage, which is a huge health hazard.

There is no fire brigade facility in the entire constituency and fire brigades from Mansa or Bathinda, 30 km away, have to be requisitioned.

The weakened lining of canals has turned to be a headache for farmers in Maur, as many incidents of breach have been reported this year. The construction of a railway overbridge (ROB) or railway underbridge (RUB) in Maur Mandi is a long pending demand that remains unattended.

Maur was upgraded to a subdivision in 2013, but the one-time hub of the cotton ginning and spinning industry has seen a rapid decline. The Akali workers clash with traders during Diwali in 2014 still finds resonance here, along with the regular truck union skirmishes.
Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha, December 12

Indian Youth Congress and Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and his four gunmen were today booked on the charges of assaulting an AAP activist at Guri Sanghar village on Saturday evening.

A case under Sections 341, 323 and 34 of the IPC has been registered, confirmed Baljit Singh, SHO, Kotbhai police station, while speaking over the phone. Warring and his four unnamed gunmen have been booked. We are investigating the matter, he said.

In his complaint, AAP activist Surinderpal Singh alleged: Warring and his gunmen assaulted me outside my residence on Saturday evening after the MLA distributed blankets in the village. I had questioned them over covering AAP posters with theirs. They misbehaved with my mother and hit her with sticks.

The police have also booked Surinderpal and four others on the basis of a cross-complaint lodged by Mandeep Singh, a Youth Congress activist from Guru Harsahai. Mandeep alleged that five youngsters had damaged his Toyota Fortuner vehicle and looted Rs 50,000 at Guri Sanghar village. A case has been registered against Surinderpal, Amana Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Amana Singh and Bogha Singh under Sections 341, 323, 427, 148 and 149 of the IPC.

Speaking over the phone from Delhi, Warring refuted the allegations. He said: They are trying to implicate me in a false case to get publicity. Why will I thrash anyone and that too just close to the elections? They had come to my blanket distribution event and asked me about their candidates poster. I tried to show them some pictures of our posters covered with AAP posters, but they started videographing the scene. Then I opted to move to another village.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 12

Aam Aadmi Party members staged a protest during a visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the occasion of the BJPs Parivartan Yatra here today.

They showed black flags and raised slogans against the Central Government. However, the protesters were stopped by the police before entering the rally site. The protesters alleged that a local MLA used his black money to buy gold, but the BJP was trying to protect him instead of taking any action.

AAP workers also slammed the decision of demonetisation and raised questions on the mismanagement created by the Modi government.

Till now, more than 80 people have lost their lives due to the demonetisation, but the government is busy in self-praising. Whole nation is standing in queue to get some money, whereas BJP leaders and corporate houses are converting their black money into white under the protection of the Central Government, said Chandrashekar Bhatt, state president AAP.

He demanded investigation against the BJP leader who bought gold from his black money. He also threatened to intensify the protest if inquiry was not ordered against the leader.
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 12

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Progressive) today criticised the Congress as well as the BJP for indulging in blame game over the permanent capital issue. The party said Gairsain should be named the permanent capital of the state.

Party media secretary Uday Ram Semwal at a meeting here today said it had been 16 years since Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, but the regimes of the BJP and the Congress had failed to do away with this issue.

Semwal said other hill states like Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland had capitals in hilly areas. The statehood movement during 80s and 90s in Garhwal and Kumaon dwelled upon having not only a separate state but also a capital in hills, he said.

But the interim government, led by the BJP that saw two Chief Ministers  Nityanand Swami and Bhagat Singh Koshyari  named Dehradun as the interim capital of the state. Later, when the Congress assumed power, its CM Narayan Dutt Tiwari too didnt make efforts to make Gairsain the states permanent capital. BJP CMs Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank too kept mum over it. Now, the government has paved way for the separate Assembly building, Secretariat, legislators transit hostel and three Cabinet sessions in Gairsain, but both parties play safe when it comes to declaring Gairsain as the state capital, he said.

UKD (Progressive) city unit youth wing president Lalit Mamgain said the BJP boycotted the recent Assembly session in Gairsain, which reflected their apathy towards the state.

Veteran leader Anil Pokhriyal said the people of the state were hurt over the issue of capital. People want Gairsain in Chamoli district to be declared the permanent capital of the state, he said.

Its high time that the capital issue be resolved, otherwise more infrastructures will be developed in Dehradun in the name of interim capital. Already another Assembly building is being built in Raipur, which raises question over the state governments seriousness to declare Gairsain the states capital. The Congress and the BJP are playing with the sentiments of the hill people. People will punish them in the upcoming Assembly elections, he added.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 12

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today called upon the people of Uttarakhand to give a clear mandate to the BJP in the coming Assembly poll for a stable and powerful government.

Addressing a gathering after the conclusion of the BJP Parivartan Yatra, Parrikar said, Just as the people gave a clear mandate to the BJP in Goa in 2012, similarly, here too, I urge you to give a clear mandate to the party for a powerful and stable government in the Assembly poll. Give us 60 per cent or more votes, this is my request to you.

He said the Central Government led by PM Narendra Modi was ready to help the state government. But here the state government is busy making money, he said.

He said the same condition prevailed in Goa in 2012 as was prevailing now in Uttarakhand with mining scams coming to the fore and no action being taken. When I took out the Parivartan Yatra in 2012 as the Leader of the Opposition, no political pundit imagined that we will get a full majority in the state, he said.

Parrikar said after the BJP came to power, the tourism sector had witnessed exponential growth in Goa. Uttarakhand has immense potential for tourism and steps needed to be taken for the promotion of tourism have not been taken. The youth has only one choice that is to join the Army, he said. On the other hand, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who is also in-charge of Uttarakhand for the Assembly poll next year, spoke about the different political cultures of both the BJP and the Congress.

We are not talking solely about the change in leadership through this yatra, but a change in political culture. The Congress is motivated by the culture of commission but we are motivated by the culture of mission, he said.

Earlier, the yatra that covered 5,000 km in the state was given a rousing welcome at Rispana and other places. The Kumaon leg of the yatra concluded on December 7 while the Garhwal leg of the yatra concluded today. Several Uttarakhand BJP leaders, among others, were in attendance, including former chief ministers BC Khanduri, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal, BS Koshiyari, Vijay Bahuguna, Tehri MP Mala Raj Laxmi and MLA Ganesh Joshi.
Aleppo, December 12

The Syrian army and its allies are in the final stages of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in a shrinking enclave, a Syrian General said on Monday.

A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas of the city had continued non-stop overnight, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling Doomsday.

The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die, Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government's Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city. Rebels withdrew from all districts on the east side of the Aleppo river after losing Sheikh Saeed in the south of their pocket in overnight fighting, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It meant their rapidly diminishing enclave had halved in only a few hours and Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman described the battle for Aleppo as having reached its end.

The situation is extremely difficult today, said Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group fighting in Aleppo. The rebels' sudden retreat represented a big collapse in terrorist morale, a Syrian military source said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria's most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict.

The Russian Defence Ministry said since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had surrendered and 100,000 civilians had left areas of the city that were controlled by militants.  Reuters
Kathmandu, December 12

China has provided Rs 15.80 billion to Nepal for post-quake reconstruction activities, a senior minister has said.

The Cabinet meeting on Sunday decided to accept the grants worth Nepalese Rupees 15.80 billion provided by China, said Surendra Kumar Karki, Minister for Information and Communications.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers also decided to register the election (crime and punishment) bill at the Legislature-Parliament.

Decision was made to send a proposal to legislation committee on a work procedure to study the agreement government made with Govinda KC, and forward implementations accordingly, Karki said.

A committee would be formed by the government under the coordination of chief judge of appellate court, Govinda Prasad Parajuli, to study on the government employees and teachers who were sacked from the jobs on the basis of ideology during the conflict and agitation.

The members of the committee are Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General, Rewati Shivakoti, and Director at Department of Education, Ana Prasad Neupane.  PTI
MOSCOW/BRUSSELS, December 12

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that losing the Syrian town of Palmyra to Islamists shows how serious the Islamic State threat remains.

The ancient town of Palmyra was taken by Russian and Syrian forces earlier this year but recaptured by Islamic State militants over the weekend.

"The threat of losing Palmyra is a loss for all civilized humankind, not just for Russia," Peskov said.

Constant lies

Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Marc-Avrault accused the Russian government of constantly lying about its willingness to negotiate a ceasefire.

"There is Russian doublespeak ... a form of constant lies. On the one hand they say let's negotiate, and we negotiate to reach a ceasefire," Jean-Marc Ayrault told reporters in Brussels following the failure of weekend talks in Paris. "On the other, they continue the war, a total war, it's a desire to save the (Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad regime and to make Aleppo fall."

Arriving for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, he said proof that Russia's stated aim of targeting militants was false lay in reports that Islamic State had retaken the ancient city of Palmyra.

"The Russians who pretend to fight against terrorism are in fact focusing on Aleppo and have given space to Daesh (Islamic State), which is in the process of taking back Palmyra, which is very symbolic", Ayrault said.  Reuters
Cheryl Waldeck was thrilled to hear the news that her Ginger, Ginger, Ginger Christmas Cookies were chosen as a winning recipe in the Tulsa Worlds annual 12 Days of Cookies contest.

She has entered the contest for the past few years for a chance to win and to prove she had come up with a winner.

This is the recipe when I finally thought I got it right, Waldeck of Tulsa said.

When her two sons were younger, they would visit Queenies in Utica Square in the afternoons. Her boys love the ginger cookies there, and for two decades, she had tinkered with recipes to try to re-create the flavorful spicy cookies.

The spice must have been what was missing from the previous recipes she had tried. In her Ginger, Ginger, Ginger Christmas cookies, she combined half a dozen spices, and three types of ginger  ground, fresh and and crystallized ginger  to pack as much flavor into each bite as possible. To get the most flavor out of each of the spices, Waldeck purchases them whole and grinds them before adding to the dry ingredients.

You really have to get spicy. There is white pepper in it, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger  I just kept experimenting with it until I got the spice combination strong enough.

And while the peppermint might sound like a strange ingredient, it makes for a surprisingly successful combination. Waldeck developed the recipe this summer and included the recipe in her cookbook, Occasions: Seasonal Menus and Entertaining Secrets, that features more than 400 pages of recipes, tips for entertaining and more.

The cookie packs a lot of flavor and has a pretty display with its dark, molasses-colored dough and specks of crushed peppermint candies.

I love cooking and entertaining and making food for people that makes them happy, Waldeck said.

GINGER, GINGER, GINGER CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Makes 2 dozen

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

 teaspoon cardamom

 teaspoon salt

 teaspoon white pepper

1 cup golden brown sugar, packed

 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

 cup molasses

1 large egg

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced fine

 cup crystallized ginger (2.7 ounces), chopped

 cup peppermint candy, crushed fine

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and allow to cool.

2. Sift the first nine ingredients (flour to white pepper) onto a sheet of waxed paper or into a bowl; set aside. Measure all other ingredients and have ready to incorporate near the mixer.

3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter and molasses on high for 3 minutes. Scrape the sides of bowl and continue beating another 3 minutes.

4. With mixer on low, add egg and incorporate. Add fresh and crystallized ginger and incorporate.

5. Continuing on low speed, mix the flour and other dry ingredients, adding gradually and mixing for 2 to 3 minute until a stiff dough forms.

6. Pinch out or portion with a small scoop, 24 uniform pieces of dough, then roll dough into 1-inch balls by swirling gently between your two palms approximately five times.

7. Lightly roll each ball in crushed peppermint candies to coat the outside of the balls (Go easy on the candy  even though it is yummy, a little goes a long way). Place peppermint-coated balls on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

8. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cookies will crack on top, but will be soft inside and lightly browned on the bottom when finished baking.

9. Let cool 1-2 minutes then slide cookies, while still on the parchment paper, off the cookie sheet and onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Emerson Elementary School could become the first public Montessori school in Oklahoma after Tulsa Public Schools officials determined that the unique educational approach reflects the downtown communitys vision for the neighborhood school.

District leaders are considering phasing in the program for the schools youngest students starting in fall 2018 at the neighborhood school, 909 N. Boston Ave.

They say the Montessori method, which is used at about 500 public schools across the country and a few private schools in Tulsa, will work well with Emersons redesign and expansion and reflects the feedback they received from residents near the school just north of downtown.

The 2015 school bond measure allocated funding toward the physical renovation of Emerson to expand it to accommodate 650 students  about double its current capacity  and officials say the redesign will provide flexible space for hands-on and multi-aged learning, as well as outdoor learning opportunities. The school is expected to relocate for the 2017-18 school year while the renovations are underway and return to the building the following year.

In forums regarding the renovations and changes the community would like to see at the school, district officials recognized an interest in the concept of educating the whole child, said Emma Garrett Nelson, manager of media relations for TPS.

TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist presented information about Montessori to a group of more than 70 parents, students, neighbors, school partners, business leaders and Emerson faculty at the school Thursday evening.

Montessori schools promote student independence with individualized instruction plans and student-led projects that encourage children to learn at their own pace. They use multi-age classrooms and outdoor learning environments and emphasize social development by encouraging students to help one another learn and treat each other with compassion, empathy and tolerance.

The model is named after Maria Montessori, who co-directed a school for children with special needs in 1899, opened the first Childrens House in 1907 and opened the first U.S. Montessori school in 1911.

District officials say the Montessori method will fit Emersons new building design because the classroom renovations and outdoor learning area will provide flexible space for multi-aged and hands-on learning.

TPS is working through the financial aspect of implementing Montessori at Emerson, and it would take seven years for the school to implement the method for prekindergarten through sixth grade, Garrett Nelson said.

Montessori works best when students receive the learning early on, so Montessori would first be implemented in the 2018-19 school year for students ages 4 through 6, and then the method would be phased in to follow the 6-year-olds as they progress through school, she said.

Emerson would remain a neighborhood school with any remaining open seats available for student transfers, Garrett Nelson said. The district would work with families who want to opt out of the Montessori program to transfer to another school.

Emerson teachers would be required to be certified in Montessori by attending summer classes over the next two years, Garrett Nelson said. Private funding would pay for the professional development certification, and TPS would work to find a new placement for any teachers who do not wish to teach in the Montessori method.

Gist met with teachers and staff earlier last week to discuss Montessori programming. The teachers expressed excitement and support, and several of them were already familiar with Montessori, Garrett Nelson said.

Johnece Mercer lived in the Brady Heights neighborhood near Emerson for more than 20 years and attended the meeting Thursday with her daughter Raynece Million, who still lives in the neighborhood and is excited about the prospect of her 3-year-old daughter getting a free Montessori education.

Million attended a private Montessori school in El Sobrante, California, when she was 4 and 5 years old, and Mercer said she noticed the program help her daughter develop socially and instill a love for learning and habits of self-discipline.

It helped her blossom, Mercer said. It was a positive start for her that she carried not only through all of the days that she went to school but also into adulthood now.

Mercer said she and her daughter, who naturally worry about what kind of educational opportunities the toddler will have, breathed a sigh of relief when they learned Emerson could become a Montessori school.

She enjoys learning, Mercer said about her granddaughter. And for a child that enjoys learning and exploring, the Montessori program is perfect.
The last time I interviewed John Brooks Walton  one of the most talented and best-known architects in Oklahoma history  an unfinished painting was lying on a drafting table near his bed at the St. Simeons nursing home.

You still paint? I asked, somewhat surprised because he had told me that he quit practicing architecture sometime around 2013, when his hands became too shaky.

I cant remember his exact answer, because this was more than a year ago. But it was something like: Ill quit painting when I quit breathing.

Could that have been his true passion, while architecture was just a moneymaking sideline?

I had gone to talk to him about the estate sale where Brooks, in declining health, was getting rid of one of the largest, quirkiest and most famous collections in Tulsa.

Specializing in historic renovations and loath to throw anything away from the beautiful homes that he worked on, Walton kept pretty much anything that he could get his hands on  doors, door knobs, sconces, window frames, furniture, fireplace mantles, even plumbing fixtures.

On top of that, he became a regular at Saturday morning flea markets, where he went looking for figurines, furniture, lamps and  well, you name it, he collected it. Walton even built his own warehouse near downtown Tulsa where stuff was stacked floor-to-ceiling, with aisles barely wide enough to walk through sideways.

The estate sale, billed as the last chance to own something from the famous John Brooks Walton, drew huge crowds in the summer of 2015. But it turns out not to have been quite the last chance after all.

Walton died Oct. 22 at the age of 87. And now his family is going to have another, albeit smaller, estate sale  with more than 75 of his original paintings.

Its pretty special, says Allen Hynes of Estate Sales by Allen. Its not every day that you get the chance to buy something from the hands of a great architect like this.

Toward the end of his career, Walton became almost as well-known for his series of books on Historic Tulsa Homes, which Hynes described as a gift to Tulsa. This weeks sale, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 16th Street and Sheridan Road, will also include the last uncirculated copies of some titles.

If it wasnt for him, Hynes says, we would never have known all these insider stories about the great houses of Tulsa. That history would have been lost.
When negotiating the lease for a wind development on tribal land north of Ponca City, the Cherokee Nation insisted on preserving the way one particular part of the property looks: the historic Chilocco Indian School.

Built in 1883, the boarding school operated for nearly a century and was seen as a home and haven to some, reformatory and prison to others, as described by the Oklahoma Historical Society. No wind turbines will stand within a mile of the campus, which is now abandoned except for curious tourists.

If theyre visible at all, it will be very minimal, says Sara Hill, the Cherokee Nations secretary for natural resources. That site is very important to the Cherokee Nation.

Elsewhere across the 4,000-acre development, just south of the Kansas border, the tribe seemed less concerned with aesthetics. The area remains sparsely populated and Kay County already has a major wind development west of Blackwell.

Just across the Arkansas River, however, a different tribe has fought relentlessly  although unsuccessfully  to stop wind developments, arguing in part that the giant turbines ruin the scenic vistas of the open prairie.

I object to these companies coming into areas that are pristine and beautiful, says Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, and polluting them with their machinery.

In recent years, Standing Bears tribe filed several lawsuits in state and federal court to attack wind developments from multiple angles  arguing in one case that the developments would disturb graves and archaeological sites, and in another case that they would interfere with the tribes mineral rights to oil and other natural resources in Osage County.

But the courts have consistently ruled in favor of wind developers, and the first turbines went up west of Pawhuska in November 2014. The county now has more than 90 turbines, with more developments planned.

With legal options apparently exhausted, the tribe will take the argument to the court of public opinion, Standing Bear says, hoping for legislative reforms to limit where wind developments can go.

The prairie, he says, is a rare and delicate and endangered ecosystem. And these wind farms are destroying it. Were going to continue the fight.

Nonetheless, he supports the right of the Cherokee Nation and other tribes to lure wind developments to their lands outside of Osage County, where the ecosystem may not be so sensitive because the prairie has already been plowed and divided.

Another difference, of course, is that the Cherokee Nation stands to benefit financially from wind development in Kay County, where the developer  PNE Wind  will pay the tribe $1 million a year for use of the land. The Osage Nation, on the other hand, doesnt get a penny from wind development in Osage County, where the turbines stand on privately owned ranches.

Would the tribes opinion change if wind development came to tribal-owned property? Not at all, Standing Bears says.

These developers have no regard for this ecosystem, he says. We listen to ranchers and Native Americans who enjoy the prairie as it is.

The Chilocco wind development will include 60 turbines and begin operation in 2018, pending approval from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Not only will the Cherokee Nation profit from it, but the turbines will produce clean energy that will benefit the global environment, Hill said.

We take our stewardship responsibilities very seriously, she says.

Meanwhile, however, the Cherokees will root for the Osages in the fight to stop further wind developments in the neighboring county.

We support the Osage Nations right to make their own decisions, Hill said, to do what they feel is best for their nation.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Governor Mary Fallin announced recently that the National Governors Association (NGA) has chosen Oklahoma as one of two states to receive technical assistance regarding using existing Medicaid funds to meet state workforce requirements in underserved areas of the state.

I am thrilled that the NGA has chosen to help Oklahoma meet its health care workforce needs. One of my top priorities as Governor has been addressing the workforce crisis in Oklahoma, through my initiative, Oklahoma Works. This support from the NGA dovetails perfectly with the goals of my Administration to ensure all Oklahomans have the skills and education necessary to have rewarding careers and achieve the American Dream, noted Governor Fallin.

The technical assistance program, Connecting Medicaid to Health Workforce will provide expert consultation to assist Oklahoma agency leaders in developing a plan to use Medicaid funds to address state health workforce needs, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.

Oklahoma faces the significant challenges of an aging physician workforce and an alarming shortage of primary care providers for those in the greatest need.

This opportunity builds on prior collaborative health workforce efforts that resulted in the development of the Governors Health Workforce Action Plan and the establishment of the Health Workforce Subcommittee of the Governors Council for Workforce and Economic Development.

A core team of state leaders from OHCA, OSDH, Physician Manpower Training Commission, State Office of Rural Health, and the Choctaw National Health Services Authority will work with a broad range of stakeholders to develop recommendations to modernize and improve the effectiveness of state Medicaid funding for Graduate Medical Education (GME).

One of the primary goals of the project will be to develop strategies that ensure transparency and accountability for state GME funding, while aligning Medicaid GME with state-specific health workforce needs. The team will specifically address the need for increasing both training of primary care physicians and support for community-based, inter-professional education; this includes Teaching Health Center programs in federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and Tribally operated health systems.

According to the NGA, Evidence suggests providers who train in clinics in rural and other underserved areas are more likely to practice there after their training is complete.  The technical assistance will provide both states an opportunity to engage in the creation of a plan with specific goals and action steps and accompanied by on-the-ground support, which will include discussions with experts and stakeholder engagement.

Governor Fallin has appointed core team members, with the project team to be led by Adrienne Rollins, Director of the OSDH Center Health Innovation and Effectiveness.

Other core team members include:

Katie Altshuler, Policy Director, Office of the Governor

Jana Castleberry, Manager of Health Workforce Development, Office of Primary Care Oklahoma State Department of Health

Julie Cox-Kain, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services

Carrie Evans, Chief Financial Officer Oklahoma Health Care Authority

Richard Evans, Executive Director, Oklahoma Physician Manpower Training Commission

Todd Hallmark, Executive Director of Health Operations Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority

Corie Kaiser, Director, Oklahoma State Office of Rural Health

Garth Splinter, MD, Deputy CEO, Oklahoma Health Care Authority

The project will begin in December 2016 and will end in May 2017.
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - December 12, 2016) - Morocco's King Mohammed VI has concluded the second leg of a nearly two-month, six-country Africa tour with visits to Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Nigeria, resulting in some 50 bilateral agreements. The visits come on the heels of trips to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Senegal in October, when more than 40 bilateral agreements were signed.

In Addis Ababa on November 19, the King and Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn chaired the launch ceremony for a project to build a "world-class integrated platform for fertilizer production" in Ethiopia, estimated to reach a total annual capacity of 3.8 million tons by 2025, which would render Ethiopia self-sufficient in fertilizer. The two leaders also chaired the signing of several bilateral agreements relating to water resources, banking and finance, and establishing a bilateral business council.

In the Malagasy capital on November 21, King Mohammed VI and President of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina chaired the signing ceremony of 22 bilateral cooperation agreements in a host of areas, including agriculture, banking, renewable energy, and education and vocational training, as well as an agreement to upgrade and preserve Madagascar's Canal of Pangalanes. The Canal is four times longer than the Suez Canal and eight times longer than the Panama Canal.

Two days later, the King arrived in Antsirabe -- the Malagasy city to which his late grandfather, King Mohammed V, was exiled in 1954 -- to explore a special photography exhibit on his grandfather's stay there, view the hotel in which he lived, and rededicate the local mosque as "King Mohammed V Mosque." In an interview with Malagasy press following the visit, the King called the visit "very moving," noting that "Contrary to exile experiences in general, my family has maintained a good memory of this forced stay and has maintained a strong relation with Madagascar, especially Antsirabe." As an expression of gratitude, the King has committed to setting up a vocational training center and building a mother-child hospital for the city.

On December 1, King Mohammed VI arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, where he and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari chaired the signing of several bilateral agreements on renewable energy, fishing, and agriculture -- including an agreement to develop Nigerian's fertilizer industry. According to an official release from the visit, "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" with the ultimate goal of developing "a sustainable agriculture in Nigeria while helping with the amelioration of farmers' daily life in a spirit of south-south partnership."

Representing one of Morocco's most ambitious infrastructure development goals, the two countries also announced plans to build a natural gas pipeline that, at completion, would bring Nigeria's energy resources through West Africa to Morocco, and eventually to European markets with Morocco serving as a gateway. Ithmar Capital, Morocco's sovereign wealth fund and co-partner in the venture with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, said in a release, "The new collaboration between Morocco and Nigeria is intended to set a model for South-South cooperation and act as a catalyst for African economic opportunities. It aligns with His Majesty, King Mohammed VI's regional strategy, in which he has declared that Africa is the top priority in Morocco's foreign policy and that the Kingdom will contribute to economic, social services and human development projects that directly improve the lives of people in the region. This includes on projects related to the energy sector, and notably sustainable and green projects."

The King had initiated his East Africa tour with visits to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Senegal before attending the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) in Marrakesh. Though the King has traveled to Senegal many times before, his visits to Rwanda, Tanzania, and most recently Ethiopia and Nigeria were a first and reinforce his commitment to South-South cooperation just a few months after announcing his intention for Morocco to rejoin the African Union (AU). Some thirty countries have already voiced their support for Morocco's bid, including Benin, Gabon, Liberia, Senegal, Egypt, and Ghana, to name just a few.

Since ascending the throne in 1999, the King has made Africa a foreign policy priority. Beyond his many trips, in late 2013 the King established a program to train imams from across the continent. In March 2015 in Rabat, he formally opened the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines, and Morchidates. In April 2015, Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding with the Millennium Challenge Corporation "with the goal of reducing poverty in Africa, including a focus on promoting adoption of new technologies and innovative business models to promote entrepreneurship." The King also strongly represented Africa's interests on climate change policy at the COP22 summit.

"The significance of King Mohammed VI's recent visits in East Africa cannot be overstated," said former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel. "They signal a real appreciation for cooperation and a commitment to sustainable economic development that underscores the importance of Morocco and the continent of Africa. We need more of this kind of leadership and dedicated focus in the region."

The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform opinion makers, government officials, and interested publics in the United States about political and social developments in Morocco and the role being played by the Kingdom of Morocco in broader strategic developments in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

This material is distributed by the Moroccan American Center for Policy on behalf of the Government of Morocco. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/12/11G124909/Images/Madagascar_9-682300c167aaaae4b88b5a7321b76c2f.jpg


One former PNM stalwart says there is only one fit to head the political entity and it's not
Match dates: 22 February, 14 March

Reaction

Pavel Nedved, Juventus vice-president: "A good draw for us? It's all relative and you mustn't underestimate your opponents at this stage of the competition. There are great expectations of Juve now reaching the quarter-finals with ease, just as there is at home to win the Scudetto. In reality, things are never that simple. Porto must be approached with caution given they've knocked out one Italian team already."

Alex Sandro joined Juventus from Porto in 2015 AFP/Getty Images

Key facts
Ground forces are the reliable shield of Ukraine's defensive capacity, and a new model of the Armed Forces is being built on its basis.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said this in his congratulatory address on the occasion of to the Day of Ground Forces of Ukraine, the Government portal reports.

"Currently, the ground forces are the reliable shield of Ukraine's defensive capacity, and a new model of the Armed Forces is being built on its basis," Groysman said.

According to him, the level of training and combat experience of Ukrainian servicemen amid Russia's military aggression against our country has been highly appreciated by both Ukrainian and international community.

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No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but three servicemen were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation area in eastern Ukraine over the last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but three servicemen were wounded as a result of combat actions over the past day, Lysenko said.

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Ukrainian POLYTEGA CLOUD Company has won a EUR 1.22 million grant from the European Commission for a two-year innovative project Physical Verification PV loud to develop needed tools to verify proper operation of new microcircuit chips.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman wrote this on his Facebook page.

Do you remember notorious incidents with Samsung Galaxy Note-7's defects? And Ukrainian IT-company Polyteda Cloud received a grant for more than a million euros from the European Commission to launch a project to verify proper operation of new microcircuit chips, which will help to avoid such incidents. Well done! Groysman wrote.

According to the prime minister, the company received the grant in line with the European Horizon 2020 program. Ukraine has the access to this program since 2015.

iy
Ukraine and Lithuania have agreed to coordinate efforts in the energy security sector.

The President of Ukraine said this at a briefing upon the meeting with the Lithuanian President, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We have agreed to coordinate our actions in the energy security sector," Poroshenko said.

The President underlined the importance of support for the position of Ukraine "regarding the erroneous decision of the European Commission, which would allow Gazprom to increase gas pumping through the OPAL pipeline and could open the way for construction of the second stage of Nord Stream 2 pipeline."

The President is convinced that the Nord Stream 2 is devoid of any economic basis and contains only a political component, which, in his opinion, "aims to continue hybrid war, expansion, embargo on trade relations to cause economic damage to Ukraine and EU Member States."

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On Monday, December 12, President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite pays a working visit to Ukraine.

This has been reported by the press office of the President of Ukraine.

"President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite will make a visit to Ukraine on December 12, 2016 to take part in the Ninth session of the Council of Presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania," reads a statement.

The Presidents will carry out separate bilateral negotiations, as well as the session of the Council of President in expanded format. Following the meeting, a series of bilateral documents will be signed.

In the framework of the visit, the Second Ukraine-Lithuania Economic Forum and a solemn opening of the Lithuanian park in Kyiv will take place.

ish
President Petro Poroshenko has thanked Lithuania for 25 years of support and friendship.

The President wrote this on his Facebook page on the occasion of anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries.

"On December 12, 1991, diplomatic relations were established between Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania. We thank Lithuania for 25 years of support and friendship!" Poroshenko noted.

As reported, on Monday, December 12, President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite pays a working visit to Ukraine to take part in the Ninth session of the Council of Presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania.

ish
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite have defined a roadmap for further international cooperation for 2017-2018.

The President of Ukraine said this at a briefing upon the meeting with the Lithuanian President, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Our agreements in all areas of further cooperation have been laid down in the roadmap of development of strategic partnership, which provides for the concrete steps to be taken in 2017 and 2018," Poroshenko said.

As noted by the President, the document contains comprehensive and clear plan of the Ukrainian-Lithuanian "interaction."

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Ukraine and Lithuania strongly condemn the temporary occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and its aggression in Donbas.

This has been said in the Joint Statement made by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both states, the website of the Head of State reported.

"Our states strongly condemn the temporary occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine  the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol  by the Russian Federation and its aggression in Donbas. We call on the international community to continue active political, diplomatic and other efforts for restoring Ukraines territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders in the interest of stability and security of the entire Europe," reads the document.

At the same time, Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania demonstrate strong intention to further strengthen their strategic partnership on the basis of mutual trust and respect, openness and comprehensive cooperation for the benefit of the nations of both states.

ish
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite believes that Ukraine must now focus its efforts on combating corruption, as it does even more harm to the state than the war.

The President of Lithuania said this at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The recent e-declarations of officials indicate that you have much work ahead in terms of fighting corruption, which sometimes does even more harm than the war on your territory," Grybauskaite said.

She assured that Lithuania was ready to share its experience in fight against corruption and to send the experts to Ukraine to examine the real state of the problem.

ol
President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite noted the importance of supporting Ukraine at all levels - international and bilateral.

The President of Lithuania said this at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the website of the Head of State reported.

The President of Lithuania also noted the assistance for Ukraine in military sphere, particularly the provision of military instructors and enhancement of interaction between Ukrainian and Lithuanian servicemen in the format of the Ukrainian-Polish-Lithuanian battalion.

Our people always keep Ukrainians in their hearts. Everything that happens in Ukraine is extremely important for us. I want to send my warmest feelings from Lithuanians to all Ukrainians. We stand by your side in all your challenges. And we do everything to help you, Dalia Grybauskaite said.

ish
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Iraqis displaced by fighting in Mosul prepare food at Hasansham camp, Iraq.  UNHCR/Ivor Prickett

GENEVA  In the biggest show of support ever, donor governments today pledged an initial $701 million for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to help nearly 69 million displaced or stateless people in its operations worldwide in 2017.

The pledges made at the donor meeting in Geneva will help UNHCR provide support to people fleeing major conflicts  including in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and the Lake Chad region  as well operations in more than 100 countries around the world. UNHCRs budget for all operations for 2017 stands at US$7.3 billion.

Todays pledges do not cover all needs, but they provide an important signal to the organization of the anticipated funding for next year, allowing it to plan and continue operations without interruption. It represents a large increase over the US$687 million pledged a year ago, which was then a record.

We are calling on our government donors to work with us to make sure that all displaced people can access protection and build a secure future, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

Our top priority is saving lives and protecting the rights and dignity of refugees, people displaced within their own countries, and stateless people. That means offering practical support over the longer term  including to the countries and communities that host them.

What is new in UNHCRs approach this year, Grandi added, is an increased emphasis on working with development agencies.

We are placing an ever greater emphasis on working in partnership, he said. That calls for partnership with development actors like the World Bank, the International Labour Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, partnership with the private sector and  obviously  partnership with displaced people themselves.

Refugees needs have never been greater, Grandi added, but the countries of the world have also shown their commitment to work together to find lasting solutions.

UNHCRs budget is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from governments and, increasingly, from individuals, corporations and foundations. For 2016, UNHCR expects to receive the highest proportion ever of what it asked for  54 percent, or some US$4 billion out of the US$7.51 billion currently budgeted.
For young Afghan girls like 13-year-old Palvashey, who live as refugees in remote Kot Chandana village in Pakistan, education usually ends on their 14th birthday.

Their makeshift school, itself a converted health clinic, has only five rooms, and furniture, school supplies and resources are severely limited. The lack of space and educational materials mean younger children are prioritized by the teachers, and the older ones have to sacrifice their schooling at the end of the eighth grade. But all that is now changing.

Afghan teacher Aqeela Asifi, who won the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award for her dedicated work providing education to refugee girls, has expanded this small school in Kot Chandana using some of the US$100,000 prize money.

My students would always ask for the same thing  to be able to continue their education past the eighth grade.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new building in September 2016, Aqeela talked about her motivation. My students would always ask for the same thing  to be able to continue their education past the eighth grade, she said. Now we can make this dream a reality.

Thanks to Aqeelas investment of more than US$64,000 in three new classrooms, a washroom and a fully-equipped science laboratory, the first class of ninth grade girls have a space to continue learning. New teachers have been hired, books and teaching materials purchased and the classrooms furnished with desks, chairs and a blackboard.

Palvashey is one of the students about to start the grade. She has not missed out on any schooling, but some of her new classmates were not so lucky. Many had no option but to drop out of school and are returning after a lengthy break. The class of 11 students now has the chance to complete their high school education and a shot at a brighter future.

In 2015, Aqeela Asifi was honoured with the Nansen Refugee Award for her tireless work, providing Afghan refugees with an education in Pakistan.

The walls of the new science block are filled with posters depicting human anatomy and books crowd the shelves. Test tubes, Bunsen burners and microscopes are set out on tables, ready for the first class to begin their chemistry, biology and physics studies. And it is these skills that will make Palvasheys ambitions come true. Although English is my favourite subject at school, I want to become a doctor and save lots of lives, she says.

Afghanistan is one of the largest and most protracted refugee crises in the world. Of the 1.34 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, nearly half of them are children. Access to education is considered to be a vital tool in enabling successful repatriation, resettlement or local integration.

Aqeelas school is one of only a small handful in Pakistan that offer education to refugee children older than 12 years - a situation that is unfortunately far too common. A report released in September by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, found that more than half  3.7 million  of the six million school-age children under its mandate worldwide have no school to go to.

Some 1.75 million refugee children are not in primary school and 1.95 million refugee adolescents are not in secondary school, the report found. Refugees are five times more likely to be out of school than the global average, while only a fraction  one per cent  go on to further education.

Aqeela Asifi helps one of her young students. The 2015 Nansen Award winner started this school in 1992 with a borrowed tent and handwritten texts.  UNHCR/Sara Farid

Afghan girls attend class at the school where Aqeela has invested more than US$64,000 in three new classrooms, a washroom and a fully-equipped science laboratory.  UNHCR/Sara Farid

Aqeela shows photos of her younger days in Afghanistan to her grandchildren at her house in Kot Chandana refugee village.  UNHCR/Sara Farid

Of the 1.34 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, nearly half are children. Access to education is a vital tool in enabling successful repatriation, resettlement or local integration.  UNHCR/Sara Farid

A young student admires her new uniform at Aqeela's school in Kot Chandana.  UNHCR/Sara Farid

The school extension in Kot Chandana marks yet another important milestone for Aqeela, who escaped from the Afghan capital Kabul with her husband and two small children in 1992. She was just 26 when she arrived at this remote refugee camp in the Punjab province of Pakistan, with no idea that she would spend decades of her life as a refugee.

From humble beginnings  a borrowed tent and handwritten texts  Aqeela has developed a small school and helped more than 1,000 student girls through to the eighth grade.

When I see a pen in the hands of my students and I see them writing and learning, this sight strengthens my resolve."

During the inauguration ceremony of the school, UNHCRs Representative in Pakistan Indrika Ratwatte paid tribute to her commitment. Aqeelas dedication to promote education for Afghan refugee girls in Pakistan is outstanding, he said.

For Aqeela, who has devoted her life to giving girls learning opportunities, seeing classrooms filled with animated students is an inspiration. When I see a pen in the hands of my students and I see them writing and learning, this sight strengthens my resolve, she says. This sight gives me the courage and resolve to continue my mission to educate until my last day.

And now, Aqeela is one step closer to achieving her own dream  returning home to her native Afghanistan to help returned refugees rebuild their lives. She plans to spend the remaining Nansen prize money to establish small informal learning centres in Kabul, for children who may have missed out on schooling while in exile.

If you want to help people, I believe providing an education is the best service one could offer to society, she says.

If you know of an individual or organization dedicated to improving the lives of people forcibly displaced from their homes, nominate them for the Nansen Refugee Award today.

Nominate your hero
(Adds analyst comment, detail about separate trial)

By John Miller

ZURICH, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Novartis's bid to bolster its eye drug portfolio suffered a setback on Monday when it announced combining Lucentis with Fovista in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) did not produce better outcomes than treatment with Lucentis alone.

Two phase III studies that combined Ophthotech's Fovista with Lucentis "did not meet the primary endpoint of superiority", Novartis said in a statement.

Two years ago, the Swiss drugmaker signed a potential $1 billion licensing deal with Ophthotech to market Fovista outside the United States.

It had hoped a successful combination with Lucentis could help it counter waning sales of Lucentis, which has been hurt by competition from other drugs.

With the trials' failure, however, Novartis said it still hoped analysis of underlying data would provide further understanding and guidance on helping nAMD patients.

"The proven efficacy of Lucentis monotherapy was not improved by the addition of" Fovista, said Vasant Narasimhan, Novartis's chief drug development officer. "Together with Ophthotech we continue to analyse the data."

Novartis shares slipped 0.3 percent in early trading.

Age-related macular degeneration affects up to 25 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of early blindness in the industrial world.

In the first nine months of 2016, Lucentis's sales for Novartis outside the United States fell 11 percent, on top of a previous decline in 2015, due to competition from drugs including Regeneron's Eylea.

"A positive result of the study would have been welcome to add a little pep to waning Lucentis sales," wrote Michael Nawrath, a Zuercher Kantonal Bank analyst, in a note. "For the small company Ophthotech this will be much worse than for Novartis, but it's still a negative result."

The failure leaves Novartis hoping for more-favourable results from a separate phase III trial of its investigational medication RTH258 against nAMD, due to be published early next year.

The failure also impacts Roche, which has marketing rights for Lucentis in the United States and had a deal with Novartis for a share of revenue from Fovista outside the United States.

(Editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter)
By David Gaffen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil rose to an 18-month high on Monday after OPEC and some of its rivals reached their first deal since 2001 to jointly reduce output to tackle global oversupply, though prices slipped late in the day. On Saturday, producers from outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, led by Russia, agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels per day, short of the target of 600,000 bpd but still the largest non-OPEC contribution ever. That followed OPEC's Nov. 30 deal to cut output by 1.2 million bpd for six months from Jan. 1. Top exporter Saudi Arabia will cut around 486,000 bpd to reduce the supply glut that has dogged markets for two years. Crude futures have rallied sharply, with U.S. oil futures gaining 23 percent since the middle of November as optimism that an agreement would be reached started to grow. There is some concern amongst analysts that the big move in crude is not sustainable, and that the market may have overshot given the expectation that various producers would not comply with the cuts they agreed upon. "Right now the market is kind of feeding on itself," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. "The market could push another $1 to $2 up to $55, and Brent could go to about $60, but at that point there are some concerns that are going to start to cap the rally." On Monday, U.S. crude futures settled up $1.33 at $52.83 a barrel, a 2.6 percent gain, though that was sharply off the day's highs. Prices continued to fall following settlement, with crude up just 98 cents to $52.48 at 3:22 p.m. ET. Brent crude futures settled up $1.36 at $55.69 per barrel, a 2.5 percent rise, after hitting a session peak of $57.89, highest since July 2015. "Overnight we had a knee-jerk rally to the highs, but the market is going to try to analyse" the non-OPEC agreement going forward, said Andrew Lebow, managing partner at Commodity Research Group. For the deal to be effective, all parties must stick to their word. Higher prices also raise the chances of other producers boosting output, particularly U.S. shale operators, where rig counts have grown steadily in recent months. U.S. production remains about 1 million bpd below its peak of 9.6 million reached in 2015, according to U.S. Energy Department data. Further, several of the non-OPEC countries are still increasing their production. Russia, for instance, does not expect to reach its target until April or May, and several other countries are expected to experience only natural declines, which will not necessarily affect the supply situation. (Additional reporting by Florence Tan, Keith Wallis and Henning Gloystein in SINGAPORE; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis)
The legendary phone-maker company of the 90's Nokia is reported to make a big comeback in 2017 with new Android phones and tablets. With HMD as the chosen manufacturer, the most anticipated Nokia Android phones and tablets for 2017 are expected to make someone nostalgic and will crave for the old times. Read more details here!

Nokia Comeback 2017 Updates

Two new Android phones and tablets are expected from the legendary phone-maker of the 90's Nokia. According to The Next Web, the Finnish company has already signed a ten years agreement with HMD for the manufacturing of device with reliability, robustness and unique design attributes.

The existence of the new android phones and tablets has been proven through a page from Nokia's website exclusive for phones. The website suggest that Nokia is now operated by the Finish Company HMD Global Oy which has the exclusive license of Nokia brand which is said to manufacture the devices to their plant in Vietnam, Business Insider reported.

The 2017 devices of Finnish phone-maker Company are expected to be more innovative and will feature the Nokia's trademark for quality and efficiency. For this reason, netizens started to speculate that the new Android phones and tablets will elicit joy and happiness while bringing in nostalgic experiences.

What to Expect from Nokia Phones in 2017?

The leaks suggest that Nokia will release two variants of D1C model in 2017 that consists of a high-end and a low-tier handset. According to Know Your Mobile, the low-tier one will feature the following specs: 5-inch screen size with 1080p display resolution, 1.43 GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, Adreno 505 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, 13MP rear camera and 8MP front-face camera and runs Android 7.0 Nougat.

On the other hand, the high-end variant will be equipped with the following specs: 5.5-inch screen size with 1080p resolution, 1.43 GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, Adreno 505 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, 16MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing camera and runs Android 7.0 Nougat.
Successful people become successful because they dare to be different than others. They are those who were brave enough to go against conventional wisdom and re-write the rules. They also have unusual beliefs they adhere to, so if you want to follow in their footsteps, here is a list of what you can learn from them.

Barbara Corcoran

Barbara Corcoran is the founder of the Corcoran Group and Shark believes that fun should always come first because life is too short. She even went on saying that for every fun she creates, she gets a 1,000 percent return. Her favorite example is when she sold her company, Corcoran Group, for $66 million where she thought their fun expense was only .04 percent.

Grant Cardone

Grant Cardone, who built a $500 million real-estate empire, says that you have to be so obsessed. This might not come as an unusual belief but he said that the obsession should be strong enough that you lose the sense of time. He said that obsession should lead you to swimming in Kool-Aid rather than just drinking it like the majority of people does.

Com Mirza

Com Mirza is no stranger to failure. Before he built his nine-figure empire, Fitness Expo Dubai, he failed in eight companies. His advice is that if you really want to succeed, you need to condition your mind by always reminding yourself about your goals. For him, he does that by writing his five goals every day.

Gary Nealon

When it comes to unusual beliefs, Gary Nealon might come as very unusual. The president of Nealon Solutions and The Rox Group, he suggests failing fast is the secret of his success. He explained that when you fail fast, you can make improvements immediately as well. He was very pragmatic saying things will not always go according to what you planned. However, if you found out immediately, you'll be able to find solutions quickly as well.

Steve Griggs

Founder and CEO of Steve Griggs Design, he said that clearing out the small stuff will help you focus on what's more important. He said that c clearing the small and insignificant things first keeps you grounded as well as build your momentum.
Undocumented students and immigrants have been protected by United States President Barack Obama's 2012 policy that they will not be removed. President-elect Donald Trump's new administration may remove that policy.

As Donald Trump continues to meet with different authorities to discuss his administration policies when he takes his seat at the Oval Office, Ohio residents are fearing for the worst. On November 28, Trump promised to get rid of Obama's 2012 policy protecting immigrant college students from deportation. This is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). The DACA protects young people who are illegal immigrants or who have overstayed their visas especially if they are students, currently employed, in the military and are law-abiding people.

Donald Trump has been quite vocal in his campaign to remove Obama's policy on this. But during an interview with Time magazine, he promised to work something out so everyone remains happy. Regardless, to protect their students, Ohio colleges swear to shield them, Dispatch reported.

According to Rock Jones, the Ohio Wesleyan President, he will oppose all efforts that will make it difficult for their students to pursue a higher education in the United States. Ohio colleges promise to continue to be a refuge for immigrant students.

Regardless of Donald Trump's November 28 declaration, Ohio schools will still continue to accept students to enroll in their schools on the basis of their non-discrimination policies. In addition, they will not release confidential student information without permission or legal authorization.

To emphasize this, Jones is only one of the 500 university and college presidents in the United States who are signing an agreement that calls for the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Ohio schools such as Denison University, Columbus College, Art and Design, Kenyon College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio State University and Ohio University have all pledged to call for the continuation of the DACA.

Check out what else Donald Trump said regarding illegal immigrants through the video below:
Flint locals are continuously worried about the status of their water system. Which is why the University of Michigan and Google have partnered up to create an app that helps Flint residents deal with the water crisis.

The lead-contamination water crisis has put Flint in hard times. The area is now looking at children who have permanent health issues because of such contamination. Now, the computer science researchers at the University of Michigan has developed Mywater-Flint, along with the help of Google's technical and financial support.

The app will be able to provide information about the lead-testing results in relation to the pipes that have been replaced. The results will also reflect the outcome of the water filtering system at various distribution centers. The app can also predict which residences will have higher lead content based on location, size, age and value, ABC News reported.

This is their way of creating transparency to the community who have expressed frustration regarding the status of their drinking water.

The area has already approved the removal of the lead-tainted pipes in Flint, Michigan. There are now funds to replace more than 29,000 lead-tainted lines that service water from the main water systems to individual homes and businesses in the city. The cause of the lead taint was because of the change in water source. The new source came from the Flint river which was not properly filtered and treated, Mywater-Flint reported.

On the record, the water crisis and lead contamination has already exposed thousands of children who are at risk of permanent health issues. The contamination has also affected the flora and fauna of the area which put species at risk.

To restore confidence, Mayor Karen Weaver said she feels that replacing the lead pipes will solve the problem. But to combat future crisis, the University of Michigan researchers and Google will provide transparent information on the lead testing and contamination results, too.

To find out more about the Flint Water crisis, check out the video below:
A recent competition among universities has revealed that the best coders are not in America but in Asia. In fact, the United States come in fourth in ranking.

HackerRank, a Palo Alto-based tech company that holds programming competitions for both businesses and universities all over the world, has held a coding competition among different universities around the world to find out the best of the best in coding. The top three universities that won are from Russia, China, and Vietnam respectively.

Compared to the US News & World Report, which based their choices on the number of papers published by the university, Hacker Rank decided to get the universities' hands dirty through showcasing their practical coding skills.

The University of Berkeley, California, the best tech university in America, only came fourth in the ranking. The university to emerge as the top winner was Russia's Russian Federation College, ITMO University.

The second placer in the competition is the biggest surprise - China's Sun Yat-sen Memorial Middle School. Yes, middle school students from China bested the university students from the top university in America. Wentao Weng, the student who represented the school, said that he started learning how to code when he was only 11 years old. He said that coding is not part of the school's subject but they are encouraged because it is one of the requirements to get admitted to a good university.

To complete the Top 10 list of the universities with the best coders are Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City University of Science in fourth, the University of Waterloo in Canada in fifth place, and another Russian university, St. Petersburg State University, in sixth. Ukraine's National Taras Shevchenko University of Kiev secured the seventh place.

India's Indian Institute of Technology in Indore and Kanpur grabbed the eighth and ninth spots respectively. And to complete the list is Sweden's KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm comes in number ten.
The Consumer Electronics Show or CES 2017 is again the venue for innovations in TV, cars, phones and tech gadgets by top brands like Samsung, Sony and Nvidia, showing off their latest technology and products. CES 2017 will also be the venue for Faraday to "unveil the future," which could pertain to its innovative electronic vehicle.

CES 2017 will be held in Las Vegas on January 5-8, 2017. Top brands like Samsung, Sony, Nvidia and Faraday topbill the most prestigious tech tradeshow, which occurs annually.

Although CES 2017 has never been the arena for smartphones innovations, the leading vendors like Samsung and Asus participate with the exception of Apple who do not do tradeshows like CES. Because CES occurs after Christmas where many smartphone vendors have already announced their flagship devices, CES 2017 may offer more of the spin-off devices like the LG G Flex or Xiaomi's US market phones that were revealed last year.

Observers say that CES 2017 is more of a TV tradeshow with Sony rumored to be featuring its very first OLED TV after collaborating with LG, with its OLED LG Display. OLED is now the byline of many tech geeks because it eliminates the need for backlight since each pixel can produce its own light, making the TV more energy-efficient and able to capture a truer black as compared with non-OLED TVs, Trusted Reviews has learned.

Nvidia is also rumored to bring its Android-powered Shield TV that will use Bluetooth low energy as compared to the traditional Wi-fi. Though not as awe-inspiring as the previous year's self-driving car, Nvidia brings to CES 2017 more information on its new Volta GPU architecture that rivals AMD's Zen "Summit Ridge" GPUs.

Samsung is confirmed to feature in CES 2017 its 850 Pro 4 TH solid State Device (SSD), which is a much improved version of the existing Evo model. The Pro enables higher read and write speeds including high endurance, but at a hefty price of more than $1,600 dollars, which is the current selling price of Evo. Asus, MSI, Gigabytes and Lenovo will also unveil their gaming notebooks that utilize the budget 10 series GPU, providing consumers with a full HD capability for a 10 series card that will not cost more than $1,260 dollars

As to Faraday's plans to "unveil the future," the company may feature its latest electric vehicle. This time, Faraday brings to CES 2017 not a concept car, but a real car for production, rivaling Elon Musk's Tesla Model 3 according to Inverse.
UTSA invites community to dinner and Great Conversation! Feb. 28

(Jan. 2, 2017) -- Youre invited to dinner and an evening of riveting conversation for a good cause at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Texan Cultures. Registration is now open for UTSAs annual Great Conversation!

This event brings together community leaders, UTSA researchers and supporters for engaging dinner conversations about a variety of topics such as technology, arts and culture.

Great Conversation! benefits UTSA Honors College student scholarships, research stipends and leadership opportunities globally.

Great Conversation! is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. The museum is located at 801 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd., San Antonio, Texas.

Each table will have one or two conversation leaders who will guide discussions during dinner.

Here are a few of the featured guests and dinner topics:

Tacos for the Obamas and Serving Dinner at the White House

, Chef and owner of La Gloria

Tequila, Mezcal and the Worm

Raul Lomeli-Azoubel, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, SABEResPoder

Black women, Beyonce and Popular Culture

Kinitra Brooks, Associate Professor, UTSA Department of English

The Supreme Court, Excessive Force and Todays Policing

William McManus, Chief, San Antonio Police Department

Visit the Great Conversation! website for a full listing of the evenings conversation leaders and topics.

Individual tickets for this years Great Conversation! are $85 through January 19, 2017 or $100 after. Upon registration, sponsors and attendees will be asked to designate the conversation they would like to be a part of.

This years co-chairs include Beverly Purcell-Guerra, Rose Marie Banack, UTSA alum 94, Susan Hough 91, Mitchell Kilby 05, Timothy Morrow 97, and Harriett and Ricardo Romo.

- Kara Mireles



-------------------------------

Learn more about UTSA Great Conversation.

Connect online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
UTSAs Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSAs Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSAs Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSAS Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
Page Content

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as the site for its 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Art Competition. It is the first time this revered event will be held in Wisconsin.

The contest will be held Sept. 15-16, 2017. It typically attracts art from nationally recognized wildlife artists throughout the country.

Formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, the Federal Duck Stamp is a required purchase for waterfowl hunters age 16 and older. As the longest-running, single-themed U.S. postal stamp, it is valued as a collector's item. Many birders and other outdoors enthusiasts also buy the stamps as a way to support wildlife conservation. Proceeds from the sale of duck stamps are used to buy or lease wetlands and associated upland habitats for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

"We are honored to have this important and historic event on our campus," said Christine Thomas, dean of the College of Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point.

Thomas worked with national agencies for several years to bring the duck stamp competition to UW-Stevens Point. It's a fitting venue for the home of the nation's first conservation education program and one of the largest, best known natural resources colleges in the world.

The Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest is the only legislatively mandated federal art competition in the nation. Thousands of wildlife artists have entered since the first open competition in 1949. A panel of art, waterfowl and philatelic authorities judges the art and selects the work for the next stamp. Judging will take place over a two-day period and is free and open to the public.

Outstanding wildlife art will be available for public viewing during the event. The winning art work will be featured on the federal duck stamp on sale from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.

Various activities are being planned in Stevens Point before and during the contest, including:

The first duck decoy carving contest and exhibition, hosted by the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association

A learn to hunt program offered by UW-Stevens Point's Wisconsin Center for Wildlife, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Phantom Gallery Party offered by CREATE Portage County, with a fantasy duck stamp league.

"We're excited to host the duck stamp contest and pleased with the amount of interest and creative ideas being pursued by the arts community, conservation groups and Stevens Point leaders," said Rhonda Sprague, interim dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, which is also a host.

The contest moves around the country to generate interest in wetlands and waterfowl, and to allow more people to see the exceptional wildlife artwork. Among places it has been held are Minnesota, Ohio, West Virginia, Utah, California, Tennessee, Florida and, most recently, in Pennsylvania.

"As a long-time Fish and Wildlife Service employee in the Midwest Region and as an alumnus of UW-Stevens Point, it's an honor to host the Federal Duck Stamp Contest in the Midwest once again," said Deputy Regional Director Charlie Wooley. "I also thank College of Natural Resources Dean Christine Thomas for her vision, determination and efforts to help bring the contest to Stevens Point."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a rich history of waterfowl conservation. The Federal Duck Stamp, one of the world's most successful conservation programs, is a testament to that success. Millions of dollars are raised annually for wetland conservation when hunters, bird watchers, other outdoor recreationists and art and stamp collectors buy Federal Duck Stamps.

In Wisconsin, the Horicon and Necedah national wildlife refuges, as well as numerous waterfowl production areas, have benefited from duck stamp revenues.

These lands are open to birders and hikers throughout the year and to hunters in the fall. In spring, they serve as important nesting areas for waterfowl, pheasants and non-game birds, such as songbirds and cranes.

For more information about the Duck Stamp Program, to buy stamps, or to view images of previous winners, visit: http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php
UW Students Gain Research Experience at Apache Point, Forward Science Initiative

A group of UW physics and astronomy undergraduate and graduate students visited and used the telescope facilities at Apache Point Observatory in Sunspot, N.M., during mid-October. Students (front, from left) are Logan Jensen, Jordan Turner and Jessica Sutter. Students (back, from left) are Joe Findlay, Will Chick, David Kasper, Daniel Baldwin, Derek Hand and Stephanie Mapes. (Chip Kobulnicky Photo)

Seven University of Wyoming students recently had access to a world-class telescope observatory -- one that they say allows them to conduct research they otherwise could not.

Access to a facility like this gives someone a chance to get experience much earlier than they otherwise would, Logan Jensen, a junior from Greybull majoring in astronomy and astrophysics, says of the Apache Point Observatory in Sunspot, N.M. WIRO (Wyoming Infrared Observatory) and Apache Point have given me access to world-class instruments. As an undergraduate student, this is uncommon, if not unheard of.

Jensen was one of seven UW undergraduate or graduate students who traveled to Apache Point Oct. 14-17 to learn how to use the telescopes and other instruments located in the Sacramento Mountains.

In September, UW became a member of the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC), which owns and manages Apache Point. ARC, which is operated by New Mexico State University, includes three research telescopes: the 3.5m Telescope, the 2.5m Sloan Foundation Telescope and the 0.5m Small Aperture Telescope (ARCSAT). ARC also hosts New Mexico State Universitys 1.0m Telescope.

Chip Kobulnicky, a UW professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, says the universitys relationship with the consortium and access to Apache Point further advance UWs Science Initiative.

Out of 215 Carnegie 1 research universities, only 45 have access to a telescope that is big or bigger than the one at Apache Point, Kobulnicky says. UW is one of those schools and puts UW in the top 25 percent. That was the goal of the governors Science Initiative.

The UW Science Initiative began in 2014 when Gov. Matt Mead and the Wyoming Legislature challenged the university to develop a plan to address outdated science laboratories at UW and improve the quality of instruction and research in the sciences. A task force, appointed by Mead and informed by UW faculty representatives, developed a transformational vision for UWs core science programs in botany, zoology and physiology, molecular biology, chemistry, and physics and astronomy.

The developed plan charts a clear course for these science programs to rise to top-tier status in the nation and builds upon Wyomings STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives; the location of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center in Wyoming; the construction of the Michael B. Enzi STEM Facility; and the Wyoming Governors Energy, Engineering STEM Integration Task Force.

Jessica Sutter, a second-year graduate student from Portland, Ore., is researching galaxies nearby to our own Milky Way, particularly to determine how far away these galaxies are actually located. She says the Apache Point telescope is slightly larger than the WIRO telescope at Jelm Mountain and, therefore, collects more light. This allows for more data and details of planets and stars to be gathered.

Having one telescope (WIRO) is great. But, every telescope is different, Sutter says. Using two telescopes, you have to shift your knowledge on the use of another telescope. Getting experience on two different telescopes allows you to adapt.

David Kasper, a fourth-year astrophysics graduate student from Waukesha, Wis., had similar sentiments.

We get to add to our research here in a new way, he says. At every level, we have more access to high-level facilities most otherwise would not have.

At WIRO, student researchers can view visible light through the telescope there, according to Joe Findlay, a postdoctoral student from London, England, majoring in astrophysics. However, the Apache Point telescope allows the students to see invisible or infrared light.

You need different types of instruments to see all of the different types of light, Findlay says. Apache Point allows us to look at infrared light. We dont have anything like that at WIRO.

Stephanie Mapes, a first-year graduate student from Buellton, Calif., compared looking through the different telescope lenses at Apache Point as akin to looking through different sets of sunglasses.

More on the human side of it, networking is really good. We have partnerships with other universities, Mapes says. It was a good opportunity for us new students to get to know other students in the department we otherwise wouldnt get to see.

Derek Hand, a first-year graduate student from Bemidji, Minn., agrees.

I dont think I would have met or talked to Joe (Findlay) without going down there, Hand says of the trip to Apache Point. Now, we are working on a proposal together.

Will Chick, a third-year graduate student from Salt Lake City, is studying runaway stars and bow shock nebula. Bow shocks are caused when swift, massive stars -- some traveling at speeds faster than 50,000 miles an hour -- plow through space, causing material to stack up in front of them in the same way that water piles up in front of a ship or a supersonic plane creates a shockwave in front of it.

Unlike WIRO, Click says Apache Point can provide a high level of detail and quality of data of these phenomena.

After attending high school in Greybull, Jensen admits UW was not his first choice. He had his eyes set on the University of Arizona or New Mexico State University. But, he says he would encourage Wyoming high school students to look at the early research opportunities offered to undergraduate students.

By and large, UW is the best place I could have gone for my area of study, he says. If I had gone somewhere else, opportunities would not be out there this early for me. Id be begging for time at an observatory.
That must have been a hell of a flight.



Media titan Sumner Redstone gave out many millions of dollars to multiple women  mistresses, a flight attendant and that attendant's sister  according to legal documents filed Monday by his 45-year-old ex-girlfriend.

The CBS corporate jet flight attendant alone got $18 million  and her sister, whom Redstone allegedly bedded, received a cool $6 million from the randy billionaire, court filings claim.

The explosive allegations by former Redstone paramour Sydney Holland were accompanied by a warning that she "may be forced" to seek testimony from the 93-year-old mogul's celebrity friends as well as from executives from Viacom (VIAB) and CBS, (CBS) whose shares he controls, to substantiate her salacious claims.

Redstone's legal team, in an emailed statement to CNBC, said, "Ms. Holland's cross-complaint is a work of fiction punctuated by not-so-subtle threats of extortion and an overwhelming stench of greed."



In her Los Angeles Superior Court filing, Holland said Redstone "gave tens of millions of dollars to various other women  who he had no intention of marrying and was not in love with  at the time he was engaged to marry" Holland.

"Women who did nothing more than provide sexual favors," the filing said.

Her allegations were made in a response to a lawsuit by Redstone accusing Holland and one of his other ex-girlfriends, Manuela Herzer, of conspiring to emotionally manipulate and abuse him so that he would give them gifts totaling $150 million over the years.



The filing said it "makes no sense" that Redstone's lawsuit only names Holland and Herzer as defendants when "Redstone knows that there were (and possibly still are) many other women who he gave tens of millions of dollars to (during this same time-period that he alleges Sydney and Herzer had 'total control' of his life)."



Holland also filed a cross-complaint against Redstone alleging breach of contract  both "oral" and "implied in fact." She says that in exchange for agreeing to make Redstone "the center of her universe" during their time together, he "promised to take care of her financially for the rest of her life."

Story continues

The filing asks that Redstone be ordered to pay Holland "a reasonable sum per month" to support her and her young daughters.

Her filing said that for "five years, Sydney and Plaintiff Sumner Redstone ... enjoyed a loving, romantic relationship," which began in the fall of 2010 after the media baron "hired Patti Stanger, 'The Millionaire Matchmaker' to find him a girlfriend who was not only young and beautiful, but also intelligent, funny, and who shared Redstone's Jewish faith."

Holland's filing said that "as a result of this lawsuit" against her and Herzer, "the lurid nature of these relationships and the significant amounts of money that Redstone paid to these [other] women are directly at issue."

"Sydney may be forced to disclose their identities and call Redstone's celebrity friends and Viacom and CBS executives as witnesses," the filing said in her answer to Redstone's suit.

The filing also said that it was known to Redstone's advisors, attorneys, doctors, friends and staff, as well as to Redstone's "close friend and CBS executive officer" CEO Leslie Moonves that Redstone had given Holland about 1.5 percent of his net worth over a five-year span.

Holland's filing then offered a list of unidentified women and the staggering amounts they received from Redstone "just while Sydney was living with Redstone."

"He gave one mistress  an aspiring reality show producer  approximately $21 million."

"He gave a flight attendant on the CBS corporate jet just approximately $18 million."

"He later slept with her sister, who he gave approximately $6 million."

"He gave another woman who he had formally met through Patti Stanger [the matchmaker] $10-11 million."

"He gave another mistress  who claimed to be a model  over $7 million."

"He gave a friend of his grandson's girlfriend a job at Showtime and approximately $6 million."

"He gave another mistress approximately $1.5 million."

"He gave an ex-fiancee and Paramount employee an undisclosed amount."

"He paid for a college student's tuition at the University of Southern California and gave her an undisclosed amount."

"Despite Redstone's infidelity (and many other acts committed by Redstone and uncomfortable requests he made of Sydney that will not be detailed here) Redstone repeatedly told Sydney that she was the only woman that he truly loved," the cross-complaint said. "She believed him."

But, Holland's filing adds, "unfortunately ... after years of a monogamous commitment to Redstone (with none in return) and living in a very controlled environment, Sydney succumbed to a short-lived affair."

After she confessed her "indiscretion to Redstone," he "broke off their engagement and asked Sydney to move out."

"He did not, however, ask her to return the gifts or money that he had given her," the filing said.

In their statement, Redstone's lawyers said: "The critical witnesses will not be Mr. Redstone's 'celebrity friends' but instead the nurses and household staff members who, unlike Ms. Holland, were by his side day and night."

Redstone's lawyers added: "It will be for the jury to weigh the contemporaneous notes and trial testimony of those disinterested witnesses against Ms. Holland's narcissistic false narrative. In the end, we are confident that justice will be done."

Holland's filings are laden with photographs showing her smiling at Redstone's side. Several show Redstone holding Holland's baby daughter, and her filing said, "He helped Sydney conceive her daughter and was by Sydney's side when her daughter was born in their home."

Another photo shows a 9-carat canary yellow engagement ring that Redstone allegedly used to propose to Holland in 2011, as well as handwritten notes he left for her.

"I will always love you. You can always depend on me. Love, Sumner," said one such note replicated in the filing.

The filing said that, "While Sydney could not match Redstone's financial generosity, her love was no less deep, and they enjoyed a mutually beneficial union through their love, support and care for one another."

Holland, in her legal filings, described a romantic courtship after she and Redstone met through the celebrity matchmaker Stanger, one in which "they took long drives down the Malibu coast, listening to Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra."

"They went to restaurants and shared Redstone's favorite dessert, chocolate mousse," the filing said. "Before they knew it, they were spending nearly every waking moment with each other."

"While Sydney could not match Redstone's financial generosity, her love was no less deep, and they enjoyed a mutually beneficial union through their love, support, and care for each other," the filing said.





More From CNBC


By: Dezan Shira & Associates

Editor: Mike Vinkenborg

As in many countries across the world, instituting changes at a corporate level in Vietnam requires the approval of a majority of shareholders during a shareholder meeting. The Law on Enterprises outlines matters that can be discussed and decided during these meetings, what is required to convene shareholder meetings, and what percentage of shareholders, or members, are required to successfully pass decisions.

The latest update of the Law on Enterprises was passed in late 2014 and has been effective since July 2015, bringing with it some changes to the way shareholder meetings are being held. This article outlines how shareholder meetings in Vietnam are used, what can be achieved during these meetings, and how meetings differ between corporate structures.

Given the significant growth of foreign investment seen in recent years, in conjunction with market opportunities emerging each day, navigating the ins and outs of shareholder meetings will be an important consideration for new market entrants when structuring their holdings in Vietnam.

RELATED: Dezan Shira & Associates Corporate Establishment Services

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Members of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) are in their right to request shareholder meetings, called Members Council in the Law on Enterprises. Regulations are outlined in Chapter III (Limited Liability Companies) of the Law on Enterprises. The number of members in LLCs can be as low as one, but cannot exceed 50 and each member has voting rights proportional to the amount of charter capital contributed to the company.

A member or group of members owning at least 10 percent of the chartered capital can call a meeting of the Members Council. In case of a single member holding more than 90 percent, the other members together are also within their right to call up a meeting. Furthermore, the chairman of the Members Council may also call up a meeting.

To be able to conduct a meeting, aggregate charter capital of the attending members should add up to at least 65 percent of the total amount outstanding. If this condition has not been satisfied, a second meeting may be convened within 15 working days, where attending members charter capital share only has to add up to a minimum of 50 percent. Finally, if this condition has again not been met, a meeting may be convened within a further 10 working days irrespective of attendance.

Article 56 of the Law on Enterprises outlines the rights and obligations of the Members Council. These can be subdivided into two categories, namely those for ordinary resolutions, requiring 65 percent of the attending members aggregate charter capital (75 percent before the 2014 update), and special resolutions, requiring 75 percent.

As indicated in article 60 of the law, resolutions shall be redeemed passed when at least 65 percent of attending members vote in favor of the following:

Amendments of or additions to the content of the charter of the company in accordance with article 25 of the Law on Enterprises;

Decisions on the developmental direction of the company;

Election, discharge or removal of the chairman of the Members Council; appointment, dismissal or removal of the director or general director; and

Approval of annual financial statements.

Furthermore, at least 75 percent of the attending members agreement is required for the:

Sale of assets valued at over 50 percent of the total value of company assets (or a smaller percentage if stipulated in the charter of the company);

Amendment of or addition to the charter of the company; and

Re-organization or dissolution of the company.

Note: For minority stakeholders, little recourse will be available if requisite votes cannot be mustered in support or opposition to motions fielded at membership council meetings.

Joint Stock Company (JSC)

Shareholders of a JSC can similarly request meetings, although regulations differ slightly. Regulations for JSCs are outlined in Chapter V (Shareholding Companies) of the Law on Enterprises, where shareholder meetings are called General Meeting of Shareholders. The number of shares available is unlimited and each share has an equal weight for voting, with the exception of preferential shares. The power of preferential shares shall be stipulated in the charter of the company.

The major differences between JSCs and LLCs are the number of attending shareholders required to convene meetings and the thresholds at which resolutions can be passed. For JSCs, at least 51 percent of shareholders have to be present to be able to conduct a meeting. If this requirement is not been met, a second meeting can be convened within 30 days if at least 33 percent of shareholders are present. If this requirement is also not met, then a meeting may be convened within another 20 days, irrespective of attendance.

And with the update of the law, the voting threshold changed from 65 percent to 51 percent for ordinary resolutions, where this changed from 75 percent to 65 percent for special resolutions. Resolutions shareholders decide on are similar to those decided on by members of an LLC, plus the inclusion of issues commonly related to public firms, such as deciding on the issuance or buy-back of large amounts of shares.

RELATED: Vietnam Outlines Customs and Tax Plans to Enhance Competitiveness

Partnerships (JV)

Meetings in a joint venture are called Partners Council; its regulations are outlined in Chapter VI (Partnerships) of the Law on Enterprises. In these meetings, partners decide on similar topics as in the previous examples. To adopt a decision, at least two-thirds of partners must vote in favor.

Key takeaways

Investors need to be aware of the lowered thresholds required to pass resolutions which have been effective since the Law on Enterprises was updated in 2015. As a result of the update, it has become harder to exercise veto-rights for minority shareholders and thereby block unfavorable proposals during shareholder meetings. To reduce this risk, investors can either increase their shareholdings, or push for corporate charter amendments that require higher voting thresholds.

To avoid issues arising from the misalignment of interests of members or shareholders within a company, investors should maintain a large enough share to be able to block unfavorable proposals. Furthermore, it is key to stay on top of regulatory changes and be aware of prevailing statues in case these situations do arise. If used correctly, shareholder meetings can be a powerful tool to decide on the direction of the company and avoid discrepancies.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email vietnam@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Annual Audit and Compliance in Vietnam 2016

In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we address pressing changes to audit procedures in 2016, and provide guidance on how to ensure that compliance tasks are completed in an efficient and effective manner. We highlight the continued convergence of VAS with IFRS, discuss the emergence of e-filing, and provide step-by-step instructions on audit and compliance procedures for Foreign Owned Enterprises (FOEs) as well as Representative Offices (ROs).

Navigating the Vietnam Supply Chain

In this edition of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the advantages of the Vietnamese market over its regional competition and highlight where and how to implement successful investment projects. We examine tariff reduction schedules within the ACFTA and TPP, highlight considerations with regard to rules of origin, and outline the benefits of investing in Vietnams growing economic zones. Finally, we provide expert insight into the issues surrounding the creation of 100 percent Foreign Owned Enterprise in Vietnam.

Tax, Accounting and Audit in Vietnam 2016 (2nd Edition)

This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in Vietnam, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in Vietnam, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate Vietnams complex tax and accounting landscape in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their Vietnam operations.
Ton Buchner, CEO and chairman of the board of management and the executive committee

What role does Vietnam play in the global picture for AkzoNobel?

Southeast Asia-Pacific is recognised as one of the growing markets of AkzoNobel, and Vietnam has been playing an important part thanks to its record positive growth in decorative paints and coatings in 2015.

The rapid growth of the countrys economy, coupled with the young and large population, open an invaluable chance for AkzoNobel to continuously invest and develop this market. Im pretty impressed with the trend that more and more Vietnamese youngsters are moving out to start their new lives in a separated home with personalised architectural details. The demand for purchasing high-quality and unique paint has increased since then, which sets a very high bar for paint and coatings producers.

AkzoNobel can totally satisfy this demand. In Vietnam we have decorative paints, wood coatings, marine coatings, protective coatings, powder coatings, metal coatings, and speciality coating businesses. One of our most recent paints and coatings solutions introduced to the market is the Dulux Professional range  with a total portfolio of 64 products that cover all paintable surfaces, including interiors, exteriors, metal, and wood. We want to utilise our strengths to be a one-stop solutions provider for any coating needs in Vietnam.

AkzoNobel is a market leader in Vietnam. As CEO, do you have any plans to further enhance this

position?

In Vietnam, AkzoNobel has been recognised as the market leader in the paints and coatings industry for many years. We have done so by offering high-quality products and manufacturing and invested a lot in our people, making sure that we train them, educate them, and take care of their career. Some of our Vietnamese colleagues have been selected to work in the regional office, and even at the headquarters of AkzoNobel in Amsterdam.

We will continue to invest in our personnel development. And alongside that, our investment has also been placed in the expansion of our manufacturing facilities of decorative paints, powder coatings, and wood coatings. So, with Vietnam growing, AkzoNobel will continue to grow and continue to be a leader.

Besides international competitors, we are also seeing a strong push from local players. These local groups are aggressively investing in technology and innovation as well. Is this a challenge for AkzoNobel?

AkzoNobel has the advantage of global presence and expertise. We do innovation globally, and in many different areas in the world, and we can bring them to Vietnam. This allows us to have the best methodology to run our factories and to execute marketing campaigns in Vietnam.

It is important to always stay ahead of the competition, whether it is international competition or local competition. And that means we have to offer our customers products that they believe are the best products in the market.

As an engineer with many years experience and global business acumen, what do you see as the upcoming trends of the paints and coatings industry?

I think digitalisation will continue to grow very fast. Smartphones and tablets are becoming our tools to look at, evaluate, and order things. Therefore, we utilise these devices to communicate with our consumers.

The Dulux Visualizer is among the most digitally innovative projects of AkzoNobel, as it allows users to just stay at home and play on devices to change the look and feel of their rooms from thousands of colour choices. This mobile app is now available in most of our markets, and has already had more than 12 million downloads. It has also helped us gain insights, which can be effectively utilised to forecast trends. We also have our colour experts at our Global Aesthetic Center, who study design and colour trends for the coming year  for instance, Denim Drift is the Colour of the Year for 2017.

But we notice that consumers nowadays do not just look for colours; they also want aesthetic sense through texture and special effects when combined with colour. And that is the reason why we introduced Dulux Ambiance Special Effects, with marble, linen, metallic, and velvet effects last year. The experts at our Global Aesthetic Center have come up with some notable breakthroughs in combining colours and textures that are sophisticated, yet effective.

Back to the future prospects of paints and coatings trends, sustainability is where the industry is heading to. Customers are increasingly concerned about the origins of products, the safety of ingredients, and their environmental friendliness. In order to be successful, no business can stay on the sidelines.
Dr. Craig Thompson, chief medical officer of Interventional Cardiology at Boston Scientific presented the company's latest technology at The National Angioplasty Summit

The summit was held for Vietnamese interventional cardiologists, by Boston Scientifics distributor Hoang Duc, to discuss key interventional cardiology trends and the application of minimally invasive technologies to treat cardiovascular diseases.

According to the Vietnam Heart Associations statistics, one in every three Vietnamese adults is at risk of getting cardiovascular disease, and they are mainly related to coronary artery diseases. One in every four deaths in Vietnam each year is caused by coronary heart disease. In 2016, there have been 18-20,000 new cases of coronary artery diseases, a number which rises 5 to 10 per cent per year.

The Vietnamese interventional cardiology field started in 1997 at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, and witnessed rapid growth thereafter with centres sprouting up in Ho Chi Minh City and Hue. Today, nearly 50 interventional cardiology centres have been established nationwide. The field has made major strides, coming from a strictly diagnostic expertise to advanced association branches with modern techniques. However, the overuse and misuse of technology in practice has caused unexpected consequences for patients. This challenge presents a distinct need for innovative technology to provide life-saving therapies to the Vietnamese market.

Over 200 physicians, government officials, and industry experts attended the summit. They heard presentations on a wide range of topics, including demographic trends in cardiac diseases in Vietnam, the evolution of interventional cardiology, and the latest medical treatments and stents available, such as bioabsorbable polymer stents.

The summit is part of Boston Scientifics efforts to train Vietnamese medical specialists on their technologies, particularly in complex procedures. One of Boston Scientifics central goals is preparing the local healthcare system to treat diseases that afflict the ageing population, such as complex coronary artery disease and structural heart diseases, with the latest medical solutions.

For over 35 years, Boston Scientific has transformed lives through innovative medical solutions. In interventional cardiology, Boston Scientific is a market leader in providing minimally-invasive technologies for diagnosing and treating a variety of structural heart and vascular conditions. Boston Scientific set up its Vietnam representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2015. The firm has a portfolio of over 300 medical devices in Vietnam, which include stents and all necessary adjunctive devices for angioplasty  including advanced equipment like intravascular ultrasound machines (IVUS) and rotational atherectomy systems, which are used to allow accurate diagnosis of the disease and to remove calcium from the vessel wall to facilitate a good outcome. Other products  for treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, gastrointestinal disease, and urology disease  are also available in Vietnam.

At the summit, Boston Scientific also introduced its latest SYNERGY stent, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of coronary artery disease. It is the first and only stent providing synchronised drug and polymer absorption. The stent is designed to enable more rapid and complete arterial healing, and to thereby reduce the risk of complications associated with long-term polymer exposure, compared to currently-used drug-eluting stents (DES) with permanent polymers.

Craig Thompson, chief medical officer of Interventional Cardiology at Boston Scientific, said, The introduction of the first bioabsorbable polymer stent in the US is a tremendous milestone in the evolution of stent technology. This next generation therapy is designed to improve patient outcomes and has been made possible by our partnership with physicians from around the world.

Vo Thanh Nhan, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Angioplasty Association, said, The summit provides access to physicians in Vietnam to learn more about such innovative medical solutions from all over the world. They can be trained in these technologies, especially for niche, complex procedures. Meanwhile, Vietnamese patients can benefit from these treatments, which can improve their health with less trauma and lower risk of complications.
Elections in the European Union 's (EU) second poorest country produced a comprehensive victory for Romania 's social democrat (PSD) party on Sunday yet the defining characteristics are apathy, disillusionment and political illegitimacy, a senior analyst told CNBC.





PSD, Romania's prominent left party, claimed around 45 percent of the vote, with their nearest challengers, the Centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL), significantly behind on 20 percent of the vote.

"(Low voter turnout) means the defining characteristic of Romania's democracy is apathy among the electorate, disillusionment, and the failure of any party to have democratic legitimacy," Michael Taylor, a senior analyst for Eastern Europe at think tank Oxford Analytica, told CNBC by email on Monday.

Voter turnout of less than 40 percent, for the third consecutive general election, appears to have supported the PSD's efforts to return to parliament. The party is now expected to form a majority government with long-time allies ALDE, who had achieved around 6 percent of the vote.

Catalyst for voter discontent

"Today, citizens voted for economic growth, for jobs, for more money into the pockets of Romanians," PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said in a statement.

Romania, a country with a similar population to New York State, witnessed an electoral campaign which had been hard-fought on anti-corruption policies yet, ironically, one of the most likely candidates looking to takeover is facing corruption charges.

PSD's Dragnea, who denies any wrongdoing, is currently serving a suspended sentence for electoral fraud which means he is legally unable to take a position in office.

In spite of the charges brought against Dragnea, PSD have returned to power a little over 12 months after their last party chief, Victor Ponta, resigned on the back of a deadly nightclub fire which became the catalyst for voter discontent in his leadership.

Taylor argued that many Romanian citizens voted with their feet by emigrating and given they are likely to be the better educated, it is a big loss for one of the poorest nations in Europe.

"The PSD has no incentive to reform Romania because it benefits from the way things are now. The only thing that can stop them is the EU, and its resources in dealing with recalcitrant member states are few, as we see from Hungary and Poland," he added.

Europe's mainstream political parties had breathed a huge sigh of relief in early December as far-right nationalist, Norbet Hofer, narrowly missed out on becoming the president of Austria and upcoming elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands in 2017 begin to come into focus amidst growing support for populist parties.
illustration photo source SGT

We are opening a branch in Hanoi and then hopefully we will have a branch in Ho Chi Minh City early next year, and we will then expand into multiple segments, Nariz Rarak, chairman of CIMB Group, told VIR ahead of the official launch of CIMB Vietnam on Friday, on the side-lines of the Bloomberg ASEAN Business Summit in Hanoi last Thursday.

We want to look at the consumer space, but we will pipe into our international investment banking and corporate financing platform, as well, noted Rarak.

Rarak added that they are going to focus on these two branches to then use them as bases to expand operations. It is a long-term game and we do not want to rush.

When asked on how CIMB Vietnam would compete with a raft of local banks on their home turf, Razak stressed that, We are too small to compete with local banks, so we will focus on a niche affluent market and compete for customers who do lots of business in ASEAN. Thats the whole competitive advantage of CIMB.

In September, Malaysias second-biggest lender by assets, CIMB Bank, became the latest ASEAN bank to receive a licence from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to operate a 100 per cent foreign-owned subsidiary in the country.

CIMB Bank will now join fellow Malaysian lenders Public Bank Berhad and Hong Leong Bank in establishing a presence in the country. Public Bank Berhad obtained approval to operate from the SBV earlier in the year, while Hong Leong Bank began to offer a full suite of banking products in Ho Chi Minh City in 2009, covering a wide spectrum of regional investors and customers coming in and out of Vietnam for business and investment activities.
The issues are not technical, but strategic

The manufacturing industry is in the throes of a major upsurge in innovation. The progressive digitalisation of industry  known as the Industrial Internet  is increasing the efficiency of production processes and generating additional growth. As a result, companies that master these new digitalisation rules can make better decisions, improve process integration, and develop new business designs.

According to Oliver Wymans study, entitled Digital Industry  The True Value of Industry 4.0, the global value-added potential of Industry 4.0 will hit $1.4 trillion by 2030, driven by cost reductions and profit growth. Most technical drivers of the digital transformation have been identified. They include the growing availability of networked machines in production facilities, more extensive 3D printing processes, simulation software, and the almost real-time availability of large data sets (big data).

In this context, companies in the machinery and plant engineering industries will need to address primarily strategic issues, not technological ones.

The principal strategic issue is digital leadership. In the future, who will operate and optimise the systems in a car factory? Will these activities be performed by the company supplying the robots, the automotive manufacturer or a third-party software giant? Who will be capable of analysing the operating data? These questions are all related to the so-called application expertise and are truly the core issues of Industry 4.0. In the future, they will stand at the heart of mass customisation.

Machinery and plant engineering companies can not only boost their share in value creation in their traditional business sectors, but also in related industries by taking process integration into their own hands.

With total integration with the digital world a necessary step for industry, GE has made a transition to a big data power

GE has identified nine distinct points across the value chain, ranging from improving research and development efficiency to optimising the production network. The key aspect of digital value is a better understanding of actual customer demand that allows more precise forecasts and smarter pricing based on the customers willingness to pay. This potential will be reflected by global margin growth worth $600 billion. Making production more flexible, for example by allowing mass customisation, is the second most important aspect in terms of impact, adding $300 billion.

The advent of the Digital Industry will fundamentally transform each and every company in the manufacturing industry. As the trend takes flight, executives, for their part, will be increasingly required to set up more transparent, data-based processes for their decision-making.

However, it seems that only a small number of managers feel that they are well-equipped to meet these new challenges. When surveyed for the study, a typical response from machinery and plant engineering company decision-makers was that there is not enough creativity to think outside the existing operating models and business designs. In addition, 86 per cent of the respondents deplored the lack of in-house software and data capabilities within their companies. Furthermore, 84 per cent acknowledged that they did not have the necessary expertise to analyse large data volumes, nor to derive real insight or recommend tangible improvement measures.

This shows that becoming the kind of firm that can thrive in digital industry is a significant challenge. It will require incumbent industrials to develop skills in data-based insight generation, to upgrade technology, to become more innovative, and to make organisational changes that promote these advances.

Therefore, industrial companies seeking to exploit their digital potential will need to transform many dimensions of their business and operating models and build a broad set of new capabilities.

Companies should not underestimate the urgency of getting this process underway, because it could take a decade or more to make the full transition. Customers expectations regarding digitisation will rise at an increasing pace and start-ups or fast-moving incumbents will seize the opportunities. In other words, laggards will be losers.

With its digital technology, GE provides added value to its already-contracted clients

From hardware to software

GEs crusade to break open the tide of digitisation started in 2011. In 2008, in the midst of the global financial crisis, the surroundings of GEs chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt might have seemed like the world was coming down on him, with share prices falling from $60 in 2000 to below $6 in 2008, and the company stripped of its triple-A credit rating by Standard & Poors. To top it off, Immelt was forced to cut the dividend for the first time since 1938.

It was then that Immelt started thinking about data. Many GEs manufactured assets were becoming equipped with sensors to collect information. That often resulted in immense amounts of data: a jet engine, for instance, spits out roughly a terabytes worth of everything from fuel usage through heat levels to the size of the specks of dirt that fly through the engine, on a trip across the US. What were GE and its customers supposed to do with all that data?

Immelt considered teaming up with a tech company to create software that would analyse vast amounts of the data, but when the tech company figured that out, what would it need GE for? He thought GE would be better off developing this software on its own. If nothing else, the company would be able to utilise the technology to improve its own productivity, and if things went well GE would be able to sell it as an add-on to service contracts with industrial customers.

Jeff Immelt, GEs chairman and CEO

He thus decided that GE needed to start building analytic and big data capability. It was the time when Immelt went after William Ruh, then-vice president at Cisco Systems. Ruh was astonished to get a call from a recruiter representing GE. He thought GE knew nothing about software. But he travelled to Fairfield in January 2011 to meet with Immelt. He was impressed by his vision and took the job. By the end of 2011, GE opened a software center in San Ramon, California.

Convinced that GE needed a cultural revolution, Immelt sought assistance from Eric Ries, a tech entrepreneur and author of The Lean Startup, a book that espouses the importance of releasing early versions of products, getting customer feedback, then pivoting or changing them if necessary to improve them. Ries helped GE tailor its own version of his methods, which the company calls FastWorks. FastWorks, according to GE, enabled the development of a new gas turbine in a year-and-a-half, rather than the usual five.

At the end of 2013, GE had 750 people working in its San Ramon office and had developed an early version of Predix, an operating system like Windows or Android but for the Industrial Internet. The company developed applications, enabling Predix to ingest and analyse vast amounts of data from sensor-equipped machines.

In April 2015, Immelt announced his plan to sell $200 billion of GE Capital assets within two years. Along with unloading most of its risky financial business, GE struck a deal to sell off its appliance division to Chinese conglomerate Haier and increased its share of the global power industry with its 2015 purchase of Alstom, a French energy company, for $10 billion. As a result, 90 per cent of GEs profits will come from industrial operations by 2018.

The head count at the San Ramon office is now 2,000. When GE announced plans to open a software division in 2011, it expected to have a team of 400. Today, it has more than 14,000 software engineers, data scientists and designers helping to fuel software development for GE and its customers, and that number is expected to grow in coming years. Software revenue is on track to grow 20 per cent, increasing to more than $6 billion, in 2016, less than a year from the creation of GE Digital.

GE is beginning to sell Predix-based services to customers who design their own industrial equipment. Pitney Bowes is using Predix on its mailing-label machines and letter-sorting devices in corporate mailrooms. Toshiba is using it on elevators. A total of 20,000 developers from GE, partners, developers, and innovators are working on the platform to create industrial apps and solutions.

GE faces competition from all sides. Amazon and Google are getting into the Industrial Internet of Things along with IBM and Microsoft and dozens of small startups. However, knowing that the digital transformation that is underway in the industrial world is one of those times where a company has to get it right or become obsolete, GE seems to have made a smart choice. Only GE brings the combination of industrial domain and software expertise.

If the industrial does not converge with the digital, it will trigger a collision and we may see more formerly great companies fall by the wayside, while those that get the convergence right rocket to the next level, said John G. Rice, vice chairman of GE and president and CEO of GE Global Growth Organization. We are partnering and collaborating with our customers, suppliers, and developers to ensure we are not left on the sidelines.
The bought share volume is equal to 60 per cent of the shares put on sale.

Accordingly, the two companies spent VND11.3 trillion ($499.56 million) on buying the registered share volume at the initial offering price of VND144,000 ($6.33) apiece.

After the auction, F&N increased its holding in Vinamilk to 16.35 per cent, including the 13.65 and 2.7 per cent stakes of F&N Dairy Investments Pte., Ltd. and F&N Beverages Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd, respectively.

Thus, F&N completed its plans to extend holdings in Vinamilk, which is a part of the groups strategy to expand presence in Southeast Asia and enhance the groups competitive capacity against the two largest US soft drink giants in the region, PepsiCo Inc. and Coca-Cola Co.

Lee Meng Tat, F&Ns chief executive officer for non-alcoholic beverages, said that if Vinamilk raises its foreign ownership limit, F&N will intensify efforts to acquire a sufficient shareholding.

F&N is among the top three soft drinks players in its home country, Singapore, as well as in Thailand and Malaysia, according to Euromonitor International. However, it is not ranked in the top five in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where the company is looking to grow.

At the closing date of the transaction of December 12, Vinamilk shares stood at VND133,700 ($5.93) apiece, 7 per cent lower than the selling price at the auction.
With 300-year history and many natural advantages, Ho Chi Minh City also has a potential for water-way tourism to explore cultural and historical sites, architectural works and cuisine along river banks.

Huynh Van Sinh of Ho Chi Minh Citys Personnel Institute said water-way tourism brings people close to the local lifestyle.

Ho Chi Minh City is a meeting point of rivers from many regions. Taking a water-way tour, you can go to Binh Quoi  Thanh Da to experience their culture and cuisine and to Lai Thieu to sample local fruits. The itinerary will pass through historical sites in district 9  Hoi Son pagoda and the Ao Dai museum", he said.

Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of Ho Chi Minh Citys Tourism Department, said the city has identified many potential stops along the route. It will provide more services including building floating markets and connect its water-way tourism with Mekong Delta provinces and neighboring countries.

Ho Chi Minh City is a gateway of local tourism. Businesses are encouraged to develop short tours from here to the Mekong Delta region and long tours to Cambodia and Thailand", Vu said.

Saigontourist has built tour boats with restaurants that can carry 800 passengers. The Trung Thuy Group will launch a tourism program to revisit Ho Chi Minh Citys 300-year history.
This is the first change of the price since 2012, the Board said, and the increase aims to match the rising costs that have occurred during the past five years in order to maintain the relics on the site.

Around 60 kilometers from the centre of Hanoi, Huong (Perfume) Pagoda, in Huong Son commune, is one of the countrys largest and most unique religious sites.

The pagoda complex consists of several Buddhist pagodas and temples in and on Huong Tich lime-stone mountain. At the centre of the complex is Huong Pagoda, built inside Huong Tich Cave. Natures unique stone carvings, together with the magnificent traditional pagodas makes it the most beautiful grotto of the country and the top destination in the region.

Huong Pagoda is also famous for its Spring Festival which takes place during Tet (Lunar New Year Festival). Thousands of visitors from all regions of the country, as well as foreign tourists go to Huong Pagoda to attend the festival starting on the lunar date of January 6th and lasting for three lunar months.

Their aim is to visit the scenic setting of Huong Pagoda and pray for happiness and prosperity for themselves and their family in the new year. On the way to Huong Pagoda, visitors will experience a journey on a local sampan boat on the idyllic Yen (Swallow) Stream from Duc pier. During the trip, visitors view magnificent lime-stone mountains on one side and rich, green rice paddy fields on the other.

After the boat trip, guests will climb up the mountain for about 45 minutes and explore the holy caves. The path to Huong Tich winds its way through magnificently luxuriant landscapes.

There is also a cable car which takes only 15 minutes for those who do not want to climb. But it is believed that climbing up to the top of Huong Tich Mountain will bring you fulfillment and great success in life. People usually bring a tray of votive offerings, fruits and food to present to Buddha who is worshipped at Huong Tich Pagoda.

Visiting pagodas and attending the Huong Pagoda Festival in particular have become a traditional custom of the Vietnamese at the beginning of Lunar New Year.
The construction of Provincial Road 537 was completed just recently, but a section of it has already developed huge cracks and started caving in. Sand and gravels were brought to the broken down points to repair.-Photo atgt.vn

Now, machines and workers have been deployed by the road contractor to the site for repairs.

In the beginning of this month, An Toan Giao Thong (Traffic Safety) newspaper had reported that the road, also known as Road No 33, was ready and open to traffic.

The 21km Provincial Road 537 upgrade project was approved by the provincial Peoples Committee at a total cost of VN95 billion (US$4.2 million).

Within weeks, the section from Village 1 to Village 3 in Hop Thanh Commune got severely damaged. Though it is just a half-kilometre stretch, the road has developed numerous cracks and theres subsidence, that is, a part of the road has sunk below ground level. The worst-affected section is in Village 3, where there are cracks running up to dozens of metres.

Local residents said they dont understand why the road has got so badly damaged.

It is the main route in the districts east region, passing through numerous communes, with busy traffic flow. Within just a couple of months [since its completion], it has cracked and sunk in, which can cause accidents, a resident of Village 3 said at a meeting between locals and government officials. The contractor is carrying out repairs, but the authorities must look into why the damages happened and where the responsibility lies.

Le Hong Truong, vice chairman of Hop Thanh Commune Peoples Committee, confirmed the state of the road. According to him, the 2km section from Ly Nhan village to Phu Thanh Commune has also got damaged. There could be many reasons for this, including a weak roadbed. During construction, the contractor did do ground consolidation, but apparently it has not worked. We have asked the contractor to resolve the issue quickly.

Tran Van Tuan, director of the management board of all construction projects in Yen Thanh District, said that except for the section passing through Hop Thanh Commune, Provincial Road 537 is complete and has been handed over. He said the ground consolidation work was done when the road was being built, but as it is mostly mud below the foundation, there were several weak points that caused the cracks and subsidence.
Alvin Ng, general manager of GE Digital in Southeast Asia

GE introduced Predix to potential Vietnamese customers in a presentation in Hanoi just a couple of months ago. What was the general reaction?

Vietnam, both as a country and as an economy, has very smart people, especially in the software environment. When I talk about digital in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the general audience will not catch on as quickly as in Vietnam. The country understands the software industry very well, so the maturity on software and apps is high. The maturity on cloud-based apps, however, is rather lacking. Still, after our presentation, many customers came to us and expressed interest in being part of the Industrial Internet of Things. They might not fully understand what it is, but they feel like they need to be part of it.

Does Vietnam have the necessary hardware to adopt Predix apps?

Predix can be used on hardware of any vintage or vendor. As long as there are sensors on the hardware, we have the platform to analyse the collected data. The important thing for digital transformation is leadership. Since digital means transparency, if the company leadership wants transparency, they will be decisive to implement the digital transformation.

When companies use apps that run on Predix, they generate a lot of data. Does GE own this data?

There is an agreement between GE and the customers. If you say it is your private data, GE will not touch it. But when customers allow their anonomised data to be part of GEs database, it gives them access to larger sets of data aggregated from other industrial companies allows you to make comparisons and find the best practices.

Predix is unique in that customers own their data. With some other cloud platforms, unless you have a separate agreement with your cloud vendor, the vendor takes ownership of your data through the terms and conditions, because it sits on their physical system. At GE Digital, customers own their data and can encrypt it. We will store the encrypted data, administer the servers, but we cannot have a look unless the customers give us access.

Cyber security is a concern in Vietnam, not only in banking, but in other sectors too. With Predix, how does GE prevent cyber crimes?

We acquired Wurldtech in 2014, to bring cyber security to all our products from edge to cloud. In information technology (IT) security the focus is on protecting the data, data security, and data privacy. Most of the attacks we see in IT involve data theft. On our platform we address this with multiple layers of security throughout the platform, not just the encryption. Customers hold the key and can decide who gets to access the data. In terms of operational technology (OT), a lot of the equipment  for example a power plant or oil rig or factory  and the industrial control systems (ICS) it runs on were created 15 to 20 years ago, sometimes up to 40 years ago. They were not designed to exist on a modern day network, which make them more vulnerable to attacks. What we did last year was bring out OpShield, which is a security device that sits in an industrial network and protects the ICS from cyber attacks. Not only can we protect the equipment from malicious attacks, we can also create a baseline of known behaviours. When we see any activity that falls outside of that baseline, we can take action, block traffic, generate an alarm, and send someone to investigate.

Our approach to security is to first secure the platform from edge to cloud, then to secure the OT environment. We also have an expert risk assessment service for our customers where we can assess the potential risks within their industrial environment. Lastly, at GE we take product security very seriously. Today, when you buy a locomotive, steam turbine, MRI machine, or CT scanner, these assets come equipped with OpShield.

GE officially opened the Predix platform for outside companies in February. After being available to outside developers for almost a year, how popular is it now?

Internationally, we have 20,000 developers working on Predix, meeting our goal for the year. Within the region, there are about 3,000-4,000. In Vietnam in particular, FPT is one of our distinguished partners.
The first Aomori apples arrived in Haiphong port on December 9 and are expected to be sold at all Intimex stores, as well as at Big C and Unimart stores on December 18 and will be a great gift one can give to family and friends for the New Year.

The apples are imported from Aomori prefecture of Japan. They are harvested in the 2016 crop. This is the first official batch of apples imported from Japan to Vietnam after Vietnam officially allowed apple imports from Japan at the end of 2015.

As food safety is a concern in Vietnam, clean and high-quality apples from Aomori that meet international standards will give consumers a new option at a reasonable price.

According to Dinh Tien Thanh, general director of Intimex Vietnam JSC, Intimex has to make sure that the apples meet the strict quality requirements.

We spent almost two years working with the authorities of Aomori and exporters, supervising the process of planting the apples from the step of preparation for planting to harvesting and packaging to make sure that the apples that arrive in Vietnamese consumers home will truly be the famous Aomori apples, he said.

Aomori is a famous apple growing region of Japan, providing 50 per cent of the total volume of apples in Japan. Before getting to the table, Aomori apples were produced with utmost care by Aomori farmers. After harvest, the apples are categorised according to their colour, size and ripeness. Careful analysis on the quality of soil, pesticide residue and radiation residue is done to ensure the quality of each apple.

In the first batch, Intimex is importing apples of the two most favourite breeds namely Fuji, whose fruits are red, sweet and juicy and Kinsei, whose fruits are yellow and a bit sour.

The apples are among the first products that Intimex imports as part of its strategy to import high quality, clean and safe products from strict markets such as Japan. The strategy aims to help Intimex compete better domestically.
Mitch McConnell

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he "strongly" condemned any Russian efforts to influence the US presidential election, adding that he backed a congressional investigation into Russia's involvement in the hacking of emails from US political organizations.

"Obviously, any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing and I strongly condemn any such efforts," he said at a press conference.

The Kentucky Republican said the Senate Intelligence Committee was "more than capable" of conducting an investigation into the matter.

McConnell also pushed back against claims that Senate Republicans would be "reluctant to review Russian tactics or ignore them."

"The Russians are not our friends," he added, saying President Barack Obama's administration attempted to reset Russian relations and "sat back" as the country expanded its "sphere of influence."

McConnell issued his statement after bombshell Washington Post and New York Times stories from Friday revealed that an assessment by the CIA concluded that Russia interfered in the election to help Trump's presidential bid.

The Post's report, citing officials present at the meeting, said McConnell openly expressed doubts about the veracity of the intelligence during a secret briefing for congressional leaders in September about Russian meddling in the election.

Internal emails from members of the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta, the chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, were leaked online throughout the campaign, and the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security said one month before the election that officials were "confident" the Russian government directed hacks on US political organizations.

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about whether Russia interfered in the election and whether it did so specifically in hopes of helping him.

Story continues

On Monday, Trump argued that if Republicans had made the accusation after Clinton won the presidency, it would be viewed as a "conspiracy theory."

During a conference call with reporters on Monday, Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller called the congressional investigation "an attempt to delegitimize President-elect Trump's win."

When the reports first broke on Friday, Trump sought to delegitimize the CIA, saying it was the same agency that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

McConnell made a point of expressing "the highest confidence" in the agency, which he said "has filled itself with patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people."

NOW WATCH: MICHAEL MOORE: These are Obama's biggest failures and accomplishments





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Photo : nasa.gov

The US space agency had already pushed back the launch by a day to Tuesday.

If technicians are able to finish their repairs as planned, Discovery and its six American astronauts will now launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center at 3:52 pm (1952 GMT) Wednesday, NASA test director Jeff Spaulding said.

The flight to the orbiting International Space Station is the fourth and final shuttle flight of the year, and the last scheduled for Discovery, the oldest in the three-shuttle fleet that is being retired in 2011.
Whether illogical or inspired, nerves in ASEAN have calmed since the vote. Warnings of economic catastrophe failed to materialise  so far at least  and governments in the region such as Singapore have said Brexits economic impact on them is likely to be modest in the medium to long term. That seems like a fair assessment to us.

Yes, companies in ASEAN need to examine the implications of a potential loss of access to the single market via subsidiaries in the UK. However, they should also consider the potential upside of new trade deals between the UK and ASEAN states as a result of the UKs newfound status.

UK hungry for trade deals

With its relations with Europe thrown into doubt, the UK will be keen to develop deeper relationships in the region. It can build on its historic ties with Singapore and Malaysia and also much of the groundwork laid by David Cameron. The former prime minister was the first European leader to visit Myanmar after the start of its return to civilian rule, and led a trade mission to ASEAN last year.

The UK has much to gain from closer relations. Right now, its businesses do more trade with Belgium  a country of 11 million people  than Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore combined. The opportunity cost will be even starker in 10 or 15 years time: by 2030, ASEAN is projected to be the fourth-biggest market in the world after the US, EU, and China, and should deliver more than $2 trillion in new consumption by 2020 according to the IMF. Already its middle-class is estimated to stand at 300 million.

The UKs new Department for International Trade under Liam Fox will want to conclude free trade agreements (FTAs) quickly  once it is free to do so outside the European Union. That is likely to mean doing deals with individual ASEAN states, not the association itself based on the experience of the EU, whose own efforts were frustrated before it pursued individual bilateral agreements. Still, an EU-ASEAN FTA remains a long-term goal for the EU, and the FTAs it has signed with Singapore and Vietnam now set the benchmark for the rest of the region.

We would expect London to focus on fast-growing Vietnam, Indonesia  with its 256 million citizens  and the UKs traditional partners, Singapore and Malaysia. Singapore is the UKs largest trading partner in the region, and the agreement the EU has already struck there (that should come into force in 2018 or 2019) could provide a useful template to accelerate a trade deal with the UK too.

The feeling is mutual

Southeast Asian nations are also likely to be keen to engage with London. While FTAs with the EU will remain a higher priority in most ASEAN capitals, an agreement with the UK could serve them in a number of ways.

A Britain independent of the EU may do away with the non-tariff barriers and other regulations that Asian exporters currently contend with. The UK should also be a nimbler negotiating partner than the EUs bloc of 28, which must get signoff from each member state in order to ratify. Malaysias prime minister has already said he sees Brexit as an opportunity to improve relations, especially in trade and investment.

At the same time, ASEAN states could look to gain from the UKs weaker negotiating position without the heft of the EUs internal market behind it. So too the fact that it lacks enough experienced negotiators. Lastly, they know that the UK may need them more than they need it: Asia took 16.3 per cent of British exports last year, while the UK did not rank as a top-10 trading partner for any major Asian nation.

At a political level, there is greater will for trade deals in the region where perhaps there was not two years ago. Talks to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal  to which ASEAN members Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Brunei are parties  have changed the conversation, adding to the sense in these countries that trade is core to their growth story.

Lastly, we should not completely discount the political and historic role Britain has played in the region, nor its status on the world stage. The UK is still the worlds fifth-largest economy, a member of the UN Security Council, and a military player in the region.

Privately, a trade deal with the UK would be seen as a feather in the cap in many parts of the region. And for the UK, it would send a useful signal that the country is re-emerging as an independent player on the world stage.

By Stephen Ball KPMG lead partner, UK-ASEAN Business
Foreign investors who decide to invest in Vietnam, according to ANZ Vietnams head of markets Phan Thi Thanh Binh, often have concerns over their currency exposure, and thus wish to manage the exposure through foreign exchange (FX) hedging products.

Many foreign investors, however, must leave their capital investments or dividend stream unhedged due to Vietnams FX regulations. The cost of an unhedged FX exposure is part of the financial cost calculation that foreign investors need to consider when investing in Vietnam. According to Binh, to lower the cost and entry barriers, one of the things that Vietnam should consider is to have a roadmap that allow offshore investors to penetrate more in the local forex hedging market.

As Vietnams economy and foreign currency reserves get stronger, Vietnam should consider providing foreign investors with some basis of foreign currency risk management products to help them hedge their capital investments, she suggested.

While FX risk management products have long been available in developed markets around the world, the hedging market in Vietnam is still underdeveloped due to limited understanding of the risk, lack of hedging corporate governance, and lack of financial planning.

The old FX regime, where FX daily fixing only changed when there was a planned devaluation, was an obstacle for the development of the hedging market. This has now been replaced by the new FX daily fixing method.

Binh sees the new FX daily fixing mechanism, implemented by the State Bank of Vietnam earlier in January, as a major development for Vietnams FX hedging market. The new fixing, based on a basket of currencies, is more market-oriented and closer to the international market practice of open economies.

A key advantage of the new FX administration, according to Binh, is to help Vietnam better cope with external financial volatilities. The recent spike of USD/VND after Trumps victory more or less reflected how external sentiment and volatility can impact the FX market in Vietnam, she said.

The new FX administration urges corporates and individuals to look at both internal and external factors when considering their hedging strategies.

It is indeed harder for corporates and individuals to predict what is in the mind of policy makers [the case under the old FX regime] than predict the market [as it stands under the new FX regime], as we have seen the unpredictability in both Brexit and Trump events, Binh said.

As the global economy is likely to remain volatile in the remaining months of 2016 and in 2017, ANZ expects to see its clients actively working on FX hedging strategies to manage their currency risks through FX hedging products, as well as their assets and liabilities management strategies.

At ANZ, we leverage our global expertise and local knowledge to provide a comprehensive FX product suite, including FX spot, FX forward, FX swap, and FX options, Binh said.
According to Nguyen Thanh Huong, representative of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnams abundant natural beauty, traditional cultural values, and world heritage sites have always been the charms that define it in the eyes of international friends.

However, Vietnams image to international tourists is not on par with that of our neighbouring countries. WhyVietnam is organised and expected to leverage tourism by the end of this year by spreading messages and inspiring Vietnamese citizens and international friends to adore, choose, and praise Vietnam as a dynamic, friendly, and safe destination, Huong said.

Inspired by Vietnams timeless beauty and unexploited tourism potential, WhyVietnam campaign takes advantage of the emergence of social media, modern technology, and online marketing channels to promote the most beautiful moments of the Vietnamese landscape, the people, and its culture in and outside of the country.

Le Dac Lam, CEO of Vntrip.vn, the partner of this campaign, said that besides previous efforts to boost tourism, the partnership with Vietnam Tourism Administration demonstrates the aspiration of a local startup to contribute to the growth of national.

Vntrip.vns strategic approach also corresponds to the Governments vision to develop tourism as a key economic sector with a distinct cultural identity in order to compete with other countries in the region and over the world, said Lam.

WhyVietnam inspires people to share the best photos about Vietnam on social media with the hashtag #Why Vietnam and a caption explaining why they love and/or chose Vietnam as their destination.

Each photo will not only portray a new angle about the culturally rich yet modern, dynamic, and hospitable Vietnam, but also represent locals and foreigners love for this beautiful country.

Moreover, each photo will be a different welcoming message inviting international friends to come and explore the country.



Upon participation in this photo contest, entrants have the chance of winning an overland trip for two, worth up to VND50 million ($2,200) and various return plane tickets as additional prizes.
The 57-kilometre (35.4-mile) new Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT)in Switzerland, which runs under the Alps, was first conceived in sketch-form in 1947 but construction began 17 years ago AFP/Fabrice Coffrini

The famed Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) had a ceremonial opening in June, attracting European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande for its maiden ride.

The Swiss national rail service (SBB) had announced that Sunday would mark the start of normal commercial traffic through the 57.4km (35-mile) GBT, which took 17 years to build, at a cost of over 12 billion Swiss francs ($11.8 billion, 11.2 billion).

The Swiss news agency ATS reported that the first regular passenger train to use the GBT pulled out of Zurich at 6.09am (0509 GMT) and arrived in Lugano at 8.17am, with the tunnel passage shaving a full 30 minutes off the previous travel time for the same route.

"It's Christmas," SBB chief Andreas Meyer was quoted as saying by ATS after the journey was over.

The ambitious GBT project has won praise across Europe for its pioneering efforts to improve connectivity from Rotterdam to the Adriatic.

The Swiss funded tunnel was largely made possible by technical advances in tunnel-boring machines, which replaced the costly and dangerous blast-and-drill method.

The GBT has surpassed Japan's 53.9km Seikan tunnel as the world's longest train tunnel.

The 50.5km Channel Tunnel connecting Britain and France has been bumped into third place.
Rodolfo Lledes talks to a reporter Nov. 29 in front of his home, in Miami. Lledes departed Cuba and headed for Florida with 26 others on a motorized raft made of empty 55-gallon drums in September 1994. Many migrants like him make the journey because of what they call appalling conditions, 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.
By Tom Polansek

Dec 12 (Reuters) - Major producers of genetically modified seeds, including Monsanto Co and Bayer AG, have long barred U.S. farmers from saving seeds after harvest to replant - a condition that allows the companies to charge every year for the technology.

Now, a smaller challenger, Stine Seed, wants to disrupt that practice.

Next year, family-owned Stine says it will give about 200 farmers in a pilot program the chance to replant genetically modified soybean seeds. The program is expanding after launching this year with about 50 farmers.

Major genetically modified seed companies have largely stamped out the once-common practice of saving seed in the United States over the past two decades. They have required farmers to sign contacts that bar them from replanting the patented, genetically modified seeds now used to produce most of the nation's soybeans.

If Stine's program succeeds and expands further, it would represent the renewal of a technique that major seed developers view as a threat to the commercial value of their intellectual property.

Seeds in Stine's program will include those containing a genetic trait called LibertyLink, which was developed by Bayer and licensed by Stine, and that's created tension between the companies.

Bayer "does not support saved seed," spokesman Jeff Donald said. He declined to comment specifically on Stine's program.

Two top Stine executives - Harry and Myron Stine, who are father and son - gave Reuters conflicting accounts of the company's talks with Bayer about the pilot program and its plans to profit from it.

"Bayer despises that we're doing it," Myron Stine, company president, said in a telephone interview in September. "We are constantly changing things to fit what Bayer wants," he added in an October interview.

In a later interview at a Stine Seed's office in Iowa, however, founder and Chief Executive Harry Stine said that Bayer merely wanted Stine to ensure that farmers did not replant Libertylink seeds without paying for the technology. Stine crafted a system to ensure it can accurately track when farmers save and replant seeds and ensure they pay Bayer the appropriate fees.

Story continues

"They just wanted to make sure you weren't having some farmer just go to a bin (of genetically modified seeds) and plant whatever he wanted," Harry Stine said about Bayer in October. "Other than that, they were fine with the program."

Genetically modified seeds are sold by independent companies, such as Stine, and by major players, including Monsanto, Bayer and Syngenta AG. Stine and other independent seed sellers often pay to license genetic traits from the larger companies to put into seed.

Monsanto, the world's largest seed maker, has successfully sued U.S. farmers who saved genetically modified seed after pledging in contracts with the company to use it for only one crop. Other trait developers make U.S. farmers sign similar agreements.

In Argentina - where farmers are legally allowed to save seed - Monsanto has stopped launching new soybean technologies, following a dispute with exporters and the government over royalties paid for saved seed.

Monsanto and Syngenta declined to comment on Stine's program.

TICKED OFF COMPETITORS

Stine plans to limit its seed-saving program to farmers willing to allow the company the option to buy the new genetically modified seed grown by farmers during each harvest.

To secure seed supplies, Stine has traditionally hired farmers to grow the seeds and agreed to buy all the seeds those farmers produce. In the pilot program, however, Stine will reserve the right to reject seeds because of low customer demand or other reasons, eliminating waste and saving Stine money.

As an incentive for farmers in the pilot program, Stine is offering discounts on the original seed they use - charging them as little as $26 per acre instead of the going rate of about $40 per acre for seeds containing Bayer's LibertyLink trait.

Myron Stine said Bayer had received calls from Stine competitors, who also pay to license the Bayer trait, complaining that Stine was offering farmers a "super lucrative price" on seeds containing LibertyLink, which protects soybean crops against a weed killer.

"It just ticks them off," Myron Stine said of Stine's competitors.

Asked about Myron's comments, Donald, the Bayer spokesman, said the company "wouldn't want to discuss our internal conversations with licensees."

Myron Stine said Stine Seed would initially lose money on the pilot program, partly because it must pay licensing fees to Bayer for LibertyLink.

But Stine could turn a profit later, he said, if it starts licensing new traits from a closely affiliated company, MS Technologies, possibly for lower prices than Bayer charges. Seeds containing the new MS Technologies traits are not yet on the market.

Harry Stine serves on the board of directors for MS Technologies and has a financial interest in the company, said Joseph Saluri, an MS Technologies director and general counsel for Stine Seed. He said pricing for the MS Technologies traits had not been determined.

CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS

After Myron Stine spoke to Reuters several times, company attorney Brenda Stine-Reiher wrote to a reporter in October saying Myron had provided "misinformation." She singled out his comments on potentially lower pricing - what she called "priority pricing" - for Stine Seed on traits from MS Technologies.

"There is no such pricing in place yet," wrote Stine-Reiher, who is Myron's sister.

The company then set up an interview with Harry Stine. In contrast to his son, Harry Stine said he intended to profit immediately from the pilot program. He said MS Technologies' fees were not set but would likely be similar to Bayer's.

If Stine eventually turns to MS Technologies for traits, Bayer will still be linked, at least to some degree, to its seed-saving program, Harry and Myron Stine said. One new trait Stine is considering for the program is a joint project of Bayer and MS Technologies.

Bayer declined to comment on that trait.

MS Technologies co-developed a second soybean trait with Dow AgroSciences. Stine also wants to offer that trait in program, Harry and Myron Stine said.

The traits will allow soybeans to resist more herbicides than LibertyLink.

Dow did not respond to questions about Stine's program but said in a statement it "will not support 'saved seed.'"

(Reporting by Tom Polansek)
The leader of Cambodias opposition will receive a verdict in a case related to a Facebook post last year that drew criticism from the government, a court has said.



Sam Rainsy, the president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was charged over the publication on his Facebook page of part of a map of the Cambodia-Vietnam border, which the government claimed was a forgery intended to incite the public and has already seen an opposition senator jailed for seven years.



The map purported to show that Vietnam had encroached on Cambodian territory as agreed in a 1979 treaty.



Two of Rainsys aides, Ung Chungleang and Sambath Satya, are also charged as accomplices.



The two men have since reportedly claimed asylum in France, where Rainsy also resides since going into self-imposed exile last year after a warrant was issued for his arrest in a separate case.



Sam Sokong, Rainsys lawyer, said his client did not expect to receive a verdict of not guilty.



Rainsy wrote on Facebook on Thursday that he thought the case was politically motivated and carried out by a puppet court.



Ly Sophana, a court spokesman, said on Friday that the court would issue a verdict in accordance with the law.



The defendants have the right to appeal the courts decision following proceedure and should avoid making comments which could be seen to influence the courts decision making, he said.
Cambodian prosecutors at the Khmer Rouge tribunal have found themselves once again at odds with their international counterparts, this time over whether the court has jurisdiction to take to trial Im Chaem, a former district governor in the ultra-communist regime.



In a statement released on December 6, the co-prosecutors said they were only granted a remit to prosecute high-ranking members of the regime and those most responsible for decision-making.



However, the Cambodian prosecutors said this meant Chaems was not in the personal jurisdiction of the court to be subject to trial, while the international prosecutors argued her case would fall within the latter category as she was one of those most responsible for the crimes against humanity committed in Democratic Kampuchea.



Observers of the tribunal agreed with the international side.



Latt Ky, a human rights worker with local NGO Adhoc, said there was widespread agreement that the court should bring those most responsible to face the law.



Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, said the public should continue to support the justice process and provide freedom and independence to the court to make proper judgments in alignment with the evidence.



The international prosecutors explained in the statement that Chaem had played an important role in the regime and had been selected by the party to lead a cleansing campaign in the northwest of the country.



They claimed her crimes ranged from murder, mass killing, enslavement and detention, to torture and persecution and included other acts such as forced marriage, rape and enforced disappearances.



Sap Sam Ath, Chaems nephew, declined to comment.



Chaems lawyer, Bit Seanglim, said he supported the finding of the Cambodian prosecutors.
Kem Sokha, the deputy president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, declined to answer reporters questions last week about whether a deal had been struck with the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party that paved the way for him to be pardoned.



Sokha had been convicted of failing to appear in court to answer questions in a separate case, but was issued a royal pardon last week in a surprise intervention from Prime Minister Hun Sen.



After a visit to Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh in Thursday, Sokha chose not to address speculation that he made concessions to Hun Sen in exchange for the pardon, saying only that the [political] environment is good.



Ou Chanrith, a CNRP lawmaker who also visited the prison, repeated claims that no conditions had been placed on Sokhas freedom. We want to do whatever we can to maintain political stability. There was no conditions on talks aimed at releasing party members, he said.



He added that the party would continue to work towards securing the release of opposition members and activists detained in recent months.



The assumption that some concessions were made to secure Sokhas release is not without precedent. In 2014, a violent opposition demonstration in the wake of the disputed 2013 election led to the jailing of several opposition members and lawmakers.



Later that year, a deal was struck for their release, which included electoral reforms and paved the way for greater opposition participation in the democratic process, including the appointment of Sokha as vice president of the National Assembly.



Ou Virak, head of the Future Forum think tank, said it was unlikely that there were no conditions involved in the recent agreement to resume relations between the parties.



Lao Mong Hay, a political analyst and former advisor to Sokha, said it was also likely that pressure from the European Union and other foreign powers had prompted the decision to normalize relations with the opposition.
New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English was sworn in Monday as the country's new prime minister after last week's surprise announcement that John Key was stepping down after eight years in the role.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Government House in Wellington.

English, a former farmer with degrees in commerce and literature, said he is "excited and humbled" by his new job.

He is taking over at a time when New Zealand is doing well economically.

"We have a strong economy, almost unique in the developed world," English said, "and most New Zealanders expect to be able to share in that."

English said one of the priorities for his government would be to ensure the most needy New Zealanders are given opportunities.

State Services Minister Paula Bennett was named as the deputy leader.

She said Monday, "There was a moment when I was a 17-year-old Maori solo mum ... I'd left school .. I didn't have a job and it looked pretty bleak."

Bennett said the fact she was given a second chance and is now the deputy prime minister is "a credit to New Zealand."

Former prime minister Key said last week he was stepping down for family reasons.
African agricultural officials have converged on Cameroon to map out ways of processing the continent's enormous food resources instead of exporting the raw products to Europe.

The international trade fair on agriculture and agro industries is focusing on the cassava crop, hoping to add value to the more than 200 million tons of the starchy tuber Africa produces each year.

Processing key

As 300 women - members of the Akono cassava farmers association - peel, boil, steam, slice, pound, roast and ferment cassava roots and leaves, Farmer Nteme Florence says the processing makes cassava usable in many ways.

She says besides consuming cassava leaves as vegetables and cassava roots as a basic food, the women transform it into starch, whisky, beer, flour gari (toasted granules), chips, and many other products. She says they use cassava skin as animal feed.

Cassava production cooperative president Marie Joseph Ndzana Fouda says they use traditional methods to process the tuber because they lack modern equipment.

She says they also have been longing for tractors so they can stop manual work on their farms and increase cassava production, helping themselves and the many people who approach them to learn how to cultivate cassava to supplement their incomes.

Most cassava exported

Most of Africa's cassava is exported to America, Thailand and Brazil, countries that have high annual consumption of starch products. Japan imports nearly a million tons a year.

DRC agriculture official Stanley Yimngain says it is time for Africa to reduce raw exports and process cassava at home to create jobs.

"We find that cassava production, if it remains traditional, it will not be able to benefit from the opportunities that are coming up now with processing (and) industrialization, Yimngain said. So the forum is trying to bridge the gap between what the industrialist are looking for, what the small scale producers are doing or are producing and how can we meet half way so that the benefits also come to the small holder farmers. We would like to see that agriculture is a business opportunity and not just what our parents used to do."

Nigeria sets an example

The Central African Republic representative at the forum, Samson Garassi, says African countries lack the technical and financial means to equip rural communities to process cassava.

He says 90 percent of the population of the Central African Republic consume cassava, but average production in the C.A.R. has stagnated since it is difficult to develop the sector and process and export the tuber in the absence of funds. He says the C.A.R. is expecting funding agencies to help them grow from artisanal to industrial production.

The participants are learning from Nigeria. From 33 million tons in 1999, Nigeria now produces 45 million, about 20 percent of the world production.

Cassava a staple crop

Agriculture engineer Vincent Noble, who coordinates the program to develop French agro industries, says Nigeria and West African countries have greatly increased labor efficiency, incomes and standards of living through cassava farming.

He says the most important thing about the cassava forum is that it provides an opportunity for Africa to learn from the example of West Africa, which has succeeded in industrial transformation to add value to the product and create jobs.

Cassava is one of the most important staple food crops in tropical Africa, playing a major role in efforts to alleviate food shortages because of its availability year round and tolerance to extreme conditions.
Despite President-elect Donald Trump's controversial comments made during the presidential campaign about barring Syrian refugees from entering the United States, refugee organizations are moving full speed ahead to resettle Syrian families before he takes office. Rutland, Vermont will be one of the first American cities to receive Syrian refugees in the new year. Jeff Swicord reports from Rutland.
The Democratic Republic of Congo contains some of the largest and most diverse rain forests in the world, but in recent decades it has suffered from deforestation and poaching. On December 10, the country celebrated the opening of its first national park since the 1970s.



The rain forest of the Congo Basin is second in size only to the Amazon and spans six African countries. More than half of that area is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On December 10, the DRC celebrated the creation of Lomami National Park, the eighth of its kind in the country, but the first since 1975.

The U.S.-financed Lukuru Foundation launched the project to create the park a decade ago and has worked alongside two provincial governments and the ICCN, a semi-government agency responsible for managing protected areas.

Terese Hart of the Lukuru Foundation spoke to VOA about how the 9,000 square kilometers of Lomami National Park was carved out of the DRCs interior.



They started with a very large area, more than 40,000 square kilometers, and they figured that OK this areas been basically hunted out, this areas been basically hunted out but this areas still got a lot of animals," she said. "Its a very rich and very exciting not only for mammals but also for plants.

Researching a previously unknown area, they discovered the presence of various rare species endemic to the DRC, such as the okapi, the bonobo and the Congo peacock. They also found about 600 endangered African forest elephants and a new kind of monkey.

VOA asked Hart about the main threats these animals face.

Really the only threat now in this area is hunting, elephant poaching and commercial bush meat hunting. Those are the threats. So far weve been very fortunate in that theres no gold, no diamonds, no coltan, its not a mineral rich area, she said.

In order to secure the assent of the local population for the creation of the park, five traditional ceremonies known as "Tambiko" were held. Large communities gather to call upon the ancestors they share and to make collective decisions.

Theres a lot of singing, a lot of dancing. Parts of it we do not see or certainly I as a woman am not allowed to see. There are symbols of the ancestors that are present. Its very very interesting," said Hart.



Part of African heritage

The park is completely free of human habitation and the partners have established projects to provide alternative livelihoods for the communities on the periphery of the reserve, such as fishponds and employment in the park.



Pastor Cosma Wilungula Balongelwa, the director-general of the ICCN, is positive about the parks prospects.

In the past, conservation has been the affair of white people, he said, parks have been the business of white people. But today, Balongelwa claims, the Congolese man in the village has understood that the park is his heritage and he is involved in its conservation.

At one point, local politics intervened and the message of harmony was interrupted. A provincial parliamentarian from Tshopo, one of the two provinces in which the park is located, complained that Maniema, the other province involved, benefits disproportionately from the new park.

He said the delegation from Tshopo could not legitimize a state of affairs it finds unacceptable. He then led a walkout, accompanied by the governor of the province, who was sitting on the panel.

The governor of Maniema apologized for the disturbance and concluded stating that the Congolese nation is pleased to offer Lomami National Park to humanity.
The European Union and Cuba signed a first-ever agreement on closer ties on Monday, and vowed that the arrival in office of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump would not impact on their future relations.



This is a historic day, we've turned a page. Today we're starting to write together a new chapter, said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as the 28-nation EU's top diplomats and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez signed the pact in Brussels.



The accord, aimed at supporting economic development and promoting democracy and human rights on the island, will form the legal platform for future ties between Brussels and Havana. The EU's official stance toward Cuba dates from 1996.



Rodriguez said the priority would be to develop the Cuban economy, but he noted one major obstacle to trade relations between the EU and Cuba - the U.S. economic and financial blockade.



We'll have to see how things develop. But we very much hope that relations between the European Union and Cuba will continue to grow and enrich both sides, he said, adding that ties between the EU and Cuba do not go by Washington.



Mogherini said the agreement is the result of a long process and that Trump's inauguration in January will not affect in any way relations between the European Union and Cuba.

She also underlined that the European Union has raised concerns about the extraterritorial effect of U.S. sanctions on Cuba. We will continue to do so because we believe that this is not only in the interest of the island and its people - all of them - but most of all in our case, it's in the interest of Europeans to tackle this issue.



Cuba puts the total cost of the 55-year-old embargo at $125.9 billion, including $4.6 billion last year.



The new pact must now be ratified by national and regional parliaments in all EU member states before it can enter completely into force, although the bloc has decided to provisionally apply parts of it immediately.
Immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, but were protected from deportation by President Barack Obama, are being warned by some advocates to make sure they are not traveling abroad when Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Some advocates, lawyers and universities are concerned that Trump might immediately rescind an Obama program that had allowed these young immigrants to work and travel for humanitarian, educational or employment purposes.

That could lead, they fear, to some people traveling abroad being barred from re-entering the U.S.

"We are recommending all travel be completed by or before Jan. 20 in the event laws or procedures experience a drastic change," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "We wouldn't want to expose them to an uncertain situation should they not be allowed back to the U.S."

Trump's immigration plans unknown

Trump made illegal immigration the cornerstone of his campaign, promising to build a wall along the Mexican border and deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

His actual plans, though, have yet to be revealed. Recently, he has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes.

During a recent Time magazine interview, Trump expressed sympathy for the 741,000 people in Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which started in 2012.

"We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," Trump said. "They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen."

Advocates are still being cautious.

Nancy Lopez-Ramirez, a 20-year-old student born in Mexico who is planning a trip there as part of a City College of New York class, said she is glad the group is returning by Jan. 15.

"My mom is like 'I am concerned with you not coming back, I want you to be able to come back,'" she said.

"It is nerve-wracking but I think that at the end it is going to be worth it," said the political-science student, who was brought to the U.S. when she was 4.

City College, part of the City University of New York, is one of the institutions advising students in the DACA program to return before Inauguration Day. So is California State University, which told administrators to tell participants in the program "that if they are outside of the United States as of January 20, 2017, there is no assurance they will be allowed to return to the U.S."

Trump can rescind the promised protection right away through an "operational memo" because Obama implemented it through one, said William Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

He said the program's participants should not consider traveling overseas unless they absolutely need to.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Anthony Bucci said his agency "cannot speculate" when he was asked how long would it take for CBP officers to deny entry to the U.S. to program participants if Trump eliminated the protection.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services records said that as of Dec. 31, 2015, about 22,340 people in the DACA program were approved for the "parole" that allows them to travel outside the U.S.

Trump called the program an "illegal amnesty" during his campaign.

Tatyana Kleyn, an associate professor at City College who organized the upcoming Mexico trip, said interest in it actually surged among students after the presidential election.

"So right now our bus fits 18 and we are bringing 20," she said. "It feels like a last chance."
Egypt's president says a suicide bomber carried out the bombing at Cairo's Coptic Orthodox cathedral complex on Sunday that killed at least 25 people.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said authorities arrested three men and a woman in connection with the blast.

The president was speaking during a state funeral for the victims.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.

A VOA reporter at the scene said the attack occurred during the Sunday morning service in an area with mostly women.

Video posted to social media showed pools of blood beneath debris inside the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, known in Arabic as El-Botroseya.

Egypt's president declared a three-day state of mourning after the blast.



"The pain felt by Egyptians now will not go to waste, but will result in an uncompromising decisiveness to hunt down and bring to trial whoever helped through inciting, facilitating, participating or executing this heinous crime,'' a presidential statement quoted the Egyptian leader as saying.

More than 500 Coptic protesters gathered at the scene of the explosion, deriding the government and calling for the president to step down. The demonstration prompted small skirmishes with police until a priest called for calm. Dozens of Muslim supporters joined the Christian protesters.

The attack came two days after a bomb elsewhere in Cairo killed six policemen, an assault claimed by a group authorities link to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

St. Marks is the seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.

Human rights groups and the media have regularly documented cases of anti-Christian violence in the country, including a 2011 attack on New Year's Day at a Coptic church in Alexandria that killed 20 people.

Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 93 million.

Hamada Elrasam contributed information from Cairo to this report, which includes additional information for the Associated Press.
Ghana will have a new president next month when Nana Akufo-Addo takes office following his victory in last week's election. The new president has spent a lifetime immersed in the West African country's politics.

Akufo-Addo won the presidency of Ghana by pledging to fix the economy. Despite offshore oil production, the country has struggled with escalating debt, increasing corruption and high unemployment.

We have to recognize one thing. If we do not make a focused, systematic effort to change the nature of our economy, moving away from this raw material producing economy into an industrial value-added economy, we are never going to address the issues of poverty, of the higher incomes that were all looking for. We must make that consistent effort, he said.

But in some ways, winning the presidency fulfills a destiny for Akufo-Addo. He belongs to a family that was involved in the fight for Ghanas freedom from British colonial rule. Three of the founding fathers of Ghana, or the "Big Six," were Nana's blood relatives. His father, Edward, was president in the early 1970s.



Akufo-Addo studied law in Britain and was called to the Ghana Bar in 1975 before entering politics, joining a group that opposed a referendum to install one-party military state.

In 1992, he became the first national organizer of the New Patriotic Party, or NPP, at the outset of Ghana's shift to multi-party politics.

In 1995, led one of the largest anti-government demonstrations, "Kume Preko -- local dialect which translates "just kill me" -- in opposition to a consumption tax introduced under President Jerry Rawlings.



Akufo-Addo has been a three-time member of parliament, served as attorney general and minister of justice for two years, and as foreign minister from 2001 to 2007.



As attorney general, Akufo-Addo worked to repeal the Criminal Libel Law, which had been used to intimidate the media and criminalize free speech.

He first sought the NPP's presidential nomination in 1998 but lost to eventual President John Kufuor.

In 2012, he won the nomination but lost a disputed election to President John Mahama.

This year, he was elected with 54 percent of the vote, and will be sworn in as Ghana's next president on January 7.
This iconic wine capital seems an unlikely ground zero in Frances battle against militant Islam. Yet, down a narrow street off the citys center, an experiment is under way to bring at-risk youngsters back from the edge.



A partnership, between Bordeauxs city hall and the local Muslim federation, is one of dozens of initiatives springing up around France to tackle a daunting challenge: how to fight the powerful lure of radical Islam.

The question is critical for France, western Europes biggest exporter of jihadists and the target of three major, and largely home-grown terrorist attacks in two years. If it works, some see Bordeauxs holistic and inclusive approach to preventing radicalization as a model for other French cities.

With the Islamic State group weakened in Iraq and Syria, and threats of more violence at home, there is all the more urgency in finding solutions. Already, hundreds of European jihadists have returned. Counterterrorism experts say hundreds more are expected to follow, posing major security risks.

The European intelligence system is not accustomed to dealing with so many radicalized people, says Paris-based sociologist and jihadist expert Farhad Khosrokhavar. We need to invent a new way of dealing with this sort of problem.

New approach



While countries like Britain, Denmark and Germany have long been involved in deradicalization efforts, France is a relative newcomer. And until recently, French authorities have mostly used a punitive approach.

Today, that is beginning to change. A few months ago, the government earmarked more than $315 million over three years for deradicalization efforts that include opening special voluntary centers around the country.

The CAPRI program in Bordeaux, bringing together a small group of therapists, psychiatrists, legal experts and imams, is considered the first to offer an interdisciplinary approach in fighting radicalization.

What we can say today is there are no miracle recipes, says Bordeaux Deputy Mayor Marik Fetouh, who is also CAPRIs spokesman. Radicalization is a complex phenomenon.

Of the 35 youngsters now enrolled, roughly 40 percent are women. A significant number are converts or born agains from Muslim families that arent particularly religious. The average age is 22.

Each case is different, each history and trajectory is different, says imam Fouad Saanadi. My role isn't to give them the good Islam, but to bring critical thinking and a serene approach to religion.



Case-by-case



Saanadi gathers with the rest of the team to analyze each new case; but often, he says, religion plays a secondary role. A number of youngsters have psychological problems; others have troubled backgrounds.



Radicalization is just a symptom of a world that is complex and globalized, Saanadi says. We have generations that are very fragile. Today, its Islamic State that recruits. Tomorrow it could be another ideology.

Still, todays "ideology" has managed to seduce hundreds of French youngsters. Authorities here classify some 15,000 people as extremists and possible security threats. Another 700 French jihadists are still fighting in Iraq and Syria, and 1,350 suspected radicals are in French prisons, according to government estimates, including nearly 300 with direct ties to terrorist networks.



The state's law-and-order response has not proven effective, critics say.

A fledgling effort to create special deradicalization units in select jails was shuttered in October, with officials judging it actually risked increasing extremism rather than fighting it. A new initiative is under way that aims to weed out and separate the most hardened radicals from the broader prison population.

In one possible sign of changing times, France has opened the first of roughly a dozen deradicalization centers planned to be rolled out across the country in the coming months. The initiative is voluntary and experts say it is too early to judge its effectiveness.

Some fear the new focus on deradicalization is producing some dubious start-ups. So far, roughly 80 initiatives have sprung up across the country, according to French media reports, with varying degrees of credibility and success.

Its becoming a market, says Tareq Oubrou, the main imam of Bordeaux, who is part of the CAPRI initiative. Everyone is becoming a deradicalization specialist in two seconds.

More fundamentally, some say, France needs to rethink its staunchly secular views and conflicted relationship with Islam that have fed clashes over issues like the headscarf and burkini, and shaped the way it fights extremism.

My guess is that if you want to have an efficient way in dealing with radicalization in terms of jihadism, you have to introduce  plainly, obviously, publicly  religion, says sociologist Khosrokhavar, who criticizes many initiatives for solely treating the psychological aspects of radicalization and not the ideological ones.

It is in the name of religion that they have become radicalized," he adds. "They identify with this radical version of Islam, so you cannot avoid it.



In Bordeaux, CAPRI members view the programs inclusive approach to dealing with radicalization as a strength.

For the youngsters and the families, the fact were doing this with the Muslim community is very positive, Deputy Mayor Fetouh says. It shows were not mixing up Islam and radicalization. And often, the theologian serves as a mediator to create links between families and CAPRI.

A possible model

On a recent morning, officials from Strasbourg and Toulouse counted among the latest delegations visiting the programs offices. The program has sparked growing interest on the part of other municipalities.

Were very solicited, and were asked how to do CAPRI elsewhere, Fetouh says. But its not necessarily easily duplicated.
Last week's earthquake in Indonesia's northern province of Aceh damaged dozens of schools, undermining children's ability to recover from the trauma of the disaster, aid groups said.

Wednesday's 6.5 magnitude earthquake, which toppled dozens of buildings and killed at least 100 people, was the worst disaster to hit the region since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Among those affected are 30,000 children and young people whose schools are closed as a result of the earthquake, said aid agencies.

In Aceh's Pidie Jaya, one of the hardest-hit districts, the quake damaged nearly a third of schools, with at least seven completely destroyed, according to Yayasan Sayangi Tunas Cilik, a local aid agency.

Many residents of the town of 140,000 have been sleeping in shelters and relief workers last week were handing out food, water, and blankets.

With students now on their winter break, the destruction might not have an immediate impact on their study, but it undermines their sense of safety, said Ronald Sianipar of Yayasan Sayangi Tunas Cilik.

"When school buildings are safe, we know they are the best place for students to be following a disaster like this. It creates a sense of normality and safety and supports children's emotional recovery." he said in a statement.

"With no schools to go to, there are no places for students to gather together and release their fear," he said.

At least 80 million children living in areas affected by war or natural disasters had their education disrupted last year, according to a report by British charity Theirworld.

Schools offer a safe place to learn and play which in turn can help children deal with trauma in the aftermath of a crisis, say experts, but education is often overlooked by aid donors.

When children are out of school, they are more vulnerable to falling prey to child labor, trafficking and extremism.

Sianipar said his organization was trying to help by creating play areas in camps where many families are living, and may set up temporary classrooms in tents.

Local authorities in Pidie Jaya say they plan to reopen schools in time for the start of the new semester in January.

But aid workers say children are still fearful.

"Children in Pidie Jaya are afraid of going back to school," Irsyad Hadi, spokesman in Jakarta for the global child rights organization Plan International, said by phone.

"Many schools are badly damaged. Even though some schools only have minor damage, students and teachers are still concerned. They are afraid of entering buildings."
As the ranks of protesters thickened in central Jakarta on December 2, turning into Indonesia's biggest mass demonstration since the end of authoritarian rule in 1998, President Joko Widodo grappled with a dilemma: should he join the rally or stay away?

Recounting what happened behind the scenes that day, two senior officials told Reuters Widodo chose to ignore warnings from security chiefs and went into the crowd, appearing alongside the firebrand leader of a hardline Islamic group. His move was widely applauded for cooling tensions that had been building for weeks over remarks by Jakarta's ethnic-Chinese Christian governor that were deemed to be insulting to the Koran.

But critics worry Widodo's decision may have conferred some legitimacy on a hardline strain of political Islam emerging in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, where politics is secular and the majority of believers are moderate, putting social stability at risk.

"Jokowi may have had some tactical gains in the short run," said Tobias Basuki, an analyst at the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, referring to the president by his popular name.

"But, for the longer term, Jokowi, his government and the police have been playing a dangerous game. As a result, political Islam has been co-opted by hardliners and progressive Muslims have been sidelined."

The resurgence of political Islam has been accompanied this year by the reappearance of militant Islamic cells whose members swear allegiance to Islamic State and have been involved in a series of attacks and foiled plots.

Many of the jihadis were first indoctrinated at mosques that spawned various Islamic vigilante groups similar to the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), which was at the forefront of the December 2 mass protest in Jakarta, according to counter-terrorism police.

The FPI insists it is neither political nor militant but just wants to uphold Islamic principles.

Motley group of plotters

A senior government official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the president had voiced some reservations before joining FPI leader Habib Rizieq on the stage.

Before dawn that day, police rounded up a motley group of figures allegedly plotting to use the rally to launch a popular revolt against Widodo by leading protesters to parliament. Among those detained was a daughter of independent Indonesia's first president, Sukarno; a rock star who once appeared in a video wearing a Nazi-style uniform, and a former army general who backed one of Widodo's rivals for the presidency in 2014.

The official, briefed on discussions between the police chief and one of the president's most trusted ministers, Luhut Pandjaitan, said Rizieq was on an original list of 20 people suspected of sedition. Police could not confirm such a list.

Rizieq was not detained, however. Instead, he was allowed to lead the protest later that morning.

Minister Pandjaitan told police to arrest the least powerful people on the list of 20 to send a message that the government would not tolerate anybody trying to exploit the tensions, the official said.

Widodo's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Sharia law

The FPI, which claims around five million members and advocates sharia law across Indonesia's multi-cultural archipelago, has a history of harrassing minorities. It has forced churches and mosques run by non-Sunni Muslims to close and raids nightclubs and bars it believes foster immorality.

It grabbed the political spotlight by seizing on Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's indelicate remark on the Koran during his re-election campaign, where he is standing against two Muslim candidates. Purnama goes on trial for blasphemy starting on Tuesday in a Jakarta court.

As an ally of the governor, Widodo was the target of some of the outrage from Muslims - at an initial rally on November 4 and then the larger one that brought over 200,000 protesters into the heart of Jakarta a month later.

Ahead of the November 4 rally, Widodo's security staff persuaded him to leave the presidential palace, said the senior government official. He went to the capital's airport where, according to his office, he inspected a rail project. Violence broke out as the demonstration wound up that day.

Another official, at the presidential palace, denied a report that Widodo had gone to the airport as a precaution to flee the country.

Underlining his alarm over the situation, however, the president did abruptly call off a visit to Australia the next day.

Widodo was given the same security advice ahead of the December 2 protest, the two officials said. But Pandjaitan urged him to appear at the rally to puncture the mood of animosity.

"He said he did not want to be seen standing ... on the same stage as Habib Rizieq, but Luhut said it was a chance to show real leadership and calm the tensions," the palace official said.

Fall of Suharto

Rizieq, 51, was not available for comment. The chief of FPI's Jakarta chapter, Novel Bamukmin, responding to rumors FPI will form a political party and nominate Rizieq for president in 2019, told Reuters Rizieq had no political ambitions.

"Habib Rizieq's role has clearly been that of a figure who is pushing togetherness and unity. It is a movement of tolerant Islam," Bamukmin said.

The movement toward a more conservative and hardline Islam has been developing in Indonesia since the fall in 1998 of strongman Suharto, who had brutally repressed politicized Islam during his three decades in power.

Tim Lindsey, an expert on Indonesian law at the University of Melbourne, said Widodo - perhaps aware of the country's grim history of popular unrest - had put quelling the masses ahead of squelching the resurgence of political Islam.

"It's now about 'mass' - the easily manipulated masses that are on the streets, a nightmare for any political leader in Indonesia given the events of 1998, when Suharto was toppled," Lindsey said. "Jokowi now has to crack down because he has let the situation get out of control."
Japan said on Monday it had protested strongly against China's allegations its fighter jets had engaged in "dangerous and unprofessional" behavior when they scrambled Saturday as Chinese aircraft flew between Okinawa and Miyako islands.

Chinese military aircraft flew over waterways near self-ruled Taiwan - seen by Beijing as a renegade province - on Saturday as part of long-range exercises, Taiwan said.

"I have received a report from the defense minister that the Japanese planes did not conduct any close-range interference toward the Chinese military planes ... or threaten the safety of Chinese military planes or its personnel," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

"The fact that China's military unilaterally announced something clearly different from the facts is extremely regrettable and harms the improvement of relations between Japan and China, and we have strictly protested to the Chinese side," he said.

Suga said Japan would watch the actions of the Chinese military, "which are expanding and increasing", and make every effort towards "firmly protecting our country's land, sea and air space and, in accordance with international and domestic law, take strict measures against any invasion of our airspace."

Chinese defense ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in a statement on Saturday that two Japanese F-15 fighter jets flew over the Miyako Strait and conducted "close range interference", firing decoy flares and "jeopardizing the security of Chinese aircraft and pilots."

Yang said China had grave concerns and lodged a protest over the behavior of the Japanese aircraft during what he called "routine" drills in international waters.
Kenyan police have fired tear gas to disperse a protest march against government corruption.

The march was part of a protest movement by activists who want Kenya's government to do more to stem what they charge is rampant graft within the administration.



Police arrested at least three protesters Monday in the capital, Nairobi, when they broke up the demonstration. The group later reunited at another location and resumed the march.



The protest march coincided with celebrations marking 53 years since Kenya became independent.





A series of corruption scandals have put pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is seeking re-election next year.



Kenya is considered to be among the world's most corrupt countries, ranking 139 out of 168 countries in a 2015 index by Transparency International.
The governor of Nigeria's southern Akwa Ibom state where the roof of a church under construction collapsed on worshippers Saturday, killing many people, has ordered the arrest of the building contractor, according to the state news agency.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, who was in the church at the time of the collapse and escaped without injury, ordered the arrest Sunday.

Reports of the death toll vary widely, with some media saying as many as 160 people died, others placing the toll closer to 60, and local government officials only confirming 27 dead and 30 injured.

Hundreds of people were in the Reigners Bible Church in the city of Uyowhen the roof collapsed.The church's founder, who survived the incident, was to be made a bishop during the service.

One survivor told local media from his hospital bed that the roof fell about 30 minutes into the program. "Suddenly, the roof from the middle fell on worshippers. The governor was quickly rescued. But others were not that lucky."

Governor Emmanuel tweeted that he personally supervised rescue operations at the scene. He declared Sunday and Monday as days of mourning.

A spokesman for the governor said the state will conduct an investigation into the collapse.
Pope Francis is calling for a renewed culture of nonviolence to inform global politics today, saying military responses to conflicts only breed more violence.



Francis cited Mother Teresa, Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. as models of nonviolent peacemakers in his annual message for the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, which is celebrated each January 1.



Violence is not the cure for our broken world, read the message released Monday. Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migrations and enormous suffering.



Earlier this year, the Vatican hosted a conference of peace activists who called on the Catholic Church to renounce its just war doctrine, which condones the use of force to stop an unjust aggression if certain conditions are met. The activists urged a new peacemaking framework based on Gospel-mandated nonviolence, arguing that too often the just war doctrine had been used to justify and endorse military action rather than prevent it.



They called for Francis to develop an encyclical on active nonviolence.



At a news conference launching the message Monday, Francis' point-man on justice and peace issues, Cardinal Peter Turkson, said he couldn't rule out a possible encyclical or a special gathering of bishops on the theme of nonviolence. He said the church's current just war theory was no longer adequate for today's world.



Francis, named after the peace-loving St. Francis of Assisi, has echoed his predecessors in condemning wars and promoting peace. But he has also endorsed military action to stave off the Islamic State group's attacks on Christians in Iraq and Syria.



Francis repeated the Vatican's call for the prohibition and abolition of nuclear weapons, and added: I plead with equal urgency for an end to domestic violence and to the abuse of women and children.



In fact, he said, women are often the leaders in nonviolence, citing Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee of Liberia. He praised her and the thousands of other Liberian women whose nonviolent protests helped end Liberia's civil war.
Rebel fighters and the Syrian government have reached an agreement to allow the evacuation of civilians and opposition fighters from eastern Aleppo, as Russia says the Assad regime has ended its offensive against the city.

A spokesman for the Nour el-Din el-Zinki rebel group, Yasser al-Youssef, said Tuesday that the deal, which was mediated by Russia and Turkey, would take effect within hours.

Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin confirmed the agreement to reporters prior to an emergency Security Council meeting on Aleppo called by France and Britain.

"My latest information is that there is indeed an arrangement achieved on the ground that the fighters are going to leave the city," Churkin said.

Over the last hour, we have received information that military activities in east Aleppo have stopped, he added later in the meeting. He said the government had re-established control over that part of the city and there could now be large-scale humanitarian initiatives.

This very difficult chapter related to the situation in eastern Aleppo has ended, Churkin said. "Lets hope this indeed will be a precondition for establishing political efforts, relaunching political negotiations."

Churkin said most of the fighters who are leaving eastern Aleppo are going to the town of Idlib.

U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura expressed concern that Idlib could become the next target of a Syrian offensive. But he, too, echoed hopes that this could be a turning point that sends the parties back to the negotiating table.

This is actually the best moment to be insisting in a peace process being restarted, de Mistura told reporters. In fact, we should be looking at this as tragic opportunity of accelerating, instead, the political process."

The cease-fire deal comes after the United Nations said Tuesday it has received reports of pro-government forces in Syria killing at least 82 civilians in four different neighborhoods in Aleppo, where the recapture of the last areas held by rebels is "imminent."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the organization supports these efforts and stands ready to help implement and oversee an agreement.

We remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law, to prioritize the safe passage of civilians out of eastern Aleppo and to ensure that those who have surrendered or been captured are treated humanely and in line with international law, Ban told council members.

Failed Diplomacy

At the council session, Western members fiercely criticized Moscow for its ongoing support to the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the atrocities being committed in Aleppo.

Are you truly incapable of shame? Is there literally nothing that can shame you? U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power asked. Is there no act of barbarism against civilians, no execution of a child that gets under your skin, that just creeps you out a little bit? Is there nothing you will not lie about or justify?

Britains envoy, Matthew Rycroft, echoed the words of Ban, saying the Security Council had failed.

Its failed because Russia has used and abused its veto time and again, even to prevent a seven-day cease-fire, Rycroft said.

But Russian envoy Churkin dismissed Western criticism of Moscows support for the Assad regime and reports of horrific atrocities from Aleppo as part of a propaganda, disinformation and psychological war.

He cited the phenomenon of the spread of fake news, saying for their fabrication people even stoop to using children adding that they cover them with dust to be presented as victims of bombings.

Atrocities

In Geneva, U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters that it is difficult to verify reports, and that it was not clear when exactly the killings were to have taken place.

"We hope profoundly that these reports are wrong or exaggerated," he said.

Colville called for the United Nations or another organization such as the International Committee of the Red Cross to be allowed to monitor the situation in Aleppo in order to alleviate concerns about potential rights abuses.

"Civilians have paid a brutal price during this conflict, and we're filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this last hellish corner of opposition-held eastern Aleppo," he said.

The ICRC also warned Tuesday that thousands of civilians in eastern Aleppo "have literally nowhere safe to run" and urged those involved in fighting there to protect them.

The group said in a statement that time is running out to find a humanitarian solution, and that it is ready to help put in place any agreement that puts civilians first.

"We cannot urge this strongly enough: this must happen now," said Marianne Gasser, ICRC's head of delegation in Syria.

Rebels lose territory

The recapture of the last rebel-held areas would have major symbolic significance and leave the regime and its foreign backers, Russia and Iran, free to focus their military might on remaining rebel strongholds in the rest of western Syria.

Rebel commanders and opposition politicians insist the loss of Aleppo will not mark the end of the uprising.

However, few doubt battlefield fortunes have swung heavily against them and with the regime possibly hours away from seizing what is left of insurgent-controlled eastern Aleppo, the dynamic of resistance will have to change to guerrilla warfare to the keep the revolution alive.
The Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram has attacked Waza, in Cameroon's Far North Region, kidnapping 10 Chinese engineers and killing one Cameroonian soldier, according to local reports.The attack came shortly before the start of Saturday's summit talks on Boko Haram in Paris , where five heads of state, including Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, met to map out regional strategies to fight the militant group.Last month, Boko Haram members kidnapped hundreds of teenage girls from a school in the remote Nigerian village of Chibok, setting off international cries for their release. Some escaped, but 276 girls remain missing.In the most recent incident, an estimated 200 Boko Haram members attacked the community of Waza, according to reports. Waza is located 15 kilometers (nine miles) from Nigeria's Borno state, the violent Islamist group's base.Waza resident Djibrilla Toukour told VOA that men arrived around midnight in a convoy."Boko Haram came to our area and started shooting," Toukour said.The attackers killed a Cameroonian soldier near a camp where Chinese road construction engineers live, and took the engineers' vehicles. Toukour says authorities have not been able to locate the Chinese, suggesting they were kidnapped.Cameroonian soldiers were immediately deployed to the border with Nigeria to prevent the attackers' escape, said the governor of Far North Region, Fonka Awah Augustine. He said it's likely at least some of the attackers remain in Camaroon."There are quite a number of arrests that have been carried out. Investigations are on," he said, adding that reinforcements have been requested from Cameroon's capital, Yaounde.Authorities in Yaounde are working to stabilize the Far North Region, Augustine said.Waza is within Cameroon's Waza National Park, a major tourist attraction, where a French family of seven was kidnapped last year.Earlier this month, Boko Haram attacked a military post 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Waza, freeing one of its members detained there and killing a Cameroonian soldier.
Reportedly, technology leaders are set to meet President-elect Donald Trump in a summit to be held on Wednesday (Dec 14, 2016). Per The Wall Street Journal, the small selective group is expected to include top-executives from Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Cisco, Facebook, IBM IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Oracle Corp., along with Tesla Motors TSLA Elon Musk.



The event is significant for the technology and allied sector as it grapples with growing uncertainty over Trump administrations economic policies and its impact on the industry.



Notably, top-most technology leaders of the Silicon Valley had openly protested against Trumps rhetoric during election campaign. The President-elect had threatened to force technology companies like Apple to bring their overseas manufacturing operations back to the U.S.



Moreover, Trumps views over antitrust enforcement, trade protectionism, immigration policy (particularly issuance of H1B visas used to hire skilled foreigners) and net-neutrality (Donald Trump is known as a criticizer of this policy) are some of the major headwinds for the U.S. technology companies like IBM, Alphabet and Netflix NFLX.



Another concern is Trumps determination to cut clean energy spending. Most of the big technology companies have been moving toward clean energy with the help of government tax breaks. Any spending cut will certainly be a dampener on these plans.



Computer and Technology Sector Price Index

Computer and Technology Sector Price Index

Technology Sector and Donald Trump  Common Ground



Despite the verbal volleys and pre-election enmity, it is now quite clear that none of them  Donald Trump nor the Silicon Valley bigwigs  can ignore each other. For the sake of smooth running of their businesses as well as the U.S. economy, a common ground is necessary as observed by the Cowen & Co. analyst Paul Gallant.



Corporate tax reform that has been blatantly advocated by the President-elect since early days of his campaign is an issue that can bring technology leaders and Donald Trump to a truce.



Per data from Moodys Investors Service Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Cisco and Oracle together made up almost 30% ($504 billion) of the $1.7 trillion in cash and cash equivalents held by U.S. non-financial companies in 2015. According to figures from the WSJ: Apple alone holds about 91% of its $237.6 billion in cash offshore.



Notably, the U.S. government currently levies a 35% tax rate on repatriated cash, which Trump has promised to lower to 15%. An ideal restructuring of tax rates will enable companies like Apple to bring back a major part of their offshore cash to the U.S.



Will Technology Stocks Rebound?



Since Donald Trumps selection (Nov 9), we note that the Zacks Computer & Technology industry has returned a modest 2.12% as compared with S&P 500 Composites gain of 4.22%. However, we believe that the upcoming meet will ease out some of those concerns that will eventually help the stocks to rebound.



We use our VGM Score to track technology stocks that shows characteristics to outperform the broader market. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of 'A' or 'B' when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the best upside potential.



Here we pick five stocks that have a favorable combination of VGM score of A and Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Moreover, these stocks have returns of more than 15% since the election of Donald Trump.



Our Picks



Santa Clara, CA-based Applied Materials Inc. AMAT is one of the worlds largest suppliers of equipment for the fabrication of semiconductor, flat panel liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. Its earnings estimate for the current year has increased by 13 cents (5.7%) to $2.40 per share in the last 30 days.



Since Nov 9, Applied Materials has gained a massive 258.09%.



Story continues

APPLD MATLS INC Price

APPLD MATLS INC Price | APPLD MATLS INC Quote

Headquartered at Simpsonville, SC, KEMET Corp. KEM is the world's largest manufacturer of solid tantalum capacitors and one of the world's largest manufacturers of multilayer ceramic capacitors. Its earnings estimate for the current year has remained steady at 29 cents in the last 30 days.



The stock has returned a strong 63.68% since Nov 9.



KEMET CORP Price

KEMET CORP Price | KEMET CORP Quote

KVH Industries Inc. KVHI is a leading manufacturer of solutions that provide global high-speed Internet, television and voice services via satellite to mobile users at sea and on land. Headquartered in Middletown, RI, the company has active operations in Denmark, Hong Kong, the State of Illinois, Japan, Norway, Singapore, and UK.

KVHs earnings estimate for the current year has remained steady at 30 cents in the last 30 days. The stock has surged 33.53% since Nov 9.



KVH INDUSTRIES Price

KVH INDUSTRIES Price | KVH INDUSTRIES Quote

Jasper IN-based Kimball Electronics Inc. KE operates as a contract manufacturer of durable goods electronics. The company has manufacturing operations primarily in the U.S., Mexico, Thailand, Poland and China. Its earnings estimate for the current year has remained steady at 93 cents per share in the last 30 days.



Since Nov 9, the stock has gained 15.41%.

KIMBALL ELECTRN Price

KIMBALL ELECTRN Price | KIMBALL ELECTRN Quote

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President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Monday that he would announce his choice for secretary of state this morning. Several news U.S. organizations  most citing anonymous sources within Trump's transition team  report Trump plans to name ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive officer Rex Tillerson.

The notion that Tillerson will get the nod was further bolstered when Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, posted messages on social media Monday evening indicating he wasn't getting the job.

Romney and Tillerson were considered the frontrunners for the post, although Trump met with several other potential nominees, including former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker.

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was also on Trumps short list, but he withdrew his name from consideration Friday.

Russian connection

Tillerson would likely face a contentious confirmation process. As reports emerged Saturday that Trump had settled on the 64-year-old oil executive, several senators  including some Republicans  voiced concerns about Tillerson's ties to Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013 awarded Russias Order of Friendship to Tillerson, who has guided huge ExxonMobil deals with Russian companies for exploration and production of oil and gas and has opposed U.S. sanctions on Moscow.

The Kremlin on Monday praised Tillerson, calling him highly professional.

Tillersons relationship with Putin is a matter of concern, Senator John McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said Sunday.

Other Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham and Marco Rubio, also indicated they were troubled by Tillerson's dealings with Russia.



Democratic Senator Robert Menendez said that with Tillerson as the top U.S. diplomat, "the Trump administration would be guaranteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the President's Cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy."

Speaking earlier this year at the University of Texas, Tillerson acknowledged, I have a very close relationship with him, having known Putin for more than 15 years.

Tillersons emergence as the frontrunner for secretary of state coincided with reports the CIA concluded that Russia interfered in the U.S. election in favor of Trump. Intelligence committees in both houses of Congress launched investigations Monday into those accusations.

Business savvy vs. diplomatic experience

While some critics questioned Tillerson's qualifications to serve as a diplomat, Trump said in an interview Sunday that Tillerson's global business dealings made him "a world-class player."

He knows many of the players, and he knows them well, Trump said.

Professor Henry Hale, a Eurasia specialist at George Washington University told VOA that doing business abroad is not the same thing as conducting the nations business abroad. But he also noted that all secretaries of state learn on the job to some degree."

Hale said Tillersons nomination would be reason for concern, and its anybodys guess how well this will work.

Selecting Tillerson would be much in line with Trumps preference for military and business leaders in his Cabinet.

Tillersons comfort with and understanding of organizational formality might equip him uniquely to deal with the Foggy Bottom establishment, which has cultural rigidities of its own, said Bob Tippee, editor of Oil & Gas Journal. I find this really interesting and potentially transformative.

Tillersons career has given him numerous skills necessary for a competent top diplomat, absorbing complex political analysis, evaluating foreign leaders, attending ceremonial events, and negotiating with friends and adversaries, according to Steve Coll, author of a book about ExxonMobil called "Private Empire."

The company, which eschews interference in the 50 countries in which it operates, sees itself as an independent, transnational corporate sovereign in the world, a power independent of the American government, one devoted firmly to shareholder interests and possessed of its own foreign policy, writes Coll in the latest online edition of the New Yorker magazine.

The energy giants foreign policy sometimes has more impact in countries than does the State Department, says Coll, describing ExxonMobil executives as regarding U.S. diplomats with disdain, if not contempt, for a perceived bias against oil and their inability to understand sensitive and complex oil deal negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday the Kremlin is ready to boost Serbia's defense capabilities amid what his Serbian counterpart alleges is a threat from neighboring Croatia.

The statements came amid rising tensions between the two major Balkan rivals and former Yugoslav republics that were at war in the 1990s.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said that Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic would visit Moscow later this month to discuss the donation of four MiG-29 jets and other unspecified military equipment.

Media reports said the jets were decommissioned by the Russian Air Force and need major repairs. Lavrov confirmed the visit, but refused to disclose details of a possible agreement.

Dacic said Serbia has to strengthen its armed forces in the wake of NATO's arming of neighboring Croatia.

EU and NATO-member Croatia on Monday blocked one of three negotiating chapters Serbia hoped to open by the end of this year in its own EU bid. Vucic and the Serbian delegation immediately left Brussels in protest.

"If Croatia is the one to decide if Serbia will become an EU member, I have suddenly lost the interest," Dacic said at a joint news conference with Lavrov.

Russia has opposed Serbia and other Balkan countries joining NATO and has been campaigning against their European Union accession efforts.



Serbia formally wants to join the EU, but has refused to join Western sanctions imposed on traditional Slavic ally Russia for its meddling in Ukraine.

"Serbia will never become an anti-Russian state and we will never join sanctions against Russia," Dacic declared.
The fall of rebel-controlled districts of eastern Aleppo to the forces of President Bashar al-Assad is likely to prove a decisive victory in the five-year civil war. The demise has major symbolic significance and leaves the regime and its foreign backers, Russia and Iran, free to focus their military might on remaining rebel strongholds in the rest of western Syria.

While rebel commanders and opposition politicians insist the loss of Aleppo wont mark the end of the uprising, few doubt battlefield fortunes have swung heavily against them, and with the regime possibly hours away from seizing what is left of insurgent-controlled eastern Aleppo, the dynamic of resistance will have to change to guerrilla warfare to the keep the revolution alive.

The focus of the conflict will swing quickly to the neighboring Idlib province, says Gen. Salim Idris, a former commander-in-chief of the Free Syrian Army, who fears the loss of Aleppo will deal an irreversible blow to the status of what remains of moderate and more secular militias. After Aleppo the Assad forces will then focus west on Idlib province and then that will be the end, laments Gen. Idris.

Rebels lose territory

The Syrian military claimed Monday that 98 percent of eastern Aleppo is in the hands of regime forces. While there is some dispute about that  independent monitors calculate 10 percent of the eastern half of the city remains occupied by insurgents  it is clear rebels are now contained in a small pocket and likely wont be able to hold out in the face of overwhelming firepower for more than a few hours, at best a handful of days, according to Western diplomats based in Turkey.

Zakaria Malahefji, the political officer of the 3,000- member Fastaqim Kama Umirt, a militia aligned with the Free Syrian Army, estimated 85 percent of eastern Aleppo is in government hands.

Two key neighborhoods fell Monday, Sheikh Saeed and Saliheen. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group that receives on-the-ground information from a network of activists, says Assad forces are pushing into six remaining rebel neighborhoods, including Bustan al-Qasr and Souq al-Hal.

The battle for Aleppo has begun to enter the final phase, said the observatorys director, Rami Abdel Rahman.

Syrian generals agree. The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They [rebels] don't have much time. They either have to surrender or die," Gen. Zaid al-Saleh, told Syrian state media in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed.

Fighting intensifies

Advances Monday came after a ferocious overnight bombardment, civilians and rebel commanders in Aleppo told VOA in frequently interrupted communications. They likened the situation inside the rebel pocket to Doomsday, saying theres little help now for the wounded with many injured buried under rubble.

The White Helmets, a first responders group, which accused the Assad regime of dropping chlorine-filled bombs at the weekend, say there are dozens of civilian casualties and that rescuers cant move under the ferocity of the shelling and airstrikes.

Journalists in government-held neighborhoods confirmed shelling of rebel areas was non-stop overnight.

Syrian state TV showed pictures of devastation with collapsed buildings and dead bodies on the streets. Dazed civilians, many of them women and children, carried bundles.

The mother of seven-year-old girl Bana Alabed, Fatemah, who along with her daughter has been tweeting since September 26 from a rebel-held district, posted Monday: Final message - people are dying since last night. I am very surprised I am tweeting right now & still alive. - Fatemah.

On Sunday, Fatemah tweeted: The army is so near now. I don't know what to do. only way to flee is to regime side which I fear coz they will kill me.

Few ways out

Many civilians are fleeing, some following rebel fighters into the districts they still occupy, but most heading to government-controlled west Aleppo. The Russian Defense Ministry said 13,346 civilians left rebel-controlled districts in the past 24 hours. It also claimed 728 rebels surrendered.

Syria's official SANA news agency said more than 3,500 people fled Sheikh Saeed at dawn as regime militiamen moved into the district. The Syrian Observatory said in the past month at least 415 civilians, including 47 children, had been killed in rebel-held territory, with hundreds injured. The group said 364 rebel fighters were killed.

Opposition activists and civilians say regime forces are arresting and rounding up males fleeing eastern Aleppo, including medics and aid workers, accusing them of supporting or being active in the rebel militias. Other young males are being press-ganged into army units and sent east to fight, according to opposition activists.

The Russians are not willing to negotiate safe passage and are stubborn about the evacuation of civilians even, said Zakaria Malahefji of the Fastaqim Kama Umirt militia.

There is increasing bitterness in rebel ranks at what they see as an abandonment of their cause by the West. Opposition politicians remain furious at recent comments by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who blamed them for the failure of cease-fire negotiations, accusing them of not wanting a cease-fire.
Intelligence committees in both houses of Congress launched investigations Monday into accusations that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election to boost the chances that President-elect Donald Trump would win.

President Barack Obama also ordered a full review by the intelligence community into the allegations.

"The reason that I've called for a review is to really just gather all of the threads of the investigations, the intelligence work that has been done over many months, so that the public and our elected representatives going forward can find ways to prevent this kind of interference from having an impact on the elections in the future."

The probes amounted to an early rebuke of Trump, who over the weekend said the Central Intelligence Agency conclusion was "ridiculous" that Russia engaged in cyberattacks to help him win. He continued to assail the finding Monday.

Even before he assumes power next month, the Republican Trump's mocking of the CIA conclusion about Russian interference on his behalf put him at odds with both of the top Republican lawmakers, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan. They endorsed bipartisan probes conducted by the intelligence committees in each chamber of Congress.

WATCH: McConnell on Russia hacking

"The Russians are not our friends," McConnell said. He added that the investigation should be undertaken with the idea that "the Russians do not wish us well." Ryan said the House probe "should not cast doubt" on Trump's victory, but that foreign interference in a U.S. election was "entirely unacceptable" and Russian involvement "especially problematic."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the congressional review "is certainly warranted when you consider the stakes and the consequences."

But Trump spokesman Jason Miller called the CIA conclusion about Russian interference "an attempt to delegitimize President-elect Trump's win."

Clinton camp responds

Trump's election opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has been silent about the Russian hacking allegations. But her campaign manager, John Podesta, on Monday demanded that the administration of President Barack Obama declassify and release all the information it has about Russia meddling in the election.

Clinton won the national popular vote against Trump but lost where it mattered, in the state-by-state contests that decide U.S. presidential elections. Podesta called for release of the intelligence data before electors in the Electoral College vote to formally ratify Trump's victory on December 19.

In a pair of comments on Twitter, Trump questioned why information about the computer hacking was not widely known before the election.

He contended that if Clinton had won the election and Republicans "tried to play the Russia/CIA card, it would be called conspiracy theory.

He added, "Unless you catch 'hackers' in the act, it is very hard to determine who was doing the hacking. Why wasn't this brought up before election?"

But U.S. officials did in fact publicly accuse Russia of trying to undermine the presidential election in early October, saying intelligence agencies were confident Russia directed hacks of the Democratic National Committee that resulted in controversial emails being leaked before the Democratic nominating convention.

Obama spokesman Earnest said, "This was all material that was known by Republican politicians in the Congress that endorsed the president-elect. And how they reconcile their political strategy and their patriotism is something they'll have to explain."

Trump: I don't believe it

Trump's latest remarks came after he told Fox News in an interview aired Sunday that the CIA conclusion about Russian cyberattacks to boost his chances of winning was "just another excuse" by Democrats to explain his stunning upset of Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state.

"I don't believe it. If you take a look at what [the CIA] said, there's great confusion," Trump said Sunday. "Nobody really knows. They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace."

Trump told Fox News that he does not oppose Obama's order to review cyberattacks the CIA concluded came from Russia during the lengthy presidential campaign, but said, "You should not just say 'Russia.' You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals." The CIA said it had "high confidence" that Russia sought to help Trump win.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russia interfered in the final stretch of the presidential campaign to help Trump win the presidency, and not simply meddle in the U.S. electoral process as previously believed, according to senior Obama administration officials. The conclusion is based to some extent on a finding that Russians hacked the Republican National Committee's computer systems, in addition to those of Democratic organizations, but disclosed only embarrassing emails from the Democrats, via WikiLeaks.

Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee and Trump's pick for White House chief of staff, told ABC News the party was not hacked.

"The entire report is based on unnamed sources who are perhaps doing something they shouldn't be doing by speaking to reporters or someone talking out of line about something that is absolutely not true," Priebus said Sunday.

Trump's rejection of the CIA conclusion came as Arizona Senator John McCain, the losing 2008 Republican presidential candidate, and three other senators called for the investigation into Moscow's interference in the election, saying that it "should alarm every American." McCain, along with Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrats Jack Reed and Chuck Schumer, said the United States needs to stop "the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."
The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.

Tillerson, 64, got his start as a production engineer at Exxon in 1975 and has worked there ever since, running business units in Yemen, Thailand and Russia before being named chief executive in 2006. He was expected to retire next year.

Senior senators, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concern over Tillerson, who emerged this weekend as Donald Trump's expected pick for secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the situation. By choosing him, the president-elect would add another - and presumably highly influential - person to his Cabinet and circle of advisers who

may favor a soft line toward Moscow.

Among these is Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who raised eyebrows when he sat beside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow banquet last year and who has argued that the United States and Russia should collaborate to end Syria's civil war and to defeat Islamic State militants.

Tillerson's links with Russia came under fire from top lawmakers on Sunday.

"It's a matter of concern to me that he has such a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin and obviously they've done enormous deals together. That would color his approach to Vladimir Putin and the Russian threat," Republican Senator John McCain told CBS.

McCain added that Tillerson would, nonetheless, get a fair confirmation hearing.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a former Republican presidential rival to Trump, was even more forthright. "Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState," Rubio said on his Twitter account.

'A straight arrow'?

Many U.S. officials are worried by Russia's increasingly aggressive behavior. It annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war and is accused of interfering in U.S. domestic politics.

U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton, and not just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, a senior U.S. official said.

In his role at Exxon, Tillerson maintained close ties with Putin and opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia for its incursion into Crimea.

Daniel Yergin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Prize: the Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power," said Russia represented a relatively small portion of Exxon's overall operations and played down its significance.

"It was a business relationship," Yergin said. "The whole Russian thing is so much front and center now so it's inevitable that those questions be asked but, obviously, if you are a major oil company, you want to go to where your

resources [are]. You have to replace your reserves," he added.

"If he becomes secretary of state, the interests he will pursue will be U.S. interests. This is an Eagle Scout kind of guy. He was president of the Boy Scouts," he said. "He is a straight arrow. If that's his mission, that's what he'll do."

Trump praised Tillerson, saying on his Twitter account Saturday: "Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!"

Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman who has been tapped to serve as White House chief of Staff, praised Tillerson's relationship with Putin.

"... the fact that he actually has a relationship with people like Vladimir Putin and others across the globe is something that ... we shouldn't be embarrassed by it. It's something that I think could be a huge advantage to the United States," Priebus said on ABC This Week.

However, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a senior Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would weigh Tillerson's nomination, was unsparing in his criticism of the possible appointment.



"Reports that Rex Tillerson could be nominated to be our nation's top diplomat [are] alarming and absurd," he said. "With Rex Tillerson as our secretary of state the Trump administration would be guaranteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the president's cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy."

Republicans will hold more seats, 52, in the Senate than the 51 they will need to confirm Tillerson. But they will have only 10 of the 19 seats in the Foreign Relations Committee, so it will only take one Republican dissenter there to endanger the nomination.

At least one Republican committee member, Rubio, has already expressed reservations.

Climate change

Tillerson would be one of the few people selected for major roles in the Trump administration to believe that human activity causes climate change.

After Trump's election, Exxon came out in support of the Paris Climate Agreement. It has also advocated for a carbon tax and internally factors in a theoretical price on carbon as it weighs manufacturing and exploration costs of projects.

But some environmental groups are alarmed at the prospect of Exxon's CEO as the country's top diplomat.

Exxon is under investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office for allegedly misleading investors, regulators and the public on what it knew about global warming.

"Donald Trump appears intent to undo a century of environmental and social progress and return America to the age of robber barons and corporate trusts," said Carroll Muffett, president of the Center for International Environmental Law.

"Who better to turn to than Exxon, the granddaddy of them all?"
The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who allegedly used violence and other means to delay the country's elections.

President Joseph Kabila's second and, according to the constitution, final term is due to end in one week on December 19. But Kabila is slated to remain in office beyond then after reaching a deal with an opposition faction to delay elections until 2018.

The majority of the opposition has rejected the deal and is demanding Kabila step down next Monday.

The U.S. Treasury on Monday sanctioned Congo's Deputy Prime Minister Evariste Boshab, saying he is a "key player" in Kabila's strategy to stay in power past the end of his term. The Treasury said Boshab told officials to quit if they back the opposition, and he supports the "neutralization" of opposition protests.

Also sanctioned was Kalev Mutondo, a leader of Congo's National Intelligence Agency, who according to the United States, pressured officials to ensure the DRC's election process favors Kabila.

The European Union imposed sanctions on seven DRC officials, including four top officials in the police, army and Republican Guard who it says were responsible for acts of violence that killed at least 50 people during anti-government protests in September.

Three other senior figures were accused of using arrests and violent intimidation to obstruct a peaceful solution to the political crisis.

Lambert Mende, Kabila's communications minister, told VOA that nothing authorizes the American administration to sanction a government and a country that is not subject to American law.

It's an escalation of hostility by the Obama administration, Mende told VOA. We do not consider it an action of the U.S., because [President Barack] Obama no longer represents the U.S.

Kabila, 45, has led Congo since taking power after the death of his father, Laurent Kabila, in 2001. He won elections in 2006 and 2011.

The European sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze within EU territory.

The U.S. sanctions freeze any assets that Boshab and Mutondo have in U.S. jurisdiction. They also ban Americans from engaging in transactions with them.

On Tuesday, the main opposition coalition, known as the Rassemblement, will start direct negotiations with Kabila's political alliance. The talks are mediated by the Catholic Church and are being billed as a last-chance effort to avoid uncertainty and possible violence Dec. 19.
Vietnamese officials once excited by joining the U.S.-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a sweeping Pacific Rim trade zone, are looking instead to other deals that would stimulate their export-dependent economy as the pact may die under President-elect Donald Trump.

The Southeast Asian country that has cultivated export manufacturing as an economic backbone since the 1980s is shifting its focus to free trade deals with China, Russia and the European Union in lieu of the TPP, according to observers.

Always doubts US Congress would pass TPP

Vietnam was widely seen as a top beneficiary among the 12 TPP member nations, including three others in Asia. But officials in Hanoi have worried since mid-year that the U.S. Congress would not ratify the deal by a February 2018 deadline.

"I think they were already aware the TPP wouldn't work out," said Oscar Mussons, international business advisory associate with the Dezan Shira & Associates consultancy in Ho Chi Minh City. "I think Vietnam already has lots of free trade agreements signed. It's in the Vietnam government's interests to go and sign the agreements."

Trump plans to take U.S. out of TPP

President-elect Donald Trump has said he will try to withdraw from the TPP, which had been negotiated for 10 years and signed in February. His stance dims hopes for implementing the pact, which would cover 40 percent of the global economy.

The TPP would have lifted Vietnam's $193.6 billion economy. Trade deals allow exporters in Vietnam to pay low or no tariffs for shipping goods into signatory markets. Factory owners include foreign firms such as Intel, Samsung Electronics and the major Japanese automakers.

The United States is Vietnam's top export market, valued at $29.9 billion, and American companies are looking to expand from bases in increasingly costly China to new ones in cheaper Vietnam.

But about a month after the trade agreement was signed, Vietnamese financial markets began to price in the idea that the United States might not ratify the TPP. The U.S. Congress, dominated by Trump's Republican Party, must approve the deal to meet a TPP requirement that 85 percent of the 12 members' combined GDPs ratify it.

Vietnam takes a 'wait and see' attitude

A steering committee headed by the Vietnamese deputy prime minister decided in August to put off the country's ratification in 2016 and watch first what other countries do. Vietnam's next chance to ratify the TPP would be early next year.

Vietnamese leaders are focusing on two-way free trade agreements with other countries to replace TPP, analysts believe. A flagship is a free trade deal with the EU, which the two sides finished negotiating this year. In October Vietnam joined the five-member, Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, giving it access to a market of 181 million people.

Pivot back toward Asia

Vietnam is part of 16 free trade deals altogether, including agreements signed by Southeast Asia's 10-member ASEAN trading bloc. ASEAN has agreements with economic powerhouses China, India and Japan.

"I think the fact that Vietnam has not ratified the TPP is one indication," said Louie Nguyen, editor and founder of the news website VietnamAdvisors. He expects the country to pivot toward trade pacts with smaller markets. "It would make sense that they would be sending out trade groups doing research in markets that are less competitive."

Vietnam is also on a list for inclusion in the Chinese government-spearheaded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a loose trade deal that would also cover India. The TPP included neither China nor India. Analysts say that pact, sometimes seen as China's antidote to TPP, will take several years to finish.

Vietnam, a country of 94 million people, derives more than four-fifths of its economy from exports, stoking growth of 6.7 percent last year. Investment and consumption in Vietnam may dip mildly over expectations of the TPP's death, economists say.

"Obviously people are disappointed, but there's not even a whiff of surprise," said Fiachra MacCana, research head at the stock brokerage Ho Chi Minh City Securities, on market sentiment toward a fading TPP.

"From Vietnam's point of view, we have positive demographics, we have positive FDI, we have urbanization," MacCana said. "TPP was the cherry on top and now I guess the cherry is no longer there, but you still have the fruitcake and you have the possibility of another cherry coming in next couple of years so I think people are fairly calm about it."
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says the Central Intelligence Agencys conclusion that Russia interfered in last month's presidential election to boost his chances of winning was "ridiculous," calling it "just another excuse" by Democrats for his upset of former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

"I don't believe it. If you take a look at what (the CIA) said, there's great confusion," Trump said Sunday. "Nobody really knows. They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace."

Trump told Fox News that he does not oppose President Barack Obama's order to review cyberattacks the CIA concluded came from Russia during the lengthy presidential campaign, but said "you should not just say 'Russia.' You should say other countries also, and maybe other individuals." The CIA said it had "high confidence" that Russia sought to help Trump win.

WATCH: Related video by VOA's Michael Bowman

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the final stretch of the presidential campaign to help Trump win the presidency, and not simply meddle in the U.S. electoral process as previously believed, according to senior Obama administration officials. The conclusion is based to some extent on a finding that Russians hacked the Republican National Committee's computer systems, in addition to those of Democratic organizations, but disclosed only embarrassing emails from the Democrats, via WikiLeaks.

Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee and Trump's pick for White House chief of staff, told ABC News the party was not hacked.

"The entire report is based on unnamed sources who are perhaps doing something they shouldn't be doing by speaking to reporters or someone talking out of line about something that is absolutely not true," Priebus said Sunday.

Bipartisan call for bipartisan probe

The Republican Trump's rejection of the CIA conclusion came as the party's losing 2008 presidential nominee, Arizona Senator John McCain, and three other senators called for an investigation into Moscow's interference in the election, saying that it "should alarm every American." McCain, along with Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrats Jack Reed and Chuck Schumer, said the United States needs to stop "the grave threats that cyberattacks conducted by foreign governments pose to our national security."

Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, tweeted that he agreed with his colleagues that an investigation into possible Russian interference in the election should not be partisan.



But Lankford, who sits on Senate homeland security and intelligence committees, also said in interviews on CNN and Fox News that there is no evidence Russian hackers influenced election results or vote counting.

Even before Trump mocked the CIA conclusion in the Fox interview, his transition team condemned the spy agency, saying, "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction." It said the election was over and "now it's time to move on and 'Make America Great Again."

Reservations about top diplomat pick

In the interview, Trump praised ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, his likely pick as the country's secretary of state, because of the contacts he has across the world and the oil deals he's made with Russia. But McCain and Graham also voiced concern about the selection of the 64-year-old Tillerson and his connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump aides say the president-elect has settled on Tillerson as the top U.S. diplomat after a month-long search although no announcement has been made. Trump, while not confirming the appointment, said Tillerson has the "great advantage" that he knows many world leaders across the globe and "knows them well."

But his longstanding support for free trade and an expansive presence in the Middle East are at odds with positions Trump took during the long U.S. presidential campain.

"He's much more than a business executive," Trump said. "He's a world class player. He's in charge of an oil company that pretty much doubled the size of his next nearest competitor. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company, not for himself, for the company."

McCain said the choice of Tillerson was "a matter of concern to me."

You want to give the president of the United States the benefit of the doubt because the people have spoken, McCain said of the election. But Vladimir Putin is a thug, a bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying.

After Tillerson's oil agreements with Russia, the Kremlin in 2013 awarded him the Order of Friendship, an honor reserved for foreigners. Tillerson's appointment would have to be confirmed by the Senate, and Graham said that with his award from Russia, "We'll have some questions. I don't want to prejudge the guy, but that's a bit unnerving."

Tillerson, chief executive of the world's largest publicly traded company, oversees operations in more than 50 countries, including Russia. ExxonMobil reached an oil exploration and production agreement in 2011 with Rosneft, Russia's largest state-owned oil company. Since 2011, the two companies have formed 10 joint operations in Russia.

Tillerson met privately with the president-elect Tuesday and again Saturday after recommendations from former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and former defense secretary Robert Gates. A transition official said Trump is impressed with Tillerson's style and experience.
Three activists of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai, who were recently found guilty of killing a policeman in 2011, were on Monday sentenced to 20 years in jail each.

High Court judge Chinembiri Bhunu said the state proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Tungamirai Madzokere, Yvonne Musarurwa and Last Maengahama killed Inspector Petros Mutedza in Glenview following street skirmishes in the suburb.

Their accomplice, Phineus Nhatarikwa, convicted of being an accessory to the crime, was fined $500 and sentenced to a three-year suspended jail term on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

One of the suspects, Rebecca Mafikeni, died while in police custody while three others were set free by the courts.

The defense team indicated that it will appeal against the conviction, which it described as too harsh.

MDC-T officials express shock over the incarceration of the three claiming that they had no case to answer. They claimed that their conviction and sentencing is politically-motivated.
Since the Golden Globes nominations officially dropped this morning, the internet has been alight with reactions from those involved in the films and shows on the list, including of course, the nominees themselves. Of these, many are of the standard and classy I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press, etc. variety (nothing wrong with that), but some are a little more colorful, cute, and endearing. Take, for example, Dan Fogelman, creator of NBCs surprise hit series This Is Us, on the nods his show received for best drama series and for supporting actress (both Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz):

What a morning. The last time my phone started ringing like that at 5:30 AM I think my grandfather had died. This continues to be the wildest, craziest, and most rewarding ride for all of us. Im very grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognizing our show, as well as Mandy and Chrissy  two insanely talented women who are as easy to root for as they are to write for. Im incredibly proud of every single member of this cast and crew  they dont all get to put on tuxes and drink champagne and make out with movie stars (thats what happens next, right?) but they kill themselves to make our show special and I know our set is going to be buzzing this morning.

Then theres The People v. O.J. Simpson star Sarah Paulson, nominated for best actress in a limited series, who disabused everyone of the notion shes too cool for such things: Its very exciting, you never know how these things are going to go, she told The Hollywood Reporter. Im not one of those people who doesnt care; its pretty cool. Pretty cool indeed. Check out more of the best nominee reactions so far, starting with Insecure co-stars Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji sharing a little celebratory FaceTime:



That time @issarae got nominated for a @goldenglobes and I FaceTimed her at the butt-crack of dawn and went through all the emotions of pure excitement in our matching headscarves! #BecauseThatsWhatFriendsAreFor! #SeeWhatYouCanDoWithAniPhoneIssa?! #FirstTimeFaceTiming #TheresNoGoingBack #HerFlawlessSkinAngersMe  #SheReallyDidWakeUpLikeThis #ThatsThatGoldenGlobesGlow  #insecureHBO #DasMyBoo!

When you wake up to #GoldenGlobes nominations for best drama series and best actress in a drama Winona Ryder: pic.twitter.com/Kw5JkXD4TM  Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) December 12, 2016

The moment your mom captures you being nominated for your first Golden Globe. Priceless. I still cant breathe. Beyond honored, thankful, and proud. This cant be real!

Thank you, Golden Globes! As we speak, the entire Deadpool team is engaged in a grotesque, early morning tickle-fight. pic.twitter.com/l2LJT32tAi  Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 12, 2016

Woke up to a @goldenglobes nom! And then played hide and seek with my son before breakfast! Double win!Thank you, HFPA!!!   Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) December 12, 2016

Meanwhile, Jessica Chastain celebrated across-the-board nominations for the cast of The Help, across their various 2016 projects:



Finally, Julia-Louis Dreyfus had a very special thank you in mind when it came to Veeps nods:
Photo: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

While most of Hollywood was asleep during the early morning Golden Globes nominations on Monday, The Crowns breakout star Claire Foy, who plays a young Queen Elizabeth II at the start of her reign, was wide awake midday in England and shocked to learn of her nomination for best actress in a drama series. She was even more elated to find out shes not alone: John Lithgow is up for best supporting actor for his committed turn as Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Netflix show itself is also up for best drama, among a surprising sea of newcomers against the Game of Thrones behemoth. Foy, whos in the middle of filming season two, spoke with Vulture shortly after the announcement to share her reaction to being a first-time nominee, how she and the rest of the cast are getting on without Lithgow, and the shows future.

Congratulations! How does it feel to be a first-time nominee?

I couldnt believe it. My agent called and told me and I laughed out loud.

Did you text John Lithgow?

No, because I just presumed it was too early in L.A. to even try and contact him. But as soon as Im done with all this, Im going to email him and share the loveliness of this.

Were you surprised to see The Crown among all these other freshman shows up against Game of Thrones?

I dont really know how it all works. The show only just came out in November, so to me it feels like a complete whirlwind. I always thought that things like this took time and you had to build up an audience. Ive been so overwhelmed by how many people have watched it and the positive response weve had. To get this as well  its amazing.

Do you know which episode of yours was submitted?

No. Is that what they do? People dont watch the whole thing? Oh, of course they dont, people havent got the time! [Laughs.]



I believe so. Which would you have wanted them to see?

Well, my favorite episode is nine, and Im not really in it [laughs]. So that probably wouldnt be a very good one. For me, the whole series is such a feat. I feel very much like I was playing many different characters because the Elizabeth at the beginning of the show is very different from the Elizabeth at the end. So it cant really be viewed in that isolated way; you have to see her journey and the progression. But I think everyone feels that way about their series. I suppose episodes one and two stand alone as their own kind of film  they have their own romance, beauty, and energy to them thats independent of the series.

The Crown joins this history of British period pieces getting awards show love  Downton Abbey, Wolf Hall, the latter of which you were on. What is it about these series that resonates so much with foreign audiences?

God, I dont know. If theres a trend, its definitely not that way in England. Youre not favored if you do a period drama. I would sort of hesitate to say there is a trend because right now there are just so many period pieces, regardless of whether theyre any good.

Its true. Everyone youre nominated against is a period piece.

Oh, really? Wow. Well its just the nature of drama: You either look back or you look forward a lot of the time. I think it can be sometimes scary to look at whats happening right this second, isnt it? If you look at things like The Big Short or 99 Homes, they really stand up and look at the situation were in and how we got here. But if youre able to do something about the past, theres a sense of escapism and you can draw from those stories about the present as well.

Will this be your first Golden Globes?

It definitely will. Ive got to figure out what Im gonna wear, God!

Coming from the world of The Crown, finding an elegant gown should be no problem.

I just need [costume designer] Michele Clapton to make me one. That would be amazing.

Recently the royal family has been sending out these unprecedented press releases commenting on personal relationships. The timing of it is rather strange. Do you think its The Crown effect?

No. The monarchy is thousands of years old and has experienced many things like The Crown in the past. Theyre always changing and evolving, thats the thing. They have to. I think theyre in a very interesting position at the moment because theyre having to change faster than the way were all trying to keep up with the way things are changing. Were all trying to figure out how the hell to live in the world that were creating. Theyre constantly looking to us from where they stand and what their role is. So sometimes theyre maybe one step ahead or behind us, but theres no science to it. I definitely dont think The Crown has had any impact.

Do you find yourself paying attention to more British royal news now that youve played a royal?

Its that thing where once you start doing something, you notice it everywhere you go. Its all of a sudden everywhere. Your awareness of it is so much more. Its funny because, to me, the monarchy is her, but thats not really the case anymore. I have to get used to the idea that theres a younger generation, and its gonna change. Im very much in her world, so Im not quite as up to scratch with the modern developments at the moment.

Have you met her?

I have! Many years ago, about five or six years ago, before I knew was gonna play her. I wont hold my breath about getting another invite anytime soon [laughs].

If she hasnt already, do you think shell watch The Crown now that its awards-approved?

The thing is, I dont really know whether she goes online. Im also not sure if I would love for her to see it. I do know that Id rather not know. Theres a real mystery and beauty in not knowing whether shes seen it or not.

Have you started filming season two?

Yes. Its been a bit peculiar because weve all been so separate that I dont feel like Ive even made much of it so far. Were all in little units. I cant wait to get back together again and for us all to be in one room and have a catch up. Were starting off pretty much where we left the last season, so it doesnt feel like any time has passed. Theres not much of a gap, but we will go through another ten years time.

It must be bittersweet not having John Lithgow on set.

I know, its awful! Me and Matt [Smith] did a Skype chat the other day and John was there on the end in L.A. It was so amazing just to see his face! I just love and miss him so much. But saying that, I cant be unfaithful. I do have some amazing new prime ministers  Jeremy Northam, who plays Anthony Eden, and then Harold Macmillan  so Im a very lucky girl. But Ive gotta say, I have a very special place in my heart for John Lithgow. Im so happy hes nominated! I cant believe it. We get to go and have a great time and be in L.A. and be funny together.

Netflix is rumored to want The Crown for six seasons, each covering a different decade of the Queens life. Are you already dreading the prosthetics?

Well, after two seasons, thats it. Im gone. Theyre getting rid of all of us.

What?

I know. I dont how theyre planning on doing it, but theyre such an incredible bunch of directors and producers that its gonna be different and exciting. Itll be original. I cant wait to see where it goes. Im so honored to have been involved at this stage. I couldnt be happier really. Therell be no 3 a.m. makeup call for me!
Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Last week Susan Olsen, of Cindy Brady fame, was fired from her hosting job at LA Talk Radio after a guest came forward with a homophobic rant she sent him. According to The Hollywood Reporter, openly gay actor Leon Acord-Whiting was a guest on Two Chicks Talkin Politics, the show Olsen co-hosted with Sheena Metal, when the conversation grew heated between Acord-Whiting and the Donald Trumpsupporting former child star, and the conservation didnt end after the show stopped rolling. Acord-Whiting went on Facebook where he posted a complaint, It is wildly irresponsible for LA Talk Radio to allow a Trump fanatic to co-host one of their programs, where she can spew her idiotic lies unchecked. He mentioned examples of rhetoric he found unacceptable (Being a liberal and a patriot are mutually exclusive? Hillary is causing the protests & hate crimes?) and wrote, This isnt just disagreeing on, say, tax plans or foreign policy. Susan Olsen spreads outrageous misinformation & it is dangerous and unprofessional.

The youngest Brady siblings response only proved Acord-Whitings point. A screen-grabbed picture of a direct message sent to Acord-Whiting by Olsen, included a homophobic slur and otherwise inflammatory language:

Hey there little psy, let me get my big boy pants on and Reallly take you on!!! What a snake in the grass you are you lying piece of st too cowardly to confront me in real life so you do it on Facebook. You are the biggest f-t ass in the world the biggest psy! My Dk is bigger than yours Which aint sayin much! What a true piece of st you are! Lying f-t! I hope you meet your karma SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY.

LA Talk Radio responded swiftly with their own statement. The company wrote, LA Talk Radio takes pride in its close and collaborative relationship with the LGBT community, and will continue to provide a home for those who have hopeful and positive messages of togetherness and tolerance to share with our listeners. Adding, We will not tolerate hateful speech by anyone associated with our radio station and have severed our ties with a host that veered off the direction in which we are going.
Photo: Gene Page/AMC/ AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Spoilers ahead for the mid-season-seven finale of The Walking Dead.

What a homecoming for Rick & Co. The 90-minute mid-season finale of The Walking Dead ended as you might expect: yet another showdown with Negan, a lake full of zombies, and a double homicide! After giving Carl a tour of his facilities, Negan brought him back to Alexandria and settled into Ricks house, giving himself a shave and cooking up some tomato sauce. Meanwhile, Spencer tries to make nice with Negan, pouring him a drink and playing pool with him outside. Old Spence tries to throw Rick under the bus by telling Negan that Rick has a history of not working well with others, effectively asking Negan to put him in charge. But that doesnt jibe with Negans code  turns out he actually respects Rick because hes going out and getting supplies. He tells Spencer he has got no guts and disembowels him in the middle of the street. Negan loves his puns!

While Spencers slowly dying, Rosita takes a shot at Negan with her single homemade bullet (courtesy of Eugene) and  misses. Instead, it hits Lucille, and in retaliation, Negan has his people kill someone else at their choosing  they choose Olivia, shooting her in the face. More to the point, Negan realizes they have the know-how to manufacture their own bullets. Everyone tries to take responsibility for making the bullet, but ultimately Eugene fesses up, prompting Negan to take him captive.

So, what else happened in the world of The Walking Dead?

Daryls free! He gets an outfit change, eats some peanut butter, kills Joey (R.I.P., buddy), takes a motorcycle, and rides off into the distance.

Richonne, the power couple, is finally in alignment! Michonne holds one of the Saviors at gunpoint and makes her drive her to the compound, only to see that they are indeed outmatched.

Carol is still taking her sabbatical at a little cottage near The Kingdom, with Ezekiel and Morgan making sure shes getting her vitamins with fresh fruits and vegetables. Richard tries to convince Carol and Morgan to convince Ezekiel that they should attack Negan and the Saviors first. They rebuff him, only for Richard to go to his private RV in the woods and smash some milk bottles. Argh!

Maggie is slowly taking control of The Hilltop, making the insecure Gregory more insecure.

At the end, most of the core group has reunited at The Hilltop, where Rick meets up with Maggie, Sasha, and Daryl. The big question is, will Rick be able to unite the other colonies  The Hilltop and The Kingdom  to fight Negan and the Saviors? Discuss!
Russel Howcroft is resigning as executive general manager of Network Ten after four years to take up a role as chief creative officer at PwC's new marketing advisory service.

Network Ten chief executive Paul Anderson said: "We are sad to announce Russel's departure. He has made an important and valuable contribution to Ten, both in Melbourne and across the network."

Russel Howcroft is currently chairman of television industry body ThinkTV. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Mr Howcroft joined Network Ten in January 2013 and will leave the company in February. Mr Anderson said Mr Howcroft played a key role in developing and executing a strategy that had led to "Ten's ratings and revenue revival".

Mr Howcroft said the network was now in better shape than when he arrived.
Dylan Voller being manhandled by staff at the Darwin facility. Credit:ABC Four Corners His harrowing evidence on Monday has sparked further widespread outrage. Voller admitted he regularly spat at officers in a state of panic when up to four of them were holding him down and hurting him. "It was a disgusting thing that I did, I do regret it but it became a mechanism because ... I was defenceless, I couldn't stand up and put them off me," he said. "It was pretty much a game for them, restraining us."

Voller said he had been kept in restraint chairs for up to three hours and an officer who was filming his treatment wearing a spithood would turn the camera off, taunt him, and then start reshooting as he became angry. He admitted to depression. "I cut my wrist on one occasion, I tied sheets around my neck at least five times to the point where I passed out and had to be taken to hospital," Voller said. "There was no help in Don Dale, I was lonely, I kept being bullied from other officers and inmates." Voller, now an inmate at the adult prison at Holtze in Darwin, told commissioners how he suffered ADHD as a child and had been kicked out of school as a 10-year-old "and never went back" when he refused to take Ritalin "because it made me sick".

He was first put into detention at 11 after living in government home home where older boys not only taught him to smoke marijuana but introduced him to a life of crime. The court heard Voller was regularly strip-searched from the age of 11 and on one occasion was left in a cell overnight with no mattress, sheets or clothes. "They turned the aircon on full blast, I was freezing all night.... I was actually crying asking for a blanket," he said. Voller listed a series of incidents where guards had taunted or abused him. including one occasion when an another individual who previously had been found not guilty of assaulting him had been permitted to return to work at Don Dale. "I put my head down. I couldn't look at him". They included offering water and throwing it on ground and using the refusal of food as a discipline measure.

Voller recalled a guard on night duty taking pity on him after he had been refused food who pushed muesli bars, fruit and toast through his grill in the early hours. "He didn't agree with them starving me, I guess." Voller said as part of the system at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre he had to wear a red shirt denoting he was "high risk" in the behaviour management system, and was told there was no way of appealing his classification. Teenage detainees could earn up to $4.50 a day if their behaviour was good. Voller said the jail deducted $1.50 "for rent". He claimed the prison had a rewards system where boys would earn fake money for good behaviour, which could then be spent on rent, toiletries, socks, underwear and CDs.

No prison guards were permitted in the Darwin Supreme Court when Voller gave evidence. Voller will not be cross-examined despite making allegations against 31 guards. Voller frequently failed to give evidence that tallied with a statement he had provided counsel assisting the commission Peter Callaghan SC, and as hours passed he began blinking frequently as if under stress. At the end of his of his evidence Voller was invited to read a statement. However, the audio was muted after he had completed a few sentences.

But when he finished, the public gallery broke into applause. Earlier, the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory heard submissions aiming to stop Voller's evidence being streamed live across Australia. Northern Territory solicitor-general Sonia Brownhill made an application to suppress elements of Voller's testimony from the public broadcast saying he could identify current or former prison employees in his evidence. Jon Tippett, QC, appearing for former Corrections Commissioner Ken Middlebrook, who resigned in the wake of the Four Corners program, told the hearing that vulnerable witnesses like Voller usually gave evidence behind closed doors but he "wanted to tell his story to the world". Commissioners Margaret White and Mike Gooda rejected the applications and Voller began his evidence.
A Butler dad, savagely bashed and left for dead only metres from his home, has said he has no memory of the attack.

Shane Lyons was found covered in blood and unconscious by a passerby on Friday night after he walked home from his mate's house towards his Benenden Avenue home.

The 30-year-old suffered a broken jaw, a shattered eye socket, swelling and bleeding on the brain.

He later had surgery to insert metal plates into his face.
Under the auspices of the WCO-INAMA Project (funded by Sweden, US Department of State, GiZ and CITES Secretariat), a training on Advanced Intelligence was held from 21st to 25th November 2016 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). This mission is the continuation of the training on Basic Intelligence which took place in Cameroon in 2015. The aim was to help Targeted Customs officials improve their capacity to collect, process and disseminate intelligence on CITES.

This training was hosted by Burkina Faso Customs General Directorate and attended by delegates from Benin, Cameroon, Cote dIvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, the Republic of the Congo, and Togo as well as RILO delegates. The opening ceremony was conducted by Mr. Casimir Sawadogo, Burkina Faso Customs Deputy General Director, representing the Burkina Faso Customs General Director. Ms. Micheline ILBOUDO, head of Burkina Faso National School of Customs and Ouagadougou Regional Training Centre, also attended the opening ceremony.

The training focused on improving analysts reflection and the analytical process to be followed when addressing difficult intelligence questions. The course was based on an alternation of experts frontal teaching, group exercises and experience sharing among participants and was divided into three phases: Introduction and intelligence review, Main analytical techniques and Post operational analysis techniques. It should be noted that during this workshop, a presentation on CITES was also made.

This specific training was funded by the US Department of State.

For more information about this training and the WCO-INAMA Project, please contact the WCO-INAMA project manager, Marco Foddi (marco.foddi@wcoomd.org).
WCO Secretary General, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya received Mr. John Fonseca, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica at the WCOs Headquarters, on Friday 9 December 2016, following a request for WCO assistance for the project of Digital Platform in SIECA countries (Central American Economic Integration System, which regroups Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama). The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E Istvan Alfaro Solano, WCO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Sergio Mujica and other experts.

The Vice-Minister explained the three-step approach of this regional single window project, namely: interoperability of the member countries, identification of common process and implementation of the digital platform. Secretary General Mikuriya emphasized the need for legal basis and coordination between the administrations concerned within and across member countries in a progressive manner. He offered WCOs assistance in the technical areas where Customs and coordinated border management are concerned. Both sides agreed to designate contact points and study the project to make sure that it is based on the WCO standards and best practices.

---------------------------------

Photo (from left to right):

Mr. Miroslaw Zielinski, Expert; H.E. Mr. Istvan Alfaro Solano, Ambassador of Costa Rica to Belgium, Luxemburg and the EU; Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General; Mr. John Fonseca,Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica; Mr. Sergio Mujica, WCO Deputy Secretary General; and Mr. Alejandro Patino Cruz, Trade Attache, Embassy of Costa Rica.
The WTO Advanced Course for Chairs of National Committees on Trade Facilitation (NCTFs), held from 28 November to 9 December 2016 at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, was hosted for the first time over a period of two weeks and included two WCO modules, namely, Stakeholder Engagement and Resource Mobilization. It was attended by 30 WTO Member Countries, with representatives from, inter alia, Customs administrations, other international organizations and the private sector also attending the event.

The main objectives of the course included capacity building for NCTF Chairs/Representatives on successful stakeholder consultations and donor engagement. The WCO had a lead role amongst the international organizations, as the course mostly covered the two WCO modules on Stakeholder Engagement and Resource Mobilization. The Mercator Programme and WCO tools which support WTO TFA implementation, such as the RKC, Implementation Guidance, CBM Compendium and TRS Guide, were also promoted at this event.

The participants had a number of group tasks and, through interactive discussions and activities, increased their knowledge and capabilities in terms of managing engagement with internal and external stakeholders to support the establishment and/or maintenance of a NCTF. The expected outcomes for the participants included drafting an Action Plan to establish and maintain a NCTF, and drafting a business case and effective project proposal for donors.

The practical exercises, alongside feedback from participants, demonstrated that the latter are able, among other things, to review and further develop existing stakeholder engagement arrangements, to use the skills acquired to establish the NCTF, and to develop a structured approach to engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

The WTO have invited the WCO to participate again in two more Advanced Courses, this time for French speakers and Spanish speakers. The French course is planned to be held from 30 January to 10 February 2017, and the Spanish course from 20 to 31 March 2017.
At the invitation of Mr. Mustafa Azzam Elterejman, Director General of Libya Customs, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Tripoli, Libya, on 11 December 2016, to support Libya Customs for its post-conflict modernization.

Libya Customs is one among a few administrations that unite all its regional structures under the national administration. Efforts have been made to improve Customs officers' working and living conditions and strengthen the esprit de corps.

After receiving briefing from the management team and touring facilities, including a visit at the canine unit, Secretary General Mikuriya appreciated Libya Customs' performances on fighting against narcotics and other illicit trade, and its focus on human resource development.

While border security is the current Customs' priority, he suggested that Customs be gradually be modernized towards a more risk-based border management, supported by information technology, and that its revenue function be enhanced as well as business environment improved.

He added that another sector for improvements would be international cooperation: the WCO is willing to assist in this regard, in addition to the technical areas. During a press conference attended by the national television and newspapers, Secretary General Mikuriya emphasized that all these require a consistent and continuous government support for Customs.
AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps, as well as tire repairs. In addition, the company offers maintenance products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluids; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; brake and power steering fluids, and oil and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, cabin, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paints and accessories; refrigerants and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wipers. Further, it provides air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, interior and exterior accessories, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products, as well as towing services. Additionally, the company provides a sales program that offers commercial credit and delivery of parts and other products; sells automotive diagnostic and repair software under the ALLDATA brand through alldata.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through autozone.com. As of August 27, 2022, it operated 6,168 stores in the United States; 703 stores in Mexico; and 72 stores in Brazil. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.
China Mobile Limited provides mobile telecommunications and related services in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The company offers local calls; domestic and international long distance calls and roaming services; and value-added services, such as caller identity display, call waiting, conference calls, and others. It also provides wireless Internet service, as well as digital applications comprising music, video, reading, gaming, and animation; wireline broadband services; and wireline voice services. In addition, it offers dedicated line and IDC services to corporate customers in a range of industry sectors; and basic corporate communication products comprising corporate VPMN and SMS, and tailor made solutions. Further, the company provides international telecommunications services, which includes IDD, roaming, Internet, MNC, and value added business services. Additionally, it offers telecommunications network planning, design, and consulting services; roaming clearance, IT system operation, and technology support services; value-added platform development and maintenance services; mobile data, and system integration and development services; network construction and maintenance, network planning and optimizing, and training services; electronic communication products design and sale of related products; and non-banking financial services. It also provides mobile cloud research and development services; call center services; e-payment, e-commerce, and Internet finance services; and mobile Internet digital content services, as well as operates a network and business coordination center. The company serves 950 million mobile customers and 187 million wireline broadband customers. The company was formerly known as China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited and changed its name to China Mobile Limited in May 2006. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Central, Hong Kong. China Mobile Limited is a subsidiary of China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 12, 2016 | 10:53 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY, KY

A Marshall County man faces a long list of charges after his arrest over the weekend.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to Slaughter Road on Saturday in reference to a man with a gun at a home trying to get inside. When they arrived, deputies saw a man outside the garage with a woman next to his truck.

The man, 35-year-old Shawn Sparks of Benton, was placed under arrest. The gun was found in the truck, loaded with a round in the chamber. Also found in the truck was a methamphetamine pipe with residue in it.

While deputies were searching for the gun, Sparks allegedly became belligerent and started yelling. Sparks was charged with wanton endangerment, possession of methamphetamine, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The woman, 38-year-old Buffey Silva of Karnak, IL, was also arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication controlled substance.

When he arrived at the Marshall County Detention Center, police said Sparks became belligerent and started resisting. While having to detain Sparks, a deputy sustained a cut from the handcuffs and was threatened. Sparks was additionally charged with disorderly conduct, assault of a police officer and terroristic threatening.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 11, 2016 | 12:17 PM | GRAVES COUNTY, KY

A Graves County man faces a reckless homicide charge after a fatal crash Saturday night.

Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon said the two-vehicle collision happened on Westplains Road at around 6:20 pm. According to police, 63-year-old William House, of Hickory, was driving a pickup truck east on Westplains Road. At the same time, 21-year-old Trevyn Wilford, of Hickory, was operating a motorcycle west on Westplains Road.

Deputies said the two vehicles met each other at a hillcrest and collided. Wilford was pronounced dead at the scene. House was not hurt in the crash.

Deputies determined that House was driving in the westbound lane at the time of the collision. House was placed under arrest and charged with reckless driving and reckless homicide.

He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.
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Paducah man charged with robbery at gunpoint and attempted kidnapping
By The Associated Press Dec. 12, 2016 | 10:23 AM | WASHINGTON, DC

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has strongly condemned any foreign meddling to influence the U.S. election. McConnell spoke to reporters Monday, a day after President-elect Donald Trump said the recent CIA assertion that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was "ridiculous."

McConnell says that the "Russians are not our friends" and condemned Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other "U.S. political organizations."

The Kentucky Republican says the Senate Intelligence Committee will investigate. He made his remarks as Trump continues to downplay the CIA's confidential assessment that the Russian government hacked into the DNC and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta's email account.
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
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December 12, 2016

FBI Cancels All Leave In Bid To Counter CIA Coup Against President Trump

By: Sorcha Faal, and as reported to her Western Subscribers

A truly grim Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) report circulating in the Kremlin today states that 3 hours ago [1137hrs local Moscow GMT+3/0337hrs local Washington D.C. GMT-4], the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) came to the defense of President-elect Donald Trump and canceled the leaves of all of its 35,000 agents, intelligence analysts and employees in a bid to stop the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from overthrowing the democratically elected government of the United States. [Note: Some words and/or phrases appearing in quotes in this report are English language approximations of Russian words/phrases having no exact counterpart.]

According to this report, SVR analysts over the past fortnight became intrigued/concerned after the FBI began relocating 13 of its estimated 14 Enhanced Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams from all around the United States to MacDill Air Force Base (MAFB), Florida, where they were all then placed under a joint command structure with the US Militaries Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

These FBI SWAT teams, this report explains, function as a high-level national commando organization in extremely sensitive or dangerous situations, and who in the past have secretly joined forces with their US military Special Forces counterparts at JSOC.

As to why these FBI SWAT teams were coordinating with their US Military Special Forces counterparts, this report continues, became open/transparent on 6 December when General John Mad Dog Mattis (President-elect Trumps choice to be the next US Secretary of Defense) held a private/secret meeting with President Obama at MacDill Air Force baseafter which Obama shockingly told a gathering of US soldiers that they have the freedom to question authority which includes the right to criticize any sitting president.

Within 72 hours of President Obama stunningly telling American soldiers that they could, in essence, freely disobey orders from their military commanders and/or president, SVR analysts in this report note, on 9 December Obamas White House announced that they had started an investigation into Russias supposed interference in the 2016 US presidential electionand that was predictably followed 3 hours later by The Washington Post publishing a bombshell article stating that Russia was directly involved in manipulating this election so that Trump could win.

Important to note, this report says, (and as weve previously reported on) The Washington Post is one of the CIAs main/central propaganda mainstream media fake news outlets that was purchased by the shadowy American billionaire Jeff Bezos (the founder of Amazon.com) 3 months after the CIA had given him a staggering $600 million secret contractand who just weeks ago put 200 American alternative media websites on a list of known Russian propaganda, but then had to retract this spurious claim as being fake after being exposed for the charlatans they really are.

Immediately following The Washington Posts publishing of this fake news claim that Russia was in anyway involved in the 2016 US presidential election, this report continues, former CIA analyst Bob Baer (the unofficial media spokesman for the American Deep State) shockingly began advocating for a new election to be heldand that led to Alex Jones, one of Americas top alternative news leaders and top Trump confidant, to warn that President-elect Trump is now in danger of being assassinated.

Not being told the American people about the Obama-Clinton-CIA-Washington Post fake news claim of Russias involvement in the 2016 presidential election, this report details, is that the FBI had previously stated that these spurious allegations were not trueand who, in a secret US House Intelligence Committee meeting, were told by top FBI official that he could not conclusively confirm the Russian collusion behind Trumps victory contrary to the claims of CIA.

Agreeing with the FBI about who really leaked Hillary Clinton documents, this report continues, is Craig Murray, the former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, who just hours ago called these CIA claims bullshit, adding: They are absolutely making it up. I know who leaked them, Ive met the person who leaked them, and they are certainly not Russian and its an insider. Its a leak, not a hack; the two are different things. If what the CIA are saying is true, and the CIAs statement refers to people who are known to be linked to the Russian state, they would have arrested someone if it was someone inside the United States. America has not been shy about arresting whistleblowers and its not been shy about extraditing hackers. They plainly have no knowledge whatsoever.

Supporting Ambassador Murray, this report notes, is US Ambassador John Bolton who, likewise, just hours ago stated that the CIA is now conducting a false flag operation to overthrow President-elect Trump.

However, SVR analysts in this report state, with the fake news mainstream propaganda organs supporting Hillary Clinton not telling the American people the truth about the CIAs silent coup against President-elect Trump, they are, instead, being told that the 19 December Electoral College vote to install Trump as the next president must be stopped until Russian interference is fully investigated and that Trump has already violated his oath of office by not protecting and defending the United States because he refuses to believe the CIA.

Astounding to note too about the 2016 US presidential election, this report continues, are that these very same mainstream propaganda media organs supporting Hillary Clinton were the real/true perpetrators of fake news, not Russiaand that one of their fake news operatives, Marco Chacon, in creating hundreds of fake news articles about Trump that were spread by the mainstream media freely admitted to, and then who relished in his deceit of the American people by stating: Its way to easy to dupe the Right on the internet.

With the main criteria being used by the CIA and Hillary Clinton in their silent coup against President-elect Trump that anyone wanting peace in our world is now a Russian agent, this report concludes, the truest reason for the CIAs attempting to overthrow Trump lies in their fears that Germany is, likewise, ready to turn against these satanic globalists tooand who were all horrified and stunned after what happened last week when German TV-channels conducting a live broadcast of President Putin's address to the Russian parliament, while at the same time were carrying out an opinion poll over phone, showed that fully 81 percent of respondents turned out to declare that they trusted Putin, with these results being immediately taken off the air.

And though not mentioned in this report, its critical to note that the last American president to go to war against CIA was John F. Kennedy, who vowed to splinter this accursed spy agency into a thousand pieces and scatter it to the windbut who was gunned down before he could even get started after the CIA ordered his Secret Service protective detail to abandon this beloved American leader resulting in his head being blown apart in full public view as an example of their power.

Other reports in this series include:

Trump Ability To Destroy ISIS Outlawed As Silent Coup Against Him Accelerates

Silent Coup Against President-Elect Trump Heads To US Supreme Court Showdown

US State Department Document Stating Hillary Clinton To Be Inaugurated As President Stuns Russia

Russia Warns America Is At The Abyss: Next 10 Days Will Shake The World

December 12, 2016  EU and US all rights reserved. Permission to use this report in its entirety is granted under the condition it is linked back to its original source at WhatDoesItMean.Com. Freebase content licensed under CC-BY and GFDL.

[Note: Many governments and their intelligence services actively campaign against the information found in these reports so as not to alarm their citizens about the many catastrophic Earth changes and events to come, a stance that the Sisters of Sorcha Faal strongly disagree with in believing that it is every human beings right to know the truth. Due to our missions conflicts with that of those governments, the responses of their agents has been a longstanding misinformation/misdirection campaign designed to discredit us, and others like us, that is exampled in numerous places, including HERE.]

[Note: The WhatDoesItMean.com website was created for and donated to the Sisters of Sorcha Faal in 2003 by a small group of American computer experts led by the late global technology guru Wayne Green (1922-2013) to counter the propaganda being used by the West to promote their illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq.]

[Note: The word Kremlin (fortress inside a city) as used in this report refers to Russian citadels, including in Moscow , having cathedrals wherein female Schema monks (Orthodox nuns) reside, many of whom are devoted to the mission of the Sisters of Sorcha Faal.]

Donald Trump Victory Averts World War III, But Starts American Revolution

They Are Going To Come For YouWhy Are You Helping Them?

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Images have been released offering a first look at Jude Law in Ivo van Hove's Obsession at the Barbican.

Law stars as Gino alongside Halina Reijn in the adaptation of Luchino Visconti's film about a man working in a roadside restaurant and petrol station. When he meets Giovanna (Reijn), together they embark on an affair, whilst plotting to kill her husband.

Visconti's 1943 film was based on James M Cain's novel The Postman Always Rings Twice. Obsession will be van Hove's fourth Visconti production.

The piece is part of a residency at the Barbican for van Hove's company Toneelgroep Amsterdam. During 2017, the company will perform four plays in total. As well as Obsession, there will be a return of Roman Tragedies in March 2017, then later in the year there will be a double bill After the Rehearsal/Persona, based on the films of Ingmar Bergman.

Van Hove said: "It's very exciting to bring British actors and specifically Jude Law together with actors from our Toneelgroep Amsterdam ensemble for the first time...I am looking forward to staging at the Barbican, a venue I consider to be our London home."

Obsession runs at the Barbican Centre from 19 April to 20 May 2017.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A famous person whose name I cannot recall once famously said: Theres no free lunch!

Im willing to bet that famous person wasnt a big-shot newspaper columnist, because if Ive learned anything in my career it is this  you can find a lot of free lunches if you look hard enough.

For me, this is especially true during the Christmas season. For the past six years I have been invited to stuff my face as a member of the expert judging panel at Red River Colleges annual Iron Chef Turkey competition.

DOUG SPEIRS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Student chef Graham Martin, 36, displays the dishes that carried him to victory in Red River College's Iron Chef Turkey contest.

This is the annual holiday-season food fight, wherein eight of the colleges top student chefs are given two hours to whip up an appetizer and a main course featuring whole turkeys they have whacked into bite-sized tidbits at the start of the contest.

The colleges turkey throw down takes place in the state-of-the-art kitchens of its Paterson GlobalFoods Institute culinary school on Main Street and I am invited to judge every year because, of all the crusading columnists in the city, I am the most likely to abandon his scruples for a free meal.

So there I was Friday morning, about an hour after rolling out of bed, eating enough mouth-watering turkey dishes to put a small Scandinavian nation into a sleep-inducing, tryptophan-related coma for the entire holiday season.

Along with me, the crackerjack judging panel consisted of my good buddy Jason Wortzman  a trained chef and director of marketing and product development for Grannys Poultry  and food-loving turkey producers Barclay and Shelley Uruski, who have a 20,000-bird flock near Arborg.

Over the course of about an hour, we judges gobbled down such fowl fare as: turkey poppers stuffed with cream cheese and coated in panko crumbs; turkey meatballs in a honey-garlic glaze with carrot puree; pulled turkey with gnocchi in brown butter; turkey popovers in a red-wine sauce; turkey arancini (stuffed rice balls); cherry-stuffed turkey breast in a white mushroom sauce with fried potato balls and prosciutto-wrapped baby carrots; turkey scallopini atop a red-pepper risotto; bacon-wrapped turkey roulade with an apple gastrique and golden beets; and ricotta-stuffed turkey breast with cherry amaretto sauce and sweet potato gnocchi, to name just a handful.

And people think journalism is easy.

The way the contest worked is we judges would stand around slack-jawed, holding our clipboards. When dishes were brought steaming from the kitchen, we would frown at them to indicate we were taking the task seriously, then exchange professional judging remarks, such as: Mmmmmm! And: Yum!

The biggest challenge we faced, along with resisting the urge to curl up like boiled shrimp and fall asleep in the corner because wed eaten so much turkey, was trying to find enough cutlery to sample all the dishes.

Wheres my fork? was a common thing we would shriek at one another. Who took my (insert bad word here) fork???

Say what you will, it is not easy using mere words to describe how challenging it is to judge a cooking battle of this calibre. We judges had an extremely hard time coming to a consensus without jabbing each other in the eyeball with a turkey drumstick.

It was much tougher this year than last year, judge Shelley confided as we licked grease from our fingers. We didnt argue like this last year. I loved doing this again. I think Red River College is doing a great job with these students. Everyone had a different take on turkey.

When I asked Shelley and husband, Barclay, whether, as long-time producers and judges, they ever get tired of eating all this tasty turkey, they both shrieked in unison: No!! Added Shelley: We eat poultry five times a week. I do everything  soup, chili, lasagna, meatballs, hamburgers. Its a lot healthier, too.

DOUG SPEIRS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS These dishes carried student chef Graham Martin, 36, to victory in Red River College's Iron Chef Turkey contest. Top is the appetizer of Greek lemon-turkey soup with a poached egg yolk and marsala reduction. Bottom is an entree of roast Greek-style turkey stuffed with mint and dill yogurt, glazed with olive oil and a cinnamon-flavoured gravy.

After gorging ourselves on eight appetizers and eight main courses, we judges finally agreed to hand this years Iron Chef Turkey crown and the $1,000 top prize to 36-year-old student chef Graham Martin for his appetizer of Greek lemon-turkey soup with a poached egg yolk and marsala reduction, and an entree of roast Greek-style turkey stuffed with mint and dill yogurt, glazed with olive oil and a cinnamon-flavoured gravy, a pair of dishes that even now bring tears of joy to this judges bleary eyes.

Its pretty exciting, Graham exclaimed after being declared the victor. Its one of the Top 10 days of my life. It was a lot of fun.

These are all my classmates and they all make great dishes. It was anyones game.

Ive been cooking for 15 years. I just wanted more food knowledge (at Red River) and to take my career to the next level. My secret on this was to go with a Greek theme. They have great flavour combinations.

What with being a person who lives to eat, I am pleased to report Canadas culinary future is in good hands.

It gives you a sneak preview of whats going to be on menus in restaurants in the future. These are our future chefs, my buddy chef, Jason, said.

Speaking of the future, Id like to take a moment here to wish everyone a turkey-filled Christmas, and hopefully youll receive the best gift of all  someone else to cook your bird for you.

Now, if you dont mind, please pass the cranberries.

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The last financial hurdle for Freedom Road has been cleared, paving the way for construction to start.

The federal government has agreed to increase its share of the cost to build a road that would link the isolated Shoal Lake 40 First Nation to the Trans-Canada Highway.

Chief Erwin Redsky told reporters Monday the federal government agreed to double its share of the cost, to $20 million.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Chief Erwin Redsky outside City Hall where Freedom Road supporters gathered Monday morning.

Were finally, finally going to build Freedom Road, Redsky said to supporters outside city hall after he met with Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Eileen Clarke, Manitobas minister of indigenous relations.

Shoal Lake 40 is located southeast of Falcon Lake, straddling the Manitoba-Ontario border. The community was cut off from the mainland in 1917 when a nearby channel was cut to facilitate a diversion and construction of the aqueduct that supplies drinking water to Winnipeg. The 300 residents must use a ferry to get to the mainland during summer, and an ice road is constructed in winter. The quality of their water is poor: they have been forced to boil their water for 18 years.

Redsky emerged from the meeting to say the project will start immediately. A winter road will be built, allowing heavy equipment to reach the community in order to begin construction of the 24-kilometre Freedom Road.

Were not just building a road, Redsky said, Today is a very exciting day for myself and my community, he said. I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart. Weve got hope now, hope to rebuild our community (and) reconnect to Canada.

He said the vital link will allow the community to prosper.

In 2013, the Manitoba and Winnipeg governments each promised to pay $10 million to construct the permanent road. After the federal Liberals won office in 2015, they promised $10 million.

Construction was delayed after cost estimates jumped to as much as $50 million from $30 million.

The election of the Tories in Manitoba in April added to the uncertainty because the $10 million was promised by the defeated NDP government.

The three levels of government began negotiations on who would pay the increased cost.

Last month, federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett expressed frustration, saying the deal was one-third each, which I think personally, it is pretty straightforward.

The Liberals were under increasing pressure to get the road built. Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus visit to the community, which was profiled in a documentary last April, added more heat, as it also became a project he personally had committed to get done.

Redsky said Bennett told him Sunday her government would chip in an additional $10 million.

She issued a statement Monday: Our government is fully committed to supporting Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in the construction of Freedom Road. The road will provide residents with increased mobility and help unlock economic opportunities for the community.

Bennett said work has started to quickly advance construction of the on-reserve portion of the future access road.

Redsky said hes confident the road can be built for $40 million.

A large section of the road is on provincial Crown land and is in the final stages of an environmental assessment. A bridge on city land is at a similar stage.

The significance of where our water comes from is not lost on Winnipeggers, Bowman said. Every time we turn on our tap it comes from Shoal Lake.

Clarke said Ottawas new funding pledge ensures construction can start in weeks.

We now have a funding agreement that has been agreed to by all funding partners, she said.

Manitoba Infrastructure is preparing a tender so that they can move forward very quickly.

While the Manitoba government will build the road, the community will be given a long-term contract to maintain it, she said.

Before the meeting began, Redsky met with the 30 supporters, known as Friends of Shoal Lake 40, in the city hall courtyard, and thanked them for their encouragement.

While the political leaders met inside a city hall boardroom, supporters were kept outside. City hall security would not allow the group to enter the building to warm up.

 with files from Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PINE FALLS  The company charged with decommissioning the nuclear reactor at Whiteshell Laboratories near Pinawa wants to leave it in the ground and backfill it with concrete.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is proposing to entomb Whiteshell Reactor #1 (WR-1), rather than have it disassembled and removed from the 11,000-acre site near Pinawa in the Canadian Shield.

It would become the first nuclear reactor in Canada to be disposed of by burial. The plan is to demolish surface buildings but leave the reactor in its five-storey-deep basement and seal it with concrete grout.

DAVE JOHNSON / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES A mines supervisor tours a tunnel at the plant in 1986.

This reactor is suitable (for entombment) because its relatively small, said Brian Wilcox, CNL director of project delivery, at an open house in Pine Falls Thursday night. CNL has been unveiling the plan at open houses in eastern Manitoba since August.

The new plan would speed up the decommissioning process, with completion by 2024. The reactor site, which is like a small village with about a dozen buildings and at least 60,000 square feet of building space, would be razed and landscaped. Only a fenced-off grassy mound, 40 metres by 40 metres, beneath which the reactor is stored, would remain.

The nuclear reactor last operated in 1985, and has been kept in temporary storage ever since. It was used to help develop Candu reactors, and to study waste management of radioactive water and deep geological disposal of radioactive material. Decommissioning of the reactor began in 2003.

Ottawa contracted nuclear energy laboratories such as Whiteshell Laboratories to CNL during the final days of the Harper government in September 2015. The arrangement is government-owned, contractor-operated, a model used for the nuclear energy industry in both the United States and United Kingdom.

Virtually all of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. employees were transferred to CNL, with the idea that rigours of private enterprise could provide better management.

Wilcox conceded entombment was not the original plan. The original plan was to dismantle and remove WR-1 and its related infrastructure. A possible site for storage was the nuclear site at Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario, but a storage structure would have to be built there.

CNL said entombing the site is a safer option. There is greater risk of contamination of workers and the environment from disassembling, transporting and disposing of the reactor and radioactive material in a new location.

Moving the reactor would also be more expensive. Wilcox said complete removal of WR-1 and radioactive material and storing it elsewhere would cost four times as much as entombment, although he could not produce actual figures.

Artist rendering What the facility would look like after being filled with concrete.

Only two people showed up at CNLs open house in Pine Falls, as it was on the same night as the community supper where $2 bought a turkey dinner. The supper started six years ago as a show of solidarity when the pulp and paper mill closed.

CNL promised to hold another meeting.

Lisa Aitkin, whose farm is about five kilometres from the AECL site, questioned the life span of the encasement versus the radioactive material it encloses. CNL said the concrete monolith could last up to 1,300 years.

However, it does not yet have figures for how long the reactor and radioactive materials would remain dangerous. That is still being studied and will be presented next spring in another round of public meetings.

Aitkin, who attended two of the open houses but not the one in Pine Falls, would like to see an open house in Winnipeg. After all, she said, the Winnipeg River is within metres of the site and it feeds into Lake Winnipeg. Many Winnipeggers have cottages on the lake.

The Whiteshell Laboratories site extends to the edge of the Winnipeg River, with the nuclear reactor about 500 metres away, CNL officials said. The groundwater runs through the Whiteshell Laboratories site into the Winnipeg River.

Wilcox said CNL is talking about possibly holding an open house in Winnipeg.

Beverly Dube, mayor of Powerview-Pine Falls, noted her community is downstream from Pinawa on the Winnipeg River.

Artist rendering An artists rendering of Whiteshell Laboratories near Pinawa provided by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. The company says entombing the site would be safer than disassembling and moving it.

She said people are just starting to process the information.

Weve lived with this for how many years, with the work (AECL) did before. People have always expressed concerns of what could have occurred all these decades, she said.

The first nuclear reactor to be encased in concrete was in Hallam, Neb., in 1967-68. There are at least eight sites in the world using the method, mostly in the United States but also in Russia, Switzerland and Puerto Rico.

CNLs open houses are part of its preparation for an environmental impact statement, to be completed next summer. It would still have to undergo an environmental assessment, including public hearings run by an independent board.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Add legal services to pizza and beer on the list of things delivered to the doorstep.

Kyle Soble is a notary public, appointed by the provincial government to witness the signing of documents and oaths.

Where he does that, however, is up to his customers.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Mobile Notary Public Service owner lawyer Kyle Soble

Kyle Soble created Winnipeg Mobile Notary about three years ago. He has been expanding his mobile legal market in Winnipeg ever since, and his clients come from virtually every demographic.

Sobles mobile service covers notarization of basically any document, including wills and powers of attorney. Soble had practised law for more than 20 years before starting the service.

Im just trying to get ahead of the societal shift and improve peoples access to the legal system, Soble said.

The legal business is changing, just like any other business, he said.

Just look at Amazon. Look at the banks switching to mobile mortgage officers, or grocery stores delivering groceries, he said.

A lot of lawyers think in a very linear fashion  kind of one dimensional. Im very cognizant of change.

In Manitoba, a notary public is typically required to be a lawyer. Otherwise, documents can be signed before a commissioner for oaths. The difference is that documents signed before a commissioner for oaths are only recognized in Manitoba, whereas documents signed before a notary public are recognized internationally.

Soble visits clients homes, workplaces or their favourite coffee shop.

He also makes frequent stops in hospitals and senior homes because many of his clients are physically unable to visit a legal office.

Sobles regular business hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but for urgent matters, meetings outside those hours can be arranged, he said.

He has met clients as late as 1 a.m.

I feel satisfaction in that I do help a significant number of people who might have been left out of the system otherwise, Soble said.

That puts a smile on my face that I never had before (in my career).

The prices of Sobles services are comparable to those of other notary public, he said.

Since he doesnt pay for an office, his prices are significantly lower than what people pay for the guys downtown.

(My business) is quite informal, non-traditional, yet professional, Soble said.

Sobles is the only mobile notary service in Manitoba, but there are mobile notary services in other provinces, including Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

While Sobles mobile legal model can be considered progressive, there has been talk of e-notarization models being developed in the United States. It entails a notary public and a signer rendering their signatures electronically or over webcam.

E-notarization isnt legal in Canada, but Soble said those models may be crossing the line.

Doing it old school prevents any kind of hacking or other issues, he said.

(E-notarization) might improve peoples access on the upside, but on the downside, how do you regulate it?

Its not just a sense of security that Soble said he would miss if e-notarization were made legal.

I enjoy getting out and meeting people the way I do, he said.

It makes you feel like youre actually helping people out.

rebecca.dahl@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rebeccadaahl
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This article was published 11/12/2016 (2153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For many Winnipeggers, its safe to park on the street again.

The City of Winnipeg announced Sunday night that the residential parking ban has been lifted. In a press release it thanked Winnipeggers for their patience and cooperation during the ban that allows snowplows to remove snow from residential streets.

The city reminded motorists that the annual snow route parking ban remains in effect nightly from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. until March 1.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The city says snow-clearing crews are ready for a major winter storm.

If some streets have been missed or only partially cleared, crews will return in the coming days to address outstanding snow clearing requirements, the release from the city said. In the meantime, residents can park on their street since the residential parking ban only applied during the scheduled 12-hour period. When plowing crews return, no additional parking restrictions will be imposed. However, residents are still encouraged to move their vehicles if they notice that their street is about to be plowed.

The City of Winnipegs Know Your Zone app is available for free download at the Apple App Store and Google Play App Store. For more information about the app, please visit here.

Residents can sign-up for winter parking ban notifications, the city said. It also offers free email and Twitter notifications to advise subscribers when additional parking bans go into effect. To sign up for notifications visit here or contact 311, open 24 hours every day, by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 11/12/2016 (2153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hes at it again.

For the second time in his short tenure as Manitoba premier, Brian Pallister has challenged the federal government to a game of high-stakes poker. This time, Pallister is withholding his provinces approval of a national carbon pricing scheme that is a top political priority for the federal Liberal government.

Following a meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers last Friday, Pallister announced Manitoba would not sign on to the pan-Canadian climate change framework being pushed by Ottawa without a federal commitment to continue increasing health care transfer payments by six per cent annually. The transfer payment escalator is scheduled to be cut in half next year.

Patrick Doyle / The Canadian Press Manitoba premier Brian Pallister speaks to the media at the Chateau Laurier hotel before the First Ministers' Meeting in Ottawa on Friday, December 9, 2016.

Pallisters stand leaves Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where Premier Brad Wall has categorically rejected the whole notion of a national carbon pricing scheme, as the only holdouts.

Linking health care transfer payments with the climate change framework  under which Ottawa would impose a tax on carbon if any province could not come up with its own matching mechanism  is an intriguing strategy. The scheduled cut in annual increases in health care funding is the number one issue for the provinces right now. And despite complaints and urging from the provinces, the Liberal government has not given ground on plans to cut the annual increase in payments, a policy foisted on the premiers by the former federal Conservative government.

In a statement released Friday night after the conclusion of the first ministers summit, Pallister directly linked the two issues. We remain hopeful that the same kind of focused commitment we saw today on addressing climate change at the first ministers table will be evident in our discussions on health. We will wait and see, he said. Our answer (on the carbon pricing framework) therefore remains  not yet.

Its not clear that Ottawa  or anyone else for that matter  is taking Pallisters ploy all that seriously. The day after Pallister dug in his heels, federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna more or less dismissed the gesture as a publicity stunt.

Manitobas going to sign on, McKenna said in an interview on CTVs Question Period. I had a great discussion with (Pallister). They have committed to climate action. Theyre already acting. They committed to a price on carbon in the speech from the throne.

Manitoba has in fact committed to some form of carbon pricing, although the details of his plan are still not known. Still, he has been consistent in acknowledging the environmental and economic impact of climate change, and supporting the notion that government must put a price on carbon to cut emissions. His commitment to this course of action was repeated on December 8 in his state of the province address to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

However, there has been some speculation that Pallister, a notorious enemy of tax increases of any kind for any reason, might prefer to have Ottawa impose the tax in Manitoba. Under the terms of the national framework, if Ottawa has to impose a carbon tax, the money would simply be remitted to the province in question. It would allow Pallister to collect the revenue while still maintaining his pristine record on rejecting tax increases.

A more likely explanation is that Pallister is simply trying to establish a national reputation as a formidable force within the tiny community of first ministers. He clearly wants to be seen a tough customer that wont be bullied into participating in federal initiatives.

It was just over five months ago that Pallister withheld his provinces support for a national agreement on reforming Canada Pension Plan benefits. In late June, Pallister withheld his support, asking instead that federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau re-opened negotiations so that several proposals from Manitoba could be included in the final deal.

The strategy was mostly unsuccessful in getting any kind of movement from Ottawa, but it did rattle Morneau.

At the moment Manitoba withheld its support, Ottawa had already obtained the necessary combination of provinces and population to ensure the changes would go through. Still, Morneau was concerned about any speed bumps on the way to full approval, fearful that some of the larger provinces would get cold feet and back out. As such, Pallisters ploy was a source of consternation.

After Pallister and Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen released a series of modest tweaks to the CPP reform plans, Morneau flatly refused to re-open negotiations. It appeared that Pallister would be left swinging in the breeze, a rookie premier that had tragically overestimated his influence on national issues.

Eventually, Morneau threw Pallister a lifeline, agreeing to discuss the Manitoba proposals at a later unspecified date. Pallister heralded this concession as a victory, but it was pretty clear Morneaus gesture was little more than a forced smile and a pat on the head for a province that really doesnt have the population or the economy to be a major player on the national stage.

Manitoba is not wrong to strategically withhold his support federal files as a way of leveraging consideration. The federal government has always been willing to engage in a little horse trading to get provincial support for national programs in exchange for concessions on provincial priorities. However, there are limits to that strategy, and Pallister does not seem to have realized that.

The hard reality is that Ottawa does not need Manitobas support to act on either CPP or health care. And although Pallister might get some grudging respect from the other premiers for taking a stand on health care transfers, he runs the risk of becoming little more than a bug on Trudeaus windscreen in this instance.

The other first ministers have already made it abundantly clear that they are offended by the notion of slowing the annual growth in health transfers. The fate of transfer payments is scheduled to be discussed at a future showdown between the premiers and Trudeau. Pallisters publicity stunt adds nothing of value to that struggle.

In CPP deliberations, Pallister was trying to punch above Manitobas weight in national affairs. He got a few headlines, and ultimately achieved a moral victory in the form of a nebulous pledge to consider his ideas at a later date. It is unlikely that Ottawa will throw Manitoba a lifeline in this instance.

Manitobas ability to make progress on matters of provincial significance is wholly dependant upon a strong relationship with Trudeau and the federal government. It doesnt seem likely that volunteering to serve as the anchor on any manner of national files will build that strong, productive relationship.

Unless other premiers come to Manitobas aid, and support his protest against declining health transfers by withholding their support on this or other files, Pallister runs the risk of being type cast as a rookie that pitches a tantrum every time he wants something.

Its all good and fine to challenge the federal government, but its important to remember that gamblers lose as much or more than they win.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 11/12/2016 (2153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Months after a battle with city hall forced the Wolseley-area Neighbourhood Bookstore and Cafe to close, it has reopened.

The popular gathering place at 898 Westminster Ave. isnt serving food, its hours have been cut and customers are advised to take their own beverages while they browse through the books.

The reopening happened almost by accident.

Wolseley area Neighbourhood Bookstore and Cafe has reopened, but will not be serving food or drinks after a protracted battle with the city.

As people begin drifting back, the atmosphere seemed like a pop-up meeting place.

Owner Bill Fugler said hes spent six years battling city hall over a bylaw that mandates he install a grease trap.

The city requires any establishment that serves food to install one, but he argued he only serves sandwiches and baked goods and doesnt have a grill or a stove.

Under the bylaw, which is intended to ease the burden on Winnipegs waste water system, grease traps must be connected to each kitchen sink and dishwasher waste pipe in a food-service establishment, unless that establishment has been granted an exemption.

Last summer, Fugler said he was facing $12,500 in fines, court costs and renovation estimates  thats more than I make in half a year  over the dispute.

He had objected in court to the citys requirement for a grease trap. The business was set to undergo another inspection in August, and Fugler said rather than be slapped with more fines, he decided to close, putting 10 people out of work.

Fugler applied for an exemption three times  and was rejected.

At the time, he told the Free Press many of his friends offered to help pay for a grease trap, but he refused on principle, likening installing a grease trap to paying ransom.

Last week, he decided to reopen the cafe.

For now, doors are open Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m.

Were still in exactly the same mess we were, but Ive sold all my RRSPs and I need to get a new job, sell the building or open it up again.

The communitys response has been tremendous, Fugler said.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Bill Fugler will face off against the city in court Dec. 22.

People came in (saying), Were so happy. Youre back. The really weird thing I love is people are in here and someone will offhandedly say, Well, this happened to so-and-so and the other person will say What? and How did I not hear about it?

And Im realizing some of the lines of communication are definitely being cut by our being closed, Fugler said.

Fugler said the city has granted 140 exemptions to the bylaw. He said he has the records to prove it, following an access-to-information search.

After the cafe closed, Fugler said the city mailed him a form for an exemption.

He filled it out and returned it but hasnt received confirmation from the city that it has been accepted.

Ordinarily, the city counter-signs such exemptions and returns them to the business.

Meanwhile, the city and the cafe are scheduled to face each other in court Dec. 22.

City officials wont comment on the case while it is before the court.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/12/2016 (2152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a clear case of intelligent public investment, but the provincial government has halted funding, and the program is inactive. This is counterproductive and does little to heal the bridge between First Nations and the rest of Winnipeg.

Neighbourhoods Alive! funds community development initiatives in 13 low-income urban areas in Manitoba, including six in Winnipegs inner city. In 2015-16, the program invested $4.8 million into 182 projects in urban areas with high rates of complex poverty. It has been instrumental in bringing about much-needed positive change in these neighbourhoods.

A good example is Lord Selkirk Park, which is Winnipegs largest public housing complex. It is located in the heart of the North End. In the 1990s, it was half-empty. Units were boarded up. Those who lived and worked there at the time routinely referred to it as a war zone. It was not safe and was widely seen as a place to avoid.

In 2005, the North End Community Renewal Corp., which receives core funding from Neighbourhoods Alive!, secured a federal government grant to work in the complex to reduce crime and violence.

The renewal corporation team began its work in the complex by meeting with residents, developing relationships, earning peoples trust and learning about the hopes and fears of those who lived there. This is classic community organizing.

People told us they wanted a safe space to meet, where they could talk with neighbours and break down the social isolation they experienced. We responded by creating a resource centre in an empty unit. Neighbourhoods Alive! contributed significantly to its funding.

Residents told us they wanted to earn their Grade 12 diploma. Many were single parents with, on average, junior high-level education. They were stuck on social assistance and hated it. They wanted to change their lives. We negotiated with the provincial government to locate an adult learning centre in the complex and to create a literacy program. Because parents  especially single parents  needed child care to take advantage of educational opportunities, we negotiated again with the provincial government to locate a 47-space child-care centre in Lord Selkirk.

It is just over a decade since we started. Throughout that decade, Neighbourhoods Alive! has provided consistent and substantial financial support to both the renewal corporation and the complexs resource centre.

Today, Lord Selkirk is a different place. It is fully occupied. There is a wait list of people wanting to live there  evidence of the many improvements. There are some 60 newcomer families living there; they have become a seamless part of the largely indigenous community. Approximately 80 adults have graduated with their mature Grade 12 diploma from Kaakiyow, the adult learning centre. Few would otherwise have been able to earn their Grade 12. The literacy program is full to capacity and has a wait list  residents want to take advantage of opportunities to change their lives. The child-care centre is piloting the Abecedarian model and is proving to be hugely beneficial to children, especially in terms of language acquisition. A recent evaluation of the resource centre reported it is highly successful and is having a profound impact in the lives of neighbourhood residents.

This is a dramatic success story. What was one of Winnipegs most difficult neighbourhoods has been transformed significantly. It has taken only a decade. If this can happen in a neighbourhood as challenged as Lord Selkirk was, it can happen anywhere. But it requires the kind of funding that Neighbourhoods Alive! provides.

There is much more still to be done.

On the day the provincial government announced that the funding was frozen, the renewal corporation released a new five-year vision for the North End. The plan for economic and social renewal was developed in collaboration with North End residents. It prioritizes opportunities for youth to break intergenerational cycles of poverty, which is especially important since the North End has the highest child-apprehension rates, and shamefully, more than 10,000 children  90 per cent of them indigenous  in the care of child and family services.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry have called for solutions that get at the roots of this problem. The renewal corporations plan is intended to do that. Thats what has happened in Lord Selkirk. But this work needs resources, and so restoring provincial funding is essential.

Jim Silver is a professor and chairman of the University of Winnipegs department of urban and inner-city studies,needs resurrection and was an active member of the team that worked in Lord Selkirk Park starting in 2005. Dr. Silver is also a research associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives  Manitoba.
Republican Donald Trumps victory in Wisconsin was reaffirmed Monday following a recount that showed him defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton by more than 22,000 votes.

The numbers barely budged in Wisconsin after nearly 3 million votes were recounted. Trump picked up a net 162 votes and still won by more than 22,000 votes. The final results changed just 0.06 percent. Green Party candidate Jill Stein had successfully requested, and paid for, the Wisconsin recount while her attempts for similar statewide recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan were blocked by the courts.

Wisconsin finalized its recount on the same day that a federal judge issued a stinging rejection of the Green Party-backed request to recount paper ballots in Pennsylvanias presidential election and scan some counties election systems for signs of hacking.

A federal judge, meanwhile, halted Michigans recount last week after three days. Trump won Michigan by fewer than 11,000 votes out of nearly 4.8 million votes cast.

In Pennsylvania, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond said there were at least six grounds that required him to reject the Green Partys lawsuit. Suspicion of a hacked Pennsylvania election borders on the irrational while granting the Green Partys recount bid could ensure that no Pennsylvania vote counts, given Tuesdays federal deadline to certify the vote for the Electoral College, wrote Diamond.

In Buffalo County, there were no remarkable errors discovered in their recount. County Clerk Roxann Halverson said a recount of 7,052 voter ballots cast in 23 precincts showed a net result of Hillary Clinton losing six votes and Donald Trump losing one vote.

Green Party candidate Stein saw no change up or down in Buffalo County vote totals.

The recount vote tally showed Trump defeating Clinton 4,048 to 2,525 votes in Buffalo County. Stein had 74 votes. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson had 218 votes.

The cost of the recount in Buffalo County was estimated at $18,000. Halverson said the three-day recount was done by seven people at the county courthouse in Alma.

There were observers present from the Green Party, Stein campaign, Republican Party, Clinton campaign and Democratic Party, Halverson said.

Steins petition for a recount claimed there were irregularities and evidence of tampering with voting machines in Wisconsin. There was no evidence of voter fraud or machine tampering found in Buffalo County, according to Halverson.

The only changes that occurred in Buffalo County had to do with votes cast on paper ballots, Halverson said.

She said the recount discovered four absentee ballots that had to be rejected because the envelope forms were not completed correctly. There were no changes to the votes cast on the election machines, she said.

Halverson said voting machines are tested by municipal clerks prior to election day to make sure they are working properly. The recount involved verifying the machine results by counting the trail of ballots recorded on paper rolls inside the machines. Halverson said the machine paper records were hand-counted to double-check accuracy.

Halverson said she has been involved in other recounts involving machines in Buffalo County and has yet to find a mistake. I have not found one error on them.

I really want people to have faith in the machines, she said. I do not believe they are rigged or tampered with in any way.
CONVICTED

n Michael D. Nelson, 27, of Buffalo City, pleaded guilty to second-offense operating while intoxicated. His drivers license has been revoked for 12 months, and ignition interlock device will be required for 12 months.

CHARGED

n Holly A. Ness, 53, of La Crosse, had a warrant issued Dec. 9 for failure to appear in court as scheduled on a misdemeanor charge accusing her of theft. Ness is accused of stealing prescription drug pain and anxiety medications from inside a vehicle in Alma in September.

n Austin J. Breidung, 21, of Nelson, has a hearing Dec. 21 on a felony charge accusing him of possession with intent to deliver up to 3 grams of amphetamine. Breidung pleaded not guilty in May.

n Ruth A. Barhyte, 27, of Mondovi, has a hearing Jan. 4 on multiple charges accusing her of battery and disorderly conduct in July and November. Barhyte has pleaded not guilty.

n Jeffrey D. Wallentine, 45, of Mondovi, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor traffic offense accusing him of fourth-offense operating while intoxicated. A hearing is set for Jan. 18.

Frank J. Bertollini, 34, of Mondovi, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor traffic charge accusing him of 3rd offense operating while intoxicated. Case status hearing scheduled Jan. 4th.

n Joshua A. Deling, 29, of Winona, had a warrant issued Dec. 9 for failure to appear in court as scheduled on a misdemeanor charge accusing him of possessing drug paraphernalia.

n Jesse R. Bauer, 24, of Wabasha, Minn., has a hearing Dec. 21 on misdemeanor charges accusing him of battery and two counts of disorderly conduct. Bauer has pleaded not guilty.

n Eric J. Clark, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, had a hearing adjourned to Dec. 21on a felony charge of fifth-offense operating while intoxicated. Clark also was accused of driving without insurance.

n Jordan F. Hoversholm, 29, of Eau Claire, has a hearing Jan. 6 on a felony charge accusing him of second-offense possession of marijuana.

n Jodi L. Eggert, 21, of Lewiston, has a hearing Jan. 4 on a misdemeanor traffic charge accusing her of second-offense operating while intoxicated. Eggert pleaded not guilty in November.

n Tyler D. Linna, 22, of Arcadia, had a warrant issued Dec. 9 for failure to appear in court as scheduled on misdemeanor charges accusing him of domestic abuse battery and disorderly conduct.

n Mitchell L. Seifert, 34, of Cochrane, pleaded not guilty to four counts of failure to pay child support. A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 21.

n James R. Hanson, 37, of Fountain City, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge accusing him of domestic abuse disorderly conduct. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4.

n Jason L. Korpal, 38, of Arcadia, has a hearing Dec. 21 on felony charges accusing him of possessing methamphetamine and second-offense possession of marijuana.

n John S. Lawson, 26, of Menomonie, had a hearing re-scheduled to Jan. 4 on charges accusing him of possessing methamphetamine and a controlled substance.
AUSTIN, Minn.  Malcolm Mac McDonald, 81, was used to getting up in the morning and exercising at his favorite Austin gym.

There was time on the treadmill; then, he used the recumbent bike. After shower and breakfast, I was pretty active for the rest of the day, he told the Austin Daily Herald.

That all changed on a day in July when a sharp, shooting pain traveled down the left side of his body.

And just like that, he said, his life changed, profoundly.

Testing at Mayo Clinic found that he had stage 4 lung cancer.

Non-treatable, he said, recalling the day. Both lungs. It knocked me off my feet.

He was shocked and surprised that such an end would come after a busy, full life.

Now, he wants the end to be of his own making.

The son of Iowa farmers, Malcolm graduated from college with a teaching degree. After heading up the family implement dealership, he decided he wanted to teach rather than sell farm equipment.

He first taught in Anchorage, Alaska, early in his career  where he also met his wife, Judy, a fellow teacher  and later, in Colorado. Then he was hired as the director of special education for Austin public schools, a position he held for 27 years. The McDonalds have one son, Ian. McDonald was an active volunteer and served in active and reserve military for 28 years.

The diagnosis of cancer changed an active man to someone who, at turns, was both curious and despairing at his growing fragility.

Quality of life in his remaining months  his doctor said six months was likely, but that was six months ago  is important to him. He has oxygen tanks at the ready when he needs help with breathing, which happens more and more.

If I have to climb steps, thats when it really takes me, he said.

He tries to keep to the treadmill, but is quickly slowing, he said. He cannot operate the recumbent bicycle at all, anymore. He has lost 15 pounds since his diagnosis. His appetite is leaving him.

It became clear to him from the beginning that he wanted to end his life on his own terms.

But at present, Minnesota does not have a law that provides what he would call death with dignity. Such laws are not physician-assisted suicide but rather measures that allow someone who is terminally ill to self-administer a fatal dose of medication.

Loss of control over your decisions and your body is as painful as the cancer, he said.

Death with dignity laws are in place in California, Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana. Some who are terminally ill travel to one of those states to end their lives. He doesnt want to travel to an unfamiliar place to do that.

The McDonalds do not see the ability to control lifes end in conflict with their religious beliefs. It is about freedom to live life in a certain way, they said.

Ive got a wife and a son for whom I see no reason for them to go through a time when I am miserable to myself and miserable to them. Its selfish, I admit. But we are living in a country whose most basic thought is freedom of the individual and not making decisions that other people have to live by. I want to make my own choice, he said.

Judy agreed.

It is the reality, she said. It can be emotional, but we also have to face the facts. I know he is on a timeline. I am 100 percent supportive of his desire to end his life.

I would choose that for myself, she said.

The Minnesota Legislature has visited the issue twice in the past two years. Sens. Chris Eaton of Brooklyn Center, Sandra Pappas of St. Paul, D. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis and John Marty of Roseville, all Democrats, sponsored the Minnesota Compassionate Care Act. That proposed legislation, never voted upon, returned to committee in 2016; Eaton withdrew the bill due to lack of support, but said she would bring the issue to session this year. The legislation does not promote physician-assisted suicide, but rather the ability of the ill patient to administer medication to end his or her life.

McDonald wants to see legislators move forward with the issue, he said, but Rep. Jeanne Poppe, D-Austin, said she doesnt hold much hope that the issue will get much traction this session.

I have indicated to him that I really do not see it being a top priority for the Legislature to tackle, she said in an email to the Austin Daily Herald. With the Republican majority in each body of the Legislature, it doesnt seem like something they will pursue. However, strong advocates like him can influence public policy.

He has written a letter to Gov. Mark Dayton. It reads, in part:

. I have asked my primary physician to recommend one of the above states where I would have the freedom to pursue my desire to use laws that provide for dying with dignity. Can your office provide information and guidance regarding this topic so that I, a resident of Minnesota, can . take advantage of the freedoms these laws provide to individuals so they and their families can avoid the experiences that they can anticipate are coming and that others who have passed away have experienced in the past.

He knows there are other ways to die by your own hand. He has been told it would take about a week or longer to die from the refusal to eat or drink anything. He doesnt look to that as a dignified way of ending a life, but he also wonders: Do you just get to the point that you are so miserable, you just stop eating and drinking?

He is not happy with his lack of choices. His life is already limited by disease.

It seems only fair, he said, that death be quick and painless.

I would like to die well, he said.
President Obama gets to be Santa on his last pardoning time of year.

And Tommy Chong, yep, that Up in Smoke Chong, petitioned Obama for a pardon!

Chong did more jail time than most smarmy politicians and some really dim tinhorns  nine months. Chong killed no one. He didnt torture, expose covert federal agents or process an undeclared war. He didnt even lie. He sold smoking accoutrements online, across state lines.

Chong pleaded to specific charges and a prison term, which he likely would have beaten, had not federal authorities threatened to go after his family. How many family values pro-lifers or creepy gangbangers would do as much?

Mutual treaties have allied nations arresting or expediting charged citizens, select Americans excepted, while Obama beseeches allies to ignore their own laws and treaties to move ahead. Typically American!

Perhaps our outgoing droner feels fugitive is in his future, that (his) dronings might have the collateral effect of impacting his family, so he hopes for a quid pro quo?

Contrast Chongs demonstrable family values against our general apathy. We think nothing of pretending puzzlement as to why our street violence rises. Official hypocrisy is catching. Our young learn quickly, then teach, mocking our (pro-life) talk.

Its possible Bush/Cheney pardons might benefit lame-duck Santa Obama in three ways directly: Quiet international criticisms; expunge (some) collective American guilt for abiding undeclared, aggressive war, torture, and continued drone killings; and gain respect.

Indirectly, Santa Obama hopes for his Santa!

Although these particular pardons would give the religious right unrighteous apoplexy, the heavy clouds hovering over family values America might dissipate enough for some truth to shine through.

Yes, wicked Chong plead guilty; but waging war and torturing just because hired lawyers said it was okay, and murders-by-drone, are not worse crimes?

Are sanitary drone murders and mayhem crime expunged because lawyers approved, or we followed orders? What gives immoral crimes authority? Official criminal enterprise in a democracy has but one approval: our permission.

When elected officials act criminally and voters do nothing, arent we voters as guilty? Doesnt our abiding systematic official crime undermine our righteous (Christian) posturing? If so, we all need a Santa!

Apathy encourages criminality. Lame-duck Santa can grant us (all) one special holiday gift  pardoning Bush/Cheney for acting like arrogant medieval clergy!

The Bush/Cheney pardons would brand criminal behavior while demonstrating Americas official ideal. In addition, Tommy Chongs pardon would also highlight official American compassion.

Furthermore, Bush/Cheney pardons might lighten the moral burden we carry for abiding official crimes, and even expunge the potential of leap-frog pardons of former presidents that are as obtrusive as official criminality.

Regardless, aggressive war, torture and drone murders are not remotely comparable to poor management (political or practical), official dimness or goofy bong sales!

A holiday list needs checking thrice, including Chong! Obama might also prove to be a Santa to American millions generally!

Otherwise, politics will remain the same-old, up-in-smoke phoniness currently fertilizing American hypocrisy.

We all mess up! Find your Santa!
Officers arrived locating tracks going out onto the ice and saw a possible hole in the ice. For a precaution the Neosho Fire Department was paged to assist in the search and the fire department found that no person had fallen through the ice. The spot where the hole was believed to be and where the subject was seen to have possibly fallen in, turned out to be a clear patch of ice. The fire department found that the subject had gotten off the ice safely and the search of the lake showed no other signs that anyone had been out there. Fire department officials along with officers were later able to locate the person who was seen out on the ice and he was fine.
1966

The recent purchase of the corner building on Ludington and James Street, which most recently housed Endres Food Market, became effective Dec. 1, according to Phil Sharrow. Sharow says that the plans are to move into the corner location and combine with the existing store making one large drug store. The building was purchased from the Griswold family which owned it for 75 years. What is now Sharrow Rexall Drug has been in existence since 1855. In 1889 it was moved to its present location and was operated by Swartout and Quickenden. Jim Quickenden took over and founded a partnership with Bill Kalk, who in turn sold the store to Lloyd Sharrow in 1920. Lloyd Sharrow died in 1957 and his son Phil took over the operation. Nick Sharrow took over for his farther and last operated the drug store.

1976

The Columbus Community Hospital announced two new services. The hospital has added the services of an occupational therapist and a speech therapist, according to hospital administrator Ralph Thiel.

The Wisconsin DNR dismissed the owners petition to abandon and remove the Udey Street Dam. The DNR will approve the city of Columbus plan to restore and keep the dam.

1986

Fall River was honored with a Friend of the Rail Passenger Award for its assistance given by the community to passengers and crew of Amtracks Empire Builder when it derailed in Fall River in October.

A check for $24,249 was presented to Columbus Water & Light by Wisconsin Power & Light following WP&Ls sharing proceeds from the utilitys successful challenge of a 1981 state tax credit measure.

1996

Nationally respected historical architect John Wait took close-up photos of the terra cotta facade at the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank. The facade is beginning to deteriorate under the stress of 75 years of harsh Wisconsin winters and will be repaired.

The Columbus Police implemented two new programs to make the community a safer place. Police Chief Tony Brus will begin a communitywide block program and a McGruff House Program. Homeowners participating will put McGruff signs in their windows as a safe place when children need help.
Carter's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, and markets branded childrenswear under the Carter's, OshKosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Carter's My First Love, little planet, and other brands in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. Its Carter's products include babies and young children products, such as bodysuits, pants, dresses, knit sets, blankets, layette essentials, bibs, booties, sleep and play products, rompers, and jumpers; and OshKosh brand products comprise playclothes, such as denim apparel products with multiple wash treatments and coordinating garments, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, and bodysuits. The company also provides products for playtime, travel, mealtime, bathtime, and homegear, as well as kid's bags and diaper bags under the Skip Hop brand. In addition, it offers bedding, cribs, diaper bags, footwear, gift sets, hair accessories, jewelry, outerwear, paper goods, socks, shoes, swimwear, and toys. The company operates 18,800 wholesale locations, including department stores, national chain stores, and specialty stores. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 980 retail stores. The company also sells its products through its eCommerce websites, such as carters.com, oshkoshbgosh.com, oshkosh.com, and skiphop.com, as well as other international wholesale accounts and licensees. Carter's, Inc. was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Knoll, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial and residential furniture, accessories, and coverings for the workplace and residential markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Office and Lifestyle segments. It provides systems furniture, including integrated panels or table desks, work surfaces and storage units, power and data systems, and lighting products; office seating products comprising various work chairs; and files and storage products, such as lateral files, mobile pedestals and other storage units, bookcases, and overhead cabinets. The company also offers adjustable tables, as well as meeting, conference, training, dining, and stand-alone and table desks; conference furniture product platforms; height desks, tables, and ergonomic seating and accessories principally for individual home offices and small businesses; technology support accessories, desktop organizational tools, and lighting and storage products; seating and lounge furniture, as well as side, cafA, and dining chairs; conference, training, dining, and occasional tables; and lighting, rugs, textiles, fabrics, felt, leather, upholstery, drapery, and related architectural products. It serves Fortune 1000 companies, governmental agencies, and other medium-to-large sized organizations in various industries, including financial, legal, technology, entertainment, accounting, education, healthcare, and hospitality through its direct sales force and showrooms, distribution partners, and independent dealers and retailers, as well as online. The company was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in East Greenville, Pennsylvania.
GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Grapevine, Texas. The company was originally known as GSC Holdings Corp. but later changed its name following its IPO. Originally a brand of then dominant Babbages, Gamestop altered the way video games were distributed and it is now the world's largest retailer of video games and video game accessories. The company went public in 2004 and operated 4,573 stores at the start of 2022. Brands under the company umbrella include Gamestop, EB Games, and Micromania as well as 50 pop-culture-themed Zing Pop locations.

Gamestop Corp. provides video games and entertainment products through its global network of e-commerce properties and stores. The company sells new and pre-owned gaming platforms and accessories like controllers, headsets, memory cards, and gaming software as well as in-game products like digital currency, downloadable content, and games. The company also sells new and used memorabilia and collectibles. Genres include TV, movie, comic book, and game characters as well as many other items from pop culture. GameStop Corp. also operates Game Informer, a magazine and website dedicated to the gaming industry including reviews, updates, and new developments in technologies.

Game enthusiasts enjoy two primary benefits of using Gamestop. The first is access to the full range of games and gaming accessories. The second is the ability to sell or trade their old equipment and games for fair prices. All old equipment is refurbished to a like-new state before resale.

In 2021 Gamestop announced it was entering the world of cryptocurrency. The company revealed plans to build an NFT (non-fungible token) platform for listing, selling, and holding digital or digitized artwork and collectibles. The beta version launched in 2022 and has so far seen great success with an average daily volume exceeding $1 million. The NFT marketplace also featured Web3.0 games in which characters and in-game items are held forever on the blockchain. As of September 2022, the most successful retailer on the NFT marketplace was Gamestop Presents, a collaboration of cover art from Game Informer Magazine. Sales at the time were just under 168 ETH or about $221,500.00.

GameStop began a slide in 2016 following a series of bad investments that included a foray into the world of mobile phones. The slide came to an end in late 2021 when shareholders using the Reddit thread Wallstreet Bets orchestrated a short-squeeze and brought on the age of meme stocks.
Ryder System, Inc. operates as a logistics and transportation company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), and Dedicated Transportation Solutions (DTS). The FMS segment offers full service leasing and leasing with flexible maintenance options, as well as maintenance services, supplies, and related equipment for operation of the vehicles; commercial vehicle rental services; and contract or transactional maintenance services of trucks, tractors, and trailers, as well as fleet support services. This segment also provides access to diesel fuel; offers fuel planning and tax reporting, cards, and monitoring services, and centralized billing; and sells used vehicles through its 63 retail sales centers and www.ryder.com/used-trucks website. The DTS segment offers equipment, maintenance, drivers, administrative, and additional services, as well as routing and scheduling, fleet sizing, safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, and technology and communication systems support services. The SCS segment comprises distribution management services, such as designing and managing customer's distribution network and facilities; coordinating warehousing and transportation for inbound and outbound material flows; handling import and export for international shipments; coordinating just-in-time replenishment of component parts to manufacturing and final assembly; and offering shipments to customer distribution centers or end customer delivery points, as well as other value added services, such as light assembly of components. This segment also offers transportation management services, such as shipment optimization, load scheduling, and delivery confirmation services; knowledge-based professional services; and e-commerce and last mile services. Ryder System, Inc. was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Post Holdings, Inc. operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, Refrigerated Retail, and BellRing Brands. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal and hot cereal products. It serves grocery stores, mass merchandise customers, supercenters, club stores, natural/specialty stores, and drug store customers, as well as sells its products in the military, ecommerce, and foodservice channels. The Weetabix segment primarily markets and distributes branded and private label RTE cereal, hot cereals and other cereal-based food products, breakfast drinks, and muesli. This segment sells its products to grocery stores, discounters, wholesalers, and convenience stores, as well as through ecommerce. The Foodservice segment produces and distributes egg and potato products in the foodservice and food ingredient channels. It serves foodservice distributors and national restaurant chains. The Refrigerated Retail segment produces and distributes side dishes, eggs and egg products, sausages, cheese, and other dairy and refrigerated products for grocery stores and mass merchandise customers. The BellRing Brands segment markets and distributes ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and supplements. It serves club stores, food, drug and mass customers, and online retailers, as well as specialty retailers, convenience stores, and distributors. Post Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Belden Inc. provides portfolio of signal transmission solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Solutions and Industrial Solutions. The Enterprise Solutions segment offers copper cable and connectivity solutions, fiber cable and connectivity solutions, interconnect panels, racks and enclosures, and signal extension and matrix switching systems for use in applications, such as local area networks, data centers, access control, 5G, fiber, and home and building automation. It also provides power, cooling, and airflow management products for mission-critical data center operations; and end-to-end copper and fiber network systems. This segment serves commercial real estate, hospitality, healthcare, education, financial, government, and broadband and wireless service providers, as well as end-markets, including sport venues, stadiums, data centers, military installations, and academia. The Industrial Solutions segment offers infrastructure components and on-machine connectivity systems; and industrial Ethernet switches, network management software, routers, firewalls, gateways, input/output (I/O) connectors/systems, industrial Ethernet cables, optical fiber industrial Ethernet cables, Fieldbus cables, IP and networking cables, I/O modules, distribution boxes, and customer specific wiring solutions. This segment provides its products for use in applications comprising network and fieldbus infrastructure; sensor and actuator connectivity; and power, control, and data transmission; and supplies heat-shrinkable tubing and wire management products to protect and organize wire and cable assemblies. It serves distributors, original equipment manufacturers, installers, and end-users. The company was formerly known as Belden CDT Inc. and changed its name to Belden Inc. in May 2007. Belden Inc. was founded in 1902 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) Asian investors have been found far more likely to pay attention to environmental and social issues than the Europeans, and Taiwan is one of 10 countries in the world whose investors are most concerned about the environment, according to a survey by Schroders, a London-based asset management company.
CA, Inc., doing business as CA technologies, develops, markets, delivers, and licenses software products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Mainframe Solutions, Enterprise Solutions, and Services. The Mainframe Solutions segment offers solutions for the IBM z Systems platform, which runs various mission critical business applications. Its mainframe solutions enable customers enhance economics by increasing throughput and lowering cost per transaction; increasing business agility through DevOps tooling and processes; increasing reliability and availability of operations through machine intelligence and automation solutions; and protecting enterprise data with security and compliance. The Enterprise Solutions segment provides a range of software planning, development, and management tools for mobile, cloud, and distributed computing environments. It primarily provides customers secure application development, infrastructure management, automation, and identity-centric security solutions. The Services segment offers various services, such as consulting, implementation, application management, education, and support services to commercial and government customers for implementation and adoption of its software solutions. The company serves banks, insurance companies, other financial services providers, government agencies, information technology service providers, telecommunication providers, transportation companies, manufacturers, technology companies, retailers, educational organizations, and health care institutions. It sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through various partner channels comprising resellers, service providers, system integrators, managed service providers, and technology partners. The company was formerly known as Computer Associates International, Inc. and changed its name to CA, Inc. in 2006. CA, Inc. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
ONEOK, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in gathering, processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas in the United States. It operates through Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines segments. The company owns natural gas gathering pipelines and processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions. It also gathers, treats, fractionates, and transports natural gas liquids (NGL), as well as stores, markets, and distributes NGL products. The company owns NGL gathering and distribution pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado; terminal and storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois; and NGL distribution and refined petroleum products pipelines in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as owns and operates truck- and rail-loading, and -unloading facilities connected to NGL fractionation, storage, and pipeline assets. In addition, it operates regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. Further, the company owns and operates a parking garage in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma; and leases excess office space. It operates 17,500 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines; 1,500 miles of FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines; 5,100 miles of state-regulated intrastate transmission pipeline; six NGL storage facilities; and eight NGL product terminals. It serves integrated and independent exploration and production companies; NGL and natural gas gathering and processing companies; crude oil and natural gas production companies; propane distributors; municipalities; ethanol producers; and petrochemical, refining, and NGL marketing companies, as well as natural gas distribution and electric generation companies, producers, processors, and marketing companies. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; data and analytics solutions; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. The company's Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearance and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.
Enzo Biochem, Inc., an integrated diagnostics, clinical lab, and life sciences company, researches, develops, manufactures, and markets diagnostic and research products based on genetic engineering, biotechnology, and molecular biology. It operates through three segments: Life Sciences Products, Clinical Laboratory Services, and Therapeutics. The Life Sciences Products segment develops, manufactures, and markets products and tools to clinical research, drug development, and bioscience research customers. It offers proteins, antibodies, peptides, small molecules, labeling probes, dyes, and kits, which provide life science researchers tools for target identification/validation, content analysis, gene expression analysis, nucleic acid detection, protein biochemistry and detection, and cellular analysis. This segment also provides its products to scientific experts in the fields of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes and obesity, endocrine disorders, infectious and autoimmune disease, hepatotoxicity, and renal injury. The Clinical Laboratory Services segment provides molecular and other clinical laboratory tests or procedures used in general patient care by physicians to establish or support a diagnosis, monitor treatment or medication, and search for an otherwise undiagnosed condition. It operates a full-service clinical laboratory in Farmingdale, New York; a network of 30 patient service centers in New York and New Jersey; and a free-standing 'STAT' or rapid response laboratories in New York City and Connecticut, as well as a full-service phlebotomy center and an in-house logistics department. The Therapeutics segment develops novel approaches in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious, ophthalmic, and metabolic diseases. It markets its products and services through its direct sales force and a network of distributors in the United States and internationally. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. The Consumer Banking and Lending segment offers diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses. Its financial products and services include checking and savings accounts, and credit and debit cards, as well as home, auto, personal, and small business lending services. The Commercial Banking segment provides financial solutions to private, family owned, and certain public companies. Its products and services include banking and credit products across various industry sectors and municipalities, secured lending and lease products, and treasury management services. The Corporate and Investment Banking segment offers a suite of capital markets, banking, and financial products and services to corporate, commercial real estate, government, and institutional clients. Its products and services comprise corporate banking, investment banking, treasury management, commercial real estate lending and servicing, equity, and fixed income solutions, as well as sales, trading, and research capabilities services. The Wealth and Investment Management segment provides personalized wealth management, brokerage, financial planning, lending, private banking, and trust and fiduciary products and services to affluent, high-net worth, and ultra-high-net worth clients. It also operates through financial advisors. Wells Fargo & Company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.




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By Helen King (Regular Contributor)

When Colombe Chatry, a tailors wife, died in May 1582 at the age of 68, at her husbands request her body was opened up to discover what had happened to a pregnancy she had started 28 years earlier, which had never come to anything but had left her with years of abdominal pain and loss of appetite. A petrified female fetus was discovered, and was first described by one of those who saw it immediately after its discovery, the physician Albosius (Jean dAilleboust), in the Portentosum Lithopaedion of 1582. This work was soon after translated into French by Simeon de Provancheres.

This is one of the very strange but real things which can happen in the female body; in 2015 a story of a calcified fetus made the news, but in that case the woman carrying it was 90  and alive. In the sixteenth century, how was this rare event understood?

Illustrations of the lithopedion sometimes included a Latin epigram linking it to the ancient Greek myth of the flood, in which the two survivors, Deucalion and Pyrrha, repopulated the world by walking over the earth and throwing stones behind them, which were transformed into living beings. This epigram may be translated as: Deucalion cast stones behind him and thus fashioned our tender race from the hard marble. How comes it that nowadays, by a reversal of things, the tender body of a little babe has limbs more akin to stone? While the stones thrown by Deucalion softened to become mortal, the lithopedion had hardened from flesh to stone; contemporary medical writers explained this by suggesting that the cause of the phenomenon was the coldness of the womb.

Display and disappearance

What happened to this prodigy? The lithopedion of Sens was very famous, discussed extensively in its own day, and included in the literature of the monstrous thereafter. The stone fetus was exhibited in several cities of Europe  the midwife Louise Bourgeois, for example, saw it before 1636 in Paris where it was in the possession of a merchant, M. Pretesegle. At this stage, she noted that it was missing one hand, which had remained stuck to the placenta.

In 1653 the lithopedion was in Italy, from where it passed to the cabinet of curiosities of King Frederick III of Denmark, and remained there until its disappearance from the Danish Museum of Natural History some time after 1826. Does anyone know what has become of it?

From curiosity to author

I became interested in the lithopedion when I was studying the eighteenth-century man-midwife, William Smellie. In the first, 1751, edition of his Theory and Practice of Midwifery, Smellie listed the title of the image in a compendium of gynecological writings edited by Israel Spach  Lithopedus Senonensis  as an author. Oops. His rival John Burton pounced on the error, gleefully announcing that, despite six years of preparing the book, Smellie had managed to convert an inanimate, petrefied Substance, into an Author. Probably all of you who have ever written anything will be able to recall the sinking feeling when you realize youve made an slip like this.

The error (quickly corrected for the 1752 edition) and Burtons attack on Smellie were sufficiently well known to form the basis of a passage in Laurence Sternes novel Tristram Shandy, which appeared in installments between 1759 and 1767. In volume 2, chapter 19, Sterne described how Tristrams father, who dippd into all kinds of books, looked into Lithopdus Senonesis de Partu difficili, published by Adrianus Smelvgot  clearly meant to be Smellie. The footnote states The author is here twice mistaken;  for Lithopdus should be wrote thus, Lithopdii Senonensis Icon. The second mistake is, that this Lithopdus is not an author, but a drawing of a petrified child. The account of this, published by Albosius, 1580, may be seen at the end of Corduss works in Spachius. Mr. Tristram Shandy has been led into this error, either from seeing Lithopduss name of late in a catalogue of learned writers in Dr. - , or by mistaking Lithopdus for Trinecavellius,  from the too great similitude of the names. Ouch!

Helen King is Professor of Classical Studies at The Open University. Her most recent book is The One-Sex Body on Trial (2013). Shes recently been devoting most of her time to creating a free online course on Health and Wellbeing in the Ancient World, which runs for six weeks from 6 February 2017. She also tweets as @fluff35, and has a personal blog on which she comments on various aspects of academic life.
Small reactors for heat and power in Russia

12 December 2016

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Four Russian cities have expressed an interest in using small reactors to supply heat and power, according to Yuriy Kuznetsov of NA Dollezhal Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering (NIKIET). A Rosatom feasibility study has concluded that up to 38 cogeneration reactors could potentially be deployed at 14 sites for this purpose.

In many Russian cities district heating is a common feature that sees a local power plant supply up to around 250 MWe to the grid, as well as process heat to a communal system to warm homes, schools, factories and offices. These systems have traditionally relied on fossil fuels but will need to change in line with incoming goals to gain in efficiency and to decarbonise, as set out by a Presidium of the State Council which specifically mentioned nuclear as a potential technology.

In response, NIKIET has completed the detailed design of the VK-300 reactor. The organisation's chief researcher, Yuriy Kuznetsov, spoke to Rosatom's 11th International Public Forum Dialogue in Moscow on 29 December.

VK-300 is a boiling water model with 750 MW thermal capacity and 150-250 MW electric depending on the required mix of heat and power. It uses proven components, including similar fuel elements to the large established VVER pressurized water design. Kuznetsov said VK-300 features fully passive cooling and safety features and has no need for operator action in an emergency or for offsite electricity or water supply. VK-300 has two containments and the consequences of any accident should not extend beyond the site boundary, he said.

The design was originally developed with a view to deployment at the Siberian Chemical Combine, but the new directive to modernise district heating across the country has prompted a 'comprehensive feasibility study' on VK-300 deployment in 2020-2030, said Kuznetsov. The study was based on potential deployment at Arkhangelsk, although there is not a firm proposal to do so. Nevertheless, the study also found public support in Arkhangelsk to be over 50%. VK-300 systems were considered to have a rate of return 1.6 times higher than fossil systems when financed at a 5% discount rate.

NIKIET counted 14 towns it considered suitable for two, three or four VK-300 units adding up to 38 units in total: Arkhangelsk, Ishevsk, Ivanovo, Kazan, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Kurgan, Murmansk, Perm, Tver, Ufa, Ulyanovsk, Vyatka and Yaroslavl. Furthermore, NIKIET was approached by Arkhangelsk, Perm, Tver and Ulyanovsk, whose officials expressed an interest in using nuclear energy for their heat and power needs.

The next step, said Kuznetsov, would be to set up a program to implement a pilot plant.



Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Communicating with Canadians about nuclear safety

12 December 2016

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Canada's nuclear industry is dedicated to transparency and proactive communication, but these are a shared responsibility among regulators, write Jason Cameron and Sunni Locatelli.

When the current Canadian government took office, it made a commitment to its citizens to enhance openness and transparency. It wanted to pursue its priorities with a renewed sense of collaboration and a willingness to listen. In this new environment of open government, citizens - including indigenous peoples - would be engaged and consulted widely. The government expected that our work would be informed by feedback from Canadians, who expect us to be honest, open and sincere in our efforts to serve the public interest.

With a mandate to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), as Canada's regulator, goes to great lengths to ensure that it is being open and transparent in all of its dealings. The CNSC has worked to increase Canadians' awareness of our role, hear stakeholder concerns, share our knowledge and expertise, and forge partnerships with our licensees.



Transparency is important for increasing public understanding and trust in the CNSC's role of protecting Canadians, their health and the environment. The CNSC also believes that establishing an atmosphere of openness with the public should be a key priority for all national nuclear regulators, and that transparency and proactive communications are a shared responsibility among regulators, facility operators and international organizations involved in nuclear safety and security.



The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident showed that nuclear regulators around the world needed to enhance their communications with the public. The CNSC has done this while advocating for greater transparency internationally. Also, major facility operators in Canada are now required to formalize and make public their public information and disclosure program.



It is important to the CNSC to actively engage and consult with the public. When proposing new or revising existing regulatory requirements, the CNSC consults broadly, actively seeking input from licensees, the public, non-governmental organizations, all levels of government, and international stakeholders. A variety of vehicles  including website announcements, social media postings and email distribution lists  are used to solicit this feedback. The CNSC considers all input when finalizing its regulatory requirements.



The Commission - the CNSC's decision-making body for major nuclear facilities  promotes openness and transparency by conducting public hearings and meetings, and by broadcasting these proceedings via live webcasts online on the CNSC website at nuclearsafety.gc.ca for those who cannot attend in person, and transcripts are made available on the site shortly afterwards. When possible, these proceedings are held in the communities where nuclear facilities are located. This ensures that the public most directly implicated by the matter at hand will have a voice in the decision-making process.



Indigenous peoples, as well as other members of the public including staff, participate in public hearings via written submissions and oral presentations. The CNSC's Participant Funding Program, established in 2011, enhances public participation by offering compensation to participate in the environmental assessment and licensing process, and helps participants give valuable information to the Commission.



Travelling throughout the country, CNSC staff regularly visit Canadians in their communities to answer their questions on nuclear regulation. Stakeholders are also engaged through a variety of outreach events across Canada. For instance, CNSC staff attend conferences and events to promote our educational materials on the regulation of the nuclear industry to teachers or to provide municipalities with information on radiation and environmental protection.



The CNSC encourages its experts to share their knowledge, and many of their technical articles have been peer-reviewed and published in various scientific journals. Scientific and technical paper abstracts, as well as journal articles, are also published on nuclearsafety.gc.ca. Data from CNSC's Independent Environmental Monitoring Program, which includes engagement with Indigenous peoples, is also published on the CNSC website.



While the CNSC continually strives to be a leader in public communication on nuclear safety, it is also the industry's responsibility to build trust. Licensees must do their part and provide information on their safety records and nuclear activities to their stakeholders and the people living near their facilities.



This industry's responsibility to communicate was formalized in 2013, when the CNSC implemented new regulatory requirements outlined in RD/GD-99.3, Public Information and Disclosure. These requirements put the onus on licensees to define their targeted audiences and to proactively inform them and stakeholders of the facilities' regular activities as well as any accidents.



The CNSC expects licensee-managed public information programs to work towards building public awareness and understanding of their nuclear activities. Developing and maintaining open communication channels, and sharing information regularly, will go a long way in assisting the facility and the public under regular operating circumstances or during an emergency.



Contributing to a transparent regulatory environment in Canada is hard work, but the end result is a better informed Canadian public. Our ongoing dialogue with the public about our role in protecting Canadians, their health and the environment through effective nuclear regulation continues to be a priority as we deliver our mandate and strive to be a world leader in transparency.



Jason Cameron and Sunni Locatelli

Comments? Please send them to editor@world-nuclear-news.org



Jason K. Cameron is CNSC vice president and chief communications officer and Sunni Locatelli is CNSC director general of strategic communications.

Related topics
Overview Of The Declaration Of Independence

The US Declaration of Independence is the historical document that announced the separation of the US colonies and Great Britain. It marks the beginning of American political history and defines the founding ideas that have shaped this country. The first of these ideas is that all men are born equally with the same rights OF life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Additionally, the purpose of government is the ensure that these rights are available to its citizens. If the government does not uphold its responsibility, it is the right of the people to change or abolish that government.

The Declaration of Independence is divided into three parts: the Preamble, the list of accusations against then-King George III, and the conclusion. The Preamble sets forth the fundamental ideas of American independence and governance. The accusations against the King demonstrate how these fundamental ideas were being disregarded and the conclusion further reiterates the reasons for independence.

This article takes a look at the events leading up to the creation of the Declaration of Independence, its first draft, and the vote for independence.

Leading Up To The Declaration Of Independence

Around 1760, the colonists in North America grew dissatisfied with British policies, particularly those surrounding taxes. Protests were met with resistance from the British government, closed the Boston port and implemented martial law throughout Massachusetts. In response, the colonists organized a boycott of British goods, which was met with violent resistance. Throughout the 13 colonies, British authorities and local governments were at odds although the feeling of loyalty to the British monarch was still strong.

In April of 1775, the American Revolutionary War began. Contrary to popular belief, however, the colonists did not begin this war to fight for independence. Instead, it was a demand for rights as subjects of the British monarchy. In fact, only a few people wanted complete independence, and their opinion was seen as radical at the time.

Growing Popularity For Independence

As the fighting continued, more people began to support the idea of a complete separation from England. Toward the end of the year, King George III demanded increased military action and in December of 1775, the British Parliament prohibited trade with the American colonies. At this point in history, even the most committed loyalist began to doubt the possibility of reconciliation with the British crown. In addition, various people, like Thomas Paine, began to spread the idea of independence as a human right.

By March of 1776, North Carolina voted in favor of independence. In April, Congress reopened ports, thus taking some of the first steps toward separation. Seven other colonies followed North Carolinas example in May, voting for independence as well. In June, a motion for independence was presented to Congress by Richard Lee of Virginia.

Lees Resolution For Independence

Not all of the representatives could agree on the resolution for independence. Some members of Congress believed that it was too early to declare independence, although they knew the relationship with Great Britain could not be reconciled. They believed the priority to be in finding foreign aid to finance the military. Proponents of the resolution claimed that foreign governments would not provide aid for a British war and that independence was the main priority.

Instead of voting, Congress was suspended for several weeks after creating a five-person committee to draft a document justifying separation from Great Britain. The committee was made up of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

Drafting The Declaration Of Independence

Of the five-person committee, it was Thomas Jefferson who drafted the document that would become the Declaration of Independence. He was given this task because of his ability to present political ideas. He first demonstrated this ability in his publication A Summary View of the Rights of British America. Because Jefferson wanted the draft to be free of prejudice and bias, he gave it to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams for review.

Franklin and Adams edited the draft by removing any lines they believed to be controversial or that Congress would not agree with. This included removing a section of the document that blamed King George III for the slave trade. Other edits focused on removing any passages that placed blame on British citizens rather than the government.

Thomas Jefferson made the proposed edits and drafted a final copy, which was presented to Congress on June 28, 1776. It was titled, A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled. The members of Congress further edited the document, shortening it by a quarter and changing some wording and structure. They also removed the accusation that Great Britain had forced slavery on the American colonies.

Voting For Independence

On July 1st, Congress once again began to debate Lees Resolution. Congress first voted as a committee of the whole, which is when all assembly members belong to a single committee. The delegates from each colony (between 2 and 7 people) first voted amongst themselves to determine their colonys vote. Then, they voted on behalf of the colony. Nine delegates voted in favor of the resolution for independence and on July 2nd, 3 more colonies changed their vote in favor of independence. The resolution was passed by Congress on July 2nd.

Independence Day

Although July 2nd is actually the day that the US broke political relations with Great Britain, July 4th is the day that Americans celebrate. This is because it was on this day that the wording of the Declaration of Independence was finalized. The document was also printed and made public on July 4th. This declaration of independence allowed the US to form an alliance with France and obtain financial assistance for the war.

Significance Of The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence continues to hold historical and political significance. Known as one of Americas Founding Documents, the original Declaration of Independence can be found in the National Archives Museum in Washington DC. It is located with the Constitution and Bill of Rights; these three documents are referred to as Charters of Freedom.

Today, the Declaration of Independence symbolizes an important marker in the history of democracy. It is the first formal document ever written by the people of a nation to claim their independence and form their own representative government. Its text has gone on to influence other governments around the world to draft their own documents of rights and independence.
Scene at the collapsed Reigners Bible Church International

By: Chan Yuan

(Scroll down for video) Police launched an investigation after the roof of a church collapsed while people were celebrating the appointment of a new bishop, police in Nigeria said.

Uyo police said that the incident unfolded on Saturday, at the Reigners Bible Church International.

A large group of people gathered at the church to celebrate the appointment of Bishop Akan Weeks. At some point, the metal roof collapsed.

Pieces of the roof fell on people in the church, causing 160 people to lose their lives. Hundreds more were injured.

People are angry as they believe the construction of the church was rushed and the integrity of the building was compromised.
Monday, Dec. 12, 2016

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- After missing for nearly a week, 15-year-old Calah Waskow will be returned to Georgia from Tennessee.

All of this comes just two days after investigators found her and 37-year-old Jason Johnson at a candy store in Tennessee. Johnson is currently facing child molestation charges, and will soon be extradited back to Georgia.

The Waskow's say because Calah is labeled as a runaway, she will have to stay in a Youth Detention Center until a judge rules to release her into her parents custody.

So what does it mean to be labeled as a runaway?

According to the National Runaway Safeline, a runaway can be defined as 'an unruly child' in the state of Georgia. Under state law, an unruly child means, among other things, a child who, without consent of his/her guardian deserts his/her home.

The definition of a runaway varies by state, but a runaway could be classified as a status offender in any state. According to Nolo.com, a "status offense" by a juvenile involves conduct that would not be a crime if it was committed by an adult. In other words, the actions are considered to be a violation of the law only because of the youth's status as a minor (typically anyone under 18 years of age).

Calah falls under the state of Georgia's classification of a minor, which is under the age of 18. This age also varies by state.

In Georgia, a runaway youth may be taken into custody without a warrant by a police officer and then can be released into the custody of their guardian. Running away is a status offense in Georgia, and runaways can also be held in secure detention facilities in Georgia.

Calah will have to be held in a youth detention center until a judge releases her into the custody of her parents.

The National Runaway Safeline says generally speaking it is not illegal to run away. If a child is considered a runaway and it is a status offense, the offense will go off their record once they reach legal adult age.

Since it is not a criminal offense, only law enforcement agencies can determine if a child is a runaway or not, and schools and employers will not see that on their record.
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Washington, Dec. 11 (CNA) Two U.S. scholars specializing in Asian affairs expressed very different views on Sunday as to whether Taiwan will be used as a bargaining chip by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump in his dealings with China and whether Washington will change its one China policy.
The 21st Century Cures Act is an early Christmas gift from the US Congress to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The bill guts the regulatory powers of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), weakening the standards used to judge the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices. Notably, the bill does nothing to address skyrocketing drug prices.

As part of its public relations cover for the corporate giveaway, Congress included in the bill some limited funding for biomedical research and other health initiatives. This funding, however, is not mandatory and will be subject to the annual appropriations battles over discretionary spending. It is likely that these funds will never materialize.

Crafted over the course of two years with the input of more than 1,400 lobbyists, the Cures Act received overwhelming bipartisan support. The House voted 392 to 96 in favor of the nearly 1,000-page bill, and last week the Senate passed the bill in a vote of 94 to 5. President Obama says he looks forward to signing the bill when it reaches his desk.

The widely publicized portion of the bill contains $6.3 billion in funding for biomedical research and health initiatives. The FDA will receive $500 million through 2026 to pay for the provisions in the act, but nothing to address the agencys other longstanding problems. The bill also grants states $1 billion in funding to combat the opioid epidemic, and support for mental health initiatives.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has seen its budget decline 22 percent since 2003, will receive $4.8 billion (an earlier House version called for $8.75 billion), but spread out in equal portions over 10 years. This includes the $1.8 billion reserved for the cancer moonshot being pushed by Vice President Joe Biden, and another $1.6 billion earmarked for research on brain diseases such as Alzheimers.

While the bill authorizes $4.8 billion to the NIH over the next 10 yearson average, a mere $480 million a yearthis is barely a quarter per year of what the House passed last year, Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee on health and human services, told the New York Times.

There is also no guarantee that the appropriators will follow through and provide funding each year, said DeLauro.

When American voters say Congress is owned by big companies, this bill is exactly what they are talking about, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a speech from the floor last week.

Why bother with a fig leaf in the Cures bill? Why pretend to give any money to NIH or opioids? Because this funding is political cover for huge giveaways to giant drug companies, said Warren.

Moreover, the Cures Act actually cuts $3.5 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to The Hill. The fund was established to promote the prevention of Alzheimers disease, hospital-acquired infections and chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Cutting the Prevention Fund will limit the nations ability to improve health and quality of life and prevent disease, Rich Hamburg, interim president and CEO of The Trust for Americas Health, told NBC News. This is the nations first and only substantial investment in moving from our current sick care system to a true preventive health system.

The Cures Act represents a significant rollback of the regulatory authority of the FDA and the guidelines used to approve new drugs for the past half century.

The modern system of drug regulation was established by the 1962 Kefauver-Harris Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 in response to the thalidomide tragedy. Thalidomide was approved for sale in Europe as an over-the-counter treatment for morning sickness in pregnant women in the late 1950s, but resulted in thousands of babies being born with crippling and deadly birth defects.

Famously, FDA reviewer Francis Oldham Kelsey withheld approval of the drug, insisting that it first be fully tested. Her decision minimized the fallout from the tragedy in the US.

Previously, a drug would be automatically approved if the FDA failed to act on an application within a certain time period. The Kefauver-Harris Amendments transformed the FDA into an actual gatekeeper. Drugs could no longer be marketed unless both their safety and efficacy had first been demonstrated through a series of carefully designed clinical trials. Standards were issued for the manufacture, packaging and labeling of drugs, along with a system for reporting adverse events.

Congress has made a number of modifications to the modern system since thensuch as creating an expedited approval process, and requiring that pharmaceutical companies fund agency drug reviewsbut the Cures Act marks a qualitative development.

Instead of relying primarily on randomized clinical trials, the gold standard for determining drug safety and efficacy, the Act requires the FDA to consider real world evidence, such as anecdotal observations of patient outcomes.

A homeopath would love this provision, and Im sure, so would drug companies, oncologist David Gorski commented in 2015 on the Science-Based Medicine web site. Why bother with the time, bother, and expense of those pesky clinical trials to get your drug approved for additional indications, when you can rely on clinical experiences based on therapeutic use, uncontrolled observational studies, or registries instead?

The bill creates a new expedited pathway for regenerative medicine products that rely on surrogate or intermediate endpoints, instead of clinical endpoints such as patient survival. Expedited approvals require a rigorous collection of post-approval data to confirm the safety and efficacy of the drug, but a report released last year by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the FDA was not fulfilling its post-market oversight obligations.

The Cures Act allows pharmaceutical companies to promote off-label uses for drugs (uses not indicated by the FDA-approved label) to insurance providers. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has faced major fines for off-label promotion, and it has sought to roll back restrictions on promotion of off-label uses by suing the FDA, claiming that such restrictions violate free speech. The new rule will discourage companies from funding clinical trials for new indications of a drug.

The limited population pathway provision of the Act pressures the FDA to approve new antibiotics, antifungals and possibly other drugs based on smaller clinical trials, which will be less likely to detect safety risks or establish efficacy.

The bill reauthorizes and expands priority review voucher programs. Intended to promote the development of drugs that treat rare or neglected diseases, the FDA has nonetheless awarded priority vouchers, which can be sold to other companies for large sums of money, for treatments already widely used. Furthermore, there is no provision guaranteeing that these treatments will be made available or affordable.

The Cures Act also weakens the already lax regulations governing medical devices. It requires FDA employees to only ask for the minimum possible amount of information when approving new medical devices, eases the FDAs authority to regulate combination drug/device products, and provides an overly broad category of breakthrough devices.

The watchdog group Public Citizen has detailed these and other problematic provisions contained in the Cures Act.

These provisions would unravel the FDA, turning it from the treatment watchdog it is today into a puppet of the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, said Johns Hopkins medical doctors Reshma Ramachandran and Zackary Berger in an opinion piece for STAT News earlier this month .

If the 21st Century Cures Act is passed as written, clinicians could be given potentially deadly drugs and devices to prescribe to their patients, blessed by this new version of FDA approval, they wrote.

The Cures Act was one of the most heavily lobbied bills proposed by the 114th Congress, with over 1,455 lobbyists representing 400 companies and other organizations, according to Kaiser Health News, which analyzed lobbying data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. This includes 78 pharmaceutical companies, 24 device companies and 26 biotech companies, which reported more than $192 million in lobbying expenses on the Cures Act and other legislative priorities.

The Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade association representing the drug industry, spent $24.7 million of its overall $30.3 million in spending on the bill.

The Cures Act was also supported by a number of patient advocacy groups. While claiming to give voice to patients, these groups are often heavily tied to the pharmaceutical industry.

A study published this month by the Project on Government Oversight found that at least 93 percent (39 out of 42) of the patient advocacy groups included in stakeholder discussions with the FDA in late 2015 and early 2016 received funding from the pharmaceutical industry. More than a third of these organizations (15), had executives, directors or other personnel from the pharmaceutical or biotech industry on their governing boards.

The premise behind the billthat the FDA holds up and delays the approval of potentially life-saving drugshas no basis in reality. Last year the FDA approved 45 novel drugs, the highest number since the record-setting 53 approvals in 1996.

The emphasis has been on getting drugs and devices on the market quickly, not on making sure that they are safe, Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and critic of the Cures Act, told Health News Review last year.

An analysis by Forbes this past August found that this year the FDA has rejected only 11 percent of the new uses for new molecular entities it has reviewed (3 out of a total of 28). In 2008, the rejection rate stood at 66 percent.

The evidence is that were living in a golden age of drug approvals, at least from a drug companys perspective, writes Forbes reporter Matthew Herper.

Groups such as the ultra-conservative Goldwater Institute and Manhattan Institute have long been pushing for reforms to the FDA, a cause that was taken up by Michigan Republican Fred Upton, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Upton was the major sponsor of the act and in the course of the past two election cycles received $536,650 in campaign donations from pharmaceutical and health products groups, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
Over the past three days, a conflict within the US ruling elite over foreign policy, centering on Russia, has exploded into public recriminations. It has taken the form of increasingly frenzied claims in the corporate-controlled media that Russian hacking targeted the US presidential election for the purpose of bringing about the election of Republican Donald Trump.

The campaign was sparked by back-to-back articles in the Washington Post Friday night and the New York Times Saturday, claiming that a secret new CIA assessment had determined that the Russian government had tried to help Trump win the presidency. This is the alleged motivation behind the hacking of emails from the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign, which were then supplied to WikiLeaks for public release.

The Times presented as proof of alleged Russian favoring of Trump the claim that hackers had also penetrated the Republican National Committee but had not released Republican emails because the goal was to discredit Clinton and not Trump. This report was flatly denied by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who has been named chief of staff for the incoming Trump White House.

Trump himself made an appearance on Fox News Sunday and denounced the reports of Russian intervention as sour grapes by the Democrats to explain away their election defeat. I think its ridiculous, he said. I think its just another excuse. I dont believe it I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country.

The intensity of the divisions with the US ruling elite was demonstrated in the Trump transition teams initial response to the reported CIA assessment, which noted sarcastically, These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

As Glenn Greenwald noted in The Intercept: There is still no such evidence for any of these claims. What we have instead are assertions, disseminated by anonymous people, completely unaccompanied by any evidence, let alone proof. As a result, none of the purported evidencestillcan be publicly seen, reviewed, or discussed. Anonymous claims leaked to newspapers about what the CIA believes do not constitute proof, and certainly do not constitute reliable evidence that substitutes for actual evidence that can be reviewed.

The immediate purpose of the Russian hacking claims, launched by Clinton and the Democratic Party on the eve of the Democratic convention in July, was to distract attention from the content of the leaked emails, which documented a conspiracy between the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee to undermine the primary campaign of Bernie Sanders.

It is now clear, however, that underlying the public conflict over the hacking allegations is a ferocious struggle over foreign policy. Trump speaks for a faction within the ruling class that wants to focus US policy on a more aggressive military, economic and diplomatic offensive against China. The Democrats and leading media outlets such as the New York Times and the Washington Post speak for a faction of the intelligence establishment and the military that is opposed to any shift away from the aggressive and confrontational posture toward Russia.

This was underscored by an editorial posted Sunday night by the Times headlined Russias Hand in Americas Election. The Times repeats, again without providing any evidence, the claims of Russian hacking in support of Trumps election campaign. It praises Clinton for having pledged that, if elected, she would redouble efforts to punish and isolate Moscow for war crimes in Syrias civil war and aggression toward Ukraine and other neighbors. One might conclude that had Clinton won, her first act would have been to provoke a war with Russia, with the enthusiastic support of the Times.

Using extraordinary language, the editorial continues: In Mr. Trump, the Russians had reason to see a malleable political novice, one who had surrounded himself with Kremlin lackeys. It concludes by suggesting that, as a result of Russian intervention, The election was indeed rigged.

While the campaign on Trump and Russia escalates, neither the Times nor the Democrats devote a fraction of that energy to condemning the cabinet of billionaire reactionaries and generals Trump is assembling or his plans to dismantle Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and public education and eliminate all restrictions on corporate pollution of the environment and all regulations on the banks and big business.

They are entirely focused on preventing any shift under Trump away from the offensive against Russia. The hysterical and neo-McCarthyite character of their campaign was summed up in a commentary published on the Daily Beast web site by Clinton supporter Michael Tomasky, headlined World War III: Democrats and America vs. Trump and Russia. Tomasky characterized the Washington Post report on Trump and Russia and the New York Times follow-up as Hiroshima and Nagasaki for Trump, while suggesting that congressional Republicans who backed Trump, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, were guilty of treason.

This campaign, reviving the methods of anticommunist witch-hunting, is aimed not only at Trump, but at anyone who raises questions about US foreign policy, implicitly branding them as Russian agents.

In his appearance Sunday on Fox, Trump indicated the foreign policy orientation he stands for when he placed a question mark over Washingtons decades-long One China policy acknowledging that Taiwan is not a sovereign nation, but rather part of China. I fully understand the One-China policy, Trump said. But I dont know why we have to be bound by a One-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, currency devaluation, the South China Sea and North Korea.

There is no shred of pacifism or appeasement in Trumps apparent shift away from confrontation with Russia. His extreme nationalist brand of militarism is simply focused on a different set of targetsor more precisely, the same targets as Obama, but in a different order. Trump is prioritizing China over Russia as a target of US economic, diplomatic and military pressure.

These rapid-fire events, in which intelligence agencies feed the media and the media seeks to stampede public opinion, only underscore the manipulative character of the election process as a whole. The real issues being fought out within the ruling eliteover what tactics and methods to employ against its global rivalswere concealed from the population while a barrage of slanders and scandals was unleashed to provide political cover for a further shift to the right.
This review of Moonlight was submitted by a reader in response to an earlier review that appeared on the WSWS.

Moonlight, written and directed by Barry Jenkins, is a film about a young man, Chiron, growing up in Liberty City, a predominantly poor and black neighborhood in the northern part of Miami. Based on a script by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, Moonlight is an intimate portrayal of coming of age and sexual discovery. Chiron and those around him seek friendship, mentorship, love and meaning in an often brutal society beset by an expanding drug epidemic.

The film falls into three parts showing Chirons childhood, adolescence and adulthood. With strong directing by Jenkins, actors Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes portray Chiron movingly, and make his development through the film convincing despite the technical difficulties involved. Chirons loneliness and abuse by peers are assuaged in part by a number of people, including his friend and later romantic interest, Kevin (played by Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jones and Andre Holland). A local drug dealer Juan (Mahershala Ali) and his partner Teresa (Janelle Monae) bring Chiron into their lives as Chirons mother Paula (Naomie Harris) falls prey to the drug crisis and abuses him.

The authentic and genuinely interesting character of the protagonists is one of the films greatest appeals. Chirons mother is a source of great unhappiness in his life, and yet we see her struggle to provide for and love her son when she can, in what become impossible circumstances. Juan, who effectively adopts Chiron, projects the strength and bravado required by his profession while appearing to inwardly deplore his state and actions. It is Chirons sensitivity and isolation that seem to most attract him. Kevin, who unlike Chiron is able to meld perfectly into the social expectations of a young man in Liberty City, is drawn to Chiron because Chiron cannot disguise his sensitivity or, later, sexuality.

Moonlights success owes much to the careful artistry of its production. Jenkins and cinematographer James Laxton use the harsh sunlight of southern Florida, the jumble of bright colors in dense urban housing, and the long vistas of the ocean to evoke natural beauty even in scenes of ordinary life. The ocean, which McCraney and Jenkins describe as ever-present for those who grow up in Miami, is a source of refuge to Chiron and almost palpable to viewers throughout the film. The music by Nicholas Britell ranges in style from funk to baroque, mimicking the mix of the films emotional and social experiences, sometimes hauntingly.

Despite the films sensitivity and beauty, it has its weaknesses. Most strikingly, Moonlight never quite reaches a conclusion, and one has the sense that Jenkins and McCraney did not know how the plot should resolve itself, nor the characters proceed. Chirons personal transformations are brilliantly enacted by Hibbert, Sanders and Rhodes, but are not intuitive, nor wholly believable, in the films last part. One of Chirons principle tormentors in adolescence, Terrel (Patrick Decile), communicates to the audience the brutality of the social environment, and the cruelty of bullying, but his motives and circumstances are not explored.

In a way, Moonlight gives the impression of a series of sketches, or a novella, created with authenticity and great artistry, but incomplete. It must be noted however that these limitations are linked to the films greatest strengths. Moonlight is based on a drama school project written by McCraney in his youth, and is partly autobiographical. This gives the scenes and characters added realism, but perhaps explains the films difficulty in finding an artistic resolution.

Moonlight has deservedly garnered much praise, with many critics speculating a possible best picture win at the Oscars. It is undeniably a far more serious and interesting work than most films emerging from Hollywood today, including quite a few recent best picture winners or nominees.

However, with a black director, all-black cast and gay protagonist, the film has also inevitably attracted the attention of a left milieu obsessed more with identity politics than with the films artistic qualities. The assertion by the Guardians deputy arts editor Benjamin Lee that the film is proudly black and refreshingly queer is emblematic of these responses. By contrast, actor Andre Holland told the Washington Post about Moonlight, I think its easy to put it in a box of, oh, its a black film or a black, gay film about these poor kids, but really, at the center of it, its a love story, and I love that people can see past all that stuff on the exterior.

With its authentic and complex depictions of childhood, loneliness, sexuality and poverty, and a number of especially moving scenes, Hollands description of Moonlight appears justified.

See also, a clip from Moonlight
On December 2, a warehouse in Oakland, California that was being rented out as artist studios burned down, killing 36 people, making it the worst building fire in the US since 2003. The Ghost Ship warehouse was rented by an artist collective known as Satya Yuga that hosted music shows and sublet studios that artists would also live in.

The antiquated building only had a permit for use as a warehouse. Public records show it had not been inspected for building code violations in over 30 years. The building was not even listed in the fire safety inspectors database, despite state law requiring yearly fire inspections for all commercial buildings.

Without basic safety measures, like sprinklers, exit signs, or even working fire extinguishers, the maze of informally built live/work studios quickly became a death trap when the fire broke out. Investigators have not yet determined the immediate cause of the fire, although they suspect electrical failure.

The broader cause of this tragedy is the economic crisis, which has resulted in the slashing of public funding for safety inspections. At the same time, housing prices have skyrocketed as part of a speculative real estate bubble while median incomes have declined. Increasingly working-class and lower middle-class residents in high rent regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, which includes Oakland, can only afford substandard, informal and, in many cases, unsafe shelter.

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with Laura Lane, the Housing Practice Director at the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), which provides free legal work for low-income residents in Oakland and neighboring Berkeley. Lane has worked at the ECBLC since 1997 and has been a director there for almost 15 years.

While a lot of the media has focused on the issue of artists moving into old industrial spaces, Lane explained that the problems with informal housing were much broader. There are a lot of low-income people living in converted basements, and converted garages, and converted storage units, she said.

The housing costs are so high, people with ordinary jobs cant afford market-rate housing. They have to live close enough to public transportation to get to their jobs. They dont have the choice to move out to the Central Valley, so they have to live where they can. We see a lot more people living in smaller units, a lot of 4-person families living in one or two bedroom units. Then the landlord at some point says its too many people in the household.

While tenants may have an oral agreement with the landlord, Lane said, they put up with hazardous conditions because theyre in a position where if they complain, if they try to get the landlord to make any repairs or do anything to make the unit safer or more habitable, then the landlord will turn around and say Oh, youre not supposed to be living there or maybe will stop accepting their rent.

I have a case right now, Lane explained where its clearly a residential rental agreement and the landlord is trying to evict the tenant saying its a storage unit. It is a converted storage unit but it has a kitchen and a bathroom in it so its clearly not rented out for storage. Its typical for the landlord to turn around and say I had no idea you were living there, even though its clearly been prepared for residential use. We see that a lot.

These tenants are also unable to get the city to fix unsafe conditions. Theyre afraid to call Codes and Compliance because the building inspector could red-tag the property and then they would have to leave. But they cant actually afford to leave so theyre in a very precarious situation.

The clients I see, theres no place for them to go. Theyre either moving far out of the area, which if theyre employed at all they cant do, or theyre going to be homeless. So every case is high-stakes because tenants have to fight to keep their tenancy because theyre not going to get another one. If they move out of that unit thats been subject to rent control into a market-rate unit, they might be going from $800/month to $2000/month and that will be more than their familys monthly income.

In Oakland, the median monthly cost for a new rental is $3,000 a month, according to Zillow.com. That is equivalent to the median monthly income for households that rent in Oakland, which is also $3,000. A rental is generally considered affordable if it is a third or less of a tenants income.

The majority of our work involves defending low income tenants who are being evicted. But its changed many times over the years. After the foreclosure crisis what were having is what I refer to as the investor crisis. Investors have bought all of these properties and they are trying to push people out and get properties out from under rent control.

What were seeing more and more is that theyre buying the properties and deliberately making them uninhabitable by doing a lot of demolition work in the property to force the tenants to vacate. Or theyre deliberately allowing the property to become red-tagged by the city so tenants will have to vacate.

California law makes it illegal for cities to restrict the amount that rent can be increased for new tenants. Therefore landlords have a financial incentive to evict long-term tenants who are paying below market rates because of rent-control measures.

Lane described one of these cases. I challenged an eviction of an elderly Cantonese man from an SRO (Single Room Occupancy residence) on 8th St. in Oakland. In June the case went to trial. The landlord bought the property, which had 40 units. In an SRO tenants share bathrooms and kitchens. So on each floor there were three bathrooms and one kitchen for 20 units and there were two residential floors.

The landlord demolished one of the kitchens and four of the bathrooms, so then you had 40 households sharing one kitchen and two bathrooms. My client withheld his rent. He was the only tenant who did because everyone else was too scared. The landlord tried to evict him for nonpayment of rent and we won that case.

Although the housing crisis is expressed sharply in cities like Oakland, it is a nationwide phenomenon. A study by Harvard University showed average rental prices in the US increased by seven percent between 2001 and 2014, while median household income declined by nine percent. That growing gap pushes more and more people into the housing gray market that produced the Ghost Ship fire.
A study released last week by a team of economists from Stanford, Harvard and the University of California at Berkeley found that the odds of American children growing up to earn more than their parents declined precipitously from 1970 to the present. Whereas in 1970, 92 percent of 30-year-olds earned more than their parents did at a similar age, that number fell to 51 percent by 2014.

The figures for males were even worse. As of 2014, only 41 percent of 30-year-old men earned more than their fathers at a similar age. The researchers also found that the decline in the ability of children to earn more than their parents was greatest in the Midwest, where decades of deindustrialization have had their most devastating social impact.

The economists concluded that even rapid economic growth would do little to reverse the downward trend because of the immense and ongoing growth of social inequality.

The authors of the study described their findings as a harsh verdict on the strength of what they called the American dream. In fact, their own findings add to a mass of social indices demonstrating that the much-vaunted but largely mythical American dream has turned into a nightmare. To the extent that this term, promoted to encourage illusions in American capitalism, ever corresponded to social reality, it was largely in connection with the belief that each young generation would enjoy a better standard of living than the one that preceded it.

Just last week, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that overall life expectancy in the US declined for the first time in more than two decades in 2015. The fall reflected rising death rates for a variety of diseases, an increase in unintentional injuries, accelerating suicide rates and an increase in infant mortality.

Earlier this year, a group of Harvard researchers reported that there was a 15-year life expectancy gap between men in the richest one percent of the population and those in the bottom one percent. Another reflection of the social crisis is the CDCs finding that deaths from heroin overdoses surpassed gun homicides in 2015, while total annual deaths from all opioid overdoses quadrupled between 1999 and 2015.

The study on pay noted that the sharpest drop in the percentage of young adults earning more than their parents occurred from 1970 to about 1992from 92 percent to 58 percent. The percentage stabilized for about a decade and began to fall again beginning in 2002.

There is a direct correlation between this downward trajectory in living standards and the decay of American capitalism. The 1970s was the decade when the unraveling of the post-World War II economic boom and the erosion of the dominance of American industry found open expression in the collapse of the Bretton Woods monetary system in 1971 and the growing share of global markets, including the US market, captured by rivals such as Germany and Japan.

At the end of the decade, the American ruling class initiated a major shift in its class policy, terminating the postwar period of relative class compromise and launching a class-war offensive aimed at breaking the militant resistance of the working class and reversing its previous social gains. A wave of plant closures and mass layoffs that began under the Democratic Carter administration was intensified under Reagan, who used the growth of unemployment along with union busting and wage cutting, made possible by the betrayals and collusion of the unions, to drive down working-class living standards.

This ruling-class offensive has continued ever since, under Democratic no less than Republican administrations. The pace of decline in working-class living standards slowed somewhat in the 1990s, with Clinton presiding over a transient upward trend in economic growth based on the removal of virtually all restraints on financial speculation and parasitism. The resulting dot.com bubble imploded in 2000, fueling a new wave of mass layoffs and wage cutting under both the Bush and Obama administrations. This offensive was stepped up in response to the Wall Street crash of 2008.

It is this social catastrophe, rooted in the decline of American capitalism, that underlies the political crisis of both big-business parties in the 2016 election and the victory of Trumpthe personification of the economic, political and moral decay of the American ruling class.

The election was dominated by the growth of popular anger and disgust with both parties and the political and economic status quo. The broad popular support, particularly among young people and workers, for the Democratic primary campaign of Bernie Sanders, who presented himself as a socialist opponent of the billionaire class and social inequality, reflected the initial stages of a movement of the working class to the left. Sanders worked to channel this opposition behind the Democratic Party, culminating in his endorsement of and campaign for Hillary Clinton.

Clintons campaign, the most right-wing in modern Democratic Party history, focused on scandalmongering against Trump and warmongering against Russia. She was broadly backed by Wall Street and the CIA and ran as the continuator of Obamas supposed economic recovery. She utilized racial and gender politics to portray white working class support for Trump as motivated by racism and sexism and distract attention from the ongoing growth of social inequality and impoverishment of broad layers of working people.

In an election where the two candidates vied for the distinction of being the most despised presidential contenders in US history, and the biggest bloc of voters were those who saw no reason to vote, Trump was given a free path by the Democrats and Sanders to exploit the economic grievances of workers and middle-class people whose living standards had been devastated by the policies of both parties.

Both the Obama administration and the Clinton election campaign were the outcome of nearly five decades, beginning at the end of the 1960s, during which the Democratic Party has repudiated any connection to policies of social reform and moved ever more sharply to the right.

It will not take long for workers, including those who voted for Trump, to realize that they have been taken for a ride and face in his administration the most ferocious enemy of the working class. His cabinet of billionaire reactionaries and warmongering generals already makes clear that his will be the most right-wing, anti-working class government in US history.

Trumps policies of social counterrevolution and war will do nothing to resolve the underlying crisis of American and world capitalism. They will only exacerbate the social crisis. The working class will face immense shocks in the coming months. It will move into struggle against a government that is preparing an unprecedented level of state repression in defense of the corporate-financial elite.

The interests and needs of the working class can find no expression within the existing political system. The defense of democratic and social rights must assume the conscious form of a socialist political movement of the working class against the capitalist system.
Hundreds of navy soldiers deployed by the Sri Lankan government violently broke up a protest by striking Hambantota Magampura Port workers inside the port on Saturday.

Since Wednesday some 480 workers at the port in southern Sri Lanka have been on strike, opposing its privatisation and demanding they become permanent employees of the state-owned Ports Authority. The Magampura Port Workers Union was compelled to call the industrial action because of the deep opposition of workers to the governments sale of the port.

While the strike was taking place, the cash-strapped government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday sealed a deal to sell an 80 percent stake in the port to the Chinese state-owned Merchants Port Holdings Company. The Ports Authority will keep a 20 percent share. Workers fear they will lose their jobs as a result.

Striking workers occupied the upper floor of the administration building as part of their protest. They also prevented a Japanese K line container vessel, the Hyperion Highway, from leaving with around 5,000 motor vehicles on board. Another cargo ship, the Chinese-owned MV Hoyanger, is still in the port, unable to unload goods.

Heavily-armed soldiers were led by Commander of Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, who was caught on camera threatening workers and manhandling a local journalist Roshan Dilip Kumara. Sailors reached the port by navy craft, shooting in the air to intimidate workers. Dozens of workers who were at sea in life saving boats to prevent ships leaving the port were beaten by navy soldiers using wooden poles.

Workers who were occupying the administration building and picketing its entrance were attacked with poles, rifles and kicked by naval ratings. Four workers had to be hospitalised. One, Anura Dissanayake, 49, suffered a heart attack. Dhanushka Rikshan, 27, Dhammika Prasad, 35, and R. A. Jagath Priyashantha, 29, are receiving treatment for their injuries at Hambantota hospital.

Despite being dispersed by the navy, workers are continuing the strike and protest. Hundreds of navy soldiers are now occupying the port, allowing the Japanese ship to sail away.

After terrorising the workers, the navy is seeking to brand their legitimate protest as a terrorist act. Navy spokesman Captain Akram Alavi, told the AFP: We were called in because the action of the dock workers amounted to piracy. We want to make sure that the foreign vessels could have free passage. He claimed that detaining ships was a violation of international law and the navy was the competent authority to intervene.

Striking workers told the World Socialist Web Site that the previous government of President Mahinda Rajapakse recruited them as cheap labour.

In March 2013 they were hired for training, paid just 10,000 rupees (then around $US83) per month. After one and a half years of training they were absorbed into a newly-established private company, the Magampura Port Management Company, which hired them for port work. At present their monthly salary is about 24,500 rupees (around $167), all inclusive.

I.K. Omesh said he was married, with an 18-month-old child. I got a loan by showing my company salary, he explained. Now, if I lose the job, how can I pay my loan back? My whole future is at risk.

Another worker angrily said: The navy commander tried to brand our action as a terrorist one and destroy it. Our struggle is a legitimate one. The ports minister says we will not be recruited to the Ports Authority. What shall we do if we lose our jobs?

A third worker said: We have information that there is a plan to arrest the leaders of the strike. However, there are others who are ready to take the leadership. We will carry on the struggle until we win our demands. One striking worker commented: All the workers have trained and done technical courses. The Mahinda Rajapakse government promised to give us jobs under the Ports Authority but didnt. We oppose privatisation. This is a struggle against the privatisation.

Another worker declared: Foreign investors are coming here to exploit cheap labour. We are not ready to give our future into their hands. The Ports Authority and the government are not ready to recruit, because they want to allow foreign investors to exploit us brutally. We are not ready to accept that.

The Magampura Port Workers Union is peddling the illusion that the strike and protest actions can pressure the government to accede to the workers demands.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Lal Kantha visited the strikers and asked them to keep pressurising the government. But workers cannot defend their jobs and fight the privatisation by appealing to the very government that is implementing this program. Lal Kantha did not even offer to call out members of JVP-aligned trade unions to back the strikers.

Former President Rajapakse and a group of MPs led by him are seeking to exploit the opposition developing among workers. Rajapakse urged the government to make the strikers permanent and absorb them into the Ports Authority. But he did not explain why his government did not do that and instead relegated them to working for a private company.

Other MPs, including Namal Rajapakse and National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa, criticised the government for sending in the navy and attacking workers. Yet the same MPs were in the previous Rajapakse government that deployed the army and police to suppress the struggles of workers and the poor.

In the Katunayake free trade zone in 2011, police fired on a protest killing one worker. In 2012, police killed a person while attacking protesting fishermen. In 2013, three young people were killed when the army was unleashed on protesting villagers at Weliweriya, in the suburbs of Colombo.

By deploying the navy, the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government has sent a message, not only to Magampura workers but to the whole working class, that it will not bend to workers demands but use police-military methods to suppress their struggles. These methods were developed during the thirty years of communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga arrogantly attacked workers rights. He said the government had the authority to remove them because the port workers were recruited by the former Rajapakse administration. He said the government was previously willing to negotiate with the Chinese company to recruit them. After the strike, I cannot guarantee this, he declared.

The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government is facing a deep economic crisis, with declining exports, and rising debts and balance of payment deficits. The government is imposing the prescriptions of the International Monetary Fund to impose the burden of the crisis onto workers by cutting state expenditure and restructuring state-owned ventures, including by privatising key sectors.

The sell-off of the Magampura Port is part of this attack. It was built with a $1.4 billion loan from China, and the sale is swapping debt into equity. The government is seeking investment from China and other countries by offering resources, including land, cheap labour and huge tax-free concessions.

Only through a political fight against the governments agenda can workers defend jobs, wages and other social rights, including free education and health.

The entire working class must come to the defence of the Magampura Port workers, opposing the repression and witch-hunt underway. This is critical for the defence of the democratic rights of the working class.

This assault once again shows the necessity for a fight for a workers and peasants government and for socialist policies to defend the jobs, living conditions and social rights of workers and the poor.
The Obama administration, just weeks before handing power to a Trump presidency, has ordered an additional 200 American special forces troops to Syria, to operate alongside the predominantly Kurdish militia who comprise the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Defense Secretary Ashton Carter made the announcement on the weekend.

The SDF is one of the US-funded and armed groupings being used as Washingtons proxies in the now five-year civil war aimed at overthrowing the Russian and Iranian-backed regime of Bashar al-Assad. The additional US troops will join some 300 who are already on the ground in Syria. They will participate in an SDF offensive to seek to recapture the city of Raqqa from the extremist Islamic State (ISIS), whose victories in both Syria and Iraq were seized upon in 2014 as the pretext for direct US and European military intervention.

The offensive on Raqqa coincides with the massive Iraqi government and Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) assault on the ISIS-held city of Mosul in northern Iraq. The capture of the cities would give US-backed Kurdish forces control over not only the provinces and territory in Iraq that are part of, or are claimed by, the KRG, but a large swathe of northern and eastern Syria. Both the Iraqi and Syrian Kurdish nationalist leaderships have made clear they do not intend to return areas they hold to the jurisdiction of the Iraqi and Syrian governments.

The increased involvement of American forces in the Kurdish offensive will heighten already tense relations between the US and Turkey, ostensible NATO allies. The Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labels the Kurdish YPG, or Popular Protection Forces, that make up the bulk of the SDF as a terrorist group and a front for the Turkish-based PKK (Kurdish Workers Party). Since 1984, the PKK has waged an off-and-on civil war for a separate or autonomous state in the predominantly Kurdish-populated provinces of southeastern Turkey. The most ambitious Kurdish nationalists have historically advocated the formation of a Kurdish state encompassing the Kurdish regions of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

The growing rift between the US and Turkey was palpably displayed late last month, when the American military announced it was not involved and would not conduct air strikes in support of a Turkish-backed assault on the Syrian town of al-Bab, north-east of Aleppo, which is targeting both ISIS and the Kurdish SDF. US advisors in the area were also withdrawn, most likely to avoid being caught up in operations against Kurdish forces that are also being accompanied by American personnel.

The Turkish government was one of the key US allies which, from 2011, directly assisted the anti-Assad rebellion. It turned a blind eye to thousands of Sunni Muslim extremists from around the world entering Syria across its border and enlisting with Al Qaeda-linked and other Islamist organisations that were fighting the Syrian government.

The sordid intrigues against the Assad regime in Syria by US imperialism, the European powers and regional states, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf state monarchies, have led to a disaster for the Syrian people. Out of a pre-2011 population of just 18 million, over 400,000 have lost their lives, close to 5 million have fled the country as refugees and another 7.6 million are considered internally displaced.

Five years since the outbreak of fighting, the policy of both the Obama administration and Turkey faces a debacle.

The turn by ISIS to attack the pro-US government in Iraq in 2014 compelled Washington to order operations against it by American and allied air power, involving the militaries of the US, Britain, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. ISIS has lost thousands of fighters and much of the territory it held. Kurdish forces in both Syria and Iraq have been one of the main beneficiaries.

Direct Russian military support for the Assad regime since 2015 has enabled the Syrian military, assisted by Iranian, Iraqi and Lebanese Shiite militias, to gain the upper hand in the civil war. The US and Turkish-backed rebel forces in the major city of Aleppo, where some of the most savage fighting has taken place, are on the verge of total defeat.

Reports in the past three days have suggested that the US had negotiated an honourable withdrawal for the remaining rebel fighters, in which Russia and the Syrian government would allow them to leave Aleppo. Under the purported agreement, the former Al Qaeda affiliate, the al-Nusra Front, would have to evacuate to Idlib, the last significant city in northwestern Syria held by the non-ISIS rebels. Other rebel groupings have reportedly been offered safe haven in areas along the Turkish border not under Kurdish control.

Russia, which has repeatedly vetoed US-driven attempts to pass a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Aleppo, responded to the reports by denying that any agreement had been reached. Talks are said to be ongoing.

The fall of Aleppo will usher in a new stage in the five-year carnage. It will leave the Assad regimeprimarily as a result of the Russian interventionin control of the key population centres of the country. It will enable Syrian Army forces and supporting militias to redeploy, backed by Russian air power, toward Raqqa. The possibility of direct clashes with US forces will significantly increase.

The remnants of ISIS and other Islamist forces will continue to fight. In an unexpected development, an estimated 4,000 ISIS fighters launched an assault over the weekend and seized back control of much of the city of Palmyra, a historic site in central Syria. The fighting to recapture Raqqa is expected to be bloody and protracted and is unlikely to be concluded before Donald Trump assumes the US presidency. Likewise, in Iraq, the siege of Mosul may well continue for months.

The fall of both Raqqa and Mosul, however, would leave KRG and Syrian Kurdish forces, backed by Washington, in control of most of the border region between Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Their refusal to return territory poses the prospect of clashes with the Turkey military or the forces of the Shiite-dominated and Iranian-backed Iraqi government in Baghdad.

Throughout the US election, Donald Trump criticised US involvement in Syria and its support for the Islamist-based rebels fighting the Assad regime. When his administration is inaugurated on January 20, 2017, it will preside over a highly volatile geopolitical state of affairs, fraught with the potential for escalation into a wider war.
US President-elect Donald Trump upped the ante yesterday in his war of words with China. He declared that he did not feel bound by the One China policy, which has been the foundation of diplomacy between the two countries for more than 40 years. His comments follow his phone conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on December 2the first direct contact between US and Taiwanese leaders since 1979.

Speaking on Fox News, Trump made clear he would abide by the One China policy, which recognises Beijing as the sole legitimate government of all China, only if the Chinese government caves in on other issues. I dont know why we have to be bound by a One China policy, he declared, unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

Trump reiterated what amounts to hefty demands on China. I mean, look, he said, were being hurt very badly by China with devaluation; with taxing us heavy at the borders when we dont tax them; with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldnt be doing; and frankly, with not helping at all with North Korea.

Trumps bluster is a crude threat to tear up the basis for US-China diplomatic relations unless Beijing offers major economic and trade concessions, ends its land reclamation in the South China Sea and imposes crippling economic sanctions on its ally North Korea. He already threatened trade war measures during the election campaign, including branding China a currency manipulator and imposing 45 percent tariffs on Chinese goods.

The US rapprochement with China, sealed by President Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong in 1972, enshrined the One China principle in the Shanghai Communique. In 1979, a second communique laid the basis for establishing diplomatic relations. The US ended its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and withdrew troops from the island while, under the Taiwan Relations Act, opposing any forcible reunification with China and continuing to sell arms to Taiwan.

By placing a question mark over US-China relations, Trump is recklessly compounding the rising uncertainty in Asia and around the world. The One China policy has been the foundation for the diplomacy of most countries with China. Any upgrading of US ties with Taiwan, as suggested by Trumps phone call with the Taiwanese president, could rapidly lead to a confrontation with China. Beijing has declared that it will respond militarily to any attempt by Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province, to proclaim formal independence.

In his remarks on Fox News, Trump denied that his phone call with President Tsai was lined up weeks in advance and insisted it was a very short call congratulating him on his election victory. Why should some other nation be able to say I cant make a call? Trump declared. I think it actually wouldve been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it.

Trumps claims are simply absurd. According to the New York Times, former Republican Senator Bob Dole, acting as a lobbyist for the Taiwanese government, worked behind the scenes for months to facilitate contact between Taiwanese officials and Trumps staff. This included involving Trumps aides in a United States delegation to Taiwan and facilitating a Taiwanese delegation to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.

Moreover, Trumps transition team features several figures with close links with Taiwan, such as his chief of staff Reince Priebus. Following Trumps talk with Tsai, Taiwans official Central News Agency claimed Edward Feulner, a member of the transition team, played a crucial role in bringing about the phone call. Feulner met with Tsai in Taiwan in October. Regardless of how it was precisely organised, the call had been lined up weeks, if not months, in advance and involved more than just congratulations.

Significantly, the Republican National Convention that nominated Trump also altered the partys official platform by incorporating what are known as the Six Assurances given by US President Ronald Reagan to Taiwan. These include not setting a cut-off date for the sale of US armaments to Taiwan.

Another of Trumps foreign policy advisers and transition team, Peter Navarro, set out the framework for a fundamental shift in US relations with China and Taiwan in a National Interest article published in July. Entitled America cant dump Taiwan, Navarro called for American leaders to  never acknowledge the One China, Two Systems policynor even refer to the One China policy again. [emphasis in the original]

Navarro declared that maintaining Taiwan as an independent pro-US ally is absolutely critical for strategically balancing against the rise of an increasingly militaristic China. In reality, it is the Obama administration that has conducted a massive military build-up in the Asia Pacific, and ratcheted up tensions with China in flashpoints such as the South China Sea, as part of its pivot to Asia to maintain American supremacy.

Navarro, who criticises Barack Obama for not aggressively enough pursuing the pivot, called for greater military aid to Taiwan to upgrade its defensive capacities, including a similar set of anti-access, area denial capabilities that China is now using to deter US sea and air power in Asia. He also advocated assisting Taiwan to develop a fleet of state-of-the art diesel electric submarines to threaten the Chinese navy and shipping.

The response of the Chinese government to Trumps provocative actions has been relatively low key. However, an editorial in the China Daily last week set out in unmistakable terms that Beijing was not about to horse-trade on the One China policy or Taiwan.

Trump may be a shrewd businessman, adroit in commercial deal-cutting. He might have taken a page from his business manualmake a rigorous opening bid, then settle for less. But make no mistake about it: Taiwan stands on top of Chinas menu of core national interests, and is not negotiable, it stated.

If he has been misled by his advisers for whatever reason into believing that unnegotiables are negotiable, in this case the One China principle regarding Taiwan, the consequences could be serious.

Even before he assumes office, Trump is showing that he intends to adopt a bellicose stance toward China that upends decades of diplomatic norms, and recklessly risk a confrontation with Beijing that could trigger war between two nuclear-armed powers.
On Sunday, the New York Times published an editorial entitled Truth and Lies in the Age of Trump, which bemoans the breakdown of a shared public reality built upon widely accepted facts due to the growing influence of social media. As a result, the Times writes, its easier for demagogues to deploy made-up facts to suit the story they want to tell, declaring Thats what Mr. Trump has done.

While the editorial is framed as a critique of Trump, its real target is the idea that the population should have access to information that is not censored and massaged by the CIA, the military and the financial elite. This, in the Times view, is a recipe for disaster.

The Times piece is in line with a campaign by the media and sections of the political establishment, particularly those aligned with the Clinton camp, to crack down on what they call fake news. As part of this campaign, leading social media networks, most prominently Facebook, have said they intend to more actively curate what appears in users news feeds.

The Times complains that The institutions that once generated and reaffirmed that shared realityincluding the church, the government, the news media, the universities and labor unionsare in various stages of turmoil and even collapse.

In other words, the Times is deeply worried that the state and its various auxiliary institutions are facing a crisis of legitimacy.

With undisguised contempt for the population, the newspaper declares that due to the growing popularity of the internet and social media, everyone can customize his or her own information bubble, and Curl up in cozy, angry or self-righteous cocoons. The New York Times seeks to falsely brand this growing skepticism to the dictates of the media establishment as essentially synonymous with support for Trump.

The sanctimonious, self-righteous blathering of the Times on fake news of course ignores the role of the Times itself as a systematic purveyor of state propaganda. It says nothing about what the newspaper and its fellow outlets might have done to warrant popular skepticism of the media establishment.

The list of liesmany with deadly consequencesis long and damning. Most notoriously, the Times played a leading role in feeding the US population the false justifications for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, through the writings of discredited propagandist Judith Miller and others.

In October 2005, Times Public Editor Byron Calame was forced to admit, in understated language, Ms. Miller may still be best known for her role in a series of Times articles in 2002 and 2003 that strongly suggested Saddam Hussein already had or was acquiring an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction... Many of those articles turned out to be inaccurate, leading the newspaper to fire her.

The Times likewise peddled claims about an imminent massacre in Benghazi that were used as the pretext for the 2011 war for regime change in Libya that killed 40,000 people and left the country in a state of permanent and bloody civil war. It used false claims of Syrian government chemical weapons attacks that were promoted in 2013 to justify what it hoped would be a war to overthrow that countrys ruler and install a US puppet government.

In 2014, the Times published a front-page lead article shortly after the coup in Ukraine, replete with fabricated photographs, claiming to prove that Russian troops had invaded eastern Ukraine. Within 24 hours of publication, the newspaper was forced to retract this piece of state propaganda.

Currently, the newspaper is taking part in a ferocious internecine battle within the ruling class in the aftermath of the election of Trump over US policy toward Russia.

On Friday, the Obama administration announced that it is beginning an investigation into Russian influence over the election, while the New York Times and Washington Post published articles, based solely on the say-so of unnamed intelligence officials, providing additional details of the alleged hacking by Russia of Democratic National Committee emails.

None of the facts provided by the Times to promote its anti-Russia campaign are any more believable than the claims of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Broad sections of the population are seeking alternative sources of news because they increasingly realize that it is establishment outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, as well as the major network news outlets that are the propagators of fake news.
25 Years Ago | 50 Years Ago | 75 Years Ago | 100 Years Ago

25 years ago: US sanctions against Iraq kill 80,000 children

Iraqs emissary to the Arab League declared on December 17, 1991, that more than 80,000 children under the age of five had died as a result of US and UN sanctions imposed in the wake of the Persian Gulf War. The sanctions blocked Iraqs ability to pay for medicines and essential foods.

Nabil Nejim al-Takriti gave the Cairo-based league a list of urgently-needed medical supplies and declared, The sanctions threaten further deaths among children, women and old people. He urged other Arab countries to send medicine, indicating that Iraq had run out of key drugs, including for cancer treatment.

The Iraqi government had ordered $1.2 billion worth of drugs and equipment from Western firms in 1991, but their governments refused to release frozen funds to pay for the supplies.

In November, the Iraqi government said that 65,000 children had already died and that another 350,000 were at risk that winter. Iraqs Health Minister Abdel-Salem Mohammad Saeed challenged Western powers to live up to their supposed human rights ideals by unfreezing the countrys assets.

The US and its allies refused to do so until Iraq agreed to a UN plan which would allow Iraq to sell a limited amount of oil under direct imperialist supervision. The Hussein regime in Baghdad said that the proposals would strip the country of its sovereignty and leave it, in any case, with only a few million dollars for relief supplies.

Another result of the barbaric saturation bombing of Iraq was the reappearance of polio among Iraqi children. An official of UNICEF reported that 15 to 20 children a month had contracted the disease.

Reports of the devastation, death and misery caused by the imperialist assault on Iraq did not deter Congressman Les Aspin from calling on the Bush administration December 12 to issue an ultimatum that it would resume the murderous air strikes, if necessary, to destroy supposed nuclear and chemical weapons projects.

A leading Democrat and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Aspin accused the Bush administration of being too soft and of carrying out a threat and forget policy. He urged the dispatch of more US warplanes to the Gulf region and the seizure of an Iraqi airfield as a base for armed escort inspections.

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50 years ago: US bombs civilians in Hanoi

On December 13, 1966, the government of North Vietnam reported that American bombers hit working class neighborhoods in Hanoi, destroying homes and inflicting casualties on residents.

US planes strafed and bombed densely populated residential districts along the Red River, including areas inside the city limits of Hanoi. North Vietnam reported 100 civilians killed in two days of massive raids, which leveled the village of Cau Dat near Hanoi. US bombs also hit in the area of the foreign diplomatic quarters in Hanoi.

Reports of the civilian casualties forced representatives of US imperialism to concede for the first time that American planes were bombing targets inside Hanoi. Previously, government spokesmen denied reports of bombing attacks on the capital of North Vietnam. When confronted with evidence of the bombing raids, a State Department spokesman defended the previous lies of the Johnson administration, claiming that the government was not sure where the Hanoi city limits actually were. US imperialism continued to deny that warplanes were targeting civilians, cynically claiming that all bombs were being directed at military targets, despite the broadcast of film footage by the television networks and reports in the capitalist press internationally.

North Vietnam filed a protest over the attacks with the International Control Commission, the imperialist-sponsored organization set up in 1954 to oversee the partition of Vietnam after the defeat of French imperialism. Meanwhile, guerrilla attacks were stepped up against US forces in South Vietnam.

The imperialist bombing campaign against North Vietnam was mass murder, in which entire cities were being systematically obliterated in an attempt to terrorize the working class and peasantry.

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75 years ago: Japanese rout Britain in Malay campaign

During the week beginning December 12, 1941, the imperialist war for control of the Pacific colonies intensified. At the Battle of Jitra and days later at the Battle of Gurun, both in present-day Malaysia, British troops were defeated by invading Japanese forces.

Located at the foot of the Malaya Peninsula, including the island of Singapore astride the strategically important Strait of Malacca, the British colony of Malaya was also endowed with rubber plantations and tin mines, making it a key battleground. Sir Shenton Thomas, the British governor of the colony, described Malaya as the dollar arsenal of the Empire. Like the oilfields of the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), Malaya represented a high priority for Japanese imperial designs.

Since the beginning of December, a state of emergency had been declared in Singapore, where the Royal Navy had built a large and modern naval base. Coastal batteries covered the islands approaches, but in late 1941 the base was virtually empty. Naval commitments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and a need to protect Arctic convoys to Murmansk in the Soviet Union had left British naval forces overstretched. As a result, the British had no battle fleet in the eastern theatre and its Far East Command lacked modern aircraft, tanks, and fighting equipment.

The British commander in Malaya, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, had nearly 140,000 troops, among them Indian, Australian, and New Zealand colonial conscripts, but fewer than 60,000 were front-line troops. Almost none had any jungle warfare experience and the Indian and Commonwealth troops were virtually untrained.

Japanese forces advancing south through Thailand since the invasion on December 8 attacked towards northwest Malaya. They rapidly destroyed two British battalions in quick succession before advancing upon Jitra from the north and also from the south at Kroh. After 15 hours of bitter fighting, the Japanese took Jitra from the British on December 13. They then advanced rapidly another 50 kilometers south upon Gurun, where the British troops had retreated, and inflicted another defeat on December 16 that cost a British Indian Division heavily in troops and leadership, effectively finishing it as a fighting force.

By the conclusion of the Malayan Campaign, British forces had suffered a total defeat, losing almost all of their 140,000 soldiers, upwards of 100,000 of whom were taken prisoners of war. Japan lost approximately 10,000 soldierskilled, wounded, or captured.

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100 years ago: British Labour Party and unions agitate in favor of war

This week in December 1916, representatives of the British Labour Party and the major trade unions issued a series of bellicose statements demanding a continuation of the imperialist bloodbath of World War I, which had already claimed millions of workers lives.

They were responding to a peace note issued by the German government of Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg on December 12, making a vague offer of negotiations with the Allies. No specific conditions or demands were stated and the main purpose of the note seems to have been an attempt to keep America neutral.

Serious divisions existed within the German ruling class over the possibility of victory in the world war. Facing a working class at home increasingly hostile to the war and a blockade that was strangling the German economy, and concerned that unrestricted submarine warfare that could break the military stalemate might also bring the US into the war on the side of the Allies, Bethmann Hollweg devised the peace note as an attempt to resolve these deepening contradictions.

The British Labourites bitterly denounced the prospect of a negotiated end to the slaughter, making clear that they were a pro-imperialist tendency within the workers movement. They pledged their loyalty to Lloyd Georges coalition government which they had helped vote into power.

Lieutenant Colonel John Ward, a Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent, made a particularly jingoistic statement to the press. The whole country is opposed to anything in the shape of a premature and inconclusive peace, and would make short work of any man or any ministry which proposed it, he said. We have laid down certain conditions which must be fulfilled before we sheathe the sword. Until we get them we shall go on fighting, if it takes 20 years to do it. That is the spirit of the people as I have found it. It is only when I come to the House of Commons that I hear any talk about peace. We shall never get a satisfactory peace until the enemy is beaten. Until that happens nothing else matters.

John OGrady, chairman of the General Federation of Trade Unions, put sole blame on Germany for the war. The only possible terms with which the British workman, Socialists and trade unionists would agree, even as a basis for negotiations for peace, are the complete restoration and reparation of Belgium, Serbia, Romania, Montenegro, Poland and France, with full compensation for all the evils inflicted upon them by the hordes of the Central Powers, he said.

Germany and her allies must understand further that apart from the question of compensating the Powers which have been so fully wronged, Great Britain and France, as the two great democratic powers of Europe, are fighting to smash utterly the Prussian military machine and all it stands for.

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